Grandma Westeren’s 100th Birthday | April 30, 2011 | Crista Shores – Silverdale, WA
Two years ago, I was privileged to plan my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration. This year, I helped coordinate my Grandmother’s 100th birthday party. In 2012, two of my brother’s children are getting married. I love my family and feel blessed to be a part of all of these milestones.
Laura was born on May 4, 1911, married Reidar on July 3, 1934, had six children (two girls and four boys – all of whom attended the party), currently has 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and has been a resident of Crista Shores Retirement Community since September 1994.
My father acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the short program. The soloist sang two songs in Norwegian while my niece accompanied her on the piano. Several special guests were recognized, including my Grandma’s sister as well as a schoolmate of her’s. Two congratulatory letters were read to her; one from the Mayor of Poulsbo, and one from the Governor from the State of Washington.
I left the party feeling humbled by the life of my Grandma.
The Royal Wedding Private Party | April 28-29, 2011, Hotel 1000 – Seattle, WA
What an opportunity for someone who loves weddings, has a British husband, and needed a reason to throw a party! Hotel 1000 was my venue of choice. And they were awesome to work with and did a fabulous job of attending to all our needs.
We started the party in the Grand Suite at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday night with assorted beverages followed by a full sit-down dinner at 10:00 p.m. followed by champagne and a birthday cake for a guest whose birthday was on April 29th (so we celebrated at 12:01 a.m.) Then we moved downstairs to the Studio just after midnight to watch the pre-wedding coverage of the Royal Wedding around the circular fireplace on comfy furniture. Again, we snacked on multi-flavored popcorn, cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, and numerous other desserts and goodies while watching the Wedding.
A reporter from King 5 News came sometime after midnight to talk with us (see the video clip).
Most of us made it until 7:00 a.m. when we went off to our rooms to catch some sleep. Thank goodness for late check-out!!
The party was AWESOME, the wedding was FABULOUS, and my guests were the BEST!
Now if Harry would just hurry up and get married, we could do this all over again!
Weddings In Woodinville 2011 – “Winter Wonderland”
[Click to View Gallery] –Weddings in Woodinville … a Wedding in Winter … snowy, icy, clean, crisp. That is what we created at the Columbia Winery for this year’s bridal show. Following is a blog post on February 16, 2011 on the Weddings In Woodinville website.
Columbia Winery with its classic elegance is located in the heart of Woodinville’s wine country. With Its preferred catering, exceptional menu’s and impeccable service, the winery will inspire you and create a very memorable wedding day. The venue can accommodate 225 guests. Merry Beth Turpin of Aisle of View transformed the winery into a winter wonderland highlighting how winter weddings are like fire and ice with décor that is shimmery and icy while the ambience is warm and inviting. The winter wonderland theme of icy blues and soft whites glistened and radiated with a unique style.
Soft white draping surrounded the room and snowflakes lighted the walls. Rented Elegance provided the beautiful wintery florals and décor to enhance the scene. Soft seating surrounded the warm and inviting fireplaces. The ceremony site was unique with its banquette seating and ample white flowers and candlelight.
Classic big band music provided by Chris Graves of Your Song Entertainment filled the room which added to the elegant atmosphere. Chris and the band stood out in tuxes from Wall Street Custom Clothiers.
Lisa Dupar Catering and Seastar Restaurant/John Howie Steak Catering catered the event with their amazing hors d’oeuvres, an epicurean delight for all guests.
A whimsical Winter Wonderland cake by Mike’s Amazing Cakes completed the look and feel of the venue.
Azzura Photography was on hand to capture the photos seen on the blog as well as in this Newsletter, Pascale Collins Calligraphy set the tone of the day with her elegant silver and white paper collateral and program, Steve Cox of Creative Ice hand carved an incredible 3’ high signature drink station , and Olga Earle of La Belle Reve showcased her beautiful wedding gowns and accessories.
Outside guests were able to check out a white vintage car from British Motor Coach – a perfect way to depart any wedding!
Interview with Luba Babadzhanov, Bride
Aisle of View: Describe how your hiring me was a benefit to you.
Luba: Today if I meet someone who is about to have a wedding, my first question is “Do you have a wedding planner, or a day of coordinator?”
After planning my own wedding, I believe that the major and most important investment is in your wedding planner, photographer, and videographer. A month before my wedding, I hired Merry Beth; she is the one who suggested and put together a schedule of how the entire day would flow. She had very wise suggestions on what and when things should happen. A couple of weeks before the wedding when my immediate family arrived, I was able to spend time with and enjoy my family and friends, because Merry Beth was taking care of all the planning, connecting with my vendors, and making sure my wedding desires were fulfilled.
Aisle of View: How stressed were you with the wedding planning or on the day of your wedding?
Luba: The only time I was stressed on the day of was when I was walking down the aisle and 200 people were watching me. Other than that my stress level was at zero! I was absolutely enjoying myself and my guests.
Aisle of View: Overall, did I meet or exceed your expectations of your wedding day vision?
Luba: Expectations were exceeded! I saw how hard Merry Beth was working; she was on top of it.
Aisle of View: If you could go back and change something, what would that be?
Luba: I don’t think I would change much vendor and décor wise! I would change my attitude about planning a wedding, for instance stress less (before Merry Beth) while I was doing all the work, looking for venue, vendors, invitations etc. I think I would want to have a smaller wedding, to be able to greet all of my guests and have time to enjoy the reception.
Want to learn more about Luba and Alex’s big day? Click here to read the wedding writeup and view featured images.
Azzura Photography | Vendor Profile
They were once Seattle’s best-kept-secret: a husband-wife team quietly working out of their Bellevue home studio, creating stunning wedding images for a select group of clients. After winning national recognition and the ‘Seattle Bride Best Photographer’ award two years in a row, Ken and Tania Shepard of Azzura Photography quickly became the Northwest’s most sought-after wedding photographers. It wasn’t long before Azzura’s unique illustrative-style and raving clients landed them on the elite referral lists of Seattle’s top venues and coordinators, and their weddings are often booked years in advance.
All the buzz hasn’t slowed Ken and Tania from doing what they love most, and their full photography schedule is exactly what they dreamed of when they married seven years ago. “We often wonder how we became so fortunate, and I think a large part of it is our desire to get to know our couples and create photographs that are not just beautiful, but are also deeply meaningful to them,” says Ken. “There is a quality of genuineness in our images that is hard to describe, but you can feel it; when you look at the photographs, you know the moments are real and that our couples are truly being themselves.”
Working with Aisle of View
When our couples are working with Merry Beth, I know that the event will be extraordinary and our couples will have an absolutely fabulous and stress-free day. I adore Merry Beth – not only is she great at pulling together a team of talent to make your day 
extraordinary, she is amazing at orchestrating the most clever and creative touches. The best part is that she makes you and every last person in your bridal party and family feel cared for and valued while she does it! When you choose to hire ‘Aisle of View’, you truly get to relax, enjoy, and experience your Wedding Day.
To experience the artwork of Azzura Photography, visit their website at www.azzuraphotography.com.
The Royal Wedding — 1981 vs 2011
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton stands to be one of the biggest events of 2011. But the couple’s April 29 nuptials are under the shadow of the biggest royal wedding in the last few decades: that of William’s parents, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, 30 years ago. So, because many in Britain and the world will compare the couples – and wonder how Kate will measure up to Diana afterward – here’s a look at the couples by the numbers:
1981 |
2011
|
|
| Diana – 19 / Charles – 31 |
Courtship Ages |
Both were 20 |
| Less than a year |
The Courtship |
8 years |
| February 6, 1981 |
The Proposal |
October 2010 |
| February 24, 1981 |
The Announcement |
November 16, 2010 |
| July 29, 1981 |
The Wedding |
April 29, 2011 |
| St. Paul’s Cathedral |
The Church |
Westminster Abbey |
| 3,500 |
Wedding Guests |
1,800 invitations sent |
| David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
The Dress |
Closely-guarded secret |
What’s the biggest difference between the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Charles’ wedding to the late Princess Diana? It’s the power of the Internet. In 1981, most people only relied on magazines, newspapers, tabloids, and television to get their updates about the royal wedding, which was, back then, dubbed as “The Wedding of the Century.” Fast forward to 30 years later, another Wedding of the Century is in the making – that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
On the wedding day itself, many will tune in not only on the live televised newscast of the wedding ceremony, but on live internet feeds as well. Right after the wedding, you don’t have to wait for the video release of the wedding ceremony in stores or watch a replay on television. Undoubetedly, Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton will reach more people than his parent’s own wedding because of the Internet.
Because of my love for weddings, you can bet that I will be glued in front of the television in the early morning hours of April 29 watching this beautiful couple say their vows.
Refresh your memory — Click here to watch a televised recording of the 1981 Royal Wedding between Charles and Diana.
Rented Elegance | Vendor Profile
We have worked with Merry Beth Turpin of Aisle of View for the past fifteen years. We have developed a wonderful relationship with her and her staff. Always professional and very personable, each event we work on together is a pleasure…no matter how complicated the details may get. Merry Beth is thorough, extremely detail oriented and simply amazing. If there is ever a question about one of her events, a simple phone call, text or e-mail will get a quick and accurate response. She double and triple checks details to make absolute sure that everything is on track. We often work together on large, involved events and it is a pleasure to know that she will keep us informed on any changes in the time line or other details of the event.
When a Bride is looking for a coordinator I always tell them to find someone they feel comfortable with. Someone who listens to them and keeps detailed notes of the event as it grows and evolves. A coordinator needs to be organized, know how to easily navigate through the piles of information and converse comfortably with vendors that will be involved. And along with everything else be budget conscious and know when to suggest alternatives. Merry Beth is a perfect fit on every point.
About Rented Elegance: In the eighteen years that we have been in business, Rented Elegance and Design has done thousands of events from intimate parties to Celebrity Weddings. In addition to our extensive floral service we have a huge inventory of rental items to choose from. We offer raw silk draping, table puddles and pillows in a myriad of colors. Our soft seating ranges from casual brown sofas and club chairs to sophisticated, sleek and modern white leatherette. Many of our hundreds of centerpiece props were custom made exclusively for us. Glassware, from cylinders to many elegant shapes, fills an entire department of our four warehouses. We own thousands of crystals, candles and novelty items in many shapes and sizes to enhance our props and add that elegant sparkle to any event. Our fresh flower department is staffed with award winning designers with years of experience transforming an idea into a magnificent and unique event.
At Rented Elegance our event designers listen to you carefully and suggest ways to help bring your ideas to fruition. Customer service and satisfaction is very important to us so you know you will get the attention you deserve.
Rented Elegance | David Galliett, Owner | 12891 NE 15th Place, Bellevue, WA 98005 | (425) 462-2244 | rentedelegance.com
Interview with Beth Campbell, Bride
Beth and Chuck Burow were married on July 3rd, 2010 at the Palace Ballroom in Seattle. The couple chose Merry Beth as their wedding consultant to create the occasion of a lifetime. We caught up with Beth recently to reflect on her big day and share some insights from her experience.
Aisle of View: Describe how your hiring me was a benefit to you.
Beth: OMG, how was hiring you NOT a benefit to me! My goal was an intimate, elegant wedding. Yes, I could have quite possibly pulled one together, but not without pulling my hair out! I have very little free time and even less patience, and you streamlined everything. We told you what we were possibly looking for and you told us the best people out there who would get the job done beautifully.
Aisle of View: On a scale of 1-5 (5 being high), how stressed were you with the wedding planning or on the day of your wedding?
Beth: My stress was at a 1 during the planning, a 2 during the final month. A 4 on the day that I had to ask a coworker to fill in for me to get to the make-up fitting session with my seamstress (Mariya at La Belle Elaines is the best!) by 5 PM. The wedding day itself, not stressed at all! Now, I didn’t say I wasn’t nervous, but stressed, no way!
Aisle of View: Overall, did I meet or exceed your expectations of your wedding day vision?
Beth: You definitely exceeded them. For instance, I read my trusty little wedding book, and like a good bride, I put together a little emergency kit for any unknown needs the day of wedding. Well, little did I know that Merry Beth had THE KIT!! About the size of New Hampshire, all labeled alphabetically.
Aisle of View: If you could go back and change something, what would that be?
Beth: Gosh, I really haven’t thought about how I would change anything, really. I still would have liked to get my cats into the wedding photos. The dummies wouldn’t cooperate. What’s new?
Want to learn more about Beth and Chuck’s big day? Click here to read the wedding writeup and view featured images.
A Ring, A Date, and A Place – Now What?
It’s amazing that no sooner does a happy couple announce their intention to marry when their euphoria is put on hold with the realization that the wedding must be planned. Choices must be made. Deadlines must be met. Guest lists must be drawn up.
Without a fairy godmother – or a wedding planner – it can be a daunting task.
Weddings are a special crazy quilt kind of celebration: Two individuals meet for a very personal celebration of their very private bond, usually in a very public place with loads of people looking on. What’s more, the bride and groom are contemporary people coming together for a modern ceremony steeped in centuries-old customs.
Forget about believing that this wedding is exclusively “yours.” By asking loved ones to surround you on that day, you draw in a whole cast of characters who will have lots of opinions on how it should proceed. Yet, at the same time, you should feel empowered to make your own decisions and generally steer the ship.
Planning the wedding is certainly part of the joy of preparing for marriage. But sometimes couples just don’t have the time, the resources, or the interest to organize such an important celebration themselves and want to be spared the hassle.
The planning process can be practically worry-free with the help of a professional consultant. A consultant can save you time, worry, and stress, and help you avoid making costly mistakes. Most have extensive resources at their fingertips and are also skilled in the mechanics of party planning: choosing vendors, reviewing contracts, booking a reception site, or flying in tropical flowers in the exact shade of yellow the bride envisions. They know local price ranges for various services and how to map out a realistic budget.
Planning many weddings each year gives consultants the inside track on which local vendors are cream of the crop. A competent consultant will know the latest wedding trends, resources at different price ranges, and the florists, photographers, etc. who have proved themselves to be consistently dependable and outstanding in their fields.
Consultants can do as much or as little as you want – you choose. To find a good consultant, ask for referrals from friends. Also, caterers, florists, and photographers often work hand in hand with consultants and may be a source of honest, reliable information. (Above excerpts are from The Wedding Sourcebook Planner, Madeline Barillo)
I would consider it an honor if you took a few minutes to peruse my website. In it, you will see several recent weddings I have coordinated, read testimonials about my services, and get a feel for me and how I work. This is my 22nd year in business. I remember the first wedding I coordinated as if it were yesterday, and have grown many times over since then. I love a challenge just as much as I love tradition. Weddings are my passion. If you are a bride-to-be, call me for a complimentary consultation. If you are a vendor, please know that your brides are in good hands if you refer them to me. And if you are a previous client, it was my privilege to work with you. You are who make me good at my job!
Where do you go from here? Call me at (425) 427-2277. We have many things to discuss to get you started toward your wedding day.
Weddings In Woodinville
Six Woodinville area wineries will open their doors in lavish style on Sunday, January 30th from 11:30 to 5:00 pm for future Brides & Grooms. This is not your average wedding show. This is designed as a wine tour for couples, their family and friends to come see fully decorated venues that have been transformed, each with it’s own unique theme. Industry professionals will be on hand to answer questions at each location to help plan every element of a wedding. Guests will be chauffeured in luxury transportation between each venue and there will be food and sweets at each stop as well.
The venues include Columbia Winery, DeLille Cellars, JM Cellars, Novelty Hill Winery/Januik Winery, Russell’s Barn and Willows Lodge.
Tickets are available for sale by visiting brownpapertickets.com
I have the privilege of coordinating the Columbia Winery this year. I hope to see many of you there! Enjoy the video of last year’s event by Edit 1 Media.
Our Work
Take a moment and browse our latest work. Questions? Call Merry Beth Turpin at (425) 427-2277
