hall events

Pinterest Love: {Burlap inspired Wedding}

2012-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

So this week, my latest obsession has been all about BURLAP! Surprise, surprise we have been seeing burlap used much more frequently these last few months with the Holidays coming to an end. From burlap table runners, and aisle runners, to burlap bunting, burlap wrapped mason jars, burlap wrapped bouquets, and burlap reupholstered chairs... it is a burlap frenzy out there and we are absolutely LOVING it! This material is so versatile and could basically be used with anything and everything! We think a rustic burlap- inspired Wedding is in store and we are here to show you how it can all be executed and created beautifully!

Burlap Invitations

Clockwise: Burlap Invitation, Burlap RSVP, Burlap Invitations

Burlap Invitations

Rustic Burlap + Paper Wedding Invitations

Burlap Wrapped Florals

Clockwise: Pink Burlap Wrapped Bouquet, Green Burlap Bouquet, White Burlap Wrapped Florals

Burlap Inspired Details

Burlap Inspired Wedding Details

Burlap Favors

Clockwise: Burlap Favor Pouch, Burlap Wrapped Jars, Burlap Wrapped Candies

Burlap Details

Clockwise: Burlap Wrapped Mason Jars, Burlap Table Numbers, Burlap Bunting

Burlap Details

Clockwise: Burlap Bow Tie, Burlap Cake Toppers, Burlap Banner

Burlap Details

Burlap Inspired Details

Burlap Wedding Details

Erin + Jason {Real Wedding}

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

We were honored to be published on Style Me Pretty for the involvement in a beautiful Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Wedding! The line up of vendors was insane with Cynthia Zatkins Events, Joielala Photographie and Blush Botanicals... needless to say - the wedding went off without a hitch!! We provided the vintage rentals for Erin + Jason's wedding and here are some of our favorite photos...

Check out the full story and photo gallery on Style Me Pretty here

Valentine's Day Gifts for the Guys!

2012-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Ladies... Valentine's Day is a month away and if you're looking for a fun/out of the ordinary gift your man will love this year we have plenty of great ideas he is guaranteed to drool over from Cool Material! Want to give him something he really wants and that he'll actually use, AND love? From the Techie, to the Outdoorsman, we've put together a few ideas for your special guy (he will be so impressed with your gifting skills this year)!

Take a look to see which ideas reflect your guys personality the most! I even want a few of these myself...hand held meat smoker? Water proof iPhone case? I mean come on, how awesome are these?!

For the Chef

Clockwise: The Smoking Gun, Grilling Planks , Sriracha Cookbook

For the Techie

Clockwise: Textured iPhone Case, Waterproof iPhone Case , Rook iPad Case

For the Outdoorsman

Clockwise: New Balance Trail Shoes, GoPro, FishEyes Camera

For the Audiophile

Clockwise: Custom Earbuds, Bike iPhone Mount, Card Speaker

Pinterest Love: {Then + Now} A New Year's Eve Celebration

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a very happy Holiday weekend with friends and family! This week on Pinterest we are loving New Year's Eve party outfits, party ideas, and vintage New Year's Eve celebrations! With New Year's Eve 2012 this weekend I wanted to share some fun, vintage pictures from the past and a few recent NYE celebrations from more recent times. How neat is it that similar traditions have been passed on from each New Year? The Times Square Ball Drop has been around since 1907... where around 200,000 people attended to watch the show! Today, nearly 1 million people from all around the world visit Times Square on NYE. Wow, what an event! Below we have arranged fun pictures from New Year's Eve parties from the 50's...I just love how put together everyone dresses for Holiday celebrations! Check out all the balloons, streamers, and fancy champagne being passed around! Things haven't changed much now, have they?

Have a great New Year's Eve celebration everyone! 2012!

Then...

NYE in Times Square 1950's

Clockwise: Vintage New Year's Eve Party, Dance Party, Times Square 1950's

NYE Ball Drop 1950's

Clockwise: NYE Dancer, Couple, Vintage Ball Drop

1950's NYE Celebration

Now...

Times Square Ball Drop

Clockwise: Champagne Flutes, Clock countdown, Ball Drop

Times Square NYE

Clockwise: Midnight Kiss, Sparklers, Times Square NYE

New Year's Eve Party

{A Rustic Holiday}

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

We just received the best gift ever... the pictures are here from our Holiday celebration we designed + styled along with Siegel Thurston Photography and we are beyond thrilled with how they turned out! Our table scape design featured rustic wooden chairs paired with a neutral table linen, twine wrapped red napkins with gold bells, burlap wrapped mason jars, silver flatware, and white dinnerware. We also included a slight touch of greenery by using pine tree branches at each place setting. The main focus of our Holiday table was to create texture with the yarn wrapped bottles we previously blogged about! We love this trend and will continue to use it through out the new year...imagine the ideas we will come up with next! The DIY gold glittered pine cones were easy to create and filled the table with a Holiday sparkle we all love! Once the drinks were poured, the candles lit, and the appetizers served we were ready to enjoy the Holiday season and the end of 2011 with great friends and fun memories!

Here's to a Happy Holiday and a healthy New Year!

Huge thank you to Brett & Liz of Siegel Thurston Photography! The pictures are so amazing and we had such a great night celebrating!

Happy Holidays & Well Wishes,

Erin + Ashley

Pinterest + Book Page Paper LOVE

2011-12-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of months we have been routinely 'pinning' on Pinterest! We love how it opens our minds to creative trends, and allows our ideas to come to life! While becoming inspired daily, we thought it would be fun to share with you which 'pins' inspire us the most! Each week we will share with you our most favorite pins we've stumbled across... whether it be a new table design we love, or a creative DIY project we are dying to try... we will save them all and post to share! Hopefully you will become as inspired by Pinterest as we are! We think that it's great, and if you haven't signed up yet...you must!

So let's get started! This week...with Christmas less than a week away we are obviously inspired by Holiday decor ideas! Christmas is about crafting, personalizing your homes, and making your space feel cozy and filled with love and happiness! We love the idea of DIY decorations including handmade wreaths, paper mache' ornaments, book page Christmas trees and yarn wrapped bottles for centerpieces. We've pulled a couple ideas ourselves, and gave them a try. At our Holiday party last week we created a table design filled with gold glittered pine cones, and yarn wrapped glass bottles for added texture. We even included burlap wrapped mason jars tied with twine, and sticks with red berries for a pop of color! We are so excited about it, and can't wait to show you how it turned out!

After 'pinning' on Pinterest this week we fell in love with the paper mache' and book page trend we are seeing. Below we have included several ideas on how to incorporate this popular trend into your Holiday celebration, including ornaments, wreaths, and gift wrap... fill your home with creative, DIY decor that will have everyone asking how you did it!

{Handwritten paper gift wrapping via Pinterest / Book page paper via Pinterest / Lace paper gift wrap via Pinterest / Brown paper gift wrap via Pinterest}

{ DIY book page Christmas trees via Pinterest / Book page Christmas trees via Pinterest / Book page Christmas trees via Pinterest / Book page ornaments via Pinterest}

(DIY paper mache' ornaments via Pinterest / Book page ornaments via Pinterest / Book page ornaments via Pinterest}

(DIY Paper wreath via Pinterest / Book page wreath via Pinterest / Rolled book page wreath via Pinterest}

Currently trending...

2011-12-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

'Tis the Season to craft! We are always looking for new ideas and fun, fresh projects to work on! With the Holidays right around the corner we have been decorating our homes with Pinterest inspired wreaths, Christmas trees made out of the pages from a book, constructing paper mache' ornaments, glitzing and glamming up pine cones with gold glitter, and lastly... the trend we are most excited about seeing everywhere right now is... yarn wrapped everything! We became inspired by this trend when we saw yarn wrapped letter decor (think Anthroplogie, and Pinterest) and we had to try it for ourselves! With our Holiday party coming up we thought it would be so fun to use recycled bottles as centerpieces and wrap them with yarn! Our color scheme is natural composed with red, gold and brown and the overall theme is a rustic Christmas celebration with hints of glimmer, for that luminous quality that looks great on a table scape!

Yarn Wrapped Letters via Pinterest

Red & Yellow Yarn Wrapped Bottles Via United With Love

DIY Yarn Wrapped bottle Via A Simple Kind of Life

How amazing is this trend!? We LOVE! Can't wait to show you all how our Holiday party turns out...stay tuned, fun pictures to come!

Here is a sneak peak of our yarn wrapped bottle collection so far! What do you think...?

kacie & robby’s roadtrip-inspired engagement session

2011-11-21T11:27:00.001-08:00

This fun engagement shoot was published on diy bride...

Robby + Kacie were just about to embark on their first road trip together and we thought it would be such a cute idea to theme their engagement shoot around a road trip. Heidi from heidi-o-photo scouted the perfect site, I gathered up all my road trip props and we found the perfect ride from Haynes Chauffeuring. All that combined with the cutest couple - so in love & great style- can only make for magical photos! Enjoy...

http://www.diybride.com/blog/real-diyers/kacie-robby/

Creative ways to incorporate 'Something Blue' into your Wedding Day

2011-09-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Your wedding day has arrived! The details are finalized with their finishing touches, everything is neatly in place, and all the tiny kinks have been worked out smoothly. You realize you already have something old, something new, and something borrowed to wear on the big day... but what about that 'something blue?' Don't worry about rushing around trying to grab the closest shade of blue you can find, because you're in luck! Here we've posted cute, creative, (and somewhat discrete) ways to incorporate that blue item without going over the top. You may even already have some on hand!

Clockwise from top left to bottom...
Etsy Royal Blue Feather Fascinator

Emmaline Bride 'Something Blue' Hem

Style Me Pretty Essie 'Something Borrowed & Blue' Nail Polish

Etsy Navy Blue Peacock Fascinator

The Knot Yours and His 'Something Blue'

Etsy Vintage Garter

Pinterest Blue Wedding Car

Etsy Wedding Dress Hanger

ABC July Meeting {Villa de Flores}

2011-08-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

This last month, we had the pleasure of planning and designing the San Diego Association of Bridal Consultants monthly meeting. It was held at a beautiful venue... Villa de Flores in Rancho Santa Fe. Since, the setting was gorgous, manicured green gardens that reminded us of being in the french countryside, we decided to take everyone there... with a "vintage french garden theme" ... you had to know there was going to be "vintage" somewhere in there. We handpicked great vendors who who fit right in with this theme and asked some local Etsy vendors to share their handmade wedding goodies with the bunch. Man-oh-man... those ladies and their design & merchandising skills! In awe!! Here's some photos by Eddie Garcia of E3 Photography...

above is... The Dainty Woods

above is... Stacey Winters

above is... See the Skyline

above is... Sweet Peas and Seashells

above is... Lovey

To see the rest of the images, click here.

Sponsors for this awesome meeting:

Venue: Villa de Flores
Catering: Eco Caters
Coffee Service: Cappuccino in the Park
Cupcakes: Batter Up Cupcakes
Photography: E3 Photography
Florals: Hall Weddings + Events
Paper Goods: Cali Cards
Rentals: Platinum Party Rentals
Vintage Rentals: Hall Vintage (Hall Weddings + Events)
Favors: Heel Protectors by Heels Above
DJ: Advanced Entertainment

What to wear for your engagement photos??

2011-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

This has always been a question that I get asked by my brides, and Sarah of Sarah Layne Photography has put together a "What to Wear 101" How awesome!! She explains through photos... so even us visual people get it. Take a peek and make those engagement photos rock!!

Read "What to Wear to your Session"

and... she even breaks it down further by great GUY outfit choices and GIRL outfit options!

Thanks Sarah!!

Vintage Bottles + Jars

2011-07-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

So, some women have shoe obsessions... well, I have a vintage obsession! And, I've found a way to continue shopping (even though I've run out of room in my house for vintage lovelies)... vintage rentals! The website is soon to launch, but in the meantime I wanted to start sharing some of my finds here. Today I'm sharing my bottle collection! There are LOTS and the collections are always growing... but here's an idea of the different color, style and shape options that are available to rent out. These are so cute clustered together or singled out!

Here are some inspiration ideas I found on Pinterest to get the creative juices flowing...

Pinterest: (top left to bottom) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Oh, so GENIUS!!

2011-06-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

The Vintage Table Co.
Ok, so stumbled upon this newer LA based company... and fell in love!! It's so GENIUS! They collect beautiful vintage plates, glassware, flatware + more and rent it out for your shindigs. They group their pieces together into three collections... Vintage, Rustic and Retro. You pick the style and they style out your tables with mismatch love! I wonder if they rent to San Diego & OC? I'll have to stop staring at their awesome stuff and actually shoot them an email!

Here's a peak at their goods...

The Vintage Collection...

The Retro Collection...

Oh, so GENIUS!!

2011-06-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

I'm always googling and browsing and clicking onto new sites and stumbling upon amazing ideas and companies. So, every week I'm going to deliver "Oh, so GENIUS". A brilliant idea for you, your wedding, home or next bash.

This week it's all about the escort cards...
Becoming Mrs. Ford takes your photos and creates paper polaroids that make super fun escort cards. Use funny photos of the guests face, or a great memory of the bride and groom with the guest. It's freaking genius! And what fun for guests to browse through all the great photos, until they find theirs! The cards can also include individual names or can be left blank to be personalized by you.

These are great conversation starters & keepsakes, and make adorable decorations strung from a clothesline or ribbon. LOVE!

Give to me your lace...

2011-06-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

I love Pinterest...especially for the great wedding inspiration that seems to be everywhere on that site! I've recently been oohing and ahhing over everything lace. It's such a feminine, fancy fabric that feels so grown up. I love to pair it with a little burlap or rustic touches for a more comfortable, less formal feel. It's also fun to play up that fancy feel... colored depression glass vases on a lace runner... divine :-) Enjoy some lace inspiration...

"Give to me your leather... Take from me my lace"

clockwise: cake: Martha Stewart, burlap & lace runner: Jill Thomas Photography, hairpiece: Myrakim, invites: Sparkle & Hay, mason jars: Dottie Angel, programs: The Knot, cupcake: Cotton & Crumbs, bunting: unknown, lace balls: Emilie Faif, bunting: Heather Bullard Designs, lace vase: William Meppem, invites: unknown, but want to know!

Engagement Shoot L+B

2011-05-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love wildflower season? I do :-)
Today you're in for a treat... A lovely engagement shoot with the talented Brett and Liz of Siegel Thurston Photography paired with fun vintage props from yours truly. Lauren + Brandon are just the cutest couple, so in love and they have great style. In fact... Lauren is a FIDM fashion grad, so that explains her awesome style... that has apparently rubbed off on her main squeeze. We took to the fields of wildflowers with a picnic, old school polaroids, a tandem bike, balloons and homemade kite in tow (I made the kite...it turned out great, right??) We set up shop with love guiding the shutter of Brett's camera...

Later in the afternoon, we did a quick wardrobe change (as any fashionista must do) and headed to La Jolla to capture some amazing fading light shots among the eucalyptus trees. Check back soon for Part 2 of this shoot....

Sneak Peak... engagement shoot

2011-05-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Awesome shoot coming to you soon... hang tight!

Amazing idea & photos by Siegel Thurston Photography

Wedding Wise Show

2011-04-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was Wedding Wise... a new bridal show, unlike any other. First of all it took place in a warehouse downtown (The Culy Warehouse... amazing venue) and had a very anthro feel to it. All of the vendors went above and beyond creating beautiful booths, Super Q food truck was there dishing up a great lunch, Sprinkles and Hey There Cupcake were fueling everyones sugar highs, and Vineagogo served wine out of a truck - so cool! I met some really amazing vendors and got to catch up with other vendor friends, and met some really creative brides and grooms! What a great day! Here are some photos of my booth, by the incredible Heidi-O-Photo.

Sneak Peak: A Vintage Venice Wedding

2011-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends...
Today I want to share one of my favorite weddings from last month. The bride was uber creative and came up with an amazing wedding concept that truly came to life! To start things off, the guests all dressed in vintage 20's attire and were welcomed into the bride + grooms transformed backyard... think the inside, outside... couches, chandeliers, a dining table and chairs, even a clawfoot tub that held the beer and wine. The ceremony took place on a bridge in the Venice canals... and the bride, accompanied by her mother and gondolier brother rowed up to shore in a boat. Then.... (this is my favorite part) the bride and groom hopped on their decorated vintage tandem bike and rode with the rest of the wedding guests to the reception at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. LOVE. So much more to tell you about... but this IS just a sneak peak, remember? Enjoy this video by the crazy talented Son of Shark Pig...

Adrienne & Marc Sneak Peek from Son of Shark Pig on Vimeo.

1st Place: Trend Setter @ The Wedding Party Hard Rock

2011-04-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Bridal Insider invited us to take part in the "tabletop competition" taking place at The Wedding Party Bridal Show at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego. We jumped at the chance... because the design work is really what we're jazzed about. It was fun being the black sheep... the other coordinators showcased satin, and sparkly accents.. Hall Events... we had the rusty, distressed and vintage table (so what we're about). And we're so happy that the attendees liked us enough to vote our table as 1st place in the "Trend Setter" category! Whoo Hoo!! Here's a look at our table....

We also won 2nd Place for "What Brides Want". To see the contestants and other winning tables click here.

(Top photo by:McGuire Photography)

Travel Inspired Theme

2011-03-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

I picked up a few new items and while assembling them for a "look what I got" shoot... I saw a theme to my objects and just decided to go with it! This would be the perfect wedding theme if you and your honey love to travel. Or maybe you met while traveling? Incorporating your hobbies, interests and love story into your wedding events is key to making it uniquely yours! Infusing travel details into your wedding ceremony and reception is a fun touch... but you can also play up this theme for your engagement party or co-ed shower. Use postcards as invites, place settings, menu cards or table name cards. I love old vintage suitcases, and they work great for stashing blankets for guests (in case of a chilly outdoor reception) and they are a cute spot for guests to place their cards or small gifts. Also, maps are inexpensive, and can be used in a variety of ways... placemats, napkin ties, or garland just to name a few.

LOVE stamps

2011-02-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

After a delicious and inspiring lunch with fellow coordinator, Alicia Thorne, I stopped by the post office for some stamps and just have to share...

Aren't these just the cutest stamps! Perfect for wedding, bridal shower, and engagement party invites!! Or just to spread some love via the mail :-)

Pick them up at your local post office, or you can buy them online here

Paper Pieces {Favorite Invite Designers}

2011-02-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Invitations and Save the Dates are usually of the first items sent to your guests and they can go a long way in setting the tone. Besides the obvious of informing them of the who, when and where, invitations also provide clues as to the formality, and a sneak peak at your theme and vision. Here's a peak at some of my favorite paper people...

MaeMae Paperie creates gorgeous stationary pieces that reflect your personal sytle and the feel of your event. They have something for every budget as well, making them even more lovable! Letterpress, Flat (digital) and Print at Home... take your pick!

Cactus & Quail is a quirky paper design house located in San Diego. They offer three lines of products and services: Readymade, fun illustrations ready for personalization, Custom work (amazing stuff) and Fleamarket, limited edition handmade paper products.

Another San Diego local, Posh Paperie creates amazing custom invitations. This power team of Elizabeth and Karrie really creates individualized invites.

Love vs. Design runs off the motto: Pick it, Personalize it, Print it! This site is so great because it offers fun quirky and elegant designs for a fraction of the price. If you're on a budget you've got to check out this site!

Spark is the midwest letterpress capital. It's a husband and wife team who run the show, creating beautiful invites for the country! Sweetpaper in La Jolla, Seaside Papery in Coronado and Urbanic in Venice Beach are all local retailers who can set you up with a little Spark!

Going Vintage? We've got you covered!

2011-02-21T06:08:00.000-08:00

We've been hitting the flea markets and vintage meccas to find fun accessories to for your events, photo shoots and (hopefully at some point) your homes. All of these items + more are available to rent and included with our design/coordination packages. Take a sneak peak at some of our newest additions...

So in LOVE with BHLDN

2011-02-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

So, the beginning of this week launched Anthropologie's bridal collection BHLDN, pronounced "beholden". On their site you will find gowns, dresses, shoes, and accessories with more decorations for your reception and ceremony coming later this year (Whoo-Hoo!!) Another thing I love is that there are videos of the gowns... so you get a feel for how they move when worn. They thought of everything! Here's some of my favorites from BHLDN... but you definitely need to see the site for yourself!

Hooked at Hitched

2011-02-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I made the long trek out to Palm Springs for Hitched, and indy bridal show with great style. I took in tow my great friend Kristina, and we just strolled around, oohing and ahhing while sipping our Sophia canned mini sparkling wine.

I took some pictures, but haven't quite mastered low light shooting, so I thought I would leave imagery up to the pros. Here are some photos of the event taken by professionals.

Photos from Serena Grace and San Diego locals XOXO Wedding Photo who were also both at Hitched!

25 Fresh Ideas for Table Names

2011-01-25T14:13:00.000-08:00

Recently inspired by a bride's quest to create very unique table names, I thought I would rack my brain and come up with 25 fun ideas you could use instead of the traditional table numbers. Also, I would love to hear your ideas too... post a comment below with your idea for table names!

Stationary Designers: top left: Good on Paper, top & bottom right: Mr. Boddington's Studio, bottom left: Sayeh Studios

Spring Bridal Shower Inspiration

2011-01-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at a vintage garden bridal shower... perfect inspiration for a spring affair. We paired the lush greenery of the venue (The Villa SJC) with pale blues, pinks and soft whites. Anvil Designs made us some great hand-stamped spoons that served as favors and place cards for the tables (one of my favorite details), vintage mason & seltzer jars held our beautiful centerpieces and grandma's lace made an appearance as well :-)

This is a great look for an outdoor venue as well as a backyard shower!

Design: Hall Weddings & Events
Flowers: The Vine’s Leaf
Stationary: Sayeh Studios
Venue: The Villa SJC
Photographer: Bryan N Miller
Cupcakes: Chew Chew Lew Cakery
Hand Stamped Silverware: Anvil Designs
Rentals: Duane Spicer (Raphael’s Party Rentals) 619-247-5315 Duane@raphaels.com

Christmas Craft {diy}

2010-12-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

With Christmas approaching quick... we're talking hours away. I decided to get crafty and create a holiday wreath out of corks (something I have an abundance of because I love wine). It was super simple. To make = all you need is a foam wreath, a hot glue gun & lots of corks. The trick is to just keep layering the corks until you can no longer see the foam wreath.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!

Vintage Love + New Changes for 2011

2010-12-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hall Weddings + Events is in the process of becoming Hall Design + Styling. I've discovered that designing party themes and making events look pretty is really my passion and my true love! Here is a small dinner party styled & set up by yours truly right on the canals in Venice, CA. Fun, funky + hip, this table has vintage Venice written all over it!! All of the place settings are donned with vintage mismatched napkins wrapped with raffia, and checkout the oversized decanters from cb2... perfect for pouring a couples bottles of wine in, passing them around, and letting the good times roll!

Having a vintage affair? All of these bottles, plus LOTS more are rentable through us!

Want a wedding "do-over"?

2010-11-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

WeTV is looking for brides & grooms for a new show. Thought I'd share this with you...

Fresh Ideas for your Guest Book

2010-11-06T09:38:00.001-07:00

Originally, guest books were a great way to help the Mr. & Mrs.remember who came to their wedding, organize thank-you notes, and start a formal address book. However, guestbooks have really evolved from a record of who attended the wedding, to a way to offer the bride and groom advice or a sentimental wishes. Why not reflect your personal style or wedding theme by thinking outside the book when it comes to your guestbook.

As you know, I'm crazy for Etsy, and am always browsing for fresh, fun ideas to share with my brides & grooms... and you! So, today I've decided to share a couple fun ideas for your guestbook!

The first is from Bleu de Toi (which means 'crazy for you', in France and Belgium). They create custom hand-made wedding trees! The blank tree is created and your guests are asked to stamp a fingerprint on the tree along with their name. Feeling extra creative? Bleu de Toi will collaborate with you to create exactly what you are dreaming of. Another reason why I love these is because they provide a great piece of art that will remind you of that special day!

If you and your honey share a love for board games, then this is definitely for you! A guest book puzzle by Bella Puzzles Too! Invite your guests to jot down a short note, wish or piece of advice on the back of a puzzle piece. Bella Puzzles creates all types of puzzles... even ones with your photo! You'll have fun re-reading your guests notes on your next game night!

Also...
Martha Stewart created a list of 25 DIY guest book ideas that are unique and easy to create!

If you do decide to go traditional with a guestbook, here's a tip...
Make it personal! Rather than your guests just writing down their name, address, and a short "Congratulations", ask them to write their favorite memory of you, advice for a happy marriage, or even use your invitations to ask guests to bring a special photograph or other token to include in your book.

Vintage Typewriter Inspiration

2010-10-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased to finally share with you what we've been working on this fall...
Here's an amazing styled shoot of a vintage typewriter themed bridal shower that we organized with amazing wedding pros. I was so thrilled to collaborate with such creative people, and in the end I think we designed a very inspirational shower! Thanks again to Bryan Miller for his awesome eye in capturing some beautiful images.

In awe to a fabulous group of wedding pros...

Photography: Bryan N Miller
Flowers: The Vine's Leaf
Cupcakes: Chew Chew Lew Cakery
Place Cards + Menu (Design + Freehand Lettering): Sayeh Studios
Hand Stamped Vintage Siverware: Anvil Designs
Venue: The Villa SJC
Rentals (Tables, Chairs, Linens): Duane Spicer @ Raphael's Party Rentals

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Typie Typie Sneak Peak!

2010-10-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

Been a busy fall so far. Here is a sneak peak of what's to come from Hall Wedding + Events ...

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DIY: Not Your Average Cup of Tea

2010-10-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hall Wedding & Events has teamed up with photographer Bryan Miller to bring you a fun bunch of DIY projects that you can incorporate into your wedding, bridal shower, or when hosting a dinner party.

The first in the series is a cute succulent teacup that doubles as a place setting and favor.

Here's how it's done...

What you'll need

A little something "cheesy" from Ritzy Bee Events & The Bride's Guide

2010-09-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

The gals over at Ritzy Bee Events in Washington DC came up with a cute idea for cocktail hour. It's a simple way to offer your favorite cheeses that's pretty, personal, and downright smart: During cocktail hour, pass mini, disposable "plates" of cheese. Their idea takes a bit of DIY-love, but it beats adding expensive mini ceramic plates to your rental equipment order. Also you could use this idea for a wine tasting party or bridal shower.

Read the step by step "how to's" here...
Special Opalescent Series: Ritzy Bee Events - The Bride's Guide : Martha Stewart Weddings

A flower for fall brides...

2010-08-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Available through fall, dahlias come in a variety of shades, including white, yellow, orange, red and purple. Layers of petals circle out from the center of this dimensional flower, giving it a full, rounded appearance. Single dahlia blooms can add a pop of color to modern wedding decor that emphasizes clean lines and shades of white. Multiple blooms can make luxe wedding decor look even more decadent.

The aubergine dahlias are my favorite flower of the moment! They are especially colorful due to their white-tipped blooms. They can stand by themselves because they have so much of their own color and their rich eggplant color will add velvety texture to any wedding decor. You can always add some daisies, cranberries or acorns to highlight the season for fall wedding bouquets and centerpieces.

Bouquet photo by Martha Stewart

WITH THIS RING...

2010-08-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

The tradition of wearing the wedding and engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand was passed down from the ancient Egyptians, who believed that a vein called the "vena amoris" ran down from the tip of this finger straight to the heart. We now know that no such vein exists, but the custom of wearing rings on this finger endures.

While the engagement ring is the first to be placed on the finger, it is removed for the wedding ceremony, during which the bride can either wear her engagement ring on her right hand or give it to her maid of honor for safekeeping. After the ceremony, the engagement ring can be placed back on the bride's finger on the outside of the wedding band.

A bride might never remove her wedding band from the moment her groom slips it on her finger. An engagement ring, however, usually has a more complicated design and one or more stones, so it's not practical to wear it for certain activities, like gardening or sports. Worn on the outside of the wedding band, it can easily be taken off, then returned to its place later.

We can thank Martha for this interesting info :-)
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Fun Gift Idea's from La Pomme

2010-08-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, and amazing photographer Jessamy Tran shared with me one of her favorite etsy sellers. La Pomme. Hailing from a sleepy little village in the south of France, La Pomme creates unique soft sculptures adorned with hand-stamped vintage stamps, freehand embroidery and hand sewing to create unique patterns and designs. Such fun little lovelies that I had to share with you!

Perfect for that organic outdoor wedding...

Love these little lavender sachets for wedding or bridal shower favors...

Such a great fun pillow to throw on the bed or sofa...

This one's for the guys... A steal of a deal on tux rentals

2010-07-31T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hall Events has teamed up with Friar Tux to put some green back in your pockets! Just mention the promo code A2455 to receive the deal. There are locations throughout OC and SD and they offer some great incentives like NO registration fee, NO rush fee, NO extra charges for groom fittings... so basically the price you see is what you pay.

Project DIY

2010-07-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

Vintage Inspired Burlap Napkin Rings

Such a small detail that transforms a table in a big way. Whether you follow directions to a tee or get creative with mixing in different buttons, ribbons or even dyed burlap... these little beauties are sure to make a big statement!

(Tutorial from maya*made)

Attention DIY Brides:

2010-07-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Alright ladies, here is my new favorite website for fun wedding (and home) accessories..... Three Potato Four

Whether you're looking for skeleton keys, unique table signage, or any fun vintage touches, this is the place! Happy Shopping :-)

Whoopie Weddings

2010-07-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

"Whoopie" for your wedding!!
First it was cakes, then cupcakes, then macaroons... now it's all about the whoopie pies!
Whether you stack 'em on a pretty cake stand, arrange them on a dessert bar or serve them up on plates to your guests- they're going to add that fun whimsical touch! I went on the hunt for a yummy whoopie pie recipe to share with you and foodess.com delivered. Whoopie Pies with Salted Buttercream Frosting!!! I can't wait to bake these little guys!

Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Buttercream
The fluffy, caramel provides buttery relief from the dense, chocolaty crumb of the cookie - the kind that packs to the back of your palate and begs for a glass of milk.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Salted Caramel Buttercream (below)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease two large cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper.

2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and sugars together, 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and continue beating until fluffy, 1-2 minutes longer. Beat in milk and vanilla extract. Finally, beat in flour mixture to combine.

4. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets (you should get 12-14 cookies).

5. Bake for 10-14 minutes, until top springs back when touched.

6. Cool completely. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of frosting on the flat half of one cookie, then top with another cookie. Repeat.

Salted Caramel Buttercream

1/2 cup sugar, divided
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp + 2 tsp (40 mL) cream
2 egg whites
pinch of salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Put 1/4 cup of sugar and water in saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not stir of you will get sugar crystals, but you can swirl the saucepan gently. It will bubble itself into a deep amber. Remove immediately from heat and add cream (careful - it will bubble up furiously). Stir until smooth and set aside.

2. Put the egg whites, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 140 degrees. Transfer to bowl of standing mixer.

3. Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Add butter a bit at a time, and continue beating on medium. Reduce speed to low, add vanilla extract, and then caramel (you may need to gently rewarm the caramel in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it is workable but not burning hot). Beat for 4-5 minutes.

**To read Foodess's full article click here

Head over heels for Alexander McQueen Peep-Toe Pumps

2010-07-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Brides, I saw these shoes and thought immediately of you!!
Not only do theses McQueen's make your feet and legs look ridiculously good, but they've got a heart peep-toe to tops things off.
They come in a variety of colors and fabrics like satin or patent leather to fit your wedding style! My fav is the classic white!
These would be super sylish bridesmaids pumps too- if you've already found your "i do" dream shoe.

To see more of Alexander McQueen's amazing shoes click here.

Say Hello to Bryan N Miller...

2010-07-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

When searching for wedding vendors, finding just the right photographer may be the most challenging of the bunch. With so many photographers utilizing different color palates, styles, and composition, it can be a challenge to decide who’s just right for you. Well, let me introduce you to one of my favorite photographers out there right now... Mr. Bryan N Miller. Bryan is a very warm person with a great sense of humor and never skips a beat! I think that his personality is well reflected in his photos. He has an amazing way of capturing light, as well as a couples personality. To get to know what makes Bryan tick, we here at Hall Events asked him a few questions. Here goes...

Where do you draw your Inspiration?
Top on the inspiration list are the couples I’m able to work with. I really love my couples and I feel privileged that they would enjoy my presence and imagery enough to spend one of the most important days of their lives with me. I spend a lot of time with my brides on the wedding day so the trust and freedom they give me to document their day really inspires me to deliver unique imagery tailored to each couple.

What's one piece of advice for brides & grooms?
Photography is the one thing that will be with you forever. Be sure to define the style of photography that really resonates with you and then seek out the photographers within that style range. Do you like to be posed? Do you enjoy a more photojournalistic approach? Do you have a flare for the dramatic? These are all questions to ask yourselves before your search and while analyzing the photographers your finding.

Favorite moment or wedding detail to capture?
I really love photographing brides getting ready and photographing her details as well. There’s so much anticipation in the air and the vibe is really great. Also, I strive to put a lot of layers into my imagery (foreground, focal point of the image and background) and I just love the angles that present themselves when makeup and hair are being done or when a dress is zipped.

I also love heading out after the ceremony with my couple. They’ve just been married, they’re feeling good and there is so much energy…the images are always amazing and I think it’s really memorable for them to just take a few minutes and absorb what they just accomplished.

What do you love most about your job?
I take pictures for a living of people in love. Then there’s a big party afterwards. It’s all amazing and I'm really enjoying it.

To see more of Bryan check out his website: www.bmillerweddings.com

Garden Lingerie Bridal Shower

2010-06-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful bridal shower. The inspiration for this shower was a romantic french garden... think soft pinks and greens, lace, vintage urns and twinkling chandeliers. The flowers were done by the mother of the bride-to-be, who happens to be a florist (that lucky girl) and owner of Petit Bouquet. The Bride's face said it all when she arrived at her shower. One of my favorite moments!! The guest enjoyed a french inspired menu... quiche, crudités, & cheeses to name a few nibbles and sipped champagne & sangria (ok, not so french). The evening was filled with fun, classy bridal shower moments... like a panty poem delivered by the bridesmaids and a video Q&A with the groom. The guests left with big smiles and small burlap sachets of wildflower seeds, to let "love bloom" in their home.

iPhone apps for the soon-to-be-wed.

2010-06-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

With the new iPhone 4 just days away from making its grand entrance, I thought I might mention some helpful apps to keep the bride's out there organized and on track for their big day!

iBridalGown
This app is ideal during the dress hunt! At each bridal salon that you visit, you enter information about the dresses you are considering. You can even use the iPhone's camera to take one or more pictures of the gown and save it along with the rest of the information. Your favorite dresses are stored in an easy-to-navigate list, from which you can view the details, pictures, and even get directions to the bridal salon! So Perfect!

Wedding Day
Counting the days till you say "I Do"?? then this app is for you!! Wedding Day app counts the years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and even seconds until you say "iDO!" and it continues to work even after you say your vows, by tracking how long you have been married. Down to the second!

Wedding Wire
Wedding Wire online now is in your purse, which makes it so easy to manage your wedding planning from anywhere. With access to your WeddingWire account, you can manage your entire to-do list and wedding budget and search over 100,000 local wedding professionals from the palm of your hand.

DIY Water Bottle Labels

2010-06-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Personalized water bottles are great for any event, and relatively inexpensive to make. I used photoshop to create my label, however MS Word or Pages would work fine too. I measured the original label to get it's dimensions then created my own design, staying within the necessary dimensions. Then off to Kinko's (I guess they're FedEx now) to copy my labels on some colored paper and use their handy dandy paper cutter. **I'm planning on having my h2o bottles served @ room temperature, so regular paper will work fine. But, if your bottles will be served cold- you'll need a water resistant paper, or to laminate regular paper. Avery makes waterproof labels (#15516) in which case you wouldn't need any tape.

Step 1:
You need your h2o bottles, labels, and double-sided tape.

Step2:
Rip off the old label. You'll find the sticky stuff doesn't come off completely- it's a good thing because it will help when applying your new label.

Step 3:
Apply double-sided tape to one corner of your new label.

Step 4:
Attach one side of your label (the side WITHOUT tape) to the remaining sticky goo and wrap the label around.

Step 5:
Line up the label and press. Your tape should secure the label.

Step 6:
Admire your work.

For those of you not down with DIY projects, Bottle Your Brand makes great professional bottle labels for water, beer or wine bottles.

5 Inspiring Books

2010-05-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Summer is just around the corner, and I'm stocking up on my summer reads. Sure, I have some novels in my beach bag, but these books are great for lazy afternoons on the couch ...and I always love referring back to these books for great ideas!

Loving Right Now: Vintage Stamps

2010-05-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Vintage stamps add something special + unique to envelopes. Whether it's postage for wedding invites, a bridal shower, or an afternoon tea party... there are so many images and styles to choose from - you're bound to fall in love. Unused vintage stamps can be found at your local stamp store or, the always easier option, online. My favorite seller is Verde Studio on Etsy.com. They have a great selection of stamps... and the best part is they are already grouped together by style, theme and color to equal just the right postage rate. I also heart this seller because they tell the history about the stamps they use and offer custom orders! Add some goodness to your envelopes :-)

Hotel Del Coronado

2010-05-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wedding @ The Del last Saturday...
What a great venue! I felt like I was transported back to the early 1900's. It's a magical (and some say haunted) place with a picturesque backdrop. Whether you envision a celebration that's traditional or trend-setting, festive or formal, intimate or grand scale, in a ballroom, garden, or right on the beach, the resort's variety of premier outdoor wedding sites has something for everyone!

The hotel, built in 1888, inspired my vintage photos...

Julia's Beach Bridal Shower

2010-05-09T00:38:00.001-07:00

May 1st was Julia's Beach Bridal Shower... and what an amazing location, right on the beach in San Clemente. The bride-to-be has a very classic & timeless style, so I wanted to reflect that in the shower. With the beach as my backdrop, I combined white & light blue linens topped with large vases filled with sand, shells, rocks and all things beach! White pom-poms were dancing in the wind, and orchids (Julia's favorite flower) were everywhere you looked! Guests sipped on champagne & sangria, munched on tasty food from Sundried Tomato Cafe and fed their sweet-tooth with cupcakes from Sprinkles.

A little something sparkly

2010-05-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Last week I took my first trip to Pangea Outpost in Pacific Beach. For those of you who haven't been... go! It's a huge marketplace with over 70 vendors selling anything from vintage signs to cute handbags, off beat books and boutique home goods. There are eclectic treasures from all areas of the globe as well as unique gifts...essentially, there is something for everyone in this extraordinary one-of-kind shop. I wandered through the aisles, sipping my complimentary cup of coffee (caffeine makes all us better shoppers) and stumbled upon a shabby chic dream! Lucky Starling Jewelry has designed an amazing space that Laura Ashley would be proud of and sells amazing jewelry at surprisingly affordable prices. I'm hooked! They have great classic style necklaces and earrings that would be the perfect sparkle on your BIG day (or really any day), and great gift ideas for bridesmaids too.

There are 2 Pangea Locations- Pacific Beach & Del Mar.
909 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA and 2720 Via De La Valle #B220, San Diego, CA

Love Bird Bridal Shower Continued

2010-05-03T13:49:00.001-07:00

More great pictures by Kat of our Love Bird Garden Shower...
A burlap tablecloth over a distressed picnic table sets the mood for our rustic garden theme. Vintage birdcages run down the center of the table, with soft green plants scattered throughout. Small yellow & grey birds are perched throughout with golden poppy napkins topped with distressed white birdhouses. Such a fun theme for any occasion!

Love Bird Bridal Shower

2010-04-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely in the air... and so to celebrate here is a sneak peak of a spring love bird themed table setting! Perfect for a backyard bridal or baby shower.

I teamed up with photographer Kat Woronowicz, who also happens to be my neighbor! She's amazing!

More photos to come!!

2010-04-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

Day 5

What to Wear as a Guest

So you’ve gotten your invitation, bought your gift, but what about what to wear? The etiquette for proper wedding guest attire can vary greatly depending on the style of the wedding. And to find out the style of wedding... we’ll first start with the invitation. Is it in flowing engraved black script on a heavy cream paper with formal language? Odds are the wedding will be similarly formal. Does it cheekily ask you to come see them get hitched? Wedding guests should then look for a nice casual outfit. And of course, it may tell you directly on the invitation - black tie, casual attire, themed, etc.

Next up, think about the wedding location and time. If it's outdoors it’s probably on the more casual side. Here are some tips:

Ladies...

Avoid anything that will get caught in the wind – it’s hard to hold on to your drink while trying to keep your skirt from flipping up.

Avoid high heeled shoes that will sink in the sand or in the grass.

Daytime Wedding Ideas:

a skirt and a sweater set with slingback shoes.
a fun floral dress or fun solid colored dress.
Strappy high-heeled sandals, wedges or flats.

Evening Wedding Ideas:

dress as you would if you were going out to the theater or to dinner or on a hot date with a conservative guy.
a cocktail dress – nothing too sexy but something fun to dance in. Black is fine.
wear darker colors and look for something sophisticated.
avoid beads or sequins unless the invitation specifically says black tie.

Black-Tie Optional:

A cocktail dress
A floor length dress

Black-Tie

a formal dress, usually to the floor - think Oscars.
bring out that formal jewelry that's been waiting for an occasion such as this.

Gentlemen

Daytime Wedding Ideas:

In the summertime, a light-colored suit, especially linen or seersucker.
Winter weddings call for warmer clothing, including wool suits, a navy blazer with charcoal pants, and perhaps a sweater and tie underneath a blazer.
A dress shirt, tie and dress pants is acceptable, but dress it up with a blazer if you can.
If the invitation says formal, wear a dark suit. Tuxedoes are not appropriate before 6 pm.

Evening Wedding Ideas:

a dark suit is always appropriate
If the invitation says casual or semi-formal, you can wear a blazer and slacks with a nice tie.

Black-tie optional

If you have a tuxedo, or just like wearing one, by all means do so
Otherwise, wear a dark suit. Dress as formally as you can.

Black tie

a tuxedo is the only appropriate thing to wear. If it says creative black tie, he should still wear a tuxedo, perhaps with a black shirt or collarless white shirt.

DON'T WEAR:

White. (This rule has relaxed some, and you can get away with wearing a printed dress with a white background and some cream colored clothing. Just be careful not to upstage the bride.)
Black to a daytime wedding
Jeans
Anything too sexy or revealing
Anything torn, with holes, stained, too big or too small for you!
Anything sleeveless or strapless to a religious wedding. Bring a wrap to cover your shoulders.

2010-04-12T14:58:00.001-07:00

Day 4

Tips on Toasts

Deciding Who & When

The couples first step is deciding who is giving a toast, and the order of the toasts. Then, informing the guests. No one should feel forced to give a toast. If the best man is very uncomfortable speaking before a large audience, the maid of honor or the bride's father can step in for him.

Martha Stewart has some advice for you if you have a feeling a lot of your guests will want to give toasts. “Consider limiting the reception to the traditional toasts (from the best man, parents, bride and groom) and ask others to give their speeches at the rehearsal dinner. This gathering of family and close friends is more relaxed than the reception; there's less need for time limits, and a string of heartwarming stories will add to the light mood (though the best man could serve as emcee to keep things moving).”

The best time for toasts totally depends on your weddings timeline to find that perfect spot. Many couples do this around the meal, having all the speeches occur once everyone is seated, or spacing them between the courses. Another opportune moment is before or after cutting the cake, when the crowd is already gathered (and a little loosened up from a drink or two).

What to Say
Tips from Martha on the perfect toast.

While you'll certainly want your words to come from the heart, you are not expected to wing it when you get up there. A few weeks beforehand, collect your thoughts and decide what you will say. Practice reciting your toast a few times until it's familiar and comfortable.

Be personal
The best toasts include personal accounts of first encounters or good times together; a wedding is not the place to dredge up embarrassing tales or old romances. Inside jokes will be lost on others, so make sure to tell a story that everyone can appreciate. If you're good at it, humor will surely be well-received, but don't force it. Just be yourself.

Keep it short
A toast can be as brief as a few sentences, and it should not go on for more than three minutes. Any longer and guests may lose interest — especially if there are many speakers still to come.

Write it down
Although you should not read word-for-word from a note card, jotting down some key points can help you remember all you want to say and do so with confidence.

Stay calm
It's normal to be nervous. As you rise to give your toast, take a deep breath, look at the person you're toasting, and speak directly to him or her. And remember to speak slowly.

Wish them well
A toast to the bride and groom should end with hopeful wishes for a happy future. Offer personal advice, or pull inspiration from historical quotes, literature, even song lyrics —whatever represents your true sentiments. The final gesture is, of course, to raise a glass and take a sip.

2010-04-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

Day 3

I’m a Bridesmaid! So excited! What exactly do I do?

Well, as a bridesmaid you have been chosen to play a very important role in the marriage of one of your dearest friends. You’re responsibilities include attending the engagement party, if one is held, and bringing a gift (get ready-this will be the beginning of a long chain of gift giving). When the wedding planning has begun, take time to meet with the bride & other bridesmaids to discuss what the bride has in mind for her big day (date & season, location, style, formality & theme). Offer, if you’re able, to help the bride with any pre-wedding planning and join in on shopping trips for the wedding attire. You’ll be responsible for paying for your dress, shoes and accessories. As the wedding date draws nearer there will be a bridal shower and bachelorette party. The bridal shower may be hosted by the mother of the bride, Maid of Honor, or the bridesmaids as a whole. Regardless, bringing a gift is proper etiquette. You can always go in on a gift with the other bridesmaids. As for the bachelorette party- this is definitely you’re department, along with the Maid of Honor. You’ll probably be responsible for helping plan, pay and host the bachelorette festivities.

Next up is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. You will be expected to attend, because it is here where you will learn just what to do during the ceremony. The day of the wedding remember that this is your friends day! You will probably all be primping and getting ready together, try to be on time and organized with everything you need. The last thing the bride needs is stressed out bridesmaids- you’re there to relieve her stress- not cause more! Help out with any last minute errands and make sure you’re girl is looking fab!

At the reception, have fun, participate in wedding activities like the throwing of the bouquet and other special dances or rituals. Help with end-of-party responsibilities like transporting the gifts back to the newlyweds house and making sure nothing is left behind.

The financial responsibilities for being a bridesmaid really varies because of attire costs and what type of shower and bachelorette party you’re planning. So, plan to spend anywhere from $600 to $1000 and up.

Dress : $100 -$400
Shoes: $100 -$400
Accessories: $50- $200
Hair & Makeup: $50-$200
Engagement gift: $50-$100
Bridal Shower Gift: $50-$100
Wedding Gift: $50-$100
Bridal Shower expenses: $50- $200
Bachelorette Party Expenses: $50- $500

The Maid (or Matron) of Honor...what an honor!
You’re the bride’s right-hand gal and the team captain of the bridesmaids. You’re duties are the the same as the bridesmaids, listed above, as well as....

Attending the bride’s gown shopping excursions and keeping her on track with fittings and payment deadlines. Organize the bridesmaids dress fittings and keeping them informed on meetings, payment deadlines, etc. Take the leading role in planning the bridal shower, unless the bride’s mother is taking the reins. Host the shower, making sure that all goes smoothly. Write down (or appoint a bridesmaid) which gifts came from which guest, and make a “bowquet”, a bouquet made from the ribbons of gifts that the bride will use as her bouquet the day of the rehearsal. Head up the planning of the bachelorette party, with the help of the bridesmaids.

During the ceremony, you’ll have the grooms ring (best place to keep it is on your thumb) and hold the bride’s bouquet. After the ceremony, you, along with the best man, will have the honor of signing the marriage license as witnesses. At the reception, you will follow the best man with a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds. I've laid out some good tips for toasting here. Remember...Bustle, Bustle, Bustle! During the ceremony & reception don’t forget to keep your girlfriend looking good. You made need to bustle her train for easy dancing, help her get food out of her teeth or safety pin a falling dress strap. And remember to have fun!

As I said earlier, the financial responsibilities for being the MOH really varies because of attire costs, what type of shower and bachelorette party you’re planning, and how financially helpful the bridesmaids are. So, plan to spend anywhere from $600 to $1000 and up.

Dress : $100 -$400
Shoes: $100 -$400
Accessories: $50- $200
Hair & Makeup: $50-$200
Engagement gift: $50-$100
Bridal Shower Gift: $50-$100
Wedding Gift: $50-$100
Bridal Shower expenses: $50- $200
Bachelorette Party Expenses: $50- $500

2010-04-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Day 2
So you were asked to be a Groomsman...
What now? Well, your role is to help your good friend through what can be a very nerve-racking day. First things first, you’ll want to attend all pre-wedding festivities like the engagement party, co-ed shower and help the Best Man plan the bachelor party. Bringing a gift to these events is good etiquette too. Next, you’ll have to rent a tux or suit or buy whatever wedding attire was chosen. Most of the time the groomsmen attire is coordinated and rented or purchased from the same company, but if, for some reason, the groomsmen are not all renting from the same company, make sure you're not the odd man out with the cheapest-looking suit. Research your options and try to find a rental company not too far from you to make returning painless. As any wedding guest, it is proper etiquette to purchase a wedding present, perhaps go in on a gift with other groomsmen.

As the wedding date draws nearer, there will be a rehearsal to attend, so you’ll know just what to do the day of. On the day of the wedding, before the ceremony begins you may be asked to usher guests to their seats and pass out programs. At the rehearsal you should be given a time to arrive at the ceremony site, but if not a at least 45 minutes early should be fine.

During the ceremony you may escort a bridesmaid in the procession and recession. And at the reception, you may be introduced with the bridesmaid you escorted.

Sounds great, but how much is it going to cost me?
Because every wedding party is different, and bachelor parties could range from am guys night out at a local pub to weekend in Vegas, the costs are quite different. Below I’ve just listed a ball-park figure of what you might be spending. On the bright side, groomsmen get off easy compared to the bridesmaids. Without any travel expenses, you’re looking at roughly $400.
Pre-wedding party gifts: $50-$150
Tux Rental: $50-$200
Haircut: $20-50
Gift for the Wedding: $50-$100
Bachelor Party: $100+

Lucky You!... you’re the Best Man.
The best man is not only the leader of the groomsmen pack, but also the grooms right-hand man throughout the whole wedding process. You have most of the same responsibilities listed above for the groomsmen, like attending the pre-wedding parties. At the rehearsal dinner the Best Man may be asked to give a toast. This is not the toast to stress over... it’s just family & close friends and a light-hearted, short & sweet toast will be just fine. As the Best Man you may be asked to help the groom choose and rent (or buy) wedding attire and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. You may be expected to arrange accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen as well.

Now for the fun part, you’ll be the master mind (with the help of the groomsmen) behind the bachelor party. Expenses are usually shared between the groomsmen, but ultimately you’re picking up the bill for whatever costs are not accounted for.

The day of the wedding, you’ll help ensure your buddy is lookin’ good and you might ride with the him to the ceremony site. Once there, you’ll want to make sure the groomsmen are all together and ready before the ceremony begins. As the grooms right-hand man you might be asked to perform a task or two for the groom or the bride's mother. During the ceremony, you’ll stand beside the groom and keep the bride's ring until vows are exchanged. After the ceremony, You will have the honor of signing the marriage license as a witness, along with the Maid of Honor.

At the reception, you may be announced with the maid of honor and you will give the first toast to the bride and groom at the reception. This may be the most nerve-racking part about being the Best Man, but just speak from the heart & check out my Tips on Toasting!

It will be up to you (with the help of the groomsmen) to collect any gifts brought to the reception and arrange a plan for getting them to the newlyweds. At some point during the reception, grab the other groomsmen and the bridesmaids and go to town decorating the getaway mobile... tin cans, streamers, the works! If there is not an arranged driver taking the newlyweds to their wedding-night hotel or airport, this is the responsibility of the Best Man. So, you’ll have to watch your alcohol intake. And after the wedding, it’s nice to return the groom's tuxedo to the tux shop or if it belongs to the groom, take it to the cleaners.
 Sounds great, how much?
You have the same cost as a groomsmen with the addition of any extra costs of the bachelor party. So Maybe $500 is a good ballpark figure.
Pre-wedding party gifts: $50-$150
Tux Rental: $50-$200
Haircut: $20-40
Gift for the Wedding: $50-$100
Bachelor Party: $200+ 

2010-04-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

Over the last week or so, I've had a couple people ask me questions related to wedding ettiquette and procedures. To bring the gift? or mail it? Can I give a toast even though I'm not the best man? If my boyfriend/girlfriend or child's name is not on the invitation, can they still attend? These are all great questions, and for many people these "wedding do's and don't" are still new. I thought I would spend a week covering all of the bases. So, here goes...

Day 1:
So you've Been Invited...

Who's actually invited?
The envelope with the invitation tells you who is invited. If it has only your name, then only you are invited. If it says & guest, then you may bring a guest. If it says & Family, or states your children's names, then your children are invited. Sometimes you also might see adult reception on invites, which means - leave the kids at home!

What to do about the gift?

Couples usually create a wish list or gift registry through several retailers. What's nice is that the retailer will maintain the list for the registrant and make sure that items are removed from the list as they are purchased, so there are no repeat gifts. This is why it is important to notify the retailer when purchasing an item off a registry. Also- remember that a registry is for your convenience and you are not limited to what is on the list. In fact, I think that creative, personal gifts are a much better choice.

How much to spend?

There is no rule, it is entirely up to you. Let your affection for the bride and groom and your budget be your guide.

When to give the gift?

It is best to mail the gift to the couple that way the bride & groom do not have to worry about what to do with the gifts after the reception. Most likely there will be a table at the reception if you must bring it. And what's nice for you procrastinators is that you can send it after the wedding as well (try to send it within 3 months though). Also, If you're not planning on attending the wedding it is still good ettiqute to send a gift. Sending a gift indicates your support and best wishes for the happy couple who are starting their lives together.

Fun & Unique Registry Ideas

2010-03-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

For most modern couples, more kitchen utensils and bath towels only clutter an already cluttered collection. That’s why many brides and grooms are taking a distinctive approach when it comes to creating a wedding registry, listing really fun items and gadgets that reflect their individual taste and personality. Here are 5 fun gadgets that you can request to create a unique wedding registry to fit your lifestyle.

Make more time for each other in the morning.
Nespresso® CitiZ Espresso Machine is ultra-slim and versatile. The new no-mess, capsule-based machine saves space on the countertop and creates amazing coffee in seconds.

Camp out in the living room.
Who doesn't love a s'more? With this fun kit- you'll get all fun of making & eating s'mores without the stinky, smokey clothes!

Fire things up!
A creme brulee kit, complete with ramekins and torch are a sure fire way to a fun dessert night.

Wind Down With Wine.
A Vinturi Aerator is an essential tool for every wineO. Simply hold vinturi over a glass and pour wine through. Vinturi draws in and mixes the proper amount of air for the right amount of time, allowing your wine to breathe instantly. You'll notice a better bouquet, enhanced flavors and smoother finish.

Feed Each Other!
Whether it's a romantic night in, or you're entertaining friends, fondu pots are a must have. Start with a cheese fondu... dipping bread, fruit and crackers or finish the night with strawberries and chocolate fondu. Yum!

What's on Top?

2010-03-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

I found the cutest cake toppers from The Small Object. These individually handcrafted custom wedding cake toppers are available through Etsy and their website. Each piece is custom made to look like the couple, complete with matching dress, tux, veil, and flowers!

They will even include your furry friend!

Having Cupcakes?

Cheers to a New Cocktail Idea!

2010-03-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

Choosing a signature cocktail is a great way to personalize your wedding reception. Whether your choosing a drink that's color matches your wedding, or choosing a drink that fits well with the theme of your wedding is a great idea. Absolut Vodka can help you find the cocktail recipe that is perfect for you, with search options like type of glasswear, time of event and simplicity. Also, The Knot offers helpful advice with cocktails categorized by color and season.

If a signature cocktail is not in the budget, don’t panic, there are many ways to jazz up a simple glass of champagne.
Tie sometthing around the base of the flute..a ribbon, twine, a shell, a feather.
or
Toss in something...a rose pedal, a rasberry, a blueberry.
or
Splash a little something...cranberry juice, oj, pomegranate juice, blue curacao.

Have fun with it... that’s what these cocktails are all about!! Cheers!!

Celebrating St. Patty's Day w/ Green Wedding Inspirations

2010-03-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

I thought before I start with the green beer I would share some of my favorite green wedding ideas.
Enjoy & Cheers!!

Clockwise: bouquet by Fiore in Seattle, green bridesmaid dresses by J.Crew, blue soled wedding shoes by Christian Louboutin, green tie by Brooks Brothers, cake & candy by Amy Atlas, invitation by Pica Press, green pomander by Fiore Blossoms.

Renee + Grant's Engagement Pics

2010-03-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely in the air with this engagement photo shoot. One of my best girlfriends since elementary school, Renee, is getting married!! Yay!! ...and to a great guy, Grant, who we all couldn't adore more! They recently shot their engagement photos at various locations in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Aliso Creek Beach in Laguna Beach. Miah from 7 Studio was the photographer, who does amazing work! I can't wait for the wedding!!

San Diego ABC Bridal Showcase

2010-03-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

Click here to buy tickets online.

Chiffon, Tulle & Sequins. Oh My!

2010-03-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

I came across this site: www.vintageous.com and thought it was the perfect resource for the vintage bride! They have fabulous vintage wedding dresses for sale (all at affordable...and I mean affordable) prices. Most of their dresses are from the 1950's & 1960's. Chiffon, Tulle, Lace, Sequins...whatever you're looking for. A vintage dress could be the "pièce de résistance" for a romantic vintage-inspired garden wedding.

Succulent Wedding Ideas

2010-02-28T13:16:00.001-08:00

I LOVE succulents! They are my new fascination. So fun to pair them up with bright yellows, pale greens, and rust orange. Here are a couple of my most favorite wedding succulent pics.

(Clockwise: bouquet + photo by ErinHeartsCourt, boutonniere photo by Chenin Boutwell, Seating Cards/Gift photo by ErinHeartsCourt, bouquet by Flower Duet, boutonnieres photo by ErinHeartsCourt, succulent gift photo unknown)

2010-02-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

Etsy.com is such a great resource for finding great, unique gifts! It's an online marketplace for finding handmade & vintage items. I'm addicted to it! Having a black & white wedding? These would be a perfect 'Thank You" for your favorite girls!

Feather headband by LiveinStyle, Personalized notecards by TrendyCards, Striped purse by CrazyBoy, Personalized Profile Mug by BROOKLYNrehab, Typewriter key necklace by qacreate, Rose ring by RoyalPrincess, Tank & Undie Set by BlondePeacock, Clutch by BrianaEdelmanDesigns, Apron by apronqueen.

All found at Etsy.com

2010-02-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

Click here to register for a Macys event...