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March 19

A Rustic Elegant Wedding at the Olde Dobbin Station

As we enter the Spring season for weddings, we thought we celebrated a few weddings that embodied the beauty of Winter weddings. We are so in awe of this beautiful wedding that Kimberly Chau photographed. Such a sweet, rustic, elegant wedding in Houston, Texas. The bride and groom wanted a simple wedding, with the warmth of their love. The Olde Dobbin Station was exactly that, with a dash of rustic, bold and chic, and vintage charm. Without taking away from the beauty of the venue, they used design elements such as rusted iron, imperfect and exposed wood, lace, and paper flowers mixed with memories of winter (pine and snowflakes), had everything balanced perfectly against the restored, elegant venue. A beautiful wedding that you do not want to miss.

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How did you two meet? Danny and I met senior year in high school though we lived only two blocks from each other our entire lives. We met through friends when he was in auto-shop class and I was a class officer. The auto-shop teacher was the senior class sponsor so I spent a lot of time there. We were friends at first, but it blossomed from there.

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What inspired your wedding day look? Those that know Danny and me know that we like to keep things very simple. We don’t like a lot of fluff, just very classic and elegant, with a rustic feel. The dress that I chose wasn’t something I would have picked out originally, but it was so classic and I loved the way it hugged me in all the right places. Though I like things simple, it was still my wedding day so I figured the blinged-out belt and earrings gave the dress a little sparkle it needed to complete the look. For Danny, we originally chose black suits, but we didn’t want it to look too black-tie. Formal really isn’t our style so the gray suits really complemented the look and feel for the day.

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What unique details would you like to share from the wedding day? I think the location itself was very unique. It’s such a beautifully restored, elegant venue that there aren’t any additional decorations that are needed. Though, our caterer/decorator (The Bake Shoppe) provided several things that really added value to the venue (i.e. the paper flowers above the arch and head table, rice crispy cake and cookies, the umbrella used to cover me before being seen).

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What was your favorite part of your wedding day? Minus the part of finally becoming Mrs. Danny Alford, probably getting a chance to see all our family and friends together. Danny and I have been together for 12 years and during that time, many have contributed to watching us and our relationship grow. It was just amazing and a very rare event to see all those that care about us rooting us on after all this time.

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Photographer:Kimberly Chau Photography /  Hair Stylist: Charmed by Tonya /  Floral Designer: Sicola’s Florist /  Dress Store: Alfred Angelo /  DJ: Daulong’s Mobile Music /  Linens and Coverings: Perfect Touch /  Shoes: Nina Shoes /  Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Al’s Formal Wear,Express Men /  Photo Booth Equipment: ShutterBooth /  Bakery: The Bake Shoppe & Cafe /  Event Venue: Olde Dobbin Station

categories COLOR PALETTES, LOOKS FOR LESS, REAL WEDDINGS, WEDDING CAKES, WEDDING DECOR, WEDDING FLOWERS, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, WEDDING STYLE

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March 18

A Singaporean Engagement at Princeton University

In Singapore (and a few other Asian cultures), it is common for couples to have a pre-wedding/engagement session where they get into formal wear, even in a bridal gown for the bride-to-be and suits for her man. It is usually the first time the couple gets a professional picture taken of both of them before their actual wedding day, and it takes a lot of planning to decide on the concepts, locations, outfits, makeup and hairstyles, which happens long before the actual shoot.

Today’s featured couple Karen and Kenneth came from Singapore and they picked Princeton University where they fell in love for their location. Their photographer Lindsey of Lindsey K Photography did a great job capturing them at their favorite spots on campus in their wedding attire.

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Karen also got a couple fun dresses from Rent the Runway for more casual fun shots!

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Peony Lace Shift

White Lace Whispers Dress

categories BEHIND THE SCENES, FRESH VENDOR, INSPIRATION, LOOKS FOR LESS, REAL ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDING FASHION, WEDDING FLOWERS, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, WEDDING STYLE

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March 13

A Casual Glam Engagement on Ocean Beach

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When the owner of a stylish boutique store in San Francisco gets engaged, you know you’re in for a fashionable engagement session. Marisa and Dan chose the Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach for a mix of glam and casual chic.

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We’re totally diggin’ her two looks. The first look with a sparkly sequined dress and nude heels on the sandy beach is unexpected yet oh-so-sexy.

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And we absolutely love her peplum top and hot pink pants with gold pumps! What a fun way to make your pictures pop!

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Photography: Ashley Batz Photoraphy

categories FRESH VENDOR, INSPIRATION, REAL ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, 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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March 12

Discovering Love

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? I know I do. Even though it’s been 11 years since the first time I said “I think I’m falling for you”, the feelings are still as real as they were 11 years ago.

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Love has you floating on cloud nine and living in la-la land. Every experience with love is refreshing and new. Your five senses are heightened. Food tastes better. Every word, smell and touch is so much sweeter.

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But Love together and apart is intimate and mysterious. Leaving you at peace but always wanting more.

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Words: Lucia Pador of Utterly Engaged  /  Photography: Kiss me Frank /  Stylist & Planner: Las alas de Fabiola /  Makeup & Hair: Alba Pesas  /  Dresses: Las alas de Fabiola /  Model: Carmen Pérez

categories INSPIRATION, LUCIA'S JOURNAL, WEDDING STYLE

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