We were invited to a formal dinner last weekend. I had three possible gowns to wear, one deemed too wintery, one purchased before childbirth and a little too tight, so I settled on the third. I donned my Spanxs and slipped in feeling a bit frumpy. My husband’s face lit up. He came over and put his arm around me and told me I was beautiful. No matter how I felt before, I felt so very loved. While those butterfly stomachs are fun, I find the comfort of my 10 year love amazing.  Loving a person for everything that they are in each moment of the walk.  Willing to stay together through thick and thin. Loving at our best and worst.

When I gave birth to Kyle, I couldn’t believe it. He was ours? What an incredible gift. I didn’t sleep that first night. I held him all night and couldn’t stop looking at him. This was a new love, so different in its form.  Now, seven years later, the love has only grown. I will never take for granted the gift that he is, and the unconditional love he offers. I marvel at it daily.

My dog passed away a month ago, a beautiful rescue from MacArthur Boulevard nine years ago, he had a tumor burst that was hidden in his stomach. He ran to my feet in his distress— true pure love. My heart aches in his absence. I miss his furry face, his sneezing, walking with him. Now a new puppy-Colby-a new love-willing my heart to let go and dive in to it again.

My friend Angela got married in Italy last Sunday. How I longed to be there and celebrate her marriage to Livio. I met Angela when I lived in Rome.  We forged a lasting friendship that will never cease. When she called to tell me that she and Livio were engaged, I was so happy for them. We talked for a long while about the wedding and life’s happenings. When I hung up, I felt so thankful for my friend and the way we loved each other.  I am a blessed girl. I have so many deep wonderful friendships. I love each friend fiercely. I love that we can share and talk. That no matter how much time passes that we can pick up where we left off. That we cheer each other on, that we comfort in the difficult times, that we are truly friends.

Celebrate all the types of love in your life. It makes us rich in the most important currency.

Sally

As a bride, I definitely wanted to wear a garter. My garter was lacy and so pretty. I loved looking at it in the package and thinking that I would wear it on my wedding day. It was the last thing I put on to go and marry Bob. I loved the feeling of that beautiful garter hidden under my dress. Bob and I didn’t want to do a garter or bouquet toss. We didn’t have many singles coming to the wedding. We agreed that as  singles we didn’t ever enjoy being on the dance floor catching the garter or the bouquet as we were usually out with the kids.

Whatever decision you make, it is the right one because it is yours. A wedding day is about the bride and groom, so make a choice that suits you both!

Photo by: Jade Studio Productions

We were honored to be asked by Unveiled Bridal to be a part of their wedding planning blog series.  Our contribution: what does it mean to have a true wedding coordinator by your side.

Wedding coordinators have the challenging role of executing your wedding perfectly; every detail orchestrated to match their client’s needs. There are a lot of different types of coordinators, but we feel a true wedding coordinators go beyond being a day of assistant who has one meeting with the client and show up the day of their event. Rather they should support you through the whole process with the all the “nitty gritty” before, day of and even after.   Different types of coordinators exist with all different levels of ‘training’.  Some pay and get a simple certificate online and only mange wedding coordination, and then others like Amazáe Special Events help in many different areas from coordination, full event design to comprehensive production with the training, certification and ongoing education from ACPWC, which promotes a level of higher excellence.

Photo by: IQ Photo

So what exactly does being a coordinator entail on the wedding day? True wedding coordinators provide their clients with a continuous support from the initial consultation so that all necessary details are completed prior to make the wedding day as smooth as possible.  In preparation for the big day, they should

• provide a high level checklist to help guide you and keep the wedding planning on track
• help set expectations with your budget based on your vision
• save you money and time with their knowledge and expertise
• continue the support by starting the wedding time line months before to help alleviate stress with capturing details, customized diagrams, and preparing check off lists
• have 3-4 before the day including a site visit to finalize details
• help you with vendor management, including customized time lines for each vendor, and transition as the liaison day of
• conduct rehearsal if your officiant is not available
• day of, help direct, coordinate and support you, your fiance, bridal party and family, as well as be delegated to take care of any last-minute emergencies. provide an emergency kit and has an assistant to help support day of
• have additional assistants by their side to manage the day
• come prepared with an emergency kit at your disposal

Photo by Adesca Designs

Wedding coordinators are not limited to the above, as their jobs are really to ensure to be there every step of the way to ensure that your special day is above and beyond your expectations.

When selecting a wedding coordinator, be sure that you are comfortable with them and their experience.  Come prepared to your first meeting with questions that are important you both on picking someone that you will be working with for a long period.  Everyone coordinator and wedding is different, so that should be reflected in how they view your wedding; it isn’t just another wedding, but YOUR wedding.  Most importantly, always remember, you get what you pay for; so if it is too good to be true in comparison to others, there is probably a reason you would want to know about.

By Crystal Lequang of Amazáe Special Events

Owner | Event Producer
Certified Event Consultant | Chair, ACPWC.com
Serving Napa Valley | Greater Bay Area | East Bay | Monterey Peninsula | Destinations

LINENS!

We are so honored to be asked as a guest blogger to chat about table linen and chair cover rentals. Often, table linens are considered less of a priority in the overall decor so either generic linens are rented or linens are overlooked completely.  We’re here to tell you that they do make a difference, a big one!

As we welcome the start of another year, it seems like the perfect time to highlight some trends we’re seeing in wedding linen décor.  It’s easy to get distracted when you’re focused on flowers and photography, but this is one area that’s not to be overlooked!  Here’s what we LOVE for 2011…

THINK PINK…

There’s nothing soft or subtle about this year’s hottest hue.  We’re talking bright, juicy, delicious pinks and corals!  While this fabulous shade is showing up in spring fashions, it’s also making a splash in wedding table designs.  Whether you choose to saturate your nuptials with this vibrant color or embrace it as more of an accent, here are some of our faves:

Photo by Jade Studio Productions

Photo by Jade Studio Productions

PURPLEPALOOZA…

It’s official.  You love purple and so do we. Eggplant is just another word for dark purple.  We have some many clients coming in asking for ALL dark purple; purple chair covers, linens, napkins, overlays…  This is a great look but why not take “purple” to the next level with these two concepts:

1 – Tone-on-Tone Color Concept:

When using purple, you don’t have to stick with all eggplant or dark colors.  Try mixing eggplant with lighter shades of purple and even lavender.  This is called tone-on-tone coloring.   This will actually create a better palette for your florals and décor because you will be able to see the variation in the colors all the while staying within the purple hues. Overall, your colors will ultimately be of the “purple family”.

2 – Vary Eggplant with complimentary colors or textures:

Eggplant is a shade we never tire of and we think it pairs perfectly with Cornflower this season.  There’s such a great opportunity to play around with texture using this palette to enhance your look.  Try something like our crinkle taffeta eggplant linen paired with soft blue accents in napkins.  Purple also pairs well with other bright and bold colors like Chartreuse green, fuchsia and orange colors.

Photo by: Triplecord Photography

Photo by Arrowood Photography

DON’T FORGET THE CHAIR COVERS…

In a room for 200 guests, tables and floral arrangements may be plentiful but so will be the number of chairs.   As one of the largest commodities at an event, covering your chairs can really make an impact on the décor…so why not utilize it!

You can choose simple sleeves and covers or go over the top with our Isabella and Curly Willow chair caps and covers.

Choose table linens, chair covers or both to enhance the tactile experience. We guarantee that either will make your event even more beautiful than you can imagine.

ABOUT WILDFLOWER LINEN:

Wildflower Linen is a designer table linen and chair cover rental company that has dressed the tables of Hollywood and our nation’s hottest parties and most elegant wedding banquets. Youngsong Martin, the president and founder of Wildflower Linen and a former fashion designer, has infused her linens with rich colors, textures and patterns.

Our 2011 collections showcase today’s look and tomorrow’s trend in tabletop designs and custom-made linens. Wildflower Linens’ are sought after by everyone from brides, event planners to celebrities who are looking to add style and elegance to their tables.   Our extensive inventory of designer linens with their lavish shades, unique materials and designs offers the perfect look for any occasion, from simple sophistication to extreme decadence.

Wildflower Linen

1661 Tennessee Street Ste. 3A

San Francisco, CA 94107

415-282-7727

www.wildflowerlinens.com

Don’t forget to bring your bridal earrings with you on your honeymoon!  You’ll want them when your new husband takes you to a romantic dinner.

Here are some of our favorite bridal earrings

Although there are some really pretty bracelets…

Now what about your hair? Veil or no veil?  Traditional veil or French net veil?  Do you want some sparkle for your hair? Tiara? Hair Pins? So many questions!  Many brides have been choosing headbands and flowers for their hair jewelry.  So pretty and romantic.

Hi, I’m Lisa Zomer, a hair and makeup artist in the San Francisco Bay Area.

When I was asked to guest blog, I was really excited because it offered me an opportunity to help clear up some questions that I get from brides.  Then I sat down to actually write and suddenly I realized that there are so MANY questions that I could answer.  I was a little overwhelmed, but I think that this is a great way to clarify one of the questions I am asked most often, “Do I really need a trial?”

My resounding answer to this question is an emphatic, “YES!”  Your makeup/hair trial is where almost all of the other questions you have regarding your wedding day beauty are answered – and a lot of those don’t come up until I’m elbow deep in an up-do at the trial.

First of all, a makeup trial is by far the best way to get to know your makeup artist/ hair stylist (which for brevity’s sake, I will just refer to as “stylist” from here on out).  Every bride is an individual with her own sense of style and vision of how she wants her wedding to be.  Granted, it’s important to have a chat with someone before you head over to meet them, but there are so many aspects of wedding hair and makeup that simply can’t be determined without a face to face meeting. Before the trial, I always encourage clients to call me on the telephone so we can actually speak to each other.  E-mails are great for getting basic information across, but speaking to someone can give me a great insight into her personality.  Sometimes e-mails don’t convey our questions (or answers!) clearly and I can find out a lot more when I speak to my clients and ask a few more questions.  In turn, this helps me to prepare for the trial by giving me some ideas of what to discuss and suggest when you arrive.

Photo by: Garrett Burdick

When hiring a stylist, you want to consider their artistry skills and their referrals.  Another important consideration in your selection should be whether their personality meshes with yours.  There are many talented makeup artists out there, but the one you choose should fit in with the values you consider important. In the whirlwind of planning a wedding, most women don’t ever slow down until the moment they sit in my chair.  It’s the first time they get to catch their breath and think about the major life changes that they are going through.  And, while that’s generally a really happy thing, it’s still something that can take your breath away.  In that moment, it’s good to have a person who can read you and know what you need, whether that’s a bridesmaid who can take over your cell phone, a tissue, or your mom.

Photo by: Loic Nicolas

Your hair and makeup are a visual part of your wedding and in order for both parties to be assured that you have exactly what you want on your wedding day, a practice run is essential.  This also gives me a chance to see how long I think it’s going to take me on the big day.  I always think that the trial can be one of the fun parts of the process – getting pampered for a few hours and playing with styles when there’s no pressure is a great way to take a break from the stress of wedding planning.  Without trying a style out, it’s hard to tell how well someone’s hair will hold up, whether her idea of “natural” makeup gists with mine, and if she will even like the style they’ve been visualizing.  The best example I can give of this is when I went to have my trial done for my own wedding.  I told my hairstylist what I wanted, right down to the pattern of my rollers.  When she was finished, I went home and realized that she had done exactly what I had told her, but also exactly what I’ve been doing to my hair all along and I wanted something different from the usual for my wedding day.  In the end, she made me look fabulous on my wedding day, but without that trial, I wouldn’t have known that I didn’t really want the style I initially showed to her. Now, that’s not to say that I want people to come without ideas, in fact, that’s one of the best ways to ensure a successful trial.  It’s just another example of why I think it’s important to meet your stylist when there’s nothing on the line except a “do-over” if the style turns out not quite perfect.

Photo by: Joel Flory

Once you’ve chosen to do a trial with a stylist, there are some ways to prepare so that you can get the most out of your time with them.  First of all, find photos of things you like, hair and makeup wise. Also helpful are photos of things that you DON’T like.  Since it’s likely that I’ve never seen you before and you’ll be arriving for your trial without any makeup at all, photos of yourself that you are happy with are also helpful.  I can look at a range of photos and even if they seem a bit unrelated to the eyes of the bride to be, I can usually pull a common theme from them.  A good guideline is about five to ten images, more or less is OK too, but this should be an easy task – if you find yourself stressing too much about it, then you’re not really picking things you like.  If you have a wedding binder, bring that too – that gives me a lot of ideas based on what kind of wedding you are having.  The most important step to getting the most out of your trial is communication.  I want you to tell me if you don’t like something – in fact I need it.  The only way I can make sure you’re happy is to know that I’ve done what you want and the only way to fix something that isn’t quite perfect, is to hear you say so.  Of course, I always like to hear when you are thrilled.

Photo by: Joel Flory

Bringing a friend to your trial is another great way to help you keep on track with what looks great on you.  I don’t know you and your personal style as well as your mom or a trusted friend might and I find it incredibly helpful when there is another voice that points us to the ideal look for you.  While one person can be helpful, more than that can get confusing and end up being less productive.  Be sure to bring a camera so I can take a few snapshots for you to have for reference to show your friends later.   This can come in very handy if you haven’t yet decided upon what hair jewelry or veil you are wearing.  If you have purchased those items – be sure to bring those to the trial as well so we can put them on and see how they work with your hairstyle.

Photo by: Joel Flory

After the trial, take your photos home, look at them and then sleep on everything for a night or two.  Make sure everything looks perfect after the trial is over.  I encourage my brides to contact me with any minor adjustments they may want so that I can address them on the wedding day.  Keep in mind that your trial is just the rough draft of what is to come, so make sure to enjoy it.  Communication and having fun will be the key to a fabulous face!

Edible favors are always a big hit among wedding guests.  We love these wedding gown cookies

Or send your guests off with a cupcake to eat as they drive home or for breakfast the next day!

Go with tradition and choose a creative way to present five jordan almonds to your guests

You can always select a cute box filled with your favorite candy

Candy jars filled with candy are both edible and useful

Wine stoppers have been a favorite favor for years

When choosing wedding favors, think of your guests and what they will find useful and or yummy. Imagine them also on the table and how they will enhance your decor.  You will be able to make a great decision for both you and your guests.

Programs are the first stationery your guests would see at your wedding.  Programs are not an absolute necessity, although they are helpful for guests to follow along with the ceremony and to know who is in your wedding party.  We always suggest to couples to list the wedding party and add how you know each of your wedding party.

Place cards are what will greet your guests as they arrive into the reception.  These are placed on a table near the entrance, in alphabetical order and guests will find their name and table assignment. Place cards may also let the service staff know the entrée choice of your guest if you have different entrées.  Rather than putting the entrée choice on the place card, we use the colors of the wedding to make slight changes to the cards to show the different choices.

Photo by: Rhee Bevere

So now your guests have their place cards and they are looking for their table.  Tables can be either be traditionally numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.) or you can name your tables.  Naming tables has become very popular and is a fun way to personalize your wedding.  Name your tables after something important to you both as a couple.  We’ve done table names for a couple who are veterinarians and love dogs, name their tables after different dog breeds.  Baseball fans have used different ballparks.  Weddings taking place at a winery are named after different wine varietals.  But our favorite is to name your tables after places that are important to you and your fiance and add a line why this place is important.

Once you guests arrive at their seat they may find a menu.  A menu will let your guests know what to expect for their meal.  We encourage our couples to include as much information as possible.  Tell your guests menu details such as side dishes and the wines that will be served.  Definitely add the flavors of your wedding cake or dessert to whet their appetite!

Another piece of wedding stationery is the favor tag.  These are personalized tags you would tie to a favor.

Let’s start with gifts!  Many guest still bring gifts to the wedding reception and many will bring a card with a check or gift certificate.  Rather than adding  them to the pile of gifts where they could get misplaced or lost, get a gift card box to keep them safe.  These are fabulous after the wedding too.  Use the gift card box to hold all your keepsakes from the wedding, your cards, RSVP cards, the invitation, wedding stationery and anything else you will keep.

A guest book is a very traditional way for guests to “sign in” for your wedding.  One of our favorite alternative guest books is a signature platter.  Guests sign the platter, then the next day it gets baked in an oven to make the signatures permanent.  We both did this for our weddings and love them!

Do you want a wedding cake top?  There are several options for cake tops.  Monograms are very popular right now.  Choose a single monogram for your new shared last name or you can have a more traditional monogram with the initials of your first names along with your new last name initial.

Show your silly side with a humorous wedding cake top.

A cake serving set is a great keepsake after the wedding.  Get the cake service set engraved with your names and wedding date and use the set for special occasions or a Saturday night when you’re having a dinner party!

Toasting flutes are another reception accessory.  Toasting flutes from your wedding are great to bring out on your anniversary and toast to the year ahead!  We love these vintage inspired toasting glasses.

We’re so honored to the guest blogger for Unveiled Bridal this week.  In May we celebrate our 9th year business!  Holy Cow!  I can’t believe that it has been that long.  It seems like yesterday when I met my first bridal gown sales rep in a coffee shop on Main Street in Downtown Pleasanton and ordered my first set of bridal gowns for the store.   When I look back at where we started and where we are today, our strategy for buying dresses has stayed constant.  Our goal is bring our brides high quality and fashion forward  bridal gowns from $700 to $2000.  We call this, “Moderate Couture.”
I love those magazine articles and TV segments that highlight, The Look for Less.  It’s so fun to guess which jacket is couture priced at $1200 and which one is the steal at $100.  There’s a lot of similarity when it comes to wedding gown shopping.  I love looking at bridal magazines and watching shows like Say Yes to the Dress.  But I also know that a $5,000 to $10,000 dress budget isn’t realistic for most brides.  For those brides with a moderate couture budget, here are those designer looks for less . . .

Do you love layers and those gorgeous beaded belts?

Do you love the regal ball gowns featured on Say Yes to the Dress?

Do you love lace and the mermaid silhouette?