Brie + Stephen: A Telltale, Chic Wedding in the Garden

Enjoy this real, multi-colored wedding inspiration of Brie + Stephen! If you like any of the ideas, pin anything to your very own Pinterest board!

the super awesome vendors:

Photography @bairlymedia

Venue @eventslrg

Videography @vue_visuals

DJ @vdk.djs

"Rooted in Love" an American/Sri Lanken Fusion Wedding - Kasuni & Mike

When a couple comes to us, looking to celebrate their multicultural roots — we are always so excited to design & honor them in a way that makes their wedding day feel authentic and custom. When we met Kasuni and Mike, we committed to creating a vision for their wedding that met every Sri Laken & American tradition they desired (which you’ll find out along the story!)

A creative way that we infused the Sri Laken & American cultures was by weaving TWO separate ceremonies into the couple’s timeline. Rather than fuse both together or take away any significance from the 1 type of ceremony — having two ceremonies ended up being so wonderful for not only the couple, but their guests too!

Ceremony 1: Sri Lanken

The couple were first dressed in Sri Laken style attire that has the bride in all gold that flowed down the aisle and the groom in gold with burgundy pants and a sash. For this processional, the Bride and her family were escorted down the aisle by a traditional Sri Lanken drum line. Swipe through the gallery to see these incredible moments, captured by Anokiart Photography (one of Jamison’s favorite photographers).

In order to execute a easygoing flow between the ceremonies, we initiated a break between the two ceremonies and served Lavender Tea to the guests while the couple changed into Western wedding attire.

Ceremony 2: Western-American

The bride changed into a form-fitting satin gown with lace covering the bodice, hips, and train. And the groom changed into a deep blue suit with a pale pink tie. And the processional consisted of bridesmaids in teal blue, and groomsmen in the same dark blue suit as the groom.

The Reception

After both ceremonies ended, the couple took family & bridal party photos while guests enjoyed a brief cocktail hour before gathering in the Spanish Hills ballroom for reception. A grand entrance took place with the bridal party (still wearing the Western attire) including a fun Sri-Laken inspired dance to entertain the guests. Kasuni and Mike then enjoyed a romantic first dance, followed by dinner, and speeches.

As the dance floor opened, the guests enjoyed dancing and an adorable mini donut bar by Lil Sweet Somethings while the bride & groom cut their cake. And the rest of the night was fun and blissfully romantic. Congratulations to Kasuni & Mike!!

Overall, we got to work with amazing vendors including Alona, from Anokiart Photography (one of Jamison’s favorites):

Venue @spanishhillsspecialevents
Planner @jamisonevents
Planning Associate @coordinationbycasnova
Photographer @anokiart_photography
DJ @bouquetsound
Hair and Makeup @luonglastingteam
Florist @primroseandpetals
Thath Jith Dance @thathjith
Videography @sohi.productions
Cake @sugarlabbakeshop
Donuts @lilsweetsomethings
Cappuccino @cappexpress

Indoor vs Outdoor Weddings: Let’s Hear the PROS & CONS!

So, you’re trying to decide if you want to have an indoor or outdoor wedding or maybe you haven’t considered ALL the factors yet. How do you choose? This is actually one of the biggest decisions you have to make when deciding on a wedding venue.

For continued support on finding your wedding venue, here is Top 10 Things to Consider BEFORE booking your Wedding Venue.

Whether you see yourselves getting married in a lush backyard garden or exquisite ballroom, when it comes down to making hard decision like this…it’s time to pull out a good, old fashioned PROS + CONS list!

Indoor

Pro: Weather worries, no problem!

No matter what season your wedding is, indoor weddings will put your mind at ease about undesirable weather. From a little light breeze to a rainy forecast, indoor venues ensure your festivities will go on and your guests will be comfortable.

Con: Extra Costs

Indoor weddings tend to have a higher price tag than other outdoor locations. This is because there is more space to fill with décor and additional luxuries such as bridal & groom suites, restrooms, and lounge areas — these accommodable features will cost you some extra cash.

Pro: Design Opportunities

Your event design options are seemingly endless as long as you follow your venue's regulations. Indoor venues have lots of blank walls and ceilings tp create the perfect backdrops with cute decorations, and you’ll find some some already furnished! And you definitely don't need to worry about the wind knocking over your centerpieces or blowing our your reception candles.

Con: Photo/Video Lighting

If you choose an indoor wedding venue, then make sure your photographer AND videographer know how to capture an indoor event. Indoor photos generally aren’t bright & airy, like outdoor venues unless your venue has indoor + outdoor selections, so ensure your photographer/videographer has some specialty shooting indoors.

Pro: Intimate & Cozy

Indoor weddings gather all of your guests into one room for a more enclosed, cozy feel. There will be much less external distractions such as overhead airplanes, car horns, etc. to interrupt your ceremony & toasts.

Now that you’ve read our PROS & CONS list for indoor venues, for our more adventurous couples — take a look at the outdoor venue list!

Outdoor

Pro: Gorgeous views & scenery.

You want that bright & airy, open space look for your wedding? Choose an outdoor venue where there’s plenty of natural lighting for photos, cost effective natural beauty, and a pretty backdrop for all your events.

Con: Unpredictable Nature

Remember, an outdoor wedding has beautiful sights, but you can’t control nature. Bugs will inevitably crash your outdoor wedding and although you can’t fully prepare for undesirable weather or nature conditions, you can make preparations in advance! This includes purchasing a tent, heaters, using heavier materials (less paper), LED candles, and any backups you can think of.

Pro: No Space Constraints

More space can prove to be very family friendly to couples who want to invite a larger number of guests. You also have more space to design creatively and create an epic event.

Con: Rental Costs

Generally, outdoor wedding venues come as a clean slate. Yes, there is plenty of natural beauty, but because you want to PREPARE and protect against the natural elements, this can set you back thousands of dollars (tents generally being the costly item). And depending on your venue, you may need to spend extra cash on items such as portable restrooms, a dance floor, tables, chairs, and lighting.

Pro: Family Friendly Atmosphere

While some couples may not choose to invite children, an outdoor setting welcomes these little ones. Children will have plenty of space to run around, which will hopefully maintain their wild energy and keep tantrums to a minimum. And lawn games can be a fun purchase to keep the little ones (and adults!) occupied.

Still unsure?

Ultimately, your decision between an indoor vs. outdoor wedding venue will be control. Scroll back over the two lists. The type A bride who might be reading this will lean towards an indoor venue, because it allows you to hold the reigns on your big day with ease. However, if nature is your second home — an outdoor venue would serve your desires best.

And who knows — after doing a bit of venue searching you may find one you love that has a hybrid (indoor + outdoor spaces for use)!

Jina & Kevin: A Fairytale Wedding at Los Robles Greens

When the wedding is SO sweet, there's not a dry eye when the bride comes down the aisle. This fairytale wedding romance is one for the books!

If I had to say anything about J & K, they were such an adorable couple who focused the day around their family. Not only were they good people, but I absolutely loved the springtime blush and white tones for their color palette.

On their wedding day, both the bride and the groom had the best time getting ready with their bridesmaids and groomsmen. And when it came time for the first look, the groom (Kevin) got emotional seeing his bride for the first time. Not even I could hold back the flood of emotion this gave me! When it came time for the ceremony, each person walked gracefully down the aisle and the bride entered to the song “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle. The entire crowd, including vendors were teary eyed until they said “I do!”

We had the best vendors at this wedding, including Katie Jane Photography (who I got to work with TWICE in one week). The reception was equally beautiful with classic wedding vibes. Yamaguchi Flowers outdid themselves with stunning florals throughout the wedding, which the guests admired thoughtfully. And entertaining the night was Bouquet Sound (an incredible DJ & Emcee). The night was filled with sweet memories & fun as Subzero Ice Cream provided a late night snack of their specialty liquid nitrogen ice cream!

And overall, this wedding couldn’t have been more perfect & we will remember the sweetness of this wedding for a lifetime. A huge thank you to all of these vendors:

Venue @eventslrg
Planner @jamisonevents
Planning Associate @trombettatania
Photographer @katiejphoto
Video @matrimonyfilms
DJ @bouquetsound
Hair and Makeup @beautybykellytran
Florist @yamaguchisn
Cake @sugarlabbakes
Photobooth @sspsuperfunphotobooth
Ice Cream @subzero_simi_valley
Dress @bellaposawedding
Suite @suitsupply

Monica and Rafael: Romantic Beauty and the Beast Inspired Wedding

A tale as old as time - except in wedding form! Enjoy this gallery of Monica and Rafael’s magical wedding photos by Emma & Josh Photography.

When this bride and groom asked Jamison Events for planning a dream event, they also wanted to incorporate a Beauty and the Beast theme that was subtle and romantic. Their signage, use of rose petals, and aesthetic colors revealed an astonishing masterpiece of a wedding. One of my personal favorite aspects was accomplished by the florist, Primrose & Petals, who took a single red rose and stood it up in the centerpiece with a glass hurricane vase. It looked JUST like the rose from Beauty & the Beast. With stunning photos, a cloud first dance, and sparkler grand exit — Monica & Rafael had the night of their DREAMS!

We hope you enjoyed a snippet of this real couple’s wedding + remember you can pin these photos to your Pinterest board! Follow @jamisonevents on socials for more amazing wedding content.

Venue @spanishhillsspecialevents

Coordination @jamisonevents

Associate Planner @coordinationbycasanova

Photographer @emma.and.josh

Florals @primroseandpetals

DJ @gtzentertainment

Hair + Makeup @fairytalehairandmakeup

Cake & Desserts @sweetartbakeshop

Cappuccino @cappexpress

Marquee Lights @charming_lights

Hosting a Wedding Weekend

Sometimes one day wedding isn't enough! If you have a lot of out-of-town guests OR just want to make your wedding a really fun memory, consider hosting a wedding weekend.

Now you may be wondering — what IS a wedding weekend & how much is this going to cost me? Everyone’s wedding budget looks a bit different, but for suggestions on all inclusive resorts/venues here in California, check out these package options:

• Twenty Mile House (one of our couples got married HERE!)

• Gardener Ranch

• Kennolyn Stone Creek Village

• Harvey House

• Sacred Mountain Julian

• Silverado Resort in Napa

Inviting Guests to Your Wedding Weekend

On the invitations, if not everyone is involved to a particular event, do not include it on your website or invitations. Offer personal invites to events that certain guests are invited to and make sure they know it’s not an open event. This will cut opportunities for any hurt feelings.

After handling all your invites— what does a wedding weekend timeline look like & what kind of events do you add? If you REALLY want to make your wedding weekend EPIC, pay attention to these tips:

Your Wedding Weekend Timeline

Photo: from BRIDES

1.Host a Welcome Party

This could be elaborate (catered with decor) or small (park and BBQ) but will kick off your weekend and welcome guests. A rule of thumb - the welcome party is typically separate from your rehearsal dinner/lunch, but it can be any time the day-before your wedding. Just don’t cram all these events together.

Another helpful tip: if the Welcome Party is the night before, don’t go TOO late! This ensures your guests are not too tired/hungover for the Wedding Day. 

Photo: by Pigeon Forge

2. Plan an activity or excursion

From hanging by the resort pool to axe throwing to river rafting — we have seen our Couples plan amazing activities that create memories!

Tip: Do this at least 2-3 days before your wedding to ensure everyone has recovered from the day for your wedding day. 

Photo: by Composing Reality Photography

3. Wedding Afterparty!

If you are at a resort or need to end before 10pm on your wedding day, you might consider an after- party. First, take a good look at your guest list to determine if this is something your crowd would be into. Secondly, choose a location that isn’t too far away from your venue (such as a nearby bar, house, etc.)

Photo: from Restaurant Clicks

4. Day-After Brunch

The day after your wedding, if you are wanting to spend extra time with your guests (especially those out of town people you don’t see very often), a day-after brunch is a great way to “thank” your guests for a great weekend. You’re going to want to plan brunch for after around 9:30am (no one wants to jump out of bed the day after a wedding).

Photo: from iStock

Tip: Plan to head off to your honeymoon/night away after your brunch.

Lastly, make sure to do all wedding activities prior to your wedding day and plan for one-on-one moments during & after your wedding day. This will make it feel like a genuine celebration. 

Rosie + Gonzalo: Wedding Sunsets and Happily Ever After at Spanish Hills CC

At Spanish Hills Country Club, this sunset made Rosie & Gonzalo’s wedding a night to remember! This wedding was styled with a romantic, whimsical vibe to emulate the Spanish styled venue they got married at. While the ceremony was held at another location, the cocktail hour and reception was held at Spanish Hills, where the couple arrived in their vintage car by Distinctive Carriage & began taking photos.

The bride had such beautiful style and enjoyed every bit of her wedding day! She wore a whimsical wedding ballgown paired with a stunning chapel veil and sparkly headband (which is very on trend in 2022). The couple danced the night away and enjoyed a romantic evening.

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who made this day possible:

Venue @spanishhillsspecialevents
Planner @jamisonevents
Planning Associate @coordinationbycasanova
Photography & Videography @stephaniefloresphotography @vivianareyesphotography
Florals @yamaguchisn
DJ/Entertainment @provision_entertainment
Cake @mjbcakes
Rental Car @distinctivecarriage

Tony + Mayra: A Hint of Fantasy at the Spanish Hills Club

If you love big laughs, beautiful florals, and the best Harry Potter decor ever — then you’ll love Tony & Mayra’s wedding. After a magical morning of getting ready, the couple got ready to do their first look, where they in fact surprised the groom by dressing the Best Man in a gown and veil. The groom laughed so hard he was falling over (see our Instagram highlight “BTS 5” to hear his amazing, big laugh!

Then we got the wedding started with a beautiful ceremony on the Spanish Hills Club stairs outside. Casa Blanca Flowers put up the most gorgeous sunset colored flowers all over the arch and down the aisle; truly incredible creations! As we moved on to the cocktail hour and reception, guests were greeted by the cutest, lego Hedwig (the bride built it herself!), where guests signed a guestbook with a feather pen. The wedding reception was so fun, and when dessert time came around there were Mickey Mouse shaped cookies, Snitch cake pops, cupcakes, the couple’s cake by Denise (@cakesby_denise) + when treats ran out, churros were served by the staff at Spanish Hills Club. A night they will never forget!!

Venue @spanishhillsspecialevents
Planning @jamisonevents
Planning Associate @coordinationbycasanova

Flowers @casablancaflowers
Photography @stunning_photography805
DJ @dj__irock
Cake @cakesby_denise

Fun Ways to Include Your Pets in Your Wedding

Ever wondered how you will include your pets into your wedding? Our furry friends are a special part of our lives, so why not include them in our wedding! And while there are countless Pinterest photos out there to give you ideas, we already found all the steps, so you don’t have to.

Now let’s make it a REALITY! + plus, see the real Jamison Events couples who include their pets too.

Ring Bearers

For people willing to put in the work to train your dog (or if it’s your style, haha, maybe your cat) to walk down the aisle this IDEA is for you! We also included a dog training video example just for you —

Step 1: Confirm that your pet is allowed at the wedding venue

Step 2: Train your pet to walk down the aisle (at least 3 months prior)

Step 3: Designate a pet sitter for your big day

Step 4: Practice at the wedding rehearsal (works best if it’s the actual venue)

Step 5: Time for the most important walk of the day!

Video: How to train & prep your dog to be a RING BEARER

First Look with your Pet

Including your pet in your wedding photos is the sweetest! So long as they don’t jump on your wedding attire, haha, but if that isn’t a dealbreaker for you this idea is your pick:

Step 1: Might be a good idea to train your dog not to jump when they see you for the first time if you’re worried they may jump on your dress/suit.

Step 2: Ask the venue if your pet is allowed on the premise or even a designated spot outside the venue.

Step 3: Add the pet first-look into your wedding timeline

Step 4: Designate someone attending the wedding to watch your pet OR hire a wedding pet-sitter like FairyTail Pet Care.

Step 5: Have the first look & enjoy the sweetest pet photos! (see examples below)

On Your Cake + Edible Photos

When your venue doesn’t allow pets, but they are as sweet as can be— add them to your wedding dessert. This can be as a cake topper, edible photos, or a doggie treat bag, see here:

~ Photo Cred: Cakes (Anokiart Photography), doggie bag (Bethany Joy Photo)

Suggestion 1: Order custom cake toppers (we love Etsy!) or custom doggie treat bags, etc. After receiving the order, pack in your wedding reception decor box for easy set-up.

Suggestion 2: Find (in advance) a cake company that does edible photos, decide to use them on cake or cute cupcakes, then plan for delivery at the venue on wedding day.

Suggestion 3: If you’re a pro at DIY, we found a video of someone who DIY’s her edible cake photos:

Pet Decor & Attire

This idea will honor your pet in a meaningful way (most likely if your venue doesn’t allow pets or if your pet too rowdy with crowds). See inspiration photos below:

~all photos from Pinterest, except beer koozie by Christianne Taylor Photo & suit cufflinks by The OA Photo:

Step 1: Order your custom decor products from small businesses (we suggest browsing on Instagram or Etsy)

Step 2: Receive your pet decor & pack in a box with label, for easy wedding set-up.

Step 3: Give to your wedding planner or set-up person the day before your wedding!

Step 4: Enjoy your cute pet elements at your wedding.

Best Man/Flower Girl

When your pet is your best friend, it just makes sense to include them in your bridal party! See cute photos & instructions below:

~all photos used from Pinterest

Step 1: Train your pet (at least 6 mos. prior)

Step 2: Order your pet a cute vest, flower crown, lei, etc.

Step 3: Practice walking down the aisle and sitting at the altar at your rehearsal dinner practice (preferably at venue).

Step 4: Designate a pet sitter for the day of your wedding OR hire a wedding pet-sitter like FairyTail Pet Care.

Step 5: Enjoy your pet’s presence at your wedding.

Cardboard Cutouts

A goofy, unique idea so your pet can be there, without really BEING there. See below:

Step 1: Find a business that creates custom cardboard cutouts (the more life-size, the better)— Example

Step 2: Place your order so that it arrives before your big day.

Step 3: Receive order & pack for your wedding planner/set-up team.

Step 4: Take cute & silly photos with your pet cardboard cutout!

Signature Cocktails

Last, but not least, a cute signature cocktail that fits your pet’s personality is the cutest detail & so fun for all of your guests! See steps & photos below:

~ all photos used from Pinterest

Step 1: Your significant other & you pick out a cocktail mixture that fits your pet(s) personality!

Step 2: Check with your bartending team that they can make this drink.

Step 3: Order a sign, like this.

Step 4: Receive the order & pack in your wedding items.

Step 5: Give to your wedding planner to set-up & enjoy a pet-inspired cocktail.

4th of July, America Themed Wedding

While I hope you all enjoyed your Fourth of July celebrations yesterday, this holiday inspired us to create a wedding theme out of it! We were thinking of all of the patriotic, USA loving folk who want a wedding so UNIQUE, without being too “trendy” or “cheesy.”

And you don’t just have to have your wedding on 4th of July to use this idea, we feel this Independence Day theme could compliment ANY wedding in July, so we hope you get a kick out of this:

Follow our Instagram @jamisonevents to see weekly wedding inspiration from our REAL weddings + fun reels + moodboard themes! And sign up for our newsletter to get notified of our NEW blogs.