Wedding Budgets Increasing

For the second year in a row, wedding budgets increased in 2012 according to the Real Weddings Study, published by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. The survey of over 17,500 brides who were married in 2012 showed that the average price of a wedding has increased to $28,427.

Here in Orange County, the average is higher. Ranking as the 12th most expensive place to get married, the average Orange County wedding costs $33,848. San Diego shares the ranking with the slightly higher average price tag of $34,136. Los Angeles comes in at 11th with an average wedding budget of $35,308.

With such big budgets, brides are working harder to create a special experience for themselves and their guests. This includes paying more attention to things like the reception decor. Rather than letting things go together willy-nilly, brides are tying things like chair covers and sashes into their themes and wedding colors.

These small touches are a great way to make your wedding look great without taking up much of your budget. Whether your wedding will be at, below, or above the average budget, we offer plenty of finishing touches for your big day. Give us a call to find out what we can bring to your reception.

Jennifer Aniston Plans Low-Key Wedding

It seems that Jennifer Aniston and her fiance, screenwriter and actor Justin Theroux, could be getting married as early as this month. The couple are finalizing their wedding plans, and might be getting married shortly after Jennifer finishes shooting on an upcoming film next week.

The details of the couple's wedding haven't been made public, but they are planning something low-key. This is a significant departure from Jennifer's first wedding. When the actress married Brad Pitt in 2000, the budget was a reported $1 million.

This wedding is likely to be small, with an intimate guest list of their closest friends and family. Jennifer and Justin have taken care of some of the final preparations, including choosing her gown and designing their rings. Jennifer is also set to take Justin's last name, though will still do professional work under Aniston.

We expect that Jennifer and Justin will opt for a California wedding with a relaxed edge, but still very classy. Whether they opt for a theme or not, we're sure they'll have a beautifully decorated reception right down to the details.

If you're planning a California wedding, get in touch with us to find out how we can add the final touches to your reception. From seat covers to chargers, we specialize in the details that can make a good wedding great.

Black Tie Decor

Many venues include chairs and tables with a wedding package, but without the right covers and linens your reception will look more like a business meeting than the best day of your life.

At Bella Event Services, we provide all the finishing touches you need to make your reception venue look really spectacular. This includes chair covers, sashes, table linens, and charger plates. These are the details that your guests might not think of, but they'll certainly notice if they aren't there.

When you have a black tie event, whether it's your wedding or a special party, your guests will have put a lot of effort into making themselves look great. With women in their finest gowns and men in tuxedos, you want your venue to be ready for that level of attire.

Taking a look at last night's Oscar parties, with all the celebrities in top designs, it would just look wrong for them to go into a room full of stacking chairs. You couldn't imagine them sitting at uncovered tables, could you?

Give your event the same sort of star treatment the Oscar attendees had last night. Get the finishing touches right and you'll have a great event. We serve all of Southern California, so get in touch today.

The World's Most Expensive Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes are one of the traditional aspects that every bride will include in one way or another. While many brides might splurge on something with a gorgeous decoration on their cake, few will be lining up to order the world's most expensive wedding cake.

The cake, valued at nearly $50 million, was created by British jewelers Russell and Case. The six-tiered pastry was decorated with more than 2,000 diamonds, giving a different take on a "carat cake." It will go on display at the National Gay Wedding Show in Liverpool, England, next month.

Although the look of wedding cakes have changed over the years, it's still an important part of the day. Whether you opt for a traditional tiered or a selection of delicate cupcakes, the cake is something that guests will always look forward to.

What do you think of the world's most expensive wedding cake? Would you want to serve your guests 2,000 diamonds, or do you think it's a bit too over the top?

Whatever type of cake you serve, you'll want to have the best table settings for your guests. Get in touch with us at Bella Event Services today to find out how we can help with the finishing touches for your wedding.

Styling a Vintage Wedding

Vintage weddings have been popular for a few years now, and they are set to stay a big trend for 2013 weddings. The vintage theme for weddings is a perfect combination of elegance and comfort.

One of the defining elements of a vintage wedding is the return to a type of classic romance. The decor for these weddings is full of lace, and can be made personal with old family photos. This is a great way to honor the joining of two families, and allows you to include past generations in your big day.

Of course, vintage weddings are popular because of all the historical style elements you can bring in. Whether you opt for Victorian style, Art Deco beauty, or mid-century retro, there are plenty of ways to work the theme into your wedding day. From your dress to your choice of menu, choosing a specific era is an easy way of pulling together a really clear theme for your wedding.

When you prepare your reception venue for a vintage wedding, you'll want to have the perfect table settings. We offer a huge variety of colors and styles, so get in touch today to find out what we can bring to your big day.

Christina Ricci is engaged!

Although she's been wearing a diamond ring since last October, Christina Ricci officially announced her engagement this week. In an interview with Us Magazine, Christina confirmed that her boyfriend of one year,  James Heerdegan.

This isn't the first time they've kept their relationship status under wraps. After Christina and James met on the set of Pan Am, they kept their dating quiet until last February. James worked behind the scenes on the show, of which Christina was a star.
Christina hasn't said much about how the wedding plans are coming along, or whether they have the date set.  (She did mention that they didn't have anything planned for Valentine's Day, so we might be able to rule out a February 14th wedding date!)
With such a stunning sparkler on her hand, we're guessing that the couple will have something really fantastic planned for the big day. What do you think we'll see from Christina and James?
If you're recently engaged, you should start planning now. If you want to discuss plans for your big day, get in touch!

Morning after brunch

Many couples are adding an extra party to their wedding – a morning after brunch. This is another great time to get your family together.

These parties are perfect for getting some extra photos of your family while they’re all together. It’s also a nice way for you and your new husband to enjoy being husband and wife in the company of those closest to you.

You might not have had a chance to say hello to everyone during your wedding, and this can give you an extra time to catch up. You can also hear about what everyone enjoyed most about your wedding.

The day after your wedding is a special time, and everyone will still be abuzz with excitement. With a less formal gathering, you can have a smaller guest list, but don’t feel like you can’t invite everyone!

Wedding celebrations that are spread over a few days have been a big celebrity wedding trend for a while, and it’s no surprise that it’s a 2013 wedding trend that we expect to grow. If you’re getting everyone together for a morning after brunch, get in touch to find out how we can help!