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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Assn of Bridal Consultants Quarterly Meeting - It's All About The Groom

I am the co-director of the Northern California Association of Bridal Consultants (along with my pal Kendra Wershing of Pfeiffer Event Planning). Our Association meets quarterly and I had the pleasure of planning the January meeting. The theme had been rolling around in my head since last summer when I first met Ryan Hammonds of R. Douglas Custom Clothier. I wanted an evening where we ladies learned a bit about men's fashion and so the focus was about the groom and his entourage. Carissa of Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts created a whimsical and delicious groom's cake for our enjoyment. So clever! I had a blast working with Sarah of Cuttings Floral Design for the table top design. The details were certainly evident - white bow tie, pleated table runner to replicate a cummerbund, black stones for the cuff links and studs, carnation petals for the boutonniere, and a pocket square tucked into the napkin.
Darcie of Slip of Elegance Chair Covers provided the elegant tone-on-tone satin table linens and added a handsome black tie to the chair backs. The educational component to our evening included several topics. Besides Ryan giving us a great introduction to men's wear (you should see the detail he puts into his custom suits!), we also had Matt Brys of Extreme Productions giving us tips on how to incorporate the groom more into the reception planning session, and Mike Jensen of Jensen Films created a "movie" oriented to the men involved in the day.
Evan Selby and Chef Chris Jackson of Tre Events created a knock-out buffet dinner consisting of bacon-wrapped chicken breast and the most heavenly mashed potatoes. No watercress finger sandwiches for us ladies... after all, it was a manly night!The venue I selected for this meeting was Antiquite Maison Privee in mid-town Sacramento, which is a unique, handsome, warm, urban-feel brick building that has historical significance. I am extremely appreciative that Carmen Salazar was on hand to take all these wonderful photos. Thank you to one and all for your contributions to a very interesting and informative evening!

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Dynamite Weddings Bridal Mixer

Many of you know that I am a Dynamite Vendor with Dynamite Weddings. We had our kickoff of the first in a series of Bridal Mixers in January held at The Citizen Hotel ... it was really fun, informative and a yummy good time. The great Phill Sheffield of Sheffield Multimedia created a very fun video... check it out here. Lots of talking, lots of visions shares, lots of guidance given... and let's talk about the food!!
Note on your calendar to attend the next mixer to be held on February 25th at Celebrations!Party Rentals. You can pre-register through the Dynamite Weddings website. See you there.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Anca & Chris - Part 2

After the serious religious wedding ceremony held at The Saints Archangels Michael & Gabriel Romanian Orthodox Church, Chris & Anca enjoyed fun and frivolity at their reception at Granite Bay Golf Club. When guests arrived, they enjoyed noshing at the chocolate fountain and the newlyweds spent a little quiet time on the golf course being photographed by Monica Neumann Lunardi. Anca had purchased a darling faux fur cape to keep the January chill at bay. Very smart!
In our planning discussions, Anca advised that it is a Romanian custom that she circle three times around a bucket of water (originally milk) and then kick the bucket over! The symbolism is carefree abundance and good luck. I happen to own a vintage milk bucket... here it is - with some water.
After this, the newlyweds, parents and godparents gather with a glass of champagne, gave a toast to the bride and groom and to themselves as a family, and then threw their glasses into a pile, smashing them with great enthusiam. This photo is a little dark as I (very smartly) laid a black cloth on the ground so as to make it a bit easier to clean up 12 broken champagne glasses! Remember I said the Romanian gentlemen kiss the ladies' hand? So cool!!
Chris requested that each table have one bottle of Slivovitz so the guests may enjoy (another tradition in Romania). This is a very sweet plum brandy.
The lovely cake was created by Shelton's Wedding Cake Designs. And as you can see, Chris was so enjoying himself when feeding Anca.

Chris' brother blindfolded the eager groom prior to the removal of the garter.

Then slipped in a "ringer," which Chris was very surprised to feel quite a different leg then his sweet bride!
Other antics occured throughout the evening, such as steeling Anca's shoe and then auctioning it off to the highest bidder. Lots of laughs and good times.

Congrats to Anca & Chris, and to Baby Christina due April 2010. You are a great couple, and you'll be wonderful parents. Noroc! (translation: good luck and good health.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Anca & Chris - Married 1/9/10 - Part 1

Remember my post entitled "From Romania with Love"? (December 2009) - well, the big day for Anca and Chris arrived on January 9, 2010. What a very cool wedding and reception - full of tradition, symbolism, customs, great humor and the best part... every time a Romanian man met me, he kissed my hand. Such gallantry!
Anca dressed at the home of her mother-in-law. The old wedding photo behind her is of Chris' great-grandparents. It is customary for the groom to arrive to the house and present the bridal bouquet to his soon-to-be bride. Anca descended the stairs on her Godfather's arm, and Chris was giddy with excitement as he first laid eyes upon her. Look at his expressions! I love this!!

After a few more photos, they headed to The Saints Archangels Michael & Gabriel Romanian Orthodox Church (whew, that's a mouthful)! A cozy, intimate, lovely church, here in the Sacramento area.
There are so many wonderful rituals performed within the ceremony. Really very cool!
Does this black and white picture feel like a transformation back to the old country many years ago?
An ornate challis is used for the communion between Anca and Chris.
Rather than having a bridal party, it is the custom to have "Godparents." These are very close friends (or relatives) who support the couple whole-heartedly. As a matter of fact, it was the Godmothers who suggested, 18 months ago, that Chris and Anca communicate through e-mail... from Sacramento to Romania (where Anca lived). In the photo below, the Godparents are the Candle Bearers in the ceremony (love the colorful icons along the wall).
Beautiful ornate metal crowns are wore by the bride and groom, placed on their heads by the Godparents, which symbolizes the bride and groom will be the King and Queen of their home and family.
The Christian Orthodox priests walk the bride and groom around the alter three times.

And after all the wonderful steps of this hour long service, Chris and Anca are married!!
Follow up in a few days for Part 2 for many other fun photos of the reception. Thank you so much to Monica Neumann Lunardi for being at all the right places to take these great photos. More to come.

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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Love Letter Writing Workshop


A wonderful organization I am familiar with is the Healthy Marriage Project. Their tag line is "Relationship Education for a Lifetime." I love the idea of their next workshop entitled:

LEARN TO WRITE DYNAMITE LOVE LETTERS - and here is their press release:

Are you in love with feelings you want to express in words but don't know how? Here's the perfect chance for you to learn to convey those warm fuzzy feelings in love letters that will seal the deal with your favorite sweetheart.

On Saturday, February 6th, a Valentine prep workshop on love letter writing will be offered two times at two locations. Early rising word challenged sweethearts will gather at Crepeville (1730 L Street, Sacramento, CA) for a 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. workshop, while those preferring afternoon events and Valentine's Day shopping will convene at a second workshop offered at the Downtown Plaza (5476 L Street, Sacramento, CA) from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Led by relationship educator Susi Pinto, particpants will learn and experience proven secrets of sweet written conversation nearly lost to time and technology. Join a group of other fledgling loving wordsmiths for fun and learning at one of these two events. Bring a friend!

To register in advance go to http://www.sacmarriage.org/ or call (916) 362-1900. Although there is no cost for these workshops, in order to promote relationship education in our community, a voluntary donation of $14 to the Healthy Marriage Project is suggested.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Football Garter Toss

If your honey man and the male guests at the wedding are known to love football, why not incorporate the actual football into the garter toss? Have the ball hidden (works best at the DJ stand), and after removing the garter, bring out the football, tease the boys a bit, then slide the garter over the ball and toss. You bet the fellas won't have their hands in the pockets when the pass is thrown. Photo credit: Gino Creglia

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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Lisa & Darren's wedding photo album

Jennifer with The Memory Journalists just completed the album design for Lisa & Darren's lovely wedding held October, 2009. Jen is great! Check out the slideshow from her website, here. What a beautiful album.

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