L'Relyea Events Art Deco Inspired Wedding | Dawn & Glenn | Beltane Ranch | Glen Ellen, California

January 7, 2016

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said that “life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” and we perfectly agree. Lucky for us, Anna Kuperberg captured the whimsy of Gatsby, with a refined color palette and a touch of metallic, we get to indulge in a bit of 1920’s in Wine Country. The luxury and general aura of the roaring 20’s often serves as inspiration for many weddings, but this beaming couple did it right. From the couples adorned wedding logo sported throughout the event, to the fedoras and fascinators we provided guests to embrace the festive affair, the attention to detail and personality was thriving at this wedding.

I’ve become pretty convinced that Sonoma is the land where weddings have an extra special sparkle and this one right here reinforces that belief even more. Our hearts were fluttering at the many simple yet special details throughout the event: from the reoccurrence of their wedding logo throughout, to the checkered black and white dance floor with a full swing band, and elegant farm-to-table dining with rich Autumn tones, it was all swoon-worthy. This is what tends to happen when elegant details mix and mingle with rustic locales… pure, unadulterated happy. And when that backdrop is the beautiful Beltane Ranch? Well, it is just simply the icing on the cake. Wanting to play up the organic ranch beauty, we incorporated subtle Autumn details such as wooden tables & signage, bistro napkins with bare table tops, and an apple on each table setting. One of our favorite unique elements of this event, was the couples use of escort cards. Each guest received a coin with their name on it, and were asked to drop their coin into their choice of one of three boxes. Each box represented a charity that the couple would then make a donation for each guests coin. What a thoughtful and selfless alternative to the tradition escort cards!

This gorgeous Sonoma Valley wedding combined rustic beauty with 1920's inspired charm, a combination truly representative of the bride and groom. From the flapper fun attire to the art deco decor and details, we loved turning their vision into the perfect wedding day. Lucky for us, the amazing images from Anna Kuperberg Photography captures the day perfectly. Among the many beautiful florals and details of this wedding, the biggest highlight of the event was the plethora of local food vendors. How lucky we are to live in Wine Country, where artisan food vendors are plentiful and local ingredients are the norm. We had Hog Island Oyster Company chucking fresh local oysters on site, Cowgirl Creamery came in and schooled guests on every aspect of their locally cultured cheeses, and an entire pig smoked on site from Smoke.

& of course, special thanks to all the vendors that made this wedding a dream come true for Dawn & Glenn:

Photography: Anna Kuperberg

Planning & Design: Lindsey Relyea at L'Relyea Events

Wedding Venue: Beltane Ranch

Floral Design: Flaxx Floral Design

Cake: Susie Cakes

Food & Beverage: Smoke | Cowgirl Creamery | Hog Island Oyster Company | Tonic | Java Joes

Hair & Makeup: It's A Date at the Powder Room

Band: Stompy Joes

Rentals: One True Love Vintage Rentals | Encore Event Rentals

New Years Inspiration by L'Relyea Events

December 30, 2015

While Christmas is our favorite time of year, New Years Eve is like the icing on the cake for the winter holiday season. From delicious cocktails, to dapper attire and festivities galore, everything glitz and glam makes this holiday an occasion to celebrate. We joined forces with Head Over Heels by Melanie and Scott Andrew Studio to design and bring to life vibrant, chic and fun New Years Eve inspiration.

With the help of our creative peers, we came together to create a nod to the traditional black and gold New Years elegance, while adding vibrant pops of teal and romantic elements of white florals. We couldn't help but throw in sparkled and texturized elements, too! What would New Years Eve be without bubbles and sparkles galore?

And of course, it wouldn't feel right if we didn't try to sneak a wedding in the mix, too! Our faux bride & groom surprised their closest friends by throwing a party to announce their recent elopement and celebrate their nuptials along with the New Year. The white florals were a beautiful touch, while the mint and teal pops were a perfect "something blue". Black suit in tow, this vibrant event still proved elegant enough for a wedding.

For more photos and fun information on this photo shoot, check out our feature on Style Me Pretty. (link below)

http://www.stylemepretty.com//living/2012/12/30/new-years-eve-party-inspiration/

Photography: Scott Andrew Studio / Venue: El Dorado Hotel in Sonoma, California / Concept Design and Fashion Styling: Head Over Heels with Melanie / Planning and Event Design: L’Relyea Events / Makeup and Hair Artist: Betten Chaston / Floral Design: EV Floral Design / Paper Goods: Fly Away Design / Cake Design: Sweet On Cake / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Selected Jewelry: Details by Candace Egnew

Real LRE Wedding | Julie & Chris | Solage, Calistoga

December 3, 2015

Julie (better known as Jules to her family and friends) & Chris's Solage, Calistoga wedding was an event fit for a fairytale. These two San Francisco locals met in college and after nearly 10 years apart, they saw each other for the first time since dating in their early 20's, and immediately knew after this time, they were each others soulmates. They rekindled their young love, and for Julie's birthday, Chris swept her away to Argentina, where he popped the question during a romantic horse back ride. They both wanted their wedding to depict their romantic love story, which was implemented through lush, garden florals, flooding of candlelight & cream and ivory tones throughout.

Solage, for those of you who do not know, is a full service luxury resort in Calistoga, California. Nestled among contemporary architecture and the soft ridges of the nearby mountains, Solage offers a Palm Springs meets the Hampton's vibe, which made for a fun yet tasteful event for these two.

When we came onboard to design Julie & Chris's dream wedding, we wanted to transform the various wedding spaces using romantic, elegant, yet simple elements such as floral chandeliers heavy with greenery, table-scapes of hurricane and votive candles, and natural tones and textures.

From a popular oyster buffet and fire pit lounge, to the cascading floral ceremony arbor and the all white theme, these exquisite details headlined this event and made it a luxurious yet simple event

The new Mr. & Mrs. Clayton danced the night away inside the contemporary barn space at Solage amongst family & friends. With flooded candlelight and a ambient glow, the space felt like a romantic garden dinner date.

It was such a joy working with these two to create such an elegant and classic romantic event. This design is the bread and butter of what we dream of aesthetically, and we are so thrilled that we were able to create a dream come true for these two.

Real LRE Wedding: Jill & George at Trione Winery

October 22, 2015

Some brides dream of their wedding day their whole lives, and Jill was no exception to this. According to Jill, her theme was to "Eat, Drink & Re-Marry". We quickly learned and admired Jill’s strong desire to be involved in the design & planning of her wedding. Jill & George wanted a wine country experience for their destination wedding, encompassing relaxed elegance, with the feel of a gala event. Being from Atlanta, Georgia, they had a little “Southern Charm” in their blood, & desired a country, vineyard chic setting. Trione was the perfect venue for this. Jill & George embraced the nontraditional elements of this marriage, and wanted to create a relaxed & comfortable environment for their out of town, more mature & sophisticated guests. From golfing & wine tasting, to some R&R, this was a full weekend of fun & festivities.

These two loved Fall with its robust, rich colors and wanted to incorporate those vibrant jewel tones tastefully into their design. They also loved the “mix and mingle” feel to a gala party. In order to ensure thism we had lots of various styles and options of seating incorporated in little nooks & corners for guests to sit, nibble and chat throughout the night as entertainment carried on. With multiple lounge motifs, we created a modern & trendy space for social gathering among guests. The casual, interactive vibe that they wanted caused a great mix of their families to gather the two sides as one. With Jill being related to the Trione family, having her event at the Trione Winery had a sentimental meaning to her and her heritage.

Besides the eccentric & unique design we created for this event, we had some fun & creative surprise elements that blew the guests away. From the opera singer entertainment during dinner to the dinner food stations highlighting the best of the season with a wine and beer pairing per station, the event went off without a hitch. For late night fun, we moved the party downstairs where we had a 21-piece swing band, which rocked the house the rest of the night. For those not in the dancing mood, they could head outdoors for some fresh Northern California air, or the popular cigar lounge.

Bridal Fashion Week 2015: Best of Bridal for 2016 & L'Relyea Event's Favorite Picks

October 6, 2015

In a sea of white dresses, comes beautiful detailing, unique silhouettes, modern & edgy designs at this years Bridal Fashion Week. From dozens of different embellishments to any length of hemlines, looking at even just a handful of bridal collections from the likes of Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuilllier, and Amsale will make even an absentee groom shocked at the many shapes (and shades) of a wedding dress. To help make sense of the Spring 2016 bridal runways, we've narrowed down all the lust-worthy looks into our top picks for the coming trends. Sultry and provocative and, as often as not, red carpet worthy, the most arresting gowns are fragile nonetheless, rendered in fabrics so weightless as to verge on the ethereal. With over 100 bridal designers featured at this seasons Bridal Fashion Week, the variety of upcoming trends can be overwhelming. Here are a few of our favorite designers and bridal collections that are sure to make any soon to be bride or fashion connoisseur dreaming of couture bridal fashion for months to come.

Monique Lhullier

Monique Lhuillier designs capture the essence of sophisticated luxury by provoking femininity, allure and glamour that have made her renowned in the world of design. Monique’s innate sense of style is prevalent throughout her bridal and ready-to-wear collections.

Photo: John Aquino and Steve Eichner

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta has been one of the preeminent fashion design houses in the world for over fourty years. Oscar's bridal collection, first launched in 2006, is designed to reflect the essence of femininity and romance - two qualities that are timeless. Each collection is fashioned to provide gowns that will be appropriate for different settings and different brides.

Photo: Gerardo Somoza - Alessandro Garofalo

Marchesa

Marchesa pulled off yet another quintessentially romantic collection filled with beaded lace appliques and delicate floral details. Spring 2016's airy pieces included an array of figure-flattering silhouettes, from column and Grecian draped dresses to ball gowns with cap sleeves. “We wanted to do different silhouettes for each bride out there in order to really answer to all of their needs

Hayley Paige

Ever so eclectic, her designs capture a romantic and charming aesthetic that balances inner ingénue and sophistication. Her interpretation of worldly influences and desire to dress hopeful romantics, have provided a foundation for a fanciful and fresh take on bridal wear. Never taking herself too seriously and fully embracing the adorning history of the bridal industry, Hayley Paige develops her craft from an inspirational place of appreciation and enjoyment.

Photo: Gerardo Somoza

Lazaro

Lazaro Perez, acclaimed designer of the Lazaro Bridal and Bridesmaid collections, invokes old-Hollywood glamour by combining his signature hand-beading, embroidery, and lace with dramatic silhouettes and impeccable fit. Inspired by real brides, Lazaro personally travels to many of his trunks shows to ensure every bride and bridesmaid finds the gown that best expresses her sense of style.

Photo: Gerardo Somoza

Reem Acra

The wedding dress collection from Reem Acra is perfect for the bride looking to make a statement as she walks down the aisle. A feminine and sexy wedding gown collection that appeals to woman who appreciates couture at its finest. The Reem Acra bridal gown collection is styled to perfection and appeal to fashion savvy brides worldwide

Fall Wedding Inspiration from L'Relyea Events

September 10, 2015

With this Indian Summer in high effect, we could not be more excited about the approach of Autumn. With the changing of the leaves from green to shades of red, orange & yellow comes a transition in wedding colors from soft feminine palates to warm, deep colors. There's a lot to love about fall, like pumpkin flavored..... everything, oversized sweaters & classic movies: & there is equally as much to love about fall inspired weddings. We're saying 'I do' to these 13 fall wedding trends for romantic bliss. Check out these hot fall wedding trends and see it's hard NOT to fall in love with them.

FEATHERS

For a more bohemian, eccentric vibe, feathers are a great incorporation to add a unique dimension & theme. Whether it be in the bouquets & boutonnieres, the floral centerpieces, a headpiece, or otherwise, feathers will definitely be a showpiece for your event. Even in a small detail such as a clean and modern white invitation with a pheasant feather tied around the outside is a subtle nod to the season. Here are few ways we incorporated feathers into our "Bohemian Designer's Challenge" photo shoot. We paired it with woodsy elements & tangy florals.

DEEP JEWEL TONES

There’s no denying that blush, champagne, creams – & all airy pastels, for that matter – are having a major moment. But when it gets right down to it, jewel tones are what really send us swooning. From a rich emerald to a royal blue to berry hues of any shade, there’s a million ways to pull off a jewel tone in your wedding and we’re here to show you how. As the seasons turn and cooler weather is afoot, we love a emerald-and-sapphire combination for your fall or winter wedding color palette. These deep, luscious colors compliment beautifully as simple pops throughout a simple ivory wedding to blend the jewel tones with the seasonal colors of fall.

LEATHER & METAL ACCENTS

Gold and silver, step aside—there's a new metallic taking over. Copper details are popping up in creative ways, from glamorous chargers to centerpiece vases and even copper foil on invitations! The best part is, this metal meshes well with any wedding style: Polished copper can look glamorous and elegant, but matte or aged copper accents lend a rustic or vintage feel. There’s no reason that brown leather can’t creep into your wedding styling, too. For table place names you could use leather luggage tags with your guests names. For a luxe and rustic chic look & feel to your leather inspired wedding, I absolutely adore leather-like wedding stationery. Of course, anything with leather fringing is absolutely amazing! The thing about leather is that it can be both masculine and feminine, beautifully boho casual and luxe and lovely. You decide.

SEASONAL FALL FRUITS & VEGETABLES

As we transition from summer to fall, we also gain all that is the wonder of fall fruits & vegetables. From pumpkins & apples, to pears & figs, the deep, rich coloring of these seasonal inspirations can tie into any event appropriately. Marsala & cranberry are romantic & elegant colors that can play cohesively with any simple whites, ivories or creams to add a touch of vibrancy. Same goes for the ironic pumpkin & eggplant palettes that are an appropriate choice for any fall occasion.

Fall is a season of breathtaking displays as the old makes way for the new. This sentiment -- and nature's palette of deep reds and oranges -- makes for a gorgeous wedding. However you decide to accentuate your fall wedding inspiration, take full advantage of the unique elements that are sure to make this event an autumn fantasy. And do not forget to take plenty of photos with the changing leaves & grape vines.

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Lindsey + Brandon: From L'Relyea Events Wedding Planner to Bride

August 26, 2015

Our very own, Lindsey Relyea tied the knot last year to her beau of five years and counting. Now, on their one-year anniversary, we are so excited to share their wedding images with you all. He stole her heart while working together at a Calistoga resort as a hunky local firefighter. After a whirlwind romance vacation in France beginning with a proposal at the Eiffel Tower, they wed 2 years later in a beautiful garden setting in Geyserville, Ca. In her own words, here is a little bit of Lindsey's journey to wedded bliss with the love of her life.

Delaney: Of course, Lindsey had a dreamlike proposal. This is how her dream came true from her point of view:

Lindsey: We were invited to Brandon’s cousin’s wedding in France and decided to take full advantage and embark on a full vacation together with our first stop being Paris. On day two we ended our day of touring all of the notable sites with a bike ride through the city, which had been recommended by a friend. Leave it to me, the planner, to plan a bike ride for 3-hours on a 90-degree day in a tourist bound city: not the best of my planning days, but memorable none-the-less! We were hot, tired, and starving as this adventure ended at 11pm. We raced to the nearest restaurant and noshed on local, authentic Croque Madame’s and wine. We were clear across the city in a quiet neighbor hood and the only way we knew how to get back to the 7th arrondissement was to follow the striking tower as it shimmered in the evening light. Of course, as any tourist would, we stopped at the Eiffel Tower to test out our new camera on our walk back. It was just around midnight and the glistening of the tower was illuminating the large lawn. As Brandon fiddled with the camera set-up, and I posed like a fool to get the right angle, Brandon finally joined me a picture. After the camera’s shutter ended, he looked at me and said he was really nervous as he got down on one knee. Truthfully, I think I blacked out from here but I know he asked the question and I stuttered some version of a "yes"! I didn’t sleep a wink that night, I was so giddy. We floated though the next 10 days of our trip before heading home and sharing the big news.

Delaney: Tell me your favorite thing about Brandon, although I know it is impossible to choose just one!

Lindsey: I love his adventurous yet peaceful spirit. He’s always up for a new adventure, and yet perfectly content staying in and cooking dinner together. He’s honest, loyal, my voice of reason…and that smile…!

Delaney: Tell me about your favorite memories together thus far (besides the wedding, of course!)

Lindsey: When we got our first Christmas tree together; it was so important to me to go hunt down the perfect tree. So we loaded up, pup in tow and headed to a Christmas Tree Farm to find the best tree. $150 later we ended up with a squatty little tree, but it was our first and so special. We got it all the way home and realized it wouldn’t fit in our mini house at the time. While I was, of course, devastated, we were able to laugh it off and chalk it up to be just one step in our journey together.

We used to make a point to head to the beach every Sunday together…it was our sunday fun day playing on the beach with our pup.

Sitting on a bridge in Paris sipping on vin blanc and chèvre with fresh baguette! Heaven.

While in France, we planned a guided tour of Normandy. Sadly, that morning my horrible navigation skills landed us in a tiny village 2 hours west of where we were supposed to meet our guide. We finally made it to the beaches that afternoon and stumbled upon a cute little village and had one of the best dinners!

Delaney: Tell us about how you two first met:

Lindsey: 7 years ago, I was working at a resort planning weddings and this hunk of a man (I am now thrilled to call my husband) was working there part-time as a bellman (and part-time as a firefighter, he would like me to add). It was one of my first big weddings at this job and I had boxes of bouquets to deliver to the bridal party that I couldn’t carry by myself. I asked the group of bellmen if someone wouldn’t mind helping me carry the flowers to the bridal suite. Brandon stepped forward and offered a helping hand. It was the first time I met him, he was gorgeous and charming. For the next 10 minutes as we walked across property, he asked me SO many questions about myself. 2 months later we went out on our first date…and as they say... the rest is history.

Delaney: Tell us a little bit about your wedding! I am sure that being a wedding planner, planning & designing your own wedding was a challenge in its own. You have seen it all done, and to narrow it down to one cohesive look & feel for your own event must have been overwhelming! What was your vision & what was your dream for your wedding day?

Lindsey: Clearly obsessed with all things French, and having been engaged in France, I wanted to somehow incorporate this into our love story. After we ruled out a destination wedding, we sought out looking for a beautiful setting that felt relaxed and embodied the wine country we grew up knowing and loving. We wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere with great food and wine, and plenty of fun for our guests. The design evolved into a French garden, backyard style wedding which was a perfect balance for us. We had a leather bound journal made that we inscribed with our vows, lush garlands that draped over wooden farm tables for guest dining, french 75’s served as guests were arriving for the ceremony, our beloved pup was our flower girl, and Brandon crafted a bean bag toss game for our cocktail hour. It was the perfect day.

Delaney: If you could describe your love in a few words, what would they be?

Lindsey: honest, encouraging, supportive, fun

Delaney: Tell me about what it was like during your wedding day: what the experience was like, how you felt, what your vision was, why you chose the location, what you were hoping to get out of it? I do not think that we ever can fully prepare for how it is going to actually feel on our own wedding days until it happens!

Lindsey: Being a planner, my goal was to be the bride and not try to control the day. I wanted to be present in the moment, in every moment of that day…and thanks to my incredible team I was able to do just that. It was the most amazing day. It’s quite remarkable to be surrounded with the people closest to you in your life and sharing such a deep moment when you promise your life to someone and then get to celebrate the night away. I loved having my girlfriends and family with me the morning of the wedding, getting ready and jamming out to throwbacks. So many amazing memories were made that day, it’s hard to choose just a few. I felt completely surrounded by love.

Delaney: As a wedding planner AND recent bride, what are the best tips for soon to be brides in regards to the planning process & their actual wedding day?

Lindsey:

1. This truly is a huge milestone in your life. Slow down and enjoy every second of it! Have an engagement party and celebrate this time.

2. It not about the destintation, it’s about the journey.

3. This is your wedding, make it authentically you. That is part of the challenge is to incorporate elements that reflect the two of you as a couple. I’ll never forget a quote a heard at a wedding years ago; the officiant said “today, you are marrying a complete stranger”. At first, I cringed at that. Now, I see the beauty of getting to know your partner in this journey of planning your wedding and the beginning of your life together.

Delaney: What were, to you, the trickiest aspects of planning your own wedding as a professional planner and why you wouldn’t recommend planning your own wedding without a professional planner to other soon to be brides?

Lindsey: By the time I got married, I had planned over 400 weddings…I knew what had to be done, and I convinced myself I could do it on my own. I had a full time job, I had a social life, I wanted to enjoy the festivities of being engaged and talking through countless ideas with friends and family. I quickly realized I didn’t have time to dedicate to all of that AND plan my own wedding. Also, be present. Don’t worry about the flowers, or if your coasters are set on the bourbon bar- just be present. Your wedding day will FLY by…so try to enjoy every moment with the people you are surrounded with.

We now celebrate Lindsey & Brandon's one year wedding anniversary, and we feel so blessed to know & witness this couple's love. Happy Anniversary L & B!

Dress/Shoes: Anna Campbell, AU/Betsy Johnson

Grooms Attire: Vera Wang

Photographer: Lori Paladino

Video: Weddings on Film

Coordination: L'Relyea Events: Julia Evans

Floral: EV Floral

Paper Materials: Vellum & Vouge

Beauty: Bella Bridal

Ceremony Music: Tim Duenas, Piano

Reception Music: Boutique Wedding DJ

Rentals: Encore Events, Classic Party Rentals, La Tavola Linen

Transportation: Napa Valley Tours & Transportation

Venue/Catering: Geyserville Inn

Wedding Planning Tips & Tricks

August 19, 2015

TIMELINE: The wedding day timeline is so valuable to your team of vendors creating all of your wedding day magic. We like to streamline the process for our couples and give them a snapshot of what to expect for the wedding day, should they be communicating directly with their vendors. Common questions such as, "what time should our photographer arrive?" will be dictated based on the number of hours your hired your photographer for. More often than not, we find that our couples will hire their photographer 3-4 hours prior to the ceremony {to capture special moments of you getting ready before you walk down the aisle} and 4-5 hours following the ceremony {to capture portraits, candids, toasts, and dances}.

PHOTOGRAPHY: So much of your wedding day revolves around your flow of photography. We often hear that our couples don't want to miss out on key elements of their wedding because they are off taking photos {and we don't blame you!}. The way we look at it, you are investing a lot of time & effort (and money) into this momentous event, and you should be able to enjoy it! We have a few tricks with timing that we find balance the timing perfectly to capture the images you want, while still enjoying the festivities. We always work with our couples to prioritize a "shot list" with your photographer prior to your wedding day, this should ensure a quick and fluid procession of photos. Another helpful tip is having someone there who is not involved in the majority of photos but wants to be involved (a siblings significant other or a cousin, for example) can be an efficient way to manage the order of the photos and find Uncle Henry if he's 'M.I.A.' for the family portraits. We also suggest minimizing your list of staged photos as much as possible {you know, the photos you fell in love with on Pinterest and have re-create on your wedding day}.This will give your professional photographer the creativity to play. This is, after all, why you hired a professional wedding photographer - trust them, they are masterful behind the lens!

FIRST LOOK: A "first look" refers to a private moment you and your partner share before the ceremony vs. the more traditional route of seeing one another for the first time on your wedding date at the alter. It is no secret that wedding day jitters can be extremely overwhelming, and we have found the trick to nearly curing this anxiety: simply seeing your loved one in private prior to the ceremony. This allows for you both to have some (rare) alone time on your wedding day and exchange some sweet words & possibly tears and/or laughs in private. Most couples say that once they saw their soon-to-be-mister-or-misses, all of their fear and anxiety diminished. It also makes for some incredible photography if you so choose to invite your photographer to capture this moment. By doing a first look, you are able to tackle almost all of your family and bridal party portraits before the ceremony begins, which means you will not miss any of the fun you have spent so much time and energy planning! It also means that you can transport together with your entire wedding party to the venue, where you can jam out to some music, sip on some champagne, and share in the excitement together. If you opt for the traditional route, fear not, we have a few tips for you too! We suggest having a place to retreat directly following your ceremony to have a moment with your new husband/wife relish in the matrimony. Also, if you have a large family and you are nervous about missing your cocktail hour, extend it 30 minutes so you can enjoy the festivities and not feel rushed.

GUEST ARRIVAL: While we like to believe that an event as monumental and ceremonial as a wedding would be one of few occasions that our closest friends and family would go out of their way to be on time, one thing leads to another and next thing you know you have missed the shuttle and you are risking missing the wedding all together. Things happen, and people run late for one reason or another. With that in mind, we always recommend to our clients is to buffer 30 minutes from guest arrival before you actually start your ceremony. Knowing this, we suggest that your ceremony start time listed on your invitation be the time that you wish your guests to arrive, and prepare to begin the ceremony 30 minutes out from there. In other words, if you wedding invitation states a 4pm start time, you will be walking down the aisle at 4:30pm. Giving your guests that time to enjoy the surroundings, have a refreshing beverage, sets the right tone for the wedding you worked so hard to plan. As your wedding coordinator, we will do routine head counts throughout guest arrival and once we are at 90% of your total guest count, we will begin the procession the aisle.

FAVORS: Guest favors are always such a sweet & creative way to thank your guests for sharing in your love, however, the unfortunate reality that we often find, is that these lovely items get left behind. However, as your wedding mentor, we recommend you find other ways to treat your guests without spending a large chunk of money that will in the end go unreceived by their prospective owner. Some things to keep in mind while considering favors: 'can my guests fly home with this favor?', ' is this something that I would use?' Some ideas for this might be a fun and interactive Photo Booth or a candy and dessert bar. These are sure to go to use! Edibles are another great option- consider a local confectionery shop where you live or where you are holding your nuptials.

FAMILY & FRIENDS: We often find that family and friends have many, many varying opinions about how things should look or feel for YOUR wedding. While we understand that everyones intentions are good, we also understand that, as your wedding advocate, many opinions can mean much confusion and frustration. Consider finding creative ways to ask your friends and family to help by giving them a specific project or task that they are in charge of for the wedding. This could be planning the bridal shower or bachelorette, party favor assembly, registry shopping, to name a few. The bigger a task you give them, the more involved they will feel in your special day, which means some space for you to focus on your own desires and wishes for your big day. Ultimately, they mean well and are excited to support you, but may not know how.

WEDDING PLANNING: Okay, okay. I know this is going to sound ridiculous coming from us, but trust us, we have your very best interest at heart! We have no doubt in our minds that many of you can handle wedding planning on your own. What we find, is that even the most organized and resourceful of people need assistance when it comes to planning a wedding: something that realistically is foreign territory for most. A typical rule of thumb is if you don't have 15 hours a week to fully dedicate to planning your wedding, seek help, it's a full time job in itself {we know!}. So enjoy this time and let us help guide you. Almost every couple we have had the pleasure of working with comes back to us and says "I was so stressed out and overwhelmed before we brought you on to handle the coordinating of our wedding. We could not have survived this process without you!". We understand how incredibly time consuming each element of your wedding requires, and we want to ensure that you fully enjoy and look forward to the end result. If you can take a deep breath and relinquish your planning to us, we promise you will not be disappointed. Every bride and groom deserves a break, and at the end of the day you should not be running around worrying about anything that we have listed above! Instead, you should be drinking refreshing cocktails, laughing with your friends and family, having an engagement party, and enjoying this milestone in your life.

Spotlight: J&G Engagement

August 5, 2015

We see & hear about couples getting engaged or married on a daily basis, but very rarely do we get to relish in the excitement of our own friends' engagements. Today, we celebrate the genuine love of one of L'Relyea Events very own, Julia Evans. Julia & her fiancé, Galen, sat down with us to share some details of their engagement & their love story. It is not hard to see how in love & humble these two are, and we could not be more thrilled to share with you this type of inspiring love! Julia & Galen will be getting married at the Villa Chanticleer in Healdsburg.

1. First & foremost: The proposal!

As cheesy as it sounds, I am a wedding planner and my fiancé proposed on Valentines Day!

The morning started as most of ours do - with pancakes {he literally makes them every day, it’s amazing}. From there, we gathered our things, made a picnic lunch and packed our puppy, Oliver, in the car. Our first stop was Iron Horse, my favorite winery, where we shared a flight of bubbles and watched as the two groups on either side of us made the mistake of doing chardonnay and pinot flights. Who would pass up Iron Horse sparkling wine?! I just don’t know! Needless to say, we bought a bottle and moved on.

We took the long route out to the coast and drove Bohemian Highway over the bluffs. We stopped at all of his favorite view spots and planted ourselves for a picnic on a grassy knoll across from Salmon Creek with an amazing view of the ocean. I would be lying if I denied that every 30 seconds I thought - just maybe - he was going to pop the question. I even had myself all nervous when I mistook a quarter in his pocket for a ring! But no, after a delicious lunch and no talk of marriage we packed the car and moved north up the coast to walk Oliver along the bluff’s off of Carlevaro Way {a favorite surf spot of his}. We cozied up in the sand, watched Ollie run from the waves and again, I just knew he was going to do it! He paused at a view point, got very serious, pulled me in close and asked… if I was ready to go home and get ready for dinner. And so, again, we packed up our things and continued on our journey ever so slightly more sullen than before.

At this point it was clear that I was a little disappointed. We were on our way home, all the amazing view points were gone and I was convinced it wasn’t going to happen. As we made our way through the redwoods he looked at me and told me that all he wanted was to propose to me today but unfortunately the ring hadn’t arrived yet. I, of course, felt a little silly for seeming so disappointed and told him that it wasn’t about jewelry or a fancy diamond. For me all I wanted was him and the perfect moment and I would never try to control his moment ;) I told him he was officially off the hook and I didn’t expect anything.

Our drive continued and he suggested that we cap off the day with a walk in Armstrong Woods. As we drove out there he made a sudden turn off our mapped route. If I remember correctly I asked him if he was taking me to the dump which he responded with an annoyed eye roll and a firm no. In my defense - the roads are very similar! We continued up, the view became more expansive and at the top of the hill Galen pulled over, yanked on the e-brake and without even unbuckling his seatbelt turned to me and all in one breath said “Julie-will-you-marry-me?”. I cried, vigorously nodded, kissed him and said “should we get out of the car?”. We both laughed!

Lucky for us, our day started at Iron Horse so we enjoyed the next hour sitting on the side of this deserted road with our little pup and an amazing view sipping high end champagne out of Klean Kanteen caps {we forgot glasses}!

The day was absolutely perfect! My advice to the nearly engaged ladies of the world is don’t attempt to plan your own proposal because no matter how unplanned his might be, it’ll always be better than you could even imagine!

2. Tell me your favorite thing about Galen (if you could choose JUST one!)

He is incredibly loyal, loving, determined and dedicated. He works harder than anyone I know and I truly believe he could do anything he put his mind to. He’s inspiring!

3. Your favorite memory together:

Aside from every memory! Two years ago we went to Sayulita Mexico with friends and I think it’s safe to say it’s where he truly fell in love with me. I joke that I’ve loved him since the second time we met but I remember knowing after this trip that he felt the same and we would be together forever.

4. How you met:

The first time: AOL Instand Messenger! We met when we were 13 and freshman in high school. His best friend lived in my hometown and they would go to our football games. There he met a friend of a friend and somehow we acquired each others screen names. Then, like dorky little teenagers we would chat online for hours! We became really close friends and spent nearly everyday of that summer on the Russian River. Of course teenagers change and grow apart and we went our separate ways.

The second time: A 4th of July canoe trip on the Russian River. The same friend that connected us originally invited me with him on this long standing canoe trip tradition. I went and inevitably ended up in Galen’s canoe for the entire trip. We’ve been together ever since. Thank you Paris ;)

5. Tell me a little bit about your wedding & the planning so far:

Well, I think my favorite thing is our venue. We are getting married at the same venue that my parents got married at over 30 years ago! As any good planner would I locked in all my vendors ASAP but most of the little details are still in the works. It might sound silly, but our ultimate goal is for it to be fun! As a planner I have a unique insight on how quickly it passes and how overwhelming the day can be so what I want more than anything is to enjoy the company of my guests and have fun with my new husband! The design and details will fall into place from there.

6. If you could describe your love in 3 words, they would be:

Amazing, pure, consuming, honest and everlasting {3 isn’t enough!}

7. Tell me about what it was like during your engagement shoot. What the experience was like, how you felt, what your vision was, why you chose the location, what you were hoping to get out of it?

Ok - and I mean this in the best way possible - but it was totally weird! I’ve never really been behind the lens of a professional photographer so I was pretty nervous. Galen, on the other hand, could not have seemed more at ease. He was so adorable and involved! He kept pausing to scope out the next best location and asking the photographer about various angles - I loved it! After the first few shots, I was right there with him and it was so much fun! I was able to forget about all the people that were there and the lens in front of us and just be with him.

Galen and I both have a passion for nature and being outside so it was important for us to find a very natural setting. We debated on redwoods, oak grove, ocean, bluffs, cliffs - I could go on! We came up with Muir Woods because it was a beautiful setting and truthfully it was equal distance for us and our amazing photographer {shout out to Brooke Beasley Photography}!

As a planner I know how important it is to have this experience, interact with your photographer and be behind their lens before your wedding day. Brooke made us feel so incredibly comfortable and at ease it was amazing - she’s amazing! I think that alone got us everything we needed out of the photoshoot - not to mention the gorgeous photos! Thank you Brooke!

8. Tips for soon-to-be brides as a wedding planner AND soon-to-be bride!

1. First and foremost I will pass on the advice that my boss passed on to me when I got engaged - have fun with it and do all the fun things you are supposed to do! Have an engagement party and celebrate with your friends and family whenever possible. This is a huge moment for you both and at times it will inevitably feel stressful so I mean it, celebrate!

2. Remember two conflicting things: ultimately this is about you and your partner so do what you want because it’s your day BUT this is huge for your family so when possible pick your battles and give a little

3. Give your fiancé things to do too! As a planner this is hard for me - it’s my job so I just do it. But, remember that this is their wedding too so involve them. If you are having a difficult time involving him, give him a specific project to work on like planning the rehearsal dinner!

4. Give yourself plenty of time to plan!

5. Hire a planner! I couldn’t stress this enough - I am a planner and I’ve still hired a planner. The last thing you want is for everyone {friends, family, vendors} to be asking you one thousand questions in the months leading up to your wedding. That my friends and future brides, is the remedy for a bridezilla! Of course your going to be snappy and irritable when your mind and body are being pulled in a variety of directions. Do yourself {and your fiancé} a favor and prevent that from happening before it even begins.

We can not wait for Julia & Galen's big day! How special it is for us to get to experience such true & inspiring love like these two have. Congratulations you two! We wish you lifetime full of love, laughter & happiness!

Bachelorette Party in San Francisco

July 1, 2015

San Francisco is a youthful & hip city full of bars, nightlife, restaurants, shows, shopping and more. Why not take advantage of all that the gorgeous “city by the bay” has to offer and spend a weekend with your ladies for your bachelorette party. It offers all that is Vegas and then some and for those who want to party AND relax or explore, this is the place for you.

Looking for a place to get some nice cocktails and enjoy a view of the city? Here are our top picks!

Sens San Francisco: this Mediterranean restaurant is located across from the Ferry Building and has a lovely patio with a view overlooking the Embarcadero and the Bay.

The View Lounge: Atop the Marriott on Mission Street, the View Lounge is a rooftop cocktail lounge with a 360 degree view of the best sites of the city. For a chic, hip cocktail spot, this is the place to be! Try their Soma Spritzer, it is our favorite for a refreshing evening cool down.

Water Bar: Also located in the Embarcadero, this restaurant and bar has stunning views on the Golden Gate bridge and the water.

Perhaps you are looking for more of a fun night out on the town. From the Castro, to Polk Street and beyond, there are plenty of great choices to entertain you. A few of our favorites include:

Polk Street Bars: Start at Lush and make your way to any of the number of dive bars and cocktail lounges that Polk Street has to offer. The vibe here is lively and youthful, perfect for a bachelorette party.

Ruby Sky: This nightclub would be a perfect spot for you and your ladies to get bottle service and feel like VIP for a night. Get a little more dressed up and dance the night away to live DJ music and good cocktails.

Tiki Lounge: For a more casual, fun experience, go to the Tiki Lounge and share a Volcano beverage and enjoy the live entertainment. You will feel like you are in the heart of Fiji!

Maybe you are ready to wind down and enjoy a relaxing day with your ladies. Here a few things we love to do to enjoy some r&r in the bay area:

Sailing in the bay: Enjoy a day on the water, sipping on champagne with your ladies and enjoying the fresh ocean air as you take in the stunning city views. If you are able to, sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. There are plenty of charters that you can hire to take you sailing from Fisherman’s Wharf if you or your guests are unable to source this on your own.

Sausolito: This quaint town on the water is north of the Golden Gate Bridge and full of character and charm. With lots of local shops and restaurants, you can enjoy a full day exploring the many house boats that line the city and enjoy some Northern California local flavor.

There are also plenty of fun things to explore and do during the day! Here are a few fun ideas:

Giants Game: With AT&T Park located at the end of the Embarcadero and situated right on the bay, this view and the experience is one not to miss. Sometimes you just need some peanuts and beer with your girls!

Bike the bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic locations in the world, and on a sunny day what better way to experience its beauty than with a bike ride across the bridge! It will take you around 40 minutes and offers incredible city, ocean and Alcatraz views. Plenty of photography spots on either end of the bridge for you to relax after your bike ride and enjoy the view.

Cable Cars: The cable cars are an easy and fun way to see some of the best and most well known spots in the city. The open air transportation allows for people to take pictures along the way and enjoy all that is the city while seeing some of the top tourist destinations! Hint: Look in the window of the cable cars to see which city or country they are gifted from.

And of course, this city is full of incredible eateries and restaurants to satisfy any taste bud. Here are a few of our top picks for the best girls dinners:

Flour & Water: This hip, new age spot in the Mission is famous for their handmade and house made pastas. I promise you, this is the best pasta dishes you will ever have in your life. You can share a bunch of different styles because they offer half orders and their staff is some of the best we have experienced.

Cotogna: This Italian restaurant in downtown SF offers some of the tastiest pizzas and Italian dishes we have ever tried. The location is ideal and the ambiance is fun and vibrant.

Gary Danko:For a more upscale dinner, we recommend Gary Danko. World renound, this restuarnt offers some of the best steaks and American style cuisine. Located in the heart of one of San Francisco’s most desirable residential neighborhoods, this is an experience sure to please all your guests.

No matter what you are looking for, San Francisco has it all. From relaxing days by the bay, to exciting nights in the city, there is something for everyone. Your ladies are sure to have a blast, but make sure you don’t forget to enjoy a bacon wrapped hotdog before you leave, a SF specialty!

Birthday Weekend Getaway to Napa Valley

June 23, 2015

We love a good party, especially when we can share our love of wine country and all the fun activities there are to explore! This past weekend we had a fun group of 25 fly up from Los Angeles for a weekend of birthday celebration in Napa Valley. Their weekend included private airport shuttles to a resort in Calistoga where they were greeted with welcome bags filled with local goodies, some indulged in spa services and others cruised their bikes around the cute town of Calistoga before heading to dinner at Archetype in Saint Helena. The next morning after gathering for breakfast, they set off for a group bike ride through the vineyards to picnic at Bennett Lane Winery, where they tasted through their wines following a tour through the viticulture process. That evening they celebrated the birthday girl at a beautiful dinner at Rams Gate Winery where they were wined, dined and danced the night away. The weekend was capped off with cabana lounging and a private cooking class at the Culinary Institute at Greystone.

Florals, design and stationary provided by L'Relyea Events. Photos beautifully captured by Megan Holly Clouse.

Wine Country Bridal Shower

May 22, 2015

Trust us when we say that we know how challenging and time consuming planning any event can be. Whether it is as simple as a birthday party or as complex as a wedding, each occasion, first and foremost, should be a fun and memorable experience from start to finish. With wedding season in full swing, many soon-to-be-brides will be turning to their closest friends and family for assistance in planning their bridal shower. Here a few of our favorite party ideas to celebrate the bride-to-be.

Photo Credit:  Photography by Jay C Winter — Photo Credit: Photography by Jay C Winter

Ladies: a boudoir session & bridal shower in one. How much fun would this be? Get your closest girlfriend's together, bring some champagne, play dress up and suddenly a boudoir photo shoot does not seem so intimidating! An ultimate girls day if you ask us. What girl doesn't want to get dolled up and feel like a model for a day? It is a great way for the bride and her bridal party to feel confident and sexy before the big day.

See Style Me Pretty's take on this idea here!

With so many breathtaking outdoor spaces in Northern California, what better way to celebrate than an outdoor picnic style brunch. Imagine oversized throw pillows surrounding low tables with a Bloody Mary, Mimosa and Bellini bar, large colorful blankets and assorted pastries. This is a great way to get everyone outside and set a more relaxing and organic atmosphere. We love this idea, especially with summer just around the corner and so many wonderful picnic spots around Napa and Sonoma! And of course, don't forget to incorporate some fun lawn games like bocce and badminton. Many wineries in the area encourage picnicking on their property and offer wine tastings and tours, as well.

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<w:LsdE… — Click here to see more of this backyard picnic celebration on Style Me Pretty

For our more eccentric gals, think Kate Spade: bold, daring colors and patterns, oversized polka dot balloons, and assorted donuts. Kate Spade is all about her motto of "live colorfully". This is a sure fire theme to get your guests having a great time while feeling girly and carefree. Don't be afraid to incorporate gold accents and bold decor to embrace this design fully. Even encourage your guests to dress accordingly in vibrant colors to set the tone for the day!

The beauty of Wine Country is not only the wineries and vineyards, but the proximity to the coastal region of Northern California. We have some of the most pristine and breathtaking ocean views, right alongside the green rolling hills of the countryside and the rocky cliffs. In the early months of the year, whale watching is prime in this area, and could make for a fun, adventure to include in your bridal shower! Another big attraction around this area is oysters. We love the concept of oyster bars for various events! It is no secret that fresh seafood can be pricey, so if this seems unreasonable then consider picnicking with your gals at Hog Island Oyster Company in Tomales before heading to Point Reyes for a hike to the lighthouse or a laid back day at Drake's Beach. The views are to die for anywhere along the coast of Northern California so what better way to share that with the ones you love than a pre wedding get together!

Of course, if none of these options suit you, there's no shortage of options for wine tours that are always a fun filled day for you and your girlfriends!

{COMING UP NEXT WEEK: BACHELORETTE PARTY IDEAS IN SAN FRANSISCO}

Venue Scouting in Napa & Sonoma Wine Country: How to find the perfect wedding venue

April 22, 2015

Are you recently engaged and looking to get married in the highly desirable Wine Country? Whether you are local or looking for a destination wedding, we are here to help you find a perfect fit for your wedding venue. With over 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 600 wineries in Napa and Sonoma Counties collectively, there are an immense and diverse range of options to choose from when visiting these popular tourist destinations.

L'Relyea Events - Event Design & Productions - Chalk Hill, CA  Wedding venues in Wine Country

Over the years, Napa and Sonoma have rapidly become two of the top desirable locations in the world for destination weddings due to its rustic charm, upscale wineries, vineyards, restaurants and its vast scenic beauty. With so many options in these two areas for wedding venues, it can be an overwhelming and tedious feat to try to pick and choose where to host your big day. This is where we come in.