We love music almost as we love weddings, so it was quite a treat when we were introduced to Brandon & Leah.  Brandon & Leah are a super cute duo who love performing together – seems like a perfect fit for GWS :)

I love that their music is beachy and has such a fun, yet laid back vibe to it. They grew up just a bit north of LA in Malibu and their tunes definitely reflect the spirit of SoCal. Since Brandon & Leah are located not too far from us, we’re hoping to catch a live show soon.

They filmed their newest video “Life Happens” with the help of their close friends at Funk Factory Films, I love that it’s just about them. The home footage in the video shows them seizing the moment and reinforces just how important those small moments happening around you everyday can be! So super sweet. Check it out below:

Download the mp3 here, so you can take it with you:
Download “Life Happens” Now

Check out Brandon & Leah’s Official Facebook Page

In celebration of their new release, Brandon & Leah have asked for GWS readers to submit their personal stories of how they met their sweeties. Brandon & Leah have a great story, they’ve known each other since they were kids!

To qualify to win, just Like this post and leave a story in the Comments below telling us the story of how you met by 5:00 PM PST Saturday, March 3, 2012. Brandon & Leah will pick their favorite story (one that really shares in the spirit of their song) and the Comment author will win a $100 Visa gift card! We’ll update this post to announce the winner the week of March 5, 2012.

We can’t wait to read your stories and have a feeling Brandon & Leah are going to be pretty big real soon!

It’s been a crazy busy week for us here at GWS so I couldn’t think of a better way to end the week then this GORGEOUS shoot from Venice, Italy by the lovely ladies of Simply Bloom Photography. Venice is such an amazing city – for a wedding or honeymoon – and just love the way they captured the city. Thanks so much to Chic Weddings Italy for the lovely styling.

Totally so dreamy, right? Thanks again to Simply Bloom Photography for the gorgeous photos + styling by Chic Weddings Italy.

Whitney + Adam wanted a wedding where they could incorporate all the things they loved – the little details in life they love + yummy food! Whitney’s lovely sister handcrafted their guestbook, ring bearer pillow, s’more tags (for the favors) amongst many things! Since food was such an important detail to them they wanted to do something besides traditional wedding food and share the foods they love! Kassie, with Catering with a Twist, worked with them non-stop to make this happen and Whitney + Adam just loved all the ideas she came up with to make it really about them. And of course thanks so much to the talented Clayton Austin for the gorgeous photos! Congrats you two!!

Most memorable moment of your wedding day?
Ahh really everything… but for sure the calmness. The whole planning process was a bit stressful at times since we were doing everything on our own and didn’t have a planner. And at times I can procrastinate, which doesn’t make it any easier on anyone! But the whole day everyone kept thinking we both would be nervous, yet we were both were so calm. The second I walked down the aisle and grabbed his hand we could both just sensed the calmness, love, and peace. We were both so happy and so content the calmness just surrounded us. I honestly don’t think one thing that evening went wrong.

Our music:
Bridesmaids Processional: acoustic guitar of Taylor Swift Love story
Bride Processional: acoustic guitar of Bridal Chorus
Communion + Unity Candle: Our friend Doug Adams played his guitar and sang Keith Urban’s Only You Can Love Me This Way
Recessional: acoustic guitar Michael Jackson The Way You Make Me Feel
First Dance: Joshua Radin – They Bring Me To You

Any advice for those planning now?

Make sure you choose a setting that you love and feel comfortable in. When you feel comfortable, your guests feel comfortable…which allows everything to feel so welcoming and makes for that “perfect night”.

Also, invest in a photographer!!! We had to budget on everything! But, from the very beginning, before I even knew where our location would be or knew anything really, we knew we wanted amazing photos that would last a lifetime! I wanted someone to capture the moments we might not recall as well as the most intimate moments we would want to hold on to forever. And thank goodness we were fortunate enough to get with Clayton Austin! He did just that and more! I think even if we had the most elaborate wedding or the smallest wedding with just a few family members, that I would still 100% invest to have the amazing pictures we have now.

vendors
photography: Clayton Austin // venue: Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas // day of coordinator: Casey Whitlock with Coordinate This // floral design: Petal Pushers // wedding dress: Wtoo/Olivia from White Gown Showroom in Dallas, Texas // hairpieces: Doloris Petunia // shoes: Kate Spade and Toms // hair + makeup: Tiffany Gregory and Malia Pinnix // groom suit: Calvin Klein // invitations+ paper goods: Aerialist Press // catering: Catering with a Twist // cake: Simon Lee // music: Doug Adams – Ceremony; Reception – DJ Mike (Vista West Ranch)

Clayton Austin is a featured vendor of Green Wedding Shoes, check out Clayton Austin’s vendor profile to see more of his work or discover other GWS recommended vendors for your wedding day in our Vendor Guide.

I’m working on some fun DIYs with neon for The Cream Event next week and thought these fun neon ideas were so great. Perfect for the couple who loves music + bright colors! Thanks so much to the talented team of vendors who put these ideas together including photography by Perez Photography and design by Bows and Arrows.

Nikki of Doogle Dog Creative designed all the pretty paper goods and the plates + glasses are from Posh Couture Rentals.

Hope this helps inspire you to add some fun colors to your wedding day!

vendors:
photography: Perez Photography // coordination: Sweet Pea Events // design + flowers: Bows and Arrows // paper goods: Nikki of Doogle Dog Creative // wall paintings: Cesar of Perez Photography // hair + makeup: Shannon Caldwell of Something You Makeup Artisty // chairs: Nest Dallas // All other rentals: (plates, flatware, and glasses) Posh Couture Rentals // cake: Layered Bake Shop // dress: Stardust Celebrations

I know a lot of you fell in love with Lisbeth Salander through the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy and then again on the big screen. While it might not be your first thought for wedding inspiration, I think there is lots to be found! The movie took place in wintery, cold Sweden, so to me it was the perfect backdrop for a winter wedding. Lots of muted blues, white and browns throughout the movie which make for a perfect wintery palette. A groom with a scarf and a bride in a leather motocylce jacket with a motorcycle exit – how perfect, right? Looking at old photos was a big part of the movie and what better way to display polaroid’s + old photos than a display for your guests. Pressed flowers for decor and your guests could leave a pushpin from where they traveled from (Lisbeth did this in her research). I also love the movie poster for the film and silhouettes could be such a fun detail to add to your invites or other paper goods. What do you guys think?

photo credits going clockwise: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie poster, motorcycles from the movie set, dress photo by Vanessa Jackman, movie still, movie still, Vogue, polaroid display via Talia Christine, movie still, bouquet via Johnathan Canlas, groom with scarf, guestbook map with pushpins, pressed flower from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I’m also loving all your ideas for future movie boards! If you’d like to request a movie you’d love to see my take on turning it into a wedding, leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick my favorite (or maybe a few!) this Friday to translate into a board next month. :)