…And PS. We are working hard to get this particular wedding loaded into our galleries for you to use in inspiration boards! Shouldn’t be much longer!

Vendor List: Flowers by Krislyn / String trio and bossa nova group (Teka) were provided by Bob Ledner / DJ was Ian from Red Shoe / Invitations by Atlas and Campbell / dress was Oscar de la Renta / veil Erika Koessler / shoes Christian Louboutin / Groom’s tuxedo YSL / Hair Erika Olson from Alteri Brothers / Makeup by Uzo from Nars / Calligraphy by Laura Hooper / lighting by Trevor from Bella Vista

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Post tags: Jose Villa
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

When I first saw this wedding, it actually reminded me of on of my all time favorite Winter inspiration boards.  With a really soft palette, birch accents and simple but sophisticated details this wedding could translate beautifully into a Winter wedding. It’s the effortlessly elegant approach to styling…the white calligraphy by Laura Hooper that was done on gray card stock, the low centerpieces filled with monochromatic hues, the white on white palette…that makes the wedding so timeless, so appropriate for any season.

We’ll have the full vendor list coming up at the end of the feature, but I did want to mention a few highlights. The INCREDIBLE flowers were designed by Krislyn Design. Which isn’t in the least bit suprising as Krislyn’s designs are the epitome of chic. The gorgeous invitations were designed by Atlas & Campbell.

We have a bit more from this incredible Jose Villa wedding coming up!

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Post tags: Atlas & Campbell, Jose Villa, Krislyn Design, Laura Hooper
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Here are a few tidbits from the lovely, lovely bride…

We were a little nervous to wake up to gray skies and drizzle on our wedding day but as luck would have it the sun came out a couple hours before and it turned out to be a gorgeous day. With only 70 guests, the wedding felt more like a fun party and the smaller size allowed us to spend quality time with all of our guests and family members.

The bridesmaids wore Jay Godfrey dresses that the maid of honor (my sister) found at Intermix. The groomsmen wore their own black suits with gray Armani ties that we found to match the bridesmaids dresses. The groom looked dashing in his Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo, Canali shirt and bow tie and shoes from Barneys…

SO much more to come. But in the meantime, head on over to Martha Stewart’s The Bride’s Guide to see our very first SMP Real Wedding!! We are SO excited!

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Post tags: Armani, Jay Godfrey, Jose Villa, Oscar De La Renta, Santa Barbara
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Here are a few last bits of eye candy for all of you. If you are anything like me, this will not be nearly enough…so head on over to Jose Villa’s blog in just a bit to check out even more images, Jessica Claire’s blog to get even more behind the scenes details from Jessica herself and Angel Swanson’s blog for the designer’s perspective. The full list of vendors is below.

From Angel Swanson…

Guests collected their seating arrangements on the most fabulous escort card display, created using a salvaged door, some metal hooks, vintage keys and tea-stained tags. Each guest’s name was written on the door in metallic gold ink, and stationer Kari Dyas installed hooks next to each name. On the hook, a guest would find an aged skeleton key attached to a tea-stained tag simply noting their table assignment. The door was propped up against an old piano for the perfect makeshift stand.

The dining space itself was an area mowed out (in the shape of a keyhole, no less!!) in a meadow of tall grass. The site owners at 3 Stones graciously went along with our request to let the rest of the meadow run wild with the growth of the tall grass so it was like an outdoor “room” surrounded by walls of wispy stalks of grass. Incredible. Guests entered the area by crossing the threshold of an old door (still attached to its frame!), completely bedecked with magnolia leaves and florals by Gilly and his team. An old coat rack proffered various shawls and scarves, as well as vintage hats, to “rent” for the evening. A vintage suitcase sat at the rack’s base to collect the accessories at night’s end.

Guest seating was at a mix of long and square rough-hewn wooden tables, topped with custom-made burlap runners edged in lengths of wide velvet ribbon. We brought in a playful selection of mismatched china for the placesettings, where guests discovered personalized menus that had been aged with tea, letterpressed and designed with burned edges and a wine glass stain. It was yet another genius element brought to life by stationer and artist Kari Dyas.

Lush tablescapes brimming with whimsical details graced each table. An astounding collection of vintage tins, copper vessels and apothecary glass were was pieced together for months and Gilly Flowers filled each one with wild, organic-feeling arrangements using uncommon blooms, branches and foliage. Jeweled bug brooches were gingerly poised amongst the florals as another layer of delightful design. There was a fabulous detail everywhere you turned!

The decadent dinner menu featured butternut squash soup, roasted halibut, and lamb chops with a pomegranate orange reduction. A masterful cake created by Napa’s own renowned bakery, Perfect Endings, was an ideal dessert paired with fresh milk shooters and an assortment of freshly baked cookies. The cake’s fondant design was inspired by the wedding china, Jeff’s shoes, and the ubiquitous skeleton keys. Jessica’s favorite singer, Kyler England, entertained guests with two live music sets and DJ Mark of Denon & Doyle kept the dance floor packed until the couple’s formal grand exit at the end of the night.

It was a perfect day from start to finish and guests were truly immersed in an extraordinarily styled environment that oozed inspiration. Not a single thing was left undesigned. Watching Jess and Jeff sway back and forth during their first dance (performed by Jeff’s brother, photographer Michael Norwood!), lovingly gazing at one another, is a poignant memory. It was a joy to be a part of and I will never forget the way I felt as the sun set and we dined under the stars.

Vendors
Venue: 3 Stones / Photography: Jose Villa / Wedding Planner & Event Designer: Angel Swanson of Events of Love and Splendor / Event Stylist: Kabrel Polak / Florist Gilly Flowers / Catering: Alex’s Catering / Cake by Perfect Endings / Videography by Elysium Productions / Rentals by Classic Party Rentals, Town and Country Rentals / Stationery by Kari Dyas / Lighting: Got Light / Custom Linens: Cindy Guillermo / Signage: Family Attics Shop / Candy Girl: Peachy’s Puffs / DJ: Denon and Doyl

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Post tags: 3 Stones, Alex's Catering, Classic Party Rentals, Denon and Dyol, Eclectic, Elysium Productions, Family Attics Shop, Gilly Flowers, Got Light, Jessica Claire, Jose Villa, Kari Davis, Love and Splendor, Napa Valley, Peachy's Puffs, Perfect Endings, Vintage
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic

Although we have LOTS more on the way, if you simply can’t wait…head on over to Jessica’s blog for her very own behind the scenes look at a day that will go down in wedding history. And Jose Villa is also doing a big spread on the wedding that is sure to leave you in complete and total awe.

Jessica hand-picked the genius that is Jose Villa to shoot her day and I have to say, this just might be one of Jose’s best pieces of work to date. His photographs are flawless…simple and yet filled to the brim with emotion. Elegant and yet still completely vibrant. They are the kind of photographs that will inpire and inspire and inspire.

The event design was done by two ridiculously talented pros…the lovely Angel Swanson of Love & Splendor, along with Kabrel Polak. And Angel, who also has an incredible feature of this wedding on her own blog, has been so kind as to give us a real, behind the scenes look at the day.

Cocktail hour took place under an immense tree with a canopy that almost formed a natural tent. Golden chandeliers were nestled among the branches for soft light. Guests noshed on delicious gourmet bites, courtesy of Alex’s Catering, but the highlight of the cocktail hour was a Dwelly Farms Heirloom Tomato Exhibition Bar. A staff chef was there to slice fresh heirloom tomatoes and dress them with the guest’s choice of oils, balsamic vinegars, artisan sea salts and cheeses, as well as freshly-snipped herbs! They even put out brioche rolls and crispy pancetta for those who wanted to make a mini-BLT!

It was a fabulous display. Seating was dispersed among more mini vignettes with fabulous tufted armchairs and low wooden coffee tables, as well as linen-covered cocktail tables with bar stools. Vintage timepieces swayed in the breeze, suspended from tree branches with lengths of oatmeal-textured twill tape. A collection of vintage cameras and family portraits, along with unexpected groupings of unique blooms and foliage, adorned tabletops in this area.

We have lots more details coming up in just a bit!

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Post tags: Eclectic, Jessica Claire, Jose Villa, Love & Splendor, Napa Valley, Vintage
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic

From the hugely talented Angel Swanson of Love and Splendor, one of the event designers behind the day…

Guests arrived to 3 Stones through a covered trellis leading into a welcoming courtyard. A refreshing beverage station greeted guests with southern sweet tea, French pomegranate juice and sparkling berry lemonades, served with twisty straws and fresh fruit garnish. An old library filing cabinet (an incredible find we discovered at a salvage yard!) was dressed with tufts of moss and floral accents, as well as fresh fruit for ‘picking’ as a pre-ceremony treat. When the ceremony was about to begin, guests were ushered as a group to the site. Along the winding path to the ceremony, guests encountered such conversation pieces as a 6’ wrought iron bird cage (another salvage yard treasure!) filled with florals resembling a majestic bird and its plumage.

The ceremony was held in a beautiful clearing overlooking a lake and the rolling vineyards at 3 Stones. Florist Neil Gilly of Gilly Flowers created an incredible “outdoor chapel” by defining the space using a series of vintage windows, embellished with lush sprays of branches, leaves and florals in autumnal shades. Scraps of an old wooden fence lined the back of the ceremony space, and antique locks were strung on lengths of velvet ribbon along various posts for a whimsical touch. A series of Persian rugs lined the aisle leading up to another dramatic window display.

For guest seating, we used mis-matched wooden chairs (half of which came from an abandoned 1940’s schoolhouse) dressed with turquoise dupioni sashes and vintage brooches, mixed in with mini vignettes of vintage furniture. Stacks of vintage luggage and antique trunks, overflowing with florals, were also featured throughout the seating area. Many of these pieces came directly from the personal collection of Jessica’s cousin, event stylist Kabrel Polak. The bridesmaids wore a unique mix of dresses in various textures and colors that complemented the look of the day, while the men wore ensembles that included suspenders and vests that were a nod to a bygone era.

SO much more to come!

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Post tags: Colorful, Eclectic, Jessica Claire, Jose Villa, Love and Splendor, Napa Valley, Vintage
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic

Jose Villa, who you know I have fallen madly in love with over the years, is giving us the honor of debuting the hugely talented Jessica Claire’s wedding that he recently had the pleasure of shooting. Knowing how incredibly creative and completely talented Jessica Claire is, I not only fell out of my chair…I quickly jumped up and squealed with ridiculous amounts of glee. I am pretty sure the neighbors heard my happiness.

For those of you that are photography junkies like myself, Jessica Claire is basically the cat’s meow. Her work, her style, her business is beloved in the world of photography and we’re simply beside ourselves that we get to be the ones to unravel her positively gorgeous wedding. And it’s not just any old wedding. It’s hands down one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen, bursting at the seems with details straight out of a glossy and yet still has a sense of intimacy that will literally make you cry. Yep. It’s that good…maybe even better.

The lovely, lovely, lovely Angel Swanson of Love & Splendor was the planner and co-designer, with Event Designer and Stylist, Kabrel Polak, behind the day. And she’s been sweet enough to stop by and share some of the incredible, behind the scenes details with us…

When Jessica came to me early this year for help planning her fall wedding to Jeff, I was thrilled. Jessica is a wonderful friend as well as a peer in the industry, so I was delighted to come on board in putting together an incredible event. Jessica sees weddings day in and day out, and has photographed some of the most amazing weddings to date. For this reason we knew that her wedding day had to be extremely unique and special, and a true reflection of her personal style and sensibilities. She and fiancé Jeff sent me an inspiration board that was at once dramatic and whimsical, charming and rustic.Jessica wanted rich, saturated colors, vintage-inspired details and a true feast for the eyes with over the top details, luscious florals and one-of-a-kind décor.

Once the awe-inspiring Napa Valley venue, 3 Stones, was locked in, the design just poured out. It was like a flood of inspiration that kept running down until the day itself! Recurring design elements and motifs included locks and keys, branches, velvet and burlap, vintage timepieces and cameras, jeweled bugs and tea-stained stationery. Every single piece of furniture and décor had a sense of history to it – there was the feeling that each treasured item had been carefully picked out of an amazing vintage estate. The final result was absolutely breathtaking and actually left me with goosebumps. Our incredible vendor team pulled together an intensely styled event and the wedding is instantly one of my all-time favorites!

We have so much more to come…a full day of eye candy that will make your heart pitter patter. In the meantime, check out Jessica Claire’s blog for tons of inspiration and head on over to Jose Villa’s blog for some of the most gorgeous weddings you’ve ever seen.

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Post tags: 3 Stones, Eclectiv, Jessica Claire, Jose Villa, Love & Splendora, Napa Valley, Vintage
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic

Here are a few things that you can do to get this perfect look, while keeping your budget in tact. With just a little elbow grease, this style is something that is not only doable…it’s kind of simple!

-Use one type of flower. In this case, hydrangeas, split among a variety of bud vases. By doing this, you’ll create a look of abundance, without an actual abundance.

-Use white sheers to create “rooms.” White sheers go along way in creating a romantic look and ambiance, without breaking the bank. You can even by fabric by the yard, then use an iron-on hem to save a little more $$.

-Japanese lanterns are used for lighting, for decor and for ambiance. Japanese lanterns usually run under $10 and in my opinion, create such a beautiful atmosphere.

-By using white linens and clear/white china…your cost options are really much more plentiful. I would go with a simple white linen, that has a bit of texture and just enough quality to look chic.

A few other cost cutting bonuses that come with a monochromatic wedding…you can buy in bulk. Scour ebay for vases, candles, linens, vintage silverware, etc. Ebay is one of the best sources for wedding decor. You can even think outside the box a bit and buy teacups or mint julep glasses to hold a single flower bud, mason jars or old milk jars to hold candles. Adding a vintage charm to an all white palette is a good thing!

To really create this look…put your money into rented furniture. A few white sofas, coffee tables and ghost chairs will really bring this style home.

Coming up next, a HUGE treat. The amazingly talented Joel Serrato has sent us a film vignette of the day…and it’s beyond incredible.

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Post tags: Corridan & Co., Firestone Vineyard, Jose Villa, Look for Less, White, White Wedding
Post categories: Look for Less, Traditional Elegance

Ummm. Yep. Layer, upon layer, upon layer of stunning whites is almost too much to bear. The chocolate brown menu cards and table numbers give the look that little bit of dimension that it needs and the hydrangeas, oh the hydrangeas, well…they complete me.

If you’re like me, you are probably fanning yourself right about now…wondering how in the world you can make this happen on a budget. Coming up next we are doing a look for less on this PERFECT, perfect wedding.

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Post tags: Corridan & Co., Firestone Vineyard, Jose Villa, White, White Wedding
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

So…back to affair at hand. There really are no words for this one, so I am going to just default to Jose’s photographs which seem to tell the story of the day to perfection.

You know, an all white palette can really have so much depth, so much dimension. When done right that is. With the perfect white parasols, the fluffy white flowers (hydrangeas maybe?) lining the aisle, the crisp white chair covers…there are so many different textures behind the forever simple palette. It just screams elegance.

The INCREDIBLE reception is coming up next! And it is so worth the wait.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Corridan & Co., Firestone Vineyard, Jose Villa, White, White Wedding
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

Okay, on to today’s RIDICULOUSLY gorgeous wedding. This one is for all of you girls out there that love clean, modern design. That love an elegant, totally chic all white palette. That fall hard for all things perfect, all things completely blissful. Photographed by the forever talented (and seriously, I mean one of the BEST) Jose Villa…this wedding is just about as beautiful as it gets.

The wedding was held at the Crossroads Estates Firestone Vineyard and was a study in simple, beautiful design. The bride’s gown is Jenny Packham and in my opinion…is perfection. It’s actually a little tricky to feature a wedding that is this gorgeous…the design is so simple and yet it just screams luxury and style. Bottom line, this wedding is amazing. And Jose’s photos, flawless.

The event design, including the flowers and invitations were all designed by Corridan & Co. We have SO much more to come!

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Post tags: Corridan & Co., Firestone Vineyards, Jose Villa, White
Post categories: Traditional Elegance

photographs by the amazing Steve Steinhardt

The AAAAAMAZING flowers were designed by Holly Flora and here are a few details from Beth…

The bride and groom married in their backyard in Brentwood and wanted a very hippie chic vibe. We had elements of India, Africa and Asia and the end result felt very Anthropologie esque with the mismatched vases, hanging lanterns hanging both over the guests at the ceremony and dance floor and we also incorporated rustic wood elements throughout.

photographs by the amazing Steve Steinhardt

We have a TON of photographs from this amazing affair on the way so stay tuned!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beth Helmstetter, Holly Flora, Jose Villa, Southern California
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Cultural Beauty

I mean, COME ON!! How great are these? That car, that dress, that dreamy groom. I am totally obsessed and am keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll get to share their upcoming wedding with you. From the looks of it, you know it’s going to be good.

Love, love, love! Thank you so much to Jose for sharing this with us. As usually, you have provided us with enough jump for joy moments to get us through the day!

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Post tags: e-session, engagement session, Jose Villa
Post categories: Wedding Photography

This recent engagement session was inspired by the 40’s, complete with a ridiculously awesome classic car and a bride and groom that are all about the romance.

Dreamy. Really, really dreamy. We have a lot more from this incredible photo shoot coming up next!

* * *

And in the meantime, don’t forget to check out our shiny new Look Book and send in your look book inspiration boards!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: e-session, engagement session, Jose Villa
Post categories: Wedding Photography

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