Pear Tree Events

Spooky Halloween cocktail ideas

2010-10-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween has traditionally been a childrens' holiday... or has it? More and more adults seem to find entertainment in dressing up, heading out and enjoying festivities while in costume. Alizé Liqueur has developed some seriously sinful vodka-based drink concoctions for your Halloween party or as a treat for yourself after the kids have circled the neighborhood and gone to bed.

From Devil’s Punch to the Mad Scientist Sangria, Alizé offers a drink fit to be enjoyed by every ghoul and ghost. Muah ha ha. Here are some of our favorites...

Devil’s Punch: sweet and tangy with a punch of citrus
2 ounces Alizé Gold Passion
2 ounces Bacardi Limon
Splash of Canton Ginger Liqueur
Splash of Cranberry juice
Splash of Lime juice
Splash of Ginger ale

Passion & ‘Pagne: simple and oh-so-yummy
3 ounces Alizé Red Passion
3 ounces Taittinger Champagne
Serve chilled in a champagne glass.

Mad Scientist Sangria: we recommend adding berries and watermelon
1 ounces Alizé Red Passion
1 ounces red wine
Chill Alizé Red Passion and red wine. Just before serving add 1 part ginger ale. Serve in a wine glass and garnish with a slice of apple or orange.

Vampire Kiss Martini: WARNING, these are addictive!
1 ½ ounces Alizé Red Passion
1 ounces Alizé Gold Passion
1 ounces premium vodka
Top with lemonade and serve in a martini glass.

Embellish your stemware with fake spiders or flies and garnish your drinks with black sanding sugar for an extra spooky effect.

You're now ready for your Halloween party! Offer guests the cocktail of their choice as they arrive and prepare for a night of mayhem and mischief. Enjoy!

Katie's 30th Birthday

2010-07-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend was full of celebration with a 30th birthday party on Saturday and Independence Day on Sunday. Katie turns 30 today and we helped her husband create a fun, relaxing birthday party for her.

The request was for a simple party that was "not over the top" with a theme but still created a fun atmosphere. Since Katie was born in 1980 we went with an 80's style party and added just a few touches from the decade.

Photos of Katie in the 80's greeted guests at the door and continued throughout the house. The only other themed decorations we chose were a string of neon cassette tapes adorning the kitchen area and small puzzle games for guests to work on and take home as favors.

Katie's husband barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers for guests and we set up a nacho bar in the dining room. The cake was made in the shape of a boom box by the incredibly talented Frosted Cake Shop. It was almost too cute to cut!

80's music played both inside and out, and while they mingled, we asked party goers to write down birthday wishes for Katie that we'll use to create a memory book for Katie.

Each guest's "wishes" to the birthday girl will be matched to a picture of Katie with that friend or family member. Guests were not required to dress up, but the ones who did had a great time with it.

Katie, thank you for letting us be part of your birthday. We hope the next 30 years are even greater than the last!

Inspiration Board: Jillian's College Party Housewarming

2010-06-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

When you think "college" you can't help but think of red cups, keg stands and needing quarters to do laundry-- at least that was our experience! For Jillian's housewarming we've come up with a fun, festive college-feel for food, decor, and even games.

Here are a few thoughts to inspire and get you in the mood to party: kegs, chips, Animal House, beer pong, Jell-o shooters, quarters, Top Ramen and Tylenol. Lots and lots of Tylenol.

Image credits clockwise from left: Jell-o shots, Animal House, bunting, Doritos, quarters, beer pong, Top Ramen, chalkboard, keg

Melanie's Housewarming

2010-06-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated Melanie's new home! Friends and family helped christen the new house and we were thrilled to get to be a part of the party.

As guests entered the home they got to see "before" pictures of the rooms when Melanie purchased the home. She replaced flooring, painted, added baseboards and more. Having the "before" pictures there helped highlight the hard work Melanie put into the home.

As part of our Burlap and Barbecue inspiration we had custom burlap banners made for Melanie's entry way and mantle.

We do our best to use decor that is functional after the party and Melanie will be able to use these as decor in the future.

To brighten up the kitchen and draw attention to the food, we lined the large kitchen window with vases of sunflowers. Each vase was wrapped in burlap and secured by twine.

The menu included fruit skewers, Caprese sticks, Swedish meatballs, grilled pineapple and grilled chicken.

Of course we couldn't forget something sweet. These chocolate dipped marshmallows with graham crackers went fast!

Melanie's kitchen island served as a drink station, dressed with a burlap table runner and loaded with Mexican sangria, sparkling lemonade and a variety of Hansen's sodas. We used pineapple wedges to garnish the glasses.

Frisbees, soccer balls and foot balls were available outside for guests to enjoy the yard and it was a perfectly beautiful afternoon! Melanie's friends and family enjoyed themselves so much in fact, that the party lasted long after the time scheduled on the invitation.

Melanie, we are so honored we could share in the "warming" of your new house. We hope you have many, many years of happy memories there to come!

Inspiration Board: Melanie's Housewarming

2010-04-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Image credits, clockwise from top:
Burlap banner via Etsy

Chicken skewers

Wreath found at Tatertots and Jello

Burlap votive

Caprese skewers

Favors

Drinks with skewer garnish by Country Living

Invitations from Paper Style

Moving into a new home can be stressful, exhausting, exciting, and overwhelming-- all at the same time. After all the painting, remodeling, landscaping, decorating and unpacking is done, it's time to celebrate! Melanie has done so much work on her new home so it was important to us that her housewarming be simple, laid back and FUN.

To encourage guests to explore the home and yard with hands (relatively) free, appetizers on skewers is a must. We also want to highlight the home and decor instead of detract from it with party decorations, so burlap accents for this celebration are perfect.

We are so excited to be a part of this new chapter in Melanie's life and can't wait to PARTY!

Yuliya + Alex

2010-03-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was Yuliya and Alex's wedding in Carmichael, California. The ceremony and reception were both held at Carmichael Presbyterian Church, a gorgeous and quaint mission-style church. The image below is from the rear of the venue as guests arrived.

Carmichael Presbyterian is full of beautiful architectural details and (once the rain clouds cleared out) Yuliya and Alex had plenty of pretty places to take pictures.

These are just a few shots from the reception. When we get the professional photos from the photographer we will certainly share them. The image on the left is the guest view of the head table as they entered the reception hall. To the right were place cards hand written by the bride.

Yuliya's colors were bubble gum pink, chocolate brown and champagne so we used shimmery champagne linens throughout the room accented by chocolate brown napkins and chocolate brown ribbon on the centerpieces.

The bride and groom arranged for the caterer to have hor d'oeuvres placed on the tables before guests arrived so centerpieces needed to take up minimal space. Budding twigs combined with pink gerbera daisies in simple glass cylinders were perfect. A hint of winter combined with the promise of spring!

We took advantage of the high ceilings in the auditorium and secured giant, 36" balloons to the tables. Suspended at varying heights, the balloons provided visual interest, carried in the accent color and added a whimsical and fun feel to the reception.

While Yuliya was set on using pink gerbera daisies for boutonniers, corsages and centerpieces, she knew she wanted pink roses for her bouquet and her bridesmaids' bouquets.

We used delicate baby pink Peckoubo roses for Yuliya's bouquest, the three bridesmaid bouquets and Alex's boutonnier. Simple and stunning. As was Yuliya's dress, which we can't WAIT to show you when we get the professional photographs!

Thank you Yuliya and Alex, for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful celebration. Congratulations!

Feature Friday: The Roseville Utility Exploration Center

2010-01-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

Today's Feature Friday brings you a fantastic venue that is perfect for a childrens party or baby shower: the Roseville Utility Exploration Center. Situated next to the Martha Riley Community Library and within the Roseville Sports Complex, the Center is "an environmental learning center focused on bringing visitors information on protecting natural resources in a fun, engaging way."

*Quote and all photos courtesy of the Roseville Community Exploration Center*

It is the mission of the Roseville Utility Exploration Center to promote a healthy environment by encouraging individual actions for a sustainable future. Topics covered include energy efficiency, renewable technology, water conservation and recycling.

The Roseville Utility Exploration Center was the perfect venue for Mason's Birthday "On the Green" in keeping with our commitment to making the event environmentally responsible. When we originally scheduled the room we reserved three and a half hours at a rate of $60 per hour. The party ended up running over by an hour and they didn't charge us any extra fees! While that was great in and of itself, what we were most impressed by was the impeccable service the Supervisor, Bob Garrison, offered.

From the moment we arrived, Bob asked what he could help with. He helped set up tables and chairs, instructed us on how to use the technology, brought pitchers for drinks, and provided ice and a jug for water. He offered a selection of movies to show and reassured us that his office door would be open should we need anything. Bob stayed visible until party guests arrived and then retreated to his office, still available if we needed anything.

The room itself was clean, bright and spacious with a functioning sink and ample counter space. One entire wall consists of windows, which allowed for light to flood in even on a cloudy and rainy day. Although not pictured, the room also had a large white board we were able to use-- children enjoyed drawing and writing messages to the birthday boy.

We will definitely utilize the Roseville Utility Exploration Center in the future and highly recommend the venue to others. For more information or to book the Center check out their website or call 916.746.1550.

Mason's Birthday "On the Green": Budget

2010-01-28T10:02:00.001-08:00

There is no questioning you can find parties everywhere on the web. There are thousands of blogs and websites devoted just to parties and party ideas. How often do you wonder about the budgets of those parties? The most common question we get from clients is, "How much will it cost?" Of course budgets vary greatly and no two parties (or clients) are the same but we thought you would be interested in seeing how the budget broke down for Mason's 1st Birthday. If you have additional suggestions or questions please feel free to leave them in the comments. So here we go, this is what our budget worksheet looked like for this party:

Venue (which we will bring to you in detail tomorrow) $210

Food $63 (we are serious budget shoppers)

Smash cake $25

Decor $45 (tees $5, golf balls $10, Astro turf $15, bunting $5, paper $10)

Favors $63 (paper $5, jewel cases $15, printing $53)

Table settings $60 (all supplies purchases through Green Party Goods)

Total: $466

As you can see, half of this party's budget went to the venue, which we feel was completely worth the expense. If you host a party at home the costs are cut but there are trade-offs. If your home can accommodate this then great! If not, there are plenty of other options.

You could also cut costs by choosing a less expensive favor or going without them all together. We could have printed full-page calendars with just one picture and all twelve months to cut down on printing costs.

More ideas? Host a pot luck style luncheon, or simply a dessert party to reduce the costs of food.

So there you have it. A party thrown for 30 people, food included, for under $500. We would love to hear what you have done to cut costs or would have done differently for this event, so please share in the comments below.

Check back tomorrow for details on our fabulous venue!

Mason's Birthday "On the Green": Vendors

2010-01-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

For Mason's birthday we worked with some fabulous vendors and we couldn't wait to share them with you! We mentioned before that keeping the elements of this party environmentally responsible was particularly important-- even in the smallest details. Enter Green Party Goods.

Green Party Goods carries just about everything you could want to complete your event. We could spend hours on their site (and several more hours telling you about everything they offer) but we'll limit ourselves to sharing just the items we used for this party and save the rest for a Feature Friday.

Table settings for Mason's birthday included Biodegradable Sugarcane Plates, Recycled Paper Napkins, Recylced Paper Cups and Potatoware Utensils. We also used their Natural Fiberware Lunch Boxes for to-go lunches for the golfers.

Speaking of the golfers' to-go lunches, we used brown and white striped twine purchased on Etsy from Swann and Smerlin. Despite this seller residing in Ireland, the items arrived quickly and were packaged beautifully. Exactly the attention to detail we appreciate!

Also found on Etsy were the cupcake liners we used for the mini cupcakes, cake bites and cake pops. The sheer selection in Cupcake Social's shop is awe-inspiring. We were specifically looking for cupcake liners that resembled blades of grass to mimic the look of golf balls "in the rough" and found them at Cupcake Social. It was hard to resist buying more than we needed since there were so many fun cupcake wrappers to choose from!

The cupcakes, cake bites and cake pops were nice, but the most important dessert was the birthday boys cake. The Frosted Cake Shop custom made Mason's smash cake for the occasion. We requested a "golf inspired" cake in orange, apple green and brown. The result was nothing short of perfection! Owner, Tessa Lindlow, even managed to accommodate our order with a low-sugar and organic-ingredient recipe. If you ever need a specialty cake or cupcakes, The Frosted Cake Shop is the only way to go!

There you have it, a few of the fabulous companies we work with and order from. We hope you will consider them for your next event and please feel free to share other vendors you have had success with.

Next up is the budget. The single most frequent question we get from brides, mothers, friends and party-hosts (or hostesses) everywhere: How much will it cost? We'll share this party's budget with you tomorrow!

Mason's Birthday "On the Green": Decor

2010-01-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

For Mason's 1st Birthday "On the Green" decor was minimal, partly because the venue didn't need a lot of embellishment and partly because we wanted to keep costs and materials down. We used 6' x 1.5' lengths of astro turf as table runners. They were sturdy, inexpensive (about 48 cents per square foot) and can be used after the party. Centerpieces were cylinder-shaped vases (which were re-used Pom juice glasses) filled with golf balls and wrapped with a strip of grass-patterned paper and an orange ribbon.

(The golf balls in the center pieces were actually more of a source of entertainment for the kids than anything else!)

We made a simple bunting using eco-felt and 1/4 yard of three different fabrics. The bunting now adorns Mason's bedroom walls!

Favors aren't necessarily "decor" but they were our favorite project from this party so we wanted to highlight them. We used this template from Shutter Sisters to create mini photo calendars for guests (using recycled paper.) Each month featured a picture of the birthday boy from the previous year during that month.

The calendars are made to rest in jewel cases. On the back were directions on how to assemble the jewel cases. Adorable and relatively inexpensive to make.

Activities during the party consisted of Wall-E (the movie) playing for the kids, a station to color golf-related clip art pictures, a "Guess How Many" jar full of golf tees and a "Mason Trivia" game for the adults.

When guests RSVP'd for the party, those who wished to golf were given a tee time and we incorporated a golf mini-tournament! There was plenty to do for all ages-- a must for any party.

Come back tomorrow to check out the awesome vendors we used for this event and Thursday for a sneak peek at our budget!

Mason's Birthday "On the Green": Food

2010-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Mason's 1st Birthday Party "On the Green". Not only did the party have a golf theme but the "green" carried into every aspect in the form of recycled materials, compostable elements and even guest participation. We'll be sharing this party all week so first here was the menu:

U.S. Open Club Sandwiches

Presidents Cup Fruit Skewers

PGA Tour Potato Salad

Masters Marinated Vegetables

For dessert, Bakerella's cake pops and cake bites as:

In the Rough Red Velvet Cake Pops

Fairway Vanilla Cupcakes

Muddy Golf Balls (Chocolate Cake Bites)

Drinks included:

18th Hole Bloody Mary's

Pebble Beach Punch

When guests RSVP'd for the party those who wished to golf were given tee times. Everyone met at the party location (which we'll share on Feature Friday this week) and the golfers picked up their lunches before heading out to the course.

Up tomorrow: Decor and Activities

Wednesday: Vendors

Thursday: Budget

Friday: Venue

DIY Button "Bouquets"

2010-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was Laura's baby shower! This time of year (close to Valentines Day) the price of flowers rises significantly so we opted for some non-flower alternatives. One of which were button bouquets pictured below. These are super simple to make, work with any color scheme, are cost effective and most importantly (we think) utilize less resources than fresh flower bouquets.

For this project you'll need:

- buttons

- floral wire

Start with lots of buttons in various shades of your color scheme. In our case it was pink, pink and more pink.

Now begin to make stacks of buttons for each "flower". Three or four buttons per stem is a good number. You want to vary the colors and shades-- or you can use three of one color and one small button on top for the center of the flower.

Bend the floral wire in half and thread the wire through two holes on each button. Push each button to the end of the loop on the floral wire.

Secure the buttons by twisting the floral wire all the way to the end. You're done!

Display groups of the button bouquets in small vases or tie them together with ribbon to decorate a place setting. When you're done with them you can untwist the wire and save the buttons for something else.

Easy, cute and environmentally responsible. We love it!

DIY Stocking Favors

2009-12-30T15:32:00.000-08:00

Every party needs handmade and personalized elements so for Pete's 70th In Luau of Christmas party we made these stocking favors for guests to fill with candy. Here is how you can make some (for next year) or apply the concept to a design that fits your party...

Step 1: Gather your materials. In this case we used 1/2 yard each of red and green Hawaiian floral fabric and 1 yard of navy blue fabric (for the trim and backing). Using a less expensive solid backing is cost effective but doesn't compromise the look you're going for. You'll also need a rotary cutter, self-healing mat, ruler, sewing machine and thread.

Step 2: Print out a template in the size and shape of your favors (like this stocking one from Martha Stewart) or draw your own. Trace enough shapes for a front and a back for each favor. We made 16 stockings so there were 8 of each color for the front and 16 navy blue for the back.

Step 3: Measure the top of your stocking and cut out a rectangular piece for the "flap" of each stocking. We used pinking shears on the edge to give them a more decorative look.

Step 4: Pin the fold to the wrong side of the fabric (align it with the top) and sew approximately 1/8-1/4 inch seam just along the top side.

Step 5: Now flip the blue over so that it is now on top of the pattern and pin the backing to the stocking so that the flap and the right side of the fabric are sandwiched in the middle.

Step 6: Stitch along the edge of the stocking (see in the picture how the fabric is wrong-side out) but DO NOT stitch along the top, otherwise your stocking will be sewn closed.

Step 7: Trim any excess edge.

Step 8: Flip the stocking right-side out and iron flat.

Done! See how easy?

In Luau of Christmas

2009-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed time with loved ones. Pear Tree Events was busy with a surprise In Luau of Christmas party for Pete's 70th birthday on Christmas Day. We are going to preface this post by saying that in general we are not in favor of using a lot of pre-made, paper decorations. Often they are only used once and tend to not be environmentally friendly. In this case the family had several boxes of luau decorations available to use so we took advantage of it. We ARE in favor of reusing items whenever possible. That being said, here are a couple of party pictures...

The entry way featured a small candy favor display (the guest of honor is diabetic so going overboard on a candy buffet would not have been appropriate.)

We made the Hawaiian print stockings specifically for Pete's birthday and will feature those later on in the week as a DIY project.

As far as decor is concerned, this sign by Handmade by Heather stole the show. Guests decided the sign needed to stay up on the bar long after the party was over. Head over to Heather's shop to see the other fabulous customizable items she offers.

No neck was without a lei.

Straw hats were set around the house for guests.

It could not have been a more beautiful day! The family played Frisbee in the street.

A blue sheet inspired an impromptu photo station for guests. A grass skirt and bikini top were handy so guests to have their picture taken "surfing". (How cute is our assistant there? :)

It was a pleasure to get to be a part of celebrating Pete's 70th birthday with her family. She actually said she had NEVER had a birthday party with decorations before! I guess that's what happens when you share your birthday with Jesus!

Here's to looking forward to 2010 and a fabulous New Year.

Inspiration Board: Laura's Baby Shower

2009-12-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

After two beautiful boys, Laura and Jeff are having a girl!

We are putting together a baby shower tea luncheon for Laura next month that will be full of pinks with accents of grey. Pink and gray is the perfect palatte for a cool winter party to shower Laura with girlie gifts.

We can't wait!

Feature Friday: Duchess & Bird

2009-12-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

We are nothing less than thrilled to introduce you to today's featured business, Duchess & Bird! Two ladies, a decade worth of trips to Paris, and an idea resulted in Duchess & Bird's owners launching their unique shop. Having opened the online boutique earlier this year, Duchess & Bird is "taking flight with inspired luxuries." See for yourself!

These gorgeous cupcake toppers would make elegant additions to any dessert table.

For a truly special party favor for your guests, fill these French Vellum Candy Envelopes with sweet treats.

Duchess & Bird also has a selection of ribbons and trims, like this beautifully detailed red and gold ribbon.

We can see this gold thread trimming wrapped around clear glass cylinders holding pillar candles for a classy detail.

Duchess & Bird's selections are one of a kind and each piece has a story. These stunning Antique Mirrored Wall Brackets would make a statement in any home.

These French Grocery Lists are my personal favorite. Frame them for fun wall art for the kitchen, laminate them for place mats, or use them to line the back of a vintage china hutch.

Duchess & Bird's wares are reasonably priced, which makes it possible for anyone to have a little piece of Paris in their home-- or choose the perfect gift for someone who "has everything."

There is SO much more in Duchess & Bird's online store and be sure to click over to the Duchess & Bird blog to get to know the ladies. You'll be glad you did!

Lindsey's Red Hot 30th

2009-11-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday night was Lindsey's Red Hot 30th birthday party in San Francisco. The evening began in one of the suites at the Clift Hotel, located just minutes from Union Square.
Below is the view from the room on the 14th floor. It was gorgeous at dusk!
Rooms at the Clift have a sleek, modern style and we didn't need to do much to dress up the suite. Add a few red feather boas and some candles and voila!
A champagne toast kicked off the festivities.
Guests met at the room and the birthday girl opened gifts before heading downstairs for drinks.
A twist on the traditional candy buffet, we chose to do a candy cocktail bar.
Guests could mingle, enjoy champagne, and make their own favors.
Red Hots (of course), sour cherries, Boston Baked Beans, various hard candies and rock candy served in cocktail and bar glasses.
A few cinnamon candles for a flickering accent.
Perfectly placed in front of the mirror to maximize the red impact.
The Clift Hotel is home to the Redwood Room lounge where the ladies stopped for the first round of drinks. The sultry and sexy red decor of the Redwood Room helped continue the "Red Hot" theme throughout the evening.
When you think "San Francisco" you can't help but think cable cars-- we rented one for the evening to take the ladies around town.
The trolley picked up the group from the hotel and took a tour of downtown San Francisco.
Next came dinner at Boboquivaris, continuing with "Red Hot" locations. In addition to the party being seated on the top level of the restaurant (pictured below) the waiter was French-- does it get any hotter? We can't take credit for that one.
After dinner the trolley drove the ladies to Johnny Foley's to dance the night away. The birthday girl was treated to the entire bar singing happy birthday while she was seated on one of the pianos.

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

We were honored to get to be a part of your celebration.

Feature Friday: The Victorian at Hemphill Mansion

2009-11-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

Why is it when you return from vacation you feel like you need an extra day to recover from your vacation? At any rate, we're back and ready to roll with Lindsey's Red Hot 30th Birthday this weekend!

Today's Feature Friday highlights the venue we selected for Katie and Jon's wedding earlier this year, The Victorian at Hemphill Mansion in Roseville, California. The Victorian is just that-- a beautiful Victorian style mansion located in old town Roseville at 315 Washington Boulevard.

The Victorian style home, at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Grove St., built in 1909 for Wallace Hemphill, served as a showplace and social center for Roseville society.

Hemphill's Roseville Water Co. provided Roseville its water and electricity from 1906 to 1925. He also owned the local sand and gravel business when Roseville was going through it's first boom. Dr. James McAnally purchased the mansion in 1936 and used it as his residence until 1969.

At one time the property served as a stage coach depot and later as Roseville's bus terminal.

Things we liked about The Victorian...

Price: Reasonable for a Saturday evening wedding during "prime" wedding season.
All-inclusive: When we booked the venue we were getting locations for both the ceremony and the reception, a DJ and catering. One stop shopping.
Space: There was ample room for the ceremony in the garden, cocktails inside, dinner outdoors in a separate grassy area, dancing, parking, restrooms and places for the bridal party and vendors to prepare.
Flexibility: The staff was willing to let us decorate and orchestrate the evening pretty much any way we wanted (Katie wanted, that is!)
Ease: Their staff set up, broke down, and cleaned it all up. We love that part.
The garden/outside areas: Beautiful and well maintained. The greenery and architectural accents made for gorgeous twilight photos.

Things we didn't like about The Victorian...

Parking: Katie and Jon's wedding consisted of about 85 guests and many had to park down the street.
Trash: There is a staircase leading from the house down into the garden where guests enjoyed dinner and the area beneath the staircase were literal PILES of trash. We hoped this was something only we noticed but still, extremely unattractive.
Our assigned DJ: He was awful. And we don't give negative reviews or feedback on a whim. First, we hadn't met with him before the day of the wedding because The Victorian's owners assured us they had years and years of DJ experience and they knew exactly what we wanted, which songs to avoid and which ones to play. Second, about a half hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin he told me he couldn't find his list of songs for the ceremony so we gave him a program to use to prepare and follow along. When it came down to it, he missed a cue for music and after I brought it to his attention that a song should be playing, he didn't know Bach. Dead air is not good during a ceremony! Also, we had chosen a specific version of the Wedding March and it wasn't right. Awful. Thankfully, Katie and Jon were so into the moment they didn't notice, but WE did. It irks us when things don't go perfectly for reasons that could have (should have) been avoided. Add to that, the DJ was cheesy and came off as unsure of himself and disorganized. We will take some responsibility here and say that we should have insisted on meeting with the DJ during the rehearsal. Lesson learned.
Availability of staff: We found it difficult to find The Victorian staff the day of the wedding. Groomsmen were downstairs getting ready in the dark because there weren't enough functioning lights in the basement and one of the toilets upstairs in the brides room wasn't working properly AND there wasn't any toilet paper (tragic)-- yet we couldn't find anyone to help. We will say that once the wedding ceremony began the staff was present and attentive through the end of the event.

If you are considering The Victorian at Hemphill Mansion for your wedding or another event, it is a great choice. Just be sure meet with the people helping coordinate the day ahead of time and walk the grounds to look for anything out of place early so you can get it corrected before guests arrive.

All in all, we will definitely recommend this venue in the future for those wanting a budget-friendly event at an "all inclusive" location. If you've been to the Victorian and have other feedback please leave a comment below! We welcome reader opinions.

Beyond Platinum Event

2009-11-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

Last night we had the opportunity to attend the Beyond Platinum Event at Arden Hills Country Club in Sacramento. This was the first year Arden Hills has put together an event for event planners, vendors and brides and the evening was a success! As expected of an upscale venue such as Arden Hills, no detail was overlooked. The moment we arrived we were treated to complimentary valet service and plenty of AH staff was there to direct us to the "main event".

After picking up our tickets at will call we were welcomed into the cocktail hour. Two beautifully decorated rooms were set to received guests and several bar areas served champagne. Guests checked out models wearing some of the latest designs in wedding gowns and had the opportunity to take some candids in a photo booth.

When cocktail hour ended the rest of the event opened up and attendees could browse various rooms featuring wedding vendors, continue socializing with other attendees, and enjoy chatting and learning about the newest and hottest wedding and event trends.

Overall, it was definitely worth going to and we are already looking forward to next year's Beyond Platinum Event!

Last night's party was the perfect way to begin our VACATION! The holidays are the "busy season" for Pear Tree Events since we specialize in private gatherings-- Christmas parties here we come! We'll be back soon with more inspiration boards, featured businesses, and DIY party details. Don't forget that you can email us any questions, requests, or small businesses you think should be featured. Email us at peartreeevents@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you and will answer emails as soon as we get return!

Feature Friday: Handmade by Heather

2009-10-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

Etsy is one our favorite places to find unique, handmade touches for the parties and events we design. Today we'd like to introduce you to Heather Mattos, owner of Handmade by Heather!

Remember Katie and Jon's wedding this summer? We had the sign pictured above custom made for the event. The wooden sign was displayed on an easel at the entrance of the venue to welcome guests and later moved to the lawn where the reception took place.

Best of all, the newlyweds had a gorgeous keepsake they could display in their home long after the wedding!

Handmade by Heather specializes in personalized wooden signs. When we say "no detail is overlooked" this is the kind of thing we're talking about when personalizing an event for a client.

A personalized tiki bar sign will be making an appearance at the In Luau of Christmas party in December!

Every child should have a special birthday outfit, right? Handmade by Heather's birthday t-shirts are a-DOR-able and the child can wear the t-shirt long after the actual birthday.

The "initial tee" would also be a thoughtful surprise for the guest of honor.

Remember that Handmade by Heather takes custom orders of just about any kind! Have an idea? Send her a message. We have a 1 year-old's birthday coming up and will be submitting our order for a custom birthday bib shortly!

Be sure to take a peek at Handmade by Heather's shop and stop by her blog. She has got some amazing recipes, fun craft ideas and gorgeous pictures.

Thank you Heather, for letting us feature you this morning!

Teresa's Baby Shower

2009-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was Teresa's baby shower! Tom (daddy-to-be) and Teresa, along with their family and friends, gathered to celebrate the pending arrival of their new little one, A.M.

The shower was built around "A is for Apricot, B is for Baby" and the decor was inspired by shades of apricot/orange and aqua/blue.

The dessert table featured French Meringues, Apricot and Blueberry Thumbprint cookies, Coconut-Apricot Macaroons and Mini-Cheesecakes with apricot and blueberry jam.

We made a simple bunting string out of various fabrics that complimented the color scheme-- orange sherbet gingham, blue paisley, a shimmery aqua and apricot and blue florals.

"A" and "M" are the initials of Tom and Teresa's bundle of joy. They took the wooden letters home to use in her nursery!

Instead of traditional flower centerpieces for the tables, fresh herbs were used, giving the tables a country-chic feel paired with the blue linens and white accents. Using fresh organic herbs is also environmentally responsible as they can be used long after the baby shower is over.

How gorgeous is that aqua table cloth? The simple herb centerpiece stands out beautifully against the cool blue backdrop.

We used scraps from the bunting to create custom newborn onesies for Tom and Teresa to use for their baby girl and they also acted as decor for the shower.

The appliques included the initials "A" and "M", an apricot, a flower and a baby rattle.

We wish Tom and Teresa all the joy in the world with their new baby girl!

Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your celebration!

Feature Friday: MKL Designs

2009-10-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

We love when we get to feature brand new businesses and even though MKL Designs is new, we are head over heels for owner Melissa Larson's gorgeous work. Melissa is the mother of two gorgeous girls and calls herself an "amateur" photographer although the photos on her blog could easily pass for professional. MKL Designs debuted this fall and we are loving their fresh, simple, and beautifully bold designs.

Check out these gorgeous save-the-date's (which could just as easily serve as wedding invitations themselves.)

After the wedding you may be in need of these...

And then these...

And then these!

Why not get a jump on your Christmas cards this year? MKL Designs has tons of holiday card options to choose from and welcomes custom orders.

Go check out MKL Design's shop and Melissa's blog and be sure to submit your holiday order soon!

Inspiration Board: In Luau of Christmas

2009-10-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

This is for a surprise party we're planning so we can't say who this inspiration board is for but in lieu (or in 'luau'-- get it???) of egg nog and Honey Baked ham, this family is going to be enjoying Mai Tai's and and pulled pork this Christmas.

Our plans for the party include Roasted Pineapple Hot Buttered Rum as the signature drink, Broiled Pineapple with homemade vanilla ice cream for the starter, a traditional Polynesian menu, bright and colorful decor, a Christmas tree ornamented with hibiscus flowers and surfboards, and a special photo op for party-goers (who are requested to wear Hawaiian-inspired attire.)

We can't WAIT to put this fun, festive party together!

Check back on Friday for this weeks' featured business and again next week for pictures of Teresa's baby shower coming up on Saturday.

Feature Friday: Sweet Expressions Desserts

2009-10-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

About a month ago we mentioned that we had a "*sweet* feature" to bring to you, and we finally have it! Meet Kiiki Pittman, owner of Sweet Expressions Desserts.

Kiiki had been making desserts for friends and family for years and after a person hears, "You should do this for a living" so many times, they start to think that might actually be a good idea. For Kiiki, it turned out to be a great idea! Kiiki's dessert business is mainly word-of-mouth and referrals (which is the BEST way to get business). She made the leap to be her own boss after being laid off from her 9-5 job and, like many other entrepreneurs, has found success in doing something she loves.

Sweet Expressions Desserts has an extensive list of treats they offer but they will happily do their best to fulfill any custom order. Here are some of their delicious dessert choices:

Baklava
Banana Pudding
Brownies (over 17 varieties)
Brownie Pops
Brownie and Cookie Sundaes
Cakes (over 17 varieties)
Cake Poppers
Cheesecake : Traditional (plain), cherry, blueberry, double chocolate, strawberry, chocolate chip, toffee bar, peanut butter cup, pumpkin (seasonal)
Cheesecake on a Stick
Chocolate Fountains
Chocolate Dipped Fruit
Chocolate Truffles and candies
Cookies (over 23 varieties)
Cupcakes
Cupcake Parfait
Cupcake Towers
Flan
Fresh Fruit (seasonal fruit kabobs and fruit bowls available)
Lemon Bars
Parfait
Petit Fours
Pecan Bars
Peanut Butter Chewies
Rice Krispie Bars
Sugar Cookies (decorated) - we have over 100 different shapes
Tarts
Trifle
Monogrammed Treats

I don't know if you caught that, but Sweet Expressions Desserts offers 17 varieties of brownies. YUM. We've sampled their brownie pops and they are amazing.

Sweet Expressions Desserts has done candy buffets (pictured above), dessert buffets, and ice cream buffets. They also frequently have "just because" customers... I mean really, do you need an excuse to enjoy dessert? We sure don't think so!

If you are in the Sacramento area, don't miss Kiiki and Sweet Expressions Desserts on Fox 40 next week! She is doing a cooking demonstration on Wednesday, October 21 at 11AM. Set your DVR's.

If you need to satisfy your craving after all this yumminess, give Kiiki a call at 916.508.3293 and check out their website here.

Enjoy! And thank you to Sweet Expressions Desserts for letting us feature them!

Do you know someone who owns a small business that is related to the event planning industry in some way? We would love to feature them and learn more about their business. Send us an email at peartreeevents@gmail.com. And don't forget to check out our new website: http://www.peartreeevents.net/.

Inspiration Board: Teresa's Baby Shower

2009-10-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Teresa's baby shower is at the end of this month and the hostess requested a color palatte of apricot and blue. We opted for apricot and aqua for this "A is for Apricot, B is for Baby" coed shower. We're looking forward to helping Teresa and her family and friends prepare for their baby girl!

DIY Decorative Votives

2009-10-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

The secret to the black damask votive holders we used for Christine's baby shower? Packing tape. Keep reading for the details...

Choose your votive (or vase, or table cloth, or glass-- the possibilities are endless) and cut a length of decorative packing tape to fit. For these we wrapped the packing tape from top to bottom on all four sides. Depending on the pattern you choose you could cut out certain sections and apply the design or just wrap the tape around the votive.

(Votive image from Wholesale Flowers and Supplies and packing tape from the Paper Source.)

I bet you didn't know packing tape came in so many varieties!Shop Kate's Paperie for the styles above or search "decorative packing tape" on Google. You will be amazed at how many there are to choose from! Using decorative packing tape to coordinate elements of your party is cost-effective and makes use of items you already have (read: environmentally friendly).

Feature Friday: The Peasant and the Pear

2009-10-09T21:38:00.001-07:00

Today is a Pear Tree Feature Friday first-- we are featuring a venue! We couldn't think of a better locale to share than The Peasant and the Pear in Danville, California. The Peasant and the Pear was the site for Heidi's Baby Shower last May and since then we have been itching to find another excuse to host a party there.

If you didn't know it was there, you could easily pass by The Peasant and the Pear while walking down the streets of downtown Danville and never know it. The rear entrance is tucked back away from the street between two charming brick buildings and before you reach the door you are surrounded by patio seating in a quaint garden-like area with a few small tables. There is street parking available near the main thoroughfare however if you drive around to the main entrance, away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, there is a separate parking lot with ample parking.

When we arrived for Heidi's baby shower to set up, the restaurant manager immediately offered two of the hostesses to help us unpack and set up. Every staff member we had the pleasure dealing with was unbelievably friendly and willing to assist.

Here is The Peasant and the Pear's story:

San Ramon’s Bishop Ranch was the site of the world’s largest pear orchard around the turn of the last century. This fact, paired with our rustic menu, gave us the idea for our name. We opened The Peasant & The Pear in San Ramon in April, 2004. We quickly outgrew our space, and moved to a much larger and more beautiful facility in downtown Danville in February, 2006. Our location may have changed, but the most important things remain the same: our name, our fresh, seasonal menus, and our dedication to offering delicious, unpretentious food and friendly service at fair prices. We promise to do our very best to bring you a wonderful experience, and look forward to having a long relationship with the communities of Danville, San Ramon, and beyond. Enjoy!

The Peasant and the Pear is perfect for an intimate lunch or a festive party for 40. There is a semi-private area in the back of the restaurant and the gracious staff will help you select the perfect menu, whether it be a full lunch, appetizers, or simply cocktails.

If you're ever in Danville, stop in and see for yourself. We promise you won't be disappointed!

Christine's Baby Shower

2009-10-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Christine's Baby Shower! We are starting with dessert, just because we can.

Christine knew she wanted Sprinkles cupcakes and chose red velvet and dark chocolate. We adorned them in Lu Lu black and white damask Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers.

The mommy-to-be also knew she wanted a modest candy station for guests to make their own favors. There were only 16 guests so we offered a selection of licorice, chocolates, taffy and jelly beans. Enough, but not over-the-top.

Pink candy was not difficult to find in October, thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Favor labels were custom made for the occasion by Sarah + Abraham and were also used on the cookie favors used for guests' place settings.

A pink and black damask table full of sweets.

When seated, guests were treated to onesie-shaped sugar cookies with pink royal icing. Each favor contained one large onesie, one mini-onesie, and one mini-heart shaped cookie. The large onesie cookies had a black polka dot design and the "F" on the mini-onesie stood for the guest of honor's last name.

Centerpieces were clusters of pink gerbera daisies in white vases surrounded by damask votive holders. (We'll show you the secret behind those DIY votive holders next week!)

We always go into an event knowing things may not exactly happen "according to plan" and this baby shower was no exception. Although when we finalized details for the party with Christine, her mother (who was the gracious hostess of this event) had other ideas about how the tables should be arranged. Instead of using two long rectangular tables situated beneath a canopy for guest seating, she wanted to use these three round tables (shown above) and use the rectangular tables and canopy for the buffet line for the food.

We made it happen-- even if it meant plastic table cloths on the round tables. Sometimes you just have to go with it!

Regardless of logistics, Christine had a beautiful baby shower that was made even more special by the attendance of her family and friends. The party lasted well into the evening and we are pretty sure not a single Sprinkles cupcake was left over.

Feature Friday: Blooms by Martha Andrews

2009-10-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

We are so thrilled to introduce you to today's featured business! Blooms by Martha Andrews is a highly sought-after wedding and event florist in Northern California. Her work is absolutely stunning and fabulously unique. Without further ado, meet Martha!

"Weddings have been a part of my life since childhood when my mom and grandmother were wedding coordinators. I always tagged along and helped out with receptions. When I was 17 I fell into a job at a florist, taking orders, washing buckets, sweeping etc…then I started pestering them to train me and they did! I worked in the shop, Relles Florist for 4 years then left to free lance. I had a booming business for a few years and then stopped it all to have children. I say stopped but you never really stop because friends, family and the community always ask you to do something."

We asked Martha how she got started in her own floral business...

"I always knew I would start my business, I was waiting until my baby was 6 or so thinking it would take a few years to build up to busy, but my first wedding season out I did 28 weddings. That was the 2006/2007 season, the last 2 years I have done over 55 weddings from April to November. I always take November through Feb. off to do the holidays with my family."

And if there have been any surprises in her experiences as a small business owner...

"The biggest surprise for me was media attention, I have been featured in all the local magazines, t.v. and national wedding magazines as well, it is very flattering!"

Blooms by Martha Andrews is a Style Me Pretty Little Black Book member and has most recently been featured in Sacramento's Kidaround Magazine.

From Martha...

"My specialties are weddings! I do other events, but I love weddings, I really strive to make each one as unique as the bride. For most people it is the biggest event they will plan in their life time so I want it to be a memorable one."

And any challenges she has faced in running her own business?

"My biggest challenge has been the sudden growth and managing my family. I home schooled my 7 children for 15 years, I am used to being a full time mom, it was my career, now I feel like I have 2 full time careers and we all know we can’t do it all. I have some ideas I am trying to implement to 'solve' this 2 career dilemma, Next season I am going to limit the amount of weddings I take and I have put a minimum on them."

We love business who put family first and Martha Andrews is a mother first, who just happens to be ridiculously talented when it comes to all thing floral. One of the many things that sets Blooms by Martha Andrews apart is her Signature bouquet. She has developed a modern twist on the cascade bouquet. Pictured below is her Chandelier Bouquet.

Perfection!

We love it when boutonnieres are creative and different-- and these are no exception. Blooms by Martha Andrews uses a variety of floral elements combined with gorgeous embellishments.

The most difficult part of today's feature was deciding which photos to use. The sultry black feathers and glamorous crystals make this table setting absolutely pop!

The bright, beautiful yellow flowers make the table scape below look elegant and playful at the same time and compliment the black and white perfectly.

Carnations give this chic table setting a natural, welcoming feel.

We love how the photograph below shows that even in the most beautiful of outdoor settings, the right flowers can make your ceremony stand out and at the same time not distract from the beauty of the surroundings.

The flower balls below give this hallway such a high-impact punch of color and would set the tone of your reception for guests as they arrive.

Excellent use of petals to designate an aisle. Couldn't you envision flower girls in little white dresses gracefully walking down that path before the bride? Beautiful.

Delicate orchids paired with fresh hydrangeas... I think we may have set a record for the most time we've used the word "perfection" in one post! But really-- absolute perfection.

There is so, SO much more eye-candy over at Blooms by Martha Andrews website and blog. Head on over to both sites. A warning though, you can't blame us if you end up spending WAY too much time there-- and we're speaking from experience.

Happy Friday and thank you so much to Martha Andrews for sharing with us today!

DIY Fabric Napkin Rings

2009-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is Christine's baby shower and we are so excited to see it all come together! We used black and white damask ribbon on the invitations for this party and are tying in the pattern on the place settings with these fabric-wrapped napkin rings.

There are several things we love about this project. First, it is easy. If you can plug in a glue gun and wield a pair of scissors, you can make custom napkin rings. Second, this project was inexpensive and eco-friendly-- using fabric scraps and repurposed paper towel rolls. Third, it can be 100% personalized. Use any fabric you like to match any decor or table setting! Finally, this project is quick. Here is how you can make your own:

You need:

fabric
paper towel rolls
scissors
hot glue gun
glue sticks
rotary cutter (optional)
self-healing mat (optional)

Using the scissors, cut a paper towel holder into 6 or 7 equal-sized pieces. We cut ours into 1 1/2 inch circles.

Trim fabric into 3 1/2 or 4 inch by 6 inch pieces-- one for each napkin ring.

Wrap the longest length of fabric around the outside of the cardboard ring. Glue one end of the fabric to the cardboard, then after you've wrapped it around, fold the finishing end over and glue the end down.

Fold the ends in, one side at a time, and glue them to the inside of the paper towel ring.

Don't be shy with the glue! You want the outside to look nice and finished but it is okay if the inside isn't perfect.

It is THAT easy! Next week we'll share pictures of the completed table settings we will be using these for.

PearTreeEvents.net is up!

2009-09-28T23:17:00.001-07:00

Check out our website, designed by the very talented Andre Harris Jr.

Luau Cupcakes

2009-09-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we received a last minute request for 5 dozen cupcakes for a luau birthday party. Given more notice we would have loved to have ordered surfboards to top the cupcakes with, but as it was the paper parasols worked out just fine on their own.

The "sand" on the top of the cupcakes was ground up graham crackers and the umbrellas were functional as well as decorative. Each different colored umbrella indicated a different flavor of cupcake:

Blue = vanilla
Yellow = lemon
Pink = strawberry
Ocean and sand (blue frosting) = chocolate

We would have LOVED to have The Frosted Cake Shop do these-- but for this party there just wasn't enough time (or budget) for 5 dozen of their gorgeously decorated creations.

DIY Votive Embellishment

2009-09-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! This week we've been posting more than usual because there has been so much going on, but next week we'll be back to our Feature Friday with a *sweet* feature (hint, hint). For now we'll leave you to your weekend with this EASY way to add some personalization to plain votives.

All you need is paper and double-sided tape. For Hunter's 18th Birthday we used origami paper with the colors of the party to decorate plain glass votives using this Martha Stewart tutorial. Origami paper is ideal because it is so thin and easy to work with. We also filled the votives with sand before placing the candles inside to add one more little beachy touch.

The results? A quick, simple punch of color and detail. Remember, it's all about the details.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Inspiration Board: Lindsey's 30th Birthday

2009-09-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Red Hot by Pear Tree Events featuring Donna Karan dresses

Coming in November!

Red.
Party.
Dinner.
Dancing.
Glamour.
Clift Hotel.
San Francisco.
Redwood Room.
Girls Night Out!

Madeline's Christening

2009-09-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Madeline's Christening in Walnut Creek. Madeline's mom, Heidi, knew exactly what she wanted and chose the color scheme, planned the menu, and selected the flowers. All we had to do was put the elements together and help facilitate the event. Here are some of the highlights.Chocolate brown table cloths plus baby pink napkins divided by pink Gerbera daisies equals a girly chic celebration.

If there is one lesson we've learned in party planning it is this: You can't control everything, but you CAN be prepared for everything. The weather didn't look like it was going to cooperate for this outdoor event, however a last-minute trip to Target and these camouflage tarps provided a solution-- rain or shine. At least they weren't blue, right?

Guests entered the home and as after they passed the gift table were treated to an assortment of Izzy sodas, Pelegrino bottled water, sparkling lemonade and iced water from the bar.

Onto the luncheon of croissant sandwiches and a variety of salads (all made by Heidi). Hors 'd oeurves included shrimp cocktail with a horseradish cocktail sauce, deviled eggs, and blanched vegetables.

For dessert, this gorgeous cake was served. The cherry blossom design was the inspiration for the whole day.

Finally, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting were offered after the cake had been passed out.

Madeline slept through most of the party but guests had a wonderful time, enjoyed the outdoor seating area, and left Heidi with very little leftovers.

Inspiration Board: Madeline's Christening

2009-09-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Remember the baby shower we did for Heidi? Heidi's little bundle of joy, Madeline, has her christening tomorrow and after-party in her family's back yard in the bay area. Madeline's mommy loooves pink and envisioned a picnic-feel to their back yard party. The inspiration for this celebration comes from the cherry-branch cake Heidi chose so we went with pinks and browns.

Heidi is also a fan of pom poms so we've added a few to include a colorful pop on their outdoor deck. Pink flowers in clusters of white vases will be the centerpieces.

Here is the inspiration board we put together, stay tuned next week for pictures of the event!

DIY Flags

2009-09-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

These may be the easiest do-it-yourself project ever, but these flags can make a big statement and add lots of (inexpensive) color and detail to your event decor.

Here is what you need:

- fabric

- pinking shears

- rubber bands

- dowels

Once you've decided on a color scheme (in this case we chose light blue, navy blue and red) select some fun fabrics for your flags that follow or compliment the palette.

Cut fabric squares using pinking shears into the desired size. We made flags for Hunter's 18th Birthday in two sizes, 4x4 inches and 12x12 inches. This is a no-sew project-- pinking shears make it so that the fabric doesn't fray, since it is not bound on the edges.
You'll need one fabric square, one dowel rod (we used chop sticks for the small flags!) and two rubber bands for each flag. Secure two corners of the fabric to the dowel rod using two rubber bands, one at the top of the dowel and one at the bottom of the length of fabric.

Note: For the small flags (on chop sticks) we used tiny rubber bands. You end up having to wrap those suckers quite a few times if you use regular-sized ones.

Here are the small flags once they are finished and ready to be packed up to take to the party. Couldn't be easier, right? This is also a project you can take with you and complete anywhere, even say, in the car... on a trip to Bodega Bay while your assistant is driving... ;)

Display your flags in sand like we did, staked right in the grass or in vases or planters. Cross your fingers for a little breeze and enjoy!

Feature Friday: Sakura Graphic Design

2009-09-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Feature Friday! One of the biggest ways to make your event memorable is by "thinking outside the box". Whether it is decor, favors, games or stationary, using unique and unexpected elements help your party stand out. Why not consider working with a graphic designer to create unique one-of-a-kind invitations or stationary for your event? We'd like to introduce you to Sacramento-based Sakura Graphic Design!

Buongiorno! My name is Kate Digrigorio (dig.rig.oreo) and I am the owner of and
designer for Sakura Graphic Design. It had always been my desire to take my
creative ideas and turn them into a self-sustaining business. After many late nights and countless Diet Cokes, Sakura Graphic Design is now an independent, full service design firm intent on providing creative designs along with quality results.

This being the third year in business, I am delighted to branch out into new and exciting endeavors. First on my list is LETTERPRESS! I fell in love with the look and texture of letterpress and I am on a mission to make it a new line of cards under Sakura Graphic Design. (All handmade of course.) So stay tuned in the coming months at www.sakuragraphicdesign.com for more information and progress reports.
And Happy Creating!

We are a little bit infatuated with the these crisp, clean-looking Passover invitations.

Modern baby shower perhaps?

We love the lavender/grey and red color combination on these holiday gift tags! Envision your family name at the bottom-- cute, cute, cute!

We're not shy, the "Tini Time" invites are our favorite. Don't those raspberry pink invitations immediately invoke the flavor of berry martinis? Where can we RSVP?

Head over to Sakura Graphic Design's website and see what other goodies Kate has to offer. Shoot her an email with some project ideas you have and let her help make your party truly memorable and fun!

Hunter's 18th Birthday

2009-09-01T15:31:00.001-07:00

This past weekend Pear Tree Events helped celebrate Hunter's 18th birthday in Bodega Bay, California. There isn't much preparation needed with a location like Bodega Bay! Above is the view from the golf course overlooking the ocean.

We couldn't help but take pictures of the stunning scenery.Aren't the green grass, blue sky, and purple flowers absolutely inspiring? That color palette would make a gorgeous wedding or baby shower.
Even the street signs were stylish. And "Gull Drive"? Too cute.

To help set the mood, decor included these fabric flags (which we'll feature as a DIY project in the coming weeks) and sand-filled votives on the tables.

These origami votives are a Martha Stewart DIY. Origami paper is thin and can be adhered to the glass votives with just a little bit of double-sided tape. This is a great way to get a lot of mileage out of your typical glass votives and dress up an ordinarily plain tablescape!Mini fabric flags were secured in vases filled with sand and flanked the entrances and jazzed up the outside deck.

The weather cooperated wonderfully as the warm, breezy Bodega afternoon turned into a cool, crisp coastal evening. The light breeze was just enough to get some movement into the fabric flags.

Guests were invited to "Have a Ball" in the large grassy area off the rear deck of the home. The basket below was filled to the brim with volleyballs, frisbees and several different sized footballs-- all in the party's red/light blue/navy color scheme of course.We think it's fun for parties to have a "signature drink" so for Hunter's birthday we chose a Bodega Bay Brew, which (since he is 18 and not 21) was a non-alcoholic sun tea with lots of fresh lemons and limes.

The beach house where the event took place had a stash of commemorative glasses from the local Sandpiper Restaurant and annual Bodega Seafood, Art and Wine festival which were a perfect addition to the decor.
Hunter is a "meat and potatoes" guy but given that we were in such close proximity to the freshest seafood you can get, the menu included grilled tuna steaks and marinated yellow-tail sashimi as well as grilled tri-tip, bruschetta and a summer salad.

By the end of the night everyone was sprawled out on the living room floor watching movies from the 80's (interjecting their own commentary) and chatting well into the morning.

Happy Birthday Hunter! We are honored to have participated in this milestone in your life.

Inspiration Board: Yuliya's Wedding

2009-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Yuliya is the cutest bride-to-be we've ever worked with. Everything about her personality exudes cheerfulness and sincerity. She literally got engaged last weekend and we couldn't wait to get started in the planning. (She is also aiming for a February 2010 wedding so the clock is already ticking.)

This lovely bride was envisioning pink, pink, and more pink, candles everywhere, and the most romantic day you've ever seen. Here is our inspiration board to get started:

Inspiration Board: Hunter's 18th Birthday

2009-08-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

Maybe you'll forgive us for skipping this weeks' Feature Friday if we bribe you with the inspiration board for Hunter's 18th Birthday?

Think: Bodega Bay, fresh fish, a red, light blue and navy color palette, and a fun, relaxing weekend by the sea...

Invitation by Rosebud Cards, fabric image found here, all other photographs courtesy of Martha Stewart Online.

Feature Friday

2009-08-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

So there is not actually a feature today... BUT we have several fabulous companies to introduce you to in the next few weeks and a slew of DIY projects to share.

Coming soon are photos of Hunter's 18th Birthday-- a beachy fish-fry happening in Bodega Bay next weekend.

Remember to email us or comment here if you know of a great company we can feature. Happy planning!

Inspiration Board: Christine's Baby Shower

2009-08-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of the pink and black baby shower we are working on for expectant mommy, Christine:

Black and white damask complimented by light pink.
Pink gerbera daisies in clusters of white vases.
Black and pink candy station for guests.
Individual onesie cookie favors at each place setting.
Place settings marked by butterfly cutouts "kissing" champagne glasses.
Outdoor seating shaded by white tents accented with pink paper lanterns in varied sizes.
Pink and white pashminas for guests draped across chairs (October in the bay area can be chilly.)

That's all for now! You'll have to check back in October to see the results. We can't wait!

Black and white damask courtesy of Tonic Living Fabric, labels by Sarah + Abraham, bunting from The Cotton Bunting Co., onesie images from Country Kitchen Sweetart, candy station found at From Diamonds to Vows, butterfly place cards are Martha Stewart, pink gerbera daisy from The Flower Merchants, lantern found at Luna Bazaar, vases from Ikea, and onesie cookie from The Cookie Cutter Shop.

Feature Friday: Bake It Pretty

2009-08-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Meet Amanda, owner of

Bake It Pretty: Sweet Supplies for Inspired Bakers!

"I'm Amanda Krueger and this is Bake It Pretty, a magical wonderland of clever and nostalgic supplies for baking, crafting and decorating. This little cottage industry began in 2006 under the name A. Bel Emporium on the popular Etsy online marketplace. The success of that shop sparked the creation of the new, bigger and better website you see here. We are pleased to continue offering the same, charming miniatures and baking supplies as before...plus much more! Joined by my husband Mike, and my sister Kristina, this family business will continue to grow and evolve.
Everything you see here is hand-selected or designed by us, and wrapped-up just for you at our headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina."
These polka dot cupcake wrappers are adorable and would add a punch of color to any cupcake.
"Miniature-sized baking liners, also known as candy cups, have a variety of uses. Make small, snack-sized cupcakes and muffins, or use them to display homemade candies and sweets. Click on each style for individual color options and assortments."Cupcakes in polka dot wrappers, sitting pretty on top of decorative doileys? Yes please.Bake It Pretty also offers a wide range of miniatures and toppers to decorate your delicious desserts. Can't you just picture those edible carrots adorning a homemade carrot cake or carrot cupcakes?Or these vintage Christmas toppers?
Bake It Pretty has you covered for every detail,
from packaging......right down to the candles on the cake.
We are smitten kittens over Bake It Pretty's selection and are looking forward to using them to help us embellish our next event! Thank you Amanda, for sharing your business with us.
Also thank you to Heather at Cookie Mondays for telling us about Bake It Pretty! If you know anyone who owns a small business involved with event planning in any way, we'd love to get to know them. Email us at peartreeevents@gmail.com.

Katie and Jon's Wedding

2009-07-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

We've finally gotten our hands on a few photos from Katie and Jon's wedding in Roseville, California at the Victorian at Hemphill Mansion earlier this month. Thank you to Urban Shutterbug Photography for the beautiful images!

The July evening wedding took place outdoors and the weather cooperated. There was a warm breeze that complimented the guitar versions of the couple's ceremony music perfectly. Guests cooled themselves with the program fans that were waiting for them at their seats.The wedding cake was made by the groom's mother and sister and, as you can see, was adorned by a ton of gorgeous red rose petals.
Guests gathered around for Katie and Jon's first dance, which was a unique version of "The Broken Road."

It was a simply beautiful wedding with a stunning bride, perfect details and a couple whose love absolutely radiated throughout the entire evening.Congratulations Katie and Jon!
We were so honored to be part of your day.

Feature Friday: Paperless Online Providers (Addendum)

2009-07-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here is one more online invitation service to add to your repertoire that we forgot to include in the Paperless Invitation Providers Feature Friday post: Sendomatic.com

There is a small charge to send more than 50 invitations and if you want them to be delivered sans advertisement you'll have to shell out a few dollars for that too. They have some fun designs though and the website is quite user-friendly. Check them out!

Feature Friday: Rosebud Cards

2009-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, we are back to stationary-- but after you've been introduced to Rosebud Cards you will understand why! First, here is a little bit from Rosemary with Rosebud Cards...

"For as long as we can remember, our family has shared the tradition of painting cookies during the holidays. This special time together is the inspiriation behind Rosebud and our creations. We initially photographed our hand-painted cookies and created cards to share with our family and friends on special occasions. With words of delight and encouragement, our creations evolved into a collection of paper goods. We'd like to introduce Rosebud and the whimsical, painterly touch of our card collections.Our Cookie Collection recalls the fond memories of a simpler time: family, holidays, and childhood excitement. Baked and hand-painted by two sisters and an aunt, the creation of our whimsical treats is a true family endeavor, inspired by the sweet aroma and joys that can be shared over a cup of tea or tall glass of milk.

The Chinese Brush Painting Collection captures the essence and energy of the subject and appears like magic on rice paper or silk. The subjects have been hand-painted, scanned, and printed on Crane's Museo fine-art cards and look as if they've been painted right on the card.These are some of our favorite things - and we hope that they will be yours too! Our intent is to present cards done in the spirit of fine art. To that end, our cards are individually printed, not mass produced. We have chosen to print our work on Crane's Museo fine-art cards. Uncommonly beautiful, it has the touch and feel that can only come from 100% cotton. The paper is manufactured to the Library of Congress's archival standard. Our gift cards are printed on Strathmore Bright White Wove.

We are thrilled with the opportunity to share our original creations with you as we think that these cards make a sweet treat for all.These collections celebrate any occasion: birthdays, weddings, new arrivals, celebrations and holidays - plus, who doesn't love cookies!In the spirit of a handmade gift, our card collections are created with love."

Pear Tree Events recently got our hands on the Red Heart Cookie Cards and the Red Crab Card. We can tell you from experience that even though these cards are cute in the pictures, they are GORGEOUS in person. We are so infatuated with the Red Crab Card we are hoping to use the invitations for a crab-feed/fish-fry 18th birthday taking place in Bodega Bay next month. The quality of the photographs is so beautiful it looks as if you could eat the cookies right off the page.

Go check out the Rosebud Cards website for more deliciousness!

DIY: Chocolate spoons

2009-07-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the spirit of chocolate, we're sharing one more do-it-yourself favor project from Katie and Jon's wedding. These white chocolate and milk chocolate spoons are delicious when used as coffee stirrers. They add just the right amount of flavor-- making your guests' morning cup of joe just a little bit more special. For those who aren't coffee drinkers, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the chocolate right off the spoon!

Here is what you need:

- spoons

- chocolate (you can use coating chocolate, chocolate chips, pretty much any kind of chocolate)

- wax paper

- mini cellophane treat bags

- ribbon

1. Using a double boiler, gradually melt the chocolate, stirring every couple of minutes until completely melted.

2. Take one spoon and dip the end into the melted chocolate, making sure both sides are covered and there is a small amount resting in the spoon. Hold the spoon above the bowl or double boiler for a couple of seconds to allow the chocolate on the bottom of the spoon to begin to set.

3. Carefully place the spoon down on the wax paper and allow the chocolate to harden.

4. Once the chocolate has set, you can drizzle the spoons with more chocolate (we drizzled white chocolate over milk chocolate and vice versa) if you'd like to add an extra touch.

5. When the spoons have hardened completely slip them into the mini cellophane treat bags and tie the bags closed with ribbon.

6. Attach a gift tag and you're done!

Not only is this DIY project ridiculously easy, you can modify it to fit your event with just the slightest changes. Add food coloring to white chocolate in order to incorporate your event's colors or mix in a small amount of flavoring to the chocolate as it is melting. We've been known to use mint extract, Kahlua, and amaretto and hazelnut liqueurs in our chocolate spoons. You can also pick up inexpensive but ornate flatwear at a local secondhand store instead of using plastic utensils (those would be perfect for a ladies' tea) and don't worry about all of the pieces matching-- there is charm in using a mismatched variety.

Set the completed spoons as part of your place setting or leave them resting in Irish coffee mugs on your tablescape. We'd love to see how you've incorporated these into your event so be sure to send us some pictures if you use them!

(I do apologize for not having pictures in this post-- for the LIFE of me, I can't find them. As soon as I do though, I'll add them!)

Feature Friday: Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

2009-07-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

This week at Pear Tree we are breaking from paper and heading toward sweets. What can be sweeter than chocolate? Sacramento is the home of a small, upscale chocolate shop that is so, so much more. This week Pear Tree Events would like to introduce you to Ginger Elizabeth!Ginger Elizabeth Hahn grew up in Camino, California, a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She discovered early on that cooking could be much more than a hobby. At the age of 16, a summer course at the CIA Greystone in Napa Valley convinced her that working with food was her passion.

Ginger took a position at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. There she apprenticed under the world famous pastry chefs. To be closer to her family, Ginger returned to California and lives in Sacramento. She was the Pastry Chef at Masque Ristorante in El Dorado Hills for three years.

In 2005, at the age of 24, Ginger opened the wholesale chocolate company Couture Chocolates by Ginger Elizabeth. The company allowed her to practice and showcase the talents and skills she had acquired, while continuing to learn and explore new ideas. Keeping up with the industry trends, she completed a chocolate science and technology course at UC Davis in 2006.

By 2007 Ginger had decided to expand her business by opening her first retail location. The boutique chocolaterie would feature all things chocolate including individual desserts, hot chocolate, cakes, cookies, chocolate sculptures, and of course a variety of chocolate confections. In 2008, Ginger launched the retail store in Midtown Sacramento under the company's new name, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates.
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
1801 L Street Suite 60
Sacramento, CA 95811
916.706.1738

Hours of Operation:
Sunday & Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Thursday – 10am – 8pm
Friday & Saturday – 10am – 10pm

Our coordinators here at Pear Tree Events are just dying for an excuse to include these delicious handmade, locally produced chocolate masterpieces in one of our events. We hope you do the same. Check out Ginger Elizabeth's website here for more information, pricing, and many more scrumptious pictures.
Take one look at these ice cream sandwiches below and tell me you can avoid a visit to Midtown Sacramento, if for only a taste!

Feature Friday: sarah + abraham

2009-07-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

We are on a bit of stationary kick lately at Pear Tree. There are just so many great vendors out there! We mentioned them briefly in last week's Feature Friday, but one of our absolute FAVORITES is Sarah & Abraham. Sarah & Abraham is an online boutique specializing in children's stationery, birth announcements, and invitations for baby showers and birthday parties.
One of the main reasons we love Sarah & Abraham is they are a small business that got started on just an idea and has worked hard to grow. PLUS... Sara Tams, owner of Sarah & Abraham, shares her experiences running a small business on their blog!
The Sarah & Abraham blog chronicles Sara's adventures in starting and running a small business, answers questions, features other Etsy sellers, announces special promotions, and hosts occasional giveaways. We have been stalkers, um, I mean followers of her blog for quite a while now. Not only are Sarah & Abraham's designs cuter than cute, but they do custom orders! Check out these adorable invitations she created for a "Horton Hears a Who" birthday party. Take a look at their website and read through the Sarah & Abraham blog for all kinds of inspiration.

P.S. There are tons of items in their Etsy shop that make awesome birthday gifts. One of our event coordinators actually just ordered these for a friend's birthday... and may need to order some for herself too!

DIY: Coffee Bark

2009-07-08T09:19:00.001-07:00

This weekend's Pear Tree Events wedding has a coffee "flavor" to it since the groom is a mad coffee fan. For table assignments we decided to go with small tins of coffee bark (think a combination between peppermint bark and chocolate covered espresso beans) labeled with each guest's name and table number. This bittersweet treat couldn't be easier to make and will be sure to keep your guests' energy up on the dance floor long into the night!
1. Gradually melt chocolate of your choice using a double boiler or in the microwave (being sure to stir at least every 30 seconds to a minute.) We used blocks of coating chocolate but chocolate chips would also work well.

2. When the chocolate has melted completely, add whole coffee beans and mix well. The chocolate to coffee bean ratio is entirely up to you. I tend to prefer more chocolate, but being that there was only a small amount going in each tin we opted to make the coffee bark heavier on the beans.

3. Pour the mixture onto cookie sheets covered with wax paper or cellophane. (Note: if you use cellophane make sure there are NO wrinkles in the plastic otherwise it will get caught in the creases of the chocolate... then you'll be forced to eat those pieces...)

4. Place the cookie sheets in the freezer for about half an hour. When the chocolate has cooled and set completely, remove the cookie sheets and set the slab of coffee bark on a hard surface. Break the coffee bark into small pieces and place into tins, goodie bags, or whatever you are using to present them. We purchased these tins from Beau Coup for 80 cents each, the chocolate was only $1 per package on sale (a STEAL) and whole coffee beans can be picked up pretty much anywhere you like to buy your coffee. That makes this DIY favor a very cost effective detail as well.

5. Attach labels or a gift tag and enjoy!

You'll see the finished product sometime in the coming weeks when we feature Katie and Jon's wedding. For guests who shy away from caffeine and for the youngin's attending this wedding, we filled the tins with red jelly beans. Something for everyone.

Become a fan!

2009-07-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

Pear Tree Events is now on Facebook. Does that make us official? We would love it if you would look us up and become a fan! Click here.

Feature Friday: Paperless Invitation Providers

2009-07-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Today's Feature Friday is a bit unique in that we are not actually featuring a small business, rather we have chosen to highlight an often overlooked means of inviting guests to your event: with an online invitation. Using online invitations can save you a significant amount of your event budget while still setting the tone for your party. Then there is the obvious benefit (which we LOVE at Pear Tree) of being environmentally friendly!
Most people are familiar with Evite, which offers a collaborative website to users that has a design unique to their event. Evite's services are also free, which is helpful in questionable economic times. Guests can write notes and RSVP directly on the site. Evite designs tend to be on the cheesy side (although they have made improvements, check out these designs by another Pear Tree fav, Sarah and Abraham) so there are a couple of other option we wanted to share.
Pingg is similar to Evite however they have a wider selection of "designer" invitations and provide the option to have announcements sent directly to your Facebook or Twitter accounts. Pingg has quite a variety of beautiful wedding invitations that are worthy of even the biggest budget wedding. Most Pingg invitations are free but you can purchase "Premium Plus+" invitations for $10.

Lastly (but couldn't be farther from least) is Paperless Post (pictured up top.) While this service isn't free, it is so cheap you can't help but spend entire lunch-hours designing the perfect invitation-- we know from experience! "Stamps" on Paperless Post are $5 for 60 (we said they were cheap) and you get credits for inviting friends. Sign up today, but don't forget to eat your lunch.

DIY: Program Fans

2009-07-01T21:43:00.001-07:00

Appropriate for a HOT July wedding, we decided to print these wedding ceremony programs on fans that guests may use throughout the wedding and reception. At Pear Tree Events we are always looking for elements that have dual purposes. These make a thoughtful favor for guests and guide them through your event.

For this project you will need:

- white card stock (modify the colors to suit your wedding inspiration)
- black card stock
- craft sticks
- silver spray paint
- glue gun
- double-sided tape
- ribbon

1. Print your programs using the highest print quality on your printer and cut them into 6" squares. The front and back of the program need to be printed on two pieces of paper (no two-sided printing.) Round the corners (or use decorative scissors to embellish.) Cut the black card stock into 7" squares and round the corners. Using double-sided tape, affix each program centered onto a black card stock square.
2. Spray paint the craft sticks and allow to dry. Dab a small drop of hot glue on the end of the craft stick and attach it to the back of the program, leaving half of the stick hanging off the end. Dab with another drop of hot glue and attach the other side of the program. You should now have front and back sides with the stick securely in the middle.3. Tear four small pieces of double-sided tape and adhere the four corners of the program front to the back to keep the papers together while the fan is in use.
4. Finally, tie a 1" wide ribbon (or several thin ribbons in coordinating colors) onto the craft stick at the base of the program. Please tie a bow larger than the one pictured above... and cut the ribbon on the long side so the ends will be flowing. We made this sample a bit hastily, as we were working on another DIY project for the same bride all at once. Check back to see one of the favors we made!

Feature Friday: Calligraphy Girl

2009-06-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

At Pear Tree we know that what makes an event truly unique and memorable are the details. The smallest things make the biggest impact. Today we are super excited to introduce you to Lara Kiniris, also known as The Calligraphy Girl. Lara is a fantastic example of someone who used her skills to find a niche in the market and found success-- we love these stories! From Lara:

I am a stay at home mother of two wonderful children, Peter 3 and 1/2 and Katie 1 and 1/2. I have been doing calligraphy for about 20 years, but just for fun. I would do it for friends and family for weddings, parties, etc. But then I was thinking of ways to make money while I continued to stay at home with my children. I really love doing it, it's so relaxing and a fun way to be creative and think. Once I thought of a good name for my business, I tried to think of some of ways to get my name out there.

First I called the wedding planner who did my wedding 5 years ago. She gave me ideas and sent some brides my way. Then I started calling other wedding planners, stopped by some stationary stores, called tons of wedding vendors to see who I could network with. I was pleasantly surprised to know that there weren't a lot of people who do what I do and hardly any that had approached the people I was approaching. I got a lot of positive feedback from the people I spoke to and tons of encouragement. I have been keeping busy these past few months, thankfully, and it has been so enjoyable meeting new people , making new friends and seeing the look on a client's face when they see the finished the product. Most of my business comes from brides, but I work with other people too. Many times I will start with addressing for
save-the-dates, and then move on to the wedding invitations, then onto the place cards, table numbers and menus if needed. I do certificates for awards, poetry, just about anything. I do calligraphy as well as any creative type of writing. I even do the writing on invitations for children's parties in child-like writing. I love what I do and am so thankful that my business continues to grow...

Lara, we want to see your business grow too. Below is a sample of The Calligraphy Girl's work. Traditionally calligraphy has been reserved for weddings, but why wouldn't you want to add that special touch to baby shower invitations, graduation announcements, or even your child's birthday invitations?
Head over to The Calligraphy Girl's website and admire all the gorgeous styles she offers. Then start thinking about the next event you want to host so you can hire her to address your invitations!

Giveaway Goodness

2009-06-25T15:23:00.001-07:00

In our opinion, giveaways are a win-win. Goodies for the winner, exposure and advertising for the company offering the giveaway, and just good old fashioned fun in the form of freebies and the anticipation of finding out if you've won.

Here are a couple of the giveaways going on right now. Go enter!

50 two-color invitations (with printed envelopes) and 50 one-color reply cards (with printed envelopes) from the Satsuma Press Wedding Line — on either house paper (both are 100% cotton) customizable with your choice of house fonts and inks. Giveaway ends July 6th. See details here.
Paloma's Nest gold leaf edge Ring Bearer Bowl and coordinating "Bridal Bouquet Text Tile." Ends June 28th. Click here for details.

Feature Friday: The Frosted Cake Shop

2009-06-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, Pear Tree Events has a passion for local small businesses. We love to support those in our community and we know how challenging it can be to compete with the "big box" companies. We are thrilled to introduce you to The Frosted Cake Shop today.

Tessa Lindlow is the owner of this fabulous little convection company. One look at The Frosted Cake Shop blog and you will be hooked. Tessa works her cake magic out of The Old Soul Co. on L St. in downtown Sacramento. She specializes in custom works of art and desserts with edible design elements. These are just a few of her many gorgeous creations...

On TFCS's blog, Tessa comments that the guitar is "not to scale" but we think it looks amazing. And the detail on that soccer ball cake-- too cute to even cut into!

Planning a baby shower? The booties on the top of that baby girl cake will be the highlight of your party.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind that ladybug cake staring back at me if it was my ladybug birthday party.

When my baby was born, Tessa was gracious enough to surprise us with one of her adorable polka dot "smash" cakes with my son's name on it. I can't wait until his first birthday so she can design another stunning cake for us. What is a "smash" cake, you ask? Just what it sounds like of course. Tessa will make one cake for your guests to enjoy, and another for your little one to enjoy! I can just see the pictures of my kiddo smashing his in a few months.

This cake happens to be my personal favorite. Tessa would gladly change those colors and logo to represent the team of your choice, but why mess with perfection?

Now that you've met Tessa Lindlow and the fantastic Frosted Cake Shop, click on over to their blog and drool over more of her incredible cakes and cupcakes.

Favorites: Style Me Pretty

2009-06-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know how there is anyone out there who hasn't heard of Style Me Pretty. It is truly THE blog for the style-obsessed bride. Not only do they feature real life weddings submitted by real life brides, but they have some fantastic vendors who regularly host giveaways on their site.

Stop by Style Me Pretty today and check out the Bridal Party $1000 Giveaway from BlueFly!

SMP is a constant source of inspiration for us at Pear Tree Events and, well, we love to share helpful resources. Enjoy!

Check us out on Spearmint Baby!

2009-06-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Head on over the the fabulous all-things-baby website Spearmint Baby and comment on Heidi's Baby Shower which was featured on their site this morning!

Feature Friday: Urban Shutter Bug Photography

2009-06-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

Are you as jealous as I am of that engagement photo? The balloons add such a whimsical feel and photographer Michelle Logan captured the moment perfectly. If you don't already know about Urban Shutter Bug Photography then today is your lucky day! These photos are a miniscule sample of the incredible work Michelle Logan has on display at her website."With 8 years of shooting experience and four years of black & white and color photography education under her belt, Michelle Logan is ready to cover your wedding or event.

Shooting with both film and digital Nikon bodies. Michelle can shoot your wedding or event so that you will have memories for years to come.

Michelle Logan has covered over 40 weddings and other large important life events. Her work has been housed in The Artist Alley, a San Francisco gallery and also published in Stash Magazine."

We are fortunate at Pear Tree Events to have the pleasure of working with Urban Shutter Bug Photography-- in addition to a wedding we are coordinating, Michelle is actually going to be doing a family session for me next month!

Thank you to Michelle Logan and Urban Shutter Bug Photography for allowing us to feature some amazing photos this morning.

Feature Friday: Bella Cupcake Couture

2009-06-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

I bet you didn't know there was a way to improve even the most delicious cupcake! Carrie Middlemiss did though. When Carrie discovered that because of the economic downturn she, like many others, was going to be without a job she took those lemons and not only made lemonade, but made lemon frosted cupcakes in gorgeous decorative wrappers.

Bella Cupcake Couture launched earlier this year and has already been a huge success. Carrie is a fan of all things cupcake related and has created elegant cupcake wrappers in three styles and six color combinations. The wrappers are the perfect finishing touch for absolutely any occasion!

We used Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers for Heidi's baby shower and they were a hit. The moment dessert was served people were more focused on the elegant presentation than they were on the Sprinkles cupcakes inside. Check out the Bella Cupcake Couture blog for fabulous cupcake-related features and become a follower (we are!)

Heidi's Baby Shower

2009-05-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

It's a girl! Today's celebration was in honor of a mom-to-be who has a 3 year-old little boy. In preparation for welcoming Heidi's new baby girl into the world, she wanted the baby shower to look like "the room barfed pink" (her exact words.) We kept with the pink theme and added a few simple, fun, and classy elements.The location was The Peasant and the Pear in Danville, California, where the staff could not have been more accommodating. The restaurant manager oversaw preparation for the event and did not hesitate to offer the services of two hostesses in helping transform the space.

Decorative elements included light pink and dark pink pom poms created using this Martha Stewart tutorial. Medium and large pom poms were strung by the ceiling above the guest and buffet tables, while small pom poms were used as napkin rings at each place setting. Pink ribbons cascaded down the center of the tables and were highlighted by pink votive candles in front of each guest. By the end of the shower, guests had tied the small pom poms around their wrists, wore them in their hair, or strung them through button holes on their jackets. It added a bit if whimsey and playfulness to the affair.

The mom-to-be at this baby shower requested no games, so to personalize it and offer something to entertain guests, we hung black and white prints along the back wall of the space, mounted on pink polka dot and stripe paper. The photographs represented the mom-to-be as well as her mother and grandmother (both of whom attended the shower) as babies and several of the mom-to-be with her own mother.

Guests helped themselves to a candy station to make their own favors. Cellophane bags were provided along with gift tags to tie the bags off, thanking guests for joining us in celebrating Heidi's "Little Sweetie."After a decadent appetizer buffet, dessert included coconut and strawberry Sprinkles Cupcakes. You may have thought a cupcake from Sprinkles couldn't be improved upon... unless it is adorned with a gorgeous cupcake wrapper from Bella Cupcake Couture. If you are a fan of cupcakes, you need to follow the Bella Cupcake Couture Blog. More to come on that incredible company.

Heidi was a radiant expectant mother and we wish her the best of luck with her new little girl. Thank you for letting us share your baby shower Heidi!

Welcome

2009-05-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is the official launch of the Pear Tree Events blog!

We are thrilled to be up and running again in northern California and have been busy bees as we prepare for the launch of our website www.peartreeevents.net (currently under construction) and continue to coordinate and orchestrate fun and memorable celebrations.

The Pear Tree Events blog will highlight recent events we've coordinated, feature small business owners, support local events, and share any and all resources we find amusing, inspiring, entertaining, fun, and worth sharing.

If you would like to be featured, know a local small business owner worth highlighting, or have a resource to share, please leave us a comment.

We look forward to hearing from you!