laurie arons blog

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T16:06:00.002-06:00

Best wishes for a fabulous new year! Thanks for reading my blog - I have loved sharing my weddings and ideas with all of you. See you in 2010! xo

Save the Date: Gump's Wedding Chic

2009-12-21T20:48:00.004-06:00

SF Brides - save the date for Gump's annual bridal event, Sunday February 7th! I'm honored to participate with an elite group of wedding vendors, like the lovely Kathleen Deery. Tickets are available online at Gump's. Don't miss it!

Northern California Dreaming: Sarah + Graham

2009-12-14T18:44:00.021-06:00

I'm so excited to share this wedding with you! It's full of amazing personal details that really made this wedding spectacular. When I met with Sarah and Graham, they told me they really wanted a wedding that was an experience for their guests. So, together, we created an amazing Northern California experience that reflected some of the great pastimes of Sarah's upbringing near by. Guests were treated to various activities the day before the wedding, including hiking in Point Lobos, kayaking in the Monterey Bay, a walking tour of Carmel, lavender picking, cooking demonstrations and golf. Guests loved the variety of activities and formed bonds that lasted long after the wedding weekend ended. I'll share more pics the Friday events next week. On to the wedding...

Sarah and Graham's ceremony was held in an ancient redwood grove. The massive trees created a spectacular backdrop for their vows. The groomsmen wore ties handmade by a relative of the couple. Each tie was crafted with Liberty fabric - a favorite of the couple and used repeatedly throughout the wedding (we dressed the escort card table with strips of Liberty & decked out the cake table too!). The groom added another personal touch with cuff links crafted from a piece of a map that bears significance for each of the groomsmen. The bride also used Liberty fabric for her bridesmaids' gift - each received a handmade Bermuda bag made from Liberty fabric. Guests enjoyed dinner under a simple, yet elegant Zephyr Tent. Following dinner, guests moved into the barn for late night dancing and dessert. Their parting gift? A sweet treat of homemade salted caramels (courtesy of the bride's cousin) in vintage jars, finished with none other than Liberty fabric.

My Favorite Detail? I loved the gelato bike from Cici Gelato that rolled in during the late night dancing. Guests were offered a choice of 2 sorbets and 2 gelatos that were homemade from local ingredients. Delicious!

Photography by Gertrude & Mabel. Catering by the Santa Lucia Preserve. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Lighting by Illusions Lighting. Dinner tent by Zephyr Tents. Ceremony music by KLC Music. Dinner music by Tim Hockenberry Trio through Innovative Entertainment. Dance music by the Durell Coleman Band. Invitations and printed materials by A Day in May. Cake from Perfect Endings. Calligraphy by Barbara Callow Calligraphy. Gelato bike by Cici Gelato. Bride's gown by Carolina Herrera.

Happenings: Kathleen Deery Holiday Shop

2009-11-29T22:29:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite florists,Kathleen Deery, is hosting a holiday boutique at her beautiful studio in San Francisco this weekend. Kathleen has put together a gorgeous array of wreaths, garlands, and trees which are perfect for trimming your home for the holidays. Order online here and be sure to check out her shop on Lusk Street this Friday & Saturday.

Martha Stewart Weddings: Destination Weddings

2009-11-28T13:15:00.004-06:00

Be sure to scoop up a copy of the special Destination Weddings issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. They featured one of my favorite events - a vintage inspired Napa Valley wedding.

Q + A: Stanlee Gatti

2009-11-16T20:26:00.022-06:00

I have been so lucky to work with Stanlee Gatti and his team on countless events and weddings over the last 15 years. I have loved collaborating with him and witnessing his creativity first hand. Stanlee is truly a creative genius- his attention to detail, understanding of scale, and unparalleled eye make him a master of his craft. Stanlee never loses sight of the big picture and that always becomes clear when guests enter a space that he has designed - the drama of his design transforms an event into an unforgettable experience.

* What inspires you to come up with new ideas? The desire to have new ideas.

* Who are the top 3 people who you admire most in terms of style or events? Issey Miyake for his innovation, Johnny Depp for the way he wears jewelry and hold his cigarette, Joni Mitchell for living on all four sides, Mexican peoples for their love of color--that's more than three but I could go on for a long time - my list could be endless.

* In your opinion, what makes a great wedding? Love.

* What trends in weddings do you see are coming in 2010? What I have done in 2009. :)

* Do you have a favorite location or venue for an event? A home.

* What is the best part about your job? New friendships.

* I am always impressed how you approach the initial meetings with brides. How do you reconcile a client's wishes with your vision? I'm intuitive and sensitive-their wishes become my vision and sometimes even before they know for what they're wishing for.

Coming Soon: Q + A with Stanlee Gatti

2009-11-09T19:23:00.002-06:00

Check in later this week for a fabulous Q + A with the extraordinary Stanlee Gatti. His event designs and wit will wow you. See you soon!

Wine Country Rehearsal Dinner: Susan + Ben

2009-11-02T19:31:00.012-06:00

Susan and Ben hosted a casual rehearsal dinner at Paraduxx Winery to kick off their wedding weekend in the Napa Valley. Paraduxx, part of the Duckhorn family of wineries, was a fun location for guests to kick back outdoors while sampling some of their great wines. Guests tasted all of the wines that Paraduxx has to offer while also nibbling on a fantastic spread of local cheeses. After the wine tasting, guests moved outdoors for a buffet style dinner under a canopy of glowing lights.

My Favorite Detail? I loved the narrow long tables dressed in a fun linen. The tables really enhanced the intimate feel Susan and Ben were striving for.

Flowers by Valley Flora. Photography by Fairbanks and Fairbanks. Location Paraduxx Winery.

Coming Soon: Wine Country Rehearsal Dinner

2009-10-30T19:43:00.003-05:00

I'm working on a post featuring the lovely and intimate rehearsal dinner of Susan and Ben. Check back soon!

Words of Wisdom: Wedding Travel

2009-10-20T18:36:00.007-05:00

Even if you are not planning a destination wedding, there are lots of travel aspects involved in planning a wedding. Booking accommodations for out of town guests and plotting the details of your honeymoon can leave you feeling like a travel agent instead of a bride. I've compiled a few tips and resources to help you through...

* I recently discovered Tablet Hotels - a great resource for booking boutique and luxury hotels. Tablet selects their favorite hotels worldwide (in every price range) and lets you book online at great prices. Become a Tablet Member for a small annual fee and enjoy perks like free upgrades, late check-out, spa certificates, and more. I like to think it's a much chicer version of Expedia and Orbtiz. If you are unfamiliar with your wedding destination and need to book accommodations for your guests, be sure to check out Tablet for great hotel ideas that are under the radar.

* I recommend reserving room blocks at a few hotels if you have a lot of guests who are flying in from out of town. Be sure to select a hotel for every price point (under $200, $200-400, $400+) so that guests will have an option to fit their budget. Look for hotels that will accommodate a "social room block" which lets you hold the rooms without a deposit or guarantee. Be sure to figure out how many guests will be looking for accommodations and block accordingly. If there was a 200 person wedding with 100 guests needing hotels, I would block 30-40 rooms. Many hotels will offer room rates lower than their published rates for room blocks. Be sure to mention that you have reserved rooms at these hotels on your save the date so your guests can book easily.

* I advise all of my clients to leave for their honeymoon a few days after the wedding instead of immediately after. Those few extra days give you time to breathe and relive the memories of the day instead of worrying about catching a flight and packing a suitcase.

* If you aren't able to jet off on your honeymoon right away, take a mini-moon after the wedding. You'll be able to savor the feeling of being a newlywed without taking lots of time off from work.

* If you want an amazing honeymoon without lifting a finger, I suggest you check out Jet Set Travel. They handle every aspect of your honeymoon - from booking the plane tickets and hotels to reservations at insider only restaurants. They'll even handle your spa treatments and tee times. Jet Set has the "in" on more exotic honeymoon destinations like Africa and India, so be sure to check them out if you are planning more than your standard resort trip to Hawaii.

* Resort honeymoon more your speed? Tahiti may be the place you've been looking for. If you go, check out True Tahiti Vacations and let Laurel handle the details. Laurel is a California native and knows the ins and outs of Tahiti better than most locals. Having an expert in Tahiti is a must since travel between islands is a little tricky.

SF Winter Wedding: Alison + Alex

2009-10-05T18:47:00.033-05:00

Alison and Alex wanted a really intimate winter wedding in San Francisco. And it was. The evening began with a beautiful ceremony complete with the fireplace aglow at one of San Francisco's prettiest churches. The couple chose Spruce, one of their favorite restaurants (and mine!), as the setting for their reception with their closest friends and family. Event mastermind Stanlee Gatti incorporated deep red tones into the centerpieces and linens which worked perfectly with Spruce's decor. Gatti's genius was on full display with the lush garlands comprised of bay leaves and rosemary that he draped above the dinner tables. The garlands added so much dimension and drama to the space without compromising precious space on the narrow dinner tables.

Spruce created a tasting menu for the evening that guests are still raving about. The dinner began with a shaved fennel and tangerine salad, which was followed by pasta course of chickpea ravioli and a fish course of seared black bass with chanterelle mushrooms. The entree was a delicious Moroccan spiced lamb chop with bulgar and winter vegetables, followed by a cheese course and wedding cake from Perfect Endings. Doesn't that sound amazing? It was - trust me!

After dinner, a cigar roller worked his craft for the groom and his friends. We served Spruce Bakery's famous chocolate chip cookies and milk shots for who preferred sweets to cigars, while guests snapped photos of themselves in a self-portrait booth.

My Favorite Moment? I really loved the toasts at this wedding. From the father of the bride to the bride and groom's close friends. They were funny, sincere, beautifully spoken, heartfelt and made me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Photography by Thayer Gowdy. Event Design and Flowers by Stanlee Gatti Designs. Ceremony at Swedenborgian Church. Reception at Spruce. Bride's hair and make-up by Jim Avila. Cake by Perfect Endings. Bride's gown from Joan Gilbert Bride.

Coming Soon: Winter Wedding

2009-10-04T09:05:00.004-05:00

More photos from the amazing winter wedding of Alison and Alex coming this week! Photo by Thayer Gowdy.

The Smallest Members of the Bridal Party

2009-08-29T09:14:00.019-05:00

I love including kids in wedding festivities. They bring an element of spontaneity to the wedding day that is truly a joy to watch and be a part of. I fell in love with weddings as a child and I knew I wanted to share that joy with the children in my life. So at my wedding, I had lots of children in my bridal party. Zephyr Tents even set up a kid's tent- a smaller round sail cloth tent next to the reception tent that was filled with large bright pillows and small tables - perfect for them to play and eat in. We had a magician come in to perform and of course, make anything out of a balloon! I thought it would be fun to share some photos of the adorable children that have been in many of my weddings over the years...{Photo above by Tanya Malott}

{Photos by Meg Smith}

{Left photo by Angie Silvy. Right photo by Tanya Malott}
{Photo by Kathleen Harrisson}

{Photos by Eliot Holtzman}

{Left photo by Thayer Gowdy. Right photo by Eliot Holtzman}

{Photo by Eliot Holtzman}

Oh Mexico: Palmasola + Casa Papelillos

2009-09-20T11:11:00.019-05:00

Mexico is one of my favorite destination wedding spots. It's an easy plane ride away and the landscape is simply breathtaking. There are 2 properties I especially love for a wedding (or special getaway!) in Mexico: Palmasola and Casa Papelillos, both located in Punta Minta. Palmasola and Casa Papelillos are stunning estates with an unparalleled emphasis on service. If you have ever imagined yourself getting married barefoot on a private beach with a full service staff to cater to your every whim, look no further! Both spots would also make amazing anniversary or birthday destinations to treat your friends and family. Interested? Contact me for booking details as I have an exclusive arrangement with both estates for events. Be sure to check out the amazing photos and details of each property below. Photo above of Palmasola.

Palmasola is luxurious, spacious and extremely private. It's beachfront location, flush with white sand beaches and pristine views, make it an intimate and magical destination for a wedding or special event. Palmasola can accommodate up to 50 guests for events and has accommodations for 22 overnight guests. All photos below courtesy of Palmasola.

Casa Papelillos is comprised of two beautiful haciendas that provide more than 19,000-square-feet of living space. The villa has an exclusive beachfront setting that makes it the perfect destination for parties up to 110 guests and 20 overnight guests. All photos below courtesy of Casa Papelillos.

Rehearsal Dinner at Bistro Jeanty

2009-09-17T18:17:00.004-05:00

Bistro Jeanty is one of my favorite spots for a casual rehearsal dinner in the Napa Valley. The food is delicious (try the bread pudding!) and the service is warm and inviting. I snapped this photo last weekend before guests arrived to kick-off a beautiful wedding weekend. I can't wait to share the wedding with you - it was so romantic! Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design.

A Day in May

2009-08-23T13:14:00.004-05:00

The lovely ladies of A Day in May recently launched a blog showcasing their fabulous designs and inspirations. The latest post is a feature on our many collaborations in action. Click here to check it out! Thanks Lesley & Eve!

Q + A: Paula LeDuc of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

2009-08-11T21:32:00.010-05:00

Paula LeDuc is one amazing woman. She single-handedly set the bar for caterers across the country. And she set it high. I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Paula and her amazing staff at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering for the past 15 years. Even after countless events together, I am always impressed by Paula's passion for excellence. It is evident in everything from the taste of her food to its presentation. Paula is a true innovator and I am very excited to share her insights with all of you!

As an innovator in catering, what keeps you going year after year coming up with new visions and menus?
I’d love to take credit Laurie but truly it is our clients and their events that inspire us and take us to the next level. In that no two clients or events are ever alike and our events are so customized, this creates a rich soil for non-stop innovation. Each event has its own distinct terroir blending the client’s vision with the venue, the season, and our own creative engine and vigorous commitment to creating one-of-a-kind events.
Our bar is set pretty high to begin with and it is simply in our DNA to continually think outside of that proverbial box. Nothing is more inspiring than to create an event that is a reflection of the client while showcasing the best of who we are. We consider that the ultimate win-win!

Your food has been mostly from small local producers in the organic arena from day one. Why was it so important to you so early?
I can still remember being among a small group of chefs meeting in San Francisco in the late 80’s to discuss the newly budding Slow Food Movement – connecting plate and the planet. It was led by Alice Waters and hosted at Joyce Goldstein’s Square One Restaurant. These were the formative years of this notion of supporting our local farmers and growers by buying local and supporting sustainable agriculture and being stewards of the earth. This shift in thinking has stayed with us to this day. Once our community became aware, the need was created, the farmers markets blossomed and spoiled us all to what just picked, real food tastes like and there was no going back.

You were just awarded the prestigious green certification. Can you tell me more about the program and its significance for Paula LeDuc Fine Catering?
For years we have been conscious of the impact an organization of our size has on the environment. Most of what it takes to be green certified we were already doing so it was not much of a leap to certification. Credit goes to our Green Team for bringing the certification to reality. If you visit our website we have a newly launched Green Certification section explaining the details. In general, we have incorporated the required environmentally responsible practices into our business to reduce our carbon footprint. We even offer carbon-offsets to our clients for their events through the Climate Trust.
I can remember in the 1980’s our client Susie Tompkins, founder of Esprit, hosted an all day retreat for the 2,000 employees and we catered a box lunch in 100% recyclable packaging. I was shocked that every morsel of the trash was personally recycled by each employee and my staff was left with nothing to do but breakdown the tables and chairs. It was at that moment it hit me that it was my responsibility to embody the same principles within our company.

Are there any new trends you are loving (or not liking?) in catering right now?
Trends come and go. What is important at the end of the day is creating events with soul designed to delight and intrigue clients and their guests. Trends by nature of what they are imply following and if you are following you are not leading. I prefer to do something once and move onto the next idea rather than repeat to the point it becomes a trend. If a client comes to us with a trendy idea for their event we prefer to take that idea to a new place creating something not yet seen, tasted or done. This gives us great new opportunities to re-invent an existing idea.

What is your most proud moment at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering over the last 25 years?
There have been so many Laurie and many of them have been events we have collaborated on. If I can only pick one it would have to be our 25th Anniversary Gala at Lucas Digital Arts Center in the Presidio. It was the celebration of 25 amazing years in business and a fund-raiser for The Hatlen Center for the Blind (formerly The Living Skills Center for the Visually Impaired) an organization I helped establish in 1972 as a founding teacher and one I continue to support. We raised over $400,000 for the organization giving them the funds to launch a national program.

Speaking of anniversaries, 2010 marks our 30th year so stay tuned...

I’ve always resonated with your slogan, “Perfect will be just fine.” Do you consider yourself a perfectionist?
Not at all, but I do hold myself and our company to the highest standards of excellence. After catering several events for a client, he said, “You know Paula, your tagline should be “Perfect will be just fine.” I loved it for its playfulness and for its message. Why not strive for it and take delight and pride in getting close?
Ken Wolfe, my mentor chef instructor in culinary school instilled in me the notion that if you walk by something that is not up to your standards the message you send is that this is the new standard. This has resonated with me for 30+ years. Today, these high standards live in the DNA of every individual. I believe that if you surround yourselves with like minded people who share a common vision and values and hold one another accountable you can achieve any goal. Besides it is truly easier to make it right the first time than try and make up for something produced that is less than your best.

Can you tell me about the most inspirational meal you have ever had?
Hands down, it was at Alinea in Chicago. From the moment I sat down, I was engulfed in a sensory dining experience the likes of which I had never experienced. No linen, silverware or glassware at the table that was to be the palate for the 13 course pre fix menu. I declined the 23 course menu option! Chef Grant Achartz, the master of molecular-gastronomy in the U.S., where scientific techniques and cooking tools are applied to food, creates surrealistic flavors and presentations to boggle the mind. Each course was theatre delivered seamlessly using never before seen service ware and service concepts. Most items were one or two bites yet the meal takes four hours. Every course was more fanciful and delicious than the one before and touched all of my senses. One of my favorites was seafood course, barramundi, artichoke hearts and carrot pearls in a delicate orange sauce served in a white porcelain shallow bowl set atop a 16” fully inflated white linen pillow. As I ate the pillow deflated surrounding me in the aroma of orange! Another course was a delicate stainless steel skewer with a cube of lamb, a nicoise olive and fava bean brought to the table standing up in bowl buried in smoldering eucalyptus leaves. I was instructed to slowly lift the skewer out of the leaves and enjoy the “smoked” lamb! Then there were the frozen madras curry coated orbs, the size of small melon balls, floating in a delicious celery juice filled with liquid pear juice that exploded in your mouth as the exterior melted. It was such a surprise and total sensory overload, I loved it! Talk about raising the bar, this experience took me to the heavens! It’s worth a trip to Chicago for nothing more!

Coming Soon: Q + A with Paula LeDuc

2009-08-05T20:40:00.006-05:00

I'm working on a great Q + A with the lovely and talented Paula LeDuc, founder of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Stay tuned!

Modern Elegance in the Napa Valley: Susan + Ben

2009-07-30T19:20:00.001-05:00

After Ben proposed, Susan looked far and wide to find a unique backdrop for their vows. The college sweethearts reside in New York, but wanted a Napa Valley wedding that reflected their sophisticated style. The couple decided upon a beautiful private estate in Calistoga for their ceremony and cocktails, but really wanted a reception location that would let their guests dance until midnight. Luckily, Solage Calistoga, a gorgeous eco-friendly hotel, had just opened. Solage is one of the only properties in the Napa Valley that allows amplified music until 12am.

The private estate in Calistoga provided the perfect backdrop for an intimate ceremony and cocktail hour. Paula Le Duc Fine Catering created many delicious hors d'oeuvres perfect for the occassion. Following cocktails, guests were transported to Solage, where they dined upon courses prepared with local, fresh organic ingredients and danced to the tunes of The Fundamentals until midnight, of course!

My favorite detail? Susan wanted to surprise Ben with his favorite snack of "pigs in a blanket" at the wedding. The chefs at Solage made a gourmet version: hot dogs from Niman Ranch surrounded by fresh pastry dough. We passed them out as late night snacks and they were devoured. Delicious!

Photography by Miguel Fairbanks. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Ceremony and cocktails held at a private estate in Calistoga, CA. Cocktail reception caterer Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Reception at S olage Calistoga. Cake by Perfect Endings. Hair and make-up by Wallett Luberich. Printed materials by A Day in May Design.

Words of Wisdom: Bridal Beauty

2009-07-27T17:19:00.004-05:00

I know there are millions of articles out there on bridal beauty. The book has been written on everything from fitness boot camps to skin care regimens. However, I wanted to share my tips on bridal beauty since they're short and sweet. Trust me, it doesn't require a year of foresight to be a beautiful, radiant bride!

* Remember to use sunscreen and watch out for tan lines. You want the focus to be on you and your gorgeous dress, not the lingering lines of your favorite bikini.

* Always bring a change of shoes so your feet will be happy, even through hours of dancing. I love a pair of simple ballet flats for an alternate.

* Speaking of shoes, be sure to wear your wedding shoes in advance (inside) to break them in. You want to scuff up the bottoms before the wedding day so you won't slip!

* Be sure the person doing your hair on the wedding day is experienced with veils. If you are getting married outdoors or taking photographs outdoors, the wind could be a factor. Be prepared: have 2 large bobby pins on hand and anchor down the comb that is holding the veil in both directions. This will ensure your veil will stay in place.

* Always bring a someone who you can depend on to the final gown fitting. You will need someone to bustle your gown (usually at the end of the cocktail hour, just after photos). If you have hired a full service planner, many will be happy to attend your fitting and bustle your gown.

Weekly Inspiration: Ethereal Tent

2009-07-19T17:28:00.006-05:00

Isn't this tent heavenly? Stanlee Gatti draped the entire structure in sheer ivory fabric to create the most amazing dance lounge.

Love This: Letterpress Cookbook Kit

2009-07-14T19:07:00.009-05:00

Leave it to the talented ladies at A Day in May to come up with this clever cookbook! I think it would make a really special hostess gift or favor. It's personal and elegant and {not to mention} adorable. Even Martha loves it! Available for purchase here. More details on A Day in May's new blog! Photos courtesy of A Day in May.

Candy Land Bat Mitzvah

2009-07-02T19:56:00.015-05:00

I loved playing Candy Land as a kid and I had so much fun planning every detail of Tess' Bat Mitzvah. From the game board invitation (complete with the game card RSVP!) to the character inspired drink menu, it was a blast. King Kandy cocktail anyone?

We transformed Ruby Skye in San Francisco into a room fit for Queen Frostine. Guests entered on a multi-colored checked carpet (comprised of FLOR tiles) inspired by the signature winding game board. Inside, kids and adults danced to the tunes of a DJ, indulged in the ultimate candy bar, got custom graffiti sweatshirts, and much more!

Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Photography by Angie Silvy. Invitations by PS Paper. DJ booked with Johnson Edwards Entertainment.

San Francisco Brides

2009-06-29T18:47:00.005-05:00

The lovely ladies at San Francisco Brides were kind enough to feature 2(!) of my weddings in the Wedding Glamor issue. If you are in the Bay Area, be sure to scoop up a copy and check out the fabulous weddings of Caitlin + Mark and Sarah + Joe. Or click here to view the issue online. Thanks Mary Jo + Erin!

It Begins

2009-06-24T20:35:00.002-05:00

I've got a wedding in San Francisco this weekend so please excuse the lack of posts. I promise to be back next week with some fun inspiration and hopefully a great Q + A. Thanks for stopping by!