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WE’RE MOVING
I’m very excited to announce that we are moving the BHE offices to West Hollywood in the coming weeks. We will be sure to release the exact address and share pictures once we’ve made it our own but in the meantime, we have to interrupt our normal blog posts for a little bit of business. Here’s the scoop: We are leaving a charming little space empty in Burbank that would be perfect for another wedding or design related vendor to share with another wedding vendor that is going to stay put in the studio. Here are the details:
A lovely room with about 300 square feet for your office
A common lounge area that is shared with other wedding vendors and perfect for meeting clients
A small amount of shared storage space
Below are some images of both the actual office to be considered as well as images of the shared space including a wonderful ivy grown entry with gorgeous french doors off of Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank. We love it here and would love to see it go to someone who will appreciate it’s charm just as much. If you’re interested, please email our office at kristin@bethhelmstetter.com for more details.
NICOLE & MATTHEW : THE WELCOME PARTY : HUMMINGBIRD NEST RANCH
Nicole and Matt were the most lovely East Coast transplants and wanted a glamorous yet charming wedding weekend in Southern California. They welcomed their New York family and friends to the area with a quaint welcome party at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch complete with lots of wine & BBQ. We complimented the existing, exposed brick courtyard with long feasting tables, the softest, natural Belgian linen and sweet vessels filled with local blooms. See images below from the fabulous, Jasmine Star!
Come back later in the week to see all the prettiness we created for Nicole & Matt’s gorgeous wedding day…
CARNY-STYLE
A Carnival themed party is the perfect chance to have fun with your wardrobe. Turn an ordinary cocktail dress into the main attraction with a bold pair of heels and/or a lively statement piece.
Look #1: Deepa Gurnani Hair Clip ::: Holy Tee Dress ::: Peep Toe Sandal
Look #2: Orly Genger Necklace ::: 3.1 Phillip Lim ::: Strappy Sandal
Look #3: Suede Clutch ::: Catherine Malandrino Playsuit ::: Charlotte Olympia Wedges
Look #4: Rebecca Minkoff Clutch ::: Carnival Dress ::: Simon Heel
Gentleman’s Corner: Lock & Co Hatters ::: Polka Dot Bow Tie ::: Corgi Socks
CARNIVAL LOVE
from top to bottom: inspiration from erin ever after, carnival inspired candy bar from rebecca thuss, vintage bingo cards, apple cotton candy from the swell life, frozen lemonade from time, hand made penants from rebecca thuss, carousel from snippet and ink, colorful cake from martha, balloons galore from dorthe alstrup, the sweetest vintage tin of champagne truffles in the perfect shade of pink, vintage carnival tickets to trade for all of the above goodness
GRAND DEL MAR CARNIVAL FUN
ALOHA TO GREAT STYLE
We were Hawaii dreaming all week long while recapping Laura & Jeremy’s big day! So much so, we had Jacey from Damsel in Dior put together what she dreams of for a Hawaii bound wedding. Whether you are planning a wedding in Hawaii or attending one, here are a few key items that will ensure that you have a Happily Ever Hawaii.
Day Play: : Milly Kaftan ::: Hanne Bloch One Piece ::: Michael Kors Sandal ::: Sunglasses ::: Stella McCartney Tote ::: Floppy Hat
Beyond The Beach: Rachel Zoe Empire Petal Gown ::: BCBG Maxi Pleated Dress ::: Rebecca Taylor
LAURA & JEREMY GET HITCHED : THE WEDDING : KONA, HAWAII
After two days of enjoying paradise, guests were invited to a private beach house in Kona for the wedding day. Laura and Jeremy exchanged vows on the tiniest peninsula on the Pacific Coast with capiz and seashells creating a whimsical backdrop before the celebration began. For dinner, a seafood feast was served at tables covered in Hawaiian quilt inspired linens and topped with bleached seashells with beautiful coral peonies and pink ginger tucked in everywhere. Everything was personalized with Laura’s gorgeous calligraphy from the beautiful vintage Hawaiian dessert display to the monogrammed dinner napkins. We loved the simplicity and intimacy of this wedding and hope you do too. More from Steve Steinhardt below.
LAURA & JEREMY GET HITCHED : THE ALOHA PARTY : KONA, HAWAII
On day two of the weekend, Laura & Jeremy had a lovely luau feast complete with hula girls, a Hawaii trio and fire and knife dancers. Guests were greeted with fresh leis and treated to Blue Hawaiians in coconut shells before sitting down to tables covered with tropical linens. The tablescapes were created out of vintage sea glass bottles we collected from a local Hilo native and fresh anthurium we picked up that morning from the street fair. The result was an effortless yet tropical celebration just casual enough to encourage guests to kick off their shoes and hula with the performers. See Steve’s gorgeous images below…
LAURA & JEREMY GET HITCHED : THE SUNSET SAIL : KONA, HAWAII
After everyone’s trek to Hawaii from all over the country, while guests are always excited to start celebrating, there’s also a little bit of jet lag that comes with these journeys. So, for the first night, Laura and Jeremy kept it low key with a private sunset sail on the Pacific. Mai Tais and coconut shrimp were everywhere and people just kicked back, got to know each other and watched the dolphins frolicking in the ocean. It was truly a special experience…And, as a PS, I never include pictures of me on the blog, but yes, that is me below enjoying the sunset and an Hawaiian Punch. Thank you to Steve Steinhardt for the amazing scenery shots!
Tomorrow is all about the welcome party. Don’t miss it!
LAURA & JEREMY GET HITCHED : THE SHOWER : LOS ANGELES
A couple of weeks ago, we shared the wedding of Alyssa Hooper, who is the sister of Laura Hooper, one of the talented calligraphers and invitation designers we work with on a daily basis. Well, right after Alyssa’s big day, Laura announced her engagement and she wasn’t about to have a long drawn out path to the altar. Instead, we planned her destination wedding weekend in Kona in about 4 short months. First up, though, let’s share the bridal shower we put together for her. It was a mid morning brunch focused on everything sweet. For decor, instead of flowers everywhere, one long feasting table was lined with desserts, mini cakes and beautiful cookies from Vanilla Bake Shop. Ladies relaxed with pear bellinis and manis, pedis and massages from Fiore Beauty. And, overall, we showered Laura with all the love and gifts she deserved. To see more, hop over to Inspired by This who featured the shower a couple of months ago. Thanks to Steve Steinhardt for the below images…
Come back tomorrow for images from the first day of the Hawaiian celebration…The sunset cruise.
GETTING PRETTY ITALIAN STYLE
With all of the amazing activities in Italy, you have the perfect excuse to get a few new wardrobes.One word of caution though: be sure to leave some space in your suitcase for shopping. Italy is world – known for their style and quality leather goods. In addition to leaving extra space in your luggage, be sure to take clothing that is comfortable and guilt-free for that extra bowl of pasta.
Wine Tasting ~ Hers - Bed Stu Loafers ::: Pennington Dress ::: Rugby Ralph Lauren Backpack ~ His - Rag & Bone Shorts ::: Hentsch Man Shirt ::: Jack Purcell Sneakers
Evening Stroll – Hers - Alexis Skirt ::: T-Back Tank ::: Tory Burch Sandals ~ His - Essential Chinos ::: Plimmswood Shirt ::: Car Shoe
Party-time – Hers- Juicy Couture Lace Dress ::: Beverly Low Pump ::: Alice + Olivia ::: Willow Maxi Dress ::: Spotted Glimmer Dress ::: Celia Gold Sandals ~ His - J.Crew Ludrow Suit & Ludrow in Fine Stripe
DESTINATION ITALY
When taking your guests to a destination like Italy, don’t forget to either schedule a few fun group outings or even just give suggested activities for the guests to explore on own.
ITALIAN WELCOME
No matter where you go, a well thought out welcome bag is a must for guests who have traveled the world for your day. Below are a few favorites if you are Italy bound for your destination wedding weekend:
For the actual bag, we love a true farmer’s market style basket with leather handles. They feel so European and make for a beautiful presentation. However if you prefer function over form, a great canvas tote customized with a line from an Italian poem or artwork relevant to your day can also be perfect.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect bag, make sure to put the right amount of thought into the contents. First up, your guests will be thirsty. Make sure they are taken care of with a beautiful bottle of Italian water, Limonata or even a great regional bottle of wine.
Once refreshed, be sure to include something sweet, something salty and something fresh for your guests. For a sweet treats, we love to find local candies or cookies. In Italy, Pastiglie Leon, traditional Italian Butter cookies or even Jordan Almonds are appropriate. Pastiglie Leon are not only are they tasty but the packaging is gorgeous and this company has been making candies in Italy since 1857! Jordan Almonds are the epitome of Italian wedding tradition. In Italy five jordan almonds are given to each attendee at a wedding and signify five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity.
For a salty or savory snack, fresh baguette with olives or a locally made olive oil would be a great in room bite. A fresh baguette, parmesan cheese, and fresh grapes will balance out the sweets in the bag and will be good snack for the weekend. Wrap them in fabric and twine with a personalized tag for an added touch!
For something fresh, beautiful cherries, grapes or even tomatoes from the local markets can be a wonderful snack.
Another added bonus to include could be a great souvenir. Something as a luxurious as a beautiful scarf made of Italian cashmere, or personalized playing cards are a great small gift to give to your guests as they can play Gin by the pool in Italy or on the airplane ride home. Vintage postcards from Italy are also a no brainer. For an added moment of fun, give the guests three. One they can keep for themselves, one to send to a friend at home and one to send to you with their well wishes. This will give you something to look forward to when you return home from the fantasy that is Italy.
Lastly, don’t forget a survival guide to the area full of your favorite activities, restaurants as well as an itinerary and map for the weekend. For maps, we love these custom drawn numbers from Laura Hooper.
Check in tomorrow for the perfect weekend activities for your destination wedding guests.
BUONGIORNO!
ALYSSA & RYAN GET HITCHED : THE WEDDING : MALIBU
And, onto the wedding day. As mentioned before, the day took place at one of our favorite venues, Chateau Le’ Dome at Saddlerock Ranch. The same backdrop as this hipster wedding, but for Alyssa and Ryan, we went more natural and preppy at the same time. The result was a perfectly classic yet timeless day…If you want to see more images or read the bride’s story, check out the feature on Style Me Pretty. A special thanks to Steve Steinhardt for the prettiness below…
We’ll be back on Friday with the video from Aqua Vivus…
ALYSSA & RYAN GET HITCHED : THE VIDEO : MALIBU
Hope you enjoyed the images from Alyssa & Ryan’s celebrations. Thankfully we also have some lovely video footage for you as well from the talented group at Aqua Vivus. Take a peek!
ALYSSA & RYAN GET HITCHED : THE REHEARSAL : LOS ANGELES
A few of weeks ago, we showed you the wedding of Rochelle & Nigel…the super creative types that let us create a day full of color, whimsy and kitsch. This week, we thought we’d show you the exact same venue, but through the eyes of another couple. Alyssa & Ryan, were classic, preppy and organic in style and we loved creating a day for them that was just that. But, before we get to the big day, we wanted to share the rehearsal dinner created with the mother of the groom in a private wine cellar. It was just one long feasting table, our favorite. They were surrounded by candlelight, pale garden flowers and calligraphy from the bride sister, Laura Hooper, donned everything from the menu to favors to the place cards. It’s was lovely and intimate…so much so, Style Me Pretty also did a little write up on the day, which you can read here..And, just in case this isn’t enough prewedding madness for you, you can see the latin inspired engagement party we created for the family on Style Me Pretty and the super girly tea party in the pages of Darling. We’ll see you later in the week with images from the big day.
Oh, and a PS, Inside Weddings also picked up this lovely gathering in their Winter Issue. Here’s a sneak peek…
MONIQUE LHUILLIER TRUNK SHOW
Attention Brides to be:
Monique Lhuillier is having their Spring 2013 Trunk Show next week at their Melrose boutique. What an amazing opportunity to find the perfect dress for your day?! See all of the details below and don’t forget to tell our friends, Hannah and Kadie, we sent you!
PRETTY PETALS
Spring has sprung along with all the varieties of beautiful blooms. Carry out the floral theme from your wedding day to all sorts of play like your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or take it to the honeymoon.
1. Peony Wallpaper ::: 2. Plum Pretty Sugar ::: 3. Flower Clutch ::: 4. Alice + Olivia Floral Print Jeans ::: 5. Citizens of Humanity Jeans ::: 6. Goldsign Jeans ::: 7. Café Capri Pant ::: 8. 1950s Bow Tie ::: 9. TOMS ::: 10. Botanical Journal ::: 11. Aubin & Wills Swimsuit ::: 12. Liberty Print Suitcase ::: 13. Crepe de Chine Gown & Head Band 14. Milly Bridget Dress ::: 15. Asos Pencil Dress ::: 15. Lilly Pulitzer Dress ::: 17. Oasis Palm Dress ::: 18. Floral Wedges
ERIN & ANDREW GET HITCHED : SANTA BARBARA
I love all weddings, but there’s something about a small, intimate wedding that makes a guest feel so special to be a part of. And, Erin & Andrew’s intimate wedding was no different. I worked with Erin from afar to create a simple and sweet garden ceremony and dinner party style reception at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. The residential design that was filled with layers of textures from the damask linens and heavy tapestries to candlelight dripping from every point and effortlessly arranged florals paired with farm fresh fruit all displayed in a variety of rich wood vessels. In the end, it felt like the couple invited 75 of their closest friends and family to their home to join them for a very special celebration. We loved every minute of working with this couple and hope you enjoy the super sweet images from Steve Steinhardt below.
LOOK UP!
I know I introduced all of you to Kristin a few days ago and promised she’d be making a cameo on the blog every now and then. She’s getting started with her weekly post on what’s currently inspiring her and this week she’s sharing a handful of her favorite chandelier alternatives for your wedding, celebration or maybe even your home, if you’re up for it. Take a peek! My personal favorite are those umbrellas! So charming!!
FROM KRISTIN
We all love chandeliers at a wedding and they are absolutely gorgeous! However, there are also so many other options for beautiful & fun lighting that we think gets overlooked. For instance, we can’t wait to have a beautiful outdoor celebration using the amazing umbrellas below. And the butterflies? Shower guests would be in awe if surrounded by lanterns made of the sweet insects or any other fun cut out for that matter. Even Morrocan lanterns can be great if your aesthetic allows, as they bounce festive patterns of light on everything around them and are perfect in front of any great backdrop or even over a dance floor.
Almost any object can be made into a charming lighting (& conversation) piece. Some of our favorites include champagne cork pendants or a chandelier made out of old book pages. Even items from your kitchen can make for unexpected decor like the old milk bottles or spoon chandelier shown below. If you are going for a more glam check out that net of crystals. Add a bit of uplighting for a bit of drama above any dance floor. And, if you are still a chandelier gal, but want an added twist, get inspired by the one below framed in a bird cage. It’s a great piece.
CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF JACEY
Many of you absolutely fell in love with our Real Life Bride, Jacey, and who could blame you?! She’s so charming, absolutely beautiful and has great style. Just in case you are missing your weekly dose, we wanted to make sure everyone clicks on over to her wonderful blog, Damsel in Dior where she shares all of the latest and greatest in the world of fashion. She even did a little post inspired by little ole’ me.. See below for a teaser. 
Also, just because we think she is oh so cool, I wanted to share her recent Levi’s commercial where she talks about her love for denim and all things cotton, country & Texas. We especially loved this little insight into who Jacey is since this Southern sensibility is exactly what we were inspired by when creating her day.
I mean, seriously, is she not just the cutest thing ever? We can’t get enough of Ms. Jacey Duprie Leavitt, aka Real Life Bride, aka Damsel in Dior. Hopefully she’ll stop by the blog again very soon!
JACEY & GRANT: THE WEDDING: SMOG SHOPPE
Here they are! The gorgeous images from Lauren Ross of Jacey & Grant’s big day! We loved working with Jacey to create a wedding that was reflective of her inner city girl while still creating something her Southern roots could be proud of. We brought in lots of vintage prints and luxurious textiles to warm up the urban canvas that is the Smog Shoppe. We used reclaimed wood, lots of burlap and galvanized vessels for a bit of a rustic and homespun vibe, and for the ceremony, we created Jacey’s dream “living room” complete with vintage furniture, mistmatched rugs lining the aisle and framed prints. The end result was a whimsical and fun celebration while remaining super intimate. Enjoy! And, if this leaves you wanting more, hop on over to Style Me Pretty to see the full gallery of images.
JACEY & GRANT GET HITCHED : THE VIDEO
As promised, we have some coverage from Jacey & Grant’s (aka Real Life Bride) charming Smog Shoppe wedding this week! First up, we wanted to share the video from Love Spun Films, one of our all time favorite artists. Come back tomorrow to see images from the day! We had so much fun creating a day with Jacey that blended her roots with Grant’s urban sensibility. We hope you love it.
Jacey & Grant {Smog Shoppe} Los Angeles from Lovespun ~ Handmade Films on Vimeo.
SURVEY FOR NEWLYWEDS
Hello all! Splendid Communications is one of the leading experts on business and social media in the wedding industry. Liene, the founder, is all about finding out how couples tick, interact, make their wedding decisions, etc. and as a result, we as an industry can better serve your needs and expectations. This being said, she’s developed a super quick, completely anonymous survey to help with her research…If you were married in 2007 or later, let’s help Liene out and make the wedding industry that much better by sharing some your real life wedding planning experiences here.
And, speaking of real life, come back later in the week to see images from our Real Life Bride/Wife, Jacey’s wedding…It’s full of charm and inspiration. I know you will love it as much as you loved her!
NOW THAT I’VE FOUND YOU
If you haven’t had the time to visit Green Wedding Shoes or Inspired by This today, then you’re missing out! Not only did we get a lovely little shout out about this wedding, but they shared what I think is not only the perfect new tune for first dances, but one with a completely timeless message that I predict couples will be dancing to for many, many years. At least I hope so. I can’t get enough of this song and am looking forward to it contributing to the soundtrack to so many of our upcoming weddings & celebrations. Enjoy and if you love the song as much as I do, definitely hop over to iTunes and download it right away. In the meantime, check out the video below. It’s such a lovely tune from a truly beautiful couple.
CELEBRATING GREEN
Those of you who know me, know I’m not a big fan of having wedding “colors”. I’ve never really understood what a strict palette of pink and chocolate or purple and silver really say about the couple being celebrated? Don’t get me wrong…there are certain palettes and colors that are perfect to communicate a vision and a desired vibe. For instance, yellow will always be a “happy” color to me. And, a base palette of black, grays and white says classic, sophisticated and maybe even glamourous if paired with the right elements. The perfect blends of pinks, creams and sepias typically make for a super sweet and utterly romantic wedding. And, green, well green just says fresh, crisp, clean, organic, natural, so on and so on and so on. I truly believe green, of almost every shade, is the ultimate neutral that goes with anything! It’s nature’s canvas and really makes an appearance in almost every color story we are creating from sophisticated to effortless, over the top to understated. In honor of the upcoming celebration of green (St. Patty’s Day!), we wanted to share a few of our favorite details that feature or just have hints of the glorious shade:
ROCHELLE & NIGEL GET HITCHED : MALIBU, CALIFORNIA
As much as we love, love, love our traditional brides and our couples who want their wedding to be nothing but timeless, we also really enjoy working with our fair share of hipsters. We love couples who want to do something the world has yet to see. Those who want to feed their guests something they would never, ever expect to eat at a reception and overall those who want to challenge the status quo on what a wedding is supposed to look like. Rochelle & Nigel were just that couple which was surprising since they came as a referral from one of the most classic couples we’ve ever worked with, but nonetheless, they were foodies, true lovers of culture and independent thinkers. We were saddled with creating a day that was reflective of all of those traits and we’re pretty proud of the result. From the African drummers, to the poufs for ceremony seating to the Hookah Lounge all paired with a 7 course tasting menu, we are pretty sure the guests have never experienced anything like it. See the result of their colorful and festive celebration below from Blue Window Creative.
A WARM WELCOME
We are thrilled to invite Kristin Alexander to our little family. Kristin is joining Beth Helmstetter Events as an event coordinator and will be supporting me throughout the design and planning process for each of our lovely couples. With a strong background in very large scale corporate events (we’re talking thousands and thousands of people), film festivals and even concerts, she’s a logistical genius and we look forward to having her help us create not only beautiful events, but flawless ones as well. While, she was amazing, of course, in the corporate world, her passion has always been in wedding design and dreaming up even the tiniest of details that are an absolute necessity for creating an intimate and personal wedding. We’re lucky to have her on board and can’t wait for all of you to get to know her better! Check back soon for an occasional post from Kristin herself. In the meantime, give her a warm welcome by following her on twitter here.
WEDDING INDUSTRY EXPERTS
For all of you dreaming of becoming a wedding planner or just interested in the inner workings of our industry, Wedding Industry Experts is launching a new series of reports sharing experiences from wedding experts worldwide, including me. Check it out every week for the next 12 weeks to find out what I love (& would change) about being a wedding designer, or subscribe to the report here…
TARA & KURT : THE WEDDING : BIG ISLAND
We’re back with images from Tara & Kurt’s big day. After recovering from two nights of late night parties, the couple exchanged vows on a lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Four Seasons Hualalai, followed by oceanside cocktails and course after course for the over the top dinner. It was glamorous yet warm, formal yet approachable and overall a blessing for all involved. For design, we created a tropical celebration with a classic spin and complete with lots of Texas bling. Being able to bring in china, chairs and all of the other details from other islands and Southern California, we were able to get the best of the best ensuring the aesthetic never had to compromise. Enjoy a few more pictures from Steve.
TARA & KURT : THE WELCOME : BIG ISLAND
We just love our Texas brides! You might be surprised to know that we actually work with a lot of couples from the Lone Star State and they are just a hoot. Something about our attention to the tiniest of details while still producing luxurious celebrations draws them to our aesthetic and we love it! Tara was no exception to this. She was oh so sophisticated, discerning and had an eye for the finest touches. We had the pleasure of working with her and Kurt on their amazing Big Island wedding weekend last November and it is definitely one of our favorite destination wedding weekends to date. 85 of their closest family and friends traveled from Houston to Kona and shacked up at the Four Seasons Hualalai for a weekend they will not soon forget. First up, we want to share their Aloha Party which took place in form of a Beach BBQ. Guests came, kicked off their shoes and feasted on a fusion of Hawaiian, Texas and Louisiana (the Groom’s stomping grounds) style BBQ. We had a full luau show with guests lounging right in the sand on Hawaiian quilts while drinking Mango Margaritas and Mai Tais. Enjoy the day from the camera of Steve Steinhardt. My favorite is that sunset…only in Hawaii will you find colors like that in nature!
RECENT PRESS
Take a peek at the great publications that are featuring our work right now…
First up, Inside Weddings is featuring Ryan & Alyssa’s rehearsal dinner which was winery inspired and took place at the lovely Westlake Village Inn.
Flower Magazine included us amongst the top 5 Event Designers in America. Humbled beyond belief to be listed next to those I’ve been looking up to for years. I’m definitely in good company with Todd Fiscus, David Beahm & Lisa Vorce. 
We made a couple cameos in C Weddings, or should I say Vanilla Bake Shop did. The beautiful Socal publication included the sweet treats made by Vanilla from Tess & Peter’s gorgeous wedding. Which coincidentally was also featured on Snippet & Ink, one of our all time favorite blogs.
And, finally Tara & Kurt’s gorgeous 3 day celebration graced the pages of Pacific Weddings Magazine. The beautiful Big Island wedding weekend took place at the Four Seasons Hualalai which is a great spot on it’s own, but I think we made it that much better. I’ll let you be the judge of that, however. Later in the week, we will be sharing images from the entire weekend. If you’re into Tropical Glamour, Texas style, you’ll love this wedding. In the meantime, flip through your copy of Pacific Weddings for a preview…
BE MY VALENTINE
from top to bottom: chocolate chip pancakes shaped like hearts, an afternoon spent reading poetry from pablo neruda, a bouquet of fresh coral peonies and a handwritten love letter
VALENTINE’S DAY LOVE
sweet crocheted heart garland from bella dia, comforting hot tea in heart shaped cups from Squidoo, heart shaped cupcakes from cupcakes take the cake (they certainly do!), epicute’s sweet heart shaped jam sammies which could be a cute option for any tea sandwich, a heart shaped linzer tart from andrea’s cookies, heart shaped goodies from eat drink chic, simple but sweet conversation hearts, i heart martha and her heart shaped ice cream sandwiches and her sweetest little heart cookies, heart shaped rice krispy pops from skip to my lou
KAREN & AL : THE STATIONERY
As some of you may know, we often produce a lot of the lovely details for the events we design. We just love getting our hands in there when it comes to creating custom pillows, linens, table numbers and often even the stationery to introduce the design for the day. We especially loved the invitation suite we created for Karen & Al’s anniversary party. Here are a few more shots of the lovely set. Calligraphy was by Plurabelle. She ranks amongst one of our favs, and I especially loved the first name only on custom labels. So fun and approachable, yet still sophisticated. Thanks again to Steve for getting the lovely shots.
KAREN & AL : 10 YEARS TOGETHER : MALIBU
We had the pleasure of working with Karen & Al on their 10 year anniversary party which was a wonderful treat for us. For their wedding, they eloped to Martha’s Vineyard and while Karen said it was magical, she had always wanted a full blown celebration. And, that’s exactly what we gave her. Dreaming of white on white, beautiful draping, luxurious lounge furniture and fun pops of color, Karen let us take the reigns and in doing so, we created a classic and ethereal party proper for celebrating a decade together. See what we mean below…Steve Steinhardt gave us so many gorgeous images, we almost couldn’t narrow them down! You can also see more over at Inspired by This.…
BALI BOUND
I’m off to Bali to scout for an upcoming June wedding. Think layers and layers of bohemian batiks, overgrown garden blooms and vines EVERYWHERE and a wedding full of residential warmth, Balinese style. We’re very excited to take our effortless and approachable aesthetic to Indonesia to create an intimate wedding weekend and an experience the guests will never forget. What would you do if you were designing your dream wedding in Bali?
While I’m off getting inspired, Susie and Miya are holding down the studio. Otherwise, I’ll be tweeting and instagramming throughout and give you all a follow up next week!
WE’RE PINNING
I’ve finally have caught up with the times and joined Pinterest. To say I’m addicted would be an understatement…Check out both our work and what I’m truly inspired by in all things design by following us here.
Happy Monday!
TRUNK SHOW TIME : MONIQUE LHUILLIER
For all of you newly engaged ladies, Monique Lhuillier is having a trunk show at their Melrose location next week. The show will feature their Fall 2012 collection which is gorgeous to say the least. Here are all of the details and for those of you who can’t make it or wanting a little sneak peek, below is their Fall look book. 
See the collection here…
KARI & ELAN GET HITCHED : CARMEL, CALIFORNIA
Kari & Elan were the loveliest tree huggers we’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. We loved working with them to create an urban oasis in Carmel highlands, completely inspired by the landscape of Big Sur and completely and utterly green. From plantable invitations made with handmade paper to every detail of the seven course tasting meal being locally grown and sustainable, it was beautiful to see that this couple loved Mother Earth as much as they loved each other. We used air plants, succulents and orchids on the actual plant instead of cutting flowers which not only was environmentally sound, but also now all of the plants used from the wedding have made a home in Kari & Elan’s personal garden. I just love their story…and how beautiful is Kari? I just loved her bohemian style and was honored to help create her vision at the beautiful Point Lobos Ridge. Enjoy the images from Tiny Water and see the entire gallery over on Style Me Pretty…
YOU’RE ENGAGED! WHAT’S NEXT?
Congrats to all the newly engaged couples out there!! It’s obviously a romantic and very exciting time. As you settle in to your role of “fiance”, for many of you the thought of starting plans for the day can be a bit overwhelming…To help out, we invite you to check out Darling for a game plan on how to tackle the planning process. Our article, “Congratulations, You’re Engaged! Now What?” is our answer to a planning process that takes one thing at a time, hopefully making it just a little less stressful for all of you. Enjoy this time and happy planning!
REAL LIFE BRIDE : THE HONEYMOON
Hi there. Remember me? Your Real Life Bride-To-Be? Well it has been a few months now and I am happy to report that I am well-rested, happy and … married! I’ve missed writing you and feel that there is so much to catch up on: the ceremony, vows, dress, flowers, video, my handsome groom and did I mention the dress!?? (which is up for sale on Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses.com) (link to: http://www.
I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing our wedding day was. I realized today that I started writing for Beth’s blog on 11/22/2010 (link to post here: http://www.
I will tell you all about our wedding day once we have more pictures to share. In fact, I have a special letter waiting to post for all of you brides out there. Until then, I thought I’d share with you some of our honeymoon photos. We ended up traveling to Hong Kong, Thailand and Bali and it was so incredible!!! If you’re planning on traveling there in the future please reach out because I have several amazing recommendations. Sure we wanted to adopt an elephant or two and bring home a baby tiger, but I must say after 18 days of traveling we were happy to see our pups and eat a cheeseburger.
I will be sure to give you a full wedding recap very soon. I just didn’t want all of you readers out there to forget about me. Your real life….Wife!
NATALIE & PAT GET HITCHED : NAPA, CALIFORNIA
The New Year, just like a wedding, is reminder of all of the possibilities that can be, both personally and as a couple. Both are a chance for a clean, fresh start and to me, no wedding says clean and fresh like that of the wedding we produced for Natalie and Pat in Napa at the gorgeous Carneros Inn. This was not a New Year’s Day wedding, but it certainly could have been with it’s cool blue tones, abundance of white on white and sleek ghost chairs. The aesthetic, the food and the intimate group of 80, made for a modern yet comfortable day and one we were thrilled to have a hand in. If you want to read more about Natalie & Pat’s story, check out our article in Darling, or hop over to Style Me Pretty to read Abby’s take on it. She even called it a “Wedding That Set the Bar” in a recent article for Huff Post. Enjoy the images from the too talented for words, Jose Villa, and here’s to fresh starts in 2012 and to many, many more beautiful weddings!
NEW YEAR’S EVE INSPIRATION
As you head into 2012, we couldn’t resist sharing a little inspiration for a glamorous way to ring in the new year. Sequins, sparkle and luxurious textures…Below is the perfect recipe for not only a beautiful cocktail party but one that is comfortable, fun and delicious. And, if this is a little much for ringing in your new year, you could also use the same ingredients to create the perfect engagement celebration that I know many of you are gearing up for in the new year. Happy 2012 and congratulations to all of the newly engaged couples out there!
Fig. No. 1: Twinkle in this sequin sweater dress from Stella McCartney
Fig. No. 2: Kate Spade makes you shine in her Karolina Pump
Fig. No. 3: Gold imprinted Thank You cards by Gilt are the perfect follow up to a sparkly engagement party
Fig. No. 4: Silvery & silky lounge furniture with gold accents will set a funky but formal mood for celebrating
Fig. No. 5: Vintage Swizzle Sticks with just the right amount of Gold from Kiss A Vintage on Etsy.com to accent your champagne cocktails
Fig. No. 6: Mercury Glass Lanterns from Roost to hang from every beam and banister will make the room sparkle
Fig. No. 7: Gold & luxurious pillow covers from West Elm will be perfect to cozy up your lounge
Fig. No. 8: Silvery Clutch from Louis Vuitton will accessorize and sparkle
Fig. No. 9: Mini Sparklers from The Last Detail will be a fun way to light up the night and send off your guests
Fig. No. 10: Pierrer Jouet Rose will offer a classic drink option as well as add the perfect amount of pink
In addition to beautiful decor, don’t forget to keep guests full, festive & merry! For a new year’s or engagement party full of sophistication and shine, we like a standing cocktail party with heavy appetizers, a champagne bar & familiar yet interesting enough music in the background to keep people guessing yet comfortable. Below is the menu & music we’ll be using to do just that.
For music, we asked our favorite DJ, Nahchey Storer, to put together a collection of his top tunes for an elegant but happening cocktail party.
These all could easily be popped into your iPod along with some of your tried & true favorites!
BHE HOLIDAY PARTY : SCUOLA DI PIZZA : LA, CA
You would think that in the off season, I would take a break from planning parties, but with this year being our best year yet, I couldn’t let it end without celebrating the team that made it happen. For this year’s end of the season shindig, we headed to Scuola Di Pizza, the private dining room and cooking school of Nancy Silverton’s Mozza. We did a little wining, dining and yes, we learned the secrets to the city’s best pizza at the same time. For design, I kept it simple since I couldn’t have my team work on their own party. I let the venue inspire the aesthetic and created a homespun feel with centerpieces created out of white porcelain bowls overflowing with heirloom tomatoes on simple belgian linen, kraft paper invitations mailed in a box with personal labels and sweet aprons for each person. The favors included houndstooth chef’s hats and a pizza kit so the team could go home and practice what they learned at Scuola. Check out the images from our little get together courtesy of Heidi Ryder:
I know I already said it with pizza, but I just want to give another shout out to my team…Norma, Susie, Lina, Gena, Matt, Kate & Amy…I could never do what I do without the talent and passion of these people!
END OF YEAR NOSTALGIA
Just like many of you, the end of the year brings about a certain amount of nostalgia. Looking back at all the amazing things we’ve accomplished over the year and the even more wonderful couples we’ve worked with. As we head into the new year, we wanted to say one last congratulations to the beautiful people we’ve been able to work with this year. You take us into your lives, often treating us like family members, giving us the opportunity to create a once in a lifetime moment for you and for that we will be forever grateful. It is because of you that I get to do what I love day in and out, all year round, this year and next! Thank you for allowing us to be a little piece of your worlds in 2011!
Jody & Patrick : April 2nd, 2011 : Bacara Resort : Santa Barbara, California : Photography by Max Wanger
Laura & Jeremy : April 30th, 2011 : Kona Beach House : Kona, Hawaii : Image by Steve Steinhardt 
Trudy & Rob : May 28th, 2011 : Hahn Estate : Santa Barbara, California : Image by Jose Villa
Tess & Peter : June 4th, 2011 : Private Residence : Bel Air, California : Image by Amy & Stuart
Amelia & Danny : June 18th, 2011 : Devil’s Thumb Ranch : Tabernesh, Colorado : Image by Steve Steinhardt
Rachel & John : July 16th, 2011 : Hummingbird Nest Ranch : Simi, California : Image by Jose Villa
Lindsey & Nick : July 2011 : Private Residence : Brentwood, California : Image by Steve Steinhardt
Bettina & Brian : August 13th, 2011 : Gull’s Way : Malibu, California : Image by Steve Steinhardt
Nicole & Matthew : September 3rd, 2011 : Hummingbird Nest Ranch : Simi, California : Image by Jasmine Star
Jessica & Chetan : September 10th, 2011 : Chateau D’ Esclimont : Saint Symphorien, France : Image by Janis Rietnicks
Jacey & Grant : September 24th, 2011 : Smog Shoppe : Los Angeles, California : Image by Lauren Ross
Nikki & Paul : October 16th, 2011 : Saddlerock Ranch : Malibu, California : Image by Jason Merrit/Wire Images, courtesy of US Weekly
Amy & Jason : November 12th, 2011 : St. Vibiana’s : Los Angeles, California : Image by Samuel Lippke
Here’s wishing each of you a wonderful first holiday season as a married couple and to many, many, many more. Much love to all of you!
D&A GET HITCHED : FRASIER, COLORADO : THE WEDDING
D&A exchanged vows overlooking the mountains as guests sat on simple wood benches wrapped in Pendleton blankets. Fresh lavender was everywhere and overall we let nature do it’s magic on the design. With just small moments that showed off A’s love for graphic design and architecture and bigger impact experiences that gave nods to D’s love for music, the day was just lovely. Check out the beauty captured by Steve Steinhardt. And, for those of you indie music fans out there, yes, yes, that is Jens Lekman playing the reception. Talk about talent! For those of you who aren’t familiar with Jens, I’ve included a little link below so you can check out some of his tunes. His appearance made the day perfect for the couple and guests.
A little clip of my favorite song from Jens…
D&A GET HITCHED : FRASIER, COLORADO : THE VIDEO
Following the welcome party, guests woke up to a Bluegrass Jam session lead by one of Colorado’s most prestigious blue grass artists, Pete Warnick. He and his group gave lessons, jammed with the guests and were the leaders of fun while the couple prepared for their big day. You can see this and get a glimpse of what is to come from the wedding celebration below in the clip from Rising Moon Video. As a side note, If you are marrying in or out of Colorado, I cannot say enough about the professionalism, talent and charm of Rising Moon. I cannot wait to work with this husband and wife cinematography team again.
Amelia + Danny Short Film from Rising Moon Films on Vimeo.
See you Friday with the images from the actual wedding…
D&A GET HITCHED : FRASIER, COLORADO : THE WELCOME
I know, I know, I promised you all a bit of Malibu glamour, which IS coming, but, looking at our 2012 calendar and all of the amazing locations we will be working (including this breathtaking backdrop in Bali, Indonesia) I have been in a destination state of mind. With this being said, I thought it was the perfect time to share D&A’s destination wedding weekend in Frasier, Colorado.
The weekend took place at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, which the couple took over for their 200 guests who flew in from all over the country. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place for two people who are in love with the simplicity of nature and overall just wanted a warm weekend surrounded by those closest to them.
First up, was the welcome party featuring casual Colorado BBQ overlooking the mountains complete with a bonfire and culminating in hay rides through the nearby pastures. It was a wedding I would have LOVED to be a guest at, and Lina and I definitely enjoyed seeing the weekend unfold. Check out the welcome party fun that was captured by Steve Steinhardt…We will be back later in the week with the wedding images and a video clip of the entire experience.
