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 

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

10 Important Tips to Know When Planning a Wedding or Special Event

Happy Wednesday!

From time to time, we hear about wedding or special event mishaps and I thought it would be a great idea to compile my top 10 tips in this week's blog.

1. Check out your professional service providers before you sign an agreement with them. We recommend checking them out on Yelp and Google.

2. Have a budget in place before making your plans.

3. Determine your guest count before you book your venue and please make sure your estimated guest count works with your budget.

4. Do assigned seating for your dinner reception - never leave it to chance.

5. Hire an experienced event and or wedding planner.  He or she can save you valuable time, money and help you stay stress free through-out the planning process.  For more information, please call our office at 818-246-2288. XO

6. Have a weather contingency plan in place.

7. Prepare a shot list for your photographer and make sure you have enough time carved out for photos on your wedding day.

8.  Avoid having an open mic for toasts.

9. Always do a walk-through at your venue with your event professionals before the big day.

10. If something goes wrong on the event day, let the professionals handle it and enjoy your day!

Event Professional Pick of the Week -

Lauren is a very talented individual who has great options for brides who have specific budgets for their floral or invitations, who want quality work at great prices. XO

About Lauren Hogue- 

I started Lovely Petals Boutique last April, and just recently started my invitations shop. 

I began as a bridal consultant three years ago handling every detail of the bride's appearance for the wedding day. Now, I currently work at Paper Source as the Custom Print Captain at my store.  I oversee all the invitation orders, which the majority are wedding invitations.  I enjoy working with brides on both aspects of a wedding, whether it be her appearance or the creative side such as invitations and decor.

Links: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelovedDesignStudio

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LovelyPetalsBoutique

 Handmade petals - above and below. 

Lauren can customize the bouquet designs to fit your color and style. 

Gianna's Picks of the Week -

Mercury glass...

Cute party favors.

Signature drink - pink lemonade margaritas.

Have a great day. 

Gianna XO