kgm weddings

Wedding: Jillian + Patrick

2011-04-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

Meet Jillian & Patrick.

This fun-loving couple was married on April 2nd, 2011 at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now, to honor full disclosure, I should explain how this wedding was a quadruple-honor for me: 1) The bride has been one of my best friends for 20 years. 2) Not only was she one of my bridesmaids, but I was deeply honored to be one of hers as well. 3) I was so proud to be Jillian's coordinator and help her create her dream wedding... as little girls dream to do. 4) I was able to witness one of the most crazy-in-love couples I know promise their lives to one another. How sweet it is!

Jill is super cool, smart, funny, and gorgeous (obviously). Patrick, to put it simply, is one of the greatest guys I've ever met. And more importantly, he and Jill are just perfect for one another. PERFECT.

Their wedding was young and fresh, yet had a delicate sophistication to it. Jillian chose a beautiful color combination for their big day: minty, ice blue and vibrant, rich orange. I love it! The bride carried a bouquet of orange tiger lilies, unique roses, and tulips. Her bridesmaids carried tulips, eskimo roses, lisianthus, and ranunculus, all in ivory tones, with a bright orange ribbon wrap.

The wrap around the bride's bouquet was not a simple ribbon. It was the headpiece her mother wore at her own wedding. And that wasn't the only "something old" the bride had - her engagement ring was originally the groom's grandmother's ring. The sapphire pinky ring wasn't just her "something blue," but it too is a heirloom of the groom's family. Originally a pendant and later turned into a ring, many brides in the family have worn it on their own wedding days.

During the ceremony, a friend of the couple read a poem originally written by the bride's father for the bride's mother. There were laughs, there were tears, and after the officiant announced the couple as husband and wife, the bride danced and strutted down the aisle.

Before the reception kicked off in the ballroom, guests were treated to a cocktail hour on the balcony with delicious tray-passed hor d'ourves and fabulous drinks. The string quartet played contemporary tunes and the pink sunset lit the sky, setting the mood to uber-romantic. It was breathtaking!Inside the ballroom, the fireplace glowed and guests were welcomed by the fragrance of fresh flowers and the sugary aroma of Sprinkles cupcakes. The decadent treats, along with a full candy buffet, were waiting for guests to dive into after their three-course meal.

Old family wedding photos and the bride's parents' original cake topper were displayed in the reception area. In lieu of a tradition guest book, the couple chose to have guests write messages on a photo mat to hang in their new home.

Now let me tell you one more thing about this couple, their friends, and their family... they like to DANCE! The dancefloor was packed all night, showcasing some of the most unique moves and entertaining performances. You could feel the joy radiating in the room!

To call these folks my clients was an honor, but to be able to call them my friends... well, that just makes me lucky. I love them dearly. Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs!!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for KGM Weddings

Venue: Troon North Golf Club (Scottsdale, AZ)

Photographer: Diana Elizabeth Photography

Flowers: Flowers by Jodi

Band: Affinity

Quartet: Sweetwater Strings

Cupcakes: Sprinkles

Hair: Kortni Harting & Debra Kiernan

Make-Up: Heather Wilson & Debbie Verver

Paper Products: Paper Source

Wedding Gown: Demetrios

Bridesmaids: J. Crew & Caparros

Groomsmen: Geoffrey Beene & The Tie Bar

Officiant: Ted Baird

Shuttle Transportation: Arizona Corporate Coach

Hotel Accommodations: Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa & Hilton Garden Inn Old Town

Honeymoon: Kauai, Hawaii

Extra Special Thanks to the Moms: Annie & Ruth!!

(Between the bride, the moms, and myself, we spanned four states!)

To read the Q&A with Jillian and Patrick, click here.

Q&A: Jillian + Patrick

2011-04-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

My dear friend and former client/bride Jillian (whose wedding you can read about HERE) recently took time to answer my post-wedding questionnaire, which not only helps me with bettering my wedding planning skills, but may also offer some insight to future brides (and grooms) everywhere! So here's what she and her husband Patrick had to say!

Q: What was the best part of your wedding day?

A: Reading our “promises” to each other during our ceremony. It was important to us to make personal touches to our ceremony in addition to reciting traditional vows. By far our favorite part of the entire day. Second best: letting loose on the dance floor, of course.

Q: What was unexpected that you loved?

A: Seeing so many important people in our lives mingling, dancing and having a blast together throughout the weekend. It was so fun seeing people so close to us – who had never met each other – celebrate together as if they had known each other for decades. And, completely unrelated, there was a rattlesnake that shocked everyone during the photo session, causing a few colorful pictures.

Q: What (if anything) would you change?

A: We spent a ton of time trying to come up with an answer for this section and came up dry. We wouldn’t have changed a thing. ☺

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent more time or money on?

A: We might have considered adding a videographer to capture the moments we weren’t able to see, e.g. the bridal party processional, the grand entrance, the sunset at cocktail hour, etc. Our photographer did an amazing job of capturing the special moments, but seeing it live on video would have been an awesome keepsake.

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent less time or money on?

A: We’re really happy with how much we spent. We feel like we cut on things that weren’t absolutely necessary – menus, favors, etc – so we could provide our guests with transportation, great food and a rockin’ band.

Q: How did you feel after the wedding?

A: Giddy. Relieved. Thankful.

Q: What is your #1 tip for future brides and grooms?

A: Consider a “first look.” We struggled with whether to see each other before the ceremony – on one hand, we wanted to spend time with our guests immediately after the ceremony during the cocktail hour, but on the other hand we didn’t want to take away from our special moment by taking pictures ahead of time. Krista and our photographer, Diana, convinced us that we wouldn’t lose a thing by seeing each other before the ceremony – in fact, it could be a very intimate moment, and it was. Our photographer coordinated a secluded, beautiful place for us to see each other alone for the first time. It was an incredible, intimate moment AND we were able to capture a lot of the photos ahead of time, allowing us extra time to spend with our guests immediately after the ceremony.

Q: What part of my service was the most important to you?

A: Uh, tough question. You were such an important part of our wedding that it’s hard to identify just one or two things. The first thing that comes to mind is vendor coordination. We researched and hired our vendors, but that was the easy part. As our month-of coordinator, you stepped in at the most stressful time and made it all come together. You created the most detailed timeline I’ve ever seen (seriously – EVER seen) and made sure everyone from the band, make-up artist, photographer— even FAMILY— knew exactly where to be and when. No one had to ask “where should I be” or “who is taking home the gifts” or the million other questions that pop up in the final hours of planning because you covered every detail. I also want to point out that you rescued me (Jill) from a mini-crisis just two weeks before our wedding day. The hair stylist I had hired from a random Google search needed to be replaced (long story) – no easy task given the extreme short notice AND the fact that I live in Chicago and don’t know any of the stylists where we were getting married in Scottsdale. While I was at work, Krista hit the phones and identified several options for me, finally nailing down an amazing stylist at the last minute.

Q: How would you rate the quality of my service?

A: An 11 on a scale from 1 - 10. Krista is a consummate professional. She has the ability to instruct people and get things done while at the same time being completely fun and hilarious to work with. And, even though she is one of my lifelong best friends, she told me from day one she’d be treating me as a client when it came to the details. She kept me on track with worksheets that documented each vendor and piece of the wedding, and asked questions that I didn’t even know to think of.

Q: Would you recommend me to another bride or groom?

A: Yes, and I’d be happy to talk to anyone who is considering working with you about the million reasons they need to bring Krista Malinin into the mix.

[Editor's Note: Gosh, I love these two! Thanks Jillian and Patrick for your kind words and your true, honest friendship!!]

Wedding: Liddy + Cody

2010-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

Meet Liddy & Cody.

This adorable couple was married August 14th, 2010 at Smog Shoppe in Culver City. L&C are insanely fun-loving, happy, and silly. They are super LOVED and supported by their family and friends... making their wedding a true celebration. And that made my job as their wedding coordinator all the more enjoyable.

From my very first meeting with Liddy, I knew she had an easy-breezy vibe. She is so chill and mellow that I wondered, "When is she going to stress out?!" She never did. She embodies the phrase "go with the flow." And I love her for it.

As a San Diego bride planning a wedding in Los Angeles, Liddy had to put A LOT of trust in her vendors. Due to her long-distance planning and lack of time in town, she never had a floral preview. She showed the ladies of Holly Flora a couple reference images and told them she wanted the florals to have a "loose, organic, just-picked" design. Bright and happy. Boy-oh-boy, did those gals get it right! The flowers were bursts of vivid colors... as if the blossoms were jewels or colorful lollypops. Peonies, ranunculus, dahlias, garden roses, French marigolds, lisianthus, craspedia, scabiosa, poppies, and other wildflowers overflowed from their vintage tea tins, wooden bowls, colorful glass, and brass containers. Whimsical vintage animal figurines were incorporated into the centerpieces, while oil lamps glowed and illuminated the reception.

One floral touch that was thoughtful and unexpected was the orchid lei their friend/officiant wore during the ceremony instead of a traditional boutonniere. What a fresh, modern concept!

There were plenty of handmade, custom touches throughout the venue space. Colorful personalized paper flags and banner, which mimicked the invitation design, were displayed. "Heehaw" signs with sayings like, "You're the cream in my coffee" and "I love you like biscuits and gravy." The bride created the placecards herself, which were strung on twine along the Smog Shoppe bookshelves and secured with miniature clothes pins.

When the happy couple, who have been together for seven years, danced their first dance to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by IZ, a Hawaiian beach scene played on the movie screen above them. During dinner, the movie screen showcased western movies featuring John Wayne.

The place settings at each reception table were just another fun and casual aspect. Liddy told me she didn't want formal china or basic white plates. So we decided to go with Bamboo plates and utensils (an eco-friendly option in disposables), accented with colorful napkins with bold patterns. I couldn't imagine it being more festive and fitting to the rest of the decor.

For food, Liddy chose the super-awesome option of bringing in a taco truck, where guests could custom order their favorite tacos... from carne asada to shrimp, from chicken to vegetarian. Servers tray-passed gourmet tamales and each reception table has bowls of fresh tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa fresca. Delicious, fun, and very SoCal. For sweets, the bride's talented aunt created a tower of cupcake heaven. Each treat was individually designed to reflect the color scheme and playful vibe of the event. What a crowd pleaser! And as for drinks, guests sipped on Cadillac Margaritas, Pink Grapefruit Margaritas, Cucumber Gimlets, and Thyme Lemon Drops.

During the reception, Cody and his friends grabbed their instruments and jammed for a short set, whipping the guests into a frenzy. It completely set the tone for an energetic night ahead. At the very end of their set, Cody stood alone with his acoustic guitar onstage and sang a song he wrote for his beautiful bride. It was incredibly heartfelt and truly one of the most romantic moments I have ever witnessed. After wiping away the tears, the guests were back in action, busting it out on the dancefloor. DJ Smiles kept that floor packed up until the very last song.

When not on the dancefloor, guests popped into the photobooth adorned in the many disguises and props... Mexican Wrestler, Playboy Bunny, Darth Vader, and anything in between!

As a coordinator, I find it easy to fall in love with my clients and these two are no exception! Their wedding was filled with so much joy and happiness that it radiated throughout the space. It was contagious! I'm so proud that I was able to collaborate with Liddy (and our amazing vendor team!) to bring her vision to life. Congratulations to the very happy couple!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for Amber Events

(with special thanks to my assistant: Kelsi)

Venue: Smog Shoppe (Culver City, CA)

On-Site Management: TACT Management

Catering: Jalisco's Taco Grill

Cupcakes: Jane William (Bride's Aunt)

Cupcake Stand: The Cupcake Tower

Photographer: Picotte Photography

Videographer: Dan Padgett (Groom's Uncle)

Flowers: Holly Flora

Rentals: Huntington Catering Company

DJ: DJ Smiles Davis

Photo Booth: Photobox LA

Hair & Make-Up: Mariah Nicole

Paper Products: Various Etsy Shops

Wedding Gown: Saja Wedding Collection

Officiant: Dan Caroselli (Friend of the Couple)

Valet: Jeffrey Valet

Shuttle Transportation: Bus Bank

Hotel Accommodations: Hotel Erwin (Venice, CA)

Honeymoon: Costa Rica

To read the Q&A with Liddy and Cody, click here.

To read about this wedding's feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

To see their four-page spread in Wedding Magazine UK, click here.

Q&A: Liddy + Cody

2010-12-31T06:04:00.000-08:00

My sweet bride Liddy (whose wedding you can read about HERE or see as a Style Me Pretty feature HERE or see their four-page spread in Wedding Magazine UK HERE) recently took time to answer my post-wedding questionnaire, which not only helps me with bettering my wedding planning skills, but may also offer some insight to future brides (and grooms) everywhere! So here's what she and her husband Cody had to say!

Q: What was the best part of your wedding day?
A: Cody's Surprise Song, Dancing with EVERYONE I love, Seeing Dan [the officiant] cry at the ceremony

Q: What was unexpected that you loved?
A: Grandma Wanda wandering around the bathroom lost in her Lucha Libre mask from the Photobooth

Q: What (if anything) would you change?
A: Less wine, more tequila!

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent more time or money on?
A: I really can't think of anything

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent less time or money on?
A: Everything was so perfect, I would not have changed anything! Everything that we splurged on was completely worth it in the end.

Q: How did you feel after the wedding?
A: Loved

Q: What is your #1 tip for future brides and grooms?
A: Pick great vendors and let them do all the work! Don't micromanage and give too much direction - if you pick vendors you trust and know you like what they have done in the past, they will do a great job withougt too much input! Just give them a sense of what you want and let them roll with it. These people know what they are doing way better than you do. And...Hire Krista! :)

Q: What part of my service was the most important to you?
A: Everything, seriously! I don't know what I would have done without you. Your amazing ability to make the day perfect and exactly what I wanted.

Q: What part of my service was the least important to you?
A: Everything you did was important!

Q: How would you rate the quality of my service?
A: Amazing Amazing Amazing

Q: Would you recommend me to another bride or groom?
A: Without a doubt! THANK YOU KRISTA!!!!!

Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: Hiring Krista was the best decision I made during my wedding planning process. She took over six weeks before my wedding day, and in this time took all the pieces I had gathered and made it all WORK! Before Krista came into my life, I was becoming more and more confused and frightened the closer my wedding day approached. The moment she started working on my wedding I was confident in her ability to make my wedding exactly what I wanted – she knows what she is doing, knows my venue, and is oh-so-organized. She went along with all my ideas, and gently molded them into a way that made sense and made everything work together.

Her performance during the wedding was also incredible. She kept me calm, made sure everyone knew what was going on, and provided an overall sense that nothing could go wrong because she was prepared for absolutely anything. I had so much fun at my wedding and I credit Krista for allowing me to relax and enjoy it because I knew that everything was under control in her hands. It was the best wedding ever. THANK YOU KRISTA!! xoxo
[Editor's Note: Wow, Cody and Liddy! Thank you so much for those wonderful words and for always oozing joy and happiness! It was contagious!]

Featured Wedding: Wedding Magazine UK

2010-12-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

I always knew Liddy and Cody's wedding was special, but now we've gone international! Wow! I'm so honored and pleased to see this beautiful event make a splash across the pond in the current issue of Wedding Magazine UK! Check out the four-page spread below:

To read my original blog entry about Liddy and Cody's big day, click here.

To read the Q&A with Liddy and Cody, please click here.

To read my blog entry on their feature in Style Me Pretty, click here.

To see the feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

Featured Wedding: Style Me Pretty!

2010-12-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

It was such a wonderful honor to be featured on Style Me Pretty: The Ultimate Wedding Blog! a couple months ago. But now, a second wedding which I planned for another company has once again been chosen to be showcased on the website!! Liddy and Cody's wedding was so full of love, color, and humor! I am so pleased and humbled to be recognized for this joyous event!!

To see the feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

To see even MORE amazing photos from Picotte Photography from this wedding, please click here.

To read my original blog entry about Liddy and Cody's big day, click here.

To read the Q&A with Liddy and Cody, please click here.

To see their four-page spread in Wedding Magazine UK, click here.

Event: Tara + Brian

2010-12-15T15:47:00.000-08:00

Newlyweds Tara and Brian wanted an intimate West Coast celebration with close friends following their big wedding on the East Coast. And that's just what I gave them. All white flowers with a touch of the holidays created a romantic feel at a casual, comfort-food dinner for ten guests. Lots of smiles, laughs, and memories on a warm December evening in California. Congrats to the very happy couple!

Event Coordination: Krista Malinin for KGM WeddingsVenue: Private Home (Los Angeles, California)Catering: Suzie FoodsFlowers & Decor: Krista Malinin for KGM Weddings

Wedding: Erin + Calvin

2010-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Meet Erin & Calvin.

This incredible couple was married on July 4th, 2010 at Smog Shoppe in Culver City. E&C are kind, funny, hard-working, and crazy-in-love. I was oh-so-proud to be their wedding coordinator and witness their undeniable love.

I mean, just check out these sweet, tearful moments from their "First Look"...

The overall theme was very natural and modern, pulling from the aesthetic and textures of Smog Shoppe's interior design. Shades of green, from lime to seafoam, created the base of the color scheme, with pops of tangerine, raspberry, and bright yellow.

A friend of the bride produced the floral arrangements which consisted of a variety of succulents accented by garden roses, orchids (cymbidium, dendrobium, and phaleonopsis), berries, lotus pods, herbs, cockscomb, mums, ranunculus, seeded eucalyptus, and poppies.

The ceremony was a mixture of Jewish, African American, and modern traditions. The bride and groom wrote their own vows and asked family members to recite the Seven Blessings.

When it comes to the bride's gorgeous gown and FABULOUS shoes, here's what she says: "My gown's designer was ME. I didn't like any of the dresses I tried on in stores except for really expensive ones. So I researched the elements of what I liked, put my thoughts together, and had it custom made. Marie Nelson of West Coast Couture is the dress maker. We worked together on the whole thing, back and forth, made adjustments. It totally worked out!! I loved my dress. I also had a custom hair accessory made from a small shop in San Diego. My shoes we my splurge. They are sea-foam green Christian Louboutins. I knew I wanted special shoes, but when I saw the green ones, I couldn't believe it. Green was my color."

The bride's maid-of-honor, Catharine Stuart, is a beautifully gifted artist. She hand-painted the invitations and created a watercolor image of the bride and groom, as well as a name/date logo with flowers, that would carry throughout the Ketubah, programs, bar menu, favor tags (for the homemade cookies in plantable-seed boxes), table numbers, seating chart, and place cards. Absolutely stunning!

Being that it was Fourth of July, what kind of night would it be without a little sparkle?! The couple's wedding party surrounded them with sparklers while they thanked their guests and cut the cake.

Combine "Young Frankenstein" playing on a movie screen behind the dancefloor, specialty mojito margaritas, amazing music, plus a lot of love and what do you get? One fantastic party! To spend just a moment with them is to witness two people who truly love each other.

One true highlight to any wedding is a photobooth. There's just something about them (and maybe the open bar!) that gets guests wacky. Red Cheese Photo Booths were on hand, but there wasn't any 'red' in sight... the booth was set-up inside the venue's pink closet. Fun!

It is an awesome perk of the job when I can form a friendship with my brides and grooms after their big day and I was lucky enough to do so with these lovely folks. A beautiful event, happy clients, AND new friends? It doesn't get much better than that! Well, maybe it does... she could loan me those divine shoes! Congratulations, my friends!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for Amber Events

(with special thanks to my assistants: Amber and Larina)

Venue: Smog Shoppe (Culver City, CA)

On-Site Management: TACT Management

Catering & Cake: Auntie Em's

Photographer: John Lauren Photography

Videographer: LA Color

Flowers: Jennifer Mehranvary

Rentals & Lighting: Town and Country Event Rentals

Reception DJ & Ceremony String Musicians: Dash Entertainment

Photo Booth: Red Cheese Photo Booth Rentals

Hair & Make-Up: Sharon Tabb Team

Paper Product Design: Hand-Painted Watercolor by Maid-of-Honor, Catharine Stuart

Wedding Gown Designer: THE BRIDE!

Wedding Gown Maker: Marie Nelson of West Coast Couture

Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bridemaids' Attire: Brides by Demetrios

Groom's Tux: Hugo Boss

Officiant: Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer

Valet: Jeffrey Valet

Shuttle Transportation: Corporate Coach Charter & Tours

Hotel Accommodations: W Hotel (Hollywood, CA), Culver Hotel (Culver City, CA),

Hotel Carmel (Santa Monica, CA), Four Points Sheraton (Culver City, CA)

Honeymoon: Maui & Kona, Hawaii

To read the Q&A with Erin and Calvin, click here.

Q&A: Erin + Calvin

2010-09-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

My fabulous bride Erin (whose wedding you can you read about HERE) recently took time to answer my post-wedding questionnaire, which not only helps me with bettering my wedding planning skills, but may also offer some insight to future brides (and grooms) everywhere! So here's what she and her husband Calvin had to say!

Q: What was the best part of your wedding day?
A: Seeing Calvin for the first time at the Culver Hotel, and the ceremony. It was so special and so personal, everything I could have imagined and more. I also loved that for the first time I really felt like I had nothing to worry about or think about because you had it all under control. I could truly let loose and enjoy the day. I had total confidence.

Q: What was unexpected that you loved?
A: I love that the Rabbi made us look at the guests, I had no idea he was going to ask that, but it was amazing to look in people's eyes and take it all in. I also loved that the frames with our pics in them were on the table assignment cards - I didn't plan that and it was perfect. I also loved the chuppah, it was set up perfectly without my help. And it was amazing how all the guests got along and socialized!

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent more time or money on?
A: I wish I would have spent more time preparing gifts for the wedding party. I bought little things here and there that would have made a nice gift baskets for each of the bridesmaids, but I never had the time to put them together and it was on my mind. I also would have liked to keep better track of gifts as they came in so after I would be better prepared to go through everything.

Q: Is there anything you wish you had spent less time or money on?
A: I spent too much money trying to figure out what my favors should be. I bought all kinds of paper and punches to make gift tags and in the mix of everything I lost some receipts and couldn't return things that I never used. It took me a long time to decide to just go with the little printed tags, but I wasted a lot of money getting to that point!

Q: How did you feel after the wedding?
A: We both can't even describe how amazing we felt after the wedding. It was truly, without a doubt, the absolute best night of our lives. We could not have had a more amazing night, it was everything we could have ever wanted. And our family and friends literally said it was the most amazing, special wedding they have ever been to.

Q: What is you #1 tip for future brides and grooms?
A: My # 1 tip, and I confirmed this with my Mom, is to hire Krista or someone just like her if you want a stress free, amazing wedding. I have gone over it in my head a million times, thinking about what the wedding would be like without you and it makes me nauseous! You can plan, but if you are a detail-oriented perfectionist, you must hire a wedding coordinator to truly enjoy the day.

Q: What part of my service was the most important to you?
A: The most important thing to me was your work-style. I interviewed other coordinators and chose you for your expertise, confidence, organization, intensity, and extremely timely responses. I wanted someone on-top of it, and someone who works like me.

Q: How would you rate the quality of my services?
A: Top notch service. You are extremely professional and know exactly what you are doing. Many people don't meet my expectations. I am very particular about how I like things and about the people I chose to work with and I wish everyone could work like you. I would / will recommend you to anyone, any day.

Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: Hiring Krista was the smartest thing I did when planning my wedding. I am very particular about the way I like things and Krista took the time to get to know me and what was most important to me for our wedding. Our wedding was the most amazing night of our lives and I owe so much to Krista. She made sure that everything was perfect and as planned. Krista is also amazing at prioritizing things to focus on if you ever feel overwhelmed. I knew from the beginning I could trust Krista and I was right - she is seriously the best asset a wedding can have. I am high energy, high stress and I let go of everything and enjoyed my wedding to the fullest. I didn't have a worry on my mind because I knew Krista would handle everything.

[Editor's Note: Thank you Erin and Calvin for sharing these lovely memories!

I fell in love with you both and wish you all the best!]

Wedding: Melody + Michael

2010-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Meet Melody & Michael.

This sweet and painfully gorgeous couple was married on June 26th, 2010 at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. M&M are adorable... in every sense of the word. To say it was a pleasure to be their wedding planner is simply an understatement. They totally rock. This is their story...

M&M were high school sweethearts. They dated for twelve years before Michael popped that big ol' question. And although some may think of them already as an 'old married couple,' I see their love as young, fresh, and blossoming before our eyes.

Michael is a writer in this little town called Hollywood and his humor is mad. Melody is a family psychologist, so as you can imagine, planning a wedding from start-to-finish within seven months while nurturing their successful careers was no simple feat.

Saddlerock Ranch is a rustic venue, located in the Santa Monica Mountains of Malibu. Exotic animals (like horses, buffalo, camels, zebras, llamas, sheep, and peacocks) roam the 1,000 acre farm. The vineyard setting, where Melody and Michael exchanged their vows, is secluded and stunning. It created a breathtaking backdrop to an emotional ceremony and fun-loving reception.

Melody was glowing her in Amy Michelson gown. After growing up in Texas, she embodied a true Southern Belle: beautiful, sweet, warm, honest... and deeply in love! During Michael's entrance in the ceremony, escorted by his parents, a trio of string musicians played Jesu, Joy of a Man's Desiring. As his bride walked down the aisle with her Mother and Father, Canon in D rang out through the vineyard. The tear and laughter-filled ceremony concluded with the ever-appropriate Ode to Joy.

The decor we aimed for was "French Country Vineyard." The talented ladies at Holly Flora created a lush garden feel, pairing blush and ivory peonies, peach juliet roses, freesia, tulips, garden roses, green hydrangea, dusty miller, sweet peas, and fresh herbs with vintage blue buckets, lanterns, and tarnished silver vases.

Instead of basic table numbers, Melody and Michael used their thirteen years together as inspiration for an opportunity to be creative. Each table represented a year the couple have shared together and feature a photo of them from said year, adding a personal touch throughout the table settings.

Although they had a wedding party of more than 20 people (!), the entire wedding guest count was only 83 people, keeping their closest family and friends surrounding them on their special day.

I'm all about the food so let's chat chow: Pre-ceremony, girlfriends of the bride passed out cucumber-mint water and honeydew-melon lemonade. During cocktail hour, guests sipped on red and white sangria, while munching on Ahi Tuna Tartar, Dijon-Peppercorn Steak Skewers, Baked Brie with Dried Cherries and Macadamia Nuts, Petite Bruschetta, Apple Chicken Farinettes, Jumbo Prawns Cocktail, and a gourmet Mezze Platter. A friend of the bride is a founder of Amber Waves Farm in the Hamptons and shipped organic greens and veggies across the country for the caterer to serve with the Pear, Pecan, and Gorgonzola Salad. For the main course, guests dined on Wild King Salmon and Roasted Beef Tenderloin. The wedding cake featured three delectable flavors: Pink Velvet with Strawberry Buttercream, Chocolate with Coconut Pecan Buttercream, and (my personal favorite!) Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting.

The party kicked off as Melody and Michael shared their first dance as husband and wife, with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind performance by a friend of the couple belting out "At Last" with the band. As they say, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Later in the reception, Melody took her turn behind the mic, singing with the band.

In true Southern style, Melody and Michael changed out of their wedding attire and into their "getaway" outfits for their Grand Send Off. Guests formed an aisle for the couple and blew bubbles into the night sky before Melody and Michael hopped into a vintage 1950 Rolls Royce Bentley, heading off to their honeymoon in Italy.

Towards the end of our seven-month planning stint, our meetings felt more like getting together with old friends whose wedding I just happened to be coordinating. So it was no surprise that after they returned from their honeymoon, we began a friendship. I just love these two... congratulations M&M!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for Amber Events

(with special thanks to my assistants: Erin, Kelsi, and Nira!)

Venue: Saddlerock Ranch (Malibu, CA)

Catering: Contemporary Catering

Photographer: Picotte Photography

Flowers & Decor: Holly Flora

Rentals & Lighting: Town & Country Event Rentals

Band: No Vacancy Entertainment

Ceremony String Musicians: Alison Spieth Trio

Cake: A Sweet Design

Hair & Make-Up: John of Italy Salon

Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas

Wedding Gown: Amy Michelson "Sugar"

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jasmine

Men's Attire: MW Tux

Officiant: JP Reynolds

Videographer: Super 8mm Film (shot by friend of the couple)

On-Site Security: Sandman Security

On-Site Valet: Premiere Valet Parking

Shuttle Transportation: Corporate Coach Charters

Getaway Car: A Classic Wedding Car

Hotel Accommodations: Westlake Village Inn

Honeymoon: Venice, Cinqueterre, Florence, and Rome, Italy

To read the Q&A with Melody and Michael, please click here.

To read about this wedding's feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

Q&A: Melody + Michael

2010-09-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

My beautiful bride Melody (whose wedding you can read about HERE or see as a Style Me Pretty cover feature HERE) recently took time to answer my post-wedding questionnaire, which not only helps me with bettering my wedding planning skills, but may also offer some insight to future brides (and grooms) everywhere! So here's what she and her husband Michael had to say!

Q: What was the best part of your wedding day?
A: I was completely in love with the day from start to finish up at the Chateau! The scenery was breathtaking and every element of the picturesque day was magical!

Q: What was unexpected that you loved?

A: Being in the spotlight during our "first dance song blunder" and my dear friend stepping in to sing her beautiful rendition of "At Last" which saved the day!

[Editor's Note: The iPod file with their song was corrupt and wouldn't play, so a friend of the couple, who was scheduled to sing later in the reception, jumped up, the band kicked in, and she sang "At Last" to perfection. A one-of-a-kind moment. There was not a dry eye in the place. Sometimes, I truly believe there are happy accidents and meant-to-be mishaps!]

Q: What (if anything) would you change?

A:I wish there was more time... the night could have gone on forever, I was on a cloud!

Q: How did you feel after the wedding?

A: I was in the clouds for days... maybe I still am a little. The day and on into the night gave me chills... and giant, orange, glowing full moon was a definite bonus!

Q: What is your #1 tip to future brides and grooms?

A: Enjoy the ride, enjoy every single minute of the planning, do it together, and don't sweat the small stuff!

Q: What do you feel made your wedding different or unique?

A: The gorgeous winery, the intimate setting with limited guests, the location was away from everything... felt like our own private island!

Q: What part of my service was the most important to you?

A: Organization, Timeline, Budget, Vendor advice, What-Where-When-How ☺

Q: What part of my service was the least important to you?

A: I didn’t care how we communicated, just mattered to me that we did… and often. It was helpful to me that you stayed connected ☺

Q: How would you rate my services?

A: Excellent ☺ You were AWESOME!! I know you spent a lot of your time and energy in helping us create an amazing day, and it was well worth it! I could not have done it with out you!!!

Q: Anything else you'd like to say?

A: Krista helped us every step of the way in planning our dream wedding! She went above and beyond the call of duty with meetings, going to bat for us with our vendors, and keeping us on point! She is very professional and compassionate and she showed that she truly cared about us and the most special day in our lives! We thank her so much for helping us create such an amazing day!

[Editor's Note: Congratulations and thank you to Melody & Michael for this lovely review of their big day.]

Featured Wedding: Style Me Pretty!

2010-09-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! I feel incredibly honored and proud to have one of my weddings as a COVER Feature on Style Me Pretty: The Ultimate Wedding Blog. Melody and Michael's wedding is/was UNDENIABLY gorgeous and I'm bouncing for joy that it is being recognized as the fairytale it was!

To see the feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

To see even MORE amazing photos from Picotte Photography of that lovely day, please click here.

To read my original blog entry about Melody and Michael's big day, click here.

To read the Q&A with Melody and Michael, please click here.

Wedding: Debora + David

2009-11-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

Meet Debora & David.

This beautiful couple was married on October 10th, 2009 at The London Hotel in West Hollywood. D&D are young, fun, funny, cool, and have amazing style. And I was truly honored to be their wedding coordinator.

David is a fashion designer and the CEO of Kasil Jeans. His gorgeous wife, Debora, is an assistant designer, but you would have thought she was a model in her stunning Melissa Sweet gown, cathedral-length veil, Mirium Haskell pearl jewelry, and fabulous, floral-embellished Miu Miu shoes.

The decor for their wedding was soft and romantic, yet modern. I love the paper poof balls and swags of hydrangea strands that hung above their ceremony altar.

There were enormous gold birdcages wrapped in and overflowing with blush pink roses, hydrangea, peonies, and dahlias flanking the ceremony.Birds, branches, lavish florals, and beautiful vintage glassware popped up throughout the reception.

In lieu of a traditional champagne toast, the couple chose to do a tequila shot toast instead. Shot glasses were poured at tables and tray-passed during the reception to insure each and every guest could enjoy. (Did I mention that they're fun?!)Their guests also had two specialty cocktails to choose from, which were created by the bride and groom: a spicy, citrus martini and a blackberry mojito.

The bride and groom barely left the dancefloor and demanded I join them for the last song of the night. So alongside the happy couple and their amazing friends, I danced, sang, and celebrated to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

David and Debora are the best kind of bride and groom: kind, happy, and head-over-heels in love. They (along with the incredible vendor team!) made my job of coordinating their wedding a fabulous experience. I know I will be joining the newlyweds for tequila shots very soon!

Congratulations D&D!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for Amber Events

(with special thanks to my assistants: Suzanne and Nicole)

Venue & Catering: The London Hotel (West Hollywood, CA)

Photographer: Jay Reilly Photography

Flowers, Décor, & Rentals: White Lilac

Band: LA All Stars

Lighting: Shine Lighting

Cake: Betty’s Sweet Dreams

Hair & Make-Up: Etude Lounge Salon

Invitations: Bella Figura

Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet

Bridal Boutique: The White Dress, Corona del Mar

Bridal Jewelry: Miriam Haskell

Bridal Shoes: Miu Miu

Groom's Suit: Custom Made by His Father

Bridesmaid Dress & Groomsmen Suit Rentals: Bella Wedding Bridal

Bridesmaid Jewelry: Carolee Lux

Officiant: Pastor KJ Ahn from Young Nak Celebration Church

Honeymoon: Fairmont Kea Lani - Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

To read the Q&A with Debora and David, click here.

Q&A: Debora + David

2009-11-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

My cool bride Debora (whose wedding you can read about HERE) recently took time to answer my post-wedding questionnaire, which not only helps me with bettering my wedding planning skills, but may also offer some insight to future brides (and grooms) everywhere! So here's what she and her husband David had to say!

Hey Krista,

Thanks again for being part of our wonderful wedding! Once Debora and I got a chance to wind down in Hawaii, we reflected on the evening and just thought how smoothly everything worked out and all thanks to our kick ass coordinator.

From the bottom of our hearts, you made our most special evening so memorable and so stress free that Hawaii was even better because of the smooth sailing. Thank you for setting us off on the right note!

All the best,
David & Debora

Q: What are your fondest memories of your wedding day?
A: When we both cried and seeing both our parents happy, knowing that we had both found each other. And the reception, for what we remember, went by so fast, but the moments caught on camera are priceless!

Q: What part of my service was the most important to you?
A: Your organization and attention to the details.

Q: What (if anything) would you change?
A: I do regret a bit that we didn't get the parents to dance more. I felt like with Korean parents, they need a little bit of push to dance, then they will come out and enjoy themselves. Looking at the pictures, they were just sitting down most of the night. We were just having so much fun, I completely forgot about them.

Q: Was the service worth what you paid? Why or why not?
A: Of course! We know someone else here at work that is going to be married this November and I asked her if she needed a coordinator. She insisted that she wants to do it herself and I was just thinking, "If only she knew how important it is to have no worries that day and it’s all about having a good time."

Q: How would you rate the quality of my service?
A: If the scale is 1-10, 11! We both agree that you did everything to meet our expectations.

Q: How did you feel after the wedding?
A: Hung over… oh, you mean right after. Very relieved and just really happy.

Q: Would you recommend me to another bride or groom?
A: Of course - we already did. We will for other future husband-and-wives-to-be.

Q: What is your #1 tip for engaged couples?
A: Get a good coordinator cause it’s worth it! Memories for that day should be stress free and a good coordinator will make sure you are both there to get married and to have a blast. Also, we loved taking pictures beforehand. I think it should be a must!

Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: Krista, you made our wedding day feel like we were stars, I’m sure behind the scenes chaos always occurs, but we saw no of that and we thank you once again for making it happen like the movies! As much as David TRIED to help during the planning, it felt very comforting to know that you were there. It made me feel like I had a star player on my team!!! Rock on!

[Editor's Note: Debora and David, I cannot thank you enough for being some beautiful people and fabulous clients! Best of luck to you always!]

Featured Wedding: Grace Ormonde Wedding Style

2009-08-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

I began working in the wedding planning business several years ago, before I was even engaged to my now-husband. But the very first wedding I coordinated from beginning to end was our own. And in honor of our first anniversary, our wedding was recently featured in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style online magazine. I love the article written by Kim Knox-Beckius about our love story and the gorgeous twenty-some photos the editors hand-selected. A big thanks to our amazing photographer and friend Danielle Biel of Skye Blu Photography for submitting our wedding to the publication!

{ VENDOR CREDITS }

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for KGM Weddings

Venue & Catering: Cicada (Los Angeles, CA)

Photographer: Skye Blu Photography

Flowers: Jackie Combs Floral Design

Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop

DJ: VIP DJ Entertainment

Lighting: G2 Audio and Lighting

Bridal Gown Designer: Paloma Blanca

Bridal Salon: Marylinn’s Bridal

Bride's Shoes: David's Bridal

Bride's Hair Accessory: Bel Aire Bridal

Make-Up: Jeannie Mai

Hair: Edrickcan Loox, Cambria Serrano, Sarah Merrie

Bridesmaids' Attire: J. Crew

Men's Attire: MW Tux

Mother-of-the-Bride's Gown: Jim Hjelm

Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas & The White Aisle

Jewelry: Simon G (bride) and Coge Design (groom), Courtesy of Robbins Brothers

Officiant: Reverend Ricardo Rene Garcia (friend of the couple)

Cocktail Hour Pianist: Sergio DuBois (friend of the couple)

Linen Rental: Cloth Connection

Additional Rentals: Red Cheese Photo Booth

Videographer: Russell Fowler Studios

Registries: Crate & Barrel, Macy’s

Transportation: Diva Limousines

Hotel Accommodations: Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Honeymoon Hotels: UNA Hotel Vittoria, Florence, Italy and Granados 83, Barcelona, Spain

Kudos and Acknowledgments from Former Clients & Fellow Vendors

2007-01-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

"Krista, you helped us every step of the way in planning our dream wedding! You went above and beyond the call of duty with meetings, going to bat for us with our vendors, and keeping us on point! You are very professional and compassionate and showed that you truly cared about us and the most special day in our lives! We thank you so much for helping us create such an amazing day! You were AWESOME!! I know you spent a lot of your time and energy in helping us create an amazing day, and it was well worth it! We could not have done it without you!!!"

Melody & Michael Black (Bride & Groom)

* * *

"Krista, you made our wedding day feel like we were stars. I’m sure behind-the-scenes chaos always occurs, but we saw none of that and we thank you once again for making it happen like the movies! Once we got a chance to wind down, we reflected on the evening and just thought how smoothly everything worked out and its all thanks to our kick ass coordinator. From the bottom of our hearts, you made our most special evening so memorable and so stress-free. We loved every aspect of our wedding and are very thankful that we had you as our coordinator. It felt very comforting to know that you were there. It made us feel like we had a star player on our team!!! It was such an amazing night and it would not have been possible without you. Thank you rock star coordinator! If the scale is 1 to 10, you are 11! Rock on!"

Debora & David Lim (Bride & Groom)

* * *

"The BEST wedding coordinator on the planet! Hiring Krista was the smartest thing I did when planning my wedding. I am very particular about the way I like things and Krista took the time to get to know me and what was most important to me for our wedding. Our wedding was the most amazing night of our lives and I owe so much to Krista. She made sure that everything was perfect and as planned. Krista is also amazing at prioritizing things to focus on if you ever feel overwhelmed. I knew from the beginning I could trust Krista and I was right - she is seriously the best asset a wedding can have. I am high energy, high stress and I let go of everything and enjoyed my wedding to the fullest. I didn't have a worry on my mind because I knew Krista would handle everything. For the first time, I really felt like I had nothing to worry about or think about because she had it all under control. I could truly let loose and enjoy the day. I had total confidence.

The most important thing to me was her work-style... expertise, confidence, organization, intensity, and extremely timely responses. I wanted someone on-top of it. Top notch service. Krista is extremely professional and knows exactly what she is doing. Many people don't meet my expectations. I am very particular about how I like things and about the people I chose to work with and I wish everyone could work like her. I would/will recommend her to anyone, any day.

My # 1 tip, and I confirmed this with my Mom, is to hire Krista if you want a stress free, amazing wedding. I have gone over it in my head a million times, thinking about what the wedding would be like without you and it makes me nauseous! You can plan, but if you are a detail-oriented perfectionist, you must hire a wedding coordinator to truly enjoy the day."

Erin Mays (Bride)

* * *

"Hiring Krista was the best decision I made during my wedding planning process. She took over six weeks before my wedding day, and in this time took all the pieces I had gathered and made it all WORK! Before Krista came into my life, I was becoming more and more confused and frightened the closer my wedding day approached. The moment she started working on my wedding I was confident in her ability to make my wedding exactly what I wanted – she knows what she is doing, knows my venue, and is oh-so-organized. She went along with all my ideas, and gently molded them into a way that made sense and made everything work together.

Her performance during the wedding was also incredible. She kept me calm, made sure everyone knew what was going on, and provided an overall sense that nothing could go wrong because she was prepared for absolutely anything. I had so much fun at my wedding and I credit Krista for allowing me to relax and enjoy it because I knew that everything was under control in her hands. It was the best wedding ever.

THANK YOU KRISTA!! All I can say is you have been AMAZING! I don't know how I would have survived this without you. Thank you Krista for making it perfect!!! You are the best! xoxo"

Liddy Padgett (Bride)

* * *

"You were such an important part of our wedding. As our month-of coordinator, you stepped in at the most stressful time and made it all come together. You created the most detailed timeline I’ve ever seen (seriously – EVER seen) and made sure everyone from the band, make-up artist, photographer— even FAMILY— knew exactly where to be and when. No one had to ask 'where should I be' or 'who is taking home the gifts' or the million other questions that pop up in the final hours of planning because you covered every detail.

You are a consummate professional and have the ability to instruct people and get things done while at the same time being completely fun and hilarious to work with. You kept me on track with worksheets that documented each vendor and piece of the wedding, and asked questions that I didn’t even know to think of. I’d be happy to talk to anyone who is considering working with you about the million reasons they need to bring Krista Malinin into the mix."

Jillian Griffin (Bride)

* * *

“Krista was a godsend. Just a wonderful, warm person ready to get whatever needed to be done taken care of on a moment’s notice.”

Miriam Gersten (Mother-of-the-Bride)

* * *

"Krista, thank you so much for everything! I just wanted to say my daughter was right... I can't imagine how anyone could have a wedding without a planner!!!!! Thank you... you're the best!!!!"

Joyce Sweet (Mother-of-the-Bride)

* * *

“Thanks for being so amazing on our wedding day! It was so magical and perfect!”

Mallika Bush (Bride)

* * *

"I LOVED Krista, she is just perfect for that job!"

Brittany Jenkins (Bride)

* * *

"Hey Krista!! Thank you! This wedding turned out to be one of my favorites of the year! And I want to give you FULL credit for making sure the day went off without a hitch. You are great at what you do and it shows that you love it too! Anytime we can be of service, we're here for you!"

Suthi Picotte (Picotte Photography)

* * *

"You my dear, may very well be one of the most professional and organized wedding planners I've ever worked with! I love it!"

Diana Jung (Diana Elizabeth Photography)

* * *

"Krista, thank you for all the support throughout the ramp up to the wedding. The catering team appreciates you sooo much. It is always our pleasure to work with you. So happy everyone was pleased. We had a great time and you were one of the reasons why."

Elayne Sawaya (Auntie Em's Catering)

* * *

“There are so many words that I can use to describe Krista and her work ethics. First and foremost, she was always enthusiastic in everything she did or took on. Her smile was infectious and always put someone at ease. She has a very kind and gentle manner about her, yet Krista always had a firm grip on situations. She was extremely attentive to duty and was very caring in every element that came her way. Reliable is always a word that comes to mind when referring to Krista. She is driven, professional, and willing to bend-over-backwards to make everything and anything happen in an efficient manner. Anyone who hires her on will be pleasantly surprised… and then some!”

Kimery Sherwood (Wedding Coordinator)

* * *

"Krista is Awesome with a capital A and has become a great friend along with being an intensely detailed, on-the-ball, fast thinking, quick moving, wedding coordinator. She is also one of the funniest women I know."

Amber Gustafson (Wedding Coordinator)

* * *

“Krista showed a great deal of responsibility and pride in her work. I can easily recommend Krista as a person you can count on to produce outstanding work with a great attitude and a close attention-to-detail. Krista was a pleasure to work with.”

Matt Bettinger (Event Producer)

My Wedding Planning Services

2007-01-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

FULL-SERVICE COORDINATION

With this package, I work closely with you throughout the entire planning process.

I assist you with venue scouts, vendor selection, budget management, choosing theme and décor, and organizing all the important details for your wedding, including the day-of coordination itself.

MONTH-OF COORDINATION

This package begins approximately six weeks before your wedding, once you have contracted all vendors and chosen your design elements. I work directly with your vendors and venue, coordinating all of the logistical aspects of the event and overseeing production of your beautiful wedding.

(This package does not include vendor selection or budget management.)

An initial meeting is the first step in the process. Please contact me today to arrange an appointment.

Hi. My name is Krista. And I plan weddings.

2007-01-01T00:00:00.001-08:00

Here’s just a little bit about me: I am in love with all-things-vintage, the New York Yankees, my awesome husband, traveling the globe, dancing like a maniac, making new friends, crafting crafts, and snuggling with animals... especially our crazy and spoiled chihuahua, Lucy. My dislikes? Rudeness, brussels sprouts, and spiders. I was born on the East Coast and raised in the Midwest, so I feel I have a healthy combination of a strong work ethic, a wicked sense of humor, a fiesty Italian personality, and a warm, happy heart.

I’ve been living in Los Angeles since 2003, started working in the wedding industry in 2007, and was married here in 2008. So as a former LA bride, I understand the importance of trust, knowledge, and care that my brides and grooms need from me as their coordinator. I truly enjoy what I do and it shows in my relationships with my clients and fellow vendors, as well as my lovely events. Oh yeah, and I still tear up at every single one of my weddings.

I combine my passion for design, my (obsessive-compulsive) organization, my acute attention-to-detail, and my enthusiasm for collaborating with others to create beautiful weddings. I feel incredibly honored to be chosen by brides and grooms to play a part in one of the most important days of their lives.

My work has received recognition in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Wedding Magazine UK, and Style Me Pretty: The Ultimate Wedding Blog.