E-session for Gina & Rhett

Meet Gina and Rhett… my February 2011 couple.  They are just so darn much fun.  Hip, trendy, relaxed, low stress, non-pretentious.  The best!  They selected The Divine Miss Beth with True Love Photo as their wedding photographer (a perfect pairing)… and don’tcha know, on the November day of the e-session, it started to rain! 

No worries… Beth took them inside the studio (and other locations) to capture total silliness.  Apparently it was very hard for Gina to keep a straight face.

Even here, on this semi-romantic pose, Gina is trying to hold it in! 

 There ya go girl… that’s a saucy pose.

Looking forward to all the fun and good times in February – the grand event will be held in Sacramento at The Citizen Hotel.  Perfect!   

Wendy & Carrie – sneak peek

The most incredible, meaningful, fun, enthusiastic, sincere and lovely wedding was held last Saturday at The Citizen Hotel.  I have been working with Wendy & Carrie for many months – through the trials and tribulations of the same-sex marriages repeal of California’s Proposition 8.  Unfortunately, this wonderful Union is not considered a “legal” marriage, but it didn’t matter this night.  It was all about the love.

When the fantastic Beth Baugher of True Love Photo sends out the professional photos, there will be many to post.  In the meantime, this fuzzy camera phone image will have to do.  Check back in December… can’t wait!

The Venue Vixens

I am thrilled to announce the launch of the ever-so-helpful website for The Venue Vixens!  The Venue Vixens are a powerhouse quartet of wedding planners from Sacramento, California.   Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing with Pfeiffer Event Planning, Catrina Arcularius of Catrina Maria Event Planning and Design, Laurie Schmalzel the Executive Director of The Center at 2300, and myself – Lora Ward with A Day to Remember Wedding & Event Planners. 

With our combined years of knowledge and experience, we have joined forces to build the Venue Vixens Blog, an amazing resource of Northern California venue information.  We will be continuing to visit and review many venues in the Northern California area, and compiling the information so you can narrow your search, saving yourself time and money when planning your wedding. 

 As a matter of fact, we just completed three site searches this last week, so be sure to check out The Venue Vixens to read the review and look at the photos. 

We wish to thank the fun and so-easy-going Beth Baugher of True Love Photo for moving us all around downtown Sacramento for some photo ops.  Thanks, Beth.  We can’t wait until you can join us, as a “Visiting Vixen” on one of our site inspections! 

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.

Becca & Dustin – Married! (Part 1)

I had the best year working with Becca on her June 19th home wedding.  She is the sweetest girl, with the most loving family.  Dustin is the nicest gentleman… a real keeper (if you ask me)!  Becca and Dustin have been together since high school; soul mates, friends, and now proud parents to little baby Coralynne – who was a huge hit at the wedding!  I received a disk with  a zillion  images from the most wonderful photographer in all the world – Beth Baugher of True Love Photo.   So, here you go with Part 1!!   This first shot is of the wedding rings, held by the Best Man.  How perfectly appropriate!

The above photos of Becca is so lovely.  The ever so talented Shana Beals did the make-up artisty for the bride and several bridesmaids.  I loved the bridesmaids dresses and the fab colors of the bouquets.  Peacock feathers was one of the underlying themes to the day, and our fabulous florist, Sarah with Cuttings Floral Design, really outdid herself with the design concept.  Wait until you see more in Part 2!

 Sarah is quite the seamstress and she custom designs ring bearer pillows, too… soooo perfect; just darling! 

Meet baby Coralynne… Becca and Dustin’s 10 month old little sweetie!  We thought a halo of ”Baby’s Breath” was appropriate for this little angel.  She sat in a beautifully decorated wagon and was pulled by Dustin’s young brothers, the  ring bearers.  I had the sign made for the wagon by Lara of The Calligraphy Girl... pure delight.

Come back in the next couple of days  for more beautiful photos… design and special touches abound. 

Irish Wedding Eye Candy – Part 2

Continuing with Courtney and Quinn’s very Irish wedding… check out this cake! Yes, those are shamrocks on the cake – and the Celtic toasting goblets are perfection!

Cute newlyweds (both very Irish) taking a break to ham it up with Beth of True Love Photo.
Rather than numbering the tables, we names each table with Ireland counties.

And no Irish wedding would be complete without a bagpiper!

Irish Wedding Eye Candy – Part 1

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I’d post a few photos from a wonderful Irish wedding I coordinated a couple of years ago. My pal Beth Baugher of True Love Photo, caught the fun, flair and frivoity of Courtney and Quinn on this most magical day!

The bridesmaids (clowning around with the groom) wore Kelly green dresses and carrried Bells of Ireland and Heather in their bouquets. Below the bride with her Dad, also carrying a stunning bouquet of Irish florals and orchids.
Quinn (center above) and all the tartan clad groomsmen joined me in a pose, and showed off their footwear.
Hummmmm, do you wonder what is worn under the kilt? Courtney appears to be trying to answer that question!I’ll post a few more detail shots tomorrow, in Part 2.

E-Session for Becca & Dustin

Check out the delightful images that the uber talented Beth Baugher of True Love Photo took of my June couple, Becca and Dustin. We’re creating save-the-dates for this couple which include fun magnets. Three poses need to go onto the magnet, therefore an e-session was scheduled in December to get the required images. It was a rainy day, so Beth worked her magic inside her very cool studio.

Then, she took Becca and Dustin around the corner to her other “studio” – a laundry mat!

I haven’t seen this side of Dustin, my groom… but I like it!!

And on the way back, the trio passed a taco truck. Wonder what they ordered?

Beth, you blow me away! What creativity! Do you dream these cool concepts? I can’t wait for the wedding day.

Joanna & Jeff – Happpy 1st

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary to Joanna and Jeff – married November 8, 2008. What a great couple! Joanna was one of the most “laid back” brides I’ve ever worked with. She lived in Texas and we communicated via e-mail, phone calls and an occasional visit.Joanna selected Shannon with Flourish as her wedding florist… and Shannon rocked the house when it came to design and the autumnal concept. The huge centerpieces were made up of seasonal flowers placed in tall Annabelle containers with Sugar Baby pumpkins and pears filling the base. So cool!

The wedding was held in the Library of the historic Sutter Club, with the formal dinner reception being held upstairs in the California Room. Guests sat at one long Great Table with varying heights of candles and glittery Sugar Baby pumpkins and autumn leaves creating a runner effect to the table.

A huge multi-paned arched window framed the lovely wedding cake.

Another great talent (with an excellent “eye”) was their photographer – Beth Baugher of True Love Photo. We four ladies (Joanna, Shannon, Beth and moi) enjoyed our company and friendship and the joy of creating a fantastic event!

Congrats Love Birds. I’m sure your first year of marriage has been a wonderful one. You are an awesome couple!

Thursday is Traditions Info Day – #20 (and the end)