Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Simple and Sweet

Did a quick invitation for a friends wedding, and have to say love the way it turned out!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Charmaine and Bill Raines, by Beth Behler!! Just LOVE her shots

This was another summer wedding we had, with a great couple, both teachers form LA, and avid rival UCLA / USC fans. I had a blast with them on their vegetarian earth themed wedding!
DJ Dave Turner Made the night a blast for the couple
Catering by Truly Yours, 
Design by Carrie
LOVE the succulents, and all the fun details with the candy bar by us here at with Grace
with flowers by Beth Behler as well!!!!
I can't believe to tell you how happy we are to have her on our team here at with Grace!!!! Here are just a few great shots she took...

Christina & Aaron's beautiful wedding shot by Beth Behler

I have to say planning with Christina and Aaron was a long process, but each and every moment 100% fun every time!!!

After a long year, we finally put together the 2nd wedding for the pair. The two had previously tied the knot a month prior in the brides family church.

For the wedding we put on at the beach club Christina and Aaron both wanted it to be fun, laid back, and memorable. So we did all we could to capture just that. With the impeccable designs of Carrie for the flowers, lighting, and all decor the placed was illuminating with Love. The Photo Booth was a HUGE hit as always. Silver Service provided incredible food as usual. And coordination by Myself :) I am very proud to share a few photos from the incredible Beth Behler!!!! She is an amazing photographer who captured Christina and Aaron in the perfect way :)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

OSCAR DE LA RENTA TRUNK SHOW

Shop the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 Bridal Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills.

August 26th-28th
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Please call (310) 887-5509 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Saks Fifth Avenue
9600 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
www.saks.com/bridal

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Finally Some Sunshine At the End Of the Summer

I have to say a BIG BIG thank you to all who helped me get through this past weekend! And a special thank you to Mr. Sun for shining bright!

Oliver and Cassie's heartfelt vows at Mallibu West Beach Club still give me chills. Each moment of these weddings was close to my heart and the hearts of all who

Just a few moments to share from the wonderful weekend.

Mr & Mrs Slosser

Malibu West Beach Club, Malibu California

Oliver and I have been 'Family' since we were born. His mother Judy is my mom's best friend, and we have grown together for the past 25 years! It was sooo wonderful getting to be involved with their planning process. Cassie is from England, and we are overjoyed that she has joined our family!











Cake by the Groom! (SOO Yummy)
Decor and Flowers by Carrie Sawyer
Coordination by Helen Hening

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Gratuity Guidelines

I have to say one of the most questions I get is "how much, and who to we tip"?

There are many different opinion's on this topic, but I have to say in the end it all depends on your budget, and the quality of your wedding. Did you vendors all comply to the contract they have with you? Were your standards met? Were you and your, now Husband, satisfied with your wedding day?

Here is a breakdown from The Knot.com that seems to work the best:

When you're already dipping deep into your (or your parents') savings for so many wedding expenses, shelling out gratuities on top of that can be hard to handle. Well, rest easy: unless a service charge is spelled out in your contract, you're never obligated to tip anyone.

However you can't ignore the fact that some vendors will expect a gratuity, which forces tipping to be considered on a case-by-case scenario. Some general rules: Don't tip business owners, only tip their employees (however, you can/should tip an owner when the service exceeds expectations); tip vendors who offer exceptional service; thank-you notes are always appreciated; and assign the responsibility to a trusted deputy such as your wedding planner, a parent, or the best man. For a breakdown of what's customary for each vendor, read on.

Wedding Planner

Wedding planners won't likely expect anything; however, if yours did a great job you can always offer a token of your appreciation. (Note: Non-monetary thank-yous like professional photos of the wedding for the planer's portfolio can go a long way too.) Approximately 50 percent of couples do tip their planners -- typically those with more opulent weddings.
Protocol: Optional
The $standard: Up to $500, or a nice gift
When to Tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon.

Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist

This is one area where a gratuity is definitely expected. Tip between 15 - 20 percent just as you would in a hair salon, and consider giving a little extra if there's a crisis, like one of your bridesmaids has a meltdown over her up do and it requires a redo at the last minute.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service
When to Tip: At the end of your service

Wedding Delivery and Set-up Staff

Slip a few dollars to anyone delivering important items to the site (wedding cake, flowers, or sound system). And if a lot of gear needs to be brought in and set up (tents, chairs, or port-a-potties), the workers deserve a tip too.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: $5 - $10 per person
When to Tip: Drop off cash envelopes the day before the wedding to the catering manager so the person accepting deliveries can turn the tip.

Wedding Ceremony Officiant

If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue, you're often expected to make a donation to that institution. If you're a member you'll probably want to give a larger amount than if you're not. However, if you're getting married there and they're charging you to use the space, feel free to give a smaller amount. If you're using a nondenominational officiant, no tip is required because they will charge you for their time.
Protocol: Expected (depending on officiant)
The $tandard: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational officiant, an optional tip of $50 - $100
When to Tip: Most ceremony fees are required prior to the wedding. Otherwise, have the best man pass the cash envelope at the rehearsal dinner if the officiant is in attendance.

Wedding Ceremony Musicians

If you worked with a mini orchestra to come up with the perfect score for your service (and they pulled it off flawlessly), consider showing some monetary thanks for their talent. However, you probably don't have to tip the solo church organist who was required to play.
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: $15 - $20 per musician
When to Tip: At the end of the ceremony.

Wedding Photographer/Videographer

You're not expected to give your shutterbugs any dough beyond their normal fees. Yet if the wedding photographer or videographer doesn't own the studio, consider tipping each person (or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).
Protocol: Unnecessary, unless the photographer is not the studio owner.
The $tandard: $50 - $200 per vendor
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

Wedding Reception Staff

This type of staff includes the on-site coordinator, maitre d', and banquet manager. A service charge (typically 2 percent) is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maitre d'.
When to Tip: If it's covered in the contract, the final bill is typically due before the reception. Otherwise, have the father of the bride or best man hand the envelope to the maitre d' at the end of the reception since you will need to know the final tab to calculate the percentage.

Wedding Reception Attendants

When it comes to bartenders, waitstaff, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants the rules of tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional. If it's not included, ask ahead of time how many attendants will be working your wedding and calculate on a per person basis.
Protocol: Optional, based on contract
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car
When to Tip: Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to encourage all the workers to give you great service.

Wedding Reception Band or DJ

Whether you hire 12-piece swing band or grooving to a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional. (Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow your ideal playlist!) And don't forget about any sound technicians they bring with them.
Protocol: Optional, yet preferred
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs
When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man.

Wedding Transportation

Again, check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn't, plan to tip provided they show up on time and don't get lost!
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the total bill
When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride. If you used a separate company for the guest buses, designate a bus captain to hand the driver a tip, otherwise, this duty falls to the best man.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Can't wait anymore...

DeEtte was referred to me by another bride many months back, and I have to say it has been so much fun from day 1 to work with this wonderful couple. Lawrence is a Doctor and DeEtte a mother of 3 and grandmother to 1 (hard to believe) The pair had so much love around them that day it filled the venue everywhere you went. The evening truly was a 'Fairy Tale'
Beth Behler was there to help me from the start, and took some fantastic pictures that I can't wait to see, but for now I have just a few I was able to snap:)


It was an honor to let DeEtte 'Borrow' my Grandmother's vintage German hand-beaded clutch for her wedding. I have to admit I am an antique hoarder and I have quite the collection, so I love to use little bits here and there with my brides.

As well I have to share their stunning cake inspired by none other than CoCo Channel. The couple gifted their bridal party with CC perfume for the girls and Black Ray Bans for the guys. I am pretty much IN LOVE with the Black and Ivory/White weddings.

Fun with Feathers!

I am awaiting the photos from this weekend's festivities!!! Both Christina and Aaron and DeEtte and Larry's weddings were wonderful and I could not be happier with the outcome!!
Here is one great shot I took of DeEtte's bouquet that is classic and fun.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Sweet for Sweets!

Had to share the awesome pics form Beth Behler form Charmaine and Bill's wedding!  Carrie and I have been doing candy bars now for awhile, They are so much fun for all your guests.

We can do them in any color, and style!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Megan Stark Photography & Design!

We absolutely LOVE Megan Stark !! She truly captured amazing moments from Liz and Steve's Wedding. This wedding was 14 months in the making, and Megan's view on it is incredible!

I am so proud to share with you the photos from their day:)