Featured Wedding: Jessica + David at Saint Sophia's Cathedral & Vibiana

Jessica and David tied the knot on October 20, 2012 in a stunning ceremony at Saint Sophia Cathedral followed by a beyond beautiful reception at one of our favorite venues, Vibiana. 

It was a gorgeous autumn day – cool, crisp and a bit cloudy.  The Bride, dressed in a Lazaro gown and Christian Louboutin heals could not have been more stunning.  Her Hugo Boss clad Groom looked so handsome (and smelled amazing, trust me on this one J).  In the morning as they got ready they exchanged vows via messenger.  This sweet and intimate gesture seemed to bring a sense of calm to both of them.

Jessica and David are a very traditional couple who decided to forgo the popular “first look” and waited until Jessica walked down the isle to see each other for the first time.  Time seemed to stand still when David first saw his Bride standing at the end of the ilse with her father.  The opulence and splendor of SaintSophia’s was the perfect setting for their traditional Coptic Orthodox ceremony.

After the ceremony the Bride and Groom escaped to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles before heading to Vibiana for photos.  This photo session was a great opportunity for Jessica and David to spend some time together, just the two of them, basking in the joy of their matrimony.  Rebecca with Docuvitae captured the most beautiful shots of this happy couple – don’t they just ooze happiness?!

Vibiana was adorned with whimsical décor including stunning florals by Shawna Yamamto Event Design, vintage furniture, gold accents and amazing lighting.

In lieu of a Sweetheart Table, the Happy Couple enjoyed their own intimate lounge area just under the Vibiana alter.  It was georgeous, luxurious and cozy all at the same time!

Guests sipped Champagne as they dined on culinary delights prepared by Jay’s Catering.  The savory dishes were matched by the delicious dessert bar and wedding cake also prepared by Jay’s.

The evening was lively and filled with love, laughter and dancing!  A surprise performance by Jilliana’s SahlalaDancers really got the party going.  Guests danced into the early morning hours and finished off the amazing night by doing The Macarena!

We feel so honored to have been a part of this amazing day.  Cheers to a lifetime of love and laughter Mr. & Mrs. Gobrial!  

All photos courtesy of Docuvitae

Accommodations:  Millennium Biltmore
Belly Dancers: Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers       
Bar: The Cocktail Concierge     
Catering: Jay’s Catering
Church (ceremony):  St. Sophia’s Cathedral           
DJ:  DJ Nara
Event Design & Planning: Sterling Engagements
Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design
Bride Hair: Shirin Salon
Bride Makeup: Monique Powers                 
Lighting and Sound: Amber Event Production
Photographer: Docuvitae
Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals & Archive Event Rentals
Venue (reception):  Vibiana     
Videographer: Wind Production 

Star's Inspirations: Ombre Love!

Ombre is everywhere in fashion and beauty from hair color, to clothing to nails.  The ombre look has also become quite popular as a design element at weddings and events.  Ombre is a great way to tie your event colors together and is so easy to accomplish.  Florals and wedding cakes are great ways to use the ombre effect, but it can also be incorporated into other decor elements such as lighting, dessert bars, dresses and stationary.  The possibilities are endless which is what I love so much about this look!  It can be sprinkled in or used through your event.  It can be subtle understated or bold and intense depending on your design preferences.  

At one of our recent weddings, the bridesmaids wore navy blue dresses and the maid of honor wore a blue ombre dress which set her apart from the other girls.  The dress was truly stunning and it made me realize that I need more ombre in my life!  Check out these beautiful ombre designs.

This candy display is unique and so beautiful!

Photo courtesy of Young Married Chic

This ombre floral arrangement makes carnations look incredibly chic!

Photo courtesy of Ruffled

Ombre sugar hearts decorating a basic white cake?!  Love!  For a tutorial on how to make these sugar hearts, check out my previous post.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Chicks

Little cakes with bare sides show off the ombre layers.  The rosette frosting is the perfect topper.

Photo courtesy of Glorious Treats

I recently came across this in Lucky Magazine and thought it was stunning!  It would be be beautiful and unexpected on the fashion forward Bride or playful and fun on your Bridesmaids!

Photo courtesy of Moda Operandi

I don't even know where to start with this... I love everything about it!  What a great way to achieve an understated ombre look!

Photo courtesy of Loverly

Ombre escort cards tie pink, sherbet, yellow and cream together so nicely.

Photo courtesy of Once Wed

So classic and chic!

 Photo courtesy of Erin Ever After

Love the ombre bottles in the background.  Such a beautiful and unexpected design element!

 Photo courtesy of Etsy Shop Liddabits

This reminds me of a sunset... or cotton candy...  either way, it is so pretty!

 Photo courtesy of Revel

How pretty is the bouquet made of fabric flowers?!

Photo courtesy of Etsy Shop Autumn and Grace

This centerpiece is beautiful beyond words.  I love how it looks placed on a pink table cloth with the ombre favor boxes!

Photo courtesy of Vintage Rose Garden

This photo illustrates how lighting can truly transform your look.  This ombre lighting oozes romance!

Photo courtesy of A Good Affair

 

Another stunning ombre wedding cake.

 Photo courtesy of Cake Coquuette

And who can forget this dress?!  Trend setter Gwen Stefani boldly wore an ombre wedding dress at her  2002 wedding to Gavin Rossdale.  Stunning!

Photo courtesy of Fashion Munster

Sneak Peek: One of our recent brides utilized rose petals to create an ombre isle runner.  My apologies for the amateur cell phone photo; professional photos to come:)

Xoxo,

Star

Festive Fridays: Fun Wedding Cakes!

We absolutely adore wedding cakes with a little spunk and personality in them. Here are a few from Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas that we really like. Be sure to visit their website for so many more!







Happy Friday!

My Fave Mondays: Fantasy Frostings

Something to appreciate about Leslie Maynor and Fantasy Frostings is her passion and desire to make a dessert and not just the wedding cake. So often we find clients interested in doing dessert bars, candy bars, a dessert within their coursed meal, cupcakes etc... While these are all delicious, the one thing these items happen to do is take away from that fabulous wedding cake! What we love most about Leslie and her team at Fantasy Frostings is they make beautiful cakes that taste just as decadent as they look! This is why they are our favorite pick this week.


Fantasy Frostings is a family owned and operated business on the West Coast, opened by Joyce Maynor 30 years ago. While they do bake up whatever you wish to order, they definitely specialize in Wedding Cakes. They understand that an unforgettable cake is essential to any wonderful event. It embodies all the elements of style, beauty, and taste that a party represents.




















Their attention to detail, outstanding customer service, and unmistakable taste have earned Fantasy Frostings recognition from some of the nations most prestigious food, wedding, and lifestyle magazines including:
● In Style
● InStyle Weddings
● Bride’s Magazine
● Los Angeles Times Magazine
● Elegant Bride
● Los Angeles Magazine
● People
● Modern Bride
● Angeles Magazine
● Grace Ormonde Wedding Style 2003


Numerous wedding books have also highlighted Fantasy Frostings’ cakes including:
● Weddings a Celebration - Beverly Clark
● Town & Country - Elegant Weddings
● Here Comes the Guide - Wedding and Reception Sites


The Fantasy Frostings Menu includes the following...
We love the Chocolate Fudge Surprise and Marble Chip!

White Satin
A moist, luscious, old fashioned white cake sprinkled gently with Grand Marnier and filled with layers of white chocolate mousse and shaved dark chocolate alternating with Raspberries on a bed of whipped crème.

Chocolate Fudge Surprise
Dense, Dark Chocolate layers glorified with hand beaten fudge, dark chocolate mousse and a rich layer of ganache with crushed English toffee. Our tribute to all world class chocolate lovers.

Lemon Squeeze
A sunny lemon pound cake enhanced with a perky lemon sauce and filled with a tart English Lemon Curd alternating with tangy lemonade mousse for a great taste sensation.

Banana Walnut
A rich cake batter laden with fresh bananas and walnuts, lightly spiced and filled with fresh bananas and whipped cream or if you prefer a soft banana cream.

New Orleans Spice
A soft, lightly textured cake generously flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a gentle splash of brandy before baking. A soft cream mousse is the favored filling.

14 Karat
Pineapple, walnuts, cinnamon, and carrots make this a heavy favorite. Cream cheese frosting is the popular choice but for a change of pace we suggest our thick apricot filling.

Red Velvet
A light chocolate cake flavor with a deep red color create a unique dessert, filled with a cream cheese frosting or cream mousse is favored as the grooms cake in many southern states.

Marble Chip
Swirls of white and chocolate cake gracefully mingle together. Sliced bananas folded into a rich chocolate mousse, alternating with fudge complete this dessert.


Here's a peak at Kendra Wilkinson's cake which Fantasy Frostings designed for her wedding last month. Photo Courtesy of The Bridal Bar.

Happy Tasting