Hitting the Bar

Alexander Valley Bar

I popped by the new Medlock Ames Tasting Room and Bar this weekend. What a fabulous spot to meet friends for some wine tasting or a drink after hours.  They have done a wonderful job revamping the century old Alexander Valley Bar & Store into a super hip spot with beautiful gardens and pizza oven.  It would be a phenomenal place to host a pre or post wedding get together.  The wine was excellent (I especially liked the Sauvignon Blanc) and they do a nice cheese and salami pairing with a flight of wines.  Your tasting fees are complimentary if you purchase a bottle of wine – always the way to go.  This is definitely one to add to the list www.alexandervalletbar.com.

XO

Amy

In Bloom

Tesoro

I want to share a great new/old find for amazing flowers and gifts. Tesoro http://www.tesoroflowers.com/ has just moved across Hwy. 29 and is now located next to Farmstead Restaurant. What a great spot!  The store is filled with beautiful flowers, amazing orchids and so many wonderful accent pieces that it was hard to limit myself to the original edition copy of the Velveteen Rabbit I bought.  Paul is a joy to work with and of course does gorgeous wedding flowers, but now they have a spot that is easy to wander about in and choose something for yourself or a lovely gift for someone special.  They are in the midst of finishing the front landscape and will then be able to host special events in conjugation with Farmstead – a great combination!  Another option will be to host parties inside – can you imagine a dinner party surrounded by beautiful flowers – no need for your own decorations.

XO

Amy

Looking Forward

Nick Brown Photography

Trends

Now is the time of year when most couples are knee deep in wedding planning mode – finding the venue, hashing out the budget and guest list, hiring the vendors, finding the dress and asking bridal attendants to be a part of this momentous journey.  These are all important steps in the process but I encourage you to think about what makes you as a couple unique and how you can bring that into your wedding.  Here is a short list of trends I am seeing for weddings in 2011:

~ return to simple, clean and natural design

~ smaller size weddings

~ completely outdoor venues

~ local, fresh and sustainable food

~ delicious dessert bars instead of cupcakes

~ bright, vibrant color schemes

~ square and rectangle dinner tables

~ cool lounges

~ after parties

XO

Amy