Simply Elegant Weddings is pleased to announce that we now offer Candy buffets and Sweets tables to any event in San Diego!

Love is Sweet!

Give your guests the gift of true love and gratitude with a smorgasbord of tasty candies for your party favor

Or

mix it up with even more options including  gourmet desserts, cotton candy, and baked goodies

Our service comes complete with goody bags, personalized thank you notes, signage, set up, clean up, and decor design to tie into your wedding style

Price for all candy selection, including everything above is just $3 per guest!!!

Prices for specialized selections vary depending on guest count and selections. Please contact for specific pricing!

9 Questions to Ask a Vendor

with Kelly Wood Photo

Wedding Photographer in San Diego

Honesty Clause: I am not paid in anyway by the vendors that I have chosen to feature. These are people who I’ve met in the industry who I know to be very good at their job. For that reason, I’ve decided to feature them, to better give the brides that I know more information to assist them in hiring people who are honest, trustworthy, and just darn good at what they do!

Bride Question #1    What is it about your field that requires me to hire a professional Photographer? (why can’t I just have a friend do it?)

This is a great question!  Especially since every couple has a certain budget they need to work within, which inevitably means cutting costs wherever possible.  However, and I know this is going to sound biased, I don’t think that a place you should try to go cutting costs is on your photography.  When you think about it, your photos are going to be the tangible memories of your wedding day, and to trust something so important to anyone other than a professional is taking a big risk!  Photographers like myself who do photography as their profession put countless hours into bettering themselves, with workshops, seminars, and investing in the best possible gear.  Shooting weddings, and shooting weddings well is what we do and we know how to get the best shots under pressure, and in all the various lighting situations of a wedding day, because we’ve perfected it over time.

Your friend or family member may be a great photographer, but if they aren’t a professional wedding photographer I would give having them shoot your wedding a second thought.  Also, do you really want your friend or family member to be working on your wedding day?  Going with a professional is the safest way to insure you will get all those shots you want from your wedding day; and not only that, it’s the best way to get beautiful long lasting quality images you can share for generations!

 

2    What made you start doing weddings?

For me it was a natural and obvious choice, I love photographing people.  I started off in concert photography prior to transitioning into weddings, and what I loved about concert photography was the emotion!  There was no better place to photograph people and raw emotion then on somebody’s wedding day.  The timing sort of just worked out, as I was getting into photography my sister was getting married.  After her wedding I reached out to her vendors asking if they knew any photographers who needed an assistant and I went from there!

3    What is your favorite part of a wedding?

Each part of the wedding day is so uniquely different, so it’s difficult to pinpoint what my favorite part is.  Personally I love the ceremony, I almost always get chills as the bride is walked down the aisle toward her groom.  There’s so much great raw emotion to capture during this time.  The groom tearing up as his bride walks towards him, the father-of-the-bride watching on as his daughter stands at the alter, the grandparents looking on with such pride and happiness.  All of that makes for great photos!

4    What is one thing that you think every bride can/should DIY?

This one is tough because as a wending vendor I like to say leave it to the professionals and enjoy your wedding day stress free!  Although there are some things you can take over for yourself (just make sure you’re not in charge of making sure it’s all handled the day of the wedding).  Things such as favors are a great opportunity to create something unique and hand crafted for your guests!  Signage is also another place where you can try your hand at some arts and crafts and create signs for your guests to display throughout your wedding.

5    What is the best advise you can give me when booking a Photographer?

Ask yourself do you feel comfortable with this person?  Also do you feel like you can trust them?  These two are huge, you want to make sure you like your photographer as a person because their going to be following you all day on your wedding.  Also last thing you want is to worry about any of your vendors being on time, doing what you asked, and coming prepared.  You want to make sure that you trust the person you put in charge of your photography

6    When interviewing Photographers what is one thing that I should always ask? And is there a specific answer I should be looking for?

So many things come to mind, but the thing I come back to is: “What is your approach on the wedding day?”  You want to know what to expect from your photographer.  Will they be hovering over you all day, will they take a more photojournalistic approach and stay back and give you space, will they be able to direct you if need be, can they handle all the directing of family photos.  It’s great to know what you should expect the day of so there are no surprises!

 

7    What are some ways that I can save when booking a Photographer?

As I said earlier, for me it’s a slippery slope when trying to cut costs on your photographer.  While a cheaper photographer doesn’t always equal a bad photographer, there’s still truth to you get what you pay for.  You can always ask your photographer about any payment plans they may offer to help make affording the photographer you really want easier.  Saving money is important, but you want to make sure you’re also happy with the final product.  You can also ask if your photographer has any referral specials or discounts for Friday or offseason weddings.  Everyone is different, so they may not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!

 

 

8    What is one thing that you offer that is totally worth spending the little extra to get?

I think it’s important to invest in the album of your wedding.  For me I want every couple I work with to walk away with an album because it is the tangible finished product of their wedding day.  If you are like me, I’m bad about displaying my personal photos, and that can easily happen to your wedding images if you just put them on your computer and never print them out.  Also when we print your albums, we’re using nothing but the best companies to have them printed, no Shutterfly here, so you know you will be getting a beautiful album that you can share with your family now and forever!

 

9    What sets you apart from the other Photographers in San Diego?

My professionalism, hustle, attention to detail, and the quality of my work.  You want to know when hiring your photographer, that they are first and foremost a professional.  That you can count on them to do what they say, and be there on time the day of your wedding, and work your wedding with the upmost professionalism.  That is something I pride myself on at Kelly Wood Photo!  I work hard to make sure that each couple I work with feels comfortable, confidant and excited about what I’m doing for them.  The experience I provide is very important to me. I want every couple to walk away feeling like they made the right choice! 

 

Thank you so much Kelly! I could look at your photographs all day long, and never stop crying!

I hope you found this segment helpful. Tell me what you think by leaving a comment on the Facebook page CLICK HERE 

Happy Planning!  <3 Juliette

 

It’s no secret that Chalkboards are a hot commodity for DIY brides! But when you try to buy them, the price tags can get a little outrageous! Go onto Etsy.com and a cute framed, large size chalkboard can run as much as $150+! Seriously, it’s a chalkboard people!!! The smaller ones are easy, those are only a few dollars, but what about the ones big enough for your wedding program, menu, or seating chart? Those will cost you more than a pretty penny, until now! I’ve gone through the process step by step to show you that for under $20 in materials, and under 1 hour of your time (yes, just 1 hour) you can make your own gorgeous framed chalkboard!

First things first, let’s go shopping!!!

Find your ugly, structurally sound, (wooden) frame from any thrift shop nearby! It doesn’t matter what the art is inside, or if the glass is chipped, or if the frame is a putrid orangey green color! If its the size you are looking for, Get It!!! If you plan on painting the frame to match your style (highly recommended), it is best to get a wooden frame, wood is easiest to paint. Here is my pick of the day, only $7.99!

Now go to Home Depot, or whatever your big hardwood/lumber store is! I lucked out, I headed to the plywood section, and they had sheets of chalkboard pre made! (2’x2′ for $6 or 3′ x4′ for $9) SCORE!!! However, if you don’t get as lucky, have no fear! just by a skinny sheet of plywood and paint it with some chalkboard paint. For best results, paint it on with a sponge brush or spray paint and do 2-3 coats. Let it completely dry before moving on with that piece.

Before you check out of the lumber store with your huge sheet of chalkboard/plywood, have them cut it for you! Yes, they will cut it any dimension you need! To get the correct dimensions, just measure the art or glass that comes out of the back of your frame, or take it into Home Depot with you and have them measure it!

Also, make sure to pick up some super glue, or wood glue. Make sure it is the kind that dries clear!

Now, lets get started…

Take everything out of the frame

Now rough up the coating on the frame with a piece of sand paper. Just a little, you don’t need to do a complete sanding job, just scratch up the paint a bit.

Then paint it what ever color you wish. I didn’t even use a brush. I just dipped a damp paper towel in some paint and rubbed it all over. I wanted the original gold color to shine through. If you want less of an antiqued style, and more of a bold look, I suggest spray painting with a lot of coats!

Now Super Glue the chalkboard into the frame. Be careful not to use too much, you don’t want it oozing onto the visible part of the board. If you plan on using this a lot, nail a small nail into each corner to re-enforce the glue.

The next part, I don’t have a picture for, sorry! But you want to “prime” the board. Just rub a piece of chalk all over it! This will give it a used look, which will be helpful if you need to erase something while you are writing on it. If it is a fresh board, the mistake will be so obvious, even if you erase it.

And there you have it, a framed chalkboard for under $20!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette

 

 

Thank you for the wonderful photos! Can’t wait to share more of that day!

Photography: John DeFiora Photography

Floral Designer: San Diego Floral Design LLC
Dress Designer: Iselle Design Studio
Cake Designer: Lovely’s Sinfully Sweet Creations
Makeup Artist: Grace Montano (The Doll Service)
Jewelry: Diamond Boutique

Location: The Bradford Ranch

Ceremony Aisle Decor

Cheap, Cute, and Easy to DIY!

 

A while back I posted about how to remove wine labels from bottles! This was part of what I used those bottles for. The idea is simple, simply use the wine bottles as vases for some simple flowers and hang them from shepherd’s hooks, chair posts, or stack some crates or books and set the bottles on them at the end of the row of chairs or benches!

I took the idea one step further, to make it more personal.  This would have been better focused on if the wine bottles were up higher in relativity to the guests. But noticed or not, it is meaningful none the less!

A walk down memory lane

The journey of the couple’s love

However you want to put it, it is sweet and sentimental, and your guests will gush over the idea.

With a camera on us at all times, we are lucky enough to have images of almost every important, and not so important, event of our daily lives. Share images of your relationship that maybe not everyone has seen, or knows the full story behind! I attached photos of the couple to the wine bottles. On one side of the bottle, I placed the photo. And on the opposite side I placed an explanation of what it was about. Insights to your relationship, and funny stories of the couple!

This same idea can be done in several different ways: a simple small frame hanging from a cute ribbon off a shepherd’s hook, stand up frames sitting on crates, childhood photos of the two of you, photos of ancestors or loved ones who have passed on….

What is so nice about the idea is two fold…

One: it is sentimental in that you are walking down the path that lead you to that very moment. Everything that you have gone through together has lead to what is waiting at the end of the aisle! And when you reach that point, there will be photos taken of that moment and every new moment after that!

Two: it allows your guests to learn something about you, or your fiancé, or the life that the two of you have built together. It also gets their mind off of waiting for you to put on that last coat of mascara before making your grand entrance! It will give them something to do, look at, and talk about the entire evening to come!

Vendors involved in creating this amazing ceremony space:

Photos: Nathan Petty Photography

Venue: The Bradford Ranch

Rentals- Arch, Vintage Frames, Wooden Benches: Farm Tables and More

Design, Planning, and Coordination: Simply Elegant Weddings

Flowers: Jamul Flowers

 

Spring is here, and I’ve put together a great pin board of ideas for your spring fling shin dig!

Click HERE to view the whole board on our Pinterest page! 

A great way to save money on centerpieces is to use all one kind of flower. An even better way to save more money is to do it yourself!

In this article, I explored a few different looks using just one kind of flower, Daffodils! If you are planning on getting married in the spring, you have a lot of fresh blooms to choose from, including daffodils! If you are getting married in a different season, do some research and find out what flowers will be in season. Ordering flowers that are in season and locally grown will cut down on cost!

For buying flowers on your own, I suggest going to a farmers market or a wholesale flower market in your local area. Go there ahead of time to scout out prices and how large the bundles come. Make a friend with a marketer who can tell you what you will be able to expect when the big buying day arrives! They usually can not take specific orders (you would go to a florist for that!), but they can tell you what will be in season, and what to expect the prices to be like! For those in San Diego, I recommend Wholesale Flowers and Supplies (and No, that is not a paid endorsement!). They have earned it by being the most amazing store ever! They have everything you could ever dream of for decor and flowers, and they sell it all at wholesale prices!

Here is a brief list of flowers by season:

Spring: Amaryllis, Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Daffodils, Delphinium, Freesia, Forget-me-knot, Gardenias, Lilac, Iris, Ranunculus, Sweet pea, Tulip, Roses

Summer: Asters, Baby’s Breath, Calla Lily, Canterbury Bells, Mums, Daisies, Lily, Orchid, Iris, Roses, Stephanotis, Geranium, Delphinium, Larkspur, Sunflower

Fall: Aster, Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Calla Lily, Mums, Daisies, Day Lily, Zephyr Lily, Zinnia, Roses

Winter: Amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Mums, Orchids, Roses, Daisies

What is nice about Daffodils is they last a few days in water after being cut. No need for refrigeration overnight! When you DIY centerpieces, make sure you use flowers that will last, or have access to a refrigerator that you can store them in until you are ready to use them. Also, when you refrigerate the flowers, only use enough water in the vases to touch the end of the stems, and lay a piece of newspaper loosely over the top of them to keep the flowers from getting too cold! For more delicate petals (lilies, orchids, Iris…) the refrigerator temp should be set to a little warmer than usual.

Add personality and style with the vases and what you set the flowers on. Collected jars and bottles work great as vases. They also usually have smaller openings, allowing you to use less stems for the same amount of appeal as a regular vase! Group an odd number of them together to fill more visual space on a large table. Be creative with what else goes on the table. Signage, books, tree slices, knik knacks, hat boxes, wooden crates, frames, doilies, or vintage handkerchiefs can add style under or next to your floral centerpieces, and add another element of visual interest on the tables. If you are looking to combine two or more styles that don’t normally go well together, this is a great way to combine them without one style looking like a random afterthought.

As always, Happy Planning!

-Juliette

I was recently invited to design a table scape for Farm Tables and More, an awesome rental company that specializes in rustic furniture event rentals! The theme for the bridal show was “Champagne in Paris”, and using a mixture of my own items and theirs, I came up with the following design! It was so much fun to create, I hope you enjoy!!!

(Photos are courtesy of Pages Photography!)

I hope this lends some inspiration! If you would like to know where to rent these items, please contact me at jf.weddingplanning@gmail.com and list the particular item you wish to rent for your event!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette

 

2014 is Here! and it is bringing with it a lot of hope and excitement for many, including myself! Lots of changes will happen this year for Simply Elegant Weddings, and I can’t tell you how excited I am for all my new clients to get hitched! There is always a lot of talk on the major wedding blogs about drastic changes in wedding trends. Sometimes they are right, and sometimes they are quite off base. Although we are all influenced by trends in almost everything that we do as a society, varying wedding trends from year to year don’t always make a big impact right away. It may be a couple years before we see some of these trends happening in every wedding. That being said, they are still fun to follow! I’ve compiled some of my predictions for this new year of weddings and events. They are based off of pretty much everything around us, because when you think about what you want from your wedding, you think about the things that you are drawn to in your everyday: Fashion, Music, Food, Games, Movies, Interior Design, and Advertisements.

There is one major theme that I don’t think will be going away anytime within the next generation or so, and that is PERSONALIZATION!!! Wedding details are getting intimate. More about who the couple is, and less about disco tech party lights. A lot of this has to do with the fact that more couples are starting to pay for the shin dig themselves, rather than the parents. This sometimes means more DIY and tighter budgets, which is code for more creativity! But what it really comes down to, is who ever is paying, does the picking! Instead of the parents footing the bill and having a party they think they are supposed to have, you are coming up with the funds and spending it on what makes you happy. Out with tradition, and in with fun!

First on my pick list: Sleeves, Necklines, and Backs, oh my!

Taking inspiration from Jackie O. and Princess Kate, modesty is making a come back! Lace and Sheer necklines accompanied by some adorable cap sleeves, and some amazing back openings makes for 2014’s sleekest wedding gowns! Check out these favorites:

 

The Color Purple…

Cool, Bold, and impactful colors such as saturated purples and blues will make a big impact on small intimate affairs. Use the colors everywhere to be over the top bold, or use the intense color sprinkled with more natural decor and candles for a lighter, romantic evening. Either way, big color is the way to go, and it will go a long way!

 

 

“I’ll be on my Suit and Tie”! The look is slim, ultra tailored, and unique to him. Let your groom take the reigns on picking out the outfits for him and his bros. It might not sound sane to put him in charge of such an important job as fashion, but he will appreciate it! Let his personality shine through, just like you with your dress and shoes. That doesn’t mean that you can’t try out that inception trick and randomly flood his vision with images of sleek and sexy looking men’s fashion before he makes the decision on what to wear! After all, all men, secretly or not, want to be like Justin in that video! Just make sure he thinks that he is doing the picking (wink! wink!)

 

 

 

Pennants and Bunting Banners are still a go! Try out new ways of doing it though. Maybe less of the spelling out sayings and more design, like this lace one from The Glittered Barn Etsy shop!

 

 

My last and final prediction: Everything Gold!

From watches, to nail color, to iPhones, everything we want is in GOLD! Traditional yellow and antique style rose gold is and will be for a while a huge hit when it comes to wedding design. You can literally pair it with any color, and it will instantly transform the look to one that will be ooo’d and aww’d over and over and over!

So those are my predictions for this year in weddings. I hope you were able to find some inspiration for your own designs, just remember to do your own thing! Your guests will appreciate how unique and personalized it is. The more you make the wedding about you and your fiancé, the more your guests will be able to Feel the love that you share, and that is what is the most important thing about having a wedding. It is a celebration of your love! So whatever kind of love you share, let it show!!!

Happy New Year everyone! May love and God find you well!

<3  Juliette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Why hire a wedding planner? I can just do it myself!”

I can’t tell you how many people I have rescued who started out saying just that! The reason why is that the wedding world has changed and evolved over the years. A wedding planner’s job is not what it once was, because being a bride is not like what it used to be. Brides now know exactly what they want for their wedding, and it is becoming easier and easier to take the reigns of your own wedding and DIY most of it! I get that, and to be honest, I love it! It makes for an even more unique wedding experience, because the bride and groom had a hand in the making of each moment. A wedding planners job is to assist with all of these plans that the couple has to make. A wedding planner is there to guide the couple to make the best decisions for their style and budget. Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful things that a couple will ever have to endure together, so you want to make sure you do it right! Not nessesarily for the sake of having an amazing party (which you will!), but for the sake of a lasting marriage for decades to come. So I’ve come up with some ways that a wedding planner can assist you throughout your engagement.

Let me help…

Get you Started:

Beginning to plan a wedding is like trying to clean up a disaster zone. You can stare at the pile for hours before you even know where to start. That’s why looking to someone who has done it before can be so helpful! When you look to an experienced wedding planner, you gain the benefit of our knowledge and past experiences. A good Planner can tell you what you need to know when interviewing other vendors. We can even go with you on those meetings to help screen out the good, from the just okay. An educated planner can look over your contracts with other vendors to make sure you are not paying for things you do not need or fees that were not agreed upon. Most planners have a preferred list of vendors that they have worked with in the past. We know that those vendors are worthy of your money! Planners have also worked with vendors that are not so good (unfortunately)! We remember what happened in the past, the mishaps that they (the planner) had to make right. We can warn you to stay away from these troubled vendors, something that Yelp reviews may not always be able to do.

Save Time:

Time is money, and when there is a deadline, it is a stressor! There is no need to spend 24/7 researching how to’s or stressing over what flowers would make your bouquet pop against your white dress! A planner can do that for you. Save your beauty sleep, and schedule a meeting with your planner. We will research anything that you have a question about! Then we will present you with a few options and all you have to do is say “I want this one.”

Rescue your Relationships:

When you are engaged there can be a lot of family input, from both sides. Being a patient and kind bride will help to start your relationship with your in laws on the right foot. It is important not to step on anyone’s toes and not hurt any feelings. Part of a planners job is to act as a buffer, between the couple and their relatives. A planner can help smooth over any differences that you may have with your immediate or your future family. Also, We can help to prevent a case of “Crazy Bride Syndrome” from occurring a week before the big day. Our goal is to keep you as calm and as relaxed as possible, because the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a case of “The Freaked Out Groom”! Grooms: yes, your bride has a lot of things to deal with at the moment. no, they are not going to stay this way once you are married! Weddings do have a tendency to cause temporary insanity. Spare yourself and let the planner be the one to go through it.

Save you Money:

Although it seems counter productive to spend money on someone who can save you money, it really isn’t, I promise. Wedding Planners are expert bargain hunters. Even working with the most outrageous of budgets, a wedding planner is still faced with the obstacle that our clients don’t want to spend more than they have to. It is our job to find the best price possible.In 2011, based on a study from TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, San Diego was ranked the 13th most expensive city to get married in. That’s a lot of pressure for a bride on a tight budget. Wedding Planners have the knowledge of the city and we can give you pointers on where to shop for the best prices! Working with a planner can help you find reputable vendors in the price point that you are looking to spend. Vendors on a planners preferred list will often either give a discount to the couple or will give the planner a kick back for setting them up with the job. At Simply Elegant Weddings, we Always pass this on to the client in the form of a discount from the vendor!

Make your day about You:

Wedding Planners are trained to notice, and fix, the details. You want your guests to be focused on you and your partner, not on the boxes behind you that someone forgot to move out of sight. But if you are getting dressed and having your hair and makeup done, who is going to look after these last minute details. This is the job of the Day-of Wedding Coordinator. We are there to make sure that every wrinkle gets unwrinkled, that every stray thread gets plucked, that every piece of glass is fingerprint free! Day of Coordinating is the most affordable form of wedding planning, and in my opinion is the most important. You can not be everywhere on the day of your wedding, it’s impossible. You will be getting hair and makeup done at the same time that vendors will be arriving to the venue to set up. You need to be focused on what is important, the major fact that you are getting married to the love of your life in a few short hours! It is a Wedding Planners job to make sure that the vendors arrive on time and that everything looks the way that you envisioned it would.

Many major wedding venues (like hotels and catering halls) come with the service of an ‘Events Manager’. These guys are great, but they are not your personal wedding planner. The role of an events manager is to take care of what the venue is in charge of (tables, chairs, linens, place settings) and to make sure that your event stays within the rules of the venue. Often times, that is where the service stops. They do not coordinate activities during the event and they do not set up (or clean up) any personal decor that you may want incorporated in your wedding or reception.

Fix what needs Fixin’:

JLo had an utility belt. Mary Poppins had a magic bag. I come with a Giant Tub full of last minute emergency fixes. I am sure that I haven’t seen it All, but I have seen a lot! Everything from blood on the wedding dress to broken boutonnieres, I’ve got you and your guests covered, all day long. Think of me as hands-on insurance! But we don’t just fix things on the wedding day, If you have a tiff with your future mother in law and you need to be reassured at 2am that going through with the wedding is the right thing to do, I’ll answer your call! If your DJ makes you angry by playing a song that you hate, I’ll take care of that too! My job is to make sure that you enjoy getting married and that you celebrate it with no stress attached!

 

Wedding Planners are a necessity for weddings. Maybe I am biased, but I really do think that hiring someone to take care of plans and logistics is essential to being able to relax and enjoy your special day. I think that the idea of hiring a planner or even a Day of Coordinator has become associated with being a Luxury expense when it comes to your wedding budget. However, when you factor in what a planner can save you, through connections with other vendors and shopping for the best deals, it can pretty much even out the price of their services. Plus, you get all of the other perks of having a planner, an extra set of hands, and the knowledge from their previous experiences.

So are you are still on the fence about whether it brave the process yourself or hire a planner? If so, I encourage you to schedule a FREE start up consultation! This is not a commitment ceremony, it’s Just a meeting. There is no charge, and it will help get you organized and focused! We will go over the different services that we can offer you and different ways that we can help that will fit into your specific budget. It’s not just a sales pitch though! We will also give you checklists and worksheets that will help you throughout your planning process, whether you decide to hire us or not!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette