It's the first Friday of the month and that means that it is my favorite day here at SMP California. That's because today's the day we let Valley & Co. take the reins and bring their never-ending knowledge of all things weddings to our pages. Aleah and Nick can help you out whether you have just started planning or are in the thick of things so make sure you leave a comment below with your event planning questions!
Valley + Co. picked three of your questions from last month's post and here are their wonderful words of wisdom! Don’t forget to leave your question in the comments below!
Q + A with Valley & Co.
The question that keeps coming back for me and my fiancé is; what kind of theme or feeling do we really want on our wedding day? We are torn between formal and in a downtown hotel like the Fairmont or something that's outdoors and open and more relaxed. How do you recommend deciding and even dressing up an outdoor wedding to make it more formalized without looking out of place?
Ah. Possibly the most popular question we get from our couples! The feeling, or experience, you want to emit on your wedding day is the key to how the guests will feel, the memories you’ll keep, and the photos you’ll look back on. Every detail will go into this beautifully painted picture: from the venue to your cocktail selection, your place setting adornments, to your color story and your attire.
While a downtown hotel location can certainly set the tone for a more formal soiree, you could also dress it down a bit to combat any stuffiness. Think about bringing in upbeat, unexpected entertainment or breezier linens and casual place settings mixed with gorgeous beaded glassware and lush centerpieces. My mixing and matching you could certainly dress down a formal location to be comfortable and you.
Now dressing up a more casual locale is one of our more favorite challenges. We’re so lucky to design in various Southern California desert and beach settings, Washington wineries and oceanfront beaches, as well as gorgeous tropical destination locales. Consider an outdoor location a blank canvas. There will be no walls to drape or light, no carpet to cover or work with, and only natural features that you can run with.
When finding the perfect outdoor location be sure that the setting suits you. Do you both enjoy the mountains or the beach? Perhaps a lakeside wedding or an oceanfront bash tickles your wedding fancy. Once you’ve both gelled on that atmosphere designing elements that flow well and compliment the outdoors, while being more formal, will fall into place. {We should note: with any outdoor location please, please be sure that there is an indoor back-up plan should there be inclement weather}.
Formalizing such a location can best be done with finishing touches. Anchor your tables with sweet and airy cotton or hemp linens and top with a deluxe aisle runner in lace or with beaded accents and crystal votive holders.
Mark place settings with specialty chairs {gold chivaris, ghost chairs, or stark white architectural-inspired chairs will have the perfect touch} and deck out each setting with patterned napkins or napkin rings in metallic tones. Slip in sprigs of rosemary or an herb that compliments your menu and finish with a menu hand-calligraphed for each guest. Formalize the place settings by setting each one properly – with all of the accoutrements like water goblets, champagne flutes, and red and white wine glasses and cutlery. Mark with a decorative charger and you definitely set a formal tone.
Think about literally jazzing things up with a jazz trio or a band to play for your guests during dinner. Bring in a checked black-and-white floor for a nod to a vintage era but also keep it light with an ice cream cart or gelato station. It’s all about complimenting formal accents with simpler, casual flourishes when using Mother Nature’s setting.
Our wedding is at a family friend's private ranch. We plan on hiring shuttle buses to pick guests up at the hotels (2 to be exact) to bring them to the ranch. How do I begin scheduling the bus stops before the ceremony and during/at the end of the reception? Our ceremony will start at 530, cocktail hour 630-730, reception 730-1030/11. Help?!?
Plotting out transportation timelines for your wedding is almost like a science. You must consider that some guests will be late, making the shuttle wait, some guests will be early, and some guests will want to come and go post-reception at different times. Not to mention, you need to know about road closures and account for traffic and drive time. The key is to making sure that no guest is left behind and that the shuttles arrive at your ceremony well in advance.
Will both of the shuttles fit all of your guests in one trip?
If so, we’d recommend having the shuttles deliver your guests to your ceremony at 5:00 pm. This will give ample time for them to unload the shuttles, sign a guest book, mingle, and then find their seats before the processional begins. We would definitely recommend welcoming them with some sort of seasonal drink. Think: lemonade with a rosemary sprig, a flute of sparkling water with blueberries, or bottled water and fresh fruit to nibble on.
If both of the shuttles will not hold all of your guests, then you will need to stagger. Have one start pickup at one of the hotels at about 4:30 – and see if you can arrange for this shuttle to carry immediate family and maybe snap photos with them prior to the ceremony to both save time and to also ensure they’re not waiting around for too long. While that shuttle is out you can have the second pick up shortly thereafter. The point is you want to have two en route at the same time so there’s a nice flow.
You can likely get away with sending the shuttles off for a couple of hours during dinner {check with them: some will cut you a break if they’re not driving, but some companies might still charge you for this time if they have minimums}. As older guests might want to retire after dinner or your first dance, make sure that one is on site at all times when the other is in motion.
Utilizing both of the shuttles throughout the evening will keep the flow of the wedding smooth, down to when the last guest is dropped off at their hotel for the night.
Ah. Possibly the most popular question we get from our couples! The feeling, or experience, you want to emit on your wedding day is the key to how the guests will feel, the memories you’ll keep, and the photos you’ll look back on. Every detail will go into this beautifully painted picture: from the venue to your cocktail selection, your place setting adornments, to your color story and your attire.
While a downtown hotel location can certainly set the tone for a more formal soiree, you could also dress it down a bit to combat any stuffiness. Think about bringing in upbeat, unexpected entertainment or breezier linens and casual place settings mixed with gorgeous beaded glassware and lush centerpieces. My mixing and matching you could certainly dress down a formal location to be comfortable and you.
Now dressing up a more casual locale is one of our more favorite challenges. We’re so lucky to design in various Southern California desert and beach settings, Washington wineries and oceanfront beaches, as well as gorgeous tropical destination locales. Consider an outdoor location a blank canvas. There will be no walls to drape or light, no carpet to cover or work with, and only natural features that you can run with.
When finding the perfect outdoor location be sure that the setting suits you. Do you both enjoy the mountains or the beach? Perhaps a lakeside wedding or an oceanfront bash tickles your wedding fancy. Once you’ve both gelled on that atmosphere designing elements that flow well and compliment the outdoors, while being more formal, will fall into place. {We should note: with any outdoor location please, please be sure that there is an indoor back-up plan should there be inclement weather}.
Formalizing such a location can best be done with finishing touches. Anchor your tables with sweet and airy cotton or hemp linens and top with a deluxe aisle runner in lace or with beaded accents and crystal votive holders.
Mark place settings with specialty chairs {gold chivaris, ghost chairs, or stark white architectural-inspired chairs will have the perfect touch} and deck out each setting with patterned napkins or napkin rings in metallic tones. Slip in sprigs of rosemary or an herb that compliments your menu and finish with a menu hand-calligraphed for each guest. Formalize the place settings by setting each one properly – with all of the accoutrements like water goblets, champagne flutes, and red and white wine glasses and cutlery. Mark with a decorative charger and you definitely set a formal tone.
Think about literally jazzing things up with a jazz trio or a band to play for your guests during dinner. Bring in a checked black-and-white floor for a nod to a vintage era but also keep it light with an ice cream cart or gelato station. It’s all about complimenting formal accents with simpler, casual flourishes when using Mother Nature’s setting.
Our wedding is at a family friend's private ranch. We plan on hiring shuttle buses to pick guests up at the hotels (2 to be exact) to bring them to the ranch. How do I begin scheduling the bus stops before the ceremony and during/at the end of the reception? Our ceremony will start at 530, cocktail hour 630-730, reception 730-1030/11. Help?!?
Plotting out transportation timelines for your wedding is almost like a science. You must consider that some guests will be late, making the shuttle wait, some guests will be early, and some guests will want to come and go post-reception at different times. Not to mention, you need to know about road closures and account for traffic and drive time. The key is to making sure that no guest is left behind and that the shuttles arrive at your ceremony well in advance.
Will both of the shuttles fit all of your guests in one trip?
If so, we’d recommend having the shuttles deliver your guests to your ceremony at 5:00 pm. This will give ample time for them to unload the shuttles, sign a guest book, mingle, and then find their seats before the processional begins. We would definitely recommend welcoming them with some sort of seasonal drink. Think: lemonade with a rosemary sprig, a flute of sparkling water with blueberries, or bottled water and fresh fruit to nibble on.
If both of the shuttles will not hold all of your guests, then you will need to stagger. Have one start pickup at one of the hotels at about 4:30 – and see if you can arrange for this shuttle to carry immediate family and maybe snap photos with them prior to the ceremony to both save time and to also ensure they’re not waiting around for too long. While that shuttle is out you can have the second pick up shortly thereafter. The point is you want to have two en route at the same time so there’s a nice flow.
You can likely get away with sending the shuttles off for a couple of hours during dinner {check with them: some will cut you a break if they’re not driving, but some companies might still charge you for this time if they have minimums}. As older guests might want to retire after dinner or your first dance, make sure that one is on site at all times when the other is in motion.
Utilizing both of the shuttles throughout the evening will keep the flow of the wedding smooth, down to when the last guest is dropped off at their hotel for the night.
We found out we are pregnant, so we're looking to speed up the process a bit faster than we had originally intended. As of now we have the idea of renting a villa in Sonoma County that family can also stay at, have a small family ceremony on Friday with either a catered dinner or dinner out. Our thought is to then have a Cocktail Reception for close our friends/family (84) on Saturday. We're looking at May/June, would it be better to have an afternoon party? Would a photographer split time between Friday and Saturday?
Well, congratulations! What exciting news! Planning a more intimate ceremony and celebration can be a sweet nod to your families and the perfect way to really enjoy a very special time with your nearest and dearest, no matter what your pressing situation. But given that you want to speed up the process keeping things smaller sounds like the perfect fit. Try thinking of your wedding celebration as a weekend-long celebration and time it out accordingly so that you have ample time to celebrate with everyone you’re inviting, just in different settings.
A Friday ceremony and intimate dinner either at your villa or at a Sonoma winery or local restaurant would be dreamy: think of it as a true family experience and plan out a lingering family-style menu so you and your guests that evening can really enjoy each other’s company in such an intimate setting. Treat your guests to a thoughtful menu with local seasonal fare and deliciously paired wines {sorry, we know you can’t enjoy!}. Make this night about love and family and celebration of you and your fiancé on this new adventure.
For Saturday’s fête begin a bit later if you’re envisioning a cocktail reception. Be sure that your guests are aware dinner is not to be expected. Treat them to an equally lovely celebration, but change things up with stations for food: California cuisine, fresh grilled veggie displays, a wine tasting, and sweets treats would be perfect to keep everyone satisfied. Beginning at 7:30 pm would allow for your guests to eat prior and come knowing they’ll be noshing on small bites through the evening. A live musician like a mandolin player or guitarist would be an elegant touch to the night.
You could also schedule Saturday’s event to take place in the afternoon but we would recommend doing something a lighter and going easier on the cocktails. You could host a luncheon that’s relaxed and have a caterer serve up dressed up gourmet sandwiches {think a French bistro feeling} and fresh salads and carving stations. The key here will be to think about what you want to occur: do you envision dancing and celebrating into the evening? If so, we’d say set the tone by planning plan an evening cocktail celebration that will encourage guests to stay and enjoy.
In terms of a photographer, most will likely not split their time between two days as you’d technically be booking two separate days and events. However, many would be happy to come up with a wonderful package for the weekend to give you the most value. We see the photographers we work with do this all the time for our weekend-event clients – talk to them about covering the special moments both days and know that you’ll likely need to cover their lodging, transportation, and meals.
Thank you Aleah + Nick for once again bringing your fresh perspective to SMP California! Remember, if you want Aleah + Nick to help you with a pesky wedding planning problem please leave your question below!
Photography: Amore Studios for Valley & Co.
Well, congratulations! What exciting news! Planning a more intimate ceremony and celebration can be a sweet nod to your families and the perfect way to really enjoy a very special time with your nearest and dearest, no matter what your pressing situation. But given that you want to speed up the process keeping things smaller sounds like the perfect fit. Try thinking of your wedding celebration as a weekend-long celebration and time it out accordingly so that you have ample time to celebrate with everyone you’re inviting, just in different settings.
A Friday ceremony and intimate dinner either at your villa or at a Sonoma winery or local restaurant would be dreamy: think of it as a true family experience and plan out a lingering family-style menu so you and your guests that evening can really enjoy each other’s company in such an intimate setting. Treat your guests to a thoughtful menu with local seasonal fare and deliciously paired wines {sorry, we know you can’t enjoy!}. Make this night about love and family and celebration of you and your fiancé on this new adventure.
For Saturday’s fête begin a bit later if you’re envisioning a cocktail reception. Be sure that your guests are aware dinner is not to be expected. Treat them to an equally lovely celebration, but change things up with stations for food: California cuisine, fresh grilled veggie displays, a wine tasting, and sweets treats would be perfect to keep everyone satisfied. Beginning at 7:30 pm would allow for your guests to eat prior and come knowing they’ll be noshing on small bites through the evening. A live musician like a mandolin player or guitarist would be an elegant touch to the night.
You could also schedule Saturday’s event to take place in the afternoon but we would recommend doing something a lighter and going easier on the cocktails. You could host a luncheon that’s relaxed and have a caterer serve up dressed up gourmet sandwiches {think a French bistro feeling} and fresh salads and carving stations. The key here will be to think about what you want to occur: do you envision dancing and celebrating into the evening? If so, we’d say set the tone by planning plan an evening cocktail celebration that will encourage guests to stay and enjoy.
In terms of a photographer, most will likely not split their time between two days as you’d technically be booking two separate days and events. However, many would be happy to come up with a wonderful package for the weekend to give you the most value. We see the photographers we work with do this all the time for our weekend-event clients – talk to them about covering the special moments both days and know that you’ll likely need to cover their lodging, transportation, and meals.
Thank you Aleah + Nick for once again bringing your fresh perspective to SMP California! Remember, if you want Aleah + Nick to help you with a pesky wedding planning problem please leave your question below!
Photography: Amore Studios for Valley & Co.