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March 28

Sophisticated & Rustic Wedding in Colorado

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The bride, Sheva, grew up on a ranch, but didn’t want a full on country barn type wedding. It was too expected especially having the wedding in Colorado. So how do you incorporate something you love without being too forced? She mixed vintage elements, with burlap and lace, and loose flowers and made it rustic and sophisticated. It was so important for the bride that it was eclectic and didn’t have one particular ‘theme’ and she didn’t want any set of ‘colors’. What Elizabeth Ann photographed was a wedding that was effortless, relaxed, beautiful and memorable.

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FROM THE BRIDE:

We both really love Fall so we wanted to have our wedding when the leaves were changing. We wanted the focus of the venue to be the landscape and the beauty of Fall. The design elements were kept loose, with a variety of colors and textures. The flowers were burgundy, deep purples, oranges, yellows, greens, whites, creams, etc.  I loved the idea of burlap and lace, sort of a vintage vibe that inspired us to go more rustic and elegant. I had the wedding party wearing different shades of grey.  I was really about things not matching to add visual interest.

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We asked a good friend of ours to marry us. We wrote our own vows - they were mostly serious but we had to throw some funny stuff in there, because that’s who we are, always laughing!

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I made all of the decorations for the reception. I made several different types of votive holders (my favorite where clear votives wrapped in lace). My mother in law helped me make burlap and lace table runners too. I, of course, wanted the wedding to be beautiful, but most of all we wanted our guests to feel welcome and relaxed. Our number one goal was for our guests to have a good time. We like to think we are a really laid back couple and we wanted our wedding to mirror that. We made our own music playlist and had a simple tri-tip barbecue meal. I love, love, love my sweets, so we had a small wedding cake and a dessert bar giving our guests a variety to choose from! We also had a mini photo booth that our guests could use props and take pictures at. Instead of the usual guestbook we had a wine barrel cut in half that we used to have the guests sign on. Now that we have a home, we have plan to make it into a table.

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THE MOST MEMORABLE:

There are quite a few things. First being, all the time I spent on the details. Details were my things and I think it shows. Secondly, I was so happy that my dad and my Iranian family could make it from California. My uncle even flew out from Paris. That really meant a lot to me. My cousin read a poem by Rumi, a Persian poet at the reception and we had a sofreh aghd, which is a traditional Persian wedding ’spread’ where a collection of items, each symbolizing something for the marriage is placed. After the wedding ceremony, my husband and I sat behind the table while my aunt and cousin held a veil over us and sprinkled sugar over our heads, to wish us a sweet life. And lastly, my vendors made it incredibly memorable. I am actually good friends with a few of my vendors even ’til now!

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Ceremony and Reception Site: Spruce Mountain Ranch(Mountain Side), Larkspur, CO  / Photography: Elizabeth Ann / Wedding Gown: Casablanca (1986) purchased from Something New Boutique /  Hair Stylist: Kerri Royer-Murray, Premier Medispa /  Shoes: Charlotte Russe /  Bridesmaids Dresses: Ebayand J.Crew / Grooms & Groomsmen: Kenneth Cole purchased at Men’s Warehouse; All ties/tie clips were Express /  Paper goods, DIY burlap, lace table runners, votive:  The Bride  / Flowers: Twigs and Posies / Rentals (lighting, linens, tableware, tables, chairs, drapery, etc) Event Rents / Catering Buffalo Gals Catering /  Cake, Dessert bar with small cakes, pies, and tarts:Indulge Bakery

categories COLOR PALETTES, DIY PROJECTS, REAL WEDDINGS, WEDDING STYLE

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March 13

A Rustic Desert Wedding in Acton, California

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Finding the perfect venue for your wedding can be a challenge. But sometimes the stars align and the perfect venue just comes to you. That’s what happened to today’s featured couple Cara and Garret. When they were invited to Garret’s mom’s best friend’s home in Acton, California for a birthday party, they didn’t expect to find their wedding venue. Complete with twinkling lights under the desert sky, they knew it was “the one”.

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Words of the Bride:
Linda Marshall (our florist) is one of Garret’s Mom’s best friends. Garret and I had already picked a venue in Northern CA (where I grew up) when we went to a birthday party at Linda Marshall’s home. The venue in Northern CA was beautiful, but Garret and I were frustrated because we felt with every venue there was something we had to compromise on (i.e. wedding ending time, using specific vendors etc.). When we went to Linda’s birthday party at her home, it was perfect. Her home is in the desert/mountains in Acton, CA. It was lit up with string lights (one of my essential musts for my wedding). Linda created a perfect relaxed, but very fun atmosphere.  Not to mention it was decorated beautifully (she’s a florist after all). Jokingly we said we should just get married at her house. Linda being the very generous person that she is, actually got very excited by the whole idea.  Her husband Dave even got ordained and officiated our wedding. So the Marshalls really made our wedding happen!

Some of the key decor that we incorporated into our wedding to match our rustic venue was: burlap table runners, mason jar drinking glasses and candle holders, and horse saddles in the cocktail area. A few personal touches included in the ceremony were: our dog “swamp monster” walking down the isle, my grandmothers’ necklaces wrapped around my bouquet (they have both passed so I wanted to include them), personal vows that included “in happiness and in grumpiness”, and a fiddle player Teri Villani who played “Puff The Magic Dragon”, “Norwegian Wood”, and “Here Comes the Bride”.  Some other fun stuff we incorporated was: Pirate Themed Beer Cozies as wedding gift saying “Till Death Do Us Part”, and Skull/Cross Bones cupcakes.

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Photography: Honey Honey Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Lisa Nutall of Crystal Clear Weddings & Occasions | Florist: Linda Marshall Acton Country Flowers (661-269-9326) | Hair/Makeup: Andrea Martin of Blush Up LA | Catering: Kenny Fryer (661-916-6224) | Rentals: A-1 Event Rentals (661-755-8111) | Music: John Spears (Runaway Train Band and Teri Villani

categories BEAUTY, DIY PROJECTS, FRESH VENDOR, INSPIRATION, REAL WEDDINGS, WEDDING CAKES, WEDDING DECOR, WEDDING FASHION, WEDDING FAVORS, WEDDING FLOWERS, WEDDING INVITATIONS & STATIONERY, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, WEDDING PLANNERS & DESIGNERS, WEDDING STYLE

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November 12

Together for the Holidays :: A Benefit Event for Kids

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Although the holidays is still a little over a month away, we’re already thinking about twinkle lights and peppermint hot chocolates. But what we love most about the holidays is getting together with our loved ones and remembering those who are less fortunate. Our friends at Blu Bungalow and Very Merry Events in San Francisco had the same idea. On December 9, 2012, they will be hosting a fun event called Together for the Holidays where kids get to decorate cupcakes, do holiday crafts, play games, and all the kids at heart will get to learn creative ways to gift wrap, decorate your holiday table, how to look hot for the holidays, and find ways to detox during the holidays. The best part of the event is that, besides all the fun things planned, they’re giving hope to those in need. There will raffles and prizes, and a silent auction, where all the proceeds will benefit Cancercare for Kids. They’re also having a children’s shoe bin collection for Project Resoled. This fun event will be from 1pm-6pm at Blu Bungalow, 2068 Union St., San Francisco. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by and show your support for those who are less fortunate. And while you’re at it, get inspired for your holidays! The event is free, but please RSVP so they know who’s coming! To follow updates on the event, please go to their site.

categories BEAUTY, BLOG LOVE, DIY PROJECTS, GIVING BACK, INSPIRATION, LOOKS FOR LESS, NEWS, SPONSORS, TOOLS & RESOURCES, WEDDING DECOR, WEDDING FAVORS, WEDDING PLANNERS & DESIGNERS, WEDDING STYLE

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July 25

Get Ready. Set. Shop! Fizz & Frills is Back!

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We are so thrilled to announce that we’re bringing Fizz & Frills, a wedding marketplace, back and it’s coming to Pasadena, CA! On September 9, you’ll be able to shop top notch frills from a fine selection of highly curated independent designers and artisans that we think you’ll absolutely love and adore. If you’ve been following our issues, you might just see some familiar products and vendors! Get the details!

We’re looking for unique, creative and just plain awesome vendors to sell their stuff at Fizz & Frills. If you’ve got what it takes to delight our brides and frill seekers, go here for details on how to apply. Don’t wait! Space is very limited and application is due August 6, 2012!

A little preview of what’s to come from our past 2011 event in San Francisco! Filmed by Cinematt

Fizz and Frills at Blu Bungalow from Matthieu Meynier on Vimeo.

categories BEAUTY, COLOR PALETTES, Call for entry, DIY PROJECTS, FRESH VENDOR, INSPIRATION, LOOKS FOR LESS, NEWS, SNEAK PEEKS, TOOLS & RESOURCES, WEDDING CAKES, WEDDING DECOR, WEDDING FASHION, WEDDING FAVORS, WEDDING FLOWERS, WEDDING INVITATIONS & STATIONERY, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, WEDDING PLANNERS & DESIGNERS, WEDDING POP-UP SHOP, WEDDING STYLE

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July 5

Look Like a Pro! Easy Peasy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

If you saw our morning post about Katharyn and Joshua’s sweet (and kinda sexy) cooking engagement session, you know you’re in for a treat! KT has agreed to share her family recipe for the blueberry cobbler pictured in her engagement sesh for all you ladies! So go ahead, put on your cute Anthro apron and invite your man over because someone’s about to get lucky tonight!

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Photos by Emilia Jane Photography

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EASY PEASY BLUEBERRY COBBLER by Katharyn Molinaro

Ingredients for 8×8 Square Pan
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
Fruit filling of choice - 1 1/2 cartons of blueberries (her favorite is 1 carton of blackberries and 4 peaches, thinly sliced)
1/2 cup melted butter
Cinnamon

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350˚
Spray baking dish
Combine flour and sugar
Spoon 1/2 of the dry ingredients to cover the entire bottom of the dish, keeping the dry mixture loose, not packed
Spoon have the butter over dry ingredients (it will just sit on top)
Add your fruit filling
Combine the remaining dry ingredients and butter to create a dough
Place the dough in cobbles over the fruit
Sprinkle with cinnamon
Bake for 45 minutes
Enjoy warm with ice cream!

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If you want to see a variation of this recipe, you can read it on her food blog. Enjoy!

categories BEHIND THE SCENES, BLOG LOVE, DIY PROJECTS, INSPIRATION, REAL ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

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