http://www.vpphoto.com

2B | THEPRESS.NET Wedding Planner JANUARY 23, 2009

Ask about our complimentary site fee!

925.516.3400NinesatBrentwood.com

Located at Brentwood Golf Club

The Wedding Pavilion, which overlooks our lovely gardens and scenic golf course, is the perfect site for a romantic sunset ceremony.

The award-winning culinary team at Brentwood Golf Club is fully prepared to create a custom menu for you.

We take pride in creating an exceptional experienceat a reasonable price for our guests.

For many newly engaged

couples, wedding planning

can bring a lot of surprises,

especially when it comes to cost. The

economic downturn will hit some

wedding budgets hard, but that

doesn’t mean a couple must abandon

their dreams of a wonderful wedding.

The picturesGorgeous photos are a must for any

wedding. Wedding photographer Mike Gellerman studied photography in college and has a background in journalism. He began shooting weddings out of school for friends 25 years ago and pursued it as a successful side business. Originally from Southern California, Gellerman moved to Brentwood three years ago. Here he has continued his photography business with his wife, who assists him as his second

photographer. He describes his style as photojournalistic with a touch of fi ne art. “My favorites are the non-posed shots, the reaction shots,” says Gellerman.

For the couple desiring great photog-raphy at a moderate price, Gellerman suggests booking less time with the photographer. His minimum is four hours, which is ample time to capture the impor-tant moments of the big day. Another suggestion for cash-strapped couples is to look at alternatives to traditional photo prints and books. Some couples are happy simply receiving digital copies of their photos on DVD rather than buying prints.

The fl owersNo wedding would be complete

without fl owers, whether adorning the bride’s bouquet or the ceremony and reception. Geraldine Stanton of Flowers by Gerry in Brentwood has more than 35 years of experience in providing fl owers for weddings. She breaks down wedding

Couples looking to economize might consider booking fewer hours of their photog-rapher’s time. Photographer Mike Gellerman believes that four hours ought to be enough for a professional to put together a memorable record of important and touching moments, such as the one shared by Josh and Laura Moore, above.

Photo by Mike Gellerman

M I C H E L L E N G U Y E N

Keep that wedding budget under control

see Budget page 5B

JANUARY 23, 2009 Wedding Planner THEPRESS.NET | 3B

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Choosing a venue to hold a

wedding and reception is one

of the fi rst and most important

decisions an engaged couple will make

during the wedding-planning process.

Many couples search far and wide for

the perfect venue but aren’t aware of

the attractive ceremony and reception

venues here in East County.

NinesSituated right on the Brentwood Golf

Course, Nines offers a gorgeous venue for both wedding ceremony and reception. Event planner Lisa Quinn has been with Nines since it opened 10 years ago. “You don’t just stay some place 10 years because you feel like it,” said Quinn about her job. “You do it because you love your work and believe in what you’re doing.”

Nuptials next doorM I C H E L L E N G U Y E N

see Next door page 4B

Weddings at Brownstone Gardens in

Oakley are set in an environment permeated with

the sights, scents and sounds of a

tropical paradise.

Photo courtesy of Brownstone Gardens

4B | THEPRESS.NET Wedding Planner JANUARY 23, 2009

Quinn and her staff help coordinate all the events at the Nines, handling all the setup and breakdown of the reception and ceremony, although the couple must provide their own fl owers, décor and music.

Nines offers outdoor ceremonies on its Pavilion, which overlooks the 18th green. The beautifully landscaped patio is bordered by greenery and accented with a fountain. It offers wonderful views of the course and Mt. Diablo. “We get great views of the CornFest fi reworks,” said Quinn, adding that there have been brides that have booked their weddings for CornFest weekend to enjoy the display.

The banquet area at Nines offers seated dining for 180 guests, though the Pavilion area may also be used during the reception for couples who desire an indoor/outdoor event. Nines offers a variety of menu options, and

Quinn was proud to note that Nines makes use of local, seasonal fresh produce in all of its menus.

Lone TreeLone Tree Golf Course and Event Center

in Antioch is a well-known venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The event center can accommodate an impressive 400 guests, making it one of the largest venues in East County.

“Our strength lies in our experience,” said General Manager Dave Van Fossen. Fossen, Executive Chef Jonathan Hork and Catering Director Julie Morrow make the most of their many years of experience in some of the nation’s best hotels and private country clubs.

Ceremonies are often held outdoors on

Next door from page 3B

Lone Tree Event Center in Antioch can offer a sylvan glade as a back-drop for your special day, as it did for Tanisha and Rockie Young, above.

Photo by Mike Gellerman

see Next door page 10B

JANUARY 23, 2009 Wedding Planner THEPRESS.NET | 5B

Get Gorgeous Lashes!Xtreme Lashes™ are synthetic eyelashes that are applied to your

individual lashes, one at a time, for a natural, elegant, and luscious look. Lasting up to 2 months, they are perfect for special occasions as well as every day wear.

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fl owers into different categories: personal fl owers, ceremony fl owers, reception fl ow-ers and cake table fl owers. When choos-ing which fl owers to use, Stanton urges couples to choose something that has

meaning to them, such as a fl ower given to the bride by the groom while they were dating or a special fl ower from the bride’s childhood.

Stanton urges couples to hire a professional for their fl oral needs. “A professional knows how to take into consideration the fl ower, texture, color and ensure that the choice complements rather than overwhelms.” When it comes to saving money, Stanton urges using seasonal fl owers and prioritizing where to spend your fl ower money. “Give the bride whatever she wants for her day,” said Stanton, emphasizing that the bride’s fl owers “should be the most beautiful of all.”

The wedding

cakeWedding cakes are a sweet

symbol of the beginning of a new life. Tena Parish has been baking cakes for over 29 years. She opened up TLCakes (Tena Loves Cakes) in Brentwood in 2007 and currently shares downtown space with A Fine Time for Tea. The majority of cakes done by

Budget from page 2B

see Budget page 8B

Tux of Class in Antioch carries a full line of the latest styles for the groom tailored to a slim budget.

Photo by Kevin Bartram

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Call for reservationsCall for reservations

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8B | THEPRESS.NET Wedding Planner JANUARY 23, 2009

Connie Leal Photography

(925) 550-8506conniephotography@sbcglobal.net

www.ConnieLealPhotography.com

Ask about our Wedding

Specials

Dance At Your Wedding!

Ballroom Dancing

by Cozette

Surprise Relatives and GuestsBride & Groom First DanceFather & Daughter Danceas well as the Bridal Party

Private Instruction with “Cozette Hileman”Certifi ed Instructor, 19 years experience

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Cozette’s Dance Studio

925-240-9847 “Direct Line”650-537-1487 Cell

Brentwood

The Ideal Setting for The Ideal Setting for

Your Special Day!Your Special Day!

Discovery Bay Country Club offers an exquisitely landscaped property that

is fi lled with trees, ponds, and vibrant fl ower gardens. Whether your

affair is an intimate gathering or a reception for as many as 200 guests, they can

be comfortably accommodated in Discovery Bay Country Club’s elegant dining

room that boasts breathtaking views of their lush, picturesque golf course.

To ensure your celebration is truly unique, the Executive Chef, culinary team

and event director at the property will work with you to plan and carry out

every detail of your celebration to ensure that your once-in-a-lifetime day is

both magical and memorable.

Discovery Bay Country Club1475 Club House Drive | 634.0700 | www.dbgcc.com

TLCakes are for weddings. Parish says that June and July are usually her busi-est months for wedding cakes. She notes that she can usually accommodate cake orders with notice as short as two weeks, but that many couples order their cakes months in advance.

The new trend in wedding cakes is to stack the tiers directly on top of each other rather than hold them with supports. Using supports “makes construction more diffi cult so that’s why they’re a bit more expensive,” explained Parish. For the bride on a budget, Parish suggests going with a less elaborate, tiered wedding cake. Another option is to go with a simple,

small wedding cake for the cake cutting, and serving guests slices from a layer cake in the same fl avor.

The tuxedosThough the bride’s gown is often

the focus of the day and the budget, the groom and his groomsmen must also look their best. Tux of Class in Antioch just celebrated its 25th anniversary of selling and renting formal wear. Run by Judi Mori, the name Tux of Class was her daughter Gina Mori-Zbacnic’s idea. Mori-Zbacnic began working in the shop as a teenager and then returned as the buyer after

Budget from page 5B

see Budget page 11B

Local Doctor Exposes Weight Loss Industry And Saves You Big Money On Your New Years Resolution…

Brentwood Doctor gives you the “skinny” on the tactics used by the diet and weight loss industry to help separate you from your hard earned dollars while selling you a pipe dream and tips on how you can lose weight without wasting money on gym memberships, outrageous diets or dangerous pills.

JANUARY 23, 2009 Wedding Planner THEPRESS.NET | 9B

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10B | THEPRESS.NET Wedding Planner JANUARY 23, 2009

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the event center’s patio, overlooking the 18th tee. Wedding ceremonies may also be held on the golf course, at the fi rst tee. Following the ceremony, the happy couple can be driven via golf cart to a spot on the green perfect for beautiful wedding photos.

Weddings are also held inside the event center. The ceiling-to-fl oor windows in the banquet rooms offer a panoramic view of Mt. Diablo as well as the 18th tee and neighboring reservoir.

Lone Tree caters all events held at the event center and offers offsite catering as well. Couples may choose from a variety of menus, including buffet or plated service and passed hors d’oeuvres.

Brownstone GardensFor the couple looking for a beautiful

garden wedding, Brownstone Gardens in Oakley is an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception venue capable of hosting events up to 300. The site is comprised of three areas: The Willow Grove, The Grand Court and Bridal Falls.

Brownstone Gardens is the labor of love of the Wiemholdt family. For his 25th wedding anniversary, Bob Wiemholt built a beautiful pond and gazebo for the outdoor celebration. His guests were awed by the area that eventu-ally became The Willow Grove. Through the years, the Wiemholt family continued to build

Next door from page 3B

see Next door page 11B

JANUARY 23, 2009 Wedding Planner THEPRESS.NET | 11B

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graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

In addition to offering its namesake tuxedos, the shop also carries dresses – although not bridal gowns or bridesmaid dresses. “We do a lot of mother-of-the-bride dresses,” said Mori, adding that the shop carries special-occasion and prom dresses.

For the budget conscious, Mori points out that Tux of Class products are the best quality at affordable prices. Tuxedos start at $49.95, and the shop always offers a respectable selection from its reduced rack.

The Go-To GuysMike Gellerman Photography

925-597-2134www.mikegellermanphotography.com

Flowers by Gerry4601 Orwood Road, Brentwood925-634-1593www.fl owersbygerry.com

TLCakes655 First St., Brentwood925-628-5509www.tlcakes.com

Tux of Class43 E. 18th St., Antioch925-757-5020

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Budget from page 8B

on the garden paradise. Brownstone Gardens opened to the public in 2003.

Kay-Kay Hines is wedding coordinator at Brownstone Gardens and daughter of Bob and Karen Wiemholt. Like her sisters, Hines was married in her family home before it offi cially became Brownstone Gardens and takes a great deal of pride in her family business. “I love working with people on the most impor-tant day of their lives,” she said. She works so closely with couples while planning their wedding that by the time the big day comes, “I feel like they’re one of my friends.”

Brownstone Gardens offers “hassle-free” wedding packages. A couple booking a wedding at the Brownstone Gardens may book many of the important vendors that same day, including offi ciant, photographers,

caterers and fl orist. “Everything but the cake,” said Hines.

East County wedding venues

Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch925-706-4220www.lonetreegolfcourse.com

Nines at Brentwood Golf Club100 Summerset Drive, Brentwood925-516-3400www.trilogygolfclub.com/brentwood_weddings/index.asp

Brownstone Gardens91 Brownstone Road, Oakley925-550-6094www.brownstonegardens.com

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Next door from page 10B