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LET THERE BE LIGHT

April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

So often, my clients asked me the question, “why do I need lighting?” and while I find it to be possibly THE most important element when it comes to the design of your event, it is a very hard thing to articulate. It’s the difference between having a candlelight dinner and dining under the harsh light of your kitchen. The difference between sitting in a bland banquet room or a room saturated in your vibrant wedding colors and the difference between a well designed, sophisticated event and one that is definitely missing something.

Most couples focus their priorities on the area that they notice the most at a wedding. Be it the over-the-top flowers, the crazy band or the delicious feast, every couple has a different detail they remember when they leave an event. Rarely, if ever, have I had a couple mention that they noticed the lighting as it is very much an atmospheric and background element, but when comparing a room side by side, one with and one without external lighting, there is no argument. Lighting can turn a room into a romantic escape, a funky lounge or even a crisp palette on which you can implement your design. You can add shapes, monograms and other little details with lighting, or at the very minimum, highlight those amazing flowers you spent so long picking out. All in all, it can truly help you create the atmosphere you are looking for, whether it be a garden event with paper lanterns or a ballroom that just needs a few flaws hidden behind some mood lighting. A few uplights and some pinspotting can go a very long way when trying to warm up what could be a boring ballroom.

And, if you still can’t take my word for it, check out the amazing “Before and After” gallery on one of my favorite lighting designers’ sites, Peterson Lighting, because of course, seeing is always believing.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

DO’S & DON’T'S FOR A TROPICAL WEDDING : PART I

March 19, 2013 By 1 Comment

Speaking of staying cool, in May, I will be Bali bound for the fabulous wedding of one of my sweet Hong Kong couples. While, I’m so excited about their chic yet exotic locale, planning in tropical climates always bring their own fun considerations. The simplest questions can often be the most important as you plan for your tropical fete. Things like, “Should I wear my hair down,” “Will the sun be in my eyes,” “Will the home I am getting ready in have air conditioning,” and my personal fav, “Is it going to be hot during my ceremony?” The elements, among other things are considerations to be aware of throughout the planning process. This being said, Bali put me in the mood to share some of my personal do’s and don’t's for all of you considering a not only a balmy locale, but a tropical destination wedding, in general:

1. DO be realistic about your hair & makeup options. While an island wedding can be a dream come true, tropical breezes, heat and humidity can do damage to hair and makeup. When planning a destination wedding, take the elements into consideration before choosing your hair style. For a beach or other outdoor ceremony, seriously consider an updo. This tried and true style will keep you looking polished all night. If you are determined to wear your locks down, invest in a stylist to spend the day with you touching up your makeup and hair so you do not have a tangled and messy do by the time you enter the reception.

2. DON’T put your groom and groomsmen in a Tuxedo if planning an outdoor tropical affair. While many brides cannot envision anything but a tux, any attire that is black and made of wool is a no-no in tropical climates. While this may look good for pictures, a fainted groom or groomsmen will put a damper on your day. Consider gray or a lightweight linen suit instead.

3. DO wind proof your décor. When creating place cards, favors and other décor for your tropical celebration, keep in mind that the wind can be your enemy. You can personalize, and wind proof, these details with a little creativity. If having a beach affair, tie seashells to each place card. On the dinner table, weigh your menus and dinner napkins down with maracas made of coconut shells. If tall centerpieces are your dream, have the florist secure the centerpieces to a heavy object such as a larger mirror. She can always cover these mechanics by lining the vases with ti leaves, palms or another natural element that will carry out your theme.

4. DO entertain your guests. A destination wedding is definitely more work than a hometown affair, simply because you have not only invited guests to your wedding, but you have also invited them on vacation. For this reason, plan days at the beach, a sunset cocktail hour or other simple activities where your guests can spend time with you.

5. DON’T feel obligated to plan every minute. On the other hand, guests are on vacation too. Do provide them with activity options and a short itinerary for the week so they know where to find you. However, definitely allow them time to explore the island on their own.

Check back in tomorrow for a few more tips…

The above image is courtesy of Steve Steinhardt from Jaime & Wes’s Balinese Beach Soiree.

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YOU’RE ENGAGED! WHAT’S NEXT?

December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Congratulations to all you new brides out there! Being engaged is one of the most exciting times of your life. You’re in love and the whole world knows it. But now what? Keep reading for a brief outline of the planning phases of your big day.

BUDGETING
The truth is unless you have been closely involved with the plans of your sister’s, best friend’s or any other person’s big day, you are going to be shocked by the cost of a wedding. To avoid a lot of stress, determine up front how much you can afford and how much your family can contribute. From there set an approximate budget that you will use as a guideline when interviewing and hiring vendors.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Where will it be? Do you dream of a traditional wedding in the church you grew up attending? Do you want your feet in the sand? How about a private estate in the mountains? No matter where it is held, choosing the location should be one of your first decisions.

HIRING YOUR SUPPORT TEAM
Assembling the perfect team of experts for your day is crucial in the success of your wedding day. Remember, it is not only about style and budget, but you need to be able to trust each person in carrying out your vision. Here is a list of the vendors you may consider hiring for your day:

Wedding Planner
Ceremony Venue
Reception Venue
Caterer
Floral Designer
Photographer
Cinematographer
Cake Designer
Ceremony Entertainment
Reception Entertainment
Stylist
Stationer
Lighting Company
Linens
Rental Company

In an effort to secure your preferred vendors, prioritize your interviews with the professionals that need to be present on your wedding day. For instance, your photographer will probably only be shooting one wedding per day however your stationer or linen supplier can obviously service more than one couple per any given date.

While interviewing, always ask for references, review contracts line by line and be upfront about your budget. Many vendors will customize their services to fit your needs, so it is important to be honest. This will save time and frustration for all involved.

NOTE: All vendors require a non-refundable deposit to hold your wedding date or start services. Be prepared to put out close to 50% of your entire wedding day budget during the beginning of the planning process.

THE DETAILS
Once you have your team in place, start thinking about the specifics. What type of flowers will you carry? What color of linens do you want? What songs will be played during the ceremony? If you are a bride that knows exactly what you want, great! If not, spend some time researching wedding resources, gathering inspiration and talking with your vendors. As a general guideline, work to have all details and decisions made no later than one month before your wedding day. This will allow you to enjoy the days leading up to your union.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
No matter what, keep in perspective the true meaning of the day. A more carefree mindset will save your sanity as you try to manage diva vendors, keep your soon-to-be mother-in-law happy and remain sane. Congratulations again and happy planning!

The image above is from one of our favorite Villa Sevillano Weddings of 2012 courtesy of Samantha Cabrera.

Filed Under: Booking Wedding Vendors, Cake Designer, Caterer, Event Planning, Recently Engaged, Wedding Budgeting, Wedding Design, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Planner, Wedding Planning Tagged With: , , , ,

HANDMADE GOODNESS : LACE WRAPPED CANDLES

December 19, 2012 By 2 Comments

I find these candles to be completely timeless, perfect both for your wedding (See them used in Louisa & John’s big day) or just your holiday mantel. Enjoy!

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COZY COCKTAILS

November 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

There’s something so nostalgic about hot buttered rum or a creamy cup of eggnog during the holiday season. Here are just a few of my favorites, perfect for all of that entertaining you’re up to…











From Top to Bottom: Emeril’s Hot Buttered Rum, Candy Cane Cocktail via The Food Network, Super creamy Nuts ‘N Berries Cocktail, Traditional Irish Coffee, Warm Kitten’s Hot Toddy, Hot Chocolate (add Peppermint Schnapps) from Cannelle et Vanille, Vin Chaud otherwise known as Warm Spiced Wine, Eggnog courtesy of Rachael Ray, Bailey’s & Coffee, Spiced Apple Cider, Gingerbread Martini

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GIVING HEARTFELT THANKS

November 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As your guests leave your fabulous parties, don’t forget to give thanks. My favorite thing to do when I’m feeling especially grateful for is to take the time to write a meaningful thank you letter to each guest. Not the, “thanks for being part of the day,” typical stuff you see everyday, but a letter that really tells guests what they mean to your life including lessons each person has taught you and favorite memories you share. Something really from the heart.

Once you put your truest feelings on paper, find a beautiful way to package the letter. Again, something that says, “this is more than your standard thank you note,” but instead screams, “there is something very special inside and it’s just for you.” A beautiful jewelry pouch, decorative box or even just a scroll tied with a luxurious ribbon, all work perfectly. In the end, you will be surprised how meaningful it will be to the recipient that they have been given something so thoughtful and unexpected.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Images from Jackie & Fred’s Maui Wedding
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EVE & ANTHONY : THE WEDDING : SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As mentioned yesterday, Eve & Anthony had an amazing Halloween wedding weekend in Santa Barbara. Not wanting to go overtly Halloween with the design, but also not wanted to completely ignore the holiday, the aesthetic had old world touches that one might see in a beautiful yet slightly creepy mansion from another time. The ceremony was held at the Natural History Museum in downtown Santa Barbara completely with Spanish lanterns from the 1800′s, loosely gathered blooms and herbs and a bride in the most gorgeous vintage gown one would ever see. The celebration took place at the Four Seasons Biltmore and was decked out with dusty old books, wrought iron candelabras with dripping candles everywhere, vintage lace linens and even a tarot card reader gave a nod to the day while still remaining timeless and appropriate for a wedding and celebration . Take a peek at the images from Amy and Stuart and hop on over to Style Me Pretty if you’re dying to see more.

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Real Life Bride

September 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was never one of those girls who dreamt about getting married. I never put a pillowcase on top of my head or dazed off into la-la land thinking about meeting my Prince Charming. In fact, when I met Grant on April 2nd, 2008, I told him on one of our first dates that I “never wanted to get married.” Perhaps this is because I am quite aware of how hard marriage can be. I knew that in order to make a marriage as strong as possible, then I would have to offer the absolute strongest, best version of myself and for me, this would require more time. Of course, we can’t really plan out life can we? Looking back at my thoughts I can’t help but laugh knowing what I know now. Grant has made me into the woman that I long ago dreamt to be. Grant has made me believe in marriage and he makes me feel strong, safe and at peace with life. Turns out I found my Prince Charming after all and this weekend we will be married.

The last week leading into your wedding will be the craziest week of your life. It is 100% all you think about. For all of you brides, if you can manage to squeeze a few extra pennies from your budget, save up for a much needed massage one week prior to your nuptials. Trust me, you will need it. There were so many small details that needed to be finalized this week. I picked up my wedding dress and we got our adorable bow ties in for the groomsmen and “ring bearer”. We’ve started collecting everything for the hotels and personal artifacts for the reception. My home office looks like a wedding sweatshop, but as of next Monday I am going to hand in my “bride to be” planning cap and switch into “Bride” mode where all I do is enjoy every single moment.  That’s what this is all about right?

I close my eyes and can’t help but smile when I picture our wedding day. It makes me feel more happiness that I ever knew possible. I can’t imagine what the actual day will feel like, but I am ready for it. Come rain, shine, fires in the kitchen, wine on the dress … whatever, I am happy. And I cannot wait to share the happiness with you after we get in all of our photographs.  Until then. . .

Filed Under: Real Life Bride

LEXI’S BIG DAY SHOE PICKS

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Last week we delved into choosing the perfect shoes for the big day, whether you’re searching for that one perfect pair, or several quick (and fabulous) changes.  Now it’s time for the fun stuff – shopping.  Fall’s hottest wedding shoes have serious glitz and glam, and height … so get ready!

From the rehearsal dinner to the cocktail party to the ceremony to dancing and beyond, today’s Fall shoe shopping guide will be broken down by big day events.

THE BIG EVENT:  Whether the perfect heels are for the ceremony, the party, or both, a few Fall trends in wedding shoes have serious staying power.  Our Fall brides are looking at pumps in nudes and blush palettes, some more flesh-toned and some with a gloss to pack more punch.  Silver and gold-glittered pumps are everywhere these days lately, with brands like Christian Louboutin, Kate Spade, and Badgley Mischka churning out new glittered styles each season to keep up with the demand.  Many of the brides we work with are also going for their something blue with deep-hued navy heels.  Heels with an ankle strap add a vintage vibe and staying power for long hours of dancing.  And of course, the red-bottomed heels continue to revel in their couture popularity!

BEFORE & AFTER PARTIES:  From engagement parties to showers to cocktail hours and beyond, a stunning but sensible shoe goes a long way.  Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your party shoes – add pops of color or feathers.  It’s your party – why not?

PICTURE PERFECT:  Your wedding photos should be a statement of who you are (sprinkled with a bit of how cool you want your kids to think you are a few decades from now.)  When you walk into a department store shoe section (also known as, heaven), what style calls your name – studs, sequins, animal prints, you name it.  Play up your edgier side and rock boots.  Plan for rain with adorable wellies.  The peek of a wild heel or boot under layers of couture taffeta is ever-chic and photographs beautifully.

{SHOES:  The Big Event – Dior Bow Peep-Toe Cannage Pump, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Lady Peep 150 Shoe, Kate Spade New York Charm Heel, Badgley Mischka Lacie – Navy Satin, Martinez Valero Olivia – White, Badgley Mischka Kamille Sandal – Silver; Before & After Parties – Miu Miu powder pink and gold leather cutout booties, Lanvin Frame-wedge metallic-leather sandals, Christian Louboutin Bambou 140 suede pump, Miu Miu Open Toe, kate spade new york “Gambol” Pom Pom Evening Sandals, Aldo Mease Pointed Court Shoe; Picture Perfect – Hunter & Jimmy Choo – Black – Hunter Boots, Adina Leopard High Ankle Boots, , Old Gringo Sora Cowgirl Boots, Miu Miu Glitter and suede peep-toe ankle boots, Alexander Wang Freja Leather Ankle Boots}

Filed Under: Bridal Showers, something blue, Wedding Shoes

BIG SHOE MOMENTS

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Michelle & Austin : The Hamptons : Image by Corbin Gurkin

For all ladies, shoes are a big deal, but on your wedding day, they feel like the biggest deal.  From the shoes you’ll walk down the aisle in, to the pair you’ll dance the night away in, sometimes just one shoe won’t do. Keep reading for all the excuses you need to get as many shoes as your little heart desires! 

THE CEREMONY

It goes without saying that you will want the most special shoes for your ceremony. You may opt to go super timeless here in all white or you may want a little surprise to peek out of the bottom of the dress. Since you will be in them the least amount of time, feel free to get extravagent and glamourous here. Even the tallest heal and most detailed of shoes can withstand a 45 minute wear.

 LEXI’S TIP: If walking through grass, on the sand, etc. check out SoleMates for navigating difficult terrain and protecting your most important shoes.

Stella & Peter : Maui : Image by Jose Villa

THE PICTURES

If you’re like many of our brides, you probably struggle between balancing out your classic, sophisticated side with your quirky, playful side. If so, change up your shoes and use your photo sessions to tell the story of who you are as a couple. A bride and groom who don old Converse for the sweet lakeside picture – old school and hip.  Costumey boots are vintage and chic, sandals are laidback and fun-loving, moccasins are bohemian and fun … you get the idea.  Be yourself and have fun with the pictures!

Surya & Nick : Aspen : Image by Jonas Peterson

THE RECEPTION

And of course, not to be forgotten are the dancing shoes.  Dancing shoes are vital to your soon-to-be aching feet.  Heels add height and glamor, but be sure to wear heels you can walk (not wobble) in.  Test your dancing shoes out – vacuum or walk laps (on carpet or clean floor) in your wedding shoes a few weeks before the big day and be sure they are comfortable.  And if you can’t walk, you can’t dance, and where’s the fun in that?

LEXI’S TIP: Want killer heels AND comfort during the reception? Check out ballroom dancing shoes for the night. They are perfect for brides who care more about height and comfort than labels. 

Laura & Jeremy (anxiously awaiting to share full wedding!) : The Big Island : Image by Steve Steinhardt

THE AFTER PARTY

Around midnight you might want to give your feet a little break. If so, a glamourous pair of flats or sandals can be brought out late night when you are just sitting back and reflecting with your die hard guests that want to go all night long!

Surya & Nick : Aspen : Image by Jonas Peterson

SURROUNDING EVENTS

While it’s absolutely not necessary to get a new pair for EVERY event, if you need even more excuses, don’t forget all the other events you will be a part of over the next few months. Showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and even the bachelorette party are all big moments where you may want to show of your shoe style!

Liz & Chris : Los Olivos : Image by Aaron Delesie

Come back later in the week to see some of our favorite shoe picks for the above moments!

 

Filed Under: Beach Wedding, destination weddings
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