Royal Wedding ~ Kate's Bouquet

Kate's bouquet was a wired bouquet of lily of the valley, sweet william and hyacinth with myrtle and ivy.  As tradition dictates, the bouquet contained stems from a myrtle tree planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

My Take
I must say, I wasn't that impressed with Kate's bouquet. Maybe it just wasn't what I was expecting.  I thought is was on the small side and not very exciting.  My main complaint, it wasn't trend setting.  As a wedding planner, I have seen that bouquet before.  That exact bouquet.  In fact, I believe it was on the cover of a wedding magazine in the past few years.  I was expecting the future Queen of England to set the trends for the upcoming wedding seasons.  Show me something I can't even imagine.  Needless to say, I was disappointed. I did like how she used sweet william, as she is marring a William, and I LOVED how stems from a myrtle tree planted in 1845 were used.  You know I'm all about the sentimentality.  Overall though I'd say the bouquet was 'okay.'  What did you think?

Oh No She Didn't!!

What is the worst thing you have ever seen happen at a wedding?  Did a cake fall?  A drunk groomsman make a bad toast?  Child's play.  Listen to this story told to me by a bride and fellow wedding pro, who would like to remain anonymous.  ;-)

As the bride and groom took to the dance floor for their first dance, the crowd oohed, awed and snapped photos of the happy couple.  Not even halfway through their song, an inebriated female guest came onto the dance floor and tried to cut in on the bride and groom.  The bride clutched her groom tightly as if to say, "don't you dare let this happen."  The groom somehow got her to get off the dance floor and to wait patiently for her own dance with him.

I had never heard of anything like that before!  Can you believe it?!

Here's another good one for you.  A grandmother, who I believe had hit the bar one too many times, was giving a most touching toast.  I remember standing in the back near the DJ and thinking, "what a lovely toast."  And then... the grandmother decided to include her grandson, brother of the bride, in her toast.  "Don't worry John, you'll get married someday, there's someone out there somewhere for you too." (Cue audible groan from crowd.)  I think John was all of 25 and wasn't too thrilled about being 'singled' out.

Truth be told, people watching is the best part of my job.  ;-)  So thanks wedding guests, for keeping me entertained!

Photo by Lindsey Hahn

Inspiration Photo Shoot at Unlimited Events

Hello Wed Heads!  I was recently asked to design the showroom at Unlimited Events, Inc. for the month of January.  Usually when designing a space, I totally have the bride and venue in mind.  Everything she wants, her color scheme, what enhances the venue, etc...  I thought this would be a great opportunity to design a blank space and do something that I have never done before, something that I would do if just turned loose.  ;-)  I wanted my room to represent January, the month it would be on display.  Ice was my inspiration and 'winter wonderland' was constantly on my mind as I put the room together.

I immediately had the room designed in my head.  I wanted it draped (like soft falling snow), a chandelier (like ice), soft blue up lighting, lucite chiavari chairs (more ice) and pale blue linens.  The table has two linens on it, a pale blue with a sheer overlay.  The swirls in the overlay remind me of swirling snow.  Perfect for my 'winter wonderland.'  I also wanted to utilize some of Unlimited Events' lounge furniture.  Not an easy task in a room approximately 20' x 20'.  Unlimited Events also has these awesome pillows that I HAD to have, so I created a small lounge area behind the table.  You can imagine what it could be with limitless space.  Why a square table?  I find square tables clever and upscale and I always knew it would be perfect for the room.

So now I had my room mostly done.  Already it was stunning, but now I needed the final details.  The details that would really MAKE the room.  A chance 'running into' (I love small towns) with Camilla Svensson Burns led to what you see in the photos.  Camilla is a nationally known floral and event designer based out of Paso Robles.  Her work has been featured in magazines such as Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Your Wedding Day, Santa Barbara Magazine and Ceremony just to name a few.  Camilla graciously offered to help and I was wise enough to let her do anything she wanted.  ;-)  I sent her a picture of the room and told her that I thought I needed some candlelight and a little more bling.  I was soooo happy with what she created!!

The candlelight, mercury glass and jeweled napkin rings were the PERFECT addition of bling that I was looking for.  Those of you that know me know that a tablescape can move me to tears.  Literally!!  I walked into the room at Unlimited Events and choked up.  I just loved it.

My room was nearly there, but what does every wedding need?  Cake!!  Lauren at Two Little Birds Bakery sweetly (sorry couldn't help it) offered to bake some of her scrumptious champagne cupcakes for me.

Now the room was was perfect!  We just needed to document this awesome group effort!  ;-)  I asked friend and talented photographer Jill Hewston of Allyson Magda Photography if she could come by and she was happy to!  She took all of these amazing shots and more!  To see more photos check out my facebook page.

Well, with Jill coming, a gorgeous room with fantastic decor, I thought, I've got to jump in a few of these shots.  Lacey Bragg at Salon Gloss in downtown Paso Robles has been my hair genius since I moved here 14 years ago!  She gave me the sassy do that I rock now and get compliments on daily.  ;-)  So I stopped by Salon Gloss for a little beautification. 

I am so above and beyond happy with the way everything came out!  I will definitely be doing this again.  Thank you Ladies all so much for everything you did.  Pearl, Camilla, Jill, Lauren, Lacey, you rock!!!  xoxoxo

Bonus:  Here is a little video I made with my iPhone 4.  ;-)

Sarah Angelique Named Official Wedding Blogger For TravelPaso

Hello Wed Heads!  As you may have heard, I am the new 'Official Wedding Blogger' for TravelPaso!  I am very excited to bring my blog to their audience each month.  My first post:  Why Paso Robles is so perfect for destination weddings.    Check it out!  Make sure to follow TravelPaso's blog or facebook to read my entry each month.

I'm always looking for things to blog about. Have a question or funny story you want to share with me?  Send me an email.  ;-)