Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… As soon as Juan and I were engaged I knew we had to get married on the beach. Our first date had been a beach picnic with friends, our first kiss had been on the beach, we’re both from Puerto Rico and Juan had grown up going to the beach every weekend with his friends.  I sensed a theme…

It’s funny to say we had a “destination wedding” when we are from the destination and 90% of your guests actually live there. I have to say it was a huge help to have friends and family already in Puerto Rico, they helped us scout out venues, sample menus and prepare favors. In the end it was mostly a destination wedding for us, our out-of-town family and friends which included our photographers which we had met at a friend’s wedding in NJ.

We decided on Dorado Beach Resort’s West Beach Bohio for our wedding venue because it incorporated all the things we hoped for; a beautiful secluded beach and an open dining area that was just the right combination of casual, romantic and elegant.The Bohio is a large driftwood color structure with exposed posts and beams, it is covered with a corrugated zinc roof reminiscent of rustic country houses in Puerto Rico and has palm trees that come through the floorboards.  Perfect!

The color scheme was taken directly from the wedding site using sand, light gray and shell colors to continue the beach theme and adding white as a crisp accent to set it all off. My bouquet was a large bunch of light blush colored peonies tied with an ivory ribbon, the tables had white hydrangeas, the groom and bridesmaids had white minicalla lilies and the dads and groomsmen had white mini orchid boutonnieres. My dress was a multi layered ivory silk organza gown with raw cut edges, I felt it was unstructured and beachy in a very elegant way and I love the way the delicate layers echo the patterns waves leave on the sand. The bridesmaids wore strapless silk dresses in a soft pearly gray color and blush colored fabric flowers in their hair; the flower girls and ring bearer wore sleeveless silk crepe dresses in a soft ivory/blush color, I made ribbon sashes in light gray to match the bridesmaid’s dresses. The groom wore a sand colored suit, a crisp white shirt and (for a short while) a chocolate, blue and white striped tie.

The groomsmen were super relaxed in khaki pants and white cotton shirts. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and casual so we had large white wicker baskets filled with flip flops for everyone to change into, silver for the ladies and brown for the men, I think this definitely help set the mood.

We wanted to keep the decoration clean and simple to let the scenery take precedence. We used tall clear glass vases, floating candles, votives and mirrored bases in simple geometric configurations and added an organic touch with some manzanita branches and air plants. We added some modern touches with acrylic elements throughout; a clear cake pedestal filled with flowers and foliage, clear flower girl baskets with white petals, and frosted table numbers in a super modern font. Our ring bearer box was actually a super simple DIY project, it’s a clear acrylic soap dish filled with brown sugar instead of sand since the groom thought this would be “sweeter”. The rings are nestled in a shell, actually one of the escort card holders. Our escort cards were white gloss cardstock in shells set atop a mirrored base. Our cake was lemon and coconut flavored cupcakes with buttercream frosting and fondant disks with our initials stamped into them, it was topped with a stainless steel monogram and heart I had purchased in NYC.

Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am” was our wedding march song which my very talented sister Lyssandra sang for us as the bridal party danced and clapped down the sandy aisle. For the first dance our dear friend June brought her brother’s band to play “Esto es vida” by Robi Draco Rosa (yes, the ex-Menudo turned rocker!).   I danced to “Over the rainbow”, the Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version, with my dad. This song has always made me feel nostalgic but that night it was just magical, while we were planning the wedding we learned that my dad had cancer and his last chemo treatment had been the week before our wedding, fortunately he was well enough to walk me down the aisle.

As a surprise Juan arranged for my sister to sing Bruno Mars’ “Just the way you are” just for me, so sweet! Juan has a thing for Brazilian music and culture and during the last year had learned Portuguese in order to better communicate with his clients at work, so as a surprise for him I had a Brazilian batucada come in during the middle of the reception. The music was so intoxicating I don’t think we sat down again after this, we had so much fun dancing salsa, merengue, bomba, ska; a tiki torch was even turned into a limbo stick!

I don’t think we could have imagined a more magical day than what we had, with the ocean as a backdrop and an evening filled with dancing under the stars. We felt very fortunate to be surrounded by the people we love and we hope to be able to celebrate our anniversary on the beach every year!

Wedding Photography: STAK Photographer Duo / Wedding Venue & Catering: West Beach Bohio (Dorado Beach Resort) / Event Styling & Planning: J&Co Design / Flowers & Rentals: CM Events / Additional Rentals: Napoles / Wedding Dress: Marisa via RK Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Grazia via Bridal Reflections / Wedding Veil: Basia / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl Dresses: Crewcuts / Groom’s Suit: Frank Stella / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / DJ: DJ JC / Batucada: Batucada Sambaoe / Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Beyond Salon / Wedding Rings: Miligree Jewelers / Wedding Cake: Cakeland Designs

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Basia, Batucada Sambaoe, Beach Wedding, Beyond Salon, Blue, Bridal Reflections, Brown, Cakeland Designs, CM Events, Cole Haan, crewcuts, Cupcake Tower, Destination Wedding, DJ JC, Frank Stella, Grazia, J&Co Design, J. Crew, Marisa, Miligree Jewelers, Napoles, Outdoor Wedding, Puerto Rico, RK Bridal, STAK Photography Duo, Tan, West Beach Bohio, White, White Color Palette
Post categories: Destination, Destination Weddings, Puerto Rico Weddings

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From We Heart Photography… Jennifer + Clint’s wedding was pure elegance. This wedding was inspired by modern class, but was filled with true vintage touches. The bride wore her mother’s veil and carried her grandmother’s clutch, but also managed to look like a current bride. She looked like a classic and modern bride all at the same time in her Nicole Miller gown! The bride wanted to create a classy and chic look for her beautiful wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar. With the help of coordinator Alison Sansom (with L’Auberge), Jennifer achieved that exact look. You can look through Jennifer + Clint’s wedding images and get a feel for who they are as a couple: sweet, simple, classy, with a little spice!  I got the “spice” part from her red shoes.

They had a small, intimate wedding at L’Auberge with their closest family and friends, and then threw a huge party the next night at Morgan Run. Both nights were absolutely magical.

Wedding Photography: We Heart Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location & Catering: L’Auberge Del Mar / Wedding Coordinator: Alison Sansom of L’Auberge Del Mar / Floral Design: Jolie Fleur / Wedding Cake: Fab Cakes / Ceremony Music: Angelica Strings / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller / Day After Location & Catering: Morgan Run

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Angelica Strings, CA, Cupcake Tower, del mar, Elegant Wedding, Fab Cakes, Jolie Fleur, L'Auberge Del Mar, Morgan Run, Nicole Miller, San Diego, Southern California Wedding, We Heart Photography, White Color Palette
Post categories: California Weddings, San Diego Weddings, Traditional Elegance

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… We chose wine country because summer days in Napa are nice and hot.  We knew we wanted to have an outdoor wedding with a beautiful, natural backdrop. But because it tends to get quite chilly in the evenings, we wanted to find a venue that offered an indoor-outdoor option.  We also wanted our wedding to be completely private. We love clean, fresh-feeling spaces and Durham Ranch fit the bill. We loved the rustic, yet refined style.

We wanted our day to feel intimate.  Our parents were wonderful in collaborating with us on the guest list, so that each and every guest was somebody special that we truly were excited to have be a part of our special day.  Remind yourself that this is the only time in your life in which every single one of these people will be gathered together in one place at one time and make the most of your time together.

I grew up attending Quaker Meeting for Worship.  To incorporate elements of the Quaker tradition, we had every guest sign our Marriage Certificate, which was hand-calligraphied by Michele Papineau.  We will frame it and hang it in our home as a reminder of the promises we made to each other and the witnesses present that day.  Our officiant and Maid of Honor showered us with flower petals after the pronouncement.  We were pleasantly surprised and it added to the celebratory feel of the moment.

DIY elements included guest welcome bags – canvas bags printed with an oak tree from our save-the-date cards with homemade tags with each guest’s name.  We filled each with our favorite cookies, almonds, oranges, chips, and chocolates from local vendors.  Our favors were jars of Tupelo Honey from Florida (in honor of our first-dance song, “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison) with custom labels made at home.

The weather was perfect, nice and warm during the day and into the evening. We were fortunate to be able to rent the venue from Thursday until Sunday.  This was special because it allowed us time in this special location both before and after the wedding.  Sunday morning, following the wedding, we woke up to a beautiful sunny day.  We could hear the birds chirping and the breeze blowing through the trees, a poignant contrast to the excitement of the previous night and a wonderful way to bring the weekend to a close.

Wedding Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography / Event Design & Planning: Annena & Co. / Wedding Venue: Durham Ranch / Flowers: Tapestry / Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering / Cupcakes: Perfect Endings / Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Wedding Cinematography: Thomas Hughes Films / Event Lighting: Twilight Design / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Linens: La Tavola / Wedding Invitations: Hello!Lucky / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge / Bride’s Shoes: Banana Republic / Bride’s Earrings: Borrowed from Mother of the Groom / Groom’s Suit: Custom / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Earrings: Catherine Popesco of La Vie Parisienne / Groomsmen Ties: Thomas Pink / Hair & Makeup: Julie Morgan / Calligraphy: Michele Papineau / Ceremony Music: Paul Binkley / Reception Music: Busta-Groove / Hair & Makeup: The Makeup Dolls

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Anne Barge, Annena & Co., Banana Republic, Barn Reception, Blue, Busta Groove, CA, Catherine Popesco, Classic Party Rentals, Cupcake Tower, Durham Ranch, Hello! Lucky, J. Crew, Julie Morgan, La Tavola, La Vie Parisienne, Magnolia Photo Booth Co., Michele Papineau, Napa Valley, Outdoor Ceremony, Paul Binkley, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, Perfect Endings, Ranch Wedding, St. Helena, Sylvie Gil Photography, Tapestry, Thomas Hughes Films, Thomas Pink, Twilight Design, Wine Country Wedding, Yellow
Post categories: California Weddings, Casual Elegance, Napa Valley Weddings

Sarah ~ today’s beautiful bride ~ did NOT want to do a first look session. But, sometimes you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do. And her wedding day timing dictated a first look. According to Carla (on her blog), Sarah & Jose’s first look session now ranks as one of her personal all-time favorites!

Let’s back it up a bit … a few of the details.

After some fabulous first look shots and loads of wedding party fun in Central Park, when Sarah and Jose met once again, it was as if they were seeing each other for the first time!

See the full gallery here!

The reception was held at The Central Park Boathouse and was full to overflowing with brilliant colors, yummy cupcakes and love oozing out of every nook and cranny …

From Sarah … Jose and I met through his best friend and one of my best friends (who are actually a married couple). We met at a bar one night, but it wasn’t until our friends had a New Year’s Eve party that we really connected.  Jose struck up a conversation with me and I was immediately intrigued by his cute accent and good looks. Long story short, the ball dropped at midnight and he kissed me … the rest is history. Carla has posted a ton of gorgeous photos from Sarah and Jose’s wedding on her blog {here}. Lots and lots of beauty!

Congrats to Sarah & Jose and thanks to Carla for sharing!

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Dress: Kleinfeld’s of NY, Melissa Sweet / Flowers: Lenox Hill Florists of NY / Cupcakes: Cupcake Cafe of NYC / Video: Tom Morlock of Vantage Point Films

To see more of Carla’s creative genious ~ check out these posts …

Tim + Minday: Don’t Trash The Dress

Emily + Pat: Wedding At Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Callie + Niels: Wedding At The Webb Barn

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Boat House, Carla Ten Eyck, Central Park, Cupcake Tower, Melissa Sweet, New York City, Priscilla of Boston, Simple Silhouettes, Summer
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, New York City Weddings, New York Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

Materials

Cupcake Tower
Large Sheets of Decorative Paper or Wrapping Paper
Craft Acrylic Paint
Decorative Ribbon

Instructions

1. Either make or buy a standard cupcake tower.  I bought a basic cardboard frame.

2. Cover with paper.  My fiance is Italian, so I found some wrapping paper with maps of Italy on it.  I just used the tiers as stencils, then cut them and glued the paper onto the tiers.

3.  I painted the levels between the tiers black with craft acrylic paint.

4. Cover edges with ribbon.  I found some trim at Hobby Lobby and used a hot glue gun.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 21 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Cupcake Tier, Cupcake Tower, DIY Instructions, Italy, Map Theme
Post categories: Contests, DIY Projects, DIY Wedding Cakes and Desserts, DIY Wedding Decor, Wedding Resources