Rustic Elegance

Its been a long time since I last posted! I've been extremely busy to say the least travelling to cities like Atlanta, Washington DC, Hampton, VA, New York and New Orleans! Many, many events for many different reasons but the one that I am highlighting today was much closer to home.

A wedding I did in Kenwood, CA (Sonoma - Napa area) just 2 weeks ago was beyond amazing. The location is a hidden gem in the valley...no signage on the outside of the property so you would never know it was there. Matter of fact, I passed it 6 times trying to find it my first time there. They only started doing weddings last year and the owner still lives on the property. If, you want to know where it is, contact me and I'll share ;-)

What made this wedding so amazing was not just the location, but the people. The couple - Mike and Heather - were so loving, so laid back, and so meant to be. Everyone at the wedding shared the love and support for them. Not to mention the fact that the bride's family was uber talented!

Let's see if I can paint the right picture - her aunt made her wedding dress, her grandmother did all the floral arrangements, her dad put up some of the decor, her cousin's boyfriend was the photographer (amazing work that I'll be sharing with you soon), her bridesmaid made the ties for the groomsmen and ushers and lots of family members made special recipes for the dessert table! When you've got family like that, who needs vendors!

It was hotter than Hades out there as it was about 92 degrees as we were setting up. It was set to be a hot day so the grandmother brought wooden fans and the groom's mother brought antique handkerchiefs. Such a great idea and definitely helped guests cool off during the day.

I'm still kind of on a high from the wedding and can't wait to share some official wedding photos with you from the photographer when their ready!

Happy Planning!

To Bathroom Basket or Not To Bathroom Basket?

Do you think bathroom baskets are a must-have?

While I don't think they are a must-have, I do think they are a nice-to-have, especially if the bathroom your guests must use is less than posh.

If you are having a barnyard wedding, that is so rustic and fabulous! But, your guests many not enjoy using an outhouse - even the "executive ones". So to spruce it up a bit, add a basket with nice toiletries and maybe even a lightly scented candle if there is enough surface area. Even of you are not having a barnyard wedding, who couldn't use some hand sanitizer, a breath mint or some extra lotion?

If you want to go the extra mile, put things in the basket that your guests may need for those little mishaps that could ruin their night - clear nail polish in the women's bathroom, men's body spray, bandages, a travel toothpaste/toothbrush kit, contact lens solution, feminine hygiene products, etc. Your baskets can be small and dainty or industrial sized depending on your location.

Its also a great idea to personalize your basket by adding a little note to your guests or a poem (Great DIY Project!). This is one of my favorite poems:

So happy you're here to share in our special day,

but should something happen to go astray,

Please help yourself to the contents within,

Wet wipe, hand lotion, and even aspirin,

Use only what you need and leave the rest,

It may also be useful to another guest,

So repair the damage that may have been done,

Then hurry on back and join in the fun!

Whether your skin feels dry or your hair out of place.

You're not feeling so fresh, or whatever the case.

We've put together a basket to help you along.

Now hurry back out before you miss the next song!

Happy Planning!

Images courtesy of With This Ring Weddings and Pink Avenue Brides

Happy 4th of July from LB Event Couture!

Happy 4th of July from LB Event Couture! I hope your holiday is fun, restful and safe ;-)

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of Skip to My Lou, The Big Felafel, Parties Supplies Hut, Real Simple

A Great Tradition: Recipe Boxes!

A new client of mine is having her family members bring their favorite desserts to the wedding and wants them to write down the recipes of each dessert.

This is a great idea to preserve some family history - they make great keepsakes!

Some clients like to use recipe boxes for bridal showers or baby showers with kid friendly recipes!

I've decided to showcase some of my favorite recipe boxes for inspiration to all you brides-to-be, moms-to-be and chefs-to-be!

From left to right: Recipe File Box - Dots and Stripes $18.00, Recipe File Box - Paddock Shawl $18.00, Made from Scratch $10.00, Martha Stewart Collection Recipe Box $14.99, Pink Flower Box $13.00 (no, I'm not sure why its called "Pink Flower Box" when its blue), Bamboo Recipe Box $14.99 (its plain but you can customize it with a monogram and other decorations), Tatutina Black and White Mod Circles Recipe Box $25.95, What's Cooking Recipe Box $16.95, Recipe Box - Bon Appetit $19.99

Happy Planning!

Hatch My House!

One of my family members and her husband just bought their first house. I am so happy for them for planting roots after just a few years of marriage. Its so exciting! Fun times ahead as we design and decorate a space for their family that makes their first house a home.

The process of home buying can be super stressful - the paperwork, the loans, the negotiations! I thought to myself "Couturess" ('cause that's what I call myself), "why aren't there house registries like there are wedding registries?? I mean, this is yet another step in a couples life that embarks upon a new journey..." Well, before I got my other foot on the soap box, I found Hatch My House!

Hatch My House is an online gift registry and home wedding registry where anyone can save towards a house or home improvements in a fun and interactive way. GENIUS! Friends and family can help you build a house one piece at a time or build a house fund!

Awesome right? For more interactive fun, check out this real registry to really dive deep and see

how it works. I'm telling all the first-time home buyers (or soon-to-be), that I know to register for it today!

Happy Planning!

My Monday Inspiration...

You know...sometimes you have to just sit back and admire another designers work. Have you ever looked at a picture, saw the inspiration and just wish you were there...where ever there is? Well, that's how I felt when I saw the dessert table by Eat Drink Pretty via Style Me Pretty.

It actually reminds me quite a bit of my Sister's style - very pink, very elegant and very sassy! I mean... don't YOU wish you were there?

Happy Planning!

Images courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Wedding Party Timeline

Your wedding party (and sometimes their significant others if they are not in the wedding party) need to know a wee bit more that just the date of the wedding. Here's a cute way to send your wedding party a save-the-date that gives them a timeline of their obligations. Best part about these are... you can print them at home yourself!

Happy Planning!