Wondering how to incorporate your love of color into your wedding? Dress your maids in the same shade and let them each carry different bouquets. We share how to make it work from our “real wedding” of Jennifer and Ian. Our delightful bride, Jennifer wanted her wedding to  have an essence of whimsy. Her girls all wore beautiful champagne, knee length gowns. No matching shoes for these gals. Their personalities came alive when wearing shoes in their favorite color. This spunky bride chose bouquets to match their shoes. The posey style bouquets were bright and fun, just like the girls who wore them. You can see from these photos taken by CherieFoto that Jennifer’s plan of whimsy and individuality pleased her maids.

Not to be overshadowed by her bridesmaids, we’ll share photos of Jennifer and Ian. Such a special couple and such a beautiful wedding.

Jennifer’s love of color comes through again in her shoes and her bouquet. Great contrast against her diamond white gown.

Did you get the latest copy of Ceremony Magazine - Orange County? You must! Our friend Marianne Lozano Photography was featured for her photo shoot Glam Gowns. Marianne asked me for assistance in coordinating the shoot. We assisted with gowns and the timeline of the day. It was so much fun helping these beautiful models into these gowns. Jobyna’s Bridal provided these one of a kind pieces of art. They were all Ines Di Santo originals. I got goosebumps when I unwrapped the bags and saw each one. The fabric, the beading, the craftmanship. Ahhhh…heaven for a wedding planner.

These creative shots were taken at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles. Marianne chose the theatre to showcase her work. We think it was brilliant. Beautiful models, luscious gowns, amazing photographer…….well of course Ceremony Magazine had to feature it. Marianne..thanks for including us in this beautiful feature.

Our first VENUE SPOTLIGHT of 2010 is The Sheraton Cerritos. Amanda Soria is  The Sheraton’s “Manager of Romance and Fun”. Yes, that’s really her title, and she takes is seriously. She is a consumate professional with a fun attitude. That means you are ensured of a perfect wedding and you’ll actually enjoy the experience.

Approaching this award winning and world class hotel is takes your breathy away. The glittering facade is quite impressive. Equally impressive is the lobby. It’s warm, cozy and inviting. The the decor of the hotel is modern and contemporary, yet it maintains a warmth and charm that says COZY. Around each corner, you are suprised by the beauty of the interiors and careful attention to detail. Make sure to stop in at Grill 91 for lunch. Delicious food and outstanding service. I love the Cuban Sandwich. Yummy.

I asked Amanda to tell us why she thinks the Sheraton should be your choice for a beautiful wedding. So Amanda, take it away!

What is the history of your venue?
The Sheraton Cerritos Hotel was built in 1990. The hotel to recently went under a complete renovation in 2008.

How many guests can you accommodate?  Up to 500 guests
           
Ceremony?     We have 2 beautiful ceremony locations outside. The Garden Terrace can  comfortably seat up to 150 guests with exquisite scenery and a private yet romantic atmosphere. Our second location is the Fountain ceremony located at the front of the hotel. This ceremony spot can seat up to 350 guests. With this unique location you would be sure to wow your guests.  We also can hold ceremonies inside of any of our ballrooms.      Reception?  We have 3 breathtaking reception locations. Our immaculate Crystal Ballroom is our newest addition with over 3,400 square feet, accommodating up to (220) guests.  Our romantic, chandelier-lit Cerritos Ballroom accommodates up to (500) guests. Our intimate Garden Terrace Room is also perfect for (120) guests with floor to ceiling windows and an attached outdoor patio for your private use. All banquet rooms are available for either lunch or dinner.


 

Do you provide In-House Catering? Yes. We are rated #2 in all the Sheraton Hotels across the US in our food and beverage. Our award winning Chef will be sure to make your experience here a tasteful one. Its with great pride we offer exquisite menu items for all our guests. We also allow for our guests to bring in outside catering as well. Is parking provided on-site? Yes, it is complimentary to all our guests. We have plenty of parking with our own private parking area right outside the hotel along with a parking structure just steps away.Do you book more than one event per day?Yes we can book more than one event per day. We never have two events start or end at the same time.  How will that affect my event?  By off setting the times this gives you the feel that your event is the only one taking place at the hotel at that time. Our staff is there to serve only your event and will not have any affect if there is another event going on in the hotel on the same day.What is your favorite feature of your venue?
I personally love Cerritos ballroom. The first time I stepped in the ballroom I fell in love with it.  It is hard not to.  The entire look and feel of the room is absolutely breathtaking.

Give us the top three reasons why couples should book your venue for their wedding/reception.
1. Find the meaning of true relaxation and great service at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel.
2. Our newly renovated ballrooms are perfect for every planner’s needs. Whether you’re planning an event for 12 people, or 600 friends and family—we make it easy for you with our friendly, consistent, and hospitable service.
3. Our central location also allows families to see everything the area has to offer, including favorite theme parks and attractions, great shopping, dining, and entertainment venues all over the Los Angeles and Orange Counties.Contact Amanda at ASoria@sunstonehotels.com to book an appointment. You won’t be disappointed.

As we usher in the new year, many of us are thinking about our resolutions. Many brides have resolved to lose weight before their wedding. I came across in interesting article, titled “The Incredible Shrinking Bride”.  Read More. You bet it caught my eye. It’s all about the lengths brides will go to look “perfect” on their wedding day. Unrealistic diets, botox injections, teeth whitening and even artificial tanning.

As a woman, I believe we should always want to look our best. It’s understandable that you want to get in shape and be as beautiful as possible for your wedding day. But at what cost? Is it healthy mentally or physically to try to loose 20 pounds in a month? Should you risk damage to your skin by ariticial tanning beds? How much money will you spend to change the appearance of your teeth? Ask yourself why? Why would you go to these lengths for your wedding day? Then ask yourself are you preparing yourself for a wedding or a marriage?

Remember the day your fiance proposed? You were deliriously happy. To him, you were the most beautiful woman in the world, and he chose you exactly as you are. He loves YOU and wants to spend the rest of his life with the woman you see in the mirror today.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to be healthier and look your very best. You should. We all should. Make realistic goals and don’t overshadow the time leading up to your wedding by being ill from starving yourself. Most importantly remember you’re planning for a future, not just a day.

Wedding Jeannie is welcoming 2010 with open arms. Let’s face it 2009 was a tough year for so many people. Weddings were impacted in a huge way. Engaged couples decided it wasn’t wise to get married in 2009 and have held off for 2010. For those of you who waited and are ready to marry in 2010, WE’RE WAITING FOR YOU!

There is so much to be excited about. We have some very interesting weddings coming up. Veronica and I are thrilled about what is to come. Some Cultural weddings include Indian, West African and Latin. We love the rich traditions that cultural weddings bring to our lives. Some of the venues where you will find us this year include Arbor Terrance in Fallbrook, The Huntley in Santa Monica, The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, The St. Regis in Laguna Beach, and the historic Park Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. Wow! I’m excited thinking about it.

2010 also brings another new beginning for us. We created THE CONFIDENT BRIDE WORKSHOP in response to the confusion brides have told us they are experiencing. Wedding Jeannie believes that every bride should be a CONFIDENT bride. The World Wide Web has made wedding planning more confusing than ever. There are hundreds of websites available. It’s where YOU look for advice and vendors. Unfortunately those vendors are not always reputable. Our workshops strip planning down to the basics. We teach you how to choose qualified vendors, budgeting for your particular needs, organization and the critical 30 Day countdown. Join us as we bring you the best vendors in Southern California sharing their expertise with you. Our workshops are NOT a bridal show. Nothing to buy, no hardsell. Only free advice! Why would we do this? Because there is alot of bad advice out there and we want all brides to have a positive planning experience, whether they decide to use a planner or not.

Wedding Jeannie is renewed and ready to take 2010 by the tail. Why not come along with us? We accept a limited number of weddings per year. This means we are booking up quickly. What does that mean to you? It means we can focus our energy and expertise on your wedding and individual needs.

We wish to congratulate you on your engagement. You have an exciting 2010 ahead of you. If you find that you need the assistance of a qualified, creative and enthusiastic team of wedding planners, call us today. We can’t wait to be your partner in planning.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CONFIDENT BRIDE? Join us for an intimate gathering of the best professionals in the industry, giving YOU the advice you need to plan your wedding with confidence.

Wedding Jeannie is proud to announce our first offical CONFIDENT BRIDE WORKSHOP. Visit the official blog to learn more about this One-Of-A-Kind FREE event.

Once a month our workshop will move to different cities, in order to give all BRIDES an opportunity to take part in this intimate and free workshop. This is not a Bridal Show. It’s a small and intimate workshop where YOU will interact with the best wedding professionals in Southern California. Each month three premiere vendors will share their knowledge with you, in an open forum where you ask the questions. Only 50 brides are allowed to attend each workshop. That means the workshops fill up fast. RSVP TODAY AT rsvp@weddingjeannie.com to reserve your seat.

Our first workshop takes place at Bella Collina in San Clemente, on January 12, 2010. Bella Collina is the newest and hottest venue in Orange County. This workshop brings together the experience and expertise of Wedding Jeannie, Jay’s Catering, Photojenic Photography and Music On The Move. 

Enjoy learning from qualified wedding vendors, meet other brides and share your experiences, receive a wedding planning packet and a generous goodie bag. We can’t wait to meet you and help you to be a CONFIDENT BRIDE.

Your wedding invitations set the tone for your wedding. When your invitation arrives in the mailbox it should say something about you. Long gone are the days of a simple white invitation. That was your mother’s invitation. Today’s bride chooses to personalize every aspect of her wedding, starting with her invitations. Consider it the FIRST IMPRESSION of your wedding.  Not only will it tell your guests when and where your nuptuals will take place, it’s a visual introduction into your wedding. The type of paper, graphic and color will say alot about you. If you have a theme, this is where you want to incorporate it. The wedding invitation should reflect your personal style, announce your colors, and clearly define the formality of the occasion.

David’s Bridal offers stylish and affordable invitations the will fit your budget and set the stage for your wedding. They make it simple for you to choose your perfect invitation. They offer tips, advice and inspiration, as well as a large selection of invitations to choose from. Today’s hottest colors and graphics are available. Be inspired, stylish and smart. Visit David’s Bridal today and set the tone for your wedding day.
*Sponsored Endorsement

Photo courtesy: Louis Weiner Photograpy

Finally got the amazing pictures of Janet and Greg’s wedding at Gold Mountain Manor in Big Bear. So many to go through and choose for a portfolio. In the meantime here is one to get you curious. This was the day after shot.

Many people don’t know that I was a floral designer before I was a Wedding Planner. Alot of So. Ca. brides have walked down the aisle holding a bouquet that I lovingly made for them. The other day, I was looking at pictures from previous weddings. Rachael’s bouquet jumped out at me. This one holds a special place in my heart, because she was such a wonderful cleint to work for. Rachael and Jeremy were married at Churon Winery in Temecula. What a great Fall Winery Wedding. The colors were rich and warm. She wanted her bouquet to be wild and yet elegant. I can still remember how hard I worked on the handle. To make it sexy, I fashioned the handle after a corset. What a great memory. I hope you love this bouquet as much as I do.

Sharing the love from one our attendees at the latest workshop. Here is what she had to say. Wow - a true testament as to why we need to keep doing what we’re doing. Thanks Dani, we enjoyed having you there.

“Thank you for hosting such a GREAT and useful workshop!  It was a wonderful experience for me.  I found it to be warm and welcoming but more importantly full of useful and practical information.  I am still blown away by the fact that you, Veronica, Mary and Alina share yourselves, your wisdom and knowledge so freely.  I for one  am truly grateful for your generosity and kindness.  So many times Brides are bombarded with information in a high pressure environment; that is not the case at all with the Couture Bridal Workshop.  I felt as though I was sitting, chatting and enjoying an evening with close friends.  I walked away armed with the knowledge and confidence.  I can never thank you enough!   

And although I was unsure of the possibility of my being able to collaborate with a Wedding Planner, I know now that you and Veronica are who I wish to entrust this day to.  I am confident that all of the dreams that I have envisioned will come true.

Please know that you were successful, you are so very in tune with what today’s Brides are in need of.  Well-informed, personalized planning that encourages our individuality to shine through.  I am so excited now! More so than before!  

As promised, I have visited the blogs you’ve recommended and I will begin following you are Twitter.  We can learn how to Tweet together. Giggle!  I am looking forward to speaking with you personally, when your schedule permits a few moments.

Please give Veronica my very best along with a hug.

Have a wonderful and most enjoyable day!

October’s Couture Bride Workshop was a wild success. We had a full house of Brides to Be, and even one Groom! There was magic in the air, as Wedding Jeannie, Alina Pizzano and Mary Lallande of Jay’s Catering shared an interactive and open forum with our attendees. Featured Guest Mary Lallande, Venue Concierge of Jay’s Catering provided valuable information, sample proposals and her joy and love for all things food. In typical Jay’s Catering style, Mary created a visual feast of scrumptious treats, including Jay’s own Designer Candy Apples, a gourmet fruit and cheese tray, and yummy Coconut Vanilla cupcakes with Bavarian Cream Filling, accompanied with a refreshing lemonade.

 Jay’s Catering is consistently voted Orange County’s #1 caterer. Mary is a pivotal reason for that. Her blog titled “Food For Thought” is read by  wedding industry professionals nationwide. She was recently recognized by LA Style Unveiled as a Social Media Maven you should follow on twitter. I’m a dedicated follower of her tweets.

(I love this shot of Veronica and I polishing off our presentation)

Our October Brides learned the “insider” secrets to “simplified” wedding planning, the value in a custom wedding gown, and experienced the joy of creating a menu that reflects their personality as a couple.

Thank you to the wonderful brides who attended. We do this for YOU! We hope our advice is helpful to you in your wedding planning adventure. Of course, thanks goes to Alina Pizzano for sharing her beautiful salon with all of us. And finally, Mary Lallande….thank you for all of your generosity, talent and expertise. You are simply the best.

Meet Shanelle Doughlin. She is not new to the Wedding Jeannie team. Shanelle has been with us for a year. She is so much more than an intern. Shanelle graduated from Biola University last year. One of her projects was to research a career. Wedding Planning was the choice and she researched it vigorously. She approached me and said she would love to be an intern. As a professional, whenever we get a request from a young lady to “help” we get a little twitchy! Well we were proved wrong. Shanelle is a hard worker, smart, resourceful and reliable. Wedding after wedding, she has been such a pro. Her professionalism and attitude are impressive for such a young woman.

Last Saturday’s wedding was the day we knew she was ready to handle all that came her way. We tested her again and again, and she has always risen to the occassion. Wedding planning is hard work. 12 hours on your feet be difficult. But Shanelle is there to make us smile and enjoy what we do even more than I thought we could. She is hilarious and her humor is contagious even to the guests at our weddings. We love that she brings a sense of youthfulness and fresh ideas to Wedding Jeannie.

Shanelle we love you. We’re so glad that you are part of our team. We can’t wait to turn you loose on your own events.

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of working for Jennifer and Ian. This picture is a teaser of another blog post to come. It’s honestly one of the most incredible images of a bride that I personally have ever seen. And I see alot! Thank you to Cherie Steinberg of CherieFoto for getting this image to me within two days. She was so excited about it that she sent it this morning. If you love it, see Cherie’s work at www.cheriefoto.com

I’m using this photo to showcase my newest bargain. Jennifer was a very smart bride. Her wedding was gorgeous and had so many unique touches. She was able to provide her guests with a photo booth, an interactive scrap booking experience, an art wall where guests could paint on a canvas. The canvas will be a permanent piece of art they will have forever. How was she able to do all this without breaking the bank?

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on her gown, she purchased a very affordable gown at David’s Bridal. She then took the gown to a trusted seamstress who added beading, appliques, pleating and rouching. It was magnificent. The seamstress took the one point, hook and eye bustle, and created a unique 18 point bustle that made the back of her gown look like cotton candy.

In my opinion, Jennifer is a trend setter. She thought outside of the box and found a way to have a custom couture gown without breaking the bank. What did she do with the money she saved? Upgraded her menu….and treated her guests to one amazing meal. Now that’s what I call a smart bride.

Welcome to the latest venue spotlight. The Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach was chosen for several reasons. Primarily because it’s the venue for our 104.3 My Wedding In a Week Contest. More importantly I chose it because I’m enamoured by it. My first visit was with my brother. With time to spare on the way to LAX, we stopped for a cocktail. The restaurant bar is called The Second Story. So cozy and inviting. I love it. My Bloody Mary was delicious and one of the largest I’ve ever had. Very generous indeed. I was a grateful patron indeed.

The minute I walked in the door, it was like coming home. Why? Because the style and colors of the lobby matched my logo. The entire hotel has a chic retro feel. It’s like the 70’s, but updated for today. Wait until you see the rooms. So fun and funky. My favorite touches are the unique paintings. Barbie Doll portraits and chihuahuas! My favorite is the portrait over the fireplace at the pool. The little pooch is wearing swimming goggles. What a great way to escape life for a while and enjoy some lighthearted fun.

Now let’s talk about weddings. For the Ultra-Chic, Modern Bride, this is THE place for your wedding. I’ve been wishing for a wedding at this venue. Can you imagine how excited I am? The outdoor gazebo and patio are the perfect oasis for a sunny Southern California Wedding.

You may want to hear directly from Marie Blomquist, The Belamar’s Catering Manager, who answered a few questions for me about her fresh and fun venue. Marie…..take it away!

What is the history of your venue?
The Belamar is known for it beautiful courtyard and ballroom.
 

How many guests can you accommodate for ceremony? In the courtyard 170 people.  
 Reception? The ballroom with the dance floor 120 people, outside in the courtyard 170 people.

 Do you provide In-House Catering?
Yes.

Is parking provided on-site?

We have complimentary parking

Do you book more than one event per day? How will that affect my event?
Yes, we have a daytime and evening hours. There is a 2 hour of time between events.

What is your favorite feature of your venue?
Our courtyard and ballroom.

Give us the top three reasons why couples should book your venue for their wedding/reception.
Locations, beautiful outdoor reception or indoors, courtyard has 2 different areas where you can be married, the Fountain or Gazebo.

Thank you Marie. We know the winners of the “Wedding In A Week” contest, are going to be treated to an unforgettable wedding experience at The Belamar.