The Good Life Event Specialists

2011-09-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

2011-08-30T18:24:00.001-07:00

A New Spin on an Old Tradition on Valley & Co.

2010-07-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

We posted an absolutely incredible + fun age-old wedding tradition over on Valley & Co. - you really must check it out! It's something anyone can incorporate and is so memorable!

*Photo from Llanes Weddings

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Sneak Peek: Martha's Vineyard Wedding on Valley & Co.

2010-07-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to our new {and, might we add, fabulous} blog! Valley & Co. features daily inspiration!

*Photo from Chung Li

Sweet + Simple: Kale

2010-07-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

*Photo from My Home Ideas

Expert Advice: think about your guest list in depth

2010-07-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

We know creating your guest list can be daunting and you might be dreading it.
Over the years we always caution our clients to think very carefully about their guest lists. This is one of the few things we can't really help clients with, except for these key pieces of advice:

1. Please do not assume that your entire family from the East Coast won't fly out to your Southern California wedding and invite them anyway. We have clients who made this assumption and they ended up going over their intended number of guests by 30 people - that's a large overage! Instead, think about sending them an announcement after the fact, especially if they are distant.
2. Consider what it actually costs to host each guest. Would you be willing to take your old high school teammate you haven't talked to in 10 years to a $500 dinner? Didn't think so! Consider who is most important to you both and nix those from the list who don't fit the bill.

Happy Planning
Aleah + Nick

*Save the date from Wedding Paper Divas

Have you been by for a peek?

2010-06-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

We are so thrilled that Valley & Co. has a brand-spanking new look and we think you're going to love it!
Stop on over and let us know what you think!
Cheers, Aleah + Nick

A Must-Have Giveaway via Get Hitched Give Hope

2010-06-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

We've said it before and we'll say it again: brides - please, please trade in that dreaded plastic hanger for a lovely one to show off your worn-once-in-a-lifetime beautiful wedding gown! It's such a small detail that is easy to overlook, but makes a world of difference in those important dress shots!

Check out this brilliant Lila Frances lovely hanger giveaway from the amazing team behind Get Hitched Get Hope. Hop on over to the GHGH site to enter to win! Hurry, the contest ends on the 25th!

Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Inspiration: Costa Rican Fun

2010-06-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

We saw this styled photo shoot over on Style Me Pretty and had to share! Love this!

How fun are the chair adornments? Just perfect for a Costa Rican wedding! Happy Planning,

Aleah + Nick

Super Fun Find!

2010-06-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Check out these totally fun mugs found on Etsy! Too cute as party favors at a casual outdoor bash!

Have you been by Valley & Co. to say hello?

2010-06-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

There's some total goodness going on over at our other blog, Valley & Co.! Some totally stunning real weddings, advice from Nick, and sunny inspiration!
Here's a peek:

*Photos from Sarah Rhoads

Monday Coffee: Keeping it Light

2010-06-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

With summer weddings just around the corner, we're finalizing menus with our clients and encouraging them to keeping it light. Offer your guests lighter summer fare {while still offering an abundance of food} like summer salads with lighter dressings, fresh fish, and stations that allow for guests to nosh through the celebration, rather than sitting down to a full plated {and heavy} meal. Crudites, charcuterie platters, seafood, and other stations not only allow guests to pick and choose what they want to eat, but it also allows for a really fun roaming celebration.

Keep in mind, if you choose to do a heavy hors d' oeuvres-style reception, spell that out in your invitations so that your guests come knowing what to expect. Cheers! Aleah + Nick
*Photo from Alex Studios

2010-06-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. We've been neglecting TGL's blog just a wee bit. We'll it's because we've been working hard over at Valley & Co. to bring you the best inspiration out there!
Haven't been over there yet? We'd love for you to come by and check us out! A sampling of what's cooking:

Cheers! *Photo from Focus Photography

Calling all Brides: You are Cordially Invited!

2010-05-31T12:57:00.001-07:00

Be sure to répondez s'il vous plaît for this fun dress up event, hosted by B. Mookie Jewelry and Allyson Simone Custom Gowns at the Bridal Bar in La Jolla.

2010-05-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

We hope you have a fun + safe Memorial Day weekend. We'll take this weekend to remember those who have fought and served our country.

If you haven't already, check out the fun stuff over at Valley & Co.! A Cannes wedding, Memorial Day celebrations 3 ways, and a sweet lollipop-inspired bridal shower! Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Quick Tip of the Day

2010-05-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is a tip for everyone: DIY brides, planners, florists, and catering staff. When you're setting up candles at your wedding {or party} pull the wicks up in advance! There's nothing worse than having to dig into a tall hurricane or mason jar to pull the wicks up to light 1,000 candles! We've come across this a few times over the years and it slows down the setup process.

Cheers and Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Photo from Colonial Candle

Monday Coffee: How to be a Gracious Host

2010-05-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

We've talked quite a bit about how to be a gracious guest and host, and these topics are incredibly popular. We have the job of advising our clients on what to do to make their wedding a true experience and, perhaps more importantly, what not to do.

Some clients insist on having a 2+ hour cocktail hour post-ceremony, during which their guests will be drinking, noshing on hors d' oeuvres, and visiting. Our friendly, expert advice: please do not extend cocktail hour much past it's given name - an hour.

During most cocktail time our clients use it as an escape either to relax or take more photos. Over the years we have seen too many guests drinking too much during this period, getting bored waiting for the bride and groom, and leaving shortly after dinner as the wedding is "taking too long." You certainly don't want the memory of your wedding to be that!
The biggest issue can be a lack of activities, but moreover, your guests want to visit with you. Why not keep cocktail hour a short and sweet time in between the ceremony and the reception, let guests eat and drink a bit, but make a point to show your guest an amazing time, visit, dance, and spend time with them doing more fun activities, all while avoiding a strange lag-time?
Cheers! Aleah + Nick
*Photo from Alex Studios

2010-05-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

I adore this image snapped by Llanes Weddings at our mega shoot a few months back. This particular shoot was seen on Rock 'n Roll Bride in London and was so much fun to put together!

Click here to see the full feature and read about our inspiration. Cheers! Aleah

And the glassybaby winner is....(via Random.org) Nicole!

2010-05-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

We are so thrilled with the entries and hope you stay tuned for more blog goodness, giveaways, and lots of fun stuff! Thank you so much for entering and also for the awesome comments! We're ecstatic that you love our work! Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Nicole-please email us your full name, mailing address, and whether you'd like Studio 54 or Hide + Sleek glassybaby. Congratulations!

Photo Love: Alex Studios

2010-05-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

I love this shot of Renee's I Do shoe jewels! Aleah

We are beyond excited to announce the launch of Valley & Co.!

2010-05-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Valley & Co. is our new blog featuring unique, stylish, and exquisite wedding and lifestyle inspiration. Here's a sampling of what you'll find over there! www.valleyandco.blogspot.com Head on over and let us know what you think! Of course, keep the Good Life on your list of daily reads; we'll continue to post our Monday Coffee, Nick's picks, and other fun details! Photo by Llanes Weddings

Tip of the Day

2010-05-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

With so much beautiful wedding inspiration on the web and in magazines, we know it's easy to get swept up in DIY projects. But we have some words of advice: please, do not take on too much in terms of DIY-ing on your wedding day. There is a big difference between sweet + simple DIY projects and taking on your entire wedding from a DIY standpoint.

Think about what you will be sticking your family and friends with and whether that's an "honor" or a burden. Asking them to show up five hours early on your wedding day to set up tables, hang your 50 tea-stained garlands, create 20 centerpieces, and make sure everything is in order just isn't fair (yes, we have heard this request). Sure, your family, bridesmaids, and friends love to help out and support you and likely won't decline the bride-to-be, but just don't ask too much and know when you are taking advantage.

Save your own sanity: we've heard about too many brides rushing around on their big day trying to make sure the homemade centerpieces, dessert display, and candy buffet are placed just right instead of relaxing. Utilize whatever team you have assembled: your planning team, your design team, florists, and lighting team are professionals and you hired them for a reason. If you have a vision of a sweet dessert set up, relay this to your baker. Have an idea for take-home gifts and want to make them yourselves? That's great but just make sure you finish the project and give them to your banquet manager ahead of the wedding to pass out after dinner. Try to avoid adding on duties for your wedding party; they should be spending time with you and relaxing the morning of your wedding, not running around supervising.

The key to staying sane and not having a heart attack is to control how many projects you're taking on and, if you insist on doing them all, please, please make sure that your projects are completed well before your wedding. There are countless ways to personalize your big day without creating too much to do. The last thing we want is for you to get so far in that you're to stressed to enjoy your day and the celebration.
Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Quick Tip of the Day

2010-05-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

We're taking a break from our Monday Coffee session this week (stay tuned; we're working on something very exciting!). Instead, we bring you this quick tip of the day:

Brides, please make sure your wedding dress is hanging from a pretty hanger on your big day! It will be seen in photos over and over again, so if your frock didn't come with a lovely one, ditch the plastic hanger and spring for a padded one. It's a small detail, but each and every detail counts!
Cheers, Aleah
*Image from Furious Photographers

Shining a New Light on Baby's Breath

2010-05-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. Baby's Breath has long been looked at as nothing special; simply filler. Well it's making a name for itself and for the right wedding it can be positively lovely. Here are examples of baby's breath used 4 ways:

It's striking on its own as a ceremony piece, lovely tucked into a more modern bouquet, whimsical in milk glass vases as centerpieces, and just plain pretty when made into a wreath. Enjoy! Aleah

Images from: 1. Real Simple 2. Wreath Palace 3. Pacific Weddings 4. Flower Advisor

Oh, Paris. How I Love Thee!

2010-05-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

Olalin has the most amazing gowns inspired by Paris. Love.

Saturday fun with cake

2010-05-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Erica + Rodney are such a sweet couple and they wanted to personalize each detail of their wedding, like the script on the cake! Talk about lovely and sentimental. Photo by Kate McElwee

Photo Love: Alex Studios

2010-05-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

Our bride, Sandy, looked so ethereal on her big day. I love this image captured by Alex Studios. Enjoy! Aleah

2010-05-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Quick tip of the day: remember to eat and stay hydrated on your big day! This goes for wedding artists, too!

Just lovely: fern bouquet

2010-05-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

I love this fern bouquet; sweet, whimsical, and truly unique! Photo from Acorn Cottage

2010-05-13T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our quick tip of the day: remember to have FUN during your planning process. Don't sweat the small stuff!

True Romance: candle centerpieces

2010-05-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

A while back we wrote about some lovely tips to decorate properly with candles (read here). Today we wanted to share some inspiration for candle centerpieces that are striking. Many of our clients are encouraged to alternate centerpieces; they'll dress up half of their dining tables with a candle centerpiece and half with lush flowers. Not only does it add great interest and something unexpected, but it can be less expensive than going with all-floral pieces.

For Emily + Ryen's wedding, Floressence created a nearly candle-only centerpiece, but adorned each of these arrangements with curly willow + simple lilies. The floating candles and moss accents were just lovely. Photo from Amore Studios.

This candle-only display is really stunning, and perfect for not only weddings, but intimate dinner celebrations. It's just so warm and inviting. This image found here

I've always loved this image from a past issue of Martha Stewart Living. Floating candles + orchids come together to create an unusual, yet striking, display.

Happy Planning! Aleah

Fresh Summertime Menu Ideas

2010-05-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Our clients Stephanie + Coby had an incredibly fun wedding. Stephanie was all about smells, tastes, and textures at the wedding. From the invitations to the centerpieces and menu, each detail was a reflection of this vision. She wanted to provide their guests with a fun + unique experience. From the dueling pianos to the amazing menu, the wedding was outrageously fun, delicious, and really them. With about 250 guests present, we wanted to showcase a truly tantalizing menu.

Basil-lemon sorbet was served up to each guest in between their amuse bouche and entrée courses to cleanse the palette. After the dinner plates were cleared, the catering staff brought out miniature cakes for each table. They cut into the cakes, but guests had the fun of serving up their own slices. Stephanie + Coby cut into their own miniature cake - their guests raved about what a unique idea it was!

It's so much fun to think outside the box and provide your guests with sweet and unexpected touches to create a memorable dining experience.

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Photos by the amazing Frank Ross

Quick Tip of the Day

2010-05-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

We've gotten such great feedback from our readers about the expert planning tips we write about, so we've decided that today will mark our first day of quick tips! We'd love to hear what you think! Let us know if you have planning questions you'd like us to answer!

-Tip of the Day: If you're trying to trim your guest list (whether it's because of your budget or limited space), think about whether you'd invite that long lost high school friend over for dinner in your home. Furthermore, would you take them (and a date) out to a dinner that would cost anywhere from $200-$1,000 (or more) per head? If not, you might want to think twice about inviting them.

When all is said and done, each guest you invite adds cost, and not just the cost of their entree and drinks. Each chair, specialty napkin, and favor add up. It's not just about cost either. Think about how intimate you want your wedding to be. Every additional guest beyond your family + friends (think: bosses and neighbors) means more guests you will need to tend to and greet. It's more people to entertain. When it comes down to it, you want to truly enjoy your wedding with those you love + cherish. Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Gorgeous Confections, Part III

2010-05-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

In this final installation of these lovely, frothy confections, I wanted to show off this dress with a statementsash. I just love the look; it's so glamorous, yet a bit understated. It's from Etsy seller Oumo and called Allison Wonderland; it's a steal at $580!

Enjoy! Aleah

Gorgeous Confections, Part II

2010-05-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

How lovely + sweet is this Blushing in Pink dress by Ouma on Etsy, $840?

Talk about taking your breath away; any bride would look absolutely stunning in this whimsical confection.

Gorgeous Confections, Part I

2010-05-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

For summer brides, I tend to think of ethereal, light, and gorgeous dresses. This striped carnival party dress fits the bill for a rehearsal dinner on a warm summer night. It's fun, it's frothy, and it's just lovely! At $188 from Etsy seller Ouma, you can't go wrong!

Cheers! Aleah

Sweet tea tin arrangements

2010-05-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

I just adore these sweet arrangements placed in vintage tea tins. They're so simple, yet so charming and lovely.
Yellow + green images from Crear Weddings
Navy tea tin image from Tea With Friends

Cheers! Aleah

Part III: Wrapping Up Our Wedding Planning Process

2010-05-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Continued from our posts last week, we wanted to shed some light on how we worked together to plan our 2003 wedding. We felt it was important to give our readers and clients a look into what we felt was most important to us during the planning process. Being full-time (and married) event planners who work with each other + our couples on an intimate level with each wedding we plan, we know more than perhaps anyone how important it is to come together during certain aspects of the planning process.

Here a the Top 3 Rules we lived by when planning our own wedding 7 years ago:

1. Divide. Let the creative juices flow but divvy up the tasks if you both have something you want to work on. Let your spouse-to-be lend ideas where they are comfortable but come together on items you both care about equally.

2. Ask. Ask your fiance what matters most to them. Even if they aren't interested in flowers, ask their opinions on color choices and what they think about the centerpiece option you chose. Even though they might not care and want you to take the lead, they'll appreciate that you value their opinion.

3. Laugh! Wedding planning should be a fun, lighthearted, and special time in your lives. Don't sweat the small stuff. You'll look back 5, 10, or 50 years from now and not only remember what an amazing wedding celebration you had, but what an unforgettable time you had planning it together!

Cheers,

Aleah + Nick

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T09:58:00.003-07:00

We hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! Aleah + Nick
*Photo from Be Imbued

Happy Mother

2010-05-09T09:58:00.001-07:00

Photo love: Meghan Aileen

2010-05-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

These images from a Santa Barbara wedding by Meghan Aileen just make me happy. The romance and the true happiness really shine through!

Be sure to check out her site for more eye candy! Aleah

Another glassybaby giveaway!

2010-05-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

We just love glassybaby and our readers + clients had so much fun with the last giveaway that we've partnered with them again! The glassybaby of your choice could be yours!

Here's the scoop:

-Anyone can enter but you need to be a fan of ours on Facebook +/or Twitter

-Visit glassybaby's website and check out their assortment of vessels.

-Come back to our site and comment on this post, telling us which glassybaby you'd like (also give us your name - no anonymous posts!).

Voilà! A winner will be chosen on Friday, May 21st - if you're a fan of ours on both Facebook + Twitter, let us know and you'll receive 2 entries!

Good luck!

Part II: Our Wedding 7 Years Ago - How We Planned

2010-05-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

...Continued from Tuesday's post.
Once we set our wedding date and determined what was most important to each of us, we set out to divvy up what that meant for our planning process.

Much like how we work today, Nick dealt with the logistics of our big day: the music, the food, and the party aspect. Aleah worked on selecting our flowers, color palette, linens, and special touches that would not only set our wedding apart but make it totally us.

This is perhaps the most golden piece of advice we give our clients today. No matter where you get your inspiration from, what your wedding looks like, or the type of venue your bash will be held at, be sure that your wedding is a true reflection of you.

How did we incorporate us into our wedding in addition to our style + the overall vision? We got creative, thought outside of the box, and just made things plain fun. We knew we wanted our guests to remember dancing like crazy so we created an awesome play list for our band that was totally Nick + Aleah. We also peppered in some rap, classic rock, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, and all sorts of fun mixes that all of our guests boogied to.

Up next...how we brought our individual ideas together and our best tips for working together and remembering your planning process for the fun time it was.

One of our local brew kegs; having a fully stocked bar was very important to us!

Our wedding flower market

2010-05-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

For the third issue of Nonpareil Magazine, we envisioned and brought to life a totally out-of-the-box idea for wedding favors: a wedding flower market. It was inspired by trips to European flower markets and dessert buffets: the perfect hybrid to entertain guests and give them something fun to remember. Click here to see our feature.

Cheers! Aleah + Nick *Photo by Shannon Lee Images

Our Wedding Planning: 7 years later

2010-05-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding from our point of view:

We were married almost 7 years ago (!); the summer we graduated from university. This made for a super busy, but fun year - shuttling across the state back to the city for dress fittings, cake tastings, and all things wedding, while studying hard and getting ready to graduate.

We often get asked what our wedding was like and how we planned, so here's Part I of a few part series to give you all some insight and shine light on how to make your planning a fun, stress-free, and joint venture!

Nick proposed on a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, and after the cloud of fun celebrations, congratulations, and the overall excitement died down just a bit, we set a date 11 months down the road. Knowing the summer of 2003 would be crazy already, we made it even crazier and set our date as July 26th. We had known for some time that we'd be married at Aleah's family home on a charming island in Admiralty Inlet in Washington. Venue, check.

Getting these two items out of the way immediately was #1 on our list, given that we were gearing up for a crazy last year of university. We set out to get incredibly organized with our planning before the insanity of school began, and laid out what was most important to each of us. For Aleah, it was about the celebration, but the focus was on the ambiance and feeling of the wedding; coastal elegance. For Nick it was about the party aspect; showing our guests a totally unforgettable time and (the food, the drinks, and the band), being the fun-loving people we are!.......

Stay tuned for how we broke up our tasks, came together on certain planning details, and more planning tips! Cheers, Aleah + Nick

*My veil!

Photo Love: Frank Ross

2010-05-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

I've always just loved this image from Stephanie + Coby's wedding! It's so carefree and reminds me of what fun their wedding was! Cheers, Aleah

*Photo by Frank Ross Photographic

One of our favorites: a cocktail party where a wedding "happened"

2010-05-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

Mako + Booth are some of our all-time favorite clients who wanted their 2007 wedding to be a cocktail party where a wedding "happened." Talk about awesome!

There was no ceremony seating (just a few chairs set out for grandparents) and their ceremony + reception were held in the same loft space that we turned into a fun party scene. The only thing that signified the start to the ceremony was the surprise bagpiper we arranged to play - the groom had no idea! Guests naturally formed an aisle and the bride and groom walked down together. It was such a sweet ceremony and the perfect example of planning your wedding your way.
Cheers! Aleah + Nick
*Photo by La Luz Photography

Monday Coffee: Our Top 3 Tips to get your design ball in motion

2010-05-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

We know often times the hardest part in starting to design your wedding is just getting started Here are our Top 3 Helpful Tips to help you get that design process started:

1. Talk to your spouse-to-be about the feeling you want your guests to experience when celebrating with you. Do you want a black-tie event where guests are wowed by amazing, lush centerpieces and floral installations? Do you want your guests to relax in a laid-back setting and adorn dining tables with low, more understated centerpieces? Concentrate on that feeling and map out how you can make that happen.

2. Look around for inspiration. This can start at home; look at the colors on your walls, any paintings you might have, or vacation photos from that romantic trip to the South of France or a romantic trip in New England. Inspiration can come from anywhere; you just need to keep an open mind and start collecting magazine clippings, online photos, and browse through inspirational design books. Think about how you can implement styles you find in books or online and make them your own.

3. We always tell our clients (and continue to say this in our posts): stay true to you. Inspiration can be found anywhere but your wedding should be a reflection of you, not an exact replication of a wedding you saw online. Draw from inspiration you've found and implement key pieces how you like. If it's a gorgeous striped linen from Provence, France you picked up on a trip, talk to your linen provider about providing coordinating napkins. If you have a photo of some fun writing on a sign (like this) you snapped, have a designer tie that into your stationery goods.
*Photo I snapped in Monaco Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Sunday Simplicity

2010-05-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Lavender bundles at the Vieux Nice market

Photo from our most recent trip to the South of France

Happy May Day!

2010-05-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

I love the simplicity of this topiary in a julep cup - perfect for May Day an in celebration of the Kentucky Derby!
Cheers, Aleah

*Photo from theknot.com

This Just In!

2010-04-29T15:58:00.001-07:00

We were so thrilled when Nonpareil Magazine jumped at our out-of-the-box idea for their third issue. We wanted to breathe new life into the popular candy and dessert buffet idea and give brides and grooms a fun project and favor display to wow their guests: a wedding flower market.

Check out the current issue (just released yesterday!) and stay tuned to our blog for more photos and a continuation of our wedding flower market. A special thank you to the amazing Kristy Rice from Momental Designs for creating the lovely flower tags and an awesome wedding sign (we'll post soon) and the amazing Shannon Lee from Shannon Lee Images for capturing our design so well!

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

The Bride Wore Black

2010-04-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore these amazing gowns from Max Chaoul, snapped by Olivier Lalin in Paris. Talk about an out-of-the-box look. Though these frocks are black, there is still something so classic, so romantic, and so...well, French about them. We've featured Olivier Lalin's photography before and think his work is just outstanding. It's cutting edge-meets-true romance.

Happy Planning! Aleah

57 Grand free sample dress promotion

2010-04-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Back in January we had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous ladies, Carmen and Saukok, behind 57 Grand, a unique and chic dress atelier for bridesmaids.

Throughout the month of May you can order your very own 57 Grand sample dress, free of charge. You'll only pay for return shipping. Their concept is just fantastic; go to their site, select a dress(es) and the color(s) that you like and order a sample to make sure it works for you. Return the sample and they'll whip up your sweet frock in a matter of weeks! What's even better is that the ladies oversee each design and your dress is made in Manhattan. They offer a rainbow of colors and an assortment of fun styles. Cheers! Aleah

Absolutely stunning Parisian wedding photos

2010-04-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I love, love, love Paris and anything Parisian or French (the food, the wine, the clothes, the architecture, the romance...). When I stumbled upon Noah Hawthorne's images from this couple's Parisian nuptials, I fell in love even more! There really isn't much to say aside from "WOW."

Enjoy, Aleah

Monday Coffee: 4 fun summer favor ideas

2010-04-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Why not put a twist on the centuries-old tradition of wedding favors and give guests something a little unexpected? We're loving creating DIY-favor setups as they give guests a fun activity and a cool favor they'll be sure to use and remember.

1. Signifying warm summer nights, collect mason jars and create a DIY-lemonade stand. Guests can fill mason jars with a gourmet lemonade mix, add fun accoutrements like striped paper straws or sprigs of rosemary, and take home a cute printed recipe card to make a vodka rosemary lemonade drink for those hot summer nights. Image from Getty Images

2. Sure, this isn't a new idea, but we see guests really swoon over photo booths. A photo speaks a thousand words; give your guests the ability to dress up and act goofy in a photo booth and take home a copy of their snapshot. Dress up the booth with a cute summer backdrop and summer-time props. Image from SummerPicnicWedding

3. Have Grandma's apple pie recipe? Give each family or couple a pie-in-a-jar to take home and enjoy. Fill a mason jar with the ingredients needed, cinch with a fun checkered summertime ribbon, and attach Grandma's recipe. If you're having too many guests to make this doable, fill short mason jars with homemade jam. Image from iStockPhoto

4. Like to play outdoors? Give guests customized frisbees to take home for summertime play! We have clients who are doing this for their July wedding and it's just such a fun idea! Check out Myflyingdiscs.com to personalize your frisbees!

Sunday fun with boutonnières

2010-04-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

I spotted these vibrant + awesome boutonnières and just had to share! Talk about fun for a groom who doesn't want to don a flower boutonnières! Not only will they not wilt, but they'll be a keepsake for years to come! Enjoy, Aleah Image from Juicefairy.comBoutonnières from Etsy seller Desicra for $15

More Friday Fun: a sunny yellow frock

2010-04-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

I just love this gorgeous confection I found on Etsy for $64.99 - it has summer written all over it!

Enjoy! Aleah

Friday Fun with Windswept Art Farm

2010-04-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am just in love with these awesome mini-shrines from Windswept Art Farm. Artist Paula has a collection of larger boxed shrines that are inspired from roadside shrines while traveling in Italy, and she's branched off to create amazing custom mini-shrines perfect for your desk or as a gift.

What's even better is that she uses recycled materials whenever she can; whether it's reusing clock parts, beads, or other objects, these pieces are cool and eco-friendly!

Check out her Etsy site as well; you can purchase pre-made mini-shrines or have them custom made. We're very interested in having her create wedding cake toppers customized to the couple!
Happy Planning! Aleah

Mother's Day gifts for the gourmet mom

2010-04-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

This selection of gifts is perfect for any gourmet loving mom who likes to entertain:

1. Measuring spoons - $18 from Anthropologie

2. Truffle Salt - $26 from Dean and Deluca

3. Sun-ripened apron - $32 from Anthropologie

4. Dean and Deluca: Robert Lambert preserves - $40 for three
5. Twig Serving Set from Pottery Barn- on sale for $14

6. Membrillo: A memorable tapas when paired with Manchego cheese -$15 from Dean and Deluca

Nick's Picks: 5 Often-Overlooked Tips

2010-04-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Over the years we've learned a lot from our clients about what works and what doesn't during the planning process. Here are 5 Often-Overlooked Tips when planning; from honesty to things you should consider on the big day.

1. Be honest about your budget. Dishonesty isn't the right way to start off your life together; be open and honest with your budget and lay it all out on the table. Make important decisions together and don't surprise your new spouse with an unexpected tab after the wedding is said and done.

2. Eat! Arrange for food to be delivered (either at your venue or where you're getting ready) prior to your ceremony to you and your wedding party. The day goes by so fast and if you're drinking any alcohol you'll want to do so on a full stomach.

3. Pay delivery fees. Some clients opt to have family or friends pick up linens or other rental items to save a buck. While it's a valiant effort, think about the stress it puts on family and friends. After a great celebration, the last thing they want to be responsible for is taking home bags of linens and returning them.

4. Opt to get a hotel room(s) the night prior to the wedding that's either at or close to your venue. Plan on having your collective wedding parties meet at home base to get ready and take photos. Having a place to get ready, take a deep breath, and relax just a bit before the big moment is key. If you're getting married at an estate or such venue, cordon off an area that's reserved for you. Make it your space; somewhere guests won't wander to; somewhere you can take some time to yourself before the celebration begins.

5. Use a car service to take you home after your bash. More often than not, our clients opt for a car service to take them away after the wedding so that they can indulge in their own celebration. But the clients we've had who didn't often wish they did. It's not only one less thing you have to deal with, but it enables you to have a set time to leave, rather than hanging out and watching your wedding get broken down, which we've seen and isn't any fun! Make your departure awesome and have your guests bid you farewell as you drive away at a set time.

Cheers! Nick

Chic and fun Mother's Day gifts

2010-04-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that April is wrapping up! It can only mean that Mother's Day is upon us! I wanted to do a series of fun Mother's Day gifts; thoughtful individually or luxurious as a gift set for your mother. Here are some cute ideas for a mother that loves sweet and soft tones. Stay tuned for more ideas!

1. Stella and Dot has a super cute charm collection - purchase the chain and add charms as you like. Chains starting at $14 for leather, $24 for silver, $36 for gold; Mom charm $39, Trinket Stones, $24

2. We just love glassybaby and I paired this sweet trio of Key Lime, Crocus, and Peony - $40 each (stay tuned to the blog for our next glassybaby giveaway!)

3. What mom doesn't love flowers? These arrangements from Martha Stewart for 1800Flowers are gorgeous - #1 Sugar sweet bouquet $49.95 #2 Persian violet $39.95 #3 Garden bouquet $69.95

The Good Life featured on Rock 'n Roll Bride!

2010-04-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

We were totally thrilled when Kat from the Rock 'n Roll Bride posted some images from our Moulin Rouge-inspired shoot! Here are some more photos and details behind our inspiration:

When styling this photo shoot, we wanted to create a romantic vintage atmosphere with a twist. Something vibrant, elegant, and out-of-the-box. Having been to the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, we tied in details and rich colors reminiscent of our visit. The rich reds, deep purple irises, and black accents were intended on creating perhaps a non-traditional wedding palette. Tucking black feathers into deep, velvety red roses and contrasting purple irises, our floral pieces emitted a tone of a classic wedding romance while being a bit off-beat.

Sheet music was rolled into scrolls and cinched with crystal drops for a little touch of whimsy. Gorgeous hand-painted place cards accented our ruby French brocade linen and black satin napkins gave a punch of interest. All of these elements came together seamlessly to create a wedding celebration that is timeless, a bit sexy, and just radiating romance.

The vision for our bride was classic however, she isn’t wearing a true wedding dress. Her frock is a bridesmaid’s dress from designer Jenny Yoo – it just happens to be white. Using a simple oversized black flower in her hair added so much drama to our bride’s look. Classic and timeless what the look we gave our groom; he donned a traditional black tuxedo with a charming bow tie.

It’s all about drawing from things you love in life when dreaming up your wedding vision. If you are a music lover, bring in subtle pieces of sheet music and incorporate in your stationery goods or favors. If you love Paris, tie in Parisian textures, fabrics, or subtle touches like we did with our 1890s-style Parisian Ferris wheel “bouquet.” If you don’t want to wear a traditional wedding dress; don’t! We encourage our clients to create a wedding experience that’s a true celebration of them, not simple a replica of someone else’s vision. Just look around; inspiration can be found everywhere!

Shoot design, styling, and floral: Nick + Aleah – The Good Life Special Events
Photography: Joseph and Jenny Llanes from Llanes Weddings
Stationery goods: Kristy Rice from Momental Designs
Bride’s attire: Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla – Jenny Yoo - $800

Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Hair and Makeup by Char Sanchez
Linens: Wildflower Linen

The location: Tower 23 Hotel

Plan B: Tenting

2010-04-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's our job as planners to ensure that all of our bases are covered in order to create not only a beautiful, but successful wedding or event for our clients. Many times this means providing our expertise in terms of rental items, staging, tenting, Plan B reservations, and overall logistical coordination when planning an outdoor event.

If anyone saw the Bachelor wedding last month, you likely cringed like we did when it started dumping on the wedding ceremony (though the couple actually had fun with it)! The last week or so in Southern California has been totally unpredictable in terms of weather (it's pouring outside right now) and we wanted to share some top tips to cover your bases in case of rain, wind, or extremely hot weather:

1. Do your research. Even if you are getting married in a usually sunny location, check the Farmer's Almanac or a local weather guide for weather patterns from years past. Though this is a good indicator, it's certainly not a guarantee. Thanks to El Nino, Southern California weather has been spotty lately and we've had wind and showers during normally warm and gorgeous months.

2. Have a back-up plan. If your ceremony and reception are outside, it's always a great idea to have a back-up plan: either an indoor location nearby where the events can take place, or tents that can either shade guests from extreme heat or protect them from rain and wind. Many clients don't think about having a tent for hot weather, but tenting your reception can keep guests shaded, cooler, and comfortable.

3. Talk to your rental company about their cancellation plan. Many rental companies will charge you a 10% deposit to hold a tent. Ask them how far in advance you can cancel the order; the worst case scenario might be a loss of your deposit but given an emergency tent situation, having one on hold can save your event.

4. Finally, make sure to include the important accoutrements with a tent: sidewalls to protect guests from wind, chandeliers or lighting, liners to cover the metal bars, and heaters to keep guests warm. Even if you have a gorgeous wedding day, summer nights on the ocean, lakes, and other locations can get a bit chilly. Come your wedding day, you'll be happy you had a Plan B, even if it's not implemented. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick Photo from Zephyr Tent Rentals

2010-04-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Summer is on my mind and I am so eager for endless warm nights, picnics, and pies! This inspiration board encompasses my thoughts for summer: it's a bit rustic, care-free, vibrant, unique, and elegant. I hope you enjoy! Aleah
1. Photo from Vinatran.org
2. Flower photo from Stressawaybridal.com
3. Berry pie photo from Countryliving.com
4. Place mats from Napa Style
5. Russian Portugal blue linen from Wildflower Linen
6. Toasting bells from Napa Style

A tropical vision

2010-04-19T14:04:00.001-07:00

To polish off my tropical kick, I wanted to post this inspiration boad I whipped up for a summer party . The blue tones from the Yucatan Peninsula (see a few posts back) gave me some inspiration to create this board. Think mangoes, beautiful assorted blue tones, shell accents, and textured linens to create an elegant look that isn't too kitchy tropical. 1. Shells from our shoot with Llanes Weddings
2. Mangoes from Smitten Kitchen
3. Pearl charger from Classic Party Rentals
4. Bridesmaid's dress from J. Crew - Sydney dress on sale for $159.99
5. Shell garland from Terry's Village
6. Baja blue linen from Wildflower Linen
7. Shantung citron linen from Wildflower Linen
8. Rushing whirlpool glass from Anthropologie - $6
9. Life at the sea seahorse tumbler from Anthropologie - $14
10. From the deep dishes from Anthropologie - $14-24
11. Calais letterpress invitations from Bella Figura

Destination Wedding Planning, Part II

2010-04-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

In our Monday Coffee post last week, we laid out some tips to consider when thinking about a destination wedding. Once you've decided that saying I Do in a tropical or destination locale is right for you, think about this when starting the planning process:

1. When you are looking at hotels (the majority of destination weddings are held at resorts), think about how many guests might want to stay at the hotel. Talk with the hotel about what kinds of perks they will offer you and your guests based on the number of guests that stay. Often times this is a free room for you or an upgrade.

2. Talk to different airlines. Many airlines (like Alaska) have perks or free tickets for brides and grooms who bring a certain number of flyers on their planes.

3. Plan ahead for your rehearsal dinner as well. If you take a pre-wedding trip to the destination, check out all possibilities for other activities like snorkeling, shopping, dining, and even locations for your rehearsal dinner or other welcome activities for guests. Again, negotiate with these places and restaurants for any perks based on the number of guests you bring them.

4. Again, negotiate. Many resorts have pre-picked wedding packages that very well might not suit you. Don't hesitate to ask about swapping their in-house photography package for a larger reception dinner for your guests. Resorts want your business and are likely willing to be flexible with what they offer.

5. Know what is required. In Mexico, for example, you will need to have a blood test approved before you tie the knot. This can be done at your resort by their on-site doctor and is simple, but you will likely need to be in Mexico at least three days before your wedding.
As always, Happy Planning!Aleah + Nick

Inspiration: Yucatan Peninsula

2010-04-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

Whenever we travel (or do anything!) I look around to get inspiration. It comes from flowers, people, clothing, buildings, the ocean, and virtually everywhere I look.

I wanted to share a few photos of inspiration I snapped on our recent trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. You can see that my mind was focused on all of the gorgeous tones of blue - aqua, turquoise, navy....I hope you enjoy!

The water on Isla Mujeres

Stay tuned for Part II of our destination wedding planning tips and some tropical vision boards based on this inspiration.

Cheers!

Aleah

Monday Coffee: destination weddings Part I

2010-04-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

We just love destination weddings and happen to be typing this Monday Coffee post from our deck on the Yucatan Peninsula. I thought it would be fitting to offer up a few quick tips to help you determine whether a destination wedding is right for you:

1. location, location, location: deciding on a location should be based on a few key elements. Where do you love to travel to? We see the most popular destination wedding locales as tropical settings. Consider the type of hotel; will your guests be comfortable and is the hotel affordable? What are the amenities like? Think about the close proximity to airports, towns, and other activities. Select a location that has great reviews for both service, restaurants, a gorgeous setting, and stellar wedding services.

2. keep in mind that a destination wedding very well might not be less expensive than an in-town wedding. If your guest list grows and you take into consideration travel expenses to-and-from several times, the costs can elevate. However, if you do it right you can end up saving a great deal of money.

3. will you be happy not having a 200-guest wedding? Chances are if you invited 200 guests to your nuptials in Costa Rica they couldn't all attend. But keeping it simple can feel so good and celebrating with your close family and friends in a tropical (or other) locale can be the best type of celebration. Consider whether you'll have a hankering to throw a post-wedding bash when you return for those who couldn't make it.

4. Along with #1, really be sure to know what the hotel offers you for your wedding. We have seen our fair share of destination venues that simply have you pick your flowers or cake from their standard "look book" and don't stray too much from offering those designs. If you're fine with this then this type of venue provides a level of simplicity. If you still want to have a unique design, look, and feeling, be sure to relay this to your coordination team (or the on-site staff); as many destination hotels will still provide that level of simplicity but will bend over backwards to create a stunning look that isn't like other weddings.

A snapshot from last night's gorgeous wedding at the Omni Hotel

5. Ask the hotel how many other weddings might going on during your wedding weekend. Though this is a great question to ask at any venue, destination or otherwise, we've seen many destination hotels say that they might have 5 or 6 weddings going on at one time. While this might be okay for some people, most of our clients want their wedding to be the only big show that day.

6. Finally, consider the level of privacy you want and find a venue based on what they offer. Think about a tropical destination setting; you very well might have people walking by as you are saying "I Do" in their bathing suits.

Stay tuned for Part II: Hotels love weddings and as a result will likely offer you room upgrades, perhaps free nights depending on how many of your guests stay.........................

Orcas Island photo love: Laurel McConnell

2010-04-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

We just love Laurel McConnell and love poring over her blog for amazing shots we can share! If you don't know Laurel, be sure to check out her amazing site and fabulous blog - she's also on Twitter! Laurel is based in Seattle but loves to travel for weddings!

Here are some images from a beautiful wedding on Orcas Island, Washington; such a charming little island in the San Juan Island chain.

Don't you just love this image of the bride's Claddagh bracelet?

The above image reminds me of summers in coastal Washington

If you are ever in Seattle you must visit the Confectional in Pike Place - they have some mouth-watering cheesecake desserts.

Love this. Yep. Real things happen at weddings!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Easy + charming napkin treatments

2010-04-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

For our client Carl's 60th birthday celebration we kept the napkin treatments local and so simple; right from Carl and Pam's yard! Nick and I snipped French lavender and rosemary sprigs and placed one on each guest's napkin for dinner service. Not only did they smell good, but they just added a little touch of something unexpected, yet so simple.

Photo by La Luz Photography

More images from our Exquisite Weddings Magazine shoot - by Rippee Photography

2010-04-06T09:52:00.001-07:00

The lovely and talented Teri Rippee from Rippee Photography sent us over some additional shots from our Exquisite Weddings Magazine spread and we wanted to share. Please read our last post for our complete list of talented wedding artists we brought on board and a bit more about our inspiration!
By using rustic captain's chairs and benches, we created a California winery-meets-California coastal table that is fitting for brides and grooms.
Our goal was to create a design that was gorgeous but comfortable for every guest. Classic summer sangria, petite desserts, and a post-dinner European cheese board really enable guests to eat, drink, and visit well into the night.
Copper candle holders from Annette Gomez put off such a warm and welcoming glow - it was a magical setting.
By using a rather frilly table runner atop burlap linen, we softened the look while still keeping it comfortable and not too over-the-top.
The models were both amazing and we loved this cover shot!

Thank you again to all of the amazing artists who helped bring our vision to life!

Aleah + Nick

Monday Coffee: the skinny on save the dates

2010-04-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

A lot of our clients are a little unsure as to the etiquette surrounding save the date cards and what their true purpose is. Do you still send out your invitation 6-8 weeks prior? What do you include? Here is the skinny on save the dates:

1. save the dates can come in the form of a postcard or an invitation-sized announcement or something similar (we have recently heard of some cute online save the dates). It simply lets guests know that you have set a wedding date well in advance so that they can....well, save the date. For destination events, we recommend mailing these out about 10-12 months in advance if possible. For in-town events, 6-8 months should suffice. Though they aren't a necessity, they can certainly be appreciated by busy guests who might really need to set aside your date!
2. many clients make their save the dates super fun and different from their more formal invitation. Have fun with it! Use a silly engagement shot and ham it up!

3. it is acceptable to put your wedding website link on the save the date if you have one. This should be how your guests are privvy to lodging information and other wedding details and updates that you will not include on your invitation or insert (like registry information).

4. common questions: do we need to address these formally and send one to each and every invited guest? The answer is no. Again, keep these simple - no need to formally address and mail one to each invited guest. Rather, mail one to each household or family as opposed to each member of the Smith family who might be invited but not live at home.

5. if a guest indicates they can't attend after received their save the date, should we still send them an invitation? By all means, yes. As the save the date isn't a formal invitation, be sure to send a formal invitation to each and every guest whom you'd like to attend, even if they might have casually mentioned they might not be able to make it.

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick
First Image from media.onsugar
Second image from trendsetttingwedding.com

Easter fun with Peeps!

2010-04-03T11:16:00.001-07:00

We just had to share these adorable images from the Washington Post - they hold a Peeps diorama contest each year. This year's winner was a Peeps diorama from the movie Up and it's just so much fun! Happy Easter!

Friday Fun for the Ladies, Part V

2010-04-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

For the last look of the day I wanted to share a whimsical style I put together for a fun and carefree bride. With a simple, yet gorgeous wedding dress she is able to punch up her look with color or some fabulous jewelry.
Curly willow peacock linen from Wildflower Linen, Whitney gown from J. Crew $395, and crystal supernova necklace from J. Crew, on sale for $98

Friday Fun for the Ladies, Parts III and IV

2010-04-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

The texture of this stunning Vera Wang Dovima dress would look stunning with Isabella blush linens from Wildflower Linen and a combination of textured blush and lavender roses. This was created for our bride who wanted a classic, sweet look. *rose photo from theknot.com

For our funky bride who wants a unique, out-of-the-box look, I pulled together this vibrant Chloe eggplant organza linen from Wildflower Linen with this chic $58 single pearl strand necklace from Ann Taylor and an adorable $180 Juliet dress from J. Crew.

Stay tuned for the last look this afternoon!

Aleah

Friday Fun for the Ladies, Part II

2010-04-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

This palette was created for one of our darling summer brides who wants to keep her wedding look understated and soft. I love these silver rings from Ringoblog and this sea foam ethereal dress from J. Crew - Taryn, $395 and this Chloe organza light ivory linen from Wildflower Linen

Stay tuned for look III this afternoon!
Aleah

Friday Fun for the Ladies!

2010-04-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to dedicate today to all of you ladies looking for some lovely, chic, and fun confections for spring! I've whipped up 5 different color combinations featuring some stunning Spring 2010 dresses from Vera Wang and J. Crew so stay tuned throughout the day for some gorgeous combinations! All of these combinations are inspired by some of our lovely current brides so we hope you enjoy!

This curly willow blush linen is from Wildflower Linen and is such a pretty compliment to this drop-dead-gorgeous Vera Wang Dinah wedding gown. Pair it all with this sweet statement necklace from Stella and Dot Colette necklace ($138) and you'll be sure to look gorgeous + timeless on your wedding day! Aleah

Easy + delicious Easter recipes

2010-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

For many, Easter Sunday means gathering with family and friends for an Easter brunch or dinner. We wanted to share some incredibly simple recipes with you to create on Easter Sunday that will impress your brunch guests!

Apple-Cheese Danish from Country Living - so easy and delicious!
1 package(s) (7.5-ounce) farmers cheese
1/3 cup(s) sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
2 medium Gala apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon(s) lemon juice
2 teaspoon(s) sugar, for apple mixture
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed, cut into 3 strips, then cut in half widthwise
Sugar, for sprinkling

Directions
1.Combine farmers cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl.
2.Toss apples with lemon juice and 2 teaspoons sugar. Set aside.
3.Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll each pastry strip to a 6-inch square. Divide cheese mixture among squares. Top with apples, layering slices.
4.Fold in 2 opposite corners of dough to meet in middle of pastry. Sprinkle with sugar. Transfer to parchment-lined baking pan. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Raspberry Bellini from Giada de Laurentiis
1 bag frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
1 bottle (750-ml) chilled brut Champagne

Directions
Blend the raspberries and sugar in a food processor or blender until pureed. Strain the raspberry puree through a sieve; discard the seeds, if you wish. Set up 6 Champagne flutes and put about 1 tablespoon of raspberry puree in each glass. Add Champagne to each glass; stir gently and serve.
Image from Food Network

Fun with wedding signage

2010-04-01T10:28:00.001-07:00

There is something just so rustic and charming about an outdoor wedding on a warm summer night. Even cuter; wedding signage inspired by European street signs (at least in my mind) to direct guests to important wedding events. Last year at Emily + Ryen's wedding, Emily's father hand crafted an amazing sign post that pointed in all directions; to the chapel in the woods, the restrooms, and dancing. *Photo from Project Wedding

*Photo by Stephanie Williams

Not only are these signs a whimsical touch to your celebration; they are so easy to make. Use old fence pickets found at a resale store simply paint your lettering on in outdoor paint!

*Photo by Amore Studios

*Photo from the EverydayBride.com

*Photo from A Charming Event

Photo love: Llanes Weddings

2010-04-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

I love these two images from our worldly shoot with Llanes Weddings. We'd love to hear: what was your favorite element or photo from this shoot?

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

We are thrilled! The Good Life featured on Junebug Weddings!

2010-03-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

We are so proud that our world traveler-inspired shoot was featured on the incredibly popular Junebug Weddings yesterday! Styling this shoot was so much fun! Read about our inspiration and stay tuned later this week for more photos!

"Our vision for this world traveler-inspired wedding celebration was to take our bride and groom back to an era when traveling was truly seen as an incredibly romantic adventure. We wanted to showcase unique ideas for a wedding reception luncheon and also non-traditional wedding reception attire. Using Sail Bay in Mission Beach, San Diego as our backdrop, we utilized some magical old pieces from our grandfathers to create a true worldly feeling. Old binoculars, a great vintage camera, luggage, and a decades-old barometer really helped to emit a classic feeling of flying, cruising, and boating in true old-school fashion.
We kept the floral simple and streamlined and drew from tropical destinations. Using pincushions and breezy palms, we made them look like specimens in simple glass vessels, showcasing their true beauty. Gold rimmed low ball glasses were adorned with eclectic vintage spoons collected from travels; Hawaii, Norway, England, and Alaska. A gauzy overlay was draped atop khaki linens and lovely turquoise Tandoori-style napkins were cinched with wooden napkin rings. Momental Designs created our delicious looking menus and tied in our traveling motif with an old world map. The place cards were personalized from vintage Air Mail envelopes discovered at an antique shop. We tailored them with our bride and groom’s favorite locales like Paris, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

Our bride’s vintage-inspired gold brocade dress was from Priscilla of Boston and the groom donned Tommy Bahama pants, shirt, hat, and a luxe leather weekender bag. After their sophisticated luncheon celebration they sailed off into the sunset on a sweet little sailboat to begin their next adventure together!"

Shoot design, styling, and floral: Nick and Aleah, The Good Life Special Events
Photography: Joseph and Jenny Llanes, Llanes Weddings
Stationery goods: Kristy Rice, Momental Designs
Bride’s attire: Priscilla of Boston from Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla
Groom’s attire: Tommy Bahama in La Jolla
Hair and Makeup: Char Sanchez
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Location: The Catamaran Hotel & Resort

Fun and warm Easter tables

2010-03-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Easter is around the corner and we wanted to showcase some lovely table settings that are easy to put together but oh-so-sweet. Stay tuned for more posts this week, including an Easter DIY project and some Easter brunch recipes! Photo from Southern Living
Photo from Southern Living
Photo from Country Living

Monday Coffee: getting a jump-start on your guest list

2010-03-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

We know that just the thought of starting your guest list for your wedding can make anyone shudder. Unfortunately this is one area where we really can't help our clients too much, but we would love to share our Top 5 Tips for getting started:

1. be sure to have some budget parameters laid out so that you have an idea of how many guests you can afford to invite and have attend.

2. don't over think. Simply start writing down names of your family (moms, dads, grandparents) and dearest friends and work your way out from there.

3. please take note; do not count on someone not attending and send them an invitation! If you feel obligated, send someone an announcement after the wedding. We have seen so many brides and grooms think that a dozen distant family members aren't going to trek cross-country and send out invitations. Surprise when they RSVP yes!

4. be mindful of whether your parents will be inviting guests and be sure to lay out a clear number of how many you will all be inviting so that your lists mesh.

5. possibly my favorite piece of advice that Nick gives to our clients: do not invite someone to your wedding whom you would not feel comfortable taking out to dinner. Simple as that. By the time the total budget is calculated, each invited guest can cost several hundred dollars to feed, entertain, and give cake and favors to. If you don't know this person well, consider skipping an invitation. Try to imagine your wedding with and without the guest in question. If you wouldn't necessarily miss them at the wedding, do not feel obligated to invite them.

Happy Planning! Aleah

2010-03-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

We were so thrilled when the awesome Melissa from the Loveliest Day shared our Mediterranean-inspired shoot with her readers! Be sure to check out her sweet blog for gorgeous vintage inspiration and wedding goodies! Here are the details on this shoot:

Our inspiration: With summer quickly approaching, Nick and I wanted to inspire brides and grooms to think a little outside the wedding box. Our favorite region of the world, the Mediterranean coast from Saint Tropez, France to San Remo, Italy, gave us inspiration to design a cheery, vibrant, and lighthearted wedding celebration. For this bride and groom we kept the décor and ambiance light to mesh with their rooftop cocktail celebration.

Keep it simple: By playing up bright, sunshine inspired colors in the linens, we were able to downplay the centerpieces and keep them simple. Arranging lemons in striking turquoise containers was incredibly inexpensive and gave a unique look against the remarkable blue of the Pacific Ocean. We always try to inspire our clients with fun and different décor ideas – draw from your natural surroundings or your hobbies. If you love to travel, tie in the colors you remember from a recent trip. Bring in smells and dishes that represent the trip where your fiancé proposed. If it’s lemons from a trip to Nice, France, bright hibiscus tones from a Hawaiian weekend, delicious cuisine from an Aspen vacation, or a postcard from a Parisian getaway, tying in sweet memories here and there will ensure your wedding is a true reflection of you.

Consider alternatives: Again, we do so much thinking outside of the box and always love putting new twists on classic celebrations. With warmer weather on its way, why not celebrate your nuptials with your nearest and dearest at an elegant and fun beach celebration? If you’re not looking to have a traditional dinner reception with a large guest list, look to fabulous venues with unique spaces and décor, like Tower 23 Hotel in San Diego. Host a rooftop wedding bash and your wedding will be remembered for many years to come! Whatever you choose to do, remember to have fun during the process!

Our incredibly talented artists:
Photography: Joseph and Jenny Llanes from Llanes Weddings
Stationery goods: Kristy Rice from Momental Designs
Bride’s attire: Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla; Lela Rose raspberry halter $310
Groom’s attire: Tommy Bahama in La Jolla
Hair and Makeup: Char Sanchez
Linens: Wildflower Linen
The location: Tower 23 Hotel

Shoot design, styling, and floral: Nick + Aleah – The Good Life Special Events

...and the winner is....Sharon Hummel!

2010-03-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Sharon Hummel- you will be receiving the gorgeous Kyndrid Regality necklace! Please email us at info {at} goodlifeevents.net with your address.

Thank you to everyone else for entering! Remember to enter GOODLIFE upon checkout to receive 25% off of any Kyndrid piece, good until March 30th - www.kyndrid.com
Stay tuned for more giveaway fun in the weeks to come!
Cheers, Aleah + Nick

Floral forecast from Ariston Flowers in New York

2010-03-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

When we were in New York in January we attended Bridal Bootcamp from the Wedding Salon and met Christian from Ariston Flowers, a floral studio providing gorgeous creations for over 30 years. We asked her to provide us with a spring floral forecast and love her predictions!

"I have to admit that I think the times of modern sleek design are waning as the demand for more garden styles are increasing, that is still within good design. Pave, or low and compact will always be in demand because of it's classy and elegant form. It's simple and best kept that way, with just a few elements to let the flowers do the talking.

That isn't to say that people are interested in bringing traditional English garden style of arranging back either, as that is what our grandparents would be proud of. And most of us don't want the type of arrangements found in Renaissance paintings.

I feel this is the year of bringing flowers back into flowers! No more outrageously priced minimal sculptures out of flowers, but more of an elegant use of what the flower already provides."

Thank you so much, Christian! We are thrilled spring has sprung!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Tuesday Tips: Lighting with candles

2010-03-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

At most weddings we see our clients use candles of some sort to illuminate the ceremony and reception, giving a warm and romantic glow. Here are few tips and ideas to remember when thinking about using candle light:

1. try to stray from using tea lights in containers with moss or anything really flammable. We've heard stories about things catching fire! Floating candles have a unique effect and are much safer.2. if your venue doesn't allow for a real flame, you can use LED candles; though not the real thing, if you have them hanging or clustered together they can emit a glow
3. if your wedding is outdoors, hang tea lights from trees in mason jars secured with wire or ribbon. Talk about a magical effect!4. if using taper candles, be sure they are not close to any part of your floral! Trust us; we've seen a near disaster with a candle that was placed too close to a centerpiece. Also be sure you have something to catch the wax so it doesn't drip and ruin the expensive linens!
5. purchase candles that have at least a 6-8 hour burn; you don't want the flames going out mid-party!6. get creative - scatter various colored vessels (like glassybabies) down the center of your family-style table for a pop of colorHappy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

Images 1: from Emily + Ryen's wedding by Amore Studios 2. from theknot.com 3. from elsechelsea.typepad.com 4. studio nine photography 5. glassybaby.com

Monday Coffee for wedding artists: bringing your A game

2010-03-22T10:41:00.001-07:00

Having been in this industry for over 7 years, Nick and I have worked with our fair share of absolutely amazing wedding artists (you know who you are!) but recently have come across some sub-par vendors.
We have some tips on sticking it out and not bringing down our industry in this ever-changing time:

1. You must always bring your A game to each and every meeting and event. This is not the time to slack off, not respond to emails, or provide shabby services.

2. Be kind. Say thank you. Trust us - a thank you note goes a very long way. Think about who recommends you. Surely you want to keep getting those referrals.

3. Be creative. Simple as that. It's time to think a bit outside the box and not recycle ideas or just copy inspiration boards or other ideas you see on blogs. Be you. After all, that's why you're in the event industry.

4. Don't sell yourself short. It's one thing to tailor a package for a client, but providing day-of wedding coordination for $200 or photography services for $500 is bringing down the bar in the industry and thus selling others short.

5. Seasoned professionals; the not-so-talented vendors will soon fall out of the industry and, as a certain talented friend in New York recently told us: the cream will rise to the top; see you there!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Spring has sprung! Enjoy this cheery wedding inspiration board in honor of spring!

2010-03-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

1. ball jars with candles 2. honeycomb letterpress 3. billy ball + daisy bouquet 4. bride and bridesmaids 5. ink and button flower 6. cupcakes 7. blue fabric

Smile, smile, smile!

2010-03-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

We've had several of our couples ask us why people aren't smiling in wedding photos these days (at least the ones they see on popular wedding blogs). We don't really have an answer - maybe it's the more vintage-inspired photos where they're going for an old school, classic look?
Maybe the bride and groom just don't like to smile? But who doesn't like to smile and want to enjoy their wedding day?

Whatever style of photography you decide on for your big day, please be sure to get caught smiling! Have fun! Enjoy the celebration! You don't want to look back 20 years from now and wonder if you actually enjoyed yourself! It's great to go for an old school look but laugh. Cry. Celebrate. And be sure to grin from ear to ear! You won't regret it!
Aleah

The Good Life's California feast for the eyes featured in Exquisite Weddings Magazine

2010-03-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Nick and I were absolutely thrilled to design and bring to life a California winery-meets-California coastal celebration for Exquisite Weddings Magazine at the Rancho Valencia Resort. It was a great chance for us to create a stunning display that appeals to everyone; both brides and grooms. Our intent was to design a table where guests could sit comfortably and eat, drink, visit, and be merry well into the night. By using warm tones of copper, stunning cobalt blue, and more muted linens, we were able to bring in touches that were both romantic and cozy. Utilizing rustic solid wood benches and captain's chairs, our family-style table could have been anywhere; in the middle of a field under a starry summer sky, on the beach at sunset, or set amidst grape vines in a sunny California winery.

Annette Gomez from Flowers by Annette Gomez provided the surreal centerpieces with an array of textures and drama. She created such a lush and gorgeous private garden for the guests in the center of the table!

Our linens set the tone for a feast for the eyes. We requested something a bit whimsical from Magnolias Linens in Manhattan and boy, did they deliver! We looked at a dozen or so combinations and fell in love with the nobby and chic white runners against a burlap base.

Mini desserts from San Diego Desserts sat atop each contemporary plate and a cheese board and artisan breads acted as our late night snack. Nick also whipped up some delicious summer sangria (the recipe was also featured!)
Jennifer Dailard from Simply Posh Designs in San Diego created our lovely paper goods - she kept with our vineyard motif and tied in grape vines and leaves in a sweet way.

Vintage print press stamps that have been in my family for years acted as a fun and really unexpected favor. We placed one on each place setting (an "E" for "Emma") with each guests' initial.
We were so fortunate to have these gorgeous images captured by super talented Terri Rippee, Rippee Photography and www.rippeephoto.com/blog *stay tuned for more images on the blog!

We hope you enjoy the table as much as we enjoyed creating it!
Cheers, Aleah + Nick

The Good Life featured in Exquisite Weddings Magazine

2010-03-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to have been asked to lend our advice to the newest issue of Exquisite Weddings Magazine regarding estate weddings.

Check out our advice and stay tuned to the blog tomorrow when we showcase our 4-page design spread!

Thank you for your continued support! Aleah + Nick

Invitation Etiquette with the Lovely Emily Ley

2010-03-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Today we turned to owner of Emily Ley Paper and talented stationer, Emily Ley, for some honest invitation etiquette answers to those sometimes unclear etiquette questions.

1. What is the key piece of advice you'd like to lend to brides and grooms when starting to design their wedding suites?
Look for designs that fit your personal style - designs that when you look back at them with your children and grandchildren one day, you see a "love story" unfolding, instead of "whatever was trendy" for the time being. Look for colors and layouts that are functional first - and convey the information you're sharing. Remember that your invitation is your guests' first glimpse at the biggest day of your lives thus far.

2. Do you prefer traditional wedding invitation wording or something a bit more modern?
These two styles can be mixed together in beautiful ways - I once worked with a bride who was very traditional but FULL of personality. Her invitation and response card were very traditional - but at the bottom of the response card we inserted "DJ play my song __________________" to add a fun element and bring her personality into the pieces. The guests LOVED this and the bride passed the song requests on to their musicians at the reception.

3. We were brought up to write a thank you note for most anything and know how important they can be. What might you recommend for those who aren't akin to writing thank you notes? What is the proper timing etiquette for writing thank you notes for wedding gifts?
Always, always, ALWAYS write thank you notes. Always. For your wedding and shower gifts, its customary to have your thank you notes mailed no later than one month after the wedding. I was once told (and never forgot this...) to never underestimate the power of a thank you note. Your thank you notes don't have to be long and verbose, just sincere messages of thanks to someone who took time to do something special for you. Write thank you notes not just for gifts, but to the vendors and special helpers who played a roll in your big day as well.

4. How do you propose a couple deals with an uninvited guest whose name shows up on the response card (i.e. a cousin's girlfriend when it was only the cousin's name on the actual invitation)?
This is why all my wedding suites come with double envelopes. This is hard to avoid without an inner envelopes. The outer envelope is used for the mailing address and the inner envelope bears the name of the person (or people) to whom the invitation is directly addressed. But generally, when these things happen, my advice is to "roll with it." If this only happens with a few guests, it wont put you too far over your guest count. If you do happen to push past your limit of attendees, politely and informally discuss the situation with the guest. Perhaps the "plus one" can join you at the reception if the ceremony venue is past capacity?

5. Can you please explain what's appropriate to include and not to include in wedding invitations?
In your suite, you want to include
- the hosts' names
- the bride and groom's names
- date and time
- venue address

I start to itch when wedding websites and registry information find their way onto the invitation. Enclosure cards are perfect for bearing website information. Registry information is not appropriate anywhere in the suite. Look at your suite as if you were a guest attending another wedding. What kind of questions might they have? Do they know where to be and when? How to RSVP?

Wedding invitations should introduce the biggest day of your life thus far - remember to keep your verbiage minimal and special. Additional information can be tucked in welcome bags, included in the ceremony program or listed on the wedding website. Choose a design that is timeless and special. Add personality with special touches like calligraphy, vintage postage stamps or envelope liners. Above all - choose something that will be representative of your love story. And work with a stationer who will take those things to heart when designing your suite.

Thank you so much, Emily! We appreciate your expert advice! *Be sure to visit Emily's sweet website and her informative blog!

Aleah + Nick

A romantic Irish wedding from Dylan McBurney

2010-03-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, we wanted to show off some lovely Irish wedding images from Dylan McBurney. Take a look at the unique color combination in the bouquets; so subtle but romantic! The bride's dress is out-of-this-world romantic; the oversized bow is so chic!

I am part Irish and have been fortunate to visit Ireland - I absolutely LOVE old Irish castles. There is just something so mysterious and so whimsical about them. Imagine celebrating your vows in one!
Aren't these hats fabulous?

We hope you enjoy these images and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Aleah + Nick

The three key questions to ask your wedding photographer before you hire

2010-03-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

We are lucky to refer our clients to some absolutely amazing photographers and work with fabulous photographers all the time. Over the years we've learned so much through the good (and the not-so-good) and wanted to share this advice with you. Here are our Top 3 questions to ask a potential photographer:

1. Who will be shooting our wedding? Most photographers you meet with will indeed be the ones shooting your wedding however, many have assistants or freelance photographers who might work with them. Be sure you are clear as to who will be there and if it's another photographer, meet with them ahead of time and look at their portfolios.

2. How many hours of photography are included in our package? This question might seem like a no-brainer and most photographers will stay on hand for the duration of the day, but many do not. This is incredibly important if you don't have a coordination team. We once had a photographer we weren't familiar with telling us he was leaving before the grand fireworks display - the final wow of the night. We had to convince him to stay and start the show twenty minutes earlier, despite him knowing the timeline.

Most good photographers won't leave (despite their package maybe saying the time is up) before key moments like the bouquet toss or first dance, even if the timeline falls a little out of place. After all, this wouldn't complete their story of your big day! Look for photographers who offer generous timing packages or those who will be there for the day.

3. What happens post-wedding? Let the photographer explain this process; most photographers have a pretty quick turnaround time (depending on the season) for at least getting you some sneak peek photos up on their blog. On the other hand, we've heard some horror stories about couples (not any of ours!) not getting to see their images for 6-8 months after the wedding! Talk about a letdown! Also ask whether you'll get an album or a DVD of images down the road so that you can print photos later; many photographers will also give you a print credit if you'd like them to print photos for you.
Happy Planning!
Aleah + Nick

The Good Life featured on Merci New York!

2010-03-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

As many of you may know, we've been busy bees working on 6, yes 6, different designs for a massive photo shoot we orchestrated. We brought on the incredibly talented Joseph + Jenny Llanes of Llanes Weddings and an amazing bride and groom and had at it with some stunning tables and backdrops.

I won't spoil the other features and show images just yes, but I wanted to direct you all to Merci New York's blog to read all of the details and check out our full photo shoot - a modern twist on an English tea reception.

Jackie is just so sweet to feature our work; be sure to follow her blog, she features very chic goodies, tips, and happenings in NYC.

*Here's a quick sneak peek!
Enjoy!
Aleah

*Photos by Llanes Weddings

Fabulous KYNDRID jewelry giveaway

2010-03-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

ABOUT: KYNDRID is a unique jewelry line for men and women. Each collection has been inspired by relatable lifestyles and personality types. KYNDRID encourages you to continue to express yourself by creating your own collection that expresses your individuality. The unique pieces will express the complexity of who you truly are and that is what KYNDRID believes to be most important.

As a responsible family in the community of the world, KYNDRID has created a philanthropic collection; KYND ("kind"), in which each piece has direct association with important charities and foundations that were selected to share proceeds with KYNDRID. The design house selects these foundations based on their contribution to the world at large and how they address important needs and issues of our planet and those of us sharing it.

We fell in love with KYNDRID'S pieces as they are so unique and fresh and their KYND collection is incredible.

OUR GIVEAWAY: We have worked with Kyndrid to offer one lucky reader a truly stunning necklace called Regality. Aleah specifically chose this piece as it's the perfect icing to a lovely wedding dress confection. Breathtaking, yet simple. It can also be paired with jeans and a t-shirt and clutch for a fun night on the town.

HOW TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment anywhere on our blog with the word KYNDRID. One winner will be chosed at random on Friday, March 26th. Be sure to spread the word!
**be sure to leave your name so we know who to give the necklace to! We can't give it to an anonymous commenter! :)

In addition, KYNDRID has kindly offered our readers and clients a 25% on any purchase through March 30th. Simply enter the code GOODLIFE upon check out!
Enjoy!

...Something borrowed, something blue....

2010-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Muted icy blue is my favorite color and is just so magical. We even incorporated the tone into our own wedding. My dress sash was icy blue, as were my bouquet accents and hints of our invitations. There's something so elegant, timeless, and unique about this color. So in sticking with the old adage, Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, why not wear a pale, icy blue wedding dress?
1. Dress from JLM Couture 2. Image from redhotbrides.com 3. Image from BridalwaveTV
Pair your gown with any of these statement pieces from Stella and Dot jewelry - 1. Bardot Flower $39 2. Glitz flower earrings $39 3. St. Tropez statement necklace $178
Cheers! Aleah

Monday Coffee: Our Top 5 Pieces of Advice for staying calm, cool + collected when planning your wedding

2010-03-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

We can't stress enough: it's so important to have fun during your wedding planning process. We aim to make each and every meeting with our clients refreshing and lighthearted, whether we're tasting cake or talking logistics.

1. Stay organized. This tip is so important -Google has some great budget, layout, checklist, and other spreadsheets (here) to keep you on track. Buy some sort of notebook or filing system where you can store fabric swatches, paper samples, and magazine pages or photos you like. *this notebook is from Mindy Weiss2. Don't micromanage. If you have a coordination team, let them manage the major details; after all, that's why you hire them. Any good coordinator won't take over your wedding (it will always be your!) but rather will keep you informed, keep you on track, recommend high caliber vendors, and help you bring your vision to reality. If you don't have a team, be sure to break up your planning in months, rather than one long TO DO list. If you have friends or family who would love to help, by all means let them - it can be lots of fun! ---but see our last post about not taking advantage.

3. Trust your vendors. We've said this in previous Monday Coffee posts and we mean it. If you put off a calm, cool + collected vibe and hire on great vendors, their talent and creativity will really shine through. Give them some room to whip up some samples and show off their amazing ideas rather than putting them in a box and holding them to just one design. You'll likely say "wow; why didn't we think of that!"

4. Don't take on too much. Letting DIY projects get out of control can create so much stress. While lots of our clients have fun and take pride in creating invitations or other handmade goodies, trying to do it all could be the end to having a great planning process. Know when to stop and turn your projects over to the pros.

5. Share the fun with your bride or groom to-be. We're also big proponents in sharing the tasks; let your groom surprise you with a funky play list or take on planning cocktail hour or a down-home late night menu.

We hope that you take heed to our advice and stay calm, cool + collected. You'll be sure to enjoy your planning process!
Cheers! Aleah + Nick