So, wasn’t I right…totally loveable wedding. Worthy of a love, love, love shout out for sure. Here are a few more bits of eye candy for you to enjoy!

Back in a flash with the cutest e-session and an AWESOME giveaway!!

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Post tags: Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, Jose Villa, Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Casual Elegance

For those of you that are just joining us, we featured this couple’s incredible Palm Springs rehearsal dinner a few weeks ago. The cute pair had to completely reschuedule their Mexican affair due to the swine flu, so event designer, Alison Hotchkiss, pulled an equally fabulous wedding together at the Parker Palm Springs.

I am madly in love with all things Alison Hotchkiss. She has this utterly charming and yet undeniably chic style about her weddings. She allows the venue to completely dictate the foundation style of the day, then she goes in and adds a bit of flirt, a bit of girl. All in the same totatally approachable manner. Love it.

We have so much more for you on the way! But before I go…I wanted to give you guys a little style tip on a budget. I love that Alison found unique vessels to hold simple, monochromatic stems, all in the same variety. This is SUCH a great way to create a really cost effective centerpiece. Cover three different sized cylindrical vases in your favorite graphic fabric and fill with flowers from your local wholesaler. It’s chic and so so easy.

Oh and those incredible invitations above? They were done by none other than Anne Benjamin of Mok Duk!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, Jose Villa, Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Ummm, fabulous, right? The lovely Alison Hotchkiss has been sweet enough to share all of the oh-so-fun details with us so I am just going to pass the mic over to her!

Alisa and Shahraab were originally planned to get marred in Mexico at the beautiful Esperanza Hotel (an Auberge hotel) and do their rehearsal dinner at the Marquis Los Cabos. Two pretty epic spots. Swine flu broke out two weeks before the wedding date and in 5 days determined it was best to move it somewhere else in California. Being a warm climate was important to the couple (since it was winter in NYC) and many of the guests coming form China would be flying through LA.  My event producer Kelsey, went down to LA and scouted hotels up and down the coast for her and ended up in Palm Springs for another client meeting when  a light went off that it was the perfect spot. Due to the fact the wedding was so last minute they got great hotel rates and in the end spent about 20k less then they would have in Mexico.

We have a gazillion photos to show you from this incredible affair…from drool inducing flowers to perfect bridesmaids and tables that are going ot make you jump for joy! More in just a bit!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, Jose Villa, Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Casual Elegance

And guess what…the  team at Alison Events has been sweet enough to share with us some of the behind the scenes details !

Alisa and Shahraab were scheduled to get married at Esperanza in Cabo this past May.  Unfortunately, their wedding date was right in the thick of the Swine Flu situation.  Because the majority of the bride’s family was traveling from Asia, and China had imposed travel restrictions to Mexico, they were forced to move the wedding state side.  Alison and I basically had 9 days to completely re-plan the wedding.  Items had already been shipped to the importer which had to be rerouted, our florist was in Mexico so had to find someone else, everyone’s flights had to change, etc etc.  You can imagine it was quite a week!  We ended up at The Parker because we have a good relationship with the hotel, Palm Springs is warm, and it worked with Alisa and Shahraab’s modern aesthetic.

I have to say, one girl’s rehearsal dinner is another girl’s wedding. I loooooove the sweet simplicity of the style and can totally envision a perfect wedding inspired by the same look and feel. Thinking a short, flirty wedding dress, simple centerpieces with one big stem tucked inside clear bud vases, a FABULOUS venue and a few ultra-sweet decor touches like colorful menus (these were designed by the lovely Hello! Lucky) and fun salt/pepper shakers.

More to come from this brilliant rehearsal dinner shot by Jose Villa and planned by Alison Hotchkiss!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Events, Jose Villa, The Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Wedding Planners & Designers

I’ll be featuring a steady stream of them throughout the day so make sure to check back often…they are SO gorgeous, it will be worth it!

Here is the first, designed byJoanna…

Escort Cards: Alison Events,  Wine Bar: Kim Jameson Design, Bridesmaid Dress: Thread, Cake: Rebecca Thuss, 
Bouquet: The Knot, Invitations: invited ink on etsy, Table: Alison Events

As the entries are posted, leave a comment as to who your favorite is…this contest will be partially judged by you guys, partially judged by me and partially judged by the reader who inspired it! The winner, which will be announced next week will receive $500!

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Post tags: Alison Events, Inspiration Board Contest, invited ink on etsy, Kim Jameson Design, Rebecca Thuss, The Knot, Thread
Post categories: Contests

Venue: The Parker Hotel-Norma’srestaurant, Palm Springs / Oh-So-Talented Planner is Kelsey Sheofsky with Alison Events, LLC / Invites and Calligraphy Cynthia Warren / Gorgeous Flowers are by Sillapere / Brilliant Photography by Meg Smith

And I have to say, this seems pretty doable on a budget. Here are a few tips…

*Choose a spot that already has great ambiance, that way you can accent rather than design from scratch. Although this was held at a pretty $$ spot, I bet they saved a ton in decor. Scour your city for a cool restaurant to host your event and I promise it will pay off in the long run.

*Use monochromatic pops of color in elements like florals, throw pillows and great food. I love those white vases that are adorning the table…check out this post done by Kim Valee on some great vases. Think single stems in pretty colors.

*Add paper lanterns, either in great colors or in white, to add another dimension of style.

Stay tuned for more tips on planning a destination wedding from Alison Hotchkiss!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, Palm Springs
Post categories: Wedding Decor, Wedding Planners & Designers

all of these amazing photos were taken by Adi Nevo

I am not usually a fan of purple…but WOW. This wedding is so super chic, so super elegant. I absolutely love it. With the raspberry and natural green accents paired against the stark white linens, the grass and the pristine blue pool…it’s just so smart.

A few more details from Alison…

Joe and Lallo got married in Sonoma County at a private estate located on a lavender farm. They exchanged vows under a tree lined grassy field and enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as a Brazilian singer performed some of their favorite Bebel Gilberto songs. Being Brazilian, Joe and Lallo had many guests who traveled far to come and support them in their union.

The menu was fresh and local organic Californian cuisine. They served local fish, flank steak and chicken right from the grill and a variety of green salads for dinner family style. And of course caipirinhas were flowing all night long. They had several different flavored cakes with an adorable cake topper of two grooms which Alison gave them as a wedding present.

The tables lined both sides of the pool and were dressed with a slate grey floor length linen and the white linen napkins were then tied with lavender ribbon and a lavender sprig was placed inside. The flowers were designed and created by the couple and placed in beautiful white ceramic containers.

Their dogs who walked down the aisle and they were their ring bearers….and their officiant was there homestay mother from when they both came to the US to study abroad. The invites were designed by Lallo.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Adi Nevo, Alison Events, San Francisco
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Contemporary, Real Weddings, Wedding Planners & Designers