Planning a wedding can be an exhilarating journey, especially when you’re aiming for a modern celebration that’s as unique and dynamic as your love story. Here’s a playful guide to making your modern wedding a blast to plan and unforgettable for everyone involved!

Step 1: Dream Big (and then bigger!)Start by imagining your dream wedding without any limits. Think about the most outrageous, whimsical, and fabulous ideas you’ve ever had. Want a donut wall instead of a traditional cake? Go for it! Envisioning a flash mob dance routine? Why not? Modern weddings are all about breaking the mold and doing what feels right for you.
Step 2: Choose a Vibe, Not a ThemeInstead of sticking to a rigid theme, think about the vibe you want your wedding to exude. Cozy and intimate, or bold and glamorous? Once you nail down the feeling you’re going for, everything else will start to fall into place. This vibe will guide your decisions on décor, venue, and even your attire.
Step 3: Venue with a TwistForget the standard banquet hall. Look for a venue that’s bursting with character. Think art galleries, rooftop gardens, or even a cool, refurbished warehouse. The more unexpected, the better! A unique venue sets the tone and gives your guests something to talk about long after the last dance.
Step 4: Fun with FloralsModern weddings are all about pushing the boundaries with floral design. Don’t just settle for traditional arrangements. Consider hanging installations, flower chandeliers, or even floral sculptures. And who says flowers are only for tables? Adorn your aisle, photo booth, and even your cake with lush blooms.
Step 5: Tech-Savvy TouchesEmbrace technology to add a futuristic flair to your wedding. Digital invitations, a custom wedding hashtag, and live-streaming the ceremony for those who can’t attend are just the start. How about a drone to capture aerial shots of your big day, or a virtual reality booth where guests can relive your love story?
Step 6: Foodie FunDitch the traditional sit-down dinner in favor of interactive and gourmet food stations. Think sushi bars, gourmet taco trucks, or a build-your-own dessert station. And don’t forget the signature cocktails! Craft a few drinks that reflect your personalities and let your guests toast with something extra special.
Step 7: Entertainment ExtravaganzaModern weddings thrive on entertainment that goes beyond the typical DJ or live band. Consider a mixologist show, a caricature artist, or even a surprise performance. Your guests will love the unexpected twists and turns throughout the night.
Step 8: Personalized DetailsFrom custom-made signage to personalized favors, infuse your wedding with details that scream “you.” Monogrammed napkins, a fun fact sheet about the couple, or a quirky guest book alternative (like a giant Jenga set guests can sign) will make your wedding memorable and distinctively yours.
Step 9: Fashion ForwardWhen it comes to attire, think outside the bridal box. Modern weddings call for bold fashion choices—think colored wedding dresses, mix-and-match bridesmaid outfits, or even a chic jumpsuit. Let your personal style shine and don’t be afraid to break with tradition.
Step 10: Enjoy Every MomentLast but definitely not least, remember to have fun! Wedding planning can be stressful, but it’s also a unique time to celebrate your love and creativity. Take breaks, enjoy the process, and don’t sweat the small stuff. After all, the best part of a modern wedding is that it’s all about you and your partner’s journey together.
Planning a modern wedding is an adventure, full of opportunities to showcase your personality and creativity. Embrace the fun, think outside the box, and most importantly, make it a day to remember for you and your guests!

#modernwedding
#guestexperience
#weddingdreams
#eclecticaffairs
​#weplanbliss

   It was a beautiful day in Woodside, California with Lindsay and Elliot! They planned an amazing day at their home with beloved family and friends. It was very clear from the moment we met these families that their top priority was the comfort and happiness of the guests. All of the beautiful design and set up from top to bottom was created by the very talented creatives at Bloomsters with rentals all of the lovely rentals from Standard Rental Company. The entire day flowed beautifully and these two sweet people celebrated a very sweet ceremony with those closest to them. I'd like to give a special shout out to Katie at Kreate Photography, she was a lot of fun to work with and captured this day beautifully! I think the photos shown here speak for themselves. 
 #eclecticaffairs
#bayareaevents
#bayareawedding
#californiaweddings
#experiencedweddingplanner
#thisfloral
#creativesunite
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    In a year of all things uncertain, the love between these two was something absolute. I have expressed to everyone who would listen that I have enjoyed working with them immensely. Haley and I are optimists who held out hope for a full on large wedding day until we absolutely had to switch gears. I have to say that I was very impressed with Haley and Landon as they navigated a way to enjoy a small ceremony with their family. I cannot even tell you how many hoops we all had to jump through but we made it! When this beautiful day arrived and I was able to spend a very small private day with this family, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Unlike a large event, I was able to talk at length with and get to know each of them as we readied for the intimate ceremony on the beautiful bluff at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, Ca. It was the last event of the year for me and it was something personally, very special. Thank you Haley and Landon for including me in this beautiful day. It meant a lot to be a witness to that very wonderful day. Here's to a 2021 that see's us partying in June with all of your loved ones!
​Thank you Candice Marie Photography for capturing the day beautifully! 

#santabarbarawedding
#intimateceremony
#eclecticaffairs
​#lushblooms
#ritzcarltonbacara
#bettertogether
#lightiscoming

   We had the extreme pleasure of working with Meagan and Nathan last year. I especially enjoyed working with Meagan's mom Allison. We formed a friendship as we planned as mothers who want the best for our daughters. She wanted to assure the Meagan had everything just as she envisioned. Nathan had an equally sweet mom, she had such love for him as we planned. This couple had an adventurous heart for the outdoors and Yosemite was the perfect backdrop for their celebration. 
   We had an evening of fun activities that included games at the tables as they arrived, a smores bar, a very fun sign in and photo area. It was just an all around great day!
   I couldn't do any of this without my wonderful team and a stellar collection of creative business partners that make it all come to life. We had the perfect photographer on site to capture the day as only he can, thank you Derek Lapsley. You know I love that eye of yours that gives each client a forever memory of very special moments.  On this beautiful day we had the pleasure of creating al of this at Yosemite Chapel and Tenaya Lodge. The creative team at Sweet Dreams Cake & Flowers on site to create the beautiful floral pieces and a stunning cake. Thank you so much for all you guys do as we work together and bring it all together in the end. It was a beautiful day!

#eclecticaffairs
#yosemitewedding
#weplanbliss
#lapsleyphotography
#tenayalodge
#sweetdreamscakeandfloral
#meetmeinthetrees
#californiaweddingplanner
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   This was a wonderful day. It was wonderful because this entire family just loves each other, they were so excited to be together on this day. These two are sensational together and I feel very privileged to have been a part of this special day. From the beginning with these two, every detail was about a great experience for their loved ones. When the big wedding day arrived it was very clear that this family had been united as one since they all met. There were grandchildren present and two more arriving shortly which made the day even more special. 
   Let me start off by talking about our wonderful photographer and her team from Lisa DeNeffe Photography. This team captured every moment perfectly and let me tell you that they were all over the place and seemed to be invisible as they worked. They really are a special team of professionals. We celebrated the day at the beautiful Los Altos Country Club which is a stunning setting all on it's own. We worked with Jenna on staff who made the day such a pleasure. The flowers were created by a wonderful friend Christine which we thought were stunning. We had great music all night from Spanish Beats and Phil n' The Blanks. Good thing because this group could dance and Phil n' The Blanks kept them up all night! The delicious cake was none other than Icing On The Cake which always delivers the delicious and beautiful for us. The day was just fantastic thanks to a hard working team all around and two very special clients. To each and every person who worked at our sides, we give you thanks. Thank you Lori and Skip for a wonderful experience. 

   This year the pace to complete a fully booked schedule just about did us in with travel and details, this was also our most rewarding season to date. From the moment I met Nicole and Michael there was no doubt that these two shared an incredible connection. They came to me asking for a wedding that would be about family and friends in an intimate setting. Nicole and I trekked up and down the state looking for the perfect place for a weekend family event not just a wedding space. We knew the moment we walked into High Ridge Manor that we had found the perfect space for a great weekend of family and some shenanigans. When the day arrived and we found our way onsite we were greeted by family and friends who jumped in and worked at our sides to create a very special day. It was truly a pleasure laughing, talking and getting to know them as we brought to life everything Nicole and I had dreamed up. Every detail of this day was made by Nicole, Michael and their friends which they then trucked over to the location. They truly wanted this day to be about who they really are. These two also decided they did not want a standard sit down meal but a food truck that catered to foodies, Haute Skillet did not disappoint. I have never had a wedding served so fast with an amazing selection of food, it was truly one of the best meals I have been served at a wedding. The day was captured by Simple Joie Photography who always captures the intimate details of the day beautifully.
   We are now into Fall season and finally able to take a moment to start reviewing our Summer weddings to eflect on the joy of each event. This particular day was filled with so much love, laughter and sincerity. Thank you Nicole and Michael for sharing your day and your loved ones with us, it was truly a blessing to us. 

     I have now coordinated a few events for this wonderful family and I was very excited to be a part of Brandi's wedding festivities. She wanted a setting with bright colors to include a rich purple. Thanks to The Linen Shoppe, Light Up The Walls and Simply Flowers, we were able to create just that. This event was held at the wonderful Lime Lite Restaurant where we were served delicious creations all afternoon. This patio was transformed by The Linen Shoppe's stunning velvet purple linens, pink napkins, lovely draping set the stage for the event's design. Light Up The Walls provided the music and lighting. The flowers which were the star of the day were created by the fabulous team at Simply Flowers. What you cannot see and we loved were the fabulous invitations created by Scribbles along with the menu's and gift tags. They create the most personal and creative paper creations for our events! The bride wanted an ice cream bar which my staff loved creating and serving. The guests had a wonderful time enjoying the games, food and great conversation. I have to say, this family allows me to create fun into every event. After not only coordinating but also attending their events I can say without a doubt that they are the best hosts. Thank you for allowing Eclectic Affairs to create this beautiful day with you ladies. As always, ,y sincere thanks to my staff and our wonderful vendors. This was all captured in photos by the wonderful Michelle from She Breathes Studios. 

   Last year I had the pleasure of helping Brittney and Michael plan a wedding day that was truly all about family. They wanted to gather the people they loved and who loved them together to share a very special moment in their lives, that truly was the focal point of the day. I truly enjoyed getting to know their families and working together in creating each piece of the day. I had met Brittney as a bridesmaid at a wedding we had coordinated the year before with Nia and Evan. I noticed how caring she was with Nia that day and thought to myself that she truly was there to help Nia enjoy her day. Truly, this entire group of gals are wonderful together. I was very happy to then get the chance to work with Brittney to make her day special. I would like to thank her parents for welcoming us into their home to create and shape the day. They worked tirelessly for months to ensure their property was ready to welcome guests and be a spectacular backdrop for this special day. These two families truly love and care for each other and it was beautiful to watch them become one.
    Thank you to my team for working to set the stage top to bottom this day with a special shout out to Vivian for staying the entire day with me to create the centerpieces and so many details. Thank you to each and every vendor onsite that day who made the vision a reality for this lovely couple. Thank you Michael and Brittney for inviting me along for this part of your journey, many blessings to you both.

Photography: Rees Photography
​Floral: Simply Flowers
Linens: The Linen Shoppe
Rentals: Best Party & Event Rentals
Bridal Attire:  Madeline's Bridal Boutique
Groom & Groomsman Attire: Pat's Tuxedo
Emcee & DJ: ITC Entertainemnt
Wedding Cake: Eddie's Bakery