Selecting Flowers

Image Courtesy of: Marisa Dombroski, Designer of this Bouquet, Event Coordinator and Make-up Artist. Email: Marisaofthesea@aol.com

Time to smell the roses...

Spring has sprung! What flowers should you include in your wedding or elopement? It is said
that in the Victorian era, certain flowers had specific meanings. In a time when variety was limited and conversations few, people used flowers to symbolize feelings. We selected a few from the list generated by the Society of American Florists, to provide you with some historic meaning.

Often used in bridal bouquets is Baby's Breath, which is said to mean: Festivity. Lilies are a popular choice and different species have different meanings. The Calla means: Regal, the Casablanca: Celebration, and the Stargazer: Ambition. Hydrangea is an up and coming frequently selected choice and means: Perseverance, fitting for forming a lifelong union. Roses, as we all know, are the most popular choice and its meanings are based on color. Red roses represent: Passionate Love, White: Purity, and a combination of the both: Unity. According to this list, Pink equals: Friendship and Yellow: Zealous. I found this interesting because I had always heard that yellow was the friendship color and Pink, platonic love? I guess whatever your choice, they would still be appropriate.

Going through the list I picked out a few, I thought would be interesting choices based on their meanings. The Freesia means: Spirited, the Gardenia: Joy, and Lilac: First Love - all lovely and fragrant choices. Orchids are a regularly purchased houseplant, but look beautiful mixed into a bouquet and symbolize: Delicate Beauty. Three choices that also look nice in a mix are Hyacinth indicating: Sincerity, the Aster: Contentment, and Daisies: Innocence.

A marriage scheduled for the Spring might need a simple bouquet of Tulips. Much like roses their meanings are based on their color. Red Tulips are a: Declaration of Love, White: Forgiveness, Yellow: Hopelessly in Love, and Violet means: Faithfulness. Daffodils are also a nice touch and symbolize: Chivalry.

If you are considering a summer or fall event, the Sunflower represents: Adoration. If a winter is more your ideal time, mix some Holly into your bouquet. It is said to symbolize domestic happiness, and any marriage could use that! For more information about florists in the area or what we can do to help make recommendations, please call: (707) 963-9294.

Image Courtesy of: Google Images

10 Reasons to Get Married in the Napa Valley

10 Reasons to get hitched in the Napa Valley...

1. Location. Close enough to San Francisco, yet nestled in the heart of the wine country.

2. Amenities. Everything you need is right here. Lodging, the cake, the venue, flowers, photographers, caterers, musicians, even a minister.

3. Loved Ones. Your friends and family will be happy to visit such a lovely place and will thank you for sharing it with them.

4. The Destination. There is so much to do in the Napa Valley. Don't have your elopement/wedding in one day... stretch it over a few and make a vacation out of it. The vineyards, the festivals, horseback rides, hot air balloons, you will be happy you did.

5. Anniversaries. It is a great place to come back year after year. Relive memories of your special day. Anniversaries can be just as romantic as your wedding day.

6. The Spas. Relax, rejuvenate, and spend some time at the local spas and salons. Pamper yourself- you deserve it.

7. The Restaurants. So many delicious places to eat! So little time. Tra Vigne Restaurant and BarVino are on our very long list of recommendations.

8. The Shops. Many cute boutiques and specialty shops to visit and pick up unique finds, antiques, and gifts. Studio on Main and Woodhouse Chocolate are of our personal favorites.

9. The Scenery. No matter the time of year it is always beautiful here. The rolling green hills and colorful flower beds of spring to the soft orange, reds, and gold of autumn. The sunsets, sunrises, and starry nights are absolutely breathtaking.

10. Drive. Take it all in on nice country drives on the winding roads of the Napa Valley or even out to Sonoma County Beaches.

To learn more about where to eat, stay, shop and other activities do not hesitate to call us: 707-963-9294.

Thoughts for Today

"To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the wedding cup, Whenever you're wrong, admit it; Whenever you're right, shut up." - Ogden Nash

"What is the definition of a good wine? It should start and end with a smile." - William Sokolin

"There is no finer place to visit then that of Napa. For the lovers of wine and the love wine brings those lovers." - Anonymous

One Word: Chocolate!

Need a great gift idea for family and friends? Want to make your post-elopement meal even more special? Consider chocolate from Woodhouse Chocolate in St. Helena. Woodhouse has been making hand-crafted, extremely high-quality (i.e., awesome!) chocolate for years. Just visiting their store in downtown St. Helena should be part of your Napa Valley visit. For more information about Woodhouse Chocolate, visit their web site or contact us to help you with your selections.

From the Woodhouse window, December 2007

Vintage Jewelry

Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena, has been in business for over 27 years. Serving as a full service photography studio, including everything from photo development to restoration, the studio also features unique gifts, frames, artwork and prints. A line of elegant vintage jewelry designed and produced in the 40's and 50's, has been added to the abundance of beautiful gifts displayed.
Owner Rosanne, has been collecting this timeless vintage jewelry and has brought these exclusive treasures to you for purchase. Each piece has been hand selected for its individuality and class by Roseanne herself. This Saturday, February 9, she will be at The Wine Country Inn for the Inn's complimentary afternoon wine service. The store will be showcasing many pieces from her collection. The pieces are beautiful and make great gifts; with Valentine's Day just around the corner, you cannot lose gentlemen.
Make a day out of visiting the Wine Country Inn this Saturday or simply stop by the studio and explore this unique collection of priceless pieces, or connect to the On-Line Store. For out-of-towners call Rosanne at (707) 963-9294 or email her: rosanne@studioonmain.com.
The picture attached is of the Laguna Aurora Borealis hex-cut hand-knotted necklace. A piece very suitable as a Valentines Day gift to be worn on any occasion- like, let's say a brides neck the day of her elopement.

Hey Brides-to-be... Need Makeup Advice?

Need to look perfect for your ceremony? Of course, any bride-to-be does.
Most of us don’t know where to begin with makeup without seeking a professional opinion. You want to look beautiful- not over or under done up. Choosing colors and brands, deciding whether or not to hire someone or just do it yourself, are all delicate issues for such an important event. Attempting to match your own skin tone but picking something too dark or selecting the wrong lipstick color, can be disastrous for photographs.
We have some words of wisdom from Resident Makeup Artist of Laura Mercier in Beverly Hills, Marisa Dombroski. Marisa has used her artistic talents to beautify everyone from numerous bridal parties to Hollywood stars- both men and women. It is imperative to her that each bride feels and looks their best on the big day. In advance, long before the ceremony, Marisa meets with the bride to discuss the style of the dress and event, usual makeup worn on a daily basis, what works and what doesn’t, and the type of look they are going for (natural, dramatic or classic). Sometimes brides are unsure of colors and brands to choose so she makes suggestions, but with conditions, “I tell them to try it out to see if they have a reaction to it, because the last thing a bride wants on her wedding day is to break out,” said the artist.
She recommends many different top of the line products for flawless results. Marisa promotes the use of a primer before applying foundation to keep fresh looking throughout the day. “A primer serves as a base that goes on before the foundation. It is going to fill any fine lines, leaves makeup longer lasting, appearing fresh looking- not cakey.” Some tricks of the trade she was willing to share were some foundation and powder ground rules: When applying foundation, she said, “Do not put a foundation powder over it. You do not want to put color on top of color. Use a translucent powder (a translucent powder is a very fine powder that can go with any type of skin color and it sets the face makeup).”
The expert recommends a trial run of your products and artist of your choosing before the special day. “Don't be afraid to tell them how you want to look on your wedding day,” she stated. Marisa usually charges $175 for services to the bride (not including products and travel), bridesmaids, family and friends are $100 each. For more information about her services you can email her at: marisaofthesea@aol.com.

*Other questions regarding Napa Valley Elopements services or this blog call: 707-963-9294.

Napa Valley Mustard Festival

Next month, is the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival. The nearly two-month celebration of food, wine, art, agricultural, entertainment and culture runs from Feb 2 - March 29. The event is a good time for all and gives the chance to take advantage of all the Napa Valley splendors.
It's a beautiful time to take in the scenery- yellow mustard fields of green and gold amongst the stark black grapevines and colorful skies. February, March, and April are superb times to visit the Napa Valley, simply because it is a slower season for tourists than the "high season" of July-October.
Summer is always a busy time for marriages- if you are looking for a time that is quieter, why not come to the Napa Valley while a cultural event is taking place? Whether you have plans for an elopement, are taking a second honeymoon, or simply getting away with your love or even with friends for the weekend, Napa is the place to be. You can experience serene relaxation while taking in the merriment of the mustard festival.
The celebration serves the purposes of promoting local businesses as well as supporting non-profit organizations. This forms a network of local, national and international commerce and strengthens the community. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a 501(c)(4) non-profit community service organization. All proceeds go towards the benefit of a variety of Napa Valley non-profit arts, cultural, historical, educational, and service organizations.

Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena has the poster for this year's Mustard Festival available, signed by the artist, Jesse Miller. It makes for a great gift, decoration or souvenir of your trip.