Merry Cris + James {ENGAGED!}

Merry Cris (aka M.C. to her friends and family) and James were students at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA.  They met at a college party in early October 2006.  They met a few more times that month although their encounters were brief.  Coincidentally, they met again at their college library.  This led to weekly meetings in the library until they graduated in 2008.

Six years later they will finally tie the knot this coming Saturday, August 11^th in Thousand Oaks, CA!!  I’ve known M.C. since I was in junior high school so when she contacted me last year to help design and plan her wedding I felt very honored.  She’s one of the sweetest, intelligent girls I know and I wanted to make sure her dream wedding will look ultra fabulous and chic with a mod/vintage theme!!

Here’s a little preview of their e-session!!  Allen Newsum of Ambrosia Event Services photographed it on the grounds of their alma mater.  Enjoy!!

{Photos by Ambrosia Event Services}

Kristi + Andy {Engaged}!

Kristi and Andy are my second 'internet love story' couple!  They've been together for 3.5 years and still going strong!  When Kristi approached me to coordinate her wedding I was surprised to hear she had been planning her wedding from the Bay Area.  I asked her why Andy and her chose to wed in Southern California.  Her answer?  "A vintage-themed wedding at the Queen Mary".  Yes, the historic Queen Mary!  I've never stepped foot on this boat before.  Not only am I excited to see Kristi and Andy get married, but I'm thrilled that this will be my first time coordinating on a historic boat!  Their wedding will definitely be timeless and elegant!  This e-session featuring this cute Bay Area couple was shot at the Queen Mary by the fabulous photographer, Nathan Nowack.  Check out Nathan's blog post for the full gallery!  Enjoy the gorgeous pictures everyone!

(Photography by Nathan Nowack)

Ethereal Arabic Platinum Wedding Feature: {Myriam + Ashraf}

When I walked into Myriam’s bridal suite to check up on her I noticed a radiant glow upon her (keep in mind this was before the makeup artist arrived).  To be quite honest, I’ve never seen a bride this radiant in my life.  I knew her wedding day was going to be filled with love and beauty.  I remember taking a look at her right before she walked down the aisle and thinking how unbelievably striking she was.  The ceremony took place at dusk in the grand ballroom of the historic Casa del Mar in Santa Monica.  We had one hour to transform the ballroom into a breathtaking and heavenly reception filled with crystal chandeliers and blush pink orchids with crystals hanging on manzanita branches made to look as if they were floating in air.  A delicious four-course meal consisting of crab cakes, lobster, filet mignon, and two wedding cakes were served.  Guests were entertained by an amazing performance by belly dancers, a live Arabic band, and a fantastic DJ.  Butler-passed snacks of mini cheeseburgers, mini pizzas, French fries served in cones, and chocolate & vanilla milkshake shooters were served at midnight to satisfy the guests’ late night cravings.  One word describes this extraordinary platinum wedding, which is one of the best weddings I’ve ever coordinated and designed to date, ETHEREAL.  A special thanks to Tauran Woo for sharing the amazing photos and Dodie Sy of Brassavolas Floral Couture for the fabulous floral designs.  Scroll down after the pictures for more info on the Dream Team that made this wedding possible.

{All photos by Tauran Woo}

{THE DREAM TEAM}

Ceremony and Reception:  Casa del Mar in Santa Monica; Wedding Planner/Coordinator:  Majell del Castillo Events; Hair/Makeup:  Amy Sparks; Bridal Gown Designer:  Stephen Yearick from Mon Amie; Groom's Tux:  Hugo Boss from Nordstrom; Event Lighting/Rentals:  Royal Events Inc; Flowers:  Brassavolas Floral Couture; Photography:  Tauran Woo; Videographer:  Today's the Day; Cake:  Vanilla Bake Shop; Croquembouche:  Caprice Fine French Pasteries; Harpist:  Shawna Lynn Selline; Entertainment:  Layla and the Lotus Dancers; Live Arabic Band:  Shadi Sayegh; DJ:  DJ Samy of Samy's Entertainment; Invitation Ensemble:  Papyrus; Guest Book; MyPublisher.com

{LOVE} Wedding Video Teaser of Pia + Ryan's Wedding

We have a special treat today!  Steve Luxenburg of Weddings by SML posted a teaser wedding video of my much talked about bride and groom, Pia + Ryan.  The teaser is SUPER cute!  There's a quick scene of my daughter dancing too!  Below is an excerpt from Steve's blog summarizing the story of this fabulous couple..."Sneakers & Shoes"!  Thanks again Steve for sharing this amazing teaser.  Enjoy!

From Steve's blog:

Pia + Ryan // Sneakers & Shoes

The key to every couple is their story. The story always defines who and what we are and even more importantly, what we are all about. Every time we meet with a couple, we look for the things that make them unique, interesting, and separate them from others.

Sure, everyone is going to share some vows or the exchange of a kiss at the end of a ceremony, but we want to know what it is it that makes a couple unique. What separates them from all others and helps to tell their story? In Pia + Ryan's case, it's simply sneakers & shoes.

You see, when we first met this wonderful couple, the first thing that stood out were the sneakers Ryan was wearing, and after a simple comment about the kicks, Ryan revealed that (at the time) he owned over 300 pairs of sneakers. . . . . not a typo. . . . . over 300 pairs. Then Pia revealed that her love for shoes was not to be sold short as she also owned shoes into the triple digit count. Let's just say that they have some serious shoe equity :-)

Well, from that point on, it was a given that the guys (and girls) would be rockin' some special footwear the day of and we were determined to tie it into their story. So you will see a fun little sequence in this trailer that takes place before the grand entrance as the guys needed to go to their car to grab their custom kicks. We searched everywhere and couldn't find one of the groomsmen, and then, at the last minute, he finally showed up. He was hanging out at the bar, who would have thought? So we inserted him last minute as you'll see. Also, a shout out to the INSANE photo backdrop (not a photo-booth, this thing took up an entire room!) and the ever talented Gregorio Bumatay of Bumatay Studio for snapping stunning imagery the day of. Thanks also to to Majell Del Castillo of MDC Events for keeping the timeline on track!

Pia and Ryan, you're style rocks and even better, the fact that you were willing to be yourselves on the day of your wedding makes us smile every time we see this trailer. Enjoy!