Every Last Detail Wedding and Event Coordination

There are so many things on the minds of any bride and groom as they plan their special day: catering appointments, decor decisions, gown fittings and the whole gamut of tasks and concerns.  Now imagine having all of the above to deal with while either you or the love of your life is facing a terminal illness.

No one should have to do that but thanks to the wonderful supporters of Wish Upon a Wedding, couples don’t have to face it alone.  This wonderful non-profit group was created to grant special couples their dream wedding with most of the services and goods donated by Wish Upon A Wedding Sponsors - yours truly being one of them.

Whereas Make a Wish helps children with terminal illness, Wish Upon A Wedding helps engaged couples.

That said, they are having a fundraiser so please see this important info below:

There’s something special about animal lovers and this couple proved that notion to be true.  Sarah and Brian took advantage of summer break from vet and medical school at St. Georges Medical School in Granada to have the wedding of their dreams at the Highlands Inn in breathtaking Carmel Highlands.  Michele, of the Highlands, was a blast to work with and the florals and decor at the ceremony gazebo were breathtaking and got plenty of positive compliments from the guests but took the Bride’s breath away when she saw them.  In her words, they were “amazing” and everyone agreed.

Steve Ezzo of Ezzo Entertainment provided the ceremony music as the Bride walked down the aisle escorted by both her mom and dad.  The ceremony was so sweet with the Bride and Groom sharing “heart vows” and sharing with each other the feelings in their hearts.  All of the magic moments were captured by Kevin Gould and “Prince” Albert from Jane Morba Photography.

Afterwards, the guests made their way to Tarpy’sRoadhouse which was transformed into a Caribbean Chic theme with the expertise of Illusions of Grandeur and M&M Party Rental.  Drapes separated the dining area from the restaurant then the Library was transformed into a chic, yet comfortable, party venue.

Guests enjoyed a delicious meal thanks to Alethea and Corinne of Tarpy’s, along with the wonderful waitstaff.  Steve Ezzo played classical guitar then morphed into the DJ for the party portion of the evening.  The guests were thrilled to see an authentic photo booth – provided by FUNtastic Photo Booths – complete with a huge variety of props.  Each participant received a cool photo strip to keep as a favor while an identical one was added to a custom wedding album which was being created by Mae, the photo booth owner/attendant as guests were writing their wishes on the page.  That booth was packed the entire time it was there!

Guests continued to be wowed not only by the beautiful decor which was Sarah’s vision realized, but also when Sarah’s dad, Gary, played a soulful song on his sweet Fender guitar and dedicated it to the couple.

After some dancing it was time for the happy couple to cut into their wedding cheesecake created by Melissa at Cheesecake Dreamations.  Deeeeelish!  Another hit!

The party was going so great that the Bride and Groom decided to extend the reception time and all of the wedding team was on board to keep it going.

Ann Ezzo played the last dance as the celebration came to a close.  What a sweet and purrrrfect day for the new Mr. & Mrs. Tran!

Two great people, two new iPhone G4’s and one wonderful day to get married.

It was a great day for Meagan and Patrick’s garden wedding at the Memory Garden in Monterey.  The set up started early with the seasoned crew from Grapes of Wrath California Catering transforming the garden into the party venue it would become.  The Bride and Groom chose the colors of deep grape/lavender and lime green to tie in the garden them to their invitations, flowers (designed by CC Creations), linens, customer fan favors (designed by Meagan’s sister Cat), centerpieces and even their signature cocktail.

There was so much excitement in the air that Meagan was afraid she’d lose it if she chose to wait till she walked down the aisle to see Patrick so we decided to have a “Bridal Presentation” or reveal so they could get their jitters out of the way.  It was a great decision as Meagan was able to walk down the aisle, on the arm of her father, looking as graceful and beautiful as every bride should, to the music of the Beatles. 

Meagan and Patrick’s personal friend, Ray Mueller, performed the beautiful afternoon ceremony which included the bride and groom sharing how they met and how their love grew in their own words.  It was so heartfelt and had guests both laughing and crying.

After the ceremony a scrumptious dinner was served up by the fine crew at Grapes with Tamie running the show.  After everyone got their fill of the buffet, the Bride and Groom shared their first dance before DJ Anthony from DNA got the non-stop party going with all the best mixes.  So, not only was everyone dancing up a storm but it was even more fun for Executive Assistant Irma and I to do all of the behind-the-scenes stuff we do because we could get into the groove as well.

Later, the Bride and Groom cut into their whimsical garden-themed cake – complete with bees, ladybugs and sugar-paste flowers – created by Layer’s Cakes.  Considering they were originally going to go with simple cupcakes, everyone agreed that this pastry definitely had the “WOW” factor.

All the guests had a chance to record a few words of wisdom and wedding wishes thanks to video services provided by David and Blane from Infinity Productions.

The biggest surprise of the evening was the delivery of late-night pizza, which was a total hit amongst the revelers.   These party people needed the carbs for the after-party at Jack’s Lounge at the Portola Plaza.  Needless to say, no one wanted the celebration honoring the love and laughter of Meagan and Patrick to end.

Ya know, I really love helping people.  No matter what it is, I really do like lending a hand.  It’s why I got into coordinating events in the first place 12 years ago.

That said, it pains me to find out when someone has gotten themselves into a pickle or is stuck with a choice when there were other – maybe better – options available to them.

So I figured that I’d use this bloggie thing to spread the word about things to look for and things to avoid when you’re planning your wedding.  

When it comes to putting together the most expensive event you’ll ever host, most newly-engaged couples just “don’t know what they don’t know” when it comes to the order of things, picking service providers, reviewing contracts and all sorts of other stuff you need to know before plopping down your hard-earned Benjamin’s.

I’ve decided that I’ll pick a new topic to focus on each month and will share some points I feel are essential to know.  I welcome feedback, questions, suggestions and comments via e-mail at Patty@eldweddings.com as long as they are constructive in nature.  

Ok, first up will be “Points to consider when hiring a  wedding photographer” but first I have to find a graphic with a set of Guinea Pigs dressed like a Bride and Groom. 

Chow for now people :o)

One of my favorite things about what I do as an extraordinary Wedding Coordinator is getting to meet and know really cool couples and Shawna Davis and Kalle Kangas are one of these couples.  A wicked sense of humor matched only to my own!

Now on to the details of this “arranged marriage” as we dubbed it.  Turns out Shawna’s mom worked alongside Kalle’s mom and introduced their kids to each other.  Shawna made sure to give Kalle moral support while he was stationed at Al Asad in Iraq serving as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.  He made it back to Monterey where plans for their May 8th wedding proceeded.

Fast forward through the months of planning to the wedding day.  It was one of those RARE hot days in Monterey but the skies were gorgeous and the out-of-town guests must have thought this was just the way it always was in Monterey.  Anyway, Shawna decided to go with the Rapunsel look for her hair so we went to Marco and Philip at Personal Touch Salon in Salinas for hair extentions – which looked great!  Shawna’s gown was one of the most gorgeous gowns I’ve ever seen in my 11 years; a corset back with layers of lace and silk and more lace and more silk!  I made sure to be at the gown fittings at Ericka Engleman Couture www.erickaengleman.com  just to make sure I could pull off doing the bustle correctly when the time came.  Kalle looked so handsome in his Class A’s.

The ceremony took place in the Chapel on base with Piano Bob Phillips setting the mood with his beautiful piano performance and Susan Helgeson there to capture it all www.susanhelgesonphotography.com. I can’t wait to see all of the images. 

The guests entered the Barbara McNitt Ballroom which was draped in white chair covers with white sheer sashes provided by Enza Alioti.  The flowers provided by Nancy at Mid Valley Florist were fragrant and elegant.  All-white Casa Blanca Lillies were displayed from tall vases which were perfect for the 18 foot tall ceiling in the ballroom.  Nancy also added floral to the cake provided by Layers Cakes www.layerscake.com.

Dj Andrew from Sound In Motion provided the tunes as the bridal party members entered the ballroom to the theme of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – an inside joke amoungst the bridal party members.  Then all the guests were at the edge of their seats as the U.S.M.C sword guard marched into the ballroom in formation and created a sword arch for the entrance of the New Captain and Mrs. Kangas.  A smack on the bride’s tush along with a hardy “Welcome to the Marine Corps!” made the crowd to go wild.

The staff at NPS did a fabulous job with the surf and turf dinner selection and Video Joe made sure to capture the action as it happend.

One of the super-cool elements of the wedding were the gifts presented to the members of the bridal party - custom bobble-head statues in their likeness TOO COOL!   

The dance floor was packed until the very last dance, the sign of a really great party.  And why not, it was for a really great couple )

I was so excited to attend the Wedding Industry Professional’s Association meeting at the Blackhawk Automobile Museum in Danville on Thursday.  What a cool location.  It’s part of the Smithsonian exhibit and have some of the most beautiful classic and concept cars I’ve ever seen.

The keynote speaker was Cheryl Fish who’s planned the weddings of such celebrities as Pamela Anderson and has worked for Steve Wynn of Las Vegas.  She gave us a lot of great info, insight and ideas then we broke into our SIG groups for breakout topics. 

It’s so great and refreshing to network with other wedding pro’s and be able to exchange ideas with colleagues that have been around as long as I have, if not longer. 

Looking forward to the ISES meeting in Callistoga next week!

It was a beautiful day for a wedding on the Monterey Bay and it couldn’t have been more perfect for Kelly Trangsrud and Brad Hass’ Big Day.  First and foremost, this was totally cool family to work with from the get-go and Kelly’s parents were an absolute hoot!  Ok, so back to the wedding….

Kelly and Brad had a very busy last couple of months finishing medical school so this party was going to be a super-special celebration.  The day started out nice and smooth with Kelly and the ladies getting hair and make up done while Carly and Kui from the Monterey Plaza Hotel along with my assistant Carol and I went over the last minute stuff. 

The ceremony was taking place on the lower terrace and the reception would be in Monterey Bay Room – which is my favorite room there because the view is awesome.  The programs, escort cards and menus were handmade by Kelly and her family and were gorgeous.  Instead of a guest book or signing board, Kelly and Brad had bottles of their favorite wines and gold pens for all of their guests to leave wishes written on them.  They intend to open a bottle to toast each wedding anniversary.  Another great detail was seen in the table numbers: framed photos of Kelly and Brad at age one for table 1, age two for table 2, etc. 

The floral arrangements were created by Melody fro

m Fleurish Floral Design and were Hydrangeas in rich shades of purple and beautiful white tulips.  The photographer du jour was the great Tom O’Neal who took some awesome shots of Kelly and Brad running on the beach and I can’t wait to see all the others.  After the picture-perfect ceremony, complete with sea otters frolicking in the bay behind them, DJ Anthony with DNA got the party started and the dancefloor stayed filled until the very last song.  It was the best mix of party music we’ve heard in a while and we found ourselves dancing as well behind the scenes. 

Team ELD and the awesome waitstaff, led by Michelle, kept everything flowing perfectly and there were hugs and accolates from the families and guests throughout the night.  The reception wrapped up with guests munching out on the chocolate chip cookies, favors made by Brad’s dad.  A sweet ending to the sweetest day.

Team ELD was invited to tour the Douglas Ranch on Tuesday when they had their open house.  Irma and I were warmly greeted by Laurie Ehrnhardt, a 4th generation owner of this unique location a world away from the ordinary. 

Historically known to be a summer camp for kids from the end of June till the end of August, Laurie and husband Steve are opening up the ranch to families seeking a different kind of experience at this private location when camp isn’t in session.

Some of the amenities include sole use of the ranch for a stay that can range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks – perfect for those wishing to reconnect with family and friends.  Families are able to enjoy the pool, tennis courts, barn and cabins, along with all meals and loads of hospitality.

There are so many options available from this welcoming location, and Laurie is so open to suggestions, that the possibilities are endless.  Although they are expanding the wedding section of their website, check out the current website at www.douglascamp.com

It was a wonderful day for the Guglielmo (Gool-yell-mo, not googley-elmo) Winery Bridal Open House.  I was invited to the winery by Event Manager Colleen Fawcett for this event so I’d be able to meet with the preferred vendors familiar with the site all at the same time.  I had a great time meeting with the other pro’s but would love to start by writing about the winery itself. 

One of the nice things about this winery is that it’s located just off Hwy 101 in Morgan Hill.  The venue is a working winery and is situated just off the vineyards.  There’s a lot of stonework, a beautiful fountain, stained glass, and huge lawn area that serves as the ceremony and reception area for larger groups.  There is also a really nice courtyard which is great for the the cocktail hour or for smaller events.  There’s also a great stage area for the entertainment and a large area for dancing.  A bridal suite, perfect for getting ready and for making the grand entrance, as well as a grooms room, are included with the site and are well appointed.  Although umbrellas are included, having the reception tented is another option available to the couple.

There is also the Heritage Room which is perfect for the more intimate gathering of up to 80 (rehearsal dinner’s definitely a possibility) or a smaller wedding of apx 45 with dancing.  Creative lighting would definitely be cool in this room.

Now, on to the wedding pro’s I had the pleasure of meeting…

Debbie from I Do Wedding Cakes – just had the chance to hang out with her at the San Juan Oaks Bridal Show and she’s always smiling!  www.morganhillbakery.com or www.idoweddingcakes.biz

Scott from Custom Creations Photography.  The winery is basically his stomping ground but he travels all over.   www.customcreationsphoto.com

Lori from Panetta’s Catering and home of the famous Chicken Madiera www.panettascatering.com

Nasreen fro Floral Creations by Nasreen – wonderful designs and a lot of experience with Indian celebrations www.floralcreationsbynasreen.com

Chris from Cali Entertainment DJ’s – www.calientertainment.com

Jose from Eclipse Productions – www.eclipse-productions.com

Steve at Gunther’s Catering – OMG, Prime Rib to die for!  www.guntherscatering.com

Tom from Infinity Productions – They did my wedding video ions ago so I know they’re good!  www.infinityproductions.com

Karen from Karen Tamaki Photography – www.karentamaki.com

Isaac from Good Times Entertainment  – one cool thing they do is lighting including uplights and gobo lighting.  www.goodtimesent.com

Michi’s Floral Design – she’s so awesome, does such creative floral design and such a sweetheart but I’ll need to add her info when I come back to this and locate it.

I’ve attached a few images but it really needs to be seen in person to be appreciated – plus it never hurts to try some of their fabulous Reisling, or Almond Champagne (yes, almond champagne and it was FABULOUS, considering I’ve never liked champagne).  For a tour or if you have any questions at all, give Colleen a call at 408-779-2145 or drop her an e-mail at eventcenter@guglielmowinery.comor check out their website at guglielmowinery.com and tell ‘em Patty sent ya!

Getting geared up for the Bridal Fair today at San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister.  It’s the event’s second year and we’ve been doing the fair from the beginning. 

Over 40 vendors are scheduled to show off their products and services including Every Last Detail!  We’re looking forward to meeting  new brides and grooms and making connections with new vendors as well.

Can’t Wait!