Drinking and ... Pedaling?

It was so gorgeous today that my family and I decided to spend the evening out on the Nicollet Island area. We ate at Kikugawa Japanese Restaurant and walked the stroll along the Mississippi River. So, as we walked I spotted, what looked like from a far, a trolley but as I got closer it was a group of people, sat on bicycle seats grouped together, pedaling and drinking at the same time! I thought what a fun idea! Having a great time with your friends, drinking and pedaling (hey, cheers to being green!)your way in a beautiful Minnesota summer day. Check them out:
www.pedalpub.com

Jeanne Beatrice - Handmade Market Basket

I have to admit anything with the name "Beatrice" will grab my attention. First, I was attracted by the name, given that we have the same name but also because it's a not-so-common name these days. In the movies, the "Beatrice" character was usually portrayed as a nerd, geek looking girl. Not so fab! So, I was ever glad when Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson named their daughter Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, which made me feel like the name is worth for royalty. Well, I think it's meaning is much better, beatrice means she brings joy!
Aside from the name, I found Laura Benson, owner of Jeanne Beatrice, lives in Minnesota and is committed to changing the public's habit from using plastic bags when going shopping to using handmade market baskets for the sake of the environment. Her baskets are imported from French and are called Morrocan baskets for their durability and natural beauty. These bags have been featured in People Style Watch Magazine, VOGUE.com, In-Style Magazine and Coastal Living Magazine.
Aren't these perfect for your bridesmaid's gift? or as a welcome package for your out-of-town guests? or even better, try giving this to your future mother-in-law, I bet she'll love you for it!

These are my absolute favorites:

La Mer - Medium $59


La Vie - Medium $54

La Vie - Orange $44

La Vie Terveer - Small $39

Aysha & Ryan's Wedding

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon. The sun shone so brightly that we couldn't ask for a better weather. The ceremony was held on the Endless Bridge - Guthrie Theatre. With breathtaking architectural feature, the site was a great first impression. Aysha was truly a beautiful sight that I'm pretty sure Ryan's heart skipped a beat upon seeing her.

I first met Ryan & Aysha on a snowy October afternoon at Cafe Latte, St. Paul. Ryan was actually the one who contacted me and our first meeting was a total family affair. There were Ryan & Aysha, her mother, her sister and her best friend all present at the initial consultation. To my own amazement, I totally felt at home with them. They hired me on the spot - which was the highlight of my day.

The journey of planning their wedding was almost too good to be true (I'm not making this up!). They were so easy to get along with that almost everything (I said almost, of course there were a few bumps with other vendors along the way) went practically effortless.

For my very first Thursday wedding, this would be hard to top off. The reception at FIVE Event Center went smoothly despite the air conditioner decided to quit working that morning, but the crew was able to pull that off just 1/2 hour before the dinner started. Kudos to them! The site has a great lounge-y feel and the staff was awesome to work with!

Overall, it was an awesome experience and I am honored to be a part of their new beginning together.

PS: Did you know we re-use frappucino bottles from Starbuck as vases and Aysha's dad create a wood-bench masterpiece that the guests used to take pictures for the guest book! Wood slabs from Ryan's hometown in Wisconsin are used as a decor item on the dessert table and manzanita tree on the escort table.

Cheers!

Ceremony: The Guthrie Theater
Reception: FIVE Event Center
Catering: Cafe Ena
Photographer: Chris Emeott Photography
Videographer: Saved By Grace Studios
Dessert Table: Bee The Buzz Event

Pantone Color of The Year

Yes, I maybe a few months late. But I just learned today that Pantone's color of the year (2010) is the PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, which according to www.pantone.com, "transports us to an exciting, tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times"

One place that reminds me to the "exciting, tropical paradise" is BALI, Indonesia. Yes, I may be biased because I was born in that country, but a lot has changed since the last time (and only time) I came to the island. Bali is now a world-class venue which hosts events, such as destination weddings, that attract people from all over the world. No wonder it is one of the most romantic places in Southeast Asia. Marcia Selva, the president of Global Spectrum and a specialist in travel to Southeast Asia said this about Bali, "Romance is something that is unexplained and these romantic places leave you wanting more. Southeast Asian culture is dreamy. It is seductive and sexy. (Bali) has that. They have the spiritually and the allure."

So, if you're considering the color turquoise for your wedding, I hope it does transport you to an exciting, tropical paradise that you've been dreaming of. The color itself is so refreshing, airy and uplifting. Wikipedia defines it as a "rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue". And with that, I wish you: Happy Planning!

Ring Pillows ... so yesterday!

I am a sucker for all things unique and out-of-the-box. This is one of them. Ring pillows are cute and pretty but take one step up and you've got a fantastic ring holder that can be matched to any wedding theme. Here are a few of my favorites:

What's for ... dessert?

As I was searching for inspiration on dessert bar table for my client's wedding, I came across this name: Amy Atlas. One word to describe her creation: AMAZING. It almost seems as if she was a painter and the dessert table is her canvas. I was completely mesmerized by the colors and dessert options that were laid on the table. I am totally inspired!

Working on revamping the website

I just received the first draft of the layout for my website and I am just giddy! I can't wait to see the final look! I'm also excited that we are going to do some photoshoots with some friends of mine who volunteered to be my models. Woohoo!
E-x-c-i-t-e-d!

I also just got a call from a groom-to-be who's planning his wedding in two months! Wow! I'm looking forward to meeting him and his fiance in person and see what we can produce together!

Bea