In LOVE & Inspiration

We have to admit when planning weddings there are SOOOO many options, and choices you can make. It truly is endless, when a bride is having trouble making a decision the best thing we can tell them is to stay true to YOU and who you and your fiance are. Nothing make the day of your wedding than having if reflect exactly who you are.

When I saw Misha's & Thomas's wedding 

in Monte Carlo I knew that they had done just that. 

I met Misha over 15 years ago when working at Pierview in Malibu with her sister Nila. The two always had fantastic style and their beauty reflected inside and out. 

I am so excited to share with you their story. When you want to do small and intimate, this is for sure a way to go!

How did you meet?

We met through our friend Steve in a restaurant. I knew I was going to marry him the minute I laid eyes on him.

How did he propose?

In our kitchen, nice and private! After he took me to dinner at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito

3. Why did you chose your wedding location, guests, and overall feel & theme?

We knew we wanted to do a European wedding but didn't know exactly where. My amazing husband sent my sister and I on a first class trip around Europe to choose our perfect destination. We went to Lake Como in Italy, Santorini (Greece), Athens (Greece), Lake Lugano in Switzerland, and Monte Carlo. When we got to Monte Carlo we saw about 10 different venues. Upon arriving at Key Largo we knew right away it was the perfect spot for our group. It was a contemporary private home built on the end of a marina boating dock which went out so far that it felt like we were on a boat in the middle of the ocean. It had a breathtaking view of the city on one side, and the ocean on the other. The rooftop pool deck was so quaint and intimate. There was also a winding staircase that went up to a helipad. This is when my wedding planner suggested that arrive by helicopter, which turned out to be quite interesting with all the wind from the propellers! In addition to the venue being perfect, the city of monte carlo is so charming and has a lot going on. We knew our guests would be happy about traveling there. We decided to only have 20 people attend. We wanted to keep it small. I asked my wedding planner, Frank, for flowers in shades of blue and purples, lots of crystals and candles everywhere, and we got just that! He did a great job! 

4. What was the highlight of planning your wedding?

Getting to travel there, of course!

5. If you could suggest on thing to future brides, what would that be?

Keep the wedding small and intimate with only your closest friends and family. That way you can focus on what this day is really about and not all the other things going on around you. 

Contributing vendors:

Venue - Key Largo in Monte Carlo

Wedding Planner - Frank Damgaard from Monte Carlo Weddings

Brides Dress - Lazaro

Brides Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Sneak Peak!

we LOVE Aileen Secord of Aileen Secord Photography, she has a great fresh look to her photos, and wonderful at the beach. You have seen her work here & here and SUPER excited to share the shots from Deidre & Greg's wedding... For now here is a lil tease, Oh and Happy Friday!

Check back for the full wedding:)

Fun cakes for ANY occasion

LOVE these cakes by a friend of mine Karen Rugero of Katana Cakes. Karen and I worked together years ago at The Charthouse Restaurant. Always an artist Karen and I clicked, and she went on to do many things including at one point her own skin care line! I have to say that her cakes are by far some of the best I have seen. When I am looking for a really fun grooms cake for a wedding, or a birthday party for someone of any age, her cakes are perfect!! Here are a few of my favorites:

Jonathon & Mabel

What a wonderful summer we had with some stunning weddings. Mabel & Jon's day was just that. Captured by Yvette Roman These pictures just take our breath away. BIG Thank you to our vendors, Lyndee Rothbard, and the girls from Beachy Cream!! What a fun night and a magical wedding.

Here are our top 5 favorites

Venue ~ Calabasas Country Club

LOVE

Not to much longer till we see the final pictures from 

Yvette Roman of Jonathon and Mabel's day back in July 

~ one for my wall ~

A question we get a lot of the time.... How much to you Tip?

So many of our clients ask us about gratuity. This is something that really varies from event to event. I ALWAYS go back to the classic list from our mother site The Knot. Here is what they have to say

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 planner's portfolio can go a long way too.) Approximately 50 percent of couples do tip their planners -- typically those with more opulent weddings.Protocol: OptionalThe $tandard: Up to $500, or a nice giftWhen 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 updo and it requires a redo at the last minute.Protocol: ExpectedThe $tandard: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of serviceWhen 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: ExpectedThe $tandard: $5 - $10 per personWhen 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: OptionalThe $tandard: $15 - $20 per musicianWhen 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 vendorWhen 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: ExpectedThe $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 contractThe $tandard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per carWhen 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 preferredThe $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: ExpectedThe $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the total billWhen 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.Read more: Wedding Vendors: Tipping Cheat Sheet - Wedding Planning - Wedding Budget - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-budget/articles/wedding-vendor-tipping-cheat-sheet.aspx#ixzz1VRZIdTge

Find this list in full {here}

With Grace Wednesday

So Excited from the meeting that Emma & I had Yesterday. All I can think of is "Up Up and AWAY!"

With many incredible things happening in the near future, I wanted to give a special thanks to you all our fans, followers, and the fantastic Brides & Grooms that we have had the pleasure of working with. we LOVE what we do, and LOVE who we meet. Making that day the best day of your lives is the sweetest thing. xo Helen & Emma

We are booking up fast for 2012 already! With that and the few dates we have left for this year - We are offering a special 50% discount for 2011 clients to be!! Mention this blog post and email us today for a free initial consultation for your wedding and receive half off our packages plus special gifts and free printing for your custom invitations!!!!

Some of our favorite shots from the weddings past

{Andreanna & Eric}

Married 8/7/09 Malibu, California

{April & Nick}

Married 4/2/11 Malibu, California

Mike Larson Photography

{Rachel & Jon}

Married 5/21/11 Oahu, Hawaii

Chrissy Lambert Photography

{Becca & Clay}

Married 4/3/11 Maui, Hawaii

Trish Barker Photography

{Brooke & Craig}

Married 3/13/10

Josh Newton Photography

{Olivia & Brett}

Married 5/9/11 Malibu, California

{Sara & Branden}

Married 10/16/10 Malibu, California

Beth Behler Photography

A Case of the Monday's

Monday, yup were all here...

Table Numbers, there are so many different ways to do them. I LOVE the photo ones, as well places that the couple has visited. Since we do a lot of beach weddings, favorite beaches is a great ones as well. I also LOVE the traditional numbers, here are a few cute ideas that you can incorporate into your centerpieces as well!

A case of the Mondays

LOVE these fun and different ideas for Save The Date announcements 

Supplies: Pen, Camera, Eachother

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