It?s that time of year once again when weddings are in full gear. We thought we would share some of the decorating ideas used at CC owners Tina?s wedding (May 2009) and at Jonny?s wedding (July 2012) and also show you some tablescape ideas from our current showroom. Many of the pieces used for setting the tables came from CC and you can find wonderful and unique inexpensive items that can be used to add style, uniqueness and class to your wedding.? We also have lovely costume and fine jewellery that can be purchased for Bridesmaids gifts, or even for the bride from the groom.? You can?t go wrong with a lovely necklace, bracelet or earrings for the Bridesmaids, and we have some beautiful ones. There are Chinese freshwater pearls in white, cream, pale pink or that dramatic black colour – and so reasonable. We can also gift wrap for you if you would like us to. We have lots of crystal, cups and saucers, fine china, vases, decorative items ? all things that go towards making your wedding unique. Perfect for smaller weddings, which can be the prettiest weddings of all. Recently, Carly, Catherine and Angela spent some time setting up some wedding tables at our store. There is a pink/feminine themed table, a cool, classic theme and a rustic theme. Hopefully these vignettes will inspire you to think outside the box when decorating for your wedding. Sometimes, picking up vintage and other items from consignment stores, thrift stores of auction can actually be less than renting items and you can gift them to bridesmaids, groomsmen and family members after the wedding as a keepsake.

We know lots of our customers and consignors are curious about the sorts of things the CC owners Angela (Mom), Tina (Daughter) and Jonny (son) take home to decorate their homes and in this case their weddings so Angela wrote up a wedding blog with some select photos from Tina?s wedding (May 2009) and Jonny?s wedding (July 2012) from several years ago. Angela used to be a floral designer and event planner so she planned and decorated both Tina and Jonny?s weddings.

In Angela?s words?

I was so lucky and privileged that both of my children and their spouses entrusted me with helping them with their weddings. I had been arranging wedding flowers and bouquets for a long while previously, and also event planning, so was able to bring these two skills together for both of their weddings. Tina?s was about 100 people and she and her husband wanted to get married on what used to be our local beach with the reception at the yacht club next door. They wanted it family style, casual and summery, similar to a Mediterranean picnic ? long tables and colourful linens etc. So that?s what we did ? and it worked out beautifully. I, and a group of wonderful friends, set everything up the evening before, and an incredibly talented West Vancouver caterer, Dale Ferris, made the most delicious wedding lunch that transported us to the South of France or Italy. We also customized the tables with our own linens. Tina and I purchased the fabrics on sale from Chintz and Co. I cut them all out and a dear friend sewed everything for us, including over 100 napkins! It seemed like lots of work, but we were very organized, and therefore it was a joy to do and also worked out to be the same price as rental linens with the bonus being we got to keep them and gift them to all the friends that helped decorate for the wedding.? One of the key elements was keeping everything organized and simple and therefore stress free, which is what a wedding should be.

Jonny?s wedding was a destination wedding, very small and intimate with just family and very close friends in the Carmel Valley. Because this was a small wedding I had to be organized enough to send the boxes full of vintage linens, special glassware, candles, favours and all the ephemera that goes towards making a successful wedding. To my great relief, the boxes were all waiting for me when I got there. It was an absolutely lovely wedding, and very poignant as the resort where we were, we had been to as a family several times before, so very meaningful for us.? We were surrounded by the lush green of the golf course, the lovely rolling hills around us and in the distance and lovely areas of pines, sunflowers, wild flowers and lavender, even deer, so really not much was needed to embellish the stunning surroundings. Even though it was a smaller table with just 24 of us ? we made it look lovely with groupings of flowers on the table, candles and votives, napkins folded and finished off with fresh lavender stalks, all atop three beautiful vintage linen and embroidered large tablecloths, which finished it off to perfection. The small dining room we were in became even more intimate as the sun went down ? the evening sky colours were beautiful and the resort had put the bar outside on the lovely patio so we could all sit and enjoy the view, the scents and each other.

Both of those weddings, even though different, were really beautiful and of course very special to me, and I will never forget them, but each one was achieved with first and foremost good planning, and then coming up with the theme and sticking to it.

I?ve just been on Pinterest to look at all of the amazing and imaginative ideas people have achieved with their own weddings. Even if you don?t know what you want Pinterest is a great way to put together an inspiration board and you will soon get a feel for what you have in mind when something you see just clicks with you ? then take it from there. One of CC?s favourite Pinterest Boards is the Jersey Ice Cream Company?s https://www.pinterest.com/jerseyicecream/someone-elses-wedding/

Happy Wedding Season Everyone? we hope CC can play a part in creating an unforgettable event for you.?