Rustic Wedding
Last spring we were the event coordinators for a wedding here on the central coast in Templeton California! Summer and I helped the bride and groom design, create flower arrangements and coordinate the big day. Here are some pictures we hope you enjoy.
The bride loved succulents and had a picture of a bridal bouquet that she loved. We got our inspiration from there and expanded. An urn with a large bouquet was on each side of the door at the front of the aisle.
The boutonnieres and corsages were designed with succulents grown by the bride several months before the wedding, and the matron of honor carried a bouquet similar to the bride’s.
The bride walked down an aisle covered with rose petals. The ceremony was in front of the hacienda under the trees. The guests sat in a semicircle around the bride and groom.
The reception was in the back of the Hacienda overlooking the hills. Cocktail tables with simple centerpieces were scattered around the patio. We took three wine bottles, wrapped them with lace and green jute and filled them with roses and some fill.
Appetizers and desserts were served after the wedding. Brownies, cookies and wedding cake decorated the table under a pergola. A chandelier hung over the table. Tara Stumph did a fabulous job with appetizers. It was nothing short of spectacular! Hostess du Jour designed the dessert buffet.
The cake was a work of art done by Amanda Craner. The lace from the flower arrangements and succulents from the garden were used to decorate and the cake was displayed on the dessert table. Flowers were arranged by Hostess du Jour. Photos were taken by Summer Schmitz. And the special moments were capture by Ryan Lee Films.
Thank you Jason and Lina for allowing us to be a part of your wedding. It was so beautiful. You both did a great job planning and designing your day. It was a beautiful reflection of you both. We wish you a lifetime of happiness and beauty.
Bar Mitzvah
We were so privileged to be a part of designing the decor for a bar mitzvah. The family was so wonderful to work with and we had a great time. We wanted to create a fun feel and add some elements that were more masculine as well as make the decor personal.
What better way to say fun than three foot balloons! We were so thankful for the help from Ryan and his mom Nancy for all their help!
The stage was full of the orange balloons. AMS Entertainment provided music and lighting – sadly we didn’t get a picture!!
For center pieces we made fabric squares to add some color (thanks Candy!!). We filled 12 inch fish bowls with teal water beads. We wrapped the vase with ribbon that secured the balloon. Orange carnations and a few orange craspedia filled the top of the vase. We inserted a red wire to hold different pictures of the guest of honor from his childhood. We finally finished it off with a light in the vase to illuminate the beads.
The front table had mandarin oranges with a small teal pin attaching a thank you note for each guest. Pictures as well as some artwork helped decorate the table.
The bathrooms had a few small touches.
A big thanks to Piper for giving us this opportunity! We had a wonderful time and wish you and your family the best.
Alice in Wonderland Wedding
Another fabulous opportunity to plan an event on the central coast! What fun it was.
The wedding was held in a friend’s yard. We built a pergola to frame the ceremony site, placed chairs and staked old windows into the ground to frame the back side. The front side of the windows was white and the back side was painted purple. Flowers were hung by ribbons in mason jars at different places on the windows. The pergola was adorned with handfuls of fresh cut flowers and large twigs as well as a pink chandelier.
Hostess du Jour was in charge of designing and coordinating the event as well as designing and arranging the flowers. Multi colored flowers were arranged in each centerpiece while the brides each had one single colored flower that matched their shoes. The groomsmen’s boutonnieres and ties matched their partner.
The bride’s bouquet was a combination of all her bridesmaid’s flowers with a little Alice in Wonderland flair. The centerpieces were a combination of multicolored bouquets in giant tea cups as well as tall vases wrapped in black and white wrapping paper.
The tables had white napkins creating the striped effect as well as multi colored lanterns hung over the whole reception. PVC poles spray painted with black and white spirals held the wire over the whole reception. Programs, favors and invites all had the Alice in Wonderland theme incorporated.
Food was provided by Auten Boy’s BBQ and Catering in Arroyo Grande. Appetizers were served in the font lawn while the bride and groom took pictures. Food was in the back with drinks and dancing. Cakes were provided by KKs Bunt cakes in Arroyo Grande. Video of the ceremony and reception was done by Ryan Lee Video and photos were taken by J. Andrew Photography.
Thanks to everyone who helped, the day was a big success. The bride and groom were beautiful. Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you for letting us be a part of planning your big day!
Baby Shower
The latest event planned by Hostess Du Jour was an evening baby shower in gray and yellow.
Flowers were done by Connie Sparks and Hostess Du Jour. Thanks Connie for all your help!
Old windows were bolted together and staked into the ground. Pictures of the parents to be as babies were nailed to the windows. Comfy chairs for the parents to sit in while opening presents added to the family room feel.
Dinner for the event was served after 45 minutes of hourdorves. The food was catered by Auten Boys BBQ and Catering. Dave’s food, as always, was fabulous. We had grilled chicken breast, asparagus spears and shrimp topped with hollandaise sauce. The entrée was served with salad and rice pilaf. If you have an event to cater, Dave is a great choice! Favors were chocolate truffles in tiny gift boxes placed at each person’s plate. Toasts were made by the grandparents to be, and there might have been a few tears in the touching moments.
The cakes were BEAUTIFUL, not to mention delicious. The cakes were courtesy of Amanda Craner. Chocolate (she does the best chocolate around), carrot cake and a lavender cake with lemon curd. Absolutely divine! Amanda is amazing.
Amy Wellenkamp photographers took pictures of the new parents to be and created a “belly book” for everyone at the shower to sign. Everything Amy touches turns to gold. The book was a work of art. She is one of the most talented photographers in the area. Thanks, Amy!
This was such a fun event to plan. Thanks to all who helped. We could not do these parties without all of you!
Bridal Shower
Summer and I just finished planning another event on the central coast. The event was a shower for a bride to be. We set up in Summer’s back yard. The theme was rustic, outdoors. It was so much fun to do. Since I am writing the post I think I will start with the food. (I have a little problem)…
The event was after dinner, so we served hors d’oeuvres. Prosciutto wrapped caprice sandwiches, beets with goat cheese, pine nuts and balsamic served on arugula, brie and fig tartlets, shrimp cocktail and marinated asparagus and bell pepper (not pictured). For dessert we served homemade brownies and lemon bars. Drinks were served in mason jars – lemon-lime aid and triple citrus mojitos.
The food table was in front of a fabric draped frame. A large branch that Summer found in a fire pit served as a base to wire small white flowers to and hang candles in mason jars. The drinks were in mason jars in buckets of ice to the left of the table.
The dessert table had tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well as a basket with blankets for people who were cold. The same white flowers decorated the dessert stands.
An old mirror invites the guests to use a blanket.
The tables were set with white linens and burlap. Homemade mixed berry jam were the favors. The white flowers served as a centerpiece. Lights were strung and we were ready for the event!!
Lots of fun kitchen gifts to start of the new couple’s home!
Thanks to all that helped! It was a great night.
Ode to Summer’s Flowers
Just a short entry here about Summer’s new found talent. She has been sitting in on a floral design class on and off through the last year, and this last party she designed some pretty spectacular floral arrangements that I think deserve their own blog. So here they are!
The boutonniere and corsage were for the honored guests. The low arrangement sat on top of the cake display and the other two were on tables in the house. I’d say she gets an A+!!
