Sarah’s colors were light turquoise and red. Each Bridesmaid carried a different red flower in her bouquet and the groomsman’s bouttoneire matched the bridesmaid he escorted. Really clever idea! Poppy’s Petalworks  did an amazing job with the florals. Trendy willow balls lined with red anemones graced the aisle and two large altar arrangements filled with the same assortment of red flowers as the bouquets framed the couple during the Ceremony. Nob Hill String Quartet filled the Church with inspirational music and some of Sarah and Mat’s favorite classical music.

Guests enjoyed a lemonade social after the Ceremony while they waited for the Bride and Groom to emerge from the Church following the photos. Each guest was given a church-shaped bubble dispense so they could send the couple off to the reception in a shower of happiness.

The Brazilian Room in Tilden Park high in the hills above Berkeley hosted the Cocktail Hour and Reception. Tables were covered in an iridescent turquoise tablecloth that brought just the right elegant yet festive touch to the party. The Aisle Willow Balls were reused as centerpieces at the Reception while the altar flowers spruced up the buffet table and the Guest Book and Seating Chart Table. Waiters from Miraglia Catering passed trays of mouth-watering appetizers and later stocked the buffet with truly delicious and unique entrees and side dishes. The staff was attentive and ready to accommodate guests in any way that they could. The cake from Montclair Bakery in Oakland provided the cake. Can anyone say yummy!!!

Adam Haley – a close friend of the Bride and Groom – photographed the wedding and tirelessly made sure that he captured every special moment plus choreographing a few romantic poses as well. Natalie Martin was his very able assistant photographer.

Once I have the professional photos, I’ll show off some of the wonderful details that Sarah put together.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

This is your chance to make sure everyone is on the same page and to make any final adjustments to your floor plan and set up. During the walk thru I make notes that will go into my Day of Timeline about who is doing what and any final changes to the floor plan. For instance, the Bride wants to add a tribute table with wedding photos of family members. My note would read, “place table  beside gift table – use special lace linen that Bride will give to Wedding Planner  – Wedding Planner to collect photos at rehearsal and create arrangement on table – florist to provide flower arrangement.”

Generally you will also make your final payments to your venue after the walk thru. Expect to spend between one hour and one and a half hours touring the property. Visualize what each of your vendors will need to do his or her job successfully and what kind of experience your guests will have. Are you leaving enough space between tables for your caterer to serve your guests? Is the DJ near an electrical outlet? Will you need signs to get your guests from one spot to the next? Will any of the guests have difficulty navigating the walk and what can you do to make it easier for them? If you are outside, where will the sun be at various times during your event? Make sure you are happy with where everything is placed – cake table, dance floor, flower arrangements, etc.

Once you have completed the final walk thru, you can feel confident that everything is set to go and all your vendors are on the same page. Now you can turn your attention to celebrating your Wedding Day with family and friends!

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Inga wanted a day filled with elegance and soft, romantic touches. Her vision came to life in an abundance of the most heavenly smelling cream-colored roses, lots of candlelight and dreamy floral streamers created by A Loves in Bloom. I loved the alter flower arrangements with their hanging votive candles. A growing trend is to find multiple uses for the same flowers so these beautiful blooms did double duty when they were moved to the Historic Barrel Room for the reception.

Linda of Trudeau Studios was the photographer and Gusttavo of Mirar Productions was the videographer. Both walk that fine line that all professionals must of staying in the background but capturing every moment without interrupting the flow. Granted, she had a gorgeous Bride and handsome Groom as their subjects but you can see from Linda’s photos in this piece that she has a real eye for the setting and angles that will best show off the couple.

Ceremony and Cocktail Hour music was provided by An Elegant Touch of Strings. A few guests got lost between the hotel and Vintage Estates so the start of the ceremony was delayed by a half hour. The musicians didn’t miss a beat and dug just a bit deeper into their repertoire, providing just the right mood for the waiting guests. There’s nothing like stringed instruments playing in a gorgeous garden setting to make everyone feel that something special is happening.

Every wedding needs a light-hearted moment and the adorable Page Boy rushing down the aisle to the waiting arms of his father, had everyone chuckling. The Flower Girls looked like they stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting and the Bride took everyone’s breath away. The Groom in his Morning Coat brought a continental flair to the proceedings. The Celebrant, Rose Barboza of Weddings by Rose, worked with Inga and David to create vows that were just right for them. One Icelandic tradition that the Australian side was happy to embrace was that the fathers stood up with their children during the Ceremony.

Once the party started, Denon & Doyle, rolled out its DJ experience to keep things moving along and people on the dance floor. The Historic Barrel Room was the perfect setting for this intimate gathering from around the world. Cozy and spectacular at the same time, the guests were cocooned in warm tones of brick and soft candlelight. The cake was created by Perfect Endings.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Inga is from Iceland. David is from Australia. They met in Ecuador at a Trivia party. With a story like that, they had to have a fairytale ending. More later this week on this charming wedding.

All photos are by Linda Trudeau of Trudeau Studios.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Not really. I usually suggest that the Brides I work with, sit down with me or their caterer and put together a sample place setting. How many glasses do you need on your table? How many pieces of silverware? Do you want a bread plate? And don’t forget the impact your napkin can make. It’s just one more opportunity to add your personal touch to your guests’ experience.

You can go with the usual fold with the menu tucked inside or go for something a little different.

If you plan to use a napkin ring, make sure your caterer gets them several days before the wedding, so they will have time to put the napkins together. Also, avoid napkin fasteners that must be tied, or your caterer may charge extra to assemble your napkin arrangement.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

I’ve lighted the photo of the with the scarf woven through the post of a Chiavari chair but now you know why I am a Wedding Planner and not a Wedding Photographer. Oh well, I still think you will get the idea. They finished it off with a grape cluster held on with a simple knot.

The second idea is a super simple wrap of the chair with a sheer scarf tied in a bow. Sophisticated and the perfect accompaniment for the iridescent napkins draped across the plate.

Hopefully these examples help you design the table setting that best captures your dream wedding!

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Old fashioned window panes are the perfect setting for your Country Wedding

How about this for a couple into the sciences?

Are you looking for some great ideas as you create the Place Cards or Table Assignment Chart for your wedding? Pull in your colors and theme, make it something your guests can’t miss – since finding the right table quickly and efficiently will make your celebration move much more smoothly.

Check out these images and then put together something that is totally you.

If you want additional information about how to use Place Cards, Escort Cards and Table Assignment Charts, read my blog post about the subject.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Here’s another bit of floral inspiration for your wedding planning from another of my favorite florists, Grace Street Floral.

From the elegant Kohl’s Mansion to a picturesque backyard setting to the vibrant colors of an India-inspired event, Rhonda will create a design that is perfect for your big day!

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Country Chic decor can range from understated elegance to rustic. Colors tend toward soft blooms – hydrangea, ranunculus or vintage roses – or happy blues and yellows with baby’s breath and ribbons thrown in for good measure. Think mason jars filled with flowers, heirloom quilts, burlap, lace tablecloths, dancing under the stars and maybe a setting of grandma’s china at your sweetheart table.

Here are some ideas to help you create the Country Chic Wedding that best suits your personality and vision.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps

Chair covers can have a big impact on your guests as they enter your dining area and they don’t have to be the ho-hum cover with a bow at the back variety. Chair covers help create a mood from fanciful, to romantic, to very upscale elegant.

If you decide you want to take your wedding chairs from blah to wow, here are a few ideas that may help.

Here’s to Love,

Bonnie Phelps