Happy New Year!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!