Displaying all entries tagged as 'Swish List Member'

Real Weddings

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

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.

Swish Loves This!

Bird Cage Veils by Jessica’s Accessories

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!

Swish Loves This!

Fun E-Sessions by Stec Photo

We stumbled across this collage of cool engagement session pics by Stec Photo that you might like to check out!

Save the Date

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

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.”

Wedding Flowers

Vintage inspired outdoor Niagara Winery Wedding

Vintage inspired meets Tuscan vineyard ... it’s an outdoor wedding smack-dab in the middle of Niagara’s wine country!  So lovely ...

We just love the soft colours and the fluffy peonies, champagne garden roses and delicate queen anne’s lace in the florals designed by My Bouquet.

From the photographer, Nataschia Wielink ... “When the bride described the look and vibe she wanted to create for their wedding celebration, I was thrilled to work with them. The winery vineyards helped to create that ‘Tuscan’ look and the pretty romantic details were a lovely addition to the already stunning views. It was a perfect evening for an outdoor wedding ceremony!”

Catering: Vintage Hotels
Florals: My Bouquet
Images: Natashica Weilink Photography

Swish Loves This!

Niagara Winery Engagement Session by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

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 ...”

Wedding Cinematography

Nancy + Michael - Same Day Edit by Stephen Franklin Photography/Cinema

We’re absolutely loving this wedding film turned music video shot and same day edited by the totally talented team at Stephen Franklin Photography/Cinema!

Real Weddings

Mandy + Tim’s Niagara on the Lake Wedding

We love it when we find a bunch of our beloved Swish List Vendors working an event together ... it always makes for an incredibly beautiful wedding!

These sweet images were sent to us by Pauline of My Bouquet ... it’s her sister Mandy’s wedding!

We love the little details the wedding day brings ... like this custom-made metal dress hanger!

Mandy + Tim’s wedding reception took place in the Old Court House in Niagara-on-the-Lake ... loving the deep burgundy linens and chiavari chairs against the orchids and amaryllis!

Wedding Flowers – My Bouquet
Hair and Makeup – Allure Hair and Makeup
Linens and Chair Decor – Simply Beautiful Decor

Wedding Photography

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

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

Featured Vendor Profiles

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

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.

Featured Vendor Profiles

My Bouquet: Niagara Wedding Florist

Give us three words that best describe your style.
Innovative. Inspired. Memorable.

What is your specialty?
Definitely bridal party bouquets!

Where do you go for inspiration?
We try to keep up to date and be inspired through international floral design shows and doing a yearly refresher design course. My husband and I try to go back-packing every year for a month ... the world has so much to teach us!

Talk about your design philosophy.
I strive to make arrangements that stop people in their tracks. Flowers that captivate one’s spirit, creating conversation, letting them know that life is best when it’s beautiful! Innovative and customized floral art inspired by nature.

What scenario brings out the best in your work?
Location and venue choice are very important because they tend to set the base style and theme for most weddings. Also, it’s always great working with clients that have chosen us for our style and give us the freedom to design.
 
What is the consultation/creative process clients can expect?
It’s usually of collaboration of thoughts and ideas. We like to get to know our couples first and their desires and then they in turn give us the freedom to design.
 
Talk about color trends for the season.
Gray is a really popular color this season ... accented with any color.
 
Share your latest fun project.
It’s always interesting to work with people you know, especially when it’s your own sister. Last year we had the privilege of designing for her wedding. It was really great to put our designs to work, infusing them along with with her style. In the end we created a picturesque wedding!

What’s on your iPods these days?
I’m listening to Phoenix ... this eclectic Grammy nominated French alternative band.

Featured Vendor Profiles

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

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!

Featured Vendor Profiles

Stec Photographers: Niagara Wedding Photography

We know that images are worth a thousand words, especially if they’re images created by Niagara wedding photographers and fine portrait artists Peter and Debbie Stec of Stec Photographers!  But, sometimes, it’s nice to get to know the people behind the business ... and for that, we do need a few words!

What is the Stec Photographers specialty?
In a phrase – Modern wedding photography with a vintage flare!

Give us three words to best describe your style.
Now. That’s. Different!

What’s your approach to wedding photography?
We’ve photographed over 2500 weddings and developed a distinct approach to wedding photography that we love just as much as our couples!  It’s more of a hybrid approach that doesn’t focus on any one particular photographic ‘style’, but instead combines many styles into one.  Most couples appreciate some direction during the day (unlike a pure photojournalist’s philosophy) so we offer that.  After the wedding day, we find that brides really appreciate our fast turn-around. We generally optimize over 1000 images in a few days and can have albums ready in just a few weeks.

What makes your images so unique?
At the risk of giving away my secret, here it is:  I spend about 40 hours optimizing my weddings with all sorts of techniques that are not so much ‘secret’, but they do take a huge amount of time.  I don’t use techniques in the computer that alter images in large batches, but I treat each photo individually with special textures and blending techniques that most photographers stay away from because of the extreme time demand.  Even though we’re working with a ‘digital’ product, I feel that each photo is ‘hand-made to perfection’ using this approach.

Where do you go for inspiration?
I love to check out websites and blogs of internationally known photographers in places like Europe, Australia and the U.S.  I tend not to have a style that looks like anyone I’ve seen, but there are definitely elements of my approach that can be seen in lots of photographers worldwide.

What advice would you like to give to people when they are investigating your services?
Research, research, research!!!

After even a bit of online research, couples will be shocked at the differences between the best and worst photographers in a given area.  Be particularly aware that the variation of quality levels is higher in the wedding photography business than in any other service provider in the wedding industry.  It really pays to visit dozens of websites before you start to get serious with potential photographers.

What’s your perfect scenario for a wedding photo shoot?
I’m sure it will change over the years, but for now …

I would time the session so I could have the bride and groom meet me in an open area like the lakeshore, a wheat field or abandoned rail yard about 1 hour before sunset on a summer evening. Either we leave the reception for a short time, or the photos take place on another day.  The bride would have a long veil and would play ‘diva’ for a short time.  A bit of acting wouldn’t hurt.  The sun would be burning brightly as it approaches the horizon and there’s a slight breeze in the air.  My assistant has a large golden reflector at the ready and everyone looks at me and says ...”Okay, what do we do?”

Talk about current trends in wedding photography
When I cruise the world for inspiration, I see trends that seem counterintuitive.  What I mean is that wedding photos with ‘incorrect’ elements are all the rage.  For example, areas that are out of focus or blurry, excessive contrast and grain, scratches, stains, etc.  These are all things that might be traditionally considered ‘bad’ things, but I’ve seen the highest demand for wedding photographers who can effectively simulate these elements.

What are you most passionate about in life?
My biggest priority in life is my family and my relationship with God.  Sometimes it feels a bit less than a passion, but it really is what drives the whole process for me.  Nothing really matters without the support and love of my wife and son.  As a person of faith, my relationship to the Creator of the universe is one of the most mysterious and important pursuits in my life.  I’d like to think that at least a tiny portion of God’s ultimate creativity shines through in our work.

Share your most memorable wedding story ...
A few years ago we photographed a wedding in Puerto Vallarta that had the perfect environment – times ten.  It’s hard to forget a destination wedding where the beach extended about a kilometer into the ocean with water up to your knees as far out into the ocean as you could walk.  The water was gently rolling in while the sun set below a cloud and an Albatross circled overhead.  I nearly started hyperventilating as I realized that this perfect environment would last only a few minutes and it may be only a once in a lifetime event for me to capture the ultimate angles, lighting, etc. before the sun went down and the night took over.

Featured Vendor Profiles

Simply Beautiful Décor: Niagara Wedding and Event Décor

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.

Featured Vendor Profiles

Vineland Estates Winery: Niagara Wedding Venue Extraordinaire!

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”.

Real Weddings

Claire + Scott’s Niagara Wedding

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!

Real Weddings

Courtney + Albert’s Niagara Wedding

It was a warm late summer afternoon when Courtney and Albert celebrated their Niagara wedding at this picturesque estate on the escarpment near Beamsville, Ontario. 

Niagara wedding photographers Debbie and Peter of Stec Photo did an amazing job capturing the character, color and elegance of this wonderful Niagara wedding.

This wedding reminds us a lot of a bridal magazine wedding shoot – complete with a gorgeous sunset!  Our best wishes go out to Albert and Courtney as they begin their married life together!

This stunning Niagara wedding was sent to us by Debbie and Peter of Stec Photo.

Featured Vendor Profiles

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

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!

Swish Loves This!

Funny Faces

What could be more fun than shooting the wedding of a gorgeous bride who happens to be the niece of Canada’s funky high-end shoe designer John Fluevog?!?!?

We love this funny face collage featuring bride Kirstyn that Stec Photographers put together!

Read more about Niagara wedding photographer Stec Photographers or visit their blog.

Featured Vendor Profiles

Mimosa Flower Studio - Niagara Wedding Florist

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!

Real Weddings

Vanessa + Tracy

We’re swooning over these fab lakeside wedding photos by Niagara wedding photographer Peter Stec.

Seriously ... how stunning are these!?

Thank you so much to the adorable bride and groom for letting us have a sneak peek into their awesome Niagara wedding celebration. And to Peter of Stec Photographers for capturing the day to perfection!

Featured Vendor Profiles

Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

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!

Real Weddings

Heather + Joseph

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!

Real Weddings

Anna + Mike

We’re always excited when Stec Photographers send us some of their latest work ... loving the soft dreamy feel of these Niagara wedding photos!

From a country farm in Stevensville, to St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox church in North St. Catharines, to beaches and various alleyways, this fun couple wanted to make use of the full spectrum of Niagara wedding photo locations!  Making use of funky, new techniques and cooperation from local sunbathers, Stec Photographers was able to come up with some stellar images.  “We had a great time during the getting ready portion of the day with great looking (and acting) kids that added that extra touch to the photo session!”, says photog Pete Stec. 

Thank you to Pete of Stec Photographers for sending us pics of this fabulous Niagara wedding!

Real Weddings

Jennifer and David

Not too many brides would hike through dense forest with hiking shoes, down incredibly steep paths and through dirty underbrush to get to a tar-stained, rusty train bridge to get the perfect photo ... but Peter Stec of Stec Photographers tells us that’s what Jennifer was all about this past weekend! 

From the photographer: “It’s always a thrill for us to hear the words ‘do whatever you want’ coming from the mouths of our bridal couples.  This Niagara wedding was a treat for us as Jennifer and David wanted us to go all out with funky locations and post processing techniques on their photos.  We’re always looking to shoot in locations where we’ve never seen any other wedding pics ... once people catch onto these funky locations, we have to move on to other areas that no one has thought of.  That’s what we do!  Thanks Jen and Dave for indulging our artistic vision!”
 

Thank you so very much to Peter of Stec Photographers for sending us pics of this fabulous Niagara wedding!

Real Weddings

Bethan and Adam

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.

Real Weddings

Johanna and Jason

This morning when we checked our inbox, we were excited to find these fabulous pics from Johanna and Jason’s recent Niagara wedding in the quaint Village of Jordan.  The bride and groom tied the knot in an intimate affair outside under the Pergola by the Spa followed by a swank reception in the Cave Spring Wine Cellar next door!

Fabulous Swish List photographer Debbie Stec (Stec Photographers) just loved shooting this wedding and tells us the bride was all about the photos!  Johanna and Jason gave Debbie full creative control and nearly unlimited time ... a photographer’s dream!!!  With the backdrop of a beautiful small town and a windswept Niagara vineyard at nearby Cave Springs, Debbie was able to get exactly what the bride had hoped for.

Thank you so very much to Debbie of Stec Photographers for sending us pics of this fabulous Niagara wedding!

Real Weddings

Maris + Michael

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!

Real Weddings

Melanie + Gianni, Part 2

We’re loving on Melanie and Gianni’s distinctive wedding pics as captured by talented Swish List photographer Peter Stec of Stec Photographers in Jordan, Ontario.

Melanie and Gianni were on the hunt for more art-worthy images as opposed to just documenting their wedding day. Stec tells us he didn’t spend much time on traditional wedding photos and focused mainly on the bride and groom’s request for distinctive images.  Don’t miss Part 1.

Loving the vintage treatments in these pics! More about Stec Photographers here.

Real Weddings

Melanie + Gianni, Part 1

We’re smitten with Melanie and Gianni’s arty Niagara wedding pics as captured by talented Swish List photographer Peter Stec of Stec Photographers in Jordan, Ontario.

Melanie and Gianni were on the hunt for more art-worthy images as opposed to just documenting their wedding day. Stec tells us he didn’t spend much time on traditional wedding photos and focused mainly on the bride and groom’s request for distinctive images.

Loving the vintage treatments in these pics! More about Stec Photographers here.

Real Weddings

Leigh-Ann + Raphael

Niagara based wedding photographer, Peter Stec (of Stec Photographers) recently traveled to Toronto to shoot Leigh-Ann and Raphael’s nuptials. I love all the graphic details and the whole ‘city vibe’ that’s going on in this series ... trés urban! 

From the Photographer: “I was thrilled to have a such great time with this fun couple.  With the luxury of a limo to shuttle us anywhere, we decided to take full advantage it!  Starting out in a tiny outdoor park with lots of architectural features and billboards, we moved quickly and dodged traffic on the way downtown!  We had a blast making a complete spectacle of ourselves on the sidewalk, which only drew more and more curious stares and well wishes for the Bride and Groom!”

I’ve always had a thing for building-sized prints ... the sheer enormity visually overwhelms me!

Thanks to Leigh-Ann and Raphael for letting us share in their day!  More about Stec Photographers here.

Real Weddings

Andrea and Felipe, Part 3

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!)

Real Weddings

Andrea and Felipe, Part 2

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!)

Real Weddings

Andrea and Felipe, Part 1

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!)

Real Weddings

Courtney and Jeff

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!)

Real Weddings

Cameron and Janelle

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)

Wedding Flowers

Kathy and Dave

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!)

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