Floral Inspirations to Spring For!

Choosing your floral arrangements can be a little overwhelming, but sometimes all it takes is the right mix of color or textures to get you inspired.   Here are a few designs to put some spring in your step when working on your wedding to-do list. 1.  Ombre Floral Centerpiece - Green Wedding Shoes Blog

http://greenweddingshoes.com/diy-ombre-floral-centerpiece/

2: Keep It Simple - French Wedding - Style Me Pretty

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2014/03/27/french-wedding-in-the-countryside-of-bergerac/

3.  Stunningly Budget Friendly - Astilbe The Wedding Flower

http://onefabday.com/astilbe/

4. Pretty In Peach - Want That Wedding http://www.wantthatwedding.co.uk/2012/12/17/pretty-in-peach-wedding-inspiration/

4. Spring Inspired Succulent Bouquet - Aileen Tran Events

http://aileentran.com/blog/2011/01/24/bouquets-part-duex/

5. A Bouquet that Pops!

http://perfectweddingcollections.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/spring-wedding-ideas.html

2014 Color Watch

Pantone has released the Fashion Color Report for Spring 2014 and I think we can work with these colors! My personal favorites are Radiant Orchid and Hemlock, but I am looking forward to seeing Dazzling Blue on the radar as well!

Check out Pinterest for some creative uses of color!

Photo Credits:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/FCR/default.aspx?season=spring&year=2014 http://d1n0t8embjb5t8.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pantone-radiant-orchid.jpg

Sunday Funday..Wedding Style

We are glad to see that so many couples are prepared to take advantage of the Bridal Show for all of their wedding needs, making sure to pre-register and save money at the door is just one of the smart moves they are making. If you pre-registered you will receive your personalized mailing labels with your contact information pre-printed so that you can use them to enter to win countless prizes. If you missed the pre-registration, you can still make your own labels ahead of time and print them from home.

As always we will give a few tips for getting the most from your bridal show experience:

1. Check Your List Be aware of your needs so that can make sure to collect information from exhibitors offering the services you have not yet booked.  For example, if you do not yet have a venue or a wedding coordinator you should be sure to make that a priority.  Take advantage of discounts and special offers, and pay special attention to the expiration (if any) of the offer.

2. Attire Your wedding will give you time to shine, but the bridal show isn't the best place for those new heels you bought.  Your feet will thank us, just be comfortable!  Bring a bag that you will be comfortable holding so that you can easily store flyers and business cards from the exhibitors.

3. Entourage Make a day of it, bring your bridal party as back up just in case you need someone to help you decide which catering sample rocked your world, or to help you cover more ground and listen for your name on the prize announcements overhead.

4. Enjoy This day is about you, and all of the possibilities out there to help shape your big day into the celebration you always dreamed of.  So go ahead, have another cupcake on us!

The Holidays DIY Style

Add some sparkle and fun to your holiday events with these fun DIY Ideas: 1.  Drinks

Photo Credit: DIY Sequin Glass Collars by Green Wedding Shoes

2. Santa Baby Photo Credit: Santa Party Favors

3. Gift Tag Photo Credit: Printable Holiday Tags

4. Vintage Holiday Glass Jar Photo Credit: DIY Vintage Christmas Jar

5. Accessorize!

Photo Credit: DIY New Years Eve Hairclip

'I Do' Responsibly

Weddings are a time we bring friends and family together to celebrate your new chapter in life, so unless you have chosen to have a "dry wedding" odds are there will be a champagne toast and then some!  You can choose to serve drinks during either the cocktail hour, reception or both.

When deciding on what types of beverages to serve, consider your guests, budget, and the type of atmosphere you want to have. If you are concerned with over indulgence or expense considering limiting the amount of alcohol per guests, or perhaps only offering beer and wine.

Many wedding venues will specify their requirements and limitations with serving alcohol, some may require a licensed bartender, event insurance, and/or an additional deposit. Some may allow you to supply your own alcohol, while others may not.  If you are supplying your own alcohol but don't know how much you need, try the Bevmo Calculator http://www.bevmo.com/Misc/PartyPlanner.aspx

We recommend hiring a licensed and insured bar service to host your event as they are not only great bartenders but they specialize in weddings and events and know how to determine when someone has had too much to drink.  They can discreetly handle this for you without causing a scene, and in the end will help ensure everyone has a safe but responsible evening.  A professional bar service will also assist you with selecting wines & spirits as well as the quantity needed for the size of your event. For help choosing a Bar Service in the 530 area, visit our directory.

When it comes to the end of the night (your wedding night is a blur so take care of these details ahead of time) have a transportation plan in place.  If your location is a distance from town consider a shuttle for larger groups.  Make sure that you discuss vehicles and over-night parking with your venue, you don't want any guests to have their cars towed!

Cheers to an amazing wedding night, and to celebrating responsibly!

~Happy Planning!~

Get The Word Out

At a time of year when many couples are celebrating their engagement, many are looking for fun ways to announce their news & their date to their immediate friends and family.  Call us old fashioned but Facebook just doesn't cut it! Depending on the length of your engagement you can opt for an engagement announcement, save the date card, or even a wedding announcement if you chose to elope and want to announce the nuptials.

Here are a few cute ways to spread the news!

Charming Chalkboard Save the Date Cards

Our Love Story Save the Date Minibook™ Cards

Wood Carving Save the Date Cards

Stache + Kiss Save the Date Cards

Engaged Engagement Party Invitations

E is for Engaged Engagement Party Invitations

Darling Deuce

Finally Engaged

Keep in mind, announcements like these do not have to correspond with your wedding theme as you may not have even defined what your theme is yet at this stage of the game.  If you already have your theme in mind, or would like to create one from scratch and want to work with a local designer you can head over to The Idea Emporium and get started on branding your wedding!

__________________________________________ **Disclosure: The530Bride is an affiliate of Minted.com and TinyPrints.com, we only list and recommend products and services from companies that we have personally used and believe are a good fit for our readers.  We may receive a commission from products purchased directly from sponsored posts.  For more information please contact us.

Have You Branded Your Wedding Yet?

The days of having to trying to piece together corresponding wedding items that match your color and style are coming to an end.  In comes the trend of branding your event so that the design is exclusively yours while keeping things cohesive across the board. If you are unfamiliar with this trend, you are in for a treat because we have invited our local branding expert Carey Galliani from The Idea Emporium to "school us" on what it all means!

How did branding become a trend in weddings? Like most traditions, weddings have evolved over the years.  When our grandmothers got married they wore white dresses and carried flowers and were in love.  When our mothers got married they took those customs and added some personality in the form of a set of colors that would make appearances throughout the celebration.  When our sisters got married the wedding environment changed once again with the popular addition of a theme or motif (if you’ve attended a wedding in the last year odds are pretty good it featured purple, mason jars, burlap or peacock feathers- the largest trends of 2012).  And now we stand on the precipice of the next big thing to introduce itself into the wedding world…event branding.

Okay, what is branding exactly? Branding in the business world is a term you may already be familiar with.  It’s the biggest ambassador of a business, more than a logo it’s the face of a company.  A well-rounded brand includes at least one logo, a carefully crafted color palette and specifically outlined typefaces (or fonts) all of which used together create the brand.   Each piece of collateral produced for the company  (product, promotional pieces, business cards, packaging, etc.) features the company’s “face”.  So how does this apply to your wedding?

What does it mean to brand a wedding? As any bride or groom can tell you there are a million tiny pieces that go into a wedding.  The big stuff you’ve been warned about; the flowers, the linens, the rentals… but what about the tiny touches?  This is where custom event branding can take your wedding to the next level. Event branding ensures that all of the bits and pieces, from the table numbers to the thank you cards and from the invitation to the cocktail napkins & matchbooks are cohesive, impressive, and most importantly say something about you.

“In a world of mass production, wouldn’t it be nice for your wedding to be a breath of fresh air that looks and feels like an authentic representation of your relationship?” explained Carey Galliani, owner of wedding design company, The Idea Emporium.  “Custom branding gives our clients the opportunity to show their personalities through their event details.  This year I had the opportunity to design a dinosaur theme wedding.  White roses, calligraphy and tuxedos are beautiful, but wouldn’t be a fit at all for that couple.  So we took the dinosaur inspiration and ran with it bringing in sophisticated prehistoric touches that were a true representation of the couple.  The best part was hearing how “them” their wedding was and their guests felt the same.”

How do couples get started? Branding your wedding is a two-step process; the creation of the brand and the creation of the wedding pieces that utilize that brand. Just like a company, your brand will include a color palette (good news…you can have more than 2 colors), logo and typefaces.  It will also feature a monogram for you and your future spouse and graphic patterns to compliment the look.

What does wedding branding look like? Here are a few examples of a brand board for a couple that outlines their patterns, color palette, logo/mongram & typography or fonts, etc.

Brand Board Example #1

Pages from BRAND BOARD copy

Brand Board Example #2

Pages from Rusty and Christin Palm

Pages from Julia and Craig-Design Board

Brand Board Example #3 Your wedding logo may make its appearance on your invitation, welcome signage and ceremony program.  Whereas the monogram will make its way onto things like menus, favor packaging.  The patterns and graphic elements designed within your brand are great for items like envelope liners and table runners.  These are also perfect for party favors.  Lets face it, a shot glass with your name on it is cute, but a shot glass in mint and white stripes with the white peony printed on it is something a guest will truly want to keep…which is the point of a favor anyway right?

Long story short, if you want your wedding to be cohesive and riddled with perfectly harmonious details then event branding is the way to go.

For more information about the Idea Emporium, and how to get started contact Carey today:

The Idea Emporium  www.theideaemporium.net or follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theideaemporium 

Featured Venue - Gale Vineyards

Between the shady avenues of the vineyard, a secret oasis awaits you. Soaring groves of bamboo, oak, and sycamore cast shadows as you meander throughout the gardens, taking in the smells of warm earth, rich soil, and Italian grapes.you've arrived- Welcome to Gale Vineyards.

Features include Koi Ponds, Outdoor Lighting, Private outdoor setting

photos courtesy of Gale Vineyards

Fore more information please contact this venue directly:

Gale Vineyards Durham, CA

Phone	(530) 891-1264
Email	Steve@GaleVineyards.com
Website	http://galevineyards.com/

Plan to Look & Feel Amazing for Your Wedding

As a bride (or groom), our wedding is one of the most important days in our lives so we naturally want to look and feel amazing.  Unfortunately, we often fall victim to the claims of the magic pill or fad diet that will make unwanted weight fall off,..when we should instead be planning on making lifestyle changes to achieve the nutrition and fitness level that we want to reach.  These changes will not only get you in shape for your wedding but will prepare you for the next steps in your life of starting out as newlyweds. If you ask any dietician or fitness trainer there is just no such thing as a quick fix or easy way out, it takes hard work but the results are worth it. Making the decision to change your eating habits and increase physical activity is a more than a challenge, it is a commitment to yourself to do better.  We believe the best way to stay on track is to have a coach or mentor for advice, tips & the education in order to get the best results.  Whether you just want to get toned in certain areas to look great in your dress or if you have more weight to lose it is a good idea to choose the best time and structure to meet your needs.  Group training is a great motivator so that you have encouragement to keep pushing, and the workouts are more varied so you stay interested.

The 530 Bride has teamed up with Paradox Fitness & Martial Arts in Chico to bring you advice on training & nutrition.  From Women's Only Classes to Strength & Conditioning & Martial Arts Fusion they truly bring it on every level, and can help you find what works for you.

Photo courtesy of Jeanette Krzyzek Photography

About Paradox Fitness & Martial Arts "At Paradox Fitness & Martial Arts we are committed to providing our clients with the most unique and progressive training techniques in small groups and one on one training. Through cutting edge technique, top notch instruction and unyielding motivation, we will help our clients achieve their athletic best and empower them to live life more fully. Paradox Fitness & Martial Arts is managed by its founders, Paula and Micah Hankins, who developed the facility out of a desire to have the most highly trained and educated clients while providing them the most unique atmosphere found in any fitness facility."

Stay tuned for some sweet work out tips & nutrition information from Paradox Fitness! In the mean time check out their website and contact information to learn more.

Paradox Fitness & Martial Arts (530) 774-3902  |  986 C1 East Ave. Chico, CA https://www.facebook.com/paradoxfitness

Featured Photographer ~ Emily Hajec Photography

Fun. Fresh. Modern. Natural light, on-location, lifestyle photography for fun, fresh, modern people in Northern California and the Reno-Tahoe area.

We met Emily and instantly loved her style & personality she portrays in her work, whether in her portraits or weddings her talent shows!  There are a lot of options when it comes to photographers in Northern California, so couples can choose the photographer that fits with their vision and their personalities.  Set up a consultation with Emily to see if she is "the one" for you!

"My hubby and our little girl are my everything...my whole world...my soulmates...they're the cheese to my macaroni." ~ Emily

Contact info Email emilyhajecphotography@gmail.com Website http://www.emilyhajec.com

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner really stumps a lot of couples when it comes to the Do's and Don'ts, formality, who attends etc.  While just as many wedding traditions have changed, the rehearsal dinner is really up to you as a couple to decide.  However here is the run down on rehearsal dinners: The rehearsal gives you a chance to have a practice run-through of your wedding and can take place either at the ceremony venue location or somewhere off-site if the location isn't available.  You can take this time to delegate any wedding-day responsibilities, practice the order of the ceremony and make any adjustments as needed.  This time is valuable for introducing members of your wedding party or family who haven't met, and to get some of the jitters out!  The rehearsal & rehearsal dinner are typically held the night before your wedding and should be in the early evening so that you and your wedding party can get some rest before the big day.

The grooms family customarily would host and pay for the rehearsal dinner but this can be altered if you as a couple have decided otherwise.   The hosts are responsible for food and drink, but if your budget is tight you might consider a cocktail & appetizer mixer, or potluck style dinner rather than something more formal.  Plan on inviting your wedding party, immediate family members and their dates.  If you have guests from out of town you should consider inviting them as well.  The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful time to enjoy with your friends and family here to celebrate with you, and take it from us your wedding day flies by so make the most of every gathering!

If you haven't booked your rehearsal dinner location, below are some of the featured venues in the 530 area.  For more ideas and suggestions, feel free to contact us.

More on Rehearsal Dinners

Featured Rehearsal Dinner Locations Valley View Grille, Auburn, CA

Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge  Chico, CA Private Dining from 10 up to 70 Guests

Japanese Blossom Chico, CA

Nash's Restaurant Chico, CA

Tres Hombres Chico, CA Try their Taco Bar!

Pasquini's Fine Italian Food Live Oak, CA

Farwood Bar and Grill Orland, CA

Marcellos Italian Restaurant Yuba City, CA

Sopa Thai Cuisine Yuba City, CA

For The Wedding Party

You have been trusted with the important role of a bridesmaid, but you don’t know what the bride needs or wants from you?  We are here to help!

If you ask a bride what you can do to help, chances are she won’t be able to even explain all of the little details that are swirling around in her head.  So how can you help your bride when she is in overload mode? Listen.

We aren’t saying that you have to devote the next six months to a year to wedding sessions with her but when you are talking to her make sure that you are understanding of how much she has on her plate.  Wedding planning is supposed to be fun, so do your best to put a smile on her face and remind her that you are there if she needs your help.  Offering to do projects or help organize her wedding plans is a nice gesture and shows that you do want to help if she needs it.

What is expected of a bridesmaid? Here are some of the common roles of a bridesmaid:

- Offer to help with specific tasks such as tying bows on programs or menus etc - Lend a hand with double checking the RSVP’s or mailing list as a second pair of eyes - Assist with music selection, offer suggestions for playlist if needed -Assist with selecting attire for wedding party -Snap photos of the wedding process to add to the Bride’s album -Assemble favors, decor etc if needed -Assist with tracking gifts at wedding shower for thank-you cards - Learn how to bustle the wedding dress & these are just a few!

We know all of this wedding stuff can get expensive with buying a bridesmaids dress, shoes  & sometimes taking off work to attend wedding functions.  Check out some of our DIY related posts to give you some ideas on how to throw the best bridal shower, bachelorette party or assist with wedding projects for less!

(Read DIY related posts here on The 530 Bride.)

If you are an out of town bridesmaid and don’t know how to offer a hand from long distance you may want to see if there is any research you can help with such as looking at local restaurants for the rehearsal dinner or offer to help with room blocks or other tasks that can be done over the phone or online.

The most important part of being a member of the wedding party is sharing the experiences of planning and celebrating such an important day in the couple’s lives.  Though it is nice to have a bridesmaid around to help with planning, it may not be possible for you to be present at all times and the couple will understand.

Here are a few resources for bridesmaids from those who have walked in your heels! Bridesmaid Tips & Advice Bridesmaid.com  Always a Blogsmaid The Knot

Yuba Sutter Bridal Show

It was great to meet so many excited couples planning their upcoming wedding. Lots of great questions and inspiration, so we know 2014 will be a busy year!

Mark Your Calendars!

Some very exciting bridal events are just around the corner in the "530" area, so make sure you mark these dates down so that you don't miss out! Yuba Sutter Bridal Show September 8th - Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds Featuring the area's premier wedding professionals all in one event to simplify your wedding planning process.  The show offers catering & cake samples, music , a fashion show, giveaways & more! Click here to pre-register

WeDo Designs - Open House September 8th - Noon to 3pm 1616 Nord Ave, Suite G Chico, CA 95926 View linens, rentals & décor for your upcoming event Visit www.WeDoDesigns.net for more information

Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo - New Location  September 10th - Style Me Maids Tuesday - 5 to 7pm September 11th - Stylish Details Wednesday - 5 to 7pm September 12 - Sample Sale Thursday - 10 am to 7 pm September 13 - Ooh La La Friday - 5 to 7 pm

Enjoy Discounts, Giveaways, refreshments & more. Appointments are recommended http://www.alwayselegantbridal.net

Blush Catering - Supper Club September 28th - 6pm to 10pm Searching for a caterer for your special day, or maybe date night plans? Check out Blush Catering's intimate monthly dining experience, featuring a unique, local, and sustainable menu! RSVP required. Email blushcatering@gmail.com for more information, or visit their Facebook.

More event information coming soon!

*Have an event you want to promote? Leave your information as a comment or send us a message and we are happy to spread the word!

Working on Your Wedding Playlist?

Are you trying to put your wedding playlist together but feeling stuck on what to choose?  When you are putting your playlist together you can add songs that may just be background music or prelude songs while guests are arriving or socializing during your cocktail hour.  This is a good time to add some of the more playful and fun songs that you enjoy listening to and would like to share with your guests.    Many couples may have songs they would like to use, but feel they have been over played.  Our suggestion is to take an older song or a well-known version of a song and find a cover version which will give life to your playlist.  Sometimes the change of tempo, or style makes it sound brand new and will definitely keep your guests interested! Here are just a few fun songs as well as covers of some well-known songs: Boyce Avenue - A Thousand Years

Hunter Hayes - Wanted

Civil Wars- Dance Me To The End of Love

Adele - Lovesong (The Cure)

Sara Bareilles - I Choose You

The Civil Wars - Forget Me Not

Did you find a gem that you want to share with others? Feel free to post the link or name of the song and artist on this post!

~Happy Planning~

For a list of local wedding DJ's visit our directory

*Featured Image compliments of LJS Productions www.ljsproductions.com

What is Missing From Your Planning Process?

With the internet at our finger tips, we can literally spend countless hours researching and "pinning" images, but it there is something missing from this process.  Without tasting the cake, lacing up the gown, a trial hair & make-up run, feeling different linens and seeing up-lights & decor transform a space; you haven't truly started planning. As the Chico Bridal Show approaches and the excitement grows for both the couples and the exhibitors I try to stress the point that the show is an investment for all parties involved.  As the couple planning your wedding, you want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with local wedding professionals who can offer you the best services and products available to you in our area.  This is when your real planning begins.

Armed with the knowledge you have after attending a bridal show, you can make an informed decision on who you would like to book a consultation with and what areas you need assistance with the most.  You can pick up samples, business cards, event flyers and enter into drawings for some pretty great prizes!

On the flip side, the exhibitors in the show (having been one myself) want to meet couples who are interested in learning more about their services.  They get to meet new couples and expand their business by booking events but they also get to push their own envelope by creating exhibit spaces that are inspiring to them and appealing to you!  A photographer can display their work on a beautiful canvas and show you some of their album samples, a wedding planner or decor company can display leading wedding trends and styles, and each exhibitor brings their own unique experience and style to the table for you to enjoy.

So for about the same price as a mocha and a tasty treat at your favorite coffee spot, you can cross off some to-do items and enjoy yourself at the Chico Bridal Show this sunday (August 18th, from 11-3pm) at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.  Pre-registration is available by following this link to our registration page.  http://www.the530bride.com/upcoming-events/pre-registration-is-now-available/

DIY Table Runner Project

Here at The 530 Bride we love to see couples express their style and personality while enjoying their wedding experience.  We are fans of the ladies over at The Idea Emporium for encouraging their clients to step outside the box and get creative.  We are happy to share this creative and inexpensive DIY Table Runner project demonstrated by Carey at The Idea Emporium!

Materials Needed 14 yards of white muslin fabric Scissors Fabric Dye 1 large bucket Boiling water (per dye instructions)

Step 1: Rip fabric to desired width by cutting a starter mark, and then proceed to rip the fabric into two equal sections

Step 2: Following the instructions included with the dye packet, bring water to a boil. Meanwhile, begin fraying the edges of the fabric.

Step 3: Once you have frayed all of the edges, fold the fabric in half lengthwise and then proceed to roll it towards you

Step 4: Mix the water and the dye packet in a large bucket, and dip the fabric into the dye with the frayed edges down. You can dip the fabric in to the dye at the desired depth, and as many times as needed to give the intended color. *For an ombre effect you can use multiple buckets with varying shades of the dye*

Step 5: Unroll the fabric and layout to dry on a flat surface

We love this color combo of white and blue, but the choice is yours so feel free to get creative. This project is not only fun, but it can really save you money! Here is our breakdown of expenses:

14 yards of Muslin fabric @ 3.99 per yard* 2 boxes of dye @ $2.29 per box

*The amount of fabric you need will depend on what size table you are using and the length you would like the fabric to extend past the edge of the table.

If you would like assistance with planning and or designing your wedding or next big event please feel free to shoot us a message with any questions and we will be happy to help!

Keeping Expenses Down For Your Wedding Party

In the August/September issue of Brides Magazine, 103 bridesmaids participated in a poll and gave some insight.  Among many of the interesting questions such as what a bride should know when choosing her bridesmaids, thoughts about the bachelorette party, and of course the dresses; one thing stood out to me.  73 percent of bridesmaids who were asked what the hardest part of being a bridesmaid was, responded that the expense was the most difficult. As a bride you expect that costs are going to add up because it is your wedding, we may not stop and think about the costs for those involved in our wedding party.  Typical expenses are the cost of the attire for the wedding, travel expenses, time off from work, and shower/wedding gifts.

Here are a few ideas on keeping your expenses down without compromising a good time!

1. Choose an affordable dress line for the bridesmaids to choose from, or allow them to choose their own gown.  Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own gown may give your girls a little more pocket change as well as feel more comfortable in their dresses.

2. Plan your bridal shower/wedding related projects and events close together in dates if you have out of town bridesmaids so that they can make less trips without having to miss out on the fun.  If you have a bridesmaid or maid of honor who can't attend the final fitting, get creative and see if you can come up with a way to face time or Skype with them in the dress store if the store owner allows.

3. Stay local and plan a night out that won't break the bank.  You may be able to live it up in your home town by saving money from airfare and hotels.  Get a limo or talk to some of the local bars about having your own VIP table vibe without the out of town price tag!

4.  Their presence is gift enough, let your ladies and gents know that you understand they have had to spend money to be involved in all of the events and are just happy they were able to be a part of everything with you!

5. Look for discounts for booking as a group, and try to plan things out in advance. Check for rewards programs and other incentives for travel arrangements.

6. Talk your wedding vendors such as your planner for ideas on keeping your budget in check and you may get some creative tips and advice from vendors.  When you network with your professional vendors you are tapping into a pretty great resource!

Money can be a touchy subject, and sometimes you may think that your bridesmaid is checked out from your wedding planning but in reality she may just be stressed with the thought of the financial aspect.  Just remember that you are doing all of this to celebrate your love and commitment to each other as a couple, and want to share this with your friends and family!

~ Happy Planning~