Sterling Engagements Wishes: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  

Wishing you and yours a Happy, Safe and EXTRA FUN Holiday! 

Looking forward to sharing the new year with all of our past, present and future clients to come! 

Sterling's 2012 Year-End Review

 

From our family to yours, we wish you a warm, joyful and extra special holiday as the season continues.   

Thank you for inviting us into your lives, special moments and celebrations.  Looking back on 2012, we continue to be humbled by our experiences with our loyal clients, vendors, friends and family.  It’s been an incredible year and our success could not be possible without you.  We are so grateful for all of your endless support, kindness and encouragement.   

Here are some of our favorite moments from the year!

Sarah and Matthew's Southern Wedding in Dallas, Texas!

Photo courtesy of Jessica D'Onofrio Photography

Kate and Rob's Epic Wedding at Cicada 

Photo courtesy of Von Swank Photography  

Corporate Opening Night Party for 4500 at The JW Marriott LA Live & Nokia Plaza   

Corporate After-Party for a Charity Concert featuring Diana Ross

Corporate Summit Multi-Room, Multi-Theme Closing Gala for 4500 guests

 Photos courtesy of Evoke Photography

Emily and Saul's Enchanted Wedding at The Millennium Biltmore Downtown 

 Photo courtesy of Next Exit Photography  

Mirella and Scott's Multi-Ethnic Wedding at Vibiana

 Photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography

BJ and Judie's Glamorous Old Hollywood Inspired Wedding at Majestic Halls

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

 Alexa and Evan's Rustic yet Elegant Wedding at The Bel-Air Bay Club

Photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography

Jen and Marc's Modern Chic Wedding at The Bel-Air Bay Club

 Photo courtesy of Joy Marie Photography 

Jill and Jordan's Natural yet Modern Inspired Wedding at a Private Residence

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

Michelle and David's Rock Concert meets Carnival Inspired Wedding 

Video courtesy of Jennifer Ruiz

Amanda and Hal's High-Fashion Lavish yet Romantic Wedding at a Private Residence

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

 The 1st Annual Huddle Conference in Denver, CO

 Photo courtesy of Matthew Photography  

Myesha and Craig's Modern yet Whimsical Wedding at Cafe Pinot Downtown

Photo courtesy of Adrienne Gunde Photography  

Ani and Patrick's Gorgeous and Glamorous Wedding at the Natural History Museum

Photo courtesy of Kris Khan Photography  

 

Sammy's Music & Lyric Inspired Bar Mitzvah

Photo courtesy of Amber Event Production

 

Corporate Opening Party for 9000 Guests on a Rooftop in Long Beach Roaring Twenties Soiree for 2300 Guests at 

Jesse James' former West Coast Choppers Warehouse 

Photos courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

Daniel and Kolette's Rustic Elegant Fall Inspired Wedding 

Photo courtesy of Michael Segal Photography  

Jessica and David's Elegantly Enchanted Vibiana Wedding

Photo courtesy of Docuvitae Photography

New Hollywood Glamour Opening Dinner for 550 Guests in a Parking Structure!

Old Hollywood Glamour Opening Dinner for 950 Guests in a Parking Structure!

A Holiday Journey through Space, Land, Sea and Fantasy Party for 1500 Guests 

Photos courtesy of Photography Christopher Todd Studios

 

We look forward to all that 2013 has to offer.  We cannot wait to design, create and produce extraordinary events for you and yours! 

Warmest Wishes,

Alexandra & The Sterling Engagements Team

DIY With Star: Wedding and Honeymoon Keepsake Ornaments

In my previous post "Salt Dough Beauties" I mentioned that I would be making one more handmade ornament this holiday season.  For my second DIY ornament I decided to make use of the dried out flowers from my bridal bouquet.  My bouquet had been sitting in my garage withering away for the past four and a half years (I didn't store it properly and it wasn't looking so hot, but I didn't have the heart to throw it out).  I pulled a few flowers off my bouquet and placed them in a empty glass ornament.  I tied a pretty ribbon on top and wrote our wedding date on the bottom.  I had also saved a water bottle full of sand that I collected while my husband and I were on our Honeymoon in Koh Samui, Thailand.  I had always planned to do something special with it, but never got around it (it too had been collecting dust in our garage).  So, I filled another clear glass ornament with a bit of our Honeymoon sand and again, tied it with a pretty ribbon and wrote a description on the bottom.  These ornaments turned out simply beautiful and are now two of my favorite ornaments on our Christmas tree!
 
This is such an easy DIY decoration and can be displayed in your home during the holidays or all year round.  I love the sentimentality of these ornaments and plan to continue to make them.  Imagine how neat it would be to have ornaments with flowers from every bouquet from each time you were a bridesmaid; or imagine having a little bit of sand from each beach vacation you and your husband go on.  So special and such great conversation pieces!

These ornaments make me smile every time I see them.  So glad I will get to enjoy my bridal bouquet and a bit of my Honeymoon each holiday season!

Happpy Crafting,

Star

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