Inspiration: more than two wrungs make a right!

I loved this picture the moment I opened my j.crew catalog and saw it! I've been holding on to it for some time for inspiration...searching for just the right things to accent a similar theme. The colored ladders and vibrant hues, the marching band that hints to a New Orleans type flair and lush trees. It is such a perfect combination! I can just picture beautiful invitations with colored ladders on it...and save the dates that speak something of taking the next step. I envision long tables set outside with light and deep pink peonies, crisp white linens and ladder back chairs. The photography alone could be so much fun with a quite literal family tree. Ooooh, I want to execute and design this wedding. Now I just need a bride that is bold and fun enough to pull it off! I know you know someone...send them my way!

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my

Finn's first fear: big brown bears!

For the last month Finn has been afraid of bears being in his room. Thanks to Nanny and Grandpa and that documentary of bears wildly tearing into fish...nightmares have awoken us at all hours of the night. No number of reminders that bears live in the forest has seemed to help.

Yesterday morning Troy and Finn were playing pretend bears. Finn loves to ROAR at everyone lately including his very sensitive baby sister. We figured it was time for a trip to the zoo..time to face that fear head on while having a little fun, in hopes of helping us to get a good nights sleep!

Finn was loving all of the animals, the elephants, baby panda and monkeys. There was a serious death grip going on with his daddy though when we saw the bears. We sat and watched them for awhile sleepy and lazy. Finn seemed satisfied when we told him they were like giant teddy bears. Let 's hope he doesn't meet up with one someday in the forest, you know the only place they live other than zoo...wink. Last night, I'm happy to report...there were no nightmares!

I Do...still

Last weekend I had two events...one of which was a 50th anniversary party. The children all pulled together and enlisted my help to throw their parents a special party they would always remember.

Celebrated at the Island Club on Coronado, the anniversary party was motivated with the purpose to recreate their parents wedding. Subtle similarities such as their wedding colors and their wedding cake were reminiscent of years earlier. The bride's wedding gown, still in beautiful condition, along with other priceless items filled the display table.

It was quite an evening, complete with a program put on by all the children and grand children honoring each decade of their parents marriage. As a finale, the still youthful and beautiful couple of 50 years performed a few choreographed dances for their family. I was told that many of the children had never seen their parents dance like that before together. What a night to forever be remembered. Congratulations Phyllis & Paul! Your family tree has continued to stretch its branches and you are so clearly treasured by all those who know and love you!




Unfortunately, the only reception pictures I have were taken by myself and have poor inexperienced photography quality to them. Uggh..sorry! I always usually leave that part to my amazing photographers! Speaking of amazing, many thanks to Gabby from Gabrielle Fox Photography for stepping in to take the very LARGE group shot of the Ashton Family! What a good looking group!

Anyone, who had an event last weekend knows just how hot it was too. The heat was sweltering...everyone wanted to jump in the ocean, the cliffs were a little too close for comfort with the kids....but can you tell? No, this is a picture perfect group! Great job Gabby!

Anyone who does not know Gabby yet..needs to. She is wonderful, kind, and talented and you will love her! Take a chance to check out some of her latest work.

sweet feet

You know those pictures...the one with just the bride and groom's feet. I love them! They always seem to speak volumes of a couple's personality. That is why finding the perfect shoe is such a fun component of a wedding. We're still in the process of deciding on shoes for our Marie Antoinette wedding. Any thoughts? I love these shoes by anthropologie. The pink candy shoes look sweet enough to eat! The blue ones are a great alternative for a bride with height restrictions. They are simple but offer a little pop of color.
These shoes by Pin up girl clothing also seem to fit the Marie Antoinette flair perfectly.

In Her shoes...

who doesn't need at least one more pair of shoes? In my quest to find the perfect Marie Antoinette bridal shoes such as the ones above featured in the movie..I came across these dainty, delicate, and amazingly beautiful pieces of art by Fete et Fleur that fell right from shoe heaven! ...Regal enough for the queen herself or a beautiful bride! If only they were made to dance the night away, they would be perfect under a gown of lace!

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

engaged: Kirsten & Michael

Here comes....June 14th! I love this engagement shoot by Natalie
Kirsten looks beautiful as always and you can feel how happy her and Michael are together! I couldn't be happier for them and to be a part of what is to come!