Its summer, the perfect time to put your feet up a read a good book! Thank goodness there is plenty of new reading material out there on our very favorite topic, wedding planning. Here are four of the latest and greatest editions to inspire you and help you plan the wedding youre dreaming of.
Legendary wedding planner Mindy Weiss shares her latest labor of love, The Wedding Book- The Big Book for your Big Day. This must read, stylish, comprehensive tome is chocked full of great advice and common sense tips to take the stress out of wedding planning. Mindys devotion to helping brides just leaps off the pages, and even though she is a sought after celebrity wedding planner, her guidance is given with every bride in mind. Learn how to get organized, stay on budget, and wow your guests from the get-go, from a pro that knows.
Anne Chertoff, author of the popular blog From I Will to I Do, has partnered with Russell and Hazel to create a super cute and ultra useful workbook, The Wedding Organizer. Choose your exterior design from their fantastic options and then print out over 30 different wedding planning worksheets (for free, and as many times as you need) to add to their basic system and totally customize your wedding planning process.
Style expert Susie Coelho has written Style Your Dream Wedding, a book absolutely packed full of incredible images, including many by our Junebug member photographers and dear friends John and Joey Hong of John and Joseph Photography. (Including the lovely one on the stairs above from Junebug’s Luly Yang at the Seattle Art Museum Fashion Report! Fun!) Susie breaks wedding planning down according to 8 different styles and provides advice and ideas for creating a perfectly personal and stylish event.
iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing But ‘Net comes to us from fellow blogger, Christa Terry at Manolo for the Brides. Christa knows that most brides would just as soon turn to the net when it comes to planning their weddings, but with a million wedding websites they often dont know where to turn or who to trust. Check out this handy guide and get on track planning your wedding in no time flat (and check out our mention on page 24! Thanks Christa!)
For all of you reading in Northern California, or planning (or dreaming about) a wine country wedding, today our illustrious guest blogger is Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events and the Sparkliatti blog. Sasha has years of experience planning spectacular weddings and events in this romantic area of the country, so naturally we turned to her to learn about fabulous new wine country wedding ceremony and wedding reception venues. These venues are simply stunning, and make me want to visit them all! Immediately! Thanks Sasha! Enjoy everyone!
A spectacular natural setting, quiet and removed, impeccable service, and a sumptuous mealif these thoughts are becoming a priority as you think about your wedding or special event, then the Calistoga Ranch is the ideal location. Tucked away in a private canyon, Calistoga Ranch combines all the luxuries that Auberge Resorts are known for with the relaxed Napa Valley lifestyle, creating a wonderful theme of food, wine, and romance. A variety of venues are available for ceremonies and receptions, and can be combined together to create the perfect fit for your wedding based on the number of guests, time of day and your vision for your event.
As an Auberge resort, the Calistoga Ranch offers a variety of spaces which lends to its uniqueness. You can be married by the pool, by the lake or in the cave. You can have dinner in the arts and crafts style restaurant or in the cave, and of course you can dance the night away in the cavebasically, the cave is what sells it! While it only hosts up to about 100 people, it makes for a very unique venue for a small number of guests. Lodging here is way above par, boasting amazing rooms with outdoor showers and beautifully appointed wood furnishings. Each room feels like your own home.
In my experience the cave is really unique and is what most people love about the ranch. Aside from that, its a very upscale and exclusive venue which adds to the quality you feel when youre a guest there, and the food is very good and well thought out. The stunning views of the hills, trees and water encompass many of the elements couples are looking for in a ceremony and reception location. What is not to love about such a beautifully appointed venue?
Solage is a one of a kind experience. Its a place where cosmopolitan luxuries take on a comfortable, enlightened attitude. With 89 studio-style accommodations and countless ways to relax, refresh and enjoy, they promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle. They’re also able to mix rustic with refined by incorporating organic design with thoughtful service and indulgent amenities.
Solage is also an Auberge Resort, and can accommodate up to 300 guests. There is a large lawn with room for tenting options as well as indoor ballroom spaces which create the indoor/outdoor feeling a lot of couples adore. Solages lodging is fantastic as they offer many small cabana style studios on the property and encourage their guests to ride the provided bicycles into town. Dogs are also welcome at Solage with a special treat and doggie bed during their stay.
I love many things about this property and think the spa is one of the best Ive ever experienced. Their mud bar is great for couples as well as groups. It can even accommodate many bridesmaids all at once. There are not many places in Napa Valley that can accommodate up to 300 guests and have lodging for 180 of them right on site, making it perfect for large destination weddings. I think that the way they incorporate green practices with refined style makes this a one of a kind venue.
Located in the southern end of the Sonoma Valley, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Winery is a picturesque and elegant place to host a wedding. The Grand Piazza features Italian stonework and five arched windows with a view to the vineyards. The Vineyard Vista overlooks the wetland preserves, other vineyards, distant mountain ranges, and the beautiful Tuscan Road. The Jacuzzi Barrel Room is a chapel-like room that serves as a private event space for up to 150 people and features vaulted ceilings, stunning stained glass windows and three large-scale paintings of St. Teresa.
While many couples dream of having a Wine Country wedding, a lot of wineries are not licensed to host, leaving slim pickings. Jacuzzi Winery is a jewel in the crown of the wine country with its Tuscan inspired style and elegant stonework. Its very close to town and lodging and provides a central location for a destination wedding.
I personally love the Barrel Room. With most wineries offering only outdoor space or a tasting room area for events, Jacuzzi offers the Barrel Room, which is a large and unique environment to host a reception.
For your viewing pleasure, we are happy to bring you our bright, colorful and fabulously fun summer wedding update! Hooray! Please enjoy the wedding style ideas, color palettes and inspiration boards in our “What’s Your Wedding Style?” Fashion Report…
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