Serious Fun for Human Options... What a night!

Once in a while, I take a night off... and have some serious fun while supporting a wonderful cause!  What a blast we all had being PINK LADIES at the Human Options Fundraiser at Balboa Bay Club.  Special thanks to my friend, Laura, who organized the evening.  An incredible worthy cause,  Human Options deserved all that the evening brought to the organization.

A quote from The Daily Pilot:  "An impressive $435,000 was raised at the "Serious Fun Party" produced by Human Options. The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Newport Beach, was the setting for the 1950s "Happy Days"-themed event.

The crowd wore vintage clothes. Some women were in poodle skirts and saddle shoes and some men in lettermen's sweaters. Other ladies chose to show off a little upscale '50s attire, wearing vintage dresses accessorized with the mandatory choker of pearls and the upswept hair of the period. "

Giving back to Team Kids... one of the most awesome days of the year at Imagine 2010

A Swell Blog: Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

A Swell Blog: Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

Talk about awesome engagement shots!  These set the tone for what we have planned for an incredible June wedding.  A classic, sophisticated couple who will be having a "Father of the Bride" inspired wedding, in a beautiful backyard setting.  The backyard?  It is the new ballroom!

In order to accommodate 200+ guests, we've created the perfect evening... a pool cover, florals galore from Jenny B Floral Designs, catering from Jason's Catered Events, and photography from John Partridge, among others. The dream team of vendors. No shortcuts here. We're working hard to perfect all of the details. 

Artisan Chocolates in Orange County.... A Swell Idea... Oh Yeah

Hey Fellow Chocolate Lovers!
 You need to know Luisa.  She's one of a kind , and if you are lucky enough to have event favors from Luisa the Chocolatier, Yum-o. Delish. The O word.  (Oops.  That's not politically correct, but I had to toss it in.) The kind of chocolate your guests will savor, not toss out . I have this saying about event favors... the favor should be either edible or usable. Luisa's chocolates are BOTH. Enough of my digressions.
Let's chat about Luisa.  She's old school.  Only works by referral.  Doesn't know what a blog is.  That's one of the reasons I love her.  But, really.... her chocolate is enough to love her.

From my trusted colleague, Luisa..."Everything we make is made by hand. We don't have machines (I wish I had).  The shape items: crocodiles, hearts, ballerina slippers, pacifiers, baby carriages, wedding cakes, etc.
Everything is done by hand, by order. After we mold each item we clean it, brush it, paint it if requested and trim by hand either in cellophane or in a box. All this hand work is qualified as artisanal."
On this photo you will see some "hand dipped truffles" and some "hand molded" truffles. The top layer are hand dipped.

Very few chocolatiers hand dip truffles these days. We are one of the last houses that does this job on the West Coast.  Most of the chocolate stores buy little chocolate "balls" and they fill them with truffle. We don't do that. We pipe our centers by hand and then we hand dip them. These are our finest product.
I make my ganache using real cream and butter as I learned in school in France and as I did at the pastry and chocolate store I apprenticed. I don't make shortcuts. We don't buy pre-made truffle mix from any company.
My flavorings are real: we use real fruit purees for the fruit truffles,real ground nuts for the nutty , etc. etc.
I don't advertise. Do a good job and the people will do the marketing for you.
I work mainly by referral. It has work well for me for 15 years." 
~Luisa the Chocolaier

If truffles aren't your thing, call her!  She'll make you whatever you want.

If you'd like more information about Luisa, visit her at http://www.luisachocolatiere.com/  ... or, better yet, call me.  We'll go visit Luisa together.

To Video... or Not to Video... That is the question.

Wedding Clients often ask me, "Why do I need a video?" or... "I'm not sure I can afford a videographer.  What do you think?  And, so, I turn to one of my favorite videographers in Orange County, Tina Murphy of A Motion Video, recently shared her thoughts with me.  Better said from her!  Thanks so much, Tina. 

Dearest Natalie,
First of all, let me say how much I enjoy working with you. I look forward to our next event.
I have wanted to share a few thoughts for some time now regarding my industry, wedding videos. One of the most common comments I hear is from clients is "Our wedding day came and went by so fast, we hardly ever saw you, and we are so glad that you captured so many great moments."

By having a wedding videographer, he or she may capture moments that you may not have seen. Videographers also have a unique way of telling your story. Your wedding video will help you remember how you felt when getting ready, show you and your husband reciting your wedding vows during the ceremony, and give you another glance at your friends and family as they enjoy the wedding reception. The biggest difference video has from the still photos is the sound and motion. Together the expressions, voices and music bring back the moment like nothing else.

It is a beautiful thing to be able to bring "life" back into the beautiful images of the day.

Here are a couple testimonies on You Tube that say it all.

Public Service Videos for the Industry of Wedding Videography

Our Regret from Our Wedding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0UHCVyvtU

10 years with a wedding video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iujIQgPv-Ok&feature=related

Again, I love working with you Natalie and I hope that I have the privilege of working with you a lot more in the future. I would love to be able to create many more timeless memories for your clients families for years to come.

Tina Murphy http://www.amotionvideo.com/  949.933.8337 tmteachtv@gmail.com

Natalie Vishny on Get Married this Weekend!

For those of you who love Get Married (WE TV daily TV Show), take a look at me this Saturday morning, 1/23/10, at 9:30 AM.  For those of you who haven't ever heard of Get Married TV Show, check it out.  It's the most realistic of all wedding shows...No.  It's not Platinum Weddings (great inpirations!) or Bridezillas (thank goodness!) .  It's a realistic show that give great advice on realistic wedding topics.  I was interviewed months ago, and I'm thinking...hmmm... what will I look like on TV?  The show airs Saturday, 1/23/10 at 9:30 AM.  If you can't catch it then, then visit http://www.getmarried.com/  to see the show any time.

Until then,

Katie + Brian = A Creative, Fun-Loving Couple ready to Tie the Knot!

Here is one of my very favorite couples.... Katie and Brian (of the esteemed graphic design company, Dutchess Paper) with their incredible engagement photos shot by the uber talented Jack  Randall.  http://www.jackrandall.com/.  It's amazing that, in Orange County, there are such beautiful preserved sites...As you drive down the 5 freeway,  I bet you've passed Rancho Capistrano over and over again... It's a place that We're going to have such a wonderful time planning and creating their dream come true at the beautiful Rancho Capistrano.

Event Advice for 2010....Choosing an Event Planner? Go beyond blogs and the Internet

TIME TESTED SWELL ADVICE HERE! 
 A TOAST TO 2010.

So...you're planning your big day!... and it should be easy.
On the internet, it feels simple to find someone who has a great blog... who seems sweet on the phone... someone who looks just great for your wedding, social or corporate event.  No doubt, there are incredible coordinators of every type out there.
However, here are my top 10 questions to ask every coordinator before you book them:
10.  How long have you been in business and why do I need you for my event?
9.  What Associations to you belong to in your field? (  I realized that I have learned incredible things from the ABC... and other organizations. I've had the pleasure of learning from very talented men and women.   Training is important!)
8. Where can I get plastic surgery and do you like Ellen Degeneres?
 (OK. You're actually reading!  I LOVE that.)
7.  Can you provide a TRUSTED vendor list to help me? A satisfied client list?  People that you've worked with that you would hang your hat on?
6.  Do you provide various levels of service?  Can I change my mind along the way?
5.  Do you have proper liability Event Coordination insurance?  What type of  event insurance do you recommend for me?
4. Do people like to work with you?  If people like to work with you, I know my event will be a happy      one..everything I've ever imagined.
3.  How will you handle it if something goes wrong on my big day?
2.  What is YOUR specialty?
1.  Do you LOVE what you do?  

For 7+ years, I've worked exclusively by referral...my best advertising.  I look forward to hearing from you... and creating your Swell and Elegant Event.   Call me for anything you need.  Always happy to answer any questions that you may have. Until we meet one another,

Best of the Best from Swellegant Events 2009

Blog or live??? I wish I had more time to share details of the incredible events that I have coordinated.  Blogging takes a backseat to family, work, and continued learning in my business. So, to my current and future clients, I apologize.  I'm not the blogging queen.   Right now, as I'm staring at the ocean (Yep.  It's true.  Event Planners get vacations, too.  :) I'm looking through some amazing shots from 2009.  Enjoy!  Call me in 2010 for all of your Event needs... I have only 10 weekends that aren't booked with events or family fun, and I'd love to help you create the party of your dreams.

 From flip flops to heels, Swellegant is there every step of the way...

Designing tables....

Providing the latest and greatest in fun entertainment

Working with the best caterers

With couples from engagements to babies...

Continually creating unique event after event!

 

Continually creating unique event after event!

Even enough time to assist with events for National Charity League... see my beautiful daughter, Hanna!

I loved submitting two entries to the First Annual Trendsetter Awards with the Association of Bridal Consultants... and although I didn't win this time, next year, it was so much fun!

Until we meet,

Give your Bridesmaids Dresses they will LOVE from CoCo Myles

We've seen the weddings... we've seen the TV shows... with the hilarious and horrid bridesmaid dresses!  Now... something new on the horizon!  CoCo Myles is an incredible solution for you.  As the Bride, you can choose your color, and your bridesmaids can choose the style of their dresses.  Maternity?  Designer? Junior Bridesmaids? No problem.  Check out http://www.cocomyles.com/ and use my Swell Code of NV1222 by April 30th, 2010 for a 10% discount on all dresses.

Laura and Eric ~ The Perfect Match as seen in LA Style Unveiled!

Check out their pics and comments here in LA Style Unveiled .

On a beautiful day in September, I had the pleasure of working with a couple that were absolutely perfect themselves! I worked for almost a year with Laura and Eric through Jason's Catering, and had the pleasure of being their coordinator throughout the process. What a generous spirit Laura had when she commented on all of her vendors in LA Style Unveiled.

She did choose incredible vendors:

Jason's Catering , John Partridge Photography , The Vine's Leaf , and Girl Friday Designs .

What she was modest about, however, was her incredible attention to detail and her creativity that made the wedding so "Laura and Eric."

Congratulations to the Finley Newleyweds. Working with you was more than Swellegant!