Lulu Events

Beautiful Buena Vista Winery

2011-08-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs M- you were a dream to work with! Credit: Girl in the Fig Caterer in Sonoma, the talented Blumengarten Florals & the one and only Meg Sexton Photo.

Rustic chic romance at it's best, eat your heart out.

Dreamy Beaulieu Garden Wedding

2011-08-05T07:53:00.001-07:00

Wouldn't you love to sit under a grape arbor full of beautiful china, lush florals, and chic chandeliers? Our lovely bride

Arianna's guests had the opportunity last weekend on a perfect Napa Valley evening! Congrats

to Jeff & Arianna! More to come..

Summer Citrus Wedding

2011-07-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

This photo from my iphone was taken of the floral arrangements from our last wedding at Nicholson Ranch Winery. It was a beautiful and colorful summer wedding. I can't wait to see the professional pictures! The couple were so fun and their parents and bridal party put together some of the wittiest & sweetest toasts I have heard in years, gotta love some East Coast humor! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Persaud, it was an honor to work with you! Florals by the talented Tanja of www.blumengarten.com

In the meantime, I am humbled that I received this note from the blushing bride:

Angela,

Thank you so much for everything!! Just got back from HI yesterday. Maui was AMAZING and it was glorious to relax and not look at email for a week.

You were the MVP of our wedding! Thank you so much for everything! Our wedding was fantastic and everything Dave & I wanted (wind & all!). I can't wait to see the pictures & video. Everyone keeps telling us how much fun they had. Dave & I had a blast at our wedding and so much of that was because of everything you did. You were a total rockstar. I'm so happy we got to work with you!!

Thanks,
Kathleen

Rustic Chic Perfection

2011-07-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Dmitiriy were married at Buena Vista Winery in June and they were the epitomy of

elegance, beauty and grace. Everyone present could feel their sweetness and love for one another. This is a sneak peek and we cannot wait to see the rest of the Love Fest by Meg Sexton Photography!

Congratulations and Warmest Wishes for a Lifetime of Happiness!

A note from the incredibly stunning bride:

Angela!!

Thank you SO much for all your help to make our wedding absolutely perfect! I can't wait to see all the pictures.

You were amazing and I am so grateful you were there. I can't thank you enough for making sure that our wedding day was perfect! So much fun, so many stories! It was a great night!!

Thank you again!

Lauren

God Bless America!

2011-06-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

We love all the flags on the boats in Newport Harbor! It is a wonderful community filled with

patriotic flair!

Ruby's Shake Shack- an iconic pitstop on PCH south of Corona del Mar! Yummy shakes and all american food with a view of the Pacific Ocean!

Crystal Cove State Beach, a gem and such a special spot for an all american picnic

My son on his Radio Flyer Wagon last year at our Beach House

Newport Harbor Boat Parade

I have always been a very proud american! My grandfathers fought in World War 2 and the Korean War and I am so grateful for the legacy of them and all of the military so we can all enjoy our amazing freedoms in the good ole USA. The older that I get the more I love this country, a few years ago at our home in Napa Valley I hosted a Red, White and Brew Party in our backyard poolside! It was so much fun, I asked guests to bring their favorite bottles of red or white wine and I provided the catering including Lavender Mojitos and Beer compliments of my husband's company Miller Coors! The menu was a nod to my grandpa Nelson and his amazing cooking & special summer recipes including a famous pickled cucumber salad! I even had a small table for the toddlers, children are such a fun element to a summer party! My husband even got involved creating a patriotic mix of songs in the IPOD for some amazing tunes, "Born in the USA" anyone?

This year we are celebrating at the beach and will be attending the Balboa Island Boat Parade with small boats and yachts alike festively dressed for the occasion and almost all proudly flying a Red, White and Blue American Flag! Crystal Cove for a beach picnic and flying a kite and bbq & bonfire at the beach ...smores anyone? and of course catching a baseball game are all on the agenda! A very americana weekend! The best part is we have a 2 year old son who has a Radio Flyer Wagon that will be festooned with patriotic colors! We just hope that it is a clear nite on the beach for the fireworks, it will be so fun watching it thru our son Dylan's eyes! We love making memories with family & friends. That is what it is all about!

This year our "Red, White and Blue" will be Red Velvet Cupcakes, White Wine (Cakebread Chardonnay!), and Bleu Cheese Burgers from our favorite Butcher (and of course fresh strawberries and blueberries from the local farmers market!)... Yummy!

Happy 4th of July to you and your loved ones and God Bless America!

Cheers,

Angela of Lulu Events

Cabo del Sol Wedding

2011-06-01T18:58:00.001-07:00

Francesca and Andres were married in Los Cabos, Mexico, we worked together for 15 months scouting the perfect location and planning their dream day. These are just a few of the photos I received, there are so much more and many more details that made their special day so memorable. They celebrated for 3 days with 120 guests from around the globe. The welcome dinner kicked off the weekend events with a 7 piece mariachi band at a local restaurant overlooking the Pacific sunset.

A few highlights of the wedding day celebration:

The Lucky Guests were greeted on the Exclusive Cabo del Sol Golf course with Agua Frescas to keep them cool on a hot Mexican day, a violinist played for the personal ceremony. There was a Mexican trio playing at the cocktail hour while guests enjoyed ceviche, passed canapes and Mango Margaritas. After the ceremony guests were whisked away in golf carts to attend the dinner reception. Guests were greeted with miniature Tequila bottles with hand calligraphy to let them know what table they were to be seated in the Stunning Cabo Del Sol Clubhouse for dinner. The tables were named after mexican numbers (Uno, Dos, Tres etc) & guests were treated to oceanviews for dinner as well as some heartwarming toasts. The delicious five course dinner included a intermezzo to cleanse the palates of guests on a bed of iced bougouinvilla and each course was paired with Argentinean wines to give a nod to the groom's roots. At the end of the evening the guests were treated to a wedding cake with raspberry ganache. A five piece band Cabo Max played and the guests danced the nite away with amazing energy along with passed maracas for the guests to shake as they were grooving on the dancefloor! Congratulations to the happy couple! Photo Credit: www.crushweddings.com

Chalk it up!

2011-05-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Think Chalkboards, for everything, table signage, escort cards, thank you cards, menus and more! LOVE! We will be at the flea markets searching up the fabulous! XO

Congratulations to Francesca & Andres

2011-05-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a Wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico! 3 days of events, 120 guests, 17 musicians, over 60 vendors, a rockin band that had everyone on their feet! Amazing! Felicidades to Mr. and Mrs. Andres Diana! A stunning couple that just had so much fun.

Can't wait for all the pics - more to come soon!

And a sweet note from the Mother of the Groom hot off the press:

Dear Angela:

Thank you so much for your hard work in making sure everything went smoothly. It couldn't have been better. The arrangements were beautiful. The band was phenomenal, everyone loved the music. The service at Cabo del Sol was impeccable and the beautiful chargers were well worth the extra money. The guests commented on what a great idea it was to have the coolers while they were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

It was truly a pleasure meeting you and working together with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to help ensure our "children's wedding" was such a beautiful and memorable event.

Regards,
Ligia

Peony Season is here - our favorite flower

2011-05-09T11:47:00.001-07:00

We love spring because it brings us our favorite flower - the peony! We have some at our desk at the moment and can't get enough of the fragrance and just staring at the beautiful delicate petals. I grew up with peony trees in my yard as a little girl and didn't know how lucky I was! In the midwest it was a sign that winter had passed and summer was around the corner! According to mythology and folklore peony flowers are a sign of good fortune, wealth, honor and happy marriages. Even more reason to have them in your bridal bouquet.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all a very special mother's day! Even for those who aren't mothers yet, it is a gift to be a mom! I love you to my mom Janet who is a creative and talented loving mother, I simply lucked out! Pictured here with me in Mexico.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

2011-05-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo! We hope you celebrate by having a nice cool beverage! We are off to Mexico next week for what is our first wedding of the season. Cabo is a great place to have a fiesta and some fun! Adios Amigos.

An Encore of Elegant Decadence...

2011-04-29T19:09:00.001-07:00

We couldn't resist...we had to post! BRAVO Alexander McQueen.

A beautiful bride in a perfect gown for the evening.

A Royal Wedding Weekend

2011-04-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! What a fairy tale day!

Planning a wedding is an art, it takes a lot of time, creativity and skill. The Royal Wedding today was exquisite. I have been thinking of all of the staff members and vendors who painstakingly have been hard at work to execute such a timeless and beautiful affair for the handsome prince and princess. Kudos to all of those that worked so diligently, it is a proud day to be a Brit! I wanted to highlight that as much as one can plan and hope for a perfect wedding day that it is important to enjoy the moment and that some of the best memories are not planned and will organically take place. One example is a photo that someone captured of the

3 year old royal bridesmaid with her hands over her ears (see above pic) while the bride and groom have their famous kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. This is a classic photo and moment in time!

We loved the royal attendants that adorned floral wreaths. So insanely gorgeous!

Princess Kate is a classic beauty, we especially loved her bouquet (mostly made of lily of the valley).
Congratulations to the glowing newlyweds! May you live happily ever after!

Royal Wedding Watch!

2011-04-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and best wishes to William and Kate!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T01:41:00.001-07:00

Bee's Knees

2011-03-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

BZZZZZZZZZZZ......We have been lucky to receive many beautiful love notes from our past clients thanking us for our hard work and creativity. We have been gifted with exotic items such as a Mikimoto pearl brooch from Asia, a beautiful handbag from Brazil, cashmere from Peru & expensive wine from Napa Valley. But our favorite all time gift is a compliment and our most unforgettable quote from a client is this....

"Lulu Events is the Bee's Knees"

- Dr. Raphael Merriman

Thank you Dr. Merriman and Bottoms Up to

Lulu Events own signature cocktail named appropriately the "Bee's Knees"!

Ingredients: Vodka, Champagne, w a touch of honey for the special sweetness.

As we did research on the history of the term we found that the 'Bee's Knees' saying was invented in the 1920's (we love that era and we bet that Great Grandma Lulu was sipping on her share of cocktails having a grand ole time back then!) and means.."you are referring to something excellent or outstanding"! Okay, we will take that! And with spring here, we heart this cocktail! And we also adore the featured china found at Anthropology with our little friends buzzing around.

Cheers! Lulu Events

Laura & Brian's Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty

2011-03-15T16:01:00.001-07:00

Lulu Events is over the moon that one of our last weddings of 2010 is featured on Style Me Pretty. The bride wanted a very organic feeling and Tanja with Blumengarten Florals did an amazing job. Enjoy the lovely pics by Gia Canali

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/03/14/northern-california-wedding-by-gia-canali-photography/

Fun Engagement Shoot

2011-03-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

Meet Lauren and Dmitriy. They are gorgeous. They are fun. They are stylish. They are nice. And yes they are getting married in June at the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma http://buenavistacarneros.com. We are fortunate enough to be assisting them with their special day and we cannot wait! Congratulations to the beautiful couple! A special shout out to: www.megsextonphotography.com/blog for a job well done. We look forward to seeing her magic on their wedding day! Check back later in the summer for what is sure to be a stunning affair. Until then enjoy the lovely pics. XO

Anthropology Style Wedding in Napa Valley

2010-09-06T09:09:00.001-07:00

Megan and Cameron are a fabulous couple from Chicago and had a dream of marrying in California wine country. After contracting Lulu Events we teamed together for an extensive venue search in Sonoma & Napa Valley and this gorgeous fun loving couple chose Meadowood Napa Valley as their backdrop. A few of my favorite touches were: the signature cocktail of mojitos at the cocktail reception, chalkboards for the escort seating, Pucci styled linens and fresh fruit used as centerpieces! Enjoy the photos of this darling garden wedding. Photos by Briana Marie Photography of Napa Valley.

Amazing Highlight Video from DayDreaminginColour

2010-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy the 6 minute video clip of a wedding that took place on June 10 in Napa Valley. It was a Labor of Love creating this beautiful wedding, the video is very touching. Credit : The Fabulous www.daydreamingincolour.com Team. This cinematographer really captured Wesley and Carissa's incredible wedding day! Kudos to them.

Sensational Sweets Table

2010-06-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Lulu Events is OVER THE MOON to announce that we are now available to design and create a Sensational Sweets Table for your next Special Event. Let us create and design a candy bar that works with your theme! www.crushweddings.com Photo

XOXO

Auberge du Soleil Wedding

2010-06-16T22:08:00.001-07:00

Lindsey and Beau are a fun loving couple that live in Nashville, Tennessee. They met at work saving peoples lives. Beau is a renowned physician & Lindsey works for donor services, the rest is history. They contracted Lulu Events in December to plan their May wedding in Napa Valley. We put them in touch with Auberge du Soleil and all of their fabulous vendors, the event went off without a hitch. Below is a note we just received from Beau:

Angela,

I cannot thank you enough for all your efforts in making our wedding spectacular! I am still speechless, but our family and friends are still buzzing about how magnificent the entire event turned out. We could not have asked for more in celebrating our marriage. We were very fortunate to have your forethought and creativity to help us orchestrate this event in Napa from so far away in a relatively short time frame.

Best of luck in your continued mission to make dreams into reality.

All the best,

Beau

Groom from May 28 Wedding

Congratulations to Beau and Lindsey! You are an extraordinary couple!

Photo Credit: Jen Kloss Heffner Photography and Meg Sexton Photography

British Twist on a Wine Country Wedding

2010-06-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wesley and Carissa first contacted me via the internet in April 2009 from London, after many phone calls and emails they planned their trip to Napa Valley to scout locations for their wedding and chose the Harvest Inn in St Helena a picturesque countryside retreat among the grapevines. After 14 months of planning from overseas they were wed on a beautiful June day in Napa Valley. It was an English garden themed wedding filled with all things british including croquet on the lawn for the guests during the cocktail reception, Coldplay by the Eloquence String quartet and amazing hats that the ladies wore with style. They are not only a very handsome couple but their thoughtful vows that they personally recited at the ceremony were brilliant and filled their guests with teary eyes and laughter. Cheers to a very amazing future you two! It was a true pleasure to work with you on such a special day! Credits: Elaine Bell Catering, Wendy Maclaurin Richardson Photography, wmrphoto.com.

Sonoma Golf Club Wedding

2010-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Christine and Buck were married on May 1 at the Sonoma Golf Club. They are the sweetest couple and Christine the bride radiated with happiness on her wedding day! They had a flamenco guitarist for the ceremony and cocktail reception and boogied to Evermusic Group (5 piece band)....after a 4 course dinner catered by the Fairmont. I just adored Christine's headpiece, the perfect blend of elegance and glamour! Congratulations and wishing you a lifetime of happiness and good health and wealth!

Credit: Richard Wood Photo, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Catering

Life is Rosy!

2010-05-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

Roses from my garden! I heart spring! XO

Current Obsession- Poms

2010-03-26T12:14:00.001-07:00

I Heart Poms and I can't get enough, so much that I even ordered some for my son's nursery! It could be a cool idea for a bridal shower and even a rehearsal dinner! Fun with a touch of whimsy when done right! Credit: Martha Stewart ( but of course), I heard Pom Love on Etsy is the best!

Introducing our Orange County Office

2010-03-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

Lulu Events is over the moon and excited to announce the opening of our 2nd studio in Orange County, California now servicing brides in Los Angeles and beyond! We look forward to many more memorable events! Photos from Sara and Jack's beautiful Montage Resort wedding featured here, location Laguna Beach. Photo Credit: Ventana Photo

Lulu Events Named Best of Wedding Planner 2010!

2009-12-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

The Knot Wedding Magazine has named Lulu Events, Best of Wedding Planner 2010 for Northern California! We are so honored and would like to thank our clients and supporters for this wonderful recognition as they voted for us! We look forward to creating many more amazing weddings in 2010 and beyond!!

Look for the January and June 2010 Edition of The Knot Magazine to see Lulu Events featured as Best of Wedding Planner !

New Offering- Wedding Concierge!

2009-12-04T21:50:00.001-08:00

New Offering- Wedding Concierge!

Lulu Events is happy to announce a new service offering to our clients, a Wedding Concierge.
Imagine this, your guests are traveling from afar to attend your special day and they have many questions ranging from where to stay and what to to do in Napa and Sonoma Valley. Who are they to call? Our wedding concierge but of course darling! And our wedding concierge will be on call the weekend of your wedding available exclusively to your guests (would they expect anything less from you- the thoughtful bride and groom?)
A wedding concierge can assist your guests with reservations at top restaurants, wineries, fabulous spas, ensure they can book a hair and makeup artist, a nanny for their children and more. Does your aunt who is attending your wedding need a dress pressed or did your uncle/cousin forget their tie for the wedding? No problem, our concierge will pick up the dress and have it pressed in no time! And also advise on where to buy a tie or just bring one to your family member. It will be our pleasure!
Your wedding is sure to be a hit and one they will never forget. After all who else has provided this service to them?
Please inquire for more details! angela@luluevents.com

Welcome Bags

2009-10-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

Many of my brides who marry in Napa Valley are hosting guests who have traveled long and far to attend their special day. A lovely way to welcome them to "the Valley" (as we call it) is to provide a bottle of wine, a map and a list of their favorite wineries, restaurants and spas in the area. Well packaging is key and aren't these bags fabulous? They are quite stylish and serve the purpose of both holding a bottle of wine and a momento from their trip to Napa Valley. These can be waiting in their hotel room for them and trust me are more used than most favors at weddings! Cheers, Lulu Events

Montage Resort Wedding, Laguna Beach CA

2009-10-08T11:56:00.001-07:00

Sara and Jack were married at the exquisite Montage Resort in Laguna Beach on September 19th. Sara had a vision of an an eco-friendly ocean vibe for her wedding and it turned out marvelously. Sea glass that she had collected lined the aisle and 225 guests witnessed a beautiful ceremony & partied the nite away to an 80's band. After a 4 course dinner, A Photobooth and mini burgers, truffled mac and cheese and a Candy Bar were among a few of the surprises for the guests.

Lane from Amy & Co shot some details shots of the wedding. Enjoy.. More pics coming soon of the bride & groom and more details!

Sonoma Wedding in September

2009-09-23T23:09:00.000-07:00

Jamie and Craig were married on a beautiful September day at a private estate in Sonoma. The weather was perfect, and there were 175 guests there to celebrate their love. What a fun couple that truly enjoyed their wedding day and it showed! Everyone and I mean everyone danced the night away! Congratulations to you both! Special Thanks to: Richard Wood Photo and Guitarist Daniel Maya who were just a few of the talented vendors that I worked with that day. LOVE!

Beltane Ranch- Sonoma Valley Wedding Site

2009-08-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

A special rustic spot for a wedding ceremony and reception in Sonoma Valley is Beltane Ranch. It offers a one of kind experience for brides and grooms. A huge benefit is that it is a bed and breakfast and you can house your wedding party or family there for the weekend too! Stunning backdrop for your special day. In addition, it was recently named by Travel & Leisure Best Kept Secret in the World! It will not be a cookie cutter wedding, your guests will be talking about it for the rest of their lives.
www.beltaneranch.com

Excited about my 5 Star Status on Project Wedding!!

2009-08-18T23:36:00.001-07:00

See more reviews of Lulu Events on Project Wedding.

Casual Wine Country Soiree

2009-08-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

What happens when 2 wine industry insiders get hitched? A fabulous evening of the best that wine country offers of course..... The most decadent wine, yummy food, flamenco guitarist and then a dj who inspires everyone to dance not to mention a stunning sunset. A few photos taken from my crashed iphone. Revana Family Vineyards was the backdrop. Elaine Bell Catered, everyone danced the nite away. Bliss! Congrats Angela & Rich! (Event planning and florals by yours truly, aka Lulu Events)

Crush Weddings

2009-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Crush Weddings is a fabulous photography service that offers a variety of packages to brides and grooms. Check out the website for Dreamy Photographs that make everyone want to get married!

www.crushweddings.com.

Beaulieu Gardens, Rutherford

2009-06-23T23:36:00.001-07:00

Beaulieu Gardens in Rutherford is a dreamy european garden on a hidden private estate in Napa Valley and one of my favorite spots for a wedding. Melinda and Ash were married at BG (as we call it) on May 30th and it was a delightful affair! Melinda was so beautiful and the most graceful bride I can recall. She wanted a feminine and chic wedding and I believe we achieved it. You could feel the love in the air especially when Melinda and Ash enjoyed their first dance which was a show stopper for all the guests. The Black Market Orchestra really outdid themselves and had all the guests dancing the night away. Paula Le Duc catered this grand affair. Enjoy these few highlites from the wedding! Photos by www.crushweddings.com

The beautiful bridesmaids with their peony bouquets! (my favorite flower of all time)

The handsome couple kissing at the altar! Very romantic.

The backdrop for the ceremony.

Don't you love the dramatic entrance for the bridal party? It is divine!

The sentimental ceremony which was quite touching....

The Glamour Girl Cocktail...........garnished with edible flowers and of course in the bride's signature color, Pink! These were passed at the cocktail hour after the ceremony.

The place setting with custom menus on each place setting had the guests' name hand calligraphered so they knew exactly where they would be seated that evening.

Don't you want to dine at this table? Simply perfect and sweet.

My fabulous florist Tanja hung glass vases over the head table (under the arbor) so you knew it was intended for The bride and groom of course!

The pool had 60 hurricanes around it...............in the evening it was so pretty!

Melinda & Ash took dance lessons and boy it showed. Doesn't she look like a movie star?

The grand finale of the evening, an amazing cake by the one and only Perfect Endings!

Carneros Inn - Fabulous Wedding Site Napa Valley

2009-06-03T14:43:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for a chic wedding venue in Napa, I highly recommend the Carneros Inn. It has all that a bride and groom are looking for and more.... Apple orchard (check), stunning vineyard vista (check), amazing food, wine and service (check), to die for spa (check), horses roaming in the background (check), you get the picture!

Photo credit: Anna Kuperberg (she is fabulous)

Spring fling

2009-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Spring is here which means summer is around the corner and wedding season has arrived! I am so lucky to have a job that I love! One of the best parts of being a wedding planner is meeting all kinds of interesting people including talented wedding vendors and my extraordinary clients. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with a huge talent, Wendy Maclaurin Richardson who is a very sought after wedding photographer. I had the opportunity to work with Wendy on a sweet and simple wedding a few years ago and she is amazing, she captures very special moments and makes them look oh so chic! Enjoy her photos from our wedding in Woodside featured here and check out her site at www.wmrphoto.com.

Calistoga Ranch Romance

2009-01-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

Kareen and David were married on a beautiful October day at Calistoga Ranch. After enjoying a five course dinner, the 60 guests danced the nite away in the wine cave to Ever Music Group.

Special thanks to the talented photographer... Sabine Scherer ---www.sabinescherer.com.

Feature in Style Me Pretty

2009-01-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite weddings of 2008 was featured on the National Wedding Blog

www.stylemepretty.com today! (Style Me Pretty was recognized by Martha Stewart as a leading wedding blog in the US) Julia and Brian's wedding was a colorful and fun affair in San Francisco and was photographed by the talented Ingrid Nelson of Myrtle and Marjoram Photo (such a gem!) Please check it out. In addition, Style Me Pretty's editor Abby Larson asked me for a few tips for stylish weddings on a budget! Unfortunately, we all can't get bail outs from the senate!

Fit for a Queen

2008-12-21T05:45:00.000-08:00

Crown and Crumpet is a beautiful new spot in Ghiradelli Square for ladies who love to enjoy a proper tea in a decadent setting. It is the perfect venue for a bridal shower or baby shower or just a fabulous lunch with good friends. The owners have successfully launched the most stylish tea room in the city. Eye candy is an understatement! Oh and if tea is not your thing- don't worry they have a menu full of champagne cocktails so you can raise a glasss in style to toast your girlfriends! If you get a chance check it out www.crownandcrumpet.com. You will not be disappointed!

Wine Country Wedding - Nicholson Ranch

2008-10-27T17:21:00.001-07:00

Flora and Thor were married in mid-October at a catholic church in Napa and celebrated at Nicholson Ranch Winery. It was a perfect fall day and Flora looked lovely. Chic and intimate are words that come to mind. Photography compliments of Scott Andrew Photography and Jen Harris of So Cal who were fabulous to work with.

Garden Wedding in SF

2008-08-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

Julia and Brian wed on a beautiful June day in Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park. The lovebirds fun personality shined with their chosen colors of yellow and white with hints of black for a "summertime urban glamour feel". Lemons were a theme through out the day beginning with a french lemonade stand greeting guests at the park to lemon centerpieces at the reception at the Carnelian Room. The fun loving couple had lots of surprises for their guests and ended the evening with passed moustaches for a touch of sass and humor (yes these newlyweds know how to have fun!). Congrats Julia and Brian, you deserve all the happiness in the world!

Photos by the lovely Ingrid Nelson, Myrtle and Marjoram Photography. The gorgeous bride wore Vera Wang, flowers by Blumengarten Florals.

Classic and Fabulous

2008-06-05T21:59:00.001-07:00

Every wedding has a story and bring you back to a time when the world had class, elegance and gusto. My clientswedding in Grass Valley, California evoked a great gatsbyesque theme. It was a formal event that was held in a very unique venue ( a gold mine near the bride's home) and the guests were welcomed to a site that possessed beauty and charm of a different era. For more pics view the slideshow at: http://myrtleandmarjoram.bigfolioblog.com.

Vendor credits: Myrtle and Marjoram Photo, Blumengarten Florals, Twilight Design Lighting, Wildflower Linens, Paula Le Duc Catering, the lovely event was held at the Empire Mine in the foothills of California. Design by Lulu Events, video coming soon by Justin Fone! Highlites from the evening (planned and unplanned) wisteria in full bloom hanging from the old oak trees, an old fashioned black and white photobooth ready for guests entertainment, a lively band The Cheeseballs.

Half Moon Bay- a special place

2008-05-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

Time flies these days and one year ago last weekend I assisted a fantastic couple with their 300 person wedding in Half Moon Bay! It has special meaning to me for a few reasons :

1. The couple were so happy and lovely to work with!

2. Pink peonies are my all time favorite flower (see the bride's bouquet below)! I wish I could have a fresh arrangement everyday on my desk to admire.........

3. The Ritz Half Moon Bay was my first home in California (yes I lived at the Ritz for 2 months upon arrival in Cali as they transferred me out to be their wedding planner)! So many great memories for me there as there was excitement , anticipation and lots of hard work.

Happy First Anniversary Lauren and Brendan O'Brien!

Credit: Jill Johnson Photography

Nancy Liu Chin Flowers

Don't you love what the flower girl carried? So sweet.

A traditional bagpiper was hired to announce the bride and groom in the Grand Ballroom

Lush, Romantic, Beautiful Peonies!

The magical coastside in Half Moon Bay! So picturesque!

A Persian Celebration

2007-11-30T01:16:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite events of 2007 was a celebration that was held in a Castle called Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, California (Northern Napa Valley). It was a fairy tale evening that consisted of Persian Dancers, Beautiful Traditions including a Hookah Lounge and a very detailed Persian Altar called a Sofreh . This is what happens when 2 doctors from Harvard mesh and fall in love- an extraordinary event!!

There are so many out of this world photos from this event which was held in October that I would like to share with all of you but I am saving many of the pictures for my new website that I am working on.....so here is a sneak peek!!

Photo Credits: Claire Lewis Photography

Outside the Castle among the grape vines

The family tree

The Persian Dancers were Outstanding!

The florist, Tanja from Blumengarten and myself collaborated together to design the look and feel, Pomegranite fruits were everywhere (very symbolic for Persians).

The Mezze Table during the Cocktail Reception overlooking the Napa Valley at sunset.
Credit: Alex's Catering

Autumn Wedding in Woodside

2007-11-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images from an October wedding in Woodside. The couple wanted simple elegance as this was their second wedding this year (they just had a wedding in Korea a few weeks prior). The weather was impeccable and the bride's Monique Lhuillier gown was absolutely stunning!
Photography credit: Wendy Maclaurin Richardson

Destination Wedding- Mexico

2007-10-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

I love destination weddings! They are so incredibly fun for everyone including the sunkissed bride, the elated groom and the guests who can attend a party while on vacation! Here are a few photos from a wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico from July. The wedding couple was from Chicago and so were many guests who flew in to enjoy the festivities. They dined overlooking the Sea of Cortez and ended the night with a bang- a fabulous display of fireworks, the song that played during the firework display was Mexico by James Taylor- it was magical (can you believe we even had a full moon?!). Pardon the photos- they are from my digital camera - as the professional photos are yet to arrive to mi casa-- I believe the photographer is on Mexican time! Andale!~

Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley, California

2007-08-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Biana and Anthony contacted me in September, 2006 via the internet to assist them with a dream destination wedding in Napa Valley. They needed a wedding planner to assist them with finding the perfect venue and all the key vendors and details. I recommended Auberge du Soleil, the celebrity hideaway in Rutherford (home to Christina Aguilera's rehearsal dinner). After 10 months of phone conversations and emails we finally met and you can see what I created for them. It was nothing less than luxe, romantic and perfect!!

Credits: Nancy Liu Chin Floral, Richard Woods Photography, Perfect Endings Cake, and of course Lulu Events Design!

Meadowood, St. Helena, California

2007-08-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Meadowood is a majestic club in St. Helena, California that is nestled in a beautiful grove of old redwood trees. It is glamourous enough that Robert Redford takes his family there for a low key dinner and that is exactly what he did the evening of my clients wedding. As soon as I showcased this venue to my clients' Stephanie and Davis from Dallas on one of their scouting trips they were in love and the planning began. We offered their guests lavendar champagne cocktails that highlighted the subtle hue that was selected for the wedding - a light purple hue and a hint of cocoa. We hung chandeliers from trees and the crowd danced to Jack Johnson and the Red Hot Chile Peppers. One of my favorite weddings of the summer!

Credits: Meadowood, Napa Valley

Catering Perfect Endings- Cake
Blumengarten - Floral
Brian Cline -Band and Acoustics
Classic Party Rentals- linens, chairs and goblets
Richard Woods Photography
Lulu Events- Event Design

Clos Pegase Winery, Calistoga, California

2007-08-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

A favorite event that I planned in May was a rehearsal dinner at a famous winery in Calistoga- Clos Pegase. It was a perfect evening in the valley- and the nite was spent toasting and roasting the happy couple.

Credits

Catering: Elaine Bell
Photos: Susan Jackson Photography
Design: Lulu Events

Cabo del Sol, Los Cabos, Mexico

2007-08-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

Los Cabos, Mexico is a fabulous spot to host a destination wedding! It has much to offer and is a quick flight from California. I have actually had the pleasure of planning 2 weddings this year in Cabo! It can be challenging planning a wedding in a far away land and working with vendors in Mexico can be task in itself but both weddings went off without a hitch!

The wedding featured below was held in April at the Cabo del Sol Club, it was an intimate wedding (37 guests) that featured mango margaritas for the guests to cool off with after the ceremony which was held overlooking the ocean. Seashell Boutineires were custom made for the groom and his attendants. Guests dined on a 4 course meal that included a Lemon Chardonnay Granita served on a bed of iced Bougouinvilla and it was very eye catching! The 9 piece mariachi band made sure that a fun time was had by all and added the perfect spanish touch.

Enjoy the photos amigos!

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, California

2007-08-17T14:25:00.001-07:00

The Asian Art Museum is one of the most beautiful places to host an event in San Francisco! I had the pleasure of working at this venue to create a very extraordinary wedding.

Photos by Andrew Weeks
Floral by Nancy Liu Chin
McCalls Catering- lighting and cuisine
Lulu Events- design
I Dream of Cake- wedding cake

Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, California

2007-08-17T14:08:00.001-07:00

In March, I had the pleasure of working with a very glamourous client who was looking for some drama to infuse in to her white glove dinner party at the regal Fairmont San Francisco. The theme of Phantom of the Opera came to life with gold masks infused in to the low floral centerpieces and the hostess wore a feather boa. A little surprise for the guests was a lemon sorbet intermezzo served in individual iced swans. We had a beautifully lit skyline of San Francisco skyscrapers as the backdrop (we also ordered up a full moon from Mother Nature of course). Mission Accomplished- We sent the guests home swooning!

Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley, California

2007-08-17T13:40:00.001-07:00

I planned and designed a very elegant wedding in Wine Country at the very exclusive Calistoga Ranch. The hues were sage green and chocolate brown and it was a marvelous day! The guests dined inside a wine cave and boogied down to the City Lights Band.
Nancy Liu Chin was the floral designer. A great time was had by all!

Mark Hopkins Intercontinental- San Francisco

2006-11-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

Marie Claire and Joe were married at the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental and hosted a jewish and catholic ceremony with a lavish ballroom reception. It was a very elegant affair a la Grace Kelly.

Credits: Andrew Weeks Photography

In Water Flowers

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California

2006-11-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

This was a beautiful wedding at The Ritz Half Moon Bay that I was a part of, the couple was very elegant and special! Credits Anna Kilbridge Photo and Ornamento Floral Design.

Landmark Vineyard, Sonoma, California

2006-11-10T18:57:00.000-08:00

Kristin and Mark from Minnesota called me less than 4 weeks prior to their wedding at Landmark Vineyards and wanted some extra assistance, so I was happy to help the couple with a very chic and organic look for their wedding (you will notice the touches I added such as specialty linen and chairs, chargers, customized menus, lavendar sprigs in the menus along with calligraphy for the place cards). A fun evening, I love pulling everything together for the special couple! Kristin's daughters were so gorgeous as you will see and they acted as the "flower divas".

Landmark Vineyards is located north of Sonoma in Kenwood, Ca and is a true gem. The grand-daughter of John Deere owns Landmark Vineyards and they host beautiful weddings.

Anna Kilbridge Photography

Blumengarten Florals

Private Estate, Napa, California

2006-11-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from a small estate wedding in Napa from July (25 guests, small and sweet)! The groom Rick is a dentist in Napa and his lovely bride Kim is a nurse. It was 110 degrees, yes you could say a heat wave! I brought parasols and fans for the guests.

I came up with the lemon theme because during one of my scouting visits I saw a lemon tree and voila...the design fell in to place...everything from a tuscan lemon invite to lemons incorporated throughout the dessert.

Credits Richard Woods Photo and Blumengarten Floral Design.