A Romantic Palm Springs Wedding Affair

April 9, 2014 2 Comments

I do not know how to do a proper introduction for this lovely wedding. First of all, this wedding takes place at my favorite destiantion location, Palm Springs, California. Which right there, I can stop. Palm Springs is just a dreamy location, and add a wedding into this gorgeous city, and I am done.  However, there is a bit more, actually a lot more about this wedding that has me stopped in my tracks. It is the beautiful bride and how she designed this spectacular wedding just perfectly! Perfectly for her, and for her wedding guests. Do not even get me started on the details. I have to admit, I kind of want to make myself a mini size, and place myself into one of the many breathtaking wedding photographs. Am I nuts? Nuts and crazy in love with this wedding. Oh, and to top it all it all off, the couple is so adorable and super gorgeous! So, there is that. It seems there is no way to introduce this wedding but to allow you to see for yourselves. I have to warn you, this wedding will have you locked in for hours! Clear your schedule for a few hours, for the day, and enjoy the most romantic destination wedding your pretty eyes have seen!

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From the bride…

It was really important to us that our wedding didn’t just last a few hours, but extended into a weekend long celebration.  So, we decided to take over the entire Alcazar Hotel in Downtown Palm Springs for an entire wedding weekend!  We turned their poolside conference room into a retro cocktail bar & stocked it up with treats and drinks for all 70 guests that stayed with us at the hotel.  We basically had a 72 hour pool party, complete with a poolside DJ.  The entire wedding party even took a dip in the pool after the wedding fully clothed… Including me in my wedding gown! 

We had so much fun surprising our guests with little details, like welcome baskets, custom do not disturb signs, & personalized Govino wine glasses for the weekend. 

For the ceremony & cocktail hour, we had a friend play acoustic guitar on vintage equipment.  All of our friends & family sat in a circle around us while we read our own vows & Greg’s grandfather married us.  We wanted the ceremony & reception to feel as romantic & intimate as possible, so we sat everyone at family-style tables & served seabass en papollote, filet mignon, truffle mac & cheese & blue lake green beans on large family-style platters & had everyone share. 

The theme of our wedding featured colors of “neutral” (gray, cream, blush).  We went for romantic art deco mid-century – think rat pack in the dessert. What I loved was  that the bridesmaids chose their own dresses in neutral colors & I didn’t see them until the day of the wedding!  I’m so glad they all looked so good together!

 We brought in hundreds of twinkling lights and candles, vintage barware, custom upholstered couches & amazing china and flatware to transport our guests back to the amazing Rat Pack era that makes Palm Springs feel so magical.  Our DJ played only off of vinyl & on one side of our venue, we set up a cigar lounge for our guests to enjoy. 

 Instead of a regular cake, we had seven different cakes on vintage milk glass stands from Over the Rainbow Cakery.  I can honestly say that they were THE BEST cakes I’ve ever had in my life!  And as a surprise, our caterers brought out a bunch of amazing pizzas for a late night snack for our guests towards the end of the evening.

Looking back, we feel so blessed that 130 guests made the trip out to the dessert, and braved an absurdly hot heat wave, to celebrate with us.  We had so many amazing vendors that made our day perfect & we can honestly say that it was the best weekend of our lives. 

 

 

Vendors:

Location:  Alcazar Hotel, Palm Springs

Caterers:  Birba (Palm Springs)

Cake: Under the Rainbow Cakery (Palm Springs)

Photography:  Mathieu Photography (OC)

Flowers: My Little Flower Shop (Palm Springs)

Stationary: Bride

Design & Coordination: Bride & Liz Mahlow

Bridal Gown:  Ivy & Aster

Bridal Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Hair: Angela Thompson

Makeup: Brie Does Makeup

Groom & Groomsman Suits: Tommy Hilfiger

Ceremony Music: Acoustic guitarist  (friend of couple)

DJ: Dylan Course

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Five Must-Do’s the Night Before the Wedding

April 8, 2014 1 Comment

 The wedding day is not any ole’ event. This is like they say, “the big day”, and it features a super detailed agenda. An agenda that starts as early as 6:00am and ends past midnight. So, it is a LONG day ahead. So just like any big event, you must be prepared and ready to go. However, this event is full of emotions and special moments. Moments like your dad seeing you as a bride, and shedding tears, to celebrating with your girlfriends moments before your gown is first put on, and then of course the instant that you say “I Do” to the the love of your life. That is a lot of emotions in one day! On top of that, there some wedding events throughout the day. Yes, having a wedding planner is key, and a must in my books, but there are a few things you can do as a bride the night before the wedding day.  We’ve got some fabulous tips to help ease the stress and day of emotions!

  1. Sleep: First, and foremost, you must get a good night sleep. Yes, the nerves are totally there, and it is such a exciting day ahead, that you can not sleep. However, if you do not get a good sleep, you can not enjoy the day as much as possible. Let us tell you, you want to enjoy each and every moment of your wedding day.  To help, make sure that you go to  bed early, at least 7 hours of sleep( if possible, if not then 6 for sure). Have your close friends or family over to stay the night with you, so you are not alone, and can get that nice sleep with your besties around you. They can also help (for the most part), make sure you go to bed on time. You can take a over the counter sleeping pill like melatonin an hour before you want to go to bed. ( Do not take any prescription or something strong like Tylenol PM. You will feel really our of it the next day!). This will help with calming your body down so you can sleep more naturally, then being knocked out! You must get up the next day with a fresh look.
  2. Food: Watch what you eat the night before to even the week of the wedding. Do not try new foods, or eat anything heavy. Do not starve yourself, but eat light and healthy. Something with protein and greens are really good.  Breakfast can be a smoothie, yogurt, or cereal. Lunch can be a sandwich or salad. Dinner can be a steak/chicken with a side of veggies, and salad. Dessert: frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.  If you eat right, then you will not have to worry about anything for the big day.
  3. Breathe:  This may seem like an obvious one, but take some time to breathe! One really easy exercise is to sit down somewhere comfortable (a chair, couch, bed, etc), close your eyes, and then think of something very positive, and then breathe that thought in, hold it for a few seconds, and then breathe out the opposite thought, and breathe out the negative energy. Do this at least five times. This will help you focus on YOU, and not all the crazy things that may be going around you. It can get crazy and stressful! So make sure to take that time to relax and breathe! Trust us, it really helps!
  4. Massage: A nice relaxing massage is the key to a relaxing night before the wedding. Make an appointment way in advance, (if weekends, they book fast!), and make sure to do it at least a few days before, or the day before the wedding. If you are doing it the day before the wedding, do it early in the morning. If you go to a regular massage spa place, ask for the person you always work with. They know your body, pressure points, and YOU. You can make this into a day event with your girlfriends, or maybe even do a couple’s massage with your love.
  5. Have fun!: All the tips above may seem kind of boring and dull, so do not forget to have fun too. The night before, you typically have your rehearsal dinner, and that is a great time to spend with close friends and family before the big day.  It is a preview of the wedding day, and a chance to practice your smile, and show off your fun side! Tomorrow you are getting married, and it is okay to party! Just do not party too much or too hard. Smiles!

 

Happy Wedding Day, and Happy Pre-Wedding Day!

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Power Plays for Brides: A Tool for Brides & Their Weddings

April 7, 2014 1 Comment

Kicking off the week with a fabulous post about how to make wedding planning and married life a bit easier. Sounds pretty good right? I think this is a great way to start the week, don’t you think? I am excited to share a unique approach to wedding planning and wife life.  We always hear about how to prepare best for your wedding day and the the big day, but how about the new married life following? What ways can a bride get ready for her new life as a wife? Well, don’t you sweat it because we have an incredible woman who has launched a book, Power Plays for Brides, which provides the essential tools to having a stressfree wedding day and life as a newlywed.  Oh Monday, you are not so bad after all.

What is this book all about? 
There are so many great resources on the market to assist brides in their wedding planning process. However, Power Plays for Brides is dedicated to wives in training and is setting the course for a more productive wedding planning process and a less stressful lifestyle with your soon to be husband. This dynamic book, by Shimona Mayo, helps brides plan and design their dream wedding without cracking under the “normal” pressures. Power Plays for Brides, only a seven day read, offers twenty-seven proactive action steps and countless tips that will guide today’s bride seamlessly from one phase to the next with real wedding experiences, thought provoking worksheets and proven marriage tips. It challenges brides to proactively achieve an improved lifestyle of managing, collaborating and delegating wedding tasks, which can be incorporated into marriage.

Shimona offers invaluable and practical advice in this book. For example: “The most important thing is for you to employ a system that works best for you. By doing this, you can communicate your needs more effectively, access what you need right away, and position yourself as a solid lead for your event.” She also offers brides’ financial planning advice and practical strategies to keep grooms involved, establish a healthy internal foundation, hire an event support team, get organized, and manage communication that will last well after the honeymoon is over.

Today’s (bride-to-be) needs a resource that will effectively assist in managing emotions for a stress-less wedding and marriage. Power Plays for Brides, a lifestyle for today’s bride and tomorrow’s wife, is the perfect answer!

Mayo Front Cover Art Online

 

 

About Shimona Mayo Shimona Mayo

After graduating from James Madison University in 1999, Shimona began planning corporate events for political action committees, small businesses, non-profit associations and religious organizations. Her wildly successful events included, but were not limited to galas, silent auctions, golf tournaments, college symposiums, health and wellness events, trade-shows, staff retreats, team building events, company picnics and corporate fund raisers. In 2001, Shimona began to similarly transform weddings.

Her first venture, launched in 2003, offered planning for high impact, high visibility events. Noting a need for quality, creative services to offer her brides, Shimona launched Event Design Coach in 2011, focusing on floral and event design services. Shimona’s newest venture incorporates the wealth of knowledge gained throughout her 15 year career in the event industry and will be the official starter kit for brides.

The e-book is available for purchase here, and the hard copy and kit will be available at the end of the month. So get your copy today!

 

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Five Tips on Writing Wedding Invites

April 6, 2014 Leave a Comment

Your save the dates are out and you’re all set on a venue- you’re ready to send out invites! But where do you start? We’ve got five big tips on writing out the most important invitations you’ll ever send out.

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Do Research

Check out other invitations before you start yours- it’ll definitely give you ideas! You can find out what you like and what you don’t like which will give you lots of direction. Check out invites online, or any that your friends have from previous weddings. While you’re doing research, write down what you like and what you don’t like. It can be as vague as liking couple pictures in the invite to as specific as the size of the font of the return labels. Just figure out what you like and don’t, and work from there.

Collaborate

They’re not just your invites afterall- they’re your fiance’s as well! You should both be involved in writing your invitations.  Proofreading verbiage with another person can be a great way to workshop. Both of you should read your invitations out loud to each other so you can catch any sentences that sound off. Be open to any criticism or critique too; it could be the difference between an awesome and an awkward invite.

Be Specific

While there is some leeway with verbiage, there are a few sections of the invite that need to be specific. Explicitly state the address (not just the landmark/venue), time, and dress code. You don’t want your nephew to show up at your black tie wedding in shorts and sandals. It’s important to specify the exact addresses and not just the venue name or cross-streets. It’ll help you avoid getting frantic calls from out of town relatives who are lost somewhere in your city. Be sure that the address is easy to read (i.e., save the fancy cursive for later) and the address works in google maps.

Personalize

Each card should have the guest’s name(s) explicitly stated. It’s ok if the name part is handwritten, just make sure each invite is personalized. On the other end, write your invites with your couple personality in mind. If you’re both jokesters, make it cute and light to reflect that. If you’re a power couple, focus on how awesome your upcoming union will be. Including pictures from your engagement shoot or generally sweet photos of you two being adorable is a great way to hype up guests for the wedding.

Guide your Guests

Your guests may need some loose ideas on what to bring- give them some guidance! State where you’re registered, or if you’d prefer something instead of a gift off your list. Many couples are requesting donations be made to charities in their honor in lieu of a traditional wedding gift lately, which is an awesome trend and way to give back. You will also want to put in your preferred method of R.S.V.P.. If you have a wedding e-mail address setup (which we suggest!), route any questions or R.S.V.P.’s that way. This way you don’t get your personal (or even worse-work) phone blown up asking questions on what shoes would be appropriate.

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Five Wedding Organizing Tools You Didn’t Know You’d Need

April 5, 2014 1 Comment

Bridal binder? Check. Magazines? Check. Address book? Check. You may have the basic wedding organization tools, but we’ve got five awesome items that you won’t realize you’ll need until it’s too late.

Arsenal of Color

Color coding makes EVERYTHING better. If you have a weekly planner, put all your food appointments in green, all your dress appointments in red, your venue appointments in blue, etc. It’ll make your at-a-glance planning that much easier to process. You’ll be able to tell what you have lined up for the week and instantly make it easier to focus on your upcoming tasks. Whatever your color key is, stick to it and you’ll be better prepared for everything.OrgItems.jpg.jpg

Tabs

A step up from post its, hard plastic tabs are a lifesaver. Use them as placemarks in magazines for items you’re eyeing, or in your address book to know how many outstanding R.S.V.P.’s you have. Best of all, you can write on these with markers for notes. They don’t rip or fall apart like post its do and look much more sleek and organized.

Card Case

While you’re shopping vendors, you’ll be getting a lot of business cards. Pick up a card case (cigarette cases are the same size and can do the trick) and have it strictly dedicated to wedding vendors. That way, the cards don’t end up crushed at the bottom of your purse or car.  Write notes on the vendors on the backs of their cards to help you remember which vendors were which.

Wifi Shooter

If you can afford it (or already have it!), hang on to a small point and shoot camera with wifi. While phones are great, you don’t want to lose vendor photos in your camera roll along side selfies and pet pictures. You’ll also be able to adjust your camera’s functions and have more control of how your photos look versus using your phone. Once you get all the shots you need on your flowers, dresses, linens, anything, just email them to yourself (or your designated wedding email address) so you know exactly where they are. While phones are handy, an actual small camera can be more handy. If this seems like it could be pricey, look for a refurbished model. Some decent point and shoot wifi cameras can be as low as $30 refurbished.

Memo Apps

Download a note app like Evernote to hang on to any and all notes that are wedding related. Make sure that the app is dedicated to wedding notes so you don’t lose anything in the midst of other topics. You can create folders dedicated to songlists, food ideas, color schemes, and anything else! Having one app dedicated to all your notes, ideas, and anything wedding related will help you be that much more organized.

 

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Great Tips and Tricks For Smoking Cessation For Brides

April 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Smoking is well known for the hold it has on people. There is no denying that trying to quit can be hard. But it is not impossible, and you can do it. If you are a bride that wants to turn over a new leaf and quit smoking, we have some tips that might help you do the trick. Being able to quit smoking has obvious long-term health benefits and being healthy and happy on your wedding day should be your first priority. Many brides plan on having a family within a short time after getting married, so quitting a smoking habit is a must! With motivation and support along with helpful techniques and tricks like the ones in this article, you can be on your way to success.

First, it is highly recommended that you see your primary care provider. Talking to a physician about smoking cessation can make the process a lot easier and get you immediate answers to your questions. For many brides, there might be more questions you want to ask, some being related to smoking, such as fertility. Either way, most (if not all) physicians will have a smoking cessation program readily available for you.

Before you begin the process of quitting your nicotine habit for good, take the time to make a specific plan of action. Merely thinking that you can muster up the willpower when needed is a poor way to approach this very addictive habit. Write down a list of things that you will do instead of reaching for that cigarette. This can include going for a walk, calling a friend, making a fresh fruit smoothie, or any number of diversions. Just be sure to know your trigger moments and what to do when you get a craving.

If you’re doing well on your stop smoking journey, don’t forget to reward yourself. Treat yourself to a nice massage, a pedicure, or a special new outfit when you’ve cut back, and then something else when you’ve stopped entirely. You need to have rewards like this to look forward to, as they can help to keep you motivated.

Make sure you have the right attitude. You cannot take quitting as a deprivation. Instead, think of this process as a favor that you are doing for yourself. By quitting you are helping your body and making a healthier change that will in turn lead to a healthier happier you!

Make a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking, and keep them in your purse. Your reasons may include your family, living to see a special event, or anything you find meaningful. Whenever you have moments of weakness, pull out your list for several reminders of what you are working toward.

When you are first trying to quit smoking, try to avoid places that you associate with smoking. This might mean staying away from your favorite bar or the smoking spot at work. Staying away from these places also means staying away from temptation, which can be a very important thing to do when you are first trying to quit.

It is a fact that smoking can have a very tight hold on smokers. But it is entirely possible to break free and become a successful non-smoker. For a longer, happier, and healthier life, make the change and start a cessation program. Remember to talk to your doctor and get plenty of support from your loved ones!

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A Wedding Book. Shaadi: A Journey into Desi Weddings

April 3, 2014 1 Comment

I am really excited about today’s post. I can not help it! It is all about a cover to cover spread of jaw-dropping gorgeous images of weddings! Do I need to say more?  Fabulous wedding coordinator, Therese Cole-Hubbs of The Electric Karma, shares a journey into some of the most lavish, beautiful, and awe-inspiring weddings, and all the amazing details they each have to offer. I am truly “wowed”, and I think you will to once you see these images.

First, a little about the book…

SHAADI : A Journey Into Desi Weddings

by Therese Cole Hubbs

Exquisite style, world-class service, and flawless execution.
These are the hallmarks of Electric Karma, a leading
coordinator of Desi weddings in Texas and around the globe.
The Electric Karma experience is one where cultures blend
and no wish is impossible. From festive sangeets and garbas
to ceremonies steeped in tradition to modern, on-trend
receptions, Electric Karma president and creative director
Therese Cole-Hubbs knows how to make any dream a reality.
Thirty magnificent weddings are showcased within this
book’s pages, taking you on a journey through time-honored
rituals and exciting new design ideas. As the variety of styles
demonstrates, there are countless ways to rejoice during a
South Asian wedding. Inside, you’ll find examples of some of
the most gorgeous and innovative ways to welcome family
and friends for the most important celebration of your life.
Whether you plan to take your vows on the sandy beaches
of Mexico, with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop,
or in your family’s backyard, Therese and her team can

coordinate it all, down to the tiniest detail. Let Electric Karma inspire your dream wedding.

Are you amazed yet? So as promised, here is a sneak peek of some of the breathtaking images from this book. Enjoy!!

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Are you hooked now and want to see more?  You can order the book here

About the Author, Therese Cole-Hubbs…

As the President and Creative Director of Houston-based Electric Karma International, Therese Cole-Hubbs is considered one of the nation’s leading event planning and coordinating experts for multi-cultural weddings. Therese has an amazing ability to merge cultural traditions with contemporary wedding elements. Her sense of fashion and design has catapulted her to the top of her field. Ms. Cole-Hubbs realizes the impact of fashion on today’s trends and expands it into the entire design of the wedding.

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BHL Vendor Hot Pick: My Simply Perfect Events

April 2, 2014 Leave a Comment

On this lovelyWedding Wednesday, I’m going to start by telling you one fabulous fact: I love a very talented, gorgeous, and amazing wedding planner all the way across the states in Atlanta, Georgia. This wedding planner has it all.  Summer Mclane of My Simply Perfect Events. Yep, and the name of her company is on the dot correct. All the weddings she plans are hands down perfect. Perfect with each and every detail from choosing a venue, to how to walk down the aisle with 17 bridesmaids and groomsmen in tow.  It is this type of amazing talent and details that has me falling more in love with the weddings that My Simply Perfect Events creates for each couple. These weddings are drop dead gorgeous! So, it is no surprise why we have added My Simply Perfect Events  to our “Vendor Hot Picks”.  Here is a peek of some of the beautiful weddings which this wedding planning company has created for couples. It is okay, you can say “WOW”, a few times when you browse. I know I did! Enjoy!image

 

 

MaiBri Photography

MaiBri Photography

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Eric Little Photography

Eric Little Photography

Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

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Eric Little Photography

Eric Little Photography

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Christi Sue Photography

Christi Sue Photography

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Eric Little Photography

Eric Little Photography

About My Simply Perfect Events …

 I offer a sense of peace and calm on the wedding day.  You’ve put all of this money, time and effort into this incredible day so of course you want to be able to enjoy the day, not worry about details.

The thing that stands out about My Simply Perfect Events is the fact that I truly care about my clients.  Most of my brides end up being friends who keep in touch with me and we’re able to continue the friendship after they walk down the aisle.
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Five Must Haves for Spring Bridal Showers

April 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

March showers bring April flowers… and sometimes more April showers. The fun kind though- bridal showers! If you’re heading out to a bridal shower soon, here’s our five must haves for the season.

Loud and Proud

Loud prints are hot right now! Go as bold as you want to be, just balance it out so you don’t look like you’re doing too much. If you have a bold print dress, balance it out with a black or beige blazer. Mix basic solids with a loud print to keep it from overpowering an outfit.

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Warm Tips

Trade out your neutrals and dark toned nail polishes for warm tones. Pastels are a staple of spring, but punchy spring break colors are trending. If you can find tones that compliment a bold pattern or color scheme you love, all the better! We love punchy pinks that scream “I’m on vacation!”.

Nude From the Ankle Down

What’s trending to balance out the punchy prints? A good nude heel. A structured nude heel is hot right now, and worth the investment. A good pair can become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. If a basic structured heel isn’t fun enough for you, opt for one with some spiked or studded hardware.

Subtle Braids

Whether you’re doing an updo or letting your tresses run wild, thin braids create the ultimate festival free look. Keep them small so that they don’t overpower your look. You don’t even have to tie them up at the bottom, let them flow freely throughout your hair. A bridal shower, afterall, celebrates love. A romantic look is perfect for the occasion!

Rose Colored Glasses

If you’re heading outside for a bridal shower brunch, ditch the black on black shades for turtleshell or another warmer brown tone. These are perfect for your spring bridal shower, or even to tote around at Coachella. It may be hard to find, but if you can find a warm rosy toned lense you’ll be owning the festival trend.

 

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