Planner on Patrol: Dancing on the Ceiling

Viral wedding dance videos: instructional tools or cautionary tales? You be the judge!

If planning your wedding is stressing you out, spare a few minutes for a smile checking some of the best out, thanks to the Jezebel crew: http://jezebel.com/5558383/the-evolution-of-the-viral-video-wedding-dance

Vendor Spotlight: Paulding & Company

Although Tracy and Terry Paulding of Paulding & Company cater the occasional wedding, their focus is the night before. Terry and her staff do incredible hands-on cooking events for rehearsal dinners. Of her unique business model: “Most of my business is in-house cooking events, including team building, birthday parties, etc., but I hold the rehearsal dinner as a special favorite. The dynamic is lovely as two families get to know each other with their hands involved in a cooperative effort.”

She began working in restaurants during her teen years but ended her restaurant career in the mid ‘70’s to have a family. Years later, the Piedmont Adult School invited her to teach. She taught their Basic Cooking classes and they were always sold out. Eventually she went to CCA and got her degree in ’94. Terry speaks so highly of her teaching experiences and it’s clearly what drives her business today. “As a teacher, I introduced so many people to healthy, flavorful and fresh food, that I began getting requests to cater. So, a dozen years ago, I rented space in a commercial kitchen and started catering. I moved my teaching to that kitchen as well, as there was a dining area.”

Eventually she built a place of her own. Open since January 2004, her Emeryville kitchen is built specially for group work—it’s a fully inspected, 2400-square-foot, large, catering kitchen; and it's set up for teaching and activities with prep stations for large groups. It seats 56 people comfortably for dining, or she can accommodate up to 100 guests next door at Periscope Cellars winery.

So if you’re looking for a truly unique idea for how and where to host your rehearsal dinner, consider calling Terry. Your families and friends will get the chance to mingle while achieving something you can’t quite do any place else: eating a delicious meal that you each had a hand in making. The alchemy of creating food together extends itself in many ways and this is perfect for foodies or families that just love being around a warm, cozy kitchen. This is a great way to bring families together before the craziness to ensue the next day. There is truly magic in Terry’s kitchen: we’ve experienced it and you should, too. Learn more about them at: http://www.pauldingandco.com/

Planner on Patrol: The Wedding Dish

“Couture tabletop”? Umm, come again? Well a “couture tabletop collection” is the gorgeous result of a new collaboration between fashion house Marchesa and the Lenox Corporation with Lenox releasing eight new patterns inspired by Marchesa wedding gowns in their bone china collections.

If you’re a fan of Marchesa’s design aesthetic, or just an admirer of artistry in china and stemware, you’ll definitely want to check it out here: http://fashionista.com/2010/04/marchesas-making-plates/

Venue Spotlight: Legion of Honor, San Francisco

Image credit: Flory Photo

Quintessential San Francisco, The Legion of Honor has everything you could possibly want in a venue for your Big Day, should you host a city wedding: romance, fine art and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Legion was built as a three-quarter representation of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris. There is no other location in the world in which you can have a seated reception among Rodin Sculptures—we can just imagine! And should you choose to have your ceremony on the Balustrade Lawn, your guests will ooh-and-aah at the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean.

For many years, the Legion of Honor did not allow private, social events such as weddings. But being such a huge part of San Francisco culture, they’re now honored to be able to host private events. Dani Lamas, Events Manager, loves to hear why couples choose the Legion. “Memories of viewing the exhibits with their family, where they met, where they got engaged, we truly become a part of their lives and they want to celebrate their love here with art and culture.” she tells us.

Image Credit Above Right: Anabelle Wedding- Liz Edlund

If you choose the Legion, expect to communicate with one person from beginning to end when it comes to making decisions about your wedding there. Dani will take your first phone call or email and will be present on the day of the wedding. “In the those planning months, we are happy to suggest vendors to fit each client’s wishes and vision of the day,” she explains, as they have built many quality relationships with local wedding vendors.

Image credit: Drew Alitzer for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Because the space is so beautiful and special, Dani tells us about some of the unique events they’ve hosted. “We have been honored to host events for dignitaries, royalty, celebrities and many others. As a nonprofit, our development team plans events to raise funds for our exhibitions and further our museum.” Though she doesn’t forget to mention, the most special of events are when a couple meets at the end of the aisle ready to embark are their new lives together. Now, that is special…!

Image credit: Got Light

Learn more at: http://www.famsf.org/

Planner on Patrol: New at the Crew

Though J. Crew’s been a retail favorite for over 25 years, it’s taken them until now to open their first boutique catering solely to the bridal crowd. A gorgeous shopping showcase located on New York’s Madison Ave., the ground floor is dedicated to the bride and bridesmaids and the upstairs to elegant special occasion gowns and accessories.

Absolutely a must if you’re in the NYC area but call ahead, bridal appointments are usually booked up for a month in advance. Wedding dresses start at $295 and the store features a number of exclusive designs before they’re offered online or in the J. Crew catalog!

New York Magazine give sit a rundown: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/06/j_crew_bridal.html

Scene & Heard: Monique Lhullier Trunk Show

Yes, ladies. Your eyes are not deceiving you. Monique Lhullier's beautiful, most original wedding gowns are arriving in San Francisco for her trunk show at the Bridal Galleria this Thursday through Sunday. Prices begin at $2500. Space is limited, so do call for your spot!

Monique Lhullier Trunk Show
July 15-18
Bridal Galleria
3 Embarcadero, Lobby level
San Francisco, 94111
415.362.2277

Vendor Spotlight: Organic Chef Catering

For couples out there wishing to provide sustainable, organic food at your wedding, consider Organic Chef Catering. Eden Benavides, Director of Events, tells us all about OCC: “Through a program of environmental accountability, we've created a system that incorporates high quality organic cuisine, fine table service, sustainable transportation and our goal of producing zero waste.”

Eden also tells us about their team of highly trained and experienced event professionals. Each season, they bring together new talent and are supported by a team of professionals and alumni from the Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University of Hospitality. They’re highly influenced by local organic farmers, Bay Area winemakers, creative chefs and the fine arts. “It’s truly a victory for everyone when we deliver an event with a strong farm-to-table connection,” she explains.

As far as weddings go, Eden tells us they adore catering weddings because it gives them the opportunity to create menus that reflect the abundance of organic products. “Starting with a foundation of California cuisine, we infuse the cultural and flavor diversity to complement a couple’s unique wedding.”

Eden stresses that their service is geared towards environmentally conscious couples with a taste for local organic California cuisine. Their signature amenities include lead-free glassware by Riedel, dinnerware by Rosenthal, elegant linens and sustainable delivery powered by locally sourced bio diesel. And on behalf of their clients, they donate a portion of event sales to the Arbor Day Foundation. Organic Chef Catering could just be the ideal vendor to cater your quintessential Northern California wedding.

To learn more about them, visit: http://organicchefcatering.com/

Scene & Heard: Les Cent Culottes Lingerie Sale

Ladies! In honor of Bastille day, the adorable French lingerie boutique, Les Cent Culottes, is having a 50% off sale through July 15th (online says 14th). We walked by yesterday and saw the most adorable pieces. From bras to nighties to lingerie and undies, we're thinking this is a great spot to pick up pieces for your big day or heck, why not before? Ooh-la-la, step to it!

Les Cent Culottes
2200 Polk St.
San Francisco
http://www.lescentculottes.com/website/

Julia's Fashion File: Studly

We'd all love to have the wedding of our dreams: a Vera Wang dress, mile-high embellished cakes, photo booths, culinary masterpieces, ice sculptures, epic floral arrangements, destination venues in Hawaii or Half Moon Bay...but whatever it may be for you, budgeting concerns can be a pesky little problem (or monumental depending on how BIG those dreams are). While there may be some areas you won't compromise on, that doesn't mean you can't find other areas to trim down.

I, for one, won't have all the money in the world to splurge on expensive jewelry. The engagement ring will be my centerpiece and the rest will need to be convincing costume jewelry. Lucky for us ladies, there are a slew of alternatives out there now that are reasonable and don't look like you purchased them from Claire's Boutique.

I have been so impressed with Banana Republic's line of jewelry and in particular, pieces appropriate for a wedding like their gorgeous stud earring options. You would never guess that you didn't drop an arm and a leg on some of these. Unfortunately, we can't post many pics of their beautiful options, but trust us, go! My favorites in-person are the Floating Stone, Shimmering Leaf Studs and Precious Knot Studs (I like a little more edge as opposed to classic). If classic is what you're going for, they have some very believable pearl and fake diamond studs: I found their Aphrodite Studs, Audrey Studs and their classic Princess-Cut Studs online and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Banana Republic opened up a store dedicated to their jewelry line in the Westfield Mall in San Francisco called Edition. This could be a great place to check out beautiful yet affordable bling for your big day!

xoxo

Jules

Scene & Heard: 4th Annual Promises and Pearls Event

Calling all brides- and grooms-to-be. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 7. MB Wedding Design and Events and Especially Yours Chair Covers are hosting their 4^th Annual Promises and Pearls event at the Bentley Reserve where you’ll have the chance to meet some of the Bay Area’s best wedding professionals. You’ll also have your chance to win fantastic raffle giveaways like a private dinner for two and hotel night stays. Besides from delicious treats from Raffine Chocolates and Thomas John Events, there’ll even be a Beauty Bar Lounge present where you can be pampered by I-Spa beauty professionals. And once the clock strikes 10pm, you’ll leave with your very own custom tote bag filled with lots of goodies from this luxurious event’s sponsors and vendors. We can’t think of a reason not to go.

Oh, and, have a happy 4th from us at Bridebound!

4^th Annual Promises and Pearls Event

The Bentley Reserve

301 Battery Street, San Francisco

July 7, 6pm-10pm

RSVP @ www.promisesandpearls.com