From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to be a casual but elegant weekend where our guests were well taken care of.  With many friends traveling from out of state, and the groom’s family flying in from Wisconsin we wanted to host everyone for a weekend of celebrating and have time to enjoy every minute possible with our guests.  We chose Santa Ynez wine country because it is a place special to us and a place we wanted to share with our friends and family.  Sunstone Winery is a beautiful family owned winery that we felt combined all the elements we wanted to make for an intimate and relaxed wedding.

We tried to incorporate traditional touches with a modern twist throughout all the planning.  I worked closely with Melissa Copeland of franny bee designs who designed our Invitations and most of the day of details including the programs, placecards and menus.  We also wanted to mix in fun handmade touches throughout the ceremony and reception to compliment Melissa’s work.  Luckily, I had some pretty awesome bridesmaids who helped handwrite table numbers, stuff gift bags and make signs.  Our florist, Kelly Kaufman, brought the vision to life with her gorgeous arrangements and beautiful tablescapes filled with lanterns and candles.  

The groom is a writer and my father is a judge, so my hubby worked with my dad to write the entire ceremony from scratch with lots of personal touches and special meaning for us.  My dad officiated the ceremony and we wrote our own vows which made for an amazing and intimate ceremony.  The groom’s sister read the lyrics to Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” as our reading, and the bride’s grandparents read the traditional Irish Blessing.  Music is important to us and, so the groom worked with a traditional string quartet to develop a music program full of re-imagined rock ‘n roll songs and unexpected music choices for our ceremony.  

We wanted our reception to feel more like a dinner party.  We served cocktails in a candlelit wine cave and then escorted our guests outside for a family style dinner under the stars.  A touching bridesmaid toast, was followed by one of the best groomsmen speeches I’ve ever heard, and a heartwarming tribute from my father.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We ended the emotional celebration dancing the night away under a full moon.  My only regret is that the night couldn’t last longer……

Photographer: Michael + Anna Costa Photography | Design + Planning: Joy de Vivre | Floral Design: Florette Designs | Venue: Sunstone Winery | Catering: Duo Events | Rentals: Town and Country | Cinematography: Amari Productions | Officiant: Father of Bride | DJ: Gavin Roy Presents | Ceremony Music: Aurora Ensemble | Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes | Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus | Limo: Limo Link | Linens: La Tavola | Invitations + Stationary Details: franny bee designs | Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Grooms Suit + Tie: Theory | Groomsmen Suits + Ties: Kenneth Cole

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Post tags: Al Fresco
Post categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

 

From Stoffer Photography….Jordan and Chloe are two beautiful New York souls that invited us to document their wedding in Bouillon, Belgium. Chloe’s sweet Belgian relatives invited us all to stay in family owned bed and breakfasts nestled at the foot of the hill where the tenth century castle topped and the ceremony was held. We then drove to a breathtaking lake property where we celebrated. Simple, handmade florals that were picked during the week covered the tables and local Belgian beers were served. While every detail was perfect, it was the intimate and selfless love that the family and friends displayed throughout the week that was most beautiful to see.

Photography: Stoffer Photography | Floral Design + Decor: Samantha Sleeper | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Château de Bouillon | Hair: Mikaela Blumberg, friend of bride | Music: Colin Killalea + Robby Sinclair (of Yost) | Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Groomsmen Suits: Theory | Jewelry: Made by the Bride | Shoes: Badgley Mischka

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From Sterling Social…There is something naturally romantic about a Winter Wedding.  It’s a festive time of year, the weather is crisp, and if you live on the East Coast you will happily ditch the snow for some possible sunshine in California!  For Alli and Brad, there was no better time of year to invite their guests (many from out of town) for a cozy getaway to Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara.  Kicking off the weekend with a fireside celebration overlooking the ocean, the wedding was shaping up to be warm and intimate.

Despite the days of rain leading up to their Saturday wedding, the actual day gave way to blue sky and sunshine that beamed brightly.  While guests soaked up the sun poolside during the uncharacteristically warm day, Alli spent the morning getting her hair and make-up done in Bacara’s two-story private Residence.

Greeted with limoncello cocktails, guests were seated front and center for a dynamic sunset and sentimental Ceremony overlooking the water.  In the Groom’s typical witty fashion, Brad made a hysterical grand entrance to Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” and danced his way down the aisle.  After a few laughs, the mood immediately shifted as Alli came into view.  Floating down the lawn in a Vera Wang gown and carrying a simple peony bouquet, Alli was breathtaking.  Laughing through tears during their handwritten vows, Alli and Brad had one of the most touching ceremonies we have ever witnessed.

The evening shifted from poolside cocktails to a magical outdoor dining experience on the Rotunda Terrace.  Hundreds of glass orbs glowing with candlelight were strung above long, rectangular dining tables.  Custom silver and white chevron runners accented the dark, rustic wood tables.  Lush, feminine and colorful arrangements of beautifully structured roses, ranunculus, and hydrangea filled mica-wrapped and soft metallic vessels.

After dinner, everyone transitioned inside the Rotunda for dancing, lounging and some good ole fashioned fun at a photo station filled with endless props.  Sweets were very important to our Bride, so an amazing dessert display equipped with shelves and various vintage-style cake stands offered various decadent mini desserts.  After cutting into their signature “Beard & Lips” wedding cake, Alli and Brad joined their extremely energetic friends on the silver high gloss dance floor to dance the rest of the night away.

Photography: Amy & Stuart Photography | Event Planning + Design: Sterling Social | Floral Design + Décor: Dolce Designs Studio | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Bacara Resort & Spa | Wedding Cake + Desserts: Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan Beach Creamery | Ceremony + Cocktail Music: Ybarra Music | Reception Music: RedShoe  (DJ T) | Cinematography: Shadow Films | Invitations + Printed Materials: Copper Willow Paper Studio | Specialty Cake Plates: Casa de Perrin | Lighting Design: Lighten Up, Inc. | Dance Floor + Rentals: Designer Event Rentals | Photo Booth: Lensley Automatic | Hair: Tammy Kranzo | Make-Up: Artistry by Danika | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Alterations + On-Site Dressing: A Stitch in Time

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Post tags: Outdoor Ceremony
Post categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

 

From Jacquelynn Brynn Photography…Brittani designed a sophisticated backyard DIY wedding that would make Martha weep!  Brittani is full of sweet thoughtful spunk.  We share some things in common like a gluten allergy, and not only did she remember that about me, but she even served me up some wonderful family style watermelon salad.  Thoughtfulness was a reoccurring theme for both of them.  From the way they cared and laughed together, to the smallest of details in unexpected places. The wedding had picturesque details like reclaimed wooden doorway to their white tent, vintage window pane entry to the ceremony.  Seattle Skillet Street food made the trip over the mountains to serve up a family style dinner dressed in cute rustic flannel shirts with bow ties.  A huge chalk board background for the reception with morning after brunch details, personalized thank you and menu.  They created poster sized invitations that they mailed to their guests.

Photography: Jacquelynn Brynn Photography |  Ceremony + Recepetion Venue: Family Backyard | Wedding Flowers: Bloomers | DJ: Kenaston Music Productions | Catering: Skillet Street Food

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Post tags: Backyard Wedding, Tented Reception
Post categories: Casual, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Real Weddings

 

From the Bride…Will and I got engaged in Santa Fe in front of the St. Francis Cathedral while we were in town visiting my parents. We had been dating for eight years when he popped the question (but I was still completely shocked somehow!), so we had plenty of time to think about what kind of wedding we wanted to have when we finally took the plunge.

We always knew we wanted an intimate destination wedding with close family and friends but we weren’t exactly sure what the right destination would be. After researching spots in Mexico and Belize, it hit us that Santa Fe was the perfect location for our nuptials. I’d grown up going to Santa Fe on family vacations, my parents had just moved there full-time, we’d gotten engaged there and it was just a short flight away from Texas, where most of our guests would be coming from. Not to mention, the gorgeous summer climate in Santa Fe would be a welcome change from the sweltering heat in Houston, where we and many of our guests live.

After deciding on Santa Fe and a summer wedding, we started visiting venues in Santa Fe and researching wedding planners. Since we’d be doing most of our wedding planning from a distance, I knew we would need a great, creative person on the ground in Santa Fe to help us with the details. We met our wedding planner, Jessie Baca, in a coffee shop in Santa Fe a few weeks after getting engaged and we just clicked. She’s the super creative ying to my organized, logistical-minded yang and we couldn’t have been happier to work with her.

Jessie’s first vendor suggestion was husband/wife photographer duo, Twin Lens. After viewing their website, we knew that we had to have them photograph our wedding festivities. Kitty and Craig were such a joy to work with and we were just blown away by the photos they took of our special day. Although I’d always pictured exchanging vows outdoors, the Loretto Chapel’s French gothic architecture and “miraculous staircase” were just too stunning and special to pass up. The Inn and Spa at Loretto is right next door to the Loretto Chapel and was a logical choice for our reception site. Their southwestern decor and pueblo-style design were picture-perfect Santa Fe and exactly what we’d had in mind for our guests.

The overall feel of our wedding was laid-back, vintage, rustic fun. Artichokes and Pomegranates made my floral vision a reality, with loose, pretty arrangements of flowers (THOSE DAHLIAS!) and herbs in a variety of sizes. Almost all of the bud vases were vintage pieces that my mother already had from years of antiquing and collecting. We used succulents from our Welcome Party the night before to accent the flowers and add a southwest element to our tablescapes, along with beautiful birch wood slices provided by Jessie Baca.

We had about 85 guests at the wedding, which was the perfect size for us. After the ceremony, our guests were led to the outdoor cocktail hour by an all-female mariachi group, Mariachi Buenaventura. Following a seated dinner, the reception became a huge dance party, thanks to our wedding band, Santa Fe’s own Soulstice. Our “party shades” were the biggest hit of the night and all our guests loved wearing the multi-colored sunglasses as they danced the night away. At the end of the evening, Will commandeered one of our guests’ motor-scooters for a spin around the dance floor. It was a hilarious moment in a perfect day that we and our guests will never forget!

Photography: Twin Lens | Wedding Planning: Jessie Baca | Ceremony Location: Loretto Chapel | Reception Location: Inn and Spa at Loretto | Floral Design: Artichokes and Pomegranates | Cake: Chocolate Maven | Band: Soulstice | Hair + Make Up: Jess Evans | Mariachi: Mariachi Buenaventura | Mr. and Mrs. + Just Married Signs: Jamie Gordon West | Photo Booth: Photo Booth Rentals of New Mexico | Getaway: Santa Fe Pedi Cabs | Save the Date, Invitation Suite, Table Numbers and Escort Cards: Sicily Easton | Calligraphy: Karla Hamilton  | Wedding Dress: Watters | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew |  Bridesmaid Jewelry: Kendra Scott  |  Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Jos. A. Bank

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Post categories: Destination, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

Abby LarsonBest Ever Bolognese SauceAn easy, effortless classic with a twist bolognese sauce that you can make ahead of time.

prep time 15 Minute/s

cook time 1 Hour/s

total time 1 Hour/s 15 Minute/s

Serves 4Ingredients

• 2 TBS olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup carrots, diced
• 1 lb ground beef (or any combo of beef/pork/turkey)
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 28 ounce can of san marzano crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup basil
• 2 TBS butter, divided into 1 TBS
• 2 Tbs Heavy Cream
• 1 tsp salt, plus more for adjustments
• dash of pepper

Instructions

1. Saute the onion and carrots for about 5 minutes until the onion starts to look a bit translucent.
2. Add the garlic and stir for about 1 minute, careful not to burn it. Bitter garlic is no good.
3. Add in the ground beef and and brown completely. Once browned, toss in your red wine and your veggie broth and cook down by about 1/2, about 10 minutes on medium high.
4. Add your tomatoes and salt cook over medium heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Add in basil, butter and cream. Stir to incorporate and simmer on loooow for 10 minutes. You're done. You can always add a bit more salt/pepper if needed!

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