Couples contemplating future nuptials should talk to a travel agent before the wedding dress is ordered and the band is booked, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. That’s because the complications and expense of a wedding can be better managed by selecting a honeymoon trip first, or even incorporating the wedding into the honeymoon itself.
“Whether you are planning to cruise, tour or just escape to an isolated dream destination, it is important to realize the costs and availability of certain trips can vary by season, trip provider, the size of the party and even the day of the week,” said Kelly Clark, the Auto Club’s Glendale branch manager.
“Ideally, couples should make sure their choice of a date and wedding location will be in harmony with their honeymoon vacation plans. By talking to a travel agent first, you increase the odds of being able to leave when you want to, experience everything you had planned, and pay a price that fits within the overall wedding budget,” he said.
Destination weddings are an increasingly popular way for couples to combine their wedding and honeymoon.
“Since many weddings frequently involve travel for invited guests, the betrothed may want to consider holding their wedding at a location that appeals to everyone. This can be a chapel in a themed resort, in the ballroom of a luxury hotel, or on board a cruise ship,” Clark said.
AAA, which operates the largest full service leisure travel agency network in North America, is able to provide unmatched access to the travel industry’s leading cruise, tour and lodging companies. Their services are available to everyone, although members are frequently entitled to special services and benefits. Most of AAA’s travel partners cater to newlyweds and honeymooners with special packages and services designed to elevate their experience.
“If your dream wedding doesn’t include worrying right up to the last minute about flowers, table settings, music, food, beverages and the comfort of your guests, then a conversation with one of our travel agents is definitely in order,” Clark said. “Keep in mind, most luxury hotels, some tour companies and nearly all cruise ships have experienced staff dedicated to wedding events. They are there to handle most of the details and will work with you, and the future in-laws if you wish, to make sure there are no surprises.”
The Auto Club’s most popular honeymoon travel provider is Pleasant Holidays. Pleasant offers honeymoon packages to destinations including Maui, Jamaica, Fiji, Tahiti, Dominican Republic and Mexico. All-inclusive, 3-day trips to Mexico including airfare cost as little as $359 per person. Five nights in Tahiti, including air, inter-island transportation and daily breakfast cost $1,589 per person. To make planning as easy as possible, ask a AAA Travel Agent about the Pleasant Holidays Weddings Travel Desk.
Romantic travel doesn’t have to begin with weddings or end with honeymoons. AAA’s travel partners can also help with engagement ceremonies, bachelor and bachelorette parties, vow renewals and special anniversary celebrations.

For information on any of these activities, visit the Auto Club’s Glendale Branch (1233 E. Broadway, 818-525-5431) or the Auto Club’s Montrose Branch (2112 Montrose Avenue, 818-525-3902).

Decadent chocolate cupcake bouquets.

This is the Original Yummy Cupcakes!  This gourmet cupcake bakery has been baking its blissful treats since March 2004, when owners Tiffini and Nik Soforenko and Brogan Faye opened one of the first cupcake-only bakeries in the country. The quality and taste of their cupcakes have made them one of the hottest treats in Los Angeles. The reputation of their gourmet products have spread to a large and prestigious clientele that knows fine quality and has exceptional taste.  In fact, they were recently seen being enjoyed by James Cameron, Jennifer Garner and Shirley MacLaine!  It is common to find celebrities among such posh guests and common to see these gourmet treats at VIP events such as the recent Academy Awards E! after-party and The Golden Globes.
Yummy Cupcakes is not only known for its gourmet cupcakes but also for its creative line of cupcake products such as the Cupcake In A Jar that was recently featured on Food Network’s “Unwrapped” as well as their decadent Chocolate Cupcake Truffles and Cupcake On A Stick!
And now, these gourmet cupcakes and cupcake treats are showing up at some of the top weddings in Los Angeles! For weddings, Gourmet Cupcakes are a natural choice, says Executive Chef Tiffini Soforenko. Serving cupcakes in place of a cake allows each guest to have something special in taste and decoration just for them. With a wide variety of flavors, the possibilities are endless. The pastry chefs also create a 6” square or round cake to be placed at the top of their display towers. This cake is perfect for the traditional cake cutting ceremony while matching the look and taste of the cupcakes. With everything from traditional to romantic, playful to glam, cupcakes allow you to truly express yourself, says Chef Tiffini. Yummy Cupcakes also has many requests for their decadent chocolate Cupcake Truffles and Cupcakes In A Jar for wedding and shower favors and gifts.
They now have gourmet bakeries in Burbank and Santa Monica with a top quality team of talented, culinary trained pastry chefs, team leaders and guest service staff that shares the Yummy Cupcakes values, beliefs and work ethic. We care a great deal about quality at Yummy Cupcakes, says owner Brogan Faye. “We use real, wholesome, top quality, fresh ingredients, not mixes, shortenings, oils, trans-fats or preservatives. We bake fresh from scratch, on site, every day.  We serve quality.”
Yummy Cupcakes now offers 198 flavor combinations on their Full Menu, 45 flavors on their Vegan Menu and from their Daily Menu. They serve 18 trays of cupcakes in-store every day. We invite you to visit and enjoy Yummy Cupcakes!

Contact the Burbank Bake-shop at (818) 558-1080, or the   Santa Monica Bakeshop at (310) 393-8283.

Lakeview ceremony.

You’ve dreamt about this day your whole life. You want your wedding to be perfect. Perfection is our specialty at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. We make your dream wedding come true.
Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa sits on the shore of beautiful, private Lake Arrowhead. No matter which season you chose to be married, your wedding backdrop will be spectacular. Whether you choose to be indoors in one of our beautifully appointed rooms, or outside overlooking the lake and under the stars, your wedding guests will remember your special day for years to come.
Attention to detail is our strong suit. We are with you every step of the way ensuring that your wedding planning is as stress-free as possible and includes each element exactly as you want it.
With magnificent, wine-inspired gourmet cuisine from our highly acclaimed BIN189 restaurant, rest assured your guests will rave about your reception.
Spa of the Pines will pamper you and your guests. Spend a day in the Spa relaxing and indulging yourselves to get ready for your special day.
At Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, we understand that your wedding and reception symbolizes the start of your life together. We offer all kinds of wedding packages to fit the needs of all kinds of couples. We keep your budget uppermost in our minds when helping you create a beautiful and memorable occasion.

For more information regarding weddings at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa please visit www.laresort.com or call us at (800) 800-6793.

Allison Allport, daughter of Pamela and Bruce Allport of North Hollywood, and Erik Counseller, son of Bonnie and Ron Counseller of Camerillo were married Saturday, February 13, 2010.
The morning ceremony was officiated by Reverend John Southwick in the blossom-filled courtyard garden of the Odyssey restaurant in Granada Hills, where renowned musicians Maria Newman and Scott Hosfeld performed an original work composed for the bride and groom.
Allison and Erik are active in hiking and wilderness preservation and are honeymooning in Puerto Rico, participating in a sea turtle conservation project supported by the Sierra Club.
Allison received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Southern California and will return to performing in Wagner’s Ring Cycle operas with the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.
Erik received his Master’s Degree from Brown University and will return to his data analyst position with Health Care Partners.
Allison and Erik will make their home in Pasadena.

Rustam, Mardi & Sarah

from your friends, family and loved ones for 50 years of a blessed marriage

The Biggest and Most Popular Men’s Formal Wear Site on the Internet

The Falcon by After Six Black, a striped tone on tone tuxedo, European fit with side venting, featured at Gregory’s Tux Shop

Gregory’s Tux Shop started 24 years ago as a small, one store family operation that was dedicated to providing quality formal wear to the public. As competition grew, they started a Web site (www.TuxedosOnline.com) and established their house brand, MODA Formal Wear. The TuxedosOnline.com site and the MODA Formal Wear brand are now among the best recognized names in men’s formal wear. TuxedosOnline.com was named “Best of the Web” by Mywedding.com for 2008.
Vice President Larnie Bryant testifies to the quality and value-savings that TuxedosOnline.com provides its customers. “TuxedosOnline.com is a tremendous resource for men’s formal wear and continues to be the leader in this very competitive industry.
“Their continuing success is a testimony to incredible customer service, meeting a proven product line,” she says.
The web-based vendor is the Internet superstore for all kinds of men’s formal wear, tuxedo shirts, tuxedo vests and tuxedo uniforms. TuxedosOnline.com is now the biggest and most popular men’s formal wear site on the Internet!
For your wedding, prom or special occasion, Gregory’s Tux Shop is ready to help you choose the best and most affordable tuxedo. They rent and sell tuxedos and all kinds of accessories. They even have complete tuxedo packages to buy at $99. If you’re lucky and live near North Hollywood, you can visit the original store location at 12051 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91607.

For more information, visit www.TuxedosOnline.com at any time of the day.

A Stunning Venue for Your Destination Wedding

Cambria Pines Lodge has a Gazebo Garden ideal for weddings and receptions for 50 to 250 guests.

Nestled among 25 acres of Monterey Pine trees and the Pacific Ocean, Cambria Pines Lodge is an ideal setting for your wedding or honeymoon. Located just off Highway 1 in the heart of California’s central coast, the Lodge offers easy access to the quaint village of Cambria as well as the Big Sur coastline, Hearst Castle, and the growing Paso Robles wine country.
An ambience of rustic elegance permeates the property, which features beautiful theme gardens, a full-service restaurant, an outdoor pool and spa, a day spa, and accommodations ranging from standard hotel rooms to family suites and honeymoon cottages.
Cambria Pines Lodge offers stunning venues for outdoor wedding ceremonies, as well as both outdoor and indoor receptions. Partially framed by a coastal Sequoia grove, the Gazebo Garden features an expanse of lawn skirted by colorful flower beds. Ideal for events with 50 to 250 guests, the Gazebo Garden invites the wedding party to follow a flagstone pathway across the elegant lawn leading to a lovely white lattice gazebo where vows are exchanged. For early afternoon receptions or evening ceremonies, the garden offers a bandstand for musicians or a DJ, as well as a dance area and plenty of space for guest seating.
Indoor receptions take place in the Peacock Room, which seats up to 250 guests. Here, white twinkling lights in silk Ficus trees around the room’s perimeter create the perfect romantic ambience. A granite-topped bar and a movable dance floor are also available.
For a more intimate outdoor wedding location, the White Garden can seat up to 40 guests in a traditional Victorian garden with white-flowering plants and shrubs. Vows may be exchanged beneath the garden’s rustic white wooden arbor, which sits atop a stone foundation. The Lodge’s Sycamore and Treetop Rooms are perfect locations for receptions following White Garden weddings.

Cambria Pines Lodge is located at 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria, CA 93428. For more information, call (800) 927-6114 (x2202) or visit www.cambriapineslodge.com.

Our office’s welcoming atmosphere ensures that each patient has a comfortable visit

When our skin looks and feels healthy, we feel more confident. Recent surveys and studies support the observation that increased positive feelings from cosmetic improvements can lead to long-term better health and a happier life.
Today there are many simple steps one can take towards having great skin (texture, color, and firmness). Topical antioxidant creams and a protective sunscreen are a must these days. Dermatology treatments can erase wrinkles, blotchy discolorations, acne scars, post-surgical scars, stretch marks, shrink large pores, and even tighten up the skin—quickly and painlessly.

We offer a variety of dermatological products to bring home

At Kay Aesthetic Dermatology, we have been giving people back their younger, healthier skin for over 20 years. Our office recently added a few new state-of-the-art lasers that solve many of the common skin problems our patients have, such as:

• Laser hair removal for darker skin types — The new “yag” hair removal laser is perfect for men and women.
• Early (pink) stretch marks — The “pulsed dye laser” erases them.
• Late (white) stretch marks — The “Fraxel” laser can make them almost invisible.
• Loose skin (under chin, under arms, abdomen, and thighs) — The “Zerona” laser and “ReFirme” system can shrink and tighten these areas.
• Acne scars (face and back) — The “Fraxel” and “Matrix” lasers soften and shrink these easily.
• Hollows under the eyes (as well as cheeks and corners of the mouth) — Newer derma-fillers correct these defects beautifully.

Kay Aesthetic Dermatology is located at 201 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91505. If you would like to discuss any of these procedures, please call our office at (818) 238-2350 to schedule a free cosmetic consultation.

Wedding table designed by Fleur De Liz.

Weddings are our specialty at Fleur De Liz. We welcome the opportunity to create intimate, small wedding celebrations, as well as the most extravagant destination weddings.
Fleur De Liz will work within your budget to create a look integrating the vision of the bride and groom, making it the most memorable and cherished day for the bridal couple and family.
From beginning to end, our attention to detail is unparalleled; working with unique color combinations, textures, lighting, and specialty décor.  We take pride in our work, by using only the freshest flowers in the market to assure that your event will look fresh from the beginning to the end.

Fleur De Liz is located at 12918 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423. Call or email them at (818) 461-1333  or ja@fleurdelizevents.com, or visit their web site at www.fleurdelizevents.com.

Gluten-free, dairy-free and delicious!

The Sensitive Baker is the only dedicated gluten-free, dairy-free bakery in Los Angeles.
We have a wide variety of baked goods: breads, muffins, bagels, bialys, breadsticks, focaccia, dinner rolls, pizza crusts and more. We also have desserts such as cakes, pies, brownies, cupcakes, cookies, cheeseless cheesecake… all delicious, all gluten-free, dairy-free and kosher. All of our products can be made soy-free and vegan for no additional fee.
A creative way to cater your event is with a tiered cupcake tower! This is a money saving solution (no cake cutting fees!) and speeds up service time. You can have a variety of cake flavors and colors that relate to your event. You can decorate with edible flowers, or initials, or cake toppers. A tower can be paired with a small “bride and grooms” cake (on top of the tower) to keep a traditional cake look.
We are located in Culver City, but can ship our packaged products locally via UPS ground for a very reasonable fee. We are also available at a number of stores around Southern California… just check out our website (www.theSensitiveBaker.com) for the location nearest you. Better yet, pay us a visit… we look forward to seeing you in the bakery! Bring this article or our ad from this issue and get a 10% discount on your purchase.
The Sensitive Baker – Gluten Free Bakery and Grocery 10836 ½ Washington Blvd., Culver City (310) 815-1800 www.thesensitivebaker.com