At Home with
Fresh Spring Designs A SPECIAL WEDDINGS
Valley & Co.’s
SECTION—FROM
Spring Gift Giving Picks
TABLE TOPS TO FASHION
ISSUE NO. 2 SPRING
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From the Editors: We are grateful to celebrate others’ special moments each and every day. We thank all of our couples, clients, industry peers, and our wonderful and incredible family and friends for supporting us and allowing us to do what we truly love. Enjoy Spring at Home with Valley & Co.— we hope you find creative inspiration for your lifestyle, entertaining, weddings, and all of life’s special moments. Envision Creativity. Experience Excellence.
ALEAH + NICK VALLEY WEDDINGS | EVENTS | LOGISTICS | PLANNING | DESIGN and all of life’s finery. Event design + logistics from the husband and wife wedding and event planning and design team™ since 2003. SAN DIEGO | SEATTLE | PALM SPRINGS + BEYOND valleyandco.com | hello@valleyandco.com valleyandcoblog.com Tel. 858.349.9900 | 206.250.2055 At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 2
CONTENTS 6 SPRING from the Valleys
62 7 WINE FLIGHTS 15 INTERVIEW: ISARI FLOWERS
24 STOCK YOUR HOME BAR
40 WEDDINGS
21
46 INTERVIEW: CECI NEW YORK
76 STATIONERY 82 NAPKIN FOLDS 94 HONEYMOONS
95 At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 3
CONTRIBUTORS
AMANDA ALLEN
KRYSTAL BENNETT
ALLIE CARSWELL
SHAY COCHRANE
OWNER
OWNER /DESIGNER
OWNER
PHOTOGRAPHER
NEWLYWISH
A PINCH OF LOVELY
HONEYBEE INVITES
LAUREN DONALDSON
CORYANNE ETTIENE
LAUREN GROVE
MELISSA HUBER
OWNER /CRAFTER
EDITOR
EDITOR
EDITOR
LAUREN ELISE CRAFTED
HOUSEWIFE BLISS
EVERY LAST DETAIL
THE LOVELIEST DAY
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CONTRIBUTORS
CECI JOHNSON
STEPH KILLIP
SHANNON LEE
COURTNEY LINDBERG
OWNER + STATIONER
VIDEOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
CECI NEW YORK
BUBBLE ROCK STUDIOS
JENNY + JOSEPH LLANES
MINDY LOCKARD
WENDY RAMOS
TORI TAIT
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ETIQUETTE EXPERT
OWNER/PLANNER
EDITOR
THE GRACIOUS GIRL
JUST WENDERFUL
THOUGHTFULLY SIMPLE
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‘Spring has Sprung
Fresh and new, spring is popping up all around. From wildflowers along the road to vibrant daffodils, airy leafy trees, and longer days, the signs are pointing to the sweet smells of a new season. We welcome spring like we do every season; with open arms, embracing everything it has to offer. To us spring signifies a clean outlook, a refreshing attitude, and inspiration anew. Within these pages we hope you find creative inspiration for your home, lifestyle, entertaining, and for your wedding.
ALEAH + NICK VALLEY At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 6
WELCOME SPRING: WINE FLIGHTS By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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What
better way to welcome and tapenade on white kitchen the changing of the seasons than subway tiles. with good friends, good cheese, Guests always appreciate these and good wine? For a twist on a manageable small plates. Stage wine tasting party serve up bites varieties of wines in demi glasses perfect for sipping. of gourmet cheeses, crackers,
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Send guests home with large loafs of artisan bread wrapped in muslin fabric and cinch with a rustic ribbon.
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COASTAL CELEBRATION By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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Put on an afternoon of effortless entertaining by grouping plates, napkins, and silverware on a picnic table familystyle. Offer guests bistro glasses with a refreshing mango Prosecco dessert. Scoop mango sorbet into a bistro glass and top with Prosecco or champagne. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 11
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1. For a fresh spin on jam wrap in spring-inspired linen fabrics. Tie off with kitchen twine and send your guests home with fresh berry spreads. 2. Personalized seed packets act as place cards and take-home spring favors. 3. Mini glass petit four holders add a sweet sentiment to a fresh spring table.
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A breathtaking natural background like the beach paints the perfect setting for an intimate gathering. Go simple on the table dÊcor and utilize Mother Nature. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 13
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By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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An Afternoon with Tam Ashworth of Isari Flowers From vintage flea market finds that have been reupholstered with panache and magically transformed to fit a chic aesthetic to elegant vases, to glittering chandeliers, and must-have interior design and garden books, the hand-picked inventory is almost as impressive as the over sized arrangements fresh flowers, and spring potted plants at every turn. When asked what inspires her, Ashworth responded with a smile. Fashion. Her environments. Nature. Ashworth views life as an artistic challenge. Whether she is designing with orchids, Sitting down with Tam Ashworth, roses, or daisies, she is up for a chalowner and designer behind Solana Beach, California’s Isari Flowers, was lenge and pushes her clients to look such a pleasure. Isari Flowers recently deeply into themselves and encourages moved to the desirable Solana Beach them to think and to get innovative. shopping district and made a chic She mixes and matches elements and statement. The space was a dark and creates fresh, twirling looks that are exempty shoebox but with Ashworth’s traordinary and unique. From quince vision and her team’s dedication, the branches to fresh blossoms, she takes space was transformed into a remark- in the change of each season and finds ably fresh and sophisticated studio. something that inspires her at every Light and airy, the new Isari Flowers turn. has something for everyone. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 16
She described a new found appreciation for seasons and what they mean to her. The San Diego community recently lost an incredible friend and inspiration; Tam’s dear friend and designer Clarice passed away this February. Her passing has taught the Isari team that each season is fleeting. The Isari team opened up about Clarice. She was kind, compassionate, dedicated, practical, gracious, gregarious, passionate, with a huge sense of humor, smart, artistic, a great listener, a caretaker, a stylish lady with a loyal husband, a wonderful mother to three sensible young men (amazing human beings, ages 26, 24, 21) hard worker, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, an optimistic, a trooper, and more....a positive influence that drives Isari Flower Studio, aside from life itself! She loved birds, smell of wet dirt after the rain, dogwood and blossoming branches, tulips, orchids, and all flowers. Would even go out of her way to step on crunchy leaves. Savored lemon bars, grapefruits, fine chocolate and Thai food. Enjoyed ballroom dancing, learning something new, loved cooking, recipe swapping...so adventurous she sky dived! She instilled in us to be resourceful, to shoot for the stars, and catch a ride on the moon... and glide thru the galaxy, with smiles and enjoying life.—Aleah Valley
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Eclectic vases, vintage finds, spring topiaries, and ornate pieces line the crisp shelves at Solana Beach’s Isari Flowers. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 18
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Fresh spring buds, textured pots, and vibrant blooms at Isari Flowers announce spring has arrived.
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MOTHER’S DAY SEASIDE BRUNCH By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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Our mothers deserve the best. Stage a picnic with fresh squeezed orThey give us so much; unconditional love, support, and laughter. They are graceful, beautiful, and loving.
This Mother’s Day treat your mother to an easy, breezy brunch by the sea, in a park, lakeside, or somewhere enjoyable where you can spend the day with each other talking, laughing, and relaxing. Somewhere where no reservations are needed.
ange juice and simple brunch treats like powdered doughnuts. Keep it simple and dress up place settings with take-home honey sticks tied with pretty spring fabric strips. Any mother will love this thoughtful afternoon and cherish the memories you’ve created.
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Create a fresh setting by using your mother’s favorite colors with fresh flowers, table linens, and dishes.
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HOW TO STOCK YOUR BAR LIKE A PRO By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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Keeping
a well-stocked home bar means that you can entertain on a whim. Let’s face it; the bar is often one of the most important parts of one’s celebration. With a little planning you can keep your party going all night. Here are some tips and questions to consider before you start: Know your guests. Try to assess whether you have a primarily beer and wine drinking crowd or a spirits crowd. What type of party are you throwing? Think about the time of day, day of the week and what you are celebrating. The bar setup for a thirtieth birthday is quite different than one for a casual daytime barbeque. How many guests are you expecting? If it is over 50 guests, consider hiring a bartending service. Many offer the staff and labor, allowing for you to provide your own alcohol and mixers, which can save you costs to put towards other celebration must-haves.
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With that being considered, here are the basics to make you look like a pro: Skip the bartending guide and print drink recipes on funky paper and place on a corkboard or chalkboard elevated above the bar. Feature the signature drinks easily for your guests.
Use crates or wooden wine boxes to create height and a top tier to your bar.
Consumption protocol says that each guests will drink two drinks per hour. This is where knowing your crowd and setting comes into play. Based on many of our personal parties, this does not count. We say estimate three per hour as running out is a big no-no.
What does each bottle provide? A fifth of spirits equals 750 ml, which provides roughly 17 drinks using one shot per drink. Wine and champagne bottles are also 750 ml and, depending on the pour, will provide 5-6 glasses or flutes per bottle. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 26
Always provide non-alcoholic options for your attendees: Plenty of water, both still and sparkling {greeting your guests with an ice cold glass is an appreciated gesture} | sodas | juices, and at least two non-alcoholic mixed options. Double Duty: many of the options can act as mixers for your well drinks; consider utilizing mixer that can do double duty when planning your menu. Ice: buy an abundance. When you think you have too much, purchase four more bags. Glassware: plan this out carefully and go to your local event rental company to rent. What’s great is that they rent for pennies and you don’t have to play dishwasher. Create a menu that allows for glasses to have multiple uses {hint: 10 oz. goblets can act as mixed drink vessels, water goblets, and wine glasses}. On the other hand, for a small, intimate gathering bring out vintage barware to impress your guests. Contents of the bar: this all depends on what you are serving, but here are the basics: using our prior calculation: vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, whisky, tequila, red and white wines, champagne, Prosecco, or Cava {event dependent}, cognac and Armagnac, and anything that is needed for a signature drink. The gear: two shakers, a blender, bar tool kit {can be purchased from a restaurant supply store}, lemons, limes, olives, cocktail onions, a knife and cutting board, bar towels for cleanup, cocktail napkins, toothpicks, corkscrews, swizzle sticks, shot glasses, ice bucket with tongs, and mixers based on your specificity. With these guidelines you will look like a pro and, most importantly, you will have fun. - Nick Valley At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 27
FOR THE HOME
HAND PAINTED ESPRESSO CUP AND SAUCER | SIMPLY PRETTY PRINTS $16
S. TYLER ANCHOR PILLOW | FRANCESCA JOY $96 | $115 HAND PAINTED KEEPSAKE VASE | SIMPLY PRETTY PRINTS $30 | SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS
GIFT GUIDE
PHOTOS BY LLANES WEDDINGS
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How to Host an Afternoon Tea Party By Coryanne Ettiene, Housewife Bliss The quintessential English Afternoon Tea is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day or simply an afternoon with girlfriends. It is casual entertaining at its best, and promises relaxed conversation enjoyed over a table of scrumptious delights and piping hot tea.
PHOTO BY HOUSEWIFE BLISS
For casual entertaining, your Afternoon Tea table should be bursting with spring flowers, an eclectic mix of floral service sets, napkins and bright floral arrangements, complimented with a selection of English pastries, and an endless pot of tea. The focus of the table should be on the food, with understated décor garnishing the table that allows for your guests navigate the table with little fuss.
Essential Table items: Tea Pots | Cups and saucers | Tea Spoons | Tea Strainers Honey | Milk | White Sugar (granulated, cubed, or crystallized) Lemon Slices | Napkins, Plates and Cutlery | Cake Stands Flowers | Serving Dishes At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 29
The Menu Traditionally Afternoon Tea is served from 3pm-5m, and provides just enough refreshment to tide you over until your evening meal. Serve copious amounts of clotted cream, preserves, and butter to accompany the selection of pastries served, along side finger sandwiches to add that splash of savory to balance the sweet pastries. The key with planning an Afternoon Tea menu is to focus on light and mild flavors, and avoiding heavy ones like chocolate. Scones | Fruitcake | Sugar cookies | Crumpets | Cupcakes | Pound Cakes Cucumber Sandwiches | Egg & Cress Sandwiches|
PHOTO BY HOUSEWIFE BLISS
Butter & Preserve Sandwiches
Tea Selection Assam: A strong full-bodied tea from India, which has a distinctive, ‘malty’ flavor. Darjeeling: An aromatic and astringent tea from India, with a hint of almonds and wildflowers. Earl Grey: A blend of black teas scented with oil of bergamot named after Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, who was Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. Lapsang Souchong: A Chinese tea fired over smoking pine needles, which produces a striking smoky odor and flavor. English Breakfast: An old favorite with a classic taste perfect for any accompaniment, and generally served with milk. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 30
How to brew the perfect pot or cup of tea Always use freshly boiled water; re-boiled water will spoil the taste of the tea. Loose-leaf tea is best used, it has a stronger flavor and a bolder taste. The best tea is served from a pot. The standard teapot holds 4 cups, add one measure of tea for each cup being served, plus on for the pot. The final cup should be left in the pot and not served. Brew for 1 minute per cup, if using a full pot, brew for 4 minutes. Pour the tea while hot and prepare the tea for drinking in individual cups. If you prefer to serve tea by the cup, offer your guests their own tea strainer and have the kettle ready for hot water refills. To make the perfect cup of tea brew for 1 minute, remove the tea bag before preparing the tea for drinking. Once the tea is poured, compliment it with lemon slices, white sugar, honey, or milk.
PHOTO BY LLANES WEDDINGS
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SPRING DELIGHTS for Mother’s Day
SEA SALT CARAMELS | FRAN’S CHOCOLATES $12
LINNEAS LIGHTS SOY CANDLES
GARDENER’S HAND THERAPY | CRABRREE AND EVELYN, $18
GIFT GUIDE
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Tea Time
FRENCH TEA POT | DEAN AND DELUCA $160 SCREEN PRINTED TEA TOWELS | OH LITTLE RABBIT ON ETSY $8
OPULENCE DARJEELING CASTLETON MUSCATEL TEA |
TEA SUGAR STICKS | DEAN AND DELUCA $5
HARRODS £15.95
GIFT GUIDE
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LULU’S PICKS
BOILED WOOL TOYS | BARK SLOPE $9.95
GIFT GUIDE
ECO-FRIENDLY DOG FUTON | BARK SLOPE $60
FLOWER DOG COLLAR | BARK SLOPE $29.95
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For the Hosts
PEWTER SALT CELLAR | DEAN AND DELUCA $28
FLEUR DE SEL HAND LOTION + SOAP GIFT SET | WILLIAMS-SONOMA $45
GOURMET CHEESE BASKET | MT. TOWNSEND CREAMERY $80
GIFT GUIDE
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SPRING ETIQUETTE TIPS by Gracious Girl Mindy Lockard As we head into spring and summer, it seems we enter the season of special events: birthdays, weddings, baby showers, graduation parties—our calendars fill up with celebrations and opportunities to honor others. From big affairs to quiet luncheons, each event involves roles, stresses, and responsibilities. Knowing what to do helps us to enjoy the moment and fondly remember and be remembered. Nothing is more stylish than accessorizing with our gracious best! A Gracious Host / Hostess When hosting an event celebrating another person, your primary job is to plan the event with the needs and likes of the guest of honor in mind. One of the most important things to remember as the host or hostess is that this day is not about you. Try not to get caught up in all of the details that represent you. Instead focus on the details that will bring attention to the person you are choosing to honor! 1. Setting a Date Consult with the guest of honor as you start planning regarding date and time. By working together, you can set a date that not only works well for the two of you, but also tries to accommodate the schedules of out-of-town guests or important family members whom the guest of honor will want to include. 2. Creating the Guest List Six to eight weeks prior to the event, consult with the guest of honor regarding the people he or she wishes to invite. This will help both of you set the expectation for the size of the celebration and not put you, the host or hostess, in the predicament of trying to host an event larger than your space and budget allow. Although you may feel uncomfortable broaching the subject, you will feel much more uncomfortable when you try to throw a party that exceeds your spatial or financial means. If the number is larger than you were imagining and you want to make it work, find another friend or two to share the hosting responsibilities. 3. Sending the Invitations Invitations should be sent no more than four weeks and no less than two weeks prior to the event. 4. Handling the RSVPs If you choose to have the guests RSVP or send their regrets, keep a list by the telephone to track the response and help any family member that may take a call when you are unavailable. If you choose to request that the guests RSVP, it is perfectly acceptable to have a respond by date, so you can follow up with the guests who have forgotten to do so. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 36
5. Enjoying the Party The better prepared you are for the event the more you and your guest of honor will enjoy it! Be ready when the guest of honor arrives. If they arrive while you are still bustling around, he or she may feel guilty for putting you out. Even if you are overwhelmed, do your best to act calm, cool, and collected. If the guest of honor wants to participate in the day’s events and asks to arrive early, save a few tasks for them: setting out glasses, lighting candles, etc. Do not give them a task that will jeopardize their appearance or clothing. It will be difficult for them to enjoy themselves if they are trying to hide a large food stain on their shirt. Greet guests at the door. See that the guest of honor has food, beverage, and a seat if necessary. If gifts are delivered by mail or brought by guests, discuss when the guest of honor would like to open them. If there are several gifts, offer to record the gift and giver as the gifts are opened. (See tools for thank-you note tracking sheet.) 6. Toasting the Guest of Honor A toast is a celebratory gesture that will be enjoyed by your guests. At an event celebrating a guest of honor, the host gives a toast during the dessert course or when before the dessert is served. During a cocktail party or other event when guests are standing and mingling, find a time when most of the guests have arrived, gotten acquainted, and settled into the event. If no dessert will be served, such as at a breakfast brunch, toast at the beginning of the meal. As the host of a large event, stand, raise your glass, and say a few kind words regarding the guest of honor. (Keep in mind that this is not a time to highlight your quick wit or humor; save the teasing and embarrassing stories.) At an intimate gathering where guests are seated around a table (four to six guests), you may remain seated. Close the toast with a raise of your glass and a few short words, such as “Please join me in toasting our friend ______.”
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The Gracious Guest 1. Responding to the Invitation In our busy lives, it is easy to postpone responding to an invitation until we figure out our schedule. If the hostess requests a reply, decide whether or not you will be attending the event in a timely fashion—not the day before or the day of the event—out of respect for the hostess and her planning. Check the envelope before you discard it: the names on the outside of the envelope communicate who is invited. 2. Selecting a Gift When a party is recognizing a guest of honor, it is courteous to arrive with a gift celebrating him or her unless the invitation reads, “No gifts please.” Rather than disregarding the request and bringing a gift, which may make the guest of honor and other guests uncomfortable, arrange another time to give the present to the guest of honor. Perhaps plan for a lunch date or a time to stop by his or her home to drop it off. 3. Choosing an Outfit When in doubt, ask. One of the best ways to gauge the attire is to find out what the host or most importantly the guest of honor is wearing. Although we always want to look our best when attending a party and it is the perfect time to invest a bit more into the process, we should never intentionally or unintentionally upstage the guest of honor. Knowing what he or she is wearing will help you not to over - or underdress. 4. Attending the Event When a host has gone to great lengths to prepare for a party, it is rather rude to “make an appearance.” Just stopping by communicates that although they are important enough to make your social obligation list, they are not important enough for you to stay. When you RSVP, plan to actually attend the event out of respect for the host and/or the guest of honor. If you have multiple events, it is always best to choose one and stick to it. Even though we want to try to attend everything, it is important to keep in mind that this party is not about you, it is about honoring another person. So choose to attend the entire event or graciously decline. If you do have to leave early, let the host know when you RSVP, and make an effort to also communicate your early departure with the guest of honor. Leaving the Party When it comes time to depart an event, say good-bye to the host and guest of honor before heading to the door even if they are in the middle of a conversation. Wait until they are at a breaking point in the dialogue, then thank them for the effort of throwing the party or for including you on the invitation list. Remember that a hostess gift is a “thank-you” for the invitation and a follow-up Thank-you (can be sent in the same fashion as the invite e-mail, phone, in writing etc.,) is for the party itself. Keeping in mind, nothing says thank-you like the handwritten word.
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WEDDINGS At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 40
Amore By LAUREN DONALDSON
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I was inspired by the French macaron, specifically the Paris bakery LadurĂŠe and their lovely packaging for this darling shoot. Their pretty boxes inspired my save the date design as well as influenced the way I packed the save the date. I used a petal envelope for packaging since it was reminiscent of a box. So it could be like opening up your own little macaron box. The art print can fit right into the envelope so you can have a few of your own macarons. -Lauren Donaldson
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I created a macaroon picnic that was casual but sweet and highlighted some of my favorite things: lace bunting, pink lemonade, vintage finds, and of course macaroons!
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Be sure to view our resource guide to download your own macaron printables from Lauren Elise Crafted. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 44
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THE PRINTED WORD Stationery Etiquette from Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York What styles or color palettes are popular for spring and summer stationery suites? Spring is that time of year when everything is in full bloom and we embrace blossoming flowers and fresh color palettes. Look to your favorite garden flowers for color inspiration. Pinks, lavenders purples and greens are beautiful together. I love Tiffany blue for a fresh color pop mixed in as well. Lemon yellow partnered with fuchsia and orange is wonderful for bright summer parties too. Think vibrant and alive warm colors. For more color inspiration visit Ceci’s inspiration site. When should a save the date card be sent out? When should the invitations be sent? Save the dates go out in the mail 6-8 months before your wedding date. And invitations are sent 6-8 weeks before. Note: for destination or weddings on a holiday weekend, its best to send out 3 months before. . Typically it takes 2-3 months to produce when you include design, printing and calligraphy time. So best to start early so you can enjoy the creative process and avoid rush fees.
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What guidance can you give to couples in the beginning stages of their stationery selection process to ensure both of their voices are heard? It's important that your invitation is a direct representation of your personal style together as a couple so it's best both sides get heard. Come to the meeting prepared, even pull tear sheets of what inspires each of you. Have an open mind and let the professionals help guide you to your perfect solution. An expert designer is a pro at hearing both sides and they will find a way to make sure both of your desires are represented in a great way. I do this all the time and love surprising my clients with what's possible.
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What is your number one invitation mistake or no-no? I have two: 1. sending an evite as your wedding invitation. No no no...no way! No exception. Please do not disrespect the tradition of a formal invitation. It’s your wedding after all, not just another cocktail party. Show yourself and your guests respect. I always ask my clients would you show up to your wedding in sweatpants and Ugg boots? To me, it’s the same thing.
When should thank you notes be written for wedding gifts received?
2. Typos: make sure you proof your invitations carefully! It’s not just about approving the pretty design. Have an extra set {or two} of eyes look at your final draft to ensure you have everything correct. Typos are never fun and reprints are extremely expensive. So be smart.
I recommend that you should always order your thank you notes with your invitations. That way you will have them on hand and ready to go once your gifts start coming in. My best advice: write your thank you notes as soon as you open each gift as they trickle in. That way your message will be sincere and of the moment.
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What is a simple way to phrase response cards so that guests will respond with their entrée choices properly and clearly? If you have to denote your entrée choice on your response card then I recommend stating “Please select your entrée choice below” and have a check box next to a chicken or fish icon to make it easy for your guests to choose. If you need to know specifically which of the couple is getting chicken or fish, then you must have them write their names on a separate line and select accordingly. This becomes cumbersome and I really do not recommend it. Typically your caterer should be able to work with you and have some flexibility.
What is coming up for you? I just recently launched my online magazine, CeciStyle. It’s loaded with gorgeous tips and takes on invitations, fashion, parties, weddings, décor, gifts, and more. It’s free and full of trusted time-saving advise. Each week I send out my inspirations as a designer and offer expert tips and advice. In turn I hope to inspire readers to live life more creatively. Celebrate life more stylishly and live your best life
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SPRING ACCESSORIES FOR BRIDESMAIDS
FORTUNY PLEATED NU-GEORGETTE FLOWER APPLE SLICE| DESSY $14
HAND PAINTED WRISTLETS | FRANCESCA JOY $30
FAILLE And CRINKLE CHIFFON FASCINATOR | DESSY $36 PHOTOS BY LLANES WEDDINGS
FORTUNY PLEATED NU-GEORGETTE FLOWER BUTTERCUP | DESSY $14
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FUN-FUNKY RING BEARER PILLOWS FROM FRESH LINE
CUSTOM RING BEARER PILLOWS | PHOTOS BY LLANES WEDDINGS
FRESH LINE $48 At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 51
REGISTRY Q & A With Amanda Allen of NewlyWish Tell us about NewlyWish and how it works. NewlyWish is a registry and wedding-related gifting service that we started to help couples create gift registries that truly reflect their personal styles. The inspiration for the site came from my own wedding registry experience. We were a little ambivalent about the whole idea of registering, but once we got started, we found that our favorite local stores lacked online registries if they had any registry capabilities at all. The more I spoke with other engaged couples and recent brides, the more I realized that my experience was not uncommon and that, in fact, there was a tremendous demand for increased options in registry, but many shops, due to time, money, or technological constraints, just couldn’t meet it.
A few years on now and we offer couples access to our community of more than 30 shops that carry all of the top brands plus some wonderful and unique options for kitchenware, tabletop, bedding, and home décor, plus some less traditional items such as artwork, food, wine and tickets to cultural & sporting events. All At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 52
What are helpful tips you have for couples starting to plan their registry? Think about what you need: First, take a bit of time with your soon-to-be husband/wife and really talk about what you want your registry to be. Maybe you’re pretty happy with all of your cookware and really just need a set of knives for the kitchen and a stand mixer. Or perhaps neither of you has invested in nice decorative accents since you graduated college, your registry is a great place to include that fancy picture frame, vase or lighting fixture. If you start off by going straight to the department store, you might find yourself following the scanner gun down the ‘rabbit hole’, zapping left and right, but perhaps not ending up with exactly what you want or need.
Create a ‘Style Board’: Once you have a good sense of the types of things you’re going to include, take a few moments to browse the things you want in these categories. Find the Right Shops: Then, armed with your registry blueprint, it’s no problem finding the right stores and create a registry that fits your needs and which friends and family will love getting you gifts from because they’ll see your style and life as a couple reflected in all of the gift items. Remember Your Guests: Finally, make sure that your registry includes items that cover a range of price points and, to the extent possible, can be purchased in store and online.
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Do you have advice for couples who might already have kitchen or home basics? What might you suggest they add to their registry? One of the most important trends in registry (and weddings in general) is that people are getting married later in life and often have not only many of the household basics, but also a more defined sense of their personal styles. A major impetus for NewlyWish was to meet the needs of exactly these couples. For these couples I’d say, don’t be afraid to go off the traditional registry script and think about including experience-type gifts. There are so many options out there, from tickets to concerts or cultural events, to spa treatments, to outdoor activities like rock climbing or kayaking. Two of our most popular are dancing lessons, which can be used during the engagement period, and cooking classes, which the couple can attend together and learn how to use all of the wonderful new equipment that they received as gifts. And what we’ve seen is that guests love to give these types of gifts – they’re always among the first to be purchased from our registries. In addition, people are increasingly including one or more ‘big-ticket’ items on their registry, which they envision as being good for a group gift and will help to build a foundation for the rest of their interior decorating – think piece of art or even a dresser.
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Are there certain items that you're seeing as popular registry items for spring? Spring certainly conjures images of colors – brights and pastels – and floral or nature-inspired designs. Nowadays, many people look to fashion for home design inspiration especially since so many fashion designers are expanding into home goods. A big trend that we’re seeing a lot of coming from the recent fashion week shows is prints & patterns. This can be for anything from dinnerware to pillows, throws and furniture coverings, to bed and bath linens. Even if this really isn’t your style, my biggest takeaway is, don’t be afraid of color and mixing patterns – you don’t have to get rid of your current linens or dinnerware just because you’re getting new ones in a different design from your registry. Add a new bright, or patterned duvet cover to your neutral sheets and pillowcases, or register for some bold serving pieces to help jazz up your existing dinnerware.
Another important shift that we’re seeing is that eco-friendly is no longer a trend, it’s here to stay. For those who haven’t started including eco-friendly items in their home, I really suggest that you check out some of the options that are out there – there’s a great array of very beautiful and luxurious items available, and your registry is a great place to start adding eco-friendly items to your home.
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SATURDAY IN THE PARK By LAUREN GROVE, SHAY COCHRANE PHOTOGRAPHY, BLOOMS BY THE BOX, and CHIC SWEETS
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Lauren
Grove ran with a chic
ribbon theme for her spring dessert table top. Utilizing a fresh color palette she created thatched ribbon placemats, a special thatched ribbon escort card display, and a ribbon table number. Chic Sweets, a local dessert table company, took the ribbon theme even further in the dessert table design. It turned out that using the ribbon as the theme of the whole shoot was a great move- there were so many ways to incorporate them into all of the details! It all came together beautifully, and was so fresh, bright and modern- perfect for spring!
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At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 58
At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 59
At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 60
A breezy gown from White Closet Bridal Co. is perfect for this afternoon soiree.
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Pretty in Pink By WENDY RAMOS and SHANNON LEE IMAGES
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We went for something soft with a little pop of color. I've seen a lot of Parisian chic work but I wanted to change it up a bit so I worked on a sweetheart table and added black Russian netting as a runner to roughen the softness. I loved the end result! The Russian netting worked so great with the anemone, spray roses, ranunculus, and pink hydrangea. I picked up macarons from Bottega Louie and had the perfect little hutch to display them. - Wendy Ramos
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At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 64
Black Russian netting roughened the softness of this sweetheart table.
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SPRING BRIDAL LOOKS FROM DESSY
IMAGES FROM DESSY GROUP At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 66
LOOKS FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS FROM DESSY
DRESSES BY LELA ROSE
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LOOKS FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS FROM DESSY
DRESSES BY AFTER SIX
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SPRING-INSPIRED LOVELINESS
BOLD AS BRASS FASCINATOR | CORRINE O’NEILL $45
PEACOCK FASCINATOR| EMICI BRIDAL $90
TULLE CAPELET | CORRINE O’NEILL
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Planning Tips from a Veteran Bride By Steph Killip I just got married in New Zealand and although I am very happy with our day and how it panned, in hindsight there are things I could have ‘managed’ better or I am glad I didn’t do without. Photography is all you have left. To use a dear friend’s own words (thanks Abby from Superburbs), your wedding day is a total, fantastically amazing blur. Do yourself a favor and find a good photographer. There are plenty out there with reasonable prices and if you don’t compromise on only one thing, then don’t compromise or sacrifice on your photos or quality photography. Dealing with the total, fantastically amazing blur Stop and sit down, looking outwards and around you as much as you can: take it in. Hug, hug, and hug… I feel I didn’t hug enough or told people enough how much I love them. Start early: late ceremony means only a short amount of time to spend with your guests… Start early and have ‘activities’ so people keep entertained. Have your bridal party and couple shots before the ceremony: if you are not a big traditionalist – do that! It’s great, helps with the stress of the whole ‘walking down the aisle’ and you don’t have to rush away after the ceremony and feel stressed to be taken away from your guests.
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A planner or day-of? I didn’t have a planner and I had a venue with no catering, no seating area: we had to do it all. If it wasn’t for my amazing friend Sofia from Branco Prata, I think the day would never have come together. Having a dedicated person you can trust to bring your vision to life and make sure everything is running smoothly is probably one of the most important thing on the day, especially if you are a keen DIY-er and you have planned for a lot of little details, activities and the likes. A day-of coordinator: a must. More and more. Revise your schedule I thought I was giving myself plenty of time to get ready: and I was short of an hour! If you have to get up at 6am, do it. Trust me. You do not want to be rushed AND you do not want to miss out on simple moments of laughter and fun because you are on a schedule. I am a veteran now, after all! Be yourself. There is an amazing amount of inspiration out there and trust me, it will drive you mad because you had an image of your perfect wedding in your mind and then you see a color combo and think “oh, I like that” or an invitation suite “oh, that’s cool too”… Think about what you and your partner are all about. Inspiration is great: especially ideas of ways to executive it, combinations of ‘props’, fun details or activities. But your wedding will be the most beautiful one if it is all about you as a couple! Don’t get married to be featured on a blog, get married because you love each other and you want to share a very special moment with your family and friends.
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FRESH
By MELISSA HUBER, PEONY + PLUM, and
COURTNEY LINDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 72
I
was inspired while walking through my local nursery. The beautiful grey green tones of herbs like lavender and rosemary paired so perfectly with the fluffy white roses that sat next to them. For the favors I purchased mini cheddar cheese wheels from Trader Joe’s and tied each one up into a pretty little cheesecloth pouch, which I secured with twine and a sprig of fresh lavender. I used fallen eucalyptus branches from around my neighborhood and created the simple garland and wreath that adorned the table.
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The runner was made from a piece of cheese cloth cut to fit the length of the table, then tied off at the ends with some twine. I love the idea of serving something simple yet delicious like artisan cheeses with an assortment of breads, crackers, and fresh fruit. Something anyone can do, and everyone will love! To top if all off, I made some refreshing lavender lemonade spiked with a little citrus vodka. –Melissa Huber
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At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 75
SPRING HAS SPRUNG by Ruby & Willow
STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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COMING UP GREEN by Baci Designer Stationery + Events
STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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SPRING CHIC by Honeybee Invites
STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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A DAY AT THE FAIR by A Pinch of Lovely
STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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COTTON CANDY by Lasso’d Moon
STATIONERY INSPIRATION
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NAPKIN FOLDS By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
PYRAMID
Lay your napkin flat {face down}
1
Fold the napkin in half {diagonally}
2
NESTING
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Turn the napkin away from you
3 Fold the right-hand side of the napkin up towards the center
4 Fold the left-hand side towards the center so the two points meet
5 NESTING
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Turn the napkin over
6 Fold the entire napkin in half with the open end towards you
7
Bring the center of the napkin up {along the seam} until it sits like a pyramid
8
9 NESTING At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 84
FRENCH FOLD Lay the napkin flat {face down}
1 Bring the top left corner down towards you
2
Rotate the napkin
3 NESTING
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Fold the top down so that it makes a new crease and rotate the entire napkin
4 Bring the right point down and towards you until you have three even creases and folds
5
NESTING
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TRI-FOLD
1 Lay napkin flat {unfinished side down}
2 Fold one third of the napkin over by bringing it to the top seam
3 4
Fold the remaining third of the napkin over so that you have a long strip
NESTING
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Nick’s Picks for the Honeymooning Groom
BANANA REPUBLIC$54.50
SPERRY TOPSIDERS | $80
ADAM SUNGLASSES | BANANA REPUBLIC $90
MR. TAYLOR OF BOND STREET $38 AT MIN AND FRANKLIN + GROWER POCKET SQUARE | DESSY $25
GIFT GUIDE
TOMMY BAHAMA WEEKENDER BAG $350 At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 88
Nick’s Picks: Gifts for the Groomsmen
SHAVING GIFT SET | THE ART OF SHAVING $100
IPAD LEATHER BLUETOOTH CASE | BROOKSTONE $100
DELUXE GRILL SET | SHARPER IMAGE $79.99
GIFT GUIDE
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Aleah’s Whimsical Picks for the Bride
4-STRAND GOLD WOOD NECKLACE | AMANDA PEARL $268
AMARANTHINE | PENHALIGON’S | at MIN
FIONA FEATHERED HEADBAND HEN PARTY | BUTTER LONDON $14
| DRESSES FOR THE RACES £35
GIFT GUIDE
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Aleah’s Favorite Picks from B. Mookie Jewelry
BIRD ON A WIRE RING $60
SHEER BLISS EARRINGS $95
SAPPHIRE SECRETS CUFF $400
BELLA NECKLACE $795 |PHOTO FROM TIM OTTO PHOTOGRAPHY
HER MAJESTY EARRINGS $170
GIFT GUIDE
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ANCHORS AWAY By VALLEY & CO. Photographed by LLANES WEDDINGS
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When designing and planning your rehearsal dinner remember to keep it simple. It should not compete with the wedding reception itself. Bring in elements that you and your fiancĂŠe love but maybe did not utilize in your wedding celebration design. Share a love for the sea and boating?
Run with a nautical theme and keep it simple. Utilize navy in a way that brings drama, as with the linens and dishes.
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At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 94
HONEYMOONING: ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
Isla Mujeres is truly a gem in the Caribbean. A ferry boat ride from downtown Cancun, the island is easily accessible from the airport. Rent a golf cart and putz around for the day or stay in the new Villa Rolandi luxury hotel or a rental home. The best people watching site is near the ferry dock where you’ll find an abundance of seaside bars where you can laze the day away with your feet in the sand. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 95
Travel Tips: for the best snorkeling, visit about 1/4 mile from the well-known Garrafon Reef Park. For under $10 you can rent snorkeling gear here—flippers and mask. Aprè s snorkeling sit back with fresh chips and guacamole and a cold cerveza from this hidden location. {The advertised snorkeling spot on the island is crowded and nearly five times the price}. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 96
HONEYMOONING: SAN REMO, ITALY
Nestled above the glittering Mediterranean Sea, the historic five-star Royal Hotel San Remo is a must-see. The Grande Dame of Italy’s northwest coast, The Royal Hotel San Remo is chock-full of charm and stories. With it’s saltwater pool that overlooks the sea to the private balconies, delicious dining, and easy access to shopping, the resort hotel has it all. At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 97
The underground spa is a feast for the senses. Misting showers spray you with minted water and the warming baths are entirely relaxing. Travel tips: Buy a rail pass and ride along to the South of France for day trips. Check out the local market for the freshest Italian {and French} cheeses, pastries, cured meats, and wine.
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JET SETTERS
TRAVEL JOURNAL | PARIS ROME STATIONERY | CECI NEW YORK $39.95
TRAVEL SMITH $59
JUICE BEAUTY ORGANICS TO GO KIT | TRAVEL SMITH $29.95
LUGGAGE TAGS | LINNEA DESIGN $5
GIFT GUIDE
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BRUNCH IN THE FIELD By TORI TAIT
At Home with Valley & Co.—Spring Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 100
When I think about the first days of Spring, visions of fresh linen hanging from clotheslines in the bright, shining sun come to mind. I wanted this Spring brunch to play on that vision. The table setting was meant to feel crisp and clean -- simple yet inviting. With an all white table (from the linens to the floral arrangements), the natural colors of Spring seemed to pop all around.
For the centerpieces I gathered a group of different sized white vases and lined them up in the center of the table. All white flowers were picked up from the local farmers market and added unique textures to the table. Using different types of flowers all in the same color family is an inexpensive way to create a stunning centerpiece - anyone can do it!
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Just as the table was simple, so was the brunch menu. Mini quiches, orange marmalade muffins, fresh fruit skewers and mimosas would be delightful on any Spring morning. For a playful touch, we places a yellow polka dot paper pinwheel custom designed from Twirlie Whirlies in each muffin.
I used the paper elements from Paper and Pigtails to add a pop of color to the all-white table. The bright yellow and orange designs were a bright touch. -Tori
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RESOURCES Wine Flights; page 7: Styling and Design: Valley & Co.; Concepts Event Design Coastal Celebration; page 10: chairs and linens: Concepts Event Design; place setting marker sticks and pots from Simply Pretty Prints Mother’s Day Seaside Brunch; page 21: chairs and linens: Concepts Event Design; plates from Crate and Barrel; flowers from Valley & Co.; Photography: Llanes Weddings How to Stock Your Bar Like a Pro; page 24: linens: Concepts Event Design; barware from Valley & Co.; Photography: Llanes Weddings Weddings: Amore by Lauren Elise Crafted; page 40: photography and DIY project from Lauren Donaldson; click for Printable Save the Date Card Printable Macaron Artwork Love is Sweet tags
Saturday in the Park; page 56: Styling and planning: Lauren Grove, Every Last Detail; Photography by Shay Cochrane Photography; Dessert Table by Chic Sweets; Paper Products, Seaside Invitations; Makeup, Lindsay Does Makeup; Flowers, Blooms by the Box; Model’s Dress, White Closet Dress Co.; Pretty in Pink; page 62: Styling and planning: Wendy Ramos; Just Wenderful; Photography by Shannon Lee Images; Macarons from Bottega Louie Fresh; page 72: Styling and Design: Melissa Huber, The Loveliest Day; Flowers: Peony + Plum; Photography: Courtney Lindberg Photography Anchors Away; page 92: Styling and flowers by Valley & Co.; Photography: Llanes Weddings; Linens: Concepts Event Design Brunch in a Field; page 100: Styling and flowers: Tori Tait, Thoughtfully Simple; Pinwheels: Twirlie Whirlies: Stationery: Paper and Pigtails
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ALEAH + NICK VALLEY Event design + logistics from the husband and wife wedding and event planning and design team™ since 2003. SAN DIEGO | SEATTLE | PALM SPRINGS + BEYOND valleyandco.com | hello@valleyandco.com valleyandcoblog.com Tel. 858.349.9900 | 206.250.2055 ENVISION CREATIVITY. EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE.
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