Meghan & Michael: A Perfect La Jolla Wedding

July 24, 2012 Leave a Comment

Meghan and Michael planned a best of the best La Jolla wedding!  Since they were both beach kids, being raised in La Jolla and now living there again, they “had” to get married on the sand.  Well, at least Michael had to get married on the sand and Meghan was marrying him so, by default, they were planning a sand ceremony!  The best place for a wedding on the beach in La Jolla is the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.  Meghan and Michael worked with the Adorations floral team to plan a beautiful blush pink, ivory, and beach wood decor.  Meghan arrayed her bridesmaids in navy and the gentlemen in navy sport coats and khaki pants to give the event a bit of a beachy-nautical feel.  The ring bearers were even clad in mini-sear suckers–a perfect compliment to the look!

For the ceremony, Adorations used a combination of the blush pinks and ivories with beechwood to continue with the nautical motif.  The look was elegant but reflected a more casual, beachy feel.  The bridesmaids were also all in flat sandals for the ceremony which fit the look perfectly.  We love the bottom photo of the entire wedding party down at La Jolla Shores!  One of our new favorite photos!Following the ceremony, Meghan and Michael headed for the reception at the La Jolla Country Club in style.  Check out the fantastic car below!

Once inside the reception, it was pure elegance.  Meghan used the same blush pink and ivory scheme and then added gold accents to fit with the look of the Country Club.  The reception was a beautiful contrast in tone to the beach ceremony.  Candles lined the beams and filled the tables to create romance and drama.  Adorations added a few white starfish into half the centerpieces to sprinkle in the beach motif but kept the look very elegant and much more formal.  It was a perfect balance!  Cocktails started in the Sunset Room and then the guests were invited into the Living Room for a formal, sit down dinner.

Once dinner and toasts were complete, the real party began!  The crowd danced to the Dirty Birds until midnight with the dance floor full the entire time!  Meghan also created a custom cigar display on the terrace with monogrammed labels that the gentlemen definitely enjoyed.  It was a wonderful affair!

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Rustic Vintage Romance: Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

May 15, 2012 Leave a Comment

Erin and Jason created a perfect “patina of age” vintage wedding–using all things chipped, scratched, faded, or rusted to create a wonderfully nostalgic decor.  The motif was so sweet and the couple equally darling! The Inn at Ranch Santa Fe offered the perfect backdrop for the wedding, with its early California style architecture and outdoor setting. As can really only be done in S. Cal in October, they held the entire wedding outdoors. 

The ceremony occurred underneath a huge old oak tree that Blush Botanicals strung with ribbons.  The ribbons wafting in the breeze throughout the ceremony were dramatic!  Erin & Jason asked guests to write them sweet wishes that were placed in a vintage birdcage.  A rusted tin held the programs.  Notice, also, the succulents in Erin’s bouquet that added to the rustic feel.

Following the ceremony, the cocktail hour occurred on an adjacent terrace and lawn.  Erin and Jason created signature “Mr.” and “Mrs.” drinks that were tray-passed with either pink or grey and white striped straws.  During the cocktail hour, guests (and particularly the children!) played croquet on the lawn.  Michael Tiernan entertained with his fantastic singer-songwriter style.  It was a perfect October day with the Santa Ana winds lightly blowing to keep the temperature warm into the evening.

As the sun began to set, guests were invited to move to a third lawn where twinkle lights zig-zagged and the pink, ivory, burlap, and gold decor created a perfectly romantic feel.  Erin and Jason also put together two seating areas with vintage furniture for their guests to enjoy–with one having a camera and tripod to take photo keepsakes.  The Kicks band kept the dance floor full and guests dined on the Inn’s amazing food and special miniature sweets and cupcakes made by a family friend.  Special thanks to Joie La La Photography for so beautifully capturing this amazing wedding!

Steal This Idea:

Burlap. Ribbons. Rust. And Yarn. Oh my! These four elements, are the main ingredients often used to create a rustic wedding. Whether it’s hanging from a tree, mantle, or wrapped around bottles and vases, these keynotes create the pure vintage package.   And the best vintage items are the ones that are found.  Erin scoured her own family’s attics for old candle sticks, frames, books, tin containers, and even a radio flyer wagon which she incorporated into her decor.  The best vintage is found vintage for sure!  If you can add to your own family’s memories and pull out old photos or favorite vintage pieces to display, it will add a personal touch that honors your family in a very sweet way!
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La Jolla Love: Heart of La Jolla Wedding

May 11, 2012 Leave a Comment

Since Sara and David were planning a wedding in La Jolla, CA, where Sara grew up, they decided to start off their planning by a fun engagement photo shoot all over the village of La Jolla (or what we locals call the heart of La Jolla)!  Look at some of the cute La Jolla landmarks they used for their backdrops!  Since the photos were going to be used on the save-the-date, Sara and David also wanted the pictures to set the tone for their wedding.  They give off a beachy-fun feel and Sara’s shirt is in one of the wedding colors.  The bridesmaid dresses (below) match it almost perfectly!

The wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all took place at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, right in the heart of the village.  Sara grew up at the church and her parents still attend so it is a very important place for her.  The church also has a large hall AND a liquor license for beer, wine, and champagne so it is great place for both a ceremony AND a reception!  Her color scheme, blended beautifully with the So Cal atmosphere.  Sara wanted a beachy feel but still classy and a little formal.  We chose hues of peach, ivory, and seafoam to create this look.  We accented it with sand dollars and star fish, added a simple shell decor to the cake (created by CAKE–love them!) and created custom day-of products that tied in the theme beautifully.  This is a great way to pull your wedding together without spending too much money.  Custom programs, menus, and seating cards aren’t necessarily expensive.    

My theory is that well placed details–rather than over the top decor–are what make an event look classy.  I had one guest remark to me, on the side, that the client must have spent a fortune.  In truth, they didn’t!  They did choose a really good photographer (Sara France–one of my favorites!), they worked with a VERY good and reasonably priced florist (Indulge Flowers–another favorite!), they created custom day of products (thanks to Pink Star Design) that were simple and elegant but not expensive, and we chose simple but lovely linens and got the chivari chairs from a very inexpensive vendor I know out of OC.  Our choices were specific, beautiful, and lending towards simplicity and I think you’ll agree with me that the overall effect is gorgeous!  Sara gave me a budget and a vision and let me design based on that.  It was a true joy to work with them and I always love making an event look truly beautiful and truly fit the client, no matter what the budget is!  Thanks to Sara of Sara France Photography for the photos!

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An Intimately Grande Affair

May 10, 2012 Leave a Comment

Amanda and Mike, exchanged their wedding vows at the historical Grande Colonial Hotel in the heart of La Jolla, CA. Having only twenty-six guests attending the wedding, the Grande Colonial was the perfect choice.  There is no venue I love more for an intimate weddings. The hotel has a wonderful mix of old world elegance and modern flair, and when mixed with the location in the heart of the village, the incredibly gracious staff, and world class food (9-10 restaurant provides the multiple course meals served at all of the Grand Colonial’s events), an experience there is unmatchable.   Amanda came to me just three months before the proposed wedding date and it was a true pleasure to assist her in planning every aspect of her wedding day.  Sara France Photography captured the wedding beautifully.  And Amanda was, as always, stunning.

Shown above, on Amanda’s left shoulder is a tattoo of a pink pixie and “Malinda” in Old-English text. Malinda was Amanda’s grandmother – a woman she adored. Notice how the tatoo and flowers perfectly match!

The ceremony took place just outside the lobby on the terrace steps, with peak ocean views of the La Jolla Cove below.  Patti of Thistle Dew created all of the floral decor.  Amanda wanted to use a mixture of purples and ivories and create a romantic and dramatic look. Cocktails took place in the terrace and by the fireplace in the lobby, and the reception took place in the intimate and beautiful La Jolla room.  We created one long table for all the guests and placed Amanda and Mike in the center.  To create atmosphere and energy, a live pianist entertained throughout the evening.  But the four-course meal and personal toasts were all the entertainment truly needed.  It was a very sweet affair!

The in-house pastry chef from the Grande Colonial provided the cake and I think it is the best wedding cake I have yet tasted!  I was so surprised!  The hotel bills their pastry chef as only providing “simple cakes” so all my previous clients there have brought theirs in.  Never again!  I want Grand Colonial wedding cake from now on! Thank you, as always, to the Grande Colonial for such a wonderful event.

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A Candelas Wedding

May 10, 2012 Leave a Comment

It all happened on All Hallow’s Eve. Superman approached a sweet little bunny and serenaded her with the cheesiest pick up line she had ever heard–causing her to laugh and make her weak in the knees. From then on she was hooked! Vanessa and Nick tied the knot at Cenennial Park on Coronado Island.  Perfect clear blue skies and the San Diego skyscrapers were the backdrop for their San Diego wedding.

After the ceremony, the party continued at Candelas by the Bay, only a few steps away.  The venue offered a contemporary and upbeat atmosphere which tied perfectly with the couple’s personalities.  For decor, Vanessa opted for whites, greys, greens, and lavendars.  The cool colors fit perfectly with a contemporary location and looked gorgeous.  The lavendar flowers against the grey dresses above are gorgeous and the greys, greens, and whites of the reception look so sophisticated.  I always tell a bride that when she selects her color palatte, she doesn’t need to use every color in all aspects of her decor.  The lavendars, greys, and whites work really well for the ceremony and the greens, whites, and greys for the reception were a wonderful balance.

Once dinner finished, the guests lounged on fun furniture set by the dance floor and danced until the early hours.  Check out the cute cake topper below–a perfect nod to how they met!  I love it when clients throw in touches of their personality so that their wedding is so “them.”  Little things like a baseball bat guest book for the baseball loving groom or a salt water taffy favor for the New England bride, are great ways to add character and personality to your wedding.

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The Little Wedding Party

May 10, 2012 Leave a Comment

Move over Bride, it’s the Flower Girl’s time to shine! The sweetest little accessories you can have on your wedding day are the flower girls. In the Victorian Era, a flower girl was a given role to a young woman, where she had to entertain the guests before the arrival of the bride. As centuries have passed, this important role has been placed upon little girls (either family related or close friends). And since they always seem to steal the show, what an important role it is! 

They say that good things come in a pack of three! Two of my former clients got lucky and had the groom’s triplet nieces participate in their wedding. Having each little girl in a different color from the wedding palette was a great idea!

These two sisters (above) were beautiful and look at their creative baskets!  Their more formal attire was perfect for the La Jolla Country Club.  Their sashes also matched the bridesmaid dresses perfectly which was a great way to bring in one of the wedding’s colors.  Below, the coral dresses with gold strappy sandals on the three little flower girls were perfect for a  beach wedding at Paradise Point.  The girls were gorgeous!


 Little men can definitely be fashion forward as well!  Below left, two little boys in suits with fantastic stripped ties await the beginning of a ceremony at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.  Their attire is well suited for a formal church occasion.  Below right, look at the tiny seersucker suits and Perry Ellis shoes on the little boys (who ran down the aisle–luckily the rings were in the pocket of the best man!)!  They were perfectly adorned for a beach wedding at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.  So handsome!

And these two little men below are my favorite! The red and black striped suspenders, not only look adorable but they also brought in the vintage motif of the wedding at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. And instead of ring pillows, they carried a wooden “Here Comes The Bride” sign. I loved it!

I love children in a wedding no matter (almost) how they behave!  I love it if they run down the aisle, decide to collect all the rose petals they have tossed, or need the encouragement of the entire crowd to get to the front (all have happened at my weddings)!  I think they bring a sweetness and lightness that only add to the warmth and love of a wedding day!

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A Whimsical Prado Wedding

May 10, 2012 Leave a Comment

Tammy and Tad had a gorgeous wedding at the Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. Tammy loves Anthropologie and was inspired by the store as she dreamed up her decor. She added creative, eclectic, personal touches to showcase her own sweet whimsical style (check out the teal shoes!) and to tie in her and Tad’s mix of Thai, Chinese, and Japanese traditions. Tammy commissioned her nurses in her office to assist her with making 1000 origami cranes that we hung in strings from the Prado’s balcony. It’s a cultural tradition for Japanese brides to make 1000 paper cranes for their wedding day to represent their hope for a happy marriage.

The bridesmaids attire consisted of gray dresses, teal shoes, yellow bouquets…and these fantastic yellow balloons!  Tammy loved this idea and had the balloons delivered to the Prado as a perfect prop for some of her photos. The wedding began with a traditional American ceremony (where Tammy wore a gorgeous white gown with teal shoes) and then proceeded to a Thai ceremony, known as a sinsod (which of course included an outfit change!), in which the couple are interlinked by their elders and community. For the Japanese side, Tammy (and her nurses) made 1000 origami cranes that were used as seating cards and which we strung from the balcony during the cocktail hour. She added Japanese tea tins to further incorporate a little Japanese culture in a nostalgic way. Tammy wanted a whimsical garden feel to her decor so we focused on bird cages, natural wood, and lots of candles to create natural light.  Check out the bird bath cake table that Chris, from Indulge Flowers created!  I am now completely over standard cake tables.  The bird bath was amazing!  The centerpieces were a mixture of bird cages, wood lanterns, and these amazing ginormous trees!

During the reception, Tammy & Tad further honored Tammy’s Chinese side by doing a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.  The newlyweds served green tea to their primary family (which involved another outfit change!). At this point Tammy had, yes, count them, three dresses (each of them unique and gorgeous on their own).  And then she added a fourth!  Tammy finished the evening in a tea-length 50’s style dress which perfectly accented her and Tad’s choreographed swing “first dance.” We heart Tammy & Tad and are so inspired by Tammy’s love for nostalgic details and whimsical touches!

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Fantastic Engagement Shoot!

April 24, 2012 Leave a Comment

Engagement Photography for San Diego weddings used to be a simple affair.  When I got engaged here six years ago, I headed to the beach with my sweetheart, a great photographer, and about 45 minutes until sunset.  That’s when photo shoots for engaged couples were very simple.  No longer do a few pictures on the beach at sunset do.  Engagement photography has truly become fine art.  A couple of hours is now the minimum amount of time set aside by my brides and grooms.  Most shoots involve multiple locations, a beautiful wardrobe of outfit changes, and whimsical  props.  We’ve seen this trend develop as wedding photography, itself, has evolved.  Once considered second-rate, wedding photographers are now highly esteemed as some of the greatest photographic talent out there.  Sara of Sara France Photography worked with my clients Jessica and Andrew to create a number of looks they had personally designed.  Check out the amazing photos below.  These will truly be treasured!

Engagement photos have truly become art.  They are the portraits that will hang on walls for years (even decades!) to come–and often decorate part of the wedding itself.  They capture the love of the couple at one of its sweetest times…and capture us girls at probably one of the seasons that we look our best (I hang my 30-year-old engagement, wedding, and honeymoon photos all over my house!)  And they serve as time pieces that will be highly valued for years and years.  I am completely in love with this trend!

Steal this idea:

First of all, set aside time!  Photography like this can’t happen in an hour.  Think of locations that showcase the two of you as a couple and clothes that show your personalities.  And please don’t perfectly match!  Being in the same color scheme but in different pieces (and even patterns and textures) is much more visually interesting.  Then add props that feel fun and very you!  Scour the internet to see what other couples have done for fun ideas.  And even if you’re already married, consider doing this same concept with your family.  For our Christmas cards this year, I again headed to the beach with my sweetheart and now my 2-year-old son and we brought our surfboards, a volleyball, sand toys, and yes, two different outfits and hung out as long as said 2-year-old would let us.  And yes, those photos are now hanging on my wall in our surf-inspired decor (and I can still wear short shorts at 36, so why not?).  Regular time pieces like these are an invaluable treasure! I highly recommend it!

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