Color, color, color! Monochromatic or mixed color -- either combination is hot! Bright colors are in. Brides are moving away from wedding whites and becoming adventurous and bold with color.
We wanted to send a Leap Day Congratulations to our newest addition to the B2B team, "The Torch". Carissa and Michael are getting married today in Placerville followed by a dream honeymoon in Greece. Congratulations to you both. We can't wait for the pics and stories on the blog for all to share.
Remember the cake table! Layer in different levels, adding textures of fabric and more color all make for a grand presentation of your signature dessert. No longer just for the “cut the cake” photo but a presentation all it’s own. Rent extra plush fabrics to match the richness and bold color of your cake… Flowers between the cake layers, blown glass stands, beads and beautiful crystals all add the sparkle and shine your cake deserves!
Engagement Sessions are a MUST! - When choosing a photographer check to see if their packages include an engagement session (or eSession as I like to call them). An engagement session really allows you and your fiancé to build a rapport with your photographer that is vitally important come your big day. You get to see the way your photographer works, and your photographer gets to see how you handle being photographed. eSessions are also a time for your photographer to learn about you as a couple and witness your physical chemistry as well as how you emotionally connect to each other. eSessions also provide beautiful pictures of you as a couple in a more real world setting than your wedding day which is a great way to preserve how you interact on a normal day.
After 15 ½ months of marriage, we welcomed our first little one into our lives. We got a kitten! It’s a really big thing for us, since we have pretty much had zero responsibility for anything since getting married. Yes, we have jobs and bills, but as for responsibility for another life… this is our big moment. His name is Jack and he is perfection. When he is sleepy, he purrs and cuddles. When he is awake, he hops around the place like a little "Jack"rabbit. Part of me wonders why we waited this long to get a pet. He brings so much joy and happiness to our lives. Who could resist that face? 
When you were a kid there was pizza night. As a teenager, there was staying over at your BFF’s night. In college it was more like girl’s night out or wow-that-guy’s-super-hot night. The men had (ok, let’s be honest here, have) game night. And fight night. And then game night. Again. But most times, once you're married all your nights can have a way of running together into one continuous “need-to-get-some-sleep-because-I got-to-get-up early-for-work” night. When it’s not that, it’s laundry night, grocery night, or in-laws are coming over this weekend and I need to clean night. So whatever happened to date night?
Nothing. It’s still there…it’s just hidden under a pile of clothes. All you and hubby need to do is pick it up, dust it off (leave the clothes, trust me, they’ll be there when you get back) and take it out on the town.
My hub’s and I make an effort to have date night at least once a week…sometimes it’s a fancy Friday night date at the hottest restaurant. Other times it’s a Saturday miniature golf duel to the death. When we're feeling especially blessed by the time gods, we'll make a whole weekend out of it. However, more often than we like, life gets super hectic (as the little bugger tends to do) and it’s a Wednesday night homemade meal followed by a movie and popcorn. (But it's never Tuesday night, because that's his playing-basketball-with-the-boys-night...and my night to watch all my tivoed guilty pleasure girl shows that I will DENY, DENY, DENY I have ever seen, should anyone ask!)
I remember the above moment so clearly. I remember thinking, "Wow. We did. I did it. I'm married to the man I love." It was such a clear moment. A moment of happiness, disbelief, relief, excitedness and pure love. I made myself concentrate so much when we said our vows. I didn't want to miss a word. But it all happened so fast and suddenly there we were walking down the aisle and on the road of our married journey.
So happy anniversary Hubby! The last three months have been full of love, laughter and compromise! But I wouldn't have missed a second and I can't wait for the next 90 years!
My & my first love, my dad courtesy of The Memory Journalists. 
My gift to my dad. A picture of us with the lyrics of Your Joy. 
Me & my dad
Couples seem to be really looking for unique locations that match their style & most often want to have their ceremony & reception in the same location…church weddings seem to almost be a thing of the past but the connection with their minister is still very important.
You can’t expect your photographer to catch all those “candid” important moments if they happen as quickly as a sneeze. Remember to pause at key points, like when your dad gives you away, relish the moment. It’ll make for a better captured image.
However, our favorite trend is starting the honeymoon a bit early with a station dedicated to the location and cuisine of your honeymoon destination. From tropical Hawaiian treats to wintery wonderland soups, this is a special treat for your guests and a memorable way to personalize your wedding.
What would have made your day 
Whether you are naturally gifted or have to work at it a little, the end result is the same. Your thoughtfulness and love will show through in whatever you prepare. So maybe you don’t feel so much like a Martha Stewart. Don’t fret!
Men love to feel taken care of (remember girls: it’s primal for them) and a little home cooking from his lady love will be sure to light a spark between the two of you. So don the apron (and apron only if you wish) and inspire a scorching hot evening!
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
In the midst of all of this change and adjustment, it is vital for you and your new husband to spend alone time together too. Taking the time to strengthen your bond will support a stable environment within the new family. Although it can seem demanding at times, blended families can be as successful as the time and patience you invest. Keep a positive attitude and allow everyone time and space to adjust. Remember, love and happiness brought your new family together…so live, love and be happy!
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography
Dear Marvin,
A great table or Kings table will include your wedding party and their dates.
Sierrastyle Weddings Magazine presents:
THE WEDDING CLASS
Featured classes taught by top area professionals:
• Looking your best on camera.
• Your reception... starring YOU!
• The perfect fashion for you
and your bridal party.
• Get organized and stay organized...
using the wedding class planning binder.and...
• The 10 things every bride should know!
ONLY $49.00 FOR 2
That’s less than $25 per person
Tickets will be $79 Day of show – if available!
Limited to the first 60 Brides and their guests.
It used to be a handkerchief, undergarments, a garter belt...things that people didn't see except you and your new husband. Amazing, original jewelry is the perfect way to display your something blue, old, new or borrowed. 
Fabric is in, tulle is out. There really are few reasons to use tulle when you have multiple textures and colors of fabrics to choose from. 
Wear a veil…it can be simple or flowing down the back.
As the rain pours down and the Sacramento area is hit with another storm, I started thinking about the poor couples out there who might be getting married this weekend. Here is the thing about weather and wedding days - Rain can make for a beautiful and romantic wedding - as long as you have a backup plan! If your wedding is October through May, here are some tips to follow to help ensure that your day happens without a hitch:
Don’t be afraid to use bright colors! Weddings do not have to be in muted tones – use kiwi green ribbon on your programs or use hot pink roses in your bouquet.
Bridezilla (a portmanteau of bride and Godzilla) is a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding.
Answer these quick questions to find out if you have what it takes to be a Bridezilla! Tally up the points next to your answers and find out if you should be fitted for combat boots or Manolos!
Okay, so seriously I was totally NOT a bridezilla. I promise! But I have a better understanding now of the "Bridezilla" than when I first started watching this show. I first started watching it for the pure entertainment. Yes, it is kinda funny to watch someone slowly lose their mind. It's also entertaining to try to watch sane people deal with insanity. But now? I watch out of sympathy. I watch to know that someone else at times wanted to pull out their hair. I watch because sometimes you do want to scream at the top of your lungs and kick the dresser (one girl actually did that! She's lucky she didn't break at toe!) Some of these girls don't intend to demanding and hurtful. You just get to a point of your brain about to fall out of your head. There are 1000 decisions to make and once you make those there another 100 for each! That's a lot of decisions people. Trust me. So the next time you see a Bridezilla headed your way just smile and move to the side. She is on a mission people and the steamtrain known as "wedding" stops for no woman, man or child.
Using practicality in designing favors has become more commonplace. Your programs on a hot day can serve the dual purpose as fans. You can supply bottles of water with your picture on them.
Add your monogram or design motif to the front or on the back flap along with your return address.
When ripping out pages in wedding magazines of “looks,” be sure to circle the specific item on the page that excites you.
Because I received one, I will fill you in. You first laugh out of nervousness, then read the instructions and act like you are interested in the one paragraph about the “tool,” which include snippets like “use caution.” By default you ask, “Why did you get me this?” in hopes that the answer is nothing like “So you can cook for me.” You put it on and then realize it can go on either hand, “nifty.” You stick your hand into a candle flame and go “Hey, it really does resist the heat” until your brand new OveGlove turns a little black. Finally you start to think you could use it, maybe.What is silk and strapless with an empire waist that minimizes waistline and hips?... every ‘maids dream!! I would like to introduce you to the Karen Crossdye Dupioni Strapless dress from Ann Taylor. I came across the Ann Taylor Celebrations collection the other day and was so impressed. I hadn’t ever considered them for wedding paraphernalia but it turns out they have beautiful dresses! Plus, matching silk ties for the groomsmen and flower girl dresses. Here are some photos of their newest styles…
