Happy Easter!

I know I'm a few days early, but Happy Easter!
If you have a few minutes to kill, check out this website:
www.peepresearch.org
The people this started this site have a little more than a few minutes to kill, but this is funny nonetheless!

Ah...Inspiration

It's hard to find photos that will help you brainstorm wedding ideas. So, what's a Bride and Groom to do? Turn to the web, and check out some great blogs that focus on the details, minus the advertising. So, who are a few of my favorites?
Here are a couple:
http://www.stylemepretty.com/
http://fuzzynk.wordpress.com/
Fuzzynk is the brainchild of my bride, Sarah. You can see Sarah's (and Rudy's!) gorgeous face and amazing details here and here.

Enjoy!

Eden and Duane

Eden and Duane were married at the Pala Mesa Resort last year. It was a stunning day, made even better by a couple that are truly in love! I love that in every photo I've seen, both Eden and Duane are beaming! I have a lot of favorite parts of the day, but I think my "most favorite" is the very personal gobo, created by Haydee and the fabulous team at Concepts. Eden and Duane both have matching tattoos that read "Meant to Be." So, from a photo I took of Duane's arm with my camera phone, Concepts made an amazing gobo.

All of this was accented by Jennifer Cole's florals. The room was covered with hydrangeas, tons of candles and a really fun dance crowd! Eden and Duane, thank you so much for the experience, you have a great group of family and friends, and I loved being with you on your wedding day!

The photos you see here are courtesy and copyright of Michael S Kelley Photography. Mike and Bev, you guys are great! I really enjoyed working with you, and hope I get to do it again soon!

Let there be light!

I always say that the best decor is lighting! Candles, holiday lights, luminarias, pillars, tapers, lanterns.. you name it! The best part? Most of this you can do yourself, with a small investment of time and money. A great example is Laura and Brian's wedding this past December. I received a beautiful photo from Melissa McClure today. A few swags of lights on the balcony of the Sheraton really packed a punch. Enjoy!

Rosie and Nandi

Rosie and Nandi were married this past weekend at the Los Palos Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes. Because the wedding was a few hours away from my home base, I stayed up in Redondo Beach for the weekend! The weather was even better than I expected, and I had a blast! It was wonderful working with new vendors up north like Rebecca and Angelo. Rosie and Nandi had a photobooth, and did a really neat toast called an "Amore" toast. To the song, "That's Amore," the entire bridal party and the newlyweds walked around the party to clink glasses with family and friends.

Rosie and Nandi, I loved getting to know you and I think you are perfect for each other! Your family and friends were so warm and inviting--I had an amazing time this weekend!

All of the photos you see here are courtesy and copyright of the wonderful Kim Irons.

Erin and Dan

Erin and Dan married last year at Estancia, and it was a stunning day! Erin and Dan's cheerful personalities were definitely represented throughout the entire party--from the jaw-dropping flowers Haydee created, to Mick's groovin' tunes and Marissa and Weston's show-stopping photos. Erin and Dan, it was such a pleasure to be with your on your wedding day! I loved getting to know your families and friends--it was such a fun-loving group! I had a blast, and I know you two will be happy together forever.

Where in the world is Melissa?

My poor blog went into hibernation during my big move. But, I'm now settling in and am looking forward to my second wedding of the year next week!

I'm looking forward to getting back in to blogging, and wanted to share a really fun photo I received today from Erin and Dan's wedding last year. The photo is courtesy and copyright of Boucher Photography. Check back often, new events will be on my blog coming soon!

USPS Raises its Rates!

Did you know that as of May 12th, postal rates will increase by a penny?

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzstam125573707feb12,0,7298481.story

Be sure to add that additional stamp to your invites. Don't forget to add the new postage to your RSVPs! If you're ordering photo stamps, such as http://www.zazzle.com/, the rate increase isn't reflected quite yet:)

Photo Guest Books

It was recently announced that Polaroid will cease production on Polaroid cameras and film:
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/02/08/polaroid_shutting_2_mass_facilities_laying_off_150/
If you're planning on using anything like this for your wedding guest book, be sure to order now!
The company is making film to last till next year, and I predict that you'll be able to only find this at resources such as eBay moving forward.

Still love the Polaroid look? Consider a digital camera, docking station and quick printer, like:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/photography/camera/1/storefronts/Q8508A%2523A2L

I think it will be pretty funny, a generation or two from now, when we're at our kid's weddings and they will have no idea what "shake it like a polaroid picture" means!

Brides Against Breast Cancer

I wanted to let everyone know about a great gown sale in San Diego at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on February 22nd and 23rd. The sale is sponsored by the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation whose mission is "to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness."

It is a great way to find wonderful dresses, some designer!, for a fraction of the cost, all while helping a great cause. Admission is free, but there is a "Pink Power Hour" from 9-10am that is $20 for early admission.

Already married? You can also donate your gown by clicking here.

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.makingmemories.org

http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

Rachael and Shannon

When I think about Rachael and Shannon's wedding this past November, I think of laughter and music. They married at SeaGrove Park, with a reception at the Del Mar Racetrack. That's right--we had our own private box and patio to enjoy the festivities!

So much personality was put into the details, and it was a fabulous day. The groom wanted to have his own entrance to the ceremony, and arrived via a very neat chaffeured car. The bride arrived on foot with a bag pipe player. Guests were treated to a double decker bus ride, complete with a tour of Del Mar and champagne!

Arriving at the reception, Rachael and Shannon were announced via trumpet. Not just any trumpet player, mind you, but THE trumpet player for the races. You know--the "da, da, da, da, da, daah...." you hear before every race, and on the commercials.

These jaw-dropping florals and photos, were created by Belle Fleur and Mark Hopkins, respectively. I'm always excited to work with Amina and Mark, as every event we've done together has been so wonderfully unique and creative.

Rachael and Shannon, working with you both was such a treat. I know that your marriage will be filled with laughter, love and music!

On the other side.....

I love throwing parties--being a host, setting a mood....It's especially great because it helps me remember what it's like to be on the "other side"--to feel a bit of stress to pull off my own event, versus helping others plan their own perfect day. While my husband's 30th birthday wasn't a wedding celebration, it was a catered event for 50 friends and family in our home. We served Asian food and even gave out chopsticks to guests as a party favor! The party was a little while back, but I received photos from my dear friend Max last night. A special shot out to Mick, the Elite British DJ, for allowing us to play with one of his systems!

HOME SWEET HOME!

YAY! Brett and I just got the keys on our brand new digs. I'm really excited to move and fix up the place.... Even though the house will need some TLC, I'm excited to put Brett to work...I mean, clean and paint.
Soon I'll have an in-home studio that will be a great place to plan and brainstorm for your big day. This will take a bit of time, but I will certainly share photos when this is done. I'm very enthusiastic about this project!
There will be a few dates where I'll be moving both my home and my office and I will be keeping everyone abreast of these dates.
Cheers!

Real Simple Wedding Book

I became addicted to Real Simple a few years back when one of my brides gifted me with a subscription. I really dig reading articles on organization, as well as fun creative projects:) So, when I found out a while back that they were coming out with a wedding book, I was excited!

Check it out, here.

Real Simple also offers some fun, yet practical wedding advice on their website here.

If you buy the book, please let me know what you think. You can purchase the book through Crate and Barrel.

27 Dresses

One of the best ways to get excited about wedding season is to see a wedding movie. There will be several this year, but 27 Dresses is the first! I'm hoping it's a good movie, but even if it isn't, seeing all the funny bridesmaid dresses should be pretty interesting! Are you seeing this movie?

A Meeting of the Melissas

Melissa, Melissa and I met at CPK yesterday. Melissa is Melissa McClure, wedding photog and a bride-to-be. Melissa 2.0 is Melissa Koehler, another great wedding photog and assistant to Melissa McClure. It is always fun spending time with like minds, as well as like names! I always enjoy being with photographers, their creativity is so inspiring.

What inspires you?

Happy Friday!

Lori and Matt

Lori and Matt were married this past summer at the beautiful Prado.

It was a morning ceremony and it was an abnormally chilly day--at first. About an hour before the ceremony, it became warm and gorgeous! I was so happy that Matt and Lori had a lovely backdrop to exchange their wedding vows. The reception was intimate and filled with tons of great touches. Lori created a really neat program that showcased tons of photos of her and Matt growing up, as well as together. We even had sugars shaped in a heart for coffee, and parasols for the guests! Jerry was on the hand for the ceremony and Linda designed the beautiful flowers. All of the images are courtesy and copyright of Rebecca Seal.

Lori and Matt, it was such a pleasure! Thank you so much for a great experience!

Helen and Max

Helen and Max married recently at La Valencia. Throughout the planning process, Helen was finishing law school, as well as studying for the bar, as well as being back in Tennessee. We collaborated over a years time to create the perfect destination wedding for their friends and families! Haydee created the beautiful arrangements and Daniel kept the dance floor popping! Two of my favorite details of this wedding were the blue cake, and the color palette--both of which worked beautifully with the vintage flair of the hotel. Helen and Max, it was a pleasure! I wish you a liftetime of happiness. All of the images you see here are courtesy and copyright of the fabulous Rebecca Seal.

Laura and Brian

Laura and Brian were married last week at the Sheraton in Harbor Island. The property was recently remodeled and it looks great! They traveled from Texas, and it was a blast! Laura and Brian's wedding was elegant and classic, with wonderful touches such as holiday ornaments as favors/placecards for the guests. The color palette was selected to honor their love for Texas A & M...go Aggies! I loved working with the photographers Jen (who's work you can see in the first photo--copyright Jen Harris) and Melissa (her work is the second photo--copyright Melissa McClure).

It was a chilly day, but all worked out great with the weather. Laura's hair turned out AWESOME. Definitely one of my favorite wedding looks! Brian, you looked pretty great, too:)

I feel honored to have been with you on your wedding day--thanks so much for everything!

Cookie

I'm always talking about, or showing pics of my dog Cookie. My husband and I are huge animal lovers, and love all different types of animals. Here's a recent photo of her....

Cookie is a Pekingese, and she was adopted from the San Diego Humane Society over seven years ago. The Humane Society is an organization near and dear to my heart. In fact, I even donated to them in lieu of wedding favors when I got married. Cookie is a great dog, and is snoring next to me while I'm working today:)