Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… I wanted to create a colorful rustic beach wedding theme with an Asian flair. My husband is half-Japanese and I really wanted to honor his heritage. After many months of searching online wedding blogs and googling beach weddings, I found little things here and there that worked for me and my vision.

I had always dreamed of being on a beach and saying “I Do” with the ocean in the background. My dream became reality November 5th, 2011. Destination weddings are only for the strong, imaginative, and trusting. You really have to trust that it will come together and take frequent deep breaths. I really wanted to incorporate a local feel in my big day. My fiance (now husband) and I ended up making our own centerpieces. Thankfully he is in construction because he made the rustic wooden boxes I wanted, and I stained them. We found local succulents and cactus that we loved and filled the boxes with sand and planted them. We put a small paper lantern on each box that really added a colorful touch. I also wanted to welcome guests with bags we had created online. Inside were local Mexican candies, natural Mexican juices, bottled water, hand sanitizers,  a local map and an event timeline. We found small cowbells while we were in La Paz that my fiance said we should put on each chair for the guests to ring for “the kiss.” They ended up being a big hit! I loved the idea of the guest book being on clothes pins and string in between palm trees at the cocktail lounge area. The cake was the topper for me and was made my father, who lives in Mexico. It was a passion fruit cake filled with passion fruit curd a mascarpone cream frosting wrapped in while chocolate. It was made with locally grown organic Mayacuya passion fruit. We enjoyed a small wedding party of a few close relatives. All of the little touches were perfect and it was more beautiful then I imagined.

We ended up making it a wedding weekend filled with events to be talked about for a lifetime. We had a welcome dinner the day before at my father’s restaurant. Guests enjoyed freshly-made brick oven pizza! It was a great opportunity for the wedding group to mingle — the high desert location on a landscaped patio with luminaries surrounding the dining area made for a magical night. The casual post-wedding brunch was also at my father’s restaurant. He prepared an amazing chile relleno frittata (a spin off of my grandmother’s recipe) and fresh fruit. It was a great way to end an unforgettable destination experience.  

Wedding Photography: Brooke Beasley Photography / Wedding Venue: La Concha Beach Resort in La Paz, Mexico / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal (Style #2005) via Glamour Closet / Shoes: Bandolino (Jillie) via Zappos / DJ: Adan Mijares of DJ Mijares / La Paz Wedding Planner: Ana Fernandez / Decorations: Inspired by Luna Bazaar / Hair + Makeup: Alisse Galde of Daredevils & Queens Salon (707-548-8319) / Ceremony Programs, Customized Menus, Poem Cards, Welcome Bags, + Table Numbers: Printed via Zazzle / Welcome Dinner + Post-Wedding Brunch: Cafe El Triunfo (Chef/Owner Marc Spahr is the Bride’s Father)

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Post tags: Adan Mijares, Alisse Galde, Ana Fernandez, Bandolino, Brooke Beasley Photography, Cafe El Triunfo, Casablanca Bridal, Daredevils & Queens Salon, Destination Wedding, DJ Mijares, Glamour Closet, La Concha Beach Resort, La Paz, Luna Bazaar, Marc Spahr, Mexico, Orange White, Pink, Zappos, Zazzle
Post categories: Destination, Destination Weddings, Mexico Weddings

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride and groom… We just had time to sit down and organize our wedding photos. A lot of hard work went into the celebration! Though we’re from the Bay Area, Napa is a far way out for most of our family, and coming from Chinese and Italian backgrounds, great food was important to us. We decided that we wanted to spend money on the perfect “destination” location with amazing cuisine — The Carneros Inn. Much of everything else we did was DIY. We didn’t have a wedding planner, and we handmade all of our 120 of our wedding favors (a collection of our favorite recipes), menus, programs, table runners, etc.  Since we had 9 months to plan, Christine shopped off-season for bridesmaids and flower girl dresses. (The total for all five dresses? Less than $200!) The wedding was really everything we wanted it to be — beautiful and meaningful but relaxed and a great way for our friends and family to have an incredibly special weekend with us.

Photography: TinyDot Photography / Bride’s Dress: Lazaro via Matina’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Veil: David’s Bridal / Umbrellas: Luna Bazaar / Wedding Favors + Paper Products: PaperSource / Groom’s Suit: Armani / Groom’s Tie: J.Crew / Groom’s shirt: Ted Baker / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Mother of the Bride: Carolina Herrera / Flower Girl Dresses: Macy’s / Ring Bearer’s Bow Ties: J.Crew / Ring Bearer’s Slacks: Land’s End / Venue + Food: The Carneros Inn / Burlap Runners + Mats: DIY / Source for Tree Burlap: ULine / Band: A.M. Radio Band / Flowers: Michael Daigian Design / Photo frames: IKEA

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Post tags: A.M. Radio Band, Armani, California, Carolina Herrera, David's Bridal, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Ikea, J. Crew, Jimmy Choo, Lands End, Lazaro, Luna Bazaar, Macy's, Matina's Bridal, Michael Daigian Design, Napa Valley, Papersource, Ted Baker, The Carneros Inn, TinyDot Photography, ULine
Post categories: Destination, The Blog

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Ian and I first met and fell in love over food. For over three years, our relationship grew over cooking and creating great meals together, hosting and attending dinner parties, dining out, eating in and breaking bread with family and friends.  We wanted our wedding to be an extension of our lives at home together by creating a comfortable, intimate celebration of food, laughter and love.  We added as many DIY touches as possible to ensure this was truly a reflection of us and our families.  All the different elements of the wedding tied back to a simple play on words, “EAT. PLAY. LOVE.” which became the concept and essence of the entire wedding weekend.

All of the weekend’s events took place at Ian’s parents’ house in Vermont.  We wanted our guests to feel as though they were just coming over for a party, but the gardens, pond, trees and wild lupine growing in the fields might have also had something to do with it.  It is a very special place where Ian’s grandmother’s ashes rest and now three sets of family vows have been exchanged.  We couldn’t have imagined sharing such a special day anywhere else.

We weaved personal touches throughout the entire weekend.  We hosted a pre-wedding yoga session and a welcome BBQ the night before to include all our guests in lieu of a formal rehearsal dinner.  We honored both of our families’ backgrounds with a modern, multi-cultural ceremony. Friends of the family, including our officiant surprised our guests with a fun-filled fiddle session during cocktail hour and we kept the food coming, ending the festivities with a farewell breakfast on Sunday.  A table was set up under the chuppah during the ceremony to display objects in memory of each of our grandparents who passed away.  Ian and I designed our wedding rings and had them made by a friend of the family.   For favors, we gave out bottles of home-brewed beer that Ian and his cousin crafted and bottled in our kitchen in Philadelphia.  Ian’s father constructed the chuppah, wooden dinner tables and even the Japanese style tea house that Ian and I had the pleasure of staying in during our time in Vermont.  His mother, with a team of family and friends, arranged all the flowers for the wedding and played a huge part in helping to bring my entire vision to life.  Ian tediously hung picture frames over the welcome table by wire.  Family and friends pitched in throughout the week to get signs painted, ribbons tied, flags and lights hung, seating cards and programs made and everything in place.  It was a true family affair full of togetherness, good eats and good times and it was certainly a weekend that we will never forget!

Wedding Photography: Grazier Photography / Caterer: Let’s Pretend Catering / Bar Service: Fluid Bar Service / Tent Company: Sperry Tents / Linens, Chairs, China, Glassware: Rentals Unlimited / Invitations + Beer Label Design: Smith Letterpress / Ribbon: M&J Trimming / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: D.D. Nickel / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew Wedding / Groomsmen Vests + Pants: J. Crew Wedding / DJ: Toner Sound – Brian Latocha / Lighting: Evention Productions – Rian Winther / Cocktail Hour Fiddle/Strings: George Ainley & Friends / Rings: Dana Chase / Lace Parasols: Lace-Parasols / Papel Picado: Mexican Sugar Skull / Popcorn Boxes: Good Things Wedding Favors / Glass Bottles, Paper Parasols: Luna Bazaar / Table Number Picture Frames and Glass Votives: IKEA / Flowers + Terrariums: Mother of the Groom / Wooden Guest Tables: Father of the Groom / Event Design: Bride / Frames, Vintage Bottles, Tins and Lace Doilies and Cloths: Antique

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Post tags: Badgley Mischka, D.D. Nickel, Dana Chase, Evention Productions, Fluid Bar Service, George Ainley & Friends, Good Things Wedding Favors, Grazier Photography, Ikea, JCrew, Lace-Parasols, Let's Pretend Catering, Luna Bazaar, M&J Trimming, Mexican Sugar Skull, Rentals Unlimited, Romona Keveza, Smith Letterpress, Sperry Tents, Toner Sound, Vermont, Vintage
Post categories: Casual Elegance

It’s all about making your wedding yours, and with over 50 different colors of their paper lanterns, unique place card and candle holders, and their array of vintage glass bottles, Luna Bazaar helps you do just that and then some. With so many fabulous parties to plan, it’s nice to know just where to go to get the goods. You don’t have to take my word for it though – head on over to get lost in their site full of pretty things to see for yourself!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Luna Bazaar, Sponsored Post
Post categories: Sponsored Posts

First up, the fabulous, needs-no-words-of-introduction…Hello! Lucky!!!

Hello! Lucky has been a longtime favorite of mine….as there is just something so incredibly special about each of their designs. They are a little bit vintage, a little bit fresh and totally contemporary. A LOT gorgeous. Hello! Lucky has designs for every style of bride, though girls with discerning taste will fall hard for them just as I have!

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Next up, Luna Bazaar. We’ve featured Luna Bazaar’s wares a gazillion times on SMP because we sincerely love their products. From paper lanterns that make any party seem more romantic, to parasols, fans and perfect decor, Luna Bazaar is a must have!

Personally, my new favorite Luna Bazaar item is the adorable colored paper lanterns in the square style. LOVE!

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I am also loving the photographs that Abigail Seymour is doing. Her work has been featured in New York Times, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Weddings Unveiled, and The Bride’s Book…so needless to say, we are THRILLED to add her to our Style Me Pretty advertisers!

Abigail has a style that is both vintage and timeless…one that captures romance and emotion to perfection. One that you will fall easily in love with as you discover more and more of her work.

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I get a TON of emails from people looking for bridesmaids gift ideas, favor ideas, even wedding gifts for the bride and groom. Well, the next two companies that we’ve partnered up with are PERFECT options. First, these incredible Seaglow Candles…

They are made with 100% polished recycled glass, appealing to your inner beachcomber and there are subtle shifts in a lighted Seaglow candle’s hue from hour to hour—no two burns are exactly alike. Kind of cool, hugh! Love!

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Tabula Tua is an AMAZING resource for all things home. Their tableware and fine china are made from some of the most notable artisans with unbelievably unique pieces and hugely gorgeous styles.

I am completely obsessed with Tabula Tua and know that you will be too…particularly their AWESOME wedding registry, which will give you the ability to stock your shelves with some of the best products you could ever imagine!

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We already did a giveaway with Raise the Cake…so you already know just how much we love them. They have desigend a line of cake stands that are both super cute and completely affordable so that you can ditch the silver platform in lieu of something fabulous!

So, thank you very much to all of our advertisers! Spend some time checking out their wares…they are gorgeousness defined!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abigail Seymour, Hello! Lucky, Luna Bazaar, raise the cake, Seaglow Candles, Tabula Tua
Post categories: The Blog

A last bit from Ken…Youn and Nathan’s reception decor created an intimate atmosphere, brought on largely by fuchsia and purple paper globes draped above the outdoor patio, its boundaries marked charmingly with dozens of homemade paper bag lanterns lining the stone floor.  (Globes from Luna Bazaar)  Romantic glowing lanterns created by gluing doilies to the inside of the bags and adding a candle to each.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Durham, Ken Luallen, Luna Bazaar, North Carolina, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Youn and Nathan
Post categories: Casual Elegance

all photos by Angelica Glass

I thought that we could do a “look for less” feature on this wedding, as I really think that the gorgeous style could be pulled off on a variety of budgets!

First off, the beakers and other containers…

-I found these adorable chemistry inspired vases at CB2 that range in price from $2.50 to $7.50. They would look adorable lined up on a table, varying in heights and sizes, with single stemmed flowers.

-Glass beakers sell for $2.50 to $12 through teacher supply stores or through science websites, depending on their size. Buy a collection of different sizes to mix things up!

-Mix in glass vases so that you don’t overkill on the chemistry theme. Jamali Garden makes amazing, affordable glass vases in lots of sizes and shapes.

For the flowers…

-Look for flowers that are delicate and/or feminine. Pretty hydrangeas (which go a long way for little $$), lavendar, lilac, anemones, peonies, garden roses, things like that. The best way to get a look that is both pretty and cohesive is to head to your local wholesaler and pull individual stems of everything you love. Have someone there write down the names of everything, then ensure that they are in season for your wedding.

-Arranging flowers yourself is HUGE in terms of saving $$. If you are up for the feat but a little creatively challenged, remember this…simple is always better. Use the same flower in the same color in each container. If you stick to this mantra, you will create gorgeous arrangements that look as professional as they come!

-Order flowers in bulk to arrive 2-3 days before your wedding. Keep them somewhat cool if possible in buckets of water. If they need light, bring them out for 15-30 minutes until the day of your wedding.

The decor…

-Pretty feathers that can be used as accents (don’t go overboard with the feathers or it will look cheesy) can be found in lots of colors and styles at Fabulous Feathers. I love the ostrich feathers because they fall so beautifully. The Feather Place also has great ostrich plumes.

-Buy bolts of black and white printed fabric to use as table covers. You can use easy hem if you don’t feel like sewing a bunch of table linens. And, if you want the look, but don’t want to go overboard, craft table runners and place on every other table. Make sure to buy from a discount fabric store to save $$!

-Hang test tube inspired vases from branches to create intrigue and whimsy. These little gems can be found at eCrater for $1.50

-Accent with little round 6″ japanese lanterns for a touch of romance. Luna Bazaar has tons of colors to choose from!

Even though the weddings we feature on SMP are sometimes outside of some budgets, that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt the look to your own unique budget. With a little searching, some hands-on crafts and a touch of style editing, you can really go a long way in making a wedding on a budget seem both sophisticated and expensive.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Angelica Glass, CB2, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, eCrater, Fabulous Feathers, Feathers, Glass Beaker Vases, Jamali Garden, James Abel, Luna Bazaar, Ostrich Feathers, The Feather Place, the look for less
Post categories: Centerpieces, Look for Less, Real Weddings, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wedding Resources, Wedding Style, Whimsical