A: Yes! If you are planning anything other than a free-seating picnic on the lawn or cocktail party, I would highly recommend assigning seating for your rehearsal dinner. Reason being:  guests like to feel like they have a seat reserved. We’ve all attended events where people rush into the room and prop the chairs up against the table to save their spot, right? Not only does it ruin the decor you have worked so hard on, but it creates anxious energy. Save your guests and yourself the stress and worry that you won’t have a seat, and assign them. You do not have to specifically assign each chair, just simply designate a table. This creates an informality where guests can still choose their specific seat but they feel more at ease that they have been kindly thought of, and their attendance has been reserved.

I do recommend assigning the bride & groom specific seats. Your guests will want to see your smiling faces. So make sure to pick a primo spot!

I was excited to see this tip highlighted in Daily Candy Weddings since this can often be overlooked.

-K.

Attention brides-to-be, along with the moms of said brides and their maids of honor (to be): please join Well Rehearsed at the chic unique funsational bridal event Everything but the Dress. This is the one-stop-shop and bubbly-and-bites-bountiful event where you’ll find all your wedding needs met—featuring only the best of the Bay Area—from photography to cake-making, mingle with other like-minded soon-to-be aisle-walkers to share (and despair) with, and enjoy some merriment—we know you need it.

Space is limited. Please RSVP by June 10 to 415.362.5005.

Featured vendors include: Bi-Rite Catering, Blueberry Photography, The Buttercream Studio, Cherries Flowers, Forget Me Not Design, K Autumn Hair Accessories, MAP Events, Pancake & Franks Stationery, Shades of Hue Makeup & Suite Five Salon.

I’m excited to have a profile feature in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle Magazine titled “She’s Well Rehearsed.” If you didn’t pick up a copy, please take a peek at the article online at SFGate.com. And yes, you’ll often see me in my team colors.

Enjoy!

-K.

Corned Beef Hash – My husband loves this recipe and I was all prepared to share it since it’s a twist on the “traditional” corned beef hash. Unfortunately the recipe is top secret, but we have been known to serve it on occasion and let our guests decipher the ingredients. We love to add a poached egg to the top of a big plate of hash.

Grilled Corned Beef and Fontina Sandwiches – One year I decided to brine my own brisket. It took 8 days in the fridge and I have since decided that was a bit of a task. That year I discovered this recipe from Epicurious. I love the sweet onions and the fontina cheese is delicious.

Oh, and here are a few “must haves” to accompany the meal and leftovers.

Horseradish Cream

Guinness Mustard

Bon Appetit and enjoy the leftovers! -K.

I kept my tabletop simple. A few pots of shamrocks (oxalis) and a four leaf clover at each place setting. A drop of  food coloring makes for festive green beer. Even my cat was trying to get into the spirit. Cheers!

I’ve received a lot of questions about the plastic bags that you see in the photos below. They are called slow cooker liners and are the BEST invention EVER! They make clean up a snap.  I’ve had good luck finding them at Target.

Each year I try something new. This year it was the dessert: Chocolate Guinness Goodness. They are supposed to look like pints of Guinness. And I added a little gold on top for good luck. And of course a few gold coins that landed at the end of the rainbow.

It’s often very inspiring to see beautiful tabletop photos but often difficult to determine the price and complexity that may be involved in creating them. This was a great way to compare and contrast three designs side to side.

Can you guess the cost for each 8-person table? (Scroll down slowly. I’ve listed the answers under each photo)

Rentals: $70

Floral: $70

Paper Design: $40

Total: $180

Rentals: $225

Floral: $85

Paper Design: $100

Total: $410

Rentals: $285

Floral: $620

Paper Design: $130

Total: $1,035

Congratulations to IZZY Magazine on their premier issue launch today! Melissa Ann Bagley is the talented photographer who has been working for months putting this beautiful book together.

Check out an article from Well Rehearsed on page 33. It includes the top four reasons of why having a rehearsal dinner is important to your wedding celebration.

Thank you to Janae Shields for the beautiful photos.

I am thrilled to be featured in Gentry Magazine’s Spring Bridal Issue out on newsstands now. Take a peek of my profile on pg. 24. Other Well Rehearsed friends that are in the issue include: Hey Lady – chic and comfortable wedding shoes and Nesting Newbies – a resource for after the “I dos”.

Article photos by: Janae Shields Photography (travel), Oaks & Acorns Photography (asian)

Guests watched the beautiful sunset behind the Golden Gate Bridge while dining on delicious New England Clam Chowder (a special request from the mother-of-the-groom).

Here are a few photos as captured by Jasmine Wang. Enjoy! -K.

Venue: Golden Gate Yacht Club
Linens: La Tavola Linen
Photographer: Jasmine Wang Photography

Today I am working on creating some signage for the event. (Yes, I felt like a little glitter is needed). Here’s a sneak peek:

The event is sponsored by Gentry Magazine and will be held Sunday January 31, 2010 at The Cypress Hotel in Cupertino. All are welcome! Click here for ticket information.

A special THANK YOU to all my amazing sponsors for bringing the value of the tablescape to over $5,000. You rock!

Beau-Coup Favors, Brighter Than Air, Marizette Paperie, The Only DJ, Precious & Blooming, Studio Cake, Sugar & Spice Chocolate Catering, Sugar Shack, Wildflower Linens

Make sure to check back for post-event photos.