Great Press From A Baby Shower We Designed & Produced for Celeb Trainer Tracy Anderson!

US Magazine

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gwyneth-paltrow-jennifer-lopez-send-trainer-tracy-anderson-luxe-baby-gifts-201273

Nicole Richie's Fashion Blog

http://nicolerichiefashion.blogspot.com/2012/03/nicole-at-tracy-andersons-baby-shower.html

Perez Hilton Too!

http://perezitos.com/2012-03-08-it-pays-to-be-a-celebrity-trainer 

 

Glam.com's coverage

http://blogs.glam.com/glambuzz/2012/03/08/tracy-anderson’s-star-studded-baby-shower/

Wedding Wednesdays: How To Set A Formal Table

For most brides, their wedding will be the first formal event they have ever hosted.  (Though most caterers or hotels will take care of setting tables for a reception) We believe that knowing the "rules" to setting a proper table are always good to know.  

A formal table set with lots of working pieces can appear daunting, but it is easy to navigate if you remember one important rule: start from the outside and work your way in toward the dinner plate. As the courses are completed, your server will remove the appropriate silverware and place settings each that course.  How To Set A Formal Table: 

FLATWARE

1. Flatware is placed in the order of use.  The first to be used should be set to the farthest left and right sides of the plate.

2. Forks are placed to the left of the dinner plate, knives and spoons go to the right.

3. Knives should be placed with their cutting-edge toward the dinner plate. If needed, butter knives should be laid on top of the butter plate. 

4. Set flatware approximately 1/2 inch away from the plate and line them up evenly. *We like to line up the flatware so that they are even along the bottom (match up the bottom of each item so there is alignment).

6. The dessert fork and/or spoon should be centered above and parallel to the dinner plate.

*Do not use more flatware than the meal calls for. Should your salad require a knife, then set a 2nd knife in between the 1st knife and spoon.

PLATES

1. The bread plate, if being used, should be placed slightly above the salad fork and to the left.
*We don’t typically set B&B plates for events—just our preference.

2. Dinner plates should be placed about 2 inches from the table's edge, squarely in front of the chair. 

3. If using a charger, this should be placed under the dinner plate or instead of a dinner plate.
*When clearing courses, decide when the charger gets cleared (can be cleared after main course if your dinner plate fits on the charger; this way you and your guests can enjoy the charger for longer.

STEMWARE

1. Wine glasses should be placed above the dinner knife, to the right of the water glass. The number or glasses will depend on the beverages that you are serving. 
*You can set a water glass and 1 multipurpose wine glass if you are offering a choice of wine (if you are not pairing your courses with wine selections, this works well and saves on space).

2. Coffee cups and saucers may be placed on the table to the right of the knife and spoon.
*Typically for weddings, coffee cups and saucers are not placed on the table until dessert is served.

NAPKINS AND NAME CARDS

1. Napkins are placed either on the plate or to the left of the forks. 

2. Name cards should be placed above the dessert utensil and to the left of the drinking glasses.

Now go and make Emily Post (and your mother) proud!

JP Featured in California Wedding Day's Spring/Summer 2012 Issue-Out Now

Our entire team loved working on this wedding and adored working with our fantastic couple: Natasha & Jerry!       Thanks to our wonderful team of vendors who assisted with this wonderful, wedding weekend!  Truly magical!

Wedding Wednesdays: Take A Leap!

"You guys have this great tradition that a woman can propose to a man on the 29th of February in a leap year. So, I thought, why not?" --Anna (Amy Adams character from Leap Year)

Today is such a special day being that it only comes around once every four years!  Yet, it's particularly special concerning engagements. According to old Irish legend, it is believed that St. Bridget, after being miffed at how long women had to wait for men to ask for their hand in marriage, struck a deal with St. Patrick that on the leap year women would be "allowed" to propose to men. 

Of course, times have changed since then and women can ask men to marry them any day of the year, if they so choose, but why not take advantage of the romantic tradition. *Make sure you are doing the “asking” because deep down you want to propose and not because you are tired of waiting for him to do the deed.  =)

Here are a few simple proposal dos and don’ts:

1. Tailor the proposal to what your man and not necessarily what you would like for yourself.  Do not create the proposal you always dreamed of (well maybe a little).  

2. Do put as much effort into the occasion as you would want him to do for you.

3. Find a place with special meaning to you both, play a special song - make it light and fun. Infuse it with special details about you both.

4. Don't propose with a ring; you can pick out a ring together after. 

So, who is getting down on one knee today to pop the question?  (Call us if you need help planning the wedding!)

Wedding Wednesdays: A Votre Sante

One of the traditional elements of wedding celebrations is the toasts.  Toasts are generally given by family members, the bridal party and close friends and they can be one of the most lasting memories of a wedding for the couple and their guests.

The term “toasting” came about from a French custom in which a piece of bread was placed in the bottom of each wine glass to absorb the sediment. A good toaster was someone who would drink all the way “down to the toast.” (DID YOU KNOW THAT?? We didn’t and love learning new things!!) Another element of toasts is the clinking of the glasses, which dates back many centuries. The sound made by the touching of glasses is similar to that of a ringing bell.  Ancient belief thought this would keep evil spirits away from the wedding celebration. 

Nowadays, wedding toasts are traditionally given during the wedding reception meal or after the cutting of the cake.  Generally, it is the parent's of the couple or the best man who delivers the initial speech then the rest of the toasts can follow but these days it's really up to the couple's preference.  *We love having the majority of toasts occur at the rehearsal dinner so only the key toasts take place at the wedding.

Our Tips and Etiquette for Memorable Wedding Toasts:

1. Be Prepared: Let your family members, bridal party and friends know they will be making toasts to give them time to prepare.  If you are the one giving a toast, please spend some time thinking about what you would like to say and make some notes if you get nervous speaking in front of a large group.  

2. Keep It Short: Short, sweet and to the point is always more entertaining than hearing someone drone on for what seems like hours.  Speeches should be kept between 2-3 minutes. Parents’ speeches should be kept between 2-3 minutes, as well.  

3. Keep Embarrassing Stories To Yourself: And please don't mention old boyfriends and girlfriends, it just makes everyone uncomfortable. 

4. A Little History Is Nice, All the History Is Not: We do not need to know Suzie's life story from the time she was born until she walked down the aisle.  Parents, please pick your favorite moments with your children. Remember, brevity is key. 

5. Insert Personality: If you are funny, by all means be funny.  If you are sentimental, then be sentimental.  But do not try to be funny, or witty or sentimental...it isn’t like the movies; you rarely can come back from a fumbled speech. 

6. Stand Up And Hold Your Drink: Basic but you would be surprised how often people forget this.

7. Think About Your Audience: If it's a formal affair and many people you don't know will be attending, then inside jokes and slang might not be appropriate. Take this in to account when writing your speech.  

8. Do Not Open the Floor For Other Toasts: There is usually a schedule and order to the evening.  Typically, rehearsal dinners give everyone not asked to speak at the wedding, a chance to toast the bride and groom.   

9. The Bride and Groom Should Not Raise Their Glasses: Since they are the ones being honored, everyone else raises their glasses to them.  The couple should simply sip from their glasses at the end of each toast.  

Cheers & Happy Toasting!