Here’s a look at their day, through the lens of the lovely and talented Chenin of Boutwell Studio.  :-)

{ fabulous vendors }

• venue: Saddlerock Ranch
• planning & design & stationery: Love and Splendor
• photography: Boutwell Studio
• cinematography: Shade Tree Films
• floral design: SYL design studio
• rentals + lighting: Classic Party Rentals
• catering: Heirloom LA
• DJ: Prokreation
• hair & makeup: Flawless Faces
• cake: Cake Monkey

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  xoxo, Angel

—-

The past month has been busy, busy, busy!  We are gearing up for a fantastic season at some of our favorite venues and looking forward to discovering some new ones along the way!  Here’s just a glimpse of some of the things I’ve been up to lately…  Enjoy!

Well first of all, I must admit I’ve become addicted to Pinterest (you can find Michelle HERE and Angel HERE).  It’s not only a great source for wedding inspiration, but I’ve found it extremely helpful for finding amazing DIY crafts and delicious recipes.  It’s also been a great way of communicating with clients about various ideas or inspiration for their weddings.

One of our clients getting married next month saw this bocce ball pin on my wedding board and decided it’d be a fantastic addition to her cocktail hour at Saddlerock Ranch.  For those of you who’ve been there, you’d certainly agree!

originally pinned from 100 layer cake; photo by James Moes 

Here I am at Town and Country showcasing a table for the same client’s pre-ceremony cocktail hour.  The gorgeous table is part of T&C’s vineyard collection.

And for those of you just wanting some more eye candy of the gorgeous Saddlerock, here is a breathtaking picture of just a snapshot of the property.  Do you spy the giraffes — one of my favorite animals?  Unlike the other wildlife on the property, these guys are made of metal and so sweet in this setting.

I had the pleasure of meeting with another client and her mother at their venue earlier this month.  She’ll be saying, “I do!” at the beautiful and serene Rancho del Cielo.  Check out this stunning view!!  It was a crystal clear day when we were up there and you could literally see for miles in every direction.

I was able to attend a preview of the renovations at Marvimon and let me just say, wow!!  They did a fantastic job transforming the space.  I must say I’m in love with their awnings, red and green brick tiles, and the outside permanent bar updates the most.  You read that correctly: outside permanent bar!  It’s fantastic for celebrating!

Aside from working with fabulous clients, I’ve been redecorating my place from top to bottom and have found Pinterest to be an amazing resorce for all things pretty.  I have been able to view so many different sites and have pulled from so many places to make my place truly “me.”  I love coming home!

In love with this Moroccan stencil pattern from Royal Design Studio that I did across my dining room wall.  The starburst mirror is an added pop!

Sweet-smelling gold chevron drawer liners from Hammocks and High Tea in my new office desk…

great DIY project!  I found the perfect pair of antlers at the Melrose Trading Post, spray painted them glossy white and had them mounted.  They look unreal!

finally got around to creating a front door yarn wreath.  I love ranunculus and these faux babies make me smile every time I get to my door!

And last but not least, I wanted to share two tasty recipes I found on Pinterest which I was able to make for Easter dinner.  I’m typically in charge of desserts for all our family dinners because I have found my love for baking and have gottne more creative since the birth of my nephew three years ago.

these guys celebrated Christmas with us…

But this holiday I wanted to do something a bit different a found a meyer lemon bar recipe and a truly unique apple pie in an apple recipe.  I’m lucky enough to have a sister with a bountiful lemon tree (meyer lemons, to be exact!) so the lemon bars were a must.  Both were extremely simple (minus the time it took me to carve out 15 — yes, 15!! — apples) and highly recommended!

As always, thanks for stopping by and reading what we’ve been up to!  Have a truly amazing weekend!

xoxoxo, Michelle

]]> http://loveandsplendor.com/blog/2012/04/april-check-in-with-michelle/feed/ 2 http://loveandsplendor.com/blog/2012/04/olivia-iris-one-month/ http://loveandsplendor.com/blog/2012/04/olivia-iris-one-month/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:37:50 +0000 admin http://loveandsplendor.com/blog/?p=2038

miss olive at one month old!

Just over one month ago, on March 12th, 2012, Olivia Iris came into this world and changed mine forever.  Becoming a mother has turned my life upside down, and yet it has felt like the most natural transition at the same time…  For one month, I have relished every moment with this sweet, inquisitive, adorable baby girl.  Caring for her around the clock is a true joy; not once have I felt overwhelmed or burdened by this responsibility.  In God’s kindness, Olive has been a very ‘manageable’ baby so far.  She isn’t fussy or whiny — when she cries, I feel like I know exactly how to soothe her.  When she looks at me, it arrests me and I sense a deep unspoken bond.  I have told many friends that I honestly feel like I was born to be Olive’s mother.  I thank God everyday for this humbling blessing… for this precious stewardship.  I feel so grateful that I get to raise up this young lady, but I know it is a high calling.  I want to pour all of my energy and love into mothering her with grace, purpose, and intention.

With aunts Anna and Meggie, and “aunt” Michelle :)

with hapa aunties trista & kristin

As I’ve been cherishing motherhood, I have simultaneously been treasuring my role as wife.  Part of that has been sweetened as I observe Erik, my college sweetheart and love for nearly 9 years, grow as a father.  I could watch him with Olive all day long.  He has such a tenderness and silliness with her…  It melts me.  Thank you, Lord, for my beautiful little family.  I cannot adequately put into words how blissful this past month has been.

I thought I’d begin the habit of monthly “Olive Updates” to keep track of her growing and changing.  :)  While I’m writing in a daily mommy journal and putting together a baby book, it is still fun to document and share her life here on the blog, where family + friends can more easily keep up with her.  Here is a glimpse of Olive’s first month of life…

• She was 7lbs 3oz at birth — she weighs over 9lbs now at 5 weeks!  :)  That’s my healthy girl!
• She has a full head of the most silky soft hair.  It was dark brown at birth, but is lightening up to a soft sable color…
• Her eyes are still mysterious gray — we are excited to see what color she ends up with!  (Erik and I have two different kinds of hazel eyes: his are amber, mine are green.)
• She LOVES bath time and it helps lull her to sleep each evening.
• She sleeps 4 hour stretches at night — praise the Lord!!  We typically put her to sleep at 9/10p, and she’ll wake up around 1/2a, and then again around 6/7a.  It’s marvelous.
• She has long, dainty fingers… and toes!  People comment on how long both sets of digits are… LOL.
• I can quickly buy 20 minutes of time (to do dishes, eat breakfast, etc.) by putting her on her playmat.  She loves it already, and I tell Erik she’s a genius (just kidding!) because she already swats at the toys and coos in delight at them.  He says she hits them on accident while wildly flailing about.  Obviously I’m right.  haha
• She also lets mommy get a shower each day… the sound of the shower puts her right to sleep!
• She enjoys the sound of the ocean and classical music.
• She is not a big fan of the bottle, but has had 4 or 5 during outings this month.
• She hates pacifiers.  I’ve only tried them 2x, but she spits them out in anger within seconds.  I’m not-so-secretly pleased… I am hoping we can skip the pacifiers altogether.
• We have been going on walks regularly…  at least 2x a week.  This week I broke our 3 mile threshold with two five-mile strolls.  She sleeps most of the time, or sits in quiet wonder.  It’s one of my favorite ‘escapes’ and getting outside with her has been a true gift.  It’s also helping mommy get back in shape!

Some snaps via Instagram — @loveandsplendor

I clearly can’t get enough of this little lovebug!!

Olive — I love you so very much!  Being your mommy is my favorite role.  Every bit of you delights me, and I can’t get enough of your tiny hands, your beautiful eyes, your downy hair, your sweet scent!  Thank you for indulging Mommy as I cover you with kisses (which you don’t really understand, yet).  Thank you for bringing me and Daddy so much joy in just your first month of life.  And thank you for those long silent gazes that you send my way — the ones that completely stop me in my tracks, bring tears to my eyes, and make me feel like the luckiest lady in the world.  Love you, baby girl.  <3  We can’t wait for what’s ahead.  xoxo

Enjoy your Monday!  xoxo, Angel

As one of the featured designers, we were paired with one of the featured floral designers to create a tablescape.  We were blessed to be matched with Heather from twig & twine, and together we created a set-up we were really crazy about.  Our inspiration and design direction was industrial-meets-ethnic, outfitted in a neon-tinted palette.  We utilized a funky metal dining table as a base, and integrated a blend of natural and neon textures and objects in the design.  From branches wrapped in yarn and gilded in gold paint, to cement vases and bone-handled flatware, the tabletop was all about texture and color.  There were lots of layers to the look, which I love… Anytime I set a table, I want to imagine guests sitting down and marveling over every little detail, being delighted moment-by-moment as they discover unexpected touches.  I think you’ll see lots of love & splendor’s characteristic whimsy in this tabletop.  A million and one thanks to Heather, our partner in design, whose creativity, artistry and floral design brought everything to life.  I also have to give HUGE kudos to Michelle, whose fingerprints are all over this table.  Since I was *very* pregnant during the weeks leading up to the event (I actually attended the event 6 days before my due date, 11 days before Olive was born!), Michelle really took the reins with many creative projects and I can’t thank her enough for her leadership, hard work, attention to detail and of course, fabulous touch.  ;-)

Here’s a look at our table, courtesy of some of the fab photographers from the CREAM!

Photos below are from Joie La La

 This next set is from Studio Castillero

these overhead branches were my favorite

 A few from Aaron Shintaku:

and then a couple of my own…

the lovely michelle, and the box of samoas we devoured in literally minutes

me, as pregnant as it gets! + jane, my dearest friend since middle school

{ingredients for our tabletop}

• metal dining table, chartreuse armchair, distressed teal shelves – {found} vintage rentals
• chrome chairs, coffee table and side table – YEAH! rentals
• china, flatware, glassware, brass vases – casa de perrin
• napkins and tumblers- anthropologie
• hand-painted cork table runner – love & splendor
• amazing florals & cement vases – twig & twine
• candy-colored votives – glassybaby
• menus & signage – love & splendor (our in-house graphic designer, kristin!)
• branches, gilded animals, felted arrows, and other handmade décor – twig & twine + love & splendor

{all the fab folks behind the CREAM l.a.}

venue: Book Bindery / music: the flashdance / Molly Jenson / The Get Down Boys / Dominique Pruitt/ fashion & accessories: BHLDN / ban.do / Twigs & Honey / Antiquaria / Heather Heron / food & drink: Whoa Nelly! / Heirloom LA / Pharmacie / Swanson Wines / forage / Dry Soda / Handsome Coffee Roasters / sweets: Sweet Lucie’s  / Simplethings / Superfine Bakery / Sno-con Amor / Cool Haus / rentals: found / yeah! rentals / Casa De Perrin / Town & Country / photographers: Joie la la/ Aaron Shintaku / Birds of a Feather / The Weaver House / Braedon Photography / Sloan Photographers / The Long Haul / Studio Castillero / Wedding Artist Collective /  videographers: Austin Hendrix / Son of Sharkpig / Landshark /  photobooth: Smilebooth / A Little Scene / event designers: sitting in a tree / Love & Splendor  / Canvas & Canopy / enjoy event co. / florist: The Little Branch / La Partie Events / twig & twine / Honey of a Thousand Flowers / Botany /papergoods: Urbanic Paper Boutique / media: Grey Likes / Green Wedding Shoes / C Weddings/ Rue / travel: EA Honeymoons / Cobblestay  / favors: J and R Foods / calligraphy: Jill Velez/ lighting: The Lighter Side / valet: United Valet / linens: La Tavola / other: Geronimo Balloons/ beauty: Fiore Beauty / Blushington

Enjoy the week, friends!!  xoxo, Angel

Earlier this year, Erik and I had the special experience of being photographed by my dear friend, Jose Villa.  I am so grateful that we could take these photos, which highlight such a tender, precious time in our lives.  I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant and was blessed to have had a smooth one: no nausea, no morning sickness, no complications.  I marveled at every kick and hiccup as this child was knit together in my womb.  Pregnancy brought me closer to Erik in many ways as well… I love that these images capture the final months we shared as a duo, before our lives were altered forever.  :)

Many, many thanks to Jose for gracing us with his marvelous talent.  We had the best time on this shoot, and we will treasure these photos forever.  Here are just a few favorites…

And for those of you who haven’t seen my (now) 15-day old lovebug yet…

Hope you all are enjoying a lovely Tuesday!!  It feels great to blog again!

xoxo, Angel

Today I thought I’d share some pictures from my baby shower back in January!  I actually was blessed to have three amazing showers thrown by loved ones, but this one was the largest.  My sister, Anna, and dearest friends, Michelle (of Love and Splendor) and Kristin (of Petal and Thorn), threw this shower for me, along with my mommy (excited first-time grandma!).  The design of the shower was inspired by the whimsical Joel Dewberry fabric I chose in making Olive’s crib bedding.  I was really drawn to the slightly retro patterns and totally fresh colors: saffron, persimmon, aqua and white.

The celebration all took place at one of my favorite LA restaurants: Lucques.  Their lovely courtyard patio made a charming backdrop for the festivities and the seasonal 3-course menu allowed guests to enjoy dishes like a persimmon and pomegranate salad with burrata as well as braised short ribs with swiss chard.  Food is a big deal to me so while I was not privy to the details and design of the shower, I did request that I pick the menu.  ;-)  Lucques also created a specialty cocktail and mocktail for both guests and mommies-to-be (there were 7 in attendance!) with raspberry and fennel.

Every detail was thought out with love, from handmade felt mobiles (which now grace Olive’s nursery) to a French Dr. Seuss book used as a guestbook (French is my second language).  Tables were covered with aqua patterned linens from La Tavola, and a custom game of “I Spy” was placed at each setting.  Decorations included cheerful centerpieces crafted by Kristin (a former florist) and DIY thumbtack and fabric-covered spheres.  {found} vintage rentals also created a cozy lounge for opening presents.

Guests traveled from San Diego to San Luis Obispo to shower Olivia! Michelle kicked off the shower by reading a poem (“The Love of a Mother”), and the formal meal was concluded with desserts brought in by my dear friend and another mama-to-be, Melody from Sweet and Saucy Shop. After the adorable gifts were opened, each guest departed with a bottle of olive oil (“Olivia Oil,” to be exact!) to commemorate the sweet occasion.

This was one of the most joyful days of my life (I don’t say that lightly) because being surrounded by the love of my favorite women, most of them mothers themselves, was truly a blessing.  Here’s some glimpses of the day courtesy of the lovely Jessica Claire…

 jose villa photo

To start, here are my 5 ‘golden rules’ of wedding budgeting.  I will expand on each below.  Remember, I am not your financial advisor.  My advice comes from the knowledge I’ve gained in helping 120+ couples plan their weddings, and assisting them in staying within a budget.  Your mileage is gonna vary depending on your determination to stay within a budget.  ;-)

1) Don’t go into debt for your wedding.

2) Establish a budget ceiling early on in the process.

3) Prioritize and conquer.

4) Be realistic.

5) Ultimately, only YOU can determine if you stay within budget.

First, don’t go into debt for your wedding.  I’ll keep this short and sweet. I don’t think it is worth it to go into debt over your wedding day celebration. It’s like your kicking off your new life together with a gloomy stormcloud looming overhead.  You don’t want to worry about how long you’ll need to subsist off ramen before your bills are paid off.  ;-)  Chat with your sweetie and make a pact that you will spend within your means on your wedding.  Trust me — you are saving yourself from a lot of headache in the end.

Secondly, establish a budget ceiling early on.  If you read my last installment of {the nuptial primer} on what to do once you’re engaged, you know that this is important.  Discuss who is going to contribute to the wedding budget.  It could be just you and your fiancé, your parents, your fiancé’s parents… etc.  Have a serious convo with each party involved and get an *accurate* and *specific* amount that they plan to contribute.  Sometimes well-meaning parents will say things like, “We’ll just try to get the best deals we can along the way.  Don’t worry about the costs.. We’ll figure it out.”  As sweet and wonderful as that sounds, they are not going to be happy when they quickly learn that your understanding of “a deal” is worlds apart from theirs.  Most people do not have an idea of what things in the wedding world cost.  I have heard people balk at the price of everything from photography to food and beverage minimums to flowers.  I know that I am jaded to an extent, having been desensitized over years of exposure.  ;-)  That said, this is why it is ESSENTIAL that you get a specific number from each contributor.  You want to know from the get-go how much you really have at your disposal in order to make those initial booking decisions.

Third, prioritize and conquer.  I always tell my clients that they need to create a list of their “must haves” and “could do withouts.”  Everyone has their priorities when it comes to their wedding. What is worth the splurge, and what is a definite ‘save’?  You and your fiancé should chat over this before any vendors are booked, and then book your vendors in that order.  Why?  Because if you know you MUST have that photographer, even if it means 25 guests in your backyard, you should know that up front.  If wearing that dress has been your childhood dream, then snap it up early on.  I have only ever heard brides lament *not* going with their “must have” vendors… No one has EVER told me, “Gee, I wish I had saved the money and used a cheaper photographer”… but I hear “Man, I wish I splurged on [insert dream photog here]…” ALL.THE.TIME.  If you aren’t into your dress, or linens, or whatever, then save those for later and you can book them with the money that is “left over,” per se.  Here is where I interrupt myself to highly, highly recommend that you work with a wedding coordinator/planner at this stage.  While I believe prioritizing is vital to happy budget spending, I also see many uninformed but well-intentioned brides spend 60% of their budgets before they realize that they still need a venue, food, and beverages… Oops!  This is where the next point comes in:

Fourth, be realistic.  I cannot stress this enough.  In order to work out a meaningful and useful budget, you need to know what things cost.  As aforementioned, I think the best way to get “in the know” is to work with an excellent wedding planner who can guide you from the beginning.  I cringe when I flip through a wedding magazine that tells a bride that she should spend no more than x% on this or that vendor.  What if your wedding budget is $30k, for example… and the magazine says dedicate 8-10% of your budget to photography?  Well, that amount won’t take you far in the saturated pool of talented photographers here in southern California, especially if this is a priority item for you (which it SHOULD be — more on that in another installment!).  That said, if you are having 20 guests, you have nothing to fear… You have plenty of room to hire a photographer for double that (or more) and still get the necessities.  If you wanted 200 guests, however, you may need to re-think the priorities.  Where you are getting married will play a huge role in how your budget is appropriated.  Obviously, urban markets like LA and NY have much higher prices in general.  An experienced planner can give you input as to what the “going rate” is for an awesome photographer, florist, DJ, cinematographer, etc. etc. etc.  Before you snub your nose at your proposals, make sure you are being realistic about the market you’re in.

And equally as important: be realistic about your expectations.  If you are reading wedding blogs daily, tearing sheets out of magazines, and pinning inspiration galore to your Pinterest account, keep in mind that many of these weddings may be out of the reach of your budget.  I get inquiries on occasion where a bride will say, “Can I get your source on those [insert décor item here]??”  or “How can I DIY the [custom stationery] you had for this wedding??”  I have to carefully and kindly reply that, well, that bride spent well over six figures to hire the best-of-the-best to create, build, make, and design those things for her.  Unfortunately, some things cannot be duplicated on a dime.  Disclaimer: I have done weddings for 22 to 600+ guests, and I have worked with budgets of $18k to $500k…  There is no price threshold for a beautiful wedding.  The key here is to remember that some things, however, do come at a cost.  If you’re obsessed with the work of a certain photographer that charges $10k and up, it’s important to remember that while that may be far out of your budget’s reach, they have clients who pay that much for their work, and it is well-deserved.  You can’t expect to find a $1k photographer who creates that level of work.  You can’t pull tear sheets from MSW to show your florist and demand that they recreate the look for a fraction of the cost.  Be realistic, adjust the budget based on your priorities, and plan the most personalized wedding possible.  <3

Finally, only YOU can make sure you stay within budget.   I feel like Smokey Bear typing that.  ;-)  It’s true, though — the way your budget pans out is up to you and only you.  Sometimes my clients will ask me, “Can you help me plan a wedding for 100 people for under $X?”  My answer is usually, “Yes, most definitely… but it’s up to you to stay within the bounds of what that budget will look like!”  I can create a custom budget based on a client’s priorities and available funds, but when they see *that dress* or *that photographer* or *that venue,* sometimes things get thrown out the window.  In some cases, the couple decides that it is worth going over the initial budget to secure this newfound vendor.  ;-)  Other times, they will have to pretend they never saw it and move on.  (But as I mentioned… that is easier said than done.  Limit your wedding blog/mag intake if you are easily sidetracked or swayed by what you see.  You don’t need to be a wedding masochist and pore over images that torture you!!  LOL)  When some clients say their budget is $50k, they mean $45k and they will whittle away at everything to make sure they don’t go a penny over.  Other clients really mean $75k, and they start to loosen the reins as they find what they want costs more than they expected. Be honest with yourself, discuss every expenditure with your sweetie, and sign contracts confidently.  At the end of the day, you need to feel GREAT about who you book for your wedding.

Whew!!  That was a ton of info, but I hope it proved helpful to some of you out there.  ;-)  Based on the stats I saw, I think these educational posts in {the nuptial primer} are quite popular so far.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and also learn what you want to read about next!  Thanks, as always, for stopping by.  

xoxo, Angel (who is 5 days away from her EDD!)

Everyone else — thank you sooo much for entering the giveaway.  I would still love to see you there and it’s not too late to get your tickets, so make sure to get ‘em while you can!  Whether you are engaged, soon-to-be-engaged, or just seeking inspiration, I promise you won’t be let down by this fab event.

If any of my readers out there are in attendance on Thursday, please make sure to stop by and say hello.  We’ll have some little surprises for those who come by our table.  ;-) 

I’ll be back soon with the next installment of {the nuptial primer}, so stay tuned for that.  Enjoy a marvelous evening!

xoxo, Angel (10 days ’til my due date…)

Hello lovely readers!!  We are thrilled to share that Love & Splendor will be at THE CREAM event next week on Thursday, March 1st!  This unique event is a one-of-a-kind curated wedding  showcase of fabulous vendors in the wedding world, all put together by the lovely ladies of Bash, Please.  We are honored to be a part of this event’s “crop” of vendors and share some inspiration amongst our peers!

There are endless reasons why you want to be at THE CREAM next week, but here’s our Love & Splendor top ten…

• Come visit us and our playful tabletop display!  We are thrilled about our unique collaboration with Heather, floral designer of Twig & Twine, and cannot wait to debut it!
• Get dolled up by the incredible ladies of Fiore Beauty, who are going to be doing lashes, lips and neon/metallic shellac nails at the event.
• Ogle over (and even shop for!) the artistic creations of one of my favorite wedding friends — Myra of Twigs and Honey.  Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge fan of everything Myra creates.  I’m sure you’ll find me buzzing around her pop up shop.  ;-)
• See some of the best-of-the-best in the wedding world, including some of our favorite vendors & friends — {found} vintage rentals, Braedon Photography, Sloan Photographers, Heirloom LA, Sweet Lucie’s, Casa de Perrin, and the aforementioned Twigs and Honey.  So many of our faves under one roof = guaranteed great times!
• Chat it up with some amazing bloggers like Jen from Green Wedding Shoes, Summer from Grey Likes Weddings, and the ladies behind 100 Layer Cake.
• Try Sno-Con Amor with us!  My mouth is watering over the idea of their sno cones made with natural handcrafted syrups.  With flavors like hibiscus, prickly pear, watermelon basil and pineapple with lime… I have a feeling one won’t be enough.  ;-)
• Watch a gorgeous fashion show by BHLDN.  Love this!
• Great food and drink from some amazing catering companies = nosh and nibble while you peruse the pretties.
• The Flashdance spinning tunes for your listening pleasure… and a dance-off where the winner gets a 3-night stay in PARIS — as in, Paris, FRANCE.  <3
• And finally — come take your bets on when I’ll go into labor (maybe that night?!  LOL) since I will be 39+ weeks pregnant!  Unless I’m in active labor, I’ll be there.  Live on the wild side with me.  :)

We are delighted to GIVEAWAY a pair of tickets to a lucky reader out there!!  To enter, let us know the top 3 things you want to do at THE CREAM (feel free to use 3 things off of my list above, or write your own!).  You have until this SUNDAY, February 26, at 9pm PST to enter.  The winner will be announced on Monday morning here on the blog!!

If you want to guarantee yourself a spot at this not-to-be-missed event, buy tickets HERE.  Cannot wait to meet some of you there!!

xoxo, Angel

For our inaugural post in {the nuptial primer}, I thought I’d start from the beginning: the engagement.  Your sweetheart has proposed and you are elated; the engagement period is one of such bliss and joyful anticipation.  Once you are engaged, however, I know the instant pressure from loved ones can bring on some serious stress.  You are bombarded with questions about when and where you will have the wedding, who’s invited, who’s not, what you’re wearing, what colors your bridesmaids will wear… and on and on.  I know how overwhelming the initial months of engagement can be.  Although the length of your engagement will vary, here is my advice on how to get down to wedding planning once YOU and your sweetheart are ready.

photo by our dear friend, hugh forte.  bouquet by the always amazing hollyflora.  consider this a sneaky peek of a stunning 2011 wedding you haven’t seen yet…

1. First and foremost, take some time to just enjoy the engagement.  Whether it’s a couple weeks or a couple months, don’t feel like you need to start planning immediately.  Of course, if you want to stop by Barnes and Noble and buy every wedding magazine on the stands on the way home from your engagement, go for it!  :)  Just don’t think that you have to hit the ground running once the ring is on your finger.

2. Determine a budget.**  I actually think this should come before you decide where the wedding will be or even who will be invited.  Why?  Because your budget is going to give you a reality check on what is really possible.  As with anything in life, it is important to have information before setting up your expectations.  I know better than to drive over to the Mercedes dealership to ogle at G-wagons when I have no means of buying one.  Likewise, before you write a list of 500 of your closest friends and pick the perfect private island for your fête, it is wise to first determine what you want to spend on the wedding.  If you and your sweetie are hosting, plan a chat to discuss an ultimate “ceiling” figure.  I tell clients (especially those who say they don’t have a budget, per se, and will just spend as they go on what “feels right”) that you NEED to determine an ultimate spending ceiling.  Without one, you are going to end up spending a lot more than you would have… If others (like parents) are chipping in to fund the celebration, you may want to politely ask if they can estimate the amount of their contribution.  It would be somewhat heartbreaking to receive an extra $10,000 after you’ve booked some vendors, for example, if you had *just* passed on many of your favorites due to an inaccurate budget estimate.

3. Start writing an initial guest list.  Now that you know how much you have available to spend, you can draft a guest list with your sweetie.  I always suggest starting over-inclusive and then eliminating from there.  Make sure to also check in with your parents to see if there are certain friends and colleagues that they’d like to invite (who you may not think of right off hand).

4. Begin the venue search!  There are many ways to research wedding venues far and wide.  Of course I love the site Here Comes the Guide, which is an excellent search engine for various types of locations.  You may also peruse wedding blogs and magazines, chat with recently married friends, or my personal favorite — contact a wedding planner and get signed up.  ;-)  I LOVE helping clients find their ideal venue.  A planner’s experience at many different sites will be helpful as you weigh pros and cons of each.  My clients will usually ask me about things like associated costs, hidden fees (if any), logistical concerns, etc.  Keep in mind that the venue you select may affect the ability of some guests to attend.  If you have your heart set on a destination wedding, for example, consider who (if anyone) on your guest list may not be able to make the trip (due to travel costs or mobility concerns, etc.).  If there is a VIP guest you need to consider, put that on the top of your venue search list before you fall in love with that out-of-state site.

5. Determine the date + venue + estimated guest count.  This all goes together.  :)  Once you have honed in on your favorite venue (or even venues), re-evaluate your initial guest list and determine if there is one site that is better suited for your approximate guest count.  Always OVER-estimate how many invited guests will attend.  As I tell my clients… once you invite someone, you can’t uninvite them.  If your site has a max. capacity of 100 guests, I would NOT advise inviting 150 and hoping that 50 will decline.  What if 110 (or even 102) RSVP?  You will have a very sticky situation on your hands.  Likewise, if you know your overall budget is approximately $500 per guest, you may need to pare down your guest list in order to be able to sign with the venue of your dreams.  Only you and your sweetie can make the call on what the priority will be (i.e. location, guest count, budget).  Once you rank those priorities, adjust the other categories accordingly and get your wedding on the calendar.  :)

**An IMPORTANT BUDGET NOTE: When booking the venue, you may be lost on how much to allocate for the site rental fee.  Some venues (e.g. hotels) may provide the site along with catering, some amount of rentals and staffing.  Other sites (e.g. private estates) charge you flat fees that include nothing but the use of the property.  Before you sign away half of your budget to the magical Napa vineyard you discovered (and find yourself left with barely enough to cover the remaining “necessities,” let the alone gorgeous details you imagine…), it is a good idea to create as complete a budget as possible.  I will write about this in a future post.  For now, let me simply say that many “budget estimate tools” found online or in books are not all that helpful or realistic based on today’s wedding market.  :)

And then… you’re off!!  Once the venue and date are locked in, you are ready to dive head-first into the wedding planning process.  I look forward to sharing lots more about that along the way in future installments of {the nuptial primer}.

Until then, I’d LOVE to know if you have any wedding planning questions for us to answer here.  :)  We will do our best to address them here on the blog for the information of all of our readers.

Thank you for stopping by — we hope your weekend is positively lovely!  What will the Love & Splendor ladies be doing?  Consultations with potential clients, some creative projects, and for *this* pregnant lady… practicing my patience as I await the arrival of little Miss Olive!  I will try to squeeze in a final pregnancy update on the blog sometime soon, but for now I’m focused on squeezing into what’s left of my stretchy wardrobe. LOL

xoxo, Angel