Mini Spring Show pics!

arOka Vintage was definitely the star of our Mini Spring Pop-Up Show.  With a very well put together booth and a gorgeous school themed photo booth, Dawna Graham showed off just a taste of what arOka Vintage is capable of.

arOka Vintage is situated in Port Moody and with a shop filled with true antique finds, the store is a mecca for anyone wishing to host a vintage themed wedding.

Working together with arOka, sweet earth photographics took the photos for our guests using the ‘old school’ props.  The photo booth was well received and everyone received their photos shortly after the show.

On the main floor Pure Magnolia along with Spark Jewelry had dresses, accessories and jewelry to try on. 

I learned a lot from bcdj and their great packages are custom made for the style of each couple and they run their business sustainably.    The Shark Truth let couples know of their fantastic honeymoon prize of a trip to the Galapagos Islands for those wishing to forgo shark fin soup.  EP!C gave away tickets for the upcoming show on Mother’s Day weekend and Arbonne International offered earth friendly make-up.

Jim Walton offered  handmade and repurposed jewelry and table number holders from sterling silver cutlery.  His jewelry is exquisite and what better way to reuse family antiques then have Jim mold them into new items.  arOka Vintage now carries Jim’s jewelry and can be found in the Port Moody store.

Fairy Cakes offer vegan cupcakes made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients.   Their shop on Fraser Street allows them to be very accessible to discerning couples.  One of the very yummy cupcakes pictured above sits on the beautiful ceramic wares of eikcam Designs.  Often found at Fairy Cakes is Zimt Artisan Chocolates who offer a very healthy and yummy alternative to wedding favours.

Our donation recipient for this year is The Vancouver Food Bank and we are very grateful to make a financial contribution to their cause.

I again want to thank the very dedicated team of vollunteers who help set up and manage the fair every year.

Custom, Locally Sourced and Sustainable Wedding Registry – Union Wood Co.

Union Wood Co. only opened its doors six months ago and already the little wood shop on Railway Street is going strong with custom orders of locally produced furniture from salvaged wood.  Many of his clientelle include young couples looking to furnish their first home with unique pieces that have the added bonus of being eco-friendly.

Owner Craig Pearce bided his time until the perfect space became available in his neighbourhood to open Union Wood Co.; a business that combines a viable wood shop with four full time employees and a store front to sell both hand-crafted furniture and collected vintage and repurposed items.  All the wood used to create the store’s one of a kind pieces comes from locally sourced lumber which would otherwise be lost in the demolition of Vancouver’s older buildings.

Craig knows the value of rescuing this wood not only for its quality, but for the history that each piece brings with it.  Everything has a story.   Wood rescued from the R.C.M.P. Stables from 110 East Cordova waits in the wood shop.  Metal parts are also upcycled when found which include repurposed old sprinkler pipes to metal tables bases and antique hardware.  Craig collected, salvaged and ‘treasure’ hunted for years to bring true vintage, non-reproduction objects to the store.  The only items the store sells that are not antique are the light bulbs, but the cages to go around them are all originals.  Hand-sewn aprons from old army tents and pillows created from old sails are also found at Union Wood Co.  and all of this creating/treasure hunting can be followed via Union Wood Co.’s blog.  By the way, did I mention that he is also a full-time fireman? 

What struck me the most while visiting Union Wood Co. is that this enterprise stems from Craig’s passion for  history ( or obsession as he states it ) and his desire to breath life back into discarded items.   The store itself is fully furnished by the past with old barn boards fitted on the back wall, a large marine spotlight hangs over the service area, old racks, rebuilt tables display the collected treasures and all are for sale ( except the barn boards).  Craig calls himself a bit of a hoarder and can’t seem to throw away any wood scraps which is great for the store as he created beautiful solid butcher blocks, door stoppers, other items as the wood inspires him.  Waste is kept to a minimum.  Currently in the shop is a rescued block of wood from an old airplane hangar with bolted metal screws that is just waiting to be made into a coffee or side table perhaps?  I asked Craig how he knows what each scrap of wood will become and he can see almost immediately how the wood will evolve.

What interests us the most at this time is the new addition of a wedding registry.  To the couples who have everything Union Wood Co. offers a non-traditional registry that will enable guests to contribute to a custom designed piece or a credit towards an item found in the store, but beware, all items are one of a kind and stock rotates rather quickly.  If a custom designed piece is what you are interested in Craig and his team will set up a consultation, set up an account for guests to contribute to in amounts that you are agreeable with and you will be that much closer to your goal of owning a stunning hand-crafted, locally sourced, one of a kind furniture piece.

Thanks to Craig and Otis for my tour and for chatting with me.  Union Wood Co. is a very cool shop and I love that being green is just a part of who they are.

 Article by Shona Dion, photos by sweet earth photographics

True Vintage Inspirations

Finding vintage table settings and decor is like  treasure hunting.  It is a dedicated pastime which requires a commitment.  Not all of us have time to dedicate to the search.

For those couples wishing to add vintage elements to their wedding need look no further than Aroka Vintage.  Dawna Graham researched and collected for 2 years before opening the first Aroka Vintage in New Westminster.  Aroka Vintage is now located at 2231 Clarke Street in Port Moody in a beautiful old house that is a storefront for not only the incredibly tableware and vintage decor collection, but also a treasure trove of true vintage finds and local artisan creations.  This collection includes themes for 1930′s inspired weddings, place settings of fine bone china for up 150 guests, furniture, a harvest table, quirky novelty items such as antique bingo cages, chalkboards, table settings and more.

Aroka’s new website will be up in April 2012 with photos of this extensive collection.

Dawna Graham has a unique love of vintage and has a passionate, undying love for the past.  She is captivated by the stories that objects leave behind.  The store is still evolving but trust that only true vintage items are found in Aroka.  No reproductions and no claims are made on items unless Dawna is 100% certain.  Aroka Vintage will always offer authentic finds and this will never be compromised.

The few local artisans that Dawna carries in her store have vintage elements in their creations whether the jewelry be reworked or repurposed or items found made into new.  “Inky & Boots“, “Secrets From the Cove“, ” Whatever Lola Wants…” are a few of  the artists Aroka Vintage carries.  ”There is no labour of love” without the upcycling and handmade element in the items she carries.

Dawna herself creates handmade treasures such as an updated 1970′s chandelier revamped with vintage piano sheets or vintage watchpocket faces sitting atop of pinwheels made from antique music sheets.  Everything she creates for the store must also include making something from something old.

By late spring and summer Aroka Vintage will be host to bridal shows, tea parties and small weddings.  With a working kitchen,bathroom and a large backyard along with Dawna’s vintage decor the space will welcome a myriad of visitors. 

Aroka Vintage only has wedding dresses that have passed inspection by Dawna.  All items in the boutique ‘bridal room’ have been scrutinized, are nearly flawless and are professionally cleaned.   Dawna specializes in her vintage finds and does not carry dresses that may compete with other bridal stores.  Her only compromise is carrying the vintage inspired handmade creations of Pure Magnolia.   

The lace gloves and stockings, purses, hats and feather fasteners are near mint. The bloomers, jewelry, handkerchiefs and pillows are all unique finds.  Aroka also has formal dresses which can be worn by the bridal party or simply because of a love of vintage.

For those couples who are truly inspired by history and a love of the past, vintage themed weddings are not merely ‘trendy’, but a true reflection of oneself.  For those who have a commitment to hosting a wedding that is eco-friendly and handmade, then take a visit out to Aroka Vintage in Port Moody or come and see the wonderful display Dawna will have on hand at the Mini Spring Grassroots Wedding Fair on April 21st, 2012!

article and photos by: Shona Dion, www.sweetearthphotographics.com

Trends for 2012 Wedding Dresses

Words of wisdom from Patty Nayel of Pure Magnolia. 

Pure Magnolia dresses are created locally by Patty and her use of sustainable materials makes her a trend setter in Canada. 

Trends for 2012 Wedding Dresses

By Patty from Pure Magnolia

 As a bride you are probably overwhelmed by all the options you have for your big day. In the end it is all about your personal style and wearing something that looks great on you! We are going to cover some of the popular trends for this year, and maybe you will see something that really works for you!

 Lace:

Lace is by far the most popular fabric of choice for brides this year. It is perfect for a vintage wedding, or a bride who is recycling her mom’s dress. Lace can be just a little addition to the dress, or be the main fabric, it can look rustic or regal: It really is a very versatile fabric!

  

 Diana’s Dress: Vintage Lace and Hemp Silk. Tea Length: $850

 Winter Lace Gown: Fitted English Cotton lace with Organic cotton $1800

A pop of colour:

Dresses are starting to stray from the traditional white to add a few other options. This doesn’t mean tacky coloured embroidery or giant sashes of 5 years ago. This trend is more about a pretty flower belt, shoes to match your bridesmaids, coloured buttons, or even a dress that is blush, sand, or champagne.

 

Diamond Back dress: Vintage lace, Dupioni Silk and Organic cotton $1600

 

Cotton Satin Mermaid: Cotton Silk satin, Organic cotton, Vintage lace $1700 shown in Champagne

Tea and Knee length dresses:

Short dresses are just great fun! Plus they can be a budget saver. But don’t go out and buy a bridesmaid dress in white, really no one likes bridesmaid dresses anyways! Buy a dress that is designed to be a short wedding dress. It can be vintage, or modern, it shows a bride who is ready run around and have fun on her big day!

 

Dotted Mini: Cotton Swiss Dot and Organic Cotton Lining $400 short $500 tea length

 

Tea length Tulle Party Dress: Dupioni Silk, Organic cotton, and tulle Tea length $900, Short $650

 Slim Silhouettes

While some brides still love the look of an amazing ball gown, we are seeing a definite increase in brides looking for a slim, sleek or body forming dress. These simple silhouettes are easy to wear and there is an option for almost any body type. 

 

Garden Dress: Dupioni Silk and Organic cotton: $1200

 

Twinkle A-line: Cotton Silk Batiste, Silk Twill and Vintage Lace bodice: $1300

Vintage inspired table setting.

We may be still in the dark of winter, but  with spring around the corner what better way to celebrate the blossoming of new life than a DIY vintage inspired table setting.

These gorgeous fair trade blooms are courtesty of Whole Foods Cambie Market.  We supplied the vintage bubble vase and the mason jar and the lovely ladies of the floral department created a display of subtle pinks and greens with a vintage flair in mind. 

The table runner is a handmade creation upcycled from an old wool blanket which was felted and cut into the shape of a giant leaf with green thread accenting the edging.

The wooden table numbers are created from recycled tree ends from a Christmas tree lot, with tiny holes drilled into the tops and recycled metal curled into a post to  hold the table card.

Green stemmed vintage wine glasses are accompanied by handmade ceramic dishware from eikcam .  Full dishware sets can be customed ordered from eikcam and make a great wedding gift.  Visit Grace at her studio at the Mergatroid Building on Vernon street in Vancouver.

Handmade paper hearts to decorate are made from reclaimed booksand handmade papers and stitched together with embroidery thread.  Holes are made through 6 sheets or more of paper with a awl and then pulled apart to create the 3D effect. 

Large mason jars work beautifully as vases and can be found at any second  hand store.

This vintage bubble vase was found at a second hand store for $2.00.

All of the vendors listed and the DIY ideas shown could be found at The Grassroots Wedding Fair.  More DIY and vendor spotlights will follow.

Photoshoot Contributors:

photography: sweet earth photographics

ceramic plates: eikcam

floral arrangements: Wholefoods Cambie Market

DIY elements:

paper hearts

felted leaf table runner

table number holder

Olla Urban Flower Project

It was a wet January day that I visited Olla Flowers to learn more about  this new florist on the edge of Gastown.  I was well rewarded for my visit and discovered much about the Flower Project that has very strong ties to the community around it.

The store sits in a very beautiful building at 235 Cambie Street with large windows and brick walls.  Everything I saw was for sale and the unique arrangements came in modern and vintage planters. From gorgeous terrariums to fair trade roses and flowers sourced locally,  Olla was alive with colour.

Megan Branson and Dionne Finch are set on urbanizing flower production and working with social enterprises through work with DTES community gardens, local flower lovers and even backyard growers.  They came to this new enterprise through their love of design and landscaping. One of their goals is to ‘bring the outside in’.

Their work within the community includes working with mature gardens for flower cultivation, working with individuals with land available to host a garden and share the crop, hiring locally and purchasing flowers grown in community gardens and then sharing the bounty from corporate events, such as work with Amnesty International with non-profits in the DTES.

For weddings they have everything an engaged couple would need.  Olla Flower Project promotes living wedding favours and centrepieces.  The creative skills of Megan and Dionne can create stunning bouquets and floral displays.  Their living arrangements can be purchased or rented for the big day.

Manifesto for Horticultural Wedding Design

“We are convinced that the bounding vibrancy and evolved design of living plants be at the center of wedding decor. We offer a pair of flowering viburnum bodnantense with an underplanting of snow drops to frame your winter vows, flowering lilac trees in spring, mixed perennial grasses with wild flowers in summer, and berry shrubs heavy with fruit for autumnal nuptials. These living containers will act as metaphors for the sustained love being celebrated. 

 

We support a wedding design movement that celebrates humans’ relationship to the plant world and gifts its clients with beautiful plants that will continue to grow and thrive long after the last dance draws to an end.”
 Olla Urban Flower Project

 

I was very grateful for the opportunity to spend an afternoon wandering the store and learning so much about this unique new florist hub.  This spring will find the shop blooming with new ideas and work in the community.  Megan and Dionne have (no pun intended)  their roots well planted in this neighbourhood and as they expand so will the gardening community around them.

Olla Flowers will be an exhibitor at The Grassroots Wedding Fair on February 12 at Heritage Hall.

Shona Dion

photography by sweet earth photographics

Something new, something borrowed…. something repurposed.

Weddings can create a lot of waste.  Decor accents are one area where it may be hard to keep your footprint low.  Couples want the ceremony to be lovingly decorated and the reception hall to look magical. Wedding and bridesmaid dresses are most likely a one time wear and even though it is nostalgia that has us hold onto these items what if there was a way to share your wedding day features with others? 

Craigslist is a great way to repurpose wedding items and for those couples on their way to marriage, it is a great resource to find coveted dresses, accents and more.

Couples looking to find wedding accent treasures have a new way to go about finding gently used items.  Couples already married have a new venue to sell wedding items to upcoming brides and grooms.  A new market, a wedding swap meet begins next month at Heritage Hall in Vancouver. 

Bridal Swap  is a new venture conjured up by Dream Group Productions, a lower mainland based wedding and event company who saw the need to help new brides and grooms find all their wedding needs in one place. Not only is their idea economical it is also a great way to keep your wedding footprint low.

Geneve McNally best explains their reasoning:

“Bridal Swap came about after spending several summers watching our clients purchase and make rather than rent candy/centre piece vases and candle holders (thank you IKEA), overlays, chair covers, etc.  They justified it by saying that it was the same (if not sometimes cheaper) to buy something rather than rent it and most “planned” to sell these items on Craig’s List or other after the fact.  The reality is most brides post wedding do not have the time or energy to go to the trouble of selling these items and they end up often being “temporarily” stored away it their garages and eventually being tossed out or donated (the latter not being so bad).  So, we thought why not create a tangible forum for past brides to unload these coveted items which in turn would benefit not only current bride’s pocket books, but help in reducing the carbon footprint of future brides who may be planning to do just the same thing in purchasing rather than renting vases.  The last reason for creating the event was to have some fun!  We foresee a wonderful energy filled day with lots of bustling brides exchanging goods and possibly even wedding tips!”

Bridal Swap takes place February 20th from 10:30 -4pm at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street in Vancouver.  Past brides can find more information about hosting a table from their website and new brides can shop at one location for their wedding needs.

The new Spa on the Block

It appears that I am not the only one who noticed a lovely new addition to the Heatley Block in Strathcona.  It was its simplicity and welcoming tranquility that found me entering Bioethique Boutique and Day Spa to check it out.  It brings together the only fully organic skin care line in North America certified by Nature Progres, the world’s strictest certifier for cosmetics, and a boutique and day spa.

The Georgia Straight wrote an article about the Day Spa in a recent paper and I don’t want to double up on information given, but the word does need to shared about this lovely little spot.

Bioethique has only been open for a few months after a long and hard fought battle to save The Heatley Block from demolition.  Its owner, Claudine Michaud, occupied the space initially as an office/storage space to keep a viable presence in the 1889 building.  Slowly the notion of combining an already established skin care line with the boutique and day spa came together.

Claudine describes this amazing space as “Heritage meets Modern” and walking into the boutique you definitely get a sense of the French provincial feel.   With the boutique at the front of the store offering a wide range of pure, natural and vegan products ready to purchase, the day spa at the rear offers treatments to relax the body and soul.

The boutique is 100% natural with no synthetic chemicals used from the 100 year french linens to the washing of the floors.  The space is scent free and even the most sensitive of individuals will find respite here.

Bioethique is new and evolving.  Claudine is “passionate about educating people” to look at what they put on their skin.  And it is not just her products that interest her.  Look for new methods to maintain a youthful appearance in an “intelligent” way through yoga coming soon to the store.

And for the discerning bride what space could be more lovely for a bridal party than organic champagne and chemical free manicures done with an old fashioned polishing tool and original french clay.  Feel rejuvenated with an hour long massage which includes hot stones and exfoliation. Come in with a group or on your own.  Email the boutique directly for more information on this as this is part of the evolution of services.

article by Shona Dion, photos by sweet earth photographics

Vintage Bride or Groom

Picking out that perfect wedding outfit can be an exciting experience or an overwhelming one.  Today engaged couples have many options.  If walking into a bridal gallery is not in the cards then perhaps look to the most greenest option of all.

Vintage stores abound in the Lower Mainland, but some stand out from the others.  Woo Vintage at 4333 Main Street, is a vintage store that is unique in its mission to bring back amazing finds.  Not only can you find such goodies, all items are very well taken care of, cleaned, mended and even reworked.  The store is a treasure trove of vintage clothing from the 1920′s on. 

What is most impressive though, is the store’s owner, Natalie.  Her knowledge of clothing styles, accessories, details from every era, and her passion for finding such treasures is remarkable.  I spent some time with her in her store and came out with a greater understanding of fashion from the last 80 years.

Woo Vintage has an extensive wedding attire collection.  For the women the dresses come in almost any decade, although those from the 1950′s on are the more popular.  It does not stop at dresses though.  Gloves, stoles, shoes, opera coats, gorgeous hats and birdcage veils, and whimsies galore can also be found.

1953 Wedding Dress

For the men there are many options.  Natalie has suits and what I found even more exciting is that she is also has a collection of tux dress shirts rescued from decades ago and in perfect condition.  Natalie also has many cumberbunds, collars, studs, ties of all shapes and sizes and pocket squares.

Same sex couples can also find treasures here as men’s suit from earlier eras tend to fit smaller.  Why rent a tuxedo from a men’s rental store when you can own an original? 

1930′s button up suit

Natalie keeps track of the trends.  Brides come in looking for vintage jewelry to make unique handmade bouquets. Using grandma’s old jewelry and  a few extra pieces found at Woo they can create stunning and very modern  wedding accessories.

A trip to Woo is well worth it.  Let Natalie lead you through her lovely store and share her knowledge with you.   Her staff are well versed in alterations so come down for a fitting and add some flare to your wedding.

 

Shona Dion, photos by sweet earth photographics