amazing weddings westman 2014

SPECIALMake your Special Day

tips for the

BIG DAYDECORATINGFLOWERS

PHOTOGRAPHYDANCING

...and much more

advice from

LOCAL WEDDINGPROFESSIONALS

WEDDINGSissue 1 - 2014

Amazing Weddings Westman is a publication of Photography by Dale

ways to getfit & fabulousfor yourwedding

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In this IssueThe Pinterest Bride...trying to plan a wedding without it? That’s inconceivable!

Make Your Wedding Decor about you

Make your Special Day Special

Your First Dance...you can dazzle them with brilliance.

Keeping it all in Perspective

Wedding Photography...what are your memories worth?

8 ways to get fit and fabulous for the Big Day8 ways to get fit and fabulous for the Big Day

Beautiful Under Bridal

Royal Oak Inn Wedding Experience

Is a Destination Wedding Right for you?

About 3 years ago while on a visit to Grand Forks, we came across a magazine that was about Weddings in the Grand Forks area. While browsing through the pages, we talked about how this would be a great idea for Brandon and Westman. We have kept this idea parked in the back of our minds for the last 3 years and finally decided to take that for the last 3 years and finally decided to take that step and make “Amazing Weddings Westman Magazine” a reality.

Like most newly engaged couples, you probably have no idea where to begin when it comes to planning a wedding. The goal of “Amazing Weddings Westman Magazine” is to help provide you with the tools and resources to assist you in you with the tools and resources to assist you in planning your dream Wedding.

Many of the wedding professionals in the Westman area contributed to the articles in this magazine. Without them, this magazine could not be possible. We hope that you will find this both informative and enjoyable at the same time.

Dale & Bree SchappertAmazing Weddings Westman

From the Editor

3amazingweddingswestman.com

Photography by Dale

Bridal bouquet created at The BloomBox.

Photography by Dale

e Bride: Trying to Plan a Wedding Without It? That’s Inconceivable.....

Online scrapbooking type site, Pinterest, is a youthful two years old, but in those two years, they have managed to take the floral industry – and many others by storm, transforming the way people plan the details of their weddings, as well as their lives. I have always said you could tell a lot about a person if you opened their fridge and had a look inside, but I’m changing my tune noI’m changing my tune now. Take a look at someone’s Pinterest boards, and you will know them through and through. That and it will probably seem less creepy than browsing their produce and dairy.

Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest, and I am sure I share this warm and fuzzy, yet stabby feeling withmany others in my field. I *LOVE* using Pinterest myself personallpersonally, and as a flower shop owner, it is also very helpful to my business. Our issue with it is: it creates a widespread sense of ‘See and ye shall be able to have’, and sometimes making the pixels come to life in the middle of the Canadian Prairies can be a challenge.

When I consult with local brides about their wedding flowers, I like to ask questions such as: How many attendants are there? What are your wedding colors? Do you have any must–have What are your wedding colors? Do you have any must–have flowers that you really want to see in your bouquets? And my favorite spring board of a question: What kind of ‘Look andFeel’ is your wedding?

This is where a gal with a Wedding Flowers Pinterest Board and a local florist can make beautiful things happen. A good florist will help you navigate your way through the hurdles (and the thousands of bouquet pins) such as color palette, (and the thousands of bouquet pins) such as color palette, seasonal and regionally unavailable flowers, and substitutions for things that might be pricey.

Having been in the floral industry for almost 22 years, I have seen some strong trends. The nineties popular trend of traditional long cascading bouquets of orchids and lilies gave way to the Martha Stewart craze. Tight, colonial style hand-tied bouquets of just roses were the favorite in the 2000’s. The hand-tied bouquets have since evolved into mixed florals, colors and are now since evolved into mixed florals, colors and are now yielding to the very strong ‘Shabby Chic’ or ‘Country Elegance’ look. The tightly bound bouquets are becoming loose and free form; reminiscent of wildflower collections picked from a garden or the side of the road. Burlap, lace, pearls, re-purposed mason jars, metal tins, and attendants carrying clouds of untamed babyof untamed baby’s breath are some of the stronger elements of this trend. Use your boards as a tool to paint a picture of your event for your floral designer. Together you’ll be able to put together a wedding that is ‘on trend’ yet still uniquely YOU.

Remember: The right wedding vendors will help you to keep your wedding Pin-teresting, not Pin-predictable.

On a personal note, I love being given a bit of creative On a personal note, I love being given a bit of creative licence. Feeding the artist’s creative side of the brain with a big serving of ‘do what you think looks best, you’re the professional’ will always result in a finished look that exceeds your expectations. We want your wedding to be breathtaking. A great floral designer will be able to transform your digital wishes into a virtual realitvirtual reality.

Written By: Trish FjeldstedThe BloomBox

4 amazingweddingswestman.com

Danceland comes alive with lanterns and lighting to create a unique ambience

Photography by Dale

Vintage candelabra with hydrangeas roses and million star

Photography by Dale

Photography by Dale

Party Professionals transforms this simple hall into a wedding wonderland. A set up like this will wow your guests!

Make your wedding decor about you!

In today's wedding world, the possibilities for decor are endless. With the explosion of Pinterest, wedding magazines, and even wedding shows on TV, a bride could spend months, even years, trying to figure out decor that is not only unique, but tasteful and memorable. As a wedding decorator, my advice to all couples is to create a wedding that is the best reflection of you, your love, and your life togethereflection of you, your love, and your life together. Here are a couple of tips and suggestions on the best way to create your dream day!

Written By: Katrina SigurdsonParty Professionals

Personalizing VenueChoosing a venue for your wedding has a lot of factors: space, budget, menu options, etc., but most importantly who you are as a couple. If you are an outdoors couple that loves a relaxed open atmosphere, then maybe a tent wedding is best suited to you. If you would like a wedding that is formal and classy, and everything is looked after such as food, beverage, and accommodations , I would such as food, beverage, and accommodations , I would recommend looking into a hotel. Venue selection can also have personal meaning, such as getting married in a barn for example, because you grew up on a farm or acreage and it holds special meaning to you. Or maybe you want to get married where your parents got married. I believe a couple should make sure they spend a lot of time discussing what they want out of the space they choose. they want out of the space they choose. This will allow the decor you choose to work alongside the venue.


Personalizing ReceptionThe internet is our greatest friend and greatest enemy when it comes to planning a wedding! I know many brides who have changed their decor more times than I can count because of seeing something on the web. My advice that I try to tell all of them is that it's absolutely fine to change your decor scheme, just make sure at the end of the day the decor is personalized to you as a couple. Some of the ideas I have seen for creating that unique wedding are:

- Table Numbers with pictures of the couple, places they have been, or things they enjoy doing- Centerpiece flowers that have special meaning to the couple or some member of their family- Themed decor that - Themed decor that reflect your hobbies or interests - Favours that are unique to you (eg. if you are both in the medical field, you could give away first aid kits)- Picture tables with photos from parents' weddings, loved ones who have passed on, and the couple over the years

These are the memories both your guests and you, as a couple, will remember long after the wedding is over. At the end of the day, a wedding is not just about venue, food, music, or decor, but how all of those things come together to create a one-of-a-kind magical day for two people who want to celebrate their love and their life.


I may be dating myself here, but I remember going to weddings as a kid and watching the bride, all decked out in her satin puffed sleeves make her way throughout the guests, basket in hand, handing out little cigar-shaped portions of wedding cake. Each one was individually wrapped in cellophane, and must have taken a year and a day to put togethetogether. The cake itself generally tasted like boot leather, but I always enjoyed licking the cream cheese icing from the top anyway. Most cake cigars sat, forgotten, in a pocket until the next wedding, only to be thrown out. Why did brides put themselves through the agony of making boot-leather cake that nobody really liked? Because everyone did it! did it! That's just what was done, so when it was your turn to plan your special day, you did it too. You got suited up in your armour of satin, lace and puffed sleeves, baked your boot leather cake and spent countless hours wrapping them into little cake-cigars. That's just how it was done. And such as it was, with weddings, years ago. You could predict, down to the moment, what was going to happen at predict, down to the moment, what was going to happen at every stage of the day. You'd go to the wedding, the bridesmaids would trot down the aisle to Marjory playing Ann Murray's "Could I Have this Dance" on the church organ. They'd be clearly uncomfortable wearing their matching hot pink satin dresses but trying their level best to look radiant anyway. A friend would belt out an emotional rendition of "The Rose", slightly o"The Rose", slightly off key, but appreciated nonetheless. You'd douse the lovely couple in a blizzard of confetti before hitting the local pub for a few beers before the reception. The wedding party would line up to endure kisses, hugs and handshakes from people they never met, and then settle in to feast at a 25 foot long table in front of their friends, family, and distant acquaintances. Speeches would follow, often including an awkward toast to the bride, filled with "you had including an awkward toast to the bride, filled with "you had to be there" jokes that nobody really got, but pretended to find funny anyway. And then everyone would hit the dance floor to watch Grandma and Aunty Florence two-step to Footloose and Old Time Rock and Roll.

Being tied to such a regimented agenda often presents itself with a number of challenges. It can cost a great deal of money to put a wedding together, especially if you feel obligated to serve an extravagant meal to your guests, or purchase a high-end gown. Plus, a traditional type of wedding is not something that appeals to everyone, so needless to say, it is no wonder that many couples nowadays opt to head to the no wonder that many couples nowadays opt to head to the Dominican Republic to get hitched.

But here's the deal. Nowadays it is no longer mandatory to stick to convention. Sure, it would be nice to have a designer gown to walk down the aisle in, but if it isn't in the budget, it doesn't mean that you still can't look spectacular at your wedding. I often think the most beautiful weddings are the ones where the couple has incorporated their own style and ones where the couple has incorporated their own style and personality into the day. Simple things like vintage wedding dresses, homemade invitations, or handpicked flowers are lovely and don't require you to take out a second mortgage on your house to produce. They also say more about the couple who are getting married too.

Making Your Special Day....Special!

Lose Weight with Zarno

Written By: Jody Zarn


...continued on pg 26

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The advent of YouTube has also shown us how fun it is to add some personal flair to your special day. We've all seen the videos of the bridal party dancing down the aisle, or the couple performing their own crazy dance at the party. We've seen simple weddings where the bride wears a lovely cocktail dress and the men wear casual suits. No longer are we tied to the idea that every wedding has to be the same. Sure, you'll still idea that every wedding has to be the same. Sure, you'll still have to spend a few bucks to have a nice day, but now you can pick and choose what you invest in. So as you set out to plan your special day the most important thing to remember is to....make it special! Have some fun and don't think that you have to be tied to convention. The best weddings are the ones that are unique -- the ones where best weddings are the ones that are unique -- the ones where the bride and groom are happy, and it is evident that they are hosting the wedding that is special to them. Have fun with your venue and location, and pick things that say something about you.

Here are some ways others have had fun creating their own special day: ~ Create a unique way to come down the aisle. Walk, or better yet -- dance! Pick a different song that means something to you.

~ Create invitations that are fun and simple. Many craft stores have invitation kits that make it easy to customize your own message. Find funky paper and include a personal message and meaningful picture.

~ Look for wedding dresses in a variety of places besides ~ Look for wedding dresses in a variety of places besides bridal stores. Look for vintage wedding dresses or cocktail dresses that match your own personal style. And while we're at it -- you don't have to get married in a dress either! Wear whatever makes you happy!

~ Try different deserts instead of wedding cake....wedding pie.specialty cookies....sundaes...the sky is the limit!

~ Have a video message box instead of a guest book whereguests can record a special video message for you.

~ Make a special coloring book for the kids to decorate at the wedding reception.

~ Set up a fun photo booth where you and the guests can have some fun creating fun pictures from the day.

~ Set up a candy bar for your guests.~ Set up a candy bar for your guests.

amazingweddingswestman.com

You Can Dazzle Them with Brilliance Your First Dance


Your “special” day has been perfect so far! The weather was gorgeous, the photographer got some amazing shots, the ceremony went just as you had dreamed it would and the reception is going to be fabulous. The one thing that you’re not really looking forward to however, is the first dance. Why? Well, maybe you really have no idea what you’re doing on the dance floodoing on the dance floor. You’ve never really danced together as a couple, just the two of you and certainly not in front of allof your friends and relatives and new in-laws. This isn’t dancing at Houston’s we’re talking about. So what will you do? Will you just wrap your arms around each other and sway back and forth, just like in Junior High?

It doesn’t have to be that way though. Have you ever been to a wedding where the bride and groom got up for the first dance a wedding where the bride and groom got up for the first dance and just nailed it? Great moves, perfectly in synch with each other and they look so comfortable and confident as if they’ve been dancing together for years. Remember the applause and congratulations afterwards? No one forgets when a “first dance” by a newly married couple looks amazing and it’s a memory that will literally last a lifetime.

Now hereNow here’s the good news! It’s not rocket science and it’s not even that tough to pull off. Most couples can learn a choreographed first dance for their wedding reception in aslittle as six lessons in whatever style they want. Imagine the surprise on everyone’s face when the music starts and you break into your routine and never miss a step. Whether it’s a beautiful waltz, something hot ‘n heavy in a latin groove or a flawlessly executed 2-step, you can look fabulous on the dance flawlessly executed 2-step, you can look fabulous on the dance floor for your first dance together as husband and wife.

Many couples keep their choreographed first dance a secret and say that while it’s such a pleasure to be able to dance together and feel great about it, most of the fun is in keeping it a secret and watching the surprise on everyone’s faces as they “own” the floor.

Not all couples want a choreographed first dance though. Many just want to learn to feel confident dancing together in many styles. In as little as ten weeks, it’s possible to learn the basic steps in the Waltz, Rhumba, Jive and 2 Step. Then no matter what music is playing, you can be up on the floor knowing what you are doing. And learning to dance with your partner is a life-long ayour partner is a life-long affair. It’s like riding a bike…once you learn how, you never forget.

The Brandon School of Dance has beginner courses and wedding specials to suit everyone. We will help you choose your first dance music, choreograph your first dance and make sure that you are all set to make your special day complete. Brent Campbell is the owner of the Brandon School of Dance. Brent Campbell is the owner of the Brandon School of Dance. E-mail him at [email protected] for more information on lessons and wedding packages.

A show stopping first dance will wow your guests!

Photography by Dale

Written By: Brent CampbellBrandon School of Dance

Make You Feel My Love - Adele Little Things - One Direction We Found Love - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris Diamonds - Rihanna A Thousand Years - Christina Perri One Day Like This - Elbow Baby Now That I've FoundNow That I've Found You - Alison Krauss and Union Station Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran I'm Yours - Jason Mraz Love On Top - Beyonce Marry You – Bruno Mars Lovesong – Adele Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars YYou Got the Love – Florence and the Machine Wherever You Go – Charlene Soraia Dance with Me Tonight – Ollie MursI Won’t Let You Go – James Morrison Nothing’s Real but Love – Rebecca Ferguson

Popular First Dance Songsas recommended by Amazing Weddings Westman

an emotional embrace culminates this first dance!

Photography by Dale


The most important thing for this bride on her wedding day is that she will be marrying the love of her life.

Photography by Dale

Keeping it all in Perspective

The day had come. The dress was ready, the guests had traveled in from afar, and I was READY to get married!

It had been a busy few weeks leading up to the big day. I had been going to university to get an Honours Psych degree, and I was in the midst of finishing up mid-term exams as I prepared to get married. Wedding planning is stressful at the best of times, but it was especially nerve wracking given that I was times, but it was especially nerve wracking given that I was working at a local running store and taking honours classes at the same time. Many mornings I’d get up at 4 am to plan for school, and not return until 10 pm after work had ended. It had all come together though and I was excited to enjoy what the day had in store. My fiancé and I had planned a quiet wedding in a quaint little church north of the city that involved celebrating our day with close friends and familcelebrating our day with close friends and family. We got married around Thanksgiving so our theme of the day was just to give thanks for the special people in our lives. Rather than opt for a big dance and hoopla, we chose to have a house party

with our guests and keep things simple. The night before the big day my bridesmaids and I made our own bouquets over a few beers and many laughs.

The next morning flew by quickly as we were pampered in the hair salon. I recall rushing into the house later, finally ready to get my dress on and head to the little country church.

One thing that my fiancé and I had spluOne thing that my fiancé and I had splurged on however was specialty wedding cakes. Since we had opted for a house party, we wanted to treat our friends and family with some divinedesserts. The bakery was supposed to deliver the cakes when I got back from getting my hair and makeup done, yet they were nowhere to be found and time was running out.

With just minutes before I was due to leave for the church I hastily dialed the number to the bakery to find out where the hastily dialed the number to the bakery to find out where the missing cakes were. After I explained who I was and what I needed, the lady on the phone bluntly told me that I had, in fact, not ordered any cakes.

Ah, but yes, I had ordered them, I replied, and wanted to know where they were.

She hung up on me. I called back. She hung up on me again!




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The next time I called they put me on hold, and then, once again, hung up on me.

I called back again, starting to worry, as I really didn’t want to be late for my own wedding!

When I finally reached them and got them to stay on the line, I again explained who I was and asked for the manager. In the midst of phone calls and hang ups, I guess the stamidst of phone calls and hang ups, I guess the staff at the bakery had somehow discovered that I had indeed ordered the cakes but alas, someone had misplaced the paperwork and the cakes had never been made.

Not good!

I had about 30 seconds before I had to hit the highway and get married, so I told the manager that we just had to come up with a solution. In the whole scheme of things, they were with a solution. In the whole scheme of things, they were after all, just cakes, but dammit, I had paid for them, I wanted some cake! I recall giggling to myself because he kept telling me that I was handling it very well, all things considered. He assured me that he’d get me some cakes, and I hit the road, ready for a good day!

So, yeah, things don’t always go as planned on your wedding dawedding day.

On the other side of town, however, my fiancé, Dean, was hitting a few road bumps of his own. Dean’s dad was a retired Lutheran minister and we thought it would make the day extra special if his dad could perform the service for us. The morning of the wedding, however, his dad wasn’t feeling well and suddenly fainted in front of everyone. It was an extremely frightening moment as Dean recalled thinking that extremely frightening moment as Dean recalled thinking that his dad had actually died when he fell to the ground.

We were lucky, though, and Dean’s dad woke up and insisted that he still wanted to perform the service. Arrangements were quickly made to find an alternate minister should he fall ill again, and everyone proceeded to get ready to head to the church, unsure of how things were going to go.

So yeah, things don’t always go as planned on your wedding dawedding day.

I have to say however, that in the end we had a spectacular day! We really did. Our friends and family came out to celebrate our marriage; we laughed and told stories, and laughed some more. And we had cake! The manager of the bakery hustled up some cake for us (on the house) and it ended up making a great story to laugh about at the reception. DeanDean’s dad fared well throughout the rest of the day and we all were able to enjoy the day and give thanks for being surrounded by good friends and family.

So my point is this: As hard as you may try to create the perfect wedding, a storybook picture that you see in wedding magazines, things may not go as planned. The key thing to remember however, is that your wedding day is a day to celebrate the important things—your love for each othecelebrate the important things—your love for each other, your gratitude for friends and family. It’s a day to laugh and have fun. AND you can do that even if things don’t go exactly as you imagine them. If you are going to enjoy the day, you must release your death grip on the desire to control every last detail and your insistence that everything be perfect. Perfection is highly overrated anyway.

What IS perfect though is seeing a bride completely What IS perfect though is seeing a bride completely enveloped in joy and bliss as she savours the moment of finding her true love.

amazingweddingswestman.com

Some couples may opt to go the less expensive route and ask a friend or relative to photograph their wedding. Do you really want to trust your wedding day memories to someone who just picked up a fancy new camera at the big box store down the street? Or are you willing to ruin a friendship or cause a rift with a family member over a bunch of wedding photos that a family member over a bunch of wedding photos that are underexposed, poorly lit, have strange colorshifts...or worse yet, expressions that don’t capture the true emotion of your wedding day?

A professional wedding photographer may be more expensive, but will be able to deliver the results you deserve. Things like posing, lighting, reliable equipment and interacting with people will be equipment and interacting with people will be carefully paid attention to. Also, having a wedding day plan with your photographer is a great idea. Thelast thing you want is to have someone you never metjust show up and start taking photos. Often there are times during a wedding where things can change unexpectedly and your photographer will need to adjust to keep the flow of your day going.adjust to keep the flow of your day going. A friend of a friend who takes great images of wildlife will have a hard time adapting and maintaining their cool when things start not going as planned.

above: an engagement session is a great way to get to knowyour photographer, plus you’ll get some nice romantic images.

left: Brandon’s water tower provides a unique backdrop for this portait of the bride and groom

right: a simple clean background draws the attention to the bride’s eyes and makes the color of her bouqet stand out

far right: post production and special lighting add to the lookfar right: post production and special lighting add to the lookof this popular wedding photography location. Photography by Dale

Photography by Dale

A great way to know who you want to have photograph your wedding is to meet with them. Phone around to various photographers and ask to meet with them. Don’t even ask about price at this point. Meet with them and see what they are like, look at samples of their work, ask about what products you will receive; albums, prints, digital copies etc. Every photographer is diphotographer is different and they each have their own style, so it’s good to get to know them and make sure you like what they bring to the table. Remember, they will be spending most, if not all, of your big day with you. The last thing you want is someone you don’t gel with to be with you on your wedding day. The tension between you will show in your final images, and that’s something you don’t want. If you like your photographephotographer, and they have a great personality, it will onlyadd to greater images!

Most wedding photographers offer a complimentary engagement session when you book them for your wedding. Consider this a trial run with your wedding photographer. It’s a great way to get used to the camera and get a feel for how your photographer works. Plus you’ll get some nice relaxed images in a different style and setting than on your wedding daday. You can also use these images to display at your wedding reception or even use them to create a reception slideshow for your guests.

You really don’t want to be the next couple who regrets the decision of not fully researching the photography for their wedding, or opting for the less expensive option. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard of the bride and groomregretting that they spent the least amount of money on oneregretting that they spent the least amount of money on oneof the most important parts of their wedding day. You simplycannot shoot a wedding over again. Moments happen too fastand your wedding photographer will be able to create for youa beautiful story of images that will allow you to relive your day over and over for years to come!

Photography by DalePhotography by Dale


8 Fit and FabulousWays to Get

for the Big Day8He bought the ring. You said yes, and now…..you panic!! You have less than 8 months to get your body in pristine condition before you walk down the aisle. Let’s face it, we all want to look like supermodels on our wedding day and the thought of carrying an extra 20, 30 or 40 pounds down the aisle with us is enoughto make a grown woman crto make a grown woman cry. Never fear, however, there is hope. It is possible to lose weight and achieve a stunning figure for your wedding day if you are prepared to work for it.

1. Start early.Don’t leave this until the last minute. Trying to lose 20 pounds in the last month before the wedding is not only very difficult, it is also an extremely stressful thing to do. The best thing that you can do is set some weight loss or fitness goals for yourself, and start early enough that you can achieve them in a reasonable amount of time. Many experts suggest that a in a reasonable amount of time. Many experts suggest that a healthy weight loss involves losing 2 lbs per week. You will have a lot of tasks on your plate in that last month before the wedding, so the last thing you want to worry about is tryingto shed that last 15 lbs in two weeks. (Plus the people altering your dress will hate you).

2. Set reasonable goals.DonDon’t try to become something you’re not. Ultimately, you want to be fit and healthy, and as the new saying goes, “Fit is the new sexy.” Falling into that trap of trying to look like those stick figures that walk down the runway when you’re a size 16 is going to drive you bananas. And girls, it doesn’t matter WHAT your jean size is, you are still sexy and beautiful. Take some time to draft some goals that are realistic and attainable. Succeed with those goals rather than using them as attainable. Succeed with those goals rather than using them as a tool to berate yourself.

Here are a few tips to get you started on the path to success:




Amazing Weddings Westman Magazine

3. Make friends with weights.We can ALL benefit from weight training. And don’t worry, if you hit the weights you won’t turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger. Strength training will boost your metabolism, and help you burn fat well after your workout has ended. It will also tone and sculpt your body like nothing else can. can. Toned arms and shoulders are super sexy, which will look fabulous in a strapless dress! One good program that I often recommend is Beachbody’s P90X. It alternates days of strength training with cardio days and is one of THE most effective home workout programs I have ever come across. It also has a fantastic ab routine that will get your mid-section toned and tightened up in no time!

4.4. Alternate days of weight training with cardio days. It’s important to get your heart rate up, so do something that gets you breathing hard and sweating like a pig. Going for a stroll down the street won’t do much. If you want to see results, you have to work hard. It’s a good idea to invest in a heart rate monitor that will ensure that you’re working at your target heart rate zone—hard enough to produce results withoutover exerting yourself.over exerting yourself. There are a number of great heart rate monitors on the market now, and many of these also track howmany calories you are burning in a workout. Look for brands like Polar, Timex, and Garmin.

5. Be prepared to change your diet.As they say, if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. It’s true. Many experts say that 80% of success with weight loss depends on your diet. If you 80% of success with weight loss depends on your diet. If you really want to lose weight and get healthy then take some time and do your homework. Two very good books that I recommend are It Starts with Food by Dallas & Melissa Hartwig and The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno. These books outline how different foods impact our bodies and how to eat clean. They are both worth the money. Start by getting rid of all the processed food in your kitchen. Eat by getting rid of all the processed food in your kitchen. Eat only real, natural foods and you will be doing great things foryour body. If you are interested in counting calories, one formula I like is the Harris Benedict Formula. It factors in your age, weight, height, gender and activity level in determining how many calories you should be taking in each day to lose weight. Another great website is wwwww.myfitnesspal.com. It is a site that allows you to not only track the calories that you’re taking in each day, butalso ensure that you are taking in appropriate amounts of

protein, carbs and fat. It has an iphone app and a huge databaseof many brand name foods, making it possible to accuratelytrack how many calories you are taking in each day. And whileI’m at it, eat breakfast. Success not only depends on what youeat, but when you eat as well. Start by putting a good breakfastinto your body that consists of a lean source of protein andsome good carbs. some good carbs. Then, eat a small meal every 2 ½ to 3 hoursafter that (that also consists of a good carb and lean protein)—ultimately taking in 5 to 6 small meals per day. This willensure that your blood sugars stay leveled out, prevent youfrom getting so hungry that you eat unhealthy ‘quick’ food,and it also boosts your metabolism as well.

6. Be prepared to change your behavior.If you want to have significant results with your weight loss If you want to have significant results with your weight loss and fitness level before the big day, you have to be prepared to try new things. Rather than focusing on how much weight youhave to lose because you want to look good on that one particular day, focus on getting fit and healthy so you can liveabundantly for the rest of your life. Take a Zumba class, train for a 5 k. Getting out of your comfort zone is a great way toturn your weight loss journey into an adventure, and discover turn your weight loss journey into an adventure, and discover new things you like to do. Incorporating fitness into your life can be life changing!

7. Use fitness to cope with the stress.Let’s face it, sometimes wedding planning can be hugely stressful. Figuring out a seating plan that makes everyone happy, dealing with the florists, and getting everything done in a short period of time can drive us all to the brink of insanitin a short period of time can drive us all to the brink of insanity.Rather than hitting the chocolate bowl when things are drivingyou nuts, hit the weights, head out for a run and you will notonly be burning calories, but burning the stress in a healthy way.

8. Love yourself.Confident is the new sexy. Regardless of what your fitness goals are, every day remind yourself that your future husband lovesloves YOU. He didn’t propose to your jean size and he doesn’t want to have babies with your body fat index. Heloves your wit, your sense of humor, and your kindness. You won’t be holding a sign that broadcasts your weight as you walk down the aisle and when he sees you in your splendor, he will be thinking that he hit the jackpot when you said “yes.” Love yourself that day, and every day for that is what truly makes us beautiful.what truly makes us beautiful.


Head table set up at the Royal Oak Inn.

Photography by Dale

Weddings are so many things…they are great memories, socials, parties, two families coming together as one. We specialize in making all these things come true. Our goal is to create an unforgettable experience for every bride and groom that comes through our doors. A Wedding is an eventthat doesn’t happen every day, so make sure that you take the time to plan every detail with plenty of thought.time to plan every detail with plenty of thought.

One of the greatest rewards is when we see the expression on people’s faces when they walk into the reception and see the room for the first time. A room transformation from start to finish needs the help from so many different people to make it exactly what you want. We strive to make sure your room looks fabulous with the help of the Decorators, DJ’s, and MC’s.

Enjoy walking into your reception with everything all set up Enjoy walking into your reception with everything all set up for you and then when the night is over, walk away and let us worry about cleaning up. Every weekend we see a room transformed from the last week’s event. Your Wedding is your special day, so we are here for you to make sure you remember it with every little detail.

Planning a wedding is a full-time job! As soon as you set the date, there is an endless list of details to plan. Here at the date, there is an endless list of details to plan. Here at the Royal Oak Inn & Suites, we look after the majority of it for you, and will ask the questions you need to hear so you can be rest assured that everything will be set in stone once your ceremony and reception start.

Our Chefs take pride in their positions; many of our team have graduated with culinary diplomas and have a passion for what they do. Our “Rational” oven equipment is state of the art, helping our Chefs offer quality food at just the right time.

Ensuring that you have a perfect Wedding day involves pleasing all of your guests as well. We strive to make their stay a genuine one. Stay in one of our 96 guest rooms or 60 stay a genuine one. Stay in one of our 96 guest rooms or 60 suites with up-to-date amenities including, private and confidential voicemail, pillow top mattresses, premium linens, mini refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, work desks, ironing boards, irons and hairdryers. Our hotel features both Echo (Restaurant, Wine Bar, Lounge and VLTs) and Houston’s Country Roadhouse (Nightclub) to ensure your guests staying in town have plenty to do. For the kids we guests staying in town have plenty to do. For the kids we have the Poolside area featuring a Waterslide, Kiddie Pool and Hot Tub.

Overall, a Wedding is a great experience and the Royal Oak Inn would be pleased to be part of it. It’s your Wedding, so enjoy every minute of it and let us do the heavy lifting.

The Royal Oak Inn banquet room is transformed into a beatiful formal setting (decorated by Party Professionals)

Photography by Dale

Written By: Brian WhiteRoyal Oak Inn

The Royal Oak Inn & SuitesWedding Experience


Photography by Dale

The exotic beaches of Jamaica provide a stunning backdrop for your dream wedding ceremony!

Photography by Dale

On an Alaskan cruise, you can marry amid snow-capped mountains and breaching humpback whales. On a Mediterranean cruise, you can say your vows on a Grecian island. Closer to home, the tropical islands of the Caribbean become paradise. You and your wedding party can depart froma port in New York or Florida and be in Bermuda, the Bahamas, the MexicanBahamas, the Mexican Yucatan or Caribbean in a matter of days.

When you book your celebration with CAA Travel, we treat you like family. We know that our most precious moments are with family and friends and we take pride in planning that special event just for you. Let us do the shopping for you; it’s no secret that group travel often translates into savings.savings.

Contact our Brandon Office for more info on creating a storybook wedding in an exotic location of yor choice!

Submtted by CAA Manitoba

Destination weddings have now become the perfect way to turn a magical day into a memorable experience that can beshared with family and friends. Destination weddings can be simple and intimate, or extravagant and luxurious.

No matter what the choice, they can be a romantic and beautiful start to a new chapter of your love storstart to a new chapter of your love story. The world is yours to explore: Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, or anywhere you dream about! Let CAA’s travel experts handle all the detailsto make your dreams come true!

The right place

Finding just the right place for that romantic trip of a lifetime can be a daunting task. There are so many fantastic locales, from the paradise of Hawaii to the romance of Paris.from the paradise of Hawaii to the romance of Paris. Which is the right place?

Choose from the timeless, fairy tale cities of Europe; awe inspiring wonders – from the oasis of Hawaii to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: the majestic, unhurried Caribbean Islands or the blissfully soft, white-sand lined shores stretching for miles down the Mexican Caribbean coast where all-inclusive resorts line the beachfront.all-inclusive resorts line the beachfront. A land vacation offers some of the most scenic locations to get married or celebrate your honeymoon.


Making your Day Special...continued from pg 9~ Incorporate audience participation into the ceremony -- giveyour guests cue cards and get them to do certain things when it'stime to clap, say "awe" etc.

~ For outdoor weddings, have picnic blankets, baskets and balloons instead of tables.

~Instead of having a dance after the reception, play games, have a casino night or BBQ with a beach volleyball tournament -- try a casino night or BBQ with a beach volleyball tournament -- try something different!

These are just a few ideas, but the key is...have some fun! Don't think you have to have the same wedding as everyone else! It's YOUR special day, a day to celebrate your love, so create a day that makes you happy. That is the most important thing of all.

W edding M ovies


Vendor Directory

BeautyHaven Salon and Spa3300 Victoria Ave204.727.7773havensalonandspa.ca

Organic Tan204.724.0833204.724.0833organictan.ca

Bridal GownsPromises Bridal18-6th Street204.728.7099promisesbridalstore.com

DJsDJsAbsolute Entertainment204.573.0856

Dance InstructionThe Brandon School of Dance126-10th Street204.728.4007brandonschoolofdance.cabrandonschoolofdance.ca

Event DecoratorsBlack Tie Event30-11th Street204.761.8453blacktieevent.ca

Party Professionals306 306 Rosser Ave204.727.5029partyprofessionals.ca

FitnessLose Weight with Zarnojodyzarn.combeachbodycoach.com/coachzarno

FloristsFloristsCarolyn’s Floral Designs726-18th Street204.728.9047carolynsfloraldesigns.com

The BloomBox535 Princess Ave204.726.0382204.726.0382bloomboxonline.com

FramingLasting ImageB-708-10th Street204.727.1777

LingeriePleasure Chest Boutique1433 1433 Princess Ave204.726.8726

Marriage CommissionersBarb [email protected] PhotographersPhotographersDenise Andries Photography204.596.5965deniseandriesphotography.com

Photography by DaleB-658-10th Street204.729.0789photographybydale.caphotographybydale.ca

StationeryLeech Printing601 Braecrest Drive204.728.3037leechprint.com TTravelCAA TravelC-305-18th Street N204.571.4100caamanitoba.com/travel

VenuesDaly House Museum122-18th Street122-18th Street204.727.1722dalyhousemuseum.ca

Royal Oak Inn3130 Victoria Ave204.728.5775royaloakinn.com

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