Bella Intima

Bella Intima Recap

2009-05-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Bella Intima was an amazing event thanks to everyone who participated, especially our vendor friends. Without you, the show wouldn’t have been such a smashing success! The day was sunny and warm and you could feel the excitement in the air throughout the day.

(Photos by Elley Photography)

It all started at 8am, with vendors arriving and setting up their tables. At 1pm, the brides started arriving. Wave after wave of newly engaged couples came and enjoyed a glass of champagne in the lounge before heading through the Sunset Room, out to the gardens and then the Dessert Room.

(Photos by Jay Tsai Photography)
Our models, Mylen and Priya, displayed four gorgeous dresses provided by Unique Bride, as well as custom jewelry by One World Designs, unique head pieces by Iwomdesigns, gorgeous clay bouquets made by DK Designs and four fresh bloomed bouquets created by Outburst/ Bluume (all found in the Sunset Room). The models' hair and make up were done by the amazing Taylor from thi cosmetics. When the models walked into the show floor, there were audible sighs of amazement throughout the room! It was definitely a highlight of Bella Intima!

(Photos by Jerry Yoon Photography)

(Photos by Jade Studio Productions)
Throughout the beautiful Allied Arts Guild were five table-top examples and two ceremony set ups for the guests to enjoy and be inspired. Upon entering the site, guests saw a ceremony set up designed by 8events, decorated by A Touch of Elegance, A Bed of Flowers, Bluume, and Cards de Luxe with music by Esther Lee. A little further off you found a wine country style table with shades of copper and browns. Across the way, the Aqua Blue and Red table popped with vibrant colors. Both these tables were decorated by 8events, Bluume, Marizette Paperie, and A Touch of Elegance with linens from Classic Party Rentals. Inside the Sunset Room, guests found a romantic pink and silver table setting and a trendy yellow and black table setting also done by 8events, Bluume, Cards de Luxe, A Touch of Elegance and Classic Party Rentals. On the way out the Sunset Room, guests were delighted by the sight of a gorgeous tablescape designed by Wildflower linens and flowers by 8events. Next to it, brides saw photos by Myrtle & Marjoram hanging down from a large tree.

(Photos by Jade Studio Productions)

(Photos by Jay Tsai Photography)
In the courtyard in front of the Sunset Room, vendors such as Kiehl’s and Classic Party Rentals displayed their products. Elegant Journeys showed off one of their luxurious Rolls Royce and Cassis catering had staff serving delicious hors d'oeuvres. Guests were able to cool off with delicious frozen yogurt by Red Mango and by sitting in the fabulous lounge area supplied by Classic Party Rentals, before heading off to the Sunset Room or Dessert Room for more inspiration.

Found in the Sunset Room were Precious Memories, with a beautiful display of unique gifts for bridal parties and much more. Cards de Luxe had a cozy corner display with floral decoration by Patty Lee of 8events. The Flirty Guide had a cute and quirky set up with information on the website as well as her charity mission of Help Tami, a organization to aid in a stem cell transplant and marrow match. Photographers Michelle Walker Photography, Dorothy Hatchel, Jerry Yoon, Jennifer Skog, Tanja Lippert, Thomas Huges, and Jade Studios were showcased as well as custom hairpiece and jewelry designs by IwomDesign and One World Designs. Our DJ for the day, Nicholas Lehr from Fantasy Sound, announced our raffle prizes and provided the room with great romantic music for the day. Special lighting and drapery designs by Enhanced Lighting provided a beautiful atmosphere for vendors and guests alike!

(Photos by Jade Studio Productions)

(Photos by FC Wong Photography)

The Dessert Room ended up being a favorite for most of our guests, and who could blame them? With delicious delectables from La Patisserie, California Chocolate Fountain, Satura Cake, Dolce Bella Chocolate, and Studio Cake, the desserts were not to be missed! In the center of the room was a gorgeous display table with sample cakes and desserts. The table was covered with fancy linen provided by Classic Party Rentals and was under a beautiful canopy built by Miracle Chuppahs together with Snowflower Design. Other vendors in the Dessert Room were hair and makeup company, WowPretty, jewelry designer Rasbarri, photographers, FC Wong and Elley Ho, musician Daphna Rahmill and the ever popular Photobooth Royale!

(Photos by PHOTOBOOTH Royale)

(Photos by FC Wong Photography)
In the rear courtyard, brides found two more photographers, Adi Nevo and Kevin Kramer. There was another gorgeous ceremony set up with floral decorations by Flair, linens from Napa Valley Linens, and chavari chairs by All Seasons Event Rentals. It was one of the quieter area’s at Bella Intima, but was absolutely gorgeous. Guests were able to find respite from the heat of the day in the shade of large trees and look out on a beautiful rose garden. The Allied Arts Guild was the perfect setting for such a wonderful event. The grounds are breathtaking and it was a joy to walk around and meet so many wonderful people.

(Photos by Elley Photography)

(Jade Studio Productions)

Special thanks to all the vendors who donated prizes for our raffle including: The Allied Arts Guild, FC Wong, WowPretty, 8events, One-World-Designs, PhotoBooth Royale, Dorothy Hatchel, Adi Nevo, Myrtle and Marjoram, Jerry Yoon, Jennifer Skog, Elley Photography, Bluume/Outburst, MvideoM Productions, Alumiere Studios, Enhanced Lighting, Marizette Paperie, Cards de Luxe, Original Runner Co, Red Mango, A Touch of Elegance, La Patisserie, Esther Lee, Kiehl’s, Precious Memories, Our Designer, DK Designs, Rasbarri Jewelry, Iwomdesigns and Colour Room.

For more pictures from our wonderful photographer friends, please click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bellaintima09

and more pictures:

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/album.sfly?fid=1ecbc9a3c873e985&startIndex=0&sid=8CbtWzRw5Zs34 (Kelvin Khoo Photography)

http://www.photoboothroyale.com/v/20090418B (PHOTOBOOTH Royale)

Bella Intima Video Clip!

2009-05-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

This video captured the essence of the event. Special thanks to Wing Hon Films (a good friend of Elley from Elley Photography!)

Here are some amazing pictures taken by Wing Hon:

Behind the scene

2009-05-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some behind the scene pictures that I would like to share...more pictures are coming soon!

Tiana's assistant stuffing the goodie bags

Bottles and bottles of champagne

At 8:00am. It was a beautiful day!

That's me (8events) right there setting up the fireplace area

Busy busy...

My lovely assistant helping out the vendors

Lily from Wildflower Linens setting up the table

Me (8events) again arrranging flowers

Miracle Chuppahs setting up their gorgeous canopy!

Elley setting up her booth

Snowflower Design setting up her flowers for the canopy

My assistants helping to organize the gift bags and sign in table

Raffle drawing table

Tiana (site coordinator of the Allied Arts Guild) and I goof around before our show opens!

Taylor from thi cosmetics styling model's hair

(photo credit: Jerry Yoon Photography)

Models Mylen & Priya waiting for the show to start

(photo credit: Jerry Yoon Photography)

We've winners!

2009-04-20T01:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!

Allied Arts Guild $500.00 off site rental fee

Adrienne Banner

Complete bridal photoshoot by FC Wong Photography, WowPretty, 8events, One-World-Designs& More

Kelley Clark

PHOTOBOOTH ROYALE Bronze package photobooth rental

Margaret Boun Chang

Dorothy Hatchel 4 hrs elegance wedding photography package

Florence Tse

Adi Nevo 1.5 hrs engagement session photoshoot

Tiffany Randall

Myrtle and Marjoram 1 hr engagement session photoshoot

Sharon Triea

Jerry Yoon Photography 1 hr engagement session photoshoot

Adi Greif

Jennifer Skog Photography1hr Boudoir session photoshoot

Mia Henry

Elley Photography 1 hr bridal session photoshoot

Danielle Anderson

Bluume/ Outburst 25% off gift certificate (flowers $1500min)

Paula Hong

WowPretty 15% discount for a weekday trial session

Caria Chiodo

Michelle Monterrosa

Karen Kim

Union Wu

Jamie Wong

Jian Wu

Diane Tran

Josh Lee

Cheryl Capizano

Lisa Eskey

Margaret Hoang

Amy Frugoli

Chris Milne

MvdieoM Productions Free Engagement/ Save the date session

Stephanie Wai

Alumiere Studios $500 gift certificate (min $6000)

JiYoung Kim

Enhanced Lighting $300 gift certificate (min. $1130)

Catherine Moore

Marizette Paperie $100 off and a set of thank you cards

Nicole Lisanne

Cards de Luxe $100 gift certificate (min $800)

Kay Jing

Original Runner $100 gift certificate

(Already picked up)

Red Mango $25 gift certificate

(Already picked up)

Darren Su

A Touch of Elegance $50 gift certificate

(Already picked up)

La Patisserie $10 gift certificate

Faye Yang

Jay Li

Catherine Campbell

Danae Chu

Connie Wong

Diane Dahlin

Michelle Capp

Joy Wee

Lisa Crawford

Rachel Banner

Esther Lee, Harpist $50 gift certificate

Karen Burling

Kiehl's gift basket

Karen Miao

Precious Memories, Our Designer gift basket

Kathy Groves

DK Designs Clay Bouquet

Stephanie Clark

One World Designs 3 cubic zirconia star hairpins

Erika Rosales

Rasbarri Designs Necklace

(Already picked up)

IWomDesigns Bridal Headpiece

(Already picked up)

Colour Hair product gift set

Jackie H

Fred Lam

Eileen Chiu

Adeline Ruiz

If you're the winner, please contact Patty at Patty@8events.com. Thanks!

Raffle Prizes!

2009-04-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

We want to thank our raffle prize sponsors again! Raffle tickets are $10ea, and you could win some amazing prizes such as the ones listed below:

$500.00 off site rental fee.......................................Allied Arts Guild
Complete bridal photoshoot...FC Wong Photography, WowPretty, 8events, One-World-Designs& More
Bronze package photobooth rental..............................…PhotoBooth Royale
4 hrs elegance wedding photography package..Dorothy Hatchel Photography
1.5 hrs engagement session photoshoot...................Adi Nevo Photography
1 hr engagement session photoshoot..........................Myrtle and Marjoram
1 hr engagement session photoshoot....................…Jerry Yoon Photography
1 hr Boudoir session photoshoot........................Jennifer Skog Photography
1 hr bridal session photoshoot........................................Elley Photography
25% off gift certificate.......................................................Bluume/ Outburst
15% discount for a weekday trial session.......................................WowPretty

Free Engagement/ Save the date session.......................MvideoM Productions
$500 gift certificate.............................................................Alumiere Studios
$3000 gift certificate.......................................................Enhanced Lighting
$100 gift certificate.............................................…...Red Currant Restaurant
$100 off and a set of thank you cards....................................Marizette Paperie
$100 gift certificate....................................................................Cards de Luxe
$100 gift certificate..................................................….....Original Runner Co.
$25 gift certificate............................................................................Red Mango
$50 gift certificate............................................................A Touch of Elegance
$10 gift certificate.........................................................................La Patisserie
$50 gift certificate...............................................................Esther Lee, Harpist
Gift Basket...............................................................................................Kiehl’s
Gift Basket.......................................................Precious Memories, Our Designer
Clay Bouquet.......................................................................................DK Designs
3 cubic zirconia star hairpins.................................................One World Designs
Necklace......................................................................Rasbarri Jewelry Design
Bridal headpiece.............................................................................Iwomdesigns
Hair product gift set.........................................................................Colour Room

Vendor Spotlight: 8events

2009-04-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

As the planner and designer of Bella Intima, 8events is a modern and contemporary event planning and floral design company serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Specializing in weddings, charity functions, corporate and personal events, 8events provides a full range of personalized and intricate services for special occasions.Patty Lee is a certified wedding planner and has an extensive background in corporate and social events. With an Art & Design degree from UC Santa Cruz, Patty started 8events by following her passion in event planning, flowers and design. 8events prides itself on creativity, reliability, friendliness, and having close relationships with a broad set of event professionals in the Bay Area.

Patty has dedicated her time to make Bella Intima a unique and inspiring event, raising money for the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, while at the same time pampering soon-to-be brides and helping them meet all of their dream wedding professionals in one place! We wedding professionals are privileged to work in such a wonderful industry, being fortunate to witness so many happy moments in people's lives. We would like to return some of this happiness back to the community through Bella Intima.

8events will be donating a special raffle prize together with a few other amazing wedding professionals! It will definitely be a prize that will make you feel extra pampered! You deserve it!

Vendor Spotlight: The Flirty Guide

2009-04-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

The Flirty Guide is the fun, friendly, and fabulous San Francisco Bay Area wedding planning resource for brides and grooms looking for unique ideas and incredibly talented, reputable professionals. Stacie Tamaki first began working in the wedding industry 12 years ago as a custom couture bridal accessory designer. Over the years she became a web designer and developer then set out to create her dream resource to advertise her own wedding company on. The Flirty Guide represents her philosophy that wedding planning should be fun. Her accompanying Flirty Blog is full of swanky bridal showcases, wedding & event planning ideas and the everyday highs and lows of this former couture accessory designer now turned geeky girl.

Just last month Stacie expanded her reach to become a Goodwill Ambassador of the National Marrow Donor Program following the stunning and heartbreaking diagnosis that her 44 year old cousin, who is the mother of 2 young children, has a form of blood cancer similar to Leukemia. Tami urgently needs to find a stem cell marrow donor so that she can have a marrow transplant. Stacie has dedicated herself to finding Tami a marrow match through local donor drives and by encouraging potential donors to use mail-in test kits that can be ordered online.

For Asian Americans the odds of finding a matching donor are particularly poor. For any person in need their best chance of a match is someone within their own ethnic group. Keeping that in mind, would it shock you to know that of the 7,407,312 million registered donors only 32,639 are of Japanese American ethnicity?

If you want to help:
Please visit www.HelpingTami.org or contact the AADP.org to order a test kit. It only takes 10 minutes to fill out the registration form and use the cheek swabs provided. Mail the kit back and you will become a potential donor in the National Marrow Donor Program. You may be able to help Tami or other people in need. Are you willing to help?

Vendor Spotlight: Rasbarri

2009-04-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 2008, Vanessa started sketching and creating jewelry she wanted to wear for herself. Frustrated with the prices and selection offered in the mainstream world, she decided to embark on her own journey to create a delicate, simple and romantic line of jewelry. “This hobby started out of sheer interest and passion to succeed. I also always wanted to keep myself busy while my boyfriend was away touring as a musician. I was always finding new ways of making and designing different things. I started hand crafting piece by piece after work and during my weekends.” This passion and creativity lingered into what I proudly call rasbarri.

Vendor Spotlight: thi cosmetic

2009-04-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

The owners of Thi Cosmetic, Taylor and Mimi, had a fabulous press party two weeks ago for their newly opened studio. The beautiful new studio, situated in the center of downtown Palo Alto, offers extensive beauty services including wedding makeup and hair, beauty parties or lessons, and much more. At the studio, you will find their own cosmetic line from foundation, lip gloss, blush, eye shadow, and the very popular lush lashes!

(Photos by Jennifer Skog)

I went back to the store this week to go over some details for Bella Intima, and Taylor was giving a lesson to a bride who's planning to do her own makeup on her wedding day! The studio is definitely a perfect place to host any wedding showers, birthday parties, or any girls gathering!

Taylor is one of the most sought after makeup artists in the wedding industry, and we are very excited that the models will have their hair and make-up done by Thi Cosmetics during Bella Intima! Make sure to check them out!

Vendor Spotlight: Adi Nevo Photographs

2009-04-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Adi's photographs are everything you need and want them to be because they do what only great photographs do: take a moment of life and give it back to you with all of its richness intact. she has the ability to see a full range of experience and her photos hold in them all of the love and humor and depth and beauty that is life. Her technical skills have been honed to use color and light and composition in a way that shows her subjects both realistically and at their best. Be glad you found her, and be excited to see what she finds in her camera's lens for you.

Adi has been photographing weddings in the bay area for five years, she has won PDN Top Knots, and her photos have been featured in The Knot and on CBS News. Heavily influenced by her interest in travel and culture she approaches each wedding as a story, paying attention to the smallest detail as well as the bigger picture and everything in between. Her focus is to capture the real moments of the day as they occur, all the while respecting the delicate balance of the wedding day. She works closely with her clients, making sure that the images she creates truly reflect the uniqueness of their day. Adi's playful and calm nature helps everyone to feel at ease in front of the camera. To view more work please visit www.adinevo.com, or to get an insider's view, visit her blog www.adinevo.blogspot.com.

Vendor Spotlight- DK Designs

2009-04-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

Artisan Diane Phillips of DK Designs has specialized in creating custom, handmade, clay floral designs for local, national and international brides since 2002. Her creations are perfect for brides who want everlasting bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, flowers that are out of season and flawless petals that will withstand direct sunlight and heat on the hottest of summer days. Because they are incredibly realistic and light weight, her clay flowers are perfect for bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, hair flowers, cake flowers, centerpieces, favors, and so much more. The clay can be customized into almost any flower and color imagineable.

You may recognize Diane from her guest appearance on the Martha Stewart Show, where she taught Martha how to make clay hydrangeas! Diane has also had many of her designs featured on TheKnot.com, WeddingBee.com and in For the Bride magazine. She'll also be making an upcoming appearance with a podcast interview on The Wedding Planning Audiocast website. As an accredited instructor of the DECO Clay Craft Academy Diane offers private classes to San Francisco Bay Area DIY brides who want to make their own clay floral creations for their weddings. One look at her work and you can see that Diane loves what she does and is passionate about creating beautiful clay floral designs for her brides. She listens as they describe each detail of their vision allowing her to produce the perfect flowers for their stylish wedding day! All of Diane's flowers are created petal by petal using CLAYCRAFT™ by DECO© Soft Clay.

One of our beautiful models at Bella Intima will be holding this gorgeous, lightweight and very durable bouquet that is created out of air dry clay! Be sure to look closely and be amazed by how realistic this bouquet looks like it is made with fresh flowers! The bouquet consists of ivory peonies, peach calla lilies with hints of purple on the outer edge, light purple tulips, mauvish purple Victorian roses, purple hyacinth and freesia, along with ivory stephanotis blossoms embellished with pearl centers. The bouquet is finished with deep brown branches to give it a rich and earthy element. The stems are wrapped with a chocolate brown double-faced satin ribbon and criss-crossed with a light purple satin ribbon. A truly stunning bouquet, spring like and rustic.
You could win a beautiful clay bouquet by entering our raffle drawing! This beautiful floral arrangement is handcrafted out of air-dry clay. Each petal is delicately formed to create lifelike flowers to decorate your home and even your wedding day florals! This particular piece consists of 3 white ranunculus flowers with the vibrant green centers, accented by lush green and purple dendrobium orchids and tuberose buds. Deep brown branches give this piece texture and height. The flowers are all arranged in a light wash bamboo vase. The artist who created this piece was featured on the Martha Stewart Show back in April of 2008. There's no end to what you can do with this amazing air-dry clay, CLAYCRAFT by DECO.

Vendor Sportlight: Cassis Catering

2009-04-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Cassis Catering provides full service catering and event planning solutions for Weddings, Special Occasions and Corporate Events. Our creative culinary and event team works with you to create that unique and memorable setting that reflects your personal style and taste. Whether it is a small intimate gathering or a large affair we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure a successful event. At every moment we strive to provide you and your guests an exceptional and memorable experience, while creating an ambiance that reflects the season, occasion and your personal approach from casual to elegant.

We can assist with searching for that perfect event venue; creating a one-of-a-kind menu; designing the décor, lighting and room layout; or providing entertainment and kids’ activities. It was best said by one of our clients, “You are my catering therapist!” Our number one priority is to make you feel calm, relaxed and with no worries on your special day. You can rest assured that whatever concerns you may have, big or small, they will be handled with the utmost importance.

Cassis Catering also operates, The Red Currant, a Mediterranean Bistro at the Allied Arts Guild. For reservations please call 650.322.2626.

Be sure to taste the finest hors d’oeuvres provided by Cassie Catering while you are with us! To register for Bella Intima go to our website: http://www.bellaintima.com/ or contact Patty Lee: patty@8events.com for more info.

Vendor Spotlight: Unique Bride

2009-03-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

With exclusive rights from Jenny Lee and James Clifford, Unique Bride is the Bay Area’s premier bridal salon. Located in downtown Burlingame, Unique Bride offers the finest couture fashions from a moderate to high-end price range. From wedding gowns to bridesmaid dresses, this is the place to go.

Unique Bride offers daily appointments for you to meet with your own consultant who will talk you through finding your style, discussing your budget, location and the formality of your wedding, all to find the perfect dress.

Alterations are available at Unique Bride for an additional charge and require a daytime fitting appointment. For more information or to view the collections available at Unique Bride, visit their website at http://www.uniquebride.com/. Unique Bride's collections including but not limited to: Amsale, Alvina Valenta, Christos, Kenneth Pool, Lazaro, Monique Lhuillier, Rivini, and much more!

We will have two gorgeous models displaying some of the latest wedding dress collections that are now available at the Unique Bride salon. Here are the pictures from the dress fitting last week!
Register for Bella Intima now for free registration http://www.bellaintima.com/

Vendor Spotlight: Classic Party Rentals

2009-03-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Need linens? How about a tent for your wedding? Or even fine china dinnerware? If you said yes, Classic Party Rentals is the place to go. With Classic Part Rentals every event is a big event. The company takes on all sorts of events from weddings to automobile product road shows to high profile Hollywood award shows. With offices in California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Napa and San Francisco and throughout the rest of the country, Classic Party Rentals is the leading event rental company in the U.S.

Classic Party Rentals has won various awards such as Rental Company of the Year (2006 and 2009) and Best Tent Installation as well as Zagat Survey’s highest rated major party rental source. With a growing network of 2,000 event professionals, Classic Party Rentals will see you through any occasion.

Classic Party Rentals will be providing beautiful linens, china, glassware, chairs, and setup a lounge area for Bella Intima ! Be sure to check them out while you are with us! To register for Bella Intima go to our website http://www.bellaintima.com/.

Vendor Spotlight- PHOTOBOOTH Royale

2009-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

PHOTOBOOTH Royale will be our first stop on our tour of the vendors attending Bella Intima.

The latest trend in wedding photography is having a photo booth at your wedding. Photo booths allow your guests to take fun photographs and give you great memories of your special event.

PHOTOBOOTH Royale, offers competitive pricing, high quality supplies and exceptional personal service. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, PHOTOBOOTH Royale has served Alameda, Berkeley, Foster City and Fremont as well as Lodi and Sacramento. Packages include an on-site photo booth attendant, unlimited sessions, high-quality duplicate photo strips, CD’s of DVDs of images taken, custom messages or graphics online hosting of images up to six months and delivery, set up and haul-away.

Everyone attending your event will have great fun with a photo booth. You can even include props for even more entertainment! For more information, please visit http://www.photoboothroyale.com/.

PHOTOBOOTH Royale will have a booth open for you to take free pictures during Bella Intima! Also, make sure to enter in the drawing for a free photo booth rental at the Bronze level valued at $595.

Don’t forget to register for Bella Intima! Visit http://www.bellaintima.com/ and register for free admission!

Vendor Introductions

2009-03-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this, you are probably recently engaged! Congratulations! Bella Intima is the perfect place for you, the brides-to-be, to meet all the amazing professionals and get endless ideas for your special day! With the exquisite table top designs, lighting, drapery, floral ideas and the fashion models previewing the top wedding trends for 2009, Bella Intima is the place to be!

Bella Intima aims to provide inspiration and fun with talented photographers, beauty tips from the local top makeup/hair artists, tasting of exceptional food, sipping bubbling champagne and receiving free bridal magazines and samples! Don't forget to enter for raffle drawing for your chance to win many amazing prizes. All proceeds from raffle sales go towards the Lucile Packard Children Hospital.

Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring information on each vendor for your reading pleasure. Meanwhile, please register yourself on www.bellaintima.com for free admission! Stay tuned for all the information you need to get ready for Bella Intima!

Vendor Spotlight- Allied Arts Guild

2009-03-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

About Allied Arts Guild
Allied Arts Guild is a beautiful and historic garden oasis, home to unique shops, open artists' studios, and a charming café. Since 1929, Allied Arts Guild has provided an inspiring environment for working artists, beautiful gardens and shops for visitors, and support for critically ill children at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

(image source: www.herecomestheguide.com)

The Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary is a volunteer organization whose purpose is providing support for the benefit of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford and for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children.
The membership is comprised of women who enjoy giving their time working at Allied Arts Guild, whose profits are donated to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital for uncompensated care, and to “Tally Ho,” the organization’s annual fundraising event benefiting the special projects of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
Through ownership of the Allied Arts Guild, the Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary is proud to say that we are supporting the arts, protecting an historic California landmark and providing support to critically ill children at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

History
Allied Arts Guild stands on part of what was once a vast 35,250-acre land grant dating back to the late 1700s. A king of Spain, probably Charles IV, ceded the property to Don Jose Arguello, commander of the Presidio of San Francisco. It was called Rancho de las Pulgas, literally "Ranch of the Fleas"!
In 1929, wealthy art lovers Delight and Garfield Merner bought 3.5 acres of the land located at the edge of Menlo Park. Working closely with architect Gardner Dailey and artist Pedro de Lemos, they began to realize their dream of creating an arts guild in California. The Merners' goals were to provide a serene, beautiful workplace for artists; to encourage the crafting of handsome objects for everyday use; and to support all peasant or folk art, especially that of early California.
The gardens were inspired by the gardens the couple had visited in Spain and were named in the Spanish manner: The Court of Abundance, at the entrance to the main building; The Garden of Delight, or Blue Garden; and Cervantes Court, the inner courtyard featuring a mural of Cervantes dedicating "Don Quixote" to his patron, Count de Lemos.

(image source: www.herecomestheguide.com)

Paths were paved with stones from nearby San Francisquito Creek; and the tiles and objects of art used to decorate the walls were brought from Spain, Tunis and Morocco. Mosaics and frescoes were executed by Maxine Albro and the de Lemos family. The Guild's logo was designed by Mr. de Lemos, who arranged the letters AAG in a monogram depicting a boat sailing upon a tranquil sea.

(image source: www.herecomestheguide.com)

The Merners retired from active operation of Allied Arts Guild in 1935 and leased the complex to the Home's Senior Auxiliary. Later, Allied Arts Guild Associates, Inc. bought the property and continued to operate it for the Home's benefit. In 1951, the Allied Arts Auxiliary assumed its trusteeship and management. This auxiliary has been landlord, shopkeeper, supporter of the arts and protector of this historic site since that time. The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, once the Convalescent Home, receives all profits from Allied Arts Guild for aid to critically ill children.

Come and be inspired!

2009-03-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs some beauty and love in this time of uncertainty, that's why I decided to host Bella Intima, the bridal charity event, together with the Allied Arts Guild. I believe we need to band together and continue to give to charities even with the economy in the state its in, that is why all proceeds from Bella Intima will be donated to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Held at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, Bella Intima will take place on April 18, 2009.

Bella Intima means "beautiful heart/love". Beautiful hearts have come together in the form of several great professionals in the wedding industry. Our passion for the weddings we arrange, the newlyweds who are getting married and the love they share is even more inspiration for this wonderful event.

We have lots of amazing things planned for Bella Intima. There will be hors d'oeuvres, desserts and complimentary champagne. We will be featuring the latest 2009 wedding trends, music, bridal fashion, decoration ideas, food, drinks and will have raffle drawings! You can win a free photobooth rental from PHOTOBOOTH Royale, and many other amazing prizes donated by our wonderful vendors! Participants will enjoy a distinctive afternoon affair beyond the ordinary in the picturesque Allied Arts Guild.

The Allied Arts Guild, located at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park, dates back to the late 1700s. In 1929, a piece of the original 35,250 acre land was purchased by Delight and Garfield Merner, who later turned it into an arts guild providing a serene, beautiful workplace for artists in California. To this day, the guild fulfills its founders' dream of a European-style crafts guild. The Allied Arts Guild is available for special events, shopping, lounging and is a perfect setting for Bella Intima! For more information, please visit http://www.alliedartsguild.org.

My company, 8events, specializes in weddings, corporate events and event planning as well as providing unique floral arrangements. I work closely with event professionals located in the Bay Area and pride myself on only recommending the best services to my clients. Every event is special to me, and I believe everyone deserves a beautiful and memorable event that fits his or her own personal style. Please visit my website for more information. http://www.8events.com.

Free admission and special goodie bags will go to the first 300 brides to RSVP. $10 donation at the door will get you a raffle ticket. For a list of vendors, to RSVP, directions or to read our blog, please visit the Bella Intima website: http://www.bellaintima.com

We look forward to having you at Bella Intima! Come and be inspired!

Bella Intima 04.18.09

2009-02-17T11:18:00.001-08:00

You're invited to.....

Pre-register here: Bella Intima

(click to enlarge)

Invitation designed by the very talented Susanne Wong from Cards de Luxe