Table Numbers

Table numbers are a great way to add a personal touch to a wedding. Below is a list of table number / name ideas that have been generated by myself and other brides to get you thinking:

- Use table numbers, but decorate them with baby pictures from the age that matches the picture. For example, at table #1, there is a picture of both the bride and groom at age 1.

- Use years as the table numbers. Put a picture of each of you during that year on the card.

- Use table numbers. Go around town and take a picture of you with that number. I saw one couple take silly shots with a blank board around town and then photoshop in the number on each board. The same thing can be done with your dog hold a sign or the number being on something of significance to you both as you carry it around town (ie. basketball, typewriter)

- Name the table after places that you and your fiancee have traveled to together. Put a picture of you both at that location on the card.

- Name the table after local places that are important to you - ie. restaurant. Put a picture of you both at that location on the card.

- Name the tables after places that represent a shared interest - ie. football stadiums

- Name the table after local tourist attractions. Put a picture of you two at the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, etc. on each card.

- Use pictures of "found" numbers, like street signs and telephone keys:

- Name the table after places you will go together on your honeymoon. To make this even more special, pick up enough postcards in each location to send one to each person who was at that table. (For example, pick up enough Paris postcards for everyone at the Paris table.) Use these as your thank you notes.

- Name the tables after interesting types of wine and set the wine on the table in order to name it. The table can then share that type of wine during dinner.

- Name the tables after words related to love (ie. patience, kindness) or the word love in other languages.

- Name the tables after a type of flower. Feature that type of flower in that table's centerpiece.

If you have more ideas, I would love to hear them. Please add a comment to add it to the list!

Pepe and Orkid's wedding

Pepe and Orkid were such a fun couple to work with. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to join them at the Argonaut Hotel located in the Cannery in San Francisco.

This Persian and Spanish couple were married in a traditional Jewish ceremony that took place in a brand new room just off the Cannery courtyard.

Her chuppah was beautiful lace. After rushing around to find a replacement glass for them to step on, the ceremony went off without a hitch.

The ballroom had such a great vibe. The centerpieces were vibrant red flowers that were surrounded with red glass lotus flowers that held tea lights. The band that performed was a really great rockabilly band. They also had a photobooth in the back, which was a very popular destination throughout the evening.

This couple also provided me with a really great learning experience. Both the bride and groom were deaf, along with more than half of the guests. To get their attention to move the guests from the cocktail hour to the reception, I had a large fan to wave so that I could get each person to look at me and then read my lips. Once inside, I learned to flash the lights and have the interpreter ready to help make any announcement. The wedding guests helped me get everyone's attention by waving their napkins above their head.

The couple's love of life was so evident. It truly was a joy to watch them celebrate. In fact, it took them almost twenty minutes to make their grand entrance because they were having such a good time dancing around and putting on a show. It was impossible to leave that night without a smile on your face.

All of the photos were taken by a wonderful photographer names Marc Olivier Le Blanc. Check out his wedding portfolio at http://union.mobafoto.com and his portfolio of other work at http://mobafoto.com

Chris and Ashley's wedding

I had the chance to work with a bride that I met on Project Wedding, a forum where brides can meet and get advice. Chris and Ashley's wedding was breath-taking. It took place at Chateau Felice, in Healdsburg, part of the famous northern California wine country. This working winery is rarely used for weddings so it kept the personal touch. The ceremony took place under a long covered awning. Swagging was used as drapery to highlight the 300 hanging votives that the bride created. Shepherd hooks with the hanging votives lined the aisle.

Later the same area was transformed for dancing.

The dinner took place on a terrace that overlooked a beautiful lake. The head table was located under a cover with the same swagging. The whole area was flooded with candle light. I lit about 500 luminarias that lined the walkways. They were falling over with the wind off the lake, so the site coordinator and I found some rock salt to go through and re-fill all of the bags to make them heavier. It was hard work, but the result was definitely worth it.

The bride made all of her overlays out of beautiful chocolate brown fabric, which added to the rich feel of the wedding.

April, the photographer, really seemed to make the bridal party at ease. When I went back to check on them, they were rocking out to 80s music as the girls took pictures. She really captured the event. I was also incredibly impressed with the DJ, of Sutherland Events. He really seemed to know how to keep the dance floor packed and the couple happy. And happy they were. The joy that the couple was feeling was evident from just a single glance.

See her wedding blogged on Style Me Pretty!
Here, here, here, and here!

Amine and Noelle's Wedding

I have been so busy that I have not been able to take the time to blog about some of the incredible weddings I have had the chance to work recently. The first wedding I have done since my business was born was a beautiful reception in South San Francisco. Amine and Noelle, a Palestinean and Morrocan couple, were married in Morroco a few weeks earlier. They held a large state-side reception to celebrate with all of their friends.

The wedding took place at Dominic's Banquet Hall, right on the water. It was a cute yellow hall. The wedding colors were purple and gold. The bride did all of her own centerpieces in cracked gold glass vases that she filled with purple calla lilies.

After setting these up, I also had the pleasure of decorating the cake, among other tasks. The place looked gorgeous, matching a couple that just glowed with happiness.

The wedding traditions that began this Middle Eastern wedding were so neat. After the grand entrance, the couple heads straight for the dance for to do a couple of fast songs. All of the guests surround the couple on the floor, clapping along and cheering. It was very neat to see.

Later, the couple shared a slide show from their Moroccan wedding. The wedding was so colorful! A slide show is a great idea if a small private or overseas wedding is conducted before an at-home reception.

I also had the pleasure of working with Christian Suwarna, a local photographer with a lot of talent. I will be adding some of his incredible pictures very soon. To view the entire slideshow of pictures from this wedding, click on the link. http://christiansuwarna.com/clientproofing/NoelleAmine/

Event Planning Business is born!

Thanks to the help of some incredible ladies at www.projectwedding.com, I finally came up with a name for the event planning business that I am building. Pink Petals Event Design has such a great ring to it.