Real Wedding: Kristen & Chris

A long overdue but MUST SEE wedding from our Fall 2012 season with a couple that was so radiantly beautiful both inside and out. 

The amazing photography was done by Katie DiSimone who has the all-important gifts of being both inconspicuous and in the right place at ALL the right times!  (She also happens to be great at keeping the day running on time... something we cherish!)  And the flawless flowers were by none other than Flowers by Kim.

Kristen and Chris were an easy-going couple, who were completely "twitterpated" with each other (sorry guys, no other word seemed to describe it quite as well).  Kristen's sense of understated elegance and love of natural beauty truly inspired all of the vendors who were lucky enough to participate in this wedding.

The Ceremony



We collaborated with Flowers by Kim to create an understated and refined floral design that highlighted the immaculate landscaping and lush views at the groom's family home.  A winding garden-path style aisle led guests into the amphitheater seating.  The mother of the groom ordered a few special accents to really personalize the day for her future daughter-in-law.  This was garden elegance at it's best!

 

 

 

 

 

The Reception

Continuing the garden feeling into the reception at the Park Ballroom, we kept a neutral palette of taupe, pale pinks, and ivory.  This allowed the dark green patterned carpet of the ballroom to remain a neutral lawn-like backdrop to the gorgeous architecture and gleaming wood.  Flowers by Kim used lace and a "garden" variety of flowers for the centerpieces.  This was offset by mercury glass votives, and the entire reception was highlighted by ivory lace overlays and champagne pink and pearl accents.  One of our favorite accents was the 3-tier ombre pink cake, which added just a touch of modern glamour to the romance of the evening.



 

 

 

 

 

 

The Party

 

 

... And they Lived Happily Ever After

 

The Vendors

 



Wedding Coordination & Design: Lavender Blue Events
Florist: Flowers by Kim
Photographer: Katie DiSimone
Catering: Trumpet Vine Catering
Cake: The Cakery
Chair Rentals: Central Coast Tent & Party
Linens: BBJ Linen
Limo: Lush Limo
DJ: AMS Entertainment
Bride's Gown: Maggie Sottero
Hair and Makeup: Pure Elements Salon - Megan
Officiant: Gary Phelps

Pros and Cons of First Look Photos

Traditionally it's considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.  But “luck” doesn't factor into many decisions these days, so at what point should you ditch the tradition? An unexpected dilema engaged couples face is whether or not to have a “First Look” photo. Here's a non-biased and experienced look at the First Look.


A perfectly arranged First Look Photo.
Photo courtesy of Sam Lim Studios.

FYI – First Look photos are a modern trend that allow a couple to see each other before the ceremony in their full wedding glory (gown, hair, makeup, veil, tux). It's typically followed by the bridesmaid and groomsmen group photos, then straight into the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Sam Lim Studios.

 

Pros:

• Photographers LOVE the First Look photo because they get a perfectly staged and unobstructed view of one of the most emotionally charged moments of your wedding.
• The First Look is a great way to get those butterflies out! Not to mention feeling reassurred that your fiance is prepped and ready, and not halfway to Vegas.
• If you tend to be more emotional than average this is a nice chance for you fully experience your emotions away from the spotlight.
• The majority of your group photos are done and over with before the guests arrive! This means less time on photos between the ceremony and reception, and more time with your guests.
• Helps you and your fiance get warmed up in front of the camera together.  Even if the shots aren't perfect (or the WOW moment your photographer was looking for) you'll be better prepared for the post-ceremony photos.

Cons (and alternatives):

• 

  

  Completely Candid First Meeting at the Ceremony.
  Photo Courtesy of Melissa Fitzpatrick Studios.

  If you're more reserved, the shots may look like you're greeting each other at a coffee shop. Alternative: Skip the First Look, and take time later in the day for a truly private moment with your new spouse.
• The excitement and anticipation of the ceremony is dampened - you've already seen your fiance, chatted about your morning, and hung out with the entire bridal party.
• 
  Your guests came specifically to witness and share this beautifully candid moment. You will be much more calm and controlled after the First Look, and your guests may be confused by your “lack” of emotion.  Or the opposite: your First Look photos are too staged for you to feel in-the-moment so those photos you were hoping for, emerge at the ceremony instead!

  

  This couple DID have a first look, but their ceremony
  photos displayed their candid feelings much better.
  Photo courtesy of Studio 101 West.

• As coordinators we're all about efficiency and we've found this to a very time consuming photo op.  The bride is with all of her bridesmaids, the groom is with all of his groomsmen.  Now the bridal party has to be convinced to go away.  Now the groom has to be perfectly positioned in a perfectly lighted, scenic, and secluded spot.  Now the bride can arrive.  Photo op.  Now where did all those bridesmaids and groomsmen run off to?
• The quiet final moments before the ceremony are lost in a busy photo schedule and excited combo bridal party. Alternative: Surround yourself with a small group of your closest friends and family for a moment of quiet reflection before you take the next huge step into your new life.

This is a suprisingly difficult and personal decision that will help you kick off the rest of your wedding day experience. However you choose, follow your heart and know that a a good photographer and coordinator will support your decision.  When it's all said and done, the important thing is the man who's holding your hand.

Happy Planning!

Bridal Fair Survival Guide

SLO's Spectacular Spring Bridal Show
Sunday April 15, 2012. 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Madonna Inn Expo Center, San Luis Obispo, CA
Tickets: At the door - $10 per person, $5 per groom
             Online with code "lavender" - $7 per person, $2 per groom

4 hours of brides trolling for the best deals, services, and food.

4 hours of vendors lurking in their booths trying to snag any girl who makes eye contact long enough to answer "So, When Are You Getting Married?"

And of course, 4 hours of grooms wandering aimlessly from catering samples to cake tasting!

It's like a google search, in the flesh!

If you've already been to one of Central Coast Bride's bridal fairs, you know what we're talking about. If this will be your first stroll through the wedding mall, you might be reconsidering your trip.

But, you really don't want to miss this fantastic event. This is the best opportunity to get tons of your wedding planning done in one shot. So, to make your Sunday afternoon more fun, less stressful, and a lot more productive, here's 5 steps to not only surviving, but making the most of this truly fabulous affair!

Step 1: Make a Plan

The biggest and most common mistakes we see is going to the bridal fair "just to look". With over 120 vendors in one building "just looking" is terrifying. Instead, make a list of priorities. Even if you just got engaged yesterday, you still have an idea of what is most important to you. Pick your top three priorities (ex. location, cake, and coordinator). Plan on only visiting those vendors at the fair and be sure to clue in anyone going with you.

Bonus Tip: One of your top priorities is probably your dress. Feel free to swing by the bridal shop and dressmaker's booths to see if they have any deals or coupons, but don't spend too much time interviewing them. They all offer a wide variety of styles, so you'll really need to visit their shops in person.

Step 2: Choose Your Entourage

Our advice: Bring 2-3 people maximum. One should be your fiance so that he feels included (btw he WILL wander off to the nearest cake display followed by in depth chat with the DJs and a tour of the catering booths, so turn up the ringer on his phone before you start so you can find him again). The other 1-2 groupies should be people with excellent physical stamina and whom you trust unconditionally (you would trust them to care for your house, your dog, and your wine rack, all while tossing your entire wardrobe and buying you a new one.)

If you're considering taking your maid of honor, 3 bridesmaids, a flowergirl, your mom, AND your fiance along, keep a few things in mind. First, everyone will have an opinion (often conflicting) about every little detail you encounter. Second, over 500 people typically attend this bridal fair and trying to keep a large group together is both impossible and migrane-inducing! If you've already promised to take everyone, agree at the door to go your separate ways and meet on the other side, while you keep one or two patient and rational supporters with you. And whether you have kids, or one of your entourage does, try to leave them at home.  We have kids too, but it's like Black Friday shopping times 10 if you bring them.

Bonus Tip:  The Bridal Fair now has a full bar.  Promise to treat your entourage to a toast AFTER you've finished talking to vendors.  Trust us, you want to be clear headed when dealing with so many first impressions.

Step 3: Take Notes

Even with your narrowed list of priorities, the number of vendors available is overwhelming. For example, if one of your top three priorities is a photographer, you will have a choice of 20 photographers to see at the fair!

Make sure you take a notebook and your calendar with you. Make a list of 3-5 questions you want to ask each vendor and jot down their answers. Take note of something memorable about them so you can "put a face with the name" when you get home (frizzy blonde hair, or cool earrings!) and be sure to note whether you actually liked them! First impressions can be tricky at the bridal fair, but if you felt like you strongly connected with someone, or really didn't like them, write it down so you don't confuse them with someone else later! If you do connect with someone, schedule a time to meet or call them after the bridal fair. Finally, make sure you know who you actually spoke to. Many booths are staffed by sales reps, assistants, friends, family, and even other brides! These people can provide great insight into what a vendor provides, but nothing can replace the real thing!

Bonus Tip: To be extra efficient, check out the list of vendors ahead of time and browse their websites to narrow down your options before you even walk through those doors!

Step 4: Know Your Limits

This step has two aspects: your financial limits, and your emotional limits.

First of all, managing your wedding budget can be the most stressful part of planning your big day, but putting it off can be disastrous. If you don't have a definite budget set yet, at least get a general idea of what funds you have available and how many guests you want. Each vendor knows approximately how much of a wedding budget they take up, and they should be able to advise you about whether or not they will be a good option for your wedding.

Second, know your emotional limits. The bridal fair can be overwhelming, exhausting and downright draining.  If you're feeling claustrophobic, don't be afraid to take a step outside for a breather and some water before tackling the next aisle. If you're just plain overwhelmed but still have a lot of ground to cover, stop by our booth! We try to make our booth an escape for you because we know how overwhelming everything can be. If you tell us that you saw this blog, we'll let you relax for a few minutes before we even try to hand you a business card (trust us, you won't get this offer from any other booth!)

Step 5: Don't Feel Pressured

Hopefully this bridal fair will give you an opportunity to meet some great local vendors and narrow down your choices for your wedding day. As you meet and interview each one, consider whether they are worth a second look (and make a note!). Later in the day, go back and visit the ones who stood out to you.

Many vendors will encourage you to book with them during the bridal fair by offering special deals, incentives, and discounts. However, most of them will be willing to extend their deals if you ask to schedule a meeting with them during your second visit to their booth (remember to bring your calendar!). If they're hesitant, simply explain that you really like them but that you want to meet in-person in a quieter setting where you can really get to know them. Give them all of your contact info and your wedding date, and set a date, time, and place to meet. Make sure they know that you're serious about considering them and ask that they call you if someone else seems interested in your wedding date. If they still won't accept your request to extend the fair special, then they probably aren't very interested in providing you with the personalized service you deserve.

Planner's Secret:

The bridal fair has two stages. From noon to 2 pm is the "rush". This is a great opportunity to quickly peruse your "priority vendors" and get your questions quickly answered without feeling the pressure of the sales pitch. You may have to spend a little extra time trying to get talk to someone in each booth, but if you aren't thrilled with what you see, it will be easier to slip back into the crowd. From 2-4 pm things slow down a lot and this is your chance to revisit your favorite vendors to talk about their deals, ask extra questions, and schedule a meeting. We recommend that you try to attend both stages of the bridal fair since the booths may have someone different working during the two different times, and you may get a totally different impression of a vendor during their "rush" compared to the end of the day.

So follow our 5 tips, take a deep breath, and have some fun!  See you at the show!

Happy Shopping!
Valerie

Going to the Chapel - Tips On Church Weddings

Whew!  We just had an awesome bridal fair at the Paso Robles Inn this weekend, and had so much fun meeting all the newly engaged couples (we hope you were one of them!).  During our conversations we noticed a few interesting trends. 

One was the HUGE range of colors that you ladies are considering for your weddings.  This follows the trend towards personalizing your wedding, and while it's harder for us to design a bridal fair booth with general appeal, it also makes our job as your wedding designers a lot more fun!  We love customizing and designing to your unique taste, and are excited at the prospect of working with everything from a peacock theme, to a rustic barn with full fall foliage.  THE trend of 2012 is YOU.


Multi-jewel tone wedding.  Photo courtesy of Melissa Fitzpatrick.

The other interesting trend we noticed, was a return to the church.  Over the past 3 years we've had very few church weddings, with our couples choosing to exchange vows at their reception venue instead.  However, this wedding expo gave us a great sampling of many different wedding visions and a large number included a traditional ceremony at church.  Our guess is that current fixation with all things beautiful, antique, and vintage is well suited to the setting of church ceremonies.
If you too are considering "Going to the Chapel", check out our tips below.

Getting married in a church or other place of worship is a beautiful and traditional way to become united in marriage. We honestly love church ceremonies, and both of our coordinators actually tied the knot in traditional Catholic ceremonies! However, there are several considerations that you won't encounter with other venues.

Space

How much room does your church have for your guests? Too little, and you have to cut your guest list, or only invite a portion of your guests to the ceremony and the entire group to the reception. Too big, and your ceremony and décor will be dwarfed by the space. Look for a balance – large enough for your guest count, plus a little extra room for your photographer and coordinators to navigate without disturbing the ceremony. If your space doesn't fit your guest list, ask your pastor or rabbi if they would consider performing the ceremony at your reception location to keep the spiritual element while opening up more venue options.

Traditional Church Ceremony.  Photo courtesy of Sullivan Studios.

Marriage Prep Requirements

Many churches require pre-marriage counselling, classes and/or retreats. We are HUGE advocates for this (even if you're not getting married in a church!) but this can be time consuming, and may entail extra expenses.  In addition, if you and your fiance are not of the same religion or have been previously married, your church may place additional requirements or restrictions on you. If you want to get married at your childhood church, but now live elsewhere, ask if you can do the marriage preparation at a church closer to home.  If you are hoping to get married in a church, make sure you ask about their pre-marriage requirements and start working on them sooner rather than later – you don't want to be working on homework the week before your wedding!

Dress Code

While most churches have adjusted to our casual society (and the resulting attire), some maintain strict dress codes that will vary both between religions, and individual churches. For example, I was married at a local Catholic church where my husband and I first met 7 years prior. I asked the priest about dress code before going gown shopping, and his stance was “If you're comfortable wearing it in front of your grandma, I don't care”. I ended up wearing a traditional but strapless a-line and a veil. Then a few months later, my cousin got married, also in a Catholic church, in Los Angeles. That particular parish mandated that women were not allowed into the church unless their arms were covered. She wore a dress with long sleeves, and the church coordinator passed out black shawls to the female guests as they arrived to make sure their shoulders and arms were hidden away. Mormon churches also have strict dress codes, and Jewish temples will request that the male guests wear a yarmulke or kippah during the ceremony. In my opinion, the dress code shouldn't deter you from celebrating your marriage in a place of worship, but it is something you need to respectfully consider during the planning process.

Dress: Legends by Ramona Keveza

Scheduling

Churches provide many services to many groups, and your wedding might be squeezed in-between a morning rummage sale and evening service, or even backed up to another wedding! Make sure that you have plenty of time for the setup, ceremony, photos, and cleanup! There can also be annual scheduling conflicts that could be easily avoided if you are flexible on your date – Christian churches celebrate Lent in the 40 days prior to Easter and during this time, no flowers or celebratory décor are allowed in many churches. Also, once Advent starts (4 Sundays prior to Christmas) you will likely be sharing your ceremony with Christmas décor and a nativity. Most religions have seasonal celebrations and times of fasting, so make sure you check for conflicts before booking your date.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Fitzpatrick.

Dealing with the logistics of church weddings, really isn't very difficult, especially if you start the process with open eyes.  And if it's truly what's in your heart, then there is no better way to invite God into your marriage than to have your wedding at His house :) As with any wedding, there might be a few bumps along the road, so our advice is to “Let go, and let God”....and hire a great coordinator!

Top 12 Wedding Trends for 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

If you're one of the lucky ladies that got engaged today, or over the holidays, it's time to start planning!  We're breaking down the hottest wedding trends for 2012 so that you can look your best, and have the wedding you deserve.  We found inspiration from wedding blogger Mark Kingsdorf and guru Susan Southerland, and added some extra tidbits of our own.

From the decorations down to the perfect gown, we have covered everything you need to know in order to have the most wonderful and up-to-date wedding!

1. The Gown  The hottest topic in bridal fashion this year is the colored wedding gowns that hit runways this winter.  Vera Wang (bottom) came out with black and nude gowns for her Fall 2012 Bridal Collection.  And Elie Saab (top) added pastel colors to his Spring 2012 Couture Collection.  Other new gorgeous gown trends are illusion necklines, sleeves, and lace (all inspired by the Royal Wedding of course!)

2. Bridesmaides  Instead of the the traditional uniform look, let your bridesmaids wear similar-but-different dresses that complement their unique physique.  And let your ladies choose natural hairstyles that flatter their faces.

3. Bridal Fashion  Comfort is in!  Many brides are customizing their dresses to maximize comfort.  Add straps to your strapless dress so you don't have to adjust as often.  Wear some pretty flats at your reception or outdoor ceremony to stay comfy but still stylish.

4. Makeup At your makeup trial, experiment with fashionably bolder lip colors or smoky eyes.  Have fun with your makeup, but stay true to yourself!

5. Cake  Break with tradition by showcasing your favorite desserts.  Instead of the traditional tiered wedding cake, consider serving your guests pies or a dessert buffet. 

6. Theme  Vintage elegance is IN.  Include details that match your decor and style like a black and white dance floor, antique apothecary jars, lace, feathers, or vintage cars.  A vintage wedding can be enhanced by a neutral color scheme (black and white, champagne, or cream) with a pop of color.

7. Favors One wedding favor that is right on-trend is a dessert serving station.  Your guests can pick cookies, candy (try custom taffy sticks!), or other treats to put into a goodie bag that they take home.

8. Decor Theatrical backdrops and lighting are an elegant trend for your reception.  Use floor to ceiling draping to add ambience, or to transform a less-than-perfect space.

9. Champagne  Instead of traditional Champagne (only produced in France), consider Prosecco, an Italian white sparkling wine.  This bubbly beverage is mostly used for toasts, but is also being given out in goodie bags.  We also recommend searching your favorite local wineries for their own version of "California Champagne" to add a local flavor to your celebration.

10. Meal  Fun food is definitely trending this year.  Find a catering company that will cook food at the tables in front of your guests, or choose creative serving options.  Also consider having your caterer use family recipes that have meaning to your and your groom. It's all about entertaining and Wowing your guests.

11. Photobooths are always a big hit.  They are a perfect way to capture the fun (and funny) personalities of your guests while they enjoy the evening.  The pictures can be printed with a custom border and used as favors for your guests, plus you can have a second set printed and use it as your guestbook.

12.  Goodnight Kiss  Traditionally this was a Champagne cocktail made of only the best ingredients.  But for 2012  weddings, the Goodnight Kiss is being redefined to be a small snack or beverage that is served as guests leave the reception.  Consider a comforting glass of milk and a small cookie to bid farewell, or a decadent espresso or mocha to get the afterparty started.  Or pay tribute to the original Goodnight Kiss and serve a bubbly cocktail and toast to your guests before they find a cab home.  Whatever you choose, this will leave a great last impression on your guests.

Happy Planning!

~ Jennifer
Intern for Lavender Blue Events

Announce that You're Tying the Knot

Our new intern Jennifer, sent me a link to a really cute stationery idea that I wanted to share with you.  The idea was created by Cristina Moralejo, and the basic principle is that you have an loose knot attached to your wedding stationery (engagement announcement, Save-the-Date, wedding invitation etc.) that tightens as the card is opened.

You could have a custom stationer design your invitations with this sweetly simple statement, or it would be a super easy DIY Save-the-Date.  Any craft store will have cord or ribbon in your wedding colors to add the finishing touch.  With Christmas approaching, I forsee your wedding stationery becoming a tree ornament!

Happy Planning!

2011 Fabulous Fall Bridal Fair

The Fabulous Fall Bridal Faire at the Madonna Inn, was as busy as ever, but this year a new location, combined with a fantastic new booth design made it, by far, our most successful yet!  Our inspiration was Vintage Chic, and included antique leaded glass windows, vintage window shutters to organize seating cards, a beautiful mirrored door to display a vintage wedding dress, and our favorite touch- antique family wedding portraits!  BBJ Linens provided the taupe lamour tablecloths and lace overlay.  Here's some pics of our booth, and in case you were wondering, all of the beautiful antique furniture was provided by Julia's Antiques (now available for wedding rentals!)

Flowers by Kim provided the beautiful arrangements and antique bottles.  The wood cake stands are available for rental from us (Lavender Blue Events).  The photos are heirloom family wedding portraits - a special way for you to celebrate a history of happy marriages. 

 

photo courtesy of Melissa Fitzpatrick Studios