And if you simply can’t wait to pick up your copy of MSW, you can check out the sneak peeks on Green Wedding Shoes, 100 Layer Cake, Jose’s blog, Joel’s blog and Elizabeth’s blog. Here is just one of the jaw droopingly beautiful images that made us go a little wedding crazy. A leather bound, hand calligraphed napkin wrap dreamed up by who else? Lisa Vorce. Wedding magician, Beauty Inventor and all around great girl.

Location: Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse / Event Design & Production: Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! / Event Design and Flowers: Mindy Rice Floral Design / Catering: New West Catering / Stationery: Tiny Pine Press; and Papel Paper & Press / Calligraphy: Anne Jones / Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop / Lighting: Bella Vista Design / Photography: Elizabeth Messina / Cinematography: Joe Simon Films / Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Bolero Soul / Reception Music: Michael Antonia of Flashdance / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Specialty Decor: Barker Decor Service

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 20 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Anne Jones, Barker Decor Service, Bella Vista Design, Bolero Soul, Classic Party Rentals, Elizabeth Messina, Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse, Joe Simon Wedding Films, Joel Serrato, Jose Villa, Lisa Vorce, Mindy Rice Floral Design, New West Catering, Oh How Charming, Papel Paper and Press, Sweet & Saucy Shop, The FlashDance, Tiny Pine Press
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Elizabeth Messina…Known for her ultra feminine style, this new collection of hand-crafted lingerie by Claire Pettibone incorporates exquisite details using the finest couture French laces, Italian embroideries and silks. The designer has taken her love of vintage style to the ultimate level, literally creating heirloom quality keepsakes for the wedding night, honeymoon, and “happily ever after” to follow.

The collection consists of panties, bralettes, baby-dolls and dressing robes designed for flirtation and romance. “These are entrance making pieces created with couture fabrics and luxurious details,” explains the designer. Officially entering the luxury arena, the collection hearkens back to days gone by when a bride collected special lace and silk pieces for her bridal trousseau. “We have such a loyal following for my couture bridal gowns, I felt it was time to present a collection of heirloom quality lingerie. We are speaking to an exclusive, luxury client who desires something truly precious for her wedding night or special occasion, to set the mood and create a timeless memory,” says Pettibone.

The “Claire Pettibone Heirloom” collection is produced in limited editions, and each piece is presented on a satin hanger. Surely, a must-have indulgence for the avid lingerie collector, Heirloom holds many treasures for the true romantic at heart.

The collection was shot on location at the antique treasure-trove that is Fernald Mansion. The designer shares, “One of my favorite moments was when our model, waiting in-between shots while we opened the curtains for perfect light, began to play a gorgeous piece of classical music on the vintage piano…pure magic!”

Lingerie: Claire Pettibone / Photography: Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom / Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Fernald Mansion / Hairpieces: Paris by Debra Moreland and Enchanted Atelier for Claire Pettibone

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Post tags: Boudoir, Claire Pettibone, Elizabeth Messina, Fernald Mansion, Kiss the Groom
Post categories: The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Elizabeth Messina…I was so thrilled when Jacqueline, Editor and Chief of Munaluchi Bride, asked me to fly to New York to photograph an editorial spread. Couture Gowns from some amazing designers….a Castle in New York…beautiful brown skin models….seriously this was a dream come true for me. As the mother of mixed race children I have longed for my work to reflect the beauty I see in my family. I love what Munaluchi is doing and I feel proud to be part of it.

Photography: Elizabeth Messina / Location: OHEKA CASTLE / Hair Adornments: Twigs & Honey / Earrings: TEJANI and TEJANI / Rings: David Tutera / Suits: Hugo Boss for Kleinfeld Mens / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Brian Mann / Makeup: Dex New York / Floral Design: kat flower / Fashion Stylist: Joy Adaeze / Poetry: Chioma Obii-Obioha / Cakes + Desserts: Palermo’s Bakery

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Post tags: Badgley Mischka, Brian Mann, Chioma Obii-Obioha, David Tutera, Dex New York, Elizabeth Messina, Hugo Boss, Joy Adaeze, Kat Flower, Kleinfield Mens, Oheka Castle, Palermo's Bakery, Tejani, Twigs & Honey
Post categories: The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Rodin Wilkey of San Francisco Brides Magazine…We fell in love with the playful use of texture at Fashion Week this last February, so I was so excited to see some of our local bridal designers really run with that. Jinza Couture’s Katie gown, for instance, features a mermaid skirt of hand-twisted organza, with the rough texture extending up the bodice. This creates a frothy look, while still maintaining an adventurous fashion-forward conviction. And Amy Kuschel’s Valentine gown is all vintage softness with miles of French lace. These looks drove the sentiment of the shoot entirely. The Eureka at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical park was a perfect complement; the creaking ship, the waves below, and the early 20th century details all lent to the combination of structure and ethereality. And the long rows of brown metal seats and white supporting beams made for a dramatic aisle.

At the reception table, Floral Theory used leaves, foliage, and understated flowers to create an agrarian environment, while Bustle Events and Heritage and Craft adopted a Shakespearean influence, using gold chairs and settings and coffee-stained scrolls for place cards. And, as always, photographer Elizabeth Messina made everything beautiful. At the end of the day, we created a shoot that reflected San Francisco’s foggy, dreamy, design-loving personality.

Design + Styling: Bustle Events / Floral Design: Floral Theory / Vintage + Custom Rentals: Heritage & Craft / Hair + Makeup: Preston Nesbit / Rentals: Hartmann Studios / Veils + Headpieces: Haute Bride / Jewelry: Shreve + Rebecca Overmann / Crepe Cake: Batter Bakery / Menswear: Astor & Black / Location: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park / Wedding Gowns: Jinza Jin Couture Bridal + Amy Kuschel / Photography: Elizabeth Messina Photography

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amy Kuschel, Astor & Black, Batter Bakery, Bustle Events, Elizabeth Messina, Floral Theory, Hartmann Studios, Haute Bride, Heritage & Craft, Jinza Couture Bridal, Jinza Jin, Nautical, Photo Shoot, Preston Nesbit, Rebecca Overmann, San Francisco, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Shreve
Post categories: Photo Shoot

Absolutely, positively delicious. Jose and Joel have been together for more than seven lucky years. Jose proposed to Joel in Mazatlan Mexico. Joel proposed to Jose a year later in their home. They are the definition of love and to see it captured so beautifully by Elizabeth is, well, beyond comparison.

And on a personal note…I have to say a quick little something about these two men. There are few people who have helped to change the face of Style Me Pretty. Who have helped to cultivate a blog that is truly beautiful, overflowing with weddings that can make your heart stop, that can make you gasp out loud, that can inspire you in ways you never knew possible. People that we are lucky to call our friends, who support us by gifting gorgeous weddings to our readers, who share their unbelievable talents so freely…so that we can all pause for just a moment to soak up the beauty of a simple photograph or a perfect piece of cinema. Jose Villa and Joel Serrato are two of those people. Boys…we love you dearly and if this little glimpse into your lives is any indication of what’s ahead, we’re thinking you just might have hit the lottery.

Thank you so very much to Joel and Jose for sharing this moment with Style Me Pretty. And to Elizabeth Messina who gave us the opportunity to devour such beautiful photographs.

And thus concludes the total Jose Villa + Joel Serrato + Elizabeth Messina love fest.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 163 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: e-session, Elizabeth Messina, engagement session, Joel Serrato, Jose Villa, Kiss the Groom, Same Sex
Post categories: engagement session, The Blog, Wedding Photography

This week my dream wedding would be oh-so-much fun for a summer fête in the sunshine state full of bright, sherbet colors and packed with modern details.  The luscious pink, orange and yellow blossoms would just look delicious against the sandy seashore, don’t you think?

Now it’s your turn so get out there and start board building!  And don’t hold back!  I can’t wait to see what y’all come up with because I know it’s going to be out-of-this-world.  Remember to TAG your boards Inspire Me Pretty FL and get back here to see if we picked your board!

If you need help creating a board with our handy dandy board building check out the video tutorial and FAQs!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Board Builder, Elizabeth Messina, Florida, Inspiration Board, Lisa Lefkowitz, Luxe, Maggie Harkov, Modern, Sherbet
Post categories: Florida Weddings, Style Circle

click here to see the full engagement session!

Gina and Don are tying the knot this October and wanted to snap some pics to celebrate. The shoot took place at the Solvang Bakery in Southern Cali and is quite possibly the sweetest e-session I’ve ever seen. No pun intended (OK, totally intended but I couldn’t help myself). What I love most about this shoot (aside from the baked goods that have my stomach growling) is that it’s the perfect engagement combination…one party flirty, one part sexy and one part totally gorgeous. It really doesn’t get any better.

Thank you so much to Elizabeth for sending us this little piece of heaven. And so the sweetness never ends, Elizabeth is doing a chocolate truffles giveaway today on kiss the groom today…pure and total yumminess. And the model for the giveaway shoot…the bride from today’s e-session. Love that.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bakery, e-session, Elizabeth Messina, engagement session, Kiss the Groom
Post categories: engagement session, Wedding Photography

{click her to see all the adorable images in our galleries}

I’ve been in the wedding industry for 7 years! In my recent years as as a wedding publicist, I help all the wonderful vendors that brides hire (photographers, floral designers, cake companies, stationery businesses, videographers, etc..) take their business to the next level with marketing, branding, business development, products and press placement. And now.. I am a bride! Its hard planning a wedding and picking your vendors when you work every day in this lovely business of weddings. So much to choose from, how do you make it personal and different? For this shoot with Elizabeth I wanted to do so something that was very personal to me.

I grew up in a flower shop. My mom was a florist for many years and I thought it would be a nice way to honor my mom. I had so many fond memories with her and my baby siblings back then. So I enlisted the help of one of my close friends and the super talented Carissa Jones of JL Designs. I told her my idea and the inspiration just grew from there. The flowers, the design, the flower stand itself… That was all her! We found a lush organic space at Dos Pueblos Ranch to run my flower stand from. How cute did it turn out??! I LOVED It! And wanted to keep it set up like that forever.

Vendor Credits: Floral & Shoot Design: Carissa Jones, JL Designs / Hair and Make-up: Kacee Geoffroy / Venue: Dos Pueblos Ranch in Santa Barbara / Photography: Elizabeth Messina

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Be Inspired PR, Elizabeth Messina, Engagement Sessions, JL Designs, Leila Khalil
Post categories: engagement session, Photo Shoot, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Decor, Wedding Details, Wedding Style