Planning a FALL wedding??? Here are some great ideas to help with your last minute planning that come from “Brides Southern California” magazine. This is the third entry of four (each a different season).

Magazine contributors Lauren Matthews and Heather Lee say that ideal settings for weddings in the FALL take place in a rustic barn. The COLOR PALETTE should be one of two sets: (1) for the classic look use Marigold yellow, red, dark brown, and orange, or (2) go for the unexpected look with wedgwood blue, peach, cranberry red, and ivory.

Check out these great seasonal flowers for the FALL: dahlias, mums, scabiosas, marigolds, zinnias, chocolate cosmos, and asters.

ATTIRE:

1. BRIDE: A gown with guipure lace
2. GROOM: A tweed three-piece suit

TABLE SETTING: Set the ceremony programs out mounted on salvaged wood and tied with twine. Have wildfires, herbs, and wheat stalks arranged in birchbark-wrapped boxes surrounded by candles.

PROVISIONS: Heat lamps, inexpensive wraps for outdoor ceremonies/cocktail hours.

ESCORT CARDS: Attached to twine with clothespins

DESERT: Buffet of pies, including apple and pumpkin

LATE-NIGHT TREATS: Mini caramel apples

Good luck planning your special day in the Fall!

Here at Foto Cabina, we have the privilege of working with (and at) some extremely beautiful, prestigious, and renowned venues. Think about it: from San Diego to Los Angeles alone, there are some of the most exquisite golf clubs, resorts, hotels, and wedding sites in the entire world. Two venues that have become favorites of Foto Cabina are Grand Newport Plaza and Celebrations. Both of these great venues are owned and operated by The Turnip Rose Elite Catering company. They both sit quietly and unpresumably in the same darling yet imposing mission-style building at the edge of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA.

The Turnip Rose has long been known and recognized for its phenomenal catering prowess…it’s probably not too easy to become Orange County’s #1 Caterer, let alone do it five years in a row! But as great as their food is, it’s Turnip Rose’s venues that Foto Cabina has fallen in love with. Check out some great pics of the Grand Newport and Celebrations!

We’ve been a part of every kind of event you can imagine at these venues: from elegant wedding receptions and high-energy sorority formals, to traditional bar mitzvahs and a rowdy 75^th birthday party! Over the past few years, we have sort of become the official photo booth for The Turnip Rose and we absolutely love them. If you’re looking for a great venue for your next event, you should check out the “Grand Newport Plaza” and “Celebrations” by The Turnip Rose! And tell ‘em Foto Cabina sent you!

Planning a SUMMER wedding??? Brides Southern California magazine has some great cheat sheets organized by season written by Lauren Matthews and Heather Lee. This is my second entry of four (each a different season).

Matthews and Lee say that ideal settings for weddings in SUMMER take place beneath a white tend on a private beach. The COLOR PALETTE should be one of two sets: (1) for the classic look use cornflower blue, lemon yellow and white, or (2) go for the unexpected look with vanilla, raspberry and indigo.

The SEASONAL FLOWERS of SUMMER include: lilies, daisies, delphiniums, Queen Anne’s Lace, sunflowers, lisianthuses, and hydrangeas.

ATTIRE:

1. BRIDE: A flowy, sleeveless chiffon gown
2. GROOM: A tan suit with a white and beige stripped shirt
3. BRIDESMAIDS: Seersucker Dresses

BEVERAGES & EXTRAS: Chilled sparkling sodas (IZZE) at an outdoor ceremony, watermelon-basil margaritas, rose wine, vodka-sparked lemonade, and local beers.

TABLE SETTING: Arrangements featuring fresh seasonal fruit like peaches, cherries and strawberries.

FABRICS: Cotton, gingham, eyelet lace, burlap.

DESSERT: Strawberry shortcake & peach cobbler.

GETAWAY: Tandem bicycle

Enjoy your outdoor wedding ceremony with the natural elements of Summer…stay tuned for our Fall and Winter entries!

Planning a SPRING wedding? Brides Southern California magazine has some great cheat sheets organized by season written by Lauren Matthews and Heather Lee. This is the first entry in a series of four that we’ll post this week (one for each season)!

Matthews and Lee say that ideal settings for weddings in SPRING take place in a garden at a historic country estate. The COLOR PALETTE should be one of two sets: (1) for the classic look use pale pink, spring green, and butter yellow, and (2) for the unexpected look use blush pink, cream, with accents of sage.

In order to work with the natural essence of spring, here are some suggestions:

FLOWERS: Apple, Cherry, Dogwood Blossoms, Daffodils, Ranunculuses, Forsythia, Lilacs, Lilies, Peonies, Sweet Peas

ATTIRE:

1. BRIDE: A tulle gown with floral cap sleeves
2. GROOM: A Slim gray suit and solid-color bow tie
3. FLOWER GIRL: An arrangement of garden flowers tied with a ribbon that matches the sash of her dress.

TABLE SETTING: White ceramic pitches filled with garden flowers, paired with antique china and flatware

CAKE: Lemon pound cake filled with raspberry preserves and decorated with fresh blooms.

FAVORS: Personalized packets of wildflower seeds.

ENTERTAINMENT: An acoustic guitarist and some classic lawn games (like croquet and bocce ball)!

Good luck with all those Spring 2011 weddings…stay tuned for the rest of the series!

Today I got “Whole Living: Body + Soul in Balance” in the mail and flipping through the pages I found a great list created by Terri Trespicio. The list is titled 10 Thoughts on Whole Living. This list is quirky and fun, but a great reference when under the stress and strain of planning big events.

1. Your body already knows how to heal itself; you just have to get out of its way.
2. Go ahead…vent a little! Think of it as a detox for the soul.
3. Good posture isn’t about rigidity, but fluidity.
4. When you can appreciate being alone you’re rarely lonely.
5. Clutter is the by-product of indecision; make sure everything in your space is there because you choose to keep it.
6. You may not be in school anymore but there’s always more to learn.
7. True sufficiency doesn’t mean having plenty, it means having enough.
8. Pay attention to how you walk. Ask yourself what you’re rushing toward…or away from.
9. Transform anxiety into excitement; focus not on the fear of what lies ahead, but the possibilities you might create.
10. Lead with your heart, not your egoI love the simplicity yet grounding effect this list has on me when I read it. If it helps to ground you amidst the task of event planning, I suggest printing it out and keeping it somewhere that you can see it easily. Life is too short to forget the simple pleasures of simply being.

Body & Soul

As an intern this summer my boss (Carl), my supervisor (Brent), my coworker (Richard), and I have chosen two books to read together. On Wednesday of every week we met for lunch and discussed the reading for the week. The Referral Engine by John Jantsch has been a very enlightening read.

I stumbled upon a particularly helpful chapter that I would like to share with you today! On page 126 of The Referral Engine, Jantsch discusses the hidden benefits of blogging. In this section he says, “I did not start blogging for all these reasons, but they are the reasons I continue to advocate blogging for everyone!”

1. Blogging makes me a better thinker. When I write things down, read and reread my posts, solutions that once seemed complex become clearer.

2. Blogging helps me become a better listener. If I am an active blogger then I am constantly looking for new ideas and new topics to write about. Improved listening is a great way to get new blog ideas.

3. Blogging improves my writing. Active bloggers make posts daily and practicing writing skills is very beneficial.

4. Blogging improves communication. I often write blogs the same way I talk. Looking through my past postings I have noticed that I am often trying to sell an idea or thing. As Jantsch points out, “Clearly stating idea pitches in writing has improved my ability to articulate them quickly in a selling or interview setting.” Blogging for some is an outlet and a way to let their emotions come out, look at my mother’s blog for instance. Personally I have seen how it has served as a journal for her and a way to share her experiences with others. In an effort to ensure that readers enjoy her blog she has become a better, more interesting writer.

5. Blogging improves my networking. Again, using my mom as an example, she had the desire to keep all her friends updated but did not have time to call everyone and tell the same story 80 times a week. This is where having a blog becomes helpful. My mother’s friends can check in whenever it is convenient for them and they often comment and call her regularly.

Blogging makes a difference. It can help improve numerous aspects of your life. Whether it’s planning a big event, overcoming a tough obstacle, writing to help others, or simply out of enjoyment there are many positive and unexpected yet rewarding outcomes which can result. Blogging is a great way to communicate with large numbers of people at one time. Let us know if you have a blog…we’d love to check it out!

I have been captivated recently by Brides Southern California magazine. On page 193 there is an entry titled “This is the Remake” with classics and popular hit song suggestions for your wedding. The song choices are categorized by the best time to play the song.

Here are some of the suggestions for the PROCESSIONAL

“Over the Rainbow” by Nikki Yanofsky (instead of Jody Garland)

“Stairway to Heaven” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (instead of Led Zeppelin)

“With or Without You” by Keane (instead of U2)

“Always Be My Baby” by David Cook (instead of Mariah Carey)

“Here Comes Your Man” by Meaghan Smith (instead of The Pixies)

Some suggestions for the FIRST DANCE

“At Last” by Jason Marz (instead of Etta James)

“L-O-V-E” by Joss Stone (instead of Nat King Cole)

“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Josh Kelley (instead of Queen)

“I Want to Know What Love Is” by Mariah Carey (instead of Journey)

“More Than Words “ by Frankie J (instead of Extreme)

“I Melt With You” by Nouvelle Vague (instead of Modern English)

COCKTAIL HOUR favorites

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Lauryn Hill (instead of Frankie Valli)

“Overjoyed” by Mary J. Blige (instead of Stevie Wonder)

“Only You” by Train (instead of The Platters)

“Emotion” by Destiny’s Child (instead of The Bee Gees)

“Baby One More Time” by Travis (instead of Brittany Spears)

“One” by Johnny Cash (instead of U2)

“Wild Horses” by The Sundays (instead of The Rolling Stones)

Suggestions for the PARENT’S DANCE

“What a Wonderful World” by Eva Cassidy (instead of Louis Armstrong)

“Someone to Watch Over Me” by Amy Winehouse (instead of Frank Sinatra)

“Tiny Dancer” by Ben Folds (instead of Elton John)

“Just the Way You Are” by Maggie Gylenhaal (instead of Billy Joel)

Some classic DANCE FLOOR choices

“Lean on Me” by Glee cast (instead of Bill Withers)

“Higher Ground” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (instead of Stevie Wonder)

“Come on Eileen” by Save Ferris (instead of Dexys Midnight Runners)

“Heaven” by DJ Sammy and Yanou (instead of Bryan Adams)

This ceremony and music selection was provided by Brides Southern California magazine. Most of these songs have great lyrics but they need a different tempo for the mood of your wedding, which is why I love this list! Get the songs you want in the style that fits your event! Best of luck!

On Saturday August 7^th, 2010 Joshua and Katheryn Raymer were married in Malibu, CA  at Saddlerock Ranch. Before working at this event I had never been to an estate so large and grand. The ceremony took place outside in a large open grassy lawn with 7 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen! The colors for the wedding were light purple, deep purple and white. The bridesmaids wore full length deep purple dresses and the groomsmen wore suits with matching purple vests and ties. The group looked absolutely stunning. The flower girl wore a white dress with a deep purple sash and was the daughter of one of the groomsman & bridesmaids.

The bride wore a strapless cream elegantly detailed dress with a short train. The catering company was on point and had great service. I tried caviar (on accident) and loved it! Late into the reception, (I believe it was) a surprise to the bride, an IN-N-OUT burger truck set up at the bottom of the hill and guests could go down and place burger orders!! It was a hit!

The entire night ran exceptionally smooth and was a great success! The best of luck to Kathryn and Joshua with their future together and congratulations!!

Chipotle

I was born and raised in Olney, Maryland and decided to live in California for the summer of 2010 just for a change of pace. For those of you who have not experienced the east coast… The general consensus about California is that it is heaven. Every single person who found out I was going to California for the summer was immediately jealous and said “LUCKY!” Little did they know, there are big differences in food selection!

On the east cost my friends and I are avid Chipotle eaters, to the point where we have abbreviated the name and often say, “Meet you at Chip in 5?” There is a Chipotle in walking distance from my house in College Park, MD (Where I live and go to University of Maryland). Come to think of it there has always been a Chipotle close to me, at home, in high school, and in college. I cannot remember a time when Chipotle was not conveniently in my life. However, my best friend Leah who goes to Clemson University constantly complains about not having a Chipotle within a reasonable distance to eat regularly, and when she comes home from school (to Maryland) her first priority is to stop in for a long over due visit to Chipotle. Recently she found a friend who has the same withdraws from Chipotle at school and they decided that the two and a half hour drive to Chipotle one afternoon would be well worth it!! Needless to say I got a phone call from Leah informing me that she was in heaven and her Chipotle needs were taken care of but she was now low on gas money… The things we do for the things we do for the companies we love.

I still have not experienced a lack of Chip, and might one day too rationalize that a two and a half hour drive is worth it for Chipotle. From coast to coast there seem to be some subtle differences and I am certainly excited to get back to school and go to Jason’s Deli, Chip, and Potbelly’s. However, I have come to love In-N-Out which we don’t have on the east coast!! These are just a few of my guilty pleasures that seem to be different from coast to coast. I will miss In-N-Out but my body will probably be thankful for the absence!

1. Don’t procrastinate! See 10 things to know about procrastination so that you can nip them in the bud! Procrastination: Ten Things to Know

2. Set up an email specifically for all your wedding information so that it will help you keep your wedding arrangements separate from your work and family fun! We could all use a break some times; this is a great way to compartmentalize your planning efforts. Gmail is a great free service to use for this! New Gmail Account

3. Send out beautiful wedding invitations to all your guests, check out Wrapsody in El Segundo.

4. Don’t get overwhelmed planning your big day, get some expertise and help from a wedding planner! Check out this company and see if you could use their services! Josy’s Wedding Planning

5. Find the best price on the best dress! Check out some of these Bridal dress sites:

a. David’s Bridal for some excellent choices!

b. Check out Alfred Angelo’s beautiful collection of wedding dresses at:

6. Wedding specific caterers are available, we have worked with this company on numerous occasions and have been happy with their servies! Check out Turnip Rose

7. Wedding Budget Tips. Use your money wisely and make the most of what you can spend! Weddings get expensive quick and there are so many factors to take into consideration when planning so it is always good to do some research and take it from someone who’s planned a wedding before for direction and advice.  Here is a link to the “Top Ten Budget Tips” specific for wedding planning!

8. Invest in good photos! Weddings are incredibly amazing events for couples, family, and friends. It is highly recommended to spend a good amount of your budget on photographers! There are many good candidates in this department because many people want to help make your day more memorable! Check out Video Keepsakes, Inc. their Los Angeles Videographer work is top of the line. I had the pleasure of working with Gary Freedline this past weekend and he was just absolutely wonderful. Gary and his team are an asset to any event. Book with a great photographer, videographer and FOTO CABINA!

9. Find the right venue for you! Do you want to celebrate in LA? Read somemore about the LA area and what it has to offer at Cvent.

10. Most Importantly! Don’t let planning your wedding ruin your engagement!