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From Catherine Nicole…Emily and Luis met through a church group a short five years after Luis moved to the States from Mexico. Luis transferred to the same college as Emily and their fate was sealed after a seven year courtship when he got down on one knee and proposed at a bar on the beach!

Despite Emily’s busy job as a CPA, she managed to plan a beautifully elegant wedding that balanced a fresh and clean color palate with traditional Mexican touches. Emily’s style came out through the details, as seen in the unique centerpieces and place cards that guests found on a framed bed of grass. Luis’ family traveled from Mexico to be there and a Mariachi band played at the beginning of the reception, a warm touch to celebrate the joining of two families.

Jewelry: Catherine Nicole / Wedding Photography: Rosina W. Photography / Venue + Catering: Twin Oaks Garden Estate / Floral Design: Whimsey Florals / Wedding Gown: Blu by Enzoani via Bridal and Veil / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine Bridal B2 / DJ: KIK Entertainment / Hair + Make-up: Hair Body and Sol

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Post tags: Anemones, Blu by Enzoani, Bridal and Veil, California, California Weddings, Catherine Nicole, Color Palette White, Flower girls, Hair Body and Sol, Jasmine Bridal B2, Jewelry, KIK Entertainment, Mariachis, Mexican, Neutral Color Palette, Orange Trees, Oranges, Rosina W. Photography, San Diego, Twin Oaks Garden Estate, Whimsey Florals
Post categories: California Weddings, San Diego Weddings

We met three and a half years ago. Alex had just moved from San Francisco, where he was working, to San Marcos to attend grad school. I was studying for my nutrition degree. We met online, but didn’t actually meet in person for several months, despite almost crossing paths several times at school. When we finally did meet up, it turned out we practically lived on the same street! Our first date was at a coffee shop, even though Alex doesn’t like coffee – he played along and got a smoothie. We hit it off right away and didn’t want the night to end, so from there we went to get pancakes, even though I should’ve been studying for a big test the next day. Since then we’ve been inseparable, sharing a passion for food, music, and video games.

On a Friday afternoon while looking at wedding venues he suggested that we head to a nearby look-out point called Mt. Bonnell. I found it rather suspicious but didn’t think too much into it because we had ring shopped together and I knew when my engagement ring would be shipped in. Sitting over the cliff we talked about our future, details for the wedding, growing old together and while I wasn’t paying attention, he bent down on one knee while trying his hardest to not fall over the ledge. I said “yes” and the rest is history!

My Latin heritage and our love for food had a lot to do with the inspiration of our wedding. Spending a lot of time in Mexico you are surrounded by colors, culture, food, and most of all family, and I really wanted that feel to represent our wedding. I would describe to our vendors that our inspiration was a Spanish garden party with a modern chic vibe. I finally decided on eggplant and fuchsia with pops of marigold. I wanted it to be formal but not stuffy.

With Alex’s family from central Texas and mine from Mexico we wanted to go with a venue where there would be as little driving as possible, that also offered an outdoor space for the ceremony and a gorgeous indoor ballroom for the reception. Once we toured the Mansion at Judges’ Hill, I immediately pictured us tying the knot under the pergola in the garden courtyard and celebrating a lavish affair upstairs in the elegant ballroom; it was perfect!

We continued our Spanish/southwest theme with a special menu. During cocktail hour a lively 9-piece mariachi band started the fiesta while guests sipped colorful watermelon and pineapple agua frescas and snacked on miniature quesadillas and empanadas. Celebrating his birthday two days prior I really wanted to go all out on a special groom’s cake for my tech-savy hubby. I surprised him with a six foot iPhone cake constructed of his favorite cake balls with special apps that had meaning to him such Star Wars, Yelp and even the game he designed himself in his favorite flavors.

Custom Invitations & Reception Stationery: Shannon Ferguson, The Inviting Pear / Event Planning & Design: BZ Events and Kerry Duggan/ Venue: Mansion at Judges’ Hill / Photography: Christina Carroll Photography / Videographer: PopBoom / Cake: Michelle’s Patisserie / Rentals: Marquee Rents / Officiant: Mike Rinehart / Ceremony Music: The Arundel Ensemble / DJ: Groove Labs / Jazz Band: Trio David Sierra / Florist: Merveille Event Design / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Childcare: Grandparents Unlimited / Groom’s Cake Ball Cake: Objects of Confection / Hair & Make-up: Gerardo Esperquieta & Rae Cosmetics / Aqua Frescas: Zocalo / Mariachis: Mariachi Tamazula

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Austin, BZ Events, Chandelier, Christina Carroll Photography, Color Palette Pink Purple, Groove Labs, Ilios LIghting, Latin, Mansion at Judges' Hill, Mariachi Tamazula, Marquee Rents, Merveille Event Desgin, Mexican, Michelle's Patisserie, Mike Rinehart, popboom, Rae Cosmetics, Romance, romantic, Spanish, Texas, The Arundel Ensemble, The Inviting Pear, Trio David Sierra, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, Wedding Planners & Desingers, Zocalo
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

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My husband and I had a long engagement; although we were immediately ready to be “husband and wife,” we weren’t sure if we wanted to be “bride and groom.” After law school, we were led to Charlee, who became not only our wedding planner, but our surrogate mother, and rallied us into the wedding spirit.

On board and with a game plan, Javier and I wanted to incorporate the Arizona landscape, and blend our Mexican and Jewish backgrounds. We decided to have the ceremony and reception at the Phoenix Art Museum, and collaborated with a local artist, Teresa Villegas, to incorporate her Loteria images throughout the wedding, including imagery in the wedding invitations, the escort cards, and table cards. We used only local succulents for the bouquet, boutonnieres, centerpieces, favors, aisle, and chuppah decoration. In lieu of a wedding party, we had the mariachi in the processional of our Jewish ceremony, who performed siman tov and hava nagila for the occasion. We decorated the reception with papel picados, served our guests Mexican street-style food, and danced the hora.

Above all, Javier and I wanted the wedding to be relaxed, have a sense of humor, and feel like we were celebrating those attending just as much as we were celebrating our marriage. We tried to make each element of the wedding a gift for our guests; we turned the escort cards into fridge magnets, collected antique milk glass vases as centerpieces which guests could keep, had succulent favors, and provided customized yarmulkes. I surprised Javier in the middle of our first dance with a performance by the Epik Dancers of Beyonce’s“Single Ladies,” just to keep him and our guests on their toes.

Simply put, our wedding was a fantastic party with a lot of love. We get it now; it really is one of the best days of your life.

Wedding Photography: Erica Velasco / Flowers: The Flower Studio / Event Planning and Design: Signature Events, LLC + The Flower Studio / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Phoenix Art Museum / Wedding Invitations: Letterpress Finnesse / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Gown: Mariee Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Bride’s Hair: Tru Salon / Bride’s Makeup: Barney’s / Mariachi: Mariachi Luz Del Sur / Cake Topper, Ketubah, and Guest Book: Etsy

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Post tags: Arizona, Barneys, Christian Louboutin, Cultural Weddings, Erica Velasco, Hispanic, Hugo Boss, Jewish, Letterpress Finnesse, Mariachi Luz Del Sur, Mariachis, Mariee Bridal, Mexican, Papel Picado Flags, Phoenix, Signature Events, Succulents, The Flower Studio, The Phoenix Art Museum, Tru Salon
Post categories: Cultural Beauty

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Inspired by the beauty and color of Frida Kahlo’s Mexico, and the exotic local of Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs, we brought together an amazing team to create an elaborate wedding inspiration photo shoot.  The Moroccan details of the resort informed our design direction; flowing bougainvillea, colorful tile work, artistic corners (Winston Churchill used to paint there), and we played with the themes Freida loved – color, detail, romance – to create our shoot.  We featured a charming couple, our “bride”, was the sister of the floral designer, and the “groom” a friend of a local chef.  They didn’t know each other before they started shooting, but their chemistry was so magnetic that by the end of the day they were (and still are) dating! Escort cards were designed using Frida Kahlo paintings and hung from an antique iron door; mini Patron Tequila bottles were guest favors; colorful linens and antique dishes dressed the tables.  Mini lemon meringue pies were the featured dessert along with a dahlia adorned cake.

Event Designer: Celebrations of Joy / Floral Designer: Arrangements Floral Design / Photographer: Isabel Lawrence Photography / Linens: T. Eitzinger Couture Linens / Table Top: Small Masterpieces / Venue: Korakia Pensione / Tuxedo: Helmut Lang Archive Collection (designed by Thomas Eitzenger owner of T. Eitzinger Couture Linens) / Bridal Gowns: Signature Bridal Collection / Cake: Juliette’s Bakery / Desserts: Sherman’s Deli and Bakery / Wedding Favors: Patron Tequila

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California Weddings, Celebrations of Joy, Frida Kahlo, Isabel Lawrence Photography, Korakia Pensione, Mexican, Morrocan, Palm Springs
Post categories: California Weddings, Palm Springs Weddings, Photo Shoot, The Blog

So, when they sent me today’s rehearsal…which is actually the rehearsal dinner for one of my favorite weddings on SMP…I jumped at the chance to put it up. And, the brilliantly talented Curtis Heyne has put together a video of the day, which made me even happier.

Plus, I am totally convinced that this rehearsal would make for a pretty awesome wedding. At least one that I would kill to attend! So laid back, so festive. And really, really beautiful. The food alone made me a little jealous!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Aaron for sending this my way! I am totally convinced that this is the best rehearsal I have ever seen. It’s making this dreary day in Boston so much brighter. Oh, and don’t fret readers, it isn’t over yet. Curtis Heyne of Living Cinema is up next with the most beautiful video of the day…it’s absolutely spectacular.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aaron Delesie, California Weddings, Curtis Heyne, day and max, Lisa Vorce, Living Cinema, Mexican, Rehearsal Dinner, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

We’ve picked a venue; this beautiful Hacienda in San Antonio, TX. The problem is finding colors to go with the already brilliant colors of the venue.  The floors are that rusty orange stone color, with dark tan walls and antique iron light fixtures that hold candles.  I’m really having a difficult time picking wedding colors to go with the already beautiful scenery !

My bridesmaids are already wanting to buy dresses, my mother is picking out invitations and my fiancee keeps asking “when are we going cake testing?” I don’t want to decide on any of the details until I pick colors.  My fiancee’s family is Mexican and I really love all the rich colors that come with this type of wedding.  Yet we are trying to go with a more subdued version of such a style of wedding.  I want a fresh beautiful look to our wedding, that will go with this hacienda we’ve chosen.  I’m looking for a wedding that will have punches of beautiful colors.  It’s a very informal buffet-style wedding, with mostly family and friends…but I still want it to be beautiful and somewhat elegant. Any help you can give me (I know I said a lot !) would be AMAZING !

Let’s help this bride who seems overwhelmed with colors! I would love to hear YOUR input, then I’ll chime in a little later today!

Answer 4: I generally fall in love with the Spanish and Mexican weddings that cross my path. The generous blending of colors, of styles, of pure eye candy is enough to make any bride re-think their wedding colors. So, I totally agree with so many of you in that bringing out the pinks and turquoises would be sublime and would go beautifully with the natural coloring of her venue.

With that said, when I was crafting these color boards, I couldn’t decide which direction to go in…

I love the kind of dusty versions of these colors…fuschia with a little less pink, turquoise with a little less blue. I think that these muted tones really make the gold pop. LOVE.

But, then I also love bringing an even lighter turquoise  the darker, dustier version in the bridesmaid dresses…

Either way, I think that these colors are off the charts pretty…they give those punches of color that the bride is looking for, without going totally overboard. Love, love, love!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Colorful, Hacienda, Mexican
Post categories: Ask Abby