Carolyn Wilson

Weddings & Events

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Q&A session with Borrowed & Blue

 

Recently I was asked to team up with Borrowed & Blue, an online wedding resource for couples, for a little Q&A session. Borrowed & Blue asked some great “Getting to know your Planner” questions which is also a fun and exciting way to see how you will connect with your planner, both personally and professionally, when deciding who to trust with your special day!  Read on to get some behind the scenes info from yours truly! And thank you to Borrowed & Blue for reaching out to learn more about Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events!

Getting to know Carolyn Wilson of Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events “Behind the Scenes”

B&B:  If you could possibly narrow it down, what would be your favorite moment of a wedding day?  

CW:  There’s so many special and favorite moments, but I’d have to say seeing the faces of the couple when they see their ceremony and reception set up for the first time; Seeing how happy they are with how I was able to translate their vision into a reality.

B&B:  Describe your event aesthetic in three words.  

CW:  Personalized, sophisticated, romantic. (May I squeeze in timeless, too?)

B&B:  The first thing you ask when you sit down with a couple? 

CW:  It varies—but I usually like to ask them to tell me more about themselves, how they met and who proposed, and of course about their wedding day vision, the feeling they want to have during their wedding and what they want themselves and their guests to remember after their wedding day!

B&B:  Top three pieces of advice for couples who just got engaged?  

CW:

  1. Enjoy the short time you are engaged (even if you are engaged for what would be considered an eternity —in the grand scheme of things—it is truly a blip in time and you should enjoy it and each other!)
  2. Take time to focus on each other and not always on the wedding/planning/details (go on a date and don’t talk about the wedding….at all!
  3. I’ll be biased and say to hire a wedding planner—don’t be afraid to do so. If you hire a good one, and the right one, you will not only enjoy the planning process, but you will also be able to still ‘plan’ your wedding with the help of a seasoned professional—one who lives, eats, and breathes weddings and is a priceless and valuable resource for all your planning needs!

B&B:  Most important detail of wedding decor?

CW:  Your wedding decor should be personalized to represent the couple as a whole and not just one or the other, and that it be cohesive throughout the entire event. It doesn’t have to be ‘matchy-matchy’ by any means, but it does have to make ‘sense’ to everyone—including the couple and their guests. When in doubt, hire a planner who also offers design to help collect your thoughts and narrow them down to what will represent the couple and their overall vision on their wedding day!

B&B:  Your thoughts on DIY weddings?

CW:  As personalized as a DIY wedding may be to a couple, it can also be more work and more costly than expected. They can be great in some aspects but the time it takes to try to DIY some of the larger (and even smaller) aspects of a wedding, can take away from enjoying the overall experience of planning. It may add undue stress to the couple with having to complete all the small (and at times, large) projects that could have been hired through a professional who does them all the time. Hiring someone who does this day in and day out will allow the DIY feel to come across in a professional manner. A couple can still incorporate some DIY elements into their wedding like incorporating part of your Mother’s dress into your own, or into a part of a gift like a personalized handkerchief for your Father to hold in his pocket, or to bring in old family photos of past weddings to place at a welcome table. DIY works really well with smaller more intimate settings like baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties and even anniversaries where more people can be involved. There is potentially less stress on each party involved by delegating different aspects of the DIY projects at hand as well as incorporating that DIY look and feel to the event.

B&B:  What would your ideal tablescape look like?

CW:  For me personally, my ideal tablescape can get very detailed—and of course this isn’t the ONLY look I like—but a general tablescape that I love would include colors of ivory/white, blush, taupe, and metallics (a mix of golds and silvers). I love clean white florals like Phalaenopsis Orchids, Calla Lilies and Hydrangeas set loosely in clear glass vases with hanging crystal elements, and TONS of lit votives and floating candles.  All of this designed into an interesting, somewhat modern yet still timeless and classical combination down the center of each long guest table.  Coordinating and complimentary light color table linens with a clean design embossed or woven into the fabric, glass chargers, modern flatware, timeless glassware, and classic china would be used to tie in the romance, personalization, and sophistication I like to exude. Of course we cannot forget the custom menus, place cards, interesting napkin design, personalized favor and last added touch of either a floral or edible element to top off the place setting.

B&B:  Your favorite of all the San Francisco wedding venues?

CW:  Again hard to have a favorite as each venue brings something unique and special to each couple and their event, but if I had to choose one I would say that I love the cleanliness and sophistication of spaces like the Bently Reserve….ok and City Hall…. and the War Memorial Opera house….can I keep going?

B&B:  The most important part of wedding planning?

CW:  Trusting your planner and any professional vendor or service provider who does their job day in and day out. If they are tried and true, professional and have integrity, then you have nothing to worry about. Referrals are always key and a planner knows just who to refer you to as well as what to suggest if something doesn’t seem to fit quite right. When you trust your planner, who has your best interest at heart, the planning process becomes more enjoyable.

B&B:  Describe your dream wedding.

CW:  This is truly a hard question to answer, being that I love so many different aspects of so many different weddings that I have helped plan and design that I would love to personalize and call my own. I can see myself having the 500 person all out dance party and at the same time I can see myself having a very intimate 50 person gathering with my closest family and friends. Honestly, I’d love to get married once a year not only to renew the vows with my husband (because that is ultimately the reason for planning and designing something elaborate or intimate in the first place) but to be able to plan and design something different each time, as I’m sure our tastes and styles would change over time and we would want that to be reflected in our wedding(s), that I know I and my husband would enjoy and be able to look back on fondly.

Book Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events for your event today! Thanks again to Borrowed & Blue for the Q&A!

http://www.borrowedandblue.com/san-francisco/wedding-planners-designers/carolyn-wilson-weddings-events

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Photo by Christine Glebov

Tips for Hosting the Perfect Summertime Wedding

Wedding Coordinator California | Host the perfect summer wedding

Temperatures are on the rise and summer weather has made its debut here in California. At Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events, we are loving the summer sunshine, breezy style, and airy themes accompanying this season’s stunning weddings. While the summertime season easy and breezy, summer wedding planning isn’t always the same way. This season will harbor a few wedding planning roadblocks if you’re not careful! To host a flawless summer soiree, keep our top tips in mind. These will ensure guests stay happy and cool, while the bride stays relaxed and stress-free:

  • Provide plenty of water: keep water dispensers filled and ice-cold so guests can easily stay hydrated. If at a seated meal, ask servers rotate through the venue regularly refilling glasses. Be especially sure to refresh the water supply after dessert has been served, when guests are likely to get thirsty again!
  • Choose light appetizers: keep your menu feeling summery and fresh by providing light appetizers (as opposed to heavy comfort foods). Caprese skewers, fruits, and cheeses are always good options to keep the menu feeling seasonal.
  • Provide summery cocktails: Let guests sip on something sweet that tastes like summer. Look for refreshing combinations like cucumber and mint or fruity concoctions that are sweet and citrusy.
  • Include fans: Keep a breeze going with fans if necessary. For an adorable alternative, provide outdoor wedding guests with programs that double as handheld fan. Or use your wedding monogram for a simple but cohesive touch.
  • Plan for sunlight: Have you checked the outdoor lighting at your venue, at the right time of day? Make sure that gorgeous sunset you’re envisioning isn’t actually a bright light causing guests to squint through the whole ceremony. Work your wedding schedule around summer’s long days and bright sunshine.
  • Pack a bridal emergency kit: Have your maid of honor carry a bridal emergency kit for any unexpected uh-ohs. In warm summer months, you’ll be grateful for that travel-sized deodorant or bottle of baby powder. If you don’t use it, no big deal… but you’ll be glad you have it if you find yourself in need!
  • Have a seamless timeline: The best way to ensure success is a well-planned timeline for the whole day. Make sure you capture photos in summertime’s best sunlight, and avoid bright glares. Keep guests moving and entertained, so nobody is lingering and getting antsy in the warm weather. Considering the details beforehand will go a long way in relieving your stress and making the day enjoyable for guests.

Best of luck in your wedding planning process! Need help executing all the details? We hope you’ll consider planning your wedding with the best wedding coordinator California has to offer. Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events is honored to be a part of your special day, whether in summertime or any other season!

Mother of the Groom: What’s My Role?

San Francisco Wedding Coordination | Carolyn Wilson

San Francisco Wedding Coordination Tips: Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events

In our last post we brought you everything you need to know about Mother of the Bride duties. However, the MOB certainly isn’t the only special lady when it comes to wedding planning. The Mother of the Groom now takes on a new role in her son’s life as she becomes mother-in-law to his lovely bride. Mothers of the Groom, what is your role leading up to and on the big day? Our San Francisco wedding coordination team has you covered with everything you need to know about your tasks for your son’s wedding.

First, keep in mind that our guidelines are just that—guidelines. By no means are they hardline rules that every couple must follow. As a Mother of the Groom, the best thing you can do is communicate with the bride about her expectations and desires for the big day. It can be tough as the Mother of the Groom to take a back seat during the planning, but traditionally the bride and her mother will be taking the lead on most of the wedding vision. Put your soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s vision first, keeping in mind that this is her special day to wed your son—the love of her life! With that in mind, take a look at our list of traditional Mother of the Groom duties:

  • Assist with the guest list: Soon after engagement, ask the bride if she has had a chance to set a guest list number. Respect her limit on guest count—especially if she and her parents are paying for the bulk of the occasion. Once she has given you a number, help your son draft a list of relatives and friends. Assist in collecting necessary contact information, and help the bride update the list as needed. As time goes on, you can also offer to assist in keeping track of RSVPs for the groom’s guests.
  • Bridal showers: The bride may include you on guest lists for various bridal showers. If it all possible, clear your schedule to make time for these occasions. It will mean a lot to her that you made the effort to join in, and these events are a perfect opportunity to meet her friends and family prior to the big day.
  • Your dress: Look to the MOB for attire. It is her duty to set the tone and contact you in regard to what she will be wearing. However, if she does not get in touch, you may reach out to her and ask if she has any ideas about her outfit yet. Be mindful of the bride’s taste, and ask if she has any parameters like preferred color or length.
  • Mother/son dance: if the couple intends to incorporate parent dances into their reception, you can expect to dance with your son. In many cases, the bride also delegates song choice to the Mother of the Groom. Pick something classic, and consider brushing up on your dance skills with lessons. You’ll enjoy the extra time with your son—and you can even make it a group activity by inviting the bride and groom to take dance lessons with you and your date.
  • Rehearsal dinner: By and large the most significant duty of the MOG, planning a rehearsal dinner is no easy feat. Start by asking the bride if she has any thoughts about the event, and tailor your planning to her vision. Then, secure a venue, draft a guest list, and select a menu. You will also need to create and send invitations for the rehearsal dinner, work with a florist for arrangements, and prepare for any toasts desired by the happy couple. If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of hosting such an affair, don’t hesitate to reach out to our San Francisco wedding coordination team. We’ve done it all, and we’d be happy to help you host an elegant affair before the big day.

Of course, the most-appreciated thing you can do is simply support the bride and groom. Wedding planning can feel overwhelming to a young couple. Your encouragement and helpful attitude will mean a lot to both of them in the long run. Our advice? Don’t get too caught up in the details; it is more important to build a relationship with your soon-to-be in-laws than it is to have your way on a tiny detail. Be your supportive, helpful self and the bride will surely be grateful for your presence.

Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out if you find yourself in need of assistance! Our San Francisco wedding coordination team is at the ready, here at home and throughout California.

San Francisco Wedding Coordination | Carolyn Wilson

Mother of the Bride: What’s My Role?

San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Planner
Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement! What an exciting time for the entire family. Chances are, as the Mother of the Bride (MOB) you’ll be with your daughter every step of the way during the wedding planning process. It will be a special time for the two of you to share, but sorting through all the details can be a little bit overwhelming. What exactly is expected of the Mother of the Bride? How can you help your daughter plan the dream wedding day?As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events has gathered our top tips for MOBs:

  • Share in her excitement about engagement (we’re sure you’ve managed this one already!). This is likely the most exhilarating occasion in her life thus far; having her mother by her side to share in the joy will mean so much to your daughter.
  • Accompany your daughter on shopping excursions: in most cases, the MOB will assist her daughter with wedding dress shopping. Offer encouragement and support, along with your (discreet) opinion. Your daughter may also appreciate help for additional wedding accessories like veils, jewelry, or tasteful wedding night lingerie. Just remember to respect her tastes, even if they don’t match your own. Your daughter will be stunning on her wedding day as long as she is confident and happy!
  • Gather contact information: this is one practical task that makes a huge difference for the bride. Help draw up preliminary lists of wedding guests, and gather all the contact information associated with each invitee. Your daughter may not have all the connections you do, and she will appreciate having an easily accessible and well-organized list from you.
  • Find the right dress: as the MOB, etiquette dictates that you lead the way in selecting attire for parents of the happy couple. It is traditionally considered polite for you to set the tone for the Mother of the Groom’s outfit. Communicate with the Mother of the Groom to graciously let her know the color you’ve selected and the formality of your wedding day attire.
  • Family heirlooms: this may not be a formal requirement, but we think that finding family heirlooms is a special touch Mothers of the Bride can add to their daughter’s day. Consider any meaningful jewels or trinkets you’re ready to pass on to your daughter. Offer them for her wedding day (they may be her “something old”), but don’t take offense if she opts out of wearing it on the big day. She will be tremendously touched by the gesture, even if your great grandmother’s brooch isn’t her wedding day style.
  • Hire a planner: we may be biased, but trust us: this is the best gift you can give your daughter—and yourself. Avoid tension by letting the pros handle the tricky details, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. On the day of the ceremony, you’ll be so glad you get to enjoy your daughter’s love story instead of running around behind the scenes.

All that being said, every bride (and every MOB) is different. The best way to ensure smooth sailing during the wedding planning process is to simply ask your daughter what her expectations are and how you can help meet them. Don’t forget: it is her day, not yours. She will be so honored that you are a part of it, but we encourage you to let her shine in the spotlight for this special occasion.

The most important thing to remember at the end of the day is that you love your sweet daughter. Amidst any wedding stress, the best thing you can do for your beloved bride is to love her as you always have. She will be so appreciative in years to come that her mother was standing by her side on the most treasured day of her life.

San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Planner

Brides—what did your mothers do that stood out as being particularly helpful on your big day? We’d love to hear how she made it special. And MOBs—please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about how you can best help your daughter celebrate her love story. As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding planner, we are here to help!

Why you’ll love having a schedule on your wedding day

At Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events, we believe the key to a perfectly polished wedding day is a detailed schedule. While planning out the minute details of the big day may seem overwhelming at first, you’ll find it well-worth the effort to ensure a stress-free wedding day—for you, your guests, and your vendors. A schedule designed by an experienced wedding planner will secure priceless peace of mind for the newlyweds on their special day. We know you’ll love having a seamless wedding day experience, for these reasons and more:

  • Vendor management: a schedule helps get vendors to the appropriate locations at the appropriate times. Your wedding planner will be equipped to direct all vendors according to the plan, significantly reducing the chance of any snafus (although rest assured—if an obstacle does come up, your wedding planner will take care of any roadblock so you don’t have to!).
  • Reception flow: traditional weddings pack quite a few events into one evening. From toasts and bouquet tosses, to dinner and dancing, there are a lot of activities to pull together. A detailed schedule keeps the evening moving along at the perfect pace so you don’t have to rush any events or forgo any traditions you wish to include. An experienced wedding planner will help in this regard as well. If she senses one of the wedding activities is dragging out (oops, that toast went a bit long!), or another deserves a little extra attention, she can be flexible in facilitating the activities at an appropriate pace.
  • Happy guests: with a detailed schedule, you can rest assured that all guests will have a wonderful time at your wedding. The schedule will prevent mishaps (like transportation arriving late, or the DJ being unprepared when guests are ready to hit the dance floor). It may seem trivial, but scheduling every minute detail will ultimately protect your day from any unwanted obstacles and ensure your guests enjoy the party long into the night.
  • Peace of mind for the bride and groom: this is the most important benefit of designing a detailed wedding schedule! As a bride with a schedule, you can enjoy this precious day without worrying about a single thing. You can live in the moment and trust that your wedding planner has taken care of all the details.

Of course, flexibility is equally important as the schedule. Try as we might to plan out all the details, things may not go exactly according to the schedule—and that’s okay! You’re in good hands with an experienced wedding planner who can adapt seamlessly to any schedule.

Take a look at our basic schedule guideline here; this provides a basic overview of what you can expect at a traditional wedding reception. Let’s talk about how we can customize it and fill in all the details in a way that fits just right for you. We would love to work with you on your custom wedding schedule! Though planning out the day may seem daunting at first glance, you’ll definitely appreciate all the benefits of a schedule on your special day. We would be honored to plan with you!

San Francisco Wedding Planning | Carolyn Wilson Events

Love is in the air! Romantic ideas for your fiancé this Valentine’s Day

San Francisco Wedding Planner | Carolyn Wilson Events
Love is in the air this Valentine’s season! While February 14 holds significant meaning for most couples every year, there’s something special about your only Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple. Brides, make this Valentine’s Day a romantic affair for you and your fiancé—after all, most couples only get one Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple. Here are a few tips to make this February 14 particularly romantic:

  • Write a love note: take time this Valentine’s season to write a sincere love letter to your fiancé. When wedding planning gets overwhelming, he’ll love having this special treasure to remind him of your love. Even better? Write another note, dated February 14, for him to open on your wedding day! Don’t forget to seal both with a kiss.
  • Surprise him with a spontaneous getaway! Even if you only have one day to celebrate, whisk him away on a spontaneous adventure. Drive to a local bed and breakfast, or visit a park outside the city limits. Do something outside your routine to spark a romantic air of excitement for the whole day long.
  • Go all-out on décor: while it may seem like he doesn’t take interest in décor on a regular basis, he’ll be sure to take notice of wow-worthy décor this Sunday. Pull out all the stops for your Valentine’s dinner table if you’re eating at home… candles, roses, glass vases. Layer decadent textures with a tablecloth or runner topped with lush greenery and blooming buds. If you’re going out to dinner, you can still make your home a Valentine’s dream with rose petals and twinkling lights that set the mood for a romantic evening.

No matter how you celebrate, just make sure to enjoy each other’s company. This Valentine’s day is a special one, and you deserve to share a romantic day together. To continue the romance, feel free to get in touch and see what our San Francisco wedding planner service can do for you. We would love to plan a wedding that encompasses your unique love story, down to every last detail.

Best wishes to all our Carolyn Wilson Weddings and Events couples, past and present!

What is a ‘Styled Shoot’?

I have had the pleasure of working on a few styled shoots over the past few months and love how much fun they are!  I get to incorporate some fun, new and exciting wedding and event design ideas, meet new vendors, work with wonderful locations, and be provided with some amazing photos to share with everyone!  (See my Styled Shoot gallery for more of my work!)

Where do I get my inspiration from?  It all depends….it could be a color I saw that I have never used before, or it could be a twist of the unexpected.

The first styled shoot I did was what I called “Black Tie in a Barn” – not what you would expect to see in a 100+ year old barn!  With ‘Rustic Vintage’ being the latest trend, a guest receiving an invitation to a wedding to be held in a barn would not expect to see crystals flanking the beams, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, or white plush leather couches for lounging – most would be expecting to see mason jars, chalkboards and old vintage chairs nestled among many DIY projects!  Instead – I put a spin on how you can have a high-end black tie affair in a beautifully restored family owned barn (as well as my personal signature that includes candles galore).

Stay tuned for the next shoot on the horizon!

XOXO

Carolyn

From Nutcracker to Wedding Season!

Photo by http://www.raptproductions.com/ Dancer: Nikki White of White Tree Fine Art

Photo by http://www.raptproductions.com/
Dancer: Nikki White of White Tree Fine Art

What a run!  After months of training, rehearsing, perfecting choreography, and coordinating between dancers, stage crew, costumers, photographers and Directors, (to name a few), the Alameda Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker 2013 was a success!  With only two days of live performances, there wasn’t much room for error! That’s more than can be said for a wedding – which has only ONE chance to get things right!

There is definitely a correlation between a live ballet performance and that of a ‘live’ wedding or event.  Couples go through months of planning for their big day, coordinating with planners, caterers, florists, bakers and musicians (to name a few), with only one chance for all to come together to play out one of the biggest performances of their life!

This is where I feel my ‘work’ is ongoing – whether it be working behind the scenes as a Ballet Mistress (also referred to as a Rehearsal Director/Directors Assistant) preparing dancers for upcoming performances, or working behind the scenes as a Wedding Planner/Coordinator helping couples plan for their upcoming wedding or special event!

I feel that my work stays constant from the ballet world to the world of weddings – literally keeping me on my toes!

Follow me on my journey where I will continue to help couples, and dancers alike, plan for their performance of a lifetime!