Louisa + John : Malibu : Part 3
Friday, August 22, 2008
I wanted to share just a couple of more photos from this event. Specifically, I wanted to send over some pictures of the food presentation. Eva over at For A Season Catering really did an amazing job. While food presentation may be boring to some, I really love it when the chef and caterers take the extra time to ensure every detail interesting and beautiful. Take a peek:
Louisa + John : Malibu : Part 2
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Today I had lunch with my past client, now new friend, Louisa and scored a copy of her wedding photos. All I can say is WOW! There are over 800 unbelievable images from Jose Villa. In fact, there are so many great shots that I will have to do one more post after this one to give all of you the full effect. Wait until you see the food presentation! Just beautiful. In the meantime, take a peek at some of the smaller details from the day. Also, here's the team that made it happen:
Photographer: Jose Villa
Administration: Norma Murry, Able Assistants
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Grooms Suit: Prada
Location: Private Estate in Malibu, CA,
Floral: Holly Flora
Cake: Nancy Kay
Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films
Music: Cale Music
Linens: Wildflower Linens
Lighting: Aspect Lighting
Photographer: Jose Villa
Administration: Norma Murry, Able Assistants
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Grooms Suit: Prada
Location: Private Estate in Malibu, CA,
Floral: Holly Flora
Cake: Nancy Kay
Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films
Music: Cale Music
Linens: Wildflower Linens
Lighting: Aspect Lighting
Louisa + John : Malibu
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A couple of months ago, I told the story of Louisa and John. They were the couple who were supposed to marry in Big Sur, but due to the fires we changed everything within a week of the wedding. Wow, it was a stressful week to say the least, but the end result was well worth it. The event was intimate, warm and just amazing!
Today, their unbelievable photographer, Jose Villa, posted a few images on his blog and I am just in love. I will have a full set of images to share tomorrow but couldn't wait to show off some of his work and this lovely rustic but sophisticated event. More to come...
Today, their unbelievable photographer, Jose Villa, posted a few images on his blog and I am just in love. I will have a full set of images to share tomorrow but couldn't wait to show off some of his work and this lovely rustic but sophisticated event. More to come...
Do's & Don'ts for your Tropical Wedding
Thursday, August 14, 2008
In March, I will be Costa Rica bound for the fabulous wedding of Claire and Sean, the sweetest Bay Area couple. While, I'm so excited about their chic yet exotic vision, Claire has already asked the questions that every tropical bound bride should be asking, but in my experience NEVER do. I just love it. These simple questions will keep Claire from any major disappointment on her wedding day. Things like, "Should I wear my hair down," "Will the sun be in my eyes," "Will the home I am getting ready in have air conditioning," and my personal fav, "Is it going to be hot during my beach ceremony?" The elements, among other things are considerations to be aware of throughout the planning process. This being said, Claire put me in the mood to share some of my personal do's and don't's for all of you tropical brides out there.
1. DO be realistic about your hair & makeup options. While an island wedding can be a dream come true, tropical breezes, heat and humidity can do damage to hair and makeup. When planning a destination wedding, take the elements into consideration before choosing your hair style. For a beach or other outdoor ceremony, seriously consider an updo. This tried and true style will keep you looking polished all night. If you are determined to wear your locks down, invest in a stylist to spend the day with you touching up your makeup and hair so you do not have a tangled and messy do by the time you enter the reception.
2. DON’T put your groom and groomsmen in a Tuxedo if planning an outdoor tropical affair. While many brides cannot envision anything but a tux, any attire that is black and made of wool is a no-no in tropical climates. While this may look good for pictures, a fainted groom or groomsmen will put a damper on your day. Consider going with the island feel with your groom in a lightweight linen suit.
3. DO wind proof your décor. When creating place cards, favors and other décor for your tropical celebration, keep in mind that the wind can be your enemy. You can personalize, and wind proof, these details with a little creativity. If having a beach affair, tie seashells to each place card. On the dinner table, weigh your menus and dinner napkins down with maracas made of coconut shells. If tall centerpieces are your dream, have the florist secure the centerpieces to a heavy object such as a larger mirror. She can always cover these mechanics by lining the vases with ti leaves, palms or another natural element that will carry out your theme.
4. DO entertain your guests. A destination wedding is definitely more work than a hometown affair, simply because you have not only invited guests to your wedding, but you have also invited them on vacation. For this reason, plan days at the beach, a sunset cocktail hour or other simple activities where your guests can spend time with you without breaking your budget.
5. DON’T feel obligated to plan every minute. On the other hand, guests are on vacation too. Do provide them with activity options and a short itinerary for the week so they know where to find you. However, definitely allow them time to explore the island on their own.
6. DO be flexible. Whether it is about the minister or the décor, recognize that with a destination wedding you may not have as many options from the clergy, to the photographer to the flowers. If you are set on a Lutheran minister or an 8mm cinematographer, recognize that you may have to fly someone in to handle these tasks. However, going into the event being flexible will relieve stress on everyone’s part and save you a few bucks as well.
7. DON’T go it alone, but DO shop around. Never plan a destination wedding completely on your own. In doing so, you are risking disappointments like your cake not showing up, flowers being late, etc. While it is not necessary to hire an independent wedding planner to get you through everything, make sure the hotel or location you are marrying has someone with your best interests in mind.
8. DO trust the experts. You’ve found the best vendors to handle your day. Trust your judgment and their guidance, especially in a location where you may or may not have visited. While things like where the sun is setting and high tide may not be of concern to you, it will definitely be on the mind of your wedding planner as well as your other vendors, who are ultimately there to ensure you have a flawless wedding day.
9. DON’T expect everyone you invite to attend. Traveling is expensive, especially to some of the world’s top tropical destinations. Because of this, expect a certain percentage of your guests to decline your invite. While this can be initially disappointing, it will make for a much more intimate celebration.
10. DO embrace the culture. Island life is like no other. Because of this, you would be doing your guests an injustice if you did not introduce them to the unique culture of the location of your choice. It doesn’t have to be anything as out there as a ceremony with Polynesian chanting, but some touches are great. When in Hawaii, consider greeting your guests with a lei, or hire a hula dancer for the dinner hour. If you’re in the Caribbean, start your cocktail hour off with Mojitos and a steel drum player.
1. DO be realistic about your hair & makeup options. While an island wedding can be a dream come true, tropical breezes, heat and humidity can do damage to hair and makeup. When planning a destination wedding, take the elements into consideration before choosing your hair style. For a beach or other outdoor ceremony, seriously consider an updo. This tried and true style will keep you looking polished all night. If you are determined to wear your locks down, invest in a stylist to spend the day with you touching up your makeup and hair so you do not have a tangled and messy do by the time you enter the reception.
2. DON’T put your groom and groomsmen in a Tuxedo if planning an outdoor tropical affair. While many brides cannot envision anything but a tux, any attire that is black and made of wool is a no-no in tropical climates. While this may look good for pictures, a fainted groom or groomsmen will put a damper on your day. Consider going with the island feel with your groom in a lightweight linen suit.
3. DO wind proof your décor. When creating place cards, favors and other décor for your tropical celebration, keep in mind that the wind can be your enemy. You can personalize, and wind proof, these details with a little creativity. If having a beach affair, tie seashells to each place card. On the dinner table, weigh your menus and dinner napkins down with maracas made of coconut shells. If tall centerpieces are your dream, have the florist secure the centerpieces to a heavy object such as a larger mirror. She can always cover these mechanics by lining the vases with ti leaves, palms or another natural element that will carry out your theme.
4. DO entertain your guests. A destination wedding is definitely more work than a hometown affair, simply because you have not only invited guests to your wedding, but you have also invited them on vacation. For this reason, plan days at the beach, a sunset cocktail hour or other simple activities where your guests can spend time with you without breaking your budget.
5. DON’T feel obligated to plan every minute. On the other hand, guests are on vacation too. Do provide them with activity options and a short itinerary for the week so they know where to find you. However, definitely allow them time to explore the island on their own.
6. DO be flexible. Whether it is about the minister or the décor, recognize that with a destination wedding you may not have as many options from the clergy, to the photographer to the flowers. If you are set on a Lutheran minister or an 8mm cinematographer, recognize that you may have to fly someone in to handle these tasks. However, going into the event being flexible will relieve stress on everyone’s part and save you a few bucks as well.
7. DON’T go it alone, but DO shop around. Never plan a destination wedding completely on your own. In doing so, you are risking disappointments like your cake not showing up, flowers being late, etc. While it is not necessary to hire an independent wedding planner to get you through everything, make sure the hotel or location you are marrying has someone with your best interests in mind.
8. DO trust the experts. You’ve found the best vendors to handle your day. Trust your judgment and their guidance, especially in a location where you may or may not have visited. While things like where the sun is setting and high tide may not be of concern to you, it will definitely be on the mind of your wedding planner as well as your other vendors, who are ultimately there to ensure you have a flawless wedding day.
9. DON’T expect everyone you invite to attend. Traveling is expensive, especially to some of the world’s top tropical destinations. Because of this, expect a certain percentage of your guests to decline your invite. While this can be initially disappointing, it will make for a much more intimate celebration.
10. DO embrace the culture. Island life is like no other. Because of this, you would be doing your guests an injustice if you did not introduce them to the unique culture of the location of your choice. It doesn’t have to be anything as out there as a ceremony with Polynesian chanting, but some touches are great. When in Hawaii, consider greeting your guests with a lei, or hire a hula dancer for the dinner hour. If you’re in the Caribbean, start your cocktail hour off with Mojitos and a steel drum player.
Get Married TV on the Lifetime Network
Monday, August 4, 2008
If you haven't seen Get Married On TV,then now you have an excuse...This Thursday, August 7th at 7:30 am PST, yours truly will be dishing out a bit of destination wedding advice for all of your traveling couples out there.
I've been writing articles for the website since Get Married went national, but obviously to get even 30 seconds on this show is such an honor. The show is a magazine style format and focuses on informing brides nationwide on planning, trends and etiquette in the words of the nation's top event professionals. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that it is hosted by the amazing David Tutera and produced by The Bridal Bar's, Harmony Walton. Even if you miss my few seconds of fame, check the show out sometime. It airs Monday through Friday, again at 7:30 am on the Lifetime Network. It's good stuff!
Oh, on a side note, if you're interested in getting your event on TV, click http://www.getmarried.com/omg_about.php. They are searching for couples to feature in their upcoming episodes.
I've been writing articles for the website since Get Married went national, but obviously to get even 30 seconds on this show is such an honor. The show is a magazine style format and focuses on informing brides nationwide on planning, trends and etiquette in the words of the nation's top event professionals. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that it is hosted by the amazing David Tutera and produced by The Bridal Bar's, Harmony Walton. Even if you miss my few seconds of fame, check the show out sometime. It airs Monday through Friday, again at 7:30 am on the Lifetime Network. It's good stuff!
Oh, on a side note, if you're interested in getting your event on TV, click http://www.getmarried.com/omg_about.php. They are searching for couples to feature in their upcoming episodes.
For the love of destination weddings...
Today I arrived in Kauai for my fourth event in two weeks and needless to say I hit the island a bit behind in some much needed paperwork for my day's meetings. Easy enough you would think...I'll just hit a business center and be all set...wrong! Not only did my hotel or the neighboring hotel not have a business center, but the closest one is in the next town and not open on Sundays, per the hotel manager. Of course!! Punishment for procrastinating...
Now Kauai is remarkably charming, but it is still one of those places...you know the kind...no cell phone reception, highway speed limits of 45 mph and drivers not even willing to go that fast and a place that still believes in closing up shop on what some consider the Sabbath. It really is the perfect spot to just get away from it all, except of course when you are trying to put the finishing touches on a wedding. But, as luck would have it, I went driving in search of an internet cafe and stumbled upon the supposedly closed Business Center and well, they weren't closed. Now, the shop hours claimed Monday through Saturday only, but when I asked the manager, he just "felt like opening today" which of course made me count my blessings. Anyway, I sit down, get comfortable and start sifting through my day's work, when I realized the "business center" doesn't have Microsoft Office on any of the computers. To this, I just had to giggle. Only on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, would someone have a Business Center opened due only to a whim on a Sunday afternoon without use of a software the entire world relies on to function. You just have to smile at the thought of it.
So, I'm sure you're now wondering what my point is and here it goes...when it comes to destination wedding planning, all bets are off. You cannot assume anything and you have to be prepared for everything. Don't assume for a second that you'll pop into your destination and find those last minute place cards you've been putting off (which is a topic for another day), or even something as simple as your favorite cereal to snack on for the week. When you choose to have a destination wedding in a remote location, you have to go into with one of two attitudes:
1. Budget is no limit and I will pay whatever I have to get the flowers, photographer, linens, etc. that I have always dreamt of.
~OR~
2. I love the destination so much that everything else is secondary. I'll forgo peonies for protea and learn to live with the idea of having a person I've never met marrying us if it means I can get married on the beaches of Mexico, a castle in Switzerland or a chapel in South Africa.
If you don't keep these things in mind, you will end up frazzled, frustrated and, dare I say, disappointed. Not a great combination when trying to celebrate one of life's greatest moments.
So, if you're considering a destination wedding, keep the trade offs in mind. Remember that you will get a weeklong celebration rather than six hours of attention. You will witness as all of your closest family and friends unite together and become one big happy extended family by the end of the celebration. And you will, undoubtedly offer guests an experience they will never forget. But again, if you go the destination wedding route, learn from my mistake and don't even leave the smallest of tasks for your arrival...I know it's hard to imagine but there are still many, many places left in the world that function without Kinko's, a Target or any of the other staples we all depend on to make our lives (and weddings) go smoothly.
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