Wedding Wednesday {The Best of 2010}

If you've stopped by here, really...anytime, in the last 365 days, you probably caught on to the fact that this was the year I got married. The process is an exciting, crazy, fun, overwhelming and extremely joyous experience. At least I feel lucky enough to have felt all of those emotions upon getting engaged and suddenly finding myself faced with this "momentous occasion."

But as I've said before, these days weddings can really be anything your heart desires. And for the event planner in me - this was pure heaven! I could not have had more fun dreaming up such a special experience with the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with. Not to mention playing with dresses, shoes, decor, food, paper, photography and everything in between!

So when looking back through the reams and reams of inspiration, the post below is probably my favorite moment in the whole process. When it had all come together, we were about to take off and anticipation was at its peak. It's a feeling I hope to hold onto for a very long time.

Best of Wedding Wednesday 2010
It seems a bride's work, or more accurately, a bride's brainstorming is never done. Even while I'm packing my bags for Mexico I'm still thinking of fun little details to incorporate into the big day.

Things like gorgeous hand calligraphed menus (those are my actual menus!), beautiful varieties of flowers (I ended up ordering polar star roses, ranunculus, alstroemeria and black calla lilies), fabulous shoes and gorgeous hair accessories make the day that much more personal.

1) Our wedding dinner menu, calligraphy by primele, 2) flowers by unknown, 3) manolos by elizabeth messina, 4)Mandizzle hair flower, 5) bouquet unknown and  6) sign by Tanja Lippert via erin ever after

As it has all come together, I've realized that although the wedding details are amazingly fun, what we're really planning is a moment of private commitment and collective joy. It's a special time to bring your nearest and dearest closest to you, turn to the person you love most in the entire world and devote your heart and every lasting friendship to him (or her!). It's an occasion to toast and cheer. It's the moment when you choose your family. Oh, and you get to put on a seriously rockin' dress. Does it get any better than that!? 

Well, I'll let you know in a couple of weeks! Thank you to all of my readers for your suggestions, input, advice and support. It means the world. I promise to share all when I return :) 

*E

Wow, it really was quite a ride that we won't soon forget. As an extra special treat for you, my unbelievably patient readers, here is the very first sneak-peak image of our wedding, shot by the adored Jose Villa!

The rest of the wedding will be revealed at a very special wedding blog very soon. You can also check out our engagement photo session with Jose here. The man does amazing things with a camera!

Finally, I want to say a massive thank you to every reader. Your thoughtful comments, emails, advice and  support meant the world. You were such a huge inspiration and often a huge help to me throughout the planning process and it made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Now it's time to start planning the 1-year anniversary celebration! ;)

*Mrs. E

Wedding Wednesday {May the Best Man Win}

Awwwww, a girl and her man....


image by cooper carras via once wed

Isn't that what a wedding is really all about?!

But seriously, this pic was just too precious not too share ~ congrats to the happy couple, Katie, her actual man, John, and the uber-adorable Alfred, the lucky pug! Check out some newlywed advice from Katie, with which I totally concur, over at Snippet & Ink.

{Seasonal} Wedding Wednesday

After drooling over a unique briday party last week, I'm continuing to lust after eye catching wedding looks. One of the fabulous perks of a wedding held in a nontraditioanl time of year?



via we love pictures

A stunning nontraditional wedding dress! I love the idea of bringing in a sultry floral layer to tie in the fall foliage.

Wedding Wednesday ~ Black {and white} Magic by Jose Villa

With another slew of friends' weddings on the docket I'm back to my old tricks - banking endless wedding shots for inspiration boards, color schemes and tips and tricks to help each bride-to-be.

When I came upon this shoot, styled by Le Fleur Weddings, it exceeded my inspiration worthy requirements. It made me do a double take. I wanted to dig into the detail of each shot - and each time I did, I spotted something I didn't notice before.

And really more than anything, I loved seeing a whimsical play on the black and white combo that went beyond the traditional look of buttoned up black tie.






photography by jose villa via le fleur weddings

And then I realized the photography is by our wedding photographer, the uber-genius Jose Villa.

No wonder it was love at first site!

Check out a recent feature on Style Me Pretty for more shots of the fabulous fete.

Wedding Wednesday {Cake Wars}

Are over. I've found the clear winner. Simple, lovely, timeless, goes with everthing. As anything truly stylish does.



There's even a mini-me version!


photography by elizabeth messina via kiss the groom

Now I've got to know where this beauty is from! The rest of this wedding, by the way, is just as gorgeous and can be admired endlessly at Kiss the Groom.

Wedding Wednesday {Sweetly Saturated}

The deep, dark, sultry colors in this wedding inspiration shoot are absolutely delish!




photography by bonnie tsang via snippet & ink

This shoot may have been faux, but it's got me really and truly inspired!

Wedding Wednesday {A Fashionable Crowd}

I had an entirely different post all set for this week's Wedding Wendesday, but as I was trolling my biggest wedding photog crushes (it's a weekly ritual), I was suddenly stopped dead in my tracks.

A recent Palm Springs wedding captured by Max Wanger not only took place in one of my favorite locales, at a kick ass and take names hotel, but it also had some uber-fashionable guests! I just had to be sure you saw it.



I thought the peaches and cream bridal party was equally fabulous. Note the shoes!


all images by max wanger

Note to self, make sure to take satorialist-inspired photos of your guests at your next fete. Such a great way to get pics of friends and to capture the personality that made the event memorable!

Wedding Wednesday {A Teaser}

Our wedding photos are {finally!} trickling in and I am so so so excited to share them with you. 

I promise all the glorious details will be revealed very very soon. 

In the meantime here's a tiny sneak peak from our hometown reception to tide you over...

photography by visions of romance

Much much more to come luvies, I promise!

Wedding Wednesday {Something Blue}

Because of the getting married in Mexico thing, I'm lucky enough to get to wear a variety of dresses since the process of getting married is really extended over three distinct events.

I still haven't found my something blue for any of it. I wonder if it shouldn't be one of my dress options?

photos by brion hopkins, via 100 layer cake

What do you think, do I dare?

Wedding Wednesday {Heartwarming Photography}

I hear snow is falling in many parts of the country right now (although not here at all!). 

Well, this engagement session by Rebekah Westover is a true winter wonderland.

via sunday style

Makes your heart melt, right? Check out the more of the gorgeous shoot here!

Wedding Wednesday {Gratuitous Gorgeousness}

photo by amelia lyon

Pure bridal bliss!

Wedding Wednesday {Real Wedding}

Yesterday, my shoes to rooms post featured Omelle shoes. Well, I actually got the inspiration from this fabulously fashionable wedding captured by the equally fabulous Elizabeth Messina.

all photos by elizabeth messina

As our wedding fast approaches the shoe hunt is officially on. I think Omelles just became a contender!

Wedding Wednesday {Real Wedding}

For a real wedding this week, I'm thrilled to feature Giao and Tony's sweet and simple Northwest wedding shot by the awesome Sean Flanigan.

Giao is a food blogger behind the fabulous kiss my spatula. (Foodies take note!) Here's what she had to say about her special day.

We were married at our favorite pier, along our favorite stretch of beach, on a small island in the Pacific Northwest, where the fir trees meet the sea.  We want something simple, timeless and full of heart.  The simple includes 6 short weeks of planning, $50 to reserve the pier, and a guest list of four.  The timeless consists of flea market finds – a vintage tablecloth, napkins, suitcases and an antique hand-crank gramophone, which plays ‘A Kiss to Build a Dream On‘ as my father walks me down the pier.

Our experience is proof that sometimes the smallest, sweetest and most intimate gatherings are also the most powerful and memorable ones.  With all the components of a larger, more traditional wedding, but executed on a miniaturized scale, we were able to soak up the fun, creativity and low stress of the planning process while fully being able to enjoy every moment of the day.  Our (little) big day was a vision we saw in our hearts and minds that we turned into a reality, all in 6 weeks time. 

Oh, and I bought my dress from JCrew Weddings (first dress I saw, on-line in 15 minutes).  I swear!!

C0ngrats to Giao and Tony and thanks to Sean for sharing a wedding that is truly heartwarming. Perfect for the holiday season, don't you agree?

You can check out more here!

Wonderland

Last week I posted about our wonderful engagement session with the brilliant Jose Villa. 

Imagine my surprise when another package showed up at my doorstep with even more of his amazing work! It's just too incredibly beautiful not to share.

photography by jose villa

I could stare at that golden light all day long.

Wedding Wednesday {Our Engagement Session with Jose Villa}

It is well documented that I am a wedding photography addict (fiend, stalker, you choose the term). That is why I could not wait to be able to share one of our most exciting wedding details  - who our photographer will be. 

I had so many amazing options, but when it came right down to it, there was really only one choice. I am incredibly grateful, humbled and thrilled to announce that we are working with the uber-talented Jose Villa!

And remember that secret wedding mission I mentioned awhile back? While I was celebrating my 30th birthday, the fiance and I were also meeting up with Jose in the Santa Ynez Valley to shoot our engagement session. The results speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy a sneak peak.

all images by jose villa

It is a wonderful feeling to know that our memories are in such good hands. 

If you don't know Jose's work (all two of you) then go immediately to check out his website and blog.

Thank you for everything, Jose. Now on to Mexico!