Tres Fabu Events Featured in The El Dorado Hills Telegraph Newspaper: Hiebert Plans to Make Your Event Special

By Menka Belgal, El Dorado Hills Telegraph Newspaper Correspondent 

Menka Belgal • The Telegraph
Debra Hiebert, owner of Tres Fabu,
meets with clients months before
the big day to plan the event from
the lighting to the venue and
everything in between.

Debra Hiebert has been the founder, creative director and lead event designer of Tres Fabu Event Planning and Design for the past 13 years. She said she takes pride in planning unique events. One of her weddings included a Cinderella carriage complete with footmen and horses and another was televised on the show, “Platinum Weddings.” Her events have been featured in numerous publications and on KCRA Channel 3 and Fox 40.

How did you get involved in the business?

I was throwing a family member a birthday party in May of 1998 and booked 12 events from June through December of 1998 from that sole birthday event. It was an amazing ride that continues today.

What are some of the most interesting things that have happened to you?

The highlight for me this year was actually having Hollywood celebrities, Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren, in attendance at one of my clients’ weddings at The Biltmore Santa Barbara.

I also met Cal Ripken on a flight to Colorado. He kept telling me he was a pro-baseball player. Who names their son Cal for heaven’s sake? I never even heard of the Orioles. It sounded like a box of morning boxed cereal to me. When our plane landed a couple of small boys came running up to him asking for his autograph. It was hilarious.

I meet Kenny Loggins with veggie pizza in my mouth. That was nice. My favorite though was having a conversation with Clint Eastwood about his old movie “Paint Your Wagon,” again another hilarious moment in my life. It was me and Andrew McCarthy outside a cafe in Southern California.

Wherever I go, I am surrounded by humorous doings and I find humor in all situations in my life, positive or negative. That’s just how I roll. I simply roll in humor.

What are your favorite books?

One of my favorite reads a few decades back was Pillars of the Earth. It’s similar to the details you find in a vintage Dickens novel — chapters of details and layers in the novels just in building the scene, place, storyline and characters.

I adore anything Austen for it resonates with the walking romantic that I am. Robert Ludlum wrote the fabulous thrilling page-turner. My heart paces each time I pick up one of his suspense novels.

Do you give back to the community?

I had volunteered for several years in Pebble Beach/Monterey for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I now pretty much have my sights set on anything that involves the neglect and abuse of animals. In particular, dogs & horses.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

Anything that keeps me outdoors and away from technology: A game of tennis, walking, hiking the wonderland of Yosemite and Tahoe and any beach front from the Pebble Beach Peninsula down to Southern California and beyond the border.

Tell us about your family.

I’m married the most amazing man in the Western Hemisphere — in the globe for that matter. I swear (but won’t) he should wear a cape half the time. He is just that good of a man. My own super hero. He saved me as well as our three precious pups: black lab, beagle and chihuahua. They have all saved me in their own way. They have shown me unconditional love. All humans can take a few cues from doggies any day of the week.

What are you most proud of?

The legacy of being involved in these young couples love story and assisting them in building the foundation their marriage is built upon through my work in weddings.

I always like to remind them, that in the end when this wedding day is done and over, it is truly about the ceremony everyone is uniting together around them and not the most perfect color of petal pink.

It’s about what they say, do, sing, and recite as we are gathered amongst them this day as their witnesses as they pledge themselves to each other, for forever through all the peaks and valleys this life offers each of us. Again, I am such a hopeless romantic. In 13 years, I only know of three of my couples divorcing. I was heart-broken for each couple when news reached me.

What causes are you passionate about?

Anything that involves animals and small children. Both are defenseless without our help and love. It’s that simple.

What are some things about you people might be surprised to learn?

I completely miss skateboarding, horseback riding and playing massive amounts of softball. Only to be 12 again. I also love Bach to Muse, bluegrass to rock, and R&B to jazz to mad metal. Classical and vintage jazz are my favorites.

I am currently going through a Schubert and DeBussy faze. I adore all music for I associate life with it. Music assisted me in the loss of my little brother almost 21 years ago and recently my beloved Daddy and my best friend’s mother, whom was like my own mom since I was 14.

Music is wondrous. It helps make you a survivor in this world. Music does assist in healing ones soul. Music brings joy. Again, I adore music. Seriously, you should see my iTunes listing. It’s slightly insane.

Happy New Year from Très Fabu Events!

Wriiten by Allison Hopkins for Très Fabu Event Planning and Design 

“Here’s a toast to the future, A toast to the past, And a toast to our friends, far and near.  May the future be pleasant; The past a bright dream; May our friends remain faithful and dear.”  ~ Anonymous

At Très Fabu Event Planning and Design, every new year marks the beginning of new celebrations! Many couples are looking ahead towards their 2012 wedding with excitement and joy. With this comes a time for planning…a time for creating a most magical day.

Debra Hiebèrt, owner of Très Fabu, has been designing unique and fabulous events for the past 13 years. From the elegant and intimate gatherings to the outside-the-box creations, Debra’s artistic team executes experiences that are unlike any other.

A few past brides have shared their thoughts…
“I felt so calm and reassured knowing there was someone who cared about my wedding as much as I did.”  ~ Molly
“They [Très Fabu] can take your lives and pick out so many moments that they know will mean the world to you later.”  ~ Jillian
“Not only is Debra’s creativity unmatched, but her contacts—florists, photographers, DJs, linen companies, etc.—made planning and executing the wedding substantially easier, allowing us more time to enjoy the process.”  ~ Alissa
“Thank you for making our wedding the most magical and unforgettable day of my life. The wedding was everything I wanted: simple, classic, and elegant.” ~ Carly
As Très Fabu Events prepares for another year of beautiful receptions and ceremonies, Debra would like to share a few highlights from 2011:
  • Très Fabu Events was formally invited to be a partner on The Ritz-Carlton’s list of preferred professional event vendors for its Half Moon Bay Resort location!
  • TheKnot.com awards Très Fabu Events “Best of Weddings 2011”!
  • Debra and the Très Fabu Events Team executed a mega wedding at Serrano Country Club last April — wedding video viewed by more than 11,200 people worldwide since it posted 3 months ago!
Here’s to 2012 ~ CHEERS!

Hyatt Regency Sacramento and The Asian Pearl Restaurant | Mary & Paul ~ A Philadelphia Love Story in Sacramento

Wriiten by Allison Hopkins for Très Fabu Event Planning and Design

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence.  When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Paul & Mary Luu reside in Sacramento, California. For their chosen professions, Paul is an Anesthesiologist and Mary is a Clinical Pharmacist. They both love to travel, experience different cultures, and try new foods.

How They Met

Mary and Paul met through a mutual friend when they were both living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for school. They did not date at the time, but kept in touch throughout the years.  They didn’t start dating until four years later, when he was in his final year of anesthesia residency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she had already moved back to California. They had a long distance relationship until he graduated from residency and moved back to California.

The Engagement

For their one-year anniversary of dating, Paul took Mary to Hawaii. She didn’t really suspect anything until the day he was going to propose. She had gotten herself a fun costume jewelry ring from the Chanel boutique as a souvenir of their trip, while shopping earlier that day. When she showed it to him he said, “That’s not a ring!” He said it a few more times, and that’s when she got a tiny bit suspicious. He didn’t propose at dinner though, so then she forgot about it.

After dinner that night they went for a walk on the beach. He picked a spot in the sand to sit down and watch the ocean in the moonlight. He then asked if he could see the ring that she had bought that day, because he wanted to get a better look at it. After looking at it again he said, “That’s not a ring….(long pause)…THIS is a ring!” He then pulled out a box with the engagement ring, and asked Mary if she would marry him! It truly WAS a ring, and she quickly took off the Chanel ring so that he could put the new engagement ring onto her finger. He proposed to Mary with a beautiful 2.5-carat center stone on a platinum band. He then explained all of the research that he had put into choosing the perfect ring, regarding clarity, cut, color, table depth ratio, culet, and all of these things about a diamond that she had never even heard of before. She was extremely impressed.

The Wedding

Their wedding was on December 18, 2010 in Sacramento, California. They had a traditional Vietnamese ceremony in the morning, where the groom’s side of the family comes to the bride’s house. His side of the family lined up in a procession in front of her house before coming in, and then presented red trays of gifts that contained jewelry for the bride and wine, tea, fruits, and cookies for her family. Over 100 of their “closest” family members, on both her side and Paul’s side, came to her house for the ceremony. It is customary for the groom’s side to then bring the bride back to the groom’s house, but since his house was far away, they brought the ceremony to the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, and that represented the groom’s house. The ceremony was held in the Capitol Room, which overlooked the California State Capitol. They had a tea ceremony and then had a wedding lunch. The wedding reception in the evening was held at the Asian Pearl restaurant. Their guests were treated to a 10-course dinner, open bar, and entertainment by Mary’s favorite famous Vietnamese singer, Y Lan. Mary’s mom flew Y Lan and her entourage up from southern California to perform at the reception.

Interesting Tidbits:

For their Honeymoon, Mary and Paul went to: Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Malta.

Wedding Day Shoes: Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent. Mary bought her blue Louboutin wedding shoes months before even picking out her wedding dress! When she saw this pair in blue, she absolutely knew that those would be her “something blue.”

Wedding Gown: Demetrios

Vietnamese Wedding Dress (ao dai): custom-made by Thai Nguyen Couture

Engagement Ring and Wedding Band: Michael M.

Professional Event Vendor Team:

Event Design; Planning & Production: Debra Michelle Hiebèrt & Très Fabu Event Planning and Design
Wedding Reception Venue: The Asian Pearl
Wedding Tea Ceremony I: The Nguyen Family Residence – Riverlake
Wedding Tea Ceremony II: The Hyatt Hotel – Sacramento
Linens: Mimi & Company
Floral Design: Floral Artistry
Pipe/Drape: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: BP Productions and Classic Party Rentals
Entertainment/Band: Y Lan from Southern California
Photography: David Kim Photography
Event Paperie: Yen Nguyen Designs
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Wedding Gown: Demetrios
Shoes: Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent
Wedding Cake: Divine Desserts

Catta Verdera Country Club | Nod of Gratitude from Parents-of-the-Bride for Tres Fabu Event’s 9.24.11 Wedding Celebration

Dear Debra ~

I wanted to send you a note of appreciation for all you did to help make Lindsay & Jeff’s wedding a dream come true.

The whole day was so amazing!

I felt that their ceremony was particularly meaningful and intimate, the cocktail hour lovely and relaxed, dinner delicious, and the party. . . . fun, fun, fun!

Ken and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  Shelley McArdle of Floral Artistry’s florals were incredibly beautiful and the rose petal ceremony aisle exquisite.  Dominic Fournier of Extreme Productions did a fantastic job as their DJ and Master of Ceremonies, Christina Addegio of Catta Verdera Country Club was a wonderful wedding coordinator, Cindi & Lorenzo Bartone of CinZo Celebration Photography captured the day beautifully and made us all so relaxed and Esther Aguirre of Divine Desserts by Aguirre’s cake was beautiful and delicious.  BUT none of this would have run smoothly, would of been so perfect, be beyond stunning without you overseeing the entire flow and design for their wedding day.

Everything flowed beautifully and seamlessly.  I am forever grateful for that . . . I did not worry about one thing all day.  I just enjoyed ever second with my daughter and my family.

I also must tell you how stunning the reception room looked!  I am so thankful Ken and I had our own ‘reveal’ of the wedding reception room.  Your attention to the details was amazing.  The tables were set perfectly.  The Head Table and the Fireplace were designed amazingly beautiful & we loved the cake table ~ we LOVED everything.  The room was just transformed into an exceptionally lovely and romantic setting.

We received many, many compliments!  I know It was a lot of hard work, but I hope you enjoyed the day also.    😉

I know how busy you are, but perhaps you can find time to meet for coffee or lunch sometime.  Let me know.

Love, Liz & Ken Snyder

Thank you Liz & Ken Snyder for this fabulous note to myself and my hard working team!  The Tres Fabu Event Planning and Design team, along with our preferred and stellar professional vendor team strive for reviews such as the above.  Thank you both for writing to ALL the vendors individually as well.  Incredibly thoughtful.  So many times our lives become so busy we cannot sit down to write a few notes of gratitude to whom we feel indebted somehow.  We appreciate the time you wrote your thanks to ALL of us.  Thank you for hiring and trusting all of us with your daughter, Lindsay & Jeff, your new son-in-laws, wedding day.  It was wonderful to be a part of the journey this past year creating, then full-filling their day as you all wished!  

Thank you to Shelley McArdle/Floral Artistry; Dominic Fournier/Extreme Productions Entertainment, LLC., Esther Aguirre/Divine Desserts by Aguirre; Cindi & Lorenzo Bartone/CinZo Celebration Photography; Emily King/Classic Party Rentals; Christina Adeggio/Catta Verdera Country Club; Baja Limo; Martin Films; Captiol City Confections; By Invitation Only; and everyone else for making this wedding a fun and fabulous day!

Looking forward to our lunch to connect & reminisce about Lindsay & Jeff’s wedding weekend in the very near future!

xoxoxoxo,

 

You are Invited to Serrano Country Club’s Bridal Open House!!!

 Oh What a Beautiful Day!

Come join Serrano Country Club’s Bridal Open House to view their property for your potential wedding or special event!
This Saturday, November 5th, 2011.
11:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.

Sip refreshing mimosas as you mingle with professional event vendors and peruse the fabulous & lush grounds of Serrano Country Club views, vistas & venue vantage points!

Montage Resort Laguna Beach | The Girl Who Got Married in the Glass Castle

Celebrates Five Years of Marriage

Written by Allison Hopkins for Très Fabu Event Planning and Design
Photography by Marc Weisberg ~ Orange County

“You are the princess to me in my crystal castle of love ~ truly an angel on earth sent to me from above.   Now in our castle of love you will always be by my side, we shall stand together through this life, always near the calming oceans sand, where we will walk in the warm sunset forever, hand-in-hand”   ~ dmh

When Eva stumbled across Fred on the sofa in her college apartment, she didn’t anticipate this stranger would one day be calling her Ladybug. Actually, she was a little annoyed her roommate had agreed to let this colleague (who resembled “Shaggy” from Scooby Doo) camp out a few nights. Little did she know, Fred would become a friend, a boyfriend, and five years later, a wonderful husband.

When it was time to plan their special day, Eva and Fred knew that living in San Francisco and planning a wedding in southern California would be challenging. The couple met with Debra Hiebèrt from Très Fabu Event Planning and Design to discuss their ideas.

“After our initial meeting with Debra, we both agreed she would be a good match for us for several reasons,” says Eva. “Fred really appreciated her respect for our faith. I also felt that she envisioned what I had in mind, and I also remember how easy it was to communicate with her despite just meeting her. Nothing felt forced and I could tell that she was ready and willing to make our dream wedding come true.”

“I remember when Eva slid the box across the table to me during our initial meeting,” says Debra. “She asked me to design her wedding with the beach in mind, but wrapped around the concept of the Tiffany & Co. box that her actual engagement ring came in. I loved it and was truly inspired by the entire idea.”

September 23rd, 2006 was indeed a dream come true for the couple. They were married in the magnificent Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove and were chauffeured to their reception at The Montage Resort in Laguna Beach in a white vintage 1937 Packer complete with a champagne toast!

About 120 guests attended the ceremony and reception with the beautiful bride and groom. Eva was stunning in an Italian silk gown with hundreds of hand-stitched Swarovski crystals and a handmade veil that had been special ordered by her father.

“I felt very special and blessed the minute I got into my dress,” says Eva. “I remember the private moment that my mom and I shared as she helped me get dressed. I was looking into the mirror as she lifted the heavy material behind me to extend my dress and veil. I can actually remember the sound of the material and how quiet the room was. No words were exchanged, except for a prayer before she started to cry.”

The colors of the day were Tiffany blue, platinum, and white. Dinner tables were draped in aqua linens, the chairs all had white slipcovers, and each chair had a bow on the back, reminiscent of a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box. The design team at Wildflower Linen died the satin fabric of the overlay linens to match the Tiffany & Co. box perfectly and they were complete with matching Swarovski crystals to tie in with Eva’s gown.

“The lighting was perfect,” says Eva. “I remember blues and whites. It was all very elegant and classic.”

For the two-hour cocktail event held at The Montage Resort’s appropriately named ‘Oceanfront Lawn’ overlooking the lovely Pacific ocean, Debra designed in whites and rhinestones, giving guests a glimpse of what was to come in the ballroom for the glorious reception (also inspired by Eva’s gown).

There were several different types of fresh seafood served — oysters on the half shell, jumbo prawns, and four sushi chefs preparing authentic and fresh sushi right in front of the guests! Adult libations during the cocktail event and throughout the remainder of the wedding celebration included: 1996 Dom Perignon, 2003 Duckhorn Vineyards, Far Niente, Heitz Cellars, and Domain Drouhin.

For dinner, guests had their choice of several dishes, including a rack of lamb, filet mignon, chicken, and lobster bisque. Everyone enjoyed an ice cream bar! But there’s always room for cake…

The couple chose to have two wedding cakes. One was very traditional and the other was designed by Eva. It had a ladybug and a frog on it (their nicknames for each other our Ladybug & Frogger) and was created by The Montage Resort lead pastry chef from a picture that Eva had drawn for Fred while they were dating.

J & M Entertainment played all the classics throughout the evening (Sinatra, Bobby Darin, etc.) and also included a few 1940s Cuban songs by Carmen Delia that Eva grew up listening to. This is when Eva’s mother began to cry, again, and thanked her. They are her mother’s favorite tunes.

“One thing I remember Debra telling me was how important it was to take mental pictures because it was all going to happen incredibly fast, and she was right,” says Eva. “I only remember a whirlwind of blurry images of that morning as I was getting ready, but I can clearly remember all the different smells and sounds. I can still hear Sade playing through the speakers. However, one thing that stands out is walking to the lobby of The Montage and hearing the limos coming in, and Fred’s dad saying ‘That’s for you, Eve. Saddle up!’”

A four-year-old girl who attended the wedding still refers to Eva as “the girl who got married in the glass castle.”

As the couple celebrates 5th Wedding Anniversary, they also recently made another dream come true and bought a house by the beach that they share with their two Westies, Winston and Tails. Fred is preparing himself to start his own business. Eva just got her Master’s in stem cell research. They live just miles from The Montage Resort & Spa and the beach, and each time they drive on Pacific Coast Highway to go to school or work, it reminds them that their special day was not just a dream ~ but a blissful reality created by Debra Hiebert of Tres Fabu Event Planning and Design and her team of stellar professional vendors.

Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Harris!  Cannot believe it’s been five years!  My heart is always with you both!

Wedding Design, Planning, and Execution: Très Fabu Event Planning and Design ~ www.TresFabuEvents.com

Photography: Marc Weisberg Photography ~ www.MarcWeisberg.com/orange-county-los-angeles-destination-wedding-photographer

Catering: The Montage Resort, Laguna Beach ~ www.MontageLagunaBeach.com

Cake: The Montage Resort, Laguna Beach ~ www.MontageLagunaBeach.com

Linens: Wildflower Linen ~ www.WildflowerLinens.com

Music & Lighting: J & M Entertainment ~ www.jamentevents.com

Floral Design: The late Edward Bellingeri of Edward Bellingeri Design

Escort Cards/Table Signage/Menus: Robyn Lyn Steward of House of Monarch ~ www.HouseofMonarch.com