HOME OF PRETTY

ban.do was created by Jen and Jamie - two stylists from LA who are inspired by color, wild about cupcakes (hence their motto "dress like a cupcake should feel") and enjoy laughing until soda comes out their noses. With a bio like that, how can you not love these two?!

Their pieces have been featured on many a celebrity head (Taylor Swift is a big fan!) and in countless magazines (Glamour, The Oprah Magazine, People, US, In Touch, InStyle Weddings, and Martha Stewart Weddings to name just a few).

Recently launched, Black Label is their couture collection. With a nod to hollywood glamour and a wink at many current trends, these pieces are all either one of a kind or limited edition.

The ban.do line is where it all began. While not one of a kind, these vintage inspired pieces are spectacular.

Heart by ban.do is an amazingly affordable line in which you'll find every piece priced at $50 or less.

And of course there's the line Viva is all over - ban.do for the bride. Choosing which head pieces to feature on our blog from this collection was a painful process. They're all so fabulous! But alas, we finally narrowed it down to a few favourites. Be sure to check out the link above to view the rest. You won't be dissapointed!

PS. Yes ladies, they ship to Canada! We would never be so cruel as to tempt you with these beautiful images otherwise.

As Jen & Jamie would say - They are guaranteed to make you feel special and pretty and they're still cheaper than plastic surgery. Feel pretty. Wear ban.do

THEY'RE NOT FRESH, BUT I LOVE THEM ANYWAY!

I love fresh flowers! Not only do I think they look beautiful in the hands of a bride as she walks down the aisle; hanging from shepherds hooks at the ceremony site; as centerpieces on the table at dinner; and throughout the venue as decor - they also look great on the corner of my desk as I work on checklists and timelines for the day of. Fresh flowers make me happy!

The flowers below make me happy too. Granted they're not fresh, but they are just so original and absolutely stunning it's hard not to love them.

Made of balsa wood, that's right - wood, this bouquet seems quite life like until you take a closer look. Check out Krislyn to see their fabulous corsages and head pieces made of wood as well.

These bouquets were created by Amanda Heer of Fantasy Floral - Home Of The Brooch Bouquets. Each bouquet is made up of several brooches in different sizes, styles and colours giving you a very vintage look.

And these handcrafted beauties are made entirely of pieces of silk, linen, cotton, and upholstery fabric by Milkpod Studio. Milkpod also makes corsages, boutonieres, centerpieces, pomanders, and really sweet hair clips out of fabirc too.

WIN YOUR WEDDING FILM!!

Viva la wedding doesn't usually blog about each and every wedding related contest out there but when we heard that { First Kiss Films } was giving brides and grooms-to-be a chance to win their wedding day film, we had to spread the news!

Shot entirely on the beautiful and timeless medium of 8mm and 16mm stock, in either colour and/or black and white, { First Kiss Films } uses traditional cinematic techniques to capture the emotion of your day. Not only will your film allow you to be transported back to your wedding day time and again but it makes for a truly unique heirloom that you and your family will cherish for generations to come.

About the lovely Bridget:

{ First Kiss Films } was born when Bridget Farr the artist fell in love, got married, and became Bridget Redmond the artist and wedding cinematographer. Now Bridget is applying her 15 years of film making and photography experience to capture the beauty of once-in-a-lifetime moments. A graduate of both Film Studies and the Photographic Arts, her numerous award-winning films have been screened at international film festivals and events on all five major continents. Her photography has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and on numerous touring exhibits including Oprah's "Live Your Best Life" Tour.

Head on over to the { First Kiss Films } blog for details and contest rules. You have until 5pm (EST) Friday April 30 2010 to enter with the winner being announced Tuesday May 4 2010. Good luck!!

THE CHIC CHANDELIER

The chandelier trend continues this year. They're poping up on wedding stationary begining with the invitations and then carried on through to the programs, menus and labels for guest favours. We've seen them hung in tents for backyard weddings and from the branches of large trees around outdoor ceremony sites. Sometimes their use is practical, they provide lighting at night. Sometimes their sole purpose is decor. Regardless, when done right, incorporating chandeliers into your wedding can give it that chic vintage feel so many brides are after.

We just couldn't resist these images from Elizabeth Messina's wedding. Elizabeth collected the chandeliers for more than a year (many of them now hang in her home) to create this oh so chic setting. Wouldn't you just love to dine at that table?

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

This month's Wedding Dress Wednesday features Fifi, a beautiful strapless gown from Badgley Mischka Bride's 2009 Fall Line. The silk satin organza bow at the waist and the diagonal ruffles on the skirt give this gown a light flowy feel. Very romantic! Visit Badgley Mischka Bride to see their latest collection.