Ericka and Kevin tied the knot on a grey and drizzly April afternoon; however, the clouds outside couldn’t put a damper on the mood inside. Thanks to Cory Parris, one of Seattle’s finest, we’re able to share some of the couple’s lovely photos. We were so glad to be a part of their wedding at Newcastle Golf Club!

Oh man! I’ve been excited about blogging this wedding ever since meeting the bride for the first time. If ever there was a woman to fully embody “fanciful. offbeat. alternative” I had just met her! Tressa and John’s creative energy was totally awe-inspiring and amazing. For over 18 months we planned The Party of the Century (read: the wedding), and on October 29th we pulled it off!

The couple’s infamous Halloween bash had been a staple in their friends’ and family’s lives for 7 years, so at their annual party in 2010 John (dressed as Louis XVI) proposed to Tressa (dressed as Marie Antoinette) in front of all of their family and friends (dressed as equally crazy Halloween party-goers) via a flaming magic trick! It was then only fitting that the following year’s Halloween party HAD to be the wedding itself. Following Tressa and John’s love of all things 1980, we created a party that would make even the cast of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” jealous. From vintage 80’s arcade games, to a stellar 80’s cover band, to guests dressed in all-out 80’s costumes, the theme rang true. The fun and entertainment didn’t end there though. Guests were entertained by a duo of aerialists, a drag queen MC, and a mind-boggling magician. They were fed enough grub to sustain the entire student body of Ridgemont High. Of course the bride and groom and their wedding party couldn’t stay in formal wear for too long, we planned their own costume change mid-wedding to join the rest of the radically dressed guests. I’ll just go ahead with the photos – they’ll do better justice than my poor 80’s references.

For a complete list of all the fabulous vendors that helped make this night happen, see below!

Planning and Coordination- A Kurant Event; Photography- Barbie Hull Photography, Venue- Georgetown Ballroom; Invitation/Paper- Wyatt Ink; Bartending/Catering- Gourmondo; Onsite Pizza- Veraci; Onsite Hot Dogs- Dante’s Inferno Dogs;  Floral Design- Flora Nova; Officiant- Annemarie Juhlian; 80’s Band- Mr. Miyagi; Host/MC- Ben de la Creme; Aerial Performance- Enjoy Prodcutions; Magician- Nash Fung; Drape/Furniture Rental- Prop Gallery West; 80’s Arcade Games- Party Outfitters; Getaway Car- Barbie Dream Hearse; Desserts- Tallant House, Yellow Leaf Cupcake; Coatcheck- Coat Check Complete  (did I miss anyone???)

Special appearance by superstars such as Pewee Herman, The Three Amigos, Mr. T,  The Golden Girls, Cobra Kai, Wayne and Garth, the cast of Dynasty, Punky Brewster, Goose and Maverick…. and famed 80’s icons Tom Cruise (groom) and Madonna (bride)!

PS – to see the awesome invites created by Wyatt Ink and Barbie Hull Photography – check out Barbie’s blog http://barbiehull.com/2012/02/superrad-save-the-date/

Okay, so 2011 just blew right by, leaving us with a bit of whiplash and a TON of beautiful new event photos. We’re working on getting them all organized so we can share them with our readers, and we promise this year (a resolution, actually) that we’ll keep updating as new things come in so you don’t have to wait in anticipation for months on end (because we know you totally live for photos)!

What have we been up to lately? SO exciting: proposals, elopements, and secret ceremonies (all photos will be including in the impending onslaught, of course!) We were also featured this fall on our fave blog, the totally fabulous Style Me Pretty, so to satiate your hunger for viewing the latest and greatest of the past year, take a peek at their feature of A Kurant Event’s July wedding here!

Happy New Year, xoxo

I was approached by Tawsha of the Wedding Preview Event this spring to be a part of a never-before-done “wedding show”, not a show really, but an awesome opportunity for brides and grooms to come see what real wedding vendors look like in “real wedding action”. The concept of the show was too tempting to turn down, and along with my amazing team-mates plus two other fully stocked teams, we set to work. I’ll leave all the bragging rights and accolades to the WPE team and Sheena with Invisible Hostess for creating a fantastic show on a larger scale, but I’ve got to thank all of my team-mates for really coming together, none of us knowing exactly what we were doing, and creating an awesome vignette. I just wanted to share some great photos and thank those great people for all their help!

Our theme (thank you, team, for putting up with my crazy idea) was a “Latin-inspired Fall wedding” that I dubbed “Day of the Wed” because of the tiny Dia de los Muertos elements that I insisted on tucking here and there… and it looked a little something like this:

Big shout outs to: Latasha Haynes Photography, Paisley Petals, Wyatt Ink, Burning Cupcakes, Puget Sound DJ, Lockes on Location, Courtney Rian Jewelry, Kaarin Boyd Designs Make-up, Kaspar’s Special Events and Catering, and GreenerCab pedicab for all coming together on this! Lastly, thank you so much Jackie (of Jackie an Bender on Kiss 106) for your awesome participation and for looking so rad in that wedding dress!

(Thanks Jenny Jimenez, gorgeous photo – gorgeous couple!)

Our philosophy at A Kurant Event is to help you create a wedding that is truly unique to you as a couple. That can be zany, whimsical, rock n’ roll, or just plain sweet… but the trick is to figure out who you are as a couple!

After our initial complimentary consultation, we often send out this questionnaire to get a better feel for who YOU are and what YOU like… take a peek, it may help kick-start the brainstorming process for coming up with a blueprint for your own wedding:

Favorite TV (or movie) character?

His/Hers:

Favorite food?

His/Hers:

Guilty pleasure/biggest weakness?

His/Hers:

Three items you’d have to have on a deserted island:

His/Hers:

Dog or cat person?

His/Hers:

Favorite love song?

His/Hers:

Favorite non-love song?

His/Hers:

Silly habit you make fun of your partner for?

His/Hers:

Colors you might like for your wedding?

His/Hers:

Colors you would hate to see at a wedding?

His/Hers:

Three adjectives that describe your personal style best?

His/Hers:

Beatles or Rollings Stones?

His/Hers:

The Office or GLEE?

His/Hers:

Hulu or Cable?

His/Hers?

What’s at the top of your Netflix account?

What’s a typical Saturday night together at home?

What’s a typical Saturday night together if you’re going out?

Favorite couple’s activity?

Favorite vacation together?

What traditions do you want to include (if any at all) in your reception (toasts, first dance, bouquet toss, grand exit, etc.)?

What do you want your guests to remember most about your wedding?

What three adjectives would describe your perfect wedding?

Weddings are fabulous – and we LOVE weddings – but in order to have a wedding, one must first propose marriage. The proposal is the beginning, the starting gun, the promise of everything that is to come, and that can be intimidating! Just like your relationship (and your future wedding) you expect your proposal to be an intimate reflection you as a couple. If a planner can help coordinate the other special celebrations in life, why not use an expert’s advice in popping the question?

It’s a personal moment, absolutely, but many times the personal nature of asking that “one-word-answer” question can be a little daunting. We’re here to help you through the jitters and butterflies by spending time getting to know and (secretly) getting to know your future spouse – most importantly, getting to know what it is about your relationship that has inspired you take this next step in the first place.  Whether you’re a sucker for a sunset and great bottle of wine in the parking lot where you shared your first kiss, or if you’e jonesing to make the most of the moment by stealing off to a secluded bungalow in Bora Bora, we can help you iron out all the final details from reservations, to travel, to timing and more. All you have to do is say those four words, AND if saying them out loud is too much, we’ll help you get the point across in any number of whimsical ways that don’t require you to stutter through your pledge of love! If you’ve got NO idea where to start, we can help you figure that out and help make your proposal as unique and special as the bond you’ll be forging.

We welcome any budget and any idea; our goal is to make it go off without a hitch (and hopefully alleviate any additional stress surrounding the moment you’ve got in mind).

Laurel McConnell’s photobooth, complete with props, is always a hit!

The ever popular photobooth at weddings has expanded from the traditional black-and-white booth you can rent to the digital scene and beyond. If you’re looking for a great way to keep guests entertained or want a non-traditional approach to your guest book, a photobooth (in any form) is a great way to do that! There are several options when considering a photobooth, and the perfect place to start might be with your photographer.

Digital “self-click” booth: Many photographers these days offer an option of adding a digital self-click “photobooth” on to your wedding photography package. This usually consists of a backdrop (plain or colorful), a light set-up, and often props for guests to use. The pros when considering this style of photobooth include allowing guests to click away with unlimited poses and multiple people in group shots (more than can squeeze in to the traditional booth). Guests may also get to see their photos in an online gallery that is posted by the photographer a day or two after the wedding, offering a great way to relive the evening one photo at a time! If you’re interested in using this style of photobooth as a substitute for a guest book, include a chalkboard or whiteboard that guests can hold up with their well-wishes and it will be included in the online gallery as well.

Traditional photobooth: Though we’ve all seen them and most likely posed inside for the 4-snap photo-strip, a traditional photobooth never looses its charm. Guests can’t help but line up to get behind the tiny curtain and do a quick few poses and then anxiously await the result. This option obviously offers instant results, rather than waiting for the online gallery, but squeezing more than 2 or 3 people in a shot can be hard, and the printing time can take up to 3 minutes. The good news, the photos are a perfect visual token to leave behind for a guestbook, and the timeless strips will always be fun to revisit as your marriage carries on. This is also a great way to offer take-away favors to your guests as well. Two birds with one stone.

Video photobooth: There are a few different options under this category, but most popularly this booth offers a manned digital camera taking photos of guests (large groups and props always welcome) while at the same time streaming the shots to a big flat screen TV or projector. This gives guests the chance to laugh and gawk at other photobooth goers, often inspiring guests to go again and again. An online gallery post-wedding is most common, but often you can ask the provider if he offers instant digital prints as well to add to a guestbook or as take-home treats.

Flip-book: My FAVORITE take on the photobooth, by far, is flip-book photography! Set-up very similar to the other digital booth options, a camera manned by a photographer will take about 40 photos in 5-7 seconds, creating a short movie-like effect. The photos are then printed on the spot and put in to a small booklet as a fantastic takeaway – and ta-da, your guests have their very own flip-book animation of themselves having a blast at your wedding. Flipped Out Productions is a fantastic duo to check out if you’re in the Seattle area!

(Laura and Israel share a laugh during their vows as she promises to be his loving and faithful “husband”)

You’ve planned the party – the eating, the drinking, the dancing, and celebration – but now it’s time to devote some energy to the reason your friends and family will be coming together in the first place: your wedding ceremony. In the days of the modern ceremony, less couples are choosing to get married in a church, and of those marrying outside of a church, many are choosing to have a non-clergy person perform the ceremony. One of the pros AND cons of this is that a couple has much more influence and decision over what their ceremony should included.

Readings and vows are some of the most personal aspects of the wedding ceremony and in a non-church wedding you’re free to say whatever your heart desires. But wait, what do you want to say to your beloved in front of everybody? If you’re stuck on vows or readings, we’re here to help get the juices flowing. Here are some of our favorite poems and prose guaranteed to help you say what you mean:

Readings to be included in vows:

Roy Croft’s Love (it may be a long one, but you can always pick and choose the verses that suit you best)

I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;

I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,

And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.

Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.

You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.

You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.

EE Cummings, I Carry Your Heart With Me (some people are staunch believers that EE Cummings is overdone, but I will always love this poem for weddings, can’t help it)

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields, The Book Of Love (This song is from the album 69  Love Songs which is also a great resource for ceremony or reception music as well. I LOVE  this song and also “You’re My Only Home” for a first dance!)

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It’s full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing
But I, I love it when you read to me
And you, you can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact, that’s where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb, but
I, I love it when you sing to me, and
You, you can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It’s full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we’re all too young to know, but
I, I love it when you give me things
And you, you ought to give me wedding rings

Other possible readings to include in your ceremony:

Apache “Wedding Blessing” (this is rumored to have been made up by Hollywood for the movie Broken Arrow but is nevertheless perfect for the occasion)

Now you will feel no rain,

For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,

But there is one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,

To enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Robert Fulghum’s Union (this reading is a lovely sentiment as a reading from someone in the wedding party or from a family member, it really captures the promise you’re about to make to each other)

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

For your vows, there are just so many out there that I’m happy to point you to Indiebride.com, they’ve got an extensive list of both vows and readings that can ignite the water works or inspire a stifled chuckle – depending on what you want to represent at your ceremony 🙂

I’ll be the first to admit I’ll never be one to turn down a good bottle of wine (okay, okay, ANY bottle of wine), but in the days of modern etiquette I’m always looking for a gift to get excited about when attending parties. As I said before, wine (if your host drinks wine) is always a good ol’ standby – but as a good ol’ standby, it is likely to be found in copious amounts in the hostess’s gift pile. Why not evaluate the event you’re attending and think a little outside the box…

Dinner party? Think exotic salts or spices. I LOVE “Fleur de Sel French Sea Salt”, it is fantastic salt that goes a long way – you’ll end up using less salt and loving it more than any sea salt you’ve ever encountered before. If sodium is a concern, skip right in to the spice world with “Habanero Sugar”: it’s fantastic for rimming exotic cocktails or giving eggs, chocolate, and chicken a surprisingly sweet and spicy kick in the pants.

Housewarming? No doubt the standby of welcoming textiles such as hand towels and candle holders will be abundant here, but your host will probably appreciate the foresight of a coupon toward a house cleaning or carpet shampooing (especially if their new digs are a little dingy after hosting a party). Not in to the gift certificate thing? That’s ok! How about instead of a traditional potted house plant, go for some potted indoor herbs to brighten up a window sill?

Bon Voyage Party? Whether they’re leaving by plane, train, or automobile, you’ve got plenty to choose from! Is your hostess taking a road trip with some of her best-ies? Send her on her way with an auto detail on you. She’ll be so thankful upon return when she can restore her car to pre-trip pristine condition. Is she flying high in the sky for a number of hours en route to her destination? Being mindful of the “3.4oz or less” regulations, send her packing with a invigorating skin mister and nourishing moisturizer like Aveda’s – she’ll feel as refreshed as if she had traveled business class and as radiant as if she hadn’t just spent12 hours on the red-eye. If Amtrack is the way to travel, get her the latest guilty pleasure “crack-book” series off the shelf! She’s probably already read Twilight, but the YA series The Hunger Games or the classic romantic series Outlander will definitely keep time flying faster than a speeding bullet, and she’ll never have to admit to anyone she’s read them!

For Any and All Other Occasions (if you’re me or like me): I wouldn’t be doing anyone a favor if I left off the option of cheese! Check out your nearby organic-frou-frou store (Whole Foods, PCC, Metropolitan Market) for some local cheeses (farmstead cheeses are those made completely on premises from the cows to the curds while artisan cheeses are still handcrafted but outsource their milk, often locally). Some of my favorites of Washington: Mt. Townsend Creamery Trufflestack, Beecher’s Flagship Cheese, and Quillisacut Traditional Curado!

Well there you have it! Gift away (or treat yourself if you like what you read)!

Liquid libations, while not the life of the party, do often contribute to it, and if you’re thinking about saving money by purchasing your own alcohol for a bartender to serve or even offering a self-serve bar you are probably wondering how much of what to buy! I’m happy to offer you this guide to created a well stocked bar at your next big shindig.

Let’s start with an estimated 100 person guest count for a standard call bar open for 4 hours. (A standard call bar would be all the typical classic drinks you might be able to order in an establishment minus some of the fancier specialty drinks like blended beverages, Mojitos, or “crazy college shots”)

1 bottle Campari

7 bottles Gin

3 bottles Rum

5 bottles Scotch

2 bottles Tequilla

1 bottle Vermouth (dry)

1 bottle Vermouth (Sweet)

8 bottles Vodka

2 bottles Whiskey

** bottles of liquor are 750ml

MIXERS:

9 liters club soda

14 liters Coke

12 liters Diet Coke

7 liters Ginger-ale

8 quarts each: cranberry, orange, grapefruit juice

7 liters Sprite

7 liters Diet Sprite

1 case tonic water

This will set you up for a fully stocked standard call bar for 100 people for 4 hours; however, if you’re going to include wine and beer, I suggest reducing the amount of liquor and mixers by two thirds and planning on buying 8 cases of assorted beers, 18 bottles of red wine, and 13 bottles of white  wine. Another great resource for drink planning is this Drink Calculator from Evite 🙂

Is it always most cost effective to purchase all the alcohol for your bar? First, your caterer must be willing to serve alcohol that you purchased (preferably without a corkage fee). If they do in fact allow you to furnish all the alcohol without charging corkage fees, then be sure to shop around for discounted bulk deals for sodas, beers, and wines (and if you’re not in Washington – go to Costco for the liquor!). A word of warning: though you will pay significantly less per bottle if you purchase your own supplies, most caterers charge “on consumption” for bar packages, which means they’ll only charge you for what your guests consume (by the open bottle). This may end up saving money in the long run if you’re worried about over purchasing and being left with tons of alcohol on your hands. Conversely, this will likely eliminate the possibility of running out of liquor if your guests end up imbibing more than you expected. Just food for thought…

Remember that Washington State requires that a banquet permit must be purchased and displayed at any private event where alcohol is being served (you can pick this up for $10 at any state liquor store).

Always celebrate responsibly!!!