If you are getting married on private property, if your venue’s parking lot seems a bit small, or if your guests have to hoof it a ways from their car to your venue, then parking is a logistic you really need to address.

And the answer doesn’t have to be difficult at all.  In fact, it can be as easy as an email or a phone call and poof! …  problem solved.

How so?  Well Bridge City Parking offers valet service, shuttle service, and even logistical consultation (for instance, if your venue’s parking area comes minus the handy little lines for cars to park between, or if the parking area is going to be pitch black when your guests – who have been drinking a little – try to find their cars at the end of the night).

Co-Owner Corey Boehler is not only a master at what he does, but he & his staff also come with a smile.  See?

On a serious note, Corey is one of the nicest people you could meet and he will work hard to ensure that your guests’ first and last impression of your wedding is a distinctive one.

(Psst …  Bridge City Parking will also be providing their services for our Tour de Brides show this September.  It’s Wine Country’s most amazing – and chauffeured – bridal show!)

Wedding favors originated with 16th century European aristcrats who wanted a way to bestow gratitude and appreciation on their guests.  These original wedding favors (or “bonbonnieres”) were traditionally boxes made of crystal, porcelain or precious stones that contained sugar cubes or delicate confections.  Why sugar?  Because at that time it was a symbol of wealth and royalty.  And believe it or not, sugar was also thought to have health benefits.

As time went on, and sugar prices went down, wedding favors became commonplace in cultures all over the world.  The look and feel of the favors began to change, however.  And somewhere along the way, couples began to see favors as an excuse to give bits of themselves to their guests.  Now if this were something sentimental and special, that would be one thing.  But favors devolved into the world of tacky …  cheap trinkets and magnets, etc., that contained the bride & grooms’ names, wedding date and, as if that weren’t bad enough, sometimes their photo.

OK, let’s stop for a moment.  Now be honest …  who among you would want to hang a magnet on your fridge with someone else’s name and wedding date?  Seriously.

Thankfully, favors are swinging back to what they were initially intended to be …  a gift, a true thank you, from the bride & groom to their guests.  And when you give a gift, you always consider the recipient.  After all, it’s not much of a gift if it’s all about the giver.

So what about swinging ALL THE WAY BACK to the original wedding favors …  the ones made of sugar and deemed to have health benefits, the ones guests LOVED to receive.  Hmmm, what oh what would fit into that category …  other than CHOCOLATE!!

Let me tell you, you have not tasted great chocolate until you have tasted truffles and other delights made by A Yen for Chocolate.  Owner Cristina Yen has chocolate making down to an art.  And we do mean an art.  Not only is her chocolate “musty” delicious (as in “must have more”), but it is also exquisite in its presentation.

Photo by Atalier Pictures

Chocolates from A Yen for Chocolate can be used not only as favors, but also as escort “cards” and on the tablescapes.

And there’s only one way to know which melt-in-your-mouth flavor will be “the one” for your guests …  by setting up a consultation with Cristina.  Now.

cristina@ayenforchocolate.com

This alluring venue is not only private, but also spacious with room galore for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.

Its boathouse is perfect for photos …  or perhaps for the bride & her father to make a Grand Entrance from by boat to the ceremony site?  Or for the bride & groom to make their exit to by boat at the end of the ceremony?

Picture the lake lit up with floating lotus blossom candles you & your guests release into the water.

So let’s talk price & amenities.  Saturdays are $3500, Fridays & Sundays are $2800, and weekdays are only $1500.  Included with the venue are ten 60″ round tables, four 6′ tables, ALL of the linens (unless you prefer to rent something other than white), and 200 chairs.

But wait!  I didn’t tell you the best part!!  We know there are still some of you wanting a summer (think June – September) wedding THIS YEAR who do not yet have your venue booked.  You are SO LUCKY! …  if you book Red Hills Lake by July 4th for a 2013 summer wedding, you will receive a 20% discount!!  How’s that for celebrating the opening of this amazing venue?

Call Dot or Larry at 503-864-3453, or email them at info@redhillslake.com.  And then let the planning begin!

It’s called Appy Couple (how’s that for a fun name?) and it’s designed to be, in their words, “the ultimate guest concierge service”.

It has all of the features of a great wedding website (and is automatically available as such for your older guests who aren’t into apps) PLUS all of the fun features of an app that your guests can download.

But, brides, let’s talk about the coolest part …  the designs that are available.  They have everything from vintage to modern to romantic to playful to themed.  There are SO MANY designs available.  And guess what?  Appy even sends your guests emails that match your chosen design.  Here, check out these fun design examples:

Check it out …  for only $28, it’s quite the fun deal!

What if I were to tell you about a new wedding venue where all you can hear are the birds in the trees and the frogs in the pond, where everything is green and lush, and where there are free perks that are included in the fee?  Interested?…

Quimby’s Pond, a 2-bedroom B&B on the outskirts of Dayton that sits by a pond on several acres of gorgeous land, is owned by Steve & Lorrie Quimby.  (Psst, Lorrie is also an amazing artist!)

Steve & Lorrie have gone the extra mile in creating the perfect setting for the couple who loves the outdoors.  Included in the venue fee (only $1500!) is a 40′ x 40′ white tent, an overnight stay in one of the two B&B rooms (perfect for grandparents who may want to go to bed early), a newly remodeled bride’s room with a view,

AND this amazing cabin for the groom and his guys to get ready!

Yes, you heard me …  all of that is included!  Oh, and did I mention the secluded bridge that is the perfect spot for that First Look moment?

I’m going to shut up now and let the photos speak for themselves.  And after you’re done ooh-ing and aah-ing, feel free to contact Steve & Lorrie for your own tour.  You can email them at quimbyspond@gmail.com, or call them at 971-241-0410.

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

Maysara Winery is owned by the Momtazi family, possibly the nicest family you could ever hope to meet.  The building of their mammoth-sized venue was a labor of love designed to keep their seasonal workers employed during the recession …  how much more generous could an employer possibly be?

Don’t focus too much on that word “mammoth” though.  The Momtazis have managed to create romantic, intimate places, both inside and outside their venue, that make it as perfect for a wedding of 60 as it is for a wedding of 400.

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

From the stone walls, cobblestone floor and walkways to the 28′ head table,

from the vaulted ceilings and the giant arched wooden doors to the sweeping staircase,

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

from the rolling hills and quiet creek to the acres of vineyards and small ponds …

Photo by Deyla Huss Photography

from florals & candles galore by Francoise Weeks, this place is nothing short of magical.

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

Photo by Jessica Hill Photography

Jessica Hill Photography Blog

Deyla Huss Photography Blog

Even those of you who haven’t dreamed about your wedding day since you were a little girl get caught up in the magic when you start trying on gowns.

So here’s one thing that is often an after-thought:  who will alter your gown once you’ve made the big purchase?  Or, who can create a one-of-a-kind gown for you from scratch?  Factor your bridesmaids and their dresses into these questions and sometimes, unless you are able to get alterations through the store where the gown/dresses were purchased, you can be in quite the conundrum.

Colleen Holdahl, owner of Alterations by Colleen, is a talented and dedicated seamstress who specializes in all things bridal:  gowns, dresses, veils (yes, veils!) and ringbearer pillows.

She has taken on some unique requests for gown creations and always finds a way to bring those visions to life.

Other times, it’s simple (or not so simple) alterations that bring perfection to that magic dress so that it looks as though it were made solely for you.

Making you the talk of the town is what Alterations by Colleen is all about.

Weddings are no different.  The songs you choose, the DJ you use, the musicians you book, have such a vital role in creating the ambiance of the moment.  Songs can make people laugh; they can make people cry.  They can stir romantic and sentimental emotions; they can make people kick up their heels and dance.

Photo by Bryan Rupp

Effesenden Music is brilliant at creating each and every one of those moments.  Owner Wendy Goodwin grew up and got married right here in Wine Country. Her skills on the violin are unparalleled.  And she is truly dedicated to creating a “soundtrack” for your wedding day that is truly you.

Photo by Shelly Perry

I have been privileged to hear Wendy and her ensemble in action at one of my weddings.  They were amazing.  In fact, I want you to hear for yourself …  take one minute, click here, and choose a song.  Come on …  I’ll wait.

So what did you think?…

In addition to their talent, what’s so brilliant about Effesenden is that they can offer you a variety of instrumental ensembles AND provide DJ services as well.  How’s that for seamless??

Music. Is. Magical.  And yet it’s so often one of the very last things to get attention in the planning of a wedding.

Need I say more?

Bridal magazines, blogs and Pinterest boards are full of ways to infuse romance into your wedding day.  But one way you will rarely see or read about in these mediums is the use of live music to add a truly special and personalized romantic touch to your ceremony and/or cocktail hour.

John Wayland Harr is an accomplished musician whose fingers (and vocal chords) can take that sacred moment in your life and add something so beautiful and unforgettable.

His repertoire is vast, and he is able to take music and arrange it himself for solo guitar (acoustic or electric) or keyboard.  He has also written original pieces for weddings …  talk about an amazing forever-memento to keep from your wedding day!

In fact, I want you to take a few seconds and click here to listen to what my words could never adequately describe.  Seriously …  take just 10 seconds and listen.  I’ll wait.

John is so laid back and inobtrusive …  and never even complains when he’s had to play during an uninvited rain shower.

His musical talent is amazing, and I’ve seen nothing but smiles on the face of wedding guests when he has quietly serenaded the guests after the ceremony as they are enjoying their hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

Why don’t you go listen one more time?…

Photo by Theresa McKeegan Photography

Photo by Theresa McKeegan Photography

Francoise loves creativity and her mind is always at work.  Let me show you what I mean and jumpstart your own creative juices.

There are napkin rings

Photo by Deyla Huss Photography

And whimsical bouquets.

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photographer

Photo by Deyla Huss Photography

There are woodland arrangements,

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photographer

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photographer

shoe & purse botanicals,

Photo by Jamie Bosworth Photographer

and flower ring botanicals.

Photo by Lori Eschler Frystack

There are succulents and log arrangements and so much more!

If you can dream it, or even simply impart your personality & vision to Francoise,
she can create it.