For the Fashionista Bride: the Birdcage Veil

From fellow blogger Randi at Always Fabulous Events, one of this season's hottest wedding trend: the Birdcage Veil.

Found on etsy, for the fashionista bride.

Romantic Santa Fe Wedding

Going through the photo archives of ART & SOUL Weddings and Events this month. One of my favorite couples captured by one of my favorite photographers, serenaded by my favorite musicians, on the patio of Luminaria, Inn & Spa at Loretto. 

Photography by Babak Dowlatshashi, Insight Foto, Inc. 

Silly fun wedding stuff

Spill the beans with a Save the Date refrigerator magnet.

For even more fun, seal the package with a Save the Date stamp.

Better yet, customize the stamp!

Another option...send your thank you stamped with your wedding photo. All available at Zazzle.com

Daisy in the Blue Bells

I love my clients.

I recently received this email:

Dear Cynthea,
Thanks for your response to questions about Pranzo.  Pass the baton to us...we will take it from here.  You have helped us think, rethink and think again what we want to do for 9-10.  Your input has been extremely helpful and D and K seem pleased with what we are doing...including the rental house…. In fact, they think the rental house is a great plan.  (Go girl!) ....

The groom's mom had hired me to find the perfect Friday night welcome dinner for their son’s Santa Fe destination wedding.

The parents ultimately chose the 2nd level Terrace Room at Pranzo Italian Grill. Great room, great food, fabulous views. While emailing, we exchanged photos of our canine pets.

Gotta love their dog Daisy, in a field of Texas Blue Bells.

Darling husband asked, "How long do you think Daisy sat after the photo was taken?"

etsy wedding

ARGGGG... Spent too much time on etsy this morning looking at cool wedding stuff. Not that I didn't enjoy every minute of it. It's just that I can't afford to spend the morning etsying away. So I'll share two things and then get on with today's to-do list:

#1 Wedding signage. Help your guests find their way. From familyattic.

Now here's the find of the day:

#2  Let someone else do the sorting and finding the cool stuff on etsy for you at The ETSY WEDDING blog.

Offbeat finds for the eclectic bride.

oh em gee those wedding chicks did it again

Gotta love the wedding chicks.
Handing out free downloads for great DIY projects.
THAT ARE EASY!!
No small task.
Oh wait... *this* could be considered a small task!

Run, don't walk to www.weddingchicks.com

Check out this free heather gray and butter yellow wedding save the date. It's an easy download available right on their site. Bless their hearts.

Check out the stamps. Available at your nearest post office.

Scouting the perfect rehearsal dinner restaurant

I love it when a client tasks me with something that allows me to go out and scout either new locations or new dinner sites. It often means making a new discovery.

And sometimes, because I can't possibly see or taste everything that Santa Fe has to offer, a restaurant or site may well be a Santa Fe mainstay and still be new to me.

Such is the case with my first-time visit to Ristra.

Named for the garlands of dried red chiles that hang from the portals of Santa Fe homes, the restaurant is tucked into a lovely, modest adobe home at 548 Agua Fria Street, just west of Our Lady of Guadalupe church.

Warmly welcomed by owner Eric Lamalle, I sit inside and pour over the menu while staff hustled in the background setting up for the evening's dinner. Lamelle speaks with pride about both the menu and his executive chef, Xavier Grenet, who worked in Paris under Chef Joel Robuchon, one of the world's most celebrated chefs. While Robuchon is a master of Japanese-inspired French cuisine, Grenet specializes in what Lamalle calls a "new American cuisine with Southwestern and French influences."

So if you're seeking a venue for a rehearsal dinner or Friday night Welcome Dinner for up to 80 plus out-of-town guests on the vine-covered patio in spring, summer or fall, or a more intimate dinner inside in the winter, give Eric a call at 505.982.8608. He will be happy to customize a special menu quite reasonably for your event, complete with appetizers (try the Black Mediterranean Mussels with chipotle), a choice of entrees (may I suggest the Crispy King Salmon or Grilled Elk Tenderloin), seasonal wines and dessert.

For more menu ideas, visit www.ristrarestaurant.com

At ART  & SOUL, ninety percent of our clients come from outside the state of New Mexico to be married in Santa Fe. That means we need to be their ears and eyes in the City Different.

Want us to be *your* eyes and ears? Do you live out of state and want us to visit a venue you've been considering for your ceremony or reception? Have camera, will travel... Call us today!