This takes the cake (stand)!

Its expected that much thought will go into a wedding cake.  No matter what the final design – the best way to display the culinary art is on a pedestal.   And what better way to express your personality, your event’s design and themes, and perhaps a little “pow!” to the cake table than to have the pedestal designed specifically for you? 

That’s the idea behind Raise The Cake – a brand new cake stand studio reminding us: “don’t make the mistake of forgetting to raise your cake!”  The concept occurred to owner Kathy Jo Peterson, a wedding planner who noticed a cake always looks better when elevated, and after years of seeing the same silver stands, she launched on the idea – her studio has scores of ideas to inspire: here are a just a few examples of added pizazz…!

Fun & Funky, Glitzy & Glam, or Sleek & Mod, there is a cake stand for you!

Design Visage Hair Accessories

Design Visage, known throughout Southern California as the premiere providers of extraordinary hair & makeup for brides and their bridal parties, has launched Bridal Mode, wedding accessories.  The focus is on hair accents: combs, clips, tiaras, with pearls, crystals, feather…there are so many styles, got giddy just looking at ‘em!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Not only are these gorgeous pieces perfect for a bride’s hairstyle, but brides could pick specific pieces to go with their bridesmaids’ personalities and “voila!” – the bridal party will have hair adornment AND a personalized gift from the bride.   So two great resourses for brides ready to think about their wedding day beauty needs: Design Visage and Bridal Mode – happy wedding planning!

…let freedom ring

“While we celebrate the 4th of July weekend with friends and family over picnics and BBQs, let’s find a moment to reflect and count our blessings and give thanks for the freedoms we have, the freedoms fought for so that future generations may benefit, the freedoms yet to be gained, and the glory that we live in a country where your right to speak, your right to participate and express an opinion, your right to vote, your right to fight for a better tomorrow is the foundation of these United States of America.

The challenges aren’t easy, the changes are not quick, but the tenacity and will of the people are not hindered.  So much progress has been made, so much ground still yet to cover.  And its because of freedoms provided by the Constitution, defended by our men and women in uniform, challenged and shaped through time that we can grow, we can prosper, we can do and be better.

All this and apple pie, too.

May you have a safe celebration this weekend enjoying the comfort of friendships, the laughter of children, the wonder of fireworks as they light up the sky, and a reflection of gratitude in the moment.”

~Meliss

KTLA “I Do Redo”: Wedding Day at The Ebell…!

Here it is!  The moment(s) we’ve all been waiting for – Jayanne & Perry’s KTLA “I Do Redo” Wedding at The Ebell of Los Angeles!!  Take a look at all the little moments that made for a big celebration, just click on the image to watch the segment!

The Ebell, WeddingJeannie, CakeDivas - oh my!

The Bride's hair & makeup

The Groom waits patiently

WeddingWire has a surprise!

Just before the gown

A toast, first dance, reception recap

images from Cherifoto

Special thanks to everyone involved in creating the magic…

WeddingWire.com, Wedding Jeannie, Jacks & Bellas, Cheriefoto, Prince Weddings, Town & Country Event Rentals, Wildflower Linens, Cake Divas, Mon Amie Bridal Salon, Adorn Brides, Friar Tux, Rev. Clint Hufft, Red Cheese, Del Lago Trio, Music on the Move, Designs by Tamiko, Shear Rhythm, Pleasant Holidays and of course, KTLA Morning News.

Back to our regularly schedule program…

Jayanne & Perry's I Do Redo Wedding airs Wed. July 1st on KTLA Morning News

Due to the unfortunate deaths of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson on Thursday, the scheduled “I Do Redo” live broadcast from the Ebell of Los Angeles last Friday was delayed.    You know the saying: “The show must go on” – and it did!

So set your dial Tivo to catch KTLA Morning News on Wednesday July 1st and see every bit of Friday’s celebration. You will get to see all the winning elements, the gorgeous re-bride and handsome re-groom, and the lovely setting staged at The Ebell for their Redo Wedding.

KTLA “I Do Redo”: Honeymoon

The last piece of Wedding Wire & KTLA’s “I Do Redo” puzzle: the honeymoon!!  Pleasant Holidays has arranged three gorgeous Hawaiin resorts as options – which one will Jayanne & Perry get to enjoy?  Go online and vote!!!   If you missed the segment this morning, watch the clip below, then go online and vote!

Thanks to everyone for participating in all the decision making!  Be sure to tune in Friday, June 26th to the KTLA Morning Show - all morning long, they will be broadcasting from the historic Ebell of Los Angeles as we prepare and then celebrate Jayanne & Perry’s redo wedding.  You won’t want to miss the fun, especially since you helped chose every bit of it.

Brunch Cocktails featured on KTLA

We presented three refreshing brunch cocktails on the KTLA Morning News this morning for the “I Do Redo” Contest (be sure to vote for your favorite menu!) and we wanted to share the recipes for you to try at your summer gatherings.

Designed for a ‘before noon’ menu, feel free to experiment and fine tune the recipes to perfectly fit your summertime celebrations!  And let us know what delicious concoctions you create!

Sparkling White Wine Sangria

- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered

- 2 oranges, sliced into chunks

- 2 limes, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings

- 3 plums, pitted and cut into chunks

- 1/2 medium sized honeydew melon, cut into chunks

- 2 bottles white wine (Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay)

- 1/2 cup Triple Sec

- 1 liter club soda or ginger ale

- Ice

Place all fruit in a large pitcher; add wine and triple sec .  Allow to sit at least 4 hours (24 hours is ideal.)  Over ice in a large wine glass, pour sangria and spoon in fruit, topping with club soda or ginger ale to taste. Serves 10-12

Mint Peach Julep

- 2 oz Peach Schnapps or Brandy

- 2 oz peach nectar

- 4 mint leaves

- 7-up or ginger ale

- Ice

Place mint leaves and Peach Schnapps or Brandy into the bottom of a lowball glass and muddle the mixture.  Stir in peach nectar and top glass with ice.  Fill glass with club soda or ginger ale.

Sorrento Sunrise

- 2 oz Ventura Limoncello Originale

- 2 oz orange juice

- 2 oz cranberry juice

- Club soda

- lemon wheel

- Ice

In a shaker with ice, add limoncello and fruit juices.  Shake vigorously and pour into a tall glass.  Top with club soda and garnish with lemon wheel.

Be sure to go to www.ktla.com/wedding and vote for your favorite menu with cooresponding beverage.  Then tune in on Friday when all the winning choices are revealed at Jayanne & Perry’s Redo Wedding at the Ebell of Los Angeles!

KTLA “I Do Redo”: Cuisine by Ebell

“Food, glorious food!”  We voted on gowns and on flowers earlier this week, now its time to talk MENU!  The Ebell of Los Angeles’ Executive Chef Louis Pechan presented three extraordinary menu concepts, each coordinated with its own uniquely designed Specialty Cocktail.  And YOU get to pick the one you like best for Jayanne & Perry’s friends and family when they gather this Friday for thier “I Do Redo” reception at the Ebell.

So be sure to go to www.KTLA.com/wedding and vote for your favorite regional cuisine!  Here are the full menus for your review…!

To help you with your summer celebrations, we have posted on our blog the recipes of each of the Specialty Cocktails featured on today’s menus!

Special thanks to Town & Country Event Rentals for unique plates, glasses and flatware that help us set a gorgeous table, and to Ventura Limoncello Company for inspiring one of the signature cocktails.

KTLA “I Do Redo”: Florals

Today, Rene Delacueva from Jacks & Bellas introduced us to three different floral design concepts for Jayanne & Perry’s “Redo Wedding” taking place this Friday at our Ebell of Los Angelels.  Jacks & Bellas is a new vision of R. Jack Balthazar and is offering three distinctive style with lots of color and vitality in each unique concept.  Which one do you like best for the lucky couple??

TELL US WITH YOUR VOTE! Go to www.KTLA.com/wedding and vote for your favorite!

And don’t forget to tune in tomorrow – Wednesday – as the Ebell’s Executive Chef Louis Pechan and Director of Special Events Melissa Allen will bring three scrumptious menu options for your consideration!!  Stay tuned…!!

KTLA “I Do Redo”: The Gown

Three gowns were selected from Mon Amie Bridal Salon and presented on air this morning with Wedding Planner Extraordinaire Wedding Jeannie, as KTLA & Wedding Wire’s “I Do Redo” Week beings, culminating this Friday in a televised ceremony from the garden of the historic Ebell of Los Angeles: which gown will Jayanne wear on Friday??

YOU TELL US by voting!

Go to www.KTLA.com/wedding and vote for your favorite!