Star's Inspirations: Personalize your Big Day with Photos!

We have seen photos used a myriad of ways as a decor element at weddings and events.  No matter how they are used, photos add a nice personal touch and a bit of uniqueness to your Big Day.  Whether you exhibit a bunch of photos or just a few favorites, your guests will enjoy the opportunity to view them at your wedding.  If you've had engagement photos taken, consider using them as wedding decor - it is a great way to show them off to your friends and family!  Another idea is to display childhood photos of you and your fiance or maybe use a variety of photos taken at various times throughout your relationship.  Some couples choose to display their parent's wedding pictures or photos of loved ones who have passed.  Whatever you decide will be perfect!  Display your photos in elaborate crystal frames for a formal look or string them along a clothes line for a casual garden wedding.  Below are just a few of our favorite ways to display personal photos at weddings.

Amanda and Hal, one of our September 2012 wedding couples, displayed their parent's, grandparent's and great grandparent's wedding photos on a table at the entrance of their venue.  A little sign naming the couple and their wedding date was placed next to each frame.  This was such a sweet touch and we loved how they included a photo from Hal's propsal to Amanda in the center.  For more on Amanda and Hal's big day, see this previous post.

  

 

 Photos courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography

Another one of our couples displayed various family photos to create an ancestry table.  Guests enjoyed  perusing these photos during the reception.

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography

Jessica and David, one of our October 2012 couples, used framed photos from their engagement shoot as table numbers.  This was a clever way exhibit their favorite engagement shoot photos!  For more on Jessica and David's wedding, see this previous post.

Photo courtesy of Docuvitae Photography

One of our October 2011 couples also used photos as table numbers.  For more on Stephanie and Darren's stunning wedding see this previous post.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography

We love how this couple displayed a variety of photos at their bar.  They included baby pictures of the bride and groom as well as a few quirky and sweet photos of the couple together.

Photo courtesy of Found Vintage Renals

Stringing photos around a tree (or fence, or wall, for that matter) is such a simple way to utilize your personal photos. 

What a great photo op!  Love this!

Photos courtesy of Simply Chic Events

We love the look of black and white photos strung across a mirror.  So simple yet elegant!

Photo courtesy of Ashley Bee 

xoxo,

Star

Sneak Peek: Amanda & Hal Say "I Do" at a Private Residence in Calabasas

Amanda and Hal were married at a private residence in Calabasas on a beautiful Sunday in September.  We were so honored to be a part of their big day which was so full of love, romance, and beauty!  Amanda, who happens to work in fashion, was one of those bride's that we knew early on was going to be just breathtaking from head to toe! We love this photo of her in her bedroom moments before her first look.  

The photos, captured by the incredible Allie and Brian Callaway of Callaway Gable Photography, are stunning and we can't wait to share some of them with you.  However, in the meantime, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek of their Same Day Edit highlight from the big day!  

Amanda and Hal fell in love with Daniel Boswell of Imagique Cinema's style and the SDE was shown via projector at the end of the evening!  Their love for one another and the gorgeous details of their day translate beautifully on film.  Guests were wowed by this video and we think you will be too - it is truly one of the best one's to date!  Check it out!

We cannot wait to share more with you from this incredible day soon! 

Festive Fridays: Just Dance!

One of our July brides shared with me what a priority dancing was going to be for her big day.  She described it in saying that "dancing would be the heartbeat of their big reception".  I was so inspired by this and then started thinking about how important dancing truly can be.

 Photo courtesy of Once Wed

Dancing is one of my favorite things to do and I just don't do it nearly as much as I want to.  Being an event producer in LA though, I definitely get to see my fare share of others dancing though.  This year I'm determined to dance all night long for my big birthday in November.  Hopefully a few times before that too, but in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favorite images capturing those hot moves on the dance floor!  So fun and festive and perfect for today's post!

 Check out these awesome moments!  So festive, so fun! 

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography

Photo courtesy of Next Exit Photography 

Photo courtesy of The Popes 

 Photo courtesy of Caroline Hancox Photography

 Photo courtesy of Rachel Tyler Photography

  Photo courtesy of True Photography

Photo courtesy of Stak Photographer Duo

 Photo courtesy of Allegro Photography

Photo courtesy of  Robert Holley Photography 

Photo courtesy of  Lin & Jirsa Photography

 

 Photo courtesy of Olivia Leigh Photographie

 Photo courtesy of  Callaway Gable Photography 

 

Photo courtesy of  Laurel McConnell Photography 

Yes, yes, now I'm sure your feeling inspired and want to get out and dance!  Have a dance party tonight, get your grove on, practice your first dance or even start to attack your reception music.  Whatever you do, make sure to dance a little this weekend... if you're anything like me it may be ultra cheesy and to something like my new favorite dance song, "Call me Maybe"! 

Judie + BJ: Old Hollywood Inspired Engagement Session by Callaway Gable Photography

We are so excited to share this amazing engagement session with you! Judie and BJ were married this past weekend at Majestic Halls in Downtown Los Angeles. We had such a special time working with this dynamic duo that we had to share this shoot!

Their old Hollywood glamour engagement shoot couldn't be more perfect to set the scene for their wedding. Not only did they have one of our favorite photographer duos, Callaway Gable Photography, shoot it. But the location, style, and their obvious love and attraction to each other made for a beautiful photo shoot. The entire shoot was flawless, from their wardrobe to the venue to the emotions in each photo. Of course it helps that Judie herself works in the fashion industry.  

The shoot took place at the gorgeous and historic Craven's Estate in Pasadena. 

 

Photos like this are my favorite- so beautiful and study it closer... At first sight you a shoe shot, but examine it closer and Judie and BJ's profile are in the background. So lovely!

 

Such a stunning shot. Black and white just makes it magical doesn't it?  Judie just looks breathtaking here!

Can you imagine what they did for their big day after such a glamorous engagement shoot???  Look forward to seeing their wedding photos soon, but in the meantime, here's a sneak peek!

To view more of the photos from this shoot, please visit the Callaway Gable blog.

Wedded Bliss: Alexandra + Jonathan

Today is a very special post for me as it's personal and we all know I'm not one to share personal details up on our Sterling Blog very often.  But today is the exception, as it's a special one near and dear to my heart and I'm super excited to share it with each of you!

A month ago today I married my best friend.  It was the most amazing fairytale inspired day and believe it or not I'm confident after experiencing it all as a "Bride" myself, I'm a better planner now for it.  I see things not just as the educated professional now, but also as the one that has to go through cutting the guest list, registering for gifts, going over budget and even the nerves on the big day!  It was a remarkable experience, a perfect day and I feel so lucky to share what lies ahead with my husband.  You may remember him from the few posts he wrote about being a wedding planner's groom. 

Anyway, so many of you are asking about the wedding and so today I decided to share one of my favorite photos with you from the big day by our amazing photographers, Callaway Gable Photography.  In addition, here's a preview from our day, our epic same day edit!  Created by one of the best of the best, Daniel Boswell of Imagique.

 Hope you enjoy this sneak peek as I've enjoyed sharing it with you.  So many of you have asked how it was to plan the wedding while planning everyone else's big day simultaneously.  I'll be honest, it was hard, really challenging as my clients and company are always a priority, it was extremely interesting to try and hold that up while also allowing time to plan our day.  Regardless, our wedding is now an amazing set of memories.  I'm so excited to be back, working with my clients, meet new ones and look forward to giving you and yours an extraordinary planning experience too!      

Shoe Shot Sunday: Rebecca + David

Rebecca and David wed at the beautiful Cass House Inn, in the lovely seaside village Cayucos located within the Central Coast. I just love their selection of shoes for their big day, as they display their personality and still Rebecca's are perfect for a wedding with a precious bow on top!


The always fabulous Brian and Allie Callaway of Callaway Gable Photography documented their gorgeous day and you must visit their blog to see additional photos and super awesome details from the big day. Also, our good friend Daniel Boswell of Imagique Weddings edited a perfect highlight of their big day, you can view it on his blog too!

David actually happens to be in our industry as well as he is behind the awesome blog Temple of the Groom. So men and ladies too, if you haven't checked out his site yet, you must go visit Temple of the Groom for a good wedding read!

Sterling Buzz: Featured on Stacie Francombe's Celebrity Wedding Reporter!

We are so thrilled that one of our gorgeous cake's from Jason and Kristel's Platinum Westlake Village Inn Wedding was featured yesterday on Stacie Francombe's new blog, Celebrity Wedding Reporter. The beautiful wedding cake designed by Leslie Maynor of Fantasy Frostings incorporated all of bride Kristel's vintage romantic with a modern twist design elements.

Celebrity Wedding Reporter used the photos as part of an assortment of cake inspiration within a post about the Royal Wedding cake. Be sure to visit the Royal Wedding cake post to view more.


All of the photos of the cake and from the Platinum Wedding were of course captured by the ever so lovely Brian and Allie Callaway of Callaway Gable Photography! Here's another one of our favorites!


Stay tuned for more features coming very shortly!