Friday, September 30, 2011

happy friday

Hi friends! I can't believe that tomorrow is October. Seriously where did the year go? It's starting to finally feel like autumn. Leaves are beginning to fall and I'm taking too many frequent trips to Sarbucks for my pumpkin spice latte fix.  Since I don't have any Friday links for you this week {I know, I'm a bad blogger} I thought I would share some of my favorite autumn posts from last year in case you missed them.  Hopefully things will get back to normal next week. Hope you have a great weekend! 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

{day after} monarch butterfly

How gorgeous was yesterday's shoot? Pretty freaking gorgeous, I must say. Well you're in for a treat because Megan also submitted this gorgeous day after shoot.  It's absolutely enchanting with its dreamy landscape and all the butterfly pretties. Oh how I love a hammock held in the trees with vines.  Swoon! 
{Flower Arrangements, hairpiece and vines}  Honey of a Thousand Flowers
{Lace Dress} Thift store
{Suit} J. Crew
{Hammock} was brought home from Guatemala

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

{shoot} monarch butterfly + spanish lace

 As most of you know, I recently loss a friend and I haven't been all that present on twitter or facebook but I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things because I really miss blogging and reading all your wonderful posts. But when I came across this gorgeous shoot in my inbox, I instantly fell in love with it and knew I had to have it featured in P&P not only for its jaw dropping images but also as a tribute to my friend because for as long as I can remember, she always had a love for butterflies.  
Here is Megan, the lovely behind the lens to tell us more about this shoot..."
The session was styled by myself. I used pops of color against a nude pallet and wanted to focus on one particular cultural event that leaves my mind spinning with amazement - the monarch butterfly migration. Every Spring as many as 100 million butterflies migrate North while crossing through Central America and Mexico. During this time many lucky witnesses will experience seeing landscapes painted with black and orange wings - they'll see trees entirely covered, their skyward view in a constant flutter and they'll even find themselves closely surrounded in a whirlwind of butterfly beauty. This romantic vision is what inspired the theme for this shoot"
"Some of the elements that were incorporated were terracotta pots that I painted light blue with sanded edges to show the beautiful terracotta color, butterflies (reminiscent of the monarch butterfly migration that goes through Central America), florals with shades of creams, pinks, and pops of orange and red, doily drink umbrellas, nude eyelet chargers. I bought the chargers from World Market on clearance and spray painted them the nude/beige."
 I also made the doily umbrellas by following this tutorial. The Spanish veil was handmade to add more flair to the wedding attire. 
{Flower Arrangements}  Honey of a Thousand Flowers
{Cake}  Pink Peach Cakes
{Suit} J. Crew

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

{style} leather belted brides

 Have you recently noticed that brides are trading the soft fabric sashes for brown leather belts? Regardless if they're skinny, wide or double buckle, belts are becoming one of my favorite accessories for autumn brides. 
Image #266909  

Bridesmaids can have fun with this trend too...

What the look? Try these...
Quilted Obi Belt {Lowie} Boyfriend Belt {ASOS} Tapered Belt {Rilleau Leather} Double Buckle Belt {Vince Camuto} Bow Skinny Belt {ASOS} Portable Pocket Belt* {Modcloth}

*perfect to hold lip gloss and tissues

{sponsor pretties} a polished plan

{Bruce Plotkin Photography}
Being such a wedding geek, I've always been fascinated with wedding pros like event planner, Sarah Taggart of {A Polished Plan}.  I always wonder how in the world they manage to keep everything running smoothly on their client's most important day of their life.  Sarah was kind enough to answer a few questions and share with us what her day is like.   

P&P:  It's the wedding day, you wake up....what is the first thing you are thinking about to get the day started for your bride?
Sarah: I am normally thinking about getting over to the reception site for set-up. Checking over rental items, arranging tables and furniture, working with the florist, going over last minute set-up details with the banquet coordinator…those are all on my to-do list for the morning! Once I feel good about things there, I zip over to where the bride is getting ready to see her shining face! Then, I do a quick check in at the ceremony location (if different from the reception site) and then back by the bride’s side for her final moments as a single gal!

P&P:  When you first arrive at the reception location, what do you tackle first from a to-do list that seems never ending?
Sarah: Typically, I first arrange and organize all of those small details that MAKE the event! Things like placing the favors, arranging the photo booth/candy bar/dessert table, escort card display, bar/signature drink details, cocktail hour furniture/tables, etc. Once all of those details are in place, table arrangements and place settings fall into place nicely…
P&P:  How do you organize (and NOT overlook) all of the million little DIY details and accessories that weddings have? Does a checklist really cut it? 
Sarah: For me, a checklist really does cut it! I go line by line, bullet point by bullet point, and make sure that everything that needed to be addressed has been touched by myself or my on-site staff. But more than that, I am able to keep track of all the little details because the Polished team has been immersed in the details with the bride and groom for many months leading up to the day. This is why I feel strongly that hiring a planner at the last minute just for the “day of” is usually not that benefical for anyone! Because I have been involved in all of the emails, phone calls, and decisions, I have a good sense of what needs to be done without ever having to look at my checklist…

P&P: Is there a trick for keeping everything on-time and on-schedule? With so many vendors prepping back to back, how do you deal with the inevitable set back to the set up schedule?
Sarah: My cell phone! For an average wedding, I probably make around 100 phone calls during the wedding weekend!!! I am in constant contact with all of my vendors to make sure they are on time and on schedule. I get a sense of where their office is located in relation to the drop off site and when they should leave to get there on time. Then, I check in, check in, and check in! If anyone is running late or runs into any issues, I am almost immediately made aware and have plenty of time to adjust and make a plan B. On your wedding day, your wedding planner has to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN and not wait for them to happen!
P&P:  What do you say to the bride just as she is about to walk down the aisle? Words of wisdom?
Sarah: As the church doors open or she turns to face the aisle, I tell her to look straight into her partner’s eyes and savor the joy. In that moment, that is the most important person in the world and that is who will keep her calm, focused, and SMILING!

P&P:  As a planner, what is the worst, most stressful, thing that you have ever had to deal with on a wedding day?
Sarah: Hurricane Irene was a doozy! With a wedding at a yacht club in CT that was happening no matter what, we had to buckle down and figure out how to make it all work- rain, shine, or hurricane! With a bit of creativity, a few compromises, and a dream team of vendors- we created an incredible event that guests will talk about for years to come…

P&P:  What are your MUST HAVE items on the wedding day?
Sarah: In no particular order, these are things I cannot survive without on the BIG day.

~ Comfortable shoes. If my feet hurt, my whole body hurts. If I could get away with wearing my Nikes, I would do. But I usually just settle for a comfortable pair of flats.

~ Cell phone charger. See question #4. Even the energizer bunny battery wouldn’t stand a chance.

~ Bag o’ tricks. This is my go-to everything bag and never leaves my sight! You name it, I’ve got one of it in here. And if I don’t have it, I’m on my cell phone figuring out a way to get it for you. 

~ Emergency umbrella. Because you just never know. And your wedding dress is just too pretty to get all wet!
P&P: When, if ever, do you finally let out a sigh of relief as if to say...phewww, the wedding was a success! 
Sarah: I don’t allow myself to have a sigh of relief until the bride and groom are in the getaway car waving good-bye to their guests. However, this is NOT to say I don’t enjoy myself during the wedding! You can find me along the wall by the bandstand or DJ booth, tapping my feet and singing along to all the classic Motown songs…

Check out what's inside Sarah's Bag o' tricks...

all inside Longchamp "LePliage" bag

A Polished Plan is a postcards & pretties sponsor

Monday, September 26, 2011

{#172} pretty + playful polka dots

Thank you all for your kind words. Your words mean so much to me. Each and every one of hold a special place in my heart. I've had this board sitting out waiting for it to be completed for the longest and I finally managed to finish it.  I simply adore this board...it's one of my faves. The playful polka dots details are so pretty and not commonly seen in weddings and when they're used in this soft and delicate color palette makes me love them even more.

{colors} light pink, white, gold
{photos} dresses {oh hello friend} protea cake {once wed} polka dot tablecloth {style me pretty} veil {sibo designs} ribbon tree {kellie kano photography} swiss dot gown {jackie wonders via sweet & saucy} dots wall {martha stewart weddings} bouquet {elizabeth messina} jewelry {martha stewart weddings}

Friday, September 23, 2011

it's friday

TGIF! Sorry for the late post but this has been one of the hardest weeks for me. Sadly, I lost a friend this week and I've being having a hard time focusing. I apologize for being MIA but sometimes life happens! Wishing you all a safe + happy weekend! 
See you Monday!  xo

in case you missed any of this week's posts...

Thursday, September 22, 2011

{shoot} fuchsia woodsy

There is something charming about woodsy inspired weddings.  I love all the texture and being surrounded by all the beauty that nature offers. Andi was kind enough to share this shoot with us. Here is what she had to say... "This wedding inspiration was something I got an idea to bring the feeling of camping but also keeping it feminine at the same time. Owls are so trendy these days, they seem to be everywhere and add a bit of a retro and unique flare to the "woodsy" feel. Brides who are looking to mix their love for pink but also want a rustic and vintage feel to their wedding can get that feeling of ambiance in this shoot we can offer. Cake topper found at a thrift store, Mason Jars, floral patterns and gold accents add rich texture and color to help keep the Woodsy feel with a chic and fancy flare."
{Photography} Andi Mans Photography
{Style and Staging Design}Andi Mans Photography

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

{real wedding} sarah + aaron's vineyard wedding

Heaven knows I love a good outdoor wedding and this one that was submitted by Steph Fowler is no exception. The fact that the reception took place at vineyard makes it even sweeter.  Here's what Laura, the bride's sister/coordinator/ flower designer had to say about Sarah + Aaron's wedding... "My sister Sarah, and her fiance Aaron were engaged at sunset high atop a hill overlooking the vineyard, winery and ranch in which Sarah grew up on and is now the assistant wine maker. It was only natural that she and Aaron begin their lives together at the place that held such meaning and natural beauty.
“The couple decided to marry at the historic chapel at the entrance to the ranch. Sarah was baptized at this chapel and has attended mass here every Sunday with her large family her entire life. Family and nature were definitely two themes that intertwined throughout the special day. The bridal party was made up of brothers and sisters.”
“The reception took place at the winery, a few steps from the bride's childhood home. The florals were inspired by natural beauty found in the vineyard and on the ranch. The succulents used in the bouquets, centerpieces and Sarah's hair were grown by Sarah and her mother.The food and drink were local; Santa Maria style BBQ was served family style, the wine was ranch made, the champagne made especially for the couple by a fabulous winemaker friend.” 
“The couple did not want the many children in attendance to be left out, so a special area was set up for them (complete with hot-dogs, watermelon, crayons and candy). A longtime family friend and popular local artist, rocked out all night with his blues band. For both families and all their friends, it was definitely a magical evening filled with laughter, natural beauty, easy-going elegance and of course the palpable love of Sarah and Aaron!"
{Photographer} Steph Fowler 
{Flowers and Coordinator} LJ Floral Design 
{Family winery} Rancho Sisquoc Winery
Blog Widget by LinkWithin

Blog Design by Get Polished