An Irish Wedding

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, it's natural that I'm thinking about the wedding of Sara and Ryan. To honor Ryan's Irish heritage, the groomsmen wore kilts, and the bridesmaids wore rich green gowns, reminiscent of the lush Irish Countryside. I adored that Sara wanted Ryan to be happy, and embraced his. It was all done with taste and respect. For a dramatic conclusion to the ceremony, guests were serenaded by a brilliant bagpiper. Clauddagh symbols were prevalent in the decor, which included Bells of Ireland in the floral centerpieces. Traditional Irish Dancers performed during the ceremony, to the delight of the guests who rose to their feet and clapped along. I must admit it, I did too. Every St. Patrick's day I think of this very special couple, and how they were true to their traditions. To them I raise a pint of Guinness and say schlange. May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always.

Photography courtesy:  Krista Mason Photography  

Wedding Jeannie Knows - Groom Style

Wedding Jeannie knows Grooms Style. And we want to share what we know with you. Never before have grooms been more fashion savvy. They cringe at the thought of renting a traditional tuxedo for themselves and their groomsmen. In fact, many are buying a quality suit that they can wear again. How many bridesmaids can claim that luxury? And why not? The bride shouldn't be the only one in the spotlight.

How can your groom customize his wedding day look? We love how our groom Will above chose to wear a wool blend suit with a simple tie. It was a dressed up, but casual look for his beach front wedding on the sand.

If your groom still wants a traditional tuxedo rental, there a many accessories available to reflect his individuality. Socks have been trending for many years, and they are still here, and here to stay. Socks are enjoying a new resurgence thanks to that famous Kardashian, Rob. His new line of men's trouser socks launched just in time for the 2013 season.

The Arthur George by Robert Kardashian Collection boasts a large selection of socks that scream individuality. They are the perfect gift for your groomsmen to wear on the big day. At one of our recent weddings, they did just that. By the time the dancing started, they had all rolled up their pants to proudly show off their socks.

Grooms have their eye on the Red Carpet for wedding inspiration. Fueled by the "hipster" look, bow ties are now the latest trend in showcasing individuality. Let's hear it for the boys at The Golden Globes. They showed that the once forgotten bow tie can be fresh. Our New Years Eve groom wore a black and white bow tie that would make these leading mean jealous. All of his groomsmen wore them too. But each was different in some way. All were shades of black, white and grey to match their theme. Some had stripes, other dots, but all reflected the personality of the gentleman who wore them.

Where can you find bow ties that have personality? Modern Family star, Jesse Tyler Ferguson has a website called The Tie Bar, just for you. Ferguson has a whimsical line of designer bow ties, and an online store to make buying easy. The sales on the site go to charity, in support of same sex marriage. To round out your look, he also carries pocket squares and cuff links. Why not splurge on a polished look? After all, you only get married once, don't let the bride have all the fun. If you're a little freaked out about how to tie one, well Jesse has you covered. He has a YouTube video tutorial to walk you through it. With a little practice, you'll be a pro.

We loved sharing the latest trends and keeping you in THE KNOW.

Beauty And The Bustle

Your WEDDING GOWN. It's the most expensive purchase you'll make in your lifetime for a garment. A lot of dreaming, thought and sometime stress goes into buying your dream gown. Seriously...have you ever watched "Say Yes To The Dress"? You know that buying your gown is not something to be taken lightly.

There are many elements to consider about your gown. What shape should it be? Will you choose lace, silk, satin, taffeta? Will it be long or short? Should the neckline be a sweetheart, halter, scoop neck? Visiting a salon and trying on gowns is a thrilling experience. You are being draped in thousands of dollars of fabric and embellishments. What a true DIVA experience.

Ok...you've purchased your dream gown, and the fittings will begin. Here is where I step in and say to salons and seamstresses...WHY DON'T YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE BUSTLE?! Whew, that felt good. Let me explain why. On the wedding day, there is a short window of time that your gown must be bustled. Your stunning cathedral or sweep train is out in all of it's glory as you walk down the aisle. During the cocktail hour your train continues to be the star of the show as you take photos. It's all so dreamy.

The time has come for your grand entrance and first dance. You can't walk into the dining room and dance with your new husband without being bustled. Tripping over your gown is not an option. Carrying the train around all  night is a chore. You have a good 10 to 15 minutes to get that bustle up and out of the way. Sounds like plenty of time, right? Who's going to bustle you? Trust me, I've had brides tell me, "you don't need to attend my final fitting, because my sister, maid of honor, bridesmaids will take care of the bustle". Listen to me when I tell you, they never know how to do it. They think they do. They have great intentions, but they didn't pay attention to the fine details.

Cindy wore a stunning ballgown, with an impressive Cathedral Train. The bustle had 28 points and required a diagram. It took two of us to bustle her, one on each side. Ten minutes later, she was ready to dance.

No sign of a train now!

I've been part of hundreds of weddings, and I've seen it countless times. The seamstress doesn't sew a good bustle, or the bride doesn't ask any questions about it. In order for you to dance the night away and not worry about a broken bustle, like the stress-free Cindy above, that bustle has to hold.

Here are some of the pitfalls I've seen:

• The train is heavy and the seamstress uses only one loop on the outside that will attach to a TINY hook or a button. This never holds. It's guaranteed to tear. It's why I have a sewing kit with me at every wedding.
  
• The seamstress made loops for the hooks with thread...the same color as the dress. Imagine there are 12 - 16 of them. Now imagine, nobody can see them. Welcome to my nightmare. What should take 5 minutes, now takes 15! And the food is getting cold.
  
• The bustle is French with strings underneath the dress. The seamstress did not indicate which strings go with which. Another waste of valuable time.
  
• The seamstress attaches a loop for you to carry your bustle on your wrist. Don't laugh..I've seen it. You can't party the night away carrying a train around all night.

How can you avoid these pitfalls and feel comfortable and secure in your gown when the party starts?

• Obviously you should HIRE ME. I come to your final fitting, and ensure the seamstress is on her toes. This is part of every package I offer. Often, brides take their changes and opt out of this service. Those are the ones that require me to bring my sewing kit.
  
  
• ASK QUESTIONS. Find out if the seamstress will use hooks, strings, stitching, etc. I cannot stress enough stitching should be outlawed. You can't see them, you can't find them, and they always break.
   
• If the seamstress is using strings, make sure they are color coded or numbered for easy matching.
   
• If your bustle is complicated, ask them to draw a diagram. You'll be glad you did.
   
• Can't afford a wedding planner to assist you? Make sure you put your Maid of Honor in charge. She MUST attend the fitting, and bustle you twice, in the salon before you leave with it. When it's bustled, walk around, sit down, dance a little, pull  on it...make sure it's solid.
   
• Pay a little extra for a good bustle. It's a great investment.

There you have it. BUSTLE 101. I'd love to hear your opinion and if this little article helped you. If you decide you need a seasoned expert to help you with your bustle, and all the other little details, I'd love to hear from you. I can't wait to meet YOU and YOUR GOWN

Engagement Ring Inspiration

It sparkles, it shines, it picks up the light. It's mesmerizing. An engagement ring symbolizes the love and commitment a man has for a woman. The holiday season is upon us. Many engagements will take place on Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Gentlemen purchasing a ring for a woman, with the intention of getting down on one knee, and laying your heart out, while asking for hers in return, is not something to be taken lightly. Where do you begin? My wonderful colleague Melissa Allen, the Special Events Director of The Ebell Club of Los Angeles wrote an informative blog post to help you. I'm very excited for you. Read Melissa's Blog Post, and enjoy the thrill and excitement of this moment. 

Good luck on your purchase and on popping the question. You're going to do fine. Share your engagement experience with me. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Wedding Jeannie is So Haute

YOUR WEDDING DAY MAGAZINE is California's leader in wedding style and trends. In addition to a spectacular publication on news stands now, you can also visit their interactive website to get inspiration, planning tips, and the best qualified vendors in the wedding industry. WEDDING JEANNIE happens to be one of those vendors and we couldn't be more proud. YWD's vendor list is called THE HAUTE LIST. What does HAUTE mean? It comes from a French word, depicted "high" or "high fashion"....also "high class". Basically what it means to you is THE BEST OF THE BEST. All vendors on the list are pre-qualified by the YWD staff. We must meet a strict regimen to be included on this list. Thank you YWD for the honor of recognizing my hard work and making me so HAUTE.

Destination Southern California Wedding



Sheri & Ray from Philly married at St. Regis, Dana Point

Destination Weddings have grown in popularity over the last five years. Many couples are deciding to travel to a dream location, and bringing their families and friends along for the adventure. Destination weddings allow couples to spend quality time with their loved ones, instead of just one day.

Southern California is the perfect destination for couples hoping for a memorable wedding, honeymoon, and vacation all in one. The weather is almost perfect 8 months out of the year. Imagine the possibilities for your wedding. We have pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, glittering city scapes, chic desert hot spots and quaint mountain villages.

LA Couple Janet & Greg's scenic wedding in Big Bear Mountain

Wedding Jeannie is consistenly chosen by out of state brides, as their Destination Southern California wedding planner. With 10 years of experience and industry contacts, we can ensure that your Destination California wedding is flawless.

Monique & Adam traveled from NYC to Santa Monica, and married at The Huntley Penthouse

Los Angeles and Orange County brides, you can have a Destination Southern California wedding too. Only a few hours by car, you have world class destinations. Why not consider San Diego, Santa Barbara, Temecula Wine Country, Napa Valley, Palm Springs, Big Bear Mountain, and Las Vegas?


OC Couple Alexis and David married at Arbor Terrace, in Fallbrook, near Temecula Wineries 

 Wedding Jeannie is respected and recognized throughout California and nationwide, giving us access to venues and talented professionals EVERYWHERE!

Danielle and Terry from NYC at The Wynn Las Vegas

We're planning two Santa Barbara weddings in 2012, and we're so thrilled to be working there again. Dana and James are from London, and will be married at Fess Parker's Doubltree with the Pacific Ocean as their ceremony backdrop. Heather and Sam will share their nuptuals with 50 of their closest family and friends, with an intimate affair on the rooftop of the Canary Hotel.

Trust in our experience. Trust in our resources. Trust in our dedication. Call Jeannie at 562.305.3744 or email weddingjeannie@hotmail.com and inquire about our DESTINATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PACKAGE.

We accept a limited number of events per month,and our 2012 calendar is filling up quickly. Don't wait! Let's meet for a virtual consultation. Our SKYPE name is WEDDINGJEANNIE. Your dream destination awaits. Let the planning begin.

Wedding Ceremony - Who Stands Where

Rachel & Jeremy's ceremony at Churon Winery. Photo: Dave White of Photo Catering

The Wedding Ceremony. It's the reason why your family and friends gather on your big day. So much attention and time are spent on making sure the reception is flawless. But what about the ceremony itself? Have you thought about how it will go smoothly? Who stands where? What is the processional order? How should your bridal party enter? Who is going to make sure it's flawless?

More than half of weddings in Southern California are not held at a religous site, such as a church or synagogue. Do you know if your venue manager is going to work out the logistics? A wedding rehearsal is the time and place to work out all the details.

I give all of my clients a ceremony diagram they can fill out long before the rehearsal. This takes all the stress out of deciding who will stand where, and the order in which they process and recess. By doing so, the rehearsal will only last one hour, and you and your loved ones can get to dinner. The best part is..everyone knows exactly what to do on the wedding day.

The reason I wrote this post is to save your sanity. At a recent wedding, there were 24 members of the bridal party, not including parents and the bride and groom. They did not decide the logistic prior to the wedding. Therefore the rehearsal was chaos. Many of the groomsmen didn't attend, many members were late, and no one knew who should stand where. I learned alot that day. I don't want you to go through the same experience. If you have a planner at your venue or church, provide them with the information they need to ensure your rehearsal is efficient and a success. Need some help? Check out this link http://weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/Processional.htm  to plan ahead.

Tips for a successful ceremony:

• Have a rehearsal.
• If your rehearsal is at 5pm, tell everyone it's at 4:30 pm. This ensures you start on time, and get to dinner on time.
• Decide prior to the rehearsal who will stand where, who will escort your grandmother and mother, etc.
• Have a plan for flower girls and ring bearers. If they have a meltdown on wedding day, plan for it. Seat their parents close to the front row. They may need to sit with them instead of standing front and center.
• Who will hold the rings?
• If possible, have your officiant attend the rehearsal to help facilitiate their way of doing things.
• Bring a stand in bouquet. Your maid of honor will need to know when to take it from you.

Practice makes perfect.You take so much time to plan all the perfect details of your dream day. Make sure that the reason your guest gather "to see your union" goes smoothly.

Wedding Bands - Ultimate Personalization

Congratulations on your engagement. I hope that you're enjoying the wedding planning process. Soon you and your fiance will be looking at wedding bands. Besides the gown, the flowers, and even the menu....the most significant symbol of your union will be your wedding rings.

Recently my clients Rita and Charles chose The Fingerprint Wedding Rings. The wedding ring is the ultimate symbol of unity. Origins of the wedding ring can be found in Egyptian history. With no beginning and no end, the circle is unbroken, and like time is eternal. The finger in which the ring is worn, bears emotianal significance as well. The Egyptians and Greeks believe that the vein of the left finger travels directly to the heart. It was considered the "Vein of Love".

Rita and Charles took the wedding ring one step further. Their wedding rings contain each other's fingerprints. Even when they aren't together, they carry each other with them. They have taken the ultimate symbol of love and PERSONALIZED it even further. I can't imagine a more significant way to show your commitment. It goes beyond initials....it touches your heart. LITERALLY!

Design Inspiration - Tablescapes



Ebell LA Dining Room Decor by Wedding Jeannie

The Ebell of Los Angeles is a crown jewel of wedding venues, in Southern California. I'm honored to be one of their preferred vendors. When Melissa Allen, the director of Special Events at the Ebell approached me to design tablescapes for their new tasting series, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into it. "A Taste Of The Ebell" took place, January 19th. It gave couples the opportunity to partake in inspired decor, taste The Ebell's culinary delights, meet qualified vendors, and enjoy everything this legendary venue has to offer.

Melissa gave me the task of creating 5 different tablescapes for the Dining Room. My design themes were Champagne Lace, Antique Lavender, Guns & Roses, Twist of Lime, and Spring Sherbet. It was a blast coming up with the themes. Using The Ebell's preferred vendors, I chose centerpieces, linens, specialty chairs, china, glassware and even flatware, and even stationery to make each theme come to life.

Champagne Lace was my first design theme. Luxury and Elegance were the key words when I dreamed of this table.

Champagne Lace Table Decor

A satin ivory lace linen graces the table, accented by a lace overlay with gold stitching. The glass with gold edge charger plate was complimented by china with a gold scroll pattern. Polished gold flatware gave the table setting a formal feel. Even the glassware had a gold rimmed edge. We topped it off with a beautiful crushed ivory satin napkin, in a beautiful pocket fold. My luscious floral centerpiece consisted of white hydrangea, roses, and a phaleonopsis orchid cascade, in an elegant gold cylinder. To finish the look, I used a fruitwood chiavari chair covered in a sheer organza chair cover, and a satin ivory chair pad.

Don't you agree that all of the elements combined, brought CHAMPAGNE LACE to life? The look is elegant and formal enough for a Royal Wedding. I think this table is worthy of William and Kate.

Thank you to Marianne Lozano of Studio Lozano Photography for captured the details of our work. Check back soon, there are four more table designs to come.

Design elements provided by the following vendors:

Floral Design: Commerce Flowers
Linens & Chairs: Elegant Design Specialty Linens
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: G2 Audio and Lighting
Stationery Accents: Petalos Di Pauli

Home Weddings - The Basics



Our lovely couple Catherine & Salil shared their union with 85 of their closest friends in the home of Catherine's parents. She also planned from Boston with Wedding Jeannie handling the details here. What a perfect day!


Home Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love in a familiar place. There is a warmth in knowing that you can be married in the place that holds your most cherished memories. The elements of a home wedding are very complex. So before you start sending out the invitations...consider the challenges you will face. 

·    Parking: Can your neighborhood street accommodate the amount of parking spaces your guest list will require? Will your neighbors be willing to allow your guests to park in front of their homes? Consider a valet company that can secure a parking lot in your neighborhood and provide your guests with valet service. Transportation companies can also specify a designated pick up location and bring your guests to your front door, as well as pick them up at the end of the night.

·    Space: Is there enough space to accommodate all of your guests, a ceremony area, seating and food service?

·    Bathroom Facilities: Does the home have enough bathrooms for your guests? Do you want 100 or more people coming into your home to use them? If not, consider portable toilets. There are several reputable companies in the Southern California area that carry very clean and discreet looking units.

·    Weather: In Southern California we are lucky to have such fabulous weather. On occassion we do have rain, and a contingency plan may be in order. Is there enough room for a tent in case of rain? Tents start at $7,000 and can be up to $14,000 or more.

·    Noise Ordinances: Each city has regulations. Most municipalities require that you shut down amplified music at 10pm. It's imperative to know what time your music must be stopped. A neighbor could call police and shut down your party. Notify your neighbors!

·    Landscaping: Is the yard looking it's best? Guests will mingle around and have the opportunity to look at every nook and cranny. Since it will be featured in every photo, make sure it's all dressed up for the party.

·    Delivery Access: Will all of your vendors have clear access to the ceremony and reception area? Deliveries will begin as early as the day before the event. Make sure your driveway is clear and there is enough room to bring in all necessary items.

·    Access to Power and Water: Do you have enough electrical power to accommodate lighting and entertainment systems? Have an electrician come to the home and give you an accurrate assessment. You may need to install more lines or risk blowing the breaker. The power going out on your first dance, is not the memory you want.

These are only a few of the points to consider. Make sure you hire a wedding coordinator that is experienced in home weddings. It will be the difference between a successful event, and a possible disaster.

Wedding Coordinator vs Venue Coordinator




Why do you need a wedding coordinator if your venue already provides one? You deserve to know THE TRUTH.

Before you hire an independent coordinator like myself, or entrust your day to your "venue coordinator", I want you to know the difference between the two and what services they actually provide.

• WHO DOES THE "VENUE COORDINATOR" WORK FOR? They work for the venue. The venue is their fulll time employer and their loyalty is to them first and foremost.
  
  WHO DOES AN "INDEPENDENT WEDDING COORDINATOR" WORK FOR? YOU. My full time job is to design, plan and coordinate weddings. 
• WHAT SERVICES DOES THE "VENUE COORDINATOR" PROVIDE? They are responsible for ensuring you pay your deposit, choose your menu by a specified date, oversee your menu tasting, receive your guest count on the day required, and obtain your vendor insurance certificates. On wedding day, they arrive early to oversee their staff has set up your ceremony & reception areas as required, catering staff is handling food and beverage services, including meal service, bar and beverage service and wedding cake service. They will set up your personal items such as place cards, menu cards, favors etc.
  
  WHAT SERVICES DOES THE "INDEPENDENT WEDDING COORDINATOR PROVIDE? My basic "month of" package ensures overseeing every element of your wedding. I contact all of your vendors to go over their contracted services,ensure all of your final payments have been made, and required documentation and guest counts have been turned in to the venue coordinator. We work with the venue coordinator to ensure the ceremony and reception areas have been set up CORRECTLY, based on the layout provided. We greet all of your vendors and troubleshoot any problems they may have. All of your personal items are entrusted to us...we put out your place cards, menu cards, favors, etc. You simply give them to us at your rehearsal and we take the worry off of your hands. We are the first to arrive and last to leave in order to assure you, your family and your guests are taken care of.
• DOES THE "VENUE COORDINATOR" STAY THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE EVENT? In most cases no. Once dinner has begun or the cake has been cut, they leave and turn your event over to your banquet captain.
  
  DOES THE "INDEPENDENT COORDINATOR" STAY THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE EVENT? I do. It's part of my package. I'm the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. We literally pack up your personal items and wedding gifts and ensure they go home with a trusted friend or family member. We are there to handle any emergency, or crisis that happens, even after your venue coordinator's shift is over. If your bustle rips after dinner, I'm there to stitch it up.
• DOES THE 'VENUE COORDINATOR" MAKE A TIMELINE? Only as it relates to the responsibilities of the venue and catering staff.
  
  DOES THE "INDEPENDENT COORDINATOR" MAKE A TIMELINE? Do we ever. It's a detailed roadmap of your entire day. From the time your hair and make-up is being done, to the time your final song is played and your vendors are breaking down. It's all in there. Everyone knows their job. That timeline is sent to the venue coordinator, photographer, videographer and DJ/MC. We go over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure every person involved in your wedding knows their duties and are on time.

In no way am I discounting what a "venue coordinator" does. I love them, and work with them on a daily basis. You may find in your venue search, that a large number of venues now require you to have your own "independent" wedding coordinator. More and more venue coordinators are finally recoginizing what an independent planner does. We take great care of you and allow them to do their jobs more effectively. It's a win win situation for you.

Case in point...will your venue coordinator attend your final gown fitting to learn how your gown is bustled? No way! But I do. It's in my "month of" package.

This post is written for you THE BRIDE, as a public service announcement. I want you to make an informed decision.

There is high turnover rate of venue coordinators. Don't expect that the coordinator you originally met will be the one who is there on your wedding day. On a recent wedding in November, our venue coordinator changed three times before the wedding day. Thank goodness I was there with copies of everything to help the new venue coordinator who was there for five days prior to our client's wedding.

When you secure your venue, ask the questions I have posted here. Know what their services include. If you decide you want an Independent Coordinator, give me a call. I'm excited to work with you.

Borrow Some Bling

Baubles that sparkle and shine make me happy. How about you? Like the saying goes "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend".

On your wedding day, you're going to be the star of the show. It's your very own RED CARPET moment. All eyes will be on you as you come down the aisle. So much thought has gone into your wedding gown....which is probably AMAZING! You've hired a hair and make-up artist to complete your look. Don't forget your jewels. Most brides forget about jewelry, until the last minute. By the time you think about it....you may have already gone over budget. So what's a bride to?


Wedding Jeannie has the answer for you. BORROW YOUR JEWELRY from Adorn Brides. They are the premier jewelry rental company for weddings. Adorn has something for every bride. Need the perfect pair of EARINGS? A stunning BRACELET? How about a sparkly NECKLACE? Adorn has it all. They make it easy to rent one piece, or an entire ensemble.

The process is simple. 1) Shop online and choose your favorite items. 2) Wait for your jewels to arrive. 3) Wear them on your wedding day and feel like a STAR. 4) Return in the packaging provided. It doesn't get any easier than that.

You may wonder if borrowing from Adorn is SAFE. I can attest to the fact that it is. Two of my brides have worn Adorn Brides jewelry. Both of my brides had satisfying experiences with them.


Above, our beautiful bride Jayanne wore Adorn Brides jewels as a compliment to her Ines Di Santo Gown. She said when the jewels arrived in their beautiful box, she felt like Pretty Woman! What a great feeling. She also fullfilled the tradition of 'SOMETHING BORROWED".

Adorn is a darling of the press. Their service has been applauded by In Style Weddings, Glamour Magazine, Grace Ormande and many more. Oprah Winfrey even included Adorn Brides in her "Favorite Things".  In fact Adorn is not only for weddings. Countless celebrities borrow their jewelry for red carpet events and special occassions.

Wedding Jeannie is keeping a secret. In 2011 we will partner with Adorn for an exciting contest. Can't divulge the detail yet. We're pretty excited and can't wait to share this. Watch our BLOG and  Facebook and Twitter pages for the announcement and find out how you can particpate.

On your wedding day, you're a celebrity. You should adorn yourself with beautiful jewelry. As the bride, YOU DESERVE IT.

Kisses from The Wedding Jeannie Team

The Wedding Jeannie Team took some time out for photo booth fun. We wish you Happy Holidays and send kisses your way. Much love from Shanelle Doughlin (left), Jeannie Ward (center), and Veronica Medrano (right).

Green Wedding? Got Wine?

It's a known fact...I LOVE WINE. Wine snob? Absolutely not. I'm open to trying all types of wine, regardless of region, brand, or price. Wine should be appealing to your pallete..plain and simple. Wine plays a starring role at most weddings. When you sit down with your catering manager to develop your menu, wine pairing must be considered. Your catering manager will have many choices available to you.

What if your planning a GREEN WEDDING?  You may be able to purchase a gently worn gown, find eco-friendly stationery, give re-usable favors, and work with vendors who follow GREEN practices. All elements you can feel good about on your wedding day.

Wine should also play a part in your GREEN WEDDING plans. I decided to experiment...just for you! I was on a mission to find a great tasting and ECO FRIENDLY WINE. Oh the hard work. The things I do for the sake of research! But seriously I found THE ONE.

Introducing Flourish Vineyards. Flourish wines are all made from organically grown grapes, inspired by the desire to provide environmentally sustainable alternatives. Flourish offers choices in white and red to compliment any menu. Butterflies grace their labels. Another nod to their desire to honor the eco-system.

Take it from me, the wine is excellent. I enjoyed a wonderful Pinot Grigio with Penne and cream sauce, and a rich Cabernet Savignon with a warm beef stew. Flourish wines are consistenly rated 88 points and higher. Rest assured, I've done the research for you, and can confidently say that Florish wines are the perfect eco-friendly option for your wedding.

I raise a glass to you, your marriage and your GREEN WEDDING. Cheers!

Venue Spotlight - Serra Plaza

In  the business of weddings, you make amazing connections. True for me. I've been fortunate to become more than just colleagues with some of those people. Some have become my friends. They are people you love to work with again and again, cheer for, and admire, and who INSPIRE you. Mary Lallande, Venue Concierge of Jay's Catering, is one of those special people. She writes the Jay's Catering Blog, titled "Food For Thought".

Jay's and Mary have unveiled a new venue in San Juan Capistrano's historice district. Recently they hosted a brunch for wedding professionals to witness the beauty of this amazing place. It's called SERRA PLAZA. I'm quoting Mary's words in describing this South Orange County jewel.

"Stone pavers, loggias, arches, covered breezeways, bubbling fountains, old world doors, and large clay pots with an abundance of flowers welcome you to Serra Plaza. Located adjacent to the Historic Los Rios District and within walking distance of The Mission San Juan Capistrano, Serra Plaza truly has that old world charm with a pristine new feel. The amenities include; a plaza that can accommodate 450 guests, a gorgeous bridal suite, a private patio with an outdoor stone fireplace for cocktails or an intimate ceremony, and ample parking. You could even travel by train, as the station is within walking distance."

My VENUE SPOTLIGHT is a way to share with you the best venues Southern California has to offer. So it was obvious that I had to choose SERRA PLAZA, as the latest spotlight. So without further delay....here is my interview with Mary.

What is the history of your venue?  The plaza itself is new construction. However we are surrounded by the Historic downtown community of San Juan Capistrano and one of our anchor buildings is on the Historic registry.

How many guests can you accommodate?             Ceremony? 450               Reception? 375

Do you provide In-House Catering? We have a list of four preferred caterers to choose from.

Is parking provided on-site? 269 parking spaces included.

Do you book more than one event per day? Only one. How will that affect my event? You are not rushed because of another event and have complete privacy.

What is your favorite feature of your venue? I have two, the large angel fountain in the plaza and the French inspired bridal suite. Wait make that three. The old church pews we own.

Give us the top three reasons why couples should book your venue for their wedding/reception.

1.       Serra Plaza is a gorgeous Spanish styled plaza with a grand water fountain feature.

2.       Serra Plaza has a prime Orange County location with ample parking

3.       Serra Plaza is designed for grand entertaining with old world California style.

If you're recently engaged, and you can see yourself being married in this romantic place, call me. It would be my pleasure to introduce you to it.