So proud that our small design firm is featured alongside the best designers in the world.   My goal has always been to create stunning designs that are truly representative of our clients.  Adding unique and unexpected touches to the design.  I always say my secret for fresh creative ideas come from my beautiful studio located North of  Toronto.  Our garden inspired studio setting is always inspirational and fuels my creative energy.  It also offers a refreshingly different atmosphere to our clients.  A way to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, slow down the pace and truly look at all the aspects of their wedding planning and design.

I will be posting more detail shots taken by Richard Emanuel Photography.  I would also like to congratulate Live It Up! Events and Designing Trendz for the beautiful table they created together in this issue. It was at the party held at Designing Trendz studio this past fall I met Grace Ormonde and started on this exciting venture.  She was so down to earth, approachable and excited to share her goals and aspirations.  Someone who truly believes in sharing the talent she finds in the wedding industry.  We also hold the same belief that weddings trends are always changing but weddings do not have to be “trendy”.  Every element of the wedding should be timeless and a true representation of you as a couple.   Visit our website for more inspiring design ideas!

 Make sure you pick up your copy of this beautiful magazine. Cheers to wedding inspiration!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

I was fortunate to work with an amazing team that helped turn my design vision into an incredible shoot!  I absolutely love colour and created the entire design around these stunning Mademoiselle chairs from Contemporary Furniture Rentals. Vintage is a popular trend but spicing it up with some vibrant colour makes it WOW!  My friend Jennifer Klementti shot to perfection!  I will share more images from this beautiful shoot over the next week… just too many to choose from.

Pick up a copy of Elegant Wedding magazine on stands July 4th!

Stay tuned as I have the Real Wedding of Christy and Riley at the stunning Taboo Resort also featured in this issue.

Enjoy!  Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Here are some additional images featured on the Elegant Wedding Blog

Styling, Décor and Floral by:  EventDecorator.com
Photography by: Jennifer Klementti Photography
Cake and Mini Cakes by: Sweet Sweets Cake Art
Invitations (paper products)  by: Cre8ive Invitations
Chairs by: Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc.
Candy Station: LOL Candy
Vintage China : Vintage China Hire

Linen – Around the Table

Bookcase & vintage accessories – The Cottage Co.

Books: Old Forester BookShop

During the nineteenth century, as brides and grooms became uncomfortable with visitors in their chambers, the tradition evolved to that of the bride tossing her garter to the groomsmen before the end of the reception.  However, the men would often become violent competing for the garter and would sometimes tear at the bride’s dress or even flip her upside down to take the garter off before she had a chance.  Finally, the ritual changed to include the groom gaining full rights to the garter removal. This protected the bride from potential injury and put the onus on the groom to declare consummation of the marriage.

The Evolution of the Wedding Garter

The wedding garter itself has also changed over time. In the past, the typical garter was white lace. However, garters are now available in a variety of colours and styles, especially for the bride who wants even their garter to complement the décor of the wedding. You can find a great array of garters in those unique colors and styles at our online boutique.  Most brides chose to wear a blue garter, in order to include the tradition of wearing “something blue” symbolizing good luck, fidelity and loyalty; symbolism originating from biblical times.  Garters have also evolved in that they are now available in two piece sets. These sets allow a bride to wear both garters on her thigh. The groom removes the less decorative garter to toss and the other, more elaborate garter stays on the bride’s thigh. The remaining garter, also known as the keepsake garter can be saved and boxed with the wedding gown for sentimental purposes.

Even though the wedding garter toss ritual has changed somewhat over time, for some couples the tradition of wearing and tossing the garter is still one of the most anticipated events at a wedding. Conversely, for others who feel this tradition has become outdated, there are other alternatives available.

Are you weraring a garter belt for your wedding?

Source: Le Chic Wedding Consulting

Now that you’ve seen some of the best looks on the runway, here’s a look at the overall trends.  There were some obvious ones like lace and tulle dresses, and then some more subtle detailing such as peplums and modesty.  We are showing Part I and II of WeddingWire’s Bridal Market Trend Report:  I love the soft subtle colours and layering.  Can’t wait to see some of my Brides wearing some of these amazing gowns.  I think picking gowns must get harder each year with so many fantastic options.

Tulle

Brides looking for that walking on a cloud feeling will have no shortage of wedding dresses made partly or completely of tulle.  From full ball gown skirts to pleated bodices, designers showed wedding dresses in a variety of silhouettes with this soft and delicate fabric.

Wedding Dress by Badgley Mischka

Peplum

A number of designers showed wedding dresses with a peplum – a ruffle that flares out from the waist.  Peplums were very popular in the 1980s in both ready-to-wear and formal wear.  There were a number of variations of a peplum including a variety of fabrics, asymmetrical designs and embellishments on them.

{Photo Credit Dan Lecca} – Wedding Dress by Amsale

Modesty

The royal wedding was cited as inspiration at a number of shows and of the royal inspired gowns they showed a mix of lace, sleeves and high necks.  If you look at photos of royal brides — Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly — all of their gowns had long sleeves and a high neckline.  Fashion writers are assuming Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will follow the lead of previous princess brides.

{Photo Credit Dan Lecca} – Wedding Dress by Romona Keveza Legends

Tiered Skirts

Skirts are no longer straight to the hem.  Designers are adding dimension to a skirt’s silhouette whether it’s ball gown, a-line or fit to flare.  Tiered skirts can have 2, 3 or more tiers and were shown with embellishments on the hem of each skirt or with a clean front.

Wedding Dress by Sophia Tolli/Mon Cheri

Lace

Lace is probably the most classic of all wedding dress fabrics and very popular with brides looking for that Grace Kelly look — remember Ivanka Trump’s Vera Wang wedding gown?  She cited Princess Grace as inspiration for her wedding dress.  Many designers featured lace gowns or gowns with lace appliques.

Wedding Dress by St. Pucch

Now that you’ve seen some of the best looks on the runway, here’s a look at the overall trends.  There were some obvious ones like lace and tulle dresses, and then some more subtle detailing such as Obi bows that after a few shows we started to see.  Here’s Part II of WeddingWire’s Bridal Market Trend Report:

Floral Details

About two years ago fabric flower embellishments took the bridal world by storm and this detail doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.  This season designers went big, featuring large floral designs on skirts, one-shoulder necklines and at the waist.  For brides not looking for a such big embellishment there were also a number of wedding gowns with smaller floral details as well.

Wedding Dress by Lazaro

Bows

Opting for a more modern bow detail wedding designers featured Obi and origami styled bows in a range of sizes.  And as an alternative to placing these bows at the back of the waist, designers placed oversized bows on bodices and skirts too.

Wedding Dress by Vera Vang

Belts

Chelsea Clinton (and Vera Wang who designed her wedding dress) can be credited with the belted wedding dress detail.  Before her wedding last summer belts were a small part of the bridal accessory market, but this season almost every designer as well as accessory company were showing a variety of belt options.

Wedding Dress by Ines Di Santo

Color

While many brides will wear a white or ivory wedding dress there are some who will opt for a wedding dress in a color.  Last month Reese Witherspoon wore a pale pink Monique Lhuillier wedding gown and brides looking to emulate the Oscar winner will have no shortage of blush or light pink colored wedding gowns to choose from.

Wedding Dress by Monique Lhuillier

It was love at first sight for this gown!!

Illusion Necklines

In addition to tulle as a bodice and skirt fabric, some designers featured tulle straps for the bride who doesn’t want strapless but who doesn’t mind showing some of her arms.  There were two styles of illusion necklines:  Either tulle or lace, or tulle with lace or beading detail that mimicked the gown’s other details.

Wedding Dress by Alvina Valenta

Remember that the wedding dresses shown at Bridal Market in April will start arriving in bridal salons in September/October, however some salons will have special trunk shows over the summer with these dresses.   To find out about trunk shows in your area visit designer and bridal salon web sites for a schedule. Or check Wedding Wire’s events page for trunk show dates and designer appearances in your area.

Anne Chertoff | Wedding Blogger

Anne Chertoff has earned her reputation as a wedding authority over the course of her 10 years in the bridal industry. WeddingWire and Chertoff have partnered to provide comprehensive Spring 2011 Bridal Market coverage from New York City.

Well it’s spring (almost) and what better way to celebrate than attending the Wedding Co. Show being held at the historic Drake Hotel this Saturday!  The Spring Wedding Show is for those couples planning an unconventional wedding with style. Meet some of Toronto’s most talented designers of paper goods, gowns, florals, cakes, accessories and more at Toronto’s hot bed of culture-The Drake Hotel.

We are excited to participate again this year and can’t wait to meet all the future Mr. and Mrs.  Make sure you visit the Wedding Co. website and catch a glimpse of The List featuring the industries finest suppliers!  You can also follow eventdecorator.com/blog for lots of monthly features.

The Spring Wedding Show- Where Indie Meets Couture
April 30th 2011 10am-4pm
Location: The Drake Hotel 1150 Queen Street West

Tickets $10.00 at the door, cash only (bank machine onsite)

Erika and Ryan from Rowell Photography brought up a great point in the oh so complementary blog (BLUSH!) they posted about my business partner Steve (aka my loving husband) and I.  We work as a team taking the time to attend every custom event and give it 110% of our time and energy.  We are the last ones to walk the room and ensure every detail is perfect!  We love weddings and happy clients are the future to our company.  Our 13-year business partnership has seen lots of changes in the industry.  Especially the growth in the wedding industry over the past two years and addition of social media.  We are a social media and web based company with lots of exciting things happening!  I am true blogger at heart and want to share so many wedding tips and advice to make your wedding day perfect! We truly thank Erika and Ryan for sharing their view point on our personalized customer service.  And for the beautiful photos of Steve and I that now grace the walls of our home!  We would love to add images of our children to this collection.

P.S. We are madly in love with what we do an each other!!

Re-Post from Erica and Ryan - Liz & Steve of Eventdecorator.com really does not need an introduction on this blog. They have been featured on here quite a few times before, well at least their work has. If you have hired, or worked with Eventdecorator you have probably seen them bustling about. Over the last 3 years we have had the chance to get to know this amazing couple and learn so much from them. We’ve been to their studio and home (where we noticed a lack of updated family and couples shots) and have collaborated with them on many creative projects. They have been so inspirational, and supportive to us and if we can work half as good together as these two do, we would be unstoppable!

So for all the brides out there looking for wedding decor and floral design, here is my sales pitch on Liz and Steve: Hire Eventdecorator.com not only because they are cutting edge with design, or because their work has been published in magazines all over North America or because they are the are the best at what they do in this part of the country. Hire Eventdecorator because every single time you will get Elizabeth and Steve. Two people who care about creating unique never before seen designs for each couple that walks through their doors. Choose Eventdecorator because Liz & Steve are madly in love with what they do and each other.

Now take a few mins and check out their work:

Full Website & Portfolios here: http://www.eventdecorator.com/index.php

Blog to read up on the latest and greatest: http://eventdecorator.com/blog

Go here to see what other couples are saying about Eventdecorator.com: http://tinyurl.com/2vnsw54

Here are a few images we took in a 15 min couples photo shoot at the Cheltenham Badlands at the beginning of the month. Like I mentioned above these two were in desperate need of some updated photos. We have made it our personal quest to see these photos framed in their house, even if we have to do it ourselves. Before this mini shoot we had just finished up Eventdecorator’s annual commercial shoot, see last years photo shoot here. Let’s all leave nice comments telling Liz & Steve how awesome they look in these pics and encourage them to hang them on the walls of the house. My next goal is to get them and their kids together for a family photo shoot.

Erika & Ryan our photographers from Rowell Photophraphy

Love the stationary designed by Papilon Press.  I had been looking for an excuse to work with them since the Wedding Co. Show.

Miller Lash House offered the perfect vintage background for the photo shoot.

Konstadin Cakes hand made brooches for the mini cakes to match the bouquet brooch.

The brooch bouquet has opened a whole new door of inspiration for me.  It took 8 hours to create this masterpiece but I still get that “I am in love” feel every time I look at it!!  It looks so fabulous and my beautiful Bride Lindsay Meijer is going to be the lucky one to carry this down the aisle!  Thanks to my team for working so hard to make this shoot perfect.

Cheers to a great team effort!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director