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Glamour and Romance are Back

Join me as I welcome the new year and the great wedding trends that are coming our way. At the top of my favorites list for this year is the return to nostalgia and beauty for the wedding scene.

In 2010, we will be celebrating fabulous style, not only for our brides, but for our handsome grooms, as well! This is an exciting year as men return to the sharp and dapper suits of the past. Think Cary Grant, Dean Martin, or Frank Sinatra, and think of how great they will look!

Likewise, the brides of 2010 are simply beautiful, wearing dresses that take note of classic Hollywood glamour. A popular accent to these dresses will be the "bird cage veil"- those gorgeous little vintage blushers made of open netting that just cover the top half of the face, usually adorned with a feathered or jeweled headpiece. I think they make every girl feel like a classic movie star!

Here's to 2010 and looking gorgeous. Cheers!

Carlsbad by the Sea

Take one beautiful bride, one handsome groom add a seaside private estate and you have Brad and Linda's magnificent sea side wedding. Thanks to kate for making everything run smoothly in this three story modern home. I know she must have climbed those stairs 300 times (her role is far more stair laden than mine).

La Jolla Rooftop

It was a beautiful day for Karen & Shawn's wedding, sun was shining and no need far a sweater. The rooftop at the La Jolla Cove Suites was beautifully decorated with florals from Embellishmint. Ceremony when off without a hitch thanks to Kate's assistance. A ten minute escape to the waters edge for a few sunset photos then dancing till well into the night... another day at the office :)

Impress with a New Fabulous Location

This month's party planning tip is all about impressing your friends. What is a better way to do just that than by showing off your party or event at a fabulous, undiscovered, new spot in town...

I recently discovered a true polished gem, right in the heart of downtown San Diego. Se' San Diego is a sexy and sophisticated new venue that I am so excited to know about! Their Sales Manager, Rigel Bitterman (pronounce "Rigel" like "Nigel") took me on an exclusive tour of the property and, I have to tell you, it left me astounded. Every detail of every space has been lusciously adorned with something special to see and touch - YES touch!. The property's decor is comprised of many art instillations of varying sizes - some are up to two stories tall - will leave your head spinning. Every nook and cranny has something special to take in. Even the interior of the elevator is spectacular! (Just a little secret about the elevators, when you walk in, you can't figure out why it suddenly smells so calming, but it is because the wood they use is from vanilla plants. Can you believe that? Plus, the way in which they chose to use the wood is totally gorgeous! Just like everything at Se' San Diego.)

Every part of this venue screams, "Throw a party! I'm so fun and fabulous. How can you resist?" from the restaurant, to the pool deck, to the private suites, to yes how can I forget, even the event rooms! I am so in love with this sexy space that I can't wait to tell all my friends and clients.

Finally, I would be remiss to not mention the customer service. To sum it up, Rigel said that Se' San Diego's philosophy about service is "The answer is yes. What is the request?" Ah! I'm in love. Just what every event planner and party-goer wants to hear.

I invite you to check it out. Their opening festivities run March 27 through 30 and I am sure there will be a lot of fun for everyone! Go to www.sesandiego.com or call 619-515-3000 for more information. Say hello to Rigel for me!

Party Planning Tips

Planning a party can be stressful, for many people. Here are some of the tricks that the experts use:

Enjoy Yourself-

Plan ahead well enough or hire the right professionals to make sure that you do not have to work at your own party. You will have a much better time if you are laughing and mingling versus working. Plus, it is YOU that everyone came to see, anyway! Plan ahead for this.

Let's Chat-

Remember to create seating areas that promote conversational flow for your guests. Make it easy for your guests to get to know one another simply because of where they are sitting. Lounge-style party rental furniture is great for this and it looks fabulous!

Looks Delicious-

When it comes to the food, presentation is key - even with the most basic fare. The experts create added visual interest at buffets and food stations by creating height. They do this by using a variety of box sizes that they insert on the table under the tablecloth or draping. This provides a different levels on which they can place their food trays. Also, they frequently stage the areas by adding in plant life and other non-traditional decor for a spark of interest. 

All's Well-

Avoid sharing detail with your guests about the plans that did not work out. For the appearance of success, do not share those dirty details. Only you know what went wrong. Everyone else thinks you planned a flawless party. Let's keep it that way.

Check back regularly for more tips and ideas!

-Kate Capshaw, Event Planner & Fundraiser