Monday, May 23, 2011

Too Sweet Not To Share: A Movie Theater Trailer Proposal

It's no surprise that I'm a hopeless romantic nor that I tear up consistently at almost every single wedding I produce. I just love love, love to love and the whole idea of any man or woman showing their affection, especially in a BIG way, always give me the chills.

Today's post is a proposal and it's so sweet and features one of my favorite songs ever right now, "Marry Me" by Train.

Check it out!



How sweet is Matt? I love his words about "making the movies jealous". They are so adorable and already have over 12 million viewers that have seen his proposal video. The response has been so large that they now not only have their own YouTube Channel, but also have a website dedicated to all their updates to follow up on their planning process, you can learn about everything Matt and Ginny here.

This super sweet photo was one of their engagement photos captured by Audrey Fotografie. How precious are they!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Inspired by Ranunculus!

I constantly work with designs that include ranunculus, they are so full of texture and really a beautiful addition to any floral combination. I love how complicated they can look because of all the layers of petals they have but at the same time, they're so delicate and dainty. They are extremely cost effective and versatile and I think that's why they are so popular.


On Mother's Day, I used them at my home as I hosted my family over for the day. I bought two different colors and placed various stems within my collection of Milk White Vases. So simple yet so sweet! Here's a quick photo just off my cell phone...


Here are some of my favorite inspirations utilizing this fluffy flower! What's your favorite color combination utilizing ranunculas?

Photo Courtesy of A City Love
Photo Courtesy of Wedding Flowers
Photo Courtesy of Swatchbook Weddings Photo Courtesy of Housemartin Photo Courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

A Dodger Stadium Wedding: Save the Date!

Our dear friend Holly of Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography is getting married and we are thrilled to assist her with all the extra special details she deserves as she steps away from her camera and becomes a bride!

Today we are sharing with you the incredible save the date for her super amazing Dodger Stadium Wedding! Camron from New Classic Films truly knocked this one out of the park! Check it out!



Holly is the sweetest, warmest, most friendly woman you could ever imagine. We are so happy for her as she embarks on this journey with her fiance Jeff! Stay tuned for more BIG Blue Wedding Details to come!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Festive Fridays: Play A Little with JAQK Cellars!

I'm jumping out of my seat to share with you today's Festive Friday! While most of the festivity on Friday's with this series are dedicated to fun, playful photos, today's post is all about WINE! But not just any wine... fun wine!


If you don't know already, I love wine, especially good wine. Over the past year I've had the pleasure of sampling a series of varietals from my new favorite winery, JAQK Cellars.

What's great about JAQK Cellars is not just how amazing the wine tastes but also how beautiful their bottles are. As a designer, I'm impressed by great design and totally awesome branding too. What's so fabulous about this new wine company is they really have it all. Even the stories behind the bottles are exciting.


I recently had the pleasure of arranging a private tasting with a couple colleagues and learned so many new things about JAQK Cellars that I'm excited to share today.

JAQK Cellars has a playful perspective on the finer things in life but also a work hard-play hard mentality. They support pursuing your passion and preach that work is not work when you love what you do. This is the epitome of how I run Sterling Engagements and when I learned this it really resonated inside me… How fun is that? This is why the JAQK Cellars motto is “ Play A Little” . Smart right? They even have an uber fun wine club called The Society of the Tipsy King!


I also love what the JAQK in the name stands for too. Jack, Ace, Queen King! This is so clever to match the “Play A Little” motto with the rulers of playing cards. Even further with uniquely designed and of course playful bottles!

Lastly, I adore how much of the designs on the bottles and meaning behind them center on luck. People often underestimate the power of luck and what it can do for you. JAQK embraces it, entertains you with stories about it through their bottle names and somewhat makes you feel lucky even while drinking a glass!


The wine was delightful before I ever learned any of the wineries background, after knowing what I know, I'm even more intrigued. Check out their website and you will be too! JAQK would be the perfect luxurious wine to serve at your next wedding, corporate or social event. Even better they have these super fun and festive gift sets that are a great gift to give anyone. My favorites are the High Roller, Black Clover and Charmed bottles.


If I didn't tell you enough above about how much I'm loving JAQK Cellars, you can always visit their site, fan their facebook or even follow them on twitter. Our good friend David Dees who lead our tasting is currently on a 6-week road trip spreading the word and and you can see where they'll be popping up next!

Happy Friday!

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Shoe Shot Sunday: Jessica + Kevin

From the moment Molly from Luminaire Images sent me these shoes I was in love. They are so fun, funky and stylish! Such a vibrant addition to your special day.

Jessica and Kevin were married at Tivoli Hacienda in Santa Ana. Their wedding was more of an alternative style and they really rocked it, so much that they were actually featured on the fabulous Rock and Roll Bride blog.

Jessica's wedding shoes have 2 of my favorite elements to them, first they're a color and I happen to love purple, then next they have a lot of texture which I also adore!


The shoe style is called Ivana and it's by RSVP. What's even extra fabulous about these special soles is that they not only come in the gorgeous purple but also a blue which you can easily wear as your "something blue"! I just love that, but that purple is really gorgeous too, so either way you'll be looking good!



For additional details from Jessica and Kevin's big day, please visit the Luminaire Images blog!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Countdown To The Royal Wedding

The countdown has officially begun and as I sit here watching the Royal Wedding coverage with so little time left to go, I felt the need to share a a piece of my excitement with you.

I started my day attending a very special Royal Tea Party hosted by the ever so wonderful Eddie Zaratsian of tic-tock Couture and The Langham Pasadena. The event was flawless, so much fun and truly the perfect beginning to a magical event in history. Here's a sneak peak of the tablescape from the Viennese ballroom where we had tea.


With all this Royal Wedding buzz the wedding industry is booming with Royal inspiration and I felt it was fitting to share a bit of it with you tonight.

Photo Courtesy of Hulu

A couple week's ago the incredibly talented Youngsong Martin of Wildflower Linens revealed an opulent "Royal" inspired napkin ring that is just epic. From the moment we received the details on this stunning show stopper we were sold!

Photo Courtesy of Tres Fabu

Today we received an email from Classic Party Rentals on yet another "Royal" inspired Chameleon Chair. How elegant is this?


As I watch the arrivals I love all the hats and headpieces I see! It's fascinating to watch all the different designs, colors and details of these fabulous hats!


Photo Courtesy of Rachel Trevor-Morgan

Photo Courtesy of All About Weddings

I'm also fascinated by the men's morning suits! How great are they? Just as versatile as some of the hats are the variety of colors and textures in the gentleman's suits. Here are a few favorites...


Photos Courtesy of Nicola Cornick

Last but not least is what I hope to see Kate in... a lace gown that's timeless, sophisticated and contemporary but still pays homage to Diana. A friend told me today to revisit Grace Kelly's gown, I did and now I must share it with you, it's just breathtaking!

Photo Courtesy of Covelli Boutique

Hope you enjoyed the countdown but now it's time for the moment I've been waiting for since November... The Royal Wedding!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Inspired by Dusty Miller!

One of my brides is currently in debate with whether or not to incorporate Dusty Miller foliage into her bouquets. So lately I've been inspired by this velvety goodness!

Photo Courtesy of Dave's Garden

I seriously love Dusty Miller, it's so delicately soft and a perfect neutral filler to add a little texture to whatever palette it graces! Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate it into your design!

Balsa Wood Flowers are gorgeous and so texture rich, combine them with dusty miller and the look is just exquisite! Check out this bouquet made by the fabulous Carissa of JL Designs.

Photo Courtesy of Bollea

How great is this boutonniere? The white spray roses combined with foliage and the softness of the dusty miller is just so sweet!

Photo Courtesy of Floral Verde

I love this smaller centerpiece off the Martha Stewart website using the dusty miller with a pink palette!

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

What I love must about Dusty Miller is it's versatility, it looks just as wonderful with a neutral palette as it does with some color! Check out this gorgeous fall colored tablescape by the ever so wonderful Susan of Peony and Plum!




I absolutely adore this final photo of an oyster shell wedding cake. How beautiful is this!


Photo Courtesy of Flickr

Hope you enjoyed viewing all the many ways you can add a little dusty miller into your look!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Shoe Shot Sunday: Brittany + Mike

I'm so excited to share this feminine Badgley Mischka pair with you tonight. Brittany and Mike were married in San Diego at a hidden gem in La Jolla, The Darlington House. There's nothing better than a historic property by the beach for your wedding day in a stylish pair of shoes right!

I love the color of them and how texture rich they are. This shoe is so versatile and can compliment a couture wedding gown just as much as it dresses up a more simpler design.

I also happen to adore the photographer of these images, Ryan Phillips, who so brilliantly placed them on a mirror tabletop to create one of my top favorite shoe shots of all time with this shot. I'll let you be the judge.... check it out!


I love these next couple portraits of Brittany too, so natural, the backdrop is beautiful and look how the shoes are peeking out to make their statement too!


For more fabulous images of their special day, be sure to visit Ryan's blog.

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Trunk Alert: Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2012 Collection


Our friend Megan McKenna Volkening over at Monique Lhuillier's Melrose Place salon has sent us an invitation for a private trunk show to share with our brides.


Come see Monique's Spring 2012 collection and prepare to be dazzled. Market is going on right now and this will be the first opportunity for you to view these gowns in person for an amazing trunk show!

Appointment's must be made, so call Megan today to secure your spot.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Sterling Buzz: Featured on Hostess with the Mostess Blog!

For weeks I've been jumping out of my seat to share with you details from my own engagement party. I constantly focus on creating the most perfect of events for each and everyone of our Sterling Engagement's clients, for the first time it was my turn and I'm delighted to have Hostess with the Mostess share some of the fabulous details with you.


Here are a few of my favorite images from the night thanks to my friend Ashleigh Taylor for capturing them!





And of course, such a mama's boy!



It was so fun to work on something so personal and special to my fiance and I. Hope you enjoyed it! It took an incredible team of some of my most favorite vendors to assemble such a special evening and I thank each one of them!

Vendor Love:
Bridal Party Definition Cards: Practically Perfect Design
Bridal Tote Bags: Pink Velvet Press
Candy Buffet/Event Styling/Floral Design: Sterling Engagements
Custom Linens and Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Custom Name and Candy Buffet Banners: SiennaJen
Dessert Buffet: Fantasy Frostings
Event Stationary: Affectionate Digitals
Groomsman Shooter Glasses: Distinct Glass Studio
Invitation: Mujka Chic
Love Crochet Towels: Patti’s Potpourri
Napkins: For your Party
Photography: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Salads: Epicurean Events
Signature Plate: The Heads Creation
Taco Catering: El Tapatio
Tissue Poms: Prost to the Host
Tres Chic Vintage Mirror: Shabby McFabby
Wooden Signs: Family Attic Shoppe

For more of our L-O-V-E filled details, please visit the
Hostess with the Mostess Blog.