Marisol + T.J. {Engaged}!

This love story is 7 years in the making.  Marisol and T.J. are my very first destination wedding couple.  This sweet couple met in 2004 at a mutual friend's party.  They had a long distance relationship for several years.  She lived in Carson and TJ lived in Oxnard, which is also my hometown.  (Small world right?)  TJ proposed to Marisol on a hot air balloon ride in Temecula on February 13, 2010.  During the ride the pilot made a suggestion to Marisol to take pictures of the vineyard.  To her surprise, there was a sign that read "Marisol, will you marry me?"  Very romantic and sweet!  Marisol and TJ will have a beautiful beach wedding at Marina Maroma Paradise Beach Club in the beautiful Riviera Maya in January 2012.

This pretty e-session took place at three locations:  Old Town San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, and Irvine.  It was photographed by one of my favorite wedding photographers, Mieng Saetia.  Enjoy!

(Photography by Mieng Saetia)

Ava's {Lilac & Warm Gray} Vintage Baptism Reception

It was our youngest daughter, Ava's turn to get baptized.  I didn't want to buy another dress because I wanted Ava to wear the same dress my eldest daughter wore when she was baptized 4 years ago.  However, I wanted to change up the look a bit to make it Ava's own graceful style by making the dress sleeveless.  The overall event concept was centered on the white silk dupioni dress and vintage-style headband I bought from Etsy.  The headband is made of raw silk with Swarovski Crystals accented all over and topped with a French netting overlay.  This vintage style served as the perfect inspiration.

Ava's baptism reception was all about pure elegance...chic with a touch of modern & vintage sophistication.  I chose a soft & beautiful color palette of lilac, slate gray, white and a touch of pink.  The modern-vintage ambiance resonated throughout the day from the outfit to the chic & delish mini desserts table.

{All photos by Stephy G. Photography, except noted otherwise}

We hosted the reception at one of our favorite Thai restaurants in the area.  Instead of giving out party favors, we made a donation in honor of our guests to the American Red Cross to support the reliefs efforts in Japan.

Lilac-colored hand calligraphed escort cards placed within various white vintage frames of different styles and sizes.

Photo by Me

Pocketfold invitation (Photo by Me)

All the floral centerpieces sat in assorted vintage milk glass compotes.  The floral design was different for each centerpiece, which added texture in a non-cookie cutter way.

I wanted alternating centerpieces so I bought white wooden candleholders of various heights from IKEA.  They were topped off with glass votives wrapped with vellum, which I stamped with a medium-sized peony stamp with pink ink.

Each table signage had different pictures of Ava from her newborn photo shoot, which were also shot by Stephy G.

Photo By Me

No party is complete without a dessert buffet table.  We ordered various mini desserts and rented vintage pink and white cake platters and ruffled bowls from Sweet and Saucy.  My husband built a backdrop for the dessert table.  He wrapped the frame with gray fabric we bought at Joann's.  I made a paper lace doily banner glued to lilac satin ribbon.  The banner was pinned onto the backdrop to complete the vintage look.  (Photo by Me)

Red velvet cake pops and Pistachio French Macarons

Candy Bar mini cupcakes, French Macarons, and Mini cheesecake bites with fresh raspberries

Crème brûlée dessert shots and Salted Caramel French Macarons

The overall event concept was centered on the white silk dupioni dress from Strasburg Children and vintage-style headband I bought from Etsy.  The headband is made of raw silk with Swarovski Crystals accented all over and topped with a French netting overlay.  It was the perfect inspiration.

Thai Buffet Menu:  Pineapple Fried Rice, Beef Pad See Ew, Tofu Peanut Sauce, Beef Salad, and Eggplant Mint Leaves

{The Dream Team}:

Event Design and Dessert table design & concept:  Majell del Castillo Events
Photography:  Stephy G. Photography
Venue:  Coconut Bay Bar & Grill in Rowland Heights
Mini Desserts and Vintage platter rentals:  Sweet and Saucy Shop
Escort Cards:  Calligraphy by Katrina
Floral Design:  Brassavolas Floral Couture
Invitations:  Little Spark Creations (Etsy)
Baby's Vintage Headband:  Banner Boutique (Etsy)
Table numbers and Dessert labels:  Majell del Castillo Events
Vintage frames on Escort Card Table:  CrabApplCreations (Etsy)
Table number frames and candle holders:  IKEA

Pauline + Wayne {Engaged}!

Yes I know it’s been months since my last post!  As you all know I gave birth to my second princess, Ava Loren!  I wanted to take it easy before I got back into the mode of planning fabulous wedding and events again.  So far 2011 has proven to be quite busy for MDC Events!  Not only do I have some yummylicious weddings coming up for this year and next year, but I have other parties coming up as well!  I’d like to start off by introducing Pauline and Wayne!  I remember the first time I met with this adorable couple!  We met at Victoria Gardens to discuss their upcoming nuptials on Saturday, February 28, 2009.  I remember telling them, “Wow.  June 2011 wedding?  That’s a long time from now.”  Well, time sure flies!  They will be tying the knot in 1.5 months!  Pauline and Wayne met through her cousin at an internet café Wayne’s family used to own.  This couple has been dating since June 17, 2002.  They will finally tie the knot in a hot pink & black modern-vintage themed wedding at the Lindley-Scott House in Azusa on the same day he asked her to be his girl (aww…how sweet)!  I’m definitely looking forward to their wedding!  For now please enjoy their urban e-session taken by Peter Chaney from iNickel Photography.  They chose two fabulous locations that suits their personalities best, The Camp in Costa Mesa, and one of my personal favorite locations (you’ve seen it featured on my blog twice already), the Viceroy in Santa Monica!  Enjoy!!!