Five Bridal Lingerie Must Haves

The wedding is over and now it’s time for the fun part, the Wedding Night! You’ve just spent weeks stressing over the perfect dress, venue, guest list and everything in between… shopping for your bridal lingerie should be fun!  Before you set out shopping, we’ve brought you five bridal must haves when it comes to lingerie.

1. The first step to any lingerie outfit is a sexy, silky robe.  Have some fun with the color and length but silk or satin is a must!  This is the perfect opportunity for a Victoria’s Secret white satin robe with BRIDE in rhinestones across the back. Cute!

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2. Another must before your wedding day is to find the perfect garter.  Your garter may serve as your ‘something new’ or ‘something blue’ if you so desire.  The garter can also be personalized with your new/old initials or can be made with fabric from a your mothers wedding dress.

3. For a sexy, classic look pair a  two piece lace set with the right garter and stockings.  You will be a definite knock out! A quick trip to Victoria’s Secret and you’ll definitely find the perfect lace set.

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4. Looking for something that will stop him in his tracks?  Might we suggest translucent lingerie?  It’s sexy, it’s see through, it’s perfect! Here is your opportunity to play with color by choosing something that compliments your skin tone.  The great thing about sheer lingerie is that it’s there but it’s not there… and it will drive him wild!

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5. Finally, for those who are looking for something sweet and cute,  the baby doll set a perfect fit.  Pair it with a lace thong or sheer panties for an added surprise he’s sure to love.

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What is important is that you feel comfortable and sexy in whatever bridal lingerie you choose.  It’s the most special of nights and it belongs to you, so be yourself.

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Top Five Valentine’s Day Cheesecake Flavors

Can you believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner? Do you know what I think of when I hear “Valentine’s Day”? DESSERT! Yes, all I see is chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and whatever is yummy. My mouth is watering right now, just thinking about it. So besides a birthday, this is also the time of year to indulge. Why not? I always say if you are going to indulge, why not do it with something amazing and delicious. So, if you are a bride and worried about not fitting into your dress, don’t worry, just don’t indulge too much. Maybe one cupcake, instead of like three? The time before you get married is a special time, and if there is something like a little sweet to have, go for it! Maybe make a special date night for you and your love, and enjoy your favorite dessert.

So what are my favorite desserts? There are way to many to count, however, I love myself some cheesecake. My favorite place to get some delicious and savory cheesecakes? None other than Pacific Cheesecake Company. They never disappoint with their mini cheesecake flavors. This time of year with Valentine’s Day here, their flavors are so divine.

Here are some heavenly and oh-so-yummy Valentine’s Day flavors. Which one to choose? I am kind of embarrassed to say that I want one of each. Can you tell that I have a sweet tooth? But when it looks this good, and tastes so darn good, how can I choose just one? Which one do you want to indulge in?

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  • Red Velvet– Red Velvet Cake, Vanilla Cheesecake, Cream Cheese Frosting

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  • Lemon Pie- Vanilla Cheesecake, Lemon Curd

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  • Salted Caramel– Vanilla Cheesecake, Caramel, Fleur De Sol

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  • Strawberry– Strawberry Cheesecake with a Strawberry Reduction

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  • Cookies & Cream– Vanilla Cheesecake, Oreo® Pieces

 

 

Photography: Tommy Wu

Four Reasons to Avoid Setting Wedding Date on Super Bowl Sunday

Last Sunday, the National Football League held their championship game, better known as the Super Bowl. It is the biggest sporting event in the United States and happens once a year, typically the first Sunday in February. While non-sports fans may not care too much about the big game, the Super Bowl gets an estimated 105+ million viewers each year. Given that one out of three Americans watch the game, the new commercials, and the big halftime show, it’s always best not to make plans on that Sunday. In this article we’ll examine five reasons why brides should avoid setting their wedding date on Super Bowl Sunday.

Reason 1: Keep Your Groom Happy

Sure, you could record the game, but sports scores never stay a secret and the exciting thing about sports is never knowing the outcome until the game is over. Many guys, and even families, make an event out of the entire day, getting together for lunch while the pregame show is airing and sticking around through the game. Your groom might be (probably is!) a huge football fan and taking away his traditions and ability to see the big game is too much of a sacrifice to ask. Sure, you are the number one thing in life, but why force him to prove it when there are 364 other days in the year?

Reason 2: Attendance At Your Wedding

If you book your wedding on the same day as the Super Bowl, you might be shocked at the number of people that end up declining your RSVP or fail to show up at all. Many people travel to be with family or with old friends for the big game. Since this is a yearly event that has become as big as any religious or federal holiday in America, most people are unwilling to change their regular plans to attend an event on a date they believe you shouldn’t have picked in the first place.

Reason 3: Getting Help Will Be Hard to Find

Your groom and your guests will not be the only ones less than enthusiastic about having a wedding on Super Bowl Sunday. If you want to hire a great DJ, or good catering, or an events company that rents tables and chairs, some might decline the business because they want to enjoy the big day. This means finding a good deal and having your choice of vendors will be much harder.

Reason 4: Distractions During Your Wedding

Sure, they might actually show up. But in today’s era of WiFi and High Speed Cellular internet networks. as well as the ability to stream video, folks will either be listening or even watching the game at your wedding. Whether it is on their smartphone or their tablet, fans will find a way to stay up to date with their game and if there is a big play, people will distract from the wedding to watch or celebrate a big play.

2014 Kick Off: Ask the Chief Editor Anything

Another year is in the books and 2013 will be looked back as an incredible year at Bridal Hot List. We celebrated our first year, and each and every day we are growing in our followers and readers. We are so thankful for what the year brought, and look forward to 2014! To kick off the year, the writers of Bridal Hot List were encouraged to write in and ask the Chief Editor of the site anything at all. Here is the Q&A…

Q. How did you get into wedding business?

A.  I took a class at a local college about the “Business of Weddings” where I learned about weddings and the wedding planning industry. It was one my favorite classes, and was so much fun to attend! I quickly became more interested and was an assistant to the top two wedding planners in Orange County. I was an assistant for a year, and learned the ropes until I felt that was ready to go out on my own.  It has been a great time so far, and look forward to 2014 weddings!

Q.  What is your favorite thrifty wedding trick?A. One of my favorite and easiest budget saving tricks is simple – Create your very own wedding invitations. This is a great place to save money!  If you are on a really tight budget, then skip the “Save the Date” cards and instead you can email your guests and include a link to your personal wedding website, which are free! If you have good handwriting and the skill of arts & crafts, making invitations will be a perfect way for you to save money.  A stack of embellished cardstock at JoAnn’s Fabric cost $19.99 and can make about 35 invitations. Or if you are  not the crafty type, you can customize and design the invitations at VistaPrint.com for as low as $3.99 for 10.

Q. What event would you like to see Bridal Hot List be a part of in 2014? A. There are so many amazing events, but I would have to say the one that I would love BHL to be a part of would be New York’s Bridal Fashion Week. I am in love with all things wedding, but bridal gown trends are my favorite and it would be so great to have first look into all the bridal gown trends. I would LOVE to be part of this!

Q. What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever seen at a wedding? Was there any way someone could have prevented it?A.  I have to say the biggest mistake I have seen is when a bride insisted to have her ceremony outside when it was a 95% chance of rain on that day. She insisted that she have it outside because they wanted an ocean-view. Even though a tent was going to be up, and the ocean-view will not be seen with the rain and all, they went on with an outside ceremony.  When the day came, it poured hard, and it was very cold inside. Heaters were not allowed inside the tent due to Fire Marshall standards. So it was a beautiful ceremony… but cold, wet, and with no ocean view. It could have been totally prevented by going with Plan B, and moving the ceremony inside where it was warm and cozy for the couple and their guests. But at the end of the day, it is the bride’s decision, and no matter what, you have to support that. (even it may not be the right one)
Q. What new features on the site are you hoping to implement in 2014 that readers can get excited about?

A. We are hoping to add a more mobile friendly feature, making our articles even easier to view for our readers. We are also going to add interviews and live seminars where readers can ask us anything about weddings! We want to make it even more personal for our readers out there.

Q. Can I get away with not wearing a white wedding dress?

A. Totally!! If you are a traditional bride and want to rock out in something non-white, then go for it! These days, brides are wearing colors of blush, red, and even black. Yes, black, the total opposite of white. A wedding gown is reflective of a bride’s personality, and as long as it doesn’t clash with the venue, then wearing a non-white gown is fine.

Q. Do you have any flower suggestions for people with allergies?

A. We asked our friend and florist Sussanna Davidson from French Buckets  to help us with this one! Here is what she told us: I would say any floral with no scent.  Calla lilies and roses that have been in a green house and not scented.  Succulents are also a perfect choice.  Flowers that definitely needed to be avoided are: Stargazers, garden roses and flowers with lots pollen.  

Q. I’m bad in heels, how do I work around that for my wedding?

A.  You can opt to go with a shorter heel, and just make sure when you go to your alteration appointment, that you take those shoes with you, so they can make sure the dress is the right height. You would really not want to have your dress dragging all day. Actually, when I got married, I had to get shorter heel shoes, and they were not the prettiest shoes, but my dress was long and no one saw those shoes anyways! The key is to be comfortable. This is your wedding day, and you want it to be an incredible day!

Q. Is it tacky to register for more high priced gifts?

A. I think the best way to register gifts is to choose items from all price points. This will allow for your guests to have the option to choose a gift which best fits their budget. You do not want to force your guests to buy highly priced gifts if they can not afford it. So, yes you can totally register high priced gifts, because family members or those close to you will want to buy you something super nice to enjoy as a couple in your new home. Just think balance!

 

Q. Should I send thank you notes to everyone that attended my wedding, or just those who brought gifts?

A.  Saying ” Thank you ” at the wedding reception to all your guests that attended the wedding is good enough. Unless you have a destination wedding, where they had to travel long ways to attend, then a thank you card would be appropriate then. If you sent a thank you card to those that did not bring a gift, it may seem like you are fishing for a gift. You do not want to make anyone feel bad or guilty. Make sure to make your rounds during the reception to thank your guests for coming to your wedding.

 

Q.  What advice would you give someone who is planning their wedding on a tight budget?A. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners can help save couples money as they can help with setting a budget, and making sure they keep with in their budget. Most couples will set a budget, however they do tend to always go above that budget because things come up which they had not thought about. I always sit down with my couples and we go through a checklist of all possible items that  is needed for the wedding day, and then we priotorize each one based on whats important to the couple. When couples work with me from the beginining of their wedding day planning process, and we have set a budget together, we are always under that budget. The couple is happy and so are the parents… or whoever is paying for the wedding!

Q.  What is the most romantic honeymoon destination you have seen?

A. I know this may be obvious and not so surprising, but I have to say Kaui, Hawaii. This island is perfect for newlyweds. The island is small, with nothing but paradise bliss. What I love about this island is that is it simple, lovely, and very romantic. It may not have a whole lot of city life, but there is plenty of gorgeous surroundings to enjoy. Waterfalls, gorgeous mountain views, delicious foods, stunning beaches, Waimea Canyon, and lovely weather. After all the hustle and bustle of wedding day, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your loved one. If you want to have a little bit of city life, you can take a quick airplane ride into Oahu, Hawaii.

Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings from Bridal Hot List

Good morning lovelies! It is gorgeous Christmas morning here at BHL headquarters in Southern California. We are taking a break from blogging today to wish all of you a very heartfelt Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  We hope that each and every one of you has a very blessed day full of happiness, love, laughter, and joy with friends, family, and loved ones. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Take a look at some of our favorite holiday inspirations:

Christmas tree: We love this Christmas tree. It is not over the top, but simple, and the best part is that is it Disney inspired. Do you notice the ornaments are shaped with a very iconic Disney character?

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Holiday Centerpiece: We fell head over heels in love with this over the top centerpiece. Glamour and chic meets California love. What a beautiful fusion which makes for a fabulous centerpiece for a holiday party. Super stunning!

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Holiday inspired TableScape: Gasping over this tabletop.  This table has all the holiday charm adorned with glitz, glamour, and elegance. We can not get over how fabulous this table looks. Don’t you just want to sit down and have dinner here? You will feel like a Hollywood star! If we could, we would eat at this table for every meal.

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Happy Holidays- BHL staff

Seven Beauty Tips to Prepare you for Wedding Festivites

Good morning Sunday goers. Whether you are attending a holiday party,  engagement affair, bridal shower, or any pre-wedding event, you want to look your best.  But choosing the right beauty products can be somewhat difficult. With so many products available, it can be almost impossible to know which beauty products are right for you.  We are taking a break from prepping for the holidays to provide seven tips to help you choose the products that work best for you.

  1. If you have a hard time getting your eyeliner to stay put, you can apply eyeshadow after you put on eyeliner. You should lightly put your shadow over your eyeliner with a cotton ball. This will seal the application of eyeliner and it will last longer and not run.
  2. Invest the extra money in a set of quality makeup brushes. Remember, these tools will be touching your face every single day. Spending more on these brushes can get you a set that will last for years. You should also pick up a bottle of brush cleaner, which is to be used regularly, at least twice per week. This removes dust and bacteria.
  3. Before you apply makeup, moisturize your face lightly. Moisturizers are great for your skin but also help spread your makeup evenly. Without a moisturizer, your makeup could appear to be blotchy. When you want to look good all day long, this is the best step to start with.
  4. You can use coconut oil as a more affordable and all-natural alternative to expensive face moisturizers. Coconut oil provides you with a soothing moisture that easily goes through your skin. In addition, it also makes you look younger because it helps to eliminate lines and wrinkles. Coconut oil can also help eczema, psoriasis and it will fight acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents to aid with this.
  5. Vitamin E plays a vital role in beauty. It can serve many different purposes. Vitamin E can help keep skin healthy and soft. Get a lotion that contains vitamin E for your nails if you tend to break them easily.
  6. Select a curling iron, one size smaller than the curls you desire. This will help to ensure that your curls don’t get limp or fall out after you put all the work into curling them. They will be a little tight at first but after you finish, gently run your fingers through them to break them up, and then hair spray to perfection.
  7. Your skin is constantly changing from day to day based upon your age, hormone levels, climate, and even our daily activities. As a result, you should be aware that your skincare and beauty regimen should be flexible enough to change in order to adapt to the needs of your skin.

Happy Thanksgiving from Bridal Hot List

At BHL we are in love with the holidays. Especially when the words “Thank You” are associated with it.  Spending time with family and friends, eating delicious foods, watching football, or planning a shopping adventure is really amazing.  But, what is even more amazing is to think about all the fabulous things we are thankful for. It first starts with you, the readers! Without all of you, BHL will not be where it is today. We are truly blessed for all of our Facebook “Likes”, Twitter and Instagram followers. We also have to take a moment to thank all of our fantastic vendors, venues, photographers, and videographers for allowing BHL to share your incredible talent and inspiration with us. We are inspired each and every day with all the pretty details we are so darn lucky to look at.

Today, we are taking a break from blogging today to share a some of the things we love to do on Thanksgiving.
  • Niloufar Gibson, Chief EditorI love to watch football and have famous Julian Apple pie! Every year, a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I go the local market and purchase a a pie, (sometimes two!), and then save it until Thanksgiving Day. I have to hide it because I will be tempted to open it and eat it right then and there! So far, I have been good this year, and I can not wait to sit down to enjoy a very delicious and amazing apple pie!!
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  • Andrea Carter, Associate Editor:  My dad and I are really close. On Thanksgiving we like to go see movies and get frozen yogurt, and we always get way too much!
     Gobble gobble :)

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  • Jade Arvizu, Contributor: So my favorite thing about Thanksgiving is making tamales with the females in my family. Its a long standing mexican tradition to make tamales for the holidays.  We usually travel to my uncle’s house in Apple Valley where they host dinner for about 30 relatives.   Happy Thanksgiving!

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  • Chelsea Underwood, Contributor: My favorite food for Thanksgiving besides mash potatoes with my mom’s cranberry sauce is challah. We’ve been making it from scratch in replace of bread rolls for years. And as Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving this year, it is perfect! My grandpa always tries to get the biggest turkey, as there are 11 of us. Last year he got a 23 pounder!

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From all of us at BHL, we want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Bridal Gown Collections from PreOwned Wedding Dresses

At BHL we are totally in love for all things bridal. Okay, we are kind of obsessed. Can you blame us? We get to see all the pretty bridal details everyday, and that includes staring at jaw-dropping gorgeous bridal gowns. I seriously love my job.  I sometimes have to pinch myself as sometimes it does not even seem real.  I mean I get to view all the beautiful details for each and every bridal gown, and I never get tired of it. Never! So you can imagine my excitement when I received some bridal gown details from a company who loves bridal gowns as much as we do. All courtesy of PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. A company where you can sell or buy a wedding dress. Not just any ole dress, but fabulous designer gowns for a fantastic price. So, you can wear a gorgeous gown on your big day for a amazing price. Meaning that you will have some extra cash left over to spend on other lovely wedding details.  That deserves an applause, don’t you think? I love a good deal, especially when it comes to weddings. Get ready to view some of the most stunning gowns your eyes have ever seen.  You will see why we are so excited for today’s featured company. Go ahead and grab that cup of coffee, and enjoy some pretty gowns.

Benj Haisch Photography

Benj Haisch Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Kitty Sanchez Photography

Kitty Sanchez Photography

Matt Lien Photography

Matt Lien Photography

Penny Dinn Photography

Penny Dinn Photography

Shannon Collins Photography

Shannon Collins Photography

Studio Castillero

Studio Castillero

True Photography

True Photography

Yuliya Skya Photography

Yuliya Skya Photography

About PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com...

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is a listing service that connects buyers and sellers of designer wedding dresses.  With nearly 20,000 gowns listed for sale, we’ve got a wedding dress for every style, size and budget.  We help brides find their dress dress – at a fraction of retail.
After the Big Day, we can also help a bride sell her gown and pass it along to another bride.  A wedding dress is much to beautiful to spend a lifetime in a closet, and by selling it, a bride ensures her dress will be loved again.

Pacific Waters Spa at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Sometimes you have to treat yourself to a day of pure relaxation and pampering.  I think we all deserve this right? Especially the two very special people who are about to get married. All that crazy wedding planning can be a bit overwhelming and emotional. So why not take a break from all that, and step into an oasis where you can relax and breathe deeply. A place where you can calm the nerves before the big day.  I can not help it, but I am so excited for today’s post. It is all about the brides, the bridesmaids, the groom, and his men. Guess what? It is a SPA DAY! Yep, you heard me. You can take a few hours, or heck, make it a whole day, and spend it at the spa. I am talking, massages, facials, saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, and more! Sounds amazing right?

Spa Entry

We at BHL love all things weddings, and as much as we love the wedding day and all the gorgeous details, we absolutely love to see couples experience an ultimate relaxation experience. It is a MUST! We had to experience this oasis for ourselves, (you don’t have to twist my arm!), and took a break from blogging and spent the day at Pacific Waters Spa. A luxurious and beautiful spa located at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, California.  As soon as you step in, you leave all your worries at the front door, and enter into an ultimate paradise.  The experience was so good, that I did not want to leave. I have to admit, I kind of wanted to crawl onto one of the soft and gorgeous sofas, and stay there forever.

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Couples Room

Imagine feeling totally relaxed and at ease the day or days before your wedding day.  You can even make it a total girls day. Pacific Waters Spa offers special bridal packages for the bride-to-be and her girls.  It is a perfect way to spend the day with your bridesmaids and girlfriends.  Men, it may not seem manly, but believe us when we say that you will also enjoy this. Everyone gets to have a super relaxing day. Best of all, the couple will be so relaxed and calm that when their wedding day comes, they will be ready to really enjoy it all.  Oh, and after all the wedding day events are done, married couples can come back and book a couple’s massage. It is the best way to kick off a lovely marriage. So ahead, spoil yourself rotten, you deserve it!

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About Pacific Waters Spa

In the heart of Huntington Beach, our Pacific Waters Spa blends Mediterranean feel with inspirations from the Pacific waters off the Southern California coast. This 20,000 square foot oasis – reminiscent of a warm, elegant Spanish estate – is the ultimate retreat for body and soul.

Enjoy the Pacific Waters spa experience complete with lavish amenities, including sauna, steam, waterfall showers, private whirlpools, outdoor relaxation areas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, cutting-edge salon and personal lockers. Delight in products and services extracted directly from the earth and sea using such organic elements as mud, algae, plant minerals, fruits, seaweed and even purified seawater.

For the couple: After your big day, enjoy Pacific Waters Spa’s exclusive Couple’s Spa Package featuring a 30-minute Pacific Waters Soak for two followed by 60-minute Couples massage.

BHL Vendor Hot Pick: FormDecor Furniture Rental

I know it is pretty hard to say goodbye to the weekend and hello to the week. Mondays can be a total drag, but when you have a fabulous new vendor added to our “Vendor Hot Picks”, Monday just became my favorite day of the week. I am so excited for this very talented company, that I kind of want to scream. Okay, I just did. Yep, it is the type of vendor who seriously knows how to impress. One that has me saying “O-M-G” at all the jaw-dropping gorgeous furnishings they have to offer. All beautifully delivered by FormDecor Furniture Rental. I had the pleasure of visiting the stunning warehouse where all the incredibly fabulous pieces are are.  I have to admit, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the amazing details present in each and every aisle. My head kept turning, as I did not want to miss a single fabulous thing! I love all the modern and mid-century details. A total swoon moment which will forever last in my mind. Thank you FormDecor Furniture Rental for making our Monday pretty awesome. We hope your Monday just got a burst of energy as you view these breathtaking images.

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True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography

Candice Benjamin Photography

Candice Benjamin Photography

Christopher TODD Studios

Christopher TODD Studios

True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

True Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography

Stephanie Williams Photography

Niloufar Gibson, Owner and Chief Editor at BHL with Kellie  Form Decor's Account Executive, Kellie Migliaccio

Niloufar Gibson, Owner and Chief Editor at BHL with Form Decor’s Account Executive, Kellie Migliaccio

About FormDecor Furniture Rental

 FormDecor is America’s largest event rental provider of authentic, iconic 20th Century furniture and accessories, specializing in the Modern and Mid-Century Masters. With unique and stylish selections for set designs, trade shows, wedding ceremonies, extravagant corporate parties and social events — including designer furniture rental needs.Based just outside of Los Angeles, FormDecor Furniture Rentals offers hundreds of premium quality pieces for your wedding. Additionally, FormDecor’s design consultants can help you and your wedding planner decide what to rent and how much to rent. Their DeliveryDudes deliver all over Southern California, as far north as Santa Barbara and as far south as San Diego. Professional. Personable. Reliable. These are just a few adjectives to describe the FormDecor DeliveryDudes.

Whether you’re looking for an opulent chandelier or cocktail tables and low-slung plush sofas evoking a VIP lounge feel, FormDecor has what you need and then some!