Fresh, green, and beautiful…

A beautiful wedding @ Palm Valley Country Club

Cool…and GREEN Event Lighting!

Everyone knows that lighting is an integral part to any great event! The decor can be beautiful, the food sumptuous, but if you can’t see it??? Event Illuminations can assist with creative and GREEN lighting technology unlike anything that is out on the market. Their LED event lighting pulls so little power, it is the perfect those venues that have power issues to contend with. The fixtures are low profile and weigh less than 1lb each — allowing for cool effects and usages that standard LED and Par Cans cannot accomplish. They stay cool to the touch with a “footprint” of less than 5″, which is great for small intimate spaces. The fixtures are perfect for pinspotting effects — especially at those venues that have challenges with hangpoints. The “lighting trees” are designed to provide lighting over buffets & food stations, as well as bar areas and other “general” event set-up areas. They have custom hanging lights that they use with a variety of shade shapes, sizes and colors that are perfect for outdoor settings where lighting is non-existent — opening up the possibilities of more wonderful evening events. Event Illuminations has custom hanging lights that incorporate murano glass chandeliers — adding a sophistication to any event. Wouldn’t it be grand to get married in the evening amongst candles and beautiful hanging lights that appear to be floating overhead as the sun goes down. Use the custom hanging chandelier lighting for an event that will add that extra sparkle. The nighttime becomes magical with illumination! An umbrella is not just an umbrella, but a way to create an interesting lighting component, as well as provide a pinspot effect on dining tables. The hanging lights provide functional lighting, as well — suspended over the bar area or entrance areas, which provides a soft glow and warms the area. The possibilities are endless and the lighting is affordable!  

Event Illuminations creates magic and ambiance with their lighting!  

http://www.eventilluminations.com  

cool umbrella lighting @ the colony palms hotel

 

pinspotting and umbrella lighting combo

 

pinspotting tables dotting the pool's edge

 

custom hanging lights illuminating the wedding party table

 

ballroom uplighting -- NO POWER DROP NEEDED!

 

affordable lighting for event set-up areas

Madison Workshop West

Hi there!  I haven’t written in a while — enjoying a busy summer!  But, I am writing now to share some pictures taken this weekend during a “centerpiece showing” with a bride and groom.  David Madison from Madison Workshop West put together this centerpiece design based on the Bride’s vision of clean, crisp and contemporary.  I think he nailed it, and the client was over the moon with joy to see a sneak peek at the table decor!  Fun to work with, creative ideas, and professional — great combination!

http://www.madisonworkshopwest.com

Enjoy the view….

Palm Springs Wedding Hot Spots

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A hot spot to get hitched! When you live in Southern California, it’s easy to plan a destination wedding without having to hop on  plane! Just a few miles away is the Hip, Cool, Fun wedding destination – Palm Springs. People have been flocking to the desert for years. Celebrities find it a great way to escape the bright lights for a little R&R. The vibe is casual and laid back, but with a sophistication that only PS can deliver. From mid-century modern venues to funky little B&Bs, Palm Springs has something for everyone. Maybe you like the retro-glam feel of The Riviera Resort & Spa where you are transported back to a posh yet inviting atmosphere. There are also several private homes and estates that are ideal for celebration: The Lucy House (http://www.thelucyhouse.com) , The Elvis Presley Estate, and the Robert Stack House. These homes provide guests with a different view of PS — one that emulates what parties may have been like back in the day — the celebrity soirees that took place behind the private hedges of many celebrity homes. Other faves are The Viceroy Hotel and The Ace Hotel with two distinctive, yet popular styles — Hollywood Regency and Funky Retro is how I describe them. Venture beyond Palm Springs into Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and La Quinta, and you find even more stunning and picturesque venues. Rancho Mirage has many country clubs that enjoy spectacular views and offer private dining space. They also have one of true favorite resorts: Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. This property is palatial, yet still has the comfortable, relaxed feeling about it. Get married on the 5th fairway, dine & dance on the outdoor terrace, or dance all night in one of their beautifully appointed ballrooms. In La Quinta you can’t visit without stopping by the colorful grounds of the historic La Quinta Resort & Spa. This property his well-known and never disappoints when it comes to capturing the charm and essences of the desert lifestyle.

It can be an overwhelming process to scout the perfect location, but you have a great group of people within the Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association that can help you put all the pieces together for your celebration!

For more information on these great Palm Springs wedding venues and more, contact us, and we would be happy to be your tour guide! http://www.thewalkdowntheaisle.com

The Lucy House - Palm Springs

Elvis Presley Estate

The Robert Stack Estate - Palm Springs

The Ace Hotel - Ceremony Site

The Viceroy Hotel - Palm Springs

Mission Hills Country Club - Rancho Mirage

Desert Island Country Club - Rancho Mirage

5th Fairway - Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

La Quinta Resort & Spa

Happy travels,

Go ahead…play with your food!

Food…it is a staple to any celebration!

When planning your wedding celebration, remember it’s time to share your own personal style and have fun with food. Brides and Grooms ARE having fun with their food! I have found the brides and grooms I have had the pleasure of working with are more sophisticated in their palettes — foodies, if you will! From creating a food frenzy that includes grazing stations of Thai Cuisine served in miniature take-out boxes with stix; a Fresh Station with the freshest of seafood and salad accoutrements gathered on clear hors d’oeuvre plates; and a Comfort Station with individual mac ‘n cheese ramekins, juicy gourmet sliders, or miniature grilled cheese sandwich squares skewered over a tomato soup shooter, couples are definitely playing with their food! It IS all about creating lasting memories — good memories, and food is a big part of that.

Micro Entrees, Small Plates and Miniature everything are all very popular and great ways to shake it up a bit. The micro entrees can be done with action food stations with chefs preparing and serving, or as a plated multi-course extravaganza with a tasting of items. Your guests will be delighted with a variety of miniature versions of some classic favorites. This is also a great way for guests to  mingle more and really enjoy the celebration. Maybe you like the idea of small plates served family style-esque displayed either on a vintage lazy-suzanne that spins in the center of the table, or on a collection of cool pedestal platters that elevates the yummy creations off the table. Platters of kabobs and grilled vegetables, beautiful displays of heirloom tomatoes with capers, red onion, fresh herbs, and olive oil…well, you get the picture. Food can become the centerpiece and focal point with the colors and interesting display options – it is not only visually appealing, but the aromas add to that table experience.

 

Rather than spend the money on a traditionally served fare of surf & turf, consider the simple foods displayed in a playful, interesting way. Surf & Turf can be done in so many different creative ways – think outside the regular dinner plate.  Do a trio of sliders with gourmet condiments and frites in a cone with a drizzle of truffle oil – comfort food dialed up a notch!  If you are going to spend money on a wedding celebration, and you want the food to be a centerpiece, there are many forks in that road to choose from! By doing simple standards displayed or served in unique ways, you get the best of both worlds…style and comfort!

So whether you are hosting a casual rehearsal dinner or a celebratory wedding reception, there are no rules except serve good food…and have fun with it! It’s all about the experience! Guests WILL remember the food.

Go ahead…PLAY!

 

easy nibbles

 

 

fun twist on "finger food"!

 

not just for the clothesline!

So many possibilities! Retro trays are great for a pooside soiree!

Pennies from Heaven!

GREAT NEWS!!!  The Walk Down the Aisle has developed a mentorship program for young and aspiring event professionals! Through the years I have been fortunate enough to have worked in a variety of fields within the wedding & event industry — providing a broader scope and vision to this crazy business. With that experience has come some pretty amazing opportunities to be a part of really incredible productions. I love to share those experiences, promote the industry as a whole, and teach those that share in that passion.  I have worked with some wonderful individuals throughout my career in a mentoring role, and found it rewarding to see them spread their wings and fly on their own journey. There is nothing quite like real world planning experience — hands on…applied experience — not something from a book or online!  Mentoring is a natural opportunity for me…and The Walk Down the Aisle, so it should prove to be a wonderful journey! 

So, like pennies from heaven, I introduce my newest addition to the creative team, Deena Bartoli.  Deena comes to us with experience within the hospitality industry and a true passion for this crazy business!  A dream to be an event planner since the age of 10, and the go-to person when it comes to planning any activities with her close circle of friends, Deena is a natural.  She is studying for her business degree, so she’s smart and creative! Her energy, positive attitude, and leadership qualities are very apparent.  Sit with her for just a couple of minutes, and you will know that she is destined for greatness.  I only hope that I can hang on to her long enough to experience that first hand! 

Deena will join TWDTA on a variety of projects, so I hope that you will join me in welcoming Deena when your paths cross! 

Pennies from Heaven!

http://www.thewalkdowntheaisle.com

Holidays in July!

“Oh the weather outside is frightful…the air inside delightful…and since we have a place in mind…let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

CELEBRATE the holidays in JULY! Looking for a great place to hold your next event? Look no further — Mission Hills Country Club (MHCC) is offering some amazing opportunities for the upcoming season! As you enjoy the outside by looking at it from the inside, consider putting the pieces together for a GREAT Fall or Winter event.  As we all gear up for the new season, we often look for ways to inspire, motivate and thank those that have made the past year possible, and to engage them in the new endeavors that are on the horizon!  Face it, we all like a little celebration or recognition…or, even both!   Whether you want to say thank you to staff members, community members, charities, or other organizations, a celebration is in order. Play Emeril for the Day and host a Surprise Breakfast for your office crew to recognize all their hard work and dedication…freshly prepared by the Chef at MHCC!  Invite your best clients or patrons to an Open House Reception complete with delicious nibbles and spirits showing your appreciation for their business, or host a luncheon or dinner for your annual Awards Event – all catered by MHCC. The Club is a great place to organize a Team Building activity or Fundraising event — perhaps Cookie Decorating and Bake Sale; Toy Drive and Holiday Cheer to benefit local organizations; or any event that brings people together in the spirit of giving.  Maybe you have a new line of clothing or a product that everyone NEEDS to know about — create a fun and engaging event in the ballroom with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the lush green fairways, water treatments and a majestic mountain backdrop. 

On a personal note, MHCC is a very beautiful and picturesque venue to play host to a number of social events:  anniversaries, weddings and receptions, bridal luncheons, retirement parties, and family reunions.  Work with the Chef to create a personalize wine pairing menu for 20 of your closest friends — a unique, intimate gathering with really great food and wine…and a Sommelier to tie it all together – does it get better than that! 

Mission Hills Country Club offers Club Gift Cards that can be used for a variety of things: dinner for two, food platters to go, and other great things.

The REALLY COOL thing:  If you book before September 1, 2010, you will receive 10% off your Food & Beverage plus FREE room rental — this is a HUGE savings! So whether you are planning for a corporate event, community fundraiser, putting the details together for your wedding celebration, or designing a marketing event, Mission Hills Country Club invites you to experience the Club.

To take advantage of the “Holidays in July” offerings, contact Greg Frasier, Private Events Director, MHCC @ 760.883.1664  greg.frasier@ourclub.com  http://www.clubcorp.com/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=PCH&MFCODE=MIHCC

The View!

Room with a View!

Yakking about Yaking…

Kayaking that is!   OMG…my new favorite “me time” is kayaking…I am obsessed!  Jay and I have wanted to take up kayaking for some time, and now we are doing it!  Our home community has a 20,000 sqft lake….albeit man-made…still a body of water that I can see looking out our living room window    So, we decided it was time — a great way to relax, workout, connect, and lose ourselves in the moment.   I have been out only three times since we got our yaks last weekend — even with the temps above 108!  The Lake has a pull that seems to draw me away from the things I should be doing   It takes about an hour to paddle the entire lake — paddling in and out of all the fingers of the lake — then the payoff — the serenity float!  Picture the glass-like conditions of the water, the slight…and I mean ever so slight breeze, 360 degree view of the mountain ranges in the background, and the quiet…ahhhh.  It is my new Zen Den!  My place to escape…with or without my hubby.  I can have my own private concert on the water — crank up the iPod — from Bocelli to Bob Seger — what could be better than that.  The other cool thing is we have so many bodies of water to explore:  from our local Lake Cahuilla….Hemet Lake…Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead to ”the Bay” in Newport Beach, we have a plethora of places to go.  We just strap the yaks to the top of the Tahoe and away we go!  

If you haven’t ever been, I strongly urge you to give it a whirl — you won’t be disappointed!  From someone who has a difficult time shutting down and leaving work behind, this is something that lets me lose myself…in a good way  

  

  

  

  

  

Taking in the cute "wild life" on the shore!

 

Music to your ears…

We all know that music lifts the spirits and enlivens the soul!  That too is true with the melodic sounds created with the harp!  Not only does the harp music softly envelop your surroundings, the visual appeal of the majestic…yet sultry presence brings a casual elegance to any wedding or event.  Lynne Lockwood has been creating magic with her harp for more than 20 years…yes, she started at the age of 12   If her musical serenade is not enough, Lynne’s vibrant and poised personality is sure to make you smile.  She has a way of making everyone feel at ease…and she is experienced, professional, reliable and great fun to work with!  Her music ranges from classical to contemporary and the PERFECT accoutrement to all occasions. 

Lynne has been an active and supportive member of the Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association, and served on the Board of Directors as the Social Chair…responsible for bringing the membership together at our monthly mixers…among other projects.  Lynne doesn’t stop there with sharing her beautiful music and spirit — she also volunteers in the Healing Arts program with Eisenhower Medical Center — beautiful music, kind heart! 

To find out more about how you too can experience the inspiring sounds of the harp for your wedding or event, visit Lynne’s website:  http://www.harpstar4u.com 

Lynne Lockwood

Making Lemonade!

O.K….it’s definitely H.O.T. with an attitude! With the brutal heat, it must be time for a cool glass of lemonade  So, I thought I would share some great things about the hot weather — making lemonade from lemons… From the beautiful sunrise and evening skies….pristine golf courses, to furry and feathered friends –I wanted to share some great photos that I have captured as I take in the “seasonally” HOT weather from the inside…sipping lemonade! The gist here…although it is crazy hot outside, there are still things to marvel at! So, here comes the cliché: when life gives you lemons…start squeezing! 

ahhh...the sunrise

 

sunset in the desert

 

feathered friends

 

heading home...

 

Going fishing...

 

meet my furry baby...Taz...or Tazi-Moto!