The Bride's Nest

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Whatever makes you happy, do more of it!

Cheers to 2012~

San Francisco Brides Winter Issue!

2011-12-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

It's out! San Francisco Bride's Magazine Winter issue includes
3 wonderful features of Rosemary Events... A photo shoot inspired by Embarcadero we created with Nicole Sillapere shot by Jose Villa

Desiree & Jarrod's wedding... our dreamy wedding for 25 guests with Eden Rodriguez shot by Julie Mikos

..and a beautiful shot of our couple Lauren & Joe in a feature of the fabulous Jose Villa.

Thank you San Francisco Brides Magazine! Everything looks absolutely beautiful!

Our San Francisco Brides Mag Shoot on 100 Layer Cake!

2011-12-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

Loved collaborating with Nicole Sillapere on this shoot... and of course
Jose Villa makes everything look better. Check it out on 100 Layer Cake.

WOW. Lauren Bush's Grand Entrance

2011-11-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

Completely gaga over this image by Vogue.com / Mark Seliger of Lauren Bush arriving in a Western Style carriage during her wedding to David Lauren's wedding. LOVE IT!

A Happy Guest...

2011-07-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by The Other Duo @ Gertrude & Mabel Photography

My husband has a cute saying (and it's true I might add)... "A happy wife is a happy life". The same is true for guests at a wedding, their happiness can go a long way in creating an atmosphere of joy at a wedding. If they're miserable, cold or starving or thirsty, I can assure you the mood will deflate and the event will fall flat. Leave a guest standing in the cold and the dark after a fun wedding or sitting in the hot sun with no water or shade... guess what their memory will be? Not the romance or fun times at your wedding. I can assure you.

In the midst of your wedding planning, take a few moments from the inspiration boards and pretty pictures and make sure you've considered hospitality and comfort for those who have made the effort to be there for you at your wedding. Trust me, your guests will thank you and you will be left with an amazing wedding with rewards that extend well beyond the beautiful details.

Lauren & Joe on SMP!

2011-06-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

I know I don't come around here much... let's just say I'm much better at producing events than I am at regularly blogging. But, every now and then there's something so exciting that I must drop everything and share.... and today it's Lauren & Joe on Style Me Pretty. Thank you Abby for the beautiful feature on one of my all time favorite weddings! Love, Love, Love working with my favorite collaborator Nicole Sillapere. We are a great team and together, we really rocked it on this one.. (if I do say so myself). Congratulations Lauren & Joe! Check out Style Me Pretty and Jose Villa's amazing photos!!

Manka's Rehearsal Dinner on Snippet & Ink

2011-02-11T03:14:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to the lovely Kathryn of Snippet & Ink for featuring one of our all time favorite events, a Rehearsal dinner at Manka's Boathouse. Erin and David are the sweetest, most down to earth couple. We planned an amazing wedding in Inverness for them at David's grandparents property. Nearby Manka's Boathouse, on the shore of Tomales Bay seemed like a perfect spot to host the rehearsal dinner, especially since Mr. Manka, the previous owner of the Manka's Inverness Lodge actually attended David's parents' wedding 30 years earlier. Erin and David really wanted everything to seem natural and complementary to the setting. Kristen Loken captured all the gorgeous details.

Guests began the evening on the deck taking in the beauty of the Tomales Bay.

Manka's passed hors d'oeuvres of their delicious cuisine lovingly prepared by Chef Daniel DeLong & Proprietor Margaret Grade. Every bite was absolute perfection: Wee Burgers of Lamb, Crisped Oysters, Ceviche of Local Halibut, a Puff of Cheese filled with scrambled Inverness Duck egg.

At sunset, guests took their seats in the cozy boathouse

and were greeted by absolutely gorgeous decor by Nicole Sillapere with gorgeous letterpressed menus and placecards penned by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls. (Check out Kathryn's Snippet & Ink post for more on the cleverly written menu).

Guests dined the delicious preparations of Chef DeLong and enjoyed Piano by well known Jazz Pianist Mike Lipscomb. It really was the perfect beginning to what turned out to be an extraordinary weekend.

Lauren and Joe on Jose Villa's Blog

2010-07-08T21:15:00.001-07:00

Just a little taste of Lauren and Joe's wedding today on Jose Villa's blog. Can't wait to share more from this spectacular Napa Valley wedding!

Hey... what a surprise! A Book Cover: "Ideas & Inspirations for Celebrating in Style"

2010-03-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

What a nice way to start the day!

Just reading my morning blogs and saw a great surprise on the blog of some of my favorite photographers Gertrude & Mabel. One of our couples, Julie & Marc on the front cover of a new book by Country Living Magazine called "Ideas & Inspirations for Celebrating in Style". That's them in the lower right corner, traveling up the road to a life of wedded bliss!

From Gertrude & Mabel:

"Hearst books has just published a new wedding book stylized after Country Living Magazine called "Ideas & Inspirations for Celebrating in Style" & it's full of 29 of our photographs!! We're super excited and honored. Written by Marie Proeller Hueston, this is a beautiful hardcover coffee table book full of creative ideas for a country inspired wedding."

Congrats ladies and I must say, I'm pretty happy about it too!

A Proposal in Lights

2010-01-16T13:17:00.000-08:00

Light Writing Proposal from Derick Childress on Vimeo.

Saw this on A Cup of Jo. Very sweet. I just love a clever proposal.
For more information on how he did did this click here. You can even donate a dollar to their honeymoon fund... how's that for enterprising?

How did you get engaged?

Flora Grubb - DIY Vertical Wall Hangings

2010-01-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Certainly one of San Francisco's little treasures is Flora Grubb Gardens, undoubtedly the coolest garden center in San Francisco filled with treasures for the garden, gorgeous minimalist plantings and even a coffee bar.

I first discovered it when I saw the amazing vertical garden they did at Napa Valley's gorgeous eco hotel Bardessano in Yountville pictured below.

Bardessano is an entirely different post, but since then, I have been absolutely hooked on Flora Grubb's vertical succulent wall hangings . They are so gorgeous and chic and perfect for a minimalist, modern wedding. Look at these amazing gardens below from the Flora Grubb site.

Aren't they gorgeous?? Sadly, a vertical wall hanging created by Flora Grubb is not in everyone's wedding budget. So, today there is good news. Flora Grubb has announced that the trays they use to build their vertical succulent garden are available for purchase. If you are in succulent country, you can tackle the challenge of creating your own! Read about the details more on Flora's blog. And if you do, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Happy New Year 2010! Yes, I'm still in cyberspace... well just barely

2010-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

Photo from Creature Comforts Blog

Happy New Year!

So another year rolls around and I reflect on my New Years resolutions from last year... hmmm.... start a blog... seemed like a great idea at the time. I have certainly learned a lot and gained a new respect for bloggers that are putting up new, riveting content on a daily basis... not an easy task. And honestly, I look around and there are a many wedding blogs that just sort of exist but don't necessarily knock it out of the park.

Well, I'm a knock it out of the park, kind of girl... and come July 2009 (the time of my last post) I realized that I have no interest in being just another hum drum wedding blog. I am a wedding planner / event producer/ orchestrator of lovely, tasteful events... (and a damn good one at that... ) so I took this blog and shelved it for a while to put all my focus on my clients and decide what to do next with this little project (I left without saying goodbye, I know... sorry)

So here we are at the start of a new year and fresh new decade... and guess what... I still don't know what the heck to do with this darn blog. BUT, here's what I DO know... I've got a lot of great information that you could really use if you're on this new journey of wedding planning and I do plan to share it with you. On the list this month is to put it on my drawing board and give it an overhaul.

So... Stay tuned to see what's to come. And Happy New Year!! Make it a great year!

Mothers of the Bride and Groom - Finally an Event for You!

2009-07-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

My friend Kathy of Well Rehearsed is sponsoring this event at
Neiman Marcus in Palo Alto. July 25th at 11:30am. RSVP Here

Location, Location, Location! Casa Bella Blanca

2009-06-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

I admit I've been a little slack when it comes to posting, but my visit to Casa Bella Blanca was just the thing to kick start me back into action. Entire Productions hosted a wonderful party for event professionals at this private event venue last night on Divisadero near Turk.

I was too busy yacking to take any shots of the actual party, but the decor by Neil Adams of Blueprint Studio Collection was beautiful and chic, Cuban performer Fito Reinoso delivered a wonderful eclectic mix of Latin music, JP Buongiorno was inside on Flamenco guitar and there were two different DJs... DJ Juan Data and DJ Imani... all available through Entire Productions. Barbara Llewellyn Catering & Events made sure that no detail was overlooked, that the the mojitos and sangria were flowing and passed delicious culinary bites... what more could you want?

Check out this great space...

When first I saw the photos I wondered if it would feel crowded for a special event, but it was wonderfully open and spacious. There were 200-300 people there and it didn't feel overly crowded at all.

The home has wonderful classic elements mixed with a modern San Francisco vibe...a gorgeous open kitchen, beautiful upstairs and a wonderful yard with an upper deck and hot tub and a lower patio which was a great event area.

The patio was a spacious concrete space that was covered with clear tenting and kept cozy with heaters. It opened onto a garage of sorts (almost seemed to chic to be categorized as a garage) with a comfortable lounge and bar with urban chic vibe.

Anyway, if you want to check it out, give me a call and I'd be happy to take you over there.

We're Featured on Kiss the Groom!

2009-05-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Elizabeth Messina for the wonderful feature she did on Rosemary Special Events yesterday on her blog Kiss the Groom. Such kind words...

xoxo to you Elizabeth! I'm so happy to have been a part of the team collaborating on your "Lovely Workshop". It was so inspiring...

The Lovely Workshop on Style Me Pretty!

2009-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

So happy to share with you a taste of "A Lovely Workshop", Elizabeth Messina's workshop for wedding photographers at the beautiful Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma ... I had the pleasure of being the event planner on the team. I've been giddy about this for weeks... it was so much fun and such an awe-inspiring day. And it is the icing on the cake to be featured on Style Me Pretty.

To say that I'm honored to be part of this wonderful event and team of amazingly talented vendors is truly an understatement. Here are just a few shots to wet your appetite. You can see more here on today's Style Me Pretty and I will surely share more in the near future.

All Images by Elizabeth Messina

Below is a list of the wonderful team of collaborators... I seriously can't say enough great things about every last one of these fabulous talents. They are truly a dream team of artisans!

Photographer and Queen Bee - Elizabeth Messina
Event Planning - Rosemary Hattenbach
Design and Florals - Eden of End Design
Concepts and Printed Design - Viola of Chewing the Cud
Location & The Loveliest Feast - Kenwood Inn & Spa
Hand Lettered Calligraphy - Xandra of XYX Ink
Wedding Cake - Gabrielle at Cake Coquette
Mouthwatering Chocolates - Coco Delice Fine Chocolates
Hair - Elise at Primped Napa Valley 707.254.5050
Make Up - Darcy at Primped Napa Valley 707.815.9097
Cinematography - Kristen* at Bliss Video
Assisting Elizabeth - Kristen Loken
Gorgeous Head Pieces - Twigs & Honey
Wedding Gowns - Kirstie Kelly

Aren't you dying to see more?? Be sure to check out all 4 posts featuring this wonderful event on Style Me Pretty today and check back soon for more shots and a posting from yours truly!

Does a Wedding Video Get Better Than This?

2009-05-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Saw this on A Cup of Jo.... this might just be the most fabulous wedding video ever... and to one of my all time favorite songs....

Love it!

Brian & Eileen's Wedding Music Video. from LOCKDOWN projects on Vimeo.

Signature Details: Rosemary Garden Markers

2009-05-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

My friend Viola from Chewing the Cud called this to my attention.... they were featured on Design Sponge yesterday. So clever and very cute. You can buy them on Etsy at this shop.

I guess you can probably imagine why I would love these... I am always on the lookout for cute little pieces with my signature... Of course I'm fortunate to have a name like Rosemary in a profession such as planning weddings... and these little rustic details really speak to my style.

Adding signature details to your wedding is a must for creating a cohesive and well-thought out event that exudes your personality and style. What do you love and what details are you using to sign your name on your event?

Overwhelmed with Loveliness

2009-05-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Just reflecting on "a lovely workshop" with wedding photographer extraordinaire Elizabeth Messina at the Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma Valley. A truly inspiring day working alongside the most talented in wedding design professionals. Elizabeth shares a little taste of the day here.

Looking forward to sharing more with you in the future.

Nie Nie Dialogues

2009-04-28T03:45:00.000-07:00

Today a departure from weddings...

Just stumbled upon this blog again. I remember back in August when I read about her in the New York Times; a tragic story of a couple (one of them Stephanie Nielson, mommy blogger/author of the Nie Nie Dialogues) fighting for their lives after a plane crash which burned both she and her husband badly.

Well she's on the mend. I didn't know she was blogging again, but spent the last hour reading all her posts since the accident. Wow... she's amazing! Keep fighting Stephanie! I , for one, am pulling for you! You so courageous and inspiring.

Helping Tami - Bone Marrow Drive

2009-04-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

I only recently met Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Bride but I wanted to help Stacie get the word out because I also learned that she is feverishly working on a drive to find a bone marrow match for her cousin Tami. Tami was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease/blood cancer very similar to Leukemia called Myelodysplasia and needs a stem cell transplant. Her possibility of finding a match is best among the Asian community, and apparently, there are very few Asians in the National Bone Marrow Registry.

I hope that I never am faced with such a situation, but if I was, I would sure want someone to spread the word for my loved one. Please check out this website www.HelpingTami.org to learn more about Tami and how to register for the National Marrow Donor Program.

New Blog: The Decorated Letter - XYZ Ink

2009-04-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

I'm reluctantly letting you in on a little secret... and hope that when she gets even busier than she already is, she will still leave a little room in her schedule for my wedding clients.

Xandra Zamora of XYZInk is simply the best calligrapher that I've come across... Her work is truly exquisite. She's located in L.A. but despite the miles, I will happily send lettering work to her from San Francisco... she's that good! I've included a few shots of work she did for an event I produced at a Santa Barbara hilltop estate. For the escort cards shown below, Xandra watercolored table numbers in moss green and finished each card with the guests name in chocolate brown ink. She also hand lettered the menu shown for letterpress. Everything she graces with her lettering is a little work of art.

Xandra has just started a brand new blog The Decorated Letter which I'm sure will be packed with gorgeous work she's done for many high profile wedding planners and invitation designers out there. Check it out!

Photos by Elizabeth Messina

"Elemental" by Waterlily Pond Studioat Bouquets to Art

2009-04-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Back in mid-March, I went to the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park for a little floral inspiration at the Bouquets to Art. The Bouquets to Art is an annual celebration of floral design where noted floral designers are invited to create a floral art piece inspired by a particular work of art within the museum. The floral works are displayed next to their inspired art works.

I haven't been before, but I had been looking forward to it since I heard from my friend Natasha Lisitsa of Waterlily Pond Studio that she had been chosen to create the feature installation in Wilsey Court. At that point, she was waiting for that "lightbulb moment" and hadn't completed the final design. She must have had one bright shining moment because her extraordinary installation, "Elemental", a 20 ft x 15 ft, 800 lb masterpiece made of Manzanita Branches, Forsythia, Curly Willow and Anthuriums made my jaw drop as I entered the Wilsey Court... just absolutely breathtaking.

Natasha is a fabulous floral and event designer, a true artist and a lovely person! She has a very interesting background... she originally came to this country to work as an engineer and during the Dot.com bust, found a new direction in life... design. I am completely in awe of her creativity and so happy for her and all the attention she's getting for this creation.

The most exciting part? You can hire her to create your wedding florals or to design your entire event. Check out these photos of her installation below. They were taken by the talented Erin Beach, a wedding documentary style wedding photographer from San Francisco.

Here's the official description from the de Young.

Elemental, by Waterlily Pond Studio
Natasha Lisitsa, Daniel Schultz, Carla D’Agostino

Materials Used:
500 blossoming branches of Forsythia
30 Manzanita trees
200 trunks of Curly Willow
500 stems of Anthuriums
100 feet of copper tubing, inspired by the De Young architecture

Dedicated to the Grand Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Bouquets to Art.

Suspended within the austere, angular space of the Wilsey Court, a vibrant infusion of color and dynamic form initiates a celebration of life and all things Elemental. A radiant central composition of yellow forsythia and red Manzanita branches alludes to the sun and earth, the combined vital energy common to us all. Orbiting this form is an ascending spiral, which presents allusions to the building blocks of nature: the earth orbiting the sun, the atom, DNA, and to the continuous path of life along which we travel.

Rose and Radish - Hayes Valley

2009-03-03T23:43:00.001-08:00

Rose and Radish A flower shop and gallery. Yet another gem in our beautiful city by the Bay... just right up my alley. Gorgeous designs, clever presentation, lovely things. I just fell in love with the shop after seeing another post on Housemartin. As a matter of fact, I think I'll stop in on Friday when I go to the City. Something to look forward to .

460 Gough Street in Hayes Valley. 415.864.4988

Neiman Marcus $3,000 Christian Louboutin Shopping Spree

2009-03-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

This will put a bounce in your 2009 budget conscious step...

Enter here for your chance to win a $3,000 Christian Louboutin Shopping Spree from Neiman Marcus.

Wedding Don't: Taking Out Loans

2009-02-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-02-16T23:19:00.000-08:00

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!

.

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

Great New Blog: Kiss the Groom

2009-02-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-13T12:56:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

(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

2009-02-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

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

The Bride's Cafe - We made the Creme de la Creme!

2009-01-31T08:45:00.000-08:00

I'm back from The Special Event conference in San Diego loaded up with great ideas and great new design products to share. More on that later...

Today, I am proud to announce that The Brides Cafe has selected Rosemary Special Events as one of their Creme de la Creme Wedding Planners for the San Francisco region. If you haven't checked out Janie Medley's blog, it is one of the best.... loaded with the beautiful inspiration and ideas for wedding couples. I am truly honored to be among her elite few. Thanks Janie!

Year of the Ox - Happy New Year

2009-01-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

In honor of the start of Chinese New Year, I have posted a couple of the many Chinese inspired favors they have on beacoup.com

I'm off the a Special Event Conference in San Diego to soak up some inspiration. I'll be posting again on Friday. Have a good week!

Ises Design Competition

2009-01-22T18:06:00.001-08:00

One of the many perks of being a wedding planner is that you get invited to great events planned by super talented event professionals. We really know how to throw a party... especially for ourselves.

On Tuesday I attended luncheon and design showcase of an industry group that I belong to (ISES) the International Special Events Society. I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Morgan Doan of Morgan Events for winning top honors for her table design this year.

She teamed up with Blueprint Studio Collection who custom upholstered these chic chairs and matching tablecloth in slate grey, the fun and talented floral designer Neil Hunt at Hunt-Littlefield who crafted these stunning architectural arrangements in stainless square containers and super invitation designers Hello! Lucky Letterpress who graced the place-setting with fabulous citrus green and grey menus from their new wedding stationery line. The menus were presented in green Japanese book cloth photo frames created by bookbinder Stephanie Haney. What a beautiful and chic tabletop design.

Congratulations Morgan and team for a well deserved honor.

Images from Hello! Lucky Blog

Oh Happy Day! - Break Out The Bubbly...

2009-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Image by Elizabeth Messina

ok, I do love cupcakes but this occasion calls for the bubbly!

Obama Inaugural Cupcakes

2009-01-20T03:58:00.000-08:00

I'm always looking for an excuse to eat cupcakes! I can't remember a more special Inaugural in my lifetime... and what a reason to celebrate!

If you want to find out how to make these cupcakes, here is a link to Alpha Mom where you can find some inaugural party planning ideas and download the templates for these Obama cupcake toppers.

Martin Luther King Day

2009-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

It took 46 years but I believe this day has arrived. You can read his
1963 speech here. It's also my Dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad.

Hello! Lucky - 2009 Stationery Line

2009-01-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a stationery preview of the 2009 line of Hello! Lucky wedding stationery. Hello! Lucky is well known for their beautiful and creative letterpress designs, but this year have made a budget-friendly digital option available as well as adding convenient on-line ordering.

It was a great event filled with many bright stars in the Bay Area wedding industry. Eunice & Sabrina Moyle, sisters and co-founders of Hello! Lucky are not only incredibly talented but gracious and charming ladies.

Check out the 2009 letterpress and digital invitation line at their newly launched site www.hellolucky.com. Their invitations are gorgeous! Here's one I love "L'Oiseau"

Inspiration - Field of Light

2009-01-14T20:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know it's not local, but this lighting installation I came across today is so cool and is such great design inspiration for an ultra modern wedding.

The following description was taken from the website of this project's UK lighting designer Bruce Munro

"Field of Light was originally conceived fifteen years ago, when Bruce Munro took a trip through central Australia. The red desert had an incredible feeling of energy; ideas seemed to radiate from it along with the heat. The field of light installation was one idea that landed in Bruce’s sketch book and refused to dislodge from his mind.

Field of Light can be seen at the Eden Project in Cornwall from 1st November 2008 - 31st March 2009. Bruce Munro and five assistants worked over three days to install it on the grass roof of the visitor’s centre, between the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes. It is made of 6,000 acrylic stems, through which fibre optic cables run, each crowned with a clear glass sphere. There are 11 external projectors; the stems themselves hold no electric power at all. The installation covers an area of 60 x 20 meters, using 24, 000 meters of fibre optic cable. It’s best viewed after dark."

And apparently Mr. Munro knew that event planners would eat this sort of thing up because check out these awesome chandeliers he did at a UK special event.

(4/2/09 Update: I was contacted by Jenny Hall, a representative of Mr. Munro today who corrected me on this... these chandeliers were created by Mr. Munro for New York's famed event designer Preston Bailey for use at an event in our fair city of San Francisco! So exciting to know that he works in the San Francisco Bay Area! And I also found out that these 26 chandeliers are available for hire. No need to just be inspired, you can rent Mr. Munro's very chandeliers at your own event! Thank you for the information, Jenny)

You can see more photos and learn more about Bruce Munro at www.brucemunro.co.uk

Sweet Spot - A little piece of Cocoa Bella

2009-01-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

CocoaBella Chocolates is one of San Francisco's special little treasures. They call themselves the ultimate Chocolate Lifestyle Shop.... Not sure I can live a completely chocolate-centered life (my husband and my waistline thank me for this) but a little taste of heaven on occasion from Cocoa Bella is definitely a treat. The chocolates are truly little works of art and a great option for a wedding favor.

Proprietor Michael Freeman literally searches the world looking for the highest quality, best tasting chocolates. The chocolates they carry are from small, family owned and operated artisan chocolatiers featuring chocolates from makers in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and the United States and are not only delicious but some of the most beautiful chocolates I have ever seen.

They have jumped on the dessert table bandwagon and offer dessert table at weddings calling them "mini-CocoaBella's". The bride and groom select their favorite chocolates, and then CocoaBella works with the caterer to set up a dessert table featuring the world's finest chocolates, complete with description cards. They figure on 5 chocolates per guest, and the price is $10 per guest.

They offer 2 and 5 piece box favors. They allow you to choose any 2/5 chocolates (respectively) any color ribbon and enclose a menu/message. The 2 piece is $5/box and the 5 piece is $10/box.

This Saturday, January 17th from 8:00-9:00 pm, three of the world's top artisan chocolatiers (Christopher Elbow of Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates, Fritz Knipschildt of Knipschildt Chocolatier, and Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Farms) will be at Cocoa Bella on Union Street presenting their favorite chocolate and spirit pairings.

Tickets are $20 per person, including drinks and chocolate, and are available at CocoaBella stores or by phone at (415) 931-6213

CocoaBella Chocolates -Flagship Store
2102 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
415-931-6213

Hours: Monday -Thursday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm; Sunday Noon - 6:00 pm

2nd Location:

CocoaBella Chocolates - Westfield San Francisco Centre
845 Market Street (Between 4th and 5th Streets) Street Level
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-896-5222

Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Style Inspiration from the Golden Globes

2009-01-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's my background in film production, but I just love awards season. What better place to get style inspiration for your wedding? The pink/ neutral palette is everywhere! I loved all of these:

Olivia Wilde in Reem Acra looked AMAZING!

Demi in Dior. She is always gorgeous (Ashton ain't bad either!).

Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive looking elegant.

Drew Barrymore in Dior (the hair, not so much... very "Ice Storm")

Thoughtful Details

2009-01-11T21:00:00.000-08:00

Photo by Isabel Lawrence Photographers

As I said yesterday, the most wonderful weddings are the most personal ones.... and personal details can be created at any price point.

How to weave these personal elements into your event? Focus on each other and what is meaningful to you. What's your story as a couple? How do you have fun? Convey your personality and your story on every level in sights, sounds, tastes... Remember your guests. What do they mean to you? How can you honor them and ensure that they are active participants in the day? Make them feel welcome, comfortable and invested in your celebration...they will share your joy and have a blast.

My friend Pauline Parry at Good Gracious! Events in L.A. has a great slogan for her catering company. "It's about Food, Fun & Love" If you can create a wedding day filled with thoughtful, fun and loving elements, you will create a magical day and experience that your guests will be raving about for a long time...regardless of whether you're sitting on chiavari chairs or folding chairs.

Love and Money

2009-01-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

I read a great blog post the other day. Liene Stevens from Blue Orchid Designs in Scottsdale, Arizona wrote an article in her blog entitled Your Wedding Budget Does Not Define You which I highly recommend as required reading for all engaged couples.

I, too, have seen stress on the faces of many wedding couples as they quickly realize the price tag attached to all the wedding details they have dreamed of. I have participated in some remarkable productions, but the most wonderful weddings I have attended have had little to do with how gorgeous the flowers were or how big the band was, but with thoughtful, meaningful details and the energy and love in the room. Sounds hokey, I know, but it's true.

Embrace your budget and create something that works within it. Trying to deliver a $100,000 look on a $10,000 budget will most often deliver stress and disappointing results. Be realistic and make the most of what you've got!

A Chilly Reception - Mr. & Mrs. Snowmen

2009-01-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

I had something entirely different planned for my post today until I saw these fun wedding cakes created by Edith Meyer, a cake baker based in Santa Cruz.

How fun and so cute for a chilly winter wedding! I have not worked with Edith, but I hear her cakes are delicious and these cakes are adorable! Click on her blog Fresh From the Oven to see more details about this snow couple. She is now on my list of vendors to meet this season! So cute!

Etiquette Expert Anna Post at Williams- Sonoma, San Francisco

2009-01-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

Etiquette Alert!

Mark your calendars! Here's your chance to get all your burning etiquette questions answered.
Anna Post, great-great-grandaughter of the infamous Emily Post will be appearing at Williams-Sonoma on Union Square in San Francisco at 10am on January 25th.

You must RSVP to reserve your spot. Here is more information taken from the Williams-Sonoma website:

Join us for an exclusive event celebrating Anna Post's latest book, Do I Have to Wear White?, and the introduction of Williams-Sonoma's formal dinnerware collection. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and cake samples as Anna Post, author and spokesperson of the Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of renowned etiquette expert Emily Post, answers your questions, shares wedding etiquette advice and signs copies of her book.

Special Offer: Create your Williams-Sonoma gift registry at the event and receive a complimentary copy of Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today - please RSVP by calling your Williams-Sonoma store below.

Williams Sonoma - Union Square
January 25, starting at 10:00 am
340 Post St., San Francisco, CA
(415) 362-9450

How to Shop the Sample Sale @ Saks Fifth Ave. - SF

2009-01-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a place to trim wedding costs, here's one. The Bridal Suite at Saks Fifth Avenue begins their sample sale tomorrow, January 7th, 2009, with savings of up to 50% off.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
384 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-986-4300
Bridal Suite Hours: T-Sat. 10am-6pm

Several of my former brides (with some pretty impressive wedding budgets) have saved big bucks buying at sample sales and no one has ever suspected a thing (Barney's has a great one too!).

If you've never been to a sample sale, prepare yourself. It can be a little crazy and it's not exactly a red carpet experience (some are more civilized than others). If you can handle the drawbacks, the savings can be significant. Here are a few tips:

1) Be early because others will be.

2) Make sure you have an idea of what style of gown you are looking for so you can narrow it down right out of the gate. Ideally, you should have your location and the time of your wedding set so that you are purchasing a dress that suits your event (a long train dragging through a dirty vineyard just isn't pretty!) You'll also save valuable time if you know your wedding dress size in advance.

3) You will probably not have any sales assistance so bring friends. It's helpful to have someone to give you a second opinion and a few extra hands to gather dresses.

4). Bring some heels to try on dresses with and be prepared with appropriate undergarments in case you need to try it on in public.

5) Be warned, the dress will be dirty and you will need to have it cleaned and altered. Be sure to figure those costs in to your overall dress budget. Try to get the bridal salon to recommend the name of a reputable cleaner and seamstress. Otherwise, a good wedding planner will certainly have those contacts.

6) Be certain that this is THE dress and that you have examined it carefully before purchasing. Sample sales are final and you don't want to be stuck with a wedding dress with stains that can't be removed or that you might change your mind about.

Good Luck!

Great Things Come in Small Packages

2009-01-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

Photo by Ann Hamilton

To state the obvious, the economy is a mess. Not to bring a cloud to your otherwise sunny day, but as pointed out earlier this month in this New York Times article, this has hit wedding couples in a big way. Yes, there are many ways to cut costs, but if you're looking for a simple solution, I'll offer this. Guests = dollars, so if you want to keep expenses down and still have a beautiful, luxury wedding: how about a small, intimate destination wedding?

By traveling a distance, you will give yourself a gracious "out" from inviting those extended family and friends who would expect to be invited to a wedding close to home. And what could be more special than to exchange vows and special memories surrounded by your closest friends and family at a romantic "dream" destination?

What about San Francisco, Point Reyes, or the Napa Valley?

Golden Star Sparkling Tea

2009-01-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

This Golden Star White Jasmine Sparkling Tea is my newest great discovery...

I stumbled upon a sample of it today at Whole Foods. It's a new product produced here in San Francisco and introduced in early 2008 to rave reviews and multiple awards. Until now it has not been widely available. Anyway, it's light, bubbly and non-alcoholic... truly delicious (and I'm not even a tea drinker)!

The presentation is elegant enough for a champagne alternative at any special event... especially a wedding. Give it a try. It may just be the replacement to the lemonade welcome bar.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

Every New Year starts with a resolution. This is mine.... to start a blog, something I've wanted to do for some time.

I have compiled much knowledge as an event producer and wedding planner in one of the most beautiful regions of the country. There is so much know when making wedding plans in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Napa & Sonoma wine country and hopefully I can help as you start down your own new road to your wedding day....

My blog will be a mixed bag. Of course we all love beautiful style inspiration, and I'm sure I'll give you some of that. But, I also hope to acquaint you with some of our breathtaking wedding locations, introduce you to the best in local vendors and uncover many of the little gems in our little corner of the world.

Welcome to the Bride's Nest.