DIY Project: Wifey + Hubs Sweatshirts

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays.  It’s a day when you can be unabashedly sweet, and lovey dovey and to publicly share your pride in your significant other.  I love all of the heart-shaped items, the red and pink, eating chocolate and writing love letters.  I look forward to spending time with my hubs whether it be at the spa, or cooking dinner together at home. But Valentine’s Day activities can get pretty costly, so if you’re looking for something budget-friendly to do with your love, we have the perfect idea!

Rose Quartz & Serenity: 2016 Wedding Colors

In 2016, the Pantone Color Institute surprised us by launch for the first time, the blending of the shades: Rose Quartz and Serenity.  These 2 soft colors and the shades that unite them form the Pantone Colors of this year. 

Just like a marriage, Rose Quartz and Serenity balance each other out, demonstrating compatibility and equality. I love that these 2 pale colors, traditionally used to welcome a baby girl or boy into the world, are seeing a rebirth in 2016 as gender-neutrals and as a symbol of union and peace.

Have you ever woken up to a light blue sky filled with rose cotton-candy-like clouds? That weightless, airy and delicate feel is so unique and so beautifully perfect for your wedding color palette. Pair the two shades with gold or silver for an elegant and refined look (see La Parisienne mood board) or pick deeper shades of blue, purple and green for a nature-inspired palette (see La mer mood board).

What do you think of this year's Pantone colors? Will you include them in your wedding decor, dress, flowers? 

Don't forget to visit us on Instagram & Pinterest for more wedding inspo!

Photo credit: Pinterest

2016 WedLuxe Experience

They say it is the most glamorous, most elegant and most over-the-top bridal show in Toronto... and they are right!  The second we stepped into the Carlu on February 9th for the WedLuxe media preview, we were welcomed with an enormous arch of lemon trees leading the way to the entrance of the show and to the start of the hunt to discover hundred of wedding vendors.

The theme of this year's show revolved around La Dolce Vita: Good food, romantic vibe, art pieces made out of sugar and delicate jewelry and dresses were present à la Italiana!

WedLuxe Wedding Show

Mark your calendars! The WedLuxe Wedding Show is only a few weeks away! 

As the holidays approach, that could only mean that another season is near:  Wedding Show Season!  Most Toronto brides know that for a few weeks twice a year, bridal calendars are crammed full with all of the wedding shows the city has to offer.  But there are so many to choose from and it can all be so overwhelming.  This year, if you only go to one show, make it the WedLuxe Wedding Show.  Taking place on Sunday, January 10^th, 2016, the WedLuxe Wedding Show is the city’s most luxurious, elegant and unique wedding show.

Fall Wedding Beauty trends

Hot summer months are quickly coming to an end, but wedding season continues strong, now welcoming warmer, rustic and romantic Autumn weddings. As a fall bride myself, I have an infinite love for this season and it's vibrant colours.

A few months ago, I was invited to an amazing fall beauty preview hosted by the talented Blush Pretty team, where they presented their Fall/Winter 2015 hair & makeup creations for brides.
Here are some of my favourite looks.

Toronto Local Wedding Vendors - The Wedding Co

It was with a lot of excitement and anticipation that I visited the Wedding Co. Spring event last month. I love how this event brings together local vendors with a truly artistic eye and love for their products and services. I was impressed with how fresh every single flower looked and how pinterest-worthy the place was, everywhere you turned. But what makes this event truly different from any other wedding fair I've been to before, is the workshops. This is the spot for the DYI bride that wants to wow her guests with personalized creations by learning a new skill such as calligraphy, paper flower making or even how to create a fresh flowers centrepiece.

Below, discover my favorite findings and some tips from the local vendors I met at the Wedding Co. event. I hope you feel inspired and maybe find your wedding florist or wedding planner from this list. Feel free to share with me which vendors you picked for your big day!

The Mix &Match heaven of Benny & Viv:

These ladies love to play with perfume bottles, antique vases, terrariums, cookie jars and even vintage tabasco sauce bottles to give character to their flower arrangements. They follow the current "organic-chic" trend that incorporates a mix of flowers shape, colors and heights to create dimension and a playfulness to table settings.

Their flowers of choice for Spring: Anemones and Ranunculus

See their creations on Instagram.

NEW! Le Château Wedding Boutique + Giveaway!!

It's that time of year again when our calendars are filled with bridal showers, bachelorette parties and weddings! And with it comes... the quest for THE perfect dress! Whether you are a bride, a bridesmaid, a maid of honour, the mother of the bride or a guest - Weddings are the perfect occasion to showoff a new dress. But unfortunately some dresses can take months to receive when ordered at a traditional bridal boutique. This  season, Le Château is bringing a new solution to our dress hunt: The Wedding Boutique. Available online and in stores, their collection is filled with all sorts of pretty dresses, long and short, sparkly shoes, glamorous accessories and even menswear!
You can rest assured that whatever your style is, there's something for you!

I am very excited to partner with Le Château to offer you a chance to shop at their brand new wedding boutique with a $150 gift card to pick your next wedding attire. Here's how to enter:

1. Scroll down to discover 5 different wedding inspiration mood boards and leave a comment telling me which Le Château look inspires you the most. (Feel free to Pin your favorite board!)
2. Receive more entry points using the Rafflecopter widget below.
3. One lucky reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on June 10, 2015

Good luck lovelies!

xo

Clutches: Rhinestone clutch /  Satin minaudière  /  Gem encrusted clutch
Dresses: Anayah Gown  /  Josephine Gown  /  Ophelia Gown
Suit: Satin Trim Slim Fit
Shoes: Jewel Embellished Satin Peep Toe Pump

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

Pre-Wedding beauty treatments in Toronto

A few months ago, the hubby and I moved our lives from Montreal to Toronto, and we're slowly discovering new places and becoming regulars at our favorite spots. Today, I'm introducing you to one of my new discoveries: The Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris. This Moroccan hidden gem is located on the 5th floor of the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Toronto.

When you walk into the spa, everything, from decor to scents, transport you into an exotic world where you are the cherished princess. The staff is very welcoming and the ambiance is calm and relaxing. Truly the place to escape from all the hustle of this hectic city.

DIY Project: Turn carnations into peonies

Oh beautiful peonies! These gorgeous flowers are definately one of my favourites, but you will only find them in the late spring or early summer and the blooms only last for about a week! How can such a pretty flower last only a week?! If you love this flower as much as I do and want to see it in your late summer or fall wedding, I have the solution for you!
The English Rose will often be your florist's recommendation as peonies become less available. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly solution, carnations can also pass for peonies in a wedding bouquet or in a simple vase for a quick and pretty decoration at home. Here's the full tutorial to turn your inexpensive carnations into fuller looking flowers that ressemble the coveted peonies.

Ilsée + Jesse | Real Wedding

A rustic chic wedding in Sacacomie,Qc.

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A year ago, my dear friends Ilsée and Jesse, from Montreal, were tying the knot in front of one of the most majestuous backdrops Quebec can offer: Sacacomie. It is on a rustic wooden terrace overlooking luscious mountains and the grandiose Sacacomie lakes that the couple said 'I do'. Maybe it's because they are high school sweethearts, or maybe it's the breathtaking views of Sacacomie, one thing is sure, we couldn't help but shed a tear at the sight of these two love birds exchanging their heartfelt wedding vows on this magnificent day!

Ilsee and Jesse's rustic chic wedding was as sweet as it gets. The couple chose a lovely palette of peach and grey as their wedding colors and integrated some personalized DIY projects into their day: Welcome table frames, Peach marmalade as wedding favors, custom bracelets for the bridesmaids and finally the names of each of their tables was the word 'LOVE' in all the languages spoken by their wedding guests, which they engraved into little cedar signs to go with their rustic theme. 

On their 1 year anniversary, I wish Ilsée and Jesse a life filled with peachy moments and lovely adventures. May you always look back at this day and say: 'I love you more today than yesterday'.
Happy Anniversary!
Love, Bella xox

Photography: Roger at Ambient Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Benjamina Flowers | Wedding Dress: Boutique J'adore | Makeup: Vicki Bourbonnais | Hair: ColorTown Coiffure | Venue decor: Décoralium | Engagement Ring and Wedding ring: Bijoux Marsan | Bridesmaids Dresses:  Boutique J'adore  | Groom and groomsmen attire: Moores | Wedding Band: Bellande Montour | Ceremony/Reception Venue: Hôtel Sacacomie 

Awesome Bridesmaids and Groomsmen gifts under $55

Friends and family are a big part of your wedding day. Your girls will wipe your tears when you have too much on your shoulders and will do their best to throw you a memorable bachelorette party. The same goes for the groomsmen who will keep the groom relaxed the day of and will give him a tap in the back when his eyes get teary when he sees his bride walking down the aisle... It goes without saying that your wedding party does a lot for the two of you before and on the big day. So how can you say THANK YOU without breaking the bank?
On my last trip to one of my favourite stores (INDIGO) I noticed that these guys have put a series of awesome (and cheap) gifts that make perfect bridal party gifts. Here are my favourite items, all under $55, for both the bridesmaids and groomsmen (the hubby gave me his stamp of approval for the guys gifts - so we are good!)
The beauty with Chapters/Indigo is that you can order everything online, so if you have a large bridal party, this makes things much easier, especially for a bride with a busy schedule and many to-do's on her list...

Let me know below if you plan to gift your wedding party and the kind of gifts your had in mind, I would love to know :)

Bridesmaids Gifts under $50 (listed clockwise): 

Essie Bridal Collection CONTEST

Since you got that ring on your finger how many times have you caught yourself staring at your hands? What if you could accompany that bling with some pretty bridal digits? Would you say yes? I bet you would! This is why I am happy to host this amazing contest from Essie Canada who want to share their love for weddings with all brides-to-be. I will be giving away 5 bridal collection sets every week for 5 weeks! Don't miss this chance to bring bridal beauty to your fingertips :)

Essie Bridal Collection - CONTEST

2014 Wedding Trends

Oh May... the month when all things beautiful come back to life and also the month that sets off the wedding season! A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to attend Wedding Bells & Mariage Quebec's special breakfast presentation in Montreal, where, surrounded by local florists and wedding vendors alike, we learned about the most popular trends of 2014, which I will be showing you my favourites below.

You will notice that this year, all things bridal have gone back to basics. Cakes are un-iced, bouquets are organic, brides sport natural make-up and flowers in their hair and there's even a touch of a bohemian vibe in the air. The 2014 wedding trends definitely celebrate the beauty of nature in its most authentic form.
I must say, I LIKE!

But when looking at these photos, don't think: "Oh gosh I need to follow all these trends to have a cool wedding!" Not at all! You wedding is YOUR DAY, and it must be a reflection of who you are as a couple. Follow your heart and fall in love with every decision you take; whether you are choosing your cake design or your groom's sock color. Trends are there to guide and inspire you, so have fun with it.

Let me know in the comments below which of these wedding trends are your favourite and which one(s) you would like to see at your wedding.

The little white dress: Perfect to show off those pretty shoes you picked up!

Radiant orchid - Pantone color of the year: a vibrant marriage between pink and purple.
(see more of this trend here: 2014 wedding color palettes)

Naked cakes: Crowned with roses and peonies, this cake is a statement of its own.

Flowers and tiaras: Whatever you choose, accesorize that hairdo!

Add a few succulents to your bridal bouquet and other flower arrangements for an organic feel.

Make your something blue, SOMEONE in blue!

Blush is everywhere! This color adds softness and femininity to anything it touches.
From bridal dresses to stationary, will you be a blushing bride?

Carnival themed wedding: kissing booth, cotton candy, lemonade, balloons, family and friends.
What more can a girl ask for?!

Photos credit: Pinterest

Follow us on Pinterest here: She Said Oui on Pinterest

TwoBirds Bridesmaid opens in Montreal

If you are getting married this summer or fall, you probably already found your wedding dress and are patiently waiting for it to arrive. But while you wait, you have another important task at hand, finding a bridesmaid dress that will complement your wedding style, be flattering on every single one of your bridesmaids and most importantly, one that your girls will want to wear again and again so they don't see the purchase of the dress like an expense, but rather like a fashionable acquisition. The solution has arrived to Montreal and it's called: Twobirds Bridesmaid dresses!

David Dixon White label at World Mastercard Fashion Week

Much to my delight, David Dixon decided to debut his bridal collection, White Label, instead of presenting a fall/winter 2014 collection at the World Mastercard Fashion Week taking place in Toronto last week. The show started with a beautiful video filled with testimonials of love and heartwarming quotes. As stated in this clip, Love never fails … and David Dixon’s designs didn’t fail to impress. 

...

The quest for the perfect engagement ring – An exclusive interview with Maison Birks

When it comes to picking an engagement ring, so many emotions and thoughts come to mind. Will I love it 5 years from now? (or if you are a guy reading this: will she say yes when she sees the ring?) Should I go for more carats or clarity? What cut is the most beautiful?

There is such a large selection of cuts, settings and colours of engagement rings out there that making a clear decision can be a real challenge. I had the opportunity to meet with Canada’s premier jeweller, Maison Birks, and asked them all the questions you would want answered when searching for the perfect ring!

Birks Square Phillips platinum emerald-cut / Birks Pure Desire Yellow diamond pavé

Top 10 Romantic movies for Valentine's Day

With your big day on the horizon, you and your fiancé may be looking for simple ideas to celebrate this Valentine's Day together. But low-key doesn't necessarily mean unromantic! 

As a big fan of Hollywood love stories and a hopeless romantic myself: I put together a list of my Top 10 (I promise you'll cry) romantic movies. Paired with a couple ideas to set the mood, this February 14th, enjoy a movie marathon night snuggled up on your couch with your honey. Happy Valentine's Day!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SET THE MOOD:

1. Popcorn (Make it yummier with this caramel popcorn recipe) 
2. A bottle of wine or bubbly
3. A big blanket
4. A few scented candles
5. A kleenex box

TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC MOVIES:

Descriptions and ratings by IMDb

#1: 

The Note Book (2004) 

A poor and passionate young man falls in love with a rich young woman and gives her a sense of freedom. They soon are separated by their social differences. 8.0/10

Wedding Color Palettes 2014: Radiant Orchid

One of the first things you should check off your wedding-planning list is picking your wedding colors and style. Although it may be hard to make a decision, you should make your final choice no later than 6-8 months prior to your wedding. Remember that many details on your wedding day will include your colors and therefore, you will not be able to move forward without making this important decision.

But I get it! You may love 3 different colors that don't go well together or maybe your favourite color doesn't mix well with your venue. To add on to that, you may spend hours on Pinterest pinning all sorts of things with different color schemes... At the end of the day, you may find yourself overwhelmed with so many options.

Enters Pantone, to save the day! Every year, they launch a color that sets the trends for the new year.
If you like pinks and purples, you will be happy to know that the Pantone Color of 2014 is Radiant Orchid, a beautiful encounter between fuchsia and purple. It is definitely a color suited for a wedding, whether in the spring, summer or fall. Check out my 4 different color combos, pin them and tell me which one you like best below!

Photos: Pinterest