New Year! New Blog! New Picture Sizes!

Can I be a little self depricating here?  Ok  I will. One of my  New Year's Resolutions was to post blog entries twice a week.  Now that it's almost February, we can see how well that's working.  Thanks to my team, Gloria McCune and Sandra Chang, they're motivating me to get moving on this.  So... take a peek.  New Year!  New Blog!  New Picture Sizes... compliments of Swell Nat.

Sweets from one of my Favorite Vendors....Sweets Indeed 

Sneak Peek: Lauren and Scott!

The gorgeous Oak Creek Golf Club framed a beautiful backdrop for this wedding

The bridal party was chic in black but spicy with coral and green. 

Swell details captured by Jack Randall Photography -(Love him!) were the gorgeous coral and green florals, the flower petals at the ceremony, the papergoods, their sweet favors, and Lauren's haute dress. 

 

The emotion captured at this weddings was palpable.

Best wishes to a beautiful and fun couple!

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.