Weddingbells 30th Anniversary

There's something so special and exciting about buying your first bridal magazine as a fiancée... No need to secretly hide in the corner of an Indigo bookstore, you can now openly enjoy flipping and tagging the pages that inspire you. I still remember when I got my very first Weddingbells magazine in the summer of 2011... I sat down on my couch and devoured it from cover to cover, reading every word and admiring every picture. 

This year, Weddingbells is celebrating 30 years as the premier source of inspiration for Canadian couples tying the knot. I had the honor of celebrating this milestone with them at the Design Exchange in Toronto. The night was filled with grandiose surprises. Some of my favourites were the giant Weddingbells marquee letters by Event Graffiti, the extraordinary sweets table displaying a selection of 30 macaron flavors from Bonnie Gordon College and finally the amazing aerial performance and latin dance show. Believe me when I say, it was spectacular!

WMCFW | My Favorites from Toronto Fashion Week F/W 2015

"Love what you do. Do what you Love"

This quote has been in my head for a couple of weeks now, and it's exactly how I feel when my day job takes me to exciting places, such as backstage at World MasterCard Fashion Week. This was my 5th season backstage and definitely one of my favorites, so I thought I would present to you my ultimate favourite beauty and fashion looks to inspire your fall/winter 2015 wedding. 

Timeless. Elegant. Feminine.

3 words to describe my 3 favorite shows at Toronto Fashion Week: Farley Chatto, Narces and Mikael D. From elaborate braids, bold red lips to lace and cut-out dresses, these 3 designers really left their mark on the runway and left me wanting more. Here's what I took away from each of these fabulous shows.

Farley Chatto

This beauty look created by Redken Canada and Maybelline Canada was without a doubt my favorite of all. This braided low bun paired with a matte scarlet lip, perfect eyebrows and black eyeliner is both romantic and timeless, everything you want for your wedding shots. 

Farley Chatto was inspired by royalty's refined beauty and style when creating this fur collection that is nothing less than princess-worthy - all you need is a pair of glass slippers!

NARCES

This beautiful collection wowed me with its charming yet sexy pieces. Dresses ranged from short to long and the designer smartly played with lace, fun prints and see-through fabrics. My favourite piece from this collection was a delicate lace jumpsuit paired with a birdcage veil - the perfect look for the modern bride. To complete this glamorous collection, the beauty team enhance the "femme fatale" allure of the Narces woman with a sleek black eyeliner and cherry-coloured lips. Deep side-swept curls delicately finished this old Hollywood look to a tee. 

MIKAEL D

And finally, the piece of resistance, the epitome of elegance: Mikael D. This designer truly knows how to make a woman's dream come true with his astonishing dresses. Inspired by the Japonese grace and beauty, his Fall/Winter 2015 collection, was filled with sumptuous black and red lace, sexy cut-outs and modern high-low lengths. His collection also showcased gorgeous flower appliqués, like the incredible wedding dress below, which was a pure master piece and a delight for the eyes.

Brides: Take inspiration from this collection and opt for a less traditional lace and look for  a piece that plays with textures, cut-outs and 3 dimensional appliqués. Dare to wear a high-low dress and show off your wedding shoes on the dance floor. To complete this Mikael D runway look, pick a high updo that will showcase your features and make you appear taller and svelte.

Et voilà! I hope you were inspired by these amazing designers and beauty experts. Let me know what designers or trends have inspired you with your choice of dress and bridal beauty look for your big day.

I'm  leaving you with a few photos of me being silly just outside the tents. What a fun week this was! Sending you much love,

Bella

xox