DREAM:: An Intimate Bridal Affair
A San Diego Intimate Bridal Show featuring Modern Luxury Design
A few weeks ago we had the exciting idea to collaborate with our favorite San Diego vendors and create a very un-bridally bridal show! Along with Isari Flower Studio and Luna Photo, we pulled together our favorite San Diego vendors and designed and coordinated this special event just as we would a real wedding. No big tacky signs, no booths, nothing like a traditional bridal show! I really wanted to show a bride ‘this is how we would really all work together!’. From creating a cohesive design plan, site plan and gearing our furniture, flowers, food, music and drinks all towards the same design direction for one cohesive look verses a piecemeal feeling that you walk away from traditional bridal shows with.
Whether you need to fill in a few spots in your vendor list or come and hire the DREAM team as a whole, we were and are very proud to bring you San Diego’s best! Thank you everyone for helping us have had such an amazing turn out of more than 350 brides! With such an amazing success DREAM may be making another appearance later this year.
Pop Art + Modern Glam + Impressionism + Vintage
– Plan, Design, Invite: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
– Embellish: Isari Flower Studio
– Capture: Luna Photo
– Dine: Toast Catering
– Stay: Starwood Hotels (The US Grant, The W, The Westin)
– Dance: Elan Artists
– Film: Modern 8
– Nibble: Sweet Cheeks Baking
– Illuminate: AV Event Rentals
– Set the Table: Casa de Perrin
– Furnish & Accessorize: Pow Wow Vintage Rentals
– Beautify: Shampoo Too!
– Dress: M Bride
– Say Cheese: The Foto Box
– Discover: Luxe Finds
– Style: CBS Life Stylist
– Sip: For Real Bartenders
– Pillows: Lounge Appeal
– Register: Bloomingdales
Art History for Brides: Renaissance Inspired Rustic Vintage Winery Wedding Inspiration
Rustic Vintage Winery Wedding Inspiration
Nothing exudes romance to me more than the ethereal age of the Renaissance. From it’s flowering of literature, science, art, religion and politics, this golden era flourished from every angle. Combining my passion for art, fashion, history and, of course, Italy, this age became proliferate with some of the greatest minds in our history. Starting in the 14th century in Florence, Tuscany, the Renaissance age boasted incredible works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli, da Vinci and great thinkers such as Dante. With inspirations from this indelible age, the 4th installment of our Art History for Brides series was born.
Inspiration
For my interpretation of the Renaissance, I wanted to create softer and simpler, pastel version of what we conceive to be the traditional Renaissance palette consisting of darker jewel tones. My vision was to create a pair cherub-esque brides longingly lounging around a beautiful vineyard feast while waiting for their loves to return, as if a scene from a Botticelli masterpiece.
Patterns / Graphics
Florentine patterns featuring intricate floral designs and illustrations were used throughout the shoot including the silverware trays on the table and on the invitations. The ‘Fleur di Lis’, which was a popular symbol of this time, reflected the political and royal. Born in France and then later adopted by Florentine’s as their city’s emblem, this symbol appeared on crowns, clothes and even currency as seen in the fiorini, an early Florentine currency.
Tablescape
To create our lounge worthy dining area we started by layering vintage rugs from Casa de Perrin then brought in a rustic sun bleached table and a soft vanilla hued velvet couch and love seat from Archive Vintage Rentals. Contrasting patterns of china and Florentine trays by Casa de Perrin were used to display the vintage silverware, fresh loaves of bread and rich raspberry hued pomegranates. Soft pink hued glassware offered pomegranate sprinkled bubbles and a romantic balance to our cut crystal decanters.
Flowers
Inspired by a Renaissance still life, Isari Flower Studio created a trio of contrasting centerpieces featured in ethereal golden-footed glass. For the berry hued centerpiece, Isari intricately designed a masterpiece brimming with champagne kissed cafe au lait dahlias and stunning merlot hued garden roses boasting ruffled petals, exposing green centers.
For the softer sunset hued centerpieces, sheer pink lilies, Californian oak twigs, fall kissed green hydrangeas, and unexpected Dutch tulips were trailing with bejeweled china berries to make it’s meandering statement amidst sprawling desserts and other vintage dishes unexpectedly featured on this magnificent table scape.
For a tall dramatic statement a taller amber vase boasted simple organic stems of tall camellia branches, with their waxy foliage in hunter green.
Feast
To carry out our Tuscan worthy feast we created a rustic spread of fruits, nuts, breads, meats and cheeses offered upon layers and layers of Florentine, copper and silver trays. Vintage glassware, still life paintings and tapered candlesticks added height and interested for a layered effect.
Desserts
For a Renaissance style dessert bar we featured home-style cakes and fruit tarts by Scootabaker in this vineyard setting-boasting vine covered walkways and majestic vineyard and mountain views. Buttercream cakes were displayed on silver cake plates and layered upon mirrored trays atop a vintage French table. Beautiful berries, pomegranates, pears and plums were scattered about to sweeten up this already scrumptious still life inspired presentation.
Fashion
I wanted to invoke the romance of the Renaissance through the artisanal style of handwork and details seen in the beautifully detailed Allison Simone gowns, jewelry and accessories, which were featured on each of our brides. From the detailed beading on the neckline to the long sleeves with detailed hems, these gowns exude an air of romance from a time long gone.
During the Renaissance the most popular color of bridal gowns were actually blue, which was considered a symbol of purity. If the bride didn’t wear blue she would often still carry something blue, in which the tradition was born “something old, something blue”
Traditions
Some of the most common wedding traditions derived from the Renaissance are still celebrated today. Here are a few of the most popular (and interesting! Hand-fasting?) traditions from that time:
• Hand-fasting- One of the most common rituals is hand-fasting. Hand-fasting is a joining of hands between the bride and groom. Actually, their hands may be literally tied together with a piece of material or cord. In some ceremonies, hand-fasting is symbolized by cutting a lock of each others hair and placing the locks in a box, or by the bride and groom drinking out of the same cup. However this ritual is performed, the meaning is essentially the same. The couple’s lives are joined together for eternity.
• Throwing Rice- You may be surprised to discover that one of the most common wedding traditions, the tradition of throwing rice, dates back to Renaissance times. This is an essential part of the wedding, and symbolizes fertility and luck for the couple.
• Tiered Cakes- The tiered or layered wedding cake also dates back to Renaissance times. The guests would bring small cakes to stack on top of each other. If the couple could kiss over the top of the stack without knocking them down, they would have good luck.
• Garter- The throwing of the garter dates back to the Renaissance era. It was said that if a male guest at the wedding gave the bride’s garter to his love, he would receive faithfulness.
Credits
• Event Design & Styling by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
• Invitation Design by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
• Photography by Luna Photo
• Flowers by Isari Flower Studio
• Tableware settings & Props by Casa De Perrin
• Furniture & Props by Vintage Archive Rentals
• Cake & Pastries by Scootabaker Bakery
• Bridal Gowns & Jewelery by Allyson Simone of Provence Brides
• Venue Orfila Winery
Fashion Inspiration to Celebration: DVF + Lounge Appeal Modern Beach Wedding Inspiration
Summer Dreamin’: Bold Colorful Modern Glamour Beach Wedding Inspiration
Summer Dreams are in my head… A few months back when the weather was warm and the sun was shining, I designed what I consider to be a shoot so expressive of my own personal style and taste that it screams me! Lounge Appeal had just released their new Luxe Collection and asked me to design a shoot to showcase their modern new pieces. I have always been a huge fan of Diane Von Furstenberg and when her home collection came out I was jumping with joy. Bold, splashy colors, contrasting patterns and textures, and most of all…. GOLD! For me the most important thing about working with color is balance. The bright and daring color palette could easily look garish if not done correctly, but its the balance of the soft sea, sand and natural woods and burlap that help balance out this vivid tablescape.
So as you start to plan your summer wedding or event, here are some not so shy design ideas for your beach (or city) bash!
To offset the bold DVF china palette I infused a lot of warm and native feeling china in the form of exaggerated tortoise shell and hand painted vases in shades of amber to sand. Isari Flower Studio worked their magic again and brought in dinner plate dahlias, peonies and orchids ranging from hot fuchsia to raspberry to peach for a warm feminine palette.
For a natural and soft base to the centerpiece I lined up sun bleached planks of wood, complete with mossy green details on them natural from aging.
I love the contrast of the gold paint details on the dark wood napkin rings. The contrast of modern glamour with raw, natural materials is a design trick I live for.
For a modern yet clean touch, I brought in mirrored cube risers and sleek lucite votive holders to elevate and accentuate our centerpiece pieces.
Design & Styling by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Photography by Scott Lawrence
Furniture by Lounge Appeal
Flowers by Isari Flower Studio
China by DVF courtesy of Bloomingdales
‘Once Upon a Bride’ Fairy Tale Wedding Inspiration Shoot for Utterly Engaged
Every little girl has dreamt of becoming one of the the fairy tales that they grew up reading. Whether they wanted to be saved by a kiss from a prince, felt that someone was the Evil Queen in their lives, or just find that fairy tale romance that sometimes doesn’t seem real. I had so yearned for über long hair to throw out of my bedroom window to be rescued when I was grounded!
So when Lucia of Utterly Engaged asked me to design a bridal shoot inspired by the classic fairy tales we all know and love, the little girl in me definitely came out to play . We also spoke of mixing in the feeling of Scandinavian folk art undertones to bring out the textures and laces and patterns of this elaborate artistic style. With an incredible team behind me here are the creative results.
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down thy hair to me.
Instead of the classic ‘Red Riding Hood’ I wanted to play off of a more updated and stylish version of a ‘Pink Riding Hood’. We paired this ruffled lacy gown by Provence Bride with yards of flowing scarves for a rich and stylish take on this character. Knitted gloves, a suede claret Ferragamo belt and darling porcelain basket of flowers completed this damsel in distress’s look.
You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.
…as pure and white as snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony…
When I think of Snow White, I think of the sweet animal loving forest nymph who attracted all things good with her beauty. We actually had another gown planned for this character but a serendipitous moment on Facebook happened after I saw an old friend getting married in one of Tara La Tour’s gowns and I was immediately floored by her stunning designs. This periwinkle ombre work of art (along with the evil queen’s gown) was over-nighted from Minnesota just in time to grace our shoot. The hand work and detail on this gown are simply unparalleled and a true masterpiece! Tara La Tour’s wedding dresses are definitely worthy of a fairy tale wedding.
For our Snow White look Alex wore stunning rough diamond chandelier earrings and a coral rose ring by the talented Leslie Fastlicht Russo.
Snow White wouldn’t be complete with out the Evil Queen lurking in the shadows. This dramatic indigo blue gown worked wonderfully for the dark and mysterious character longingly looking for answers in her mirror. Her dark bouquet of burgundy blooms and spiky succulents created the perfect sinister look for this stunning sinner.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall…
Gretel, sans Hansel, stumbled upon a deliciously tempting trail of sweets by Scootabaker and Elizabethan bakeries while wearing a pale taupe BHLDN gown and basket lush with wildflowers. This would make for such a wonderful intimate wedding at the courthouse dress!
Sweets and treats did tempt the children into the witches house made of bread and cakes…
When I told Heather of Scootabaker of my vision I described elaborate shapes of flora and fauna and woodland creatures in layering textures of white on white. As if she crawled into my head, Heather literally made by elaborate vision come to life with so much detail and precision it was amazing!
Alex wore carved bone earrings and cocktail rings by Leslie Fastlicht Russo. The diamond button detailing on the back of her dress was stunning!
And from this slumber you shall wake, when true love’s kiss, the spell shall break.
Krista Jon created the most gorgeous and interesting florals for each look that could not have portrayed the lightly dark yet romantic look of this shoot. The variety of blooms with vines and greenery and succulents were so forward thinking and stunning.
This vintage Roberto Cavalli jacket donned by our amazing stylist Adrienne Baravetto worked wonderfully to frame our Sleeping Beauty’s gorgeous face.
Creative Direction by Lucia Dinh of Utterly Engaged
Art Direction, Design & Invitation Design by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Photography by Schnack Studios
Flowers by Krista Jon of A Humble Abode
Fashion Styling by Adrienne Baravetto
Jewelry by Leslie Fastlicht Russo
Props & Furniture by Archive Vintage Rentals
Make Up by Devon Duff
Hair by Caitlin of Flawless Face
Cake & Pastries by Scootabaker
Pies by Elizabethan
Model Alex Grace with Elite Models
