Real San Diego Wedding {Coronado Community Center}

by on Feb 15, 2012 (0) Comments

Tiana & James were married on a blustery November day… a day that kept me, the squad, and our vendors on our toes because it would rain so sporadically during the set-up, we didn’t know where we would have the ceremony until literally the last half hour before it started.

Both the ceremony & reception were held at the Coronado Community Center, our guest count filled the space to capacity with a super fun & supportive group of family and friends!!  I realize we all have support groups, but never in my wedding planning years have I seen a group like this one… I won’t lie and tell you I wasn’t nervous during the planning months, because I was! The thought of some many “friends” doing this and that made my  heart palpitate rather quickly. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a bride tell me “my friend is helping me with (fill in the blank) on the wedding day” only for it to end up being a total disaster. Not this time.

Nearly every detail of the day was a DIY effort and all squeezed into a two-hour set-up time at the center. When I say nearly, I mean all the reception elements! The linens (which her mom & friends ironed and pre folded in the nights before the wedding), the glassware, table and flat ware, favors, coffee & drink stations, the cake, ALL of it! This was a true “village” effort. It  reminded me of weddings growing up in Mexico – where everyone in the town had a specific responsibility and they took on it with joy and pride! Everything arrived via u-haul truck with a caravan of about twenty friends who were dressed up for the wedding, but went on to do set-up flawlessly and efficiently with my team and I. Holy smokes! I even had time before the ceremony  to go fix James’ tie and a zipper on a family member’s dress…calmly.

Tiana & James trusted key elements of the celebration to the pros; Tess Fresh Flowers, Bill Calhoun Mobile Music, and We Heart Photography, Marisa Von Sheere (hair & make-up), with a little splurge on the white San Diego Trolley Charter, which I totally think is worth it! Talk about knowing where to allocate your budget.

It was an absolute pleasure to have been part of Tiana & James’ wedding… enjoy re-living it with me!

xxo!

Brenda

All photos by We Heart Photography

Tuesday Shoesday!

by on Feb 14, 2012 (0) Comments

This past weekend, I happen to be hanging out with a mini person at Nordstrom. Don’t ask me how that even happened because I really do not know, but I had to figure out how to keep Mini entertained at a store only I find enthralling. Somehow, through no manipulation of any kind, we ended up in the shoe kids shoe department where Mini stopped to shop for shoes, yes, all on his own!

I don’t think I’ve paid much attention to kids shoes before, but since Mini was touching & moving everything, I found myself having to put it all back before the sales girl noticed the tornado that was going through the displays… So… I got to experience life as a five year old at the Nordy’s shoe department and it was fun! To no surprise. I found a pair of shoes during this little adventure! I’d totally wear these cute DC Rebound kicks if they had them in my size… but since they don’t, someone needs to get them for a ring bearer or heck, for a really hip flower girl.. don’t you think?

Inspire Me Monday: Paper Wedding Decor

by on Feb 13, 2012 (0) Comments

We were recently presented with an unusual challenge; one of our Swannys (clients) is allergic to flowers. So we set out to look for alternatives to all her decor… it is interesting how you don’t actually realize how many flowers you use for a wedding until you start writing out the different places that need to be decorated with something other than flowers.

As we always tell our Swannys- you don’t make up of a theme for your wedding, you focus on who you both are and let the wedding be a reflection of your relationship, including, an allergy to flowers. For example, my husband and I both love traveling and our second passion is reading, if I was allergic to flowers, this is the variety of decor I’d use at our wedding!

xxo!

Ania

1.Flowers, 2. Flowers made from map, 3. Hearts, 4. Accordion Fold Heart, 5. Paper Flowers Ball, 6. Paper Flower, 7. Paper Backdrop, 8. Paper Bunting, 9. Paper Star,10. Paper Garland, 11. Bon Voyage Bunting, 12. Card Box, 13. Paper Feathers, 14.Paper Backdrop, 15. Paper Table Runner, 16. Globes,  17. Favor Boxes.

FAB Friday! Couture Chanel

by on Feb 10, 2012 (0) Comments

This magnificent piece of artwork by the Chanel Fall 2010 Haute Couture Collection completely stole the show for our Fab Friday post. The basic texture alone makes this dress beautiful but the key elements is what makes it Fabulous!

Now I think it is safe to say that many of us wouldn’t consider wearing this on a basic weekday. With that being said, all of these key elements can be used separately as your daily accessory. So, let’s break this Fabulous piece down to reality.

As shown, the stacked imperial beading around the shoulder and neckline continue around the upper part of the back. This is a gorgeous feature that can transform any average top or blouse pop with attention. Forget those oversized earrings or long necklace for your big night out. Try an eye-drawing beaded or sequence neckline like this one and own it!

Let’s move on to the stunning pearl drapes. Many times us women admire these dresses that are a bit oversized or have a little extra fabric in the right spot for our areas of concern. This is the perfectly elegant alternative without adding any extra fabric creating that ‘wing’ look. Yes, it would be difficult to replicate this image however, try applying this drape effect overtop of a beautiful textured blouse. This extracts any negative attention from our more sensitive area, the waist line. As you can see, the texture of the dress along with the draping creates a complimentary combination.

Lastly, my favorite piece… the ever-so-stunning bracelet. This piece is so versatile. You could wear it as shown or with your favorite pair of jeans and a white tee with heels or flats. The plethora of individualized wraps and stones are breathtaking. This is the show-stopper in my opinion as we are close to speechless. Amazing!

xxo!

Stephanie & Ania

Real San Diego Wedding {Japanese Friendship Gardens, Balboa Park}

by on Feb 01, 2012 (0) Comments

Remember these two? From their Real Wedding Snapshot a few weeks ago?

Nicole & Cam are natives of Calgary, we planned their Japanese Friendship Gardens wedding mostly via late night novel-esque email exchanges and a couple San Diego trips where we had to squeeze in as much as we possibly could during their stay. I remember the planning of their wedding like it was yesterday, for Dayton was deployed to Afghanistan at the time and I would be up in the late hours of the night hoping to hear from him… but instead I passed my on-line time with Nicole and what would be her winsome and romantic wedding.

The good news to the (often perceived) long-distance planning challenges is that Nicole was the kind of bride who was decisive when the right choice was given to her and Cam was the type of groom who very much had a solid opinion, together, they committed to choices that made them both happy, efficiently. Such as letting the bridesmaids choose their own dresses, by-passing a traditional wedding cake, and remembering that the only important action-item of the day was exclaiming, “I DO!” loud and clear.

My favorite aspect of being part of this wedding was that neither Cam or Nicole let the “little stuff” stress them, such as the fact the ceremony area was not perfectly laid out for their guest count and that the bridal party would have to stand all in once side of the chuppah. Nicole’s walk “down the isle” was quite long, crooked, and a bit “off road” too, and Cam and the guys had to enter from a narrow path, but it didn’t phase them…those details just weren’t important, not as much as the traditions included to honor their families, that the chose colors and decor were not overwhelming to the venue’s already peaceful setting, and that everyone focused on what this day was… a celebration!

On the Wedding day, they were both SO EXCITED to get married! Nicole started doing push-ups in the bridal room to tame her adrenalin and Cam all but watched her put her dress on… it was wonderful to see them both so in love and anxious that they threw that whole “we won’t see each other before the wedding” tradition out the window.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into their day. Nicole & Cam, if you are reading this… I miss you both and our late night chats!!

xxo!

Brenda


Professional Team: Palos Studio {Photography} | Rae Florae {Flowers, Chuppa, and Centerpieces} |JMC Events {Ceremony & Reception Music} | Rolls Livery {Limo} | DIY by Bride & Groom {Invitations & Paperie}| Caterer {Linens, Rentals, Dessert Buffet & Dinner}

Tuesday Shoesday!

by on Jan 31, 2012 (0) Comments

This past Sunday we had a booth at the Bridal Bazaar and I wanted to wear a pair of cute heels during the show. While browsing none other than Zappos.com I found a magnificent array of my favorite brand shoes, Poetic Licence… I just love the colors and styles they offer! Funky and fun while still feminine and on-trend. I didn’t end up getting any of these pairs, but a girl can dream right?? Happy Shoe Shopping!

xxo!

Ania