Wedding Planner_Winter 2012 by Brentwood Press & Publishing

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2011 2010

Wedding Planner

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The City of Brentwood is pleased to introduce East County’s newest wedding venue in historic downtown Brentwood

Brentwood Community Center

❤ Elegant Pre-Function Area ❤ Flexible Event Set-Ups ❤ Caterer’s Dream Commercial Kitchen ❤ Banquet Hall Seating for 333 Guests ❤ High Ceilings ❤ Unique Arcade ❤ Beautiful Park Setting (expected completion May 2012) ❤ Free Parking Garage ❤ On-Site Staff

City of Brentwood Parks and Recreation Department 35 Oak Street Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: (925) 516 -5444 Fax: (925) 516-5447 Email: dept-parkrec@brentwoodca.gov

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JANUARY 27, 2012

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Wedding photography made personal AMY CLAIRE

o preserve vivid memories of their special day, wedding couples naturally want stunning photos to be a sure

thing. Ironically, one of the best ways to ensure that is to take a Chance. In fact, take two. Discovery Bay Studios’ husband-and-wife team of Stacey and Kelly Chance take photos that capture the essence of a wedding. In addition to getting the obligatory shots of the bride walking down the aisle, the kiss and the scramble to snag that airborne bouquet, the Chances translate into imagery the bride and groom’s relationship and individual qualities. “We try to match it to their personalities,” said Kelly. “Whatever they want, we make it happen.” Instead of tasking a single photographer to cover the complexities of the event, Stacey and Kelly throw themselves into the festivities as a team. The strategy allows their photographic record to come from multiple angles – as well as a male and female perspective. The duo also records video of the ceremony, toasts, cake cutting and other important moments. “Our cameras ﬁlm Hollywood-quality movies,” said Stacey. The photography equipment is equally state-of-the-art, and Stacey’s experience as an airline ON THE COVER: Matt and Beth McCants of Brentwood cut their cake, which came gift-wrapped with baby blue icing from TLCakes in Brentwood.

captain gives him a high awareness of technical details. Discovery Bay Studios also employs a unique pricing strategy. Instead of charging an hourly rate, or charging per photo purchased, the studio charges an up-front rate that covers the cost of the entire event. “We’re there to cover your whole day,” said Stacey. The pricing system allows the Chances to stay for the entire event and photograph everything without focusing only on “money shots.” Kelly believes the arrangement also frees her and Stacey to connect personally with their clients, as the business side of the wedding is already out of the way. “We make everything fun,” said Kelly. “Most of our couples end up very dear friends.” Kelly gives her personal phone number to the bride, and she and Stacey often provide help with the planning process and the wedding day itself. “We want it all to go perfectly for them,” said Stacey. The couple often collaborates with local vendors such as Ribbons and Roses and TLCakes. “We know how they work,” said Stacey. Working with a team of service providers who know each other can help a wedding run more smoothly and make timelines easier to manage. Following the celebrations, the Chances narrow down the 2,000-plus photos to a few hundred best shots, all of which are retouched to give them a perfect ﬁnish. They also put together a video of see Personal page 8B

Photo courtesy of Stacey Chance

Stacey and Kelly Chance, owners of Discovery Bay Studios, marshal their extensive expertise – and multiple photographic devices – to capture the essence of a wedding.

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Taking the (wedding) cake RUTH ROBERTS

here are more pressing items to consider when planning a wedding, but

few decisions are as much fun – or taste as good – as the selection of the cake. “Everybody loves the cake part,” said Tena Parish, owner of TLCakes in Brentwood. “It’s one of the best parts of planning a wedding.” Trends this year include not only the traditional tiered cakes with accompanying accouterments, but interesting variations such as cupcakes, cake pops and parfaits. “Dessert bars are getting very popular,” said Parish. “Couples are opting for a variety of choices for their guests, and this is a fun way to do it. There are a lot of ways to do things for roughly the same price as a regular wedding cake.” For traditionalists looking to add a touch of whimsy to their sweets; color and shape is one way to do it. Square cakes are edging out their rounder cousins, and colors – purple as well as black and white – continue to be top picks. When it comes to ﬂavors and ﬁllings, however, the sky is still the limit. Popular

Photo by Discovery Bay Studios

Unusual shapes and colors, such as those in this TLCakes creation, can make a wedding cake special. choices include lemon cake with lemon curd and vanilla buttercream frosting, banana cake and chocolate buttercream frosting, yellow butter cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache and devil’s food cake with vanilla buttercream, to name a few. Lately, due to the troubled economy,

couples are scaling back in favor of less ornate cakes. “We’re seeing smaller wedding cakes and even sheet cakes for large groups,” said Parish. “We’re also seeing a lot of singletiered cakes for the cutting ceremony and see Cake page 11B

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Ultimate Bouquet Stand charms brides worldwide AMY CLAIRE

he Ultimate Bouquet Stand was an invention “created out of necessity,” says Diane

O’Brien. The owner of Brentwood floral shop Ribbons & Roses has been designing floral arrangements since 1989, all the while taking note of the challenge brides face when displaying their bridal bouquets at the reception. Although repurposing the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets as head-table decorations saved money, the stands available on the market left much to be desired. Many florists use simple vases to display bridal bouquets, but O’Brien wasn’t happy with the overall look. “I’m feeling like I’ve got this big blockade in front of me,” she said. The conventional bouquet display would hide the brides from the guests and force the photographers to use downward-facing angles in order to photograph the happy couple. “There had to be a better way to do this,” O’Brien said. So she invented and patented

Photo by Amy Claire

The Ultimate Bouquet Stand provides a sturdy holder for a bouquet. Following the big day, it converts into a candleholder – a wedding keepsake that stays useful over the years. The Ultimate Bouquet Stand. “This is a photographer’s dream,” she said. The stand displays the bouquet at an angle, allowing the ﬂoral arrangement to serve as see Bouquet page 7B

JANUARY 27, 2012

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Bride’s Day Out in Brentwood RUTH ROBERTS

ngaged couples looking to cement their happily-ever-after can begin planning their fairy-

tale nuptials with a day out – a Bride’s Day Out. The free annual event, held this year on Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and sponsored by the Brentwood Downtown Merchants Association, offers couples a roster of wedding must-haves in one central location. “The appeal of this event is that it’s local,”

Bouquet from page 6B a centerpiece during the reception while not obstructing views. The concept began percolating in O’Brien’s brain when she attended a floral design show and saw a bouquet propped up against a glass cube. “That is adorable,” she remembers thinking. She tried using this design for a while and discovered that, while pretty, the cube lacked the proper shape to keep the heavy bridal bouquet from falling over. Whenever the banquet table was jostled, the bouquet would roll off one side of the cube, knocking over glasses and falling into food. “I knew I needed to make a cradle,” O’Brien said. Affixing wire to the side of a vase, she fashioned a half-circle-shaped cradle to hold the bouquet. She then began looking for something to hold the cradle. The miniature vases she tried first were too small to prevent the bouquets from falling over, so she searched for an object with a wider base. “I looked over, and here was this clean, glass, 3-inch candle holder. It was like, voila!” After further tweaking, including switching to a crystal candleholder as a base, O’Brien hit upon her winning combination. The invention proved so popular that every bride who used O’Brien’s floral design for her reception in 2011 requested one. The candlestick holder base makes The Ultimate Bouquet Stand into a keepsake. The stands also make nice bridesmaid gifts or gifts for parents. The highly customizable base can be enhanced by rhinestones or pearls, or even lit from within by a miniature colored bulb. The crystal is also capable of holding engraving. O’Brien is working with her distributor, Fitz Design, on more lines of accessories to accent the stands. “Every bride is unique. Every wedding is designed for that individual woman,” she said. “The only limit to anybody is their imagination.” Available worldwide through Fitz Design, the Ultimate Bouquet Stand costs $24.99. Visit www.innovativefloral.com. Ribbons & Roses, located at 151 Chestnut St. in Brentwood, is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 925634-3832 or visit www.ribbonsandroses florals.com.

said coordinator Annette Beckstrand, owner of His & Hers Formal Wear. “People can shop here and find everything they need in one place without having to drive to Stockton or Pleasanton to do all their prep work. It’s all right here.” And what’s here includes the Co. Co. County Wine Company, TLCakes, Connie Leal Photography, Party’s 4 You and more. If it’s wedding-oriented, participants will find it at a Bride’s Day Out. “Couples will find everything they need for a wedding, whether it’s clothes, wine or jewelry, right here,” said Beckstrand. “The idea is to take some of the stress out of the planning

and enjoy themselves.” Participants can also win prizes along the way. The event features a bingo-style game in which visitors get their cards signed off at each merchant they visit and turn them in at the end of the day for a shot at a raffle prize. The raffle, held at the new Brentwood Community Center, includes three grand prizes as well: two $250 Downtown Bucks gift certificates and one $1,000 Downtown Bucks certificate. All certificates are redeemable at any of the participating downtown merchants. For more information on A Bride’s Day Out, call His & Hers Formal Wear at 925-634-5900.

“A Romantic Setting on the Delta” • Indoor Ceremony Site • Full On-Site Catering • Coordinating 20-300 Guests • Rehearsal Dinners • Wedding Receptions Contact our Catering/Event Coordinator

Humphrey’s on the Delta

777-2065

One Marina Plaza • Antioch www.humphreys-antioch.com

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St. Anne

Community Life Center 2800 Camino Diablo Rd.

• Weddings • Quinceañeras • Birthdays • Anniversaries Seating for up to 400

Byron (925) 634-6625 www.stannechurchbyron.com

Wedding cake toppers can be simple and elegant, such as this one from TLCakes in Brentwood.

Photo by Discovery Bay Studios

Personal from page 3B

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the day’s highlights set to music. Clients receive prints of each of the best photographs, along with a specially designed, 76-page book of the pictures and a large canvas print of the favorite photo from the day. Discovery Bay Studios makes sharing those memories also more affordable. Couples receive full rights to their photos so they can print as many additional copies as they’d like. The digital photos are avail-

able online within a week of the ceremony. “Our turnaround time is unlike any other photographer,” said Kelly. Stacey and Kelly relish the ability to relieve some of the stress of a wedding day. “We love what we do,” said Kelly. “We’re there. You’ve got us. Just relax and enjoy your day.” To contact Discovery Bay Studios, call 925-216-4454, e-mail stacey@ discoverybaystudios.com or visit www.discoverybaystudios.com.

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• Custom Designs • Wedding Bands • Diamond Wedding Sets • Glass & Metal Engraving • Bridal Party Gifts • Jewelry Repair on the premises

Hardy Nix JEWELERS SINCE 1949

3600 Delta Fair Blvd. Delta Square • Antioch • 757-7100 www.hardynixjewelers.com

Unique from page 9B a wedding, and complementary to the venue. Whether you go with rustic chic or urban minimalist, your theme should express your style and inform your planning decisions on everything from food to music. Tell your guests with style Informing your guests of the big news is the next step in planning your wedding. Do it early with a unique save-the-date. It’s easy to customize the look and feel of your invitations when you order through an online stationery store such as www.minted.com. Liven it up Even if you can’t spring for a 10-piece band, live music is an ideal investment. A live musician (or an exceptional DJ) will liven up the party by tailoring music on the ﬂy based

Cake from page 4B then a cake bar for everyone else.” And with wedding season just around the corner, the time for prospective couples to start thinking about their selections is now. “I would deﬁnitely recommend that couples start looking at cakes now,” said Parish. “I

Wedding Planner on guests’ requests and the shifting mood of your party. Commandeer a special space Shun the standard hotel conference room. Many hotels offer gazebos, verandas and other elegant rooms. Or opt for a nontraditional venue such as a museum or art gallery. Your photos will last a lifetime, so pick a space worth remembering. Serve sensational food Ask your favorite restaurant to cater your event. You might not get the fondue fountain or ice sculpture you always dreamed of, but food brought in from your favorite steak joint or Thai spot will make for a unique and tasty feast. So before you say “I do” to your loved one, say “I do” to a special day that’s all you.

know that we like to get orders a few months ahead of time, and at that this time of year we start booking up for June and July very quickly. The sooner the better.” TLCakes is located at 7710 Brentwood Blvd. For more information, visit www.tlcakes. com.

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Getaways from page 10B Take a hot air balloon ride What better way to experience the beauty of Napa and Sonoma wine country than with a bird’s-eye view? Book a sunrise or sunset tour, complete with a mini-picnic and local sparkling wine to set the mood as your drift above the vines and wineries. Very few things can match the serene energy you feel as you watch the ﬁrst rays of sun begin to paint the morning sky. Catch a gig It takes two to tango, but when in Austin, do as the Texans do: the two-step. Orbitz.com named Austin one of its 2012 Hotspots, and for good reason. It’s the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, and the music mecca lives up to its reputation. It’s home to more live-music venues per capita than anywhere in the United States, so any time, day or night, just follow the sounds to ﬁnd something playing. While you listen, loosen your belt and enjoy the good eats Austin has to offer. The city is well known for its barbecue and Tex-Mex dishes.

11B

Hawaii is a great choice for a honeymoon, but many people think they can’t afford it. – Kate Chandler, Away.com Watch the stars For those who prefer to experience the outdoors with a touch of luxury, head somewhere like Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah. Located on 600 acres, the resort was designed to blend into its surroundings; every window has a sweeping view of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. One of the best aspects of the American Southwest, whether you’re staying at a ranch or roughing it in a tent, is that you’re never far from an unobstructed view of the night sky. Grab a blanket or two and snuggle up for some truly romantic stargazing. – Courtesy of ARA Content

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Lunch Specials $6.75

grand opening

1 Enchilada or 1 Taco, Rice & Beans, & Cup of Soup

saturday, february 4th

free yogurt from 11-1, balloon artist

sunday, february 5th free color-in tee shirts to the first 50 kids menchie’s 2530 sand creek rd. brentwood, ca 94513 925-513-6600

11-3 Mon-Fri

menchies.com

Text

ce ecials and a chan to receive our Sp Vacation! to win a FREE

(In the Home Depot Center near Chevron)

240-1963

14B

Wedding Planner

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Do-it-yourself weddings can fit the bill

t’s easy for couples tying the knot to get discouraged by the high price of a

wedding. But with a hands-on approach and a little ingenuity, couples can plan a wedding that’s inexpensive and memorable at the same time. According to CostofWedding. com, couples in the United States spend an average of $26,542 for their weddings, and that doesn’t include the cost of an engagement ring or wedding bands. How to economize and still make the wedding extraordinary? Plan a backyard, do-it-yourself event.

Getting started A DIY wedding takes more work than simply hiring vendors

and leaving the details to them. But the money saved with sweat equity can be substantial. A well-planned wedding is the best start. Grab a notebook and start making lists of all you’ll need: ♦ Location ♦ Tables and chairs ♦ Linens ♦ Food ♦ Silverware and glassware ♦ Invitations ♦ Photography ♦ Music ♦ Ofﬁciant ♦ Music ♦ Centerpieces and other décor ♦ Cake or dessert ♦ Lighting ♦ Attire ♦ Flowers

Work in advance Many items necessary for a

wedding can be bought in advance. Some couples ﬁnd that buying items at discount stores is less expensive than renting. For example, inexpensive glasses and silverware can be bought at dollar stores or chains such as Ikea. These items can be kept, sold or donated to shelters. Tablecloths needn’t be traditional. Purchase fabric from a fabric store and dress up your tables yourself. Candles can be stockpiled easily and provide an affordable and enchanting ambient light. Centerpiece components can be bought, stored and assembled at leisure.

Readying the venue Since you’ll be doing the work yourself, start several days in advance. Be sure the grounds are well groomed and landscaped, free

of tripping hazards. Your venue should provide a sturdy surface for placing tables or creating a dance ﬂoor. Ask a professional electrician or someone familiar with electrical work to help string lights to better illuminate the area, especially for your evening celebration.

Other tips and tricks Here are some other ways to save money on DIY weddings: see Fits page 15B

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