And this one, that Kelsey Sheofsky of Alison Events designed, is sure to bring a big smile to your faces. It’s easy going, laid back and it’s fun. Which is what I love. The incredible photographs were captured by Adi Nevo.

From Kelsey…

Laura and David were all set to be married at a venue in Santa Cruz when they had some problems with the on site wedding planner and decided to pull out at the last minute.  They hired Alison Events to find them a new venue and basically start the planning process from scratch, all within four months of their chosen wedding date. Thankfully Holly Farm, an extremely eclectic, groovy venue in Carmel Valley, CA had a cancellation on the chosen date and as soon as Laura and David saw it, they were sold.

The great thing about Holly Farm is that it sleeps 22 people so all of Laura and David’s closest friends stayed on property in a collection of small bungalows through the entire weekend. Other friends and family rented homes in Carmel Valley or stayed at various hotels in the area but came by Holly Farm during the day to play bocce ball and spend time with the wedding party.  The venue is the epitome of laid back cool and the guests enjoyed a less structured free-flowing wedding weekend.

Laura loved the idea of using light yellow, cream, grey, and touches of blue and green in the decor. The ceremony took place under a huge oak tree which was adorned with festive tissue paper puff balls in shades of butter yellow and ivory. During cocktail hour the guests enjoyed white wine sangria, and a variety of made to order bites at the Mediterranean griddle station. For the dinner, rustic wood tables were adorned with light grey linen runners and pops of yellow and green flowers down the middle. Mercury glass votives added a warm glow to the space along with the cafe lights strung overhead. After dinner the guests danced into the night in the carriage house and explored the different nooks around property. Guests enjoyed wedding cake baked by a friend of the bride and a cigar and port lounge set up in the garden.

LOVE. Make sure to check out Alison’s awesome Destination Weddings book…a MUST for anyone planning a destination wedding!

RECEPTION VENUE: Holly Farm / CATERING: Grapes of Wrath / BAR: Bottles n’ Bins Liquors / PHOTOGRAPHY: Adi Nevo / FLORAL DESIGNER: Natalie Bowen Designs / INVITATIONS: Hello Lucky / RENTALS: Classic Party Rentals / LINEN RENTAL: La Tavola Linen

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Post tags: Adi Nevo, Alison Hotchkiss, Carmel Valley, Destination Wedding, Holly Farm
Post categories: Casual Elegance

So let me just get right to it. In honor of all things Napa Valley, and destination weddings at their finest, some of the Bay Area’s insanely talented vendors have come together to gift one lucky reader a pretty fantastic bag of goodies. And by fantastic, I mean $2100 worth of products and services. Yep, you read that right. Pretty incredible!

Oh and the best part is that you definitely don’t have to be in the Bay Area to play!

* * *

First up, the forever talented Alison Hotchkiss is ponying up an autographed copy of the book, Destination Wedding Planner AND a 1 hour consultation with her personally. Alison is the voice behind some of my all time favorite weddings and during the consultation she’ll be able to share style ideas based on your own vision. Priceless.

Next up is Hello!Lucky. If you read SMP, you know that I LOOOVE the girls at Hello! Lucky. They are pure talent and their designs are off the charts gorgeous. And for one lucky bride, they are gifting 100 free destination wedding invitation sets which includes the invitation, envelope, and reply set. Umm, holy cow.

Heath Ceramics, who just happens to craft some of the most gorgeous pieces I’ve ever seen is gifting a seasonal cup set to our winner. Heath’s pieces are organic, they are handcrafted, they are timeless and forever elegant. Personally, they are one of my all time favorite wedding registry spots.

Add to the mix the Bardessono Hotel in Napa Valley who is giving away two free night’s stay valued at $1,000. If you aren’t familiar with this STUNNING hotel and spa, you really need to be. It’s a little piece of perfection in one of the world’s most gorgeous spots and would certainly set the stage for a romantic getaway for you and your hubs.

And while you’re at the Bardessono, you stop by the Bottega Restaurant in Yountville, as they are giving away a $100 gift certificate. Bottega just happens to be Michael Chiarello’s restaurant…which is so cool in and of itself…and is know for perfect dishes that are as warm and cozy as they are completely 5 star.

This next artist is just about as good as they get. Thayer Alison Gowdy, the photographer behind Alison’s Destination Wedding Planner book and the talent behind some of the most beautiful photoshoots you’ve ever seen (including many in Martha Stewart Magazine) is offering a free wedding photography consultation. Based on her RIDICULOUS skills, she’ll tell you how to work with a photographer to get the very best images you can. This is a really, really rare opportunity.

Napa Style is adding a $75 gift certificate so that you can stock up on some of the most gorgeous kitchen and home wares you could ever want. I love, love, love Napa Style and could spend the $75 in about 2 seconds flat. Their products have that Napa flavor that exudes an organic elegance and total style.

* * *

WHEW!! So much goodness it’s almost hard to believe. I am MAJORLY jealous of the lucky bride or groom that wins this package. Marjorly jealous.

Here’s what we want from you! Because we are honoring one ofthe most incredible destination spots this country has to offer, Napa Valley, we want to know what YOUR dream destination is. If you could tie the knot in any city in the world, which one would it be?

Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win! We’ll announce the winner next Wednesday, September 30th. Good luck to all!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 714 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, Bardessono, Bottega, Giveaway, Heath Ceramics, Hello! Lucky, Napa Style, Napa Valley, thayer allison gowdy
Post categories: Contests

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!!

© 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

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!

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

The second reason, is Alison Hotchkiss, event designer extraordinaire and author of a killer destination wedding book that should be a mainstay in any bride’s home. Plus, she is super sweet, super talented and just super awesome.

And the third reason, is that I am OBSESSED with the Parker Palm Springs (the fabulous venue for today’s affair). I would move in if I could. It’s this little piece of crazy, funky, modern, charming heaven that makes me smile every time I devour one of their weddings. I’ve never been, so I can’t speak first hand, BUT from what I can tell…it’s total perfection.

More from the fabulous Alison Hotchkiss!

All in all, the couple only lost 5 guests (and by lost, we mean…didn’t come) in total throughout the whole fiasco. Sadly her sister/maid of honor couldn’t make it…so we teleconferenced her in for both the ceremony and reception. It was pretty cool that they could see the ceremony happening live and Alisa could also talk to her family.

We did both the rehearsal dinner and wedding at the Parker and shuttled everyone form the airport so it was an easy transition for people.  Airlines were totally flexible and the hotels were fairly pleasant as well in giving partial reimbursements. It was a pretty stressful 9 days (for us) but luckily we had a killer team of vendors and everyone was flexible.  I am sure no one would have noticed we planned the weekend in 9 days if you were an outsider.

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, Jose Villa, Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Contests

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

The thing is, the artists and planners behind Engage ‘09 understand completely just how important the details are. And, they infused little pieces of perfection into every element. It was three days of pure detail.

Even the meetings and presentations were chock-a-block full of perfect details…

all of the gorgeous photographs were captured by Little Black Book member, Stacey Kane

I think that I was a little start struck, being in the company of such people as Michelle Rago, Marcy Blum, Sylvia Weinstock, Darcy Miller, Preston Bailey (to name a few), that the evening just felt special. Plus, I got to rub elbows with vendors that I have been in love with for some time now…Alison Hotchkiss, Thayer Allison Gowdy, Todd of Todd Events, Little Black Book Members that I heart in a big way. It was a bloggers dream come true, really!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, darcy miller, Engage '09, marcy blum, Michelle Rago, preston bailey, Sylvia Weinstock, thayer allison gowdy
Post categories: The Blog

A few more details from Lisa Lefkowitz…

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the lawn as the sun dipped behind the hills. Kings tables were draped with creamy beige linens and topped with glass chargers. Lauren Godshell of Branch Floral Design created a natural white and green palette and played off the natural surroundings by bringing in wood pedestals and platforms. Guests picked up their escort cards from wooden trays filled with dried green peas.  The tables were labeled with aged wooden table numbers which were staked into the flower arrangements.

And here is a little peak at their menu (so that we can be even more jealous than we already are)…

First Course:  Salad of organic greens, grilled garden peaches, candied walnuts, and prosciutto
Second Course:  Pan roasted halibut, dungeness crab, sweet corn soubise
Third Course: Grilled tenderloin of beef, heirloom zucchini croquettes, and cabernet sauvignon jus

Guests danced the night away inside the Vintner Room under a cluster of Chinese lanterns and enjoyed chocolate cake with raspberry sauce from Perfect Endings.  The event came to an end with the last dance to “Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and guests were whisked away on shuttles to continue their celebration in downtown Yountville.

Thank you so much to Lisa Lefkowitz and Alison Hotchkiss for sending us today’s GORGEOUS affair. We are in love!

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Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, Branch Floral Design, California, Lisa Lefkowitz
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

Here are a few notes from Lisa…

Amanda and Buck were married at the beautiful Meadowood resort on Labor Day weekend of 2008.  100 friends and family joined them in the celebration.  The ceremony and dinner took place outdoors surrounded by lush vegetation. The bride walked down the aisle to “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes, which was played on guitar. Wooden pedestals at different heights were topped with white arrangements, creating an altar for the ceremony.

So much more from this ridiculoulsy lovely wedding on the way!

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Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, branch, California, Lisa Lefkowitz, Traditional
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

The wedding was held at Meadowood in St. Helena, California on labor day weekend, with 100 friends and family who joined the beautiful bride and groom in the celebration. The surroundings were PERFECT for the sophisticated, forever elegant style that the couple was going for and yet the modern touches that Alison added to the look…well, it was perfection!

We have so much more from this gorgeous wedding on the way!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, California, Lisa Lefkowitz, Meadowood
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

A few more details from the girls at Alison Events…Because The Parker only had availability on Friday night for the wedding, we ended up doing the rehearsal dinner on Saturday, making it an after wedding celebration.  It was honestly such a hit that we are thinking of recommending it to all our destination clients.  It was so nice for everyone to be able to enjoy the day after the wedding and not have to be traveling home.  The party that night was so much more relaxed because everyone already knew each other and all the s tressful stuff had already happened.

We decided to have a Mexican theme on Saturday since we already had purchased so many items that were destination specific.  We brought in Danielle Rowe from Brown Paper Design to do the flowers for both the wedding and rehearsal dinner.  The Parker did an authentic Mexican buffet and we decorated the space with pinata’s, Mexican flags, and serape blankets.  Hello Lucky turned around our menu cards in 2 days which were decorated with Mexican flags as well.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Everything about this rehearsal/could-be wedding is absolutely perfect. It’s left me floating on cloud nine and completely inspired to seek out other similar fetes.Thanks so much to Alison Hotchkiss and the amazing Jose Villa for sharing this with us!

Coming up next, we are announcing the Smock Thank You Note Giveaway!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Hotchkiss, Brown Paper Design, Jose Villa, Rehearsal Dinner, The Parker Palm Springs
Post categories: Wedding Planners & Designers

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