Top 10 Fresh Ideas for Kids at Your Wedding

Ever wonder how many brides and grooms have children at their weddings?  According to a recent Brides Magazine survey, 63% of couple have children at their wedding and their reception!  If you are one of the 37% of couple with no kids at the wedding, check out our blog on personalizing your wedding.  But if you are going to have children at your wedding, read on!  We have assembled our Top 10 Fresh Ideas for what to do to ensure your littlest guests have a memorable time and the adults do too.  These ideas are mainly for the 12 and under set, as most teens enjoy the opportunity to play "grown up" and want to be treated as the adults are treated.

One note for the ceremony - have the ushers seat the families with children towards the rear of the ceremony location, and near the aisle.  Have your wedding coordinator ready to escort any parents with a distressed child to a room in the venue where they can calm the child without disrupting the ceremony.  At An Amazing Affair Wedding Planning, we set up a lounge area with bottled water, coffee for the parents, a few snacks, books, toys, and a comfortable place to sit for the calming area.  

For the Ceremony

1.  Goody baskets!  Have your ushers greet families with children as they enter your ceremony location and have them hand out small baskets or fabric bags with quiet toys and a book.  Make sure that the container itself is not noisy!  Paper bags and plastic bags make noise taking things in and out.  Some possible items would be a small picture book, felt finger puppets, small stuffed animals, or a soft doll.  If you put any snacks in the bag, make sure they are not cellophane wrapped!  Goldfish or Cheerios in a small plastic container with a flip top would be quiet.  If you are only having a handful of children, take the time to personalize their goody basket.  

2.  Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse with the children!  Especially the younger ones!  Oftentimes at rehearsals, people use words that may be unfamiliar to a 4 year old, and they may nod in agreement out of their natural desire to do a good job for the wedding.  "Walk slowly down the aisle" is everyday to us...a youngster may not be so sure about what that really means.  Have them do it several times.  It is something that your wedding planner can do with any children in the wedding while the officiant is speaking to the couple and the bridal party.  

For the Pictures:

3.  Get the photos with the kids FIRST!!  Let me be frank - I even got bored while getting my pictures taken at my own wedding....and I am in my forties!!  Photo sessions can be torturous for children, and can be the beginning of a spiral effect of bad behavior carrying over into the reception.  Plan with your photographer to get those first, then set the children free!  

4.  Get Real...Candids of children will be some of your most beautiful photos.  Make sure to ask your photographer to capture candids of your youngest guests throughout their time at the celebration.  have your wedding coordinator or one of the bridesmaids let the parents of children know that we want to capture them when they are unaware, and ask them not to say "Smile!" or "Say Cheese!" or distract their precious little ones when they see their photo being taken! (nicely, of course)

For the Cocktail Hour and Reception: (make sure you read number 10!)

5.  COCKTAIL HOUR is critical!  If children are not considered for the cocktail hour, it can set the seeds of discontent, distraction, and disturbance for the reception!!  We call it "taking a kid's eye view" of the cocktail hour.  Have a full service lemonade stand set up near one of the bars just for the kids.  Your reception sitter can man the stand.  Have a child sized hor d'oeuvres table set up near the lemonade stand, with a table for them to sit and enjoy their snacks and relax as a reward for their excellent behavior during the ceremony.  BONUS - this allows the parents to relax during cocktail hour too.  

6.  All together now!  Have the children sit together at a child sized table if possible. Offer a child friendly menu! Think about when you were a kid....didn't you love it when things were sized down for you?  I did.  It seemed more special.  *Again - this should be for 12 and under-ish.  If you know the children, you will know if they want to be with the kids or with the grown ups.  We create special arrangements just for the kids' table.  Here is a list of great items to have on the kids' table:

• tic-tac-toe boards
• small puzzles and games (travel sizes are awesome!)
• a photo album with pictures of them, their families, and their pets - they can look through and try to find themselves! (I have seen groups of kids around one chair all looking to see themselves.  We actually can coordinate with the parents bringing children to your event and get the photos and assemble this for you.)
• disposable cameras - you will be amazed at the pictures they take.  Some will be amazingly awful....some will be amazingly touching, from a child's perspective.

7.  VIP Kids Lounge - especially if there will be more than 8 children attending the wedding and reception.  We love to set up a separate tent or room as the VIP kid's area.  It is stocked with everything kid's would love.  Games, toys, electronics when possible, bean bag chairs or low slung gaming seats, easels & smocks in a painting area, craft kits, drinks, food, music, movies, even a ball pit depending on how many kids there will be.  This can help you avoid one of the common pet peeves of having children at a wedding - when they dominate the dance floor.  If they have their own enticing area, you are more likely to avoid this situation.

8.  Let them eat (their own) CAKE!  Have a children's cake, and join them to cut it.  Take a moment for the bride and the groom to go to the children's lounge, and have them cut the children's cake surrounded by all the children who have participated in and attended their special day.  This creates such a lovely photo!!  

9.  Give them a MYSTERY to solve!  When you know you will have a lot of 8 - 11 year olds attending, give them a mystery to solve, or a scavenger hunt to follow.  Children at this age love to utilize their improving reading skills and cunning insight to figure things out.  At An Amazing Affair, we have four different mystery scenarios - complete with props, clues, and materials ready for you to implement for your younger guests.  We also create scavenger hunts as needed, taking the theme of the wedding and the venue into consideration.  This makes it so memorable for the children, and there is not even a chance for them to get bored (unless of course, as so often happens, one of your young guests has a sardonic side that comes out).   

10.  Most important!!  HIRE A PROFESSIONAL SITTER!!  Please please please trust us when we tell you - your 14 year-old niece does NOT want to be the sitter for your wedding.  She wants to wear a gorgeous dress, mix and mingle with any other teens that may be there, observe the young adults, and dream of her own big day in the future!  She will say yes to you out of obligation.....not desire.  Also, as wonderful as your niece may be, unless she is a trained camp counselor during the summer, she probably does not have experience wrangling a group of children, possibly jacked up on sugar, in fancy clothes they may not be used to wearing, wondering why Mommy and Daddy are paying attention to everyone else and listening to grown ups prattle on and on.  A professional child care provider will add such a layer of confidence to you and the parents of the children attending.  It will allow all of your guests to truly be guests, and not be harried watching over the children.  You should have a professional child care provider available from the beginning of the cocktail hour through the reception.  We will work with you to set up however many sitters you will need based on how many children will be there.  This service can be custom tailored to whatever needs you and your guests may have.  It is money well spent, if you are going down the road of having pint-sized guests.  They should also sit at the children's table through the dinner.

Children can add life, humor, and feelings of family to a wedding in a unique way.  Just make sure that you and your planner do a separate "children's plan" to ensure that their needs are considered throughout the event, and that it will be fun and memorable for them as well as the adults.  

 What ideas do you have for children at a wedding?  We would love to hear what you did at your wedding for the little ones.  Contact us at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com for more information, or for assistance planning your wedding, wherever you may be located!

An Amazing Affair - Floral Inspiration - Santa Monica, CA

An Amazing Affair - Floral Inspiration - Santa Monica, CA Incredible gallery of gorgeous flowers for weddings.....scan through to see if any of these inspire you for your big day.  The Wedding Planners at An Amazing Affair can help you create unique floral bouquets and arrangements for your wedding.

A Romantic Soiree Under the Stars...Il Cielo Beverly Hills Wedding Venue

Snuggled in the outskirts of Beverly Hills is a romantic escape at the beautiful Il Cielo Restaurant.  Located on Burton Way, Il Cielo is in a charming building that used to be a home.  And when you walk through the gorgeous front entryway, you will feel as if you have arrived at a special home indeed.  The architectural details are delightful, and the atmosphere is intimate.  It has an old world feel that transports you and your guests to another world even though you are right here in the city.

The owner, Pasquale Vericella, has built a restaurant in Los Angeles that feels like an Italian bungalow!  He grew up in both the country side in Italy and the country side in Pennsylvania.  he has brought the magic, serenity, and charm of those places to life in this spectacular Beverly Hills wedding venue.  Il Cielo is widely considered to be one of the most romantic spots in all of Los Angeles.  It has also been ranked as one of the top 7 places to get married in Los Angeles.  

And before we get too lost in what Il Cielo offers for your wedding day, let's not forget the food!  The food at Il Cielo is spectacular.  

Zagat rates the food and service at "very good to excellent", and the decor at "extraordinary to perfection".  

Yelp users have ranked Il Cielo a four star restaurant with over 130 5 star rankings ( more 5 star rankings than any other number.)  This is a favorite among locals for sure.

Not only will your guests feel the magic of the atmosphere at Il Cielo, they will be happily satisfied by their meal in celebration of your love!

Il Cielo offers several different areas for your event - both indoors and out.  The ceremonies take place in a room with a retractable glass roof, giving you the option of a starry night wedding!  For cocktail hour, you and your guests can move to the front patio which is open air three seasons of the year, and has a Cinderella-like clear tent in the winter months.  The tent just adds to the charm ~ there are two stunning sister chandeliers suspended from the peak of the tent.....just lovely.  The twinkling of the stars combined with the twinkling of the lights creates a magical sight.

The inside of the restaurant is equally charming, with a heart warming fireplace, and elegantly rustic decor throughout.  The fresh take on the bar area gives your guests another place to chat, visit, and celebrate.

There is a private room for the bridal party to prepare for the wedding, and for the bride and groom to lounge in private after the ceremony.  The potential for great wedding photos is great.  Il Cielo feels as if it was created to celebrate love.....a place where fairy-tales are brought to life.

Frankly, Il Cielo is so lovely, it should be a go to place for nearly any romantic event you need to plan.  Looking for the perfect place to pop the question?  Anniversary dinner?  Ready to take your relationship to the next level?  Make a reservation at Il Cielo right away.

We consider Il Cielo to be a wonderful venue for vow renewal as well. 

A few considerations in regards to having your wedding at Il Cielo ~ it is a perfect venue for an intimate, exclusive celebration.  For an evening with dining and dancing, your number of guests should be about 90 or less.  They can accommodate a few more guests; however, you will lose some of the dance floor space if there are many more over 90.  

So if you are looking for the feel of a Tuscan wedding without having to leave our beloved city......then Il Cielo is for you!  Contact us and we will be happy to send you more information, or meet with you to view this precious venue for your wedding needs.   With An Amazing Affair wedding coordination and Il Cielo as your Beverly Hills wedding venue.....you are guaranteed a memorable celebration!  Contact us at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com. 

Greystone Mansion: A Perfect Venue for Your Beverly Hills Wedding!

When you arrive at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, it is hard to believe that you are just a couple of blocks up from the world famous Sunset Boulevard.  You feel as if you have been transported to an estate in Europe with the manicured gardens, the tree-lined promenades, and of course the fantastical mansion itself.  The breathtaking location overlooks the city offering skyline views that add a perfect backdrop for your Beverly Hills wedding.

Greystone Mansion truly is one of An Amazing Affair's favorite wedding venues in Beverly Hills, and frankly the entire Los Angeles area.  Let us share some of the reasons why we think you should consider Greystone Mansion for your wedding, shower, vow renewal, or anniversary celebration.  

The Gardens, Courtyards, and Fountains

Greystone Mansion has several different areas for your ceremony and reception, each with their own special charm and atmosphere.

The Formal Gardens is one of the original features of the estate, with a lush green lawn surrounded by a slate promenade.  The original fountain at the head of the lawn is the centerpiece of your wedding ceremony in the Formal Gardens.  One of the amazing features of this area is that it accommodates up to 400 seated wedding guests comfortably.  This area is for ceremonies only.  You can select one of the other beautiful sites for your reception.  Although it can seat 400, it can also be scaled to suit a smaller wedding quite effectively.  

The Inner Courtyard is an escape from the everyday for your wedding.  The Inner Courtyard is created by the walls of the mansion itself with an arched portico entryway framing the fountain in the center of the courtyard.  The Inner Courtyard creates an intimate feeling for your guests and wedding even though it easily holds up to 200 guests.  There is nearly a fairytale atmosphere in the Inner Courtyard, without being too much.  Embrace your wedding guests in the arms of the Inner Courtyard.

The Terrace is a secret jewel for your exclusive wedding.  It offers a front row view of the cities of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles from the slated grounds with the equally stunning view of the mansion behind you.  The reflection pool adds a serene touch to the Terrace, and this area accommodates up to 80 guests.  Even the pathway walking to the Terrace has a feeling of being in a different time and a different place. 

The Pool creates a classically glamorous Beverly Hills event.  The original pool has been filled in with the outline of the pool incorporated into the design of the bricks.  The pool house provides changing and lounges for the bridal party, and private restrooms for the guests.  Mostly though, the pool house contributes the charm of a bygone era.  The Pool comfortably holds up to 150 seated guests.

The Mansion Itself

The First Floor of the Greystone Mansion is now open for events!  In years past, the only areas available for ceremonies and receptions were outdoors (which is still FANTASTIC!).  However, we are so excited that the First Floor is also ready to provide the atmosphere for your wedding!  With original features, including the iconic black-and-white checkered floors, your wedding at Greystone Mansion will create vivid memories for you and your guests.  With the intimate option of a seated dinner for up to 60 in the Grand Ballroom - to the grander option of utilizing the entire first floor for up to 200 guests, this indoor option is a dream that can come true for you and your guests.  

Ambiance and Opportunity

The grounds and the mansion provide the canvas and space for nearly any type of wedding, with any level of formality.  You could have a low key, outdoor garden wedding to an ultra formal, black tie event.  In addition, the Greystone Mansion adapts to many different themes or stories.  If you have always dreamt of a full blown Marie Antoinette wedding, a Renaissance Wedding, a Fairy themed event, and any decade of the 1900's from the Twenties on - this is the venue that can make your dreams a reality.  It is one of the best venues for a Goth wedding, hands down.  Masked Ball to Hollywood Glamour ~ Greystone Mansion would be a key player in your event!

The opportunities for before and after parties and events surrounding your wedding day are endless, as you are just a couple of blocks from Sunset Boulevard, and a few more blocks from Santa Monica Boulevard.  You are within reach of Hollywood, Santa Monica, and all that Beverly Hills has to offer.

If you are planning a destination wedding to the Los Angeles area, we also recommend  Greystone Mansion.  It truly creates a once in a lifetime event for you and your guests.

It is difficult to convey in words across the internet the depth of the beauty, the feeling of history, the charm and grace of the Greystone Mansion.  To quote our Creative Director, Max Gough, "Every wedding - aside from the beach weddings - should be held at Greystone Mansion!"   When you are on the grounds, it is hard not to have that feeling.  

We would love to take you on a tour of the grounds and the facilities to see if this is the special place you have been searching for ...for your Beverly Hills wedding.  We can also share preliminary information regarding fees and regulations.  Contact us at info@anamazingaffair.com or give us a call at 310.909.6769 and ask for Bridget. 
Bridget Ann Dooney, Certified Bridal Consultant, An Amazing Affair

www.anamazingaffair.com

Thanksgiving....a joyous occasion at your home

Or wherever you would like to host Thanksgiving Dinner!

An Amazing Affair offers full coordination services for your Thanksgiving celebration.  And it does not start at the dinner table....it ends there.  The plan for decor and atmosphere begins with the view from the road as your guests drive up, the walkway to the front door, the entryway, and the rest of the entertaining area for your party. 

If you have the food covered, we will do the rest.  If the thought of creating the feast leaves you breathing into a paper bag, we will introduce you to caterers that will make your mouth water and your guests politely requesting take aways. 

We offer a wide variety of Thanksgiving looks - from a fruit-filled Colonial Williamsburg style to a cool silver and white modern vibe to a rustic autumnal explosion, we take your personal taste and style and create Thanksgiving in your own unique style.

But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves - let's talk about the invitations!  With the advent and implementation of evites and email and events on Facebook, many people have gotten away from sending personal invitations.  Our clients' guests will have their day brightened when they receive their thoughtfully created invitations either in the mail or delivered to their home.  Why not have the celebration begin as soon as the invitation is uttered?

If your Thanksgiving plans will be exclusive to your immediate family this year, your design and atmosphere can take on even more intimate expression of your family.  Think of the memories you will create for your parents, your children, and loved ones.  Most importantly, you will have the time to be with your family, rather than exhausted by preparing for the day without sacrificing the beauty and ambiance created by a beautifully decorated home.

There are several additional planning details that we craft with you for the big day.
*  A schedule for the day
*  Place cards and seating arrangements
*  Arrange for wait staff/bartenders as needed
*  Music suggestions or a play list for the day (available in a wide variety of genres)
*  Suggested activities (especially if young children will be in attendance)
*  Suggested movie list
*  Thoughtful gesture suggestion list ~ for a little bit of added depth to your holiday
*  If appropriate, introduce you to performers
*  Assess Parking and plan accordingly
*  Creation of original artwork or design pieces
*  Any other concern or request you may have!

Why not try something different this year?  Contact Bridget Ann Dooney at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com or 310.909.6769 for more details and to schedule a consultation.  

Candles and ivy nestled in among white and cream pumpkins are lovely.

So Many Colors, Too Many Choices: How to Pick Colors for Your Wedding

Sometimes couples are surprised by what they assumed would be a somewhat simple decision being harder than they expected - deciding what their colors will be for their wedding! It can be hard. The colors you choose can impact the formality of the wedding, the overall atmosphere conveyed by the tablescapes and decor, and the implementation of a theme. Brides and grooms may disagree on what color scheme to choose. On top of that, if some of the parents are paying for the wedding, they may feel that they should have some veto power, or at least a vote.

But let's set all of that aside for the moment, and talk about a few ways you can find inspiration for your color scheme, aside from just looking in bridal magazines.



1. Look in your closet

There is probably a prevailing color, or a a tone that is prominent. This can be a launching point for selecting your scheme. If this was one of our client's closets, we would recommend looking at guavas, persimmons, corals, and possibly watermelon with accents of brown.



2. An absolutely mesmerizing scarf.

At An Amazing Affair, we have a huge lot of scarves - from the '60's through today - with all tones, shades, patterns and colors. It is a box of inspiration that we add to frequently. If you see a scarf that catches your eye, it can serve as your color swatch as you design your entire wedding! We have had brides that then use the inspirational scarf as the wrap on their bridal bouquet instead of ribbon. Such a nice touch.



These three Liberty of London Scarves give you an idea of how a scarf can give you inspiration for a main color, a complementary color and an accent color that all work together (that you may not notice otherwise).


3. Go to the paint store!

While working with a Santa Barbara bride several years ago, she and her fiance had reached a mental block in regards to what color scheme to use. He wanted more vibrant colors, she was a fan of more muted, earthy tones. Looking in magazines did not seem to work. Looking in the scarf box nearly led to a..... let's say a heated debate. A trip to a gown store was system overload for the groom. I looked at the two of them and said, "Get in your car and follow me." I took them to the Home Depot. (Needless to say - they were confused in the parking lot!)

We went inside and went straight to the paint department. I asked them to pick at least three combination cards (one of the cards with a main color, an accent color, and the trim color). It was so cute - they asked if they could look together or if it had to be separately! I told them either way was fine, and stepped out of their way. It was so heartwarming to see them start to chat over the paint chips, and ask each other's opinion, and select several cards - together.



Paint experts know what will work as an ensemble of color. If it works in a beautiful interior, it will work in your wedding. The groom may also be more comfortable discussing colors in the comfort of the hardware store.




4. Hit the Art Museum

This may seem obvious, but if you are having a mental block regarding color scheme, head to an art museum or gallery. See what catches your eye. The cool thing is if one particular piece really gets your attention, you can often purchase a postcard or small copy of the artwork in the gift shop and have that as your inspiration centerpiece throughout the planning process.



One of our clients then had the artwork at the wedding as part of the reception table decor. While the Impressionist genre naturally offers a lot of inspiration, look at other types of artwork as well. you might be surprised at what will touch your heart, and your eyes.


5. Nature

This one is a no brainer. Head out to a botanical garden or a local nursery, and see what nature has to offer. Forests, hiking paths through canyons or meadows, and parks are all options. Another great place to go is near a body of water - the colors and reflections near any water is incredible. Just get outside!

It is best if you can actually go out and visit in person rather than just search galleries online. When you are searching for inspiration, your best bet is to engage as many of your senses as possible.



Hopefully, if you are facing a mental block regarding your color scheme one of these ideas will help you make a decision. With most of these ideas, you can incorporate a fun date with your fiance as you do your research.

Contact us at An Amazing Affair via email at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com or give us a call at 310.909.6769 for further assistance and even more color ideas.

Bridget Ann Dooney
Certified Bridal Consultant
An Amazing Affair

A special place for your Malibu wedding.....

Here at An Amazing Affair, one of our favorite parts of our jobs as wedding coordinators and event planners is scouting out the best venues for your event.  Of course, what may be perfect for one bride may be laughable to another.  So each week, Max Gough and I tour a different venue, always on the hunt for a place with that special something, that different vibe, that energy that cries out to be THE SPOT where two live, two families, two worlds collide and combine to create something new. 

This week, we went to the hidden treasure in Malibu - the Calamigos Ranch.  Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, surrounded by vineyards and estates, the 130 acre Calamigos Ranch offers a tranquil setting for your event.  It is almost hard to believe that you are so close to Los Angeles - there is no traffic.  No noise other than the falling water of the properties many waterfalls and the light breeze through the trees.  Beautiful open lawns with green grass and ponds, as well as pavilions nestled amongst the trees creating mini woodlands for your magical event. 

The place is rustically charming.  You almost feel as if you have been transported to a different time.  The Calamigos Star C Ranch was created in 1947 by Grant and Helen Gerson as a wellness and healing resort.  Amazingly, the ranch is still in the Gerson family!  Today, Glen and Mon-Li Gerson are carrying on the elegantly rustic tradition of excellent service in a fantastic environment that Glen's grand-parents and parents started over 60 years ago. 

Calamigos Ranch offers four different areas for your wedding or special event.  From small and intimate to a 500 guest extravaganza - Calamigos Ranch can handle your event.  Each unique and separate venue areas have their own individual style and charisma.  It is a ranch, and has a ranch style.  As we drove up the winding driveway, we were greeted by lovely horse statues on one side of the road, and growing grapes on the other.  Just lovely.

While everyone parks in the same area, (valet is available), there are several different paths leading to the four different venues.  The Garden Patio, the Ranch House, the Oaks, and the Garden & Pavilion.  

The Garden and Pavilion is simply breathtaking.  It is the grandest of the options at the ranch, with the ability to comfortably and seamlessly handle up to 500 guests.  The setting for the ceremony is under the embrace of a 100 year old oak tree with cascading lights.  The bridal party is perched up on an ivy covered elevation, giving all of your guests a framed view of your special moment. 

After your ceremony, you and your guests walk down a sycamore lined pathway with candles lighting the way.  The reception space is draped in white, with endless opportunities to create your own look, your own style in this lovely spacious area. 







If you guest list is somewhat smaller than 500, the Garden is an incredible alternative to the Pavilion.  It is a private enclave surrounded by majestic weeping willows and lush lawns for your guests, a lovely patio for your cocktail hour, and a lovely reception room centered around a natural stone fireplace flickering with warmth (in the wintertime, of course!).  





The magic of the Oaks begins as your guests step onto the path to walk up to the building.  It brings them into a garden with 100 year old trees, flowers, and ferns that create a feeling of being in another world.  As a bride, you cross a bridge spanning natural stone waterfalls to the ceremony spot.  You have indoor and outdoor choices for dining, and a fireplace to add vibrancy to the interior space.

The Ranch House offers a space for the most intimate affairs at Calamigos with a maximum of 140 guests.  The ceremony spot at the Ranch House is nestled against a limestone waterfall and seems almost dreamlike.  The ranch house also offers the option of dining under the stars or eating inside.

A few amazing things about Calamigos Ranch:

•  Even though they have four different areas with four ceremony sites and four reception venues, they all feel secluded, separate and private!
• Throughout the grounds, they have unique lighting outdoors.  Beehive lanterns, elegant chandeliers hanging from trees, bold light bulbs suspended on minimalist cords......it adds interest and a magnetic glow.
• They have a pond with a raft that is reminiscent of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.
• This location offers to ability to have your entire event at one location, which can be a plus for many brides.
• If you want a Los Angeles or Malibu wedding with a different flavor than what is typically expected, this is a place to consider strongly.

While this posting has mainly delved into the possibilities of weddings at Calamigos Ranch, at An Amazing Affair, we feel this venue has strong options for may events including bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, vow renewals, anniversary and birthday parties, graduation parties, company and corporate events, and of course.......hoe-downs!

Contact us at An Amazing Affair for more information or a guided tour. www.anamazingaffair.com  We would be delighted to help you plan the wedding of your dreams at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu!
http://www.calamigosranch.com/

http://www.calamigosranch.com/

What does a Bridal Consultant actually do?

Aaaahhhhhh......the romantic life of a wedding planner.......surrounded by love, and happy families during one of the happiest days of their lives.  It's all cherubs and rainbows and fluffy clouds accompanied by a harp played by an angel, right?

Well, there are definitely moment like that, but the nuts and bolts of coordinating a wedding is a complex juggling act between the bride and groom, their families, vendors, mother nature, and random acts of nuttiness.  We have had several people ask what we do for our clients that want full service.  I thought I would share an outline of what we do as bridal consultants on a regular basis.

Cutting Edge Consulting & Communication

• We offer expanded access 7 days a week to Bridget Ann Dooney for the Bride and the Bride’s Mother.  (I am ready for the occasional 3:00 a.m. phone calls!)
• Face to Face Consultation Appointments (as needed) customized for your individual needs (these are limited in number at our other levels of service)
• Ongoing Consultation via telephone, text, chat, or email from time of hire through the wedding 
• Creation of a customized Wedding Countdown Schedule for the Bride, Groom, and all decision makers and critical bridal party members 
• Creation of a wedding website
• Wedding Workbook Pro account accessible to decision makers and bridal couple.  *This allows instantaneous access on any computer or iPad for up to the minute updates on the event. - preventing a lot of the aforementioned 3:00 a.m. phone calls!) 
• Etiquette Advisement 
• Monthly reviews of the Wedding Countdown, Schedule, and Task List

The Venue 

•  Ceremony and Reception Venue Referrals  
• Arrange and attend Venue Tours – videotape of initial tour will be provided  
• Accompanied Ceremony and Reception Venue Tours after identifying top choices 
• Site Inspection at Venue to confirm design, access, layout, sound system, lighting, load in/out process, parking, valet, security, insurance, regulations, etc. 
• Site Inspection of the Venue within three weeks of wedding

Cuisine & Cake

• The food at your wedding can be such an enjoyable expression of you and your family.  We work closely with you to make sure that the style, presentation, and quality of food, cake and drink is to your specifications.  
• Menu Tasting with Caterers.  Assistance with Menu Selection and Details
• Communicate with the chef, banquet captain and catering staff to ensure superb, timely dinner service 
• Cake tastings and meetings.  Assistance in selecting cake. 
• Oversee cake delivery and set up 
• Consider weather and temperature factors for cake display area

Vendor Management

• One of the most important skills for a wedding coordinator is the ability to negotiate and execute contracts.  Bridget Ann Dooney has 15 years of negotiating, contract creation, and implementation experience.  At An Amazing Affair, we get the best and the most for our clients. 
• Unlimited Vendor Referrals in all Vendor Categories of only the Finest, Most Reliable Vendors in the Industry
• Arrange and attend all Vendor Appointments.  
• Accompanied Full “Vendor Appointment Days”
• Review of all Venue and Vendor Contracts and Arrangements – digitally storing all receipts, contracts, orders, and agreements for clients 
• Verbal and written confirmation of schedule and agreed upon services with each vendor one week prior to event. 
• Distribute your Final Wedding Day Itinerary to all vendors 
• Supervise all vendors as they load in/load out 
• Distribute final balances and gratuities to the vendors on your behalf

Vendors include, but are not limited to: Caterers , Officiants, Photographers, Videographers, Florists, Security, Valets, Sound & Lighting, Bands, Musicians, DJ’s, Transportation, Tailors, Printers, Press/Media, Rental Companies, Bakers, Dancers/Performers, Artists, Bridal & Tuxedo Shops, Travel Agents, Hotels.

Décor & Ambiance

• Full creative design for your ceremony and reception space with Max Gough and Bridget Ann Dooney.  
• Initial floral design meeting with sketching. 
• Preliminary floral design meeting with prototypes of centerpieces, bouquets, and other floral elements.  
• Prototype of tablescape 
• Meeting to adjust floral and décor design •Integrate sound, lighting, floral elements, pictures, art, design, music, color, and décor to create an overall feeling and mood 
• With Max’s experience in interior design and production, we can take your fantasies and dreams and make them real for your special day.   

Production & Music

Have you ever been to wedding where you were not able to hear the vows, or the Officiant?  Your guests will hear you loudly and clearly – we even have an in-house Sound and Light Production Manager, Bob Dooney. This is often an overlooked aspect of the coordinating process.  We think it is critical to your day.

• State-of-the-Art sound equipment to ensure that you will be heard.  
• State-of-the-Art lighting at the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception so that you will be seen!  This is also an important element of ambiance. 
• Coordinate with the photographer and videographer so that they will get the shots desired without interfering with the experience of the guests 
• Work with the couple in selecting processional, recessional, bridal party announcement, and first dance songs, along with any other song list requirements.
• Verify that ceremony musicians have the correct music for guest arrival, family seating, processional and recessional musical selections  
  Attend performances by any band or artist that will be considered for your event

• Sound and Light Production Manager will assess the quality of the sound equipment being used by the bands or musicians hired to ensure that they are up to our quality standards for sound.  

Style

• Complete Wedding Day Style Recommendations 
• If requested, one or more members of our creative team will accompany the bride for gown selection appointments, even out of town.  (*Two included in fee; there may be additional fees if more visits are required with air travel involved.) 
• Kevyn Emanuele, our Style Consultant, will work to bring the bride’s vision for the overall makeup artistry and hair for the wedding. 
• We will assist in the overall look of the formality of the wedding party, the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom, and any other needs involving the fashion of the day. 
• Assist the Bride in determining rehearsal outfit, if there will be a second gown for the reception, or a going away outfit. 
• Advice on accessorizing for the Bride and Bridal Party available as well

Bridal Party Support 

• A phone meeting with the Maid of Honor, as well as one with the Best Man. Responsibilities of the position are reviewed, and any special requests of the bride or groom relating to the showers or Bachelor/Bachelorette parties are relayed tactfully.  
• Verify that Bridesmaid gowns are ordered by the deadline. 
• Verify that measurements are taken and tuxedos are ordered by the deadline.
• If desired, will assist with Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, and any showers planned. 
• Emergency Kits for Bridesmaids at Rehearsal and Day of the Wedding. 
• Daily communication via email messages to all Bridal Party members the full week before the wedding, and phone calls as needed 
• Make certain that everyone scheduled to give toasts, or blessings are cued and prepared

the Extras

• Negotiate with local hotels of your choice for a block of rooms and a special wedding rate 
• Assist with planning for events the day before and the day of the wedding for out of town guests.  
• Schedule limousines for any guests that need service 
• Assistance with Creative Welcome Gift Basket for Out of Town Guests
• Assistance with Day After Breakfast or Brunch  
• Decorate the Honeymoon Suite on Your Wedding Night if venue is within reasonable radius

the Rehearsal

• Oversee and run the rehearsal of the ceremony (as needed by the Officiant, or in the event the Officiant is unable to attend) 
• Refine and confirm the schedule for the ceremony 
• Finalize detailed outline of the Schedule for the ceremony 
• Line up the bridal party at Bride’s request 
• Confirmation Site inspection of the ceremony venue after rehearsal 
• Review seating responsibilities with ushers 
• Make note of any absent bridal party members and schedule to review with them prior to wedding

Day of the Wedding Services

We could write an exhaustive list of all the things we do on the day of the wedding.  Suffice to say that we do it all – from parking for the vendors to making sure no one drives impaired to making sure the dance floor is full.

• Site Manager 
• Vendor Manager 
• Schedule Manager 
• Bridal Party Support 
• Quality Control 
• Guest Greeter and Resource 
• Design Supervisor 
• Security Liaison 
• Emergency First Responder! 
• Atmosphere Monitor 
• Bride, Groom, and Parents Right Hand! 

Essentially, the first to arrive, the last to leave, and the point person for the entire day.

This is a basic outline of the services included in the Ultimate Wedding Package.  Of course, we tailor each bridal consulting package to the specifications and production needs of each and evey bride.  There may be more, there may be less.  

Your engagement is a once in a lifetime experience.  At An Amazing Affair, we will focus on making the entire engagement period, as well as the wedding event itself, a wonderful time to remember for you and your family.  We strive to take your visions and dreams and turn them into reality for your own unique occasion.  With our Ultimate Wedding Package, you can rest assured that we will handle every detail of your event and experience.  We will be there with you each step of the way from sketching of the preliminary ideas to the day of coordination to the champagne waiting in the Honeymoon Suite.

Contact us for pricing, and for even more details!  Email me at bridgetanndooney@anamazingaffair.com to start turning your dreams into reality.