Author: Maheera Ali

The Bay Area is home to many beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery. Known for its diversity, richness in culture, and simplistic beauty, there is no better place to say your forever “I Do” than the San Francisco Bay Area. Join me in this blog post as I break down some of the best Bay Area Wedding Venues the Bay Area has to offer.

1.Coastal beach: Cavallo Point- Sausalito 

Want to hear the calming waves crashing as you say your “I Do”.  Filled with Historic architecture and just the right amount of luxury, Cavallo Point, once a military base, offers stunning views of the infamous Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose an outside lawn wedding with a breathtaking backdrop or a more intimate ceremony in one of their ballrooms. If you are looking for a venue that offers History, modern and beauty all in one Cavallo point will not disappoint.

What to wear: When you attend a coastal wedding you want to keep the elements in mind. I would go for light breathable fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton blends and would stay away from heavy fabrics. Keeping the colors light. Casual, Semi-formal or beach formal always go with light fabrics. You can add a shawl for the cooler evenings and keep the jewelry minimal. Wedges or block heels would be the best option for a coastal wedding as stilettos can make it hard to walk on grass and sandy uneven surfaces. Men can go for a dark suit, or dress trousers in neutral colors paired up with a light blazer or sports coat. A pair of loafers will complete the look.

2.Rustic Vineyard: Murrieta’s Well- Livermore Ca.

If you are planning your wedding around a rustic vineyard theme mixed with modern day touches Murrieta’s Well located in Livermore California is a great option. The state is well known to and has held many indoor and outdoor ceremonies and receptions. For an indoor event The Barrel room is perfect. Offering stone walls, wine barrels and wooden beams can you get any more rustic than that? The vineyard Terrace is exactly what you want if you are looking for that natural vineyard beauty and historical charm. Murrieta’s Well venue also extends various wedding packages all which include a wedding planner and can fit a range of different budgets.

What to wear: When trying to find the perfect outfit for a rustic vineyard wedding you want to stick to light fabrics. Think rustic mixed with boho and a dash of elegance. For women I suggest sticking to earthy tones. Flowy dresses and jumpsuits made from cotton blends and satin are a great choice. A light jacket, either denim or suede can add the perfect touch to finish off your look. Opt for gold tone jewelry. Keep in mind that you will likely be walking outdoors so wedges, flats or block heels are best. For men Olive, tan, or navy (think neutral) slacks paired with a solid color button up shirt. Say no sneakers and go for some loafers or simple dress shoes (leather or suede is a great option). Grab your favorite pair of glasses and a sports coat and you are all set.

3.Budget friendly (intimate wedding): San Francisco Presidio Chapel 

Just because you have a budget for your dream wedding does not mean that you have to sacrifice elegance or beauty on your special day. The presidio chapel gives you beautiful scenery and screams out romantic with historic charm. It’s truly a hidden gem close to the Golden Gate Bridge that proves you don’t have to break your pockets to have the perfect romantic and affordable wedding of your dreams. The chapel greets you with high ceilings, wrought Iron chandeliers and beautiful stained windows that will have your guests thinking that it was a high ticket venue. The Presidio chapel offers an outside garden venue surrounded by green trees and lined with flowers perfect for a small intimate wedding while providing beautiful views.

What to wear: Because this venue is full of beautiful historic scenery I would go with something that says timeless and elegance. A cocktail dress or midi dress paired with some heels and a dressy trench coat or light blazer (remember San Francisco weather can be unpredictable). Add your favorite statement earrings and your sunglasses and enjoy the celebration. Men can wear a traditional dark color suit for a formal wedding and for something more on the semi-formal side a neutral color suit paired up with some leather dress shoes or loafers. Don’t have a suit? No problem pot for a pair of your favorite dress pants, a button down shirt and a blazer.

Out of the area?  Please visit a completely unbiased expert in wedding venues planning.  Didi Russell at Wedding Venues Owners has really assembled an unbelieved group of over 7,200 active Wedding Venues literally everywhere!

Conclusion: 

The location you choose will be the start of the new chapter in your life. Pick the one that tells your story and means something to you and your partner. The Bay Area is full of magical charm, diversity, and unmatched beauty. It has something for every couple. Whether it’s a vine yard theme or all glam, make this moment yours because you will remember it forever so make it special. Don’t be afraid to explore different venues and ask questions. This is your happily ever after a day you will remember forever. 

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Thrift Shopping: The Ultimate Guide

Fashion is always evolving, and thrift shopping has become more popular throughout the recent years. Thrift stores are filled with unique items that you will not find in any department store. Thrift stores play a big role in Sustainable Fashion. From vintage clothing, shoes, furniture and every day essentials thrift stores are full of endless possibilities. If you are new to thrift shopping or have been doing it for some time this ultimate guide will explain thrift shopping, some tips on how to get the best for your buck and the part it plays in sustainable fashion, and much more.

Thrift Shopping. More than just deals

Sustainability. With the fashion industry being one of the world’s largest polluters. The United States alone contributed about 17 Million tons of textiles in 2018 with 11.5 Million ending in landfills. This all adds to waste and environmental degradation. This is why sustainable fashion practices like thrifting, and reusing are so important. Every time you chose to buy used items you are helping reduce the overall carbon footprint and are contributing to less textiles ending up in landfills.

Unique Styles. If you are in to vintage clothing, one of a kind pieces, or you like mixing pieces to make your own (DIY fashionista) then thrift shopping is right for you. When you walk in to a chain store there is a plethora of the same item and you see many people wear the same jeans, shirts, or have the same décor in their house, but when you shop at a thrift store you can discover something totally different that you haven’t seen anyone wear. You can find many different styles to express your individuality, and even experiment with styles you are not accustomed to.

Price. If the jacket that you’ve been trying to buy had a price tag of $100 or that Canvas painting with the nice $400 tag, well imagine you found one just like it for $10 which one would you buy? The low prices you pay when shopping second hand items is one of the best benefits. You can find high-end quality and name brands for a fraction of the retail price—even at outlet stores. Secondhand shopping doesn’t mean less quality—it means better deals, often 50% to 90% off retail prices. Many thrift stores have sales on selected days. These sales might include 50% off already low prices and senior discounts on a certain day out of the week.

Thrill of the hunt. The rush of excitement you feel when you step inside a thrift store is almost addicting think of it like a treasure hunt. Looking through racks full of unique clothes and textiles, racks filled with shoes, books, hats, toys and so much more is all part of the experience. Knowing that you might find something completely different than what you were looking for and not only saving money but also helping save the planet while you get to shop! I mean honestly can it get any better?

Different ways to thrift/ shop second hand

Classic thrift shopping. The fun and exciting way to second hand shop is by taking a trip to any Goodwill, Salvation army, or any thrift store local or not. Some say it’s like a treasure hunt for adults and kids alike. 

Online and Apps. Shopping and contributing to environmental health is that even possible. Yes! Thrift shopping from home is easy with platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Poshmark. These platforms allow you to search exactly what you are looking for near and far. You can search by size, color, style, even home décor and everything in between.

Flee market. Flea markets are filled with so many unique items. You can find clothing, shoes, books, furniture, car parts and so much more. Since flea market vendors are often individuals or families, you can usually negotiate for a better price. Think of it like a huge garage sale where you will find something different in every stop you make.

Quality. When you shop second hand items sometimes the quality might not be the best. A jacket might be missing a button, a vintage top could have a stain, or boots may need some TLC—but don’t let that stop you. Stains and alterations are always possible. Martinizing Dry Cleaners has been the Authority in garment care for many years, not to mention they offer alterations and repair services as well as leather care.

What to look out for when Thrift Shopping

It is important that you pay attention to the details of each garment before actually making the purchase. Even though most tears and little imperfections can be repaired it comes down to the fabric and the severity of the damage. Let me give you a little more information on what to look for.

Cotton and Denim. Clothing made out of cotton/ denim are usually easy repairs and an be cleaned at home. Tears and small rips can easily be repaired by you or a seamstress. Cotton and denim can discolor, and once it happens, it’s usually irreversible. Cotton clothes can at times have a “stretched out” look due to normal wear and tear, and improper washing and drying. Leaving cotton wet too long can cause the fibers to absorb water and stretch out. Denim on the other hand can shrink when not cared for property. Flimsy buttons or zippers are also something to look out for when shopping second hand denim items.

Leather. Shopping for second hand leather goods can be somewhat tricky. Leather can last for many years when professionally cared for. The main things to look out for are scratches, cracks, rub marks, rips/tears and discoloration. Scratches and cracks can be repaired by using a leather cream or conditioner. Leather glue/patch or leather filler can be used for tears and rips. Keep in mind that leather might be more on the pricy side to repair but it can last for years when property taken care of.

Linen. Stains, shrinkage, Brittle feel, discoloration and the quality of the stitching is what you should always take a close look at. Linen is easy to maintain and affordable, as machine washing is safe when you follow the care label instructions. Repairs on linen are possible and budget friendly depending on the damage itself.

Rayon. Things to look out for in Rayon fabric garments are Stains, Shrinking, “Stretched out look”, and the most obvious to the eye excessive wrinkles. All of these signs of wear and tear on Rayon fabric can be fixed and future damage can be avoided with proper care and a good steamer. The maintenance cost of rayon can defer whether you choose to avoid the hassle of doing the cleaning yourself or having a professional handle the cleaning.

Silk. Since silk is a bit of a challenge to repair due to its delicate nature but repairs are possible. Look out for sings of holes, tears and rips, stains, Brittle feel, and discoloration. Silk in my opinion is a beautiful fabric but it does require professional care to maintain it keep that in mind when you are on the hunt.

Wool. Holes, stains and the stitch quality are the main things to look out for when finding a wool garment. Wool is a great fabric to look for when doing some thrift shopping as it requires less washing and it’s for the most part stain resistant. Repairs on wool are typically doable and shouldn’t break your budget.

Polyester. Because polyester is less breathable than other fabrics keep an eye out for odors that can linger if not property cleaned. Polyester is easy to repair and easier to maintain because it doesn’t require any professional care.

Remember second hand items might come with some imperfections but don’t let those imperfections stop you from buying that super cool vintage jacket, stop by a professional Dry Cleaners and let them repair and clean your new treasures.

Conclusion

Thrift shopping offers something for everyone big or small. There is joy in discovering items and making them your own. It brings out the creative person in you.  Shopping while saving money and turning someone’s old junk in to your individual treasure just makes sense. When you thrift shop you are embracing a more sustainable way of shopping. Next time you need a new shirt, a boo or even a new coffee mug consider your local thrift stores. Remember thrift shopping is like a treasure hunt and you never know what treasures you will find. 

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