All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘California’

Jennie + Aaron’s Italian Garden Wedding

Valentine’s week continues with this romantic wedding that looks like it took place in the middle of a garden in the Italian Countryside. Except that it actually took place at the bride’s aunt’s backyard in California. Whoaaaaa. This is unlike any backyard I have ever seen!

The bride’s aunt also helped make all the table signs, named for different cities in Italy, a place near and dear to this couple.

Parasols were provided for the guests to shield them from the harsh summer sun. The bridesmaids look amazing in their pinkish-coral gowns, and of course the flower girl is adorable!

Romantic details were everywhere – from the heart shaped floral wreath to the elegant invitations (also designed by the bride’s aunt) to the delicate roses in vintage silver containers.

They even served gelato and biscotti to keep with the Italian theme!

Congrats Jennie and Aaron!

DETAILS:
Photographer: Adeline & Grace Photography
Caterer: California Catering Company
Floral Designer: Yuba City Florist
Cake Designer: Cakes By Request

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Samantha + Tony’s Enchanted Literary Wedding

Today’s wedding out of Monte Rio, California is jaw-droppingly gorgeous! As I was going through the gallery, I was wowed from one photo to the next. Not only is the couple stunningly beautiful and their venue reminds me of an enchanted garden, but all the little DIY details are artfully displayed and really show off the couple’s unique personalities. This wedding is what I call a win-win-win-win.

The bride describes their wedding style as “a mix of vintage, steampunk, rustic, literary, and romantic.” They collected a lot of vintage pieces to decorate their tables, and made roses out of pages of old books. The bride even incorporated the paper roses into the bouquets!

Here’s more from the bride: “Tony and I are not formal people. We love spending time with our friends and family and that is exactly what we wanted our wedding to be- a fun, relaxed, intimate celebration on the Russian River. There was no cell reception, and just about everyone had to travel to get there, so we wanted everyone to feel comfortable and included. Upon getting engaged, we quickly decided on a few basics for what we wanted out of our wedding: it needed to be meaningful and unique, our guests were going to have fun, and it was not going to break the bank. That meant analyzing every potential aspect of the wedding and deciding if it was necessary, and if so, asking ourselves, “could we DIY it?” It ended up being a LOT to take on, and I learned how to be crazy organized in order to help me sleep at night, but in the end it was completely worth it!

“On the actual day, there wasn’t a single part of the wedding that I hadn’t directly dealt with myself. The venue was a rental house on the Russian River and it couldn’t have been more perfect. More than half the guests were from out of town so we had our bridal party stay in the house with us the entire weekend. The day before the wedding, the boys hung lights and set up tables and chairs (in the rain!) while the girls arranged all the flowers.

“The ceremony was held in the backyard, under a willow tree, with a view of the river. We wrote our own vows and my stepfather became ordained online and wrote and performed the ceremony. It was heartfelt and sweet, funny, and so unique to us – he even mentioned our love being able to weather a zombie apocalypse!”

Congrats Tony and Samantha!

DETAILS:
Photographer: Corinne Krogh Photography

Reception Venue: Russian River, Monte Rio, California

Dress Store: David’s Bridal

Cake Designer: Kingdom Cake

Venue Spotlight and Insider Tips: Menifee Lakes Country Club

I have worked as a Wedding Coordinator at a beautiful venue for the last 6 years and have endless amounts of advice and insider tips for brides. First of all you should do your homework and know what to ask a wedding venue before you call or step foot in the door. I have complied a list of what I feel to be the top ten questions you should ask a venue. I went ahead and filled in the answers to each of these based on our accommodations at Menifee Lakes Country Club, where I currently work in Southern California.

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

VENUE: MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

29875 MENIFEE LAKES DRIVE

MENIFEE, CA 92584

www.menifee-lakes.com

1) IS MY DATE AVAILABLE? ALTERNATE DATE(S)

If you have a specific day your heart is set on this should be the first question you ask. We will check dates over the phone or thru email so you know before you make the trip to visit us.

2) WHAT ARE THE RATES FOR DIFFERENT DAYS OR TIMES (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY; AFTERNOON, EVENING)?

Yes, Friday and Sunday are less expensive than a Saturday and a day time event is less expensive than an evening. We will print a price quote for a wedding based on the menu options from our packages so you can consider days, times, and pricing with anyone who may be helping finance the wedding.

3) IS THERE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND WHAT KIND OF DEPOSITS ARE REQUIRED?

The basic payment plan requires a $1,000.00 deposit to book the wedding date. A 25% payment is due 6 months before the wedding date followed by a 25% payment, a 3 month 25% payment, and a final 25% payment 1 month before the wedding. The final payment is due 10 days before the wedding.

4) ARE THERE HIDDEN COSTS LIKE A SERVICE CHARGE, GRATUITY, CLEANING FEES, OR OVERTIME CHARGES?

We charge a rental fee, a per person charge for food service, California state tax, as well as a 20% service charge (can also be referred to as a gratuity). A quote will include all of the costs. You can add additional hours to the package for an additional fee as well.

5) WHAT IS THE LAST POSSIBLE DATE THAT WE CAN MAKE CHANGES?

10 days prior to the wedding date all final details and payments must be made.

6) IS THERE ROOM FOR A BAND AND/OR DANCING?

Yes, we have a large area that can be used for a band, DJ, and dancing.

7) ARE THERE NOISE RESTRICTIONS?

No, the reception is held inside the building so there are no noise restrictions.

8) IS THERE A BACKUP PLAN FOR RAIN OR OTHER INCLEMENT WEATHER? IF NOT, IS THERE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN PUT UP A TENT?

Yes and Yes, we can set up the ceremony inside if the weather is not permitting and for additional fee a tent can be set up outside.

9) WHEN CAN MY VENDORS ARRIVE FOR SETUP?

We include two hours prior for set up and additional hours may be purchased at a discounted price if more than two hours are needed.

10) WHO WILL OUR POINT PERSON BE BEFORE THE WEDDING? ON THE DAY OF OUR WEDDING? CAN WE MEET THEM NOW?

Here at Menifee lakes Country Club it would be Christa or Angie we both work in the planning process and one of us will be here on the day of your wedding. Both of us give wedding tours and we are in 7 days a week and you are more than welcome to meet with us during the planning of your wedding.

Click on the link below to print this handy list of questions

(take this with you to the venue!):

Top 10 Questions You Should Ask a Venue

Many people ask what I like about it best about Menifee Lakes Country Club and by far my favorite aspect would have to be the unique layout of the building and amazing timber lined ceiling. The building is two levels with a small restaurant and separate men’s and women’s dressing area and restrooms on the lower lever. The upper level is comprised of the golf shop, the large Main Ballroom, East Ballroom, tile Lobby area and bar area that overlook the two 18-hole championship golf courses. Meaning there is an abundance or lush grass and endless photo opportunities.

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

Photo of Main Ballroom at Menifee Lakes Country Club.

Menifee Lakes Country Club has amazing customizable wedding packages great for any wedding. We offer the basics and you can add to it or change it to fit your wedding. We include all the tables, chairs, napkins, linen, glassware, china, bottomless punch bowl, cake cutting service and champagne toast with every package as well as the serving and bartending staff. Menifee Lakes Country Club also offers two beautiful ceremony locations. We have the courtyard location and you can choose to have your wedding facing the grand front doors or facing the beautiful fountain.

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

Photo of Courtyard location facing the building

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

Photo of the courtyard location facing the fountain.

You can also choose to have your wedding on the grass of the golf course for an evening wedding.

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

Photography by Jamie Joy of ceremony on the grass overlooking one of the many lakes on the golf course.

Once you have found your perfect venue here are a few more insider tips:

Leave a little elbow room

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

A standard round table (at most venues) is a 60-inch round table, and can seat up to 10 guests. Just because you can do this doesn’t always mean you should. If you have lots of left hand guests consider only seating 8 people per table. Left hand guests could actually bump elbows with all those right hand guests if you seat too many guests at a table. So remember to leave a little elbow room.

It also gives you a few extra seats if you plan for 8 per table and last minute have a guest decide to come.

You can add them to a table and not have to scramble to redo the seating chart and get a centerpiece for the extra table.

Vendor Meals

MENIFEE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

Should you supply a meal for vendors? My rule of thumb is if the vendor is staying for more than 3 hours and will be present during the entire dinner service time you should consider having a meal for them.

I always recommend to keep vendors happy and think about their needs as well because a happy vendor will work better and be more pleasant to work with, making the day more enjoyable for everyone.

Think about it if you are a vendor and are going to be working 9+ hours you are going to need to take a least a few breaks and eat something during day. It can vary so it is best to ask each vendor if they would like a meal because some vendors may eat before hand or plan breaks and meals themselves. If they would like a meal supplied talk to your reception location or catering company and ask if they have special vendor meals or pricing.

A DJ or photographer who may be scarfing down a meal between grand entrance and toasts doesn’t need prime rib and twice baked potatoes, it might be nice to serve them the same as your guests but ask your cater about different options and by planning ahead many caters may throw in a vendor meal or two if you are having a buffet or you can plan for a lower cost menu option for vendors.

Remember to plan ahead because you don’t want to have to buy them that $60+ a plate meal and fork over the payment the day of your wedding if you don’t plan ahead.

Get More Great Wedding Planning Tips and DIY Ideas at Bridal Shows

If you are in Southern California feel free to drop by and learn more about Menifee Lakes Country Club and have a full tour of the location and a wealth of insider tips and advice.

Enjoy your wedding planning and check back for more wedding planning tips and more vendor highlights on DIY Bride this month.

Carrie + Chris’ Vintage Fall Wedding

I have recently discovered I may have a new obsession – bridal faux fur wraps. I unwittingly scheduled two real weddings back-to-back featuring beautiful brides in equally beautiful wraps. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, mind you. And I suppose ’tis the season for warm winter wraps!

Chris and Carrie had a beautiful fall wedding at their church in Bakersfield, CA. The church was decorated with lit up Christmas trees and wreaths that made for a beautiful ceremony backdrop (and you can’t beat free decor). The reception hall had a nice cozy fireplace, perfect ambiance for a fall wedding. With the help of their family and friends, the couple put together all their table decor, turning books into little floral pots and pairing them with simple roses in vintage vases.

Cupcakes, which were baked by family and friends, were displayed on DIY cake stands made from vintage plates and glasses.

The groom had custom ties made through Etsy for himself and his groomsmen. At first glance they just look like paisleys … but look closer! I think these are the greatest ties I’ve ever seen!

Congrats Carrie and Chris!

DETAILS:

Photography: Jessica Frey Photography

Venue: Olive Drive Church, Bakersfield, CA

Alisa + John’s Carefree Backyard Wedding

Today’s wedding is the type of event you look at and wish you had been a guest. Everyone looks relaxed and happy, probably because of all the fun games and activities the bride and groom provided! And pretty much everything you see is DIY, including all the centerpieces (which did double-duty as favors for the guests – awesome), signs, and the gazillion crepe paper flowers.

From the photographer: “Alisa and John were married at the bride’s father’s home in Woodside, CA. It was an outdoor, afternoon wedding with LOTS of games and fun including a square dance lesson, bocce ball, ping pong, archery, foosball and canoeing.

“The bride and her mother made SO many of the details including: bride’s crepe paper flower bouquet, groom’s crepe paper flower boutonniere, all of the table decorations (crepe paper and wood flower arrangements and planted herbs as favors for the guests), and lace overlays that went on each table.

“Also handmade were the thought bubble signs for the guests to write clever notes, embroidered signs for the drinks and dessert table, crepe paper flowers to decorate the cake, huge paper flowers that hung around the house as decoration, bride’s purse and hair piece, games, and ceremony signs. The bride did her own make up, a friend did her hair, and her mom hemmed her dress. A family friend made the cake and another friend was the coordinator.”

Congrats Alisa and John!

DETAILS:
Photography: Alison Yin Photography

Venue: Private Residence, Central California

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Sno + Kevin’s Milk and Cookies Engagement

Today we have another great engagement session to share with you! Reality TV junkies may recognize Sno, an actress, and Kevin, a marketing executive, from their episode of “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.” Here they are, pre-wedding, in the most darling “milk and cookies” themed engagement session. I love their use of vintage props to make this shoot their own. It’s fun, playful, and romantic all in one. And as always, the light captured by White Haute Photography is absolutely gorgeous.