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Thursday, 02 September 2010
   
Things We Love
  • The enchantment of the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez regions, unfolding their miraculous natural beauty, cast their spell on Jill la Fleur, The Wedding Planner.

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  • New York, New York... The Big Apple, The Empire City, The City That Never Sleeps, or simply, The City...there are a dozen nicknames for this great town, and below are half a dozen reasons why you want to be there.

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  • twl_cocktails_toc.jpgTHE 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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  • ywd07_twlgreen0-toc.jpgMalibu 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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  • ywd_heartsonfire_intro.jpgAny 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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Always the Bridesmaid PDF Print E-mail

flowers1_josevilla_orcid.jpgAlways the Bridesmaid and
Never the Bride

By Nico Cervantes, NICO Designs

Photography by Jose Villa Photography and Zoom Photography  

EVERYONE always fears the “bridesmaid” dress.  Peach taffeta and iridescent satin with puffy sleeves and neck-to-cleavage lace. UHG! And let’s not forget the sprigs of baby’s breath tucked in the crevices of your French “Twist” bun. Mercifully, trends have brought us far away from the puffy sleeves and V-neck “No-No’s.”  Thanks to trend setters Vera Wang, Saeyoung Vu, Threads and other designers, bridesmaid dresses can be worn after the big day. No longer do women cringe and fear being asked to participate in the bridal party. The agony of having to throw money into an article of clothing that will just sit in a closet for ten years, end up in a thrift store and then become some teenager’s Halloween costume is over.
We are now living in a world where people are willing to take risks. Every day, I hear brides say that they want their wedding to be something different, unusual. Brides are breaking away from the “white rose wedding” and want to incorporate deep reds, vibrant orange, hot pink, black, and chocolate. Young women come to me with ideas of mossy branches, pods, stones, feathers, reeds, sticks and bark added to their centerpieces. Buttons, broaches, and bracelets added to their handheld bridal bouquets; bird cages, sea coral, curly willow chandeliers hung from the ceiling for their reception décor. You would have NEVER seen this 20 years ago. So, who gets left out? … The Bridesmaid!

    Young couples everywhere are going out on a limb on every aspect of the wedding EXCEPT for the bridesmaids. If you’re a bridesmaid, all you get to do is carry a boring posy of one or two flowers. After the ceremony, you don’t know what to do with the stupid thing, so it sits on a banquet table somewhere and rots.
    I think the idea of a bridesmaid holding a bouquet is passé.  Let me introduce something way more chic.
Recently, looking through a wedding magazine, a picture caught my eye—it was the entire wedding party, casually posing. My eye went straight to the flowers (as it always does) and I noticed that the bridal bouquet was EXACTILY the same size as the bridesmaid bouquets.
    WHY???
flowers1_zoom_flowerpurse.jpg    This very image inspired me.
    Then a friend hired me to design her wedding florals. Since she knew and trusted me, she let me design whatever I wanted—within her color scheme. I had the idea to make little evening purses out of flowers and foliage. The purses were big enough to be functional and hold eyeglasses, lipstick, money, etc. They were covered in green Galax leaves, succulents, and accented with mini lime green orchids, all items that matched the theme of the event. They could have been made with anything really.  For something more elegant, they could be covered in layered rose petals with added rhinestone tassels. For a beachy-casual wedding, they could be covered in peeling birch bark, bay leaves, and embellished with twisted and curled assorted grass. 
    It was just a test, but the purses ended up being a huge hit and the girls in the wedding party thanked me.  
    Try it.  Not only will it add a cool and different feeling to your event design, but your bridesmaids will be styled with a cute floral accessory, which is functional and ends up becoming a great keepsake after the wedding. Last but not least, the bride will remain the one-and-only diva of the wedding day, holding her BIG beautiful stunning bouquet with her most favorite flowers.
Take risks! Be fabulous!

 

 
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Tips
  • #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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  • #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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  • # 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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