One Beautiful Blog

How Pinteresting!

August 2nd, 2011

We are completely smitten and practically obsessed with a new site that was introduced to us by our great friend Suz of She Paperie! Pinterest is a fabulous image search engine that allows you to find details, dresses, designs, and virtually anything else you are looking for. Instead of Google crawling the web and populating loads of random images you will be ushered into a new era of quick, relevant and beautiful images. From there you can “pin” them to a vision board, share them with your friends and ask them to weigh in, picture-by-picture. This site allows you to create inspiration boards for any occasion, but we are particularly jazzed about it for our brides! Happy Pinning!

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Ooo La La!

August 1st, 2011

There are many occasions where shapewear is necessary..especially in a wedding gown! Maybe you didn’t lose the entire 20 pounds you had hoped to lose before your special day. No one wants to actually feel like they are wearing shape wear under their ultra fabulous white wedding gown, right? We found the answer. Sassy Bax is a shape wear line that makes shape wear sexy! Feel just as gorgeous underneath your gown.

Photo Credits: Sassy Bax

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I Want My MTV!

July 28th, 2011

Every bride comes to a point in the planning process where they have to consider what kind of videography coverage they would like for their special day. You sift through samples of 8mm, digital, cinematic, and video journalistic styles yet some still find themselves underwhelmed. You yearn for something different, something edgy, unique and creative… and then you find Rock and Roll Hearts. They fascinate you with their music video inspired editing techniques and turn your special day into a unique music video that documents a couple in love.

We especially love the video above because it takes place at one of our favorite Malibu wedding locations, Stone Manor.

So our question is, what song would you pick for your music video?

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How Big is Your Diamond? (and other inappropriate questions)

July 26th, 2011

I’ve been engaged for three weeks. Three really fun, fantastic exciting weeks! I am still just wanting to hold onto every moment. What I’m not trying to do right now is plan my wedding. Instead I am holding off on making those moves and just enjoying the new title.

That being said the rest of the world rushed right into planning my wedding. In some ways it is lovely and flattering and in other ways it’s just too much.

If you’re newly engaged, planning your wedding or married I bet you are with me on some of those questions that people bombard you with moments after you make your announcement.

“So when’s the wedding?”

“Oh you must have everything planned since you do this for a living!!”

“How many carats is the ring?”

“I cannot wait to see you walk down the aisle.”

“Will your niece be in your bridal party?”

EEK.

Okay so here’s the etiquette. You really should not be asking how big anyone’s ring is. I have come up with some quips that put that in perspective pronto. They are not P.C. and I won’t actually say them unless I’m pushed. Let’s just summarize by saying that if you ask how big my ring is I should be able to ask your bra size. I know- B.A.D.- right?!?

The one thing that makes a bad comment worse is to point out someone else’s poor etiquette. That’s a no-no. So the better response is either:

“I’m actually not sure but isn’t it beautiful!”

White lie if you do know but better than a knee jerk response that you might regret later.

-OR-

“We aren’t making plans just yet. I am just so happy to be engaged right now!”

If you are pressed for an invitation into your wedding party or your wedding here is an option to dissuade “wedding crashers”:

“We are just not there yet.”

If you may want them there by your side you can of course add “I’ll keep you posted!”

*My next post will be about taking care of your sparkly left hand ring. This is a new area information for me so I consulted the Engagement Ring Pros!*

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Let the FUNDS begin!

July 22nd, 2011

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THE proposal… the ultimate proposal!

July 7th, 2011

First it all starts with the proposal. Yes, I knew it was coming. Well, sure anyone who’s in a relationship for a period of time and is serious might say they knew it would happen. For years the ultimate pressure teaser for my beaus was “so you’re dating a wedding planner” followed by the wink/grin nudge.

My Mr. Right knew that the dreams were big and he really blew my mind with what I think was the ultimate proposal. What are the ingredients for an ultimate proposal?? Well for me it included planning, sneaking around my antenna and of course the surprise. Here’s how it went down…

While we had been considering a vacation at some point this year it seemed like a terminally doomed idea with our schedules. Come the end of May I certainly didn’t expect a couple of free weekends in June. With the small window Mr. Right said “let’s just make it happen!”He knew I was anxious to see my best friend and her baby boy in Sweden so the location was easy to dial in. Having been to Sweden many times I was instantly excited to share my favorite home-away-from-home with him. Little did I know he was already in cahoots with my best friend and my mom.

The BIG day’s adventure was a picnic outside of the castle in Linkoping, my best friends favorite spot (and location of her to-die-for wedding photos several years prior). The photos tell the rest of the story.

Tomorrow’s blog will be about those first questions that every engaged person gets thrown moments after the proposal… “so when is the BIG day?” This and other tricky newly-engaged etiquette tips!

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I’m Engaged!!!

July 6th, 2011

Since starting in the wedding business nearly twelve years ago I have known (okay, hoped and dreamed) that the day would come that I could announce to the world “I AM ENGAGED!” Today is the day that I am joining my clients in planning a wedding of my dreams with the man who stole my heart. I feel lucky, jubilant, mesmerized (I have a left hand ring!) and catch this… nervous. Yes, even though I am the girl who created her first wedding journal at fifteen and has planned weddings for hundreds of others I find myself nervous. So my plan is to share all that I am building and planning for myself and my Mr. Right with you. Step-by-step, big inhales and exhalations, let’s do this together.

Here’s the plan weekly- if not more often- updates on where I’m at “in the process.” First up (tomorrow) details on the proposal!

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Don’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover

June 16th, 2011

(Photos from left to right found on location website: Richard Nixon Library, Redondo Beach Historic Library, Huntington Beach Library and Garden)

Just like the TV show and movie Sex and The City, having your wedding at a public library has become quite the trend these days. From their historical settings to beautiful ambiance, many brides are choosing public libraries to not only hold their wedding ceremonies, but their wedding receptions. Orange and Los Angeles County are both such beautiful places, why not take advantage of what they have to offer.

The Richard Nixon Library is great for the perfect “Rose Garden Wedding” with the library’s 1,400 rose bushes as your back drop. Your guests can enjoy cocktail hour in the gardens or dance the night away in the White House East Room filled with chandeliers.

Another great venue is the Redondo Beach Historic Library. With ocean views and rich Spanish architecture, this ideal location will have your guests in awe of not only the bride, but the great location. There are two levels of event space and ocean views for days.

Huntington Beach Library and Gardens is surrounded by fountains and pools which will give your wedding a romantic feel. Featuring a beautiful theater and seven banquet rooms, this venue is sure to make any bride happy. Your guests will feel surrounded by the culture and history of this marvelous location.

Who would have thought that a library could be such a beautiful place for such a beautiful day.

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Tradition with a Twist (bow ties!)

June 15th, 2011

{Find how to on Martha Stewart Weddings. com}

We revel in the reemergence of bow ties! Love the sleek sophistic in a black bow tie and the gingham groom who is getting married on the beach or country side. If you are crazy for a pop of fun and a nod to the gents at your reception, tie on these fun bow tie style napkins. A quirky (albeit pricier) option would be a bow tie napkin for the boys and a broach detailed belly band for the ladies. Add some color with a little colored knot center. Tie one on!

*Word to the wise: Satin is slippery and may not be the best choice for this napkin style.

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Q & A: Floral Budget Savings!

June 14th, 2011

Q. What can I do to save money on my floral budget?

A. There are many ways to save money on your floral budget. One of our favorite options is to reuse your bridesmaid bouquets! Often, bridesmaids bouquets are only used during the ceremony, at the reception their bouquets get set down on a chair or a table. Why not use them to decorate your sweetheart table or buffet? After your post-ceremony photos have bridesmaids hand-off their bouquets to your coordinator or floral team. During cocktail hour they can be arranged in any number of way. This is a classy, sophisticated, beautiful AND green way to repurpose your costly bouquets. *Bonus: it also preserves them for the ladies at the end of the night!

Photo Credits: Theknot.com

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Bridal Fashion, Styling and Unveiling Oh my!

June 8th, 2011

This event is sure to be a fabulous one! Will we see you there?

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Spring 2011′s Top Colors

April 22nd, 2011

Pantone, known for its Matching Color System for the Fashion and Printing world has submitted their most popular colors for woman’s and men’s fashion. These Spring 2011 choices were chosen by top New York Designers from Fashion Week earlier this year. Notable designers and bridal gurus such as Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Monique Lhuillier, and Tommy Hilfiger gave their two cents and must-have buys. Expect to see these bright pops of colors sprouting on the runway and boutiques around the world!

Get inspired from these spring colors with your bridesmaid and groomsmen outfits and accessories! Nothing says its Spring with these colors: Honeysuckle, Peapod, Beeswax, Lavender, and Flint Grey to name a few! How adorable are the color names?! Are you having a Spring Wedding? Share your color schemes with us!

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DIY Wedding Pom Poms

April 15th, 2011

Left photo via oncewed.com, right photo via Joan Allen Photography

I went out on a search to find a great DIY project that will not only bring a pop of color to your wedding event or office!, but that is budget conscious and time efficient as well. We found the Pom Poms tutorial on oncewed.com and decided to make our own pretty pom poms in our company colors- Chocolate, Blush and Cream. They were quite easy and overall took a couple of hours to make about 6 Pom Poms. Hang them above tables, use them as a chair aisle decor, or as an alternative to an expensive flower girl bouquet. Perfect for your spring time wedding!

In the photo on the right is the outcome of my project! Photographer Joan Allen came into the studio and took some lovely photos.

Supplies you will need:

Fabric, scissors, hot glue gun, small paper lanterns.

Step 1: Cut circles out of the fabric

Step 2: Fold the circle in half and put a dab of hot glue in the center, then fold fabric to secure it together

Step 3: Apply more hot glue to the bottom of the folded circle and attach it to the paper lantern

Repeat until lantern has fullness that you desire.

Have fun!!

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Your “Favor”-ite tunes!

April 8th, 2011

Edible Favors are always a crowd pleaser! However, I am the first to admit that I probably already ate the cute little m&m’s with your initials on them before even leaving your wedding. It makes the ride home even more wonderful.

But sometimes, it’s nice to get to take the favor home and think of the couple every time you use it. A gift that can be used for years to come is timeless. That is why, one of my all-time favorite favors is a custom CD with fun music that we danced our shoes off to at the wedding! It is simple, meaningful, and I can upload it into my iTunes program! The best part, it’s easy to do and it gives you a chance to throw in a few of your favorite love songs with your sweetie.

If you’re a DIY bride, it can be easy as pie to do on your computer at home. Or, you can always reach out to a company and have them do it for you. These particular ones are from www.giftcds.com. Put some ribbon on it or wrap it like a present (in your colors of course!) and place it at your guests’ place seating and they’ll be excited to unwrap what’s underneath!

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Favors As Centerpieces

April 6th, 2011

Photos via Martha Stewart Weddings

Favors as Centerpieces are a lovely and cost-friendly idea. Your tables will not only be decorated, but your guests will be leaving with a fantastic wedding memory. Guests like to steal the centerpieces anyways ;-) So, make them easy to take home with great vessels.

Try Tea Tin Vases as centerpieces, made of new or vintage containers such as biscuit or tea tins. They will give your table an ornate and old fashioned charm. These unique centerpieces are easy to find at specialty food stores, online or your cupboards! Just add your favorite florals that fit into your wedding scheme or try and match the beautiful colors on the tins.

Another great idea are Herb Potted Pots as Centerpieces. As shown above, these beautiful pots where hand painted by the bride and her mother and filled with scented geraniums, herbs and foliage. Not only will they bring a wonderful scent to your reception party, but your guests that bring them home will remember your big day for months to come.

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