Table Design Tuesday: Let Them Eat Cake

This table’s inspiration comes from the 18th century style with classic French elegance and Marie Antoinette’s penchant for decadence. Marie threw over the top parties and you can feel that in this table. With elegant sterling silver touches, overflowing champagne and extravagant floral pieces that include Phalenopsis orchids, exquisite roses, ivy and lisianthus complete that lavish French feeling.

Coordinator: California Wedding Divas
Florist: Cherry Blossom Floral Designs
Photographer: Stewart Bertrand Photography
Location: The Grand Tradition Estates
Linens: Concepts Event Design
Stationery: Nic Roc Designs
Favors: Love-Leigh Chocolates & So Belle Chocolate Favors
Rentals: Teal Green Design & Raphael’s Party Rentals
Cake & Desserts: The French Gourmet

Mangia Monday: Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Croutons

As Fall gets kicked into full swing, we know that you all are just dying for a dish with some autumn flare (and we're not talking about a Pumpkin Spice Latte).  Culinary Concepts created a tasty recipe for Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Croutons to fill your bellies on these cooler days.  With a thick and creamy texture, this seasonal recipe is perfect for this time of year and would be followed well with some traditional pumpkin pie.

Recipe

2 tbsp brown sugar

15 oz can pumpkin puree
2 cans unsalted chicken broth
1 cup chopped onion
5 tbsp softened butter
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
4 slices whole wheat bread
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
⅛ tsp ground black pepper

Handful cilantro leaves
½ teaspoon ground ginger

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix together the cinnamon, half the sugar, and the butter and spread it evenly across each slice of bread, and toast, buttered side up, for about 8 minutes. Cut the bread slices into small squares or triangles.
3. Sauté the onion in the rest of the butter until tender, then add half the chicken broth. Stir well, bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
4. Add the other can of broth, the salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, pepper, the rest of the sugar and the ginger.  Stir well and bring to a boil.
5. Cover, turn the heat down, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Stir in the cream and warm it through without boiling.
7. Garnish with croutons and cilantro leaves.

PHOTO CREDIT: Culinary Concepts
-JW

Fashion Friday: Unique Tulle

Tulle has always been a factor that brides look for in their wedding dresses, and this years runway has turned the fashion forward staple into something exciting and new.  Exotic and unexpected tulle skirts graced the runway in all different shapes and sizes this year.  Everything from uneven hems to feather like overlays were all the rage and definitely kept us at the edge of our seats.  If you are looking for the jaw draping look for your strut down the aisle, unique tulle skirts is what you have been waiting for. Every bride wants to look light as a feather on her special day, and this fabric of the season will be sure to do the trick.

Blush by Hayley Paige Spring 2014 - Fiona

Amsale Blue Label - Drake / Carolina Spring 2015 - Corra

Christos Fall 2014 - Eliza

Hayley Paige Spring 2014 - Lana & Dori

Kenneth Pool Spring 2015 - Sada

Monique Lhuillier Fall/Winter 2014 - Jasmine & Skye

-JW

Inspiration Thursday: Red & Black

Make a color themed statement like this classic black a red themed inspiration board by Create Events.  Fill your day with the flower of love backed up against flattering black; a color palette that always looks good.  This color combo works with all aspects of a wedding from cake decor and pocket squares to centerpieces and even reception dishes.  Red is the universal color of love, and on a day that is supposed to celebrate love, it just makes sense to go with a theme like this.

PHOTO CREDIT: Elle G Photography

-JW

Wedding Wednesday: Meghan & Benjamin

Meghan and Benjamin were married on the beautiful beaches of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.  A fun, bright color palette with pops of turquoise enhanced the luxurious architecture of the club. Meghan and Benjamin said "I Do"with their toes in the sand and then headed to an outdoor reception by the pool.  Surrounded by family, friends and candlelight, the celebration came to a perfect close under the starry ocean sky.

Highlighted Vendors

Location: La Jolla beach & Tennis Club

Coordinator: BeCoordinated

Photographer: True Photography

Florist: Simply Glamorous

Entertainment: SoCal Wedding

Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.

Dress: M Bride

Jewelry: Harold Stevens

-JW

Table Design Tuesday: Blooming Romance

This table expresses romance in full bloom.  Flowers gracefully dress up every detail including the china, flatware, champagne flutes and all of the paper items.  Even the napkins were in full bloom with sweet French macaroons emerging from the center. The centerpieces are a combination of antiqued silver chandelier-like candleholders topped with pink peonies, hydrangeas, burgundy pincushion scabiosa and dahlias.  Crystals draped the beautiful olive tree and glass orbs filled with flowers hung from branches to finish the look.   

Coordinator: Bliss Events

Florist: Whimsey Floral and Design

Photographer: Siegel Thurston

Location: Estancia La Jolla

Linens: A Perfect Table

Chairs: Concepts Event Design

Stationery/Paper Goods: Bamboostar Studios

Favors: Triple Cream Bakery and A Sweet Addition

Mangia Monday: Ice Cream Sandwiches

Us San Diego natives are no novice to ice cream sandwiches.  With novelty spots, like Baked Bear, all over town this trendy treat would be a high hit at your reception.  Whether you want them giant or mini, these sweet treats are bound to be the star of the show.  Continental Catering did a special breakdown on their website dedicated to this trendy treat.  And whether you prefer a cookie or waffle sandwich, our mouths are just watering with the endless combinations to be made just to your liking.

PHOTO CREDIT: Continental Catering

-JW

Fashion Friday: Halters

The halter neckline made a surprising comeback on the runway this year.  The halter neckline is not only flattering but it remains to be the best option for a bust of any shape and size.  Whether its crystals around your neck or delicate lace, this look is a sophisticated favorite for brides everywhere.

 Haley Paige Spring 2014 Runway

Carolina Herrera

 Amsale 2014 Collection - Hunter

Kenneth Pool

-JW

Taylor'd FAVORS has a new treat for brides!

INTRODUCING
Taylor'd Favors' new Welcome Box!

Customers spoke. They Listened.

Taylor'd Favors found their brides needed a box for welcoming guests complete with S.W.A.G., snacks, beverages, or a number of overnight items.

Introducing a new addition to their platform box line:

The Welcome Box

(10" x 8" x 3")

Browse their website to build your own Welcome Box

color and ribbon combinations. They look forward to helping 

make your next event a fabulous memory.

Warmly yours,

email: info@taylordfavors.com

t.  1.877.651.1269

6955 Camino Maquiladora, Suite E  |  San Diego, CA 92154

www.taylordfavors.com

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Complete Your Look:

Add take-away favor boxes in various sizes to match your Welcome Box

Dark yellow platform box, medium cube,

5/8" white satin ribbon, criss-cross loop

Inspiration Thursday: A Day At The Races

In honor of the Del Mar Horse Races closing last week, we thought we'd help wrap it up with a horse races inspired inspiration board.  The barn setting is a given, but horse shoes, bright colors and large extravagant hats add some summer fun to this theme.  Bring your guests to where the surf meets the turf and maybe set your wedding date during the next racing season.  That way you can tie your race themed wedding in with a fun day at the races the next day.

-JW