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.  ;-)

Man Down! We Have a Fainter

After nine years you'd think I've seen it all.  Well, you'd be right.  Some things I don't really want to add to my list of experiences.  Like wedding crashers, rain and fainting groomsmen.  Yes, fainting groomsmen.

As a proud former band geek, I know the cardinal rule of 'NEVER LOCK YOUR KNEES WHEN STANDING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.'  Ever see those funny videos of the band member holding the tuba go crashing to the ground?  Locked knees.  At the rehearsal, I make sure to point this out to the party.  In fact, at this wedding rehearsal I said:  "Make sure to not lock your knees and drink plenty of water.  If you faint, I will blog about it and put it on YouTube."  ;-)  Well I was only joking, but you're reading this blog, so I think you know where this is going.

Paso Robles is HOT!!! This day it was just over 100 degrees.  I've lived here for over 10 years now and believe it or not, I can handle the heat.  You have to when 90% of  your wedding are outside.  I had gotten the bride down the aisle and was about to update my facebook status (you know me)  ;-) when I heard:  "Water! Water!"  I look up in time to see a groomsman wobbling in the heat.  We had cold water right there but it wasn't enough.  He went down.  Another groomsman caught him.  I ran down the aisle grabbed a chair from the front row and got it under him just when he was really going down.  He was a big guy and we couldn't hold him.  I got a parasol and got him in the shade.  Guests were attending to him so I thought I'd check on the bride.  She told me she thought SHE was going to faint.  Off I ran for more water and a parasol for her.  After about 15 minutes, the ceremony continued.  All of the groomsmen held parasols for the rest of the wedding so their friend would be in the shade.

Advice for anyone involved in a wedding:

Drink water, drink water, drink water!  Eat, eat, eat!  Oh and of course, DON'T LOCK YOUR KNEES!  ;-)

For a laugh...

Ask A Planner: Vendor Meals

Hello Wed Heads!!!  The following is a question that has been asked of me many times by brides, grooms, wedding professionals and facebook fans:  "What about vendor meals?"

Great question!  I take pride in making sure that all of the vendors at my weddings are well taken care of and happy!  I make sure they have food, water, sodas, sun screen, anything they need during the wedding.  Unfortunately, I think only about 10% of couples hire wedding planners.  So here is my advice.  ;-)

Brides and Grooms:  

Make sure to ORDER meals for the vendors that will be on site for an extended period of time on your wedding day.  This would be, but not limited to, planners, photographers, videographers, DJs, bar staff, site staff and band/musicians.  Make sure to find out if they have assistants.  Almost no one comes alone to work a wedding.  Do not add these people to your guest count for your caterer.  Let the caterer know a separate count for your vendor meals.  The reason, caterers may charge you a reduced rate for wedding vendor meals.  Most importantly it alerts their staff that they will need to serve your vendors and that your vendors' meals have been paid for. 

Plan ahead as to WHERE your vendors can eat.  Most of us like to eat somewhere close by, but somewhere we can be unseen.  Although some photographers like to eat where they can see the bride and groom so they can jump up and get a shot if they need to.  Ask your venue if they have a location especially for your vendors to eat, ask your vendor if they have a preferred location to eat at the venue.  

Do not serve your vendors a meal that differs from your guest's meals.  Quite frankly, we don't like this and find it insulting.  Your wedding vendors are working tremendously hard to give you your special day, treat them like an honored guest and they will treat you like a cherished friend.  No boxed lunches please.

Plan on WHEN your vendors can eat.  I have vendors eat at different times.  For example, I always have the photographers and videographers eat as close to the time as the bride and groom.  Photographers love this because they are done eating by the time the couple is and can get back to capturing the moment.  I have had a photographer tell me she was yelled at by a site manager for eating before all of the guests had.  A good reason to have a table somewhere close to the action but behind the scenes for your vendors.  Also a good reason to explain your method to the caterer ahead of time.  If your photographer all of a sudden tries to get food before some of the guests, the catering staff could be totally thrown.  If it is all planned out ahead of time, they will know when to serve the paparazzi.  ;-) 

Wedding Professionals:

May I suggest addressing your meal in your contract or at least simply bringing it to your bride's attention that yourself and your assistant will be needing a meal.  You would be surprised how many brides hire me for 'day of' wedding coordination and haven't even thought about vendor meals until I come on the scene.  They will appreciate being alerted ahead of time.  Caterers, please make it a point to ask brides and grooms about their vendors.  Do not assume they will know to add them.  

Hope this helps!  Thanks for submitting all of your questions on my facebook page.  Have a question you need answered?  Want to 'Ask A Planner?'  Leave a comment, I'd love to help.  ;-)

Ask A Planner: Invitations

Yesterday I asked for questions from my facebook fans and I got a ton of them!  Thanks Guys!

First up is Nicky who wanted to know if it is too late to send invitations out for her September wedding.  Etiquette says that you should send out wedding invitations 6 - 8 weeks before the wedding.  Nicky was very smart to send her guests a 'save the date,' so they won't be caught off guard.  That being said, they are surely waiting for the formal invitation with all of the wedding information.  It's never too late to send wedding invitations, don't wait another day.  I once put a wedding together in 24 hours.  Someone called all of the guests and invited them for the next day.  You know what, all but one person made it.  ;-)  Hopefully you are having a local wedding with guests not having to make travel arrangements.  If you do have guests traveling, I would go ahead and call them today to help with hotel accommodations, etc...

Nicky, make sure to post a picture of your wedding on my facebook page, congratulations and good luck!!

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I answer Samantha's question, how do you announce that you are not taking your husband's last name?

Photo by Cameron Ingalls

Vendor Spotlight ~ Say It In The Sand

I'd like to introduce you to a unique business, Say It In The Sand.  The name says it all.  I believe the owner, Amy Fordyce, just wanted an excuse to work at the beach every day.  Well who can blame her?!   ;-)  Amy lives on the beautiful Central Coast of California, the perfect place for a business like Say It In The Sand.

Check out the beautiful sign Amy made for my business.

Believe it or not, this idea came to Amy in a dream one night, as she imagined the beach as her own personal Etch A Sketch.  The business immediately took off upon opening in January of 2010.

You may think that these are simply made in photoshop.  Wrong!  Amy makes every sign by hand. Her canvas is the sand and her clear nemesis the ocean.  She must have to work fast before it washes away her creation.  Her favorite beaches to work at are Grover, Pismo and Avila.  So keep an eye out for her next time you are strolling on the beach.

Amy can create just about anything you want.  Wedding invitations, greeting cards, thank you notes, inspirational calendars, save the dates, baby names and stats, business names, personal messages, your imagination is the limit.

You can place an order with Amy on her facebook page, or by emailing her.  Amy's 'sand o grams' are only $10 for a 5 x 7 and $20 for a 8 x 10.  (Add $5 for a frame.)

Do you know a unique wedding business that I need to spotlight?  Email me, I'd love to hear about them!

Hello, Bride? It's Me, Nature

I just watched the wedding episode of 'Bethenny Getting Married?'   Aside from the beautiful wedding, the part that struck me the most was when Bethenny peed in a silver ice bucket before her ceremony.  Yes I'm serious.  Turns out, Bethenny would have had to walk through all of her guests to get to the restroom.  Oh and did I mention that she was seven months pregnant?  ;-)  Enter the bucket.  Let me tell you, the wedding planner and her assistant held the bucket.  THAT is commitment!

You are probably thinking, oh Sarah, that has never happened to you.  Well you would be wrong.  A different reason, but yes, I had a bride who wore a very stunning and very hard to get into mermaid style wedding gown.  It apparently took her over a half hour to get into the dress.  Well halfway into the reception, nature called.  Her maid of honor came up to me, explained the issue and asked me for a bucket.  She continued to say, "Don't worry, I'll empty the bucket."  I thought, no kidding!

In the end, the bride decided to take the time to get out of the dress.  Much to my happiness.  I really didn't want to have to tell her no, and I really didn't want to hold the bucket.  ;-)

What is going on ladies?  A quick google search of 'bridal diapers' came up with a litany of postings.  For example this post on Marie Claire.  This hit the viral air waves in June and got everybody talking.  It's legit.  People are selling 'bridal diapers.'  Really?  If the dress is that perfect, you'll be able to get in and out of it without a crane.  Ladies, please don't forget it's your day.  Really, we'll wait for you!  Nothing will happen without you.  Feel free to take as much time as you like in the restroom.  Seriously, nix the bucket and diapers.

What to you all think about this?  Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Wedding Planner : On Site Manager ~ The Difference

It seems there is a lot of confusion, by some, as to the difference between a wedding planner and an on site manager.  (Notice I didn't say on site coordinator, as I find this title misleading.)  Before I begin this post I would like to say that I mean no disrespect to any of the very hard working site managers that are out there.  Especially the ones I have had the pleasure to work with.  But there are some sites that literally tell brides that they don't need a wedding planner because they are.  I take intense offense to this.

I got my start in the business as an on site manager, I absolutely know what the job entails.  They work very hard, managing the site and the staff on site.  But they are not wedding planners.  They work for the venue, not you the bride.  (It would be a total conflict of interests to be hired by the venue to run the venue AND be hired by the bride and groom as a planner.) Their responsibilities include making sure that nothing goes wrong with the venue and the venue's staff.  They are going to be there for you if you want to see the site and if you have any questions about the site between 9 - 5.  They can also be helpful in vendor referrals.  On your wedding day they are there to open the site, make sure it is set up correctly, bathrooms are stocked, and remain on site in case you need anything.  Some site managers I work with have an office that they are at during the event.

A wedding planner is in charge of EVERYTHING.  The wedding, flow of the day and making sure every little aspect is organized.  They are usually available to you more than just 9 - 5.  I at least am.  My brides have my home and cell phone numbers and may call me any time of the day or night.  As a planner, I help with the design, look and feel of the wedding.  Most of my clients hire me a year out and we spend an extreme amount of time together.  I attend every meeting, fitting and shopping trip, I know absolutely every detail about the wedding.  I get to know who the family members and key players are.  I run the rehearsal and most times am invited to the rehearsal dinner.  Family members get to know me and trust me, this helps so much the next day.  My job doesn't stop after the wedding day.  There is usually many things I do the week after a wedding.  Making sure all of the rentals were returned, dealing with claims of damage to rental items, returning personal items to the bride and groom, and possibly planning Sunday brunches.  I literally spend 100 hours on an average wedding.

I have heard from quite a few brides that particular venues in my area intimate to them that they can go without a wedding planner because they have them.  This is a gross misleading.  I have no idea why some venues would not want to work with wedding planners.  I basically think it's because they have had a bad experience with a wedding planner or they like to think themselves the planner.  You're not.  Working at a beautiful venue doesn't a wedding planner make.  Planners get a bad rap.  I've even lost a job to a photographer who convinced the bride that they would be the planner.  How odd is that?  I would never say I could plan, coordinate AND photograph your wedding.  Also last time I checked, owning a camera does not make you a wedding planner.  I mean you need a clipboard too.  ;-)
(I should also say that there are many venues I work at that know the value of having a wedding planner and require their brides to hire one.  I love those venues.)

Advice:

For On Site Managers:  If the bride and groom hire a wedding planner, please let them do their job.  Don't undermine them in front of your clients.  I've actually had to nicely ask a site manager to leave a meeting she tagged along on because she kept contradicting everything I said and was offering bad advice.  (She was a recent bride and was apparently all knowing.)  That's not being helpful.  The bride and groom have researched and picked their planner for a reason.  When a couple hires me, it's because of ME and what I bring to the table.  Don't butt in and try to take control.  I had a site manager, thinking I was behind schedule, tell the caterer to push dinner back.  He listened to her because he works at the site so much.  Well, I wasn't behind schedule and when I went to check with the caterer about serving dinner, he informed me that he had been told to push it back.  I was livid!  Truth be told, there are a few sites I get hired at mostly because the bride doesn't want the on site manager near her wedding.  Case in point.

Don't be so ridged.  One of my biggest complaints is when a site manager doesn't let us change up their typical set up.  Sarah Angelique does not do cookie cutter weddings!!  ;-)  Why do you care if we want the chairs a little different, or the aisle wider?  I know you always do round tables, why do you care if we do square?  I hate hearing "we always do this or that."

Don't feel offended when your clients hire a wedding planner.  This is no slight to you.  They simply understand the value of a wedding planner.  A planner should make your job easier.  Without one, you could be expected to step in much more than you are paid to.

Any questions?  Did I leave something out?  Let me know, I love to hear from the people reading my blog.