Press: Tana & Eric's Moody Glam Celebration Featured on Junebug Weddings

Tana and Eric married among the redwoods in a moody and elegant celebration at The Island Farm California. The bride put her artistic prowess to full use in creating every inch of this incredible design. Their vintage-glam color palette of purple, pink, and champagne was used in the florals designed by Ash + OAK, Tana’s stunning long-sleeved gown, and all the vintage lounge seating they provided for their guests. From sunset portraits to a canoe ride and glamping after party, photographer Bethany Carlson make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale rather than forests of California.

Click here to view the full Junebug Weddings feature.

VENDORS
Coordinator: The Poppy Group
Photography – Bethany Carlson
Venue – The Island Farm California
Floral Design – Ash + OAK
Catering – Local Harvest Catering
Cake – Melinda’s GF Bakery
DJ – Heart of Gold DJs
Makeup Artist – Arrow Beauty Bar
Rentals – Pieces by Violet
Transportation – Corinthian Ground Transportation
After Party Glamping Rentals – Shelter Co. and Zephyr Tents

How Much Time Does It Really Take to Plan a Wedding?

A Professional Planner (our very own Amy!) Tells All: How Much Time Does It Really Take to Plan a Wedding?

At the best of times, planning your wedding can feel like no big deal, but at the worst of times, it can feel like a full-time job. Why? Because it kind of is. If you sat down and tracked every single hour you and your future husband or wife spent organizing the details of your big day, you’d probably be surprised by the findings. How many hours do most couples really devote to planning their ceremonies and receptions?

In this article over on Martha Stewart Weddings, Amy lays it all out for you.

What to Eat and Drink at a Fall Engagement Party From Brides

You’ve put away your giant flamingo pool float, you’re slowly making the transition from mojitos to mulled wine, and your bridal party is donning all of their beloved scarves. Fall is finally here. For a bride looking to embrace the autumn season for all of her pre-wedding events (bachelorette party, engagement party, rehearsal dinner, etc.), we got some advice from the experts on how to execute a fall-centric party.

Brides gathered top wedding experts around the country (and so, of course, Amy was included!) to put together a unique fall-inspired food and cocktail menu. From seasonal fare that highlighted apple cider to festive herbs, get cozy and visit the Brides Menu!

Erin & Brian's Classic Emerald & Ivory Ferry Building Wedding

Erin and Brian wed in late spring at the historic Ferry Building. With bridesmaids dressed in floor-length emerald gowns and surrounded by stunning and seasonal white florals. From the stunning tablescapes to beautiful views of the city behind the couple in love, Mallory Miya Photography captured it all gorgeously.

They even had an oyster bar from Aquatic Culture and ice cream sandwiches after dinner. Such fun catering additions!

VENDORS
Coordinator: The Poppy Group
Photographer: Mallory Miya Photography
Venue: Ferry Building
Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events
Cocktail Hour Band/DJ: Ivy Hill Entertainment
Transportation: Nationwide Limo Service
Cake: Susie Cakes
Beauty: Tay C. Styles

Martha Stewart Weddings Feature: Our Founder Amy's Wedding!

One of our founders, Amy Nichols, had her very own wedding recently published on Martha Stewart Weddings. Click here to browse the beautiful day! 

How to Get Your Guests to Actually Use Your Wedding Hashtag from Martha Stewart Weddings

You know that your photographer will document the most important moments and details of your wedding, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun to relive the big day through the eyes of your guests. The very best way to do that is with a social media hashtag, which allows you to easily gather photos taken by family and friends. Martha Stewart Weddings has gathered five ideas that will get your guests excited to use your #hashtag throughout the ceremony and reception.

21 Ways to Make Your Wedding Feel More Modern from Martha Stewart Weddings

There are few events with quite as many traditions as a wedding, but that doesn't mean you can't still make the day your own. If you're looking to plan a wedding with a classic structure but modern edge, know that you're not alone. Whether they're trying to appease older generations of family members who have strong opinions on what a wedding looks like or want to follow traditions they love but ditch others that don't work for them, plenty of couples are searching for ways to bring their big days into the 21st century. Here is a list of amazing tips straight from the wedding experts rounded up by Martha Stewart Weddings. PS: #12 is from our founder, Amy Nichols!!

15 of Napa Valley's Most Luxurious Spots for a Bachelorette Party from Martha Stewart Weddings

Ready to relax with your ladies before "I Do"? If you'd prefer total relaxation to nightclubs and sunshine to casinos, sip back and relax at one of these Wine Country retreats rounded up by Martha Stewart Weddings.

7x7 Weddings Feature: Nanette and Alex

Nanette and Alex's gorgeous wedding day was recently featured over on the 7x7 blog. Click here to browse the beautiful day! 

"If you follow San Francisco–based @nantuck3t on Instagram (with 50,000 followers, it's likely you do), you would expect that the wedding of the photographer and social media maven, aka Nanette Wong, would be all flowers and pastel hues with DIY romance. And you'd be right. When Wong married her sweetheart, Alex Lai, in November of last year, her celebration, held at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax, was worthy of a wood nymph."

15 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding from Inside Weddings

From custom welcome boxes to a special first dance, we love when couples infuse their backgrounds into their big day. Your wedding is a day that celebrates your love...that's right, YOUR love, your unique, special, one-of-a-kind love, so let your wedding details show that off! Instead of hosting your loved ones for a party, take them on a journey of your story and share all of your favorite things with all of your favorite people. Click to read the full article from Inside Weddings.

How to Word Your Wedding Invitations from Martha Stewart Weddings

Your wedding invitation is so much more than a piece of paper displaying the date, time, and location. It can truly showcase your wedding style. In this great article from Martha Stewart Weddings, you'll find examples of invitation styles and wording for each pairing.

How to Plan a Long-Distance Wedding from Inside Weddings

Are you planning a wedding in a different city from the one you live? Whether you’re having a hometown celebration or destination wedding, you’ll find that planning your nuptials from out of town adds an extra layer of difficulty. Of course, if the location is meaningful to you, it will probably be worth it in the end. Determining how to tackle this planning challenge will largely depend on your means, schedule, and the cooperation of your loved ones. With careful organization, you can have the wedding of your dreams, distance notwithstanding. Click to read the full article from Inside Weddings for some great tips. Or just contact The Poppy Group today for that final push at the finish line!

What to Do When a Wedding Vendor Is Advising You Against Something You Want from Martha Stewart Weddings

You've hired a great team and everything is going swimmingly until one of your vendors tells you they can't make your dream a reality. This is a more common dilemma than you might think, and it's a moment that's worth stepping back from and assessing the advice you're receiving. In this great article from Martha Stewart Weddings, they talk through what to do when a vendor is advising you against something you really want.

How (Not) to Announce Your Engagement from A Practical Wedding

A Practical Wedding always has the best Letters to the Editor and we definitely suggest anyone that is newly engaged read this advice!

Wedding Chicks Feature: Luxury Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Wedding

Did you miss Dani and Taylor's stunning affair that was published on Wedding Chicks? Click here to browse their beautiful day! We’re talking sparkle, flowers, and gold gilded details everywhere! They even had a fog machine for their first dance, does it get more romantic than that?

Taylor passed by Danielle's house every day and had such a crush on her. One day he left his phone number in her mailbox and the rest is history. As a special event florist herself, Danielle felt the flowers and decor were one of the best ways she could tell their love story to their guests, as Taylor had helped Dani over the years with building her business.

Head on over to the link to read more about this real-life fairytale!

Vendors
Coordinator: The Poppy Group
Photographer: Michelle Walker
Florist, Designer, Stylist: Amy Burke Designs
Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Cake: Elegant Cheese Cakes
Videographer: Weddings on Film
Hair + Makeup: Wow Pretty

The Pros and Cons of a Big Bridal Party from Inside Weddings

A really large wedding party can be fun-filled or full of trouble. If you’re not sure whether you want to spread the love or keep things intimate, this pros and cons list for having a large wedding party from Inside Weddings may help you make your decision.

A Year-by-Year Guide to Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts from Martha Stewart Weddings

Regardless of how long you've been married, your anniversary is an occasion to celebrate. Whether it's one year of wedded bliss or a decade of holy matrimony, your spouse will truly love a gift that shows how much you care. If you want a helpful list, click here to check out Martha Stewart's slideshow on traditional and modern gifts year by year. 

8 Tips for a Killer Cocktail Hour from Junebug Weddings

The cocktail hour is such an important part of tying together the main events of your wedding day. It is all about allowing guests to mix, mingle, and relax. Not only will it tide your guests over until the reception dinner, but it helps everyone transition from ceremony mode to party mode. All it takes is a little creativity, a little thoughtfulness, and these tips to create an experience you and your guests will love. Click Here to Read 8 Tips for a Killer Cocktail Hour...

The Best Wedding Planners in San Francisco from Brides.com

One of our co-founders, Amy Nichols was recently highlighted by Brides.com as The Best Wedding Planner in San Francisco!!! Her company, Amy Nichols Special Events, along with The Poppy Group received a shout out along with the best of the best in the Bay Area! Click here to read the entire article. 

How to Make Your Single Wedding Guests Feel Included from Brides.com

Our very own Amy Nichols (co-founder of The Poppy Group and owner of Amy Nichols Special Events) was recently quoted on Brides.com for a great article about ways to make your single guests feel included when your venue or budget can't accommodate plus ones! "'Don't relegate your single friends to a table that’s made up of all single people they’ve never met,” says Amy Nichols of Amy Nichols Special Events and Thumbtack Pro. Whether you serve the dinner plated or from unique food stations, seat single friends with others they may know or have heard about. “If you have a single friend from college, seat her with other friends she knows from school, regardless of whether those friends are also married or part of a couple,” says Nichols." Click here to read the rest of the tips!