While we understand that cutting costs is a necessity we have found some unique wedding videography options that are fun, non-traditional and of course budget friendly.

Wedding Mix

There are a few of these companies that offer DIY videography services but Wedding Mix is our favorite. The concept is simple enough- most new iPhones boast professional grade video so just use that! Wedding Mix allows you to rent multiple iPhones, capture hours of wedding day footage and send it in for a team to edit for you. The visual effect looks like an old school wedding video with guests shooting from their point of view. With simple packages starting at just $99 (and even a Pinterest discount) you can’t beat it!

Tribute

This new start up allows friends and family to film individual well wishes to the bride and groom. Tribute compiles the footage and edits it into a special montage just for the couple. The best part about this service is you can use the tribute in a variety of ways:

– Ask guests to pre-record messages about your love and play the montage at your reception
– Set up a Tribute station at your wedding for guests to say a few words, including yourselves!

With special Beta pricing at just $25, it is budget conscious and full of possibilities!

Student Videography

For a more unique approach visit your local art and film school. Hang a flyer and look for young creatives who are just starting out. Interview future videographers and ask for special pricing. This option requires a little more footwork but can be extremely rewarding for both you and aspiring videographers.

xoxo, 

Victoria

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We’re feeling the warmth of summer as wedding season is in full swing. We are always on the lookout for new beautiful ideas and find inspiration everywhere.

Here are just a few of the summer wedding trends we are loving!

Unexpected Blooms 

petals of love, nor-cal florist

Romantic peonies and garden roses will always be favorites but we’re in love with the new trend of adding in a pop of anemones. These flowers are seasonal and can be a hard find but the good news is you only need 2 or 3 to make a statement. These contrasting blooms are perfect if you are looking for a modern and unique bouquet.

Shiny Signage 

list your favorite drinks

I love calligraphy and am always looking for new ways to display beautiful signage. Writing on mirrors achieves an elegant look for your ballroom affair. Invest in a couple of ornate mirrors and hang them by your bar, your photo booth or use a giant one for your entire seating chart. The best part is you can repurpose the mirrors in your home after your wedding!

A Touch of Vintage

my beautiful grandparents married over 50 years

Familial touches bring so much love and history to your wedding. Frame old wedding photos from both sides of your families for a vintage look. These photo displays can be done in so many unique ways. Just think one day you and your love will be considered a vintage photo=)

xoxo,

Victoria

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“Ok, don’t panic.”

So he got down on one knee and you said Yes! Now what? Next comes making the first of many countless decisions as a couple. What to do about this whole wedding business and how much money this is all going to cost you.

Over the years I have coordinated budget weddings that started at $10,000 to platinum weddings going well over six-figures. Here’s the deal, no matter the budget the premise of your wedding is the same. Weddings are a celebration of the start of a marriage. The guests you invite to your wedding are there to bear witness to your vows and will serve as your cheerleaders through years to come.

I like to give couples some guidelines when discussing wedding costs. Here are the most important questions to ask your fiancé when deciding your wedding budget:

1. What do we want?

This question is important for you and your partner to be on the same page and have the same concept. Determine how you want to introduce your marriage to the world. Talk about venue choices: traditional church, upscale hotel or outdoor celebration. Talk about how many guests are you comfortable accommodating. If you want to keep things smaller this will give you more budget freedom.

2. What can we afford?

Talk to each other honestly about finances. It is no longer expected that the bride’s family will pay for everything. Nowadays everyone can and usually wants to chip in. Consider what you both can afford and what your families are willing to contribute. Think about what this dollar amount means for your future. Will you have to wait a couple more years to buy a home together? Will you have to cut out any luxuries? If you think spending over “x-amount” of money on a wedding is out of the question, consider crowd funding your wedding and asking close friends to pay for certain needs. This is the start of your marital financial planning future. Be respectful of opinions and remember what’s important, marrying your love.

3. What’s your top priority?

You want your favorite band at your reception that all your guests will love to dance to, perfect! But that may mean you have to cut down on another wedding want. Talk to each other and make your priorities heard. This will make deciding on vendors easier as you move forward.

Remember, whether you want all of the glitz or you want an intimate affair this is your day and your decision! No matter the budget the love you share is what people are there to see and that is what is truly beautiful.

xoxo,

Victoria

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Here are some of our favorite Los Angeles Parks to say ‘I Do’ at:

Exposition Park Rose Garden

Grace E. Simons Lodge

Located in a secluded park is Grace E. Simons Lodge. The Lodge offers a blank canvas to create the wedding of your dreams. It is surrounded by a picture perfect bridge and serene water features. The Lodge can host up to 200 guests and is even available on holidays! Insider tip: there is usually a long wait list so try to plan up to a year ahead.

Wattles Mansion and Gardens

The over 100 year old Wattles Mansion is full of historic Los Angeles Spanish charm. A Hollywood backdrop, it is primarily used for filming but is a glamorous choice for your big day. Couples are able to rent out the house, garden and front lawn for all of their activities. Insider tip: this venue is perfect for couples with a small guest list.

For a complete list of all of the unique wedding venues the LA Recreation & Parks Department has to offer, click here.

xoxo,

Victoria

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Mini desserts have their advantages:

1. Variety- you can have way more selections other than just slice of “cake”.
2. Convenience- no need to stop the dance party when you can take your dessert right to the floor!
3. The cuteness factor- Everything just looks so darn cute in mini form!

Here are a few of my favorite alternative big cake ideas!

Cupcakes

This trend is far from over. Any flavor, any filling, these are the perfect treat for your guests. Pair with your own personal cutting cake and this is one of the most fun desserts! Check out Vanilla Bake Shop in Santa Monica, CA, one of our favorite cupcake shops!

Macarons

‘lette macarons

These beautiful French delicacies are both delicious and elegant. The bright colors pair well with any color scheme and contribute to overall decor. Wrap these up in clear boxes for a colorful wedding favor or have them served on a traditional macaron tower.  We recommend the professionals at ‘Lette Macarons based in Beverly Hills, CA.  Yummy!

Candy Bar

Have guests pick and choose which candies they would like to snack on throughout the evening. Every guest with a sweet tooth will love going back to the candy bar!

Ice Cream Sammies

coolhaus

Cookies? Check. Ice Cream? Check. Handheld? Check. Ice cream sandwiches are so fun and make you feel like a little kid again. If you are looking for a hip dessert food truck, look no further than CoolHaus. Our favorite ice cream shop right here in Culver City!

xoxo,

Victoria

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There are so many great reasons to get married during the holidays- like making your wedding it’s own holiday! Your guests are in a cheerful mood, you can score great honeymoon getaway deals and you can negotiate better pricing during non-peak wedding months. Here are a few of our favorite winter wedding ideas to make your day merry and bright!

Mix in Metallics

Who says the holidays are only about silver and gold? Mix in some bronze and rose gold with your bridesmaids for a trendy look. Consider having each bridesmaid wear a different shade of metallic that complements their skin tone.

Opt for a Red Affair

I love a traditional blue winter wedding but don’t be afraid to mix in another pop of color! A red shoe or even a red lipstick will look stunning against a beautiful blue wedding. I love these gorgeous ruby red drop earrings from Etsy.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Baby it is REALLY cold outside! What’s better than a nice warm cup of hot chocolate to warm you up? Add a lovely hot cocoa station right before guests sit down for your ceremony. Check out the incredible people at Upcycled Treasures for free hot cocoa bar printables.

Stay warm friends!

xoxo, 

Victoria 

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Our number 1 tip for designing a luxurious wedding ceremony is hiring live musicians. Adding live music to your wedding ceremony creates a beautiful mood by adding a touch of the luxe. Guests cannot help but smile as they arrive hearing gorgeous string music!

A classic string quartet can run a bit pricey. If you are on a budget, opt for a duo or a soloist that can play the songs you fell in love listening to. A favorite of mine is adding a single acoustic guitarist- a more rustic take on ceremony strings!

For a more personal touch, look into asking a friend or relative if they could play a few songs for your ceremony. Don’t let that beautiful talent go to waste!

Live ceremony music is the perfect start to your elegant evening, no matter your budget!

xoxo, 

Victoria 

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That being said, flowers usually come with one jaw dropping price tag. No matter your budget, here are a few tips to trim your floral bill while achieving that fresh flower aesthetic.

1. Mix high and low centerpieces

One of the ways to still bring the drama while cutting your price tag is to mix high and low centerpieces. Low centerpieces are about half the price of high ones and your guest’s eyes naturally gravitate toward the high flowers. Mixing centerpieces also achieves a beautiful textured look that is less monochromatic. Your guests will leave remembering the gorgeously tall arrangements!

2. Ask for extra loose petals

Florists charge extra installation costs for placing petals along the aisle and on your cake table. Instead, ask your florist to deliver extra petals to your ceremony location and delegate one of your bridesmaids (or your wedding planner!) to place the petals for you. This will save you hundreds of dollars and takes very little time during your wedding day.

3. DIY

Yes there is such a thing as arranging your own flowers! Have some fun and take a floral design course before the big day (or watch some YouTube videos!). Visit your local flower market a couple of days before your wedding and pick out everything you need. Arrange your flowers the day before and store in a cool place. This works well if you are having a local wedding or you have a creative family member who wants to hep out!

xoxo, 

Victoria 

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We’ve all got different definitions of what makes a wedding beautiful. What’s yours?

To me a wedding is simply a ceremony that celebrates the love between two amazing human beings. So, it doesn’t matter if it is a wedding at the backyard of your parents’ house or at the Ritz Carlton.  It is about what makes you as a couple happy. I am the happiest when I can feel and see the deepest level of joy and connection between the two people. This is what makes a wedding beautiful — joy, love, and gratitude —  for each other, for the friends and families, for life, and for God.

Of all of the things that you’ve accomplished, what are you most proud of?

This is a funny thing to say, but every time I hear a song, if it is a song to which I have taught a dance, then I immediately see the image of that particular couple in my mind and their First Dance.  I have a very strong visual memory, and so I remember their faces, their hair, their way of dancing, and how they interacted with each other.  I think of it as an “accomplishment” in the sense that I have created a connection with each one of my couples.

As for a specific accomplishment, I had a couple that wanted to look like they were on Dancing with The Stars and totally surprise their guests, and yep, we made that happen. They took one year of lessons with me and danced beautifully to a mix of rumba, cha cha, and tango. They are still wonderful friends now. To me though, it wasn’t about the dancing. Again, it was about the connection that they built with each other and the connection that I built with them.

What unique services do you offer brides and grooms on their wedding day?

I take each couple’s vision for their First Dance and preferences into consideration and then craft a dance that is unique to them.  Some people just want to feel comfortable and confident, and they don’t necessarily want a big choreography from Dirty Dancing. Others really want to learn how to dance and have fun with each other.  It’s a personal choice.  Regardless, they will walk onto that dance floor confidently and know what they are doing.

Where does your passion for creating unique wedding dances come from?

At the time when I started teaching wedding couples I was engaged myself. The relationship didn’t work out, but my love for teaching wedding dance continued. That relationship helped me a lot in my work, and I am deeply grateful for the experience of being in a relationship, and all the life lessons that I learned about myself. It helped me understand other couples on a more intimate level. What I am creating is not just a dance. What I am really creating is a deeper level of intimacy and connection between the couple. That is what makes my heart sing.

What are your suggestions to brides and grooms searching for a wedding dance instructor? 

I think there is a difference between being a good dancer and being a good teacher.  It is important that you assess whether they are good at explaining and teaching the dance moves in a way that you can easily understand. Also, you have to like them. It’s mostly a personality fit.  Unless you plan on doing a tryout at the Dancing with The Stars show, don’t worry about whether your teacher is super technical. It’s important that they listen to what you want and create a dance that matches how you want to feel on your wedding day.

Xixi “Shi-Shi” is the founder of Xixi Dance and an expert in teaching engaged couples how to dance together gracefully, boost their confidence level in front of a large crowd, and build intimacy in their relationship through partner dancing. She shows her students how to go from having “two left feet” to overcoming their fear of dancing in front of people.

Website / Yelp 

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