WeDo Designs Showcase August 19th 2011

If you were one of the many brides who attended the WeDo Designs showcase at The Palms Pavilion, this will be a fun recap for you! If you weren't able to make it to the event we will let you know what you missed!  WeDo Designs offers affordable decor including luxury linens, centerpieces, dishes & flatware rentals, chair covers, uplighting, wall paneling and more.  For brides still in their planning stages, visiting a showroom that displays many different colors, textures, table settings and centerpieces will give you an idea of what you are drawn to. When guests arrived at the showcase they signed up to be entered into a drawing for luxury linens for up to 100 guests, provided by WeDo Designs.  There were also photo albums full of beautiful photos of designs and decor by WeDo Designs, that really shows the creativity and versatility of this company.  Guests enjoyed tasty treats by Bacio Catering and some refreshing punch provided by Holiday Inn.

Peacock feathers and deep blue tones grabbed the attention of guests right away! Every inch of the room had something interesting for your eyes, and I couldn't count how many times I heard brides say "Oh, I love that!"

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When it comes to linens, WeDo Designs carrries a multitude of colors and textures that can fit perfectly with any decor and color scheme.  One lucky showcase guest will win a set of luxury linens for up to 100 guests for their bridal shower or other event, so ladies and gentlemen make sure to stop by WeDo Design's Facebook page tomorrow evening at 5pm to find out who won! (Click here to visit the WeDo Designs Facebook page.)  The 530 Bride will keep you posted on other local events, and other chances to win great prizes and services.

Which table setting was your favorite? Let us know by leaving a comment here!

Featured Vendor ~ Jaz Events

Many brides spend some time reading bridal magazines and watching shows on T.V. like My Fair Wedding, or Platinum Weddings, and they may think that the beautiful weddings they see are beyond their reach.  We hope to show Northern California Brides that you have access to vendors that can create events that are magazine and t.v. worthy. Jaz Events is the go-to source for event furniture that can transform your venue, and make a lasting impression on your guests.  Offering both indoor and outdoor furniture, Jaz Events can help stage the furniture to flow with your venue and your decor.  Jaz Events can take the couple's vision and concept for the event and add their expertise which equates to some pretty cool events if you ask us.

As you can see the combination of the furniture and some uplighting can really create an exceptional atmosphere.   The ladies of Jaz Events think outside of the box, and offer an affordable way to style your venue and add that wow-factor you have been looking for.

Where do you start, you ask? Simply set up a consulation with Jaz Events to look through their catalogue and find the furniture that will suit your needs.  After considering thinks like the layout of your venue or party location, how many guests you are planning on having, the number of seating areas you would like, and the atmosphere you would like to create; Jaz Events will take it from there.

We asked about set-up and rental, and Jaz Events makes it easy.  They deliver the furniture, set-up/stage your event, and then pick it up after the event.  Pretty simple!  What we found impressive were all of the different furniture and staging options, and the endless possibilities you have at a very reasonable price.

You may have seen some of the lovely designs by Jaz Events at the January Chico Bridal Showcase, or the recent Open House at the Palms.  When you meet with Jaz Events it is very clear that these ladies love what they do, and take pride in their work! You can check out their portfolio of designs, or contact them to schedule a consultation by visiting their website at http://www.jazevents.com

Win a Gift Basket from Amanda's Party Gals!

Our next awesome giveaway package is fromAmanda's Party Gals!

 A great idea to incorporate into a Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party is having a Party Gal's consultant come to your house (or wherever you are hosting the shower/party). It is a fun and inexpensive option for having an awesome party that everyone will have a blast at!

Make Margaritas or Cosmo's, serve the Brides favorite snacks and make it a Slumber Party (see this post for Slumber Party ideas) or follow your Party Gal's party with a night on the town.

One of our readers will win a Fabulous Gift Basket from Amanda's Party Gals valued at over $150. To enter leave a comment on this, or any other post on The 530 Bride starting today and ending Tuesday, August 23rd. For your entry to be counted, please include your email address so we can contact you if you are the winner!

If you would like an extra entry to the contest, Visit Amanda's Party Gals on Facebook and Like her and tell her that we sent you!

The winner will be announced next Wednesday and will have 24 hours to reply claiming their prize before a new winner will be chosen.

 

 

 

It's almost here! Get your Chico Bridal Showcase tickets in advance!

This weekend is the Chico Bridal Showcase, only a day and a half left to get your advance tickets and save money! Advance tickets are $7.50, and tickets at the door will be $10.00. Visit the Chico Bridal Showcase website to purchase your tickets!

 

Be sure to look for The 530 Bride, we look forward to meeting all of you!!!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Dorenzo!

We first introduced the couple and their engagement story with you in April of this year, and we are excited to congratulate the couple on their marriage and their wedding day on July 3rd 2011.  If you missed our post "On the road to I Do' Melissa & Gavin", Click here to check it out! Melissa is a DIY bride all the way, she arrived at The Palms Pavilion and started decorating at 05:45 a.m on the day of her wedding!

Thinking ahead, Melissa did much of the work before hand such as folding the napkins, creating the programs, and creating personal touches like her picture board featuring many pictures of her and Gavin.

Her table settings included brown table linens with pink runners, which matched her centerpieces that she also created herself. Square Glass Vases filled with glass beads and adorned with different variations of Gerbera Daisy's and Roses.

Melissa made her table number cards and her programs, she was a busy girl!

The lovely head table!

It was a very warm day, but The Palms Pavilion made a beautiful backdrop for Melissa & Gavin's Big Day.

Gavin and his groomsmen had no problem entertaining themselves while his beautiful bride was getting ready!

The Bridesmaids looked lovely in their dresses which were made by the Bride's mother Cathy.

Okay we know you have been waiting to get a glimpse of the bride, and here she is getting ready.

The guests have all arrived and it is time for the ceremony to begin.

 

It's official everyone, these two have tied the knot!

The Wedding Cake was a beautiful 3 tier cake with paper lanterns hung in the corner, which gave a fun focal point to the room.

The Cocktail Hour gave couples a chance to take some fun and silly pictures in the Photobooth, and then the couple made their grand entrance. Mr. & Mrs Dorenzo walked down the stairs as husband and wife and they got a very warm welcome by all of their guests.

The Reception was kicked off with a great slide-show of pictures of the couple, from all of the their adorable baby pictures up to photos of them when they started dating and of course their engagement pictures. This couple has something magical and it shows! After Dinner, the couple made their way around the room and visited with guests. These love birds were just glowing with happiness. The evening continued with a playful cutting of the cake and of course dancing! The Dance

We want to wish these two the best and may they always smile as brightly as they did on this day!

Win $25 or $50 to spend at the Day Spa or Salon of your choice!

  We are excited to announce our new contest and giveaway!

We will be doing a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to the Salon or Day Spa of your choice, and a $50 certificate to whoever refers the most people to subscribe to our site www.the530bride.com.

How to enter: In the right hand sidebar there is a clickable link to subscribe to our site. Once you have subscribed, leave a comment with your name and the name of who referred you! Each referral will count as an extra entry for the $25 certificate and on August 1st the subscriber with the highest number of referrals will win the $50 certificate to the Salon or Day Spa of their choice!

Want to increase your chances of winning? Share this post on your Facebook and Twitter! All Twitter and Facebook followers who subscribe will get an extra entry! (Please leave an additional comment FOR EACH ENTRY in order to be counted.)

Winners will be chosen on August 17th and announced August 19th. Winners will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond claiming their prize. After 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

Wedding Planning Made Easy ~ Why You Should Attend a Local Wedding Expo~

Wedding planning is different for everyone, some do extensive research online before ever talking to vendors, and some go through a wedding coordinator who handles all of the details for them.  No matter where you fall on that spectrum it is still a good idea to take the opportunity to meet local wedding vendors face-to-face and learn about the products and services they offer.  Not sure if a Wedding Expo is your scene? Read on and you might change your mind! Some of the vendors you will meet include Photographers, Videographers, Photo Booth Companies, DJ’s, Wedding Venues & Ceremony Sites, Officiants, Wedding Coordinators & Event Planners, Wedding Cake Decorators/Bakeries, Caterers, Bridal Shops & Formal Wear, Florists, Jewelers, Party Rentals & Décor, Travel Agents, Stationary and more.

Taste samples from caterers and bakeries, drink champagne, and mingle with other brides who are planning their weddings. Bring your walking shoes and a notepad so that you can ask vendors all of your burning questions!  A great piece of advice we found was to have mailing labels made with your contact information so that you can enter into all of the great drawings and raffles for prizes without getting a cramp from writing!

Did the words Drawings & Prizes get your attention?  The expos offer you the chance to win giveaways, discounts and other sweet prizes.  Wedding Dresses, Romance Packages, Beauty Packages, Cakes and other goodies can be yours just by being the lucky winner!

If you are looking for great deals, a wedding expo is the place to be.  Vendors will be offering discounts and deals for booking with them at the expo.  Pick up business cards, brochures, coupons and product information that will help you be more organized when choosing the wedding professionals that are right for you.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Chico Wedding Weekend August 18 & 19th, 11 AM TO 3 PM Neighborhood Church 2801 Notre Dame Boulevard Chico, CA 95928 Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Luxury Wedding Show   Sunday, August 19, 2012, Noon - 4:00 pm Tsakopoulos Library Galleria 828 I St Sacramento, CA

The Yuba-Sutter Fall Bridal Show   Sunday, September 9, 2012, Noon - 5 pm Yuba City Fairgrounds, Yuba City CA

Chico Wedding Weekend January 11-13, 2013

The Yuba-Sutter Bridal Show   Sunday, January 27, 2013, Noon - 5 pm Yuba City Fairgrounds, Yuba City CA

The Dream Wedding Show February 24, 2013, 11 am - 4 pm Cal Expo 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento

Have you attended Wedding Expo’s before? We would like to hear your opinions about your experience!

Vendor Feature: Adornments by Debbie!

Are you looking for unique handmade jewelry for your wedding, or maybe as a gift for your bridesmaids? We recently found Debbie, a great local lady with a fabulous online jewelry store Adornments by Debbie.  

  " Hello my name is Debbie and I have a shop on Etsy where I sell my handmade jewelry and hair accessories.  The name of my  shop  is Adornments by Debbie, a one woman show where you  will find a  wide  array of jewelry for weddings as well as everyday  wear.  I  offer free  shipping on all items and I love custom orders  so  feel  free to contact  me.  Please stop by often as items are  continually  added."

Debbie's items are beautifully crafted and she offers custom jewlery so you can be sure that everything will go with your chosen colors!

 

We love this Rhinestone and White pearl set, classy with a touch of bling!

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie is offering a 10% off sale right now with FREE shipping! Enter 10offplusfreeship at checkout to receive your discount!

If you love your purchase from Adornments by Debbie, please come  back and comment here!

 

 

It doesn't have to be new to be Fabulous!

These days many brides are looking for ways to keep their budgets down. For some, that may mean more do-it-yourself projects and for others they may have to trim their guest list slightly.  Another great way to accomplish this without having to sacrifice, is to buy used! Buying used for your wedding doesn't have to mean lowering your standards, there are tons of great deals out there if you are willing to look for them! Everything to used chair covers, votive candles, flower girl dresses, and even your wedding gown.  If you are thinking "no way!"; keep reading.

Many women decide after their weddings not to keep their dresses or change their minds after purchasing a dress and can't return it.  This is often the case when you buy an off the rack sale dress, but fear not because you still have options.  A search on *craigslist turned up a few great dresses at REALLY good prices!

We suggest you that you try on as many dresses that you need to in the bridal stores to get an idea of the style you like, and to make sure you know what size dress you will need. You can also research different designers that offer the style gowns that you like, so that you can narrow down what you are looking for.  Doing your homework will save you time, and it will also help you if you do start shopping for used dresses because you will know what you like!  Do you see yourself in a Maggie Sottero Dress, or possibly a Casa Blanca? A simple search online could potentially help you save a lot of money, and help you keep your budget in line.

 

This Alvina Valenta is listed at over a $1200 discount!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This dress would be awesome for a Destination wedding...and it is less than $100!

 

 

 

 

 

This dress from Allure Bridal is almost $1000 off  of the retail price!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craigslist isn't the only option for finding pre-owned dresses. There are great sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com and also Etsy.com and of course good ol' Ebay.

Stay tuned...in the future you may even be able to buy your fabulous pre-owned dress right here at The 530 Bride!

Summer Weddings

Life is sweet, and a great example of life's sweetness is a fun and casual summer wedding.  Personal touches and thoughtful accents such as hand painted signs, framed photographs and photo-booths make for a great party!  Check out these lovely summer wedding photos shot by the talented Essence Photography.

Glass beverage dispensers and chalk-boards create an effortless and fun display, and can tie into the overall decor. Keeping the theme consistent, the guest tables are adorned with glass jars in the place of traditional water goblets.

The centerpieces perfectly capture the essence of the outdoors, varying from manzanita branches adorned with flowers, candles and green moss, to lanterns also surrounded with moss.

"Spread the Love" Jam favors at each place setting with the couples name and wedding date are a great keepsake and personal touch.

The outdoor seating is nice and open, and mixing up the centerpieces helps the decor flow nicely.

After dinner, its time to head to the dance floor! As you can see this couple chose a simple dance floor decorated with white lights which creates a nice romantic glow and looks great in pictures. Guests can enjoy themselves by hopping in line for the photo booth, using playful props and chalkboards. The photos will make for a great keepsake, and would also be fun to insert a copy of the guests photos within their thank-you cards.

Essence Photography captured some great shots of this fun crowd!

Are you a summer bride? Tell us your engagement story and wedding inspirations by emailing us at features@the530bride.com

To see more great work by Essence Photography who specializes in Wedding, Portrait, Newborn, Family, Maternity, Engagement, Special Event, and Senior Portrait Photography. Priceless Memories, At A Price You Can Afford. Visit www.EssencePhotog.com or call (530) 440-3450.

Northern California Bed & Breakfast Honeymoons

Ask any bride about her dream honeymoon and it most likely will revolve around romance, relaxation, peace & quiet and maybe even a little adventure.  Some couples go to the Bahamas, Mexico or Hawaii, but many couples are postponing their honeymoon due to job restrictions or other financial reasons.  Choosing a local destination is most often less expensive, and you can still customize your honeymoon to fit your needs. Bed & Breakfasts are the new vacation spots for people of all ages because it basically is a three-in-one deal: destination, lodging & food.  First, consider what your needs are and find the Bed & Breakfast that best fits what you are looking for. Things to consider are:

  • Price per night
  • Minimum Stay Duration
  • How far in advance do you need to book the room
  • Deposit
  • Room Size
  • Private Bath
  • Honeymoon Packages (Champagne, Dinner, Spa Services or other perks)
  • Food & Drinks
  • Proximity to desired attractions (Beaches, Restaurants, Amusement Parks or Events)

Some of the Bed & Breakfasts that stood out, offer a charming and romantic alternative to honeymooning out of state. With many reasonable rates & packages, you really can plan a romantic and memorable honeymoon.

Carmel Country Inn Carmel, CA www.carmelcountryinn.com Toll Free: 1 (800) 215-6343

Features several room options, perfect for special occasions such as honeymoons and anniversaries. "You'll find our B&B in Carmel, CA, situated near Monterey, on the beautiful Central California coast offering galleries, fabulous antique & boutique stores, award winning restaurants and the enjoyable Sunset Center all within walking distance. Our Carmel California Inn provides spacious suites and cozy studios all with comfy down comforters, romantic fireplaces and some with luxurious Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs." - Carmel Country Inn ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Weller House Inn  

 Weller House Inn 524 Stewart Street Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Toll Free: 1 (877) 893-5537 www.wellerhouse.com

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this Bed & Breakfast is a breathtaking Victorian Mansion with charm. "Easy walk to dining, shopping, and live music nightly. Very quiet street two blocks from the ocean and off of the main street. 10 minutes North of the village of Mendocino. Within 10 minutes of a wide variety of activities including Skunk Train, party boats, canoeing, golf, tennis, and a health club. Horse back riding is also available within 5 minutes." ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 The Chateau Tivoli 1057 Steiner Street San Francisco, CA 94115 (800) 228-1647 www.chateautivoli.com

"Step inside to enter a world of Victorian splendor, filled with hand-carved woodwork, crystal chandeliers, period wallpapers, and oriental rugs. Charm and color are what San Francisco is all about, and there is perhaps no inn more charming or more colorful than the city's most celebrated "painted lady", the Chateau Tivoli." _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Durham House Inn 2280 Durham Dayton Hwy Durham, CA 95938 530.342.5900 www.durhamhouseinn.com

Featured on the National Registry of Historical Places, you will find generously sized rooms decorated with Victorian furniture.  Surrounded by beautiful greenery, almond orchards and two 500 year old oak trees, you will have no trouble escaping to this retreat!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cory's Country Inn Chico, CA 95973 Reservations: (530) 345-2955 www.coryscountryinn.com

"The Inn is a lovely blend of country lodging, fine food, bird watching, a bocci court, guided hikes to Mount Lassen, an outdoor movie theater and beautiful art representing the best of Northern California."  - Cory's Country Inn ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

O'Brien Mountain Inn 18026 O'Brien Inlet Road O'Brien, California   96070 (530) 238-8026 www.obrienmountaininn.com

If you are looking for romance & adventure, The O'Brien Mountain Inn offers you the best of both worlds in a elegant yet casual environment surrounded by lush forest views.  Located near Lake Shasta, you can find outdoor adventures such as fishing or exploring the Shasta Lake Caverns or go wine tasting at some of the nearby wineries.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

On The Beach Bed and Breakfast 181 N. Ocean Ave Cayucos CA, 93430 Toll Free 1 (877) 995-0800 www.californiaonthebeach.com

On the Beach Bed & Breakfast, well the name speaks for itself doesn't it? With ocean view rooms, immediate access to the pier and the beach, and great amenities you might end up wanting to never leave! It's the Perfect blend of comfort and class in addition to the beautiful scenery, plus with activities available including wine tasting, Hearst Castle tours, horseback riding, surfing, kayaking, fishing and hiking.

If you know of  a Bed & Breakfast or honeymoon destination that  you would like to recommend, let us know!

 

Hire a Professional Beverage Service/Bartender

Even if you are having a "dry" wedding, your guests will still be thirsty.  Hiring a professional bartender or beverage service helps to make sure that you and your guests can enjoy the evening without having to pour your own drinks! Catering companies often supply water, tea, or lemonade but when it comes to champagne or cocktail drinks you are on your own.  With a professional bartender you can rest assured that your guests will be taken care of. Make a statement, and treat your guests with signature cocktail drinks made special for your wedding. You will need to check with your wedding venue to ensure they allow outside alcohol for your event.  You can create signature drinks that match your theme, or plan around the season of your wedding.  White Russians for winter weddings and blended margarita's or mojitos for the warmer months.

For our DIY brides out there, look for sales and deals on alcohol and drink mixes and stock up on supplies such as straws, cocktail napkins, stiring sticks etc. Stirrings.com offers printable labels for your stirring sticks, which you can personalize with your monogram, intials or wedding date etc. Another way to keep your budget in check, is to only serve alcohol during the cocktail hour (which may also help keep your guests from getting over indulged.) Have a friend or relative that knows a thing or two about making drinks? Don't be afraid to ask them to help out if you aren't planning on hiring a bartender.

For local professional bartenders and beverage services check out our directory. Below are some cocktail drink recipe ideas, and keep in mind there are endless options out there. Use the recipes for bridal showers, bachelorette parties as well.  If you have a smart phone you can also download free cocktail recipe apps!

White Russian   1 1/4 Vodka 1 1/4 Cofee Licquer 1 1/4 Heavy Cream Directions: Stir together in a pitcher, then pour into ice filled glasses.

Cosmopolitan (serves one) 1 oz vodka 1/2 oz Triple Sec 1/2 oz Rose's sweetened lime juice 1/2 oz Cranberry juice Lime Wedge Directions: Shake liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice, Place lime wedge on the rim of  Martini glass. Pour mix into the glass & Enjoy

Lemon Drop (Shots) 1 Shot Absolut Citron 1 Slice Lemon 1 tsp Sugar Directions: Place sugar on lemon, take the shot and then bite down on the lemon!

Mojito                                                                                         2-3 oz of Light rum Juice of 1 lime (1 oz) 2 tsp Sugar 2-4 Mint Sprigs Soda water Directions: Mix the mint and sugar with a splash of soda water in a mixing lass, until sugar is dissolved.  Squeeze the lime into the glass, add the rum and shake with ice. Top off with soda water, garnish with ming sprig and serve.

Real Northern California Weddings

Veronica & DanielChico, CA 10.10.10

With all of the planning leading up to my wedding day in October, I had begun to get overwhelmed with all of the details. Eventually, I let myself stop stressing and try to enjoy everything that was happening. I knew my vendors had everything under control so it was time for me to just be a Bride!

Initially I had wanted to hire a wedding coordinator, but I had confidence that I could handle organizing the details myself, and although there were a few rough patches I must say everything went rather smooth!  (Believe me when I say I was far from a DIY Bride)

My theme was black and white damask, with an accent of red. (Oh and of course some bling)  When I booked WeDo Designs, I knew that the owner, Rabina Khan really understood my vision and from samples of her work I knew she would be able to exceed my expectations.

The wedding venue was The Card Center in Chico, which offers an outdoor area for the ceremony as well as indoor reception area with a patio for the cocktail hour.   The Card Center staff provided me with a floor plan of the reception area, and we were able to work on the layout and plan out how the tables and chairs would be set up.  We also decided we would use floor to ceiling fabric, and up-lighting to really transform the room. See the before and after photos below.

When I met Lisa Hunter of Lisa’s Flor Décor, I was hooked on her artistic creations with flowers and centerpieces. I had so many different pictures of designs I liked, but she was able to choose designs and flowers that were cohesive with my wedding theme. She made sure that the centerpieces were an appropriate height for the room and really accomplished what I had asked of her. I loved that she was willing to mix things up and play with different heights and centerpiece ideas. When it came to the altar, Lisa brought my vision to life and I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out.

I really loved our aisle, and Lisa's Flor Decor made a beautiful Monogrammed "E" covered in Roses.

Speaking of flowers, every bride dreams of walking down the aisle holding her beautiful bouquet! I loved the mix of flowers used in the my bouquet, and the Gerbera Daisy’s had a dark center which matched the bridesmaid dresses.

I wore a Casa Blanca wedding gown and the Bridesmaids wore Black Alfred Angelo gowns with Red Accents.

Daniel wore a black Tuxedo with a White Vest, and the Groomsmen wore Black Tuxedos with Red Accents from Mens Wearhouse.

What is a wedding celebration without appetizers and a delicious dinnner? Leslie with Shelly’s Creative Catering really brought her A game to the wedding and not only was the food amazing but she was also great at keeping the festivities on schedule. The cocktail hour consisted of an open bar, fruits, cheese and crackers, and veggies, followed by a tri-tip and chicken buffet dinner.

Christy, with Christy's Creations created a cake that tasted amazing and fit perfectly into our theme. It was a three-tierd white cake with fondant. The photo-booth was a blast, and the photos served as our wedding favors. Chico Photo and Video brought the booth to the reception, provided props and also a cd of the photos for us to be able to see all of the pictures. Having the props really added to the fun, and since there was no limit on how many pictures we could take I think the kids at the wedding probably went in the booth over 20 times! Tracy with Tracy Lynn Photography captured some great shots, and really made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. She knew I wasn't a picture person so she really had a challenge on her hands!

Cheers!

Planning your wedding on a Budget? Do it yourself!

Our lovely Featured Bride Melissa gave us some great tips for lowering your wedding costs by Doing some things yourself! DIY Tips: (ways to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars)

  • Buy invitation kits online or at a store like Michael's or Bed Bath and Beyond and print them yourself.
  • Use your photographers pictures from the engagement session to make your own Save the dates. Print them somewhere like Walgreens or Walmart
  • Buy your linens online for cheaper than renting them through a company
  • Find a venue location that is pretty all by itself and save on extra decorating expenses and time you would spend to make your own decor
  • Order your flowers from Raley's or Safeway and put them all together yourself one to two days before the wedding
  • Have a friend or relative cook your meal and save tons on catering costs
  • Make your own centerpieces. Go online and look up wedding centerpieces and find what you like. Then recreate it. Stores like Michaels, Joann's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods sell glass vases and products needed to create wonderful centerpieces. (Use their coupons Michael's and Joann's are always having 40 to 50% off one regular priced item or 20% off entire purchase)
  • Meet with many vendors to compare prices to find the best fit for your money

Looking for a Hot Deal?

For those of you who haven't heard, Corwin's Bridal in Chico is offering a store-closing sale at the Cohasset location which was formerly Suzanne's Bridal.  Early last year Corwins Bridal quietly bought out Suzanne's Bridal, after they moved from their downtown location to Suzanne's location on Cohasset.

Corwins is now closing the Cohasset location and moving back to the Downtown Chico location on West Third Street.  Due to less space, they are down-sizing their inventory significantly.  So what does that mean for brides?  "Wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride gowns, flower girl dresses and other inventory purchased off of the rack will be discounted anywhere from 20-50%," according to one of the managers in the store.

For brides who are interested in buying a dress of the rack, that would mean the dress is "as-is" so the store would most likely not offer refunds or returns.  The upside to buying your dream gown off of the rack is that not only will you get a great deal, but you will not have to wait the 3-5 month period to get your dress from the manufacturer.

Choose from a wide selection of wedding gowns made by designers including Maggie Sottero, Allure, Mori Lee, Casa Blanca, Victoria's and many more.  They carry bridesmaid dresses by Forever Yours, Jessica McClintock, Alfred Sung, Dessi and Mori Lee. The manager we spoke with stated that the transition would not interfere with any of the current order times, and should not affect customers in any way.

So stop by Corwins Bridal and Tuxedo on Cohasset at 169 Cohasset Road in Chico, or call (530) 342-6521 for more details.

Are You a Spring Bride?

Spring is the time of year that just makes you appreciate mother nature and all of her beauty.  The grass is at its greenest, the birds are chirping, everything is blooming and chances are love is in the air.  So why not plan your blissful day in the spring time and take advantage of the lovely backdrop of nature! A great way to plan a successful spring wedding is to book a venue with both indoor and outdoor areas for your ceremony and reception.  This ensures that if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worst you are still covered (literally, who wants to get rained on in their wedding dress?) Another positive, is that you should be able to have a wide array of floral options because most of popular flowers are going to be in season.  A great way to lower your cost and keep your floral budget in check is to consider which flowers are in season and readily available in your area.  If your florist has to have flowers shipped from out of the country, chances are your budget will be busted! A few of the top spring flowers are Tulips, Hyacinths, Peonies, Forsythia, Lily of the Valley, Freesia, Pansies, Poppies, Ranunculus, Roses, and Violets.

Check out a few of these spring beauties!

Game Time!

While there are 100's of Bridal Shower games out there, we have selected a few that should not only break the ice at the party but really entertain! What's In the Bag Before hand, have the host of the bridal shower make up a list of items that any women would have in her purse. Such as lip stick, cell phone, pens, pictures of family, etc. Assign each item a point value. The person with the most points wins the game. For larger parties, break everyone up into groups, and the group with the most points wins the game.

Hanging Out to Dry Each visitor is given a clothespin upon arrival to shower. They are told of two words they can not mention (i.e. "wedding", and the groom's name). If they do, they lose their clothespin(s) to the one who caught them mentioning the forbidden words. The one who has the most clothespins at the end of the day, wins the prize!

How Well Do You Know The Bride and Groom? Ask the bride and groom 20 or so facts about them before the shower.  Print the questions out on a sheet of paper and pass them out to the guests. The guests will have to read the questions and facts and determine if they are about the bride or the groom.  Example "they graduated highschool in 1995" "the bride or the groom has had 4 speeding tickets" "the bride or the groom is allergic to cats" etc. Make the facts funny but also facts that friends and family would know about them, chances are even the parents will get some of them wrong.  Who ever guesses the most right wins.

Bridal Bingo Make "Bingo Cards" with 25 empty spaces (5 across, 5 down).  Have the guests write in the gifts that they think the bride-to-be will receive. As she opens her presents, mark off any of the presents written down.  Or instead you can use household items that the guests think the bride will need.  As soon as someone has "5 in a row," shout "BINGO!

Scrambled Words Make a list of several words associated with weddings (i.e. marriage, husband, wife, bridesmaid, groom, bride, honeymoon) and then scramble them. Give the guests 2-3 minutes to try to figure them out. The guest that figures out the most correctly win the prize.

The Apron Game Buy an apron and have the bridal party buy lots of utensils to pin on the apron. Make them practical and a couple of things they would never think of buying until they need them. Pin all of the items on the apron. Have the bride wear the apron in front of all of the guests. Have her walk around the room for about 2 minutes. Then have the bride go into another room and have the guests try to list as many things as they can remember seeing pinned to the brides apron. The person with the most wins! Then tell the bride she gets to keep the apron!!

Make the Bouquet Take paper plates and simple things like tissue paper-toilet paper-construction paper - anything that you can "simply" decorate with and tell the guest to make her bouquet for her wedding by sticking everthing on the plate together (which is usually a mess). They only have one minute to complete their masterpieces. It's funny. Then, have the bouquets "judged" and the one that wins is thrown by the bride, and the one that catches it is the "next one to be married" and wins the prize. It is a lot of fun to see what people can create in one minute.

What is your favorite bridal shower game? Email us at info@the530bride.com