Decor: Crazy for Crystals

What could be better than adding a touch of girlish sparkle to your wedding day? Introducing custom cake toppers by Bling Diva Designs! Each design is personalized and hand encrusted with crystals to add flair and sparkle to any occasion.

Simply charming!

See more at www.blingdivadesigns.com or check out real brides on Bling Diva Designs blog!

Decor: Eat Drink Chic

We thought we've seen them all.  But we just came across one of the most delightful blogs about all things  beautiful.  It's called Eat Drink Chic and blogger, Amy Moss has got to be one of the most insanely hipsome(hip and awesome) person we know.  Her ideas are thoughtful and at times quirky yet always with a restrained beauty.

This post aptly titled "McFancy" shows her creative and unique range.   Don't you just love 'em.

We hope you visit Amy's wonderful blog for creative, sensible and darling ideas.

Decor: Metallic Influences

We are crazy about metallics. A touch of gold, silver, copper, aluminium, you name it - it  doesn't have to be cheesy or remind you of cheap ornaments from discount retailers. With the right blend of things, metallics can be soothing, elegant, whimsical and timeless. Take a look at a few of our favorite uses of metallics.

Courtesy of Mochatini Magazine

We love the silver reflection from the Champagne bucket paired with simple DIY boxes for this holiday table.  Even with the subdued linen and Chinese lantern, it doesn't feel out of place but more festive.

Courtesy of Greg Slick with Jesse Leake.  Flowers by Nancy Liu Chin Designs

Gold antique vases doesn't mean it has to look Marie Antoniette at all.  Mixed with branches and winter anemones and rustic chairs ---  it's fabulous.  The dark linen helps ground the gold vintage urns.

Courtesy of Mochatini Magazine

Black and white graphics with bold flowers need a little soothing.  Pair it with an orchid hue metalic goblet and suddenly, the zebra pattern doesn't feel like Cher but more chic.

Courtesy of Mochatini Magazine

Faded aluminium can look charming when paired with old vintage wallpaper.  Plus, who doesn't love a little red and white twine.

Decor: A little birdy told us

For years now, couples have been giving gift totes to out of town guests arriving for their weekend wedding affair. There's a zillion option of adorable totes but this one touched us.  You might say it's because we are bird lovers.  For a fall wedding in a rustic, woodland area, these are beautiful.  And they can work for winter weddings as well.  Now that we are writing this article, it's quite seasonless.  To us, they are insanely perfect.

Decor: Banner of Love

We were looking for ideas for a wedding banner when we came across these cute things on Etsy.  What we found were diverse banners in so many styles, shapes, and attitudes.  For certain, banners have been a hit.  We just love how many options there are.

For more banners, go to etsy.com

Decor: All Hail to the President

We recently saw this new chair called the President's chair offered in Hartmann Studio's rental gallery. This President's chair isn't that new as they have been available in certain parts of the country. But why we are showing it is that we heard this chair is even more affordable then the perennial favorite - the Chiavari. So if you need an alterative to the Chiavari, we give you The President.

Decor: Lamp posts

One of the motifs that we are loving right now are lamp posts. Perhaps it's because they beckon to an era gone by or maybe it's because on every European street corner, they gracefully stand without notice. We love lamp posts and this moody image from Kevin Chin really shows that this is going to be a wonderful design motif going forward.

Decor: Wool Rich

Our fellow Pink List Panelist, Gloria Wong first introduced us to wrapped vases during a photoshoot for Design Sponge. Of course we knew the idea would spread. Recently, when we saw this DIY gift wrap idea from Grey Likes Weddings, we had to share it with our readers. It's such a wonderful way to present a gift and now we know what to do with our old high school sweaters. Use them to cover vases and gifts!

For step by step istructions, please click this link to Grey Likes Weddings a beautifully written blog by founder Summer Watkins.

Decor: The Academy for Planners & Designers

We are excited to announce the upcoming Wedding 360's The Academy for Planners + Designers program. When Jubilee Lau and Jean Marks, founders of Wedding 360, first began talking about this idea, many of us on the Pink List were thrilled. Isn't it about time?

Date of Academy: March 14, 2010 to March 16, 2010

Location of The Academy: The St. Regis San Francisco

Registration is currently open.

There are so few opportunities to meet with seasoned professionals and to learn from some of the industry's most respected insiders. The subjects range from design, business operations, production process, marketing, pr, and much more.

Being sensitive to the needs of floral designers, Jubilee and Jean were very quick to create an additional program aptly called The Floral Summit which will proceed the following morning, March 17th. The Floral Summit will be an extension to the learnings from The Academy and will be an intensive 2-hour discussion which Amy Marella of Hidden Garden and Nancy Liu Chin will be leading.

Sean Low, of The Business of Being Creative, will be present for the first hour to share his expertise on specific topics related to the floral industry. The second hour will be an open discussion led by Amy and myself.

The Floral Summit is held in an intimate setting, so space is limited to 15 floral designers; acceptance will be on a first come, first served basis and the cost is an additional $100 to participate(plus registration fees for TAFPD). This is open only to those who are confirmed registrant of The Academy for Planners + Designers. Registration can be made by contacting Julie@wedding360llc.com.

Pink List Panelist, Gloria Wong, has been instrumental in the design of many of the key social events. Asiel Designs which is one of our favorite floral designers in California will be featuring a design in the Designer Showcase along side Nancy Liu Chin Designs and Grant Rector of Grant and Co. Grace Ormonde of Grace Ormonde Wedding Magazine will also be one of the featured speakers. And you absolutely cannot miss our dear friend Tara Guerard of Soiree Charleston(and now, NYC). The agenda planned for the Academy for Planners & Designers is amazing so

we hope to see many of you there.

Decor: Snow Ornaments

We found this adorable, Holiday appropriate chair decor via my Kate Parker Wedding's blog from event designer, Traci Romano and just loved it's simplicity. What a perfect, creative way to bring in a bit of winter charm into a wedding decor.

Love! Great idea.

{Decor: Relaxed Beautiful}

We are proud as a peacock that our very own panelists, Gloria Wong, Anne Millett and Nancy Liu Chin were all involved in this amazing photoshoot but Pink Blossom List, Lisa Lefkowitz. Other professionals involved include Lisa Wong Jackson of Good on Paper, Taylor Pham of Thi Cosmetics, and Cake Coquette. This photo shoot was also captured by Andrew Hsu of MSV.

You can read more about this photo shoot at Style Me Pretty. Thank you Abby for your great post and we can't wait to see the full story in Bride's Northern California.

{Decor: Rules of Engagement}

Some rules are meant to be broken while others are there because they are just darn right. And you can't ignore good wedding decor advice. Sure, if you follow them too much, you might have a cookie cutter wedding where you lose one's personality but the worse thing that can happen is you ignore them altogether. Hopefully if you follow a few of our tips you will avoid the pitfalls of wedding design disasters.

Here's some rules of engagement - other wise known as the do's and don't to keep your wedding full of grace and elegance:

1.0 : EDIT & FOCUS

The tendency when you get engaged is to start going through blogs, magazines, and wedding books tearing out your favorite images and identifying all the ideas that you like. Isn't it hard to narrow down ideas or par down your wish list to the key motifs, center themes, and ideal style. Even the inspiration boards that start as a roadmap can sometimes steer you away from the end goal.

If less is truly more, then the job of wedding stylists or designers is to edit. A rather radical cure for divurging concepts, multiple motifs, and extensive color combinations is actually to remove an object, an idea, even a color when it just is too much. Keep what you love, drop what you aren't passionate about and begin thinking about the key pieces. Sharpen, fine tune, polish. Edit and Focus.

2.0 : DESIGNING AGAINST SPACE
The best utilization of your budget is to marriage the architecture and your overall wedding design/decor. Spend time and seriously look at the space. Look at it empty. Look at it in daylight. Look at it in the evening. Nancy Liu Chin of NLCD adds this, "when I meet with clients, the first thing I recommend is designing with the space in mind. The most elegant and thoughtful events are the perfect unions of space and a couple's sense of style. If you want rustic elegance, should you pick a Rococo ballroom? NO. You want a modern chic wedding, would you pick a dark English hall? NO". Of course if budget isn't an issue, there are tricks to cover the wall. You can recarpet. You can add fancy uplighting, props, and furniture. There's always ways around a room but in general, why design against a space, especially if it is something you like.

3.0: BOUND TO TRENDS
Rustic Luxe. Backyard Chic. Going Green. Eclectic Charm. We are all guilty as charged for trying to follow the latest and greatest wedding trendy and concepts. But those who've been in the business know that it's best not to follow what is "in" but what is true and from the heart. For a recent wedding, Jubilee Lau coordinated a wedding of a couple who are both into literature. The couple loved all things about books and writing. Their authentic passion for books and writing inspired the couple to get married in a library filled with books. How fitting is that? Embracing something that's authentic and sincerely one's own has more longevity and truth. A classic is a classic. To make your wedding, a classic, it really starts with being true to your own self.

4: JUST A CLICHE
Someone once said that "glamour is rooted in the unexpected". We love that saying. Don't allow your wedding to be just another wedding cliche. It's normal to do the vows, toss bouquet, first dance, cake cutting. These are all wedding cliche's but are they truly meaningful to you? If they aren't -- why do them? Do you have to do favors just because it's to be expected. Will a organza bag of candy - make or break the feel or design of your wedding? Probably not. If you don't like cake, should you do cake? What if you love ice cream? pie? Why not! Don't fall for the cliche.

5.0: WHO'S AFRAID OF COLOR?

Nothing changes a room then a splash of color. Most couples are afraid of color. We can't blame you, it's only natural but did you know that a splash of color in your linens is one of the quickest way to transform. A bold color can transform a black and white motif to another level. One great color with white can turn something ordinary into extraordinary like this blue stripe linen with blue hydrangea centerpieces.

Sure sometimes the hotel linen is fine but then your wedding will have that cookie cutter look. Where's the personality that marks your event from other?

6.0: HAVE A LITTLE FUN
The truly best events we've ever designed, attended, and seen all possess fun, humor, and charm. Sometimes we take things too seriously. Have fun. Put a little humor in your event.

7.0: TOO SUBTLE

If you embrace something do it and do it in a meaningful way not just once but a several times. When panelist Nancy and Kevin Chin were married in 2000, they loved the mutted hues of Bosc and Barlett pears. Nancy is a big foodie so she really wanted a food motif. Though many of their close friends joked that their pear theme should be titled the "Perfect Pair" they choose to keep the concept subtle with gentle accents like adding a pear motif to the invitation. They thought adding sliced pears in their first course salad, whole pears to their centerpieces and poached pears to their wedding cake would probably be enough. They learned the hard way that these touches - though nice - were too subtle that it didn't come across to their guests that there was a "pear" theme.

At the recent Wedding University, Gloria Wong reminded brides and grooms to take their concept and make sure to "thread" it throughout the wedding concepts.

In hindsight, if the Chin's had understood how to "thread" the pear motif throughout the wedding, they probably would have added "pears" to their placecards, menu, favors, programs, linens, and even the color of the bridesmaid dresses.

Sometimes what may be "over the top" to you, is lost to your guests.

Top Image by Mallory Samson

2nd Images by Mallory Samson

3rd Image from Veranda, Courtesy of Carolyn Roehme.

{Decor: A Sitdown with Especially Yours}

Venues don't just look good by themselves. Catering managers alike know that their venues look best with a little bit of design and ingenuity. Creative floral designers cannot transform a room with just flowers only. And even the best wedding planners know that without the right chairs and linens to dress up a place, no amount of coordination can transform a space into an elegant wedding affair

And though many people think that covering up functional ballroom chairs seem a waste, there is something to be said about the beauty of coordinating linens with chair covers or beautiful bamboo Chiavari chairs.

Today, we had the talented Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini interview owner, Beverly Yip of Especially Yours - Chair, Covers & Linens. Beverly Yip has a very specialized chair, cover and linen rental business in the Bay Area. She services many of the top hotels, wedding venues, and industry professionals. Let's listen in on their conversation and Beverly's advice on chair, linens, and covers.

MB: How did you come up with the name Especially Yours?

BY: Believe it or not, I can’t remember (really!) but honestly, I think I was sitting at City Hall and 15 minutes before registering f or a “company name” I was holding an article wedding related and said Especially Yours. It was then when I copied and wrote down on my City Hall f or m – Especially Yours Chair Covers & Linens.

MB: Do you prefer silk or taffeta? (Please include why you like one more than the other).

BY: Taffeta. I love love love our Satin Taffeta Linens. They are crisp. They are clean. They are Chic. It’s going away from the Traditional Organza Sashes and attracts those brides who dare to be edgy, which I love! Plus, Satin Taffeta sashes tie and fluff better! Last year, my bride at Empress of China in San Francisco used all our Satin Taffeta Line! From her Red & Gold Table linens to her Red Satin Taffeta Chair Sashes to her Gold Satin Taffeta cake linen! Plus, it was pretty awesome to work with a powerhouse wedding team – Kevin Chin Photography, Nancy Liu Chin Designs and Enhanced Lighting!

MB: What other places can brides used chair sashes on, aside from chair covers?
BY: A lot of times I’ve been asked to provide additional sashes for the ceremony wooden chairs or Chiavari chairs. Satin Sashes create a formal setting for these chairs and an added embellishment. Organza Sashes are also great and they come in a variety of colors.

MB: What is your biggest or most successful accomplishment to date?
BY: My biggest accomplishment would have to be building Especially Yours Chair Covers & Linens 5 years ago debt free, while successfully maintaining business relationships and executing flawless weddings every weekend. Most recently, Especially Yours was recognized as a “Top 10 Finalists” f or the 2009 USPAACC Education Foundation/Wells Fargo Asian Business Leadership Award. The award celebrates the vision, success and community contributions of Asian entrepreneurs in the U.S. I am humbled by this honor .

Thank you MB and Beverly for this fun interview!

Photography by Julie Mikos

{Decor: For the Birds}

Recently, we were talking with Gloria Wong about one of the great trends for this year which focuses on our flying friends - birds and their habitats.

Many couples have long used “lovebirds” as a graphic motif for their wedding invitations. And why shouldn’t they?! Birds are extremely versatile and can be interpreted in so many ways for different styles of wedding. Gloria notes that "birds can be cute and whimsical, classic and elegant, or even dark and goth". To augment this “lovebirds” motif, event designers like Gloria are "flocking to neighborhood and online retailers for birdcages!".

Birdcages are a truly festive way to spice up décor and to carry on a “lovebirds” concept! Heck, even if you’re not into birds themselves, don’t dismiss the use of birdcages on their own! They come in all different shapes and sizes. There are bamboo birdcages that resemble pagodas for Asian-inspired weddings. There are metal birdcages with curly cues and floral print embellishments for Garden-inspired weddings. Then, there are non-descript wooden birdcages that could easily be spray-painted to fit your wedding colors!

Think of the all the possibilities, folks!!!

(left from Onlineoriental.com, right from Greatroomsdecor.com)

Gloria came up with a couple really great combinations. Rich shades of plum and raspberry birdcages for a jewel-toned wedding. To die. Bright yellow birdcages for a yellow and grey mod wedding. Yum. Kelly green birdcages for a preppy green and white wedding. Sweet. The color ideas are endless!

(Left from Lampsplus.com, right from Greatroomsdecor.com)

Placement of birdcages are also endless! Hang them from trees as though they were lanterns. Spread them out on dinner tables as floral vessels. Lay them out on coffee tables in a lounge area. Line them down your ceremony aisle.

No matter what, Gloria feels that you need to just "get creative and have fun with them!". We couldn't agree more!! Thanks again, Gloria, for a great decor tip.

{Décor : Oh Red, White & Blue}

In a recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, the editors sited Red, White & Blue as a color story to look out for. Being that July 4th is tomorrow, we’re thrilled to post this trend-right article about infusing these patriotic colors into your Summer wedding! The color palette evokes such a happy celebratory mood! Go ahead and play into the theme! Make red, white, and blue confetti for your guests to toss. Wear red pumps as you walk down the aisle! Use red, white, and blue printed paper for floral containers, mini umbrellas in drinks, and cones for ice cream. Don't forget some bright red soda pop! Provide festive sparklers at the end of the night!

In terms of what is the right shade to use, Gloria Wong of Gloria Wong Designs suggests that you "use a bright cherry red, true white, and shades of blue". Yes, shades of blue! From the predictable dark navy to sky blue and everything in between. Sprinkle in some stars and stripes for fun, but only use in moderation and in small scale.

The key according to Gloria "is to utilize the colors without making the event look like an Independence Day party".

We statue the red, white and blue and wish all of you a safe and happy 4th of July! Let freedom ring!!!

Photo from Wedding Style Guide.

{Decor: The Great Outdoors}

From Hawaii to Orange County to Miami, they are blessed with warm sunshine which is perfect for those outdoor weddings that seem to be all the rage. Today, Evonne Wong of Events by Evonne, a fellow Pink List Panelist, is going to share with us some great outdoor decor ideas.

Evonne writes, "here are some great ceremony and reception decor ideas if you are one of the lucky ones who will tie the knot under the beautiful sun". We can't thank you enough for giving

CEREMONY

Arch or Canopy
The most dramatic look is using hanging crystals and flowers such as the dendrobium orchids. Of course, you can use other flowers and even fabric to match your wedding colors. It creates a nice backdrop during the entire ceremony and perfect photo op as well!


Aisle
There is a lot you can do... One of them is with the shepherd's hooks and pomanders to line both sides of the aisle. This creates a more formal look as you walk down that aisle. Another option is to decorate the chairs with small floral arrangements in which you can reuse during the reception. We are all about going green, so any decor you can reuse is a good thing!




RECEPTION

Dining Canopies
There is nothing better than sitting under a gorgeous dining canopy draped in flowing fabric and hanging crystals. It's ultra romantic and it gives your reception a very exotic look at the same time. You can match the fabric with your wedding colors and different lighting options are available - lanterns, chandeliers, pin spots are all great for these canopies.


Clear Top Tent
These are great if you are getting married in one of the winter months (normally November through early March) where the weather can be unpredictable. You can still enjoy the beautiful sun and stars, and they come in different sizes that can accommodate anywhere from 20 guests to over 200. There are several choices for the fabric draping as well as the lighting which includes colored Chinese lanterns, chandeliers, spot lights...etc.



Top Photo from Karen Tran Florals
2nd Photo from Events by Evonne
3rd Photo from Designs by Hemingway
4th Photo from Yvonne Design
Bottom photo from Events by Evonne

{Decor: Topaz and Lemon}

We were very inspired by this amazing color board that's been floating around many blogs. Founder Laura E. Frank of The White Dress Events put together two very summery colors - topaz blue and sunny lemon. The effect is strikingly and apologetically bold, beautiful, and modern.

It reminds us of the Caribbeans too. Thanks Laura for letting us share this wonderful board with our readers! You can read more of Laura's wedding insights and follow her candid posts at The White Dress Events Blog.

{Decor: Outdoor Modern}

You can do outdoor weddings in so many different ways but one of our favorites is a modern island style. It's not rustic or vineyard or even garden. It's clean, tailored, soft, romantic but all done uberchic.

These images from JL designs and events take backyard, garden chic to a whole modern level that we are so crazy about. Simple wooden tables and benches from Classic Party Rentals, milky white vases, hanging bubbles and sheer organza drapes combine to create something so - oh la la. The usage of all white orchids with accents of orange and kiwi green is just up our alleys.

{Décor : Neon Pink}

We all know that the 80’s made a big comeback in the fashion scene about five or six years ago. And if you flip through the latest issues of Elle or Bazaar, you’ll know that the 80’s have never left since then! The trend is actually bigger than ever! From shoulder pads to fingerless gloves to Flash Dance asymmetrical sweatshirts, it seems as though we cannot get enough of that era. To add to the mix is Neon. Neon Pink is a color that ruled the runways last season and will be a hot color for Fall 2009. What does this have to do with weddings, you ask. How would you interpret this Neon trend for your wedding without looking ridiculous, you probe further.

The answer is… keep it modern, use it minimally, and turn it down a slight notch. Build your color palette with a plethora of neutrals (i.e. shades of greys, taupes, and crisp bright white). Incorporate Neon Pink in unexpected areas. The idea is for your guests to only get a peek of the shocking color here and there throughout the wedding. You don’t want to overwhelm anyone with too much of it! Keep the exterior cover of your ceremony program a neutral color, but make all the interior pages Neon Pink. Use Neon Pink as a font color only for your names on your paper goods. Buy Neon Pink pumps and wear under your wedding gown. Ask your bridesmaids to wear Hot Pink lipstick. Ask for Hot Pink boutonnieres for your groomsmen. Line your food trays with Neon Pink paper. Line your end-of-the-evening favor bags with Neon Pink tissue paper.

The key says Gloria Wong is "to always reveal the Neon Pink in the company of neutrals and to only show a splash of it".

Top image from RockPaperScissors
Bottom Image from Elle Magazine

{Decor: Oh La La Tavola Linens}

Ever since we heard about La Tavola Linens, we've been anxiously waiting to share it with you. The company has been around for just over a year now but it's making such a great impact for it's wonderful and broad collection of linens.

La Tavola was created because the founders realized that "the table has developed from a mere piece of furniture from which meals are served into a much more integral part of our lives".

A table truly is an intimate spot for gathering, for connecting, for conversing and for celebrating.

For the most important gathering and meal of our lives, shouldn't we have a collection of rich fabrics to choose from in various price ranges? La Tavola is commited to serving celebration needs whenever, wherever!



If you don't have a great resource for linens, don't worry - La Tavola is prepared to ship worldwide… be it Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hawaii or Japan, wherever there is an event in need of incredible linens, they have the potential to be there as well. We found many of their prices very competitive. Most 134 inch round linens fit a 60 or 72 table. Retails for $35.00 and up. They have napkins as well as runners in select collections.