little honeymoon adventures: British Columbia part 1

Whistler/Blackcomb

whistler cedars in the fog

on top of Blackcomb Glacier

Winter brides, looking for a little honeymoon adventure? Why not skip the island route and head straight to the mountains, for a cozy, romantic ski adventure at Whistler/Blackcomb, located in British Columbia, Canada. Whistler is one of the largest ski resorts in North America and home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. You will find a wide range of activities, from the tranquility of cross-country ski trek through the forest to that perfect powder slope on one of the 200 marked trails and 12 bowels. It a winter land paradise.

SLEEP

Four Seasons
Fairmont
Summit Lodge
Adara Hotel
Nita Lake Lodge


SPA
Royal treatment can be found at any of Whistlers fabulous spas, but for the ultimate, head over to the Four Seasons where you can choose from assortment of relaxing delights ranging from a Apres-Ski Massage to the British Columbia glacial clay body treatment. The wild seaweed they use in body scrubs is indigenous to British Columbia, which they purchase from the Seaweed lady here and here.
Four Seasons
Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa
Solarice

The Lake around Nicklaus North Golf Course

EATS
A day spent out in the fresh air on the slopes can certainly inspire a mountain sized appetite, so head for the village for some delicious local grub.
*some local/regional fish I highly recommend, Sable Fish
*local oysters that are delish! Kusshi & Kumamoto
Fifty Two 80 Bistro
Edgewater Restaurant - Lodge
The Den Restaurant make sure you ask about the horse drawn sleigh ride around the Green Lake and after warm up with a fondue dinner and a glass of vino.
Urban Tapas Parlour
Milestones
BrewHouse

dog sled teams

back country heli skiing

ACTIVITIES
dog sled tours
sleigh rides
skiing & snowboarding
cross country skiing
heli skiing
I highly recommend Coast Range helicopter skiing, located in Pemberton (about 20-30 minutes away from the Whistler village)
snow shoe tours
zip trek
For more outdoor activities go here
For more information on how to get there go here

(photography by deirdre quinn)

Windy Freda accessories

{images via Windy Freda}

Looking for alternative to the traditional veil?
Look no further, Windy Freda's ethereal headpieces, will certainly do the trick
To see more go here and here

Real Wedding Spotlight: Aleksandra and Nathan

This picturesque winter wedding gives a new meaning to"white wedding"

{all photography by Calla Evans Photography}

My jaw dropped when I discovered, Aleksandra and Nathan's, unique December wedding. This beautiful, small affair was held at The Coach House at SunnyBrook Estates, in Toronto, Canada.
Calla Evans, the ever so talented, Toronto based photographer (who happens to be wedding photography business partners with Aleksandra) was kind enough to share some of most stunning photos of what I think is, a picture perfect, white wedding.
There are so many wonderful elements to this wedding, the winter snow, simple white with hints of purple bouquet, the warmth, the pretty little cake, and not to mention the photography.
But my all time favorite element is the brides outfit. Since the brides attire can be a hefty cost when planning, this creative little bride decided to design something she could wear again. The outfit was inspired by the brides favorite fashion period Dior New Look circa 1947 and constructed by her seamstress, Natasha. The bride also wore two hats: one for the ceremony and one for the reception.
How fabulous and chic does she look? love it! Creative, budget savvy, chic alternative for bridal attire. Instead of spending oodles on something you will never wear again, how about spending it on something extra special that you can wear again and again?

For more details on this spectacular wedding, go here and for more beautiful weddings shot by Calla Evans Photography go here and here

Florist Spotlight: Emily Thompson

Today's florist spotlight, features the beautiful work of Emily Thompson, a talented floral designer and artist from Brooklyn. You are all in for a treat! Not only was she kind enough to share some of the most amazing, whimsical and unusual arrangements I have ever seen, including a 10 1/2 foot bridal bouquet but she also took time to participate in a little Q&A with me.
So please, enjoy!

Photo credit: Heather Cantrell

photo credit Josie Miner

photo credit Josie Miner

photo credit Lisa Vollmer

Q&A with Emily........

How did you get into floral design?

I was trained as a sculptor, in fact I am still a sculptor, and I have a combined studio for that work and flowers. I grew up with a really serious gardener for a mother, and remember when she used to let me choose bulbs with her every year (I always chose frittilaria- they have these amazing checkerboard patterns). But I really fell into floral design after doing my brother's wedding and then my sister's and then my sister-in-law's... it just happened by accident! I only ever worked in a flower shop for a brief month during a summer in college- I was lucky to work there with the amazing Ann Miller-Cawley. I think that my lack of standard floral design training has really allowed me to explore my own vision with flowers, without being constrained by a sense of what is expected in the industry, which can be quite conservative.

How many weddings do you work on in a year?

I design approximately 20 weddings a year.

What was the most unusual request from a bride? (I'm guessing it was the 10 1/2 feet bouquet!)

Actually, that bouquet was all me! That bride is a statuesque 6 feet tall, and I convinced her that she should let me go crazy. She loved it, and her new husband wore it like a feather boa after the ceremony. Even the bouquet had a train! (which detached, so she wasn't encumbered all night). I do get unusual requests, but my favorite requests are when clients really trust my ideas and let me spin their events into wild affairs. Another favorite was when I asked the bride what she had in mind and she answered with one vehement word: "MESSY!"

What has been your most memorable wedding you worked on? (I'm sure they are all special but which one stands out)

There are so many that I loved being a part of, I hate to single one out. But the "messy" wedding was wonderful- the bride and groom and their parents really allowed me total creative freedom. Instead of an altar, they were married under a tree, which I marked very simply with a silk ribbon held in the tree by two birds... it was very subtle and poetic.

Do most brides that approach you have a clear vision on what they want?
If not, what advice and creative direction would you give to brides when it comes to picking out their flowers?

Many have a clear vision of what they want, but more often, the brides who come to me really respond to my touch with flowers, the mood that I can bring to their celebration, and trust me to bring them truly singular designs. Of course, I always work very closely with each couple to reflect their style as much as possible, and I usually incorporate very personal touches.

If a bride doesn't quite know what she wants, I suggest she think most about the all-over sensibility of her celebration- does she want it to be austere? Formal? Rustic? Humorous? These are the kinds of descriptions that really allow me to do my best work. Specific flowers can be helpful in fixing on themes and aesthetics, but usually this comes later in the process.

Not only do you work on weddings but you also provide flowers for other events, private homes,restaurants and store fronts? For my fellow New Yorker and Brooklyn readers, can you share which store fronts and restaurants?

In the non-wedding category, I particularly love doing my annual sinister holiday decor at ANYthing, a shop in Chinatown, and recently I designed a swamp for a table at the annual NY Horticultural Society Gala- It featured a candelabra made of a lichen-covered log and a pool of water lilies.

To see more of her GORGEOUS work, I highly suggest visiting her website here

Grazie Mille Emily!

Honeymoon Spotlight: Nantucket

Nantucket, Massachusetts

"Downtown Landmark"

Siasconset cottage

Living overseas is always exciting but lately with the Fourth of July passing, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for my New England roots, summers filled with lobster, barbecues, lighting bugs and all. So for today's honeymoon adventures, I would like to introduce my best friend Kira, she will be guest blogging for today's spotlight, sharing her insights on the perfect honeymoon adventure in Nantucket.

Kira's travel insights............

Given the small window of opportunity Nantucket affords newlyweds, your best bet is a little visit between mid June and very early September. Nantucket is an incredibly unique and beautiful island just off Cape Cod (coastal Massachusetts). If you’re looking for the ultimate in island relaxation and all of the history and charm New England has to offer, Nantucket will be your honeymoon nirvana.

Only 47 square miles, Nantucket is a little island gem with rich architecture, beautiful beaches and miles and miles of bike paths that swath the entire island. You will lose yourself in days of island wilderness, strolls rich with salt water and sea grass, and rolling fog that has a way of wrapping itself around you like a warm down blanket. Few places are as romantic and provide a magical backdrop for a perfect honeymoon.

{Foot Path in Siasconset}

While on-island, you can opt for many popular activities including sea kayaking in the bay, fishing expeditions with knowledgeable local fisherman, lovely strolls up and down the town’s charming cobblestone Main Street. Whether shopping for the island’s unique artisan straw baskets, golden whale tail pendants, raising your paddle at the weekly Saturday morning auctions or simply admiring the many windows the island has to offer, Nantucket’s historic downtown sure has something for everyone.

SLEEP

The While Elephant
The Wauwinet
The Summer House
The Veranda House

EATS
The Summer House – beautiful seaside location in Siasconset
DeMarco – historic building downtown
Boarding House – Exquisite dining, an island favorite
The Pearl – Outstanding seafood, in a fresh, chic space
Provisions – Take out deli at the wharf – don’t leave the island without trying the Turkey Terrific sandwich

My Favorite island bakeries

Nantucket Bake Shop
Daily Breads
Something Natural
Bartlett’s Farms – wonderful local organic farm and farmer’s market. Everything from fresh vegetables and meats, to local soaps, juices and baked goods

How to get there
Nantucket Steamship Authority – regular ferry schedule from Hyannis
Cape Air/Island Air – 15 minute flight from Hyannis Airport

{All photography by Kira Wind}

honeymoon spotlight: NANTUCKET

Check in for tomorrow's little honeymoon adventure special spotlight. I'm taking out of Italia and over the big blue to quaint little ole Nantucket island.......stay tuned

(photo by kira wind)

Rosy Garbo

I'm adoring the delicate lace leaves on top off this romantic satin dress and tulle veil from designer Rosy Garbo. How perfect it the dress for a fall wedding? for more styles go here

(image from Vogue Sposa Italia)

Sestra Moja

Stumbled upon these whimsical, floating designs by Antonia Widdowson, the designer behind Sestra Moja label. I love the idea of dressing your bridesmaids in one of these fun airy designs or even for the bride looking for something less conventional.
For more looks go here.

wedding shop at Lord & Taylors

Lord & Taylor's is the quiet little department store making a comeback. It's the store that goes unnoticed among all the other bigger names. I always found a little deal and not to mention avoided any crazy crowds when shopping in the NYC store and I just discovered they have a bridal shop! a little something for everyone, the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride check it here.

• 1st dress by ABS
• 2nd dress by, BCBG Max Azria
  
• 3rd dress by Teri Jon
  
• 4th dress by BCBG Max Azria

{all images via lord&taylors}

little handmades from Italy

Siouxsie and the Banshees & I Dream of Jeannie pins

These custom hand made pins by Aurora Tagliaecuce, could make great gifts for your bridesmaids. The designer, Silvia Personeni, can make any type of pin your little heart desires. The 2 pictured above were made for me as a gift from my ever so sweet husband, aren't they fun?
To see more of her work go here, here and here

I recently hosted a baby shower for my friend, Elena. As the tradition goes, the idea of this party is to shower the mommy to be with gifts. But this soon to mommy, added a little twist and decided to include the gift giving for all by making these button ring delights, aren't they sweet? This is a nice party favor idea, whether it's for a wedding, baby shower or gifts for your bridesmaids.

{photographs by deirdre quinn}

Photographer Spotlight: Kimberly Reed

A friend of mine recently sent over photos of a beautiful and personal wedding she attended a couple of weekends ago....
Pittsburgh based photographer Kimberly Reed, who photographed this pretty summer wedding was kind enough to share more details of the day.

The couple, Mary and Dave, wed at the brides family estate in New Hope, PA on June 21, 2008. All the little paper goods for the wedding were designed and made by Mary and her business partner Jen who have a shop over at Etsy called, Ice Cream Social. Also make sure you check out Brooklyn Brides blog post today on, Ice Cream Social, here

{all photographs by Kimberly Reed}