I warned you once, but here it is again, grab a tissue!

Dave + Kristen Engagement from AQUA VIVUS on Vimeo.

And for more of your viewing pleasure, we have a fabulous Same Day Edit, shot by Aqua Vivus, and edited by Amari Productions. Definitely enjoy!

Dave & Kristen from Amari Productions & Aqua Vivus on Vimeo.

When Dave and I met, we just knew. The week after we met, though, Dave flew to Kentucky to work for the summer, and I flew to Europe to study abroad. Our relationship started out with European post cards and letters back and forth, until I flew out to Kentucky at the end of the summer. We spent one weekend together, and I knew that Dave was the one for me. We went on a road trip back to California, met each other’s families, and went skydiving together. Great first week together, right?

A short eight months later, Dave was down on one knee proposing to me. Aqua Vivus Productions captured the beautiful moment, and it’s still a video we watch now. Of course I said yes, and the planning began. My mom drove to San Diego for a week for wedding dress shopping and planning. My mom had always envisioned something very traditional and formal for her daughter’s wedding, so that’s what we excitedly started planning. I am so thankful for that trip she made because six months before our big day, she very suddenly passed away. Without my mom to help with planning, it just wasn’t as much fun. I found myself unmotivated to plan such a formal, grandiose affair. Three months before the wedding, I decided to change the entire theme to our wedding to something more whimsical, fun, and laid back. This is what I came up with!

I decided that little details would be my focus. Our photographer, Scot Woodman, did a phenomenal job capturing everything, from the big moments, down to all the small details. There was a white dove release in honor of my mom during the ceremony, and an empty birdcage hanging from the trees at the reception. Lace from my mom’s wedding gown was sewn onto mine, and I put a locket with her picture in my flowers. We had a small cake to cut, made by my talented sister, and many small cupcakes (with cupcake flags) for our guests. Mason jars with cute, colorful flowers, vintage books scattered on the tables, skeleton keys hanging from the trees, a vintage luggage piece for cards on the gift table, wash buckets for the glass coke bottles, banners and clotheslines hanging throughout the garden…it was just so much more mine and Dave’s style. Everything came together to make a beautiful setting for where Dave and I would celebrate our never-ending love for each other!

Photography: Scot Woodman Photography / Cinematography: shot by Aqua Vivus, edited by Amari Productions / Flowers: DIY from Modesto’s Farmer’s Market / Ceremony Location: McHenry Mansion / Reception Location: McHnery Mansion / Shoes: Electra, by Nina / Dress: Moonlight Bridal / Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal / Tuxedos: Vito’s Tuxes / Birdcage Veil: Etsy / Catering: Tahoe Joe’s Steakhouse / Cupcakes: Swirls Cupcakes by Kym Wolf / Cake: Bride’s sister, Nicole Chacon / Wedding Stationary: Jenifer Hunsinger / Menu Board: DIY / Ceremony and Reception Signs: made by Kevin Chacon (father of the bride)

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Post tags: Amari Productions, Aqua Vivus, Birdcages, California, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Purple Beige, David's Bridal, DIY Cake, DIY Flowers, DIY Projects, Etsy, Jenifer Hunsinger, Mason Jars, McHenry Mansion, modesto, Moonlight Bridal, Neutral Color Palette, Nina, Outdoor Wedding, Proposal Story, Same Day Edit, Scot Woodman Photography, Summer Wedding, Swirls Cupcakes by Kym Wolf, Tahoe Joe's Steakhouse, Vito's Tuxes, Wedding Cinematography, Wedding Film, wedding proposal
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

And thus ~ it is with great pride that today’s featured wedding film is actually the proposal story of Santo and Dewi of Paper Cranes Productions!

First, a bit of their story, from Dewi …

This would be one of our greatest achievements… making our own pre-wedding film. The story is based on our true relationship journey. Starting at how we met, how we normally spend time together, until one day he popped the BIG question. The main concept of this film is the re-enactment of how Santo proposed to me using a lot of point of view shots from his eyes.

As for the proposal, he had been secretly planning this project for 3 months without me knowing any of the plans. Since he loves film-making so much, he expressed the “will you marry me?” using this medium. He asked all our close friends and family across the globe to make a short message clip directed to me with the topic “Why Dewi (myself) should say YES to Jack (this is his nickname) on her birthday?

He popped the question to me on my 24th Birthday with this proposal video by showing it on a new MacBook (Yes, he also gave me this laptop as a present for my birthday). I was already so surprised when he gave me the MacBook, and then suddenly there is another surprise which I didn’t expect at all….he opened the MacBook and a log-in screen appeared. However, instead of the usual log-in screen, he had changed it to say, “Will You Marry Me?”

There were 3 different options (log in) – “Yes”, “No”, or “Call A Friend”. I was quite numb by this time.  He said, “Since you are now still confused, I would say just choose “Call A Friend.” Once I clicked that … the picture of him holding a note saying “Please Click Here” appeared on the screen. Then, an arrow led me to click the proposal video. My heart was beating sooo fast…I couldn’t hold my tears throughout watching the 20 min proposal video with all the special messages from more than 20 friends and family members across the globe.

He had also secretly prepared this little handy-cam next to the MacBook just before I watched the video!  I am so blessed to have him. I wouldn’t ask for a better proposal than this. This video meant so much to us. I’ve been watching this film over and over, but I still get goosebumps and cry when I watch it!

We’re pretty sure you will too!

Who is Paper Cranes Productions?

We are a group of artists with a passion for storytelling. Paper Cranes began its life in 2008 in Sydney – Australia, bringing together our skills and creativity to create beautiful Wedding Day Films and Pre-Wedding Films. Along the way, we have won multiple awards in both Australia and around the world, given educational presentations to industry peers, and gained plenty of new friends. With each project, our goal is simple: to tell a story in the most truthful and beautiful way, using our extensive skills in film-making.

They say that a wedding is about a love between two people. Yet, so many other elements have all played their part in delivering them to the same spot on that special day. It’s unfolding these stories and relationships that makes each project unique. To see a beautiful cake at the wedding reception is one thing – but to know it was made by the hands of three loving aunties of the bride gives it a whole new meaning. Everything, even the seemingly ordinary, becomes so enchanting and full of life – all you need to do is unfold the layers a little and reveal the real story behind it.

This is why we do what we do – to capture and unfold those hidden gems of your wedding day.

To see more of Santo and Dewi’s magnificent work, and to read more about them, please visit their website and blog!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Australia, Paper Cranes Productions, Proposal Story
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

Sarah Pease, owner and principal planner at Brilliant Event Planning, recently told us that they’ve started doing something kind of new … Proposal Planning! SO cool!  How can we get the word out there to the guys who want to do something really special, but don’t know how to pull it off ? What better source of inspiration and planning tools than an event designer and planner!

Here’s the story from Sarah about what went into planning Shawn’s New Year’s Eve Proposal to Neelon …

It was a rainy, slushy New Years Eve in the Big Apple. Shawn and Neelon had traveled half way across the country to celebrate 2010 with friends. After a lively dinner (and a few shots of liquid courage for Shawn), they headed to the top floor of The Standard Hotel NYC for a VIP party. Little did Neelon know, from the moment they touched down in NYC until the clock struck midnight, everything had been meticulously planned.

Shawn contacted us back in November and challenged us to create the perfect New Years Eve marriage proposal. He shared photos and stories to give us a better idea of what a perfect proposal would look like to Neelon. Together, we developed a concept of “A Little Piece of Heaven in NYC” with a color palette of pure white, mountains of candles and a breathtaking view of the New York City skyline. After visiting potential venues and exploring various design elements, not to mention navigating tricky New Years Eve holiday plans, we settled on a master suite at the brand new, exclusive Standard Hotel in New York City’s Meatpacking District.

On New Year’s Eve, Shawn and Neelon were sipping cocktails on the top floor of the Standard Hotel when a cocktail waitress tapped them on the shoulder and led them to a “VIP party.” On the elevator, Shawn and Neelon chatted about their trip and plans for New Year’s Day. As they stepped off the elevator, the soft sounds of a harp drew them towards the master suite. “What’s all this?” asked Neelon as they opened the door.

A harpist serenaded the couple as Shawn got down on one knee to ask the most important question of his life.

Inside, it was truly Heaven in NYC. Hundreds of pristine white blooms filled the room, from playful daisies and tulips to elegant roses. Over 300 votive candles, along with a floor-to-ceiling, 180-degree view of the New York City skyline, glittered in the final moments of the year.

And at the stroke of midnight, Neelon said “Yes”. Brilliant.

Sarah goes on to explain … this is a totally NEW service we are offering at Brilliant Event Planning and it’s become extremely popular here in New York City. Since it’s something new and groundbreaking, we wanted to share it with all your readers!

So … if you know of anyone who’s just about to pop the question, but is trying to figure out the perfect way to do it … be sure and let them know about this new service at Brilliant Event Planning!! 

Flowers: Rountree Flowers, Event Planning & Design: Brilliant Event Planning, Photography: Zlatko Batistich Photography, Venue: The Standard Hotel, New York, Harp: Marge Fitts

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Brilliant Event Planning, Harp, Marge Fitts, New Year's Eve, Proposal Story, Rountree Flowers, The Standard Hotel NYC, Zlatko Batistich Photography
Post categories: Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Planners & Designers

Today, we’re featuring one of Leigh’s most recent weddings … it’s SO fabulous, it’s so chic, and it’s captured so brilliantly, you’re going to keel over with envy! But first, the couple’s  engagement shoot!

Here’s their story from Leigh …

Tim surprised Mindy by secretly renting a theatre, asking his and her family to join them there. He then began playing a movie of the two of them through the years. As it ended, he dropped to one knee and popped the question! WOW … so romantic.

So for their engagement session, where else would we head but to that very same theatre!

I love this last shot the best. No fancy props, no special scenery … just Tim and Mindy. Their faces even fit together perfectly!

Fabulous work from Leigh Miller Photography. Thanks SO much for sharing!

On to their wedding in just a bit …

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California Weddings, Engagement Shoot, Kansas, Kansas City, Leigh Miller Photography, Proposal Story, San Diego
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

This morning’s feature on the Little Black Book Blog was all about this happy couple ~ Beth & Chris who were married in April at Lake Lure Inn. We just wanted to give you a peek at their engagement photo session with their amazing photographer, Kristin Vining.

I have to admit, though, that I had to get some help figuring out if Beth and Chris are rooting for the same team … or the Cubs vs. the White Sox? My husband, Abby’s husband AND Kristin all assured me these guys are DEFINITELY huge CUBS fans! What cute pictures!

from Beth …

We had planned a wonderful camping trip to Charleston for the week and were leaving as soon as I got off work. Little did I know Chris was spending the morning getting my ring and having it sized. When I got off work early it messed everything up. He was then an hour and a half late picking me up which didn’t exactly make me happy. Chris felt so awful for not really being able to explain what took him so long.

We went home to eat some lunch before leaving. While I began digging into our Sbarro pizza, Chris disappeared. I turned around looking for him, with pizza in my mouth, and there I found him. He was down on one knee, shaking, with a beautiful ring. This still makes me laugh today. It was by no means the way Chris had planned on proposing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Don’t you just love a great proposal story?

Again, a HUGE thank you to Kristin Vining Photography for sharing this wonderful e*shoot with us!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amusement Park, Carousel, Charlotte, Cubs, Engagement Shoot, Knight's Stadium, North Carolina, Proposal Story
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Whimsical