First of all, I have to say that Alona’s dress was gorgeous….I just loved the large ruffles at the top and how it went all the way around…simple, but very stylish.  Perfect for a wedding at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano where Jeff’s family had the connections. Not easy getting in there. Following the ceremony, Jeff and Alona left in Jeff’s family antique get away car…a tradition that will be followed for generations to come…they arrived back where they got ready, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach.  Their colors of sage and buttter yellow with a pop of coral were seen in the florals by using jade roses, celery cymbidium orchids,light green hydrangeas and butter phaleos. And tiny pop of green was added to the napkin alongside a delicious treat.  If you have not tried Vosges Chocolates, you must buy your loved ones a box, better yet, treat yourself to one.

Chenin of Boutwell Studio’s photos are always vibrant and full of life as you can see on her site and blog. BUT I specifically selected these to show her wide range of talent: as these photos were breathtaking and so timeless, just as hard to do as her vibrant colored shots.  Chenin, you are a talented woman.

Just released in bookstores, the Fall Winter Issue 2008…Brides Southern California Magazine. Inside you can find a little picture of Michelle and Christine and me, (JLe was there too) as we helped plan and execute their annual networking event held at Museum of Latin American Art…which we blogged about in April.

Somewhat celebrities at the St.Regis…I say this because it seemed like every employee and manager knew who Gil and Meredith were. St. Regis is like their second home, well maybe just for food and drinks. Everyone knows them because they are genuinely the kindest sweetest couple, and you would be honored to be in their company. Their intimate wedding was filled with lots of personal details- served their favorite drinks: chocolate martini, espresso martini and the flirtini. We even had a martini luge in shape of a guitar which is an instrument Gil plays…..his sister plays too and sang Meredith and Gil’s first dance song.  Notice the shoe on the top of the cake, yes….they met when Gil sold Meredith shoes and boy did she buy alot with Gil as the sales guy.  The pattern on the cake was from the graphic designer Creative Blu, who also made these amazing lace and baby stone table numbers.  I just loved the way the LED lighting turned out…Mike (MI Media) thanks for making the room all the right shades of pink. And for the first time, I had the pleasure of working with Nicole Caldwell and her team of photographers, professional and artistic and sexy photos.

Remember the Sexy Seattle couple, we featured their engagement shoot awhile back, the one where she was vacuuming in 5 inch heels….well they tied the knot this past June.  Nothing less of spectacular…Spanish Moroccan Theme but done in a modern hip way.  Chelsea and Sean were fun, stylish and their wedding guests were exactly that way too.  The party got started even before their Grand Entrance, just the way they wanted it…it was such an uproar when they entered and no one was going to leave that dance floor, not even to make way for their first dance. Although they went to rival schools, you would have never thought that as everyone mingled so well…the Pi Phi girls did get a special moment when Abba’s “Take a Chance” was played.  And can’t forget the authentic Hookas, in apple and mango flavors. Great food, great friends, great music…speaking of food, other than the always over the top food at Montage Resort and Spa, other 2 great foods: Diana Phillips Artisan Chocolates who supplied the gorgeous chocolate works of art, dusted in orange and fuschia to match the flower boxes, amazing.  And the other talented artist, Grace from Sweet- Gems for the thematic cake.  All around Greatness.  Last but not least, Great photographer…Drew B Photography

Even though the Red and Yellow knight did not win, he fought hard and made us proud!  Last week, Jeannie planned a Birthday Party for me at Medieval Times and invited a few of our close friends.  We had so much fun!  Thank you to everyone who participated in the dinner and tournament with me and we missed the rest of you who couldn’t make it.  Thanks to Samuel Lippke for all of the fun photos!  Can you believe another year has gone by?!?! 

Brides without gowns….here’s some info for some upcoming Fall Trunk shows for designers showing their 2009 line. SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, 3333 Bristol Street            Costa Mesa, CA  92626    714-540-3233

Sept 4-6 Carolina Herrera

Sept 18-20 Kenneth Pool 

Sept.25-27 Monique L`huillier 

Oct. 9-11 Melissa Sweet            

Oct. 23-25 Vera Wang

Oct. 30- Nov 1 Amsale

Nov. 6-8 Oscar de la Renta     

Nov. 13-15 Platinum

Nov. 20-22 Ulla Majia

Dec. 5-6 Reem Acra

I met Lisa at Soolip a few months ago at the Vibiana.  I absolutely fell in love with her products!  How cute are these Cake tees, sweatshirts, and notecards for the Bride and her Bridal Party.  They even make outfits for little doggies.  Inkbox Designs specializes in invitations and destination invitations…a great concept for those of you who are not getting married close to home or who’s home is a great destination!  They are so cute!  Check them out…      

Compliments to Joe an Mirta Barnet of Barnet Photography for these photos of the gorgeous couple Diane and Ben.  I met Diane and Ben last year through Diane’s sister Dana (Dana and John’s wedding, which you may have seen on the blog last August)   And now it’s Diane’s turn… another elegant and gracious Kelly Family daughter, boy do her parents pass on good genes.  Diane and Ben are to be wed next May at the Beverly Hills Hotel and I am honored to be a part of this event.

I have always wondered how much personal stuff I should blog on the site… I figured I would share this one since it’s event planning related, sort of…planning my daughter’s 3rd birthday party was fun and challenging, it was like having another client!  Maddie picked the Dora theme.  I wanted it to be entertaining for both adults and kids. Feed the adults good food and then they are able to interact too. I hired “The Taco Guy” who made the most amazing tacos, thank goodness for my translator friend Christopher Aldama (well his Spanish is as good as mine, his dad called for me)  Christopher catered the side dishes, I only had to worry about the kid’s food, thank goodness. This was not a drop off party, parents had to stay; can you imagine me handling 25 (2-10 year olds) no way! We had a bounce house which was good for the older kids and the balloon dude, yes that was Mike’s company’s name and then one of Maddie’s favorite things to do, ride the “choo choo train”.  That was a fun surprise for the kids. The talented Grace from Sweet-Gems who made the most adorable cake ever, I just told her a few things and let her surprise me. That is rare for a ultra control freak like me, but I trusted her. And JLe and Nite, who made custom street signs and custom wrapped chocolate bar party favors, are you sure you don’t want to be full time event planners?   And thanks Tony Kim (MinMi’s hubbie) for coming to chase the kids/ take photos in 100 degree heat and for documenting an important milestone in Maddie’s life.  Can I just say one more time, thanks Christopher for the taco guy hook up, the fancy flower pots/ decor and for hustling on one of the hotest days of the year…opps, thanks too to my husband for funding this extravaganza. I promise, every other year parties.  By the way for those parents that asked me for Balloon Dude’s number:  Mike Marion, The Balloon Dude, 714-615-1589 

I had the honor and priveledge of planning Min Mi and Tony’s wedding in Las Vegas, held at the Wynn.  I met Min Mi about 6 years ago before I became a wedding planner.  Min Mi was also one of the photographers at my wedding and helped me get started. I am grateful to her for her love and friendship…as she has been there for me for years.  Tony who is a total sweetheart, just shot photos for my daughter’s 3rd birthday party. Pics coming soon. Yes, they are BOTH photographers.  Min Mi has a portrait studio in Buena Park called Min Mi Photography. Not only do they do weddings, but they do amazing work with baby and toddler photos, which is extremely hard to do.  Ok, back to wedding….it was a cold day in LV, but they toughed it out in the courtyard for photos and then we headed to the Country Club Restaurant for a beautiful lunch. Then they had a private “pae bek” Korean tea ceremony to give thanks to their parents and elders.  What gorgeous outfits Korean women wear, the vibrant colors, the details…but most of all, I love how it’s empire waist, you can eat real good and no on would know!  Thanks to Tony’s colleague Yoom Ho Cho for their wedding pictures.