This sweet engagement session was sent over to us by the uber talented Ryan Lockhart. Griffith Park Observatory is the coolest backdrop for these Shannon and Nick’s engagement. Get ready to swoon my friends.

xoxo

Sara

Photography: Ryon Lockhart  /  Venue: Griffith Park Observatory

This past week I spent a few days in the garden with Hubby tilling up the raised bed in preparation for planting our garden that we always over plant, we really must get a bigger yard! If you are picturing a straw hat, long sleeve plaid shirt, boots and wranglers…. then you would be right on the money, yes I am THAT gardener. I guess it’s a little bit of my inner yogi or hippy or mother earth coming out but I love the garden. So when I saw this eco-pretty wedding by Merdeka Studios I fell in love, and added it to my list of wedding do-overs!

Jon and Charlott’s carbon footprint was kept to a minimum by adorning the tables with “found” items from nature hikes that the couple took together. Items like prickly pear skeletons, dried agave blossoms, saguaro were incorporated with the use of vintage mercury,  and glass cloches. But for me my favorite has to be the engraved river rock favors, wrapped in recycled corrugated cardboard. What a great way for a guest to remember them every time they are in their own garden.

Ok this is a really great idea (read it made me tear up) Charlotte’s bouquet contained a mesquite tree sapling. A wedding tree if you will, that the couple will plant in their backyard to enjoy and grow with them.

Thanks for the sweetest eco-pretty we have ever seen!

xoxo

Sara

Photography: Merdeka Studios, Inc.  /  Venue: Tanque Verde Ranch Resort /  Plantscape: La Fleur  /  Hairstyling and makeup: Artisan Salon  /  Dress: Gigi’s Bridal  /  Cupcakes: Nadines 

On this beautiful Monday morning  I thought we might take a peek at this sweet wedding by Deidre Lynn Photography. Spring colors, a vineyard and favorable winds make for really lovely images. All with the sweetest treat bag favors… Yum! 

Thanks for sharing your day with us Anne and Jon! Manny happy years to you both.

xoxo

Sara

Photographer:  Deidre Lynn Photography  /  Event Planner:  Happily Ever After Weddings  /  Floral Designer:  Heaven on Earth Floral Design  /  Reception Venue:  Kickapoo Creek Winery

Board credits (Clockwise from top Left)

Oncewed: Tuscan Engagement / Willowday: Ombre Gift Wrap  / Jenny Steffens: hostess gift / Lacie Hansen Photography: Unveiled  / Anthropology: Tent 

Weekly Round up

> Lemon and Lavender’s Amazing color board.

> Super unique styled engagement session that I want to see as a wedding!

> A little ditty bit about me.

> Obsessed with this Florida wedding.

> Can you ever go wrong with tall, dark, handsome, boots, lace, and horses? Um, No!

xoxo

Sara

Oh my so I have a cutie for you today! Tonya Peterson is a great friend of AC and we love everything she does…. but this one just may be my personal favorite of hers. I have been trying to talk Hubby into moving to the country for years, for now I will enjoy these beautiful images of Rhen and Chalis.  Ok and can I just say I LOVE her lace dress… I am so pinning that one!

Today is Rhen and Chalis’s wedding day too!

Thanks for the Loveliness Tonya! Congratulations Rhen and Chalis, hope today is just prefect! Check out more from this shoot here.

xoxo

Sara

Photography: Tonya Peterson / Hair:  Studio 170 by  by Jenna Pottle Thacker

I live up in the hills of Northern California so after a week at the beach while on vacation I was hankering for waves big time. So I thought some of you lovelies might want a good dose of sandy goodness. Who better to deliver it than KT Merry? Jessica and Chris got married in on the white sands of Islamorada’s The Morrings Village with the reception at Pierre’s Restaurant. Yes please!

See more of this wedding on KT’s blog. Thanks for the vacation from reality… now back to work!

xoxo

Sara

Photographer: KT Merry / Venue: The Morrings Village / Reception: Pierre’s Restaurant / Gown: ‘Kiki’ by Badgley Mischka / Sash: ‘Glamorama’ by Ivy & Aster / Bridesmaid gowns & Groom’s Suit: J. Crew / Flowers: Floral Fantasy / Hair and Makeup: Blu Bamboo Salon & Spa / Videography: Well Spun Wedding Films / DJ: Mike Sipe Entertainment; DJ – Ron Green, Acoustic Guitar – Bob Bonnen

I just wanted to take a moment to share with you my experience this past week. Hubby, our two beautiful babies and myself went to Big Sur California on vacation. However this was not the sit on the beach kind of vacation… I ran the Big Sur 21 mile International Marathon.

I can not begin to describe how much this race meant to me. I was a very accomplished runner in high school, but life had moved on, and running didn’t stick. After Hubby and I were blessed with our first baby girl I started up again but not seriously. The past two years have been challenging for me personally, being pregnant with cancer is not the most fun I have ever had. So my best friend “made” me sign up for this race. I am eternally grateful to Heather and my amazing Hubby, as running that race has given me so much more than a blister and medal, its given me myself back. Rad!

Photography: Michele Burgess

Don’t worry this is not going to be a serious week of posts, up next is a give away!

xoxo

Sara

Today I have a bit of inspiration for you brought to us by Shillawna Ruffner Photography. Now they intended this to be an engagement editorial, and it is oh so lovely, but I can see how this could easily become a theme for a wedding too! I just love the ribbon that Natali Allen Production Design used on the chairs and the dress is gorgeous! I am really smitten with this color palette and the use of pocket watches. I love pocket watches, my Hubby uses one his Grandfather gave him. And can I just say that paisley may be the most underused, but fab look.

From the Photographer:

“This styled engagement shoot was inspired by the eclectic group of women who put it together. It’s a delightful mixture of boho chic elegance with a vintage flare. I love how the evening spring light and pastel hues bring an ethereal romantic feel to the images, as well as the visual appeal that the juxtaposition of the rustic backdrop and formal table setting and attire provide. We centered this session around the idea of clocks offering a symbol of what two people are promising when they say “I do”. We imagined a young man planning a romantic picnic in a secluded spot for his sweetheart where he would promise his love to her for the rest of time and ask for hers in return. I think any woman would say “yes” to such a beautiful gesture! We conceptualized the set decorations using authentic vintage fabrics for items like the draped bunting and table linens, and then added current and customized pieces to round out the collection of props and wardrobe. Some of my favorite pieces were the forged metal crane with the pocket watch dangling from it’s beak and the hand made chair tiebacks. I also loved the clothing choices our stylist made that truly blended seamlessly with the set, including the custom made bow tie worn by our male model! I can’t say enough great things about our gorgeous models! Although they aren’t actually engaged, they are a real couple and I was so impressed with their willingness to allow me to capture their genuine connection. It was a wonderful experience playing a fly on the wall with such beautiful and obviously in love people. Who knows….maybe this experience will push these two to the next step! (wink, wink)”

Thanks for sending us this sweetness Shilawna! I am off to get my mint picked and my hat ready for this afternoon…Its Derby Day!

xoxo

Sara

Photographer:  Shillawna Ruffner Photography / Event Designer:  Natali Allen Production Design (natalieallenproductiondesign@gmail.com) / Hair Stylist:  King’s Koiffures Salon / Cake Designer:  Cakes, Mudpies, and Other Fun Crumbs / Personal Stylist:  Cortnie Bigelow Style / DIY or Handmade Goods Designer:  Angela Munyer Designs (angiebaby2300@hotmail.com)

Thanks so much Ashley for posting for me while I am away running in the Big Sur Marathon. Its an exciting time for me personally, but I am excited to get back to you all.

xoxo

Sara

Photo Credits: Top Row: Flowers-Tumblr; Chalkboard-The Reason 2nd Row: Groom-Inspired Bride; Ombre Cake-Glorious treats  Girl in dress- Sutherland Kovach; 3rd Row: Tablescape- KT Merry

So, you are going dress shopping. Most likely you have in tow: your mom, some besties and a book filled with glossy magazine pages showing images of dresses you just have to try on. Or maybe you show up empty-handed with no clue what you want. Well today I wanted to help shed some light on (in the words of Stacy and Clinton from “What not to Wear”) dressing the body you have…  aka Not Living in Wedding Dream Land.  Just because it’s once in a lifetime dress doesn’t mean the basic principles of fit and design should be ignored in favor of choosing ‘your favorite’.  The way a dress looks on you (not the hanger) should always be paramount when selecting The One.

There are 6 basic body types. Honestly, I really don’t like putting people in “categories”; it feels kinda wrong. But we will for the sake of this post. It’s ok if your body is a mixture of two body types; mine is.  David’s Bridal has a great feature on their website called “Figure Flattery” They do a great job of breaking it down so you can find the best wedding dress for your figure! BTW, did you know that Vera has a line called White by Vera Wang at David’s Bridal! EEKK! The dresses are everything you’d expect from Vera, but easier on the budget.

If you find yourself lacking in the waist department (like me) then you are a apple shape. Its important to cinch in your waist and give it definition. Here are my picks for you:

For a Pear-shape avoid styles that hugs the hips…. Unless you’re J.Lo – then go for it. For the rest of us here are my picks to camo a well endowed bottom half.

Lets talk about full-figures and girls with ample bosom. Now the biggest thing if you fall into this category is to emphasize the assets. One tip: if you have a large chest please, pretty please don’t get a strapless gown with a straight across neckline. It will make your girls look as if they are out to conquer the world (likely without you). Instead look for (if you must have a strapless gown) sweetheart necklines or a slight dip.

For all you tall gals My best tip is be sure that the gown waist, sleeves (if you have them), and hemline are the appropriate length. Otherwise you will end up looking like you borrowed the gown from your much shorter sister. Invest in a good tailor, its worth it!

Last, but certainly not least, are petites. I think this is a great category to be in if you remember one thing. Don’t let the dress and its details overwhelm you. They should be small, because, well you are. If you are in this category think small intricate details and clean lines. Here are my picks for you.

Ok now I want to go try on dresses for my wedding re-do! Ladies head over to David’s Bridal and check out White by Vera Wang. How can you go wrong!

xoxo

Sara