FEBRUARY 9, 2018
The Press Special Edition • Winter 2018
Photo by Discovery Bay Studios
Where Your Happily Ever After Begins!
Brownstone Gardens (925) 418- 4532
Everything You Need to Plan the Perfect Wedding
91 Brownstone Road, Oakley • www.brownstonegardens.com
2B
|
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Wedding Planner
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Community Center
Beautiful outdoor wedding site Indoor banquet seating for 330 guests Caterers dream kitchen Elegant pre-function area Ample parking
Photos courtesy of Wedding Bug Studios
Brentwood Parks & Recreation 35 Oak Street, Brentwood, CA parksandrecreation@brentwoodca.gov 925.516.5444
Wedding Planner
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
|
3B
Fairy tale weddings at Brownstone Gardens AMY SCHRADER
O
ne of the most romantic 2018 wedding trends combines rustic charm with
fairy tale romance. According to WeddingWire, woodland weddings are a trend inspired by nature with a whimsical and magical feel reminiscent of “The Secret Garden.” East County couples looking to tie the knot don’t have to look very far to find the perfect woodland-wedding destination. Amongst majestic towering trees and lush shrubbery, Brownstone Gardens in Oakley is an enchanting garden venue that delivers all of the magic nature has to offer. “I was completely shocked that something so beautiful could be as hidden as it is and kept a secret,” said Walnut Creek resident Hayley Johansson, who was married at Brownstone Gardens in March ON THE COVER: Brownstone Gardens in Oakley helps couples find their happily ever after with its romantic, wooded gardens and intimate venue. Photo by Discovery Bay Studios.
Photo by Discovery Bay Studios
Brownstone Gardens in Oakley offers a lush, romantic venue for weddings and special occasions. 2017. “The grounds were incredibly magical. As a little girl, I always wanted my wedding day to be like a fairy tale, and that is exactly what this location gave us.” Since 2006, over 1,000 couples have said “I do” at Brownstone Gardens and have celebrated their reception there as well amongst a sanctuary of towering
4800 Golf Course Road Antioch
trees and twinkling lights. The property features paved pathways throughout the grounds and areas that create stunning backdrops for events. The rose garden is a patio sanctuary surrounded with multicolored roses, trees and shrubs that wedding parties can use for multiple purposes. Brides and grooms
have used the space for everything from a drink bar area to a s’mores bar, photobooth area and comfortable sitting area for guests to mingle. The koi garden is another area where guests can gather before the ceremony or during the reception. The pond, waterfall, wooden footbridge and old-fashioned wooden swing create magical photo opportunities. Guests describe the bridal falls area as paradise. The intimate space features a recessed dance floor and canopy of natural trees and picturesque lighting. The sound of water cascading down the nearby 12-foot waterfall combined with the sparkling lights and surrounding trees creates a dreamy and ethereal setting. The grand courtyard is where most couples exchange their vows. Brides can walk down a stone aisle surrounded by a lush, green lawn to a classic temple pavilion supported with beautiful sandstone columns. The nearby perimeter wrought-iron fence is covered with vinelike miniature roses and surrounded by crepe-myrtle trees, which have delicate pink and white blossoms during the peak wedding season. see Gardens page 4B
www.LoneTreeGolfCourse.com 925.706.4232
4B
|
Wedding Planner
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Gardens from page 3B
Bride’s The 9th Annual
Day Out!
SATURDAY February 24th, 2018 11 am – 3 pm Rain or Shine
Win the grand prize of
$1000.00 Photo by Ron Essex Photography Venue Hannah Nicole Vineyards and Winery
Sponsored by: Downtown Brentwood Coalition Experience all the wonderful businesses and wedding vendors in Historic Downtown Brentwood where you are sure to have all the resources in one place to plan a great wedding. There will be special discounts, promotions and raffle prizes for a chance to win the grand prize of $1000.00 Downtown Dollars. (to be used with 1 or more of the participating businesses or vendors)
Restaurants & Pubs
Retail shops
Florists
Party Rentals
Wedding Décor
Bridal Boutiques
Bakeries
Venues
Photographers/ Videographers
Hair/Makeup/ Tanning Specialists
Music
Brides Day Out
– Ideal for catering, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers
- Specializing in wedding cakes, dessert bars, pastries and more
- For unique gift ideas - Jewelry
- Specializing in weddings and event planning and design
– When you need to find that perfect location for your big day
- For your party, reception or bridal shower
– Specializing in Bridal, Engagement and Wedding photography
Historic Downtown Brentwood
On Oak Street, First Street and Second Street
– When you must look your very best for your big event
- To suit your desired style for the event
– Featuring DJ’s and Live Music options when it’s time to boogie
- Wedding gowns, bridesmaids, veils, flower girl attire, and Tux Rentals
– And Much More... Win the grand prize of $1000
Tickets $10.00 purchase at www.Eventbrite.com
includes a “Bingo” card that when completed puts you in the $1000 grand prize raffle, includes a bridal sash and 1 mimosa. $15.00 the day of event.
Let us host your out-of-town
“My favorite area is definitely the grand courtyard,” said Kay-Kay Hines, managing partner of Brownstone Gardens. Hines’ family operates the venue and her father, Bob Wiemholt, designed the magical grounds. “My dad built the grand pavilion with weddings in mind,” said Hines. “He positioned it for good lighting for photos, and the crepe myrtle trees are just gorgeous when they are in bloom.” According to Hines, besides Brownstone Gardens’ beautiful grounds, one of their best assets is the staff. “You don’t want to put together a bunch of rookies to pull off an ‘A’ game,” said Hines. “You need an ‘A’ team. It’s a big day, and you deserve the best. Our staff has been working together for years. We can make our couples’ vision a reality!” Couples are assigned a coordinator from Brownstone Gardens who will work with them to plan their event. “One of the great things about Brownstone Gardens is that we do not have a set way to use the venue,” said Barbara DuMont, coordinator. “The couple gets to decide how they want to use it. We help the couples figure that out then, using our seating charts, design the event.” The venue works with four different caterers and after the couple selects one, their coordinator will follow up and make sure the wedding is on the selected caterer’s schedule and will also take over management. “There is no limit on the amount of contact that a couple has with us,” said DuMont. “We say that we have new best friends every year! The attention to detail and availability helps to ensure the bride and groom’s big day goes smoothly. “The staff at Brownstone Gardens was incredible,” said Johansson. “The team goes above and beyond to make sure that your day is all about you.” Brownstone Gardens is located at 91 Brownstone Road, in Oakley. For more information, visit www. brownstonegardens.com or call 925-418-4532. To comment, visit www.thepress.net
Newly Remodeled Hotel
for your upcoming Special Events 5549 Bridgehead Road Oakley
925-755-1222
Room with 1 King Bed
Room with 2 Queen Beds
www.BestWestern.com (choose Oakley location)
1 mile from the San Joaquin River and Sacramento River.
Rooms feature FREE WiFi, 37” Flat Screen TV w/variety of channels, refrigerator, microwave, iron and ironing board, hair dryer and coffee maker.
We accommodate corporate meetings or small events in our meeting room.
We offer a complimentary full hot breakfast, outdoor pool and spa and a fully equipped fitness center.
for AskAsk for LLove LLove Discount Discount
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Wedding Planner
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Hometown weddings: Celebrating roots, futures, community
|
5B
AMY SCHRADER
C
hoosing a venue is one of the biggest decisions in planning a wedding.
If you love the vibe of Brentwood’s historic and charming downtown, a hometown wedding might be the perfect venue for your big day. Hometown weddings take place close to where the bride or groom grew up and are often convenient and sentimental ceremonies that create a lifetime of memories. Brentwood Community Center, located in the heart of downtown Brentwood, is the perfect location for a hometown wedding. Brides and grooms can exchange their vows in the beautiful community center with a design inspired by the historic 1913 Brentwood Hotel or in Brentwood’s City Park surrounded by tall sycamores, oaks, pines, magnolias and palm trees amongst the fragrant bloom of antique roses and
day lilies. “My husband and I are both from Brentwood, so the community center was perfect,” Amber Zulawski, who was married at the community center. The community center has been hosting weddings and wedding receptions since summer 2012. The 32,000-square-foot center offers the latest modern amenities mixed with the charm and romance of a historic hometown venue. “For those who have grown up in Brentwood, getting married at City Park is a memorable experience, as the park is a place they have frequented at all stages of life,” said Barbie Gary, City of Brentwood recreation supervisor. According to Gary, brides and grooms can reserve the community center for their wedding ceremony, reception or both. The community center can host receptions in the main hall for up to 330 guests seated at round tables, or smaller recep-
Photo courtesy of Barbie Gary
Brentwood’s Community Center, located in the heart of downtown Brentwood, is the perfect location for a hometown wedding. tions can utilize just half of the main hall for groups under 130 guests. The center also has a full catering kitchen where meals can be prepared from start to finish or delivered and served by a caterer. “City staff works diligently to help you plan your use of the facility,” said Gary. “We work with couples to set a floor plan, discuss best practices and answer questions about the facility so the day of the event everything goes smoothly.” Facility attendants are also on hand during the event to assist with audio, visual, kitchen use or to modify room set up. “Bridal couples are welcome to plan their own décor or bring in a decorator to
turn their event into a masterpiece,” said Gary. The venue also presents stunning photo opportunities from the arches that wrap around the community center and neighboring city hall to the wooden wall just outside the community center and City Park, which boasts a beautiful rose garden, mature trees and the backdrop of historic downtown Brentwood. The community center is currently taking reservations. Spaces fill quickly with bookings taken 12 to 18 months in advance. For more information about the Community Center visit https://goo.gl/ CMTQxw or call 925-516-5444. To comment, visit www.thepress.net
LIMOUSINE SERVICE
AIRPORT • WINE TOURS SAN FRANCISCO TOURS WEDDINGS • BIRTHDAYS • CONCERTS SPORTING EVENTS • CORPORATE www.FinesseLimo.com • 925
Wedding Packages Available
634-7303
TCP-9438
Professional and Personalized Service 24/7 • 23 Years Experience
St. Anne
Community Life Center
2800 Camino Diablo Rd.
• Weddings • Quinceañeras • Birthdays • Anniversaries Seating for up to 350
Byron (925) 634-6625 • www.stannechurchbyron.com
•
6B
|
Wedding Planner
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Rustic bouquets add natural flair
C
ouples opting to get back to the basics and create more intimate affairs often
gravitate toward rustic celebrations to showcase their ideals.
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
Natural-looking bouquets add a warm, rustic touch to wedding celebrations.
Rustic weddings also may appeal to environmentalists and people who want their weddings to be as eco-friendly as possible. Rustic weddings may include ceremonies and receptions that take place outdoors or in abodes such as barns, wineries, castles
VIP NAILS & BAR NA I L SALON • Manicures • Pedicures • Facials • Waxing • Eyelashes
Book Your Party
of 5 or more and receive COMPLIMENTARY ADULT BEVERAGES! Mon. - Sat.: 9:30am-7pm • Sunday: 10am-5pm
6730 Lone Tree Way, Ste. 1, Brentwood
925 331-0553
or converted silos or town factories. In fact, Bridal Guide noted barn weddings have never been more popular – among both urban and rural couples alike. Coordinating a rustic wedding may mean letting go of perceived notions of how everything from food to favors to flowers should be. In fact, one way to describe rustic weddings – and especially the floral arrangements that adorn them – is “purposely imperfect.” Rustic wedding bouquets may seem like they were plucked right out of the garden or grabbed through a stroll in a meadow. They’re rarely symmetrical or feature the customary flowers of more formal wedding celebrations. When designing rustic bouquets, florists may keep the stems of wildflowers or other blooms untethered for a relaxed look. Long-
stemmed arrangements are quite popular, and trends point toward bouquets that are loosely tied with raffia, twine, vines and other natural materials rather than more refined ribbon. Another way rustic bouquets set themselves apart is with the introduction of other elements into the arrangements. Not merely blooms and greenery, rustic pieces may feature twigs, vines, berries, scabiosa pods, ivy and feathery ferns. The heights of elements in the bouquet are varied, and the bouquets will not have an overly uniform shape. Rustic bouquets are far from pretentious, but brides shouldn’t feel that these bouquets are delicate or will fall apart when handled. When planning a rustic wedding, couples can work with their florists to create bouquets and arrangements that fit with their visions. – Courtesy Metro Creative
Wedding menu ideas
T
raditionally, one of the more memorable aspects of wedding receptions is
the food. Whether it was fun, tasty or something entirely new for guests, food tends to leave a lasting impression. The experts at Boho Weddings say that, more than ever before, couples are seeking menu ideas that reflect their personalities as a couple as they seek to make a statement at their events. Celebrating with delicious, unique foods can make receptions that much more amazing. ♦♦ Bite-sized bursts. Tapas and a movement toward small bites have started to take hold at wedding receptions. Such a choice allows guests to try many different flavors without filling up too quickly. From sliders to mini grilled cheese to soup shots to bite-sized pizzas, many of these small bites feature flavors borrowed from familiar comfort foods – just presented on a miniature scale.
♦♦ Comfort stations and bars. Couples who love comfort food can put it on display with a crostini station, a mashed potato bar, a chicken and waffles station, a gourmet popcorn snack station or a ramen noodle bar. ♦♦ Food trucks, carts. Outdoor weddings can be enhanced with the addition of trendy food trucks. These restaurants on wheels can inject burgers, sandwiches, international delights, crêpes, noodles and so many more flavors into a wedding. ♦♦ High-end options. Couples may want to give guests a lavish taste with olive oil and vinegar tasting stations, whiskey bars, French hors d’oeuvres, Kobe beef sliders, lobster tails, risotto stations and more. ♦♦ Childhood favorites. When it comes time for dessert, some couples opt to avoid or downplay wedding cakes in favor of something simpler. A cookie-and-milk bar, doughnut holes, soft pretzel stations, pie pops or dessert shot jars push creativity and sweetness to new levels. Do-it-yourself dessert stations, such as s’more-making and ice cream sundae stations can be big hits. – Courtesy Metro Creative
Wedding Planner
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Here comes the Bride’s Day Out AMY SCHRADER
C
hristmas Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas Eve top the list of the most popular dates to get engaged.
If you’re amongst those rocking a new engagement ring, chances are you’ve already begun planning your wedding. Brentwood’s upcoming ninth annual Bride’s Day Out should be at the top of every soon-to-be bride’s list. The event, sponsored by the Downtown Brentwood Coalition (DBC) on Saturday, Feb. 24, is a one-stop shop for wedding planning, showcasing the areas finest wedding professionals and everything brides and grooms need to plan their once-in-a-lifetime event. “We have more than 50 businesses participating in this unique bridal fair,” said Donna Ross, owner of Crème dela Gem Jewelry. From florists, to caterers, wedding venues, wedding gowns, tuxedo rentals, cakes, wedding planners and more, wedding professionals will showcase their exceptional services and offer discounts for attendees. “This event is extremely helpful,” said Julie James, owner of J. James Bridal and organizer of the event. “It gives brides the ability to save hours from researching vendors, attending appointments and making more phone calls than needed.” The event is also fun. Each ticket includes a complimentary mimosa from Co. Co. County Wine Company, a bingo card entry for a grand-prize raffle of $1,000, an entry to the additional secondplace raffle of $500 and a sash for the bride or “bride tribe.”
After checking in, each attendee is given a bingo card filled with squares representing the wedding businesses at the event. The object is to visit every vendor to get your bingo card stamped, then turn your bingo card in to the DBC check-in station outside J. James Bridal, before you leave. At 3 p.m., the DBC will pull two completed cards at random and will call the winner of each prize. The prize money can used at any of the participating vendors of the event. In addition, each vendor offers a raffle prize from their business, and over 50 prizes are given out. “I raffle a $200 gift certificate, because many brides come in looking for men’s wedding bands,” said Ross. Local businesses enjoy the event as much as the attendees. “This is our favorite bridal-type show,” said Stacey Chance, owner of Discovery Bay Studios. “We love the small-town feel of downtown Brentwood and have so much fun meeting so many brides-to-be.” Discovery Bay Studios, known for its premium wedding photography and videos, will be located inside TLCakes, 647 First St. “We stress fun at every wedding and are so proud of our team,” said Chance. Bride’s Day Out is Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with parking located at the parking structure on Second Street in downtown Brentwood. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. To order, visit https://goo.gl/6qcyUc. All attendees should check in at the DBC station in front of J. James Bridal, 625 First St., to pick up their bingo card and sashes. For more information, visit www. brentwooddowntown.com/bridesdayout2018.html. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
WWW.THEPRESS.NET
|
Estimating wedding attendance In a perfect world, men and women invited to weddings would respond promptly and, for unmarried guests, indicate whether or not they’re taking a date. But not all guests respond quickly, and some may forget to respond at all, even if they plan to attend the wedding. According to various wedding advice experts, including the book “Countdown to Your Perfect Wedding,” couples should assume 80 percent acceptance for a traditional wedding and 60 to 70 percent for destination weddings. Booking a wedding on a weekday on a holiday or during times of the year when the weather is unpleasant may affect attendance as well. Some couples may be tempted to create an invitation B-list of people who may not make the first cut due to budgetary constraints but can be invited if family members cannot attend. This is a delicate situation, and some people may be offended if they find out they were not among the initial list of invitees. As a result, it can be better for couples to narrow down guest lists early on and mail all invitations at once. Send the invitations early enough so adjustments can be made with vendors, including the receptive venue and the caterer. When estimating costs based on wedding guests, it’s safer to round up than down so couples are not caught unaware. Overbuy and save receipts as items can be returned later. – Courtesy Metro Creative
Discovery Bay Golf & Country Club • Exquisitely landscaped property filled with trees, ponds, and vibrant flower gardens • Breathtaking views of Mt. Diablo and picturesque golf course • Up to 200 guests • On-site wedding coordinator • Private and intimate setting • Excellent sit down or buffet dinners • Wedding receptions • Birthday parties • Anniversary parties • Quinceañeras • Bridal or Baby showers • School dances • Golf Tournaments
(925) 634-0700
www.dbgcc.com
“Affordable Elegance”
Photos courtesy of Discovery Bay Studios
7B