my new favorite

when the dog bites. when the bee stings.

  • 5th December
    2011
  • 05
Post

I haven’t been updating this blog recently because I’m planning a wedding.  My fiance & I sent out our save the date video announcement to family & friends last week (see above).  

Although both Ken & I are techie types, we decided to stick with a very simple (and free) google site that connects to our Google Docs for easy RSVP forms, calendar/scheduling updates, and we could get the site up and running fast.  

There are a lot of great options to create a beautiful & informative event websites:

Want to see our site? Check it out — www.lauraandken.com

  • 9th August
    2011
  • 09
Post

How to use Social Media to Plan & Celebrate Your Wedding

Ken and I are planning our wedding, and as with any event there are a ton of decisions to make.  Although sometimes there is tension, in general, we have our true values in common.

One thing we have in common — is a love of technology.  There are a ton of sites & vendor to choose from, including paid and free options.   As a social media & events consultant I was excited to use all of these resources to celebrate my own event on and offline. Here are social media tools we are using for our wedding:

Building a Wedding Website.

Tool: Google Sites.

Why?

Well, luckily I’m tech savvy, but even more important — my fiance is a web designer.  We wanted an easy site structure that we could just add content too.  So there are lots of great wedding site vendors to use if your not in love with someone who knows html.

Extra hint: Treat yourself to a custom domain name. We’ll use it for our wedding blog and then continue to update it as our personal blog site.

Buy a domain at: Dotster or Go Daddy

Social Group for your wedding party or intimate family

Tool: Facebook Group

Why?

Our Facebook group is private and includes just our parents, and my bridal party.  This is a group that will allow me to deal with more specific details of planning, and to get advice from a small group to help me make a decisions.

Also, I’m planning a wedding in upstate NY when I live in Seattle, so social media is a great way to involve several people in conversations.

Couple’s Twitter Feed

Tool: Twitter

Why?

We’ve had a twitter handle for quite a while, but this will be a great way to ping our guests with last minute details & instructions.

Dance Mixes - First Dance.  Dinner Music.  Reception.

Tool: Spotify

Why?

There are a great number of sites (like here & here) to get lists of wedding songs for every moment of your special day.  Spotify is a great way to find all of the songs, create playlists, and choose your favorites.  Give it a try.

We will give you a sneak peak of all our sites once they are completed.  Stay tuned.

  • 13th July
    2011
  • 13
Post

My new favorite — man!

Well, Ken is not new to me, but he is…by far, my favorite guy. 

After 7 years, my partner Ken & I are engaged.  He proposed in California over the 4th of July, and I am thrilled. 

So now I’m trying to learn how to keep & create multiple blogs that I can update:

  • My New Favorite
  • A new professional consulting site (TBA)
  • A New Laura & Ken wedding site.  (TBA)

Advice is welcome. How do you manage multiple blogs with work, life, & love?

  • 3rd July
    2011
  • 03
Post

Happy 4th of July

This 4th of July I am celebrating with my best friends from across the country in San Francisco!  Tonight we will celebrate with Malini & Garrett’s wedding in Joaquin Miller Park. I can’t wait. 

My new favorite list — the Berkeley edition:

Favorite Couple:

Places to stay in Berkeley: 

Hotel Shattuck Plaza. The rooms are clean, reasonable price, and you cannot beat the amazing location making it easy to get around without a car.

Berkeley eateries:

  • Gather: Good local & organic food.  Nice wine selection. A killer tofu sandwich special.
  • Jupiter: Malini & Garrett invited everyone for pizza and beer.  The back patio area was lovely and a great place to hang with a large group.  Pizza was also delicious.

Favorite new airline:

Virgin America. We flew the very short flight down from Seattle, but their direct tv service and wifi made the trip even more enjoyable.  Ken was able to work on his summer school class curriculum, and I was able to watch the Daily Show.  Everyone wins.

We will post pics and more in-depth reviews of some wineries just north of San Francisco in a few days.  Until then, enjoy the sun and have a great 4th of July weekend!