Posts Tagged ‘san diego wedding planner’

There’s nothing like an emotionally moving wedding… tears of joy accompanied by stifled sniffles. We, extremely prepared wedding planners, are always packing some Kleenex for the bridal party, family and friends…

But here’s an idea we found and love! and Eco-friendly too! Custom handkerchiefs, useful and sentimental all-in-one.

Check out Chrissy’s Creations on Etsy for custom embroidery!

And if you think your dad is the stone faced rock of your life… give him one like this, and we’ll bet some tears will well up!

Don’t let your love affair with these handkerchiefs end as embroidered gifts for the family… what about as invites for all your guests?
And for those guests who are criers at weddings, they’ll be sure to bring along their invite to make good use of!

We’re re-visiting Bird and Banner for these lovely ideas using handkerchiefs!

Love this idea too! Include a little hanky with your ceremony program!

Maybe you’d rather keep a handful of precious handkerchiefs for a more intimate setting… we love this sweet idea!

Happy Planning!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

What better way to close out a good year and start off the New Year than with a gift that keeps on giving?

Check out these Gift of the Month ideas!

Something for the guy perhaps? Beer of the Month Club from GreatClubs.com

Maybe something for the parents or grandparents? Harry & David’s Fruit of the Month Club. (Don’t forget to pick up some Moose Munch too!)

Here’s something different – a Jerky of the Month Club!

And what’s never made better with some BACON?

There are SO many Month of Clubs out there… you can be sure to find one that suits that special recipient!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

The countdown is really going on now isn’t it? Christmas is next week!

How has your party planning been coming along? Has your menu been set? Still trying to find a crowd pleasing appetizer? Here are some eye-catching and stomach-filling ideas!

A fun festive display of crudites!

For the mushroom garlic lovers!

For the bacon and cheese lovers!

For the cream cheese lovers!

With so much delicious food and drink out there, we’re sure to be making some weight-watching and exercise-related New Year’s Resolutions! Have you starting thinking about yours?

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

So you’ve finished trimming the tree, decorated the house, mailed out your Christmas cards, and planned your party menu, how about taking a night off, bundling up and heading out to Newport Beach for the annual Christmas Boat Parade!

Here’s a tidbit about it from ChristmasBoatParade.com:

“As Newport Beach’s Christmas Card to the world, the boat parade will set the harbor ablaze for five consecutive nights, beginning Wednesday, December 14 and ending Sunday, December 18, 2011. The parade starts off Bay Island at 6:30 pm and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 pm each evening.

Beautiful multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats will light up the harbor as a dazzling array of holiday lights and music fill the air at the Christmas Boat Parade. Many of the boats will be richly decorated with animated Christmas scenes accompanied by music and costumed carolers. Some boat owners in the past have spent over $50,000 to decorate their vessels for the event. The Christmas floats will wind their way some 14 miles around the harbor to give viewers in restaurants, yacht clubs, on public beaches, and in private homes an incredible sight that has delighted millions of people for a century.

The Christmas Boat Parade, which has been hailed as “one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation” by the New York Times, is truly a magical holiday tradition for all ages. The parade continues to be a premier event during the holiday season in Southern California that brings joy and happiness to all that view it.”

 

Hope you and your loved ones have a chance to enjoy this fabulous parade!

 

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio!

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

Twinkle lights, string lights, Christmas tree lights… whatever you call them, when they’re strung up and plugged in there’s nothing else like it. That probably explains why we all spend some evenings driving around neighborhoods marveling at the lights.

How else can we use string lights in our holiday decor? How about like this…

Click for a great tutorial!

This is a great up-cycle project! Give it a try this holiday!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

Wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, bags, tissues… gift wrap is in abundance everywhere, from craft stores to the grocery store! We all have our different styles of wrapping – some prefer a gift bag and tissue, some just box it, and others will go all out with ribbon, twine and bows!

But here’s one adorable way to wrap some small goodies… perfect for small trinkets or candy!

Thanks to Peppermint Plum for this DIY!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Peppermint Plum blog for all kinds of great stuff!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

Our tree is in, lights are strung, and ornaments slowly (and carefully) being unwrapped and placed lovingly on our tree. But what other decor comes out to make our homes more festive? A wreath!

If you’re not sure about a fresh green wreath or just want to go non-traditional this year, have a look at these BEAUTIFUL handmade wreaths from ItzFitz on Etsy!

Happy decorating!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet?? Now’s the time!! Time to get to trimming the tree… singing holiday songs… drinking eggnog… so much fun this time of year!

If you find yourself feeling crafty, check out these lovely DIY ornaments

from Martha Stewart, of course.

Check out this site too for some adorable ornaments to make too!

Have fun!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

Eggnog is a very holiday-ish cocktail. Once the Season hits, all the coffee shops begin to advertise their holiday flavors- pumpkin, eggnog, peppermint.

For our holiday parties, eggnog is always in high request. Here are a couple of delish recipies… followed by how WE make it, A Good Affair style!

from Cake&Allie blog

From Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s bartending site: (yields 2 servings)

2 large eggs

3 0z granulated sugar

1/2tsp freshly-grated nutmet

2 oz brandy

2 oz spice rum

6 oz whole milk

4 oz heavy cream

Beat eggs in blender for one minute on medium speed. Slowly add sugar and blend for one additional minute. With blender still running, add nutmeg, brandy, rum, milk and cream until combined. Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine and serve in chilled wine glasses or champagne coupes, grating additional nutmeg on top immediately before serving.

 

Check out Alton Brown’s recipe for both regular and cooked eggnog:

4 Egg Yolks

1/3 Cup Sugar, plus 1 Tablespoon

1 Pint Whole Milk

1 Cup Heavy Cream

3 Ounces Bourbon

1 teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg

4 Egg Whites

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Cook’s Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

 

Now, for A Good Affair’s Signature Eggnog:

Grab your favorite ready made eggnog from the market…

then grab some vanilla ice cream, choice of alcohol (rum/brandy/bourbon)… blend whatever ratio floats your boat in a blender, serve in a sugar rimmed glass… and enjoy!

We usually make this during a party to serve fresh to each guest, so the less time spent measuring exact quantities means more time having fun with friends and family!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA

There are quite a few countdowns and giveaways going on this month… if you haven’t checked your inbox lately (you know, the one with the random email address you use when signing up for newsletters/promos/coupons), you’re going to be inundated with A LOT of holiday goodies and deals!

Here’s one that we’re going to be checking into for the next 20 days (sorry, we missed a day… but that miscellaneous email inbox of ours is taking a while to sift through – we don’t want to miss a thing!)…

Check out Anthropologie’s 20 Days A’Gifting… register to win everyday for the next 20 (well, 19 days!)

Scroll down to the bottom of their page to find a new giveaway each day! Good luck!

Did you hear?- We are The Knot’s 2012 Best of Weddings Pick!

Check out our portfolio

Give us a Ring~ 714.679.1139

We would love to setup a complimentary consultation with you at our Newport Beach Design Studio!

Happy Planning,

AGA