Summer Lovin' Wedding Celebration

Summer Lovin had us a blast!  This wedding was at a gorgeous Central Valley Estate. Several personal touches were infused into the event decor - from the wine cork escort cards, to the milk bottle favors and midnight serving of milk & cookies!  We loved helping this bride & groom create a magical wedding celebration. Enjoy pics from this event!

Wooden Directional Signs

Post-Ceremony reception area where cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed

The Head Table

Cake and Custom Cupcakes by Frosted Cakery

Buffet Centerpiece & Aisle Flowers 

Guests enjoy the Reception

Panoramic Reception View & Custom Milk Bottle Favors with Chocolate Covered Raisins

Exciting reception lighting as guests partied into the night!

The Vow Factor: Wedding Etiquette to Plan Your Perfect Day

By Mary C. Papaleo

Floral & Event Stylist of Stems at the Palatine in Fresno, California

 

Etiquette is defined as the rules indicating the proper and polite way to behave. Many of today’s brides and grooms are searching for an understanding of the traditional sense of manners and some sort of guideline.

Weddings are personalized ceremonies and celebrations. Endless cultures and customs have paved their way into popular and mainstream choices for many bridal couples. Is there a “correct” way to handle an entire wedding from beginning to end? My answer is “NO!” However, there are many aspects that need to be handled in a manner that doesn’t offend or upset any one person involved, which may prove to be a bit daunting.

Think about who is involved in and attending your wedding. The personalities and backgrounds of your family, bridal party and guests are key to developing a celebration that will include all of their ethnicities and spiritual paths. While you and your groom clearly come first for the core of the ceremony and celebration, the goal is for all to take part in and unanimously enjoy your union. For example, if you and your groom hail from religious upbringings, most likely your families will expect a spiritual ceremony. If this is not your intent, explain your reasoning to them at the initial stages of planning to avoid disappointment and arguing as you progress further into your timeline. There are always compromises available, such as having your non-religious ceremony and then having a clergyman bless your marriage at the end of the ceremony in prayer.  I recommend that all of my brides and grooms have several meetings with their involved family, predominantly their parents, throughout the planning process to keep all informed of major decisions, and to solicit their advice and ask for their preferences as you go. This helps all to feel as though they have had an integral part of planning and assisting you both in the most important day in your lives. All involved will learn to adjust and compromise. Do not forget, you are joining more than you and your groom in life forever; you are joining your families. This is a foreign experience for all involved, even if you have been a couple for years prior to engagement. Sensitivity to this is key in extending your etiquette for consideration to all involved.  Invest time into discussing and envisioning what you and your groom expect your wedding day to be. First and foremost, if the two of you do not agree on what you’re anticipating, no one else involved will either. Communication is critical. The two of you must have an open dialogue at all times. This holds true for your entire life, not just for planning this event.

Use your resources. If you are unsure if something you want is proper or acceptable, ask your peers, parents or vendors. They will typically be able to lend advice as to the appropriateness of what you’re wanting. Online resources are a fabulous resource. You will find diverse thoughts and facts on endless aspects and protocol for weddings.
Emily Post is the epitome of etiquette. From the very beginning of modern ceremonies to today’s variations, you will find answers in Post’s publications.

Hire a qualified wedding planner and coordinator. Avoid using friends and relatives that “just planned” their own or their daughter’s wedding. You need an unbiased and experienced professional to address any and all concerns. Consider hiring your planner as an insurance policy. Their fee is protecting and ensuring that all of your time, emotion and money are well appropriated, and implemented the way you intend.

From your save the dates to your thank you notes, you set the stage on the mannerisms you’re imparting as a couple and for your wedding. Be sure to address them appropriately. Even if you want a casual feel, keep your print items formally addressed. Do not use printed labels, ever. You do not have to hire a professional calligrapher, however, hand addressed or professionally printed is necessary.

Attire is an area that needs careful consideration. Keep in mind that marriage is a tender and memorable occasion. Trends are fun, however, they can tend to date stamp your event and can somewhat downplay tradition. Flair that lends to your personality is acceptable when kept in check.
For the gentlemen, tuxedos, suits, vests and trousers are all intermixable. Correctly fitted apparel is critical for all involved. Shoe selection can be whimsical for the gents, as well as the ladies. From cowboy boots to sneakers, keeping the footwear fun and comfortable is appreciated by most. The venue for your ceremony must be kept in mind for these options. A cathedral or temple is not the place for these casual choices. Reserve this for the reception and have your grand entrance make note of your festive flair.

Celebration is what all anticipate. So celebrate… with style. Be careful – fun can get out of hand quickly. Keep your liquor controlled. This will also help in control- ling costs and liability. Hosting a bar is not required at any reception.
Food is an open field. There truly is no etiquette when it comes to your fare. Thoughts to keep in mind include ease of service, and the mess factor involved for you and your guests. People are typically dressed in their best. I know I’m not interested in eating with my hands when I attend a wedding, nor am I thrilled with overly spicy or pungent selections. Ethnic food is acceptable, keeping in mind that not all may enjoy this choice. Scaling ethnic selections down and pairing with a few mainstream options is always appreciated.

Music should be mellow and toned down for the initial cocktail hour and dinner portion of the reception. Keep the upbeat “club” tones for after the formal portions of the eve- ning. Allow guests to enjoy intimate conversations among themselves, as well as your toasts and special dances. The older guests tend to depart once they’ve indulged in all of the tradition. At a later point, let your hair down and celebrate with your friends with the vibe you enjoy.
Décor should be personalized and within reason. Thematic weddings are on an upswing these days. Selecting a theme that will not take away from the event at hand is key. Taste is always the key.
Centerpieces should never impede the conversation view of your seated guests. Fragrance in fresh flowers should be kept to a minimum, as well. Floral décor accessorizes your entire event and should reflect your personalities and tastes.  Attention to small details will be noticed and appreciated by all attending, from the place cards to the china to the linens. Pay attention to keeping these details cohesive and appropriate to your overall event.

Don’t drown in a glass of water in all of this planning. Organize your thoughts and wants from the very onset of engagement. Work as a partner with your bride or groom. Communicate clearly with your family and vendors. Hire professionals in all areas. They have years of experience and will alleviate enormous amounts of stress from your load. Personalize your wedding with fresh, new ideas that will make your wedding stand out. When in doubt, ask. Enjoy every moment of this experience.

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Wedding Feature: Brittany & Joshua

Brittany and Josh came to us with a classic, city chic style.  They set the tone of their elegant wedding with grande traditional embossing & letterpress invitations.  'Black Tie' attire created excitement among guests and as you can see from the photos, everyone dressed to the Nines!

After their beautiful Catholic wedding ceremony, the bridal party hopped on a trolley and traveled to the Bentley Reserve on Battery Street in San Francisco.  The large columns with mystical lighting revealed the perfect setting and the party began when the bride and groom sauntered down the stairs of this extravagant ballroom. 

Elegance was exuded in every detail of this wedding celebration. Compliments to Andrew Weeks Photography for the fab photos you see here. RSVP for the wedding invitation design.  And to the Mother of the Bride, Donna Raven, who was the mastermind behind the design of this event!



Jennifer & Bradley

Jennifer & Bradley came to us with a vision - vibrant colors and a design to reflect their love of Hawaii! We were thrilled to be a part of their own personal Polynesian Paradise last June 2011.

At a local estate in Fresno, California, the setting was complete with island lounge furniture, bamboo structures and extravagent floral pieces.

As guests arrived, the ladies were greeted with a flower for their hair, and offered a refreshing beverage at the ceremony. Brad and Jen exchanged their vows of marriage and the celebration began! Guests 'island hopped' to the lounge area where they enjoyed signature cocktails with butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and found their table on the atlas seating chart.

The dinner was nothing short of a feast and featured some of Jen and Brad's favorite dishes {BBQ Short Ribs with White Rice Cake & Grilled Baby Bok Choy; Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa and Tea Leaf Wrapped Steamed Vegetables; Kalua Whole Roasted Pig with Polynesian Banana & Fontina Crepes with a Chocolate Peanut Sauce..... and much more!} Everything was authentically prepared by Slates Restaurant. Family and friends shook their groove thang through the night's end and were surprised with a refreshing midnight visit from Kona Ice Food Truck!

This wedding celebration was exquisite - guests were taken to a tropical island of love without leaving the city! A big thanks to the very talented vendors who drew in refelctions of the islands and brought Jen & Brad's vision to life: RSVP please, Stems at the Palatine, The Velvet Society, La Bella Vita Photography, Slates Restaurant, Sweet Dreams Cakery.



 

 

 

 

Wedding Feature: Armen & Stephanie

In our next few posts of featured weddings from 2011 & 2012, we thought it only appropriate to begin with our very own Stephanie Jelladian {now Bedrosian} as one of the beautiful featured brides!

Being that we are wedding professionals, the expectation was set high when Stephanie and Armen got engaged in November 2010! Introducing this extravagant celebration was nearly the most important. Taking note of the traditional Armenian Church ceremony, the desire to encompass the Armenian language and to capture the opulence of this event were inspiring details that guided Gina as she began sketches for this invitation design. Once the invitations were mailed, personal notes and phone calls came rolling in with the buzz about the wedding...the excitement was overwhelming! From the china and table linens to dinner selections and table decor - Love was in the details displayed throughout every element of this celebration!

Stephanie and Armen were married on November 19, 2011 at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church with their reception following at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Fresno, California. The day was rich with Armenian tradition - from the morning festivities and the traditional wedding ceremony to the breaking of china and evening entertainment. Their bridal party of 24 offered a tower of anticipation as Stephanie and Armen finally entered the ballroom surrounded by the professional Armenian dance troupe, who dazzled the guests during dinner. The Armenian and American bands each provided unbelievable entertainment to family & friends who danced the night away.

Every moment was unforgettable. Only eight months have passed since the treasured memory of this evening and we remember it everyday! In our business, we have the joy of experiencing the excitement brides and their families feel leading up to the wedding - it was so thrilling to have experienced that joy first hand at the celebration for Stephanie and Armen.

A big thanks to the people and vendors who made this beautiful event come together:

RSVP Please, Stems at the Palatine, Xpress Yourself, The Holiday Inn, Sweet Dreams Cakery, Elegant Bride, Mia Bella Couture, GaGa Chic, Alchemy Salon, Mikhaila Thomas, La Bella Vita Photography and The Velvet Society.