Lifestyle: Jennifer Rea

Happy Wedding Wednesday, blog friends! How is your post-holiday week? Though we're excited at the smell of evergreen trees lingering in the air, the excuse to drink piping mugs of drinking chocolate every night, and spending so much time savoring the season, we're having a hard time believing tomorrow is December 1st! Wow. We'll be at the gorgeous gem of a hotel in La Jolla, La Valencia, tomorrow for the tree lighting in their Mediterranean-style courtyard; the holidays are officially here! Stay tuned next week when we have some special holiday posts from oh-so sweet friends, including Jennifer Rea and Laurie Granger from The Bride Suite. Today we're also happy to chat with Jennifer in our continuing Lifestyle series.

We've had the pleasure of calling Jennifer Rea a friend for nearly three years now. Jen is a creative mind at Exquisite Weddings Magazine and is one of the stylish gals behind The Bride Suite, the blog by EW. She's beyond sweet and has an eye for all things chic and lovely. Without further adieu...

Dream-In-Color Slippers from Anthropologie

 

Thanks for stopping by, Jen!  Be sure to check out Exquisite Weddings Magazine {the current issue is gorgeous} and The Bride Suite. It's a go-to source for daily loveliness!

 

You can see past Lifestyle interviews with Preston Bailey, Ceci Johnson, Jasmine Star, and more, on our Facebook page!

Recent Press: Lavender and Lemon Inspiration

Although the days are crisper, festive holiday music piped everywhere you turn, and the darker days of winter upon us, we're busy plotting and planning spring and summertime weddings and events {amidst prep for client holiday parties and winter weddings!}. It's funny how the planning process works: dreaming up bright and airy ideas when you just want to cozy up in front of a roaring fire!

Last summer, when the days were long and hot and the smell of perfumed lavender filled the air, we collaborated with our sweet friend Brenda from Best Wedding Sites to bring to life her idea for a charming lavender field inspirational shoot. We're so excited to see the shoot come to life and grace the pages of the current issue of Bridal Guide Magazine {yahoo!} in a beautiful three-page spread! If you haven't picked up your copy yet it's the January/February issue on stands now everywhere! It will surely get you dreaming up chic and lovely ideas for your wedding parties and decor.

This shoot was designed as an afternoon bridal shower and has us dreaming of warm summer afternoons spent visiting and enjoying good company. We played off of natural elements like the sea of rich lavender, highlights of lemon, and clouds of billowy white hydrangea.

Our dessert spread consisted of vanilla bean cupcakes with butter cream frosting, malt balls for a nostalgic feeling, homemade chocolate chip cookies, blueberry scones, and apple pie.

We told readers "when it came to creating our color palette, we played off the prevailing violet tones of the surrounding meadow, using high-contrast pops of lighter shades like fresh lemon yellow and pure white, along with neautral linen and burlap tones."

Brenda's delightful stationery was the perfect finishing touch. She provided recipe-type cards for guests to write their well wishes to the bride. Sweet sentiments that she can cherish forever.

Our talented friend Shannon from Shannon Lee Images captured the details for us in a stunning way. She has such an eye!

What we love: the effortlessly playful bursts of yellow and the laid-back atmosphere with touches of classical elegance like our scalloped French plates and vintage candlesticks.

Concept & Design | Best Wedding Sites and Valley & Co.

Photography | Shannon Lee Images

Heirloom Pieces | Valley & Co.

Paper Goods | Wedding Girl

Location | Keys Creek Lavender Farm

Here's a peek at the spread, which doesn't do it justice!

2012 Wedding Trend Prediction No. 4

Happy Monday, friends! How was your Thanksgiving, our American readers? Was your weekend filled with holiday cheer and relaxation? We spent some much-needed time truly relaxing and soaking up the holiday festivities and decking the halls; it was wonderful! Over on our Lifestyle blog we're sharing our original holiday projects, recipes, and entertaining ideas so be sure to stop by to get in the spirit! We'd love to have you!

As the holidays edge even closer we're marching on with our weekly 2012 wedding trend prediction.

2012 wedding trend prediction No. 4: living installations. More and more so our couples are concerned about the reuse of their flowers from the big day. We always encourage them to donate the leftover blooms to a nursery home or hospice care as they can truly brighten the day for so many. We're predicting installations of long-living plants and adornments that will live on and can be given to guests when they leave or a nursing home recipient. They can also be planted at the newlyweds' home and be a constant reminder of the magic of the wedding day.

What we love: Living orchids and air plants can be the perfect delicate touch and pop of tropical romance. Not only are the gorgeous, but you can gift the plants to guests as they leave as a token of your celebration.

Photos by Jasmine Star for Valley & Co.

What do you think about our predictions thus far? Do you have any of your own you'd like to share? Here's No.3, No. 2, and No. 1. 

Holiday Entertaining Essentials from NewlyWish

We're so happy to have our dear friend Amanda Allen from NewlyWish back lending her wonderful registry expertise, this month geared at entertaining registry ideas. We are so smitten with this post and the gorgeous entertaining images and products below! Without further adieu...

With the holidays having snuck up upon us once again, I thought I’d share with you some ideas for entertaining pieces you might want to include in your registry. As I’ve mentioned here before, I generally recommend that your registry reflect your everyday living needs, but entertaining may be a part of your lifestyle, or you intend for it to be.

So, as you build your gift registry, consider including a few special pieces – serving bowls and platters, or some crystal barware - that have the style and quality to stand out at special occasions, but also the versatility for everyday use, even if that’s just serving as a complement to your home décor.

Mix and Match Dinnerware Collections styled by renowned wedding industry Tastemakers.

For your table, you can never go wrong with classic white dinnerware – like the little black dress, it can be dressed up or down for any occasion: as is for everyday, and with a colorful charger, placemat or napkin rings to add a little color for a dinner party. If you do go for fine china, who says you can’t use it for everyday? In fact, I can’t see any reason not to, especially now that there are so many options that are microwave and/or dishwasher safe.


Crystal is also a great thing to consider – a set of nice wine goblets, or just a decanter, will add a great touch of elegance to any table and there are a ton of wonderful options out there, from the classic cuts to more modern styles.

Jingle Bells Napkin Rings by Shiraleah | Dahlia Placemats by Chilewich |

Cotton Napkins by Pom Pom  | Monogrammed Napkins by Luxury Monograms

Bar Collection styled by Marcy Blum Photo credit: Karen Mordechai  |

Faux Tortoise Shell Bar Collection |  Sand-Casted Aluminum Bowls | Tapas Plates and Bowls

And if you’re not given to large dinner parties, leaning instead toward more casual drinks and appetizers, think about registering for some nice barware – an ice bucket, shaker, double old fashioneds, highballs and martini glasses are great for entertaining and look great on a sideboard when not in use.
 

Bar Collection styled by Marcy Blum: Photo credit: Karen Mordechai 

 
Lastly, pieces like candles, votives, and hurricanes are great as home decorative accents and can add a special touch when entertaining: consider a grouping of hurricanes of different sizes as a simple and elegant centerpiece.
 

Recycled Tin Hurricanes | Recycled Glass Votives | Decorative Tin Candles by Voluspa 

Remember, if you focus your registry on items that truly reflect your life and style, you’re sure to have everything you need for quiet dinners at home, cocktails with friends, even that first family thanksgiving.

And with that, I’d like to wish all the Valley and Co-ers a happy and healthy holiday season!

 

2012 Wedding Trend Prediction No. 3

First up today: we're so excited to unveil Lifestyle by Valley & Co.'s new look! We'd sure love if you hop on over and take a peek: check out our categories -hopefully you'll find the perfect holiday recipe or craft! Moving along...

Thanksgiving. The holiday that surrounds us with feasts for the eyes and taste buds and allows for us to spend days on end enjoying our families and friends and food and drink without explanation or need to check email or social media. This Thanksgiving we're ever-so-grateful for our families and for our industry. You allow us to do what we love and provide support and encouragement that speak volumes. A huge part of what we do is bring special couples' vision to life when creating their weddings - and for this we're also thankful.

When we talk about wedding trends and our predictions we try to focus on the big picture: the elements that help create and entire wedding experience and not simply one or two pieces or a color {though we'll throw a few of those your way, too}. Our first and second 2012 predictions spoke to that, as does No. 3.

Prediction No. 3: Romance. That's what weddings are all about, right? Well in 2012 we predict a shift back towards utterly romantic floral designs, especially in bridal bouquets. Think lush blooms, deeply textured bouquets, and monochromatic colors that are timeless and nod to Hollywood nostalgia: think roses and brooches adorned with pearl drops and glittering gems and hand-dyed whimsical feathers; the elements that will make a bride's look stand out as one of timeless elegance.

Photo by Llanes Weddings for Valley & Co. - bouquet by Isari Flower Studio

What Aleah loves about this: the understated decadence and fool-for-love feeling.

Photo by Jeremy Leffel for Valley & Co.

Are you a fool for love when it comes to bouquets? Would you nod to old Hollywood romance with your bouquet or style: think big rose buds and sweet adornments like pearls and feathers?

Wedding Inspiration: Coastal Elegance

Inspiration. You know that while we're suckers for fun whimsical designs coastal elegance strikes our fancy in a big way. It's a timeless platform for beautiful weddings and events: from sailboat-inspired stripes to navy and white color tones with bright pops of yellow, coastal elegance makes for magical events and sophisticated bashes that radiate fun. For the Best of San Diego Magazine bash we created a table top inspired by classic American coastal elegance. We looked to seersucker fabric and navy for our inspiration and brought in simple, yet striking details.

What we love: the abundance of delicious mini morsels from Fantasy Frostings and the beautiful blue hues in the flowers from Grand Floral.

 Our linen table cloth is something we'll be seeing more of: linen is making more of a statement at weddings as the lightweight fabric can be less expensive to rent than frilly fanciful linens and makes the perfect blank canvas.

 Our striped stationery by Brightly Designed was the perfect compliment: sunshine yellow bars alongside sweet navy text.

 Our napkin adornments were simple as well, yet looked so beautiful and cheery: seersucker fabric bands!

Photos by Limelife Photography

Rentals | Concepts Event Design

Flowers | Grand Floral

Desserts | Fantasty Frostings {yum!}

Stationery | Brightly Designed

Are you a fan of classic nautical details?

2012 Wedding Trend Prediction No. 2

Dear blog friends, we are so happy to be back after our unexpected {and unwanted} hiatus last week and thrilled you joined us this morning to say hi! As we edge closer to 2012 we're rolling along with our wedding trend predictions {last week No. 1 predicted gourmet tasting-style menus and last year's trends for 2011 - how do you think we did?}.

Trend No. 2: We predict the rise of hometown destination weddings. Think about planning your wedding at a beautiful rustic mountain lodge equally gorgeous in the summertime, crisp fall months, or snowy winter just outside of your city or a gorgeous seaport a ferry ride away. Encourage all of your guests to stay for the weekend and celebrate.

What we love about this: your wedding will feel like a great escape but without the sometimes hefty travel bill of a far off destination wedding in a tropical locale or foreign country. Perhaps most importantly, by thinking outside of your city by just an hour or two you can strike it lucky with a stunning backdrop for your wedding you might not otherwise have.

Photos by Sarah Rhoads for Valley & Co.

So what do you think? Would you consider planning a hometown destination wedding?

Wedding Planning Tip: Enjoy the Ride

Good morning, friends. Another Wednesday has arrived. As we take in this Wedding Wednesday in the month of giving thanks, let's all take a deep breath and remember what weddings and wedding planning are all about: love. Happiness. A new adventure. Family. Joy. If you're getting caught up in the moment{s} of planning just breathe in and remember that weddings are amazing celebrations. Remove the stress and be thankful that you are marrying your best friend! Enjoy the ride. 

Photo by Llanes Weddings for Valley & Co.

Happy Wednesday!

2012 Wedding Trend Prediction No. 1

It's so hard to believe that we're so close to ringing in a new year, isn't it? Wow. This year has been a fantastic whirlwind but we're excited to welcome a fresh year. It's already looking incredible and we're ever-so grateful! With a new year comes new ideas to share with clients that will make their event truly one-of-a-kind.

Last year we called out our predictions for both 2011 and 2012. One of our favorites: the groom's lounge. We've seen so many variations this year and we know it's something that's going to stick around.

Our first prediction to reveal for 2012: tasting menus. Our couples are all so unique and often times a traditional buffet or plated meal doesn't cut it! More of our couples are going with mouth-watering tasting menus where their guests are greeted with an amuse bouche, duos of fresh local salads, palate cleansers, and several entrees that are portioned to smaller sizes. Cheese courses can be served up last, reminiscent of European dining.

What we love about a tasting menu: guests really get to enjoy the true dining experience and the couple can show off their favorite foods and wine pairings. Mix it up even more by serving some of the dishes family-style in smaller portions, like this fantastic cheese board.

Photo by Jeremy Leffel for Valley & Co.

We'll be counting down our predictions each Monday until we reach 2012 so stay tuned!
What do you hope to see for 2012 weddings and events?

Fall-Inspired Stationery

How is your Thursday morning so far? We're in full prep mode for tomorrow's gorgeous wedding at Tower 23 Hotel in San Diego {check out the hotel - it's so unique!}, and working on the finishing touches: gourmet cookie bags for late-night snacks, a gorgeous copper arbor Nick made for the ceremony, and little air plant take-home favors! We're also hoping and praying that we don't need to implement our Plan B - a huge storm is barreling our way! In over 8 years of event in Seattle we've never had to use a back-up plan and we hope to not start tomorrow!

Needless to say, it's still going to be gorgeous. Now onto the paper eye candy:

Baci Designer Stationery & Events sent over this darling autumn-inspired invitation suite for our Fall EGlossy and we're so smitten with it. Amanda is a talented stationery and event designer that makes us smile with her creative designs.

 What we're loving: the Kraft paper envelopes and that tree! It just makes us happy!

We can envision these as holiday stationery with a twist dressed up with silver string or red-and-white baker's twine! Thank you, Amanda!