Scott Corridan
Corridan & Company Design Studios

     Scott Corridan laughs when he recalls his first boutonnière. “It took five and a half hours—yes, hours! — and landed me in the emergency room with a split-open finger!” Now, 12 years later, Scott is the owner of Santa Barbara-based full-scale event production firm, Corridan & Company Design Studios (CCDS).
     Scott appeared in a lead capacity on Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition on ABC and co-hosted Wedding In A Week.  He served as visiting expert on Modern Girls’ Guide To Life; appeared on The Tyra Banks Show 10K Turnaround, and is developing, with business partner Marla McNally-Phillips, new programs for MTV Networks.
     What is the secret of Scott’s success?
“Sharing our clients’ story with the people they love, validating their most intimate and vulnerable dreams—it’s a great honor and I take it very seriously.”
     When asked about his most memorable event, Scott says “There are too many and I love them all!”  With photographer Elizabeth Messina, Scott will share some of his best wedding stories which span the globe.  “Great stuff!” says Scott.  More of his stories will soon appear in Grace Ormonde, In Style, OK Magazine and Town & Country. 
      But Scott’s philosophy remains down to earth. “Anyone can create a party but, for an outstanding event, you must tell the story of the couple’s love.  It is at the center of everything I do with and for wedding couples.” To the couples, he says, “Stay focused on your love and commitment to one another, and nothing you can do will be wrong and every decision you make will be right!”
For more about Scott, read his Scott’s Garden column on his website.

SANTA BARBARA    LOS ANGELES     INTERNATIONAL
(805) 565-9770      (323) 343-0909   (800) 460-7496

HTTP://WWW.CORRIDANANDCO.COM
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Nicole Lenzen
Tigresse Fashion

     Do you covet a bridal gown not made of duchess satin in a strapless, one-piece design? If so, visit Nicole Lenzen, owner of Tigresse Fashion of San Francisco, and check out her bridal, evening, and daywear lines, designed for the stylish urban sophisticate.
     Nicole’s secret is her ability to understand her client—“Is conservative or liberal, formal or informal, modest or flamboyant?”—and pairing her personality with her physique. Nicole uses French patternmaking techniques and unconventional fabrics. “I enjoy combining denim with French lace or tulle, heavily textured materials with ultra-smooth fabrics, netting or lace over solids to provide colour contrasts, leather with velvet, etc.”

     Tigresse Fashions also encourages modularity for an original look that can also be worn again after the wedding. “A bride can choose a denim top with a silk skirt, and re-wear the top with jeans or a mini skirt long after the wedding without an overt bridal connotation.”
    It is fitting that Nicole chose Tigresse for her company’s name. “The female tiger captures who my client is—daring and fierce, strong and intense, but with a soft, feminine side.
   
SAN FRANCISCO
(415) 553-8774

HTTP://WWW.TIGRESSEFASHION.COM
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Heidi Whitcomb
Ventura Rental Party Center

    Heidi Whitcomb got her training on the job in her family’s construction rental business.  “At first it was a challenge to stand up confidently to a big burly construction guy wanting to rent a whirly bird, jumping jack, plumbing weenie or fish tape,” she says, laughing.  “I learned quickly.”   
    Heidi’s father, her mentor and her biggest fan, encouraged her to start a branch of the business that offered rentals for special events with the agreement that she begin within the structure of the existing business.  “It was hard at first with a mix backhoes and china in the same location but we did it,” says Heidi.
     Today Ventura Rental Party Center participates in over 400 events a month, supplying everything her clients need to create a successful event from flooring and lighting to satin linens and crystal flutes. “Our job is to make others look great.  We invite our clients to the showroom and we assist in putting the components together for them.”
    Heidi has some advice for couples:  “Find vendors that you like as people and connect with them.  There are many ways to get the right look, regardless of the budget.  Then keep the drama and stress down to a minimum because, in the end, it is unimportant compared to the milestones you will be celebrating with your partner for the rest of your life.”

VENTURA
1601 CALLENS ROAD
(805) 644-4496

HTTP://WWW.VRPARTY.COM
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Nicole Sillapere
Sillapere Events and Environments

    Sillapere Events and Environments, a unique San Francisco floral design house, is known for creating “green” weddings that integrate respect for the planet’s resources in the creation of beautiful products and spaces.
   Look locally, Nicole Sillapere advises. There are great environmental and monetary savings in sourcing local materials instead of resources that have been shipped from afar, using non-sustainable fossil fuels and excess packaging.  “Local tulips may cost $3.50 per bunch versus $12 for imports, and are often grown without the heavy use of toxic pesticides which have an adverse affect on people’s health.”
     Everything from flowers to fabric and flooring to furniture is now available in renewable or non-toxic form. “You don’t have to use green floral foam which has formaldehyde—not a material you want in the center of a dinner table!” says Nicole.  She creates beautiful design with much re-use and salvage. “Branches, vases, vintage fabric, paper, old denim—anything can be given a sophisticated new lease on life with the right touch of creativity and polish,” adds Nicole.  She has built her own prop inventory and rent what she needs to minimize the cost and environmental impact of shipping.
“At Sillapere, we go green because we dream of a world filled with beautiful things that will go on forever.”

SAN FRANCISCO
47 GILBERT STREET
(415) 553-7846

HTTP://WWW.SILLAPERE.COM
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Kathleen Mailliard Rende
Gump's Wedding & Gift Registry, Manager

     Kathleen Mailliard Rende has managed Gump’s of San Francisco’s in-store and on-line Wedding & Gift Registry for the past twelve years, providing personal service to registrants.  “We help the couple choose items that meet their needs and desires as well as reflect their lifestyle, whether casual or formal,” she said.
     Prior to going into retail, Kathleen spent five years in the performing arts before volunteering for the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Symphony, and Children’s Theatre, and worked as an interior designer.
     At Gump’s, Kathleen advises couples to treat their wedding registry with a professional attitude as they would a work project. They should sit down together and discuss their needs, likes and dislikes, then to register together without taking relatives and friends along for the ride.  “You two will be sharing a home.  It makes sense that you should share the things that will create the look and feel of that home.”
     Kathleen advises couples to register at least six months prior to the wedding, preferably right after the engagement, and to treat themselves to the best.


SAN FRANCISCO
135 POST STREET
(415) 984-9341     (800) 444-0450

HTTP://WWW.GUMPS.COM
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