I’m busy editing, editing, editing… but wanted to share a dew delights from a recent ceremony at the beautiful Chapel of Grace in Grace Cathedral. Love this bride’s style!
A few from Grace Cathedral’s Chapel of Grace
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Category Archives: Wedding Ideas & Inspiration
Karen and Steve, Four Seasons Scottsdale
Enjoy this sweet slideshow of Karen and Steve’s stylish and sweet Arizona wedding! (be aware, slideshow features music!)
Click here to view it full-screen in a new window.
Thanks to Jenna Lam and Four Seasons Resorts Scottsdale for making everything look gorgeous and flow beautifully.
Beyond Blu Bungalow Amazing Peninsula Site Tour, part 2
So, picking up where we left off… (here is part 1, in case you need to catch up.) The next stop on our Beyond Blu Bungalow Peninsula tour was Thomas Fogarty Winery, a story-book pretty site perched amidst the Santa Cruz mountains that offers amazing views of the entire Bay Area. We were lucky to have perfectly clear (if a bit crisp!) weather and the view really knocked our socks off! Becky showed off the many areas available for use at the winery, including the ceremony lawn at the edge of the mountain, and the gorgeous, huge covered Pavilion that can be used if the weather demands it, where guests are a bit more sheltered but still can still enjoy the incredible surroundings.
The Pavilion
Happy group!
Janece & Lori of Every Elegant Detail along with Karen at Huckleberry Karen Designs devised this striking table, using many of the items we’d seen earlier in the day at Classic Party Rentals. I always love sunny, happy yellow hues and they look fabulous juxtaposed with the teal-y turquoise (tealquoise?) seat cushions and accents. 
Huckleberry Karen making sure everything is juuuust right…
Janece and Lori from Every Elegant Detail join Karen in discussing their design choices.
Solo guitarist Gabriel Navia (courtesy of Entire Productions) serenaded us as we settled in for a delectable lunch prepared by Thomas John Events. Thomas himself spoke with the group and shared his commitment to using fresh, local ingredients and discussed all the steps that is taking to make Thomas John Events a green-certified company.
Gabriel Navia (booked through Entire Productions) and Cinematt, both hard at work.
Thomas John explains his company’s philosophy.
I do love a good beet salad!
Not to mention seared halibut over sweet potato gnocchi…
And along with the delicious food, we enjoyed some really killer wine! (I know, I know, my job is REALLY hard sometimes!) I’m usually more of a red person, but in this instance, my favorite was the chardonnay (2008, if you care to try some yourself). Mmmm!
Carrie and Annie with Thomas John Events took excellent care of us.
The gang.
After that, it was back down the mountain to the day’s final destination, La Costanera, a very cool, Michelin-star rated Peruvian restaurant located right on the edge of the ocean in Montara, just north of Half Moon Bay. As I mentioned, it was a perfect, clear day and the ocean view from this site is very, very special indeed. This is one of the very few places in the Bay Area where one can get married right on the beach… or, if you don’t want sand in your toes, you can use the patio and still enjoy the view!
Eric, our host at La Costanera, showed us all the different spaces available and explained the many ways they can be used for weddings both large and small. 
And we had another very special treat… DJ Eric Yee and his Spintronix team were set up with some tunes, and Annemarie of 8 Count (offering fun, low-key dance instruction for couples, wedding parties, and more) showed everyone a few moves to get loose and comfortable on the dance floor.
The ladies are adding the hip smack!
We then settled in around the patio firepit and watched the sun sink into the horizon as Eric brought us plate after plate of amazing La Costanera delectables. The food was truly to die for, and with the gorgeous setting and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, it’s not hard to understand why La Costanera is such a popular wedding site.
We were all a bit stuffed and sleepy for the ride back (at least, I was!) but the day wasn’t quite finished yet. Wine and nibbles awaited at Blu Bungalow, as well as lovely Liliana and her signature mobile spa party (SPArty!).
We were treated to our choice of three mini-spa sessions – truly, the perfect way to end a perfect day. I’m telling you, Hazel and Blu Bungalow really know how to rock a site tour! Thanks for a wonderful time!
Beyond Blu Bungalow’s beyond AMAZING Peninsula site tour!
Kudos to the ever-impressive Hazel Bourget and her phenomenal Blu Bungalow team! She had the genius idea to put together a series of Bay Area site tours for potential brides, as well as planners, bloggers, and anyone else interested in all-things-wedding. Last weekend’s tour was the final in the series, and highlighted popular sites on the Peninsula. But, since she is Hazel, this was no run-of-the-mill shuttle-schlepping tour… oh no! It was a day of girlie pampering, delicious food, informative talks, loot-filled swag bags, and (of course) champagne!
Upon arrival, ladies were treated to coffee, pastries, and mimosas as well as mini beauty treatments and fresh lashes with Elizabeth of Skyla Arts and Nicole at Blush…
…before walking the Blu carpet to board Pure Luxury’s immaculate shuttle.
As an example of how well thought out this event was, during our transit times Hazel planned for the various wedding pros on board to speak with participants about their area of expertise. I discussed how to approach wedding photography, how to find the right photographer for you, etc. and we had a great question-and-answer session. Matthieu of Cinematt gave a similar talk with regards to wedding cinematography. And Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events briefed everyone with information and details about each site prior to our arrival, so that we could maximize the time we had at each place. Such a great idea!
First Stop: Classic Party Rentals, where Mindy Roark hosted a tour of their Burlingame showroom, bursting with all the necessary elements to create your own, personal wedding decor nirvana.
A beautiful sample table…
A rainbow of seatcushions…
Just a small sampling of dishware…
And Mindy and Hazel, yucking it up.
Next, we visited Rosewood Sand Hill, where Todd Outhouse and his staff greeted us with big smiles – and pomegranate champagne cocktails.
We toured the many different available spaces at the hotel, which offers a truly luxurious experience and an aesthetic that is very clean and modern, while at the same time warm, rustic and inviting.
Gorgeous lobby.
The outdoor spaces are incredible!
In the ballroom, two sample tables created by Huckleberry Karen Designs and Jamie Chang of Mango Muse Events helped guests envision the possibilities, and Karen spoke with the group about selecting flowers and working with a floral designer (remember, if have your heart set on peonies, you’d better plan on a June wedding!)
So, so pretty, and I love banquet-style tables…
Such beautiful details!
And I MUST show you these two gorgeous bouquets that Karen designed:
It was time to say good-bye, but not before Todd provided everyone with swag bags full of beauty and spa goodies! And I must share a few more images of Rosewood – I really love their artwork…
Tune in tomorrow for the rest of the day’s adventures at incredibly picturesque Thomas Fogarty Winery and very cool La Costanera, right at the edge of the ocean! We’ll see more lovely decor from Janece and Lori at Every Elegant Detail, eat a wonderful meal courtesy of Thomas John Events, boogie to the sounds of Spintronix, get a dance lesson from Annemarie and 8 Count, and last but not least, enjoy a little end-of-day spa pampering from Liliana and her SPArty. What a day, right??
Boutonnieres | A Look at The Male Accessory
Boutonnieres are to men what shoes and accessories are to women: a personalized piece of fashion decor to wear. We love seeing our grooms not only put on their best threads for their special day but to accent their suits or tuxedo’s with a boutonniere pin that sums up their style best! Here are some inspiration and ideas for a groom’s floral accessories.
Delicious Delights & Fine Dining | Reception & Wedding Food
One of the many fun aspects of being a wedding photographer is seeing all of the culinary delights. Caterers are ever more creative and the food always looks at least as great as it tastes! We are envious of guests who have had the pleasure of indulging in some of these beautiful, tasty delights…
Editing these photos literally makes our mouths water in the studio! The hors d’oeuvres are often served so beautifully you almost hate to consume them.
The food is an important part of the wedding day and can reflect a couple’s food palette, taste preferences, and even their personalites. We love to capture such details for you to always remember.
Color also plays a keen role in how we experience food, and carefully selected dishes and serving utensils can really enhance a dish. The green plates, garnish, and decorative details of this salad certainly complement each other.
Anyone else hungry? All of these delights have stirred up an appetite. I hope you have enjoyed some of our favorite culinary delight photography!
Visions of Sugar Plums | Wedding Cake Ideas
In our studio, you won’t find anyone here without a sweet tooth. And it doesn’t get sweeter than a piece of cake! Crushed almonds, fresh fruit, fresh flowers, white chocolate pearls…the ideas for cake decor and style is endless.
These white chocolate roses and cascading pearls are so beautiful you don’t want to eat it. A cake is a personal reflection of your style and taste, down to the color, and we love seeing what our clients come up with at each wedding. Every cake is unique and personalized in an elegant manner.
Decorative patterns on cakes are also a great way to express yourself. Tiered cakes can be embellished in any form you like from ribbons to edible cutouts.
Time for a sweet break and to hit up the local bakery in honor of these amazing cakes. The question is, how do you pick which you like best? They are all so gorgeous!
Grey Likes Weddings & Brides Wedding Feature
We are excited to have Suzy’s work with our bride and groom, Adriane & Andy, from Texas to currently be featured on Grey Likes Weddings site! Adriane’s favorite color is green, so the vibrant Isaac Mizrahi dress was an instant choice for her, and a complete hit with everyone. It also made for a gorgeous pop of color against the natural backdrop at their Napa Valley rehearsal dinner at Rubicon Estates, owned by Francis Ford Coppola. The couple were married the next day at Beaulieu Vineyards in an elegant wedding and reception which incorporated more of the bride’s favorite color. To see more of the wedding as featured on Brides, click here
Wedding Chicks Blog Feature | Floral Arrangements
I recently visited with Janie Medley of The Bride’s Cafe in Richmond, Virginia. Naturally, no visit with Janie would be complete without some floral arranging and photographing! Janie pulled two sweet bouquets together from the fresh blooms she found at the local farmer’s market that day and wrapped them in a pretty sash from Vera Bradley. Janie wants you to know how to do so as well so she’s helping you out with all the names of the flowers and some tips on putting them together. I have to say, though… Janie makes it look soooo easy, but we all know how much talent is involved, don’t we?
Our shoot was also featured on the blog, Wedding Chicks. Check it out – and have fun arranging your own blooms!
Barn & Country Inspired Weddings
With Summer weddings in season, I thought it would be appropriate to share some outdoor venue inspiration for upcoming brides. With great weather on your side, any venue is the ideal location, but a barn or farm setting can be one of the best spots to utilize for the natural outdoor beauty surrounding your venue.
I love the details of this barn in beautiful Sea Ranch. Everything from the vintage wood that lets the indoor warmth shine outwards from its cracks, to the giant wreath which indicates a celebration, to the three little white guest chairs paired to the left side. All of these details add interest and character to what could be just considered an old barn. These decorative accents and the glow of illuminating lights from inside the barn, give it a warm, fuzzy, and inviting feeling.
Inside, I love that the couple invited their guests into a world that they never expected at first glance. A warm, detailed design inside the barn dresses it up for your wedding and encompasses both modern and vintage touches for your reception. Cascading drapery, candles, and touches of favorite colors or flowers can add personalized touches that allow guests to forget they are still inside a barn.
I love the potted grass as centerpieces on the tables. It continues the feeling of being outdoors, somewhere rustic, and a touch of chic country for the reception decor. Modern dishware and glassware also add an updated touch to a countryside venue.
Outdoor venues are truly gorgeous and can capture a couple’s presence in the most natural setting possible. Barn weddings are equally chic and beautiful to any other venue and for the right couple, make for a truly memorable wedding. I hope we’ve inspired you to further personalize your own venue space!