The Anti-Guest Book

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

No, we don’t mean “anti” as in we’re against guest books. Not at all. We just think that the traditional “sign your name in this book, that will sit on our bookshelf to collect dust” is a bit stale. But we still love the idea of your guests leaving you a few words of love or maybe even some marriage advice, during your wedding. We’re seeing some super creative and fun ways to do this and just had to share.

These coasters are super cute! Plus, they can be an extension of your day-of wedding paper goods, carrying the overall look from your save the dates, invitations, programs, etc.

Instead of just writing their name in a random book, why not ask your guests to write their birthdays on a calendar? What a cool and useful idea!

And what about at the wedding? How do you display all those love notes? Add them to your wedding scrapbook by creating small individual envelopes for each note.

We love the idea of adding some fun to your wedding via your guests’ notes. This fun Mad Lib is such a clever idea and will keep your guests entertained during cocktail hour!

For more ideas outside the box (er, book), how about having your guests write mini notes on wooden puzzle pieces?

Keep the games going by using a Jenga pieces for a place guests can leave you and your now hubby little notes. You’ll enjoy playing these games for years to come and will love to reminisce about your wedding day.

These thumb-print trees are becoming popular, especially for earthy and more rustic weddings. What a sweet reminder of your special day that can be hang in your home.

You can always keep it simple and sweet and incorporate your guests’ notes into your wedding decor. Here are more of our favorites…

We love the simple ideas above, but go crazy for unique “anti-guestbook” ideas, like what Bay Area photographer Meg Perotti did at her November wedding. They had guests decorate glass ornaments, including little love notes, and then hung them on their first Christmas tree the next month. Love!!

Check out more unique “guestbook” ideas on our Pinterest…and if you like what you see, please do follow us 🙂

Gilt City San Francisco

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

We’re so excited to share this amazing offer with all of you newly engaged couples! Stacy McCain Event Planning has teamed up with Hotel Vitale and Gilt City to bring one lucky couple a luxurious wedding weekend. Imagine a rooftop ceremony over looking The Ferry Building and exclusive buyout of Americano Restaurant. We’ve wrapped-up all the must-haves when planning an urban wedding into one service. Pop over to Gilt City to learn more.

image credits: ashley garmon / bay area wedding venues

not just for bouquets

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

We recently talked about some of the lovely wedding trends for 2012, but one other trend that we’re loving is florals. We’re not talking about bouquets or centerpieces, though we adore a stunning arrangement. We’re talking about floral details used throughout the wedding, and we don’t mean those old-fashioned, tacky florals, but modern, elegant, and even whimsical, but still tasteful and lovely.

We’re loving the modern floral details we’re seeing on stunning wedding gowns.

We think the flower details on these cakes make them look even more delicious. We’ve been seeing a lot of pretty natural flowers placed on cakes, but also love what some bakers are doing with fondant and other materials (trust us, these are NOT the tacky grocery store-bought sugary roses you might be thinking of).

If you want to keep the florals minimal, surprise everyone with an amazing floral detail on your shoes.

Another subtle but gorgeous touch is to include florals in small details like your ring bearer pillow.

You can always include some florals in your invitations, especially for a spring wedding. (Check back soon for our series on invitations, save the dates, and more.)

Or go big, with these whimsical yet ever-so-elegant details.

Or how amazing are these floral spheres? They can be hung either from your ceremony chairs or floated in a pool for a pop of unexpected color.

However you do it, one thing’s for sure. Flowers aren’t just for bouquets anymore. And your only option isn’t those generic, sugary roses.

amanda + brett tie the knot: Durham Ranch Style

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Amanda and Brett searched up and down Sonoma and Napa Valley for their ideal wedding location. They were looking for a venue that fit with their relaxed and down to earth personalities and Durham Ranch was the perfect solution. With a guest count of 100 of their closest family and friends they wanted to make their wedding a fun party for everyone to enjoy. Music played an important part of the evening and who could leave the dance floor with Edna Love and The Fat Tuesday Band on stage?