~Wedding Tips for my Brides #1: Bestie~

Soooooo . . .

I wanted to start a little "tips" series here 

just on random wedding planning tips for all of my brides out there.

So stay tuned for some simple little tips from a wedding planner.

Wedding Tip:

~Bestie Pic~

Make sure at your wedding you get a super cute fun pic with your bestie aka MOH.

You both will treasure it forever.

Make it fun!
Make it you.

                                                                           Source: twitter.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                                    Source: google.com via Jenny on Pinterest

                                                                          Source: imgfave.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                    ~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

                        No matter what happens in life you always will have your bestie!

~Destiny and Fili's Wedding~

Destiny and Fili

August 28th 2011

I have another treat for you guys!

Here is a wedding I helped with last summer.

One that I had SUCH a great time with, and made a friend through.

I first met Destiny at a coffee shop . . . Cafe Felice.

That soon became "our place" and we had pretty much all of our meetings here.

The Wedding:

(all photos by the LOVELY Maxine Toh Photography)

What an absolutely fun wedding full of love! Destiny and Fili and all of their loved ones truly are about respect and fun. Family and traditions are huge to both the Samoan and Mexican cultures, and that shined throughout the whole wedding day!

To show you how important people, family and friends are important to this lovely couple: look at their bridal party! The whole party comprised of 12 bridesmaids and 12 groomsmen, wow!!!

(yup they needed TWO stretch hummers!)

Destiny and her friends did a lot of the DIY touches. They put together the bamboo favors with labels, picked up flowers from the local Seattle's Pike Place Market the morning of, and the wedding coordinator (that's me!) tied the bouquets and made the boutonnieres from these local flowers. Destiny also purchased her jewelry and hair accessory from an Etsy shop. Hurray for handmade!

The ceremony was an intimate event held at Fili's family's local Samoan church. Everyone was in tears as Destiny's mom walked her down the aisle. The look on Fili's face says it all. These two are truly in love, getting married signifies not only their union, but the union of the families, cultures and traditions.

The reception for around 400 guests was held at the Highline Community College overlooking the water. There was a nice stage area set up for all of the amazing dance performances (which are dear to Destiny's heart, as she has been dancing her whole life and one of the performing companies she was a member of!). They had Fili's older brother, a Samoan "elder" lead the night's events as an MC. They went through several traditions of presenting mats and gifts to those that have traveled from afar (Samoa, etc).

The whole entire Reception was so lively, colorful and fun! From the singing and dancing performances of both Mexican and Samoan cultures were spectacular. Destiny even joined in with her old dancing company in her wedding dress and stole the show!

The group sure did know how to have a good time, and the dance floor was full the whole night. What a sweet couple that is loved by so many, it was a pleasure being a part of this personal event!

Destiny was the sweetest in her review for me:

"Tammy was so wonderful, I contacted her about a month out of my wedding to be our day of coordinator.  She was very easy to get a hold of and made herself available right away to meet at least once a week each week until the wedding.  Such a joy to work with, very easygoing and always has a smile on her face.  She is optimistic and a pleasure to be around.  I know she had to jump through many loop holes the day of the wedding, including putting together our 13boutonnieres and 13 fresh flower bouquets that morning because I did not plan very well for that portion.  She also printed out our programs the morning of our big day, all of these items were beautiful, just perfect.  This is just a small taste of how much she values her brides and is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure everything is running smoothly and the couple stays happy!  I would work with Tammy on any upcoming party, she truly made a difference on my wedding day and I know she could do the same of any of her clients.  Tammy, thank you so much for making my happiest day on this earth a lot less stressful and very memorable! We will forever be grateful! XOXO Mrs. Destiny Talamoni"

Thanks Destiny!!!

You guys were truly a pleasure to work with, and your wedding was SO much fun.

Oh and Destiny and Fili just found out that they are pregnant!!!

They will make amazing parents.

Congrats to you both, and best wishes for your future together:-)

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Highline Community College 

Coordinator/Programs/Boutonnieres: Simply by Tamara Nicole 

Flowers: Pike Place Market

Catering & Bar Service: Chartwells Catering (thru HCC) 

Cake: Creative Cake Designs 

DJ: Events With Intregrity 

Photography: Maxine Toh Photography 

Reception Décor: A Tailored Affair 

Chair Covers & Sashes: Express Linen Service 

Limos: Seattle Limo Service 

Performers: Bailadores De Bronce , 

Hawaiian Dancers (friends), Tonga & Tahiti Dancers (friends), 

Samoan Dancers

(family)

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

~Wedding Lawn Games~

Let's PLAY!

Who doesn't love a wedding, 

bbq, 

or better yet a wedding bbq with some 

lawn games?

This is great for a Summer/Fall wedding, or a destination wedding somewhere warm!

I can't wait to have some fun games set up at a few weddings I am helping to plan this year!

Some great ideas to keep your guests having a good time:

bocce ball

                                                           Source: floridianweddings.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                      croquet

                                                                     Source: floridianweddings.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                                 Source: unitedwithlove.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                                   Source: projectwedding.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Pinatas!

                                                                         Source: youaremyfave.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                   {horseshoes}

                                                              Source: bestdayeverhawaii.blogspot.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                       {badminton}

                                                                      Source: stylemepretty.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                                        {cornhole}

                                                                          Source: emmalinebride.com via Tamara on Pinterest

                                          Which is your favorite game to play?

                                         ~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

~Wedding Love: Rustic Glitz~

I am so drawn to a fun rustic barn wedding.

I already have 3 barn weddings booked for 2012 and can't wait!

So many fun possibilities with decor and theme:-)

Here is a fun inspiration board found on Southern Afternoon:

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

~Rustic Etsy Wedding Invitations~

I am so in love with these soft, pretty rustic wedding invites.

The best thing, they are from Etsy.

(I know we all love Etsy!)

I am all about supporting handmade and small businesses.

Check out these lovelies:

Rustic Elegance - unique handcrafted wedding invitation with eyelet detail by Paper Talk Press on Etsy.

Rustic Invitation Suite on Etsy by Anne Madison Design

"Ivory Romance" on Etsy by Beacon Lane

Modern Romance Wedding Invite Suite by Beacon Lane on Etsy

                  Oberon Wedding Invitation Suite on Etsy by Akimbo Designs

Aren't these all just gorgeous?!

I have a few new favorite Etsy shops :-)

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

P.S. 2 more weddings for 2012!!! Can't wait to share all of the fun details.

~Margaritas and Your Wedding~

Now who doesn't love a good margarita?!

Could make a fab signature drink . . .

a nice cool beverage for a summer wedding.

(Source: Real Simple)

Easy margaritas: 

lime sorbet and tequila.  So simple and yummy, and a great way to keep it cold!

(Source: The Foodie Bride)

The Signature Drink: The Blackberry Margarita

Ingredients

• For the blackberry puree:
• 6 oz blackberries
• 1/4 cup water
• For the cocktails:
• 3-4 oz blackberry puree
• 9 oz lime juice
• 9 oz water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 oz orange liqueur
• 3 oz blackberry liqueur
• 6 oz tequila

Instructions

1. Heat berries and 1/4 water over medium heat.
2. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to break down the berries.
3. Pour into a strainer set over a bowl and press the pulp and juices through the stainer, into the bowl.
4. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water and heat until sugar is dissolved and the water is clear.
5. Add puree, simple syrup, lime juice, liqueurs, and tequila in a small pitcher or carafe.
(If you have trouble finding blackberry liqueur, omit it or replace it with a couple extra tablespoons of blackberry puree).
6. Stir well and serve over ice.

Notes

Yields: 4 servings

(Source: Bakers Royale)

Margarita Popsicles

• No recipe, just an easy entertaining idea that requires some Dixie cups, popsicles sticks and Mike’s Hard Lemonade Strawberry Margarita. As a side note, the traditional margarita made with Tequila needs a much colder temperature to freeze than the tradtional home unit allows, so that’s why something like these Mike’s Hard Lemonade is better suited for making these popsicles.
• To assemble: Pour and freeze the Strawberry Margarita for two hours then insert the popsicle sticks in the middle. Freeze for another two hours or until the Strawberry Margarita Popsicles solidify. Garnish with a lime and serve.
• Small note, do not rim with salt until serving time as the salt will melt the pops. Alternatively, you can rim the Strawberry Margarita Pops with chunky crystal sugar for an aesethetic effect without worrying about the melting factor. 
• To keep popsicles chilled as long as possible, place the serving tray in the freezer and then top  the tray with a layer of crushed iced. 
• The popsicles  sticks are from one of my favorite baking shops Sweet Lulu. Great prices, awesome customer service and super fast shipping!

(Source: Brown Eyed Baker)

Margarita Cupcakes

Margarita Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 25 minutes

For the Cupcakes:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
Zest and juice of 1½ limes
2 tablespoons tequila
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk

To Brush the Cupcakes:
1 to 2 tablespoons tequila

For the Tequila-Lime Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2¾ cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons tequila
Pinch of coarse salt

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

3. In an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and sugar together until pale, light, and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

4. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the eggs one at at time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

5. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the lime zest, lime juice, vanilla extract and tequila. Mix until combined. (The mixture may start to look curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will all come back together, power on!)

6. Reduce the mixer speed low. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk in two batches. Mix only until just incorporated, using a rubber spatula to give it one last mix by hand.

7. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake for approximately 25 minutes or until just slightly golden and a skewer shows only moist crumbs attached, rotating the pan at the halfway point.

8. Allow cupcakes to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the 1 to 2 tablespoons of tequila. Set the cupcakes aside to cool completely before frosting them.

9. To make the frosting, whip the butter on medium-high speed of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment for 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low, and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl until all is incorporated. Give it a mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the lime juice, tequila and salt mix on medium-high speed until incorporated and fluffy. If the frosting appears a bit too soft, add some additional sugar, one spoonful at a time until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes and garnish, if desired, with lime zest, an additional sprinkling of salt and a lime wedge.

*Note #1: If you would prefer to not use liquor in these cupcakes, you can absolutely omit it from both the cupcakes and the frosting with no problem. If you do omit it, I would add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to the frosting.

*Note #2: I used a Wilton 1M tip to frost the cupcakes.

(Recipe adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride)

Yummmmm Right?!

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~

Pssst I had SUCH a fun day visiting 5 venues around Seattle with my clients Liz and Kaushik today! 3 new signed weddings this week, and 3 more new client meetings tomorrow, this is going to be an AMAZING year for SBTN!!

~Flower Girl Tutu~

(Style Me Pretty)

Oh my adorable-ness!

How stinkin cute is this tutu flower girl dress?!

~Simply by Tamara Nicole~