wedding planner
Diane O’Brien, owner of Ribbons & Roses in Brentwood, hosts do-it-yourself flower parties where brides and their friends learn how to assemble bouquets and other floral arrangements for the big day. O’Brien also hosts DIY parties for other events, including holiday parties and anniversary celebrations.<br><i>Photo by Samie Hartley</i> For frugal fragrance, Do It Yourself
While there are dozens of adjectives to accurately describe the joys of a wedding, another precise description has a less flowery connotation: expensive. For that one day of bliss, you’re going to...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
A flower-decked fountain greets visitors at Club Los Meganos, the spectacular new event center located at Trilogy at the Vineyards in Brentwood.<br><i>Photo by Richard Wisdom</i> New upscale event center at Trilogy
Couples searching for a spectacular setting for their wedding have a new venue to consider. Club Los Meganos is a 34,000-square-foot resort-style clubhouse at Trilogy at the Vineyards in Brentwood...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Flower centerpieces, such as this one designed by Kelly Cook of Heaven Scent Florals, can be traditional or contemporary, depending on the bride’s tastes.<br><i>Photo courtesy of Connie Leal Photography</i> Flowers that are Heaven Scent
Kelly Cook loves weddings. As owner of Heaven Scent Florals in Discovery Bay, she’s assembled floral arrangements for more than 400 weddings in the past nine years, but she never tires of making b...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Add elegance and ward off airborne pests with special insect-repellant candles and lanterns from Yankee Candle. Outdoor soirées can be easy, elegant
Whether you’re putting together a dinner for those soon-to-be gathering relatives, setting up a rehearsal dinner, or planning the reception, it’s easier than you’d imagine to create an ambiance th...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Couples who sit down and discuss money before taking their vows can avoid financial conflicts down the road. Plan a pre-wedding talk about money
If you haven’t yet butted heads with your mate over money, chances are you will one day. No matter how compatible a couple is or how much they adore each other, money and how to manage it can stil...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
A wedding favor that’s useful as well as thoughtful makes your special day more memorable to the special people who are a part of it. Wedding favors marry fun, function
When it comes to creating perfection on your wedding day, it’s hard to understate the importance of the wedding favor. The favor is the piece of your wonderful day that guests will take away with ...
Jun 24, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Couples shopping for wedding and engagement rings will find a large selection of top quality, reasonably priced sets at G Anthony Jewelers in Brentwood.<br><i>Photos by Kevin Bartram</I> Diamonds are forever: get the right rings
Wedding trends come and go, but one constant in the nuptials equation remains – the rings. “You can do without a lot of things when planning a wedding, but if you’re getting married you need ring...
Jan 21, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Saxophonist Malcolm Hunter, left, and pianist Jeff Gill specialize in jazzy, romantic ballads.<br><i>Photo courtesy of Malcom Hunter</i> Live music adds class, energy to weddings
Whether you want to add a touch of class with a jazzy sax and piano duo playing romantic ballads or prefer to pump up the energy with a hard-charging party band, there’s nothing quite like providi...
Jan 21, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Good communication can help a photographer record your special day precisely the way you want to remember it.<br><i>Photo courtesy of Studio S Photography</i> Making photos a snap
Weddings take months to plan, but when the big day comes, it all goes by in a flash. Years after the nuptials are over, the most important reminders of that whirlwind day will be photographs, so ...
Jan 21, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Hannah Nicole Vineyards’ 2006 Meritage and 2007 Late Harvest Viognier placed bronze and silver, respectively, at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition held earlier this month. Hannah Nicole Vineyards received 10 medals at the competition.<br><i>Photo by Richard Wisdom</i> Brentwood wines win national competition
When it’s toasting time at your wedding reception, you want your guests to savor the celebration with something flavorful and unique. But you don’t need to look far to find the perfect wines to se...
Jan 21, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 20 20 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
bridal
How to pick your wedding date
Congratulations on your engagement. As you’ve probably learned, the first question everyone asks is when is the wedding date? Setting the date for your big day takes much thought and investi...
Aug 30, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
EMX1_10873_B32_rgb3.jpg Scent-sational ideas for aromatherapy wedding favors
Planning a wedding can be a high-pressure time, even for couples with a clear vision of what they want and the budget to accomplish it. One aspect of your wedding that doesn’t have to cause ...
Aug 10, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
More couples deciding to have 'do-it-yourself' weddings to cut costs
The average cost for a wedding in America is still between $20,000 and $25,000. For some couples, that’s as much as they will make in their first year as newlyweds, especially if they are st...
Aug 01, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
More couples deciding to have 'do-it-yourself' weddings to cut costs
The average cost for a wedding in America is still between $20,000 and $25,000. For some couples, that’s as much as they will make in their first year as newlyweds, especially if they are st...
Aug 01, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
11013_B63_rgb3.jpg The wonderful world of wedding photography
No matter how much planning you put into your weddings day none of it will be accurately remembered without pictures. That is why, despite the fact that every part of your ceremony and reception i...
Jul 19, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
9798_B99_rgb3.jpg Food and wine: How to create a perfect marriage
Weddings are one of life’s most celebrated occasions. For brides- and grooms-to-be and their families, an incredible amount of creativity and planning is poured into this all-important day: ...
Jun 29, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 19 19 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
10575_B14_rgb3.jpg Don't let scams and identity theft ruin your honeymoon
The excitement of getting married doesn’t end after the rice has been thrown, the cake has been cut and the presents opened. For most couples, the next stop is the adventure of a honeymoon.
Jun 28, 2010 | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
profiles  

Wedding Planner
The Press special edition for
Summer 2010