Meant to be

Dear Brides & Grooms to be,

Sometimes it's just meant to be.

I wanted to share this adorable story with all of you about Paul and Kim, a shared client of mine with Amazae Special Events for their wedding that happened just this past June 30th, 2007 in San Francisco:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/02/CM9AT0HVM.DTL

Enjoy!

Love,

Nicole

Tips on Cake Cutting

***Photo credits to Joni Wright Photography 925-827-9051

Tips on Cake Cutting!

Cutting your cake, seems easy huh? But more often times than not, when the Bride and Groom don't have a Wedding Consultant to help them learn how to do it correctly, they walk up to the table and freeze. With all of your guests looking at you and expecting a performance, it's no time to not know what you are doing. So here are some helpful tips!

Prior to Cutting the Cake:

*Ask your caterer to place a cake cutter and serving set, 1 small plate, 2 forks, and 2 napkins, as well as your champagne toasting flutes

*Tell your caterer if you plan to save the top of the cake, or ask them to save you some slices for your care package

*Tell your caterer if your bakery is holding a deposit for your cake plates and pillars and stands, they will save them for you

1. When you approach the cake table, stand on the left side of the table if the Groom is left handed, and on the right side if he is right handed


2. The Groom will stand to the right of the Bride if right handed, and to the left of the Bride if left handed, so that he is always closest to the cake table


3. Standing side-by-side wrap the arms that are touching each other behind one another’s backs


4. Make sure that you remove any real ribbon or flowers that are in your way of cutting the cake


5. Make sure your photographer is ready!


6. The Groom should pick up the cake cutter (knife) with his dominant hand


7. The Bride will place her ring hand over his hand so that her ring shows in photos


8. The Bride and Groom should cut a small piece of cake from the bottom tier of the cake together


9. The Groom should then pick up the cake server and the Bride should pick up a small plate and help him get the piece of cake onto it


10. Before feeding one another make sure to step away from the cake table and face your guests so that they can see you feed one another, but more important, so that your photographer can get photos of you!


11. The Groom should feed the Bride first (that way she can get payback if needed), the Bride should feed the Groom second, you can do this with either forks, or with your hands after cutting bite-sized pieces with your forks


12. After feeding one another, and after you are all cleaned up, pick up your champagne toasting flutes, link arms and take a sip (so that you are drinking out of your own flute!)


13. When all of this is done the guests will still be staring at you. This is a great opportunity to toast your guests, request the microphone from your DJ, thank your guests for coming, and invite them to party the rest of the night with you!

Practice makes perfect, so please try this out together at home the day before the wedding! Do it any sooner and you're liable to forget.

Hugs,

Nicole

Wedding Guest 101

Dear friends,

I'm going to go a little Peggy Post on you, so hold onto your hats!

Here's a little post I'd like to call "Wedding Guest 101":

• When the couple provides you with detailed directions and a map to get to their site, please use it!
• It's not impersonal to mail your gifts, in fact it's preferred.
• When the couple provides information on suggested attire and shoes, listen=)
• During the ceremony please keep your cell phones on silent
• Please don't hog the Bride and Groom after the ceremony, they have pictures to take, and the sooner they get them done, the sooner they can spend time with you=)
• Cocktail hour is an hour long. It's been part of the traditional wedding for a long time, it is used for the Bride and Groom, their family and wedding party to take photos, and sign the marriage license.
• During toasts please listen, put yourself in the shoes of the toaster.
• Please note that toasts are pre-planned, you are not welcome to grab the microphone and start speaking. If you would like to give a last minute toast, ask the consultant first, then she'll get permission from the Bride and Groom, and schedule you into the day.
• Please have your escort cards or place cards visable so that the waitstaff can see what you've ordered and serve you in a timely manner.
• Please keep in mind that the Bride and Groom have told their caterer specific counts of what kind of each entree their guests would like to have, changing your mind at the last minute is a hardship for the caterer.
• Please do not visit the Bride and Groom at their table, they are eating! They are trying to eat fast so that they can come visit you at your tables.
• While the Bride and Groom are visiting your table please don't hog them! They have lots more tables to visit, and you'll have other opportunites thoughout the night to see them.
• Please keep in mind that usually the first dance, parent dances, and then some open dancing occur before cake cutting. If you are in a big rush to leave, please note that it will be at least 45 minutes after first dance for cake cutting if you'd like to stay and enjoy some.
• The first set of dancing is family friendly and couple friendly for all ages, if you stay later in the night note that the music stylings may not be your taste, they are louder and for the younger crowd.
• If there is a bouquet and garter toss please get out there and try to catch it! It makes the Bride and Groom's experience much better if they don't have to beg people to participate.
• Sometimes the centerpieces are available for taking home, if they are someone will tell you, otherwise the containers they are in could be rentals, please don't take them without asking first.
• The general rule of thumb at a wedding is that if there is a consultant we have already planned a timeline with the Bride and Groom, and it's how they hope their day will go. If you feel that something should be different please keep it to yourself, there is a reason for everything. For example, sometimes the Bride doesn't want to dance with her Father, sometimes the Groom doesn't want to dance with his Mom, sometimes the Bride doesn't want to toss her bouquet, etc... That's a personal choice.
• Another good rule is to not freak out the Bride and Groom, if something is wrong, please don't tell them, tell the consultant and we'll handle it.
• Just like in my ABC's of being a good wedding party, please keep in mind that as a guest of a wedding, or any event, the host has every intention to please you, if you don't like the event, please keep it to yourself and be gracious. This day is about the Bride and Groom, not you.

I know some of this advice is harsh, but it's good to know! I wouldn't write about it if there weren't problems with these issues at each wedding we do. They are all common sense, but sometimes people forget their manners, and that hurts the Bride and Groom's chances of enjoying their day to it's fullest.

Warmest Regards,

Nicole

Nicole's favorite things!

Hi everyone! I can't believe how busy I've been! I haven't blogged for you since June! Geeze!

Well, I've been meaning to share this blog with you for a while now, it's "Nicole's favorite things!"

Here goes...

A relaxing mani pedi at Pinkie's Nail Salon, ahhhhhh, learn how to relax at:
http://www.pinkiesnailsalons.com/

A cup of coffee and a sweet treat from Satura Cakes, yum-o (as Rachel Ray might put it):
http://www.saturacakes.com/

Spa treatments (deep tissue massage, facial, body wrap, milk bath, etc...) at Burke Williams Day Spa, get your spa on by going to:
http://www.burkewilliamsspa.com/

A guilt-free treat of frozen yogurt at Yumi Yogurt, San Jose's best kept secret, cheap and delicious, get yours at:
3787 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara, CA, 95051
(408) 248-3400

Sushi to die for! Not kidding... I love this place, it's healthy, and at lunch they offer a wonderful 2 roll, plus miso soup special for little change, don't be surprised if you see me there! Roll over to:
Address: 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Telephone: 408.868.0600
Hours: Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm
Mon-Fri, noon-3pm Sat-Sun;
dinner 5-10pm Mon-Thu,
4:30-10:30pm Fri-Sat,
until 9:30pm Sun
Cuisine: Japanese
Price Range: $4-$15

Wine I loveeee:
http://www.ste-michelle.com/
*Try the Riesling

http://www.lacrema.com/
*Try the Chardonnay & new Pino Gris

My favorite mini-vacation spot:
http://www.visitslo.com/
*Try staying at the http://www.avilahotsprings.com/
They have beautiful rooms with private mineral hot tubs!

Where do hair artists give you a massage before your hair cut? Try my tried and try place for R&R and great hair! That's what I'm talkin' bout!:
http://www.santanarow.com/shopping/spaandsalon.php?id=101

Dessert at the Melting Pot is the right way to end the day, or celebrate with a special someone. Unlike other fondue spots, Melting Pot lets you make a reservation any time you want for "just dessert"=):
http://www.themeltingpot.com/

I'm so happy my husband and I tried this Thai food place out a few years back! It looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but it is the best Thai food in the entire Bay Area! Try the yellow chicken curry, the basic pad thai, and the cream cheese wontons, you'll be so happy you did!:
http://www.bluemangocuisine.com/

I hope you have the chance to try a few of my favorite things! I have so many more to tell you about, but I'll save that for later. Back to work for me!

Hugs,

Nicole

The ABCs of Being a Good Wedding Party!

A = Arrive on time to the rehearsal and on the wedding day.
B = B is for Bride, remember that this day is about her, not you=)
C = Cake, bring a slice to the Bride and Groom, they will forget to eat some.
D = Dance! Help warm up the dance floor for the other guests so that they feel comfortable dancing as well, there's nothing worse than an empty dance floor!
E = Eat what you ordered, I know you ordered two months ago, but the kitchen only has what they were told to bring, be easy, and remember that B is for Bride!
F = Fluff the wedding gown! When it's all twisted up, it's your job as Maid of Honor to fix it!
G = Garter, catch it! Don't make the Bride feel like she has cooties!
H = Hold the bouquet, as Maid of Honor this is one of your many duties! That thing is heavy!
I = Initiate conversations, be the one to break the ice at your dinner table!
J = Just do it! If the Bride and Groom ask you for help, Help!
K = Keep your personal belongings close by, don't be the one causing drama at the end of the night with your lost purse or wallet!
L = Laugh with people giving toasts so that they don't feel all alone up there!
M = Make new friends, you may not know the hot Bridesmaid you are going to escort, so say hi! It makes the couple so happy to see their friends get along.
N = Notice when the Bride and Groom need your help.
O = Offer to help finish up last minute tasks before the big day like assembling favors and so on
P = Pee before the ceremony! Not right when it has to start!
Q = Quickly move where you are needed, there is a timeline!!!
R = Rings, don't pretent to forget the rings, it's not funny!
S = Sign the marriage license, the Bride and Groom need 2 witnesses to do so in order to be considered married in the state of California.
T = T is for Tuxedo, try it on completely before leaving the Tux shop to make sure everything fits and is accounted for
U = Use your common sense, if it seems like a bad idea, then it probably is.
V = V is for Video, remember that there is a videographer capturing everything you are doing on film, don't do or say something you are going to regret!
W = Water, drink plenty of it! No fainters!
X = Xcited! (I know it's spelt wrong, forgive me for stretching on this one!) Act excited about the wedding! Don't be a downer if it's raining or something goes wrong, help them look on the bright side!
Y = You, this day is not about you! Please be selfless, helpful, and kind. You would want the same on your wedding day.
Z = Zip it during speaches, it's rude to talk while others are giving a toast!

A Hidden Treasure in Half Moon Bay

Nicole D'Ambra Wedding Consulting and Amazae Special Events http://www.amazaespecialevents.com/ teamed up to present a tour of the "Hidden Treasures (Wedding Locations) in Half Moon Bay, CA", Wednesday May 9th, 2007.

Our goal was to show the members of the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants http://www.acpwc.com/ that there are lots of hidden Wedding locations in Half Moon Bay other than the obvious ones we all know about.

I'd like to highlight my favorite find, Long Branch Saloon and Farms. Long Branch takes you back to the old western days. Tucked deep within the rolling hills of Half Moon Bay, it is a treasure to behold. With it's miniature replica of old main street, a working saloon and casino, a huge fire pit BBQ for grilling up the best fixing's, lasso instructions, knife throwing exhibitions, chili cook offs, dress up clothes, a horse-drawn carriage, archery, pistol range, hay rides, old fashioned skits, petting zoo, dancing show girls, and so much more, make Long Branch unique amongst it's very indirect competitors in the area.

At Long Branch you can use their preferred caterer to fire up the BBQ, or bring in your own, and they can offer a complete or partial bar package for you and your guests.

Our visit was near the end of our tour day, and it was so fun! They greeted us in full costume, took us on a tour of the site, then poured champagne for us, and let us practice our shooting skills at a pistol range (with soft pellets of course!). It was so much fun!

Thank you to the owners of Long Branch, Kevin and Wayne for everything!

If you or a friend are looking for the perfect place for a western themed wedding, birthday, anniversary, or any event! Please contact them at http://longbranchfarms.net/

Yeeehawww,

Nicole

Lights, Camera, Action!

Recently Nicole D'Ambra Wedding Consulting took a first hand approach to creating a promotional video for the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants with a lot of help and guidance from one of Northern California's top videographers Mark Shepherd of Shepherd Video Productions! This project was part of my final certification project for the association, and with Mark's help it was also a fantastic learning experience, and I now appreciate videography more than ever before! I learned that much like an event, before starting to produce a video, there is a whole bunch of pre-planning involved! First I took tons of footage from videos and photos and recorded what I wanted to use from them on a worksheet called a final edit decision log. Then Mark's loaded all of the media onto the computer we would use to edit it together into one cohesive video. Mark then used state of the art software to fuse the bits and pieces of video and photography together to make our first draft of the video. After several meetings, and many hours of work, we finally had our first draft of the video. The final test was to run it by the Board of Directions for the association. After finding out their desired changes, it was back to gathering more information to make the changes, then Mark and I met one last time to finalize the video. It was recently unveiled at the last Speaker's Day for the association where over 30 members and students viewed it for the first time. This video will be shown at all new ACPWC classes, including our next class in Texas, and will serve as a tool for marketing at all trade shows and conferences we attend.

Brides and Grooms who don't think they need or want a videographer, LISTEN UP! According to a national study, one of the top three things that couples most regret after their Wedding, is not hiring a videographer to capture those precious moments. Wedding videography today is modern and creative. No more of Uncle Bob's shaky home videos for your Wedding, this is the real thing! When a couple tells me they aren't having a videographer I always make sure to ask them to consider how nice it would be to have a video of them getting married to show their future children, and how important it would be to have an audio visual record of how they looked and sounded on that day! My husband and I often watch our video to remember loved ones who have passed, that we were lucky enough to have join us on our special day. We have toasts from our parents on this video, as well as from our dear friends. My favorite part is the incrimiating clips of my best friends busting a move on the dance floor, gotcha! Your Wedding day is only once, and after your honeymoon when all you can remember are faint glimpses of what you just experienced, you will be able to look back at your video and see the whole Wedding unfold before your very eyes! The Groom gets to see you walk down the aisle ladies, but don't you want to see how fabulous you looked!? Of course! So, don't worry so much about the cost of the videography, because your video will be priceless, and is worth every penny. There are videographers to match all budgets, and your Wedding Consultant can help you plan the appropriate budget for one, and direct you to the right videographer for your personality, lifestyle, and budget needs!

I would personally like to thank Mark Shepherd of Shepherd Video Productions for all of his dedication and hard work for our association! He is amazing and kind, and I highly recommend him to everyone who needs a videographer (notice I said everyone!)

Find out more about Mark Shepherd and Shepherd Video Productions at:
www.go-svp.com/weddings

To see our video and learn more about the ACPWC go to:
http://www.go-svp.com/weddings/wed_samples2.htm

And click on the first link.

You can also go to www.acpwc.com to learn more about our association.

Happy Planning, Many Huggs,

Nicole

Congratulations to Kathy and her snack, ummm I mean Husband Brian!

*All images except the top one courtesy of www.geoffwhitephotography.com

Congratulations to Kathy Ly and Brian Lynch! They were married March 24th, 2007 in San Francisco.

The photo at the top (taken by one of their pals) was used to decorate Kathy and Brian's favors, or shall I say snacks, which were paper gift bags with the photo mounted to them, inside was a snack for guests to take home with them, it consisted of a cute mini waterbottle with the couple's customized label on it, and a small white paper envelope with their custom seal, and a vellum baggie inside filled with colorful M&Ms to match their sky blue, tic tac orange, and apple green color scheme. A clever idea indeed!

Rings and kisses were exchanged at the Swedenborgian church in San Francisco. This church was built in the 1800s by naturalist greats such as John Muir to celebrate the beauty of nature, and it did just that!

A luncheon reception was hosted at chic Bacar Restaurant on Brannan Street in San Francisco. Owner Tonino, site manager Tracey, and their staff were amazing! The couple's guests were treated to delicious California fresh cuisine, followed by an intricate desert bar by pastry chef Cheryl, complete with cute mini cup cakes! Later on the Groom was surprised by a Groom's cake made to look like an antique diver's helmet, inspired by his love for diving, and created with love by I Dream Of Cake.

The theme was green apples! Floral decore, apple table card holders and place cards were inspired by florist great Nancy Liu Chin! The feel was fresh, light, fun, and sassy!

Guests danced the afternoon away to funky swing jazz band Majestic Swing Band, and shutterbugs Lara and Geoff White of Geoff White Photography captured every moment large and small.

Every Wedding starts with love, planning a Wedding with love creates a special day like Kathy and Brian's!

Congratulations you two! I will miss our late night chats!

Many huggs,

Nicole

24 Hours in Hollywood...

A lot can be done in 24 hours!

I recently spent a quick day trip to Hollywood at "A Soolip Wedding" a modern brial event featuring vendors much like any other show would, but with an extra added special touch!

The event took place at Social Hollywood, a new multifaceted restaurant and lounge located in the reclaimed, historic landmark, The Hollywood Athletic Club. Once known as the "Playground of the Stars", this private club attracted the biggest names of the Golden Era, including it's founders Cecil B. De Mille, Charlie Chaplin, Lon Chaney and Rudolph Valentino. After being completely renovated, it is now home to beautiful over the top events and bridal shows such as this one!

The vendors, lunch, cake and champagne tasting, conversations with experts, and fashion show were all spectacular!

My favorite part about exploring this event was assisting Linnae and Jonathan, couture floral designers and owners of Asiel Design http://www.asieldesign.com/ with their booth!

Check out the pictures attached to this posting! WOW!!!

My day in Hollywood proved to be a great team-building experience for myself and a group of vendors that came out to see the show and help Asiel Design, I gathered information on the latest tips and trends, and met new vendors with fabulous talent that I can share with you (my clients)!

Happy Planning!

Nicole

Introducing Marivic's Card Company!

Dear Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Family and Friends,

I'm honored to present Marivic's Card Company to you!

Marivic and Nicole D'Ambra Wedding Consulting have a very special relationship, as Marivic is our primary Wedding and event stationery designer.

Marivic has been in business for many years now, and is very talented at what she does! She can sit down and work with you to customize save-the-date cards, invitations, ceremony programs, table numbers, escort cards, place cards, menus, thank you cards, and more! When you hand over a big job like this to a professional like her, you will be very pleased with the outcome!

You can learn more about Marivic at www.marivicscardcompany.com

Or you can contact me and I will be more than happy to put you in touch with her!

Happy Planning!

Nicole

Welcome to Nicole D'Ambra Wedding Consulting's Blog!

Dear Brides, Grooms, Vendors, Family, and Friends,

Welcome to Nicole D'Ambra Wedding Consulting's Blog!

Please check back often for news, exciting resource sharing, event information, and more!

Happy planning,

Nicole