In The Pink Weddings & Events

New Venue We Love

So the electric car may have been killed, but documentarian Chris Payne’s new green venue is alive and amazing. The Morroccan-themed Marrakesh House in Culver City offers several unique locations in one great place that allows you to create a different experience for your guests at each turn. Constructed from sustainable & recycled materials, not to mention solar-powered, the space doesn’t sacrifice style for the sake of being eco-friendly.

The central courtyard- aaah, what can I say? Vibrant. Chic. Can you see a wedding ceremony turned dance floor? I can.

Eclectic and beautiful!

The side yard- seats 100 for an intimate dinner and overlooks Culver City from it’s hilltop location.

A lawn with a view

The pool and lemon tree teahouse with it’s recycled tin can “chandelier”. Charming ceremony backdrop? Check. Cool spot for cocktails? You bet. You could even use the yard next to the pool for a small reception or lounge area.

Use a plexiglass pool cover and you've doubled the space size!

Tin can lids as a chandelier- who would thunk it?

So many visions for this location!

Speaking of lounge- check out the awesome interior VIP room. All you need is someone fanning you with palm fronds!

Caution: Hanging in lounge may cause extreme comfort (and a nap!)

With the estate rental, you also have access to the gorgeous interior as well- complete with a professional beauty styling room, and wedding couples can spend the night. There are noise and parking restrictions, but nothing too strict. If you are an eco-minded host or hostess looking for a fabu party space, definitely add this one to your list. You’ll feel transported to another land without ever leaving LA!

Add a comment October 5, 2009

Get ‘Em Coming And Going

We all know that the bride’s entrance is the first “ooooh” of your big day… talk about a big moment! But don’t forget the “aaaah”. It’s the last thing your guests are going to remember about your wedding, so why not go out in style? There are lots of ways to make a grand exit- from simply having your guests line up, a tunnel of sparklers, to a helicopter or boat… and everything in between. Whatever you decide, make sure it speaks to who you are. Having a green wedding? How about a hybrid car, a bike built for two or a rickshaw? For a country wedding, a horse drawn carriage is sure to make a statement, and a vintage car is always a crowd-pleaser if you’re looking for something more elegant. As you take off to start your new life together, you’ll be waving “bye”, while leaving your guests saying “WOW!”

The tunnel of love!

Classy chassis indeed

Just hitched

Add a comment September 15, 2009

Birds of a Feather…

I do a lot of outdoor weddings, many of which take place in gardens, so I’m always looking for fresh new decor ideas that speak to the location. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of unique uses for bird cages, and I even had one crafty bird-loving client come up with a genius idea for some $1 bird houses she found in a craft store. All so elegant, yet so charming as well. That cake looks too beautiful to eat!

A twist on the hum-drum seating chart board.

Overflowing with blooms.. and style

A functional (fun being the operative part) gift table "centerpiece"

Do you think it tastes like chicken?

A house that's definitely not for the birds!

Add a comment September 2, 2009

Blowin’ In The Wind… Or Not

I just love outdoor weddings, and let’s be real, in SoCal, there’s very little to worry about where Mother Nature is concerned. However, every now & then she has a bad hair day, which can wreak havoc on even the smallest of details. Imagine you & your fiance toiling for weeks over the seating plan. At long last and a few minor spats later, it’s finally done. You have the place cards ordered and they’re adorable. Then WOOSH, the Santa Ana’s whip up and it’s buh-bye perfectly calligraphied cards. What’s a girl to do? Unless your cards are in place card holders (with a good grip!), they’ll be gone with the wind, but those cute little holders can add big bucks to your bottom line. The solution? Try some larger place cards tied to the chair backs. These are a definite DIY project, but if you’re creatively inclined, you can easily keep those cards in place with two slits and some ribbon. And you’re guests will be happy to not be wandering aimlessly looking for a place to sit.

Add a comment September 1, 2009

A Little Face Time

I’m a sucker for a personal touch with some vintage charm, and thankfully, I had a bride who was into it as much as I am. Using a photo I got from the groom’s brother, I surprised the couple with these handmade delightful menus with silhouettes of the newlyweds. Some guests actually took them home! If your wedding aesthetic leans towards the antique-chic, you can add your own image to menus, your cake, invitations, tags, and so on. DIY-ers can do this on stationery with Photoshop, but if you dial better than you mask & fill, then check out sites like MyGatsby, Karrie Pyke Designs, Mr. Boddington’s Studio or Posh Paperie. How about silhouette cookie favors? Use custom-made cookie-cutters from Victor Trading Company and a favorite sugar-cookie recipe to send guests off with yummy personal style. Or for LA brides, Cuts Arts’ silhouette artist , Karl Johnson (you may remember him from a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine spread), will come to your party and create silhouettes of each of your guests. Some things just never go out of style!

Add a comment August 24, 2009

Eco-Chic Place Card Holders

Eco-chic Place Card Holders

Having a champagne brunch reception or tying the knot on New Years Eve? Then this little eco-chic place card holder would fit right in. I’m fortunate to have a champagne bar just around the corner (are you jealous?), so getting ahold of the champagne bottle wire “baskets” is a breeze, however, if you’ll be having an engagement party, another milestone celebration or just like to nip on the bubbly a lot, you can easily collect them. You can find the “how to” on my crafting blog, Glue Gun Diva. Be prepared for guests to walk off with them! Cheers!

Add a comment August 18, 2009

Game, Set, Match

Steal this idea!!! With the economy being, um, a tad wallet-challenging nowadays, it’s no wonder that many couples are opting to save money by having a daytime affair. While it’ll certainly save you money, the question that I get is: What are my guests going to do after the meal? Let’s be honest, many people don’t like to bust-a-move on the dance floor if it’s brighter than candlelight, much less blazing sunlight. Insert crickets chirping now, right? Recognizing this, I recently had a couple offer a fun solution to keep their guests entertained — games. Croquet, badminton, bocce ball, and even ping pong! I made some cute signs denoting the playing fields and attached rules on how to play. The wedding was still casually elegant and guests had a blast. Tally ho!

Add a comment August 10, 2009

In The Pink Is In The Press!

Congratulations to my clients at Aesthetic Edge Spa in Redondo Beach for such a successful grand opening party. I’m so happy to have been a part of it and wish you continued success.