Real Weddings: Westie Wedding with WOW!

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It was a warm July day when Pharmacist Dr. Banjie Quiambao married her Prince Charming, Ed Vergara, JD. The traditional Catholic ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Parish in Gilroy with Father Dan Derry presiding.
Waiting in the wings, donned in his tuxedo and boutonniere and looking like the most handsome boy in the world, was their fur-baby, Riley, a Westie-Terrier mix with the perfect piggie-pink nose.  Once the wedding got started, wedding planner Patty Speirs of Every Last Detail went back to to the bride’s house to pick up the Pup of Honor, who was as cool as a cucumber riding shotgun.  Once at the church, he nearly stole the show with all the oo’s and ahh’s and plenty of smiles and pats on the head as the ceremony progressed.
As the New Mr. and Mrs. Vergara walked back down the aisle, Riley was there to congratulate them.
After the formal photographs at the church, Riley took an early leave…
..and headed home while Mom and Dad headed to the reception in style via classic Rolls Royce, chauffeured by George from Elegant Journey Limousine.
The bride and groom arrived at the Monterey Embassy Suites in time to sneak into the ballroom to see it in all its beauty and splendor with decor provided by LauraT decor.  The tables were named after prescription drugs, a nod to Banjie’s career…
… and the favors were medicine vials full of yummy candies – with special prescription labels and instructions to take two a day for happiness! (No bitter medicine today…)
The guests imbibed with Banja-lini’s and Vergartini’s – signature drinks named after the bride and groom – and had a blast letting loose in the photobooth provided by Peninsula Photo Booth.
The cake was created by Freedom Bakery, and the WOW factor was a surprise visit and performances by Dean Martin, on loan from the Rat Pack.

Dean Martin with wedding planner Patty

All in all, a classy, elegant and fun wedding celebration with WOW and WOOF!
Wedding Planner: Every Last Detail, eldweddings.com
Transportation: Elegant Journey, www.ejlimo.com
Venue: Monterey Embassy Suites, www.embassysuites.hilton.com/Monterey
Peninsula Photo Booth, www.peninsulaphotobooths.com
Freedom Bakery, www.fbandc.com

Food and Wine, Sun and Fun: a Sonoma “Daycation!”

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Let me share with you the absolutely wonderful day I had today, fleeing the San Francisco summer fog for the mediterranean sun of the Wine Country!

My dear friend and mentor Joyce Scardina Becker of Events of Distinction, founding president of WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association), invited me to join her for one of their fabulous events, this time at Annadel Estate Winery in Sonoma (Joyce’s assistant, Pelin, even gave us a ride – and she is a fantastic chauffeuse!) So, off we went, leaving the cold and fog behind to enjoy true joie de vivre. 

Annadel Winery itself is a sight to behold – 35 acres of beautiful scenery, old stone walls, and lush greenery; complete with a rustic barn…

and a cozy cottage for the bride (the perfect get-ready spot!)

Guests were greeted at a welcome reception on the scenic lawn, beautifully outfitted with antique items by Wine Country Party and Events, and treated to delicious small plates and wine.

I had the pleasure not only of meeting friends again, like Dina Balatti of Bella Celebrations who co-chaired this gathering (and had to work hard while everyone else was partying…) and Pat Gibbons who just added a line of cute handpainted and kiln-fired glass gem magnets (to go on escort cards) to her creative selection – but also finally met Emily Dreblow, the creative genius behind Soulflower Design. I had admired her floral creations in Ceremony Magazine and finally had the opportunity to tell her that in person! Speaking of Ceremony Magazine: editor-in-chief Amy Harris also attended, radiant as always. (Quite an A-list gathering of the Bay Area Wedding World, I can tell you…)

For lunch we all gathered in the “ruin courtyard,” where the original winery had once been – and the remaining walls lend the space an air of romantic seclusion and nostalgic charm. Round tables and benches under market umbrellas, beautiful tablecloths from Sharon Dexmier’s Napa Valley Linens (who as the current president of WIPA was the hostess of the day) and floral arrangements of green hydrangeas and yellow tea roses – from the extensive flower fields on the Annadel grounds – created an ambiance of carefree, rustic, yet VERY upscale summer leisure.

While we were feasting on a light lunch, Guest Speaker Liene Stevens educated us on the challenges we are facing with the “Millenials,” the current generation of brides and grooms who have grown up with computers, are relying heavily on social media and often base their decisions more on their own research and on the input of their Facebook friends than on established reputations. Often raised in the belief that they not only ARE special but DESERVE special treatment, they expect the best and want a unique, standout event for their wedding; not necessarily to put themselves in the spotlight, but to ultimately WOW their guests. So: custom and one-of-a-kind are becoming the new standard and the unspoken expectation. Get used to it…

Conversation around the tables swirled and proved right away how spot-on today’s lecture topic is! But aside from the learning experience of the lecture, we all had, of course, also the meeting experience: new colleagues and connections, that is! For me it was the team of Here Comes The Guide, everyone’s “bible” of venues and vendors: Denise Auerbach, Jenna Miller, and Angela Mullan. Who wouldn’t want to be in there?! And then I finally came to meet in person event planners Gloria Wong Tritasavit and Jubilee Lau who had invited me to so many great events and whom I had so far only “known” by email. Face-to-face is still better! Young mothers, both of them, they often cooperate which gives them more time around their little ones. That’s the way to do it! Last but not least, I had the pleasure of connecting with Isabelle Adams (also a co-chair of the event), Director of Special Events at Wilson Artisan Wineries, a company that owns several properties in the Wine Country, ALL of them – listen up, “Woof” people among the Wedding Woof crowd! – open for dog-friendly weddings. Can’t wait to do one with her in the beautiful scenery and in the sun… (we’ll provide water and shade for Fido, promise!)

To conclude the festivities, we all raided the dessert buffet, provided by Crisp Bake Shop. My favorites were the melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies filled with a beautifully balanced salted dulce de leche cream. Delicious!

And here is a little preview of what a wedding at Annadel can look like:

 

I think it’s magical… What a day!

 

Annadel Winery www.annadelestatewinery.com

Events of Distinction www.eventsofdistinction.com

Wine Country Party and Events www.winecountryparty.com

Bella Celebrations www.bellacelebrations.com

Pat Gibbons www.patgibbonsfloral.com

Soulflower Design, soulflowersf.com

Ceremony Magazine, www.CeremonyMagazine.com

Napa Valley Linens www.nvlinens.com

Here Comes The Guide www.HereComesTheGuide.com

Gloria Wong Design www.gloriawongdesign.com

Jubilee Lau Events www.jubileelauevents.com

Isabelle Adams www.sodarockwinery.com

Crisp Bake Shop www.crispbakeshop.com

Live from Duncan’s Downtown Birthday “Madness!”

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A minute ago I returned  home from a FABULOUS event, and I’m still all giddy about it – Duncan’s Downtown Bday party! Duncan – who? Duncan Reyes, of course – who certainly does NOT need any kind of introduction. But, should you by any chance not belong to the 99.9% of people “in the know” who he is: he is the “wedding guru of the Bay Area,” as quite a few of his guests reverently referred to him. And, believe me, he deserves every bit of that honorary title!

Just back from orchestrating a HUGE wedding in Mumbai, India (the talk of the evening was a whispered total cost in the 7-digit range…), Duncan used his regular “Martini Madness” events for colleagues and friends for an early Birthday celebration – and tout le (chic!) monde flocked to Infusion Lounge in downtown San Francisco to join in the celebration. And I was lucky enough to be one of them!

Duncan, the devoted doggie Dad (to his diva, “Bella”) and I, equally devoted doggie Mom to “Buzz,”  (the “Woof” in Wedding Woof) immediately found out that we are sharing a big interest! Here he is with his furry muse:

Beautiful, no?

Well, “beautiful” was definitely the motto of the evening… starting with the location: Infusion Lounge, an ultra-hip bar in the heart of San Francisco, bathed in truly magical lighting:

Talk about chic… and the guests were definitely a crowd to match – a Who’s Who of the Bay Area’s foremost wedding professionals: fellow event coordinator Tony White of Extreme Elegance, BluBungalow Event Studio founder Hazel Bourget, Anastasia Alvarado of Grace Street Catering, event and catering managers Cristina Lopez of Kimpton Hotels and Katie Orndorff and Siba Tarassoly of Marriott – who assured me that both all Kimpton Hotels (Argonaut, Harbor Court, and Tuscan Inn in SF) and the downtown Marriott are, in fact, very dog-friendly! So listen up, all the “Woof” fans of Wedding Woof… that’s for you and your four-legged darlings! On to Robbie Schlosser of Magnolia Jazz Band who has been entertaining guests in the Bay Area since 1975 and rightfully considers himself a “veteran” – and whom, in fact, absolutely everyone greeted affectionately – “everyone knows Robbie!” Olympic Gold for the highest presence by sheer numbers, however, goes to the photographers who transform all these incredible events into tangible memories: Alex Ho, Auey Santos, Orbie Pullen and husband-and-wife team Ariel and Samuel Soto-Suver of Bowerbird Photography, “senior statesman” Richard Mayer, and Mike Steelman with the one-of-a kind steel (!) engraved business card… as I said – le Beau Monde, and brimming with creativity!

Birthday Boy Duncan took personal care of each and every one of his guests, inviting them to fun photo shoots in a photo booth with lots of hilarious props (think masks, hats, neon feather boas…) while his Mom and Sis were proudly looking on. He certainly is the quintessential, perfect party host!

Thanks for having us all, Duncan, and have a wonderful, successful and totally happy new year in your life!

 

Duncan Reyes/ Events by Design, www.duncanreyes.com

Infusion Lounge, infusionlounge.com

Tony White/ Extreme Elegance, extremeelegancebytony.com

Hazel Bourget/ BluBungalow,www.blubungalow.com

Anastasia Alvarado/ Grace Street Catering, www.gracestreet.wordpress.com

Cristina Lopez/Kimpton Hotels, cristina.lopez@kimptonhotels.com

Katie Orndorff/Marriott SF, katie.orndorff@marriott.com

Siba Tarassoly/Marriott SF, siba.tarassoly@marriott.com

Robbie Schlosser, Magnolia Jazz Band, MagnoliaJazz.com

Alex Ho, alexhophotography.com

Auey Santos/Photograffiti, www.photograffiti.net

Orbie Pullen, orbiepullen.com

Ariel and Samuel Soto-Suver/Bowerbird Photography, www.bowerbirdphotography.com

Richard Mayer, www.MayerPhoto.com

Mike Steelman, mikesteelman.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live from: City Scene Soiree by Ceremony Magazine!

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I’ve just come home from a really, really special event – by invitation only – hosted by Amy and James Harrick of Ceremony Magazine for Bay Area wedding pros (www.ceremonymagazine.com). First of all: thanks for having me, Amy and James! It was quite spectacular, and for me the evening was full of discoveries. Hard to believe, but even for me, the longtime San Franciscan by choice, the location was my first discovery: I had never been on Treasure Island in 13 years! Treasure Island is an artificial island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, where the Bay Bridge takes a little rest before hopping all the way across to Oakland on the other side. Easy to imagine, the views from Treasure Island are just breathtaking – the whole San Francisco skyline just across the water!

The venue itself is a pavilion – but what a pavilion (www.pavilionbythebay.com)! It comes with all the bells and whistles:

It’s a huge event space inside ( capacity up to 440 seated!) that lends itself to all sorts of decorations and lighting (provided today by allegra entertainment and events, allegraevents.com) – changing colors like a chameleon at the push of a button! Tonight’s fabulous party showcased some of the best wedding vendors in the Bay Area, and of course “tout le monde” was flocking toward the “soiree du jour!” Not only did I have the pleasure of meeting quite a few of the luminaries of the SF wedding scene – Joyce Scardina Becker of Events of Distinction (eventsofdistinction.com), for example, and Dina Balatti from Bella Celebrations (www.bellacelebrations.com); florist Pat Gibbons (www.patgibbonsfloral.com); photographers Kevin Chin (www.kevinchin.com) and Catherine Hall (catherinehall.net) and and and… – I also enjoyed tremendously all the displays and the incredible food. Speaking of which: passed hors d’oeuvres (tiny pieces of art!) and melt-in-your-mouth scallops on oh-so-creamy risotto were provided by Wine Valley Catering (www.winevalleycatering.com, associated with the venue, Pavilion by the Bay), and complemented by delicious cupcakes from Sift:

Mouthwatering, no? And they come in some 15 (fifteen!) different flavors… Will definitely file that information away for future (wedding dessert buffet planning) use! (siftcupcakes.com)

And since I’ve already progressed to dessert, I’ll round that out with the coffee revelation of the day. As is nearly a cliche, we San Franciscans always have our hands full, one of them constantly holding a cup of coffee. I am no exception, not at all! I am actually a coffee addict of sorts… and so Travelin’ Joe’s espresso bar was exactly what I needed right there and then (lattesandwaffles.com)! Just imagine how that’ll look and feel at a wedding reception: all the specialty coffees you crave, from lattes to espressos, AND fresh-baked waffles to go with them… doesn’t get much better than that!

So that you don’t get the impression I went there only for the food – I also discovered stunning floral design:

Over-the-top centerpiece by Flower Divas

II especially loved the table settings to go with that huge centerpiece with a rhinestone “belt” around the napkin and menu (flowerdivas.com):

Rhinestones and orchids

Lastly, my personal discovery of the night: I do love color!! You know, I always used to consider myself a “pastel” person with a preference for subdued color schemes. But I may have to reconsider! Look at this incredible table arrangement by Michael Daigian Design (www.michaeldaigian.com):

That stunning display could turn me into a true believer! One more proof that there is nothing like too much of a good thing…

 

REAL Weddings: VIPs (Very Important Pups) and Their People!

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When oncology nurse Dominique Augimeri and emergency room physician Rory Smith decided to tie the knot it was crystal-clear from the get-go that it was to be a family affair – family being their two English Bulldogs, Quebert and Mirra.

Dominique’s and Rory’s picturesque venue for their cliff side ceremony, The Highland’s Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, was the perfect meeting of the mountains and the sea – quite a change from their desert home!  Heavens smiled on their afternoon wedding ceremony with unexpectedly beautiful weather, considering it was April AND it had hailed immediately after the rehearsal concluded the day before.  Wedding planner Patty Speirs offered VIP (Very Important Pups) care to Q and Mirra, chauffeuring them to the wedding, getting them dressed in their wedding attire – he in a bow tie and she in a ruffled tu-tu in “Shocking Pink” – and bringing  them in for their grand entrance.

The two four legged stars were greeted with Ohh’s and Ahh’s and were just short of stealing the show for their “Mom” and “Dad.” Having the fur-babies as part of the celebration and mingle with family and friends was, hands-down, the icing on the (wedding) cake!

 

Speaking of which: While Dominique’s and Rory’s wedding color was Caribbean Blue with orange accents, they made ONE design exception: as a wag to their dogs, Patisserie Bechler of Pacific Grove applied brown paw prints running up the three-tiered wedding cake!

 

Although the pups choose to make an early exit, they were OF COURSE included in the official wedding photos. Planner Patty had vowed to get that perfect family portrait (the “mantel shot” as she referred to it), and photographers George and Cindy McCullough – fellow dog lovers! – captured the magic and made it happen. See for yourself:

The day was just perfect for Dominique and Rory – surrounded by all the important people in their lives, including their canine “kids.”  They wouldn’t have had it any other way…

 

Venue: Hyatt Carmel Highlands, michele.costa@hyatt.com; Caterer: In House; Photographer: McCullough Photography, phototeam@mcculloughphotography.com; Florist: CC Creations, cc.creations@earthlink.com; Hair & Make Up: Salon at Lincoln Lane, salonatlincolnlane@gmail.com; Event and Wedding Coordination: Every Last Detail, patty@eldweddings.com; Ceremony ,Cocktail Hour and Reception Music: Steve Ezzo Entertainment, ezzoentertainment@comcast.net; Wedding Cake: Patisserie Bechler, Gerard@patisseriebechler.com.

 

 

 


It was Meant to Be – on Top of the Golden Gate Bridge

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What’s the most unusual wedding you can imagine? For example, do you know someone who got married on top of the Golden Gate Bridge? Crazy, right?


Well, I do! Greg and Oh. And their wedding way up there was just the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” of their incredible love story. Want to hear it? Here we go:

On the day he turned fifty, Greg sat down all by himself and took stock of the first half of his life.  Life had been good to him. He had enjoyed a succession of happy relationships. He had always followed his passions and been successful in what he did. Starting with a Masters degree in Education, he had become a public school teacher. Then he had studied Classical Composition and finally found his passion: he studied Screenwriting at NY University and achieved an MA degree here as well. He was now teaching Screenwriting at UC Berkeley. His first feature film had been accepted at the renowned Sydney film festival. Having become a SF firefighter – and just having been promoted to Lieutenant – had allowed Greg flexible work hours and a steady income to support his artistic pursuits. So far – perfect.

And yet – the most important dream of his life still remained unfulfilled: to find his partner for life and have a family. On that very day, Greg decided to make this dream his absolute priority for the next years of his life. And – unsurprisingly – he tackled this new task with his usual systematic approach and perseverance.  He realized that at his age his chances of finding a partner young enough to still have children were slim at best, especially in a youth-centric Western culture like the US or Europe. On the other hand, he had always admired and also studied Asian cultures, especially the Thai Buddhist culture with its emphasis on peace and harmony. That’s where he would start looking for the perfect mate: College-educated, sharing his passion for art, music, and literature, non-smoker. To maximize his chances, he chose an online dating service.

Little did he know that at the very same moment, at the other end of the world – in Thailand, actually – Oh, a College-educated young accountant in search of the perfect husband and practicing Buddhist, was making a wish list of her own: College-educated, Western culture, non-smoker. She had always admired the Jewish culture with its emphasis on learning and education – so, preferably Jewish (which Greg happens to be…). Age difference no problem. To maximize her chances, she chose an online dating service… the same one as Greg!

Done deal? Not at all. At their first date, the two were not overly impressed with one another. They both kept looking. But still – their mutual interest was piqued. They stayed in touch via phone and Skype. It took months until their first shy kiss, and it took several more visits of Greg to Thailand to have their encounter blossom into a romance. On November 1st, 2010, Greg proposed on exotic Phiphi Island, and Oh let herself be persuaded to follow Greg to America.

As unusual as their whole story is – just as unusual was their wedding, truly one-of-a-kind. They wanted it to happen on top of the world – well, at least on top of the Golden Gate Bridge! As a San Francisco firefighter, Greg was able to obtain the exceptional permission for a site visit at the top of the South Tower on June 1st, 2011, accompanied by his bride and his officiant (his colleague and friend Mark, who had become an ordained minister just to be able to marry the two). Up they rode in the tiny, drafty elevator to a platform some 750 feet above the water of the Bay; and from there they had to climb up a metal ladder. Oh, totally fearless, kicked off her high heels, climbed up, and got married – barefoot! But married they got, look here:

Their long, tortuous journey had finally reached its destination. That same evening, they raised their glasses at an intimate wedding dinner with family only:

A few months later, the two invited friends and colleagues to a belated wedding dinner at the romantic Forest Hill Clubhouse in San Francisco. Oh, a terrific cook (another passion she shares with Greg!) had insisted on cooking everything herself, and the whole party feasted outside under old trees and the stars.  And this year, the two got married just once more – in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in Oh’s native Thailand, in Bangkok:

 

They stayed on for a little while – Greg found a new job as a rickshaw driver…

well, just kidding… and then they enjoyed their real Honeymoon in Myanmar, concluding the yearlong wedding festivities! Oh has meanwhile settled into San Franciscan married life, assisted by her new four-legged “stepdaughter” Sadie, Greg’s Yellow Labrador Retriever. Now life is really good for the three of them!

 

Dogs Shop Till They Drop – at Diggidy Dog!

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Ask our dog Buzz (the “woof” in Wedding Woof) where he wants to go, and he’ll tell you: not to the beach, not to the dog park, but to his all-time favorite dog store: Diggidy Dog in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Diggidy Dog is as fun and upbeat as its name, and truly dog heaven in the middle of the probably most dog-friendly city in all of California. Buzz will find his way to the store from anywhere (literally), even if we haven’t been to Carmel for a whole year (as just happened). Today he marched toward the store and right inside with us in tow and immediately succumbed to a serious attack of shopping frenzy. Have a look and feel with him:

He immediately began shopping (with my wallet) meaning he started choosing his favorite treats from the bins conveniently displayed within his reach.

He zeroed in on a new delicacy – lamb oesophagus. I guess you have to be a dog to truly appreciate how good that is. The first one was gone in no time. Our task was just to trail behind and keep track of what our darling was devouring on the go!

Diggidy Dog is run by Napisa and Jeff Pollock, a cute husband-and-wife team of dog lovers/owners, and has been a fixture in downtown Carmel as long as I can think back. As you can see, it’s not only appealing to dog tastes but simply beautiful and stylish for the dogs’ human companions as well!

Here we are all three – Buzz, owner Napisa (who gave him a big decorated cookie as a welcome gift “after all that time away,” ) and me; Buzz already showing the first signs of impending food coma!!

“We wanted to create a store that catered to the pets themselves,” Napisa and Jack explained, “in a space that had the room and layout to allow for an overall fun shopping experience. The products we offer at our store are all decided upon by how unique, functional, and healthy they are. Made in the USA, and having a certain level of style are also a huge factor that determines whether or not it gets floor space at Diggidy Dog. Of course we also prefer to support the small independent vendors, as that’s what helps us to stand out from the big corporate stores. Our own personal experience with our past pets, combined with what our current dog, Ellie the 5 lb mini pincher, likes, also help us decide what’s for sale at Diggidy Dog. If Ellie won’t touch it, it likely won’t make the sales floor!”

Plus – the vast selection of treats, toys, apparel, and especially collars and leashes, is really what makes Diggidy Dog stand out. They’ve even begun making our own t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies for dogs!

So next time you are in the area, check it out. Diggidy Dog is an adventure (for your pooch) just by itself! Maybe you are even in Carmel for a wedding? It’s a fabulous location to tie the knot… Look up the feature of Stonepine Estate here on Weddingwoof – just an example of what a dog-friendly AND extravagantly elegant wedding venue looks like in the Carmel area. Get inspired… and get yourselves to Diggidy Dog!

www.diggidydogcarmel.com

Another Winner for your Wedding Dessert Buffet!

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Here comes the next installment in our DIY series: another super-tasty AND super-easy cake for your wedding dessert buffet. By the way: this cake can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for a week or two. Less stress!

The recipe yields 12 servings.

 

New York Cheesecake (with a Secret Trick)

Crust:

Mix 9 finely ground whole graham crackers, 1 tbsp sugar, tiny pinch of salt, and 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Spray 9 in springform pan with nonstick spray, press crumb mixture firmly in bottom of pan, bake at 325 degrees until fragrant and beginning to brown, 10-15 min. Put springform pan in fridge until room temperature.

Filling:

Increase oven temperature to 5oo degrees (yes!). Beat 2.5 lb cream cheese, 1.5 cups sugar, 1/8 tsp salt and 1/3 cup sour cream until silky smooth and no lumps remain. Add 2 tsp (or more to taste) fresh lemon juice, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 large egg yolks and 6 large eggs. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour filling over crust, smooth surface, set pan on rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 min. Then lower oven temperature to 200 degrees without opening oven door (this high-low temperature sequence is the secret trick!) and bake until instant-read thermometer shows 150 degrees in middle of cake, ca. 1.5 hours. Rotate pan halfway through bake time.

Transfer pan to wire rack, run paring knife around edge every hour, letting cool for 3 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, refrigerate at least 3 hours, better overnight.

Serve with warmed-up Dulce de Leche (Spanish Milk Caramel Sauce, from a jar) and slightly sweetened whipped cream.

Paw-sitive Pointers for Dogs and their People

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Here comes the expert on doggie behavior, our very own Dog Whisperess: Maryam Kamali, professional dog trainer, answers Weddingwoof’s questions about doggie etiquette, especially when it comes to “all things wedding!”

Maryam with Leo, a rescued Saluki mix for whom she found a loving family.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I have been an animal lover my whole life, and grew up with dogs, cats and other house pets. I always dreamed of working with animals, and finally in 2008 I made a decision that I was going to leave the corporate world and follow my passion. I became a certified professional dog trainer through Animal Behavior College, and certified evaluator through Canine Behavior Academy. I believe in continuing education and learning about the latest training methods, therefore I attend workshops and conferences held by renowned dog trainers and behaviorists around the country. Currently I own a professional private dog training, evaluation and behavior modification business called Pawsitive Manners www.PawsitiveManners.com . I use and advocate positive reinforcement, reward-based training methods that have been scientifically proven to be the most effective way to train any dog at any age. Reward based training is not only fun for both the owner and the dog, but it also creates a very strong bond between the dog and his/her human pack members where the dog offers desirable behaviors by choice and not by force! I volunteer for and help local rescue groups and shelters where I get to work with so many amazing dogs that are looking for their loving forever homes.

Where is your business based?

San Francisco Peninsula, and I have clients from San Jose to San Francisco

Which services do you offer in your business?

  • Basic obedience training
  • Adoption and purchase counseling
  • Puppy training
  • Behavior Modification (behavioral issues)
  • Evaluation

From your many years of professional experience, what are the three biggest mistakes dog owners keep making?

  1. Not enough positive socialization – Many dog guardians stop making an effort to appropriately socialize their dog once he/she has reached 12 months of age. Proper socialization and training should never stop, otherwise the dog’s social skills will be lost over time, and behavioral issues start to show up.
  2. Some common dog park mistakes – Allowing dogs to crowd around the entrance to greet dogs that are coming in. Talking on cell phones or to each other and letting dogs “work it out”. Not recognizing situations where dogs need their owner’s help and attention.
  3. Misinterpreting dog’s body language and facial expressions.

What do you think is most important when planning a big event including the dog? Which provisions are absolutely necessary to make? How best to strike a balance between the dog’s needs and the flow of the event?

I love weddings where the beloved and well-behaved family dog is included and is part of the big event! To determine whether to include your dog in your wedding or not, I recommend counseling with a professional dog trainer who can evaluate your dog. Your trainer can also provide you with a training plan and training exercises that will prepare your dog so that he/she will know how to behave at the event and enjoy it too! To ensure that your dog is well taken care of while you tend to your guests, you can even hire your trainer or a skilled handler to monitor and stay with your dog(s) during the event.

Is your business still welcoming new doggies? Would you be willing to take care of a doggie through a big event he/she is attending (like a wedding, for instance) and also, would you  travel with a dog and his/her people to an out-of-town event?

I welcome new clients and their dogs, and definitely enjoy training and preparing dogs for events. I may also travel to an out-of-town event depending on my schedule and circumstances at that time.

You certainly have a lot of doggie stories to share! What is your most remarkable or your funniest dog story?

Recently I received a call from a client who was so excited about her dog’s impressive accomplishment. When I first met her dog; Jack, he could not be trusted off leash, as he was easily distracted and had a terrible recall. We went through several different recall exercises and she worked with Jack everyday. Now 4 months later, she can enjoy off-leash hikes with her dog. The reason why she was so excited on the phone was because that morning she and her dog had gone jogging on the trails where they came really close to a couple of deer that took off after noticing the dog, and of course the dog went after the deer, but he stopped immediately when his owner called him, and he ran back over to her and sat so politely in front of her waiting to be rewarded!

Thanks so much Maryam! We will keep your words to heart and, if we’re stuck with our canine education efforts, shoot you an email for HELP!!!

Official Start of Summer in the Snow!

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Greetings from your Weddingwoof blogger and her “woof,” Buzz – we are celebrating Memorial Day, the official start of the summer season, at Lake Tahoe, and look what it was like up on the mountain this afternoon:

Snow showers at 41 degrees!! Thank God with some sun in between…

So, friendly warning to all Tahoe-loving Spring and Summer Brides: It’s a bit unpredictable up here! But VERY romantic…

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!

Warmly, Jutta