K + J , a real Northstar Winter Wedding

As we say goodbye to 2011, it wouldn't be right without showing off Northstar's final wedding of the year, photographed by the very talented Ciprian Photography (thank you!). This DIY bride and her family created a one of a kind event. The reception was set with large manzanita branches dripping with crystals and goblet style candle holders that sparkled and glowed.

A whimsical part of dinner would be the English poppers, filled with a joke, a crown, and a toy.

Their cake toppers were real life versions of themselves and their pooches!

As a nod to the groom's regional management position at 7-11 they offered their guests real 7-11 doughnuts! The room smelled like sugar right when you walked in!

The ceremony ended with vintage noise makers. How fun! And the bride's sister created all of the artwork used for the programs as well as the table numbers and escort cards.

The bride looked stunning in a to die for crown at the ceremony that literally made her look like a princess!

After the ceremony she swapped out her crown for a very glam fascinator.

I loved this wedding and all of the special touches were my favorite parts! Congrats you two, Bxo

A wedding on the slopes!

Happy first day of winter! It is snowing every day at Northstar and we just had a very "cool" (get it? as in brrrrr) wedding in the snow! Thank you to Ceremony of Love for providing these images photographed by Talbot Images. And a big congrats to Sharon and Bruce. Nice kilt!

A sweet treat!

Why have just one when you can have an assortment of smaller wedding cakes? I love the simple beauty of this set by Flour Girl Wedding Cakes, photographed by the very talented Leah McCormick. Enjoy!

A REAL Northstar Proposal!

On Friday, December 2, 2011, one of our Ski patrollers, Steve, was in for a big surprise. Here is his story that he later shared with the bride: 

"While skiing down Northstar’s West Ridge ski run, I visualized a man on his knee apparently holding a lady’s left forearm.  She was crying loudly.  I was therefore certain that at least her left arm was injured and that the fellow with her was assisting her pending the arrival of a Ski Patroller.  Me.  So you can imagine how disappointed I was when, after rushing to your side to assist, you told me that everything was OK.  Then, the lady, still sobbing, yet sporting a huge smile, said to me, “He’s proposing to me right now!”.  Congratulations guys."

W-O-W! This story was a tear jerker. Congratulations Amber and Brookie, and let the planning begin!

Natalia + Tim

To celebrate Black Friday, I have a FREE real Northstar wedding to share with you. Now that's a deal! Natalia and Tim were recently featured in Smitten Magazine, pages 202 - 217. Could that flower girl be any cuter? Natalia was flawless and brilliant and her veil was to DIE for. Tim was dashing, sweet and my funniest groom of the season! Not funny looking, just very humorous. Congratulations you two! xo

What are you grateful for this year?

I am grateful for L-O-V-E! Happy Thanksgiving to all our Northstar newlyweds!

  

Have a beautiful day with each other and your new BIGGER families! xo

Wedding Preview this Weekend! Just added- Balance Spa!

After the Northstar Wedding Preview this Sunday, 11.20.11, enjoy mini spa treatments at Balance in the Village from 2pm - 4pm! This is a drop in event featuring a sampling of wedding hair and makeup, manicures, massage and facials. Plus if you haven't had your fill at the Preview, they will also have some wine and munchies for you! Balance is located at the bottom of the grand staircase below Starbuck's in the Village. Enjoy and see you soon!

The Victorian House in Reno

Hello lovely couples! Today I made two new friends from Take the Cake Events and they shared a new concept with me called the Victorian House. So, OF COURSE I wanted to share it with you all right away. Most Northstar Weddings are destination weddings. At the Victorian House they make it easy for you to interview an entire collection of wedding vendors all at once...in their Victorian house. Get it? And you don't have to choose all of them for your big day. If you decide to just go with Tiers of Joy (which is one of Northstar's preferred bakeries) for example, for your cake and not the DJ or photographer, that's cool. I think this is a very efficient use of a busy bride's time, especially if you haven't chosen any or many of your vendors yet. Happy planning! Bxo

Letterpress cards from your Iphone!

Thank you Steve Jobs (RIP), Apple is so clever and a bride's best friend! The new Cards app from Apple lets you create and mail beautifully crafted cards personalized with your own text and photos — right from your iPhone or iPod touch. Take a quick snapshot and with a few taps and swipes, an elegant letterpress card is on its way to any address in the world. Each card is just $2.99 when sent within the U.S. and $4.99 when sent to or from anywhere else. And that includes postage. Etiquette usually calls for a handwritten note, but I think this is the next best thing!

The Knot's top wedding trends for 2012

So a while back you guys saw a pic of me at the Wedding MBA convention in Vegas. Well I finally got a chance to get my notes together and tell you what is going to be HOT for 2012:

1. Black tie is back- Ornate venue, fancier is back, grandeur, used to be cool to be casual, not anymore, vintage. (Have you seen the elegance of the Overlook tent? I mean, you have this one in the bag!)

2. White palettes reign coming from Chelsea Clinton, Ivanka Trump, and white bridal parties like the Royal Wedding and the Kim Kardashian Wedding (Tent, big European umbrellas, and little white lights everywhere? Done!)

3. Formality doesn't have to mean no personality. (The unique energy of the Northstar Village is anything but dull.)

4. Structure changing, night doesn't end with reception. Formal dinner, dancing, some people go home, then it's off to disco. After party will become part of reception. Brides want elegance but want to end with pure unadulterated exuberance. (Hello! Can you say Mikuni, Chocolate Bar, or Baxter's?)

5. Surprises are a must. Food trucks hot right now and bakery breakfast to go for the morning after as a favor. (Let us know how we can help you WOW your guests, we are at your service!)

By the way, did you know I got to see Kathy Ireland there? She has a Wedding line, and is such a motivational speaker and beautiful woman!

xoxo, Brett