In The Press: Town & Country Weddings

We are thrilled to have Liz & Chris's wedding featured in the current issue of Town & Country Weddings. This publication only includes eight weddings a year, so we feel very fancy and honored to be alongside of the endless inspiration that fills their pages. It's truly a beautiful publication and we hope you'll check it out soon!

Real Life Bride : Week 9

I have a little secret to let you in on:  Grant and I have been freaking out over our budget, our wedding, our location, our everything. 

Here’s the story:

 When we started shopping around for rehearsal dinner locations and hotels, we thought it’d be nice (especially for all of the out of town guests) to experience a beach-front location.  We looked at venues that were literally on the beach (think: sand), which is almost impossible to do here in LA. We checked out private clubs only to find our rehearsal dinner and welcoming party were going to cost just as much as an entire wedding.  Then, we started looking at beach-front hotels like Shutters and Casa del Mar which resulted in equally expensive.  We searched and searched for this beach-front idea we had and couldn’t find anything within reason.

With high expectations and feeling extremely deflated, we began re-thinking our entire wedding plan to begin with.  Thoughts of eloping entered our head.  We sat down with our parents to discuss the idea of mini destination wedding. In fact, we’re even going to Mexico next week with my parents to check out possible locations!!  (If you haven’t caught on to my personality type right now it’s Type A all the way. Of course when these baby thoughts entered our head I planned an entire scouting trip around them).   

And then, like a light bulb, we found a solution.   This week we let go of our beach-front rehearsal dinner and welcoming party.  We just let it go.  “When one door closes, another one opens…”  

Grant & I aren’t extreme beach fanatics anyway, and while the idea sounded nice, it honestly wasn’t that difficult to change direction.  We opened our minds up to other options and this week we found a perfect solution.  We found a GREAT hotel for our guests and as an added plus, the restaurant located in the hotel has this adorable courtyard where we can host the rehearsal dinner/welcoming party.  It is soooooo cute! The space really matches our personality and will be easy to theme in with the wedding.   I’m not going to give the name of the hotel away quite yet (until we’re 100% booked), but I must say the name is quite appropriate considering I am the daughter of a farmer (clearing throat…Jacey can’t keep secrets).  

Above you can see some photos of our scouting trip to the hotel.   A very relieved Jacey & Grant now have a perfect option (and affordable option) to host our rehearsal dinner.   And as a bonus we’re headed to Mexico next week for a nice vacation.

xoxo

Real Life Bride: Week 8

I hate my handwriting.  This week I finally sat down and addressed our save-the-dates.  I wish we had invested in a calligrapher after all because I’m very hard on myself and think the addresses look awful.  Something I guess I should just let go, but a part of me feels like once you start to let one thing go, then another, before you know it you’re letting all the small stuff slip up and then the whole wedding falls apart.  Psycho? Yes.

I started on my New Year’s Resolution this week of taking some “Me” time.  I hit up my mani/pedi place, got my hair highlighted and went to the spa for a massage and facial.  I also extended my training sessions to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and we starting to hit gym hard this week.   Maybe all this “me time” is a bit overboard but if you haven’t caught on by now when I do something, I do it 100%.  As I was getting a facial, I talked to my esthetician and she says we should start with the wedding regime 6 months out.   6 months out…that’s in April! That’s only about 3 months away!  And it has officially hit me that I am 9 months away from our wedding.  I started feeling a bit overwhelmed this weekend, but I have to trust that everything will be done. It will be.  But I still had a mini-freak out.

In planning news, Susie touched base with us as we returned from the holiday.  She and Beth say we’ll have a meeting in a few weeks to discuss design. I. Cannot. Wait.  To me, this is the FUN PART!!!  I cannot wait to see what Beth & Susie have to show and it will be so nice to have someone help package all of our ideas together.  Sometimes I love so many colors, prints, trends, etc… that it’s hard to make them cohesive.  Also, my mother-in-law to be and I also secured a date to have a girls wine tasting weekend up at her ranch in Santa Ynez just before the wedding.  I’m really excited about having not just my bachelorette party in Texas, but also a girls get together/shower just before the big day! That's all for now...until next time.

xoxo,

LUV is in the Air by Southwest Airlines

I don't usually post sweepstakes and such, but I guess, I'm secretly hoping that along with the winner of the LUV Sweepstakes (see details below), I, too, will win a 7 day night stay at the Grand Panama Beach Resort, 2 round trip tickets and a $10K shopping spree. Somehow, I don't think my wish will come true, BUT, just in case...Take a peek below to find out how you and your fiancee could win...Good luck and if you win, don't forget where you found the info!

The Aisle New York

We've pretty much been obsessed with Rue La La as long as we can remember and we are so happy to now have a similar resource for the wedding industry! The Aisle New York recently launched and we couldn't more excited. All of you brides dying to have that $10K plus couture gown for your day, might have a chance to save a few dollars on some of the best designers in the industry by signing up for the ultra exclusive invite only sales on gowns, accessories and even honeymoons. Hop on over to The Aisle New York to get on the list asap!

Style Me Pretty : THE MAGAZINE

Have you seen it yet? SMP JUST launched their first magazine highlighting the reader's favorite weddings of 2010. It's a wondrous source for inspiration and we are so honored to be included. Liz and Chris's wedding, which just so happened to be one of OUR personal favorites as well, graced the pages.

 

Check out the E-Glossy here
Congrats to Abby and the team for a beautiful job yet again!
 

2010 Highlights

 We love a new year...Full of fresh starts, clean slates and ENGAGEMENTS! We wanted to take the time to wish all of you newly engaged couples out there a huge congratulations! We are hoping to get to know some of you that much more as your wedding plans unfold, but in the meantime, here is a look back on some of our favorite designs from 2010:
 

Cape Cod Prep

Understated in Los Olivos

Homespun in Aspen

Glamour in Santa Barbara

Classic Luxury in the Hamptons

Effortless Charm in Maui

Here's to making that many more memories in 2011!

Real Life Bride : Week 7

 

Happy Year of 2011!!! I cannot believe the year is finally here - my WEDDING YEAR!!!  We are officially 9 months away from the big day for Grant & I.  We are also officially still on holiday, so I’m enjoying every last second of wedding downtime. During my spare time I jotted down some New Year's (Wedding) Resolutions I thought I would share with you.

1.     Remember The Point:  We’re getting married, not just throwing a party.  I have already started on this resolution but I strive to prepare myself to be the best possible wife for Grant than I can be.
2.     Take “Me” Time:  I can be a crazy OCD, Type A personality who is go, go, go.  If I don’t stop and smell the roses once in a while, the year will fly by and I’ll be cranky deluxe come wedding day.  This year I will take care of my mind, body and soul by working out, talking with my therapist and practice meditation.
3.     Be Love: I am so in love with Grant. I vow to recognize the amazing man he is each and every day this year and let the build up of getting married transpire.
4.     It Won’t Be Perfect: Breathe in and out.  Not everyone is going to be happy with our choices, guest list, seating arrangements etc… and I will truly aim to not sweat the small stuff this year or let other people’s opinions stress me out.
5.     No Wearing/Display of Male Body Parts at Bachelorette Party:  It’s a personal decision.  Please don’t get drunk and break this rule Jacey.  Plus, I’d hate for any videos of me dancing on tables to end up on Facebook.  You’re an adult now, act like one (haha, this is just my personal lecture to myself)
6.     Trust My Gut:  I had originally envisioned getting married on a beach, or in nature in front of a tree. Some things you have to let go of, but my resolution is to stay firm on aspects of the wedding that are very important to Grant and I.  If we aren’t feeling something, let’s change it!!
7.     Have Fun:  Enough said! But by the looks of this picture on New Year’s Eve night, I don’t see us having a problem on this resolution! 

xoxo,

 

Real Life Bride : Week 6

Due to the holiday, it’s been a  super duper slow week in wedding planning. So, I whipped out my inner fashion editor and put together a mini-inspiration board.  I’ve been printing out pictures and ripping out magazine pages since the day Grant proposed.  As a firm believer in inspiration boards, I highly encourage all the brides out there to do the same.  I thought I’d share a few things I have on my board:

1.    The Kitchen from “It’s Complicated” – I think the first day I saw Beth & Susie I said I wanted to plan my wedding around this kitchen.
2.    Pink Antique Roses – I get excited and feel like a little girl when I see these flowers.  Maybe they’ll be my bouquet?
3.    Dirt in a Jar – What?  Yes, Dirt in a jar.  We want our ceremony to be super personal so as an alternate option to the unity candle, we’re each brining soil from our “home.”  My soil will be dirt from our farm in Texas and Grant’s will be from LA, maybe sand? Or dirt from his Mom’s ranch.  We’ll combine the soil into one vase and use it to plant a tree in our backyard.
4.    J. Crew Bridesmaids Dress – I highly encourage the brides to go and try on dresses before you send your girls. 
5.    Ban.Do Hair Fun – I’m thinking of clipping in some fun into my hair for our reception.
6.    Invitations – I’m such a strong advocate for adding creativity and uniqueness into wedding invitations.  I hope we can work with our calligrapher to come up with something extra special!
7.    Cotton – Farming has been in my family for over 100 years and I’m proud to be a farmer’s daughter. We’re hoping to incorporate a bit of cotton throughout the wedding festivities.

I hope that my mini-inspiration board gives you some inspiration of your own.  Take advantage of downtime this holiday season, whether you’re driving across country or flying high in the sky – grab those bridal magazines and get to work!!

Fa la la la laaaa…….
xoxo

Real Life Bride: Week 5

Hello lovelies! My apologies for the delay of this post! Jacey had everything in right on time but due to technical difficulties we weren't able to get her happenings up until today! Please enjoy and she will be back next week on her regularly scheduled day!

‘Tis the season to be planning . . . wedding’s that is! This week we mailed our deposits for the band, caterer, photographer and videographer and are having a bit of buyer’s remorse. It’s tough actually writing out checks to vendors I’m not going to lie. The words “Hermés” and “Birkin” keep running through my head. Just thinking about how much money this is all costing kind of hurts, but I’m trying to stay positive and not obsess over every penny that goes out. This week we also mailed out our holiday cards – yet another fun reason to be getting married! Have I mentioned how obsessed we are with our bulldogs? See below for our holiday card. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I have a confession to make. I really wanted Grant to propose before he actually pulled the trigger. I remember looking at rings online and trying to guess when and where he would pop the question. I was so crazy about it that I pulled out all of the stops . . . I even pulled out the infamous “Engagement Chicken.”


What came first, the chicken or the ring? For me, it was the chicken. Back in January 2004, Glamour Magazine published a recipe for “Engagement Chicken” (link to: http://www.glamour.com/magazine/2006/07/engagement-chicken) so called because soon after staffers whipped it up, their boyfriends popped the question. Let’s just say that I made Grant “Engagement Chicken” on March 1st and he proposed on April 24th – coincidence? Call me crazy but I believe in a bit of superstition.

Things are in a planning lull now that we’re entering the holiday season. This will be the very first Christmas I have spent away from my family in Texas. When you get engaged it is the beginning of starting your own family and with that comes a bit of sadness because you have to let go of old traditions. But as Irene Peter said “Just because everything is different doesn’t mean anything has changed.” Family will always be my family and this Christmas season, I hope you find yourself just as blessed to be sharing it with yours.

Planning Status:

Catering Company – deposit sent

Band – deposit sent

Videographer – deposit sent

Photographer - deposit sent

Save-The-Dates – procrastinating until January

xoxo & happy holidays

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011

We just had some great news at the studio in finding out we won The Knot Award for Best of Weddings 2011. What a huge honor and a very big thank you to the brides and editors that nominated and voted for us! Yippee!

Real Life Bride : Week 4

Grant & I are pro pre-marital counseling and our therapist, Dr. T (for privacy) has told me that the #1 reasons why you fell in love with your spouse will most likely end up being the reasons that drive you mad.  A top reason I fell in love with Grant? He follows the rules.

We drove to Texas for Thanksgiving so Grant could meet the rest of my family.  We also had the chance to sit down with my parents (and my grandmother, “Meme”) to go over the guest list.  Grant had to do a bit of mediating in between it all. We were having a very hard time narrowing down whom to include from my deep Texas roots and came to the conclusion that we are going to have a “Post Wedding Celebration” in Texas so we can just invite everyone!  Is that weird?  I don’t know.

We stayed in Texas for a week and on the way home we hit some very heavy traffic just as we were both at our boiling points.  I suggested a short cut, which would cut us over the median (illegally).  What did Grant do?  He followed the rules.

Of course, Dr. T also says that we choose to marry someone who balances us out; someone who you can count on to pick up the slack for you in areas that are your weaknesses.  I tried remembering this as we sat in traffic for nearly 2 hours, but it all ended up being okay.   It gave us some time to talk about potential rehearsal dinner locations and other details.  I would have probably cut across the median, gotten a ticket resulting in a big fight and rehearsal venue conversations pushed. Good thing Grant “follows the rules” after all.

At the end of our drive we found ourselves singing along deliriously to Beatles tunes and I hope that if you ever take a road trip with your spouse-to-be that it ends just as well.

In Awesome News: We booked our honeymoon flights this week! We’re taking a less traditional trip and hitting up a part of the world neither of us have been to, and may not have the opportunity to return: We’re going to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand and Bali. 

I’m sure you won’t find us nit picking over whether to illegally cross a median on this trip!

Photos: (left) Grant & I opening our first joint bank account. (right) Me having too much fun at William-Sonoma.

Tip for Couples:  Open an airline credit card to rack up points for your honeymoon flights!

Planning Status:
Honeymoon – BOOKED!
Joint Wedding Account: Opened
Registry: Check
Guest List: Finalized

xoxo

Real Life Bride : Week 3

This week was pretty slow in wedding planning news. So, I’m taking this opportunity to really journal about a few wedding feelings I’ve been having lately.

My name is Jacey Lenae Duprie.  I love my name. Maybe it’s a bit narcissistic, but I think it’s more about family pride and loyalty.  Grant and I have discussed this numerous times, although the discussion is usually very short and sweet.  He truly doesn’t care if I change my last name to “Leavitt.”  In fact, he says he loves my name the way it is. I completely understand the desire to take your husbands last name, and I cannot wait to become a part of the Leavitt family.  Grant’s family has welcomed me with open arms.  However, for some reason the idea of changing my name makes me feel sad and like I am losing my identity in a way.  Shannon (my MOH) thinks I’m just being a “hippie” (don’t kill me Shan.) And I’m sure 50% of the readers will agree. It’s a touchy subject I suppose.  But what is this weekly column for other than to help guide me through the process of becoming a “Mrs. “ A Mrs. Jacey Lenae Duprie? Now that isn’t right.  I’ve told Grant that I’m 100% giving our future hopeful children his name.  And he assures me that he is 100% happy with me keeping my name as is.

Everyone has his/her own opinion.  Maybe it’s all just a process and I’ll mature into the idea. We’ll see.  All that matters to me is that Grant is happy and I am happy, and we are.  At the end of the day I guess a name is just a name, or is it something more? Something symbolic? You can look at it either way.

Speaking of “Family” and names – have I mentioned how AWESOME the Leavitt family is?  Grant and his Mom surprised me with an engagement announcement in the newspaper. So sweet!! And don’t even get me started on Mr. Leavitt (err…Chase) and Grant’s siblings.  I would be so lucky as to take on their last name….

Here’s me and the Leavitt clan minus Grant’s Mom – We’re at the USC Football Game – they are HUGE USC fans.

To change or not to change?  That’s still up in the air, but one thing that’s no in question is how lucky I feel to be a part of this family.

Planning Status:


We are mailing our deposits and contracts for several vendors next week!

Starting to address the Save –The-Dates

Real Life Bride : Week 2

 I love this picture, it's the cover of a card.  My best friend and Maid of Honor, Shannon, gave it to me because we both got engaged this year and are simultaneously planning our weddings. I suppose most people would think it’s dangerous planning a wedding in the same year as your best friend (insert “Bride Wars” joke here), but it’s honestly been so nice.  Shannon’s wedding is in June 2011 and ours is in September 2011, so when she checks something off her timeline list, I know that leaves me about a month to do so myself. The most recent box to check off the timeline to do list? Buy your wedding dress.

The hunt started online.  I was certain I had picked out my dress without stepping foot in a store (I was wrong).  Sadly, I’m the girl who has to have a new dress for every special occasion, party, event, holiday… My profession is in the fashion industry and I love to shop, so I figured that dress shopping would be a cakewalk (I was wrong again).

I was really nervous try on my first wedding dress, I’m not going to lie.  The thought of Carrie Bradshaw fainting in that one episode of Sex & The City kept running through my mind over and over.  I took a few deep breaths, walked in to Monique Lhuillier and tried one on… and that is how my newest shopping addiction was born.  I fell in love with trying on wedding dresses. Week after week I would visit and re-visit bridal salons all over Los Angeles; I’m sure the sales associates were thrilled.

After all of that, I ended up finding “the one” in New York. My Mom and I planned a mini-vacation to the big apple for dress shopping, which ended up being a great success.  On our last day, we visited Vera Wang, where we both just knew we’d found it.  I thought I had a “gut feeling” with other dresses but this one just overwhelmed the rest. I. Love. Her.  While I’m sad to put an end to my latest shopping addiction, I’m thrilled that I have my dress!! Below is a picture of my Mom and I just after leaving the store.

I wish I could share pictures of my dress with you, but Grant is keeping in tune with tradition and doesn’t want to see the dress until the big day (which I’m very happy with).

All I can say is she is perfect!  I am happy to report that I have checked off yet another box from the timeline to-do list.  I wonder what Shannon will have in store for me next week.

Planning status:
Wedding Dress: Ordered
Bridesmaids Dresses: Narrowed Down
Bachelorette Party Location: Check
Save-The-Date List? Took it home to Texas Thanksgiving to review with the parents.

xoxo

Real Life Bride : The Save The Date Video

Just to let everyone know, I don't edit my real life brides in ANY way. I want them to share exactly what they believe best represents their wedding planning journey, BUT, to say I was disappointed that Jacey only included a small little link to her save-the-date video would be an understatement. This video lets everyone get to know the couple that much more and I had to share it immediately. I think watching it will make you fall instantly in love with this couple just like Susie and I have!

Brand Spankin' New "Real Life Bride" : Week 1

 

Let the wedding blogging, loving, smiling, stressing and planning begin! The above picture pretty much sums up our lives to date:  Grant and I, hanging on for dear life to each other, as the world around us spins out of control, morphing into something new – but at the end of this journey, and at the end of him twirling me around, we will be left standing with our arms around each other, smiling and laughing about the ride. At least we hope – Ha!

Grant popped the question about 6 months ago and we both agreed that we wanted a nice, long engagement.  We also knew that we wanted a fall wedding in Los Angeles, September particularly, because it is the nicest time of year with ideal weather.  So we’re set to wed: September 24, 2010. T-Minus 322 Days.

We had our engagement party about a month ago at the Soho House in West Hollywood. It was a perfect opportunity for our families to meet and greet everyone. It was also a great warm up to what we can expect for the wedding. A few lessons we learned:
1.    Get everything in writing. We got taken for by the limo company as they charged us $250 one-way to shuttle guests to/from the hotel, not $250 total like we were told.  Now it’s a “he said, she said” battle.
2.    Food is necessary when serving alcohol. Shoes were off by 11pm and our guests could barely walk out of the place. Which actually isn’t too bad, but we felt a little guilty when friends called from their bed at 3pm the next day.
3.    When the party starts, have fun.  Grant and I learned that when the first guest showed up, that meant it was time to let go of any finishing touches and enjoy the party.  

We had a BLAST.  Our friend Andrea Trujillo at A.SweeT made an awesome candy table with custom lolli-pops.  My parents flew us some cotton from my Dad’s farm in Texas, so we had HollyFlora implement it in the floral arrangements. We also had temporary tattoo’s made and put them in the bathroom.  Beth & Susie recommended “StrayTats.com” where you can upload your own images and funny sayings. While it was a lot of fun getting to help our parents throw an awesome engagement party, we are so relieved that we have Beth Helmstetter to help us with our wedding plans! I can’t imagine doing it all on my own.

So right now we are forging ahead with wedding to do’s.  This week we met with a catering company and had a taste-test, which I absolutely love.  For some reason going to meet with caterers makes me feel like we are officially getting married. I think about all of the wedding movies I’ve seen and remember how I’ve always pictured getting to do it one day, and here we are.

Grant and I are also in the process of getting ready to mail out our save-the-dates, which we’ve found to cause a bit of tension.  I was convinced that Grant’s guest list had 50% more people on it than mine.  So, we finally sat down and divided the list in to two: Jacey vs. Grant.  Being an extremely competitive person, I was a sore loser when I found out my list had 45 more people on it than Grant’s.  Needless to say, we are making some adjustments before we start the addressing.

Planning status:
Wedding coordinator - Booked
Venue – SmogShoppe, deposit made
Photographer – Secured. As you can by the above pictures, we love our photog. Friend Lauren Ross
We have a few bands, a videographer and other things in mind but haven’t made deposits.  Stay tuned!

If you would like to get to know us more, you can visit our wedding website: www.grantheartsjacey.com where you can watch our “Save The Date Video,” read the story of us and see more pictures. 

 

xoxo