Earth Day 2008

Today, the 22nd of April, marks Earth Day 2008!
In honor of this day, a quick tip for all my brides and grooms:
Whether you're marrying at a hotel, historic venue or restaurant, it is almost certain that you'll be using glass and plastic bottles for drinks. Ask (and if you'd like...insist!) that they recycle those bottles! If every bride and groom recycled their guests drink containers, the world would be a much cleaner place! Also, if more brides and grooms (and wedding planners!:)) make this request, the more likely venues, caterers and restaurants are to begin offering this.
To see other ways you can help, click here.

Happy Passover!

Sunday marked the first night of the Jewish holiday Pesach, which continues for 8 nights. I'm a little late, but wanted to wish everyone a Happy Passover!

Rosie and Nandi, part deux

I received this beautiful collage below from Rosie and Nandi's fantabulous photographer, Kim Irons, today. Enjoy!

I Do...Weddings! featured on FOX 6 News

On Saturday, I was invited to come visit the FOX 6 Morning show!
We discussed tips to help stretch your wedding budget, and I had a

great experience. To check out my LIVE segment, please click here.

Wanna be Famous?

If you're interested in having your wedding submitted for a possible spread in San Diego Style Weddings, please email me for the submission form. TGIF!

Happy Easter!

I know I'm a few days early, but Happy Easter!
If you have a few minutes to kill, check out this website:
www.peepresearch.org
The people this started this site have a little more than a few minutes to kill, but this is funny nonetheless!

Ah...Inspiration

It's hard to find photos that will help you brainstorm wedding ideas. So, what's a Bride and Groom to do? Turn to the web, and check out some great blogs that focus on the details, minus the advertising. So, who are a few of my favorites?
Here are a couple:
http://www.stylemepretty.com/
http://fuzzynk.wordpress.com/
Fuzzynk is the brainchild of my bride, Sarah. You can see Sarah's (and Rudy's!) gorgeous face and amazing details here and here.

Enjoy!

Eden and Duane

Eden and Duane were married at the Pala Mesa Resort last year. It was a stunning day, made even better by a couple that are truly in love! I love that in every photo I've seen, both Eden and Duane are beaming! I have a lot of favorite parts of the day, but I think my "most favorite" is the very personal gobo, created by Haydee and the fabulous team at Concepts. Eden and Duane both have matching tattoos that read "Meant to Be." So, from a photo I took of Duane's arm with my camera phone, Concepts made an amazing gobo.

All of this was accented by Jennifer Cole's florals. The room was covered with hydrangeas, tons of candles and a really fun dance crowd! Eden and Duane, thank you so much for the experience, you have a great group of family and friends, and I loved being with you on your wedding day!

The photos you see here are courtesy and copyright of Michael S Kelley Photography. Mike and Bev, you guys are great! I really enjoyed working with you, and hope I get to do it again soon!

Let there be light!

I always say that the best decor is lighting! Candles, holiday lights, luminarias, pillars, tapers, lanterns.. you name it! The best part? Most of this you can do yourself, with a small investment of time and money. A great example is Laura and Brian's wedding this past December. I received a beautiful photo from Melissa McClure today. A few swags of lights on the balcony of the Sheraton really packed a punch. Enjoy!

Rosie and Nandi

Rosie and Nandi were married this past weekend at the Los Palos Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes. Because the wedding was a few hours away from my home base, I stayed up in Redondo Beach for the weekend! The weather was even better than I expected, and I had a blast! It was wonderful working with new vendors up north like Rebecca and Angelo. Rosie and Nandi had a photobooth, and did a really neat toast called an "Amore" toast. To the song, "That's Amore," the entire bridal party and the newlyweds walked around the party to clink glasses with family and friends.

Rosie and Nandi, I loved getting to know you and I think you are perfect for each other! Your family and friends were so warm and inviting--I had an amazing time this weekend!

All of the photos you see here are courtesy and copyright of the wonderful Kim Irons.

Erin and Dan

Erin and Dan married last year at Estancia, and it was a stunning day! Erin and Dan's cheerful personalities were definitely represented throughout the entire party--from the jaw-dropping flowers Haydee created, to Mick's groovin' tunes and Marissa and Weston's show-stopping photos. Erin and Dan, it was such a pleasure to be with your on your wedding day! I loved getting to know your families and friends--it was such a fun-loving group! I had a blast, and I know you two will be happy together forever.

Where in the world is Melissa?

My poor blog went into hibernation during my big move. But, I'm now settling in and am looking forward to my second wedding of the year next week!

I'm looking forward to getting back in to blogging, and wanted to share a really fun photo I received today from Erin and Dan's wedding last year. The photo is courtesy and copyright of Boucher Photography. Check back often, new events will be on my blog coming soon!

USPS Raises its Rates!

Did you know that as of May 12th, postal rates will increase by a penny?

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzstam125573707feb12,0,7298481.story

Be sure to add that additional stamp to your invites. Don't forget to add the new postage to your RSVPs! If you're ordering photo stamps, such as http://www.zazzle.com/, the rate increase isn't reflected quite yet:)

Photo Guest Books

It was recently announced that Polaroid will cease production on Polaroid cameras and film:
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/02/08/polaroid_shutting_2_mass_facilities_laying_off_150/
If you're planning on using anything like this for your wedding guest book, be sure to order now!
The company is making film to last till next year, and I predict that you'll be able to only find this at resources such as eBay moving forward.

Still love the Polaroid look? Consider a digital camera, docking station and quick printer, like:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/photography/camera/1/storefronts/Q8508A%2523A2L

I think it will be pretty funny, a generation or two from now, when we're at our kid's weddings and they will have no idea what "shake it like a polaroid picture" means!

Brides Against Breast Cancer

I wanted to let everyone know about a great gown sale in San Diego at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on February 22nd and 23rd. The sale is sponsored by the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation whose mission is "to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness."

It is a great way to find wonderful dresses, some designer!, for a fraction of the cost, all while helping a great cause. Admission is free, but there is a "Pink Power Hour" from 9-10am that is $20 for early admission.

Already married? You can also donate your gown by clicking here.

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.makingmemories.org

http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

Rachael and Shannon

When I think about Rachael and Shannon's wedding this past November, I think of laughter and music. They married at SeaGrove Park, with a reception at the Del Mar Racetrack. That's right--we had our own private box and patio to enjoy the festivities!

So much personality was put into the details, and it was a fabulous day. The groom wanted to have his own entrance to the ceremony, and arrived via a very neat chaffeured car. The bride arrived on foot with a bag pipe player. Guests were treated to a double decker bus ride, complete with a tour of Del Mar and champagne!

Arriving at the reception, Rachael and Shannon were announced via trumpet. Not just any trumpet player, mind you, but THE trumpet player for the races. You know--the "da, da, da, da, da, daah...." you hear before every race, and on the commercials.

These jaw-dropping florals and photos, were created by Belle Fleur and Mark Hopkins, respectively. I'm always excited to work with Amina and Mark, as every event we've done together has been so wonderfully unique and creative.

Rachael and Shannon, working with you both was such a treat. I know that your marriage will be filled with laughter, love and music!

On the other side.....

I love throwing parties--being a host, setting a mood....It's especially great because it helps me remember what it's like to be on the "other side"--to feel a bit of stress to pull off my own event, versus helping others plan their own perfect day. While my husband's 30th birthday wasn't a wedding celebration, it was a catered event for 50 friends and family in our home. We served Asian food and even gave out chopsticks to guests as a party favor! The party was a little while back, but I received photos from my dear friend Max last night. A special shot out to Mick, the Elite British DJ, for allowing us to play with one of his systems!

HOME SWEET HOME!

YAY! Brett and I just got the keys on our brand new digs. I'm really excited to move and fix up the place.... Even though the house will need some TLC, I'm excited to put Brett to work...I mean, clean and paint.
Soon I'll have an in-home studio that will be a great place to plan and brainstorm for your big day. This will take a bit of time, but I will certainly share photos when this is done. I'm very enthusiastic about this project!
There will be a few dates where I'll be moving both my home and my office and I will be keeping everyone abreast of these dates.
Cheers!

Real Simple Wedding Book

I became addicted to Real Simple a few years back when one of my brides gifted me with a subscription. I really dig reading articles on organization, as well as fun creative projects:) So, when I found out a while back that they were coming out with a wedding book, I was excited!

Check it out, here.

Real Simple also offers some fun, yet practical wedding advice on their website here.

If you buy the book, please let me know what you think. You can purchase the book through Crate and Barrel.

27 Dresses

One of the best ways to get excited about wedding season is to see a wedding movie. There will be several this year, but 27 Dresses is the first! I'm hoping it's a good movie, but even if it isn't, seeing all the funny bridesmaid dresses should be pretty interesting! Are you seeing this movie?