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We Can’t Decide Which We Love More – The Elegant Opulence or Epic Views in This Malibu Rocky Oaks Wedding

July 12, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Sabina and Carson’s wedding at Malibu Rocky Oaks had views for days and a sophisticated style that will blow your mind! The winery venue, which had a 360-degree view over Malibu, provided an Italian-inspired backdrop that looked gorgeous with the rich jewel tone color palette the couple chose. Esoteric Events set up the ceremony at the edge of the cliff, which gave a breathtaking view that they framed with a lush backdrop designed by Honey & Poppies. They also set up a luxurious reception under an open-air tent beside the pool that featured black velvet tablecloths, gold place settings, crystal chandeliers, and multi-colored rose centerpieces. But, the sophisticated feel didn’t stop with the decor. Sabina wore a stunning off-the-shoulder Chantilly lace Ester Haute Couture gown and delicate accessories that were timeless and chic. Every detail that photographer Katrina Jayne captured was unbelievably romantic and made us fall in love with winery weddings all over again!

The Couple:

Sabina and Carson

The Wedding:

Malibu Rocky Oaks, Malibu, California

I have always been drawn to dark, moody, wildly romantic elements (i.e. candlelight, roses, chandeliers, etc.). From the beginning, I wanted a wedding that would take your breath away in the most unsuspecting way. Our wedding had a definite vibe; there was a feeling, a mood.

I wanted my wedding dress to be unique and romantic. I fell in love with my dress because of the detailing; it was an off the shoulder Ester Haute Couture dress, made of French Chantilly lace, with intricate beading and embroidery. I kept the accessories simple, not to take away from the gown. I wore nude Aquazurra pumps and had a cathedral length plain veil. The only jewelry I wore was my engagement ring and wedding band.

Our photographer, Katrina Jayne, was a dream. We actually had her take our engagement pictures a year before the wedding. We were so thrilled with her work that we knew we had to have her on our special day. I think the photos speak for themselves!

Our ceremony was outside with a 360 view of Malibu; it was honestly one of the most surreal moments of my life. We had a string quartet, a wildly romantic arch made of roses and lush greens, and our wedding party was seated during our ceremony, making everything feel even more intimate.

Carson and I chose to say our vows privately; we went to the top of the house, out on the balcony and read our vows to each other under the dark night sky. When we had finished reading, the clouds parted and a full moon lit the sky overhead; a moment we will never forget.

Because our wedding was set at a winery, we thought wine (made at MRO) would be the perfect wedding gift. The bottles were labeled and had a picture of the venue on the front; our guests loved the wine and having a bottle as a keepsake was a nice touch.

My favorite photo is hands down us on the Malibu Rocky Oaks rock. I swallowed my crippling fear of heights to take one of the most spectacular shots ever. Being at the top was exhilarating; all we could hear was the chilly November wind swirling around us. There was nothing but mountains and the most gorgeous sunset as far as the eye could see. That was the only time in the wedding that Carson and I were truly alone. It was so intimate; time stood still up there.

Processional – “Kissing You” by Des’ree (Romeo & Juliet)
Recessional – “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros
First Dance – “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Katrina Jayne
Event Planning – Esoteric Events
Venue – Malibu Rocky Oaks
Floral Design – Honey & Poppies
Catering – Urban Palate LA
Cake – Vanilla Bake Shop
Officiant – Officiant Eric
DJ – Red Shoe LA
Live Music – Clover String Quartet
Videography – Robert Michael Films
Stationery – Written Word Calligraphy
Makeup Artist and Hair Styling – The Halcyon Agency
Wedding Dress – Ester Haute Couture
Bridal Accessories – Mira Couture and Aquazzura
Guest Book – Claire Magnolia
Rings – Raineri Jewelers

 

Congratulations to Sabina and Carson, and a big thanks to Junebug member Robert Michael Films for sharing this stunning wedding at Malibu Rocky Oaks with us! Looking for more sophisticated wedding inspiration? Timeless got a chic update in this Yale Union wedding and is bursting with style and decor inspiration!

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5 Reasons Why You Should Absolutely Print Your Wedding Photos

July 11, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

all photos by Wyn Wiley

It’s no secret that wedding photography is a big investment as part of your wedding budget, but are you getting the most value out of your wedding photos? We’ve learned that a huge percentage of couples getting married in recent years have decided not to print their wedding photos, but we’re hoping to change that trend for the future! If you haven’t thought about whether or not to print your wedding photos, we’ve got five excellent reasons to convince you why you should absolutely print your wedding photos!

1. The Power of Touch

On a psychological level, touch has an incredible power of us as humans. We become more deeply connected to tangible things (and people, of course!), once we’ve been able to touch or hold them in our hands. Seeing your wedding photos is nice, but the emotional response your body undergoes when touching them as an album or print is amplified. To get the most value out of your wedding photos – out of what you paid for – get them printed and let your sense of touch be part of the experience.

2. Your Wedding is a Story

From getting ready to your first look to saying “I do” to dancing the night away, the day of your wedding is as much a story as the relationship that brought you to this point. Printing your photos in an album allows you to re-live that story in a way that an online gallery of a few hundred images simply does not. Imagine looking through your wedding album together with your family during the holidays, and again on your anniversaries, and maybe even later with your children. Printing your photos in an album allows you to experience them the way your photographer intended.

3. Your Photos are Art

Speaking of your photographer, remember that they are an artist. You hired them not only to capture your day, but to capture it using their artistic vision. What better to hang on the walls of your home than the art you already commissioned for your wedding day! Not only do you get to display these stunning pieces of art that happen to include you as the models, but you’re able to walk through your house and remember those special moments every single day.

4. The Internet Isn’t Forever

Remember MySpace? Social platforms aren’t forever! Even if you were to upload your wedding photos (all 800 of them) to Facebook, how often would you and your family actually spend time looking through them there? And, you can only upload them if you’ve downloaded them from the online gallery your photographer provided! We hear from SO many photographers that their clients never download their wedding images and then when the gallery expires, the client emails in asking where the photos have gone. Not all photographers leave their galleries open forever, which is just another reason to make sure you’re making the most of the photos you paid for!

5. Family Heirlooms for Future Generations

When you print your photos, you’re not the only ones who get to appreciate them – your family, both present and future, do too! If you’ve ever seen your parents’ or grandparents’ old wedding photos hanging in their home or come across a box of old images from their weddings, then you know how special and meaningful those artifacts are. Your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren being able to touch, hold, and sift through your wedding photos is a powerful way to connect through generations.

Ultimately, the tangible value of deciding to print your wedding photos, whether as albums for your coffee table, art for your home, or gifts for your family, is unparalleled. Your wedding day deserves better than a Facebook album or USB drive that lives in your junk drawer. Photos are meant to be viewed, so make sure you’re giving those memories a chance to be re-lived – now and forever!

This post is sponsored by QtAlbums, the highest quality bespoke album company for wedding photographers. QtAlbums creates beautiful heirlooms to be enjoyed for generations to come. Find out if your photographer uses QtAlbums and send them our review as proof of why we believe QtAlbums should be every wedding photographer’s go-to for quality wedding albums and prints.

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This Intimate Southern Hotel Wedding in Covington, LA is the Epitome of Timeless Romance

July 11, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

If you’re looking for proof that timeless wedding elegance will never go out of style, look no further than Marla and Alejandro’s Southern Hotel wedding in Louisiana! The couple and their talented friends and family DIY-ed nearly every detail of their special day, from the flowers to the cookie favors, and the result could not have been more beautiful. Because they intentionally kept all the details simple, the bride’s stunning BHLDN lace gown, the groom’s suave look from Suitsupply, and the intimate moments September Company captured took center stage. After a dreamy ceremony in the hotel’s courtyard and photos in both the gardens and the elegant interior, Marla, Alejandro, and their guests ended the day at The Lakehouse for a reception that was relaxed yet still timeless and elegant.

The Couple:

Marla and Alejandro

The Wedding:

Southern Hotel and The Lakehouse, Covington, Lousiana

We wanted the wedding to feel intimate and true to our personal styles. We only invited our close family and friends for an intimate gathering. We wanted the night to feel timeless and romantic.

Our first look was the most memorable because we were able to have some time to ourselves and it calmed any nerves or stress we were having to just be close to one another before all the guests arrived. Our photographers Caitlyn and Thad made the whole process stress free and fun.

Our ceremony was very personal to us and was officiated and personalized by Marla’s brother. Alejandro’s uncle wrote a beautiful speech and his sister read a poem in Spanish to honor Alejandro’s late father. We also had a string trio to play during the ceremony and it felt absolutely magical.

We DIY-ed our floral elements, cake, gifts, and invitations. Our invitations were handmade one-by-one by Alejandro’s cousin. We bought all the flowers form Trader Joe’s and assembled all the bouquets and boutonnieres the day before the wedding with the help of the bridal party. The eucalyptus ceremony arch piece was from my mom’s eucalyptus tree and my bridesmaids assembled it the morning of the wedding. Our cake, a secret-recipe orange cake with pineapple filling, was made by Alejandro’s mom, and our wedding favors were cookies made by Alejandro’s sister.

Processional – “Barcarolle” by Offenbach
Recessional – “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss
First Dance – “Open” by Rhye

The Wedding Team:

Photography – September Company
Ceremony Venue – Southern Hotel
Reception Venue – The Lakehouse
DJ – Dubba D Music
Stationery – Beatriz Sanchez
Makeup Artist – Kayla Yao
Hair Styling – Renee Yao
Wedding Dress – BHLDN
Groom’s Apparel – Suitsupply
Rings – Hannon Jewelers

 

Congratulations to Marla and Alejandro, and a big thanks to Junebug member September Company for sharing this … Southern Hotel wedding with us!

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