What's in our file: A Diamond in the Rough

What does a groom who wears mismatched argyle socks have to do with our wedding today? Everything! We're on our way out the door but thought we would share "what's in our file" for our cute couple Aubri and Logan! We're combining a little prep with a whole lot of pep. Can't wait to share photos by the lovely Bonnie Tsang.

What's in our file: A Diamond in the Rough

What does a groom who wears mismatched argyle socks have to do with our wedding today? Everything! We're on our way out the door but thought we would share "what's in our file" for our cute couple Aubri and Logan! We're combining a little prep with a whole lot of pep. Can't wait to share photos by the lovely Bonnie Tsang.

What's in our file: A Diamond in the Rough

What does a groom who wears mismatched argyle socks have to do with our wedding today? Everything! We're on our way out the door but thought we would share "what's in our file" for our cute couple Aubri and Logan! We're combining a little prep with a whole lot of pep. Can't wait to share photos by the lovely Bonnie Tsang.

What's In My File: Abbie + Tanner

Abbie and Tanner are a darling couple who we are so excited to be working with! They are getting married this June with a lovely seaside-inspired wedding. Tanner proposed to Abbie on a boat, and they both love the San Diego atmosphere of beaches, ocean and simplicity. Here is the inspiration board we put together for their big day.

We wanted to stay away from "typical" beach decor...so no sand or seashells. Instead, we turned to the textures of the deep blue seas and the creatures within. Sea urchins, salt, and rich blues will be the main focus. Tanner is a huge donut fan, so of course we had to incorporate that! We are even having custom donuts made to look like life savers! We can't wait for their wedding and all of the fun details!

What's in my file: Roselyn and Ben

We are so excited for our upcoming wedding next week! We are busy finalizing all of the details, but wanted to share some of our inspiration and ideas in our file that we've collected along the way.

Our bride, Roselyn came to us with a blank slate. After choosing her venue of Strawberry Farms, we quickly learned that Roselyn spent a great portion of her childhood growing up on her grandpa's farm and we wanted to recreate a nostalgic feel for her special day.

We started with an Anna Marie Horner fabric, yellow and white Anthropologie dresses, strawberries, vintage sodas, Abercrombie gingham shirts for the boys, lots of fabric rosettes and the most darling vegetable escort cards! The color palette grew from these essentials and really became a happy and bright palette of greens, yellows, pinks, reds and blues.

Roselyn and Ben are such a sweet, lovely couple, I can't wait to see how this one turns out! You can revisit their colorful engagement shoot here.

Remember when?

Remember when we posted this "What's in my file" for Missy and Nick? We were completely inspired by the vintage mosaic guitar pin that we found (pictured in the upper left), which later became part of Nick's boutonnière thanks to Twigg Botanicals.

We have finally gone through all of their amazing pictures from Natalie Norton Photography and are eager to share them with you all!

Stay tuned to see the pictures from their guitars and paper stars, Beatles-inspired wedding!

What's in my file: Stars & Guitars

We are only a couple days away from Nick and Missy's wedding and I am so excited to see this one finally come together! I thought I would share some of what's in my file for them. Guitars, paper stars, a love for music with a nod to The Beatles and all in a palatte of orange, jade, chocolate browns and bougainvillea pink. The vintage mosaic guitar pin that we found (pictured in the upper left) coupled with the couple's love for music became our source of inspiration for this wedding. The event will take place at the beautiful Rancho Valencia, which we also took into consideration when combining the design elements. Citrus oranges, mosaic tiles and bougainvillea were all aspects of the venue that we wanted to highlight and work into the concept. Stay tuned for pictures of how things turn out!

what's in my file: Paige & Doug

I know we're all adults here, but really, aren't we all looking for a good excuse to be a kid again? Really, when's the last time you let your hands get all sticky with cotton candy and ice cream? How about the last time you rode a ferris wheel? You can't remember, can you? Well, with a 45' Ferris wheel on its way, accompanied by cotton candy & popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, lemonade, burgers, game & prizes and tickets for all the fun - I am so looking forward to being a kid again. These past few months, have been so fun planning Paige and Doug's wedding - it's truly brought out the kid in me! I can't wait to share it all with you!

We're less than a week away! Whooo hoo!

What's in my file: sweet as a peach

I feel like I've been away for way too long and I have so much to catch up with here! Things have been so busy! Be prepared for lots to come. :) I've realized my postings are how my love life used to be...nothing one day(hmm..or one month or one year!) and then all of sudden there are 3 wonderful guys standing in front of you. It really is always like that, isn't it? It is like a cruel, funny joke...until of course you find the one that is just so right you can't help but stop looking. That's when you really know. Anyway, you can keep looking here..and I am getting ready to give you more than you need. Thought I would share some of our inspiration for Hunter and Jessica's wedding before you get to see the actual photos taken of the day. So...here is their inspiration board and a few of the things we had fun incorporating. Can't wait to show you how it actually all turned out!

what's in my file: Spanish Romance

When Andrea and I were trying to conceptualize the feel for her wedding..she knew she wanted lots of silver and gold accents mixed with some traditional romance in an unconventional way. Andrea also knew that rather than two specific colors she wanted a color palette as the background for her wedding. Being that she spent some time in Spain and loved the passion and feeling that Spain offered...we thought this might be the perfect avenue for bringing in a little personality and detail as well as a color palette of sunset corals, Spanish red roses and teal. Things began to quickly evolve!!

Here is a little of what is in my file ...the bridesmaids are going to wear these darling chiffon teal flower headbands from J.Crew. and of course each will have a Spanish fan. The Spanish crown also became a fun motif that we would carry through out the event. Little crowns will sit on custom made velvet pillows and a pave bed of roses for the centerpieces and a gobo light crown will shine on the dance floor. We also have created custom vintage like Spanish postcards complete with vintage royalty stamps that will be placed at each guest's seat with a personalized hand written memory from the bride or groom. Bless Andrea's heart...this is a HUGE undertaking for 300 guests...but, it is also something that is unique about Andrea. She is known for writing little notes to her friends and she wanted to incorporate that into her wedding and let each guest know just how happy they are to have them there.

There are of course tons of other little details but you are just going to have to wait until after the wedding for pictures! :) If you want the feel of this wedding listen to the Coldplay song "Viva La Vida" . Every time I heard it on the radio...which was often...since you all know how much they are playing that right now..I could not help but think of this wedding. I keep picturing Andrea in her beautiful lace gown with Brian amid red roses, roman crowns and choirs singing. :) Crazy where inspiration can come from! It's going to be a gorgeous day though!

What's in my file: Lauren & Russ

So, I am a little late posting this file...Lauren & Russ were actually married yesterday but I thought it might still be fun to share my file. Things changed and evolved some in the planning process but these were some of our inspiration points. With Lauren's passion for art and love for Monet we initially began with a Monet art and flower garden theme complete with plein air artists painting throughout the event, the surroundings of the reception. Centerpieces were to be water bowls filled with floating flowers and lily pads. In the weeks that followed Lauren opted to focus more on the romantic side of Monet's gardens with dragonflies and butterflies. The colors turned from sage green and touches of yellow to more vibrant hues of spring green and lemon yellow with touches of white and cream.

It was a lovely day! From the warm weather and the location at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, the color palette, the gorgeous raj tents, the butterfly forest we created in the trees, the swarovski crystal dragonflies by estilo weddings, the simply stunning and romantic flowers by twigg botanicals, the delicious food, the harp music, jazz quartet, the chocolate truffle favor boxes and tasty cake by Michele Coulon...it was perfect! The bride herself said it was just as she had dreamed it would be. I couldn't hope for a better compliment. I always want each bride to feel like they got THEIR very own wedding, something that is as unique and special as them.

Looking forward to seeing how Benny the videographer and Jamie Hammond captured the day. I know they got some great shots. There was even actually a real monarch butterfly flying about throughout the reception...that I think Benny got on film. So fun to see that it was drawn to the garden we created for him..and of course Lauren & Russ! Pictures and footage soon to come!

What's in my file: Kirsten & Michael's wedding

I'm going to begin sharing photos of what is in my file for each upcoming wedding client! Here are a few elements that we will be incorporating for Kirsten and Michael's upcoming June 14th
wedding. I am getting so excited about it! The beautiful cinematography of Marie Antoinette was our initial inspiration point...from which all else has spun off of. The colors of deep and vibrant blues and purples will be woven throughout all the details. We of course will be using fans to adorn the tables along with mini cakes in pastel hues.

There must be cake.! Lots of cake. It's under debate whether Marie Antoinette actually said "let them eat cake"...but one thing is for sure...there was cake! She was surrounded by it. Dessert will be in abundance...as sweet as the bride herself! We've been toying with the idea of using cake charms that would be tied with ribbon and could be pulled out by the guests. I have found little gold shoes, hearts and fans(Marie Antoinette style). The charms would determine their fortune and could depict travel, a new love, etc. Any thoughts?

The centerpieces will be faux cakes shaped from flowers and placed on pedestals. I cannot wait to see this all put together! We have found some perfect cake stands that are gold and crystally
(not so much a word...I know)...and offer a touch of opulence. We also have purchased some of this gorgeous Graham & Brown damask wall-paper that we will be making a pseudo photo booth from for guests to have fun with. I'm off to L.A. tomorrow to search for fabric to drape above the courtyard and use as possible table runners. Stay tuned for photos of Michael and Kirsten's cake extravaganza