Southern California Bride's Magazine - features one of our weddings

On news stands today, Southern California Bride's magazine features one of our favorite weddings and couples from last fall. Natalie & Carson were absolutely the best - super fun and great ideas. (did I mention I'm in love with their dog Ella, who accompanied them to a couple appointments).

Together they found an amazing sytle balance between ranch rustic and high style. The venue was the historic Santa Margarita Ranch - the dress, Carolina Herrara... you get the picture. The floral elements were robust and romantic; English Garden roses, large dahlias - juxtiposed against descidedly "unarranged" elements like magnolia leaves and fluffy millet (bunny tails).

I must also say that the team of which I was a part was truly a dream team - my thanks and highest recomendations to them: Trumpet Vine Catering, Allyson Magda Photography, Usonia Jazz, Bridal Hair & Makeup, Kramer Entertainment and Accompli Event Coordination. We will post more photos from this unique wedding in the coming days - stay tuned!

Chartreuse, Aubergine & White Blooms @ Robert Hall Winery

Easter weekend we had a fabulous wedding at Robert Hall Winery along with some of my favorite professionals - the foundation to any great event. First, Robert Hall is really a beautiful venue with so many options for weddings and they have gone out of their way to provide excellent value to their bridal packages. My gal pal Jennie over at Trumpet Vine Catering provided artfully presented food with her usual epicurean flare. Kramer Entertainment provided grooving tunes AND lighting for the caverns (did I happen to say they are now doing lighting??!!). Amber Karson Event Planning handled all of the planning from Washington DC - she rocked it! And the incredibly talented Allyson Magda of Allyson Magda Photography captured these images and shared them with us. Every time I get photos from Allyson - it is like Christmas - images are everything, incredible images - priceless! Thank you to all for being the excellent team players you are and coming together to bring Chris and Buffy a fabulous wedding day.

Play Date with Jennie and the Gordo

So yesterday afternoon I spent sharing a bottle of Sangiovese while being a supportive friend to my "creative soul sista" Jennie Sturgeon from Trumpet Vine Catering - she was cooking for the Gordo (aka Gordon Ramsay) and crew of Hell's Kitchen. Though totally "over the moon" honored she was understandably a smidgen nervous (only noticeable to the trained eye).

The group was up from the big city, filming a wine blending excursion for the show at Meridian Vineyards and Winery. I volunteered to "style" the buffet table (red velvety kangaroo paw imported from the south... river rocks, moss runners, burlap) for her while keeping her company and helping her chill (ok - there was a significant amount of spying from behind the barrels involved too).

When Gordon came back to the prep station and asked what we were having - Jennie's ultra calm and collected response (while whipping up the Florentine sauce over the hot range) was to rattle off the specific ingredients contained in each dish and be friendly and warm (impressive!). We all did the happy dance as soon as he was out of sight and had another glass of wine. After the meal, he took time to kiss all the girls and shake hands - pretty nice guy. Did I happen to mention yet, that he's waaaaayyy hotter in person than on the tube?! Meooooww!

You too can have the "Gordo Pleasing Menu" at your next event or Wedding:

Mixed salad with feta, blood orange and braised fennel
Green Beans with grape tomatoes and garlic
Chicken Florentine
Flat Iron Steak with Romesco and Cilantro-avocado Pesto sauces
Manchego & Green chili polenta cakes
Pumpkin Chocolate Bread Pudding

Cheers to another great play date! We're planning more.

Photo credit: Me!

Industry Play Date - Wine Tour 2

OH DEAR!!! So wonderfully fun to take a day off and roll with some of my friends from the wedding industry in the Grapeline Van through the back roads of Paso Robles to taste a little vino.

This time we spent time at Dunning Vineyards, Adelaida Cellars, Carina Cellars. Some my favorite people were along for the fun - and to say we had fun is a serious understatement! Mary Allegreta from Villa Toscana, Paul and Linda Della Pelle from Fig Leaf Video Productions, Beau and Misfabulousity (aka Melissa) Kramer of Kramer Entertainment, and my creative soul sister Jennie from Trumpet Vine Catering were a few in the group. In our "research effort" to "taste the black cherry notes" we sampled some really great wine and made some new friends along the way.

If you haven't checked out this up and coming wine region - you are missing out on one of the great experiences of California. Many on our destination brides, put together fun tours for their guests as a treat the day before the wedding for everyone to mingle and bond before the big day. I can't imagine anyone not really enjoying this.

For more information on the Paso Robles Wine Region - check out PasoWine.

Industry Play Date - Wine Tour 1

Last Thursday I actually took a day away from work and joined some fellow industry professionals on a wine tour of the back roads of Paso Robles. Kathy at the Grapeline tours organizes this tour every month and I have been dying to go - finally I had good reason - two of my favorite wedding industry gals were going. Allyson Magda from Allyson Magda Photography just happened to bring a camera along and shot this fun video and stills of our day. Jennie from Trumpet Vine Catering provided a scrumptous lunch of tapas tidbits - and, well - there was some good wine.

Not only was the wine, company and lunch delectable, getting an opportunity to visit some of the wineries as a "visitor" was a fabulous treat. Quite literally every day, I hear of a new winery and new venue for events. Truly, Paso Robles Wine Country is a gold nugget that has just begun to gain recognition as a really great spot to tie the knot.

Eagle Castle Winery - Destination Wedding Bliss

Tami and Matthew decided that the wine country of California's Central Coast was the perfect place for a destination wedding. The rolling vineyards of California is a vast change of scenery from Milwaukee and the fairy tale setting of Eagle Castle Winery was the perfect venue for both families to enjoy for their fun and intimate wedding. This couple was so easy and fun to work with for us and it was a true joy to bring flower details to their special day. Many thanks to Chloe and Sophie at Mike Larson Inc. for some really great photos. Jennie at Trumpet Vine Catering provided an exquisite menu that was a true treat, all paired with Central Coast Wines.

Tasting Goodness

my dear friend and colleague Jennie over at Trumpet Vine Catering hosted a wonderful tasting for her clients this weekend. we contributed some floral details and linens and had a blast working with Jennie in making this fun afternoon happen. oh - the food... tapas menu served on a lazy Susan, it was fabulous! Mike and Rachel showcased their supper fun photo booth too - we did some crazy fun pictures.