Double the Pleasure (Part 3-Final)
If you think that I am obsessed with this wedding and my brides, well, you are right. Besides the fact that Beth of True Love Photo took so many stinkin’ fabulous photos… I just want to share all of them!
If you’ve been following the previous posts (Part 1 and part 2) you’ll know that Wendy & Carrie were married November 13, 2010 at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento. The color theme of black, red, ivory and touches of gold was well presented, from the tent liner on the 7th Floor Terrace, which is perfect for theatrical lighting, to the mosaic hurricanes and flowers, to the paperie, and even down to the desserts!
This dashing gentleman, offering the blessing of the food, is none other than Patrick Mulvaney of famed Sacramento restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L. Patrick is a good friend of the brides.
Pocket shots as take-home favors. Very popular.
The selections of petite desserts created by Carissa of Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts was incredible. The guests went wild when we unveiled these devine taste treats!
And the evening wouldn’t be complete without celebratory dancing… with music provided by the charming and so much fun, Matt Brys of Extreme Productions. Many cool touches were incorporated throughout the event, thanks to Matt.
Again, my sincerest thank you to Wendy and Carrie for allowing me to plan your wedding day. And, I’ll wait patiently for the day that Proposition 8 is repealed and same-sex marriages will become legal. It will be a great day in California!
Happy 1st Anniversary, Anca & Chris
Before the day is through, I wanted to give a shout-out to Anca & Chris Coman in celebration of their First Wedding Anniversary. January 9, 2010 was equally cold as today was, but this sweet couple enjoyed quite an elaborate wedding ceremony in spit of the weather. Married at Sacramento’s Russian Orthodox church, which entails an elaborate, lengthy ceremony, the couple then travelled by white limo (Chris’ surprise to his bride) to Granite Bay Golf Club for the reception which included lots of fun, friviolity, cultural traditions and a little Slivovic (Plum Brandy).
Anca was smart to have found a short warm fur cape. The wrap looked cute with her gown. Photographer Monica Lunardi was on hand to keep them moving, and warm. Happy Anniversary… and congrats on your little daughter, too. Enjoy your life!
Building a Thanksgiving Dinner Table
http://www.adaytorememberca.com/blog/building-a-thanksgiving-table
Click on the above link. This was a blog post I did last year on Thanksgiving. Thought it might be fun to run it again.
I hope all are enjoying a fantastic day full of bounty and goodness. Embrace those around you and be thankful!
Ceremony “Altars”
I’ll be out of the office for a week, but wanted to leave you with this cool picture. I am attending the annual conference of the Association of Bridal Consultants which will be held in warm and sunny Phoenix, Arizona… and where these wonderful Saguaro cactus grow.
Wedding ceremony alters often are set up with a floral laiden arch, traditional and beautiful. However, consider a beautiful focal piece or backdrop and embrace nature. Whether a mighty oak, a weeping willow, rolling hills of vineyards, river or creekside… the importance is the ceremony itself and the two of you exchanging your vows as man and wife.
Margie & Dave – Married!
Margie and Dave met one year ago. As luck would have it, after a few months, they fell in love, Dave proposed, Margie said YES!, and they set their wedding for the anniversary date of their meeting – August 28th. Then Margie contacted me to assist with the planning… with a three month time frame. Easy!
A very private wedding ceremony took place in their backyard – a lovely home on the bluffs of Rocklin, California. Those present for the nuptials were their adult children, a set of parents, a best friend, and Margie’s only bridal party attendant – her cute little granddaughter as the flower girl. A total of 8.
Then two hours later, the celebration of their wedding took place when 75 guests arrived for a fun filled, happy and loving evening . Family and friends, good wine and excellent food was the importance of the day. You can’t go wrong by starting off with Margueritas as their signature cocktail!
Sarah with Cuttings Floral Design worked with Margie’s relaxed Mediterranean vision, as well as using ”sustainable” flowers. Wooden boxes were used for garden bedding plants of begonias, celosia and fresh herbs (to be planted later); fresh stems of dahlias and sunflowers were added to the boxes for more of the Tuscan feel. An incredible feast was prepared by the talented Chef Josh of All Seasons All Reasons Fine Catering, and beautifully set up and displayed by Monty (he can make a buffet so darn interesting and stunning). The menu consisted of Wood Fired Beef Tenderloin, Sardinian Pesto Salmon with Ziti Pasta tossed with grilled artichokes, baby spinach and shaved Romano, Caprese Salad, Citrus Brined Chicken with baby leek butter sauce… I can go on and on – DELICIOUS!
This pair love, love dessert and especially chocolate. Carissa with Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts knocked it out of the park with a small bites dessert table. Margie & Dave wanted the cutting and feeding tradition, so a small “rustic-home style” cake was included . Yummm-o!
Candles and market lights added to the festivities as Doug with Music on the Move kept the guests entertained and happy on the dance floor. Margie changed into a cute little summer dress and continued partying - but gosh darn it, those 10:00 p.m. sound ordinances are such a drag (we cheated and took it to 10:30 p.m.). What a fun evening!
Thank you to Jordan with Jordan’s Photographic Designs who was on hand for all the happy moments and capturing so many details (and I didn’t post all the details that I could!) I wish Margie & Dave a fantastic life together. Best Wishes.
Wedding Reading #10
I’m always on the lookout for a great reading to incorporate into the wedding ceremony. Here is another one for consideration…
“THE HUNGERING DARK – Frederick Buechner
Matrimony is called holy, because this brave and faithful promise of a man and a woman, to love and honor and serve each other through thick and thin, looks beyond itself to more faithful promises still, and speaks mightily of what human life at its most human and most alive and most holy must always be. Every wedding is a dream, and every word that is spoken there means more than it says and every gesture – the clasping of hands, the giving of rings – is rich with mystery. And so it is that we hope with every bride and groom, that the love they bear one another, and the joy they take in one another, may help them grow in love for this whole world where their final joy lies.
A beautiful David Girard Vineyard wedding
Weddings at David Girard Vineyards are so wonderful! This El Dorado County property has it all. If you’re a Sacramento couple, why go to Napa Valley when all the splendor is (practically) in our own backyard?!
June 12, 2010 was the date for Kristina and Corey; and the color of purple was the theme for the occasion. Check out these fabulous purple shoes! (I’m so jealous, as a hard working wedding planner such as myself has to wear “sensible” flats.)
Shannon with Flourish was our floral designer. She always knocks it out of the park. Really! No kidding!! An under-current theme of pearls also ran through the wedding decor. Shannon wrapped the handle of the bridal bouquet in satin and pearls. So lovely. Mark and Kerri Lydell of Lydell Photography, our fantastic photographer, collects vintage chairs and then brings them as props. Very cool.
The little flower girl (the bride’s niece) was adorable. Look at her little feet next to her beautiful Auntie’s feet!!
The ceremony setting at David Girard Vineyards is quite unique, as it sits atop a hill with the vineyards encircling. The “alter” can be dressed up, or left simplistic, as this bride choose to do.
Mark Lydell creates a lovely “painting” effect to certain photos… like the one below looking across the pond toward the vineyard tasting room.
The large tent was enhanced by utilizing the services of CMC Events where eggplant and satin ivory fabric panels swagged the ceiling and billowed down and around the poles. This was a great look and added extra dimension and lines to the permanent tent structure. Matching eggplant napkins folded to “drop” off the table edge were used, and then Flourish created stunning centerpieces with shades of purple and bright green. Flower selections were green spider mums, green hydrangea, purple stock and lisianthus… and you should have seen the size of the gorgeous peonies! The lovely cake created by Ingrid Fraser Elegant Cakes carried forth the pearl theme, as did the stem of the toasting goblets.
Beth Sogaard Catering (one of thee best around these parts!) set up three separate food stations. Their food is to die for and so is the fabulous tabletop and accessory decor created to work within the menu theme as well as the wedding theme. Love it! And gosh, the flavors of their cuisine is soooo good!
Kristina asked us to set up a candy station… she has a sweet tooth! And rather than working with the wedding color theme for the candies, she requested all her favorite candies…the display was colorful, fun and appreciated by all the guests. Who knew so many love jaw breakers, Jolly Ranchers, gummy worms, and Sweet Tarts!
An activity throughout the evening was the “guest book.” Pretty shimmery note cards were set up for guests to write their sentiments to the couple and they will be stored in a beautiful large apothacary jar for years to come.
As night fell, the sunset was lovely, and the tent glowed on the hill. The party action was hoppin’, with music provided by the fun and energetic Mike Regan of Mr. DJ Service. It was a very good night.
Thank you to all the vendors who participated in this lovely wedding. It was a joy to work together, and always a delight to be involved in a beautiful wedding. Thank you again, Lydell Photography for all these great images (so many to choose from!)
Wedding Readings – Selection # 9
I’m always on the lookout for a great reading to incorporate into the wedding ceremony. Here is another one for consideration…
“YOU WERE BORN TOGETHER” (from The Prophet) – Kahlil Gibran
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love,
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of the lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hands of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together,
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.
Makeup before putting on the gown?
Any professional hair or make-up stylist, will advise that you absolutely apply your make-up before slipping into your gown. If possible try to step into your gown (without shoes), but if that isn’t do-able, have your bridesmaids assist with holding the opening of your gown as wide open as possible. Raise your arms over your head and put your hands together as if you’re preparing to drive into water. Your bridesmaids will then lower the gown over your head, and your arms will protect your face and hair. The more girls helping, the better you’ll be. Then, once you are dressed, you or your makeup artist can look at the whole picture and determine if any finishes touches are needed.
Becca & Dustin – More! (Part 2)
Because of Beth’s (True Love Photo) extreme photographic talent, and never missing a design detail, I have so many fantastic pictures to share of Becca & Dustin’s June 19th home wedding. Sit back and enjoy! Becca envisioned a little bit of Southern Elegance (she and her sister spent a few Saturdays on ladders hanging Spanish Moss from the trees), and wanted to upscale the vibe by adding lots of color, crystals, and hanging lanterns. Check, check and done!
Tables were named and peacock feathers added to compliment the table linens selected. It’s always a pleasure to work with the great gals at Celebrations Party Rentals. And thank you so much to my pal Sarah with Cuttings Floral Design for the perfectly coordinated flowers. Love ‘em!
To compliment that Southern feel, The Zebra Club, our fun and accomplished bartending service, created Mint Juleps. Hummmmmm (oh, I only sampled!)
This picture has histoy to it… Beth and I have been setting up this shot for a few years. Becca and Dustin enjoy a great cold beer… thus their toasting goblets were filled.
And, have you ever seen a wedding cake that followed with the theme so beautifully? Carissa with Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts really outdid herself! What a focal piece!
Becca ‘s mom and dad love to garden and the entrance to their property had a long driveway lined with all sorts of flowers. Daisies, cosmos, dahlias and a beautiful crop of just beginning to bloom sunflowers.
I gave Becca the suggestion of making a bride & groom scaregrow, as it seemed so fitting with the garden. She had the best time shopping in thrift stores for what she referred to as “the ugliest ’70s style wedding gown.” Rather than a top hat for the groom, they used a Billibong logo baseball cap.
After a scrumption and plentiful buffet dinner prepared by Bravo Pasteria, wedding cake, fun at the photo booth (complete with goofy hats) by Jensen Films, then the dancing began, under the light of paper lanterns. Doug & Dara with Music on the Move added some wonderful special touches and a little interactive frivolity, and then the p-a-r-t-y dancing began. Crewful at 10:00? NOT!
Thank you Becca and Dustin, and also your wonderful families. It was a delight to work with you over the year. I’m going to miss you! You’re great parents to baby Coralynne. Enjoy your wedded life and your beautiful family. Also a huge thank you to all the vendors who worked so hard and so caringly to create a fantastic day for this couple.