Event Styling Tips and Tricks (Part 1)

I get asked quite often where I rent and purchase my decor props & rental pieces from fellow vendors out there, so today, I wanted to cover some basic event styling tips with you. Hope this post will also push brides to think outside the box and think about creatively using their venue space.

One of the main jobs I take seriously is styling different stations such as the escort card display table, dessert bar, sign-in table, drinks station and etc. Uniquely setting these displays can definitely set the mood and excite the guests as they anticipate the wedding they're about to experience.  If done right, it cohesively pulls the look together to match the overall ambiance and details you're trying to achieve.
I honestly think rentals including tables, chairs, lounge furniture, decor furnishings and dance floor can play a huge role and can contribute even more than flowers and lighting.  But I would only suggest rental pieces that would be worth renting after carefully evaluating your overall budget.

Before you add any rental items to the invoice...
Scout out the venue carefully and see if you can find any unique decor pieces/furniture you can incorporate.  I know some venues are pretty strict with moving their furnishings but if you kindly ask the staff, you never know the kind of feedback you'll receive. hey, it doesn't hurt to at least ask!
Here are some examples to show you what I've done in the past that worked.. Of course, for free but with our labor of love! 
We turned La Venta Inn's custom made coffee hut into a dessert bar station. I knew this coffee hut had more potential than to display coffee cups!  I believe this was the first time they had seen their coffee hut turned into a dessert bar and the staff loved the way we set up everything. 

Photo Credit: Perpixel Photography

Polaroid Photobooth station at La Venta Inn
Since the bride wanted a relaxed, cozy atmosphere, I kindly asked if we can move one of the sofas and coffee table in the bridal room to the courtyard.  The guests loved the idea of taking pictures behind the beautiful water fountain as their backdrop.
 
Ceremony set up at the Viceroy
The venue itself had a modern, sophisticated decor so I really wanted to let the venue shine.  The flowers were kept to a minimum and we used three of their white high boys to put flowers on top.  We also took their outside lounge sofas inside the ballroom for guests to feel right at home.

Photo Credit: Hazelnut Photography

Candy Station at the Craven's Estate
Going along with this couple's book theme wedding (they met while studying together) the groom had purchased an old library catalog from his school. It catalog fit in perfectly in the Craven Estate's built in bookshelf and we filled the drawers with different colored jelly beans & candy.  Guests were also encouraged to write well wishes on "library cards" and place them in the drawers. Adding some flowers was a perfect touch, no? :)

Photo Credit: Heather Kincaid

Cake Table at the Heritage Museum
You would not believe where I found this white dresser from! Inside the women's restroom! Ha! I honestly didn't think they would allow our staff to move it but they said 'yes'! 

Cake Display at the DryBar
Again, we kindly asked if we can use their yellow side tables together

Escort Card display at the London, West Hollywood
As soon as I saw the gold trim mirror at the lobby, I knew this would be a perfect spot for the escort card table. Sparkles, floating candles and feather centerpiece? Yes, please!

OK. What if the venue isn't flexible or doesn't provide anything except the space? This is when you want to start looking into adding rental pieces that would make a statement...

Part 2 is coming up! Stay tuned! I'll be covering draping, lighting, linens and other rentals.

Some of my favorite fashion blogs

What? Is Esther blogging about fashion? If you have been following our blog for a while, you know I rarely talk anything related to everyday fashion or beauty tips. Today, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite fashion blogs I stalk. I seriously have a girl crush on these ladies and you'll see the reason why.
If you haven't heard of Wendy' lookbook yet, you're totally missing out! I'm sure you'll find her pairings very inspirational especially for this year's fall season. Please head over to her blog & her AMAZING youtube videos and you'll instantly be stalking her videos just like me! :)

Via Wendy's Lookbook

 Another awesome blog I follow is Jean from Extra Petite.  Her blog is more geared towards petite sized working women and I find her blog extremely helpful since she lists all the clothing/accessories/shoes that are on sale. Who would have thought this black cocktail dress she's wearing is from H&M?

via Extra Petite

 I also absolutely adore Kendi from Kendi Everyday. I love that her style posts are both relatable and affordable!

via Kendi Everyday

 If you're looking for perfect outfits for your e-session, why not browse through these blogs and get some inspirations before the shoot?  Any pregger fashion blogs I should be checking out? ;) Can't believe in a few weeks, I'll be starting my 3rd trimester!

Copy vs. Being Inspired

Telling myself that I was too busy to blog was a lie. I'll be honest, I was somewhat disappointed with the wedding blog world as a whole because people seem to just reap off other people's ideas. Worst thing is, when CREDIT is not given to the original designer or creator of the idea and the other person tries to pull off the idea as their own. There has been so much copying due to the fact that the blogging community is so open and readily accessible.  Although I completely understand that originality and creativity come from being inspired/stimulated by each others' works but I also believe that you need to do this on a conscious level.

What is the difference between being "inspired by" and straight out copying someone?

In my humble opinion, if one sees something they like and say "Wow, I'm going to try something similar to that and bring it to the next level", then it's "inspiration".
If they copy it and say "Look what I did" with no reference to the original source then that's copying.

To make my point clear, here's our veggie/fruit bar we created which was featured on Amy Atlas last year. Photo Credit: Serena Grace
Some months later, another planner copied our design and posted on her portfolio section. I said 'copied' because she did not reference back to my site and posted the pictures under her portfolio section.

I won't reveal this planner's site out of courtesy.

If you are a fellow industry professional reading this post, I only ask you to credit your sources and link back to the original site. I wrote a post on this topic a while ago if you'd like to read further.  I'm sure all the bloggers/photographers/designers would appreciate this courtesy. To those desiring to be in the wedding industry or just starting out.. CREDIT your "inspiration" posts or pictures that you get from other blogs!  That's just good blogging etiquette.  ;) Here's an awesome post about crediting photos written by Chelsea from Frolic! http://www.frolic-blog.com/frolic/2011/03/blog-talk-crediting-photos.html
I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this topic. Please do remember that my intention of writing this post is not to point fingers at anyone. After all, it really doesn't matter WHERE you got your inspirations from as long as your work proves quality and better content.

P.S I actually held off posting a lot of our clients' weddings but I will be back to blogging now that I'm taking a maternity leave.  No more once-a-month posting! I promise! ;)

Happy 5th year anniversary to us! (Out of Office)

Just a few updates before we head off to Korea tomorrow. Eeeek! We'll be there for two weeks to celebrate FIL's 60th birthday and I'll also be connecting with the Korean magazine {My Wedding} 's creative director & editors there for future projects. It's pretty exciting to venture out into Korea but I've always had a vision to do something bigger so hopefully this will lead to another great opportunity. Next week is also our 5th year wedding anniversary and we're off to Jeju Island, Korea to celebrate while Grant will be having a blast with grandparents in Seoul.   Personally so excited about this trip since I don't recall a last time we spent a weekend together.

We also found out the gender of baby #2 and as you can see in this picture, we're having another boy.....To be completely honest, I was pretty sad and emotional for a few days because I was secretly hoping for a girl this time around... Hopefully the third one will be a girl! ;)

The cutest cake & yummy macaroons were custom ordered through 'Merely Sweets' in Brea. It's a new (super cute) bakery that just opened and I'm already addicted to their macaroons!!! A must visit if you're in the area.

Last weekend, we successfully finished all our 2011 weddings and you have no idea how relieved and grateful I was. Here are some few shots I captured with my iPhone. We still have a handful of weddings we haven't blogged yet so I'll be sure to share with you once I return.

Seriously was in love with the girls' bouquets. ;)

I will have limited access to email so please email sally.mybridestory@gmail.com for immediate response. Otherwise, I will get back to you once I return.

Can't wait to devour all the food in Korea! Watch this intro video of Kimchi Chronicles if you haven't already. ;)

Irene and Thomas Tie The Knot!

Although the weather has been unpredictable lately (bring back the rain, please! :) I thought today's weather would be a perfect day to blog about Irene & Thomas's wedding. They had the most gorgeous weather with a beautiful oceanview backdrop at the Terranea Resort and Kim Le Photography did a phenomenal job capturing their day! Don't these images make you want to head out to PV right now for a nice hike? :)
Irene was a referral through Susie & Jay and Christine was the day-of coordinator for this event since I was at Santa Monica beach for Leslie & Wesley's wedding.  We had seven staff including myself covering two different locations that day and the feedbacks we received that night were incredible. Just love the feeling when our associates receive such high praise from our brides. Here's Irene's review about MBS & Christine on Project Wedding.
Without further ado, enjoy these fabulous images from Kim Le Photography.  

Gorgeous couple + gorgeous view!

I guess this is the reason why you should consider having a long veil! ;) 

 I'm SO in love with this shot of Irene!

Hope these images will make you want to visit Terranea this weekend and enjoy the awesome Pacific Ocean breeze! Thanks again, Irene and Thomas for choosing MBS and it was such a pleasure and honor to work with you on your special day.

Surprise! Baby #2 arriving in March!

That's right! We're expecting baby #2 in March and we couldn't be happier!! It was definitely unplanned but we're so thankful for God's perfect timing & His provisions for our family. I'm currently at 13-14 weeks and morning sickness was so bad this time around that I almost regretted getting pregnant. But these images are making up for all the nasty vomiting, nausea & headache for the past month and a half.  :)
Hope you enjoy these photos taken by our talented friend, Sam Lim. It was such a last minute decision to take family photos and soooo pleased with how they came out! Thanks Sam for gifting us with these precious images!!!

Yeap, Grant is extremely happy to be a big brother and he kisses my belly every morning! such a cutie!

My husband thinks I need to start contacting modeling agencies for Grant.. lol! I don't know how Sam was able to capture these shots on camera because Grant would NOT sit still! Sam had two other photographers to keep my son entertained and focused! :) 

I think he came out very much like me here ;P

And of course, my hubby has the most awkward smile whenever we're posing... :P I still love you so much, hun!

Leaving you with two of my favorite images.... xoxo, Esther 
Have a great weekend everyone!!