Elegant Boudoir Inspiration by Kathy Davies Photography

May 19, 2015

Prepare to become obsessed with this styled boudoir shoot. I can't get enough of the model's soft, sultry look. Mix that with the elegant decor, the amazing farmhouse setting, and you've got yourself a show stopping session that should practically come with a warming label. See below and fall in love...

Photographer: Kathy Davies Photography//Beauty: Kyle Ann//Floral Designer: R einhardt Blooms

My Top 3 Inspiration Sites | Bridal Blogger Alisha

May 15, 2015

Today I thought I'd share a little inspiration for all you brides out there. I know sometimes it can feel like you're in a wedding planning rut, but I guarantee these sites will give you the boost you need. Let's hope right in!

1. WeddingBee

Weddingbee is one of the best sites for inspiration, simply because you get to interact with real brides. You can get feed back on your decor, see what other brides did differently, and even create a poll to help you make the tough decisions.

2. Pinterest

This probably seems like a no-brainer but I thought it deserved a mention. Pinterest is such an easy way to collect your thoughts and scan large amounts of content at one time. If you're not signed up yet - What are you waiting for? Go check it out, but prepare to pin away your afternoon!

3. Weddinggawker

Weddinggawker is a fantastic site if you are wedding obsessed. It allows you to create collections and save content like Pinterest. However, unlike Pinterest, this site houses 100% wedding related content. Once again, you may want to set aside a couple of hours before officially logging in but I promise you're gonna love it!

I hope these sites help you along your planning process. Leave a comment letting me know how you get inspired!

Engaged // Lauren + Patrick

May 12, 2015

These two will be getting married at the beautiful Holman Ranch in September. I absolutely love working with them, and her uber-organized mother Theresa, on planning and designing what will be just a flat out awesome wedding day! Danielle Poff will be photographing, and if their engagement shoot is any indication, I'm pretty excited to see what she does with the wedding!

Honeymoon Search | Bridal Blogger Alisha

May 8, 2015

I know - I'm totally procrastinating with the venue decision. It's been a crazy, stress-filled week and all I can think about is how much I need a vacation. This thought led me to obsess about my not yet solidified honeymoon plans, which led me to endless, "best honeymoon location", Google searches, which leads me to the topic of this post. Let't talk front runners...

Santorini, Greece

Are you dying over this view? Honestly, Santorini has been my most pinned location this week. Not only is the island gorgeous, but it's said to have a great nightlife, and a red sand beach leading up to clear blue water. Count me in!

Tulum, Mexico

What better way to kick of the adventure that is married life than with sun, surf, and awesome Mayan ruins? Not to mention legit, authentic Mexican food!!!!!!

Hawaii

You'll notice I didn't list a specific island and that's because, all of Hawaii is amazing! I've been dreaming of going back for the last year or so and our honeymoon sounds like the perfect time.

So, what do you think? Do you have a honeymoon recommendation I should check out? Leave me a comment and help me plan!

A Desert Engagement Shoot by M. Felt Photography

May 6, 2015

I'm absolute dying over this adorable engagement shoot by M. felt Photography. Not only is the couple super cute, but their style is killer, and it fits in perfectly with the natural beauty of Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Park. See below for some totally swoon-worthy shots.

Congratulations on your engagement, Jackie and Danny!

The E Word | Bridal Blogger Alisha

May 1, 2015

If you couldn't tell from my past few posts, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by this whole wedding planning business. I have a super tight budget and the attention span of a turnip, so it's been a hard for me to make the big venue decision. I find myself worrying that Pinterest has ruined me with its picture perfect wedding photos. All I can think is - am I asking too much?

I've heard from many brides that finding the venue is the hardest part and I can now safley confirm that - there weren't lying. I sit here now, 65% ready to throw in the towel and start using the E word.

I'm not saying eloping is a bad thing by any means. In fact I think it's incredibly romantic and I envy the brides that get to enjoy their day that way. I'm just not sure it's for me. A big part of me really doesn't want to miss all of the awesome things that come with a wedding day. Still, just for today, let's endulge in a few of my favorite elopement photos and the idea that wedding planning doesn't have to be that hard.

SF City Hall Elopement

We could always run off to city hall. Get some amazing photos and hit the beach.

Mountain Elopement

Or we could do an easy peasy mountain ceremony and have a romantic picnic for two.

Photo via Tonie Christine Photography — Photo via Tonie Christine Photography

Paris Elopement

Better still, we could mush our honeymoon and wedding day into one thing and get married in a far away place.

I wish I could just wave a magic wand and fast forward to the time when all the plans have been made, vendors paid, and all that is left to do is actually tie the knot. I am so excited to marry my fiancé but so unmotivated to plan this wedding. Is eloping right for me or am I just being lazy?

Fellow brides, If your going through or have been through the same thing leave me a comment! I'd love to know what your take is on this experience and if you have any tips and tricks on ways to get through the venue/Pinterest ruined my wedding blues.

Until next time...

20 Cool Ways to Go Greenery

April 29, 2015

Of all the wedding decor trends floating around out there, I have to say, the greenery thing easily lands high on my favorites list. The trend is cost effective, high impact, and super versatile. Today I share twenty awesome ideas you can use, to incorporate the greenery trend into your big day.

1. Decorative Wreaths

2. Hair Accessories

3. Green Bouquets

4. BOUTONNIERES

5. INVITATIONS

6. SIGNAGE decor

7. Ceremony wall Art

8. Ceremony Arch

9. Spruced up aisle ways

10. Beautiful exits

Photographed by Caroline Plus Ben Photography

11. Seating Chart boarder

12. Garnished Menus

13. Green Chair Backs

14. Casual Cake Topper

15. natural CHANDELIERs

16. Dressed up Tent

17. Non-Boring Balloons

18. Glorious Table Runners

19. Green Bunting

20. Naturally Beautiful backdrops

My Bridal Look | Bridal Blogger Alisha

April 24, 2015

Hi all - So the venue hunt was put on hold this week due a family members surprise birthday party that I helped put together. Despite the fact that party planning was super time consuming, I kept finding my mind wonder back to my big day. It's officially an obsession at this point.

Since I now I have my "venue vision" (minus the actual venue), I thought I could finally start figuring out my bridal look. This is defiantly going to be a work-in-progress. Still I wanted to put what I'm thinking out there and see what you, the E & I Readers, think! Let's hop right in...

Hair Inspiration

Since I'd like to incorporate some old hollywood style into my day, I'm thinking I need to go glam! I love the idea of soft pretty waves pushed back on once side. Add a killer embellished headband or comb and I'd be good to go.

My only issues with this style is that I'm worried it's going to look too flat and I wonder if the embellished touch will clash/snag on me veil. (I told you I've become obsessive!) I am considering going hair accessory-free for the ceremony and then popping one on before I step into my reception. Let me know your thoughts!

Beauty Inspiration

As far as my makeup goes, I'm totally torn. I've always had a taste for more dramatic looks but worry that too much makeup will be a distraction. Part of me thinks I should play it safe and go for a natural look, but I've always thought I'd rock some bold makeup on my wedding day.

My main concern is my lip color. I'd love to wear a strong glam lip color but I'm so worried that I'll have to fuss with it all day. Any recommendations on this ladies? I'd love to know what your favorite long wear lip color is or if you have any wedding day beauty tips to share!

See below for my favorite looks so far.

Thanks so much for reading! I can't wait to read your thoughts and tips in the comment section! Until next time.

San Francisco City Hall Wedding by Retrospect Images

April 22, 2015

Today we invite you to bask in the loveliness that is Yan and Zi's San Francisco City Hall Wedding. The couple said, "I do", among loved ones in an intimate city hall ceremony with Retrospect Images capturing every sweet moment. Check it out and prepare to say, "Awwwe!".

The Venue Hunt Part One | Bridal Blogger Alisha

April 17, 2015

This past weekend my fiance and I took a trip to San Francisco/Oakland to check out a couple prospective wedding venues. The results of our search was... exciting, confusing, and to be honest a little disappointing. Still I'm hopeful and excited to share our progress so far. Let's get into it!

The Winery SF

Our first stop was The Winery SF - a beautiful industrial space with jaw dropping views of San Francisco. If you've had a chance to check out my "Venue Vision" post, you already know this place is right up my alley. It's perfect with it's industrial style, stellar views, and budget friendly packages. I literally couldn't ask for anything more.

Photo via Frances Iacuzzi — Photo via Frances Iacuzzi

The fiance and I arrived and met with the coordinator in a the beautiful wine barrel lined room. The second we stepped in I could tell Tony liked what he saw and could picture our wedding. And that's when it happened... The wedding coordinator mentioned that we are lucky to be getting married this year because the loction is being TORN DOWN in the beginning of 2016. : (

Apparently there was some sort of mix up with our application causing the coordinator to think we are planning our wedding for September 2015 when in fact we are aiming for September of next year. Bummer!

Even though this location has been pushed off of our short list, it's a beautiful location and I highly recommend 2015 brides give it a chance. If it wasn't for the fact that this baby is getting DEMOLISHED, I'm pretty sure this would have been my venue. It ticks pretty much every box on my wish list but I guess it just wan't meant to be.

Luckily, I'm not one to get to hung up on what might have been so, on with the venue hunt!

The Terrace Room / Lake Merritt Hotel

After our super quick meeting at The Winery SF we were pretty hungry. We decided to multitask by grabbing brunch at The Terrace Room while scoping it out for our big day. Brunch was delicious but the location confused us a bit.

It turns out the Lake Merritt "Hotel" is an assisted living facility and not an actual hotel at all. The Terrace Room restaurant/venue shares and entrance and lobby with the Lake Merritt Hotel. The whole restaurant inside of an assisted living home concept through me off until I saw the gorgeous view!

By far the best part of this venue is its enormous panoramic windows that look out onto the lake. Tony and I did a walk through with the restaurant manager and started to get really excited about the space. It's a good mix of industrial style but with lots of art-deco touches that I love. If we chose this location our aisle would be breath taking and we could have the entire event indoors, meaning weather concerns wouldn't be an issue.

While I'm definitely warming up to the place, I still have my reservations. I love everything about the location but I really wish it was a regular hotel and not a care facility. All I can think is - "What if the reception music keeps the residence up?" or "What's the point of getting married in a hotel if my guests won't have a place to stay?".

E & I readers, am I being crazy here?

At any rate, I think it's safe to say the hunt is still very much on. The Winery SF is definitely off our venue list but I'll keep The Terrace Room on and continue to mull it over (with your help hopefully). Until next week!