Real Wedding: Lauren + David's Carneros Inn Wedding

Lauren + David were married at the beautiful Carneros Inn in Napa, CA. I love this venue for the mix of barns and silos with the contrast of the stylish, modern interiors. Lauren and David had an apple green color scheme. I love all the green apple elements - especially the flower girls - too cute! This wedding was photographed by the talented Tanja Lippert. Congrats to the gorgeous Lauren + David!



















If you'd like to see more, you can view a slideshow on Tanja's blog.

Friday Love Song : Jeffrey Gaines - In Your Eyes

I love Jeffrey's version of this classic song. I think this would be so perfect for a first dance.

Engagement Photos - Part 2

Happy Friday! Part two of my feature on ideas for your engagement photos.

a favorite location.
maybe a spot has certain meaning - a first date, where you got engaged, where you met - that would be a great place. some fun spots around LA....

union station

{christine farah}

a dinner, the griffith observatory


{sarah k.chen}

and of course, being in cali, the beach.


{amelia lyon}

bring a prop.
I love bike photos, so why not bring an old bike to get some fun photos - or maybe an umbrella?


{jasmine star}


{amelia lyon}

bring your pup.
these are just too cute!


{the image is found}

an amusement park.
who doesn't have fun at a park? There are lots of piers around with rides - or even a summer festival.


{tanja lippert}


{nicole polk}

Engagement Photos - Part 1

A lot of new couples often wonder if they should do engagement photos or not. I say YES! and here is why...

{photos by: Sloan Photographers, Jennifer Skog, Both bottom by Leigh Miller}

1. You will get to know your photographer better. You will spend anywhere from 1-3 hours together and you can really get to know each other better - especially if you haven't met in person before.
2. You can practice being comfortable being photographed. We aren't all models and this session will help you feel more comfortable on your wedding day.
3. You will get some great photos of you as a couple! You can then use these as part of your save the dates or just to keep as a reminder of this amazing time of your life together.

Here are some fun save the dates that used photos from their engagement session. You will probably recognize the photo with the balloon from this engagement session I blogged about a few weeks ago - love what Joanna did with that image! You can then mail these as postcards.


{photo on left from A Cup of Jo, top right from Mr. Bodington's Studio, Bottom postcard from Brown Sugar Design Blog }

OK, it's decided. You want to do an engagement session. A lot of photographers know great spots for photos, but they love when you come with an idea for your session. It should be about you as a couple. Not sure where you want them? Check out some of my favorite ideas....but remember the sky is the limit! Be creative with your photos.

Urban.
I love grungy urban walls. The great textures provide a great backdrop for a pop of color with a dress - or art in the background!




{photos by: Michael Norwood, The Modern Type, Stephanie Williams, Jasmine Star}

Maybe while walking around town, you will stumble across some great props like this couple did! You can even schedule to meet your photographer in a different town, maybe you both live in different towns, maybe you will both be in NYC one weekend! What a fun chance for some great photos...


{jessica claire}

You never know what you will find when walking around town...love these!


{Amelia Lyon}

In a field.
These photos always look so dreamy to me - which I totally love.


{Gabriel Ryan}


{Anna Page}


{Gabriel Ryan}

Check back tomorrow to see more great ideas for your engagement photos - with some special Cali locations!

Vintage Cake Stands

Another fun etsy find! I think these cake stands would be so fun to place your cake on or multiple little cakes on. These are from Style Garden. They are made from carefully selected vintage and recycled dishware - truly unique and original.

Real Wedding: Anna + Nathan's Organic/Folk Wedding

I remember seeing some of Anna Bond's illustrations around the web recently, and this weekend I found her flickr page with photos from her wedding. The wedding took place last July at Wild Acres Villa in Deland, Fl. It looked like such a fun time - they even had a mariachi band and piñatas! I love her illustration style and the wedding kept with that same organic/folk theme. She is launching an online store soon, so check out her site here to see more of her illustrations. For today, enjoy the photos form her wedding! All photos by belathee photography.

Anna designed the invitation suite and the program fans - with little illustrated portraits of the wedding party!



Her dress was from J Crew and the groom's attire was from Urban Outfitters.



She hand made the tissue paper flowers and the centerpieces. the flowers are attached to branches and placed in glass jars like they're towering trees in a miniature forest filled with paper animals. I love how the cake matches the poster invitation.



For favors, the guests received one of the brown bags below and filled it with local Georgia peaches to take home.







Anna also talked to Vane at Brooklyn Bride about her planning details.You can read even more details here.

DIY Flower Workshop in Huntington Beach

Summer, a floral designer here in socal, emailed to tell me about this great event she is hosting. You will learn how to create bouquets and arrangements for your wedding day, drink champagne, eat some hors d'oeveurs, and a few great vendors with display items. It sounds like a fun event! It's on March 28, so sign up now - spaces are limited. Click here for more details. Also, check out her blog- grey likes weddings - she has some great stuff there. Thanks for the heads up Summer!

Oscar Inspiration!

I love watching all the beautiful gowns and gorgeous hair at the Oscars. This year, I was loving all the champagne, silver, and cream hues - so perfect for wedding gown inspiration! Penelope Cruz and Sarah Jessica Parker were my two favorites - loved their flowy dresses.



Sarah Jessica Parker looks gorgeous in a Dior Haute Couture silver gown. Penelope wore an ivory sweetheart vintage Balmain dress with lace detailing — it is sixty years old! Taraji Hensen is wearing a cream Cavalli gown. Marisa Tomei looks stunning in a Versace gown with an elongated train. All so beautiful...

I loved also loved Natalie Portman's bold pink dress and her hair-stunning! Also, I loved Jennifer Aniston's beachy hair- and great Valentino dress. Vanessa Hudgens and Marisa Tomei also had some great updos.

Who were your favorites? Will you take any inspiration from the Oscars for your wedding?



{photos via justjared}

Real Wedding: Mia + Johnny's Vintage Outdoor Wedding

A vintage bicycle and an old beat up truck = some gorgeous wedding photos! If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know I love bikes at weddings - and this wedding has the perfect vintage touches. Mia and Johnny were married outdoors in the perfect backyard in Northern Cali. I just love the whole vintage style of these photos. Oh, and the photos of the couple with their son - too cute! Travis Hoehne is the talented photographer behind these photos. Enjoy and congrats to Mia + Johnny.

Friday Love Song : Coldplay - Proof

So, I just got tickets to see Coldplay this summer and I'm so excited - they put on the BEST concerts. Coldplay will always have a special place in my relationship with my hubby - we watched coldplay videos on our first date :) I recently discovered this B side from the X&Y album...so incredibly beautiful. Reminds me of their Parachutes album. No official video since it is a B side, but found this on youtube. Happy Friday!

Vintage handkerchiefs are oh so fun!

I stumbled upon these amazing save the dates the other day - made of vintage handkerchiefs! What a great idea. The bride Alisha (who is also a talented wedding photographer) collected vintage handkerchiefs from friends and etsy, then Erin from lucky luxe printed the designs on each one. What a fun save the date that would be to get in the mail!





If you love this idea, here is another great idea using vintage handkerchiefs as vases for your wedding reception. Emily at Once Wed has the most creative DIY posts! I thought this one was super cute and pretty easy. Read the whole DIY post on Once Wed.

Real Wedding: Jeremy + Tara's Celebration

I love when I discover a new photographer's blog! Poser: Image aka Erik Clausen creates some of the most AMAZING images - I seriously don't know how this is the first time I've seen his images! I don't know a lot about the details of this wedding, but these are some of the most stunning images. He really knows how to capture an event - you feel like you were really there.

Jeremy + Tara were married in Longview, TX on a beautiful ranch out in the middle of nowhere. There couldn’t have been a better location as the backdrop to their wedding was big open skies and a medley of trees.

From Erik, " every now and again you get clients with whom you absolutely click with and love. these are just such people. you could sense the anticipation leading up to the wedding, everyone knowing it would culminate in their first kiss. the excitement reached its height for me when as tara was walking down the aisle, everyone, already standing, began to applaud. i have seen applause after a ceremony, but never before. if you look closely at the images of her coming down the aisle, you can see the guests clapping. very cool. these guys are completely in love, and it showed all day long. they couldn't keep their eyes off each other. i love the image during the formals, they might as well be all alone in the world."

Simply stunning...go check out his site for even more images! He is based in Texas, but will travel to document your day. And congrats to Jeremy + Tara.

Etsy love: Boutonnieres from J love S

I love these fun boutonnieres. J love S is Jurine, a fashion designer, crafter, stylist & Stephen a photographer and interior expertise. They will do custom orders also, so if you have an idea you haven't seen anywhere, they will help create it. Check out their etsy shop for more goodness.

I heart terrariums

Ever since I saw the beautiful terrariums from this wedding I featured a few months ago, I've been a bit obsessed with them. There are so many creative things you can do with them. You can collect different containers at vintage/thrift stores or even stores such as west elm, crate + barrel, and target carry options. Then you can fill them with succulents, moss, flowers, tea cups, bird nests - really anything! There is a great step by step guide here you can use to create your own terrarium. Below are some of my favorites for inspiration. Anyone planning on using terrariums in your wedding?




{ top group: wenonah webster via brides.com, kate brandt, thrift candy, designers library
bottom group:Garden rooms, lemon and diamonds blog, furniture fashion blog, a cup of jo }

While looking for terrarium photos, I found this artist - Paula Hayes - who creates these super modern terrariums. They really are miniature pieces of art. Great inspiration. Check her site for even more.

Real Wedding: Kim + Jim's Beach Wedding

Today's wedding comes from Florida actually - but I think it has some great beach elements and it is GORGEOUS - so I knew I had to share with you guys. The talented photographer is Michele M. Waite. I love the skateboards, the bride's dress, the portraits of the couple on the beach, and the whole design of the reception. Enjoy and congrats to Kim and Jim!























Some vendors who helped make this day so gorgeous:
Over the Moon Films- check out the trailer from this wedding
Xquisite Events - event design
Tempatations Catering- food
Passing Notes- wedding stationary

Photographer Spotlight: Boutwell Studios

Boutwell Studios is Chenin Boutwell. She lives in the OC and creates some seriously stunning images. Check out some of my recent favorites below... That first one is my favorite! - so dreamy...reminds me of the bride hanging out in an old secret garden before the ceremony. Check out her website and blog for even more eye candy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you spend today with someone sweet...I plan to :)


{via FFFFound}

Inspiration Board #11 - A Modern + Sexy Valentine's Day

If I was having a Valentine's Day wedding, this is how I picture it.... modern.red.gray.anemones.and bold hearts. Happy Valentine's Day weekend!



top row: shoe with heart photo by jonilyn photography, bouquet photo by Kate Headley via The Bride's Cafe, Love Wins from elefint designs
second row: invite photo by Anna Kuperberg, ring pillow by Anna whitford, candy photo by Sarah K. Chen, bridesmaid dress from vineyard collection via brides.com, Photo by Greg Gibson
bottom row: photo by John Michael Cooper, Floor photo by Michele M. Waite

Friday Love Song : Jem - Yellow

Coldplay's Yellow is one of my most favorite songs and when I heard this version the other day I was in love all over - a beautiful voice and piano.....you can bet it is on my Valentine's Day Mix for my husband :)

Save The Date - Woodgrain Letterpress

I recently found these stunning letterpress save the date's while surfing around the web. They were designed by the groom-to-be, Nick Brue, who is a graphic designer. The printing was done by Studio On Fire - they work on custom wedding letterpress work with designers around the country.

So lovely....

Rustic Beach Wedding Inspiration

Gorgeous photos from a wedding designed by Lisa Vorce of Oh how Charming and photographed by the talented Elizabeth Messina. I love EVERYTHING about this wedding...the hanging stars, the twig balls, the draped fabric.....sigh...












{via Zenadia Design}

Real Wedding: Bridget + Justin - Los Olivos, CA

Another gorgeous Jose Villa wedding! This is from one of my favorite venues - Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos, CA. I love the colors Bridget and Justin choose. Beautiful photos...Congrats to Bridget and Justin!

Wedding Logos by Ice Cream Social

I love the unique logos that Ice Cream Social designs for couples. They can then be used on invites, stickers, out of town bags, and thank you cards. These totes would be such a great gift for your guests to remember the wedding weekend.

Celeb Wedding Inspiration: Fergie + Josh Duhmel

On January 10, Fergie and Josh Duhamel tied the knot at the Church Estate Vineyard in Malibu, California. Fergie called it "magical" and "ethereal," while Josh said it “incorporated both our personalities.” The event was planner by none other than Mindy Weiss. “Lots of nature was important to Josh,” Mindy Weiss says. “I knew I could bling it up for Fergie.”



The entire wedding party -- including the bride and groom -- was outfitted in dresses and tuxes from Dolce and Gabbana. Fergie wore a fitted, white ruched, corseted wedding gown with a mesh tulle overlay, spaghetti straps and a long train, all custom-made for the occasion. I love the back of her dress!

375 guests in attendance enjoyed a massive 150 pound cake at their $1 million wedding. Following an after-dinner slide show, Josh presented to Fergie a segment he produced of 40 of the couple's friends and family lip synching and dancing to her signature hit, "Fergalicious." - What a cute idea!

Ellen Black, of Lehr and Black, the company that designed the couple's wedding stationary, tells People.com, "Fergie loves bling and has a love for unicorns and Josh loves nature. The artwork had leaves and hidden details like a unicorn and the invites were decorated with crystals. There's a current trend for celebrities to give out the invitation as a gift at the end of the wedding. That way, they can avoid the invitation being revealed before the wedding and can keep all the details a secret."

The couple also gave their guests a unique treat by including a specially designed caricature of themselves with the invite. Black adds, "Josh has a love for art and viewed it as giving away of piece of art."

Fergie's and Josh Duhamel's matrimonial diamonds were designed by Brazilian jeweler H. Stern. The jeweler designed the engagement ring, wedding bands and some wedding party accessories.

Fergie's engagement ring is a customized Stars ring that features a round, 4-carat brilliant-cut diamond set in a stunning band with colors ranging from white to cognac. The singer also received a matching, narrow wedding band. Both rings were made of H. Stern's 18 K Noble Gold. Josh's wedding band was created at Fergie's direction, featuring organic lines and asymmetric edges. Each band also has a special engraved personal message by the bride and groom.

They spent their honeymoon at the Reethi Rah One and Only Hotel in the Maldives.

In this month's Elle magazine, Fergie and Josh show off some more of their wedding photos - from the wedding night! Is this the start of a new trend? What do you think, would you invite your photographer back to your hotel for some wedding night photos??




{via Usweekly, Elle, People, and Popsugar}

Friday Love Song : Band of Horses - No one's gonna love you more

This was almost the song played when I walked down the aisle... I really love it and think it is so beautiful. Since the ceremony was outside in the woods, I thought it would be perfect. Enjoy...

Wiley Valentine Invitations from Costa Mesa, CA

Wiley Valentine designs some beautiful invitations. Founders and designers Emily and Rachelle are the creative geniuses behind the designs. They named the company after their artistic grandmothers - Mary Wiley and Norma Jean Valentine - what great names!. With calligraphic flourishes, dreamy flowers, and stunning typography, their invites are exquisite in the details. They also try to think about the environment first (very important!) and use only 100% recycled or 100% cotton papers. They have three main lines: letterpress, luxe and couture (a custom invite made uniquely for you!) Below are some of my favorites, but definitely check out Wiley Valentine to see even more beautiful examples of their for even more beautiful pieces of art.

LETTERPRESS


LUXE




COUTURE

Real Wedding: Heather + Barry in Laguna Beach

I've been loving looking through the One Love Photo Blog the past two days. I saw this fabulous wedding that Heather and Jon (the husband and wife team behind One Love Photo) photographed in Laguna Beach a few months ago and she was kind enough to let me feature it for you guys today. I really love Heather's style - her photos have a vintage, timeless look, but yet modern also. The bride - also named Heather - used yellow as her main color, with blue satin shoes! Which if you saw my post yesterday, you know I've been in a yellow state of mind! Oh, and her dress is GORGEOUS! Love it!

Heather shared this story about how Heather + Barry choose her to photograph their wedding and I thought it was so perfect. It's really important to find a photographer that fits your style, and they did that.

Last year heather and barry traveled to ireland together. all along barry had a master plan involving one secret ring. he knew the exact spot when the ring would come out of his pocket. a beautiful green lookout point. the question was popped. the answer was yes. ireland will never be the same for these two! heather had brought along a plastic diana camera to freeze her own visions of ireland. she was hoping for lots of blur, soft muted tones and timeless images. while looking through her album from their trip this weekend, it was clear to me that her vision had been captured perfectly.

wanting a similar look for her wedding photos, she began a search for the perfect photographer. she wanted someone who shoots film and uses toy cameras, and who experiments with different processes. she was searching for another artist. the stars must have been aligned, because somehow she stumbled upon my website. even more perfect was the fact that shortly after, we were able to meet in person. when heather first contacted me, i was headed down to los angeles with jon for a pottery show. at our meeting we all clicked and it felt like a perfect match. as the big orange sun went down on their wedding day, we giggled and made beautiful photographs together! jon felt confident using his big papa lens. he knew the style that these two wanted was similar to the "through the viewfinder" look created with his lens.

And now - the fabulous photos! Enjoy and congrats to Heather + Barry!

















floral design: Kristen at the treasure petal - check out Kristen's blog for more details on the flowers
reception: Tivoli Too

Also, Heather is a graphic designer and designed the placecards, favor tags, and invitations. She also had old family wedding portraits in mismatching tiffany blue frames on every table.

..and it was called Yellow

I found this beautiful day after session on the Sloan Photographers blog this past weekend. I've been loving yellow lately - and her shoes, his tie, the hand band, balloons! Love it all.... Day after sessions are a great chance to get some more unique photos with out the stress of not enough time on your wedding day. Are you going to do a day after session?

Fall in love with J Crew

How beautiful and dreamy...love it so much. View the new J Crew Wedding line here.

Lizzie Fortunato Jewels

I've had bold statement necklaces on my mind after the post yesterday and these definitely fit with that! Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, created by twin sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato, are overflowing with beautifully crafted pieces that are elegant and sophisticated, yet infused with a bohemian flare - I love them! What a statement one of these would make!

Elizabeth Fortunato says the the "adventures and reveries" of her camp days were the inspiration for the spring/summer collection titled "Live Long Summer." Using found and recycled objects like belt buckles and vintage charms, the ladies draw from the past to make their sweet summer memories and create a line bursting with braided, knotted, and sun-faded fabric chokers and bracelets. "I grew up going out west, so there was a lot of looking at native beading and designs," Lizzie says of the influence of tribal crafts in her work. Reminiscing, Lizzie says, "There was a lot of nostalgia that came with the end of camp. You're in this world for the whole summer."








Photos above from the Spring/Summer (top photo) and Fall/Winter(bottom two photos) collection. They are available at Satine (8117 W 3rd St) and Presso (326 South La Brea Ave) in LA or online.

Chunky Wedding Necklaces

I love that brides are getting more creative with their wedding day jewelry. Are you planning on wearing a fun bold necklace?




photo credits:
Cameron Ingalls, Samm Blake, Angela Anderson, Angela Anderson
Gabriel Ryan, Leo Patrone, Perez Photography, Marie Labbancz