Pre-Wedding Events

Sponsored Post: Barware Bridal Shower from Bottlenotes!

Tired of attending the same-old bridal or baby showers…where you sit around, drinking tea, eating crumpets, and watch someone open gifts? So were we. So we came up with the concept of a “barware bridal shower,” where you attend a shower where the bride (or happy couple) receives gifts related to their bar or starter wine cellar- such as gifts from their Bottlenotes Wine Registry- and where guests get to enjoy a wine and cheese tasting. Cheers!

10 Easy Steps Describing How to Host a Barware Bridal Shower

1. 10-12 weeks in advance: Decide on a date for the shower.
2. 8-10 weeks in advance: Make sure the happy couple has registered for ample “barware” items…

Sponsored post: Maggiano’s Little Italy

When I was a kid, we had some close family friends, the Manfredas. Mr. & Mrs. Manfreda had come from Italy and settled in San Francisco, finding a home in the North Beach neighborhood and raising their three children. This was a family that was serious about their food. In fact, they converted the entire lower level of their home (which would have ordinarily functioned as their garage) into one giant kitchen and dining room with a massive table where friends and family would gather together for any reason to celebrate over a big meal.

During many a get together, out of this basement kitchen would roll enormous piping hot platters of homemade pastas: spaghetti with fresh marinara sauce, baked ziti, when we were…

A Tree Stump Ring Customized with Your Initials

In keeping with our engagement ring theme today (engagement season is just around the corner but you don’t need me to tell you that!), I have to share with you this awesome alternative to the traditional engagement ring – the Stump ring by Digby and Iona. Isn’t it so much fun? It’s made with sterling silver and can be customized with both you and your honey’s initials.

And while this ring might not take the place of your actual engagement ring, it could be a great placeholder until you have the chance to design one together.

Get Hitched, Give Hope

We are so proud to be taking part in this year’s Get Hitched, Give Hope event. Do you know about them? They’re an organization of wedding folks that raises money to grant breast cancer patients’ wishes by throwing a big ole party once a year. All sorts of wedding vendors either donate or heavily discount their services and then let the public bid on them. 100% of the money raised goes to granting wishes so not only do you get a swanky cocktail party (it’s at the Four Seasons, enough said) and great deals on wedding services but it all goes to a great cause.

This year, they’re looking to raise $50,000 which would grant the wishes of…