One of my favorite things is when couples find a way to incorporate something personal into their engagement shoot! This couple did just that in such a cute, unique way! Orange Circle is the most adorable little area in Orange County filled with antique shops and old houses that give it such a “homey” feel. They decided on the area seeing as it was where he proposed and a large majority of the pictures take place on the actual bench where he popped the question! How cute is that!? Such a fun way to kind of recreate the event! After walking around the circle for a while they dropped into Summerhill LTD, one of the many amazing antique shops in the area that was filled with gorgeous chandeliers and dramatic furniture.  Their simple outfits are great because they let them stand out in the busy stores but I also absolutely adore her turquoise necklace and red nails for that little pop of color! They just seem so comfortable and happy in this setting and it definitely shows through the photos shot by the incredible Paige and Blake Green

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

“Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities”

I love this quote by Helen Keller, she is such an inspiration! It takes a conscious effort to wake up remembering that today is a new day that holds fresh chances for possibilities and opportunities. Today will be what we make of it.

And since today I celebrate another year older, and hopefully another year wiser, I am humbled by all the opportunities and blessings I have received and wanted to share some of what I have learned this past year.

*We never know who we are going to meet, where we will end up, or where the day will take us. I have found that being kind, sending warm emails, and saying please and thank  you has prepared me  for whatever comes my way.

* Its wise to treat everyone with respect because you never know who will be your boss one day or who has the power to make your dreams come true!

*Each day offers a clean slate -  a chance to do right and a chance to do amazing things. Sometimes we forget this, especially when it comes to our businesses because we’re bogged down with logistics – pleasing clients, paying bills, negotiating contracts, etc…

*Work hard while at work… there are only so many hours in a day to accomplish what needs to be done, and buckling down during those precious hours is how we achieve our goals. “Why put off to tomorrow what can be done today.”

*In the same respect, leave work at work! Yes it’s important to invest time into growing your businesses, but it’s healthy to have a happy balance between work life and personal life. Friends and family bring joy and happiness and are good for the soul, so be sure to make your time with them count!

*If we take our days for granted and wake up expecting the same ol’ same ol’ then that’s what we’ll get because we aren’t looking to take advantage of new opportunities. An open mind and an optimistic attitude will take your business to levels you’ve never dreamed of!

Here is to a healthy, happy, and making your dreams come true kind of year. I hope to be blessed with another year of just that!

Photo by Elizabeth Messina

Do you remember Christina and Isaiah from one of our favorite engagement shoots? Well today we have their wedding and it definitely does not disappoint! They had their ceremony under the most gorgeous trees and used simple and clean whites and ivories to create a romantic, almost regal feel.  Very Royal Wedding!  I love how the bridesmaids all wore different dresses yet when put together there was a seamlessness to it that looked amazing!  Christina of course looked absolutely gorgeous in her Melissa Sweet ruffled gown and seemed to fit perfectly with the vibe of the venue and decor which I feel is so important!  After the ceremony they moved under a big, beautiful fabric draped tent with crystal chandeliers that are to die for with simple white hydrangeas highlighting each table! You can read about Christina’s inspiration below and then take a look at their breathtaking wedding:

I saved a thumbnail of a dress back in 2009, not knowing the designer but loving everything about it. Almost 2 years later when I got engaged, I found out the designer of the dress (Melissa Sweet) and ended up buying it immediately. I didn’t have to even think about it! As far as colors, I knew I always wanted to just have shades of ivories and white (my favorite “color” since I was 12 years old). Having chandeliers was always part of my vision, and even though it was an outdoor wedding, I was happy to still be able to have them in the reception tent. Baking is my passion, so it was important for me to be able to have a variety of different cakes, and to at least put my touch on the wedding and make mini cupcakes for the favors/table numbers. Knowing I also wanted churros there, it made it easy for me to settle on having Mexican food. I planned my wedding in 10 months, stayed mostly in budget, ran into practically no problems, and was extremely happy with the outcome. In the end, all I really wanted were my friends, family, and then-fiance and I to have fun, and I think it was successful!

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

This wedding, sent to us by Michele M. Waite Photography, is definitely one of a kind! The entire event feels like you have been transported to a quaint English garden with all the vibrant green ivy and soft pastel florals.  I love all the lush greenery and their venue, The Corson Building in Seattle, was the perfect setting to create a classic, unforgettable celebration. As much as I enjoy adding decor elements, I think the couple did an amazing job of letting the beauty of nature shine through and create an amazing base! Here’s what bride Amy had to say about the big day:

Our wedding was inspired by the year we lived in London, and by the beautiful experiences we shared touring throughout Europe together.  Our theme was about having a romantic, backyard garden, that served as a simple yet elegant backdrop to the real reason for the celebration… our commitment to each other and our forever.  We started the morning by sharing a private yoga practice together on our rooftop deck, which helped us to be present and grounded for one another during the big day.  We both truly had such a wonderful time, and feel blessed to have the partner and the wedding of our dreams.

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

I absolutely LOVE Palm Springs! I love how modern the architecture is and the lush palm trees within the desert landscape make for incredible scenery! Even in the middle of winter, it’s an ideal location to have an outdoor ceremony with it’s sunny blue skies and warm temperatures. It’s home to a bunch of incredible venues including the ACE Hotel , The Viceroy, and Miramonte Resort that have hosted some of my favorite weddings over the years. Palm Springs might seem like one giant, hot, desert but the city is a perfect place to get married! Take a look below to see why!

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

  Photo by Dave Richards Photography

Photo by Our Labor of Love via Green Wedding Shoes

Photo by The Image is Found

Photo by Ryan Jensen via La Belle Bride

Photo by Sarah Yates via Green Wedding Shoes

Photo by Gabriel Ryan Photographers, Designed by Jesi Haack

Photo by Sean Flanigan via 100 Layer Cake

Photo by Gabriel Ryan Photographers, Designed by Jesi Haack

Photo by Sarah Yates via 100 Layer Cake

Photo by Sarah Yates, Flowers by JL Designs, Designed by Canvas and Canopy

Photo by Sarah Yates, Flowers by JL Designs, Designed by Canvas and Canopy

Photo by Lacie Hansen via Wedding Chicks via Lovery

Photo by Jagger Photography via Lovery

Photo by Gabriel Ryan Photographers, Cake by Sweet and Saucy Shop

Today we have a very special engagement session! This couple is adorable so we knew that anything they chose to do was going to be amazing! Victoria is a model and Dieter is a professional wake boarder sponsored by Fox so they chose to have their engagement session on the water in Florida because of their mutual love for the lake.  And how amazing is it that they incorporated a sea plane!? And then a canoe?!  I die! I absolutely love when couples decide to do something unique and meaningful to them!  Lucky for us, we get to enjoy the beautiful pictures, shot by Jana Morgan, that came from that! Love her tan dress, their laid back style, and the overall comfort of this shoot!

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

I LOVE ruffles! They add a touch of fun to anything that they’re attached to – dresses, flowers, invitations, cake. They’re the perfect accent for a simple bride that’s looking for a little something extra, or for the girly bride who enjoys a good frill!  I love that some flowers, like peonies, garden tulips and ranunculus, are naturally ruffled themselves! There’s nothing better than a hearty and textured bouquet! I know guys typically aren’t the biggest fans of ruffles (at least my husband isn’t!), but when done subtly and minimally ruffles just add a little extra bit of interest – a ruffled cake or a ruffled invite adds some fun detail! Check out some of my favorite wedding day ruffles and…

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

 Photo by Tom Tomkinson Photography, via The Brides Cafe, via Loverly

Photo by Elisabeth Perotin Photography, via Once Wed

Photo by Brandon Kidd, Sweets by Sweet and Saucy, via Grey Likes via Loverly

Photo by Simply Bloom, Designed by Jill Lefleur

Photo by Elizabeth Messina, Cake by Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach, Sign by Momental Designs

Photo by Jill Thomas via Brides Cafe via Loverly

Photo by Love Me Do Photography via Grey Likes

Via Jones Design Co.

This wedding, sent to us by the photographer, John Schnack, is definitely an unforgettable celebration! I love all the personal touches that the bride and groom incorporated into the ceremony and reception and her Vera Wang dress is absolutely to die for! The barn is adorable from the outside but once they move inside for the ceremony it’s absolutely stunning! It has high ceilings and the decor added the perfect amount of rustic and antique elegance to an already amazing setting. Not only is the barn fabulous but I love that adorable silver Airstream trailer! Such a cute backdrop for some great portraits of this beautiful couple! Once you see all the images you’ll understand why this wedding was also featured on Martha Stewart…it’s insanely gorgeous!

Here’s what photographer John Schnack had to say about the day…

“There are not enough superlatives to describe Courtney and Chris’s destination wedding in Lake Almanor, California.  From the family-owned 150-year-old barn at which the ceremony and reception took place to the most intricate of details (antlers!), it was an honor for me to document the wedding of such a truly special couple.”

Be Prepared to Be Inspired…

As I’ve said many times… I love rehearsal dinners. I have such fond memories of mine, and it was probably my favorite part of the whole wedding experience. This rehearsal dinner was originally featured in Inside Weddings but I really wanted to share it with my readers. Coordinated by Beth Helmstetter, with calligraphy by Laura Hooper, you know this is going to be one elegant evening, and I love that they made custom tote favors! Take a look below at a STUNNING rehearsal dinner.

I am a big fan of intimate weddings. I love that a bride and groom only chooses to celebrate with a small group of their most important people in their lives. Laura and Haoqi’s wedding was such a sweet wedding, with the reception held at her parents backyard! I also love her overgrown bouquet and the amazing dessert table… and who doesn’t like confetti!

Here’s what photographer Rachel Thurston said about this wedding:

This was one of the most intimate and thought-filled weddings I have ever photographed. Only the closest friends and family were there to witness their exchange of vows. Although Haoqi spoke his vows like he had painstakingly scripted them months before…when the ceremony ended he opened up the notebook he was “reading” to show blank pages. I guess when you really believe the words you are saying you don’t need a cheat sheet. They are such a sweet couple. Kind and deliberate with their gestures and words with each other. They may both be attending Harvard but are really just kids at heart. Their playfulness and creativity showed by handcrafting games for their guests to play before dinner.

Take a look below to see more of this super fun wedding and thanks so much to Rachel Thurston for sending this over!