So if you have been following us on Twitter you may have noticed us retweeting about our friends over at SmartBride and their new and exciting series called “Obessesed with the Dress” www.smartbrideboutique.com .Well now they have a full website to go along with this as well as an amazing contest where you can win some amazing prizes

The whole premise for Obessesed with the Dress is the lengths brides will go to continue wearing there dress after their wedding day. There are different videos of brides doing some pretty funny things in their wedding dresses. Here is the link video to one of our favourites: Obsessed With The Dress - Booty Camp

 But check out a polaroid of the different places brides have been seen.

With the contest they are asking people to submit pictures or video of the strangest place they have seen a bride in her wedding dress. For full rules and to enter the contest go to www.smartbrideboutique.com/obsessed-with-the-dress/enter/

Some of the cool prizes you will be entered to win:

Grand Prize

AWARDED TO JURY VOTED GRAND PRIZE WINNER

*2 – Super slick Nokia 5530 XpressMusic smartphones from Omegacell Communications, purveyors of the fanciest phones you’ll ever see.

*2 – Matching pocket-sized Flip Video Camcorders (one black, one white). Capture vibrant HD video anytime, anywhere.

2nd Prize

AWARDED TO THE TOP USER VOTED PHOTO

*$500 Gift Card to Sears

3rd Prize

THANKS FOR PLAYING – 20 RANDOM DRAWS FOR ENTERING & VOTING:

*10 pairs of filigree pewter earrings from Foxy Originals

*10 12-packs of Greeting cards from LauraK Design

To see other videos  check out www.smartbrideboutique.com/owtd/

Until Next time

Happy Planning

Amalia

Many ideas and luxury destinations for an Eco-friendly honeymoon are only a mouse click away.  Identifying the truly Eco-friendly honeymoon destinations may take a little research on your part, but are well worth the effort. From using recyclable products in the buildings of a resorts villas, to participating in nature based activities, newlyweds can have an enjoyable honeymoon without the concern of damaging the earth’s resources.

One such destination in Canada is the King Pacific Lodge located in the Barnard Harbour. They offer guided tours for sea kayaking, wildlife watching, beach combing, and fly-fishing among other activities. Abundant with wildlife such as seals, whales, and eagles, animal lovers have plenty to see. The fine dining includes local, organically grown foods, to please any palette. A magnificent ocean view completes the perfect Eco-friendly honeymoon.

Some resorts have packages specifically tailored for newlyweds which can even include pets. If your destination is British Columbia in Canada, a down-loadable 2009 - 2010 Eco-Tourism & Eco-Adventures Catalog is available at www. BCEcoTourism.Com. It is loaded with generous packages from which to choose from. Activities include nature and wilderness educational tours, and sailing. The Bowron Lake Lodge is an excellent choice as they are only a short distance from the historical Barkerville and provide bird watching, hiking trails, boating, and float trips. Campsites located on the lake’s shore can be also be requested.

As Always.. Happy Planning!
Amalia & Tiffany

Are you beginning to plan your wedding and trying to find that perfect place to spend your honeymoon?

Do you want to find a real romantic place, instead of staying at a resort or going on a cruise like everyone else you know did?

Would you like to stay at a hot spot where you can also enjoy environmentally friendly features?

Are you looking for that special place to enjoy an exquisite and intimate experience?

Then look no further we have the perfect honeymoon spot for you!

Pacific Orca Lodge, British Columbia in Canada is a true economically friendly lodge. Offering a solar power system for all the electric you need, a pressure power system for on demand water, and a gas burning fireplace for a romantic evening. Some of the highlights of this expedition include the great tour guides, fabulous west coast cuisine, and awe-inspiring views. This unique area was carved thousands of years ago by the great glaciers. Some of the attractions include Orca whale watching, salmon fishing, grizzly bear viewing, kayaking, and a local native culture center. This is the home of the orca whale which is their main attraction. There are several to view every year when they come to eat the salmon.

This vacation is also cost friendly at $1249 per person for a 4 day 3 night package. This package includes all meals, kayaking equipment, guiding, and water taxi.

You can view the lodge at http://www.infohub.com/Lodgings/lodging_pages/1845.html

As Always.. Happy Planning!
Amalia & Tiffany

Looking for a Canadian Eco-Honeymoon Adventure? A British Columbia kayaking trip is the perfect honeymoon for a nature enthusiast or animal lover alike. Getting back to basics and being immersed in nature can be peaceful and de-stressing and a great way to get to know your partner! British Columbia offers some of the best sea kayaking in the world, with more than 20 lakes and rivers, and dozens of species of animals to be viewed in their natural habitat. Glacier and mountain views are simply breathtaking. Spend your day lazing in the warm lagoons, or grab your flippers and try to find one of twenty species of starfish while snorkeling the emerald shaded seas.

Guided tours are available and can be a great way to see where locals love to kayak, and help those who are beginners. While kayaking the open seas, don’t be surprised in you encounter a family of dolphins, or maybe a sea lion sunbathing on the rocks. This area is home to more killer whales than anywhere else on Earth. A highlight of British Columbia kayaking would be Quadra Island, a small island with about 3500 inhabitants. Considered to be one of the best whale watching sites in British Columbia, Quadra Island is part of Provincial Park, allowing the island to be protected and preserving its natural beauty. Spend your day kayaking the seas, enjoy a gourmet dinner provided with many of the tours, and have some alone time by the fire under the stars. With kayaking, whale watching, and swimming, everyone should be able to find something that peaks their interest on the beautiful waters of British Columbia.

For More Information check out: www.kayakbritishcolumbia.com

As Always.. Happy Planning!
Amalia & Tiffany

After all that planning, your wedding day has come and gone — now it’s time for your honeymoone!  What better way to begin that future than to plan a romantic  Eco Honeymoon? Our Mother Earth celebrates all love…and has magical adventures waiting for you!

There is a wonderful retreat set in beautiful Hope, British Colombia, called Kw’o:kw’e:halla, where a luxuriously relaxing Honeymoon experience comes easy; and we do mean relaxation with a capital R! Here is what you can expect:
An all inclusive package with upgraded accommodations including cabin and riverside Nest, hot tub, sauna, gourmet breakfast, lunch, tapas, and dinner with local organic wine, private champagne dinner, and commemorative framed photos. All that’s left for you to do is pick the Moon of your choice and how you want to Relax, Play, Eat, Sleep, and More.

Pure Moon
Full Use of Amenities. Self Guided Activities. Gourmet Meals. Riverside Nest Upgraded Accommodation. Flexible Arrival and Departure Times. Commemorative Framed Photo.

Full Moon- the Pure Moon package plus:
Fully-Interpreted Authentic Finnish Sauna Day. Yoga-Pilates-Stretch-Relaxation on Beach. Photo Session In-House, with CD and Framed Photo.

Spa Moon-The Pure Moon Package plus
Two Hour Relaxation Massage. Fully Guided Activities. Gourmet Meals Including Wine. Photo Session; Professional with CD and Framed Photo.

Blue Wolf Guided Tours can also whisk you away to the majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta for an Eco Honeymoon of a different vista. Find out all the ways you can celebrate Yourselves and Mother Earth with the Eco Honeymoon of a lifetime.

As Always, Happy Planning
Amalia & Tiffany

Looking for an eco-honeymoon close to home?

Quebec is just a hop, skip and a jump away. Not only that but you can find the perfect blend of romance and adventure at the Matagami Ecolodge.

Start your honeymoon with an adventure. Accessible only by helicopter or hydroplane, you know you’re in store for an uninterrupted getaway at Matagami. Get all the privacy you desire staying in one the lodge’s three eco-friendly tree cabins, all solar and wind-powered.

No matter what the season, there is always something to do at Matagami! Hike one of the oldest volcanoes in the world, ride the rapids into James Bay, or take a romantic stroll on a wooden footbridge deep in the Nordic Boreal Forest.

Planning a snowy retreat? Matagami offers an abundance of winter activities such as mountain snowshoeing on Mount Laurier, snowmobiling along the once raging riverbeds, or cross-country skiing beneath the black spruce. And when nighttime comes, you can soothe your cares away and cuddle up in your own private hot tub.

All Matagami activities are planned with minimal impact to the environment in order to preserve the awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife. With any luck, you’ll get a glimpse of the aurora borealis in the night sky, or find a caribou or two during a morning hike. Most importantly, you’ll have the time and the ideal surroundings to find each other as you start your new life together.

For more information check out http://ecolodgematagami.com.

And as always, Happy Planning!
Tiffany & Amalia

We are branching out!

The ladies over at SmartBride Boutique have asked us to join as guest bloggers over on their tips blog. Over the coming months we will be providing various tips on different topics. So check out the SmartBride blog for some other hidden gems.

Our first blog was posted today, check it out!

http://www.smartbrideboutique.ca/blog/smart-bride-planning-10-tips-to-keep-you-sane/20090818/92/

Until next time, Happy Planning

Amalia & Tiffany

Weddings take a lot of time to plan, and there are always emotions wrapped up in your special day. This is why here at Talen Events we believe that the bride and groom should take the time to relieve some of the stress kicked up during their engagement. What do we suggest? Our #1 Wedding stress reliever — Hot Stone Therapy.

Hot Stone Therapy

Hot Stone Therapy is a type of massage therapy where water treated stones are placed on specific areas of the body to promote relaxation and help open energy pathways. Basalt stones, polished, hardened lava rocks, are heated by water in an electric roaster. The heated stones are then placed strategically along pressure points to help melt away tension creating a calming atmosphere. Muscles pretreated with heated stones allow a therapists to perform deep tissue manipulations. Cool stones can also be used alternately with hot stones. Massage oils are also incorporated.

Why does Hot Stone Therapy Work?

Hot stone therapy is a perfect way to achieve mental wellness Stress, deadlines, stress, and anxieties and all other life annoyances will disappear long enough for your mind to relax at the deepest level. Insomnia is often cured through the use of hot stone massages because of its ability to put the mind at ease. It is also known that depression can be helped by the use hot stone therapy.

What makes it ecofriendly?

Considering the alternatives, this is a wonderful natural way to achieve mental wellness. Stones are heated in a roaster with hot water and essential oils are used to relax the body.

In those days leading up to your big day there are always feelings of “Did I get everything done?” What am I missing? Why not treat you and your partner to a Hot Stone Massage. Go into your marriage relaxed and stress free. At Talen Events, we offer a day of wedding package to take care of all your wedding day needs so that you can relax and enjoy your special day! 

Happy Planning and until next time…

Amalia & Tiffany

In our last blog we introduced SmartBride Boutique, now we have a special announcement about a great Charity Event Talen Events went to and ways you can help the “Women Moving Women” Campaign.

On Thursday March 26, 2009 Amalia had the opportunity to attend the 1st SmartBride Spring Charity Event in support of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and its Women Moving Women Campaign.

Held at the Steam Whistle Brewery, we were entertained by trapeze swings, music and a tour of the brewery. Along with a fun photobooth with props, the food was great.

In order to help raise the money for this campaign there was a Silent Auction held with prizes ranging from a Image Consulting session from Your Shop Girl  to Toronto Raptors Tickets.

Women Moving Women campaign is an intiative to help women move out of poverty and into a better life, the event raised $3800 and helped move 1.5 women out of poverty. SmartBride Boutique would like to raise the other $1200 to move 2 more women out of poverty so they have resolved to donate $1 from every bridal or bridesmaid gown that is posted to the site throughout the month of April.

So we are encourage all of you to pass the word along about this campaign, if you or somebody you know has a bridal or bridesmaid gown in your closet to please list your gown on www.smartbrideboutique.com and help us move women in Canada out of poverty.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time! So If you live in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Victoria and Winnipeg, clean out that post-wedding closet and post your gowns today!

As Always… Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

So you’re married (Congratulations!), nostalgia has slightly warn off and now have a basement full of wedding stuff and don’t know what to do with; OR your planning your dream wedding (Congratulations!) and would like stay within a reasonable budget.

In either case, we have the PERFECT solution for you. SmartBride Boutique will help you help the enivronment and recoup some of the money you spent OR save you some money while planning your wedding!

Introducing Smartbride Boutique, www.smartbrideboutique.ca an online bridal boutique where you can buy and sell everything from your wedding dress right down to the decor you used that day!

Currently this online boutique services Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg. The listings are free and there are no commissions.

When Andrea Lown, the founder, was planning her own wedding she disliked the department store feel of other online sites and thought she would give it a try. Her partner Leah Andrew thought this was a great idea for Canadian women to plan the wedding of their dreams and still recoup some of the money they spent after the fact.

Over the next couple of weeks will be beginning a series on this excellent company, giving you tips for buyers and sellers and also about their community involvement! Learn everything you need to know about buying (slightly) used wedding items online!

And don’t forget to check out the site: www.smartbrideboutique.ca 

Happy Planning!

Amalia & Tiffany