The day I decided to start my blog my Sunday morning started as any typical Sunday morning does in the Bradford household. It was early, 7:00AM, (I get to sleep in an extra hour on Sunday mornings). I was not awakened by my loud, obnoxious alarm clock with pounding Church bells like on Monday mornings-NO! On Sundays I am awakened by the sweet sound of my little 5 year old daughter, Ava’s voice with the usual Sunday morning questions, “Mommy, did you bring me wedding cake? What color is it? Can I see it,? Can I see it?” Of course the answers are,”Yes!” and “Of course you can!” I rolled out of bed and off we went together to the refrigerator to see the glorious piece of wedding cake that I remembered (thank goodness) to bring home from my wedding last night. I got home very very late per usual after an amazing Saturday night wedding, tired, but completely excited to spend the day with my family. I did not get to read my daughter her nightly bedtime story last night as I do the rest of the week as I got home in the early hours of the morning, but I did have new stories of the wedding day to share with my family.
The wedding the night before at the Montage Beverly Hills was amazing! Photos coming soon! Young and stylish, Victoria and Jamie from London brought me to tears at the wedding with the Groom, Jamie’s toast in which, from the middle of the Ballroom dance floor, he included the most heartfelt thank you to me and my wonderful team. Of course, it brought me to tears, tears of so much happiness and pride! The couple just made me feel like a million dollars! Also, the Bride’s Mom, Ophie who was one of thee nicest Mother’s ever with her continuous hugs and kissses throughout the day and night, squeezing me and thanking me and telling me how much she loved me! I cannot tell you how great that feels! I walked on clouds. I had such a happy Bride and Groom and I knew I had done the job that I sought out to do. Make them happy!!!! What a wonderful and playful couple, Victoria and Jamie, with their equally wonderful family and friends! They all had such a great time and it was such a lively and happy celebration of love and family! This wedding was right up my alley and will go down as one of my favorite weddings. The weddings where there is so much love and happiness in the air! The absolutely gorgeous Bride and the very handsome and dapper, Groom just glowed and their families also glowed with so much happiness and pride. The wedding party members were lovely and so much fun to be around the entire day! What a great and memorable night!
I cannot wait to go to lunch with the Bride’s Mother, Ophie to remember the evening together and stay in touch together! I will miss Victoria and Jamie so much as they returned to London to start their lives together. They will be very happy together as they are surrounded by much love and good wishes! My parents live in Connecticut so it will be so nice to have this wonderful Mom to stay in touch with here in California when she is missing her daughter and I am missing my parents!
Later in the morning, I put the finishing touches on transforming my daughter’s bedroom from the innocent baby nursery to now a “little ladies’” bedroom. As the quaint, miniature, crystal chandelier was hung and Ava squealed, “Mommy, I love it! It is fabulous!”, that was it, my baby, now 5 years old, was not a little baby any longer and the transformation was complete!
I kept the walls a cheerful and soothing light lemon color which brought so much peace to me as I rocked my little baby in the moonlight so many nights singing her favorite lullaby, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, but now this room had the added sweetness and charm of a little lady. Even though I did not present it, the color “pink” was found by Ava and is now incorporated into the lemon yellow and light green gingham environment. This room was my favorite room to design and has always has been my favorite room in the house to spend quiet time. However, now the tiny toddler bed and the soft, ivory chenille rocking chair have been replaced with a full size “Big Girl” White Sleigh Bed, a miniature , white Pottery Barn Kids vanity and a miniature, crystal chandelier. The room was now complete and new memories would now be made in it. SIGH! What next?
Then, it came to me instantly…It is time! It is now time to FINALLY start my BLOG. I have to be honest with you the whole “BLOG” thing intimidated me a bit! When I do something I do it all the way or not at all and my life was full with working with my clients to design beautiful weddings and spending quality time with my family. I thought, “How am I going to fit in this BLOG thing?” It seemed like it could be addictive and take over. So, while I want to share the beautiful images from all my weddings, I am not sure if I will make BLOG entries daily, weekly or monthly, but I do know that I can promise to share with everyone all the images and ideas from all the beautiful weddings that I have had the honor and privilege of producing and designing for so many amazing people throughout the years and in the years to come.
I got a very large cup of fresh coffee with lots of extra French Vanilla Creamer, took my daily Flintstone Gummy Vitamins (that, Kat, my darling Pediatrician Bride from Boston turned me onto) and I sat down at my computer surrounded by stacks of CD’s with thousands of images of wedding photos from past weddings and started to type. I have to start somewhere so I will start with some of my recent favorites that I am so excited to share with all of you-very excited! I will start here and see where this “Blog thing” goes from there!
Welcome to my BLOG!!!! Enjoy!
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My sweet little Baby! My precious little Lady! (You didn’t think I was not going to sneak photos in of my most favorite person in the whole world, did you?)
 In honor of Valentine’s Day and since “Cupid” and I are relatively in the same line of work, I wanted to share photos from one of my favorite weddings for one of my favorite couples at one of my favorite venues, working with some of my favorite vendors and one of my favorite venue contacts! Heather and Chris were so much fun to work with and I had the best time working with them and their families. I love all my clients, all in different ways and I have been very lucky over the years to have worked with such great people. Clients like Heather and Chris and their families remind me that I chose the right passion in life to pursue and how much I just love my job!
Heather glowed! She looked beautiful and had that timeless, glamourous, “old Hollywood” actress meets chic, stylish, modern day fashionista kind of look.
Heather and the girls looked great and thoroughly enjoyed their urban photo session out on the city streets and alleys.
The couple chose to see one another before their ceremony for a very special “first look” and the amazing photographer, Aaron Delesie, and equally amazing cinematographer, Curtis Heyne, from Living Cinema captured every single moment of the day. The only way I can describe the work of Aaron and Curtis is to simply say that Aaron Delesie and Curtis Heyne truly have been given special gifts! They both just have “IT”. They have talents that are over the moon! I appreciate very much the gorgeous images that Aaron captured and the beautiful film that Curtis created for my clients.
Heather and Chris exchanged their vows in a heartfelt, Jewish Ceremony under a beautifully decorated Huppah. As you can see by the photos, YES, the Wedding Ceremony was in the Crystal Ballroom and the Reception was in the Crystal Ballroom. Was it MAGIC? Well, sort of , but No! It was the hard work of an amazing team of vendors that strategically came together, working side side, in exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes to transform the room from a soft and romantic Wedding Ceremony to a glamourous Ballroom Reception, while the wedding guests enjoyed a fabulous cocktail reception. Oh, the magic that happens behind the scenes! Yep, in 1 hour and 15 minutes the Ballroom was tranformed, the dance floor was put into place, the King’s Table was set, the guest tables were set, hanging candles were lit, the final checks and double checks were completed, the Band’s sound check was performed, the DJ was set up and ready to go.
I do not always recommend having the Ceremony and the Reception held in the same room if it can be avoided, but of course it can be done with good planing and the hard work of some pretty amazing people. We do whatever we have to do to make dreams come true. Square Root Designs hung elegant, champagne colored draping to make the Ceremony area more intimate and also to hide all the things that were preset and ready to go once the I do’s were completed!. Square Root Design’s team was set with the guest tables staged behind the beautiful draping on each side of the Cermeony area. The Band Stage was literally set behind the Ceremony Huppah. A huge team was assembled and ready to go. My amazing staff and I, the amazing Biltmore staff and the amazing Square Root staff were ready to go on the word “GO”! We were running, we were working, but I did take a moment to stop and stand still for one moment and watch as all these people concentrated, worked and ran and did their jobs and it all came together perfectly. The guests walked into the Ballroom and the Band was playing and the candles twinkled and they were amazed that the Wedding Ceremony was just held in this space only 1 hour and 15 inutes ago. We can do this, Sqaure Root Designs can do this and the staff at the Biltmore can do this. You want to make sure that the staff that is going to do this knows what they are doing as it has to be perfectly planned and executed. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is definitely on my top ten best classic venues list. I remember the first time I walked into the Crystal Ballroom, my heart skipped a beat, as I was overcome by the majesty of the Ballroom. It was like be transported back in time to that “Old Hollywood” era notorious for its gala parties . I love the enormous, breathtaking, crystal chandeliers and the balconies found in this Ballroom. I love this Ballroom. Then, years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Catering Manager, Valerie Lehman, and the banquet staff and I found them to be an amazing team of people. I love working at this venue and I love working along side this group of people.I partnered with Square Root Designs to design beautiful decor for Heather and Chris. Square Root Design’s work is always beautiful and added a touch of chic style to the timeless and elegant Ballroom. We used both high and low table arrangements to create diversity and depth. With ceilings that high, you must have high table arrangements or else the arrangements will be dwarfed by the room, but low peices can be added to even out the room and the budget as most always the low centerpieces are more affordable than having all high peices. I like doing different arrangments on the tables and not all the same as that adds some character and unique design element to the overall design. Square Root Designs always literally brings to the table such beautiful accent pieces to add to the table arrangement to make the tables so special.
The gold trimmed menu cards were designed to reflect the “Old Hollywood Glamour” feel that Heather and Chris desired. They added a touch of class to the guest tables. As I always mention, I am a “foodie” and the food at this venue is incredible. From the Butternut Squash Soup, Lobster Bisque and Filet Mignon to the Kobe Beef Sliders-amazing. My clients have enjoyed elegant, Sit Down Dinners and Comfort Food Stations here and no matter what has been chosen for the menu selections, it have always been prepared to perfection and the presentation is always equally as superb as the cuisine itself.Heather and Chris had a great time with their guests dancing the evening away to a to a great Ratt Pack Era band from West Coast Music.
Heather and Chris cut their beautiful Wedding Cake made by the delicious and delectable, Vanilla Bake Shop, up on the North Balcony of the Ballroom with their wedding guests looking on from below. It made the Cake Cutting Ceremony a bit more dramatic by having the Wedding Cake showcased up in the balcony.This wedding was a perfect blend of classic, timeless elegance and chic, modern style. These elements were brought together to perfectly reflect Heather and Chris’ unique personalities. There is truly a lot of history and memories that have been made at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel and now Heather and Chris have left the presence of their love and laughter and have added more memories in this Ballroom which has been filled with love, laughter and merriment for many years and more and more will continue to be added for many years to come. Heather and Chris, thank you for allowing me to be part of your special day. I think of you both often and wish you a lifetime of happiness!Special Thanks to:
The Millenium Biltmore Hotel
Square Root Designs
Aaron Delesie Photographer
Living Cinema
West Coast Music
The Vanilla Bake Shop
Foto Cabina
…and, as always, to my Fabulous Team
I found these adorable burlap pillows on the Ballard Designs web-site and I thought that they are such cute gift ideas for Newlyweds for Valentine’s Day. I LOVE Ballard Designs!
I loved this pillow, too and so I got it, but I cannot decide whether to put it on the bench on my front porch or on my bed!!! SO cute! It says, “Bon Nuit” on the other side of the pillow.
Private Estates can be an ideal option for that unique couple searching for something a little extra special for their wedding venue. One of the favorite parts of my job besides the decor prototype is taking couples out on site searches to help them to find the perfect venue for their wedding. Whenever I take my clients out to site locations, it is always very exciting when I include Private Estates in our itinerary. I love to hear the history behind each Estate and it is such a treat to walk the grounds of such amazing and diverse properties. I love the look on my Bride’s and Groom’s faces when they find it, the one! There is such a look of excitement and relief when they finally find IT!
Or course, I always want to make sure that my clients know all the pros and cons to every situation. I want to make sure that my clients have all the information they need to make good, educated choices that suit them best. Some questions that one should always ask when choosing to have a wedding at a Private Estate are:
Does the rental fee differ depending on how many guests I have attend my wedding? Some Private Estates charge different price points according to total guest count. For example: under 100, over 100-150, over 150, etc. Be sure to ask for the pricing structure so that you are not surprised later when you are charged more because your guest count increased.
What time does the amplified music need to be turned off? At most Private Estates the amplified music needs to be turned off at 10:00PM. This is often the case for all residential areas.
Is there an area to take the party “after hours” so that the celebration can continue? It is always fun to move the party to a late night location where the party can continue as long as the Bride and Groom want. Make sure you ask if there are additional costs to use these areas.
How many guests does the Estate accommodate comfortably? The key word here is comfortably! You do not want your guests to feel crowded and you want to make sure there is still room for a dance floor, lounge furniture and any other special things that you may wish to have at your wedding celebration.
Does the Estate offer a Ceremony Location on the grounds? You want to make sure you see this location, too as many people fall in love with the reception area, but forget to ask to see where the Ceremonies are held.
Where will my guests park? Is there a valet service? Most Private Estates require a valet service. Make sure to find out if you are allowed to bring in your own valet service or if it is mandatory to use theirs, how much it is going to cost. It is usually best to use a valet service that is already familiar with the property.
Are limos and shuttles allowed on the grounds? Some Private Estates do not allow large vehicles on the property or sometimes they just do not fit on the roads leading up to the properties. You need to make sure of this before you book that “party bus” for the Groom and the Groomsmen.
Are there hotels close by for out of town guests? You want to make sure that your out of town guests have options available to them. If the Private Estate is in a remote location then it may be best to encourage your guests to stay at a nearby hotel or provide shuttle service so that they can enjoy the celebration without having to worry about the drive home.
Can we bring in our own caterer? Some Private Estates only allow you to use their exclusive caterer or caterers. Make sure you are happy with the quality of the food and service and pricing before you book the venue. Ask if yo may schedule a menu tasting prior to booking the venue. If you are allowed to bring in your own caterer, make sure to ask if there are any additional fees to do this. I always do a walk through with my caterer and floral designer at any property even if they have worked there before, but especially if they have not. You want everyone to know the lay of the land so that they will know what to expect and what is needed to ensure flawless execution of the day.
Can we bring in our own beverages? You want to ask as most Private Estates have their own beverage service and their own bartenders to serve your guests.
Can we have a tent on the grounds? I love decorating a tent. There are so many amazing ways to decorate a tent and make it an enchanting environment. You need to ask if a tent is provided or if you are able to bring in your own tent. Of course you must ask what size tents the venue can accommodate.
Can we have candles? Most venues allow candles as long as the wick is enclosed deep in the glass. Most venues today so not allow open flame candles for good reason. It is always good to ask about candle restrictions and policies.
What is Plan B in the event of inclement weather? No one likes to think about the dreaded Plan B, but you have to. You need to ask if there is an indoor location available for the Ceremony in the event of inclement weather or if you are able to bring in a tent or canopy in this case.
What areas are off limits to my guests? You want to make sure that you know all the rules about what areas your guests are able to enjoy on your Wedding Day and those areas that are off limits to them.
How much is the security deposit? You can always plan on paying a security deposit of some sort. Make sure you ask how soon after the wedding it will be returned to you.
What is the restroom situation? Are there restroom attendants on site? You want to make sure that there are adequate restrooms for your guest count and it is a good idea to have an attendant maintain the restrooms throughout the evening. If a restroom attendant is not provided then you must make sure to allow for this additional cost.
Can we put a dance floor down on the grass? Some venues require a sub floor in addition to the dance floor. Make sure to allow for these costs.
When do the rentals have to be picked up? Most Private Estates will allow the rentals to be piked up the next day, but if not then you may have to pay additional costs for same day pick up from the rental company.
Like any venue, you want to make sure you ask all the right questions just so there are no surprises!
Many of my clients have always dreamed of having an Estate wedding! My friends at Estate Weddings and Events offer a diverse and beautiful selection of Private Estates located in Southern California and beyond. Jamie and their entire staff are always friendly and very informative whenever we partner together to find the perfect Private Estate venue option for my discerning clients. I would like to take the time to thank them for helping to make so many dreams come true!
Jill and Brad and I share a very common love-the great love we have for our familes. It was a sincere honor and priviledge to have been chosen to design and produce Jill and Brad’s wedding with them. I had been the wedding planner for Brad’s daughter, Brittney a few years before Jill and Brad’s wedding and having to have gotten to know this family, I found them all to be amazing. I was not only amazed by the love this couple displayed for one another so openly and deeply, but also for the love they showed for their families.
Jill and Brad wanted to celebrate their love with their families and friends and I was excited to help them with this very sophisticated, yet intimate celebration. Jill and Brad’s wedding was featured in The Bride and Bloom Magazine and the feature article was titled, “Sophisticated Simplicity”. The title chosen for the feature fit perfectly and I could have not have chosen better words to describe this wedding than that. Trumpets played as the Bride made her entrance and the entire family took part in the Unity Candle Ceremony. Even “Duke”, the couples’ Labrador Retriever, dressed for the occasion and looked very dapper in his collar which was custom made with roses.
We created a very regal, but natural and romantic look for Jill and Brad. Like many, The Resort at Pelican Hill is one of my most favorite venues. The Resort does not need to be touched. It has its own natural beauty and personality. However, when I partner with my friend and favorite floral designer, Nisie, from Nisie’s Enchanted Florist, to design a wedding together, we really get to know the couple and understand their vision. We always want to work with the location to enhance the environment and not work against it. Well, this was an easy task at The Resort at Pelican Hill. It was also an easy task working with an amazing floral designer like Nisie and her hard working and talented team.
We started with a palette of timeless and classic colors of creams and champagnes and then introduced a soft, “butter” hue which really added a happy and uplifting mood to the overall design. I love this color. You certainly cannot get a more classic and timeless feel by using creams and champagnes, but with the additon of the “butter” color, you get a welcome “pop” of color.
The grand, resort rotunda was covered with flowers and it appeared as if the flowers were growing naturally from its columns as flowers would be found growing in a garden in Italy. We used Tuscan urns and champagne-colored silk flower boxes to line the aisle which were filled with lush greenery and hedges adorned wtih roses to compliment all the beautiful hedges and iceberg roses that already exist at the Resort.
We continuned this romantic and enchanting mood into the Reception room with lush floral centerpieces with rustic, hanging candles. We added a touch of chocolate brown with the seamless, shiny, chocolate brown dance floor and golden, amber light gently kissed the entire room to give it a soft and romantic candlelit feel. It was a truly magical setting.
We added a touch of sparkle to the table by adding oval “Bling” broaches to the napkins . Napkin Treatments are great and complete the look of the decor on the table. A simple sprig of rosemary, a ribbon, a small feather or a hand opened flower head placed on each napkin can really complete the decor on the table. It is all about the small details and these simple touches that can make a wedding unique and special.
The wedding cake was showcased on a gorgeous glass top table filled with floral and the cake itself sat atop a custom made fabric wrapped cake stand bordered with a touch of “Bling”. I love adding a little “Bling” here and there for a little sparkle. My Brides either like “Bling” or they do not, but like with anything , it is all about how it is presented.
An 11 peice Band from Wayne Foster serenaded the guests throughout dinner and then rocked the house later in the evening. The Reception Tables were named with words that define a Happy Marriage such as: “Love”, “Trust” and “Passion”. “Play” was one of the the Table names and “Play” is exactly what the Bride and Groom did with their guests throughout the day and into the evening. The guests enjoyed Signature Drinks of Lemon Drop Martinis with Dry Ice (like the ones served at Mastros) and Margaritas. An abundance of seafood was presented in several displays and delectable hors d’ oeuvres were butler passed such as Truffle Macaroni and Cheese Spoons. Okay, I just have to say that these are amazing. Of course I have tried them at the menu tastings with my clients as I have to make sure that everything is suitable for my clientsWell, there is nothing better, trust me. The guests enjoyed late night snacks which included Truffle Fries, Mini Kobe Beef Sliders and Mini Milkshakes. While they ate their yummy snacks they enjoyed using the Photo Booth out on the Mar Vista Terrace provided by my favorite Photo Booth company, Foto Cabina. The Bride and Groom certainly “Played” and enjoyed the celebration.
Jill and Brad were a lovely couple to work with and they are the epitome of class and sophistication yet they possess so much flair and style and they really know how to celebrate with their family and friends. I had a great time watching the day unfold and felt nothing but love and laughter in the air at the Resort that day. This was a wedding and a couple that I will never forget. I wish Jill and Brad and their families a life filled wtih happiness. I know the celebration will live on for them every day of their lives.
Special Thanks to:
The Resort at Pelican Hill
Nisie’s Enchanted Florist
Aaron Delesie Photographer
Living Cinema
Foto Cabina
Wayne Foster Entertainment
…and as always, to my Fabulous Team!
Sara and Kyle are a lovely couple that I enjoyed working with so much to create a beautiful wedding at Rancho Las Lomas, one of my favorite venues. Rancho Las Lomas has such beauty and charm that you do not have to add a thing, but of course we did.The Bride wore blue shoes for her, “something blue” and they were gorgeous! I liked them so much that I show several photos of them in this post!
Sara’s wedding dress was one of my favorite dresses this year and it fit her like a glove. Not everyone can “pull off” a dress like this, but Sara did. She looked so youthful and radiant. Sara was one of the easiest Brides to work with and always carried herself with such grace.
There are so many places for great photo opportunities at the Ranch and photographer, Joe Latter, took advantage of each and every one.
Larissa, from Inviting Occasions, created the most beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages for this wedding. I cannot say enough about Larissa, Carlos and the rest of the her amazing team. Larissa can present to me a banana peel, a shoe box and a pear and say, “Okay, Kim, this is going to look amazing!” and I will simply say, “Okay.” I am amazed by the beautiful decor that she creates. She is “magic” and can create the most beautiful decor for an event by using the most simple things from her endless inventory and turns them into works of art. Thanks Larissa for waving your magic wand and making this wedding so beautiful! You are truly talented and I enjoy working with you and your team so much.
Not only does Larissa create such lovely personal flowers, but she delivers them in the most beautiful ways. She presents them in vintage boxes, on pieces of tree bark and all kinds of pretty and unique presentations. I appreciate that so much and it makes me take notice of it. I love vendors that go the extra mile for my clients and make their entire experience a little extra special.
I loved the flower girl’s quaint, little purse. It was so sweet and was made of moss, dusty miller, berries and even had the same tiny, little feathers that were in Sara’s veil. Ona Zimmerman, my fabulous friend and hair stylist made the most elegant hair piece made of feathers for Sara. I loved this hair piece and Ona, you are truly an artist and you are so talented. Sara loved it.
The Mothers’s corsages were lovely. I always tell my Brides to ask their Mothers and Grandmothers what they would like to wear or carry for the weddings. There are so many options available to choose from today. I love the corsages made with magnets as they work so well. Women’s dresses are sometimes delicate and can sometimes be difficult to pin the corsages onto their dresses. I certainly do not want to ruin the material on their dresses and you want the corsage to stay secure all day and evening as their is a lot of hugging going on. The magnets corsages are easy to put on and they stay very secure. You just must make certain that there is not anyone in the party that has a pace maker as this could be very dangerous.
Other options are wrist corsages and posies or nosegays. Posies have become very popular for the Mothers to carry. They are small bouquets that the Mothers can carry and then set down after the ceremony. It is always best and courteous to ask the family members what they prefer so that everyone is comfortable on wedding day. Most wonderful Mothers will say, “I will wear or carry whatever you would like me to wear or carry as this is your day!” (Don’t you love those Moms?) But everyone has preferences. It does not hurt to ask.
Kyle made one dapper Groom and Sara and Kyle together made one beautiful couple.
The boutonnieres created for the Groom, Kyle and his Groomsmen were masculine, yet matched the wedding decor perfectly. It is important that every little detail compliments the wedding. It is all the little details that make such a difference.
We were really going for a very natural, vintage and organic feel for this wedding and all the details reflected that. The items for the sand ceremony were mason jars and were perfect containers to go with this look.
I love these stolen shots of friends and family watching the ceremonies. I also LOVE the color of this Bride’s Maid’s hair!The Wedding Cake created by Grace, from Sweet Gems, was simple and beautiful. It fit the organic decor of this wedding perfectly. Grace makes thee best tasting cakes ever, especially her Red Velvet Cake which was Sara’s favorite and a big hit at Sara and Kyle’s wedding. Larissa, from Inviting Occasion decorated the cake with petite succulents and delicate, miniature feathers and it looked perfect.
The couple sat at a Sweetheart Table together in front of the roaring fireplace in the reception room.
You do not have to use only flowers for beautiful centerpieces for your guest tables. An eclectic assortment of mercury glass makes a very pretty and unique table arrangement. Mercury Glass is definitely “in” and I cannot get enough of it in my own home. I love it!
We alternated between floral centerpieces and eclectic assortments of Mercury Glass shown here on the guest tables for Sara and Kyle.
The guests dined in the soft candlelight and thoroughly enjoyed the menu selections created by the fabulous chef from, 24 Carrots Catering. Okay, it has been long overdue and it is time for me to praise this caterer. I am a “foodie” and enjoy great food like everyone-maybe a bit too much:) 24 Carrots has the most delicious cuisine with the most beautiful presentation of any caterer I have ever worked with. They just stand out to me above the rest. The staff at 24 Carrots is so easy to work with and I appreciate how on top of everything the office staff is. Jamie, Heather, Kimberlyn and Taryn (just to name a few), really work hard and know their stuff. There is nothing better than to work with a team that is on top of everything. The quality and service that this caterer provides to my clients is exceptional. The service staff is not only professional and hard working, but friendly and so easy to work along side. They are alway there for me if I should need anything on the wedding day. Their execution on the wedding day is flawless and the food is presented hot and on time. They also always have beverages and hors d’ oeuvres ready to serve to the Bride ad Groom, their wedding party and their families right after the ceremony and that is one of my biggest pet peeves when that does not happen on time. I always want to have my couples and their families and friends met with beverages and hors d’ oeuvres immediately after the ceremony so that they can begin their celebration together. I just want to put a shout out to the entire 24 Carrots staff for all their hard work and talents. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Needless to say, the guests enjoyed their dinner so much at Sara and Kyle’s wedding and food was very important to Sara and Kyle. They wanted to treat their family and friends to a fabulous dinner and they sure did.
We named the guest tables after the names of animals which made perfect sense since we were at the Ranch and there are so many beautiful animals living there. The guests really got a kick out of this.We put the table names in wooden frames provided by the Bride, Sara. I always suggest to my Brides that they purchase picture frames that they would love to have in their home to put their table numbers in. They look so nice on the guest tables during the wedding reception and then they can be put in the couple’s home after the wedding with all their beautiful wedding photos in them. The frames do not have to all match and you can get an eclectic assortment of them. It looks better when things are more eclectic on the guest tables.
I had the privilege of playing with the white tigers at Rancho Las Lomas when they were just babies and they were so little, playful and cute. They are not so little any longer, but still SOOO cute. The guests are amazed to find all these beautiful animals at Rancho Las Lomas that make the Ranch their home.Sara had a family friend make the best homemade chocolate to give to her guests as a parting gift at the end of the evening. What a great friend to have.The guests love and appreciate parting gifts as they are a nice touch at the end of the evening from the Bride and Groom as a “thank you” to their family and friends for sharing their special day with them. Sara danced with her Father for the traditonal Father Daughter Dance and of course, photographer, Joe Latter, was right there and captured this special moment shown in the photo below. I can always count on Joe to never miss any of the priceless moments like this one. Whenever I see the Brides dance with their Fathers at the weddings it makes me think of my Dad and I jump on Skype the next day to tell my Dad just how much I love him! I have a great Dad!If you have a great Dad, don’t forget to let him know how much you love him. You can never tell him too often! Same with your Moms! Let them know each and every day! I have a great Mom, too:)
Flip flops and pashminas put next to the dance floor have become very popular at the weddings. When the guests’ “dogs are barking” they can grab some relief with a comfy pair of flip flops. The flip flops can be personalized so that whenever the guests wear them after the wedding they will remember how much fun they had dancing the night away at your wedding. The Pashminas are great for the chilly months so that the guests stay warm. The guests’ comfort is so important. No matter how fabulous your wedding is, if the woman are cold, they will leave. If you make sure you think about the guests’ comfort they will have no reason not to stay until the very end. Of course great music keeps the guests present until the end of the evening and DJ Mike Carcano had that covered at Sara and Kyle’s wedding.
Of course the couple had to jump into the Photo Booth for a fun photo session before the evening’s end. My favorite photo booth company, Foto Cabina provided another great Photo Booth for this wedding. The Foto Cabina staff is always great to work with and offer booths of the highest quality. I only offer the best for my clients and they have it.
Sara and Kyle, it was a sincere honor and pleasure to have been your wedding planner and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to have met such wonderful people like yourselves and your families and friends. Sara and Kyle, you are blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends and they are equally blessed to have you both in their lives.
I wish Sara and Kyle a lifetime of happiness! I hope they will always look at one another the way they are looking at one another in the photo below captured by photographer, Joe Latter, and I hope they will remember exactly how they felt on their wedding day when this photograph was taken forever.
Special Thanks to:
Rancho Las Lomas
24 Carrots Catering
Sweet Gems
Inviting Occasion
Joe Latter Photographer
Carcano DJ, Audio and Lighting
Foto Cabina
…and, as always, to my Fabulous Team
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