Lisa & Brad : Neman Hall : West Hollywood, California

Now, I really have no idea why I haven't posted this event sooner as Lisa and Brad are truly one of the most wonderful couples I have ever had the chance to work with. And if I do say so myself, their event was just beautiful! But, I think it has something to do with the fabulous Mary Jane over at Mary Jane Weddings sending me over 700 amazing, amazing images to sort through!! Anyway, onto the details...

Lisa and Brad held their wedding and Russian extravaganza at Neman Hall in West Hollywood, which is truly one of the areas best kept secrets. While the outside might look like your average, everyday, banquet hall, the inside is sure to impress. This wedding was my first experience planning a Russian affair and it was just a blast! Anytime each dinner table gets their own bottle of vodka for shots throughout the night while enjoying a 15 course dinner, guests are sure to enjoy. Pair this with belly dancers, famous russian trumpeters and a bit of tango dancing and you get a wedding that will not soon be forgotten!

Lisa's color palette was black, white, eggplant and a deep red. She loves black and white damask and she wanted a very organic feel. We brought in my favorite, Holly Vesecky of Holly Flora, to pull off the event. She added touches of mini eggplants, plums and raw crystals into everything from the centerpieces to the aisle decor. In the end, I am sure the event was like no other her guests had seen before. Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking!!

This isn't that great of detail, but I am just surprised someone is actually looking at my timeline. It must have been a posed shot!

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Sure, they look innocent and sophisticated, but this is the same group of guys that tried to feed me swigs from a flask while on the job. Of course, I wouldn't think of it, but don't be fooled by their sweet little faces.


I just love this series of images...the Beverly Hilton provided a great backdrop for photos!



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Laura & Craig : Figueroa Hotel : Downtown Los Angeles

Well, if you follow my blog, you already know how much I love Laura and Craig, so I won't bore you with how hilarious, sweet and all around amazing this couple truly is, but I have been dying to share pictures from this event, so here it goes. It took place at the Figueroa Hotel, which is a hidden gem to say the very least. With it's Moroccan vibe, Laura and Craig really decided to embrace the overall feel of the venue and went full on with a sexy, Moroccan affair. Take a peek!

Images are by the wonderful Jennifer Roper.







Calligraphy by my personal fav, Laura Hooper.

Kippots were handmade in Uganda with personal labels tucked inside. More to come on this resource in another post...












Bongo Drummers led guests from the dinner to the lounge shown below where DJ Shark kept the party going until 2am!


Oh yes, those are glow sticks...they were a huge hit!


Thank you Laura & Craig for allowing me to be a part of your amazing vision. I think it came to life perfectly!!!

The Knot Market Party : Smog Shoppe : Culver City

Every year, The Knot.com and The Knot magazine throw one of LA's best shindigs in effort to spoil their advertisers and entice new ones. Attendees are typically event planners, photographers, floral designers, caterers and entertainers which for those of you who might not have guessed, can be challenging to impress. This year, I had the honor of planning this great event and needless to say, it was both nervewrecking and exciting to plan an event for some of the nation's top industry professionals.

This year's event was in Culver City and the theme was "going green." I think we did just that. The event was at Smog Shoppe, LA's newest completely green event space by the fabulous owners of Marvimon. The venue is completely solar powered and everything from the bookshelves to the dining tables and chairs were refurbished and still, fabulous. The site definitely proved to industry professionals that going green doesn't mean sacrificing the experience of the event at all.

The menu was completely organic and none other than the work of the amazing Food Art. From Kobe sliders to banana nutella wontons, guests did not leave unsatisfied.

For entertainment, I brought in something new for each hour of the event, from Cale Music, LA's hottest spanish guitarists, to Scott Topper Productions who was both the DJ and photobooth provider for the night to the headliner, String Theory Productions. If you haven't had the experience of witnessing String Theory in person, I insist you find a party to crash where they are the entertainers immediately. Or, even better if you can actually get an invite. This is a group of performance artists who played on strings which were installed across the entire room (approximately 40 feet long). There was hanging drums, fabulous vocals and overall just a mesmerizing experience. Check them out immediately!

The, too good for words, florist, Ricardo Luna and lighting designer, Sid Khera of Aspect Lighting, ensured that, not only did the event remain green, but it looked amazing when doing so.

Overall, the day was a huge success. Here are the pictures to prove it. Enjoy!

Sweet Jane

I wanted to introduce the newest member of my team, Jane Lopez. I am so thrilled to have Jane leading our Hawaii studio that I can hardly stand it. Not only is Jane Hawaii's top event planner and designer, but she was born and raised in the islands adding a special touch that only a local waihine can offer. Here is a little more about sweet Jane:

Jane lives on the incredible island of Maui and her knowledge of the island and extensive experience in the wedding industry makes her one of Hawaii’s most valuable resources. A former chef with a degree in Culinary Arts and Food & Beverage Management, Jane had always dreamt of one day planning events. Her dream became her reality in 2005, beginning her planning career with one of Maui’s top planning companies. Her passion and intensity for planning has allowed her to plan events for many of Hollywood’s film and television industry as well as professional athletes. Her consultation services have also been sought out by some of the country’s top celebrity wedding planners. Jane focuses on customizing each and every event to match the style and personality of each couple, and the end result is always an incredible experience. Her personalized service, attention to detail, strict standard for quality, and expertise are just a few of the qualities that make her a must have for any destination wedding experience.

Jane and I have had the opportunity to collaborate on many events over the past three years and I am very lucky to have her on my team. Jane will service all of the Hawaiian Islands as the Lead Event Planner & Designer for Hawaii and beyond. Please give her a warm welcome and if you are island bound for your upcoming wedding, contact her immediately at jane@bethhelmstetter.com. Aloha!

Oh, and by the way, the lovely photo is by Scott Drexler Photography. He is an amazing Hawaii based photographer. Check out more of his work at www.scottdrexler.com.

The House of Harry Winston : Winston Bridal Week

See the look on this mother of the bride's face? That is the look of a woman about to wear none other than Harry Winston on her daughter, Kim's, wedding day. You cannot fake the type of passion she has in this moment. For those of you who don't know, I am a HUGE Harry Winston fan. The jewelry offered by Harry Winston is only the rare, exceptional, and utterly timeless, exactly how your wedding day should be. For those of you who aren't familiar, Harry Winston was an American icon and his vision lives on through the magnificent pieces sold at his 19 salons worldwide. The jewelry is truly spectacular and could be the perfect solution for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents or even the extra special gift you give your fiance on your wedding day.

This week, my friends over at Harry Winston invite you to fall in love. From November 13th-November 22nd Harry Winston Beverly Hills will be hosting Bridal Week. This event gives guests the unique opportunity to experience the world of the Harry Winston Bride. Enjoy the exquisite engagement rings, wedding bands, and timeless jewelry that keeps Harry Winston’s legacy thriving. They are located at 310 N. Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills. RSVP to 310-271-8554.

This is an event not to be missed! If you are able to stop in, please ask for my good friend, Noah, and tell him I sent you. Enjoy!

Sarah & Daniel's Engagement Session : Santa Monica

Sarah and Daniel are one of the wonderful couples I am currently working with, who happen to be marrying in December at the luxurious Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. I am anxiously counting down the days until their big day. Sarah's style is so fabulous and she is all about the details, which I love. Unfortunately, I can't share anything about the big day yet as she is keeping everything under wraps from her guests, but the wedding is going to be to die for. I cannot wait! In the interim, however, I wanted to share some pictures from their engagement session with Jacob Atmodojojo, one of my favorite photographers in Los Angeles. Check out the magic he created in a quick, 30 minute shoot in the lovely community of Santa Monica. I am literally dying to see Sarah and Daniel all dressed up on their wedding day. They are such a gorgeous couple!