Sensational Celebrations

Is it time for him to “pop the question”? Have you both gone “fantasy shopping” for the perfect ring? Is your “soon-to-be- fiancee” planning to surprise you?? Shopping for rings is a HUGE step!! You will be wearing his sign of love and commitment for a lifetime and this is an investment that you will both want to be happy and proud about.

One of my favorite jewelers in the Westside is Peter Norman Jewelers. His Brentwood shop is located on San Vicente Blvd. Peter prides himself in personal attention to what Bride and Grooms are wanting to spend on the ring…. and he will do his very best to offer them wonderful design, as well as very fair pricing. Peter and his staff are very professional and knowledgeable in the world of diamonds and gemology. They are so very willing to assist the customer in a very warm and welcoming manner.

 

 

 

Antique design ring featuring a round brilliant cut diamond set with a pave border a delicate negative space

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rectangular cushion pink diamond set in a pave set rectangular frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platinum round brilliant cut diamond set in a cushion micro set frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique round brilliant cut diamonds set in a flower cluster

 

 

 

 

Ascher cut ring flanked by half moon diamonds and featuring a bead set diamond shank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18k rose gold ring featuring a pear shape blue diamond surrounded by a double row of fancy intense pink diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage inspired platinum ring featuring an emerald cut diamond center framed by sapphire baguettes and bead set round diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic platinum ring with prong set emerald cut diamond center flanked by bar set shield diamonds on either side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have fun “dreaming”… and then go shopping to make your wedding ring dream a reality!!!

In addition to the cake, couples also like to have a dessert bar presentation. This could be anywhere ranging from a selection of cupcakes (a hot trend), mini desserts, cookies, candy, candy apples, donuts, etc. While many guests will indulge in desserts at the reception, this can also serve as the take home favor if you provide glassine bags or cake boxes. A coffee/cappuccino bar is also a great addition to go along with the sweets.

Another option would be to replace the wedding cake with multiple mini cakes for each guest. These can either be used as a centerpiece or individually packaged as a take home. But keep in mind that the cost might add up since each one needs to be decorated.

 

One of our favorite alternatives to the candy bar are Porch Pies. Porch Pies’ are Southern Delicacies. Baked fresh and hand delivered to your event – each pie is a taste of the deep south and is made from our family’s heirloom recipes passed down from generations of grandmothers and great aunts.

If your heart is set on a Candy station, theme it out with colors, height and

 

This dinner, held after the rehearsal ceremony, is traditionally hosted by the parents of the groom. It is a wonderful opportunity to welcome your out-of-town guests and introduce them to your immediate families, bridal party and significant others.

This is also a perfect time to present your wedding party with a thank you gift at some point during the evening. Depending upon the budget and how many guests will attend, the rehearsal dinner can be held in a hotel, a restaurant, on the beach or in someone’s backyard. This a lovely opportunity to thank everyone for sharing in their happiness.

Fun Ideas for a Gathering of Bridal party, family and out-of-town guests
· A pool side barbecue in the groom’s parent’s backyard
· Ice cream Sundae parties (make your own)
· A luncheon or dinner at a private country club or restaurant (casual or coat & tie)
· A Theme Party: Italian, Mexican, Luau, Caribbean, Tex-Mex, Western, Wine & Cheese, Beach Party, Clam Bake, Sushi Party

Make it fun, relaxed and low-key…Everyone will love it!
This is a night to MINGLE, ROAST and TOAST. Enjoy the time spent with your
“nearest and dearest” before the excitement of THE BIG DAY is before you!!!

Making Your Wedding Your Own

by Linda Howard

 I’ve been helping couples create their dream weddings for 16 years and the most important thing I’ve learned is that even if I produce a wedding that is elegant, sophisticated, tasteful and flawless…who will remember it if it isn’t perfectly tailored to the couple sharing one of the most important days of their lives with their friends and family?

Your wedding day needs to be uniquely yours and it’s so important to take the time to really think carefully about all of the things you love and what makes you and your relationship stand out from the crowd in order to make that happen. A major part of my job is to delicately pull that information out of couples and find wonderful ways to incorporate what they love and what they envision. Starting with how they met, and getting to know their likes and dislikes, helps me intertwine their personalities into their wedding day to make this celebration unlike any other.

Your personal touches will not only set your wedding apart, but they will reflect your style and will help to create a warm and wonderful connection with your guests. I call these touches “Talk Abouts.” When your guests leave your wedding, these are the little things they will always remember and talk about!

Our “getting to know you” meetings are the perfect way for me to truly get to know my Bride and Groom.  I always want to know how you met and how and where you got engaged; but other personal questions allow me to start personalizing your actual event.

From your favorite colors, flowers, candy, dessert, ice cream flavor, drinks, songs, restaurants, vacation spots, exercise, weekend activities, movies, plays, and books….I am able to zero in on who you both are as people; and then my creative juices can start flowing.

One of my Bride and Groom’s favorite color was purple, and they wanted a candy station as the guests were leaving the wedding. We took her favorite color and created a spectacular “Willy Wonka-like candy station overflowing in all purple candy. With purple and white swirly lollipops, purple gummy bears and m&m’s, grape licorice, purple taffy, jelly beans and purple jordan almonds…everyone was blown away! We had purple candy bags with a cartoon picture of them in a taxi cab saying “Come visit us in NYC”! (They were moving to New York.)

The Groom’s Grandmother was a baker another state and it was always her dream to bake her Grandson’s wedding cake. The wedding was taking place at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. On one of her visits to California, she lovingly baked the six layers, decorated them and froze them. On the night of the wedding, Mark’s Garden took the layers and placed beautiful purple flowers between each layer creating a spectacular wedding cake baked for a queen. We placed the cake at the entrance of the ballroom so that everyone could admire the cake throughout the evening. Personal cameras were going off all night and knowing that their Grandmother had her dream come true was that ”something special” they will never forget.

It is fun to incorporate a Bride or Groom’s career or hobby into making their wedding day come alive. One of my brides was a musical comedy actor and I thought it would be great fun to create their wedding program to look like a Playbill from the theatre. A Groom who was a comedy television writer created a “surprise” sitcom using look-a-like actors to present to his Bride after dinner was served.

A Bride who was in high school Madrigals, surprised her Groom with a song that she prepared for him. A Groom who played the guitar in college prepared a surprise serenade for his Bride. A father of the Bride who played the drums got on stage with his son-in-law who played the guitar to surprise and entertain the Bride. All of these moments became “Talk Abouts!”

For chocolate lovers, we created an amazing, edible menu made out of chocolate with a photo of the bride and groom. We placed in a beautiful satin sleeve and placed it on the charger. Another couple loved eating jelly bellies every night. When he proposed to her, he placed her engagement ring in their dish full of jelly bellies for her to find. At the wedding, they showed a video re-enacting their engagement. On the tables, we placed candy dishes with jelly bellies in them, with a blinking “diamond” ring sticking out.

I like to think of a wedding in Four Parts:

The Ceremony: A meaningful, spiritual, romantic and emotional part of the wedding; the time where you are sharing your vows in front of everyone you chose to witness your commitment to one another.

The Cocktail Hour: A time for your guests to mingle and start the celebration. Music is playing and everyone is chatting and getting ready to celebrate.

The Dinner and Dancing Reception: The Bride and Groom are announced as “Mr. and Mrs.” and everyone in the room is feeling the excitement, the happiness and the love! They are ready and waiting to dance and celebrate!

The After Party: The toasts have been given, the cake has been cut, and some of the guests are saying ‘Goodnight.’ The guests who are nearest and dearest are not ready to call it a night. This is the time where the music turns into the top 40′s, the late-night snacks might be served, the shoes come off and the atmosphere changes. Some people think this is the BEST part of the wedding!

 

One of my couples met in New York at a coffee restaurant. We re-created the restaurant and that is where we served the coffee at the dessert presentation. Also, we took digital photos at the church wedding ceremony, developed the photos and placed one on the cover of a magazine. As the guests left the wedding, we set up a newsstand and they took the magazine home with them along with donuts, cupcakes and cookies served from a “bakery.” Too much fun!

Remember that your wedding day should truly be YOUR wedding day!  Take the time to create your “Talk Abouts,” and you and your guests will NEVER forget your special day!

 

As originally published in Fall/Winter 2012 Elegant Living Magazine.

We’re so honored to be featured in the Fall/Winter 2012 edition of Elegant Living Magazine. Pick up a copy to read Linda Howard’s article on “Making Your Wedding Your Own” or read it online here!

The first decision about your make up will be what kind of look am I envisioning?

Some things to consider:

What kind of hairstyle will you have?

Which style are you most comfortable with (natural, dramatic, etc.)?

Are you going to hire a professional make-up artist?

Helpful Hints for your Wedding Make-up:

• Make time to plan
  • The easiest way to have your skin appear flawless is to have flawless skin…start a skin care regimen to have the best skin possible for your big day.
  • Avoid facials and self-tanners the week of the wedding…no one wants to be a blotchy bride!
  • Schedule TWO test-runs for your make-up design.  This gives you a chance to make adjustments and gives your artist a chance to practice.
  • Select images of your desired look to show your artist.  Bring in a picture of your gown as well.  Give your artist as much information as possible of the look that you desire.

• Trust the professional to give you advice on options for color, finish and application.

• Avoid OVERDONE makeup.  You do need to wear a little more make-up than usual for pictures and video, but stay natural with layers of the same color to create depth.

• Avoid Shine.  Using Matte finishes will absorb light and help to hide small imperfections and fine lines.

• Lipstick should be a shade or two darker than you usually wear.  Don’t forget to reapply!

• Communicate your opinions to your stylist.  They can’t fix what they don’t know is wrong.  It is important to feel comfortable telling your stylist what you do and do not like about his creation.

• Find a makeup artist that will come to you! Many makeup artists will travel to your wedding location to style on-site.  This way, you don’t have to worry about any extra stops on such an important day.

• Relax and enjoy the experience!

The first decision about your hair will be will I wear my hair up or down?

Some things to consider:

What kind of hair do you have?

Which style are you most comfortable with?

What will most compliment your dress’ neckline and your head piece?

Helpful Hints for your Wedding Hair Style:

• Choose your gown and headpiece before you decide on your hair.

• Find a stylist that specializes in the style that you are after.

• Make time to plan
  • If you are going to have you hair colored, make that appointment for at least THREE weeks before.  This gives you time to let the color adjust and react to potential mistakes
  • Schedule TWO test-runs for your style.  This gives you a chance to make adjustments and gives your stylist a chance to practice.
  • Select images of your desired look to show your stylist.  Bring in a picture of your gown as well.  Give your stylist as much information as possible of the look that you desire.

• Trust the professional to give you advice on styling options for your length, texture and thickness of hair.

• Communicate your opinions to your stylist.  They can’t fix what they don’t know is wrong.  It is important to feel comfortable telling your stylist what you do and do not like about his creation.

• Be READY this usually includes having clean, dry hair that is ready to be styled.

• Find a stylist that will come to you! Many stylists will travel to your wedding location to style on-site.  This way, you don’t have to worry about any extra stops on such an important day.

• Relax and enjoy the experiencePhoto by Next Exit Photography

Once you have your theme decided upon, it is a good idea to decide on a color scheme that you will be working with.  What are your favorite colors that you envision at your wedding?  Using color swatches can help you come up with different wedding color combinations.

 

Two shades on the same paint swatch will work nicely.  A rich chocolate brown and ivory work beautifully together.  A dark royal blue and a nice periwinkle are lovely compliments. You will want to remember to choose colors that go with the season for which your wedding is planned. For instance dark colors like wine and emerald green are nice for autumn. Pastels and light colors like the bouquets featured above are great for the spring. Darker colors are perfect for Autumn weddings like the bouquets below.

 

 

 

Take a look at this color wheel and come up with two colors that complement each other:

The date of your wedding will be a date that you will remember for the rest of your life.  For a California Bride, the best months for a garden wedding are July, August, September, and October.  If you don’t mind the possibility of having to go to a “Plan B”, March, April, May or June will work.  It is not recommended to plan a garden wedding in the months of December, January and February.

One resource that may work to help set your date is the Old Farmer’s Almanac.  You may have heard of this almanac, but aren’t sure what it is.  This book takes solar activity, among other things, to predict weather.  It’s not perfect, reliability is somewhere around 75 percent, but it is more reliable than using weather averages.

A wedding is a Major event that deserves the time it takes to properly prepare. One year is the average time frame professionals recommend.