Modern & Offbeat Purple San Francisco Wedding

Jun 1st

by: Lauren

This modern, offbeat wedding that I have for you all today is AMAZING. Like kind of mind-blowing amazing- bold purple and green, amazing florals, an awesome guest book idea, and fun favors. Shot by Emily Takes Photos, the wedding takes place at quite possibly the coolest venue ever, the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The bride and groom wanted to make sure their wedding really reflected them, and you can definitely see it! The bride, Christina, is joining us today to tell us all about it!

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

Hands down that is Jane Hammond Events! They helped us arrange and plan every bit of our wedding. Their recommendations lead us to some amazing vendors and performers. Plus, their experience and support helped make the planning process fun and exciting instead of overwhelming.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

To be honest it was mostly how comfortable I felt with them, with a dash of their portfolio/samples. It was really important for me to be comfortable with the people I would be working with for months. Plus we were lucky enough to mesh with some really amazing people.

Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?

Emily of (Emily Takes Photos) did the cutest things. After we took our engagement photos with her she sent us a little date night themed goody basket to help us relax during the planning time. After the event she also sent the flash drive with the images on a little blue flash drive with cute little wrapped blue candies and treats.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

That is a really hard question. I think it would have to be the location. I can not think of a more perfect ceremony location that the Palace of Fine Arts or a reception more like us than what we were able to have at the Exploratorium.

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

Remember why you are planning this! Things are certain to go wrong, but as long as you can relax and laugh a little with your husband to be, everything will work out in the end.

What. A. Wedding!!! I’m dying over all of the florals and the unique centerpieces. Did you see that frame with moss and succulents?! And those “guest blocks” are awesome! How great was it that guests were able to do the “activities” at the Exploratorium too? I’m pretty sure those guests had tons of fun!! I know you have to have a favorite detail from this awesome wedding… what is it?!

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Emily Takes Photos / Reception Venue: Exploratorium / Catering: Jane Hammond Events / Flowers & Decor: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design / DJ: DJ Celeste Lear / Ceremony Venue: The Palace of Fine Arts / Hairstylist: bellebymarine / Bridal Salon: Bridal Image

{Thursday Tips} What To Do Before Your Wedding Day

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 7 Comments

May 31st

by: Lauren

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We’re smack dab in the middle of wedding season now, and I’m sure some of you have your wedding day coming up! And if it’s not soon, it’s surely coming eventually, right?! Well, you might be wondering what exactly you should be doing in these days before your wedding. You’ve put all of this time into planning your wedding the past few months, and it’s all coming to fruition soon. If you have a planner, she (or he) will be sure to remind you of everything, so you need not to worry. But for those of you who don’t have a planner, I don’t want you to miss anything important, so I put together a few lists for you on what to do before your wedding day! (And I have a little treat for you at the end of this post too!)

Photo by ELV Member, Elaine Palladino Photography

2 Weeks Before The Wedding

– Final Dress Fitting

– Finalize seating chart/placecards/escort cards (if applicable)

– Make your final payments to vendors (if you haven’t already!)

– Make sure you have your marriage license already!

– Confirm that family members and bridal party have travel and accommodation arrangements made

– If doing DIY elements for day of wedding (flowers, decor, set up, etc) create a plan/timeline for those helping

– Finalize & confirm honeymoon reservations (YAY!)

Photo via ELV Member, Bellwether Events

1 Week Before The Wedding

– Final guest counts to your caterer/venue & final payment (Some venues require 2 weeks before- only do 1 week before if you’re still waiting on RSVPs)

– Make sure groomsmen/any others know when to pick up tuxes

– Confirm & finalize timeline with vendors- (arrivals, deliveries, key events throughout the day, and pickups/departures)

– Send out timeline/info to bridal party and family

– Day-of stationery complete and ready to go (programs, menus, escort cards, etc)

– Any extra details complete and ready to go (table numbers, signs, favors, etc)

– Complete welcome bags for your out-of-town guests

– Have bridal party gifts ready

Photo via ELV Member, Collective Creations

1-3 Days Before The Wedding

– Get yourself pampered (hair color, manicure, pedicure)

– Steam and/or pick up your wedding dress

– Pack a bag for your wedding night

– Assign someone to be in charge of taking home your gifts on the wedding night

– Assign someone to bring extra details to your venue (A planner should take care of this, but if you don’t have one, make sure they get to your venue!)

– Drop off welcome bags for out-of-town guests

– Get your wedding day items together (Jewelry, shoes, other accessories, dress, makeup, perfume, etc)

– Ceremony rehearsal!

– ENJOY your time with family and friends (but not too much- you don’t want to be hungover on your wedding day!)

[Editor’s note: Or you can just hire a planner/coordinator and you won’t have to worry about half of these things! :) ]

And now for the special treat I mentioned! For those of you who still have a little while until your wedding, I went ahead and created the list in a printable format so you can tuck it away until you’re closer. Of course you could just bookmark or pin this post too- whatever works for you! :)

Just click here to download the checklists!

Oh and a little announcement… I’m adding something new to ELD- a monthly email! The email will be full of tips, inspiration, and most importantly, deals from vendors! So make sure you sign up to receive the very first ELD email!

How many of you will be getting married in the next few weeks or months? When is your wedding? I’m hoping this list will help you out a bit and prevent you from stressing out more than you need to! :)

{Wedding Planning Advice} Just BE Engaged!

Category: 0 Comments

May 31st

by: Lauren

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“Give yourselves some time to just BE engaged; no planning, no deadlines, no budgets- not yet anyway.”

– The Palmetto Club

The Palmetto Club

contact: Lucille Hanson | email: lucille@puffnstuff.com | phone: 813.657.0062
website: http://www.thepalmettoclub.com
twitter: Follow @palmettoclub | facebook: “Like” The Palmetto Club!

location: Florida, West Coast FL | type: Venues | style: Classic | price: $$$, $$, $

Purple Rustic Chic Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 10 Comments

May 30th

by: Lauren

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This purple rustic chic wedding that I have for you all today is just loaded with fabulous images! But I expect nothing less than fabulous when Captured Photography By Jenny is the one photographing! With deep purples paired with a rustic style and chic details, this is an absolutely gorgeous wedding! The adorable bride, Tracie, is here to share her wedding planning insight with us too! Enjoy!

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

My venue was fabulous. Cross Creek Ranch helped out in every way, shape, and form. Someone was there from day 1 to answer my questions and help me decide on “my look”. I knew what I wanted from the beginning. I actually had made a scrap book with all my inspirational photos that I brought with me to every meeting . I was able to easily show them all my photos I had collected and organized. They made my photos and my ideas come to life before my eyes. Not only was my planner great, but my coordinator was equally fabulous. Being a stage manager I am very meticulous, and she made the day turn out flawless for me.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

For me, I believe it was a matter of feeling important. I wanted them to be as excited as I was. My husband and I looked at a couple different places but our vendors we settled on, were the ones who made us feel honored. They made me feel like a bride and him like a groom! They made us feel like our day was special and that they would do everything in their power to make it perfect.

Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?

Oh my gosh, I get excited just thinking about it all. First my caterer showed up to my wedding rehearsal with white roses to congratulate me and my husband. Cross Creek Ranch gave us champagne glasses to use & keep to remember the day by. Not to mention, about a week ago we got a box from them with a big white blanket inside. Our names and wedding date were on the blanket… we had no idea it was even coming!!!

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

EVERYTHING! (I am sure this is such the typical answer.) Honestly, the horse & carriage was unreal and made the experience even more surreal then it was. Looking at my husband who was watching the carriage come in, seeing his eyes fill with tears in the beauty of the moment was my favorite part by far!

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

Take some time with your new husband before everybody arrives or before the reception. Everything happens in the blink of an eye. Talk about what just happened (or what will happen) and enjoy your love for each other. Nothing will ever feel as pure as that moment! It will be a moment to remember for a lifetime.

Aw, I totally 100% agree with Tracie’s advice. That’s one of the things that I regret about my own wedding day- that my husband and I didn’t really have a chance to just be alone and soak up the moment. Thank you for sharing with us Tracie! And a big thank you to Captured Photography By Jenny for being so amazing and getting such great shots!

I’m really loving the combined styles of rustic and chic, aren’t you? I think my favorite detail will have to be the tables though- the lace overlays, the cool centerpieces, and the table numbers! Everything about the table is awesome! What’s your favorite part of this rustic chic wedding? Will any of you be having a similar style of wedding?