I am in love with Cat Seto’s little boutique and paper studio on Polk Street in Russian Hill, SF (my old hood!). There you can find the perfect wedding invite, bridal shower invite, baby announcement or just the cutest note and thank you cards. Her shop has adorable clothing items, accessories and gifts. Her studio next [...]

By Erin Frank

Looking for a fun, saucy idea for a bachelorette party? Try a retro pin-up theme! Recently a group of girls got together to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding and went all out with retro, pin-up fun. From red lipstick to a signature cocktail (champagne, vodka, and cherry juice garnished with a strawberry), it [...]

Having your wedding makeup professional applied is more of a necessity than a splurge. We thankfully learned this the good way by scheduling Tamra Davis, wedding makeup extraordinaire, to apply the bride’s and bridesmaids’ makeup.
Tamra is a New York-native who moved to California to pursue her makeup artistry dreams. She has been a professional makeup [...]

Uplighting can make a big difference in creating ambiance for your wedding! If you’re on a tight budget, you can order them from a company like Impact SF and set them up yourself. Otherwise, you can work with your DJ, caterer or wedding coordinator to order them and have the rental company deliver and install.
My [...]

I have heard a lot of buzz lately around different hair accessories for brides.  At my friend’s wedding last month, she took off her veil after the ceremony and replaced it with a beautiful flower.  Aside from a flower there are a ton of different options out there for your hair.  If you are looking [...]

I stumbled upon an adorable “all things wedding” boutique today in the East Bay and I thought I would share. Unveiled in Walnut Creek is your one stop shop for wedding ceremony and reception items, fun gifts for the entire wedding party, favors, and an awesome selection of bachelorette party items. One of the neatest [...]

Why pay for your honeymoon stay when you can win it? Right now, the travel website Jetset Extra (www.jetsetextra.com)  is offering up the chance for one lucky couple to win  a 3-night, 4-day stay on the Riviera Mayan at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, Mexico. Sign up for the Jetset Extra email newsletter for a [...]

By: Lauren and Haney
Hi Bay Area Bride Guide readers! Over the new few weeks, we are going to highlight the various vendors who helped make our big day possible. We are featuring these elements of our wedding to pass the lessons we learned–and to share some fantastic vendors with you!
Our first feature is Especially Yours [...]

A few weeks ago I was wonderfully introduced by my friend Lynn to Lilac Dress Boutique out in Alameda. I was able to spend a few hours drooling over the selection of fabulous bridal gowns, cocktail dresses, and adorable accessories. The best part was hanging with Pilar, the shop’s owner and watching her work. Check [...]

By Erin Frank

Brides often hear “Search your local thrift stores for great, affordable finds for your wedding decor!” Wise advice indeed—you’ll often find vases for a steal, silver trays, or simple, touching items to accent a tabletop. But as a frequent visitor of a rather grubby Goodwill on Haight Street in San Francisco, I can [...]