Yvonne & Bill get around...

I know I have already shared a few images from this highly detailed and intimate wedding, but today Yvonne and myself realized that her event has been featured on three different websites including The Knot and Chinese Weddings by the Knot as well as Wedding Chicks, an incredibly fabulous blog. It really was that amazing. The wedding took place at an old sugar plantation in upcountry Maui, called the Sugar House, and Yvonne really let the venue inspire her vintage Hawaii theme. From vintage postcards as the guest book to greeting guests with POG (passionfruit orange guava juice) in mason jars to ending the night with a hula show for her guests, there is a definite reason all of these sites snagged up the event. Below are some screen shots from the features and you can see the entire articles yourself at the following links:

Chinese Weddings by the Knot
The Knot
Wedding Chicks






Now for the vendors of the day:
Linens: BBJ Linens www.bbjlinens.com
Venue: Sugar House www.bevgannonrestaurants.com
Catering: Celebrations Catering www.bevgannonrestaurants.com
Florals: Floral Design Studio www.floraldesignstudio.com
Photography: Visionari www.visionari.com

Noaki Jewelry

So, I have been lagging a bit on my blog lately but as most of you know I have been travelling throughout Hawaii for the past few weeks for lots and lots of events. Very fun stuff! Anyway, there will be great pictures to share soon. In the meantime, I have to share Noaki Jewelry with you.

Noaki is a LA based designer who is doing amazing things with existing heirloom pieces she finds at antique stores and markets. Now, I am a complete sucker for the modern vintage feel and her work just blows me away. It is perfect for all of my bohemian chic or beachy brides out there and I had to share this resource with you immediately.

Below are a few of my favorite designs, but you can view Noaki's existing inventory at www.noaki.etsy.com or www.noakijewelry.com, but hands off of the Flower Cameo necklace. It's all mine. But, there are lots of goodies on there so don't be too disappointed. Enjoy!

Gotta love Photobooths...

Okay, I'm the first to admit there is nothing new about photobooths at your event, but there's a reason for that...they are fabulous! No matter the type of event or the age range, I have rarely seen a photobooth be any less than a huge success. Kids love them because, well, they can be super silly and of course, they are just an all around good time, and adults love them even more because of the nostalgia and again, they are just an all around good time. Here are some photos from my latest events where we set up either makeshift photobooths or rented the real thing. I highly recommend this little activity for your next shower, backyard BBQ or even gala. You won't be disappointed. And for a little bit of extra flair, don't forget the props...

Photography by Ventana Photography




Photography by Imij Foto





For a DIY photobooth find a sheet or other large piece of material to use as a backdrop and hang somewhere in your venue. Get your photographer's opinion on the best location based on lighting and the timing the booth will open. The best approach is to hire a second shooter to cover the area for a few hours, but a camera with an automatic function can work too. If you can't spend the extra funds on a second camera to stick around, you can also substitute this concept with the polaroid guestbook, but buy double the film you think you will need, because people love this little treat as well!

For the real, vintage, get 12 of your friends into the smallest space in the world, old-time photobooths, here are two of my favorites:
http://www.redcheese.com
http://www.actionphotobooth.com

It Was a Good Day...

So, today was one of those amazing days...I loved every song on the radio, my meetings went well and I spent some time with some fabulous, new clients, but the kicker was in my brief stop at Barnes & Noble, I came across, not one, not two, not three, but four new articles where little ole' me was featured. I am so honored that any publication would contact me, let alone four all in the same timeframe and I just had to share. Yes, I'm a lucky girl. Now, before you run to the store to buy up all of the copies, I wanted to give you a brief preview of what you'll find.

First up, is Bride's Magazine, the Southern California edition. Yes, the staple that has been defining wedding trends for over fifty years, interviewed me for my favorite reception locations. They even called me a "top event planner," which I have to admit made me blush a bit.




Next on the list was an interview with one of my favorite writers, Lisa Milbrand, for her "Tricks of the Trade" column in every issue of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons. I am very fortunate to be a constant in Lisa's articles, but this month, I felt especially close to the topic. The article's all about cultural differences you can expect when planning a destination wedding and there are a lot of them. While I have a couple of tips in there, you can also get some pointers from celebrity planner, Sasha Souza, which, of course, I am a huge fan of...





Third on my list is an article in this month's The Bride & Bloom which included an overview of the chic bridal event I planned with Riviera Country Club back in April. The event included a fashion show, expert panel and a meet and greet with some of the industry's top professionals, including Diann Valentine, who might be my favorite celebrity planner right now. She truly does redefine all of the rules. I just love her.




Lastly, Destination I Do, featured a real wedding I planned for NFL player Chad Morton and his wonderful wife Tamra, who coincidently just welcomed their newest little one, Avery. Their wedding was a weeklong celebration that included a welcome luau, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, after party and a "Mahalo" brunch. A perfect destination wedding experience to be highlighted in an amazing publication.





Thanks for humoring me today. The next blog will be a lot less about me and a lot more of something useful for all of you, I promise!

Sweet Treats

Okay, I'm a sucker for sweets and my client, Jackie, from Bride's magazine must have tuned into that somehow. Yesterday I spent the day with her and she introduced me to not one, but two, of my now, new favorite treats. The first was the amazing macarons from Paulette's Macarons in Beverly Hills. We are going to use these yummy and beautiful pastries as part of the design for her wedding and I can't wait to see the guest reaction. They are going to love every bite of them. Check them out...



Now, since Jackie works for Bride's magazine and Brides.com she experiences all of the good stuff, so if she recommends it, I have learned to take her word for it. That's why when she gave me a second treat, I couldn't keep myself from trying it right away. Or, maybe it's because I have no self control...but either way I couldn't resist! The second surprise of the day was a delicious red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles. Anyway, I am a fool for cream cheese icing and Sprinkles has some of the best I've had.





Either of these treats are delicious, fun and can be personalized for any event. I just love them both! But, before I go, I have mention another bakery that I still love just as much, Vanilla Bake Shop. If you want to go beyond cupcakes and beyond macarons, then check Vanilla Bake Shop out as well. They have mini desserts that are amazing and beautiful all at the same time! Below is a picture, along with the most darling little groom's cake they designed for me from Lisa & Brad's wedding back in May, photographed by the talented Mary Jane of Mary Jane Weddings.

For all of you European Bound Brides out there...

I'm in search of a client hoping to have their wedding somewhere in Europe. Whether you enjoy the regalness of Russia, the romance of France or the food of Italy, I want to plan your event. My destination wedding experience has taken me all over the world, from Hawaii to South America to even Tokyo and I would be honored to help with your destination celebration on this historical continent. Until we meet, enjoy a bit of inspiration from Elizabeth Messina (www.elizabethmessina.com). I am a huge fan of her work. Also, while I would love to take credit for this amazing event, it was actually planned by Lisa Vorce of Oh How Charming (www.ohhowcharming.com). I am truly inspired by all of her unbelievable events.

T's Bar Mitzvah

I recently had the pleasure of planning T.'s Bar Mitzvah. T is this amazing young guy with a love for good ole' classic rock. AC/DC, GNR, Santana, Aerosmith and so on and so on. This combined with his love for pop art and T's theme was born.

Place cards were concert tickets. The staff were the groupies for the night wearing t-shirts that donned a picture of the guest of honor. A lounge area was created for VIPs only and everything from the napkins to the menu caterered to T.'s personal choices.

While the adults had their own menu, the kids munched on chicken fingers, mac and cheese and ice cream sundaes. Their lounge area came complete with buckets of Izze, Capri Suns and anything else they could possibly want.

The flowers reflected the parent's organic and avante garde style while still adding to the Warholesque tone that had been set by the invitations and sign in board.

Activities included a photobooth for the kids, (though the adults enjoyed it just as much), black light tattoos and T's band playing a set. Starting off with Johnny B. Good, T was able to show off a bit of his guitar skills. The night couldn't have been more personal of the guest of honor and the parents.

As certain laws go, I can only show images without faces of minors but I still wanted to share a few pics for your pleasure. These really do not show the full impact of the event, but trust me it was a blast. To see more pictures, visit http://www.jacobgalleries.com.











Oh, and let's not forget the vendors:
DJ: Marty Glassman, http://www.sounddecisiondj.com
Florist: Holly Flora (of course) http://www.hollyflora.com
Photographer: Jacob Atmodojojo http://www.jacobgalleries.com
Linens: BBJ Linens http://www.bbjlinens.com
Catering: The Kitchen for Exploring Foods http://www.thekitchen.net
Dance Floor: Barker Decor Services http://www.barkerdecorservice.com
Lounge: AB Elements http://www.abelements.com
T-Shirt & Place card Design: Your truly

Louisa & John's Rehearsal Dinner

Even though moving Louisa & John's event from Big Sur to Malibu in just six days, was a bit stressful at times, the end result was amazing. I can't wait to share pictures of their big day. It might be my favorite event I have planned to date. But, in the meantime, take a peek at their rehearsal dinner which took place at Malibu Beach Inn. A swanky, oceanfront boutique hotel located right off of PCH. The manager, James, put together an amazing menu which consisted of four courses and a cocktail hour to die for. Linens were provided by Wildflower Linens and flowers by my favorite florist, Holly Vesecky of Holly Flora. The decor was chic and sophisticated with chocolate browns, taupes and whites with touches of bamboo and phalenopsis orchids everywhere, but my favorite detail was the oceanfront fire pit that the hotel has on it's balcony. It is a very unique yet functional touch that is perfect for an intimate dinner on the ocean. I highly recommend the venue for anyone looking for an upscale event or just a romantic dinner for two in Malibu.

All Photos were provided by the amazing Jacob Atmodojojo.