Angela is a premier planner in the Bay Area, one that brides looking to plan a truly memorable affair look to for her sense of taste and style. So, of course, I jumped on the chance to have her share some of those tips with us!

Without further ado, here are Angela of Lulu Events cost cutting tips…

1. Personalize, Personalize, Personalize – by creating a theme or sticking to a cohesive look you can make a wedding or event look very sophisticated with just a few ideas that guests will always remember. Prioritize what is important and spend the money there.

2. Identify your color palette and stick to it. Remember you always need an accent color. One main color and 2 accent colors are ideal.

3. Party Rentals – by selecting a colored or textured linen you get more bang for your buck than spending money on lots of colorful flowers on a white table cloth. The linen color will transform the space immediately and set the tone for your wedding reception.

4. Choose flowers that are in season and go for a monochromatic look, buying flowers in bulk is less expensive than buying many different types of flowers and my favorite trick is to incorporate fruit in to the centerpieces!

5. Choose a live musician for the ceremony and cocktail hour but nix the band and stick to a dj for the reception. It will save thousands of dollars. Just make sure to choose a play list that reflects the mood of the event and personality of the couple.

6. By booking a wedding venue off season or on Fridays /Sundays – wedding venues and vendors will likely give you discounts so you can save your money for a honeymoon splurge!

7. Consider hiring a wedding planner – we really are experts and our tips & ideas can save you time, money and get you discounts with vendors.

8. Select one signature cocktail for the cocktail hour such as a Bellini or Kir Royale that will be passed by the waiters and offer wine and beer only the rest of the evening. You will be amazed at the cost savings!

9. Minimize the guest list- do you really need to invite that neighbor that you pass thru the hall or your second cousin Vinny that lives across the country?

10. Skip the wedding favors (do we really need to see another Godiva chocolate at the place setting?), instead spend the money on a signature cocktail or a favor the guest will use during the course of the evening like a black and white photo booth!

11. Never ever try to skimp on a photographer- a talented photographer will capture memories that will last a lifetime!

Thank you so very much to Angela for sharing these brilliant ideas. And to Ingrid of Myrtle and Marjoram for sharing these beautiful images. And of course, to Julia and Brian for sharing their absolutely lovely day with us.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 20 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Budget Tips, Budget Weddings, Lulu Events, Myrtle and Marjoram
Post categories: Budget Beautiful, Real Weddings

First and foremost, the wedding was planned and designed by Angela Nelson of Lulu Events in San Francisco with the lovely flowers crafted by Blumengarten. The to-die-for dress is by Vera Wang and the bride’s shoes by Nine West.  Lastly, the ceremony was held at The Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park with the reception at The Carnelian Room.

Oh and guess what…Angela Nelson of Lulu Events is stopping by in a bit to share her tips on creating a fabulously stylish event on a budget, just as this bride did!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blumengarten, Golden Gate Park, Lulu Events, Myrtle and Marjoram, The Carnelian Room, The Shakespeare Garden, Vera Wang
Post categories: The Blog

As a quick side note, I think that today’s wedding is a really fun lesson in color. Yesterday, we featured a green, black and white inspired wedding. It was modern and fresh, it was bold and yet totally elegant. But, by swapping out the green with a shot of yellow, you bring a sense of sweet sophistication to the affair, a cheerful sense of celebration. Two similar palettes, two totally different looks!

Stay tuned to hear all about the other vendors that helped craft this wedding (including the FAB event planner behind this lovely affair and the designer of that beautiful dress)!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Myrtle and Marjoram
Post categories: The Blog

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Myrtle and Marjoram
Post categories: Contemporary, Traditional Elegance

One of SMP’s very favorite photographers, Myrtle and Marjoram, sent us today’s featured wedding and based on some of the weddings they’ve sent us in the past, it’s not surprise that this one is absolutely beautiful…

This wedding reminds me a little bit of yesterday’s featured affair…a modern sensibility with touches of pure charm. The yellow is such a happy hue, but paired with the sophistication of black and white, it’s contemporary, it’s smart, it’s simply beautiful.

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Black, Myrtle and Marjoram, White, Yellow
Post categories: Contemporary, Traditional Elegance

photo by Myrtle and Marjoram

I’ve made you wait long enough to find out who our giveaway winners are. So without further ado, here they are! Winners are listed at the bottom of each giveaway post. I’ll be in touch with all of the winners by Monday!

A Survivor Soiree…click here!

Olive Route giveaway…click here!

Cat Seto Giveaway…click here!

Love at First Invite giveaway…click here!

Paperzest giveaway…click here!

Ceci NY giveaway…click here!

Abby Jean giveaway…click here!

And, in celebration of breast cancer awareness…and of all of those men and women who have been touched by this disease, Style Me Pretty is donating $500 to Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Tomorrow, we’ll have the touching story from one of our little black book members, a breast cancer survivor who has gone through a harrowing ordeal and has come through it with the most beautiful spirit and outlook on life. It’s worth the weekend SMP visit!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Survivor Soiree, Cat Seto, Love at First Invite, Myrtle and Marjoram, Olive Route, PaperZest
Post categories: Contests