A Wedding Gift With Meaning

Photo courtesy of Kare11.com News

By now I'm sure everyone has heard the devastating story of the 7.0 earthquake that rocked Haiti last week, that killed hundreds of thousands of people and left many others injured, homeless, and displaced. Well, I woke up this morning to a wonderful, heartwarming story that made news headlines. A Minnesota couple, Leah Bogen and Will Nicholson, has decided to do a self-less act by donating $2,500, their ENTIRE reception/food budget, to a group called Partners in Health. The couple, who plan to marry in June, hopes that there generous act of kindness will prompt other couples to follow in their footsteps. In the meantime, the couple is working to create a new budget for their upcoming nuptials by carefully analyzing areas in which they could cut back to cover the expenses.


The crises in Haiti is real, and it is going to take a tremendous amount of support, funds, and aid, as well as generous hearts like Leah's and Will's, to help better this situation as soon as possible. Please keep the people in Haiti, as well as their loved ones in your prayers, and if at all possible, make a donation to the Red Cross or other reputable relief fund. Trust me, you will feel so warm and tingly inside knowing your contribution helped someone in need. Every little bit counts. Spread the word!

Fab Find Friday: The Lounge Spa

As I was doing some research for a location for my friend's upcoming bridal shower/bachelorette party, I came across this trendy little day spa called The Lounge Spa. Nestled away in Culver City, this would be the perfect place for the girls to get together, sip martinis, and enjoy a relaxing massage, a soothing facial, or a comforting body wrap. The place gave off a hip nightclub/lounge vibe (hence the name) with its retro lamps, shag rugs, and comfy couches. The coolest part? The bar-like menu! With names like the Absolut Facial, the Grand Marnier Meltdown, and "On the Rocks" hot stone massage, your mouth will absolutely water at the thought of being pampered here! Another treat: it's super-AFFORDABLE. With prices ranging from $40-$180, everyone can experience the relaxing goodness!

Check out a few pics from past bachelorette parties:

Catering can be provided by the spa, or you can bring in your own food/drinks

The food stations look yummy!!!

Loving the martini glass candleholder!

The Lounge Spa would be the perfect location for all types of functions, including birthday parties, baby showers, girls night out, or even a romantic getaway for two! Their party coordinator, Michelle is so sweet and eager to help make your party a success, so give her a call and tell her Nikola sent you!

The Lounge Spa

11911 W. Washington Blvd. Ste. B

Los Angeles, CA 90066

All photos courtesy of The Lounge Spa website

Platinum Touch Events In 2010!!!

It's a new year (it's 2010 ya'll!!!), and with the new year comes new goals, new challenges, and new beginnings! Platinum Touch Events is on the brink of unveiling some MAJOR changes. What kind of changes, you ask? Well, you'll just have to stick around and see!

This month is pretty jam-packed. There's a bridal shower on 1/16, wedding rehearsal and bachelorette party on 1/23, my dear friend Kahlia's wedding on 1/24, and the highly anticipated Candyland 2nd Bday party for my precious little ones (aka The Twins). Needless to say, I've been busy! But I promise to have fabulous pics and wonderful stories to share soon.

In the meantime, I will be posting some great tips, advice, and ideas that will, hopefully provide inspiration and a helping hand for your next event.

Until then, happy planning!

Sample Sale of the Year!!!

photo via weddingbee.com

Fashionista brides rejoice: Glamour Closet is holding the "Sample Sale of the Year!" This weekend (December 19-20), all designer sample wedding gowns are on sale for $499, $999, or $1499. That's a whopping savings of up to 85% off! This is your chance to score a dress from premier designers including Monique Lhuillier, Pronovias, Reem Acra and many more.

Sample Sale Details:
Saturday, December 19, 2009 (9am – 5pm)
Sunday, December 20, 2009 (10am – 3pm)

Glamour Closet Los Angeles
324 South La Brea Avenue (cross street: West 3rd Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tel: 323-938-2000

For more info, visit the Glamour Closet website. The lines are expected to be long, so be sure to arrive early, as it is first come, first serve. Happy Shopping!!!

Fab Find Friday: Guestbook Boxes

This afternoon while strolling the 'Net, I came across these fab Guestbook Boxes by Cut the Cake Designs. When it comes to planning an event, I love to find fresh, new ideas to present to my clients. These guestbook boxes present a unique twist on the traditional guestbook. As an added bonus: They can be customized to coordinate with your event's theme/color!

For more information, check out the Cut the Cake by Tara Lee etsy store. Happy Friday!!!

Fab Find Friday: Two Birds Bridesmaids

I decided to start a weekly feature on the blog, titled Fab Find Friday, where I will showcase some of the fabulous steals, deals, and ideas that I come across in the wedding world each week. What better way is there to end a long and often hectic work week than to find a great bargain or new idea for your wedding, right?! I know...I'm excited too! So let's get the ball rolling with this week's Fab Find: Two Birds Bridesmaids Dresses!

So, I was up late the other night watching the Style Network's My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. He absolutely HATED her choice in bridesmaids dresses, mostly because the fit was sooo unflattering. Solution: Two Birds Bridesmaids Dresses. These awesome convertible dresses come in several different styles and colors and can tied in different variations to create the most flattering look for each body type. The best part is, because the dress can be converted into different styles, it can be worn again and again! Gone are the days of having to buy an expensive dress that will sit in the closet collecting dust, waiting on an opportunity to see the light of day again. The downside: the price! Ranging from $270 - $395, it's pretty darn pricey. But when you factor in the amount of use you'll get from this one dress, it might just be worth the price!

As a bridesmaid in a friend's upcoming wedding, I can sum up my own personal experience with dress shopping in one word: FRUSTRATING. Myself and the other girls are very different in size, so finding ONE dress that would flatter all of our body types was definitely a challenge. Then we decided to stick to the color scheme and length designated by the bride and each choose a style that we thought would compliment our body type. In the end, that was the best option, but had I discovered Two Birds Bridesmaids dresses before we purchased our gowns, I think the girls and I would have made a $270 investment to save a whole lot of time and aggravation!

For more information on this fabulosity, check out the website http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.com/. It features lots of photos, a how-to section, and ordering info (sorry my Cali lovelies...they're in NY).

Stay tuned for another Fab Find next week...

Ten Money-Saving Tips For Your Wedding

Let's face it: times are hard, and with the average cost of a wedding nearing the $30,000 mark (not including the engagement ring or honeymoon), it's no wonder couples everywhere are trying to figure out ways to save money when it comes to planning their big day. With the state of the current economy, many vendors are lowering their prices and offering deep discounts on many of their services. However, if you are still fretting over the looming price tag of your pending nuptials, try one, or several of the following tried and true money-saving tips to help keep you out of the poor house after the wedding:

1. Slash the Guestlist - By trimming the guest list, you will significantly reduce catering costs, as well as cut down on the cost of invitations, centerpieces, rentals, etc.

2. Shop Sample Sales - You may be able to score a designer gown at a fraction of the cost.

3. Weekday/Off-Peak Wedding - Saturday is the most popular and most expensive day to hold a wedding. Many venues offer a much cheaper rate for choosing a weekday or Sunday date. Discounts are also usually available during off peak season (Nov-Mar).

4. DIY- If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty, you possess a creative bone in your body, and if time permits, be a do-it-yourself diva and take on a few wedding-related projects.

5. Ditch the Open Bar - Open bars can be super pricey. Instead, opt to serve beer, wine, and one signature drink.

6. Choose flowers that are in Season: Your florist should be able to work with you to find an inexpensive alternative to a flower that may be out of season.

7. Choose a non-floral centerpiece: Candles? Fruit? Faux Feathers? Oh, the possibilities are endless...don't limit yourself.

8. Single Location: Hold the ceremony and reception in one location. This eliminates a second site fee and cuts out travel costs imposed by vendors (and your guests will thank-you for eliminating extra work and driving for them!).

9. Daytime Reception: Lunch prices are usually much less than dinner since it is based on smaller portion sizes, and less alcohol is usually consumed during the day.

10. Limit Courses: Simply put: less courses=less money spent.

I hope these tips are helpful when you begin the exciting journey of planning the biggest day of your life. Remember, you'll want to have money left over for the honeymoon!