Happy Halloween!!!

My friend Sonia at Dreams Come True Parties asked me to team up with her to host a "Neon, Halloween, Birthday" Party for 14 yr old Rachel!!

This party was awesome, about 50 teenagers attended!

There was so much to do - From the haunted house, to a make up station with masks, neon hair spray or hair attachments, Glo necklaces and bracelets. A DJ spinning music in the Groovy Lounge area!!!

There definitely was no time to sit around!!

Rachel the Birthday Girl!

~ The Sweets - Spooky and Scary cupcakes ~

The Spooky/Neon Decor!!

This was the "groovy" dance/lounge area - Rachels' guest had a blast hanging out here!!

DJ J. Music on the ones and twos

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Hope you and your guests had a great time!!!

~ Elaine and Alvin ~

I had the pleasure of meeting Elaine in June. Elaine was a guest at Michelle and Jhewels' Wedding! Elaine is so easy-going, I knew nothing would damper her spirits on her big day! And it didn't!! The couple choose Black and Red with Silver accents as their Wedding colors!!

Elaine and Alvin were married on a gorgeous un-usually HOT day in October - That's Southern California weather for ya!!

The Ceremony was held at Bel Air Presbyterian Church followed by a fun-filled reception at the Sheraton Universal!

Here are some photos I took - I have been playing around with Microsoft publisher!

Linens was provided by Casa de Brides - All of the gorgeous floral came from Elsa Ng

The yummy mini cupcakes cakes came from Leda's Bake shop

The couple incorporated the ever so popular Manzanita branches which was used to decorate the gift table!

I will post pro-pics once I receive them from Yoshi Ohara, the couples' photographer

Vibrant music from live band Soulicious serenaded the night!!

Thank you again Elaine and Alvin for allowing us to share your special occasion - All the best to you both!! Have fun in Thailand!!

Trick or Treat

My good friend Sonia of Dreams Come True Parties hosted a FUN and SCARY Halloween Party for her daughter Kayla! The party was so much fun..!!

Of course with me being an Event Coordinator, I always pay attention to every little detail!!

There was a Spooky Costume Shoppe and the cutest, spookiest picture frames I've ever seen!

These were the yummy treats - Spooky Candy Apples and Scarry Cupcakes!!

The little Ghoulies had fun doing their crafts and even had some time to Boo-Gie!!!

All the Little Ghoulies out for a Haunted Hunt!!

While the kiddies were busy ghouling on their crafts, these Mummies, I mean us adults had some fun of our own!!

Some of the little Ghoulies were not Ghoulish enough to dare go near this Scary Haunted House!

~ This "little Devil" is Kayla ~

~ Thank you for inviting us to your Halloween Party ~

We had a blast !!

~ Jocelyn and Mick ~

I met Jocelyn back in May - We were so thrilled when the couple booked us. Jocelyn and Mick had already hired some amazing vendors, and we felt lucky to be added on as part of their "dream team."

The ceremony was held at St Andrews Catholic Church in Pasadena on Friday 10th October - Followed by a grand reception at The Westin Hotel/Pasadena (special shout out to Uriel and the catering staff of The Westin for yet another well done job)

A special shout out to all of the amazing vendors we had the opportunity to work with - It was our pleasure!!

Below are some non pro-pic of the reception details - I will post pro-pics as soon as I receive them from the pro-photographer Tommy at Tai-Pei LA

All of the gorgeous floral provided by Darling Flowers LA

Jocelyn's vision for her Chocolate brown and apple red wedding colors looked amazing. The Design and Decor was perfectly executed by White Night Design

The yummy cake from Diamond Bakery/El Monte

The adorable favors was chocolate covered strawberries, dressed up as a cute litte bride and groom by Chocolate Mountain Factory

Entertainment was provided by the ever so fab J&M Entertainment - I must say this reception was a lot of fun, I don't think Jocelyn and Mick along with their guests ever left the dance floor!!

Jocelyn and Micks' Video photo montage, Videography and same day edits were provided by Charles Lauren Films

Jocelyn and Mick will honeymoon in Cancun!!

Congratulations Joce and Mick, it was our pleasure to be part of your special day - All the best to you!!

How to Change your Last Name after the Wedding!!

Because a woman traditionally takes her husband's name when she is married, a certified copy of your marriage certificate is sufficient documentation for a woman's name change, even if it doesn't contain a space for your new name. A man may need court papers, not just a marriage certificate, to get new documents after marriage if he wants to change his name.

Step 1: Order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for agencies that require originals before allowing you to change your name on documents, such as the department of motor vehicles.

Step 2: Make an appointment to visit the department of motor vehicles for a new driver's license. Ask in advance which documents you'll need to bring in order to certify the validity of your name change.

Step 3: Tackle your social security card next. Be prepared to present your driver's license reflecting your married name and your original or certified marriage license.

Step 4: Order replacements for checks, business cards, credit cards and other documents that contain your old name.

Step 5: Call employers and schools (if you are a student) to let them know your new name, and ask them to change it in their records.

Step 6: Change your name on your car registration, with your insurance and mortgage companies, and with your frequent-flier program.

Step 7: Contact the post office, utility companies and registrar of voters.

Morningdawn Giveaway Winner

We would like to congratulate our first Morningdawn Giveaway Winner: Mitzi!
Mitzi received A Monster Gift Basket filled with lots of stuff!!! Enjoy!

We had such a “technical process” of picking the winner that we thought we would share: I asked my daughter to pick a number between 1 and 8 (the number of entries) and she said number “2″ and that was that!

?? Lighting Anyone ??

Besides flowers and linens, lighting can also play an important part of your decor. It can totally transform a regular ballroom, and it definitely sets the mood for the entire wedding/event. Make sure the colors that you plan on using complement your florals and linens. It's always a good idea to check with the floral/linen designers as well as the lighting company first. Below are different types of lighting options you can choose from...

~ Ambient or Diffused Light - This is the main light in the room, usually coming from either natural or artificial sources - This light should soften and flatter

~ B, Fairy or Twinkle Lights - These are strings of tiny lights like Christmas lights - when used behind fabrics or in trees, they add a magical touch - An inexpensive lighting method is to drop strings of these lights from the ceiling

~ Gobos - These are stencils that go over lights to project patterns (such as stars, musical notes, or even the couple's names and monograms etc.) onto walls, draped fabrics or dance floors

~ Pin Spots - These are narrow beams that are directed at centerpieces, the wedding cake or other items that you wish to highlight - They look especially dramatic when the rest of the room is relatively dark - They are usually hung from the ceiling and used in pairs

~ Up-lights, Down-lights or Light-cans - They are used to project beams of light upward from underneath a table, or up from the base of an urn or tree, or down onto an altar or mantle - They create a mystical glow

~ Washes - These are colored lights projected over large areas such as the dance floors or bars

One Night in Paris...A Lifetime of Happiness

Featuring - Mitzi and Richard

I knew from the moment I met Mitzi and Richard, their Wedding was going to be memorable. They are both such a fun and easy going couple who knew exactly what they wanted.

They eloped in Paris over Labor Day weekend September 2008!

Adding to the uniqueness of this beautiful couple - Was their Parisian themed Ceremony and Lunch Reception in Malibu. Followed by a Dinner Reception in Porter Ranch on Saturday 4th October 2008

The Ceremony took place at the Beautiful Stauffer Chapel/Pepperdine University, Malibu

The Lunch Reception was held at The Villa Graziadio Executive Center, Malibu

The Sweetheart Table!

For the couple's lunch reception, the guests enjoyed a Croquembouche, which is a French Wedding Cake made with creme filled pastry puffs - The cake was a huge hit!!!! Cake courtesy of Caprice Fine French Pastries

Mitzi and friends at the Dinner Reception

Congratulations Mitzi and Richard! All the best to you both!!

Marriage License Details

~Q~

If I live in one county (Los Angeles) Can I get my marriage license there and get married in another county (Orange County) with no problems? Also any suggestions on when and how to go about it?

~A~

As long as you obtain a Regular or Public Marriage License in CA, it can be used anywhere in CA. This type of license is accessible by public record. However if you file for a Confidential or Private Marriage License, then the ceremony must be performed in that particular county and you must be cohabitating before the ceremony date. This type of license is not public record.

Some pointers:

1. Go mid-week, it tends to be less busy
2. Both you are your fiance must attend
3. No blood test is needed
4. Valid ID is required
5. The license is valid for 90 days, so do not go to early
6. Lastly, Make sure you request at least one copy of the final marriage certificate. The Clerk Recorder will give you a form upon applying for the license. Just fill it out completely and include a check for $13.00. Give the officiant/pastor/priest the form and the check along with your marriage license application. Doing this will ensure your marriage license was properly filed. If 1 month following your wedding you have not received a valid copy in the mail, I advise you call the Clerk Recorders office to check on the status.

Here are the links to:

LA County

Orange County

Riverside County

San Bernadino County

San Diego