A Look Back at Engage 2013

Happy New Year!

The MMP team hope that Santa spoiled all you girls for Christmas and that you celebrated the New Year in style!

We won't harp on the weather Ottawa has been experiencing but we must say the photos that MIV Photography took of our recent bridal show Engage has warmed us up and we wanted to share them with you to bring some softness to this brutal winter.

This past December, Engage saw hundreds of excited brides-to-be, their family members and friends come through the doors. They were greeted with a bubbly cocktail under an archway of fragrant snapdragons leading into the Chateau Laurier's opulent Ballroom. Their eyes most likely were drawn to the centrepiece of the room which was a long table thought up by MMP, decorated by Wedecor and spilling over with flowers from Full Bloom Floral Design. I have been in the wedding industry a long time and I can honestly say my breath was literally taken away when I walked in saw this table for the first time.

The Ballroom was filled with Ottawa's most talented and sought after florists, photographers, makeup artists, decorators etc. No more than 3 wedding vendors per category to allow guests to make real connections with the vendors and not be overwhelmed with an array of un-related or unqualified vendors. The vendors outdid themselves with their booths showcasing the immense creativity ready to be tapped into for your wedding: It's a Matter of Cake even erected an entire dessert wall and First Kiss Films had a custom-made screen to show their 8mm film (photos below).

Sway Band took the stage at 1pm and brought the house down with their mix of classic songs as well as top 40 hits. They are not your typical "wedding band" and they really have to be seen in person to appreciate their incredible talents. At 2pm, Sway announced the haute couture bridal runway show orchestrated by The White Dress was about to begin in the adjoining room. Guests swooned while model after model floated down the runway in both frothy and curve-kissing gowns from Monique Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier and more.

Guests left happy with swag bags filled with everything from makeup to sweet treats and their heads filled with the endless possibilities of new wedding ideas.

So grab a warm cup of coffee, snuggle up in a chunky throw and come away with us to a bridal show never before seen by Ottawa that drips in elegance, luxury and softness.

For more about Engage itself, please refer to our first blog about it here. Or visit the Engage website here.