The Team that made the magic:

Coordination & Design : Amber Gustafson of Amber Events (Special Thanks to Nira, Heather, & Grace)

Photography: Next Exit 

Videography: David Robin Films

Band: DeBois Entertainment

Florist: Peony & Plum

Hair & Makeup: Fiore

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop

Ceremony Chairs: Chiavari Chairs for Rent

Lighting: Stage Labs

Photobooth: Classic Photobooth

The team that made the magic:

Wedding Design/Coordination: Amber Gustafson of Amber Events

Venue: Smog Shoppe

Photography: Picotte Weddings

Video: Buckley Videography

DJ: Red Shoe LA

Flowers:Holly Flora

Rentals: Smart Party Rents

Catering: Heirloom LA

Cake: Superfine Bakery

Bar: Sunseri’s

{nira}

The team that made the magic:

Design/Coordination: Nira DeLuna of Amber Events (BIG  Thanks to Katelynn and Jackie on this one)

Venue: Morning View Studios

Florist: The Flowerman

Catering: Rowe Cuisine

Photography: Megan and Brent of Studio Castillero

Rentals: Town & Country

Bar: Sunseri’s

Band/DJ: Angry Donkey

Lighting: Stage Labs

Yaya!!!

BUT!!! I had a baby, y’all! And she’s the prettiest thing you ever did see! My husband Eric and I were blown away with the kindness and generosity showered on us by not just one, but THREE baby showers! One hosted by my friends Valerie and Liesl back home in Arkansas, one hosted by my BFF Erin and my sister Dana here in Studio City (the theme was children’s literature as I love to read!), and one hosted for my wedding industry friends by my gals Kristeen LaBrot of Kristeen LaBrot Events, Allyson Levine of Bob Gail Events, and Cat Benner of Next Exit Photography. The shower hosted by my industry gals was featured on Hostess With the Mostess Today! Congrats, ladies! It was such a gorgeous shower!

And then on February 20th at 2:24 AM at 7lbs, 2 oz,  Luella (Lulu!) Rose Gustafson arrived! Photos taken by the wonderful Jen Greer of B & G Photography

xoxo

Nira

“Honestly, I think loving someone so hard that your heart almost explodes was probably the theme of our wedding.  Neil and I met in grad school. When you meet us, at first glance you will think we are so different. There’s his naturally bleach blond, stick straight hair (YES IT’S NATURAL) and my huge, dark curly hair. There’s also his quiet, calm demeanor and let’s just say mine is more HIHOWAREYOUWHATAREYOUDOINGLETSBEFRIENDSYAY. He is many generations american, while my mom is from El Salvador and my dad’s parents are from Austria and Poland.  I am Jewish and Neil is not. Before Neil, I had barely ever met grandparents with American accents!  We are both, however, Californian, which turns out to be a really big deal in terms of cultural affinity.  We are both curious about the world, dedicated to our friends and family, eternally optimistic. We both love early 90s hip hop to the max, love cooking and entertaining, love reading and have exactly the same sense of humor.  We both have awesome families. We also just love each other so hard.”

Are you in love with them yet? Cause I was immediately, and still am.

Becca & Neil were a wildly fun couple to work with! Referred to me by Hillary & Wes, who we were also working with at the same time, we spent pretty much every meeting laughing. There was just so much stinking JOY in their wedding that every meeting that let up to it was a celebration of what was to come.

They got married in the garden at Union Station under a Chuppah that Becca’s mom designed and made. Becca’s mom, a landscape architect, also designed the garden itself and their ceremony was incredibly touching and meaningful. The cocktail hour ended with my team passing out maracas to the guests and creating a parade led by a Klezmer band.  Becca & Neil’s design aesthetic was mid-century modern meets Latin America, and the unique Fred Harvey Room at Union Station was a perfect location for the bright and vibrant colors that we brought in to create that feeling. The table runners were custom made in a small town in El Salvador and the bamboo vases on the tables came from Becca’s parents’ garden.

The 35 minute Hora was raucous and rowdy, just like Becca & Neil had hoped, and after an insanely delicious dinner catered by Whoa Nelly!, a 5 hour dance party ensued. Honestly, they did not leave the dancefloor for 5 hours thanks to all the happy in the room and DJ Tony of Redshoe!

The Team who made the magic:

Planning/Coordination: Amber Gustafson of Amber Events (special thanks to Nira, Misha, Karter, and Relindis)

Venue: Fred Harvey Room at Union Station

Photography: Studio Castillero

DJ: Red Shoe

Florist: Holly Flora

Makeup: Susie Chhuor

Rentals: Premiere Party Rents

Catering: Whoa Nelly

Lighting: Aspect Lighting

 KRISTEN

How did you learn about Interning or Assisting for Amber Events?

K: I learned about interning for Amber Events through an ASEP (Association of Student Event Planners) meeting at Cal Poly Pomona. Tori Bateman, our club’s president, told us that Amber was looking for interns and that some Cal Poly students had interned with her before and had a blast. I knew right away I wanted to apply.

Tell us about yourself and how it relates to the wedding industry.

K: I’m a third-year hospitality student at Cal Poly Pomona. I recently made the switch to hospitality and absolutely love it. I want to work in special events, weddings in particular. A wedding is such a special day in person’s life and to be able to coordinate that would be so exciting. I like planning and organizing but in the wedding industry there’s also room for creativity which adds that element of fun.

What tasks did you complete for this wedding?

K: The event I attended was actually a fundraiser for the charter school New LA. I helped with setting up for the event. I made flower arrangements, set up tables and linens, and put up decorations. During the event I helped greet and check in guests. The fundraiser included a silent auction where guests could bid on items, with the proceeds going to New LA. After the bidding concluded I helped the guests check out using a pretty nifty iPad application called Square. That thing is amazing!

What surprised you?

K: What surprised me was just how much planning and detail goes into preparing for an event. I arrived at 2:00 pm to start setting up for the event and we didn’t start checking guests in until after 7:00 pm. We spent hours setting up and making sure everything was perfect. Working behind the scenes of an event was a completely different experience when you’re only used to attending events as a guest. I really enjoyed it.

What is your favorite part of this event?

K: My favorite part of this event was seeing how the venue transformed. Walking in, the room looked bare and I was wondering how in the world the room was going to look, but as the hours passed and lighting, tables, decorations were added everything started coming together. By the time the event started the venue looked phenomenal- it was like magic!

What shoes did you wear?

K: Luckily, Amber told us to wear comfy shoes! I wore flats which is standard for me since I’m already pretty tall.

The uniform for the Amber Events staff is a black button down shirt and slacks. What did you do to Jazz up your look?

K: To jazz up my look, I wore a black button up shirt that had a frill detail. It was a fun take on the basic black shirt.I also wore a black Michael Kors watch that I got for my birthday. It has rhinestones so that added a little bling to my look.

What is your favorite wedding scene from a movie?

K: Hmm, I need to re watch some. Maybe a marathon is in order!

Thanks Kristin! Excited to work with you again! {Nira}

_____________________________________________________

 JENNIFER

How did you learn about Interning or Assisting for Amber Events?

J: I actually heard about this internship opportunity for Amber Events through my school’s Association of Student Event Planners club on campus at Cal Poly.

Tell us about yourself and how it relates to the wedding industry.

J: Even though the event I worked was not a wedding, a part of me that relates to the wedding industry is that I’m a sucker for fairy tale endings! Everyone deserves their “happily ever after…” and to be able to be a small part of someone’s beginning to their happily ever after ending is going to be an incredible feeling!

What tasks did you complete for this wedding?

J: Due to the uniqueness of this event being held at and for the New LA Charter School, I had the responsibilities of turning the cafeteria around into looking like a room full of glamor and charm. I personally helped set up with the décor of the theme to the occasion and also worked the registration and check-in table throughout the event.

What surprised you?

J: I think the most shocking thing that I was able to witness from this event was the transformation a simple room could have! I never knew how much of a difference lighting could have on an event – lighting truly can create and change the whole atmosphere of the place!

What is your favorite part of this event?

J: If I had to choose, I would say that my favorite part of this event was the very moment I had walked into the room for the first time after working the check-in tables, and getting the chance to observe the room full of guests as they mingle and enjoy their night, it was great to finally see the end product of everything we had just set up and decorated – having it all come together was pure perfection. And to know that all the team’s hard work had a little piece to do with these guests’ entertainment of their evening was a good feeling.

What shoes did you wear?

J: Cute black flats with a little hint of gold!

The uniform for the Amber Events staff is a black button down shirt and slacks. What did you do to Jazz up your look?

J: Simplicity and classiness are the two that I strive for – a simple uniform can be easily spiced up into a classy outfit with the help of accessories! Although for this event I was dressed in all-black (including shoes) attire, I was able to add some of my personality to it by just simply adding some gold accessories, such as my everyday watch, necklace, and earrings! Accessories are a girls’ life saver, because you can always mix and match to make it work.

What is your favorite wedding scene from a movie?

J: I don’t know if this counts since it’s from a TV show, but I’m personally a huge Friends fanatic, and my absolute favorite wedding scene is from Ross and Emily’s wedding when they’re at the alter exchanging vows – and Ross says “Rachel” instead of Emily… Every time I watch it, I love it that much more! Because I will forever be a Team Ross & Rachel fan!

Do you have any words for anyone wanting to join the wedding industry?

J: Love what you do, because this isn’t an industry where you can be successful if you’re not totally passionate about it.

Final Comments:

I had an absolute great time getting to know Amber and Nira! Can’t wait to be able to work with you two again!

Love it Jennifer! I’m going to have to look for that “Friends” episode!

Till next time ladies!

{nira}

Team Awesome:

Planning: Amber Events (special thanks to Nira, Kristen, Jennifer)

Rentals: Pico Party Rents

Lighting: Stage Labs

Catering & Bar: Huntington Catering & Rasta Taco

Photography: Randy Tizon

Thanks to all the sponsers, bidders,  Matt Albert of New LA,  Stephanie Bressler, and Kristeen LaBrot

The reception, held in the Hacienda Ballroom, held a bit of a deeper color palette with jade beaded lace overlays over champagne linens. The floral arrangements were held in iron, brass, and copper containers and custom made table numbers patina’d copper plates let guests to their tables which were a mixture of long feasting tables and round tables.

Enjoy!

The team that made the magic:

Photography: Jose Villa www.josevilla.com

Planning & Design: Amber Events www.amberevents.com (big thanks to Nira, Jackie, Molly and Grace)

Venue: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa www.ojairsesort.com

No Vacancy Entertainment (Cocktail hour duo, Reception Band & DJ): www.novacancyentertainment.com

Ceremony Music- John Pickford Richards http://www.jackquartet.com/members.html

Florals: Holly Flora www.hollyflora.com

Copper Willow (stationary) www.copperwillow.com

Lighting: Aspect Lighting www.aspectlighting.com

Wildflower Linens: www.wildflowerlinens.com/

Videography: Aqua Vivus Productions http://aquavivus.com/

Bridal Beauty: Beauty by Grace http://www.beautybygrace.com/

Ventura Rentals:  http://www.venturarental.com/

Dazian Fabrics (for stage backdrop): http://www.dazian.com/