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Things We Love |
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Your northern California wedding has some distinct offerings: Golden Gate’s proud city surrounded by beautiful wine countryside – Napa Valley. Cindy Danbom of Bella Notte Events knows the city well, and gave us these ideas:
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 Eau de Parfum by Vera Wang
An exotic fruity, floral bouquet teased with vanilla and an unexpected
twist of pink guava. The gold crown cap contains a hidden treasure: a
keepsake gold band studded with tiny amethyst-colored crystals. $42 -
$68 verawang.com
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Skip the never-ending search for the perfect favor and head straight to the valet! Surprise your guests with an old-fashioned donut cart stationed upon the exit.
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 Monogrammed Straw Handbag - Monogrammed striped straw handbag with faux
leather handle, Colors available: Aqua/Lime, Lime/Pink, Pink/Orange,
Tigerlillyjewelry.com , Retail $56
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 Art of Shaving
Generates a rich lather for the classic wet shaving experience
with a shaving brush – close yet comfortable. Formulated with glycerin and coconut oil. In an elegant teakwood bowl.
~ $45 Fred Segal Beauty, shop.fredsegalbeauty.com,
310.451.5155
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The enchantment of the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez regions, unfolding their miraculous natural beauty, cast their spell on Jill la Fleur, The Wedding Planner.
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6507 Quail Hill Parkway
Irvine, CA - (949) 725-1773
luccacafe.net
What do a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Analysis and tappas have in common? The answer: Dr. Cathy Pavlos, owner of the Euro-chic-design Lucca Bistro, Orange County’s popular wedding festivity venues. Here, Cathy “designs” innovative tappas and other culinary delights.
Cathy, with degrees in Art History, Social Ecology too, and a licensed Architect, ironically, has no formal culinary education. But she does have Boot Camp! courses for those changing into the culinary professions, and “on the job training” with her Italian Grandmother from age 4.
Also, although Cathy lived in Rome and traveled Europe for the architecture, she recalls bribing waiters for recipes and inviting herself into Greek restaurant kitchens, so thinks maybe it was really about learning about the food!
 After retirement Cathy and husband Elliott, Greek with his own flare for food and wine, opened Lucca, with Cathy being Head Chef, and Elliott, General Manager/Wine Steward.
This is fortunate for the many couples who consider Lucca their one-stop culinary resource, beginning with the family introduction dinner, where Cathy’s innovative European bistro-style tapas shared in “stages” and Elliott’s custom-created Wine Flights from over 60 fine wines “break the ice.” Rehearsal and reception dinners, including Cathy’s five- or seven-course tasting menus and off-site catered wedding feasts can be custom-prepared in almost any size.
Cathy’s fondest food memories are dining at her Italian Grandparents’ home with family and extended family, and you can become part of her extended family too.
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 For the reception, Jemie changed into a Chinese Chi Pao dress which, in keeping with the ocean theme, was custom-made by Helen’s Chi Pao in blue instead of the traditional red...
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 “Hindu weddings have rituals that have evolved since early times,” Monica says, “and they differ in many ways from the modern Western wedding ceremony.”...
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 After a yacht ride across San Francisco Bay and dinner with Alvin’s parents, they wound up alone on the top floor of the St. Francis Hotel...
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 On the eve of her birthday, Maria was with friends at the Spotted Pig restaurant in New York, standing alone at the bar waiting for her drink....
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Tips |
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# 1 - LOUNGING ANYWHERE
Wonder what to do to a resort ballroom to make it more interesting and intimate? You can create individual lounge areas by renting tents of sheer flowing fabric and adding sofas and coffee tables with lots of candlelight in them. You’ve suddenly created that romantic lounge atmosphere in a standard ballroom and given it more intimacy. Your guests can move to different “rooms” during the cocktails hour or or they can dance the night away. Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#21 LA FLEUR TABLE
Cover your entire table top with a single bold color of petals. Not
just a scattering, but the entire top of the table with a thick layer
of petals! You can purchase them at a farmers market or order them
through your florist. Place your chargers, place settings, glassware
and centerpieces in a contrasting color and lots of candles directly
onto the petals for a stunning, romantic look!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#31 FLORAL DECOR
No wedding is complete without flowers. Try updating the traditional
centerpiece by using masses of your favorite flowers in a variety of
complementary tones for added texture and interest. For instance, if
your bloom-of-choice is the gerbera daisy, try one centerpiece with
dozens of red gerberas, another with orange, and another with
fuchsia-colored bunches. Let your imagination run wild!
Ariel Yve, Ariel Yve Design
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