Fete Fabuleux - Quite Literally, A Fabulous Party

Fête Fabuleux is a full service event planning agency owned by event producer, Jocelyn V. Fary-Holzwarth. Based in San Jose, CA, Fête Fabuleux serves the entire Bay Area and will make all your event dreams come true. With oodles of imagination and plenty of unique personal touches, Jocelyn will work with you to produce a one-of-a-kind, memorable event.

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First paying gig!!

I am pleased to report that last week was a banner week to say the least which culminated in me getting my first paying gig in the Bay Area!

I had many great meetings last week. 

One of my favorite sites is now Regale winery.  As I drove up into the mountains, it felt like I was going to a very special place.  I drove up to these beautiful iron gates and pushed the buzzer to be let in.  Already it felt exclusive.  I parked and met with Leah Blackwell.  She explained to me that Regale is relatively new and the man who built it put a lot of detail into it - trying to make it feel like a Tuscan getaway.  It most certainly does!  The attention that has been paid to detail is more than obvious.  In addition to beautiful grounds and a spectacular view, there is a gorgeous fountain and an outdoor pizza oven (for which they sell pizza party packages).  Pizza and wine?  Yes please!

There is also an upstairs room and patio for events with marble and granite galore.  It is a property with much personality and would suit anything from weddings to corporate events to anniversaries and birthday parties.  As you sit and sip a glass of wine overlooking the vineyards, you will feel like you have been transported to Europe.

They have tastings on the weekends of their wine as well as live music and they encourage people to bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds or on the picnic tables.

P.S. I took one for the team and did a wine tasting as well (generous of me, I know) and I can assure you won't be disappointed.  It is definitely made in a European style and is very fruit forward.

My next meeting was with Mark Shepherd of Legacy Films in Los Gatos.  Mark has been a producer and videographer for more than 26 years.  His work is phenomenal and more than that, he is a really nice guy!  Not only does he produce videos for weddings, but also think about him for montages/videos for anniversaries, bridal showers, birthday parties!  Videos are not just for weddings but most people forget about capturing the moments for other special occasions.  Just think about how much a video would elevate a 50th birthday party or even an anniversary party!

Last site visit of the week, but certainly not least was The Golf Club at Boulder Ridge.  What a lovely venue.  They were setting up for a wedding when I got there with an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception.  The view from the ceremony space is great and  must say, there are no shortage of breathtaking views here in Northern California and that is a lot coming from a gal who just spent 2 years in New Zealand!!

A nice feature is a granite top bar outside by the ceremony so immediately after the ceremony (for a wedding or recommitment ceremony) guests can go right to the bar and have a lovely cocktail hour.  That said, sometimes when venues have great outdoor space, the indoor space or ballroom has much to be desired.  Not the case at Boulder Ridge!  The room has windows virtually on every side and can truly fit whatever it is the vision is. 

Fortunately I was there while they were setting up for a wedding and Lisa Nunes, the Director of Events was kind enough to introduce me to some of the vendors who were working on the event.  The flowers for the event were being done by Bloomsters and has an old English garden party feel to them.  I will definitely be looking them up as a vendor!

As if this was not enough goodness to set me off on a great weekend, I had my final meeting of the week with Cassie of Los Gatos DJ Company.  She owns the company with her husband and is just about the sweetest person you could ever hope to meet.  She approached me to help her plan a housewarming party in Los Gatos for about 100 people for a family who recently remodeled their home in this lovely neighborhood.  I could not be happier - not only to get my first paying gig in the area, but to have an opportunity to work with Cassie. 

Keep posted for this week's adventures!!!

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Country Clubs and Cakes!

One of the great things about starting my event planning business in the Bay Area is that I get to go on lots of meetings which is an excellent learning tool but also helps me to meet some exceptional people since I am new to the area.

This week, has been wonderful so far - not just for seeing great venue space and picking up new star quality vendors, but also for meeting some truly lovely and friendly people.

Saratoga Country Club is a beautiful place with stunning views and exceptional staff.  Linda, the Events Manager is an absolute doll and was very eager to help me in any way she could.  The ceremony space, in my opinion, is the shining star with an insane view.  They have made sure the lawn is kept in such high quality it almost seems unreal and is fenced off to insure maximum privacy.  Who wouldn't feel like a princess marrying their prince charming under that? 

My other meeting was with Debbie Cunningham, Owner and Baker at The Dessert Studio in Mountain View.  I was turned on to Debbie by the terrific ladies at the salon I have been going to in Willow Glen called Barbarella.  They know about my business and told me I MUST meet Debbie and taste her yummy treats.

They told me no lies.  I have just gotten home from the tasting and let me tell you, her desserts will change your life.  Not only does she do elaborate cakes but she also makes tartlets with homemade lemon curd, Scharffen Berger truffles, cookies and cupcakes!  Some things that were particularly noteable:

The lemon curd - tart and yet creamy at the same time

Biscotti - the cranberry/orange looks simple but one bite and the complexities cannot be matched - you will taste cinnamon as well as grand marnier!!

Gluten free and vegan options - she will NOT charge you more because she does not feel that people should be punished for dietary restrictions!  YAY!

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting - be still my heart.  The frosting is creamy and delicious without being overpowering so you can taste the moist, carrot-y goodness. Mmmmm

In addition to being an excellent baker, she is a delightful human being and the tasting just felt like two girlfriends sitting down for tea.  She makes you feel comfortable that way.  After seeing some photos of her work, it seems that if you have an idea or a theme, Debbie will make it happen which makes my event planner juices overflow!  Yet another person I hope to work with very soon.

Debbie gave me some treats to take home so I suspect I will be very popular with my husband come dessert time!  No doubt he will quickly become a Dessert Studio believer as I have now too.

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A venue for everyone!

The week got off to an excellent start.  On Sunday while my husband and I were at a festival in Menlo Park, we went to a wine tasting booth set up by Woodside Vineyards.  Never one to shy away from a wine tasting or good conversation, I started chatting with the people at the booth.  They were from a place called Autovino.  They are a high end car storage facility and they also make wine!  After their chardonnay made me a believer, I knew I had to do a site visit.

The building is not much from the outside, but once you step in it is a great space for a corporate event or even a birthday party for your boyfriend or husband - equipped with a private cigar room.

Another site visit I went on this week was to the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos.  This venue has plenty of parking and a to-die-for patio.  The space is incredibly unique and is walking distance to a lot of great restaurants and shops in downtown Los Gatos.  The town itself is a real jewel. 

Finally, the most incredible visit of the week, hands down, was Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside.  On the drive, I'm not going to lie, I was nervous.  It felt like I was driving FOREVER up a steep, windy mountain more than 10 miles.  It was very beautiful though and reminiscent of New Zealand where we recently re-located from.  Up the road are plenty of hiking and bike trails and it could not have been a more beautiful day to explore this majestic area.  Once I arrived, the property did not disappoint.  I was led to the ceremony area that was nothing less than spectacular.  The view is of the bay and you can even see, on a clear day, into San Francisco!  They have a covered area where they can do a wedding ceremony in inclement weather or can be used as a reception/dining area overlooking the vineyards.  Breathtaking.  They also boast a gorgeous porch which can be used for a cocktail hour and indoor space for dancing which still has plenty of windows as to not sacrifice the views.  Sadly, I did not get a chance to do a tasting, but was given a complimentary opportunity to do so in the future.  Maybe this weekend?  I cannot wait to plan an event here!  It would be excellent for a wedding, re-commitment ceremony or even an anniversary party!

The Bay Area has no shortage of venues with LOTS of character.  From wineries, to hotels, to car-storage facilities (as I learned this week!)  There is truly something for everyone and I can't wait to meet some really special clients and plan some really special events in these wonderful and unique venues.

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Cake and wine tasting - Is this really my job?

This week has consisted of many more meetings!  It is great to get out there and meet new people.  There are some amazing vendors and venues here in the Bay Area.

My Monday site visit got the week off to a great start.  I visited the Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill.  It is currently being completely renovated and they have their first event post-remodel booked for September 16.  As you drive up this steep and windy road you have no idea the beauty that awaits you.  It is clear that much attention to detail has been paid to the remodel that included a brand new kitchen, amazing detail work on the ceilings as well as a number of suites which will be used for bridal parties during weddings, but then during the week, will be used as a bed and breakfast.  It is set on land that is overlooking the most gorgeous hilltops and a vineyard and the outdoor space in the back of the mansion takes full advantage of these views.  They also plan to add olive groves and light the trees so that in the evening it will add an even more elegant vibe to the already stunning property.

Later on in the week I continued with my visits and must admit that one entire day consisted of tasting cupcakes and wine.  Days like those makes many people jealous that I am an event planner!  The cupcakes were from Icing on the Cake in Los Gatos and the wine from Testarossa Winery (also in Los Gatos).  At Icing on the Cake I tried the banana cupcake with cream cheese frosting and the cookies and cream cupcake.  Indulgent and delightful may be the best descriptors.  They also make vegan cupcakes so all you vegan party-goers do not have to miss out!  The wine at Testarossa was divine (and I am not just saying that because the winery was originally built in 1888 by Northern Italian Jesuit Fathers and Brothers from the college at Mission Santa Clara (now Santa Clara University) as a means to fund their new seminary college built on the grounds the same year.)  They specialize in chardonnay and pinot noir and it is not to be missed even if you are not planning or attending an event there.  They have a lovely tasting room!

Finally, the end of the week is coming up roses (or coming up florists as it were).  I have met two amazing florists.  Young K. from DeYoung Flowers in Campbell and Nasrin Assadi from La Lavande, Unique French Floral Design.  Both vendors are quite different but turn out some incredible floral designs that wow the senses.  Once I get clients I think I will have plenty of special and different vendors to be able to match them up with someone who will really "get" their vision.

Two more meetings left this week with a DJ company and I will close out the week with cake tasting at A Piece of Cake Bakery.  I guess I will just have to grin and bear it ;-)

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Getting started - Do you know the way to San Jose?

Having done events in Boston for 10 years, I certainly have lots of experience under my belt but just a few months ago, my husband and I uprooted and moved to the Bay Area to start over.  Thus, my own event planning business was born.  After working professionally as an event planner for other people, corporations and non-profits, the time was right to strike out on my own! 

The past few weeks have been packed: meeting with vendors, seeing event spaces, tasting the creations of bakers and caterers.  It has been scary at times, but mostly rewarding. 

This blog will chronicle me building my event planning business based in San Jose, CA.  Keep an eye on this space.  It is getting pretty exciting!!!