Scene & Heard: Brocade Bridal Fair

Brocade Weddings is hosting their elegant wedding fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City this Sunday, April 11. Featuring local vendors and wedding gown designers, you'll also receive a FREE trip to Las Vegas (insert elopement joke here) and $200 off their exclusive wedding packages.

Visit http://www.brocadeweddings.com/ to learn more about the event and to preregister. For $10, it sounds like a great deal to us!

Vendor Spotlight: Parker’s Crazy Cookies

Check out these sweet treats:
http://www.parkerscrazycookies.com/

When we came across Dave Parker’s website we wanted to know all about his background and about his unique cookies? So the story goes, Dave started baking cookies to make extra money while he lived in Spain. He wanted to do it back here in the U.S. but wanted a twist to make his cookies more...interesting. It was while working at Leapfrog that a light bulb went off: to make cookies that look like people! He started with sports figures but quickly started getting requests for weddings.
Dave loves baking for weddings. Of brides and grooms he says, “They are such happy people! Everyone is excited because they are moving towards something special and the custom cookies will make that wedding day even more special.”

Of his inspirations, Dave credits a lot of people, especially his old colleague Mike Wood of Leapfrog, who he says created a company and product out of thin air. He also credits his grandfather who built a business from the ground up.
It seems like Dave’s cookies are truly unique as there is nothing else out there like them. Dave tries his best to explain over the phone what his cookies are like, but you really have to see them to understand how fantastic and unique they are. They’re not the typical shaped cookies with frosting faces or an image on the frosting; they’re an actual, edible 3D sculpture! Check out his website for more unbelievable creations and don’t forget to bookmark it.

Best Man on the Street: Brides (and a Bridesmaid), Tel Aviv

Vendor Spotlight: Laura Hooper, Calligrapher

Laura Hooper, Calligrapher
http://www.lhcalligraphy.com/

Laura Hooper’s been in the professional world of calligraphy for about a decade. After doing the invitations for her best friend’s wedding at 21, her Dad bought her a website domain, she built the site and clients started pouring in. Thus Laura Hooper Calligraphy was born. She absolutely loves what she does and is very glad she listened to her Dad who always told her to find a way to turn her hobby into a career. If only all of us took our parents’ sound advice…!

Laura loves being creative, molding invitations and intricately designed maps that combine her clients’ personal styles with her own added twist. And because Laura has a natural gift for hand calligraphy, you can expect that your invites or save-the-dates will be a one-of-a-kind deal. Most stationers don’t offer hand calligraphy, so by using Laura, you’ll gain more control over the design process and she’ll be able to create a truly unique piece for your big day.

You can also expect a high level of customer service: “I try to keep office hours, but if I am up working, I’ll immediately reply to emails personally if all possible. Typically, if a job needs to be done, I’ll stay up late and work weekends or holidays so that my orders stay on schedule and my clients are all happy.” At the end of the day, Laura stresses that she wants all her clients to feel taken care of and that they are getting the most beautiful piece of artwork imaginable. Spoken like a true artist.

Vendor Spotlight: Dorothy Hatchel, Photographer

View her work and musings at:

http://www.dorothyhatchel.com/
http://www.dorothyhatchel.com/blog/

We at Bridebound are proud to say that we have been photographed by Dorothy. And we can tell you, she is professional and almost magical: you barely know she’s there. But she just seemed to be able capture the evening perfectly.

Dorothy’s background is truly unique. She worked in special effects for film and, impressively, at Industrial Light & Magic studio. Inspired by her own wedding, she decided to pursue her passion for wedding photography. Her photography is truly refined. She loves using natural light and her distinct perspective is evident. And her rates begin at $3000, which in the Bay Area is pretty fabulous considering what you get: perfection!

Spotted: Great Bridesmaid Gifts

It's always a neat idea when the bride and groom treat their guests to inexpensive flip-flops for the dance floor. Now how about treating your bridesmaids to these adorable gold-glittered sandals from JCrew?

For just $29.50, these jelly capri sandals are a perfect gift for your besties and totally comfortable for dancing. And if you feel like they're not quite enough as a gift, JCrew is famous for their always in-fashion hair ties, headbands, jewelry and mini wallets, all displayed conveniently by the check-out station. Ca-ching!

Vendor Spotlight: The Payne Mansion

Get more details at:
http://www.thepaynemansion.com/

This has got to be a history buff’s dream wedding venue! The recently renovated Payne Mansion was built in 1881 and is a listed in the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. It can host up to 250 guests and offers a grand ballroom, five separate rooms and a full-service kitchen, each with unique architecture and color.

Designed by Curlett & Cuthbertson in 1881 as a residence for Theodore F. Payne, the Payne Mansion survived the 1906 fire to become a 128-year old historic San Francisco landmark. Serving in later years as a restaurant, an office building and even a YMCA, it has kept all of its original charm and beauty. Recent renovations have been made—including marble flooring, lighting modifications and wall texturing to enhance the elegance of the building, while retaining the European stained glass windows and original wood work.

Though they host every kind of event, it provides an especially elegant setting to host a bridal party. So what does Irv Spivak, Director of Events, like most about hosting weddings: “My favorite part is when the bride walks down the antique staircase to the collective sigh of those watching! I also like the fact that you are able to flip rooms during the course of the evening and surprise your guests with a new room every time!” Now, that’s COOL.

With so many beautiful venues in the Bay Area, this one stands out for its resume and uniqueness. The Payne Mansion was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, and since they are owned by Simayof Jewelers, they can kick up your event with the addition of diamonds for a very reasonable rental price. Also worth mentioning, Irv is an ordained Minister who can officiate your wedding: a great space, diamonds and a Minister all under one roof! Three's truly a charm.