Ralph Lauren Inspired Engagement Shoot

This could quite literally be a fashion shoot if you ask me. These outfits are just so fabulous. You'll be spending the next bit of time gawking over these details, the collection of found items and the beautiful florals!

From The Photographer: "High School sweethearts, Brooke and Trevor are more of a real life Ken and Barbie than just about anyone we've met. But what is even more amazing than this couple's looks is their love for each other. Recently married, we decided to give them a post-wedding shoot to continue to showcase the love story that is only continuing to develop. Styled by Kaleb Norman James Design, this Ralph Lauren, prep-inspired shoot began with the couples love for fashion and all things Americana. We wanted the overall feel to transport you to a Hampton's manor home, complete with manicured gardens, sparkling silver and old world touches like the reclaimed trunk, vintage trophies and candelabras. Many of the items such as the fabric spools, flag and trunks were sourced from Snohomish, a local town, minutes from the location full of antique stores. We wanted the items to be authentic and original to the location we were shooting in and we couldn't have found more perfect items. We chose to work with purple florals, which might have been rather unexpected, due to Ralph Lauren's signature Purple Label line- a nod to his glamorous 1920's inspired designs."

Photography: Daniel Cruz Photography Styling & Floral: Kaleb Norman James Design Model's Dress: Rachel Zoe Groom's Suit: Gucci with Zara Jacket Venue: Private Residence - Snohomish, WA

Ceremony Backdrop

So we've nailed down the venue, I've got a dress, and I'm dreaming about cake. Almost all our vendors are in place (just a couple smaller ones left), so I've left myself start dreaming about the decor. With pinterest inspiration in my face every day, I was wanting to jump into decorations the very first thing. I made myself a deal that I would wait until I had all the big components nailed down so that I wouldn't get my heart set on a decor idea that wasn't feasible for the venue or would clash with some of the larger items. Since almost all those are in place: full steam ahead! The first thing I'm scheming is our ceremony backdrop. The venue already comes with an amazing brick wall backdrop and some lights hanging overhead, but I want some other color and pattern as our main focal point. Something a little more dynamic than the white curtain that has been used in the space in the past:

Source: Photo Elan

I went back to our pattern and decided that maybe I would just do the simplest thing and re-create it in a larger format, with several types of hanging garlands. Globe lights  (which the pattern was designed around), pom pom yarn balls for the colorful circles, a bold geometric garland, and maybe even the paper airplanes that are a nod to our long distance relationship. I think a few of these garlands hanging side-by-side or overhead would be just the focal point I'm looking for.

Sources (Top then left to right): The Ravenna Girls, Cramer Photo, Ruffled Blog, Gather and Build , Lulu the Baker

What do you think? Is it too much, or just enough??

Peach Wedding Inspiration by Carlie Statsky + Engaged & Inspired Events

During the off season I was excited to jump into some design work that was just for fun as opposed to for a specific client. Together with Carlie Statsky and Floral Theory, we created some wedding inspiration magic on a beautiful sunny day in Carmel Valley (It was actually my two year wedding anniversary!). I picked Holman Ranch as the venue because of all the amazing awe-worthy locations the property holds.

I feel like coral goes so well with the beauty of Holman Ranch and wanted to create a sophisticated type of rustic wedding that brides could actually achieve. This is the result! The gorgeous lace dress was from Haute Bride in Los Gatos and Melissa Hoffman did the best job with the model's hair & makeup. The amazing Mariko of Bee Curious Designs made the most perfect signs to match the coral bar I designed as well as a sorbet station. For my services, portfolio, and all that other goodness, Engaged & Inspired Events is my planning & design site.

You can see much more of this amazing shoot featured on Style Me Pretty.

Photography: Carlie Statsky | Venue: Holman Ranch | Coordination + Styling: Engaged & Inspired| Floral Design: Floral Theory | Cake: Amour Patisserie | Custom bar menu mirror + chalkboard sign:Bee Curious | Stationery: Little Miss Press | Rentals: Hartmann Studio Rentals | Flatware + Glassware:Anthropologie | Dress: Haute Bride | Accessories: J.Crew | Shoes: Valentino | Hair + Makeup: Melissa Hoffman

West Hollywood Wedding by Megan Welker

I'm so in love with this west hollywood wedding by Megan Welker Photography. The bride and groom  look like two people I'd love to be friends with. This home is incredibly awesome and I love that the bride did so much herself without it looking like a "DIY wedding". This exudes casual elegance at its finest.

Photography - The fabulous Megan Welker Catering - Tender Greens Officiant - Elizabeth Oakes Flowers/styling - Vanessa Friedman :) (The Bride!)

Ranch Engagement Session by Jason & Anna Photography

I'm off to Italy in September on account of these two trusting me to plan their amazing Italian destination wedding. And I really couldn't be more excited for them! Before this engagement shoot we went shopping quite a few times trying to find the perfect outfits to fit the ranch scene. I'm loving everything we picked! I was very excited to see their engagement session as a taste of what is to come on their wedding day. The location is a friend's ranch, which also happens to be the same location he proposed! Jason & Anna Photography really kicked it up a notch with this shoot. I CAN NOT wait for them to work their magic in Italy. Get ready guys, this is going to blow you away.

Simple Colorful Cake

 Source: Southern Weddings

Cake! Lets talk about cake for a minute, shall we? My fiance was home on military leave this past week, so we took the opportunity to cross many things off our wedding to-do list. One of those things was cake tasting - something we couldn't easily do over skype.

Source: Sweetapolita

Source: Manchik Photography

We met with 3 bakers in our area with the focus on choosing the most delicious cake and frosting. We've decided to do simple single-tier cakes with fun textures, colors, and toppers on vintage cake stands to give a whole spread of eye catching smaller cakes. This way we can play with a bunch of fun flavors (chocolate, vanilla, lemon, tiramisu, you name it!) and also keep things modern and budget-friendly.

Source: Sweetapolita

Source: Sweetapolita

These are some ideas I've saved for textured buttercream and ombre colors. See more on my Cakes! Pinterest Board.

The Lab Event \\ Rockstar Glam by Gem Photo

Today I'm sharing another shoot from the awesome bridal event I co-founded, The Lab Event. The purpose of our event is to create a bridal experience where vendors bring their work to life and show of to brides. No booths and awkward conversations here! Nope, we have music, drinks, yummy food and SO much inspiration for our Northern California brides!

This design was based on a "Rockstar Glam" inspiration board. I love what Kate Miller Events did here. And Gem Photo captured it all oh so well. Take a look at the vendors below. Like what you see? They will definitely be there to help create the most awesome wedding for you.

Event Design: Kate Miller Events Photography: Gem Photo Floral: PoppyStone Floral Design  Cakes: Shannie Cakes Paper Design: Mink Cards Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Lighting: Creative Lighting Design DJ: Josh Dukes - Boutique DJs Venue: Cline Cellars

Designed and shot for The Lab Event

Rustic Barn Wedding at Tate Farms

I always wanted a picnic table reception. So when I saw this wedding I knew it was awesome. The bride is gorgeous, the venue, Tate Farms, is breathtaking and those picnic tables.....I LOVE. Susan Hudson Photography really captured the love between these two. This rustic beauty is one for the books. That is for sure. 

Wedding Wine Tasting

 Source for all images: Better Homes & Gardens

 Last week I mentioned that we wanted to take advantage of summer weather in Seattle to have my bridal shower, even though we still have months until the wedding. It was completely amazing and I can't wait to share details! Since the sun shines on, we've also talked about another summer party: a BBQ hosted with the purpose to pick our wedding wines.

We're going to send invites with a per bottle price maximum and do a blind test with our friends and bridal party to try and choose the bottles that we'll buy for the big day (our venue lets us bring our own alcohol). We felt like this would be a fun way to get the families together, enjoy the sunshine, and give some involvement into the planning process.

In anticipation, I've been pinning ideas for decor and food for this little outdoor soiree. Can't wait to share which bottles we chose!

Pennsylvania Estate Wedding by Morrissey Photo

There were so many endearing homemade details in this wedding, it was truly the work of the entire family. The groom reupholstered chairs, built the bar and even their amazing sweetheart table that features the iron frame of an old Singer sewing machine table. (I have one of those as well, so I was delighted to see this awesome detail!) Morrissey Photo really rocked this one!

Our theme was based around “Our Love Story”. We had been together for six years and through those years created an amazing life together. I loved the rustic/antique look, and after finding our venue, we began to plan the details of our wedding that were most important to us.

We were planning a fall wedding so we incorporated teal and a deep orange color into our flowers and décor. I loved the look of blue ball jars and clear glass vases outside for cocktail hour, and inside the tent we kept it elegant with antique mercury glass vases and bottles for candles, votives and flowers on the tables that were a similar blue color, with greens and shades of white.

My dress was an elegant gown of hand-placed French Corded Lace designed by Christos named Femme for Neiman Marcus. The thoughtful placement of the lace created a chevron pattern throughout the gown. The fit-to-flare silhouette was accented by a sculpted bodice featuring delicate lace eyelashes along the neckline and a soft sweep train added a touch of unexpected drama. We decided to add a Swarovski belt and covered buttons down the back where the zipper was.

Paul has worked in catering and he knew that he wanted to bring an amazing catering company in that would work with us on each element of the catering and décor. Brulee Catering was the company that we chose for our reception.

Furniture was refurbished by Paul & his father to be placed on the lawn or in the tent. This furniture was planned to later be used in our future home. Paul personally made the bar from barn wood and fabric panels. He also made the sweet heart table with wood & a singer sewing table iron base and carved our initials in along with our wedding date, his & her chairs, old windows with guests names for table arrangements, personalized hor dourves trays made by Paul that included elements of our life together, lanterns, antique lace table cloths, and home made seat cushions for all the outdoor furniture.

Venue: Applewood Estate Photographer:  Morrissey Photo Musicians: Party Wave Band Caterer: Brulee Catering Hair Stylist: Jolie Salon & Spa Cake Designer: The Masters Baker Floral Designer: The Rhoads Garden