Parties are not the time for basic and boring. It’s a celebration that calls for a really good theme; the kind that will leave your friends and family in awe of your total awesomeness. These 17 themes fit the bill no matter the occasion. Sprinkles, neon, glamping… you name it, there’s probably a party in this collection just made for your next bash. CLICK THRU THE SLIDESHOW!
It doesn’t get any more classic than a New York City black tie affair at The Plaza Hotel. It just doesn’t. And this stunner planned by Ang Weddings And Events has set that classic style bar even higher. Beautifully timeless and wonderfully elegant, every image captured by Judy Pak is nothing short of a dream, and you can see them all here.
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/102020668 600 338]
Ang Weddings and Events created a seamless event and selected the most talented vendors that were a dream to work with. It was so inspirational to work with so many phenomenal women that were truly experts in their fields. The invitations were classic letterpress and we incorporated an old photograph of The Plaza in the envelope liner. Omar found an elephant graphic which we used on the menus, escort cards and even printed on the sugar cookies which were our wedding favors. Verde Flowers created arrangements in shades of corals and creams interspersed with hundreds of candles to complement the gold tones of the Grand Ballroom and Terrace Room. Ron Ben Israel’s cake with matching flowers was breathtaking. Judy Pak captured our wedding so perfectly with a clean and romantic style that is truly timeless. McKenzie Miller’s videography was brilliant and we received a short clip of our wedding to watch while we were in South Africa on our honeymoon. The Plaza accommodated our every request and the entire team at the Plaza was comprised of the most consummate professionals. We had an interesting progression of music through the evening. A harp and flute duo from Elan Artists played classical music for the ceremony. An Indian trio consisting of a sitar, tabla and flute from Elan Artists played for the cocktail hour. Our DJ Play Something Good had the entire dance floor packed with their clever mix of 80s, 90s and top 40 music for the dinner reception.
Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Videography: McKenzie Miller Films | Wedding Planner: Ang Weddings and Events | Floral Design: Verde Flowers | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes | Invitations: Bella Figura | Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Lena and Andrew Sotomayor | Hair: Styles On B | Lighting: Bentley Meeker | DJ: Play Something Good | Grooms Attire: Gucci | Hotel: The Plaza Hotel | Ceremony And Cocktail Music: Elan Artists
After seven years together this duo wanted their day under the sun and by the sea. The result? A relaxed coastal getaway at the hands of Esoteric Events complete with bouquets of lush Krista Jon blooms, ethereal Amsale gowns, and gorgeous sequined La Tavola linens. Set against the organic Garden Courtyard, Emily Blake captured a gallery illustrating the joy, right here!
From Esoteric Events… I can not say enough amazing things about Cayla and Tyler! I was absolutely honored to have been chosen to be by their side during the planning process and on the wedding day. The ceremony took place in the Garden Courtyard of the Estancia Hotel with all their family and friends in attendance and it was pure magic. Cayla looked breathtaking in her Nardos Imam gown accompanied by a bouquet of lush flowers and etherial hair. After the ceremony guests sipped on cocktails while listening to Israel Maldonaldo playing the spanish guitar. Guests then entered the reception at sunset and danced the night away to the PG Band under warm candlelight tones.
From the beautiful Bride… There were only a few prerequisites my husband and I noted as we first deliberated our nuptials a few days after the whirlwind of our engagement. His ideal wedding would be “small(ish), summer, feels like us.” Mine: “warm, and in California.” Growing up in SoCal, I could hardly consider any other place to get married than under the sun and by the sea. But having lived and fallen in love in Dallas, with a fiancé hailing from Kansas City, I hoped he would be as open to the idea of a wedding 1,500 miles away. Thankfully, all parties were keen on the idea of a summer getaway to the coast to say “I do,” and La Jolla ended up being the most beautiful destination to do so.
When it came down to venue for our ceremony and reception, we agreed it would be ideal to have both in the same location as the hotel where our guests could stay in order to create the “vacationing with friends” setting we had hoped for. After dating seven years, we were thrilled at the opportunity to unite all our friends and family from across the country who have supported us throughout our journey as a couple to celebrate altogether. Estancia La Jolla, nestled right up the hill from downtown La Jolla village, proved to be the perfect host to our gathering, providing both an incredible backdrop for the celebration and elegant accommodations for our guests.
Planning is something I’ve always loved to do for my friends – parties, showers, group gatherings—you name it, I love to flush out the details. But when it came to planning our own wedding, I was overjoyed to take a backseat (okay, maybe passenger seat!) and let Esoteric Events take the reins of our big day. Our vision was so easily translated that I felt completely assured the day would be just as casually glamorous as I had hoped: a juxtaposition of a lush, organic backdrop highlighting the natural beauty of California with luxurious hints of my favorite color: sparkles! I envisioned a backdrop of neutrals with touches of glitz and soft pops of color throughout, and Krista Jon for Archive helped to create the perfect culmination of the two within our floral arrangements. Our cocktail and reception areas were accented with gorgeous gold-sequined linens from La Tavola, and the mercury glass and candlelight pieces from Archive Rentals created a beautifully-lit reception. Each detail came together to create a relaxed and refined celebration that felt just “like us” (as per the groom’s requirements!). And it wouldn’t have been a party without the help of PG Band, who held helped keep the dance floor rockin’ well into the wee hours of the morning!
It’s hard to believe after a little over a year of planning our wedding has already come and gone, but we were so lucky to have our incredibly supportive group of loved ones surrounding us through the best weekend of our lives. We couldn’t be more thankful to the vendors and friends who helped create such magical memories. Thank you for sharing in our joy!
Photography: Emily Blake Photography | Floral Design: Krista Jon | Wedding Dress: Nardos Imam | Cake: Hey There, Cupcake! | Ceremony Venue: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa | Reception Venue: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Hair & Makeup: 10.11 Makeup | Lighting: Five Star AV | Band: PG Band | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Ceremony Music: Israel Maldonado | Bridal Party Robes: Personalized Brides | Coordination & Design: Esoteric Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Tanning: Plush Tan | Wedding Rings & Bands: Matthew Trent
As I sit surrounded by wedding to-do lists, a fully planned surprise celebration kind of sounds like heaven. These two had put planning on hold – unable to find a date that worked for all. So the Bride’s mom, along with Poppy Lane Design and Gibson Events, took over and Ely Fair Photography snapped away. Pen Weddings captured every surprise squeal and kiss, and this film will make a romantic out of anyone – guaranteed.
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/116516497 600 338]
From Pen Weddings… The story is what makes this film and photo submission so special. Sami and Joe were trying to plan a small, family wedding… but even that was proving to be difficult since they couldn’t find a date when all of their immediate family could attend. They put planning “on hold”… but when an opportunity presented itself, Sami’s mom Susan had the idea to plan the wedding and surprise Sami with it. She made sure Joe was in agreement, and along with the help of family, planner Lindsay Gibson, and other wedding pros, they pulled off an unforgettable event.
Photography: Ely Fair Photography | Cinematography: PenWeddings | Event Planning: Gibson Events | Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design | Cake: Raspberries And Creme | Stationery: Chirps & Cheers | Makeup: Chelsey Ann Artistry | Hair: Dry/Shop | Lighting: Innovative Event Solutions | Hotel: Ambassador Hotel | Bride's Dress: Kate Spade | Farm Tables: Kahoy Studios | Rentals: Marianne's Rentals for Special Events | Rentals: Mood Party Rentals
When you stumble upon a DIY project that makes a major style statement without working up a sweat, it’s like striking gold. Well, you’ve hit the jackpot with this patterned tray DIY from The Lovely Drawer! Give your plain trays a glam makeover with a coat of gold paint and a pop of patterned paper to dazzling effect.
This incredibly easy and inexpensive project is the perfect way to instantly update your home. With endless combinations of colors and patterns to try, why not go for that bold accent and just as easily change it on a dime!
Firstly cover the inside of your tray with scrap paper to fit. Tape down if necessary.
Spray paint the tray ridge and under side and leave to dry.
Then measure the inside of your tray and cut your patterned paper to fit.
Tape around the inside part of the ridge to prevent glue from getting on the metallic areas.
Using your mod lodge and sponge brush, cover the inner section with glue and then press the patterned paper into place carefully. Smooth out any air bubbles and then leave to dry under some heavy books to keep it flat. If you are worried about wrinkling you could spray mount your paper to a sheet of card the same size before glueing it to the inside of the tray.
Once dry apply a coat of Mod Podge on top of the patterned paper and leave to dry.
Then apply another 1-2 coats to properly seal the paper and make it water resistant. Leave to dry in between.
Once totally dry you can peel away the protective tape and get piling stuff onto your new tray!
Design And Photography: The Lovely Drawer | Vendor: Wedding Party Celebrations
Searching for an easy and affordable way to decorate an empty wall? Thanks to Emily A. Clark, we’re convinced a statement plate wall is everything we want and more. What makes plate walls such a great alternative to a piece of art or a mirror is that they are relatively inexpensive, can cover a large area and continue to grow as you collect more plates! Whether you choose to keep it simple and chic or mix and match to your wildest dreams, plate walls are the perfect way to serve up your sense of style.
Make the right statement with a few of Emily A. Clark‘s best pointers on hanging the plate wall of your dreams. Find out where to find inexpensive plates, how to make a big impact with your plate wall and five more helpful tips!
After countless dumps of snow in Boston this season, I was planted firmly in the “completely over winter” camp. That was, until, this photo session from Jake Anderson, Flora & Ephemera and Emily Grace Designs hit my computer screen. With gorgeous styling and cool tones evoking wintertime beauty, it actually made long for a few more days of snowy bliss before spring. Browse the pretty here!
From Jake Anderson…When I was a child, growing up in the Midwest, I remember walking the fields near our home during sunset, and being completely mesmerized by the tones, the colors, the emotions of the last warm light of day reflecting off the cold environment of a land covered in snow. Inspired by this, we desired to pull in a pastel palate, accented with complimenting warm, rich tones in order to display an event befitting the winter season.
An underlying narrative to this shoot is the simplicity in which the bride is surrounded. It is her, and her surroundings, paired with the essentials of a wedding: a stunning gown, a bold and unruly bouquet, and a table detailed with natural elements foraged from the surrounding environment. Elements which evoke an image of a bride whom is deeply connected to nature, and require participants to partake in her desire to adhere to simple, natural aesthetics.
Photography: Jake Anderson | Florist: Flora & Ephemera | Wedding Gown: Marchesa | Hair: Leah Anderson | Venue: Private Residence | Paper Goods: Kindenshop | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Stylist: Emily Grace Designs
Just last month, celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, confirmed they were expecting their first child together! Sources speculate that the baby is due in April, and the couple are choosing to keep the gender a surprise. While the paps closely monitor Jessica’s baby bump as she works on set of her new movie, all of us here at the SMP offices can only think about one question: how will they decorate the nursery?
Will Justin and Jessica pick a traditional theme or go modern? If their romantic Italian nuptials were any indication, maybe a little glitz and glam is in order? Thankfully, we’ve got plenty of baby room inspiration to tide us over until the springtime due date!
Entertainment: Gary Russo
Feeling under the weather? Give yourself a fighting chance against the cold, flu and other nasties with this potent concoction from Nomad Luxuries. Made with pineapple, ginger and garlic, this juice is chock full of vitamin C and ingredients with antimicrobial properties. Whether you feel a bug coming on or you’re in the full blown sniffles and sneezes stage, whip up this magic elixir!
| prep time 10 Minute/s | cook time | total time 10 Minute/s |
Recipe And Photography: Nomad Luxuries
We love the look of a well-lived home, but every so often we’re seduced by the clean and sleek aesthetic of a minimalist living space. If only it were as easy as hitting the reset button! Modern room design that stays functional can be deceptively difficult to achieve. Thankfully, Amanda of The Fashionable Hostess shares her expertise with eight helpful tips to give your living room a modern, minimalist look.
Photography: The Fashionable Hostess
I couldn’t think of a better way to dive into the weekend than by introducing you to the incredible Spring/Summer 2015 Collection of Erica Elizabeth Designs. Showcasing a breathtaking range of head ornaments, halos and incredibly gorgeous veils, every piece in this collection is created with hand-detailed craftsmanship.
Erica Elizabeth Designs newest collection celebrates the exquisite artistry of medieval design featuring layers of delicate metal florals, hand-fabricated flowers + leaves and stunning accessories which make a bride feel like a queen on her big day. Staying true to her design roots, Erica Elizabeth creates handmade pieces that are impeccably crafted and effortlessly elegant.
Delivering the opulence and detail of days gone by to today’s bride, I’m just a bit head-over-heels for this endlessly romantic collection. To see it all for yourself, head over here.
[dotted]
Photography: Caroline Tran | Gowns: Claire Pettibone
SMP’ers, it’s that time again. Time to shake off those snow-laced boots and trade in our winter chill for some sunshine in the form of airy gowns and bloomed bouquets. It’s time to indulge our senses in a little something we like to call Social Hour! The prettiest place to be, we’ve rounded up your Pinterest and Instagram favorites of the week. So, sit back and bask in the beauty with the prettiest pics below!
[dotted]
ONGOING GIVEAWAYS…
Williams Sonoma
Allure Bridals
Maggiano’s Little Italy
[dotted]
This week’s DISCOUNTS…
Squarespace
Zola
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Wedding Paper Divas
Lovesick Wedding Expo
Invitations by Dawn
[dotted]
For our California Brides… Discount from Gretchen Gause Photography, Surf and Sand Resort, and Greg Finck Photography, and don’t miss the Love Tour Bridal Bash giveaway + discount!
For our Northwest Brides… Discount from Meant2Be Events and Countryside Floral
For our New England Brides… Discount from Hyatt Regency Cambridge
For our Mid-Atlantic Brides… Don’t miss the Outer Banks Wedding Showcase + giveaway!
For our Tri-State Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and don’t miss the Lihi Hod Trunk Show and Ivy Aster at Lovely Bride
For our Mid-West Brides… Discount from Brideside and discount + giveaway from Kristin La Voie Photography
For our Southwest Brides… Discount from Brideside
For our Destination Brides… Discount from Greg Finck Photography
Combine crazy awesome vows (“You’re like an avocado, you make everything better”) with a bohemian meets whimsical party and the results are all kinds of awesome. Picture colorful blooms from Sharla Flock Designs, the fab stylings of Downey Street Events and a sweet 70’s vibe woven throughout the entire evening. Fall in love with every moment captured by D.Lillian Photography right here.
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/120667034 600 338]
From D. Lillian Photography… Beyond Fall being my favorite season in the history of seasons, having the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Fall where the leaves and all their colors make up the natural background to an intimate ceremony is kind of like a “work day” jackpot for me. Add a stunning couple and thoughtful, profound vows (still smiling from Jenn’s line of, “You’re like an avocado, you make everything better”), and it’s already the most quintessentially perfect wedding day that not even a Pinterest board could replicate.
Besides all the aesthetically beautiful elements from this day, there really is something so exhilarating about seeing two people you’ve been rooting for from the very beginning, wholeheartedly choose a life together. My perspective as a photographer is always a bit different, possibly biased, when I know (love) the couple personally, but in every sense of the word, these two belong with each other, and I have about 2,500 images to prove it.
From the Bride… It’s almost impossible to articulate the wedding “theme” we created, because it was much more of a feeling we wanted to create than anything. I’d say overall it was a little 70’s hippy, a little boho glam, a little country club, a little whimsical, and just a whole lot of Jenny and Jeremy. We wanted people to be smiling, comfortable, warm, at ease, and just having fun. If we could’ve lived in another decade it would’ve been the 70’s for sure so we wanted that to shine through a little bit, too. We wanted the day to feel like us.
Almost all of our vendors were friends of ours, people in our everyday lives that are important to us, or they were highly recommended from friends who know us well. We also used a lot of Etsy shops – there is something so special about certain Etsy vendors, they put their heart in soul into their craft and it really shows, we also loved supporting their small businesses and having such personalized items. The groomsmen ties/bow ties, which were specially customized for us, tied everything together in the most perfect way. It’s all about the small things in life, right?
Every single little detail had meaning or some kind of story behind it. We choose one of our best friends to marry us (someone who knew us in both our lives NYC and CA). We brought in wine from our favorite hippy winery, Casa Nuestra. We wanted all the bridesmaids and groomsmen to choose their dresses and suits with a little color direction so the look would come together in an organic and natural way. I wore my hair down because I wanted to look like myself.
We held the ceremony outside under beautiful oak trees in hopes it would create a peaceful aura – nature can be very powerful. We all know it’s not a party without a hashtag, so we had to incorporate that in fun and cute ways! My dress was a huge part of the inspiration – Uma by Rosa Clara. The woman at the boutique told me months ago the meaning behind “Uma” was “goddess of the sun” and that felt so right for a CA wedding, that was it, I knew I had found it.
Photography: D Lillian Photography | Cinematographer: Hit Maker Films | Event Design: Downey Street Events | Event Planning: Downey Street Events | Floral Design: SHARLA FLOCK DESIGNS | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara Soft Collection | Invitations: Aerialist Press | Ceremony Venue: Silverado Resort | Wedding Favors: Lulusugar | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Attire: Divine Domestication | Bride's Heels: BHLDN | Hair/Makeup: Grasshopper Salon | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photography - Assistance: Jessica Rowland | Rentals: Wine Country Party
Every little thing about this shoot is a dream to me. Honestly, if I could bottle all the details styled by Sandrine Pesante and Jacques Dessange I would in a heartbeat. Luckily for all of us, Ian Holmes captured this absolutely perfect shoot in a way that makes my heart sing, and you can get lost in all that lovely here.
Staying away from sophisticated decoration, fancy dresses or hair style, opting instead for something naturally elegant and beautiful. The natural feel was achieved by using simple materials like wood, linen, raffia, shell, as well as natural make-up, white flowers of the centerpieces, the dress, the choice of table setting and of course the natural beauty of our model Fanny.
We created a relaxed and romantic space with pillows as a seating area, an intimate table setting with a wooden table and the sunset overlooking the sea.
With sensibility in the poses, the stunning raw landscape and the natural tones of the table decoration complimented perfectly the overall feel of the photoshoot.
Photography: Ian Holmes Photography | Styling: Sandrine Pesante - Elegance In France | Florist: Multi Fleurs | Wedding Dress: Mademoiselle De Guise | Makeup: Que Du Bonheur | Hair Stylist: Jacques Dessange | Film Scanning: UK Film Lab | Model: Fanny Houseaux
Earlier today, we brunched in style with Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni—South African style with a bit of Tuscan influence, that is. And we’re continuing the festivities this afternoon with the jaw-dropping wedding portion, drenched in burgundy, lavender and blush. Tuscan Dream, Wedding Concepts and La Rosa Canina each added their charming touches and you can see it all right here.
From Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni…When we left Rome, we had no idea what to expect on arrival in South Africa. Not only had we never traveled so far south before, but also we had never been so far away from home! However, our biggest fear in the end was not being able to interpret the light that we may find in this distant country! How would it be different to Italy, would we be able to distort it, work with it and produce work similar to what we would create back home? Who knew!
From the minute we stepped off the plane we realized that this would have been impossible. The light in South Africa is unique and inimitable. The constant wind that sweeps everything away creates a clear and fresh canvas, full of facets, even on rainy days. We hoped we would shoot on a beautiful sunny day, but an unusual spring thunderstorm greeted us and accompanied us throughout the shoot.
Despite this, the light that we found was perfect and unique. Totally in line with what we had in mind of “union” and “marriage” between Africa and Tuscany! We love to harness the natural light when we shoot and in this case the constant changes in brightness and contrast have led to a result extremely heterogeneous and totally in line with our general ideas.
The work of the wonderful team of people from both Tuscany and South Africa have led to a result creating the perfect balance between raw and rural elegance. We loved all the colour contrasts between cooler cypress and lavender mixed amongst warm earth African tones!
From Carolina Casini of Tuscan Dream…When planning my latest trip to South Africa I would never in my wildest dreams imagined that it would be so different from all my previous ones. I had always loved the time at my parents’ house on the beach where yoga, running, swimming and reading were my favorite activities, which I always guarded jealously…but not this time…
A week before my departure, completely out of the blue, I received a call from Tommaso saying that he met Lisa & Gianluca in Milan the previous weekend and that they were all wondering what I was up to because they hadn’t heard from me lately. During our last dinner I shared with them my deep love for South Africa, talking about its blue skies, the energy and creativity of this gorgeous country as well as its commitment to change and told them I was planning to return to Cape Town at the end of the wedding season.
Next thing I knew, by the end of the phone conversation we had 4 tickets to South Africa, and I wasn’t flying alone anymore and guess what…I wasn’t going to be attending any yoga classes or relaxing, instead I would be planning an inspirational wedding photo shoot!
Now how to plan an inspirational shooting in a foreign country in less than 2 weeks that’s another story and involves my company TuscanDream having had the privilege to meet and get to know our friends at Wedding Concepts, a leading wedding planning agency in Cape Town. Like TuscanDream, Wedding Concepts specializes in working with a distinctive international clientele and are committed to deliver beautifully customized, luxury weddings.
Many of the best things in life are those that happen serendipitously. Our inspirational wedding project in South Africa has brought together creativity and friendship as a beautiful unexpected gift to an awesome photo shoot!
Tommaso of La Rose Canina Firenze…When Carolina Casini first spoke of the idea of potentially one day shooting an inspiration bridal shoot in the Cape Town wine region of South Africa – the idea immediately both impressed me and filled me with joy! This simply had to happen!
The presence of our close knit creative team, which included photographer and friend Lisa Poggi, gave me the confidence that we could, together, be able to create a beautiful result and find a real new inspiration in a country rich in energy and history. For me, this would be my first time visiting South Africa. So I knew this experience was going to be incredibly new and exciting!
When we first started scouting locations in Cape Town, I was struck by the similarities between certain characteristics of Tuscany and the Cape Winelands, the presence of cypress and olive trees as well as plant species typical of my region back home. I began to foster a strong sense of familiarity and at the same time I finally got to admire the indigenous flora in the beautiful botanical gardens of Kirstenbosh and how all the many varieties of Proteas grow so naturally here. I then tried to find inspiration for the entire design of the shoot in this extreme contrast between familiarity and extraordinary.
The “contrast” thus became the main focus for the whole shoot. Color contrast between the dark tones of the leaves we sourced, the fruit of the blueberry and the fig tree, and the brightness of the colour white of the winelands landscapes and Cape Dutch architecture. Contrasting materials were very elegant and others more textural, blending styles that were extremely classic with and ethnic atmospheres – typical of this rich country. All we knew was that we wanted to create together a shoot that spoke about a story of balance, love and joy.
Photography: Lisa Poggi | Event Planning: Tuscandream Weddings | Jewelry: We heart this | Venue: Hawksmoor House | Bridal Shoes: Aliverti | Cake Design: Roxanne Floquet | Calligraphy & Stationary: Betty Soldi | Design & Florals: La Rosa Canina | Female Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Groom Suits And Shoes: Fabiani | Hair & Make Up: Yolande Du Toit | Hiring: Urban Tonic | Male Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Menu & Seating Cards: Secret Diary Designs | Wedding Dress & Bridal Outfits: Stefania Morland | Wedding Management: Wedding Concepts
From the dress to the florals, reception and every detail in between, this California beauty is classic elegance in every sense. Bringing all the formality of a ballroom wedding outdoors, Alegria By Design made certain this bride’s aesthetic came to life and all 2o guests left the day feeling special. The lovelies of TEAM Hair & Makeup beautified the bridal party, and Jasmine Star captured the gallery filled with so much more.
From Alegria By Design… This gorgeous wedding was designed around a palette of creams, champagnes, pale pink and ivories with mixed metals, candle accessories. Flowers used was latte dahlias, pink and cream double bloom garden roses, cream and pink lisianthus, Dusty Miller, pink star jasmine, gardenia, white hydrangea and white phalaenopsis orchid.
From her Pinterest board I could tell that Karen was a classic bride, more black tie and ballroom than garden. My challenge was to create an homogenized design honoring both Karen’s aesthetic and the beautifully lush backdrop that Villa Verano offers up. For Karen and Mohamed’s interfaith ceremony we utilized the overgrown built-in grandstand as the main focal point. We added two flanking large-scale overflowing pedestalled garden urns dripping with florals in muted pinks and creams; we then punctuated the short aisle with piles of rose petals.
In my opinion there is just nothing like an canopy overhead to evoke a sense of wonderment. Canopies make me feel like I did when I rode “It’s a small world” at Disneyland for the first time…small, special and happy. With just 20 guests in attendance I though an simple canopy over the richly textured feasting table was just the ticket! The table was illuminate by candle light after guests were treated to an exceptionally dazzling Santa Barbara sunset. It was such a pleasure to design Karen’s beautiful day. It was appropriately formal and graciously casual at all the right times and places!
Photography: Jasmine Star | Event Design: Alegria by Design | Event Planning: Alegria by Design | Floral Design: Louloudi Designs | Cake: Christine Dahl Pastries | Shoes: Prada | Caterer: Cook Better Live Better | Hair And Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Transportation: Tours A La Carte | Venue: Estate Wedding And Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Musicians: Marc Bosserman | Rentals: Town And Country Rentals
This piece of pretty has pastel perfection written all over it. Cotton candy? Check! Confetti filled balloons? Check! Funfetti sprinkle cake? Check! Blush coupe champagne tower? Check! From soft pastel Noonan’s Wine Country Designs blooms, to big blue skies, to the pool-side lounging a la Bon Puf, every sweet detail coordinated by Lovelyfest Event Design was seamlessly captured by Kelsea Holder, here
From Lovelyfest Event Design… This wedding shoot was inspired by the whimsy of summer- soft pastels, big blue skies, and pool-side lounging. We wanted this shoot to have a cotton-candy pastel look, and to incorporate a romantic retro feel. Taking inspiration from photographers like Gray Malin, we created a soft pastel palette with water being the central focus of a lot of this shoot! From the bright blue pool water behind the sweets table, to the dining table on the dock of a beautiful lush pond, topped with adorable natural lily pads. We incorporated hints of a retro feel within the bride’s soft curls and simple makeup, and in the dining tables with bright gold stars on lucite looking ghost chairs. We just knew we had to get the adorable Bon Puf to bring in the cotton-candy aspect of our shoot, and her cheery face did not disappoint! Her large poofs of cotton candy matched perfectly with the color scheme and added that bit of fluff that we wanted! Not to mention it is a super cute idea to have her little cotton candy cart at your wedding! We took this cotton candy feel and also incorporated it into the linens, using the most ruffled, full, and gorgeous linens we could find! Atop the dining table, Borrowed Blu provided the perfect antique place settings and gold flatware, adorned with vintage lucite place cards and lovely florals by Noonan’s Designs. We accented this glittery table with pastel confetti and tall gold candelabras with bubblegum pink taper candlesticks. All contributing to the adorably retro and fun feel of our shoot!
We hope this shoot inspires brides and grooms alike that the retro whimsical feel of summer can be recreated at any time of the year and is such a fun way to relive the best season of the year!!
Photography: Kelsea Holder Photography | Event Design: Lovelyfest | Floral Design: Noonan's Designs | Wedding Gown: Ivy And Aster | Cake: Paper Cake Events | Makeup: Alex Evans | Hair: Becky Wolfe | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Private Estate | Cotton Candy: Bon Puf | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Model: Shawnee Badger | Reception Dress: Lovely Bridal Shop | Rentals: borrowed BLU
I absolutely adore a unique and inspiring venue. They never fail to make my heart pitter patter just a wee bit faster. So this whimsical shoot at San Antonio Zoo captured by Diaz And Diaz Weddings and beautifully designed by Statue Of Design is so up my alley. Trust me, it’s sure to inspire your entire day, and you can see what I mean right here.
From Statue of Design…Inspiration for our photo shoot at the San Antonio Zoo came from a combination of various elements. We had been itching to do a styled shoot at the zoo, but wanted to make sure that our details were cohesive but not overpowering the star attractions at the venue…the animals. With the San Antonio Zoo’s upcoming centennial anniversary, we thought the time was perfect to gather together some of our colleagues and work on a vintage zoo inspired shoot. We worked with Bella Bridesmaids in selecting a muted pastel color palette as a throwback to the vintage “carnival” era. The bridal party featured various floral elements complementing the soft color palettes, from pink to yellow’s and even soft blues. We worked with the team at Spice of Life catering in developing a whimsical themed menu highlighting the catering company’s bold flavors. Our colleagues at Event Ignition highlighted the venue’s unique space with their superior lighting skills, while Luxe Event Décor provided stunning rentals from chameleon chairs to their raj tents. And lastly we worked with Girl General on all of our paper products from invitations to menu, tying in zoo elements as well as paying homage to the vintage theme.
Photography: Diaz And Diaz Weddings | Event Design: Statue of Design | Floral Design: Statue of Design | Wedding Dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Invitations: Girl General | Reception Venue: San Antonio Zoo | Catering: Spice Of Life | Lighting Design: Event Ignition | Rentals: Luxe Event Decor
I love the unexpected—the mashups of pretty that I could never dream up. But Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni, Carolina Casini of Tuscan Dream and Tommaso Torrini of La Rosa Canina Firenze? They are exceeding my wedding expectations today with this blend of Tuscan elegance and South African earthiness. We’re starting with this cozy brunch and later, there’s even more gorgeous to follow.
From Lisa Poggi & Gianluca Gasperoni…When setting out to create an inspirational wedding shoot, one tends to push boundaries and create a look with people who you have most likely formed strong working relationships with over the years. Now take four Italians – three of who have never been to South Africa – and their vision of producing a beautiful shoot where European style straight out of Tuscany would meet their South African counterpart.
Carolina Casini of the internationally renown villa rentals & destination weddings managing agency TuscanDream turned to South Africa’s most exclusive and creative wedding management and design company Wedding Concepts, to act as collaborative creative consultants and to assist this dynamic Italian team in creating an original shoot to combine Italian charm & South African elegance in the Cape Winelands. The team consisted of internationally renowned wedding and lifestyle photographer Lisa Poggi and her partner, fashion photographer Gianluca Gasperoni, and of course incredible Tuscan floral extraordinaire, Tommaso Torrini of La Rosa Canina Firenze.
It was up to all these new personalities to pull off a shoot in only a few days, whilst ensuring that everyone was on the same page, creatively! One significant thought that was realized in this whole exercise is that creativity doesn’t have a distinctive language and the results are simply exquisite. Which goes to show, wherever you are in the world, it’s the joy of working with like-minded personalities that will honestly ensure a beautiful product that everyone can be proud of.
With the superb help and assistance from the team from Wedding Concepts, the Tuscan team was able to secure the support of some of the most renowned names in the South Africa luxury wedding industry! So to explain the look, we imagined two moments in our wedding story: an intimate welcome dinner and then of course the wedding day.
In the first story the materials, colors and shapes are the most typical of the colorful mix of cultures in South Africa. The atmosphere is light and the look is about simplicity and relaxation. On the day of the wedding however, to compliment the design of the wedding dress and the rich look of our bride and groom, the flowers and table settings frame and complement the idea of the contrast between classic elegance and simple organic features. The flowers and foliage collected in the field of our location were mixed with the rich raw materials of the stationery and elements around the venue. The result, a stark contrast that created a clear balance between classic elegance and raw simplicity.
Photography: Lisa Poggi | Event Planning: Tuscandream Weddings | Jewelry: I Pesci Che Volano | Venue: Hawksmoor House | Bridal Outfits: Stefania Morland | Bridal Shoes: Aliverti | Cake Design: Roxanne Floquet | Calligraphy & Stationary: Betty Soldi | Design & Florals: La Rosa Canina | Female Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Groom Suit And Shoes: Fabiani | Hair & Make Up: Yolande Du Toit | Male Model: Ross Chaplin from D&A Model Management | Wedding Management: Wedding Concepts
Kathryn McCrary knows a lot of talented ladies; from the painters to the crafters of beautiful hand lettering (ahem Ashley Buzzy we’re talking about you). It might be an Atlanta thing or a creative people flock together thing. But, whatever the case, we love to catch a glimpse of these talents at work. Have a look at Ashley’s Lettering Workshop and stay tuned for a tutorial + awesome giveaway up next.
From Ashley… I started teaching workshops in the summer of 2014. It really came to me by request: a lot of my current clients were interested in what I did and curious to see if they could do it too. I knew I wasn’t the best calligrapher in the world, so I made sure that it was a class for beginners: basics that I knew I could teach. I held my first class at my studio with a few flower arrangements I made myself and a high priority on making sure everyone had a mimosa. My thought process was that calligraphy is harder and more frustrating than anyone expects, and I wanted the students to have fun, take in some beauty and enjoy themselves while they worked.
What I didn’t know is what teaching would spark inside of me. I realized that teaching calligraphy made everything in my own heart and mind click into place. I learned how to explain what I did, which made me realize different ways that I could be doing it better. It made me eager to seek more information so that I could give those students as much knowledge as possible. It cut through the fog of competition and comparison that so many artists struggle with. I wasn’t working against these people, I was coming alongside them. Their victories had something to do with me. I helped! I’ll never forget the first time that feeling washed over me – from that point onward I realized: I am a teacher.
Coming from a weddings and events background, I am also a hostess. I thought if I subjected my students to six hours of calligraphy drills, I wanted to treat them with surprises in their supply kits, amazing food at lunch, fresh cinnamon-covered doughnuts, the good coffee, and yes – more champagne. From that, traditions were born! My assistant and I have now hosted ten workshops to date, and we always eat, pop some bubbly, and get to know the people who learn with us. This experience has introduced me to some of the most beautifully creative people, it’s motivated me to travel to meet them and it’s improved and inspired my work like nothing else has. It motivated us to move into a beautiful new space in Atlanta where we could have people over for pour-over coffee and some good old shop-talk. I sincerely can’t wait to meet the people who take our classes this year – the adventure awaits!
Photography: Kathryn Mccrary | Florals: Martha McIntosh | Food: Homespun | Artist/Host: Ashley Buzzy | Dessert: Sugar and Slate | Dessert: Sugar and Slate | Drinks: Reuben Bidez | Location: Foster ATL
