AN IKEA WEDDING

Inspired by the wedding of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria (wed in Stockholm on June 19 2010) Ikea partnered with stylist Lo Bjurulf and photographer Denise Grünstein and created an ad campaign to highlight Ikea's newest products. Below is "Paper & Fold" and "French Romance", two of six fantastic table settings featured in the campaign. Yes, this is really Ikea. Check out the link below to view the rest - "Harvest", "Artsy", "Folklore", and "Wood On Wood". The clever and creative styling will surely inspire!

Paper & Fold

French Romance

Photo Credits: Agent Bauer

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

While Wedding Dress Wednesday usually consists of an image of a favourite wedding gown we've recently fallen in love with along with the bio of it's designer, we've decided to switch things up a bit this Wednesday and tell you all about a wedding dress sample sale instead.

We recently featured the stunning Rivini "Savia" gown designed by the one and only Rita Vinieris. We also let you in on the latest bridal boutique to open its doors in Carleton Place, Ashton Station Bridal, which exclusively carries the Rivini line.

Have you always wanted a Rivini gown? Well good news ladies, Ashton Station Bridal will be having a Rivini Sample Sale from July 10th to August 7th 2010. With over 150 styles to choose from, you'll save up to 70% on as-is size 8 sample wedding gowns! Ashton Station Bridal is an appointment only boutique so be sure to call ahead. Appointments can be booked by phone 613-240-7616 or email info@ashtonstationbridal.ca Happy shopping!!

VIVA LA BABY!!

Before the rumours start flying, Viva didn't just have a baby. And while we know that many wedding coordinators also plan events, we've had to regretfully decline these requests in the past as Viva la wedding is and will always be only about weddings... except this once. When your BFF is expecting, who can resist the urge to throw her a baby shower to show her just how happy you are for her and how much she is loved?

Prior to the wedding season kicking into high gear, Viva (along with the help of a couple of our favourite wedding vendors) planned a little celebration in honour of a precious baby girl who was getting ready to enter the world.

Here are a few detail shots taken by the wonderful Melissa Johnston. Thanks to Flowers Talk for all the beautiful flowers and the Manzanita wishing tree, The Candy Store for providing the cotton candy and pink rock candy on a stick as well as the raspberry and lemon coconut macarons, and to Little Cakes who baked the delicious pink lemonade and vanilla cupcakes of course!

Melissa Johnston is also responsible for little Rachel's newborn shoot!

VIVA'S BOOK CLUB - WILLIAMS-SONOMA BRIDE & GROOM ENTERTAINING

The perfect shower gift for the couple just starting out as well as the couple who has everything, this lovely and stylish book features twelve celebratory party menus plus dozens of practical tips for the many occasions newlyweds will encounter during their first years of marriage.

Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Entertaining - Recipes for Celebrating Together offers guidance on every type of occasion with delicious recipes and detailed workplans for cocktail and dinner parties, outdoor entertaining, special celebrations and holidays.

THIS MONTH'S VIVA LA WEDDING Q&A

Q - My fiance and I have been living together for two years and already have all the towels, kitchenware and bedding we need but my mom still insists that we register. Besides the standard department stores that carry the typical items we already own, what else is there?

A - What was once unheard of, more and more couples are now choosing to live together before marriage. Excited to set up their home, a shopping spree to the nearest department store soon follows their move in date. As their wedding approaches and guests start to inquire about where the future bride and groom have registered, couples who now have a fully stocked home struggle to find items to register for. If you're one of these couples you'll be happy to read our next post. Boy do we have a solution for you!