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Things We Love |
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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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Northern California’s wine region is ranked as one of the nation’s top five destination wedding locations. Robbin Montero unites the wedding, wine, and tourism industry of Northern Califorina.
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Juicy Couture Set
Pamper her the Juicy Couture way with this limited edition fragrance set. The travel size spray is perfect for Juicy girls on the go. It’s adorned with an exclusive Juicy Lipstick charm and paired with a hydrating body moisturizer. Give the gift of Juicy—it’s fashionably romantic and fun. $95, sephora.com
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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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Malibu Cocktail Shaker
Liven
up any party with this ceramic cocktail shaker with Malibu print. This
7oz shaker is presented in a decorative printed gift box ~ $42 Weddingish
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With the combination of Mediterranean architecture, cobble-stone streets, a warm, dry climate and cobalt-blue skies, your Lake Las Vegas wedding already has some major element in its favor:
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RANCHO SOL DEL PACIFICO, MALIBU, CA

Fola and Alvin had an awkward chance meeting at a conference of medical students in April 2004. Although both had attended Harvard Medical School, they had never met. When they did, Alvin was tired from the conference and could think of little to say—an unusual circumstance for him. Fola informed her conference roommate that she had met “a really rude guy.”
The roommate insisted that Alvin was great and arranged another meeting. From then on, the couple sought each other out at the conference and phone numbers were exchanged. Back in Boston, Fola was thrilled when the name “Alvin” flashed on her Caller ID. “And the rest, as they say,” says Alvin with a laugh, “is history.”

Two years later, as Fola stepped off a plane to meet Alvin, she had no idea her life was about to change. 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, with its 360-degree view. Fola turned to see Alvin kneeling down. Shocked, she buried her face in her hands and said, “Oh my gosh . . . now?” then kneeled down, too, to hug her fiancé.

Fola and Alvin wanted a “magical and unique” location, so they chose Rancho Pacifico del Sol. The 280 guests were shuttled along the scenic California coastline and up the Santa Monica hills to the wedding site.
To honor Fola’s Nigerian culture, her aunt, Arin Oladapo, blessed the couple with a wedding admonition, in Yoruba, then presented them with the Yoruba interpretation of marriage and family.
To celebrate the couple’s heritage, a special guest performed a traditional African-American broom ceremony. Alvin explained, “The broom ceremony pays homage to our rich African-American traditions and acknowledges a time, not too long ago, when our ancestors were not given the legal right to marry. During slavery, jumping the broom represented the joining of two families and symbolized the beginning of a new life as a married couple.”
Although Fola and Alvin chose traditional Western wedding attire—she, a Pronovia A-line gown with delicate asymmetric crystal and pearl beadwork, and he, a Larry Cooper custom-designed long-cut tuxedo jacket—the couple changed into traditional Nigerian attire during the reception, and surprised guests by dancing to Nigerian Yoruba wedding music.

Fola and Alvin stayed at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on their wedding night, then spent a week at Victoria House in Ambergris Caye, Belize.
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RED LOFT STUDIOS
Event Producer/Designer: New York Food
Company, Jeannie Nero
Wedding Director: Darian Patterson
Ceremony & Reception Site: Rancho Sol
del Pacifico
Photographer: Red Loft Studios
Officiant: Pastor Jim Welch
Bridal Salon: Mon Amie Bridal
Lingerie: Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, La Perla
Shoes: Mon Amie Bridal, Stuart Weitzman
Hair Stylist: Style and Company,
Michelle Daniels
Makeup Artist: Kelly Williams
Jewelry: Giraux and Macy’s
Bridesmaid Dresses Salon: Allegria Bridal
Formalwear: BCBG Maxazria
Caterer: New York Food Company
Cake: New York Food Company
Invitations: Herman’s Invitations
Programs, Table Cards & Menus:
Custom Copy Central
Florist: The Hidden Garden Floral Design
Trisha Haner
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting/Event Design: King Dahl Event
Design, Carol Matteson
Entertainment: Essence Entertainment,
Robin Kelly
Videography: DreamPost, Jack Winch
Transportation: DoubleTree Suite
Rehearsal Dinner: The Lobster
Wedding Night Accommodations: Loews Santa
Monica Beach Hotel
Honeymoon Accommodations: Victoria House,
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Guest Accommodations: Doubletree Hotel
Gift Registry: Macy’s, Crate and Barrel, Target |

  
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Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres
Tomato Concasse on Roasted Garlic Polenta Rounds, Ahi Tartar in Sesame Wonton Cups Topped with Fruit Salsa, Tenderloin Crostini Topped with Red Onion Marmalade and finished with Crumbled Cambazola, and Wild Mushroom and Warm Brie Toast
Starter
Crab cake duo atop teenie greens on a chili mayo painted plate
Salad
Mixed field greens, mandarin oranges, maui onions, and fresh raspberries, finished with a champagne Vinaigrette
Entrée
A flat iron steak, teamed with banana wrapped halibut with papaya salsa. Served with saffron butter rice, sautéed green beans, water chestnuts and fried ginger crisps with a purple orchid plate garnish
Pre-cake dessert
Family style platters at each table with hand-dipped milk chocolate strawberries and brownie bites dusted with powdered sugar
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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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# 1 - LOUNGING ANYWHERE
Wonder what to do to a resort ballroom to make it more interesting and intimate? You can create individual lounge areas by renting tents of sheer flowing fabric and adding sofas and coffee tables with lots of candlelight in them. You’ve suddenly created that romantic lounge atmosphere in a standard ballroom and given it more intimacy. Your guests can move to different “rooms” during the cocktails hour or or they can dance the night away. Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#21 LA FLEUR TABLE
Cover your entire table top with a single bold color of petals. Not
just a scattering, but the entire top of the table with a thick layer
of petals! You can purchase them at a farmers market or order them
through your florist. Place your chargers, place settings, glassware
and centerpieces in a contrasting color and lots of candles directly
onto the petals for a stunning, romantic look!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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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, Ariel Yve Design
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