Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog

Traditional Elegance with Sweet Style, II

Abby Larson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:15:35 +0000

We are featuring the loveliest wedding…perfect for all of you more traditionally styled brides out there. Docuvitae is the photographer behind the affair and helped to capture the day with perfect elegance, a style that reflected the personalities of the couple and made forever memories of the day.

Bella Figura, who we also love here at SMP, designed all of the paper goods including those ridiculously lovely table numbers below.

From Cyd at Bella Figura…

Lisa and Stephen were walked down the aisle by their families and wrote their own vows to each other. They personally selected all of the music incorporated in their ceremony, choosing only songs with special meaning for them as a couple. Staying true to keeping their event personal and unique, Lisa and Stephen hired a coffee truck (Jave the Truck) to pull up for the evening instead of simply serving coffee with dessert. Guests loved ordering lattes and hot chocolates and it was a highlight of the evening. Friends and family danced well into the evening and Lisa’s fondest memory is how much fun she had. “People said I wouldn’t remember anything or eat anything, but I remember everything, and ate all the courses, including both flavors of cake…I loved that everyone danced, even people who don’t usually dance. I love to dance and I was on the dance floor all night. It was my favorite part of the evening (well, besides the ceremony). They had to push people off it at the end of the night.”

Bella Figura designed and printed their letterpress invitations, place cards, table numbers and thank you notes. Celebrations of Joy! did the day of coordination and officiated this wedding. The incredible photography was by docuvitae and the amazing flowers were by Flowerwild. The cake was from Sweet Lady Jane. Lisa and Stephen worked to infuse their event with eco-friendly details by working with Bella Figura for all of their stationery, providing transportation so guests could carpool to the site, choosing a local organic caterer, eliminating unnecessary décor, and choosing a venue known to be eco-friendly. The result was a magical, thoughtful and dreamy wedding celebration rich in personal details and special touches.

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Post tags: Bella Figura, Celebrations of Joy, Docuvitae, Flowerwild, Traditional
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Traditional Elegance with Sweet Style

Abby Larson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:29 +0000

I have multiple personalities when it comes to weddings. I love a little bit of everything…from rustic chic, to sophisticated and contemporary. Lately, I’ve been on a little bit of a Traditional Elegance kick and the wedding that I am featuring this morning fit the bill to perfection.

Sent to us by THREE of our favorite Little Black Book members, Docuvitae, Bella Figura and Celebrations of Joy!, this wedding is all together lovely!

From Cyd at Bella Figura…

Lisa and Stephen were married September 13, 2008 at the Malibu Nature Preserve in Malibu, California. Picking up on the flowers that bloom in the California hills in late summer, Lisa was inspired by soft romantic shades of sage green and lavender. They were married in a sycamore grove and opted to allow the beauty of the natural setting to stand on its own. The result was an enchanting celebration that exuded a soft fairy-forest feel, from a beautiful and ethereal dress by Claire Pettibone to little flower girls dressed in fair wings. Aside from the collection of lovely fairy flower girls, Lisa had just one adult attendant dressed in a stunning emerald green dress. Lisa was inspired by her backyard in the mountains growing up outside of Los Angles and wanted the day to feel lush, green, and magical. The green linens for the tables were custom made and Lisa picked up lots of silk butterflies from a local craft store and strung them everywhere she could.

More to come in just a bit!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bella Figura, Belvue Manor, Celebrations of Joy, Docuvitae, Little Black Book, Traditional
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Old World Elegance At Hotel Bel Air ~ Los Angeles From Docuvitae

Eddye — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:05:46 +0000

Today we are sharing a beautiful wedding brimming with ultra old world elegance and romantic design, sent to us by the so-so-so talented team at Docuvitae. The groom, an artist and gallery director, and the bride, a former gallery director and writer, used the Los Angeles Hotel Bel-Air as a canvas to stage an evening of pure romance.

from their wedding designer and wedding planner, Kathy of A Divine Occasion …

Over a year ago I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Lisa in preparation for her June wedding celebration. Lisa and Lance came to me with a very clear and defined vision. Both coming from an artistic background they stood by their vision from beginning to end. We wanted to create a design team together to pull off their vision of French Couture & Moulin Rouge-style in an English Garden atmosphere.

The Hotel Bel-Air was a tranquil and perfect setting to begin the journey.

I introduced the bride and groom to Linnae from Asiel Design. I felt she would be the best visionary to Lisa and Lance’s design. Her ability to really listen to what the client wants and creativity helped give life to the project.

My best experiences with Lisa came during her decision making…every decision she made too in the consideration of others which I so rarely see. It was so refreshing to see her caring touch and style. The photographs captured every wonderful moment! Thankfully Lisa and Lance brought me together with Laura at Docuvitae for the first time. Her artful eye was the perfect match to this story and I look forward to many more memories together! I am so thankful for the experience and value my life long friendship with Lisa and Lance!!!

And from lovely Lisa … the black calla lily and a yellow orchid with red spots were the points of creative departure …

The feather was another source of inspiration, but as it’s been overused in weddings it was incorporated sparingly, both in our invitation design and in my cocktail hour feather boa … just a hint of romance and fun flirtation!

and also from Lisa …

The ceremony and cocktail hour trio, The Wine and Roses Band, played a combination of gypsy jazz and Klezmer music, paying homage to our Jewish heritage while also creating an air of celebration. Champagne, enjoyed ‘en plein air’ after the ceremony, was the drink of the night. The party then moved indoors for an evening of dinner and dancing accompanied by jazz standards and music from the sixties, expertly produced by the Chuck Wansley Band. Chocolate-dipped strawberry “tuxedos,” among other mignardises, satiated the sweet tooth of our guests before the cake by Cake Divas was cut at the end of the night.

Like brilliant photography should, the images speak for themselves. The unparalleled work of Laura and Rebecca at the wonderful Docuvitae captures the magic of what was nothing short of a splendid evening.

We couldn’t agree more! Thank-you to all for sharing this extraordinary occasion with us!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 21 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Divine Occasion, Asiel Design, Boa, Cake Divas, Docuvitae, Garden, Hair Accessories, Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles, The Wine And Roses Band, Vera Wang
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography

Hollywood Glamour And Old World Elegance From Docuvitae

Eddye — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:10:11 +0000

In a lovely and super-romantic affair, Lisa and Lance were married at The Hotel Bel-Air. Their spectacular photographers at Docuvitae shared some of the images from the day …

from Lisa …

The Hotel Bel-Air is synonymous with elegance, service and old-world glamour. It was the site of many a surreptitious Hollywood coupling and is still a choice location for many weddings. Hidden among the lush estates of Bel-Air and found at the end of a eucalyptus-lined drive, the Hotel Bel-Air is as romantic a hideaway as they come. We were excited to become part of the tradition of weddings at the hotel, but wanted to make our own creative and artistic stamp on the property, one that diverged from the well-trodden path of wedding white.

These spectacular centerpieces were designed by the fabulous Asiel Design team. So dramatic, yet so romantic!

Lisa said, ” I wanted the flowers to start with the darkest of reds and cascade into softer purples, pinks, and caramels, creating a dramatic look still bright enough for the summer season. The use of lavender, thistles and fiddlehead ferns added an element of whimsy to the symphony of deep tones.”

* * *

When Laura and Rebecca at Docuvitae capture a wedding, the images do more than tell a story. They take you right to the heart of the moments. They elicit emotions and a sense of awe to all who view them. Lisa and Lance’s wedding imagery gives me goosebumps!

More of their story … in a bit.

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Post tags: Asiel Design, California, Docuvitae, Feather Boa, French Romance, Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
Post categories: Accessories, Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Photography

Docuvitae’s Spring Wedding At Stone Manor, II

Eddye — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:00:44 +0000

A couple of weeks ago we showed a Wine Country Wedding from Jenne Hohn Events and Zoom Photography that had a scrapbooking area {here} set up during the reception. And I know that photo booths are all the rage right now. Deep-down inside I’m a scrapbooker at heart and I really love the idea of setting up some sort of posh scrapbooking station, next to a photo booth, during a daytime cocktail hour! Fill a table with all sorts of art pens and elegant embellishments (not cheesy wedding ones) and let the inner artists in your guests shine through! Scrapbook supplies today are astonishly gorgeous. Memory Makers is just one of the great online sources for inspiration {ps … I think Abby did an interview with them to be published in the fall!}. Plus, of course there’s the great scrapbooking product line from Martha Stewart. Basic Grey has swirly rub-ons and tons of bling. And Heidi Swapp has just about anything for any style! Sorry … I digress!

On to Rose and Sunil’s Cocktail Hour and Reception!

They joined their guests for a few brief hugs and then headed off for a little alone time and a few more photos …

I can’t help it … I’m just in love with the kids at this wedding …

And now from sweet Rose …

Sunil and I met in New York through friends. We connected right away and dated for a few months before he suddenly had to move to LA for a job. We lost touch for about 3 years then he bought a house and sent an email to everyone with his new information. We got back in touch and it was as if no time had passed. I came to visit him on August 19 and a year later … to the day … he proposed.

We were married the following May at Stone Manor. We both knew we wanted an outdoor setting for the wedding, and in LA you can do that without much fear of bad weather. Stone Manor was the second place we saw and I knew instantly it was the right place for us. The gardens were so pretty but not too stuffy or formal. It just felt like us. As for design, our planner Lisa Gorjestani helped us a lot after meeting with us. She came to our house and picked up on our own style and went from there. We’re pretty casual and we tend to like a simpler, more natural style and she just got it right away.

You all … just got it! A very charming affair …

Laura and Ann and Kat, the Docuvitae photographers are true story-tellers! You guys did an amazing job capturing the simple charm, warmth and emotion encompassing the day. Thank you SO much for sharing this wedding with us!

Again, congratulations to Rose and Sunil from all of us at Style Me Pretty~

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Post tags: Basic Grey, California, Cocktail Party, Docuvitae, Heidi Swapp, Lisa Gorjestani, Malibu, Memory Makers, Scrapbook, Spring, Stone Manor, Vera Wang
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

Spring Wedding in Malibu From Docuvitae

Eddye — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:54:49 +0000

Well, we gave you a sneek peak of Rose’s to-die-for Vera Wang gown last night {here}. This is what Rose had to say about it …

I shopped one day for dresses. I knew pretty quickly that this dress was the one. I tried on more to be sure, but knew I’d probably end up with that first dress. It’s a Vera Wang, although that’s not why I bought it at all, it just happened to be the dress that fit me the best. It was flattering, gave me a waist where I don’t really have one and it seemed unusual.

Isn’t that the way it goes so much of the time? The first dress you try on!

Laura Kleinhenz, founder and principal photographer at Docuvitae shot today’s wedding in Malibu at the breath-taking Stone Manor venue.

But before we get to the details of the day, a few really sweet ‘getting ready’ shots that will make you feel like you were in the room…

Uh-oh …it appears that Rose is going to have a tough time getting through the day without the flood of emotion that often accompanies the moment … I can almost hear them saying “breathe … breathe …”

… and another pretty lady preparing for this special day …

But this little guy nearly steals the show (all day long)!

Everyone gathers at the amazing Stone Manor for the wedding ceremony.

Uh-oh, sweet Rose …

Congratulations Rose & Sunil!

Sneak Peek: Vera Wang Gown, Malibu and Docuvitae

Eddye — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:16:37 +0000

Tuesday’s Little Black Book Blog feature is from the superb team of photographers at Docuvitae. It’s beautiful, it’s sweet and the bride is wearing Vera!

See you then …

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California, Docuvitae, Malibu, Stone Manor, Vera Wang
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Photography

Docuvitae: Redwood Forest Wedding ~ Kim & Erik

Eddye — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:55:43 +0000

Cheyenne and Rebecca of Docuvitae had the honor of documenting Kim and Eric’s very special wedding day at the insanely beautiful and historical Ralston White Retreat Center, nestled in the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais, just north of San Francisco in Mill Valley, CA.

from Rebecca …

Kim & Eric are the type of couple you swoon over, the kind of couple Hollywood has been trying to write stories about for decades. It’s events like this and couples like Kim and Erik who provide so much inspiration and joy in the work we do at Docuvitae. As journalists, artists and documentarians, it is so rewarding to be invited into our client’s lives and to be privy to some of the most emotional moments they’ll ever have. After we presented the photos to Kim and Erik, I got a truly heartwarming note from Kim that read, “OH MY GOD are those beautiful pictures! I’ve been looking at them for hours and hours. There are so many amazing moments. There just aren’t words. Thank you thank you thank you for capturing so many amazing moments and the true essence of the people at the wedding and of us. You guys are incredible. We really couldn’t be happier. Thank you again.”

When Kim & Eric’s guests arrived, they were escorted down a hiking trail into the redwood grove where the ceremony took place. Once everyone was settled in, Kim and Erik made their grand entrance into the ceremony … and what an entrance it was! In the midst of a quiet forest, with warm sunlight streaming through the trees, the musical score from Lord of the Rings began to play. Suddenly, Kim appeared above the ceremony site on a part of the hiking trail that was about twenty feet above where the guests were seated. Erik walked up the trail to greet his bride with an incredibly passionate embrace and the couple continued down to the site to be married in a ceremony officiated by Kim’s father. Kim and Erik both work in the film industry and had choreographed this incredibly cinematic ceremony together. Their dog, Chloe, made a wonderful flower girl and ring bearer with a simple pearl necklace around her collar that had the rings tied to a flower.

After the ceremony, Kim and Erik enjoyed a private moment together and took a walk through the majestic redwood forest while their guests hiked back up to the retreat center to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Kim and Erik joined their guests after their walk and all sat down for a beautiful dinner on the porch of the incredible craftsman style mansion designed by the noted San Francisco architect, Willis Polk, in 1910.

. . .

Kim and Erik were introduced to the retreat center by a dear friend of theirs. Little did Kim know, this would be the site where Erik would pop the question and where, about a year later, they would be married. The retreat center’s grounds are expansive and filled with extraordinary redwood groves and hiking trails. It seemed only natural to return to their engagement site for the actual wedding as words cannot describe how beautiful and spectacular the redwood forests are.

Kim and Erik invited 40 of their closest friends and family members to celebrate the day with them. Included in the guest list were Erik’s son and daughter who served as the Best Man and Maid of Honor. The day was not just a celebration of the union of this very special couple, but the beginning of a new family for Erik, Kim and the kids. The kids both gave the most heartwarming and genuine toasts that I have ever witnessed at a wedding. Cheyenne and I were so touched by their words that we had to hide behind our cameras to disguise our tears! I’m actually getting choked up again just thinking about it!

Kim is incredibly creative and talented and made all of the decorations herself. She and Erik wanted an ‘Elfenkind’ themed wedding and she added wonderfully charming details to the table settings and the already beautiful location.

After dinner, the couple and their guests went into the charming ballroom inside the house and danced the night away. As a special surprise, Kim hired a karaoke machine so that she could serenade her new husband (with the help of her dad) with ‘Unforgettable’, by Nat King Cole. At this point, Cheyenne and I didn’t even bother to hide our tears. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Wow! Our thanks to Rebecca and Cheyenne for sharing the details and these gorgeous photos of Kim & Eric’s truly magical day! And our BEST WISHES to Kim, Eric & the lovely family!!

. . .

Docuvitae is an incredibly talented team of photographers and film makers. Their work has been recognized in scores of prominent magazines, newspapers and on film. The women and men in their organization are truly some of the top names in the industry.

For more of their fabulous footage, take a look back on Style Me Pretty at Kisma & Jonathan’s Wedding, Ana & Kevin’s Wedding, Clair & David’s Wedding … to name just a few! Pretty obvious that we LOVE their style, right!?! And of course, for so many more examples of the fabulous photographers and cinematographers who compose the Docuvitae team, check out their website!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California, Docuvitae, Elfenkind, Forest, Mill Valley, Ralston White Retreat Center
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Whimsical

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan, VII

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:00:54 +0000

Now on to the stunning reception that Kisma and Jonathan threw…white hydrangeas in silver rose bowls, a classic, vintage typewriter and ceramic busts to add intrigue and interest, black linens and perfect white china. The look is sophisticated without taking itself too seriously. A perfect fit for the cute couple.

The AMAZING photography was done by none other than Kitty and Craig Fritz of Docuvitae in Los Angeles. Stunning, stunning work.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Twin Les
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan, VI

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:45:54 +0000

My mom used to tell me that after I got all dressed up in my cutest outfit, I should turn around quickly and look at myself in the mirror. The first thing that caught my eye should be taken off. That is kind of what this wedding reminds me of…a really edited, cohesive style where every detail just blends seamlessly into the overall look and style.

Petite bowls of simple roses, glasses of white wine served on silver trays, a stunning, lush venue. It’s total perfection. And, docuvitae captured the wedding beautifully.

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Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Los Angeles
Post categories: The Blog

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan V

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:15:26 +0000

A few more bits of eye candy from today’s featured affair…

all images by the fabulous Docuvitae

So much gorgeousness in this wedding. The couple is just classic and lovely, the details are understated and yet completely elegant. There are hints of chic that only add to the overall look, like that fabulous black necklace. It’s just all together great.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Los Angeles
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan, IV

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:44:59 +0000

We are showcasing the most beautiful, wonderfully elegant wedding that the Craig and Kitty of Docuvitae. There work is so captivating, so unbelievably gorgeous, it’s hard not to love everything that they do!

Although a wedding this beautiful must be pretty easy to shoot! So much more to come!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Twin Lens
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan, III

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:45:28 +0000

Loving today’s featured wedding. Its just that easy going elegance that resonates so well with us here at SMP, a look that is thoughtful and edited, that is pretty without being overly styled.

But it’s the black and whites that honestly take my breath away…

All photographs by Docuvitae

So, so much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Los Angeles, Twin Lens
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan, II

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:30:24 +0000

Kitty and Clark are part of the team that makes up the FABULOUS Docuvitae, a studio that specializes in documentary photography…telling the wedding story with a sense of quiet, real beauty.

I love the effortless quality behind today’s affair. From the oh-so-cool bride who wasn’t afraid to add personality and a touch of whimsy, to the seamlessly elegant style of the day. It seems almost as if the couple was simply inviting their nearest and dearest for a fabulous outdoor party at their home. That quality is so rare, and so inspiring to see.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Los Angeles, twin lens imagaes
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Real Wedding: Kisma and Jonathan

Abby Larson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:00:42 +0000

We’ve been ALL about Docuvitae these days. We were so inspired after Ana and Kevin’s gorgeous wedding, that we’ve decided to feature another equally gorgeous Docuvitae affair. It’s completely sophisticated, a little bit contemporary and wonderfully classic.

And once again, Docuvitae brings their incredible perspective to each photograph…they are hauntingly beautiful, more akin to fine art than wedding photos. I love that.

Here is a bit of background from today’s affair…

Kisma and Jonathan are longtime friends of Docuvitae and Kisma has worked as a graphic designer and typographer for us for years. Our married shooting team of Craig & Kitty documented Kisma and Jonathan’s charming wedding in downtown Los Angeles at Café Pinot. The restaurant (run by Patina Group) is attached to the downtown central library and the urban backdrop is to die for! You’ll see Kisma’s love of graphics and typography in some of the fabulous details that she added to her wedding day, like the vintage typewriter’s with love notes typed on each one, and her INCREDIBLE silhouette artist that provided art for Kisma and Jonathan’s guestbook, as well as party favors for their guests.

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Cafe Pinot, Docuvitae, Kisma and Jonathan, Los Angeles, Twin Lens Images
Post categories: Traditional Elegance