Monthly Archives: June 2009

Summer wedding survival tips

Posted on by
1

July 4 is fast approaching, and I know two people getting married that day! This is despite the poll I took last year, which ultimately found September was this year’s most popular wedding month. I won’t be attending either of these July 4 weddings (although I may witness one via webcast…), but I’ve had my fair share of really hot weddings. Cold is easy to deal with — just add a coat and a hat and go! — but heat is an entirely different story. So what should you do to prepare for a summer wedding?

Flickr photo by Jessified(:

First, brides, please do your guests a favor and provide some shade! I realize you want your day to be as photogenic as possible, but thinking of the comfort and well-being of your guests (who should be your closest family and friends) will make the event that much more enjoyable. And you won’t have to deal with ambulances picking up folks fainting from heatstroke and all that. Believe me, ambulances and sirens are a mood-killer.

Continue reading →

Wedding cakes, table and aisle arrangements

Posted on by
Reply

I’m constantly on the lookout for flower arrangements wherever I am (my purses must now always have room for my camera), so its a habit that I think my friends have adopted. But I don’t think its that unusual — when I was working, complete strangers constantly took pictures of my work. This friend, who asked not to be named, didn’t take these pictures recently, but at a bridal shower at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach in 2006.

I’m not a fan of wedding magazines, since what you see in them seem so far from what real people do, and bridal shows are sort of a step down from wedding magazines. Bridal shows, after all, are where vendors put out their best to attract the most. But I like this arrangement — its pretty, and not too fancy, but still classy. The extra vases of green mums and green cymbidiums add an extra touch to what is essentially a relatively plain arrangement of white roses and white mums. By the way, does that card say “Flowers by LAPD”? Heheh.

Continue reading →

Go Lakers! Add some purple and gold to your wedding

Posted on by
5

As I write this post, I’m watching the Lakers victory parade and celebration at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. My husband and I are big Lakers fans and it occurred to me that there must be other couples out there who really love the Lakers or other sports teams. Well, how about some classy ways to incorporate that team spirit into your wedding?

Heheh, I know, I know. You’re probably balking at my suggestion — “what?! This is MY day!”  Yes, yes, I know, but its your husband’s day too, and he’d probably be even more into it if you incorporate some of the things he loves, like a favorite sports team. Now, most Laker-themed parties are birthdays, but there are some very cute details I found online that you can add to your wedding.

Continue reading →

Decorate your reception entrance

Posted on by
Reply

In a down economy, I know its farfetched to think you can pay for an entirely separate floral arrangement just for the entrance of your reception, right? Still. It’s nice to check things out. Plus, your florist may just want to throw in a nice, fancy arrangement just for your entrance — its sort of a calling card and a hint of things to come when you first step up to the door of the ballroom where your wedding reception is being held.

My mom really liked these kinds of arrangements. I think allowed her to really stretch her creative muscles, because you can incorporate a more elaborate design in a bigger arrangement, as opposed to the smaller guest table centerpiece. As you can tell, my mom loved her tropical flowers, including ginger, heliconia and sexy pink heliconia (that’s what she called it! But its not pictured above, sorry). My mom also loved to trim and braid huge palm and ti leaves. She took special classes to learn those techniques.

Continue reading →

Want a Southern California winery wedding?

Posted on by
Reply

As I mentioned before, my coworker and fellow blogger Bryan Frank has been looking into a budget-friendly wedding venue for his daughter. Last week, he came by to report that his family had chosen a place after carefully evaluating i.e. eliminating costly wedding venues. After briefly contemplating a trip to Napa Valley to check out some wineries, they checked out Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyard in Temecula and were sold.

Photos courtesy of the inimitable Bryan Frank

Bryan and his family visited the winery sometime last month — you know, amid the gorgeous weather we were having all May — and decided this venue would give them the most bang for their buck. And for Bryan to say that, you know that’s gotta be true.

Continue reading →