What an awesome day at the shop!  Usually we are closed on Monday’s but today Lisa and I came in to do an awesome photo shoot featuring the bridal jewelry from Bel Bridal by designer Isobel Walker, whose work we feature here at Luxe.   With a mix cd pumping on the stereo system, and one (okay, maybe 6) trips to the candy bar we channeled our inner creativity to put together some stunning looks, all captured by Isobel’s professional photographer friend Chantelle Slocombe (I can’t wait to see pictures, she’s so great!)  We had a fun time matching Isobel’s unique collection with our dresses, proving that with the right dress, and the right accessories, any bride can achieve the personal, creative look she dreams of!  From elegant and romantic, featuring fresh water pearls and Swarovsky crystals (picture that with a lace Robert Bollock gown; so dreamy) to quirky and flirty pink crystal hair pins both classic and contemporary looks were created.  That’s one of my favourite things about wedding ensembles, they have the ability to let each bride’s unique personality shine through.  What a great time!

Until next time,

Emily the Intern

Congratulations! The moment you’ve been dreaming of since since you were a little girl is here!  You’re surrounded by continuous choruses of well wishes, the rock is safely planted on your finger (bringing even more “ooh’s and ahh’s”, and the occasional “It’s about time”) and you are ready to begin the (minimum) 250 hours that it takes to plan your big day. Yes.  250 hours.  The first time I heard this number I  instantly developed all of the noticeable signs of anxiety (wide eyes, accelerated heart-beat etc), and I’m not even close to being engaged.  However, lucky for you, bride to be; Samantha Moonsammy is here to save the day!  Coming from STARFISH: creative events + inspiration, Samantha’s Wedding Workshop is designed to help brides plan their weddings in a budget savvy, personal way.  Covering everything from bridal party etiquette to DIY centerpieces, her advice encompasses all things wedding, in a fun stress free way.  The information is helpful to all types of brides, whether you are a perfectionist (saving all your receipts and managing your zillion and one appointments in your 3 day planners) or a non-conformist (pink converse under your couture gown? Why not!)  Featuring slideshows of weddings she has worked on and several “budget boosting” tips, the workshop was beneficial to all brides (and grooms!) that made it out.  The last half hour was a meet and greet called “speed networking” featuring some of the most talented and up-and-coming vendors in Ottawa.  Those present included Isobel Walker of Bel Bridal jewelry (who is not only crazy talented, but such a sweetheart)- with a newly launched Luxe collection available exclusively at Luxe Bridal) and Hana Abaza of Co-Founder of Wedding Republic . (The awesome online gift registry – check it out) as well as  local, affordable photographers and hair stylists.  I can’t say enough about how informative this workshop was, and encourage everyone to keep their eyes posted for Samantha’s next workshop.

Happy Planning!

Emily the Intern

So I have been meaning to blog about Luxe Bridal Boutique’s amazing and fabulous neighbors…no more procrastinating! If you havent had the pleasure of strolling on North Dal lately..boy are you missing out. I mean, forget that you can find the coolest bridal shop this side of the Market – (k, dont forget) but you can also find some of Ottawa’s best shopping all in one ‘hood.

Every day when I pull into our little parking lot, I pass by the shops and boutiques on our stretch of Dalhousie (St.Patrick to St.Andrew) and start to imagine all of the places I am going to wear the fabulous sequin t-shirt dress I tried at Victoire…or how my friend Kim would love the hand made bloomers they carry. Not to mention the gorge red ruffled dress in the window of Workshop that screams “Maddy!” every time I see it.

And sooo…with great pleasure please join us North Dalhousian’s for two fabulous evenings of hoilday shopping on December 2 & December 16, 2010. Maddy and I are still working on exactly what we want to offer our holiday brides  but in the meantime please check out the press release below! (I love the expression, “press release”, it sounds so official).

“Buy local” is on everyone’s mind this holiday season… Dalhousie Street shopping parties are making it easy!

Ottawa’s newest and freshest shopping district is mixing holiday cheer with goodwill: the area’s hippest shops are hosting two fun, discount-filled shopping nights on Thursday, December 2nd and December 16th from 6pm until 9pm, ensuring everyone can support our local economy. The shops are spreading the goodwill by also collecting funds for the Dress for Success Ottawa to ensure everyone feels the holiday cheer.

The street has grown over the past few years and is now bursting with independent boutiques, shops, cafés, salons and spas.  It is the number one place to go in Ottawa if you’re a holiday shopper looking for unique accessories and sophisticated clothes for all the holiday festivities as well as a mountain of sublime gifts that will impress and surprise.  There won’t be a shortage of cool finds for
everyone on your list, and these are not your run-of-the-mill boutiques: they are independent, locally-owned, and pride themselves on helping you find something unique. So get yourself out of the mall and come be blown away by what we have to offer. And remember, you all know what happens when neighbours work together: one heck of a block party!

On each night, the shops on Dalhousie Street will be accepting donations for Ottawa’s Dress for Success. An organization that helps disadvantaged women feel confident and prepared for job interviews as well as giving them the clothing necessary to be at ease in an office environment, Dress for Success is changing the work prospects for many women in need of resources.  Helping this caring and encouraging organization will give many women a lot to cheer for this holiday season. And we on Dalhousie Street can’t think of a better way to bring balance to the holiday season. Santa wouldn’t want it any other way!

Aside from the obvious advantages that occur when a bunch of fun, funky boutiques are all nestled in next to each other, this shopping night will be one to remember because they’re being thrown for
charity! Additionally, as with any spectacular event, shops will be offering specials, discounts, food, drinks, raffles and other treats to celebrate the holiday season, so please – come celebrate with us!

Dalhousie Street Christmas Shopping Nights:
Thursday, December 2nd from 6pm to 9pm
Thursday December 16th from 6pm to 9pm

Location:
North Dalhousie Street (from St-Patrick to St-Andrew)
Drop off your offering to Dress for Success at any participating boutique.

Participating boutiques:
A Guy A Girl 2 Dogs and a Cat
Bridgehead Coffee
Canteen
Daya Organic Spa
Green Light District Design
Luxe Bridal Boutique
Nest Toy Boutique
Milk
Victoire
Workshop Studio & Boutique
Young Janes

Maddy and I are so excited to proclaim that we are officially Runners!

We have decided that after all of the delicious cake we devoured at The Luxe Bridal Boutique Launch Party we need to hit the ground running. (Thanks again to Sophie Bifield Cake Company for the amazing cake!)

So we registered for the Running Room 10K Resolution Run on New Years Eve. Maddy just finished her online registration and said, “What!? New Years Eve..night?! When do I party?” Oh Maddy.

This isn’t my first 10K event – I recently completed a 10K event in September for the Underwear Affair Uncover the Cure a charity run to raise funds for ‘Cancers Down There’. Growing up, I was one of those kids in gym class with an inhaler, clutching her stomach pathetically trying to complete the mandatory track and field events in grade school. I assure you, it wasn’t pretty. What kept me motivated during my training and during the run was my Dad. I lost my father to a rare form of testicular cancer three years ago so I knew I would be able to push myself to finish, no matter how hard it was. Fortunately, I did finish, (didn’t stop once!) with a time of 1:16 minutes.

Admittedly, I have fallen off the running wagon since I completed that race so I am so happy to have another event to keep my heart pumping.

So who wants to join us! Come on people, now is the time to put on your kicks and hit the pavement. Besides, you get a free jacket with registration and who doesn’t like free stuff?

I already promised Maddy that we can hit the NYE party scene after our run. If we can still walk.

Holy moly, what a weekend at Luxe Bridal Boutique!

Since Maddy and I have never been one (or two) to really sit back and relax – we were totally stoked to have the Fabulous Four come to our boutique for a video shoot on top of our already packed weekend of appointments.

Video shoot, you ask? Fabulous Four? Ok, ok, here’s the scoop:

Luxe Bridal Boutique www.luxebridal.ca has partnered with an amazing group of guys – the brains and creative brawn behind Cloud in the Sky Studios, www.cloudintheskystudios.com or as we  like to call them – the Fabulous Four otherwise known as Joseph, Vu, Julien & Colin (in no particular order). Cloud in the Sky Studios is Ottawa’s latest team of Wedding Documentarians (Did I just make up the word Documentarian…is it a word? It’s not in spell check…).  The FF arrived at the boutique bright and early Saturday morning to begin the shoot with their fancy cameras in tow. The shoot was filmed entirely by and produced by Cloud in the Sky Studios and will showcase our exclusive and gorgeous gowns right in our own Boutique at 206 & 208 Dalhousie.

As some of you may already know, I am already loving these guys and have a crush on their amazing work (Make me cry/allergies every time I watch their vids) so I was not in the least bit surprised when they made us feel totally at ease in front of the camera. As some of you may also already know, I am extremely awkward and weird in front of any type of recording device and generally leave that stuff to Mads…but their calm, cool demeanor is contagious and kept me calm and cool too.

Right now, the FF are hard at work editing and we are soooo incredibly excited to debut our video at our Launch Party on October 21, 2010! Maddy nor I will have had a chance to view the video, so it will be a complete surprise to us – and we can’t wait!

If you haven’t had a chance to rsvp to our shin-dig – what are you waiting for!? Cloud in the Sky Studios will be on hand to answer questions, provide tips and showcase their work in the cozy comfort of our boutique.

Hope to see you there!

P.S. You can rsvp right from the Luxe Bridal Boutique website, www.luxebridal.ca or shoot us an email at rsvp@luxebridal.ca

No loves a good party more than Maddy. (OK, me too!) After a tiny bit of persuasion and arm twisting she convinced me that we need to host a shin dig at our Boutique before the craziness of the season we call “Winter” attacks our poor little city.

So ladies and gentlemen…please hold on to your seats…brace yourselves for this incredible news…

Luxe Bridal will be hosting our Launch Party on Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 7pm until 9pm! We are so excited to bring brides, vendors, friends and family together for a fun night of snacks, good music and pretty dresses. Need I say more?!

Everyone is welcome and we will have little gift bags for our fun loving brides to be, so please RSVP at rsvp@luxebridal.ca to let us know who is coming. We certainly dont want to run out of music because that would be embarrassing.

See you at the party!