I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s the little things that can seem like the biggest. Little dilemmas that you can’t seem to find a solution for, and brilliant little solutions that can bring huge amounts of joy. Today’s post is about one such thing – a design detail that, as destination wedding planner and designer Michelle Rago explains, “is a very unique concept as well as a wonderful solution to the age old question.”what if I don’t want to change my last name???”… The 4 letter monogram!
From Planner and Designer Michelle Rago: In the example shown here, the bride chose not to change her last name and we presented the option for a 4 letter monogram which ended up to be the perfect solution for both! Here we combined CZ and ZG. What I personally love is that is almost looks like a family crest!
So smart! Check out some of the initial design concepts below, as well as the finished products from the couple’s lovely wedding, and if you like this whimsical illustrated look, don’t miss Michelle Rago’s new website! Freshly redesigned and relaunched, it’s full of destination wedding inspiration!
There is nothing like the texture, depth and creativity of a wedding planned by the team at Kristin Banta Events, and Rachel and Brye’s beautiful Bohemian styled wedding at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is the perfect example of that! The couple worked with Kristin and their other talented wedding professionals to create an event that was meaningful and authentic in every way. From the rich jewel toned decor to the creative tablescapes and Chuppah design, to the welcoming home-like atmosphere for their guests, it was perfection from beginning to end!
What three adjectives best describe your wedding day?Beautiful, fun and sentimental
What was your wedding color palette?Im not really a color palette person, but I knew I wanted to go for brass, candlelight, jewel tones. We love everything from beige and pale colors to turquoise and blue, blood red and deep purple jewel tones. We were hoping it would look like a colorful amazing garden landed on us rather than any specific colors or themes being put together.
Was there a decor theme that ran through your wedding? What were some of the different ways you used decor elements to create the beautiful, cohesive event you were envisioning?We wanted it to feel warm, worldly and somehow exotic and completely familiar at the same time. We wanted people to feel like they had just stumbled into an incredible party at our home that we were hosting – comfortable, luxurious and beautifully detailed, but totally accessible and fun rather than too formal or theme-like. Basically our wedding looked like our home would look in my perfect world. We incorporated personal objects and touches that we knew people would recognize as us – our heirlooms under the chuppah, serving our favorite artichokes and having them in the centerpieces, our favorite cocktail at the bar, and our favorite songs playing between sets and all night.
The lighting was meant to feel more like candlelight, and the flowers, candles and linens on each table were different so that everyone had a unique experience and could enjoy the room as a whole rather than everything matching. Guests were able to go to different tables and see different scapes and unique linens, and that made it somehow more personal and authentic to us. The food was really important too. We tried for a menu that was all about the food we love – delicious, but still rustic and not too complicated. We still hear from people how great it was. The hotel was incredible about the food – it’s one of the many reasons they are great at what they do.
Looking back, do you have a favorite project or successful decor idea from your wedding? Tell us what you loved about it!First I would say that we really looked at the wedding in terms of what it meant to us, not just how it would look. We really took the time to choose the traditional elements that would make it more than just a party for us, but at the same time, we dropped the traditions or norms that didnt feel important or authentic to us. For example, we felt connected to many traditional elements of a Jewish ceremony, but we totally couldnt relate to the idea of choosing a color to design the wedding around.
If you are hoping to do things your own way, definitely team up with vendors and planners who will support that. Kristin (our planner) was the first one to give us the green light on anything we wanted to do or didnt want to do that wasnt the norm, and that was awesome.
It is all about the little details adding up. I am kind of a freak about paper and stationery, so that started for us with Save the Dates and the Invite which we hoped would evoke the style and tone that our guests would find at the wedding. One detail that was really important to us was the welcome note and snack bag – we wrote personal notes to each of our guests along with a weekend itinerary and a couple bags of almond rocha and trail mix made by close friends. It was a small gesture, but we wanted people to feel personally welcomed even if we didnt have the chance to do it in person, and we wanted to set the tone for a warm, friendly and welcoming weekend together.
It wouldnt have been nearly as memorable a day if we hadnt done things in a way that was special to us – there were many times we had to tweak the norm a bit to make something meaningful. The chuppah is the perfect example of that. The chuppah turned out to be the most beautiful moment for us. We chose not to go with flowers or decor and instead used the talit (pray shawls) from our dads, grandfathers and uncles to create a symbolically and aesthetically amazing canopy. With us inside we had objects that mean a lot to us, such as books and jewelry from family members no longer with us, and of course we were surrounded by our closest friends and family. It was just a completely perfect way to show on the outside what we were feeling on the inside, and it really set the tone for what we wanted to share with our guests.
I also have to say that the music situation was the best thing ever. We had a real band play and they know my brother and his wife. I had requested that my brother and his wife surprise the groom and entire crowd by joining them onstage and the crowd went wild. Having an amazing band was like being at a concert all night long – I only wish the pictures could play music so you could hear! Also, we were really intent on putting together specifically ordered playlists for the band and for the dj between the sets. Music is so important to us, and to creating a sense of vibe, memory and nostalgia, and we are still listening to the wedding soundtrack all the time.
Lastly in terms of decor, our decision to play on the beauty of our surroundings rather than to alter it to fit our tastes was huge. The Ojai Valley Inn has this incredible Spanish, California/Mediterranean vibe and while we were totally afraid of the carpets in the ballroom when we first saw them, they ended up looking like they were designed for our party by the time all the linens and lighting were in the room.
What piece of advice would you give to a bride planning her wedding today?I would consider the idea that you can be a guest at your own wedding. Plan now, obsess now, freak out now sure, but set yourself up to be able to checkout on the day of your wedding and attend from the perspective of everyone else joining you there. If you are genuinely present and enjoying yourself, the party will be that much better for everyone and you might actually be able to hold on to it – it goes so quickly!
We’re thrilled to share David and Sabrina’s wedding with you today, because not only is the wedding absolutely gorgeous, but it took place at one of our favorite spots…the fabulous Villa Punto de Vista in Costa Rica, which was designed by David and is now a family business run by David, his brother and business partner! Enjoy this glimpse of their beautiful day and amazing tropical retreat, captured by A Brit & A Blonde!
The Goals:The venue was really at the heart of this destination wedding because, as you know, the concept of Villa Punto de Vista as well as the architecture and construction was all crafted by myself and developed as a family business. So despite the fact that I hadnt even met Sabrina when I commenced on the design and building of the villa, Punto de Vista was, in essence, designed as the supreme gathering and party spot for me and my future wifes family and friends!
The good news is that she did indeed turn up ½ way thru construction of the villa and Sabrinas input and essence went directly in the detailing and completion of the villa as it is enjoyed and appreciated today.
As an over-all concept for the wedding, we wanted to both express our passions and share our honeymoon with our guests. That said, in order to take full advantage of the villas multiple and unique venue locations and to add a unique ambiance to each space, we entertained our guests in the following ways: First, the welcome cocktail hour was on the villas 6th floor rooftop with decor and music to celebrate my wifes love for Brazilian Bossa Nova. Second, the group moved a level below to the terrace for French buffet style, al-fresco dining we called A Taste of Paris complete with Edith Piaf music and Parisian decor. Finally, the group moved to the first floor of the villa for the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance which was decorated in the spirit of Michael J. Foxs Back to the Future for some real rock-n-roll classics and plenty of swing dancing!
The Vision: The polished and professional touch to our wedding was given to us by A Brit and A Blonde, who not only photographed the wedding but also did all the graphic design as well! These elements, starting with our S&D logo really set the tone for the event and carried over into customized French postcards, food and drink signs and other printed material.
As for decor, our excellent wedding planner, Larissa Banting, with Weddings Costa Rica, truly brought to life the many themes and ideas at the core of the wedding. Also, the very unique rentals she offered us including a marvelous chandelier, antique French trunks and other beautiful pieces really made a difference in making our wedding one-of-a-kind!
The Moments: Wow. So many! When the post-sunset sky turned blue and the lights came on on the villas roof deck, the spectacle of the islands of the Manuel Antonio Bay coupled with the over-all bliss of the entire wedding party made for a magical moment!
Our photoshoot with a Brit and a Blonde was not only fun but made for some of the best memories of the wedding!
Our biggest wedding planning success had to be our surprised crowd when they walked into the villas ballroom decorated as the Enchantment of the Sea Dance from the classic film of the 80s.
The Pros: For more infomation about David and Sabrina’s talented wedding team, please visit their page in our Real Wedding Library.
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous wedding and the stunning Villa Punto de Vista with us, David and Sabrina! We wish you much happiness in your marriage!
Junebug Weddings uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. We also use cookies to show advertising that is most relevant to you. If you continue you agree to the use of cookies on Junebug Weddings.
Terms & Conditions
.jpg "Photographers")
