From the start of planning her wedding, Showa knew exactly the look and feel that she wanted to experience on her wedding day.  A traditional wedding motif was not her style. What she wanted was a ceremony and celebration that would incorporate her rich African culture with her Mediterrean travels and experiences.

What Showa envisioned: A bridal gown designed by Suzanne Hanley that would reflect her native earthy and rich Etrean colors; an Italian wedding cake from local San Mateo bakery- Dianda’s Italian Bakery, and the Palo Alto Garden Court Hotel, an Italian like boutique hotel that reflected her love of Italy for her venue.

With family and friends closely gathered, Half Moon Bay Celebrant, Fr. Miles Riley-It’s Your Wedding, Not Theirs, joyfully shared with the loving couple the beatitudes of marriage  prior to pronouncing them as husband and wife and introducing them as Mr. and Mrs.

A Breathtaking View

Starting with a breathtaking venue, Paul Masson Mt. Winery, in Saratoga, CA provided the perfect location for Shannon and Kerry to  exchange vows  and celebrate  their joyous union with family and friends.

Although everyone was concerned  about the unusual wet weather in May,(and preparations were in place in the event of rain), Shannon and Kerry’s wedding day was picture perfect!

With the wedding day activities starting at 9:00 a.m. with the talented Mina Drake, hair and make-up artist, Shannon’s mother and sisters lovingly assisted her in dressing for her special day.

While the bride and groom were getting ready, the staff  at the historic Mt. Winery, readied the venue and set the tables with Chivari chairs, and  specialty linens from A Party Place, in San Jose. CA. Leila Simms, of Half Moon Flowers, made the the purple pin tuck linens  pop with her contemporary floral centerpieces of pink tulips, calla lilies,orchids  and soft pink hydrangeas. And to add to the final touch was the simple, yet elegant  three -tiered  cake provided by Studio Cake of Menlo Park, Ca.

With all in place according to the time line, Sound in Motion set the stage for the ceremony. As the bridal party  descended the stairs and began their walk down the aisle, photographers Emma and Alfred Salom, and Oren Ariele of Awesomeshots quietly slipped among the guests and captured the romantic and loving ceremony, not missing the kiss, the rose petaled arbor and monarch butterflies.

Details, details captured by photographer Jasmine Wang

On Thursday, March 18, I met with Rhonda Giedt a wedding photographer. I’m always looking for vendors, who love what they do. When I see that they are passionate about what they do, I know that they have their client’s best interest at heart.

During our meeting, I found Rhonda to be very effervescent and  passionate about her work and clients. As we talked, somehow our conversation  gravitated  to the subject of successful weddings and events. Rhonda mentioned that her best weddings were the ones where the bride had a wedding planner.  She said that the difference was noticeable. Where there was a planner involved, the wedding was seamless. Where there wasn’t the guidance of a planner, there seemed to be a disconnect in the flow of the wedding activities.

Rhonda confirmed why it is so important to have a planner by your side. Yes, I know it’s the economy and many couples feel that the services of a planner isn’t in their budget, isn’t necessary, or they want to   plan their special day themselves, fearing that the planner may not respect their vision.

Whatever the reason, I highly recommend  the services of a planner or coordinator. Maybe your budget cannot accommodate the full services of a wedding professional; however there are options.  You may enlist the services of a coordinator to handle the details the month before the wedding, or think about

enlisting the services of a day of coordinator to handle all of the “day of wedding” details.  In any event, it is advantageous for you to have an advocate on your side to take care of the behind the scene activities and intercept mitigate  un-for seeable mishaps that could put a damper on your special day.

More Details.. Jasmine Wang Photography

]]> http://avsoevents.com/avsoeventsblog/photographer-touts-the-advantages-of-a-wedding-planner/feed/ http://avsoevents.com/avsoeventsblog/teaching-what-i-know-and-love-to-do/ http://avsoevents.com/avsoeventsblog/teaching-what-i-know-and-love-to-do/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:24:53 +0000 avso http://avsoevents.com/avsoeventsblog/?p=474 You never know how much you know until you teach and share your knowledge and experiences with a class of future wedding planners. This has been my fourth class experience teaching wedding planning to hopeful and talented students.  The biggest task in teaching is to calm fears about homework. Everyone who attends the first  class is shocked to learn that this is a real class with lots of homework!  it’s not all about the dress, the ring, the photographer and flowers. It’s about the nuts and bolts of building a solid wedding planning business. Don’t get me wrong, we do have fun; however we focus a lot of attention to the business side of the industry,  The intensive 8/10 week class covers research, mission statements, business plans, marketing/branding and of course fun!!  There is nothing more valuable than to have vendors share their experiences and knowledge with the class. Whether the vendors teach the class for an evening or having a class at the vendors place of business, meeting vendors allows them to gain first hand knowledge from talented  industry professionals.

This last class was my best class. They were the most gracious, sweet and talented group. I wish them lots of success!!

A few years ago, I planned to host an educational workshop that would give couples the necessary tools and information to plan their special day.

Whether they hired a planner, or elected to plan their celebration themselves, this workshop  would give them useful information.

However, due to the health of a family member, my plans were temporarily set-aside.

Well,  the idea  stayed with me and in October 2008, I started to share my ideas.  I didn’t even think about the economy. All I wanted to do was to educate and help engaged couples make their day special. And being that I’m a certified wedding planner and instructor, I thought this would be a piece of cake.

In November, I approached the wedding director at the Oceano Hotel and Spa in Half Moon Bay with my idea. They thought it was a great concept and said “yes” to hosting the event. However,  when we met a few weeks later, they had an even better idea. Why not a bridal faire?  What a project!! So, we set the date for March 1, 2009.

With the holidays and the flu, we didn’t get around to the planning the event until the first week in January. Normally to plan an event of this magnitude, one would have to start  10-12 months out. What was I thinking about: planning an event of this size in two months!! I must be nuts!! But with such great help and support from the Oceano Hotel things just started to happen. Bay Area wedding professionals such as Orna Maymon of Ornamento, Cecile Gady of Cakeworks were excited  about the event and easily said “yes” to participating in the faire.  Other event experts, such as photographer, Monica Michelle,  Kathy Goodman of Well Rehersed, Jasmine Wang of Jasmine Wang Photography,  Floramoor Studios, Hartman Studios and Blue Water Rentals all added to the success of the event.

It was a very rainy day, which we expected. However, we were unsure, if anyone would brave the wind, rain and Highway 92. However, they did! More than 300 guests moved along the hallways, guest rooms and grand ballroom of the hotel.

The day was filled with entertainment, education, fun and fashion. Guests were treated to chamapgne as they oohed and ah’d the latest bridal fashions from Maggie Sottero.

Wedding photographer, Brian Orlov made sure to capture the energy of this exciting and elegant event, thus allowing me to share it with you.

Thanks to the wedding and events director, Nancy Nehran and Jennifer Pickart and their great staff-the event was a  big success.

September 13 - A perfect day for a wedding in the wine country. It’s warm, but not too hot. Two tall oak trees that stand in the foreground of the ceremony site filter the bright sunlight, making it a photographer’s dream spot for taking bridal pictures. All the details are in place according to the wedding time line.

Final Touches The caterer has arrived, the florist has tied off the aisle with ribbon, and the cake decorator has finished her final touches to the cake. This is not a typical wine country wedding. Amerika and Ruben selected Beltane Ranch in Glen Ellen, California in Sonoma County, for their wedding and reception. Not only is the ranch a warm and accommodating venue, but it has an interesting historical background spanning over 100 years (i.e. see another blog coming soon).

Honoring Their Heritage The couple decided to have a ceremony and reception that would honor each other’s heritage. Amerika elected to Jump the Broom, an African tradition that is said to symbolize creating a new life together, while sweeping away their former single lives.

Ruben chose to have Trio Nuevo Amanecer play romantic songs and melodies of Mexico for the ceremony and cocktail hour. What a wonderful blend of honoring each others heritage! The decor included draped tables of espresso and sage colored linens that were accented with wine country flowers provided by Lisa Brown:who captured the simple elegance that Amerika and Ruben wanted. Understanding that they did not want a traditional wedding cake, the couple tasted several cupcakes, before deciding on a “Couple’s Cake” [shown close by] and cupcakes that were created by Kelly Tang of San Francisco. As the guests were seated and the bridal party took their places before the start of the ceremony, I quickly glanced at Ruben. He’s wiping his eye. I’m not sure if there is something in his eye or he’s wiping away tears of joy. I’ve planned many weddings, but I’ve never seen a groom in tears! 

The Moment Has Arrived All is ready: photographer, Monica Michelle scurries to capture each moment of this special occasion, carefully paying close attention to every little detail. As the bridesmaids walked down the aisle to the tune of Solamente Una Vez, Amerika readies herself to take her walk down the rose pedaled aisle, happily to be joined by Ruben. She is all smiles! Yes, finally, this is their day!

Following a simple ceremony, joyful family and friends congratulated the newlyweds.  The rustic atmosphere was just the place for listening and dancing to the south of the borders sounds of Mexico.

After the photos, the newlyweds sweep away their old single lives according to African tradition by jumping the broom and join each other in a new life together as  Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Sanchez.

Amerika and Ruben Sanchez

Jumping the Broom:: Sweeping away their old lives and welcoming  a new journey together

A Tender Moment

Guests danced the Electric Slide and Kicked their heels to the Cuban Shuffle

This was the happiest day of their life

Congratulations Amerika and Ruben!

My planner mind starts to wonder. Is the bride - ok? Has she had something to eat? Is her Maid of honor/matron of honor supporting her?  Where is the groom? Is he back from playing a round of golf with his groomsmen? How’s he doing? Does the best man know his responsibilities? What about the bridesmaids? Do they really know their responsibilities? What has the bride and coordinator decided about moving the ceremony indoors? Have all of the vendors made their deliveries? Although, I’m not planning or coordinating the wedding, as I sit here, I find myself mentally asking these questions. I know everything is going to be fine, but I just can’t help my thoughts from wondering…