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From Krista for Amber Events…Meet Melody & Michael. This sweet and painfully gorgeous couple was married on June 26th, 2010 at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California. M&M are adorable…in every sense of the word. To say it was a pleasure to be their wedding planner is simply an understatement. They totally rock. This is their story.

M & M were high school sweethearts. They dated for twelve years before Michael popped that big ol’ question. And although some may think of them already as an ‘old married couple,’ I see their love as young, fresh, and blossoming before our eyes. Michael is a writer in this little town called Hollywood and his humor is mad. Melody is a family psychologist, so as you can imagine, planning a wedding from start-to-finish within seven months while nurturing their successful careers was no simple feat.

Saddlerock Ranch is a rustic venue, located in the hills of Malibu. The vineyard setting, where Melody and Michael exchanged their vows, is secluded and stunning. It created a breathtaking backdrop to an emotional ceremony and fun-loving reception.

Melody was glowing her in Amy Michelson gown. After growing up in Texas, she embodied a true Southern Belle: beautiful, sweet, warm, honest… and deeply in love! During Michael’s entrance in the ceremony, escorted by his parents, a trio of string musicians played Jesu, Joy of a Man’s Desiring. As his bride walked down the aisle with her Mother and Father, Canon in D rang out through the vineyard. The tear and laughter-filled ceremony concluded with the ever-appropriate Ode to Joy.

The decor we aimed for was “French Country Vineyard.” The talented ladies at Holly Flora created a lush garden feel, pairing blush and ivory peonies, peach juliet roses, freesia, tulips, garden roses, green hydrangea, dusty miller, sweet peas, and fresh herbs with vintage blue buckets, lanterns, and tarnished silver vases. Instead of basic table numbers, Melody and Michael used their thirteen years together as inspiration for an opportunity to be creative. Each table represented a year the couple have shared together and feature a photo of them from said year, adding a personal touch throughout the table settings.

Although they had a wedding party of more than 20 people (!), the entire wedding guest count was only 83 people, keeping their closest family and friends surrounding them on their special day.

I’m all about the food so let’s chat chow: Pre-ceremony, girlfriends of the bride passed out cucumber-mint water and honeydew-melon lemonade. During cocktail hour, guests sipped on red and white sangria, while munching on Ahi Tuna Tartar, Dijon-Peppercorn Steak Skewers, Baked Brie with Dried Cherries and Macadamia Nuts, Petite Bruschetta, Apple Chicken Farinettes, Jumbo Prawns Cocktail, and a gourmet Mezze Platter. A friend of the bride is a founder of Amber Waves Farm in the Hamptons and shipped organic greens and veggies across the country for the caterer to serve with the Pear, Pecan, and Gorgonzola Salad. For the main course, guests dined on Wild King Salmon and Roasted Beef Tenderloin. The wedding cake featured three delectable flavors: Pink Velvet with Strawberry Buttercream, Chocolate with Coconut Pecan Buttercream, and (my personal favorite!) Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting.

In true Southern style, Melody and Michael changed out of their wedding attire and into their “getaway” outfits for their Grand Send Off. Guests formed an aisle for the couple and blew bubbles into the night sky before Melody and Michael hopped into a vintage 1950 Rolls Royce Bentley, heading off to their honeymoon in Italy.

Wedding Coordination: Krista Malinin for Amber Events / Venue: Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu / Catering: Contemporary Catering / Photographer: Picotte Photography / Flowers & Decor: Holly Flora / Rentals & Lighting: Town & Country Event Rentals / Band: No Vacancy Entertainment / Ceremony String Musicians: Alison Spieth Trio / Cake: A Sweet Design / Hair & Make-Up: John of Italy Salon / Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Gown: Amy Michelson “Sugar” / Officiant: JP Reynolds / Videographer: Super 8mm Film (shot by friend of the couple) / On-Site Security: Sandman Security / On-Site Valet: Premiere Valet Parking / Shuttle Transportation: Corporate Coach Charters / Getaway Car: A Classic Wedding Car / Hotel Accommodations: Westlake Village Inn

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Sweet Design, Alison Spieth Trio, Amber Events, Amy Michelson, California Weddings, Conemporary Catering, Corporate Coach Charters, Holly Flora, John of Italy, Malibu, No Vacancy Entertainment, Picotte Photography, Pink, Premier Valet Parking, Saddlerock Ranch, Sandman Security, Town & Country Event Rentals, Wedding Paper Divas, Westlake Village Inn, Zebra
Post categories: California Weddings, Los Angeles Weddings, Traditional Elegance

image by Karen Wise…a peak into one of next week’s gorgeous real weddings!

*A sneak peak of Peculiar Pair Press’ gorgeous new Save the Date collection, along with a pretty great giveaway! Plus a first look at their new online wedding invitation line.

*We announced the Beau Coup giveaway winners and the hugely popular Sarah Drake giveaway. Congrats to the lucky ladies who stole the show!

*A Rocker Chic Affair that made us all swoon…you can check out the rest of their wedding here and here.

*A Zebra Inspired reception along with a fun Look for Less Feature…you can see the rest of the reception here, here and here.

*Fabulous Photography Tips by Karen Rusten, along with eight other pretty brilliant photographers.

*A Southern Inspired wedding that will make any girl fall in love. You can see each feature here, here, here, here and a look at the gorgeous, letterpress invitations right here.

*The winners of the Four Seasons Films giveaway and their gorgeous Rustic, Chic wedding.

Have a wonderful weekend!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beau-Coup, Four Seasons Films, Karen Rusten, Karen Wise, Letterpress Invitations, Look for Less, Peculiar Pair Press, Sarah Drake, Save The Dates, Souther Inspired Wedding, Zebra
Post categories: Look for Less, Wedding Favors & Gifts, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, Wedding Resources

gorgeous photographs by Kate Mefford at Juxtapose Photography

From Caplan Miller…

Our inspiration for this party came from the cover of a Pottery Barn catalog this summer.  The espresso and ivory zebra stripe paired with citrus colors of orange and green were used as our color palate.  We found the green and white cabanas on sale from Z Gallerie.

We placed two cabanas at the entrance to the party.  Inside one we served green apple martinis and from the other, mojitos (pulling in our green color thru drinks).  The home has a beautiful fountain in the center of the back yard, so we found a “Living Fountain” out of Florida and included her as an element of surprise for our guests at the entrance to the home.  We also had an orchid roaming the grounds as an added surprise for our guests.

More to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Apple Martini, Caplan Miller Events, Mojitos, Z Gallerie, Zebra
Post categories: Contemporary, The Blog