Baby Showers {for Dads-To-Be!}

After this weekend's family/couple baby shower that my family threw for my husband and I, I got the urge to look into more options for what types of baby showers could be thrown for dads-to-be. Surprisingly, it seems like a fairly new tradition, but one that I wholeheartedly support! Guys don't really need a reason to get together to party, but if a friend can be supported before his baby is born with good fun, why not??


Beer & Diaper Parties or Dad-chelor Parties are becoming more popular and can even rival the best bachelor parties before a man is married. At these masculine showers, guys bring a pack or two of diapers {can be used as a "buy-in" for a poker game}, eat lots of {good} junk food, drink beer, watch a football game and even play some fun "shower" games!


Our shower was fairly gender-neutral {yes, possibly more on the feminine side}.  There were splashes of pink, cute plates and a gift table, but we BBQ'd tri-tip and sausages, played football, frisbie and volleyball, and all bet on the date, time, weight and length of the baby when she's born. I think the guys didn't feel out of place one bit and honestly, it was so much fun to have them there (even though I love girlie showers, too).

Vintage Bridal Shower: Outdoor Garden, Fine China & Good Eats!

In August, ALE had the pleasure of planning a bridal shower for Marinda a couple of weeks before her wedding. Our package included invitations, guest management, decor, flowers, catering and coordinating. Her closest family and friends gathered at her Grandmother's beautiful upstairs patio deck overlooking flower gardens and mature landscape. Marinda is very artistic and loves the eclectic/vintage theme, so we decided to take advantage of the lovely surroundings and just added some little touches of fresh flowers, fine china and a beautifully displayed hors d'oeuvres table.


The Menu: Seared beef baguettes, cranberry cream cheese spring mix, caprese skewers, shrimp cocktail and lots of fruit and nuts to snack on!


After a few fun games and gifts, we concluded with homemade cherry cheesecake and peanut butter chocolate heart cookies. Mmm-mm so good!!


Congrats Marinda and Jesse!! 
We are so happy for you and honored to be apart of your shower and wedding!

*Beautiful Bride*

Color Infused Birthday Fiesta

It was a beautiful day to celebrate Sallee's 30th Birthday. Her family and Amber Lay Events planned and successfully {!} pulled off a surprise party with 40 of her closest family and friends.

My goal as the designer was to infuse the room with as much color as possible, as well as create a fun and casual atmosphere. The centerpieces consisted of old beer and wine bottles wrapped in ribbon and topped with a tissue flower. A variety of colorful tablecloths covered each table and paper fans and tissue balls hung from the ceiling. The pinata was transformed from an ordinary store-bought one into a display of rainbow tissue balls. Guests were treated with a full Mexican-style buffet and an 8-piece Mariachi Band. 

Amber Lay Events designed and created the invitations and decorations for the event as well as displayed and arranged the buffet, drink, cake and welcome tables. Such a fun event for us to do!

{click on pictures to enlarge}
{photos courtesy of Amber Lay Events & Rachel Morrison}

Heather & Ryan's Bright & Bold Wedding

Amber Lay Events recently designed and coordinated a beautiful wedding for Heather & Ryan at Peach Tree Golf & Country Club.  It was so fun to get to know this couple and share in their contagious love. They chose very vibrant and bright colors which brought the reception room alive and complimented their personalities. We worked with some awesome vendors including Cakes By Request, DJ Mel James, Jori Kelley Photography, Yuba City Florist, and of course, Marc Rogers and his catering staff at Peach Tree. 

I especially loved coordinating this wedding because the bride, groom and their entire family were all so easy-going and fun. It created an environment that was stress-free, which rarely happens at any type of event. It makes our job so much easier!

Enjoy some of the pictures below!

Reception Seating Cards made by Amber Lay Events

Ceremony Seating Cards made by Amber Lay Events

Ceremony Chairs with Cards & Ribbon Decor

Beautiful bride's bouquet by Yuba City Florist / Jori Kelley Photography

Cakes by Request / Jori Kelley Photography

Flower Girl & Ring Bearer

Proud Dad!

Happy Couple!



~ Amber Milner ~

Angela's Baby Shower

On Saturday one of my past brides who got married in Tahoe last July had her baby shower for her 1st little one. We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Frausto. Although I was not able to be in Nor Cal for the actual shower, I was able to snag these photos because Angela and her family are good friends with my family so the shower was held at my parent's home in Yuba City.

The Momma-to-be along with her Mother, Sister & little Niece.

These cute pacifier utensil ties were inspired by a shower featured on Hostess with the Mostess.

As always here is a fantastic cake from one of my favorite Yuba City vendors, Cakes By Request!
Sandi & Peri never disappoint!

Art Alive 2011

This past week I had the opportunity to help Rene van Rems with the 2011 Art Alive exhibition at the San Diego Art Museum located in Balboa Park. Rene is not only an amazing floral designer but also an incredibly down to earth person. I think it is very rare to meet someone so successful yet such a kind and warm person.

Rene truly takes floral design to a new level by turning it into art. This year he built walls of flowers using all white blooms and greens. The effect was fabulous. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves....

Wine Caves

In sticking with the theme of Amber's last post about Vineyard Weddings, I wanted to write about something that has been on my mind all week. Normally when I think of vineyard weddings, I think just that - an outdoor vineyard / garden setting with a rustic table display and a beautiful sunset backdrop....but...how much more romantic would it be to say "I do" in an underground wine cave. That to me would be the ultimate setting to get married in. It has such an old-world Renaissance feel, yet so intimate and cozy. I can just picture my closest friends and family all gathered around drinking wine, eating a fabulous meal and enjoying one another's company.

Bella Winery Caves

Rutherford Hill Winery Caves

- Amber Milner -

Images from TheWildOrchid, Photography by Sarah, Travbuddy & Scott Campbell Photography