Today Feels like Pink Champagne

Diana Elizabeth Photography

Don't know why but I'm craving a little bubbly of the rose variety today....

Gala Darling

From Pinterest

From Pinterest

Kate Webber Photography

via The Glitter Guide

Surprising the Bride

A wedding slideshow, often prepared by friends of the bride and groom and played at the rehearsal dinner, can be a really cute way to share the story of a relationship through photos for the guests.  It's a little egotistical for the bride and groom to put it together themselves so often a best man or maid of honor or sibling of the couple will take on the task of collecting photos of the bride and groom as babies, in high school, in college and throughout their relationship and compiling it to music.

A word of advice though, not everyone likes surprises!  Especially surprises involving nude baby photos or drunk college photos shown to all their loved ones.

While it might seem fun for you to poke a little fun at the bride and groom an ill-timed surprise at what can be a stressful and emotional time is not the best way to kick off the weekend.  I'm just saying, double check with the bride and groom that they're OK with you putting together something special for them as a surprise before you spring it on them.

I'll never forget a wedding I planned a few years ago where the bridesmaids decided to surprise the bride (unbeknownst to their planner) with live karoke.  Apparently (as they told the audience) she was too embarrassed to get up and sing it on their bachelorette weekend and said she regretted it the next morning so they wanted to give her a chance to make up for it (AT HER WEDDING!?).  They dragged her on stage with a microphone and told the DJ to play Tina Turner.   I've never felt more helpless in my life and career as there wasn't much I could do once that train wreck got going.  Thankfully the bride held it together through the song but you could just tell she wouldn't be speaking to the ringleader for a few months after that.

So just know your audience. Personally I love surprises and if I were the bride to be, I'd be very happy with a slideshow set to the tune of this song:

Anthropologie Decorator Shop!

 I just heard the news and I'm a wee bit excited.  On March 24th, Anthropologie is launching 12 new "Decorator Concpet Shops" within Anthro stores accross the US and UK.  There is one opening in Corte Madera just over the bridge from me and I am extremely excited to check it out.  Just look at the sneak preview shots - heaven!

Durham Ranch Wedding

Very excited for a wedding this weekend at Durham Ranch in Napa Valley for a fabulous client.  Here is some of our inspiration for the big day.   Can't wait!

Unique Veils

BHLDN dotted voile veil

A veil can be such a beautiful addition to a wedding gown.  It can make a white off the rack piece instantly turn into a wedding dress.  There are many beautiful styles to choose from, here are a few of my favorites...  Will you be wearing a veil?

Twigs & Honey French Inspired Bridal Lace Cap with Veil

Twigs & Honey Silk Tulle Bridal Pouf

Twigs & Honey Silk Tulle with Lace Trim Veil

Congratulations to Hannah H, the winner of a new pair of Lucy Yoga Pants! Thank you so much to everyone who entered. It was really exciting to see so many new commenters on the blog and I do hope you'll stick around to read more.

Also, last week I was published in Hostess with the Mostess

for Caroline and Dixon's engagement party. Very cool!

Akimbo Save the Dates & Party Invites

Library Inspired Save the Date

Perhaps a little too cheeky for a wedding invitation, these paper materials from Akimbo make wonderful save the dates and party invitations.  So creative and fun for a theme party.

Victorian Period Inspired Response Card

Foam Party Invitation

Banner Save the Date

Mix-Tape for 80s Theme party

Giveaway: Lucy Yoga Pants

In honor of my new office in Cow Hollow I'm giving away one pair of Lucy Perfect Core Pants to a lucky reader!

My new office at 1862 Union Street is in my most favorite part of town.  There are so many great restaurants, fantastic shopping and lots of wedding industry neighbors.  One funny thing about the neighborhood is that the dress code for women seems to be stylish athletic gear.  In fact, my boyfriend dubbed this neighborhood the "yoga pants district" and a more than a few men have been known to grab a sidewalk cafe chair to enjoy the sights. 

Lucy makes my favorite yoga pants and since they are my new neighbors I thought I would honor my big move with a giveaway for one lucky reader.

Details: Comment on this post and on Wednesday May 4th at 10 AM I will use an online tool to randomly select and announce the winner who will receive a pair of Perfect Core pants in their size.  Retail Value: $98

Advice for Young Designers

Found at How Magazine . . .

From John C. Jay, Wieden+Kennedy’s executive creative director:

1: Be authentic. The most powerful asset you have is your individuality, what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do.
2: Work harder than anyone else and you will always benefit from the effort.
3: Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral.
4: Constantly improve your craft. Make things with your hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough.
5: Travel as much as you can. It is a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know.
6: Being original is still king, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world.
7: Try not to work for stupid people or you’ll soon become one of them.
8: Instinct and intuition are all-powerful. Learn to trust them.
9: The Golden Rule actually works. Do good.
10: If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of any career.