Absolute Wedsite

Beauty Essentials Posts

Modern Urban Designers: Mobile Services

Celebrating our 10th Birthday in September and proud to be the Salon featured on the Bridal Fantasy Stage this past January. Modern Urban Designers is a unique salon and spa located in the heart of 124th Street. At MUD we offer full salon and esthetics services taking care of your every need.

We also offer educational sessions, product exchange programs, free consultations and our newest adventure, MUD Mobile. Our MUD Mobile services can be catered specifically for you on [...]

Cakes in Vogue – Creating Irresistible Works Of Art For Every Occasion

Maria Alejandra Medina has been baking since she was 8 years old, and has always enjoyed the creative experience. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Maria worked in the Oil Industry. She continued to bake and treat her family & friends with freshly baked cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. Soon, her determination to find her passion for life led her to leave her job and pursue her dream of being a Baker.

Maria obtained her Cake Designer Certificate at the Bonnie Gordon College of Culinary [...]

Bliss YogaSpa - Your All-Inclusive Get Away

Why go to different spas, lash lounges and spray tanning facilities when you can do it all under one roof? Bliss YogaSpa is an exclusive 8,000 sq ft full service spa with 2 Hot Yoga Studios.

Bring your Bridal Party for:

  • Manicures/Pedicures
  • Relaxing or Clinical Facials
  • Spray [...]

Lash Affair Opens Doors To New Location

Lash Affair has been known for amazing lash services for years now, and has just expanded to a brand new commercial location to better serve their clients!

Lash Affair is best known for their individual eyelash extensions: boasting a variety of 4 extension materials (synthetic, silk, faux mink, and siberian mink fur), 7 curl-types, 12 length choices, and 5 different thicknesses, and 10 colour options (black, brown, natural, colour etc). Lash Affair's lash variety is the largest in Canada and no two women will ever leave with the same set of eyelash extensions! Lash Affair custom [...]

Renée Strauss For The Platinum Bride: Get Red Carpet Ready Hollywood Style

Renée with our models for the Cover Shoot Styled by: Renée Strauss, Beverly Hills

Renée Strauss is a leader in the Bridal Fashion Industry; since the opening of her Beverly Hills Bridal Salon in 1982, she has constantly gone above and beyond for her Brides and Followers. Renée has styled for movies (My Best Friend's Wedding, Coyote Ugly), magazines, celebrity weddings (Paula Abdul, Diane Keaton) and many more! Her expertise is highly sought after and she is now filming the second [...]

Liancarlo Bridal Couture - Every Gown Is A Fantasy

When Carlos Ramirez was growing up, he watched his mother support his family through her seamstress business. His love for design and construction grew, but when he was finished College he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Miami Law School. If he had not made the difficult decision of dropping out to follow his dream, our world would be a little less beautiful. In 1981 he started his own design company Liancarlo, with his first Bridal Collection launching in 2001. His Company has skyrocketed to the forefront of the Bridal World; since then his [...]

Blo is North America's Original Blow Dry Bar

Blo is North America's Original Blow Dry Bar. At Blo, you're not cheating on your hairdresser. No cuts, no color: Just WASH BLOW GO.

Blo digs wedding belles. Our signature Blo Bridal in-bar service includes a 45-minute consultation prior to garter belt removal. When it does come time to get hitched, your consult Bloer will work his/her magic with a bridal updo or whatever you desire.

Our Blo On The Go (BOTG) Bridal service takes the style to your hotel, reception or other location to guarantee flawless pics. For those that lust after [...]

Sareh Nouri: Elegance With The Modern Bride In Mind

Sareh Nouri is rather new to the world of Bridal Gowns, her first Collection was launched for Spring 2012 and her Designs have been turning heads ever since. Nouri started designing after her own wedding in 2009, a career which was not a far cry from her former vocation as a Graphic Designer and Persian Calligraphy Expert. Her Dresses are made for the modern Bride and they feature amazing fabrics and innovative techniques; they have been featured on Slice TV's and TLC's Brides of Beverly Hills and continue to be in high demand.

After searching [...]

Brad Goreski - A Canadian Celebrity Stylist & Fashion Icon

Brad Goreski is every Fashionstas' Dream Boyfriend (sorry girls, he's taken)! After starting his career styling under the Creative Designer and Fashion Icon Rachel Zoe, Brad has set himself apart in a big way. After landing his own Bravo! Series "It's a Brad Brad World" (which chronicles his life while starting a new styling business on his own) he has now signed on with Kate Spade NY as the Exclusive Brand Stylist.

Brad with Kate Spade

Photo Courtesy of Fashionologie.com

Bridal Shoe Guide – Say “I Do!” In the Right Shoe for You!

Attention Brides: There are plenty of factors to consider when find the right Bridal Shoes for you, espcially when all eyes will be on you as you walk down the aisle. With so many different options out there, from flats to platform heels, and even UGG Boots; how can you decide? The choice can be daunting! Here are a few helpful hints and style suggestions:

First of all, your shoe wearing ability is a big thing to consider; if you don't normally wear heels, you may not want to try walking down the aisle in them. (The last [...]

New York City Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2013

New York Bridal Fashion Week at the London Hotel from October 12 - 15 was a fabulous event featuring many talented and inspired designers. There were several trends shown throughout the collections, from chic column looks to gorgeous long sleeves. Many of the dresses from Spring 2013 are sure to captivate and inspire many Brides.

Three of our favorite collections from NYC Bridal Fashion Week were Sareh Nouri, Liancarlo Couture, and the always fabulous Monique Lhuillier.

Here are some of our favourites from each collection:

Sareh [...]

Celebrity Engagement and Wedding Rings With Glitz, Colour, Sparkle and More

Celebrity wedding and engagement rings are what dreams are made of... While most of us can't afford these styles of rings, there is a lot of inspiration to be found in them.

Here are a few favorites of ours, each with a unique cut, setting, or color; to inspire our Brides:

Miley Cyrus' actor beau Liam Hensworth proposed with this gorgeous antique Neil Lane ring. Reportedly costing upwards of $100,000, the 3.5-Carat Cushion Cut Diamond is set in an 18-Carat gold handcrafted art nouveau band. [...]

Luxy Hair Extensions - Get Your 'I Do' Hairdo In A Snap!

If you are looking for quality hair extensions for your wedding hairdo but don't want to permanently commit to them, look no further than Luxy Hair.

Luxy Hair is run by sisters Mimi and Leyla, it started after Mimi went looking for hair extensions for her wedding day. After searching everywhere, Mimi found that if the hair extensions were affordable, they were poorly made and thin at the ends; and if the hair extensions were high end, they cost an arm and a leg and the quality was still [...]

Bridesmaid Fashion Trends For Spring 2013

Your Bridesmaids are some of yours most honored guests; and they should feel fabulous in what they wear for your big day. Luckily, the current trends from the Spring 2013 Runways will have them looking classy and feeling elegant,  while still letting you shine as the beautiful Bride.

Here are a few great trends to look out for in 2013:

Peplums: The peplum has exploded in the fashion world; celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Kate Hudson and Blake Lively have been spotted wearing them. The look is simple, yet memorable and suits almost any body [...]

Trena Laine, Makeup Artist: Bridal Beauty Tips

Loving & living in Calgary, Alberta, Trena Olfert of trena laine, Makeup Artist, has several years in the industry educating women about how to bring out their BEST from skin care to makeup. She specializes in professional makeup application for fashion runways, fashion editorials, commercial, bridal, grad and private consults. Check out these these tips for brides - Enjoy!

trena laine, make up artist

Hydration, hydration, hydration!

Moisturize your skin because there is nothing worse then putting makeup on dry flaky skin - even if [...]

Glitz Spray Tanning: Say ‘I Do’ to a Spray Tan!

A radiant, natural-looking tan looks perfect against a wedding gown, and with a tan from Glitz Spray Tanning you'll be in expert hands to get the colour you desire. Making sure you look your best is our goal. Come in for a trial to see the no-orange, no-streak spray tan. One Spray Tanning session can give you the look of up to 20 sessions in a tanning bed. Airbrush Spray Tanning is your best option for your wedding day glow.

While walking into a spray tanning booth may [...]

The Loft Hair Joins Bridal Fantasy: The Fall Fashion Edition

The Loft Hair is a hair extension salon, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Our goal is to offer a unique service experience in the art of hair extensions. Having worn hair extensions for over ten years, I believe in offering personally tested extension techniques. When applied correctly, hair extensions will not damage the wearers' hair thereby making them safe and versatile.

Whether you're looking to add volume or length, I personally guarantee that you will leave The Loft Hair truly pleased in your choice of our services.

WIGS: If [...]

Attention All Brides, Grooms, Bridesmaids, Mother-of-the Brides/Grooms, and any Wedding Enthusiasts.

That's right! This Sunday September 23, you can have all of your wedding woes, wonders, and wildest wishes answered at the Edmonton Expo Centre from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm! Enjoy a full day of looking at everything from photographers, to flower arrangements, venues to transportation, and even décor and unique ideas! If that's not enough, you'll get a chance to win some great prizes, including a new Lexus CT 200h courtesy of Lexus of Edmonton and Derks Formals & Menswear.

Not [...]

ViSi Weight Loss: The Perfect Weight Control Solution

ViSi Weight Loss is an all natural formulation that promotes optimal weight control without the jitters , hunger or confusion of other weight Loss Programs.

Featuring our proprietary Scandinavian Gold Blend, this proprietary formula is designed to support the body's weight control efforts on three major fronts appetite suppression , thermogenesis and the conversion of body fat.

HOW CAN VISI WEIGHT LOSS HELP YOU?

1. Is 100% Natural
2.
Suppresses Appetite
3.
Higher Thermogenesis Rate
4.
Metabolizes Stored Fat
5
. No Caffeine
6.
Manages Stress and Mood
7.
Encourages Mental [...]

Shandro Photo: True Emotion, True Beauty

Haley & Michael Shandro of Shandro Photo are highly sought-after for their unique style of art.

Breathtaking colour and emotion are expressed throughout their photography portfolio. The have taken top awards in multiple competitions across Canada and Internationally; their work has been featured in various magazines and appearing in countless blogs. But most importantly - their clients love working with them!

Please note: All [...]

Ask The Expert: Courtney Owner of Lash Affair

Courtney Owner of Lash Affair, recently answered our top 6 questions about lash extensions. From what they are to the process of getting such a luscious full look.

1. What are lash extensions and why have they become so incredibly popular over the last few years?

Lash Extensions are the latest craze sweeping over the beauty industry. They are individual extensions that are adhered one by one to each natural lash, giving women the lashes they have always dreamed of! Lash Affair uses synthetic, silk, and cruelty-free [...]

How to incorporate a brooch into your Wedding Day Outfit

When I think of a brooch, I think of my Grandmother; old, dated, and tacky pieces of jewelry...until I saw what she had. I was proven wrong when I saw the amazing pieces she had, and actually started imagining them on different gown designs I had seen. How nice would it be to have a little piece of your Grandmother with you on your wedding day, in a nice tasteful way? Also, something old, and borrowed!

But then I thought, it wouldn't look right to just stick a [...]

Fingernail Frenzy: The Guide For Your Wedding Day Nails!

Every little part of your look has to be picture perfect for your special day. From your head to your toes, you need to look prim and proper.

Nails can be a tricky thing to decide on. Everything from colours, to design, even the medium you use can send you into a frenzy of confusion and stress. 

Here's a quick guide on fun fingernail frills:

1. If you have nice nails naturally, get a manicure. Plain and simple will do the trick. [...]

G & G Designs Brings Vintage and Timeless Pieces to Your Wedding Day

Shirley Zago is a Canadian designer and the owner of G & G Designs. G & G stands for the names of her parents Gabriella and Gaetano who were immigrants to Canada from Italy. Her passion at this time is that of a jewellery designer who redesigns vintage jewellery to create one of a kind pieces. In studying the historical trends in fashion, she is intrigued by the timeless and classic styles of the 1940's and 50's and how fashion always tends to come full circle again.

Many changes in [...]

Pop versus Natural: Eye Makeup Trends

A big question for a bride is how to do her make-up on her wedding day. What is too much? What is not enough? What should be accentuated? Eyes? Lips? Or nothing? Since eyes tend to be the biggest issue many women have, we'll discuss this.

2012 has started off with a bang, using a lot of bold colours as accents in what would be seemingly dull outfits - bright shoes, scarves, and jewelry have been used to add that "pop" for your everyday outings. Well, the same has been going for weddings as [...]

What’s Your Favour? A Cheap and Easy Guide to Wedding Favours

I, myself, was pretty clueless when it came to the idea of wedding favours. I really had no idea what was an appropriate wedding gifts was, or how much it should cost. So, naturally, I asked my mother. She couldn’t even remember what she gave for her wedding gift. Needless to say, I was stuck. So I went to the next most reliable source: Google.

On Google, I found a few great websites on wedding favours, and possible ideas. They included stem-less wine glasses, engraved glass, even some cultural ceramic animals. [...]

Make Up Trends for 2012

 

On your wedding day, you still want to look like yourself, just a more perfect version. This is where make-up comes in, but remember that you still have to suit your theme and be true to yourself. You don't want to have so much make-up on that your groom can barely recognize you.

2012 make-up trends are leaning towards a natural look. Clean, clear skin, and creamy blushes in peaches and pinks. Since vintage glamour is becoming increasingly popular, bright red lips and soft smoky eyes are in. [...]

Bridal Fashions for 2012: Featured in Bridal Fantasy Magazine


We are so excited about our upcoming fashion shows and all the great bridal fashion you will see. We've got plenty of wedding gowns and even more bridal gowns to show you! We've got fabulous bridal up do's, amazing bridal makeup and lots of bridal bling. You can catch all the bridal gown fashion by picking up a copy of 2012 Bridal Fantasy Magazine on stands or at our shows! Visit our BF TV to catch the latest trends for weddings in 2012!

Bridal Fantasy Calgary - Hotel Arts

Bridal Fantasy Calgary [...]

Real Life Wedding Planning: Part 4

Today, my wedding is a week away. My mother and grandmother will arrive tomorrow evening and then comes complete insanity. Don't get me wrong, I am excited, but having the 3 of us together in my tiny house is going to be interesting. You see, they asked me to wait on some things until they got here so that they could help out. Such as my shoes, my hair appointment, make-up, and my flowers. Now I am starting to think this was a bad idea.

Since the end of November, I keep having extremely vivid and disturbing dreams about my [...]

Hair today, gone tomorrow... but then back again!

As much as I love fashion, trends seem to be going through a revolving door. Pieces and styles that were popular 15 years ago seem to be consistently making a comeback. For instance, in today’s society you might look around the room and see flare-legged jeans coming back, shoulder pads in boyfriend blazers, fedoras, tapered pants, oxford shoes, wide black rimmed glasses. Everything revolves, albeit with slight and subtle differences to make things neater, but things are essentially the same.

In today’s celebrity culture, things are taking a step back [...]

Behind the scenes from our amazing Calgary photo shoots!

Two more busy days of looking at all the new bridal trends for 2012; capturing the romance and fashion to make these shoots timeless and bring our 2012 brides the latest upcoming styles and fashion trends. Watch as we are bring you more fashion, more details, more colours and more big style trends. We have so much incredible talent and polish and fashionable things to share with our brides. So they look totally elegant and beautiful on their wedding day.

Most importantly, a big thank you to all of our staff for helping out!

Wedding bells [...]

Bridal Fantasy Magazine 2012 Photo Shoot

What exciting shoots!

Two solid days of looking at all the new bridal trends for 2012; capturing the romance and fashion to make these shoots timeless. Here’s a sneak peak of one of the upcoming Bridal Fantasy 2012 shoot. Watch out we are bringing you more fashion, more details, more colour. A big thanks to our models, fashion interns, stylists, hair and makeup directors, set designers and of course our fabulous photographers. There is so much incredible talent and beautiful and fashionable things to share with our brides.

Venues

  • Thanks to Barry and [...]

Adding an Heirloom Twist

Adding an Heirloom Twist...

Now that you’re engaged, don’t be surprised if your mom pulls out a dusty box from storage with her old wedding dress in it to reminisce.

When you’re styling your bridal gown, keep this saying in mind: “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue.” Finding something new, something borrowed and something blue is the easy part; but finding something old can be a little trickier.

Brides are putting a modern spin on [...]

Edmonton Fringe Festival Underwear Affair

Let the fun begin...

The Edmonton Fringe Festival starts today and runs until August 21st in Old Strathcona. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Festival and what better way to celebrate that accomplishment then by giving out free underwear! That’s right; Derks Menswear will be at the Fringe Festival on Saturday August 13 and August 20, giving away Bjorn Borg underwear! Here’s the catch: to receive the underwear you will have to change into the underwear in our portable change rooms and model them for our [...]

Classy Casual + Sweet and Simple Bridal Hairdo's

Casual summer hairdos are not just for everyday wear. Many brides today are opting for more simple hairstyles for their wedding day as well. Destination wedding brides love how a more casual hairdo fits with their relaxed seaside theme, and brides having a traditional church wedding like a more nonchalant hairdo because it's delightfully sweet and simple. Inspired by the image above, which I got from Schwarzkopf featuring a bride with a cute and simple hairdo . . . perfect for a fun summer wedding!

Here are a few celebrity inspired casual [...]

Bridal Beauty Botch-Ups

Image courtesy of Room With a View

Whether it's a bad spray tan, a huge zit, irritation from a bikini wax, or over-tweezed eyebrows before your wedding day, don't stress! Pink Lady Krista Chapman from The Pink Book has got you covered.

Krista recommends that . . .

. . . if a spray tan has got you lookin' like an Oompa Loompa or one of the cast members of Jersey Shore . . [...]

Long and Full Lashes . . . that Lasts!

What girl (or guy) doesn't all deep down inside covet and dream of natural feeling lashes that are continuously lush, full, and make your eyes simply pop?!? Well very few I would say. Well I'm calling on all the ladies with their hectic and busy schedules . . . *ahem that means all you busy brides-to-be. I've recently discovered this gem of a time and stress saver that is just brilliant! As you all may be wondering now, it's called . . . LashDip!

With just one LashDip application, [...]

Stunning Wedding Dresses... without Breaking the Bank

Who says that gorgeous dresses have to come with a hefty price tag? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend tens of thousands to get a look that screams runway diva. In fact, we’ll show you 10 gorgeous dresses that are bound to make your man fall for you (again!) and won’t leaving your wallet weightless.

The dresses range from ornate and intricate, to simple and elegant. All are classically beautiful and perfect for your big day. Dresses are a big part [...]

Luscious Layered Hair for the Winter Season

* Photos retrieved from Hairstyles-Pedia.com Winter is here and Bridal Fantasy feels that the holidays definitely justify a hairdo update . . . and we're thinking layers! Hairstyles-Pedia.com advises: “Adding layers to long hair is an easy way to instantly update your hairstyle without having to sacrifice hair length or making any extreme changes”. As well, soft layers and waves look amazing and are great for most face shapes as they do not [...]

A German Wedding Custom Turned Fashion

So what's the next new and upcoming culture craze and fashion trend? Well, it originates from the saying: Scherben bringen Giack, meaning "shards bring good luck." This trend has led to the popularization and transformation of a German custom called Polterbend, creating elegant must-have pieces that any girl can cherish and appreciate (as proven by etsy.com).

Polterbend (derived from the German verb poltern [which means to make a racket] + noun abend [evening]) is a popular German wedding custom in which on the night before [...]