Real Wedding Inspiration: Rebecca & John's Romantic Red & Black Wedding

It's time for a little more real wedding inspiration for you from our past brides & grooms!

This wedding was for a super sweet couple & lovely family... 

Rebecca & John decided to go with a very romantic red & black color scheme for their wedding.

For the seating chart, they went a more modern, less fussy route opting for a seating chart list of names, instead of the usual individual seating cards (grouping guests under the first letters of the last names to make it easier for everyone to locate their names).



A fun touch to decorate the area around the guest book-The groom used his artistic talent to sketch the couple's images on these canvases that were propped up around the reception table. The red rose petals & candles also helped to set the mood from the moment the guests arrived at this romantic affair.



The white arbor got a black tie upgrade with black fabric draped over the front & two large arrangements on the side & top corner. I like that it's not symmetrical because it made it look very chic & modern. Elizabeth at Van Nuys Flowers (one of our preferred vendors who did all the flowers for this wedding) always knocks it out of the park!



That walk down the aisle sure looks pretty with red rose petals tossed on the bright green grass leading up to the arbor! Outdoor weddings are so picturesque...

Case in point, this killer view! I took this photo with my simple point & shoot camera, so just imagine what your photographer can capture on your big day!

Normally I don't show photos of our clients, but this photo is abstract enough to keep the bride's identity private & the train on her dress just has to be seen! Such a gorgeous & happy bride too!

(By the way, that's Julie, our Private Events Director, on the left sending the bride off with her dad for her big moment!)

The room, looking sophisticated & stylish with black chair covers, black linen table cloths to the floor, white napkins with a pocket fold, & all red roses in the arrangements...

The square vase of the arrangements & candles made for a clean, streamlined look.

For the favor, the couple gave each guests a heart shaped wine bottle stopper with personalized ribbon with their names & wedding date. A perfect parting gift to remind guests of their loving celebration!

The sweetheart table had the prettiest white draping that really made it stand out from the rest of the tables.

And for the couple's wedding toast...personalized flutes of course!

Now moving closer to the cake, one of the most anticipated elements of every reception...

Served with no less than this elegant personalized server & cake knife...

And what a gorgeous cake it was! Notice all the detailed scroll work by Jaqki's Bakery? No wonder our brides love her cakes. The black ribbon & red roses topping the cake are the perfect touch.

Would you like a piece?

Congratulations again Rebecca & John!

Thank you for celebrating your special day at Porter Valley!

Real Wedding Inspiration: Kyoko & Patrick's Detailed Japanese & Greek Culture Infused Wedding

The last wedding we had in August this year was definitely worthy of the beautiful weather we had that day. Kyoko & Patrick's Wedding Reception at Porter Valley Country Club was one to rival the best this Club has seen. They took a great deal of pride & care in planning every aspect of their wedding & it showed. Check out the highlights below!

The escort table welcomed guests reflecting Kyoko's Japanese heritage with a gorgeous Asian purple paper umbrella (in the couple's color scheme) & wooden frames with photos of the couple to add a personal touch.

The escort cards were perfectly in theme with tiny origami paper cranes that Kyoko made herself perched on each card. Paper cranes are a symbol of peace & it is said whoever folds a thousand paper cranes will have their heart's desire. Perfect for her to start on that quest with this happy occasion!

Next the guests were escorted out to our terrace to enjoy wine, champagne, & a multitude of hors d'oeuvres selected by this gracious couple for their family & friends to enjoy.

After going outside for refreshments & appetizers, guests began moving in to the lounge that Patrick & Kyoko designed in our Homestead Room which incorporated their wedding colors with purple throw pillows & white modern lounge furniture. Plus some extra tables for seating were set up for those who wanted to mingle inside.

Guests were then welcomed in to our grand banquet room to be seated for a lovely dinner. The couple decided to go the extra step to make the room look customized & upscale by renting natural wood chivari chairs. The usual white chair covers with colored sashes look very nice too, but the chivari chairs change the whole look of the room & make it much more complimentary to the Asian Zen feel they wanted.

No details were overlooked in this wedding, even the linen was upgraded to this gorgeous textured ivory linen rented for a minimal cost. (insider tip: Ask your rental company or venue to find out how much they would charge for an upgraded linen with a texture or pattern that compliments your decor style. Prices can range from $10 and up to the hundreds for custom made linen, so the sky is the limit of what you can create depending on your budget. The overall effect of this upgrade makes a wedding look so much more luxurious, it is certainly worth the extra amount to get this result for your wedding.)

The couple's table setting with special coordinating ivory napkin linen for the bride & groom

At each place setting guests found a menu card designed by Kyoko along with the traditional Greek favor, Jordan Almonds, that are usually given in an odd number which are as indivisible as the new married couple should be

The table numbers were also chosen by the couple & looked adorable resting on their small easels with an added bow with pearl detail that matched the menus perfectly.

The sweetheart table was given the royal treatment with speciality linen & swagging across the front to create a dramatic effect. Also the three floral arrangements & purple votive candles brought in the couple's color scheme & made the table look especially romantic. (insider tip: Votive candles are very inexpensive but add such a warm, romantic mood to the room that all couples should consider using them for their evening weddings.) Not to be left out, their chivari chairs were further dressed up with matching upscale sashes tied sweetly with a rose on top of the bows that matched the detail of the table swagging. A table fit for a queen & king!

To satisfy their guests with a sweet tooth, Kyoko & Patrick thoughtfully picked out their favorite sweets from both of their cultures. Not only were they delicious, but also the mini sized treats made for a beautiful display...

The mouth watering close-ups...

Yummy Greek Baklava!
Photo credit: Allen King

Another Greek fav, Kourabiedes (sugar cookies) were amazing as well.
Photo credit: Allen King

Japanese wafers called Monaka with intricate flower designs looked perfectly elegant.
Photo credit: Patrick Martin

Next, the cake table! This time I was thrilled because it was so fancied up, I could faint! I love the extra effort they put in to make it special with the upscale linen & lace billowing over the cake stand like a cloud of fluffy gorgeousness! Ah! Love!

Ok I am calming down a bit now, but wait! I almost left out the bride's beautiful bouquet! Van Nuy's florist, which is one of our recommended vendors, did a lovely job on all the flowers for this wedding & I think this delicate all white bouquet was the perfect choice for the bride's glamorous, princess like gown.

The dinner was marvelous, the dessert table with yummy Japanese imported & Greek desserts was the perfect cultural addition, & of course the whole party was fantastic! Now that this wedding is over, I truly am sad to say good bye to the new Mr. & Mrs. They were so involved with the wedding planning from day one & visited us often to make sure it was perfect. They were a pleasure to work with & we wish them all the best in their picture perfect life together.

Congratulations Kyoko & Partick!