Our Swell Exclusive to you... Wednesday Wedding Etiquette from the Past... Until Now

Emily Post's Etiquette 1957.  The classic.  It really is no wonder that I became a Wedding Coordinator because my Grandma used to read to me from that book...  Emily Post's Etiquette.   I was HOOKED!  Love rules... and guidelines...with a light-hearted touch.  So, I'm sharing with you, a little Wednesday Wedding Etiquette.  I hope to keep this going for a while, so stay tuned!
From 1957 to 2010, a few things have changed.
Rule #1:
1957 by Emily Post:  "The first fact to remember is that all the expense of a wedding belong to the bride's Parents."
2006 by Peggy Post: "Traditionally, the bride's family assumes the burden of most wedding costs... Nowadays, however, just 27 percent of weddings are paid for soley by the birde's parents."
Good news for Bride's Parents? 

Sneak Peek: Nicole & Mike's Wedding

Remember Nicole & Mike’s engagement shots which were inspired by San Francisco and “Father of the Bride”? 

Well,  back in June, they tied the knot in a classic church ceremony and partied the night away in a gorgeous backyard.  

Nicole’s lovely lace St. Pucchi dress

Jenny B Floral Designs’ lush designs and centerpieces

 Decadent desserts by Sweets Indeed

Gorgeous cake from Zov's

Additional Swell details captured by John Partridge Photography to look forward to: the Parisan inspired Steak and Pomme Frites by http://www.jasonscatering.com/,  the full charming dessert display by Sweets Indeed, and a cigar station by http://www.elbesocigars.com/.   

For a quick look at the evening, check out the video from http://www.amotionvideo.com/: http://vimeo.com/13668031

Wedding Couples and"Wedding Day of Coordination Wedding Planner"/ Vendors in Orange County... Let's TALK about Hiring a Wedding Coordinator

Let's Talk. 
 No beautiful photos here.  Just the truth.  Wedding Coordinators are NOT a luxury.
No bride wants to meet their Wedding Coordinator for the first time on their wedding day.  That's why a "Day of Coordinator" is a novice idea. 

Fellow Wedding Vendors and Wedding Couples  in Southern California:

Having a Wedding Coordinator will be incredible for all of you.

I love Professionals and I love Brides and Grooms.   Plain and Simple.  Being in the Event Business for many years, I know that all Brides and all Professional Vendors appreciate a Professional Coordinator.  
Being a Board Member of the ABC-OC luncheon today,  I listened.  I know the value of what I do, but I was able to listen to fellow coordinators who have been in the business for a very long time to say, "Let's make this the best wedding possible for our clients!  Let's work together... let's refer the best locations, the best vendors."

THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAILS OF THE WEDDING are taken care of by your coordinator. A coordinator of substance usually doesn't say:   "I'm a DAY OF coordinator".  A coordinator who cares about your wedding offers you several levels of service, with the basic level of service being around 1 - 2 months before your wedding. No bride wants to meet someone for the first time on their wedding day.
Here are important questions of the most important day of your day:

Who knows YOU?  Bride and Groom?
Who will run your wedding rehearsal with ease?
Who do you trust to carry out your vision on your wedding day?
Who creates the master timeline of the day?
Who knows your family... and knows how to negotiate the nuances of your family's dynamics?
Who greets vendors and makes sure that  all vendors on the same page?
Who will make sure that all contracts from your vendors are carried out?
Who will coordinate load-in and load-out?
Who will make sure that you have a personal bridal assistant?
Who is making sure that all of your personal items are taken care of?
Who will provide advise on wedding etiquette?

Now, on to the fun.. let's work on making YOUR wedding the most elegant wedding ever...

Kimberly and Jared: Love is in the Air at The Richard Nixon Library

What an incredible couple who were fun, fun, fun!  All during the planning of her wedding, Kimberly was an absolute doll.  Jared was a true Gentleman.  I was lucky to be able to assist them in creating their perfect day.  She was all smiles throughout the ceremony.  The weather was gorgeous, and the sunset was awesome.

Raspberry pink, soft coral and bright green bridesmaids dresses surrounded the glowing bride.  Cantina Light Photography  captured the complementary colors of the bouquet, matched to the shimmery dresses of the bridesmaids.The bridal party looked like models, and the groomsmen were not hard on the eyes by any means.

The East Room was set to perfection by Jason's Catering as guests enjoyed a delicious dinner fit for a king. Tables were strewn with tall centerpieces arranged in glass vases, decorated with glistening dangling crystals by the talented Jenny B Floral Designs.  She's always great to work with!  Jason Jazz from Visions Entertainment had the room rockin', even though it was a Thursday Evening wedding.  These guests knew exactly how to party!

Best of all?  Jeremy, Kim and Jared's perfect baby.

*****5 Star Rating for Swellegant Events*****

I’m  honored to receive the highest rating for my coordination services from Wedding Wire…. Thanks for the reviews!

                       

MON AMIE BRIDAL SALON GIVE-A-WAY FOR MILITARY COUPLES

No great photos... but a Swellegant Opportunity.  JUST IN FROM MON AMIE!  Don't miss this if you or your fiancee is in the military.
"Attention all troops!
Brides can replace fatigues with a free designer wedding gown from Mon Amie Bridal Salon! On Sunday, October 17th, 2010 Mon Amie Bridal Salon will give away hand selected wedding gowns to the first 100 brides who join us at Marine Corps Air Station - Miramar.
Join Southern California’s premier bridal salon for this philanthropic opportunity to show appreciation for service & devotion to our great country!
To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military or have a fiancé on active duty. All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place.
For more information about the giveaway gowns, please call Mon Amie at (714) 546-5700 or e-mail info@monamie.com.
For more information about the giveaway logistics, please email Mahala Taricani at mahala.taricani@usmc.mil."

The event is a first come, first serve basis. "

Sneak Peek: Americana Amore

Amy and Ben are an incredible couple; kind and giving in all that they do.  I was lucky enough to work with them for several months while they were planning their big day!   

While their June Wedding day at The Nixon Library was for them, they made it about their guests. 

A real down-home Americana family affair incorporating Amy’s 6 adopted siblings; a family dinner created by Jason's Catering; a retro candy station fit for the first family from Powell's Sweet Shoppe; and of course, all of the Americana of the The Nixon Library, including the Army One helicopter. 

Swell details captured by Harvard Photography were: Amy’s vintage-feel dress, accents of bright green and peach, backpack favors filled with goodies for all of the children who attended the wedding, and incredible food by Jason's Catering.

LIKE us on Facebook

In addition to our blog posts, you can find updates and pictures on our new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SwellegantEvents. 

It would be swell if you LIKE us there too :)

Real Wedding: Brian & Katie at the Surf & Sand

Brian and Katie were married in July on the sand next to the surf at the Surf & Sand. 

The groom’s charcoal suit complemented the bride’s ivory boatneck classic gown. Various shades of blue (from tiffany to steel) and brown brightened the ceremony and reception. 

Katie and Brian have more creativity than anyone I know…and it showed in every detail, beginning with the invitations. Ian from Red Shoe rocked the house! Awesome to reconnect with him.     The beach wedding, the cocktail hour on the patio, and the ballroom reception at Surf & Sand were perfect thanks to the one and only Sandy.     Swell details captured by Jack Randall Photography were: their clever table numbers (hilarious quotes from Seinfield), the couple’s dog as the  ring bearer,  watching the guests’ toes in the sand,  and the absolute love that Katie and Brian have for one another.  

The night was topped off  with a beautiful cake by Donna B's complete with a hilarious mice cake topper and tons of dancing, including the groom, Brian,  breakin’ it down on the dance floor! 

Congratulations, Katie and Brian! You’re a couple for life!  Best of luck in Madison, Wisconsin.   You are already missed.

Hannah’s Street Faire!

Start with an adorable Mitzvah young lady.

 Add well-behaved, hip teenagers and parents who were gracious hosts and guests. Hold at an awesome Laguna Beach venue: Seven Degrees  and serve wonderful food = This was one of my favorite Mitzvahs in a long time.  The guests were grinning ear to ear as they left this party…. I heard more than once, “WOW.  That was awesome!”  

Swell details captured by the one and only Dominick Jr. Photography. Check out the SILVER MAN brought by Stargazer Productions  and the Flip Books by Nowgetflipped.  Greg Rackley from Maximum Impact  and his dancers kept the dance floor  completely full all evening long.  

Too many others to mention.  Can’t give away all my secrets for finding the best vendors in the OC and LA :) But call me and I'll share!  

Swellegant Events featured on Wedding Channel's Wedding of the Day

Remember our post in July about Megan & Tim?

Well this beautiful couple was featured on Wedding Channel's Wedding of the Day over the weekend. 

Swellegant Events is honored and excited to have been selected.

Feeding our Souls, Being a Mentor...and Having Fun!

I was honored to be involved with a swell event this past weekend.  I blogged about "Culinary Delicacies of Spain, a Tapas Party" two weeks ago.   Kudos to Valley High School School Inc. program in Santa Ana for breaking the mold in public education.   Because, in my busy days as an Event Planner, I always want to mentor those who are interested in food, events, and happiness.  :)

The fundraiser for High School Inc. was held on Friday, September 10, 2010 at the Hilton Anaheim.  Chef Messinga, Executive Chef at the Anaheim Hilton, was incredibly generous at every step of the way. With 150 attendees, over $8,000 was raised for our Extreme Kitchen Makeover.
Great for a grassroots effort !

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at Valley High School in Santa Ana, is where tenth to twelfth grade students are being trained to enter the workforce and begin a career in the food and customer service industries in Southern California.The teenagers at Valley High inspire me. At your next event, if you happen to see someone who is with me who has very bright eyes, it will be one of the incredible Culinary Arts Students at Valley High, who is shadowing or mentoring me.


 LOVE LOVE LOVE the program and LOVE the kids at Valley High even more!  Have a couple of hours a week?  Come join me...call me at 714)473-9512.

If you would like more information or would like to support the cause, please contact Sharon Gomez at Sgomez@SantaAnaChamber.com or 714-541-5353

Cooking up the next event - Good Food that is Good for your Soul

JOIN ME IN HELPING OTHERS!  I am the High School Inc. Culinary Arts and Hospitality Champion.  As the chair of the Academy, I am the Emcee for "Culinary Delicacies of Spain, a Tapas Party" being held on Friday, September 10, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anaheim for the High School Inc. Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program. This is a first-time fundraiser to modernize the kitchen on the campus of Valley High School, home of High School Inc. Restaurateurs, executive chefs, and business owners have inspected the kitchen and have lent their support for an "Extreme Kitchen Makeover."

The High School program was adopted in a partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District and the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce to blend education with work & college training in seven industries. The High School Inc. program has been a hit with students, but the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program has a great need to upgrade its kitchen.

Please join me for this Swell evening. For $40 a person/$75 a couple, enjoy amazing Spanish Tapas and help our youth become passionate about building a career. Additional sponsorships are also still available. For more information, contact Sharon Gomez at Sgomez@SantaAnaChamber.com or 714-541-5353.

Megan and Tim: A Night to Remember

The perfect evening: beautiful sunset, a fairy tale castle upon a hill, and a gorgeous bride walking down the aisle. Swellegant Events loved the couple and their family.  Natalie and her team are always happy to help make the Bride and Groom's Vision become a reality!   The Carbon Canyon home was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements courtesy of Avante Gardens in hues of turquoise and  orange   Joel from http://www.emausphoto.com/ was amazing as usual... check out the pics in this blog... they're only a tiny picture of his talent.   The tables were sprinkled with flower petals swirling lightly in the wind, and the rock steps of the pool  were lined with beautiful bouquets. The pool was surrounded by Extreme DJ with a dance floor on one side and Red Carpet Photo Booth's fun display of costumes on the other for guest to embrace their inner selves. As the couple kicked off the dancing, the soundtrack to the night had many dancing for hours with a great blend of old and new favorites. With dinner from Jason's Catered Events, nothing short of perfection was present.  To wrap up the magical evening, a candy and cupcake display from Patty's Cakes and Desserts was arranged around the outdoor bar, exciting adults even more perhaps than the children as all filled their bags with sweets. With mini cupcakes,  who feels guilty eating three, maybe four when no one's watching? With the organized crew of PPS Parking running valet, traffic ran smoothly as guests arrived and left this special event. As all vendors worked together, the scene was a sea of smiles and laughter all night long. Totally cool favor idea... donations to The American Diabetes Association.   A dream wedding for all.