1. Big River Beach (personal photo)     2. Beach Draping     3. Cake stand     4. Rings     5. Glass bottles     6. Perforated lanterns     7. Favors     8. Flowers      9. Driftwood Candles     10. Noyo Harbor (personal photo)     11. Lantern       12. Bouquet     13. Fish in the sea     14. Chelsea Lanterns

xoxo

1. oncewed   2. inspired bride   3. 100 layer cake   4. BHLDN   5. a beautiful mess   6. green wedding shoes

Grab a Drink
During the summertime, many of our brides plan an outdoor ceremony. It’s an absolutely gorgeous way to celebrate but can get a little warm sitting out in the sun – keep your guests cool by offering them a refreshing drink to sip while enjoying the day! (style me pretty)

Be Weather Ready

Fans can do double duty as ceremony programs that offer a little breath of fresh air in the summer sun (style me pretty). Parasols offer another way to stay in the shade (beth helmstetter).

Alternatively, if your wedding is set somewhere with the possibility of cool weather, a basket full of pashminas is a thoughtful option to offer your partygoers (infinite love weddings).

Play Dress Up

Incorporate your guests into the big day with color coordinating accessories. We love this bow tie bar or floral boutonnieres and hair pins (belle and green wedding shoes).

Get Comfortable

A wedding is a great excuse to dress up but when the music comes on, who doesn’t want to kick off their heels and get their groove on? Encourage your guests to get comfortable by setting out dancing shoes for them to slip on – flip flops are a great casual option and we are absolutely in love with the idea of giving back by purchasing Toms shoes for everyone to don while dancing (bridal musings and style me pretty)!

How will you be greeting your guests?

xoxo

Fun and oh so easy to make, these conversation starting phrases are sure to get your guests inspired! (martha stewart)

For the playful couple, pick up a wooden puzzle or Jenga game and have your guests sign the pieces. Every time you play, you and your honey will get to re-read the well wishes and relive the big day (style me pretty).

Rather than queuing everyone up to sign, avoid the rush and give your guests a convo starter by placing these books on each table. With templates and instructions, Martha Stewart offers you everything to avoid run of the mill well wishes (martha stewart).

Whether stuck on words or pressed for time, every guest can manage to share a bit of themselves with these fingerprint finds. We’ve often seen a tree used but we love these two variations (found on etsy here and here) – printed and framed, it would be a great display to remind you of your special day!

We’ve all heard a picture says a thousand words so why not let your guests’ photos do most of the talking? Document the day with a polaroid camera or photobooth prints (bluesky papers).

Whether you opt for blank book traditional or one of these creative inspirations, you really can’t go wrong – your guests will be thrilled to be celebrating the big day with you and full of well wishes to share! Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

A garter is a classic go to for something blue but we absolutely love this delicate and understated lace version that comes handmade straight from the U.K (etsy).

For a more modern take that’s quickly becoming a bridal classic, who could pass up on this gorgeous blue lined Louboutins? (christian louboutin)

If you’re looking for a more affordable approach that’s still sure to wow, say “I Do” in these blue shoe decals (etsy).

Wrapped or tied with a bow, a beribboned bouquet is an elegant way to carry your blue down the aisle with you. We love this one that adds in a hint of blue in the flowers too (pinterest).

And of course, for our DIY bride, we love the idea of embroidering something special in blue thread (a blonde ambition).

We couldn’t resist leaving you with one of our absolute favorite takes to share with you as a bit of over the top inspiration from Christian Dior (figmint design).

xoxo

With peonies coming into season, and the easter and spring get togethers just around the corner,we hope you can be inspired to enjoy all that this gorgeous season has to offer….

For  a super easy centerpiece with a lot of pop, select simple vases that showcase the peony flower and place them down the center of your table. We love the flowers in combination with the bold chevron print and gold accents (the inspired bride).

Keeping on the bright vibe, we can’t get enough of these old wooden crates as vases. That, in combination with the fresh apricots, creates a pairing that just screams springtime (the lennoxx).

If you like the idea of unconventional vessels but don’t have any crates on hand, a vintage pitcher gives off a simple and charming feel (dreamy whites).

Alternatively, if you want a truly unique arrangement, we love everything about this bouquet from the deep reds to the pussy willow to, of course, the peonies! (design my way)

Finally, this ombré arrangement is so fun and right on trend – it will definitely be making an appearance on my own Easter brunch table this year! (martha stewart)

What’s your favorite springtime bloom?

xoxo

Bridesmaid Hangers
Not only do these make a great keepsake, they offer a great photo opportunity on the day of (Etsy).

Say it in Writing
There’s nothing like a heartfelt handwritten note. We love this card with the clever quip on the front from Etsy.

Or something simple like this letterpressed note (Visual Chemist).

Handmade with Love
For our DIY brides, we have a couple really great ways to personalize the proposal.
This is an adorable card to invite your girls to join the party (Once Wed).

And for the truly ambitious, a keepsake box with all the details of he day including inspiration boards, the wedding party, the dresses, the venue (travel involved?)…everything and anything you have planned for the big day (Rinse. Repeat.).

Not the creative type but love the DIY feel? BHLDN offers these cute handprinted handkerchiefs as a special token for your bridal party. They also have versions for your Maid of Honor and Flower Girl.

xoxo…

So without further ado, meet our team…

This weekend was a wonderland for this wedding planner! stay posted for all of the details…

Every event was unique from a woodland fairyland in the redwoods, an eclectic menagerie of Alice in wonderland and of course a traditional wedding celebration.  I am so grateful for all of the vendors (which should be listed as artists!). Thank you to all that were part of this great weekend!!

I just marvel over the production that goes into striking a tent for an event! Living here on the beautiful Mendocino coast we often (almost every weekend!) are setting up a tent to allow our clients to explore the great wide open, or lean directly atop the ocean bluff to host their wedding celebrations. The crew that assembles the tent has such finesse, they often make it look  like they are constructing a pixie stick house for a child to play, however when I get the wild hair to suggest to “not use so many tie downs” they all look at me with crazy eyes and say all at once “no way – you cannot remove that tie down, it is the main thing holding the entire tent up,” so I have to giggle and thank the stars that they know what they are doing and well!

These tents are like an event hall equipped with heaters, flooring, and whatever you desire your look to be, can be created in this space. I look at a tent as a painter’s blank canvas allowing you to paint whatever picture you see for your day’s events. From a oval canvas top tent, to a round style circus tent, or even the coolest of all with a clear top tent (but be careful and make sure you have a tree coverage or this tent is hot, hot, hot inside) can all be used to allow the elements that surround your event to be brought inside with coverage from the weather if it is cool,windy, rainy or hot.

Mendocino weddings can take care of all of your rental needs….