Bright and Easy Pieces for Beach and Honeymoon Dressing

If you’re heading off on vacation this summer — or even better, your honeymoon! — make a stop at the Joe Fresh store on Vancouver’s Granville Street.

This morning we checked out designer Joseph Mimram’s Spring 2012 Fresh Off the Runway collection. And it’s an eye-opener that will put you in an instant holiday mood! Featuring bright pops of colour, complemented by crisp, clean black and white, the new line is fun, flirty and easy to wear.

From classic capris to maxi dresses and colourful short shorts, the pieces offer an affordable way to perk up your honeymoon or vacation wardrobe with a sexy modern vibe.

Among our favourite finds were an A-line eyelet dress in white or navy that’s pretty enough for any occasion ($59), and a long flowy maxi skirt perfect for romantic beach walks ($69).

In B.C., the Fresh Off the Runway collection is available exclusively at Joe Fresh in Vancouver at 540 Granville. But hurry! We wouldn’t be surprised if this limited-edition line sells out fast.

Help Create a Future Without Breast Cancer on Your Wedding Day

Breast cancer might not be the first thing on your mind as you’re planning your wedding day. But as one in nine Canadian women will be affected by the disease, chances are you already know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

Why not make your wedding even more meaningful by participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Tie the Knot for Breast Cancer program? As you celebrate your new life together, you and your guests could also be helping to save lives.

So, if you really don’t need another toaster or blender, consider registering for your own online Tie the Knot page. This allows guests to donate to the Foundation in lieu of giving wedding or shower gifts.

Or, instead of providing guests with wedding favours, make a donation in their honour. The Tie the Knot program offers donation cards, pink ribbons, place card templates and certificates of appreciation that you can display at your reception.

And don’t forget to Kiss for the Cause! Ask your guests to donate to the Foundation every time you pucker up. Keep smooching and watch those dollars add up…

For more information on ways you can help, visit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Our Gorgeous New Edition of Real Weddings is Hot Off the Press

Our latest issue of Real Weddings just arrived in our offices and we couldn’t be more thrilled! In fact, we got straight to celebrating with Prosecco mimosas — and slices of divine wedding cake from Pink Ribbon Bakery (it was only 10:30 in the morning, but who’s keeping track?).

Our celebratory cake from Pink Ribbon Bakery. Photo by Kathleen Almeida

Our warmest thanks to everyone involved in this, our first issue under the Canada Wide Media banner, including our talented writers, our gifted photographers and stylists, and all of our loyal advertisers. Plus, of course, a huge thank-you to all the local brides and grooms who so graciously shared their wedding stories with us — we couldn’t have done it without you.

Look for our brand-new Spring/Summer 2012 edition on newsstands starting next week and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

The Vancouver Burlesque Centre offers everything from private classes to burlesque parties for birthdays, stagettes and more.

Release Your Inner Vixen With Fun and Sexy Dance Lessons

By Heather Vince

A bedazzled dancer shimmies and sways across the floor, thrusting her hips at every turn. She purrs, bats her lashes and seductively runs a hand along her thigh . . . OK, stop there — maybe you didn’t envision yourself performing a sexy cabaret act as part of your pre-wedding festivities, but why not? It’s your party!

If you’re thinking of revealing your inner vixen at your stagette, or simply want to try your hand at tassel twirling, there’s no shortage of options in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Burlesque Centre offers a number of mix-and-match experiences. Choose from how-to lessons on the art of striptease, or chair-dance routines you can take home to try out on your lucky, unsuspecting significant other. Or, book a stagette party where you and your girlfriends can pick up some sexy burlesque moves.

Host your stagette at the Vancouver Burlesque Centre and pick up some spicy new moves.

Or learn to create your own pasties at a pastie party!

The Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society promises classes to “turn the girl next door into a whole lot more,” and it doesn’t stop at dance lessons. Think glamorous pin-up photo shoots, with styling, hair and makeup, maybe even a new corset for the boudoir.

Some of these services may be offered on a mobile basis, but we suggest you and your party head to the studio. There you can enjoy the full experience with hardwood floors and wall-to-wall mirrors (and what better way to see your hot new self in all her glory?).

For more info on burlesque experiences for your stagette, visit the Vancouver Burlesque Centre or the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society.

MZ by Principessa Roll-on Pure Perfume Oil,
$69 for 29.5 mL

Fresh New Fragrance Line By Real Housewives of Vancouver
Star Mary Zilba

Confession time: One of our guiltiest pleasures lately has been watching The Real Housewives of Vancouver every Wednesday night on Slice.

Real Housewives of Vancouver star Mary Zilba

If you’re hooked too, you know that “Housewife” Mary Zilba, recording artist and philanthropist (and mom of three!), is the sweetest of the colourful bunch. So, it’s only fitting that she would release a new fragrance and beauty line that’s both soft and feminine.

A collaboration with Vancouver’s Principessa Beauty, the new MZ by Principessa line features a fresh slightly sweet scent with hints of jasmine. We admit we’re not huge perfume lovers ourselves, but the MZ by Principessa Pure Perfume Oil is clean and pretty. Attention-getting, but not overwhelming, making it perfect for any occasion — including the big day!

MZ by Principessa Gift Set, $69

The line includes a whipped body butter, scented soy candle and nude lip gloss. For your favourite girls, pick up the MZ by Principessa Gift Set. Prettily packaged for giving, it includes the soy candle, perfume oil and lip gloss, all for just $69.

Check out the full line of MZ by Principessa treats at BeautyMark or Kiss & Makeup.

Photo: Carlton Davis

The Iconic Gem Goes on Tour to Mark Tiffany’s 175th Birthday

A girl can dream, can’t she? We know we’ll never get to lay a finger on the legendary 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, but we can’t take our eyes off this dazzling gem!

Marking the iconic jeweller’s 175th anniversary this year, the world-famous yellow diamond is going on tour to Tokyo, Beijing and Dubai before eventually returning home to New York.

Sadly, the Tiffany Diamond won’t be stopping in Vancouver, but you can feast your eyes here on its gorgeous new setting. As part of Tiffany’s anniversary celebrations, the priceless gem has now been set in a sparkling necklace of white diamonds totalling more than 120 carats.

Discovered in South Africa back in 1877, the diamond-in-the-rough then made it into the hands of Tiffany founder Charles Lewis Tiffany, cementing his reputation as the King of Diamonds.

Exhibited around the world through the decades, the Tiffany Diamond will make its way back to Tiffany’s flagship Fifth Avenue store later this year. If you’re in Manhattan, it’s a must-see!

As for diamonds you can actually wear, have you checked out the Tiffany Engagement Ring Finder app? This free app lets you browse different styles, figure out your ring size and even get expert help — all on your iPhone.

Of course, nothing beats shopping for a diamond in person! In Vancouver, we count ourselves lucky to have three Tiffany stores to choose from. Plus, tomorrow (April 28) only, you can enjoy free shipping and delivery in time for Mother’s Day on your gift purchase!

The BIRKELAND bedroom display at IKEA Richmond

Spacious New Richmond Store Opens April 25

Most-wanted wedding registry item this spring? It just might be an IKEA gift card, thanks to the brand new IKEA Canada store set to open on April 25 in Richmond.

Located right next door to the old store, the new location at 3320 Jacombs Road is more than 120,000 square feet bigger. That means space for 51 room settings (29 kitchen settings alone), for loads of inspiration, whether you’re furnishing your new dream home or searching for a few finishing touches.

Two days before the grand opening, IKEA hosted a private shopping night and we were thrilled to get a sneak peek at the bright and spacious new store. Shopping for cheerful kitchenware and linens aside, we were most impressed by the enormous IKEA restaurant, which seats over 600 and features a gorgeous view of the North Shore mountains. On future shopping trips, we’ll be lingering over our Swedish meatballs here!

The LIDINGO kitchen display at IKEA Richmond

If you’re in Richmond on April 25, be sure to check out the grand opening entertainment and specials. Doors open at 9 a.m. but get there early! The first 1,000 shoppers in line will be rewarded with mystery envelopes containing anything from an IKEA hot dog to a $250 gift card.

Save time by heading online to make a shopping list in advance to print and take with you. You can also register and create separate wish lists for different areas of your home, to make each room more beautiful, one at a time.

Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show, April 25

Your Chance to Chat One-on-One With Travel Experts!

Dreaming of a destination wedding? Or an exotic honeymoon getaway? It’s never too early to start planning. Start by heading to a free evening in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 25, starting at 6 p.m.

Hosted by the travel specialists at Destination Weddings By Design, the free Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show is an informal affair at Vancouver’s elegant Hycroft Mansion. There you’ll have the chance to meet one-on-one with experienced travel experts who can help you plan the destination wedding or romantic honeymoon of your dreams.

In attendance will be representatives from some of the most popular destination spots today, including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

As an added treat, you can also check out a display of bridal shoes by Lord’s Shoes, travel-ready Real Touch Flowers bouquets, and much more!

RSVP to dori@travelbydesign.ca or click here.

Our winner! Nicole & Jarrett (HRM Photography, London)

Check out this year’s winners from across Canada

At Real Weddings, we spend a lot of time poring through wedding photos, as you can imagine. But it’s the best part of our job, so we jumped at the chance to help judge the Bride Canada Best Wedding Photo 2011 contest.

With so many amazing entries, whittling down the finalists was no small task. And we even wound up with five ties for third place! Check out the top three winners here and let us know what you think.

First, congratulations to our winner, HRM Photography in London, Ontario, for the spectacular shot (above) of fireworks lighting the sky while bride and groom Nicole and Jarrett share a quiet kiss.

Congrats also to our next two winners, who tied for second place. Blushing Bride Studio in Montreal won for this mesmerizing party image…

Tied for 2nd place: Neel Mehra (Blushing Bride Studio, Montreal)

And equally dazzling is our other second-place winner, Jon-Mark Photography of Victoria, for this gorgeous winter wonderland shot of newlyweds Meghann and Cole…

Tied for 2nd place: Meghann & Cole (Jon-Mark Photography, Victoria)

Want to see more? To view more fabulous wedding photos, including our third-place winners, runners-up and honourable mentions, click here.

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, and thanks for sharing your amazing photos with us!

Dare to Dream Bridal Show April 22 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver

Here’s a rare chance to get help planning your dream wedding while supporting an important local charity — just head to the second annual Dare to Dream Bridal Show at the Pan Pacific Vancouver on April 22.

Presented by the experts at Something Borrowed Wedding & Event Planning, Dare to Dream will showcase the latest and best in everything from flowers and cakes to wedding decor.

Plus, proceeds from your ticket price will be donated to Canuck Place children’s hospice, which supports B.C. kids with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Dare to Dream runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but be sure you’re there at 2 p.m. to pick out your dream dress at the designer fashion show presented by Bisou Bridal.

Tickets are $20 each, or $30 per couple, and available online.