Nicole Miller Bridal

I am so excited about Nicole Miller's new bridal line for 2009. Her dresses are so fresh and beautiful. Perfect for a beach wedding, barn wedding or any other casual chic affair. She has some fancier dresses too but her more laid-back ones are the best. I can't get over how much I love the picture above - especially how it's styled with the necklace. The metal necklace with the second dress is also great and I think the back of the one on the bottom is really interesting and different.

Unfortunately I can't say the same about her bridesmaids dresses. They are stale and tired like David's Bridal. It's almost like two completely different designers created these lines. Love the gowns though, stunning!

Cake Monkey

Cake Monkey's name literally has a Pavlovian effect on me. Their cakes are so moist and flavorful, sugary but not too sweet, savory but not too dense. They make miniature 8 layer (single serving) cakes and specialty treats. They not only are stunning in design but also allow for each guest to choose the unique flavor they would like. That way you can have mom's banana cream pie, dad's key lime and aunt betty's rum cake and everyone's happy! Lisa & Elizabeth are an absolute dream to work with (they actually drove the cakes to the wedding two hours away from their shop themselves and set them up on-site!) and the cakes were the hit of the party. If you live in L.A. you are doing yourself a disservice not using them.

Global Table

A friend sent over a bowl she's been eyeing from Global Table and I was excited to see they do a wedding registry as well. For instant style mix any of Global Table's unique, sexy tableware into your standards. I love the Lotus Pod salt and pepper shakers and the pale green place setting below.


Global Table

Schoolyard Romance

I like this idea for a rehearsal dinner, shower or even the main event for a couple who has known each other since they were kids. These milkcarton vases would make simple, stunning centerpieces. I would start with a white tablecloth (or even better, wood tables), layer it with a college ruled notebook paper runner and put these vases on top with bright orange and yellow dahlia blooms. Then use vintage trays for the place settings and serve fun foods like gourmet tater tots and fancy fish sticks. For the table assignments, write everyone's name on the chalkboard and I love these report card inspired table numbers and menu cards. Super cute.

Resources:
Milk Carton Vases - CB2
Report Card Invitation Design - Chewing the Cud

The Parker

There are very few venues as cool as The Parker, Palm Springs. When it comes to hotels, The Parker invented cool. Not only is the ballroom gorgeous (how often does that happen?) but the property has stunning surprises around every corner. A butterfly chair firepit, croquet lawn, bocce ball court, top notch spa and excellent restaurant (and brunch!) options make The Parker the perfect resort for a very cool destination wedding in a very hot desert.


Parker Palm Springs

Alex Subrizi

Alex's portraits are timeless. Not just because they are black and white (and not all of them are) but because they have that certain something. I think it's honesty. He's not playing fancy tricks to make the shots look cool, he is just superiorly recording your day. His photographs are the kind that your great grandchildren see and they know you instantly.Also, Alex has that unobtrusive, comfortable type of personality that allows him to get right in the middle of the action without drawing attention to himself so he doesn't miss a moment.

Alex Subrizi Weddings

One Love Campaign

Amazing news! The One Love Campaign launched today in San Francisco in celebration of the recent California Same Sex Marriage ruling. The campaign showcases select high profile Bay Area businesses who offer a full range of services for relationships, weddings, events and honeymoons who have agreed to donate a percentage of their One Love sales to designated San Francisco LGBT organizations in support of the new Same Sex Marriage ruling.

Spread the word!

www.theonelovecampaign.com

Amazing vendors include:
Alison Events (wedding/party planning)
Sillapere (event design)
OneLife (relationship coaching and wedding officiating)
Paula LeDuc (catering)
Lisa Lefkowitz (photography)
Mulberry (photography)
The Claremont Resort & Spa (venue)
Hello Lucky! (invitations)
TruEStyle (personal styling)