REAL WEDDING: FOUR SEASONS BILTMORE III

I certainly built up this post enough ... going on and on about how gorgeous this wedding was. How the El Mar Ballroom at the Four Seasons Biltmore was totally transformed into a dark and sexy forest. How Nico Cervantes just let the creative forces guide him into something jaw-dropping incredible. And how awesome my couple were to work with. Well, no more hype, just proof. Here are the amazing pics from Hanssie Trainor. Enjoy!!!

Don't you LOVE the table numbers we did?!!! Perfection!

After a night of partying, guests took home a jar of lemon-honey preserves (made by the Bride herself) and a set of delectable Four Seasons scones. Yum!

SO much fun to work on this wedding with a fantastic couple and the most amazing vendors. Here's the talent behind this vision:

Donna Romani Events
Hanssie Trainor Photography
Nico Designs
Four Seasons Biltmore
Russell Fowler Studios
Santa Barbara DJs
La Tavola Linens
Classic Party Rentals

BUTTERFLY BEACH WEDDING

This past September I had the pleasure of working with Kim and Ken on their beach wedding in Santa Barbara. Kim and Ken were friends during college at UCSB ... they each went their own way, got married, had children and built lives. Both now divorced and living in London, they met again ... and this time, they fell head over heels. They agreed on Santa Barbara for their nuptials, in celebration of where it all began and how they have come full circle to find each other again.

Chuppah by Kaleidoscope.

Wind screens, an umbrella and a wooden plank (all from Classic) make a friendly environment for the string Quartet.

Kim and Ken included blank muslin flags with their wedding invitations. They asked each guest to decorate their flag in celebration of love, marriage and Kim & Ken's story. We set up 40 bamboo poles in a semi circle around the event site, and as each guest arrived, they hung their flag on one of the poles. The time and effort each guest spent on their flags was humbling and beautiful. As they billowed in the wind, it made for a very personal and very intimate space that separated the wedding from everything else happening on the beach that afternoon.
It's easy to see how windy it was that afternoon. Anticipating this possibility, the officiant worked hard to make sure he projected and could be heard. Kim and Ken, knowing they would be emotional, did not want to worry about projecting as they recited their vows. Instead, the couple each gave me a written copy of the vows they had penned and I had them printed and inserted into their programs (so the other would not see them in advance). As they got to that point in the ceremony, the officiant announced that guests could follow along in their programs while Kim and Ken spoke their vows to one another. Now they have them as a keepsake to cherish for all time.

A beautiful beach wedding is possible. It just takes a little planning. xo!

JUNGLE BABY SHOWER III

At the bar we offered Virgin Bloody Mary's (Vodka on the side) and Jungle Juice - Orange, Pineapple and Banana Juice with Grenadine (Choice of Champagne or Sprite on the side). Guests helped themselves to a cocktail served up in old-fashioned mason jars.


Classic Party Rentals supplied the tables, linens and bamboo chairs to fit our Jungle theme. Each place setting had a red velvet cake ball (recipe from Bakerella) - SO YUMMY!


We used an antique dresser from my own home for the gift table and it sat beneath a mobile that was made up of wishes and wisdom from guests. If you recall, when we sent out the invitations, we included two animal cards ... Guests were asked to write a piece of parental wisdom for Chris and Tami on one, and a wish for their baby girl on the other, and send them back with their reply card. It turned out SO cute!
Still more to come! xo