Catrina Maria Wedding and Events Planning and Design

New Name, New Website!

2010-06-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of new things happening here at Catrina Maria Designs. We just opened up our new space with Garden of Weedon and Jenn Bartell, we nixed the name Arcularius Events in favor of something slightly easier to pronounce and remember, and we just completed our shiny new website! Whew, we’ve been busy! We are just lovin’ our new site and we hope you do too – there are lots of galleries to check out and information on “Green with Envy," our new focus on green wedding planning. So, take a look at our new site and let us know if you think it’s as fabulous as we do!

Also, please take a look at our new blog - we're going to stop using this one pretty soon so make sure to bookmark the new one!

Grand Opening Recap

2010-06-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time at the grand opening parties for our new studio space in downtown Sacramento! We celebrated on Thursday night and on Second Saturday with great food from Tres Hermanas (get it? tres hermanas...three sisters), delicious homemade sangria, and lots of fabulous company!! We were so happy that so many people came to check out our new space and celebrate with us – check out all of our photos from the events below.

Our new space!

Catrina and the lovely ladies of 2Chic Events

The three sisters - Mairead, Catrina, and Marianna

Thank you to everyone who came out to support us, we can't wait to really begin using this fantastic space!

Grand Opening Celebration

2010-06-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

This Thursday the three sisters here at Arcularius Events will be busy celebrating the grand opening of our new studio space in downtown Sacramento. We're sharing the space with Garden of Weedon Boutique Floral Design and Instruction and Jenn Bartell Photography and Design, which means our new space will practically be wedding planning heaven! Moreover, Arcularius Events is undergoing a name change and will soon become Catrina Maria Event Planning & Design. What better way to celebrate a new space and a new name than with a party? The studio is at 2418 K Street in Sacramento, so feel free to stop by anytime between 5 and 10 PM to check out our new digs. For those who can't make it on Thursday our doors will be open for Second Saturday as well...that means there's no excuse not to come!!

We hope to see you all there!!!
-Catrina, Marianna, and Mairead

The Knot Networking Bash, SF

2010-06-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Knot: what bride-to-be doesn't love it? We totally love the Knot, too, and were ridiculously excited when we were picked as one of The Knot's 2010 Best of Weddings vendors. Besides all the warm fuzzies that we got from receiving this award, we also got to attend the 2010 Knot Networking Bash in what may be San Francisco's coolest venue, the California Academy of Sciences. We got to meet tons of wedding professionals from Northern California and learn all about what The Knot is up to, all while surrounded by the Academy's gorgeous exhibits. It was definitely a party to remember - check out all our pics from the event below!

The Academy was given a modern nightclub feel with chic lounge areas scattered around the building

We fell in love with the earthy centerpieces, which included lots of succulents and biodegradable pots, and which perfectly complemented the safari feel of the decorations

BBC did a fantastic job catering the event, offering fun specialty cocktails, delicious fresh finger food, and yummy cupcakes

All in all we had a wonderful time, met great people, and fell in love with The Knot even more! Thanks again to all who nominated us for the 2010 Knot Best of Weddings!

A-List Top Three!!

2010-06-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

We're a little slow in getting around to posting this, but we just have to share how ecstatic we are that we earned a spot in in the top three of the KCRA A-List!! We know that there were a lot of wedding planners nominated this year, so we feel extremely grateful to have made it to the top! Thanks so much to everyone who voted for us and wrote such lovely reviews - we couldn't have done it without you!!

A Tour of Napa Valey - Merryvale Vineyards

2010-05-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

The last site on our tour is Merryvale Vineyards where we got to have lunch in the Cask Room, which has got to be one of the most romantic places on earth to hold a reception. Wrought iron gates open up to admit guests into a long, atmospheric space with wine casks stacked to the ceiling on either side. We're not sure that our description can really do the space justice; just check out the picture below for an idea of what it's really like.

On our visit, we got to sit down in the gorgeous Cask Room for a great family style lunch provided by Wine Valley Catering. Wine Valley's Grilled Rosemary Chicken with Spanish Romesco Sauce and their Penne Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, and Grilled Eggplant were scrumptious, as was the wine provided by Merryvale. For more info on Merryvale, contact Kelly Craig at kcraig@merrvale.com.

Well, that does it for our little tour of Napa Valley wedding venues! We loved each venue we got to visit and had such a great time with all of the other planners on the tour. We would like to thank La Tavola Fine Linen for putting the tour together, Pure Luxury Wine Tours for making sure that we got to and from each site safely and comfortably, and Wine Valley Catering and Merrvale Vineyards for providing and hosting lunch. Hopefully we'll get a chance to check out more incredible venues soon! In the meantime, happy hunting!

A Tour of Napa Valley - Charles Krug

2010-05-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Our next (and very different) site is Charles Krug Winery, owned and operated by the Peter Mondavi Family. The winery has several acres of park-like grounds, so you have tons of options for ceremony and reception locations. And since the grounds include a large, covered barbecue pit, couples who prefer something casual can grill up ribs or hamburgers for a homey, laid back rehearsal or reception.

The grounds aren't the only exciting thing about this venue; the part we've really fallen in love with is the Carriage House. The Carriage House is a two-story event space with a capacity of over two hundred. Guests would enter past the fountain on the first floor, where a cocktail hour could be held amongst stacks of wine barrels. The reception would then be held on the stunning second floor, where high vaulted wood ceilings and clerestory windows make this space light, airy, and dramatic. With pristine wood floors and huge chandeliers, this space exudes a sort of earthy elegance and would make for an absolutely unforgettable reception.

For more information on Charles Krug Winery, contact Patty Grantham at pgrantham@pmondavi.com or go visit them a do a bit of wine tasting! Next time, we'll visit one of the most romantic reception sites we've ever seen...

A Tour of Napa Valey - Sylvan Manor

2010-05-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

For this leg of our tour hosted by La Tavola Fine Linen we'd like to introduce you to a place that you've probably never heard of: Sylvan Manor. Sylvan Manor (or Sylvan Lake Manor) is a private estate situated eight miles above St. Helena in Angwin. Driving out to this property set in the woods makes you feel like you are leaving civilization behind. It has extensive, beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding a traditional Bavarian manor house. We imagine stringing hundreds of market lights and lanterns above the lawn next to the house to create a romantic, storybook setting.

Besides the beauty of this property, want to know the best thing about Sylvan Manor? When you book this venue, you are automatically given two days of unlimited use of the property, including lodging in a cute cottage for up to 8 guests. With two days at your disposal, why not use the grounds for a rehearsal picnic the afternoon before your wedding? With the cottage right there, you can spend the night and wake up well-rested for your big day.

If you love secluded, romantic venues, the quaint charm of the Bavarian manor, or just the convenience of on-site lodging, Sylvan Manor is well worth looking into! In the next installment of our tour, we'll be visiting a winery that has gorgeous spaces both inside and out.

Rethinking the Tabletop

2010-05-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

Since winning the 2010 NACE Tabletop Competition we've been brainstorming about creative new ways to use the structure we created for that event. In our first table, we created a table-sized wooden box and filled it with rocks, moss, and flowers, then placed a plexiglass sheet over the box to serve as the table surface. We loved the way the table turned out, but at a recent Bar Bat Mitzvah Resource Fair at the Center at Twenty-Three Hundred, we decided to transform it into something more lush and romantic. So, we took out all the rocks and the manzanita branch and filled the box with freshly picked leaves, bunches of hydrangeas, and ivory candles.

The result? Love at first sight! The table was elegant, unique, and literally glowed with the lights turned down. We have lots more fun ideas for this table, hopefully we'll get to try them out soon! Special thanks to Laurie Schmalzel, Mike Regan, Sara Hamm, and Lara Kiniris for all the fun on the day of the fair!

Check it Out - Middle Sister Wine

2010-05-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Are you a middle sister?....or do you know one? If so, have we found the wine for you!

First, before we can tell you about the wine, we just have to tell you how we found it...it's too good. Last night the three of us girls here at Arcularius Events went out with Mom to find a wedding dress for Marianna, the youngest of us three (who got engaged a month ago!). We chose Diamond Bridal Gallery in Granite Bay because of its wide selection of Spanish designer dresses, which Marianna fell in love with after countless hours searching wedding gown websites. This place did not disappoint! The interior was comfortable, the sales associates were totally sweet, and the dresses were to die for. Marianna tried on just seven dresses before she found "the one" and, after a few tears and a bit of dancing in the dressing room, walked out of the store with a receipt for a wedding gown!!

What does this have to do with wine? Well, at the beginning of our evening (before the dress was found and the tears were shed), middle-sister Mairead stepped out to find a bottle of champagne to turn dress shopping into a celebration. She came back with champagne and a wine that was just too perfect...Middle Sister Rebel Red.

Rebel Red is a red table wine, but the collection of Middle Sister wines includes Drama Queen Pinot Grigio, Mischief Maker Cabernet Sauvignon, Goodie Two-Shoes Pinot Noir, Surfer Chick Sauvignon Blanc, and Smarty Pants Chardonnay. How adorable is that? What's more, lots of these bottles have won awards up the ying-yang, so not only can you give your favorite middle sister a wine that describes her personality, you can give her wine that she'll actually like!

Check out Middle Sister's fun website for info on all their wines, a silly music video, and an enlightening "Which Middle Sister Are You?" quiz. (PS, we took it, and we are apparently Drama Queens, who knew?)

Have fun wine tasting!

A Tour of Napa Valley - Barbara's Barn

2010-05-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

To continue our little tour of great Napa Valley wedding venues, we move from Shady Oaks' Secret Garden to Barbara's Barn, a site that might be the very definition of "California Country Chic."

Imagine having a ceremony on this lovely little lawn, with stunning views of the lush hills that surround the valley...

...and then walking a mere 20 feet to enjoy cocktails on this poolside patio.

Post-cocktails, you and your guests would meander over to the barn itself, where long tables would be set up in the stalls that border a concrete dancefloor. Lights are already strung in between the stalls, as well as shades that can be pulled to cover the dancing space on hot days.

It would be a beautiful, intimate, and completely unique day. How fabulous does that sound?

Now, we know that you may have to imagine this place on a sunnier day than the one our pictures show to really love it, and we also know that this site does not always allow ceremonies, so that is something you would want to look into. But, that being said, we love Barbara's Barn! We think it is the perfect combination of rustic and modern - it is a polished, stylish farmhouse that would be the perfect setting for an elegant hoedown! Plus, while the barn as-is can accommodate up to 120 guests, Barbara is currently developing an adjacent property that will also be available for events with overnight accommodations. This property will be able to handle parking and a large tent, allowing for a capacity of 200-150.

If you're interested in this site, contact Cindi Oscourn at Mint Locations: cindi@mintlocations.com.

Two down, two more to go! Next time we'll be covering a unique property that is perfect if you're looking for a touch of the old world...

A Tour of Napa Valley - Shady Oaks

2010-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

We all know that Napa Valley is a hot spot for weddings, but with so many different vineyards, inns, and ranches to choose from, it can be hard to narrow things down and find a venue that is perfect for you. The girls here at Arcularius Events want to help all you venue-hunting brides out there by saving you the legwork and sharing some of the most interesting venues we've seen. Over the next few posts, we're going to show you the unique, beautiful, and somewhat lesser-known places that we got to visit on a fantastic Napa Valley site tour hosted by La Tavola Fine Linen.

The morning of our tour started at La Tavola's gorgeous Napa showroom, where we were picked up by Pure Luxury Wine Tours, a Napa-based green transportation agency. Pure luxury drove us in an uber-comfortable shuttle bus to our first site, Shady Oaks Ranch and Vineyards.

Shady Oaks is a lovely site in the heart of Napa Valley with expansive green lawns and lush gardens. The main estate home sleeps 16 and is accompanied by 3 more cozy cabins that come with rental of the site. The 12.5 acre grounds are home to a reflecting pond and gazebo, several intimate gardens, and 400 year old Oak trees (the oldest in the valley). Shady Oaks is secluded and romantic and, with little lights scattered among the gardens and a string quartet playing, would make the perfect setting for a fanciful, elegant, Secret Garden-type wedding.

For more information on this site, contact Wayne at wayne@gwines.net. Next time, we'll leave the fairy tale charm of Shady Oaks for a site that can only be described as "California Country Chic"...

Check it Out - Artesa Winery

2010-05-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks ago Arcularius Events had the pleasure of attending an ISES meeting at Artesa Winery in Napa. ISES, aka the International Special Events Society, is an organization dedicated to excellence and professionalism in the events industry. The society focuses on educating and informing events professionals as well as encouraging cooperation and high business standards. What a great organization!

The meeting couldn't have been held in a better location. Called the "Jewel of the Carneros," Artesa Winery definitely lives up to its nickname - this place is gorgeous! Artesa has unique, completely modern architecture with very eco-conscious design elements. Pulling up to the vineyard, the first thing we noticed was the grass rooftop covering the main building. There are water features everywhere you turn and the views of the valley truly can't be beat.

Artesa offers vineyard lunches and courtyard receptions, so it is definitely worth a look if you are planning an event! Contact Michael McKinley at Michael@artesawinery.com or (707)254-2148 for more info.

1st Place, 2 Years in a Row!!

2010-05-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Arcularius Events just participated in the Second Annual Tabletop Competition and Fundraiser hosted by NACE, the National Association of Catering Executives. After winning first place at last year's competition we were extremely excited to participate in this year's fabulous event, where eight teams of designers went head-to-head to see who could create the best tabletop. The judges had a tough time deciding which of the gorgeous tables would be the winner, but one table managed to capture the first place prize - the one designed by Arcularius Events!!

Catriona teamed up with our new in-house florist Suzanne to come up with a innovative design in which natural beauty merged with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Underneath the clear tabletop, rocks, moss, and tiny lights were combined to suggest a riverbed, while in the center of the table a modern twist on a manzanita tree replaced the traditional centerpiece. The table was kept uncluttered with clear blue plates, curlicue flatware, and simple glasses - the menus, napkins, and table assignments were placed on rustic white benches surrounding the table. In keeping with the "natural meets modern" theme, the menus were printed on clear plexiglass with images of dogwood trees and

the place cards were replaced with river rocks.

Everything besides the china and glassware (from Celebrations Party Rentals) was custom designed by Arcularius Events - that's right, we sewed the table linens, found and painted a manzanita branch, constructed the benches and even the table. This was truly a labor of love, and we hope you love our table as much as we do! We really had a blast at this event, and our thanks go out to NACE, Celebrations Party Rentals, and Jenn Bartell Photography and Design for the beautiful photos.

Vote for Us!

2010-04-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

The three ladies here at Arcularius Events are so excited to participate in KCRA 3's A-List competition! This competition chooses Sacramento's best wedding planner based on the number of votes that each business gets, so if you like Arcularius Events, vote for us!

Voting is easy:

Click here to go to Arcularius Events on the A-List, then click the big, yellow "Cast Vote" button. You'll create an account with the A-List, and then you will receive an email with a link to click on to confirm your account. That's it! Couldn't be easier!

Please help us make it to the top of the list - thank you so much to all of you who have voted already!

Our very own is...ENGAGED!

2010-04-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

Marianna, Associate Wedding Planner with Arcularius Events, and our youngest sister is engaged to her high school sweetheart. She and Darwin have a unique and romantic story. They have been in love for over 6 years. In this time they have followed each other to Berkeley for college, traveled all over Italy, and had many adventures. The most recent adventure shocked Marianna while they were backpacking, camping, and hiking 36miles. Darwin surprised her with his grandmother's incredible vintage ring! Marianna was certain he was joking, though she managed a, "yes! But are you serious?!"

Marianna and Darwin ....just after their engagement

Heirloom Family Ring...lucky girl!

We are so happy for you two. We look forward to planning an amazing wedding with you when the time comes!

A Traditional Hindu Ceremony

2010-04-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Traditional East Indian ceremonies are extremely ornate, elaborate, and luxurious. They often require above-average time and effort on the part of the bride, groom, and their families because of their size and the many details involved. Mandeep and Chirag, a wonderful couple that Arcularius Events had the pleasure of working with, decided to join their cultures by celebrating their wedding with Sikh and Hindu ceremonies.

Countless hours were spent hand-delivering invitations to each of the 650 guests, and many more hours were spent on several trips to India for jewelry and clothing shopping. Check out these incredible jewels!!

Mandeep and Chirag's wedding day was truly one of the longest that Arcularius Events has ever been involved in. The couple began preparing at 5 AM to be ready for their first ceremony at the Sikh Temple. This was followed by their first lunch recepetion, their Hindu ceremony, and finally the main wedding reception for their 650 guests. Arcularius Events was most involved in the Hindu ceremony, so let's take a look at how a traditional Hindu ceremony is organized:

To kick off the Hindu ceremony, the groom led his party in a procession and was received by the bride's mother, who applied kukum to his forehead.

He was then greeted by his lovely bride, who presented him with a garland of red and white flowers. The giving of the garland reflects ancient Hindu custom in which the bride would choose her groom by presenting him with flowers.

The bride and groom then made their way the the mandap, a sacred structure under which the bride and groom perform wedding rituals and exchange their vows.

Gorgeous pictures of the many rituals from the ceremony. The henna on Mandeep's hands was absolutely exquisite.

At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom's clothing was tied together and they circled the ritual site, with seven final steps for food, strength, prosperity, happiness, children, harmony, and friendship. What more could you ask for?

After the ceremony in the mandap, Mandeep and Chirag circled the room to thank some of their friends and family members...

...and then it was time for them to change, and for the eating and cake cutting to begin.

Along with the bride and groom's transformation, the mandap was turned into an intimate, elegant head table with plenty of beautiful fresh flowers.

The evening ended with a giant dance party, with what seemed like all 650 guests up and out of their seats, boogying down until midnight. This group knew how to have fun!

Everyone, including the Arcularius Events team, had a blast and we thank Mandeep and Chirag for allowing us to help with their one-of-a-kind, amazing event. We wish them all the best!! We would also like to thank Riz at Adit-Studio for the beautiful pictures, Ambience Floral, Classic Party Rentals and BBJ Linens, and The Lux Productions for the lighting.

Check it Out - Great Wine Find!

2010-03-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

Anyone planning a wedding in Napa Valley will tell you that one of the most important aspects of a successful wedding is good wine. Even if you aren't celebrating your nuptials in wine country, providing your guests with delicious, high-quality wine to enjoy with their meals adds a certain specialness to their experience. Of course this seems easy enough, but when it comes to staying within budget, shelling out an extra $20 per bottle isn't always an option. That's why we'd like to let you in on a little secret...

...Sonoma Valley Wines. SVW offers an unoaked Chardonnay packed with fruit and citrus flavors, a Merlot with hints of berries, chocolate, and cedar (!), and grapefruit-y tropical Sauvignon Blanc. We tried all three of them and thought they were fantastic. But what makes these wines so special that we would blog about them? Right now at Trader Joe's you can find all three selling for $5.99. With a typical cost per bottle around $11.99, this price is a steal! These wines would make special yet budget-friendly additions to your wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, you name it! For a fun pre-wedding evening, invite members of your bridal party over for a tasting to see if they approve...Enjoy!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick

2010-03-02T22:34:00.000-08:00

We are proud to announce that Arcularius Events has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick. Thank you to all of the brides that voted for Arcularius Events!

Three-Sister Team - Mairead

2010-03-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

We recently decided to take the time to introduce the members of our Three-Sister Team, so that you know exactly who you are working with when you hire Arcularius Events. A few days ago we introduced Marianna, and now we'd like to introduce another sister, the lovely and talented Mairead.

Mairead has worked with Arcularius Events for the past three seasons as our Event Space Designer. As our space designer, Mairead employs her design expertise to create custom layouts for each event. She uses precise dimensions to ensure that each event is well-thought-out and perfectly designed.

Mairead graduated from Sacramento State with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and for the past six years has worked with clients in the areas of residential, hospitality, healthcare and corporate design. From private residences to large scale venues, her layouts provide the team with detailed pre-event planning and day-of organization every event needs to flow smoothly. Along with her event layouts Mairead brings the knowledge to give your special event the opportunity to be “Green.”

After a short break to have her second child Mairead is back, bringing with her a new enthusiasm to our Three-Sister Team! Catriona’s unique passion and intuition teamed with Mairead’s attention to detail and Marianna’s thoughtful organization ensures that your event will be everything you dreamed of and more.

Three-Sister Team - Marianna

2010-02-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

As you may or may not know, Arcularius Events is a Three-Sister Team. The three of us, Catriona, Mairead, and Marianna, love combining our unique strengths to create events that are truly one of a kind. We would like to take a moment to introduce ourselves, because you are sure to meet (at least) one of us if you hire or work with Arcularius Events! This week, we'd like to introduce the youngest of the three sisters, Marianna.

Marianna has worked with Arcularius Events for the past two seasons as our Associate Wedding Planner. As a recent graduate of UC Berkeley with a double major in Art History and Italian Studies, she is passionate about all things Italian and can assist couples who want this romantic culture to be a part of their celebrations.

Since graduating, Marianna has been working at the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park where she works in customer service and education. Her specialty is public speaking, so she helps introduce large school groups to the museum and its special exhibitions.

Marianna will soon be joining Arcularius Events full time, where she will assist with day-of coordination and behind-the-scenes organization. She ensures that design elements are set up according to plan and that every detail is attended to. Since she loves working with people, Marianna is our go-to girl when guests need direction or assistance. She is a vital part of our Three-Sister Team, which we will continue to introduce in just a few days!

Featured in Real Weddings Magazine

2009-11-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

TWO features on Arcularius Events in ONE issue of Real Weddings!
Winter 2010 issue

Check out what's inside...

NACE Tabletop Design Competition WINNER and a feature on Nicole and Treb's Wedding at the Citizen Hotel. Pick up a copy today!

Featured on San francisco Style Unveiled

2009-11-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

Monday November 16th, 2009

http://www.sanfranciscostyleunveiled.com/thelounge/2009/11/16/a-hans-fahden-winery-wedding.html

Featured on WeddingChannel.com

2009-11-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

A 2009 Wedding, coordinated by Arcularius Events,

was recently a daily feature on WeddingChannel.com (http://www.weddingchannel.com/). This wedding will also be featured in print in "The Knot, Northern California" very soon.

New!
Wedding of the Day
Mindy and Matthew
September 2009Young's VineyardPlymouth, CA

Photographed by Ashley Forrette Photography

http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/wedding-planning-ideas/who-got-married/September-2009/Minday-and-matt-wedding.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Young's Vineyard Wedding

2009-09-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

More on the Rustic Italian Country Wedding....

Escort cards...customized note from the bride and groom written on postcards to each guest plus seating assignment in one!

Tent in the day...

Family style seating at kings tables with fantastic details....

We cheated and they cut their first slice of cake from the top tier...had to have the apricot layer!

This bride did not miss a detail. She even tied a cornflower blue ribbon to her pre-wedding flip flops.

My recap with the bride last night was fantastic. I don't think she could have been happier! Thanks to everyone: Kathy with Classic Party Rentals, Beth with Beth Sogaard Catering, Audre with Botanical Florals, Ashley with Ashley Forrette Photgraphy, Joe wih Extreme Pro DJ's.

Sneak Peak

2009-09-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Mindy and Matt

Young's Vineyard September 6th, 2009

Theme-

Rustic Italian country

Just the tent frame draped in burlap! Thanks Classic Party Rentals.

Kings tables in brown with burlap runners and cornflower blue accents. All the details are covered in this one!

Flowers by Audrey with Botanical Florals. Fantastic job! The wine boxes were filled with florals in a very country feel.

Sorry for the horrible picture, but the tent looked incredible at night with the market lights aglow.

Fantastic entertainment by Joe with Extreme Productions. This was our first time working together and I absolutely love this guy. He was a perfect fit for this wedding! The food was delicious and done by Beth Sogaard Catering.

More soon!

Calistoga Beauty

2009-09-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

August 1st, 2009
Jillian and Chris
Hans Fahden Winery
Calistoga, California

Unparalleled beauty in the Napa Valley. Jillian and Chris's wedding was just stunning. The couple, the setting, the decor, and the amazing team of vendors all contributed to this perfect evening! The plans for this wedding began almost two years ago. Jillian got in touch with Cat while she was on vacation in Mexico. Jillian knew Cat was a fit for her when she heard she was working on her vacation. The search for the perfect setting filled with gardens and an enchanted feel. Check! Hans Fahden Winery. A florist to match the bride's unique vision and classy taste. Check! Blooms by Martha Andrews. The perfect caterer-All Seasons Catering, design and decor elements- Sharri Black and CMC Design, unique rentals- Classic Party Rentals, live swing/jazz music-Hale Baskin, live trio for the ceremony- Davis Ramey, and the photographer to capture it all-Allison Stahl. Check!

The entire wine cave had a golden glow. Not a detail was missed in this table setting for 100 guests. The bride and groom looked down all ends of the tables and each guest could see them at the head of the kings table. Guests were guided to their individually numbered seats that were each personalized with their name designed by Sara Hamm with Bella Vita Invitations.

Wow, Martha! I'd say we captured Jillian's look. Cups, or what looked like delicate floral bird nests, held small candles that made the entire cave twinkle. Mounds of flowers in purples and greens were a natural base for the gold tree branches that were draped in crystals, flowers, and candles.

A streamlined natural look was carried throughout. Purple, green, cream, and gold were used in each space from the ceremony, tea house cocktail space, dinner wine cave, and reception.

Enchanted reception decor! Dancing, live music, and toasts fell under the trees of this enchanted look. The room was draped in chocolate brown satin fabric from ceiling line to the floor. These drapes were pulled back for the fourth and final reveal. The guests had no idea this final space was hidden and only after dinner was it revealed.

Congrats to Jillian and Chris on their marriage and gorgeous wedding!

Citizen Hotel Wedding

2009-07-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

July 11th, 2009 Wedding at the Citizen Hotel

Nicole and Treb!

What a fantastic evening of fun, amazing service and gorgeous decor! Nicole and Treb were married in the first floor ballroom of the new Citizen Hotel in Downtown Sacramento. Married under a teal and brown canopy of flowing fabric with incredible crystal accents and gorgeous colorful flowers. I never knew pops of red would feel so rich amongst brown and teal.

Harmony and her staff at the Citizen were extremely helpful and made the night go flawlessly!

The reception was held on the 7th floor terrace of the hotel. The fabric ceiling draping is to die for and the views of the city are stunning. Katie with Ambience floral gets all of the credit for these beautiful centerpieces accented with amber jewels and peacock feathers. They were the perfect touch to Nicole's perfectly chosen pallet of teal and brown.

The cake, done by Divine Desserts, was beautiful and delicious.

The photography was done by Lisa Richmond and her assistant photographers. They worked hard to capture every perfect image of the happy couple. I think they started as early as 11:00am and I didn't see them leave until at least 11:00pm...incredible! Way to not miss an opportunity to catch each moment.

The evening ended in the Citizen's 14th floor suite. The balcony was the perfect spot for Treb to give Nicole her last surprise for the night. What a sweet finish to a perfect day: another ring!

2009-06-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

1st Place!!

Arcularius Events, along with some fantastic contributors one first place at the Nace/Real Weddings Magazine table top design contest tonight. More to come soon!

A special thank you to Sharri Black and team at Studio B, Martha Andrews with Blooms, Sara Hamm with Bella Vita Invitations, and Classic Party Rentals.

2009-02-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

A special thank you to Lindsey with

Solage in Calistoga

http://www.solagecalistoga.com/

for an informative tour, spa treats, and incredible accommodations

This is one of my new favorite venues in the Napa area. The look has been described as "Napa barn meets San Francisco loft." Is there a better look than this? As most people know, wedding venues and wineries range from $6,000 to well over $12,000 for rental, but Solage is reasonably priced well under these amounts. The chef comes from The French Laundry and is fantastic. This is a site to see.

Cute bikes await each guest in front of their steps in case they would like to get around the property quicker or ride the Silverado Trail. The wine country is literally outside the doors of this resort and just a pedal away.
Incredible pool with the option of private cabanas for bridal parties to rent. The guys might enjoy this while the girls are in the spa on the wedding day.

The reception venue. New barn rustic feel. A very open space with complete range for unique looks and design ideas.

The outdoor ceremony site is gorgeous in bloom. Mountain backdrops and another great open space to work with.

I can't wait to go back and visit soon!

2009-01-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Wine Tasting Tour hosted by

Beth Sogaard Catering

(http://www.chefbethcatering.com/)

Avio, Terra d'Oro, and Young's Vineyards

Steve Lach with Beth Sogaard Catering was more than a joy to spend the day with. He planned this perfect outing for me, Lora Ward with A Day to Remember, Kendra Pfeiffer-Wershing with Pfeiffer Event Planning, Laurie Schmalzel with Laurie Schmalzel Events, and Darcie Swedelson with A Dazzling Day. A day in the limo consists of almost nothing but wedding talk and each stop was filled with wine tasting and site research.

Avio Winery

http://www.aviowine.com/

Avio Winery is one of my new favorite locations for weddings. This property has to be seen in person and in the spring it is so much more stunning. The owners of Avio, Stefano and Lisa, are a joy to spend time with and open their property to brides for their special event.

The views from one of the optional the ceremony sites are spectacular. This site can accommodate up to 200 guests and has multiple options for the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, and other intimate gatherings.

Terra d'Oro Winery (previously Montevina)

http://terradorowinery.com/

is another outdoor winery option for weddings in the Amador area.
The outdoor covered reception space can accommodate up to 200 guests and has the advantage of an overhead arbor for us designers who love to hang fabrics and unique lighting!

They have a stunning Barrel Room that can accommodate up to 500 guests. This could be ideal for a larger wedding of 200-300 guests since the room size can be varied by moving wine barrels.

Young's Vineyard

http://www.chefbethcatering.com/

Young's Winery is a fantastic clean slate to design with and plan strikingly different events. This open, lush, grassy area overlooking the pond can accommodate up to 200 guests if using it for the ceremony and reception sites. The options are endless. The bride enters through the grape vines for the ceremony and the guests face the pond for the best views.

I especially love the two tiered patio. Great option for another ceremony site. I am a fan of separating each event of the evening so the guests transition from space to space for each new experience.

Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions on these beautiful sites!

Two other Calistoga wineries

2009-01-25T20:43:00.001-08:00

Here are the other two wineries we checked out. Each has a banquet facility for events and weddings.

Dutch Henry Winery is a beautiful spot just off of the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. We loved the bocce ball court and lined olive tree driveway.

4310 Silverado Trail
Calistoga Ca 94515
http://www.dutchhenry.com/

Cuvaison is a beautiful property with tasty wines. We were lucky enough to have Travis with Cuvaison pour and educate us on their wines. I, of course, just had a sip of the brides tasting! I just found out that Trader Joe's is currently carrying Cuvaison's Chardonnay that we tasted ($27 in the tasting room and $14 in TJ's).

Cuvaison Winery

4550 Silverado Trail

Calistoga, Ca 94515

http://www.cuvaison.com/

Calistoga Wineries

2009-01-25T19:59:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a full day of rehearsal dinner site searching in Calistoga. The concept is to find a great winery in Calistoga (near the wedding site) to invite the wedding guests to the afternoon prior to the wedding day. Tour, taste and enjoy a uniquely romantic European style picnic lunch. Each guest will be offered a hosted tour of the winery, tastings of the current flight of wines, and then everyone will group together and sit on the grassy lawn to enjoy some good food and good company. Each unique picnic basket will be lined with a custom fabric clothe and filled with sparkling water, baguettes, meats, cheeses and other treats for the guests.

We viewed three wineries and the decision was simple for the bride. She chose Clos Pegase Winery.

Here are some photos of the winning winery.

Clos Pegase

1060 Dunaweal Lane

Calistoga, Ca 94515

http://www.clospegase.com/

National Magazine Decor photoshoot

2009-01-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

How can you go wrong with a fun theme titled "Spanish Love?"

This is my fourth feature photo shoot table setting design for Ines Del Mar Weddings (http://www.inesdelmar.com/).

I couldn't ask for a better team to work with either.

Jennifer with the Memory Journalists (http://www.memoryjournalists.com/) photographed the shoot and Martha Andrews with Blooms (http://www.bloomsbymarthaandrews.com/) designed and created the gorgeous florals. Other contributors include Classic Party Rentals (http://www.classicpartyrentals.com/), BBJ Linen (http://www.bbjlinen.com/), Bella Vita Invitations (http://www.bellavitainvitations.com/), and Jewelry by the Glass, Designs by Lisa and Lisa (jewelrybythglass@gmail.com).

The home we used for the shoot is a custom private residence in Auburn. Luckily the home exterior colors were a shade of orange and turquoise.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the shoot!

Catrina Maria Wedding and Events Planning and Design

New Name, New Website!

Grand Opening Recap

Grand Opening Celebration

The Knot Networking Bash, SF

A-List Top Three!!

A Tour of Napa Valey - Merryvale Vineyards

A Tour of Napa Valley - Charles Krug

A Tour of Napa Valey - Sylvan Manor

Rethinking the Tabletop

*Check it Out* - Middle Sister Wine

A Tour of Napa Valley - Barbara's Barn

A Tour of Napa Valley - Shady Oaks

*Check it Out* - Artesa Winery

1st Place, 2 Years in a Row!!

Vote for Us!

Our very own is...ENGAGED!

A Traditional Hindu Ceremony

*Check it Out* - Great Wine Find!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick

Three-Sister Team - Mairead

Three-Sister Team - Marianna

Featured in Real Weddings Magazine

Featured on San francisco Style Unveiled

Featured on WeddingChannel.com

Young's Vineyard Wedding

Sneak Peak

Calistoga Beauty

Citizen Hotel Wedding

Two other Calistoga wineries

Calistoga Wineries

National Magazine Decor photoshoot

Check it Out - Middle Sister Wine

Check it Out - Artesa Winery

Check it Out - Great Wine Find!