Bella & Kevin Tie The Knot (Sneak Peek)

While I am dying over here to see the pro shots of Bella & Kevin's wedding, here are some sneak peek taken by Kristine Shin who created all the floral arrangements. Hope you come back real soon because their 'Needle & Thread' inspired wedding was executed with total sweet, fun & shabby-chic perfection!

Please tell me that their cake topper is the cutest thing on earth. You're gonna go crazy when you actually see the couple's pictures because it's an exact replica!

A TON of details to follow soon..

When asking questions.. please note!

A good friend of mine, who is also an avid MBS blog follower recently, told me that I was spilling out too much information about my vendors and other wedding resources. My response, “That’s exactly what I want to do!” There may be some wedding professionals in the industry who like to keep all their resources to themselves- but I’m going to have to disagree with this approach to business for many reasons. Btw, here are some helpful tips to increase your blog readership.

1) Readers come back for content. The more information (not just inspirations) and practical tips you provide, most likely they will bookmark the site and come back to see if you have new posts. (I'm feeling a bit guilty since I haven't been blogging much lately. ;)

2) Readers want to know who you are working with and networking with.

3) We (MBS) update our blog with the hopes that our insight and experience will help brides, whether they hire us or not.

4) Information is meant to be shared. The more you share, the more feedback you get and become that much closer in being an expert at what you do.

5) Giving out vendor referrals is not our main job. Wedding planners are not just hired databases with list of vendors.

6) Surprisingly enough, readers are interested in your personal life.

Ok, now on the flip-side. Yes, I do love giving out information (I really do!), please also note that there are some fine lines that should not be crossed. For instance, I get constant e-mails/phone calls/ FB messages asking for some tips/recommendations for possible venues and churches- to the brides out there: Honestly without knowing your style, budget, size, and location preference, it is really hard to recommend venues/churches. I don’t mind telling you where my favorite locations are and the vendors that I love working with but I don't have 100+ locations on top of my head to give you answers right off the bat.
Now that the blog world is so open to sharing resources, some brides think that we can answer all their questions without hiring us for our services. FYI, I do charge hourly for consultations for those who may need some ideas/recommendations during the planning process. Yes, you can pick my brain, but please be courteous. I try to respond to each email I receive within 24 hours, but it would be nice to email me back to at least say thank you or honestly let me know your updates. Below, is an example of e-mails that I get from brides that throw me off a bit….

"Dear Esther,

Although I would love to hire you as our planner, we're on a very tight budget. But do you mind giving me some vendor referrals & possible venue options?"

Ummm….This is a perfect example of the line that shouldn’t be crossed. Or some brides write me the sweetest emails and express how much they would have loved to hire me as their planner if budget wasn't an issue. Let's be frank: You appreciate my tips & knowledge but not enough to 'pay' for my services.

All of my clients are on a tight budget but nonetheless, they hire us because they want us to deliver a one of a kind and unique wedding that is planned to their specific needs. We're so honored and thankful because our clients squeeze us into their tight budget with the confidence that we will provide industry knowledge, experience, and collaborate with the best vendors. So, it really wouldn’t be right to share ALL the information with random brides, when our clients are paying for these services. And it really wouldn't be right to come to the rescue and offer 'unlimited' help when our clients are paying for these services.

Of course, brides can do research and find vendors on their own, but planners collaborate with the couple to hand select the vendors whose services will bring the ideas and wedding details alive the day of the ceremony. Our experience in the industry sets us apart from the newbie brides who are trying to throw a wedding together even if they have been dreaming & planning their wedding since 5 years old.

On behalf of other wedding planners/designers/florists and other creative business owners out there, I think it is safe to say, please do not take advantage of us and our industry knowledge. Yes, we are here to help but I hope you would value our time & talent. Please respect our boundaries before calling or filling our inboxes with your questions. We love our job so much that we don’t mind sharing, but don’t take our experience and expertise for granted.

Sincerely,

Esther

DIY-Wall Decor by Ruche's Lookbook

Ladies over at Ruche were kind enough to share their DIY post from Ruche's first Spring Lookbook. Head over to their blog for detailed instructions but I'm finding these wall decor so inspiring l that we might have to try these for our clients' photobooth or dessert bar! ;)
1. Floral wall made out of butcher paper





2. Book paper mache wall








3. Natural Peel-able Wallpaper

Here are some more pictures from the shoot taken by Stephanie Williams.

Fun Features!

It’s been a little over a year and a half now since I moved down from Nor-Cal to sunny Southern California. Not only did my family decide to move but I also made a personal career decision and decided to transition into being a full time wedding planner. I definitely had and still have doubts about my abilities and realized relocating to a different area was just as difficult as starting up a new business, I had no idea where to start. As I was making this transition in life I realized that there are two things that don’t come to me naturally: moving to a new area and settling down in a new environment and networking. I think many wedding professionals would agree that this industry is all about networking. You may have the experience and talent but you still need to network and meet the right people who you can trust and collaborate ideas with.

Let’s fast forward to now; being in LA/OC this past year has been amazing- the opportunities, the support, the encouragements, and the friendships. I met some amazing brides and wedding professionals who helped me build up this small home based event planning company. I really don’t and can’t take any credit because it was my clients who reached out to me first. My clients are the ones who took a chance with me and make “My Bride Story” become a real story. I couldn't be thankful for their genuine kindness and support because without them I would not have gotten this far.

I recently found out that our work has been featured in some awesome blogs! I post these type of features not to show off, but it is such a great encouragement and it means so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

First,

Our son's birthday party was featured on Hostess with the Mostess today! This is one of my favorite blogs and I am incredibly honored to be featured! Head over to the Hostess with the Mostess blog now and send me some love! Huge thanks to Angela for submitting the photos and Don for taking the awesome pictures!

Do you recognize this fashionable MyBrideStory bride? It is SYLVIA!?! Well, she now lives in China but when I found was featured on the Knot magazine under the trendsetter’s page I was so happy for her! Sylvia’s wedding photos were also featured on Wedding Chicks and Sienna Wedding. I’m sending her a copy of the magazine this week! I know she’s going to frame it and put it up in her bathroom, closet, or somewhere. LOL

Sharon and Jim’s wedding was also featured on Green Wedding Shoes, another one of my favorite wedding blogs next to Style Me Pretty! When I heard that Sharon’s favorite part of the wedding was the pae bek ceremony my heart fluttered. Not only do I get to help my brides with the celebration but I also get to help them incorporate their culture and tradition.

Our Pae bek site has also been featured at The Relentless Bride as well.

Finally, I was beyond thrilled when the editors at Serendipity Magazine contacted me wanting me to design a tablescape for their upcoming Spring/Summer issue. For those who are not familiar with the magazine, it is a premier Asian wedding magazine and is published twice a year for Southern California brides. Can’t let you in on all the details yet, but we are getting inspiration from the popular movie “500 days of Summer”and guess who's joining to style the shoot? Jen from Green Wedding Shoes!! Enough said, right?

inspiration board made by Jen of Green Wedding Shoes

Make sure to pick up a copy of the magazine when it hits the stands!

I now leave you with a picture of my lovely assistants and other wedding professionals I dearly love and admire.

(Photo: The editors of the Utterly Engaged, Lucia, Henny and Eva from Red Velvet Occasions, Katie from Bella Destinee, Ken from Adagio Weddings, Nancy from So Happy Together and yours truly)
Be sure to check out Utterly Engaged, issue #8- there's so much eye candy, inspirations, and different tablescape designs that took my breath away. Huge props to Nancy from So Happi Together for rocking the photoshoot!

Thank you Elisa, Angela and Christine (who wasn't able to attend the party) for your continuous support and ideas when I'm busy running around taking care of my little one & upcoming weddings. It has been an incredible journey for us and I cannot begin to tell you how amazing 2010 will be as well! Thank you to all my wonderful brides and wedding professionals who I can now call my FRIENDS!

Venue Spotlight- Huron Substation

I'm always on the look out for unconventional venues and when I stumbled upon this talented photographer, Shannon Renee's blog, my heart dropped. Simple, sweet, totally approachable pretty. The incredibly talented, Shannon did an amazing job capturing this insanely gorgeous couple and the space. I'm sure it made her job so much easier because they're both so gorgeous!

To see more of the photos of this wedding, please visit Shannon's blog and if you're ever thinking about getting married at the Huron Substation, please contact me! like NOW! :)

The Huron SubStation is an intimate and fully unique setting located just north of downtown Los Angeles (where the 110 meets the 5 freeway). The interior boasts vintage brick (circa 1906), arched windows, 45’ high ceiling with skylights, 12’ high arched doors opening onto a granite courtyard (which features a modern concrete and steel fountain).
We are a boutique, European style business that believes small is beautiful.

Featuring:
-8’ long diorama style bar (customizable).
-Ceiling mounted digital surround sound system.
-Projection system with 14’ wide screen.
-Access to kitchen with dual ovens, 4 burners, a salamander grill and a griddle (access to caterers only).
-Wireless internet.
-Access to over 3500 square feet of space via the main room, courtyard,kitchen, bath and east mezzanine.
-Drive in load capabilities.

Fees:
-Friday or Saturday (noon - midnight) $3500.00

Requirements/Additional Fees:
-Site rep and valet service required (via TACT Management).
-24 hour $1,000,000 liability insurance policy to be provided by client.
-$1500.00 deposit required (counted towards total).

The Huron SubStation is primarily a home and then a film and event location, therefore we book a limited number of events a year. We open the building to viewings via an open house once or twice a month.

Church Reception gets a Make Over

I posted a few posts (here and here) on why lighting & draping make a world of difference.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Can I get an Amen? :)
Here's a before & after shot of the church reception hall.
BEFORE (FRONT VIEW)

AFTER (FRONT VIEW)

BEFORE (BACK VIEW)

AFTER (BACK VIEW)

Major thanks to Luna Party Rentals for their draping & G2 lighting for their awesome lighting.
About 7-8 crew members (including myself) stayed until 10pm the night before the wedding to set it all up. Talk about dedication & commitment to completely transform the space!
More photos will be up soon..