Sweet Options...

One of the latest trends is the increasingly popular candy buffet. We see many candy buffets throughout the season and each one is unique! The options are plentiful and... sweet!

When considering a candy buffet buy enough candy!! It is suggested that candy buffets work best when they are planned through the eye and not the numbers. It is also suggested to choose 5 to 10 types of candy that you want to display and purchase 15-20 pounds of each of those candies. This may seem like an over abundance of candy, but a large table overflowing with candy has a presence at your wedding and does not look like something you threw together at the last minute.

Some are very color coordinated, while others are very taste oriented (sweet vs. sour vs. chocolate, etc.). For example if you are having a beach theme wedding, you can serve candies from the boardwalk: saltwater taffy, caramel apples, fudge, peanut brittle. We love to see the creativity that is achieved when our brides & grooms incorporate this sweet addition!

Candy Sites
http://www.oldtimecandy.com/
www.acandystore.com/shop-by-event-wedding-candy.html
http://www.candy.com/

Once you've decided on what types of candy you want... you need to decide how to display it. Interesting containers will change your candy buffet from ordinary to extraordinary. Use containers in different shapes and different heights. Clear containers are the best to show off your candy displays. Also use containers that are wide enough for a candy scoop to fit inside.

Jars
www.save-on-crafts.com/apothecaryjars.html

Lastly, you need to think about how your guests will take the candy away from the buffet. Some couples have suggested using small cellophane bags, or classic white bags, or even take out containers matching the color theme of the wedding. Whatever type of container you use, make it fun and perhaps personalize it!

Scoops & Containers
www.candy.com/Metal-Scoop-5oz_p_6395.html
www.weddingmanor.com/plastic_forks_scoops.html

Photo by Ford Family Photography

Photo by Ford Family Photography

Photo by Stout Photography

Photo by Stout Photography

Photo by Stout Photography

Butterfly details....

Mr. & Mrs. Andrea & Brett Gavin had a butterfly theme for their big day and butterflies were incorporated into all the details!

To enhance the colors and finer points of their wedding day, the Monte Verde Inn brought in some specially ordered beautiful Platinum Lamour overlays.  The complete set-up and the bride's vision was executed elegantly by the Monte Verde Staff. Although the Monte Verde Inn did not design the centerpieces for this wedding, the newlyweds seemed pleased with the look that was achieved by their florist.

Each table setting was adorned with one of two different favors for guests to take home. One was a cute butterfly cookie cutter and the other was a Sweet Pea tree seed! Both endearing and special to the bride and groom!

The ceremony site was adorned with colorful flowers lining the aisle.  The arch was decorated with beautiful flowers and an elegant white fabric! Some strategically placed white and purple butterflies tied the overall look all together!

The Monte Verde Inn provided the larger arrangements for Andrea & Brett's big day, which also included some cute little butterflies!

So with their theme in nearly every detail, they incorporated a "butterfly release" of approximately 6 dozen Monarch butterflies. It turned out amazing! The butterflies were transported to the Inn by family and the Monte Verde Inn coordinated the release to happen at a designated time.

Andrea & Brett had requested the butterflies be released during their introduction into their reception, so as they stopped amidst their bridal party each member opened a cute little box releasing 8-9 Monarch butterflies. As you can see it truly was everything the couple had hoped for! All of their guests seemed very surprised and pleased as well!

The newlyweds worked with Kelly Dalisa not only with the coordination of their wedding, but also the design of the cake that incorporated all the colors and butterfly details they desired.

They even had a set of very exquisite Swarovski crystal butterflies as their cake topper!

- Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Andrea & Brett Gavin! Thank you for sharing your amazing day with us; we wish you the very best in your new future as husband and wife!!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Suzanne & Dustin Romero!

The bride and groom hired O'Shays Flowers and Antiques, Auburn, CA to do their arch and isle decor as well as the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres ,etc. Their floral decor included a beautiful array of bright and pale pink Roses, lovely Hydrangeas and decorative greenery!

Some beautiful larger arrangements (as shown above) and centerpiece floral decor (shown below) were created by the Monte Verde Inn and matched perfectly to the floral decor done by O'Shays.

To designate each table the newlyweds provided the cutest table numbers that were very garden inspired! When it came to table linens they requested a beautiful cream pintuck overlay which was a great touch to the decor and floral arrangements set at each table. The Monte Verde Inn was more then happy to facilitate their linen needs.

Tucked into each napkin was a cream colored card with the bride & grooms name and wedding date printed on them. Each card was adorned with a bright pink ribbon and a seed packet of Sweet Pea for each guest to take home.

Suzanne & Dustin had some really cute ideas for their wedding, including their escort cards which hung from little branches. It was a very creative & whimsical way for guests to find their assigned seats.

When it came to the newlyweds cake, they had a pretty good idea of what they wanted. They provided an image of the cake they liked with hopes that Kelly (Monte Verde Inn) could make it the perfect finishing touch for their wedding... she did and it was! 

When it came to music, the bride and groom hired SJ's Disc Jockey and his amazing PhotoBash Booth! Joe rocked the celebration from guest arrival to heartfelt hugs of congratulatory good-byes!

~ We would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Suzanne & Dustin Romero for sharing their perfect day with us and for being so memorable!

Warmth, Love and Tradition!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mona & Anthony Barr!

Photo by First Comes Love Weddings

The green accents that Mona & Anthony infused into their day was perfect! An important part of the detail came from their families, whom contributed by making some beautiful table runner accent pieces.

Timeless wedding photos of family members served as a great inspiration for guests to leave words of encouragement and love for the newlyweds.

Mona & Anthony put together a creative seating chart, using an old window pane. They listed guest names in alphabetical order with their corresponding table number for convenient viewing and reference. 

Each table was set with a green apple dupioni napkin, which complimented the beautiful centerpieces and larger arrangements (both designed by Monte Verde Inn) and popped against the classic white and green accent linens!

Photo by First Comes Love Weddings

Mona and Anthony did not want a traditional cake, instead they worked with Kelly Dalisa (Monte Verde Inn) to provide some delicious cupcake options for their guests. The bride and groom brought in an array of beautiful cake stands for the cupcakes to be to displayed on and were brought out at just the perfect time!

White cupcake: A yummy golden pound cake with Bavarian cream filling and Italian butter cream frosting.

Chocolate cupcake: A scrumptious chocolate cake with a Coconut filling and super Fudge frosting (one of Kelly's specialties).

Photo by First Comes Love Weddings

- Monte Verde Inn would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. & Mrs. Mona & Anthony Barr for allowing us to be a part of their special moment! We wish them the very best in their future!

Photo by First Comes Love Weddings

We'd also like to thank Alison Bank of First Comes Love Weddings for providing some great images of the happy couple on their big day! Check out her images by visiting First Comes Love Weddings. Thank you for the great images, Alison!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Megan and Warren Schechter!

Lots of great color and details in this day, with chocolate lamour overlays and personally designed table names (such as San Francisco and Peru). Megan and Warren really put their heads together to involve all their guests into their big day! Each table was named a corresponding place the couple had been and incorporated an endearing tale of their adventure together that brought them to their wedding day.

Megan & Warren also included a small stone in every program and just outside the ceremony site was an engraved vase for each of their guests to place the stone in to, along with their sincerest wish for the couple. Each centerpiece was a beautiful arrangement of Calla Lillies and Curly Willow (designed in-house by the Monte Verde Inn), which seemed to finish the beautiful look of the chocolate overlays.


In addition, the couple hired a gal to bring in doves, to do a Dove Release. So here is how it works, as the newlyweds recess from the ceremony site (as seen) once they make it about half way down the aisle, the doves are released. Once released, the doves circle near the bride & groom briefly and then circle once more above the site and then fly home! It is so pretty and unique. It was a lovely touch to Megan & Warren's already elegant day!

As hors d'oeuvres began guests enjoyed Caribbean Crab & Shrimp Cakes with Mango Salsa; Buffalo Mozzarella, Seasonal Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Basil & Grissini Bread Sticks & Warm Foccacia Bread with Brie, Fig Compote, Caramelized Onions and Prosciutto. Absolutely delicious!

The bride and groom wanted to give something not only personal, but representative of their independent relationships with each of their bridal party members. So they had the most adorable bobble-head figures custom made for each person in their bridal party, each figure was custom designed to physically represent the individual it was made for!

For some additional fun, they incorporated the fun PhotoBash Booth by SJ's Disc Jockey. Guests always have a blast engaging with the photobooth, putting on funny looking glasses or hats or something else that makes a great picture...even better!

Mr. & Mrs. Megan and Warren Schechter worked with Kelly Dalisa of the Monte Verde Inn to create the perfect cake for their perfect day!

Occasionally when our brides and grooms request recommendations for their family and friends to stay the weekend, we refer them to Jami's House. It's great place in Loomis, CA with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, this property is ideal for large groups! It has a swimming pool, enclosed spa that seats 8 and workout facilities are just some of the wonderful amenities. It is a nice private quiet place... it is truly magical!

We'd like to thank Megan and Warren for allowing us to share in their beautiful day! We wish you the very best in your future!

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mary and Tyler Vogel. We had so much fun working with them, "day of" and all the days leading up to their beautiful wedding!

Photo by Ille Photography

Photo by Ille Photography

Both Mary & Tyler envisioned a very elegant and soft touch to their day, with details such as white handmade wooden table numbers, incorporating a fun scrapbook near the photobooth for guests to share their thoughts and wishes, and a great seating chart that was not only fun & creative but practical!

Centerpiece floral decor designed and provided by the Monte Verde Inn.

Mr. & Mrs. Vogel provided an image of a unique cake that they absolutely loved and Kelly of the Monte Verde Inn was able to create the perfect depiction of the cake they wanted.

Photo by Ille Photography

We would like to wish our newlyweds the very best in their future!

We would like say thank you to Ille Photography for the beautiful images of Mary & Tyler's special day. Ken and his assistant were great to work and very professional! We look forward to the opportunity to work with them again. Visit them at Ille Photography. Thank you for the beautiful images, Ken!