Dominique Dunn Dominique Dunn

How to Plan the Perfect Wedding Bar Service: Staffing, Setup & Budget

Planning the perfect wedding bar service is crucial for a memorable celebration. This comprehensive guide covers everything from choosing the right type of wedding bar (open, cash, limited, or dry bar) to calculating alcohol quantities (1-1.5 drinks per guest per hour) and understanding the essential roles of professional bartending services. Learn how to optimize your bar setup for flow and aesthetics, craft a unique signature drink list, and master wedding bar budgeting to save costs without compromising quality. The post also highlights important legalities and insurance considerations, as well as crucial bar extras like glassware and water stations. Discover how thoughtful planning ensures a flawless and unforgettable wedding bar experience for your guests.

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Dominique Dunn Dominique Dunn

Inclusive Wedding Planning Terms and Phrases

The Southern California area is a melting pot, which means every wedding involves many different cultural and family traditions! Our team of wedding planning and coordinating experts are in the wedding industry because we love love- all love! We welcome all couples in love irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, or religion. 


From assembling your chuppah, cueing dancers adorned with cymbals and drums, setting up for your Paebaek ceremony, to facilitating beloved family wedding traditions, we are so lucky to be part of the fabric of our community. 


While “bride” and “groom” are often seen as default options when wedding planning, there are many gender-neutral alternatives to consider. Refer to the list of gender-neutral wedding term alternatives below to ensure everyone at your wedding feels welcomed and appreciated.


Bridal party/Bridesmaids/Groomsmen

Wedding party

I do crew

Wedding Party

Wedding Attendants

Wedding Crew

Support Squad

Celebration Crew

Bridal Shower

Wedding Shower

Couple's Shower

Celebration of Love

Bride/Groom

Nearlywed

To-be-wed

Celebrant

Partner

The Couple

Future Spouse

Husband/Wife

Spouse

Newlywed

Partner

Best Man/Maid of Honor

Person of Honor

Best Person

Honor Attendant

Chief Attendant

Mate of Honor

Mother of the Bride/Father of the Groom

Parent

Guardian

Flower Girl/Ring Bearer

Flower Child

Flower Person/Bearer

Junior Attendant

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Bach Party

Bachelorx

Bridal Suite

Wedding Suite

Getting Ready Suite

Ladies and Gentlemen

Hello everyone

Friends and family

I now pronounce you husband and wife

I now pronounce you married

I now pronounce you partners for life

You may now kiss your partner

You may now kiss the love of your life

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Dominique Dunn Dominique Dunn

5 Time - and Sanity - Saving Secrets from a Wedding Planner

You’re engaged! Congratulations, it’s time to start planning your wedding! Life has suddenly become a whirlwind of decisions, details, and deadlines, and before you know it, Pinterest boards and vendor contracts are king.

Let's be honest, planning a wedding can sometimes feel like a full-time job - after all, it is our full-time job. As professional wedding planners and wedding coordinators, we've seen it all. While no two weddings are ever the same, planning weddings in Southern California offers an especially diverse range of wedding experiences. The unique weddings characterized by Southern California continually provides our team with plenty of learning opportunities to sort through the very best strategies to minimize stress and time waste for any and every wedding planning journey and wedding day. 

Of course hiring a wedding planner to take over the bulk of wedding planning is the ultimate wedding planning time and sanity saving hack, but not everyone has the luxury of a professional wedding planner. If you are going the wedding planning sans professional route there are still plenty of tips and tricks to aid in navigating the exciting (and occasionally overwhelming) wedding planning journey. Check out some of our favorite wedding planning stress relieving secrets below!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

The Wedding Planner la’s guide to Villa Del Sol D’Oro

If you're looking for a place that's brimming with charm, history, and romance, you absolutely must check out Villa del Sol d'Oro in beautiful Sierra Madre. The atmosphere at this venue evokes the same elegance as a charming villa on the coast of Lake Como in Italy.  

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

The Wedding planner la’s guide to the 1909 venue in topanga canyon

Dreaming of a rustic-chic wedding nestled in the heart of Topanga Canyon? The 1909 might be your perfect venue! This hidden gem offers a magical setting with ancient oak trees, a babbling brook, and stunning outdoor spaces.

This guide gives you the lowdown on:

  • Unique spaces: Exchange vows in the intimate Amphitheater, celebrate cocktail hour in the sprawling Meadow, and dance the night away in the rustic Ballroom.

  • Amenities: Enjoy a dedicated Bridal Suite, delicious in-house catering, and ample parking.

  • Planning tips: Schedule a visit, consider the time of year, and think about hiring a wedding planner to help bring your vision to life.

Want to learn more about hosting your dream wedding at The 1909? Read on for all the details and get ready to fall in love!

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DIY Groom Alexa Lewis DIY Groom Alexa Lewis

A Groom's Guide to Wedding Day Fashion

It feels good to look good, and on your special day you deserve to feel your best! As the groom, your attire plays a large role in the tone of your wedding. Choosing the perfect ensemble is a crucial decision, but since it is not a style most have to consider often, it can be daunting to start the search. Never fear, we've got you covered! Here's a breakdown of men's wedding fashion, from traditional suits to modern trends, accessories, and the pros and cons of renting versus buying.

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Wedding Planning Mistakes: 5 Hidden Pitfalls (and How to Stay Stress-Free)

You have gotten engaged, decided on an overall aesthetic for your wedding, booked a venue, and have specific elements for design in mind. Now the time has come to transition your Pinterest boards from dream to reality! While planning the logistics necessary to bring your vision to life is fun and exciting, the process has a reputation for turning stressful. There are some common pitfalls that people run into that can be key contributors to sucking the fun right out of something you've looked forward to. Below are 5 of the most frequent mistakes people make while planning a wedding and (more importantly) how to avoid them!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

7 Wedding Decor Ideas to Set the Stage for Your Big Day

Wedding decor is one of the funnest parts of wedding planning. The options are truly endless, and it can all become overwhelming. To help you navigate the world of wedding decor, we've curated a list of popular trends that are sure to impress your guests:

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

Skip the Flight: 5 LA Wedding Venues with European Charm

Los Angeles, often associated with Hollywood glamour and sunshine, might surprise you when it comes to wedding venues. This city and its surrounding areas boast a wealth of hidden gems that evoke the romance and architectural elegance of Europe, offering a unique and unforgettable wedding experience. Imagine exchanging vows in a meticulously-landscaped Italian garden, celebrating within the walls of a historic mansion, meandering around an English castle fit for a queen, or enjoying breathtaking ocean views from a Spanish style Hacienda – all without the need for a plane ticket.

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

15 Fun Wedding Favor Ideas That Won't Get Left Behind!

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of exciting decisions, from the perfect dress to the flavor of the cake (chocolate, vanilla, funfetti?!). But there's one little detail that shouldn't get lost in the shuffle: the wedding favor!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

The Perfect Pairing: Wedding Veil Lengths and Your Dream Dress

So you’ve said "yes!" to the dress. But your wedding outfit search doesn't quite stop there. There’s the veil to consider - that delicate, flowy piece that adds a touch of romance and mystery to your bridal look.Veils come in various lengths. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get flustered! Don't worry, I have you covered.Here's a guide to wedding veil lengths and the wedding dress styles that go best with them. 

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

20 Ways to Make Your Wedding More Sustainable

Sustainability is more than just a popular wedding trend. It is a way of life that can be practiced in everything you do. Large events, including weddings, can create excessive waste. Luckily, there are lots of small ways to reduce the ecological impact of your event. Choosing more eco-friendly practices at your wedding is a beautiful way to honor your union and our beautiful planet.

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide

You worked hard to carefully select the list of vendors for your wedding. This rockstar roster of professionals is ready to work hard to make sure your dream day comes together exactly the way you want it to! Of course, you want to show your thanks, but what is the appropriate tip to show that appreciation? Follow our easy, one-shot guide to tipping wedding vendors!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

Where to Find the Perfect Plus-sized Wedding Dress Online

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! It’s time to start looking for your dream dress. Curvy brides often have a difficult time finding affordable wedding dresses that fit well and flatter their figure. Don't worry – you're not alone!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

Special Songs for Special Moments

If you find yourself stumped on song selection - don’t worry! We’ve got you! We’ve compiled a few lists of song suggestions for important wedding day moments like your processional, recessional, first dance, and parent dances! We hope you find something you love or maybe even some inspiration that fuels your song search!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

Wedding Vocabulary A-Z

Speak the wedding lingo like a pro! Or maybe just find this list when someone said something you don’t know the meaning of… no matter what brings you here, WELCOME!

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

All Things Bridal Hair and Makeup

You are already oh so beautiful! We know it, your fiance knows it, and (hopefully) you know it! You spent so much time preparing for your wedding, this is the perfect opportunity to be the most polished version of yourself. That’s where professional hair and makeup teams come in. These amazing artists will make you SHINE! Follow this guide to feel confident in the selection of your hair and makeup teams.

This guide is divided into 3 sections:

  1. Things to know and consider before booking hair and makeup artists

  2. Questions to ask prior to booking

  3. Ways to maximize your hair and makeup teams services

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Alexa Lewis Alexa Lewis

All Things Wedding Decorator

A wedding decorator is the person in charge of making everything pretty on your wedding day. Their work typically begins a few months prior to the wedding when they begin working closely with you to develop your design vision, plan how to implement that vision, and create mock-ups of potential designs. Follow this guide to feel confident you have selected a wedding decorator that will create the wedding of your dreams!

This guide is divided into 3 sections:

  1. Things to know and consider prior to booking a wedding decorator

  2. Questions to ask a wedding decorator prior to booking

  3. Ways to maximize your decorator’s services

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