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From the bride… It was really important for mine and Scott’s families that this wedding accurately portrayed our personalities, but also be as much fun as possible for our guests. We tried to plan everything so that guests would never be waiting, bored or hungry. We knew photography would delay us arriving to the reception, but decided that dinner would be served at 6:15 p.m., whether or not we had arrived. It was also really important that all the toasts, welcome speeches and first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dances happened while guests were seated and eating dinner. We wanted dancing to be the main focus of our reception because as guests, that is always our favorite part of a wedding.

We made a lot of DIY projects, including homemade apricot preserves in 4-ounce quilted jars (made from my family’s much loved apricot tree we planted 10 years ago) and 16-ounce mason jars tied up up twine and a hand-stamped price tag (for drinking and keeping). All of the flowers for decoration, bouquets and boutonnieres were put together by me and my mother. We also incorporated old lace thrifted from all over southern California as much as possible. My favorite way was stretched and cut to fit in different sizes and shapes on embroidery rings (hung behind us as the backdrop for the ceremony, and on all the windows at the reception). I also thrifted all across Southern California in search of old floral silk robes for us girls to get ready in.

I had always dreamed of getting married in the fall, with autumn colors and turning leaves everywhere. The location for the ceremony couldn’t have been more perfect, with huge cedars and redwoods, surrounded by turning sycamores and blooming lavender everywhere. Our DJ was so wonderful, he played everything we asked him to, and he really tried to get a grasp for the feel we wanted our music to give. I walked up the aisle to Sigur Rós’ “Hoppipolla.” My favorite part of the entire day was saying our vows. We had decided together that traditional vows are good vows. And something our officient pointed out was that almost all of the married couples at our wedding would have used those same vows in the past. By us choosing to repeat those, our guests were witnessing a new marriage that also reminded them of the day they said those same vows. Our wedding could also become a sort of renewal of vows for our married guests. I will never forget the way Scott could hardly whisper his vows and the tears we both had streaming down our cheeks. All of our friends and family are the reason we were able to have such a wonderful day. From helping with DIY projects to being chauffeurs, the people who love us are the people that made our day so wonderful.

Wedding Photography: Emily Blake Photography / Wedding Ceremony: Cedar Grove Park Ampitheatre in Tustin, California / Wedding Reception + Catering: Beach Pit BBQ in (Old Town) Tustin, California / Flowers, Apricot Jam Favors, Mason Jar Glasses + Decor: DIY / Wedding Coordinator: Casey Glass / Wedding Gown: Pronovias / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Hair + Airbrush Makeup: Casey Glass / DJs: Bobby Wooldridge and Matt Heim (bobbywooldridge@gmail.com) / Custom Matchboxes: The Knot

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beach Pit BBQ, Bobby Wooldrige, California, Casey Glass, Cedar Park Grove Amphitheater, Emily Blake Photography, Gray, J. Crew, Matt Heim, Orange, Pronovias, The Knot, Tustin
Post categories: Do-It-Yourself Inspired

Dress via Brides.com /  Drink photo by Union Photography via The Knot /  Pink bouquet via Martha Stewart /  Bunting from Not On the High Street / Invitation from Dauphine Press /  Raspberry sorbet photo /Stacked teacups via Country Living /  Centerpiece photo by Oakley Photography via TheKnot

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Brides.com, Country Living, Dauphine Press, Martha Stewart, Not On the High Street, Oakley Photography, The Knot, Union Photography
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

The first board features the raspberry color prominently in different shades for a warm, rich feel. I also incorporated a cream color to add depth to the palette of red and white. The unusual cake, adorable changes of shoes and ruby sparkling wine add cute unexpected details to the day.

Credits (from L to R): real wedding featured on Faye and Greer, Amsale Party Dress, Reem Acra 2008 wedding dress, berry baskets via Martha Stewart, Charlotte cake via Martha Stewart, Ruby Cuvee from South Coast Resort & Winery, Shoes from photographer Michelle Hayes, and Cocoa Nib ice cream via Mad Baker.net.

Here is Yelena’s second submission…

For the second submission, I introduced navy into the raspberry and white color scheme. I think the navy adds richness and prep to the feel of the wedding, and pairs beautifully with pinks. I chose the pearl necklace with navy ribbon to bring in a vintage vibe, which the bride mentioned she would like. Unexpected details include the navy satin shoes, pearl necklace with a twist, vibrant seating chart and favor baskets with shortcake and strawberries, which I thought were a cute, quaint favor for an outdoor wedding.

Credits (from L to R): Navy and raspberry seating chart via the Knot, Amsale party dress, pearl necklace from subersive jewelry, silk taffeta wedding dress from J Crew, strawberries and shortcake favor baskets from Martha Stewart, blue satin peep toes from J Crew, and bouquets from Artfool.

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Post tags: Inspiration Board, J. Crew, shabby chic, The Knot
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Row 1: Photo 1 and 2 (cookie favors) from The Knot, Real Wedding “Margaret and Michael”, Photo 3 (escort cards) from The Knot / Row 2: Invitation from Etsy seller KissandTellCards, Decor from www.lifeinfozone.com article “The Most Unique and Affordable Centerpieces” / Row 3: Pink Clutch from Etsy seller AmbellaBays, Mini Cakes from The Knot and Cake Girls), Vintage dishes from Etsy seller jenscloset (cakes by

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 44 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: AmbellaBays, Inspiration Board, KissandTellCards, shabby chic, The Cake Girls, The Knot
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

pink shoes by Jose Villa, Diamond Ring by Jose Villa, White Chair by Jose Villa, Black and Pink Centerpiece by Jose Villa, Pink Table by Rebecca Thuss, Pink Bout by The Knot

Here is the second board…

1. Polka Dot Cake by The Knot, Carnation Bouquet by Samm Blake, Chandelier by Jose Villa, Pink Programs on The Knot, Bucket of Flowers on Jupiter Images.

And the third board…

photos by Jose Villa here and here.

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Post tags: Inspiration Board, Jose Villa, Samm Blake, shabby chic, The Knot
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

First row, left to right: Raspberry bouquet from Brides, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, reception set-up from the Little Black Book Blog by Allyson Magda / Second row, left to right: Wine glasses from Brides, vineyard portrait from the LBBB by Allyson Magda / Third row, left to right: White urn from SMP by Katie Moos, attendants from Martha Stewart Weddings / Fourth row, left to right: Umbrella photo from SMP by Jennifer Davis Photography, pink boutonniere from The Knot, hanging lanterns from SMP by Leigh Miller Photography

Some notes from Emily…

In this board, I tried to blend together all of the different elements the reader was looking for: elegant (the pearls, the monogrammed umbrella), preppy (the polka-dot tie and bouquet wrap), vintage (the cake), shabby chic (the fluttery, ruffly blooms, the urn), and rustic (the hanging lanterns).  It’s a lot to mix together, but she made a great pick with the vineyard setting and the raspberry and white – I think it can work!  If she wants to work in some DIY details, I would suggest vintage monogrammed handkerchiefs for the moms or bridesmaids, rustic wooden signs to direct guests, and a sweet or savory treat to send guests off at the end of the night (donuts and coffee, mini chocolate chip cookies and milk, or personal pizzas and vintage bottles of coke or lemonade would do the trick).

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 28 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Brides.com, Jennifer Davis, Leigh Miller, The Knot
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

Aisle Marker: photo by Union Photography on Project Wedding / Centerpiece: photo by Jennifer Kloss on Project Wedding / Figs: photo from Algarve Buzz / Cherry Basket: photo by Elizabeth Messina Photography on Project Wedding / Maggy LondonA Silk Halter Dress at Macy’s

Next is Peony Pretty…

Flowers: Waterlily Pond /Soaps: French Garden House / Invitation: Papel Vivo / Cork Escort Card Display: photo by Union Photography on The Knot / Dress: Watters

Next is Shabby Pink…

Flowers: Trinity Flowers / Cake: I Do Wedding Cakes / Escort Cards: photo by Union Photography on The Knot, Seating: Jose Villa Photography / Dresses: Meghan Park

Next is Flirty Frills…

Hatbox: French Garden House / Lanterns: Jamali Garden / Necklace: French Garden House / Sign: Funki Folk Art on etsy / Dress: Ann Louise Roswald

Lastly, we have Raspberry Zinger…

Vintage Auction Paddles: French Garden House / Bouquet: photo by Jennifer Kloss on Project Wedding / Invitation: ‘Wine Country’ invitation in ‘Cabernet’ by Wedding Paper Divas / Dress: Lee Klabin

If you’d like to vote for any of these boards, please refer to them by their name (ie…peony pretty, raspberry zinger, etc).

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Algarve Buzz, Ann Louis Roswald, Elizabeth Messina, Etsy, French Garden House, I Do Wedding Cakes, Jamali Garden, Jennifer Kloss, Jose Villa, Lee Klabin, Maggy London, Meghan Park, Papel Vivo, Project Wedding, The Knot, Trinity Flowers, Union Photography, Waterlily Pond, Watters, Wedding Paper Divas
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards

I’ll be featuring a steady stream of them throughout the day so make sure to check back often…they are SO gorgeous, it will be worth it!

Here is the first, designed byJoanna…

Escort Cards: Alison Events,  Wine Bar: Kim Jameson Design, Bridesmaid Dress: Thread, Cake: Rebecca Thuss, 
Bouquet: The Knot, Invitations: invited ink on etsy, Table: Alison Events

As the entries are posted, leave a comment as to who your favorite is…this contest will be partially judged by you guys, partially judged by me and partially judged by the reader who inspired it! The winner, which will be announced next week will receive $500!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alison Events, Inspiration Board Contest, invited ink on etsy, Kim Jameson Design, Rebecca Thuss, The Knot, Thread
Post categories: Contests