Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2012 Trunk Show 1/26/12


Monique Lhuillier is having their very last bridal trunk show for their Fall 2012 collection this weekend!  If you are a bride who is still searching for your perfect wedding dress, you don't want to miss this! There are appointments open on Thursday and Friday.   The collection is soo pretty!    Below is the invitation and some of our favorite dresses.





Posey:  Silk white silk faille fringe trimmed tank neckline mini dress

Monroe:   White ice cream charmeuse halter neck draped sheath with front slit

 Heidi:  Silk white re-embroidered lace signature cap sleeve bodice with keyhole back and silk chiffon flowing empire skirt
 Mia:  Silk white re-embroidered lace sleeveless V-neck modified trumpet sheath with front slit
 Emma: White re-embroidered lace strapless sweetheart asymmetric modified A-line gown with tulle inset skirt
 Emotion:  Silk white Spanish tulle portrait neckline with asymmetric draped bodice, elongated torso and full skirt

Garland:  Ivory sweetheart strapless embellished Chantilly corset bodice with natural waist and embroidered organza high-low hem skirt


There are so many more beautiful dresses to see.  We hope to see you there! Call 323-655-1088 to set up your appointment today.

Love, Laughter and Happiness,

Carrie

Carrie Goldberg - Event Manager
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday, January 6, 2012

Friday Favorite: Dead Hearts: The Wedding of Victoria and Jason Evigan

I was recently at the Studio Agency (VeniceCA getting my hair done with my trusted hairdresser Trina Duarte (who also does most of my brides too)

While I was there, I met Victoria Evigan who works closely with Trina and she shared her very touching wedding video with me.

Not knowing what to expect, I was blown away immediately by this raw, innovative, spiritual and loving wedding video!  In all my years of planning weddings, I have never seen anything like this.  It uses so many different mediums to evoke emotion through the use of family photos, old Hollywood love icons and eclectic music.  The production team handled the emotions of family and friends with care and truly showed everyone in a beautiful light. 

The concept of “dead hearts” stuck out to me especially when I heard the original song by the indie band Stars playing in the background.  Victoria told me “Dead hearts means you make a promise to love that person until your heart dies, it’s about two people making this die-hard promise to love so deeply until they cannot breathe anymore.” 

“Dead hearts are everywhere,” as the lyrics say, and thank God they are…




Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann McNamee

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday Favorite Find: WriteShot Photography

We recently posted about Nicole and Eric's beautiful Four Season's Westlake Village Wedding.  The couple had such a unique experience with their photography team that we wanted to share with you.


We love working with Natasha and Chris of WriteShot.  They spend the entire week with a couple documenting their history, their wedding details, and learning all about their families and passions.  Natasha and Chris join in the festivities leading up to the wedding including spa days, showers, guys nights out, wedding rehearsals, dinners, and day-after events.


At the end of your wedding journey they present you with a book that includes beautiful images and all the stories they have captured.  You also get an iPad version of your book!
Natasha and Chris are both published writers and their designs are completely custom.   When you hire WriteShot, you not only get a professional photographer with over 20 years experience, but a storyteller.


We invited Natasha to write a guest blog and talk about her experience with Nicole and Eric:
Here is a slideshow of their work:  http://thewriteshot.com/weider/



"When Mary Dann contacts WriteShot, we know the client is going to be a perfect fit for us and this was most certainly the case with the Weiders. Nicole and Eric have a powerful energy between them and both of their families are truly dynamic. As a couple, they share a love for anything classic Hollywood--films, photos and music, included. Individually, they each radiate a unique passion. For Nicole, it is being a role model and educator for young girls. Eric is a historian, whose bent is the Old West. History is important to both Nicole and Eric, as is family. So, it came as no surprise that they commissioned us to photograph their wedding week and tell their love story and the story of their wedding. We first met the couple in their Hollywood Room early in their wedding week. And, as family and friends arrived, WriteShot was there capturing every moment in both images and words. The week ended with a romantic shoot on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. The couple will receive two distinct books, in addition to all of the hundreds of photos that were shot during the week. The first, a one-of-a-kind coffee table-style storybook comprises approximately 100 photos and 12,000 words. The second book, at the bride's request, will be an image-only book.

For couples whose love runs deep and for whom the values of family and legacy are paramount, WriteShot is a perfect choice. We are the only professional photojournalist/journalist team to document weddings the way we do--in both images and words. Our style is pure documentary. We take on approximately one client each month and all work is completely custom. Everything we do from the shooting, the writing, the editing and the layout, is completed in-house and everything we do is tailored to each couple's needs. Each storybook takes on the look and feel of that couple; and for the Weiders' book that means Old Hollywood. 

When a couple truly appreciates fine art and believes in themselves and the power of their own story, that's when they start looking for something really different and satisfying--something that allows them to savor their wedding day over and over again. That's WriteShot. "

We can't wait to present future clients with the opportunity to work with WriteShot.

Love, Laughter and Happiness!
Carrie 

Carrie Goldberg
Event Manager - Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators












Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Spectacular Wedding at Four Seasons Westlake

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

We are so grateful to be on the referral list at the Four Seasons Westlake Village.  They introduced us to the most wonderful couple who gave us the pleasure of planning a platinum wedding weekend for over 100 guests within three months.  Not to mention on one of the most popular and exciting wedding dates ever!  Nicole and Eric took advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity to have their wedding date fall on 11-11-11, an anniversary date that would be impossible to forget! 

Photo by Yitzak Dalal



The couple got married at the Four Seasons Westlake in a stunning indoor ceremony.  The room was fiilled with beautiful floral arrangements of white, cream, blush, soft pink and champagne created by the Hidden Garden with lush petals down the custom aisle runner.   Along the aisle were shapely glass vases with hanging crystals and a beautiful display of dripping florals on top.   These were complimented with  clusters of glass cylinders with floating candles.

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

The couple incorporated traditions from both their Jewish and Christian backgrounds.  The spectacular chuppah was draped in fabric and adorned with floral tie backs and flowers covering the top and sides of the structure.  There was a crystal wall hanging from the back. 


After the ceremony, guests moved next door for cocktails and delicious tray passed hors d'oeuvres.  The room was draped with white chiffon fabric and decorated with white pods of lounge furniture with champagne pillows.

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

The reception took place in a gorgeous tent on the Pagoda Lawn that was also draped from head to toe in white fabric and decorated with crystal chandeliers and hanging crystals. 

Photo by Yitzak Dalal

Nicole loves crystals and all things "Bling"!  Brilliant cut crystal paper weights were given to the bridal party as one of the many their many gifts and used instead of place cards.


Guests danced under the tent on the custom white dance floor with Nicole and Eric's monogram.  DJ Jon Brown of Unite Entertainment kept the party going all night long!

Fabian from Event Designs by Fabian provided all of the lighting, draping, custom dance floor and lounge furniture.  Kimberly Bailey from The Butter End Cakery created this stunning 7 layer cake that was as delicious as it was beautiful!
Photo by Yitzak Dalal

We would like to thank our entire team of vendors and the Four Seasons Westlake Village staff for all of their help in making Nicole and Eric's wedding dreams a reality!  Special thanks to Hidden Garden,  Unite Entertainment, Event Designs by Fabian, Elegant Designs Specialty LinensWildflower LinenTown and Country Event RentalsClassic Party RentalsPhoto Illusion PhotoboothThe Studio Agency, Olivia Vaatate with A Stitch in Time, Yitzak Dalal Photography, The Write Shot Photography, Original RunnersThe Talent Plan, and Elegant Music.


Be on the lookout because this wedding is going to be published in 2012 in an undisclosed magazine.

Much Gratitude,
Mary Dann-McNamee

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators

Friday, November 25, 2011

Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale! 12/4/11

It’s almost December which means it’s Monique Lhuillier's sample sale time again!  

Here are the details:






Hope to see you there!


Much Gratitude,
The Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators Team

Friday, November 18, 2011

A Beautiful Afternoon at The Pasadena Museum of History

This week I had the pleasure to visit with some talented people in the wedding industry at a lovely venue.  The Pasadena Museum of History is located on a two-acre property on the corner of Orange Grove Blvd. and West Walnut Street in Pasadena.  It is a hidden gem!  

For weddings up to 200 people, you and your guests will enjoy stunning backdrops of historic buildings and lush gardens.  Ceremonies take place on the steps leading up to the majestic Beaux Arts style Fenyes Mansion.

After the ceremony, guests can enjoy cocktails on the lawn.

Receptions are held out on the lawn by the gardens.


We can thank one of our favorite women in the wedding industry for bringing us all to the Pasadena Museum of History.  Jen O'Sullivan, amazing photographer and marketing extraordinaire, began the organization that we were there to support.  Event Specialists International is made up of a group of extremely talented wedding and event specialists that help build each member's business to achieve success.

Here are some of the amazing members that were also there to showcase their amazing work.


The lovely ladies of The Butter End Cakery!  Kimberly Bailey never ceases to amaze us with her stunning and delicious cakes!  We were all very lucky to sample some delicious flavors!


Music and sound was provided by Steven and Jason from 11H Entertainment.  Not only do they have awesome DJs, but they specialize in the Infusion Xperience that combines the talents of "Outrageously Skilled Musicians, World-Class DJs, and Etraordinary Emcees".  We love 11H Entertainment!


Beautiful floral arrangements were created by Wisteria Lane that is a full service eco friendly floral studio.  They specialize in unique designs and all of their flowers and succulents are locally grown.

The event was catered by Meg Hall of Made by Meg!  I loved the Curry Flavored Popcorn and mini twice baked potatoes!

Saul Hirschhorn from Designer Event Rentals brought in all the linens!  They carry a wide variety of products including linens, chairs, bars, dance floors, and furniture.  Saul is a delight to work with!  I know first hand having worked with him on my own wedding!

Copper Willow Paper Studio provided all of our name badges and specialize in custom letterpress!  They are extremely talented and can help you create custom invitations and wedding stationery.


Some of the guests of the event were lucky to be beautified by Betsy diFrancesca, who was showcasing her make-up artistry.  Betsy's forte is giving brides a "natural look with an understated elegance" or as she often says, "the most beautiful version of you."  


It was a lovely day, enjoyed by all!  Thank you, Jen O'Sullivan for inviting us to the Event Specialist International Social!


Much Gratitude,

Carrie 

Carrie Goldberg
Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators on Rue la la

Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators is thrilled to be teaming up with Rue La La!

Starting this Thursday, we will be offering our Three-Month Wedding Countdown Package at a very special 20% discount.  

Don't wait, because this Rue La La deal must be redeemed between November 11, 2011 and May 11, 2012 and your wedding date must be by or before June 1, 2012.

We can't wait to help you plan your special day!