Something Borrowed, Something Blue

And I'm back..

2011-07-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

I've long had dreams of what my "I'm back & blogging!" post would be like. My "drafts" folder resembles something of a wasteland of half-written posts- weddings I've planned, shoots I've styled, press that I am proud of.. All buried beneath half-written posts of apology- explanations for my lack of posts, and the various "good reasons" as to why I've been kept from blogging.
I was stalled in a place of no return. Easier to post nothing at all. Like I needed something really good, something really big to come back with.
So here it is. My biggest, best work to date.
Holden William Stone.
Isn't he scrumptious? I can't help but just stare at him all day long..
Motherhood is the most remarkable, exhausting, rewarding, incredible job in the world. There are no words for how lucky I feel.
I've closed up the studio this Spring/Summer season to enjoy this special time, but will be opening up shop again in the early fall booking for 2012. Deepest apologies to any unreturned inquiries (I've recently learned that my "out of office auto-reply" function was not working properly!) and thanks from the bottom of my heart for all of the warm wishes I've received!!
xoxo
Rebecca
ps- I DO plan to put up those aforementioned posts as well as others- stay tuned!

S + D's Wedding

2009-10-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am way behind on blogging. I am also way behind on my emails & calls. And on cleaning my office. And on working out..
It is that end-of-summer, how-is-it-really-fall-kind of time- a strange place where the frenzy of the summer wedding rush may be winding down, but I am still in a constant state of catch up as fall weddings begin and 2010 is strangely right around the corner..
But, I digress. That is not what this post is about. This post is about S + D and their incredible wedding.
I often find myself stuck with a serious case of writer's block as I begin a post about a couple and their wedding. So much emotion comes rushing back to me as I reflect on the couple, our planning journey together, and of course, their beautiful day. With S + D, I am truly overwhelmed. Can I really put all of my feelings into words in a simple blog post?
I'll never forget the first time S called. Her familiar voice was hard to place, but there was a soothing, comfortable way about it- like I'd known her forever. When I met her, I found my star-struck feeling was quickly replaced with something bigger- I was human-struck. Because it isn't her gorgeous, movie-star beauty or the fact that she is a brilliant actress that makes S, S. It is the fact that within moments of meeting her, she is embracing you with a warm hug, inviting you in her kitchen and serving you eggs. It is her gentle and caring smile as she describes the way she envisions her wedding day. It is her loving glances toward D with every word. Theirs is a love that is so true and so real. Something completely inspiring and enviable. And their wedding day would be a reflection of that in every way.
The breathtaking Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse, deep in the mountains of the Santa Barbara wine country would provide the setting for the beautiful celebration. The farmhouse was built in the 1700's and moved from New Hampshire, Tennessee and West Virginia (respectively.) I love old houses- and this one in particular- with it's old, wood-smoke smell and stories literally echoing from the walls, will truly transport you to another place. The setting may be rustic- but more so, it is majestic. In a way that would take anyone's breath away the very moment they drive in. And what a drive it is! As you wind through the mountains on a twisty, one lane "road" you may likely find yourself doubting whether there could be *anything* out there. Being so far removed from civilization- from lights or paved roads or cell phone towers- almost to a point of discomfort, you will stumble upon the small gravel driveway. And just as S + D's guests did, you will enter another world.
The farmhouse provided inspiration for the design of the day. It would be simple but thoughtful, rustic and vintage, mismatched and colorful, with a touch of country charm- which when all placed together in such a beautiful, natural setting creates a tone of relaxed elegance. Rather than commit to a specific color palette- S wanted it to come naturally via whatever the freshest, local flowers were that weekend. We focused on textures- like raw wood and burlap alongside linen kitchen towels (which were used in place of napkins!) I collected vintage tins during the planning process to hold loose blooms (Any tin from England on ebay and local fleas were quickly snatched up by me to honor where S is from.) Mason jars, vintage furniture, antique quilts and loads of little collected bits and pieces were incorporated..

Enjoy these jaw-droppingly beautiful photos from the talented and amazing, Max Wanger.

S+D's wedding weekend was kicked off with a Friday night "welcome dinner" at the Farmhouse, complete with enormous pans of paella, (courtesy of the always fabulous "Duo,") a Beatles karaoke band (seriously, does it get ANY better than that? I think not..) and an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation.

These bags welcomed guests as they arrived to their hotel rooms. I used burlap and screen-printed muslin tears to personalize the bags. They were filled with yummy treats like Santa Barbara pistachios and toblerone chocolate and also practical travel bits- sunscreen, lipbalm, advil, etc.

On the wedding day, guests were treated to a pre-ceremony cocktail gathering where they were greeted by beautiful rows of mason jars with freshly squeezed greyhounds, sipped through old fashioned, paper straws.

Old drawers held S & D's programs which we displayed on an antique table. Old cabinet doors got new life as sweet signs that we dotted throughout the wedding.

Vintage trunks at the ends of the aisle held parasols for guests to shade themselves during the ceremony.

Bowls of dried flowers were placed on the ceremony benches for guests to toss on the newlyweds as they came back up the aisle.

Easily my favorite escort card display I've done yet! We collected dozens and dozens of vintage, mismatched bottles, each which held a single bloom and featured a small tag with names and table numbers. We displayed the bottles in a vintage desk. :) Big thanks to Bianca of Little Miss Press for her beautiful calligraphy!

There is an ostrich farm on the property, and this little guy wanted to join the fun.

Charming, vintage tins overflowing with colorful blooms, courtesy of my dear friend Camille..

There was such a beautiful, loving energy in the air all night..

Yes, those stars in the sky are real.

S+D, I cannot begin to thank you enough for all of your love and kindness and for entrusting me with your beautiful wedding day and letting me be a part of something so unbelievably special. I feel forever changed by knowing you, and am so grateful for our friendship! Drinks soon!! :)

A big thanks to our vendor dream team-
Location- Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse (xoxox Gretchen!!)
Photography- Max Wanger (and Margaux!)
Catering- Ashley & Brian and the amazing team of Duo Events!
Flowers- Camille Panzarello, Modern Day Design
Lighting- Bella Vista

Shout out- Mary Ann Goodhue

2009-10-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if I will ever, ever come down off the high from this past weekend and June & Paul's most incredible wedding. I cannot stop smiling from it all. (A huge post will come as soon as I get the pics!)
I am way behind on a lot of things right now- but I wanted to do a quick post to give a shout out to Mary Ann Goodhue for not only her beautiful calligraphy, but her beautiful heart and ability to pull off a small miracle for me. When the company misplaced the order I put in for the walnut wood escort cards to be sent to her (something I found out just days before the wedding) I felt completely panicked. Mary Ann would literally have hours to complete all of the cards before overnighting them to me (she is in MICHIGAN, no less!)
Not only did she get everything done in time, but it was absolutely beautiful work, and when I opened the box, I almost cried- the cards were even alphabetized for me!!!
Thanks to Mary Ann, we created an escort card display hung along lengths of twine that was gorgeous- (even if it was a bit difficult to untie them from the line! :)
Thanks from the bottom of my heart, Mary Ann!!

Chris & Ainjil's wedding

2009-08-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

Behind Chris & Ainjil’s tattooed, rocker exteriors are utter romantics. They of course would never admit this out loud, but a peek into the files of ‘Ainjil’s favorite things’ would reveal a love of the French countryside, dried lavender, antique chandeliers, a home filled with imported scented candles, and loads of overstuffed lacy pillow shams. A simple question of how they met would reveal a soft glint in each of their eyes bringing them back to the moment- a truly romantic tale- she a singer in a band, he recording her album.
The wedding design was inspired by their love story, and their love of beautiful things. It would be elegant without being fussy, and it would transport guests to another time and place. Vintage touches, a bit of mismatched charm, comforting foods and music dancing on the air- all night long.
The photos below are all from my dear, dear friend Jose Villa. Jose's photos are always so pure- his film captures such beauty and emotion. His work is timeless, elegant, dreamlike. Jose- a million and one thanks for everything that you do!!

Some details...
Guests were greeted upon arrival with a “make-your-own” champagne cocktail station, where they could serve themselves with fancy little spoons to create little cocktails of their choice before heading to their seats for the ceremony. Along the way, we displayed vintage umbrellas for guests to help themselves to and use for shade.
A single, massive chandelier hung from the Oak under which Ainjil & Chris exchanged vows and tiny muslin sacks containing dried flower buds were used for tossing as they came back up the aisle.
Cocktail hour was full of merriment- we created little vignettes using different lawn games- an antique croquet set in one corner, horseshoes in another, vintage badminton set in another. The space was dotted with ruffley vintage pagoda style umbrellas- one under which sat a silhouette artist who created little masterpieces with his hands as guests looked on in awe.
An antique riddling rack stood alone displaying guests’ escort tags, and a framed record of ‘Chris & Ainjil’s song’ placed atop stacks of sheet music was used for signing.
Guests moved inside an old barn for dinner, where more chandeliers twinkled from the rafters. The enormous, open barn presented challenges with Chris & Ainjil’s intimate group, so we sectioned off with fabric and ribbon (we created a 24’ wide wall made entirely of ribbon- in varying shades of antique, muted tones) to create different spaces. The ribbon wall was an incredible labor of love, but the effect was pure whimsy and elegance!!
The bride has a serious sweet tooth, so a gorgeous dessert display was in order. (Guests were delighted to nibble throughout the evening, and take home in bags at the end of the night.)
On the table tops, loose creamy blooms filled collected silver pieces, while mismatched china made for unexpected dinner plates. We stamped table numbers on burlap bags which the dinner wine was placed inside of, and wrapped it loosely with antique velvet and lace ribbons.
At the end of the night, the couple danced to their first dance, “performed” by Jim Reeves. (A large screen was placed behind the dance floor, and a black-and-white projection of Jim Reeves singing created the effect of him serenading them at that moment..) It was a truly magical sight!
Ainjil & Chris- thank you so much for allowing me to take part in your amazing planning process and absolutely incredible day. Thank you for trusting my crazy ideas and for allowing me to be a part of your lives for the past year and a half!! I already miss our wine and cheese nights, our afternoon brunches and our back and forth texting sessions on Bachelorette nights!! (hehe..) I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you and to call you friends. :)
xoxo

Thanks also to-
Anneke & Miki- my girls who make everything that you see possible!!
SBBBQ for the incredible meal and always warm and friendly faces
Camilla Svensson Burns for the yummy florals
Bella Vista for the gauzey fabric draping and elegant chandeliers
Anthony Ybarra- my all time favorite guitarist- EVER
DJ Nahchey for the great tunes
Saral Burdette for the most personal, beautiful ceremonies you have ever witnessed
TEAM for the gorgeous hair and makeup

And saving the best for last-
Joel Serrato for cinematography that will make any grown man cry. (It's that good.) Where to begin with my love for Joel Serrato? His film blows me away every time. I could watch Chris & Ainjil's film over and over (and over) again...
Check it out!!

Untitled from joel serrato on Vimeo.

Sneak peek- Kelly & Sean's wedding flowers!

2009-08-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure to work with the brilliantly talented Kate Holt of Flower Wild. I have always been such a fan of Kate's work and was so thrilled to finally collaborate with her on such a special wedding.
Kelly & Sean envisioned a bold and striking color palette with feelings of a summery, garden fiesta. Kate took the vision and brought it to life in the most incredible way!!
This is just a tiny snippet from Kate's studio-

Kelly's bouquet. Among the blooms- firey orange ribbon holds a delicious cluster of dahlias, wild raspberries on the vine, and gloriosa lilies..

Yummy bridesmaids bouquets- I LOVE pom pom Dahlias. You just can't help but smile when you look at them..

Please tell me that these are not the cutest bunch of bouts you have ever seen? Could you not just eat them right up?! (Trust me, people tried!! haha..)

Colorful bits of fabric wrapped around the vases brought such happiness to the table tops..

Filled with more happiness...

Distressed terra cotta held pom pom dahlias, wild raspberries, red sweetpeas, more gloriosas..

With succulents..

A sea of incredible color!!

Bree & Dave's wedding

2009-06-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

How to describe my love for Bree & Dave and their gorgeous wedding? There really is no end to how much I adore these two and their wedding is one that I will never, ever forget. Bree is an absolute creative genius- from second one, I was so impressed and totally inspired with her ideas. Bree envisioned a completely chic palette- incorporating her favorite flower- the coral peony, cobalt blue, pops of aqua and vintagey yumminess. The wedding took place at the amazing Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles (with all the traveling I do for weddings each weekend, it was so great to be a few short minutes from my house!) One of my favorite memories from the beautiful evening was the ultimate surprise that Dave had for Bree. He had hired Bree's all-time, favorite singer (EVER) who we snuck in the back of Vibiana and who came out on the stage, surprising everyone. (Not even the bridal party or family knew!) I cannot divulge more than that, but her reaction (below) is completely priceless. I still get the goosebumps and tear up when I think about that moment.
Enjoy these completely incredible photos, from my dear friends- the oh-so talented Next Exit!

Anemones- yummy!

Hand-stitched programs and vintage hankies for guests!

THE Betsey Dunlap provided the gorgeous calligraphy.

How awesome is this shot?

Can't you just feel the anticipation?! LOVE this shot.

The courtyard of Vibiana really is a little urban oasis.

Vintage postcards displayed in postcard racks led guests to their tables.

The gorgeous couple!

How yummy is this tabletop? Bree collected vintage milkglass and Dandelion Ranch provided the gorgeous florals.

Vibiana is truly breathtakingly beautiful.

The reaction shot. :)

The 5 yummy cakes from Hot Cakes, displayed on vintage pedestals.

We displayed a little "take away" station for guests to take flowers home. Since the milkglass belonged to Bree, she hated the idea of all of those flowers being left behind. Instead, guests were able to wrap up bunches of flowers with the kraft paper and raffia from the take-away station.

Celebration of Spring!

2009-05-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

HI all!
So I know it has been forever since my last entry, but I thought I would make up for it with a really exciting post full of gorgeous photos from a reaaally cool project that I got to be a part of!
I could not have been more thrilled when the fabulous Corbin Gurkin asked if I would be interested in collaborating on a photo shoot she was doing. I am a huge fan of Corbin's work and I was so honored that she thought of me! Also-the shoot would be taking place in my favorite place in the world- Los Olivos, and one of my all-time-favorite florists ever- Camille Panzarello was on board too. (Camille and I always have such a blast working together!)
When we started to envision the scene, we couldn’t help but be overwhelmingly inspired by nature for this shoot. The beautiful landscape of the Santa Barbara wine county, the gnarled trees of the Crossroads estate, the overgrown, wild meadow contrasted by the perfectly manicured rows of grapes. Spring is such an incredible time of year- a time that is so full of new life, vibrant colors, berries and fruits, the sweet song of birds.. Our goal was to embrace this- to compliment it and celebrate it. Rather than force a theme, this in turn, became our theme. The celebration of spring. :)

The *incredible* Lisa Hoffman, owner of Ceci New York created this invitation suite just for us for the shoot!

I found an old beat-up piece of fence which was given new life by Laura Hooper's calligraphy and made for a welcoming wedding sign.

Rows of farmer's market raspberries and blackberries created a quilt effect for a yummy, fresh favor table.

Raspberry hued juice (with berries and blood oranges) sipped out of mason jars was a sweet treat on a hot day.

I took a vintage gate (beautifully patina'd with age..) and secured escort cards to the decorative iron scrollwork with antique lace ribbon.

The favor table was adorned with an old urn overflowing with Camille's incredible blooms.

French macaroons made for a sweet, dainty alternative to wedding cake.

Embracing a vintage aesthetic, old tins were given new life as vases to hold the vibrant blooms on the table. A nod to the song birds of spring, vintage sheet music was a detail we incorporated throughout (here as placemats!)

Rough twine was tied around elegant, pearly handled flatware to create interest and bring in a bit of a rustic touch.

One of camille's masterpieces from the day. Love the torn ribbon wrapping the bouquet.

The table was set under a whimsical "chandelier" of vintage bird cages. It was pure magic as the sun began to set behind the hills..

I loved these vintage bird cages. I collected them for months, hitting every flea market I could! (And thanks to my dear friend Kris for letting me borrow a few of her's!)

Thank you so much, Corbin for this wonderful opportunity and for your absolutely incredible photography!!

April Showers Bring..

2009-04-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

Anemones!
These lovelies have just popped up in my front yard and I couldn't be more excited. I have been anxiously awaiting their arrival since planting the bulbs a couple of months ago. Anemones are one of my ABSOLUTE most favorite flower ever- especially the white with black centers. The contrast is so striking and beautiful and I especially love them paired with a loose, wild mixture of vines and blooms.

{I have had this image saved to my computer since 2004 and it even made it through my great-hard drive-recovery-of 2006. Adore this image. Have no idea where it is from though. }

But, Martha can never do wrong- this more composed, modern bouquet is equally stunning.

Such a fantastic flower to use for spring time weddings! And they have one of those names that is fun to say 3 times fast. :)

Sarah & Mike's wedding-- Los Angeles Weddings Magazine!!

2009-03-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

I am beyond words excited to share that Sarah and Mike's gorgeous wedding is published in Los Angeles Weddings spring issue in a beautiful 6(!) page spread!! Leigh Miller did such an incredible job- I can't get enough of her work!! I loved Sarah and Mike (and their families!) more than anything and the article so much brought me back to their wedding day and brought back all of the fond memories of the time we spent together planning the big day. From the first latte at Intelligentsia to the final days of late night, delirious conversations consisting of nothing but quotes from "The Office," it was so much fun to be able to be a part of this amazing process with them. Sarah and Mike- congrats on the beautiful spread! Can't wait to see you again soon. Celebratory dinner/drinks in the 'hood are in order!

Inspired by.. vintage containers

2009-03-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore these vintage containers from my dear friend and amazingly talented photographer Corbin Gurkin's collection. We have something exciting up our sleeves that we are working on- so stay tuned- you may just see these beauties again! :)

{Beautiful photography by Corbin Gurkin}

Congrats to Matt and Morgan!

2009-03-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

I am back from an incredible weekend in Santa Barbara. Despite the cool temps and drizzles that surrounded the rest of the weekend, Matt and Morgan's wedding day was absolutely beautiful and so full of love and laughter. (Even if it had rained, I don't think anyone would have noticed or cared!) I really can't stop thinking about the day and smiling from it all. The wedding day started with a most touching ceremony that made me laugh and choke up all at once (Morgan and Matt are both comedians so funny is in their blood, but as they recounted the story of how they met, the significance of the particular day of Matt's proposal, and as they exchanged the promises they had written for each other- I admit-was fighting back the tears!)
The festivities continued into a reception that included a square dance caller, the band "Trainwreck," an impromptu performance by "Billy Joel" himself, and utter destruction of hanging paper lanterns during what else, but House of Pain's 'Jump Around.' The fact that the room was filled with absolute comedic genius (and some of my VERY favorite at that!) meant that there were loads of laughs all evening but also a genuine sense of fun and friendship. I felt so lucky to be a part of it all. :)
It was so much fun working with and getting to know Morgan and Matt and their adorable son, Jude and I am looking forward to seeing them many, many more times in the future. Morgan and I discovered (just a few short weeks before the big day) that we actually went to rival high schools (in Portland OR!) Small world, right?
Morgan and Matt- I am so thrilled for you guys! Huge congrats to you and your family. :) Can't wait to see you very soon!
There are no photos yet, but here is one of Mik and I in the photobooth (big thanks to Cheesy Photobooths who I adore working with and who are always a hit!) Of course, we had to bring Barack in with us (he was standing at the doorway, watching over the reception..)

In other news, I am officially back to blogging. (Seriously, how is it almost April? And was my last post really in January?! Oh how time flies in the wedding world..)

Featured in Bride & Bloom!

2009-01-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to share that Alli & Shon's wedding is featured in the Spring '09 issue of Bride & Bloom magazine. It is out on shelves now, so be sure to grab a copy and check it out! Bride & Bloom is always brimming with fabulous inspiration and ideas- it is such an honor to see my work in one of my very favorite magazines! Thanks so much to Bride & Bloom and to the beautiful Elizabeth Messina for her incredible photos. :)

Congrats, Alli & Shon!

2009- a new year, a new calendar!

2009-01-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

How the time does fly. One of my favorite things about starting the new year is putting away (but always keeping!) the former year's calendar and going out to get a brand new one for the brand new year. I don't know why I get so giddy about those clean blank pages and the idea of a freshly sharpened pencil taking to them- filling in birthdays, anniversaries and little important tidbits throughout. While the majority of my calendar and schedule organization is in the form of my computer's ical, I still insist every year on satiating my obsession for paper things by getting a new, yummy calendar. It just puts a smile on my face. This year, I stumbled upon Etsy's Little Brown Pen and found the perfect gift for friends and family (as well as myself! Pretty perfect deal- right?) They have the sweetest little downloadable calendars (one even in the cutest ever business card size) for which all you have to do is (to quote their tagline) "JUST. ADD. PAPER." Use a nice, heavy cardstock and your own home printer and within a matter of minutes- you have the perfect little calendar. In addition, Little Brown Pen has sweet stationary, bookplates, gift tags, etc. so definitely check them out.
Also, don't miss the fun video they put together. Too cute!

Happy new year!

2009-01-06T15:11:00.001-08:00

I hope everybody had most happy holidays and that you are all enjoying a great start to the new year!
I had a wonderful holiday season which included going home to (snowy!!) Portland to be with my family on Christmas. It always feels so nice to go home and spend such a cozy time with family. We got snowed in at my parents house so we spent the time watching old home movies (much to my embarrassment- my husband still teases me about some of the footage..) eating, playing board games (my dad reigns balderdash champion for the 4th year in a row..) and just being together. It feels great to be back in LA though (where the weather is much more forgiving!) and kick off 2009. It is such an exciting year ahead with some incredible weddings lined up. Also, it is a new year for the blog- as always, I resolve this year to be a better blogger and would love to hear what sort of posts you would all like to see more of! (Aside from of course, more posts!) Leave a comment and let me know- more real weddings, inspiring ideas, interviews, non-wedding things (gasp!), etc.! Can't wait to hear.
And because every post should have a photo-
The sweet Max, my parents' labradoodle- playing in the snow on Christmas..

brown paper packages tied up with string..

2008-12-24T14:41:00.001-08:00

These are a few of my favorite things!
Happy holidays to everyone and best wishes for the new year!
xoxo
Rebecca

Blog Love from 'The Bride's Cafe!'

2008-11-21T15:07:00.000-08:00

Huge thanks to the lovely Janie Medley of the always inspiring, 'Bride's Cafe' for the absolutely beautiful feature on MB & CB's wedding. It is such an honor to be a part of one of my most favorite blogs!
Check out part I and part II for even more photos from MB & CB's day, compliments of Leigh Miller.

MB & CB's wedding, Part II

2008-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

As promised- part II!! Thanks again to Leigh Miller for these incredible photographs.

The ceremony took place at the historic Old Mission Santa Ines.

I love this shot..

The beautiful heirloom napkins with their delicate detailing were such a beautiful, personal touch.

How brilliant is this shot?!!

The oak tree provided such an incredible canopy over all of the guest tables.

One of the courses- grilled local bass with carrot and coriander marmalade (a recipe inspired by The Kite Runner) and herbed flat bread. Ashley and Brian are absolute creative geniuses in the kitchen.

I dream of this cake. Vanilla sponge cake with champagne bavarian cream and apricot curd. Seriously- it does not get any better. Big thanks to Dawn for her delicious and beautiful work.

Party time!

MB & CB's wedding, Part I

2008-11-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

I was just beside myself giddy with delight when one of my most favorite photographers ever, the incredible- Leigh Miller, emailed to tell me part I of MB & CB's wedding was ready. You see, I have been anxiously checking Leigh's blog every day hitting refresh every hour, every day for the last week. Scary-obsessive-stalker-ish? Definitely. But, once you see these images and this most incredible wedding you will understand! The photos are absolutely dreamy and completely capture the beauty of the day. Leigh- you blow me away every time!!
Planning this wedding was the ultimate joy for me, especially because I have gained SUCH a wonderful friendship from it!
MB and I got together a few nights ago to celebrate with a glass of vino and reflected on the gorgeous wedding weekend and the amazing journey in planning it. From initial planning meetings, our many road trips to wine country together and everything in between- it has been such an honor to work with these two.
When I first met MB and CB it was an instant connection. MB is one of those people who is just so full of life- the way she lights up every time she tells the story of how she and CB met, her completely infectious smile and laugh, she is the kind of person you just want to know. The kind of person who would think of her wedding planner (and florist) and buy them fancy chocolates because they are infused with the flower you have suggested using.. Really, I have the best clients in the WORLD.
MB and CB can throw a serious party. (You should see CB’s skills in the kitchen..) So it was only fitting that they envisioned an elegant and warm dinner party under the stars. I couldn't wait to get started in finding a perfect location to throw this fabulous fete. The Tres Hermanas Winery- a small vineyard tucked away along the Foxen trail deep in the Santa Ynez Valley- provided a most incredible setting and we lucked out with beautiful wine country weather which was perfect for a completely enchanting evening. The wedding was just oozing with gorgeous and personal details (including using family heirlooms throughout- all of the table linens, napkins and vases had been passed down through the generations, some over 100 years old!) The palette was antique and muted tones of pewter, dusty lavender, and shades of soft white. An emphasis was placed on dried lavender- evoking both the bounty of the region and the vintage aesthetic of the day. Elegant creamy white garden roses, gardenia, hydrangea and silvery dusty miller were among the flowers to soften the look.
Enjoy the photos below!!

School buses were used to transport guests from the beautiful Santa Ines Mission to the vineyard.

As a playful touch for the schoolbuses, I created little lunch sacks for each seat which held a shiny red apple, a wine 'juice box' , a #2 pencil and a 'pop quiz' about the newlyweds. An old-school mead composition notebook was passed around the seats for the guests to sign notes to the couple.

I absolutely LOVED the bridesmaid bouquets- fragrant lavender bundles cuffed with soft, silvery dusty miller. The always amazing Camille provided all of the flowers for the day.

We made small lavender bundles to grace each heirloom napkin. Little paper ribbons marked individual place settings at the head table.

A silhouette artist created little works of art for guests at cocktail hour.

One silhouette was for guests to keep and the other we strung along a clothesline for a beautiful display (which CB and MB got to keep!)

All the pashminas were donated to Friendly Place, a shelter for women.

Massive tufts of babies breath looked stunning as the sun set.

Bella Vista provided the chandeliers which hung from the ancient oak tree were absolutely incredible and provided HUGE impact. (They were as tall as me!)

A foosball table was brought in for the kiddies..

The beautiful couple.

Not only was the menu the most impressive and creative I have ever seen, Duo's staff was really out of this world. Duo and Duet- what a great team!! (hehe, we had some fun with this..)

One of the courses- 'Santa Barbara Caprese'- heirloom tomatoes, grilled melon and tempura avocado. Mmm..

A most classic MB moment. :)

Stay tuned! Part II is up next.

Blog love from Snippet and Ink!

2008-11-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

A HUGE thanks to Kathryn for an absolutely gorgeous feature of Nate and Georgia's wedding. Snippet and Ink is one of my most favorite blogs- a daily inspiration- so I could not be more thrilled and honored to be a part of it. Check it out to see more beautiful photos from Georgia and Nate's wedding day! :)

Georgia & Nate's wedding

2008-10-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to share these absolutely dreamy photos of Georgia and Nate's beautiful wedding day, captured by my friend and oh-so talented photographer- Jose Villa.
Georgia and Nate are such an amazing couple (who I feel so lucky to call friends!) They began their planning all the way from Barcelona where they were living for a year and a half (Nate proposed the day before they left for Spain!) Having both grown up in the Santa Barbara area, they knew exactly where they wanted to say their I do's in the presence of their family and close friends. Georgia's family home provided the most gorgeous and personal setting for one of the most touching ceremonies I have ever seen (by one of my very favorite people, Saral Burdette.) As always, Camille created completely inspiring, out of this world floral designs to complement the relaxed elegance of the day. (I loved her use of wild raspberries!)
Georgia's beautiful wrap dress was designed by a Spanish designer (and friend,) Cortana. Her bridesmaids dresses had to be my favorite (of all bridesmaids dresses I have ever seen!) by the super stylish (and local Silverlake designer,) Heidi Merrick.

The day was so full of love and joy- everywhere you looked people were smiling in the glow of it all. And I cant help but smile as I type this and think back on it all. Georgia and Nate- congratulations. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of something so wonderful and special. I am so thrilled that you are here in LA and live so close by! I know we will be seeing much more of each other in the future. :)

Interview with The Wedding Hub

2008-10-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

It was such a pleasure today to chit chat with the super sweet, Sarah Hubbell, owner of The Wedding Hub- an Arizona based wedding planning firm. Check out the interview on her blog! :)

Jen & Jeff's wedding

2008-10-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

I've been so suuuper excited to blog Jen & Jeff's gorgeous wedding photos ever since the insanely talented Jose Villa sent them my way. Jen & Jeff were planning all the way from Washington DC so despite much of our planning being done long distance, from the very first moment we talked we instantly clicked and the planning process did not feel quite so long distance at all. Jen was interested in having a wedding at the Firestone Crossroads Estate (one of my most favorite locations ever..) and I knew the moment that she flew out to see it, she would fall in love. Jen's vision of bold popping colors in the rustic barn setting evolved into the most fabulous eclectic-modern floral design, brought to life beautifully courtesy of Nico Designs. Using mismatched teapots, saucers, cups, glasses, jars, and silver, Nico brought in an incredible mix of colors and textures- romantic and soft roses and peonies, structured and exotic pods and protea, delicate and lacy maidenhair fern and hydrangea. It was truly like little pieces of art on each of the tabletops. Nico also incorporated fruit- oranges, apples, pears and juicy strawberries made unexpected appearances alongside the floral and guests were as delighted to munch on them as to enjoy their beauty in the setting. :)
Jen being the sweets lover that she is selected her favorite candies which we turned into an impressive candy buffet while the fabric letters we placed along the barn's ledge read "love is sweet." We lucked out with perfect weather and Jen and Jeff's ceremony under the canopy of the famous Firestone oak tree is still to this day one of my very favorites ever. It was performed by one of Jen's best friends and was written just for Jen and Jeff- I laughed, I cried, I texted my husband to tell him that I loved him. It was an absolutely incredible day! Thank you Jen and Jeff for allowing me to be part of something so special! Miss you tons!

Loving.. cevd

2008-10-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

I recently got the sweetest email from Christine at .cevd {Custom Invitation Studio} sharing her gorgeous work with me. Christine custom creates all of her designs with her clients so they are completely infused with the couples personalities and completely reflect their style. Each invitation she creates is a handmade, unique little piece of art. Christine also has a really inspiring blog which I have loved following. Check out the incredible pieces she made for her own upcoming wedding!

(The burlap envelopes even had an ironed on cotton address label- brilliant!)
Definitely check out Christine's site and blog for more gorgeous inspiration. :)

Bad blogger blues!

2008-10-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry to all my wonderful blog readers out there for the lack of posts lately! The last month has been an incredibly busy time here at {duet} Weddings, full of fabulous weddings that I can't wait to share. :) As the season is beginning to wind down for me for the year, I am looking forward to getting back to this little old blog! (Hopefully I still have some readers left out there!)
Stay tuned!
xoxo
Rebecca

Loving..Anna Whitford

2008-08-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely loving Anna Whitford's gorgeous ring pillow designs right now. Anna is an incredibly talented textile designer who makes sculptural fashion, interior and wedding accessories in the UK.
These absolutely beautiful wedding ring cushions are made from soft, faux suede or metallic leather which Anna hand sculpts on a silk dupioni. At the center of the sculpted flower are two satin ribbons, which ties both wedding rings. Because Anna makes each of these masterpieces by hand, brides are able to pick and choose the color and style flower to suit their wedding vision and feeling. Check out Anna's site and super sweet blog for all of her beautiful creations.

Alli & Shon's wedding

2008-08-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is probably the most excited I have ever been to share a blog post. Alli & Shon's wedding is one that is especially near and dear to my heart. The planning process was one that was so special to me- from the moment I received Alli's email that she was engaged, to the end of the wedding night hugging she and Shon goodbye. I felt incredibly honored to have their trust in my work and feel so grateful to call these two friends.
Alli would probably be the very first to admit that she has never been the overly sentimental, mushy bride type. She never dreamed of big flowing white gowns, tiered white cakes or lavish flower arrangements. She was never into bridal parties or bouquet tosses. But while she may not have given much thought to a ‘big day’ or dreamt ‘bridal dreams,’ she did always know exactly where she would someday be married.
The saying goes, “home is where the heart is” and Alli’s family home is just that.
It is a home so beautiful that upon entering you are taken by its elegance and grandeur but also immediately shrouded in a comfortable familiarity.
It is a family home.
One whose walls echo with family memories- a cherished space where all of life’s beautiful ups and downs have been shared together. It is the home where countless years of family photos adorn mantels and countertops. The home that still has a massive trampoline in the backyard.
And home was absolutely where the heart was on June 28th as Alli and Shon exchanged vows surrounded by their closest friends and family.
So it was only fitting that the feeling of “home” and family was what Alli & Shon’s day was all about. This was the most special inspiration with which to plan a wedding. The feeling of their day was of welcoming warmth and comfortable elegance. Alli and Shon wanted their guests to celebrate with great food, great drinks and great music- and to be relaxed and at home. We chose a fresh, natural palate of greens and whites to compliment what grows naturally around the house and in Alli’s mom’s beautiful gardens.
I could not have been more honored than to work with the beautiful Elizabeth Messina who captured the truly breathtaking images below. Elizabeth immerses herself completely into the weddings she shoots, and it shows in every ounce of her film. Elizabeth’s ability to soak in everything- the emotions, the incredible events, the details- as well as the seemingly insignificant- the details you may pass over as you experience them in person, but through her film works together to create the most beautiful story. She is an artist in every sense of the word.
I have decided to separate this post into several sections since there are SO many gorgeous photos and details that I am thrilled to share to let the story of their day unfold.
First a peek at the location- the inspiration for feeling of the day.

Alli & Shon's wedding- Part I

2008-08-13T16:03:00.001-07:00

As guests arrived in the late afternoon for the ceremony, they were first treated to a brief cocktail hour before finding their seats in vintage church pews in the front entry space of the home.

Alli & Shon had always loved the fanciful creations that the bartenders at Table 8 created for them, so we were completely thrilled when the guys at Table 8 (who had never done a wedding) were on board to do all the drinks for the big day. Guests delighted in "Basil 8's" pre-ceremony- a refreshing combination of crushed fresh grapes, basil, vodka, bitters and gingerale.

The beautiful ceremony space in the front of the house. To add to the intimate feeling of the space, we brought in old church pews for charming, vintage character.

We designed the programs to be simple and clean, with a single piece of twine to wrap the pages together.

Alli and Shon exchanged vows under an incredible gnarled olive tree. Alli's stepfather officiated the touching ceremony as guests surrounded them from both sides. Rather than having a bridal party to stand with them at the altar, family members came up one by one and read a wish they had written for Alli and Shon. Shon's beautiful daughters, Ava and Julia stood with them as they exchanged vows to be not only husband and wife but also family.

The beautiful couple- husband and wife!

Alli & Shon's wedding- Part II

2008-08-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

As guests exited the ceremony space, they headed across the street to the other side of the family home for cocktails. Having the Basil 8's as a preview of amazing drinks to come, guests were now welcomed with more incredible choices- crushed watermelon and jalepeno with tequila, and fresh muddled strawberry/kiwi with lychee vodka were among the choices. We brought in high bar stool Chiavari chairs for guests to have a front seat at the bar to watch the bartenders in action. Old family photos in funky frames dotted the cocktail tables and guests got a kick out of seeing everybody through the years. (Including some priceless photos of Shon in his 80's hair metal band..) Favorite Beatle's songs played by a guitar trio drifted through the trees as guests mingled in the beautiful space.

Half bottles of Proseco made the most festive little favors. We put guests names and table numbers on paper tags which were attached to the bottles with twine.

Alli and Shon are both food lovers, so when it came to choosing a caterer for their wedding, we went straight to one of their favorite restaurants in LA- Angelini Osteria. Chef Angelini provided a most memorable menu for their big day.
Marinated tuna on Belgian endive
Duck ragu on crispy polenta
Decadent chicken liver crostini
Arancini- (fried risotto with meat and cheese- yummm.)

Alli and Shon briefly snuck away for some photos with Elizabeth before joining their guests at cocktail hour.

Alli & Shon's wedding Part III

2008-08-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

After cocktail hour, guests excitedly headed to dinner for an incredible family style meal underneath the stars. We used the street to create a most magical setting for Alli & Shon's dinner. Since the bare space was completely open and exposed, we wanted to define it in a way that did not take away from the residential feeling, but also create a feeling of warmth and enclosure.

In order to do this, we used the raw frame of a tent and kept the entire space open air. Gauzey fabric billowed along the tent poles and beautiful Belgian rugs ran along the length giving the space the coziness of a family dining room.

Vine covered chandeliers swayed from the tent frame above while the massive arms of surrounding trees reached through the frame, providing shade for the guests.

We used a combination of raw wood rectangular tables and round tables decked in hemstitched linens.

Rene and Niki, the GENIUSES of R Jack Balthazar brought in the most beautiful flowers and contained them in their insane collection of vintage silver, crystal, ceramic and wood for an eclectic, collected feeling..

We attached tiny table numbers to each menu card with twine.

Guests were greeted by plates of Farro salad waiting on their tables which they passed around family style.

Lobster and peach salad.

Giant roasted Porchettas were wheeled around the dinner space and carved tableside.

Sorbetto was presented to guests with Prosecco poured over the top for more bubbly goodness.

Miniature Italian pastries were nibbled on after dinner.

Alli & Shon's touching first dance. Paul Toal performed the most incredible cover of 'Alli & Shon's song,' Led Zeppelin's 'Thank You.' I still get goosebumps thinking of it..

Alli & Shon's wedding part IV

2008-08-13T16:00:00.001-07:00

After Alli & Shon's first dance concluded, the sweet sound of the 80's started up from the back of the house. Guests exited the dinner space to the backyard for some serious partying.

Guests were handed espresso martini shots as they walked toward the backyard.

Lounge vignettes graced the grass and provided a cozy rest area from dancing.

R Jack created these beautiful rafts of candlelight that floated in the pool.

We had tray passed 80's accessories- jelly bracelets and neon "Wayfarers" which guests received as they entered the dance floor to help them travel back in time...

Without hesitation- the best 80's cover band award goes to the Spazmatics.

Alli & Shon's wedding- Vendor Dream Team

2008-08-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

Location- Private residence (Pasadena, CA)
Wedding planner- {duet} Weddings
Photographer- Elizabeth Messina
Florist/Designer- R. Jack Balthazar
Tent/Rentals/Lighting- Classic Party Rentals
Caterer- Angelini Osteria
Bartenders- Table 8
Musicians (ceremony, cocktail, dinner)- West Coast Music
Vocalist- Paul Toal
Band (reception)- Spazmatics
Videographer- Bon Vivant
Calligraphy (chalkboards)- Laura Hooper
Invitations- Rock Paper Scissors
Makeup/Hair- The Studio Agency

Out of the office July 28th-August 4th

2008-07-28T01:32:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone!
I will be out of the office this week- from July 28th-August 4th. My wonderful husband is whisking me away for some much needed R&R- far away from our computers and phones! We are off to Riviera Maya, Mexico and could not be more excited. Will miss you all lots! Stay tuned to the blog next week, I am super excited to share some incredible wedding posts I have been putting together for you. :)
xoxo,
Rebecca

Martha, Martha, Martha

2008-07-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

How I love you so! These fabulous templates are available online, super easy to use and oh-so cute. :)

Download the banner template here

Download the place card template here

Download the monogram template here

Download the menu template here

Download the luminarias template here

Download the round favor labels here

Download the program template here

Download the matchbook template here

Amber & Mike's wedding

2008-07-11T17:58:00.001-07:00

I was so excited when my dear friends, the fabulous Cat and Adi at Next Exit Photography sent me the most gorgeous photos of Amber and Mike's wedding at the Firestone Crossroads estate. (A most favorite venue of mine!) Amber and Mike were such an unbelievable joy to work with- I still cannot believe how quickly the year of planning flew by! One of the sweetest couples I have ever had the joy of getting to know, I have no doubt we will be in touch for many years to come. For Amber and Mike's wedding we wanted to create an incredibly romantic feeling- something traditionally beautiful in a rustic outdoor setting.

Enjoy!

The beautiful bride coming downstairs to see Mike for the first time..
Amber and Mike wrote their touching ceremony together the wonderful Rich Tobin.
I absolutely love this shot of Amber. She is so overcome with joy and emotion. These are my favorite kinds of photos.

The Firestone's couch in the vineyard? Why not?! Haha- Adi, you are a rock star!
Amber and Mike sharing a special moment on the dance floor.

How beautiful is this shot?

These yellow flowers growing wild on the property are so sweet looking.

Some fun details! Amber and Mike's guests happily shaded themselves with parasols, large urns overflowing with soft pink garden roses and eucalyptus flanked either side of the aisle at the ceremony.

More details~ distressed garden boxes held rough woodsy branches while clusters of pale pink garden roses and lisianthus softened the look. We had an artist create a sketch of the oak tree under which Amber and Mike would be married and carried the motif throughout the wedding.

Guests filled their tiny take-away boxes with fresh baked treats at the end of the night. Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, fruit tarts, etc.

Danielle & Matt's wedding

2008-07-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Matt's wedding day is one of those days that still makes me smile each time I think of it and one that was so special to me.

First, you could not meet a cooler, more down to earth and completely fun couple than these two. Danielle and Matt are both brilliant comedians and their incredible group of friends and family who joined together to celebrate their wedding day are also some of the funniest people in entertainment. Needless to say, the day was truly bursting at the seams with love and laughs- but was also one of the most touching and beautiful days I have ever been a part of.
There was such an overwhelming sense of love and joy in the air and genuine celebration for being all together for Danielle and Matt.

The wedding was held at one of my favorite locations- the gorgeous Gainey Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley.

I was beyond thrilled to work with the fabulous Amanda Bevington whose work I just love and who I completely adore! She and her husband Casey are so much fun. She shared with me these beautiful photos from the incredible day which I just cannot get enough of. Enjoy!!

I loved Danielle's bouquet- sweetpeas and viburnum are two of my most favorite flowers.

Seriously- how gorgeous is Danielle?!
Such a cute shot in the barrel room. It was a cool escape from the hot weather outside!

Ahh.... the "wedding post!" This was Matt's awesome creation unveiled to all the day before the wedding. And in true hilarious fashion, the wedding post was of course accompanied with a story of the Santa Ynez Indians who had an "ancient tradition" of cutting down a tree and painting it white and placing "tribal corks" with "tribal table numbers stuck in them." Guests signed the post for Matt and Danielle. Brilliant.

With record high temperatures, we ran out to the local store to pick up popsicles for the guests to enjoy upon arrival.

I love this shot of Matt seeing Danielle for the first time that day.

Amanda is a genius with these detail shots! How incredible are those grapes?

The ceremony space at Gainey is absolutely beautiful.

The ceremony was so full of emotion- both heartfelt and hilarious. I laughed and cried the whole time.

My favorite shot of the day. :)

Some table details- each table had a mix of succulents and soft white sweetpeas and tulips.

Quite possibly the best wedding toast I have ever witnessed. (Given by Matt's fellow UCB'ers.)

Matt's reaction to the last line is Amy Poehler's toast. The water I was drinking came through my nose I was laughing so hard.

The beginning of the first dance. It started sweet and slow to Moonriver.... but then it busted into this masterpiece.. more below.

Now for the story of the greatest surprise "first dance" EVER. Inspired by a spoof which Matt wrote and directed based off of the dance movie genre, they decided to surprise their guests with something completely awesome. The "Bad Newz Bears," a dance crew out of Los Angeles, were secretly hired to come to the wedding. The guys from the crew dressed as waiters and were on the floor "serving" guests for about an hour before the dance began..

Danielle and Matt started painfully slow to "Moonriver" and you could almost see guests squirming in their seats as they watched Danielle and Matt's middle school style rendition of a first dance. About a minute into the song, the cd began skipping and Danielle and Matt looked toward the DJ in confusion and shock. (Of course, I could not keep my eyes off the guests and their reactions..) As the DJ was "fumbling" to fix the "skip" the song started thumping into a sweet, old school hip hop beat, to which Danielle and Matt decided to all at once bust into a crazy choreographed number. A minute later, out of nowhere, a "waiter" (who was standing near the dance floor) jumped onto the floor and joined the dance. Before you knew it, things began to get competitive and Danielle and Matt become involved in a dance-off in true "You Got Served" style. Another "waiter" jumped onto the floor and the dance-off continued. By the end, a total of 5 guys were on the floor. Finally the dance off was mediated by one of the guys and Danielle and Matt come together to conclude the dance. It was one of the most completely fantastic things I have ever seen. It was such a fun way to kick off the rest of the night.

I loved the look of the luminaries when the sun went down. They bring such a beautiful warmth to the evening sky.
Danielle and Matt cutting their yummy cake before heading off to the after-party. What a gorgeous night! :)

Cristin's baby shower!

2008-06-26T00:08:00.000-07:00

Cristin, read no further!
Since I just posted about my gocco adventure, I wanted to show off the finished product which I am super excited about.
Coming up with the design was a long process but totally worth it.
I had a case of mailing boxes leftover from a previous project that I knew I wanted to use for the invites. That was my starting point. I wasn't sure what I would put in the boxes, or what the design of the invite would be so I scoured baby stores on the internet for days to see if I could find any motifs or baby items that jumped out at me. By Sunday night, I was exhausted and had nothing, so I decided to take a trip to the drug store to look at the baby aisle. I was actually going in hopes of finding diaper pins and then design my invites somehow around those. No diaper pins at the drug store, but instead I found the cutest packs of white onesies. Then all at once, the entire invitation came to me and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I purchased all of the onesies they had and headed home to get started. The design process is so funny this way. It is not one that can be forced or rushed. Inspiration is all around, sometimes you just need to get out to find it.
Since Cristin does not know if her little one will be a boy or girl, I went for neutral tones (which also happen to be similar to those she is using in her nursery.) Butter yellow and sage green are such soft, calming colors and they worked well with the kraft boxes I had. I figured the onesie could be the invitation itself, though I figured it would be cuter if in fact the onesie could actually be used by the mommy-to-be. I purchased a fun font from My Fonts (love this site!) and let that carry the design. Of course the little "clothesline" added some extra sweetness, and at the shower there will be a life size one with baby clothes hanging.
I hope she loves them. :)

Gocco fun

2008-06-25T22:49:00.001-07:00

So one of my best friends in the world, Cristin, is having a baby in August and I could not be more thrilled for her. She is the first out of our group of friends to be having a baby so a fabulous baby shower is most definitely in order. I was put on invitation duty and I could not wait to get started and put my new gocco printer to use!
For those who are unfamiliar with the gocco- it is this magical little box of joy which has time traveled from the 1980's Japan to the states today. It has taken the wedding industry by storm lately and opened so many new doors to DIY-ing. I LOVE it.
The way it works is surprisingly simple. You take an image or design (something you drew, created on the computer, a photograph, etc.) and make a photocopy of it. (The photocopy is important because it contains carbon..) Then you place the photocopy in the gocco, attach the special light bulbs in the top (these are one time use only light bulbs) close the lid and poof! The light bulbs go off, there is some smoke and magically, your image has now transferred to the little disposable screen in your gocco. (And by magically, I mean that the high heat bulbs have burned the teeny tiny bits of carbon onto the screen.)
The screen then gets inked with whichever colors you are using and goes back in the gocco. Then your gocco is ready to print onto your paper. "You mean like a screenprinter?" Dave asked when I finished explaining what the bright orange box on our dining room table was. Yes. That is what it is. I just like to be able to explain it now that I am finally able to.
Dave was as intrigued as I was when I first learned about it, so he took some photos of the process which I thought would be fun to post to show how easy it is.

Inking! You don't have to be precise with this. The image that is burned into the screen has the teeniest, tiniest holes to allow the ink through..

Putting the film back over the screen (so the ink does not gush everywhere or get the gocco dirty.)

Rather than paper, I decided to use the onesie in the gocco. Kind of a risk since I had no idea if it could handle it. (They do make fabric ink for the gocco, though I did not have any..) Notice the screen is back in the top of the gocco.

Pressing down the top to put the ink on the onesie. You need to be careful not to put too much pressure or too little pressure.

Yay! A perfect print!

Half way done..

Of course, there is no photo shoot in our house without Chester. He got in on some gocco action too.

Sarah/Mike's wedding at Style Me Pretty!!

2008-06-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Eeek- I am so excited! Today Abby, of the fabulous Style Me Pretty, has featured Sarah and Mike's wedding!! What an incredible honor. I still get teary eyed looking at the incredible photos from Leigh Miller. She captured the dreamy feeling of the day in the most breathtaking way.
Abby also shared the inspiration boards I created, the stories behind the designs, and all the yummy details of the day!
See it all at Style Me Pretty!
:)

Guess what time it is!?

2008-06-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

Time for Peonies at Trader Joes again! Probably the best $6.99 you can possibly spend right now. I picked up (a few) bunches of the yummy light pinks today and put them all over the house and used almost all of our teapots, creamers, cups and bowls in the process. Here they are in my office- where I spend most of my waking hours- putting a huge smile on my face as I type..

love these labels..

2008-06-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

I have been a bit obsessed with labels lately and I am just loving this sweet and simple design which I have found to be completely versatile for many different styles and purposes. Print directly from this template onto a really thick piece of card stock and then use your imagination- use for place cards, gift tags, or to label cheese displays, appetizer trays, speciality drinks, etc. Enjoy! :)

Ariella Chezar

2008-05-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ariella Chezar is one of those people in the wedding industry whose work I find so incredibly inspiring and who I absolutely admire. Her floral designs are so full of life- as if they are growing from the table tops- in this gorgeous, unstructured, wild and completely elegant way. Her combination of flowers and vines and fruits is completely genius. Enjoy..

Centerpieces

Personal Flowers

Angelina & Chris- sneak peek!

2008-05-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

So I am back up and running! (Kind of..) The fabulous Katie Moos was so sweet for sharing these completely gorgeous images with me (as well as helping me figure out how to outsmart the blogger bug..) and I am so excited to share this little taste of Angelina and Chris' beautiful day at the Firestone Crossroads Estate this past weekend! Angelina and her mother planned each and every tiny detail to perfection and put so much care into all of their sweet little touches. I was completely honored to be a part of it all. Angelina and Chris have to be one of the sweetest couples I have ever met! I can't wait to share more. For now, enjoy the beautiful taste below!

Technical difficulties

2008-05-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry to everyone- Blogger has been experiencing technical difficulties with the photo upload feature and I am waiting anxiously for it to be fixed so I can post my latest! :( Fingers crossed this gets fixed soon..

Sarah & Mike-- sneak peek!

2008-05-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

I almost cried when the amazing Leigh Miller emailed me this morning with these few sneak peek detail photos from Sarah and Mike's wedding. I can't wait to blog the full day and tell you all about the design process and special details I created especially for them..
Until then- enjoy these beautiful dream like images..

Sweet packaging

2008-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled on to this completely fantastic blog, Creature Comforts, full of inspiring ideas and design.
I am a sucker for packaging and just adore these two designs- paired with a beautiful paper and great ribbon, these simple labels are perfect for packaging favors or gifts (maybe just in time for Mother's day?) Enjoy the free template for the oval labels here and the rectangular labels here. I am organizing my office with them- too cute! :)

Puppy love..

2008-05-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

I just love it when couples can include their pets in their weddings. After all, a wedding is an event to be shared with those closest to you- and for many, this can include their furry, four legged friends! Of course, you need to consider your location (a hotel ballroom or restaurant are obviously not so pet-friendly) and the comfort level of your dog (if large groups may scare him/her, if the space is safe, who will care for them, etc.) but if it is possible, it is such a sweet, wonderful thing. Having our little guy at our wedding was so important to us- and of course, almost immediately after the ceremony, he was fast asleep.. (weddings are exhausting!)
While I am not a huge fan of doggy clothing (although I will admit to owning a couple of Christmas sweaters for Chester- purely for the purpose of our hilarious Christmas cards..) I do love adding a little something out of the ordinary that is elegant and special.
Enjoy-

{This chocolate lab's flower wreath incorporates wedding day flowers, Martha's frenchies, Sharky and Francesca wear ultra glam "diamond" necklaces (instructions below,) A flower wreath to complement the bride's bouquet from Southern Weddings, A beautiful ribbon D ring collar (instructions below,) a simple ribbon leash and a pearl necklace (instructions below,) are an elegant and easy.}

"Making diamond" necklaces:
Cut a 3/4-inch length of light-gray grosgrain ribbon to your dog's collar length, plus 4 inches. Trim the ribbon ends with pinking shears.
Fold under 1/4 inch of the ribbon at one end, and then fold under 1 inch more; stitch in place. Turn the ribbon over, and repeat at other end.
Unsnap two 3/8-inch snaps. Hand-stitch the snap sockets (the indented sides of snaps), one beside the other, to 1-inch hem. Stitch the snap balls (the protruding sides of snaps) on reverse side of other end, so snaps will meet when hems are brought together.
Cut rhinestone trim (dangles or droplets) to fit hemmed collar, minus 1 inch. With a needle and a doubled length of thread, stitch the trim to the front of the ribbon, beginning past hem with snap sockets attached.

Making a pearl collar

Measure loosely around dog’s neck; add 12 inches to total.
Thread 18-mm faux pearls (3/4-inch wide) onto embroidery ribbon. Knot ribbon at each end close to pearls.
Knot strand loosely around dog’s neck.
Cut 2-inch-wide satin ribbon to be 1 yard long; tie around ribbon into a big bow at the back; trim ends on an angle.

Making a D-ring collar
Measure dog’s neck, and add 8 inches; cut grosgrain ribbon to final length.
Lay face up, and fold one end under by 4 inches. For a buckle, thread two D rings onto ribbon, and slide them all the way to the fold. For a loop to attach leash, thread on another D ring, sliding it to 2 inches from the buckle.
Slip a 2-inch piece of fusible webbing between layers of ribbon, between buckle and loop, and another between the layers after the loop. Iron to fuse. At other end, fold edge over toward front of collar, and secure with a small piece of fusible tape.
To buckle, thread end through both D rings, then back through the bottom one, and pull loose end to tighten.

I also found this great idea from esty seller BiceDesigns who will take a necktie and turn it into a collar or a sweet ring purse for your dog. He can match the groom/groomsmen but still feel like a dog- love it!

And because I just can't help it- more Chester. (This is one of my favorite photos of the day- him peaking out from the groomsmen's legs.)

{photo by Jose Villa}

Loving shoes...

2008-04-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.. designer shoes. How I love to dream of them. Sometimes after a tough day, I will go online and "purchase" a few pairs (and by "purchase" I mean, "add to cart" but then never actually "proceed to checkout"..haha- retail therapy that is also good on the pocketbook!) Maybe some day. Until then, I certainly do appreciate them from afar and wait for the perfect pair and perfect occasion to come along.
A total splurge? Of course. But if you are going to splurge for something, an occasion as special as your wedding day just may be worth the splurge. :) And while your wedding day is one of your most special days, it is just one day. And for shoes as great as these- you need to enjoy for many, many more days! A bridal-y white shoe would be really tough to wear again, but neutral and metallic tones are so re-wearable.
Enjoy these dreamy shoes..

{Metallic gold with delicate cutouts by Manolo Blahnik scream for a short dress to show them off. The next shoe by Fendi has the sweetest bit of feminine bow detailing in a soft yet slightly sparkling silver metallic. These Loeffler Randall with a half inch kitten wedge are perfect for outdoor weddings, and will keep you from sinking into the grass. And last but not least a pair of champagne peep toe stilettos by Christian Louboutin- I see ultra-glam, old Hollywood written all over them..}

Unexpected Vases

2008-04-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

Almost as much as I love the flowers that go inside, I just love the containers that hold them. Especially the unusual, unexpected kind. I will even admit that many of my grocery store purchases are dictated by their container's reusability or how cute a potential vase they may become someday to long be enjoyed after the yogurt, olive oil, milk or tea is gone. (I use these examples as some of my most favorite vases were useful holders of these items at one time..) I also love pulling out kitchen items from the cupboards. My husband has been heard to yell from the kitchen "Babe- where is the_________?" to which I will respond- "in the living room- holding the tulips!"
Domino just did a gorgeous spread about unexpected vases which I was so delighted to see and share!

{tinted shot glasses become festive little bud vases}

{vintage style tumblers like these from anthropologie create an eclectic look perfect for large single blooms}

{beautiful tea cups have an excuse to come out of the cupboard for this cute look}

{I absolutely LOVE old tea tins as vases}

{a ceramic glazed creamer dish}

{a rice bowl}
.............................................

And now for a quick peek at one of the things I am working on for a wedding this weekend-

{empty paint cans + vintage garden labels/vintage seed packets = unexpected vase! I can't wait to show how these will be used- stay tuned!}

Beautiful dresses

2008-04-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

Lately we have been collecting dress pictures left and right. It is so exciting to see designers coming up with new takes on classic gowns by adding unique and interesting detailing and touches..

{Casual elegance: Vera Wang}

Whimsical, bohemian-chic, ethereal flowing length, a beautifully draped neck/back-line and a rich, luxurious velvet sash make this dress feel effortlessly beautiful.

{A little bit of shine: Vera Wang, Amsale, Melissa Sweet.}

Vera Wang uses modern lines in a soft, antique lavender hue for an unexpected but gorgeous combination. Amsale takes sweet eyelets and pairs them with shiny silk taffeta for an interesting textural contrast. Melissa Sweet adds more volume to the traditionally body hugging satin gown for a completely different sultry feel.

{Sweeping Skirts: Jenny Packham, Romona Kevza, Carolina Herrara}

Flowing and flattering, these sweeping gauzy gowns evoke an enchanted luxurious feel. The closer to natural waistline (in dresses one and two) make this style much more wearable, while the added embellishments, pleating, and beading give the gowns a touch of opulence.

{Classic elegance: Vineyard Collection}

A very classic summer style gets dressed up with added length, more volume and charming braid detailing around the halter neck and back.

Big sale at The White Aisle!

2008-04-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

A quick post to let everyone know that The White Aisle is having a big moving sale! This is a huge savings opportunity if you are looking for paper, favors or other white aisle goodies. (This stuff is selling fast!)

Happy birthday Chester!

2008-04-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, my sweet little guy turned 15 years old. You read that right, 1-5! I cannot believe it has really been 15 years. (I got him when he was a tiny 9 weeks old..) He has seen me through all of my big life moments- including my wedding day (pictured above) and is the love of my life. I know I hardly ever blog the personal stuff on here, but considering so many of my clients and readers know and love Chester, I just had to share. :) (And 15 is quite a remarkable birthday for our little guy!) We feel so lucky to still have him in our lives.
While this was a wonderful occasion, I could not have been more thrilled than to be in Santa Barbara for Melissa and Ben's absolutely incredible wedding day- a day I have been looking forward to for the longest time. The wedding day was pure magic- so full of joy and love, perfect SB weather and a most wonderful couple. I can't wait to blog the pro pics soon and share all about it. :)
Dave was so sweet to send this picture from his phone for me to enjoy while I was away.

I was delighted when I got home to find more on our camera, including these gems..

And in the spirit of revealing more of our crazy dog people ways (if the party hat, banner and balloons didn't already scare you enough..) I should also mention that Chester had messages on our machine (left for him,) and his own mail in the mailbox!
He is one loved puggy.
And just for kicks, I dug through some old photos to find this funny blast in the past- Chester as a puppy! (Try to contain yourself when you see me in all of my 6th grade hotness..haha..)

How charming!

2008-04-10T16:15:00.001-07:00

I think I could spend days on etsy's handmade wedding shop and there are definitely plenty more posts to come on this topic- but for now I wanted to share these sweet charms and vintage inspired jewelry by Jan of Hazelnut Cottage who explains that she "lovingly handcrafts each and every piece, then sends them off into the world, like babies to their adoptive homes." (How sweet is that?)
I am just loving the idea of adding a small charm with a personally meaningful inscription to your bridal bouquet. Not only would it be a pretty little embellishment to add on the wedding day, but it would be a keepsake to treasure long after you bouquet is gone.
Hazelnut Cottage also has some gorgeous, romantic jewelry that should not be missed either.

Pretty pink ranunculus

2008-04-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

Totally quick and random post- but I am in love with my pink ranunculus right now. I just had to take a picture of them in all their bright and fluffy glory.
**Also in the photo- my super sweet and totally talented mom sent this little family of hippos she made for me from porcelain. Aren't they cute? I am lucky to have a ton of her ceramic creations all throughout our house. Next up are a few dozen vases for duet weddings! (Well, I am working on that one..hehe)
:)

Jackie & Jon's Wedding

2008-04-04T16:21:00.001-07:00

Another walk down memory lane brings me to one of my favorite weddings from last season- Jackie and Jon's gorgeous day at the incredible Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.
When I meet clients for the first time, I always ask them to tell me a few words to describe their wedding. I cannot tell you my delight when Jackie said the words, "rainbow sherbet." I was instantly taken back to my childhood favorite (my brothers would constantly make fun of me for ordering the same flavor each time we went out for ice cream- I did this for many, many years..) and the happy, summer vacation feeling the combination of varying shades of oranges and pinks always brings me. Of course, Jackie was semi-kidding- this was also going to be a completely elegant and romantic day in an exquisite space by the sea. The joyful colors set the mood for a day that was not only breathtakingly beautiful, but one that was incredibly happy and tons of fun.
Jackie and Jon were planning their wedding from Philadelphia and did an incredible job with all of the details. Jackie may just be the most organized person I have ever met in my life! It was such a blast getting to know these two and their families and friends. Jackie and Jon- sending warm California hugs to you in NYC!!
Enjoy the beautiful photos below by the wonderful Christine Marie.

{Jackie and Jon's flowers included the most luscious coral and pink peonies and tulips, the signature drinks of the evening included "Absolute Peach" and "Sink the Pink", the lighting by Rainbow Sound provided extra drama and impact in the room, the bridesmaids looked beautiful in their choice of sage Jim Helm dresses. }

{Jackie and Jon's stunning chuppah was later placed over their cake from Cake Divas, Jackie designed her own invitations and had them letter pressed by Mercurio Brothers, Casa Del Mar's incredible, giant clam shell filled with rose petals made the perfect centerpiece to the escort card table.}

{Perhaps my favorite memory of the night- Jackie and Jon channeling their inner Axl's- singing along with Dwight Kennedy to "Paradise City." How priceless is the reaction from their "fans!!"}

Loving lavender!

2008-04-01T22:10:00.001-07:00

Yikes- it has been FOREVER since my last post. It has been such a busy past couple of weeks here! Dave and I got away for the first time in a very long time for a mini vacation to the Santa Ynez Valley this past weekend. (Yes, I choose to vacation where I also so often work- hehe..) and it was an absolutely gorgeous weekend.
This time of year in wine country is one of my favorites as the colors are just beautiful. The trees are totally full and the rolling hills of grass are a vibrant green and dotted with the most insane lavender wildflowers. Since we were not good photographers this weekend (the camera stayed in the car almost the whole time.. which depending on how you look at it, is either completely inexcusable when you are on vacation or totally forgivable because you are on vacation..) I wanted to create an inspiration board devoted solely to lavender which I am totally loving and inspired by right now. I am also super excited for Melissa and Ben's upcoming wedding at the SB Four Seasons which will have lavender incorporated throughout.
Enjoy!

{Lavender Gin Martini from Gramercy Tavern via Martha Stewart, lavender cones from Brides, Elizabeth Messina's gorgeous bouquet, lavender bundle escort cards, lavender Whisky sour from Martha- see recipe here, fragrant herb and lavender bunches as favors from Martha, lavender in footed glasses- love this idea- from Martha, lavender infused water from Martha.}

Whimsical Cupcakes

2008-03-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

I know I have mentioned it before, but I love cupcakes. They somehow are always just the right amount of dessert, have a perfect cake to frosting ratio and don't require the fussiness of a plate and fork (making it that much easier to NOT turn them down..)
Using cupcakes in place of a wedding cake has been a trend that we have seen more and more in the last few years and one that I love. There are tons of gorgeous ways to display the little treats- I love the idea of stacking vintage cake pedestals to create a cupcake tower or adorning the tops of the cupcakes with fresh flowers for a punch of color. An all white cupcake tower with white wrappers mimic the look of a traditional wedding cake and can look stunning too.
How gorgeous are these lacy wrappers I found at Estillo Weddings? They seem like the perfect way to have the playful whimsy of a cupcake, but still a completely elegant look for a wedding. :)

Flea Market Finds

2008-03-11T17:06:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to share my flea market finds! I was on a mission for hobnail milk glass and was determined that I could do better than some of the crazy ebay prices I see..
I picked up a few sweet (cheap!) pieces and filled with flowers and herbs from around my yard (and the help of Trader Joes..) As much as I may like to be, a green thumb I am not.
Spring is one of my most favorite times of the year. Growing up in Portland, where the skies are almost year round a dreary shade of grey, spring was a time when the sun came out, the skies became blue(er) and my mom's incredible garden would begin to wake up and come bursting into rich color. We would begin wearing shorts (despite the still, very chilly temperature) and run barefoot on the wet grass. How I have been spoiled by my adult life in sunny California..
These little arrangements represent that spring feeling I had as a child and put a smile on my face.

{I filled a milk glass cup with Tulips, Ranunculus and herbs and made a quick centerpiece with grapefruits (from our tree!) and plums (from the grocery store..) Some leftover fabric I had lying around made a runner and my grandmother's old tablecloth gave our patio table a cute vintage look.}

{Various sizes and shapes filled with vibrant spring time blooms. Freesia, Tulips, Ranunculus, Larkspur, and Daffodils create such a cheery look. A little Martha tip- be sure not to mix Daffodils with other blooms. Their stems contain a poisonous sap which causes other flowers to wilt quickly. Miki gets all the credit for arranging the gorgeous footed vase flowers..}

{I think the dining room table is smiling too..}

Flea Market Fun

2008-03-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

I had been looking forward to this past weekend for some time for a couple of reasons. First, on Saturday was the incredible wedding of Megan and Sean at the Skirball Center. I cannot wait to see the gorgeous images from the super fun, totally amazing, Amy and Stuart. :)
Congrats Megan and Sean- I can't stop smiling from your beautiful day!
Also, on Sunday was the Rose Bowl Flea Market (which only roles around on the 2nd Sunday of each month..) and I was on a mission for some great finds for some of our upcoming weddings. Miki, my assistant coordinator (and resident vintage style guru) came along to help. We were both in flip-flop bliss (after a long day on our feet the day before) scouring the stalls for the items we had set out to find.
Flea Markets are full of fabulous wedding finds. We snapped a few pics while we were there that I thought would be fun to share.

{Vintage metal letters on old pieces of painted wood become darling signs. My eye went straight to the "They Lived Happily Ever After" and "Cocktails" signs- how cute would they be for a wedding?}

{I am obsessed with old glass bottles. A little fun fact- the purple hue in the glass is actually a side effect of the manganese in them. Because of the lead shortages during the Civil War, glass manufacturers used manganese to give the glass clarity. When exposed to sunlight, glass with manganese eventually turns this light purple shade. These purple glass bottles can all be dated between the years between 1860-1915 because of their color. (This is also why these tiny bottles are so expensive!) }

{Here are just a couple of the many chandeliers. Can you tell I was on a purple kick? }

{I loved this piece. Too bad I have no room for it!}

{The collections of drawer pulls throughout the day was impressive. Miki snagged some to revamp an old dresser.}

{Fun, old kitchen gadgets..}

{How cute are these tiny school house chairs? I had to sit on one (gently) to show the scale. We thought they would be perfect for a kids table or a row just for the little ones at a ceremony..}

Ashley & Aron's wedding

2008-03-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

Aron and Ashley are a couple very close to my heart. They were one of my very first booked clients when I decided to follow my dream and start {duet} Weddings. I didn't have a pretty portfolio to show off, a snazzy website, or a long list of references- but they believed in me and hired me for their big day (which was a whole year later..)
We had so much fun planning- whether over cappuccinos at Peet's (for which we both shared an obsession..) or glasses of wine- it was always such a blast to hang out.
Ashley and Aron are creative geniuses. They put so many sweet personal touches into their wedding. From designing their gorgeous paper products (letterpressed by Aardvark) to canning their own homemade lemon curd for favors (which doubled as place cards!) There was no detail overlooked by these two.
Their wedding was held at the gorgeous Firestone Crossroads Estate (no surprise, a favorite location of mine..) and was done in a modern, monochromatic white palette. Fluffy Spider Mums, Sweetpeas, Peonies, Freesia, Lisiantus and Ranunculus were romantic and luscious in texture, bringing a softness and warmth to the cool, modern look. Repeating these yummy clusters down the length of feasting style tables brought instant drama to the barn. Bursts of lemony yellow which were incorporated throughout the paper products and favors made for a sunny, spring inspired feeling.
Ashley and Aron- miss you tons all the way in NYC! Thanks so much for the opportunity to be a part of your gorgeous wedding day. :)
Enjoy the beautiful photos from Kasey Lennon for Rikka Zimmerman Photography.

{ All about the details~ Ashley and Aron created a most touching ceremony with the help of Rev Jerry Bellamy. The menu included multiple tasting courses, taking advantage of the best seasonal ingredients thanks to the always amazing, Lorraine Lim. Ashley and Aron know and love their cheese. An incredible cheese display (complete with oversized chalkboard menu describing each cheese in detail) was brought in. I went to my friends at Silverlake Cheese to find out where they found their adorable mini chalkboards used for their displays, and it turns out- Joann's Fabrics sells them in bulk! With a white paint pen, Ashley and Aron created little markers for each cheese on the display with these darling mini chalkboards. Ashley and Aron's programs were bound with a simple black twine and included a gorgeous hand sketched (by Ashley!) family tree inside. Jars of lemon curd had sweet labels with a yellow oak tree outline. Jars were attached to escort cards as a way to outsmart that pesky Santa Ynez Valley wind! The gorgeous florals were provided by Bella Ambiance. }

{More details~ The oh-so-yummy (and gorgeous) cake was inspired by a Martha Stewart photo by Robyn Loves Cake. Ashley's perfect lace dress was by Vera Wang. Not pictured but most worthy of a shout-out- Gavin Roy kept the dance floor packed all night!}

Sunny Yellow for Spring

2008-03-03T20:46:00.000-08:00

I know I have mentioned this already, but I am completely obsessed with yellow for spring! It is just so cheery and fun and totally versatile.
I decided to put together a board of yummy yellows for you to enjoy and be inspired by!

{Photos: Dress by Karta, Flower girl slippers from Brides, scarf by Millions of Smile, Bouquet by Artfool, arrangement by Artfool, Macarons by Paulette's Macarons, dress by Rachel Pally, yellow fan from Brides, bridesmaid bouquets of kermit mums with orchids from Brides, Shoes from JCrew, clutch by Lauren Mirken, glass urn and candle sticks by Belle Fleur.}

Such an Incredible Honor!!

2008-02-27T17:45:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to share what is quite possibly the greatest honor ever for me!! My absolute favorite blog of all time, my daily inspiration, my little happy place on a bad day, Style Me Pretty, has selected {duet} Weddings to be one of the three event planners for their Little Black Book of Santa Barbara's best wedding vendors!! I am so thrilled! If you do not already know the gorgeous Style Me Pretty, definitely add it to your bookmarks bar so you can feast on the inspiring, gorgeous ideas that Abby puts together every day. :)
HUGE thanks to all my special couples who have made it possible for me to be doing what I love so much!

Stef & Philip's Wedding

2008-02-24T15:33:00.001-08:00

I keep getting requests for more real wedding photos on my blog- so I decided to go back in time and put some gorgeous photos together from Stefanie and Philip's special day at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. Stef and Philip were planning their big day all the way from Austin- not an easy task! They were such an absolute blast to work with during the planning process and were so relaxed and happy on their big day. Revisiting their wedding photos was a sweet trip down memory lane for me. :)
Their wedding was an intimate celebration- all about enjoying the company of family and friends. They decided to forgo some of the more traditional wedding events to maximize the short time they all had together. Rather than doing toasts during the reception, Philip and Stef had all of the toasts and speeches enjoyed at their rehearsal dinner. Rather than a traditional cake cutting, they had a souffle station open throughout the evening where guests could help themselves as they pleased. One of the highlights of the evening was their totally heartwarming and hilarious slideshow which played during dinner. It was an unforgettable, meaningful, beautiful day and night which I was honored to be a part of. Thank you for everything, Stef and Philip- I miss you guys! :)

Enjoy the beautiful photos from Sarah Holden Photography!

{All about the details~ Stef's dress was an exquisite ivory silk Eugenia Couture gown. The Bunker Duo played Canon in D as Stef came down the aisle. The bridesmaids dresses were some of my favorite ever, from an Austin based designer, Linda Asaf. The girls carried a simple and elegant nosegay of white calla lilies. Stef's bouquet was a luscious mixture of miniature white calla lilies, white tulips and exotic green parrot tulips tied simply with an ivory silk ribbon to match her dress. All gorgeous flowers were from my friend Camille at Modern Day Design. The sweet sage green programs were done simply and beautifully with chocolate brown lettering, a decorative “M” monogram and a simple grosgrain ribbon.}

{More details~ The bridesmaid's calla lilies later adorned the glowing reception fireplace. (A great money saving idea!) The tall centerpieces were beautifully lined with loops of grasses to hold a fluttery arrangement of white Hawaiian dendrobium orchids. Touches of viburnum and foliage added softness and spring green to the look. The lighting from the chandeliers and soft glow from the candles created a warm antique hue throughout the room. Wedding cake was not missed with the miniature Grand Marnier and chocolate soufflés made to order, which guests were able to decadently dress with rich chocolate or vanilla sauce. The low arrangements were made up of green and white lily grasses, holding a simple arrangement of white standard and green parrot tulips. The flowers were arranged to be loose and airy to mimic the airy feel of the tall centerpieces. Again, from the always talented Camille.}

Bridesmaid Idea for spring

2008-02-22T10:59:00.001-08:00

How yummy are these shoes from JCrew's spring line!? They are so cheerful and make me feel so excited for spring (especially on a grey, rainy day like today!) These shoes are like little pieces of art to admire and are so fun and vibrant. They gave me an idea for something I think would be so sweet for an outdoor spring wedding. I know we've seen bridesmaids wear different dresses in the same color, (an idea I've always loved) but wouldn't it be cute if all your bridesmaids wore the same dress in the same color- but each with a different pair of shoes? (How adorable would that photo be?) Rather than think of shoes as an accessory to a look- they can be the center of it! I am loving sunny yellow right now and paired with a universally flattering style like this dress from anthropologie I think would be such a sweet spring look.

Loving eyelets

2008-02-20T00:52:00.000-08:00

I heart eyelets. They are just so charming and sweet. Delicate and feminine without being overly girly. Vintage feeling without being outdated and old fashioned. They are a detail that can be incorporated throughout your day in such a subtle way- the trim on a cake pedestal, the ribbon on a ring pillow, on a votive or luminary, even hanging lanterns! You can create an eyelet effect completely inexpensively with a whole punch on paper too- sprucing up your menu cards or place cards.

{photos clockwise from left~ Luna Bazaar, Adorn Magazine, cb2, and etsy.}

LOVE these address labels!

2008-02-19T17:04:00.000-08:00

How completely gorgeous are these address labels from iomoi?

They are preppy, quirky, whimsical and just so happy. They bring a punch of color and excitement to an envelope and I think would be perfect for a save the date or a fun wedding invitation. (But of course also great for other occasions and every day use.) You could even customize your text and use these as adorable favor labels too!
Check out iomoi for other fun ideas. Matching coasters, notebooks and matchbooks and super cute invitations galore!

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines day!
Whether you believe that today is a silly made-up holiday (ahem... Dave..) or like to go all out, I hope that everybody has a wonderful romantic evening together.
I am a sucker for all things romantic, so I feel like Valentines day is a perfect excuse to do things a little bit differently. It is about making an effort to create a special occasion out of an ordinary evening and to celebrate being in love! I thought I'd do a quick post this afternoon to give some last minute ideas that don't require spending a fortune and are more meaningful than the last minute roses and chocolates *though, Dave, if you were planning to stop for these items on your way home from work, don't let this stop you.. Flowers and chocolates are perfectly nice too...* (especially when they come from somebody you love. :)

1. Flight Night at Silverlake Wine

My friends at Silverlake Wine hold their "Flight Night" tasting (a flight of three reds and three whites) every Thursday and Valentines day is no exception. This is a fun alternative to going out to dinner- and unlike those crazy restaurants tonight- does not require a reservation! Just show up anytime between 5pm and 9pm and enjoy! (I may see you there!)
Silverlake Wine
2395 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles
CA 90039

2. Order take out

Okay, so this probably doesn't seem like such a fabulous idea on the surface (as most probably do this on a regular night anyhow..) but tonight is all about enjoying and celebrating- so doing those little things that you do not normally do can make ordinary take out a special occasion. Open a bottle of your favorite champagne. Use your fancy plates. Light candles. Make a fun playlist on your ipod. Put a picnic blanket on your living room floor. Have fun and enjoy not having to cook!

3. Go out for ice cream

I always think of ice cream as a special occasion, but going out for it is something I almost never do. For something a bit different, check out Scoops on Heliotrope and Melrose- where the ice cream flavors are sure to inspire and excite. From the popular "brown bread" ice cream to "Fois gras and sweet cream" (I am not kidding) ice cream. The flavors change daily on the whim of the owner and I am sure he has concocted something fun for Valentines day. Scoops closes when the ice cream runs out or at 10:00pm- whichever comes first.
Scoops
712 N Heliotrope Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90029

4. Pick up a sweet treat

Cupcakes always make me smile. For those lucky Westsiders who live close to Vanilla Bakeshop, their Valentine's specials sound divine. Flavors like Southern Red Velvet, Vanilla Bean with pink sanding, Bittersweet Dark Chocolate, and Chocolate Vanilla Bean with red sanding all come topped with a sweet red heart.
Vanilla Bakeshop
512 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
90401

5. Lost

I know this is not particularly romantic, but tonight is all about celebrating, and Lost's return is definitely worth celebrating! Combine any of the items #1-4 listed above with Lost, and I think you will have a pretty swell Valentines day. :)

xo,
Rebecca

Honeymoon Idea- Jake's Jamaica

2008-02-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

Vogue Magazine called Jake's the "chicest shack in the Caribbean" which I find to be such a sweet, fitting description. I adore Jamaica. It is a country with such a vibrant culture- incredible music, art, food and people. Jake's holds a special place in my heart as I have stayed here twice before and plan to continue to go back again and again. The first time I came to Jake's was for my big brother's wedding. He and my sister in law had the most incredible sunset ceremony with 8 of their closest friends on the cliffs of the property. The ceremony was followed by a candlelit lobster feast along the same cliff. It was nothing short of magical. The same group of us all came back 5 years later to celebrate their anniversary and relive the special time. We are already trying to plan the next trip!
Jake's is a small boutique hotel located in the tiny fishing village of Treasure Beach in Jamaica. Treasure beach has no major resorts, no fancy watersports, no Hard Rock Cafe's, very few tourists at all- a charming and secluded slice of paradise. (Though if you are wanting more action Negril and Montego Bay are a few hours away.)
Expect a relaxing, unwinding experience here where you will find quickly, life runs on "island time." Jake's oozes with personality and charm- from the hotel dogs which serve as little Jake's mascots (and help when you are homesick for your own dog!) to the colorful and perfectly mismatched linens to the open air outdoor showers made of driftwood and colored bottles. Get the most refreshing rum punch from Dougie's bar, read a book on the balcony of your room while waves crash from below against your feet, explore the beaches or take a short boat ride to the "Pelican Bar"- a bar in the middle of the ocean built completely out of driftwood. A short drive away is the Appleton Estate Rum distillery and YS falls and just off the beach at Jake's are exciting rivers to tour by boat.
The hotel staff is incredible and make you feel so welcome and at home there. Jake's two restaurants serve up wonderful Jamaican dishes and fresh seafood making it very easy to never leave the hotel during your stay. (And if you ask nicely, the chef will give you a private cooking lesson in the kitchen!)
The greatest part- Jake's is totally affordable. Even during the high season, you can have a fabulous room for under $200. When you go, be sure to stay in SeaPuss #1 or 2 for the best view in the house, ask Dougie for his special of the day, and be sure to give little "Peanut" (the Jack Russell mix) some love from me. Happy honeymooning! :)

Wedding Invitation Posters at Etsy

2008-01-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

I found this idea on etsy (one of my very favorite websites) and I loved it so much, I just had to share. These super sweet wedding invitation posters are from "Unless Someone Like You Designs" who came up with the idea when she wanted to create something unique for her own wedding. She designed an 11x17 wedding invitation poster which was sent to guests in a mailing tube. Such a brilliant idea. I am obsessed with mailing tubes- they are a totally fun way to deliver precious paper products safely- and really, how excited and intrigued would you be to come home and find a mailing tube amongst all of your other mail? Mailing tubes can be found very inexpensively at PaperMart (another favorite of mine) and can be dressed up a number of ways with cute labels and stamps. I would make the RSVP in a postcard style (I figure an envelope here would be a bit cumbersome) and either attach it with a ribbon or soft yarn around the rolled poster, or I would create a band out of patterned paper to wrap around the poster and tuck the RSVP card in gently. I may even make a tiny tag to hang off the yarn with which I would display a wedding website address for more information about the wedding. (In place of the other typical invitation inserts- map inserts, accommodations info, reception cards, etc.) Or I may have some fun with the mailing tube caps- and display info directly on them!
The poster would also be a fantastic alternative to a guest book- it could be framed and matted and set out for guests to sign. After the wedding, glass can be added and it is ready to hang!
"Unless Someone Like You Designs" will create a custom designed poster that reflects you for $150. The cost includes the price of the design only. The image will be digitally sent for you to have printed at a printer of your choice. Check out the site for more ideas!

LA MILL is open!

2008-01-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

Yay! The highly anticipated LA MILL COFFEE has finally opened its doors and coffee nerds all over town are rejoicing at the sight of new clover machines, a gorgeous hand pounded marzocco espresso maker, and an incredibly inventive menu of coffee drinks in a gorgeous setting. (It is the latter and the fact that it is so close by that has me most excited!)
The interior is a swanky chic--faux croc turquoise and robin's egg blue chairs, red banquettes, black lucite table tops and a gorgeous show stopping brass chandelier. It is no wonder the people at LA MILL are insistent that this is not a coffee shop- oh no- this is a coffee boutique.
The food menu is equally impressive (with Michael Cimarusti of Providence behind it) with everything from fancified eggs for breakfast, soups, salads and paninis for lunch and a super fun dessert menu- (like the "almost creme brulee" with vanilla salt, bananas and marcona almonds.) The fancy food has a fancy price tag, but there are several pastries on the menu as well which also look delish (and won't break the bank!)
But back to the coffee. One of the coffee drinks on the menu I had to try right away was the "coffee and a jelly donut" which really is more a novelty or dessert (not an everyday order) but it certainly is a must try. They actually steep a donut in the milk before frothing the milk and at the bottom of the glass (yup, they serve this one in a tiny glass) is a layer of sweet jelly which you mix together before drinking. It really becomes a jelly donut in your mouth- amazing. Another signature is the "coffee and a cigarette" (obviously not for everyone- but adventurous and impressive nonetheless) where similarly-they infuse tobacco in the whipped cream. Of course, they also have all of the old stand bys too and the most enormous tea selection for non coffee drinkers. I am excited to try their "Masala Chai" which with masala, current, spices, milk and sugar sounds pretty dreamy to me.
So really, I can't think of a better place to meet and talk wedding talk than in a gorgeous place like this with some of the world's best coffee and tea! Can't wait to see you there! :-)

Save-the-Dates Thinking (within) the box!

2008-01-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

How sweet are these? I had such a blast helping to design these beautiful save-the-dates for Sarah and Mike! I absolutely love doing something unexpected when it comes to save-the-dates. Since they are not formal invitations, you can have so much fun being creative here. It is your first opportunity to make your wedding date known- so why not have fun with it!? I always like to encourage couples to think outside the envelope and surprise their guests. :)
When I first met Sarah and Mike (over the perfect latte at Intelligentsia) our ideas starting flowing for their "country elegance" styled wedding at a Eucalyptus Lane. Among the many motif possibilities that the space evoked, the eucalyptus plant seemed like a pretty perfect idea. Mike is a design whiz and came up with a beautiful eucalyptus tree motif which were printed using a Gocco printer in a cool, silvery blue ink. The fonts he chose were a blend of bold and modern, yet still romantic and sweet. We attached a single stem of fresh eucalyptus with a natural twine and the silvery leaves of the fresh eucalyptus mimicked the silverly blue ink gorgeously. (And the fresh eucalyptus has a wonderfully mild, fresh smell!) Keeping with the organic feeling of their wedding, we chose kraft paper components and a natural wood shred as a bed for the save-the-date. I absolutely love the way everything looks when you first open the box and find the kraft paper sealed with a delicate top of a eucalyptus sprig!
Sarah and Mike- I am looking forward to invitation time when we create new fabulous ideas!

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-24T14:15:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone most merry, joyful holidays!
xoxo,
Rebecca

Laura Hooper Calligraphy

2007-12-20T17:16:00.000-08:00

Laura Hooper has to be my most favorite calligrapher ever. She is beyond words talented, super sweet, and her work is just incredible. I was so excited when she sent me her latest album of samples- I had to stop myself from drooling all over the pages! So many different styles to choose from! Calligraphy is one of those absolutely timeless, elegant touches that really make your wedding paper products something special!
In addition to her gorgeous calligraphy, Laura is also an amazing illustrator- and she is creating these adorable maps which I think are the most perfect addition to any invitation or out of town baskets. They really are adorable, one of a kind works of art!

New at White Aisle

2007-12-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

I have always been a big fan of The White Aisle and just love their gorgeous stationary, fun gift ideas and vintage style. Right now they are doing something really amazing for a group of women and girls in Cambodia, many of whom were sold by their families at young ages and forced to work in brothels. White Aisle worked together with a day center in Phnom Penh to set up a small sewing facility for these women and girls, for which 100% of the profit goes straight to the girls to help them get on their feet and into a better, safer life. They have absolutely GORGEOUS Khmer silks- and I especially love the silk roses- so many possibilities! Great stuff for a great cause. :)

Hot Spot Mini Donuts

2007-12-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

My good friend Isabel at Isabel Lawrence Photographers was so kind to send me this oh-so-yummy idea which I absolutely LOVE.
Shelly Barkley is the owner of the delicious Hot Spot Mini Donuts, and the genius behind my new favorite favor idea. Shelly brings her donut making machine to your wedding location and fries up the doughy morsels on site, then fills adorable paper cones with the tiny, piping hot miniature sized donuts sprinkled with guests' choice of powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, vanilla, raspberry or chocolate flavored granulated sugar, vermont maple and oreo cookie crumb. It is the perfect thing to serve with coffee at the end of the evening or while guests wait for the valet. The powerful machine cranks out 100 DOZEN mini donuts in an hour, so you can be sure guests will not leave hungry! I think this is such a fun, unexpected favor idea- I love that it is interactive too- guests will enjoy watching the donuts being made and have a sweet treat to leave with.

Congrats to my fabulous mother in law!

2007-12-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Granted, the congrats is a bit delayed since I am behind with my posts- but this is definitely a post very close to my heart which I am so excited to (finally!) share. My mother in law, Joyce (who is one of the warmest people you will ever meet) and Ken (a most wonderful man,) recently celebrated their incredibly touching and beautiful wedding day which I was honored and thrilled to be such a close part of.
Planning Joyce and Ken's wedding was very special to me and of course it had to be perfect in every way. (Remember- this is my mother in law! Noooo pressure! hehe..) Joyce specifically requested that she NOT know anything about the plans (aside from location and a few other key details..) so almost everything was a surprise on the big day. It was such a blast coming up with the design concept and details knowing that it would all be a complete surprise and I was very honored to know she had full trust in my ideas for her and that I could take the big job off of her hands. Joyce is definitely the planner of all planners- she is always brilliantly hosting and entertaining- so not knowing what I was up to must have been tough for her! This was one celebration where I didn't want Joyce to have to lift a single finger though (otherwise before we knew it- she would have been in the kitchen cooking on her own wedding day!) That is just the way she is-always giving and caring for others. Now it was her turn!
For this wedding, I chose to go with a very neutral and organic, clean color palette. The wedding was held outdoors at the house of one of Joyce's very best friends and I didn't want to compete with the natural surroundings or attempt to turn the space into something it was not. Instead I chose to pick up on the greens of the grass gardens, the blue of the sky and the sandy, earthy color of the mountains which were a gorgeous backdrop to the space. I used raw silk on the tables to bring in a hint of luxury and elegance- yet chose to leave it un-hemmed and naturally frayed to keep with the casual surroundings. I used ceramic containers rather than glass to keep the materials
earthy and warm rather than modern and cool. I chose to use only long tables for guest seating to better fit the shape of the yard and also as a way to maximize the impact for table decor. I used white monochromatic single bloom hydrangea repeated down the length of the tables which provided a clean, effective 'wow' factor. White paper ball lanterns glowed romantically and appeared to float in the air..
Everything was set to go as planned and with only three days to go, we all watched in shock as the weather report predicted RAIN for the wedding day. The executive decision had to be made- we needed to tent the entire wedding. While this was far from the original plan, and required quite a bit of reworking (and a significant increase to the budget)- it turned out absolutely beautifully. The rain pattered throughout the evening and guests stayed toasty and dry. The paper ball lanterns and candles created an incredible amber glow against the white tent walls in a way that would not have otherwise been acheived.
It could not have been a more special, romantic, gorgeous, perfect day. Congratulations Joyce and Ken!

Photos below taken by my dear friend Emily Engle whose company Brulee Photography is beginning to take off!

My favorite photo of the newlyweds- such a sweet moment after the ceremony!

I fell in love with this shade of silk dupioni at an inexpensive fabric store and ordered as much as I could. I loved the color because it was so versatile- depending on how it fell in the light it would change shades. Joyce's bridesmaid's dresses were a deep blue fabric which also shimmered into different shades, so I chose to pick something within the same color family rather than trying to match exactly. Simple kraft card stock made for sweet, minature sized table numbers.

Lanterns glow in the background as puffy white tufts of hydrangeas line the tables.

Taking last minute clippings from around the garden was a solution and way to bring in the colors and feeling of the yard into the tent.

Trays of wheatgrass held guest placecards on skewers and brought the outside in as well.

Joyce's beautiful collection of cake pedestals were used to display the cake as a sweet alternative to a traditional tiered look.

I decided to make light of the gloomy conditions outside by creating funny labels for the beverages which were intended to be cool and refreshing (on what we had expected to be a hot day!) "Stormy Sangria," "When the Weather Gives you Lemons" lemonade and "Rain Tea" gave guests a chuckle.

Serving only beer and wine rather than a full bar is a great way to maximize a budget.

The beautiful glow of the lanterns..

Had to put a shot of my handsome hubby with his mom!

Guests had so much fun with the cookies and milk favors. I ordered cookies from Diddy Riese (so yummy and so cheap!) and packaged them with a very simple label. Along with the tiny lunchroom sized milk cartons, these were the perfect take away at the end of the evening!

All of the fabric panels I had made to hang outdoors found good use inside the tent too. They worked perfectly for the plain, unattractive tent walls- especially where the tent poles were visible!

So sorry for the blogging hiatus!

2007-12-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

What a bad blogger I have been lately! I am SO sorry to all of my fabulous clients and blog readers for my time away! I hope everybody is enjoying the holiday season. More posts to come soon with new ideas, wedding pictures and other fun stuff!
Talk to you soon! :)
xoxo,
Rebecca

Happy bridesmaids..

2007-11-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

LOVE this!! Two Birds has come up with this ONE brilliant dress. It comes in 11 delicious colors (and for a bit extra, a custom color can be made) and can be worn- (get ready..) 10, yes 10 different ways! This one dress fits women sizes 0-16 and will flatter any body type. Your bridesmaids will be thrilled to be able to express their individuality and wear their dresses in a way most flattering and comfortable for them. Strapless, halter, assymmetrical, sleeved, and more- the choice is theirs! What I love about the versatility of this dress is that it would be perfect for an outdoor daytime wedding, but also perfectly elegant and beautiful for an evening black tie wedding- and the best part- it can be worn AFTER the wedding! Check out Two Bird's one dress. :)

Silhouettes!

2007-10-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

I am kind of completely obsessed with silhouettes lately. I think they are such a fun, elegant motif to incorporate throughout a wedding. Whether you incorporate them on your paper elements, (simple silhouettes of you and your fiance would look classic and clean on an invitation, or would be fun to print on coasters or cocktail napkins for your reception...) I also love the idea of silhouette wall hangings displayed at the wedding with a really thick, yummy ribbon. It is a look that is modern, but also timeless.
Silhouettes are no longer only made the old-fashioned way either. Instead of cutting images from paper, silhouettes now can be done much more quickly, accurately and easily-digitally from one of your photos. Order a high res pdf for your own printing or a gorgeous 8x10 on archival paper.
Fabulous companies like Classic Silhouettes and Simply Silhouettes let you do this easily. :)

Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gown Sale

2007-10-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

Making Memories is a wonderful organization whose mission is to grant wishes for breast cancer patients while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness. One of their fundraising programs, "Brides Against Breast Cancer" gives brides to be the opportunity to find their dream dresses at discounted prices. All the proceeds go toward raising money for breast cancer. Most gown prices range from $89- $799 and include hundreds of name brand and designer gowns (some valued at up to $8,000.) Even exclusive designer gowns valued at up to $20,000 will be available at 25%-75% savings. About half of the dresses come directly from manufacturers, designers and bridal stores- so you will find a huge selection of styles, fabrics and sizes. Brides Against Breast Cancer will be in Los Angeles from November 5th through November 7th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza:
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California 90067
November 5th- 6pm-10:30pm VIP night
November 6th- 8am-10:00pm
November 7th- 8 am - 5 pm
If you are already married and interested in donating your gown to this wonderful cause, click here and scroll down to find the downloadable form. (Or you can drop it off at the gown sale!)

Shower for the cure

2007-10-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

October is breast cancer awareness month, so I wanted to share one of my very favorite products right now- Philosophy's "Shower for the Cure." It is soo yummy- it has this fresh tangerine-y with a hint of sweet vanilla fragrance...mmmm- perfect way to start the day! (And help save lives!) 100% of the proceeds of the sale of the shower gel is donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Go grab a bottle for yourself, your bridesmaids, anyone! It is a great gift for a great cause.

Think Pink at the Viceroy!

2007-10-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, speaking of thinking pink.. I just found out that the uber-chic Viceroy is offering a "Think Pink" rate- where if you book a stay during the month of October, 10% of the rate will be donated to the UCLA Breast Center. Even more good reason to get out of town next weekend..

Shannon and Jon's wedding

2007-10-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share these beautiful pictures from Shannon and Jon's wedding (shot by the incredibly talented and wonderful Anna and Michael Costa. )
Shannon and Jon were SO much fun to work with. These two were the absolute sweetest and so much in love. It was a most perfect day full of love and laughter and all about celebrating family and friends.
The Firestone Crossroads estate provided the perfect rustic backdrop and the fresh coral and pink tones throughout the wedding added a vibrant summery elegance. There were tons of yummy peonies, ranunculus and dahlias mixed in with more rustic pieces of willow and branches of berries.
The ceremony took place under the Firestone's famous Oak tree. Shannon and Jon's good friend Mark officiated the ceremony while long flower strands swayed gently in the breeze from the tree's branches. The sky had the most intense shades of blues and pinks (caused by the smoke from the fire along San Marcos Pass..)
A gorgeous lounge area with white puffy couches made the cocktail area extra cozy and Shannon and Jon's good friend Dave played the most beautiful music on his guitar. (Shannon had always dreamed that her friend Dave would play at her wedding someday..)
For the reception, guests moved inside the barn where incredible branch centerpieces adorned the tables. The branches had dozens of white flowers individually wired to each branch and they looked as if they were just floating in the air. A most touching (and funny!) toast was given by Jon's 8 (yes, 8!) brothers and sisters.

Their fabulous vendors also included Pure Joy who created an amazing spread and as always were such a pleasure to work with.
Lisa Carter with Behind the Scenes who showed yet again that she is a floral genius!
Rachel with AMS Entertainment did a great job keeping guests on the dance floor.
Dawn at Decadence who created their oh-so-yummy wedding cake.
Julie Morgan did a beautiful job achieving Shannon's soft and elegant, totally romantic hair and makeup. (Not that she needed any help!) and Shanon looked absolutely stunning in her Kirstie Kelly gown.

Because of the heavy wind that comes through the Santa Ynez Valley, we secured these escort cards with a simple, shear ribbon- which helped the cards stay in place and looked gorgeous!

John with his most adorable little brother (the "flower boy") and sister (the "ring girl.")

Shannon could not have been a more beautiful bride!

How perfect are these peonies?!!

Perhaps my favorite detail of the day were these 7 foot long flower strands hanging all throughout the branches of the ceremony Oak. The way they glistened and glowed as the sun began to set was something magical.

Paso Robles

2007-10-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

To celebrate our second anniversary, we went away to wine country again (of course!) but this time went a bit farther north to Paso Robles (where we had not ventured to yet..) Wow. What a special trip. I tried to turn off my wedding filter for this one weekend of vacation- but I could not help but imagine the possibilities in this GORGEOUS area.
We stayed at the incredibly romantic Hotel Cheval (thanks to Jenn and Jeff for the fabulous recommendation!) complete with a wine, cheese and chocolate bar, outdoor fire places with cozy furniture and- I loved this part- complimentary horse and buggy! (ooh and they do (smaller) weddings there!)
We had a yummy romantic dinner at Villa Creek and a lovely brunch at Artisan. (I am a fan of any place that offers fresh, fried donuts with dipping sauces for a brunch appetizer!)
We also did a lot of wine tasting at some really great wineries- my husband's favorite, Four Vines (where even as loyal wine club members we could not get our hands on a single bottle of the amazing Heretic..) We also loved Denner (highly recommend their "ditch digger" and zin!) and Tablas who makes some really awesome blends.
It was the perfect romantic getaway (and really not that much farther from LA than to the Santa Ynez Valley..) perfect for an anniversary, or just to get away from the stresses of daily life for a weekend. We can't wait for an excuse to go back! (Paso Robles weddings anyone?! hehe...)

Two year anniversary!

2007-10-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yay! I cannot BELIEVE it has already been two years since our beautiful wedding day. Time really does fly when you are having fun. While the big day does go by so fast, I still remember everything like it was yesterday- the smells, the sounds, the feelings..I will never forget the look on Dave's face when he saw me come down the aisle- and the smell of my bouquet, the nervous excited feeling from the sound of Canon in D, the bubbling of Champagne in my nose..
There is also something so amazing about photographs and the way they can take you back to a moment in time. I feel so lucky to have incredible photographs of our memories. (Thank you Jose Villa!) It really was the most special day, and I feel so lucky to be a part of that with so many couples I work with. :)
I thought I'd share some photos from my own big day..

Custom ties

2007-10-03T17:47:00.001-07:00

I just love this idea I found in the latest Martha mag! This would add such a personal touch to your wedding and would make for totally fun groomsmen gifts. Choose any fabrics- I love this range of coordinating colors and patterns- and send it to TieCrafters where they will work closely with you to create custom neckties or bow ties cut to the exact length, thickness and width you desire. So fun!

Los Angeles Flower Market

2007-09-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

When it comes to getting inspiration for weddings, one of my very favorite things to do is to hit up the Los Angeles Flower Market in the wee hours of the morning. Now getting up at 5am is not my ideal waking hour by any means, but I have to say- there is something so peaceful about getting up while the rest of the world is asleep, snuggling up in my favorite sweatshirt, getting a hot cup of coffee and tiptoeing around my snoring dog and sleeping husband (who at 5am are still very much in the sweetest of dreamlands.) The air is dewy and cool and the sun is just barely beginning to shine its light. I love putting on a good cd and taking the drive through the completely empty, quiet streets of downtown- it feels like a different world- totally surreal.
The quiet and calm stops though once you do arrive (by this time the coffee has kicked in anyhow..) because the flower mart at 6am is totally bustling and awake. I recommend parking at 742 Maple- it is a lit park garage with plenty of parking and the man at the gated entrance/exit could not be friendlier. (Friendly faces are nice at such an early hour!) You can park on the roof which is cheaper- but you then need to take the (slightly sketchy) freight elevator to the flower mart below. If you decide to park on the first level there is an entrance to the escalators right there though- so if you are alone I would suggest going this route. (Though going with a friend is always more fun..) As you go down the escalator the sweet smell of fresh cut flowers overtakes you and soon you are in a sea of color. I love going from stall to stall touching and smelling everything I see. The prices are remarkable- even without a wholesale license- and I always learn so much each time I go. I can't help but load up on armfuls to bring home and play with. (I made some awesome mum balls this week!) The price for admission depends on the day ($2 during the week, $1 on Saturday) and the hours open to the public vary also. Bring cash! Though some stalls take debit/credit cards, for the most part it is cash only. (And the garage is cash only..) If you forget to hit the ATM before going- not to fear there are a couple ATMs within the flower mart that charge a usage fee.
I really recommend every bride go check it out. The vendors are generally all very friendly and helpful- they can tell you the names of flowers, whether or not they are in season during your wedding, how much they cost, etc. Not only will you get tons of ideas for your wedding, but you can go home with several bunches for your house! (I am always happier when there are fresh flowers in my house! :)
Ok, so don't forget:
*Go EARLY! If you can, go right at opening.
*Bring cash.
*Bring a friend.
*Park in the garage.
For more information check out Los Angeles Flower District
{Photos by my oh-so-talented up and coming photog friend Emily}

Lark Cake Shop!

2007-09-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

I am always excited when cute new places move into the 'hood- so when the adorable Lark Cake Shop opened its doors I couldn't wait to do some "research." ("Research" is a great way to justify buying and eating loads of desserts. I highly recommend everyone do it!) The first time I went (day 3 of business) must have been the same day the entire population of Silverlake also went, because there were only a few cupcakes left when I got there. The friendly staff was eager to share their mini one bite sample cupcakes with me though, so I was able to sample a few different flavors relatively guilt free and what I tasted was oh-so-yummy. Their cakes (I picked up a few slices) were also good, and very pretty. (As of right now- Lark does not do wedding cakes, but I have hopes that their future plans do include this!)
I went back after some time had passed for more cupcake research and was pleasantly surprised to see new treats and cupcake flavors- salted caramel cupcakes (mmm) and nutmeg cupcakes were new to the menu in addition to the classic standards- red velvet, black and white, vanilla, chocolate mousse..
At under 2 bucks a cupcake- I think these perfectly sized treats would make for awesome favors for weddings or in place of a wedding cake. They look beautiful too- very shiny, bubbly peaks adorned with sparkly crystal sugar and other fun toppings.
Go check it out! {Located at 3337 Sunset Blvd just east of Micheltorena in Silverlake.}

Wedding graffiti!

2007-08-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited about this find! "Wonderful Graffiti" is a company that makes graffiti art for your wedding (or your home- I am considering ordering a few different things for ours!) The entire design comes on a very thin sheet of vinyl transfer which can be applied to any smooth surface and gives the appearance of being printed right on (and then comes right off when you are ready to remove it..) They say it is so easy that "even a nervous groom can do it." I think it is such a unique idea- it would be such a fun way to spruce up a plain wall behind a favor display, your cake table, your guest book, escort cards...(you get the idea..)
Check out the fantastic website! Wonderful Graffiti

Sample Sales!

2007-07-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

Two very important sample sales this weekend!
Head over to Monique Lhuillier Thursday through Saturday (10am-6pm) where her amazing collection can be found between 40 and 80% off! Then reward yourself for getting such a steal, by picking up a cupcake at Sprinkles. :)

Also, R-Mine Bridal Couture has gorgeous gowns (Reem, Ulla Maija, Melissa Sweet) up to 70% off. By appointment only- Saturday and Sunday. (818) 505- 9064
Happy shopping!

Sticky Situations..

2007-06-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

My wedding day bag used to be filled with all sorts of goodies- something to anticipate any kind of bridal emergency. Ripped dress? I had a sewing kit. (And I tell you, threading a needle 5 minutes before a ceremony is not an easy task!) Stubborn Sash- I had tiny safety pins. (Monique Lhuillier- I still love you..) I had straight pins, double stick tape, scotch tape, duct tape...I had to carry something for everything.. until I found zots. These sticky little suckers have worked miracles! They stick to fabric and paper brilliantly and refuse to let go. Not only are they great for last second quick fixes, but they are perfect for tons of wedding projects-invitations, place cards, favor tags, photo albums, etc. (I recommend the tiny ones pictured above..) and oh-so easy to use. Find them at Paper-Source, (my home away from home..) and most other paper and craft stores. :)

It is Peony Season!!

2007-06-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true. Your eyes do not decieve you. The flower that is never in season is finally here! Hurry hurry to your local Trader Joe's (if your local TJ's is anything like mine, I suggest first thing in the morning for your own sanity and safety...) where they are $6.99 for a bunch! (5 peonies= a bunch) Bring them home by the armful while you can. My husband wonders why on earth any one household needs so many peonies- but then I explain to him that the peony season is approximately a week and a half long- so this is my one time a year to go crazy. (I kid, it is really more like 2 weeks..)

{ Photo from the always fabulous Oh Joy! Blog }

Stamp collecting IS cool!

2007-06-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

No disrespect to the liberty bell, but I just haven't been wowed by the stamps at the post office lately...
But this- definitely creates the wow factor. It requires some time and patience, (and probably not a project for anybody with a looong guestlist..) but these vintage stamps are just too sweet! Check out ebay for some great vintage stamp finds ebay and don't forget to check with the post office beforehand to weigh and determine your exact total postage required.

Bridesmaid's Dresses for a Good Cause

2007-06-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

So summer is almost here and so is closet cleaning time! There finally is a good reason to pull out those old bridesmaid dresses- those that just never were your style, (hellooo bright turquoise corset dress!) those that seem to verge on too fancy to wear in any other circumstance, (the floor length gown with train..) those that no longer fit (it was many years ago!)…

An Illinois nonprofit- Glass Slipper Project is doing the coolest thing. They are collecting formal dresses and giving them to disadvantaged girls to wear to their high school proms.

Check them out online Glass Slipper Project to find a city near you to see how you can donate! (LA girls, be sure to check out Planet Hope)

{ Photo from J.Crew }