Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Tabletop Inspiration: The Blushing Bride

Stunning lace with pink tulle, jewels, and pearl embellishments, long-stemmed vendela roses and giant peonies in varying shades of pink are what make this table perfectly feminine. The mini bundt cakes add a sweet touch as well! Lake Oak Meadow's oversized stone fireplace is the perfect backdrop and offers a masculine contrast to the ultra feminine setting.

The Team
Location Lake Oak Meadows
Photographer L Parker Photography
Florist/ Coordinator/ Linen/ China/ Stationery The Divine Event
Cake Nothing Bundt Cakes

Vendor Spotlight: Urban Garden Floral


Vendor Urban Garden
Phone 760.550.9161
Email  emily@urbangardenfloral.com
Social Media Twitter  Facebook


Urban Garden described in three words:
Personal, Current, Beautiful

Why floral design? What about your career makes it worthwhile each day?
What I love most is getting to know my clients, hearing their stories and creating floral designs that represent them.  I also find a certain zen in the art of arranging.

What got you interested in floral design?
I started my career as an event planner and found myself drawn to the flowers.  I started designing and arranging on the side and then eventually it became the focal point of my career.

What are some trends you foresee in floral designs?
Two of my favorite styles, Rustic Chic and Vintage Glam, have become exceedingly popular in the past couple years.  I think these looks are here to stay, but I foresee them evolving and staying fresh as brides and designers pair new textures with unexpected flower combinations.

What’s your favorite flower? Color combination?
I am drawn to interesting and textural accents paired with classic or romantic blooms, but, for me, that “wow!” factor is achieved when a chosen color palette flows seamlessly throughout the décor and the flowers find their perfect harmony with the rest of the event design.   When that cohesiveness is achieved, it’s magic.

How would you describe the Urban Garden floral style?
This is a difficult question for me because I truly feel that my style reflects the bride and groom for whom I am designing.  I pay a lot of attention to understanding their wedding vision and creating a look that represents their style as a couple. I love trying new things in order to achieve the right look!

Name one thing that sets Urban Garden apart from its competitors:
I think flexibility and creativity sets Urban Garden apart. It is important to understand a couple’s vision, work within their budget, and come up with the perfect design for them.  Wedding flowers should communicate a couple’s, style, energy, love, and commitment and we work to achieve that with each and every bride and groom. 

Monday, December 30, 2013

Mangia Monday: Fruit in tacos?

Sometimes it's the zaniest things we can think of that add that special something to a dish we have grown accustomed to over the years. Tacos, have been a meat and veggie dish for most of us forever...however; what if you added something different, something unusual, something risque to your security blanket in a soft or hard shell to shake it up? Well, that's what Continental Catering did when they lobbed in some fresh, ripe mango! Their taro root tacos filled with ginger glazed pulled short ribs, fresh mango, cilantro and onion are simply to die for. They combine the richness of the beef with the zest and sweet flavor of the fresh mangos. So next time you think you want to have a simple taco change it up a little and throw some fruit on it!







Photos courtesy of Cole Joseph Photography & Studio Del Mar Photography

Friday, December 27, 2013

Blossoming Bouquets: Kathy Wright & Co.

Pulled straight form a real wedding, this absolutely stunning and vibrant bouquet from Kathy Wright & Co. is to die for. As Kathy herself describes it here:


“When Hannah came to see me, she told me how much she loved vibrant colors, and that she loved the ocean.  While she was having a ‘traditional’ wedding, wearing a beautiful wedding dress and having a traditional wedding party in coordinating dresses, Hannah wanted her flowers to have a lot of color in them.  She chose a combination of cymbidium orchids with fuchsia markings in their centers, fragrant gardenias and vibrant pink calla lilies, all a winning combo to echo that more relaxed style she hoped to achieve.”






Photos courtesy of True Photography Weddings

Fashion Friday: Invite Your Pal!

For some of us, one of our best friends includes someone who is usually not at the wedding - our dogs! We think it's totally fashionable to take your pup with you for a couple photos (hey, Carrie Underwood did it). Here, Bob Hoffman Photography & Video provides a couple of très chic pictures of brides with their "best man" (or woman)!

Photo Credit: Bob Hoffman Photography & Video

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Vendor Spotlight: True Photography Weddings


Photographer True Photography Weddings
Phone 858.345.1248
Social Media Twitter Facebook Pinterest Blog
  
 
Company Background
True Photography Weddings was founded by Aaron Feldman 12 years ago. Today, True Photography Weddings is made up of a very small, hand-picked team of talented individuals. Not a photo factory. We are people who love to photograph and are dedicated to creating amazing images for your wedding day. We share a common vision of what we feel good wedding photography should be. This has taken years to refine, and we continue to grow together as creative artists. With the technical expertise, and innovative mindset of our team, there are no limits to what we can produce.
Our style is often described by brides as timeless photography with an edge. Overall, you can expect a healthy mix of candids of you and all of your guests, as well as stylized artistic shots, formals (photographed quickly and professionally), and many details. Fifty years later, you will still feel that your images look amazing, and are free of all gimmicks.

True Photography Weddings described in three words:
Timeless, vibrant, distinctive

Why wedding and event photography? What about your career makes it worthwhile each day?
Wedding photos have impact on peoples' lives. Not just for the couple, but for the entire group of family and friends that are there to witness the special day. It’s rewarding to be a part of such a defining day in people’s lives and to produce images that stand the test of time. In fifty years from now their grandchildren will still think the pictures are cool. That's if “cool” is still a cool word fifty years from now.

What’s your favorite moment of the wedding to capture, and why?
"My favorite part of a wedding to photograph is of the bride and groom right after the ceremony, when they're super happy and their adrenaline is flowing. I love capturing the real emotion while still stylizing the scene." – Aaron Feldman, CEO

Name one thing that sets True Photography Weddings apart from its competitors:
True Photography Weddings is San Diego's most popular wedding studio, and has been for over 13 years. When you hire this company for your wedding photography, you have an entire creative team of specialists working on your behalf. There is a lead photographer, a digital specialist that enhances the pictures, an album designer, a studio director that keeps everything organized, and a support person that is always available for any of your needs. Everyone on the team is dedicated to producing the highest quality images, and to ensuring that the entire experience is fun and easy.

What is one important piece of advice you would like to share with brides in choosing a photographer?
You don’t know the power of experience until you have experience.No matter who you have to photograph your day, make you choose a seasoned photographer. You can have two very similar portfolios between photographers. The difference between a really solid pro versus an amateur is that the pro can get amazing images every single time. Not one great shot every few weddings. Education and experience are key components.

Aaron Feldman, CEO

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Wedding Wednesday: Shannon & Chase


Shannon and Chase's wedding was enchanting with a vintage-romantic style. With old skeleton keys used also as bottle openers, old vintage style postcards as place cards, and sparkling manzanita trees used as wishing trees, guests could truly feel the magic of this marriage. Photographed by True Photography, with a bridal gown from Here Comes the Bride and menswear from Friar Tux.


Ingredients
Ceremony & Reception Location El Cortez
Wedding Coordinator First Comes Love (Amy Vargas)
Officiant Phil Brown
Photographer True Photography
Florist & Linens Ranch Events
Entertainment Paul Peterson, High Energy DJ
Catering Ranch Events
Wedding Cake VG Donut and Bakery
Invitations/ Stationery My Gatsby
Hair & Make-up MAGIC Beauty Team
Dress Here Comes the Bride
Men's Formalwear Friar Tux
Jewelry/ Rings Tacori from Unicorn Jewelry

Wedding Wednesday: Sugethy & Brett

Sugethy & Brett met through Match.com, but decided to just be friends. Sugethy offered to help brett out with picking up a TV, which turned into spending the entire day together and the rest is history! Brett proposed over brunch with friends. Sugethy wanted a classic and timeless all white wedding reception with a modern flair and their location reminded them of a church in Italy. They wanted to spoil their guests with a formal black tie event with lots of detail.

Main Ingredients
Location Grand Del Mar
Florist Kathy Wright & Co.
Linens & Rental Concepts Event Design
Men's Formalwear A Better Deal Tuxedo