Ten Important Planning Tips for the Newly Engaged Couple, Plus Our Picks of the Week

When it comes to planning a wedding, I have found that the best planning tips come from experience and listening to our client's feedback over the last 11 years.

At the end-of-the-day when the event is over, your family and friends won't care what chairs you chose for the ceremony, but they will remember if they had a great time.  You can still have a gorgeous wedding, but it is important to be able to focus on the things that make a successful party, such as the food, service, entertainment and making sure that you plan for the weather.

Here are this week's tips - 

1.  Try and avoid the latest trends.  I think it is important for couples to incorporate their style and not follow everyone else.  What is important to you and your fiancé is what matters, even if you buck tradition while doing it.

2. Once you determine your overall budget and guest count (error on the high-side), start your search for the venue.

3. Research the weather during the month that you choose to get married and have a plan B in place in case the weather will be a factor.

4. If you are trying to save money, plan your wedding during the off-season, which usually occurs from January through March.

5. Consider a longer engagement if you need more time to set aside the funds for the right venue and event professionals.

6.  Select florals that will be in season when you plan to get married.  Flowers that are in season look prettier and won't cost a premium price.

7. Choose your bridal party wisely.  I have seen so called "friends" cause unnecessary stress on the wedding day, whereas a true friend goes out of his or her way to keep everyone calm.

8. After you find the perfect dress, make sure you are comfortable wearing it and pre-test the bustle.  Several years ago, one of our clients had a major dress malfunction and all of the ties snapped and broke-off right before the entrance to the first dance.

9. Please hire an event planner if you can answer "yes" to the following questions:

a. Is your schedule with work and/or school over-whelming and your time is limited?
b. You are having a wedding at a private estate, mansion or venue where everything must be brought in?
c. Your guest count is over 200?
d. You have never planned an event before and you don't have anyone to help you?
e. You are getting married in less than six months?
f. You find it challenging to make decisions?
g. You are having a destination wedding?

10. There are several amazing photographers in this industry and there are also less than favorable ones too.  Check-out the photographer's work on-line to see if it fits your style before you setup an interview.  Make sure that he or she has experience, plus great client reviews before you setup an appointment.  If your goal is to get your wedding published, make sure that you let your photographer know ahead of time (in writing) that you want the details photographed.  XO

Our Picks of the Week -

 Love the green and white floral, plus the ceiling as seen in Grace Ormonde.

 One of our private estates - stunning.

 Private estate in Malibu.

Circa 1970s- photo found on-line.

 Beautiful venue with rafters.  The chandeliers, lighting, plus green and white florals bring it home.

 Our beautiful bride Hanna. xo

 Hanna's bouquet.

Hanna and Dean's venue for their wedding - vineyards and ocean view.

Private estate in Malibu.  

Wishing everyone happy holidays and New Year!  XO, Gianna

Tips for Throwing Bridal Showers, Bachelorette Parties and Rehearsal Dinners

If you have a lot of out-of-town friends, please consider the costs for them to attend your bridal shower and bachelorette party.  Most likely, they will have to pay for their air travel, hotel, rental car, food and gifts.  Consider combining the two parties on the same weekend or day, such as an afternoon of pampering with your girlfriends followed by a coed dinner party or barbecue.

Bachelorette parties use to be the bride's last chance to "party" as a single person before getting hitched.  Today, with social media posts traveling faster than the speed of light, the last thing a bride wants is to find a less than flattering photo of herself on Facebook tucking money in some guy's g-string.

Consider a spa weekend or a fun camping trip - whatever you and your friends would like to do to spend time together.  Whatever you plan, try and have it at least two weeks before your wedding.  Avoid planning anything too close to the wedding day, so you don't end-up with bags under your eyes or feeling hung-over.

Traditionally, a rehearsal dinner is when both families get to know one another.   If you want to keep costs down, think about a DIY dinner party at home with your favorite table decor and a lot of pretty votives to add ambiance.   If the budget permits, have it catered or order from your regular take-out place.  If you don't have the time to plan a party at home, then book the dinner at your favorite Mexican restaurant with a limited bar consisting of beer, wine and Sangria.

Estate Pick of the Week - 6981 Malibu

Beautiful estate overlooking the ocean with a guest house for the bride to get ready and great recreation room for the groom and groomsmen.  For more information, please call our office at 818-246-2288.  xo

Gianna's Picks of the Week. XO

Have a wonderful weekend!  XO, Gianna 

Our Top Tips, Plus Our Estate and Photos Picks of The Week.

As an event planner, our job is to help our clients navigate through sticky situations.

Here are a handful of tips to help you dance your way through the planning process, without stepping on anyone's toes. 

1. You want to exclude a difficult sibling from the pre-wedding festivities. 

Consider the consequences before your make your decision. Excluding a sibling will cause hurt feelings and can close the door on the relationship. 

If possible, sit down with your parents and your sibling and discuss your concerns to see if there is a reasonable solution.  Let that sibling know that he or she means the world to you and how much you want them at your wedding, but there has to be parameters set before the event, so everyone is on the same page.

2. A relative or good friend has offered his or her services for your wedding.

I always recommend hiring someone not related to you to do photography, catering, etc.  There are several reasons why this makes sense, such as they might not have the skill set or financial contribution to create the look or level of service that you are seeking.  Gently let them know how much you appreciate their generous offer, but you would prefer that they be a guest, so they can enjoy the wedding and celebrate with you. 

3. Whether or not to serve shots at your wedding.

Every time our clients offer shots to their guests, I can guarantee that there will be people who drink too much and get sick.  As the host, you want your guests to be safe (not drinking and driving) and for you to avoid not having to deal with "situations" that present themselves with too much alcohol.  

4. The Do's and Don'ts of giving toasts.

Don't allow an intoxicated friend or family member to give a toast. 

I have seen this done a handful of times and it is horrifying to watch.
You and your fiancé are vulnerable to the person standing in front of the microphone and having your guests hear personal stories that could cause a lot of embarrassment. 

5. Thank you notes - when and how to send them. 

Send a thank you note within two weeks of receiving the gift.  

Don't send a pre-written note or an email thanking them for the gift. 

Take the time to write a handwritten note and thank them for the gift and let them know how you plan to use it.

6. Choose your wedding party wisely. 

Don't select your bridal party based on balancing each side of the wedding party, so they are even - this is the wrong reason.  Choose true friends that have your back and will support you on your big day.  

7. Keep your wedding safe.

If you have friends or family members that want to party at your event, hire shuttles or setup an uber account with promo codes, so they don't drink and drive.  We had Ubers at a wedding recently and it worked out well.

Our Wedding Pick of the Week at One of Our Favorite Estates  - Estate 9600 PV

Picks of the Week -

Have a wonderful week.  XO, Gianna 

Important Questions to Ask a Wedding Planner, Plus our Hot Picks of The Week.

Recently, I spoke at a wedding show at the Santa Anita Racetrack.  The producer of the show wanted to know my thoughts on important questions to ask potential wedding planners. 

Here is the list that I determined to be important: 

Before interviewing wedding planners, have the following planning decisions set in place:

1. Budget.
2. Your guest count.
3. Preferred wedding date(s).

Once you determine these three items, schedule appointments to meet with potential planners.

In addition to the questions above, here is a list of questions that will help you determine if the planner is the right fit for you and your fiancé:

1. Do you have our wedding date(s) open?
2. How long have you been working as a wedding planner? 
3. Have you ever worked at the venue that we are considering?
4. Do you plan weddings and special events full-time? If you are a part-time event planner, what is your other profession?
5. Will you be on-site on our wedding day or will you send another planner?
6. Do you offer different packages to work with within our budget and planning needs?
7. How many weddings will you take on during the month of our wedding?
8. How do you charge for your services?  Hourly, customized packages, or a percentage?
9. Can you provide us with a list of references?
10. What types of planning do you handle?  Do you handle the logistics and design?  If you don't handle the event design, do you work with other vendors who specialize in the design?

My workout update at Pasadena Elite Fitness -


After two months of being diligent and working out three times a week with my trainer, I am happy to report that I feel better and I have lost 10 pounds.  My fitness trainer Danielle has been a gem; she has guided me on both nutrition and incorporating a sensible work-out routine in my daily life that is easy to follow.   

Pasadena Elite Fitness is celebrating their two-year anniversary and they are offering one week of free small group classes and 20% off on all their packages this month only.  Check it out - :)   

Inspired by Country French - xo

Gianna's Hot Picks of the Week-

Have a wonderful weekend! 

XO