Taking Your Breath Away, One Event at a Time!

After the Rock Wedding Show!!!

2010-11-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

BRIDES....... Listen up!
There is a new bridal show in Yakima! Yes you heard right, the fabulous new show will be held on January 16th, 2011 at 11am to 4pm at the newly remodeled Yakima Convention Center!

The show is called After the Rock Wedding Show... it is a new, fresh and different show for the modern Yakima brides. This is an additional show in Yakima, not replacing the sundome bridal show. The reason it is called After the Rock, is because all of us vendors come into play once the girl has the ring(bling, bling) on her finger :-). The show is a vendor invite only show... they are hand selected quality, top notch vendors that are attending. The show does and is accepting applications from vendors that weren't invited and then deciding. We obviously don't know every single amazing, quality vendor out there, so that is why we are letting other vendors apply, so we don't miss anyone! Also, the show will have 3 workshops for brides to attend to get that one on one experience with some vendors and to learn things in different industries(florist, cakes, photographers, planning, etc), that they maybe didn't know before. They will also have the opportunity to have a Q & A at the end of each workshop. These workshops are included in the price of tickets at the door. The tickets are a minimum $5.00 donation at the door to benefit Ohana, for women who can't afford mammograms(12 yrs. old and under free). We will have two fashion shows about 20 mins. long...we have the room set in a way that no matter where you are standing at that moment you will be able to watch the show from there... we will not have seating just standing... but this fashion show will be different than most and will be interactive(we would love to say more but kind of want it to be a surprise... you'll have to come to the show). We plan on having a wine bar, but are still looking for wineries to help us with this. All the vendors can serve food and beverage samples for the people who attend the show. We also will have a Guy's Lounge also known as "mansland" where grooms, dads, brothers, etc can go and watch football and hang out together, while the girls are at the show.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS AMAZING SHOW. You will get so much of your wedding planned and done after attending this show. Please visit the website thenewbridalshow.com or aftertherock.com for more information.

Happy Planning,
Mallory

Tips for Booking a Venue

2010-08-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Don’t delay when it comes to searching & booking a venue! After the rock is on your finger & you have set a date….then it’s time to find the perfect place for your big day to take place. Time is of the essence and most cities, like Yakima for example have a shortage of great venues. Prime dates in the spring, summer & fall often go quickly and if you plan to have your wedding during one of those seasons, ten months to a year in advance is necessary.
Here are some very important questions you will need to ask when “shopping” for a venue!
1.Do you have my wedding date available? You want to make sure this is one of the first questions you ask. Just in case the venue doesn’t have that date open, you don’t want to fall too in love with the place, since you can’t book it. At that point, you either have the venue look up an alternate date (if you have one) or you move on to the next venue.
2.How many guests can the space accommodate?
3.What are the different ways the venue can be set up? See if the venue actually has some pictures or layouts of the set up, so you can get a good idea of what it will look like.
4.How many hours does the rental fee cover? What are the overtime charges? Be sure to ask about whether set-up and clean-up time in included in the stated hours.
5.Is there an in-house caterer? Or a list of preferred caterers or can I bring in any caterer?
6.Are there any cooking restrictions? Some venues restrict caterers from cooking on-site and just allow the warming of food that is prepared elsewhere. Make sure to ask for a tour of the kitchen facilities & then double check with your caterer to see if this works for them.
7.What kind of rental items/equipment do you provide or offer? Is there a dance floor available? What about other items like a piano, maybe for a band to use? Make sure to ask if there is an extra charge for any of these items. Don’t assume anything is free.
8.What else is happening or booked at the venue the day of my wedding?
9.What are the minimums? Watch out- venues that have on site catering and require you to go through them, may also require you to pay a minimum amount of catering, no matter how many guests you have. Such minimums are most common during peak wedding seasons.
10.How late can we play music?
11.Who will be my contact for this venue?
12.What types of decorations are allowed and what types aren’t? There are some venues that are very strict about what is allowed when it comes to decor. You want to make sure what you are envisioning for your day is allowed at the site you choose.

Happy Planning,
Mal

Etsy

2010-07-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

Wow.... I don't know if you bride's out there have ever discovered the world of Etsy, but be ready to be amazed & not to mention, being on your computer for a few hours straight. Not that, that's anything new for a bride :-). What I am talking about is www.etsy.com... it is a website where people have "storefronts" & sell items that are 9 times out of 10 handmade/homemade. There are so many wonderful, unique items. They could make the detail of your wedding breathtaking. I have posted a few pictures of some of my favorite Etsy finds! I wish I would have know about Etsy, when I was planning my wedding.

Enjoy!
Mallory

Lisa & Taylor's Wedding

2010-06-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Lisa & Taylor's Wedding. I wish I had more but I was busy with other things at the wedding:-). This couple was so fun! I really liked working with them because they were so unique & different. I always tell my brides... "it's your day, so do whatever you want." Lisa really knew what this meant and totally went for it. Thank you Taylor & Lisa for such a fun day.

Happy Planning,
Mallory

Instead of a dinner, Lisa had an entire dessert/candy bar...YUM!

Lisa designed her dress...isn't it amazing? Looks like it should be on a runway show in New York. And yes, Taylor you look good also :-)

Sorry this picture is a little blurry, but I had to show you the back of the dress.

Reception was held at the Mighty Tieton Warehouse

Picture of my mom & I with one of the bridesmaids, who just happens to be my cousin. As you can see, these were NOT you average bridesmaids dresses....I absolutely loved them because they truly showcased the bride's style.

Lots & lots & lots of dancing at this wedding! The bride & groom LOVE dancing, so that's what they did the whole night. Looks like fun huh?

Bouquets!

2010-05-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

Bouquets are an essential part of the bride & bridesmaid's overall wedding day look. They can either be an eye sore or be the exact item to pop the whole look. So when deciding on your bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets, choose carefully :-). Here are some images to help and inspire you!

Enjoy & Happy Planning,
Mallory

No real title tonight...Cakes do come up though!

2010-05-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

So for tonight's blog I don't really have a specific title or theme but really just wanted to talk about a few things in life. Honestly, this blog doesn't necessarily have to do with weddings, but it does have to do with life so I thought I would write a few important lessons I have learned lately :-)

1.Love people the way they want to be loved.... yes if you haven't read the 5 love languages book this is a perfect place to start!

2.Life lessons are learned during your journey. Often you have greater value in your journey than reaching your destination.

3.Every moment is a choice....what are you choosing to create in your life, your friends, your family, your marriage, your job?

4.Being to have an appetite for the impossible!

Ok, well that's all for now. I hope these few things helped support you some area in your life and can possibly change some things around you. Trust me, I didn't come up with stuff myself:-) Check out klemmer.com for more information or email me with questions about it. I'm going to leave you with some cake pictures, hope they give you an idea or inspiration as to what you want your cake to look like but don't get to hungry looking at them!

Happy Planning,
Mallory

Centerpieces!

2010-04-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Centerpieces...Wow, one of my favorite parts to a wedding! I love the creativity that can be put into deciding on a centerpiece... You will notice from the pictures I post below, that flowers are my favorite type of centerpiece. I think flowers are gorgeous! But there are a lot of different things you can do that are amazing also.... think outside the box. I hope this gives you inspiration.

Happy Planning,
Mallory

Why should I need or want a wedding planner?

2010-03-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

The question of all questions... why do I need a wedding planner? Why should I spend money on that? Why does everyone keep suggesting to book a planner? Well, you have come to the right place to get those answers. It's funny, when you ask brides who have already gone through their special day, 9 times out of 10, they will state a comment like, "I wish I would've had a wedding planner." YES, there is a reason why they are saying this. It's because they know if they would have had a professional planner there, the incidents, stress & frustration that occurred, probably wouldn't have. Also, 9 times out of 10, when asking any type of wedding vendor, they too will suggest that brides hire a professional wedding planner. But a lot of times, as first time brides, we are naive & think we got it handled. I mean, it is my wedding anyway, right? We know what we want, where we want it, and how the day is suppose to go? Why would anyone else understand those things and know? Yes, ladies I was there once before too... but choosing to hire a wedding planner, was the best decision I ever made! And here are some of my reasons as to why you need, should want and have to have a wedding planner!
1. You can enjoy the best day of your life with your family & friends, while being relaxed, stress-free, worry-free & full of joy.
2. You save time in the planning process, while your wedding planner helps with all the planning.
3. You save money by utilizing your wedding planner’s knowledge, advice & relationships with vendors.
4. You can be confident that your day will truly be the way you had always envisioned it, with no detail overlooked.
5. You will feel like a princess & celebrity on your wedding day, while your wedding planner takes care of everything.

Much Love & Happy Planning,
Mal

COLORS!

2010-03-11T21:37:00.001-08:00

One of the most important decisions you have to make for your wedding, is choosing your colors. I hope these pictures help you in making your decision. Remember, to think outside the box when choosing! You will be surprised as to which colors look good together :-)

Happy Planning,
Mal

Vacation Planning to Yakima

2010-03-04T19:16:00.001-08:00

Yes, now Breathtaking Weddings & Event Planning does vacation planning for people coming from out of town to visit beautiful Yakima. A lot of people come to Yakima, not necessarily knowing what to do, or what there is to do. Once they do find out what to do, they don't want to deal with the hassle of planning it, setting it up and guessing which "things" are the best in the Valley. Wouldn't it be nice, when you arrived that everything would be planned and taken care of for you by an expert & life-long resident of the Yakima Valley, a welcome bag would be waiting for you, reservations would be made, wine tours would be set, and YOU would be ready to enjoy a wonderful vacation. You would be able to relax and know that your vacation here was worth the time & money. One of Yakima's premier websites is attached below..check it out and call me when you want to plan a worth while vacation. This website is full of information, event dates, wine tours and so much more. I look forward to hearing from you!

www.visityakima.com

Country/barn Weddings!

2010-01-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

Can I just say I absolutely LOVE country/barn weddings! They are so authentic & comfortable. I posted some pictures of my favorite country/barn yard weddings and here's some great ideas:

*hang wood initials on the door of the barn
*use mason jars and put candles in them & hang them from trees, the ceiling, or on shepard hooks.
*use chalk boards for all kinds of things (welcome sign, thank you sign, menu, fun facts about the couple, etc)
*use lots of candles, lanterns & twinkle lights
*hang pictures of the couple on a rope/string/ribbon with cloths pins.
*use rustic flower pots & decor
* use hay/straw for many purposes (chairs, centerpieces, etc)

If you are having a country/barn themed wedding or thinking of doing one..... I hope these images give you some great ideas & inspiration!
Happy Planning!
Mal

First of many.....

2010-01-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

So this is my first blog post ever! I mean EVER... to be honest I was never quite fond of reading blogs, let alone creating & writing one. But like I always say, never say never. They have really grew on me. I hope to have a blog that is informational, fun, creative & different, but different in a good way :-). I hope to help, assist & inspire brides in their wedding planning process. Let's put the fun & excitement back into planning!

In my first post I would love to pose a question to everyone, with January being the ultimate bridal show month, my question is to everyone who has been or is a bride.....what are your main purposes/reasons for going to a bridal show?

Bridal show booths

2010-01-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

These are some of my favorite bridal show booth looks!