Icon Bride: Elizabeth Taylor

In memoriam of Elizabeth Taylor's passing (February 27, 1932 - March 23, 2011) I thought I would re-start my Icon Bride postings with one on Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor the iconic movie star and philanthropist sure had a knack for making a memorable moment even more so! On her first marriage to Richard Burton held at the Ritz Carlton in Montreal, Canada on March 15, 1964. The wedding was attended only by nine people. The gorgeous movie star and now bride opted for a nontraditional wedding gown in daffodil yellow. The knee length empire-style chiffon gown, designed by academy award winning designer Irene Sharaff, was a defining moment for the 60s bride. Her hair adorned with lilies of the valley and white hyacinth made a bold impact. Known for her jewelry, the newly married Mrs. Burton, topped off her wedding look with a diamond and emerald brooch given to her by her husband.

In modernizing this iconic bride, this is how I see the Elizabeth Taylor bride of today.

Gown by Aire Barcelona (Style: Bohemia 147): This beautiful silk organza empire-waist gown is simple and not too fussy, just like the gown that Ms. Taylor wore on her wedding day. When paired with this beautiful lace embroidered sleeveless jacket it transforms the gown to a vintage feel for the ceremony. After the ceremony the jacket can be removed to modernize the gown for the reception.

The complete the modern Elizabeth Taylor Wedding Look, I suggest using these details!

Vintage Look Floral Headband: This wonderful head piece will add the flowers and the sparkle to your wedding coif and make a bold statement.

Crystal Encrusted Shoes: These Benjamin Adams Charlize Shoes is a great throw back to Ms. Taylor since she loved WHITE DIAMONDS!

Bouquet of Daffodils is a perfect accessory and a perfect shout out to the color of the gown that she wore and the bouquet that she carried on the blissful day in 1964.

The Emerald and Diamond Ring would make a perfect statement piece for your wedding day if not for the rest of your life. Why not use it as your wedding ring! It's also a great way to add a nod to the brooch that Ms. Taylor had on her wedding day.

Hopefully this brings out your inner movie star!

RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor!

Creative Ceremony Entrance

Don't have to say much. This was such a creative way to celebrate their wedding. I'm not sure all churches would approve of this, but it was awesome none the less. Weddings should always be this joyous. It had me in tears. After seeing this I wonder what the rest of their wedding was like...especially the reception. I am sure they were dancing all night!

Would any of my clients like to do this? Just let me know.

Great song too - Forever (unfortunately it's sung by Chris Brown)

Enjoy.

-Percy

Video from YouTube

TIPsy Tuesday: Affordable Receptions

The wedding reception is what guests look forward to most...celebrating with the bride and groom on their happy day. We enjoy the meals, the drinks, the cake, the dancing, and the joy of it all. This past weekend, I heard from a friend about a relative's reception that really surprised them so much that they were speechless by the time they left. It must have been a real great event!

Following a wonderful beach ceremony, the couple had a lavish reception at a posh restaurant, one of the more expensive restaurants in the area, with 70 invited guests in attendance. The guests ordered off the menu, not a prix fixed menu, they had an open bar, champagne, choice of dessert, and of course wedding cake. A jazz trio played nicely in a corner of the restaurant. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? People were having a great time. My friends thought, wow, they must have saved up to have such a great reception, because the couple really did not have careers.

Just as guests were being treated to dessert, the mother of the groom and some other family members went around greeting guests and delivering a special message to them from the bride and groom. The message was, "Thank you for coming, the meal will cost you $100.00 each and we would be appreciative if you can help pay for the bride and grooms' meal as well." WHAT...THE HORROR! I guess the bride and groom got the bill and the family divided it by the number of people there, the bill was nearly $7000 with tax and gratuities. At first my friends thought it was a joke (since they are relatives), but when they started laughing the mother of the groom looked at them and said, "If you need an ATM machine that there was one across the street at the bank." They looked around the room and saw the same sort of shock on the other guest's face, while the bride and groom smiled and ate their dessert. This was a pay your own wedding reception, which the bride and groom hesitated to put on their wedding invitations. The guests were all stunned and the family scrambled to get enough money to pay the bill.

Here's the tip. If you cannot afford to have a wedding reception that you can pay for, DON'T HAVE ONE. If you have limited funds to celebrate your nuptials, than be creative and do it small. Instead of having a lavish reception you can have a dessert reception at a relative's home, cake and punch at the ceremony location, a home cooked BBQ in the backyard, or an organized a potluck dinner with family and friends. This can just be as joyous as an over-the-top-reception. It's what you make of it and how you choose to celebrate.

Regardless of your financial situation, don't ever invite people to a reception and then ask them to pay for their meal, without disclosing that fact first. I mean I have heard about cash bars at a reception (I highly discourage my clients to do this), but never a cash meal (would never fathom the idea). It's just down right tacky. Throw a reception that you can afford or don't have one at all.

-Percy

Photo from Personality Budgeting

Farewell Friday: RIP Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

Yesterday, June 25, 2009, the world lost two pop icons, Farrah Fawcett (expected) and Michael Jackson (unexpected). Both contributed to the lives of many, Michael with his music and Farrah with her smile and passion for life. I grew up with both of them. I watched Charlies Angels religiously and loved Farrah's, Jill Monroe, character best. Additionally, my passion for dance is attributed to the man and the music, Michael Jackson. Both will be missed but never forgotten.

It's funny, someone said yesterday that they now know what their parents felt like when Elvis died. For some of us we saw Michael Jackson grow up, become a superstar, and went on the roller coaster ride that was Michael Jackson, but his music played such a role in life and is definitely part of my life's soundtrack. I am also saddened for Ryan O'Neal who did not get the chance to marry his lifelong partner. Farrah finally agreed to marry Ryan, but that part was never fulfilled for the couple.

RIP Farrah (1947-2009 and Michael (1958-2009).

-Percy

Photos from the Internet, top photo from Access Hollywood

Icon Bride: Marilyn Monroe

Norma Jeane Baker better known as Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate sex symbol. She was married three times, the first as Norma Jeane to James Dougherty in 1942, the second as Marilyn Monroe to baseball great Joe DiMaggio in 1954, and finally to playwright Arthur Miller in 1956. For the purposes of my "Icon Bride" blog, I am focusing on her final wedding to Arthur Miller.

Marilyn and Arthur met in 1950 and married in a hushed civil ceremony in a White Plains, New York on 6/29/1956. Two days later, 6/1/1956, they were married in a Jewish ceremony at the home of Miller's agent. Raised Catholic, Marilyn converted to Judaism before marrying Miller. The reception was attended by 25 of their close friends and family.

On January 24, 1961, the couple traveled to Mexico and got divorced, but this bride will remain an icon forever.

In updating Marilyn Monroe's wedding look to Arthur Miller, this is what I would vision this bride to look like today...sexy, simple, with a little pizzazz!

Clockwise from top left: Floral Chuppah: Thomas Noel, Event Design Incorporated, NY; Gown: Alvina Valenta; Shoes (Reminiscent of the Hot Pink Gown in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes): Manolo Blahnik; Cake: Christine Dahl Pastries, Santa Barbara.

I hope this inspires your inner sex symbol.

-Percy

Photo of Miller/Monroe wedding from Milton's Marilyn

Icon Bride: Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Beaulieu shattered the hearts of thousands of girls when she married Elvis Presley. Priscilla married Elvis in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967. The marriage took place at the Aladdin Hotel in the Milton Prell's suite. The ceremony was short, attended only by close family and friends, lasted 8 minutes. The ceremony was followed by a breakfast reception with 100 guests.

Priscilla wore a floor length tunic style gown that she designed herself. It was made out of silk chiffon with a beaded yoke which was trimmed in seed pearls. The whole ensemble was topped off with a veil and a rhinestone tiara.

According to reports, Priscilla and Elvis' first dance was to, Love Me Tender. The couple honeymooned in Palm Springs. Priscilla was 21 and Elvis 32 when they got married.

The marriage only last for 6 years, but this bride's iconic look will always live in history.

The following is what my Priscilla Presley bride would look like today, simple with a little rebellious streak.

Gown: La Spose di Gio; Tiara Comb: Sparkly Crystal; Shoes: RSVP; Wedding Location: Las Vegas.

I hope this gets you All Shook Up.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites. Shoes from Zappos.

Tipsy Tuesday: 2009 Wedding Pledge

Earlier this year BrideTide put out a call to wedding professionals who blog and asked them to highlight an unsung hero in the wedding industry or has ties to the wedding industry. They asked us to take a wedding pledge and to write a simple blog to be posted on April 21st abut someone in the wedding industry that we admire. These individuals should inspire us by doing what they love but also by what they do to impact their community either locally, nationally or internationally.

Therefore, today, April 21, 2009 my wedding pledge is to honor DeAnna Cochran Jewelry.

DeAnna Cochran inspires me to be the best that I can be. The story of how she began her company is compelling, how she does business is inspiring, and what she does to give back to the community is truly uplifting. She makes me look at how my business can sustain my life and make an impact in the community I belong to or organizations I believe in. I love her work, her passion, and her dedication and her art pieces are definitely "Jewelry for a Cause!"

I know DeAnna is not a wedding industry professional per se, but her jewelry has provided pleasure to brides, grooms, and vendors. Select pieces from her line is definitely wedding focused. I have highlighted her work several times in my blog, not only because she is a personal friend and past bride, but also because I love her work and know that my clients and readers will think her pieces would be a great addition to their wedding.

If you are looking for wedding inspiration or gifts that are truly given with heart, you can choose pieces such as the Leave It To Love Brooch that becomes an heirloom boutonniere for the groom. The Noah's Heart Cuff can become a special gift to the bridesmaids and the Jackson's Leaf Cufflinks is the perfect thank-you to the groomsmen. Additionally, you can purchase the Anthony's Wish Ring as a memento to your beach wedding. Plus the great thing about buying pieces from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry is that with every purchase a percentage of what you pay will be given back to such organization as MEND, Koinonia Family Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas, and Room to Dream Foundation. DeAnna Cochran Jewelry will also consider making special pieces for your wedding party and you can designate where the percentage of the sales goes.

Therefore, for my 2009 Wedding Pledge I applaud and thank DeAnna for giving back to so many and for designing Jewelry with Heart and for a Cause!

-Percy

Photos from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry; 2009 Wedding Pledge Logo from BrideTide

TIPsy Tuesday: What Would I Change About My Wedding?

Every month, I am going to be featuring a question to people on both my Facebook and Twitter accounts that relates to weddings or events. Once I have gathered some answers, I will post it on my blog.

April's question is, "What is the one thing you would change about your wedding day?"

Here are some of the responses I received:

I would do away with the dog-n-pony show and make the wedding smaller and more intimate. I would save the money to feed distant relatives who we'll never see again and use it on more high end touches for a smaller group such as an extra romantic location/flowers/food/photos, that would bring more joy to the couple themselves than to just "show off" and "please" the crowd." - Kelly, Fremont, CA

Not invited so many people to the reception. The best thing we did was only inviting close family to our wedding ceremony, that was about 20 people. Our reception was about 100 people that took place right after our ceremony. Having less people at the ceremony made the moment very special to us. - Salvador, Dublin, CA

As a wedding planner, I should have hired a day of coordinator, so I didn't have to worry about managing vendors, set-up, and clean-up myself...allowing me to enjoy more. Don't get me wrong I had a blast at my wedding, it would have been nice to not have to worry about all the "day of" details myself. The other thing I would have done differently is taken the time to eat. I did not even get to eat my wedding meal because we were talking to so many people, we had 170 guests, and I never got to eat our delicious food, maybe I got two bites. Eating is one thing that I make sure happens for for all my clients. I would have also hired a videographer, because I hardly remembered the evening, except for how fun it was. - Percy, Ojai, CA

I would have probably spent less on the things that didn't matter as much and more on the things that do - and what's important is different for every bride/groom. For me, it was the location/venue for the ceremony, reception area, and the photographer. In retrospect, I feel like we did most everything we wanted to do within our budget, but I think that spending less and saving the money for the stuff that counts...like putting a down payment on a house and getting our new life started together might have been a better investment! A big party is a good way to get you in debt. - Clarissa, San Diego, CA

We got married at the Justice o' the Peace in New York City. Just the two of us and one witness. I think people need to focus on who they want at their wedding and not how much they want to spend. Any time I hear about someones wedding, it's always they should have made it smaller, not bigger. Have a small wedding and get a great photographer and videographer. You will see more of your wedding in the photos and videos than you ever will at the event. They will last a lifetime. - Darrin, Pollock Pines, CA

Who I married! - Lynnette, San Francsico, CA

Make it smaller and less "traditional" (no cake which i don't like, typical music, etc...) - Jules, Wilsonville, OR

It would have been less traditional, and I would have not worried so much about the food and spending lots of money on top shelf alcohol. - Lilia, San Francisco, CA

I wouldn't have changed anything. We decided that the whole goal was to wake up single, and go to bed married. That took a ton of pressure off, and we didn't "sweat the small stuff" as it were. If anything, I wished the day had lasted longer! It was magical. - Kristin, Santa Barbara, CA

I'm actually pretty happy with how ours turned out. It was exactly what we wanted, where we wanted, and it was just a big party—fun for us and for the guests. I do wish I got more of my dinner though. And I heard the dessert that was served before the cake was amazing (never got it). - Maureen, Santa Clarita, CA

Not a thing. Maybe that Bret didn't get so sunburned. Other than that not a thing. Everything people say, "don't spend so much, don't invite a zillion people, etc." well we did that. It works. We didn't even hire a photographer and we have the most beautiful and candid wedding pictures I've ever seen. - Carl, Santa Barbara, CA

Our wedding was very low budget - I wouldn't change that, we were poor at the time. But we couldn't afford a photographer so I'd change that. - Nancy, Ft. Worth, TX

This may sound odd, but adding a dancefloor. - Tim, San Francisco, CA

First I wish i hadn't, secondly, I wish I had more cake, expensive cake for just one bite! - Angela, Monterey, CA

Don't ask me why, but we chose not to hire a videographer for our wedding. We had a beautiful garden wedding in Cambria, and our ceremony had sweet moments that I wish were captured on film. - Kathy, Dallas, TX

I wouldn't change a thing, except for hire a videographer. I should have listened to my wedding planners suggestion on that. - Leslie, Englewood, NJ

I hope this helps couples who are in the midst of planning your own great event. If you are married and have anything else to add, please make a comment. Your suggestions and thoughts are appreciated and a great way to advise others.

-Percy

Photo from Cake Wrecks, hopefully that cake is one thing that bride would have done differently.

Icon Bride: Grace Kelly

A new feature starting this week...Icon Bride. If there is a certain bride you think should be featured, let me know. I hope you enjoy it. The first to be featured is Princess Grace (Grace Kelly).

Princess Grace was such a regal bride. Married to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 18, 1956, Princess Grace, known then as Grace Kelly, was the epitome of the Princess Bride. Grace was always known for her sense of style, but no one could have expected how ravishing the actress turned princess would look like on her wedding day.

Princess Grace's wedding gown was designed by Helen Rose, a costume designer who worked at MGM studios and who had dressed Grace Kelly in two movies. According to Grace Kelly Online, the Helen Rose designed dress, "consisted of a rounded collar, full skirt of ivory peau de soie, and a fitted bodice made from Brussels lace embroidered with seed pearls. The lace was over a century old and had flower designs in it. 25 yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net were used in the construction of the dress. Under her wedding gown, Grace's petticoats had tiny blue satin bows."

The gown, the woman, the event was memorable to all who witnessed it and the iconic dress has been imitated for many years. In updating this iconic bride here is how I see the Princess Grace of today.

(click photo to enlarge)

The Elements: Heather Gown - White Chocolate Label by Scott Corridan; Tiffany Drop Earrings - Tiffany & Co.; Feathered head piece (no. 38) - ban.do; Elizabeth Beaded Clutch - The Shop @ Percy Sales Events; Stuart Weitzman Springfling Wedding Shoes - The Shop @ Percy Sales Events.

Hope this inspires your inner princess.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites except for Heather Gown picture found at InStyle Weddings

Fantastic Friday: Iowa Greenlights Same-Sex Marriages

Fantastic news this morning. Iowa has become the third state to say yes to same-sex marriages and marriage equality. In a unanimous vote the Iowa Courts stated that the ban on same-sex marriages violated the States equal protection clause in it's constitution.

If the old political saying, " So Goes Iowa, So Goes the Nation," holds true, we may be seeing marriage equality in more states in the coming year. Let's hope California Courts also see that separate is not equal and stands on the side of love and equality.

Congratulations Iowa!

-Percy

P.S. Congratulations to Vermont for also legalizing Same-Sex Marriage and becoming the 4th state to stand on the side of love. Big thumbs up to D.C. also for recognizing couples who legally got married in other states. Who's next?

Photo from the Associated Press (Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, who is gay, hugs Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, following preliminary approval of gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt, Thursday, April 2, 2009)

Wacky Wednesdays: V.Married (Air Weddings) by Virgin Atlantic

I am a member of Virgin Atlantic's flying club and this morning I got this fabulous email announcing V.Married. I thought..."Wow, Virgin Atlantic is now getting in the wedding business."

This is the official announcement from Virgin Atlantic:

"Put a ring on it at 30,000 feet!

We are proud to announce a once in a lifetime opportunity - air weddings.

Take over our Clubhouses for your bachelor and bachelorette parties, then take off with up to 300 guests for your wedding in the sky, complete with pilot officiator and air hostess bridesmaids.

Enjoy a champagne reception (with real champagne flutes), followed by a three course meal and speeches through the headphones.

It's all the excitement of a wedding, elopement and honeymoon rolled into one, with your friends and family along for the ride. Now all you need to do is say 'I do'."

I was so excited that finally I would have another venue to work with and pitch to my clients. Plus, things started to run in my head, like matching this up with a mini vacation/honeymoon for the client and guests. So I clicked on the link that said, "Get Hitched" and this is what I got on the WebPage (click on image to see it larger).

Damn that Virgin Atlantic for playing the April Fools Day card to us vulnerable wedding professionals! Maybe now they will actually offer it, knowing there would be interest in it. Come on Richard, make good on the joke!

-Percy

Website image from Virgin Atlantic

Wacky Wednesdays: Fidelity: Don't Divorce (Courage Campaign)

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Today I am doing a little political blog...because I believe that Love is Love and in Equal Rights.

Tomorrow, my partner/husband and I will be celebrating our 17th anniversary, longer than most of our heterosexual friends. Yet, we have only been legally married since June 17, 2008 (8 months)...the first day that it was legal and recognized that ALL Californians had the right to marry the ONE PERSON THEY LOVE. As of today, our marriage is still intact, but Ken Starr is wanting to have our marriage taken away...basically force us to divorce, even though we were married before the November 4, 2008 passing of Prop 8. I urge all of you who stand on the side of love, support marriage equality, and believe that my marriage should remain valid, to visit www.couragecampaign.org/divorce and sign the petition that will be sent to the Supreme Court of California.

From the Courage Campaign. "On December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000 devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5 2009, with a decision expected within 90 days." People signing the petition are asking, "That the Court enforce the equality promised to each of us by our constitution and invalidate Prop 8. By doing so, it will protect all loving, committed couples in California -– including the 18,000 who said "I do" last year –- and prevent the initiative process from being a tool for stripping vulnerable minorities of precious constitutional rights.

As Americans who believe in the rule of law and fundamental civil rights, we know that Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's shameful attempt to nullify equal protection and all these bonded unions will be condemned in the eyes of history. We know that, ultimately, love will prevail, no matter how hard they try to fight it."

Support Love, Support Equality.

-Percy

P.S. This video was very emotional. We submitted our family photo to this, but unfortunately, we did not make the cut. However, it's still a great video and a wonderful song.

Video from Courage Campaign

Write To Marry Day - October 29, 2009

The elections are just around the corner and here in California, we have a Proposition that would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. I know I have been blogging about Prop 8 a lot lately, but it is very near and dear to my heart, because it affects my family.

Here's my story. I met my partner (now husband) in 1992. We have been together for 16 years, we have a 4-year old son, and we just want the same rights that any loving and committed opposite-sex couple has. We want to be legally recognized as a "couple" under the eyes of the law. We never imagined that as a gay couple we would ever have the opportunity to marry legally in the State of California. In May 2008, that all changed. The California Supreme Court overturned Prop 22's Family Code definition of marriage as being between a man and woman, because the judges saw that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. So on June 17, 2008 a month after it was overturned, my partner and I were able to legally wed in California, giving us equality and the ability to be full citizens of the State of California.

Now proponents of Prop 8 want to overturn EQUALITY and put discrimination into the California Constitution. The California Constitution is suppose to protect rights of all its citizens, not take them away. So, I encourage all Californians to Vote No on 8, and keep all Californians Equal. This proposition is not about Religious Freedoms, Children, or Tax Exemptions. Proponents of Prop 8 are spreading lies and stating that it would affect their rights, well their rights are already protected under the California Constitution's Free Exercise of Religion clause. Well the truth of the matter is that Prop 8 is about "eliminating the rights of same-sex couples to marry (Period)." To learn the facts vs. the fiction, please visit the Vote No on 8 Website.

Regardless of how you feel about same-sex marriage or the LGBT community, passing Prop 8 would deprive certain CIVIL RIGHTS to a group of people, lowering them to the status of second class citizens. Additionally, it would add discriminatory language in the California Constitution. How would you feel if your rights were taken away?

I encourage all bloggers to blog about Write To Marry Day, today or tomorrow and encourage your California Readers to Vote No on Prop 8.

DON'T STOP AT THE TOP, VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT!
NO ON PROP 8!

-Percy

Logo from Mombian

NO on CA Prop 8 - YES to Equality

It's my political statement for the month and this one is very close to my heart. If you are a Californian, I urge you to VOTE NO on CA Prop 8, which would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. I also ask that you tell your friends, family and loved ones to do the same. The proponents of CA Prop 8 have put out ads that lie about what Prop 8 is and I just want to put the facts in front of all of you.

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.

Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is “false and misleading.”

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Fact: Unlike Massachusetts, California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don't agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won't affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it's about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn't grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren't supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Pepperdine University supports the Yes on 8 campaign.

Fact: The university has publicly disassociated itself from Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University, who is featured in the ad, and has asked to not be identified in the Yes on 8 advertisements.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, CA parents won't have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.

Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Regardless of how you feel about same-sex marriage, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8.

PS: Congrats to the State of Connecticut choosing EQUALITY and allowing to legalize same-sex marriages!

-Percy

Facts and Fiction from No On Prop 8
Photo by the Santa Barbara Independent (Wedding Day of Percy Sales and Ross Beardsley) 06/17/08 - Santa Barbara, California

Zac Posen Love & Congrats Ellen & Portia

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi finally tied the knot in a small and intimate wedding, on Saturday, August 16th, in their home in Los Angeles. Nineteen of their family and friends (that's what I call small and intimate) attended the nuptials!

Zac Posen, designer extraordinaire, created both their outfits. Portia wore a beautiful backless halter-top gown with plunging neckline, the effect almost looks like a tuxedo vest. The full skirt was in a beautiful pale pink. Ellen wore an all white ensemble with a vest that is reminiscent of Portia's gown. Both the brides looked beautiful!

I am loving Zac's designs and hope that he will soon create a line of wedding gowns. I am sure it will be a hit for the fashion forward 30-somethings.

Here's to marriage equality and to a happy marriage for Ellen and Portia! For more information on their wedding, please pick up the latest People magazine of go to the People website.

-Percy

Photo by Lara Porzak

Friendship Lasts A Lifetime

I was sent a link to this video today and it had me crying like a little baby at my desk...I told you I'm a sap. Anyway it happened many years ago, but it has recently been a topic of conversation on shows like The View and The Today Show. So I thought I would share it with you all. It's the story of Christian the Lion.

Get your hankies out and get back in touch with someone from your past!

-Percy

Video from YouTube

My Top Five Best Wedding Movies Ever

As a wedding planner, movies offer inspiration and a dose of comic relief for my much beloved career. It also offers an opportunity to cry...yeah okay so I am a guy who cries at chick flicks...call me a sap, but I just do. I just love wedding themed movies and now I am going to name off my Top Five Best Wedding Themed Movies ever...here they are:

1) Muriel's Wedding (1994): Set in Porpoise Spit and Sydney, Australia, this movie starring Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths was an indie sleeper. It gives a look to the trial and tribulations of Muriel Heslop who is looking for love and the ultimate wedding day. She is obsessed with ABBA so the movie has a lot of ABBA music...sounds like Mama Mia, but trust me it's much better. Such a fun movie. I can watch it over and over again.

Favorite Quote from the movie: "My life is as good as an ABBA song. It's as good as Dancing Queen. "

2) My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002): Who doesn't love watching the love affair between Toula and Ian. This is a great movie to relate to if you have a huge family. Nia Vardalos gives a wonderful performance and so does her dad Gus, played by Michael Constantine. Additionally, John Corbett is perfect in the role of the "gringo love interest." Plus it gives you insight on the type of dresses not to buy!

Favorite Quote from the movie: "There's a hole in this cake!"

3) Father of the Bride (1950) & (1991): I love both versions of the movie. The original starring Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy and the more recent version with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. Gives an insight to the father's perspective of the wedding day. Great wedding and planning scenes and both Spencer and Steve give off great comic relief to the movie.

Favorite Quote from the movie: "Armani don't make polyester."

4) Sex and The City (2008): I love this movie because I have become attached to the characters in the TV Show. I love them girls. Additionally, this movie has some great gown inspiration and other fashions. It also shows that true love can conquer all.

Favorite Quote from the movie: "Charlotte has pudding in her Prada."

5) The Wedding Banquet aka Xi Yan (1993): Ang Lee's story of a gay Taiwanese-American who has a marriage of convenience to a woman who needs a green card. He has been getting pressure from his parents to marry...so this marriage is a good cover-up to his true life as a gay man living with his true love, Simon. Well everything gets really complicated when the parents decide they are coming to witness the wedding and throw a lavish reception. A wonderful cross-cultural story of love, convenience, and family.

Favorite Quote from the movie: "Better and richer, no poorer."

Let me know what your favorite wedding movies are and if you have not seen the ones on my list...I highly recommend that you run out and go to your local video store and rent them today.

-Percy

Photo from IMDb

Real Weddings: Cesar & John

Here is a PhotoStory of Cesar & John's Wedding, held on June 21, 2008, at Chase Palm Park Center in Santa Barbara, California. The photos are by the incomparable Gloria Plunkett Photography. This is the first time I have posted client photos on my blog...I usually just put it on my Website, but thought I would test it out to see what people thought.

A little background on the couple...Cesar & John have been together for 14 years and have an 18-month old son. On May 15, 2008, the State of California made it legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married. The weekend after the ruling, the couple and their friends, including me, were sitting around and we persuaded them to have a ceremony and reception, since they have never had a commitment ceremony. So after talking it through, they asked me to plan a wedding for 100 of their family and friends the Saturday after gender neutral marriage licenses would be handed out. They had to wait 30 days from the court ruling to be able to get their license, so we planned it for June 21st, though they got their license on the first day they were able to on June 17, 2008...a historic day in California.

So in a month's time, I was able to plan their long awaited wedding and reception. Thank you to all my vendors who worked so diligently to make this day happen for them.

The ceremony was held on the green behind Chase Palm Park Center with gorgeous views of the Santa Barbara Harbor as well as the Channel Islands. Their colors were Tiffany Blue and Chocolate. They had a cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeuvres and a gourmet buffet dinner with an open bar catered by CP Catering by Chef Ledesma (new website currently under construction). Their ceremony flowers were a mixture of green and white gladiolas (unfortunately right before the ceremony, the wind picked up and knocked over the flowers on the stand...so we had to improvise with something smaller). The reception flowers were a mixture of hydrangeas, lilies, and orchids, all created by Gina Morales. Their first dance song was to David Cook's - Time of My Life. Their cake was two flavors...the bottom was chocolate with chocolate ganache filling and the middle and top tier was a white cake with passion fruit and toasted coconut filling, made by the amazing Christine Dahl. They gave their guests picture frames that also served as the seating cards. They threw a bouquet together on the insistence of the single guests, which was pretty funny to see (men and women fighting for a bouquet).

The best part of the wedding was the mixture of cultures and also the mixture of hearing and deaf people. John is deaf and about half of the guests were also deaf. So we hired an interpreter for the ceremony and reception. It was so wonderful to see deaf people dancing the night away to DJ Luke and seeing the interaction between the two groups. Additionally, their wedding coincided with the "Summer Solstice," the longest day of the year...and it was amazing that we had sunlight until almost 9pm that evening. It was truly a magical evening, one that I will treasure a lifetime. In the words of Cesar and John, "We had the wedding of our dreams...you made it a platinum affair on a beer budget." So I hope you will enjoy having a glimpse to their special day.

- Percy

All photos by Gloria Plunkett Photography
Music: I Sing for You from the movie Camp, Kiss by Prince, Groove Is In The Heart by Dee-Lite

Being on Top at Alltop.com

If you are a blogger or a bloggee (is that even a term...maybe I just coined it...one who is obsessed with reading blogs) you may know of a site called Alltop. This site handpicks "all the top" blogs from all over the world and has collected them in one easy to use site.

They have tons and tons of categories that you can choose from. You can read the top blogs on such categories as Adoptions to Yoga and even Event Planning and Weddings, including...wait for it..."Let's Party with Percy Sales Events!" Yes they have chosen my blog to be on their website and can be currently found in the Event Planning Category as well as the Wedding Category. Thanks to Alltop for choosing me to be on their site. I always knew my site was interesting, but it's always wonderful to be acknowledged by others as well.

So I guess the pressure is on to keep up my blogging for my current fans and all the new fans that Alltop is going to drive to my blog site. If you are searching for particular blog topics, please visit Alltop and read the Best of the Best!

-Percy

Badge from Alltop