Day of Wedding Coordinating, Valentine's Day Ideas, Plus Our Estate & Picks of the Week

Several times a week, we receive inquiries from new brides asking about day-of-wedding coordination. Since this is a very popular service, I thought it would be a great idea to address it.

The name of this package was created by wedding publications and blogs a few years ago. They helped to convince first-time brides that they can plan their wedding by themselves and then bring in a planner on the wedding day to "coordinate" so that everything can come together flawlessly. 

Ask anyone who has ever planned a wedding and they will tell you that it takes a great deal of time (an average wedding from start to finish takes anywhere from 100 to 150 hours to plan).

Our company offers day-of-wedding coordination. The following describes in detail the services provided in our package:

1. An initial meeting to create your wedding timeline, in which we will confirm which projects have already been handled, review items that still need to be planned and answer any remaining client questions.

2. The development of a comprehensive wedding timeline. In order to create one with complete accuracy and include all updates, this will take approximately 3 hours.

3. A walk-through meeting at the venue to confirm logistics with event professionals and our client.

4. Phone and email support to our client.

5. Review the event professional agreements to confirm timing, price, load-in and load-out before our clients sign.

6. Confirm all of the event professionals to make sure that they have received the most current information and the latest timeline about 10 days before the wedding.

7. The wedding rehearsal - we collect all the important items for the wedding.  These items can include the escort cards, final checks, seating chart, copy of the vows, and marriage license, to name a few examples. This way our bride and groom can relax and start enjoying their wedding weekend.  We also direct the wedding rehearsal, unless the wedding takes place at a religious setting like a church or temple.  In these cases, the onsite coordinator will conduct the rehearsal.

8. The wedding day - we spend approximately 10 hours to supervise the set-up, give cues for the musicians, bride and groom's entrance, first dance, event toasts, father-daughter and mother-son dance, plus the cake cutting.

We offer this package at a very special rate (we are only able to do five per year, since it takes up about 30 + planning hours) from $1650 to $1850.  These packages only apply to weddings at hotels or private clubs.

There are some event planners who charge $500 for this same package, but for this fee there is a good chance that they might be trying to build up their portfolio and gain experience on your wedding.

Here are some fun Valentine's Day Ideas -








Estate Pick of the Week - Rental $13,500 in 2015
9600 Palos Verdes









These photos were taken several months ago.  The grapevines are coming in and everything will be beautiful by summer 2014.

Picks of the Week -

Love the look of her make up - very pretty.

Pretty bridesmaid dress - could work in any color.  XO

A Planning Guide Hot Sheet, Plus Our Picks of the Week

Happy TGIF.

Planning an event has a lot of moving parts, so we thought it would be helpful to provide a highlight of important items and when to execute them. If you need assistance, please give us a call at 818-246-2288.

Please note, this list is not an entire planning guide.

XO, Gianna

six to twelve months -
determine your budget and guest list
secure your location, then hire your event professionals -
caterer
officiate
wedding planner
band or DJ
photographer
videographer

choose your attire after you secure your venue - delivery can vary, usually 4-6 months, then you have fittings and alterations after it is delivered.

send out your save the dates

six months before -
choose your room blocks
select your bridesmaids and their dresses
register for gifts
secure your rehearsal dinner and brunch venues

five months before -
interview and hire your florist
if your budget permits, interview lighting companies and secure one
order your wedding invites

four months before -
review and secure your rentals
have a hair and make up trial and take photos
select your linens (talk with your planner and florist on options)
review your honeymoon options and secure
compile your shower invite list
review your music list - first dance, etc.
secure your suite for your wedding night and/or the night before
order the groom and groomsmen attire

three months before -
setup a food tasting with your hotel or caterer
purchase your shower hostess gift
break in your wedding shoes
weigh one of your wedding invites at your post office to make sure you order sufficient postage
secure the valet company
secure your passports if traveling abroad
order your rehearsal invites

one month before -
pull your marriage license - make sure you don't overlook the expiration date
finalize your timeline with your fiance and planner
give your photographer your shot list
confirm transportation for your wedding party and guests
finalize your vows with your officiate
review your final music selections with your band contact or DJ
schedule your floral mock up with your florist
purchase any special items for your wedding - guest book, etc.
secure ceremony items

two weeks before -
final dress fitting
finalize your seating chart
contact any guests who have not RSVP'd

one week before -
treat yourself and the groom to a manicure, pedicure and massage
deliver any out of town welcome baskets
pack for your wedding
give your hotel your final count and your seating chart to your calligrapher

Then, relax and let your planner handle the rest so you can enjoy your day! XO

Estate Pick of the Week - 7316 LA













Gianna's Picks of the Week -





Mercury glass, white flowers and hanging votive candles.

Wishing everyone a great weekend. 

Gianna 

Gianna's Pick of the Week

I am really fortunate to meet some of the most talented people because of my line of work.  My client, Victoria Collier and I met for the first time a few weeks ago at a coffee shop in La Cresenta. 

Victoria was wearing a very cool butterfly bracelet on her wrist.

While we were talking about her upcoming wedding and getting to know one another, a lady sitting near us asked where she could purchase the bracelet.  Victoria explained that she made the bracelet. 

I was curious to find out more about her jewelry.   Victoria is a lovely person inside and out, plus she is very talented.  If you would like to purchase any of her creations, please contact her at vcollier9@gmail.com

GP - When did you get started?

VC - I have been designing accessories and reinventing clothing since I was 8 years old.

GP - Where do you get your inspiration?

VC- My mother was always wearing cameos and painting beautiful butterflies when I was a child. I love to take different textures and materials and create unique ways of putting them together. I use everything from beads, metals, fabrics, pearls, champagne tops, feathers, vintage and estate sale jewelry.  I like to use the rosary in some of my pieces. I really enjoy creating new treasures. 

GP-How did you start selling your work?

VC-People would come up to me and ask where I bought my pieces. I have had people buy jewelry off of my neck or arm. 

GP-What is the price range of your work?

VC-$45.00 to $95.00

Hair Piece or  Brooch

The butterfly bracelet.  I love mine:)

Tips from The Pros - Part VI - Do your body good.

If you are reading this blog, there is a good chance that you are gearing up for a big event or your big day. I thought it would be a great idea to share some tips that I learned from one of my instructors at Cal-a-Vie last month. I have kept these posted in my office and thought the blog would be a great place to share them. Please enjoy!

Walk six days a week for at least 20 minutes.

Do sit ups while the shower water is getting warm.

Stay in bed an extra five minutes and stretch with a strap and breathe.

Make your last bite by 7 PM, then herb tea after your last bite.

Take your last bite of carbs after 5 PM.

Focus on high density nutritional carbs for energy!

Begin a resistance training program slowly.

Check out Sparkspeaple.com

Consider getting a subscription to a fitness magazine.

Get a friend excited to get happy and fit.

Buy some new music to inspire you.

Get an Ipod!

Download books to walk and listen!

Try new classes at the gym.

Write a mantra on your bathroom mirror...I am beautiful!

Remember the body heals.

Choose fitness and wellness as a prevention over prescription drugs - but see your doctor first:)

Treat your body like a temple...moderation in all things..except loving yourself and others.

Start your next crave with a big glass of water.

Strive for 7 hours of sleep nightly.

Smile in the mirror, then pass one on when you pass someone in your day!

Think of 10 things you are grateful for while brushing your teeth every morning or evening.

Visualize yourself at the size you want to be - buy an outfit when you get there!

Try something totally new to you ..yoga, biking, belly dancing, etc.

Say one thing nice about YOU every morning and someone else you love!

Be 1% better everyday at something!

If you could take away ONE thing, one habit, one emotion of self depreciating thought pattern...what would it be...and are you willing to take it out of your daily life?

Have a great day! Gianna

Tips from The Pros - Part III - Make Up & Hair Advice

How to prepare for your hair and makeup trial session by Mariah Nicole.

When you arrive for your makeup and hair trial session, you want to assist the stylist by bringing a few items with you:

1. Wear a white shirt, or color that closely resembles the wedding gown. It is best if the shirt can be brought down over the shoulders to give the idea of a strapless gown.

2. Bring photos of the makeup and hair styles you like. When choosing pictures, try to include some which have a person of similar hair/skin coloring to you. This is not for the artist's sake, but for yours so that when the artist applies that look to your features, you won't be staring the picture wondering why you look different.

3. Bring your hair accessories if possible, and the actual or similar jewelry you will wear. the idea is to mock up what you will look like on the wedding day and every detail contributes to that mock up.

4. Either go alone, or bring someone who you trust to help you make style choices. Do not bring more than 2 people, it will be a headache and each person will have their own opinion and so won't help you make a decision.

5. If there is a particular concern, or need, or product you want used, make sure you tell your artist or stylist a head of time. Give him/her the chance to be prepared for your particular needs.

6. Good attitude! Even though you may be meeting with your artist/stylist for the first time, have trust and faith in their ability to give you the look you want. An open, friendly attitude is felt by the artist and makes him/her feel comfortable to create and perform to the best ability. If you have about doubts the stylist you are seeing, think again if you want to meet with him or her. Don't waste your money and both of your time. That being said, it is also possible for the artist to win you over and gain your trust. The idea is that the artist performs best when comfortable with the client.

One of our lovely brides that Mariah created make up and hair for last July :-)

www.mariahnicole.com

Moulin Rouge Wedding

About 10 months ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of an amazing wedding production for Jessica and Don!

A few weeks ago, this wedding was chosen as the wedding of the week by Grace Ormonde, editor and chief of In Style Magazine and her online magazine at http://www.weddingstylemagazine.com/

The process started about a year before Jessica's wedding.  Jessica is a clothing designer, who had a very specific vision of her wedding, a 1940's French Cabaret theme.  I loved her artistic style and after several site searches, she fell in love with the very grand Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. 

From the moment the guests arrived at the Park Plaza Hotel, they were greeted by the Marie Antoinette living statue (the table attached to the her dress held the bubbly) as they listened to the accordion player who originally performed the music for the film The Godfather. After everyone went upstairs for the ceremony, I asked him to play the Godfather theme and he did - I adored that guy!

Once the ceremony began, the ballerinas started the processional, then the families and the bridesmaids followed.  After the cocktail hour, the Moulin Rouge greeter invited the guests into ballroom (he had a wonderful French accent, but when no one was around, he would joke with me in a heavy Brooklyn accent).  There were cigarette girls who handed out party favors, performances by bottle dancers and an amazing eleven piece band from Susan De Bois Entertainment that kept the guests dancing all night, plus numerous vendors who worked hard to put together one very spectacular wedding.  

The photographer Meghan Aileen captured so many beautiful shots plus she worked hard to get this wedding onto Grace Ormonde's web site. Thank you Meghan!

After 29 timeline revisions and a lot of details, please enjoy the photos!

www.meghanaileenphotography.com

Please add Susan Debois entertainment web site - www.deboisproducitons.com