Yellow and Black screams bold elegance. Tie in white or a damask, and you have a modern feel.

Yellow and Grey is a down home, casual wedding favorite. Fresh Lemonade and a candy statin with Lemon Heads and Jelly Belly banana Jellybeans complete the look.

Yellow flowers are some of my favorite! Tulips, Orchids and Sunflowers are great options. A bright yellow Bridal bouquet will never disappoint….such a showstopper!

Take a look at some yellow wedding inspiration!

Enjoy!

~Candice

There are so many different ways to number your tables…. or hey, throw out the numbers and give them a name! This is such a fun way to customize your overall table layout and personalize your tables even further.

If you are sticking to numbers, make them special. Please do not allow your venue to supply your table numbers! Trust me, they will look out-of-place on a great table. So sad to see a gorgeous table all decked out with linen, chargers, flowers, and then some black and white, block letter, plastic table number that was provided complimentary. I know it may seem like an expense that you can save yourself, but know these can be done well for not so much cash, and it’s worth it! A little goes a long way with table numbers.

Consider having them done in your matching stationary, so they match your place cards, invites, etc. Doing your invites yourself? Order some extra paper and print them at home! Cheap frames will work to place them on the tables or even a stand that your venue may have for you to borrow. Want to get more creative? A wine bottle with a beautiful number on it is fun for a wine/vineyard wedding, or a standing wooden number fits right in to a rustic, down home wedding. One of my favorite table number ideas was using the bride and grooms photo at each age. For example, Table #1 read “Us At Age One” with pictures of both the bride and groom when they were one year old. Table #2 had photos of each of them when they were two. The table numbers weren’t just numbers, they were conversation starters at the table!

Want to name your tables? Make this personal ladies! Where are your favorite travel spots? Places you have traveled together? If you are a huge Movie fan, use your favorite movie titles. This is really wide open for you to make it special and showcase some fun facts about the two of you as a couple. One of my couples was going to Europe for their honeymoon, so their table names were all places they were planning to visit on their trip.

Any way you go, make it yours! Take a look at some of these photos of some of my favorite numbers/names…. hope it sparks some great ideas!

~Candice

I know not everyone in the industry is, but I am a huge Bridal Show fan! A good show will showcase multiple vendors, decor options, offer discounts galore, tons of give aways, and a huge opportunity to network with other Brides in your area. What’s not to love?

With the season right around the corner, I wanted to provide you with some tips of the trade for attending a Bridal Show, and give you some info. on local shows coming up in the area.

First of all, please save yourself the time and register online! Almost every show will offer you the option to pre-register online, but not many brides normally take advantage. Save yourself the time waiting in line! The less time you wait in line to get in, the longer you can be talking to your favorite photographer about that great discount you are hoping for. If you can’t register online, be sure to make it to the registration table upon arrival so you can register yourself for the free gifts, give aways, and prizes.

Even if you are only looking for one vendor, walk down every aisle! If you don’t, you may miss someone great. The vendors at the show will be likely to give you a booking discount if you book the day of the show, so it might pay to look at all of your options. Bring a notebook and take notes, as you may forget all that was said when the vendor was in front of you.

Bring address labels with your name, address, email address and wedding date. This will make it so much easier for you when you visit the booths and fill out the information. Peel and stick ladies! Dont fill out the same info. over and over again at 20 different booths!

And finally, Plan ahead! Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as you’ll be on your feet. Dont bring your entire bridal party, maybe just your Maid of Honor or Sister. Prepare questions you have for the individual vendors. Bring your check book in the case you find a deal you just cannot pass up. Eat before you come, but save some room for some yummy snacks. Those cake vendors always love to bring samples

I hope these tips help as you venture to the local shows! Make it fun ladies! Grab a coffee, throw on some comfy jeans, put on your negotiator hat, and head into that ballroom.

Here is a list of a few local shows in the next few months. Click on the link for admission fees, parking information, and the most current information…. have fun!

~Candice

Premier Bridal Shows www.premierbridalshows.com

Jan 8th, Long Beach Convention Center

Jan 22nd, Radisson Newport Beach

Feb. 12th, Doubletree Anaheim/OC

Expo Bridal Events www.expobridal.com

Jan 8th, Hyatt Newport Beach

Brea Bridal Show www.breabridalshow.com

January 28th, Brea Community Center

Bride World www.brideworld.com

January 7th, OC Fair Expo Center

Feb (date TBD), Anaheim Sheraton Park Hotel

The Great Bridal Expo www.greatbridalexpo.com

April 1st, Anaheim Convention Center

Getting started….

There are a few key questions that you need to answer before you begin your flower journey. 1. What colors do you want? 2. What is your flower budget? and 3. What is the style of your wedding?

Keep in mind your venue as you make these decisions. Do you need a lot of color to “dress up” the space, or just a hint? Are you outdoors or indoors? Also, think about the level of formality you are aiming for with your event. The way flowers are arranged are just as important as the flowers themselves. For the budget, keep in mind that on average you’ll spend between 5-15% of your overall wedding budget on flowers. It is one of the larger vendor expenses….and money well spent!

Working with the Seasons….

“Flowers at their peak are like tomatoes in the summer-priceless and affordable at the same time”. If you choose a flower in your color, during its peak season, you can really get the most flower for your buck.

For example, Dahlias are a very popular bouquet flower (and one of my favorites!). These flowers peak in late summer to fall. Can you get them in April? It would be a long shot… and if you could, they’d be quite expensive to get to you. If you are having a spring event, a better choice would be the Peony or the Calla Lily, spring flowers, easy to come by.

Tips from me to you….

-Consider ”recycling” your arrangements. A very popular option, this allows you to utilize your flowers in more than one location. Do you have a beautiful arrangement framing your ceremony site? Why not have that moved to your sweetheart table? Sparing no expense on your bridesmaids bouquets? Why not have your florist leave empty  vases on your head table or cake table for the girls bouquets to double as Reception decor? Hey, they wont need them once you are in the ballroom anyway! Also, be flexible with your design! Consider variations of your arrangement, or a combination of flowers and candles to save some serious cash!

-Do your homework ladies! Research flowers you like, tear out the pages of that Ceremony Magazine, and print out pictures in color to show your florist. Have a very candid conversation with him/her about what flowers are most cost-effective at your event time of year and how you can reach your vision without breaking the bank. A good florist will be honest and help with cost cutting ideas, all while giving you ideas to give your flowers the “wow” factor they deserve. Be sure to ask about Taxes that will be due (sometimes aren’t included on your cost estimate!) as well as any set up, rental or tear down fees.

-Remember where your guests will spend a majority of their time, what areas will be photographed the most, and then “dress up” accordingly. The ceremony location, reception space, and bouquets are the most important. The cocktail hour decor can be an area of less focus, as guest are only there a short amount of time. Skip those small cocktail hour flowers and add more to your bridal bouquet that will be in all of your photos. It will be worth it, trust me!

-Regardless of who you book for your florist, be sure that they are planning to DO A MOCK UP of your design prior to the event for you to view and approve (this should be free of charge!). This is the only way you will really know what your arrangement will look like, in the vase, on the table. What you imagine in your mind may be very different than what your florist will create. A mock-up is vital to your satisfaction with your florals.

-And, if you plan on rolling up your sleeves and doing your flowers yourself…. know that this is very time consuming so plan accordingly! Enlist the help of some VERY good friends to assist you on the day of the wedding, as you obviously wont be able to put all the pieces together while you are getting your hair done! If you are taking on this task, keep it simple, and make sure you have plenty of set up time in your event space.

Take a look at a few flower description charts of some of the most popular wedding flowers… the more info. the better!

Good luck!

~Candice

Just me? Well since I am ALWAYS the one that gets lost, I can always use a little guidance! hehe!

Wedding signage is now being used in such fun, creative ways, and it is one of my favorite wedding decor pieces! Signage can be directional (which I appreciate!), or just a few fun words incorporated into a photograph. Signs are a very inexpensive way to communicate to your guests on the day of the event, or to let a little of your personality show through.

To lead your guests to your ceremony or reception, consider some directional signs. Depending on your venue, you can have signs that stick into the ground, or that are hung. Some of the cutest signs I’ve ever seen have been hand-made, right from the old wood and paint that is in your parents garage! Find someone with decent handwriting and go to town! Why not a cute “Welcome to our wedding” sign? Or even a “You’re here! Now we can get hitched!” banner that guests see as they arrive? The sky is the limit!

Once the party has begun, signs can be used all over your reception area. From tiny flags in your cocktails with your initials on them, to custom labels on your dessert station. Who is going to know those cookies are grandma’s recipe if you don’t label them?!

Guests love to feel like they know what is going on…. where to go, whats next, what to do with this or that. Label things and make signs to keep them in the know, but also to just add a unique touch to your set up. If you want to provide your female guests with flip-flops to save their tired, dancing feet, make a cute sign that says “Kick off your heels, slip these on, and get back on the dance floor! Courtesy of the Bride and Groom”. They will sure appreciate the gesture!

“Mr. and Mrs.” signs are always classic, and are fun on the back of a chair or even on the cake table. “Just Married” and ”Thank You” signs are the most popular for photos. These photos double for your Thank You cards, or for the last page of your wedding album. It’s really a way to say something to your guests or in your photos, without saying a word. Animals are also being incorporated with signage! Take a look at the photo I attached of Ms. Lucy Sanders (my in-laws golden lab) who was so excited to “announce” our May 7th wedding date!

I’ve seen adorable signs made of burlap, chalk boards, or wooden pieces. They can be printed from your home computer, or enlarged at kinkos. They can be hand painted or drawn on with some help from a stencil. Bust out those paint brushes and lets play! The handmade wooden signs are so easy to make, and have such a down home, vintage feel. Fun, colorful posters and banners can add a playful touch, while a classic black and white sign with some gorgeous brush script font looks elegant and chic.

Show me a sign that this is going to be a fun, creative wedding! Point me in the right direction so I can make it there!

~Candice

Via

Orange is the most popular color of this Halloween/Thanksgiving time of year, and it is a very versatile color to incorporate into your event decor. But orange doesn’t just fit into a fall event color palette, it can be a wonderful spring or summer color as well. Bright, Juicy, Warm & Radiant, this color demands attention any time of year!

In the spring or summer, this color pops when used with a great purple or dark brown. Orange, Yellow and Green create a very clean, bright and fresh feel. Think of the sweet smell of an orange grove, fresh squeezed orange juice, and tray passed mimosas on a warm day. Orange Mokara Orchids can provide a tropical look, where orange Gerber Daisies look like they’ve just been picked from the garden, picture perfect. A great drink station with Lynchburg Lemonade, Screwdrivers, and Orange Mojitos will wow your guests with fresh, fun drink options.

In the Fall, orange looks amazing with any shade of red or dark green. Orange Calla Lillies with Red Roses are one of my favorite flower combinations!  Orange can provide such a warmth to your decor! Think of beautiful Oak  trees with thousands of orange and red leaves changing color, the smell of cookies in the oven, or warm apple cider. How fun would it be to send your guests home with a slice of pumpkin pie for a “late night snack”, or a warm snickerdoodle cookie left in their car by the Valet for your guests drive home? So Fall! So fun!

Enjoy some of these fun photos highlighting this great Fall color!

Happy Fall everyone! Enjoy this time with your families, and remember all we have to be thankful for!

~Candice

Unique ceremony seating is everywhere right now, and I think it’s fantastic. What a way to surprise and impress your guests upon arrival!

Having a backyard, down home, casual wedding? Throw blankets down on the floor! Going for a more modern, clean look, why not rent black lounge furniture? White Benches are great for beach weddings. Country theme? One of my brides is having her guests sit on hay! (see picture below!) Yee Haw!

The traditional ceremony seating layout is also becoming more modern and inviting. Why not turn your ceremony so that you and your groom are facing the guests, or in the center of them? Ceremony set ups that surround the couple are growing in popularity. What an amazing feeling… saying your vows while your friends and family are all around you, literally!

Here are a few great photos of unique ceremony seating arrangements. Out with the boring chairs, in with the personality!

~Candice

When I first met Peter & Gladys to discuss their wedding plans, one thing I knew for sure. It was going to be a truly romantic wedding. After visiting multiple venues in the Los Angeles area, we took a short road trip to Temecula and found the perfect place. Walking into Mount Palomar, you immediatly get the comfortable inviting old-world feel of the Tuscan villa.  Mount Palomar offered romance and elegance and was located on a hilltop giving guests a panoramic view of Temecula Valley. It was a perfect place for the perfect day. PHOTOGRAPHY: Signature Exposure

Make up and hair by  Gina Valerino.

Beautiful hues of light and dark pink flowers were selected with accents of cream and gold. Floral design by Myra of  Celebrate Flowers

Event Pros LA designed a tent which was draped with white chiffon fabric and large chandeliers hanging overheard and crystal candelabras as part of the centerpiece for a truly magnificent look.

THANK YOU’S

 Floral: Myra at Celebrate Flowers  / Photography: Signature Exposure / Cake: Cake To Celebrate/ Hair & Makeup : Gina Vallarino  / Venue: Mount Palomar Winery / Music: Pro Sound DJ’s/ Videoagraphy: Echo Productions  Lighting: Sky Productions, magnets: MegaMagnets

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To see more reception decor ideas for outdoor weddings, or to see more cakes we’ve used from Rentalicious Cakes, click here.

**All images below courtesy of Cathy’s Concepts, Inc.**

Traditional Fall Decor: Cinnamon, Chocolate & Sunny Gourds

FAVORITE!!! (Who would have thought – corals and cinnamon and sunset orange? Tie it altogether with natural twine and it bursts of elegant harvest charm!)

Contemporary Fall Wedding: Bright Pumpkin, Plum & Shimmery Green

Traditional Winter Wedding: Delicate White & Silver

Contemporary Winter Wedding: Royal Blue & Lots of Sparkle!

A unique way to personalize your wedding is to choose a particular font and carry it throughout the day with small touches – signs, labels, favors, menus, even the wedding invitations, save the dates and thank you notes.  Finding a great font to represent your day takes a bit of time, but it can also be free. Though many sites require payment for font downloads, visit sites like fonts101.com and dafont.com for free downloads on a plethora of fantastic fonts.

For the ultimate in personalization, Amanda at Fonts for Peas can even turn your own handwriting into a font. This would be a great way to make hang tags on favors look handwritten and personalized; perfect for a personalized, charming wedding. You can even use the font for placecards, to create printed menus, and for signs directing guests to a sign-in book, a photobooth or a dessert table. Be creative with your fonts, and incorporate them in many different ways throughout the day to create a pulled-together, cohesive look.

As for some of my personal favorites, I love Fonts for Peas’ Milk and Cereal font for casual events, Chopin Script for elegant occasions, and Porcelain for a cool vintage look with a touch of Gothic romance. My favorite font of all, of course, is the Feel Script font – which is The Stylish Soiree’s signature font.

What are some of your favorite fonts?