Scene & Heard: Sara Gabriel Veiling Trunk Show

Wrapping your head around how to accessorize it (literally) for your Big Day? If so, check out Sara Gabriel's collection of beautiful veils and hair accessories this upcoming weekend at Haute Bride Couture Bridal on Union Street in SF. Calling for an appointment is a must-do, as the store will be closed due to the Union Street Festival.

For a quick view of her designs visit: www.saragabriel.com.

Sara Gabriel Trunk Show:
June 3 & 4th, 10am-8pm
Haute Bride Couture Bridal
1954 Union St.
San Francisco, 94123
415.923.5900

Vendor Spotlight: Zoe Lonergan, Wedding Photographer

Bay Area wedding photographer Zoe Lonergan’s got quite a handle on shooting weddings since she’s been photographing them for about seven years now, both in the Bay Area and Australia. Zoe tells us, “It's an amazing occasion to witness. Everyone is happy and I feel it's an honor to be invited to document such a loving celebration. And of course, everything looks beautiful.”

So what inspires Zoe’s beautiful images? She tells us, “I love holga photography and polaroids. Sometimes I experiment with these at a wedding. I also work as a book designer and I love typography. I'm also inspired by the creative personal touches that make each wedding different.”

Why do we love Zoe? She’s easy to work with, incredibly warm and friendly, and has that perfectly relaxed but professional attitude on the job. Her images are no doubt creative, yet she photographs in a simple, effective, photojournalistic style. Priding herself on allowing herself to capture moments as they happen versus asking the couple to pose, her work will create a story for your wedding day as it unfolds…naturally.

To view her beautiful work, visit: www.zoelonergan.com/photo.html

Vendor Spotlight: Sibby's Cupcakery

Sibby's Cupcakery opened in 2004 with the mission of providing joy and happiness through delicious and beautiful cupcakes. All you need to do is look at her work to get it. Once you taste her cupcakes, you’ll get it even more!

Sibby and her master cupcake elves love contributing to a larger vision and coming up with designs and displays that complement the overall aesthetic of weddings. Wedding planning can be stressful and the last thing that cupcakes should do is cause extra stress. Her goal is to ensure that couples get the wedding cupcakes of their dreams without any hassles.

Customization is Sibby’s specialty. She tells us about an extra fun project, “We recently had a blast doing decorations for a couple who got married on their favorite holiday— Halloween—which happens to be a bakery favorite, as well. We did an assortment of ghosts, skulls and crossbones, jack-o-lanterns and other spooky designs incorporating their monogram and color scheme.” We can only imagine…

So, why do we at Bridebound say yea to Sibby’s Cupcakery for your wedding cupcakes? Well, they use the finest ingredients, everything is baked from scratch each morning, and they have perfected their recipes over the years. Their one-of-a-kind handmade custom decorations enable couples to have an added level of personalization. Sibby’s Cupcakery has intentionally stayed small so that they can focus on quality and customer service. Mostly, we think it’s because they love what they do. Everything they make comes from love.

Just check out their beautiful, delicious creations and you’ll see what we mean:
http://www.sibbyscupcakery.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Joanna Tao, Florist

Florist Joanna Tao saw an opportunity and pounced. She purchased an established florist in San Francisco and spent her first year learning floral design and business managemen, and now she runs Floral Ornament, a storefront and floral design studio in San Francisco’s Financial District.

The best part about her job: “It becomes more than a business transaction. I am genuinely interested in their big day, and I feel a weighty responsibility to be sure my portion of the wedding goes flawlessly. As for inspiration, sometimes two types of flowers that happen to be in the same bucket at my shop will ‘click’ in my head, like a photograph.” She never ceases to marvel at how diverse the palette of flower options are and how endless the combinations can be.

Besides from her exceptional quality and contemporary designs, her prices are considered “bargain basement” by San Francisco’s standards. But don’t be fooled; you will be getting beautiful pieces of art for your big day. Joanna simply has a knack for saving you pennies for peonies.


View her beautiful designs at:
http://www.floralornament.net/

Vendor Spotlight: Gene Kosoy, Wedding Photographer

Gene Kosoy got his start with the camera at an early age, but it wasn’t until after graduating college that he became serious about his hobby and making it into a part-time venture. Three years later, he decided to pursue photography full time, shooting weddings, events, commercial, portrait and music photography. His work has been published in 7x7, the San Francisco Chronicle, Rolling Stone magazine and dozens of other publications.


Gene tells us he loves shooting weddings for many reasons. “My favorite part is the beginning of the day, when I get the chance to spend time with the bride and groom individually, capturing those moments they each can't witness. The hours before the ceremony are filled with excitement, anticipation and joy. It’s my job to capture those special moments in a non-intrusive manner.”

With a love for destination weddings, Gene recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to write a magazine article about them. His recap of the trip can be found on his blog at: http://www.genekosoy.com/weddings-in-the-dominican-republic/.

He considers himself very lucky: he wakes up every morning to do something he truly enjoys. Of his work he says, “When taking photos of the couple I emphasize that they not concentrate on the camera, but on each other instead. The resulting images come out candid and genuine. My passion for my work comes through in my images, and I strive to get images that tell the couple’s love story.”


To view his beautiful work, visit:
http://www.gkweddings.com/

Scene & Heard: Gowns, Gowns, Gowns

Hey Brides-to-Be, here are a couple of great opportunities to check out some beautiful potential - or simply inspirational- gowns:

May 21 & 22, 11am-5pm: Oscar de la Renta at Marina Morrison
Book your appointment and oogle at Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2011 Bridal Collection at Marina Morrison in downtown San Francisco. Making its debut straight off the runways from New York Bridal Fashion Week, Marina Morrison is the only bridal retailer to carry Oscar de la Renta wedding gowns in Northern California.

Where: Marina Morrison-30 Maiden Lane, 4th Fl., San Francisco, CA 94108
RSVP @ 415-984-9360

May 22 & 23, 10am-6pm: Alix & Kelly Trunk Show at Bella Bridesmaid
Book your appointment to view the 2010 Alix & Kelly Collection at Bella Bridesmaid Los Gatos. Cake and champagne cocktails will be passed, and get this: save 10% off all orders placed by June 6th, 2010.

Where: Bella Bridesmaid-465 N. Santa Cruz Ave.Suite ALos Gatos, CA 95030
RSVP @ 408-399-4649 or losgatos@bellabridesmaid.com

Happy looking!

Julia's Fashion File: MOTB

While thinking about my next post it dawned on me that when I conjur up thoughts of wedding fashion I rarely think the Mother of the Bride, famously known as MOTB in wedding acronym speak. Which is a shame because it's just as important as all the other style aspects that go in to creating a beautiful, chic wedding.

When I imagine a MOTB, I see poise, elegance, class, and glamour. A lot of mom's feel that due to age and fear of overshadowing the bride, fashion has to suffer. But, I'm here to shine another light on it; there's no reason why mom can't be gorgeous right along with you.

As with bridesmaid dresses, I think MOTB dresses can get a bad rep because there are some bad (cringe-worthy bad) seeds out there. So I decided to poke around Bride.com and find some pieces that I would be proud to see my mom in on my big day.

I love the sassy black and white strapless dress for a mom who likes a more youthful look. Or, alternately, the floor-length forest green strapless with a lace shrug for those who like to be a little more covered up. The great thing about the lace shrug is that it's still sexy while being modest.

I was heartened to see so many beautiful styles out there. I for one can't wait to help my mom find hers when it's my turn. With dresses like these it's going to be hard to choose!

Wishing both you and your moms champagne toasts and fabulous fashion finds.

xoxo

Jules

Planner on Patrol:A Dress with Flair

On a day when all eyes will be on you, a uniquely beautiful and memorable dress is a must. But sometimes finding a dress that really captures your personal flair means stepping outside of the bridal boutique. Get some ideas on alternatives to the standard wedding dress from the Refinery29 crew here. And the added bonus? A dress you can actually wear again!

Vendor Spotlight: Two For Two Cakes

For Alison Okabayashi, owner, baker, and designer of Two For Two Cakes, baking is in the genes: “Baking was a special activity in my family. Every Christmas my grandmother would send us a huge package full of about a dozen different types of cookies. Now my mom and dad take on that role.”

Attending culinary school after college, she decided she loved the creativity and challenges involved in making wedding cakes. And also getting to know her clients and coming up with the perfect cake to balance out everything they're looking for: design, taste and budget. She tells us: “Whenever they leave their first consultation saying ‘That was the most fun we've had throughout the entire wedding planning process!’, I know I've done what I set out to do.”

So what inspires her when it comes to making her gorgeous cakes: “Old-fashioned American baking updated for today.” She adores vintage design, fabrics and Wayne Thiebaud. And she loves cakes that have beautiful details but still maintain grace.

Alison is deeply committed to offering brides and grooms a positive experience from start to finish. This means that when you work with Alison, you can expect quality ingredients, proper follow through, flexibility with meeting times, a transparent business practice when it comes to all aspects of the cake, and total creativity, no matter your budget.

View more of her delicious creations at:
http://www.twofortwocakes.com/

Scene & Heard: La Sposa Trunk Show

Attention all brides on the hunt for dream wedding dress: call and make your appointment this Friday, May 14 or Saturday, May 15 at Bella Bride to view the latest and greatest La Sposa dresses. Think: classic and romantic, just like your love story.

For more information and to reserve your spot, visit: www.thebellabride.com

Planner on Patrol: And the Beat Goes On

The music at your wedding will hopefully be the soundtrack to the perfect party of your life, but it can cause some awkward moments as well. Are you trying to figure out the best way to include the racy rap hits your friends want without making your grandma blush? Or how about how many big band tunes you need to please your dad without boring your nieces? Well you're not alone. Get some help here.

Spotted: Brilliant Idea, Nailed

As many brides know, Essie nail polish can’t be beat. Their simple design, vast array of relevant shades and their no-chip reputation make Essie the queen bee when it comes to painting your nails and toes. Spotted: the perfect wedding day colors shown on the Wedding Collection display at Pure Beauty on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. They also package a mini set of four colors for $12.50; what a thoughtful idea to hand out to your bridesmaids as part of their gift from you. After all, just like we can’t have enough black shoes, we can’t have enough pale nail polish colors either!

To take a peek at the line, visit The Wedding Collection.

Scene & Heard: Gem & Jewelry Event

Ok, ladies. You’ve got your ring. Now what? You guys need to start thinking about your bands. It’s not something you want to take lightly (literally), or leave until the last minute. Head over to 888 Brannan (formerly known as the San Francisco Giftcenter & Jewelrymart) starting this Wednesday for a peek at the best of San Francisco’s jewelers and their finest picks. Great prices, great vendors, and a great array of jewelry from engagement rings, bands and pieces for your Big Day. Go with high hopes, we wish you luck!

May 5-7, 9am-5pm

May 8, 10am-4pm

www.888brannan.com

Vendor Spotlight: Osher Marin JCC

Osher Marin JCC
http://www.marinjcc.org/

If you’re looking for a great spot in Marin to host your wedding, consider the Osher Marin JCC. The building features architecturally acclaimed design and a grand staircase of your dreams – right in the heart of beautiful San Rafael. Completed in 1991, this JCC is incredibly modern, spacious and beautiful.

What can you expect: Well, you can book the entire first floor for your guests, the outdoor courtyard is perfect for a ceremony, the Atrium can host your cocktail reception, and your guests can move into the elegant Hoyff Theater for dinner and dancing. And they have a theatrical lighting system in which their designer can focus colors and patterns on the walls to reflect your color or theme. Think soft and romantic for dancing and bright for eating. They even have a mirror ball should it fit your style!

Pam Day, the Event Manager, comes armed with a fantastic vendor list, including many of our Bridebound picks. Pam knows how important finding the perfect venue is and is involved in as much of the process as you require: from caterering to coordinating with your planner. She'll most likely be there on your big day, making sure your ceremony and reception goes off with no snafus. And her on-site staff will continue on through your reception making sure nothing gets overlooked. Sorta like your own private security team. Bridebound approved!