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/

 

Read More »

Parker Palm Springs Wedding

Colorful Modern Palm Springs Wedding: Part 2

After throwing around a few different design ideas the couple opted for a simple ceremony design with a woven macrame backdrop and asymmetrical color florals mixed with magnolia leaves. Brightly colored vases with branches and pampas grass started the aisle way and opted to use the Parker’s brown velvet ballroom chairs verses the white folding traditional ceremony chairs for a pop of glam outdoors. Jenn and her bridesmaids carried beautiful bold bouquets by the talented Luna of Arrangements which were offset by the mismatched neutral dresses the girls wore in shades of nude and rose gold.

 

More from Jenn:

 

We envisioned a beautiful wedding, but more importantly, we wanted everyone to have a blast!  We incorporated all the things we love in the details:  food, travel, family and our dog, Vinny.  Vanessa did an amazing job at pulling everything together and making it cohesive and unique.  Chance and I asked my dad’s best friend marry us and my stepmom helped us write the wedding ceremony from start to finish.  This allowed us to make the ceremony truly personal to us and we were able to include our relatives who are no longer with us, including our grandparents and Chance’s dad, which was really meaningful to us.  We wrote our own vows and picked non-traditional wedding music to give our ceremony a super fun vibe.

We couldn’t have dreamed of a better day.  From walking down the aisle to Bittersweet Symphony to the lambchop lollipops and old fashions at cocktail hour to ending the night in the pool in our wedding attire with our friends and fam…our wedding day was truly a reflection of us and it really was the best day ever!!  And…it was SO MUCH FUN!  Mission accomplished!

After the ceremony guests sipped on old fashions served from “The Vinny Bar” which we created in honor of their dog who couldn’t make the festivities. I even created an illustration of Vinny for the napkins and signage!  Mismatched graphic printed linens topped the belly bars with tie backs created from various silk fabrics which we used throughout the wedding design.

In honor of the couple’s world travels, I created a seating card design that was inspired by their globe trotting. I found a steel garden orb which I tied on strips of fabric which corresponded to their table’s napkin treatments. Each table was named after one of their destinations including Ibiza, Mallorca, Rio de Janiero and Napa Valley.

Stay tuned for part 3- the reception & after party coming up next!

Design, Planning, & Invitations: Alchemy Fine Events and Invitations / Photographer: Scott Clark Photo / Videographer: DP Weddings / Venue, Cake, Catering, & Rentals: The Parker Palm Springs / Floral Design: Arrangements Floral & Party Design / Hair: Jose Neira Salon at The Parker / Makeup: Makeup By Keturah / Linens: La Tavola / Cigar Rollers: The Cigar Guys / DJ: Chris Cote / Bride’s Dress: Anne Barge from Malindy Elene in Tampa, Florida / Shoes: Valentino / Wedding Band: Tacori / Engagement Ring: Designed by Groom / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Shoes: Allen Edmonds / Tie: Ted Baker / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo, Adrianna Papell, & Donna Mizani / Groomsmen Suits: Banana Republic / Flower Girl: Ava Madison Boutique

Read More »

Modern Luxe Mexican Wedding

Modern Glam lakside Mexico Wedding Mascota

When Karoll first contacted me about her wedding I had no idea what it would turn into. A year and a few trips to Puerto Vallarta later, we created one of the most spectacular weddings I had the honor of being a part of. Tucked into the tropical rain forest inland of Puerto Vallarta at one of her family’s resorts, Karoll and Carlos got married in a chapel inspired by the local monastery her dad, the former mayor of Puerto Vallarta, had built with the hopes that one day his two daughters would wed there. His dream came true.

After taking one last carriage ride with her dad around the lake Karoll, clad in Monique Lhuillier was wed to a dapper Carlos styled in Dolce & Gabana in the open aired chapel with the tropical rain forest as their backdrop.

 

Guests were treated to beautiful displays of charcuterie including iberico ham and imported cheeses on custom wood and chrome tables we had made and sipped cocktails from a massive round bar that surrounded the trunk of an ancient tree.

 

After the cocktail hour, guests entered the grandiose tent draped in dove grey sheer fabric and lit by custom built crystal chandeliers and edition bulbs. A runway worthy dancefloor of black and white stripes stretched the length of the tent that led up to the stage where the brides favorite band, an electronic orchestra Telefunka, played.

 

Being in the hotel industry definitely had its perks when it came to the catering. We brought in the family’s hotels best chefs to create a five course dinner including foie gras, oxtail soup, passion fruit sorbet intermezzo and kobe wage filet followed by desserts.

 

After dinner the guests were invited outside to enjoy a huge firework display while Telefunka played the bride and groom’s favorite song in the background. After dinner the chapel had been transformed into outdoor lounges where we offered cognac’s and hand rolled cigars with the couples monogram.

 

For an impact-full dessert display we designed a candy-striped wall with oversized flowers as the backdrop for a huge array of chocolate truffles, boxed macarons and confections which flanked a beautiful white petal wedding cake. The best moment was when the petite bride had to stand on a chair to be able to cut the cake!

The partying crowd turned up the volume and danced into the wee hours of the night, finally slowing down after the 5am late night snack of tortas ahogadas.

 

Karoll & Carlos’ Love Story:

Both Karoll and Carlos grew up in Puerto Vallarta, but were not close friends as Carlos was a few years younger. However, years later, they started a friendship and found out that they were both attending school in San Diego because of mutual friends. After many years, they discovered they loved one another.

“Most girls dream of one day marrying a handsome, smart and creative guy when they grow up, but few find their true love,” Karoll said. Especially not in another country! The two began their journey to adulthood by traveling and experiencing the world and had no idea that fate would lead them to each other in sunny San Diego. Their fate turned to promise when Carlos asked for Karoll’s hand in marriage at Kensington Gardens, in London. Needless to say, she accepted.

Carlos, an architect, and Karoll, a designer, studied at FIDM. After undergrad, she followed him to Hong Kong where he did a prestigious internship for an architect. Shortly after, they returned home to Puerto Rico, where Karoll’s dad was the former Mayor, to start planning their wedding and new life together.

Karoll dreamt of having her wedding on her family’s property in Sierra Lago ever since she could remember. Having experienced her sister’s wedding there, she knew that planning with Carlos and her family would be like “coming home”.

The wedding, reception and party weekend took place at the family’s property built in Sierra Lago, Mexico. The ceremony was in a sacred chapel built specifically for both daughters to wed. It was not only special, but it was created just for them.

 

 

 

 

 

Read More »

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 »