French Riviera Luxury Wedding Design
Cap Estel Luxury Wedding Design
So we’ve showed you what an incredible wedding venue Cap Estel would make but what could I create here? This is the fun part; “Dreaming in design” as I like to refer to it. Since this would be MY top choice, I decided to create what I would consider to be my own dream wedding. It would go something like this:
Wedding guests would enter the villa through its white marble lobby and walk out onto the expansive terrace overlooking the lawn. A classical string quartet would be playing remixed classics while guests sipped on bubbly rosé from gold-rimmed crystal goblets and nibbled on caviar canapés before being escorted down to their seats for the ceremony.
Soft white suede and rose gold chairs would be lining the aisle on the lawn that led up to the altar. The altar would would be fluttering with lush white peonies and an abundance of white butterflies and oversized paper flowers. These bright whites would contrast perfectly with the azure sea in the background.
The bride clad in a lace Yolan Cris gown would float down the aisle and be set against the magical setting of fluttering white and aqua sea background.
After the ceremony, guest would explore the rose garden during the cocktail hour. Beautiful performers with theatrical butterfly headpieces would play stringed instruments while walking between the guests. An impressive cheese table and gourmet appetizers from Cap Estel’s Michelin-starred chef would serve as a preview of the amazing meal yet to come!
After cocktail hour, guests would take their seats in a black-and-white-striped tent dripping with an eclectic display of chandeliers and pendant lights. A palette of blush and salmon centerpieces would be offset by the bold canopy, striped linens and blue-and-white place settings.
The guests would eat off beautiful gold flatware, sip wine out of crystal goblets, and savor course after course of delicious food.
During the reception, the guests would dance under the stars to a combination of live musicians playing over deep house electric tunes. When the party ended, the guests could retire to their 800-thread-count sheets. A frisky few could take a midnight dip before turning in if they wanted.
So there you have it! That’s my ultimate wedding vision for what I consider to be the French Rivera’s best events venue. What would yours be? Stay tuned for more incredible venues and our wedding visions.
1st Page Credits
Venue Photos: Tony Gigov http://tonygigov.com/
2nd Page Credits
Fine Jewelry by Leviev Jewelry http://www.leviev.com/
Shoes by Oscar de la Renta http://www.oscardelarenta.com
Dress by Yolan Cris http://www.yolancris.com/
3nd Page Credits
Tent & Lighting by @Revelry Event Designers http://www.revelryeventdesigners.com/
Cake by Hey There Cupcake http://www.heythere-cupcake.com/#!cakes/c1tuc
Dish by L’0bjet – http://l-objet.com/
Sea Bass by Chef James Montejano of La Valencia Hotel. http://www.lavalencia.com/
ass=”p1″>4th Page Credits
Tablescape by Alchemy Fine Home http://alchemyfinehome.com/
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Pastel Nautical La Jolla Wedding
Preppy Pastel Nautical La Jolla Wedding by Alchemy Fine Events
Preppy Chic + Vintage Nautical
When Christin and I first met to discuss their dream wedding I was immediately knew this was going to be amazing… Her fun sense of design, color and pattern were amazing! Not to mention she’s an accessories designer herself so has incredible style. With inspirations of preppy, pastel nautical, 60’s flower power and a bit of humor, we got started. I envisioned a combinations of a little Gilligan’s Island and a little vintage yacht club. With these muse’s in mind we were off to create her dream nautical La Jolla wedding. The talented Ashley Keleman captured the day beautifully through her soft and romantic eye.
I knew immediately that her sense of whimsy would be the perfect wedding for the talented Krista Jon who has a whole lot of inner flower child in her, as you can see by Christin’s ethereal bouquet above. Garden roses, lambs ear, astilbe, pampas grass and chamomile flowers were just a few of the flowers that painted this dream bouquet.
For Christin & John’s nautical wedding invitations I watercolored some soft floral designs and combined kitschy graphics and candy stripes. For a pop of glam we foiled a gold rope border and outlined the daisies II had painted. We used gold foiled polka dot liners and confetti for an extra pop of fun as guests opened them.
The ceremony design consisted of a driftwood arch that we hung a vintage ship wheel from. Krista Jon created a beautiful flower installation on top of the arch bursting with color and texture perfect for our kitschy bride.
Since the wedding took place on an expansive open rooftop we wanted to create the feeling of a private garden. To do so, we brought in hedges to line the ceremony space and combined mismatched white chairs and and thick nautical rope to line the aisleway.
Cocktail hour boasted a wooden bar any ship would be jealous of! Vintage ship wheels, life savers and painted buoys decorated our bar with racks of beautiful vintage glassware flanked by row boat oars.
For a fun escort card display we created mini life savers with gold calligraphy by Kathryn Murray showed guests to their seats. Your Love is a Life Saver!
After cocktail hour guests were seated at tables including this ‘Captains Table’ which we created for the wedding party. Whitewashed tables and a cabana frame were the base of this design which we hung a vintage chandelier and pink fish netting from.
After guests were seated we transformed the ceremony site into the dessert bar. We wanted to show off the beautiful ceremony design as long as possible so repurposed it as the backdrop to our row boat dessert spread including a beautiful cake and confections by Sweet & Saucy Shop. Nautical macarons, small desserts and a flower power worthy cake were all offered inside of a vintage rowboat by Archive Vintage Rentals. 
Event Design, Planning, Invitations & Stationery: Alchemy Fine Events
Flowers: Krista Jon
Photographer: Ashley Kelemen
Videographer: Joel VanZ
Cake & Desserts: Sweet & Saucy Shop
Venue: La Jolla Cove Suites
Hair: Ya Ling of Zen 2002 Hair Studios
Makeup: Bride
Catering: Roppongi
Furniture RentalsArchive & Farmtables & More
Vintage Glass Rentals: Hostess Haven
Seating Cards: Kathryn Murray Calligraphy
Photobooth: Flying Camera
Lighting: AV Event Design
Linens: La Tavola
DJ: DJ Alpha
Bride’s Dress: Watters from The White Dress
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Earrings: Kate Spade
Bowties: Made by Bride
Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulu*s
Belt & Accessories: J. Crew
Groomsmen Suits: Club Room
Read More »Colorful Spanish Fiesta Dinner Party
Spanish Fiesta Birthday Party
For a recent client’s birthday in Rancho Santa Fe we created an intimate Spanish fiesta dinner party with a colorful and bold Spanish flair. We started by laying down a beautiful periwinkle linen and and created tile placemats out of hand painted tiles. We featured super colorful florals with bright warm fall colors including yellow sunflowers, orange mums and deep red roses. Eggplant purple tapers glowed above the table in vintage brass candlesticks and delicate light patterns were cast onto the table from the rustic ornate lanterns featuring glowing tapes. Mismatched aqua and purple goblets helped to lend even more pops of color on the table offset by an eclectic set of wooden farm chairs and stunning wicker peacock end chairs. 
Making a warm entrance into a party, even home entertaining, is alway important to set the tone from the minute the guests arrive. We did so with a bold spray of bougainvillea in an amber blown glass vases and scattered the table with glowing tapers and wooden balls. 
More colorful Spanish glass was featured at the bar with accents of Spanish stars and glowing candles. We created a beautiful collection of Spanish wines and sangria for guests to sip on while they nibbled on tapas from our cheese and Spanish bites tables.
We created a backdrop of colorful Spanish glass, terracotta tubes and glowing pillar candles to display a wide array of Spanish meats, olives, oils and cheese for guests.
For a backyard birthday party no more than a simple cake a few bites are required but why not dress it up with a beautiful presentation? We did with a fun array of Spanish glass, tiles, mirrored stars and votives.
Guests dined under the glowing bistro lights on freshly made paella while listening to the tunes of flamenco guitarist David Maldonado. Even with an intimate party of 20 this goes to show it’s all about quality over quantity, even in the comfort of your own home.
Event Design & Planning Alchemy Fine Events
Music David Maldonado
Photography by John Newsome
Vintage Rentals by Pow Wow Vintage Rentals
Lighting by LG Productions
Catering San Diego Paella
Read More »Ocean in the Desert Scottsdale Wedding
Deserted Ocean Private Estate Scottsdale Wedding
We are so so excited to finally show off one of our favorite weddings we designed and planned for a lovely couple in Scottsdale, Arizona on Martha Stewart Weddings today!! When Kari the bride first called me we were discussing a cool Sedona elopement after her hectic previous attempt at wedding planning which she scratched for an easier, less stressful route. With so many people to coordinate and schedules to consider she was wanting to just ‘do it!’ with out the worry. When her family friend offered her gorgeous Scottsdale esate after hearing of her woes, we jumped at the chance to move it there to accommodate her guests easier. The only catch? The season was getting hot soon and we had 4 weeks to plan the whole thing!! We jumped into action and made this spectacular back-yard wedding a hit!
Kari and Charlie both loved the ocean but also the desert. I came up with the creative vision of a ‘deserted ocean’, a dried up ocean bed in a magical desert. After bringing on the fantastic Luna of Arrangements Floral Design we whipped up this fantastical evening which turned out to be pure magic. Gina Meola did a fabulous job of capturing the day’s beautiful details and was such a pleasure to work with!
Arrangements Floral & Party Design crafted a stunning bouquet of coral charm peonies, king proteas, ranunculus, astilbe, and tulips. Wrapped in gold sequined trim, the finishing touch was a skeleton leaf. 
Kari worked with stylist Alex Evjen of Ave Styles to create her stunning ensemble. After trying on the blush pink Monique Lhuillier “Candy” dress at Destiny’s Bride in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kari knew it was her gown. A custom sash, veil, and earrings by Paris were added to the ensemble, which was rounded out with nude Jimmy Choo pumps.
Charlie sported a gray Savvi tuxedo by Mr. Formal.
For the invitation I hand illustrated a jellyfish and had it foiled onto a croco embossed glossy paper for a fun contrast of styles. More to come on this invitation as well!
Boutonnieres were made with ivory roses, brunia, and dusty miller—a heart-shaped charm once belonging to Charlie’s late mother was attached to his as a special way of honoring her memory.
The matron of honor and best man carried seashells housing the wedding bands. 
Kari’s sister Lori carried a clutch of coral charm peonies, king protea, yellow roses, brunia, and dusty miller. Kari’s other sister Susan’s bouquet was comprised of a king protea surrounded by white roses, brunia, dusty miller, and coral charm peonies.
Guests were treated to cool lemonade as they arrived. Since we knew the day was going to be so hot we dip-dyed fans to match the decor and tied on feathers and beads with leather cord.
To work with a backyard and actually have the ceremony on their driveway I knew we had to transform the space. I designed a geometrical wall to be built on which we applied mirror to reflect the gorgeous desert landscape. 
In lieu of a traditional guest book I created a ‘Message in a Bottle’ table were guests could write their sweet notes to the couple and float them in the infinity pool. They’ll be read at their one year anniversary which is coming up soon!
We also created a wall of photos with fun facts about the couple that guests would be quizzed on later.
To bring in the ocean vibe we had to serve fresh delicious seafood!
To create the feasting style dining table I built a structure which we mirrored and then hung shelves of floating candles and flowers for a seemingly floating tablescape.
I wanted to create a beautiful tablescape that seemingly floated in our modern mirrored structure so that you saw nothing but the desert around you and make you forget you’re dining on a driveway. The open structure built around the long feasting-style table allowed for showcasing the landscape, while adding drama and romance with candles hanging overhead on white-washed wood shelves also filled with floral arrangements and gnarled grapewood. Constructed with help from a framing contractor, mirror acrylic panels were added to created the illusion of a disappearing structure. 
Trailing down the middle of each table was a collection of oceanic elements, including ceramic sea urchin votives, air plants, and aqua sea glass. 
Ombré napkins tied with leather cord and sea urchins topped geometric plates and silvery placemats. 
The petite cake, by Classic Cakes and Confections, was inspired by the bride’s gown. 
To bring in more of the ‘ghost-like’ creatures that used to live in this ‘deserted ocean’ I found these incredible jellyfish lanterns from designer Roxy Russel which I hung in front of sheer panels of fabric and twinkle lights for our Jellyfish Lounge. 
Photography: Gina Meola
Event Design and Planning, Stationery, and Napkins: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Catering: RendezVous Catering
Flowers, Lighting, & Draping: Arrangements Floral & Party Design
Cake: Classic Cakes & Confections
Music: [string trio] Simply Three; [Flamenco guitarist] Miguel Rodriguez from Jim May Productions
Rentals: [furniture] Pacific Event Productions; [linens] La Tavola; [china and glassware] Classic Party Rentals
Hair and makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup
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