Bridal Shower Fun: Lollipops

This vision is for the kid in all of us! When planning a bridal shower or other wedding event, think about what you love, find inspiration from, and what your favorite colors might be that you aren't incorporating into your wedding {like striped lollipops!}. Add those elements to your tabletop decor, your favors, and even the outfit you wear. If you fell in love with that all-too-daring little dress that won't cut it for your elegant affair, show it off at your shower!

Here we envision a crisp white table with clean + simple bistro dishes and white Moroccan lanterns. Really punch up the color factor with a sweet + bright lollipop display. Accent each place setting with an individual arrangement of pink peonies for your guests to take home. It's simple, it's sweet, but it's charming and oh-so fun! Enjoy! Aleah

Photos: #1 Lollipop display from Better Homes & Gardens {click here for instructions},

#2 Aspen dishes from Crate + Barrel #3 Lollipops from  Favors + Flowers,

#4 Dress from StyleAmore #5 Peonies from Real Simple #6 Moroccan Lanterns 

Memorial Day: Celebrate 3 Ways

Memorial Day Weekend is a time when we honor those who have served our country bravely and those whom we've lost.  The weekend also marks many a barbecue and get together in celebration. While we love casual backyard BBQs, why not mix up your plans this weekend and celebrate three ways?

Celebration I: an olive oil tasting bash! For those wanting to show guests something totally fun and out-of-the-box, select a dozen or so premium olive oils and pour about an ounce in assorted tasting glasses. Let guests mingle, learn about the region each olive oil is from, and nosh on crusty breads, gourmet olives and cheeses, and other charcuterie plates. Talk to your local specialty store about what olive oils they'd recommend.

Celebration II: Lay out pre-assembled treats for neighbors and friends that stop by, like these fun bandana cones! Fill paper boxes or cones with kettle corn for easy-to-eat treats. Provide easy to make {and pre-mix} drinks - both alcoholic and non, and garnish with festive vintage striped paper straws. Homemade cookies in paper bags provide a fun and easy favor for guests to take home. Click here for a scrumptious almond raspberry lemonade drink from Sunset Magazine.

Celebration III: Let them eat pie! Pre-bake mini pies and wrap in parchment paper or baker's twine with a fork {or spoon} for your guests to either enjoy in your company or take home. Provide recipe cards for an added treat. Click here for a totally scrumptious recipe for homemade mini blueberry pies and here for an easy-peasy not-from scratch cherry pie recipe! For an extra fun twist: provide guests with empty mini pie shells and let them fill their pie with whatever fruity mix they like! The only hitch: someone's got to watch the oven!

We hope you find joy and fun in these ideas! Have a safe + fun Memorial Day Weekend.
How will you be celebrating?
Aleah + Nick

Photo credit: Olive Oil images: #1 Fine Cooking #2 Tiny Urban Kitchen 
#3 Posing Hippie Chic #4 Escapade Cannes
Popcorn + Drink Images: #1 Country Living #2 Sunset Magazine
Pie images: #1 from Country Living, #2 and #3 from The Cookie Shop

'Round the World: Chic South of France Nuptials: The Celebration, Vol. II

Yesterday we brought you those amazing images from Marjorie & Guillaume's South of France civil ceremony. You know the ones; remember that amazingly chic dress? Well today we celebrate their soirée in a gorgeous chateau in Mougins - their family ceremony and bash, as photographed by the lovely Anna Rosell. Stay tuned, as we'll be featuring more of Anna's breathtaking photos on Valley & Co.!

Isn't this photo just so classic?

What a stylish wedding party! Doesn't Anna have such an eye for contrast?

There you have it! Thank you, Anna! We appreciate you sharing this fabulous celebration with us!

Cheers, Aleah + Nick

An Insider's Look: Hotel Ändra, Seattle

Today we bring you an insider's look into the chic Hotel Ändra in downtown Seattle, a must-stay if you're in the Emerald City. We know, from also having an office in Seattle, that the hotel also provides fabulous event space. We chatted with Kelsey Hunsinger, Sales + Marketing Manager, and asked her to give us the skinny on the hotel.

What is the best feature(s) about Hotel Ändra?

Location, location, location! Hotel Ändra is so perfectly situated in midtown, within walking distance of Pike Place Market (just four blocks!), the Space Needle, Olympic Sculpture Park and even Pioneer Square. The Belltown neighborhood offers a thriving bar and restaurant scene where guests will find fabulous food and drink at every turn (including all five of Tom Douglas’ restaurants just around the corner from the hotel, with Lola in our lobby) and shopping attractions are just steps away in the heart of downtown. In addition, as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (http://www.slh.com/) our style and service are both warm and sophisticated – offering guests a luxury experience in a chic urban setting.

What should guests know about Hotel Andra's banquet capabilities?

The Ballroom is our largest function space and a hidden gem at the Ändra – as a bi-level space with a lofted Mezzanine level surrounding the perimeter of the room, it can easily accommodate 40 to 90 for seated dining. Our smaller Galleri, with natural lighting, is best suited to smaller bridal showers, luncheons or rehearsal dinners, accommodating 10 to 35 guests. And our presidential Monarch Suite is a luxurious wedding night treat for the bride and groom – and is a sophisticated space for a post-wedding gathering for 10 – 20 guests as well. Tom Douglas Catering provides exclusive food and beverage service to Hotel Ändra for private events.

What is your favorite thing to do in Seattle? At the hotel?

As a local neighborhood resident, I just love any activity that takes me near or on the water! I never fail to appreciate the stunning mountain views during a stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park, or the Seattle city skyline as seen from the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The hotel is situated on bustling 4th Avenue, which in our neighborhood is a unique mix of city traffic and stately trees, and I so enjoy sitting in the Living Room with a beverage from Lola, surrounded by the hotel scene inside and urban activity outside. It’s the best of both worlds! 

Kelsey, thank you so much for giving our readers a peek into Hotel Ändra!

Cheers, Aleah + Nick 

Valley & Co. Planning Tips

Tip #5 is here! This tip was the last in our series, as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog. It's our most important tip regarding to how to find and stay true to YOU during the planning process. {Click here to read Tip #4}.

5. Laugh. We can’t mention this enough. Your wedding shouldn’t be a chore, but the greatest celebration of you both. Enjoy your planning process and focus on what’s important to each of you. Not only will you cherish your celebration, but your guests will see the sincerity behind each personalized detail.

Enjoy! Aleah + Nick

Our amazing + sweet clients, Emily + Ryen. We all had so much fun during the planning process!

Photo by Amore Studios

'Round the World: Chic Courthouse Nuptials: Cannes, France, Vol. I

Anna Rosell is a total talent and captures amazing images from fabulous weddings around the globe. It's no secret that we're just slightly in love with the South of France, so we had to share this chic civil wedding in Cannes with you. Keep in mind it's Part I of a III-Part celebration so stay tuned for the formal celebration!

  

I adore this image! {Aleah}

 How chic are these photos? The bride's outfit is to-die-for!

                 

                            

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Valley & Co. Planning Tips

Today we bring you Tip #4 of 5 for finding and staying true to you during the planning process. Visit our past posts to read Tips 1, 2, & 3 {as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog}.

4. Don't be afraid. After all, this is your wedding and it should be a reflection of you. If you love relaxing in the Caribbean, surprise guests with an amazing cocktail hour complete with a rum bar and steel drum band at an otherwise formal wedding. Share a love of European travel? Create an unexpected après-dinner wine + cheese hour for guests, encouraging them to stay and visit all night, in true European fashion. If you’ve always dreamt of walking down the aisle in a blush pink gown, don’t be shy! The bottom line is to do what makes you both happy.

Cheers! Aleah + Nick




Photo from Project Wedding

Gorgeous Couture Garters from The Garter Girl, by Julianne Smith

We discovered Julianne Smith's gorgeous garter creations last year and have enjoyed watching her collection grow. She recently unveiled a stunning line of couture wedding garters and there is something for every bride! Julianne hand sews each and every garter with love. Though her collection has a rainbow of colors and an array of styles, you can also order custom order garters to coordinate with your wedding palette.

These are some of the luxurious garters from her new Couture Collection (how amazing are these?):

1. Love Chain, $150 2. Velvet Necklace, $175 3. French Maid, $175 4. Miss Rosette, $175 5. Purple Goddess, $150 6. Chic Sailor, $150

There really is something for every bride! Check out some of her Eco-Friendly garters, created entirely from grosgrain ribbon made from recycled bottles.

1. Style 452, $47 2. Style 453, $47 3. Style 451, $47 4. Style 450, $47

These beautiful garters are from her Traditional Collection:

1. Style 263, $65 2. Style 352, $57 3. Style 353, $65 4. Style 262, $60

Julianne has lots of goodies on her site and blog; be sure to stop by and read about the history of garters and view more of her must-haves! Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Fresh + Fun: Herb Centerpieces and Favors

Not only are herbs fun as centerpieces at wedding events, they also make for lovely take-home gifts that keep on giving. Think about incorporating small herb gardens into your party decor and place individual pots on a sideboard for guests to take home as they leave. Provide an assortment of herbs that are easy to care for: basil, thyme, and rosemary are all delightful.

1. Image from Herb Companion 2. Favors from Favor Creative, $3.50 each 3. + 4. Images from Martha Stewart

Breathtaking images: Venice

Our week of Segerius-Bruce images ends with this breathtaking session in Venice........enjoy! Aleah + Nick

Valley & Co. Planning Tips

Today we bring you Tip #3 of 5 for finding and staying true to you during the planning process. Visit our past posts to read Tips 1 & 2 {as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog}.

3. Think about what you don't like. For many of our clients, this can actually be a difficult task and they have trouble explaining their vision. We’d encourage you to browse the wealth of wedding resources online to get ideas as to what inspires you, but more importantly, what you don’t like. This will be incredibly important to relay to your planning team, florist, your band, your photographer, and other wedding artists who might otherwise be unaware.

Photo from Alex Studios

Ah...London! A Smashing Engagement Session!

We just love London and when I saw this engagement session, we just had to share! Bride-to-be Florence's dress is just such a lovely confection, and talk about a handsome groom. Another session from Segerious-Bruce that is just plain amazing - thank you Chanelle for letting us share your goodness!

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

The Perfect Summer Treat: Popsicles!

This post is for the kid in all of us! Even at the most sophisticated affair, guests always love surprises and hints of youth and fun. Why not have your guests enjoy delicious popsicles pre-ceremony at an outdoor wedding? Or have them tray-passed in ice by the wait staff during cocktail hour? It's a sweet treat, refreshing, and your guests will be sure to remember the whimsical touch!

As guests will be dressed to the nines, just make sure to avoid staining flavors (like blackberry). Check out YumSugar for the recipe on how to make the scrumptious 3-layer popsicles (bottom left).

Photos from YumSugar

Cheers! Aleah + Nick

Valley & Co. Planning Tips

Yesterday we started off our series of planning tips on staying true to YOU {read here}, as we wrote for Brenda's Wedding Blog. We hope you find these tips helpful during your planning. We'd love to hear your ways to stay true to YOU during planning!

Tip #2 of 5: Finding and Staying True to YOU During the Planning Process

2. Don't buckle under pressure. We know that your family + friends have the best intentions and want to help you prepare for this joyous time in your lives. But if you aren’t keen on using your cousin as your florist, even though your aunt insists, don’t. Instead, perhaps ask her to create your toss bouquet. If you’re not comfortable with a certain ceremony style that your family is pressing for, try to find a happy medium. We know the importance of honoring family, friends, and tradition, but we also know the significance of today’s couple creating their own traditions.

Happy Planning! Aleah + Nick

Photo from Alex Studios

'Round the World: Real Wedding, South African Nuptials

Today's real wedding took place in South Africa at the Tala Game Reserve; how amazing is that in itself? What we love about this wedding and the stunning photography is just how true it is. It's true romance, true beauty, and truly breathtaking. The photos were taken by the husband-and-wife team of Segerius Bruce out of the UK and boy, do they have talent.

Wendy & Greg's wedding was a lovely celebration between close family and friends in the most perfect setting. What more could you ask for?

We hope you enjoy! Aleah + Nick