By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 6:08 PM - (General)
Stracey & Jason came all the way from New york to have there wedding at the beautiful Brazilian Room
(see the photos below) which is set high in the hills of Northern Berkeley lies Tilden Park Ca, popularly considered “the Jewel of the East Bay of California.” Hiking trails with names like Seaview or Skyline wind past creeks, mineral springs, and sylvan meadows, up to the sweeping panorama offered at Inspiration Point. Yet just about every vista in Tilden Park is inspirational. Encompassing the Tilden Nature Area, most of the park’s 2,100 acres serve as tranquil shelters for native cal plants & wildlife. The Rangers here are very serious about preserving this magnificent habitat,they even close one of their roads seasonally to protect migrating newts—and the result is a cornucopia of natural beauty. Visitors also enjoy the abundance of recreational activities, including steam trains, a golf course and an antique merry-go-round. For generations of Bay Area residents, outings to Tilden Park have been part of a happy tradition, beginning with a youngster’s first pony ride and perhaps culminating in a wedding ceremony at the historic Brazilian Room.
It was once part of the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition on Treasure Island, the Brazilian Room was presented as a gift to the East Bay Regional Park District by the country of Brazil. The original interior hardwood paneling was kept intact, while a new exterior of local rock and timber was constructed by the Works Project Administration to permanently house the room.
Wedding ceremonies are extremely popular on the great flagstone patio, with its dramatic panorama of sloping lawn and tree-studded hillsides. After toasting the newlyweds, guests can sip their champagne among the colorful mix of agapanthus, hydrangea and other flowers that make up the small garden adjoining the patio, or sample hors d’oeuvres under the cherry tree, abloom in April with perfumey-pink blossoms.
The setting at the Brazilian Room is just as lovely indoors as out. The building’s Old English-style façade is defined by a trio of leaded-glass doors, each with dormer-style threshold. When guests move inside for the reception, they’ll find that floor-to-ceiling leaded-glass windows run the length of the other side of the room as well. These rear windows also offer a close-up look at the forest, evoking the romance of a light-filled mountain cabin. Dark wooden beams create a novel pattern on the ceiling, and polished wood flooring and a huge stone fireplace give the space additonal rustic charm.
The serene pastoral surroundings at the Brazilian Room offer an environment free from noise and distraction, where Nature’s gifts are honored and preserved and the modern world is in harmony with the building’s heritage. It’s a place you’ll want to make part of your own family tradition after this wedding
To see all the photos Stracey and Jason wedding...
By Peter Bruce posted on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 1:56 PM - (General)
You've found the perfect spouse-to-be: sensitive,good looking, and all about you -- you and there kids, that is. That's right; your honey has children from a previous marriage , children that will be playing a very big role in your life if the two of you get married, especially if (yikes!) this parent has the kids fulltime and not just every third Saturday. Before taking that life-altering plunge to be married with children, here are eight things to think about from Peter Bruce Photo
Well How Do You Feel About Kids?
Some people just don't like kids, and those people just shouldn't be around them -- especially not in the role of parent. If you've always known you never wanted children, remember that and give yourself time to rethink what you're about to do. If you do generally enjoy children, then the issue to consider is whether you like your sweetie's kids. It sounds cruel but it is possible to have irreconcilable differences with children, especially when they're not your own and if they scowl at you all the time.
For that matter How Do They Feel About You?
Divorce can be hard on kids, but remarriage can be even harder. Most children feel at least a bit jealous when Mom or Dad finds another partner, and they often fear losing their parent to this outsider. Sometimes they think you're trying to replace their own parent and that, out of loyalty, they've got to be chilly. These are totally normal emotions and can, with good communication and frequently therapy, be overcome. The harder reality is when the kids profess to hate your guts -- as they often do -- and threaten your potential partner with threats like choosing "me/us or her/him." Other thwarting behavior can include a child perpetually pitting the two of you against each other, say by telling your sweetie you said he could have a third peanut butter cup (when you most certainly did not) or telling the other parent bad stories about you that are usually either flat-out not true, out of context, or just plain exaggerated. Three words of advice on how to handle these situations: communication, communication, communication. Don't forget you're both on the same side. "Kids can be very successful saboteurs," says Dr. Larry Nadig, a family therapist in Glendale, California. "If you know ahead of time this is going to be an obstacle, I suggest therapy. Sometimes, though, it's not resolvable."
How Will Being a Stepparent Change Your Lifestyle GOOD or BAD?
Enjoy going to clubs at night or even to an R-rated movie once and a while? Well those and a lot of other things might become difficult, if not impossible, when you suddenly have kids in your life. Find out exactly what the custody situation your partner and his or her ex have arranged, and consider whether the time you both will have with the kids is doable for you. Part-timers may find having kids around every other weekend palatable, but babysitters are heaven-sent for full-timers. If that's you, make sure your honey has at least one trusted caregiver on standby, or find one or two on your own so you both can go out alone once in a while.
How Much Responsibility Will You Have or want?
Find out how much your partner will expect from you as a parent. Will he or she want you to get up in the middle of the night if someone has a tummy ache? Will you be expected to cook every night for the whole clan; read to the kids at bedtime; discipline them when they give the cat a bad haircut? Then again, your partner might want all the parenting responsibilities. However, leaving you with no responsibility or authority to make decisions can be bad as well.
Can You Handle Your Spouse Having a Relationship with an Ex REALLY?
Knowing you're your partner had someone else before you is bad enough, but having to tolerate a continued relationship, whether it's friendly or just businesslike for the kids' sake, is downright gut-wrenching. Think about whether you'll freak out if the ex calls on the phone, or if you find out they sat next to each other at the kids' holiday performance. Constantly accusing your partner of wanting to get back together with the ex or not speaking to him or her after a joint parent-teacher conference are also no-nos. Remember that this person is committed to you now!
Can You Deal With Not Always Being #1 in the relationship?
Everyone has this idea that at least the first couple years of marriage will be a honeymoon...just the two of you and all your love. When your spouse has kids, that period ends as soon as the honeymoon does (assuming you get to go alone!), and then it's reality central. Often instead of gazing at you over a candlelit dinner, your spouse is forcing Johnny to finish his spinach. When you want to go to that couples' resort in Bermuda, your partner might suggest Disney World, for sake of the kids. Your new spouse might even hold little Susie's hand instead of yours as you're all walking down the street. In order to make it work, you've got to be flexible and sane enough to realize just how much your honey loves you -- no matter how much he or she also loves the kids.
Does Your Spouse Want to Have More Kids?
There's always a chance your sweetheart has had all the children he or she wants to have. If you want your own kids, especially if that's not something you're willing to compromise on, find out exactly where your partner stands on the issue. You may have to pare down your lifelong goal of three kids to one or two, but hey, if this person is the one, it might be worth it!
By Peter Bruce posted on Thursday, December 3, 2009 @ 10:14 AM - (General)
Kids can add some memorable moments to a wedding day, but sometimes kids make a scene that the bride and groom would rather forget. . Names have been removed to protect the innocent (and the guilty!).
Over the years Peter Bruce Photo & Video has collected some funny quotes from people at weddings where kids have been at. Hope you enjoy.Names have been removed to protect the innocent (and or the guilty!) Please let me know.
"I went to my friend's wedding where, while everyone was sitting down for the reception, one of the kids pulled the fire alarm. It took the firemen 15 minutes to shut it off."
"I was at a wedding where the bride was a teacher and asked her entire first grade class to participate as flower girls and boys. During the ceremony, one of the girls ran back down the aisle, stole the registry pen, and wrote her name all over her body and dress while screaming at the top of her lungs. It took five of us to catch her and bring her to her mother, who had not left her seat for the ordeal."
"I was at a friend's wedding recently, and during the first dance, five kids began running circles around the bride and groom. One of the girls fell on her face and the happy couple had to stop and ask the child's parents to come get her."
"My brother-in-law's nephew covered my sister's wedding getaway car with anything he could find. He took salad dressing, mayo, soap from the bathroom, and dirt and smeared them all over the windows and into the vents. The wedding was in December, so as one would guess, it all froze to the car -- the bridal party spent the better half of the reception cleaning up his mess."
"At my friend's wedding, there was a large punch fountain at the reception. Three kids were standing with their hands in the fountain letting the punch run through their fingers! "
"During a wedding I attended, one of the flower girls threw a hysterical fit right before walking down the aisle because she didn't want the gum that she had in her mouth anymore. But after her mother took the gum away, she continued to throw a fit because she wanted it back."
"At a family wedding, the flower girl thought that standing in her place during the ceremony wasn't any fun. Instead, she decided to see how loud she could make her new shoes click against the wooden benches in the church. No one could hear what the officiant -- or the bride and groom -- were saying over her clomping."
"While everyone was on the dance floor, a child ran up to the bride and, with a frustrated look on his face, pushed her. The bride completely lost her balance and fell over! She was mortified."
"There was a kid running around with a cup of red punch at one wedding I went to. He ran smack into the bride and the red punch went all over her dress. Needless to say, there was no getting that stain out."
"I watched in horror as the flower girl and another little guest played tag all through the room, running under tables and knocking the elderly guests over. Guess what they used as their base? You got it. The tiny table with the tall and beautiful wedding cake on it. Can you imagine what happened?"
By Peter Bruce posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 @ 8:31 AM - (General)
I wanted to follow up on my last blog about Destinations weddings. I feel that I left a few ones out,which I will cover over the next few days. Giving you more info and detail on get away weddings. One thing I think is great at weddings and we have talk about this in the past,is kids at weddings,but when it is a Destination wedding and kids are coming,well then it is different. When planning a wedding abroad or away from your city of residence, remember to take into account the children that you have invited. In fact, your own children may be attending the wedding and someone needs to provide for them. Since you want to enjoy a little time with new your new spouse, it might a good idea to have the children stay at the hotel or resort with a trusted relative. By doing this, the couple is not constantly worried about the children and the relative will have time to entertain them.
The children will most likely be different age brackets which might make keeping them occupied more difficult but if they are family, they will be used to one another. Generally, there are a few ways to keep the kids happy during their stay.
Make sure the sightseeing is appropriate for the children. Anything too strenuous or exhausting for small children should be reconsidered. That is not to say that none of the adults should go. But maybe the children should stay back with someone who does not wish to go.
Be safe. One thing that happens when vacationing or traveling to a resort or hotel for a wedding, the jubilant emotions cloud judgments. Common sense must be used when allowing children near water, nears strangers, and allowing them to wander about in a strange place. It is easy to lose sight of the children so be diligent and have other people help so that everyone enjoys himself or herself.
Organize activities specifically for children, both during the stay and at the wedding reception. Face painting, puppet shows, building sandcastles, making snowmen, and age appropriate crafts will help children to avoid boredom.
Just tell them it is a holiday with a big party for someone. Hope this helps,please let us know
By Peter Bruce posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 @ 1:14 PM - (General)
Some couples, for reasons of their own, do not want for children to attend their wedding reception.Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE have seen this many times. The reasons for this may range from trying to lower costs by trimming wedding guests from the list, to simply not wanting to put up with potential crying, wailing, or hyperactivity on the part of the little guys.
The debate on this topic can get fierce. Some people argue that it it is rude and improper to exclude the younger members of a family that is on the wedding guest list. Some insist that a wedding is all about family and the circle of life, and that eliminating children from attendance at the wedding is therefore inappropriate.
If you are thinking about the option of an Adults Only wedding reception, its critically important that you consider the matter carefully and realize that some may indeed find this to be a tad offensive, ungracious, or downright cold. Weddings are not typically adult only events - in fact, throughout history, children have played an important role in the symbolism associated with weddings - and therefore some might be offended that you are dictating that they must leave their little ones at home.
Ultimately however, your wedding day is YOUR day and the bottom line is that you have a right to be happy and have it your way on this one day out of your entire life. If, after carefully considering this, you decide that this is the way it is going to be, you should follow the following rules for this delicate situation...
Indicate that the reception is to be adults only by having the words "Adults Only Reception" or "Adult Reception" printed along with the reception location and time on the invitation.
Do not use phrases such as NO KIDS, NO CHILDREN, etc. The only correct wording is Adult Reception or Adults Only Reception.
This information should be printed by the printer on all invitations. You must never write ANYTHING by hand onto the invitation itself - whether it pertains to this or any other matter. Doing so is considered socially incorrect (in other words, tacky!) and inappropriate.
If you are excluding some children, the rule is that you must exclude all children. There must not be different rules for different people or some individuals will be deeply offended and hurt - and rightly so. The only possible exception to this would be any children who are in the wedding party. However, the jury is out in this area. While some etiquette experts feel that it may be alright to make this exception, there is a stronger belief that if the reception is to be adults only, no children should be included as part of the wedding party. Otherwise, parents of children who were not allowed to attend may feel slighted that clearly some exceptions are being made to allow children, while they were instructed to leave their kids behind.
You may be think this to be a little unfair. After all, you are probably very familiar with the children in your wedding party and you probably selected them on the basis of their exemplary behavior in public, while the same may not necessarily be true of the other children. It is for this precise reason that the jury, as I stated, remains out on this one. Give it some careful thought and if unsure, err on the side of caution by ensuring that no children really means NO children to avoid appearing offensive to any of your guests.
If cost issues are the reason you are contemplating the Adults Only route, keep in mind that the cost of feeding a child at the wedding will be considerably less than the cost to feed an adult. Most caterers or reception sites have children's menus from which they will serve kids under 12 years of age, typically at a dramatically lower cost.
Many caterers will not inform you of this unless you specifically ask about it. Inquire with your caterer about the availability of child's plates. This may solve the entire dilemma for you so that everyone can end up happy.
And what if someone does show up with their children, despite it all? Do you say something to them? Do you send someone over to ream them out? Don't even dream it. What good would that possibly do? Done is done. No sense in creating an unpleasant, uncomfortable situation. Nothing could be more unbecoming of a bride, groom, or host.
Best advice? that Peter Bruce Photo & team bELLE can give you,take a deep breath, then let it go. Put it out of your mind and get on with having a good time. This day is going to fly by faster than you'll ever want as it is; don't waste a single moment of it caught up in negativity. Think happy thoughts on this day...happy thoughts only. Remember, this is the best day of your life! Enjoy it for heaven's sake.
We hope you enjoyed this as always please let us know
