Soiree by Simone Lennon Partnering with BHLDN

We are excited to join forces with the AMAZING bridal company BHLDN as one of their Preferred Event Planners. BHLDN has selected us with special recognition and exclusive offers.

We are in love with everything about this company and couldn't be happier.

If you aren't familiar with BHLDN, let us introduce you to just a few of our favorite things in their spring 2013 collection.

If you are my client, contact me for details.

Enjoy!

The Wedding Gowns: 

Reception Dresses:

Bridesmaids:

 Veils:

Hair Clips & Head Bands:

Accessories:

Shoes:

Lingerie:

Decor:

Happy shopping!

Cheers!

~simone

Rustic & Elegant Chalkboard Signage

As a San Francisco based wedding planner, I covered a lot of territory, over 250 miles to be exact. During high wedding season, you can find us up in Napa executing a wedding on a Saturday, only to find us in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Big Sur the following Thursday preparing for a large rehearsal dinner. With that said, we plan and execute weddings in many different types of venues and environments.

Regardless of the region we're in at any given time, one beautiful theme seems carries through in "most"  outdoor affairs - simple, rustic elegance.

Rustic elegance doesn't mean that it's more casual, less formal or cheaper than another style, it just means it's more relaxed, not overworked and nothing too perfect. It also allows for a more creative approach to many traditional elements that many brides are leaning towards because it's simple beauty, not overly fussy and allows for elements that work with an outdoor or unconventional space.

A good example of an element that works beautifully is elegant chalkboard signage. We execute this detail a lot in our rustic ranch, vineyard and garden weddings. If done right, the statement can be as beautiful as receiving letter press invitation.

We've used chalkboards in place of menus, escort card tables, seating charts, table names and ceremony programs. It can really be used in any place that you're providing a directive to your guests. The sky is the limit.

To create elegant signage using chalkboards, I have "go to" vendors who design and create it for us. I use always use my network's top calligraphers to draw on the content and then it goes to our floral designer for a floral or organic touch to finish it off.

Enjoy the following images of gorgeous signage inspiration.

Happy planning!
~simone

A Perfectly Imperfect Floral Inspiration: Sweet Jasmine

Bridal Bouquet By Yasmin of Floral Theory; Photo by Shira Weinberger

One of my favorite designers and partners in the wedding industry is Yasmin Zialcita Ali, principal designer/owner of Floral Theory. As one of my "power vendors", we are in constant collaboration and she leaves in awe after every event (which is almost impossible considering my unhealthy level of perfectionism). The woman is truly genius at her craft and I find myself coming away with a wealth of knowledge after each wedding we execute together.

One of my favorite design principals that I've learned from her is, "beauty is perfectly imperfect", especially in floral design. She couldn't be more right.

I find it amazing that just a touch of something wispy and organic can really elevate an already stunning floral centerpiece or bridal bouquet into a state of perfection. I love the use of Jasmine in her work as it really adds another dimension by creating a soft, organic and understated elegance to the design.

Enjoy the following Jasmine inspiration images where it's executed beautifully in floral design.

A Floral Inspiration - David Austin Garden Roses

If I've designed your wedding, are one of my preferred floral vendors or are close with me, then you already know that my favorite flower is a David Austin Garden Rose. There is just something about their fragrance, hue, texture and simplicity that evokes a blissful feeling in me. Whether they appear in an amazing complex arrangement or as a stand alone blossom in a bud vase, they make statement. I love introducing this variety of rose to my brides as they fall in love them instantly every time.

Enjoy the following images of David Austin Garden Rose perfection (well, at least to me).

Earth Conscious Celebrating - Garden Kit Wedding Favors

If you're an avid reader of my BLOG, then you know that I am a big advocate of green wedding practices - food, flowers and FAVORS.

I found this great idea of creating beautiful garden growing kits when I was doing research on how to incorporate Olive tree seedlings into my clients' wedding favors for their Italian Family inspired wedding this fall. I absolutely love this favor idea as it can be completely customized to match your wedding decor by using fabric that resembles your theme with the inclusion any types of seeds found under the sun. Love, love, LOVE!

Steps in Creative a Garden Wedding Kit
Fill small terracotta pot with biodynamic soil. Biodynamic farming and gardening is both a sustainable, restorative and unified approach to agriculture that relates the ecology of the earth-organism to that of the entire cosmos. To read more about biodynamics, visit www.biodynamics.com.

Cover soil-filled pot with a decorative square-piece of paper. Secure with piece of raffia. You may also use ribbons and twines.

Place covered pot in a cellophane bag along with a decorative packet of seeds. We created our own by sourcing mini lavender envelopes, and incorporating charming hand-drawn leaf illustrations by artist Elizabeth Hubbell.

 Write a letter of love and gratitude to your friends and family who will be joining you for your wedding celebration.

 Include planting directions on the inside of your card.

 Cinch the cellophane bag with piece of raffia, tying the hole-punched card along with it.

Those who helped make this Couple's Garden initiative possible.