PREGGERS | Baby Shower Invitation

chris + ana | wedding photos

Congratulations Ana + Chris.  The trip to the central coast was amazing.  Here are a few photos I captured from the big day.

beth + tom wedding video

beth + tom from Aaron Horton on Vimeo.

Aaron Horton has completed our wedding video.  Please check out his blog to leave any comments!  Thank you so much Aaron for your amazing work!

Photography: Vanessa Preziose

Forist/Coordinator: Artisan Events
Cake: My Favorite Cakes
Venue: Viceroy

chris + ana | invitation @ pismo beach, ca

I snapped a shot of Ana and Chris's invitation while I was in Pismo Beach, CA for their wedding.  I love being able to see the final product at the event!

Chris + Ana | Invitations

Chris and Ana have finalized their wedding invitations!  Sticking with the beach theme while incorporating a childhood game Chris played with his mother the couple selected sand dollars as their main image. 

jen + ashley | inspiration board

Two of my favorite people are getting hitched! Jen & Ashley are planning a July 2011 wedding in downtown Seattle.  The important items we have highlighted to date . . . 1) Jen loves blue, 2) Ashley loves green, 3) they MUST get married in Seattle, 4) they are hoping to have part of the ceremony or reception outdoors (with the Seattle skyline as a backdrop), 5) think bohemian, 6) but keep it urban.  So here's my first shot.  Since I'm lucky enough to be designing for two brides instead of one I wanted to create and individual scheme for each bride that will still work well as one unit.

the brides . . .

The concept . . .

The palette . . .

The setting . . .

beth + tom | Our Viceroy Palm Springs Wedding

If you are thinking about a PS wedding I would suggest a having it in March. The hotel grounds have several citrus trees producing the most heavenly aroma. The intoxicating scent of the citrus blooms is guaranteed to set the tone for your event. Your guests won't stop talking about the scent.  Here are a few pics from our big day.

Vanessa has created a slideshow for all of us to view.  make sure you turn up the tunes!  she also posted a few of her favorite pics on her blog. she loves comments!

Chris + Ana | Save the Date

I'm so excited for Chris and Ana. They are getting ready to mail out their save the dates. The save the dates will fit their Pismo Beach wedding style while sharing with friends and family a taste of Ballard. Ana's favorite color is purple and will be used throughout the event. It is shaping up to be the perfect beach brunch wedding. Surf boards and flip flops are encouraged. Congrats Chris + Ana!

Viceroy Inspired Wedding Invitation

 

I couldn't be happier with the finished product.  I just received my wedding invitations from the Mandate Press and every imprint is perfect as always.  I just love receiving the neatly packaged invitations.  It is such a huge rush to see your electronic product converted to the age old letterpress.  Designing the invitation was a walk in the park.  The Viceroy provided more than enough inspiration for my wedding invitations but rather than pulling from the Hollywood glam vibe I decided to focus on my favorite feature at the hotel. The lobby's yellow and white mosaic tile feature defines the entry while exhibiting true Palms Spring inspired design.  I can't wait for the guests to get this bold, striking invitation and ultimately bring the experience full circle when they enter the lobby.  

Chris + Ana

I had the pleasure of taking engagement photos for Chris and Ana. The couple recently relocated from Central Coast in CA to Ballard, WA and wanted to take photos that captured their new community. We started our journey at Golden Gardens then made our way down Market. The Ballard Farmer's Market was in session and we meandered in and out of some of their favorite boutiques. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day. Again, Thank you Ana and Chris for letting participate. I had a blast taking your photos. Beth

Viceroy Palm Springs| Destination Wedding Location

I recently had the privilege of touring, sampling, and experiencing The Viceroy Palm Springs while on a destination wedding venue search. The Viceroy is a luxury boutique hotel located in sunny Palm Springs, CA. The manicured grounds, private villas, and 3 refreshing pools makes this the perfect destination wedding location.

Kelly Wearstler is the interior design genius behind the resort's modern Hollywood Regency design. She recaptures the look and glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age by featuring modern styling amidst a black, white, silver and lemon yellow palette. The location is a photographer's, wedding planner's, and bride's dream come true. There is no need to re-create the wheel when planning your wedding. Kelly has conveniently and tastefully set the tone for your event. The Viceroy website alone will serve as your wedding inspiration board.

The hotel's 67 guest rooms, studios, and villas that are situated perfectly to create intimate and secluded locations throughout the hotel grounds. The Viceroy, first unveiled in 1933, rests on 4 acres divided into 4 very elegant environments for your wedding (click for map). My two favorite locations are the Regency Courtyard and the Presidio Ballroom. The surrounding mountains provide a dramatic backdrop in the Regency Courtyard which is perfect for your garden ceremony while the Presidio Ballroom exudes Hollywood glamour with mirrored walls, glass chandeliers, and amazing silver wallpaper. The first time I entered the ballroom I felt like I had slipped into gray satin evening gown, my hair was pinned back in finger rolls, and from my ears dangled diamond chandelier earrings. It was like stepping through a portal to old Hollywood.

The Palm Springs International Airport is conveniently close to the hotel, about an 8-minute cab ride. No rental car required for your guests; The Viceroy is located in downtown Palm Springs near all of the boutiques and restaurants.

The Citron, the hotel's gourmet restaurant, features California modern cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and poolside. I would recommend their grapefruit martini or lemon drop, it's like the Viceroy in liquid format. The restaurant staff are extremely attentive; you will never be without a drink.

The Viceroy hospitality is only rivaled by The Parker. You and your guests (and your puppy) will feel welcome from the moment they arrive. The staff is genuinely friendly. It is obvious that each member of the Viceroy team is madly in love with their job.

I look so forward to my next trip. Please make sure to visit their website. It contains amazing photographs of the venue along with all of the details you need to plan your Palm Springs destination wedding. All photographs above are from the Viceroy website.

Thinknow Takes on Vegas

Becky Ellis of Thinknow Design thought it would be fun document her eco-fashion pieces on the road. I absolutely agree. During a recent trip to Las Vegas I pulled out a pair of my favorite earrings at the Ghost Bar at the top of The Palms.
Floral Metallic by Thinknow Design

Sex and The City Love Key Chain

After hosting the SATC Movie pre-screening party in Seattle all the ladies were buzzing about the Love keychain that Louise gave Carrie. It is one of the most iconic images from the movie (besides the blue Manolos). After some research I learned that the keychain was custom designed by H. Stern for the movie with a fat price tag of around 6k. How Louise could ever afford that keychain is beyond me!

After my crushing discovery that the keychain cost more than the Manolos I let my dream of carrying around a little piece of SATC and the reminder to have "faith in love" slowly fade away. Fast forward to present day. I happened across the movie on HBO and the key chain grabbed my attention yet again. Then I had one of my "inspired" moments and thought A) what a great way to ask your girlfriend to move in with you and B) those would make fantastic bridesmaid gifts. So after a single google search their she was, a reasonably priced replica. Check out Love is Key NYC, The HBO Store, or Seen On for the key chain and Mr. Lock or your local hardware store for the house key cap cover.

So fellas, if you are looking for the perfect way to ask her to move in try it Sex and The City Style with the Love Key Chain. Then when the time is right you can propose with the Blue Manolos and she can in turn give the key chain to her bridesmaids as thank you gifts!

Eco-Fashion by Thinknow Design

Thinknow Design, based in Seattle, produces eco-fashion jewelry designed by Becky Ellis. I am madly in love with her creations. Her patterns are inspiring, color palette invoking, and when paired with sustainable wood and recycled paper the jewelry is irresistible. The pieces are designed for tree-hugging fashionistas. Stay tuned for additional photos. I am taking some of my favorite pieces on the road.

"I Prefer Umbrellas in My Cocktails" - Cheeky Umbrella

I truly do prefer umbrellas in my cocktails, however, living in Seattle an umbrella is a staple. Finding fun, fashionable, and reasonably priced umbrellas is even a difficult to manage in our rainy city. So today when I stumbled across the most fantastic umbrella holder I have ever seen I decided to try and find some umbrellas to fill it. All of the umbrellas I found are under $50 and BONUS . . . I even found and umbrella that lights up!

From top to bottom and right to left Marimekko Kiku Red Umbrella, Groovy Garden Rain Umbrella by Umbrella Society, Sprig Rain in blue by Tray 6, Slow Flow by Bright Night, and Cocktails Umbrella by Cheeky Umbrella.