Wine Country Wedding Video from Reel Eyes

This wine country wedding from One Fine Day Events exudes sophistication and elegance. Their romantic ceremony site incorporated draping and greenery with the vineyard as the backdrop. After a rockin' al fresco cocktail hour the guests moved inside the barn, which looked glam and chic with a canopy of overhead lighting and a lot of gold accents. Check out all the stunning details in their wedding video from Reel Eyes. You can feel the emotion behind this stunner of a wedding that took place in the very place Alex and Marissa first fell in love. 

Lake Tahoe Wedding Vendors:
Planning & Design: One Fine Day Events | Photographer: Jon M Photography | Videographer: Reel Eyes Media | Dessert: Momofuko Milk Bar | Catering: Beth Sogard | Florist: Botanica Floral Design | Music: Tainted Love & Steve Moon Sound | Paper: Forever HeyDay, Heart Paper Soul, & Stylish Scribe | Rentals: Botanica Floral Design, One Fine Day Events, Celebrations & La Tavola | Venue: Amador Cellars | Hair & Makeup: Jill Briggs and Krystle Sheehan 

Lake Tahoe Wedding Inspiration | First Looks

We all look forward to it: the instant a bride and groom first see each other. We feel their love and their joy in knowing they are a mere aisle length away from "happily ever after." My eyes well up almost every time - it never gets old! However, many modern couples are choosing to break from tradition and share this moment before the wedding. The reason? To enjoy a few quiet minutes alone AND to get photos out of the way so that they can enjoy the entire celebration! You know you are going to want fabulous photos of your wedding day, so instead of trying to squeeze everything into 1 hour, take your time and do it before the wedding! Here are a few fab first looks!

Style Me Pretty

The Wedding Central

Katie Day Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

100 Layer Cake

Whether you stick with tradition or take a few minutes of time alone, there is no question of how special this moment is to any wedding.

Press & Events | Bohemian Photo Shoot Featured on The Wedding Chicks

Last Friday One Fine Day Events was featured on the super fabulous wedding blog, The Wedding Chicks, for a photo shoot we created at the West Shore Cafe! The whole ensemble was inspired by a stripy shower curtain! We were so excited to work with such a vibrant color palette and design this exotic Bohemian wedding shoot and work with Bellissima Floral, Matt Theilen, The West Shore Cafe, Celebrations! Party Rentals, and La Tavola Linen.

To see all the images and read about the details, click here!

Sonoma Wedding with Kate Harrison Photography

We had such a fabulous time helping Erin and Nick plan their absolutely stunning wedding a few weeks ago. I was super nervous about the weather not cooperating, as pretty much everything took place outdoors at the CornerStone Gardens in Sonoma. But, come the wedding day, everything fell into place. The sun came out, the wind died down, and the bride and groom were elated! The wonderful Kate Harrison captured every magical moment throughout the wedding day. Click on the image below to view a sneak peak of Erin and Nick's special day!

Lake Tahoe Wedding Inspiration | Ceremony Readings

Ceremony readings are a integral part of any wedding and whether you choose Bible passages, excerpts from a treasured poem or lyrics to a favorite song, the words you (or your readers) select will have a powerful impact on you and your guests. Whatever you decide, be sure the words are meaningful to both you and your groom and that they'll echo through the hearts of those who are sharing this day with you. Below are some of our favorite readings:

Poems/Prose:

Union by Robert Fulghum

Art of Marriage by Wilferd A. Peterson

Excerpts from 100 Love Sonnets by Pablo Neruda

Epithalamion by Richard Crashaw

The Two of You by Czeslaw Milosz

Spiritual/Religious:

Colossians 3:12-17

Romans 12:9-18

Apache Wedding Prayer

Traditional Chinese Oath of Friendship - Anonymous

Hindu Marriage Poem

Song Lyrics:

Come Rain or Shine, lyrics by Harold  Arlen and Johnny Mercer

Little Things Mean A Lot by Kitty Kallen

To Love is Not to Possess by  James Kavanaugh

And a personal favorite from Richard Bach

A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we're safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.

These passages and pieces of prose are a small sampling of readings. If nothing rings true to who you are, below are some online sources for additional options.

Wedding Readings

Elegant Galas

Sarah Ritchie Wedding Readings

Today's Weddings

Lake Tahoe Wedding Inspiration | Sweet Treats

Boy, have we come a long way since the days of multi-tier white weddings cakes draped with artificial flowers. Today's brides tend to favor designer cakes draped in fondant or covered in lacy, sugary flowers or tables and trays teeming with treats that beckon guests to indulge themselves. Whether your tastes lean more towards a traditional cake or a farm-table full of goodies, here are some ideas to inspire your sweet tooth.

Left: My Wedding, Middle: Jen Williams Photography via The Sweetest Occassion| Advantage Bridal, Right: Martha Stewart Weddings

First Row: Portraits by Lucinda & My Sweet Saucy both via Elizabeth Anne Designs Second Row: Flowertoss Photography via Snippet & Ink | 100 Layer Cake

Lake Tahoe Wedding Inspiration Board | A Pop of Color

We are just back from Sonoma, where we planned the most gorgeous wedding at the CornerStone Gardens! Everything about this wedding was perfect - the cute couple, vintage decorative accents, flowers, entertainment, and the venue! Plus, the sun was shining - we haven't seen much of the sun lately in Tahoe, so we were loving the UV rays kissing the vineyards! As we return to the office with a little sunburn and feeling very inspired by the flowers and greenery in Sonoma, we thought we'd inspire you with some color trends! Unexpected pops of color are one of the top wedding trends for 2011 and how easy yet impactful it is. Regardless of whether you prefer pinks or greens, blues or yellows, vivid flowers will quickly brighten up your bridesmaid's look and lively linens will be the perfect finishing touch for reception tables. We've pulled some ideas using our favorite hues to inspire you to add a little zest to your wedding palette.

Stella Alesi Photography | Martha Stewart Weddings | Meg Smith Photography via Wedding Cabaret

First Row: Jerry Yoon Photographers | Swayspace Second Row: Occasions Magazine | Perez Photography via The Knot | Snippet & Ink | Martha Stewart Weddings

Left : Beaux Arts via Snippet & Ink | Project Wedding | Jamie Hammond Photography via Amorology

Engagement Photos | Kate Harrison Photograpy

In a few weeks we have the absolute pleasure of planning Erin and Nick's wedding at the CornerStone Gardens in Sonoma! Words cannot explain how excited I am for this wedding. To start, the venue has 3 separate enticing locations for each celebration. The ceremony will take place in the gardens overlooking the vineyard; dinner will take place under a circular canvas tent; and dancing will take place in the barn with a killer band! Just think of the possibilities for decorating each site! It helps when you have a super creative, fun couple and a very talented photographer on board! Kate Harrison will be capturing the day - you can see a little peak of her work during their engagement photo session below! Stay tuned to see images of the real deal in a couple months!

Wedding Inspiration | Pink Beach Wedding

I recently created these inspiration boards for a client and just had to share them! During the design process I always get so excited about all of the pieces coming together. This wedding will take place on the beach at the Mourelatos Resort in Tahoe Vista. We have a fabulous large sandy beach as our canvas and the lake as our backdrop! The bride and groom have requested an elegant, slightly casual, romantic setting. The first inspiration board displays the floral inspiration, while the second displays the style and ambiance. In a few months, we will reveal the actual wedding pics!

Rue Magazine

I just discovered this new lifestyle magazine titled, Rue. Designed for interior designers, this mag features the finest designs for living rooms, kitchens, and the home. I often ask my clients to send me their tear sheets - pages from magazines that reflect a theme, color palette, or even accesories that reflect the look, style, ambiance, or color scheme they would like at their wedding. Sometimes it's easier to relate to magazines that don't dawn beautiful weddings, but instead beautiful home interiors. Whether it be a Pottery Barn living room or an Elle Decor kitchen, it is important to show your planner and designer what you love, hate, and most importantly the look you would like your wedding to reflect. Rue's simplistic layout, soft palette, and phenomenal designs, will provide oodles of inspiration!

Lake Tahoe Estate Wedding | Buttercups and Lovebirds

I love looking back at weddings from the recent summer. Kathryn and Christopher are the sweetest couple that just make you fall head over heels in love with love! They were married at the Fitzhaven Estate in August on a somewhat precarious day. The forecast predicted blue skies and high temperatures...we received dark looming clouds, wind, and a few rain drops. You just never know what to expect here in Tahoe, but nothing could damper these lovebird's special day!

The theme was a garden party with pops of bright yellows and navy blues. Blue and white checked linens covered the dinner tables, flower pots that are now planted in their garden were used for centerpieces, yellow and blue pashminas kept the ladies wamr, and yellow parasols were provided to protect the guests from sun... but actually protected them from a few rain drops!

Kathryn and Christopher didn't want a traditional wedding, so we played with the food, entertainment, and setup to provide various levels of excitement. Kathryn's brother offiiciated a profound, beautiful, and emotional service. After the service, guest's quickly wiped their eyes to start enjoying the festivities. Bocce ball, horse shoes, and a photo booth accompanied by various oversized props provided endless entertainment! Dinner was a huge priority for the bride and groom, so to remove the old theory that all wedding food is the same boring steak and fish, we worked with the catering company to serve something totally unique to weddings - A Groumet Burger Bar! A large chalkboard detailed the various options for this yummy meal. Guest's were ecstatic and commented on how perfectly the meal complimented the wedding and the couple's personalities.

After the bride and groom impressed us all with their perfectly choreogrpahed first dance, Chapin from We Ain't Saints kept everyone boogying on the dance floor all night long!

Vendors

Photography | Focus Photo Tahoe

Venue | Fitzhaven Estate

Music | We Ain't Saints

Photo Booth | Reno Photo Booth

Bouquet | Green with Envy | 530.587.7488

Rentals | EventMasters

Bridesmaid dresses...that they'll wear again!

It is time to banish the dreaded "bridesmaid dress" in favor of something that can be worn for more than just one day!  While it is becoming common knowledge that some mainstream retailers such as Jcrew, Anthropologie, and White House Black Market have great options, if not dedicated wedding lines, we'd like to introduce you to a few other stores that provide great alternatives.

Piperlime-

The little sister of Banana Republic, Piperlime offers a collection that ranges from flirty and fun to sophisticated, with styles from familiar labels.

Zara & Mango-

These European imports, Zara and Mango, carry trendy styles that allow you to mix different dresses from within the same collection for a not too matchy look.

Thread & Lela Rose-

While these are indeed bridesmaid dresses, both Thread and Lela Rose offer an amazing level of personalization that will satisfy a variety of styles!

Infinity Dress-

Last but not least, the dress that can be fit to flatter every body-type without the help of a seamstress! Available everywhere from Target to Saks, the infinity dress allows you to have a consistent look while keeping all your bridesmaids happy.

How to Pack for Your Destination Wedding Or Honeymoon!

A few weeks ago, I created this 'how to' post for my Tahoe Unveiled viewers. It was such a big hit, that I thought my One Fine Day viewers would like it to!

Packing a suitcase for any occasion is always a challenge. But, Martha Stewart featured a fabulous article in her destination magazine that I just have to share with all you honeymooners - how to pack efficiently!

Layer One -  Shoes, Jeans, & Jackets

Line the bottom with shoes and tech gear in bags. Fill the center with rolled-up jeans and jacket. Martha stores all of her shoes in felt bags - this could be a great favor idea ladies!

Layer Two - Dresses

Lay dresses and pants lengthwise on top of the first layer, letting the ends hang over the sides of the luggage.

Layer Three - Shirts & Sweaters

Roll shirts and sweaters. Place them on top of the second layer. Cover them with the ends of the dresses and pants from the layer underneath.

Layer Four - Delicates & Toiletries

Fold delicates. Place toiletries and lingerie into separate bags. Set it all on top. Flight 001 "F1 Spacepak Lingerie" bag

One Fine Day Featured on Catherine Hall’s Blog

One Fine Day is featured on Catherine Hall Studios' blog about the issue many brides and grooms have about inviting kids. You can view the post below or go to Catherine's new site:

Kids or no Kids: A Wedding Conundrum

Event planner Stephanie Anderson of One Fine Day and the brand-new wedding site, Tahoe Unveiled, authored a guest post for my blog. Stephanie is a talented professional with a gift for producing off-the-charts events. Today, she addresses a couple's inevitiable wedding conundrum.

Inviting kids to a wedding? A few of my brides have inquired about the difficulties of guests with kids. Although kids are lovely and can be very endearing, you may not want to hear crying and screaming on your wedding day. In addition, it can be pretty tricky to invite your friends and not their kids, especially if travel is involved. To avoid the hassle, the arguments, and any hard feelings, try one of these ideas:

1. Hire a babysitter. Inform your guests that a babysitter will take care of your kids throughout the ceremony and reception. For your slightly paranoid parents, you may want to hire someone with First Aid certification or from an agency. Ask your venue if they have a spare room you can use as the kid's room.

2. Kiddie Corner. Designate one or two tables at the reception to kids only. Garnish the table with GI Joes, coloring books, Pretty Pretty Princess, and Hungry Hippo (clearly my childhood favorites). If you are worried about the kids wandering off, hire a babysitter to sit at the table with them.

3. Hire a magician! Kids are easily distracted, so if games won’t cut it, then hire a clown or a magician to keep them entertained and away from your lime light!

Thank you Catherine for featuring One Fine Day on your blog!

To view Catherine Hall's new website or to learn more about One Fine Day, click on the following: www.catherinehall.net www.onefinedayevents.com

How Important is an Engagement Session?

Not too long ago, I met with Tourine Johnstone of Johnstone Studios to discuss the meaning, purpose, and importance of engagement photo shoots. The final interview was posted on Tahoe Unveiled's blog. Here's a little teaser, to read the entire interview, click here.

What is an engagement session?

An engagement session is an opportunity to receive an informal series of professional images of you two as a couple. The goal being to capture you as a couple: having fun, being yourselves, and capturing a moment in time as you are starting your venture as a new family. It's a relaxed practice run that provides you the experience of being in front of the lens and having professional photos taken.

How is an engagement session beneficial? This is a prime opportunity to critique and assess what you love and don't love about yourself in photos, while anticipating what will come on the wedding day. Working with your photographer ahead of time undoubtedly provides you with confidence in their abilities,professional direction, and an intimate look at yourself through the eye of a photographer.

Part of the beauty of engagement sessions is that they are candid, real time, non- studio events focused on evoking emotion and capturing you in a beautiful setting with flattering light....read more.

Unique Wedding Favors

A little Tahoe Unveiled advice & inspiration for you today - unique wedding favors!

From wearable to edible, these unique wedding favors are some of the fun useful ways to thank your wedding guests!

For a destination wedding:

Help your guests out by providing favors that they may have forgotten such as, flip flops for a beach wedding, shawls for a chilly mountain setting or, hats for a where it is nice and sunny. Another fun idea is to create visitors packages using a cute container like these little red suitcases. Fill them with locally made treats and visitors information or even a candle with a scent that will remind them of the wedding's local.

clockwise: jones sodas - mast brothers chocolate - suitcase gift boxes - flip-flops personalized beer - posh pocket puzzle books - shawls

For a personal touch:

If you want to add a personal touch to your gifts, consider creating your own beer, wine, matchbooks or sodas with your photos as labels. You could even give a classy key shaped bottle opener. Some other favors that can be personalized to your wedding motif include soaps, cookie cutters, or even posh puzzle books that come in a variety of styles.

clockwise: pear cookie cutters - key bottle opener - vintage hats - matchboxes - xo soaps B.R. Cohn olive oil - tatine candle

Style Me Pretty at its Finest!

Ahhh such an exciting day. As I was doing my daily blog perusing, I came across Style Me Pretty's latest and greatest accomplishment - their digital magazine compiling their favorites of all favorite weddings. It is gorgeous, uber chic, and soooo inspiring! To top it off, they feature a 'buyer's guide' for each wedding. So not only can you ooh and ahh over all of the thoughtful accesories, but now you can find out where they all come from! Thanks SMP!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011 Everyone! After a very successful 2010 we decided it was only proper to invite a mascot onto the One Fine Day team! Meet Tessa, our cuddly Bernese Mountain Dog! She is making lots of new friends in our office building and can't wait to meet all of our 2011 brides and grooms!

2010 was filled with many achievements and much excitement. I can't believe the year is already over, but as we look back it sure was a good one! In a nut shell the highlights include: being interviewed on the local news segment of the Today Show, featured on Utterly Engaged's Magazine, producing and coordinating Tahoe Unveiled, and of course planning oodles of  beautiful weddings for our lovely clients.

We are looking forward to planning, designing, and producing many more exciting events this year. Thank you to everyone we worked with, we are so fortunate to have such wonderful clients and vendors!

Lakefront Wedding | Playful Paradise

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone. We will be closing our office for the rest of the year and will reopen on January 2nd with lots of exciting new and savvy wedding content! To end the year on a nice note, we have this uber gorgeous wedding from the one and only, Catherine Hall Studios!

The ceremony took place on the private beach. Crux Events & Party Rents built custom wooden benches designed to reflect the shape of a tree trunk on its side. White cushions and gold ribbons adorned the benches to add a little comfort with style!

Angela and Jeremy spend a chunk of their summers traveling to Tahoe with their dog Murphy. So, they felt it only appropriate to celebrate their wedding on the shores of Tahoe. After viewing a few estates, we decided on the perfect private lakefront. Several decks, a small lawn, and a private beach provided the perfect grounds for their circus themed wedding. Angela and Jeremy really didn't want a routine and traditional wedding. They felt it had been done far too many times and it was time to shake it up a bit and provide more than just dinner and dancing. Instead, we offered guests an interactive photo booth, ping-pong, horse shoes, bocce ball, corn hole, dancing, drinks, and soooo much food! From ice cream cones to pancakes, the guests were wined and dined to perfection!

We worked closely with Bellissima Floral to create a design that reflected the modern couple, while complimenting the 100 year old estate. Lanterns in different shapes and sizes hung from the grappling tree branches, lounge furniture provided comfortable seating throughout the venue, and oodles of unexpected elements added to the creative and playful theme.

Vendors

Photography | Catherine Hall Studios

Florist | Bellissima Floral

Music | We Ain't Saints

Linens | La Tavola Fine Linens

Rental Furniture | Crux Events & Party Rents

Transportation | North Tahoe Executive Shuttle

Catering | Blue Onion Catering