In 1976 Paula Young planned her wedding and got married in Cranbrook. She said she had difficulty finding everything she wanted for the occasion in town. Young moved away and said when she came back 22 years later things were much the same.

“I came back and there was still no shop a girl could go to and rent what she needed to create her dream wedding,” Young said. “I believe the girl planning her wedding should be able to put part of themselves in the décor and it should reflect them, not just what’s out there and available.

“I’ve noticed a lot of girls have to go to Lethbridge, Calgary or Kelowna to find what they want. I wanted them to be able to put more money towards their wedding instead of travelling.”

Young recently opened her business, Occasions Your Way, for just that purpose. Young’s home-based business is a local supplier for all special occasion decorations. A girl planning her wedding, or anyone planning a shower or special anniversary parties can find many of those important party accessories at Occasions Your Way and if Young doesn’t have what you like in store she can probably find and order it in for you.

“I can bring in whatever you need. If you want poinsettias at your wedding in July I can do that,” she said. “If you want honeysuckle at your Christmas Eve wedding I can find those too.”

Young has a library of party books and magazines for people to look at and gain inspiration from. Not only that, but Young has or can get the supplies you would need to make items for a wedding or party like centre pieces, napkin rings, cake toppers, and many other things. The good news is that unless drastically altered, almost everything can be rented.

“I supply the basics and they supply the imagination. I always say the only limitation here is your imagination,” Young said. “The costs we save you can be used to extend your décor or increase your budget in other areas.”

Young has work stations set up so a bride could bring a party of workers with her to Young’s business and work for a day making all sorts of items. For a fee Young can also make what a person has in mind if they don’t have the time or inclination.

Young has arches, candle screens, cake tables, confetti, garland, greenery, silk flowers and even ring bears. A ring bear is a teddy bear you give your ring bearer to carry down the aisle. Young said many young children are more comfortable with holding a bear with imitation rings sewn on rather than a pillow.

Young also has items for 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries, including all the table settings, as well as baby and bridal showers. Or if you are just throwing a party and need some items to go along with a theme she can likely order those in for you.

For a fee Young will also so up items and take them down after the event. Renting items is on a 24-hour or 36-hour basis, depending on travel.

Young says renting items for your event is the green way to go.

“We are trying to be as eco-friendly as possible,” she said. “ Renting is a form of recycling since it’s less consumption and it eliminates concern about what to do with the items once your occasion has ended.”

Occasions Your Way is located at 1014 King Street and is in the barn structure on the property. To reach Young, call 250-426-0005. Occasions Your Way is open Tuesday to Friday from 2-9 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday from 12-8 p.m. and closed on Monday.

Young said she is working on creating a resource manual for brides that includes the people and places brides need to plan their big day.