Ladies, you’ll definitely not want to be in heels on the grass, so be sure to look for some chic flat shoes you’ll be comfortable in, and have your dress appropriately hemmed to the correct length so you aren’t tripping.

{ wear flats for your outdoor wedding ceremony | credit : Eternal Reflections Photography }

We’ve had brides choose flip flops {like Marlene above} or sketcher sneakers or converse hi tops – there are tons of great and fun footwear options when you are planning an outdoor ceremony for your summer wedding!

Jolyn | Lifestyle Wedding Planner & Designer
Nuance Occasions
780.628.6457

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of having lunch with Chris – the Catering Manager for Sorrentino’s group. I delighted to listen and learn about the new interactive sessions they are offering!

If you want to thank a good friend, then consider joining one of the public cooking sessions – you can find the upcoming schedule on their website.

If you have a wedding party or group of 8+ who would delight in a culinary adventure, then booking a private cooking session may be just right for you. Enjoy some wine, learn some new cooking skills, and delight as you make a 4 course meal together. Of course, all the recipes are yours to take home that night too!

Sorrentino's Torta Toscanella - orange chantilly cream on a bed of puff pastry, surrounded by vanilla cream filled profiteroles and topped with chocolate shavings

Earlier this week I had this wonderful italian dessert – not sure if you can make it during your cooking session, but you might as well ask Chris about it (or just go and enjoy it at the downtown Sorrentino’s location like I did!)

So grab some friends, and book your next culinary adventure at Sorrentinos. Chris will be happy to help you plan the perfect menu and fun for your group!

PS. Sorrentino’s also caters events and weddings of all sizes – so definitely consider them for your high class culinary inspiried reception meal!

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions
780.628.6457

Gel nails are an extremely natural-looking enhancement: thin, clear, flexible,light weight, odorless, non-yellowing, and nonporous!

For best results, get your first full set of gel nails done about two months before your wedding day – because I do sculptured gel nails which are built onto the nail form as an extension, they always look a bit different your for your first set because the natural nail is much shorter then it would be after a couple of gel fills. My main goal is to grow out your natural nail so that we don’t need to use any nail forms for extending – it would be much more natural, thin and sharp looking!

Here is some help for keeping your nails in fabulous shape at home:

• Let your nail tech do her job. If you break a nail or if a nail begins to lift, schedule a repair appointment. Do not take down the length of your enhancements as this will throw off the balance of the nail and may make the nail look bulky.
• Treat your nails like jewels. Protect your investment by wearing gloves when gardening or exposing hands to water for extended periods of time. Do not put upward pressure on your nail tips, use a can opener to pop tops. Do not use your nails like a tool.
• Add some extras. Cuticle oil is a daily necessity as it keeps cuticles supple and the product moisturized and flexible. I may suggest you use it every day when you can.
• Listen to your nail tech. Can’t decide what length and type of enhancement you’d like? Your nail technician will be more than happy to make a suggestion. For example, if you’re hard on your nails because you work on a computer or do heavy work, shorter nails may be your best option.
• Don’t take them off. If you decide you no longer want to wear nail enhancements, do not take them off yourself. Picking and pulling the nails off will damage your natural nail, rip layers from your nail plate, and make regrowth a long, painful process. I can safely and painlessly help you remove your nail enhancements.

{Hana has been Jolyn’s nail tech for nearly 2 years – if you want to try professional nail enhancements, schedule an appointment with Hana – you’ll be amazed at how great they look & how durable they are!}

Join all the staff of Michael Charles Salon for their Grand Opening Saturday February 27 from 6-9pm at the salon! Refreshments and much more!

Hana Kamar | Esthetician
Michael Charles Salon & Spa
www.MichaelCharlesSalon.com
1128-91 street (on the intersection of Ellerslie Road & 91st)
780.413.4233

For those that want to relive the joy their dress has brought them…consider having a professional fashion sketch of your wedding gown by artist Megan Hamilton. You can find her art online at her Etsy shop!

{source : Megan Hamilton}

This luxurious keepsake was once only available from couture gown designers…but now you can have your own wonderful keepsake to frame, or keep in the beauitful portfolio. Even consider adding a fabric swatch or two as well to the sketching for a wonderful keepsake of your dress and all it’s embellishments.

She can also do a tuxedo and gown combination if you like…

{source : Megan Hamilton}

Shop online at Megan Hamilton Etsy Shop – it’s more affordable then you’d imagine!

PS Grooms - this makes a wonderful wedding or anniversary gift for your bride as well.

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions
780.628.6457

“Clothing designer Kirstie Kelly, who launched a line of Disney character-inspired wedding gowns and bridesmaid and flower girl dresses a few years ago, has added a line of diamond engagement and wedding rings to the collection.”

Read more: NY Daily Times – October 26, 2009

Be sure to check out the article for photos of these gorgeous fairytale ring designs.

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions
780.486.5310 ext. 1

However, many brides experience some low self confidence if they gain a bit of weight or don’t feel as toned they think they should be in their wedding gown.

Firstly, wedding planning is stressful – and if you don’t have a good coping mechanism for handling stress – you need to find one. Often in times of stress we reach for a tub of ice cream or bag of chips. At the start of your wedding plans, make a commitment to do something healthy when the stress begins to get the best of you.

Some healthy stress busting strategies:
- go for a long walk with your dog or a good friend
- choose to crunch your frustrations away on carrot sticks
- be sure to consistently get a good night sleep
- join kick boxing class to get some real kicks and punches in

If you find yourself needing to lose a bit of weight or wanting a more toned body figure, then consider hiring a personal trainer.

I’ve been working with a great personal trainer since June this year – he’s not mean like the TV show bootcamps, but he will give you a hard workout and push you a little past your comfort zone – all in the name of getting results.

Now don’t laugh – when I started in June, I could barely walk 3 long flights of stairs – now, I can run 3 flights of stairs and walking 10 sets or more of stairs is no problem. That’s just my cardio improvement in 3 months!! I’ve gone down a dress size, and everything is toning up. I like the slow and steady approach. In just one hour a week with Darcy, and going to the gym at least 2 other times in a week…I’m accomplishing a lot more than I would on my own.

Darcy is about to start his 6 week survivor series (September 14) that will take place 3 nights a week – if you are ready for some serious results, this may be the class for you.

If you want to talk to Darcy about your fitness goals and how he can help you achieve them, give him a call or email him:
Darcy Gerzanich, PTS, MES
p: 780-994-1073
e: d_gerzanich@hotmail.com

* * * * Special Offer * * * *

Because I’m such a good student (in between my wimpering and whining during training LOL) Darcy has offered an exclusive training rate to anyone who mentions that Jolyn of Nuance Occasions referred him. His normal fee is near $70/hour+, but if you contact him and mention my name, he’ll do your training for $50/hour – now who can pass up a deal like that? Take advantage before he changes his mind

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions

It’s a series of interactive questions, to help you learn about the best wedding gown styles for your body type and wedding plans.

Begin to discover your personal wedding gown style online here: Bridgette Raes Wedding Gown Guide

Within just a few questions, your personal suggestions are presented to you. Now, the idea, is to take you outside of what you think will good on you, to try other styles that may also compliment your body style.

I’d love to hear what you think about the styles you are personally presented with!

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions

http://weddings.theknot.com/MyInnerBride/

Create your own – decide your dress style – decide your hair style – decide your background!

You’ll have to post links to your avatars in the comments section, I’d love to see what your avatar looks like!

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions

Choose a whimsical label and the perfect saying to capture your stylish adventures. Perfectly sized for throwing in the purse, your gal pals will truly enjoy this fantastic little favour…

Order your “Pucker Up!” Personalized Lip Balm (Set of 12) online at MyWeddingFavors.com

The perfect addition to a ‘Sex in the City’ themed bridal shower or bachelorette party!!

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions

Nuance Occasions is an authorized affiliate of MyWeddingFavors.

Then you need a Butler Bag – The World’s 1st Compartmentalized Purse!…

I recently found out about these great purses from a fellow wedding planner, who is using it as her wedding day emergency kit!! How cool is that! This purse if full of little plastic cups, making it easy to separate items so that they are always in the same place when you reach in for something.

There is lots of colors and styles to choose from, and it just seemed too good to be true, that I had to share this find. Afterall, as a self-professed organizational freak (have you seen my office??) this is something I should have invented!!

Anyhow, if while planning your wedding, you are getting stressed by finding things in your purse, the Butler Bag may just be the best stress reliever a girl can get!

And if you choose to purchase one, I found a coupon code for you to use (see below):

Jolyn | Luxury Wedding Planner
Nuance Occasions

Nuance Occasions is an authorized affiliate of Butler Bag.