2020 is here!!! Happy New Year newlyweds! So many of us are getting engaged and fully engulfed in the wedding planning process. With a new year comes new trends. What's hip. What's "in". From my experience in wedding planning and my personal wedding .... stay away from the trends. Why? Because when you follow trends it's easy to date yourself and your wedding. Do you remember when burlap and mason jars were in? 

When you are planning your wedding and scrolling through photos on Pinterest keep mind that what you see now ... will not be in say a few years or even months from now. Instead of following the trends, think outside the box and bring a timeless look and feel to your wedding. Nothing is worse than looking at your wedding photos and thinking how dated they are. Below are some tips if you are planning your wedding and wanted a look & feel that will be classic for years to come. 

Timeless details: 
Colors: white, black, ivory, blush,  mauve, cream 
Florals: roses, spring roses, peonies, hydrangeas 
metals: gold and silver 
Bridal gown silhouettes: A-line, sheath and ballgown 
Mens tux: Classic black on white bow tie/tie 

Anytime I come across a venue that I truly enjoy or think it has something special to offer, I love to highlight it in my blogs! Coming across a unique venue that hasn't been overdone is pretty hard now a days! 

I recently did a wedding at "The Wood Shed" in Vista, CA. The wedding venue is attached to a brewery called Booze Brothers. From the outside looking in..... this venue looks nothing but a business building. It's sandwiched in between small & large business buildings ... on a nothing street in the middle of Vista. You would never know it existed unless someone told you about it or you googled it! 

However, this little hidden gem is far from basic. After walking inside, you can't help but notice the incredible decor, funky chandeliers and plant wall that covers one side of the venue. it's hipster vibe and unique aspects really do make this venue something special. This venue would be for anyone with a smaller guest count (as 100 people is a little snug) .. and anyone looking for something different. 

The wedding I coordinated was accompanied by sheik marble place card coasters, tons of candles, copper accents, food truck,  and of course an Affogato bar! You could make this venue anything you really wanted! 

Be sure to check them out if you're looking for something unique! 

Reflecting on 2018.... the year that forever changed my life. Red Letter Events was put on hold last year because I welcomed the birth of my first child ... Ryder Xoe Naylor. I wanted to fully enjoy every aspect of my pregnancy, so my business took the backseat for the year while I focused on the life changing event. I love being open and honest with my clients and future clients. I love sharing my life with each and every relationship. So, when i announced i was expecting a baby, I  was flooded with love and support from my clientele. Which, is why Red Letter Events stands out from all the rest of the wedding planning companies. my clients are lifers. The relationships I build with each and every bride and groom are relationships I keep for a lifetime. They become family! So, that is why i share my personal journey as well. 

I am so excited to be welcoming new clients for the year 2019 and helping them with their special day! I look forward to the future and the many more weddings RLE gets to be apart of!  

Below are the beautiful images that were captured during my labor/delivery! 

A new take on Holiday..... 

Photography credit: Susan Magre Photography 

Vendors; there's only about 10,000 to choose from. How do you know who to pick, what to look for and questions to ask when shopping for the perfect vendor? 

First and foremost... check yelp reviews. Sounds silly, but if theres a problem with a vendor, most clients turn to yelp to address it. It's sad to say, but most clients will leave a negative review before leaving a positive one. Yelp is a great tool when researching companies, vendors, and guests overall experience. 

If their price is super low, be cautious. I understand the price of weddings add up quickly. Just because their price is low, doesn't always mean a good thing. If it's too good to be true.... it typically is. Do your research and ask why their price is lower than other vendors. The price might be lower due to less experience or just starting off. my advice, spend a little extra money on vendors you'll be able to trust and count on! 

"Friend vendors." All I can say is YIKES! When you have a friend of a friend working your wedding, they typically don't treat your wedding as a professional vendor. They slack off, are late, drink on the job, or feel the same rules don't apply to them. Just because they are giving you the friend discount, doesn't always mean a good thing. I also feel mixing friend/profession can create sticky situations. Do yourself a favor, and let your friend enjoy your wedding day with you, and hire a professional! 

Do your research and go on your gut when searching for the perfect vendor! There are plenty to choose from. When doing a meet and greet, make sure to ask all your questions. Make sure to understand what they will be responsible for, what they are providing, and how they can make your day seamless! A little goes a long way! 

​- RLE 

On days that I'm not planning or knees deep in bridal responsibilities, I love taking the time to do something I call an "artist day". This day can consist of crafts, mock-up tables, DIY, and anything in between. As some of you might know, my mother is a photographer. For as long as I can remember, my mother has always had a camera in her hands. She has been able to capture so many special times in my life from proms, birthdays, engagement and special family gatherings. We've even been able to work multiple weddings together! 

My mom has always had a bucket list! One element on her list was to visit the super bloom in Borrego that takes place in a very short time frame. This phenomenon happens once every decade. Thousands of California Poppies bloomed draping the desert landscape in beautiful orange flowers. Essentially this super bloom is every photographers dream! With little time, we planned to fly out (yes, fly) and capture these  flowers first hand. We decided to have our artist day! 

Not only did my mother capture the most beautiful images of the landscape, she also photographed me as well! We had so much fun visiting something so spectacular and images to prove it! I'm also glad that my mom was able to check yet another item off her bucket list! 

Enjoy! 

Photo credit: Susan Magre Photography 

Are you Looking for a fun, interactive and unique experience for your wedding? Like most weddings, the bar is a focal point where most people tend to gravitate towards. Why not give them something to remember? Kombikeg located in San Diego, is an old restored 1976 VW Bus that has been transformed into a bar-tap on wheels! 

This cute bus has 6 taps to service 6 of your favorite beers! Grab a glass, and pour yourself a cold one.... this bus has it all! The Kombikeg bus can be rented at an hourly rate for all of the surrounding San Diego areas. Make sure to check them out if you are looking for a one of a kind bar experience. 

www.kombikegsd.com 

After the engagement comes fun celebrations like Bridal Showers, and Bachelorette Parties! With these celebrations come novelty gifts, and sexy lingerie that most brides end up returning. I know I'm guilty of packing my "bride" decor away in a box somewhere. Even though these gifts are cute, there really is only one use for them ..... the wedding day! 

I've put together some very heart felt gift ideas for those looking to surprise their bride friend with something special & useful! 

Custom Hanger: These inexpensive hangers can be found on www.Etsy.com for anywhere from $5-$15. They make a huge statement and also make photographs of a wedding dress beautiful! Ditch the white plastic Target hangers... and upgrade to something more custom!

Monogram Wine Glass: This cute gift showcases the brides new last name on a glass she will use daily! These glasses can also be found on www.Etsy.com and range from $9-$15 per glass. The monogram colors and fonts are customizable as well! Package their wine glass with their favorite type of wine of champagne! If you are really feeling fancy... throw some glitter on it!

Custom monogram Tote: These totes can be used for over night stays, honeymoon travels, grocery shopping ... you name it! Who doesn't like a personalized bag? These can also be a cute way to wrap your gift! You can also find these custom totes in a variety of sizes & colors on www.Etsy.com. Prices range from $15-25 a bag. 

Hand stamped bar necklace: These trendy necklaces can be worn any day and every day. You can either stamp the lucky brides name or new monogram. She will not only love the thought of this gift, but reminded daily of it when she wears it! I purchased these necklaces from www.erinfader.com. 

Custom Flip flops: This gift is extremely inexpensive, cute and can be worn any day! Make it more custom by utilizing her "wedding colors" for the color of the flip flop/ribbon. These also make a great dancing shoes for her to wear the night of her wedding! Slip them under her wedding table... for when she's ready to do the cupid shuffle! These were purchased from 

With 2016 behind us, and a new year in front of us. Wedding trends are constantly changing. Couples are trying to keep up with the never ending trends. With each year, comes new things to look out for. Below are a couple wedding trends to keep on your radar for 2017. 

Vintage glamour (with a twist): This trend is a mixture of industrial and glam. Picture a concrete warehouse decked out with beautiful twinkle lights, over the top floral arrangements and romantic place settings! This trend is the perfect combination of old and new. ​

Pink: Blush rose is still the "it" wedding color. This soft pink is not only trending now but will forever be a timeless color. ​

neutrals: From charcoal to blue-greys, or grey-browns, “This color palette is perfect for the bride who wants to achieve a classic, sophisticated feel that won’t seem dated or look too trendy in years to come.

Hanging florals: What's not to L-O-V-E? This trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. It sets the mood for the instant "Wow" factor!  

Paired up: Wine-and-cheese pairings have become a familiar site at cocktail receptions, but the idea of matching different foods with different drinks is being carried over to other types of beverages and appetizers. Some duets to consider: wine and pasta, cake and craft beer, margaritas and guacamole, or for a wedding brunch, try mimosas and pastries.

Judging a book by its cover. We all do it. We can't help it. We're predominantly visual creatures. Our expectations of others are triggered by not only how people look but how they present themselves overall. 

This topic has been brought to my attention by a number of people. People asking me if I haven't been booked an event based on my exterior appearance (red hair, pierced lip etc). There have been weddings i haven't booked, and a lot I have. i will never know if my exterior appearance was the reason for someone not hiring me.

You can tell a lot about someone within the first 30 seconds of meeting them. You either like that person or you don't. It's really quite that simple. I am who I am. No, I don't fit the standard mold of what most "wedding planners" look like. However, I am ok with that! I have booked weddings with young, gay, straight, second marriages, and elderly clients. Those clients looked passed the fire engine red hair .... and booked me for who I am what I strive for my business. I take pride in my overall appearance (what clothes I wear, how my hair is styled, the perfume I choose etc). I would hope that anyone meeting me for the first time would get to know me and just how important my business & clients are!

My advice to all those searching for the perfect planner or vendor for your wedding; really get to know that person. See if there vision and ideas fit yours. Before basing your decision off of a physical appearance.... listen to what they have to say first! You never know, that girl with the red hair... might just be the perfect planner for you! 

-RLE 

Images: 2016 Naylor Holiday Card