Wedding Planner 02.03.17

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

The Press Special Edition • Winter 2017

Photo courtesy of Campos Family Vineyards

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Wedding Planner

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Bride’s Day Out coming to Brentwood AMY SCHRADER

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ll future East County brides and grooms faced with the enormous, emotional and

often-overwhelming task of planning a wedding can breathe a sigh of relief.

Brentwood’s eighth-annual Bride’s Day Out is just around the corner and will help brides and grooms plan the wedding of their dreams. On Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 40 of the Bay Area’s finest wedding professionals will gather in downtown Brentwood for a one-stop, all-inclusive bridal fair, showcasing everything couples need to plan their once-in-a-lifetime event.

From florists, caterers, wedding venues and wedding gowns to tuxedo rentals, cakes, wedding planners and more, wedding professionals will be highlighting their exceptional services.

“This event is extremely helpful,” said Julie James, owner of J. James Bridal and organizer of the event. “It gives brides the ability to save hours when researching vendors, attending appointments and making more phone calls than needed.”

Besides being beneficial, the event

is also entertaining. Brides will check into the event at any of its three checkin stations (Ribbons & Roses, Pink Door Boutique or the Downtown Brentwood Coalition tent on the corner of Oak and 1st streets) to receive a punch card. As guests visit participating merchants, they get their card stamped and can enter it into a raffle.

According to James, there will be numerous raffles, as well as a grand-prize raffle for $1,000 worth of goods or services at any participating vendor, sponsored by the Downtown Brentwood Coalition.

Local businesses are also involved in the fun. The first 25 brides to visit

Little Miss Everything will receive a free bride-themed tote bag, plus a free custom trucker hat with all adult shirt or tank top orders placed that day.

“We love this event,” said Maria Tavares, Little Miss Everything manager. “It’s a great turnout that supports the community, and as a business, it’s amazing to meet soon-to-be brides and grooms who are so excited about planning their special day.”

Little Miss Everything offers customized tees and tanks for brides, bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party. They also make customized flower girl and junior bridesmaids dresses, complete with design meetings and custom fittings that will make little ones look beautiful and feel special on the big day.

This event is extremely helpful.

It gives brides the ability to save hours when researching vendors, attending appointments and making more phone calls than needed.

– Julie James, owner of J. James Bridal and organizer of Bride’s Day Out

Bride’s Day Out is a free event and is open to the public, with parking located at the parking structure on 2nd Street in downtown Brentwood. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ DowntownBrentwood/.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Wedding Planner

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Enjoy a destination wedding close to home AMY SCHRADER

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magine a wedding surrounded by a lush landscape of beautiful, green, rolling hills, blooming flow-

ers and spectacular views of Mount Diablo amidst vibrant vineyards.

Not only is this possible, but you don’t even have to head to Napa to have your dream wine-country wedding. Campos Family Vineyards, in Byron, has all of the charm of Napa tucked away close to home.

“It’s a hidden gem that we want everyone to know about,” said Michelle Campos, owner of Campos Family Vineyards. “The beauty of the vineyards and the property is something we never get tired of, and the sunsets are spectacular.”

Michelle and Ric Campos purchased the property in June and have since created and bottled their own wine label, which they will release in upcoming weeks.

The property boasts 44 acres of lush vineyards; open grassy areas, perfect for hostON THE COVER: The newly renovated Campos Family Vineyards in Byron, formerly Leer Vineyards, is a popular venue for weddings and special occasion events.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Campos

Campos Family Vineyards boasts 44 acres of lush vineyards; open grassy areas, perfect for hosting large-group events; a baseball field and bocce ball court; and indoor facilities, which include an event center and tasting room. ing large-group events; a baseball field and bocce ball court; and indoor facilities, which include an event center and tasting room.

“We feel blessed we are allowed to steward this property,” said Michelle. “We feel a great sense of responsibility to do it well.”

The Campos’ completed several renovations to the event center and tasting room, which made these venues even more perfect for weddings and special events. From installing new flooring, acoustics, a state-of-theart server room with fiber optics and more, the event center is ready for receptions and

celebrations.

They also completed a beautiful remodel of the tasting room, adding barn wood, warm lighting, tile, tumble stone and paint.

“Now couples have several usable, beautiful event spaces to choose from,” said Michelle.

To make planning the big day easier, they have a staff wedding coordinator who will walk clients through wedding arrangements and will be on onsite during the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“It’s an honor to help mold and execute one of the most important days of someone’s life,” said Robin Paloma, Campos Family Vineyards’ wedding coordinator. “The property is a natural beauty and offers so many stunning settings for weddings.”

Campos Family Vineyards has several locations perfect for wedding ceremonies.

According to Michelle, the wedding lawn is the most popular, as the vineyard views are spectacular. The gazebo near the front of the property lends itself to a smaller, more intimate wedding ceremony.

The beautiful event center is their newest indoor space for winter weddings, and their event garage is a rustic, warm space with market lights for a very beautiful see Wedding page 6B

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Wedding Planner

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Gorgeous glamour for your big day at LUX & BLVD AMY SCHRADER

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fter you’ve found the perfect dress and booked a venue, it’s time to find the

hair and makeup pros who will make sure you look stunning and cameraready on your big day.

From classic up-dos to tousled waves and plaited buns, deciding on hairstyle and makeup can be just as difficult as choosing a dress. LUX & BLVD, a luxury full-service hair salon and barbershop in Discovery Bay, has a team of expert hairstylists, nail techs, estheticians, massage therapists and makeup artists to ensure you look radiant and beautiful when you say, “I do.”

“Weddings are just one of our many specialties,” said LUX & BLVD owner Lisa Baker, who owns the salon with her husband Craig Baker. “Since we provide so many different services, it makes it less stressful for the bride and groom. We want you to enjoy your special day.”

The salon, which is on the cutting edge of fashion and style, always stays current with the latest trends while keeping an old-school feel, offering haircuts, hot towels, hot lathers and straight-razor

Photo courtesy of Lisa Baker

The styling staff at LUX & BLVD, Discovery Bay’s full-service luxury hair salon and barber shop, is ready to help brides and grooms look their best on their wedding day. shaves.

Besides offering the newest and freshest ideas with hair, skin and nails, LUX & BLVD provides wedding parties the option of preparing for their big day at their loca-

tion in Discovery Bay, which is conveniently located near many wedding venues, or on site.

Baker recommends brides and grooms start to prepare for their wedding day hair

and makeup weeks in advance.

“There are facials, lashes, spray tanning and nails to consider, prior to having your makeup done,” said Baker.

“We want to be part of your journey and help you look and feel your personal best.”

According to Baker, braids are all the rage for brides right now, as well as loose, long layers of soft curls. Grooms seem to be more gentlemanly in 2017.

“You may see a lot of beards and tousled hair, but the pompadour is still very trendy too,” she said.

LUX & BLVD hair stylist Jill Thompson is looking forward to seeing more East County brides in the salon.

“It’s fun to get to know a bride on one of the most special days of her life and to see her transformation from the moment she walks in until she is ready to walk down the aisle.”

LUX & BLVD is located at 2465 Discovery Bay Blvd., Suite 202. The salon is celebrating their grand opening on Feb. 3, at 5:30 p.m., and will be open for appointments on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. For more information, call 925-679-4111 or visit www.luxandblvd.com or www.facebook.com/luxandblvd.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Wedding Planner

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Dressing the groom with a Tux Of Class

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AMY SCHRADER

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hether you will be putting on the Ritz in a top hat and tails or are looking for a sharp, well-tailored,

slim suit when you walk down the aisle, you need an expert to make sure your wedding day attire comes together without any hitches.

Tux Of Class in Antioch has been helping grooms look their best on their wedding days for more than 30 years. The specialty tuxedo shop, owned by Judy Mori and her daughter Gina Zbacnik, are experts when it comes to groom’s fashion, both classic and modern.

“We care and want you to love and feel great about what you’re wearing on that special day in your life,” said Zbacnik.

Part of what attracts so many customers to Tux Of Class is their huge selection of styles and designers, including tuxedos, vests and ties. According to Zbacnik, this wedding season, grays have been a trend for grooms, as well as navy. The bow tie is also back, but with a twist. Instead of pairing it with the traditional tux, grooms are wearing them with a suit, for a more dressed-down and modern look.

For grooms wanting a unique look, some different tuxedo colors they offer are rich burgundy, royal blue and red.

“Since we aren’t a big-box store, we can buy

We care and want you to love and feel great about what you’re wearing on that special day in your life.

– Gina Zbacnik special items the big boys don’t have,” said Zbacnik.

“Another thing that sets us apart is that we also carry some stock on hand, which means if you need a tux that night, you can walk in, and more than likely, we can fix you right up in a beautiful tux.”

Besides a huge selection, Tux Of Class is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, earning them long-term customer loyalty. Their employees are close friends and family who care about their customers, and their manager, Michelle Kiesz, has been with the business for more than 16 years.

“Tux Of Class did the tuxedos for our wedding 25 years ago and have handled every tuxedo for our four sons over the years,” said Brentwood resident Cristina Zanarini. “I can always count on them for a perfect fit and the latest styles.”

Tux Of Class also offers prom and evening gowns and is located at 43 E. 18th St., in Antioch. For more information, call 925-757-5020 or visit https://goo. gl/7r8K5t.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Photo courtesy of Gina Zbacnik

For more than 30 years, Antioch’s Tux Of Class, a specialty tuxedo shop owned by Judy Mori and her daughter Gina Zbacnik, has been helping grooms look their best on their wedding days.

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(925)325-7349

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Wedding Planner

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FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Incorporating flowers into more than bouquets

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eddings are special moments for couples and the guests they invite to share their happiness on their big

days, and beautiful weddings require substantial planning, as every last detail must be considered for couples to enjoy the wedding of their dreams.

Flowers play a big role in many weddings, and couples can add beauty and ambiance to the event by using floral arrangements in various ways. Modern floral arrangements are stunning, but many couples may not know that herbs, spices and flowers have been used in weddings for centuries.

Today, flowers are used to decorate wedding venues, impart sweet fragrances and complement formal attire, but they were used differently in ancient times.

Flowers were used to bestow good luck on the couple and keep bad omens away. Brides carried aromatic flowers and spices to keep evil spirits from spoiling the festivities, and some even tucked bulbs of garlic into their bouquets. In ancient Greece and Rome, both the bride and groom wore garlands made out of strong-smelling herbs or flowers around their necks or heads. These wreaths were considered gifts of nature, and thus, were extremely appropriate for a wedding.

Traditionally, bridesmaids would be responsible for fash-

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setting.

“Some brides have chosen to have the wedding outside and the reception inside or even host the reception on the large lawn

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Taking their cues from historical traditions, flowers can enhance weddings in several different ways. ioning these floral components. In ancient Sweden, young girls would carry small bouquets of fragrant herbs down the aisle, and the groom would put thyme in his pocket. These aromatics were thought to help keep trolls at bay.

Besides warding off spirits or hungry trolls, flowers also served more practical purposes throughout history. During the Middle Ages, people bathed less frequently than they do today.

Bathing might only have occurred twice a year, once during summer and then again at Christmastime. Because many weddings took place in the spring, flowers were used to mask bodily odors. Not only were flowers and herbs carried, but they also would be sewn into clothing.

area between the house and event center,” said Michelle. “The beauty of this property is that the possibilities and choices are endless.”

Campos Family Vineyards also has a beautiful bridal suite in their home that is

Modern brides and grooms may no longer see their wedding days as times for opportunistic evil spirits, but couples can still borrow from ancient traditions and incorporate flowers into their weddings in various ways. ♦♦ Wreaths and garlands: Ask the florist to weave small flower buds, berries and vines to a headband, wreath or piece of twine, so the bride and groom can wear these flowers the way they were worn by ancient Greeks and Romans. When coupled with Grecian-styled wedding gowns, brides can look like beautiful goddesses on their wedding days. ♦♦ Fragrant favors: Tuck dried rose petals and other fragrant flowers into sachets embroidered with the wedding date and couple’s names. Guests can use these sachets to keep clothing smelling fresh in drawers or as subtle air fresheners around the house. ♦♦ Edible flowers: Ask the caterer to make meals flowerfriendly by including edible blooms in the salad or as a garnish on meals. ♦♦ Raining petals: In lieu of bubbles or birdseed, guests can shower the newlyweds with rose petals after the ceremony. ♦♦ Memorial: Some couples like to honor departed family members. Floral arrangements with small placards can make for fitting memorials.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

available to the bride and her party to rent while preparing for the wedding.

Whether your wedding day will be intimate or a grand affair, Campos Family Vineyards is a hidden gem not to be missed.

Campos Family Vineyards is located at 3501 Byer Road, in Byron. For more information, call 925-308-7963 or visit them on https://goo.gl/HMTs1W. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Wedding Planner

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Master wedding save-the-date cards

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any couples’ weddings take more than a year to plan, and couples often

want all of the special people in their lives to witness their vows.

Giving guests advance notice can ensure as many loved ones as possible attend the ceremony.

To be certain that guests have ample notice to clear their schedules, many couples now turn to savethe-date cards, which announce weddings well in advance of the actual wedding day.

Save-thedate cards once were reserved only for weddings requiring travel or special circumstances, but such cards have now become commonplace for all weddings, because many people plan

vacations or business trips anywhere from four to six months in advance.

Busy people require plenty of notice to include this important date on their calendars, particularly when wedding dates fall during popular travel seasons or around the holidays.

Save-the-date cards are typically mailed six to eight months prior to the wedding, though some are sent as early as a year before the big day. Once a date and location are secured, savethe-dates can be ordered and mailed.

Save-thedate cards require couples to assemble their guest lists well in advance of the wedding.

Leading bridal resource The Knot notes that everyone who will get a wedding invitation should also receive a save-the-date card. There’s no turning back once cards are sent, so couples will need to be

Save-the-date cards once were reserved only for weddings requiring travel or special circumstances, but such cards have now become commonplace … certain everyone they want to attend is getting advanced notice.

It’s acceptable to mail save-the-date cards even if some wedding day details are still up in the air. Guests really only

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need to know the date and location of the wedding. Couples can also use the save-the-date card to direct invitees to a wedding website, where guests can learn the details of the wedding as they unfold.

RSVP information does not need to be included on the save-the-date card.

Save-the-date cards are much less formal than invitations, so couples can have fun with them. They can showcase couples’ clever personalities or funny quirks. Keep in mind it is in poor taste to mention gifts or registries on save-thedate cards. There will be plenty of time to direct guests to registries later on.

Couples are increasingly turning to save-the-date cards when planning their weddings to make sure busy friends and family will have enough time to make plans to attend their weddings.

– Courtesy Metro Creative

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Wedding Planner

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Community Center

Beautiful outdoor wedding site Indoor banquet seating for 330 guests Caterers dream kitchen Elegant pre-function area Ample parking

Photos courtesy of Wedding Bug Studios

Brentwood Parks & Recreation 35 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA parksandrecreation@brentwoodca.gov 925.516.5444