Giving Thanks

I recently was invited to visit the new home of my former clients.  While there, I noticed a really pretty blue and white ceramic jar sitting in the middle of their kitchen table.  Next to the jar was a small pad of paper and a pen.  It was a wedding gift and it was called the thankful jar (Dagnes…correct me if I’m wrong on the name ).  The premise being that any time you think of something that you are thankful for, no matter how big or small, you write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar.  On Thanksgiving, you take out all the pieces of paper and read off what you were thankful for during the past year. 

What an incredibly thoughful and amazing gift!  I think as human beings, we do tend to forget all those little blessings that we have in our lives.  These stressful times of high unemployment, war, and violence that is seen so much on our TV’s and in our newspapers (yes, I still get a newspaper) tends to make us believe that there is nothing to be thankful for in our lives.  Yet life provides so many moments for us to be thankful for and we often forget about them when we are bombarded with negativity.  A precious smile from one of my boys, a big hug from my husband, a nuzzle from one of my cats, a heartfelt note from a friend, a big thank you from one of my clients…..these are things that I am very thankful for every day, and sometimes, I think we tend to take for granted.  Imagine if we did take a moment to write those things down, how overflowing that jar would be on Thanksgiving Day!

So to all those who have provided me with life’s many happy moments and blessings this year, I say THANK YOU!  Oh, and I think I will be scouring the stores on Black Friday (yes, I will be out a 4 am…LOL) for a pretty little jar to place in my home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Karen

Suzie’s Bat Mitzvah

Yesterday, I had the extreme privilege of being part of something very special, Suzie’s Bat Mitzvah.   I have been helping Suzie and her parents, Brian and Sheri, plan this for over a year.  However, Suzie has been preparing for this day for many years with lots of hard work and studying at Hebrew School.  Having not been raised in the Jewish faith, I was absolutely amazed at what these children go through, not only in preparing for this day, but also how much they are responsible for during the 2-hour service.  Suzie did an amazing job during the service, especially with her Torah portion.  Her family was very proud of her, and I will admit, I was too!  Suzie, congratulations and thank you to you and your parents for letting me be a part of this very important day in your life.

Later in the evening, Suzie’s hard work was rewarded with a really fun and fabulous reception at Granite Bay Golf Club.  Since she is into musicals and drama, she decided that would be the theme for her party.  The color scheme was taken from the burgandy color of theater curtains and the gold color of stars, since she was the “star” of this show.  Granite Bay Golf Club has these really cool metal rafters that just scream, hang something from me .  So, I did!  I hung close to 50 gold colored stars from thin, clear fishing line to help emphasize our theme.  In addition, Brandi from Party Petals made the fabulous centerpieces and added those cute gold stars for a whimsical look to go with our “star of the show” theme.  I then sprinkled gold star confetti around those.  The tables were all named after musicals and plays, most of which she has acted in.  The kids all sat at one very big U-shaped head table while the adults sat at smaller, more intimate rounds.  For the cake, MaryAnn from Baker’s Delight make an adorable Torah shaped cake but with Suzie’s favorite color, pink.

Once the evening got started, Patrick and his crew from Dennon and Doyle Entertainment ROCKED!  They made the reception so much fun for not only Suzie and her friends, but for the adults too.  Their enthusiasm and energy had everyone out on the dance floor and there was never a moment when that energy dropped. 

I will leave you with some photos that I took, however, once I get the professional ones back from Steven Stafford (the photographer) I will be certain to share them.  I know that he took some amazing shots so I’m excited to see those!

Creative Table Numbers

When numbering your reception tables, why settle for the same old number “tent” card?  A little creativity can add a really great personal touch to each of your tables.  A fun idea to consider, during your engagement photo session, having the photographer take pictures of you and your fiancé holding up wooden numbers (1 through however many tables you have).  Then frame each of these pictures and place the frame on the table.  Much more fun and creative than the boring old tent card.

Another personal touch is to add pictures of you and your fiancé that correspond to the table number.  For example, on table number 1, place an assortment of pictures of you and your fiance at age one.  Table number two…..two year old pictures, and so on and so forth.  That will really get your guests talking and even serve as an “ice breaker” for tables mates who don’t know each other quite so well.

My most recent couple decided to name their tables instead of numbering them.  They chose places and things that held huge signficance in their lives.  For example, in this picture below, the table is named the Forest Hill Bridge.  This is where the groom proposed to the bride.

Along the table name line, one of my clients is celebrating her Bat Mitvah next month.  The theme for the reception is theater since she is very into plays and musicals.  So for the table names, we are using the names of her favorite plays and musicals, many of which she has acted in.  Each name is being printed out to look like the front of a playbill and will be placed in frames on the tables.

If your budget is tight, consider incorporating your table numbers into your centerpieces.  Think of something like those little white trees you see at Easter time (all branches no leaves) and hanging little numbers from the branches.  You could easily cut the numbers from cardstock and then add some embossing powder or glitter to them.  A ribbon hanger in your wedding colors adds the perfect touch.  Sprinkle some rose petals around the table and add votive candles for a finished and elegant look that doesn’t break the bank.

Just remember, don’t settle for the “same old, same old” when it comes to numbering your tables.  A little creativity can really make your wedding stand out from the rest!

Happy Planning!

Karen

Serrano Wedding

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be the coordinator for Hope and Steven.  The day started with a full nuptial mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Dorado Hills.  Immediately following the ceremomy, the reception was held at the equally beautiful Serrano Country Club, also in El Dorado Hills.  The views of the hills and Folsom Lake (especially at sunset) from Serrano’s ballroom are just spectacular.  Some fun, personal touches to the decor included tables names that were significant to the couple (special places, favorite movie, favorite drinks) as well as an adorable wooden birdhouse that the bride’s father handmade to hold the cards.  After the wedding, the couple can take the cards out and use the bird house in the backyard of their new home.  How special is that?! 

Many thanks to all the vendors, as well as Serrano, for working so hard to make Hope and Steven’s day so special and perfect.  Here are some pictures I took with my “less than perfect” camera.  As always, when I get the professional pictures back, I will post them too.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope and Steven, many thanks to you and your family for choosing me as your wedding coordinator.  I wish you two nothing but the best in your life….congratulations!

Fabulous Fall Centerpiece

While sifting through the pile of magazines in Kaiser’s waiting room this week, I came across the latested issue of Better Homes and Garden.  My eyes were immediately drawn to the fabulous and really cool centerpiece on the front cover:

 Here is the URL in for a more close-up picture (I could only get the picture to post so big on my blog): http://www.bhg-digital.com/bhg/200910#pg1

I just LOVE the colors in this centerpiece.  It’s that tangerine orange and lime green color combination that I’m so drawn to.  Yet, it’s done in a somewhat understated way to make it fit perfectly for a Fall theme.  And all those different textures really add visual interest.  These centerpieces would make a HUGE statement for very little impact to your budget.  I really see something like this working perfectly on long banquet tables (several all lined up down the middle of the table).

How perfect would something like this look for a Fall wedding or party?! 

Happy Planning!

Karen