Silverberry Occasions | Toronto Wedding and Event Planners

Our Blog Is On The Move!

2010-11-24T02:29:00.006-05:00

Our blog is on the move to a brand new domain address.

We apologize for any inconvenience our move may cause.

We're doing our best to update any old links that may have directed you to this address, but if you're reading this it means we've missed one. Please feel free to leave a comment below letting us know if we've missed a link and where you found it.

Our new blog will be more reader friendly and have some new features that we think are pretty nifty!

We truly appreciate your patience during this change and hope you will continue to enjoy our posts on our new blog.

www.silverberryoccasionseventblog.com

*Be sure to update your subscription links to include our new feed address.

Catch Us at Mix, Mingle, Marry!

2010-11-16T09:32:00.004-05:00

Mix, Mingle, Marry is "Toronto's first bridal boutique showcase featuring the most innovative visionaries in the wedding biz showcasing their wares for brides + grooms + friends seeking on the freshest ideas for the big day"

Join Silverberry Occasions as we partake in a fabulous new spin on the bridal show.
Mix, Mingle, Marry promises to be an afternoon full of unique, personal and fresh wedding ideas put together to inspire discerning brides and grooms alike!

The show will be taking place on Sunday, January 16th at The Gladstone Hotel from 12:00pm-5:00pm.

Be sure to stop by our booth to say hello and check out some fabulous show specials!

You can also read about us on the Mix, Mingle, Marry blog.

TJ & Karen: Their Wedding

2010-10-31T21:07:00.006-04:00

In honour of Halloween night, we thought it would be fitting to feature TJ & Karen’s
"spook-tacular soiree".

A while back we wrote about TJ & Karen’s Sikh celebration.
1 week before this colourful day, the couple celebrated their marriage with an elegant, Halloween inspired ceremony and reception.

TJ & Karen met on Halloween night 7 years ago, so when they realized Halloween would be falling on a Saturday they knew this was the wedding date for them.

Their wedding day vision started with the colours red and black, and from there developed into a beautifully elegant and tasteful Halloween soiree.
The bridesmaids wore black satin dresses while the groomsmen were decked out in all black suits accented by rich black magic roses.
As a thank-you for her bridesmaids Karen handpicked sparkly black and red beads and jewels and had them made into one-of-a-kind bracelets.

Quirky Halloween touches could be seen throughout the day.
From the black crystal spider on the bride’s bouquet, to the bride and groom’s “witches brew” goblets or the white pumpkins greeting you at the door, the couple made sure to have fun with the theme.

Guests dined on a delicious autumn inspired menu and helped themselves to a trick-or-treat candy station (what Halloween inspired event would be complete without candy?!).

At the end of their thank-you speech, the couple surprised their guests with a dance performance of Thriller complete with zombies that then taught their guests some of the famous moves. It was the perfect way to the party started!

Their wedding was recently featured on Weddingbells.ca Real Wedding Blog. Click here to take a look at the feature entry and to view more pictures.

{credits}
Wedding Design & Styling: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Boston Avenue Photo Co.
Venue & Catering: The Berkeley Church
Dress: Paloma Blanca
Makeup: Laura Ewart
DJ: Good Vibrations
Cake: Say It With Cake
Thriller performance: The Wedding Choreographers

Featured on Weddingbells.ca: A Spook-tacular Soiree

2010-10-28T14:04:00.001-04:00

We are excited to announce that the Halloween inspired wedding of Silverberry’s own Karen has been featured on the Weddingbells.ca Real Wedding Blog.

To read about all of the Halloween-y details, you can view the article here.

Be sure to check our blog again in a few days when we’ll be featuring even more pictures from this “spook-tacular soiree”!

The Results Are In!

2010-10-07T15:09:00.005-04:00

Silverberry Occasions’ blog has been selected as one of the top 25 wedding blogs in the 2010 Weddzilla Guru Awards!

The support from our fans, friends and clients was overwhelming.
Without your votes we would not have won, and for this we couldn’t be more grateful- THANK YOU!!

We also wanted to thank the team at Weddzilla for organizing the 2010 Guru Awards.
It’s always a wonderful feeling to be recognized within the Wedding & Event industry.

Check out the press release below for more info:

Silverberry Occasions Event Planning & Design Inc. named winner of Weddzilla.com’s 2010 Guru Awards Top Wedding Blog.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCT 07, 2010 -Weddzilla.com, the first wedding website to create a more efficient way to connect brides and vendors, and fully integrate the wedding planning process into popular social networks, is excited to announce the winners of their first annual 2010 Weddzilla Guru Awards, hosted by their star-studded Weddzilla Guru Panel.

Blogging has become an integral way that Nearlyweds and wedding professionals alike share ideas, find inspiration, and connect with each other. The Weddzilla Guru Awards recognizes the top 25 of these wedding blogs.

Unlike other awards in which the winners are selected by the organization, the winners of the 2010 Weddzilla Guru Awards are selected based on votes from the Weddzilla community of Nearlyweds and wedding professionals from across the nation.

From their style shoots, real weddings and other inspirations, to their expert advice on etiquette, budget, and planning or reports on the latest trends and happenings in the event world, Silverberry Occasions’ blog is one that every bride-to-be should be sure to check out. Visit http://silverberryoccasions.blogspot.com to see why they were chosen as one of the top blogs!

The Weddzilla Celebrity Guru Panel includes:
Ron Ben-Israel: Cake Guru: Featured in “Sex in the City 2” and Oprah Winfrey’s “O Magazine”
Steve Kemble - Sassiest Wedding Guru: Wedding coordinator to the stars, reality TV show host
Sue Fleming - Fitness Guru: Founder of Buff Brides of the Buff Fitness Franchise
Sharon Naylor - Advice Guru: Author of over 35 wedding books
Diane Forden - Etiquette Guru: Editor-in-Chief of Bridal Guide magazine
Ceci Johnson - Invitation Guru: Founder of Ceci New York, couture invitation designer

For more information on the Weddzilla Guru Awards, please email Sara Morgan, Director of Marketing, at sara@weddzilla.com or call (800) 515-1930.

Stylish Wedding DIY by two talented Chicks

2010-09-13T11:39:00.005-04:00

Customizing your wedding day with one-of-a-kind details and fun DIY projects is more popular than ever! Not only is it a great way to maximize your "more bang for your buck" factor, but its also a fantastic way to make your special day stand out.

But what if you are having trouble getting your creative juices flowing?
No need to worry because the fabulously chic, endlessly creative and just plain beautiful site The Wedding Chicks has come to the rescue.
From their online boutique full of cute and customizable wedding totes, tees and tanks, to their DIY section loaded with free downloads and custom goodies or their daily blog brimming with wedding eye candy, the inspiration to create a truly one-of-a-kind event is endless.

We love the idea of creating personalized wedding tanks as thank-yous for your bridesmaids or custom tote bags that you can fill with goodies for your out-of-town guests.
What will you create?

Check out The Wedding Chicks Boutique to get started - here are some of our faves:

Love what you see and can’t wait to order your custom goodies?
During the month of September, enter the code PEARL upon checkout and receive
25% off your entire purchase. How sweet is that?!

{images courtesy of The Wedding Chicks}

Sparks Were Flying on Canada Day!

2010-08-09T22:40:00.001-04:00

The Barrie skyline on Canada Day was the backdrop for the engagement photos of Silverberry’s own Jessica.

Jessica and her fiancé Neil booked their wedding day photography with Rowell Photography. The creative team at Rowell then came up with the idea to shoot some engagement photos in front of the Canada Day fireworks on a rooftop in Barrie. They chose Jessica and Neil to be the lucky couple and the result was even better than what we could have hoped for.

Erika and Ryan of Rowell Photography have a natural ability to make their subjects feel at ease while also creating stunning works of art. They take the time to get to know the couple they are shooting so that their photos are unique to each bride and groom.

It’s no wonder that Rowell are fast becoming one of the highly sought-after wedding photographers in the GTA. Their work speaks for itself.

{images courtesy of Rowell Photography}

Planning a Themed Fete

2010-07-08T12:03:00.001-04:00

Whether you realize it or not, almost every party that you plan has a theme.
It could be as simple as hosting your party on a specific day (Canada Day, Halloween, etc.) and using your favourite colour, or it could be as thought out as a wedding where you’ve designed a personalized motif for everything from invitations to cake.

We’ve put together a few tips and pictures to help get your creative juices flowing the next time you host a party:

1. Are you hosting this party around a specific event?
This may seem like an obvious question for weddings, showers, birthdays etc. but what about special days like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, or 4th of July (for our American friends). How about a less celebrated milestone like getting your driver’s license? Or why not base a party around the release of your favourite book or album?

Our chosen theme: A girly “Sex And The City 2” bash

2. Is there a dominant colour or image you associate with your party?
Why not be a little selfish and base the colour choice around your favourite hue? Have fun and go crazy decorating with pretty purples, romantic reds, or bright blues.
Or your favourite book – does it have a main character that loves to travel? Then why not use images of worldly landmarks to adorn your invitations, decor or favours.

Our chosen colour: Pink

3. Is there a unique/fun element you can focus on to make your party stand out?
Celebrating a graduation? Why not get your mascot to make a guest appearance and perform a show for your guests.
Our how about putting a grownup spin on a child’s treat by constructing a self-serve candy bar at your next Halloween party.
Focus on the word unique, and use this as a chance to do something you normally wouldn’t.

Our unique/fun element(s): Designer brands and Cosmos!

There is no right or wrong way to host a party, but hopefully with these simple steps to guide you, your guests will be raving about your fete for months to come!

{pictures by Silverberry Occasions}

Grace Ormonde Weddings: The Launch Party

2010-06-11T15:59:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago we posted about Grace Ormonde’s international tour to launch her new book: “being in love never goes out of style”.

We are thrilled to say that we received a VIP invite to the Toronto launch party where we had the honour of meeting the fabulous Grace Ormonde!

The city’s finest industry members gathered on the 18th floor of The Park Hyatt to celebrate 10 years of wedding style wrapped up into one beautiful book.
Guests were first greeted by a model donning a gorgeous dress by Ines Di Santo and a stunning cake by Cake Opera Co. that featured the cover of Grace Ormonde’s book.
From there guests could indulge in some delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, try something sweet at the chocolate fountain or have a seat at one of the beautifully decorated tables by Designing Trendz.

We met a lot of wonderful people that night, but the highlight of the evening was meeting Grace and getting to see her new book.
Karen also asked her to sign one of her favourite issues of Wedding Style magazine (it was the issue which Karen found great inspiration from for her own wedding). Grace happily signed it with “Live The Dream”, and that’s what this evening was – a dream that we were so happy to be a part of!

{pictures by Silverberry Occasions}

CRAVE Q&A with Silverberry Occasions

2010-05-27T15:38:00.002-04:00

A few posts ago we blogged about CRAVEguide’s launch in Toronto and we wanted to send a big ‘thanks’ to the team at CRAVEtoronto for hosting such a fabulous launch party!

The launch party took place at BerBer Resto.Bar.Lounge where guests were treated to a delicious Middle Eastern spread, giveaways, and activities put on by fellow entreprenesses showcasing their work.
We had a blast meeting so many talented women and learning about the unique services they offer within the city.

Below is the Q&A article with Silverberry Occasions that was featured in the first edition of Toronto’s CRAVEguide.

Enjoy!

Grace Ormonde Weddings: The Book

2010-05-17T14:47:00.002-04:00

Any vendor who’s in the wedding industry, any bride who’s perused through the wedding magazines at her local bookstore, and anyone else who is a fan of top notch wedding style has surely heard of Grace Ormonde.

As described on her fan page, “Grace Ormonde has built an enviable reputation in the wedding industry for creating the platforms for wedding specialists to showcase their products and services while offering prospective brides and grooms a multitude of choices, ideas and alternatives for planning their wedding. She has consistently made creativity and innovation hallmarks of her enterprises”.

After years of publishing the best of what the wedding world has to offer, Grace Ormonde has compiled a collection of her favourite work into one fabulous book: Grace Ormonde Weddings - “being in love never goes out of style”.

To celebrate the debut of her book, Grace Ormonde is hosting an international tour. Click here to find out more about the tour, to see if it’s stopping in a city near you, and to find out how you can win tickets to attend.

You can also purchase your very own copy by clicking here (or here if you are outside of the US).

We can’t wait to purchase a copy of our own!

Let Them Eat Cake!

2010-04-30T12:15:00.004-04:00

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon then by browsing through some beautiful cakes crafted by some of Toronto’s top cake designers.

Last weekend we stopped by The Cake Show presented by the Bonnie Gordon Cake School.

There was a sweet hint of sugar in the air as we strolled down the aisles of creatively designed cakes.
The day was also filled with plenty of demonstrations and delicious cake to taste; there were hourly design competitions (think Food Network Challenge), cake tasting competitions divided into flavours, and a people’s choice award where attendees could vote for their favourite cake design.

We had a wonderful time chatting with some of the designers and made sure to sample one of the cake tasting rounds: chocolate (YUM)

We look forward to checking out The Cake Show again next year!

Here are some of our favourites from the show:

{pictures by Silverberry Occasions}

{credits}
Blue & White Floral and Leaf cake (2nd on left) by Bobbette & Belle
Purple & Blue Floral cake (2nd on right) by Chloe Lespierre Cakes
Fire Truck cake by Matthew Somers of It’s a Matter of Cake
*Designers – if you recognize a cake as your own, please let us know as we’d love to credit you!

What Do You CRAVE?

2010-04-16T10:43:00.004-04:00

Where do you look when you are craving the best of what Toronto’s "entreprenesses" have to offer?

The Urban Girl’s Manifesto by CRAVEtoronto!CRAVEguides are a unique guidebook created to connect "urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know" in their cities. They've been wildly successful in bustling cities throughout North America & Europe, and on May 5th, Toronto will have a CRAVEguide of its own!

We are excited to announce that Silverberry Occasions will be featured in CRAVEtoronto's first edition of The Urban Girl's Manifesto. You'll get to read a Q&A session (that we had a blast answering) that we hope gives you an inside glimpse at what Silverberry Occasions is all about.

Join CRAVEtoronto on May 5th from 7-10pm at BerBer Resto.Bar.Lounge in downtown Toronto for the official CRAVEguide Launch Party. There will be lots of delicious goodies and fun activities throughout the night, and you'll get a chance to mingle with 150 of Toronto's most craved entrepreneurs, including Silverberry Occasions.

The event is free, but to guarantee your admission please RSVP here.

Hope to see you there!!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-07T18:04:00.000-04:00

Whether you used this passed long weekend to celebrate Easter with your family, or just took some extra time to relax, we hope you enjoyed the beautiful Spring weather we were so lucky to have!

Even with smaller family events, its hard for the Event Planners in us not to shine through.
Inspired by the fresh colours of Spring and the tasty treats delivered by a certain bunny, we put together a small dessert table (and a few additional touches) for Easter dinner.

Enjoy!

{pictures, cupcakes and place “cards” by Silverberry Occasions}

A Delicious Afternoon

2010-03-31T10:50:00.003-04:00

Recently we were invited to attend Love 2 Cater’s annual Taste Testing Extravaganza at Browne’s Bistro in downtown Toronto.

Love 2 Cater describes themselves as a “catering business that prides itself in unique and innovative cuisine for any occasions”, and they did not disappoint!
Not only was the tasting menu absolutely delicious, but we were treated with total professionalism the moment we walked in the door.

Here’s what our menu looked like:

Appetizers                                                                  Entree #1
Skewered Insalata Caprese                                          Herb crusted rack of lamb with rosemary au jus
Lollipop shrimp
Chicken Tikka skewers                                                Desserts
                                                                                      B52 Cheesecake
Entree #2                                                                   Tiramisu
Salmon poached in Thai green curry

We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and look forward to working with Love 2 Cater in the future!

{pictures by Silverberry Occasions}

The Crane Chandelier Project by The Wedding Co.

2010-02-28T16:16:00.013-05:00

The Wedding Co. is a fabulously innovative Toronto based company that should be at the top of every bride’s resource list!

Their website features a daily blog loaded with wonderful inspiration for your wedding, a DIY section to get your creative juices flowing, and “The List”; a handpicked collection of Toronto’s top wedding vendors.

Recently they started The Crane Chandelier Project which, when finished, will be “a visual representation of a worldwide community of engaged and newly married couples - a community that already shares so many invisible ties”.

In addition to creating a visually and emotionally beautiful project, they will be donating $0.50 from each crane to benefit cancer research.

Since I am newly married and Jessica is engaged, we jumped at the chance to participate in this project.
Thanks to some easy to follow directions (seen here) we ended up with some great cranes:

Don’t think you have the folding skills to make your own?
Submit a Send Me A Crane request form and they will send you a pre-made crane that you can mail back with your information to be added to the Chandelier.
Our little guys will be heading out in the mail this week!

Help The Wedding Co. reach their goal of 1000 cranes by their 10th anniversary in January 2011!

2010 Wedding Trends

2010-01-15T13:12:00.001-05:00

Its that time of year again when brides start looking to the upcoming trends as inspiration for their wedding day.

We’ve chosen our favourite trends to help you get excited about planning your special day.

Karen’s pick:

Creative & Unique Ceremony Layouts
Your wedding ceremony is the most intimate part of your wedding day. Its also your first chance to set the mood for your day, so more and more couples are are seizing the opportunity to get creative.

How about having oversized pillows in your theme colours strewn with blankets on the beach, or comfy couches set up in front of a fire place at a country cottage?
No matter where your ceremony takes place or what size it may be, anything goes.
Just remember to keep yours guest’s comfort in mind.

Jessica’s pick:

Photos With Flair
Nothing can replace an experienced professional photographer, but photo booths at weddings have been growing in popularity over the years.

The idea is to have an interactive experience for your guests to have fun and be silly, while leaving lasting memories.
Photo booths can range from simply having a camera set up in the corner of the room, to renting a booth reminiscent of those found at the mall.

Since this idea is more about fun and less about formality, we’re seeing couples make their mark by putting up funky fabric backdrops, providing an assortment of costumes and accessories for guests to dress up in, or even giving the booth its own theme. Why not give your guests the chance to feel like a star? Put down a red carpet and pin up a media wall plastered with your wedding logo for a real Hollywood flair.

{images courtesy of project wedding}

TJ & Karen: Their Sikh Celebration

2009-12-16T15:45:00.009-05:00

A week after their October 31st nuptials, TJ and Karen got together again with family and friends to celebrate the wedding traditions of TJ's family.

Karen, one of the owners and head planners of Silverberry Occasions, had an amazing time not only getting to personally plan a 2nd wedding celebration for herself (what event planner wouldn’t love that?) but also immersing herself in these important wedding traditions.

The celebrations began on the Friday with a mehndi party for the women and the Vatna ritual for the men. TJ's cousins made sure not to hold back and covered him head to toe with the yellow paste.

The following day started off very early with the bride arriving to be dressed in her traditional red wedding Lengha and jewelry, while the groom was dressed by his uncles into his wedding Sherwani, which was accented with rich tones of red and gold to match his bride.

As they arrived at the temple, guests were served breakfast before making their way into the main room to begin the ceremony. To mark the completion of the ceremony, the couple were draped with vibrant red and gold garlands as family and friends came up to congratulate them.

Before the evening festivities began, the couple changed into their party outfits with the groom wearing a classic tux and the bride wearing a hot pink Sari.
To get the party started, the couple was lead into the reception by the beat of a Dohl player, while their family followed behind them and soon began Jaago (dancing and celebrating with lights).
The rest of the evening was filled of good food and LOTS of dancing.

It was a great and memorable end to a fun filled week of celebration!

Check back soon for pictures from their October 31st wedding!

{credit}
Wedding Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photos: Purple Martini Photography
Cake: Novello Desserts
Venue: Bombay Palace

Sebastien & Elyse

2009-11-22T14:20:00.004-05:00

The first official day of Fall was less then a week behind us when Sebastien and Elyse held their beautiful Fall inspired nuptials.

From the very first day of planning this couple had a distinct vision of what their perfect Fall venue would be. With the vibrant backdrop of burnt oranges, bright yellows and crisp reds of the surrounding landscape, The Manor in Kettleby turned out to be the ideal venue.

The day started off with an intimate afternoon ceremony on the grounds followed by a cocktail hour for the guests while the newlyweds snuck off for some photos.

The warm feeling of Fall was carried on beautifully into the reception with burnt orange overlays and chair bows, earthy coloured centerpieces and a gorgeous head table backdrop of rich browns and crystals completed the room.

To get the party started, Elyse surprised her groom with a mid-night change from her elegant, traditional dress into a chic, mermaid style dress that was perfect for dancing the night away.

As a finishing touch, guests were treated to 4 midnight stations: a chocolate fountain, crepe station, cheese station and a porchetta table.

Just like Cinderella and Prince Charming on their cake, we know this couple has found their happily ever after!

{credit}
Wedding Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photos by Kim Lovell Photography
Decor: Designs by Dina
Stationary: Noteworthy Paper & Design
Venue: The Manor
Cake: A Cake Odyssey

Aleem & Cecile

2009-10-26T14:40:00.007-04:00

Aleem & Cecile were the first of our two August long weekend couples to get married.

The couple chose Le Jardin Conference & Event Centre as the location for both their intimate ceremony and reception.
The bride and her bridesmaids made fantastic use of the elegant staircase as the perfect grand entrance to the ceremony.

As the wedding was a joining of two cultures, the bride wore a stunning strapless white wedding dress, while bringing out the groom’s culture with traditional Mehndi (henna art) on her hands.

To pay tribute to the bride’s home country of France, the hall was the perfect choice, showcasing gorgeous French decor along with 'Eiffel Tower' centerpieces and the couple’s added touch of table names (in lieu of numbers) marked with well-known French landmarks.

Summer-y hues of green, white and pink were seen throughout the day, with the green in the bridesmaid’s dresses bringing out the fresh feeling against their pure white bouquets.
The bride held a beautiful bouquet of pink hydrangeas sprinkled with crystals and white calla lilies, which were mirrored in the table centerpieces.

The evening finished off with a romantic serenade to the bride from the groom and groomsmen, followed by the bridesmaids singing a fun French tune as they danced around in personalized shirts made just for their performance.

It was a wonderful day for a truly wonderful couple!

{credit}
Wedding Planning: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Shelterwood Photography
Cake: Irresistible Cakes Inc.
Venue: Le Jardin

Razid & Farah

2009-09-30T14:51:00.007-04:00

It was a beautiful summer day when Razid & Farah, one of our August long weekend couples, were married.

From our very first meeting, this couple had a very elegant and stylish vision in mind and made some fabulous choices throughout the planning process, with the end result being nothing short of stunning.

The day started with a traditional Muslim ceremony in the morning, followed by an afternoon of pictures at Toronto’s historic Don Valley Brickworks and the University of Toronto.

As guests entered the reception they were greeted by an array of rich black magic roses atop 4’ candelabras, beautiful cream silk linens, and walls washed with the perfect hint of purpley-pink.
Guests dined on alongside the candlelight while the bridal party diner under the sparkle of their crystal strewn backdrop.

Razid & Farah’s wedding was featured that night on CityTV News at 11:00 as Farah, an anchor for CityTV, celebrated with fellow co-workers.

It was a great end to a long weekend and a perfect start to a happy life for this couple!

{credit}
Wedding Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Mango Studios
Decor: Designs by Dina
Stationary: Palettera Custom Correspondences
Venue: Le Parc

Giveway Alert: Win a Fabulous Kate Spade Handbag

2009-09-28T14:39:00.012-04:00

Our friends at Wishpot have teamed up with Avelle (the new Bag Borrow Steal...think Sex in the City) to bring all you brides-to-be a fantastic new giveaway.

Enter to win this fabulous and fun red Kate Spade designer handbag!

Here's how you enter: Tell or show Wishpot what you want to carry in your Avelle Designer Bag!

(Your fave accessories, your pets, your dreams, the kitchen sink and more...)

Tell: Get 1 entry for each response here, on Avelle's FB Fan Page, or on Twitter RT #Avelle

Show: Get 2 entries when you post a picture of what you want to carry on Avelle's FB Fan Page or on Twitter

Share: Get 3 entries when you sign up at Avelle.com, follow Avelle on Twitter or blog about this giveaway

Be sure to leave a comment on Wishpot's Wedding Blog about how you've entered. Giveaway lasts one week and a winner will be drawn on Monday, October 5th.

GOOD LUCK to all our readers!

Guest Blog Post: Christine from Wishpot.com

2009-07-29T16:01:00.011-04:00

Every month, Silverberry Occasions is featured as a guest blogger on Wishpot.com's Bridal Blog where we share our advice, favourite trends, and anything else that has caught our eye in the world of weddings.

Wishpot.com is a fantastic resource site for any newly engaged couple.
Here you can create online registries, discover some great deals on wedding items from favours to attendant gifts, and connect with professionals through their wedding blog to keep up to date with the changing trends in the industry.

Our guest blogs wouldn't be possible without the organization of
Christine (aka gift_girl), one of the team members at Wishpot.com
In return, Christine has been working on a guest blog post that we would love to share with our clients - enjoy!

Summer 2009 Wedding Dress Trends

We may be nearing the end of July, but the 2009 wedding season is still in full swing, and these wedding dress styles are the most likely to be making their way down the aisle.

Full Flair (top left): The flair style is one of the hottest fall fashion trends and has already hit the aisle as a modern take on the classic fitted wedding gown. The dress is generally fitted from shoulder to knees and then creates a bell effect, sure to help accentuate the female figure. This dress is Something Pink and is designed by Kenneth Pool.

Color (top right): The spring & summer season of 2009 has been all about color- the brighter, the better. The same goes for wedding dresses, no less. Nowadays, brides are no longer limited to white, so if you see yourself lusting after a colored wedding dress, go for it! This look is a Reem Acra original.

Classic (bottom left): This chic look has been around for years and will always be a gorgeous, classy and feminine way to walk the aisle. This particular dress is Sweet & Chic and can be found at David’s Bridal.

Bohemian (bottom right): The bohemian look has been a trend for the past few years and has managed to beautifully make its way into the wedding scene. Designers across the industry have managed to take a no-fuss look and make it goddess-like, perfect for a summer wedding! This dress is called Garden Party and is an Elizabeth Fillmore design.

For more information on weddings, check out our wedding blog or follow us on Twitter: @gift_girl @wishpot.; or, shop for your perfect wedding dress using the Wishpot button!

Sears Registry Event

2009-06-24T23:34:00.000-04:00

Last week Silverberry Occasions was invited to take place in a very exciting event held in the registry section of Sears at The Promenade Mall.

Sears Canada has re-vamped their bridal registry by making it more user friendly, adding more brand names to their giftware section, and even adding a "bridal shop" online.
To celebrate their new registry, they invited industry experts to take part in an open house for their brides-to-be, where they were able to talk one on one with the experts and get advice valuable advice for their upcoming nuptials.

We had a fabulous time meeting fellow vendors and all the newly engaged brides. We look forward to working with you all on your next event!

Thank you to FOS Decor for providing our beautiful table setting.

SilverberryOccasions.com has a new look!

2009-06-19T10:04:00.007-04:00

We are excited to announce the re-launch of www.silverberryoccasions.com

We've added some fantastic features that include updated galleries, recommended resources, a calendar of available dates and contact submission form (just to name a few) that make visiting our website more interactive and informative for our users.

Thank you to everyone for their patience during our transition.

We hope you enjoy our new look!

-Karen & Jessica -

Rock Band Throw Down

2009-05-05T23:25:00.004-04:00

For 5 days in April and May, the back bar at Clinton’s Tavern was home to the drum-pounding, guitar squealing event Rock Band Throw Down.

Toronto based non-profit group Heterosexuals for Same-Sex Equality (HSSE) wanted to throw a fundraiser like no other, using the classic Battle of the Bands structure with a twist. Instead of real instruments, the bands played the video game Rock Band, giving regular video game loving folks the chance to rock hard on stage in front of an audience. Bands consisted of 4 members – drums, bass, guitar and vocals.

Over the course of 4 nights, 16 bands competed, with each evening’s winner moving on to the finale on May 4^th. The costumes were elaborate, the energy was electric, and finally the winning band went home with a whopping $500 cash prize!

The event was featured on Space Channel’s pop culture news show The Circuit on May 8^th at 7:30pm. Click here to take a look!

We've Been Featured on Wishpot!

2009-03-27T17:00:00.009-04:00

As a Wedding Expert on Wishpot.com, Silverberry Occasions was recently invited to write a guest post for Wishpot's wedding blog.
Our article, "Choosing Your Colour Palette", helps guide you in choosing the perfect colour for your wedding or event.

Wishpot.com is a fantastic resource site for any newly engaged couple!
Here you can create online registries, discover some great deals on wedding items from favours to attendant gifts, and connect with professionals through their wedding blog to keep up to date with the changing trends in the industry.

To view our entry and learn more about choosing the right colour for your next event, click here.

Amanda's Baby Shower

2009-02-27T23:01:00.006-05:00

Although you can never go wrong with rubber duckies or pastel blues and pinks for a baby shower, Amanda’s shower was a chance to showcase something unique.

Amanda was surprised with a baby shower that reflected her young and modern sense of style, with the theme being a tribute to the classic pregnancy craving Pickles & Ice Cream. In true pickle form, green was used as one of the main pops of colour seen in everything from the hanging lanterns, to the balloons, down to the ribbons that tied the ice cream scoop favours.

Instead of using just one colour to represent the “ice cream” aspect of the theme, the Neapolitan colours of pink, brown and white were all used in harmony to help set the theme, starting with the striped invitations.

Guests were wowed with a trendy catered buffet that showcased all things mini - hamburgers, pizzas, and quiches to name a few. Thirsts were quenched with a colourful Mocktini bar, while guests were entertained with interactive games, finishing with of course, the opening of the presents.

{credit}
Event Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Purple Martini Wedding & Event Photography
Favours & Diaper Cake: Silverberry Occasions

2009 Wedding Trends

2009-01-10T12:39:00.002-05:00

With the new year comes new trends in weddings and events. We've chosen our favorite three trends for '09 that are sure to make your event look great!

Patterns That Pop
This year colorful patterns are in and in a big, bold way. Damask, paisley, toille,
polka-dots, gingham - anything goes.
What's great about this trend is that couples can incorporate several different hues while still keeping the look and feel of their wedding unified.
Add a patterned runner or overlay to your table to add instant pizazz to the room, or try adding a bold design to your invitations to excite your guests and to give them a hint of what's to come at the reception. The possibilities are endless and are only limited by your creativity!

Two-tiered Wedding Cakes
While previous trends of wedding cupcakes pushed the traditional wedding cake out of the limelight, this year cake is making a comeback! With many couples foregoing a large reception for a smaller, more intimate gathering between close family and friends, a traditional three-tier wedding cake just doesn’t have its place.
Instead, this year you will see weddings that feature smaller, more practical two-tier wedding cakes. Perfect for the pared down guest list or for the bride who still desires the tradition of the cake-cutting ceremony, but wants to serve something more unique for dessert.

Creative Lighting
You can transform any ordinary space into something glamorous, unique and impressive by utilizing creative lighting. Decor companies and lighting designers can project your monogram or custom motif on the wall, hang gorgeous chandeliers above every table, or highlight your draping for added elegance.
Going for something more DIY? Try accenting the room with antique candelabras, candles, candles and more candles!

{images courtesy of the knot}

Website Launch!

2008-12-15T18:58:00.009-05:00

Silverberry Occasions' new website has officially launched!

http://www.silverberryoccasions.com

Take a look and discover more about Silverberry Occasions Event Planning & Design Inc. and how we can help you plan the perfect event. You will also find complete details of our services and packages, all of which can be customized to your personal style!

Don't forget to keep checking our blog for additional events we've been working on, things we love in the world of event planning, and other inspirations for your next occasion!

Have a happy holiday and we look forward to seeing you in 2009 for your next event!

- Karen & Jessica -

Brian & Lindsay | Markham Wedding

2008-11-25T13:05:00.017-05:00

Although the first official day of Fall had not yet arrived, September 13th was the perfect day for Brian and Lindsay’s fall themed wedding.

Warm rich colours of red, yellow and orange were seen in the bouquets and mixed within the greenery to complete the decor. The wedding party was decked out in classic black formal wear and strapless dresses with sage green accents.

The couple combined both traditional and contemporary elements in all aspects of the event. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Lindsay and Brian opted for the more trendy option of cupcakes for the guests, with a small cake for cutting. The sit-down meal was enjoyed by all, followed not only by a plated dessert and the wedding cupcakes, but the couple then surprised their guests with a fun sundae bar.

The day was filled with emotion from the time Lindsay put on her wedding dress, all the way through to the evening's speeches. Once the dance floor got going though, this couple really knew how to party.

{credits}
Wedding Planning: Silverberry Occasions
Photography by: Helen Giadtatsis

MTV's Super Sweet 16

2008-10-19T20:17:00.008-04:00

On August 28^th, MTV Canada ran a four hour Super Sweet 16 Marathon from 2pm to 6pm. In celebration of the event, MTV host Diane Salema wanted her own dream birthday party planned. MTV Canada recruited Silverberry Occasions to research and plan Diane’s dream imaginary birthday party.

The theme was a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, and in keeping with Diane's personality, had a devilish edge to it. Research and ideas were focused on the following:

Venue: Cruise Ship
Invitations: Classic cassette tapes with a personal message recorded
Entrance: Diane is to ride in on a motorcycle with her date, Tony Danza
Wardrobe: Diane will arrive in a black leather dress and have one outfit change into her party dress, a black & white designer dress perfect for dancing.
Food: A Mad Hatter Tea Party buffet including personalized cupcakes and new twists on classic tea party menu items.
Entertainment: Diane's favourite band Dethklok will perform, a petting zoo will be on board, and guests will have a ship-wide super soaker water fight.
Gift: Although we researched the costs of a private jet and a private island, unlike other Super Sweet 16 girls, Diane settled on a used Ford Bronco as her gift.

To see Jessica Wainberg of Silverberry Occasions discuss Diane's dream birthday party on MTV Canada, please visit our website: Silverberry Occasions.

Touchdown!

2008-10-03T16:44:00.011-04:00

Yesterday saw an intimate gathering of friends and family to celebrate Enzio's 50th birthday.
Black, silver and white, the colours of his favourite NFL Team The Oakland Raiders, is what inspired the theme of the night.

Guests were treated to a delicious Italian feast followed by a scrumptious array of desserts - including a custom made Raiders cake. Everyone had a wonderful time reminiscing and celebrating this wonderful milestone with the guest of honour.

{credits}
Event Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photos: Silverberry Occasions

A White Wonderland

2008-09-25T12:31:00.005-04:00

In the past, White has stepped down as a sought after wedding colour while other bold hues like Orange, Purple and Hot Pink have become front runners. Now this flawless colour is set to make a comeback in a very refreshing, modern way.

Imagine tall vases overflowing with crisp white orchids or hydrangeas, or a white cake covered in shimmering fondant pearls or trimmed with an elegant lace.
Not only is White a great colour for the upcoming Winter wedding season, but its timeless elegance is what will make this colour desired by brides again and again.

{images courtesy of the knot}

African Paradise

2008-08-28T19:49:00.011-04:00

The beautiful community of Omemee (located in the City of Kawartha Lakes) was the site of our latest event, a charity fundraiser and auction to benefit Future For Africa.

August 9^th was a day for the ladies, designed to not only give them an enjoyable and relaxing experience, but also to raise money for an African organization close to the Hostess's heart.

Stations were situated around a lavish cottage with a beautiful lake as the backdrop. The Guests indulged in many fun services, such as massages, manicures & pedicures, psychic & tarot card readings, handwriting analysis, bra fittings and even a belly dancing class.

Raising the most money, was an auction which began online in the weeks preceding the event, ending in person on the day. Many items were generously donated; some of the most popular being authentic African statues, procured first-hand in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Unlike our two previous events, the rain did pay us a visit that day. Fortunately, the tented stations kept guests dry and happy and helped contribute to an amazing day filled with good food, good fun and great results.

The day was so successful in fact, that in addition to the ladies having a wonderful day, the charity ended up doubling its’ goal! All money raised will go to providing care to Zimbabwean orphans.

Thanks to all the volunteers and generous donators! We couldn’t have pulled off this great success without you.

{credits}
Event Planning: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Seth Adat

Tee Time!

2008-08-01T11:48:00.013-04:00

The rain held off for what turned out to be a beautiful day for golfing as the Unionville Italian Social Club held it's 19th Annual golf tournament July 24th at Cedarbrae Golf & Country Club in Scarborough.

Situated in the Rouge River Valley, the golfers were surrounded by the beautiful and relaxing scenery of Cedarbrae to help set the mood for the day. Members of the Social Club started the day off with a BBQ welcome lunch for all of the players, followed by a shot-gun start at 1:00.

The day was filled with friendly competition as players had the opportunity to take part in several hole challenges, the most popular being the "Hole-in-One to Win A Car", which although had many close shots, didn't present a winner.

Once the tournament ended, players dined on a 4 course dinner at Le Parc in Richmond Hill while the evening was finished off with a trophy presentation for the winners and other prize giveaways.

Everyone had a fantastic day and the Social Club is looking forward to celebrating their tournament's 20th year next summer!

{credits}
Event Planning: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Silverberry Occasions

Tom & Monelli

2008-07-30T14:05:00.007-04:00

With the crazy weather we’ve been having this summer, Tom and Monelli lucked out by getting married on June 28, 2008 - a day filled with sunshine (this must mean they’re meant to be!). Their quiet religious ceremony was attended by family and close friends in Brampton, followed by an afternoon reception bursting with friends and well-wishers in Richmond Hill.

Monelli, a self-admitted “girly-girl” chose pink to be the main colour, which was seen in everything from her bouquet, to the centerpieces, to her Maid of Honour’s dress!

It’s clear just how much Tom and Monelli are loved as their friends and family went above and beyond in their help with this wedding - not only throughout the planning process, but on the day of.

As guests finally cleared out from the reception, the couple and their close friends stood around for one last celebratory toast. It's great to have been a part of planning this special day!

Good luck Tom and Monelli!

Wedding Planning & Design: Silverberry Occasions
Photography: Criss E Jarvis Photography

Welcome!

2008-02-15T13:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our Blog!
Silverberry Occasions Event Planning & Design Inc. is a new Event Planning & Design company serving the Toronto and GTA area. It is owned by Founders and Event Planners Karen Chiavatti and Jessica Wainberg.

We are extremely excited about our new venture as we not only come from both Event Planning and Wedding Industry backgrounds, but we also bring extensive business experience, endless creativity and most importantly PASSION to every event that we plan. It is this dedication and passion that shines through making your event truly unique and memorable.

This Blog will help to keep clients (and future clients!) up to date on what's going on in our business. We will talk about upcoming events, new ideas and trends in the wedding and event planning industries, and maybe just what's on our mind that day!

We look forward to what's to come in this new adventure, hoping to make many new friends and be a part of many special days to come.

- Jessica & Karen -