Visit the DestinationVows Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show

Always dreamed of tying the knot in a tropical paradise, far from home? Here’s your chance to turn that distant dream into reality, thanks to the experts at Ensemble Travel Group.

Just head to their DestinationVows Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond.

Unlike other wedding shows, this one is geared towards couples wanting to get married away from home, or to honeymoon in an exotic locale. Chat with over 50 destination wedding travel experts from Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

Plus, you can enter for a chance to win your own dream destination wedding!

Tickets are $10 at the door, or visit participating travel agencies for free tickets. We hope to see you there!

Plan Your Dream Wedding at This Intimate Event on February 26

Richmond-based event planners Imagine That Events know how to put on a memorable occasion. Which makes them the perfect hosts for A Wedding Affair, a special event for brides and grooms at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond on February 26.

This high-energy wedding show will bring together a wide range of local vendors to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for a spectacular venue or amazing flowers, start your search here, all in one place.

Be sure to enter to win the day’s grand prize, valued at $5,000!

Admission for brides and grooms is free, if you register online in advance, or tickets are $10 at the door. See you there!

Without a Hitch Welcomes Tri-Cities Brides-to-Be on February 25

If you live in the Tri-Cities, you may get a bit tired of trekking into Vancouver for every wedding show this season. Give your mileage a break by heading to Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam for the Without a Hitch Bridal Show on February 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Presented by Sweet Beginnings Wedding & Event Planning and Floral Creations By Celia, Without a Hitch will showcase wedding vendors from the Tri-Cities and beyond, ranging from beauty experts and jewellers to caterers and photographers.

In addition to all the prize giveaways, we’re excited about the “Man Cave” for grooms, and the “Doll-Up Den” for the ladies!

Tickets are $15 online, or $18 at the door.

Hollyburn Country Club Hosts “Bridal Party” on February 16

You’re invited to a free bridal event on February 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., for all brides-to-be (and their entourages)!

Hosted by Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver, this intimate and relaxed evening will give you a chance to meet with a variety of local wedding vendors over a complimentary cocktail and hosted appetizers.

Among the top vendors attending are Jayna Marie Makeup & Hair, Frocks Modern Bridesmaid, Sweet Beginnings, Blue Olive Photography, Blush Bridal and many more.

And don’t forget to pick up your complimentary copy of Real Weddings while you’re there.

RSVP today!

Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa in Victoria

Save on two-night packages at Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa

Sure, Valentine’s Day is coming up, but we’re up for a romantic island getaway anytime! Especially when Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa is offering a special two-night Spa Lovers’ Bed & Breakfast Package.

Winter rates for a luxurious OceanSuite start at just $498 for a two-night stay, including gourmet breakfast for two each morning, plus a $100 certificate for the Spa — Essence of Life.

The romantic OceanSuite offers gorgeous water views

For added romance, you can even enjoy your relaxing choice of treatments with your sweetie in the spa’s tranquil couples room.

Victoria’s only five-star oceanfront resort, Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa was recently named one of TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in Canada and Top 25 Relaxation Spas in Canada in the 2012 Traveler’s Choice Awards.

Book your package online or call 1-888-544-2079.

Randy Fenoli at Style & Strut Vancouver (image courtesy www.selectphotography.ca)

The Say Yes to the Dress star shared his best fashion advice with Vancouver brides at Style & Strut

Randy Fenoli is a rock star. At least, he’s a rock star in the wedding world, judging from the wildly enthusiastic crowd that greeted him at DreamGroup Productions’ Style & Strut bridal fashion and beauty event on Sunday in Vancouver.

In an hour-long presentation, the star of TLC’s hugely popular Say Yes to the Dress (and fashion director of world-famous Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan) delivered his warm and witty take on how to find the perfect wedding dress.

One of Randy’s key tips is a simple one: Try it on! Every dress is cut differently and every woman’s body is unique, so don’t limit yourself with preconceived notions about what you can or can’t wear.

Randy also offered invaluable advice on making the most of your bridal salon appointment:

1. Who to bring with you? Choose wisely. Bringing a dozen family members is NOT going to make deciding on a dress any easier.

2. Be honest about your budget. Don’t waste time looking at $8,000 dresses when your budget is $2,000.

3. More can be less. Don’t feel you need to go crazy on fussy dress details or over-the-top accessories. Simplicity can be beautiful.

4. Make it perfect. The most gorgeous dress can look cheap if it’s not altered to fit you perfectly.

5. Don’t forget the groom! He’ll be right beside you, so he needs to dress to the same level of formality as you. (Hint: Guys often need to be convinced to go down a suit size for a proper fit.)

Finally, Randy’s most important rule: Choose the dress that makes you feel most beautiful. Your dress — and your whole wedding — should reflect who you are. As you celebrate your love on your special day, why not look as amazing as you feel?

Sunday, January 22 in Vancouver

DreamGroup Productions invites all brides-to-be to get beautiful from head to toe on Sunday, January 22 at the new Style & Strut bridal fashion and beauty event at Vancouver’s Sutton Place Hotel.

Bring your entourage and discover the latest in beauty treatments, hair and makeup, bridal fashions, shoes and much more, over a complimentary glass of bubbly and elegant hors d’oeuvres.

You can even enjoy on-site pampering, including skin care, mini-manicures, lash extensions and hair styling. Plus, meet with wedding stylists and beauty experts in the Style Lounge to help you get set for your big day.

And, of course, Randy Fenoli, star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, will be there for a special presentation on finding your perfect wedding dress.

Style & Strut tickets only available in advance, so grab yours today.

Bisou Bridal Hosts Oscar de la Renta Spring Show in Vancouver

Still dreaming of the perfect wedding gown? You just might find it at the Bisou Bridal Oscar de la Renta Trunk Show in Vancouver from February 4 to 5.

The world-renowned designer’s spring 2012 bridal collection features looks as soft and gorgeous as a sunlit spring day. You’ll have the chance to try on 30 best-selling styles, plus an expert from Oscar de la Renta will be there in person to answer your questions.

RSVP today at Bisou Bridal.

Say Yes to the Dress star Randy Fenoli of Kleinfeld Bridal Manhattan

TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress Star Coming to Vancouver!

Does anyone know more about wedding gowns than Randy Fenoli, star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress? For the first time ever, Randy is heading to Vancouver, where he’ll headline the Style & Strut bridal fashion and beauty event at the Sutton Place Hotel on Sunday, January 22, presented by DreamGroup Productions.

Don’t miss your chance to hear Randy’s personal story and his top tips on selecting the perfect wedding gown. Plus, if you want your own face time with Randy, purchase a VIP ticket to Style & Strut for a special Meet & Greet experience that includes an autograph and photo op too.

Tickets are limited, so grab them fast!

The Loden Hotel is announcing their 2012 wedding packages, designed in collaboration with premeir brial shop Something Blue  and featuring exclusive partnerships with some of Vancouver’s most unique and coveted wedding vendors.

To unveil these packages the Loden hosted a wedding trunk show in Halo, the hotel’s penthouse suite, on November 3. Expectant brides toured the hotel and  Something Blue bridal suite, got a sneak peek at the 2012 Something Blue bridal collection, viewed Montecristo’s sparkling jewels and received inspiration for all the finer wedding details from the Belmont Barbershop, Cupcakes on Denman, Klik Photographic and Get Fresh Flowers.

The Loden offers four packages ranging from $5, 999 to $36, 999 for a intimate affair of up to 40 guests.

The most luxurious Diamond Package takes care of everything for the bride and groom and is completely personalized. It includes:

• Something Blue “Passion” wedding dress
• Flowers arranged by Get Fresh Flowers for the bride, groom and wedding party
• A pair of custom-designed wedding bands by Montecristo Jewellers
• Pre-wedding pampering for the groom with traditional barbering services from the Belmont Barbershop
• A signature cocktail designed specifically for the newly-wed couple to be handed out during the reception
• Personalized jelly bean favours in their wedding colours
• A special menu designed by the award-winning chef Marc-André Choquette and his team at Tableau Bar Bistro.

“Our main goal is to take away all the stress from the wedding day and make it truly spectacular,” says Lilliana De Cotiis, Director of Marketing at the Loden Hotel. “We selected partners that shared our vision of creating the ultimate experience with packages that take care of all of the details that any bride and groom could ever want, emphasizing the attention to detail and personal touches that define the Loden.”

From the Silver to the Diamond Package, all of the four packages start on the exclusive Halo penthouse terrace where the bride and groom will walk down a petal-adorned aisle decorated with glass lanterns and candles to a backdrop of panoramic views of the city surrounded by mountains and water. Following the ceremony, the couple will join their guests in the luxuriant Halo suite for the reception where they will enjoy a premium bar service, a selection of delicious menu items featuring globally-inspired dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and their choice of 16 delectable flavours of cupcakes. All of the wonderful memories of the couples’ special day will by captured by the talented staff at Klik Photographic.

Visit www.TheLoden.com for more information.