Gem Finds-Wedding Venues in So. California- Cal Aero

Cal Aero Aviation Country Club

I recently had a wedding at this venue and I can't wait to have another one! This airplane hangar is fantastic for couples looking to party without many restrictions. One of the nice things is that you can bring in your own caterer (we highly recommend a professional caterer that provides full service), you can also bring in your own bar service (which is a huge savings), and you can party till the wee hours of the night (you have to buy the additional hours). The hangar doors dramatically open up, revealing polished floors, sky high ceilings, and the infinite possibilities of your decor! The venue really lends itself to a travel theme or a 1930's era soiree! 

Here is the 411:

• Capacity: 180 (sit down dinner)
• Catering: Not provided. You can provide caterer and alcohol
• Average Cost: Just for venue- average is $3K
• Tables, Chairs & Basic Linen: Not provided. You have to bring in.
• Silverware, Plates, etc: You have to bring in.
• Enough Restrooms: Provided but we recommend you rent two extra portable restrooms
• Wheelchair Accessible: yes
• Brides Dressing Room: yes
• Accommodations: No
• Clean Up: Provided- You have to hire a staff to set up and clean up.
• Note: You have to provide insurance

For more information, please contact:

Susan Whittlesey

Cal Aero Events Manager

949-533-9013

http://calaeroevents.com

We highly, highly, highly recommend a wedding planner for this venue! There is so much logistics to this venue that you need the guidance of someone who is experienced and knows how this venue works! 

Give us call for more information! (888) 489-9671.

Cheers,

Jenny and Sara

Gem Finds-Wedding Venues in So. California

Finding a venue for my clients is one of my favorite tasks in wedding planning! Without the help of a professional, this task could seem daunting and intimidating. I really enjoy the adventure of finding the perfect place, with the right ambiance, at the right budget. We are so lucky to live in Southern California where the potential for amazing venues are everywhere!  For the next few days I'm going to share with you my favorite spots!

Tibbies Center Stage Fontana

I'm so lucky to have found this gem and I'm even luckier to be representing the venue as their Special Events Manager.  I would have never taken on this responsibility if I didn't truly love how this venue looks and what they have to offer! Tibbies Center Stage is a historical theater that underwent a 6.5 million dollar renovation. The theater now has art-deco trimmings, amazing velvet curtains, a good size stage, a fabulous red carpet, a marquee to display the names of the bride and groom, a grand black piano, and a state of the art lighting and audio system! In addition to how much character this venue has, the food is delish and the prizes are super reasonable! I can't stop gushing about how much I love this place!

Thank you http://www.christina-sanchez.com/ for the awesome pictures! Love her!

Here is the 411:

• Capacity: 185 (max for sit down dinner)
• Catering Provided (no outside food or alcohol)
• Average Cost per person: $39.95 
• Food/Beverage Minimum is 5K on a Saturday 
• Tables, Chairs & Basic Linen: Provided
• Silverware, Plates, etc: Provided
• Enough Restrooms: Provided
• Wheelchair Accessible: yes
• Brides Dressing Room: yes
• Accommodations: No, but close enough
• Clean Up: Provided (Thank God)

This is a great place to check out!

If you're interested in getting more information, check out their website at www.centerstagefontana.com or call (949) 836-6360 to make an appointment to come see the space.

Cheers!

Jenny & Sara

The Great Wedding Planner vs. The Average Wedding Planner

There is a big difference between a great wedding planner and an average wedding planner. The great wedding planner will do the things the average wedding planner just wont!

I don't like to toot my own horn but here goes, TOOT-TOOT!

By this definition, Sara and I are Great Wedding Planners. We have done things for our clients and for their families to save the wedding day that the average wedding planner just wouldn't do! 

Sara and I feel the tremendous responsibility to make the day as wonderful as possible for our couples regardless of what it takes.

Here is a list of just SOME of the things we have done that perhaps the average wedding planner wouldn't have:

• Climbed a tree to bring a scared ring bearer down
• Took a maid of honor to purchase a breast pump
• Put plenty of tipsy guests in taxis
• Hemmed countless dresses and sewn plenty of buttons
• Driven a mother of the groom around in a parking lot because she forgot where she parked
• We are the first to arrive and the last ones to leave on the wedding day
• Helped bridesmaids clean up baby diaper explosion
• Fired and escorted a drunk bartender (double my size too!) off the premises
• Taken a sick guest to the emergency room
• Tamed hords of ADHD and tipsy groomsmen
• Escorted wedding crashers off the dancefloor

Most of the time - our client's don't even know about all the craziness that goes on behind the scenes. For them, the day just seems to magically go perfectly smooth and we wouldn't have it any other way!

As much logistical planning as we do, some things happen that are just beyond our control! But, we are always there to jump in and fix it, without hesitation.

So the question is, do you want an average wedding planner OR do you want a great wedding planner?

Cheers!
Jenny & Sara

Congrats to Matt Damon and Luciana!

Congrats to Matt Damon and his wife of 8 years Luciana for their gorgeous vow renewal over the weekend. The two said 'I DO' - again on the island of St. Lucia.

We enjoy seeing happy successful weddings - but more importantly we love to see happy and successful marriages.

Here is a look back at some of our favorite Celebrity Destination weddings....

1. woo hoo! OUR FAV - Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were married last year in Southern Italy. We adore a bride that is brave enough to use a little color on her wedding gown. 

2. Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were married in July 2010 at a private home on the Mediterranean Sea. Alicia is a total trend-setting bride. She was one of the first that we saw wearing a jeweled bridal forehead band.

3. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski were also married in 2010 and exchanged vows at George Clooney's Italian Villa on Lake Como. Smart! If you're lucky enough to have a friend or family member with a home that can accommodate a wedding - DO IT! But make sure you hire a team of professionals to coordinate and handle all the logistics.

3. Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green were married in Hawaii in June 2010. The simple and intimate setting make sure that the couple is focused on the significance of the commitment they are making.

Cheers!
Sara

How did marriage get started anyway?

At Your Door Events: How did marriage get started anyway?

How did marriage get started anyway?

I was graciously invited to attend the opening of the  I Do! I Do! exhibit at the Pasadena History Museum. They are currently featuring forty-two bridal gowns and the wedding stories that accompany them from the 1850's to the 1950's.
I had a blast! I was lucky enough to meet other great wedding professionals, I had the chance to walk next door and see the beautiful Fenyes Mansion  (wowzers! this is a beautiful event property that we must explore in a future blog!), and I had the chance to see some glamorous wedding gowns!
It got me thinking...how did marriage/weddings get started anyway?

After reading and re-reading multiple websites I realized that it wasn't as romantic as I was hoping it would be (wha wha wha!).
Here's what I dished:

• It appears that in the beginning marriage had nothing to do with "love". It was really an economic arrangement negotiated between fathers in which blood line, wealth, status, economic stability, and potential for prosperity were the most important consideration for choosing a spouse. (YIKES!!)
• Women were the property of their husband (Thank goodness that's changed!)
• It really began with Christianity promoting marriage for procreative purposes only.
• It wasn't till the 12th Century that relationships were thought of as courtly love in the same way we do now. The whole notion of romance apparently didn't exist till then. (Geez!) 
• In 1563 it was decreed that marriages should be celebrated in the presence of a priest and at least two witnesses. (only a church thang')
• It wasn't till the The Marriage Act of 1836 that allowed for non-religious civil marriages to be held in register offices.
• In the United States prior to the 1700s, marriages were primarily a responsibility of local churches but by the 19th century, states began to issue marriage licenses in the same way we do now.

Not romantic at all huh?... I know. But regardless to how history has shaped marriage as we know it, some things have been constant; marriage is a bond between two people that involve responsibility, legalities, and commitment!

Cheers!

jenny g.

Wedding Gift Ideas

I was recently asked by a teacher at my son's school, who knows that I'm a wedding planner, "What is a good wedding gift?".  That question really got me thinking....

First thing to think about is WHO is the couple? Are they young and just starting out? Do they already live together? Have they registered for gifts? How much do you want to spend?

The very best place to start is always their gift registry. These are gifts that the bride and groom have selected and are wishing they get! Don't ignore the registry.

If you choose to think outside the gift registry box - use the gift registry as inspiration. For example: They registered for blue bath towels. Purchase a set of white bath towels and then have a custom monogram embroidered in blue to really make them special. The white towels with the blue embroidery are sure to coordinate with the blue towels they registered for that another guest will surely purchase for them.



Here is a list of even more fabulous wedding gifts:


1. The Gift of Experience:
Think of fun things the bride and groom can have fun doing together and get them that experience. A hot air balloon ride, dance lessons, cooking classes, local art museum membership, wine club membership.... OR something as simple as a set of 12 different restaurant gift cards - one for every month of their first year of marriage. Your bride and groom will be grateful to have a date night every month!





2. The Gift of Celebration:
A great company called Wine for a Wedding has created something really special. The gift is a collection of 3 wines in different compartments. Each compartment gives the couple "Open On..." Anniversary instructions. First year anniversary.... Third year anniversary... Fifth year anniversary etc. Each wine is selected so that it will age appropriately for the year it will be opened. AND - on each box, you can customize a special message to the couple to make it truly unique http://wineforawedding.com.

An DIY alternative to this idea is to purchase a selection of wines and create labels for each wine to help the bride and groom celebrate the many FIRSTS in their new life together. "Open on your FIRST Christmas", "Open on your FIRST Valentine's Day", "Open on your FIRST Anniversary" etc.


3. The Gift they NEVER thought of:

That's right - a sewing kit and a tool belt or tool box. Let's face it - most of us won't use these items on a daily basis... but when we need them - we are sure glad to have them. Your bride and groom will be so grateful for these gifts AND they will think of you EVERY TIME they need to hang a picture or sew on a loose button.


WHEN TO GIVE: The old traditional etiquette will say, you have up to a year to send a gift. This is NO longer proper etiquette.  Because shopping on-line has made it so easy to purchase and send a gift, there are no more reasons or excuses to delay. Send the gift as soon as you get the invitation or as close to the wedding date as possible. Out of consideration to your bride and groom send the gift in advanced to the addresses designated on the gift registry or on the RSVP card. They do not want to carry 100's of boxes with them at the end of their wedding night. AND - sending the gift in advanced gives you one less thing to worry about when you're on your way to the celebration.

Share with us your favorite wedding gift you received or have given in the comment box below.

Happy Shopping!

Cheers,
Sara