Tammy + Erik from CinemaCake Productions

Within five minutes of our first date I knew Erik was “the one.” The evening went by too fast and left us both excited to see each other again. On our second date, we held hands and started to feel like there was something developing between us. By our third date Erik and I became inseparable. After that, the rest was history and within a few months he got down on his knee the night before we were moving in together and made me the happiest woman as I confidently said “Yes!”

We immediately started planning our wedding. I had the advantage of being immersed in everything bridal on a daily basis since I work in the industry and am a graphic designer. I already had a vision of what would be perfect for our special day. We wanted our wedding to be intimate, whimsical, elegant and traditional with a vintage feel with touches of gold, crystals, ivories and shades of pink.

Our venue needed to reflect our daily lives living in the city and we also wanted it to be convenient for all of our guests who would be coming from out of town and in some cases from around the world. After seeing a few venues, we absolutely fell in love with the Ritz Carlton. The architecture of the building is stunning and offered the elegant and intimate feel that we were seeking.

I designed two Save the Dates, each with a different engagement portrait. I had Two Paper Dolls print them for us. Two Paper Dolls took care of the rest our wedding materials. We wanted our invitations to look elegant, ornate and have a vintage feel. Our wedding invitation was letter pressed and engraved. It included a beautiful ornate design in two different shades of pink along with gold. We had custom stamps designed with our names along with gold metallic envelopes. Our programs and menu’s carried the same design. We used white calligraphy in all our wedding stationery. I had custom napkins made with our names.

Claudia Seyler was in charge of all my bridal party’s hair and makeup. She has a way of making anyone look absolutely natural and beautiful! She makes the experience fun and has a way of keeping me calm with her soothing personality.

I had always been a fan of Evantine Design’s work and knew that they were the only team I wanted to have create our wedding and make all our dreams come true. Evantine Design blew us away! They created the most beautiful wedding we have every seen, truly magical, a Fairy Tale come true. I felt like a princess that day!

I walked down the aisle wearing an incredible Kenneth Pool ivory silk taffeta strapless low waist wedding gown with a tiered skirt and gently curved neckline. Silver crystal beadwork adorned the empire, hipline, and skirt along with my Jimmy Choo champagne glitter shiny heels. Evantine Design created the most stunning hand-tied bouquet of ivory, cream and pale pink flowers composed of fragrant Stephanotis and Roses. Crystals were inserted into the Stephanotis. The bouquet was wrapped in embroidered crystal ribbon. My husband wore a Ralph Lauren black tuxedo with a small Rose and Stephanotis boutonniere. The stem was wrapped in black satin ribbon detailed with a crystal. My bridesmaids wore beautiful Lazaro Raspberry silky taffeta floor length A-line gowns. Their gowns had an asymmetrically pleated sweetheart bodice, self-band with flower accents with crystals at their natural waist. They carried gorgeous hand-tied bouquets with pale pink flowers with a touch of deeper pink such as Roses, Cockscomb and miniature Calla Lilies. The stems were wrapped in pink velvet ribbon detailed with pearl pins. Our groomsmen wore a deep pink-colored Rose to compliment the bridesmaid gowns.

Our guests were welcomed into a ballroom foyer lit up with warm ethereal lighting. They walked by long marble and iron tables that had a collection of candles and flowers, creating a beautiful, dreamy effect before entering the ceremony space. Our parents wedding frames were also displayed there. Once the entrance doors were opened our guests saw a beautiful aisle showered with rose petals along an ivory linen runner. Ivory organza fabric was swagged from our gold chairs with ivory shiny pillows to the aisle. Flanking the entrance to the aisle, two tall pedestals supported the large arrangements of flowers in classic low-profile stone urns with candles placed on the bottom. Further along the aisle, tall white-washed Spanish iron candle stands holding delicate designs of flowers were placed in progression along with low weathered iron candle stands holding beeswax candles and flowers and crystal droplets and crystal swags. Our chuppah had a unique design of six posts that were covered in soft ivory fabric. There was a stunning curtain of crystals behind the chuppah. All of the flowers on the chuppah were in shades of white, cream, ivory and very soft touches of blush. Roses, Hydrangea, Lilies, Peonies and French Stock were used as final touches along with crystals to make our ceremony into a magical place.

Our wedding reception design was simply breathtaking. Our guests were welcomed into a space with a spectacular view highlighting our beautiful tall cake based on a photograph I presented to the Ritz Carlton. Evantine Design put together a combination of traditional elements such as crystal candle stands and crystal floral/candle stands combined with white-washed Spanish iron stands, low ceramic bowls, silver trays, crystal pedestals and glass pedestals with crystal drops. Crystal swags were added to crystal stands and to Italian tall fluted glass vases holding flowers. Every table design was different. The mix of vessels and candleholders were beautiful and elegant in the room, the flowers commanded attention upon entering the grand ballroom. The flowers on the tables were a beautiful soft romantic blend of shades of white, cream, antique, silvery gray and soft blush. There was a combination of Roses, Peonies, Ranunculus, Tulips, Hydrangea, Sweet Pea, Lilies, Amaryllis and garden roses along with Lamb’s Ear and Hypericum Berries. Pillars, votives, floating candles, tea lights were displayed differently in each table with crystal, silver and glass candles as well. Our round guest tables were covered to the floor with ivory pleated shiny linens overlaid by ivory beaded tulle. Traditional glass charger plates with a gold trim were added to finish the look along with gold chairs with shiny ivory pillows. Our bridal family table was a long community table covered in the same linens as the guest tables. Various tall elements were added to the design to create two dramatic tall floral arrangements complimented with low designs and candles down the length of the table. Many candles were used as well. We had Mr. and Mrs. signs for the back of our chairs. Lighting played an important role both in our ceremony and reception.

Hiring Evantine Design is the best decision we made. They made our Fairy Tale wedding come true. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by such a creative and talented team that is truly passionate about their work.

We hired the fabulous Marie Labbancz to capture all of our special moments. She shot all of our engagement and wedding portraits. Since I am a graphic designer she was more than happy to let me design my entire wedding day guest book with our engagement photos. Working with her has been such an amazing experience. She is incredibly talented. Only Marie knows how to capture those spontaneous emotions in such a powerful and natural way. We will forever treasure all the beautiful memories Marie captured for us.

I had seen CinemaCake’s work in the past and was in awe with their films. I knew that the day I would get married that CinemaCake would be my ONLY option. The quality of their work is so consistent yet each wedding story is unique. CinemaCake has a way of telling a story like no one else does…. Their eye for detail is unlike no other. Every single video portrays the happiness, love and emotions of the day. It amazes me how they are able capture all the special moments in such beautiful ways, leaving me teary eyed all the time. The editing, music, story telling is always right on. We are thrilled with all of our wedding films and love watching ourselves as characters in our own love story.

Our guests danced the night away to EBE La Starz. They are such an incredible band. We loved how they interacted with all of our guests. We were grateful that they were willing to learn a few more songs that had sentimental meaning to us. They also did an outstanding version of “Marry Me,” by Train for our first dance. Our wedding favors were Godiva chocolate wedding cakes with raspberry pink ribbon that had our names written in gold.

There are no words to express how thankful we are to our incredible team. You gave us the best night of our lives. Our friends and family had an amazing time and are still raving about the beauty of all the flowers and how much fun they had dancing! Our wedding vendors made it possible for us to relax and enjoy our special day. The wedding was everything we could have dreamt of and more. Thank you for making our Fairy Tale wedding come true!

Cinematography: CinemaCake Filmmakers / Photography: Marie Labbancz Photography / Floral & Event Design: Evantine Design / Venue, Catering & Cake: The Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia / Entertainment: EBE LA Starz / Paper: Two Paperdolls / Bridal Gown: Kenneth Pool / Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair & Makeup: Claudia Seyler / Bridesmaid Dresses: Lazaro

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ballroom Weddings, Candles, CinemaCake Filmmakers, City Weddings, Claudia Seyler, Color Palette Pink, EBE LA Stars, Evantine Design, Glamourous, Highlight Film, Jimmy Choo, Kenneth Poot, Lazaro, Marie Labbancz Photography, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Romance, romantic, The Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, Traditional Elegance, Two Paperdolls, Wedding Cinematography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

Floral by Beautiful Blooms, Photography by Marie Labbancz Photography

If you missed any of the beauty, here are all the pretty posts from this week:

a sweet Save The Date film from Chicago
a cute as pie Santa Barbara wedding
a Seattle winter affair
a pretty in pink Colorado fête
an amazing Houston Highlight film
a winter stunner in Canada
a roundup of some of the best Floral Vendors
a bit of South Carolina wedding inspiration
a romantic pink affair in Half Moon Bay
a Wisconsin winter wedding
a whimsy Australian fête

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Bouquets, Marie Labbancz Photography, royal wedding, Wedding Flowers, Weekly Wrap-Up, Wrap it up Pretty
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Gorgeous makeup courtesy of Béke Beau.

From Beautiful Blooms Events … When the team at Beautiful Blooms Events first sat down and started thinking about creating an Easter-themed table we immediately knew that we wanted to create something that was both chic and deliciously sweet. Each of us on the design team has fond childhood memories of pre-breakfast sugar highs, discovering brightly-colored eggs hidden away in the yard and baskets stuffed with goodies left by the Easter bunny. So we had to ask ourselves; why don’t we get treats anymore now that we’re grownups?  The answer was clear. We needed to create a stylish Easter brunch for adults, complete with purple peeps, jelly beans and pink champagne!

Flowers and Décor: Beautiful Blooms Events / Location: The Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park / Photography: Marie Labbancz Photography / Cake: Whipped Bakeshop / Invitations: Loveleigh Invitations / Hair: Claudia Seyler / Makeup: Béke Beau / Catering: Stephen STARR Events

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms Events, Beke Beau, Brunch, Claudia Seyler, Easter, Loveleigh Invitations, Marie Labbancz Photography, Pennsylvania, Photo Shoot, Stephen STARR Events, The Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park, Whipped Bakeshop
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Photo Shoot, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers

Isn’t that bouquet to-die-for! Beautiful Blooms is one of Philadelphia’s premiere floral design firms.  And now, they have a brand new retail location that is just fantastic! Janie has a great write-up about Beautiful Blooms’ new boutique over on The Bride’s Cafe.

To see more pics of the beautiful bouquet and the luscious florals (above), take a look at the complete  April Color Story.

Kendall and her team at Eclatante are responsible for some of THE most extraordinary events in and around Philadelphia. Their website is full of gorgeous photos (thanks to the awesome Marie Labbancz) as well as some truly great advice from Kendall on creating the wedding of your dreams. And just a heads up … Eclatante will be moving into their own new space (across the street from Beautiful Blooms) in the next few weeks. We can’t wait to tell you more about that!

We’ve just given you a quick peek at the photos from the April Color Story … but you really, really, really need to see the real deal {click here} for the whole story … the bridesmaids dress, the City Garden backdrop,  the fabulous linens from The Total Table, and so much more!

Remember those china plates that everyone fell in love with on the  Pennsylvania Appleford Estate wedding (Amanda Kraft) last month … the mismatched antique china? They were provided by Party Rental Ltd., and you’ll see them again in this month’s Color Story.

So definitely check it out! April Color Story from Eclatante

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Color Palette Pink Aqua, Eclatante, Marie Labbancz Photography, Party Rental Ltd., Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Table Settings, The Bride's Cafe, The Total Table
Post categories: Color Palettes, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wedding Resources

For those of you who are MTV Real World fans, you might recognize the F.U.E.L. House in Philadelphia. It’s now a cool urban gallery and event space … a totally blank canvas that Roseann, Rosemary, Kendall and Donna put their unique stamp on. Roseann wanted the space to glow in fall hues of bronze and copper.

Wow! Glowing it was! I have never seen anything so beautiful! Look inside each of the cylinders … truly amazing.

These beautiful images are by Marie Labbancz. Catering by Feastivities. The gorgeous cake was created by Lotus Cake Studio.

AWESOME floral design by Beautiful Blooms!!

*** Roseann & Paal’s photo-shoot at the Eastern State Penitentiary are next!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Eclatante, F.U.E.L., Marie Labbancz Photography
Post categories: Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

Kendall Brown owner and principal creative designer of Eclatante sent us the photos from her February Color Story shoot… and we just had to share! Each month on her blog,  A Designer’s Diary, she features a Color Story that will truly inspire you and leave you asking for more!

We hope to bring you many more of Eclatante’s COLOR STORIES … but for now, let us know what you think about this one~~~

FEBRUARY COLOR STORY from Eclatante

When we think of February, our next thought is, naturally, Valentine’s Day. And our favorite February parties are bridal showers and girls’ soirees we get to throw for our brides with upcoming weddings. So, this month, for our fantasy party, we decided that our color story would be hot and cold running PINK!

The team totally outdid themselves this time! And, once again, our praise and thanks go out to Marie Labbancz, our wonderful friend and photographer. It is truly rewarding to see one’s work so perfectly captured.

We shot this gorgeous color story at the enchanting Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park.

(The Septa bus Oksana is exiting from is actually part of the “Roadside Attractions” exhibit!)

Now, let me tell you how our February story begins – paper flowers. I’ve wanted to have a party with paper flowers forever. So, Beautiful Blooms indulged me and created these really pretty flowers out of white iridescent and soft pink paper that we strung from strands of peach and white pearls over the table. Vic and the boys from VU-Events masterfully hung all the paper flowers and lit our pretty pink table perfectly!

For the centerpiece, Beautiful Blooms filled apothecary jars with layers of rose petals, hydrangea petals, light pink cut glass, white sand, dried ivory roses and pearls. They also filled glass vases with swirled pearls and floating candles. Light pink tapers in footed candleholders completed the centerpieces perfectly.

The gorgeous linens came from our friends at The Total Table. The darling favor boxes were created by our favorite geniuses at Two Paper Dolls. We filled them with a mix of Good & Plenty, Hershey’s Kisses and a variety of pink and ivory candies from The Lil’ Candy Shoppe in Northern Liberties. And the stunning place settings (notice the great glassware), table and chairs came from Party Rentals, Ltd.

Max and Me Catering did a fantastic job of of coming up with food and drink that was coordinated perfectly with the décor. Just look at those irresistible cosmos and glasses of pink champagne and wonderful white wine. They also created a beautiful entrée of Diver Scallops with a Celery Root Puree and Citrus Beurre Blanc. Our kudos to David Robison, Max and Me’s Executive Chef and Theresa Linskey, the Sous Chef. The Girls Only Party was not only gorgeous, it was also incredibly yummy!

Mary Helen Raneiri, the owner of Suky Occasions came by and styled Oksana in a scrumptious pink party dress. Claudia Seyler of Claudia Seyler Beauty did a fantastic job on Osaka’s hair and makeup. Beautiful Blooms created the perfect nosegay of peach spray roses with pearl accents for our guest of honor.

A huge thank-you to Kendall ~ Eclatante … Donna ~ Beautiful Blooms (we LOVE the paper flowers!) … and Marie ~Marie Labbancz Photography for this fabulous February eye-candy. We can’t wait to see “March”!

So, what do you think … more Color Stories? We hope so!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Claudia Seyler Beauty, Color Palette Pink, Eclatante, Lil' Candy Shoppe, Ltd., Marie Labbancz Photography, Max and Me Catering, Paper Flowers, Party Rentals, Philadelphia, Suky Occasions, The Total Table, Two Paper Dolls, VU Events
Post categories: Color Palettes, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wedding Resources