Red Stamp: Download and print year at a glance calendars at no cost!  This is sure to come in handy and you may want to print out more than one.

Rifle Paper Calendars: Gorgeous designs that will provide both function, fresh design and will help keep you organized.  The best part, they’re on sale!

Calendars That Work:  They may not look as pretty as some of the other options but these calendars are great because you can download them into a word document and type in your appointments then print it out.

BRIDES Wedding Genius: Browse hundreds of dresses, jewelry options and honeymoon destinations and keep everything organized in a digital wedding binder!

Cost: Free

Etsy: Access to the largest marketplace of artisans and crafters right in your pocket. Browse through categories, such as paper goods, décor, jewelry, and decorations. You are able to make purchases from your phone or mark your favorites to purchase later.

Cost: Free

Wedding Dress Look Book: Browse through hundreds of new wedding dress photos, no matter where you are. Search dresses by style, shape, and price and bookmark your favorites for later.

Cost: Free

Wedding911: Get answers to common wedding questions like when to cut the cake or how to line up your wedding party.  Post your wedding questions and instantly get answers from other brides-to-be.

Cost: Free

Pinterest: Organize and share things that you come across online or find in life  Browse other pin boards to discover new things.

Cost: Free

My Guest List:  A complete guest list planning tool that allows you to keep track of invitations sent, responses receives as well as guest information.  You are able to export all of the data to and from your phone!

Cost:  $1.99

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You consider yourself a “hybrid” shooter.  Why?

I’m a hybrid shooter because I shoot with both digital and film equipment--I have taken what is best about digital and what is best about film and blended those qualities together. Each medium has its pros and cons--different weddings and lighting situations require different equipment to create just the right feel to best reflect that event.  

What do you see as the pro’s and cons of each?

My photography training is in film so that medium will always have a sort of romanticism for me. And, more importantly, there is an undeniable clarity and quality of detail with film that is impossible to duplicate. But it is definitely more expensive. With the rise of digital technology and the accessibility of information about digital cameras, I jumped on the bandwagon.  The benefits were obvious--the instant gratification, the immediate knowledge that came from experimentation, and, of course, the lower costs. For me, I find that I cannot capture the correct feeling and quality in the details and emotions with digital--there is an obvious quality difference in the final images. Also, when shooting some film, I am able to remain a more mindful shooter--I can't afford to simply aim my camera and fire off as many frames per second as I can, hoping that, in the editing, I will find a "good one". Film keeps me on my toes--it forces me to watch people and the nuances of their interactions--to anticipate a person's laugh or an expressive tilt of the head. It keeps me looking for the genuine emotion and love on a wedding day that is sometimes missed by a rapid-fire digital shooter.     To simply say that one is better than the other is ignorant--they really do both have benefits. Which is exactly why I have chosen to blend both into one hybrid style.   

Currently, most photographers only shot with digital.  Why do you think this is?

I think that digital photography allowed a lot of people to cross the line from hobbyist to pro--they could quickly learn the basics and get started without a great deal of investment They could shoot images and immediately see the results--they didn't have to feel as comfortable and confident in their photographic abilities.   About a year ago, out of frustration when looking at some images shot outdoors, I decided that the additional costs of film were worth the benefits to my clients. I wanted to offer my clients what I would want for my own wedding--put simply, the best possible images. And that was when my hybrid style of shooting got started.  

What advantage do you think you offer over other photographers by shooting with both film and digital?

I continue to feel like my work has never been better. Each wedding is better than my last--I'm in my groove, blending the old technology with the new technology to offer something perfect.

Image by: Card Girl

Twin Peaks

Feel like you’ve stepped back in time with a visit to the top of Twin Peaks.  It hosts some of the most amazing and romantic views of downtown San Francisco and across the bay.  Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and head up there at night and you’ll feel like you are sitting on top of the city...it's very magical and it didn’t become the “make out point” of the city without good reason.

Top of The Mark

This Nob Hill landmark has been a favorite date destination for those near and far for more than 70 years!  With a breathtaking 360 view of the city and a 100 martinis menu you just can’t go wrong with Top of The Mark.   

Restaurant Gary Danko

It may be difficult to make a reservation in the near future but it’s worth the wait!  Restaurant Gary Danko offers course menu options only.  So If you would like a three course dinner for example, you could choose 1 main course and 2 desserts….or just 3 courses of dessert if you so choose!  The food is amazing and the specialty cocktails will leave you speechless they’re so good!

Dolores Park Movie Night

The 2nd Thursday of some months you can bring a picnic, some blankets and hot chocolate or a little vino if you keep it "out of sight" and have a nice evening cuddled up in an iconic park in San Francisco. They show old and classic movies like Breakfast at Tiffanys, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Grease and Foreign Films. You can donate if you like but there is no fee. They serve popcorn and it is a great way to snuggle up close, keep each other warm and reminisce watching old movies.

Images via: 1, 2

Hanzell Winery

With its gorgeous views, Hanzell Winery is a great spot for those looking to sip and taste wine in an intimate setting.  On a clear day you can see as far as San Francisco! There is just something so especially romantic about this winery!

Della Santina

For those looking to experience a romantic dinner in a back country courtyard that provides a perfectly intimate setting, you need look no further than Della Santina!

Ramekins Culinary School!

What better way to expand your culinary skills or have a little fun with the one you love then to make a meal together? Ramekins offers a wide assortment of fabulous cooking classes and most dates center on food so why not learn to cook a new meal together! Test your skills and excite your palate!

Cottage Inn & Spa

Have you heard of a Staycation? That is what Kelly and her husband Nick have lined up this Valentine’s Day and they’ve choose the Cottage Inn & Spa as their destination! The rooms are so intimate and charming and it is within walking distance to all the restaurants and shops on the plaza! Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect date for a romantic staycation!

Images via

Directions:

- Click HERE to open the template

- Cut along the light blue line

- Fold the card in half

- Add string to the gift tags

Enjoy!

We’re starting the week off on a sweet note with two ideas for homemade fortune cookies.  Take a fun spin on the classic by whipping up your very own fortune cookies.  You’ll be able to easily customize the fortune that goes on the inside!

Click Here for the Recipe and Images

Not so strong in the kitchen?  Don’t worry; we’ve got the perfect DIY project for you!  Create these felt fortune cookies and you’ll be able to reuse them for years to come!

Click Here for the Directions and Images

Be sure to check out the entire gallery of images HERE

Photography: Jessamyn Harris
Event Design: Kelly of A Savvy Event
Venue: Cornerstone Gardens
Cupcakes & Cookies: Wine Country Confections
Cake: Scandia Bakery in Sonoma
Flowers: Fleuressence
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Linens: LaTavola Linens
Candy: CandyWarehouse.com

I have always loved children! When I was younger thought I would be a school teacher but something lead me in a different direction but I knew that children had to be a part of my life and my career. Because I plan weddings and that is one of the biggest milestones in one’s life seemed natural that my work didn't have to stop there.  That the relationships I was building with my clients could continue to grow as their families grew and that A Savvy could grow with them.  After having my daughter in 2010 I realized that I had to bring children into the company and A little Savvy Event need to happen! I have been working on this vision for 2 years but have been focused on it for the last year! Yesterday was like Christmas for me! I had been waiting and waiting and working and working on putting this company together and I could hardly contain my excitement when the website went live.

How will the events planned for A little Savvy Event differ from those planned by A Savvy Event?

A Savvy Events are about bringing two families together and starting a new life together whereas A little Savvy Event is about growing your family and celebrating those milestones along the way. Weddings are gorgeous and are truly a work of art and children’s parties are more whimsical, crafty, playful and fun! Like we say a lot we color outside the lines and anything is possible! If you can dream it we can do it! There is still a lot of attention to detail and a lot of time that goes into it but I have to say the look on a child's face to see their party come to life is the same feeling we get when a bride and groom see their wedding come together.  It’s pure perfection!

What is your most favorite thing about working on events that cater towards a younger audience or those that are having a child?

The excitement in either the "Mommy to be" eyes or those of the child that walks in and sees his or her party...nothing can replace those moments! They are expressions that leave a lasting impression and it is why I love what I do so much! 

Planning a party of any size can be stressful if you don't do it all the time or really know what you are doing.  This is where we come in!  People hire us so they can truly be a guest and enjoy their events and not worry about the details.  We’ll do that for them!

With a two year old daughter and another one on the way, how do you possibly find time to pull everything off!

I can't tell you how many times I get asked this question! Honestly I wish I had the answer! All I know is that I have always been a hard worker and I have always wanted to find a career that I loved so much that it wouldn't feel like work! I truly feel blessed that after many years in a traditional work setting I found something that I love so much that even though I am working at a 1000 miles a minute I am having so much fun and enjoying the ride! Every day is different, every event is different and every client is different.  The relationships I have built with clients and vendors alike are relationships that I cherish and love! This is me and this is a part of my life and I really couldn't see it any other way! I think when you truly love what you do and you have passion you just do it and it works! It isn't easy and I work so many hours but it is rewarding and it is FUN!