Simply Marvelous Weddings and Events Blog

An Invitation To The Most Anticipated Wedding Event of The Season

2010-02-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

Your Wedding Day magazine, inspiration for every bride, is opening the doors, taking brides and industry professionals on a first-hand tour behind the scenes. Experience the making of YWD as never before, with this special backstage pass event, be there live as the veil is lifted revealing YWD's visionary décor shoot. Doors open to the brides on Tuesday, February 23^rdfrom 6-9pm, and the industry on Wednesday, February 24^thfrom 6-9pm held at the new luxury private venue, Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 Vine Street, Hollywood, California. This comprehensive behind-the-scenes event will tantalize your senses as you experience live, in action, the final sets as they are captured for the pages of YWD's upcoming Spring|Summer issue. Be among the first to see the latest in décor trends and styling ... all in real time. Lights, camera, action!

WHEN & WHERE:

BRIDES BACKSTAGE PASS
Tuesday, February 23^rd 6 - 9pm
Taglyan Cultural Complex
1201 North Vine Street
Hollywood California 90038

INDUSTRY BACKSTAGE PASS
Wednesday, February 24^th 6 - 9pm
Taglyan Cultural Complex
1201 North Vine Street
Hollywood California 90038

RSVP by email to kate@ywdmag.com or phone 805.640.9242

WHERE:

Spread The Love This Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is the perfect day to spread the love not just to your significant other but among family, friends and co-workers. Send those special people in your life an inspirational Valentine's Day saying and let them know they have love all around them.

Here are some of our favorite quotes. Feel free to share them to spread the love.

"May this Valentine's Day be filled with love, understanding, and contentment as you journey through life with those you hold dear." ~ Darly Henerson
"Love, free as air at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies." ~Alexander Pope
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." ~Maya Angelou
"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and a richness to life that nothing else can bring." ~ Oscar Wilde
"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ~ Henry Van Dyke
"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" Lucy Van Pelt, in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz
"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." ~ Mark Chagall
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." ~ Kahlil Gibran
"Where there is love, there is life." - Mahatma Gandhi
"Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves."
Bible - Proverbs

Unique Wedding Idea: Upside Down Wedding Cakes - Defying Gravity

2010-01-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard of upside-down cakes. But an Upside Down Wedding Cake?!

A quick search via Google Images would return very limited images. Below are some of the of images that stood out. It’s a neat trick, it’s creative, and it’s definitely an eye-catcher. It’s amazing how cake artists make such a reverse, multi-tiered cake stand up without toppling over. It's an ‘engineering’ feat!

It’s definitely for soon-to-weds who want to make a statement. Cutting a slice would take some figuring out.

by Ally Cake Designs

by Piece of Cake Desserts

by Sweet Fantasies

Wedding and Special Occasion Jewelries For Rent

2010-01-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

The past year and a half has been pretty eventful. I got involved in a lot of interesting things that lead me to take a bit of unplanned hiatus from blogging. But I've been doing a lot of thinking and have gathered a lot of great ideas worth sharing so stay tuned for a lot of fun "wedding" things and blog-worthy events.

*************************************

Weddings can be very expensive and engaged couples often find themselves compromising on one element or another. Fortunately, there's a new trend in wedding rentals that's making it easier to save money while still having something spectacular, and that's by renting your jewelry.

We all know that many of our favorite celebrities' red carpet and magazine cover looks are loaned to them by designers. Unless you're famous, you probably can't swing a free loan but rental services can have you dressing like a star for a fraction of the retail cost. With services like Avelle and Adorn, you have the opportunity to wear fabulous designer and diamond jewelries for your special night - return it, and no one will be any the wiser.

AVELLE

Why buy expensive, authentic designer jewelries when you can rent them for that special moment you’ve been saving it for? At Avelle, you get trendy merchandise, steal the limelight, without burning a hole in your wallet. Avelle also carries designer handbags, sunglasses and watches. From top designer labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Fendi, Burberry, Kate Spade, Coach, and many more, you can now have luxury on a loan, or purchase them if you fell in love with your borrowed merchandise.

ADORN

Renting diamond jewelry for special occasions is an exciting new concept, and Adorn is proud to be the first to bring it to you. You could own these pieces, but why bother when you can embrace the variety and versatility of our diamond jewelry rental service. It’s smart to rent jewelry for occasions you care about the most and want to look your best!

Rhia & Joe ~ 8.8. 08 Wedding

2008-09-18T12:12:00.001-07:00

Photos taken by Forever True Photography

Along with good luck, 8/8/08 has a few other factors that make it a desirable day to get married. August is a good month for a wedding, since out-of-towners are more open to travel in the summer and there’s a better opportunity to wed outdoors. Also, when the numeral "8" is turned on its side, it becomes the symbol for infinity -- a fitting motif to represent the beginning of a marriage.

I am so pleased to be able to share these images with you before they go up on my website. They were shot by Forever True Photography at the lovely Castle Green. A big thanks to all the fabulous vendors, Nesly's Floral Design & Events, Matt Graumann Entertainment, Event Professionals , Lightbox Digital, Monet Salon, Porto's Bakery, my lovely assistants Cristina and Joanna, without whom... and I would like to wish Rhia, Joe and their families all the best....

Please enjoy!

Source: Chinese Weddings by The Knot

Venue Spotlight: St. Charles Borromeo Church and Calamigos Equestrian

2008-08-30T13:27:00.001-07:00

Photos courtesy of Louis Felix Photography

St. Charles Borromeo Church is a Catholic church and elementary school located at Moorpark and Lankershim in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It is one of the oldest parishes in the San Fernando Valley dating back to 1921. It has long been a parish with celebrity members and was the site of funerals for Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, and Robert Urich.

With over 53 years of experience in special event planning and catering, the Calamigos Staff will help in making your event not only successful, but unforgettable. Calamigos at the Los Angeles Equestrian Centers offers a secluded and beautiful venue centrally located on the north face of historic Griffith Park. The scenic Santa Monica Mountains provide a pastoral backdrop to this unique location. With its impressive ballrooms and garden ceremony sites, Calamigos at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center offers accommodations from 75 to 500 guests for weddings and receptions.

I was very fortunate to have been a part of Nini and Luis' wedding. It was a perfect day in June, the wedding of a wonderful couple. The ceremony was held at a magnificent church and the reception at a charming and elegant location. It was such an honor to have worked at this wedding. "Thank you, Nini & Luis, and Congratulations! And special thanks to Louis Felix Photography for the fabulous photos."

Sources: MyWedding.com, Wikepedia

Same Sex Marriage Legal in California!

2008-06-30T12:13:00.001-07:00

Photo borrowed from GayWeddingLA.com
e Legal in California! Gay Premarital Counseling

Gay Marriage Legal in California! Gay Premarital Counseling
By Rik Isensee

What an exciting development!

Shadowed, as expected, by a vote on the amendment to bar same-sex marriage in November. Starting with the first same-sex marriages on June 16th, there will be an amazing opening for as many couples as possible to create"facts on the ground" that will be very difficult to ignore. Even if the amendment passes, what will be the status of marriages that have already taken place?

And if we have thousands of marriages in the meantime, voters will discover that the sky doesn't fall, thus creating the same kind of momentum that Massachusetts experienced, where the legislature finally gave up on trying to amend the constitution to prohibit gay marriage.

Bringing this closer to home, some of the couples in my own life (in addition to those I've been working with) are very excited! Some are making plans to get married this summer.

Yet at the same time, the very possibility that we can actually get married brings up the question: Is that what we're ready for?

One partner might be chomping at the bit, raring to go--while the other still needs to think it through. Even though a fairly comprehensive domestic partners law has been in force here in California for some time, the idea of marriage nonetheless evokes a whole other level of commitment.

One guy's hesitation can be very unsettling to the partner who's ready to get married, who then questions what that hesitation means. I saw a similar phenomenon during the brief window of gay marriage here in San Francisco, when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the floodgates four years ago. There was a heady excitement, mixed with not knowing how long it would last--and a keen desire to strike while the iron's hot!

So despite the excitement of the current moment, I like to encourage couples to take a deep breath and really take some time to listen to each other's concerns. It's far too easy to construe any hesitation as an indication that our boyfriend's not really committed, when it may simply mean that there are some underlying concerns that still need to be addressed. Despite our enthusiasm, it's probably not the time to make all-or-nothing demands.

The prospect of gay marriage is a very exciting stimulus for getting in touch with our hopes, dreams, and desires. By listening and empathizing with each other's point of view, we can then determine how getting married at this particular time in our lives may (or may not) facilitate our goals for our own relationships!

Rik Isensee is the author of Love Between Men, and practices gay couples therapy in San Francisco. If you're in the process of sorting through your own readiness for marriage, click on Gay Premarital Counseling!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rik_Isensee
http://EzineArticles.com/?Gay-Marriage-Legal-in-California!-Gay-Premarital-Counseling&id=1264409

Check out this article on FAQ's in Getting Married in Los Angeles including obtaining licenses for same-sex couples and same-sex wedding friendly venues: DiscoverLosAngeles.com

Venue Spotlight: Riviera Country Club

2008-05-23T09:24:00.000-07:00

All photos grabbed from Andrea's blog

The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades is internationally renowned for it's private golf course where PGA plays with all the "big boys" every year. It's also an amazing venue for weddings and social events with a beautiful view, elegant rooms, fantastic food and outstanding service.

ABCGLA did it again - another fabulous networking event. Kudos to Beth of Beth Helmstetter Events and the rest of ABCGLA's Steering Committee, including "yours truly", for organizing this event. It was held last month at The Riviera Country Club.

Special thanks to all the vendors who showcased and contributed to the success of this event...

DJ for the night - Scott Topper

Delicious cakes by Nancy Kay and gorgeous floral arrangements by Flower Wild

Lounge furniture by AB Elements

Linens and chargers by Elegant Designs

Gowns by Amal of Beverly Hills

Flamenco Quartet by Leonard Neil Productions

Chairs by Chameleon Chair Collection

Brides.com donated a 6 month online advertising Raffle Prize

Official Photographers - Andrea and Tammy of Red Loft Studios

My Own "DIY" Floral Centerpiece

2008-05-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

I know it's nothing to brag about - it's nowhere near the caliber of a centerpiece by any of the most talented Floral Designers out there but here it is... better late than never... my own creation.

Back in March, I attended ABCGLA's Floral Workshop held at Jackie Combs Floral Design studio in Burbank, conducted by, no other than, the talented, Jackie Combs herself. The workshop was filled with hands-on fun to create our own floral centerpiece. Various tips and techniques, as well as the new trends in wedding floral design were also discussed. We even got to take our centerpiece home, as well as a little kit to help us with our own creations.

"Thanks, Jackie, for a fun workshop and for helping us create something so nice to share with others."

Grand Opening Celebration of the newest Alfred Angelo Bridal Store

2008-04-02T15:03:00.000-07:00

Grand Opening Celebration of the newest Alfred Angelo store in Rancho Cucamonga, CA on Saturday, April 5th, 2008 at:

11540 4th Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Meet their Designer Michael Shettel, let him help you choose the perfect look for special day and receive a signed sketch of your gown.

PLUS>>

-Meet BRIDES magazine Bridal Sylist, Lisa Jackson
-Wedding Cake Tasting with BRIDES featured Cake Artist, Reva Alexander
-Up-do's and Makeup Trials with Bella Creations
-Florals and Bouquet Trends with Pretty Little Florals
-Gift bags for the first 100 brides

Please call Tram, Bridal Specialist, at 909-247-9677 for an appointment to receive $100 your bridal gown. Make sure to ask for Tram in order to receive this special discount.

Santa Ynez - a Southern California Wedding Destination

2008-03-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Santa Ynez is nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara County's legendary vineyards -- the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, relaxing day trip or a romantic wedding. Located just a couple of hours from Los Angeles, you can drive into the breathtaking beauty of Santa Ynez for your romantic destination wedding via a scenic mountainous route. Beautiful weather throughout the year grace Santa Ynez; the mild climate and award-winning wineries that make some of the best California wines just add to the charm of having a wedding here.

My husband ,Richard, and I spent our wedding anniversary weekend in Santa Ynez last month. We had such a wonderful, relaxing, unforgettable experience.

We stayed at Santa Ynez Inn, a charming boutique hotel/inn. Richard and I are usually not "Inn" people. We prefer staying at "swanky" hotels but at the end of our stay, we were converted... Concierge assistance is offered for scheduling dining, wine tasting tours, shopping etc.; daily laundry/dry cleaning valet service is available; and nightly turndown is provided. A fitness suite includes a sauna and private massage room in addition to exercise equipment, but we opted for an in-room couple's massage (I could not even begin to describe how good it was).

We were served full breakfasts at the elegant parlor, afternoon tea and coffee, evening wine and hors d'oeuvres, and nightly desserts. The food was absolutely superb! Breakfast was a perfect day-starter, featuring a buffet of fruits, cereals, breads, juices, coffee and tea...followed by gourmet hot entrees served at our table. The evening hors d'oeuvres were more than the usual cheese and crackers, accompanied by excellent Santa Ynez Valley wines. And the evening dessert - tempting treats like those we've had in fine restaurants.

We snuggled into a 2nd floor room with balcony and king-sized bed, and it was elegant and cozy at the same time. It's a blend of Victorian and contemporary that includes some luxurious touches and state-of-the-art conveniences -- deluxe linens, comfy robes & slippers, gas fireplace, whirlpool tub, private balcony, TV with DVD player (needs updating), DVD's available for sign-out at the front desk, telephones with voicemail and dataport, individually-controlled thermostat, mini refrigerator with complimentary mineral water, coffee maker, iron and board, hair dryer, and piped-in music system. There's even a clock radio/ipod docking station so we were able to listen to our own music when we got tired listening to the classical music piped-in.

We loved, loved our stay. We're definitely coming back. And no, we didn't stay at the Inn the entire time.

Day 1 - had a delicious lunch at The Vineyard House Restaurant, situated in a historic Victorian house adjacent to the Inn. Walked around the quaint town of Santa Ynez, visited a few shops. Of course, we had to check out the Chumash Casino for a little gambling fun. Then dinner at Trattoria Grappolo. I had "Pizza Funghi" (Tomatoes, mozzarella, and champignone mushrooms), truly the best pizza I've ever had.

Day 2 - went to the quaint town of Solvang (about 3 miles from the Inn) and discovered , Vinhus, where we sampled some terrific wine and cheese and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Brad, The Wine Guy. Visited a couple of wineries in the area, recommended by Brad -- Foley and Melville, tasted their featured wines and picked-up a case and a half (to add to Richard's already full cellar)... We had the most amazing dinner at the Ballard Inn Restaurant. Each meal was finely crafted and presented, and everything I tasted (my selections and the stolen bites off of Richard's plate) was great. Excellent wine list, and the staff was well informed, especially as to the wine list. The atmosphere is nice without being stuffy or too formal.

Day 3 - On our way back home, stopped at Mission Santa Ines to hear Sunday Mass and for a taste of California history. And last but not least, we picked-up a dozen delicious Danish pastries from Mortensen's Danish Bakery. Can't leave Solvang without 'em.

Click on these links for more information about weddings in Santa Ynez and vicinity: Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country, Santa Ynez Valley Weddings, Santa Barbara Wedding Guide

"Dinner's On Us" Prize Drawing

2008-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

We truly enjoyed meeting everyone who visited our booth at the recent Glendale Hilton Bridal Show, Sunday, February 17th. Thank you so much!

We are pleased to announce that the prize drawing for our "Dinner's On Us" raffle took place at our booth at the conclusion of the show. Six lucky winners (1st Prize -$100 Morton's gift card, 2nd Prize (2) - $50 Cheesecake Factory and $50 PF Chang's gift card, 3rd prize (3) - $25 California Pizza Kitchen gift cards) have been notified by email. Congratulations to all our winners!

Once again, thanks very much to those who stopped by and took the time to enter the drawing.

Maita & Cristina, Simply Marvelous Weddings and Events

Marlou Colina and team, Bridal Hair & Make-Up Artists

Our special "thanks" to Elaine of White Flower Events and Flowers for providing this arrangement for our booth.

This day in history - February 20th...

2008-02-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

1872, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City... 1924, American socialite and clothing designer, Gloria Vanderbilt, was born... 1931, California gets the go-ahead by the U.S. Congress to build the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge... 1962 - Mercury program: while aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn orbits the earth three times in 4 hours, 55 minutes, becoming the first American to orbit the earth... 1998, American figure skater Tara Lapinski, becomes the youngest gold-medalist at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan... 2005, which happens to be one of the rainiest days in L.A.'s history, I married the man of my dreams.

Photographed during our pre-ceremony shoot, by Blendi Reynolds of Sun-Dance Photography at Skirball Cultural Center & Museum, Los Angeles

Bridal Show Exhibit - Sunday, February 17, 2008

2008-02-09T16:08:00.001-08:00

Come visit our booth (#45), meet our fabulous Wedding Planners/Coordinators and enter a chance to win prizes.

Bridal Showplace
Hilton Hotel - Glendale
100 West Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

This show is not to be missed. Meet L.A.'s leading wedding specialists, from flowers to dresses, from DJ's to registries to limos and honeymoons, you'll find it all in one location.

Purchase your ticket(s) online and save. Click here.

Looking forward to meeting you!

How to Select A Diamond Ring

2008-02-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: Henshall Photography

We see a lot of diamond rings. Big rocks. Small shiny ones. Special settings. Simple ones.
Glittering diamonds are on the hands of most of the brides we meet. Women do love their wedding jewlery and they wear it forever!

There are so many different kinds of diamond options these days. So when you make a major purchase like this for your Valentine's Day proposal, or any time, you want to make sure you have a little diamond know-how.

Here is some advice from the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) for buying a sparkler for your sweetie.

Decide what you can spend. A diamond engagement ring is a major investment and buying the best diamond you can afford is always good advice. With the expanding market for designer engagement ring settings, however, you should make an early decision about where your budgeted money will be spent: Would you rather spend more for a better diamond in a simpler setting or opt for a designer setting with a smaller stone?

Familiarize yourself with the basics. The four-Cs--cut, color, clarity and carat weight--describe the proportion of a diamond as well as other important physical characteristics which will effect its price. Understanding the basics will help you to understand the diamond's price.

Learn how to read a diamond grading report. All reputable jewelers sell diamonds with grading reports or certificates, which provide a third-party evaluation of a diamond and heavily impact its price. The grades should include measurements of the stone, carat weight, color, clarity, finish, polish, symmetry and fluorescence.

Article courtesy of Wedlok.com

Bridal Salon "Retirement" Sale

2008-01-28T11:39:00.000-08:00

A Time For Elegance in Los Alamitos is selling their entire inventory at 50% off. They still have over 1,500 dresses in stock (bridal gowns, bridesmaids, flower girls, mother of the bride). They carry all top designers, such as After Six, Alfred Angelo, B2, Bari Jay, Belsoie, Caterina, Demetrios, Forever Yours, Ginza, Impressions, Jade, Jordan, Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri, Mori Lee, Private Label, Sweet Beginnings, US Angels & more. They also carry accessories.

If you are interested, call and make an appointment at (562) 431-8461. Their current last day of business will be Thursday, 1/31/08. All transactions must be finalized by that date and all payments must be in cash only.

Don't miss this great opportunity!

Top Wedding Trends for 2008

2008-01-22T10:52:00.000-08:00

Brides will switch up their looks between the ceremony and the reception.
Steel gray will replace chocolate brown as the accent color.
White will make a comeback with everything from cakes to flowers. Wedding Web site The Knot says in recent years, it's taken a backseat to bold hues like hot pink, orange and purple.
Lush and luxe floral arrangements will be popular.
The Knot says food sample stations with cheese and wine will be trendy.
Vintage and vintage-style dresses and rings continue to be popular.
Get your wedding online where the bride and groom can socially network with guests who can help plan their wedding. The Knot suggests creating a blog for feedback.

Source: The Knot, a wedding Web site at www.theknot.com.

"These are just a few ideas of what is hot, but you don’t have to stick with the trends. Choose colors and elements you love and reflect your own taste and style. Have fun and create a look that is all your own."

So You're Engaged, Now What?

2007-12-26T08:59:00.001-08:00

By Lee Dobbins

Congratulations – you’ve gotten engaged! This is a great time in your life and should be enjoyed, but after the fun and excitement of showing off the ring, you’ve got some real work to do.

Getting engaged means planning a wedding and weddings are work. You can make this a bit easier by either hiring a wedding planner or eloping but either way you have some work on your own cut out for you.

First, of course you must set a date. What season do you prefer to get married in? Are you picturing a off the shoulder gown or long sleeved? If your gown is very important to you, this might dictate the season. If you are planning a large wedding be prepared to wait a year or more before being able to get the accommodations you want.

Once you have a date or time of year in mind, you need to coordinate the reception hall with the church to make sure they will both be available to you at the right times. Is the church more important or the hall? Whichever comes top on your list will be the place to call first. Find out what dates they have available in the month of your choice and work the other from there. Sometimes you may have to go back and forth to get a perfect day / time combination.

Once you have the date and reception hall worked out, make sure you find out what type of marriage “training” your clergyman will require. Some churches require special classes and you need to make sure you will be available to attend some time prior to the wedding day.

Ok, well that doesn’t sound so hard, does it? That’s just the tip of the iceburg! Now you must set about finding a dress, bridesmaid gowns, invitations, cake, photographer, planning the meals and choosing the guest list and seating. Of course, you will be working very closely with your parents and future in-laws and this is where the real headaches can begin.

If your parents are paying for the wedding, they may feel like they want some control over the event. What you want and what they want may be 2 different things. This is your big day and you should have everything you want, however if your gigantic wedding is only possible due to funding by your parents than you may need to compromise on some accounts. Take your parents aside at the beginning and discuss in detail what you want – let them know what is important to you and see if you can work out a way to make everyone happy.

Almost every future bride gets frustrated at times with the wedding planning, you want your day to be perfect and every little thing can seem a lot more important than it actually is. When you feel things start to get out of control, just remember what is really important – the you and your fiancée and families enjoy good health and happiness. With that in mind your day is bound to be perfect no matter what little things go wrong!

Lee Dobbins writes for many online ezines. Visit Engagement Guide for more tips on engagements and weddings
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins http://EzineArticles.com/?So-Youre-Engaged,-Now-What?&id=90297

Thank you!

2007-12-24T00:38:00.000-08:00

Of all the pleasures that the Christmas Season brings us, we most enjoy the opportunity to say "thank you" for your business and friendship and to offer our best wishes for the coming year.

Here are my girls, Nikki (16) and Dani (11), photographed by my friend, Marianne Lozano of Marianne Lozano Photography and MPetit Photography. "Thank you so much, Marianne. The girls had lots of fun at the photo shoot and the pictures are all fabulous."

FACCsfv Holiday Mixer

2007-12-08T08:13:00.001-08:00

Photos courtesy of Richard Miyake

It was such an honor to co-host, with Elaine Quadra of White Flower Events and Flowers, FACCsfv's Holiday Mixer held last November 28 at White Flower's showroom in Van Nuys. It was a very successful event attended by about 40 FACCsfv members, officers and guests including members of the media. Everyone enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres and dessert, fine wine and prizes. The "Speed Mix" game (same concept as Speed Date) was introduced for the first time, where everyone had an opportunity to meet and exchange business cards with everyone in attendance. It was a blast.

Don Ho, Executive Chef of Le Fusion provided the catering and Marivic Ayunan, owner of Helena Wirth Decorated Cakes provided the "yummy" cakes. Travel Diva, Maridy Masicat, Owner of Travel Style and FaCCsfv officer, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Kudos to Matteo Fernandez, owner of Mabuhay Media and officer of FACCsfv, for helping us organize this fantastic event.

Looking forward to the next FACCsfv Mixer in January.

Check out or new & improved logo

2007-12-04T09:32:00.001-08:00

This fabulous logo was designed by our good friend, Matteo Fernandez of Mabuhay Media Creative Network. We're very excited about it. Our website will be updated soon.

Please let us know what you think info@simplymarvelousweddings.com.

ACPWC Speakers and Showcasers Day

2007-12-02T22:04:00.001-08:00

Photos by B&G Photography

ACPWC Southern California Chapter had its Speakers Day and Luncheon last October 26, 2007 held at Hilton Long Beach. It was a fantastic ending to a week long class. Congratulations to all the new graduates and to our fellow members who received their well deserved certifications.

Some of the most reputable wedding professionals were featured as speakers and showcasers. Among them were B&G Photography, David Robin Films, Peter Merry, Bob Gail Special Events, Emily Rose Papers, Reverend Clint Hufft and Caroline Hallak.

I had a great time. Kudos to Marcia Vidal of Crystal Clear Weddings for a great job putting this event together. Unfortunately, I had to leave early due to prior commitments so I wasn't able to join the group photo session :( .

Venue Spotlight - Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd

2007-10-17T09:09:00.001-07:00

Fabulous photos courtesy of B&G Photography

Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard, is a luxury boutique hotel situated on seven secluded acres of lush gardens. Located on Sunset Boulevard, where serenity meets urban chic, Luxe Hotel remains a tranquil setting in Bel Air, less than 10 minutes away from the world-renowned Getty Center, upscale shopping and restaurants, Venice Beach & Santa Monica Pier.

ABC-GLA's Networking Event last August was held at this fabulous venue. It was indeed a glamorous event. Not only did we have a chance to experience the newly renovated pool-side event area but we were also able to sample decadent cocktails and gourmet cuisine. And some of the industry's top vendors showcased at the event: Troupe (Entertainment), Girari Sustainable Event Furnishings, Cake Crumbs, Nesly's Floral Design, Scott Topper Productions (DJ), Bentley Meeker (Lighting), B&G Photography and Pacific Pictures (Videographer). It was indeed a memorable evening.

Pink for October

2007-10-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

Banner by Meghan Gerc

In support of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, although our site didn't go entirely pink, we have added this banner to our Home, About Us and Contact pages for the entire month of October. More importantly, a portion of our sales in October will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Reception Venue

2007-09-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

By Jerry Leung

You will need to choose your wedding reception with the greatest care. In fact the reception venue is one of the most important items in your wedding planning. You will be staying there with your guest for no less than a few hours. The followings are some tips when you are selecting your venue.

Book as early as possible
You will need to book the reception venue as early as possible. For some popular sites, you will need to book a year in advance. It will be even more difficult to secure your plan if you are going to have your wedding on a Saturday. This is because Saturday is a more popular day for wedding. On the contrary, Fridays and Sundays are less popular and you can secure your plan relatively easier if your big day is on a Friday or Sunday. Some venues may even offer you discount if you book for a Friday or Sunday. Of course you cannot just think of money saving, you will also need to consider your guests. Your guest may need to leave early if your wedding is on Sunday because they will need to go back to their offices early in the morning on Monday.

Scale of your wedding
You will need to determine the size of the venue you will need for your reception. You may only need to book a small pub or restaurant if you are going to hold a small wedding. However, if you are going a have a wedding which is large in scale, you will probably need to consider venues such as the grand ballroom in a hotel. In fact I myself am an advocate of small weddings since you can enjoy the time with your guests. The intimacy is what I love. Of course the choice of having a large or small wedding is totally up to your preferences.

Parking spaces near the venue
One of the most important facilities you will need to ask beforehand is the parking space. Unless you are going to arrange transportation for all the guests, it will be inevitably that some of the guests will drive to your wedding reception venue. It will make the situation very complicated if no parking space can be provided.

Space for dancing
You should also make sure that there is enough space for you to arrange a dancing floor in your wedding if you want your guest to dance in your party. You may also need to make sure that there is also enough space to accommodate a live band, which you may probably hire in order to heat up the atmosphere of the wedding and make the guests to stand up and dance.

Visiting the venue beforehand
You should visit the venue before you make the final decision. If it is not possible for you to go personally, you may try to ask if friends or relative who can be trusted to visit for you. You cannot make your decision based on the images in bridal magazines or websites of the reception venues. These images and photos are usually retouched by software and it may look better than the actual venue. As a result you should try your best to pay a visit to the venue so that you can make sure the venue is something you want.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs unique Personalized Wedding Invitations. Besides, he runs a blog on weddings to share his ideas on items such as Vintage Wedding Gown. You can also find Indian Wedding Vendors from his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Leung http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-Choose-Your-Wedding-Reception-Venue&id=736324

Venue Spotlight - Westin Pasadena

2007-08-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of Harvard Photography
Westin Pasadena is one of my favorite venues for various reasons. Set in the heart of downtown Pasadena and within walking distance of historic Old Town, restaurants, museums, shopping, and the Pasadena Conference Center. This place is very hip, and much more like a W than a Westin. Complete with rooftop pool, and library lounge!

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with one of the nicest couples, Kristine & Caesar, as their wedding coordinator. Their wedding reception was held at the elegant and chic, Westin Pasadena. Their wedding was absolutely perfect and fabulous. Kudos to the staff at Westin.

Green Weddings

2007-07-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

By Dennis Estrada

The traditional wedding is expensive, extravagant, and elegant expense to the bride and groom. The bride and groom will pay a large amount to create an elegant, romantic, and fairytale wedding. Now, the green weddings are entering the multi-million dollar wedding industry.

Green weddings show the awareness and responsibility to take care of our environment. Green is also known as environment friendly, or eco friendly wedding. Green wedding theme inspires the guests, relatives, and friends to their part on the environment.

Use recycled gold wedding band. The fair trade stores may sell recycled gold for wedding bands. Antique shows, auctions, and shops may also carry some lovely wedding bands.

Arrive in style with smart car convertible. The smart cars use a fraction of fuel against the conventional cars. Organize car pools for the guests. The car pool takes several cars away from the road and pollutants away from air. Set the wedding ceremony and wedding reception at close proximity. Hence, the guests have to travel less for the next itinerary.

Ask for the print shop to use recycled paper for wedding invitation. The recycle of paper and plastic campaign are very successful. The environment conscious society is recycling more than ever. The recycled papers and stationary are now widely available. For a paperless wedding invitation, the bride and groom may consider online wedding website.

Rent, or borrow the wedding dress to friends, and relatives. Rent or borrow the wedding dress allows the wedding dress to be reused or recycled. Sometimes, the eBay sells wedding dress in good condition.

The digital photography gets as great as the real camera. The wedding photographers can get the same results with digital camera. The advancement in digital photography allows the bride and groom to screen unwanted pictures. The bride and groom digitally check the pictures to be print for copy.

Reuse the wedding flowers on wedding. The wedding flowers from church may be used at the wedding reception as well. The wedding flowers that are available locally and seasonally reduce the fuel costs to be burn to travel the wedding flowers. Try to use organic wedding flowers to reduce the use of pesticides.

Serve dishes on a reusable and washable plates, spoons, and glasses. Thereby, we reduce the amount of natural resources to go to waste. If it is impossible to use reusable and washable plates, spoons, and glasses, the easily biodegradable plates, spoons, and glasses are excellent alternative.

There are caterers who specialize in organic dishes. Using only organic ingredients, the chef or cook creates the appetizing dishes for the wedding reception to enjoy. The organic wines, spirits, champagne, beer, soft drinks, and juices will quench the thirst of the guests.

Toss only biodegradable wedding toss such as paper, nuts, wheat, and rice. The nuts, wheat, and rice will feed the birds, and squirrels.Go on ecotourism for honeymoon. The ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism. Experience the adventure local culture, wilderness, flora, and fauna. Ecotourism promotes recycle of biodegradable materials, efficient use of energy, and conservation of water supply, rebuild of forest, evaluation of local culture, reduction of waste, education of ecosystem, reproduction of endanger species, and reversal of global warming.

Dennis Estrada owns wedding advice, destination wedding traditions, and destination wedding etiquette website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Estrada http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Weddings&id=602572

BizBash Event Syle Show Expo & Awards

2007-07-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

I've had the privilege of attending, with my ACPWC colleagues, Marcia and Lisa, the first BizBash Los Angeles Event Style Show on Wednesday, June 27 at the California Market Center! I found it very informative and inspirational. The most creative event professionals in Southern California were gathered under one roof. With over 122 exhibitors, this show was packed with great ideas and resources. I was able to participate and really enjoyed the general session, "What's New, What's Hot and What's Now!" which was kicked off by former Governernor Gray Davis, and learned important tips in "The Greening of Events" session, given by Environmentalist and NRDC Trustee Elizabeth Wiatt. I also found the trend panel (John Campanelli of Classic Party Rentals, David Fischette of Go West Events & Mutimedia, Brent Bolthouse of Bolthouse Productions, Vanessa Gonzalez of Museum of Contemporary Art, Michael Gapinski of Along Came Mary Productions and moderator Alice Dubin of BizBash Media) focusing on catering, design, production, and entertainment very useful.

At the first Los Angeles Event Syle awards, all of the people behind the scenes at the best events of the year were recognized. Tina Brown was honored with the first BizBash achievement award for her contributions to the event industry.

I had a fantastic time. Can't wait to go again next year.

Photos borrowed from BrightRoom.com

Understanding Filipino Weddings

2007-06-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

by Lesley-Ann Graham

If you're getting married to a Filipino, there are a couple of things that you should know. Like the people themselves, their traditions are mixed. Most want to be married in church because of their religion, usually catholic or christian. They will also follow the dressed in white tradition and that the couple should not see each other before the wedding.

Filipinos tend to have extended family. Note that almost everyone is called tito or tita, even those not blood relatives. With that in mind, is it any surprise how many bridesmaids and godparents there are in their weddings? It is quite common to have more than 3 sets of anything in the entourage. It is a must for them that all immediate family be part of the ceremony, if at all possible, and no slight must be given. It is quite common to have your boss become a godparent because of this. Oh, and yes, the names of everyone in the entourage will be placed in an insert in the wedding invitation.

There is an interesting practice in certain regions of the Philippines with regards to the wedding dance. Traditionally, the couple takes their first turn on the floor together as the host encourages the guests to pin money on the clothes of the bride and groom (family and friends of the bride pin on the groom and vice versa). It is quite common for the host to turn it into a competition to see which side of the family will give more. They see this as a shower of blessings, for prosperity and to get the newly wedded couple off to a good financial start in their new life.

Expect to have a wonderful wedding of contrasts. If they have their way they'll give you a solemn and heartfelt wedding ceremony followed by a fun-filled reception that you'll remember all of your life with joy.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. Visit Lesley-Ann's wedding shop for some of the best wedding bargains on the Internet!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley-Ann_Grahamhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Understanding-Filipino-Weddings&id=220968

Interfaith Marriage - How to Plan an Interfaith Wedding Ceremony

2007-05-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

By Cori Locklin

Let’s face it – the world just isn’t as big as it used to be. As a testament to the earth’s seemingly shrinking waistline, more and more young men and women are finding true love outside their faith – and making it work. Yet no matter how progressive you and your families may be, the peaceful merging of two religions can prove an ambitious undertaking. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that love is the end goal, and get ready to celebrate a marriage made in heaven, er, make that two heavens.

Interfaith wedding ceremonies pose a few planning challenges. Here is some advice to get you started:

Do Some Soul Searching -If you’ve been neglecting your spiritual side, it’s time to get reacquainted. Assess your beliefs and the role you see them playing in your life. How important to you is it that your wedding ceremony reflects your religious background? How willing are you to compromise for your fiancé’s beliefs or family? Know your personal stance on faith and religion, so you can speak candidly with your fiancé and your families and make decisions accordingly.

Talk it Over -After you’ve come to terms with your own spirituality, you and your fiancé need to have an honest discussion about religion. Although you should have broached the topic at some point during your relationship, now a wedding ceremony and marriage loom, adding a sense of urgency. During your internal reflection, you may have discovered your own views altering a bit, and he may feel the same. Discuss together your values, and identify what traditions are most meaningful for each of you to incorporate into your wedding ceremony and marriage.

Invite the Families -Combining two sets of traditions while keeping the peace with both families can be tricky. Invite both sides to listen to your ideas and contribute their expectations for your wedding day. You’d be surprised how an honest group discussion can bring about solutions once deemed elusive. As the happy couple, you and your fiancé should be prepared to discuss openly your choices, but you should also be receptive to their viewpoints. Be honest, open and supportive, and make sure that your ceremony plans are agreeable (or at least livable) for everyone.

Get the Right Officiant(s) -While many officiants do not perform interfaith weddings – or only do so with restrictions – just as many specialize in interfaith wedding ceremonies. If either of you has a relationship with the clergy at your respective place of worship, consult with that him or her first. Even if your clergy is unable to perform the service, he or she should be able to evaluate your situation with an open mind and make suggestions and recommendations. Many religious and interfaith organizations maintain lists of clergy who will officiate at interfaith ceremonies. You will also find a valuable resource in your local newspaper’s wedding announcements. Search for the names of officiants who have conducted interfaith ceremonies.

Get Counseled -Counseling sessions, often recommended before a wedding regardless of the couple’s religion, offer a good opportunity for a bride and groom to not only learn about the other's faith, but also to consider ways to merge traditions or celebrations during the ceremony. Since religion won’t disappear after your wedding day, counseling sessions also offer insight to other situations that may arise in your marriage, including raising children.

Plan a Fusion Ceremony -Consult your officiant(s) and families for advice in designing a ceremony that incorporates both faiths and cultures. Determine which customs are personally significant, and select rituals and readings together. Continue this blending of cultures into the reception, and design a menu of personalized fusion cuisine – think egg rolls with a side of Spanakopita.

Reassure the Family -As your wedding plans unfold, remember to pause from time to time and check in with your families, especially if the news of an interfaith wedding was an initial shock for either side. Continue to keep them involved and informed throughout the planning process. Spend quality time together, and if logistics allow, plan some group get-togethers.

Reassure Yourselves -Along those lines – don’t forget to reassure each other along the way, as uncertainty can creep in with potential roadblocks and planning challenges. Don’t stress that you’re losing your religion, because your not. Remember to always keep the focus on the marriage of two people in love, and rejoice that you now have two great traditions from which to draw your spiritual inspiration. Delight in a spiritually rich life and future to come!

For more ideas and inspiration for your wedding ceremony, visit Elegala.com's complete wedding ceremony planning guide.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today's wedding trends and styles.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Locklinhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Interfaith-Marriage---How-to-Plan-an-Interfaith-Wedding-Ceremony&id=238375

Thank you for your support!

2007-05-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Simply Marvelous Weddings opened its virtual doors in 2005 and for two years has endured the ups and downs associated with new business ownership. Holding on to an existing "day job" was an unfortunate reality that was necessary from the start. It not only underwrote the business’s expenses but also served as a safety net if things didn’t work out.

I am proud to announce that Simply Marvelous Weddings is finally in a position to hold its own. For the first time since its inception, I have been able to quit my 18 year career in the Mortgage Industry and devote my working day to the coordination of Southern California weddings and events.

Not only have I been met with great success as of late, but have expanded the planning of weddings and events to include Filipino and Catholic weddings, an area in great need of professional coordinators. To facilitate this new niche, I joined the SFVFACC (San Fernando Valley Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce) and was an exhibitor in the first annual Philippine-Los Angeles Wedding Expo, held last April in Pasadena.

Constantly looking for ways to hone my craft, I completed the necessary certification course that entitled me to become a member of The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC), as well as Professional Bridal Consultant status with the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).

Bookings for the 2007-2008 wedding season are underway and the calendar is filling up fast! Simply Marvelous Weddings has expanded its product lines to include Ovation Chocolates and Carlson Craft invitations and stationery. New gallery pages have been added to the website with recently coordinated weddings. This new BLOG has been set up and is now available to accept your comments and questions.

I invite you to visit Simply Marvelous Weddings and Events to discover the exciting changes and additional product lines. Share your thoughts in this BLOG or email me directly with any ideas. I would love to hear from you!

Following your dream can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. But, in the end, it’s well worth it. Thanks for your continued support in getting Simply Marvelous Weddings and Events off the ground!

Personalize Your Wedding With Customs and Traditions

2007-02-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

By Maita Henson Miyake, Owner of Simply Marvelous Weddings and Events

No two weddings are ever alike! From color and cuisine, to religion, music, jewelry, flowers, fabrics, rituals and vows, each is influenced by customs and traditions, either borrowed from specific ethnic cultures or created within the family and passed down through generations.

In America, the great Melting Pot, ethnic weddings abound. Although traditional American weddings favor a long white gown for the bride and a honeymoon paid for by the groom’s parents, marrying couples may choose to blend their own ethnic influences to create a more individualized wedding celebration.

While some cultural traditions favor simplicity over extravagance, in many societies, money dictates the level of luxury the marrying couple will enjoy. And each celebration has its own icons for love, purity, commitment, fertility, prosperity, health, and more.

The day a couple exchanges vows is a magnificent moment replete with ceremonial splendor! When planning your wedding rituals and festivities, borrow from Old World traditions to customize your special day.

Mexican

Lasso – A rosary or white ribbon is wrapped around the couples’ necks to symbolically represent their union
Thirteen Gold Coins – The groom traditionally presents this gift to the bride after they have been blessed by the priest
Guests toss red beads on the bride and groom as they exit the church
The first dance at the reception is celebrated by all guests holding hands and forming the shape of a heart, with the bride and groom in the center
Piñata – Popular at many wedding receptions, this paper maché heart or animal shaped container is filled with candy and hung from the ceiling. Later in the celebration children swing a bat and try to break open the piñata.

Filipino

Bride wears the traditional all-white wedding gown and the groom wears the traditional barong, a transparent button-up shirt worn by Filipino men during special occasions
In honor of their Catholic heritage and respect of the solemn occasion, the Bride holds an heirloom rosary with the bouquet during the Nuptial Mass.
Sponsors are present to witness the union of the couple. The sponsors symbolize guidance and support - a group of individuals that the couple can refer to in time of need.
While some of these sponsors have a "silent" participation during the wedding ceremony, three sets of sponsors play active roles to assist in the wedding candle, veil and cord ceremonies held during the Nuptial Mass. Such sponsors are more commonly know as “secondary sponsors”.
Some couples incorporate a “money dance” at the reception where guests pin bills on either the Bride and Groom in return for a chance to dance with them.

Jewish

Wedding day cannot take place on the Sabbath, unless after sunset
Both sets of parents escort bride and groom down the aisle
Yamulkes (small white caps) are worn by all Jewish male wedding attendants, including the rabbi and groom
Huppah – Canopy under which the bride and groom recite their vows as a substitute for the altar
At the reception, the groom crushes a piece of cloth-covered glass with his shoed foot to indicate life’s delicacy
Hora – Dance performed at reception while the bride and groom are lifted in tall-backed chairs high above the crowd’s heads and share either end of a handkerchief

Irish

Bride’s wedding ring is the “Claddagh”, two hands holding a heart with a crown. The direction of the hands as worn on the woman’s ring finger indicate her marital status
Bride’s wedding gown is traditionally blue with hair worn in long braids
Traditionally, the bride and groom walk to the church and exchange wedding vows
Irish jigs during reception include a dance that carries the groom over the wedding guests

Greek

Engagement begins with the exchange of rings in front of friends and family
Ceremony normally takes place on Sunday
Starting the Leaven – On the Wednesday prior to the wedding day, a boy and girl sieve flour while onlookers throw coins of good luck
Filling the Sacks – On the Friday prior to the wedding day, the bride’s mother places a copper pan in a sack to which the bride adds her personal possessions
Wedding procession begins at the bride’s home indicated by the raising of a red flag
Kalamantiano – Traditional Greek dance performed at reception
Wedding rings are worn on right hands
Vows are not exchanged
After the ceremony, the bride throws a piece of iron onto the groom’s house while the red flag is once again raised

Italian

After the ceremony, the bride and groom together saw apart a log, normally located in the village center, to indicate the hard work they are willing to contribute during their married lives
Tarantella – Traditional Italian dance performed at reception
"evviva gli sposi" – Translated as, “hurray for the newlyweds”, often shouted during the reception causing a great deal of excitement

Chinese

Bride wears red wedding dress, either one-pieced or two, with phoenix-crown headdress and red veil, carrying orchids
Groom wears black silk coat over dark blue dragon robe, black hat, and red tassels
Firecrackers are used when the bride arrives to scare off evildoers
Vows are exchanged on an altar decorated with red candles, roast pigs, and fowl. Sipping wine from cups tied together with red string while crossing arms, the bride and groom state their intentions
Sweet tea is served to each new relative

Korean

Traditionally, men delivering gifts to the bride’s home on the eve of the wedding adorned blackened faces using squid’s ink; more recently, gifts are presented at restaurants and bearers spare no expense!
Bride wears lime-green wonsam and “flower robe”, decorated with flowers and butterflies, with black cap, white socks, and embroidered shoes
Yonji Konji – Large red circles are drawn on the bride’s face to ward off evil spirits
Groom wears dark green damask with golden symbols and tall black silk cap
Groom presents a live goose to the bride as a symbol of fidelity; recent traditions have used a wooden goose instead
The bride and groom sip wine from separate cups and then, after wine has been mixed together, share and sip again

Hindu

Bride normally wears a white and red sari, ornamented in gold, with optional flower headdress
Groom also wears white with gold threads, including a loose, long-sleeved shirt that is not tucked in; Some grooms may wear a sarong with optional flower headdress
Both bride and groom wear knee-length flower garlands made of roses and marigolds
Mandap – Canopy under which wedding ceremony is held
Metal pot filled with coins is used to shake in front of groom to keep him alert
Kanyadaan – The couple’s feet are washed in milk and water for purification
Hastamelap – “Joining of the Hands” – Bride and groom’s right hands are placed together while holy scripture verses are chanted
Bride stands on stone to signify faithfulness in marriage
Many other traditions consistent with Hindu culture

African-American

Drums were traditionally an important part of the wedding ceremony
Rituals that involve the forming of lines and then changing places are consistent with the style of the African-American wedding
Jumping the Broom – A symbol of the bride’s willingness to assist with family duties, any variation of this theme where the couple jumps over a broom can be seen today
Cowrie shells – Decorative accents found off the coast of West Africa, these are worn as bridal jewelry, fabric trimming, and headpiece ornamentation

Japanese

Yunio – Ceremony that marks the sealing of the couple’s engagement with symbolic gifts presented in rice paper
Bride wears all-white silk wedding kimono with hair worn up and veil-covered face painted creamy white
Bride and groom take nine sips of sake, becoming husband and wife after the first sip
Brocade wedding kimono, poetry reading, parents provide gifts for all guests, place setting ornaments at each place setting instead of centerpieces