A Beach, A Tent, and Fuchsia Peonies Vol 2

Did you enjoy the video? Audrey and Mike shared some more of the wedding and I thought after seeing the video you might want to see more! Enjoy these great photos:

The bridesmaids bouquets

A pre ceremony toast

I'm still dying over this bouquet by Signature Floral. Have you ever seen such stunning colors of peonies, roses, ranunculus?

Who doesn't love a petal dressed aisle?

See- THIS is great use of flowers at a beach wedding!

I love calligraphy. ALOT. Thank you Samira for these!

And no, you most certainly do not have to go overboard with the "beach" or "shell" theme...its quite possible to keep it elegant and simple!

A lined tent (draped poles too) with great lighting and pretty linens to match. All the details are what make this look so perfectly sophisticated.

The cigar roller was a surprise from Andrea to Will.  He was a huge hit of course.  The tent-patio we placed just outside the tent was the perfect compliment.

The fireworks show was a surprise for all the wedding guests and marked the start of the after party!

Audrey & Mike, thank you so much for sharing the photos.

A Beach, A Tent, and Fuchsia Peonies, oh yes.

Last November we had the most lovely tented wedding at South Seas resort on Captiva Island.  Here is a little peek into the day, courtesy of AMC Video


Andrea and Will had their ceremony on Sunset Cove and cocktail hour on Sunset Beach before heading to the tented lawn after an amazing sunset.  The raspberry and fuchsia flowers (roses, orchids and peonies) by Signature Florals were so pretty and cheerful, just like Andrea.  Before the night was over, all the guests headed over to the beach one last time for a surprise fireworks show.
I miss this wedding... I'll blog pictures next!

Destination Wedding Invitations by a deux

Bespoke bridal paper.  Sounds pretty doesn't it?  These stationery suites are even more luscious than they sound.Stunning does not even come close to describing. I was fortunate enough to meet the owner and designer, Kelli Parker at a recent luxury wedding summit and was enamored with her style and passion for her craft.  Here are just a few images from her website below.  I would highly recommend that you browse her website to see all the loveliness she has created.

 When it comes to your wedding invitations, consider that this is the first insight into what your guests will be experiencing at your wedding celebration.  If you received one of these beauties from a deux bespoke bridal paper, what would your reaction be?

Why You Should Get Engagement Photos

If you are engaged and planning your wedding I highly encourage you to have engagement photos. Not only are these photos a great keepsake and so fun to do, but they have come such a long way since the traditional staged portraits from the '90s. They are now so much more fun and creative.Check out Aly & Michael...
 

Photos by Concept Photography Save the Dates created by Minted.

Reason #1: Getting engagement pictures done will give you and the photographer the opportunity to get acquainted before your wedding day. This means one less stranger that will be in your face wedding day. Plus after working together once you will feel much more comfortable being yourself.

Reason #2: While you will love your wedding day photos, there will come a time that you wish you had another great picture of you and your groom outside of your wedding dress.

Reason #3: Engagement Pictures provide a great picture for your Save the Dates and for wedding websites. They are fun, corky and totally natural.

 Here are a few more Engagement Pictures from our clients that we are dying over!

Christy & Keith our 2011 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Maria Glassford

Kate & Ryan. Photo Credit Ashley Brockinton

Aly & Michael. Photo Credit Concept Photography

Liza & Todd. Photo Credit Maggie Stolzberg Photography

Nick & Sara our 2010 Grand Wedding Couple. Photo Credit Riversedge Lifestyle Photography 

Beach Wedding Styles Defined

Everyone has their own ideas of what a beach wedding is.  The truth is though that there are so many styles, that really the possibilities are endless.  Below are a few styles (or aesthetics) that I've designed & planned over the years along with a few elements that I believe resonate with the styles.  You'll probably notice that many of the elements fit into several aesthetics.

Shabby Chic: Hydrangea, Peonies, Gladiolus, milk glass, white washed benches, white gauze, linen, white candles; Blush, pink, flax and seafoam green; family style, pasta, brunch, white wine
Sophisticated & Formal: Phalaenopsis orchids and roses, sand dollars, mahogany chivari chairs with ivory cushions, floating candles; Ivory, gold and champagne; Signature plates, filet and lobster, risotto, amuse bouche and champagne
Natural: Sea coral, sea fans, sea pebbles and starfish; Pillar candles, burlap and linen; sand, bear and sea grasses; Flax, sage green, ivory, espresso brown; Sea bass, signature plates, brunch
Whimsical & Eclectic: Sea glass, paper lanterns; Dine around, Mediterranean, tapas, Low country boil; Grass green, red and yellow
Caribbean: Sea glass, sails and sand; Aqua, teal, yellow and white; Buffet, brunch, snapper, mahi mahi, jerk chicken; hurricane lanterns; Orchids
Tropical: Orange, green, yellow, and red; Raffia; Palm fronds, cymbidiums and dendrobium orchids; Action stations, roasted pig; Runners, layered linens, festival lights and painted glass votives
Nautical: Navy, white and yellow; table lanterns, flags, compasses, Pelicans and crabs; Family Style, Clam bake, brunch, buffet; Hydrangea, tulips and roses

What other elements or styles are you considering?  Inspired and want to gather some images?  Head on over to Style Me Pretty and click on Build a Board, its their new upgraded inspiration board tool and it's ridiculously awesome.

I'd also like to say this- "beach weddings" don't always take place on the sand.  Some of the most amazing weddings we've designed for our clients have been on lawns, decks and terraces overlooking the shore.  Just an ending thought for you to ponder...

Pink White & Gold: The California Bride Series Vol 2

Honestly now, if the last post of flowers didn't leave you aching for more eye candy, then go ahead and click elsewhere.  Let's skip on to some of the wedding party pictures!

 I can't even begin to explain the insane amount of fun that occurred at this wedding.  I have NEVER seen partying at a wedding like this one.  Californians know how to have a great time.
The most important thing to do to sure that you have this much fun:

 Hire the best band or DJ possible.  It is an investment you will not regret. I prefer a live band (it's a huge difference in experience), but if budget or space restricts you- get the best DJ that is out there.

 Impressions photography shot most of our spring weddings last year.  That's because they're really that good and that nice.  So it may seem like they've taken over our blog a bit over the next few weeks while we catch up on our real weddings. I'm not going to complain.  I doubt you will either.

If you missed Vol 1, click here for the entire California Bride series photographed by Impressions Photography.