Sunday Supper Inspriation

Whether you are planning a dinner party amongst close friends or a wedding with hundreds of guests, Sunday Suppers is an excellent source of inspiration. With an emphasis on fresh organic dinners, they feature photographs from their Sunday suppers on their blog every week.

From menus to favors, the blog is loaded with ideas for throwing the perfect event.

Not to mention, every picture shot by Karen Mordechai is complete eye candy. Oh, and enjoy drooling over this Moroccan inspired dessert table by Amy Atlas.

With all that Life has to offer,

Sarah

The ABC's of Wedding Planning :: F stands for Favors

In the heed of this economy, many couples are looking to cut out line items and it seems that the guest favors are getting the boot. Let's face it, they are the most easily expendable line item on the wedding budget.

My thoughts are this; if you can’t eat it, experience it or donate it, then get rid of it.

If you are really adamant about having a favor for your guests think about other ways to give besides a dust collector. What about giving your guests an experience at the wedding? Hire a caricaturist to draw cartoon faces of your guests, build a s'mores station so the non-dancers take involvement, or open up an “art gallery” type display of childhood memories of you and your fiancee. These alternatives to a favor give guests an experience which is better than a gift they have to dust.

To learn more about the history of the gifts click here.

Locations :: Sun Devil Ceremony

Being a Sun Devil, I always look forward to going back to my old stomping grounds at the ASU Tempe Campus. During my last trip, I was reminded with how beautiful the Old Main building is; classy, elegant, and a unique wedding ceremony location. This venue is a local landmark being the first building in Tempe to be wired for electricity back in 1898 when it was built. Charming and nostalgic, Old Main can accommodate a wide variety of reception sizes with both indoor and outdoor areas, recent building renovations and gorgeous gardens.

Here is what Crystal and Brad from Wedding Mapper had to say about their ASU inspired wedding last April--

"Our wedding was perfect - there is nothing that I would change. The weather in AZ in April is awesome and we actually were really blessed with responsible and helpful vendors. It was a beautiful and sentimental spot since we met at ASU. I believe you have to be an ASU Alumni Association member to rent the place, however. And since weddings aren't their normal business event, there was a lot of planning we had to do from other vendors, but it was worth it for the unique location."

If you are interested in planning your own Sun Devil ceremony at Old Main or anywhere else on ASU's campus, contact Life Design Event Planning for more information.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Smart Bride :: Name Changing Tips

Image: Pro Corbis

Savvy Sugar has done it again, and provided a wonderfully resourceful slideshow on how to change your name post-wedding. Once you decide you want to legally change your last name, a smart bride should take the necessary steps ASAP to ensure a timely and accurate name change. If you have been to the DMV or any other public office, you know that dealing with these kinds of services can be confusing and timely!

So how do you know where to start and what to do?

Here is an overview of the steps to change your last name:

1) Obtain a marriage license

2) Go to the DMV with marriage and drivers licenses on hand

3) Go to the Social Securities Office-- you will need to: complete a new application, bring proof of citizenship, legal name change, proof of identity, & proof of old name

4) Update your records with your employer's HR department

5) Contact all financial offices you do business with-- banks, credit card companies, etc.

6) Obtain a new or updated passport-- visit the US Department of State's website for more info

View this slideshow from Savvy Sugar HERE for more information on this process.

Thank you, Savvy Sugar, for educating all the newly married brides out there!

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Meet & Greet :: Steve Madden

Image :: Epromos

Just like Heather, you too can have your shoes signed by the actual designer! Heather met Christian Louboutin, and now you too can have your own celebrity encounter. Come out and meet the famous Steve Madden on August 29th at the Fashion Square Nordstrom in Scottsdale.

Steve Madden, known for his oh-so fabulous and feminine shoes & accessories, will be making a personal appearance from 2-3pm along with a sneak peek at the upcoming season's collection, live music and giveaways at the event. Guests will be able to meet Mr. Madden, take pictures with him, and if you ask, I'm sure he'll even sign your shoe. (From his line, of course!) Click here for more information and to RSVP.

If only I had an excuse to wear these bright blue ruffly heels...sigh...

Steve Madden

Let's make it a girl's day and hit the mall for some retail therapy! Who's with me?!

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Two were Wed :: Heather & Ryan

Life Design Event Planning had the incredible opportunity of planning the destination wedding of the stunning Heather & Ryan last fall. I instantly connected with the happy couple and admired the love they showed for each other, and after months of wedding planning and spending time with them, my admiration for them continued to grow. They are so in love and it oozes out of their personalities for all to share. Such an amazing sweet couple.

All pictures courtesy of the amazingly talented and sweet celebrity photographer :: Rebecca Bouck

Heather, who I mentioned before, had her heels autographed by the designer himself, Mr. Christian Louboutin!

How many brides can say that?

Life Design Event Planning and the stunning couple were featured in the recent edition of Arizona Bride Magazine:

Here is the article by Editor, Kristin Bustamente of Arizona Bride Magazine ,which featured the details of Heather & Ryan's special day:

Like a fairytale, it seemed Ryan and Heather were meant for each other from their very first meeting. Before Ryan came to Heather’s workplace to give a presentation, her boss had already told her she could see the two of them together. On the night he proposed, Ryan first gave Heather a three-opening picture frame with two pictures of the couple. Then he told her he needed her help filling the third. He handed her another gift—a small box from Harry Winston. Heather thought it was a pair of earrings until Ryan asked for it back and got down on one knee. The couple’s wedding at the Royal Palms also seemed meant to be as each time they visited, they were approached by people who had been married there or attended a wedding there. And no fairytale would be complete without a glass slipper—or in this case, hot pink Christian Louboutin heels, signed by the designer himself.

Here is a shot of the cocktail hour at the spectacular Royal Palms Resort, Phoenix.

Check out the ceremony backdrop. It's Heather and Ryan's initials made custom from Wedding Graffiti. It was so easy to put up and pull down without damage to the wall but certainly make sure you do a test run before hand. Originally, we were going to put in in the reception room but let's just say that didn't work out.

(remember Courtney?)

Tables were named after cities that were "close to our hearts" and they shared with their guests why those destinations were so important to them.

It was a fantastic way to dish out the special memories of Heather & Ryan's traveling adventures:

Much of the design was around these custom made paisley chair backs.

We carried the design even to the placecards that Rikki from The Invitation Lady had custom made as well. Pretty, huh?

We used limes in the design too. It was an cost effective way to have that pop of color with those hot pink linens.

Using this birdcage it gave the guests a chance to place the envelopes for the bride & groom.

Hanging on the cage was a cute tag that noted :: "love notes for the love birds".

For the guestbook we opted for a "wish tree".

Each guest took a tag that stated, "My wish for the newlyweds is.." and wrote their thoughts, comments and wishes to Ryan & Heather.

Then guests hung them on these beautiful branches where Jeanne from White Poppy Floral draped with lush hot pink orchids and draped with ribbon.

Wedding Date: November 15, 2008

Photographer: Rebecca Bouck Photography

Ceremony & Reception: Royal Palms Resort & Spa, Phoenix

Reception Paper Products: The Invitation Lady

Officiant: From this Day Forward {Seriously, one of my favorite ceremonies ever. Jerry & Julie do a superb job}

Rentals: Tri-Rentals

Linen Rental: BBJ Linen

Floral: White Poppy Floral

DJ: Creative Touch Entertainment {I have to mention that Mike from CTE is an amazing DJ. Professional, courteous and excellent at his job.}

Ceremony Music: Allegro Quartet

Extras: Wedding Graffiti

Honeymoon: Maui, Hawaii

Wedding Planner: Cicely Rocha-Miller, Life Design Event Planning

I also asked Heather to answer a few questions about her wedding day and here is what she had to share.

Q :: How did you two meet?

A :: We met thru mutual friends where I worked.

Q :: What were your exact words when he proposed?

A :: YES! The rest is a blur!

Q :: What was the very first thing you planned for the wedding?

A :: The very first thing we planned for the wedding was Cicely!!

Q :: Was your Groom involved in the planning process?

A :: Ryan was 50% of the planning. I am so lucky!

Q :: What was your favorite part about designing your wedding?

A :: Our favorite part of designing the wedding was making it reflect the two of us as a couple and making decisions together!

Q :: What was your least favorite part about planning your wedding?

A :: Our least favorite part of organizing the wedding was trying to finalize last minute details while waiting to hear back from late responses and knowing how much we had to spend to reach the resorts minimum, but not knowing how many guests would be there was difficult.

Q :: What moment were you most anxious to go perfectly on your wedding day?

A :: Ryan really wanted the ceremony to go well. I was most anxious about having the moment where we saw one another before the ceremony to go well.

Q :: To newly engaged brides, what is one piece of advice you would give to them?

A :: One?? I would tell newly engaged brides to remember the reason for the day. It is to celebrate you two as a couple, and it is your wedding. And hire a planner - at the very least, for the day of. Let them handle logistics. You enjoy your wedding!! (and when the twentieth person in one day asks if you have set a date and you got engaged last night, smile and tell them you are enjoying the newness of being engaged and look forward to planning details like that). Oh! And choose the gown you like. And it's okay if you don't cry when you find it. A lot of brides don't cry, even when they find the perfect dress.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day and trusting me to be your wedding planner, Heather & Ryan. The Life Ladies and I wish you all the happiness in the world! You both are incrediable people and now my friends.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

Registering for Gifts?

If you're planning on registering for gifts with your spouse-to-be, but not sure where to start, here are a few guidelines.

• Narrow down your list of favorite stores until you have just a couple of them in mind. While it's great to give your guests options, registering at more than 3 places will leave you running all over town to make returns and exchanges after the big day.
  Image of Fergie registering at Crate and Barrel found here.

• Enjoy the hours you spend scanning product barcodes! It may just seem like another thing on a long list of to-dos, but registering for gifts gives you the opportunity to brainstorm life together, what your needs are as a couple, and your future together - cherish the moment!
  Image found here.

• Get the word out tastefully. People are going to find out where you're registered, either through word-of-mouth or from your wedding website, so there's no need to mention it on your formal invitation.

Image found here.

Happy registering!

With all that Life has to offer,

Sarah

Brides & Grooms in Bloom :: Amanda & Chris :: July 31, 2008

Brides and Grooms in Bloom

Taking a Look Back at Today's Married Couples' Wedding Day

Meet Amanda & Chris...


Q :: How did you two meet?
A :: We met at Rosie McCaffrey's Pub on Camelback. He was watching me from across the bar. Finally I went over and asked if he was going to buy me a drink. He did and asked me out on a proper date. The rest is history...

Q :: What were your exact words when he proposed?
A :: My first response was, "Hmmm let me think about it." Of course I was joking, I always have to make a joke.

Q :: What was the very first thing you planned for the wedding?
A :: We planned to get someone else to plan it for us! We were both working full time, in school full time and buying a house, there was no way we could do it alone!

Q :: Was your Groom involved in the planning process?
A :: Absolutely. He gave as much or as little input as I told him to!

Q :: What was your favorite part about designing your wedding?
A ::The food tasting. Picking the colors out. Picking my dress out. Getting my hair done and getting generally pampered.


Q :: What was your least favorite part about planning your wedding?
A :: The financial aspect and trying to make sure both families were happy.

Q :: What moment were you most anxious to go perfectly on your wedding day?
A :: I was anxious about the ceremony because it was outside and it had been raining all day. Even though it rained throughout the entire ceremony, I didn't even notice it!


Q :: To newly engaged brides, what is one piece of advice you would give to them?
A :: If you can, get a wedding planner. Even if it is just for the "day of" it takes so much stress away from the experience. Also, on your wedding day DON'T FORGET TO EAT THE FOOD!!!! I missed out on so much amazing food because I was too nervous and excited.



Photographer :: Rhonda Lewis Photography
Floral :: Fiori Floral Design
Wedding Planner :: Cicely Rocha.Miller of Life Design Event Planning
Venue :: FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale
DJ :: Ray with Ray the DJ
Linens :: BBJ Linen
Officiant :: From This Day Forward

Thank you Amanda & Chris for sharing your wedding details with us. I love the advice you gave to newly engaged brides; wedding planners definitely are here to make your special day stress-free and memorable!

With all that Life has to offer,
Cicely