Sorry I’ve been away for a few days, but we are hard at work on a new wedding book I am SO excited about! It’s all the wedding planning info you need, plus amazing tips on how to save money, AND 13 real couples’ gorgeous weddings that cost $10,000 or less (including Catie & Ben’s backyard soiree, pictured here).
I can’t tell you how cool this book is going to be … not to mention photography by Max Wanger, Tec Petaja, Garrett Grove, Beulah Polito and many more.
Look for it preorder on Amazon and in stores May 2011!
A big trend right now that I LOVE is the Same-Day Edit wedding video, which is a 5- to 7-minute compilation video that the videographer edits onsite and presents at the reception, recapping the highlights of your wedding day. It’s such a fun, unexpected treat for guests that will have everyone laughing, cheering and crying.
Obviously Zack & Cori are a fantastically creative, think-outside-the-box couple -- I mean, she wore a blue tiered gown -- and I love the beautiful idea they came up with to pledge their love and commitment to marriage and to allow their family to show support. I mean, I LOVE this.
Here's what the couple said:
"We put a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a set of love letters (written in secret and unshared) into a wooden crate and then sealed it with nails (each nail was hammered by a family member to show their commitment to supporting our marriage and then finally by us). The crate is meant as an act of reassurance, a romantic gesture–if ever our relationship is in peril, we are to open the crate, drink the wine, and read the letters before we make any decisions about our future."
Kathy and Doug are two of the most wonderful people in my life ... Kathy and I were born a week apart and met when we were 2 years old, when her mother Lily and my mother brought us to the same dance class. My mom said we were both wearing the same type of little overalls and we immediately ran up to each other. She said it was as if we'd known each other in a past life ...
Our mothers ended up being best friends and when Lily was killed when Kathy and I were 7, Kathy became like part of our family. She was like the sister I never had, and I was so honored when she asked me to be her Maid of Honor. And Doug is such a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, intelligent, driven guy. They are a true match. Kathy and Doug's wedding was so special and personal and intimate. The most amazing parts were the beautiful beach aisle, their touching ceremony, and the gorgeous sunset as we ate dinner. In fact, people kept commenting on how lovely the ceremony was -- and that's usually the part people are hoping ends quickly so they can eat, drink and dance!
I'm very pleased to feature a sneak peek into their day, from photographer Ion Hartunian. Kathy and Doug got married on the beach at La Jolla Shores Hotel. Other vendors included Side by Side and fantastic makeup and hair by Ellie. More photos of the beautiful light purple details to come soon!
Kathy was just glowing! Not even nervous at all :)
Love this elevator shot!
Champagne with the bride, whose maiden name is actually Champagne!
Looking handsome.
This is an incredible shot ... so classic and elegant.
I love a vineyard wedding. You're surrounded by natural beauty, plus you have all the wine and champagne you could ever want right at your fingertips. My dear friends Alison and Josh got married at Viansa Winery in Sonoma Valley last summer, and it was such a gorgeous wedding. Plus the location made for a great weekend for all the guests -- Ali and Josh wrote up their own recommended wine tour for us and it was wonderful just to drive through Sonoma and enjoy the views between wineries.
Viansa is an incredible venue. You can get married in the Meditarrenean-style courtyard or in the wine cellar. The patio is perfect for a cocktail hour like Ali and Josh had; there is a beautiful view of the grapes and the sunset. A large white tent houses the guest tables and the dance floor, and after dinner, guests can mingle on the huge grassy lawn, complete with picnic tables for relaxing and fire pits for chilly nights.
After Ali and Josh's wedding, the guests convened in a local bar on the Sonoma Square and then went for a late-night swim at the fantastic house the men in the wedding party were staying. The next morning, the beautiful house the couple rented was the location of a delicious brunch.
Enjoy this real wedding inspiration! The style was very elegant, romantic and modern, but really, when you have a venue this beautiful you don't need much by way of decor!
Alison and her father walking down the "aisle." Just look at the backdrop! The bride bought her lacy Romona Keveza gown -- her dream dress -- at a sample sale months before the couple was even engaged. She looked incredible.
At Ali and Josh's wedding we exited the ceremony through the wine cellar, but you can also get married right there.
Cocktail hour with a view. Beautiful.
The cake table was decorated with gorgeous, full purple roses and photos of the bride and the couple, including one of them from one of our college's soccer game. Ah, memories.
The centerpieces were simple and stunning. And the tent just gives the wedding the most sophisticated, romantic feel.
A shot of the lawn beside the tent. The perfect place for guests to hang out after dinner or take a break from dancing.
The sendoff!
And, of course, a little taste of our wine tasting adventure. I had a blast.
Remember Jordyn & Bradley from this, one of my favorite E shoots of all time?
Well they got married and their wedding was full of precious, thoughtful details like spools of colorful thread and tiny ribbons and bright buttons and sweet doilies.
And I am just enamored with Jordyn's headband, which her grandmother crocheted. The long ribbon down the back is so pretty. Can grandma make me one?!
Tec Petaja shot this wedding, so you know the photos are going to be lovely. See more on his blog.
How creative and wonderful is this wedding photo booth?! The couple created a wall with vintage paper and family photos, then made cutouts that they surrounded with frames.
The summer edition of Martha Stewart Weddings is going to feature this wedding, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek at the incredible bouquets, which I am just in love with!
Laura the bride, of Wren Handmade, says, "I made my bouquet out of silk butterflies, some of which I repainted in coordinating colors. Hannah Milman made the bridesmaids bouquets from scented geraniums, daisies, sweet pea and other flowers."
Aren't they so special and unique? I love how she incorporated a nontraditional bouquet with a floral one. It's details like these that can help make your wedding personal!
The happy couple during their first dance ...
And, of course, the cupcakes. Beautiful, and I love the color palette!
