Fine Line Management & Events

A New Spin on an Old Tradition on Valley & Co.

2010-07-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

We are so excited about what's going on over at Valley & Co. Stop by and check out a tradition our lovely bride, Jennifer put a new spin on!

*Photo from Llanes Weddings

New: Timeless Vows on Martha's Vineyard

2010-07-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

We adore this charming Martha's Vineyard wedding and have some fabulous detail shots over on Valley & Co. Have you been by yet? It's our lovely new inspirational blog, updated daily!

Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Photo from Chung Li

Photo Love: Kate Murphy

2010-07-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek sweet shot from a lovely wedding from Kate Murphy we featured over on our fabulous new blog, Valley & Co. Have you been by? We'd love for you to visit!

Charming Wedding Details: Meghan Aileen

2010-07-06T11:51:00.001-07:00

Check out her gorgeous work here

2010-05-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

We are looking for a summer intern! Please email us your resume if you fit the following requirements:

• Must have catering or previous event planning experience; venue, vendor, and overall knowledge of the Greater Seattle area is a plus.

• A university degree is a preferred; creative writing experience is important. We’re looking for a go-getter, a creative mind, and someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table.

• We are looking for an intern to assist with events, contribute to our blog, and potentially come on board as a junior associate.

Email your resume with references to: info@threedreamsent.com with the subject line:

Fine Line Management + Events summer internship

Only serious inquiries who fit the criteria, please. Thank you!

Spotlight on JM Cellars

2010-05-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

We're beyond thrilled that one of our lovely summer couples has chosen JM Cellars in Woodinville as their ceremony + reception site. It's such a charming space, and talk about unique! They have a lovely combination of indoor/outdoor space, and can host up to 120 for a reception-style soiree outdoors. Their sweet + rustic indoor space can hold up to 50 guests. Be sure to check out their site! Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Thinking outside of the box: a wedding flower market

2010-05-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled when the lovely ladies at Nonpareil Magazine wanted to see us create our out-of-the-box idea for wedding favors: a wedding flower market buffet. Our idea was inspired by the ultra popular (and tasty!) dessert buffets, but also by many travels to European flower markets. The lovely Shannon Lee came to our Southern California office and took all of the beautiful images. Stay tuned for more images and check out our entire spread here. Enjoy! Aleah + Nick

Absolutely stunning Parisian wedding photos

2010-04-28T21:04:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that I love, love, love Paris and anything Parisian or French (the food, the wine, the clothes, the architecture, the romance...). When I stumbled upon Noah Hawthorne's images from this couple's Parisian nuptials, I fell in love even more! There really isn't much to say aside from "WOW."

Enjoy, Aleah

4 fun and easy summer favor ideas

2010-04-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Why not put a twist on the centuries-old tradition of wedding favors and give guests something a little unexpected? We're loving creating DIY-favor setups as they give guests a fun activity and a cool favor they'll be sure to use and remember.

1. Signifying warm summer nights, collect mason jars and create a DIY-lemonade stand. Guests can fill mason jars with a gourmet lemonade mix, add fun accoutrements like striped paper straws or sprigs of rosemary, and take home a cute printed recipe card to make a vodka rosemary lemonade drink for those hot summer nights. Image from Getty Images

2. Sure, this isn't a new idea, but we see guests really swoon over photo booths. A photo speaks a thousand words; give your guests the ability to dress up and act goofy in a photo booth and take home a copy of their snapshot. Dress up the booth with a cute summer backdrop and summer-time props. Image from SummerPicnicWedding

3. Have Grandma's apple pie recipe? Give each family or couple a pie-in-a-jar to take home and enjoy. Fill a mason jar with the ingredients needed, cinch with a fun checkered summertime ribbon, and attach Grandma's recipe. If you're having too many guests to make this doable, fill short mason jars with homemade jam. Image from iStockPhoto

4. Like to play outdoors? Give guests customized frisbees to take home for summertime play! We have clients who are doing this for their July wedding and it's just such a fun idea! Check out Myflyingdiscs.com to personalize your frisbees!

Destination Wedding Planning, Part II

2010-04-19T12:20:00.001-07:00

In our Monday Coffee post last week, we laid out some tips to consider when thinking about a destination wedding. Once you've decided that saying I Do in a tropical or destination locale is right for you, think about this when starting the planning process:

1. When you are looking at hotels (the majority of destination weddings are held at resorts), think about how many guests might want to stay at the hotel. Talk with the hotel about what kinds of perks they will offer you and your guests based on the number of guests that stay. Often times this is a free room for you or an upgrade.

2. Talk to different airlines. Many airlines (like Alaska) have perks or free tickets for brides and grooms who bring a certain number of flyers on their planes.

3. Plan ahead for your rehearsal dinner as well. If you take a pre-wedding trip to the destination, check out all possibilities for other activities like snorkeling, shopping, dining, and even locations for your rehearsal dinner or other welcome activities for guests. Again, negotiate with these places and restaurants for any perks based on the number of guests you bring them.

4. Again, negotiate. Many resorts have pre-picked wedding packages that very well might not suit you. Don't hesitate to ask about swapping their in-house photography package for a larger reception dinner for your guests. Resorts want your business and are likely willing to be flexible with what they offer.

5. Know what is required. In Mexico, for example, you will need to have a blood test approved before you tie the knot. This can be done at your resort by their on-site doctor and is simple, but you will likely need to be in Mexico at least three days before your wedding.
As always, Happy Planning!Aleah + Nick

Inspiration: Yucatan Peninsula

2010-04-18T10:13:00.001-07:00

Whenever we travel (or do anything!) I look around to get inspiration. It comes from flowers, people, clothing, buildings, the ocean, and virtually everywhere I look.

I wanted to share a few photos of inspiration I snapped on our recent trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. You can see that my mind was focused on all of the gorgeous tones of blue - aqua, turquoise, navy....I hope you enjoy!

The water on Isla Mujeres

Stay tuned for Part II of our destination wedding planning tips and some tropical vision boards based on this inspiration.

Cheers!

Aleah

Monday Coffee: destination weddings Part I

2010-04-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

We just love destination weddings and happen to be typing this Monday Coffee post from our deck on the Yucatan Peninsula. I thought it would be fitting to offer up a few quick tips to help you determine whether a destination wedding is right for you:

1. Location, location, location: deciding on a location should be based on a few key elements. Where do you love to travel to? We see the most popular destination wedding locales as tropical settings. Consider the type of hotel; will your guests be comfortable and is the hotel affordable? What are the amenities like? Think about the close proximity to airports, towns, and other activities. Select a location that has great reviews for both service, restaurants, a gorgeous setting, and stellar wedding services.

2. Keep in mind that a destination wedding very well might not be less expensive than an in-town wedding. If your guest list grows and you take into consideration travel expenses to-and-from several times, the costs can elevate. However, if you do it right you can end up saving a great deal of money.

3. Will you be happy not having a 200-guest wedding? Chances are if you invited 200 guests to your nuptials in Costa Rica they couldn't all attend. But keeping it simple can feel so good and celebrating with your close family and friends in a tropical (or other) locale can be the best type of celebration. Consider whether you'll have a hankering to throw a post-wedding bash when you return for those who couldn't make it.

4. Along with #1, really be sure to know what the hotel offers you for your wedding. We have seen our fair share of destination venues that simply have you pick your flowers or cake from their standard "look book" and don't stray too much from offering those designs. If you're fine with this then this type of venue provides a level of simplicity. If you still want to have a unique design, look, and feeling, be sure to relay this to your coordination team (or the on-site staff); as many destination hotels will still provide that level of simplicity but will bend over backwards to create a stunning look that isn't like other weddings.

A snapshot from last night's gorgeous wedding at the Omni Hotel

5. Ask the hotel how many other weddings might going on during your wedding weekend. Though this is a great question to ask at any venue, destination or otherwise, we've seen many destination hotels say that they might have 5 or 6 weddings going on at one time. While this might be okay for some people, most of our clients want their wedding to be the only big show that day.

6. Finally, consider the level of privacy you want and find a venue based on what they offer. Think about a tropical destination setting; you very well might have people walking by as you are saying "I Do" in their bathing suits.

Stay tuned for Part II: Hotels love weddings and as a result will likely offer you room upgrades, perhaps free nights depending on how many of your guests stay.........................

Dress fun for the ladies!

2010-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to dedicate today to all of you ladies looking for some lovely, chic, and fun confections for spring! I've whipped up 4 different color combinations featuring some stunning Spring 2010 dresses from Vera Wang and J. Crew. All of these combinations are inspired by some of our lovely current brides so I hope you enjoy!

This palette was created for one of our darling summer brides who wants to keep her wedding look understated and soft. I love these silver rings from Ringoblog and this sea foam ethereal dress from J. Crew Taryn, $395, and this Chloe organza light ivory linen from Wildflower Linen

The texture of this stunning Vera Wang Dovima dress would look stunning with Isabella blush linens from Wildflower Linen and a combination of textured blush and lavender roses. This was created for our bride who wanted a classic, sweet look. *rose photo from theknot.com

For our funky bride who wants a unique, out-of-the-box look, I pulled together this vibrant Chloe eggplant organza linen from Wildflower Linen with this chic $58 single pearl strand necklace from Ann Taylor and an adorable $180 Juliet dress from J. Crew.For the last look of the day I wanted to share a whimsical style I put together for a fun and carefree bride. With a simple, yet gorgeous wedding dress she is able to punch up her look with color or some fabulous jewelry.Curly willow peacock linen from Wildflower Linen, Whitney gown from J. Crew $395, and crystal supernova necklace from J. Crew, on sale for $98

Enjoy! Aleah

Monday Coffee: getting a jump-start on your guest list

2010-03-29T21:31:00.001-07:00

We know that just the thought of starting your guest list for your wedding can make anyone shudder. Unfortunately this is one area where we really can't help our clients too much, but we would love to share our Top 5 Tips for getting started:

1. be sure to have some budget parameters laid out so that you have an idea of how many guests you can afford to invite and have attend.

2. don't over think. Simply start writing down names of your family (moms, dads, grandparents) and dearest friends and work your way out from there.

3. please take note; do not count on someone not attending and send them an invitation! If you feel obligated, send someone an announcement after the wedding. We have seen so many brides and grooms think that a dozen distant family members aren't going to trek cross-country and send out invitations. Surprise when they RSVP yes!

4. be mindful of whether your parents will be inviting guests and be sure to lay out a clear number of how many you will all be inviting so that your lists mesh.

5. possibly my favorite piece of advice that Nick gives to our clients: do not invite someone to your wedding whom you would not feel comfortable taking out to dinner. Simple as that. By the time the total budget is calculated, each invited guest can cost several hundred dollars to feed, entertain, and give cake and favors to. If you don't know this person well, consider skipping an invitation. Try to imagine your wedding with and without the guest in question. If you wouldn't necessarily miss them at the wedding, do not feel obligated to invite them.

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Floral forecast from Ariston Flowers in New York

2010-03-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

When we were in New York in January we attended Bridal Bootcamp from the Wedding Salon and met Christian from Ariston Flowers, a floral studio providing gorgeous creations for over 30 years. We asked her to provide us with a spring floral forecast and love her predictions!

"I have to admit that I think the times of modern sleek design are waning as the demand for more garden styles are increasing, that is still within good design. Pave, or low and compact will always be in demand because of it's classy and elegant form. It's simple and best kept that way, with just a few elements to let the flowers do the talking.

That isn't to say that people are interested in bringing traditional English garden style of arranging back either, as that is what our grandparents would be proud of. And most of us don't want the type of arrangements found in Renaissance paintings.

I feel this is the year of bringing flowers back into flowers! No more outrageously priced minimal sculptures out of flowers, but more of an elegant use of what the flower already provides."

Thank you so much, Christian! We are thrilled spring has sprung!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Tuesday Tips: Lighting with candles

2010-03-23T10:37:00.001-07:00

At most weddings we see our clients use candles of some sort to illuminate the ceremony and reception, giving a warm and romantic glow. Here are few tips and ideas to remember when thinking about using candle light:

1. try to stray from using tea lights in containers with moss or anything really flammable. We've heard stories about things catching fire! Floating candles have a unique effect and are much safer.2. if your venue doesn't allow for a real flame, you can use LED candles; though not the real thing, if you have them hanging or clustered together they can emit a glow
3. if your wedding is outdoors, hang tea lights from trees in mason jars secured with wire or ribbon. Talk about a magical effect!4. if using taper candles, be sure they are not close to any part of your floral! Trust us; we've seen a near disaster with a candle that was placed too close to a centerpiece. Also be sure you have something to catch the wax so it doesn't drip and ruin the expensive linens!
5. purchase candles that have at least a 6-8 hour burn; you don't want the flames going out mid-party!6. get creative - scatter various colored vessels (like glassybabies) down the center of your family-style table for a pop of colorHappy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

Images 1: from Emily + Ryen's wedding by Amore Studios 2. from theknot.com 3. from elsechelsea.typepad.com 4. studio nine photography 5. glassybaby.com

Invitation Etiquette with the Lovely Emily Ley

2010-03-20T10:02:00.001-07:00

Today we turned to owner of Emily Ley Paper and talented stationer, Emily Ley, for some honest invitation etiquette answers to those sometimes unclear etiquette questions.

1. What is the key piece of advice you'd like to lend to brides and grooms when starting to design their wedding suites?
Look for designs that fit your personal style - designs that when you look back at them with your children and grandchildren one day, you see a "love story" unfolding, instead of "whatever was trendy" for the time being. Look for colors and layouts that are functional first - and convey the information you're sharing. Remember that your invitation is your guests' first glimpse at the biggest day of your lives thus far.

2. Do you prefer traditional wedding invitation wording or something a bit more modern?
These two styles can be mixed together in beautiful ways - I once worked with a bride who was very traditional but FULL of personality. Her invitation and response card were very traditional - but at the bottom of the response card we inserted "DJ play my song __________________" to add a fun element and bring her personality into the pieces. The guests LOVED this and the bride passed the song requests on to their musicians at the reception.

3. We were brought up to write a thank you note for most anything and know how important they can be. What might you recommend for those who aren't akin to writing thank you notes? What is the proper timing etiquette for writing thank you notes for wedding gifts?
Always, always, ALWAYS write thank you notes. Always. For your wedding and shower gifts, its customary to have your thank you notes mailed no later than one month after the wedding. I was once told (and never forgot this...) to never underestimate the power of a thank you note. Your thank you notes don't have to be long and verbose, just sincere messages of thanks to someone who took time to do something special for you. Write thank you notes not just for gifts, but to the vendors and special helpers who played a roll in your big day as well.

4. How do you propose a couple deals with an uninvited guest whose name shows up on the response card (i.e. a cousin's girlfriend when it was only the cousin's name on the actual invitation)?
This is why all my wedding suites come with double envelopes. This is hard to avoid without an inner envelopes. The outer envelope is used for the mailing address and the inner envelope bears the name of the person (or people) to whom the invitation is directly addressed. But generally, when these things happen, my advice is to "roll with it." If this only happens with a few guests, it wont put you too far over your guest count. If you do happen to push past your limit of attendees, politely and informally discuss the situation with the guest. Perhaps the "plus one" can join you at the reception if the ceremony venue is past capacity?

5. Can you please explain what's appropriate to include and not to include in wedding invitations?
In your suite, you want to include
- the hosts' names
- the bride and groom's names
- date and time
- venue address

I start to itch when wedding websites and registry information find their way onto the invitation. Enclosure cards are perfect for bearing website information. Registry information is not appropriate anywhere in the suite. Look at your suite as if you were a guest attending another wedding. What kind of questions might they have? Do they know where to be and when? How to RSVP?

Wedding invitations should introduce the biggest day of your life thus far - remember to keep your verbiage minimal and special. Additional information can be tucked in welcome bags, included in the ceremony program or listed on the wedding website. Choose a design that is timeless and special. Add personality with special touches like calligraphy, vintage postage stamps or envelope liners. Above all - choose something that will be representative of your love story. And work with a stationer who will take those things to heart when designing your suite.

Thank you so much, Emily! We appreciate your expert advice! *Be sure to visit Emily's sweet website and her informative blog!

Aleah + Nick

Something borrowed, something blue

2010-03-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

Muted icy blue is my favorite color and is just so magical. We even incorporated the tone into our own wedding. My dress sash was icy blue, as were my bouquet accents and hints of our invitations. There's something so elegant, timeless, and unique about this color. So in sticking with the old adage, Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, why not wear a pale, icy blue wedding dress?
1. Dress from JLM Couture 2. Image from redhotbrides.com 3. Image from BridalwaveTV
Pair your gown with any of these statement pieces from Stella and Dot jewelry - 1. Bardot Flower $39 2. Glitz flower earrings $39 3. St. Tropez statement necklace $178
Cheers! Aleah

Monday Coffee: our Top 5 Tips for staying calm, cool + collected during planning

2010-03-08T11:12:00.001-08:00

We can't stress enough: it's so important to have fun during your wedding planning process. We aim to make each and every meeting with our clients refreshing and lighthearted, whether we're tasting cake or talking logistics.

1. Stay organized. This tip is so important -Google has some great budget, layout, checklist, and other spreadsheets (here) to keep you on track. Buy some sort of notebook or filing system where you can store fabric swatches, paper samples, and magazine pages or photos you like. *this notebook is from Mindy Weiss2. Don't micromanage. If you have a coordination team, let them manage the major details; after all, that's why you hire them. Any good coordinator won't take over your wedding (it will always be your!) but rather will keep you informed, keep you on track, recommend high caliber vendors, and help you bring your vision to reality. If you don't have a team, be sure to break up your planning in months, rather than one long TO DO list. If you have friends or family who would love to help, by all means let them - it can be lots of fun! ---but see our last post about not taking advantage.

3. Trust your vendors. We've said this in previous Monday Coffee posts and we mean it. If you put off a calm, cool + collected vibe and hire on great vendors, their talent and creativity will really shine through. Give them some room to whip up some samples and show off their amazing ideas rather than putting them in a box and holding them to just one design. You'll likely say "wow; why didn't we think of that!"

4. Don't take on too much. Letting DIY projects get out of control can create so much stress. While lots of our clients have fun and take pride in creating invitations or other handmade goodies, trying to do it all could be the end to having a great planning process. Know when to stop and turn your projects over to the pros.

5. Share the fun with your bride or groom to-be. We're also big proponents in sharing the tasks; let your groom surprise you with a funky play list or take on planning cocktail hour or a down-home late night menu.

We hope that you take heed to our advice and stay calm, cool + collected. You'll be sure to enjoy your planning process!
Cheers! Aleah + Nick

For the ladies: Aleah's Top 5 Tips for involving your family and friends in your wedding

2010-03-04T12:40:00.001-08:00

As coordinators, we often act as act as a sounding board to our clients, giving advice on how to include loved ones while still keeping the wedding "theirs." Today I wanted to share my Top 5 Tips for including mothers and friends:

1. Bring your mom along to try on wedding dresses. Do NOT bring an entourage of moms, bridesmaids, aunts, and cousins. This just complicates the process and you'll have conflicting opinions. Moms usually do know best and I'm sure your mom would be honored to join you.

2. If you have some DIY projects, like assembling favors or stuffing invitations, make it a fun party with your bridesmaids. Have a caterer drop off some ready-to-serve hors d' oeuvres and have some champagne on hand. Make these projects fun and upbeat and involve your girls at the same time.

3. Don't stick your friends who aren't in the wedding party with odd-ball jobs at the wedding to "honor" them. We've heard feedback over the years that it's not really an honor to man the guest book table all night or instruct guests on utilizing the wedding shuttle. Instead, ask them to perhaps do a reading at the ceremony - something that truly means something.

4. If you have a really artistic or talented mother-in-law to-be or friend, ask them to create something for your big day. Keep in mind the fine line between taking advantage and the honor of being asked to create something. Unless it's offered, do not assume someone will create 150 wedding invitation suites or 30 centerpieces for free if that's their specialty. Instead, maybe ask your florist mother-in-law to create your personal bouquet - tell her you'd be honored to carry something she creates.

5. Be kind. Have fun with your ladies and make sure they don't regret being involved with your wedding. Surely you've seen the show Bridezillas - don't boss around your loved ones. Be the sweet bride you know you are and see how much fun the process can be!

Happy Planning! Aleah

*photo from brides.com

A Truly Amazing Cause: Wish Upon a Wedding

2010-03-02T09:28:00.001-08:00

Today we wanted to shed a spotlight on an amazing new nonprofit - Wish Upon a Wedding. You've surely heard of the Make a Wish Foundation, well this is similar but grants wedding wishes to those who have a terminal illness. Truly incredible.
Here are some important details:

WISH UPON A WEDDING:
• Was founded in San Francisco, CA, in January of 2010, by a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs.
• Is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, producing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation.
• Boasts twenty chapters nationwide, headed by some of the industry’s most renowned leaders.
• Presidents:
• Sasha Souza, National
• Kevin Covey, LA/Orange County
• Stella Inserra, New York
• Ivy Robinson, The Carolinas
• Eliana Baucicault, Atlanta
• Mary Alice Sublett, Tennessee
• Heather Hamilton Sims, Houston
• Shelby Tuck Horton, DC
• Elisa Delgardio, Orlando
• Ali Phillips, Chicago
• Daniela Fageʹ́t, Seattle
• Other chapters opening soon: Colorado, Arizona, Portland, Miami, St. Louis, Ohio and Nevada.
• To qualify for Wishes, applicants must be unmarried legal citizens of the United States, over the age of 18, who have been diagnosed with less than three years to live.
• Simply apply online to request one of three wedding types: URGENT (Up to 10 guests, in hospital or at bedside); BOUTIQUE (up to 25 guests, in home town of applicant); ROMANTIC (Up to 50 guests, at any WUW destination)
• Wish Granters needed in all locations. Please apply online today to start helping us make Wedding Wishes come true. Photo of the first recipents by Stella Sweet
Please pass this message along!

Monday Coffee: our top 5 tips for picking a wedding reception venue

2010-03-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

So many of our clients don't know where to begin in the wedding reception venue search. On the other hand, some of our clients have pre-picked a venue (their favorite restaurant, the hotel where they were engaged) before hiring us on and we have to go back and fix or clarify contract terms.

Here are our Top 5 Tips for picking + booking a reception venue:

make a list of your favorite places in your wedding town. Have a favorite hotel that has an amazing view of the ocean? Love a little inn overlooking a romantic lake? Were you engaged at a swanky restaurant? Check out these places and see what they can handle in regards to your estimated guest count. Ask them how they can accommodate, say, 100 guests, and how they typically run receptions. Ask them what the timing of your wedding will be - some of the best locations might have a 9:30 pm or 10:00 pm cut-off time!
talk budget. There's almost always room to negotiate the minimums - ask the catering manager what they can throw in (chivari chairs/waive the cake cutting fee) and if they can knock $1,000 off of the minimum. Some will waive the ceremony fee if your reception is at the same place. You'll be surprised by what just asking gets you.
talking about minimums - be sure you understand what a food + beverage minimum is. Several of our clients have assumed their minimum is grand total of what they're bill will be (plus tax + gratuity). It is not. The minimum is simply the minimum price you agree to pay. Say your minimum is $15,000 but your guests/food/drink count only reaches $12,000. You are responsible to pay that $3,000 difference (plus tax/gratuity). You can do so by making your dinner a 5 or 6-course dinner, offering top shelf liquor, or having a late-night menu. Be sure you are clear how many guests and what type of menu/beverages you need to account for to reach your minimum. If your budget is tight, be sure you know how many guests will push you over your minimum.
location, location, location. Be sure your location is close to hotels for our of town guests (or a quick taxi ride away). Are you having a marathon of wedding activities over the weekend? You'll especially want to make sure that either A) your venue has restaurants, lodging, and activities or B) restaurants, beaches, parks, and other activities are nearby for your guests - especially if they're coming from afar.
check with the venue - how many weddings do they have going on at one time? You'll likely want to feel like your wedding is special and don't want to run into three other couples on your big day. This really happens - some venues have up to 10 or 12 weddings going on at one time. This should be a red flag - remember; it's all about the entire experience of your wedding!

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Photo by Montestigliano, Italy

Vibrant Cayman Island nuptials

2010-02-28T18:24:00.001-08:00

We love tropical destination events and couldn't help but share this vibrant, lovely, and downright fun Cayman Island wedding. Captured by Jim Gates, the images are just so cheery! Enjoy! Aleah

Nick's Picks: How to get your party started on the right foot

2010-02-24T09:38:00.001-08:00

The start of the party is what sets the tone for the rest of the event. Here are my top (simple) tips for getting your party started on the right foot:

1. offer a coat check and/or a gift depository- you'd be surprised how many people don't provide this and it leaves your guests carrying bags and coats while trying to eat, drink + visit.

2. after guests make a deposit at the coat check, have waiters greet them with drinks and hors d' oeuvres. If you're offering up a bar, have waiters at the ready with trays of red wine, white wine, and water. *Don't pre-pour beer - it's best served fresh and cold.

3. the music you start off with sets the initial tone of the party. In most cases we're fans of starting off slower and working in faster/more energetic music as the party progresses.

4. greet your guests. make sure, as the host/hostess, you work the room and thank your guests for attending. This is especially important for a wedding reception.

5. timing is key. If you're hosting an event with significant markers (like toasts, announcements, performances, etc.), make sure that you don't leave your guests waiting...and waiting...Have an emcee make some sort of announcement if there's something to come.

Maybe most importantly, end on a high note. We spend a lot of time explaining to our clients that there is an expiration time on a party. Leave your guests wanting more - and don't let them stick around to watch the breakdown. Cheers!
Nick

*Photo from blog.wineenthusiast.com

Check out the Chic Clutch Hunt Giveaway from Merci New York

2010-02-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

Our lovely friend Jackie from Merci New York has whipped up an amazing giveaway on her blog. Here are the details:

One lucky reader will have the chance to win a luxurious Amanda Pearl clutch, valued at $298. We're also featuring an assortment of Amanda's other pieces, which are absolutely stunning. She's truly a rising star in the luxury accessories market and someone brides should have on their fashion radar...

Visit the Amanda Pearl website and comment below with your favorite Amanda Pearl piece {it need not be bridal, so have fun perusing her entire line}!

To increase your chances of winning the Le Pouf clutch, there are four additional ways to enter this contest:
1. Tweet this: I just entered to win the @AmandaPearly #chicclutchhunt giveaway at Merci New York! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/doaqQR{via @MerciNYC}. Then leave a second comment once you’ve tweeted.
2. Blog about the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway {feel free to use our oh-so-pretty giveaway graphic!} and comment with your blog link.
3. Post about the giveaway on a message board and comment with your link.
4. Share the Chic Clutch Hunt giveaway on Facebook and let us know via a comment.

The giveaway winner will be chosen at random and announced via the Merci New York blog on Monday, March 8th at 8:00 PM EST

Be sure to enter and add Merci New York to your daily reads; Jackie has an amazing sense of style and posts great finds often!

Monday Coffee: 2010 stationery trends

2010-02-22T09:34:00.001-08:00

We thought it would be fun to get an East Coast take on invitation and stationery trends - Owner and designer Corrie from Invite Couture was kind enough to answer some questions and lend insight to our readers - enjoy!

Q. What new trends are you seeing for 2010?
A: I'm not sure if other designers are seeing this as well, but I've been getting a lot of requests for black and white printed designs. Not only is this palette b
beautiful and works with every color scheme you can think of, but it's also a very economical option as far as printing goes as well. Another trend I'm seeing is the elimination of RSVP cards. Nowadays to save money on their invitations, couples are opting to in addition to their invitations create a wedding website where they allow their guests to RSVP. That eliminates the need to include RSVP cards, envelopes and costly stamps with their invitations. I've always had a lot of requests for pocketfold style invitations. I'm not sure if its still a trend (it was back in '08 when I got married) but nonetheless I still have a lot of brides asking for them.

Q: What advice do you have for couples looking to go "greener" with their invitation suites?
A: One thing I recommend is asking your stationer about the types of stock they use. Invite Couture uses all FSC Certified stocks, meaning the papers we use are produced using trees grown in sustainable forests. Soy and other eco-friendly inks are also popular, but another printing method which is worth asking about is digital offset. Digital printers use less chemicals during the printing process and are much more eco-friendly than other methods, as well as economical. My final tip for creating greener invitations would be to pare down the number of pieces you include in your wedding stationery suite. For example, if you don't need them don't include a bunch of insertion cards in your invitation suite. The trend I described above referring guests to a wedding website allows you to up additional information on the web as opposed to wasting paper and ink. Same goes for items like escort cards, menu's, etc at your reception. Instead consider doing signage instead of printing an item for each guest. You'll save money as well as the environment as well.

Q: What is your favorite color palette for 2010?
A: I love the turquoise trend. It can be used so many different ways and get totally different effects. For example, for a ranch wedding you can pair turquoise and silver like southwestern jewelry. Or for an South Asian wedding do turquoise with a variety of jewel tones. For a modern city wedding turquoise, gold and cream would be especially classy. Because it's such a strong color I love all the different combinations you can create with it.

There you have it!
Happy Planning, Aleah + Nick

A few pieces from Invite Couture

Sunday fun: galoshes!

2010-02-21T17:14:00.000-08:00

I came across these super cute images of a bride and bridesmaids donning galoshes and had to share!
Happy Saturday! Aleah
*both images via Chicagonow.com

A roundup of really great finds

2010-02-16T09:02:00.001-08:00

We wanted to do a roundup of some great finds this week - there's surely something for everyone!

Falling whistles: you must check out this site and read about this cause- it's for an absolutely amazing cause that will touch your heart. Starting at just $30, 100% of your purchase of a whistle necklace will help rehabilitate children of war in Congo.

WeddingChicks.com has posted a template to some very sweet menu and escort cards for free

We love Paloma's Nest (I just ordered the 2010 egg for our office!) and yesterday Caroline went live with a lovely new site for easy ordering. Her heirloom pieces make for great birthday and thoughtful gifts and, of course, ring bearer bowls. Check out her eggs, blocks, adorable little satchels, and bowls.

For all of you industry pros (and our clients) Julianne Smith (AKA Garter Girl) has launched a fantastic program for planners. She's offering two delicious garters for emergency kits (we all need 'em!) and...she is offering a 10% discount to clients of wedding planners! Check out her site for more details

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Monday Coffee: a few tips to help you select wedding artists

2010-02-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

A big step in the planning process is locating amazing florists and invitation designers who will work with you to bring your wedding vision to life.
Here are some of our top tips for helping you to interview and select those artists:

1. ask all the right questions - how many weddings/events does the vendor work on at each time? Most vendors know their talent and work load ability and won't take on too much as they don't want to compromise their reputation. But it's always best to ask. Ask about experience but also ask get to know the artist on a more personal level. Inquire about where they get inspiration from, how they like to work, and what makes them tick. Relating on a personal level is great for a mutual relationship.

2. show the artist photos of your vision to help relay your thoughts. Reading back to our last Monday Coffee post re: staying true to your vision, be sure to give your wedding artists some creative freedom. Most invitation or floral designers we know really don't want their clients to want to simply copy a wedding from a photo or something they found online. After all, they are the experts so let them show you what they can do.

3. work with them to get the creative juices flowing. Meet over coffee or in their studio and work on sketches together, create vision boards, and let them whip up some color inspiration. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish in a fun + relaxed sit-down.Photo from Kate Hill Flowers via polkadotbride

4. talk budget up front. We work with our clients to determine how to best allocate their wedding budget so if you are without a planner, be sure to relay this information to each artist up front. Most artists are willing (to some extent) to offer up great suggestions or alternatives to help bring your vision to life if your original budget doesn't allow for certain flowers or invitation styles you might want.

Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

Truly Vintage Wedding Goodies

2010-02-11T11:15:00.001-08:00

Nick's parents were married in May of 1974 in a sweet celebration. We came across these treasures in a box and I just had to share them for Valentine's Day.

I love how bright and charming the flowers on this invitation are.Check out these cocktail napkins! So funky + sweet!This is pretty cool - this handy little system helped them track their gifts with stickers and a coordinating book to write names and gifts. Wow - 360 gifts?

Do you have any vintage finds from your parents' or grandparents' weddings? Or your own wedding? We'd love to share them!

Aleah

57 Grand: Oh-so chic bridesmaids dresses

2010-02-09T13:34:00.001-08:00

Nick and I had such a great time in NYC hanging with fabulous industry peers, checking out some super parties and events, and getting the inside scoop with some amazing vendors.
We love the ladies at 57 Grand in the Garment District - Carmen and Saukok are so sweet and incredibly talented. They realized there was an untapped niche and decided to create lovely custom bridesmaids dresses - all under $200.

I personally think this dress (above, white dress) is gorgeous enough on its own to act as a wedding dress for sweet nuptials or a beach ceremony! I love how each of their dresses is named after an NYC street! So fun!

This bow is detachable and you can also order a shawl or bolero for different looks

Here's the scoop: check out their site and pick a color that fits your wedding palette and ambiance. Let your bridesmaids choose a style that fits their body type and personality (what's so awesome is that any of these dresses they really can wear again and again). They request a sample size in the dress/color they like and 57 Grand will ship it to them. If everything fits, they'll whip up the bridesmaid's very own dress in the fabric, style, and color they want. The entire process takes about 12 weeks and the dresses are made in NYC (actually across the street from their sweet little studio).
I love this accessory and want one for myself!
In addition, they have some great inexpensive + chic accessories (headpieces, belts, oversized bows) and are adding more to their collection this spring. Even better, they have partnered with Operation Prom, a non-profit that helps dress deserving NYC area students for their proms!

I am eager to purchase my own Riverside sterling grosgrain number next month!
*Be sure to tell them we sent you!
Aleah

Monday Coffee: staying true to your vision

2010-02-08T10:07:00.001-08:00

We always tell our clients that we are here to help bring their wedding vision to a reality. We also strive on providing a super fun planning process and wedding experience.

Here are our favorite tips to guarantee you have a fun and successful planning process and stick to your vision, whatever that might be:

1. smile. seriously. don't get weighed down by the sometimes overwhelming world of wedding planning. if you don't have a planner who will keep you on track, be sure to create a timeline to keep the planning process going in the right direction. trust us, it feels great to stay organized and give yourself time away from planning as well. don't look at the planning process as a huge list; break it up into months/weeks and you'll breathe much easier.

2. stay true to you. you and your significant other are not the same as "Joe" and "Samantha" whose wedding photos you might have seen on a wedding blog. while it's great and helpful to get inspiration from magazines and the internet, focus on elements of flowers, colors, photos, food, and music that you like rather than trying to style your wedding completely after someone else's.

3. get creative. don't try to simply replicate your cake, flowers, and lighting from those photos you've seen online by bringing said photos to your vendors and asking them to copy. again, inspiration is fantastic (and we create vision + inspiration boards all the time to help guide our clients), but...asking all of your vendors to replicate another's wedding really isn't a reflection of you. Let your vendors get to know you and help you with some amazing ideas you might not have thought of. after all, they are the experts.

4. brainstorm. consider what story you want to tell to your guests. are you an adventuresome couple? brainy? love to travel?

5. incorporate you. see #4 above and really strive to incorporate pieces of you both in your ceremony and reception. not every aspect of a wedding has to be structured or super formal - have fun with it! whether it's creating an amazing first dance mixing your favorite Etta James song and a hip hop tune, bringing in an ice cream or taco truck for late night snacks, or wearing citrus shoes - do it! Whip up some funky save the date cards with photos of you on your travels. Name your tables after your favorite movies (yes, as out there they might be!). We see so many of our clients have so many amazing, fun, and unique vignettes in their weddings when they follow this advice.
*image from peach-pearl.blogspot.com
*image from intimatewedding.com

6. share the duties. you're entering into a lifelong marriage and why not start off on the right foot? break up your wedding tasks into a) things you like and want to tackle (like floral design or selecting a chic color palette), b) things your sweetie is eager to handle (maybe it's creating an out-of-this-world bar with signature drinks or making an awesome play list for the band) and c) those things you want to do together and will cherish throughout the planning process (maybe it's assembling invitations, planning your honeymoon, or working out a scrumptious and unforgettable international menu your guests won't forget)

7. have fun. really. your wedding is a celebration of you and those who you love are there to support you. be sure to laugh throughout the process. don't take things too seriously.

8. eat cake. this is a personal favorite and makes for a fun afternoon. :)

Happy planning! Aleah + Nick

Frank Ross Photography

Friday night fun: a gorgeous Aurora Borealis-inspired vision board

2010-02-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

We whipped up this inspiration board for one of our sweet, sweet couples who weren't quite sure about their wedding color palette and textures. Well we wanted to help pull their visions together and Voilà! This was the result: a magical, yet sophisticated vision.
aurora borealis: www.wandermelon.com
linens: www.latavolalinen.com
blue cake: www.specialevents.com
rope place mat: www.beachhousedecor.blogspot.com
hydrangeas: brides.com
runner: craftwww.snfavors.com
pillows: www.burkedecor.blogspot.com
shoes: www.thisnext.com
love out loud: www.inspiredbybeatriceclay.com
leaves: www.philipjong.com

Nick's Picks: to tux or not to tux

2010-02-05T11:44:00.001-08:00

A common question from many of our grooms-to-be (and their leading ladies) is whether a tux or a suit is appropriate for their big day.

As a rule, let's lay it out on the table: a tuxedo is appropriate if you are holding a true black-tie affair. So what does that mean?: the type of venue (country club, hotel setting, or a private estate might mean black tie) an evening wedding with a several course plated dinner often can set the formality of black-tie. Many times this is stated in the invitation as well; if you aren't prepared and don't let your guests know, some might show up under dressed. There's nothing worse than a couple's attempt at creating their magical black-tie affair ending with guests in casual attire.

Emmett + Marie had a true black tie affair - a large Catholic ceremony and a downtown evening dinner reception *photo by Carol HarroldWe help our clients to make this decision early on in the process - we once talked a groom down from wearing a white tux when their wedding was set in a very casual outdoor garden - talk about a mismatch!

Suits on grooms are becoming more and more popular for lots of reasons: 1. they can be inexpensive 2. you and your gents can wear and wear again 3. you have endless options for colors and styles
Emily + Ryen had a wedding in the woods so tailored suits worked well *photo by Amore StudiosWe'll throw yet another option in the mix: beach wedding attire. Many of our clients are planning nuptials on exotic beaches but still want to look put together and sharp. Think light linen suits or pants paired with woven bamboo dress shirts - good looking but light and airy. The last thing you want is to be dressed in a heavy suit in 80 degree weather.

Eugene + Michelle were married on the beach in Mexico; Eugene dressed in a linen suit and breathed easier *photo by La Luz Photography
With this being said, dressing to the nines in a suit certainly doesn't mean your wedding is not formal. It just sets the tone for a non-black tie event. After all, it's your wedding - stick to what's comfortable, suitable for your setting, and looks good.
Nick

*Stay tuned for my picks on suit and tux styles

Inside Scoop: The Bal du Moulin Rouge

2010-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

Continuing our inside scoop series (look back for our our inside scoop on Magnolias Linens, Preston Bailey's Celebrations party, and the Eco-Beautiful launch from NYC), we'll take you across the Atlantic from NYC to Paris. In constant search for amazing decor, color combinations, venues, food, and overall cultural influences we can incorporate in our events and design, we travel to some pretty sweet locales.
*this is the incredible front to the holiday card we received last year

This photo by Wetcanvas.com
We were lucky to get the VIP treatment and a backstage view into the famed Moulin Rouge in Paris (and you all know of my obsession with anything French!), thank you to the lovely Carole Herry. Not only did we get one awesome history lesson, but we got a rare insider's look into the Moulin Rouge. Thank you again for the interview as well!

Most know the Moulin Rouge as an over-the-top famed French Cancan dance revue, which in part is true. It's also a gourmet restaurant and a cultural phenomenon. Arguably the world's most famous cabaret, the Moulin Rouge has been stunning and entertaining hundreds of patrons a night since 1889. Rather risque in 1889, the original Moulin Rouge dancers debuted with outfits and moves that no one had ever seen. Thus, the Cancan dance was unveiled!

One of our photos - you aren't allowed to snap photos inside; and for good reason! You must check it out for yourself!
Rather unassuming from the front (though recognizable by the red windmill on the roof), once you enter the Moulin Rouge you are transported into another world. Another era. Ushers seat 850 guests each show (there are two shows each night, 365 days a year) with incredible precision. We were treated to a private table with champagne service and an unobstructed view of the absolutely insane stage. The props, costumes, and design of the entire show is out-of-this-world! Going through 1,000 costumes each night is no easy feat but the dancers pull it off with ease. Photo by SLuniverse.com
Many are classically trained in the French Cancan style, and put on a show like none we've ever seen ! The precision of the wait staff is so impressive; each night 115 maitre-ds, waiters, and servers and 25 chefs prepare quintessential French cuisine for the patrons.
The food, the champagne, those Cancan dresses. Très magnifique!

Of course, they allow for special events; what a party that would be!
If you find yourself in Paris you must visit the Moulin Rouge. And tell 'em we sent you!
Stay tuned for our Moulin Rouge-inspired table soon!

An insider's look: Magnolias Linens

2010-02-03T11:35:00.001-08:00

If it's one thing we know from our clients and readers, it's that people love the inside scoop. Sharing a bit of our expertise of quality artists and resources for our clients is important to us so without further ado, the spotlight is on Magnolias Linens in NYC.

We love the ladies at Magnolias Linens and recently partnered with them on a SoCal table design shoot (the magazine comes out next month). While in NYC last week we just had to visit their storefront and man, was I in heaven! Like a kid in a candy store I was in awe of the amazing colors, textures, beading, and the endless options for linens.

The owner, Asema Ahmed, is lovely and explained their process of making the linens and shipping them out to clients. Each and every one of their linens is unique and created in India. Clients can order linens in an assortment of various colors and styles and some can be made into runner or napkins. If a client sees a linen they love but want it, say, in navy, voilà! They'll create it! Talk about a VIP service. We are always impressed with wedding artists that truly cater to each individual client (after all, each client is unique) and Magnolias Linen certainly does that. Be sure to check out their site http://www.magnoliasgroup.com/home.html

A recap from Preston Bailey's Celebrations Launch Party

2010-02-01T12:24:00.001-08:00

Last Thursday were were incredibly fortunate to have attended Preston Bailey's own Celebrations book launch party at the Armory in NYC.
Of course, we can't just show you photos - we wanted to share more of the experience (and man, what an experience it was!).
The Armory is a renowned space in Manhattan and (having seen the pre-event photos) was completely transformed by Preston Bailey's team and Marcy Blum. When we walked up the front steps we were delighted at the incredible illuminated floral "shadows" that followed us. It's so important to surprise guests with unexpected details and if Preston Bailey has taught us anything over the years, it's this.
Once we made our way up the stairs, a magically draped corridor greeted us, having us really wonder what was in store. These absolutely amazing "trees" dripped crystals and anchored the entrance and were so incredibly unique and whimsical. An enormous runway lay ahead, complete with a revolving "conveyor belt" of photos of Preston's work. Words can't quite explain, so here are some photos of this:

Guests were greeted by Preston and waiters with wine and hors d' oeuvres upon entrance (a must, in our opinion).

If you ever have the honor of meeting Preston Bailey, you'll quickly realize why he is so amazing at what he does. He's just too kind, humble, and incredibly sweet. Nick + I were thrilled at the chance to chat with him a couple of times and tell him what an inspiration he is to us. We were also impressed (when out of a room of so many) that he embraced us and recognized us as the husband and wife team he'd invited. His work truly is just outstanding and his attitude is the icing on the cake!
Naturally, we brought a congratulatory gift to the host and he was so kind and appreciative (we were happy to see this photo by Lisa Barr at the NY Examiner posted the next morning!).
Of course, Preston's party was chock-full of a supporting cast of A-list celebrities in the design, wedding, and entertainment world. Preston's work has long been admired by the elite.

We noshed on some delicious hors d' oeuvres like rosemary-speared lamb, Philly cheese steak bites, braised short ribs with celery root puree, edamame on seaweed crisps, and so much more. In our opinion, it's not much fun to attend a party and not experience everything, including the food. Preston had two oversized square bars topped with statues of him (covered in gilded leaves - amazing!), and scrumptious dessert displays. I am a sucker for macaroons and these were the best I've had! Preston's signature drink was a Leblon Specialty Caipirinha that was sexy, tasty, and fun.

Possibly the most amazing element of the party was the lighting. Nick and I agreed that the lighting made us feel like we were in a different world as it was "textured" and there were layers upon layers of different visual aspects.

These visually stunning orchid and ribbon trees were amazing and had this whimsical glow.
Once Preston had a chance to graciously greet each and every guest, the music (an awesome fusion of a DJ playing eclectic world music and a band playing instrumentals) swelled and all eyes turned to the runway. Four sexy models walked to catwalk, dressed only in Preston's fabric flowers! They really left us all wondering what was to come.

Preston gave a lovely speech thanking those who support him - and then Martha Washington was introduced and belted out "Everybody Dance Now" - awesome! Gloria Gaynor took the stage and had everyone singing along to "I Will Survive!" This was all just so cool!

The color of the lighting changed with the mood and by the end of the night we were treated to electric blue, amber, and rosy pink lighting that made for a fun and lighthearted mood.

The larger-than-life arrangements were beautiful

Enormous chandeliers flanked stunning oversized fabric floral arrangements (these flowers were accented throughout the party and were featured in his book) and enormous "globes" with LED ice cubes anchored the runway and added architectural interest.

The party continued with guests taking to the illuminated catwalk and dancing into the night. We had so much fun sitting back and watching!

We also had the chance to chat with the infamous (and oh-so sweet) Sylvia Weinstock. We have admired her amazing cakes for so long so it was really fabulous visiting with her! Sylvia is a joy and, might I add, is quite hilarious!Marcy Blum is absolutely lovely and such a talent. She played an important role in helping Preston with the party and Nick and I were sure to thank her for helping to make it such a smashing success.

Guests were given a thoughtful parting gift; a gorgeous handmade crystal-studded pouch containing a thank you note from Preston and his partner, Theo Blackman's, beautiful CD.

Thank you so much, Preston, for doing what you do and doing it so well and, of course, for inviting us. Truly a night we'll always remember!

A run-down of last week's Eco-Beautiful Weddings launch party in NYC

2010-01-31T18:36:00.000-08:00

We were thrilled to attend this super fun soiree at 632 Below in NYC last week for the Eco-Beautiful Weddings E-Zine.

Nick and I had a smashing time (great food, excellent company, and a really outstanding idea!) and were so happy to put faces to so many names we've known for awhile!
The Valleys with the super sweet Katie Martin (voice behind Eco-Beautiful Weddings)

Hudson 632 is so cool - check out their speakeasy cafe in the basement!(and scroll back a few posts - we showcased some photos and their site last week)

Nick + I with Dana + Hunter AKA the Broke-Ass Bride and Fresh Hubby of LA - can't wait to hang out with them again soon!

*stay tuned for more adventures in NYC posts and of course, photos from Preston Bailey's amazing party!

An Amazing Night at Preston Bailey's Celebrations Launch Party

2010-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Wow. That's all I can say at the moment! Nick + I were extremely fortunate to attend Preston Bailey's Celebrations launch party (you must pick up this awesome book!) at the Armory in NYC last night. While we aren't sharing too much today, we wanted to say what an amazing man Preston is. He's the warmest person we've met in this industry and boy, does he know how to throw a party!

While we have tons of photos to share, I wanted to post some teasers shots taken by Lisa Barr at the Examiner in NYC (stay tuned for some amazing photos and our full write-up of the fabulous event).

2010-01-27T20:05:00.001-08:00

I couldn't help but share these killer images from the always awesome Seattle based photographer Laurel McConnell. Not only is she so cool, but her work rocks!!
Check out these shots from an art soiree and be sure to check out her site: http://www.mcconnellphoto.com/

Don't you LOVE this furniture??

2010-01-27T10:35:00.001-08:00

Last night we attended a fabulous launch party for the Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine launch (thank you so kindly to the awesome and sweet Katie Martin (the voice behind the magazine) for inviting us. While we'll be sharing photos when we return, we wanted to spotlight the magazine and the awesome venue, Hudson Below. The atmosphere was so charming (there was a super cool speak easy cafe downstairs!) and a kick-ass band! There were loads of lovely industry friends and we had a ball! Looking forward to the rest of our week in NYC!
*be sure to check out Eco-Beautiful's blog - they spotlight some pretty sweet stuff!

Easy Entertaining: cute + simple Valentine's Day napkins

2010-01-24T21:27:00.001-08:00

A departure from our typically more elaborate table stylings, I wanted this little DIY project to be super easy and cute! Why not host a casual Valentine's Day brunch and spruce up each place setting with a sweetly adorned napkin? You don't need much more than some scrap felt, ribbon, fabric glue, and a little gem for materials. You'll also need scissors, a ruler, and marker or white crayon to mark your felt. *I wanted to use some fun and funky colors rather than "standard" red, white, and pink for Valentine's Day.
1. cut a felt square to 4" x 4"

2. fold the felt in half and freehand trace a heart as shown here (think back to elementary school!) 3. cut the heart out (I used a gold pen to mark my felt but you can use a white crayon to trace)

4. use fabric glue to adhere your heart to your ribbon - thick ribbon or thin will work

5. wrap your ribbon around an oversized buffet napkin and glue the ribbon together to secure

6. Use a dot of glue to adhere a little gem or rhinestone for a sweet touch

7. Voilà! For this super easy (I mean super!) brunch setting I used a glass cake stand to elevate our creamer and accoutrements to give space as I used a small pub-style table.

I hope you enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Aleah

*stay tuned to the blog for a week of posts from New York!

It's Love: London Nuptials

2010-01-22T18:30:00.000-08:00

This London wedding is so stunning for all the right reasons. The bride and groom look so happy, the setting is perfect, and the photography amazing. I hope you enjoy these images from Segerius Bruce

Enjoy! Aleah

2010-01-21T15:26:00.001-08:00

It's always fun to offer guests a variety of classic and new cocktails at events. Here are a handful of classic cocktail recipes that are simple to make and crowd pleasers:

The Americano
Mix 1 oz. Campari, 1/2 oz. sweet Vermouth, and club soda over ice in a highball. Garnish with an orange slice

The Gimlet
Combine 1.5 oz. gin, 1/2 oz. lime juice, garnish with a wedge of lime in the glass; serve over ice in an old fashioned

Harvey Wallbanger
1.5 ounces vodka, 4 ounces orange juice, 1/2 ounce Galliano, 1 orange slice for garnish
In a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes, combine the vodka and orange juice. Top with Galliano and garnish with orange slice

Pimms Cup *while this calls for more ingredients than the other cocktails, it can be made in large batches well ahead of your event and is a very refreshing drink
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups Pimm's No.1*
1 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice
2 Meyer lemons, thinly sliced
1 orange, halved, thinly sliced
1 6-inch-long piece cucumber, thinly sliced
1 3-inch-long piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1 1/2 cups chilled club soda
Ice cubes
Cucumber spears (for garnish)
Stir sugar and 1/2 cup water in saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Combine Pimm's and next 6 ingredients in large pitcher. Mix in 1/2 cup sugar syrup, mashing slightly to release flavors. Cover; chill at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

Stir 1 1/2 cups club soda into pitcher. Fill 8 old-fashioned glasses with ice, then cocktail. Garnish with cucumber spears.
*this recipe courtesy of Epicurious
Enjoy! Nick

Photo by myrecipes.com

Planning advice from the bride and groom, VOL II

2010-01-20T16:02:00.001-08:00

Renee + Alex were such a joy to work with. Renee and I had a close relationship throughout the planning process and I loved each meeting with her - we had so much fun! Nick and Alex got along swell and they lent their advice on planning as a couple and why it's important to join forces on certain aspects of planning:

What parts of the wedding did you want to plan together or decide on together?
From the very beginning, we wanted plan the ceremony together, especially in regards to the prayers, vows and music. We also wanted to plan the food and beverage at the reception together because we are both “foodies.” We wanted to make sure we had great food and drinks to serve our guests. On the other hand, Alex was less concerned about the “aesthetic design,” than Renee was, so we did not worry much about deciding on the flower arrangements, centerpieces or other decorations together.

2. What was most important to Renee? Alex?
In planning the wedding, Renee felt that the overall décor and “atmosphere” of the wedding was the most important (probably no big surprise there J). From the gobs of roses and candles at the ceremony, to the warm toned centerpieces and accents at the reception, creating a comfortable yet unforgettable atmosphere was top priority for Renee. Alex felt that it was important to have a good selection of music, suitable for both the younger and older guests; and songs that would make even the most stubborn guests get up and dance.

All of the things mentioned above actually happened, and not only that, they happened without a hitch because of Nick and Aleah!! Planning our ceremony with the perfect vows, prayers and elegant music was much easier thanks to Nick and Aleah. The food, drinks and cake were all excellent… both in taste and in appearance, on behalf of Nick and Aleah’s suggestions. Renee actually teared up when she saw all of her flowers and candles for the first time, and our guests danced ALL night long (even the “sticklers”), because of the advice and assistance Nick and Aleah provided. In the end, our dream wedding actually happened; and we were never that stressed out engaged couple planning our upcoming wedding… Nick and Aleah’s services are invaluable for that reason alone.

Thank you so much; you guys are so great (and such a gorgeous couple)! Aleah + Nick

*Photo by Alex Studios

Bride's Choice Winner 2010!

2010-01-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

Seattle, Washington

Fine Line Management & Events - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Fine Line Management & Events has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Best Wedding Planner.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Fine Line Management & Events is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Fine Line Management & Events is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today by clicking here

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Monday Coffee: save the dates

2010-01-18T15:54:00.001-08:00

We recommend that all of our clients (whether their guests local or not) send out save the date cards as a courtesy for their invited wedding guests.

What is a save the date? A save the date comes well before an invitation and lets your guests know that you're tying the knot in a fun and more casual way than a formal invitation. We usually create them as a post card (though mailed in an envelope) and list the bride + groom's name, wedding date, and on the back of the card you may list your wedding website and direct guests there for lodging and travel information and wedding updates.

Save the dates are critical these days, especially when you are asking your guests to travel from out of town or overseas to your celebration.
When do we send them out? We recommend sending save the date cards out 10-12 months in advance for foreign or out of state weddings. This allows guests ample time to make travel arrangements. For in-state weddings where most guest are local, mailing out the save the dates 6-8 months in advance is perfect (be sure to think ahead for holiday weekend weddings).

Should a save the date card represent the style of the wedding or what we anticipate the invitations to look like? No! We tell our clients to have lots of fun with the save the date - use fun colors and a funky text - things you likely won't do for a more demure wedding invitation!
Happy Planning, Aleah + Nick

Captured: Romance in Paris

2010-01-16T11:29:00.001-08:00

Olivier Lalin is an incredible talent who photographs the most amazing weddings worldwide. This gorgeous couple was snapped in Paris (my all-time favorite city) and the result = simply breathtaking photos! Enjoy!

2010-01-15T11:56:00.001-08:00

We came across some delicious little gems for the ladies and gents on Etsy today:
These earrings are absolutely sparkly, gorgeous, and oh-so fun! At less than $20 each, you can't go wrong to pair with a bridesmaid's gift! Check out the Lara Lewis shop on Etsy

And how about these awesome cufflinks! So vintage and handsome! Again, at about $20 you can't go wrong! HauteKeys on Etsy

Spring love: violet, pale blue, and pretty pink

2010-01-14T21:23:00.000-08:00

We got so much lovely feedback from the Valentine's Day inspiration board I created and I've been thinking spring. The result = a nautical inspired spring board. I love this combination as it speaks to a nautical theme without being "themey." Adding violet + pink touches to your event with bolsters, orchids, and lovely letterpress paper goods will bring a unique touch. Hope you enjoy! Aleah
1. Vinage map 2. polka-dot spring wedding gown from Nibs 3. picnic basket by Roberto Pie 4. boat photo captured by yours truly in the South of France 5. pink orchid by direct-bouquet 6. violet pillows by ismoyo 7. nautical rope place mats from beach house decor 8. scrumptious scallops from MontereyWineCountry 9. violet cashmere throw by justblankets.co.uk 10. luxe letterpress stationery by Bella Figura (our 2nd feature; love them!) 11. seersucker fabric intotextiles.com

Nick's Picks: Lending a Helping Hand

2010-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Given the recent earthquake and following tragedy in Haiti, I wanted to talk about how to help today in my Nick's Picks.
Remember that even a little can go a long way.

1. Donate to the Red Cross
2. Music superstar Wyclef (who is from Haiti) says: Help Haiti Earthquake Relief Donate $5 by texting YELE to 501 501 right now
3. You can also visit http://www.yele.org/

*Here is another great website for other ways to help those in need elsewhere in the world
Give Your 10 http://www.giveyour10.com/

Without the world's help, this is a tragedy that won't fix itself.
Nick

2010-01-12T14:41:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so I wanted to share a vintage-inspired Valentine's day vision with you. Mixing and matching textures, patterns, and funky design elements like vintage books, modern stationery, and fresh flowers = a lovely and romantic table. Enjoy! Aleah
From left to right:
1. red wellies 2. lovely tulle dress by bridalwavetv 3. shabby chic chair by the bella cottage
4. roses from one of our brides, image by kate mcelwee
5. cappuccino image by homebaked memories 6. chandelier by kaboodle
7. vintage pillows by country living 8. felt heart from design evolution
9. lovely books from blue bird notes 10. lovely letterpress in joy by bella figura

Monday Coffee: weddings + cocktail hour

2010-01-11T17:12:00.001-08:00

We wanted to dedicate this Monday's Coffee advice to weddings and cocktail hour. We have so many clients who have this debate as to whether or not they'll offer guests tray passed hors d' oeuvres and drinks before dinner or how long to host the cocktail time for. We most always suggest having a cocktail time and staging it for no more than an hour and a half (an hour is usually perfect).

Often times this is necessary at a venue where the ceremony + reception are in the same room. The room will need to be smoothly turned for dinner service and this is a great opportunity to magically transform it.

Cocktail hour is also a great chance for the bride and groom to steal away for photos or a moment to breathe and gives your guests a chance to relax and visit. Make sure to offer non-alcoholic beverages as well as beer, wine, and mixed drinks (if you're having an open bar). Offer a variety of either tray passed or stationed hors d' oeuvres (one vegetarian option is always a must). Keep in mind anything more than our recommended time will likely leave you with antsy guests who are getting hungry (and drinking). We want our clients' guests to feel well taken care of, enjoy the food and drinks and atmosphere, and feel relaxed. The last thing you want is for your guests to wonder where the bride and groom are or wait two hours for dinner. These simple little cocktail hour tips will be sure to make for a successful event!
Happy Planning, Aleah + Nick
Photo by Laurel McConnell

PSA: registry extravaganza at Pottery Barn

2010-01-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Click here to start your Pottern Barn registry and find a nearby location hosting a registry party on January 16th

Happy Planning!

Photo Love: Frank Ross Photographic

2010-01-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

One of my favorites from Jeff + Jeny's Seattle Aquarium celebration

2010-01-08T17:25:00.001-08:00

So we just couldn't wait to post this piece of advice from one awesome bride and groom (seriously, they are one of our all-time favorite couples!). Marking our first advice from our grooms post, Ryan and Stephenie want you to know the following when planning your wedding:

"The wedding was important to plan together because it was a union of the two of us. We wanted to make sure we both were comfortable with everything from the color choice to the food to even the wedding planners we chose! It was an event that we knew we were only going to have once so we wanted it to be perfect and we knew that we would clash on somethings and mesh on others, so it was the perfect balance to plan it together. The most important thing for Ryan was making sure the vendors chosen were reliable, especially after all the stories you hear from friends who had flaky vendors.

Stephenie was most focused on being able to plan her wedding with someone who understood her indecisive mind and constant ideas, but would also be able to incorporate their own opinion without being pushy about it. Having Nick & Aleah plan our wedding was the greatest decision we ever made together. They listened and took notes when we had things to say, were extremely dependable and easy to reach at our convenience. They recommended vendors to us which we sat down and interviewed, and soon after agreed to work with. We can't imagine our wedding without them being there. Having Nick involved was a blessing. He was so helpful for anything on Ryan's side and for questions we had relating to the male aspect. It was nice to work with an opposite sex team, but it was amazing to work with Nick & Aleah. I know that if I had to go through it all again, I'd go with them when planning my wedding. They will not just be your wedding planners, they will become a part of your family."

Thank you, Stephenie & Ryan for the kind words and the advice to other brides and grooms!

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick
Photo: La Luz Photography

Coming Soon - From the Groom

2010-01-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

Being the husband-and-wife planning team, we know it's important to have the bride and groom involved in the planning process. Not only can it be super fun (just ask our clients!), but it's a great way to connect before your big day. While most of our brides will take the lead on certain items like color palette, flowers, and the design aspects, dishing out fun duties to the groom is important.
Stay tuned for some bit of advice from our brides and grooms on how you can share your planning experience!
Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

2010-01-06T21:23:00.001-08:00

Wow. That is all I can say! Well, other words come to mind: perfect, delightful, and whimsical! Oh, and romantic! I absolutely love this French wedding set just outside of Paris at Château de Breteuil. The bride (an interior decorator from NY) and her art-loving groom treated their 300 guests to a luscious reception fit for modern royalty. One long table sat all 300 guests for a lavish reception....ah.....perfection! (*look at those fabulous feathers!)

All photos by Mallory Samson and Veranda

So sneaky: capturing the proposal!

2010-01-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love the idea of having a photographer capture your proposal. Your expression, the atmosphere, and the hug + kiss afterwards are things that most brides (and grooms) to-be don't get to see!
So sweet! This engagement was captured by NYC photographer Daniel Krieger
Check out these shots from photographer extrordinaire, Laurel McConnell in Seattle!

So all of you prepping to propose: hire a photographer!

Nick's Picks: Living Well

2010-01-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year that most of us set out with a list of goals for the year to come. Many of these may also be carry-overs from past years so keeping this in mind: I say at least one of the following should top your list:

Have fun!
Spend more time this year doing new things and enjoying the ride.
Worry less and live more.
Most importantly, stick to your goals.
With this list of resolutions like this, you're sure to have a successful and fun year!
Cheers, Nick

Photo Love: Cakes + Kisses Photography

2010-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

Over on our other blog we featured a fabulous, intimate, and oh-so romantic wedding captured by Holly Steen at Cakes + Kisses Photography. It was actually an elopement and boy, did the photos speak volumes!

Enjoy! Aleah

Monday Coffee: Diving In

2010-01-04T11:27:00.001-08:00

For the many of you who were engaged over the holidays; Congratulations!
In our first Monday Coffee post of the New Year, we wanted to lend a few tips for those without a planning team to make the jump-start process a little easier. We know that getting started can be a whirlwind of tulle and chiffon, roses, and wedding cake, so take a step back and get organized, starting with the most pressing items first.

1. Pick a date. If you must have a 2010 wedding, keep in mind that many venues book up over a year out so stay flexible.

2. Create a rough guest list so you'll be able to start piecing together your budget and venue. Think about whether you want an intimate, family-style wedding or a lavish 300 guest affair. This will help you to tailor your guest list. A rule of thumb from Nick to help keep your list down: if you wouldn't treat a guest to dinner or have them to your own home, do not feel obligated to invite them.

3. Find your locale, which goes hand-in-hand with the number of guests (and of course, your date). Think about the style and ambiance you want to show off. Is it an ultra-chic loft space? A backyard wedding? A coastal soiree you envision?

4. Book it and breathe! You've accomplished a lot! Take a step back and prioritize what's next. Think about the wedding artists you'll need to book and prioritize who is most important (meaning what service/vendor you're willing to spend what on) and set up a meeting. Create a to-do list month-by-month and check in with yourself (and your fiance) to keep on track.

For those brides and grooms to-be in the thick of planning: it's a great idea for those without planners to touch base with all of your wedding vendors if there's been a break in communication due to the holiday frenzy. Send a friendly email checking in and make sure you're all still on the same page. Review your timeline and see what's next on the docket and prioritize. What needs to be done the didn't get finished in 2009? Did those save the date cards get addressed and mailed? Pick up the pieces from the pre-holiday rush and take a deep breath. Happy Planning! Aleah

Photo by Kate McElwee

2009-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

What a great Christmas gift! Hot off the press is the winter issue of Seattle Metropolitan Bride + Groom Magazine featuring our whimsical British Isles themed winter table.

We had so much fun putting this table together and utilized vintage brooches from our grandmothers, Nick's grandfather's pocket watch, antique cake plates from my great grandmother, and lots of interesting and unique pieces.

Our goal was to create a table that was cozy, regal, and fun to sit at. We wanted guests to feel that they could stay and chat all night and the pieces of interest (like the gold gilded books, menus on flocked English damask paper, and shortbread and jam) lent well to our goal. We asked wedding artists friends Janet Maples from izzy girl and Anne Bradfield from Floressence to provide us with amazing paper and floral pieces and boy, did they deliver!
We hope you love it as much as we do!

Easy Entertaining: New Year's Eve

2009-12-26T14:09:00.001-08:00

We hope you all had a terrific holiday! Now that Christmas is over and the gifts have been unwrapped, I am starting to think about New Year's Eve! We have dear friends coming into town so I wanted to add some fun little touches to our table.
I am thinking about a fun and vibrant Parisian-themed hors d' oeuvres table (think fun French dessert plates and jewel-toned accents) and thought of the perfect mini-project: whimsical fringed drink stirrers.

Here are directions for my easy-peasy project:
1. Find some curious and fun stir/swizzle sticks or straws (mine happen to have spheres on top) and pick out delicious paper to accent; I am using vellum as it bends well and holds shape

2. Cut paper from an 8.5" x 11" sheet in strips - about 1" x 8.5" is perfect

3. Tape one end of the paper to your swizzle stick or straw

4. Fringe each strip

5. Tightly wrap the paper around and around your swizzle stick and tape the loose end

6. Voilà

Enjoy and have a very safe and fun New Year's!

Aleah

*Please email us photos of your take on our DIY project!

2009-12-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

I love the glittering look of these little cranberry gems (thank you to my mom for finding this recipe!). Add them to a gourmet cheese board for a pop of sweetness and tartness or add them to a glass of bubbly - string three through a stir stick and drop in a champagne glass for a festive flair. Enjoy! Aleah*Sparkling Cranberries
For the simple syrup, raw cane sugar or real brown sugar lends a nice molasses flavor to the cranberries, but regular granulated sugar (or a blend of brown/white) will work.
2 cups cranberries, picked over
2 cups water
2 cups sugar (see head notes)
More sugar for coating: I do a mix of medium-grained organic sugar for the first coating, and then a second toss with regular granulated white sugar. Place the cranberries in a medium glass bowl and set aside.
Make a simple syrup by bringing the water and sugar just to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Let the syrup cool for a couple minutes and then pour it over the cranberries. If the syrup is too hot the cranberries will burst, so be careful. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, drain the cranberries and toss them with larger grained sugar until they are well coated. I only use a scoop of sugar at a time, and small batches of cranberries, so the sugar doesn't get too damp. Place the coated cranberries on a baking sheet to dry for a few hours.
Do a second toss with the regular granulated sugar, this typically takes care of any sticky spots on the cranberries. Let dry another hour.
Makes 2 cups of sparkling cranberries

*Recipe from: www.101cookbooks.com

2009-12-20T16:12:00.001-08:00

It's nearly time; I love getting decked out for the holidays - my sparkly baubles and feathered hair pieces come out to play!
Here are some adorable Anthropologie pieces mixed with.....Forever 21 accessories! It's all about mixing and matching quality pieces with less expensive accessories for a fabulous look. Enjoy!
Aleah

From left to right 1. Wrapped in ruffles Anthropologie cardigan - $128 2. Feathered headband $4.80 from Forever 21 3. Sequined fingerless gloves - Forever 21 $4.80 4. Demi-sequined cardigan from Anthropologie $128 (pair with jeans or a ruffled black skirt)

5. Flower headband $6.80 Forever 21 6. Pearl + ribbon bracelet Forever 21 $$4.80 7. Felt lei cardigan (perfect for Christmas brunch) Anthropologie $118 8. Complete outfit by Ann Taylor - Top $85 and pencil skirt at $118

These little accessories also make for fab stocking stuffers or last-minute gifts!

Color Splash: blush pink and black

2009-12-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I love anything and everything French! I was looking through photos of our last European trip and wanted to put together an inspiration color board based on a photo of the Eiffel Tower I took at dusk. Gorgeous!

From left to right: 1. Croquembouche from Martha Stewart 2. Personal photo of the Eiffel Tower 3. Veuve Clicquot Rose from VeuveClicquot.com 4. Gorgeous confection gown from J. Crew Weddings
5. Burlap Paris pillow from Etsy's Petit Coterie 6. One of our bride's J. Crew gold sandals - photo by Kate McElwee 6. Delicious cake from an open house at Hotel Monaco - photo by Laurel McConnell
7. Paper goods on Etsy - The Shabby Boutique 8. Lovely baubles by J. Crew
Enjoy!
Aleah

Monday Coffee: Holiday gift giving and tipping

2009-12-13T22:23:00.000-08:00

We know that this holiday season might be a bit tighter for some so we wanted to lay out a few guidelines on who you should tip and whether to tip cash, homemade holiday cookies, or a gift basket.
Here is a short list of who you might want to provide a holiday tip or gift to:

Your postal worker who delivers your mail day in and day out, rain, sleet, or shine! They can't accept cash tips, so how about a hand-written thank you note with box of homemade holiday cookies (anything under a $20 price tag) or a great coffee box with beans, biscotti, and a mug?
Anyone who provides you with continual service such as a hair stylist, manicurist, florist, or personal shopper can be given a cash thank you or a gift basket (think gourmet goodies with a nice bottle of wine) - up to $75. Keep in mind they make you look good so showing your appreciation is a good thing!
Garbage and recycling drivers - a cash gift up to $25 or home-baked cookies or a large travel mug with gourmet cocoa mix
Any home workers you might have like gardeners, housekeepers, cooks, etc. can be offered a cash tip up to $50 each or also a homemade gift basket
Anyone else not mentioned like your dog groomer, doorman, or anyone else who provides you with a service on a regular basis can also be given a gift card or a cash gift from $20-50 or a homemade gift. A doctor or dentist can be given a written thank you note (gift not needed)

While these are merely suggestions, be sure to enclose a thank you note to each person you tip or gift this year. Let them know how much you appreciate their great service!

Happy Holidays, Aleah + Nick

Photo Love: Frank Ross Photographic

2009-12-13T12:40:00.001-08:00

Stephanie + Coby were such a fun couple; I love this photo from their big day by the super-talented Frank Ross

Color Splash: icy blue, copper + gold

2009-12-08T21:03:00.001-08:00

While mixing metallics can scare people, the end result can be super fun and oh-so unique! I made these JOY cards for our Etsy Holiday Collection and really loved the color combo so I took it a step beyond to create a color splash board using the color palette.

I would actually love to see this used year-round - for winter weddings or holiday parties using oversized gold ornaments, icy blue fabrics, and glittery copper accents would be stunning.
For spring or summer weddings, let the blue shine through in the table cloths and bridesmaids dresses. Punch up the tables with gold chivari chairs and copper place settings. It's okay to mix and match!
For fall events, lean more towards gold and copper as your primary colors and punch colors of icy blue as napkin or programs.
The end result will be scrumptious!

*photos from a couple of our past events; I Do shoe shot and invitations by Alex Studios
Canada Dry box shot by Laurel McConnell
Two linen samples from La Tavola
Scrumptious sandwich photo (top right) by Urban Unveiled

Nick's Picks: Being a Thoughtful Groom

2009-12-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

A large percentage of proposals happen during the holidays, which means that some of you might be holding onto that little box containing a hand-picked engagement ring, waiting for that perfect holiday moment to pop the question.

Proposing to your significant other and planning your big day should be something to remember for all of the right reasons. Grooms-to-be can jump-start the planning process by doing some legwork pre-proposal (yep, in addition to picking out a ring!). Contact some wedding vendors ahead of time and check them out. Feel out their style; check out wedding planners - visit their sites and blogs to see if you like their work or if you think your bride-to-be would love their style.

Check out or make a list of some perfect venues that might have some significance to you and your bride. Do a bit of research and see how far out each venue is booked and what their guest capacity and food and beverage minimums are like. Most of our clients come to us needing a venue and a date; dive right in and enjoy the start of your engagement by putting some thought into the first steps of planning. Then sit back and enjoy being engaged! Your bride will be excited to be engaged but she'll really appreciate the time and thought you put into getting the ball rolling! Nick

Photo Love: Alex Studios

2009-12-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

I just love how simple this photo is. It captured a special moment between a bride and groom (one of our favorite couples, Renee and Alex) and speaks volumes.

Enjoy!

Monday Coffee: how to be a gracious holiday party guest

2009-12-07T13:25:00.001-08:00

It's that time! Holiday party season is here and (following our popular "how to be a gracious wedding guest" post) we wanted to share some tips on how to be a gracious holiday party guest.

I. Bring a hostess gift that's easy to open or use at the party. While flowers are always sweet, don't present them to your host/hostess unless they are already in a vase or perhaps a poinsettia that's potted (though keep away from kids and pets). While flowers are such a nice gesture, the last thing your host wants is to have to scramble to find a vase amidst a bustling party.

II. Bottles of wine or champagne are always great gift or you can opt for less expensive sparkling beverages like cava (from Spain) or prosecco (from Italy). Usually about $10 a bottle they are delicious! Of course, cookies and other party food are also great items to bring to parties as your host can display the goods immediately.

III. Most hosts and hostesses know that you are making a stop in between other holiday parties but don't rush out the door! Stay and mingle, visit with your hosts, and enjoy the food and drink they put so much effort into. After all, the holidays are all about good company, friends, and family.
Happy Holidays,
Aleah + Nick

Nick's Picks: Skip the Flask

2009-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

One of the most common questions I hear from grooms is "what should I do about the groomsman's gifts?" I always say "skip the flask."
Keep your wedding fun; don't make it feel like a job or a burden to the friends you are asking to be involved. The costs for then can escalate quickly when you calculate any travel, tux rental, bachelor party, and other wedding-related events. You're inviting your groomsmen to stand by you and it should be an honor. Here are some simple gestures that your groomsmen will appreciate.

If you're renting tuxes, set up a fitting for those local groomsmen and make it an outing for everyone. Surprise them by paying for the rental (usually under $100 each); the cost is minimal but the gesture large. Treat them all to dinner and drinks afterwards as your thank you.

Instead of a standard gift (like a flask), set up a day of golf and drinks for your groomsmen and pick up the tab. Somewhere during the day, snap a photo of all of the guys and gift them the photo in a frame on your wedding day. Not only are you still giving a token gift, but you created a memory.

Following these simple tips helps to keep the title of groomsman an honor and shows your friends that you appreciate their support and want them to enjoy themselves.
While not every groom can afford to treat all of his buddies to golf and drinks, find a happy medium. Splurging just a bit on treating your friends now will speak volumes years from now.
Nick

Hotel Monaco Fall Open House II

2009-12-01T19:12:00.001-08:00

Here are some more photos from the awesome and super-duper talented Laurel McConnell from the open house at Hotel Monaco we coordinated in October:
http://www.mcconnellphoto.com/ Delish cake by Tallant house

Our Monaco-themed display - floral by the amazing Wendy from Ravenna Bloom (don't you love the enormous leaves?):
Resident goldfish
Gorgeous gowns by Calla Bridal
Pedersen's Event Rentals and gorgeous floral by Ravenna Bloom

izzy girl
FLME's table - candles courtesy of glassybaby - check out those adorable favor boxes made by our own Amanda!

Monday Coffee: have a holly jolly holiday party!

2009-11-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

It has arrived....the holiday season is upon us! For most that means shopping, visiting friends and family, and parties!
Nick and I love to throw holiday parties and have a little trick to share: rent! Yes, renting items like plates, cloth napkins, and even cocktail tables will spruce up your party won't break the bank, and will make clean-up easy!

Most rental companies rent out glassware and dishes for about $.50 a piece; well worth it considering you can just pop 'em back in the box and return. No hours of clean-up!
You also have the luxury of picking cool and whimsical items like icy-looking cocktail plates, frosted martini glasses, and silvery overlays to perk up your holiday theme.
Add punches of color with bowls of ornaments, garlands, and colored napkins if you'd like.

Abbey Party Rents, Pedersen's Event Rental, Rented Elegance, and AA Party Rents all carry an assortment of these items in fun colors and textures and don't worry, you can rent as little as two items if you want!
Happy Planning,
Aleah + Nick

Hotel Monaco Fall Open House

2009-11-29T17:23:00.000-08:00

We coordinated Hotel Monaco's Fall Open House last month and just got these fantastic pics from the lovely (and incredibly talented + sweet) Laurel McConnell . As there are so many fab photos, we'll post more in between our Monday Coffee and Nick's Picks postings this week. If you have never been to the hotel or Sazerac (delish restaurant/cater of the hotel), you must! It has such a whimsical feeling and, knowing me, I love the Mediterranean/Monaco feeling. From the wall paper to the furniture, it's totally Belle Epoque meets fun!

Floral by Ravenna Bloom
A peek at our table
Tallant House
We selected some of our most favorite wedding artists to take part:
izzy girl - Janet Maples creates the most stunning paper suites
Julep Nail Parlor - the perfect spot to take your bridal party pre-wedding!
glassybaby - they rent (yes, rent!) their glass votive vessels for weddings and special events. Not to mention, they make the perfect gift!
Ravenna Bloom - Wendy creates lush and gorgeous floral pieces (contact her for holiday party decor and floral!)
Calla Bridal - stocks gorgeous wedding gowns and frocks
Seattle Parties - Sean and Leslie certainly know how to get the party started (and keep it going)! Pedersen's Event Rental - for all of your fab party and wedding rental needs
Tallant House - absolutely scrumptious cakes and desserts
L & M Chair Covers - clean, crisp, and consistent chair covers to transform your table
Julep Nail Parlor

Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

2009-11-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

Last week our Senior Associate, Amanda Graham, visited the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue for a lovely open house and tour of their mega-luxe expansion.
Here are some photos of the new event space; pretty amazing! From more intimate weddings to large corporate events, the new space has something for everyone!

The Grand Ballroom is adorned with whimsical, enchanting chandeliers (crafted in France) with blown glass spheres, bringing a rich glow to the room.

We encourage you to check out the space for your next event!

Monday Coffee: to host or not to host...that is the question

2009-11-23T11:06:00.001-08:00

Most of our clients want to offer their guests a full bar for the duration of their reception. Most clients, that is, until they get an estimate! Hotels and caterers usually offer a flat rate fee per hour for each guest. During that time they will have unlimited access to beer, wine, soda, and hard liquor (if you opt for it). However, offering a full bar can be extremely expensive and confusing.

Here are some easy-peasy tips for cutting the cost:
1. Offer the lower of the bar packages offered by the hotel or venue. Trust me; your guests likely won't know the difference between a "lower shelf" and "top shelf" vodka or bourbon. If they do, they won't say anything!

2. Cut the hosted bar during dinner. At most weddings guests are sitting during dinner and won't get up for another drink. Closing the bar during the dinner hour can save you thousands. Seriously. Calculate the cost of some hotel bar packages - $15/hour per guest x 200 guests = $3,000! Add gratuity and tax on that and we're nearing $4,000 for a virtually unused bar for one hour during dinner!

3. An option to keep guests happy is to either have wine on the tables or have table side wine service during dinner. You can also opt for a per-glass price during this time if Aunt Edna wants to get up for a glass of wine; it'll likely run you $6-8.By these simple cuts you're saving yourselves while still looking like the fabulous hosts you are!
Happy Planning,
Aleah + Nick

2009-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

As the holidays have arrived it means parties, entertaining, friends and family, and good food!
I like to have little gifts and fun food items on hand for when friends stop by or when we get invited to an impromptu cocktail party.
Here are little hostess gifts that won't break the bank.

Trader Joe's sparkling apple cider is so tasty and makes for a fun token to bring when stopping by a friend's house $3

Festive champagne glasses from Red Envelope are the perfect gift to bring to a gift exchange
Rosemary + lavender sea salt $11.50 from bella cucina

Cranberry Balsa Wood gift set $35 from bella cucina
Preserved lemon cream $12 from bella cucina

Sea salt caramels from Crate + Barrel - $19.95
Adorable snowflake soap from Crate + Barrel $1.25 eachHappy Holidays!
Aleah + Nick

2009-11-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

So we have some brand spanking new fun blog posts coming - we've implemented a "Monday Coffee" segment where we offer real, down-to-earth wedding planning tips from our point of view. Free tips! What better way to start your week!
Stay tuned to Wednesdays where Nick will be lending his amazing, manly ideas to grooms in "Nick's Picks!"
Of course, we'll be consistent with our lifestyle, planning, and entertaining tips, recipes, and photos.
Thanks for reading!

Monday Coffee: Warning for the DIY Brides and Grooms - Floral

While we are all about helping our clients with DIY projects and ideas and money saving tips, it's really important to know that tackling certain DIY projects can be incredibly difficult, time consuming, and even expensive.

We recently had a bride and her mother create all of the centerpieces for their 200 guest wedding. That's 20 + arrangements!

We strongly recommended they order bouquets and boutonnieres from a professional florist (unless you, a friend, or family member is a florist, these are not simple to make). The flowers were ordered from a local floral wholesaler and were to be picked up the Thursday before the wedding weekend.

The problem came when half of the flowers didn't arrive early in the morning as requested. The bride and her mom had enough going on with prepping themselves for the big day and visiting with out of town guests. They had to come back later in the afternoon to get the rest of the flowers.

In the end a few bunches of special order flowers didn't make the shipment from South America. We stepped in and called around to locate replacements, but they made do with what was there.

The end result: while the arrangements looked good the bride's mother was stressing before the wedding. Not something we like. Unfortunately it's out of our control when clients take on DIY projects like that; there's no florist to call and get a back-up through or no recourse (though we were able to locate a secondary replacement flower). Floral wholesalers order and get what's available; even if you pre-order sometimes things don't make it. When our clients use professional florists we don't have this problem as they are prepared should something not come. It's their job to make sure each flower arrives, is fresh, and looks gorgeous.

Another important duty to consider when going the DIY centerpiece route - who will be dealing with the delivery and take-home of the flowers? Will it be your family? Your bridesmaids? Remember that while they are all there to help and make sure you enjoy the day, you don't want to stick them with something that's a burden.

The bottom line: Talk to a florist first to see what they can do and how they can work with your budget. When it comes down to it, is your time, dealing with a wholesaler, the cost of flowers, and purchase of vases really worth doing it yourself? Your florist will deliver, set up, and take away all of the flowers so you're left with nothing but fun (and stress-free) memories!
Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

Frank Ross Photography

Amore Studios

Wishing you a warm and cozy holiday season!

2009-11-12T20:22:00.001-08:00

Stay tuned to our blog next week for the first of many "Nick's picks" postings and holiday decor and entertaining tips. Happy Holidays!

Photo taken on a winter trip to scout out a venue for our clients - Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Happy Anniversary, Stephenie and Ryan!

2009-11-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

What an awesome couple! Nick and I had so much fun working with Stephenie and Ryan on their gorgeous November wedding last year at the Woodmark Hotel.
Here are some photos from their special day - doesn't Stephenie look simply stunning in her gorgeous dress?

Wow! Look at that texture!

Aren't the flowers sublime? I love the deep purple calla lilies.

From the tasting to planning meetings, the four of us had a great time and we really enjoyed planning with them! I just love the fact that we're friends to this day - how cool is that?!
Happy Anniversary, Stephenie and Ryan!

Photos by La Luz Photography

Happy Anniversary, Joe and Jolene!

2009-11-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Photos by Kate McElwee

Happy Anniversary, Danelle and Jason!

2009-11-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

Photos by Amber Roberts

Winter wedding details

2009-11-04T15:59:00.001-08:00

Winter weddings are so much fun and you can really do so much in terms of ambiance, favors, decor, and other fine details that aren't seen all the time.
Here are some snapshots from some of our favorite winter wedding and event details!

This might just be my all-time favorite cake (with the exception of our own!) - Frank Ross Photography

Hitched: Janet and Jason in sunny San Diego

2009-10-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Janet and Jason are such a perfect match; they are both incredibly sweet, gracious, and have great, warm smiles! We had so much fun planning their big day in San Diego! Their Sunday wedding was perfect; a gorgeously warm and sunny day; a lovely church ceremony, and a funky, chic reception on the bay looking towards downtown San Diego (behind these palm trees).
Complete with stunning flowers in an incredible SoCal fall color palette (think warm tones, but not too "fall" - gorgeous pink and orange orchids, green hydrangeas, fuchsia roses, and curly willow branches adorned with more orchids!)....Janet and Jason love to play games so we had her uncle paint some amazing signs leading guests towards lawn games, lounging, and cocktails. Scrabble pieces adorned adorable (and scrumptious) cupcakes, and their cake topper (they had a mini cake to cut) was custom made out of their Mii characters for the Wii!

Aren't their Mii cake toppers so cool??

Capiz shell candle holders (hand painted by her uncle as well!) and grass pouches acted as favors and we had an adorable candy buffet for the kids. We had an ultra cool authentic photo booth on the terrace; guests used their photos to post to a guest book with a note (we even took part - it was so much fun!).

Epic Affair created a truly awesome and beautiful same-day edit video that we played after toasts - what fun! Check it out here: http://www.epicaffair.com/janet-jason-wedding.html

Thank you, Janet and Jason, for having us play a role in your big day! Have a great time on your cruise and congratulations!

Pro Pics!

2009-10-14T20:21:00.001-07:00

We love, love, love the pro photos that just arrived from Amore Studios from Emily and Ryen's gorgeous and amazingly fun wedding! Read back to July to read the blog posting with fun post-wedding details!

A Night in Monaco

2009-10-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

2009-10-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

I love decorating for Halloween and got a start today by making some scrumptious candied apples; half with chocolate and crushed nuts and the other half with sea salt and milk chocolate. I printed some spooky silhouettes that I found online and placed them on some black frames we already had hanging.

For a fun Halloween party setting be sure to give your guests an assortment of treats (both sweet and savory) like candied apples, assorted nuts, a gourmet cheese platter, cured meats, and other easy to bite crostinis and stationed bites.

Offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks like witch's brew (think a dark punch served up in a bowl inside a black cauldron), coffee and tea, and wine/beer and an assortment of drinks guests can serve up easily. Stock standard bar accoutrements like cherries, tonic water, Coke, limes, corkscrews, fun Halloween napkins, and ample ice. Surround the bar and buffet with dry ice to give an eerie effect. Happy Halloween!

Herban Feast Tasting

2009-10-05T16:13:00.001-07:00

Our Senior Associate, Amanda attended the Herban Feast tasting last week and had some great feedback. We personally love SoDo Park and planned a great event honoring Bill Gates, Sr. there last year. The staff is great, the food delicious, and the setting is so cool!

Isn't this photo she took awesome?

Here's some insight from Amanda:

Nestled on 1st Avenue in downtown Seattle, SoDo Park is a unique, vintage Seattle, and stunning venue. Inside, high, exposed rafters soar over an open floor. The original woodwork is exposed throughout, giving the walls and ceiling a pleasant warmth. The space is full of clean lines, the modern mixing fantastically with the historical.
SoDo’s open layout gives limitless opportunities for various events. From weddings to corporate parties and private functions, the venue can accommodate virtually anything. Curtains can be hung for smaller wedding, creating a more intimate atmosphere for fewer guests. At the front, SoDo features two charming raised lounges, perfect for small groups or cocktail hour. For larger weddings, the full facility can be left opened. Round tables can be scattered throughout the floor, but there’s more than enough room to seat over two hundred at banquet tables.

The local vendors were just as impressive. Blue Danube Productions, Seattle Parties, Miki’s Flowers, and ABC Rentals were featured throughout the night. Guests were greeted with several stations set up by Herban Feast, from traditional cheese and crackers, salad and a variety of meats, to a stunning butternut squash ravioli.
Herban Feast served a delightful range of appetizers, but the sweet potato crab cakes were supreme. They made it difficult to resist and were my personal favorite!
Upon entering guests were greeted with a creative wire tree that held dozens of martini glasses, filled with their signature lemon-basil drinks.
Next door, dessert vendors had set up in Selvetica, another local venue that offers services along with SoDo’s. Brides can rent Selvetica to use for a cocktail hour or additional room. On this night, the Confectional and Sugar Rush offered desserts like espresso cup cakes, raspberry cheesecake truffles, and sugar cookies. If you’re ever near Pike Place Market, stop by Confectional for one of their truffles – you won’t regret it.
It was a wonderful evening in a great facility!

2009-10-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

This absolutely scrumptious chocolate, brie, and basil panini by Giada De Laurentis is easy to make and works for a fun snack or dessert! It's crispy and hearty; perfect for fall. While it's really easy to make, it can be a little messy so don't overload the panini with chocolate. Enjoy!

12 slices sourdough bread
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Directions
Preheat the panini grill.
Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil. Grill the bread slices until they begin to turn golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the panini grill and place 2 ounces of cheese on 1 slice of bread (the bottom half), top the cheese with 1/3 cup chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of basil. Top with another slice of bread. Continue with the remaining sandwiches. Return the sandwiches to the panini grill until the chocolate begins to melt, about another 2 minutes.
Cut the sandwiches into 2-inch wide rectangles or small triangles and transfer to a serving platter.

Fun find: Canvas on Demand

2009-09-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

I found this company through Wedding Wire - if you sign up you get a $59 voucher (a free canvas) that you can use at canvasondemand.com

The site is so fun and you can use it to create blown-up wedding images, a guest "book" or thank you gifts for your parents or wedding gifts for friends.

I can envision blowing up images from some of our trips and displaying them in our office!

2009-09-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Wishpot are giving away a Kate Spade bag! Check out the giveaway here and good luck!
http://blogs.wishpot.com/wedding/2009/09/win-kate-spade-designer-handbag.html

You are cordially invited

2009-09-21T15:29:00.001-07:00

Please contact us for further details or questions: info@threedreamsent.com
Tel. 206.250.2055
We hope to see you there!

A gracious thank you note from a mother of the bride

2009-09-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun working with Emily and Ryen and her parents, Pam and John, on their woodland wedding. We worked with all of them for nearly a year and the end result was a stunning and romantic wedding in the woods.
I don't always post thank you notes but this one is just too kind so I had to share. Thank you so much, Pam!

Dear Aleah and Nick,
Most people would agree that the true and best measure of the success of a wedding held at one's home is whether or not the mother and father of the bride are relaxed and enjoy themselves. In case it wasn't obvious, John and I had a wonderful time at Emily and Ryen's wedding and reception and we have you to thank. You kept us all on track during the planning phase, understood our sometimes wacky sense of humor, recommended superior vendors, and dealt with every issue (although we were never aware of any) that came up throughout the evening.

We were free to welcome our friends and family throughout the evening and join in the celebration. Your professionalism allowed us to live in the moment at our "wedding in the woods" for Emily and Ryen. We are exceedingly grateful to you. You are a fantastic team and we truly enjoyed working with you. From our perspective, it was an enchanting evening. Thank you for the vital part you played in making the magic happen.

With Best Regards,
Pamela Swanes

PSA: August Jones Trunk Show

2009-09-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

I love August Jones and there is a trunk show coming up at Something Blue in La Conner, WA! Here are the details:
September 18, 19, & 20 10am to 6pm Something Blue Boutique appointments recommended - 360.466.0415

La Conner is a charming little town, so make a day out of it and bring your maid of honor or mom along!

Our friends at Something Blue have offered our brides some great discounts as well; 10% off veils or shoes, 5% off a new gown order, and much more! Tell them you heard about the deals through Fine Line and happy shopping!

Fun find by Amanda

2009-09-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun find by our Senior Associate, Amanda:
Have you ever spotted a purse in a store only to find disappointment when you grabbed it up? Either it didn’t have enough room, the texture wasn’t quite your style, or perhaps you didn’t have an outfit to coordinate with it?
Put all your fears aside ladies because 1154 LILL STUDIO solves all of the purse problems for everyone! You can customize your purse to how you want it and the look you want!
They have some Fabulous Fall Finds that will be sure to have heads turning your way when you are wearing your new fall outfit accessorized by one of their purses! And the best part- reversible!

If you are looking for a new way to have fun with your ladies, you can even throw your own LILL party! Or if you are a bridesmaid and want to break the trend of regular showers-throw a shower that will be remembered! They even help you with the invitations!

Fun find: Espresso Elegance

2009-09-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

With fall around the corner it means there will be a chill to the air. I absolutely love fall and winter weddings; there is something about the coziness, the romantic feeling, and the leaves falling.

What better way to add something different (and very Seattle) to your reception than an espresso cart? They are incredibly reasonably priced, especially considering most venues charge more for coffee and tea service anyway. The cool thing is that you can create a custom espresso drink (either with or sans alcohol), have them "paint" your monogram in the foam of each drink, and give your guest a really fun treat.
(a delicious cappuccino I had on our last trip to the Netherlands)

Think about having hot chocolate and apple cider as well for that perfect fall touch.

Espresso Elegance in Seattle offers pricing starting at $225 - http://www.espressoelegance.com/

Happy Anniversary, Fritzie and Ryan!

2009-09-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Fritzie and Ryan were married on September 8th, 2007 at the Church of the Assumption in Bellingham. They had a gorgeous ceremony and a lovely fall-themed reception (think warm copper and brown tones accented by orange and purple floral) at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine (one of our favorites!). The weather was warm, gorgeous, and sunny, but there was a bite of fall in the air.
We created these programs on gorgeous copper paper with metallic brown trimmings
Happy Anniversary!