Cover Beauty, Weddings Unveiled

I die over every Weddings Unveiled cover.  Until this issue I couldn't really figure out why though.  And then as I was reviewing some notes from a brides panel at a wedding professionals workshop I hosted earlier this year, it hit me.  What I love about it is that its just the picture.  A stunning image.  Weddings Unveiled doesn't cover the photo with all the story headlines- just like our brides confirmed at the workshop, "I buy the magazine if I like the cover photo".  You'll find more about this issue on the Unveiled blog.

Styling: Brooke Thomas and Terri J. Ireland. Photographer: Brooke Thomas Gown: Reem Acra

 So the dress.  Yes, Reem Acra, her designs have always been amongst my favorites for always being glamorous.  I wouldn't mind in the slightest if one of my clients this year waltzed down the aisle in this lovely.  Elated.  That is more likely the emotion I would have.

Weddings by Socialites Christmas Card 2010

Digital greeting card created with Smilebox

Our planning and design studio will be closed from December 23,2010 through January 2, 2011, but don't hesitate to contact us because we will be receiving messages.

Aqua and Navy wedding at Tarpon Lodge

This little wedding we had last winter was just the perfect little getaway for a close-knit group of family & friends.  Julie & Derek reserved all the rooms and cottages of Tarpon Lodge and made it a truly intimate affair. I loved the cheerfulness of the colors we used over the weekend.  I find that pairing a rich color like Navy with Aqua adds a little sophistication that is sometimes lost when Aqua sits on its own. What do you think?

 Karen nails the cake- every single time. This one was so good there was not a crumb left. Honest.

 We held dinner on the patio at Tarpon Lodge.  Really just as traditional old Florida as you can get.

 Because we had the entire resort to ourselves, I was able to fancy up the pool area a bit with these gigantic seagrass pillows and buckets of fresh white towels.

 I loved this bouquet wrap!  One of the reasons I adore Signature Florals; she keeps boring far far away.

Thank you so much to the awesome team we had that chilly winter weekend! Kakes by Karen, Signature Florals, Impressions Photography , Cabbage Key and Tarpon Lodge.

Is Martha Stewart Weddings looking for you?

Perhaps...

Pink White & Gold: The California Bride Series Vol 4

I tried to keep this a 3 Vol series, but I couldn't.  I just felt like there was more story to tell!  This last volume includes a mix of photos.  I'm going to pass along a few tips and opinions in this one.  So listen up!

The gold beaded chargers and menus add to the formality of the tablescape. The cordial shot glasses we chose were key.  A regular shot glass would have looked, ummmm, tacky.

 Sure, you can adorn every chair at an out door ceremony, but really, the back row or 2 is sufficient.

 Look back at the first picture. It's the same table.  Hello, lighting.  What a difference you make. Day and night. Literally.  Design your room for all the different lighting times!

 Isn't it amazing what the simplest rose bouquet can accomplish?  It defines this table top.

 

One last piece of advice. This would would have been a great spot for video.  Brides, I can not stress it enough- get video.  While it may not seem like something you want now, when the party is over you will be so glad to have it.

Click here to see the entire California Bride Series and you can click here to spend hours looking at dozens of our real weddings posts!

It was great to work with LaPlaya, Ellas Cakes, Impressions Photography, Norman Love and Always Flowers.

Pink White & Gold: The California Bride Series Vol 3

This wedding is kind of addicting isn't it?  I just realized that I hadn't shared the location.  The ceremony was on the beach at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort and the ceremony was in the resorts Vanderbilt Ballroom, which is on the bayside of the property.
Alrighty, on to some of the details of the day:

Magnums from the bride and grooms birth years served as the "guest books"

Sparkler exit, custom koozies from the welcome bags, Krupnika (homemade lithuanian honey liquor) on each guest table, petaled specialty linens

 Lithuanian and tradtional wedding cakes, the aisle treatment of bamboo, lanterns and petals, and the escort card display

 I adore calligraphy. These gold ink escort cards were from Calligraphy by Jennifer

Those who know me well know that I am huge on decorating the back row of chairs at outdoor ceremonies.  It really defines the ceremony space and its an opportunity to add another layer of texture and/or color.

I hate table numbers.  Well, let me clarify. I hate the look of digits.  So when I design now, we spell out the table number or use table names when there are just a few tables.  I also prefer to use "Grand" instead of "Head" Table when the wedding party is sitting together.

Catch up on the entire The California Bride Series by clicking here
More tomorrow!
Photo credit to Impressions Photography