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And on top of all those gorgeous photos, there’s this amazing music video-themed film from Rock & Roll Hearts for you to enjoy…

From the bride… Brandon and I met five years ago through a setup by a mutual friend. I was living in San Francisco at the time but planning to re-locate to San Diego, where Brandon was currently living. We instantly hit it off and, because to the distance, we were able to develop a wonderful friendship over the phone for the first few months of dating. Upon moving to San Diego, our relationship grew even through two moves, including one to a new state for both of us: Arizona. When planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to have our wedding at a winery, not only because wineries offer such beautiful scenery and landscape, but because we both very much enjoy wine and wine tasting trips. With Brandon’s family and friends from Southern California and mine from Northern California, the Santa Ynez Valley and Firestone Winery offered us a central spot to host our big day. Firestone Winery has the most amazing vineyard mesa with an enormous oak tree that provided the perfect backdrop for a sunset wedding. The day couldn’t have been more perfect. While the early evening breezes did sweep my veil away a few times, it made for some wonderful photos and some laughs that eased wedding nerves!

While planning the wedding from Arizona did prove to be logistically challenging at times (flying into LA with a 1.5 hour rental car drive north to Santa Barbara), I was privileged to work with best-in-class vendors, including Michael and Anna Costa Photographers, Jessica Kuipers at Bijoux Events, Juniper Presence at Juniper Flowers, Matt Odom at Rock and Roll Hearts, Pure Joy Catering and Enjoy Cupcakes, among others. Their professionalism allowed us to truly enjoy the day stress-free. I can say without question that was the best day of my life — I married my best friend in the most beautiful setting.

Wedding Photography: Michael + Anna Costa Photographers / Wedding Venue: Firestone Vineyards in Los Olivos, California / Firestone Events Contact: Rachel Korrey (R4orrey@Firestonewine.com) / Flowers: Juniper Presence of Juniper Floral Designs / Planner: Jessica Kuipers of Bijoux Events / Catering: Pure Joy Catering / Cake + Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes / DJ: Morgan William of AMS Entertainment / Transportation: EOS Transportation / Lighting: LBPS Lighting / Cinematography: Matt Odom of Rock & Roll Hearts / Hair + Makeup: LunaBella Makeup Art / Officiant: Rev. Barbara Laughray / Bridal Suite: Hotel Corque Wedding Gown + Sash: Jim Hjelm via Destiny’s Bride / Bride’s Belt Brooch: 2007musarra / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jim Hjelm

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2007musarra, AMS Entertainment, Bijoux Events, California, Destiny's Bride, Enjoy Cupcakes, EOS Transportation, Etsy, Firestone Vineyards, Hotel Corque, Jessica Kuipers, Jim Hjelm, Juniper Floral Designs, Juniper Presence, LBPS Lighting, Los Olivos, LunaBella Makeup Art, Matt Odom, Michael + Anna Costa Photographers, Morgan William, Outdoor Wedding, Pink, Pink Wedding, Pure Joy Catering, Rev. Barbara Laughray, Rock & Roll Hearts, Santa Ynez Valley, Vineyard Wedding, Winery Wedding
Post categories: The Blog, 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

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