Enjoy the show…
What a great after Christmas gift I just received… a link to a retrospective video “slideshow” of the fantastic June home wedding of Becca and Dustin Wilson. As always, Mike Jensen and Kevin Carpenter of Jensen Films outdid themselves in creating a body of work that showcases the details, romance, fun and great family unity. I can’t wait to see the entire video. Sit back and enjoy the show… http://vimeo.com/18222279
Be sure to go to the very, very end… very clever!
Our Wedding Mag – we’ve been blogged
Recently, I had a great time chuckling with a writer for Our Wedding Magazine, as she was gathering info for a post for the magazine’s blog. Read below as we set the stage for the fictitious Sacramento wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton…
IF PRINCE WILLIAM WERE TO WED IN SACRAMENTO
It’s official. Prince William popped the question to “Waity Katie,” and they’ve made a stunning decision. They’re getting married in Sacramento.
Not really. But so strong is our yearning for a local tie-in that we asked Sacramento wedding planner Lora Ward of A Day to Remember to sketch out a bridal blueprint for us.
The Ceremony: Sacramento’s Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, with its Italian Renaissance exterior, is worthy save for a key detail. Prince Charles is the titular head of the Church of England, which broke from the Vatican centuries ago. Ward’s alternatives include St. John’s Lutheran Church (1911) and Pioneer Congregational Church by Sutter’s Fort (1926).
The Procession: Up J Street, of course, the motorcade flanked by members of the Sacramento Police Department’s mounted patrol.
The Reception: The Sacramento Convention Center would accommodate the guest list, Ward notes, but Memorial Auditorium is the better choice. “It pays homage to the war dead. It’s large, grandiose and good for photography,” she says.
The Eats: “California farm-to-table, locally grown, sustainable,” says Ward, and in the Mulvaney’s B&L style.
The Favors: Blue Diamond almonds are de rigueur, and bottles of Napa Valley wines labeled with the couple’s royal crest. Katie would wear real blue diamonds, of course.
See you curbside! Wedding date TBA.
Posted by Jan Ferris Heenan on Monday, November 22, 2010 New in Sacramento Wedding Blog Local Resources | Permalink | Comments (0)
Lisa & Darren – Happy 1st Anniversary
We wish to give a shout out to Lisa & Darren in celebration of their 1st Wedding Anniversary – October 17, 2010. Their beautiful home wedding was elegant, intimate and very much who they are.
Lisa’s favorite color is Colbalt blue which was easily paired with shades of ivory and soft pink. The architecture to the home was French Chateau and the use of the Fleu di Lei design was implemented throughout. Lisa even found a very cool pair of cuff links which she presented to Darren as a wedding gift.
Wishing continued happiness and best wishes to a great couple!
Thank you to the incredible Jennifer Dunham Starr with The Memory Journalists for capturing these lovely wedding images, to Carrissa with Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts for yummy delicious-ness, and to Sarah of Cuttings Floral Design for all the beauty.
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.
An evening at Monte Verde Inn
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to join a select group of wedding planners for a private tour and exquisite dinner at the elegant Monte Verde Inn located between Auburn and Foresthill, California, in the heart of the Sierra foothills. When the awesome invitation arrived in its individual box, I knew this night was going to be Top Drawer! For background, the Monte Verde Inn, owned by Kelly & Douglas Dalisa, is a six bedroom Georgian style manor house built in 1936, with beautiful gardens and lawns… and I could not wait to attend this special evening!
Arriving prior to sunset, we were greeted with champagne, chatted awhile, and then each of us had our own individual tray of appetizers to sample. We went around the clock tasting and sampling on delicacies such as Ahi Tuna Sashimi, Blue Cheese and Endive with caramelized pear, Caribbean Crab & Shrimp Cakes with Mango Salsa… and my favorite, the Lollypop Spring Lamb Chops with fresh rosemary, garlic and olive oil. Yummmm-o!
Glasses were refilled and we walked from front to back, top to bottom of this grand country estate. Photo ops are everywhere! From the beauty and grandeur of the manor house to this perfect weathered barn, and there is even a small vineyard especially planted for those wishing to pose amongst the rows of grapes. Vintage props were everywhere; love this old bicycle
After checking out the lovely sleeping suites, we enjoyed the beauty of the ballroom inside the manor house. It can seat 100 guests and would be perfect for an encore wedding, an intimate winter wedding, or perhaps an elopement!
Then, as twilight grew into darkness, we were escorted past twinkle lighted trees to a dinner table Kelly beautifully set for our group. The scene was magical… and the dinner, specially prepared by Douglas Dalisa (he is thee Executive Chef) was incredible! First course was a lovely salad of organic spring greens, roasted baby Chiogo beets, shaved red onion, avocado and Gorgonzola dressing. Then we had TWO plated entrees, a grilled sesame Salmon Filet, and pictured below, an awesome pan roasted Filet Mignon with Duchess Potatoes, pancetta and garlic sauteed escarole.
And as if it couldn’t get any better, the dinner ended with the cutest individual mini Chocolate Eclair wedding cake! Kelly custom creates the cakes for weddings at Monte Verde Inn… she’s very talented.
Now, if my point-’n- shoot camera took some funky pictures, it’s because we had a wine pairing with each course (weeeee)… and here is Kelly getting ready to pour another delicious glass!!
Thank you Kelly and Douglas and Monte Verde Inn for hosting such a wonderful evening; we learned a lot, enjoyed even more, and have so much to pass along to the brides about this great venue.
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.
Tabletop Photo Shoot for Our Wedding
When I started working with Jennifer Dunham-Starr with The Memory Journalist on the Tabletop Photoshoot for Our Wedding magazine (Fall/Winter 2010), I knew immediately what my design theme would be… something I am drawn to and connect with – “Farmhouse Chic”. Call it whatever you want, but my story-line vision is the bride wanting to marry at her grandparent’s old farm house, with the reception being held in the very cool old barn. Grandma would open up her linen closet and china cupboard and pull together all the elements to make for a beautiful table. All with love and sentimentality. The barn that we used for this photo shoot was the perfect locale… Wilson Vineyards in Clarksburg, CA.
For vintage charm, I used a milk glass pitcher, blue Mason jars, Quaker Lace tablecloth, and antique dessert plates. Thanks to Classic Party Rentals for providing the gorgeous blue china, glass chargers and the napkins.
And don’t you think that Grandma would be happy being busy making home-made preserves for take-home gifts, as well creating gorgeous wedding pies? Many thanks to Jen’s Petite Pies for creating three full sized pies (we enjoyed eating them after the photo shoot!!)
I love all the old fashioned and charming details such as the rustic jute wrapped handle on the bridal bouquet, the meaningful expressive tags hanging from the jelly jars, the salt cellars with tiny spoons, a simple chalkboard sign listing the yummy pie flavors, and an embroidered wedding sampler (yes, hand-stitched by yours truly!!)
Thank you to Katie Edwards of Ambience Floral Design for the beautiful, yet relaxed floral concept. I also thank you so much for volunteering to paint your four chairs to blend so perfectly with the china and color hues! What a champ. Thank you to Classy Calligraphy for the jelly tags and to Calligraphy Girl for the chalkboard sign.
Happy 1st Anniversary Jessica & Steven
To a really happy couple… a sweet bride and loving groom – HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY! Jessica and Stephen were married on June 20, 2009 at the beautiful David Girard Vineyards, El Dorado County, California.
Hot pink was the color for the day. Vibrant, fun and sassy!
I really love this unique cake. Those flowers on the top are hand made – don’t they look real? Excellent. And the darling little bride and groom figurines sat on the wedding cake of Jessica’s mom and dad. So sweet. I really appreciate those little touches to a wedding.
Thank you again, Lily Rose Photography for capturing all the images. And to Jessica and Steven… keep up the good work. Enjoy many more years of wedded bliss!
Wedding Readings – Selection #5
Below is another sample of a lovely reading to include within the wedding ceremony. Today’s selection is very popular and familiar to many. Check out the previous posts to review other Wedding Readings.
I LOVE YOU by Roy Croft
“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart, and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out, into the light, all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. I love you, because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple. Out of the works of my every day, not a reproach, but a song. I love you, because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.”