Playing by the Rules and How to Bend Them

We have all heard of stories about family friction or uncomfortable situations that come up while planning a wedding or special event.

In this week's blog, we try and tackle some of the more popular challenges. 

Q. Trying to plan a wedding on a firm budget and everyone has given you their guest list and now the guest list is out of control.

A. If you and your fiance are paying for the wedding, then pay for what you both can afford. There is nothing worse then starting a marriage off in debt. If the others insist on the larger guest count, then see what they are willing to contribute financially.  Please make sure that there is an understanding (I think I sound very Italian when I write the word "understanding" LOL) that the planning decisions will be up to you and your fiance before they contribute. 

Q. Your fiance wants to choose and pay for your ring. 

A. Gently show him what styles you like. You might want to avoid showing him photos of diamonds big enough to ice skate across - this could give him a heart attack.

Q. You are getting married for the second time - who should walk you down the aisle?  

A. Choose someone who plays an important role in your life - could be an uncle, brother or parents.  This is your call. 

Q. You want both of your parents to walk you down the aisle, but they are divorced and don't speak to one another.

A. Ask them if they can do this for you this one time.  If they refuse, and the situation gets sticky, then consider having someone else close to you walk you down the aisle.  

Q. You are being pressured by the groom's family to wear an heirloom ring?

A. If you love the stone, but dislike the setting, see if they are open to having the gem placed into a different setting. If that is not possible, then be honest with your fiance and let him know that you want to wear something you will love, since you will be wearing it for the rest of your life.

Here is a photo from a beautiful wedding we produced earlier this month.

Gianna's Estate Pick of the Week:

6981 Malibu

We love this private estate - great for weddings and special events. 

Private estate has a parking lot next door - great for shuttles and your event professionals. 

Cocktails or dinner by the pool. 

Lovely garden for a ceremony.  

 Guest house for the bride to get ready. 

Sports court is great for a tented dinner with ocean view. Back drop is a beautiful hillside - great for lighting. 

Gianna's Favorite Photos of the Week - 


Love it. 

Chandeliers and mercury glass. XO


Love this linen for cocktails or dinner - beautiful. 

How to Keep Sane On Your Wedding Day, Plus Ideas for Throwing a Great Halloween Party!

Every time we produce an event, we run through the details until we are confident that everything has been covered.

Once on site, we work hard to ensure that the wishes of our clients have been taken into consideration.

Here are this week's tips to help you find a balance for planning the perfect wedding day -

1. Choose your event professionals very carefully and hire the ones that come highly recommended.
2. Once you make a decision, don't keep second-guessing yourself, this will make you cray cray (new favorite expression).
3. Take care of the important details in advance of  your special day, so you can block out time for R&R.
4. Let your fiance, family and close friends know what you need help with, so you don't try and take it all on yourself.
5. Keep your eye on the ball and remember why you are getting married.
6. Things come up at events and if you know that you are a type A and want control over all the decisions, let your event professionals or planner know how you want decisions made on your wedding day - will your planner need to ask you or make the decisions for you.   For an example, if the wedding is running ahead of schedule and the hotel wants to start serving the entree 20 minutes early - do you want to know?
This change can impact the evening and leave time for more dancing, but you may want the dinner to go at a slower pace.

Estate Pick of the Week - Estate 9349 in Malibu














Found a great article   - Wall Street Journal - How To Cope When Your Spouse Embarrasses You.

CUTE DECORATING IDEAS:

Here are a few fun recipes from Martha Stewart and TV Food -

Guacamoldy with Creature Chips




Pumpkin Cheese Ball

For more recipes go to this link -  TV Food Network for More Savory Halloween Recipes.

Wedding Picks of the Week - 



Vintage with a lot of Details. 


Simple but elegant. 







Cute...XO