SanLuisObispo.com: California Weds

A Perfect Day

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:19 PDT

By by Rebecca Juretic -- Jim Hamilton and Michelle Thomas both grew up in San Luis Obispo, both attended San Luis Obispo High School (albeit, at different times),and she even lived next door to a close friend of his. And yet, the two had never met – until 2004, when their paths finally converged. Michelle was celebrating a friend’s birthday at San Luis Obispo’s Mission Grill. Jim was there with a friend.

“I thought he was the most handsome guy I’d ever seen,” Michelle recalled. “She had a huge smile when we first caught eyes,” Jim said. “I can still picture the exact moment like it just happened.” Michelle was the one to break the ice. Aft er she introduced herself, the conversation and laughs came easy. The two resolved to meet for a date the following week.

“It was after that date that I called my best friend and told her I just went on my fi rst date with the guy I was going to marry,” said Michelle. “I just knew.”

Wedding Timetable

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:16 PDT

By by CalWeds -- Ideally, you will have all the time in the world to plan your wedding. Realistically, however, there are careers to manage, meetings or classes to attend, and the sometimes hectic routine of daily life. The biggest favor you can do for yourself in planning your wedding is to start as early as possible. California Weds encourages you to reserve your ceremony and reception locations as soon as you have determined your approximate wedding date. (The availability of these locations may determine your actual wedding date.) Then contact the businesses whose services you will need. With them, you can develop a schedule that will allow time for you to complete everything you need by your wedding date. It will also allow the professionals the amount of time they need to do a quality job. The calendar we have developed is to serve only as a guideline. Many of you will have more than twelve months for your planning, others only a few weeks. Regardless of the amount of time you have, organize yourself and carefully plan your wedding step by step. April, May, June, September and October are the busiest wedding months on the Central Coast. Top professionals are often booked for these months well over a year in advance.

Nine to Twelve Months:

__Announce your engagement.
__Select your wedding date.
__Meet with clergy to discuss premarital requirements such as classes, counseling, etc.
__Create a budget.
__Determine style of wedding.
__Choose a bridal consultant, if desired.
__Select your bridal party.
__Determine size of guest list.
__Select and reserve locations for wedding and reception.
__Begin shopping for wedding rings.
__Interview and select professionals to assist you. Caterer, Baker, Florist, Musicians, Photographer, Videographer, etc. Remember top professionals are oft en booked a year or more in advance.

Six to Nine Months:

__ Decide on your color scheme.
__ Select your gown, headpiece, and accessories.
__ Choose attire for attendants.
__ Begin planning details of ceremony and reception.
__ Complete arrangements with service professionals. Sign contracts and pay deposits.
__ Begin your health and beauty regimen.
__ Make appointments with beauty professionals to decide on the perfect bridal look for you.

Four to Six Months:

__ Order invitations, announcements, thank-you notes and stationery.
__ Finalize guest list.
__ See that all wedding attire is ordered and fittings scheduled.
__ Mothers should select their dresses.
__ Select and order wedding rings.
__ Shop for trousseau.
__ Select bridal registry.
__ Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests.
__ Make honeymoon arrangements.
__ Begin addressing invitations and announcements once received.
__ Have a hair and makeup “rehearsal” with headpiece in place.

Planning a Wedding

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:17 PDT

By by CalWeds -- A winery can be a beautiful place to celebrate your special day. Here’s what to keep in mind before booking your venue:

Climate: Temperatures in inland wine areas can vary greatly, reaching over 100 degrees on summer days and then becoming chilly in the evenings. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, check out the venue for shade during the daytime, and ask your winery to provide space heaters for the evening. Don’t forget to remind guests to dress appropriately.

Space requirements: Some wineries are large and can accommodate any number of guests, but many are small and have a limited capacity. Have a general idea of how many people will be attending your wedding before you book a venue.

From "Yes" to "I Do"

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:18 PDT

By by Nicole Bowers -- The special moment happened on Valentine’s Day a year ago, when Chris took me out to beautiful Ragged Point, got down on one knee and with the crash of the waves below and the bright stars above, asked me to be his wife. A tearful “Yes” from me and we were on our way.

Chris and I wanted a fall wedding so that meant that we either got married in a quick eight months or waited for a year and eight months. We both opted for a long engagement, partly because we were in no rush and mostly so that we could begin planning and saving. Because we’d heard that marriage sites are booked far ahead, our first step was to find a venue.

We had both been to some pretty unexciting weddings recently with no dancing and assigned seating, so we knew that we wanted our celebration to be a big, relaxed party. Chris is originally from Southern California and my family is from the Bay Area, so we decided to have a local wedding where our two families could meet in the middle.

Locations: Setting the Scene

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:19 PDT

By by CalWeds -- The reception is the celebration of one of the most joyous moments in your life with those closest to you. Filled with tradition and symbolic foods, the reception weaves family and friends together as they greet you for the fi rst time as husband and wife.

Because the location of your reception is one of the most important aspects of your wedding festivities, it is crucial that you select and reserve your reception location well in advance. You can choose from a host of places such as a church or temple fellowship hall, a hotel ballroom, someone’s home, a country club or a private party room in a restaurant.

If you marry during a season of reliably good weather, lake sites, gardens and arboretums can add beauty to your wedding reception. Many public parks and historical sites off er both indoor and outdoor facilities. Check with county parks and recreation departments throughout the area for availability of public sites. To create a reception that is uniquely yours, use your imagination in choosing a location. Check on the availability of restored mansions, bed-and-breakfast inns, art or antiques galleries and even farmhouses.

Accommodations

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:19 PDT

By by CalWeds -- A wedding is one of life’s most joyous occasions, an event you’ll want to share with friends and relatives. These days, however, your dearest are not always nearest. To be sure out-of-town guests are part of the celebration, consider reserving a block of rooms for the weekend at an inn or a hotel.

Hotel managers and innkeepers offer this advice:

• Make reservations as soon as your wedding date is set. (See “Wedding Dates” for guidance.) A minimum of six months’ notice is recommended; busier hotels and inns may require a year. The hotel will hold the rooms available (at the group rate) until a specified cut-off date, usually three to four weeks before the wedding. After that date, rooms will be subject to availability and the going rate. Some hotels provide an updated reservation list every few weeks.

• Many accommodation sites offer special package rates if you also hold food and beverage functions, such as brunch, bridesmaids’ luncheon or reception, on-site. Most also include a complimentary hospitality suite or bridal suite if you reserve a certain number of rooms. Often, the bride’s or groom’s parents choose to make the hotel or inn their headquarters for the weekend of the wedding so they can relax and spend time with relatives. Don’t forget to include them, or yourself, in the head count.

• Ask what other services, such as transportation to and from the airport, are available. If all your guests are staying at the same hotel, they can assist each other in getting to and from the various wedding events. Most hotels, however, work with local limousine or executive car services and will be happy to arrange transportation for your guests, whether you need one car or a double-decker bus. Hotel staff can often help with recommendations on everything from caterers to florists.

• Consider your guests’ needs when selecting a site. An inn or bed-and-breakfast offers privacy and a cozy, homelike environment. Hotels offer other amenities such as exercise rooms and workout equipment. Will individual rooms suffice or do you need suites for families with young children? Can the hotel provide wheelchairs, portable cribs or baby-sitting services? Visit each site personally. Is the property attractive and convenient? Is the staff friendly, helpful and knowledgeable?

• Be considerate of guests’ travel budgets. Offer alternative places to stay, at several price ranges.

• Provide guests with written room and rate information along with a map or directions and phone numbers. (Some hotels can provide this for you.)

• If possible, plan a welcoming basket to make your guests’ stay as comfortable and convenient as possible. Helpful items might include snacks, toiletries, fresh flowers, an itinerary of the weekend’s events, a sewing kit, aspirin and information on local events and attractions.

Family and friends will travel far and wide to be with you on your special day. It’s important for you to plan ahead for their arrival, to ensure that their time in the Sacramento area is as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, whether they are staying for a night, for the entire weekend or longer.
If possible, arrange a block of rooms at a conveniently located hotel so guests can attend functions together. In addition, you’ll want to research different methods of transportation (planes, trains, automobiles) and provide this information to your guests well in advance of their visit. Include this information, and a map, with your invitation. For maps of the Sacramento area, go online at www.mapquest.com. Whether your out-of-town guests are traveling 50 miles or 500, a little planning on your part can express your appreciation and perhaps relieve some post-travel stress. Here are a few suggestions:

• A “glad you can make it” letter outlining the events of the weekend. Include phone numbers that might be helpful to people who are not familiar with the area.

• A gift basket in each guest’s room can be the perfect welcome gift . With a small number of out-of-towners, you may be able to customize each basket — perhaps a mini-spa gift certificate for someone who enjoys being pampered or a gym pass for the fitness enthusiast. It’s probably best to make standard baskets for all if your out-of-town guest list is large.

• For families traveling with children, a kiddypack could be just the answer your guests are looking for. Coloring books, crayons and cards may be the perfect stress reliever.

Stationery and Invitations

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:19 PDT

By by CalWeds -- A beautiful invitation, a heartfelt thank-you note — both mirror the warmth and happiness you feel at this special time in your life. All your wedding stationery is a reflection of you and your wedding. It should be chosen with as much care as is given in choosing your bridal attire.

Invitations
The invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding. It will play the important role of telling friends and family that you want them to be a part of this wonderful day. You want to create good feelings the moment your invitation is received.

You can select from an assortment of papers, colors and styles for your invitation. You can remain as traditional as you wish or create something that is unique to you.

Rentals: Surprising Touches

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:20 PDT

By by CalWeds -- As in planning any celebration, you’ll want to create a certain ambiance for your wedding festivities. Many caterers and party planners will take care of every detail, from the menu to the music. But, if you are planning your own wedding or simply want to add some extra touches, look to a party-rental store.

Everything imaginable is available, such as tables and chairs, fine china, elegant serving pieces, gorgeous linens and romantic lighting. Just a few of these items can create a wedding that is uniquely you and one that will long be remembered.

When selecting a rental store, look for quality, dependable service and expert advice. You should put as much consideration into choosing a rental store as you would in selecting your cake decorator or photographer. After all, the service and the quality of the items the store provides will play a significant role in the most important event in your life.

Finding the Perfect Gown

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:20 PDT

By by CalWeds -- For a dress as important as your wedding gown, you want to do all you can to ensure you find exactly what you want, and visiting a full-service salon is a great way to get off on the right foot. At one of these shops you can expect to find a selection of quality gowns, along with a full line of accessories, including veils, shoes, jewelry and even guest books and other incidentals. And all products are guaranteed in case there is a problem. Seamstresses are available to do alterations on-site, and your dress will be pressed at least once, sometimes twice, before the day of your wedding.

Store consultants will give you personal attention and can advise you not only on your own gown but also on bridesmaids’ dresses and other details. Many salons offer Web sites for your convenience — great for research, but you should not purchase your gown through the Internet. For something this special, you don’t want to take any chances, and nothing can replace face-to-face service that bridal professionals will provide you.

Some helpful hints for when you’re ready to start the quest for your dream dress:

• Don’t shop yourself into confusion. While you will want to try on several different styles of dresses, don’t try on every gown in town. If you try on a dress and you think it’s beautiful, buy it.

Floral Delights

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:20 PDT

By by CalWeds -- Flowers symbolize the beginning of your new life together, unfolding with the promise of growth in love and devotion. Your careful choice of flowers will add much more than simple decorations at your wedding. Whether you wish to create the romantic feel of a garden or the high style of contemporary design, flowers will enhance the beauty and elegance of the ceremony and make a gorgeous setting for your reception.

Wedding flowers

When selecting the flowers for your wedding, remember that you may choose from either fresh or silk flowers. They are both beautiful, and it is really a matter of personal choice.