Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Giang + Chris Engagement

What naturals Giang & Chris are in front of the camera.  I'm looking forward to their wedding at Casa Del Mar!  Thank you to the talented Luluphoto for the wonderful photos taken at Bazzar.




All Images via Luluphoto

Monday, January 30, 2012

Venue Spotlight... Dos Pueblos Ranch

Dos Pueblos Ranch is one of my favorite locations on the California Coast.  It beautiful historic location is only 15 miles from downtown Santa Barbara.  The Ranch property includes a private beach, newly restored rustic barn, and an estate lawn at the historic 1922 Casa Grande.

Image via Tricia Fountaine

Image having your wedding ceremony on a private beach and having your reception in a 100 year old rustic barn.  It absolutely amazing!!

OCEANFRONT: This beautiful coastline with a private beach in California has almost become a thing of the past. The beach area has wedding location two options either on the sand or a bluff over looking the ocean.

Image via Tricia Fountaine

RUSTIC BARN: The 1917 barn is rustic chic complete with hay bales.   Across from the barn is a 200 year old sycamore tree that creates the perfect backdrop for a church in the woods.  Seat 250 comfortably.

Image Via Bradon Photography

CASA GRANDE: Located at the north end of a quarter mile long turf mall, stretching towards the sea, stands the main house of the estate, a stately mansion The Casa Grande. The mall is lined with fifty foot high Moreton Bay Fig trees. This Mediterranean style two story home with spanish tile roof was built around 1920.


Oh did I mention there is also a lagoon, lavender farm and train trestles...

Image Via Simply Natural Events, photo by Stephanie Hogue
Image via Tricia Fountaine

Notes:

-All rentals- tables/chairs/linen need to be brought in
-Restroom units need to be brought in
-A catering kitchen would need to be brought in
-There is some power to the barn, but a generator is required for most weddings
-Some parking is available, a shuttle is recommended.
-Bridal and Groom's dressing room onsite.
-Music must be off at 10pm.


Rancho Dos Pueblos
805.450.8753
triciafountaine@aol.com
www.triciafountaine.com

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Calling All Interns for 2012

2012 is shaping up to be our busiest yet and that means we are looking for some good quality interns. Are you interested in learning about the event & wedding industry?  Do you love to create?  Are you hardworking?  Ideally we are looking for people located in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Who We’re Looking For :: We are seeking junior & senior level students pursuing a degree in a related field (public relations, communications, hospitality & tourism, design, etc.) who are excited about learning the ins-and-outs of event planning, work well with a team, and exhibit a high level of responsibility. Weddings can be a stressful and emotionally charged time for a bride & groom and their families—the ideal candidate is friendly, enthusiastic, calm under pressure, and a great communicator! Most of our event take place in Los Angeles, CA. You must have transportation and be able to get to the city on your own. 

When You’ll Work : Weddings and events are scheduled primarily on Saturdays, with some events on Fridays and Sundays. Interns will be scheduled to work events throughout the wedding season (March-November) and we are happy to take schedules into consideration. Interns will also have the opportunity to work in our office during the week (hours flexible and must have Laptop) to gain more experience in the planning that takes place prior to the wedding date!

How to Apply :: If you’re interested in joining Simply Natural for our 2012 season, please email your cover letter and resume (.pdf format preferred) to intern@simplynaturalevents.comPlease do not leave comments.  We will be accepting applications through February 14th and will be conducting interviews in late February! 
If that happens to be you, send us an email.  We'd love to hear more about why we should pick you to join our team!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

2012 Sustainable Wedding Trends


“Sustainable weddings aren’t just about ‘going green’ anymore, though that’s certainly a big part of it. In 2012, sustainable brides and grooms will also support local industries, avoid frivolous spending, and choose wedding elements that can be incorporated into their married lives long after the big day,” says Tracy DiNunzio, founder and CEO of Recycled Bride. “It’s exciting to see that so many of this year’s hot wedding trends are also good for people and the planet.”


12 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2012 from Recycled Bride 1. Something Old, Something New: Wedding resale has doubled in the last year, with more than 20% of all brides selling or shopping for a gently used wedding dress, decor, or bridal accessory online. Couples will find even more ways to reduce, reuse, and resell in 2012, using sites like Recycled Bride to score great deals on new and once-used wedding items.

2. Brides Get Fascinated: This year’s must-have bridal trend is the fascinator; a luxe headpiece or hair accessory made from lace, fabric flowers, feathers or jewels. Brides will embrace all styles, from extravagant Carrie Bradshaw-esque peacock toppers to more understated ivory and white flower hair clips, often made from vintage or recycled materials.

Image Via My Wedding Monster






3. Cakes Make a Comeback: Cupcake towers and dessert tables have dominated the dessert scene for years, but the traditional wedding cake is back for 2012. Multi-layered, extravagantly decorated, and almost always white, this year’s cakes take center stage. Fresh, local ingredients like fruit preserves and cage-free eggs make the very best cakes both delicious and guilt-free.

Image Via Wedding Wire from Cupcakes Couture

4. Flor-ternatives: Traditional cut flowers are expensive, and their bouquets often wilt before the honeymoon has begun. But paper flowers are forever, and come in an exciting variety of styles and colors that can be enjoyed as home accessories long after the big day. Other popular and long-lasting floral alternatives are vintage brooch bouquets and succulent plants.



5. Something Blue: Royal blue sapphires are outshining diamonds this year as engagement jewel of choice. Sapphires let couples avoid conflict diamonds — and bling-bling prices.

6. Modesty & Lots o’ Lace: Inspired by Kate Middleton’s royal wedding gown, 2012’s brides are loving lace-covered arms and shoulders. Many will opt for vintage lace capelets and shrugs, which can be shed at the reception for a sexier look. This lets brides enjoy a variety of styles, and marks the end of the “two dress” trend.

7. Midnight Munchies: As wedding celebrations become all-nighters for some, couples are filling the bellies of party-hardy guests with a midnight snack. But forget the fancy food and formal presentation when it comes to late-night eats, which are all about comforting, locally-sourced finger foods.

8. Virtual Guests: Technology is making it possible for faraway friends and relatives to attend 2012 weddings without traveling. This year, guests will arrive via tablets and smartphones, on Facetime and Skype, enjoying special moments they might have otherwise missed (and conserving on travel!)

9. A Signature Sipper: Signature cocktails are all the rage, with couples inventing creative concoctions that let guests get their drink on. Skipping the traditional overstocked wedding bar, 2012’s savviest brides and grooms are going with one signature cocktail, complemented by a selection of organic wines and local beer.

10. DIY Wedding Videos: Using Flipcams, smartphones, and an army of friends, many couples will forgo traditional wedding videos in favor of DIY mashups that recorded from their guests’ perspectives. Free online editing tools like WeVideo make it easy for creative couples to edit their own dream wedding videos.

11. Smashing Sashes: Wedding dresses with belts and sashes are hot this year, turning up both on the runway and down the aisle. And the best part of going belted? It’s not just figure-flattering, but embellished sashed can be re-used in real life, either as accessories or home decor.

12. Home is Where the Party Is: Taking cues from homey newlyweds like Reese Witherspoon, Kate Moss, Lily Allen, Lauren Bush, and Milla Jovovich, wedding receptions at home are hot. Backyard bashes have gone elegant and upscale, with couples using the natural beauty of their own outdoor spaces to create warm and beautiful wedding receptions.
 
Article from Recycled Bride