Oh goodness this post is long overdue! Last Sunday, The Wedding Clique had its very first mock wedding workshop at The Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Long Beach. Trini of Nozza Studio and I have been planning the workshop for the last few months and we were so excited and thankful to all the couples that showed up and the vendors that made this event possible, and in my eyes, a success!
We started The Wedding Clique company not too long ago as a mean to help couples plan their wedding day by providing honest, thorough, and personal advice and suggestions. But we also wanted to create an event that would allow them to experience a “pretend” wedding before their actual one. At this mock wedding workshop, we had vendors from all across the wedding industry that gave expert advice on their own area of expertise. We started out during the getting ready stage, where Solana of Beauty by Solana did a trial make-up session on a lovely upcoming bride of mine Alicia (thanks Alicia, you totally rocked and looked stunning!). Other Wedding Clique photographers Sarah and Adrienne chimed in with their professional experience working with brides and grooms during the getting ready part of the big day.
We later moved onto a first look followed by a mock ceremony around the pool area of the beautiful Renaissance Hotel. Deane of Bella Fiore provided the gorgeous floral and decorations for the entire event. We also had Raul of R and R Entertainment provide superb MC/DJ services throughout the ceremony and later during the reception. I just loved how we all had a chance to work together as a whole team but more so as good friends to show the couples what to expect (and surprises) possibly at their own wedding. It was really great having the couples share their own wedding planning ideas with others. Without further adieu, here are some behind-the-scene images that Adrienne took of our first mock wedding workshop (thanks Adrienne!):
The Clique! Andrew, Raul, and I (back row aka the gentlemen); Adrienne, Solana, Trini, Sarah, and Deanne (front row aka the ladies):
Giving some expert advice and answering questions from our wonderful couples and soon-to-be husbands and wives!
The ever-so-amazing Solana doing a trial run on Alicia (check out their kick-butt wedding page designed by her fiance Austin) while Deane and Raul talked about floral/decorations and DJ/MC-ing respectively:
The first look by our models Alicia and Austin, set up by Sarah…while Andrew shot some behind-the-scene footage of the workshop:
Mock ceremony, coordinated by Trini, officiated by yours truly, pretend shooting by Sarah, details by Deanne, and audio coverage by Raul. The other couples pretended to be Alicia and Austin’s bridal party:
For the reception, Trini and Deanne decked out four tables with four different designs/centerpieces, providing the guests with a variety of choices and possibilities for their own wedding:
We finished off the event with appetizers, dinners, and a mock first dance as well as some tips and FYIs on the reception:
On behalf of the entire Wedding Clique, I just want to thank The Renaissance Hotel for partnering up with us and hosting this workshop and also to all the couples for attending this event. We sincerely hope you got a lot of useful information that will help with your own wedding :). Be sure to keep checking The Wedding Clique website for all the latest videos, articles, and events. We’re looking forward to having more of these workshops and hoping to provide one at your wedding venue!