Northern California Wedding Planner | Demystifying the Invitation Suite
Throughout planning, some elements come naturally to couples and other elements just seem more tricky or confusing. Invitation suites can feel like a lot to figure out, from choosing the design to deciding what wording to use or how formal you want the suite to be. Budget does play a part in these decisions of course, but sometimes the difficulty simply lies in not being able to visualize these pieces together.
Our post today will be highlighting the various elements of the modern invitation suites, as well as what options couples have when deciding where to go to get started. We’ll share links and resources to find all of the info you need to make a decision on the best option for you!
Custom Stationery design is a process of bringing the couple’s desired aesthetic and their personalities together to create something unique and authentic. These details can be in the paper and color choice, a custom monogram or crest, specialty envelope liners, hand painted details, wax seals, custom postage and of course the calligraphy for addressing the invitations.
What goes into a design suite, well of course that varies by preference and budget but a complete suite would include most if not all of the elements below:
The method of production, from letterpress to digital or hand-painted/calligraphy is one of the more major decisions because that dictates the cost, the type of paper, the turnaround time and the design process in general. One would argue that the invitations set the tone for the rest of the event, however I don’t believe couples should be held to that 100% of the time if that deters them from moving forward with a design that they really feel drawn to.
Image via Unsplash
If you have a vision of a beautiful flat-lay image of your whole invitation suite (like those stunning photos you see on Pinterest and Instagram) this can still be achieved even if you chose a semi-custom or template from a digital design retailer and had them printed. Tip: Do be sure to mention to your photographer that this shot is important to you!
Photo by Gretchen Granka Photography
With the introduction of sites like Minted.com, Wedding Paper Divas, Etsy and many more, couples are flooded with pages upon pages of designs to choose from and this can certainly be overwhelming. You want a design that speaks to your personalities and matches with your theme or vision but you might not want something that is trending or overly popular at the moment. Even when using a pre-designed template you can find ways to personalize it by adding a band, ribbon, vellum sheet, envelope liner, embossing, calligraphy etc.
So should you choose a custom designer to ensure that you have a one of a kind invitation suite? Here is a great article from Raspberry Creative listing 5 reasons you should hire a stationery designer.
Image via Unsplash
One recommendation that I make when working with couples is to find at least one to two elements they really want to throw their personality into during their wedding planning process. This could be the decor, the food menu, the ceremony or even the dance/entertainment line-up. Of course you could put your personality into all of those, but sometimes your wedding budget doesn’t give you the ability to customize every element.
In the interest of keeping this post short and sweet, we have linked to a few helpful articles and resources on each of the various topics that we find couples have the most questions about.
How much do custom invitations really cost & a breakdown of the process
Letterpress Wedding Invitations (Etiquette, Samples, Ordering Resources, F.A.Q’s & Tips)
Watercolor/ Hand Painted Wedding Invitation examples
Additional Articles/Links:
Comparing invitation costs
https://www.papelnco.com/custom-wedding-invitations
https://www.sableandgray.com/press
https://inkandpressco.com/the-semi-custom-collection
https://www.bellafigura.com/customize/calligraphy/
https://www.howdesign.com/creative-freelancer-blog/passion-projects/why-wedding-invitations-will-never-go-digital/
Envelope Liners
How to properly Mail Your Wedding Invitations
Northern California Wedding Planner | Re-Thinking Your Wedding Budget
Pop quiz - how many wedding related tabs or apps do you have open at this very moment? Just kidding, we aren’t here to judge! In all seriousness, it can feel like a rabbit-hole once you get started down the path of wedding planning. Once that ring is on your finger or the word gets out that you are engaged, all of the sudden people start asking you questions and giving you advice & opinions that you never actually asked for; the pressure is on to have all of the answers.
Image by Claire Nicole Photography
Good news! You don’t have to have it all figured out so fast, take your time and think about what you actually want and make an intentional effort to enjoy being engaged. If you have read some of our other posts about you will probably see a trend that we truly want you to make the most of your day and to not try and do all the things because you think you should. Instead, really commit to making the whole event a reflection of your relationship together because if you can do that - you can’t go wrong!
Once you have committed to planning authentically, the fun part starts of building this awesome crew of event partners to support you in this quest to have a kick-ass (*and pretty) wedding day. So the title of this post was re-thinking your budget right? Let’s talk about that, shall we? According to Wedding Wire’s 2019 report, 1 in 3 couples underestimated their budget.
Inevitably there will be logistics to hosting guests in a space no matter if this is in your backyard, or City Hall. Understanding your vision for the overall flow of the day and then working with your planner to fine tune this flow into a fluid experience for you and your guests will take some finesse. What we don’t want is for you to feel rushed to choose a venue that doesn’t really represent or support that vision, and in some cases can hinder it.
We’ve created a blog series PDF full of tips related to keeping your budget in check and thinking through some of the steps in the decision making process. Be sure to grab part 1 of the series by subscribing to the list below, and each topic will be emailed right to your inbox!
You can read another recent blog posts about budgeting here or check out our list of blog categories over in the sidebar!
~ Happy Planning!
Veronica
Northern California Wedding Planner | Monday Vibes
All of the cool hashtags on Instagram are for the rest of the week but today we are stopping to appreciate the clean slate that Monday’s bring! We have a small break in weddings in July, which gives us time to get prepped for the remaining late-summer and fall weddings.
Here on the blog, we talk a lot about the actual wedding day but it seemed like a good time to talk about the steps after your wedding day and how to adjust back to your day-to-day life.
Photo via Pops of Pretty
Practicing good self care while you have an important milestone like a wedding coming up is important but also to think about what you will be focusing on after your wedding. For some couples, that may be transitioning into a new home together or preparing for career changes and others it could be focusing on sprucing up your existing place together and nesting a bit! Going through the photos from your big day, your honeymoon or mini-moon and de-cluttering some of the items you accumulated over the months of planning; it is all good for helping to move on to the next exciting chapter. Not to mention you’ll have some tasks to keep you busy like name changes, banking updates and of course thank-you cards!
Photo via Pops of Pretty
After things settle, it is understandable to have a little bit of what is known as the “wedding blues” and to keep replaying certain aspects of your day over again in your mind. Should you have spent more time with your guests, did everyone like the decor, were there enough of those yummy appetizers?.. the list goes on. We are here to tell you that you aren’t crazy by any means and these emotions are so normal! Some advice that we give is that instead of trying to process every detail, talk to your spouse, friends and family and ask what they loved about the day. Seeing their excitement about those special moments can help you to put things into perspective a bit.
Our last bit of advice is to stay in touch with your wedding vendors because we truly enjoyed the process of getting to know you. It is such a blessing to get to see each new milestone in our couple’s lives and to cheer you on long after your wedding day!
Photo via Pops of Pretty
If you are reading this while you are newly engaged or in the early stages of your planning, keep these words of advice handy but also know that you can take breaks in your planning process to just enjoy being a couple. You don’t have to have a stressful experience, because at the end of the day life does go on after ‘I Do’ and it really can be fun to just enjoy each phase of planning!
XOXO - The 530 Bride
Northern California Wedding Planner | The Good Stuff
In the thick of wedding season, it could be easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of email inboxes, layouts, to-do lists and budgets .. but the special moments when couples get a little watery in the eyes thinking of their ceremony details or when they see their engagement photos come back; that’s the good stuff!
Photo by AVH Photography
You see, it is so personal and special to be a part of this experience with our couples. We are there for the big decisions down to the smallest of the details, the phone calls and texts with advice and support through every planning milestone. Even for the couples who book with us a few months out before their wedding after they have made the majority of the decisions, realize the benefit to having someone to advocate on their behalf while bringing the details together in the final weeks.
We find ourselves telling our couples how fast the wedding day truly will fly by and we want to help them enjoy every moment of it. So the more we can do to take your focus off of the “stuff” and put it back on your experience, and being present with your fiance, friends & family - that’s what matters most.
When we meet with our couples and potential clients we will be able to help you prioritize the details that will actually impact your day and streamline the rest. Our goal is to also make sure that all of the event partners who are a part of your day (photographer, videographer, hair & make-up, transportation, florist, caterer, DJ and venue for example) are all set up for success as well. This helps to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that you know the details are handled!
Sometimes the biggest impact of all, is the ability for the parents of the couple and their immediate family to be able to relax and know that everything is in place for the big day which allows them to be able to relax and enjoy as well. This sweet note below is from a bride’s mom at a recent wedding and it touched our hearts:
“Dear Veronica, Thank you so much for all of your guidance & help to make Jade & Mark’s wedding perfect for them! You were the super glue that held it all together. Also, holding my peace of mind in check with your amazing timeline. Anxiety comes from fear of the unknown. When we organize our plans & see it in writing, it helps so much. You came into our lives quickly, but made a long lasting impression. So grateful you helped Jade navigate the dog situation and went above & beyond in delivering our leftovers to our home. The 530 Bride is amazing!”
So no matter how close you are to your wedding date we hope you will consider having a wedding planner or wedding management/coordination team support you. If we are booked, we are always happy to provide recommendations of local and reputable planners who will do an amazing job for you.
~ Happy Planning!
Northern California Wedding Planner | Celebrating One Year ~ Lawna & Eric
The Dunbars - Creekside Rose Garden, Chico
Photos by Sarah Tamagni Photography
You know what they say about couples who train together..well they slay their wedding photos of course! These two are not only ultra fit (can you say abs) but also super sweet, so it was pretty incredible to be right alongside them on their planning journey. Thanks to Sarah Tamagni Photography for these amazing photos and we are wishing a very happy anniversary to Lawna & Eric!
Event Partners
Photographer: Sarah Tamagni Photography
Wedding Management: The 530 Bride Lead by Delphine
Beauty: Hair by Carmen Montero at Envee Hair Studio; Make-up by Powder Room
Venue: Creekside Rose Garden
Caterer: Truck-a-roni
Bar: Rollin Bar
Rentals: Mac’s Hardware
Northern California Wedding Planner | The Role of A Wedding Planner
The role of a planner in the wedding industry is a unique one because it differs from the majority of the other vendors/creative partners that couples will book for their event. You see, we are looking at a 365 degree view of the event and advocating for our clients interest from the moment they contract our services. While the majority of the wedding industry works to educate clients on the myth of the “day of coordinator” the term is still used often and can be very misleading because it just isn’t possible to coordinate an event without all of the details needed in advance.
Before we get to that, let’s chat more about what a planner does (in no particular order)
Meets/consults with the couple’s vision/must-haves and estimated budget
Reviews services that have already been booked if any and makes recommendations on additional services fitting the couples desired style, preferences & budget
Reaches out to additional wedding professionals to confirm availability, rate information and assists with scheduling consultations, obtains quotes & arranges a consultation if needed
Updates budget with estimates, payments, remaining balances and tracks payments due
Consults on design process, sources rentals & creates overall layout of items & decor
Creates draft timeline based on client preferences, length of photo coverage, number of hours in venue and approximate sunset then sends to photo/video team, caterer, DJ and supporting vendors for review
Assists with wedding website, invitation wording and general stationery etiquette
Attends vendor appointments, tastings, fittings and site visits as needed
Updates guest count totals with rentals, caterer, florist and venue
Submits final approved timeline and layout two weeks with any pertinent vendor details
Reviews packing list, final payment details and prepares for ceremony rehearsal
Oversee set-up of event & ensure that the details run according to the timeline
Assist wedding party & family with pre-ceremony preparation
Confirm all details are in place and assist with guest seating for ceremony, line up wedding party according to processional plan
Transition decor from ceremony to reception as needed during cocktail hour
Ensure photography timeline is running smoothly according to shots list
Check in with catering details for dinner service
Assist with all reception formalities
Post reception - organize personal decor, execute breakdown according to strike plan
Much of our work is on behalf of our clients, advocating for their interests when it comes to quotes for services and overall design details to ensure their day is everything that they imagined it would be. This role is incredibly rewarding because of how closely we get to know our couples and how fun it is to experience this day with them! What we can’t do is replace the work of wedding pro’s so we need to emphasize that we are not florists, lighting/sound technicians. DJ’s, caterers or rental companies and it is important to stay on the same page about where our focus will be..and that is laser focused on the logistics that make your day super smooth!
Of course our preference is to be a part of the planning process as early as possible so that we can be there for these decisions and details rather than be on the later end and need to step in to resolve some of the missing links or remaining questions that might end up being stressful or more costly with a time crunch.
Thanks for reading a long on this post and we hope that no matter who you choose to support you on your wedding day, you have an amazing experience!
~ Happy Planning!
Northern California Wedding Planner | Lone Oak Longhorn Ranch Styled Shoot ~ Sneak Peeks
It feels good to stretch your wings from time to time! In the wedding industry, we collaborate together in order to produce “styled” shoots or inspirational designs in order to stretch our wings creatively. This process involves networking with new wedding pros and artists, suppliers, models etc that have a similar desire to create something magical. Styled shoots can take many forms and can focus on the location itself, a new design trend or even a photo editing style.
In this case, the opportunity came about when Claire Nicole Photography reached out to us to invite us to participate in a styled shoot to promote the gorgeous new venue Lone Oak Longhorn Ranch in Marysville. This property is beyond words inside and out, and we can’t wait to share! We have a few sneak peeks for ya while we wait for the rest of the goodies from Claire!
Thank you to the whole team who contributed to this beautiful day! Be sure to follow these fine folks on Instagram!
Venue @loneoaklonghorns
Photographer @clairenicolephotography
Planning & Design @530bride
Styling @maydendesigns.byashley
Florals: @north_bloom
Rentals: @simplecountryweddings
Stone Candles: @stoneandflamedecor
Stationery: @minted natural elegance suite
Cake: @lovelylayerscakery
Models: @katie_tuck_ and @michael_wardd
Hair & Make-up: @blushed_brides
Gown: @lasoiebridal
Jewelry: @christynatsumi
Northern California Wedding Planner | Q & A with Custom Jewelry Designer - Adriann Joy
If you follow us on Instagram, you know we love a good ring shot! Of course we love the bling, but what really moves us is knowing the stories behind the rings that the couple chose. So today we are talking with Adriann Anderson of Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design to learn more about the custom design process! I mean look at these gorgeous rings!
Image credit AdriannJoy.com
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself, have you always had a passion for design?
I was born in Chico, CA and I have been in the diamond business since 2012. I originally was doing medical sales, but a family friend who was in the industry suggested I help her. She is a second-generation jeweler and has been in the business for over 30 years. At that point, I knew literally nothing about diamonds or this business – my father is a retired teacher, now caterer and my mother is a retired health professional, so working in jewelry was never a thought that crossed my mind.
In the beginning, I was completely mesmerized by the beauty and sparkle of diamonds and at the same time quite shocked by the trade itself. Over time, my understanding of not only the trade grew, but also my interest in the more technical aspects of diamonds, like cutting, grading and what aspects add to a diamond’s value and beauty. I especially enjoyed learning how cut can affect not only the look but also the value of a stone.
The diamond business is built entirely on reputation and relationships. A good reputation and strong relationship is everything to someone in my line of work. So, after several years of working for my family friend, with her blessing, I decided to start out on my own. I started Adriann Joy in 2015. My specialty is working with private clients on custom pieces. I love the design process!
Q. What is your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part of the design process is the AFTER! I love seeing my client’s faces when they see the finished piece. A lot of client’s cannot visualize the transformation and they have to put a lot of trust in me that it will turn out exactly how they want it to!
Q . What advice do you have for couples that may be considering having custom bands made for their wedding? Should they already have a style in mind or does that seem to happen more organically through your design process?
My advice for couples that are considering a custom wedding band is to have some sort of an idea of what you want. Do you like traditional, modern, vintage, or a mixture of styles etc? The options are limitless as to what you can have made, so it is helpful for me to have it narrowed down. If you are unsure, I have a list of questions that I will ask you. From there, I show you photos of styles I think you may like and we hone in on what you want made.
Q. Can you describe the typical time frame that you recommend for couples to inquire about a custom ring or piece?
A typical time frame for a fully custom piece is 2-5 weeks. I feel better having the latter. I never want to rush through the process and some people need more time to think through the designs. Once a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) is drawn up & approved, it usually takes 1-2 weeks to make the ring.
Q. What should couples look for when buying a quality diamond ring?
The obvious things are color, cut, and clarity, though I always tell clients to not get overly hung up on the technical aspects. That takes the romance out of the whole process. Don’t throw those things out of the window, but buy something you love the look of and that you feel something for and you can almost never go wrong. You do not look at your diamond under a microscope (that is what we are for). So focus on what you see with the naked eye! That is what you and others will see daily!
While buying a nice diamond is a huge part of buying a ring, do not forget about the ring itself. A lot of people only think about the diamond and totally overlook the ring. The ring should be the perfect companion to your diamond. After spending all of that time and energy picking the ideal stone, you want the perfect ring to go with it!
Q. We’ve been loving the trend of unique or non-traditional styles when people are using gemstones like a sapphire or emerald. Are you seeing any trends?
I have always loved non-traditional styles, such as a gemstone for an engagement ring! There are many reasons why a customer may choose to use a gemstone versus the traditional diamond. Gemstones are typically easier on your wallet & you do not have to sacrifice a beautiful ring! Some people love the sentiment behind a gemstone. Maybe it reminds them of a loved one who is no longer here, it might be their future spouses birthstone or simply they love the beauty of the color!
Q. Do you service rings for couples as well, such as sizing, adding bands or soldering or would couples take their rings to a local jeweler in this case?
I do service rings! Sizing, soldering, engraving, repairs, adding bands etc. Depending on the type of service, I will recommend you ship the jewelry to me in Cincinnati, Ohio (It is fully insured & comes next day) or I will recommend a local jeweler. If local, I typically will recommend Julianne’s Jewelry. They are very friendly, trustworthy and super easy to work with!
Q. What is your take on insuring jewelry, is this a must?
My take on insuring jewelry is an absolute yes! I always tell my clients to check with their insurance provider on what their insurance covers. Sometimes, you may have some sort of coverage for jewelry below $5,000. They will still need to know what you purchased and have that on your coverage. Anything over $5,000 is an absolute must! It is such a nice sense of security if something was to happen to your jewelry & you can always confidently wear your gorgeous jewelry everywhere you go!
Q. What do you see trending now in everyday jewelry?
The trend that I continue to see is stacking your jewelry anyway. You can stack with your rings, necklaces & bracelets. The more the merrier! Clients are shaking up shape and color of the their stackables too! There are no rules with stackables, which makes it so much more fun and allows people to express all styles!
Q. What engagement ring styles are you seeing?
A solitaire diamond engagement ring is timeless and continues to appeal to all generations. There are so many ways to make a solitaire ring unique. You can set your diamond East to West, have designs on the gallery and different metals to create different textures. While some think a solitaire is a standard setting, it is so much more than that!
Next in line is a diamond halo engagement ring! The diamond halo surrounding the center stone is such a great option to accent your center stone. You can make the stone look larger or have it appear as if it is floating. This is such a beautiful setting and my personal favorite!
Thank you so much to Adriann Anderson for sharing her wisdom with us and providing some insight on the custom jewelry process! If you’d like to check out more of Adriann’s work be sure to reach out to her at the links below or follow her on Instagram (@adrianjoy) - we’ll be there swooning over those stackable rings!
Adriann Anderson
Owner at Adriann Joy, Exclusive Jewelry & Design
P: 530.570.1204 E: adriann@adriannjoy.comwww.adriannjoy.com
~ Happy Planning!
Northern California Wedding Planner | Glam Barrel Room Wedding
It’s Friday and we can’t help but share wedding eye-candy with you! This gem is from a June wedding where we helped plan & design an amazing celebration for David & Kera. The planning process was an absolute blast and we are so lucky to have had Kera as a client and a friend!
The event was a success due to all of the work from a great team of creatives, and thanks to Shannon Rosan Photography for these beautiful images!
CREATIVES:
PHOTO @shannonrosan
CINEMA @necranias_dream_art
PLANNING @530bride
DECOR @wedodesigns
FLORAL DESIGN @north_bloom
CATERING @bacio_chico
VENUE @almendra_winery
GOWN @kinsleyjamescouturebridal
CAKE @lovelylayerscakery
DJ @elitesounddj
Hair @cortneyriegel
MAKEUP @garchimede
Northern California Wedding Planner | Rustic Outdoor Ranch Wedding ~ Delphine & David
If you’ve followed us on Instagram over the last year you may have seen that our very own Delphine was a bride herself, and as a wedding planner it brings a different challenge. Imagine planning 20+ weddings and still being able to keep your own wedding planning on track! Well, we joke because when David proposed to Delphine it took her about a week to have most things planned, but we all know that there is still a lot of communication that is required to plan a wedding especially on ranch property with over 300 guests. We’re excited that Delphine and David’s big day was featured on one of our favorite blogs, Love and Lavender!
Photo by TreCreative
What a lovely September day that was in McCloud! Time flies, Delphine and David are all settled into married life after their amazing trip to Greece. We’re going to make sure to share some of those beautiful photos here too - you know so we can all live vicariously through the travel photos!
Thanks to all of the vendors who contributed to the event:
Venue: Private Residence
Cinema and Video: Queued Memories
Caterer: Yummy’s Cowboy Cuisine
Equipment Rentals: Solanos Inc.
Hair Stylist: Salon Diamond
Dress Store: Always Elegant
Event Planner: The 530 Bride
Design and Decor: WeDo Designs
Floral Designer: Cambray Rose Florist
DJ: The Wedding DJ Company
Photographer: TréCreative Film&Photo
Northern California Wedding Planner | Miners Foundry Weddings, Nevada City
Have you ever connected with a space, every time you walk in you just instantly feel at ease? From our first wedding at Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City back in 2015 to our most recent wedding last fall, it is simply a space a space I could never tire of because it can be something entirely different for every event that takes place there!
Photo by Artpix
The Stone Hall is the show stopper of the venue, from the dramatic beams and stone work to the stone fireplace and when you add a pop of decor like the fabric draping or lounge furniture - it’s just stunning. Some couples choose to do ceremony in the Stone Hall, and reception in the Osborne Room while others have done their ceremony in the upper gallery and used the Stone Hall for dinner & dancing; there are many different variations.
Photo by Kindred Weddings
We’ve also done weddings were the ceremony and reception is held in the Stone Hall and during the cocktail hour our team along with the catering staff transition (aka flip) the space from the ceremony set-up to reception. It’s always an exhilarating task and so rewarding to see everyone’s reactions when they come back into the space.
Photo by Kindred Weddings
What’s also really great about Miners Foundry, is the proximity to the local shops, bed and breakfasts, hotels and more so the guest experience is always really fun for those who can spend a little time to enjoy Nevada City. Since we are based in Chico, it is an easy (and beautiful) drive to Nevada City and always a treat to work in the area so if you are looking for a really awesome destination in Northern California for your wedding definitely check out Miners Foundry!
~ Happy Planning!
Northern California Wedding Planner | Hiring a Wedding Planner - The Support You Didn't Know You Needed
At times it seems like you literally can do anything with a click of a button, need a ride, or a snack, or a wardrobe..click - it’s yours! The ability to have an app or a service handle tasks for us can provide instant gratification and of course save us time, but when it comes to something as personal as planning your wedding - an app just isn’t going to be the equivalent of an experienced wedding professional who can provide insight, guidance and expertise in their craft.
Photo by Sarah Tamagni Photography
Our clients are busy! They have their every day life with responsibilities at work or school, or at home with kiddos and the biggest service we can provide is that we have their absolute best interest in mind with every vendor referral, email, site walk, timeline detail and photo suggestion. We can see the bigger picture and help guide couples through budget decisions, vendor consultation, design ideas and more. Individually, all of these tasks are not hard or all that time consuming but when combined with other time commitments it can be challenging to keep up.
Photo by Anna Perevertaylo Photography
“The 530 bride was a life saver when I planned my wedding and worked full time as well as going back to school. I felt like I was organized and always ahead of schedule. She made my vision come to life. I would recommend the 530 bride to any couple getting married! They are essential!”
As wedding planners, we come into the picture at various stages of planning depending on the couple and the timeframe of their engagement. We understand that you might have set out to do all of the planning yourself but as your wedding date approaches you may feel more inclined to have some of these details covered by a third party so that you and your family/friends can be 100% present for this special time together.
Photo by Samantha McPherrin Photography
Some of our absolute favorite events have been simple celebrations that we were just able to help everyone have fun and feel stress-free, and knowing that we helped couple’s have that type of experience is the best reward we could ever ask for!
Photo by Sarah Tamagni Photography
So if you are getting engaged or know someone who may just need a tiny bit of help (or a lot!) we would be happy to chat more about the upcoming event!
~ Happy Planning!~
Northern California Wedding Planner | Historic Covered Bridge Wedding ~ As seen on Lovely Day Journal
No matter how much time passes, we could go back in our minds to the specific details of a past wedding day from the planning sessions, emails, floorplans, to getting the wedding party lined up and sending them down the aisle for their ceremony! We remember these moments because it feels like such a gift to experience them, and to share them with our couples.
This June wedding was one for the books as far as warm weddings go, but I can’t think of a single guest that I didn’t see out on the dance floor having an amazing time because Nerissa and Quinn were absolutely enjoying their day! We love to see weddings featured especially when the couples can share details and some of the story behind each element that made their day so special. Obviously we were excited to see Nerissa & Quinn’s wedding featured on Lovely Day Journal! Phots by Annamae Photo
“What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
“Everything about our wedding day was perfect. I especially loved our vows. My husband wrote them and they were exactly us.””
Nerissa was not only an organized bride, but she was able to incorporate her talent as a graphic designer into the details of her day while still being able to relax & feel present with her friends and family. We know that it takes an incredible amount of trust to hire a team to manage these special details, and we are so thankful to have been there along the way with Nerissa & Quinn!
See the full feature on Lovely Day Journal here or see the links below to learn more about the vendor team:
Second Shooter: Annamae Photo//Beauty: Two Twenty Two Salon//Makeup Artist:Powder Room Beauty Bar//Floral Designer: Lisa Claire Floral//Pre Ceremony Location: Hotel Diamond//Ceremony Location: Honey Run Covered Bridge//Event Planner: The 530 Bride//Design and Decor: WeDo Designs//Caterer: Kinders BBQ//Bakery: Upper Crust Bakery & Eatery//DJ: Elite Sound Professional DJ’s//Photographer: Annamae Photo//
If you would like to learn more about the The Honey Run Covered Bridge rebuilding efforts or to donate, visit: https://hrcoveredbridge.org/donate
~ Happy Planning!
XOXO, Veronica
Northern California Wedding Planner | Change of Scenery
The first few months of 2019 have been a great time to get caught up on year-end tasks and to keep making improvements to our overall service here at The 530 Bride. Our office space in Chico has served us well, and it was a fabulous place to meet with vendors and our growing team.
Delphine will be finishing out the 2019 wedding season before phasing out of weddings and focusing solely on The 530 & Co. where she helps small business owners improve their online presence with social media and website design.
So as of April 1st we will both be working from our home offices, and we will continue to be able to meet clients at site visits, vendor offices, coffee shops and remote/skype meetings with our clients who live outside our local area.
With a change of scenery comes design decisions and that means many hours looking at inspiration and deciding what items work best in our new spaces. Here at my home studio I will be trying to keep everything very minimalistic and toddler free! Can’t wait to share the before and afters of the final studio’s!
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Pinterest or maybe a favorite home designer like Joanna Gaines? I definitely know that home design wasn’t my calling so I will stick to weddings!
Happy Planning!
Veronica
Northern California Wedding Planner | Winter Wedding at Manzanita Place ~ Veronica & Manny
When we received an email late last year from one of our brides after her wedding letting us know that her sister was also getting married soon, we were just over the moon for the opportunity to help this amazing family celebrate another beautiful wedding. You see Monica was the big sister who had just celebrated her big day, and felt it was important that her sister could get ready without any stress the day of her wedding. What a nice big sister!
Now back to swooning over this beautiful image gallery from Gretchen Granka Photography
Thank you to these incredible vendors who made each detail possible! Photography: Gretchen Granka Photography // Videography Wheels Up Productions // Ceremony venue: St. Johns Baptist Church // Florals Little Red Hen Floral & More // Transportation Elite Limo // Reception Venue: Manzanita Place // Catering was provided by family // Sweetheart Cake Lovely Layers Cakery // Farmtables and Sweetheart Linens WeDo Designs // Draping Chico Staging & Lighting // Bride’s hair Carmen Montero // Wedding Management The 530 Bride
Northern California Wedding Planner | Open House at The Palms
We were so excited to participate in the open house event at The Palms in Chico, under new management of the amazing team at WeDo Designs. It was so fun to chat with couples and to catch up with some of our favorite local wedding pro’s! {Here’s a few pics that we snapped on our phones, can’t wait to see the professional images from the evening!}
Make sure to check out The Palms and these local wedding professionals for all of your wedding needs! The Wedding DJ // Cambray Rose // Special Times Catering // Ranalla Photo & Film // Flowers by Rachelle // Shuberts // Bacio Catering
Northern California Wedding Planner | Booking your glam squad
If you follow us on Instagram or if you’ve scrolled through our gallery here on our website you will see the work of so many dedicated professionals to ensure that every detail is above and beyond the couple’s wishes. We love seeing the wedding glow and “glammed” bridesmaids so this post is all about the glam squads that make sure couple’s look and feel their best!
Photo: Daffodilhill Photography
Why hire a professional?
We feel pretty strongly about hiring professionals for your wedding day, because they not only come prepared for just about anything, but they also have experience staying on track with the timeline! When you combine a room full of girls with the excitement of a wedding day it can be easy to get behind on the schedule without a plan in place.
Photo Matthew Lim Photography | Make-up Sam MacDonald
How to plan your hair & make-up timeline
Look over your list of bridesmaids, family members or other special guests at your wedding that will be getting ready with you. Determine who will need hair and make-up services and when they will need to be ready for photos.
You’ll also want to decide if your wedding party will have a specific style or if each style will be up to the individual, that way you can work with your hairstylist to see how long they need per person.
For make-up you will want to know who is getting full make-up vs eye make-up and how long you need to expect per person.
Then you will need to ask your stylists if they will have an assistant coming or if they will be doing all of the services one at a time. Remember these stylists are very skilled at what they do so as long as you let them know what time you all need to be camera ready they can determine when they should start.
Photo by EMK Photography
Look for the best lighting
You’ll want to make sure that where ever you plan on getting ready has a lot of natural light. This helps ensure that your make-up looks natural and picture perfect! This is also the best lighting for your photographer to capture those stunning bridal portraits.
Photography by Sunnie Heers | Hair by Allure Salon
As wedding planners we aren’t always able to be at your getting ready location so it gives us a lot more reassurance when we know you have a wonderful team there to support you before your ceremony. We do get to pop in to say hello and it is always so fun to see the glam happening with all of those pre-wedding butterflies!
We can’t wait to help you create a seamless wedding day timeline and if you need recommendations for hair and make-up artists we’ve got you covered!
~ Happy Planning!