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WEDDING BLOG

Coco Chanel Inspired Wedding Decor in Pink, Lavender and Platinum

June 28, 2012 | editorial team

What a treat we have today – some of the prettiest tabletop decor ideas I’ve seen, and all inspired by the one and only style icon, Coco Chanel! Los Angeles based wedding planners Nikki and Madiha Khan of Exquisite Events worked with an ultra-talented team of professionals to bring their vision to life in this inspiration photo shoot, and the photographers at Callaway Gable captured every stunning detail. Read on to learn about the team’s design inspiration and to see a practically endless amount of wedding decor eye candy!

It all started with Nikki’s Chanel obsession. Her love of all things Coco Chanel sparked the inspiration for the Ode to Coco photo shoot, a chic collaboration with Revelry Event Designers, Wildflower Linen and The Hidden Garden Floral Design.

Nikki designed Ode to Coco as a 1920-1930 period tone-on-tone tabletop, with color being present in the flowers only. She chose soft greys, silver and platinum for the base of the design. The table linen was made of a luxurious crushed velvet and Youngsong Martin of Wildflower designed quilted chair covers to look like Chanel bags, complete with crystals and fabric-woven chains.

Matias Doorn of Revelry created a backdrop in various shades of grey with rows of hanging glass globes layered over fabric and two stunning silver globe chandeliers adorned with crystals hung from above. The table was embellished with pieces from Nikkis just-launched handmade silver collection; items like ornate silver chargers with lapis stones and silver peacock napkin rings. The Hidden Garden Floral Design created floral arrangements in pink, lavender and green, arranged in silver vases, which are also part of the new Exquisite Events product line.

The photo shoot was embedded into 1920s-30s Paris with the addition of hosts Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, who naturally invited their friends to the dinner party. Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway all dined at the Ode to Coco table at their assigned seat, next to the elegant place cards designed by Copper Willow Paper Studio.

The table glimmered in soft candlelight and a palatable menu was featured on beautifully simple cards that sat atop silver charger plates. Brian from Callaway Gable Photography captured amazing shots and brought the table to life. We think Zelda and Scott would have been very happy with this elegant and timeless table setting; a perfect ode to Coco Chanel!.

The Photo Shoot Team:

Wedding Planners & Designers: Exquisite Events
Photography: Callaway Gable
Furniture, Decor and Design: Revelry Event Designers
Linens: Wildflower Linen
Floral Design: The Hidden Garden Floral Design
Invitations and Stationery Design: Copper Willow Paper Studio
PR Coordination: Rayce PR and Marketing
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: Images by Lighting

See what I mean? What gorgeous wedding design! Thanks so much to the whole photo shoot team for sharing their hard work and creativity with us!

Intimate Dinner Party Wedding at The Corson Building in Seattle – Megan and Tim

May 17, 2012 | editorial team

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Here at Junebug, one of our favorite things about weddings is that they are unique and different for each couple. We truly believe there is no right or wrong way to do things. I love how today’s couple, Megan and Tim, followed their hearts and created a wedding day that had all the elements they love – intimate moments with their closest friends and family, spectacular seasonal northwest cuisine, and none of the things that felt like an obligation. Enjoy reading about their planning process, what was important to them, and the gorgeous photos by Renata Steiner of Nataworry Photography!

The Couple: Megan and Tim

The Wedding: 7.16.11 – Corson Building Seattle, WA

What were the top three priorities for you in planning your wedding? Food, family and DIY details. We really wanted to bring our three amazing families together to break bread over an incredible meal. We wanted to introduce our families not only to each other, but also to the local and seasonal foods of Washington. We chose to have a very intimate wedding with only immediate family and a few very close friends. We wanted to be able to talk and laugh and dine with everyone who traveled so far to share our special day with us. We wanted to have our hands in every part of the process. Tim and I have design and art backgrounds and very much wanted to design the invites and corresponding thank-you notes. Our friends made our guestbook and the place cards which used rocks collected from the beach near our home. Megans sister, a horticulturist, purchased flowers with Megan the morning before the wedding and created the bouquet, boutonniere, and table arrangements with the help of Megans mom. Tims mom Karyn sewed each dinner napkin from fabric we picked out together. Megan knitted her shrug and created the paper garlands that decorated the outdoor patio and bar.

What wedding traditions or cultural traditions did you incorporated into your wedding and what did they mean to you? I did the something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new tradition. I had my sister wrap the stems of my bouquet in a handkerchief that my mom used in her wedding, as a very special something borrowed. Instead of the traditional wedding vows, Tim and I incorporated the Celtic handfasting tradition into our ceremony. It’s where the term tying the knot originated. There are typically six questions to be asked of the couple, and with six parents, this worked out perfectly for us. A question is asked of the couple and then a ribbon is secured around their joined hands. It was a great way to include our parents and our families heritage. We also had a bagpiper play before and after the ceremony, as another nod to our heritage.

Were there any places where you broke the rules in your wedding planning? Why and how did you do that? We didnt follow the must dos. We decided early on that we wanted a dinner party atmosphere, not a traditional reception. There was no DJ or dancing. We also chose not to have a bridal party, not to have a first dance. To many couples, planning a wedding is checking off a list of the things that weddings are supposed to be instead of including the aspects that are meaningful to you as a couple.

What was your biggest wedding planning success? The food! We worked very closely with chef Matt Dillon to craft a nine-course menu that would showcase the bounty of the Northwest in the summer. This included Dungeness crab, oysters, salmon, currants, mint and fava beans.

What was the most important thing that you learned through the wedding planning process and what would you tell other brides-to-be? Be true to yourself. Weddings can become overwhelming, both financially and mentally. The best thing Tim and I did was communicate our wishes right away to each other. With a united front, we told our families and we stuck to them. It would have been amazing to have everyone we know celebrate with us, but we stuck to our small budget and original wishes. To us, the day was everything that we wanted it to be! Also, stay calm and carry on. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you are marrying the person of your dreams.

The Wedding Team:

The Photographer: Renata Steiner – Nataworry Photography
Ceremony/Reception Venue: The Corson Building
Officiant: MaryLee Lykes
Catering: The Corson Building
Florist: Rachel Hoverman and Judy Campbell
Wedding Dress: J.Crew
Bridal Accessories: Shoes – Marc by Marc Jacobs, Earrings – Leslie Danzis, Headpiece – YJDesign at Etsy.com
Groom’s Apparel and Accessories: Suit – Zara, Shirt – Xacus, Tie – J.Crew, Boots – MOMA, Socks – Happy Socks
Hair and Make-up: Hair – Off White, Make-up – Aja Blanc
Live Music: Bagpiper Tyrone Heade
Favors: JonBoy Caramels
Rings: Laudick’s Jewelery

Thank you, Megan and Tim, for telling us about your amazing wedding! We wish you the best of luck!

To learn more about wedding fashion and decor check our our Inspiration Gallery!

Romantic Rome, Italy Destination Wedding – Marisol and Richard

April 18, 2012 | editorial team

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Marisol and Richard met in Rome in 2006 during a study abroad program, where they lived together in a “Real World” style apartment with 10 roommates and Rome at their fingertips. According to Marisol, Rome was “sensory overload to say the least but we soon found time to get to know each other as we were able to explore the city over the next two months!” They traipsed the city and the region together, and Rick kissed Mari for the first time at the Pantheon, a tradition that they love to continue to this day. When it came time to plan their nuptials, choosing a Rome wedding, where their romance began, was the perfect choice!

From Marisol: The first week of our engagement began our planning process. We tossed around a few ideas on location but definitely had our hearts set on Rome. What an amazing way to share how and where we met with family and friends! Before we committed to this destination wedding, we took a poll to see just how many people might be interested in making the journey. The location of the ceremony was important to us but more so, was the hope that people we love could attend. Luckily, we had enough interest to proceed with the planning!

First off, we discussed hiring a wedding planner which involved searching the Internet for the best match. Brenda with Italia Celebrations came along in our searches and we immediately had a good feeling about her. Her resume, references and email promptness won us over as we continued planning together. Because our wedding was so far away in distance and time, we decided right away that we wanted to play a big role in the designed items in our wedding. With both of us being architects, it was only natural and extremely rewarding to design and print our own invitations, programs, menus, escort cards, place cards, and table numbers. We were drawn to an unconventional color scheme of red wines, pinks, purples, and brown, with a small touch of yellow to brighten up the palette. The scheme felt very romantic, sophisticated and Italian – perhaps the red wine tones did it!

When the big day finally came, it was truly more than we could have dreamed! We had an elegant ceremony with a unique getaway car, a very dramatic, yet intimate reception setting, and a beautiful ambiance to the entire day!

Having a destination wedding, we knew we wanted to make our traveling guests feel welcome and connected to the event. We had welcome bags delivered to each guest which included Prosecco, champagne flutes, Italian chocolate bars, cookies, welcome note, itinerary, and personalized Rome walking tour map including some of our favorite spots around the city. Two days before the wedding, we organized a group tour of the Vatican Museums and Saint Peters. Not only was it a wonderful learning experience but it also gave guests a chance to get to know each other before the wedding.

In addition to our wonderful wedding day, we had planned far in advance, to attend the Papal Audience with a special blessing and seating area for newly weds. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and what fun to wear your wedding attire in front of thousands of onlookers!

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Ruggero Farina
Wedding Planner: Brenda Babcock of Italia Celebrations
Ceremony Site: San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
Reception Venue & Catering: Aroma Restaurant Terrace at the Hotel Palazzo Manfredi
?Florist: Noosheen
?Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara from D’Anelli Bridal and Tux in Lakewood, Colorado
Bridal Shrug: Sassy Holford from Little White Dress Shop, Denver, Colorado
?Veil: D’Anelli Bridal and Tux
?Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
?Jewelry: Nadri from Nordstrom
?Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston
?Bridesmaid Shoes: Nina from Macy’s
?Bridesmaid Jewelry: Sorrelli
?Grooms Tuxedo: Hugo Boss
?Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: JoS. A. Banks
??Ceremony Music: Local musicians playing Harp, Violin and Cello
?Reception Music – Michael Supnick jazz band
Transportation – A Fiat 500

Thank you for sharing your amazing Rome destination wedding with us Marisol and Richard! It sounds like a dream come true!

Sonoma, California Vineyard Wedding at the BR Cohn Winery – Danielle and Adam

February 3, 2012 | editorial team

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Romance seems to leap off the screen in these images of couple Danielle and Adam’s vineyard wedding at BR Cohn Winery! Pretty doesn’t begin to describe the setting and decor (or the couple – how gorgeous are they?!) and the photography by EPLove captures the timeless, vintage atmosphere so well. Mmmm… vino anyone?

From Danielle: I met Adam (or better known as Shipley, The Shipster, Shippers, or Ships) on a warm summer night in Santa Barbara. We were cruising the harbor on Cooney & B-Rad’s Infamous Color Cruise (a classy booze cruise). We each chose a color to dress in, I chose white and Adam was in his baby blue! I remember doing one of those double takes thinking, who is that tall, dark, and incredibly handsome guy? My stomach did a flip when I first locked eyes with him–I had that feeling you get when something really exciting is about to happen. Adam is without a doubt the love of my life and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

The wine country was the perfect setting for our wedding not only because it’s absolutely gorgeous, but we thought that Sonoma would be a fun destination for our guests. Our ceremony took place underneath oak trees in the middle of the vineyard (seriously surrounded by vines!) and the dinner and dancing was up by the white barn amongst olive trees.

Right off the bat, we knew that we wanted to have an outdoor wedding. Elegant, timeless, vintage, romantic… these were some of the words that I thought of when I picked out details for our wedding. I fell in love with the white washed Calistoga long tables with the pale pink dahlias, milk bottles, and eclectic silver flatware. It was also important to us to have an intimate wedding including items that were keepsakes from our family like Adam’s grandfather’s typewriter.

We made all of our programs, menus, and place cards. We lived at Kinkos for a whole weekend titrating the printing settings and hand cutting each piece of paper because we are crazy! I love stamps so everything had a stamp (ie: table numbers, cutlery set on the menus, little hearts on the programs)… it’s the little things that really add up towards the end, but we felt very accomplished come wedding day! Adam, being an engineer, came up with the perfect way to display our place cards, stringing twine wrapped around posts that were cemented in wine barrels covered in spanish moss. My mom made us a tiered succulent wedding cake which we displayed on the cupcake table. We used old wood to create signs for the bar, ceremony, and reception.

It was absolutely perfect….best day of my life!

The Wedding Team:

Wedding Planner: Stacy McCain Event Planning
Photographers: EPLove
Videographers: Shade Tree Films
Ceremony and Reception Venue: BR Cohn Winery
Floral Design: Catherine Scott Flowers
Catering: Grapevine Catering
Cupcakes: Foxy Cupcakes
Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura
DJ: David Carvalho
String Quartet: Golden Gate Music
Wedding Dress: Sarah Houston from Nouvelle Vogue
Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade
Bride’s Veil: Percy Handmade
Engagement Rings: Tacori
Groom’s Apparel: Suit – Canali, Cuff links – Off the Cuff, Shoes – To Boot New York Shirt and Tie – Burberry
Bridesmaids Dresses: Priscilla of Boston
Groomsmen’s Apparel: Fellini Uomo
Hair: Lisa Lynn Mann and Michelle Shipley
Makeup: John Paul
Transportation: 1938 Buick from Bow Tie Limousine, and Guest Transportation from Beau Wine Tours
Table Signs & Cupcake Holders: Basilicus Jones

Thank you Danielle and Adam! What a stunning wedding day!

Readers, for all kinds of additional creative wedding ideas and inspiration, don’t miss our Real Wedding Library!

Junebug’s Favorite Weddings – Nikki and Bobby’s Mexico Destination Wedding!

July 26, 2011 | editorial team

black gold light pink white

Could this sophisticated and modern Cabo San Lucas, Mexico destination wedding be any lovlier? Originally published on February 18, 2011, Nikki and Bobby’s wedding was one of a kind, and we’ll be bringing you more of Junebug’s favorite destination weddings from around the world, all day today…

Today’s destination real wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico simply takes my breath away! Planned by One Happenings Weddings & Events and photographed by the talented Scott Andrew Studio, Nikki and Bobby’s beach wedding was an intimate, romantic and incredibly stylish celebration that looks as if it couldn’t have been any more chic. Enjoy!

The Goals: Nikki and Bobby chose to host a destination wedding because their main priority was to spend quality time with the people they love. They knew it was an unorthodox decision, but it turned out to be the very best one they made. “The wedding was truly perfect and it was extremely humbling to see the generosity of our friends and family – all of those who were able to attend, and even those that were not. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.”

The Design: The wedding ceremony took place on the beach for the location’s beauty and because Bobby is an avid fisherman and loves to be on the water. As they said their vows, a motorcycle stood off to the side to honor the memory of Nikki’s father who had passed away several years before. “It was an extremely important part of the ceremony and something we were so proud to be able to have there.” The aisle, altar and seating benches were decorated with clean and modern white fabric accented by tall, sculptural white and pink orchid arrangements from Mazarte Floral. Gorgeous!

The reception was held at at Villa Bellissima in the Pedregal community of Cabo San Lucas, an incredibly gorgeous home on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, where the elegant but modern look continued. White linens, calla lilies, candle light and touches of gold decorated the tabletops and place cards were displayed on mini fishing poles to delight those who know Bobby so well. Instead of wedding cake, the couple chose to have a dessert buffet from Lazy Gourmet filled with various white desserts.

The Look: Nikki’s Ramona Keveza wedding dress was “the one” and she knew it the moment she first tried it on at the famed Kleinfeld Bridal in New York. It was light and airy, ideal for the beach, but also a perfect match for Nikki’s personal style – “a little extravagant and edgy.” The bridesmaids wore pale gold dresses and Bobby and his groomsmen wore sleek black tuxedos. In Nikki’s dress was a special touch that was both her something old and something blue – a photo of herself and her father sewn in with a blue ribbon. Her something borrowed came in the form of a piece of jewelry from her mother, and her something new was a pair a diamond earring that Bobby bought her for the wedding day.

The Moments: To begin the wedding ceremony, Nikki’s brother walked her down the aisle in place of her father, which was an extremely meaningful and emotional gesture for Nikki and her family. “All of my life, my father and I talked about the moment he would have to give me away – where I would no longer be his little girl. Having my brother there to fill his shoes was an incredible moment for me. I felt my father’s presence then, as he watched us walk down the aisle together.”

During the ceremony and later during the first dance to James Taylor’s Something In The Way She Moves, Nikki and Bobby had sweet moments where they felt like, although there were 130 people watching them, they were the only ones there. Then, when fireworks went off at the beach to signify the start of the party, they loved sitting back together to enjoy the moment and see the joy of all the loved ones surrounding them.

The Pros: To learn about the whole team of wedding professionals who contributed to this amazing wedding, please visit Nikki and Bobby’s page in our Real Wedding Library!

Thank you so much Nikki and Bobby! What a spectacular wedding!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, check out our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists, and to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

Vintage Inspired New Zealand Wedding – Belinda and Hugh

June 17, 2011 | editorial team

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Belinda and Hugh imagined their vintage-inspired wedding day filled with family and friends, and a sense of celebration all night long, and from these amazing images by Kate MacPherson it looks like that’s just what they got! Their February wedding was filled with colorful and charming details, and a playful yet elegant feel, and the gorgeous New Zealand scenery was the perfect backdrop to it all!

The Goals: Choosing a venue that would not only hold all 170 guests but provide a great atmosphere was really important to the couple, and while Belinda was away in London, Hugh had the all-important job of finding the perfect place. It looks like he did a wonderful job with the Mount Soho Winery.

The Design: It was really important to Belinda to have bright and colorful wedding decor to make everything “pop” during the wedding. Bright pink and yellow floral arrangements decorated the ceremony adding a burst of color to the natural landscape. Inside the Mount Soho Winery, long banquet tables were lined with vintage vases filled with small bright flowers and guest’s place cards were attached to colored candy canes with gingham ribbon. Since weddings in New Zealand don’t usually include guest favors, Belinda came up with creative invitations instead. She had tea towels custom designed by The Original Wedding Tea Towel that featured items special to the couple. The towels included a map of New Zealand, fish (Hugh loves to fish), a tiki (an homage to New Zealand), and a pug dog (Belinda adores them) as well as being an invitation to the wedding! “All of our guests raved about the tea towels and I understand they are being put to good use in their kitchens!”

The Look: Belinda wanted to her bridal look to be classic, simple and chic. She chose an elegant dress from Pronovias and incorporated her own flare by adding the custom shoulder strap and corsage from Rachel Staples Millinery. She accessorized with shoes by Christian Dior, a birdcage veil by Chez Bec and a wonderful side swept hair style. “The way my hair turned out I have been told it looked very old Hollywood glamour, which is a lovely compliment.” Belinda’s bridesmaids looked incredible in rich teal dresses from Two Birds Bridesmaid and pink shoes from Kurt Geiger. The groomsmen wore teal polka-dot ties and pink socks, and fantastically colorful boutonnieres. Love it!

The Moments: During their simple outdoor ceremony officiated by a dear family friend, Belinda made her entrance to The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson and her mother and friend recited special readings and prayers. One of the most romantic moments Belinda recalls was when she and Hugh exchanged vows and had their first kiss as man and wife. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed high-tea as a nod to Belinda’s London days, with treats served on cake stands and tea from vintage tea cups. The reception dinner was fun for all, with a photo booth, delectable chocolate cake, and delightful decor created by Belinda’s mother and cousin. When it came time for their first dance Belinda says, “Hugh and I don’t have a ‘song’ as such so we went for a fun number that wouldn’t require skillful dancing, Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson. We hoped that would get the party started and it did.”

The Pros: To learn about the many wedding professionals who were a part of this incredible day, please visit Belinda’s and Hugh’s page in our Real Wedding Library.

Thank you Belinda and Hugh! What a wedding!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, browse our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists! And to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, be sure to check out Junebug’s World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

Vintage Picnic Inspired Santa Cruz Wedding – JoAnn and Jonathan

April 22, 2011 | editorial team

This is one of those weddings that the more I learn about it the more in love with it I become! Creative couple JoAnn and Jonathan deeply infused their personal styles into their wedding, but with such ease that the celebration looks like it must have been an absolute joy to attend. An ultra-imaginative and ultra-fun affair, photographed by the equally inventive photography team of Junebug members Paco and Betty!

The Goals: JoAnn and Jonathan chose the beautiful private estate of Nestldown in the Santa Cruz Mountains to create a wedding that was relaxed, creative and fun for everyone in attendance. Their main inspiration was simply to represent their relationship and personalities in the many aspects of their wedding day. “From the music played at the ceremony and reception to the food being served, we wanted our guests to feel as if they were spending time with us in our own home for a night.”

The Design: The overall aesthetic of JoAnn and Jonathan’s wedding had a vintage flair to it, inspired by the couple’s love of fashion from the 1920s-50s, as well as details that celebrated their love for cooking, food, music and spirituality. With help from wedding planners Details by Design Events they created such an incredible atmosphere!

The wedding invitations were designed to represent the letters they sent to each other at the beginning of their relationship. “We used to mail each other letters all the time, even though we lived pretty close by, so the design was an air mail theme. Our intention was to make the recipient feel like they were looking through a box of keepsakes, like the boxes we kept our letters in. Inside they found custom made movie ticket stubs, post cards, photo booth pictures, and a personal “handwritten” letter.”

At the wedding they used a rich wedding color palette of ivory, charcoal gray, eggplant purple, mustard yellow, teal and navy blue. The centerpiece flower arrangements were made with the help of their aunts and mothers and were displayed in vintage cans and homemade log vases decorated with customized cooking inspired labels. Their wedding favors were place cards that included recipes from their kitchen, and to make it a perfect outdoor meal the menu was picnic inspired. “Guests passed around platters of fried chicken, bowls of mac and cheese, corn on the cob, and coleslaw while being served glasses of sangria, frothy Belgian beers, along side the bottles of wine and champagne being poured at the table.”

The Look: Both JoAnn and Jonathan wanted their fashion looks to be classic, so JoAnn wore a stunning lace sheath wedding dress from Monique Lhuillier and Jonathan wore a three piece suit with signature Converse, of course. JoAnn accentuated her vintage inspired style with an amazing hairstyle that included finger waves and fresh flowers – so gorgeous!

The Moments: JoAnne and Jonathan created a non-traditional wedding ceremony that was very personalized, honored all who have supported and influenced their lives, and truly represented their spiritual beliefs. The ceremony was officiated by Father Josh Favaolora of the White Robed Monks and included many meaningful readings – an excerpt from “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “Parting” a poem translated by Bruce Lee, “Evening” a poem by Pablo Neruda; and the special songs Rise by Eddie Vedder and (Nice Dream) by Radiohead.

At the reception, the Gypsy Jazz band Gaucho serenaded the guests, fun games were included at each table, an ice cream truck arrived to serve sweet treats as an alternative to wedding cake, and their cousin, a professional Chocolatier, made a table of chocolates and goodies for dessert that was so amazing nothing survived before dinner time!

JoAnn and Jonathan loved so many parts of the day, like having all of their loved ones together in one place, speaking their wedding vows to eachother and dancing their first dance to Shiny & New by Mayer Hawthorne, but looking back they each had favorite moments. For JoAnn it was right after the ceremony when they finally had the time to sit alone together, sipping champagne while watching their guests head to the reception. For Jonathan it was seeing JoAnn in her dress for the first time. Very sweet indeed.

The Pros: To learn about all of the wedding professionals who helped create this wedding day please visit JoAnn and Jonathan’s page in our Real Wedding Library.

Thank you for sharing your amazing wedding with us JoAnn and Jonathan!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, check out our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists, and to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

Classic Ivory and Champagne 1930s Inspired Santa Monica Wedding from Boutwell Studio

February 25, 2011 | editorial team

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Today’s elegant California real wedding is a sophisticated throw-back to the 1930s and 40s. It recalls a time of classic beauty and timeless design details, while being a sacred, romantic and truly personal celebration for newlywed couple Jen and Nic, and their families and friends. These wonderful photos from Chenin Boutwell of Boutwell Studio illustrate the feeling of the day so well!

The Goals: Jen and Nic’s wedding planning goal was to create an atmosphere during their ceremony and reception that would communicate the significance of the the commitment they were making to each other. Choosing a traditional Catholic ceremony and an elegant reception at Santa Monica’s Shutters on the Beach, they strove for a timeless feel in every way. “We were going for a vintage, 1930s supper club feel with understated elegance that would have been considered lovely in the past, in the present or 50 years from now.”

The Design: For their timeless wedding look, the talented team at Details, Details helped Jen and Nic build upon the elegance of the 1930s. Art Deco design details were used in the wedding invitations by Papeterie and the menus, programs and place cards from Elizabeth Social Secretary, a 1937 Packard whisked them away after the ceremony and big band music was played during the reception by the Dean Mora Orchestra. A color palette of ivory and champagne was used throughout to add beauty without creating too much of a specific “theme.” Lush lowers by JL Designs delicately decorated the tabletops, and the detail on the ivory wedding cake from Cake Divas was inspired by the lace on Jen’s wedding dress. As wedding favors guests enjoyed a photo/video booth, and a delicious cookie table and espresso cart.

The Look: Jen’s bridal look was all about classic elegance, and she loved her Judd Waddell wedding dress from the Erin Cole Salon in Costa Mesa. Her something old was her great grandmother’s necklace which was incorporated into her bridal bouquet, her something new was her wedding dress, her something borrowed was her mother’s bracelet and her something blue was the floral embroidery on the Nic’s baptismal cloth. The bridesmaids wore dresses from the Vineyard Collection by Priscilla of Boston and the groom and groomsmen wore wonderfully classic and handsome black tuxedos.

The Moments: For Jen and Nic, the wedding ceremony was the most meaningful and sacred portion of their day and was simply amazing from beginning to end.

Afterward, their reception began with cocktails on the terrace overlooking the ocean at sunset, and was followed by dinner and dancing in the ballroom. Jen and Nic were so happy that they chose to forgo traditional wedding music and hire a big band to play – they had a ball watching their friends and family dance to music from the 1930s and 40s!

The Pros: To learn about the whole team of wedding professionals who worked on this beautiful wedding, please visit Jen and Nic’s page in our Real Wedding Library!

Thank you for sharing your wedding with us Jen and Nic!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, check out our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists, and to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

Chic Beach Destination Wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – Scott Andrew Studio

February 18, 2011 | editorial team

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Today’s destination real wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico simply takes my breath away! Planned by One Happenings Weddings & Events and photographed by the talented Scott Andrew Studio, Nikki and Bobby’s beach wedding was an intimate, romantic and incredibly stylish celebration that looks as if it couldn’t have been any more chic. Enjoy!

The Goals: Nikki and Bobby chose to host a destination wedding because their main priority was to spend quality time with the people they love. They knew it was an unorthodox decision, but it turned out to be the very best one they made. “The wedding was truly perfect and it was extremely humbling to see the generosity of our friends and family – all of those who were able to attend, and even those that were not. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.”

The Design: The wedding ceremony took place on the beach for the location’s beauty and because Bobby is an avid fisherman and loves to be on the water. As they said their vows, a motorcycle stood off to the side to honor the memory of NIkki’s father who had passed away several years before. “It was an extremely important part of the ceremony and something we were so proud to be able to have there.” The aisle, altar and seating benches were decorated with clean and modern white fabric accented by tall, sculptural white and pink orchid arrangements from Mazarte Floral. Gorgeous!

The reception was held at at Villa Bellissima in the Pedregal community of Cabo San Lucas, an incredibly gorgeous home on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, where the elegant but modern look continued. White linens, calla lilies, candle light and touches of gold decorated the tabletops and place cards were displayed on mini fishing poles to delight those who know Bobby so well. Instead of wedding cake, the couple chose to have a dessert buffet from Lazy Gourmet filled with various white desserts.

The Look: Nikki’s Ramona Keveza wedding dress was “the one” and she knew it the moment she first tried it on at the famed Kleinfeld Bridal in New York. It was light and airy, ideal for the beach, but also a perfect match for Nikki’s personal style – “a little extravagant and edgy.” The bridesmaids wore pale gold dresses and Bobby and his groomsmen wore sleek black tuxedos. In Nikki’s dress was a special touch that was both her something old and something blue – a photo of herself and her father sewn in with a blue ribbon. Her something borrowed came in the form of a piece of jewelry from her mother, and her something new was a pair a diamond earring that Bobby bought her for the wedding day.

The Moments: To begin the wedding ceremony, Nikki’s brother walked her down the aisle in place of her father, which was an extremely meaningful and emotional gesture for Nikki and her family. “All of my life, my father and I talked about the moment he would have to give me away – where I would no longer be his little girl. Having my brother there to fill his shoes was an incredible moment for me. I felt my father’s presence then, as he watched us walk down the aisle together.”

During the ceremony and later during the first dance to James Taylor’s Something In The Way She Moves, Nikki and Bobby had sweet moments where they felt like, although there were 130 people watching them, they were the only ones there. Then, when fireworks went off at the beach to signify the start of the party, they loved sitting back together to enjoy the moment and see the joy of all the loved ones surrounding them.

The Pros: To learn about the whole team of wedding professionals who contributed to this amazing wedding, please visit Nikki and Bobby’s page in our Real Wedding Library!

Thank you so much Nikki and Bobby! What a spectacular wedding!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, check out our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists, and to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

Vibrant Orange, Fuchsia and Gray Avon, Connecticut Wedding Style – Courtney and Jamie

January 6, 2011 | editorial team

The couple: Courtney and Jamie

The Wedding: 9.25.10 – Avon Old Farms Hotel, Avon, CT

What three adjectives that best describe your wedding? Lighthearted, vibrant, personal

What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? Jamie is a graphic designer, so from the start we knew we wanted to have him design our save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, table numbers, and favor packaging. Jamie even designed custom wine labels for bottles given out to our guests at check-in (we honeymooned in Napa, CA). Immediately that made things more personal for us. We had such a great time collaborating on every detail and I couldnt imagine being a bride who didnt have my fiance so heavily involved. It was such a help and made the day more fun because we had worked on everything together.

Our families are from different states (Jamies from upstate New York and mine from the Boston area), so we decided to have our wedding in Connecticut (a midpoint of sorts) at the Catholic church where mys paternal great-grandparents were married in 1900. Legend has it that my great-grandfather rode his bike to the service!

The theme then became life is a journey; and love is what makes that journey worthwhile, both because of our 6 year journey to the alter and because our guests would be travelling to be with us. Our save-the-dates were vintage postcards and our invites had the themes quote along with illustrations by Jamie of all different modes of transportation for two (convertibles, bicycles, jetskis, etc.). Each table then had a number and a one of the transportation illustrations.

In terms of personalities, we are always laughing together and truly consider the other our best friend. We wanted that warmth and friendly feeling to be relayed to our guests. Our bridal party really helped us set that tone with great entrances, constant smiles, and beautiful toasts. Were so thrilled we had a live band because it encouraged dancing and having a great time.

Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? Looking back, we are thrilled that Jamies design played such a large part of the visual message for the wedding.

My grandmother (who was ill on the wedding day) lent me a pair of vintage clip-on earrings to add to my shoes and I cherish having been able to include her in that way.

I also love remembering that the morning of the wedding, when I had a quiet moment with my Dad, a huge baseball fan. When I asked him how he felt he said, It was hard to sleep last night – I felt like it was the night before I was pitching the World Series.

At the rehearsal, the priest sprung on us that we had to memorize our vows. While we stumbled over the words a bit at the ceremony, it made the vows ours! The priest also introduced us for the first time using my last name, which immediately made the church erupt in laughter and our walk out of the church much more fun. We also loved our introduction and first dance. Jamie really enjoyed dancing will all of our guests!

Probably our two best decisions were hiring a live band and Megan Lange as our photographer. We received so many compliments and our engaged friends immediately asked for both of their contact information!

Wedding color palette: Orange, fuchsia and gray

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Lime Green Photography
Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick’s Church, Collinsville, CT
Reception Venue: Avon Old Farms Hotel
Officiant: Fr. John McHugh
Invitation Designer: Jamie Teska (Groom)
Catering: Avon Old Farms Hotel
Florist: A Victorian Garden
Cake: Creative Cakes by Donna
Wedding dress: Kleinfeld
Bridal accessories: Shoes – Kenneth Cole with vintage rhinestone clips from the brides Grandmother
Bridesmaids apparel and accessories: Dresses – J. Crew, Earrings by one of the bridesmaids (Lauren)
Groom and groomsmen apparel and accessories: Calvin Klein
Hair and make-up: Hair: Samantha Boone – Regis Signature Salon, Makeup – MAC
Live music: Bock and Blu Music
Favors: Set of 4 cookies made by mother and grandmother of both the bride and groom
Rings: M. Lemp Jewelers

Thank you Courtney and Jamie!

To find inspiration for your our personal wedding style, don’t miss our wedding image gallery!

All images above by Lime Green Photography

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