{Above Left: The Felicity, named after one of Jason Matlo’s design staff. Lucky her! The silk organza gown is styled with a Tiffany & Co. Platinum and Diamond Circlet Drape necklace, $173,500, and the Platinum and Diamond Voile Drop earrings, $5350. Above Right: The Naomi, a ballerina-inspired gown with pockets made of silk shantung and finished with an obi-style sash. Styled with Tiffany & Co. Platinum and Diamond Rosecut earrings, $5,800.}
A few weeks ago, Vancouver fashion designer Jason Matlo unveiled his new 2010 bridal collection at an exclusive tea soiree at the Shangri-La Hotel in Vancouver. This is Matlo’s second season in bridal, with a collection that was inspired by classic shapes and cuts. The Collection’s 10 gowns were styled beautifully with Tiffany & Co. jewellery.
{Above Left: The Danielle, a draped jersey with topstitched bra, styled with Tiffany & Co. Platinum, Diamond and Sapphire Swing Drop earrings, $9800, and the Platinum and Diamond Victoria Bezel bracelet, $16,200. Above Right: The Miranda, an asymmetrical jersey gown with cascade sleeve. Styled with Tiffany & Co. White Gold, Sapphire and Tourmaline Drop earrings, $2,250.}
On a recent visit to his Crosstown atalier for a one-on-one chat, Matlo expressed that he especially enjoys designing bridal as it allows him the most creative freedom to play, experiment, apply intricate hand-done techniques, and use sumptuous materials and embellishments. The lace overlay in the Grace gown below is all hand-applied.
{Above left: The Alexandra, an asymmetrical jersey twist gown styled with Tiffany & Co. Frank Gehry Silver Torque bangle, $845 and the Frank Gehry Silver Double Orchid earrings, $755. Above Right: The Grace, an a-line gown with a sweetheart neckline, shattered lace overlay and black organza sash. Styled with Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Pearl Toursade necklace, $1,900, and Elsa Peretti Pearl Drop earrings, $425.}
{Above left: The Katherine is a blush coloured strapless silk chiffon gown with organic chiffon ruffles, styled with Tiffany & Co. Platinum and Diamond Legacy Triple Bar earrings, $17,800, and the Platinum and Diamond Victoria bracelet, $22,500. Above Right: The Gabrielle, a mermaid style gown with a sweetheart neckline and open work lace bodice with black silk bow tie belt. Styled with Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Tassel earrings, $1,800.}
{Above left: The Claudia, a jersey gown with trapunto shoulder detail and ruching at the waist, styled with Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Silver Heart Hoop earrings, $544, and Elsa Peretti Silver and Coloured Pearl Fringe bracelet, $785. Above Right: The Ava, a silk shantung with draped waist peplum detail. Styled with Tiffany & Co, Platinum and Diamond Heart Drop earrings, $3,800, and Platinum and Diamond Heart Pendant, $10,100.}
Matlo also does custom gowns. To view his collection or connect, contact him at info@jasonmatlo.com or call the studio: 604-682-0726.
A few weekends ago, I hopped a bus to join other media and guests on an Okanagan Naramata Bench wine tour courtesy of 
Each suite at the 
The next morning, our group headed into Penticton for a quick wander through the bustling Penticton Farmers’ Market. Right in the centre of town, the market offers produce, crafts, baked goods and all the other odds and ends that you would typically find at a farmers’ market.
We tried several of their offerings: organic Bartlett Pear, Framboise, Cassis, and Crab Apple. My favourite was the Bartlett Pear, dry, refreshing, crisp, complex and not too sweet. I also would recommend the fortified Cassis for inclusion in a cocktail or on it’s own with dark chocolate. Owners Miranda and Del Halladay started Elephant Island nine years ago on the land that Miranda’s grandparents first acquired.
We paused for lunch at the Rock Oven Dining Room, the restaurant of the 
The Inn itself was built in 1908 by John Moore Robinson, a successful businessman and developer who is also credited with pioneering the Okanagan orchard industry. The estate went through several incarnations, as a hotel, a girls’ boarding school and as a private home for the Robinsons. In 2001, after three years of extensive renovations, the hotel reopened to serve the modern customer with 12 rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a full service Aveda Concept Spa.
After lunch, we visited 
Our next stop was 
Our last stop for the day was 
Our private tasting of Sumac Ridge’s fleet of six bubblies was led, in the cellar room, by the warm and welcoming Sally Sharpe, Manager of Hospitality Relations. Of the six, I was most intrigued by the Sparkling Gewurtzraminner, only available through the wine shop. The Stellar’s Jay and sparkling Rose were also nice, especially with the truffle popcorn Sally offered us.
The next day, we returned to Sumac Ridge with the rest of our tour group, then headed to the Kettle Valley Steam Railway for a BBQ lunch and a trip on the historic Kettle Valley Steam Train.
The 
We were also treated to a cast of saloon ladies, a double-crossing Marshall and the Garnett Valley Gang, his troupe of horse-riding, gun-wielding train robbers. The train robbers hopped onboard near the end of the trip to demand money and guests were invited to donate. According to the cast, the money goes to various local charities.
After the train ride, our group headed back to Vancouver with just a quick stop for dinner.
Local company 
Last night, I attended a Sex and the City 2 fashion event at the Opus Hotel hosted by Vitamin Daily Vancouver’s Editor-in-Chief Sarah Bancroft. As SATC2 obsessives know, the white dress Carrie sports in the movie is a Halston Heritage design so fittingly, guests were treated to a Halston walk-through fashion show while nibbling tasty appies and sipping Skyy Vodka martinis. Though not specifically wedding wear, a few of the 70s- and 80s-inspired spring 2010 line would work well as guest attire for a casually chic outdoor wedding when styled with bolder accessories, a sparkly clutch, and strappy stilletos or wedges.
The Spring/Summer 2010 Issue of real weddings Magazine is now available on newsstands, through The Bay, Home Outfitters and Sears bridal registries, and through participating bridal vendors. This issue features eight real wedding stories, all with a local connection and local vendors. Our fashion spread, “Into the Day Softly” features the soft and flowing with pleating and fine detailing; it’s all about textures and intricate embellishment this season.
Remember when you were a kid and made construction paper chain links to decorate your family’s Christmas tree? I recently came across a wedding twist on that grade school craft, these cute wedding countdown paper chain links by Seattle-based graphic designer Kristin Adams Litke. The DIY kit comes with 30-days worth of paper strips printed in soy-based inks. Both sides have colourful and whimsical bridal motifs. To assemble, simply link the strips together and fasten with the pre-supplied adhesive dots. Then, begin a 30-day countdown to the big day, tearing off a link each day. Fun!
The Grand Opening showcased plenty of fun, unique and novel offerings. One of our favourite things was this martini bar ice sculpture. At the event, guests had the choice between a sour apple martini or a peach martini, made-to-order of course! Once ready, the bartender would pour the martini into the top of the ice sculpure and through it into a guest’s waiting glass at the bottom of the sculpture. The wine and beer bar was itself an ice sculpture {below}.
Another of our favourite things was the made-to-order ice cream. When asked, the chef poured cream into a bowl then added liquid nitrogen while whipping it by hand. Voila, instant real vanilla ice cream. A definite crowd pleaser.
I can’t mention ice cream without mentioning the desserts. At the dessert station, chocolate bonbons by chocolatier Nadubes perched enticingly on a glowing plexiglass display. The hand-painted marble effect on these diminutive delights resembled the cosmos and they tasted out-of-this world. One of our other favourite desserts was the white chocolate bombs, fresh passion fruit compote inside a white chocolate shell. There were also aerated chunks of mocha chocolate on reusable bamboo spoons and single-glass servings of cheesecake and chocolate mousse.
In addition to the main Airport Ballroom, the hotel has four smaller ballrooms to accommodate more intimate receptions. Wedding decorators Art of the Party created two tablescapes in the Gulf of Georgia Room, a space which can seat up to 50 people for a sit-down reception.
Open: Monday, May 17, 2010