Beyond Blu Bungalow Amazing Peninsula Site Tour, part 2

Thomas Fogarty Winery View

So, picking up where we left off… (here is part 1, in case you need to catch up.)  The next stop on our Beyond Blu Bungalow Peninsula tour was Thomas Fogarty Winery, a story-book pretty site perched amidst the Santa Cruz mountains that offers amazing views of the entire Bay Area.  We were lucky to have perfectly clear (if a bit crisp!) weather and the view really knocked our socks off!  Becky showed off the many areas available for use at the winery, including the ceremony lawn at the edge of the mountain, and the gorgeous, huge covered Pavilion that can be used if the weather demands it, where guests are a bit more sheltered but still can still enjoy the incredible surroundings.

Thomas Fogarty WineryThomas Fogarty WineryThe PavilionThomas Fogarty Winery PavilionHappy group!Thomas Fogarty Winery Beyond Blu BungalowJanece & Lori of Every Elegant Detail along with Karen at Huckleberry Karen Designs devised this striking table, using many of the items we’d seen earlier in the day at Classic Party Rentals.  I always love sunny, happy yellow hues and they look fabulous juxtaposed with the teal-y turquoise (tealquoise?) seat cushions and accents.  Thomas Fogarty Winery Every Elegant Detail Huckleberry KarenHuckleberry Karen making sure everything is juuuust right…
Thomas Fogarty WineryThomas Fogarty Winery Every Elegant Detail Huckleberry KarenHuckleberry Karen Yellow BouquetJanece and Lori from Every Elegant Detail join Karen in discussing their design choices.
Every Elegant Detail Huckleberry KarenSolo guitarist Gabriel Navia (courtesy of Entire Productions) serenaded us as we settled in for a delectable lunch prepared by Thomas John Events.  Thomas himself spoke with the group and shared his commitment to using fresh, local ingredients and discussed all the steps that is taking to make Thomas John Events a green-certified company.

Gabriel Navia (booked through Entire Productions) and Cinematt, both hard at work.Gabriel Navia and CinemattThomas John explains his company’s philosophy.Thomas John EventsI do love a good beet salad!Thomas John Events Beet SaladNot to mention seared halibut over sweet potato gnocchi…Thomas John Events Halibut

And along with the delicious food, we enjoyed some really killer wine!  (I know, I know, my job is REALLY hard sometimes!)  I’m usually more of a red person, but in this instance, my favorite was the chardonnay (2008, if you care to try some yourself).  Mmmm!Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir ChardonnayCarrie and Annie with  Thomas John Events took excellent care of us.Thomas John EventsThomas Fogarty WineryThe gang.Beyond Blu Bungalow

After that, it was back down the mountain to the day’s final destination, La Costanera, a very cool, Michelin-star rated Peruvian restaurant located right on the edge of the ocean in Montara, just north of Half Moon Bay.  As I mentioned, it was a perfect, clear day and the ocean view from this site is very, very special indeed.  This is one of the very few places in the Bay Area where one can get married right on the beach… or, if you don’t want sand in your toes, you can use the patio and still enjoy the view!La CostaneraLa Costanera ViewLa Costanera View

Eric, our host at La Costanera, showed us all the different spaces available and explained the many ways they can be used for weddings both large and small.  La CostaneraAnd we had another very special treat… DJ Eric Yee and his Spintronix team were set up with some tunes, and Annemarie of 8 Count (offering fun, low-key dance instruction for couples, wedding parties, and more) showed everyone a few moves to get loose and comfortable on the dance floor.The 8 Count Dance LessonsThe ladies are adding the hip smack!The 8 Count

We then settled in around the patio firepit and watched the sun sink into the horizon as Eric brought us plate after plate of amazing La Costanera delectables.  The food was truly to die for, and with the gorgeous setting and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, it’s not hard to understand why La Costanera is such a popular wedding site.

La CostaneraLa CostaneraLa CostaneraLa Costanera Beyond Blu BungalowLa Costanera Sunset

We were all a bit stuffed and sleepy for the ride back  (at least, I was!) but the day wasn’t quite finished yet.  Wine and nibbles awaited at Blu Bungalow, as well as lovely Liliana and her signature mobile spa party (SPArty!).

SPArty Mobile SpaSPArty Mobile SpaSPArty Mobile SpaWe were treated to our choice of three mini-spa sessions – truly, the perfect way to end a perfect day.  I’m telling you, Hazel and Blu Bungalow really know how to rock a site tour!  Thanks for a wonderful time!

Beyond Blu Bungalow’s beyond AMAZING Peninsula site tour!

Huckleberry Karen Purple BouquetKudos to the ever-impressive Hazel Bourget and her phenomenal Blu Bungalow team!  She had the genius idea to put together a series of Bay Area site tours for potential brides, as well as planners, bloggers, and anyone else interested in all-things-wedding.  Last weekend’s tour was the final in the series, and highlighted popular sites on the Peninsula.  But, since she is Hazel, this was no run-of-the-mill shuttle-schlepping tour… oh no!  It was a day of girlie pampering, delicious food, informative talks, loot-filled swag bags, and (of course) champagne!

Upon arrival, ladies were treated to coffee, pastries, and mimosas as well as mini beauty treatments and fresh lashes with Elizabeth of Skyla Arts and Nicole at Blush

Blush, Jouer Cosmetics, Beyond Blu Bungalow, Bay Area Peninsula Wedding Sites …before walking the Blu carpet to board Pure Luxury’s immaculate shuttle.

Pure Luxury Shuttle Wedding Transportation

As an example of how well thought out this event was, during our transit times Hazel planned for the various wedding pros on board to speak with participants about their area of expertise.  I discussed how to approach wedding photography, how to find the right photographer for you, etc. and we had a great question-and-answer session.  Matthieu of Cinematt gave a similar talk with regards to wedding cinematography.  And Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events briefed everyone with information and details about each site prior to our arrival, so that we could maximize the time we had at each place.  Such a great idea!

First Stop:  Classic Party Rentals, where Mindy Roark hosted a tour of their Burlingame showroom, bursting with all the necessary elements to create your own, personal wedding decor nirvana.

Classic Party Rentals Showroom Wedding BurlingameA beautiful sample table…Classic Party Rentals, Beyond Blu Bungalow, purple apple decor

A rainbow of seatcushions…
Classic Party Rentals, wedding decor, colorful seat cushions

Just a small sampling of dishware…

Classic Party Rentals Showroom Dishware

And Mindy and Hazel, yucking it up.Classic Party Rentals Showroom Mindy Roark

Next, we visited Rosewood Sand Hill, where Todd Outhouse and his staff greeted us with big smiles – and pomegranate champagne cocktails.

Rosewood Sand Hill

We toured the many different available spaces at the hotel, which offers a truly luxurious experience and an aesthetic that is very clean and modern, while at the same time warm, rustic and inviting.

Rosewood Sand Hill Wedding

Gorgeous lobby.Rosewood Sand Hill Wedding

The outdoor spaces are incredible!Rosewood Sand Hill Wedding

Rosewood Sand Hill Pool WeddingRosewood Sand Hill Wedding In the ballroom, two sample tables created by Huckleberry Karen Designs and Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events helped guests envision the possibilities, and Karen spoke with the group about selecting flowers and working with a floral designer (remember, if have your heart set on peonies, you’d better plan on a June wedding!)

Rosewood Sand Hill Wedding Table

So, so pretty, and I love banquet-style tables…Rosewood Sand Hill Ballroom Wedding TableSuch beautiful details!Rosewood Sand Hill Fairy Tale Table

And I MUST show you these two gorgeous bouquets that Karen designed:

Huckleberry Karen White Cream Lavender Wedding BouquetHuckleberry Karen Purple Lavender Wedding BouquetIt was time to say good-bye, but not before Todd provided everyone with swag bags full of beauty and spa goodies!  And I must share a few more images of Rosewood – I really love their artwork…Rosewood sand Hill WeddingsRosewood Sand HillRosewood Sand Hill

Tune in tomorrow for the rest of the day’s adventures at incredibly picturesque Thomas Fogarty Winery and very cool La Costanera, right at the edge of the ocean!  We’ll see more  lovely decor from Janece and Lori at Every Elegant Detail, eat a wonderful meal courtesy of Thomas John Events, boogie to the sounds of Spintronix, get a dance lesson from Annemarie and 8 Count, and last but not least, enjoy a little end-of-day spa pampering from Liliana and her SPArty.  What a day, right??


Boutonnieres: the unsung floral hero

Boutonnieres are often the overlooked floral of the wedding day, but I absolutely love them. In the same way that a great appetizer is a delightful balance of flavors and textures in one delectable bite, a well-executed boutonniere is a gorgeous, perfect little package of color, shape, and scent.  It’s a little floral teaser that perfectly compliments the rest of the decor.

These two variations on a theme were for the father of the bride and the ringbearer, respectively, and they coordinate beautifully.

A classy touch, matching the color of the lily to the the groom’s tie.

These boutonnieres featuring coral were perfect for a Mexican beach wedding.

Choosing fragrant florals like jasmine and freesia add an extra element of romance to the arrangement and surround the groom with sweetness.

Kudos to all the wonderfully talented designers who create these perfect, delectable little floral treats for our enjoyment!  I can never get enough of them!

To See or Not to See

A question that always comes up when preparing to photograph a wedding is whether the couple plans to see one another before the ceremony.  There is no question that doing so makes the wedding day flow more smoothly in many, many ways.

First and foremost, the couple is invariably SO much more relaxed once they see one another, and it makes the pre-ceremony time much more enjoyable for them.  I always make clear that we will still make “the moment” a very special one, planning it out and finding a beautiful spot that will make for great photos.

They’ll still get to experience the fun and anticipation of getting ready separately…

Image

Image

I love taking the opportunity for a portrait of the groom as he waits for his lady…

Image

A sweet shot as she makes her entrance…

Image

And then, finally, “the reveal”…

Image

Image

In my book, I describe my method of shooting this moment as a kind of choreographed dance.  It’s definitely one of the more “directed” moments of the day, which allows me to capture all the many varied aspects of the moment.

Logistically, of course, it makes the photo schedule much more manageable when the couple sees one another ahead of time because we can ask the family and wedding party to arrive early and then get most, if not all, of the obligatory (and often dreaded) “group shots” out of the way.  This makes the “formal” session much more pleasant for everyone involved (not just the photographer!) for a couple of reasons.  First, people are more inclined to pay attention and follow instructions during the calmer, pre-ceremony time period, so we can blow through the list much more quickly.  Second, there is no cocktail hour to lure them away, or cause them the pain of watching other guests enjoy the party while they are stuck waiting for their turn to be photographed.  And of course, the beauty for everyone involved is that once the ceremony is over, they CAN actually go enjoy that cocktail hour.

If the ceremony is later in the day and close to sunset, there is even more reason for the couple to see one another so that we can take advantage of the natural light for some beautiful outdoor photography before it gets dark.  It’s just silly to painstakingly select a drop-dead gorgeous setting for one’s wedding, and not take advantage of using it while it’s still daylight!

Image

If my clients are truly dead-set against seeing one another before the ceremony, I abide by their wishes.  But I’m glad to see that more and more couples are deciding to see one another ahead of time, as it really does make the day more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Bridal Hair Beauty

So many beautiful hair options for a bride… how does she choose?  Big props to all the hair and make-up folks that make our brides look so effortlessly elegant.  And I can tell you, effective use of flowers in a hairstyle is not as easy as it looks!

Some wonderful bay-area stylists are Wallett, Sarah Hyde, Nellie Muganda, and Carrie L’Esperance.