For the love of Pinterest

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Hi!  As I caught up on work and blogging last night, I spent some time ‘pinning’ and I noticed that I am getting close to 1000 pins!  Thought it would be fitting to post about Pinterest today and share my boards with you.  As a wedding planner, I use Pinterest all the time.  Admittedly, it’s addicting and a great way to procrastinate and distract myself from momentary boredom.  But the site as a whole is so much more than just that.  For clients, I create Pinterest boards that they can pin on with me if they want.  Each client board is like a personalized wedding inspiration board, it’s always evolving and it’s extremely user friendly.  If my clients see a cake stand that they like online, they can pin it to their board on my account and I can see what they like, and since the original link is attached, I can click on the cake stand image and find out where they saw it–maybe on the retail site, so I can order it for them if they want.  Basically, Pinterest boards take the place of the bulky binder with torn out magazine pages, or the stack of wedding magazines a bride might collect and then stick post-it bookmarks all over.

Here is one of my current client boards, Wedding Collection: Joanna.  It’s a board that speaks to Joanna’s general wedding vision and it’s a collection of colors and patterns that Joanna loves.  She can pick specifics from this board to include in her wedding, or mix and match a little inspiration from here and there.

Straws from Etsy.com

Here is a board called Weddings of My Clients!  It’s just that, a Pinterest portfolio of my past weddings, with links to the wedding photographer’s site, or to other blogs my weddings have been featured on.  This board is a fantastic way for prospective clients to see my work and get to know me a little.  I bring my iPad to initial consultations and show couples this board, instead of bringing several photo books of weddings I’ve planned.  Interactive and fun, y’all!

photo by Misti Layne

I also use Pinterest to collect images when I’m doing research on wedding trends or when I  want to explore a theme or design element.  These boards, like Weddings: Lace Ideas, are filled with ideas and images I love.

lace, clothespins

Ruffled Blog

I love Pinterest, obviously!  I have boards filled with dinner recipes, interior design inspiration, and fun projects to do with my son.  On my to-do list today, in fact, is to go grocery shopping for the next week.  First stop, my Food board to choose some entrees and sides and check out the recipes.  It’s time to try those red potatoes with parmesan!

As I get busier with wedding season, I’m sure I’ll be relying on Pinterest more when it comes to my blog.  I look forward to sharing some of my favorite Pinners with you, and to continue to explore and collaborate on Pinterest–and you’re invited, of course!

Allure: 14th and 15th Week in Review

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Happy Mother’s Day!  I am celebrating today with my two-year-old son Joey and I’m writing this as we sit on the couch sharing coffee (chocolate milk) out of my brand spanking new World’s Best Mommy mug.  It’s the little things, people!

On to the week’s review!  2 weeks, actually.  Last week I didn’t post a Review because I was enjoying a mini vacation in Santa Cruz to ring in my 30th and my husband’s 40th.  But a lot of wedding work has happened in the last two weeks…it hasn’t all been fun and games!  Here’s a peek into the Allure world, what I’ve been up to and what has been making an impact in this awesome industry:

1.  Obama supports same sex marriage!  Here is my post from Wednesday, with links to the articles I read, and the historic interview video.  This monumental announcement gets double time on the Allure blog.  I know President Obama’s official support will mean more weddings, equality and acceptance.  I’m looking forward to a greater shift in this direction and I’m feeling proud and optimistic!

2.  The Power of Pinterest.  I posted about the Sprinkle Wedding Cake that has been making the rounds on Pinterest and to my surprise, that post is my most popular blog post yet!  Pinterest is changing the social media scene at a crazy rate.  More and more brides are pinning away and the site is connecting vendors from all over the world.  The Sprinkle Cake, for example, was made by Birchgrove Bakery in Vermont and it is inspiring brides, moms and bakers EVERYWHERE…the picture is spreading like wild fire!  So, while I have been on the Pinterest train for a while now, I am realizing that I need to focus even more of my social marketing energy on the site.  If you aren’t already following me on Pinterest, please do!

3.  Kaella–my illustrious assistant, guest blogger and partner in crime.  Kaella Wilson has finished her Wedding Planning Certification course!  This 5 month program has been keeping Kaella’s plate full as she continued to grow her own business, Kaella Lynn Events, and post beautiful Inspiration Boards for this blog as a guest contributor.  Since Kaella and I met last summer, we have been working side by side–I shared experience and knowledge as a wedding planner, and Kaella helped me with branding and social marketing.  She assisted me on wedding days, we partnered up on a styled shoot, and we enjoyed industry events together representing Allure.  Now, since the certification course is over, Kaella will be focused on her own business and we’ll continue to collaborate and support each other.  I’m proud of Kaella for completing the course (with flying colors, no doubt) and I’m excited about what’s to come!

4.  Iliana Morton, Photographer.  I met Iliana this week to welcome her to the Bay Area and get to know her a little.  She just moved here from San Diego and having moved recently myself, I know how daunting the task of networking in a new place can be.  I was happy to meet Iliana and I hope we can work together this year, or next!

5.  The Dress Right Now.  Remember that time I said I need to focus more on Pinterest and it’s impact on social marketing for Allure…well, this week offered a great opportunity!  Kate Middleton wowed the world again in a stunning dress.  This time, it was a vibrant teal number by Jenny Packham.  It fit her like a dream, the delicate lace back…gorgeous.  Kate continues to secure her position as fashion icon.  I pinned this dress as soon as I saw it on Pinterest.  It’s blowing up!  I think a dress like this in ivory would be a perfect wedding dress, but I LOVE it in teal for brides too!
People.com 

Well, that’s it for this Review!  I have lots of work to do this upcoming week–proposals for 2013 (yikes!), and floor plans for my June and July weddings.  Time flies!

 

 

Our President Supports Same-Sex Marriage!

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Finally!  Good news on the heels of North Carolina’s hateful amendment passing.  President Obama came out in support of gay marriage today and I am so happy about this, I keep crying!  I seriously had to pull over earlier today when I heard the news, and with my son in the backseat, I joyfully read the posts and articles and tweets out loud to him.  This is a monumental announcement, and I LOVE it!

Here’s some of what I have been reading and sharing today:

Huffington Post
Celeb Reactions
Think Progress 

My fierce support for LGBT equal rights and same-sex marriage is no secret.  It’s personal to me, it’s obvious to me, and I’m actively making it a part of my business in the wedding industry.  Today, I am proud of our president.  I’m emotional because I know how much this means to so many people, and I believe we are all basking in the light of a brave man right now.

Here is one of my very favorite quotes about President Obama’s announcement:
“This is a major turning point in the history of American civil rights. No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people–and I have no doubt that this will be no exception.  The march of freedom that has sustained our country since the Revolution of 1776 continues, and no matter what setbacks may occur in a given state, freedom will triumph over fear and equality will prevail over exclusion.” -Mayor Michael Bloomberg

I too believe that freedom and equality will prevail, and I think we took a huge, beautiful step in the right direction today!

Irresistible! Sprinkle Cake, star of Pinterest

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Hi Wednesday!  Today I want to introduce you to the most popular girl in school.  The girl is a wedding cake and the school is wedding industry favorite, Pinterest.  I recently pinned this Sprinkle Cake to my board, General Prettiness.  This cake has been a Pinterest star, pinned and re-pinned all over the place.  I fell in love with it at first sight.  The colorful cake is eye-catching and whimsical, it’s playful yet still classic in a way.  And it looks like it tastes amazing, right?  I want to be at the wedding that has this cake.

Cake by Birchgrove Baking in Montpelier, VT

I had to do a little hunting to find the original source of the picture, and the cake’s creator. Here is the original post, over on the Storyboard Wedding blog.  And the bakery is Birchgrove Baking in Vermont.  And the photographer is Jessica Hardy.  I wonder if she got to taste the cake…
This cake just won’t leave me alone!  I am a wedding planner in the SF Bay Area, far far away from this cake’s ‘hometown’.  But I am inspired by it and would love to see a similar effect on baked goods and decor at weddings I attend and plan this year.  The possibilities are endless!  Solid gold sprinkles, confetti shaped sprinkles, cupcakes, even ice cream sandwiches or macaroons could be rolled in delightful sprinkles.  Basically, the cake makes a statement and I like it!

 

Turquoise and Peach Wedding Inspiration

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I just love the color turquoise.  Its such a moody shade of blue.  It can be feminine, bold, beachy, whimsical or modern depending on the colors it’s paired with and how it’s applied.  I’ve decided to provide some whimsical and feminine turquoise inspiration by coordinating this shade with a girly hue of peach.

Top:  Bridesmaid & Bouquet, Cake, Centerpiece

Middle: Car, China

Bottom: Heels, Necklace, Frame

Joie de Vivre!

Kaella

@kaellalynn

 

Sneak Peak: Casual and Fun Engagement Shoot

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Hi!  I am so excited to share a sneak peak with you today!  Kate and AJ are a couple I am working with this year, getting married in September.  They are laid-back and quick to laugh, and so comfortable around each other.  Basically, they are adorable and I LOVE them.  I hooked them up with photographer Gavin Farrington and he recently did their engagement shoot in LA’s Irvine Regional Park.  Dog Duke joined in on the fun, and here are a few of my faves!

 

I love how a great photographer can get such sweet pictures out of a couple that considers themselves ‘camera shy’.  These are intimate and pretty, and really capture the kind of couple that Kate and AJ are.  You know, the kind that is totally crazy about each other!

For more images, head over to Gavin’s website!  How gorgeous is the light in that black and white one?!

Allure: Video! Christy on Marriage Equality

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Hello Summer! It is beautiful here in the Bay Area and we enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine this week. In lieu of my usual “Week in Review” Sunday post, I wanted to share my new video here on the Allure blog.

Allure and Marriage Equality. Please pass it on if you like what you see!

And here is the list of the awesome vendors that worked on the styled shoot featured in the video. They ALL feel passionate about marriage equality and support LGBT weddings!

Coordination and Concept: Christy Daly, Allure Consulting
Design and Styling: Kaella Lynn Events
Photography: Meg Perotti
Invitations and Signage: Aerialist Press
Flowers: Ingela Floral Design
Cakes: Glass Slipper Gourmet
Rentals: One True Love Vintage Rentals
Location: Swedenborgian Church, San Francisco
Videography: Sean Basaman
Models (and friends!): Randy Bernard and Kresimir Grgurevic

This was truly a labor of love! I am so proud of the final product and so grateful to have worked with such amazing industry professionals. If you want a dream team of wedding vendors for your San Francisco or San Jose wedding–hire everyone listed here!

PS I can’t wait to share the entire styled shoot with you. Be patient! Coming soon!

Purple and Yellow wedding inspiration

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What seems like an odd color combination at first, turns out to be quite the pairing.  To inspire out-of-the-box color combinations, here’s a look at how purple and yellow can make a impact together.

Top:  Cake, Centerpiece, Bridesmaid Dress

Middle:  Escort Card display, Shoes

Bottom: Flower girl, Groomsmen, Dessert Favors

Cheers!

Kaella

@kaellalynn

 

Bohemian. Gypsy. Hippie. Wedding style from BHLDN

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Hi Wednesday!  I just booked a wedding for this October at Camp Lotus.  It will be my first campground wedding and my first wedding with a true bohemian style to it.  The bride is currently searching for the perfect hippie chic dress and will be collecting bright jewel toned vases and blankets for the next 5 months to adorn picnic tables and hay bales.  I am beyond excited!  And I need to look into a cabin or inn in the town, because while I am loving the idea of a camp wedding…I am not exactly a sleep-in-a-tent kind of wedding planner.  Don’t worry, they knew this and they still hired me.

So…I told the bride that I would send her some pics of cool dresses to consider.  I knew the first place I would look–BHLDN by Anthropologie.  I think the BHLDN dresses have that certain something for the fashion forward, slightly funky, accessory-loving bride.  Below are some of my favorites.  Imagine them with boots, beaded headbands across the forehead, and draped with necklaces.  Ooh!  And maybe a crochet shrug!  For a bride with this kind of style, I might just sleep in a tent.

 

 

The beauty here is in the ability to individualize each dress, I think.  Accessories needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post is the perfect follow up to Kaella’s inspiration board last week!  View it here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This last one–in nude–is my favorite.  So pretty!

 

 

 

 

 

ps.  I am not a sponsor of BHLDN.  I just really like the dresses, especially for the bride I am mentioning in the post!

Allure: 13th Week in Review

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I’m 30!  My birthday was Friday and I was happy to take a little break from working to celebrate it!  Next week will be a little packed because of it, but it was worth it!  After my husband and I spent a great evening in SF on Friday night, I woke up to a very busy Allure Saturday! Here’s a peek at Allure’s last week:

1.  Unveiled!  The Rengstorff House in Mountain View is a fantastic little wedding venue hidden in the Shoreline Nature Preserve.  It’s a historical Victorian house with beautiful manicured lawns, a wrap-around porch and a cool brick patio.  Unveiled is an event that the Rengstorff House hosts for local wedding vendors to connect with engaged couples…many of whom are getting married there.  It’s a much more intimate expo than other ones I have been to (some of which are hectic and stressful), so I was thrilled to have Allure’s first table as a vendor be at this event.  I invited my friend, Krista Lynch to ‘man’ my table with me.  Krista is a wedding photographer–check out a recent wedding of hers on Style My Pretty!  We had a great time talking to brides and grooms and parents, and getting to know other vendors.  I hope to book weddings based on yesterday’s conversations, and I will definitely be back for next year’s Unveiled!
 
The linens and tables were provided by Stuart Rental Company for the whole event–big thank you for choosing a color scheme that goes so well with Allure’s brand!  And the pictures are by Krista, of course.  I’ll post more about this great event as I start to get more post-event info and pics!

2.  Haute Bride Opening Party and Bridal Fashion Show.  Right after Unveiled, I drove home for a quick change, then headed to Los Gatos for the Haute Bride Party.  I put on a racer back tank top, a sequin mini skirt and heels–it was HOT yesterday, even at 7pm everyone was in shorts and tanks.  The warm weather made for a summery, chilled wine kind of a fete and everyone at Haute looked amazing!  Designer Hayley Paige was at the party and presented a runway show of her current line of gorgeous wedding dresses.  There was one with a champagne sequin skirt, I LOVED it!

3.  Marriage Equality Video.  Lastly, I am so happy to present my latest Allure video!  I will do a full post about this later, but I wanted to introduce it here and now as I got the final cut up on youtube just last week.  Huge thanks to my friend Sean Basaman of Good Joe Pictures for producing and directing the video.  I’m really proud of it and so excited to share it here and on Facebook today.