Cheers To Jaclyns Bridal

(part 9 of 9 ... the finale, finally :)

Mindy Chung, the owner of Jaclyn's Bridal, and I have known each other for years. We worked together for TLC's A Wedding Story and did some filming in her bridal salon. We became fast friends and small world that it is, my husband did the fire inspection for her salon, so in return, I took her for an inspection of his firehouse. Good times! :) Mindy is super busy designing and creating, so she isn't at her bridal salon as often as in years past, but her staff is helpful and they certainly know their stuff. Jaclyn's Bridal offers: BRIDAL GOWNS BRIDESMAIDS MOTHERS & FORMAL WEAR QUINCEANERA & PAGEANT DRESSES ACCESSORIES FLOWER GIRLS & JR. BRIDESMAIDS SHOES SLIPS, BRAS & LINGERIE ALTERATIONS CLEANING & PRESERVATION Talk about full service wedding and special event planning!

To recap, here is a list of the wedding salons, venues, services, etc. that were so wonderful to share their wedding knowledge, expertise and services with us. Many thanks and very many Cheers To You!

Cheers To Maggianos

(part 8 of 9)

The limo brought us from Erin Cole to Maggianos for lunch. The manager, Victor Bidarian, went out of his way to make sure our group of wedding planners was well taken care of. I've been to Maggianos many times, with both small and large groups, and the service (and food) is always top notch, this was no exception. There are several banquet rooms that you can have your rehearsal dinner (or small wedding) in. Contact Gina Geisbauer, the banquet sales manager, she is as helpful and sweet as can be and both Gina and Victor treat you like family. The 'tag line' on their business card is: "Our passion is making people feel special" and they certainly accomplished that. They treated us as if we were guests in their homes. The food was as good as their hospitality. Make sure to try the calamari, eggplant parmigiana, Maggianos chopped salad and any (or every) dessert on the menu.

Cheers To Erin Cole

(part 7 of 9)

Erin Cole is a leading manufacture in the bridal industry and has been dressing brides all over the US for over 15 years. She designs bridal jewelry and accessories: one part vintage, one part chic, Erin’s pieces are timeless, yet filled with modern style. This couture boutique salon reflects the style Erin Cole is famous for. Bridal gowns start at $2500 and can quickly reach $10,000, each one has its own WOW Factor and the bridal veils and accessories are just as amazing. Tara Toth was kind enough to educate us about their shop, she knows her stuff! (She also has the most amazing diamond ring I may have ever seen, and having coordinated weddings for over a dozen years, I've seen quite a few.) Visit Erin Cole online or call to make an appointment. The salon, like Tara and like Erin Cole, is classy through and through.

Cheers To Where's the Party

(part 6 of 9)

From The White Dress, we went to Where's the Party and were graciously welcomed by Candy Hirte, the owner and Stacey Mora, one of her amazing and knowledgeable consultants. Candy is friends with the family of one of my all time favorite brides, Christina (check out Christina & Dave's Ritz Carlton wedding here: ...and just a couple photos from their ocean front wedding below:and I can see why the two families are friends: Nice people attract nice people!

Walking into Where's The Party, I felt like a kid in a candy store. There was so much to look at, I had a hard time concentrating on all the savings and opportunities they were telling us about (like the $100.00 gift certificate that any Cheers To You client can use towards their invitation purchase) . I could have spent the rest of the afternoon at the store, perusing, shopping, looking at all of the delightful items, talk about party supplies & decor for every season and every reason. There is so much fun and new stuff, it makes you (ok, me) want to throw a party every day of the week!

Oh, they have the largest selection of invitations I've ever seen too :) Wall to wall, top to bottom, if you want it, Where's The Party will have it or create it for you. Service with a smile!

Cheers To The White Dress

(part 5 of 9)

From Flower Fusion / Mon Amie, we were driven to The White Dress in Corona del Mar. Ok, now we are talking. This is my kind of store. The ladies there were so helpful and sweet and gave us the nicest tour. I can only imagine that they treat my brides the same way, they were genuine and fun and just down to earth. I love that when a bride purchases her dress, they pop open a bottle of bubbly (Cheers To You!) and the bride writes a wish on the cork and drops in into one of the many cork vases they have throughout the store.

The White Dress bridal salon has Sue Wong dresses that are under $1000 and they are the only bridal boutique in O.C. that offers the Priscilla Boston line. If you go there, make an appointment with Colleen Whitson, she is one of the nicest bridal stylist in town!

They are also having a trunk show coming up, visit their website for details at www.thewhitedress.com

Cheers To Flower Fusion

(part 4 of 9)

The owner of Jason Kenneth and I did lots of weddings over the years, including a wedding that I coordinated which appeared on TLC's A Wedding Show (see TLC video here and photos here), and here are a couple of my favorites from the day:When my friend Hadley moved to Las Vegas and sold his shop to Jan Wilder, I began working with her, it was such a smooth transition as Jan is a true professional. She changed the name to Flower Fusion, and redecorated the store, it's definitely worth dropping in and saying hello. Check out one of the weddings Jan and I designed together when she first moved here: Lauren and Josh at the Hyatt and here are a few of my favorite floral pictures from one of my favorite couples, Lauren and Josh's wedding at the Hyatt Regency, Hungtington Beach Jan is an amazing wedding florist, her boutique salon is warm and welcoming, just like she is! Check her out at www.flowerfusion.net

The White Dress is next, stay tuned...

Cheers To Mon Amie

(part 3 of 9)

We arrived by limo at our first destination, Mon Amie, but apparently they forgot they had an appointment to show the 9 of us their salon before the store opened, so there were some blank stares going on the first few minutes. The store manager decided to give us a tour of the store, and wow, Mon Amie is HUGE. I have driven past the bridal salon 1000 times and even popped in there years ago (but then they started charging for visits so I didn't go back). They no longer charge for visits, but they do ask that you only go two times and then make your decision. That being said, there is plenty to choose from, the selection is amazing. I know many brides have found their dream dresses at Mon Amie, and the consultants are very knowledgeable. Dresses start at around $2500 and go up from there. The back area of the store has the sale section with dresses under $1000. Their next trunk show is this weekend, Platinum Trunk Show on March 27th - 29th, 2009

Their March madness sale includes a free Ralph Lauren tuxedo (to keep, not just to rent) with the purchase of a wedding gown. Check out their trunk show and visit their website for details www.monamie.com

Next post ... my friends at Flower Fusion (formerly Jason Kenneth Designs)

Cheers To Sky's the Limit

(part 2 of 9)

Sky's the Limi Limousine Service (www.skysthelimitlimo.com) picked us up for our bridal salon tour. We had so much fun, how can you go wrong with 9 of the top wedding planners in Orange County, champagne, and early morning pastries, and a limo! Sky's The Limit has a great selection of cars including:

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Limo

Lincoln Town Car

Custom Stretch Limousine

Custom Excursion

Excursion Super Stretch Limousine

and the white Chrysler 300c Stretch Limo which is the car we were chauffeured around town in:

The driver laid out the red carpet for the 9 of us and our day began...

See next post for our experience at Mon Amie

Cheers To Bridal Tours

Cheers To Bridal Tours (a nine part series)

(part 1 of 9)

Earlier this week a group of OC wedding coordinators got together for a day filled with wedding gowns, invitations, and more. We were escorted by limo throughout Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, yes, life can be rough. We had a private tour of four of of OC's most talked about wedding dress salons: Mon Amie, The White Dress, Erin Cole, and Jaclyn's Bridal.

We started off meeting by South Coast Plaza and Erin Dye of Upstage Cakes met us there. Erin is a new wedding cake baker in town,..new in town, but she has been in the business for years. Her prices start at $6 a slice and all cake prices include delivery.

She has an expansive array of flavors, amazing designs for both wedding and other occasion cakes, and from the few minutes we spent chatting, I'm guessing she is delightful to work with.

Check out her work at www.upstagecakes.blogspot.com She brought us mini cakes in about 18 different flavors and styles, and don't think that we didn't eat (and enjoy) every bite! Here are a couple photos of her work, with my favorite, the RED cake:See next post for information about the limo company that graciously drove us around town.

Cheers To LA Style

From the March 27, 2009 issue of LA STYLE UNVEILED

Today's wedding was submitted by Meghan Aileen Photography. Cyndie and Mark had a true California style wedding, complete with sparkling blue water and green palm trees. Their wedding was held at the luxurious Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach and their wedding coordinator, Marla of Cheers to You Events tells us the day was "a celebration of the love, affection, and friendship between the beautiful couple and their wonderful families. There wasn't a dry eye in the room during the toasts, dances, or when the groom serenaded the bride. Classic and genuine, from start to finish."

When asked what made this couple such fun to photograph, Meghan Aileen said they were "so considerate towards each other, and such a wonderful example of love." Cyndie and Mark had a classic car for their wedding ... we love how the color of the ocean matches the car exactly! Now, that's dedication to the very last detail :) It takes an entire team of fabulous wedding experts to pull off a wedding like this. If you love what you're seeing, their wedding day team consisted of: wedding coordinator Marla Lackey of Cheers to You Events, wedding cake by It's All About The Cake, DJ James Loram of Last Dance Entertainment, flowers by Karen Paliska, lighting by Invisible Touch, videography by Ashley Productions, transportation by Laguna Trolley, and gorgeous wedding photography by Meghan Aileen.

Cheers To OC Wedding Pros

Cheers To THE OC WEDDING PROS! After I heard Joe Brocadaro's name keep coming up I had to find him and find out about him. Thanks Facebook, for making the introduction so easy! Joe is not just a fabulous photographer, but the founder of The OC Wedding Pros, a website for a "Unique Group of Wedding Professionals". Joe was kind enough to add me to his group, and I am thrilled to be part of it! If you are looking for wedding photography at a reasonable price, check out Joe's work at: Broccardo Photography and of course take a look at OC Wedding Pros.

Cheers To You!

It's almost time... the results for the Best of the OC 2009 Wedding Planner are coming soon .... in the meantime, here are a sampling of the incredibly kind comments I received on the Fox website: You can see all 99 reviews here :

Posted by: tmteachtv, 3/19/2009

Awesome awesome awesome service and smiles, always attention to detail. Great personality.

Posted by: scordts, 3/18/2009

They did an awesome job at my wedding, everything went perfectly. Also Marla helped my wife put together the wedding of her dreams.

Posted by: siggy123, 3/18/2009

Marla throws a grand party.

Posted by: SteveAverill, 3/18/2009

Marla is the best! She is someone you can trust to do what she says she will and that is worth its weight in gold. Tasteful, elegant, fun! How can you go wrong?! Steve Averill

Posted by: Bananasesigns, 3/18/2009

Marla is the ultimate professional. She listens and understands EXACTLY what you want and she gets is for you!

Posted by: sunking9, 3/18/2009

Marla and Cheers To You ROCKS!!! Our wedding couldn't have run smoother or been more perfect!!!

Posted by: Jasonuwp, 3/18/2009

Outstanding company with a great sense of personal touch and detail.

Posted by: laaph, 3/18/2009

I have assisted Marla with many of her weddings, and she is very thorough. Marla's attention to detail is impeccable! She thinks of everything, and the end product is nothing short of spectacular. It is always a pleasure and joy to work with her, she is nothing less than amazing!

Posted by: lindylou1142, 3/18/2009

Marla's AMAZING

Posted by: kickstart420, 3/18/2009

I love the way Marla handles herself in the most stress full times!!

Posted by: dadofthreee, 3/18/2009

Marla is the BOMB

Posted by: acleventplanning, 3/18/2009

This is a wonderful, innovative company!

Posted by: bokaemerle, 3/18/2009

Every detail was planned perfectly, VERY nice and easy to work with...

Posted by: danatennis, 3/18/2009

they are simply the BEST....

Posted by: shaneproductions, 3/18/2009

Marla is the best planner in Orange County! She loves her job and it shows with her exquisite intricacy in every event!

Posted by: CakesandKisses, 3/18/2009

Absolutely fantastic service and elegant taste. Orange County has never had a better vendor.

Posted by: John876, 3/18/2009

Great Owner, Very Professional!!

Posted by: barbaralynn2001, 3/18/2009

Marla from "Cheers To You" was awesome! She is not only professional, she is a very nice person. It was truly a pleasure to have her be a part of our very special day with Alan and Jodi.

Posted by: SHACKWORTH, 3/18/2009

Marla from Cheers to you helped us plan the wedding of our dreams! It was better than we ever imagined! We could not have done it without her! Plus she is a super sweet lady!

Posted by: lamartinf, 3/18/2009

Marla is a professional. She works extremely well with clients to fully realize their vision of the most important day in their lives.

Posted by: tmedina1, 3/18/2009

I used Cheers To You! for my wedding. Marla is the most patient and wonderful wedding coordinator. Every email that I sent her was responded back within a few minutes (There were over 500 emails sent throughout the planning process). She made the entire wedding planning process easy and organized. I have had several friends get married and each used wedding coordinators. They all agree with me, that she was the best of all of the coordinators.

Posted by: kkaemerle, 3/18/2009

Marla is right on!!! She's incredibly organized and extremely creative. A wonderful personality, very funny and fun (:

Posted by: PegPat, 3/17/2009

Marla does such a great job, she makes it look easy. I know it's not so I give her lots of credit for that.

Posted by: hardestbutton, 3/17/2009

Marla has a wonderfull personality, and a great sense of humor, two very important factors every planner should have!

Posted by: TraciRomano, 3/17/2009

Marla is an extremely talented visionary in her field. Her company ,Cheers To You, " is world renowned!

Posted by: bcpmike, 3/17/2009

Because Marla rocks. That's all you need to know.

Posted by: csagehorn, 3/16/2009

Marla was incredible! When my husband and I met with Marla, we gave her a general idea what we wanted our wedding to feel like and the colors we liked and told her to run with it. I wasn't one of those brides that wanted to be involved in the details and I trusted Marla's instincts. She did everything from A-Z and did an incredible job. We couldn't have asked for anything better. Everything exceeded our expectations. We still talk about it today, nearly 3 years later and still hear from our friends what an amazing event it was.

Posted by: snowchick711, 3/16/2009

Marla is not only loved by her couples who select her but all of us in the industry. Her attention to detail and organization is amazing, but the fact she does so with a smile makes everyone involved worry-free about their day. She is stellar!

Posted by: starlet7931, 3/16/2009

Marla is so wonderful to work with. She is detailed, organized and takes pride in her work. I have worked with Marla on many weddings and events and everything always turns out flawless.

Posted by: ebitari, 3/16/2009

Marla, was my wedding planner two years ago. She had awesome vendors and did a fabulous job coordinating the day of the wedding - everyone loved her. Her script of the wedding day was also very helpful. I could tell Marla was a great fit immediately I spoke to her on the phone. I had called some other wedding planners who were not a good fit - but once I found Marla I knew she would be an excellent wedding planner and help me execute my dream wedding and she did :-)

Posted by: haydensmommy, 3/16/2009

Marla did the most amazing job with our wedding! I would recommend her to anyone!

Posted by: jonathangood, 3/16/2009

Because she rocks!

Posted by: whitneycometa, 3/16/2009

she is the best, and i love her.

Posted by: cherylstaab, 3/16/2009

Marla is so attentive to every detail. She really gives you peace of mind as your big day approaches!

Posted by: moburris, 3/16/2009

Working in the industry with Marla - she is always so professional - yet fun! She does wonderful events and always makes you feel like a friend! Keep up the great work!

Posted by: mericleman, 3/16/2009

The owner is amazing!

Posted by: mag00949, 3/16/2009

High quality wedding planning, excellent vendors, Marla is very talented!

Posted by: DiamondBridal, 3/16/2009

Vote for Cheers To You!