Amy Nichols Special Events Blog - San Francisco Wedding & Event Planner

Happy Fourth of July 2016!

2016-07-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Ruth Eileen Photography via Style Me Pretty Living

Red, white and blue forever. Amy and the Amy Nichols Special Events team wish you and yours a safe, happy Fourth of July!

Please remember, Amy and the Amy Nichols Special Events team are taking a short break from blogging to enjoy the sunshine. Don't worry, we'll be back the week of July 10 with plenty of wedding and special event inspiration for you. If you can't wait that long, you're welcome to follow Amy on Pinterest and Instagram. Happy summer!

Amy Nichols Special Events Meets Hello Kitty Plane

2016-06-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that wedding planners are smitten with details. This isn't limited to weddings and special events! Enter the Hello Kitty Eva Air plane. Amy traveled to Bali last week for a clients' wedding (more on that in a moment) on not just any plane, but a Hello Kitty (!!) plane. The Amy Nichols Special Events team that was left behind begged for more details on this amazing plane and Amy was happy to oblige us with photos. It was simply too fun not to share! The Hello Kitty details were everywhere- from the tickets, to the plane exterior, to the seat backs and pillow, to the plane materials. Nothing was left unbranded. Three cheers for details very well done!

Every little adorable detail counts!

Amy is back in Bali to prep and plan for our clients' week of wedding festivities. How exciting! To experience the celebration, please follow Amy Nichols Special Events on Instagram or follow #anseinbali.

On a final note, Amy and the Amy Nichols Special Events team are taking a short break from blogging to enjoy the sunshine. Don't worry, we'll be back the week of July 10 with plenty of wedding and special event inspiration for you. If you can't wait that long, you're welcome to follow Amy on Pinterest and Instagram. Happy summer!

Peacock-Inspired San Francisco Wedding Featured on Mod Wedding

2016-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Sylvie Gil Photography via ModWedding

Third time is a charm! Our wonderful clients got married at the Olympic Club in San Francisco last June, and we are not surprised that their beautiful wedding is enjoying its third feature. We're pleased and excited to share the latest feature, San Francisco Wedding With Peacock Inspiration on ModWedding, with you. In this lovely feature, we warmly invite you to admire the stunning photographs by Sylvie Gil Photography, the vibrant flowers by Waterlily Pond, the unique peacock-inspired details like the fabulous wedding cake by Cake Coquette, and the precious cake and pie pops by Sweet Lauren Cakes. We are head over heels in love with this colorful affair and its navy, red and gold details. We're certain you will love it too, so please check out the inspiring feature!

To see more of this gorgeous wedding, please visit its previous features: Colorful Olympic Club Wedding on Wedding Chicks and Colorful San Francisco Wedding on Carats & Cake. Enjoy!

Unique Wedding Cake Flavors on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: via Martha Stewart Weddings

We start drooling at the mere mention of wedding cakes, especially when fun flavors are involved. Vanilla and chocolate will always be classic, but if you are seeking something different we suggest 8 Wedding Cake Flavors You Haven't Tried Yet on Martha Stewart Weddings. We won't give away any secrets but, trust us, each flavor sounds more delicious than the last! Take a peek and you will be inspired by the creative wedding cake flavors. Choices, choices- we want to try them all!

Summer Wedding Flower Tips on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Belathee Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings

Summer brides-to-be are fortunate to have an abundance of gorgeous, seasonal flowers to choose from for their weddings. Perhaps just as important is there are a number of flowers to stay away from for summer weddings due to the heat. Flowers to Use and to Avoid for a Summer Wedding on Martha Stewart Weddings has all the details a summer bride-to-be needs. Here's a handy guide of which flowers flourish in summer, which flowers can't take the heat, and plenty of tips for getting the most out of your blooms. This quick read is essential for summer brides-to-be- with a little preparation the flowers will shine as bright as the sun at a summer wedding!

Chic Pool Party Tips on Style Me Pretty

2016-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Gayle Brooker via Style Me Pretty Living

Summer equals pool parties in our minds, and perhaps you're looking to take your pool party to the next level. All the inspiration you need is found in Now This Is How You Throw A Chic Pool Party on Style Me Pretty Living. Think gorgeous tables, upscale cocktails and a delicious menu, all set against the backdrop of the pool. It sounds lovely! This won't be your average pool party. Just add your friends, and consider it a pool party to remember.

Green Wedding Centerpieces on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: David Newkirk via Martha Stewart Weddings

Raise your hand if you are going green for your wedding! Green is just naturally beautiful for weddings and special events. For inspiration, we recommend Green Wedding Centerpieces on Martha Stewart Weddings. It showcases the prettiest of the prettiest of green centerpieces, from rustic to elegant and every style in between. Whether green is your main color or an accent color, there are plenty of green beauties to jumpstart your creative thinking. Kermit claimed it isn't easy being green but these green centerpieces make it look pretty fabulous!

Wedding Contract Tips Feature on Glamour

2016-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: averyhouse

Need some tips on wedding contracts? We pleased and honored that Amy is giving her professional advice in 5 Questions to Ask Before You Sign Any Wedding Contract on Glamour. Wedding contracts aren't something to be taken lightly so please take time to read this helpful article. It will save you unnecessary headaches and heartaches! Amy gives you the an insider's dish on a few simple steps to make sure everything you need is covered in the wedding contract. The practical tips ensure you and your wedding vendor are on the same page, leading to a successful, enjoyable wedding.

Finding the Right Wedding Planner on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-06-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Father of the Bride/Buena Vista via Martha Stewart Weddings

Once you have decided you need a wedding planner, it's important to find the best match. You'll want to treat the search for a wedding planner just as seriously as your other wedding vendors. Here to guide you is 9 Signs a Wedding Planner Is Right For You on Martha Stewart Weddings. There are helpful tips to securing the best wedding planner for you, covering everything from a planner's professionalism to a planner's calm demeanor and much more. Before you start your wedding planner interviews, we highly recommend you take a look at this insightful article!

Top Rosé Wines for Summer on New York Magazine

2016-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Barry Wetcher via The Cut

Warm summer days are made for a glass (or two!) of rosé. With summer unofficially starting this weekend, now is the prime time to decide which pink wine is best. Cue The Cut of New York Magazine, bringing you The Best Rosé Wines to Drink All Summer. This summer rosé guide has you covered from brunch to vacation to festivals. It also ranks rosé for taste, aesthetic and more. You can easily choose the best rosé for your summer lifestyle. Cheers to a long, beautiful summer with a rosé in your hand!

Outdoor Entertaining Trays on Decor Aid

2016-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Summer unofficially starts this weekend, bringing us months of outdoor parties. One key element for any outdoor party is a useful, sturdy tray for food and drinks. Bonus points for good looks! Thankfully, Decor Aid has done the hard work for you and found 7 Gorgeous Trays for Outdoor Entertaining. No need to scour the stores or Internet for that perfect tray. These beauties have the looks and build to help you effortlessly entertain all summer long. Choices, choices!

Peony Bridal Bouquet Featured on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Peony season is here, and we are officially in heaven! Oh, how we adore peonies. We could look at peonies all day long so it's pretty sweet to spy a client's gorgeous peony bridal bouquet in a feature. We are proud and honored to have our bride's bouquet included in Peony Wedding Bouquets on Martha Stewart Weddings. This jewel-toned bridal bouquet beauty was an amazing arrangement of peonies, cabbage roses, and sweet peas by Botanicals. It was one of the stars of a stunning New Year's Eve wedding at Cafe Brauer in Chicago. We love seeing this bold wedding bouquet again!

If you would like to see more of this snazzy wedding, please visit New Year's Eve Wedding on Martha Stewart Weddings, Cafe Brauer Chicago Wedding on Carats & Cake, and New Year's Eve Chicago Wedding in The Knot Chicago.

Fairytale Napa Vineyard Wedding Featured on Borrowed & Blue

2016-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Sylvie Gil Photography via Borrowed & Blue

We are always thrilled when our clients' weddings are featured on blogs and in magazines. Now how do we feel when one of our clients' weddings is featured four times? Break out the confetti and bubbly because we are over the moon with happiness! This time around, we are so happy and honored to have our wonderful clients' Fairytale Vineyard Nuptials in Napa wedding featured on Borrowed & Blue.

Cammie and Kip tied the knot last spring at the bride's gorgeous family vineyard in Napa Valley. Oh, this wedding was a true beauty! Take in every last detail in the perfect photos by Sylvie Gil Photography, from the amazing setting to the romantic florals by Natalie Bowen Designs to the vintage china from Frances Lane to the bride's classic look including hair and make-up by SHE Artists. Oh so pretty!

If you would like to see more of Cammie & Kip's wedding, we welcome you to visit its previous features, Romantic Napa Valley Wedding on ModWedding, California Vineyard Wedding on 100 Layer Cake, and Napa Valley Wedding on Carats & Cake. Enjoy!

Colorful San Francisco Wedding Featured on Carats & Cake

2016-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Sylvie Gil Photography via Carats & Cake

We are excited and proud that our amazing clients' beautiful San Francisco wedding is featured on Carats & Cake! Erica and Mike tied the knot at the Olympic Club in San Francisco last June. It was a colorful affair to remember! One of our favorite details is the gorgeous floral arch that decorated the ceremony. We are also smitten with the other navy, red and gold details, including vibrant, stunning florals by Waterlily Pond, unique, peacock-inspired wedding cake by Cake Coquette, and adorable cake and pie pops by Sweet Lauren Cakes. Every last precious details was captured perfectly by Sylvie Gil Photography. Please take a moment admire this lovely wedding!

Would you like to see more of this inspiring wedding? You'll like its previous Wedding Chicks feature. Enjoy!

Spring Color Launch Continues on The Mrs. Box

2016-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: via The Mrs. Box

The spring color launch of The Mrs. Box continues with four fresh colors released this week. The Mrs. Box offers charming velvet ring boxes in a rainbow of colors for engagement and wedding rings. Its spring releases include 26 lovely hues, a few colors introduced weekly. This week, a gorgeous pink makes its triumphant return, while a spring green, icy blue and mineral blue are added to an already impressive array of beautiful ring box colors. Each new color is rich and pretty, just begging to be paired with the perfect sparkler. Hint: these beauties look fabulous in engagement sessions and wedding photos. We are absolutely smitten!

Introducing Santa Barbara Field Guide

2016-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Image Credit: Santa Barbara Field Guide

For those brides lucky enough to be getting married in beautiful Santa Barbara, we'd like to recommend a must-have item for your welcome bags- the Santa Barbara Field Guide. The guide is designed and curated by locals to help wedding guests discover the best spots to eat, drink, shop and explore in Santa Barbara. It covers both the popular favorites as well as the hidden gems of this charming coastal town. As you can see from the photo above, the guide is as beautiful as it is useful! It will be a wonderful addition to wedding welcome bags.

For more information, please visit Santa Barbara Field Guide.

Brunch Cocktails on Style Me Pretty Living

2016-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Rustic White Photography via Style Me Pretty Living

We think brunch is always a good idea, especially a delicious brunch complemented with a good cocktail (or two). If you're looking for a new drink, we're loving 15 Brunch Cocktails Everyone Will Love on Style Me Pretty Living. These creative spirits not only sound amazing, they look gorgeous enough to make a pretty presentation at your brunch. Recipes are included! So whether you are toasting Mom for upcoming Mother's Day or your best girlfriends for surviving another week, pick a new cocktail or two from the best of the brunch collection. Cheers!

Outdoor Party Inspiration on Better Homes and Gardens

2016-04-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Now that spring is here, outdoor party season has begun. It's so special to entertain guests under sunny skies or starry nights. To infuse an outdoor affair with fresh inspiration this season, experienced and novice hostesses will enjoy 11 Ideas for an Elegant Outdoor Party on Better Homes and Gardens. These easy, stylish DIY crafts and simple, delicious recipes will make an outdoor bash one to remember. Take the chic ideas, add a sunny day and you're all set!

Spring Color Launch on The Mrs. Box

2016-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Jose Villa via The Mrs. Box

Oh happy day- The Mrs. Box launches their beautiful spring line today! The first wave of colors is available today, with the remaining colors launching each week thereafter. We are love, loving the spring collection.

For those who aren't familiar, The Mrs. Box offers darling velvet ring boxes in the most exquisite hues for engagement and wedding rings. They are just the perfect home for your sparkler, whether it is brand new or tried and true. The Mrs. Box is introducing 26 fresh, new colors that are previewed above for spring. The hardest part is deciding which new hue best complements your ring. Decisions, decisions. Good luck!

Spring Flower Guide on A Practical Wedding

2016-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Fifty Flowers via A Practical Wedding

Most brides know what flowers they like and don't like, but they're not experts by any means. It's helpful to have a bit more knowledge before meeting with florists and designing your wedding flowers. Spring brides, you're in luck because all the information you need is in This Is Your Ultimate Guide to Spring Flowers on A Practical Wedding. This handy guide includes a photo, a brief description, cost, hardiness, and colors of each spring flower. In costly cases, more reasonably priced alternatives are offered. It's a colorful, beautiful crash course in spring flowers!

Wedding Color Combinations on Better Homes and Gardens

2016-04-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Color is an essential element of wedding design. If you haven't decided on your wedding color palette yet, you'll enjoy Perfect Wedding Color Combos on Better Homes and Gardens. This beautiful slideshow features over 20 color combinations, covering everything from subdued to bold. The photos provide plenty of eye candy, while the text gives suggestions on how to incorporate the colors into your celebration. While the colorful slideshow is made for brides-to-be, we think it's also great for any hostess planning her next special occasion!

Great Wedding Inspiration on Aisle Society

2016-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Image Credit: Aisle Society

Psst, have you heard the good news? There is a new, fresh place online to find a plethora of wedding inspiration- Aisle Society! It's one pretty spot to discover beautiful wedding inspiration from over 30 wedding bloggers. With multiple, professional contributors, Aisle Society offers wedding niches, styles, and demographics for every couple. Easy, convenient and gorgeous! This is such a win-win for brides, and brides are sure to adore it!

We'd like to welcome Aisle Society to the wedding world and we encourage you to enjoy their wedding inspiration!

International Wedding Traditions on Brides

2016-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Angie Silvy Photography via Brides

Weddings are steeped in tradition. Most of the common wedding traditions we know, like the bride wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue, are distinctly American. Weddings happen everywhere in the world and as such, there are many beautiful, meaningful wedding customs in other countries. We enjoyed learning all about them in 45 Fascinating Wedding Traditions from Around the World on Brides. This quick, fun read gives you a glimpse into other countries' wedding customs. Some may appeal to you, some may even inspire you to incorporate into your wedding. Even if a wedding tradition seems odd or downright crazy, remember that despite the differences, we have a lot in common too. It's all about love and happily ever after!

Wedding Cake Alternatives Feature on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-04-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Flory Photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

Most weddings end on a sweet note with a traditional wedding cake. If cake isn't your thing, you have plenty of options. Amy, along with other industry experts, offers alternative choices in 11 Wedding Cake Swaps Guests Will Love on Martha Stewart Weddings. From (our personal favorite) a cheese bar to miniature pies and everything in between, there is a wedding cake alternative to please every bride and groom. Each alternative is delicious, unique and fun. Your guests won't even miss the wedding cake!

Spring Wedding Ideas on Martha Stewart Weddings

2016-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: via Martha Stewart Weddings

Spring is here, ushering in warmer temperatures and blooming flowers. Of course, one of our favorite things about the season is spring weddings! For the lovely spring brides, we've rounded up beautiful inspiration from Martha Stewart Weddings- Best Spring Wedding Bouquets, Spring Wedding Invitations That Are Truly a Breath of Fresh Air, and Spring Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost) Too Pretty to Eat. Think of it as the best of the best spring wedding inspiration for bouquets, invitations, and cakes. It's a spring wedding love fest, celebrating the season's fresh colors and gorgeous flowers. We're in love!