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Even though summer is coming to an end and fall is nearly here, most of you are probably planning weddings for next spring so I wanted to share with you this fantastic project I collaborated on with the lovely Rebecca Stone of {duet} weddings, Camille Panzarello of Modern Day Design and the incredibly talented photographer, Corbin Gurkin.

Together we put together a beautiful wedding at the Crossroads Estate in Los Olivos, California. We couldn’t help but be overwhelmingly inspired by nature for the look of the table setting. The beautiful landscape of the Santa Barbara wine county, the gnarled trees of the Crossroads estate, the overgrown, wild meadow contrasted by the perfectly manicured rows of grapes. Spring is such an incredible time of year- a time that is so full of new life, vibrant colors, berries and fruits, the sweet song of birds.  Our goal was to embrace this- to compliment it and celebrate it. Rather than force a theme, this in turn, became our theme: The celebration of spring.

We chose to use a grouping of vintage tins to hold the lush, springy blooms. We loved the idea of bringing new life to the old tins. Similarly, we used vintage glassware and plates. As a nod to all of the beautiful songbirds that come out in the spring, vintage sheet music made for whimsical placemats, while a collection of antique birdcages hung as chandeliers from above.

All aspects of the invitation I designed were inspired by our vintage garden birdcage/love bird theme. I incorporated a little bit of everything from the decor so it all compliments each other and properly sets the tone. The invite is a specialty die cut shape I created that was inspired by vintage mirrors. An organic special shape that creates movement, uniqueness and happiness to the eye. The pattern details are all hand drawn and are a mix between grape vines and leaves with a hint of vintage damask print mixed in. The flourishes intertwine the vines to create a very elegant statement.

The back of the invite is actually a laser cut paper with a custom crest I designed where two “love birds” sit under the tree in the center.  The invite envelope is also a custom shape I made for the couple – I love to make custom envelopes so all lines of the invitation pieces were matching in movement. The envelope was then hand lined with antique sheet music. The custom stamps are made with a nod to the vintage tin cans used in the table settings. Finished with gorgeous white hand calligraphy on a berry envelope.

Rebecca always loves to create interest by pairing unlikely combinations. I couldn’t agree with her more! The scene was pure magic as the sun began to set over the Santa Ynez Valley- a beautiful celebration of a spring evening.

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Ahhhhh. This wedding is pure heaven. Absolutely, positively gorgeous. Thank you so very much to Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York…we love you!

Vendor credit Info ~ Venue:  Crossroads Estatein Los Olivos – Jill Remy, Events Manager / Photographer: Corbin Gurkin{duet} Weddings / Invitations: Lisa Hoffman, Ceci New York / Florist: Camille Panzarello, Modern Day Design / Hair/Makeup: Cathryn Van Breene, The Studio Agency / Tea Length Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Dye / Short White Dress:  Anna Sui Vintage Gown:  Unlabeled, found at flea market / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Linens: La Tavola Photography / Wedding Planner: Rebecca Stone,

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 21 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ceci New York, Corbin Gurkin, Duet Weddings, Lisa Hoffman
Post categories: Casual Elegance

The oh-so-talented vendors that put this wedding together were…Katie Moos(the incredible photographer that sent the images to me, Rebecca at Duet Weddings, Pure Joy Catering, Hair and Make-Up by The Studio Agency and Cake by Montecito Confections

I love the sweet sophistication of this affair. From the bride’s gorgeous accessories, to the feminine flowers and the pretty shawls, every detail was thoughtfully executed. Thank you so much to Angelina, Christopher and Katie Moos for sharing!

Oh and just a little tip…I have a chandelier that is SO similar to the one at the top of the page. I got it at a Kirkland Home for about $30, then spray painted it white. Such a pretty and inexpensive way to add a bit of charm to your wedding.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bouquets, Chandelier, Duet Weddings, Katie Moos, Montecito Confections, Pure Joy Catering, Shawls, The Studio Agency
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

More pictures and details from this wedding to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Crossroads Estate, Duet Weddings, Firestone Winery, Flower girls, Katie Moos, Parasols
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Here are some notes from Rebecca, the planner behind this gorgeous day…

Welcome – As guests entered the grass from the dusty gravel road, they were greeted with lavender garnished lemonade in mason jars. The property had a bunch of old paint chipped doors lying around, so we used those to make up the table tops anywhere we had an excuse to! The mason jars sat atop the wooden door (which was resting atop wine barrels) and we adorned the table with a scattering of bricks and an old crate tumbling with lemons.

Best Wishes – We used another old door table top to display Sarah and Mike’s wish table. Beautiful apothecary jars were used for guests to write notes for Sarah and Mike to open on their one-year anniversary as well as for them to take a pre-written wish that Sarah and Mike had made for their guests.

Right this Way – As a way to encourage guests to move from the welcome lawn to ceremony, I strung along an old fence a long line of twine and small clothes pins featuring dozens of photos of Sarah and Mike as babies, childhood, up until photos of them together as adults. Even the embarrassing glamour shots and awkward teenage phase photos made their debuts – guests were delighted.

Escort Cards – Juniper provided gorgeous terra cotta pots planted with herbs and lambs ear. I had guest names calligraphed on wood (tongue depressors!) and stamped table numbers in a fresh moss green.

Get Cozy – Wood boxes and baskets held slippers and pashminas encouraging women guests to kick off their heels and get cozy. The weather turned cool almost immediately after the ceremony so this touch was totally appreciated.

The Bar – I had Sarah and Mike come up with a few signature drinks that would be special to them- something they shared on a romantic vacation, their first date, a funny story, etc. We created a large chalkboard menu for them listing their signature drinks with funny and sweet descriptions of each drink and how it came to be.

The incredibly personlized touches that Rebecca infused into this wedding are just perfect. The end results seems like this magical evening, filled with intimate touches and understated elegance. Thank you so much to Rebecca of Duet Weddings and to Leigh Miller Photography for sharing this gorgeous wedding iwth us!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Duet Weddings, Juniper Presence, Leigh Miller Photography, Signature Cocktail
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

Here are some of the details that Rebecca infused into this stunning affair…

Dinner was held inside the barn which was revealed for the first time as cocktail hour ended and the heavy barn doors were slid open. The barn cast this incredible glow and warmth and holds this effortless elegance. Leigh’s photos really show the gorgeous warmth that was felt inside with the incredible light and texture in her work.

Tables- We decided to do cluster arrangements of white and green flowers and foliage. We used tall cylindrical vases, large mason jars, and I created vases from paint cans which I affixed vintage garden labels to. Fluffy white anemones, sweet peas, peonies, and hydrangea as well as green viburnum, moss, herbs, and artichokes created an unstructured natural composition and the various containers created a collected feeling. For the table numbers, we used a large metal address number leaned against the vases.

Favors- Mike’s family owns an almond ranch, so using these family almonds as a favor for guests was an incredibly sweet touch. The almonds were placed in a natural muslin bag which displayed Sarah and Mike’s bee logo (used on their invitations as well as throughout the day in other labels, signs, napkins, etc.)

Stay tuned…we have so many more gorgeous details coming up!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Duet Weddings, Leigh Miller
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

The absolutely breathtaking photographs were taken by Leigh Miller…an extraordinary photographer out of Southern California. I love the rustic beauty behind each image…seemingly antique and yet completely timeless.

From Rebecca…

The ceremony was held in a cozy shaded pocket of the property behind the barn. Juniper Presence provided the stunning florals for the ceremony and executed on the vision beyond our wildest dreams. Jars and lanterns full of fluffy blooms and overgrown greenery hung from tree limbs and the wrought iron gazebo that stood at the altar. For the aisle treatment, I used jute rugs which created a soft natural path for the wedding party to walk down, as well as a clean contrast to the bright green grass. The bride carried a loose, all peony bouquet wrapped in a rough packaging twine and the bridesmaids carried tulips and anemones wrapped loosely in twine as well.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Duet Weddings, Juniper Presence, Leigh Miller, Photography
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

From Rebecca…

I met the couple, Sarah and Mike and was instantly drawn to them. They were so full of life, so completely in love and had such an amazing energy to them. Their wedding was held in a beautiful wild garden setting, with dinner inside the old barn on the property. We took several trips to the site together and walked through at different points in the day- I always like to soak in the feelings of the day, see the way the light reflects, etc. I fell in love with the location right away – the vegetable patches and pockets of wild flowers, the bees and hummingbirds, the barn in all of its cob-webby glory- it was this perfect mish mosh of unrefined, organic elegance with a vintage rustic flair. This was the palette for the look and feel of the day and Sarah and Mike were the medium.

With this in mind, Rebecca created four different inspiration boards for the events. Here is the pre-ceremony inspiration board (click to make larger)…

The ceremony inspiration board (click to make larger)…

The cocktail hour inspiration board…

And finally, the reception inspiration board…

Stay tuned to see how Rebecca transformed these inspiration boards into a warm and inviting, and yet incredibly chic real wedding!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Duet Weddings, Leigh Miller Photography, Rebecca Stone
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Inspiration Boards, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic, Wedding Planners & Designers