Pre-Wedding Celebrations: Workshops

Photograph by Shandro Photo

Celebrating an upcoming wedding by drinking highballs out of phallic straws isn’t for everyone.

Many of the couples I work with are looking to celebrate their upcoming wedding with something that allows for quality time and creating memories they’ll remember. SO! This week I am bringing you a list of Edmonton made (& female led!) workshops that would be a perfect fit for your engagement party, bachelor(ette) party, wedding party gifts or any other festivities. (Psssst! You don’t need to be getting married to sign-up for these rad workshops.)

Photograph by Andrea Hanki

Made Social: Modern Craft Workshops 

Love looking at those gorgeous crafts on Pinterest but can never get them quite right? That’s where the Made Social team comes in! Andrea & Christine will pull your inner creativity to the surface during their workshops. Their tag line is “meet, mingle & make stuff” and it sums it up perfectly. These two have created a community of vendors, supporters and attendees that are deeply committed to creating a workshop that celebrates your inner creativity and builds community between attendees.  

A workshop with them will run you $100-$150 a person and that will cover supplies, a swag bag, appetizers, sweets, a signature cocktail and did I mention confetti? The Made Social team is happy to host private workshops for a minimum of 15 people, or you can join in on one of their public workshops. All the information to sign-up or get in touch is on their website!

Photography by Andrea Hanki

LUX Beauty Boutique: Private Make-Up Parties 

Do you have a specific makeup routine and fear moving away from it? Or the concept of contouring makes you go cross-eyed? The team over at LUX Beauty Boutique has the most gorgeous space and kind team to teach you some tips and tricks while you get ready for a night out. They supply the cosmetics, the make-up artists, the space, the bubbly and you supply your nearest & dearest for pampering! After you’re done, you’ll be ready for a night out on the town (may I suggest North 53, just down the street!) or a night back at home with your favourite people (perhaps for a house concert with Lindsey Walker!).

For up to five people this fun start to your night will start you at $300, with each additional person costing $50. The Lux website has all the information you’ll need to book!

PS! Have you had a chance to visit their gorgeous new space?

Photograph by Justine Ma

Justine Ma: Lettering Workshops 

Do all those gorgeous calligraphy videos on Instagram mesmerize you – but you’ve been gifted with the writing of a doctor? To know Justine Ma, is to know her beautiful work and obvious talent. Justine’s calligraphy workshops focus on either brush lettering or contemporary calligraphy in a beautiful environment with personalized tools and gifts (both get to go home with you!). Almost the entire two hours are spent practicing – with the intimate workshop size it allows for a lot of one-on-one support.  

Sign-up for Justine’s newsletter on her website for pre-registration, as her workshops fill up quickly! Currently Justine is not doing private workshops, so this is a great opportunity to make new friends in an intimate & creative space with some of your favourites alongside you.

Photograph by Orange Girl Photographs

Seasoned Solutions: Loft Cooking Class

These cooking classes are nothing like you’ll find anywhere else! Seasoned Solutions hosts cooking classes in a gorgeous, historical loft in downtown Edmonton – only local and fresh ingredients are featured. These classes truly are the best (not-so) kept secret of Edmonton’s amazing workshops scene, with over 11 years of business. Gail (a Red Seal Chef!) leaves nothing out of these classes – she provides participants with wine pairings, aprons, and recipes. Each class is personalized for the group, so you get to choose what you’d like to prepare with Gail in advance. 

If you’re getting hungry reading this, make your way to the Seasoned Solutions website and get in touch with Gail to book your class. The classes can accommodate up to 10 of you and your closest friends at $175 each.

These four workshops don’t even begin to cover all the amazing options that there are in Edmonton! Keep an eye out for more ideas of how to celebrate your pre-wedding activities (or other celebrations!) on the blog.

Want something bigger than a workshop or night on the town? You can always get in touch with me and we pull together a unique & enjoyable celebration of any kind.