"just how a Fall Engagement shoot is done right"..

We loved this engagement photo session because it was a perfect blend of all the right ingredients:

• a gorgeous couple in love : Ludmi & Pete;
• a talented award-winning photographer : Kevin Trowbridge;
• great locations, in and out of the city;
• and the perfect, dreamy Fall light, throughout the shoot.

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"uniting Past Brides with this year's Brides-to-Be"..

Fun, Eco-friendly and Budget-Conscious too!

• Sample and consignment dresses for sale,
• decor companies clearing their stock and
• select professional vendors to chat one-on-one.

The inaugural, last year, was even more successful that expected (over 700 brides - look at the lineups!) so thsi year the event is moving to Villa Amato (Main & 1^st, near the Olympic Village: Sunday, November 20th)

We need more of these, across Canada..

"ever thought it possible even, to have your wedding in a medieval castle in the south of France?"..

Planning a destination wedding?
Looking for something affordable in a truly incredible location?
Have you ever considered, or ever thought it possible even, to have your wedding in a medieval castle in the south of France?!

Cataloguing "hidden gems" has become one of our favourite pastimes, in the BRIDE.ca office; so when we came across this very unique yet surprisingly affordable destination wedding option, we had to share it with all of you.

Where:

Château de Montalègre is in France's Midi-Pyrénées region in the southern part of the country. An authentic castle dating back to the 13th century, it has been completely renovated yet maintains its historic charm with four majestic towers at each corner and red shuttered windows overlooking the breathtaking landscape below (the property encompasses 175 hectares of land - almost 2 square kilometers; that should provide enough privacy, yes?).

Amenities:

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One of the very best e-sessions we have seen in a long while. Submitted by Chatham + Niagara based photographer Denise Blommestyn for our Best Engagement Photo contest, Leah & Darryl's set immediately stood out.

The storytelling quality of the shoot, the environment, the light, the love!.. those two should be in a Nicholas Sparks novel...

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"How many days left? Do you have everything you need?
Are you sure?"..

Attention all Brides!!!

How many days left till the big day!? Do you have everything you need? Are you sure? Hope you haven't forgotten about your 'Wedding Day Emergency Kit'! Something might now work out the way you planned, therefore be prepared for something to go wrong! Solution? Having everything you need on the big day!

We have put together all the emergency items you might need on your wedding day! We guarantee that you will at least use two of them!

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• WHERE: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place


• WHEN
  • Friday April 15, 2011 5:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday April 16, 2011 10:00am - 7:00pm
  • Sunday April 17, 2011 10:00am - 6:00pm


• WHAT:

  Toronto's Bridal Show, where the best in the marital union business gather bi-annually to show off their goods, and offer discounted rates and special promotions that'll save you precious dollars on your big day.
  
  Showcasing over 150 bridal industry specialists, it's the perfect place to find whatever you need for a majestic wedding and life after "I do". Whether you need dresses for the bridesmaids, a venue for your reception, or that elusive perfect wedding gown, you're search will end at Toronto's Bridal Show.
  
  With inspiring fashion shows, and $20 000 in prizes to be won, this is one show brides and grooms to be can't afford to miss.

With the beginning of February upon us, the staff at bride.ca is definitely feeling the touch of Cupid's arrow. And while you are all busy planning the most important day of your life, we are thinking of ways to remind you that love needs nourishing, especially during all the hectic wedding planning.
What did we come up with? A romantic getaway, of course!

"Our advice: Take a weekend off from the planning and enjoy some quite time with your honey."..

Here are a few fantastic Canadian getaways that will both relax and inspire you to keep the love fresh and exciting!

1. Ontario: Royal Resort

A relaxing getaway on scenic Balsam Lake in Ontario's Kawartha region. A Valentine's Day package here includes a romantic sleigh ride, chocolates, and champagne.

Royal Resort & Restaurant (Balsam Lake, Kawartha)

2. BC: A Vista Villa Bed & Barbecue

Spoil yourselves rotten in the breathtaking Okanagan Valley located in BC's interior. This luxurious bed and breakfast offers Jacuzzi suites plus a variety of indulgent treats to leave you feeling completely pampered.

A Vista Villa Bed & Barbecue, Kelowna BC

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"Wedding Solstice" is past (December 27th), January is upon us, wedding planning season is open! And along with it the usual flurry of bridal shows across Canada, to both help and inspire the bride! Here's our "comprehensive sampler" of what shows, fairs and other events are coming to a city near you, in January 2011.

photo: Calgary WeddingFair/BridalFair

Geographically, "left-to-right" (west-to-east)
• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec
• The Maritimes

British Columbia

• Wedding Fair - $20 + HST
  When: January 8 & 9, 2011 10:00 am -7:00 pm / 11:00 - 5:00 pm
  Where: Westin Bayshore & Resort - 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver | 604 251-1217
  
  
• Cinderella Bridal Show - Free
  When: Sunday Jan 9 2011 Open from 11 AM to 5 PM
  Where: 1160 King George Hwy, South Surrey | Tel: 604 533 5569
  

  Sunday Jan 9 2011 Open from 11 AM to 5 PM Bridal Show at Pacific Inn FREE Honeymoon draw for brides. FREE draw for friends of brides. FREE Admission for everyone. Win a door prize or the Honeymoon getaway - $30,000 in prizes in 2011 85+ vendor The most opulent show ever.

• INDIE I DO - Alternative Wedding Show -$15/$20
  When: Saturday, January 22, 2011 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
  Where: Heritage Hall - 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC. | 604 605 1272
  

  Vancouver's Alternative Wedding Show! Come out to Vancouver's sassiest wedding show, Indie I Do. Kick things up a notch with unique, local details tailored to you. Join us! Bringing together local independent, edgy, and innovative exhibitors, Indie I Do provides alternatives to the cookie cut ...

• Welcome Wagon Maple Ridge Bridal Showcase - Free
  When: Monday evening, January 31, 2011
  Where: 19675 Meadow Gardens Way, Meadow Gardens Golf Course, Pitt Meadows | Tel: 778-839-8581
  

  Monday evening, January 31, 2011. Free tickets for bride and guests. Proven format of combining a fashion show with local vendor presence,offering every facet of weddings needs in one location. Complimentary Refreshments, Door Prizes,Gift Bags,Fashion Show,Vendors.Longest running M.R. Bridal ...

• Bridal Exhibition Victoria - $15
  When: January 16, 2011 10am to 4pm
  Where: Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Road, Victoria, BC | 250- 475-5400
  
  
• Bridal Exhibition Courtney - $10
  When: January 23, 2011 11am to 3pm
  Where: Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave, Courtney, BC | Tel: 250- 338-1000
  
  
• Bridal Fair Victoria
  When: January 10, 2011
  Where: Victoria Conference Centre 721 Douglas Street, Victoria
  
  
• Kamloops Bridal Fair - Free
  When: January 30, 2011 10am-3:30pm, Fashion Show: 3pm
  Where: Campus Activity Centre, Thompson Rivers University 900 McGill Road, Kamloops
  
  

Alberta

• Bridal Fantasy Calgary: The Boutique Bridal Show - $20
  When: January 16, 2011
  Where: TELUS Convention Centre Tel: 780-433-4600 | Toll Free: 1-800-565-6664
  

  Bridal Fantasy Calgary is the hottest wedding fair to hit the Calgary scene. In addition to a fabulous trade show full of wedding industry professionals, brides will see an amazing fashion show and theatrical production featuring the latest tren ...

• Bridal Fantasy Edmonton
  When: January 23, 2011
  Where: Edmonton Expo Centre 8109 - 102 Street, Edmonton | Tel: 780-433-4600 | Toll Free: 1-800-565-6664
  

  The bridal show everyone is talking about, Bridal Fantasy has wowed brides since 1980. Get the all the information you will need in preparing for your big day and your new life ahead. Brides who attend the show will receive a FREE Wedding Planner ( ...

• Wedding Fair Calgary 2011 - $20 (GST included)
  When: January 23, 2011 9:30am- 5:30pm, Fashion Shows: 11:00am-2:00pm-4:00 pm
  Where: The BMO Centre-Stampede Park 839 - 10th Avenue SW, Calgary | Tel: 403-229-3328 | Toll Free: 888-952-7433
  

  Fashion Shows: 11:00am-2:00pm-4:00 pm The BMO Centre-Stampede Park Meet over 200 of Calgary's leading wedding specialists and see the latest in bridal and formalwear fashions at one of our spectacular fashion shows. Enter to win fabulous honeymoon packages ...

• Bridal Fair Edmonton
  When: January 16, 2011 Exhibition Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm Fabulous Fashion Shows: Noon and 3:30pm
  Where: Shaw Conference Centre Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Ave), Edmonton, Tel: 403-229-3328
  

  Shop around for wedding related services and compare quality and price before making your final decisions. Our Bridal Fair/Wedding Fair offers an efficient way to review what is in the Edmonton marketplace -you can check out caterers, florists and photographers, try cake samp ...

Saskatchewan

• A Wedding Expo - $10 in advance or $15 at the door
  When: January 16th, 2011 Doors open at 11am Fashion Shows: 1pm & 3pm
  Where: Queensbury Convention Centre Evraz Place 1700 Elphinstone Street, Regina, Saskatchewan
  
  

Manitoba

• The Wonderful Wedding Show - $12 plus agency fee
  When: January 22 & 23, 2011 11am to 6pm, Fashion Shows 1pm & 4pm
  Where: Winnipeg Convention Centre 375 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3J3 | Tel: 204-956-1720
  
  

Ontario

• Canada's Bridal Show - $15
  When: January 7, 8 & 9
  Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (north building) 255 Front Street West Toronto, ON
  
  
• The Burlington/Oakville Bridal Show
  When: January 29 & 30, 2011 11am to 5pm
  Where: Burlington Convention Centre 1120 Burloak Drive, Burlington ON
  

  The Perfect Match - You and The Burlington/Oakville Bridal Show. Halton's Boutique Bridal Show Experience. "Fun, entertaining, and informative." The Bridal Show is the best tool a busy bride can use to plan their wedding day. Don't miss our next event on January 29th & 30th, 2011. ...

• Bridal Odyssey - $5
  When: January 9, 2011 10am to 4pm, Fashion Shows 11am & 2pm
  Where: Hiawatha RaceTrack Slots 1730 London Line, Sarnia On
  
  
• Wedding Palace Bridal Show - $15
  When: January 15 & 16 11am to 5pm
  Where: The Westin Ottawa 11 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario
  
  

Quebec

• Le Salon de la Mariee - $10
  When: January 29 & 30, 2011 10am to 5pm
  Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal 1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal
  

  Sheldon Kagan's Le Salon de la Mariee is the longest running bridal show in Montreal with everything under one roof to help you plan your wedding,honeymoon & future home.

The Maritimes

• The Atlantic Wedding Showcase "Grand Bridal Show" - $12 (showcase only)
  When: January 16, 2011 10am-5pm
  Where: Cunard Centre (Pier 23) Stadium & Conference Centre 960 Marginal Road, Halifax
  

  Halifax and Charlottetown 'Grand Bridal Shows' Spectacular Showcases featuring over 100 exhibitors, fashion shows, door prize draws and more. Visit our website for further info. Shows held at Exhibition Park Hfx. NS in Sept., Cunard Centre Hfx, NS in Jan. and in Charlottetown, PEI in Febru ...

• Brides 2011 - $12
  When: January 23, 2011 10am-4pm
  Where: The World Trade & Convention Center, Halifax
  
  

"A little something to inspire and entertain you through the weekend!"..

A great little segment, produced by Shaw TV's Wedding Belles, featuring our friends from West Vancouver's Blush Bridal. You will be looking for your own perfect dress soon, will you not? The 2011 collections are in!

"What do you get when you pair an Alberta bride with a B.C. wedding location? Lots of long distance coordinating!"..

Martine & Brett share a private moment on the main dock at Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

• Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., June 19, 2010
• Planner: Happily Wedded After, Abbottsford, BC
• Photography: Amber Hughes, Vancouver

Martine planned her wedding, which was to be held in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, while living in Grande Prairie Alberta. With lots of imagination, personal work and much assistance from her coordinator, Kyla Charney, of Happily Wedded After, Martine was able to achieve the wedding of her dreams..
Here is how she did it:

The Look

"I actually bought my dress on kijiji from a girl who was selling it for her friend who 'didn't end up getting married' . So never been worn it only cost me $100." ~Martine

After some alterations and some extras, like a petticoat purchased on ebay, Martine ended up spending a cool $400 on her beautiful gown. Chic and savvy!

Martine's flowers were made by Flowers by Gloria in Aldegrove, BC. Not knowing very much about flowers, Martine showed the florist a picture of what she wanted and let het take care of the rest. The result, simple and classic, just like the bride ordered!

• Bridesmaid dresses from Le Chateau
• Hair and Make up by Scarlette Ballantyne

Not all the bridesmaids were present for dress fittings, so Martine found dresses that had some stretch to them to accommodate for any sizing issues.

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