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Things We Love |
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 Skip the never-ending search for the perfect favor and head straight to the valet! Surprise your guests with an old-fashioned donut cart stationed upon the exit.
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Janice S. Casacca explores the Central Coast’s effortless beauty and the flavor of old California where the sprawling countyside meets the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
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 Any diamond will carry a romantic message to a beloved bride, but only one will set her heart on fire. A diamond that is so perfectly cut that it has all the classic elements of a diamond’s beauty—brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. A diamond that sparkles like a red-hot fire. A Hearts On Fire diamond.
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 THE ERA OF THE COCKTAIL has made a comeback, and we are,
once again, becoming a cocktail culture. With this in mind, what could
be more appealing than turning cocktail and bar accessories into your
wedding gift registry theme? With the accessories you see here, you’ll
be all set for company.
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 In the words of the Brooklyn-based premier perfumer Christopher Brosius, “We live because we breathe, and with each breath we smell. This is inevitable. The sense of smell is our first and most immediate link to the world around us....
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On her A-List, Linda Pitelli of Eventful Designing is captured by the magic and imagination of Los Angeles and it's major star factor.
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by Susan Hart Hellman
Photography by Jose Villa Photography
Event Design by Camilla Svensson Burns Floral Design and Panacea Event Floral Design
Destination weddings are a great excuse to visit an exotic locale, but then maybe it’s not as far away as you think. We didn’t travel to Morocco, Indonesia, or to the Hawaiian Islands; we found our own private paradise to inspire the exotic dream to another level of romance.
The stylists, like the brides and grooms, dream of transforming the wedding into an elegant affair.
We invited recognized wedding designers Panacea Event Floral Design and Camilla Svensson Burns Floral Design to create within a theme – exotic tropical – which can inspire many variations, from the vibrant colors and fabrics inspired by Middle- and Far-Eastern regions to the lush beauty of tropical and island landscapes. Each designer developed a unique vision based on this theme and influenced by the surrounding environments of the dramatic Central California coastline and the tropical garden setting of the Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa. Each will show us how one theme can be explored to incorporate your own personality and desires. Enjoy!
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 CALIFORNIA ZEN MEETS PACIFIC RIM ELEGANCE
Panacea Event Floral Design designs with the colors primarily with the Chinese silk fabric of the canopy and the ambient light of the lanterns. While staying within a warm palette of rich orange, gold, and green, the flowers are used as an accent rather than the main element - in theatre chat this is an ensemble piece rather than a starring role for the flowers. In addition, natural colors and textures are woven through this setting with the use of dark lacquered bamboo and tropical it leaves.
For the floral design, earthy orange Vanda orchids are used with grasses, equisetum and additional floral accents of ti leaves and green cymbidium orchids are placed upon gold shantung silk linen accented by the bamboo runner. Candles are placed in green glass votive holders which add a subtle complement to the green champagne flutes. Plate ware of Plum Blossom dinner and salad plates in ochre and green are topped off with black lacquered chop sticks accented with a green cymbidium orchid. For the final touch, gold shantung silk interlaced through the Chiavari chairs in rich fruit wood from Event Retns.
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 TAHITI MEETS MANHATTAN
Not your typical tropical approach to this popular theme. The stark contrast of black and ivory against the vibrant colors of chartreuse, moss, and shades of purple and magenta are used to evoke a more romantic and elegant approach to what is usually reserved for the typical tropical color combinations. “With this design I was hoping to give brides an out-of-the-box alternative that would pop and make their guests say ‘Wow!’”
Silk linens featured floral silhouettes in black and ivory, the chartreuse green square plates are molded as if taken from a giant slice of Mother of Pearl. Plates are dressed with a moss green Dupioni silk napkin topped by a magenta Catelya orchid to soften the angular lines and opalescence of each plate.
For the table centerpiece, a bold and rustic blend of purple Vanda orchids, James Story orchids, Monkey Tail fern curls, curly willow, and tropical greens are arranged in a tall, wrought iron candelabra styled after an open lotus blossom. The finishing touch: hand-carved South Pacific-style teak stools with Dupioni silk cushions in moss green.
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 For the reception, Jemie changed into a Chinese Chi Pao dress which, in keeping with the ocean theme, was custom-made by Helen’s Chi Pao in blue instead of the traditional red...
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 “Hindu weddings have rituals that have evolved since early times,” Monica says, “and they differ in many ways from the modern Western wedding ceremony.”...
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 After a yacht ride across San Francisco Bay and dinner with Alvin’s parents, they wound up alone on the top floor of the St. Francis Hotel...
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 On the eve of her birthday, Maria was with friends at the Spotted Pig restaurant in New York, standing alone at the bar waiting for her drink....
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Tips |
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#26 MARRYING MINDFULLY
Creating the “perfect wedding” can easily overshadow what is really
important about getting married—creating a sacred and lifelong bond
with your beloved. Your wedding is not a “to-do” list. Take time to
tend to your relationship and to yourselves so that you enter into the
celebration relaxed, joyful, and with a full heart.
Carmina McGee, Skin – Health - Well-Being
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# 6 RECIPES FOR FAVORS
Gather together the favorite recipes that you remember as a child. They could be special family recipes, holiday menus, etc. Have them bound in small books, affix a wedding label on the front with your monogram and date that you were married. And there you have it, a unique favor that your guests will use again and again. Also, it is a wonderful way to acknowledge grandmothers and mothers.
Melissa Lee, Events of Santa Barbara
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#31 FLORAL DECOR
No wedding is complete without flowers. Try updating the traditional
centerpiece by using masses of your favorite flowers in a variety of
complementary tones for added texture and interest. For instance, if
your bloom-of-choice is the gerbera daisy, try one centerpiece with
dozens of red gerberas, another with orange, and another with
fuchsia-colored bunches. Let your imagination run wild!
Ariel Yve, Soiree Design Group
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