After arriving to a VIP reception with mimosas, munchies, and maids of honor at The Matrix on Fillmore Street, I started on my trek. These were some of the highlights I found…

David Clay Jewelers: Friendly, helpful salespeople and some unusual pieces. For instance, they’re one of the only jewelers in the city that carries Alex Sepkus’ line.

An Alex Sepkus wedding band

They suggested I try on some rose gold bands to go with my white gold engagement ring. I never would have thought of doing that, and it looks amazing. Sold!

Haute Bride: They have a small selection of dresses, but where this shop really shines is their accessories. Owner Lindsie Jones makes much of the jewelry herself. Whether you are looking for a veil or a feathered headpiece, some elbow-length gloves or  some major bling to spruce up a simple wedding dress, this is the place to go. Most of their pieces can be customized, so if you see something you love but wish it were rhinestones instead of pearls, they can make it for you.

Union Street Papery: This paper person’s wildest dream (yes, I actually still write down all of my appointments and notes in an actual date book with an actual pen) has a great variety of styles of invites and a range of prices from reasonable to astronomical. They carry more stationary designs than any other paper store that I’ve ever been to! The Papery is also celebrating their 25th anniversary in the Bay Area.

Union Street Papery

And, in the end, supporting local businesses and working with their proprietors – your neighbors – feels great.

As for the Union Street Wedding Ring, the proceeds from the ticket sales ($20 regular//$45 VIP, which includes gift bag) go to support a local charity, the Thrive House for Youth. Check out www.unionstreetweddingring.com for their next event, which will be sometime this summer.

Yesterday I got an education in wedding planning from Bay Area bridal professionals at Wedding University, presented by Wedding 360 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Silicon Valley.  Wedding University, now in its second year, is a new and different take on bridal shows.  Rather than a ballroom filled with vendors who inundate you with business cards, samples, inspiration, and temptation and leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed, Wedding University provides advice and guidelines from industry insiders with years of experience.  The goal is to educate and empower you, not to sell you services (though, of course, they are always happy to have your business).

Topics covered include photography, music and entertainment, decor and design, and much more.  It’s a full day of “classes” with frequent breaks during which the Four Seasons catering staff plies you with tasty treats.  From the mimosa brunch to the sliders and cake it’s a day chock-full of food and information.  Always a star student, I made sure to take notes and from them I’ve compiled my top tips from Wedding University. Sharpen your No. 2 pencils and get ready to learn!

Top Ten Tips From Wedding University:

1) Consider a bridal planner, says Mary Dan-McNamee, author of Wedding Wisdom. “We get married 20 or 30 times a year” compared to your experience as a newbie.  It helps to have a seasoned veteran on your side.

2) We all want that “glossy magazine” look for our wedding.  But know what you are looking at, says McNamee, “The weddings you see in magazines cost $700-$1000 per person.”  Suddenly your guest list is looking shorter, right?  Don’t worry, with good help and a creative eye you can host a similarly lovely wedding for roughly $300-$500, or even less if you are willing to compromise.

3) Define your wedding style clearly—you may want a “modern” wedding, but what does that mean?  “Pop modern,” “sweet modern,” “glam modern,” urban modern?”  Bring stacks of magazine pages with the style you like to any initial vendor meeting.

4) Avoid photography trends like coloring the bouquet or a fish eye lens, says photographer Kevin Chin.  In just a few years they can make your photos look dated.

5) Paul Kuhn, Director of Catering at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, had great suggestions for the bar: “Don’t be afraid to ask about pricing,” Kuhn says, “at some venues soft drinks and juices can be a surprising $6 to $8 per glass.  You’ll want to be prepared for that.”

6) Don’t assume anything about a venue, advises Kuhn—be sure to ask if refills will be given if people drink too quickly during toasts, and ask about a venue’s policy on tip jars or any other details.

7) When it comes to your wedding soundtrack, DJ & Master of Ceremonies Ron Grandia warns:  Avoid horns during cocktail hour and speeches.  Did you know that a saxophone occupies the same space in your head as conversation does?  This makes voices more difficult to register.

8] Give your Master of Ceremonies the keys to succeed.  Your parents names’ may be Robert and Kimberly and their last names Wilson, but introducing them as “Robert and Kimberley Wilson” will make folks uncomfortable when “Mr. Robert Wilson and Ms. Kimberly Wilson and her husband John” is more appropriate.

9) Thinking of hair extensions for the big day? What looks great then might look a mess after a week on the beach.  Stylist Armando Sarabia recommends clip-on extensions to avoid newlywed bed head later.

10) Tuck aloe-free baby wipes in your emergency kit, suggests Gabrielle Medrano-Contreras of Gabrielle’s Bridal Atelier.  They’re great for removing a multitude of smudges and stains on wedding dresses, even lipstick.

By Megan Peters

Since I am always looking online for things I need for my wedding. I have finally stumbled upon a few gorgeous dresses and at unbelievable prices. If you look carefully and are patient you will find the pot of gold! I promise. Here is my favorite site I have found www.inweddingdress.com.  They actually carry sizes 2- 26w or you can custom size. This is perfect for me because not only am I large I am also 5’11’’ which means most ready made gowns are not long enough for me, another added hassle to my shopping. I have noticed not many plus size bridal sites will let you customize dresses and that’s why this site is a beauty. I am such a fan of the fit-n-flare styles as well as the A-line satin strapless dresses they carry. I am thinking maybe I will just order my top two favorites and then eBay the one I don’t want since they are all under $250.

Soon I will be making an appointment at Trudy’s, a bridal salon in the Bay Area that stock some in store plus size dresses. However, I am much more excited that they are having a “Gorgeous with Curves” fashion show in March than my dress appointment. The show will be featuring beautiful plus size bride’s size 18-24w. Maybe seeing someone my own size in a bridal gown for a change will get me more excited about shopping. Currently I am feeling a little bummed as I flip through bridal magazines and only seeing one to three pictures of plus size brides. Where is the representation? Come on now, don’t they know the average woman is a size 14?

Two of our bloggers, Erin Frank and Megan Peters will be attending the Wedding University on 1/31 at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley.

We highly recommend you check it out. But, In case you are not able to attend, have no fear! Our bloggers will cover the event for you so that you can get the latest scoop on all your wedding planning needs.

Planning the perfect wedding can be exciting and fun. But with so many details and decisions, it can be stressful, too. The Wedding University will help you evaluate options, make decisions and design a wedding celebration that truly expresses who you are.

The leadership team at The Wedding University is dedicated to making wedding planning more enjoyable for engaged couples, by educating and pampering them. The teachers are among the most knowledgeable wedding professionals working today, brimming with fresh, creative ideas and ready to answer your questions about everything from wedding etiquette to choosing flowers, menus and music. Ideas are illustrated with examples that allow you to see how concepts can be brought to life or modified to meet your needs. It is an event not to be missed!

Check back here next week for highlights from the Wedding University!

If you are in the mood to start wedding planning, or have a few details left to wrap up, you can head downtown to check out two upscale bridal shows this Sunday. They are right around the corner from each other so if you are extra ambitious, you might be able to do both in one swoop.

San Francisco Wedding Fair
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Sunday, January 10, 2010
11AM – 4PM

Modern Weddings Luxury Bridal Event
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Sunday, January 10, 2010
11AM – 4PM