eDESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING … FROM AFAR

Renita & Martin

How do you plan a wedding from afar? The thought of a DESTINATION can seem like so much work, but for Londoners, Renita and Martin, the process crossing the pond (and the country) was seamless. 

This wedding celebration was extra special as our bride was Indian American but her Groom, not from the United States, so highlighting both cultures was very important to personalize this couple’s special day.

Melissa Robles from Styling Starts Here had produced a wedding for the bride’s friend a few years prior, while our current couple was living in San Francisco. Being that the bride’s family also lives in Irvine, there was a California connection in the planning process. However, in today’s digital and virtual world, communication was key and platforms like SKYPE and FACETIME became our new normal. And it certainly helped that Renita was a girl who knew what she wanted, on point with the trends, colors, and environment desired for the day. Plus, she was conscientious of her investment, which can help keep expectations and design in check.

Having the traditional Indian ceremony at Bella Collina was already decided upon when we got on board, with the venue boasting the most gorgeous views.  The bride wanted her décor to complement their wedding attire so a bold mix of burgundies, reds, gold, and greens were celebrated in their color palette. Renita was also a very traditional American bride in the sense that she wanted a huge party, open bar and all of her college and American friends to have a wonderful time.

The wedding mandap truly stunned, draped flawlessly with flowing sheer chiffon that gracefully swayed in the gentle wind. We trimmed the top with green ivy tendrils falling at various lengths to frame their ceremonial vows. Each of the four pillars were bound with rich botanicals made of dahlias, roses, peonies, hydrangea, stock, and natural greens.

Moving into the reception décor, our couple wanted the modern styling in the ballroom at Bella Collina with arrangements of varying shapes and sizes playing more with a peach to tangerine palette of florals that accented the gold linens and candlelight. We set each arrangement on elevated pedestals, which gave a contemporary sophistication to the tablescapes.

Our favorite detail was not only Renita’s striking red bouquet, but the incredible flower garlands for both her and Martin. This traditional floral accessory dressed their outfits with such a fresh and powerful statement – one that we’d like to see more of!

It was a pleasure to work with Renita and Martin from London to plan their Southern California day. We encourage couples to embrace the technology we have at our fingertips to make the planning process as easy as can be! 

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Linda Arredondo Photography. Event Designer & Wedding Planner: Styling Starts Here. Venue: Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club. Floral Designer: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Catering & Desserts: Delhi Palace. Rental Décor: OCLA. Lighting & DJ: Sound Nation LA. Videographer: The Whys. Additional Rentals: Signature Party Rentals. Hair/Makeup: Hollywood Make Up Studio.

COLIN COWIE FEATURES RULA & STEVEN’S LODGE AT TORREY PINES WEDDING

It’s always an honor to be amongst the industry’s most notable stars. Colin Cowie, a world-renowned celebrity event designer, featured Rula and Steven’s stunning Lodge at Torrey Pines affair on their famed site – ColinCowieWeddings.com. While I love being recognized by the extraordinarily talented Cowie, it is the company I kept on this wedding who are the real shining stars. Working alongside the creative and stylish Susanne Duffy is always a pleasure. So much so that I’ve come to expect the glamour and luxury that is synonymous with her business, Crown Weddings.

And this wedding was by no means an exception.

The bride is a surgeon from New York City, so her mother did most of the planning for this destination celebration. Susanne conveyed their overall vision for the design and color scheme consisting of aubergine, lavender and ivory, with touches of gold. Working with a coordinator like Susanne is a blessing. While the design is an ongoing collaboration between creative vendors, it’s so important to have a strong coordinator to direct the production. Susanne Duffy does so flawlessly and our final creation was simply divine.

Guests were greeted with six lush arrangements framing the aisle entrance full of roses in various stages of bloom, hydrangea, dahlias, and tulips with diminutive touches of botanical foliage, like dusty miller for movement and variation in texture. A pathway of white rose petals aligned the chairs leading up to the grand wooden arbor elaborated decorated in a lavish display of the floral palette, making a breathtaking backdrop for this lovely couple’s ceremony.

The bride’s bouquet (featured last week in our first of many ongoing Bouquet Recipe posts) comprised of Carmel Antik and Patience garden roses, Amnesia roses, ranunculus, gardenias, tulips, lisianthus, jasmine vine and dusty miller. Smaller bouquets were created for the bridesmaids and accessorized their deep plum gowns beautifully. 

Candlelight amongst the dark farm tables created an ambient glow to the Lodge for the reception décor, which showcased various table arrangements and centerpieces complementing the royal purple color palette.

It’s no wonder that Colin Cowie chose this elaborate California Lodge wedding to feature on his site. The event was a vibrant and dramatic display of true elegance, and a dream come true for this east coast couple. 

Vendors

Photographed by Braja Mandala. Venue: The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Wedding Planner: Crown Weddings. Floral Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry. Linens: La Tavola.

Ceremony Magazine

Ceremony Magazine is now hot off the press with their brand new 2014 edition. We were thrilled to see Alexandra and Dave in our SOPHISTICATED GARDEN WEDDING featured on a four–page spread with Samuel Lippke Studios and Thomas Bui Lifestyle.

I am also honored that my article, The Color of Expression, showcasing the VIVID COASTAL WEDDNG décor is gracing the floral design section of the magazine, captured by The Youngrens with Crown Weddings. You can view the magazine in its entirely at CeremonyBlog.com/digital-magazines and see many more photos from these events right here on my site.

These gorgeous new press features with Ceremony Magazine are so exciting, as they are practically in-sync with the launch of Adorations.com. Ceremony Magazine is THE luxury wedding publication in Southern California showcasing over 300 pages of pure wedding ingenuity. I have had the pleasure of working one-on-one with the editors at Ceremony and I know that they pour their heart into the publication and it truly shows. I must admit, I am already planning a shoot for the upcoming issue (which you may get a sneak peak here) as I look forward to contributing more to the magazine and continuing our ongoing relationship. Thank you so much Ceremony for the beautiful features this year!