Gorgeous, right? And it gets even better after a viewing of this lovely film by Le Reve Productions…

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Will and I decided to have an intimate Catholic ceremony for immediate family two days before our outdoor ceremony and reception. At first, I was a little anxious and overwhelmed at the idea of two weddings, but in the end the first ceremony was truly beautiful and took a lot of pressure off the big wedding day that I put so much time and energy into planning. Even though most of our guests didn’t know it, Will and I were already legally married at our big wedding, which made me feel a lot more relaxed!

As far as the planning process went, I knew I wanted our wedding to be soft, whimsical, light, and airy from the very beginning.  I had the idea of a beautiful, fantastical tea party set in the middle of a forest and with the help of our amazing planner, Ryan, and our friends and family, the idea grew and changed into something more perfect than I could have ever imagined. Our ceremony location had this breathtaking view of vineyards and mountains, so we really let the backdrop do the talking and kept the space natural and fairly clean for the ceremony and vows. We were able to have a lot of fun with our reception area, however, using the bell tower for our grand entrance and creating an intimate space for dinner, cocktails, and dancing with a long grand table, vintage furniture, floating fabric lanterns, and twinkling lights.

I was really into the little touches that made our day different. My sister Gina created our beautiful ribbon table runner for our head table. We had the idea of making vintage dance cards for our escort cards and included rustic mini pencils so our guests could fill them out throughout the evening. Our amazing graphic designer worked with us to craft some fun vintage Valentine-themed cards that sat at each place setting that either had “five things his family should know about her” or vice-versa. I really enjoyed collecting the mismatched vases, teapots, cups, and containers that we used for our floral arrangements, and one of my favorite touches was the collection of vintage thimbles I acquired over the year that we let our guests take home as kisses for the day (inspired by my favorite Peter Pan quote). As we got closer and closer to the wedding, people kept reminding me that things would go wrong and I should be prepared. And I was completely prepared. But to be totally honest, I was just so thrilled the entire day and could not have been happier. I married my best friend and had the time of my life. The speeches, the dress, the weather, the man … to me, it was all perfect. Right out of a fairytale.  

Wedding Photography: Erin Hearts Court / Videography: Le Reve Productions / Wedding Venue: South Coast Winery in Temecula, California / Wedding Coordination + Design: Savoir Flair Weddings / Flowers: Fiore Design / Cake + Desserts: Cakes to Celebrate / Vintage Furniture: Archive Vintage Rentals / Classic Furniture + Linen Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Ceremony Music: Jory Schulman / DJ: Red Shoe LA / Wedding Dress + Reception Sash: Monique Lhuillier / Gold Shoes: Jean-Michel Cazabat / Hair + Makeup: The Studio Agency / Wedding Paper Products: Kristen Gara / Wedding Invitations: SmallPrinter / Cookies: Magnolia Bakery / Officiant: Rev. Bruce Greene

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 40 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Archive Vintage Rentals, Cakes to Celebrate, California, Classic Party Rentals, Erin Heart's Court, Fiore Design, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Jory Schulman, Kristen Gara, Lavender, Le Reve Productions, Magnolia Bakery, Monique Lhuillier, Pale Blue, Pink, Red Shoe LA, Rev. Bruce Greene, Savoir Flair Weddings, SmallPrinter, South Coast Winery, Temecula, The Studio Agency
Post categories: The Blog, Vintage Chic

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From The Youngrens…Kent and Jacqueline’s classic, yet dramatic ballroom wedding was a chic New Year’s Eve black tie affair at the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore, in Santa Barbara, CA. Newport natives Kent and Jacqueline were looking for that wow factor when it came to their Southern California wedding – without having anything cheesy or cliche. They wanted a big party that focused on fun and entertainment – the most important thing to them was to celebrate with friends and family in a beautiful setting, while dancing all night long!

With the help of Rebecca of Imagine Weddings and Special Events and Andrew of Couture Flowers, this wedding oozed elegance and FUN as Kent and Jacqueline along with 200 guests rang in 2011 with a dramatic bang. This wedding was an all out New Year’s Eve party complete with over-the-top reception decor, a dramatic Oscar de la Renta gown, sparkly Jimmy Choo heels, and a crazy midnight celebration led by the funky live band, Soulville. They used tons of large silver Christmas ornaments throughout the reception decor to blend the warmth of the Holiday season with the glamour of New Years’ Eve, lined the enormous head table with larger than life trees, and embellished the table settings and bouquets with glitzy buckles. Everything about this ballroom wedding said classy and elegant, but over-the-top modern dramatic.

Wedding Photography: The Youngrens / Wedding Cinematography: Artisan Productions / Floral + Event Design: Couture Flowers / Event Planning: Imagine… Weddings and Special Events / Ceremony Location: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church / Reception Location: Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Music/Band: Soulville / Transportation: Santa Barbara Trolley / Hair: The Studio Agency / Make-up: Tomiko Taft / Wedding Cake: Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore / Lighting: Ambient Event Design / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 19 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ambient Event Design, ARtisan Productions, California Weddings, Classic Party Rentals, Couture Flowers, Four Seasons Resort, Imagine...Weddings & Special Events LLC, Jimmy Choo, New Year's Eve Wedding, Oscar De La Renta, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Trolley, Soulville, The Biltmore Santa Barbara, The Studio Agency, The Youngrens, Tomiko Taft
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

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From the Bride…Andy and I are photographers based out of Jacksonville, Florida, so when we started planning our vow renewal for our five year anniversary, photography was naturally the most important thing to us. We love vintage and fine art photography so we knew we wanted a photographer who fit that style of photography and understood our vision. When I spoke with Corbin on the phone, she really seemed to get what our vow renewal was all about and was excited about our concept. She was wonderful to work with and did an amazing job! Our goal for the renewal was two-fold. We wanted to renew our vows with our own words spoken just for each other. Our renewal was really just for us and was about pulling off the look we wanted in an amazing location with great vendors, so we opted for a “Vow Renewal for Two”. In other words, sans guests. Secondly, we plan to add full styling services to our photography packages and possibly a vintage rental inventory down the road so we wanted to showcase my styling skills as another aspect to the renewal.

Our theme was french country/shabby chic and Saddlerock Ranch with it’s rustic buildings, vineyard covered hills, and sprawling horse ranch fit the bill perfectly for our venue. Our color palate consisted of peach and mint green with accents of gray and silver. I love sweets so in lieu of a traditional dinner we just had a dessert table for two filled with a vanilla bean cake, chocolate cake pops, and french macaroons a la a French Patisserie.  I added a milk glass framed chalk board to the table set up which read “Patisseries Fraiches” (or “fresh pastries”.) Found Vintage Rentals provided a vintage table and to-die-for gray french country chairs which served as the base to our table set up. For the table top I wanted to mix French sophistication with shabby chic charm so I used a mixture of miss-matched vintage silverware, silver chargers, jadeite plates and cake stands, pink depression glass plates and champagne flutes, milk glass compotes, and a set of runners I made myself. The bottom runner was a silver silk shantung and the top runner was made out of peach organza with vintage lace trim. Kate and Megan of Flowerwild created beautiful centerpieces of white peonies, peach Juliet garden roses, sweet pea, queen anne’s lace and more soft blooms in Harney and Sons tea tins. To complete the table and reflect my love of fashion and vintage sewing items, I used clusters of vintage thread spools bearing thread in our colors as bud vases holding poppies. I also found a vintage milk glass chandelier online and repainted it silver to hang from the pretty tree at Saddlerock.

I love doors, especially red doors on southern houses and old beat up ones with cool locks. Therefore I was thrilled when I discovered a vintage double door at Found Vintage Rentals that I used as the “gateway” to our little table set up. Flowerwild made up a garland of greenery and peach garden roses to drape over the door. We also used the garland to drape around a horse’s neck (supposedly the same horse from the movie True Grit!) I had a couple horses growing up and my Brother now trains them so it was fun to interact with the horses for some photos. To add some humor,  I printed chair signs on watercolor paper that read “Hers” and “His . . . still hers”. We pinned them to the backs of the chairs with a single poppy bloom. We also printed a sign that read “Renewed” instead of “Just Married” on watercolor paper. Saddlerock has so many fun props around the property. The vintage Rolls Royce Woody made the perfect backdrop for our “getaway” photo.

Our renewal was so much fun and a great way for us to both remind each other of our love and spend some quality time together. I can’t wait for our 10 year!

Furniture Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals / Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Florist: Flowerwild / Venue: Saddlerock Ranch / Desserts: Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach / Hair + Make-up: Kathryn and Trina from The Studio Agency / Hair Colorist: Adrianna Broadway of Apres Salon Jacksonville / Tabletop: Vintage / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau via Belle Couture Bridal / Sash + Alterations: The Tailor Shop / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Jewelry: J.Crew / Hair Piece: Vintage Hat / Clutch: Anthropologie / Cardigan: J.Crew / Pink Dress: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid / Cardigan + Headband: J.Crew / Green Shoes: Urban Originals / Earrings: Kendra Scott / Groom’s Suit: Vintage Dior / Vest + Shirt: Express / Tie: Etsy / Groom’s Shoes: Johnston and Murphy / Bespoke Guitar Pick Boutonniere: Fritts Rosenow

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 28 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Anthropologie, Bella Bridesmaid, Bella Couture Bridal, California Weddings, Christian Louboutin, Corbin Gurkin Photography, Etsy, Express, Flowerwild, Found Vintage Rentals, Fritts Rosenow, J. Crew, Johnston and Murphy, Kendra Scott Danielle, Malibu, Modern Trousseau, Saddlerock Ranch, The Studio Agency, The Tailor Shop, Urban Originals, Vintage, Vow Renewal
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog

From XOXO BRIDE…So many weddings today are inspired by what turns the bride & groom on with the design elements.  More and more events are hosted outside the traditional venues such as barns, fields, ranches, estates, and backyards alike. The concept for this heirloom feast, a feast for your eyes and palate, was inspired by the amazing collection of unique antique rentals of Donna Small, talented stylist and owner of The Source & Eye.  Sidney of SBB Gourmet Catering and I got together with Donna to showcase how fun food can really be when you play around with the design and display of inspired foods using unique pieces.  We used a theme of Early American to create the menu showcasing a grilled clambake, over the top fromage display, and create your own ice cream sundae station.  I start to giggle like a school girl when I design menus for events.  We love food!  It is a great element to showcase your unique signature on your wedding.

The amazing and talented Jose Villa photographed our feast along with Joel Serrato who documented on film.  Figueroa Farmhouse was the ideal venue to showcase this design concept.  Not only was this venue near and dear to Jose & Joel’s heart as they were recently married there, but Donna Small was the original owner and builder of the farmhouse in 1982, ultimately selling it to the current owners.  Her intimate knowledge of the venue allowed us to roam and create as we may. Zenadia Designs brought our couples story to life through her beautiful journalistic styled stationery.  What fun you can have by breaking the boundaries of the conceptual wedding stationary!  I absolutely love creating fresh and new designs for invitations.  Camarillo Bridal graciously dressed our bride from head to toe in a Maggie Sottero gown.  They recently opened a gorgeous new showroom in Camarillo that features amazing bridal gowns and full wedding party attire.  Louloudi Design provided floral blooms to highlight and accent our story.

And without further ado, a recipe for Blackberry Thyme Margaritas…

16 Large Fresh Blackberries, Divided
6 Small Fresh Thyme Sprigs
3 Oz 100% Blue Agave Silver Tequila
1/4 C Sugar
1/4 C Water, boiling
3 Tb Fresh Lime Juice
1 Tb Cointreau Or Other Orange Liqueur
2 C Ice Cubes, Divided
3 Oz Chilled Sparkling Wine

Combine water, sugar, and 4 sprig of thyme, stir till water is dissolved and let thyme steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain syrup and allow to cool, can be done in advance in larger batches.

Place 14 blackberries in a large cocktail shaker. Press firmly on berries with muddler or back of wooden spoon until mashed. Mix in tequila, syrup, lime juice, and Cointreau, then 1 cup ice. Shake to blend well. Pour in sparkling wine, shake gently . Divide remaining ice between 2 tall glasses. Pour Margarita mixture over. Garnish each with 1 blackberry and 1 thyme sprig.

Yum.

Photography: Jose Villa Photography / Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films / Flowers: Louloudi Design / Event Design: XOXO BRIDE / Antique Rentals and Design: Donna Small, The Source & Eye / Event Planning: XOXO BRIDE / Location: Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse / Invitations: Zenadia Design / Dress + Shoes: Camarillo Bridal / Hair + Make-up: The Studio Agency / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs / Calligraphy: Leslee Sipress / Catering: Santa Barbara Barbeque Gourmet Catering / Film Work: Richard Photo

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 30 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bella Vista Designs, California Weddings, Camarillo Bridal, Donna Small, Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse, Joel Serrato Films, Jose Villa Photography, Louloudi Design, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Barbecue Gourmet Catering, The Source & Eye, The Studio Agency, XOXO Bride, Zenadia Design
Post categories: The Blog

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Peter and Jessica met nine years ago at Brown University.  They now live together in Brooklyn, NY. They chose Santa Barbara as their wedding location because Jessica is from Los Angeles and grew up going to Santa Barbara, because her parents had a place there.

El Mirador is an absolutely magical overgrown estate in the Santa Barbara area.  They wanted the guests to get to experience all the amazing areas of this “secret garden” so they had the guests enter at the top of the property and exit at the bottom, having wandered and experienced the many incredible areas.  Guests drove up a dramatic palm-lined driveway where they were greeted by the valet. They then entered the old foundation of the original house, with a koi pond in the center, built in the 1920′s, that has since been torn down and never rebuilt.  Guitar music greeted them as well as fresh lemonade with a spiked option.  The guests could then wander under the foundation to the Grotto that was used during Prohibition.  With wooden arrows leading the way, guests found their way through old stone paths to the pond with a Japanese garden.  At the pond were the bass and violin players playing Django Reinhardt music.  There was another beverage option of cucumber water.  After the guests explored this amazing backdrop they were queued by a gong to head towards the ceremony lawn, a beautiful grassy area surrounded by huge trees.  The chuppah for the ceremony matched the wild beauty of the location.

After the ceremony, guests were led to another lawn near the reception area where the cocktail hour was held.  While guests enjoyed cocktail they also participated in a Polaroid sign in book that Jessica’s photography friends helped run.  Joaquin Trujillo shot Polaroids of the guests for the sign-in.  Guests strolled over to the old carriage house and courtyard for the reception with strung lights hanging across the structure.  The flowers were a brilliant array of jewel-toned purples, oranges and greens arranged in vintage tins and vases provided by Jessica, Rebecca Stone and Camille (florist).  All the guests had silkscreen printed mini sacks of wildflower seeds on their plates as a party favor listing that a donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council had been made in their honor.  The food from Seasons Catering was displayed as a family style buffet featuring homemade mushroom ravioli as well as local vegetables from Ojai.  The cake mirrored the rustic design of the event with a “Betty Crocker” style of butter cream frosting with organically placed fresh figs, berries, champagne grapes, and flowers.  The wedding was an intimate affair in a naturally beautiful, organic, and warm setting on a perfect late summer day.

Wedding Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Wedding Coordination: {duet} Weddings / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: El Mirador Estate / Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals / Floral Design: Modern Day Design / Catering: Seasons Catering / Wedding Cake: Christine Dahl Pastries / Officiant: Rabbi Evan Goodman / Wedding Invitations: The White Aisle / Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Musicians: Ivan Johnson / Wedding Reception Music: Gavin Roy of Santa Barbara DJ’s / Hair Accessories: Pluma (the bride!) / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale + J.Crew + Priscilla of Boston + Joanna August / Groomsmen Attire: Bloomingdale’s / Hair & Makeup: Kelly of The Studio Agency

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Bloomingdales, CA, California, Christine Dahl Pastries, Corbin Gurkin Photography, Duet Weddings, El Mirador, Family Style Buffet, Green, intimate wedding, J. Crew, Joanna August, Modern Day Design, Montecito, Orange, Outdoor Wedding, Pluma, Priscilla of Boston, Purple, Rabbi Even Goodman, Rustic Chic, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara DJ's, Seasons Catering, Southern California Wedding, The Studio Agency, The White Aisle, Ventura Party Rentals, Vintage Chic
Post categories: Casual Elegance

see the whole beautiful day right here!

Thank you so much to Sonia Hopkins of XOXO Bride and Braedon Photography for sending this little slice of heaven our way and congrats to the lovely couple Rachel and Ray!

Vendor Credits: Wedding Design & Coordination: XOXO Bride / Photography: Braedon Photography / Venue: Rancho Dos Pueblos / Bakery:Christine Dahl Pastries / Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm / Catering: SBB Gourmet Catering / Floral Design: Nico Designs / Videography: Russell Fowler / Hair & Makeup: The Studio Agency / Invitations: Wrapsody Invitations / Lighting: Ambient / Ceremony Music: All Occasions Entertainment / Reception: DJ Mark / Officiant: Rev. Matt Ryder / Rentals: Town & Country, Gazebo Plants & Flowers, Coast Cart, Marborg Industries, La Tavola / Transportation: Santa Barbara Trolley and Classic Motoring Car Rentals / Valet: BlueStar Parking / Wedding Accommodations: Bacara Resort & Spa

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: All Occassions, Ambient, Bacara Resort and Spa, Braedon Photography, Christine Dahl Pastries, Jim Hjelm, Nico Designs, SBB Gourmet Catering, The Studio Agency, Wrapsody Invitations, XOXO Bride
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic

click here to see the full wedding gallery!

My experience with Rachel & Ray began with a small crush on them both.  Rachel, a beautiful, talented, smart entrepreneur wanted a wedding from a very unique perspective that she, Ray and their guests would enjoy.  Ray, a quick-tongue, methodical thinking, handsome Irish chap, wanted a wedding comfortable and elegant for his bride to be.  Both found what they were looking for in Rancho Dos Pueblos, a private beach and estate on the coast of Santa Barbara.

Rachel and Ray chose the posh Bacara Resort & Spa for their accommodations.  Her gown, a Jim Hjelm, completely embodied Rachel’s stunning beauty.  She wore it with grace.  For her bridesmaids, a frilly ABS by Allen Schwartz, styled them whimsically yet elegant. The bride hand-made her ladies bird cage veils that accompanied their dresses perfectly.  Did I mention Rachel is talented?!  Rachel a self professed shoe addict, had bought her shoes years before she had met Ray knowing they were “the” shoe she would wear on her wedding day.

The inspiration to the décor and design of their wedding was “Let my love open the door” with a rustic meets Versace twist.  The couple had scouted out two large iron gates which were propped tall in length, dressed in bougainvillea and used as the backdrop to their ceremony vows.  They had also found a 13 ft window frame extracted from a home in Egypt which we in turn used as a door way the bride walked through and down her aisle.  Rustic church pews were mixed with Chiavari chairs to seat their guests giving the overall theme of a beautiful and unique outdoor church.  Rachel and her bridesmaids were transported literally to the aisle doorway on Santa Barbara’s classic Trolley.

Vendor Credits: Wedding Design & Coordination: XOXO Bride / Photography: Braedon Photography / Venue: Rancho Dos Pueblos / Bakery: Christine Dahl Pastries / Wedding Gown: Jim Hjelm / Catering: SBB Gourmet Catering / Floral Design: Nico Designs / Videography: Russell Fowler / Hair & Makeup: The Studio Agency / Invitations: Wrapsody Invitations / Lighting: Ambient / Ceremony Music: All Occasions Entertainment / Reception: DJ Mark / Officiant: Rev. Matt Ryder / Rentals: Town & Country, Gazebo Plants & Flowers, Coast Cart, Marborg Industries, La Tavola / Transportation: Santa Barbara Trolley and Classic Motoring Car Rentals / Valet: BlueStar Parking / Wedding Accommodations: Bacara Resort & Spa

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 39 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Barn, Braedon Photography, Glam, Jim Hjelm, Nico Designs, Ranch Dos Pueblo, Rustic Chic, Santa Barbara, The Studio Agency, XOXO Bride
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic

From Rebeccca at Duet Weddings the AAAAAMAZING designer behind the day…

The reception was held at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Santa Barbara. The beautiful Spanish courtyard made for an incredible backdrop to raw wood dinner tables adorned with overflowing urns and distressed terra cotta pots. Loose, overgrown florals combined with fruits, vegetables and succulents created an organic feel to the table tops. In keeping with the organic feel, we used natural materials to create menus and table names. We affixed beautifully calligraphed menus to old, salvaged wood pieces, and hand drew the table signs on old, distressed wood pieces as well. Tables names were words inspired by love in Italian. Guest found their names on tiny manila tags, tucked sweetly under small succulent pots at place settings. Vintage seam binding danced on the breeze as flowy streamers and bistro string bulbs glowed magically.

Instead of a traditional guest book, Giovanna and Schuyler wanted something special that they would cherish and enjoy and be reminded of their wedding, their friends, their family with always. A potted olive tree (which now lives outside of Gio & Sky’s home) sat in the courtyard for guests to hang their wishes upon. The tree will continue to grow with the wishes and be a part of Gio & Sky’s lives.

*A HUGE thank you to Rebecca Stone at Duet Weddings and to Elizabeth Messina for sharing this incredibly gorgeous wedding with us. Make sure to check out Elizabeth’s blog, Kiss The Groom, for even more inspiration. And sign up for her new twitter account!*

Photographer: Elizabeth Messina / Caterer: Village Modern / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / DJ: Red Shoe LA / Cake: Christine Dahl / Calligrapher: Little Miss Press / Hair/Makeup: The Studio Agency (Cathryn Van Breene & Sheila Stone) / Dove release: SB Doves / Antique plates/flatware/napkin/rings (for picnic) – Small Masterpiece / Flowers: Modern Day Design / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs / Planning and Design: Duet Weddings / Bridesmaid Dresses: LulaKate

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 24 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bella Vista Designs, Best of 2010, California Weddings, Christine Dahl, Classic Party Rentals, Doves, Duet Weddings, Elizbeth Messina, Kiss the Groom, Little Miss Press, magazine, Modern Day Design, Picnic, Pink, Rebecca Stone, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Historial Museum, SB Doves, Small Masterpiece, The Studio Agency, Top Hat, Village Modern REd Shoe LA
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance