Wanna Get Away?

If you and your hubby-to-be are planning your fabulous honeymoon, or maybe a special anniversary trip then check out some of these great hotels offering 5% off of your stay.  Our favorite is Barcelo Pavaro Palace Deluxe.  If you are a myBarcelo member you can take advantage of even bigger savings during the Happy Days special.

Puerto Vallarta Barcelo Hotel View

Barceló Puerto Vallarta

The Barceló Puerto Vallarta hotel is an elegant premium category Mexican style resort on the Playa Mismaloya, with impressive views of the Bahía de Banderas. It has been distinguished as a 4 Diamonds Resort, awarded by the AAA. (Diamond Ratings System).  It has a total of 316 spacious and luxurious rooms divided in 179 junior suites, 109 family suites, 13 master suites, 12 grand master suites, and 3 presidential suites. All of them offer top quality and comfort including king size beds. Enjoy excellent service, entertainment, beautiful landscapes, lush vegetation, and the privacy you have been searching for.

The hotel offers various restaurants, bars and cafés, within the Barceló All Inclusive programme, in which varied, international and high class cuisine can be enjoyed. Apart from enjoying the beautiful beach with its tropical waters, you can also take advantage of the facilities including 4 swimming pools (one sports pool, 2 family pools and 2 children’s pool), 2 outdoor jacuzzis, a beautiful tropical rainforest, gym, games room and entertainment for adults and children alike. 5% discount in Barceló Puerto Vallarta. Enter coupon code: BPUERTOVALLARTA

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe On the seafront of one of the 10 best beaches in the world, Barceló has a 2 km beach, the best in Punta Cana and protected by a coral reef that makes the pristine sea perfectly calm. The Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe hotel is found in this magical place and is characterised by its incredible levels of comfort and rest. This is made possible due to the new B-Room rooms that combine technology with the best beds on the market as well as raindance showers. The Bávaro Palace Deluxe is the ideal place for those who love good food since it offers a unique gourmet experience with its 11 different restaurants ranging from Japanese cuisine to traditional Mexican cuisine, and also includes meat, fish and international cuisine.   During the day, you will be able enjoy all types of sports imaginable, including golf, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and hobie wave. Guests can also indulge themselves with the fabulous hotel facilities with an incredible, luxurious U-Spa Bávaro, swimming pools, gymnasium, shopping centre and a miniclub for the little ones. At night you can enjoy the lively nightlife at the hotel: shows, discos, casino...Prepare yourself, Premium Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe offers you everything you could want and more for your holiday and more.    Book with Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe and get a 5% discount. Enter coupon code: BBAVAROPALACE.

Wherever you decide to go, just make sure to do one important thing...Send us a post card! Happy Vacationing! ______________________________________________________________________

For more information, visit http://www.barcelo.com/barcelohotels/en_gb/home-barcelo-hoteles.aspx To save 5% on all Barcelo Locations click here

Terms and Conditions * Valid for stays and bookings until 31st December 2012. * This offer will not apply with Happy Days, Happy Nights, MiBarceló exclusive offers and also with special prices for residents. The 530 Bride is not responsible for any travel fees, discrepencies or disputes with the above company.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Applewhite!

Christine and Nick recently exchanged vows at the Arroyo Room on April 21st, 2012.  Here are some snapshots to enjoy while they are relaxing on their honeymoon in Puerto Rico.  Christine & Nick were featured as an engaged couple, and you can read about their engagement here.

Professional Photos coming soon! ____________________________________________________________ Venue The Arroyo Room Caterer Excaliber Catering Aisle Decor Flowers By Rachelle Manzanita Trees WeDo Designs Linens All Star Rents DJ Runaway DJ Wedding Cake Lovely Layers Cakery Wedding Dress Alterations  Milenas Tailoring Custom Designs Photo Booth Chico Photo & Video Planning Assistance The 530 Bride

Chiavari Chair Rentals

530 Events now carries Gold Chiavari Chairs![gallery columns="2"]

 

Chiavari Chairs by 530 Events, featured with Decor by WeDo Designs & Cambray Rose Florist.

Chiavari Chairs are certainly the industry standard when it comes to rentals for an elegant event.  You will find them gracing the pages of the most popular bridal magazines.  These chairs are dynamic because they can stand alone or be paired with decorative cushions and sashes to match any theme or decor.

So where does the name "Chiavari" from? The Chiavari chair is named after the coastal Italian town of Chiavari from which the design of the chair originates. To read more on the evolution of the Chiavari Chair design, click here.

What are Chiavari Chairs Made of? Chiavari Chairs are very light weight and can be made from wood, resin, acryllic, aluminum or metal.  Our chairs are made from high quality, commercial grade hardwood.  A wood chiavari chair weighs approximately 11 pounds. The light weight makes chiavari chairs easy to transport and setup.

Do I need to add anything extra to the chairs? While these chairs can definitely stand alone, an additional way to compliment your theme is to simply add a sash or change your cushion color.  Contact us today to get started on your custom look!

Give us a call to come and see our beautiful Chiavari Chairs! (530) 988-8344 or email us at info@the530Bride.com

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Wedding Traditions from Around the World

Just as the ceremony, a wedding reception often follows family, religious, or cultural traditions.  Here are a few interesting tidbits on the origin of some of the most well-known wedding traditions.  Some of them may surprise you! Best Man Originated from the German Goths, the tradition of a best  man was introduced to aid a man in the search of his bride who needed to travel  to neighboring countries for long distances and time, to seek out his beloved.  The groom was given the right to sought out the best man on hand to accompany  and safeguard his search.  “Best” at  those times of course meant a brave warrior able to undertake beasts and bad  weather. The best man would continue to be by the groom’s side and would be the  sole protector of the ring. The role of the best man then evolved into a deeper  nature where he would be standing focused and well-armed during the wedding  ceremony in case of any threats. Mostly, the danger would be in the case where  the bride’s family would attempt to seize the bride by force and recapture her  back into their kingdom. The best man would continue to respect his duties and  stand outside the newlywed’s home and shelter their protection.  http://www.groomsmen.com/references/term-best-man.html

Handfasting Handfasting is an age old tradition practiced by the Celtics. It’s a custom of performing trial marriage ceremonies similar to betrothal or today’s engagement period. It involved couples publicly declaring their intention of marrying. These days, it is still being practiced by Pagans, Neo-pagans, Wiccans and romantic couples. http://thecelt.hubpages.com/hub/Handfasting-Tradition-The-Origin-of-Tying-the-Knot

Champagne Toast A toast is a ritual in which a drink is taken as an expression of honor or goodwill. The term may be applied to the person or thing so honored, the drink taken, or the verbal expression accompanying the drink. Thus, a person could be "the toast of the evening," for whom someone "proposes a toast" to congratulate and for whom a third person "toasts" in agreement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toast_(honor) First Dance The custom of a "First Dance" harkens back to ancient times when the "Bride Kidnapper" would show off his "hunting" skills by parading his "stolen" bride around, in front of his warrior friends, so they could see how well he had done. The feasting would begin immediately after this display. Today, the "First Dance" still traditionally marks the beginning of the reception. (http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/customs.htm)

Wishing Tree A wonderful Dutch tradition is the “wedding wish tree,” in which paper leaves are signed by the attendees along with personal messages, and are attached to a branch next to the bride and groom’s table in place of a guest book.

Money Dance Originating all the way back to the early 1900's, the money dance is said to have started in Poland, where it was called Pani Mloda and accompanied by a specific song. The idea of the money dance was to pin the money to the brides' veil as a way to personally give the happy couple their best wishes and one last wedding present. In a large wedding party, this was often the only time that the guests had any one-on-one time with the bride. It was the Italians that later replaced pinning the money onto the veil with placing it into a purse. http://www.ourweddingday.com/advice/Traditions/the-dollar-dance/834.aspx Tossing the Bouquet It's a suspenseful moment when the single women gather behind the bride for the bouquet toss, to see who will be the next to get married. To get the blossoms to the wallflowers, she stands on a balcony, the top of a staircase, or a chair, her back to the crowd. Breaking Tradition Save your bridal bouquet and throw a special "fortune bouquet" composed of a dozen or so small clusters of flowers bound together with a ribbon that you untie before you throw. Each mini bouquet is bundled with a different romantic fortune. (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/225194/timeless-traditions-more-traditions)

Wedding Favors In older traditions, the bride and groom were believed to be lucky. By the 19th  century, when wedding favors had reached the middle and lower social classes,  favors were given as a way for the bride and groom to spread their luck and the  blessings of their marriage to each of their guests. The new couple often  distributed favors by hand to each person at the wedding as a way to share the  blessing of their love. http://victoria-anisman-reiner.suite101.com/the-history-of-wedding-favors-a118498

Guest Book The wedding guest book was once a necessity. In days of old, everyone who attended a wedding was considered a witness and was required to sign the marriage document. Today, even though the legal requirements for witnesses have changed, the concept of a guest book remains as a wonderful remembrance for the wedding couple. (http://www.hudsonvalleyweddings.com/guide/customs.htm)

Throwing Rice Tossing rice is a custom from the ancient world that has long been popular in the United States. Everyone, even young children, can gleefully participate in the post-ceremony practice that symbolizes the showering of abundance and fertility on the bride and groom. If you don't want to use rice, you can borrow other ideas from around the world. In France people throw wheat, a symbol of bounty, after the ceremony. Italians rain candy and sugared nuts over couples, for sweetness in marriage. (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/225194/timeless-traditions-more-traditions)

Related Posts 15 Wedding Traditions for Good Luck Indian Wedding Traditions Russian Marriage Customs Irish Wedding Traditions Cultural Wedding Traditions Mexican Wedding Traditions African-Wedding Traditions

Featured Venue ~ The White House

When you think of The White House, you may be thinking of politicians and elections.  However we have something else entirely in mind! Our featured venue of the month is The White House in Redding, CA to show you that the White House is not all work and no play! The White House is not only a gorgeous location, but many valuable amenities are included: • Beautiful garden setting • Bridal dressing suite with bathroom • Grooms dressing room • Dance floor • Unique settings for photography • Caterer’s prep area/kitchen • Tables and chairs • Liquor license on site • Ample parking space

If you are looking for the perfect venue for your classic wedding with a little flair we recommend contacting the White House to schedule a tour of the venue.  Even more beautiful in person, it is easy to see why so many other couples have chosen this location for their weddings and were very happy they did! Also available for bridal showers, birthdays, corporate events & more.

You can learn more about this venue by checking out their website, make sure to let them know you found them on The 530 Bride!

http://www.whitehouseredding.com/index.php

Contact: Deborah and Stephen Divine

Phone: 530-221-3219

Email: info@whitehouseredding.com

Address: 7335 Churn Creek Rd, Redding, CA 96002

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas

Brandy & Brian were married on March 17th, 2012 (Yep St. Patricks Day!)  To catch a glimpse of this couple's fun loving personalities just check out their engagement session, photographed by Emily Heizer Photography.  Their engagment session included a sunrise session in the blooming almond orchards in Durham, and they also incorporated their passion for baseball into their shoot which is now one of my favorite E-Session themes! From my first consultation with Brandy, I could tell she had a distinct vision for her wedding day and she was able to not only incorporate all of the elements that she wanted; but she was able to tie them all together cohesively which isn't always easy.  Her wedding vision: Barn Wedding, Fabric Draping, Uplighting, Burlap Runners, Mismatched Cutlery & Dishes, Mixed Herbs & Greenery, Twine & Lace accents.

See for yourself, this wedding was breathtaking! I really enjoyed working with Brandy & Brian and couldn't be happier to share some of my snapshots from their day!

Ponderosa Ridge Ranch was the couple's wedding venue, and the ranch was the perfect setting for their rustic chic event.

The Ponderosa Ridge Ranch features a lovely barn for events, as well as a grassy patio area. Brandy & Brian obtained the measurements for the barn and chose an ivory colored fabric for draping the room.  We brought an extension ladder and a staple gun, and viola! With the vaulted ceiling, the draping really added an elegant touch.

  The couple chose cracker jacks for their wedding favors, which tied into their love of baseball. Name tags were tied onto each box using twine, helping guests find their place at their assigned tables.

This DIY chandelier made from a Manzanita Branch was a show stopper!

The weather was unpredictable, so it was decided to hold the ceremony indoors and to turn the room over during the cocktail hour. On the night of the rehearsal dinner there were some heavy rains, but luckily the sun came out on the big day.  Before the ceremony, Brandy & Brian had their "First Look Photo's and also took pictures with their wedding party & family members. To see their first look photos click here! After the ceremony, it was time for Brandy & Brian to step out for photos as husband and wife. Check out some additional photos here. A special thanks goes out to all of the vendors who contributed to such a wonderful day, and it was a pleasure working with you all!

Venue - Ponderosa Ridge Ranch | Photographer - Emily Heizer Photography |Rental Items - Top Notch Rentals| Caterer & Bar Service - Gironda's Restaurant | DJ - LJS Productions | Photo Booth - Chico Photo & Video | Wedding Cake & Cupcakes - Blue Sugar Cupcakes | Grooms Cake - Lovely Layers Cakery | Wedding Gown - Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo | Hotel Accommodations - Gaia Hotel

On The Road to I Do ~ Christine & Nick

Excitement is in the air for Christine and Nick who plan to walk down the aisle on April 21st, 2012! Christine moved to Chico to attend CSUC and studied music.  Christine enjoys bikeriding and hiking in Bidwell Park, and watching movies with Nick! Christine was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and visits family there often.  Currently working as CNA at Chico Care Center, and enjoys providing care to the residents.

Nick was born in Sacramento, but raised in Chico, CA.  He attended Butte College and WECA for his Electrician Certification.  He is currently working with Ostendorf Electric as a journeyman. Nick enjoys watching Football and UFC Fights, and likes to play guitar.  He is a big fan of the New York Giants.

Christine and Nick knew they wanted to get married, and already had their rings picked out.  On Friday December 16, 2011 Nick greeted Christine with flowers when she got home from work then took her to dinner at Olive Garden. They went to see the movie "The Sitter" which Christine wasn't initially happy about but it turned out to work in Nick's favor. They drove up the old Hwy, found a place to lay a blanket down to look at the stars, after a few minutes he got up and said some really sweet things then popped the question. Christine happily said Yes!

Christine and Nick found their dream wedding rings at Fred Meyers Jewelers in Chico, CA.

Once it was official, the couple began planning their wedding right away and couldn't wait to tell everyone! You can read how Christine and Nick met by checking out their wedding website here.  A friend of the family took their engagment pictures in Old Town Sacramento.

When I first spoke with Christine about her wedding plans, it was clear that it was important to her and Nick to find a venue that was easily accessible for their grandparents.  Since they chose an April wedding date, they also knew they wanted a venue that offered enough space to hold the ceremony and reception indoors if needed due to rain.

The couple chose The Arroyo Room which is a very convenient and affordable venue offering enough space to hold their ceremony & reception indoors.   Their colors are purple, Silver & Black and Christine has chosen purple Calla Lilies as her wedding flower.

Christine's Bachelorette Party was Little Black Dress theme (except the bride-to-be of course!) and was held in Chico, CA.

Dinner was at Ojiya, a Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar.  The restaurant features VIP rooms with Hibachi Grill tables which is perfect for a group up to 12 people. After dinner, the ladies too the Karaoke Taxi Cab for a spin and headed downtown! This taxi cab is like no other, it really gets the party started!  Check out the Karaoke Taxi Cab, you can reserve your ride by calling (530) 402-SING (7464)

When it came to choosing a honeymoon location, we referred Christine to Lynn Wilson owner of Shared Travel in Chico, CA.   Lynn is your go-to source for planning a trip, and for creating a personalized honeymoon registry.

Nick and Christine chose Puerto Rico for their honeymoon destination.   Their guests can contribute to their honeymoon by selecting items and activities such as a romantic candlelit dinner, a day at the spa, or a deep sea fishing excursion.  Sounds like the perfect romantic get-away!

Check back for all of the details of Christine & Nick's big day!

Assigned Seating

There are many benefits to choosing assigned seating for your wedding reception such as making sure your guests are comfortable, and seated with other people they know.  Give yourself ample time to plan the seating arrangments, but be flexible since your guest list can change when your RSVP's are returned.  When your guest list and seating chart have been finalized, decide if you will use table numbers or table names to identify each table.  If you are having a themed wedding such as a green wedding, you could name your tables after trees and plants. See other theme ideas here.  If you would like to use table numbers, consider using numbers that relate to you such as the age you were when you met, number of years you have been together, number of times you have been to your favorite destination together (Hawaii, San Francisco, Major League Baseball Games etc) these numbers will be a conversation starter for guests and will also avoid any idea that the tables are numbered in order of importance.

With your table names or theme decided, make a diagram of how you would like your tables laid out.  This diagram will be very important to getting your reception set up the way that you want and will serve as a helpful tool for your vendors.  If your favors are personalized for each guest, include their names on the diagram or on a seperate sheet of paper with the names by table, crossing off any last minute RSVP's who will not be attending.

Next, you can either create escort cards or a large board with guests names and their assigned table number or name.  If you have exact seating preferences, then you will indicate which table they will be sitting at and the guest will then find their name card at their seat.

You can be creative with your escort cards, and you can even use a guest favor with their name on it to identify their seat at the table.  For a smaller wedding, a manzanita tree with the guests name and table number/name hanging in the branches would be a beautiful way to display your escort cards.  Other ideas include using corks, clothespins, mini frames, and folded card stock for displaying names.  Check out some of these creative ideas on Martha Stewart Weddings .

Websites like TheKnot.com and WeddingWire.com have great tools for seating charts, guest list managment/rsvp tracking and more so use all of the free tools available to you.

Just remember, there are no rules or limitations as long as the system you use is easy to understand for your vendors and most importantly for your guests!

_________________________________________ Photo by Tracy Lynn Photography

What You Should Know Before You Book..

In our daily lives we are consumers of everything from the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the phones we use to communicate, the cars we drive and the list goes on.  We have the freedom to choose the products, companies and services that we want to use and there are many different factors that lead us to this decision.  You may purchase products based on only the price, the packaging, brand name recognition, or a referral from a friend.  These same factors apply when you are looking for products and services for your wedding. Even at a time when we have the internet at our fingertips, word of mouth is still the most valuable referral.  Hearing or even reading another customers first-hand experience with a business can give you insight on what you can expect.  If you read several reviews that a business has repeatedly delivered rental items late, or in bad condition you should consider this a red flag and proceed with caution.  To be fair, one bad review can be situational so you shouldn't rule them out based on that.

I recently came across a business online that boasted the cheapest rental rates and fastest service, it seemed too good to be true.  It was when I read at least 20 reviews from customers who all had very similar experiences with this company that I saw the business had repeatedly left customers scrambling to find replacement rental items just days or even hours before their event.  It was sad to think how much time, energy & money these customers could have saved by looking into the companies reputation.

Some vendors will provide a list of recent customers that you can contact to ask about their experience and satisfaction with the service.  This can be helpful if you are considering multiple vendors and are on the fence about which one to choose.  Websites such as Yelp,  WeddingWire, and TheKnot are just a few of the resources you can use to research local vendors.

If you really want to thank your vendors for doing a great job, offer to write a testamonial about your great experience working with them, and refer friends and family to use their products or services as well.    I have had the pleasure of meeting so many reputable and hard-working businesses in our area who strive to give you the service above and beyond your expectations.   Did you find a website helpful for reading reviews? Share the website here to help others who are also in their planning stages.

Happy Planning!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day from The 530 Bride! Take this time to celebrate the ones you love, and enjoy all of the candy that comes along with this fun holiday! Cupid works his magic around this time of year, so we aren't suprised we have already seen several couples get engaged this week! While every couple celebrates differently, we believe you can show you care in simple ways and you don't have to go over the top.  Whether you are a new couple or have been married for years consider some of the fun gift ideas and activities available in our area. 1. If your sweetie has a sweet tooth pick up some goodies that you both will enjoy Cupcake Crusader, Chico Sublime Cake Design, Redding Upper Crust, Chico CocoAmatrice Artisan Chocolates, Paradise Shuberts Ice Cream & Candy, Chico Powell's Sweet Shoppe, Chico The Cookie Tree, Yuba City

2. Suprise your sweetie with lunch or his/her favorite coffee Stop by his/her work with some lunch or maybe a coffee, we bet you will get a smile from ear to ear!  Guys: throw in a single stem flower to add a simple and romantic detail to her suprise. 3. Confess Your Love If cards aren't your style and you have a smartphone or camera phone, confess your love in a short video. Be yourself, if you aren't comfortable in front of the camera consider making a slide show including some of your favorite photos together. Add some music as a finishing touch, and your sweetie is sure to keep it forever. Check out some of these links to create a free slideshow: http://www.kizoa.com/ http://www.photoshow.com/home/start http://animoto.com/create#tab-valentines 4. Dine-In Dinner at home may not sound like Valentine's Day material, but turn off your cell phones, computer and tv so that you can catch up and focus on each other.  Make the extra effort and find a new recipe to make together while enjoying some wine and great conversation.

5.  Say Cheese Valentines Day is a great excuse to get dressed up and snap some pictures, why not have a professional take them for you? Call around to some of the local photographers for a casual photoshoot to capture this romantic day.  If you already have photos, choose your favorite and find a beautiful frame.

Last but not least, you can't go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Chico Florist Salvagno's Events Marshall's Floral & Fine Gifts The Garden Gate The Country Florist

Post your favorite Valentines Day Memories here!

Announce Your Engagement

Chances are if you are newly engaged you are probably so excited that you could shout it from the rooftops or tell everyone in the grocery store check out lines! The first people to know should be your parents, close relatives and friends.  Try to resist the temptation to post it on social media pages until you have personally shared your delightful news with those nearest and dearest. Once you have gotten the word out to those closest to you, consider some of the options you have to spread the news.  Below are some ideas on how to make your announcement.

1. Make your announcement in the Newspaper If your wedding is more traditional, placing an announcement in the newspaper is more appropriate as your local friends and family will be looking for your announcement.  What does an engagement announcement entail?  Typically, an engagement announcement is kept short & sweet including the following information:

♥ First and Last Names ♥ Names of Parents ♥ Location where you live, or where you are from ♥ Wedding Date and Ceremony/Reception Location

Newspapers will often charge a fee for publishing your announcements, but you will recieve several copies as keepsakes for you and your families. Couples can submit a black & white or color photo to be included with the announcement.

2. Social Media After you tell your family, make your announcement on your favorite social media page to share with all of your friends!

3.  Send out An Engagement Card Incorporate your favorite photo into an engagement announcement and design a card using sites like  Shutterfly, Zazzle, Cardstore & Vistaprint. You can even create custom postage!

4. Create a Free Wedding Website When you create a wedding website, you can share all of the details of how you met, the proposal, and all of your wedding planning information. You can upload photos, invite guests to view your site and sign your guestbook & much more.   Many sites offer this service for free, check out the links below to create your wedding website today!

Project Wedding          The Knot Brides.com                    eWedding MyWedding.com         Momentville.com

5.  Share your Engagement with The 530 Bride! We love to hear your engagement and wedding news, post a pic of that rock on our Facebook Page or contact us today to be featured as an engaged couple on The530Bride.com. All you need to do is send us a message at features@the530bride.com !

Do you have a creative idea for sharing the big news? Leave a comment below to tell us about you made your announcement!

White Hot Deal ~ Essence Photography

Around here we like to share good news & sweet perks with our readers! So tonight we want to get the word out about Essence Photography's special promotion for the month of February.  What better way to celebrate the month of love, than booking a fabulous photography package for your upcoming wedding.  Essence Photography will be including a free engagement session with EVERY wedding booked in the month of February (valued at $250!)  This includes a 1 hour session and 15 Enhanced Digital Negatives for you to use as you wish, such as save the dates, invitations, ceremony programs and more. Are you wanting to have a beautiful wedding album, but you aren't sure if it is in your budget?  Essence Photography is including a Free Custom Designed 10x10, 10 pages/20 side Wedding Album for all packages of $2,000 or more.  Don't forget you will also get your free engagement session!  Tell Essence Photography that you read about her promotion on The 530 Bride and get an instant upgrade to a 16page/32 side album, a value of $400. 

To sweeten the deal, for all packages of $2500 booked in the month of February, you will receive 1/2 off on your photo booth rental in addition to your free engagement session and wedding album! This includes a professionally run 2 hour long photobooth, with props provided for only $250!! (Regular price $500).  Photobooths make for a fun activity and a lasting memory for you and your guests not to mention all of the funny faces and props!

If you haven't already, make sure to check out Essence Photography's photo galleries and you will surely be impressed by all of those lovely images! Betsy Erickson, owner of Essence Photography has a way of adding something new and fresh while still capturing the beauty of the special moments.  Set up a consultation with Essence Photography today for this great promotion before it is too late!

Planning Your Engagment Photo Session

While save the dates are optional, the majority of couples incorporate their engagement photos into save the dates, invitations, programs, personalized centerpieces and more. Take this opportunity to be playful, and remember there are no rules when it comes to engagement sessions,  so break the mold of  "posed pictures." Think outside the box by using props and backgrounds that are sure to capture your personalities as a couple.  In our area, there is certainly no shortage of beautiful landscapes such as Bidwell Park, Chico State Campus, Bidwell Mansion, Table Mountain, Sundial Bridge, & more. If you have not yet secured a wedding photographer, set up an appointment to meet with potential photographers and view their galleries of past engagement sessions and weddings.  Ask if the photographer has wedding packages that include an engagement session.  Having your engagement session and wedding shot by the same photographer will keep the style cohesive and will help you be more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.  If you have a specific vision that you would like to portray, consider making a pinterest board, or similar inspiration board and send a link to your photographer.  This well enable your photographer to determine the correct lighting, and style elements to create your perfect photo-session.

When preparing for your engagement session bring a few different outfits and accessories so that you have options to change things up.  Consult your photographer for suggestions on the types of clothing to bring and what to avoid.  Hair and makeup can be casual or you can get glammed up for the shoot, it is up to you!  Also consider bringing props such as a hand painted wooden sign with your wedding date or initials, your wedding invitation (if you have them already), and any other personalized props that are meaningful to you.  Your photographer may have other props and backgrounds to use as well.

Feel free to share your engagement session photos with The 530 Bride, or share tips that you found helpful for your engagement session! Just send us a message at features@the530bride.com.  Use our Vendor Directory to find a professional wedding photographer near you.

How To Avoid The After-Wedding Blues

When I tell people about what I do, they think of their own wedding and I often hear them say something along the lines of "I wish we would have..." or "If I could go back and change.." Although as a bride I too had some minor regrets about not dedicating more time to spending time with friends and family before and after our wedding, and not taking more family pictures; the point is you cannot go back and change it.  I encourage couples to remind themselves that no part of life is absolutely perfect, and a wedding is no exception.  Weddings bring together family and friends all to one place, and it will most likely be the first and perhaps only time that you ever plan such a large event.  If you have in your mind a play-by-play plan for your wedding, please accept and embrace the notion that somethings might not go exactly as planned. If there is anything that I can do to help couples avoid having these "post-wedding blues" it is to stress the importance of hiring professionals.    Brides that attempt to plan the entire wedding, and handle the day of coordination most often feel overwhelmed, and upset when things do not seem to be on track.  Having professionals on your side to keep your event running smoothly will certainly calm your nerves on your wedding day.

On some of the wedding forums that I belong to, brides commonly write a "Wedding Day Recap" post which usually describes their experience (good and bad.) Some brides have this overwhelming feeling now that their wedding is over, because they have put so much energy into planning and now its over.  What they should see though is that a whole new chapter is beginning, which is being a homeowner or living together, being a wife, and someday a mother will bring on a much bigger challenge than being a bride!

Some suggestions to help you enjoy your wedding experience, and avoid the post wedding blues:

Ask For Help Allow your wedding planner to assist you in task such as contacting venues, and setting consultations etc.  For the DIY brides, consider using some of the A La Carte Options offered by propesctive wedding coordinators such as site visits, contract negotiations and hourly services.  Meet with the coordinator as much or as little as you need, but you will be able to check in and make sure that your planning is on track.  If you have friends or family that have offered to help, consider delegating some of the tasks such as folding programs, tying bows etc.

Rehearsal Dinner The rehearsal dinner is pretty standard when it comes to a wedding, yet many couples don't take advantage of this time well.  Use your rehearsal dinner to run through the ceremony, and do not be afraid to ask to read the passages that your officiant plans to use.  You then have the ability to ask for any changes, and it may also help you get some of the jitters out.  Make sure to ask if your photographer is familiar with your venue, if not consider asking them to attend the rehearsal in order for them to get acquainted with the space.

Stay Active Before and After Your Wedding It is easy to get consumed with your planning process, so make time to exercise and get lots of rest in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Stay involved with your friends lives as much as possible, you don't want to go overboard on wedding stuff, so make sure to be a good friend to others.  After the wedding, plan outings for you and your new husband to enjoy together such as sports games, or BBQ's with your families.

With that being said, I should say that every time I talk with someone about their wedding I notice they are smiling! Couples that have been married for 10, 20 or even 40 years talk about their wedding day like it was just yesterday and they remember what it felt like to walk down the aisle and dance together for the first time as husband and wife. Even when talking about some of their wedding day bloopers, they are still smiling because it was an amazing experience and they got married to the love of their life!  Sometimes the best thing to do is to share your frustrations with others, so feel free to drop us a line and tell us about your wedding planning experience!

The 530 Bride Visits the Chico Bridal Showcase

The Chico Bridal Showcase had a great turn out today, with crowds of local brides and grooms planning their wedding.  Many couples attended with their entourage of friends & family members.  Brides from Chico, Orland, Redding, Red Bluff, Corning, Gridley & other local areas came to book services with the areas premier vendors.  Photographers, caterers, bakeries, wedding venues, florists & event design, DJ's and many other specialty vendors were among the show exhibitors. Couples recieved raffle tickets to enter into the prize wheel, for chances to win everything from wedding packages, gift baskets, photography sessions, and more.  You can imagine the excitement when a bride learns she has won one of these great prizes! There were many bridesmaids & other wedding party members who attended with their bride-to-be and they were there to help with everything from holding the brides bag, writing her information on the various vendor drawing entry forms, & of course tasting cakes & catering samples!

Inspiration Lane offered brides the opporunity to see examples of decor and table-top design by vendors including Cambray Rose Florists, Dream Coordination Group (Salvagno's Event Designers), Jaz Events, Special Times Catering & WeDo Designs.  Nice Work Everyone! Lovely Layers Cakery

K Stone Photography

Top Tier Cake Design

I enjoyed meeting with vendors and saw a lot of new faces, brides really have so many wonderful & professional vendors to choose from for their wedding needs! Some of the other exhibitors included: Dustlight Wedding Videos          TreCreative Film & Video

Blue Sugar Cupcakes                  Dream Coordination Group

Snapshots Photobooth               Shared Travel

Tracy Lynn Photography        LeRoy's Video Productions

CLS Communications             The Arroyo Room

Reflective Images                   CARD Community Center

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company    WeDo Designs

Cyr Photography                     Heavenly Blue Fine Lingerie

The Collective Bride             Kinders BBQ

Lake Oroville Golf Club           Honker Bay Ranch

Always Elegant Bridal           Lisa's Flor Decor JB's Beverage & Bar               Roots Catering

Bon Voyage Travel             Anselmo Vineyards

Drozian Photography        As You Like It Weddings Cambray Rose Florist        J Kiendra Productions

Poise Photography            Chico Catering Company Your Perfect Day               The Palms

With over 90 vendors, I am sure I missed a few but they all have something great to offer! A special thanks to Weddings North Valley for their hospitality, and for more exhibitor information visit their website, www.weddingsnorthvalley.com

If you attended the bridal show, leave a comment about your favorite booth to enter into our drawing for a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Card!

Mark Your Calendars ~ 2012 Winter Bridal Shows

It's that time again, so mark your calendars with these important dates! You don't want to miss out on your local bridal shows because this is where you will meet professional & talented vendors who specialize in weddings.  By walking through a bridal show, you will see exhibitor booths for caterers, photographers, wedding planners, DJ's, wedding venues & more.  Taste samples of wedding cake and entrees like tri-tip & chicken. You will have the opportunity to save money with exclusive bridal show offers, and enter contests to win some sweet prizes. Tips: Wear comfortable shoes, bring a bag to hold all of your bridal show goodies & if possible have address labels printed to save you the trouble of handwriting your name and address on all of the contest entry forms!

2012 Winter Bridal Shows

Chico Bridal Showcase Sunday, January 8th, 2012 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Chico, CA http://www.weddingsnorthvalley.com/show.html?show.id=1447

The Bridal Guide Wedding Show Sunday, January 15, 2012 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Simpson University Event Center Redding, CA http://northstatebridalguide.com/bridalshows.html

Yuba Sutter Bridal Show Sunday, January 29th, 2012 Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds Yuba City, CA 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM http://www.ysbridalshow.com/Winter_Bridal_Show.htm

Winter Wonderland Bridal Show Sunday, January 29th, 2012 The Beda Place Meadow Vista, CA 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM http://www.thebedaplace.com/

Wedding Extravaganza Sunday, February 19th, 2012 Holiday Inn Redding, CA 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM http://www.theweddingextravaganza.com/

Life After I Do!

As a bride we often get consumed with the thought of walking down the aisle, and the big moment when we will be introduced to all our friends and family as husband and wife.  What about what comes after I Do? After you have sent out all of your thank-you cards to your guests, it is time to put those gifts to use and learn to be a good host for future dinners and entertaining events for friends & family.We are fans of the Better Homes and Gardens Bridal Edition Cookbook which includes tips & tools to get familiar with cooking terms, ettiquette & table manners tips on welcoming guests to your home and of course how to throw a great party! Learn how to pair wines with meals, food safety & food storage, and lots of delicious recipes.  This book makes a great gift for new couples who are starting a whole new chapter in their lives.

If cookbooks aren't your style, you can you can always search online for the correct table settings for your occasion, as casual dining will differ from formal or buffet-style dining.  We found a helpful diagram online at Todays Bride Online showing how to set your table for both informal and formal dining.

Learning  basic table manners will not only be a good idea for going out to eat but also for having guests over for dinner, and teaching your future children the do's and don'ts at the table. A few tips: 1. Flatware: Take silverware from the outside of the place setting for the first course and work your way in toward the plate. 2. Nakpkins: At informal meals, put your napkin on your lap when you sit down. At formal meals wait until after the hotsts puts the dinner napkin in his or her lap.  If you leave the table temporarily, place the napkin on your chair or folded to the left of your plate. 4. Finger food: When in doubt, use ustensils! Find more information on all things etiquette, check out Emily Post.

When it comes to planning a meal, think ahead by selecting recipes that you feel comfortable making because you don't want to be stressed out while you are cooking.  Make sure to read each recipe carefully, and ensure that you have all of the necessary ingredients.  If possible, plan time two weeks ahead of time to try cooking any new recipes so that you are not cooking under pressure, and you have had a chance to work out any issues with oven temperatures or flavors.

"For holiday meals, ask your mother-in-law to bring the holiday dish she is known for. She'll be flattered, and you wont have to worry about recreating her masterpiece while she critiques your efforts at the table." (Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 14th Edition; Family Celebrations)

You can find great printable recipes online at some of these helpful websites! http://allrecipes.com/ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/index.html http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes

If you have questions on etiquette or wedding registry, shoot us a line! Ask The 530 Bride