Something I suggest all my clients have near the beginning of their planning process is a wedding website. Some have become really detailed and some even match invitation or save the date designs. Usually those have a fee associated with them. We are sharing this offer from Wedding Paper Divas to get your own free wedding website in any of their current designs. Here are the details: 
 
Wedding Paper Divas is excited to offer FREE wedding website templates to match more than 30 of our bestselling wedding invitations. This means that you can now easily create an ad-free personal wedding website complete with online RSVP capabilities and more-and keep it FREE for one year! Get started now to ensure that everything will be beautifully designed and perfectly coordinated as you prep for your big day.

Also, if you need to order any save the dates, make sure to use code FEB25ST to save $25, or invitations use FEB70WED to save $70. All of these offers expire on Tuesday February 26th, so if it is something that is on your to-do list, spend the weekend checking these out. 
 
Cheers,

This year I'm a little bummed since I usually host an annual Oscar Party (nine straight years!), but with my current work schedule, we couldn't do it this year. I still wanted to get in the mood and share some great ideas I've come across if you are in fact hosting your own Oscar Party. 
 
First, I always recommend keeping the guest list small. This isn't the Super Bowl, people actually want to hear the presentations, who wins and the performances. I would say we usually kept it to around 12-15 guests, and we always ran a pool for the most correct guesses on the winners. Everyone would bring $5 or $10 for the pot, and I would always add a prize for the worst contender. It is easy enough, have a stack of printed ballots as guests arrive, and a basket for the entry fee. Once the show starts, have everyone take someone else's ballot, and start marking the points. It does keep everyone involved in the show, and makes the last few awards even more interesting.

Second, make sure to have a help yourself bar ready to go. Have all the essentials ready like glassware, a tub of chilled bubbles, wine openers and beer. Another fun idea is to have split bottles of champagne on ice with gold straws ready for guests to grab and take their seat. They are a lot easier to handle then fancy champagne flutes. Have a fun signature drink that can be made ahead of time. This will make it easy for you to watch the show, and know your guests have anything they want at their disposal. 
(photo from chinoiseriechic blog)

For food, keep it easy as well. Always have snacks at a snack bar ready to go, like fresh popped popcorn, movie theater style candy, etc. You also need to serve a dinner item, since most guests will be there for about 4-5 hours. We have had some great options like grilled sliced tri-tip with aioli, mashed potatoes and salad, to the Counter Burger make your own burger bar. Obviously, it depends on how much prep-time you want to do and what style your party is.

I also have noticed local caterers and restaurants in San Francisco offer take away Oscar Party meals, like Luella's Oscar Party Meal in a Bag. How great to be able to order these, pick them up Saturday night, and have your entire party meal ready to go the next day. (Wait, why am I not throwing my party this year!?). 
 
And to wrap it up, here is a post on the Zoe Report blog about the 6 Must Haves for an Oscar Party at Home.  
 
Hope this all helps you with your own events! If you have any fun tips to share, please add them, we always love to hear how others make their parties shine as well. 
 
Cheers,

J.Crew is having a 20% off bridal and bridesmaid gown sale for a limited time only, in stores and online.They also are offering the sale on accessories as well, so check out what is available. Use code LOVE to save on some of these lovely dresses!

Cheers,

Happy Valentine's Day!! What better day to share this simply timeless and classic San Francisco wedding at the Flood Mansion than today. You can see the full feature over on Once Wed, with incredible images from Jose Gruetzmacher.

Cheers,

One of my favorite online shops when I was planning my wedding was the Nordstrom Online Wedding Suite. I would search forever for things like a hair clip, faux fur wraps for my attendants, a clutch that matched the style of our wedding, the list goes on and on. After a lot of searching on the internet, I always came back to the Nordstrom site. I was able to get the items I needed quickly and at reasonable prices. The best thing with Nordstrom, if you change your mind (and come on, what bride doesn't change her mind now and then!?!), they take returns without any fuss.

They also have some great dresses, including shorter second dress options, and jewelry, so I highly recommend checking them out. 
 
Cheers,