Showing posts with label as seen in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label as seen in. Show all posts

Friday, January 11, 2013

As Seen In: C Weddings



C Weddings is quickly becoming one of my favorite wedding publications, so I was thrilled when they wanted to feature two of my weddings from 2012. Both were photographed by the always-flawless Jose Villa, so its no surprise how beautiful these images look in the pages of the magazine.

First was Ruthie & Ian's designer dream wedding at my exclusive venue Z Modern Estate in Napa. Ruthie's modern style, love of color, out-of-the box creativity and impeccable taste opened the door for such innovation when planning their event. We took inspiration from high fashion, interior design and fine art to craft a truly unique wedding. It's an experience I'll never forget.

Later the magazine features Stephanie & Tyler's black tie affair at Durham Ranch in St. Helena. This couple also comes from the fashion world ~ their careers in the industry brought them together and Tyler now owns and manages Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco. Prepare yourself for the stunning Oscar de la Renta Stephanie chose for her wedding day - a gown as beautiful as the bride herself.







Friday, March 30, 2012

As Seen In: Style Me Pretty



Thanks so much to Abby and the team at Style Me Pretty for the wonderful feature on Jenny & Jordan's September wedding at Durham Ranch. There is so much I love about this wedding, from the beautiful couple to the breezy yet elegant design to the mouth-watering fried chicken served up by Tyler Florence for the wedding dinner.

Meg Smith and her associates captured this special wedding perfectly; I'm so glad Style Me Pretty shared so many wonderful images from the day.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Q + A with Jim Avila + Darlene Carlson



A couple weeks ago, Huffington Post Weddings featured an article I wrote about wedding day beauty. I hope it proved to be an educational read for brides-to-be and their wedding parties.

The article shares advice from two of my highly recommended Bay Area wedding stylists, Jim Avila and Darlene Carlson. I had an enjoyable time interviewing them for the story, and wanted to share their full Q + A for even more tips on how to achieve a peaceful, beautiful wedding day.


What do you think makes a beautiful bride?

DC: Inner peace and calm reflects your true beauty,and gives you the chance to enjoy the love and happiness of your wedding day.


What is the best thing a bride can do beauty-wise to prepare for the wedding day?

DC: Arrange to have your hair and makeup done professionally on site. You won’t have to fight traffic and possible delays going to a salon. Instead spend your
time enjoying family and friends. You will have a fun and relaxing start to your wedding day.


On a wedding day, what are some of your secrets for a successful flow to getting ready?

JA: Work with a wedding planner or designer whom you know and trust. Do your homework before hiring them, then let them make decisions on the day so all you have to do is be calm and beautiful.

Have a trial with your hair and makeup artist before the big day, you don't want any surprises. Eat and drink your favorite things, but not too much. Brides tend not to eat and that can lead to you passing out.


What are your tips for jewelry on the wedding day for the bride and bridal party?

JA:  Don't wear too much! I don't recommending wearing a headpiece, necklace AND earrings - two pieces are good, three is too much. If you have on too much bling, people look at that and not you.  Your engagement and wedding rings are the most important pieces you will wear that day.

If you have family heirloom pieces, sometimes they work well with the bride's look and sometimes they do not. If it's important to your family that you wear them, consider wearing them only down the aisle or perhaps only at the reception, but not all day.

For bridesmaids, my advice is don't give each one the same thing. They are individuals, so it's nice to give each of these special people in your life something special too.


What are common mistakes brides make with regards to wedding day hair and makeup?

JA: Too much, too big, too overdone. You should look like you did the best job ever on yourself. You do not want to look like you were beat up at a make-up counter and tortured at the hair salon.  Think about how he likes to see you. 

My goal is to make each bride look elegant, chic, sophisticated and a little sexy. Remember this -- women get married, girls don't.

DC: Don’t date your wedding day by picking a trendy style for your hair or makeup. You don’t want to shudder when you see photographs years later.

Any other advice for brides?

JA: In the weeks leading up to the wedding, wear sunscreen on all parts of your body. exposed to the sun. The last things you want are tan lines and sunburns in your photos. If your groom is going to play sports to relieve stress, make sure he wears sunscreen too.

And speaking of grooms, don't let them groom get a haircut on the wedding day. In the week before, yes. But the day of, NO.

Photography by: Elizabeth Messina, kissthegroom.com


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

As Seen In: San Francisco Brides



I'm excited and honored to be included in the beautiful new edition of San Francisco Brides magazine - such a fun start to the new year.

San Francisco Brides features one of my favorite couples Noelle and Ken, and their elegant winter wedding at City Hall. Creating their creamy white and silver wonderland look was such a pleasure, and I'm excited to get to share it with readers.

The magazine also interviewed celebrity chef Tyler Florence about our wedding partnership. Tyler shares some wonderful insights about his philosophies for a spectacular wedding meal, not to mention a mouth-watering sample menu for a Spring affair.

Be sure to pick it up on newsstands, or flip through the online version as well.



Friday, July 29, 2011

As Seen In: The Huffington Post



If you missed it earlier this week, my second article went up on The Huffington Post San Francisco - Party On: When the After Party is a Wedding Must. After parties are such a fun trend right now in the industry. Here's my advice for keeping the party going after the reception ends.

Photography by Abby Ross

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

As Seen In: The Huffington Post


I'm so excited to share the news that I've been named the exclusive wedding blogger for the Huffington Post-San Francisco! The new site features prominent Bay Area bloggers, industry leaders and politicians , so I feel very honored to be a part of it.

My first article offers advice to couples planning a wedding in the midst of this unpredictable weather we've been having. Hopefully these tips will help brides and grooms have a beautiful wedding, rain or shine.

Photography by Meg Smith.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Love This: TOMS Shoes


Thanks to everyone for the kind words following the lovely Style Me Pretty feature on Dabney + Rob's wedding! I'm so glad you all loved seeing it as much as I loved planning it.

I couldn't wait to share this fun follow-up post today. Remember those amazing embroidered napkins, custom made by Kathleen Deery Design? The bride and groom's dear friend Blake Mycoskie, the philanthropist and entrepreneur behind TOMS shoes, decided to take a few home {with a little covert assistance from my staff} to surprise them with special TOMS shoes on their anniversary.

The sentiment was already so sweet of him...but as we all know, a lot can happen in a year. The couple recently welcome their adorable daughter into the world too!

So Blake made sure she had her very first pair of TOMS, just like her mom and dad. Take a look at this gorgeous family and tell me your heart isn't melting!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

As Seen In: Style Me Pretty


Waking up on a sunny morning to find one of my favorite weddings posted as the feature story on Style Me Pretty...can this day get any better?

Dabney + Rob are such a wonderful couple (you may remember their rehearsal dinner at Calistoga Ranch). Working with them to create this special wedding is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my career. I'm so happy the ladies at Style Me Pretty wanted to share it with the world too!

In a couple days, I'll be posting a fun follow-up feature to this wedding...check back soon, you won't want to miss it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

As Seen In: San Francisco Brides


My team and I are very excited by the wonderful feature mentioning LASE in the latest issue of San Francisco Brides magazine.

SF Brides features the oh-so-charming wedding of Kathryn + Ryan in San Francisco. Their cozy December ceremony at Swedenborgian Church, followed by a vintage-inspired reception at the Presidio Social Club, was so unique yet so timeless. Kathryn, of Snippet & Ink, was such a joy to work with that we just love reliving her wedding on the pages of the magazine. Congratulations to Elizabeth Messina too, who not only shot Kathryn + Ryan's day, but the cover photograph for this issue as well.

Thanks to the lovely ladies and San Francisco Brides for thinking of us.

 



Friday, June 10, 2011

As Seen In: C Magazine


This spring I had the pleasure of planning the 40th Birthday Party of my friend and event partner Tyler Florence, at his new restaurant El Paseo in Mill Valley. C Magazine's latest issue has a great feature on the party....not to mention the photo finish getting the brand new restaurant ready for guest arrival. My favorite part of the event {besides the delectable Angry Lobster Tyler prepared} was the amazing rustic dessert buffet. The collaboration between Jill Sassa from PS Paper and Paula LeDuc Fine Catering never ceases to impress.

Check back next week for more from this fun event.


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

As Seen In: Martha Stewart Weddings



I was honored and excited when the ladies at Martha Stewart Weddings asked me to contribute to the Expert Advice feature on The Bride's Guide. Rehearsal dinners are such a fun way to kick off the wedding weekend, but planning one can raise a lot of questions. From the guest list to making it memorable, here are my tips for hosting this special night.

Monday, April 4, 2011

As Seen In: Style Me Pretty

Woop Woop! Style Me Pretty featured Joanne and Daniel's Napa Valley Wedding last week and we couldn't have been more thrilled! Check out the full feature here and check back here for more photos later this week. Thanks Abby! Photo by Meg Smith. *Update: we're experiencing some technical difficulties, but should have this post ready soon. Thanks for your patience!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Vintage San Francisco: Kathryn + Ryan


We've been dying to show you the images of Kathryn and Ryan's winter wedding for months! Martha Stewart Weddings did a wonderful job of featuring all of the spectacular details that went into Kathryn's wedding yesterday and now it's our turn! I must say - working with Kathryn was a dream. It was such a pleasure to collaborate with her on all of the details and to work with someone as into weddings as we are. She's incredibly sweet and sincere and all around just the loveliest person. It was such an honor to be a part of Kathryn and Ryan's big day. We hope you enjoy all the photos of the wedding as much as we enjoyed planning it!

So on to the wedding...

After searching for the perfect venue, Kathryn and Ryan fell in love with Swedenborgian Church in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. We had done a gorgeous wedding there a couple years back and have always loved its cozy feel. It's really magical - think roaring fire and tons of taper candles- and ideal for a winter wedding. With the church in place, Kathryn and Ryan decided to host their reception at The Presidio Social Club, a fun vintage-inspired restaurant housed in an old army barracks in the historic Presidio neighborhood of San Francisco.

Kathryn chose a color palatte of red and white with accents of charcoal gray and silver. I loved how it felt perfectly seasonal and how it worked seamlessly with the decor at the Presidio Social Club. We incorporated subtle seasonal references throughout the wedding - a simple wreath on the invitation, a pinecone rosette at each place setting, a "Poinsettia" signature cocktail and even eggnog on the dessert buffet!

After a sweet and emotional ceremony, guests recessed out of the church to find the Golden Gate Boys Choir singing "Joy to the World" and other Christmas carols. (We couldn't resist outfitting them in matching plaid scarves and navy peacoats!) Kathryn and Ryan headed to the reception in a vintage Checker taxi complete with a "Just Married" sign. At the Presidio Social Club, guests sipped vintage cocktails and enjoyed comfort food favorites, like french fries, served in custom paper cones from PS Paper. Kathleen Deery Design did a knock out job of outfitting the Club. Kathleen created a boxwood garland that lined the entryway to the club and hung miniature boxwood wreaths from the interior windows. The tables were adorned with white cyclamen in handmade vases (exclusive for Kathleen Deery Design) and just the cutest white pom-pom napkins. The whole look was timeless and elegant. After dinner, guests dug in to an incredible dessert buffet with desserts from Perfect Endings and gelato from the Noci Gelato Bike. It was a spectacular night! Be sure to check out Snippet & Ink for more photos, as well as Kiss the Groom!

Photos by Elizabeth Messina. Ceremony location Swedenborgian Church. Reception location Presidio Social Club. Floral design by Kathleen Deery Design. Personal Flowers by Michaele Thunen. Printed materials, escort buttons and dessert buffet styling by Jill Sassa Poole for PS Paper. Calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap and Maybelle Imasa-Stukls. Ceremony music by Lawrence Strings. Dinner music by Crystal Monee Hall and Jazz Mafia. Photobooth from Magnolia Photobooth. Boy's Choir from Golden Gate Boy's Choir. Wedding cake and desserts from Perfect Endings. Gelato Bike from Noci Gelato. Cocktail tent from Classic Party Rentals. Select linens from LaTavola. Sound by Delicate Productions. Valet from Soiree Valet. Bridal Party Transportation from Bauer's. Vintage Taxi from Marin Checker Taxi. Bride's gown by Angel Sanchez from Jin Wang. Hair and Make-up by Jim Avila.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

As Seen In: Martha Stewart Weddings


Martha Stewart Weddings has the full scoop on Kathryn + Ryan's gorgeous San Francisco wedding today. Be sure to check it out later this afternoon over on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog. Kathryn is also showing her wedding film from Sandbox Love (the film blew me away - it's incredibly beautiful and heartfelt!). We'll be back tomorrow with more photos and details from the wedding! xo Photo by Elizabeth Messina.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

As Seen In: C Magazine


Speaking of amazing rehearsal dinner sites, check out the new Spring issue of C Magazine for my tips on great rehearsal dinner spots all over California. I must say, this is one of the best wedding magazines I have seen for quite some time. Thanks C! xo


Saturday, January 8, 2011

As Seen In: 7x7

7x7 San Francisco just featured a gorgeous Santa Lucia Preserve wedding I planned on their wedding blog. It's one of my favorite weddings of all time. Check out the full story here! xo

Sunday, December 12, 2010

As Seen In: People Magazine

People Magazine featured our Cranberry Champagne Cocktail recipe in their "Great Ideas" section of the latest issue. Specialty cocktails are a simple and easy way to get people in the holiday spirit - and our riff on the classic Champagne Cocktail could not be easier (or more delicious!). Be sure to scoop up a copy to check out the full "Great Ideas" Holiday Special for more great tips. I've posted the full recipe below. Chin-chin! xo

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
Serves: 1

1 sugar cube
1/4 teaspoon pure cranberry concentrate
2 dashes of bitters
3/4 cup chilled champagne or sparkling wine
1 orange twist for garnish

1. Place a sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Pour cranberry concentrate and shake bitters over sugar cube. Top with champagne.
3. Garnish with orange twist.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

As Seen In: Alexis' Blog


Alexis Swanson Traina just launched a blog that has instantly become my new favorite. It's a must read for any one who loves good wine, good food, and the good life. Her blog is fun and witty and chock full of insider info on the Napa Valley. Plus it's gorgeous to boot! Alexis interviewed me on my favorite resources for wedding planning - click here to check out my "black book" on Alexis' blog. Thanks Alexis! Image courtesy of Alexis' Blog. 


PS. Be sure not to miss cake baker extraordinaire, Sam Godfrey's interview either - check it out here! Oh, and Swanson Vineyard's new release, Just Married, is a must for every reception. It's going in my black book!
Related Posts with Thumbnails