Elegant Affairs

Vendor Spotlight: Valerie's Creations

2012-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Valerie Frazier has been helping brides realize their vision in invitations, save the dates, paper accessories and favors for over ten years in the Greater Puget Sound area. A crafty lady with a keen eye for design, she started Valerie’s Invites to fill a gap she saw between extremely pricey custom invitations and cookie cutter products. “I just knew that a bride could have gorgeous personal invitations without busting a budget.”

She has worked as a design consultant and product provider for some of Seattle’s top paper and invitation stores while continuing her own work saving dreams one wedding at a time.

As her business has evolved, she is now helping those “do it yourself” brides by providing design, printing and assembly assistance. Her knowledge of wording and etiquette, papers and printing processes can save you from an invitation disaster! If you want to make your own invitations, you need to consider the time and expenses involved in materials as well as the priniting costs. It is always a good idea to have a designer help you with the design and provide you with the materials and guidance so that you get an invitation that you are proud of to send to your guests!

Before meeting with perspective invitation designers, consider your budget and how many invitations you will need. Since invitation costs can vary greatly, it is good to have in mind a number that you are comfortable with.

We consider it such an honor to be able to work with couples on their weddings! We want to make it special and unique, just for them. We try never to do the same invitation twice - there is always something different for each couple. We have couples who are coming back to us for baby announcements and other events in their lives!

Please see Valerie's Invites at www.valeriesinvites.com or call Valerie for a free consultation at 425.241.5692.

Lego Birthday Party

2012-01-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

For my oldest son’s 7^th birthday, all he wanted was something Lego themed. He has been obsessed with Legos so this was the perfect theme for his birthday party. For the concept of the dessert table, I actually found the fabric at Joann Fabrics right after Halloween. It was fabric used with make a Minnie Mouse costume, but it gave me the inspiration for the table. To match the backdrop fabric, I found the red wrapping paper with white sparkly polka dots at Target around Christmas time. It was a perfect fit. For the other décor, I found the Lego Mini-figure head a few months back thinking it was a great Christmas present so it was hard to hide this large toy in my garage from two very snoopy boys. The finishing touches were the Capri Sun boxes that I wrapped in solid color wrapping paper.

For the food, I wanted to spotlight the Lego Mini-figure by creating Marshmallow pops which I also hand drew faces of some of the mini-figures that my sons have. To complete the look, I made Lego brick candy. I also made vanilla, chocolate and strawberry cupcakes, topped with butter cream frosting along with a Lego brick candy. My new tasty treat that I created was Lego brick and Lego mini-figure gummy candies. They were so easy to make (I used blue raspberry, raspberry, lime, lemon, orange and grape) and by far the most popular of all the kids and adults in attendance. Finally, I made Lego brick sugar cookies that I topped with mini M&Ms.

As a thank you to all of the guests, I created Lego brick replica gift bags complete with handmade Lego brick crayons, candy, and other Lego related goodies.

Also, a big thank you to Valerie from Valerie's Invites for creating amazing invitations complete with a little bag of Legos that were part of the invitation.

Seattle Wedding Show Recap

2012-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

This was our 2nd year as a vendor in the Seattle Wedding Show, the largest wedding show on the West Coast. We had the opportunity to change our location to be more visible as potential brides and grooms made their entrance into the show.

Because our booth at the West Coast Bridal Showcase the weekend before was such a huge hit, we decided to keep the same design, but just downsize since our booth was only a 5x10 instead of the 10x20 at the West Coast Bridal Showcase.

Again, our booth was very popular and many couples asked about our decor and took many photos saying they liked what we had presented and wanted to incorporate that into their upcoming weddings.

We met so many fabulous new and potential clients and vendors. We can't wait to meet with more clients.

Thanks to Tania from Azzura Photography and Wallflower Photography for the images of Elegant Affairs of our booth.

Vendor Spotlight: Port Gamble Weddings

2012-01-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

Tell us about Port Gamble Weddings?

Port Gamble is Kitsap’s premier Wedding Venue.

Our Web site is filled with testimonies such as the following:

“We were so pleased with everything! Our wedding day was absolutely perfect!! Nothing went wrong, and we attribute that to the professional, friendly staff. We had such a great time and so did our guests. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat, and wouldn’t change a thing. And we loved the church bell ringing as we exited the church! A wonderful memory we will have from our day.” Kaity

“Our overall experience of St. Paul’s church and the town of Port Gamble was amazing and it is certainly an experience we will never forget! Thank you for making our special day the best we could ever imagine!” Jordan

“We absolutely loved our wedding at Port Gamble and would recommend it to anyone getting married. The town is amazing and St. Paul’s church is truly beautiful and unique. I love the historic feel of Port Gamble, and every guest raved. The atmosphere made our special day so memorable and one of a kind. The church and town made our wedding stand out in comparison to other weddings, and gave it the unique character everyone wants for their wedding. It was almost like a fairytale.”

“Love the town, love the location, love the church. Before I even met my husband – the first time I drove through Port Gamble I said “this is where I want to get married one day” – and I did.” Allison

What makes your venue(s) stand out?

Located in the quaint, historically-preserved town of Port Gamble, St. Paul’s Church and the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion offer classic elegance perfectly suited for timeless weddings and receptions. Our venues are located in a privately owned, 120-acre National Historic Landmark with turn-of-the-century buildings, New England style homes on maple tree-lined streets and a stunning waterfront backdrop. Port Gamble’s tiered rose gardens and picturesque water views are completed by bald eagle sightings above the Hood Canal. Our location is definitely a Northwest gem.

What is your favorite part working with brides and grooms?

We are a close-knit team here in the Weddings office and love what we do. Every time a soon-to-be bride or groom catches his or her breath over the pristine scenery, we can’t help but smile. We love it here too! Happiness is contagious.

What is your advice to couples in selecting a wedding venue?

Our best advice is to choose a venue that depicts the theme the bride and groom want to portray about their day and their love. This theme is best when it reflects the personalities of the bride and groom. Keep in mind the venue will be in all the photographs and memories as keepsakes shared with their closest loved ones. Port Gamble offers a new look and photo backdrop around each street to help create a wonderful collection of timeless memories.

What trends are you seeing?

We see two distinct trends: Shabby Chic is definitely in with twine, succulents, mason jars, wildflowers and accents of rose or yellow. The second, is more a vintage and classic look with deep colors used as focal points while traditional shades of whites or nudes are used as the all-over color.

Contact information

Office 360.297.8074 and www.portgambleweddings.com

West Coast Bridal Showcase Recap

2012-01-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Elegant Affairs participated in the first-ever West Coast Bridal Showcase at the Puyallup Fair Showplex. We were so excited to be featured on the Red Carpet. We met so many brides, grooms, family and friends during the two-day show. In addition to meeting new clients, we met with some amazing new vendors we can't wait to work with and introduce them to our clients.

For our 10x20 booth, I really wanted to showcase our work (portfolios and slide show) in addition to adding a piece of creative know-how in our table set-up. For the color scheme I wanted to be something that could be good for any season so I decided on jewel tones. Those colors were reflected in the backdrop, linens and flowers.

Thanks to A Tailored Affair for the linen, chairs and plate rentals and Always Affordable Flowers for my flowers, my booth really came together and that was a true testament from all the of glowing compliments from vendors and clients.

When it came to the centerpiece, I wanted it to be something budget friendly, elegant and simple. I found amazing deals at Ikea where I found the white candlesticks, purple candles and table number holder. I found the square silver chargers and silver candles at Fred Meyer. Flowers in small white vases (Michaels) and white bud vases added just the right amount of color to the table. To embellish the table settings of the square plates I added a purple satin napkin in between the dinner and salad plates topped off with a place card attached to a deep pink Christmas ornament.

As a small thank you to brides who stopped by our booth, we handed out favor bags (cotton muslin drawstring bags) that included a handmade hair rosette crafted by Elegant Affairs Assistant Rachel!

One of the best highlights from the show was having the opportunity for my two boys to model in the fashion show on Sunday. They were too cute on stage walking on stage with another model. They were a big hit at the show!

I want to say a huge thank you to my husband for helping with all of the manual labor in my set-up and clean-up and the undying support for me and my company. Finally, I want to thank my fabulous assistant Rachel for working the booth all weekend. You are truly an amazing person and I don't know what I would do without you!

How to navigate a Wedding Show?

2011-12-31T18:55:00.000-08:00

If you plan on attending the 2012 West Coast Bridal Showcase or the Seattle Wedding Show in which Elegant Affairs is a participating vendor: here are some helpful hints on how to best navigate such a wedding show.

• Who to bring to the wedding show? A wedding show is really not the time to have your whole family and/or bridal party to attend. Wedding shows can be overwhelming for any bride and groom so a good rule of thumb is for the bride and groom to attend and one or two other people (Mother of Bride and Maid of Honor are ideal people to attend).

• Pre-determine what vendors you want to stop by and visit. If you already have selected vendors then when going up and down the aisles these vendor booths can be the ones that you skip. There is no point in wasting your time and/or that vendor’s time if you have already contracted with a vendor in that category.

• Set-up separate wedding e-mail account. No doubt during the show you will register and sign-up for raffles, special deals or to be on vendors mailing lists. By creating a separate e-mail account it will help to keep your regular email free of unsolicited email. You can also use it down the road, when offering guests a way to RSVP to your event.

• Print out address labels. Most vendors at bridal shows want to collect your information. Save yourself time and writer's cramp by printing up address labels at home prior to arriving. Some wedding expos offer this service when you arrive, but coming prepared will save you money, too. Each label should have the names of both the bride and groom; the preferred mailing address information should be sent to, the wedding e-mail account and your wedding date. While you may consider adding your phone number, keep in mind that this gives the vendor permission to call you. Save yourself from unsolicited marketing calls by adding your phone number only if you are truly interested in hearing from the vendor by phone.

• What to bring? Heavy tote to hold all of the marketing materials, color swatches, notebook and pen and a CAMERA to capture great ideas or for a way to remember which booths you visited that you are interested in using their services.

• Wear comfortable clothes/shoes. Be prepared to walk a lot. There are hundreds of vendor booths to look at and it could take several hours to see everything.

• What to do when you arrive? If you go to the show right when it opens, head to the back of the room so that you can avoid the line of people chatting with the vendors in the front. Of if you are attending when it’s time for the Fashion Show and not interested, this is a great time to take advantage of the short lines at vendor booths.

• Eat a good meal before the event. While there may be some concessions available at the bridal show, consider bringing with you a small snack or two and a bottle of water for each person attending with you. This will help you save money and avoid long lines for something to eat.

• Two-Bag Buddy System. Every vendor wants your business, and they'll be prepared to hand you a remarkable amount of promotional material. Bring one large tote bag to store all of the information in which you are truly interested, and have a friend bring another. When you receive information from a vendor who doesn't offer something you'd like to learn more about, put it in your friend's bag. When you get home, you won't have to sift through a large amount of ads. You'll already know which stack should head right to the recycling bin.

• To book or not to book at the Wedding Show. Wedding events can be really exciting and open your eyes to a world of wedding possibilities. Look for money-saving deals, but be cautious when making deposits on services at events. Make sure you have allowed proper time to sort through your budget and what the company can realistically offer. If you are certain of your decision, always get a receipt and the name of the person you worked with at the event.

2012 Pantone Color of the Year

2011-12-08T16:21:00.000-08:00

Today it was announced by Pantone that the 2012 Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango!

According to Pantone, "Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Institute tells us more about the choice for 2012:

Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it. Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.

One great quote I found about Tangerine Tango came from Apartment Therapy: "This color works easily with white and warm neutrals such as creams and gray-browns and can look fantastic with other strong colors - its great in combination with pale bud, other "true" oranges (think pumpkin) and also army green."

The 2011 Pantone Color of the Year was Honeysuckle, which according to Pantone, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor.

I am excited about Tangerine Tango and will work on a few inspiration boards! This such a great wedding color that can be incorporated into any wedding season and grooms will love this color.

Sneak Peek from Fred Calma Photography

2011-12-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peek of a few images from Saturday's wedding from Erin and Andy's wedding Port Gamble. All of these beautiful images are courtesy of Fred Calma Photography.

Review from Bride and Groom

2011-11-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

Originally we hadn't planned on hiring a wedding coordinator because we had done most of the planning ourselves. After asking a few of my friends what they recommended for a future bride the most, they all agreed "Get a wedding planner!". From the first time I met Lori I felt comfortable with her. She was warm, postive, and really passionate about what she did (which sealed the deal)! From the beginning Lori had excellent communication, and if she sensed I was in need of help, she was there for me. Lori was able to organize our 'day of' plans as well as put out all the little fires that arrose throughout the day for us. I would like to add that our wedding is the only wedding I know of that actually started on time! I even had people asking me afterwards about her because everything seemed so organized and went flawlessly or so it seemed).

I honestly can say I don't know what I would have done without her! By the way...after the wedding we even had a friend book her because they saw how great she was.
~Kaity and Greg Hughes, October 8, 2011

Halloween Dessert Party

2011-11-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the lateness of this post, but I was waiting to hear back from several of my favorite party sites to post my party and one rule is that I'm not allowed to post my photos before submission to their web sites.

For my boys Halloween Party, we had 33 kids with ages that ranged for 4 to 8 at my house the day before Halloween. My clients were very specific for their party. CANDY and TREATS and to have LOTS OF FUN! With those three guidelines I immediately began looking for candy, new dessert recipes and fabrics and other decor for the party.

The first thing I found was a great digital kit on Etsy by paperglitter. From there I found the amazing backdrop fabric (the photo is hard to see the intricate spiderwebs design) and a sheer orange fabric both from JoAnn Fabrics.

To accomplish the very popular popcorn hands, I have to credit Barb from A Tailored Affair for the two large Manzanita Branches and pots. To create, I simply popped A LOT of popcorn and using food handler gloves stuffed them along with adding candy corns as fingernails.

For the actual treats on the table, I had a candy buffet complete with orange slices, gummy worms, gummy pumpkins, mixed candy, chocolate eye balls, candy corn and sixlets. I also made two flavors of cake pops and cupcakes. I used my new Pastry Pedestals to display the cupcakes in a new and fun way. I also made coffin brownies, whoopie pies, Halloween shaped candies, candy dipped Rice Krispie Treats.

My favorite new treat was make Cauldron Cups. For these yummy treat, I made the edible chocolate bowls and filled it with chocolate pudding topping it off with crushed up Oreos and then adding a skull and bone as decoration. I found the beautiful glass pedestals at the Craft Warehouse.

Wedding Interns Wanted for Summer/Fall 2012

2011-11-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

As an Elegant Affairs in intern, you will learn the ins and outs of wedding and event planning beginning with meeting with potential clients through the planning process until the completion of the event. Interns will research and prep for client meetings, put together inspiration boards, meet with new and existing vendors to create and strengthen relationships and prep for weddings and events. Another facet of the internship includes promoting Elegant Affairs to new and potential clients and vendors utilizing social networks.

You must be a college student and able to receive credit for your internship and must provide your housing. This internship is located in Washington state (we are located 45 minutes south of Seattle) and provide your own transportation as we drive A LOT to and from meetings and events.

What the internship is:
... An invaluable look at the hard work that really goes into an event
... A great opportunity to learn from an award winning wedding planner
... Climbing, hanging, folding, arranging, setting up, fixing, running, rearranging anything and everything

What the internship isn't:
... like anything you've seen in the movies (ie. The Wedding Planner)
... Paid
... Permanent (internship will span early spring + summer/fall)
... Full-time (about 10-15 hours per week when we have an event)

We definitely have more to chat about if you are:
... calm in the face of adversity
... fun, funny (we like to laugh...a lot)
... a good negotiator
... pumped to do physical labor (in heels or super cute flats)
... comfortable getting dirty (yes, we often find ourselves crawling on the floor)
... willing to learn lots of new skills (sewing anyone?)
... knowledgeable about colors, flowers
... have a good fashion sense (of course we have to look good)
... able to visualize and be creative without being directed
... keep up with the latest trends
... well organized

Here's what we want:
... A list of 10 random facts that will help me get to know you. Be creative, quirky, silly, whatever, just don't bore me. Personality is key people.

... A WEDDING Inspiration Board. Make it fun, interesting and not something I've seen a thousand times. The only rule? I has to incorporate the color blue. What can I say, it's my favorte color!

Here's what we don't want:
Your resume. Your job experience. Unsolicited requests for paid positions. Phone calls.

If you grab my attention, I’ll be in touch. Send me an email (feel free to include photos, I LOVE photos) with your list to get things started.

Deadline for submission is Monday December 5, 2011.

Thanks for making Elegant Affairs Best Wedding Planner

2011-10-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks for making Elegant Affairs the #1 Wedding Planner in Western Washington in King 5's Best of Western Washington Contest!

Vendor Spotlight: The Resort at Port Ludlow

2011-10-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Resort at Port Ludlow

Awards

2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
2011 Best of Northwest Meetings and Events
2011 Official Best Golf Resort Washington
2009 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List

Located less than two hours from Seattle on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, The Resort at Port Ludlow is the ideal setting for an intimate destination wedding, a rehearsal dinner, a bridal getaway, or a grooms golf retreat. Situated on serene Ludlow Bay The Resort showcases the Pacific Northwest at its best - offering breathtaking water and mountain views, waterfront lawns for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, a charming Inn, elegant view reception space, exquisite catering, acclaimed wine list, fireside dining, scenic marina and championship golf course. The Inn itself features 37 guestrooms perfect for your family and guests - Each room with gas fireplace and oversized Jacuzzi tub.

According to Susan Windle, Catering Coordinator at The Resort at Port Ludlow: "My favorite part of working with brides and grooms is ensuring that THEIR special day is flawless. Going over the details and answering the questions beforehand so that on their wedding day, all they have to do is get ready, smile for photos and enjoy their friends and family ... and wake up the next morning with wonderful memories."

We stand out in many ways:

· Our food is of a high quality, Chef Dan keeps it simple and lets the flavors of the natural product come through. As much of our produce is locally grown as possible.

· The natural beauty of our area with views of snow-peaked mountains, calm waters, the marina, the trees, the wildlife all ensure a relaxing experience

· The professionalism of our staff, both through experience and customer service

· We remember that the wedding is all about the bride and groom and their family and friends ... it is not about making our job easier. We work with the couple not against them.

· We are a Resort, not a hotel. We provide an overall experience rather than a place to stay. We have a golf course, marina, 18 miles of walking trails, beaches, a fine dining restaurant, a jacuzzi tub in each guest room, in-house spa service.

When advising couples in selecting a venue, I would advise you to remember to trust your instincts. You need to feel comfortable with the team you will be working with as well as the environment your guests will be experiencing. And always remember that it is about YOU ... you don't have to compromise on what you want to make your wedding day a special memory.

Reception trends:

· Keeping it simple with personal enhancements

· Allocating budget for quality rather than quantity, especially food

· Cupcakes with artistic, extravagant displays

Contact: Dana Barrett

Group Sales Manager

One Heron Road, Port Ludlow, WA 98368

dbarrett @portludlowresort.com

206-691-1000

Sara & Shawn (8.12.11) Styron Photography

2011-10-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

All images courtesy of Styron Photography

Real Wedding: Mary & Mike (9.3.11)

2011-10-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

The wedding of Mary & Mike is one of my most memorable weddings for many reasons. First of all, when I first met with the couple last January, Mary knew exactly what she wanted for her wedding, but didn't know how best to achieve her vision. At our first meeting all she had was her wedding date, photographer and the wedding venue, a private home on Lake Washington that she found on a vacation rental web site.

I was able to utilize my preferred vendor list to help the couple select their truly outstanding caterer in The Upper Crust, entertainment Gadjo Gypsied and florist Always Affordable Flowers.

For their actual wedding day, Mary and Mike wanted more casual for their 50 guests. They had the idea to have a pre-ceremony cocktail hour, which was such a great idea. Music before and after the ceremony was provided by the very talented Gadjo Gypsies. I worked with these gentlemen last year and had been dying to work with again. So when Mary & Mike expressed their taste of music they wanted for their wedding, I knew that Gadjo Gypsies fit their dream. The trio played a mix of jazz and swing music, which set the perfect tone for the late afternoon wedding.

A new floral vendor of mine; Chris Skilton of Always Affordable Flowers did an amazing job. I have know Chris' twin sons since I was in first grade and she has recently started her own floral design company after working for a major Tacoma florist for many years. Chris created beautiful centerpieces that really captured the essence of what Mary wanted. In addition, Christ crafted the beautiful toss bouquet (seen above) which included dahlias, one flower that the bride wanted to honor her late grandmother who had a dahlia garden at her home.

Mary, who didn't want to incorporate a lot of flowers into her wedding because she didn't want to take away from the natural beauty of the venue's landscape opted for a brooch bouquet. Mary created this unbelievable bouquet using brooches that she borrowed from family and friends and brooches she received at her bridal shower. I really loved this idea when Mary first told me about it, but to see it first hand was unbelievable! It was truly amazing. The best part of her bouquet is that it will last forever.

After my first visit out to the venue last spring, the couple were at a loss of how to decorate the space especially since they didn't want to use flowers. After seeing the covered boat dock I immediately thought of lanterns (three sizes and colors purchased from Luna Bazaar). Using the wedding colors of ivory, turquoise and chartreuse, these lanterns were just the perfect accent.

On the day of the wedding, Lake Washington was very choppy and there was a slight breeze which proved to be difficult in stringing up the lanterns, but the overall effect made it all wonderful.

Cupcakes was another major highlight for the guests. After enjoying tasty appetizers from The Upper Crust Catering and a beautiful buffet dinner, guests feasted on three different flavors of cupcakes from Trophy Cupcakes. Another little detail added to their cutting cake of triple coconut were two personalized gnomes that the groom purchased on etsy.com.

For more photos, visit Northern Lights Blog.

Credit for being able to work with such a great couple in Mary & Mike was due in large part to my fabulous assistant Rachel. It was Rachel who first met the bride at the Seattle Wedding Show last January and really sold Elegant Affairs to the bride. Thanks Rachel!!!

Vendors

Wedding Coordinator: Elegant Affairs

Venue: Private home in Seattle

Photographer: Northern Lights Photographer

Catering: The Upper Crust Catering

Flowers: Always Affordable Flowers

Entertainment: Gadjo Gypsies

Cupcakes: Trophy Cupcakes

Invitations: Paper Delights

Officiant: A Heavenly Ceremony

Sunni Han Photography

2011-10-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

These images from Lindsey & Jason's July 2 wedding at the Lynnwood Covention Center are courtesy of Sunni Han Photography.

Review from Bride & Groom

2011-10-08T12:02:00.001-07:00

We are so happy we hired Lori for day of wedding coordination. Lori and her staff made sure that everything was put together and handled on the day of the wedding, so that we could enjoy our day. The planning meetings with Lori were very helpful to us, and she helped us think of things that we needed to do. We wanted to plan our wedding ourselves to really make it ours, but having Lori there to give us ideas and keep us on track was so helpful. Lori really gives it her all, and hiring her was a wedding expense that was well worth it.

~Kristal and Brian, July 23, 2011

Review from Bride & Groom

2011-10-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

Spending part of our wedding budget to hire a wedding planner was the wisest decision we made. We are so thankful we choose Elegant Affairs. Lori is the new Wonder Woman! She managed a situation involving 2 King County Sheriff Deputies and a nutty venue owner with grace. Lori helped us figure out how to translate our ideas into a menu, decor and entertainment by giving us realistic suggestions that fit within our budget. The final result was exactly what we envisioned but had struggled to describe. We got to enjoy our wedding thanks to Lori and her associate Rachel. Thank you!

~Mary and Mike Wilson, September 3, 2011

Review from Resort at Port Ludlow

2011-09-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

As the Catering Coordinator at The Resort at Port Ludlow, Lori was exceptional to work with. The bride was extremely organized and Lori handled all the details with grace and elegance. She was calm under pressure and was always there when needed and worked WITH our staff not against.

For anyone looking for a wedding planner who is easy to work with and understands your personal needs, I would highly recommend Lori.

~Susan Windle, Resort at Port Ludlow Catering Coordinator

Sneak Peek from Sea Studio

2011-09-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

These beautiful images were caputred by the amazing photography duo of Sall & Jeff Honeycutt of Sea Studio on Saurday, September 17 at The Resort at Port Ludlow.

Review from Bride and Groom

2011-09-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

We are so grateful to Lori for all of her wonderful assistance with planning our wedding. Our wedding was beautiful, elegant and hassle free. She assisted us with great ideas about table decorations and ceremonies, vendor suggestions, effective and efficient lay out of the reception/ceremony room and assisted with the room set-up and clean-up. She gave us advice on what to do about uncomfortable situations, like how to tell folks you do not want children at your wedding. She provided us with a timeline that made all the important events at our wedding seamless and perfect. Weddings are stressful and she provided us with a peace of mind that was absolutely priceless. I would recommend Lori to anyone who is getting married!

~Sara and Shawn Candella, August 12, 2011

Wedding Day Body Shape-Up

2011-09-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Every bride wants to look and feel their best on their wedding day so the best way to do that is to exercise and eat healthy.

The most important thing is to everything in moderation and not go overboard with your exercise program. Some brides feel as if they need to lose significant weight before their big way, but that's no the way to go. The key is be healthy and smart about your bridal body shape-up.

I found this great article online that gave some amazing tips on getting in shape

Following these simple tips to get in shape before your wedding.

Don’t starve yourself. Fasting and fad diets lead to mood swings, stress and binge eating. Instead establish a sensible diet and exercise routine.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. It’s great for your body and your skin.
Exercise daily. Even if it’s something as simple as walking around the block a few times. Cardiovascular exercise is essential to lose weight and get in shape. Lift free weights a couple days a week to tone muscles.
Eat several small meals throughout the day. This will balance your blood sugar levels and you’ll avoid binge eating.
Munch on a salad before every lunch and dinner. You’ll get filled up and eat less of the fattening stuff. Skip the dressing and high calorie toppings.
Choose lean meats and other protein-rich foods, such as skinless chicken, white fish, lean cuts of beef and tofu.
Bake, broil and boil instead of frying.
Add whole grains to your diet. We hear about how bad carbs are, but whole grains such as bran, barley and buckwheat are actually low in fat and high in fiber.
Eat some healthy fats. The monounsaturated fats found in food such as avocados and nuts are good for your in small portions. Also add foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, herring, salmon, sardines and tuna.
Choose fruit rather than fruit juice. Bring fruits, such as berries and grapes with you to the office to snack on instead of candy and cookies.
Watch your portion sizes. A serving of meat should be the size of a deck of cards. Mashed potatoes, rice and pasta should be 1/2 cup – about half the size of a baseball.
Don’t drive when you can walk. Not only will you be burning calories; it’s also good for the environment to avoid driving. Plus good for your wallet with today’s outrageous gas prices.

If you don’t reach your weight loss goal before your wedding, don’t stress over it. Beautiful brides come in all shapes and sizes. You have found the man of your dreams – that’s all that really matters.

Wedding Beauty Tips: To Tan or Not to Tan

2011-09-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

As summer fades into fall; however here in western Washington it seems that our summer has just gotten underway, you may be wondering how your skin will look on your wedding day. The biggest question is to tan or not to tan.

If you are looking for a hint of color for the beautiful glow on your wedding day there are several options at your disposal. Here are just a few:

Traditional Tanning Bed
Spray Tanning/Airbrushing
Bronzing Powder
Sunless Tanner lotion

The most important thing to know before trying "tanning" method is to to do research. The easiest way to do is by going online or calling a tanning salon. Another key component is to try your "tanning" choice weeks if not a month or two before your wedding. NEVER try "tanning" days away from your wedding if you have never done so as you don't know how your skin will react.

Here are some important tips for Spray Tanning/Airbrushing:

It is important to shave and exfoliate before the tan, but only use a water based exfoliate as an oil-based one will inhibit the tan from taking to your skin. There are ways to eliminate tan lines, and the important thing to remember is to find an experienced technician. Airbrush Tanning is not regulated by the Dept. of Cosmetology in most states, so be careful.

For those that will be going on your honeymoon and planning on swimming in chlorine...use a tan extender or touch up spray

We'll Never Forget

2011-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

For my grandparents, it was the bombing of Pearl Harbor; for my parents it was the assassination of JFK and for my generation it was 9/11. I will never forget what transpired that September Tuesday back in 2011.

I was fresh out of Washington State University and was working as a reporter for The Peninsula Gateway, a weekly newspaper in Gig Harbor. It was my mom who burst into my room at 5:59 am. I was so angry that she woke me up EARLY. She said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. As she turned on my little 13-inch television I couldn't believe what I was seeing. As I jumped out of my bed to get a closer look at the television is when I saw the second plane hit the second World Trade Center tower.

I wasn't sure how to react; whether to cry or scream. I was in the shower when a third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon. My mom knocked on the bathroom door to tell me. I watched in horror at 6:59 am when Tower 2 collapsed. My initial thoughts were about all of those people in the towers and surrounding buildings on the ground and aboard the planes. I couldn't understand how someone could do this to thousands of innocent people.

Then 4 minutes later, United Flight #93 crashed in Pennsylvania.

Finally, at 7:28 am the Tower 1 began to crumble to the ground.

As I drove into work, I listened for any new updates and if anymore planes would strike or other terrorists attacks would happen, maybe in Seattle or another major US City.

Since it was Tuesday, it was our press day. As we edited that week's newspaper, a few of us at a time would head into the back conference room to watch the destruction and devastation.

It all seemed like a bad dream that we would all wake up tomorrow and know it was all a bad dream.

As I reflect on the last 10 years, I know our country has become a stronger one and in some respects a closer community as we deal with the events of September 11, 2011; knowing that we will heal; but we'll never forget.

Sneak Peak: Northern Lights Photography

2011-09-10T03:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a sneak peek from last Saturday's wedding of Mary and Michael at a private residence in Seattle. Theses gorgeous images are courtesy of Northern Lights Photography.

Important Permits to have before your wedding

2011-09-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

During the planning process it is very important to have the following permits/licenses before your wedding takes place:

Marriage License: Refer to your specific county regarding costs and regulations. In our state, we do have a 3-day waiting period before the wedding can take place and the license is only valid for 60 days.
Banquet Permit: A banquet permit allows the service and consumption of liquor at a private, invitation-only banquet or gathering held in a public place or business. Examples include weddings, company banquets, retirement parties, and club, organization or church events. Cost of the permit is $10 and can be purchased through a state run liquor store.
Check with your venue to make sure that they are insured and permitted through their city and/or county to hold wedding receptions.
Depending on your wedding venue, they may require that you purchase a special insurance policy, check with your venue before signing on the dotted line.

Real Wedding: Lauren & Brian

2011-09-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

Wanting a rustic, yet vibrant wedding, I first met the bride and her mother back in January at the Seattle Wedding Show and from there we spent the next six months working together on their dream wedding. Lauren and Brian are an amazing couple and it was a pleasure to work with both of them and Lauren's mother Lynne who really spearheaded the planning process. For their wedding, the couple used a family friend's property on Camano Island overlooking Mt. Baker. With its luscious grounds and unique "club house," the venue was simply one of a kind and picturesque. With a green and fuchsia color scheme it was reflected in the linens, flowers, tissue paper pom poms and other decor. Thanks to an amazing friend, Jo Kase and her husband who created several pieces of handcrafted wood art that served as the cupcake tier, benches for the fire pit and an unbelievable homemade S'Mores station that was the perfect late night snack for the guests.

On the last Saturday of July, the weather couldn't have been more perfect on Camano Island for a more perfect couple to exchange their vows in front of their friends and family. To make their wedding ceremony as intimate as possible, Lauren had her youngest brother officiate and her younger brother serve as the musician. The highlight was having Ryan sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow as he played a homemade ukulele that he and Colin would later present to the newlyweds as their gift.

After an amazing wedding and reception, Lauren & Brian were thanked by their guests by running through a sparkler tunnel.

One of the many highlights for me was being able to spend time with the couple and the incredibly talented Clane Gessel. Clane is an amazing photographer and it was great to connect him with Lauren & Brian.

Vendors
Venue: Private Residence on Camano Island
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Photographer: Clane Gessel Photography
Cupcakes: New York Cupcakes
Rentals: A Tailored Affairs
Decor: Jo Kase
DJ: DJ Dbure (The Pros Entertainment)
Photobooth: Emerald City Photobooth

Hotel Accommodations & Transportation: Tulalip Casino

I'm Back!!!

2011-09-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being MIA for the few weeks, I have been swamped with work and getting my boys ready to head back to school. My oldest started the 1st Grade today and my youngest starts preschool next week and I am back in action next week for a wedding after a week off.

I promise to start doing more updates tomorrow.

Please check back tomorrow for a look back at a few of this summers' fabulous weddings with even more AMAZING clients.

As of yesterday, I am now booked for 2011 and the Elegant Affairs 2012 calendar only has a few openings left.

Elegant Affairs has some things up our sleeve that we can't wait to announce, so please be patient!

Thanks,

Lori

Sneak Peek of Jessica & Bill

2011-08-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of photos by the amazing Fred Calma Photography from Jessica & Bill's Wedding August 20, 2011.

Clane Gessel Photography

2011-08-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of my favorite images from the amazingly talented Clane Gessel who shot these for Lauren & Brian's Camano Island Wedding on July 30. For even more photos, clink to Clane's Blog.

Vendor Review

2011-08-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Working with Lori and her staff at Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club was such a wonderful experience for us as a venue. She was so organized, professional, handling all the details with grace and kindness. Her staff was on time, attentive to what was going on and managed the set up well within the budgeted time frame. The entire crew worked very well as a team with our staff which is priceless for us as a venue.

It made the day for everyone involved pleasant & memorable. I would love to have Elegant Affairs back to our facility in the future.

~Nelliena Moetului, Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club

Bride and Groom testimonial

2011-08-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Words cannot express how thankful and grateful Morgan and I are to have had Elegant Affairs do our wedding planning and day of event coordination. Lori and her staff are very professional, organized, punctual, creative, supportive, comforting and most of all passionate for her work and our wedding throughout the whole planning process. My husband and I would have been lost without them especially Lori.

Elegant Affairs did everything for our wedding including finding vendors (florist, DJ, linen rentals, candy display, etc.), budget management, wedding vision, and coordination on our big day and the days/events leading up to our wedding. Anything you can imagine Lori and her staff will and can do! I had a vision of what my wedding day would look like and Lori and her staff exceeded my expectations.

Because of Lori and her assistants we were able to completely relax on the day of our wedding. They were always one step ahead of any questions or requests that Morgan and I had. They always had helpful reminders especially getting myself (the nervous bride) down the isle.

We had so many compliments from family and friends who said how great Lori and her staff did at our wedding. We would highly recommend Elegant Affairs to any bride and groom.

~Nicole and Morgan Porter, August 5, 2011

Mother of the Bride Testimonial

2011-08-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

As the mother of the bride, Elegant Affairs made our wedding experience virtually worry-free. Lori Losee achieved our vision for a beautiful wedding day. She helped us select the outstanding vendors for our destination wedding and made my daughter's dream wedding come true. Lori and her two amazing assistants helped keep the wedding running smoothly and efficiently through the entire day. Every bride should have a wedding planner as experienced and dedicated as Elegant Affairs.

~Pat Lyman, Mother of the Bride

Sneak Peek of Nicole & Morgan

2011-08-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of photos from Nicole & Morgan's wedding on Friday, August 5 at Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club by the talented Fred Calma Photography.

Testimonial from Bride and Groom

2011-08-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Having Lori from Elegant Affairs as our day-of-coordinator was a fantastic decision! She was punctual, organized, professional, and always seemed one step ahead of us, anticipating our needs. With over 250 guests, it was comforting knowing our ceremony and reception were in good hands. From coordinating our vendor setup and confirming appointments, to keeping us on schedule on the day-of, Lori was there to take care of both the big and little details. We highly recommend Lori to future couples, she will handle the details so you can relax and enjoy your wedding!

~Jason & Lindsey, July 2, 2011

Sneak Peek by Clane Gessel Photography

2011-07-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek from Lauren & Brian's wedding on July 30th on Camano Island by the fabulous Clane Gessel.

Kristal & Brian Same Day Edit (Edit 1 Media)

2011-07-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the breathtaking Same Day Edit from Kristal & Brian's gorgeous wedding Saturday at Annie Wright and the Union Station from the incredibly talented Edit 1 Media.

Veda Lux

2011-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

By Rachel Ermitano, Elegant Affairs Assistant

Summer Hightower and her vintage boutique, Veda Lux, is the pick of the week. She opened Veda Lux just over a year ago in Spokane, Washington. Although her store is located across the state, her bridal adornments and custom vintage jewelry are a must see for your special occasion.

Summer Hightower creates custom hair adornments for all occasions but, her bridal pieces are absolutely breathtaking. Her hair pieces and jewelry will add a touch of vintage flair and elegance to your big day. She can design custom, one of a kind pieces or, you can browse her selection through Veda Lux's facebook page.

Summer Hightower and Veda Lux can be found HERE! Please take a look at all of her custom accessories. They are sure to add that special touch to your wedding or, even your every day wardrobe.

Note: Summer Hightower is based in Spokane, Washington. Please chat with her to make accommodations to receive your item(s).

Here are a few of her recent custom pieces:

Etsy Monday: Atelier Maris

2011-07-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

ATELIER MARIS is this week's Etsy Monday's Pick of the Week. What I love with this vendor is not only that Maris is a former mother of bride of mine back from 2009 her creations are simply breathtaking.

Atelier Maris creates, "Beautiful handmade birdcage veils, silk organza corsages, silk ribbon and flower sashes, fascinators, head bands and hair accessories for all your wedding and special occasion needs. Custom orders welcome!"

Here is just a few of my favorites from Atelier Maris' shop:

Etsy Monday: Personalized banners

2011-07-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

In looking for ideas for my sister's upcoming wedding, I came across this great listing for personalized wedding banners.

According to the seller RememberTheAisle, "Make your guests say, “Awwww” when your little niece or nephew (or both!) carries this banner down the aisle. They will surely know when to stand for your grand entrance! This sample banner (Pictured here) is a two-sided banner."

"Our Announcement Banners include two layers of fabric (a front and a back) with white suede sandwiched in between to give it form and weight. To carry this banner, we include a hand-cut and painted wooden dowel. Only genuine Swarovski Crystals are used on our items at Remember the Aisle so your banner will be sure to sparkle."

Here are a few samples of their incredible work:

Logan Cole Photography

2011-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

One of my closest friends Marki recently eloped to Vermont, one of her and her husband's favorite vacation spots. I wanted to share with everyone their amazing photographer Logan Cole who is based in Southern California. Logan is only 18 years old, which blows my mind. Marki found Logan on Green Wedding Shoes. Marki said what made her want to hire Logan was "the dreamy hue that he casts on ever picture, and I think he has a youthful/playful/whimsical perspective. And he's the nicest guy who ever lived."

To view a sampling of Marki and Andrijia's wedding photos, please click HERE!

Here are just a few of my favorite images from their day. By the way, Marki's wedding dress is by J. Mendel.

Engagment Photos (Fred Calma Photography)

2011-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

All images courtesy of Fred Calma Photography

Lindsey & Jason (July 2, 2011)

2011-07-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Purple was the color of the night for Lindsey and Jason's wedding on Juy 2 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Beginning with the chair sashes, draping, flowers, favor bags to bridesmaid dresses, this couple want to have a staple color for their wedding.

Lindsey and Jason found me after attending the Seattle Wedding Show. Lindsey and Jason were a true pleasure to work with and the best part was just how organized they were with all their spreadsheets.

To highlight just a few things about their wedding was the special moment when Jason escorted his bride off stage to serenade her during their ceremony. There was not a dry eye in the house. Surrounded by their closest 265 friends and family, Jason and Lindsey made it a point to visit all of their guests by doing table side receiving line and taking a group photos with each of their 25 tables.

This was a group that loved to dance. From the moment the dance floor opened up, guests flooded the dance floor and remained their until the bride and groom's grand exit through a tunnel of sparklers, just in time for the Fourth of July.

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Photographer: Sunni Han
Venue/Caterer: Lynnwood Convention Center
Florist: Patti Schmitz of Creative Colours
Cake: Mike's Amazing Cakes
DJ: The Pros Entertainment
Chair Covers: Seattle's Best Chair Covers
Draping: Prop Gallery West
Photobooth: CHAOTIME
Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses: I Do Bridal

5 Weddig Social Media Sites You Should Tweet About

2011-07-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

One of my October grooms wrote this article on Bridezilla about the "5 Wedding Social Media Sites You Should Tweet About."

Here are Doug's 5 sites:
1. Pinterest
2. WeddingWire
3. Honeyfund
4. The Dealmap
5. PreOwned WeddingDresses.com

Thanks Doug for this great article!

Inspiration from Candy Themed Bridal Shower

2011-07-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I was browsing Martha Stewart Weddings when I came across the most amazing Bridal Shower I have ever seen and now I want to share with you this Candy Themed Bridal Shower for the Candy Bar owner and daughter of fashion designers Ralph Lauren, hosted by Darcy Miller, editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Weddings.

What I loved most about this shower, well everything, but it was the simplicity yet elegance of the entire event. What impressed me the most was all of the little details from the invitations to the jellybean lined tray carrying cocktails, Darcy thought of it all.

From the Lemon Drop and Bubble Gum martini cocktails to the mini Turkey burgers and french fries and savory filled cones and mini mac and cheese hors d'oeuvres. And then there were all of the beautifilly crafted desserts beginning with mini cupcakes to the caviar "gem" topped cracker rings and mini milkshakes served with chocolate chip cookies to the Candy Bar of all candy bars.

Inside the initials were gumballs. Placed inside the heart were sixlets, cinnamon straws, gummi bears, chocolate hearts, gumballs, jelly beans, licorice wheels. On the perimeter of the display wre taff sticks, jelly beans, sixles, gummi pink-grapefruit slices, malt balls, chocolate hearts, rock-candy crystals and almonds.

I'm Back!!

2011-06-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

No, I didn't fall off the face of the Earth, I was only in Las Vegas celebrating my sister's Bachelorette Party. Having very limited Internet access, I wanted to focus all of my time and energy on my sister and didn't take my laptop or IPad! I only went through periods of withdrawls.

Once I got back on Tuesday, we went off to celebrate Jackson' 4th Birthday. I can't believe my little man is 4, time has flown. I can still everything the day he was born and just to look at him now is pretty amazing.

Now, I am just getting back into the swing of things while prepping for Jason and Lindsey's Wedding on Saturday.

What Inspires Me Wednesday: Pinterest

2011-06-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

My new obsession that I have fallen in love with is Pinterest. I love this site because you can create virtual inspiration boards without having to cut, copy and paste like before.

The perfect description of Pinterest comes directly from their Web site.

"Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste. People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it."

From now on, I will be uploading all of my Inspiration boards on Pinterest.

Here is a link to my personal Pinterest site: http://pinterest.com/elegantaffairs/.

Jessie & Josh (Photos by Tasha Owen)

2011-06-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

All images courtesy of Tasha Owen Photography.

Reviews from Clients

2011-06-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

Elegant Affairs wants every event to be perfect! Lori and her assistants' enthusiasm and dedication to making our wedding meet and surpass our expectations were contagious. In the planning process, Lori was super quick to respond to my emails and was eager to understand and execute our vision during our meetings. She recommended a superb husband and wife photography team that was fun to work with and were within our budget. I appreciate the number of times she updated the timeline of events based on last minute changes and her contacting the officiant so she could properly run the rehearsal in his absence. On the day of the wedding she was extremely attentive to make sure I was as unstressed as possible. Every time someone asked, "Do you have that?" She replied, "Yes, it's in my emergency kit." She also carefully steamed my dress, veil and the bridesmaids dresses to make sure everyone was picture perfect. Lori knew my little brother couldn't be at the wedding because he's a Marine and was unable to get leave for the weekend. Without telling us Lori had one of her assistants record the ceremony with a Flip camera. It was a wonderful surprise when we woke up the morning after the wedding and saw an email with the video link. Lori also sent it to my brother so he could see the incredible moment. Lori and her team were quick to respond to a mini crisis at the reception. The brewery had sent us home with two kegs of IPA when we had ordered a keg of Hefe (my personal favorite) and a keg of IPA. In Lori's desire to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible, she immediately got some Hefe for me so I could drink it with dinner and for the toasts. Lori also followed up with the photographers to let us know when we should be expecting our prints allowing us to enjoy our honeymoon. Lori is one of the hardest working wedding planners in the business and we know Elegant Affairs' success will only continue to grow. Thanks Lori for everything!!!

~ Josh and Jessie Lyle (June 5, 2011)

Lori is amazingly detail oriented and thorough. She is very prompt and respectful of her clients time. Working with her is a breeze because she truly wants her clients to be happy and will do whatever is needed to make that happen. I wanted slushee machines for an event and Lori went the extra mile to get them within my budget dispite venue limitations. Reliability is her hallmark.

~Jennifer Billingsley, Alpha Phi Pacific Northwest Regional Manager

I was the maid of honor for my best friend, Mary Johnson's, wedding on December 18, 2010. The bride had hired Lori as her wedding planner for her wedding day. Lori was a vital piece for Mary's special day. She tactfully delivered a magnificent experience for not only the bride and the groom but, for bridal party and the wedding guests.

As maid of honor, I was lucky enough to work with Lori throughout the wedding planning experience. Lori was enthusiastic, respectful, professional, provided thoughtful advice and created a sense of assurance that Mary's day would be as perfect as she had hoped. Not only was I able to work and talk things out with Lori, but I was able to see first hand how wonderful her relationship with the bride and groom was. Lori had created a relationship with the bride and groom which worked to create a stress free environment and trust in decisions.

From the beginning, she made herself present through out the entire wedding planning process. Due to the fact that the bride was living on the opposite side of the state, Lori took it upon herself to help Mary with planning, preparation and execution of the wedding venue, reception and details. She kept in constant contact and set up many meetings to finalize and discuss plans. Lori was always available for the bride and groom and helped with wedding plans that the bride was not able to complete due to distance. She also provided a sense of calm throughout the whole process.

An experience right before the wedding proves Lori's ability to be a successful wedding planner. I received a frantic call from the bride four days before the wedding. She stated that the wedding reception venue may not work for the wedding day. After word from the bride, Lori took the initiative to search for new possible reception venues and calm the bride as much as possible. In the end, the old reception venue came through and Lori was able to create the desired look for the bride. She was able to come through at the last minute and be the support that we all needed to make the wedding as successful as possible.

On the actual wedding day, Lori was an absolute savior. She guided the wedding party and gave explicit directions in order to make the day glide. She provided order, foundation and made the day enjoyable. She was able to take care of various wedding details so we all could enjoy the fabulous day.

Overall, Lori more than assisted to create such a magical wedding experience. As maid of honor and best friend of the bride, we are both so happy with the wedding experience with Lori. The wedding wouldn't have been the same without her.

~Rachel Ermitano, Maid of Honor

While sitting down with my new husband and discussing our wedding, one person keeps coming up in our conversation- Lori Losee. There are several reasons why we have nicknamed our wedding coordinator our "wedding angel" all of which revolve around the fact that we could not have planned our perfect day without her.

We originally met with Lori almost a year before our wedding and planned on only using her services for the actual wedding day but as planning a wedding across the state proved to be more difficult than I had planned, she helped to make the planning leading up to the wedding stress free.

Between helping us find vendors, coordinating with vendors, offering suggestions, and providing emotional support I could not have survived the wedding planning process without her.

What I truly loved about having Lori as my wedding coordinator was that on my wedding day, she handled literally EVERYTHING! Even though I am sure that there were problems that came up, my groom and I never had to deal with any of them! Lori was able to calm me down so that I didn't cry all of my makeup off, made sure that I actually ate at my reception, and made sure that my husband and I always had a drink in our hands!

My advice to any bride: use Elegant Affairs to coordinate your wedding. Whether your needs are big or small, having Lori Losee as a coordinator will save you headaches, heartaches, and will help you plan the wedding of your dreams!

~Franki & Richard Aquino, December 18, 2010

A big thank you to Lori for being our support system throughout the planning process. Each conversation with her made things feel more doable. Every idea we had for the wedding, whether big or small Lori made it happen or helped us figure out a way to work it out. She was there like a best friend through the process. I never thought I would freak out but I did get extremely stressed at times and she found a way to calm me down and put every fire out!

~Emily and Travis, September 17, 2010

You are amazing, kind, patient, have the best ideas, are the best candy buffet creator ever, etc.

There is no way we could have made it through the planning and wedding without you! I am forever...grateful!

We knew we'd met a wonderful person the first time we met you! As we walked away Bran said to me, "hiring Lori was the best decision we've ever made!" We still feel that way!

Thank you!

~K & B Carroll, August 28, 2010

Simply thanking you seems so little after all that you have done for Katie and Brandon these past months. The wedding and reception were glorious and with your helping, organizing, shaping and guiding us on the wedding day with your most kind husband made everything fabulous. I gazed at what you accomplished in a short window of time, filled with such pride, was amazing. We would never have survived without you. Everyone loved the candy table.

Our gratitude forever,

~Jennifer and John Robertson, Parents of the Bride

As an organized Do It Yourself (DIY) bride on a budget a wedding planner did not enter my stream of thought, until I met Lori Losee. After my initial meeting with Lori in Washington, I went home and told my husband-to-be that I needed a wedding planner because I was starting to worry about the timeline and who was going to keep everything organized on the big day. He reluctantly decided to set up a phone call with Lori after our conversation with Lori he said “your right who is going to run our wedding, and make sure everything goes as planned?” that’s when we decided it was critical to hire Lori as our day of Wedding Planner!

From the day we hired Lori she was on the ground running, contacting our vendors to introduce herself and talk about the details of our big day. As the final two weeks before our wedding approached and we had final meetings with all of our vendors we were delighted to hear that they were all as impressed with Lori as we were.

When Lori arrived in California for our rehearsal dinner and started to run the rehearsal we knew we made the right decision. We did not have to worry about who walked who down the aisle or where people stood instead we could enjoy this special time with family and friends, and when people asked us questions all we had to do was say “Ask Lori the wedding planner!”

As a DIY bride I had many tasks that need to be accomplished on the wedding day to turn my vision in to a reality, and Lori did not shy away from my boxes of things that needed to be set up. When we walked in to our venue on our wedding day and saw the room set up with the table names, place cards, menus, chair covers, favors, programs, and water bottles I knew Lori had been hard at work all day, but she still found time to check on me and my husband as we got ready for the big day. We had so many compliments about how well-organized and wonderful our ceremony and reception was run, which we owe to Lori.

Every bride should be so blessed to have a wedding planner that is caring, calm, resourceful, organized and a pleasure to be around. For any out of town brides that are considering hiring Lori don’t let the distance be a deterrent, she could not have done a better job if she had been in California with us every step of the way. Our wedding day would not have turned out so beautiful without your handwork and dedication. We can truly say without Lori Losee we would not have been able to enjoy our wedding day worry free!

Thank you Lori!

~Ashley and Francisco Medina, July 24, 2010

We decided to hire a wedding planner about a month or two away from our big day so that we wouldn't have to worry about coordinating with all the vendors for our big day. We decided to hire Lori. She was very responsive and always emailed us back very quickly. She also was very pro-active and took charge of getting in contact with our vendors to make sure we were all on the same page before our big day. On the day of the wedding she had brought her staff that helped set up, were very professional, and along with Lori made sure everything ran smoothly. We even forgot the garter midway through the reception, and one of her assistants drove to our house right away to get it! Overall we were very satisfied with the service and attentiveness we received for the price we paid.

~Zach and Jennifer Parsons, June 26, 2010

We met Lori at my best friends wedding. She impressed me with her ability to calm the bride and her organization with the band, the officiant, the food, etc. She communicated effectively with everyone involved and got the job done with such ease, that the bride and groom were able to enjoy their special day without having to worry about the details. I knew when I got engaged, that I wanted to work with her. Sure enough, she was wonderful to have at our wedding as well. She met with us on multiple occasions, had great ideas and money saving tips, that she was beyond helpful in making sure that we did not go over our budget. We actually had our photographer bail out of our wedding just a few weeks before our wedding day, and Lori made arrangements immediately to find us a new photographer. At her suggestion, we found a great photographer, and couldn't be happier! She was also amazing to have on the wedding day. She let me know exactly what my husband and I needed to do and what to expect as the day progressed. We did not have even one thing go wrong on the wedding day, and I feel that it was 100% because of Lori. I recommend her for all of my engaged friends and encourage anyone who is looking for a wedding planner to go with her. She is truly amazing! You will have no regrets!

~Tina and Mike Hafferman, June 21, 2010

Thank you for all of your assistance and support that you provided prior to and on the day of our wedding. From the first contact, we could sense your reliability and professionalism as well as your energetic and kind personality. You made our wedding day so enjoyable and stress-free. We had so many compliments about how well-organized and wonderful our ceremony and reception was. Every bride should be so lucky to have a wedding planner like you. Our wedding day could not have turned out so beautiful without your handwork and dedication.

~Diana and Mike, August 15, 2010

Lori did a good job with our wedding. Even though there were some bumps on the day of the wedding, none of the guests could tell, and I owe that to Lori. Lori ensured I had everything I needed the day of my wedding, she even made a pit stop at Southcenter mall on a Saturday afternoon to get me a last minute necessity - I don't even dare to go to that mall on Saturday afternoon. The wedding ceremony and reception went very smooth; everyone thought it was perfect, just as we planned, and we had a GREAT time. Lori made our vision come to life.

Lori doesn't just look at this as a job; she really does care about her clients. My Matron of Honor accidentally threw out my enhanced driver’s license during the whole wedding madness and without the license I didn't know if I would be able to take our honeymoon cruise. The cruise line suggested I bring my marriage certificate with me to the terminal, but Lori took it with her at the end of our reception to mail it in for us. I called Lori and left a message explaining the circumstance to her. Even though it was a Sunday afternoon after a hard day’s work and she was spending time with her family she went out of her way to bring me the certificate - I don't think a "normal" coordinator would have done that. Everything worked out fine and I got on the cruise, but I was very stressed on Sunday and Lori helped me calm down immensely.

~Krista and Eric Herman, April 17, 2010

Lori did such an amazing job coordinating the Alpha Phi Foundation collegiate donor reception at the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference! Really above and beyond. From the overall big picture, down to the minute details – like putting Alpha Phi logo stickers on the plastic candy bags. The whole event was well orchestrated. She incorporated red paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, red focused candy in large glass jars, cocktail tables with red candles, yummy desserts – just the works! Lori really listens to what you want, and lets her imagination take hold. The opportunities with her are truly limitless…

~Lauren Vandeveer, Development Officer for Alpha Phi Foundation

We decided to hire Lori as our Day-of-Wedding Coordinator a month or two before our wedding, and it is was a great decision! At first we thought we could do everything on our own, especially since our vision seemed simple and we had a lot of friends and family to help. But as the wedding date drew closer, the amount of coordination seemed like it would overwhelm our ability to enjoy the day, and that is when we called Lori. I felt so much better and less stressed after our very first meeting with Lori. She was organized, on time, and helped me prioritize what needed to be done before our next meeting. I am not someone who has dreamed about her wedding her whole life, so I really appreciated having Lori give me ideas or point out things I might want to consider. She really helped me feel that what needed to be done was manageable and that she would take care of any problems so that Matt and I could enjoy our day. Lori was at the rehearsal and it was so wonderful to have her there directing everyone. We all had a clear understanding of how the ceremony would go the next day and I was able to enjoy the evening instead of fielding questions. At the ceremony, Lori and her assistant were so wonderful, making sure everything went well. The chairs were set up exactly the way I had hoped, and Lori even made beautiful name tags to hang on the chairs for family. During the reception, I later found out that Lori helped things run smoothly when the refrigerators stopped working! I never knew until someone told me after the wedding. It just illustrates what a great decision it was to hire Lori. Instead of dealing with mishaps and figuring out who would go get ice, Matt and I were able to completely enjoy our wedding, unaware of any chaos that might be going on. We had a wonderful, wonderful wedding and we are so glad we hired Lori so that we could enjoy and experience our day as much as possible. Thank you Lori.

~Emily Barlow and Matt Currie, August 23, 2009

How could we have done it without you (Elegant Affairs)? You were simply amazing and we are so happy that you (Elegant Affairs) were a part of our day. You executed our vision perfectly and we love you guys.

~Erin Wigger and Mat Szwajkos, August 15, 2009

Thank you again for everything, Lori. You are wonderfully sweet, knowledgeable, resourceful, organized, and the best part – totally calm. You made everything so seamless and perfect. I received many, many compliments from our guests after the event that our wedding was the most fun and enjoyable one that had ever attended – and you deserve much of the credit for those words. Best of luck to you!

~Maris Olsen, Mother of the Bride

Thank goodness we hired Lori Losee! She was a wedding life saver! I am one of those people who thinks they can do anything on their own and so when it came to our wedding I tried to plan it all to save us money and only thought I would need help the day of. I found Lori at the Tacoma wedding expo after going to many and found her to be the most affordable which was most important. During the planning process she made herself very available by phone and email to ease my stresses and the planning meetings were very thorough and helpful. The day of the wedding I felt kind of worn out after all the planning stress, and it was such a breath of relief to have Lori there by our sides reassuring us that everything was going to be ok. It was nice to have someone else ordering people around instead of having to be bridezilla, trust me. Well as hard as I worked and checked every detail I thought I needed to, just about everything ended up having a snafoo in it and Lori somehow was quick and inventive to handle every situation. At the end of the night we had an amazing wedding of great memories that could have been really disastrous. I would highly recommend Lori Losee for wedding coordinating and more than just the day of service because she is awesome!

~Kelsey and John Titus, August 8, 2009

My husband, Jim, and I met later in life. We’re both in our mid-fifties, working full time. Planning the wedding at this stage of my life was fun, but very time-consuming. We decided to hire a wedding coordinator for the day of the ceremony and the rehearsal. Having Lori available for email consults, which she graciously provided, really helped me remember all the details I needed to. I mistakenly assumed I would have everything under control. Needless to say, as the wedding got closer I started feeling and acting like a “bridezilla.” Lori’s reassurances that things were under control kept me sane! The gifts for the groomsmen didn’t arrive until after we had to leave for the hotel. Lori made a special trip from her home in Puyallup up to Seattle to pick up the groomsmen’s gifts and brought them with her to the hotel. Wow! Once Lori showed up at the hotel, I was able to relinquish the details to her and enjoy a beautiful celebration with my husband-to-be, family, and friends. She coordinated every detail, from overseeing the ballroom decorations to making sure Jim had his preferred choice of soft drink waiting for him at our table. I’m not sure if I could tell you everything she did because she operated so seamlessly! What I do know is that she took care of every detail. The reception ran smoothly and on schedule because Lori seemed to effortlessly make it happen. While we were dancing and enjoying ourselves, Lori and her assistant took some of the white roses used to decorate the reception to our hotel suite and sprinkled rose petals and chocolates on the bed. Our wedding day was on one of the rare truly hot days we occasionally experience here. Lori made sure we had cool drinks before and after the ceremony. We ladies could remain in the air conditioned hotel room and she made sure we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. While taking pictures after the ceremony, she not only brought me comfortable shoes she put them on my feet!

Hiring Lori as a wedding day coordinator was the best gift we could have given ourselves!

~Jim & Cathy English, July 25, 2009

I would recommend Lori and Elegant Affairs to anyone! I met Lori at the Tacoma Fall Wedding Expo in 2008. I figured I could do everything myself for my wedding, but about a month out I felt overwhelmed and wanted some guidance and someone to oversee the big day. I met with Lori two times before the rehearsal and she gave me a ton of ideas, I had never even heard of. We went over the perfect way to thank my parents in the toast, wedding songs, where to have people stand in the ceremony and a hundred other things.

When the rehearsal came, I was feeling indecisive and didn’t want to make even more decisions. Lori stepped in and helped me choose when other people wanted to let me choose and I really needed the help of someone who had been there multiple times before. She met with me after the rehearsal and we went over all the stuff I brought for the wedding. Finally the big day arrived and I was so glad to have Lori there helping me. She brought everything I needed (including last minute golf tees to put in the ground so the groomsmen would know where to stand, and the roses we used down the aisle) and directed all of the festivities: including putting bows on the backs of the chairs for the special guests, handing out all of the checks to the vendors and generally watching over every last detail.

My mom especially loved how Lori was able to move people from one place to another without being intrusive at all. At the end of the night Lori and her assistant Lilly were there handing out my favors to everyone before we left. I had a day of event coordinator with my venue, but I AM SO GLAD we hired Lori to be another day of coordinator. The venue coordinator was great for being in charge of the food and all of that side, but I know I would have been stressed without Lori. I wish I would have contacted her sooner to get even more ideas, but having her as the day of coordinator still made all the difference. Bottom line, if you, your dad, your fiancé or someone else involved in the wedding is unsure about hiring a wedding planner, just remember this: my dad is one of the most frugal people you will ever meet and he said Lori’s help was worth every penny and then some.

~Rachael Odom-Parsons, July 24, 2009

Lori was absolutely fantastic in helping us plan for our wedding. Lori had great insight on how we should plan our wedding given our budget, and was more than willing to meet with us to work things out. The most important thing for us was to have everything run smoothly on the day of the wedding, and Lori was more than organized! Even though we had family and friends that volunteered to help, we wanted to make sure they didn't have to worry about anything, and Lori made that possible. We really don't know how we could have organized everything without Lori. Even if you think you have everything in place and planned, something is bound to go wrong. She was there to put out any fires before we even knew there was a problem. Because of Lori we were able to actually just enjoy the day!

~Sean and Lacey Kinney, June 13, 2009

We hired Lori for our “Day Of” wedding coordinator, and were very pleased with the wedding coordination she provided. Lori’s service was invaluable when it came to our ceremony. She coordinated the set-up of our rental items and decorations for the church. Lori attended our wedding rehearsal to become fully knowledgeable about the order of the ceremony, and she kept everyone on track on the wedding day—the seating music and ceremony began right on time, she gave the pianist his cue for the four processional songs, and she provided cues for all 22 members of the bridal party when it was their turn to walk down the aisle. Lori is very good with children, and when the three eager flower-girls attempted to walk down the aisle before the ring-bearers, Lori swiftly and calmly got them into the correct order in plenty of time. At the wedding reception, Lori coordinated with the banquet contact and the DJ to make sure everything ran smoothly for our Grand Entrance and other events. She checked in with me multiple times to see if anything was needed. Lori understood my “vision” for the day, and this allowed me to just relax and enjoy, and to soak up every wonderful moment without worrying about the details! We are very thankful for Lori’s help. Looking back, I can truly say that hiring Lori was one of the best decisions we made!

~Andy and Ashley Hay, May 30, 2009

Lori was exactly what we needed. We were about a month or so away from the wedding and realized we were going to need some professional help for the big event. Lori was exactly who we were looking for - someone personable and friendly, but also professional and knowledgeable. We're grateful to Lori and her assistant for all their help - our wedding was expertly run and we didn't have to worry about a thing! If we had to do it all over again, we would hire her from the beginning!

~Steve and Laurel Bierman, April 25, 2009

Congratulations on a job well done! The Pacific Northwest Conference was a success due to your thoughtful planning and attention to detail. I know the collegians went back to campus with a new vision for their chapters! Thank you for sharing your experience and talents with Alpha Phi. Our fraternity is stronger because of your efforts.

~Susan Sherratt, Alpha Phi International Executive Board Member

Lori was a pleasure to work with throughout the entire process. Her partnership during the entire planning process as well as while she was on-site assured a great event! Lori’s attention to detail and excellent communication skills made it possible to effectively share her expectations with our operations team. I look forward to working with her again in the near future!

~Jennifer Der, Sr. Catering Sales Manager at the Doubletree Hotel San Francisco Airport

After working with Lori Losee, we would highly recommend her to anyone with event planning needs. Her attention to detail and can-do attitude alleviated many of the stresses that would normally occur in planning a big event. Our wedding went off without a hitch, and it was due in no small part to the efforts of Lori!

~ Amy and Mike Sachwitz, January 17, 2009

Words cannot express the gratitude that we have for Lori and the amazing job she did on our wedding. Her professionalism and attention to detail is immeasurable and without her our day would not have been as perfect as it was. We cannot count the amount of times that Lori went out of her way and beyond her list of duties, all with a smile and without us asking. She is a fantastic recourse for ideas, an amazing supporter, and a great project manager. Hiring Lori was one of the best wedding decisions we made. We would hire Lori again in a heartbeat and cannot stop raving about her to everyone we talk to. The pictures are proof enough of her amazing work.

~Erin and TJ Corkins, May 10, 2008

We would recommend using Lori Losee to plan your wedding for many reasons. Every time we met with Lori she was always happy and smiling, this made us feel at ease. Lori is very organized which helps because at times you may feel pulled in many different directions on what to plan for next and in what order, she was able to help us organize and prioritize what was most important on our list of things that needed to be done before our wedding day. She was always very easy to reach and get a hold which prevented things from being held up or delayed. Our wedding planning went smoothly; we even started our wedding on time! She is very knowledgeable and gave us many ideas for what we could do and showed us ways to be smart with our money and get the most out of our budget we had set for our wedding. We were very thankful to have Lori to guide us through this time and would highly recommend her for your wedding!

~A &T, December 17, 2005

Etsy Monday: GarterLady

2011-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

I found this great vendor on Etsy by chance when looking for today's find and its GarterLady. These beautiful garters adds the perfect amount of risque and elegance to any bride's leg. Check out my favorite garters.

Star Wars birthday party

2011-06-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

For my son's 4th birthday party, all he wanted was Star Wars. After visiting the Star Wars exhibit a few months back at the Pacific Science he became obsessed with it. After doing some research online for birthday party examples I am came with a basic idea, but it wasn't until I found a design for an amazing invitation from Sandy Ford Designs. Sandy hand drew Jackson's face onto his birthday invitation and there got the idea for a black and yellow theme that spawned the rest of the decor and dessert table. For decor, I created a Stars atmosphere by stringing black and gold stars on my family room/dining room ceiling.

For the dessert table, I created a black and yellow ribbon background with several black and gold stars that highlighted the table. I used Sandy's water bottle label to cover several bottles. As for yummy goodies, I made, from scratch chocolate and vanilla cupcakes frosted with yellow buttercream and topped with Star Wars characters. I made chocolate and vanilla cake pops covered in black and yellow sugar. I baked Star Wars cookies from the William Sonoma set and frosted them in royal icing. I also hand dipped in candy pretzels that were a big hit of the group followed up with whoopie pies I made with yellow filling, this treat was my mom's favorite. The only two items that I didn't bake but picked up at Fred Meyer were the chocolate mini donuts and my favorite Italian cookies that closely resembled the Death Star.

To thank the kids for coming, Jackson on his own picked out his favors that included a pack of Star Wars fruit snacks, tattoos, stickers, Light Saber ribbon, rubber ball, pack of Sixlets, candy necklace, Star Wars Pez and thumb wrestler along with a blow-up red light saber.

What Inspires Me Wednesday: My boys

2011-06-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Two of my greatest inspirations are my boys; Grant (6) and Jackson (turns 4 on June 28). From my interactions on a daily basis as my first and most important job is being a stay at home mom, I learn something new everyday from them. By just sitting back and watching them is hours and hours of endless entertainment. From their playtime to the the words that come out of their mouths is always an adventure. I know I become a better wife, mother and wedding & event planner because of them. Everything I do is because of my husband and boys and I thank them for being part of my life.

Pretty in Pink Bridal Shower

2011-06-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the upcoming nuptials of my baby sister in August, I hosted a Pretty in Pink Bridal Shower for her bridesmaids and friends. From the beautiful invitations created by gypsygraphics, whom I found on Etsy.com to decor and food, pink was the color. Thanks to some of my favorite vendors, Barb and Linda of A Tailored Affairs for the gorgeous pink linens and Chris Skilton of Always Adorable Flowers for the beautiful flowers and most importantly to my mother for helping throw a great shower for the bride to be.

Beginning with the decor, I created a dessert table backdrop complete with two shades of pink ribbon that hung down to highlight a handful of cupcakes. Another great craft I found online was a yarn pom pom garland that was strung in the kitchen as guests entered the party. For flowers, I wanted to create a splash of color that highlights my beautiful sister. Chris from Always Adorable Flowers helped me to select the perfect flower combination of pink roses, peonies, Gerber daisies and lilies that I placed in large square vases.

As for the food to go along with the pink theme, I made made cupcakes, cake pops, macaroons, popcorn covered in pink edible glitter and an amazing fruit tray and other yummy treats that are my sister's favorites.

When it came to game time, we played we played a few games from the clothes pin game, where guests were not allowed to say, "wedding, bride or Morgan (name of groom)." This was fun game that really got all of the ladies watching their choice of words. We also played the purse game, where there were 20 items that I asked the guests to find in their purse. The first to hold up the item wins that round. Items included, pink lipstick and nail polish, calendar with the wedding day marked, 1982 (year of bride's birth) coin to a library card. The standard bridal shower toilet paper wedding dress was played followed by a Bridal Quiz where the bride had to anticipate the answers that her groom would answer to a series of questions that I videotaped.

The Bridal Shower was a great way to show our love to my sister and I want to thank everyone who came to celebrate.

Etsy Monday: Favor Bags

2011-06-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

When I was looking for unique ideas for favors for some upcoming events for clients, I came across these adorable 100% woven cotton muslin drawstring favor bags that are "great for filling with candies and small favors." The creator JennifersCookies based out of Atlanta, Georgia. These bags, which can be customized come in a variety of sizes. In he shop, she has hundreds of different designs for any event.

Here are just a few samples of her amazing work:

Jessie & Josh (6/5/11)

2011-06-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Tasha Owen

On Sunday, June 5, I had the honor and privilege to sere as a bridesmaid along as wedding coordinator for my best friend's wedding on the Skansonia Ferry. I first met the bride in August 1998 when she joined our sorority at Washington State University. We became instant friends and have remained close over the years, but really reconnected when she moved back to Seattle in the fall of 2007.

I remember the first time that I met Josh in August 2009, it was shortly after Jessie and he started "secretly" dating. Since they both worked for King 5 as news producers and sat next to each other they were friends from the start but it wasn't until that summer until they made it official. Seeing Jessie and Josh holding hands at the concert we were attending and the way they looked at each other that night, I knew that they were meant for each other. It was at King 5 where it was fitting that Jessie and Josh had their "First Sight" photo.

Flash forward a year when I get the call that Jessie and Josh were engaged, the planning started immediately.Once the couple found the Skansonia Ferry, they knew that this was where they wanted to have their wedding.

The best way to envision their wedding on the Ferry was to see a wedding there first hand. I enlisted Jessie' help as an assistant in a wedding I was planning on the Ferry last June. Jessie saw the layout on the boat and how seamless the transition was from ceremony to reception. Jessie got so many ideas for her own wedding and even hit it off with my favorite DJ, DJ AlphaMehl and booked him shortly after that wedding for her own.

In planning their wedding, there was no question about the theme. Baseball. Born and growing up in Massachusetts, Jessie became a Boston Red Sox Fan and for Josh, growing up in California is a die hard Anaheim Angles fan. They incorporated America's Pastime from their centerpieces displaying both a Red Sox and Angels bats in a vase with baseball covered chocolates. Their seating arrangement was made by Josh and her mother in the shape of a baseball diamond using pennants to designate which table, named after their favorite baseball stadiums they have visited their guests were seated. Their cupcake tower was topped off with a groom about to throw a baseball to his bride who is up to bat.

Another first for for me in this wedding was it was completely flower-free. Not being big into flowers, Jessie wanted to try something different and when she came across blue and pink pinwheels, Jessie and her Maid of Honor came up with a great idea that she and all of the bridesmaids would carry pinwheels instead of floral bouquets down the aisle.

For the groom, what he wanted he wanted most in his wedding was a photobooth, which turned out to be a big hit by everyone including my two boys who each visited the photobooth close to seven times each. In addition to the photobooth, the five cupcake flavors from NY Cupcakes were much adored by all of the guests followed closely to the very personalized favors, made up of the bride and groom's favorite things including a pad of Post-It Notes, Capri Sun, pack of gum and a personalized mini bottle of Tabasco Sauce.

With the power of the Weather Gods and the meteorologists from King 5, the weather was picture perfect as the bride and groom recited their perfect vows followed by their first kiss to the bride and groom making their Grand Exit down the dock to the sounds of Thundersticks.

Congrats to Jessie and Josh! I love you both so much and I am so excited for your future.

Vendors
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Venue: Skansonia Ferry
Photographer: Tasha Owen
Wedding Dress: Belltown Bride
Veil: Made by Maid of Honor Andrea Oess
Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal
DJ: DJALPHAMEHL
Cupcakes: NY Cupcakes
Officiant: John Jenks
Hair & Make-up: Tiara's On Location
Photobooth: Photobooth Entertainment
Rehearsal Dinner: Ristorante Picolinos

Bridal Luncheon: Six Seven at The Edgewater

Review from Bride and Groom

2011-06-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

~ Josh and Jessie Lyle (June 5, 2011)

Engagement Photos: Nicole & Morgan

2011-06-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this sneak peek of Nicole & Morgan's Engagment Photos shot by the talented Fred Calma. Due to the weather, their shoot was delayed twice. On Sunday night (June 5), Nicole & Morgan joined Fred for an evening shoot in Bellevue and Kirkland and captured these fabulous images. I can't wait to see the rest of the photos.

What Inspires Me Wednesday: Flowers

2011-06-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

What girl doesn't love flowers, right? From their bright colors, shapes, fragrance and textures are just a few reasons why flowers inspire me. My favorites are dahlias, peonies, hydrangea and the classic rose. Flowers inspire in helping clients create their dream event and their vibrant colors inspires me when creating new color combinations. Most importantly, I feel that by having fresh flowers in my house just inspire my positive attitude!

Etsy Monday: Party Goodies

2011-06-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

With the increased interest of photobooths for weddings; the next logistical step is to think about is what kind of props to supply to guests to spice up their photos. One such vendor on Etsy has done just that by creating handheld props including glasses, mustaches, signs, lips and anything else you can think of to make your photobooth a time for memories and laughter and Party Goodies.

Wednesday: What Inspires Me?

2011-06-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Similar to Etsy Monday, I am going to start a new tradition on Wednesdays that I am calling, What Inspires Me Wednesday. These postings will highlight people, places and things that inspires me in my life as a wife & mother and wedding/event planner.

This first post will be my favorite Websites and Blogs.

The first part of my mornings, once my boys are off to school, I turn on my laptop and after checking my email, I visit about 20-50 sites in a span of an hour (I limit myself to 60 minutes, otherwise I could spend all day researching).

These sites provide endless amounts of ideas that I incorporate into my weddings & events to help clients have the perfect event (and most importantly within their budget). Each site provides unique tips and tricks and create ideas for future events.

Here is a list of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/ (I love tutorials! From creating yarn pom poms to cake pops, Youtube has it all)
http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/ (Great site for parties!)
http://blog.amyatlas.com/ (Great site for parties!)
http://www.hwtm.com/ (Geat site for parties!)
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/ (Enough said!)
http://www.etsy.com/ (Great site for handmade gifts and crafts!)
http://www.pinterest.com/ (Great site to create my online inspiration boards)
http://www.stylemepretty.com/ (Amazing Real Weddings section; so many great ideas)
http://www.junebugweddigs.com/ (Amazing Real Weddings section; so many great ideas)

Please take a look at these sites so you can understand how I draw inspiration.

Etsy Monday

2011-05-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Looking to have something unique and creative to hold all of your wedding cards from your big day, well I discovered great find on Etsy, courtesy of Bwithu Studio. These are great handmade boxes that can be customized to your wedding.

The fabric covered boxes are made with "quality ribbons" and depending on the size can hold between 100-300 cards.

Here are some examples:

Elegant Affairs 2011 Team

2011-05-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce the Elegant Affairs Team for the 2011 Wedding Season. All of these women are exceptional and I am delighted that they will be joining me this season. Each woman brings an incredible talent to the table that will only enhance each wedding experience. Rachel Ermitano is joining the team as lead assistant followed by interns: Krista Foster, Kimberly Merrell, Kylie Johns and Lauren Groulik.

Rachel Ermitano

Rachel Ermitano has known Lori for several years and recently joined the Elegant Affairs team. She was a member of Alpha Phi and a graduate of Washington State University. She currently resides in Seattle and is working on obtaining a teaching position.

Rachel has always been interested in event planning, especially wedding planning. It all started when her sister was married in 2009. She helped her sister plan all the details of her big day. This is when she realized that she had a passion for wedding and event planning. Rachel works to fine tune all the details, adds creative flare and works toward making the client's day flawless and memorable.

Krista Foster

My name is Krista Foster and I am a 21 year old Tacoma native. I have three younger sisters and love to hike, cook, and spend time on the lake or at the beach with friends. I went to Bellarmine Preparatory School before pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Sociology at Santa Clara University. At Santa Clara I am an Alpha Phi which is how I met the fabulous Lori Losee and was introduced to Elegant Affairs. My past event experience includes birthday parties, sorority formal events, community fundraisers, formal auctions, and weddings.

I pride myself on being detail oriented and highly organized. My ability to stay calm under pressure and work with people has helped me to put on successful events in the past. Weddings are a time of celebration, of bringing family and friends together to celebrate a loving union between two people. I have always loved the opportunity to witness the joy of these events and cannot wait to bring my event planning skills to the table in order to make each wedding a day to remember forever.

I am so incredibly excited to be a part of the Elegant Affairs team this 2011 season!

Etsy Monday

2011-05-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Normally, I am not a big fan of cake toppers unless it has significant meaning (i.e. parents cake topper, etc.); however I quickly changed my tune when I ran across these adorable personalized cake toppers (really wedding sculptures) by Cake Toppers Studio.

They are pricey ($250), but I feel really worth it.

According to the description: "Charming wedding cake topper (original style topper) custom-made in your likeness. I will create a topper in the style shown of you and your future spouse that features your hairstyles, gown, tux, and flowers. Figures are sculpted of polymer clay and stand about 6 ½ inches tall including the base. The base is white painted wood approximately 5 inches in diameter. The figures are a whimsical, artistic rendering in the style pictured and are not intended to be an exact portrait."

Here are some examples.

Review of Vingtage Wedding Show

2011-05-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Annual Seattle Vintage Wedding Fair was simple but full of nice surprises. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hostess with champagne and an array of small appetizers. We received our gift bags full of samples from different booths. There were only thirteen vendors at the event but each booth was informational and full of ideas.

There were two booths devoted to hair accessories such as feather pieces, flower clips, bird cage veils, and much more. Additionally, the fair features a dress designer that used vintage dresses, such as your Mother's wedding dress, and turned it into a modern design. The designer could also revamp the dress to your liking. The fair featured a hairstylist, paper flower design, vintage inspired paper products, veils with crocheted edging, vintage jewelry, and even mini donut "cake pops".

Overall, the event only took an hour of my time but, the information obtained was useful. Not only were there different wedding pieces to purchase but, each booth offered DIY tips for your special day.

~ Rachel Ermitano, Elegant Affairs Assistant

Engagement Photos: Lauren & Brian

2011-05-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share these amazing engagement photos of Lauren & Brian (August Wedding) by the incredible Clane Gessel. These photos were taken all around Seattle and really highlight Brian and Lauren's relationship. For even more photos of the couple, visit Clane's Blog.

Etsy Monday

2011-05-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am starting a weekly tradition on Mondays here on the blog of highlighting products that I found on Etsy. I have used this site to find inspiration for my brides, event clients and for myself.

Today's find are the handcrafted wedding signs. They can be customized to fit your color scheme and/or theme.

The great thing about this Etsy vendor, ourhobbytoyourhome is that they are located in Olympia, WA.

Here are just few of their designs:

2nd Annual Seattle Vintage Wedding Fair

2011-05-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

Date: May 14, 2011

Location: Ghost Gallery (504 E. Denny Way)

Cost: $5.

Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

The 2nd Annual Seattle Vintage Wedding Fair is all about focusing on the details. It is not your average wedding show. This is a unique event and is inspired by Hollywood glamour and vintage styles.

The wedding show will be a small event with vintage and retro vendors. The show will have items for purchase as well as "do it yourself" project ideas. Vendors include but do not limit: hair accessories, jewelry, vintage dresses, flowers, various paper products, hair and makeup artists, and so much more!

It should be a quick event but full of fun vintage ideas for your special day. It's open from noon until 6:00. The show will provide small appetizers and champagne while you look around!

When guests don't RSVP!

2011-05-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest pet peeves of being a former bride and now as a wedding planner is when guests do not RSVP for weddings. As a bride you have done everything to make it simple for your guests by including a mailable card that is already addressed and stamped and all they have to do is check that they are attending or not and then put it in the envelope and stick it in the mailbox. Sounds simple enough, right?

What I tell my brides before they mail out their invitations is to make sure they have a spreadsheet (Excel is my personal hero) that lists who you invited, addresses, phone numbers and if by chance an e-mail address.

Be prepared for the flood of response cards, you can expect cards to be returned as soon as a few days after you mail out your wedding invitations. I love this time, this is the one time in your life where you will have so much mail with your name on it that you are actually excited to receive. The key is to record every response as they come in and don't let them accumulate around your house because chances are these little cards can be easily misplaced or accidentally thrown away.

When it comes closer to your actual RSVP date, check your spreadsheet and assess who has or hasn't responded by mailing in their card. DO NOT rely on your friends and family saying to you at a party or in passing that they are coming. Encourage your guests to send in their response cards.

The key thing to remember is to never assume that a guest will or will not be attending your wedding, having that response card is the golden ticket.

My biggest piece of advice is about a week or two to your RSVP date, contact those guests whose response cards you haven't received either by a nice phone call or e-mail. This is a task that SHOULD NOT be done by the bride a groom. This is a great job for your wedding planner or a pre-assigned family member or member of your bridal party.

Here are some reasons why guests haven't sent in their response card:

"I totally forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me."
"I never received my invitation."
"I'm not able to make it so I didn't think I needed to send it in." (Most common)

When talking with these guests, be polite and ask about their response cards. If they have lost their response card, this is the only time where it is acceptable to take a verbal commitment to you wedding.

Services

2011-05-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

We offer a FREE, one-hour no obligation consultation to discuss your vision. Call 253.279.6485 to schedule your appointment.

Elegant Affairs will coordinate every aspect of your wedding or event, beginning with an introductory meeting for us to get to know one another and discuss your vision. Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with your coordinator and feel assured that we completely understand your needs. If you need assistance in determining your individual needs based on your wedding/event style and budget, we would love to sit down with you and help and put together a package and price that is right for you.

All wedding coordination packages include: unlimited access to expert wedding advice via e-mail; access to our preferred vendor list; Elegant Affairs wedding planning workbook; assistant(s), review of contracts; working/coordinating with all vendors, including confirmation one week prior to wedding; and an "Emergency Kit."

Heart to Heart

Two planning meetings

Vendor Referrals

Create Timeline for Bridal Party/Vendors

Elegant Affairs Workbook

Ivy Leaf

One planning meeting

Coordinate ceremony rehearsal (One hour)

Coordinate the wedding day (Six hours)

Silver and Bordeaux

Two planning meetings

Coordinate ceremony rehearsal (One hour)

Coordinate the wedding day (Eight hours)

Little Dipper

Three planning meetings

Attend two vendor appointments

Coordinate ceremony rehearsal (One hour)

Coordinate the wedding day (Eight hours)

Big Dipper

Five planning meetings

Attend three vendor appointments

Coordinate ceremony rehearsal (One hour)

Coordinate the wedding day (Nine hours)

Lily of the Valley

Seven planning meetings

Attend five vendor appointments

Create a realistic wedding budget

Advise on reception design

Develop ceremony and reception logistics and floor plans

Coordinate ceremony rehearsal (Two hours)

Coordinate the wedding day (Ten hours)

Forget-Me-Knot

Ten planning meetings

Attend all vendor appointments

Budget preparation

Create and maintain a week by week calendar

Assist with wedding style and/or theme

Manage guest list

Unlimited coverage of your wedding day and rehearsal

We can also customize a package that best fits your planning needs and your wedding budget.

A La Carte
We also provide an array of services for you to choose from to suit your particular needs. A la carte services can be purchased alone or added to any of the above packages.

Create Save the Dates, Invitations, Programs, etc.
Preparation of personal wedding planning timeline
Budget preparation
Vendor and venue recommendations
Manage guest list
Menu selection consultation
Hotel coordination for out-of-town guests
Gift registry assistance
Marriage license guidance
Wedding weekend itinerary
Ceremony wording assistance
Candy Buffet

If you just need a little help getting started, or need some advice along the way, Elegant Affairs can assist you with those tasks you just can't find the time for: finding the right location for your wedding ceremony, researching caterers within your budget, locating the right florist or baker, helping to design invitations or wedding programs, and much more! Consulting services can be arranged via phone, e-mail or person to person.

Royal Wedding Recap

2011-04-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Along with the 1,900 invited guests watching from the pews of Westminster Abbey to the million spectators lining the streets of London to the two billion viewers glued to their television sets, Friday morning celebrated the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and will eventually become the future King of Queen of England.

I want to start with the classic and simple, but very romantic wedding dress worn by the future Queen of England, designed by British Designer Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. When Kate first emerged out of the Goring Hotel where she was "in hiding" before the wedding day I was blown away by the Duchess of Cambridge's dress.

My initial reaction was it was very similar to the 1956 wedding gown worn by Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco. What I loved about Kate's dress was that it matched her personality and I liked how it wasn't overly dramatic like her late Mother-in-law's 1981 wedding dress.

According to the Royal press office, the dress was described as The dress was made of ivory and white satin gazar, a loosely woven silk, with the skirt echoing an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats and a train measuring nine feet. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of McQueen’s designs.

The dress featured a lace applique bodice and skirt handmade by the Royal School of Needlework and lace flowers on ivory silk tulle in a design incorporating the symbolic rose of England, thistle of Scotland, daffodil of Wales and shamrock of Ireland.

The royal wedding gown was a perfect mix of tradition and modern.

I also loved the way, Kate worn her hair in simple in her half-up/half-down subtle wave of curls. The rumor is that Kate did her own make-up focusing on a warm color palette focusing on pink tones.

The veil was stunning. Her veil was transparent, made of ivory tulle and trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers. The flowers on the veil are a nod to Kate’s country upbringing.

The Cartier Halo Tiara Kate wore was made in 1936 as a gift for Queen Elizabeth’s 18th birthday from her parents, at the time holding the titles of Duke and Duchess of York.

I loved how "simple" she was in her jewelry wearing the gorgeous drop earrings that were presented to her the morning of her wedding by her parents. I liked how she wore no necklace to better accentuate the v-neck of the gown.

She followed the bridal tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The Cartier tiara served as her something old and something borrowed. The earrings from her parents served as her something new. The something blue was a blue ribbon sewen into the interior of her dress,

The bride carried a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet-william and hyacinth flowers.

The flower meanings in the bouquet are:

Lily of the valley – Return of happiness
Sweet william – Gallantry
Hyacinth – Constancy of love
Ivy – Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle – The emblem of marriage; love

I was quite surprised by the size of the bouquet. I would have like to have seen a bigger bouquet; however it was a great shape as I am not a fan of cascading bouquets.

The ivy and lily of the valley hair wreaths worn by the younger bridesmaids were influenced by the bride’s mother’s own headdress at her wedding in 1981.

The bridal party consisted for four bridesmaids and two page boys followed by Prince Harry who served as the Best Man and Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister and Maid of Honor. Pippa wore another dress created by Sarah Burton made of a heavy, ivory satin-based crepe, with a cowl front and with the same button detail and lace trims as her older sister's dress.

As for the future king of England, William was dressed in the uniform of a colonel of the Irish Guards regiment, his senior honorary appointment in the army. He is currently a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, based in north Wales and could also have worn a naval uniform. His younger brother and best man Prince Harry wore the uniform of a captain of the Household Cavalry.

Following the nearly hour-long ceremony, the Queen’s army of 21 chefs, led by Royal Chef Mark Flanagan, prepared 10,000 canapés to keep Will and Kate’s 650 guests satisfied.

Savory selections among the finger food included:

Cornish crab salad on lemon blini
Pressed duck terrine with fruit chutney
Roulade of goats' cheese with caramelised walnuts
Assortment of palmiers and cheese straws
Scottish smoked salmon rose on beetroot blini
Miniature watercress and asparagus tart
Poached asparagus spears with Hollandaise sauce
Quails eggs with celery sallt
Scottish langoustines with lemon mayonnaise pressed confit of pork belly with crayfish and crackling
Wild mushroom and celeriac chausson
Bubble and squeak with confit shoulder of lamb
Grain mustard and honey-glazed chipolatas
Smoked haddock fishcake with pea guacamole
Miniature Yorkshire pudding with roast fillet of beef and horseradish mousse
Gateau opera
Blood orange pate de fruit
Raspberry financier
Rhubarb creme brulee tartlet
Passionfruit praline
White chocolate ganache truffle
Milk chocolate praline with nuts
Dark chocolate ganache truffle

Guests were served Pol Roger NV brut reserve champagne

The royal wedding spread also included Pol Roger NV Brut Reserve champagne and sumptuous desserts like blood orange pate de fruit, raspberry financiers, dark chocolate ganache truffles, and rhubarb crème brulee tartlets. Prince William got his wish: a chocolate biscuit cake made from a royal family recipe

The wedding cake chose a traditional multitiered fruitcake with cream and white piping designed by prestigious British baker Fiona Cairns.

Royal Wedding preview

2011-04-28T09:27:00.001-07:00

Friday, April 29, 2011 will be a date that will forever live in the hearts of those all around the world who have anxiously anticipated the Royal Wedding of the future King of England and his commoner bride.

This wedding has been hyped on every channel detailing what the guests will be wearing including the variety of hats to the ultra-secret wedding dress.

Undoubtedly, this wedding will become an icon in the world of weddings and soon many brides will be taking cues from the couple to include in their own weddings from the decor, flowers and food selections.

The only downside for those of us on the West Coast is the timing of the wedding. I already have the E! Channel's six-hour news coverage of the royal wedding already programmed on my DVR and I will be analyzing everything and posting a Wedding Review.

Review as Conference Coordinator

2011-04-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Billingsley, Alpha Phi Pacific Northwest Regional Manager

Wedding Gift Etiquette

2011-04-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today I received a great question from one of my August brides asking whether it's okay to open wedding presents that arrive before their wedding.

That is a great question!

"Traditional Wedding Etiquette" has couples wait until after their wedding to open gifts and sometimes in front of family at a post-wedding brunch. My thoughts and modern wedding etiquette states that couples should open their wedding gifts as they arrive and to send thank you notes right away. The reasoning for this is two-fold. First, it lets your guests know that you received their gift and you are "thanking" them for their generosity. Secondly, it gives you a jump start on your thank you notes.

However, I do agree with traditional wedding gift etiquette that states you do not use the gift until you after you are married as the gift is intended for your life as a married couple.

All thank you notes should be written within three months of when you receive the gift. (Ideally, a response should be written on the day you receive the wedding gift)

Emily Post's Do and Dont's of Thank You Notes

Do personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.

Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given.

Do be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.

Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature; don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your wedding web site in lieu of a personal note.

Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.

Don’t mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.

Don’t tailor your note to the perceived value of the gift; no one should receive a perfunctory note.

Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.

Don’t include wedding photos or use photo cards if it will delay sending the note.

Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes after your first anniversary, keep writing!