How sweet is this? Brinton Studios did such a fabulous job on this planes, trains and automobiles shoot! I mean seriously, this is such a fun idea for an engagement shoot. 
Engagement by Brittanee Taylor Photography
The natural light & those dogs make this shoot even more perfect! Brittanee Taylor Photography did a wonderful job capturing these two. The location, San Dimas Canyon, is simply perfection. Wait for it, there is a special appearance from a beautiful blue car later on in this shoot.
I'm Loving Leather
I'm obsessing over leather when it comes to fashion, interiors and of course weddings! It is a whole new approach to the rustic wedding that we all know and love. Leather can be incredibly sophisticated with a little calligraphy action. Gorgeous right?
1. That calligraphy menu is just to die for. 2 & 3: Jose Villa's wedding had one of the best invitation suite's ever. The mix of organic textures, calligraphy, and of course leather is making my hear skip a beat. Similarly. those place cards from their wedding were so sophisticated. 4. These notepad favors are such a perfect touch for a beautiful wedding.
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