As Seen In: The Huffington Post

If you missed it earlier this week, my second article went up on The Huffington Post San Francisco - Party On: When the After Party is a Wedding Must. After parties are such a fun trend right now in the industry. Here's my advice for keeping the party going after the reception ends.

Photography by Abby Ross

Disco Ball Dance Party: 40th Birthday

While weddings are our first love at LASE, it's so much fun to plan other events that let us get creative in a totally different way. One of my favorite former clients wanted to celebrate her 40th birthday with a spectacular dance party and I was thrilled to help her birthday wish come true.

We chose for the venue the new Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto and promptly began to transform it into a stylish nightclub lounge. The evening began with cocktails on the balcony patio, designed as a cool urban rooftop deck. Three specialty cocktails {Kir Royales, Cosmopolitans and Chocolate Martinis ~the guest of honor's favorite, but more on that later} were passed as guests relaxed on outdoor lounge furniture under beautifully lit trees brought in for the occasion.

We then revealed the dance lounge, draped in lavender with white, grey and hot fuchsia accents. Swanky lounge furniture and high bar tables gave the space a club-like feel. The stainless steel dance floor reflected the warm pink mood lighting and spinning mirror ball. We carried the disco ball design throughout the party, on the invitations, cocktail menus and the unbelievable birthday cake.

DJ Solomon played the birthday girl's favorite dance music, a little 80's mixed in with today's hot artists, and the dance floor stayed packed. Guests broke from dancing to enjoy the dessert buffet I designed with Paula LeDuc and PS Paper. She loves chocolate, so the buffet overflowed with trifles, truffles and pot de cremes.

There's so much I love about this party, but I was truly impressed with the disco ball birthday cake. It was a perfect replica of the adorable invitation we created for the party and was an absolute show stopper.

Photography by Meg Smith & Associates: Kristin L. Venue Oshman Family JCC. Catering by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Cake by Katrina Rozelle. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Printed Materials by PS Paper.

Weekly Inspiration: Seasonal Cocktails

No matter the time of year, I love taking advantage seasonal fresh fruit when serving signature cocktails at my clients' weddings. These refreshing Rossini's combine champagne with strawberry puree for a perfect summer sip at a sunny July wedding.

Let the season of your wedding inspire some creative mixology - pumpkin and ginger make marvelous martinis in fall, cranberries warm any chilly day in winter, and citrus and mint in the spring are fresh and bright like the season itself.

Photography by Gertrude + Mabel.

As Seen In: The Huffington Post

I'm so excited to share the news that I've been named the exclusive wedding blogger for the Huffington Post-San Francisco! The new site features prominent Bay Area bloggers, industry leaders and politicians , so I feel very honored to be a part of it.

My first article offers advice to couples planning a wedding in the midst of this unpredictable weather we've been having. Hopefully these tips will help brides and grooms have a beautiful wedding, rain or shine.

Photography by Meg Smith.

Meadowood Croquet Lunch: Joanne + Daniel

Joanne and Daniel planned a weekend of events in the Napa Valley for their friends and family from all over the U.S. and U.K. (you may remember their Black Swan Lake wedding). The three days of fun culminated with a sunny Sunday lunch on the croquet lawn at Meadowood resort.

Guests sipped Schramsberg sparkling wine poured by Meadowood's master sommelier and enjoyed a lunch of gourmet sandwiches and fresh summer salads. Following lunch, the resort's croquet pro took guests {dressed entirely in white and khaki as the rules of croquet require} onto the lawn to start some friendly games.

Joanne and Daniel then treated everyone to an ice cream sundae bar and carrot cake from Perfect Endings - a sweet conclusion to the weekend.

Photography by Meg Smith.

Happy 4th of July + Special Birthday Wishes

Happy Independence Day everyone. I hope you're all out enjoying the holiday in proper patriotic style.

I have another reason to celebrate today ~ it's the birthday of my westie Roscoe. I wanted to share a few pictures from a fun Fourth of July BBQ birthday party I threw for Roscoe when he turned 1. I just love the custom westie cookies each of Roscoe's party guests took home.

It's another milestone birthday for Roscoe today (10 years!). So naturally, I'm in the process of planning a little puppy party for him and my other westie Jack who turns 3 on the 8th. They're both very excited to celebrate with their doggie buddies and I'm excited for some surprises I have in the works for their guests.

Photography by Kathleen Harrison