|
Now that you're married, how do you decide who to celebrate the holidays with? How do you navigate these new dynamics? Are you planning on hosting yourselves? Here are our tips to make it a smooth holiday season as newlyweds! Put people in charge of specific tasks and/or food to bring. This is a wonderful way to segue from having a holiday meal at the parent’s house (for example) by recognizing the importance of what people have provided in the past. Try not to take on everything yourself so that the event is enjoyable and not too stressful. Plan well in advance! Send a digital evite at least 2 months in advance. Be sure to have discussed with the past hosts if they are comfortable moving the event to your home. Put a start and end time on the evite. Consider hiring your wedding planner to assist with the event. Although it feels like something that you can do on your own, having an outside person (and one who already knows you and your family!) can be helpful with timing, sourcing vendors, and being behind the scenes to problem-solve. Think about a fun new tradition to start, or continue with a past family tradition. It could be a game, wearing matching shirts, making a food item together, or an activity. Consider having someone clean your home the day before. This will alleviate stress when last-minute items pop up, give you more time to focus on details, and also help you feel completely ready. We hope these tips help start you in the right direction :) Need more help than this and want to hire a planner for your next family gathering? Contact us for a custom quote! Vendor List
Photography: @nickgrahamphoto Venue: @windmillvineyards ⠀ Planning, Coordination, Florals: @tanweddingsandevents ⠀ Paperie, Design & Signage: @maedellstudios ⠀ Interior Design, S'mores & Signage: @emilymurpheydesigns ⠀ Catering: @rusticovenpizza & @geschesgourmet ⠀ Rentals: @cprandtents @blossomfarmvintagerentals Music: @manzanita_music⠀ Flower Source: @farmerhands ⠀ Desserts: @zestfreshpastrywest ⠀ S’mores: @maedellstudios ⠀ Wines: @matchbookwines @mathiasson_wine @berryessagapvineyards⠀  Kaitlin and Axel came to us with a very specific vision, "think whimsical Alice in Wonderland." As we learned more and more about their vision, we were more and more excited by it! With wedding planning, we see couples from all ranges, some who have no idea what they want to do, and some with every detail pre-imagined. Both are fun for different reasons! The Love Story & Details Kaitlin and Axel's love story started 4 years ago, "All because two people swiped right" on Bumble and they've been inseparable ever since! Axel decided to pop the question while snowboarding on Valentine's day! Hopefully, they made it down the slopes first ;) Their priorities for their wedding day was to make "their vision [come to life] and the overall feel of the wedding day." Good vibes only! And together, we created exactly that! The couple loved "how multifaceted" their day was and we have to agree there were so many fun elements built into Kaitlin + Axel's wedding (which you'll see below!) Real Couple Wedding Advice Kaitlin + Axel will leave you with this tip as you embark on your wedding planning journey - "Try not to get too stressed (easier said than done) - especially if you have TAN on your team, the day will come no matter what and it really will all be ok and wonderful in the end!" We've got your back! Ready to take the leap and start planning with us? Contact us today for your very own custom quote :)  
 Vendor List
Photography: Jeff Hall Photos Planning & Coordination: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: The Maples Caterer: Gesche’s Gourmet Dessert: Hannibals Catering Coffee Bar: Bar 9ine Rentals: Frances Lane, Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals, Celebrations Event Rentals Linens: Celebrations Event Rentals Florals: Picture Perfect Petals DJ & Photo Booth: SJs Disc Jockey Signage & Paperie: Shimmer & Stain Video: Tilted Media Live Musicians: Harpist Aysha Gomez-Kureishi HMUA: MM Beauty Dress: Lillian West by Justin Alexander from Miosa Bridal Suit: Generation Tux Elopements have always been around, but their popularity grew in 2020 when people were forced to limit the size of their events. Turns out, having a small and intimate gathering is actually so nice and so stress-free! The number of guests present at your wedding does not change how special and important the day is, it does not change how fun it can be, it does not change how memorable and magical it is. Not only that, but it can be far more affordable, easier to plan, and will always be a day to remember! Have we convinced you yet? Check out our quick list of favorite elopement venues in Northern California! Whetstone Winery Both rustic and elegant in nature, Whetstone Winery checks all of the boxes. Amazing wine, upscale setting, wine country charm. No need to look any further! Grand Reserve Inn Whetstone features stunning stonework architecture and also has amazing vineyards for the prettiest ceremony set up and photo opportunities afterward! Harvest Inn If you're looking for the classic wine country feel with vineyards and a place to stay on site, this is the elopement venue for you! Beringer Vineyards Featuring a mansion and redwoods all in one! This venue is unlike any other and creates the perfect setting for a fairytale elopement. We are also running a promo for our elopement package! You can receive $500 off for an elopement booked and held within 2023 :) Contact us today for more details! Discount can be applied to other venues, not just the ones listed above! 
         Vendor List
Photography | Jennifer Clapp Photography Planning, Design, Coordination, Officiant, Musician | Tan Weddings & Events Venue, Catering, Bar & Accommodations |Harvest Inn Floral & Design | The Pollen Mill Videography | Phillip Alan Film Linens | La Tavola Fine Linens Dessert & Design | Batter Up Cakery Rentals & Design | Tin Roof Farmhouse DJ & Lighting | DeBorba Events Hair & Makeup | Skyla Arts Carriage & Horse | Grand Carriages Who here loves public speaking?!.....No one? You sure? So you've been asked to give a speech at your close friend or family member's wedding, but where do you even start when it comes to delivering the perfect message? We're here to help with our tips to make your wedding toast one of the best yet! Keep it short! We like to recommend 2 minutes maximum per toast, especially if there are more than 2 people toasting at an event. You can say plenty in 2 minutes and you'll keep the audience's attention much more easily! This helps keep the flow of the event on time, including food, beverage, music, cake and dancing. Practice the toast and time it in advance. Remember, short & sweet not long and drawn out! Remember that not everyone present might know both of the couple very well, so this is an opportunity to tell everyone how you know them. Make no assumptions about the guests. Put yourselves in the shoes of the couple and also of the guests when writing your toast. Take the opportunity to preface who you are, your relationship with the couple, or little fun facts/back story bits about the couple! Context can add so much to a great toast. Keep it light-hearted, positive, and personal. Refrain from sharing anything controversial, embarrassing for the couple, negative or shocking. Some people aim for humor, some aim for heartfelt, whichever your direction - make sure it's worthy of being said and likely recorded and remembered forever. Consider writing the words out in advance and running them by the couple so that they know what to expect if you're unsure about something! Want to hear more tips on the aspects of wedding planning people often overlook? Contact us today for your very own custom quote! Vendor List
Photography: Radostina Boseva Photography Planning & Coordination: Tan Wedding & Events Venue, Catering & Accommodations: Park Winters Florals: Fig & Vine Rentals: Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals & Theoni Collection Lighting: Larcom's Lighting Linens: BBJ Linen Cake: Let Them Eat Cake Dessert: Sweet Tooth Ice Cream Cart DJ: Heart of Gold DJs HMUA: Hera Makeup Studio Video: Rippetoe Studios Live Music: Innocenti Strings Photo Booth: Pixel Photo Booth Photo Booth Backdrop: SacBooth Signage & Paperie: Shimmer & Stain Officiant: Michelle Lee  Having a wedding is one of the most variable costs you'll probably ever encounter in your lifetime. Everything has a range and everything has an affordable versus an over the top option. The wedding and event industry has become exponentially more expensive as the years have gone on due to a variety of reasons, but here are some things we recommend considering when thinking about and planning your wedding budget! Talk to all parties to see who (and how much) everyone will be contributing. If you are fortunate enough to have financial help with your wedding, be sure to have those clear conversations about what exactly "help" entails! No one wants to step on toes during the wedding planning process, so the earlier you have an understanding of this, the better :) Make sure to know if any contributing party has strong opinions about any vendors hired. As a follow up note, if this financial help is coming from parents or close family, it might be worth also discussing if they have any strong opinions regarding aspects of the wedding. Yes! This is YOUR day! But it could be wise to know others' opinions while considering options if that's the make or break decision factor! Use our TWE Budget Calculator to allocate and estimate how much to spend in each category. Just plug in your estimated budget and see how the numbers play out! This tool is purely an estimate and based on the current market of various vendors. There will be variance in every category though and that's important to remember when signing contracts and hiring a vendor team. If you over spend in a category, be sure to look at other categories to see where you can scale back. Let's say you have your heart set on a photographer who is far outside of the budget the TWE Budget Calculator is producing. This is your sign to start considering areas to cut back if you are locked in on hiring that dream photographer! Ask your planner on ways to cut costs in other areas to make everything work together seamlessly, but always be prepared to give and take throughout the wedding planning process! Once you've decided on something, stop looking! There will always be something more luxurious, more grand, more detailed if you keep looking so enjoy what you've chosen and move on to the next item. There are countless (and we mean countless!!) options when it comes to almost all things wedding related. Once you've decided on a vendor, a dress, a color palette, a flower, whatever it may be - STOP LOOKING! Get off Pinterest, get off Instagram, wedding Tiktok, because sometimes, less options is more and we want you to remain confident and settled with your decisions and know they are the right ones for YOU :) Ready for more tips from TWE? Contact us today to see how we can fit into your wedding budget!       Vendor List
Photography: Ryan Greenleaf Photography Planning, Design, Production & Officiant: Tan Weddings & Events Venue & Catering: Park Winters Florals: Flourish HMUA: Veronica Marshall Cake: Palette Cakes Dessert: Conscious Creamery Rentals: Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals Linens: BBJ Linens DJ: Function 45 Entertainment Video: Taylor Petrinovich Signage & Papery: Nikisha King Design House Live Music: Ovation Strings Live Painter: Talia Koval Transportation: MGM Limo Services Getaway Car: 1-Way Tesla  Laurel and Grant's wedding was one of a kind! After four years of dating, the pair came to us with a vision of "Mediterranean Garden Party" and their day delivered exactly that! Enjoy reading about the special details :) A Love Story to Remember Laurel and Grant met through mutual friends at Lowbrau in Midtown, "we started talking at the bar and basically never stopped hanging out. Our anniversary is the day we met!" C'mon, how special is that! After getting to know each other, spending countless hours and dates together, and going through the relationship milestones, Grant proposed! He proposed, "in Pt. Reyes, on Limantour Beach in late October of 2022. We had gone there together for one of our first dates and it's a really special place for us! Grant had planned a beautiful weekend getaway, we stayed at the cutest airbnb looking out over the water, and he packed a special picnic lunch for us for the beach that day. We had a great day on the beach and he proposed while we were sitting together looking out at the water. It was really special and we had so much fun being together and calling all of our family and friends to share the news! We made homemade pizza that night and it was such a special day." Their Big Day We asked how would the couple describe their wedding day to which they responded, "we would describe it as relaxed elegant if that makes sense! We wanted it to feel fancy and elevated but super relaxed and calm - we were inspired by the idea of Italian summer garden parties, or the mental image of being at a party where everyone is dressed up and looks fabulous but can also kick their shoes off in the grass." Of course we had to ask what was their favorite moment in the day? They will forever remember "The ceremony and the dinner! The ceremony was really special. We had Grant's great-uncle Karl as our officiant and he put so much work and preparation into making it really special and meaningful to us. Why TWE? We always love to find out why couples choose TWE! "We had met the Tans before when they coordinated weddings for two of my cousins, and their team was highly recommended! We had a relatively short engagement (8 months), and we knew that we wanted to have TWE on board to help bring everything to life in that timeframe. We also knew that we would need some pros on board because we got married at my parents' house, and it was important to us that we have professionals to guide that process of having a wedding at a private home." Real Couple's Wedding Advice Hire a wedding coordinator early (we talked to the Tans the week we got engaged!), be specific and clear about your vision in as much as detail as you can at the beginning of the process (ex: how do you want people to feel at your wedding? What mental image do you have for the lighting, for the colors, for the music?), and - this is the biggest one - give yourselves limits with options! The last one is big and I think it contributed to a really straightforward process for us - we only every chose between 2 options for everything (two catering options, 2 floral options, etc,.). There are so many options out there and it can be easy to go down a rabbit hole on every little decision - highly recommend going binary! Ready to start your planning journey with us? Inquire with us today! 
 Vendor List
Photography: Nicole Nordstrom Film & Photography Planning, Coordination & Paperie: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: Private Estate Caterer, Cake & Dessert: Urban Organics Rentals: Standard Event Rentals Linens: BBJ La Tavola & Standard Event Rentals Florals: Mignon Floral Co. DJ: DeBorba Events Hair: Amanda Walker Makeup: Christi Reynolds Beauty Officiant: Karl Laird Dress: Lena Medoyeff from Marina Morrison  We know that your furry friends are an extension of your family and you probably cherish them to the utmost degree where you may even want them at your wedding! We highly recommend really thinking about this as it's a lot more complicated than it seems and can be stressful on your fur baby. If you feel this is something you absolutely have to do, we recommend considering the following tips! For the photos. If it's for the photo moment, consider opting to have your pets make an appearance during your engagement shoot instead or have them come ahead of the ceremony and be a part of your first look or pre ceremony pictures! This way they can be part of the moment, but not be overwhelmed with the crowds of your adoring guests! Pet Portraits. Honor your pet in a different way like incorporating their portraits on your cocktail napkins or name signature cocktails after them! They make the cutest keepsakes! Pet Concierge. Have a friend that is not in your wedding party be in charge of your pet (or even better, hire a company like Dog of Honor Events!) Have this designated person get your pet early and run out their energy ahead of time. Also, plan to bring them to the venue early to get acquainted with their surroundings. Remember to be sure to have treats, a leash and waste bags!! Short and Sweet. Make sure this designated person can leave immediately after the ceremony to take your pet home to get them settled so you can enjoy the rest of the evening knowing they are safe! Ready to take the leap and pick more of our brains through the wedding planning process? Contact us today for your customized quote!      Vendor List
Top 3 Photos: Photography: Liz Zimbelman Photography Planning, Production & Officiant: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: The Maples Catering: Farm to Table Catering Florals: Fig & Vine DJ: Function 45 Entertainment Cake: Freeport Bakery Rentals: Celebrations Event Rentals & Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals HMUA: Veronica Marshall Beauty Transportation: MGM Limo Services Photobooth: Giggle & Riot Wedding Dog Chaperone: Dog of Honor Events Suit: Men's Wearhouse Dress: Christina Wu Gown from Miosa Bridal Bottom 3 Photos: Photo & Video: Essence Photography Planning, Design & Coordination: Tan Weddings & Events Florals: The Pollen Mill DJ: Boutique DJs HMUA: Bella Bridal Napa Valley Venue, Cake, Catering & Accommodations: Fairmont Sonoma Musicians: Ivy Hill Entertainment Rentals, Lighting & Draping: Standard Party Rentals Linens: BBJ La Tavola Officiant: Tom Reardon  Arbonne is all about clean, conscious, and connected nutrition, wellness practices, and products. We love supporting Arbonne as we truly believe your healthiest and most fulfilling life starts from within. Arbonne has a variety of products whether you're on a new wellness journey, prepping for your wedding or another special event, or want to just increase your overall health. One of our favorite things about this company is Arbonne Flourish - they are a non-profit foundation that are committed to building resilience and healthy habits and mindsets in our youth today! Every product purchased, a portion of proceeds goes towards this foundation. In addition to Arbonne Flourish, we also donate to Vow for Girls. We strive to support these organizations as they work to end child marriage and flourish self-esteem and confidence in teenagers. We are truly passionate about making a difference with our next generation! Visit our partner shop with Arbonne via the button below to purchase your first product on your road to wellness while also benefitting organizations like the above! We recommend the 30 Day Healthy Living as a great start to cover the majority of your bases while also experiencing a wide array of what Arbonne is able to do for you. Contact us with any questions or how we can help you choose a collection of products right for you!       Hansha and Jardin's elegant wedding at Silverado Resort is one to remember. The two who have been together over 5 years met through a mutual friend over 15 years ago! You'll never know when you will meet the love of your life after all. The two chose Silverado as a venue because they "loved the location and it felt 'us.' It was beautiful, both modern and classic." Hansha and Jardin had a strong priority of "maintaining our authenticity" through the wedding planning process and their love for each other and their guests rang true through every aspect of their big day. The couple always had their guests at the forefront of their decisions and their favorite part of their day was "seeing all our family and friends around us!" When asked what was something that surprised them about the wedding planning process? The couple said, "certain pivotal decisions matter...it's hard to figure out what's important sometimes and that's why a good planner can help with identifying key decisions that will help you create your perfect wedding day!" They chose TWE to be part of the process because we "came across as being professional yet friendly and approachable." We were absolutely honored to help guide Hansha and Jardin through the pivotal decision making process that we call wedding planning :) Their tip to other couples in the wedding planning process is to "choose a planner wisely - this is the one that that can make or break your day. Also, on the wedding day, have another person be your go to for everything. For instance, that person should know where you've stowed your shoes, jewelry, everything. The day goes by really quickly so have someone around who you can turn to in a moment's notice." Ready to start your wedding planning journey with us? Contact us today to find out how we can make your dream day become a reality! 
 Vendor List
Photography: Nicole Sepulveda Photography Planning, Design & Production: Tan Weddings & Events Ceremony: St. Thomas Aquinas RCC Venue, Catering, and Bar: Silverado Resort Florals: Flourish Cake: Sweetie Pies Rentals: Bright Event Rentals DJ: Extreme Pro DJs Singer: Mary Eggers Organist: Gregory Whitfield Video: Jensen Films HMUA: Veronica Marshall Transportation: Napa Valley Wine Country Tours Getaway Car: One Way Tesla Suit: Indochino Dress: Allure  Do you feel wedding favors are trending or a forever classic detail? Where on a scale of "could go without" to "absolutely must have" do wedding favors fall? We personally think they lean more towards the "could go without" side and are a simple way to save some funds, but if you're on the "must have" side - we have some tips for you to consider! Buy less than you need. Wedding favors are often one of the biggest financial wastes at a wedding, half the time guests either forget to pick one up, decline to bring one home all together, or lose their item before the evening is even over! Our suggestion is to buy enough for about 50-60% of your guest count and offer them all from a single table conveniently placed towards the exit most guests will be using on their way out. Unless you love the idea of having hundreds of left over chocolates or trinkets (it might not be such a bad thing depending on the item :)) Make them something edible. Food is almost always a hit, guests love something sweet to chew on after a long night of dancing, or something to spice up their next dish like a mini hot sauce or olive oil. These are also typically one of the easiest types of favors to repurpose if you end up with extras left over. Make them something useful. If you're not on board with the food idea, make the item useful across the majority. If your crowd loves wine, wine keys are the perfect trinket. If your crowd are big readers, personalized bookmarks might be the way to go. If your crowd are big gardeners, how about some floral or herb seed packets? The list is endless, but with these types of favors we definitely recommend following our 50-60% rule above. Make them something non customized permanently. We know it's tempting to put "Sally & John 01.01.2024" on your wedding favors, but just don't do it. Your guests are there to celebrate you and adore you, but we promise no one wants to have a million key chains, cups. engraved mugs, or whatever else you could put your names on as part of their personal collection of things to hang on to! The one exception is if the item is disposable such custom candy wrappers, paper boxes, etc. Instead of favors, invest in welcome baskets or wedding party gifts. We're big fans of this idea. Your immediate family and friends are typically more involved in your wedding, are physically part of your wedding, or have invested more to be supportive of your wedding. Why not return the favor by instead of wasting money on favors half of your guests won't need or take home, you invest the funds back into those right beside you? Customized wedding party gifts have so much room for creativity and are always adored by your wedding parties. Or if you have a room block where the majority of family is staying, consider welcome baskets of goodies thanking them for their efforts in traveling for your celebration! These items are almost always far more used and cherished and are overall better money spent. If welcome baskets or custom gifts are too daunting, consider putting the money towards an "activity" vendor like a photo booth! These are always hits at weddings and still give your guests something to walkaway with at the end of the night to remember your wedding by :) Ready to book and learn more from our professional expertise? Fill out our inquiry form today to book your initial Discovery call :)  
  Vendor List
Top Photo: Photography: Scott & Dana Photographers Planning, Design, Production & Officiant: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: Sonoma Golf Club Catering & Accommodations: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Florals: Vanda Floral Rentals: Bright Event Rentals Signage & Papery: Shimmer & Stain Second Photo: Photography: Scott & Dana Photographers Planning, Design & Production: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: Sonoma Golf Club Catering, Bar, Accommodations: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Signage & Paperie: Shimmer & Stain Third Photo: Photography: Nicole Sepulveda Photography Planning, Design, Production & Officiant: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: Sonoma Golf Club Photo Booth: Giggle & Riot Fourth Row: Photography: Kate Kennedy Photo Planning, Design & Production: Tan Weddings & Events Venue, Catering & Accommodations: Carneros Resort & Spa Florals: Strelitzia Flower Co. Fifth & Sixth Photo: Photography: Nicole Sepulveda Photography Planning, Design & Production: Tan Weddings & Events Venue: BR Cohn Catering & Accommodations: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Rentals: Theoni Collection, Bright Event Rentals Linens: BBJ Linen Signage & Paperie: Shimmer & Stain |
Our 2023 Preferred Vendor list is in - check out these awesome creatives!
Click to view our most recent publication on Style Me Pretty!
Click the image to order the consultation kit.
Join the HoneyBook community of wedding creatives and build your business savvy!
You won't believe this fairytale wedding was planned in just 2 weeks! Click the image to see our feature in Style Me Pretty.
 We are proud supporters of VOW for Girls. Vow's vision is a world where no child is ever a bride.
Visit this link to rest assured your wedding will be insured! Stay protected from the unplanned circumstances.
In need of wine or beverages for your wedding? Does your caterer or venue not provide? Check out One Hope Wine for some of the best quality wines for an amazing price point! Click the image to visit our direct shop link!
Robly makes email marketing easy! Visit the link above to check out a free trial to take your business tactics to the next level.
If you are looking for hi-end custom gifting for your wedding welcome gifts for all your out of towners, Bestowe Gifting is your answer for getting hi-quality, localized, and personalized gifts designed and delivered for your wedding or event. We specialize in Northern California weddings, but can localized to any area and any couple for one-of-a-kind experiences. Miniumum of 25 gifts per person.
When you have a suit that complements your shape and accentuates your best features, people take notice. We combine your measurements with our algorithm to create perfectly fitting suits that make you look and feel incredible.
Click the link via the logo to receive $25 your order!
Click the above logo for an exclusive look into what Arbonne has to offer for all of your pampering & nutritional needs!
Check out Reggie + Kai's Wedding on Real Weddings Blog! This lovely couple's day was truly "out of this world!"
Check out Ally & Zach's wedding published on the WeddingChicks blog. Click the photo above to read all about it!
Join us in fundraising for Flourish with Arbonne to support ending child marriage and support self-esteem and confidence in teenagers! We always donate to them when we place orders for our clients and clients can do the same when they place orders with us. Click the link to start your order today!
|
RSS Feed
