Cassandra Santor « One Beautiful Blog

An Exotic Touch

September 6th, 2011

The traditional wedding is always beautiful and elegant, but what about adding that exotic touch that makes ones wedding unique and extra fabulous? How about adding some moroccan into the mix? the smallest details can make the biggest difference. It’s all about taking the traditional, white wedding to the next level. The moroccan culture is all about bright, rich colors. Combine the traditional wedding with a splash of moroccan color and style. Such an easy task, timeless results. Add some life to your table display by adding several colorful moroccan tea cups around the table, containing small, lit candles. Add colorful, sequined moroccan pillows to chairs and couches. You can add matching colorful tablecloths to reception area tables, or even to the main dining room tables on top of the regular tablecloths.

add comment link to this post send to a friend

Q & A: Live Wedding Coverage!

August 9th, 2011

Q: Many very important people in my life cannot make it to my wedding for various reasons. I’d like them to see the wedding live, how can I make this possible?

A: This is a common issue, with a simple fix! Many videographers have the capabilities to Skype or provide a live stream of your wedding! This way the people you love near and far can see your wedding live and as it happens. Ask your videographer how you can set this up. Keep in mind you will want to be seen and heard, so go over your options of compatible microphones and lapels.

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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!

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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?

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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!*

add comment link to this post send to a friend

Let the FUNDS begin!

July 22nd, 2011

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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!

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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!

add comment link to this post send to a friend

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

add comment link to this post send to a friend

Bridal Fashion, Styling and Unveiling Oh my!

June 8th, 2011

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

add comment link to this post send to a friend

How to Raise The “Bar”: Q & A

March 29th, 2011

Our bar is turning out to be extremely expensive. What are some ways we can cut back without looking “cheap”?

While a bar at your wedding can be costly let’s go over a few tips that can make it more manageable. The best way to get a bang for your buck when planning you’re wedding bar has been well noted as offering a “Signature” drink. The simple reason for this is that you will pool all of your bar resources into a few simple ingredients. A great example is a Mojito which is traditionally made of five ingredients: mint, rum, sugar, lime juice and sparkling water.

If limiting your bar selection is not your top choice another great option is to purchase the ingredients for a great bar from a local super store. Costco and Sam’s Club offer a great selection and at very fair prices. One of the highlights of purchasing from a wholesale store is the generous return policy. Worrying about the tab during the evening will be a non-issue because you have the ability to return any unopened bubbly and will have predetermined your maximum spent. The same is true with a great non-member wholesale store, BevMo! but with a nice plus they deliver! Again, limiting the selection will save you money and with less options (three hard top shelfs, one red and one white) you can keep your guests interest longer, and keep your overall budget down.

One other pointer that I think is important to keep in mind is the actual bar staff. You can give them guidelines on pouring, for example, a full to-the-brim glass is unnecessary. Also, offer non-alcoholic refreshments when guests arrive and before the ceremony. After the ceremony offer an open cocktail selection and with dinner offer wine. If you are a fan of champagne toast absolutely offer one. However many pre-poured glasses go un-sipped so instead let guests toast with what they are already drinking.

A last sage piece of advice is to only offer what you feel comfortable serving (some brides love tequila but others have seen their guests get rowdy after a round of shots).

Cheers!

Photo credits: Amy and Stuart Photography, Hazelnut Photography

add comment link to this post send to a friend

Honeymoon Here I Come!

March 26th, 2011

The week before your wedding your head might be spinning, making it tough to remember those “little things” at the last minute for your trip. Consider packing for your vacation before the wedding to minimize stress or take off for your honeymoon a few days after you say “I Do”. While everyone’s clothes can vary depending on the weather where you’re traveling to, here are some must-haves no matter your destination. Take a look at this checklist to help you remember those little things you can’t live with out!

Electronics
Batteries
Camera and charger
Memory Card
MP3 player/iPod and charger
Phone and charger
Outlet adapter/converter (If traveling internationally)

Health/First Aid
Aloe gel (for if you get too much sun!)
Anti-itch cream
Bug Spray
Birth control/condoms (unless you’re planning on starting that family real soon!)
Stomach medication
Pain Reliever
All your daily prescriptions or vitamins
Sunscreen

In Your Carry-On
Favorite Magazine or Book
Headphones and music player
Hand lotion and lip balm
Socks
Light weight hoodie
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Sunglasses/Eyeglasses
Contact Solution and case
Hairbrush
Earplugs/eye-mask
Yummy granola bar or candy in case the airplane food doesn’t cut it!
Quart-size clear plastic bag for any 3oz liquids
A smile

add comment link to this post send to a friend

Get Excited About Guest-books!

March 19th, 2011

Guest-books are a great way for your guests to send you a personal message on your special day. So why not make sure this special message is presented in a special way! There are so many unique and great options , but let us highlight some of our favorites.

The Wedding Yearbook: Using Polaroid cameras your guests can take fun photos of themselves and place them inside your book with a message next to their picture. It might be a good idea to secure the Polaroid camera to your guest book so guests do not become impromptu photographers. Use self-adhesive photo corners so photos are easily placed into your book

Nestbook or Thoughtful Tree: Shown in manzanita above. Cut out doves in colors that match your wedding. Sporadically place nests throughout the tree, using wire to secure them in place. Make sure the vase has a large base to prevent it from tipping over and nests are large enough to hold multiple notes!

Mailbox: There are many postcard options that could resemble something significant about you and your partner, or the location of your wedding. You may even want to consider printing out your own using your favorite photos. The neat thing about this idea, is that your guest will find your postcards on a table, fill them out and drop them off in a mailbox as directed (whether it be in the lobby or collected at the end of the reception). The postcards are mailed to you so you and your partner can enjoy reading them when they are delivered! Keep in mind postage adds up, so make sure this honors your budget.

Typewriter: For a vintage touch, you can rent a typewriter! Guests can continuously keep typing messages to you throughout your special day. Roll up the messages as a scroll and tie it with a ribbon. This makes for a wonderful keepsake.

A fabulous do it yourself (DIY) project is the “20 Questions” guest-book. At each table there will be a book with a different question on the front. Make up your own fun questions to intrigue guests and enjoy reading their answers! Each guest will find a pen on top of their place settng with a ribbon around it, the ribbon should read “don’t forget to sign the booklet”. You can find a template for this DIY project at Marthastewart.com. After your special day has come and gone, your set of books can adorn a shelf in your home!

Photo Credits: Marthastewart.com

add comment link to this post send to a friend

A Cookie or A Cake…

March 18th, 2011

Are you bracing yourself? I don’t really like cake–gasp! I know, it’s a sin! I mean, please understand, I’ll eat cake in order to get my sweet fix, but I prefer other desserts. I’d rather have a gooey chocolate brownie or a soft peanut butter cookie… maybe some fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate. I can’t be the only one! So what do I do when I’m “supposed” to have a wedding cake to cut into?!

Tradition, be thrown into the wind! There are plenty of other ways to satisfy my (and my guests) sweet tooth while still maintaining the allure of a beautiful cake. These are some of my favorite creative ideas. Warning: you may get very hungry while looking these over!

add comment link to this post send to a friend