Retro Relationship Tip No. 2: Put Pen to Paper

Retro Tip #2: Put Pen to Paper

Lilia Fallgatter, author of The Most Important Letter You Will Ever Write: How to Tell Loved Ones How You Feel Before It's Too Late, advocates reviving the lost art of letter-writing to increase intimacy in a relationship.

"Love letters exchanged between a couple can strengthen their relationship by helping them to connect to one another on a deeper level," she says.

Hand written personal notes tucked in a stocking, sock, or "nighty" drawer can certainly spike up an intimate time together. Opening your brief case at work or a snack prepared with love is optimizing your potential for continued communication on just about every level of your relationship. Personally composed letters may also become treasured keepsakes that can be revisited and experienced anew each time they are read. You'll reap bonus points if you hand write it on beautiful paper and enclose a cherished memento such as a photograph or ticket stub from a movie you saw together. Sending an invitation for a special foot massage or rendezvous for dinner at your favorite place, tickets to a movie or play, whether sent by him or her insures constant contact and caring.

An excerpt from my first blog post explaining this series:

Could “Old Fashioned” practices offer greater longevity, pleasure, and stability to your marriage? Many relationship experts interviewed from a recent article that I expand upon here, respond with a resounding “YES.”

Today's married couples may be well advised to emulate some of the successful strategies of their happily married parents and grandparents –from maintaining same-sex friends to even sleeping in separate beds! “Baby boomers and younger generations got sold on the psychology of “being authentic” which unfortunately has given rise to assume permission to speak and treat each other with disrespect."

Two recently reissued books originally published in 1913; “Don’ts for Husbands and Don’ts for Wives” contain hundreds of tried-and-true tips for a happy marriage. Advice for wives includes such tidbits as; “don’t let him have to search the house for you after his day’s work. Listen for his latch-key and meet him on the threshold,” and “don’t bother your husband with chatter if he is tired.” And for husbands; “don’t hesitate to mention the fact when you think that your wife looks exceptionally nice,” and “don’t scowl or look severe; cultivate a pleasant expression.” Of course, all this goes without saying, life is a two way street. So for our initial Retro Relationship Tip:

A Stand up Paddle Board Wedding Surprise

"Thank you for working with David and coordinating what was the most wonderful special surprise I have ever had. (And that's saying something because David surprises me all the time!) Thank you times a million. I will never ever forget that day."

These two Stand Up Paddled up to Glorietta Bay beach on Coronado 02/22/14 for a surprise wedding for Tatum (bride). They have been together 5 years, he is a Navy seal and they were leaving for Virginia Beach the next morning. The day before was her birthday, they had a thing about "ocean cup cakes" and David told her the next time he gave her one, he was going to marry her. 

When they got off their SUP's to met friends on the beach, they had two boxes of "ocean cupcakes" waiting for Tatum and David, with the dress, flowers and his shirt in their friends car. I was over at another table watching this unfold as David and I had met a month before at the Maritime Museum to engineer this meeting and surprise wedding and complete their marriage license without her knowledge. 

As you can see it was a total and complete surprise for Tatum, as I walked up in my Aloha Shirt and asked them what was going on, was it a cup cake party? David said he had just proposed to her and it would be real nice if we could get married today. Well, I said I could probably help them, opened my bag, had their marriage license, ceremony and with their friends and two twin daughters as "flower girls", we had a beautiful bay side wedding.

Recipe for Lovers: Lemon Spaghetti

The recipe for lovers series provides a fun and easy activity for newlyweds to do together, or for each other as a nice gift... tested and tried, straight from the Powers' Kitchen!

This a favorite Rachel Ray recipe for busy days, and it's so good & easy!

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Serves: 4, Yield: 4

About This Recipe

"This is fantastic pasta- it has a strong lemon flavor plus a kick of spice from the red pepper flakes!  Served with Shrimp, Fish or chicken.”

Ingredients

• salt
• 1 lb spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes -omit if you don't like spicy food
• 2 lemons, juice and zest of
• 1/2-3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• handful flat leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, very thinly sliced

Directions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and drop the spaghetti into the pot.
• Heat a large deep skillet over low heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.
• When the pasta has been cooking about 5 minutes, add lemon juice, a ladle of the cooking water from the pasta and the cream to the garlic and oil. Raise heat a bit to bring sauce to a bubble.
• Drain pasta when it still has a good bite to it, al dente. Add lemon zest and half of the cheese to the cream sauce. Season the sauce with salt, to taste. Add pasta to pan and turn off heat. Toss the pasta with sauce a minute or 2, allowing it time to soak up the sauce.
• Top the plates of pasta or platter with remaining cheese, parsley and basil.

Remembering Retro: Monthly Reminders for a Happy Marriage

Could “Old Fashioned” practices offer greater longevity, pleasure, and stability to your marriage? Many relationship experts interviewed from a recent article that I expand upon here, respond with a resounding “YES.”

Today's married couples may be well advised to emulate some of the successful strategies of their happily married parents and grandparents –from maintaining same-sex friends to even sleeping in separate beds! “Baby boomers and younger generations got sold on the psychology of “being authentic” which unfortunately has given rise to assume permission to speak and treat each other with disrespect."

Two recently reissued books originally published in 1913; “Don’ts for Husbands and Don’ts for Wives” contain hundreds of tried-and-true tips for a happy marriage. Advice for wives includes such tidbits as; “don’t let him have to search the house for you after his day’s work. Listen for his latch-key and meet him on the threshold,” and “don’t bother your husband with chatter if he is tired.” And for husbands; “don’t hesitate to mention the fact when you think that your wife looks exceptionally nice,” and “don’t scowl or look severe; cultivate a pleasant expression.” Of course, all this goes without saying, life is a two way street. So for our initial Retro Relationship Tip:

#1 Reinstate Civility“Please, “ “thank you”, “pardon me”, “may I”; these seem to be phrases that seem to have all be vanished from our present day vocabularies. Unfortunately, especially with our loved ones. Extending to your partner the same courtesy you would a stranger. When speaking to your spouse trying more sweetness and tenderness, saying things lovingly. Use a combination of old-school civility as well as modern frankness. Employing respectfulness.

Psychotherapist and author Tina Tessina, PhD, concurs; politeness is like a lubricant for our daily interactions; it makes everything go more smoothly.”

Joyce Morley-Ball, EdD, counselor advises; “Show her that chivalry is not dead; Pull out her chair, open the door for her, help her put on her coat, give her your coat when it is cold outside. These simple acts of affection shows that she is important and there is a level of respect for her.”

There is a plethora of wisdom we can gain from graciousness and gentleness of previous generations especially with the technology and savvy of today’s marriages.

It is my aim, and desire these next 12 months to reignite the passion of the promises made.

Colossians 3:12-17 New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

7 Tips to Getting the Most Out of Your Tableware Wedding Registry

I love this guest post by Su Sazama, co-owner of Fitzsu.com, an online and by appointment design boutique specializing in contemporary home accessories and tableware. Enjoy! 

Registering gifts for your wedding is awesome. It is one of rare times you actually get to choose your gifts while giving your guests the comfort in knowing that their gift will be well received. So don’t deny yourself the pleasure.

If you are planning a wedding, making sure every detail expresses both of your personalities, then you should give equal if not more consideration to your wedding registry. After all, you will be eating at home, entertaining friends, and hosting family holidays much more often than you will have wedding days. So here are 7 things you can do to make registering fun and fruitful in the long run.

1. Know when to register. You want to register after you book the wedding dates with all your vendors and before any scheduled wedding showers at least two months before the wedding. And you really don’t want to be registering during your last two weeks before the wedding. There is a nice lull after the rush to book your favorite band and caterer to start planning and putting into action your wedding gift registry.

2. Do some research and find your collective style. Just as you plan every detail of your wedding you should plan your personal tableware. It is an expression of your combined personalities, not just about plates and flatware. Figure out how you want to put it all together to create your own unique experience for yourselves and your guests. Pinterest is a great place to create a wedding registry inspiration board to pin your favorite table settings, tableware and kitchen accessories. Here are a few sites where you can find table setting editorial and ideas for the kitchen: Elledécor, Houzz, Fitzsu, Foodandwine, MarthaStewartLiving, andn Remodelista. Also, type the word “tablescapes” into Pinterest and you will not be disappointed.

3. Commit to spending the day registering together without other responsibilities. Feeling pressured, ultimately leads to indecision, frustration and dissatisfaction. Whether you are registering on line or in a store, it takes time, so make it a vacation. Go out for a nice brunch, so you don’t register hungry. Bring your inspiration with you. When you are done, go to the spa. You will always look back on this day fondly whenever you use your wedding gifts.

4. Be realistic but plan for the future. Tableware is meant to last. You may be only two now, but are you planning on having a family? Do you already have a big combined family of parents and siblings and possibly their children? You may not have 10 for dinner, but is having at least two more couples possible? 12 is the standard starting point for place settings and glassware, and for good reason. You need more than you will use in one meal and you will grow into it. At minimum I would consider at least 8. Decide if you need both fine china and every day dinnerware. 95% of couples who register with fitzsu trade up the everyday and forgo the second special occasion set. This way they can take pleasure every day in their nice dinnerware and dress it up for their guests with cloth napkins and interesting table accessories. Be realistic. How are you going to entertain? Nowadays, a dinner party is perceived special by the overall unique experience and not so much by its opulence as it was in the past.

5. Register for what you can afford to replace. Dreaming about your future dinner parties is fun and you should enjoy it, but if you don’t expect anyone to buy you a $500 gift, don’t register for the $500 per glass crystal stemware. On the other hand, if your friend drops your $500 wine glass after a few glasses and it doesn’t devastate you, then by all means put it on your registry.

6. Take into account how many guests you have and register accordingly. Yes, it is nice to give your guests some options so that they feel like they get to decide what they give you, but it is also wise to guide them towards what you really want or need. I have seen couples who really need a matching set of dinnerware in all its 12 place settings, just register for that and be so happy to get it all. On the other hand, unprepared couples register for a whole assortment of random items and are disappointed because they didn’t get flatware but have enough platters to serve an army.

7. Read stores’ registry policies, especially return policies; and be wary of websites that let you register everywhere. These websites are in no way connected to the sites you ultimately register with through them. Places like myregistry.com and amazon expect you to go to each store’s website and read their policies. You may register for items you plan on returning or exchanging to find out later you can’t. They also do not always keep track of your purchases. You might end up with 10 more dinner plates than you registered for and cannot return. You also cannot exchange items from one store for items you registered at another. If you find a store that speaks to your aesthetic, then I suggest you go there directly. The customer service will be better and you can ask them about returns and how their registry works.

For example, we offer an “alternative” registry for couples who want to be able to exchange gifts or change their mind later. It takes the pressure off the couples who are still uncertain about their choices and takes the work and waste out out of shipping returns back and forth. The couple knows who is buying them what items for their letters of appreciation, but they can decide what they want to do with all their gifts after the wedding. This requires the type of customer service you want in a registry that an affiliate website like amazon cannot provide.

Your wedding registry is a great opportunity to design the world you want to live and entertain in.
If you pick a time to register when you have finished most of your wedding planning, research and visualize your ideal table, decide ahead of time your quantities, and make a fun day of it, you will be happy remembering it every time you sit down and eat in the future.

Su Sazama is co-owner of Fitzsu.com, an online and by appointment design boutique specializing in contemporary home accessories and tableware. For over 13 years, Su has assisted hundreds of couples in creating their wedding registries. In addition, she provides personal service to homeowners, designers, architects, and estate managers globally in selecting tableware and kitchen accessories to suite their unique styles and personalities. Her experience offers sage advice on how to register your gifts with your fiancé and enjoying the process. Find me on LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook and Pinterest.

One Solitary Life

Many years ago someone wrote a very famous essay about the impact of Jesus’ life. It goes like this: 

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself. 

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executors gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth—his coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed tomb, through the pity of a friend. 

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. (Evidence That Demands a Verdict, p. 140) 

There is seemingly no better time than the Christmas season to envision the glory of God. As we wonder at the nativity scenes and decorations throughout our city, in stores and shopping malls, homes in our neighborhoods, all aglow with the twinkling lights are our attempts to capture the glory, but ultimately we must remember that Christmas represents God's gracious plan of redemption. 

In Jesus we see both man and God. We can relate to Him as a fellow human being, but always remembering He is God! Proclaiming Truth, He taught us how to live. Radiating grace, He showed us what it means to forgive. And as the only begotten of the Father the unique Son, His coming into our midst showed us that God has a plan for us...to be with Him forever! 

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
Merry Christmas!!

Recipe for Lovers: Fresh Cranberry Salad

The recipe for lovers series provides a fun and easy activity for newlyweds to do together, or for each other as a nice gift... tested and tried, straight from the Powers' Kitchen!

Fresh Cranberry Salad/Relish for the Holidays

Photo Source: Real Mom Kitchen

This is so good it could be dessert. Everyone will want to take some home!

4-cups (1-lb.)fresh- cranberries

1-cup sugar

1-envelope-Knorr unflavored gelatin

½ Cup Orange juice

1-Cup chopped celery

1-cup chopped apple (-I like Granny Smiths)

1-cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Wash cranberries: drain and remove stems. Put through food processor or just chop until coarse.
Add sugar stir let stand for 15 minutes
Stir occasionally
Chop celery, apple, and nuts coarsely
Sprinkle gelatin over orange juice in a small pan to soften.
Place over low heat stir until gelatin is dissolved.

Add gelatin mixture to chopped cranberries, apples, nuts and celery mix well –pour into an oiled mold Bundt cake pan or loaf pan and pat down into the mold –Refrigerate 6-8 hours (you can make this a day or two ahead).When ready to serve dip the mold bottom into a sink of hot water… just for a minute –place red leaf lettuce on the top of the mold (lettuce leave tops extending a bit over the edge of the mold) and a plate on top of that and flip over. Serve with real whipped cream –we love it!

Lasts for several days to have with leftover turkey.~ Kathleen Powers

L'Auberge, Del Mar Wedding

This wedding was last month at L'Auberge~Del Mar. The couple and the attendants were from Las Vegas and are entertainers. It was a blast and very beautifully decorated!

To See or Not to See: Should You Have a “First Look”

Here is a short and sweet guest post from So Eventful.

The tradition of the bride and groom waiting to see each other at their wedding until the walk down the aisle is just that- a tradition! It's one that started many years ago and for some, has either remained a tradition or has turned into a superstition. However, a “First Look” is a special few moments before the ceremony during which the bride and groom see each other for the first time. Many people choose not to have a first look because of a superstition that seeing each other before the ceremony will bring upon bad luck to the couple.

However, the tradition of a first look came along way before this fear of bad luck. In fact, the superstition stemmed from tradition which began because of arranged marriages. Men and women were set up in arranged marriages before ever meeting or seeing each other. This was to ensure that the groom would not run away after seeing his future bride; hence the veil to cover the woman’s face. Traditionally the bride wore a veil over her face from the beginning of the ceremony, through their vows, up until they were officially married and the groom would finally lift the veil to kiss his bride. Nowadays things have changed. Marriages are no longer arranged and traditions are not always being withheld. Couples are changing things up and now instead of waiting until the end of the ceremony for the reveal, they are having a First Look and enjoy a few special moments together alone.

So Eventful is a professional, full service company that does everything from weddings, social events and everything in between. www.so-eventful.com for more details.

Beautiful Couple

"Laura and I are so blessed to have had you perform our ceremony. You really helped make our special day perfect" - Joshua

Sip, Surf, and Say "I Do"

There's a new adventure in the La Jolla wedding scene! Thanks to Paige Nordeen for sending us this custom crafted message for you guys, announcing the new package.

If soon-to-be brides and grooms are looking to celebrate an over-the-top wedding in La Jolla, a newly released adventure, ‘Sip, Surf and Say ‘I do,’ will definitely fit the bill. We wait our entire lives for this one day, so why not indulge?

As if the beautiful beaches of La Jolla and high-end boutiques aren’t enough to satisfy couples, Kimpton’s Hotel La Jolla has added a few additional perks to celebrate matrimonial bliss in style. Helicopter rides, Rolls Royce cruising and surf classes, oh my! The Southern California wedding package, designed to complement the special day, offers newly-to-be-weds unique adventure elements while keeping things upscale. The best part? A perpetual anniversary, where married couples can return to the hotel every year to celebrate their anniversary in a deluxe suite. This will take the worry (and cost) out of planning future romantic getaways to celebrate the day the couple said ‘I do.’

An intimate rehearsal dinner for up to 30 people with views of the Pacific Ocean is also included. The wedding party can dine on delectable bites on the hotel’s 11^th-floor Starlight Ballroom and pop a little bubbly to toast the bride and groom. Ever taken a surf class? Well, why not start days before your ‘I do’s’ with the included lessons from Surf Diva for two at La Jolla Shores Beach. Hanging ten with your honey will offer a new and fun way to connect, and what better place to do so than La Jolla Shores. After a little action, couples will be delighted to take off in a scenic helicopter ride and two-hour wine tour to enjoy before or after the wedding. Making things even more special for the two, a full day of Rolls Royce transportation is included as needed.

Surf Diva Photo

Guests will also find fun amenities stocked in their rooms like champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a personalized gift, to keep the pair smiling during their stay. Also, perfect for the out-of-towners celebrating the two, the hotel offers special rates. The coastal chic town of La Jolla is a romantic wonderland where couples can enjoy moonlit strolls along the coast, dine at exceptional restaurants and peruse countless art galleries featuring internationally acclaimed artists. So if soon-to-be brides and grooms are looking for something over the top, keep the ‘Sip, Surf and ‘Say I do’’ package in mind.

Contact 858.551.3627 for bookings and information.

Wedding Workbook Giveaway

I am currently giving away a copy of my spiral bound workbook The Romance of the Wedding Ceremony!  Enter to win here.

It's a 130 page collection of memorable ceremonies, unique exchanges, readings, prayers, promises and traditions from over 4000 weddings performed by myself in beautiful Southern California and beyond.

This book gives couples a focus on the words and promises for their wedding ceremony with a step by step guide to compose a personal ceremony.

Use this collection and your imagination to create your perfect ceremony! Check it out on amazon here.

Recipes for Lovers: Baked Orange French Toast

The recipe for lovers series provides a fun and easy activity for newlyweds to do together, or for each other as a nice gift... tested and tried, straight from the Powers' Kitchen!

Baked Orange French Toast

Prepare the night before and just cook bacon in the morning!

8- Slices French Bread cut ¾ to 1 inch thick

6- Eggs

Grated rind of 1 large Orange

2/3- cup of orange juice

1/3- cup of orange liqueur-we use Grand Marnier!

1-cup half & half

3-tablespoon sugar

Image from floridasnatural.com

Optional: 4Tablespoon butter
Butter a 9” square pan LAY BREAD SLICES evenly in pan
Combine eggs, orange rind, orange juice, liqueur, half &half and sugar. Pour over bread dot with butter if desired. Refrigerate overnight.
In the morning preheat oven to 350degrees Bake 30-35 minutes or until puffed and set.

Serve with powdered sugar or a mixture of marmalade and melted butter mixed together.

*I many times double this for larger groups

Kids will like this too-the alcohol evaporates during cooking and they love it –we have four little taste testers and they always ask for more! Enjoy!

Passion and Promises

Well, we have passed Champagne on silver platters and enjoyed the splendor of "Summer wedding season".  Now with Autumn on the mend, it is time for reflection and vision ahead for holidays and Christmas cheer and a new year before us with untold promises.

 
Passion and Promises! That's what life is about. In reflection, two days ago, while San Diego was experiencing our first "winter storm", of high winds and rain, I enjoyed an invigorating and vitalizing experience of officiating a "Power Filled" wedding on the beach and in the surf on my
10' 0"Stewart surfboard out at 11th Street in Del Mar. 

In another two weeks, as the Vickor for the Santa Fe Hunt, I shall once again present the traditional "Blessing of the Hounds at the hunt" at the annual first hunt of the season, held at the Garner Valley Ranch, an actual working cattle ranch. This is my 20th season, many times I have "ridden to The Hounds" A blessings in itself for yours truly as I am surrounded by 50 -100 baying bloodhounds, on a chilly November morning, sometimes in a driving rain, snow flurries, or peaceful sunrise; blessing rider, hound, and land we are privileged to use.

In addition to the passion for the ministry God has called me to which possess my spirit, I also embrace another passion; Formula One motor racing. I have been a fan for more than three decades. If you want a taste of F1, may I suggest you see "Rush" a recently released film produced and directed my Ron Howard. It is a must and very authentic in content. 

 
Next month, I shall sojourn once again to Austin, Texas for the second United States Grand Prix to be held at this venue. Last year was the inaugural race for this magnificent venue. Spent a week in Austin, visiting the Long Horn university and of course BBQ and an outrageous Willie Nelson concert, ahh yes, another favorite....Willie Nelson. A true gypsy troubadour, one of a kind and a legend. God bless Willie!! 

When I return from Austin, it almost be Thanksgiving, then another month and Christmas. Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This is a special time for our family, as we enjoy the blessings of being together in a snow covered chalet in Mammoth. Last year we enjoyed over 10' of snow as it was the "worst" blizzard in a decade. What a blast!! More snow and conditions you would absolutely not believe!

So here are my passions and promises for just a few of God's blessings for which I am so abundantly grateful and very thankful.

The Lord tells us in the beautiful Psalm of Thanksgiving; Psalm:100 to be thankful to Him and bless His name;further we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
However, one of the Lords promises which was penned by King David,
Psalm 37;1&3 says it very clear for me; "Do not fret & Trust in the Lord and do good." Simple instructions and directions to follow.

Living in an attitude of gratitude ~ enjoy the changing of the seasons and ignite the passion of Gods promises!

Susan & Nelson

Just a few photos from the beautiful L'Auberge in Del Mar, with a wonderful couple.

Do Me a Favor? Wedding Favors Your Guests and Budget Will Love

Please enjoy this guest post from Make Some Plans.

Thank your guests with wedding favors that express your personality and gratitude, without spending excess time and money.

The long-standing tradition of gifting wedding guests a token of your appreciation can be both a fun, creative experience and a stressful one. Whether you’re leaning toward a do-it-yourself approach or saving some time and ordering them finished, take a breath and enjoy the process.

No Shame in Stealing
Browse magazines, stroll through stores, and crawl around websites taking note of ideas and looks that speak to you. Think about weddings you've attended as a guest and the wedding favors they gave out. Pay attention to any packaging you find especially appealing. It can go far in how happy you are with the finished gifts.

It's not really stealing anyway. It's more a scavenging for inspiration! It's a great idea to keep some notes or copy and paste pictures into a file to reference when deciding on your own favors.

They'll Eat Up Practical Favors
If you'd rather your wedding favors stick around longer than your guests' next spring cleaning, think practical. Want them to enjoy it rather than trash it or stick it on a shelf? Go edible. Though I'm sure you and your fiance are gorgeous, the hard truth is that nobody, besides your mother, want a coaster or coffee cup with your mugs smiling back at them from their drink.

Gifts that express your personalities or share a passion are great idea. If you're avid bikers or runners, for instance, personalized water bottles may be a good idea. Cake pops that bear some resemblance to your wedding cake or personalized candy bars are great edible options.

Never Enough of a Good Thing
Okay, maybe there can be enough, but better a few too many than not enough when it comes to wedding favors. If you're working on a budget, consider giving one favor per couple rather than each individual. Though you'll need one for every single person, one favor per couple can nearly half the number you need.

A good rule of thumb is to have ten extra for every hundred guests. This takes the stress out of the nearly inevitable occurrence of some getting lost or broken. Some guests are bound to take more than one and you'll want at least a few left over to keep for yourselves.

Going it Alone
While do-it-yourself wedding favors may seem like a fantastic way to save some bucks, don't forget the time commitment involved. Time and frustration saved might be well worth the extra expense, especially with everything else you're doing to plan you wedding while maintaining some semblance of a normal life.

Make sure too that you're adding up all of the elements involved. Hot glue guns and glue, each element, and any wrapping can add up to more than wholesalers can offer the same finished product for. On the other hand, if crafting is a de-stresser for you, go to town!

Don't Commit
No, I don't mean to call your wedding off! Don't commit to buying 200 wedding favors sight unseen. You may have found something that looks adorable on a website with a price that works with your budget, but until you have it in hand to inspect or taste hold off on dropping hundreds of dollars.

Some merchants offer free samples – take advantage of that to ensure you'll be happy with your wedding favors. Likewise, make certain to ask for a proof if you're ordering anything with personalization. You don't want to end up with a a bunch of favors that announce you're getting “varried.”

As-Sign Them
You'll obviously to busy to set your wedding favors out yourself. When you assign this task to someone, preferably someone you have confidence in, be sure they know exactly how and where you want them placed. You'll save yourself some headaches if you do one better than explaining and give them a picture as an example instead.

If you're leaving them on the tables or in one central place instead, make sure your guests are aware that they are meant to be taken. This can be achieved by placing a tags on each favor. Alternatively, you can put a nice framed sign that says simply “Please take a favor” or just a nice “Thank You.”

One final note: how much or how little you spend on your wedding favors is completely up to you. Traditionally, one to two percent of your total budget is relegated to favors. For instance, on a $10,000 wedding with one hundred guests, one or two dollars on each guest's favor would be customary. More important than cost though, is that you are happy with your favors and feel they are a token of thanks that represents your personalities and feeling.

Bryan Driscoll lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and son. Bryan is the one who came up with the initial idea to create an event and wedding planning website. When he was planning his own wedding, he realized the difficulty in finding vendors that he wanted to be a part of his own wedding day. He brought the idea of an event and wedding website to Brad, and soon after, Make Some Plans was born. His background in SEO and internet marketing has birthed many of the creative ideas behind Make Some Plans.

Illustration 1: http://pinterest.com/pin/479140847826329335/

7 Tips To Planning Your Perfect Theme Wedding

Please enjoy this great guest post written for my blog by Kimberly Seeherman of Events By Fabulous.
#1 - Choose a theme that highlights your unique couple style.
The best themed weddings are those that say something personal about the bride and groom. Paris is a wonderful place, but it shouldn't be your wedding theme unless it’s a meaningful part of your history. In the planning process, I ask my clients to dig deep into their relationships for defining memories and shared passions. Whether it’s a kind of music, a special trip, or a fairytale romance, the successful execution of theme wedding starts with stories close to the heart.

#2 - Start with a detailed inspiration board. 
Wedding clients are often overwhelmed with the amount of choices they have to make. A great way to get started in the planning process is to put all your ideas into one place, and literally see how the details come together. Pinterest is an amazing tool, but you can also go “old school” by building a wedding binder with picture clippings, color swatches and other materials that inspire you. Take time doing your research and building a collection of ideas, a detailed inspiration board is your road map to success.

#3 - Find the perfect setting for your story.
Finding the right venue is arguably the most important aspect of your theme wedding. You’ll need to find a place that works with your theme, not against it. The last thing you want to do is spend money covering up venue elements that don't work with your design plan. It’s important that you fully flesh out your theme concept and wedding budget before beginning the search for locations, so that you can make an educated decision that fits both your taste and financials.

#4 - Set the tone with a themed wedding announcement. 
Stir your guest’s excitement by creating an interactive save-the-date or invitation that boldly represents the theme. Fun ideas I’ve recommended in the past included a pair of 3D glasses, a puzzle, a code to unlock a website, or a costume element for guests to incorporate into their wedding attire. Asking guests to dress up is a sure way to enhance the theme experience, as the guests become part of the theme concept.

#5 - Walk down the aisle in style.
When planning a theme wedding, you want to create a consistent experience throughout the entire affair, which of course includes the ceremony.  Even if your service is held off-site or in a house of worship, make sure to incorporate elements that to tie your nuptials to the reception. Consider themed aisle décor, a colored carpet runner, a unique Bridal March and ceremony music or stylized wedding party attire.

#6 - Create a focal point for your themed space.
While the best-case scenario would be customizing each aspect of reception décor to your theme, that’s not a feasible solution for every couple, especially when budget is a factor. I always recommend creating at least one “wow-factor” within a space that really brings the theme to life. Then make sure that everything else in the room is neutral, as not to distract from that focal point.  Whether you go with an awesome entrance piece, a custom stage, a themed vignette or specialty table-top design, spending your budget on a few choice theme elements is much better then a watered-down execution across the entire wedding design.

#7 - It’s all about the experience.
When creating a themed wedding, equally important as décor elements are the experiential aspects that transport guests into the realm of your imaginary theme. I always recommend focusing on arrivals, how guests are welcomed into the space. Unique concepts I’ve executed are themed methods of distributing table cards, or specialty entertainers that set the mood. Customization of Food & Beverage is another great way to incorporate theme, such as specialty cocktails with a look or a name relevant to the décor concept. Other ideas to consider are themed guest activities like a stylized photo booth that can also serve as a take home favor.  Let guests leave with a symbolic piece of the party, and the magical experience of your theme wedding can live on far past the conclusion of the event.

About Us: Events By Fabulous is an innovative event design and production company. Over the past 10 years, we’ve established a reputation as a trendsetter in the industry, creating cutting edge events for major brands and celebrity clients alike. From extravagant social gatherings to national brand campaigns, Fabulous takes a unique approach for each project, striving to capture the identity of our clients in immersive event experiences. From atmospheric design, to experiential marketing, Fabulous provides a comprehensive range of  event production services including  a la carte options such as lighting design, party rentals, custom prop fabrication, and specialty entertainment. 

Links: 

www.youtube.com/eventsbyfabulous (event videos)

facebook.com/eventsbyfabulous (portfolio gallery) 

www.eventsbyfabulous.com ( more info)

Wedding: L'Auberge in Del Mar

This was at L'Auberge in Del Mar this past June. It was a beautiful Christian & Persian wedding ceremony with a wonderful couple. 

10 Reasons to Wear an Upcycled Wedding Dress

Thought you might enjoy this guest blog post by Lori over at Conscious Elegance, Ltd. Read on!

We've all heard about recycling, how we're supposed to do it. And we do what we can, sometimes a little guiltily. It's all about making a better world, right?

But have you heard of 'upcycling'? That is, taking something not so useful and giving it a new life by making it fabulous?

You can upcycle just about anything - an old lamp that turns into a gorgeous piece when you add a lampshade or paint or glitter. Or a pair of jeans that's gotten holes - you can add pretty patches, make them chic and fun, and everyone will want to know where you got them.
What about wedding dresses? Can they be upcycled? Of course. And there's tons of reasons to do it:

10 REASONS TO WEAR AN UPCYCLED WEDDING DRESS:
1) First and foremost? You can save a ton of money. Cast-off or vintage dresses aren't going to cost nearly what most new wedding gowns cost (at least, the decent ones) and the upcycling can cost nothing or very little.

2) With an upcycled dress, your frock can be tailored for you and you alone. It'll fit the way you want it, even if you're tall or petite or have interesting proportions from fiddle-playing or whatever.

3) Upcycling a dress that has sentimental value means that you can wear your mother's dress (or your Aunt's or your Grandma's) and it can actually look stylish. You don't have to tell your mom that her beloved dress just isn't your style - you can make it yours!

4) Upcycling means that you can wear a gorgeous silk for *much* cheaper than buying something new. There are so many old dresses with yards and yards of silk, just sitting in closets. Find a talented friend or seamstress and all that silk can be a whole new dress. It can take on a whole new life with *you* in it!

5) Of course, upcycling a dress is a sustainable way to have a gorgeous new gown without taking up lots of new resources. No new silkworms harmed, for those who care about silkworms (and I do!). Never underestimate the Smug Factor. You can boost your green cred and preen about how your wedding dress isn't depleting the Earth. Your guests will Ooo and Ahh and your parents will be proud.

6) Vintage looks are IN and CHIC and sometimes it doesn't take much to take an old dress and tweak it jeeest a bit in the right places. Love Big Band? Mad Men? You could center an entire theme wedding around your dress and let everyone get in on the fun!

7) Upcycled wedding dresses are never 'off the rack' and are always one of a kind.

8) Vintage and older dresses can have amazing fabrics and details that you might not see these days. The materials and construction are often better quality than the new cheap made-in-China dresses of today.

9) If you're crafty, you get to make your own. If you're not, you get to give a crafty friend something really special to do. A wedding dress made just for you? Can you think of a better wedding gift?

10) It's just COOL on every level. Creative, crafty, thrifty, original, fabulous. What better way to make a statement on your Big Day?

Lori Del Genis put a thriving medical career on hold to design dresses and she's never looked back. Now she's saving the world, one upcycled wedding dress at a time. She lives simply and sustainably with her spouse and spends her time creating the Perfect Custom Wedding Gown for clients who want to look gorgeous without robbing the earth or their pocketbook. Find her work at ConsciousElegance.com 

Watermelon... is the answer!

It’s summer, and beach time is beautiful in San Diego! Our beaches are the absolute best. It’s time to get out, get wet with a boogie board, surfboard, kayak, or try SUP (stand up paddling) for a great new experience on the water. I started last summer at the lagoon in Carlsbad, about 10 minutes from our home, and have since SUP’d on Mission Bay and the ocean as well. Kayaking on the open ocean is awesome. This weekend I'm going to paddle out at La Jolla Shores to observe the Leopard Sharks, as they are said to be non-aggressive.

Ice cold watermelon during or following a warm day at the beach is always refreshing. However, thanks to Wally Amos, the founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company (you probably know of him for his famous cookies) who has written his “Watermelon Credo”. It has been a guide that has helped others, and the truths contained herein, have benefited many which I have enjoyed the privilege of coaching during our couples relationship meetings.

It is my pleasure to share this palatable and inspirational wisdom;

W~Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be. You are a spiritual being, having a human experience!

A~Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace. Be positive regardless!

T~Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am but less than we are.

E~Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with passion coupled with enthusiasm.

R~Respect others as well as yourself. Self-respect will manifest itself in respect for others which literally reshapes the world.

M~Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words; “yes, I will.”

E~Everyday can be lived as a day of empowerment. Laughter is the lubricant that keeps life moving.

L~Love is the answer. Whatever the question. Love is the answer. It is the greatest force in the universe! (1John 4:16; “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in Him.”

O~One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.

N~Never give up or become a victim. You're guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right, never, never, never give up! It works if you work it!

Watermelon is fun and good for you! Inspirational and a wonderful reminder for us to always live life from our highest self. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by events. Allow Watermelon to remind you that you are larger than events. You do have the power to create and change events by what you believe!