Showing posts with label Candy Buffet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candy Buffet. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Bella Wedding | Amy + Jason








Wow, I am seriously in the blogging bad books. I just realized It's been over a month since I've posted anything on here. I'm sorry. I really am. But the good thing about not posting on my blog is that this means I'm busy. Really really busy! So busy in fact, that I don't think I can squeeze another event into the mix until, let's say, October. From now until then I will be happily working away with my amazing client list and their exceptional events that are on their way.

Long overdue, here are some shots from my January wedding photographed by the talented Through the Lens Photography team of Marta and George. Amy and I started working together back in July, and I must say her wedding holds a special place in my heart as we shared both the same ceremony and reception venue. The fact that there is so much love and emotion shared between Amy, Jason, and their family and friends, made it even that much more touching for me. The wedding came together beautifully, both from a design standpoint and from an emotional one. It really was one of those weddings where I went home and just had to squeeze my hubby tight. I love love, and I love seeing it in it's purest form, on the day that two people commit to one another. Sigh.

Down to the details:

Ceremony: Good Sheppherd Catholic Church (Fr. Stanley Galvon officiated)

Ceremony Music: Trudi Stammer (Organ) and Curtis Marta (Violin)

Reception: Morgan Creek Golf Course- always a treat to work with Lani and the venue is perfect and accommodating.

Decor Rentals: Supplied by Wedding Design Studio and I must say I love their products. The stunning centerpieces were easy to assemble, giving me plenty of time to perfect the other aspects of the wedding.

Cake: Stunning cake and cake shaped cookies were done by the talented Anna Elizabeth Cakes. Swoon. Check out her stuff, and you may just die. You might have to throw a party just to have an excuse to hire her. Pretty pretty.

Videography: by Fairytale Productions, and although I haven't seen the finished product, they were very nice to work with.

DJ: Jesse of Bradley Music. It was my first time working with him and was truly a total blast and would reccomend him to anyone.

Floral: Stunning flowers were done by one of my local favourites, Petals & Stems.

Candy Buffet: Hello Bella Events, aka moi. The Candy Bar, oh the candy bar! Had to be one of my favourite parts. Amy and Jay were so much fun and decided instead of matching it with the elegant theme of the decor that we should go fun, colourful, and nostalgic (the candy bar was in another room so it's ok that they didn't match!). The candy Amy & Jay selected was all very fun. Some modern favourites, some classics, but they all were selected by members of their family and wedding party. I took the nostaligia theme and ran with it- designing vintage candy shop labels, and after finding THE perfect fabric, even breaking out my sewing machine for the first time to sew the backdrop and table cloth.
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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Hello Bella at The Kitty Card Christmas Party









When Lexie of The Kitty Card asked me to provide a treats table for their Christmas party, I was more than happy to oblige. Designing treat tables (or candy buffets/candy bars/ dessert tables) is probably one of my most favourite things to do. It is more than just my penchant for sweets (although that is a major factor), but it is the collective visual and sensory impact that can be made by bringing all the pieces together. From mini cupcakes to custom labels and dazzling decor, my "Merry Kitty Christmas" table was fun, fabulous and flirty (if I do say so myself).

Since The Kitty Card colours are pink and black, I thought a pink and black Christmas theme would still pay homage to the holidays while keeping the mood girly and cute. Framed by twinkling black Christmas trees and finished with a sparkling curly willow centerpiece, the decor showcased the tempting treats and nibblies . Instead of using one of my many cupcake stands to hold the bite sized cakes, I opted for a creative Christmas twist. I wrapped some boxes in pretty wrapping paper (pink and black striped paper that I had to design and print myself because apprantly it's impossible to find such coloured wrapping around Christmas time!) and used them to create a stack of presents that would also hold the cupcakes. Since all of the fabulous Kitties enjoy a good cocktail party, I kept the candy glassware fun and kitschy, using oversized martini glasses and snifters. Scoops and tongs were hand wrapped in pretty pink satin ribbons, and black baggies were available for those wanting to take some home for a midnight snack!

Among the goodies supplied were: candycane kitty cakes, glam city (cotton candy) cupcakes, pink cherry kisses, peppermint pretzels, pink cinnamon ribbon candy, pink mints, bubblegum candycanes, and pink chocolate covered fortune cookies.

While the girlies enjoyed the Hello Bella treats tables, they were pampered with manicures, makeovers and massages by some of Van City's top beauty professionals. Andrea from Go Lucky Photography was also there to capture some stunning images of all the fun. I love the pictures she took of our treats table (featured above) as well as of the party happenings (found on the Kitty Card facebook album). All of the great vendors, including yours truly, are sponsors of the Kitty Card, which means you get exclusive deals and discounts if you're a Kitty Card member!

It was so much fun to be a part of it and to get to meet so many great new people! I will try and blog as much as I can over the holidays, but if my good intentions fail, then I wish you and yours a very Merry Kitty Christmas and a gloriously Happy New Year!


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Monday, November 9, 2009

Real Wedding: Sarah + Sean

The new Mr. & Mrs!



Sarah and her father


I love this jumping shot!






Wine Labels: Hello Bella Events






This beautiful September reception was so much fun to plan. Everything pulled together wonderfully, including gorgeous weather, a stunning bride and groom, and plenty of tearful moments with close family and friends (some who flew in from Australia!). It wasn't an easy road to get there, however. Sarah and Sean planned to be married in Mexico this last May, and to have a big reception when they got back. Well, a few weeks before their departure to Cabo, travel came to a BIG halt because of the prevalent swine flu. Fast forward to September, where the happy couple finally made their trip to say their vows, and came home a Mr & Mrs! You might remember Sarah from the Vegas themed bridal shower, but for a little refresher, check the post out here.

The after-marriage reception felt very much like a traditional wedding reception- well, except for the fact that the head table was replaced with a treats table, complete with a candy buffet, a cupcake tower and an assortment of wine favors. A video of their Mexican wedding played in the background, and a magician entertained kids and adults alike with his amazing card tricks and incredible magic. Morgan Creek was a beautiful location ( and not just because I hosted my own wedding there), and the food impeccable as always! I still have fantasies about that chocolate fountain (the best chocolate you will ever ever ever taste).

The cupcake tower was a joint effort, with the father of the groom building the massive cupcake tower, and myself and Sarah baking the cupcakes. I iced all 200 of them that day at the venue, and with heart racing, was able to get them finished off just in time. The flavours were delicious: purple vanilla, pink cotton candy, blue raspberry, and orange creamsicle buttercream icing on an assortment of chocolate, french vanilla and lemon cupcakes. Sarah wanted a couples cutting cake to resemble a supersized cupcake, so I used fondant and buttercream to create the look. And the flowers. Oh, the flowers! Sarah brought a picture out of a magazine for Cathy of All Tyme Florists to recreate, and boy did she deliver. I think the bouquets actually looked better than the ones in the bridal mag. The stunning colours of the flowers and the cupcakes complimented the pared down and neutral decor of the room. With subtle touches of the beach to reference their ocean-side wedding, everything really really worked to create that romantic feel Sarah and Sean were looking for.

And last, but certainly not least, Larissa Addison of Luxe Photography took all of these gorgeous photos above, plus so many more incredible shots. I profiled her for my October vendor of the month, and you can check that post out here.

Magician: Vancouver Magic
Candy Buffet, Favor Labels, Cupcakes: Hello Bella Events
Photography: Luxe Photography

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Monday, November 2, 2009

Hello Kitty, Hello Baby!


Erin, the mom-to be, and Tracy, the Hello Kitty loving hostess with the mostess!












I love a good challenge ( a country rooster themed wedding would certainly be an unfortunate challenge), but I also love a theme that takes advantage of things I have a penchant for.

When Tracy asked me to help design a pink and brown Hello Kitty baby shower for her friend Erin, I was over the moon. HK and I are pretty good friends. She hangs out with my house keys, she adorns my notebooks, and helps me keep things organized in folders. Much to my husband's dismay, HK is a rather permanent fixture in my home (more specifically, and to appease the hubs a bit, in my office). I thought I was HK crazy until I rolled into Tracy's house. This girl has more Hello Kitty than the Richmond Night Market, possibly more than Japan.

Although she had lots of Kitty goodies that could be used throughout, I decided to take a more custom approach and designed the HK labels which were inspired by the storefront sign of the Hello Kitty Sweets Shop in Japan. Tracy was the PERFECT client, as she was very hands on and made pretty much every suggestion I gave her come to life. I sent her a picture of adorable hello kitty cupcakes- so she made them. I introduced her to Bakerella's cake pops, so she went out and got the necessary supplies, and we made them. She literally constructed an army of tissue paper poms that were hung throughout her home, and her creative touch made the shower really come to life. Did I mention she made her famous almond roca recipe for the take home favors? Yup, she's Martha Stewart. Or shall I say Martha Kitty?
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Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Cookie Buffet







Are you starting to get the feeling that I have a bit of a sweet tooth? Well, I must admit, I have a MAJOR one... as evidenced by posts like this, this, this and this.

While everyone is pleasantly enjoying their October in 2009, us wedding junkies are living in 2010 seeking out inspiration and insight into wedding and event trends. One that I see making a huge mark on the wedding industry is the Cookie Buffet. Really, who doesn't love cookies? I'll take a cookie over, well, pretty much anything. There is something about cookies that just makes them so... satisfying. Yes, they're delicious and full of butter and sugar and tastiness, but there's also a feeling that cookies come with- that homemade goodness, those childhood memories of baking with mom in the kitchen and getting our hands a little messy (and then licking the spoon afterwards!).

Cookie buffets are, of course, a spin off of the uber popular candy buffet, but in many ways more economical and practical. I've done many a candy buffet, and can say they are, to say the least, a pain in the behind. Attractive, tasty, colour co-ordinated candy is difficult to find, and the cost adds up quickly (average about $2-$5 per guest). You will probably go to dozens of stores to find just the right selection, and you'll end up with a much larger hole in your pocket than you anticipated. A cookie buffet, however, is friendly on the budget, and best of all you can utilize your wedding party in the kitchen. Have each member, or family member at that, make a batch of their favourite cookie recipe. This way you'll have plenty of selection, and you'll have spread out your wedding work load a bit.

Want ways to really make your "Cookie Buffet" your own?:
~Attach favourite recipe cards to the treat bags for a unique guest favour
~Name your cookies after your favourite things (movies, books, vacation spots etc) and use creative and pretty labels that match your wedding theme. What would I name my cookies? Well, "Gone with the Mint", and "Titanic Chunks of Chocolate"...and (don't laugh) but I'd probably throw a "Legally Blonde Brownie" in there ;)
~Artistic? Paint something fun on brown paper bags (or have a little one finger paint as seen at Buzz Bishop's wedding in the last picture)
~Have the grandmas, aunts or other important figures in your life do the baking. Chances are they are more than happy to help out, and baking for your wedding is the perfect (and not too tedious) task to give them
~Display your cookies in fabulous fashion: build multi-tiered, paper covered boxes like the first picture, use a lovely display of glass jars and pedestals, display them in tin flower troughs, or even antique vases and dishes borrowed from family members. Whatever you decide to use, be original and personalize, personalize, personalize!
~Mix your displays of homemade cookies in with some expert custom designed cookies like the ones from the Steveston Cookie Company. You will still get the visual impact of these gorgeous designer treats without having to buy one for each and every guest.

Lastly, remember this trend isn't just for weddings! Cookie buffets can easily be incorporated into your next cocktail party, shower, or birthday. I think I'm going to go have a cookie now...

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