Andrew Weeks Photography | Kids!

I am lucky enough to share an office space with the very talented Andrew Weeks of Andrew Weeks Photography. He takes care of so many of my wedding clients, and makes them super happy, which makes for a happy wedding planner!

Now, he's launched his kids photography website, and they couldn't be any cuter! This is such a great deal to get professional photos of your kids and not have to go sit in line at a mall for some very questionable photos. Check out the site and make an appointment with him today! He also just had his own little bundle of joy with his wife Genevieve, so he's extremely patient with even the squirmiest of kids.

Use the coupon below, and save on your package:

Happy Planning!

For The Fashionista Bride & Bridesmaids

Looking for something completely different for your bridesmaids, or maybe even your rehearsal dinner gown? Check out chloe and reese. This is a Manhattan based brand, and they have just released their Ardour Collection. These dresses aren't for everyone, but they are definitely for brides that has a fashion concept in mind.

The Ardour Collection was created for brides and bridal parties, in response to their request for modern and sophisticated party dresses that offer versatility in dressing for any wedding occasion. The thousands of customized dress selections can take the bride or her attendants from the engagement party or rehearsal dinner to the wedding.

The Ardour Collection features a range of party frocks, full-length dresses and high-waisted skirts. With a variety of stylish and chic silhouettes; from a flirty one-shoulder silk faille party frock, to elegant floor-length taffeta gowns, sweet silk dresses trimmed in feminine ruffles, to classic strapless sheaths, Ardour's customization will offer something special for every bride, and every budget. Produced in New York City's Garment District, Ardour is available through the company's Manhattan showroom at 888.317.1695.

Happy Planning!

ISES Northern California Gala | Fort Mason | July 21

One of the events that my boyfriend looks forward to every year is the ISES Gala. I really do too, but he absolutely loves it. It is a night where all the best local vendors come together and put on the party of the year. Think of all the top caterers serving up delicious nibbles and meals, full bars stocked with great wines, the best decor and furnishings, and a silent auction with amazing deals (someone got the Julia Morgan Ballroom rental for $500!). That's just the cocktail hour. You are then taken into an area for a three course meal before dessert and dancing. This year's party trumped all the previous gala's I had been to by far.

The theme was the Roaring 20's, and everyone was decked out in their pearls, fidoras and feather boas. They carried this simple theme completely through the entire event from the time you walked in up until the late night casino. We had a blast with some great industry friends; Andrew from Andrew Weeks Photography, Janae from Janae Shields Photography, Gabby from Cake Coquette and Kathy from Well Rehearsed. I took some pictures, (obviously need to get a better camera), but here are some that came out somewhat decent:

Happy Planning!

Anniversary Party | Bin 38 | July 15

We just celebrated our five year anniversary of business last week at a local restaurant here in San Francisco called Bin 38. This is a cool, casual wine bar and restaurant, with an outdoor patio and fire pit (a rarity here!). I wanted to keep it intimate with just family, staff and vendor friends, and it was just perfect! We had a great time, and just got the photos back taken by my amazing office mate, Andrew Weeks of Weeks Photography.

We also gave out delicious cream puffs from Pacific Puffs as a favor, and my friend Jay Alvarez provided the ambiant Spanish guitar sounds.

Looking forward to celebrating many more years of business!

Happy Planning,

Another Gift Bag Giveaway!

Happy Monday! I have another fun and fully loaded gift bag to give away to the best entry for our question of the month:

What has been your favorite part of the planning process thus far?

Submit your entry in the comment field, and we will pick our winner by Thursday July 23rd.

Happy Planning!

Raquel + Paul Engagement Session Blogged

My clients, Raquel and Paul, are getting married in September, but I just received a link to their engagement photos taken by the always amazing Tinywater Photography. They included their dog, Scotty, in lots of the photos and he is just too cute for words. I love the carefree, casual look of their photos, and the fact that they went to meaningful locations throughout San Francisco.

This is a link to Part II of their engagement photos. They came out so great, the clients are truly happy with them!

I can't wait to do their wedding at Terra in September and share the photos from that as well!

Happy Planning!

Vintage Store Find for Classic Wedding Decor and Gifts

I stumbled upon this store with a client of mine when we attended the San Anselmo Bridal Walk a few weeks ago. I got so much inspiration and neat ideas when I was browsing the store, that I thought it would be a great find for anyone doing a vintage look, or even decorating a cupcake or dessert bar. There were so many great finds!

The owner let me know that she is starting a gift registry as well, for those of you who have a more refined taste. Even if you're not getting married, you should check this store out!

Contact: Rhonda Shipley at Studiolo
411 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960. Phone 415-453-3080.

Happy Planning!

Neiman Marcus Fashion Event for Moms!

My good friend, Kathy Goodman with Well Rehearsed, is hosting a fashion event just for moms! This event is specifically for Mothers-of-the-Bride & Groom to help them in selecting their rehearsal dinner & wedding day attire. I typically find that moms have such a difficult time finding the perfect attire, so I'm glad Kathy created a special event just for them.

July 25, 2009 at 11:30am
Neiman Marcus Stanford Shopping Center - Palo Alto
Gift Galleries - Level 3

For more information please visit her website or give her a call at 415.314.5333.

Happy Planning!

We Turn Five Today!

I just wanted to put up a quick post to thank absolutely everyone that has supported my business from the ground up. Five years ago today, I applied for a business license, put up a very questionable website (yikes), and started working from my dining room table. It doesn't sound glamorous at all, and it really wasn't. I sat by the phone for what felt like months, and I got my first few clients in that time, and it took off from there.

It took a lot of hard work to get from there to here, but it also took support from friends and family, amazing clients that still to this day continue to refer us, and great vendors that love to work with us (and us also with them!).

I will be celebrating with my family, staff and vendors next week at Bin 38 in San Francisco, and I'll be sure to upload photos after the festivities. It is such an exciting milestone, and I hope that the business continues to grow and thrive in our next five years as much as it did in the first five!

Cheers,

Wedding Paper Divas Sale

Wedding Paper Divas is definitely one of my favorite go to sites for great invitations, thank you cards and save the dates. You can find so many styles, and they make the ordering process such a breeze.

Right now they are running a sale through July 20th and you get free shipping by using both of these codes: Enter the coupon code SALE10 at checkout to save 10% off when you spend $25 or more on save the date cards, bridal shower invitations, party invitations or thank you cards. Merchandise must total at least $25 before taxes and other charges for the promotion code to apply. Offer excludes items from the William Arthur Letterpress and Thermography collections. This offer may be used in conjunction with the free ground shipping coupon code FREESHIP.

Happy Planning!

The Union Street Bridal Walk | July 12

The Union Street Bridal Walk is taking place in San Francisco on Sunday July 12 from 1-4pm. This is a great street filled with many wedding vendors, including invitation makers, florists, beauty salons, jewelers, bridemaid gowns, photographers and more. It is a nice casual way to see and meet many vendors all in one area without going to an overwhleming bridal show.

They are offering a swag bag to all participants that RSVP by going to their website.

Happy Planning!