Image courtesy of Dove + Sparrow Photography

What are the most popular first dance songs?
There are so many great first dance songs and with shows like Rock the Reception, the genre has broken wide open. Universally couples want a song that captures the personality of their relationship. They also want to be comfortable dancing and some songs may feel too fast or slow or even too emotional for newlyweds wanting to kick off the dance party. Some first dance favorites are:

Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
Etta James - At Last
Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved
Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love
Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
Elton John – Your Song
Van Morrison – Days Like This
Van Morrison – Crazy Love
Marvin Gaye – How Sweet it is
Joe Cocker  - You Are So Beautiful

Image courtesy of CLY Creation Photography

What are your current favorite first songs?

I like a lot of different kinds of music and since we get to go to so many weddings I’ve seen a lot of first dances. Songs that I never thought of as first dance songs have been requested and they end up being great choices. The personality of the couple and their song choice shines through.  Personally, I’m a  little bit of a purist so I particularly like first dance songs that rely on strong vocals and great musicianship. Van Morrison and Al Green are favorites and we always like Rascal Flatts. Our bands and DJ’s can always make any First Dance song choice work given enough notice.  If a couple would like one of our bands to learn a special song, it’s ideal to give them your selection about three months before the wedding. If you don’t have that kind of time – ask anyway and the band leader may be able to make it work.

What’s the most unusual First Dance Song you have played?
Probably “Let My Love Open the Door” by Pete Townsend.  It ended up being a great choice.

Images courtesy of Marisa Holmes Photography  & Jose Villa Photography

When do you feel is the right time to have a first dance? 
Personally, I like when we introduce the couple in the dinner location (usually following cocktails), and they make their way to the dance floor for their first dance. At this time, when everyone has been seated for dinner, all eyes are on the couple and we have everyone’s complete attention. Another option is waiting until dinner and toasts are completed, and then we go to the first dance, followed by father daughter & mother son dances. The truth is that every wedding is unique and I enjoy working with the wedding planner and couple to make it a special and memorable evening. There really are no rules.

Anything else you would like to add about the First Dance?
Sometimes couples have a special song that is their song.  And sometimes it’s their song because of a place they heard it or a time they shared while listening to it.  It’s always good to check the lyrics of your First Dance song.  Little lyrical surprises slip by day to day listening but won’t stand up under the microscope (and video taping) of the first dance.

The first dance song is one feature of weddings everyone enjoys planning & we love being there to see it happen!

First Row: Skye Blu Photography | Alea Lovely Photography
Second Row: Valeria Duque Photography | The Nichols
Third Row: Mod Cloth | Skye Blu Photography
Fourth Row: Alea Lovely Photography | Mi Belle Photography

From the Photographer-

AMAZING…There is no other word to describe Tyler & Karen at Edgewood in Lake Tahoe! I first met Tyler and Karen last spring in South Lake Tahoe to shoot their engagement photos. It ended up being a very cold and windy Saturday afternoon, but we had so much fun going around the lake to a few different locations and getting to know each other. To see some of their engagement photos from last year click you can click here.

Tyler and Karen currently live in Ohio, but met here in California a few years back while working for Budweiser. They fell in love with Lake Tahoe while living in California so they decided to get married there. But, honestly who doesn’t fall in love with Lake Tahoe? Personally it is one of my favorite places on Earth!

Their wedding was beautiful, Karen was stunning, Tyler was looking his best, the bridal party was a kick in the pants funny, the views were amazing, the weather was perfect, and the sunset did not disappoint.

Congrats Tyler and Karen, I hope you move back to California so I can work with you again!

Vendors:

Ceremony and reception |  The Edgewood
Bridal party hair |  Imagine Salon 
Food and cake | The Edgewood
Photographer | Ben Sheriff Photography

]]> http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/real-weddings/scarlett-beauty/feed/ 1 http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/vendors/florals-that-last/ http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/vendors/florals-that-last/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:00:26 +0000 Tahoe Unveiled http://tahoeunveiled.com/?p=7802 Continue reading →]]> We asked Diana Thale of Stems by Diana for her trade secrets to picking the best flowers for each season. Read on to find out which flowers will stand up to the weather while still looking absolutely stunning for your day!

Which flowers do you consider the sturdiest and keep their freshness even without water for your bouquet or boutonniere? 

While still remaining elegant and beautiful, (which all flowers hold their own sense of beauty, however I think only a selective bunch can be labeled beautiful and elegant enough for a Bride’s bouquet), calla lilies have not only stood the test of time, they’ve also proved their elegance, stamina, and worthiness for brides all over the world, while also dating back for hundreds of years. I adore these blooms, not only for their linear, “grab your attention” poise, but also for their color variation. They are one in only a handful of stems that will look the same the day after your wedding!

On the opposite end, which flowers are the most delicate or will wilt the fastest?

As beautiful and timeless as they are, lily of the valley will uphold it’s reputation for being one of the most delicate choices. I love to work with it as it’s fragrance and “bridal” nature is unparalleled, however I always recommend placing it in water immediately after the ceremony, again after pictures, and throughout the evening during the reception to get the most out of the beautiful blooms.

*All floral arrangements designed by Stems by Diana

What flowers do you try to incorporate in colder climates?  Also, which are the best flowers to use for each season? 

There are certain blooms that everyone thinks of during the various seasons, such as tulips in Spring, peonies in Summer, dahlias or sunflowers in the Fall, and amaryllis in Winter. However, it’s always a wonder to me how many variations are available all year long. Tulips for example can be seen in the snowiest December, of course coming from Ireland, not California like in the early Spring and Summer months. Roses are another choice available all year, and even locally grown thanks to greenhouses. Flowers are of course more abundant and bursting with life, color, and variation during the Spring and Summer months, for obvious reasons…probably the same reasons those months hold the most weddings as well. Not to exclude the winter weddings, for those have a sense of luxury all their own, and also have quite an array of blooms to choose from. Roses being the most obvious and abundant, calla lilies, natural berries, rose hips, kale, hydrangea, lisianthus, just to again name a few. Many of these selections come from places like New Zealand, South America, and Costa Rica, where it’s warm and sunny while we’re wearing down and Ugg boots. However, for the bride’s who insist on shopping “local”, as long as they’re not too picky, local growers are still hard at work growing and cutting certain blooms all year long.

*Thanks for all the great tips Diana! To see more of Diana’s work visit her website!

First Row: Julie Weisburg Photography | Dove + Sparrow Photography
Second Row: Wedinator | Skye Blu Photography
Third Row: Andria Lindquist Photography via Ruffled | Matchbook Mag
Fourth Row:  The Knot | Elizabeth Ann Designs

What are some tips for keeping hair looking fabulous all day and night?
The best ways to keep your hair looking fabulous all night is to make sure that the proper products are used in the styling process, starting with the blow-dry. Layering in the proper products such as an anti-humidity product, a blow dry serum to ensure long lasting structure, hair powder sprayed throughout the dried hair which gives it a non slip texture, and then finish it off with a strong hold/high shine finish spray and you’ve got a style that will last!

If your hair and makeup are finished super early in the day, what are some styles that will really hold? 
If you have an early start, up-dos are always a great option for a long lasting hair style, but you should be able to have a down style last for a whole day and night as well, as long as you have a “good set” done using the right products to help the style hold!

What are some low maintenance styles that look amazing?
Some low maintenance styles that always look amazing are “chignons”, which are soft, romantic, and slightly tousled up-dos that are either placed off to the side, or in the middle of the back of your head or in the nape of your neck.

What should a bride do to prepare in advance, a month & also the night before the big day? 
A bride should definitely do some research well in advance to find a stylist that comes recommended from other vendors or other sites and find someone who can accommodate their style. A trial run before the wedding (a few days, weeks, a month, or a few months max) is a great way to see your vision come to life. I highly recommend a trial run so that you and your stylist are on the exact same page, and it will give you complete peace of mind. Then there will not be an ounce of stress about your hair on the wedding day! A common old wives tale is that dirty hair styles better, but now that we have products like hair powder, you can choose to wash you hair the morning of your wedding (if you prefer), and the powder will give us the texture that we need to have your hair style last!

 *All designs and bride styles created by Kolor by Kori

How much time should you set aside for hair when considering the schedule for the day? 
How much time you set aside on the wedding day depends on how many ladies will be getting their hair styled, and if you will have more than one stylist working the wedding party. Up-dos are typically a little quicker to style than down styles, I average 2-3 hairstyles per hour and allow about 45 minutes for the brides’ hair which includes her blow-dry and set up.

*Thanks for all the great tips Kori; to see more of Kori’s work visit her website!

First Row: Intimate Weddings | Brady Puryear Photography
Second Row: The Crafty Brides
Third Row: Ruffled Blog | Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty
Fourth Row: Aaron Delesie Photography
Fifth Row: A Realistic Wedding | Dorothy Gautreaux Photography
Sixth Row: Intimate Weddings | Life with Chu

What was the inspiration behind starting a linen company in the Tahoe area?

I started the company in 1996. After college, I interned at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe which turned into a 6-year management position in Special Events. Seeing firsthand that there was not a lot to offer in event decor or linens for event design in this area, I decided to leave the Hyatt and purchased a small prop company. We started making linens for our events and eventually Christian Nobis and I started Creative Coverings, focusing only on linens.

What differentiates your company and style from others?

We are owner-operated and focus on customer service.  It is our mission to provide high quality linens with fabulous customer service at price points our customers appreciate.

What is your favorite type of event to work on?

Events that give us the opportunity to showcase new, trendy ideas!  We also love to work with local charities and to help create memorable events dedicated to their causes.

All images provided by Chris Beck Photography 

]]> http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/vendors/creative-coverings/feed/ 0 http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/inspiration/rustic-romance/ http://tahoeunveiled.com/blog/inspiration/rustic-romance/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:17 +0000 Tahoe Unveiled http://tahoeunveiled.com/?p=7713 Continue reading →]]> Rustic romance - with its down-home details, cute as can be style, and rugged but beautiful atmosphere it lends to any wedding, the result is just magical! I love a tree bark cake stand, and it’s the perfect decor for an oh-so-rustic Tahoe wedding.

First Row: Once Wed | Joy De Vivre Wedding Coordination
Second Row: The Bride’s Cafe | Pinterest
Third Row: Etsy Shop Gabrielle Maggi Design
Fourth Row: Etsy Shop Vintage Unearthed | Joey Kennedy Photography via Style Me Pretty
Fifth Row: Be Imaged Photography

From One Fine Day -

The venue was the bride’s gorgeous Lakeside home in the Glenbrook neighborhood on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe. Anna & Steve’s ceremony was on the beach and the wind calmed down just in time for their ceremony! Thanks to the very talented Court Leve for the images and Sara Spurlock with Bellissima Florals for all of the wonderful flowers!

Vendors:

Photographer | Court Leve
Venue | Private Glenbrook Estate
Rentals |  Classic Party Rentals
Caterer | Edgewood Tahoe Restaurant
Florist | Bellissima Floral
Event Design & Planning | One Fine Day Events