Wish Upon A Wedding: Blissful Wishes Ball - Making a World of Difference

Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. Less than one year old, the organization has 16 active chapters, and will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010.

During the month of November, they are hosting several fund raising galas and auctions throughout the country, and would like to invite you to participate.

Whether you are a bride or groom to be, a wedding industry professional, or you simply love the concept behind their mission...YOU can help make Wedding Wishes come true, while raising crucial funding needed to sustain this wonderful, new nonprofit organization.

Here's How:

Attend The Blissful Wishes Ball coming to a city near you!

A Gala Celebration to Benefit Wish Upon a Wedding

Atlanta November 21

Chicago November 1

Los Angeles November 4

San Francisco November 10

Houston November 11

Charlotte November 12

Orlando November 14

St. Louis November 14

Baltimore November 17

Portland November 18

The Blissful Wishes Ball is a festive way to support Wish Upon a Wedding. Enjoy a nice night out on the town with an elegant dinner, entertainment, music, dancing, and incredible auction items.

Buy your tickets today!

Can't make one of the fabulous Blissful Wedding Balls? There's another way you can help! Tell your clients, family, friends and collegues about the wonderful auction items that can be had at on Wish Upon A Wedding's through Wish Upon A Weddings Online Auction!

Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss

Online and Live auctions for a Worthwhile Cause

For the first time in history, couples getting married can plan their entire wedding from virtually any city in the United States, knowing that every penny they spend will go directly towards helping a couple in need. It's so EASY to bid. Find everything from invitations to flowers, catering to DJs, photography to wedding planners, honeymoons and more.

Simply visit their online auction site here to choose from hundreds of items from the industry's best vendors. Even if you are not getting married, check it out for other exciting items, such as dinners in top-rated restaurants, entertainment, sporting events and popular autographed memorabilia. Every cent earned goes towards Wish Upon a Wedding and their mission to provide these heartfelt Wedding Wishes.

About Wish Upon a Wedding

Founded in January of 2010 by CA wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, Wish Upon a Wedding was created to help couples who did not have the time, money, resources or strength to plan a wedding on their own, because of terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. The organization now celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. It is their goal that chosen recipients can inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength, while raising awareness for terminal illness.

Growing up with a sister who was deaf since birth, and raised by parents who ran a board and care home for people facing numerous disabilities and life hardships, Liz learned early on to value the many blessings in life, and the importance of helping others. Volunteering throughout her life for a variety of nonprofit organizations, Liz was looking for a way to combine weddings and community service.

After producing the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway in 2009, a contest in which only one couple would be granted a dream wedding, Liz came up with a way to merge her two passions. While going through the process of giving the wedding "prize" to a woman suffering from stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Liz created Wish Upon a Wedding. Overnight, Liz decided to change wedding history, and the way we give, by launching a nonprofit organization that was totally unique and had never existed before.

Supported by industry leaders such as Sasha Souza, David Beahm, Stella Inserra, Jenny Orsini, Kevin Covey, Stacie Francombe, Sylvia Weinstock, Steve Kemble, Mindy Weiss, Mary Dann, and Ivy Robinson (to name just a few), the organization has experienced rapid growth and seen voracious acceptance throughout the country.

To date, eight couples have benefited from the generous work of Wish Upon a Wedding. Over 4,000 volunteers have signed up to become Wish Granters. Their facebook page has attracted over 10,000 fans. None of this would be possible without public support.

In Loving Memory of Wish Recipients who have Passed On

Dani and Tony married in St Louis on September 1. She passed away September 30th. Dani had suffered from Cystic Fibrosis since age 3, and had recently received a double lung transplant.

Florence and Micheal married near Sacramento on March 13. She passed away on September 28. Florence battled stage IV breast cancer, and was diagnosed with six months to live at the time of her wedding.

Shelly and Jay married in Seattle on May 2. Shelly passed away three weeks later. She had been battling a rare type of cancerous lymphoma, and Jay suffered from Multiple Sclerosis.

Please help Wish Upon a Wedding continue to do great things.

And help them spread the word, by sharing this article with your friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances.

You CAN make a difference in someone's life today!

Attend a Gala or Donate to or bid in the auctions

Location Love: El Paseo Restaurant, Santa Barbara, CA

I had the pleasure of working with the historic and world famous El Paseo Restaurant this past weekend for a client's wedding. This place is incredible and I forgot how magical this location can be for weddings and events.

El Paseo Restaurant is under new management/ownership (Paul Jakubowski and John Scott co-owners) and has an incredible new chef, Alex Castillo. The food is superb and the service that my clients received were top notch. Guests were raving how accommodating and genuinely nice Paul's staff were throughout the event. Paul, who is also the general manager, has transformed El Paseo Restaurant to its original glory (cuisine and service) and re-establishing it as the place to be in Santa Barbara.

El Paseo Restaurant is set in a Hacienda style courtyard that has a retractable roof, balcony's, and central fountain. The tables and booths are set around the courtyard. There is a large bar area that can accommodate the cocktail hour and the restaurant itself can easily seat 150 people. They have kept the styling true to it's original roots and it really makes this location a gem in Santa Barbara.

El Paseo Restaurant then

El Paseo Restaurant now

If you are looking for a fabulous location, with incredible food, service, and pricing consider El Paseo Restaurant. It truly is a magical place and your guests will leave having a wonderful experience!

El Paseo Restaurant is located at 10 El Paseo (between Anacapa and State at De La Guerra), Santa Barbara, CA (805) 962-6050

Santa Barbara's Zoofari Ball on Marie Manvel's Block by Block

I had the pleasure of being part of the fabulous committee that put on Santa Barbara Zoo's Zoofari Ball this year. This year's theme was Hot! Hot! Hot! Carnaval! which had a beautiful Rio Carnaval feel to the event. Lisa Carter and her team at Behind The Scenes designed a vibrant event that captivated the feel of Rio! Over 600 people were in attendance and raised much needed funds for Santa Barbara Zoo's educational programs. It's the wildest fundraiser in Santa Barbara and the most fun. Mark your calendars for Zoofari XXVI!

Here's a clip from Marie Manvel's local show Block by Block on KEYT (ABC affiliate) covering Zoofari Ball XXVI Hot! Hot! Hot! Carnaval! Held on August 28, 2010.

Zoofari final from Marie Manvel on Vimeo.

TIPsy Tuesday: Disposable Chic

Don't tell Bardolet & Co., makers of TAST, that disposable plates and glasses can't be chic! Far gone are the Dixie plates with floral edging and Solo plastic cups in red and blue. Bardolet & Co. has revolutionized what disposable plates and glasses should look like.

They have taken what's hot in event ware and has come up with disposable elements for caterers. I don't know how green they are...but how much cooler would your house party look with these elements!

TAST is very stylized and very much couture ware inspired. For any type of lower budget events, this could be just what caters are looking for...adding some panache to the drab choices in disposable products. I especially love the disposable shot glasses and the appetizer and dip plates.

If you are looking for something to spice up your next backyard BBQ, you might want to look at TAST by Bardolet & Co. When you first go to their website it will all be in Spanish, but once you click on the TAST logo you will have the option for different languages. Have fun exploring the latest in throwaway china.

-Percy

Photos from Bardolet & Co.

Wacky Wednesday: The Best Bridal Soiree is Coming (Repost)

The best Bridal Soiree is coming to Southern California on April 26, 2009. The second of six events put on by Souly Wedding Vendors will be held at Cafe Firenze, restaurant of Top Chef 5 contestant and uber chef Fabio Viviani.

Souly Wedding Vendors, the brain child of SoulMates Bridal Boutique, is a creative circle of Southern California wedding vendors committed to the same level of service and professionalism. Every other month at a new and exciting location, Souly Wedding Vendors host a themed party for engaged couples, at no cost to them. This gives the clients the opportunity to meet, mix, and mingle with Souly Wedding Vendors in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Official Hosts for Souly Wedding Vendors April 26, 2009 Event:

Fabio Viviani and Cafe Firenze
Mr. Loki Productions
Percy Sales Events
Your Image Botanical Designs

Invitation for engaged couples for the April 26th, 2009 event:

Fabio Viviani of Café Firenze

& Souly Wedding Vendors

invites you & your fidanzato to

That’s Amoré

Café Firenze

563 West Los Angeles Avenue

Moorpark, CA 93021

Sunday, April 26, 2009

10am – 2pm

Come for delicious food, fabulous drinks, & meet the best wedding vendors in Southern California

Free Admission~ Free Gift Bags~ Free Raffle Giveaways

R.S.V.P to Wendy @ 805-630-9868 or wendy@cafefirenze.net

Hope to see you future brides and grooms there! A full list of Souly Weddings Vendors who will be in attendance will be posted on a later date. For a full list of all approved Souly Wedding Vendors, please email me.

-Percy

Photo of Fabio from Bravo

The Big 4-0 is Just Around the Corner

My 40th is just around the corner...well in March actually and I am trying to figure out what to do. I am torn between going to Paris/Prague with my family for a week and throwing a big 80s bash at some dilapidated warehouse and turning it to say something like The Palladium, DV8, The Limelight, Das Klub, Noh Club or Paradise Garage...throwing myself a Super Sweet 40th Party. I've even joked that it would be funny for my husband to surprise me with a mini-van rather than a luxury car.

Paris and Prague would be super fun, but with the economy being down, I think I would spend a lot more than throwing a party that my family and friends can come to. Paris and Prague will always be there...I keep telling myself.

I would really love to recreate the club scene of my youth and having people experience the sights and sounds that defined my "clubbing" days. Box dancers, cigar girls, thumping 80s modern rock and old school hip hop, and maybe even some impersonators doing impressions of my favorite singers of the time, such as Pete Burns and Boy George...did you hear that Kim Goodwin! I would really love to have my most favorite DJ ever, Paige Hodel, DJ the event and give it that Box vibe that I miss. The Box was my favorite funk, hip hop, gay and lesbian club in San Francisco...I was there every Thursday night sweatin' (literally) to Paige's ultra great sounds. Is it bad to go back to your hey day?

So I am torn on what to do. I know I can never get back the actual club scene I loved, but it sure would be fun trying to recreate it and mixing it all together. Paris and Prague has pluses because I just have to explore the city and J'aime Paris, but with a 4-year old in tow it would be less romantic than I have it envisioned in my head.

So sound in and tell me what you think I should do!

-Percy

Photo archive from The Palladium, NYC

Location Location Location - Casa Barranca in Ojai, CA

I'm giving props to a local estate and vacation rental in my hometown of Ojai, California. This 54 acre craftsman home nestled in the hills of the Ojai Valley is probably one of my favorite rental homes ever! It's called Casa Barranca.

Casa Barranca is surrounded with lush landscaping, incredible views and is the perfect backdrop for a wedding or event. It offers so many options for your event and guests. Additionally, the jaw dropping architecture and furnishings are sure to amaze. If you are staying in the home, you will be pampered not only by the staff but by the location. Talk about a time to relax!

The main house is called the Pratt House and "Architectural Digest notes that in the grace of the Pratt House "...the sun translates the Greenes' structural poetry into ever-shifting patterns of light against polished wood. At night... the silhouette of live oaks is framed against the Milky Way. A closer approximation to Shangri-La is hard to imagine."

Additionally, Casa Barranca also has their own organic vineyard and their wines are fabulous! Accoridng to the Casa Barranca Organic Wine Website, "Our boutique wines are handcrafted in our century old underground stone winery where we use gravity to rack our wines. We are committed to employing winemaking practices without the use of toxic solvents and cleaners. Our winery is powered by solar electricity and we grow and purchase grapes that are farmed without the use of any pesticides or herbicides. This is in keeping with the most time honored traditions of old world winemaking."

Visit the Casa Barranca Website for a virtual tour of the house. If you are interested in checking out this home and other retreat homes in the Ojai Valley, contact Judy Gabriel with Retreats of Ojai and she will be happy to show you what great estates and retreats Ojai has to offer.

-Percy

Photo from Casa Barranca

Bridal Show of All Bridal Shows this Monday 9/22 in Los Angeles

If there is one bridal show you must attend this year, it's The Wedding Salon Wedding Showcase. It's being held this Monday, September 22, 2008 from 4pm - 9pm at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

The cost of the is $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site.

Hope to see you Southern California Brides there!

-Percy

The Wedding Salon Event - 9/22/08 Los Angeles

Hey, you Southern California Brides and Grooms...the best of the best wedding shows is just around the corner and it is coming to Los Angeles!

The Wedding Salon, put on by 4Pm Events, is going to be the must attend luxury wedding showcase of the year. You will get to see the latest products and experience the exceptional services that caters to the sophisticated bride and groom, and maybe you will bump into me...yes I will be checking out all the goings on as well! You will be able to meet with finest companies to plan your wedding as well as experience the spectacular displays of wedding fineries including cakes, gowns, and floral arrangements.

The cost of the event is a mere $50/for two people, a drop in the bucket for everything you get and the people you will meet. I'm sure that their goody bags alone will be worth the price! For a list of vendors for the LA show, please visit The Wedding Salon site (the list will continue to grow as the date comes closer). The LA Show will take place on Monday, September 22, 2008 at the Beverly Hills Hotel from 4pm - 9pm. If you are not in the LA area, here is a list of upcoming Wedding Salon shows coming to a city near you.

Wednesday October 22, 2008
New York, NY
Show hours: 4pm - 9pm
Venue: TBD
Address: New York, NY

Monday November 10, 2008
Miami, FL
Show hours: From 4pm -9pm
Venue: The Biltmore Hotel
Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Miami, FL 33134

Have a grand day exploring all the best for your upcoming nuptials. Register today!

-Percy

Logo from The Wedding Salon

Cupcake Couture

If these cupcakes taste as good as they look, then I have found heaven! We have all see sculpted cakes before, but cupcakes...yum...bite size masterpieces that you can hold in one hand. Cupcake Envy has me drooling.

I first saw this on Sasha Souza's Sparkliatti Blog Site and instantly was amazed, just as I am sure you are at this moment.

Cupcake Envy specializes in mini cakes including cupcakes and duh...miniature cakes and can customize each of them to whatever you want. It's the perfect edible accessory to a fabulous event. Even though they are located in North Carolina, Cupcake Envy will ship anywhere...which is a big plus. Looks like I know where my 40th birthday cupcakes are coming from...can I wait until March '09 for one of these creations?

Visit the Cupcake Envy Website and discover the unlimited possibilities. Looks like dreams really do come true! See additional photos of their creations on their Flickr site.

-Percy

Photos from Cupcake Envy

It's Not a Bird. It's Not a Plane...

It's a Flogo! I am absolutely in love with this product. Flogos are perfect for any event especially weddings where you can release them as part of the ceremony.

I first saw these on Good Morning America and they were described as floating clouds. What I see is a new way to wow your guests. Flogos as described by the company that makes them, "Are synthesized from proprietary surfactant (soap) based foam formulations and lighter than air gases such as helium." The company can design almost any type of Flogos you would like. They can also be made in three different sizes, 24", 36", 48" and Flogos are "designed to last for as long as their visual impact is needed. Specific formulations are available to provide a life expectancy of a few minutes to an hour or so. This also greatly depends on atmospheric conditions such as wind direction and speed."

Flogos are 100% green and environmentally safe. The Flogos machine can generate about one Flogo about every 15 seconds, it is suggested that you do two machines to get a bigger impact. The Flogo art department can develop you a custom Flogo in about 10 days. It is suggested that if you have a more complex logo to work with that you might want to consider the 48" Flogo.

When released these Flogos look like clouds floating in the sky, but the great thing is you do not have to pretend a cloud looks like something, because in reality...these floating clouds are exactly what they are suppose to be. For more information or to view a demo video of the Flogos, please visit the Flogos Website or go to the following YouTube Video. I can't wait to use this for my next event!

-Percy

Photo from Flogos

Back and Legally Married!

Well you have been probably wondering why I haven't blogged since last Friday. Well I have been in the midst of planning my wedding, as well as clients, who are getting married on June 21st. I had guests arrive on Sunday and have been entertaining as well.

As of June 17, 2008 at 10:00am (well a few minutes after), my partner, Ross, and I were legally married in the State of California, well actually we got our license around 8am, but the Mayor of Santa Barbara, Marty Blum, officially signed the document and sealed our legal marriage just after 10.

We were married in the Santa Barbara Courthouse Bell Tower that has amazing 360 degree views of the City of Santa Barbara. Along with about 30 friends and family and a slew of media, we said our vows to one another and made it official. There was so much emotion in the bell tower that it's hard to explain the feeling, except for extreme Joy.

We would like to thank Mama's Voices, a local gospel choir, for singing at our ceremony, they sang "Oh Happy Day" as we were pronounced husband and husband and released balloons from the bell tower. Thank you also to Christine Dahl for providing a beautiful wedding cake, our friends who hosted our wonderful and yummy luncheon reception at their home, and our family and friends for supporting our 16-year relationship and for being part of this historical day.

We had our commitment ceremony in 2005 and thought that this would just be a topper to that, but I have to tell you, it was just as fun and emotional. So as I continue to bask in marital bliss, I will end my blog for today on my own wedding.

If you would like to see some coverage of our historic wedding day, please visit the links below (make sure to watch the videos too):

KEYT Channel 3 Santa Barbara (June 16, 2008)
KEYT Channel 3 Santa Barbara (June 17, 2008)
KSBY Channel 6 Santa Barbara (June 17, 2008)
MSNBC (June 17, 2008)
Santa Barbara Independent (June 19, 2008)

-Percy

Photo by Cesar Juarez

Holy Costume Party Batman!

The annual Costume Institute Gala at The Met in NYC is definitely one of the best red carpet events of the year. This year the Costume Institutes' exhibit is titled: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. The lucky invitees to the annual gala, held on May 7, 2008, sure had a great time dressing up for the event, some in their best superhero couture.

I have to say that my favorite "wonder woman" of the evening was Christina Ricci...in this breathtaking, sexy, and stunning Givenchy (pronounced gee-von-she) gown. Givenchy has taken the required female superhero bathing suit and graciously draped it with silk organza creating a peek-a-boo effect. The red with pale pink is just gorgeous. I think this dress really captured the evening's theme as well as highlighted the institutes' exhibit.

For more information regarding The Met's Costume Institutes' Exhibit please visit Coutorture http://www.coutorture.com/1605020, for highlights to the exhibit or The Met's page at http://www.metmuseum.org/special/index.asp for information regarding the exhibit.

I hope if you live in the NYC area or are planning on traveling there in the near future, that you will take the opportunity to see this spectacular exhibit.

Take note ladies, don't be afraid to be bold or use color. The wackiest ideas may turn out to be the most brilliant.

-Percy

Photo from Wire Image

Quinceañera at Disneyland

I was at Disneyland the last couple of days...thus the lack of blogs on my site. As I am always looking for "event" related material, even when I am on vacation, I just happened to stumble upon a huge Quinceañera celebration at "the happiest place on earth." Apparently, the Latina version of Oprah, Cristina, was holding a mass Quinceañera celebration for a few lucky girls. Here's a site link, but it's all in Spanish, http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/es_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=QuinceaneraSpecialEventPage

They had Sleeping Beauty's Castle all decked out for the event on Thursday, April 24, 2008. The shin dig including a huge red carpet ceremony (actually it was lavender), for the introduction of these 15-year old girls into "society." Latin media was everywhere covering the event and interviewing the ladies. I never got to see the event, but realized as I anticipated the nightly Disneyland fireworks extravaganza from my hotel balcony, that the Quinceañera event took its place, a little disappointed, but I think the experience for the 15 lucky girls is definitely something they will always remember. It is "The Year of a Million Dreams" at Disneyland, so I guess these girls dreams were fulfilled.

Sponsors of the event included dresses from David's Bridal, transportation from Southwest Airlines, computers from Hewlett Packard, cameras from Kodak and a stay at the Disneyland Resort.

-Percy

Photo from Disneyland.com

Ojai Wedding Fair at the Acacia Mansion

Anyone planning a wedding in Ojai, California or surrounding area should stop by the Acacia Mansion Wedding Fair on Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Meet local vendors, including me, at the beautiful Acacia Mansion, located at 205 South Lomita Avenue, Ojai, CA, 93023. The event is free.

Explore the romantic possibilities amidst Ojai’s newest wedding destination and experience a world of beauty and luxury within this historic Spanish estate. Take a rare opportunity to tour a one-of-a-kind estate in full wedding attire and meet a select group of wedding professionals, while enjoying some delicious food samplings.

The Acacia Mansion can accommodate groups from 2-100 and offers a wonderful venue to host your ceremony, reception or both. For more information regarding the Acacia Mansion, please visit their website at http://www.acaciamansion.com/. I hope to see you there.

-Percy

Photo by Acacia Mansion