Worldwide Wednesdays - Curacao

I thought I'd post a few images of a new resort I adore in Curacao.  Baoase has a very Indonesian/Asian flair and offers pure luxury with only a handful of suites and villas. The island's location results in great weather year round with little chance of rain and therefore it makes a perfect location for a destination wedding.  What do you think? 

Kristie & Willy - Bali May 2010 - Sneak Peek

I'm still waiting for all the amazing images from Windi at The Photo Factory, but here is a sneak peek of Kristie and Willy's Wedding in Bali at Villa Semarapura on May 11, 2010.  The relaxed spirit of the whole wedding day just oozes from the images. 

In the details: The wooden place cards were made by  Oslo Press and tied to either white sarongs for the female guests or straw beach mats for the guys.   

Worldwide Wednesdays - Bali - My Love!

I have Bali on my mind and it's getting hard to shake.  With one of our bride getting married there next week, and my anniversary coming up in June, I have a craving to take off and head for that magical island.  Everyone I've ever met that's been to Bali has fallen head over heals for the little gem of an island and I must admit I am in love with it too. 

As I've worked with destination brides I've always stumbled upon villas in many places of the world that were designed and built in the balinese style as their owners were smitten with the island, it's people, and it's relaxed style.  The Ohana villa in Tobago is one of these villas. With 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, and room for up to 100 inside for a reception, it's not surprising that it hosts about 10 weddings a year and was voted amongst the top twenty villas in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveler.   

I think I'm planning my next vacation there! 

Worldwide Wednesdays - Bermuda

We're working with a fantastic couple on their Bermuda wedding for 2011 and I recently stumbled upon Gavin Howarth, a photographer located in Bermuda who does some amazing work, and who's website puts you in a very island mood. After going to his site today I want to leave on a flight right now. 


Ok, I'll stop day dreaming, but on Gavin's blog I found the stunning and simple beach wedding of  Charlotte & Alexander who flew in from Germany with a few close friends and their son to say their vows.  I can just feel the love through Gavin's images.      

Fluffy Thoughts Cakes - New Home!

Lara at Fluffy Thoughts Cakes has made a number of my brides stunning and delicious cakes over the years and I was ecstatic to hear that she was opening a retail space that offers freshly baked goods including my favorite treat French macaroons. Lara actually made some amazing green tea macaroons for Kim and Kwang's wedding favors that were to die for.   


Lara's new bakery features a stunning private tasting room for brides and grooms to taste custom wedding cakes and you can even reserve the room for private events such as tea parties and bridal showers. I must say this space is just my style and I'm loving those light fixtures!  

The new location of Fluffy Thoughts Cakes is 1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101 and the bakery will be open 9am to 6pm, Monday – Saturday with the private tastings available by appointment.  


So here are some images from their grand opening shot by Susan Hornyak Photography. 

Worldwide Wednesdays - St. Lucia

Today I'm writing about a wedding I fell in love with a few years ago that features a local DC area couple that were were married on Pigeon Island in St. Lucia. Sota Dzine, a Fairfax based  photographer team joined the couple on the trip to capture all the wedding events.   Though this couple was originally planning a winter DC wedding, they scraped all their plans 4 months before the date and began planning a more intimate destination wedding on the beach. Looking at the images it was a great choice and the couple truly enjoyed time celebrating with their closest friends and family.   Vicki

Worldwide Wednesdays - Casa Chic Tulum Mexico

Lately, we've been working with a few brides to find the perfect location for their destination wedding and as a result we stumbled upon the Casa Chic a five bedroom luxury beach villa located on the southern end of Tulum beach in Mexico.  The casa's unique features like its use of natural materials, rope swing bar stools, and the jungle feel in the back of the property that leads to a stunning beach drew me in. They also have great wooden steps that look like bleachers and would be great as casual seating for a ceremony under the trees.  
 

First Row: Image via Gypsy Girl Guide, Casa Chic/ Second Row: Casa Chic, Victor C. Sizemore Photography/ Third Row: Sabine Scherer via Green Wedding Shoes,  Abi Q Photography , Mulberry Photography

Mimi & Harry Engaged! Theresa Choi Photography

I already told you how much I love this couple and the anticipation is growing for their May 1st wedding.  The photographer for their big day is the talented Theresa Choi and here are some of her shots from an engagement session with Mimi and Harry in Old Town Alexandria.

Meg and Matthew Engaged - Cassidy Duhon Photography

We just got the images from Meg and Matthew's engagement shoot around Georgetown with Cassidy Duhon. We've been working hard with Meg to plan the couples September wedding and it's coming together beautifully with a very classic yet relaxed feel. I think Cassidy's image of the white blooms behind Meg and Matthew really fits the tone.   

Worldwide Wednesdays - From Russia with Color

I came across images from Nelly Suleymanova, a Russian photographer,  a few weeks ago via Rock 'n Roll Bride, and loved the colors from one of her shoots. As spring is in the air with the flowers in bloom, I thought it was the perfect time for a colorful Russian inspired board. Doesn't it make you smile? 

First Row: Nelly Suleymanova,  Erin HeartsCourt/ Second Row:  Elizabeth Messina, Nelly Suleymanova / Third Row: shoe image by Hannah Bergman, Abby Jiu Photography via The Bride's Cafe, Russian Kefir yoghurt via Fine Little Day

Kerry and Josh Engaged! Mary Kate McKenna Photography

We work with some amazingly creative couples every day, and Kerry and Josh really raise the bar. We've been working with this cute pair to plan their wedding at the eclectic Hotel Monaco in Old Town, Alexandria. Kerry handmade all the invitations, runners, and even ordered custom made pottery for the centerpieces. The couple selected Mary Kate McKenna Photography to capture every little detail of their wedding day and it's easy to see why.  Here are some of the fun images from their engagement shoot. I'm always a sucker for dogs.   

Mimi and Harry Engaged! Julie Lim Photography

I love when I'm inspired by my clients and today was one of those days.  This morning I received images in my inbox from one of my favorite clients this year, Mimi and Harry, who are getting married right around the corner, on May 1st.  My jaw dropped when I saw the gorgeousness of their engagement shoot with Julie Lim Photography, a friend of Mimi's who is a relatively new photographer in the DC area. The styling and makeup was done by Janet and Michelle Kim and they did an amazing job. I can't tell you how excited I am for their wedding.  Love is in the air! 

Worldwide Wednesdays - A Day in Mexico City

Below are some images from a day I spent in Mexico City. I started with a tour of The Bellas Artes Palace and then Chapultepec Castle with amazing outdoor marbled terraces and gardens perfect for a jaw dropping event. Then it was refreshments at the Four Seasons Mexico in their outdoor courtyard. They had simple but dramatic arrangements of deep red rose bouquets throughout the hotel. I loved the berry ice tea with a personal serving of simple syrup to sweeten the drink to my liking and the girls couldn't resist a selection of desserts for our late afternoon sugar kick. I'm definitely going to use the individual simple syrup idea in the future.  At night, as we walked back to our hotel the architecture of many of the central districts buildings were illuminated to enhance their grandeur. I always say how important lighting is, it really sets a wonderful mood.  The red, white, and green of Mexico's flag seemed to pop up everywhere with hints of gold. A very traditional and elegant color combination. 

Worldwide Wednesdays - Las Mananitas - Cuernavaca Mexico

I just returned from an amazing trip tip Mexico City, Cuernavaca, and the cutest town of Taxco. If you love culture, friendly people, and great food, I recommend all of the above, but personally would have loved to spend a little more time in Cuernavaca and Taxco. 


During my time in Cuernavaca I had the pleasure if enjoying a few cocktails and dinner at Las Mananitas Hotel Garden & Spa.  This place is amazing with peacocks strolling the grounds and lush private gardens. It would be perfect for an outdoor cultural inspired destination wedding. I also fell in love with their  tortilla soup and can't wait until I return in the future.  Below are some images from the hotel and my own images of the striking birds that call Las Mananitas home. 

Worldwide Wednesdays - Ruby and Willow - New Zealand

Sorry for the late post, but this weeks been super busy before my trip. 


I personally am always inspired by Amy Butler fabrics and rugs.  Since her rugs are made from 100% New Zealand wool I thought it was perfect to pair some of the amazing rugs with invitations from the New Zealand invitation designer Kate Holland at Ruby & Willow that have the same feel.   I came across Ruby & Willow Invitations a while ago, and loved their designs. They are located in New Zealand, but work with brides worldwide, and even have an etsy store right here. 


For my brides who are having trouble finding a color pallet that speaks to them, I always recommend looking for pillows, rugs, decor, art, and personal objects that they love and pulling their inspiration from there.  

Worldwide Wednesdays - Mexico

I'm leaving for Mexico City in a few days for a week long trip and I did a little search around the wedding blogosphere to see what amazing Mexico inspired weddings I could find.  I pulled my favorites together with a color palette of deep green & coral with accents of turquoise. I think this board is scrumptious and I must say that I'm absolutely smitten with the bride and her amazing green dress shot by Q Weddings. Love, Love, Love! 



First Row: Twin Lens Images!, Sedona Bride/ Second Row: Emma Smallbone Photography, Q Weddings/ Third Row: Q Weddings, Amanda Kraft Photography,  Aga Images,  Jose Villa 

Worldwide Wednesdays - Canada

With the Olympics in full swing, I thought I would create a board around two Canadian photographers. I really like the romantic feel of this board and the lighting in the images by E/A Photography and Tara McMullenPhotography is amazing. 







First Row: E/A Photography/ Second Row: Tara McMullenPhotography, Michelle Moore Photography Photography, Holly Chapple Flowers/ Third Row: Jill Thomas Photography via Style Me Pretty, Bonnie Tsang Photography  via Once Wed

San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway! Vanessa and Mike are the Winners!

Happy Valentines Day everyone! 

On Friday I had the honor of surprising an amazing couple (Vanessa and Mike) with great news! They were selected as the winning couple for the 2010 San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway and they truly deserve it. I was there with Kate Triano and Silk and Silver Productions to capture everything on film. Holly Chapple also donated a sunny uplifting bouquet for Vanessa!  

The San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway is valued at $100,000, and a combined effort of over 40 amazing vendors from California. Some of the vendors include Lilia Photography, Nancy Liu Chin Designs, Hello!Lucky , Hotel Vitale, wedding planning service by the very giving Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, the producer of the contest, and so many more.

Here is a little about the winning couple: Vanessa and Michael are both graduates from the Air Force Academy, Michael just returned from deployment, and Vanessa is fighting stage 4 cancer in Northern Virginia.  Luckily Vanessa was out of the hospital on Friday and staying at Mike's parents home, and Mike flew in for Valentines Day. 

Vanessa and Mike are such a sweet and fun loving couple and it was pure joy to surprise them with the amazing news! Here are some great images Kate Triano captured.   How cute are Vanessa and Mike!   We wish them all the best. 

Happy Valentines Day! 

Worldwide Wednesdays - South Africa

I came across a lovely image of an outdoor space on Elle Decoration South Africa and shot by Justin Patrick, a self-trained photographer out of Cape Town. The striking blue tile against the stark white wall, and the contrast with the yellow foliage, just perfect. A relaxed, modern and inspiring space.   


A second Cape Town, South African, photographer Jean-Pierre Uys was then recently featured on What Junebug Loves for an gorgeous South African wedding. I think some elements of this wedding paired perfectly with Justin Patrick's image and this is the inspiration board that resulted. I love the color palette, the modern florals, and the touch of vintage with a birdcage veil and a cute ring bearer outfit.  


   
First Row: Jean-Pierre Uys Photography, Justin Patrick via Elle Decoration South Africa blog/ Second Row: Skip Hopkins Photography,  Laurie Peacock Photography/ Third Row:  Eleise Theuer Photography/ Fourth Row: Cook Images,  A Bryan Photo