So many times, while working at a wedding with other vendors I think to myself, I really like this person (florist, photographer, musician, caterer) I wish we could work together again.  As a professional wedding planner, I do keep a preferred vendor list that I use to guide couples toward vendors that I trust, enjoy working with, and believe bring the level of quality and professionalism that my clients are expecting.  That said, it is very rare that a couple chooses every one of my favorite vendors for their wedding.  Hence, the birth of “Engaged! A Wedding Vendor Collective.”

Our branding expert and accomplished violinist, Nate Lewis hatched a brilliant plan for a few vendors to get together and put on an event showcasing our specific wedding related specialties.  The incredibly generous and talented, Joelle Cruz, publisher and Creative Director of Made In Palo Alto a quarterly magazine who also happens to own and operate BRIM a hat gallery in the Town & Country Village offered his very hip space.

Colson Griffith Photography is our resident creative force and documenter of our collaborative efforts.  He captured the images you see in this post and appears here in a rare sighting on the other side of his camera.  Colson is a blast to work with as well as an accomplished storyteller.  Our event on April 30, 2011 will also serve to celebrate his one-year anniversary in the full time wedding photography business.  Congratulations, Colson!

Indelisa Montoro of Royal Bloom is our florist extraordinaire. Indy brings a vintage feel to her floral art using all sorts of treasures she has collected along the way.  Her boutique in the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park is filled with fabulous finds including a bin of vintage mismatched silver flatware that I spent last Thursday afternoon polishing to be used on our reception table display at the event.  Royal Bloom was the backdrop for the photos and video in this post.  A gorgeous space that inspired each of us.

Dzung Duong of Honeysuckle Catering is wowing us with her confections.  She created three mini cakes for our inspiration gathering that were adorable to look at and divine to taste.  Dzung is a You Tube celebrity with over 10,000 views of her how-to cooking and baking videos.  She brings a stylish, tasty, whimsical spin to our “Engaged!” event. She is also the first to suggest that we change the name for our next vendor collective as many of her facebook friends were elated to see here post ENGAGED on her status page.  It was intended to invite people to our event not announce a major life change!  Further complicated by the fact that Nate Lewis is also promoting our event and is Dzung’s boyfriend.  Woops!

It’s Your Day, weddings & events is my business and I’ll be bringing an eye for detail and table design to the event.  The girl with the clipboard will be in full effect on April 30.  I have to admit, as much as I adore weddings and working with fantastic couples this event has been really fun to plan.  There is no client to speak of so each of us has the opportunity to try something we’ve been wanting to that hasn’t been chosen by a couple…yet.  Be watching for the newest wedding trends as decided by us at

Engaged! A Wedding Vendor Collective

on April 30, 2011

from 2:00 – 7:00 pm

at BRIM in Town and Country Village

Palo Alto, CA.

In the spirit of my recently proclaimed quest to “do something fabulous everyday” – today did not disappoint. A few weeks ago I received a coveted invitation to view the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, K.G. and Miss Catherine Middleton at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.  If you’ve never visited this bay area landmark you really must add it to your short list of to-do’s.  The Palace Hotel, a historic downtown San Francisco hotel, holds a fabled past steeped in grandeur.  For over a century, the Palace Hotel has been the site of important and regal events ranging from formal political gatherings to the exclusive galas of high society and private parties.  The Palace Hotel today maintains the hotel’s tradition of excellence and sophistication.

On December 15, 1909 the Palace Hotel re-opened its doors, completely rebuilt after the devastation of the April 18, 1906 great quake of San Francisco. Since its 1909 reopening, the Palace Hotel has remained the Grand Dame of historic San Francisco hotels, sharing its many treasures with the loyal citizens of San Francisco and visitors from around the world.

I met my friend and fellow wedding industry insider, Colson Griffith in the lobby just before 9:00 a.m. and was instantly greeted with champagne.  A great way to start a Friday!  We were seated near the front (thanks to Catering Manager, Kate Taffel!) and found a menu inspired by English tradition to commemorate the marriage of the Royal Couple.

At the table

Ported Stilton Cheese

Appointed Majesty Jams & Thick Cut Bitter Marmalade

English Pickled Onions

~ First Course ~

Steel Cut Oatmeal

with a shot of Irish Whisky & Cream

(to which Colson said “butter & brown sugar is so 2010!”)

~ Second Course ~

Cottled Egg, Back Bacon, Grilled Tomato,

Vol-Au-Vent filled with Baked Beans

~ Third Course ~

Palace Hotel Wedding Cake

Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Filling

When you enjoy a glass of champagne with a shot of the King’s Ginger (one of the morning’s sponsors) in it, you might as well just go for it and have whiskey on your oatmeal.  Surprisingly, it was pretty yummy and it might find it’s way onto a garden party menu in the future…

Since I was already in the city, and had responsibly taken public transportation to get there, I decided to meet Colson at his next stop of the day, Batter’s Bridal Boutique.  Jen Musty of Batter was hosting an event in her pop up shop at 555 California.  Partnering with Heritage & Craft for vintage furniture and decor, Floral Theory and Colson Griffith Photography, she created a confection wonderland.  Whoever thought of putting cupcakes in the sections of a desk!  Brilliant and yummy ~ that is this wedding planner’s professional opinion of Jen & Batter!

I wanted to support Batter and their bridal boutique so I left with a box of mixed goodies.  I wish I could say that I practiced great restraint and waited until after dinner, but I cannot tell a lie.  Here is the box, on my lap, on BART, the envy of everyone on that train. Shameful, I know, yet shameless