The Swish List // Niagara Wedding Planning Blog

Sweet on so many levels - Candy by Katie

2013-03-08T16:00:23+00:00

This is sweet on so many levels!

Check out this eye-candy created by Candy by Katie for her space at the Vintage Hotels Weddings show!!

Madeleine Cross Back Chairs

2013-02-12T16:08:44+00:00

You fell in love with them first at Restoration Hardware and now you’re seeing these madly popular Madeleine cross back chairs everywhere lately!

We have good news ... you can now rent them from Simply Beautiful Décor here in Niagara!

Angelica has them available in Natural Oak (shown) and Vintage White!

A Year in the Life of Allure Hair and Makeup

2013-01-25T16:07:32+00:00

Mobile wedding hair and makeup specialists Allure Hair and Makeup had a cinematography team follow them about for a year documenting some of their most creative and fabulous stylized shoots and weddings!

It’s the day you’ve dreamed about your entire life. You deserve to be pampered. Allure Hair and Makeup will come to you, on location, in the comfort of your home, hotel room or bridal ready room! Allure will inspire you to be the beautiful confident bride you’re wishing to be.

Wedding Cupcakes 101

2013-01-25T15:36:57+00:00

If you’ve been to a wedding in the last year, chances are good that cupcakes were served in lieu of or alongside a wedding cake!

Cupcakes have a lot going for them ... they’re cute, delicious and bite-sized!! The perfect sweet mouthful paired with a cappuccino after a celebratory dinner ... or perhaps grab one at the late-night buffet after dancing away all those calories imbibed earlier in the evening!

The Frosted Cupcake will custom design your cupcakes to make your wedding day extra special. All of their cupcakes and cakes are baked fresh from the finest ingredients in a nut-free shoppe!

Cupcakes are the perfect finishing touch to a wedding, party or any event! Add a little more sweetness to your special day ... give The Frosted Cupcake a call or stop by their Cupcake Shoppe in St. Catharines!

Sweet summer wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake

2013-01-16T21:22:12+00:00

Pretty in pink- a charming and sweet summer wedding extravaganza in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

The guests were from out of town and came for the weekend to celebrate with the couple at Queen’s Landing and the Pillar and Post ... a great choice with so much to do in the area-golf, wineries, excellent dining, bike paths, theatre, etc.

Swish List wedding vendors that made this wedding day fabulous:
Wedding Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema
Wedding Venue: Vintage Hotels (Queen’s Landing and Pillar and Post)
Wedding Hair and Makeup: Allure Hair and Makeup
Decor: Simply Beautiful
Sweets Table: Candy by Katie

Marla + Nick by Captivate Bridal

2013-01-16T21:15:05+00:00

Marla+Nick had an absolutely breathtaking wedding! Every detail was as elegant as the couple and it was all captured perfectly by the creative team at Captivate Bridal.

Pantone Colour of the Year 2013

2012-12-09T16:32:31+00:00

“Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, is the Color of the Year for 2013.

The 2012 color of the year, PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward. Emerald, a vivid verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight as well as promoting balance and harmony.

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

“The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Explore this page. Find out more about this radiant jewel tone and its many applications in fashion, beauty, home décor and design. Dig deeper into the thinking and decision-making process that answers why, of the nearly infinite range of colors perceivable by the human eye, 17-5641 Emerald captured our attention, our imagination and our collective eye to become this year’s selection as the Pantone 2013 Color of the Year.

The Ultimate Candy Bar at Your Wedding!

2012-12-04T14:53:33+00:00

This sweet ‘candy bar’ was created by one of our Swish List Members, Candy by Katie, for a recent wedding!

We love everything about it ... from the custom wedding branding, colour co-ordinated edible sweets, chalkboard signage, vintage cash register and weigh scales to the classic dispensers and glass containers!

Learn more about Candy by Katie.

Have you been to The Warehouse?

2012-12-04T14:21:17+00:00

The Warehouse is a 2200 sq. ft. emporium of fabulous finds with something for every style and budget - Georgian to mid-century, French to industrial, vintage clothing to ‘50’s Mad Men barware!

We have everything from Regency chairs to vintage iron outdoor furniture, beautiful chaises to barnboard harvest tables and a growing collection of antique china. Whether you are looking for a summery vintage setting or something more formal with a French flavour, we have everything you will need to make your wedding or party beautiful and bless your guests in the process!

We will work with you or your event planner, to take your ideas from thought to reality. If there is something we don’t have, we’ll find it for you. If there is special material you need incorporated into a vignette, we have the very best workroom at our disposal, not to mention finish carpenters, an iron working studio and faux furniture painters.

Our services also include delivery, setup and take down. You needn’t worry about a thing. Our goal is to make sure that you really enjoy the process, while we make your vision come to life. Whatever celebration you are planning, it should be a joy from start to finish.

Stephen Franklin Photography / Cinema: Same Day Edit Lip-Synced Wedding Film

2012-11-16T17:52:43+00:00

Stephen Franklin Photography / Cinema knocks another one out of the park!

Check out this brilliantly creative lip-sync same-day-edit wedding film!!

(Did you catch that? This was edited and shown on the day of the wedding!)

Muskoka Wedding by Captivate Bridal

2012-11-02T17:27:32+00:00

At times hilarious and edgy, yet warm and romantic, this wedding film showcases the talented storytelling of the creative team at Captivate Bridal.

Niagara vineyard wedding at Good Earth Food and Wine Co. designed by Mimosa Flower Studio

2012-11-02T16:24:42+00:00

"Fortunato in amore, fortunato nella vita. Siamo molto benedetti." (Translates to "fortunate in love, fortunate in life … we are very blessed!")

When the summer heat hits its peak, wise Italians escape the city and head to the country to join their loved ones for the mid-summer festival of Ferragosto on August 15. This was the inspiration for Janine + Roberto's Ferragosto wedding among the vineyards at Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Niagara’s wine country.

The wedding ceremony was held in a verdant meadow under century old willow and sugar maple trees. Our nieces and nephews helped out in the religious service with a rousing responsorial psalm and handmade alleluia signs. The groom’s papa led the guests in reciting an Italian version of the Our Father – Il Padre Nostro. The ceremony ended with a prosecco toast: viva gli sposi! and we were deluged with handfuls of rice thrown from every direction.

As the sun was setting behind the orchard, guests strolled toward the winery bistro alongside the vineyard. The communal dinner table was waiting under the pergola, softly lit by sparkling crystal chandeliers and votives in a combination of mercury glass and custom hand-sewn vintage fabric sleeves in tones of muted mauve, pale lavender and mulled grape.

The last word goes to Janine + Roberto's five-year old nephew who whispered into the groom's ear: “Zio, can I tell you something?” “Yes, Ryan, what is it?” “This is the best wedding I’ve ever been to. It’s only the first wedding I’ve ever been to, but it’s the best!”

This wedding was perfectly captured byuber-talented wedding photographer Nataschia Wielink!

Event Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema / Private Photography: K Black and Co. / Wedding Venue: Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Niagara, Ontario / Floral + Event Design: Mimosa Flower Studio / Menus + Programs: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Place Cards: DIY / Wedding Cake: Good Earth Food and Wine Co. / Music: Claudio Santaluce / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham via White Toronto / Bride’s Veil: Antique Belgian Lace / Bride’s Shoes: Sigerson Morrison / Bride’s Earrings: Laurent Gandini / Hair + Makeup: Jessica Jean Myers / Groom’s Suit: Ermenegildo Zegna via Holt Renfrew / Groom’s + Pageboys’ Ties: Pomp & Ceremony / Flower Girls’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Pageboys’ Suits: J.Crew Crewcuts

Inn on the Twenty: A Posh Getaway in Ontario’s Niagara Wine Country

2012-11-02T15:57:54+00:00

Ontario’s Niagara region may be far better known for a certain famous waterfall than for its wines, but the Niagara Peninsula is now home to more than 60 wineries.

The Niagara wine district known as the Twenty Valley — around the towns of Jordan, Vineland, and Beamsville — is a popular day trip from Niagara Falls, or a destination in its own right for a weekend getaway, less than two hour’s drive from Toronto.

While the Twenty Valley doesn’t have the vast range of lodgings, restaurants, and other services of a more developed region like, say California’s Napa Valley, it’s a friendly, laid-back destination for wine tasting and touring.

Its wineries range from established producers like Vineland Estates and Fielding Estate Winery (in a particularly striking wood-and-stone building overlooking the vines), to homier destinations like the Good Earth Food & Wine Company, which also runs a recreational cooking school.

One of the first lodgings to set up shop in the Twenty Valley is still its most deluxe: the Inn on the Twenty, in Jordan Village.

Most of the Inn on the Twenty’s 27 rooms are located in a former winery warehouse, with two additional “cottage suites” and the more modest Vintage House suite in nearby buildings. The room decor is quite traditional, with lots of antique pieces, quilts, and plaid or floral upholstery.

Even the smallest rooms are spacious, measuring over 500 square feet, with fireplaces and large bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. In my “wine country suite” (pictured above), I could have hosted a small party.

Several of the suites are even larger — multi-level, loft units, with a seating area, fireplace, and half bath on one level, and a bedroom and full bath upstairs.

More a country inn than a full-service resort, the inn nonetheless has a small spa with a pretty garden and the normal range of massage, facial, and body treatments. Several boutiques and art galleries surround the inn as well.

The inn’s owners also operate the Cave Spring Cellars winery across the street, so you don’t have to go far from the tasting room to your bedroom. The winery building, which dates to 1871, houses Ontario’s oldest functioning wine cellar.

I didn’t have a chance to dine at the highly regarded Inn on the Twenty Restaurant, which has an ever-so-romantic setting overlooking the adjacent vineyards. It’s a formal, white-tablecloth dining room that draws extensively on local ingredients. Both the inn and the restaurant attract lots of couples for getaway weekends.

Since I was traveling alone, I opted for a more casual supper down the road at another property under the same ownership, the Jordan House Tavern, a rustic roadhouse that’s been pouring brews since the mid-1800s. From the menu of updated pub fare, I can recommend the lamb burger with a tangy green tomato chutney.

Inn on the Twenty double room rates range from CAD$259 to $389, including breakfast, during the summer and fall high seasons. From November through April, rates drop significantly, with nightly tariffs starting as low as CAD$159.

Reposted from www.hotel-scoop.com. Original article found at http://www.hotel-scoop.com/inn-on-the-twenty-a-posh-getaway-in-ontarios-niagara-wine-country

Hotel review by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller, author of the new travel guide, Moon Handbooks: Ontario, which features fun and funky attractions and experiences, lodgings, and places to eat across the province. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Inn on the Twenty hosted my stay for review purposes.

Kendra + Chris {I do} by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

2012-11-02T15:33:36+00:00

This Niagara wedding is so full of pretty it nearly bursts with joy!!

Enjoy the rustic details and design of this Niagara winery wedding at Inn on the Twenty.

Cinema by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema.
Florals & Event Design by Mimosa Flower Studio.
Wedding Venue is Inn on the Twenty.
Wedding Cake by Vineyard Sweets.
Linens & Chiavari Chairs by Simply Beautiful Decor.
Vintage Rentals by The Warehouse.

Best Wedding Video Ever - Judy and Derek feat. Black Eyed Peas

2012-07-16T13:54:38+00:00

An amazing wedding music video style same-day-edit by Stephen Franklin Photography/Cinema!! Entirely shot and edited in just a few hours on the same day that Judy and Derek (the bride and groom ‘stars’ of the video!) were married.

From the Bride and Groom: “Thanks to everyone for turning our vision into a reality. Thanks to Stephen Franklin Cinematography for really taking it to the next level, delving into our concept with full force and capturing the great shots and editing all on the same day!”

Meet Cathy Martin Flowers - Niagara-on-the-Lake Wedding Florist

2012-07-11T15:12:55+00:00

What inspires you?
I’m inspired by art, music, photography, and architecture … floral designer Jeff Letham, the architecture of Frank Gehry, the jazz guitar of Lenny Brough, abstract impressionist paintings and my daughter’s photography.

One of my favorite places to visit is Bartel Organic Garden – it’s a 3 acre property with a beautiful mixture of mature trees, veggies, perennials and flowers – I get many of the flowers for my designs from there.

Give us three words to best describe your business.
Experienced. Versatile. Passionate.

Talk about your design philosophy.
Our design esthetic is very versatile. From clean, bold, modern designs to soft, romantic, vintage-inspired designs ... the final outcome really depends on the client’s request.

It’s important to design floral décor with the venue in mind, taking notes from the space and incorporating the style into the floral arrangements.

Everything from the style of the wedding dress to the choice of linens, vases, and flowers should all work together to create a cohesive look.

What do you love most about the wedding industry?  
Being part of the most exciting time in someone’s life is so inspiring and fulfilling! I love working with my clients every step of the way and helping them realize their wedding day vision. Also, because Cathy Martin Flowers is located in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, we’re lucky enough to work with some of the most talented wedding vendors in the area.

Talk about current trends ...
I love that long tables are more of a trend for wedding receptions, it allows for a big impact with flowers.

Flower trends in the last couple of years include succulents, dusty miller, garden roses and a lot more yellow. Baby’s breath is also back in a big way, but the look is more up to date with it being gathered in mass amounts to create more impact.

What advice would you like to give to people when they are investigating your services?
Have a budget in mind when you come in for a consultation and photos are always a great idea! I can sit down with you and help you figure out a strategy for design, but the more research you do beforehand, allows me to give you clear recommendations and suggestions. Visit my Facebook page, website and blog to see what kind of work I’ve done in the past and see if we are a good fit

What scenario brings out the best in your work?
When a client trusts my ability to design, my eye for detail and when they are happy to have me create a look for them, this tends to bring out the best in my work. Working with a beautiful venue and with minimal restrictions is always inspiring and allows my work to shine.

What is the consultation/creative process like?
Our complimentary consultations allow us to get a better sense of each client’s specific needs, and bounce ideas back and forth. We’re happy to hear a client’s ideas and guide them in the right direction to achieve the look they want within their budget. Every client is different, some people have a very specific vision for us to execute, but many clients love to give us more design freedom.

Just because we’re nosey ... what’s on your iPod?
Lenny Breau, Susie Arioli, Madeleine Peyroux, Adele, Feist, Amy Winehouse, Ingrid Michaelson, Mumford & Sons, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Eric Clapton, Colm Wilkinson

Niagara is becoming a destination wedding mecca for couples in love! What do you think draws them to our corner of the world?
Niagara has such a fantastic combination of natural beauty, theater, and vineyards it’s just the perfect combination to host the most important day of your life! With an abundance of places to see, and things to do here, it’s great for out-of-town guests and for such a small population we have world-class wedding vendors catering to your every need!

Share your latest fun project – a chance to stretch your creative muscles!
We recently worked on the “Coast to Coast Chef Series” dinner hosted at Stratus Winery, which was a lot of fun. Award-winning Indian chef Vikram Vij from Vancouver’s Vij’s served dinner at a 70-foot long table in the winery’s “Press Alley” amongst the stainless steel and oak casks. This setting allowed us to create some fabulous bold florals to match a table runner using traditional sari material.

Finally, what’s your most memorable wedding story?
We’ve been lucky enough to have some really stand-out experiences over the years! From a week-long luxury event for Audi cars where we designed modern arrangements for a massive tent at the airport, to designing a tablescape to host His Royal Highness Prince Edward, there are a lot of fond, fun memories!

Click here to read more or learn about hiring Cathy Martin Flowers.

Tyler James Niagara Wedding Photographer

2012-07-06T18:03:32+00:00

What inspires you and where do you go for inspiration?

I look for inspiration in so many things. Design, Typography, Fashion, Writing. I see so many overlaps in those things with my work. For example, good writers are taught to observe and write about the subtleties and things most other people overlook, that whole elusive obvious thing. The greatest photographers do the same thing.

The actual photography I look at tends to come from the fashion world, and I prefer aggregating websites and blogs like Fashion Gone Rogue. I do pay attention to wedding blogs, but mostly to see what my fave vendors are up to and what trendy for this season’s weddings. Pinterest and Picssy can be awesome tools for general inspiration if you’re following the right people.

What do you love most about the wedding industry?

The people I meet is my fave part about being in the wedding industry. I get to see so many amazing creative outlets from florists to table design to stationary. There’s just so much a wedding covers. It’s really inspiring when you get to be involved with these people regularly. When I’m surrounded by awesome work on the wedding day, it fuels my creativity and it elevates my game. I’m enjoying just being along for the crazy ride and excited to see where we all end up.

Three words to best describe your style/business.

Romantic. Vibrant. Alive.

Talk about your philosophy or approach to wedding photography.

I love motion and life in my images. This starts with the relationship I have with my couples. Beyond the images, I like telling my couples as much about my life as I can so they truly know me as a person. Only when we have that trust can I really lead them into situations that make for authentic images with real moments. I love that stuff. I always hope to have a funny story after every wedding or engagement session.

Share your latest fun project – a chance to stretch your creative muscles.

Latest fun project would have to be the creative I did back in the winter that was featured on Junebug a little while back. I love it when Im surrounded by that level of talent and then get to just play and shoot all day without the pressure of an actual wedding.

What advice would you like to give to people when they are investigating your services?

Get to know me! If you don’t understand me or aren’t super clear that I’m the right guy for you, then we probably aren’t a fit. I won’t be able to do my best work unless you have 100% trust in me. Poke around the website, read my bio, add me to Facebook, whatever it takes. The relationship is so crucial for me to get those soft, natural images.

What scenario brings out the best in your work? (location, type of client, timing, venue)

Being a self-labeled ‘romantic’, I’m a sucker for nature. I prefer outdoor settings like vineyards, fields, willow trees and the sun. I don’t like complicated settings, I prefer to strip most of that away and just showcase the amazing relationship between my couple. Dusk is the best for timing (I’m not a morning guy), while venue doesn’t really play much of a role. I do prefer decor that is full of life though, floral centerpieces, etc. My favourite couples are the ones who get excited about their images and aren’t afraid to collaborate with me. Exchanging creative energy pushes me to do my best work. If I had to think of everything myself, we only get my perspective. I like being challenged to see things differently.

What is your specialty?

My specialty is bringing the life out of my couples and their surroundings. It’s not photojournalism. I prompt and coach and do whatever it takes to make sure my couples look and feel electric! Lots of times this ends up being conversations about weight loss (I have a background as a personal trainer), or clothing selection or hair/makeup. Sometimes it’s about learning about what my couple does in their spare time and bringing some of those elements into the shoot.

What makes your artistry unique/ stand out from the crowd?

I like showcasing the romance and the intimacy my couples have. There’s nothing intimate or romantic about 2 people staring at the camera smiling, so you won’t see too many of those on my blog. I always want to create softness and motion. That’s what I’m drawn to when I look at photography, I’m searching for that soul.

What is the consultation/creative process with your clients? Do clients come to you with ideas, or do they let you ‘go’?

It always starts with me getting to know the people I’m shooting. I ask tons of questions and send my couples questionnaires that ask about their relationship and tastes. Only when I have that info will I start planning a shoot. I do have some brides who have planners or have a vivid picture of what their wedding is going to be. Even with those brides, I still make suggestions for locations and styling to make sure we’re on the same page. Other brides want me to be more involved and then I’ll take most of the creative control and do my best to make sure the shoot fits them and who they are.

What are you most passionate about in life?

I’m a giver. I love helping people in any way I can. I’ve been fortunate in so many ways and I strongly believe in the karma effect. I love my girlfriend, my family and my crazy dogs. I’m passionate about creating and putting smiles on people’s faces. If I wasn’t taking pictures, I think I’d just find a way to talk for a living.

What’s on your ipod?

Oh man, I have the most ADD music taste ever! On my latest playlists, there’s Bon Iver and the Drive soundtrack for office ambiance. Naked and Famous, Awolnation and Foster the People, if I’m in the mood for something more upbeat. Love everything about the Arcade Fire. I’m even open to some Carly Rae because it’s so catchy!

Most memorable wedding event/story?

This is a really tough one. I’m gonna get deep and hopefully pass on some advice. Earlier this year, one of the groom’s who’s wedding I covered, passed away tragically. The one thing he did at his wedding, I will never forget and I pass it on to all of my brides and grooms. It was advice he received from a friend who said, “At every milestone during the day, after the ceremony, after the pictures, before the reception, take 5 minutes to yourselves, just the two of you, just to soak it all in. The day goes by so quickly that if you don’t, it will be a blur”. He took his 5 min with his bride every chance he could and every couple should do the same. The wedding is about you, take the time and actually enjoy it. It will be busy and there will be pressure to hit every deadline, but slow down and take your 5 min. Life is too short not to.

Damask Wedding Cake by Vineyard Sweets

2012-02-21T22:39:22+00:00

Damask is a fabric that was introduced in the Middle Ages and still has a strong appeal in contemporary wedding decor. This cake was a mixture of design ideas inspired by the bride’s personal tastes as well as the overall theme of a formal ‘black tie’ affair.

Gorgeous work (as always) by the ladies at Vineyard Sweets in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

Get to Know: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

2012-02-21T22:04:20+00:00

Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema is a small studio located in the heart of Niagara that fully embraces an editorial style that allows you to enjoy your wedding day with minimal interference.

Learn more about Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema at their Profile Page.

The Made with Love Project by Mimosa Flower Studio

2012-02-21T21:55:06+00:00

We’re excited to share the latest short film project by Mimosa Flower Studio ... they’re calling it The *Made with Love* Project!

From Mimosa Flower Studio ... “While we were dreaming this all up, we became focused on some specific words and phrases such as ... ‘local’, ‘heirloom’, ‘hand-made’, ‘authentic’, ‘community’, ‘nature’, ‘living in the moment’ ... we followed our heart and really let these words become our mantra to guide us through this project.”

“On most creative projects like this one, many, many hours are spent crafting a space to perfection so as to be pristinely captured for publication and then, quicker than it went up, it’s all torn down and packed away and everyone runs back to their busy lives! There’s something that just feels wrong about that ... so, this time around, we felt it was really important that those involved get to enjoy the fruits of our labour and share the joy of the moment! So, at the end of day with all of our hard work behind us, we invited a few friends to join us as we sat down for dinner + drinks!”

If you like this short film, you’ll LOVE the photos .. check ‘em out here!

True Love, True Luxury: Lynn and Michael’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Wedding

2012-02-17T15:44:19+00:00

Lynn and Michael had been dating for over four years before getting married on an early summer’s eve in lovely Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country. For the proposal, Michael planned a “surprise” vacation to New York right before Christmas 2 years earlier. In their room at the Plaza Hotel, he got down on one knee and asked Lynn to marry him. She burst into tears right away and said yes!

Check out Swish List Members Mimosa Flower Studio, Vintage Hotels, Simply Beautiful Decor and Allure Hair and Makeup making the beautiful happen all over this wedding!!

View all the delicious pictures and the wonderful love story over on the WedLuxe Magazine blog.

Bird Cage Veils by Jessica’s Accessories

2012-02-07T23:30:22+00:00

For a while the non-veil look was popular ... now that the vintage, super feminine look is back bird cage veils are trending!

They are mysterious and so sexy ... they really highlight your eyes while keeping the kisser available for the hubby to be! They are amazing and we just can’t get enough!

Luck for you, we can hook you up ... Jessica’s Accessories make a line of bird cage veils for the bride to be!

Winter Weddings in Niagara on the Lake

2012-02-06T14:57:39+00:00

What could be finer than a wonderful winter wedding in charming Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario!?!?!?

We love the idea of a winter wedding ... it’d be so romantic, especially in Niagara-on-the-Lake ... especially at the Vintage Hotels!!!

2012 Pantone Colour of the Year

2012-01-09T18:46:24+00:00

In 2012, dance into your wedding pulling inspiration from this vivacious and appealing reddish orange!

Last year’s colour of the year, Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. In 2012, Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion. Fashion designers featured in the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2012, including Tommy Hilfiger, Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Steffe by Shaun Kearney, Elie Tahari and Adrienne Vittadini, are incorporating this attractive orange into their spring collections. A fun, lively take on a traditional autumnal hue, Tangerine Tango will surely carry through to fall fashion as well.

A winner in cosmetics because of its versatility, Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way. Add a sultry flair to lips, cheeks and nails with Tangerine Tango. An unexpected eye shadow color, Tangerine Tango is a complementary opposite that flatters blue or green eyes. When paired with brown eyes, it brings out an amber cast.

Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned accessories. Pillows, linens and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any space.

Read Pantone’s official blog entry about Tangerine Tango.

Anthropologie inspired wedding at Inn on the Twenty

2012-01-09T18:16:46+00:00

Okay, we’ve got a bit of a different post for you this time ... all you wedding purists might want to hang on to your seats!

From the florist / designer: “When we first met with our bride, she told us that she didn’t want her wedding to *feel* like a wedding. She said she loved the store Anthropologie! We’re big Anthropologie fans and we decided to get involved a little bit more with the staging aspect of her wedding ... the fabrics, pillows and the antiques ... all the lovely, lovely details!”

See the full blog entry with tons of pictures on Mimosa Flower Studio’s blog!

Allure Hair and Makeup presents “Be Who You Want to Be”

2012-01-02T20:56:23+00:00

A large part of what makes ALLURE Hair and Makeup special is the luxury of time and convenience ... it’s about how you look AND how you feel. This short film gives you an inside look at what the ALLURE experience is all about!

To find out more about this film, check out Allure’s “Be Who You Want To Be” blog post on their site!

Caissie + David’s Video ‘Save the Date’ by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

2011-10-04T23:52:15+00:00

Meet Caissie and David ... they’re a couple madly in love! They’re getting married in Miami later this year. NWP filmed their video ‘Save the Date’ last fall in Niagara’s beautiful wine country.

From the cinematographer ... “For Caissie and David’s shoot, we arranged for hair and make-up by Allure Hair and Makeup. We threw my old chair and a tandem bike in the back of the truck {Caissie and David, just arriving back home from living in Europe loved the idea of the bike} and we toured about Jordan and Beamsville. We couldn’t have had a better day for it! The fall colours were at their peak and there is something pretty wonderful about the warm fall light on a sunny afternoon.”

Niagara Winery Engagement Session by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

2011-09-28T21:14:50+00:00

Our waking life, and our growing years, are for the most part spent in the kitchen ... so it makes sense to shoot an engagement sesh there, doesn’t it?!?!

The lovely Ariel and Andrew flew into Niagara from Chicago to look after a few wedding planning details for their summer nuptials at The Inn on the Twenty ... while they were in town, uber talented Niagara wedding photog Nataschia Wielink booked in a fab engagement session in the kitchen at The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.

From the photographer ... ”We chose the Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Beamsville for our location because Andrew loves to cook and Ariel loves to bake - it only made sense to photograph them in a kitchen and Nicolette has the most beautiful and colourful kitchen we know of! Just perfect for this stylish couple. I almost went weak in the knees when Ariel put on that cute apron from anthropologie ...”

Pretty Woman

2011-06-02T17:11:26+00:00

A few weeks ago the studio at Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema was just buzzing with pretty women ... more than usual, apparently!

Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema has partnered with Allure Hair and Make Up to create boutique experiences that celebrate beauty with timeless images capturing the stage of life you’re in. Get pampered with this spa-like boutique studio experience where you will enjoy a two hour session complete with personalized hair and make, followed by beautiful keepsake photography. Treat yourself or the woman in your life. Everyone deserves to feel confident, looking like your beautiful self.

Inquire can be directed to for these limited edition sessions.

Here’s a great little film to better explain the idea and the process of the sessions ...

Mimosa Flower Studio ... Inspirational Short FIlm

2011-03-28T18:12:25+00:00

We’re loving this inspirational short film produced by the uber talented Niagara wedding florist team at Mimosa Flower Studio ... one of our recommended Swish List wedding vendors.

Shot on location around Niagara’s prolific and stunning wine region, the crew at Mimosa Flower Studio spent three days producing a suite of five different 'scenes' to inspire and excite you about all the dreamy possibilities for your wedding ... we're over the moon to be able to share them with you!

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Concept & Production: Jennifer Elliotson of Mimosa Flower Studio.
Floral Design & Installation: Jennifer Elliotson, Heidi Taylor, Helen Bang of Mimosa Flower Studio.

Photography & Models: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema / Bride’s Wardrobe: Anthropologie, About a Bride
Groom’s Attire: RW & Co. / Hair & Makeup: ALLURE Hair and Makeup
Linens & Chiavari Chairs: Simply Beautiful Decor / Location: Stone Mill Inn
Cinematography: Enns Visuals / Print Design: Mark Elliotson
Macarons: Bobbette & Belle Artisanal Pastries

ALLURE Hair + Makeup launches video blogs at ‘accessALLURE.tv’

2011-02-16T15:47:13+00:00

ALLURE Hair + Makeup have surprised us again (though we shouldn’t really ever be surprised by this highly creative and talented team) with the launch of their video blog channel called accessALLURE.tv.

accessALLURE.tv features weekly beauty tips and ideas via video ... we suggest you subscribe, stay tuned and check in often as the ladies of ALLURE share new and very useful hair and skin care beauty tips in these to delicious “how to” videos.

And whats even more exciting is that they want you to get involved! ALLURE is always on the hunt for inspiring ideas ... they want to know what you want to know about!

Plus, they’re always looking for models/spokespeople ... if you are interested in being part of one of their video blogs, they want to chat with you!

We hope you enjoy and learn lots!

In This Video » If you’re like a lot of us, growing your hair out takes way too long and it’s hard not to get impatient in the meantime. Go from short to long… and back to short with custom made extensions! Whether for a night out or special occasion, or just to change up your look, 100% human hair extensions add a lot of versatility to your style.

anthropologie + weddings

2011-02-08T19:29:00+00:00

Swish adores this! My heart skipped a few beats when I heard Anthropologie was releasing a wedding line! Check out a preview HERE! and keep an eye out for the launch on Valentine’s day!

White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa

2010-08-31T00:06:25+00:00

Give us three words that best describe White Oaks.
Modern. Chic. Upscale.

What makes White Oaks stand out from other wedding venues?
The location and décor of White Oaks certainly sells itself ... but it’s our attention to detail and outstanding team give us the WOW factor!

What is the specialty at White Oaks?
Customization. While we do offer theme packages to help kick start the planning process, anything and everything can be customized to suit the desires of our couples. We take great pride in our flexibility.

Talk about trends for the season.
As far as colour goes, we’re seeing lots of Tiffany Blue around White Oaks this wedding season. Mini ‘treats’ are also very popular ... candy stations are all the rage! Tall multi-tier wedding cakes seem to be making a resurgence as well ... some boasting as many as 5 or 7 tiers!

What advice would you give couples investigating your services?
We suggest couples prepare specific questions to ask or a have vision in mind for their day. This helps to give the planner something to work with ... a jumping off point. Also, knowing your needs ... Do you have out of town guests that will require guest rooms? Will you need golf booked? A rehearsal dinner? Any special needs or dietary requests? The more information you can provide the better we can help!

What is the consultation process with your clients?
We’ll respond to a bride and groom’s inquiry and invite them to visit White Oaks for a face to face meeting with our wedding planner! We’ll give them a guided tour of the White Oaks property and discuss and address their needs, wants and overall vision for their wedding day.

During the booking process, everything is confirmed in writing to ensure a clear picture of the day is properly communicated. Referrals for specific vendors like flowers, cakes, entertainment etc. are also discussed.

As the wedding date grows closer, we’ll finalize any last minute details in a subsequent meeting.

Give us some detailed information on the key services provided at White Oaks.
We can host intimate weddings for 10 right up to 450 guests! With our beautiful hotel rooms, spa, amazing fitness club, Royal Niagara golf course and onsite restaurants (LIV and Play Urban Café), there is something for all guests to enjoy over the course of a wedding weekend. Guests of the bride and groom can stay at White Oaks on a special wedding room rate and no one needs to worry about driving home after all the fun! Bring your workout clothes or your tennis racquet and enjoy the gym to work off the wedding cake the next morning! Or treat yourself to a luxurious spa treatment and have a fabulous family breakfast in our award-winning LIV Restaurant!

Our wedding specialist holds your hand throughout the entire process, helping you to make special arrangements with other suppliers, overseeing the set up of your day and ensuring your vision becomes your dream wedding!

What do you wish you could do more often?
We’d love to be more involved in the total wedding celebration experience including engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelor and/or bridal party weekends to the rehearsal dinner and brunch the next day!

Talk about Niagara as a ‘destination’ wedding region. What brings your clients to Niagara?
Niagara is known as the wedding capital of the world for many reasons. It’s a very picturesque location ... which our couples are definitely looking for! Accompany this by the many attractions available for their guests ... such as Niagara Falls, local wineries, Shaw Festival Theatre, shopping and golf ... and our proximity to all of these options make for a great weekend getaway for everyone involved in the wedding whether it be the bride, the groom or their family and friends!

‘The Good Book’ Launch Party

2010-08-17T19:15:14+00:00

Our good friend Nicolette and her band of merry food alchemists over at The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. recently launched their first ever cookbook and The Swish List was there to experience a taste of “The Good Book”.

This is The Good Earth’s first cookbook release ever! This self-published 84-page, spiral bound cookbook is full of mouthwatering colour photography and plenty of tips from The Good Earth food alchemists. The Good Book includes 32 tantalizing seasonal recipes from Chefs Patrick Engel, Isa DiIorio and Mike McColl. Each recipe has been “Earthling Approved”, tested for method, taste and final presentation.

On a side note, some of the ‘mood shots’ in the cookbook are the handiwork of talented Niagara wedding photographer (and Swish List Member!), Nataschia Wielink, who has also participated in a year-long documentary of the evolution of The Good Earth and whose images also grace the new Good Earth website and promotional materials!

If you weren’t able to make the launch party, Nataschia captured the images below so you can experience it vicariously!

Be one of the first foodies on your block to get a copy of “The Good Book”.

Photography by Nataschia Wielink
Venue The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.
Fresh Flowers by Mimosa Flower Studio.

All you need is Cheese Cake

2010-08-10T21:49:48+00:00

Ross and Tiffany adore cheese… {our first clue was that their dog is named Cheddar} and for their wedding cake they wanted a cheese cake - I don’t think it comes in any purer form than this!

3 layers of cheesy goodness ... it was arranged by Patrick, one of the chefs at Swish List Vendor, The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. The ‘cake’ was cut up and served on the evening buffet with fruit and crackers ... scrumptious!

Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

Niagara Winery Wedding

2010-08-05T18:56:53+00:00

A vineyard wedding in Niagara is without question always a stunning affair and this Niagara winery wedding is exactly one of those beautiful celebrations that we can dream about all day long!

Featuring three of our Swish List recommended vendors, this was an especially exceptional wedding day. With photography by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema, fabulous wedding flowers by Mimosa Flower Studio and hosted at the absolutely amazing Vineland Estates Winery … it’s filled to the brim with tantalizing touches.

Gorgeous green and blush palette, amazing winery setting, a seriously sweet couple … what’s not to love?!?!

Wedding Venue: Vineland Estates Winery
Wedding Flowers: Mimosa Flower Studio
Wedding Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

Feeling Hot?!

2010-07-07T20:27:51+00:00

Because it’s not quite hot enough outside today ... check out this pair of shoes!

Pucker Up!

2010-07-06T19:44:53+00:00

July 6 is International Kissing Day!!! True story ... first celebrated in the UK and recently adopted worldwide as a ‘holiday’.

So find your loved one ... and pucker up!

Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

Niagara-on-the-Lake Winery Wedding with Purple Palette

2010-07-06T19:28:24+00:00

We’re seriously loving this pretty purple Niagara-on-the-Lake winery wedding featuring work by a dream team of our Swish List Niagara wedding vendors!

This outdoor affair features true Niagara wedding style ... held at a local winery in charming Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, it’s filled to the brim with lovely little details!

From the whimsical lavender paper lanterns to the personalized chopsticks to the wedding cake inspired by Kandinsky (one of the couple’s favourite artists) every nuance of the day was a perfect reflection of the bride and groom.

Venue Coordinator: Danielle Sweet – Vintage Hotels
Wedding Flowers: Jennifer Elliotson – Mimosa Flower Studio
Wedding Cake Designer:Catherine O’Donnell – Willow Cakes and Pastries
Linens and Chiavari Chairs: Angelica – Simply Beautiful Décor

Photography by Tyler James.

The Miller House - Niagara on the Lake’s newest Wedding Ceremony Location

2010-06-10T17:14:49+00:00

The historic Miller House is a clapboard building dating back to 1817 and has been recently loving restored and made available to clients of the Vintage Hotels as their newest private wedding ceremony location suitable for up to 200 guests!

The Miller House lays claim to an almost near complete survival of all it’s original individual elements. It’s finishes, along with it’s history, put it the highest heritage value in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and Canada! The house’s stylistic modesty, with some traditional Georgian architecture speaks importantly about the state of life on the Niagara Frontier in the aftermath of the war of 1812.

The cute raised whitewashed gazebo was specifically created to offer a perfect backdrop for wedding ceremonies of varying traditions and sizes. As previously mentioned, the grounds are suitable for up to 200 wedding guests with complete seclusion on all sides.

The Wedding Gift

2010-05-28T07:15:41+00:00

It is a wealth of information from how to wear your makeup with a black dress to where to shop for shoes, what to serve for dinner and quick ways to update your house:
Things I Wish my Mother Had Told Me-written by Lucia van der Post.

There a few helpful wedding tips buried in the 382 pages of good form and courtesy-one subject being the wedding gift… and because we know that it’s not just the bride and groom checking out the Swish List for wedding tips and inspiration, here’s a little advice for friend’s and family about the wedding gift.

It is getting tougher to pick out the perfect gift for the couple and if you’re lucky, the couple has registered at a few stores and you can choose from their wish list. Lucia writes that it’s important to keep it neutral and offers some brilliant gift ideas:
-a case of fine wine {you have your choice of fine wineries in Niagara! }
-His and Hers plain white bathrobes, beautiful thick white towels…
-an espresso machine
-a fantastic set of kitchen knives from Williams Sonoma

And a few gift ideas that say ‘Niagara’:
-tickets to the Shaw Festival and dinner out
-if you’re buying for ‘foodies’, a gift certificate to a cooking class
-You could gift a couple’s massage-we have so many beautiful spas in the region…

Give the bride and groom a gift of a Niagara experience. Happy shopping!

Celebrating Niagara’s Goodness with The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.

2010-05-22T05:26:10+00:00

We couldn’t be happier for our friends at The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. Our fellow Swish List member is celebrating the opening of their new Niagara winery and this weekend. We were able to preview the venue last weekend and it is nothing short of lovely, delightful ... and full of all things good! The food, the wine, the company, the setting - really quite wonderful - the property is stunning!

Sit and stay a while - you won’t be able to get out of those muskoka chairs!!

To learn how The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. could accommodate your Niagara winery wedding, please visit their profile.

You’re Invited

2010-05-17T19:51:45+00:00

It’s the first impression that you will give your guests. It reflects the style of your wedding. Your invitation will dictate to your friends and family whether it is a sundress and khakis event or a ballroom gown and black tie affair. There are so many ways to ‘do’ invitations-be creative with it! It is your party after all!

If you are looking for press printed invitations, we did find an on-line stationary boutique that we quite fancy. Check out Betsy White

And we really love the idea of creating a logo for your event-ooooh, just imagine the ways that you could use your logo-wine bottle lables, table cards and menus.

Check out the lovely selection on the website!

Photo Credit: Betsy White

Devon + Steve’s winter wedding in Niagara on the Lake

2010-05-05T19:21:10+00:00

This absolutely romantic winter wedding in Niagara on the Lake was sent to us by photog Nataschia Wielink. It’s so romantic, classic, beautiful ... sparkly! And the bride is kind of hot, isn’t she?

Love this silhouette image … makes me want to get married again in the winter … so pretty!

Devon really did light up the room ... like a gorgeous snow princess at her coronation!

Devon and Steve celebrated their wintery wedding in Niagara on the Lake at Queen’s Landing on January 2 ... it was a perfect winter wonderland with a fresh layer of snow that coated the beautiful Vintage Hotels property the night before.

The delicately detailed wedding cake courtesy of Willow Cakes and Pastries.

A really beautiful wedding celebration with close friends and family!

Wedding Photographer – Nataschia Wielink
Wedding Venue – Queen’s Landing (Vintage Hotels)
Wedding Cake – Willow Cakes and Pastries

Inn On The Twenty: Winery Weddings in the Heart of Niagara’s Wine Country

2010-02-23T17:46:13+00:00

Give us three words that best describe Inn On The Twenty.
Vintage. Wedding. Bliss.

What makes Inn On the Twenty stand out from other wedding venues?
Location, Location, Location! The location of the Inn On The Twenty in the quaint little village of Jordan makes it a perfect getaway location for small and large wedding receptions alike. Wedding guests can enjoy suite accommodations at either the renowned Inn On The Twenty (directly across from our reception facilities) or just a four minute walk away at our Jordan Hotel which features an additional 14 tastefully decorated hotel rooms.

Within convenient driving distance from the GTA, guests often make a weekend out of it ... enjoying spa services at the Spa On The Twenty and browsing the many unique boutiques on Main Street. For weddings of any size, the convenience of a venue that offers all services - ceremony, reception, accommodation and pampering - is difficult to resist.

What is the specialty at Inn On The Twenty?
Exquisite dining in the heart of Niagara using Niagara’s seasonal bounty. Inn On The Twenty was the first regional restaurant to open and introduce the farm-to-table culinary experience. Our talented culinary team works diligently to offer seasonal à la carte menus which pair perfectly with the wines of Cave Spring Cellars. Whether it is a dinner for two in our main dining room or a wedding reception for 100 in our Windows On The Twenty, the culinary expertise is apparent.

Talk about trends for the season.
Winery weddings in the heart of Niagara’s Wine Country! Guests enjoy an outdoor ceremony on the Cave Spring ‘home farm’ followed by an intimate candlelit reception in the ambiance of our century old barrel cellars in our Vintner’s Cellar dining room.

Any night of the week and any season, this dining space transforms beautifully and with access to the original cistern turned wine cellar, the space offers intrigue for all who dine there.

What advice would you give couples investigating your services?
Narrow your list of potential reception locations to 4 or 5 maximum; any more will be overwhelming. Don’t rely too heavily on the venue questions included in your wedding planning booklets. Make sure you have a clear idea of your guest size before searching for a venue.

What is the consultation process with your clients?
When looking for a wedding venue, we recommend contacting our Events department to arrange for an one-on-one site visit of the property, to discuss availability and preferences for your special day. After confirming and securing your date, our couples are introduced to their coordinator who will lead them through the planning stages of their big day! Closer to the event date the couple will be introduced to their Catering Manager who will be their contact for the day of the event.

Give us some detailed information on the key services provided at Inn On The Twenty.
Reception Spaces
Inn On The Twenty has 3 reception spaces suitable for a variety of sizes of wedding.
The Windows On The Twenty seats up to of 140 people with a gorgeous view of the Twenty Valley below! The Vintner’s Cellar Dining room is located downstairs in our actual barrel cellar, seats up to 60 people and is a truly unique ‘wine’ experience!
Our intimate Wine Library is located adjacent to Cave Spring Cellars Winery and provides a maximum seating capacity of 24.

Accommodations
Our flagship Inn On The Twenty offers our guests 27 beautifully and uniquely decorated suites with king size bed, jacuzzi, fireplace and TV. The Jordan House is a contemporary boutique style hotel featuring 14 tastefully decorated rooms offering queen bed, three piece bath and TV.

Dining
The Jordan House Tavern offers two levels of dining in an upscale pub-like atmosphere. Great casual menu offered for lunch and dinner. A perfect spot for a rehearsal dinner for up to 50 people!

Relaxation
Spa On The Twenty is our full service spa facility offering customized aesthetic and massage services incorporating the line of Phytomer products. Wine themed treatments are available. Enjoy a day at the spa with a lovely light lunch in the quiet area or one of our garden spaces. On-site wedding preparation services include hair consultation and make up application.

Casablanca Winery Inn: Niagara’s Boutique Inn and Wedding Venue

2010-01-18T23:01:46+00:00

Located at the western Gateway to Niagara, Casablanca Winery Inn is nestled between the Escarpment and north shores of Lake Ontario. Ideally situated close to endless vineyards, boutique wineries and the best views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Skyline, wedding guests will want to turn a wedding into a weekend getaway!

Give us threes words that best describe Casablanca Winery Inn.
Classic. Warm. Accommodating.

What is Casblanca’s specialty?
Personalized service. We take the time to get to know our
couples, communicate and work with them to create their ideal wedding day experience. We follow with outstanding cuisine and flawless execution of the event.

Any advice for couples investigating your venue for their wedding?
Visit in person with our wedding professionals for a tour of the property. This approach sparks the imagination and simplifies the process. Ask questions. Talk about your wish list and what is most important to you. Explore your options and talk about your true desires!

Enjoying the wedding planning process is possible! The best way to achieve this is by continuing to narrow down what you and your spouse-to-be truly want your day to be like! Follow your heart and ask questions. Our wedding professionals are happy to build custom packages based on your preferences.

What makes Casablanca Winery Inn stand out from the crowd?
First and foremost is our team. We all share the philosophy of offering gracious hospitality without limitations. You will always find a friendly face, ready and willing to assist you. As a boutique property, we are large enough that we can offer a full-range of services and options, but small enough to provide that personal touch. We help to make each wedding as unique as the bride and groom themselves.

At Casablanca, you can relax and focus your attention on your guests’ experience. Our space is already beautiful ... all it needs is your finishing touch! Our priority is top quality dining, comfort and amenities for you and your guests. Our private Ballroom is where you’ll enjoy the your own bar, restrooms and the freedom of not sharing your day with anyone else! Pair that with a one-stop-shop environment and it really is all about you at the Casablanca!

Explain some of the key wedding related services that you provide.
The Casablanca Winery Inn offers 78 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, 9000 square feet of banquet and conference space including one of the prettiest ballrooms around!

For an elegant engagement dinner party, our Casablanca Steak and Seafood Restaurant on the top floor of the Inn is a beautiful spot to satisfy your craving for a juicy steak, shrimp cocktail and a glass of Niagara wine.

On our main level, Bogey’s Grillhouse offers a casual atmosphere and a menu with something for everyone. Perhaps a laid-back rehearsal party with thin crust pizza and pitchers of draught is what you’re looking for. Sunday brunch at Bogey’s is a client favourite for bridal and baby showers alike. Host your brunch with sparkling mimosas in one of our two private dining rooms.

Wedding planning goes beyond the ‘Big Day’ ... talk to us about your needs for engagement parties, showers, and farewell breakfasts. We’d be pleased to make that easy for you too!

Vineyard Sweets: Niagara on the Lake Wedding Cake Design

2010-01-07T00:10:02+00:00

The concept of a wedding cake dates back centuries and, traditionally, cutting the wedding cake is the first task performed by the newly married couple. We chatted with cake artists Ruth Aspinall and Eda Marion of Vineyard Sweets to learn a little more about what makes their work so Swish!

Give us three words that describe Vineyard Sweets.
Professional. Creative. Quality.

What is your specialty?
We specialize in custom wedding cakes, but we also do other event and celebration cakes, cupcakes, cookies and sweet treats!

What makes your wedding cakes so unique?
We concentrate hard on offering both beauty and taste. Too often a wedding cake is pretty to look at, but the taste doesn’t live up to expectations. We pride ourselves on both the beauty and flavour of our work!

Any advice for prospective brides investigating your wedding cake services?
Come prepared. Do some homework ... look through magazines or online to have some idea of what you’re looking for. Look at both colour and design. Also, have an idea of what your budget might be ... as realistically as possible.

Talk about your philosophy on ingredients.
We use only fresh ingredients ... and that will never, ever change. No preservatives. No chemicals. We use as much local produce as we can and even make our own preserves using locally grown fruit.

What are some trends for the season?
Colour itself seems to be a trend. In particular, greens and purples were big in 2009. This year more pink and turquoise is showing up.

What inspires you?
Most of our inspiration comes from the bride herself. We spend a lot of time with our brides to get a feel for their personalities, likes, dislikes, etc. – only then will we start working on a design.

What do you love most about the wedding industry?
What we love most is the joy! We are dealing with happy people and it spills over into what we do. We also love working with other talented Niagara wedding vendors. Niagara is a relatively small community and we love our relationships with other wedding industry professionals.

Share your latest fun project!
We recently designed a birthday cake for an actor here in Niagara on the Lake (there’s a picture on our blog). It consisted of a clapboard, stacked film reels and a sculpture of the actor. A real challenge, but so much fun!!!

What music to you listen to while you’re designing in the kitchen?
We run the gamut, depending on our mood. Jazz, pop, opera and even classical!

Simply Beautiful Décor: Niagara Wedding and Event Décor

2009-12-16T20:38:39+00:00

Angelica from Simply Beautiful Décor recently gave us a ‘behind the scenes’ view of her wedding and event décor business. We absolutely love getting to know our Swish Vendors and sharing with you what makes them so Swish!

Give us a general overview of Simply Beautiful Décor.
Our showroom is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake and offers an amazing display of our collections, organized by colors and shades. Our setup allows us to present the newest collections and our displays can easily be undressed, allowing brides and/or event planners to play with different samples. Our talented onsite staff can also help to create your amazing look!

What is your specialty?
Wedding and event décor. We love transforming wedding reception venues with drapery, lighting and beautiful linens. Along with fabric décor, we love adding finishing touches in the form of jewels, crystals, ribbons and more! Our full line of accessories is unique to Niagara.

What makes your business stand out?
We have a tremendous passion for décor, fabric and accessories. We love what we do! We’re always striving to ensure that we are Niagara’s leading wedding décor company. Our styles, colors and collections are updated 2-3 times a year and that sets us apart from most traditional linen companies.

What inspires you?
All of our designs are inspired by trends and couture bridal fashions. I absolutely love wedding gowns! I get so many ideas from the fabric, style and intricate detailing.

What advice would you give to brides investigating wedding décor services?
Keep an open mind. The role of a décor designer is to absorb the information clients give us and translate that into our design process. Find a company that can create something so unique that your guests leave with the feeling that they’ve just experienced something extraordinary.

What scenario brings out the best in your work?
Adventurous color schemes really bring out the best in me! I love breaking the traditional looks and setting new trends.

What is the consultation/creative process with your clients?
Most clients come in to see us with a color theme, fabric swatches or pictures of dresses. After reviewing all that has been gathered and presented, we can create a look that will be reflective of the couple’s personal style and personalities.

Share some 2010 wedding décor trends.
Texture, texture and more texture! Linens are layered, more lush and ruffled. Appliqué linens are also hot for 2010. Appliqué linens are generally raised, have a stitched-in floral pattern or are embroidered with jewels in some fashion.

What do you love most about the Niagara wedding industry?
I love that every couple, every wedding, is a different and unique experience. I love being able to draw out the personalities of my clients, both as individuals and as a couple. This helps us to create weddings that reflect who they truly are.

Share your latest fun project ...
Its coming soon ... my youngest sister just got engaged! They’re currently living in Dubai, but they are planning their Niagara wedding for next year. I have been looking forward to this for a while! I know that this will be a fun project because I know them both so well. It will be just so incredible to create a wedding that is truly all about their love, their personalities and their lifestyle.

Vineland Estates Winery: Niagara Wedding Venue Extraordinaire!

2009-11-26T00:36:06+00:00

We recently chatted with Diane from Vineland Estates Winery to learn more about this unique Niagara wedding and corporate event venue. Diane has been the Event Coordinator at the winery for past six years and is passionate about the Niagara wedding and event industry.

Give us three words that would best describe Vineland Estates Winery
Picturesque. Intimate. Charming.

Tells us a little more about the venue and property!
We host weddings and corporate events in the Carriage House (seating 56) and we can do standing receptions that accommodate up to 75. You can have your wedding ceremony in the Carriage House or outdoors on the property or one of the patios! We do a max of two events a day … lunch and dinner.

We’ll do wine tours and entertain wedding guests between the ceremony and reception. We also have a one room B&B and 3 bedroom guest house available on the property.

We have a great Chef who loves to be creative. If you’re looking for something a little different or themed, Chef can do that for you … he’d love to sit down with you and plan the menu!

The wine is half the fun! Let’s serve 6 - 9 flights of wine with dinner! We’re in Niagara, we’re a winery ... take advantage of that!

What is your specialty?
We don’t have just one ... we have three! Food, wine and service. We take pride in the fact that we offer exceptional service. Our staff are phenomenal! Guests often comment that we’re one step ahead of them … that’s the very definition of service!

What type of event do you wish you could do more of?
Although Vineland Estates Winery is well known as one of the most picturesque and sought after Niagara wedding venues, we are equally equipped to host five-star corporate events! Despite our ‘old-world’ exterior, we’re totally state-of-the-art inside … equipped with a projector, screen and wireless internet. Plus, we offer the whole ‘wine and dine’ experience that follows the meeting. It’s an amazing experience!

What is the consultation process with your prospective clients?
Just come and see the venue … it pretty much speaks for itself! Have a walk around and learn about all that we can offer. Experience the feel of the winery. Let us know your specific needs. We love to be creative and will do everything to make your event special. As cliche as it sounds, we will always say “it’s your day, not ours”.

Claire + Scott’s Niagara Wedding

2009-11-05T19:33:05+00:00

Claire + Scott were married on a warm summer afternoon on the shores of Niagara’s Crystal beach, just south of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. Their outdoor beach wedding ceremony and reception took place on the grounds of the family cottage and was filled with all the warmth, charm and elegance of seaside affair in southern Niagara.

We just love it when our Swish Niagara wedding photographers are bursting to share their pics and stories with us ... we ♥ a great love story! So, here is Claire + Scott’s wedding story in the photographers words ...

“I don’t know if it’s the couple ... is that why I loved this wedding? Maybe it’s the heart ... a whole lotta heart! Great couple. Loved them. We flew to NYC for their e-session in Central Park earlier in the season and had a blast!”

“This wedding ... it was a fairy-tale wedding that reminded me of a movie. The atmosphere ... a casual, yet elegant feel. The best friends from college flew in. The scrapbook they made for her. The heirloom necklace created by grandpa. The live band. The chairs set out on the beach for the bonfire. The magician they hired to entertain the kids. The smell of the popcorn maker after the dance started. The lanterns and homemade cupcakes. Every toast that was made ... it just wrecked me.”

The gorgeous and delectable reception dinner was produced by local Niagara wedding caterer and Swish List Member, Kristin, of Kristin’s Event Creation & Catering!

Harvest Wheat and Honey

2009-10-08T20:03:11+00:00

A rich, earthy and elegant neutral palette that warms the heart on a nippy early autumn day in Niagara. These harvest tones suit an outdoor vineyard or Niagara winery wedding quite comfortably! Dreams of beeswax candles, fields of gold and hand-made goodness.

Look and Feel: Muted Vintage Harvest. Palette: Champagne, Wheat, Honey and Mustard

Images and Inspiration
Top Row: Airfield Bride + Groom, Reception Decor, Old Wedding Chapel
Middle Row: Rings, Vintage Wedding Dresses, Custom Thank You Cards
Bottom Row: Hand-Made Wedding Invitation, Yellow Bridesmaid’s Dress

Allure Hair and Makeup - Niagara Mobile Bridal Hair and Makeup Services

2009-09-29T18:14:07+00:00

The Swish List recently visited with Jessica and Teresa, the exquisitely talented girls behind Niagara’s mobile bridal hair and makeup service Allure Hair and Makeup.

Give us three words that best describe your business.
Mobile. Hair. Makeup.

What services do you provide?
All bridal party hair and makeup services including trial consultations, extensions and hair accessories, false lashes, Frosting Cosmetics (Allure’s exclusive new makeup line) ... pretty much everything a bride and her attendants would need leading up to and on her wedding day! We also offer Mobile Spa Services, including Spa Manicures and Pedicures, Registered Massage Therapy, Paraffin Treatments, Polish Changes, and Nail Art.

Talk about your philosophy with style and design.
We believe in styling every bride to look and feel her best! We really want our clients to feel comfortable with the style we help her choose. Our goal is to achieve ‘perfect balance’ ... so that the pictures look amazing and our bride feels comfortable, gorgeous and like herself on her wedding day!

Where do you go for inspiration?
Bridal and wedding magazines, seasonal fashion trends, websites and television shows.

Talk about trends for this wedding season.
We’ve noticed that our Niagara brides are having a lot of fun with their hair and makeup! Lots of hair accessories (fascinators, fresh flowers, etc.), mini-veils and false lashes. For makeup, jewel tones are very popular right now.

What makes your business unique?
We’re mobile ... that means we come to you and offer stress-free in home/hotel room service on your wedding day! Not only are we mobile, we are also a team service that offers both wedding hair AND makeup styling services. No need to look for two separate vendors! We also maintain studios and so we can work with our brides ahead of the actual wedding day to help her be more fully prepared (i.e. colour and cutting consultations, esthetic services, etc.).

What advice would you give to people investigating Niagara bridal hair and makeup services?
Be sure to look at a portfolio of work by the stylist .. check out their website. We highly advise a trial consultation so that you can be completely comfortable knowing that you will love your bridal hair and makeup. It’s so important that you trust your stylists ... then we can all be relaxed and the results will be amazing!

What is the consultation/creative process with your clients?
We encourage clients to bring pictures and ideas to their hair and makeup consultation, but we also love giving our creative input into their ideas. Most of our Niagara brides know what look they are looking for, so we get to “experiment” a little more with her bridesmaids!

What scenario brings out the best in your work?
We love brides who share their vision for their wedding day hair and makeup. Discussing desired looks beforehand will ensure that hair and makeup will compliment each other. Alternatively, it’s always a lot of fun when our brides give us free reign and tell us to ‘go for it’!

Most memorable wedding?
We recently had a chance to work with celebrity wedding planner Angelique (of Rich Bride, Poor Bride fame) on a pretty high profile wedding. It was such a great experience and really kept us on our toes. It was good to work at such a high level. Afterward, we received a really nice email from the bride detailing how thrilled she was with our services. There is nothing better than getting a huge thank you after the wedding!

Mimosa Flower Studio - Niagara Wedding Florist

2009-09-21T22:16:42+00:00

The Swish List recently visited with the lovely and über talented Jennifer Elliotson, owner of Mimosa Flower Studio, Niagara’s award-winning boutique floral design studio specializing exclusively in flowers for weddings and events.

Where do you go for inspiration?
Fashion, social trends … my own imagination!

Give us three words that best describe your work/design style.
Evolving. Organic. Fresh.

Tell us more about your design ethos.
I feel a deep sense of respect for nature’s beauty and intelligent creation. That’s why we always handle our flowers with respect and integrity – allowing their inherent natural beauty to shine through in our designs! We will never use any artificial, unnatural or dyed product in our work. It’s our guiding principle to keep things as authentic as possible in terms of look, product selection and design style.

What is your specialty?
Aside from the design end of things, we are very good at getting to the heart of the client’s vision… to decipher the best way to express their personality through the flowers. We are artists who take pride in creating specifically for our clients ... to produce just exactly what it is that makes them gasp and say, “That’s it! That’s us!”.

What makes your work stand out from the crowd?
I’m extremely proud of that fact that our work is instantly recognizable and that we’re continually putting out designs that connect so deeply with our clients and their guests! We’ve been told that our finished pieces look almost as if we’d just plucked them out of some magical garden ... fully assembled and ready to go! I love that!!!

I believe it’s our combination of unique ingredients, a commitment to using only natural products, the visual artistry of our designers and attention to detail that really sets us apart.

What is the consultation/creative process with your clients?
I absolutely love bringing ideas to life! Typically, we start with a fabric swatch or maybe some pictures. Frequently clients will reference images from our blog or website. Once we’ve defined a ‘vision’ for the day, our clients generally give us creative freedom … that is when we do our best work!

What advice would you give to clients investigating your services?
If you’ve seen our work and really connect with what we do and what we’re about, then trust us to walk you through the process … don’t stress it! This should be fun! As a rule, we creative types do our best work when our clients trust us enough to let us do what we do best!

What scenario brings out the best in your work?
My favourite events are the ones that have a clear vision for design with a focus on the season. I love to source local flowers and products – that’s one of the great benefits of being located in such a rich agricultural territory like Niagara!

Have you been ‘Going Green’? How?
I like to think that we’ve always been ‘green’! We regularly compost plant material, recycle all paper and plastic, as well as re-use and/or return packaging materials to our suppliers. We source local product whenever possible to help cut down on transportation, shipping and packaging. We even source seasonal flowers and foliage from our own organic cutting gardens!

What are you most passionate about in life?
Beauty. I see beauty in nature. The centre of an orchid, the twist of a branch, the way a garden rose opens. So much natural, organic beauty surrounds us daily, but there’s so much ‘noise’ in the world we just don’t take enough notice of the details anymore!

Talk about trends for the season
I love to see people putting more emphasis and effort into the more thoughtful aspects of their wedding … rethinking tradition and coming up with their own ideas and interpretations. It’s also been nice to see the individual focus of recent years turning into a more generous outlook on the quality and atmosphere of the party as a gift to their guests for joining in the celebration!

What do you think is drawing increasing numbers of weddings to Niagara?
I think that people are drawn to Niagara because it feels like you’re in a different world and yet you haven’t traveled all that far from the city. It’s refreshing and soothing. I think that people really need a place like Niagara … a respite from the daily grind where you can savour the food and wine from the local farm and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. It’s a bit of an escape, really. Easy to get to, but hard to leave!

Late Summer

2009-09-03T02:33:30+00:00

A late-summer palette that features classic early harvest colors. Inspired by the Niagara wedding flowers designed by Mimosa Flower Studio. for this goregous farm wedding.

Look and Feel: Late Summer Harvest Palette: Celery Green, Peach, Tangerine and Orange

Images and Inspiration
Top Row: Bridesmaids, Invitation, Centerpieces
Middle Row: Peach Jam, Bride’s Bouquet
Bottom Row: Boutonniere, Bridal Party

Heather + Josh’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Wedding

2009-08-29T00:19:03+00:00

We love working with really talented Niagara wedding photographers and we have a few them on our Swish Vendor List! Niagara-on-the-Lake wedding photographer Stephen Dominick is definitely on our ‘short list’ of favourites.

The Swish Factor ...
One of the coolest things about this Niagara on the Lake wedding (aside from the great pics!) is what we’re calling ‘The Swish Factor’. The five key wedding professionals that attended to Heather + Josh’s wedding are found right here on the Swish List!

Swish Vendors included the aforementioned Niagara-on-the-Lake wedding photographer Stephen Dominick, Niagara on the Lake wedding venue extraordinaire Queen’s Landing (one of the Vintage Hotels); Niagara wedding flowers by Mimosa Flower Studio; Linens and Chiavari chair rentals by Simply Beautiful Decor and their wedding cake was created by Willow Cakes and Pastries of Niagara-on-the-Lake ... phew!

Bride Heather is such a cutie ... so modelicious!

The grand entrance at Queen’s Landing ... a stunning Niagara on the Lake wedding venue.

Linens and Chiavari chair rentals by Simply Beautiful Decor with the wishing tree, flowers and canopy designed by Mimosa Flower Studio.

Thank you so much to cutie bride Heather and her groom for letting us have a sneak peek of their fab Niagara on the Lake wedding celebration! And to Niagara wedding photographer Stephen Dominick for sharing his take on a day that was altogether gorgeous!

Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

2009-08-15T00:55:46+00:00

What do you love most about the Niagara wedding industry?
I love hearing a great wedding story! One of the first questions I always ask my couples is how they met. How did he propose? Where did you go on your first date? I never tire of hearing ‘the story’.

Where do you go for inspiration?
Wedding blogs ... I’ve become a blog stalker. Magazines. Hanging around with other creative types.

Describe your style/business in 3 words
Authentic. Relaxed. So fun! Okay, that’s four words.

Tell us more about your approach to image making
Philosophy: keep it simple and real. I love to play with a few trendy design ideas when post processing, but for the most part I keep my images real so that the emotion and story don’t get lost. My album designs are simple and clean ... I don’t want the wedding album to look too dated in a few years!

Share your latest fun project
I’ve been asked to document a year in the life of “The Good Earth” (another Swish List Member!). I just finished up a shoot there and it was so relaxing - a fantastic creative outlet! I’ve been given complete creative freedom and they’re all about capturing the journey of their upcoming transformation into one of Niagara’s newest boutique wineries.

Any advice for clients researching Niagara wedding photographers?
Choose a photographer for the style that you love. If you like a high-fashion look - hire a photographer that shoots like that. If you want editorial type coverage - find a photographer that shoots the story. When you’ve researched websites and blogs and found your style, then get to know your photographer. Grab a coffee or go visit their studio. You will be spending a lot of time together, so there should be a natural connect.

What makes your images stand out from the crowd?
Second to shooting the ‘Love Story ‘, I love to shoot details! So much time is spent planning the details ... those images need to be captured! The flowers, the rings, the cake, the dress - it’s all part of the story.

Do clients come to you with ideas? Do they let you ‘go for it’?
Most of our clients let us ‘go for it’... they’ve viewed our work on line, they’ve visited us and have seen our albums and prints. Sometimes we get a list but for the most part they trust us to get all the important moments and shots. We generally do our best work this way.

What music have you been listening to while you work?
We actually have a whole playlist ... and we make a new one each season! We listen on our way to weddings and we’ve been blogging about each song on our list - periodically introducing a new tunes. What’s really fun, is that sometimes during the formal shoot, we’ll just roll down the windows and crank the tunes! Our clients love it! A little music helps loosen every one us.

Share your most memorable Niagara wedding story ...
Last year, we were shooting an outdoor wedding in Niagara on the Lake on the grounds of Navy Hall. The guests had flown in from all over … Spain, England, parts of the US ... a destination Niagara wedding! The forecast was not looking great and just minutes before the bride was to walk down the aisle, a huge storm rolled in. The sky was pitch black and almost simultaneously the guest rose from their seats and dashed inside Navy Hall. Vendors quickly moved everything inside. Mini lights hanging from the beams and there were candles everywhere ... beautiful! Many brides would have panicked about the rain, but not this one… she stepped in the door on her Dad’s arm and whispered ...“I love it! This is soooo romantic”! The ceremony was beautiful, emotional, romantic … perfect!

Triplet Shoes

2009-08-13T16:31:20+00:00

The cutest triplets caught on camera at a recent Niagara wedding ...

Image by Niagara wedding photographer Nataschia Wielink.

Heather + Joseph

2009-08-12T22:22:15+00:00

Swish List Member and Niagara wedding photographer Nataschia Wielink is the artist behind the lens on this one and she has managed to send us completely over the edge with these gorgeous photographs of Heather and Joseph’s outdoor Niagara wedding celebrations!

What’s really cool about this wedding is that there is not just one, but three of our fabulous Swish List Niagara wedding professionals featured! Hair and makeup provided by Storm Hair Group and the cheery flowers were designed by the uber talented Niagara wedding florist Jennifer Elliotson of Mimosa Flower Studio.

Next to Heather, Joseph’s Austin Mini (an original, vintage Mini) might be his greatest passion! The bridal party travelled in style all day ... in a vintage Mini caravan! It was a blast watching Heather pop out of the sunroof and joust her bouquet to the cheers of the guests as they ripped out of the church parking lot after their ceremony ...

Thanks to Heather + Joseph for sharing their day with us!

Teal and Tangerine

2009-08-03T20:46:49+00:00

We’ve been noticing this gem of a color palette creeping across the wedding world ... it’s so fresh and fun, it fits the whole ‘beach tropical’ feel, while keeping it sophisticated.

You can mix this palette with other bright colors, such as lime, yellow or red. Or you can tone tit down, soften it up and combine it with other jewel tones ... so many possibilities!

Look and Feel: Sophisticated Beach Tropical Palette: Aqua, Teal, Orange, Tangerine

Images and Inspiration from Amy Atlas Events, Project Wedding, Etsy, Nikki B’s Paper Boutique, Nordstrom, Me and Matilda, OneWed and MumMadness.

8 reasons we love intimate Niagara weddings ...

2009-08-03T19:07:25+00:00

1. You get to celebrate one of the biggest days of your life surrounded by people who love you and who you connect with in your daily life!

2. You’ll be more relaxed on your wedding day. You’re surrounded by friends and family so you’ll feel more at home.

3. You can splurge. Couples often choose to keep their guest list smaller so they can pull out all the stops and have a truly lavish wedding ... not necessarily because their budgets are small!

4. You’ll have more options when choosing from one of the many wedding venues in Niagara. Since you won’t need an extra large wedding venue to accommodate a ton of guests, there are many more intimate Niagara wedding venues, Niagara wineries and luxe Niagara wedding reception facilities available to you! Many wedding venues in Niagara, such as boutique wineries, offer unique spaces suitable for intimate wedding ceremonies and chic receptions!

5. A smaller wedding allows you more freedom in planning and gives you the opportunity to get your creative juices flowing and make your Niagara wedding celebration a reflection of the two of you.

6. You get to spend time with each of your guests. With a smaller guest list, the bride and groom can spend time with each of their guests, making them feel more welcome and valued.

7. Guests will also have a more enjoyable time at your Niagara wedding reception, celebrating with you and the other guests! Chances are that many of your guests will know one another and have a better chance to connect with the others.

8. Your wedding will be memorable! Whether you’re hosting a Niagara on the Lake winery wedding reception, celebrating a Niagara vineyard wedding ceremony or anything in between, you can be sure that there’s a wedding venue in Niagara that will ‘wow’ you and your guests!

Antique Pink

2009-07-30T18:47:41+00:00

Lately we’re inspired by the resurgence of Modern Vintage style and colors. Soft and feminine, we love the feel of Antique Pink at a Niagara winery wedding!

Look and Feel: Modern Vintage Palette: Creme, Champagne and Soft Pinks

Images and Inspiration from PhotoBucket, Love Love Me Do, LeFiores, Martha Stewart Weddings, Canelle et Vanille, Bride’s Cafe and Flickr.

Design Your Own Shoes

2009-07-30T18:21:23+00:00

We recently discovered that New York’s Nina Shoes now offers an online service allowing you to customize your shoe! At this time they have 3 styles with different heel heights to pick for each style - and then you can select from over 20 different satin colors. We love that you can select a different color for the bow, heel, and upper color. You can also order a swatch book so you can find an exact match.

The Good Earth Cooking School + Food Co.

2009-07-20T20:51:50+00:00

We recently took a little field trip over to Swish List Member The Good Earth Cooking School and Food Co. in Niagara’s Lincoln County. As we navigated our way between the birches and past the vineyard rows to the transformed schoolhouse cooking school, we were welcomed by the scent of late spring in Niagara. Sitting down at the harvest table for a fun chat with Good Earth proprietor Nicolette, it was as if we had entered another world. A deep, peaceful breath of fresh air - a culinary escape in the heart of Niagara’s wine country.

For more than a decade, The Good Earth has had the edge on the ‘Farm to Table’ food movement. Their 55 acre working fruit farm, vineyard and ‘potager’ vegetable and herb gardens provide seasonal ingredients absolutely exploding with Niagara freshness. Just the thought of it makes us salivate!

When it comes to people, happiness and food, you’ll discover that Nicolette is an extremely passionate person! Whether you’re planning your Niagara wedding, stopping in to pick up your Moveable Feast Picnic or simply sampling the latest vintage (winery coming this fall!) … whatever your connection to The Good Earth, you can count on an unrivaled culinary experience, with a healthy dose of laughter on the side.

We peppered Nicolette, the Good Earth’s self proclaimed “facilitator of fun”, with many questions and she was quick to share her thoughts and passions with us ...

Philosophy ...
The Good Earth’s philosophy is a simple one - authentic, natural and spontaneous. By using the best of what Niagara has to offer ‘in season’, in combination with sourced ingredients from all over the world, the Good Earth keeps it simple to let the beauty of the natural tastes and textures shine through.

Weddings ...
Although predominately a cooking school (classes run every weekend taught by resident chefs and local Niagara restauranteurs), The Good Earth property is also an ideal location for an elegant outdoor Niagara wedding with an upscale, yet earthy feel. Specializing in events that range from 12 to 120 guests, Chef Patrick and his staff spin their culinary magic to make each event a unique and memorable one.

Standing out from the crowd is something that The Good Earth does naturally. Proud of their authenticity, each menu created is an original work of culinary art - inspired by the season and nature. Using uncommon cuts of meat as well as jams and jellies made on the property is standard fare at The Good Earth.

A reception tent is set up up on the west side of the outdoor ‘al fresco’ BBQ - complete with old-fashioned lanterns lighting the way through the garden. Wedding ceremonies typically take place just a few steps away in a shady spot in amongst the ferns to the south of the reception tent.

Nicolette and her staff have the best opportunity to let their creative juices flow when there is a genuine connection between their client and all things “Good Earth”. There is a creative process in the building of a unique event - and when the involved parties are ‘in sync, you’re guaranteed an experience that will be both tasty and fun!

Niagara first ...
An ambassador of sorts for Niagara, Nicolette is very ethusiastic about the plethora of ‘farm to table’ delights that the Niagara Region offers - especially The Twenty Valley, where The Good Earth is located. Award winning wines, fresh ingredients, breath-taking nature ... The Good Earth is very deliberate about supporting local farms, markets, wineries and cheese factories.

On the horizon ...
Breaking ground this summer, The Good Earth will be opening the doors to their new winery in the late fall of 2009. The winemaking is already underway ... Chardonnay and Cab Franc are in production! In true ‘Good Earth’ fashion, this will be no ordinary winery ... guests will also be able to enjoy a unique culinary experience while sampling the latest vintage! The new winery will feature a dining space suitable for lunch, dinner, rehearsal parties, weddings and special events in the unique Good Earth way - harvest tables, natural light and unforgettable food!

Photos by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema.

The E-Session

2009-06-22T18:41:18+00:00

Most Niagara wedding photographers will encourage you to book an engagement session when you book your wedding with them - DO IT! It’s a great way to get to know your photographer ... and for the photographer to get to know your style, your interests, and in turn, will help them to be able to capture you best as a couple on the day of your wedding!

Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema includes an engagement session with every wedding booking because they feel so strongly about getting to know their fabulous couples before their wedding day. When couples ask about locations for the e-session, Nataschia encourages them to think of places that are special to them. Where did you first meet? Where was the first date? Where did he propose? If you had a full day to spend together ... where would you go and what would you be doing?

In our opinion, an engagement session should be fun and romantic - the images should reflect the couple’s love story!

Check out this great e-session slideshow Nataschia sent us!

Midnight Black + Hot Pink

2009-06-01T22:04:35+00:00

This versatile palette can be extremely classic and classy or verge on the daring and bold! A hot combo for a mid-summer’s celebration!

Look and Feel: Classic to Sassy Palette: Midnight Black paired with Magenta, Fuschia and Lipstick Pink.

Images and Inspiration from Boston.com, The Knot (Welcome, Stationery), Flickr (Candy, Vinyl Record, iPod), Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema and Mimosa Flower Studio (Bouquets and boutonniere).

Bethan and Adam

2009-05-26T19:07:56+00:00

A beautiful Niagara wedding, shot by one of our favorite Swish List photogs, Stephen Dominick. How lovely!

Bethan + Adam were married in an afternoon wedding ceremony at Stamford United Church in Niagara Falls with cocktails and an evening reception following in Canada’s Prettiest Town, the lovely Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Pictures by Stephen Dominick. Flowers by Mimosa Flower Studio.

A Vineyard Wedding

2009-05-20T02:03:14+00:00

Niagara’s wine country is a Mecca for fine cuisine, premiere spas, first-class service and exquisite scenery. With event coordination available at most wineries and nearby or on-site accommodations, it’s relatively easy to combine the wedding of your dreams with the convenience of Niagara’s finest wedding vendors.

Swish List Member Inn on the Twenty provides their Vineyard Retreat as an option for your Niagara wedding ceremony! Getting married outside in the middle of the Cave Spring Vineyards surrounded by the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment is an unforgettable way to begin your lives together!

Images and Inspiration from Boston Images via Inn on the Twenty, Brides and HannaHou Productions.

Maris + Michael

2009-05-08T22:14:36+00:00

Swish List Photographer Nataschia Wielink sent us these photos of a great Niagara wedding she shot last weekend ... here’s the story in her words:

Family… is there anything closer to your heart? It was so evident that for Maris and Mike, family is treasured. Maris made plans to sleep at her grandma’s and get ready there the morning of the wedding. It’s the home that Maris’ Mom grew up in and a gorgeous location for pictures - beautiful sunlight spilling into every room. And Maris had a beautiful timeless and classic look - she made an absolutely stunning bride!

Things we loved about this Niagara wedding:

All of the details coordinated with the look and feel of the day. The bouquets matched the delicate look of the wedding gown. Designed by boutique Niagara wedding florist Mimosa Flower Studio, they were so full and looked almost as if the flowers might even have been gathered from the garden!

The red carpet that ran down the aisle that would lead Maris to her handsome groom. Mike was waiting at the front of the chapel in RCMP Full Dress Uniform.

A few giggles came from the crowd when Maris almost dropped the ring and very politely exclaimed “oopsie daisy”!

The chapel was filled with the sounds of a bag piper as the newly-weds signed the license.

Their day was rich with tradition, getting married at Ridley College, being one of them. A lunch to follow at the beautiful Queen’s Landing surrounded by the ones they love and care for most. I’m searching for a word or a phrase to describe the feeling of the day ... a genuine celebration of two very lovely people!

Thanks to Maris + Michael for sharing their day with us!

Mossy Glen

2009-05-08T21:37:07+00:00

Partly vineyard, partly forest, this palette is inspired by nature’s most down-to-earth hues. Woodland textures imbue this affair with with a natural, easygoing atmosphere.

Look and Feel: Earthy Eco Chic. Palette: Cream, Moss, Sage and Mocha.

Images and Inspiration from Adele Weschler Eco Couture and Swish List Member Mimosa Flower Studio

Aqua

2009-05-07T20:43:59+00:00

Taking cues from nature’s most basic of elements, Aqua might say beach, but it also says Fifth Avenue. In Niagara, we’re so surrounded by water that it’s impossible to ignore this palette!

Often paired with the most classic of supporting acts, like silver or pewter, pearls and creamy flowers, Aqua is a feast for the imagination ... and the eyes.

Look and Feel: Vintage tranquility meets a weekend at the coast. Palette: Ice, Horizon, Tiffany and Robin’s Egg.

Images and Inspiration from Etsy, Vermont Vows, Beast Pieces, WellWed in NY, Fluevog Shoes, Kelley Oshiro Events and Favor Ideas.

Feathery + Fun!

2009-05-07T19:17:31+00:00

Images by Sabine Schere via Green Wedding Shoes.

Mint Blue

2009-04-24T22:31:27+00:00

Image by Liz Banfield

Yellow Fluevogs

2009-04-18T22:37:35+00:00

Image by Nataschia Wielink ... shoes by John Fluevog.

Rustic Rose

2009-04-16T22:09:18+00:00

A little bit modern vintage, a little bit hand-made chic ... it’s pink without being too ‘girly’ about it!

Look and Feel: Soft and charming, delicate and detailed. Palette: Champagne, Carnation, Blush and Rose.

Images and Inspiration from Etsy, Flickr and Papeterie.

The New Eco Couture

2009-04-16T19:46:28+00:00

It’s quickly becoming a necessity to consider the footprint your wedding will leave on our increasingly fragile eco-system ... that’s why we’re so excite to share this swish line of Eco Couture bridal gowns from Canadian designer Adele Wechsler!!

Wechsler’s gorgeous Eco Couture designs are 100% green - the perfect dress for the bride planning an eco-chic wedding!

The following components go into each design ...

• Certified organic hemp/silk blends 
• Vegetable dyed silks
• Remnant lace and fabrics
• Fair trade labour
• Each dress is hand cut with many hand sewn details
• Organic design elements 

Aside from the ‘green’ elements considered, every dress is made in Canada, where the company is based! So you can have confidence that you’re buying local.

These are so swish ... we just had to share!

Lavender Love

2009-04-08T18:28:24+00:00

Violet, lavender, plum ... whatever name you give it, there’s no denying that shades of purple are hot for 2009!

Look and Feel: Luxe Royal and Romantic Palette: Mulberry, Violet, Lavender and Plum

Images and Inspiration from Watters and Watters, Mimosa Flower Studio, Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema, Wedding Style Guide, The Knot, Home Depot and Ban-do.

Sky Lanterns

2009-04-04T17:28:51+00:00

We just stumbled across this idea and have to share it with all of you. These are traditional Chinese flying lanterns made from biodegradable materials which makes them a great ‘green’ choice for your wedding! Are these amazing or what?

Sky lanterns are traditionally used in Asian festivals where the rise of the Lantern symbolizes an individual’s woes floating away to be replaced with good luck and fortune in their future. They look a bit like large translucent paper lampshades and are made from biodegradable rice paper ... so they’re perfect for an eco friendly display. The flame lit underneath provides the uplift (the same principle as a hot air balloon) to float the lanterns up into the sky on a calm dark evening. Imagine your guests sending off hundreds of sky lanterns, floating silently upwards ... a powerfully moving experience!

The lanterns come in all different sizes and colors, but we like the soft glow of these best.

Inspiration found here and here.

Sweet Pea Pink and Apricot

2009-04-03T06:37:51+00:00

Intense, dramatic and playful, pink is timeless in all it’s glory! Not for the faint of heart, this show-stopping palette makes a statement.

Look and Feel: Cotton Candy meets MoRo Sophistication Palette: Melon, Tangerine, Sweet Pea and Fuchsia.

Images and Inspiration from Martha Stewart Weddings, Etsy and Hello Lucky Stationery (Invitation designed by Joel Dewberry!).

5 Ways to ‘Greener’ Niagara Wedding Flowers

2009-04-01T21:21:31+00:00

Rent where possible
Most florists offer a choice to rent or buy your centrepiece containers. Depending on the design of the piece and it’s intended use, rental is often an acceptable option. Not only will you save some cash (which you can put toward more fabulous floral pieces!), but you are not going to be stuck trashing 20 containers in the venue dumpster after your wedding! Plus, the florist won’t have to purchase new containers for each wedding, thereby reducing their carbon footprint on things like shipping and manufacturing.

Composting
It doesn’t hurt to ask your florist if their leftover plant material goes to compost. Or what about your reception venue? Do they compost any leftover flowers your guests haven’t taken? You might even arrange to have the venue re-use any unclaimed flowers and display them throughout the venue!

If your florist doesn’t do so already, urge them to consider recycling their packaging and composting their excess materials.

Choose in season blooms
Truthfully, you can get just about any bloom at any time of the year ... but first consider the cost to the environment! Choosing ‘in season’ or ‘locally grown’ flowers and foliages helps to reduce the global impact on climate change by reducing shipping distances. Locally grown plant materials are usually much less expensive and, naturally, fresher and more vibrant than those that travel great distances!

You might love Amaryllis for your August wedding, but they are not growing anywhere near Niagara that time of year! Importing flowers from across North America still causes much less damage than imports from Europe, South America or New Zealand.

Double-Duty
Plan to re-use as many pieces as possible from your ceremony to your reception. Things like altar arrangements, unity candle arrangements, pew decor, etc. can usually be engineered by your florist to be ‘multi-purpose’. Any full-service vendor will have no problems transporting these pieces between the church and venue!!

Offset the carbon footprint of your wedding
Educate yourself on carbon offset credits and estimate your wedding’s carbon footprint, then purchase enough offset credits to to cover the carbon footprint of your wedding! A great way to give back to the earth.

P.S.>> Check out the Flowers for Food Composting Program in Vancouver ... an innovative idea!

Hello Yellow!

2009-04-01T09:19:09+00:00

We’ve heard (and experienced) that yellow is hot for 2009 ... here’s our take! Loosely tied calla lilies, ruffly ranunculus, chewy lemon drops and cupcakes ... happy spring!

Look and Feel: Bright and sunny, fun and uplifting. Palette: Shades of dark yellow and melon.

Images and Inspiration from Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema, Decor8, Dulux, Bella Figura Letterpress, The Cake Girls and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Andrea and Felipe, Part 3

2009-03-31T01:50:02+00:00

A little something special ... Andrea and Felipe will always share their wedding anniversary with her parents ... how fabulous! Fortunately, the sky broke just long enough to get outside and get some great images!

All photographs by the lovely and talented Nataschia Wielink (also one of our Swish List featured photographers!)

Andrea and Felipe, Part 2

2009-03-31T01:49:44+00:00

Andrea and Felipe had planned their wedding ceremony to take place outside, overlooking the Niagara River, but as the clouds rolled in there was a quick change of venue as Mother Nature had other plans!

The looming storm clouds turned their planned outdoor event into an even more romantic indoor ceremony. Andrea and Felipe exchanged vows under sparkling lights in a cozy heritage building on the banks of the river… it was heart warming and ridiculously romantic!

All photographs by the lovely and talented Nataschia Wielink (also one of our Swish List featured photographers!)

Andrea and Felipe, Part 1

2009-03-31T01:48:22+00:00

The lovely Andrea and Felipe flew in for their ‘destination Niagara’ wedding all the way from the UK! Their friends and family met up to celebrate their nuptials with them in the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. They had planned their wedding ceremony to overlook the Niagara River, but as you’ll read in Part 2, Mother Nature had other plans!

Congratulations Andrea and Felipe ... thanks for sharing your story!

From the photographer: A favourite moment ... Felipe pacing the floors practicing his speech that would later in the evening move everyone to tears ...“stunning on the outside - beautiful on the inside”.

All photographs by the lovely and talented Nataschia Wielink (also one of our Swish List featured photographers!)

Courtney and Jeff

2009-03-30T23:42:48+00:00

There were few weddings that didn’t get rained on last summer ... and Jeff and Courtney’s was one of them. It was a gorgeous day for a Niagara wedding!

Courtney looked stunning in her wedding gown! I love that she choose a slightly off white dress to compliment her beautiful skin tone. Courtney’s little sister stayed close by ready to help out whenever needed!

Congratulations and best wishes Courtney and Jeff!

From the photographer: “You could just see the love that Jeff found in Courtney by the way he looked at his stunning bride, how he held her hand ... how he kissed her.”

Photography by the lovely and talented Nataschia Wielink (One of our Swish List featured photographers!)

Cameron and Janelle

2009-03-30T23:00:28+00:00

Janelle and Cameron exchanged their vows in a beautiful Niagara wedding ceremony under the trees at a B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The note attached to the flowers delivered early that wedding morning stated how excited Cameron was to be getting married ... nothing else mattered - not even the forecast!

It truly was the summer of rain as parasols set out for the sunshine came in handy to keep their guests dry from the showers. The sun was welcomed after the ceremony - just in time for a few pictures! So many beautiful and thoughtful details were put into the day including the surprise cookies baked especially for Janelle by Grandma.

We just love how the breezy soft lavender and magenta pops on the dramatic grape background! Another beautiful Niagara wedding!

Photography by Nataschia Wielink (a Swish List featured photographer)

Chandelier Chic!

2009-03-30T01:19:00+00:00

There are so many great ways to get inspiration for your wedding it’s crazy and almost impossible to settle! Some brides start with a particular colour or even a full palette. For others, texture is what defines them. And other brides just know the ‘look and feel’ they’re after, totally independent of colour or texture. Inspiration boards are wonderful because they are a combination of all three aspects ... colour, texture and vibe!

Black tie formal decked out in jewels!

Look and Feel: Clean and sparkly, polished and shiny. Palette: Cloud, Chrome and Midnight Black.

Images and Inspiration from Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema, Jimmy Choo Shoes, Thread Bridesmaid, Frantic Stamper and Kate Aspen Collection.

Kathy and Dave

2009-03-29T06:03:43+00:00

Nothing brightens up a November Niagara wedding quite like these pink bridal bouquets created by the uber talented Jennifer at Mimosa Flower Studio. We love the dramatic colour palette of this wedding!

Kathy and Dave were married in the afternoon and invited their guests to a dinner reception at a local golf course and winery. In between the “I do” and dinner, pictures were taken in downtown St. Catharines and at Decew Falls.

Things we love about their wedding - the classic black bridesmaids dresses bought off the rack at RW&Co. (great find!), the feather in Kathy’s hair and the twirling little flower girl, Kate. So cute!

Dave and Kathy ... perfect for each other! Your wedding was so Swish ... thanks for letting us share in your day!

Photography by Nataschia Wielink (a Swish List featured Niagara wedding photographer). Flowers by Mimosa Flower Studio (a Swish List featured Niagara wedding florist) and Hair by Allure Hair and Makeup (also a Swish List featured Niagara wedding vendor!)

A Shakespearean Wedding

2009-03-21T02:09:00+00:00

Casa di Giulietta, Verona, Italy » The House of Juliet - where, legend has it, Romeo wooed the young maiden under her balcony - will soon be used as a venue for weddings. The idea is part of a campaign by Verona, where William Shakespeare set his tale of star-crossed lovers, to foster its image as a romantic city. The tab for getting married at the House of Juliet ranges from about $770 for Verona residents to $1,280 for non-EU-citizens not living in the northeastern Italian city.

“Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”

Okay, it’s not Niagara ... but when in Rome.

Thanks to See Italia.

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