Jim and I first met in my hometown of Toronto in 2003 where we worked together at a publishing house and got to know each other over lengthy lunch breaks. Jim eventually moved back to his birth city of London, England and we lost touch. Three years later, after deciding to quit my job to travel to India for my close friend’s wedding, I was at a loose end with what to do with my life, when a friend encouraged me to move to London and invited me to stay with his family. After settling into my new life in the UK, I was out one night when a friend spotted someone looking at me on the dance floor. It was Jim! He found his way over to me and we spent the rest of the year getting to know each other again and eventually spent the rest of my stay in London side-by-side until deciding to move to Dubai together in 2009.

Over the Christmas holidays of 2010, Jim paid me a surprise visit in Toronto and proposed in the city where we had first met. With another move on the horizon in 2012, we had decided that we wanted to get married in the summer of 2011, seven months after we were engaged.

With friends and family scattered across the Americas & Europe and with us planning the wedding in Dubai, this made choosing a wedding location quite challenging. However, since majority of our guests and family would have to travel no matter where the wedding took place, it was actually quite liberating, as it meant that we had a blank slate when it came to choosing our location! We decided to have the wedding in Andalucía, Spain, as I left my heart in Spain the first time I went backpacking and wanted to share this amazing country with Jim. The dramatic landscape, hilltop villages, and amazing food and wine were an added plus as it really spoke to our idea of romance.

Language barriers, time differences, and distances meant that we needed the help of a local wedding planner. Initially disheartened after receiving templated responses and formulaic wedding proposals from various planners, we eventually received the kindest, most enthusiastic, detailed, and open-minded response imaginable from Lucia Fraga of Caprichia Marbella, who gave us confidence we could have the wedding we wanted. Choosing Lucia was the best decision we made since deciding to get married!

With Lucia’s help, we found our dream location in Casares, a small Spanish pueblo blanco (white village) nestled in the Andalucían hills. We were married in a ruined castle on a mountaintop overlooking the town. For the reception, we did some digging and found the Molino Los Medicos, a beautiful converted olive mill in a nearby town called Gaucin, which had a gorgeous inner courtyard for an outdoor dinner, and a large outdoor space with unspoiled views for the cocktail hour and dancing. The villa coupled as our accommodation for the week, which was a dream on two accounts: we were able to live in luxury and have the space we needed to organize things before the big day. We also found the Molino Del Carmen, another villa in Gaucin, which agreed to let our family and friends have sole use of their property for the week building up to the wedding.

As Dubai has a very small bridal market, I knew that I might have to find my wedding dress elsewhere, which was the only real pressure I felt planning my wedding. But with a trip to London, New York and then Toronto planned for some major dress shopping, I knew as long as I remained open-minded, positive, and relied on my gut feeling, I would be fine. A trip to New York with my sister found me a backless Pnina Tornai sold exclusively at Kleinfeld’s. When the designer herself walked out to add the cathedral-length veil, I was sold!

Planning the wedding away from our families wasn’t so bad, as we engaged our family in as much preparation as we could, so they would feel involved in our big day. My mother helped with the invitations, and my sister, mother and grandmothers helped sew decorations for the reception and the welcome picnic. Jim’s brother helped make a sign for the welcome picnic, and the table name-card holders (later adorned with Laura Hooper’s beautiful calligraphy) for the reception dinner, and his mother made us our guest book.

The day of our wedding, Jim’s uncle served as officiant, while two friends gave readings from D.H. Lawrence and Plato, and another friend acted as videographer. Since we were wed on a mountaintop (and thus far away from any power source), we hired a cellist to accompany our ceremony. Jim had asked his talented friend Carl to arrange a special solo cello version of Sigur Ros’ Hoppipolla to use as our recessional song, as it’s the most joyous piece of music I’ve ever heard!

Lucia found a local florist to provide rustic-looking Mataline roses in soft shades, with berries, eucalyptus and other foliage, and verdant ivy to wrap around the ceremony chairs. As an unexpected bonus, a big festival was underway in the town on the same day, so the town was decorated and I got plenty of attention from the local revelers as I was escorted through the town on a golf cart.

After the ceremony, the flowers arrangements were transported to the reception site, where we had fairy lights and candles dotted all around, including floating candles in the fountain, and Victorian-style tea-light holders hanging above the head table. When our guests arrived, we shared with them a cava and cocktail hour with over twenty different canapés and custom drinks, followed by an exquisite four-course meal with local flavours from Lepanto Catering. We gave each guest a bottle of Andalucían red wine with their name hand-written in calligraphy on vintage-style luggage tags. A Gordon Ramsey-designed iced lemon meringue followed dinner with raspberries for dessert, with coffee and a late night snack offered to guests in the wee hours. Before we had our dance, Jim surprised me by turning up with his guitar, and serenading me in front of our guests with a beautiful song he had written just for the occasion.

Our wedding photographer, Anna Gazda, who we found online, captured the whole day in her energetic and candid style and we’re able to relive the incredible experience through her work.

Wedding Planner: Lucia Fraga of Caprichia Marbella, Couture Destination Wedding & Event Planning / Ceremony Venue: Castillo Casares, Casares, Andalucia, Spain / Reception Venue: Molino Los Medicos / Wedding Gown: Pnina Tornai, Kleinfeld Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Dior / Bride’s Shoes: Ellie Saab / Groom’s Shoes: Paul Smith / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Thayer Godess Dress, Shopbop / Groomsmen Suits: Tristan / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Catering: Lepanto Catering / Photographer: Anna Gazda from Limelight / Makeup: Lyndsey Cavanagh

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Post tags: Andalucia, Anna Gazda, Caprichia Marbella, Caprichia Marbella Couture Destination Wedding & Event Planning, Casares, Castillo Casares, Castle, Cats, Destination, Dior, Ellie Saab, Kleinfeld Bridal, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Lepanto Catering, Limelight, Lyndsey Cavanagh, Molino Los Medicos, mountains, Muted Colors, Outdoor Wedding, Paul Smith, Pnina Tornai, Shopbop, Spain, Spanish Weddings, Thayer Godess Dress, Tristian, Wedding Calligraphy, Wedding Paper Divas, Wedding Stationery
Post categories: Destination, Little Black Book Blog

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From the Bride…When we started planning our wedding, we originally planned for a big at home shindig in Nashville. Tennessee. Since we’re both in the wedding industry (I’m a floral event designer, he’s a photographer) we pretty much instantly got overwhelmed with the logistics of such a wedding– how do you keep friends and colleagues happy while also dealing with the desires and expectations of family and friends. It was the most stressful time of our lives. I know that every bride and groom think about eloping, but when my then-fiance posed the question of running away, I didn’t hesitate. We were at another couple’s reception who had married in Kona, at the Wedding Tree and Don looked at me and said “let’s get married there,” and I just about swooned over the perfection of the place.

It took another few months to work up the courage to make our dream a reality, but we did it– and brought along 8 of our closest friends and family members. As I planned, I focused on making sure that each decision and every detail fully embraced and reflected who we were as a couple– sweet and fun loving, while still elegant and refined. Our venue was not unlike paradise– the place is gorgeous. It’s impossible to be there and not feel like you are in a slice of heaven. We made a point to carve out lots of time with our photographer and to spend time navigating the property. We wrapped up our session with a day-after shoot at dawn. I love those images because we’re so refreshed and laid back.  To be perfectly honest, I didn’t feel stressed out in the least on my wedding day. It was the most beautiful, perfect day– and I am so thankful that we made the decision to run off to Hawaii. Second only to marrying my husband, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Wedding Photography: Hassas Photography / Venue: The Wedding Tree at Four Seasons Hualalai / Event Design: Hillary Yeager (the bride) of Brocade Designs / Wedding Coordinator: Shea Cochran of Four Seasons Hualalai / Floral Design: Flowers by Heidi + The Bride (design) / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet found at the Bride Room / Sash: Gray Satin embellished by Tru Lu Couture / Bracelet: Honora / “Kona” Cufflinks + Pendant: The Green Daisy Shop / Shoe Clips: Finkshop / Invitations + Menu: Seaside Invitations / Programs: Amber Housley / Compass Favors + Table Sign: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Wedding Cake: Four Seasons Hualalai / Linens: Premier Linens / Chargers: Bride’s Own / Napkins: Vintage, Bride’s Own

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Post tags: Brocade Designs, Destination Wedding, Finkshop, Flowers by Heidi, Four Seasons Haulalai, Hassas Photography, Hawaii Wedding, Honora, Kona, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Melissa Sweet, Premier Linens, Seaside Invitations, Sweet Life Designs, The Green Daisy Shop, Tru Lu Couture
Post categories: Destination Weddings, Hawaii Weddings

Trust me when I say that if you want the most gorgeous paper goods and accessories to grace your big day, then heading over to Dress Rush right this minute to score these fabulous designs is a complete must. I could literally gush for days upon days about Laura Hooper and her insane talents but I’ll let the pretty pictures gush instead. Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll see.

With everything from stunning letterpress invitations to whimsical welcome totes that we just can’t seem to get enough of, style savvy accessories fit for the loveliest of receptions and scrumptious hand-drawn maps that had us at hello, this just might be the flash sale of the century. So drop what you’re doing and prepare to cozy up with Dress Rush. We know a great deal when we see it and we have a feeling Laura Hooper and her bevy of fabulous goods won’t last long.

And as an extra super duper bonus (not that anyone needs an excuse to hightail it over there this very second) Dress Rush is offering a lovely $25 gift card to Adorn with every Laura Hooper Calligraphy purchase for TODAY only.

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Post tags: Dress Rush, Laura Hooper Calligraphy
Post categories: Sponsored Posts

Do you see what I mean? Have you stopped pinching yourself yet?  Have you scrolled up an down over and over just to try to process the pretty? Well take a deep breath, because the lovely Corbin Gurkin and Beth Helmstetter have even more gorgeous to share with us in the form of this adorable couple’s seaside chic rehearsal dinner. This, my friends, is a good day.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Austin and I met thirteen years ago — when he mistook me for someone else and kissed me!  I was sitting at our college hangout, when he came up from behind, planted his greeting on my cheek, and then realized that I wasn’t who he thought I was.  From that day forward, each time he saw me on campus, he came over to apologize for the confusion.  Eventually, one of those apologies became an invitation to dinner, and the rest is history. We attended Rollins College in Florida, but we’re both native New Yorkers and returned to Greenwich Village together after graduation. Several years ago, we moved west to California, where Austin proposed during one of our daily sunset walks on the beach of Santa Monica.  We later decided to make a big leap to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.  In the U.S., I worked as freelancer producer for magazines, music videos and commercials, and Austin was an actor, but when we moved to Nicaragua, we turned our focus to sustainable development, and are building environmentally conscious homes and schools.

When it came time to decide where to wed, we considered both California and Nicaragua, but because we live so far away, returning home to New York seemed like the natural choice. We retreat to the Hamptons each summer for vacation, and it holds so many happy memories, so we decided to marry in East Hampton. It was important to us to have the ceremony and reception outdoors, and fortunately we stumbled upon The LongHouse Reserve.  The moment we walked upon the Reserve’s grounds, we were moved by its extraordinary beauty.  The circular amphitheater seemed a sacred place for a ceremony, and we knew that the art sculptures, the lawns, the pond and its lily pads would be an enchanting backdrop for a celebration.

Our most profound moment came during the ceremony, when we were standing beside each other exchanging vows in the center of the amphitheater, standing on rose petals and air, encircled by the love of our family and friends.  We felt blessed in that sacred moment. Of course (of course!), walking down the aisle towards Austin felt fantastical, and he says that seeing me walk towards him was incredible.  Another delightful moment came minutes before the ceremony began, as I walked through the set-up for the cocktail hour and reception, and saw the marquee tent with its lovely chandeliers, the tables with their romantic settings, and the long bar waiting for its guests, and I knew that this completely magnificent setting was for our wedding!  Every detail we had desired (and had spent months thinking about!) came together on this one gorgeous day.  I was breathless, and so grateful to Beth Helmstetter, our wedding planner, for capturing every idea we had and realizing it.  Though some couples are anxious to greet their guests immediately after the ceremony, Austin and I really enjoyed setting off with our photographer, Corbin Gurkin, for our bride & groom shots. We got to relive the ceremony and revel in the knowledge that we had just tied the knot.  It provided us with a moment of peace in that big, beautiful, busy day.

An indelible moment was when we walked towards our reception tent as the band began to play a Jack Johnson song, and we took to the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife.  We were euphoric to begin the celebration and our lives together in such a happy way.  The cake cutter and server that we used to slice our delectable cake had been given to me as a shower gift, and my sister had them engraved with our new monogram and wedding date.  Each and every time we use that pretty silverware, we will be reminded of our wedding day  Because we are now living in Nicaragua, we wanted to infuse a bit of Latin culture into our wedding, and decided upon the band Jose Conde Y Ola Fresca, who were simply amazing.  Our family and friends spent the entire evening on the dance floor!  We both wanted to keep our wedding as green as possible, so employed local vendors who utilized regional, in-season goods.  Our caterer, Brent Newsom, served local sea bass along with the Hamptons’ famous sweet summer corn and tomatoes.  Our florist, Claire Bean, arranged seasonal flowers into our sumptuous centerpieces and bouquets.

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Post tags: Beth Helmstetter Events, Brent Newsome, Claire Bean, Classic Party Rentals, Corbin Gurkin Photography, Duckie Brown, Ermenegildo Zegna, Florsheim, Hamptons, Jill Stuart, La Tavola, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Liancarlo, Matt Murphy Lighting, Max Studio, New York Weddings, Shannon Michelle Photography, Sperry Tents, The LongHouse Reserve
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

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From the Bride…With Patrick and I both growing up and meeting in California, we knew that there was nowhere else we wanted to tie the knot. Deciding on the location was a no brainer…The Bacara truly embodies California culture: from the food and wine selections to the Spanish style architecture and its location on the Santa Barbara coast. It was stunning, and it was perfect! With the help of Beth Helmstetter Events, we were able to make all of our most indulgent dreams become a reality!

In terms of décor we wanted very neutral, earthy tones that would complement the colors of the Bacara. I also wanted a lot of textures in our wedding day – everything from my dress, to the linens, the flowers,  to the cake – these all had feminine textural elements in clean, neutral colors that all tied in together.

Initially, we had planned to have an outdoor ceremony, but on the morning of our wedding we woke up to heavy mist along the coast. Of course, I started to panic….but our amazing team had a backup plan that turned out even more gorgeous than what we had originally wanted. Everything turned out for the best….the photos took on an amazing, dreamy quality to them, and until today I look back and thank my lucky stars that it drizzled!

Looking back, I would not have changed a single thing. I am so grateful that we were able to have all our friends and family together from all over the world to celebrate with us! Let’s do it again!

Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Evening Gown: Rachel Gilbert / Grooms Tux + Shoes: Prada / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Groomsmen Tuxes: Elite Tuxedo / Wedding Cinematography: Aqua Vivus Productions / Wedding Photography: Max Wanger + Margaux Wanger of Max Wanger Photography / Photo Booth: Smilebooth / Event Design: Beth Helmstetter Events / Floral Design: Holly Flora / Hair + Make-up: TEAM Hair and Makeup / Bride’s Lashes: Tussanee of Integrity / Venue: The Bacara / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Calligraphy + Invitations: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Bridesmaids Gifts: Papermade

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 42 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Aqua Vivus Productions, Beth Helmstetter Events, California Weddings, Christian Louboutin, Elite Tuxedo, Holly Flora, Integrity, La Tavola, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Max Wanger Photography, Papermade, Prada, Rachel Gilbert, Santa Barbara, Smilebooth, TEAM Hair and Makeup, The Bacara
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

From Laura Hooper Calligraphy...

- We specialize in the art of hand lettering and will give your invitations a lasting first impression

- Choose from our Lucky Orchid invitation line for unique invitation suite using a variety of styles, textures and detailing

- Our custom maps create a memorable keepsake for you and your guests

- Complete your looking by creating coordinating reception pieces such as programs, menus, seating charts, escort & place cards and other event signage

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty California family!

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Post tags: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
Post categories: California Weddings, Welcome Post

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From the Bride…Wes and I were neighbors when we met 3 years ago. All of Wes’ friends coined me the name “neighbor girl” till I moved in a year later from there we knew we were a perfect pair. When Wes proposed to me it was a complete shock, he took me onto the golf course of where our place is situated on and we had a bottle of Foxen wine which we had gotten on a trip from California a few months prior and out of no where he gave me a white rose and inside of it was the ring. The simplicity and love of the ring was exactly what we had envisioned for our wedding day. We knew a few things right away we wanted it to be small and very intimate and have everyone around us who meant something to us. We started looking at venues and none really stood out to us. Till my father and really good family friend were talking about a place they had vacationed to together, my father immediately called me and told me we had to look into it. From the moment I pulled up pictures of San Ysidro Ranch on the internet I knew it was the place for Wes and I. We immediately booked a trip and flew out there and set our date.

After a year or so planning the day was finally here and it all came together just perfectly. I could have not asked for a better support system from our family and friends. As well all the vendors were amazing. One of my favorite moments of the wedding was during the ceremony when we decided to include sayings from our guests. We had Laura Hooper create tags that we hung on the backs of  eight random chairs and they each stated a different tips on a successful marriage. It was crazy to see who read them and how each fit each person perfectly. We read traditional vows as well as our own to each other, I had Laura create vow cards for us which were so nice to take pictures with and a memory we will always be able to keep and frame.

For all the brides to be out there here are a few tips of advice. The last month is going to be stressful, many sleepless nights and arguments but when you sit next to your husband at your reception and cheers together  your first glass of champagne all of the past month goes away. And, none of those petty arguments matter or those sleepless nights. Take in all of the moments you can, breathe and have fun. The day is about you and your husband and nobody else. Our wedding was absolutely perfect and I wish I could do it again the same way.

Wedding Photography: Beaux Arts Photographie / Flowers: S.R. Hogue / Ceremony + Reception Location: San Ysidro Ranch / Day of Coordination: Tess Greenberg / Invitations + Stationery: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Bride’s Shoes: Valentino / Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Matron of Honor Dress: Amsale / Hair + Make-up: Dedra Whitt / Favors: Pastry Chef at San Ysidro Ranch / Rentals: Classic Party Rental / Officiant: Richard Tobin / Musician: Anthony Ybarra

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 36 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Anthony Ybarra, Beaux Arts Photographie, California Weddings, Classic Party Rental, Dedra Whitt, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Lazaro, Richard Tobin, S.R. Hogue, San Ysidro Ranch, Tess Greenberg, Valentino
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

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From Always a Bridesmaid…Elisabeth and Matt had been together for over a decade when they came to us to design and plan their wedding.  Working mainly with Mayra, she focused on their goal of bringing the Hampton’s summer beach vibe to the city for their 4th of July celebration.  Growing up and living in the city, they wanted to have their reception in a place that reflected their background and Skylight West, a raw loft space on the West Side not only had the urban vibe they wanted, but it also gave their guests front row seats to the amazing Fourth of July fireworks on the river.

Elisabeth is the owner of Ms. Elisabeth’s catering, so food was a priority to the couple. Because the space was multi-level, we decided to have the reception as a cocktail party with stations, passed small plates and hors d’oeuvers.  Marcy Brownstein Catering did an amazing job and food flowed through the night.   Guests were seated at a mix of high tables, cocktail tables and lounge seating as they mixed and mingled.

The groom, Matt, is a music producer, working with acts like the MeterMaids.  So, music was a big part of the celebration. For their rooftop ceremony, we had a platform built below a billboard to serve as a stage for their friends that played for their entrance and recessional.  During cocktail hour, a Cuban band took the stage before guests went downstairs, where stations awaited and DJ Rob Swift played for the crowd.  When it was time for fireworks and cake cutting, guests were invited back to the roof, where the Cuban band once again took the stage and later on the couple were serenaded by friends, jammed with their jam band and kept the party rocking into the early morning.

Wedding Photography: Dave Robbins Photography / Catering: Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events / Venue: Skylight West / Floral Design: Verde Flowers / Lighting: Bentley Meeker Lighting and Staging Design / Band: Yucaseca / DJ: DJ Rob Swift / Wedding Cake: Cheryl Kleinman / Wedding Invitations: Friend of the Bride / Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Event Design and Planning: Always a Bridesmaid

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 4th of July, Always a Bridesmaid, Bentley Meeker Lighting and Staging Design, Cheryl Kleinman Cakes, Dave Robbins Photography, DJ Rob Swift, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Marcey Brownstein Catering + Events, New York City Wedding, Skylight West, Traditional Elegance, Verde Flowers, Yucaseca
Post categories: New York City Weddings, New York Weddings, Traditional Elegance