Wedding Don't: Taking Out Loans

image from The Knot

Forgive the preach, but I just had to speak up when I came across someone's blog post encouraging couples who are short on cash to take out a wedding loan to cover the costs of their dream wedding. Say what? Haven't we put these days behind us?

Trim costs, lower your guest count, give yourselves some extra time to save, but puleeeeeeezzz... don't do this to yourself!

You'll thank me later...

Something Sweet

Just finished movie night with my boys...their first time watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was so fun to see their jaws drop as they laid eyes on the candy factory and the chocolate river. So, in honor of my boys, here's a little eye candy (pun intended)...dessert buffets created by the talented Amy Atlas. I really never get tired of looking at her creations. They are works of art.

Now that my son has discovered that there might be candy involved, he wants to be wedding planner... (won't Daddy be proud!)

Event: Bouquets to Art 2009

Wondering what your floral designer does when he/she is not designing your wedding flowers? The Bouquets to Art is an event not to miss... This popular floral art show will be held this year at the de Young Fine Art Museum and features the artistic talents of many of the Bay Area's most creative floral designers as well as lectures by some of the world's big names in floral design. Here's the list of distinguished exhibitors.

March 16th - 21st, 2009. For more information check out the Bouquets to Art website.

The Cherry on Top: The Marriage License

Photo from Brides

Ahh... the marriage license. It's certainly not the sexiest part of wedding planning, just a quick bureaucratic trip to the County Clerk, but this is one detail that cannot fall through the cracks because without it, you will not be legally married. For me, this was the point when it all felt like it was real. Sort of like the cherry on top of all of the planning right before you're about to dig into that delicious wedding sundae.

However satisfying and essential, even my most "Type A" couples seem to avoid handling this important detail until the very last minute... I can't figure it out! Admittedly, you must obtain it within 90 days of your wedding because beyond 90 days it is no longer valid, but waiting until the final week is definitely out of my comfort zone!

Each state has different requirements... so if you're not getting married in CA, check the state where you will be married for info that applies to you. Here's the scoop (no pun intended) about obtaining a marriage license taken directly from the State of California Public Health Dept.

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.

To marry in California, the two parties may not be already married to each other or other individuals.

Marriage by proxy is NOT allowed in California. Family Code, Section 420(a) requires the two parties, marriage officiant and witness if applicable, be physically present together in the same location for the marriage to be performed.

Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California.

Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license in California. Valid picture identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, drivers license, passport, military identification, etc. Some counties may also require a copy of your birth certificate.

If you have been married before, you will need to know the specific date your last marriage ended, and how it ended (Death, Dissolution, Divorce or Nullity). Some counties may require a copy of the final judgment if your previous marriage ended by dissolution or nullity.

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the licensewill no longer be valid. You must purchase a new license.

Many County Clerks in California perform civil marriage ceremonies in their offices. For further information regarding civil marriage ceremonies, please contact the County Clerk’s Office directly to see if they provide this service.

California Family Code, Section 400 states the persons authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies in California are as follows:

A priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.

A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.

A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.

Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States.

A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.

A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of Congress the judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior.

A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.

A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.

A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.

All fees and hours of issuance for a marriage license may vary by county.

The person solemnizing the marriage must return the original marriage license to the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable within 10 days of the date of the ceremony. Addresses should be on the county site.

You will NOT receive a copy of your marriage license after you have been married unless you request and pay for a certified copy from the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable.

ALL information on the marriage license MUST be legible, unambiguous and reproducible. DO NOT change any information on the license, cross out information, use white out, etc., as that will require the payment for and issuance of a duplicate marriage license. Contact the County Clerk’s Office if you have questions about completing the marriage license and/or incorrect information contained on the marriage license.

There you have it! Now go forth and be married!

Baby It's Cold Outside...

This week is what we affectionately refer to in the Bay Area as "ski week". Kids are out of school for mid-winter break and many have headed out of town to Lake Tahoe for skiing on some of that fresh powder. We've had a few days of stormy weather here in Marin County and I'm finally getting in the winter mood. I've got snowy winter weddings on my mind so I spent some time today searching for some winter wedding inspiration. Here are some gorgeous shots I found on Brides. I'm in love with the sleigh getaway and the bouquet (I've yet to see a Michelle Rago design I don't like)

I'm crossing my fingers for a winter wedding in the Sierras!

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Photos by: Miki Duisterhof, Florals by Michelle Rago, Cake by Irene's Cake by Design

Great New Blog: Kiss the Groom

Elizabeth Messina is not only one of the world's top wedding photographers but such a sweet person. I absolutely love working with her. She is a wonderful presence to have at a wedding and I am in awe of the images she captures... truly romantic and beautiful!

I can't think of a more appropriate day for Elizabeth to launch her new blog Kiss the Groom than Valentine's Day. Check it out... visit the "kissing tree", pour through her always inspiring images and discover the other great things Elizabeth has to share. It's sure to be a favorite in the world of wedding blogs. Congratulations Elizabeth!

Here's Some Sugar for your Valentine

Stumbled across the cutest thing on the Wedding Style Guide blog... How about this sugar for your Valentine's morning coffee? Available through Cox & Cox in England.


Happy Valentine's Day

Inspiration: Happy Valentine's Day

Image from Rebecca Thuss.com

Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post this fabulous Scarlett and White table setting that Rebecca Thuss created a few years back. Perfect for Valentine's Day. Hope you'll be spending it with the one you love.

Cool Stuff: SF MOMA Museum Store

While seeking inspiration and when sourcing different elements for a wedding, I try to look to resources beyond the usual wedding suspects (mags and wedding sites) and floral supply houses. Some of the coolest things I've found have been at museum stores. Here are a few interesting things uncovered at SFMOMA that could easily be used as creative elements or just inspiration for your wedding decor.

Descriptions are taken from SF Moma online.

Wallflower Set:
Designed by Marion Lanktree. A dynamic addition to any space, this set of 25 plastic flowers have embedded magnets that allow them to mount with a simple tack or magnet. Five sizes of flowers ranging from 2.5" x 2.5" x 1" to 4.5" x 4.5" x 2. $38





Nest Glass Bowls
A splash of molten glass, frozen in time, forms an airy bowl worthy of display. Signed on the bottom by Bay Area glass artist Heather Palmer. Available in plum, clear, or steel blue. $60.00-$180.00





Dot Pressed Vinyl Placemats
The latest design break through from Chilewich, Pressed Vinyl is a completely new category that opens the door to infinite possibilities. It is created using a revolutionary interpretation of an outdated manufacturing process, and the result is a product remeniscent of fine linen but with the benefit of easy care for everyday use. Measures 14" x 19". Available in smoke or citron.
$7.00


and I just love this bicycle basket... I can see it brimming with flowers.




Carrie Bicycle Basket
Inspired by the Swedish crochet tablecloths on which her grandmother used to serve tea, Marie-Louise Gustafsson has designed a unique bike basket for the urban cyclist. Can also be used as a shopping basket, canvas strap included. $50.00

SF Bridal Trunk Shows in February

(above: Oscar de la Renta Bridal)

It's trunk show time... hopefully you've already attended some of the local trunk show events for January. Here's what's coming up in the next couple of weeks. Don't forget to make an appointment!

Haute Bride:
1954 Union Street, San Francisco, 415.923.5900
Feb 13-14th: Jane Wang
Feb. 21-22: Valena Valentina

Bella Bridesmaid
2250 Union St, Suite 1B, San Francisco, 415-931-5492
Feb 14th: Queue at Bella Bridesmaid (Bridesmaids Dresses)

Marina Morrison
30 Maiden Lane, Fourth Floor, 415.984.9360.
Feb. 20-21th: Oscar de la Renta
Feb. 27-28 Mark Badgley & James Mischka Appearance

At Bridal Galleria
3 Embarcadero Center, Lobby Level, 415.362.2277
Feb. 26-29: Vera Wang

and, last but not least...

Feb. 26th 6:00-8:30pm
Exclusive Vera Wang Fashion Show at "An Evening of Bridal Luxury" at the Bentley Reserve, 301 Battery Street, San Francisco. Tickets $50 Proceeds to benefit the California Pacific Medical Center Junior Committee. Buy Tickets here.

Cupcake Wrappers at Estilo Weddings

Laser cut paper is wildly popular these days. I love these new cupcake wrappers available at Estilo Weddings. They would be very cute on a dessert table or cupcake display.

Location, Location, Location! Old St. Mary's Church - Nicasio, CA

If there's one thing that says charm in a wedding ceremony, it's an old white church.

Old St. Mary's Church, established in 1867, is a quintessential one room church complete with white picket fence in the quaint little town of Nicasio, CA. A relaxed little village, tucked away in a hidden valley in Marin County, one of the most beautiful regions of the Bay Area, Nicasio feels like you are somewhere in the middle of the prairie, not just 30 miles North of the bustling city of San Francisco.

Seating a max of 100 guests, Old St. Mary's is a charming option for a small country wedding and just a horse carriage ride away from a wonderful Ranch Estate which is now available for receptions and parties at Nicasio Meadows at Kilham Farms (you'll be hearing more about in a future post...)

For more information, contact Rosemary Special Events.

Velon Designs - Printed Velon

I had read about Velon Designs but had never been up close and personal until I walked the Trade Show floor at The Special Event conference in San Diego. It was honestly my favorite thing I saw showcased the show and I hope to have the chance to use it at some point.

Velon, also known as "convention taffeta," has long been an alternative to fabric draping in the world of events because of its low cost and flame retardant qualities, but up until now hasn't been available in anything but solid colors. Velon Designs, is the brainchild of Robert Fountain, a talented event designer out of San Francisco and is a very exciting development in event design. From lining a tent to wrapping floral containers, anywhere you use fabric you can use printed velon.

In the past, a patterned draped look could only be achieved with high end fabric that had been flameproofed with special coating (fabric + flameproofing could total $20/yard). But now, you can choose from a variety of stylish stock patterns for as little as $3.75 yard (sold in rolls of 100 yards).

Even better, you can order custom printed velon with your own design! There is a 600 yard minimum for custom velon and prices vary based your specs. You can find out more about that here. They also have a semi custom option in their "library". You choose the pattern, your base velon color and the color of your print. The wait time is 2-3 weeks and like the custom option, the minimum is 600 yards .

Here are a 2 of their stock patterns:

Moroccan Lattice



Symphony