lovely lotus wedding invitations • sami & aaron

we are so honored to have been a part of sami and arron's recent wedding at the terranea resort in palos verdes, spectacularly photographed by lin & jirsa. you should spend a moment reviewing their blog feature on this exceptional wedding — ideal for any couple planning to work with color.

speaking of color, when sami first came to me asking for elegant wedding invitations that successfully featured bold colors — like plum, silver and teal — i was immediately excited. when she then revealed that her wedding theme was designed around the ever-elegant lotus flower, i was even more delighted.

we will follow up with further photos of the final product, featuring a magnificent dupioni silk envelope and lush thermography. check back for details. :)

and congrats, sami and aaron!

inspiration • indian weddings

happily, one of my long-time favorite style trends is becoming quite popular with 2011 brides: the indian-themed wedding.

whether you are marrying in new dehli, met in bombay, or just want to add some exotic colorful flair to your day, these ideas are sure to spark a little bit of bollywood glam.

design and photo credits

first row — {wedding cake} design cakes via flickr • {ceremony site} olivia leigh photography

via elizabeth anne designs • {bridal makeup} wedding come true

second row — {henna} luxury hindu weddings • {bouquets} heather parker photography • {shell ring pillows} the knot

third row — {groom on horse} serendipity photography • {bride & groom with petals} slr lounge

wild about anemones

i've always been a fan of crisp black and white anemones, but i've seen them recently with a splash of color...and i think they may be my new favorite trend.

there is just something playful and delicate about these flowers, and the hint of color makes them slightly more casual, as well as versatile. they are just so unapologetically bold, with their robust black centers and curvaceous petals. looking for unique floral ideas? you can't go wrong here.

design and photo credits

{bouquet} martha stewart • {wedding cake} the caketress • {hair accessory} brina babe

inspiration file: pacific weddings

when looking for design inspiration, one of my favorite things to do is comb through the covers of old wedding magazines (yep, i keep 'em). the cover shots are often noteworthy, and always have an extra something special about them worth a second (or third) look. after all, if they weren't amazing, they never would have wound up on the cover in the first place.

i recently ran across across this summer/fall 2008 issue of pacific weddings, and my breath caught in my throat. the bright and cheerful yellow, the mix of floral textures, the bejeweled bouquet band. has memory lane ever been more lovely?

beach wedding ideas • sand dollars

living in los angeles, i am privileged to have easy access to the beach — the inspiration for today's blog, which is all about one of my favorite beach wedding elements, the sand dollar.

elegant, nautical, and whimsical at once, the sand dollar offers dozens of design possibilities for a perfect beach wedding. from chic beach wedding invitations, to tactile escort cards, to amazing photo and decor options, these are just a handful of the ideas available for your seaside event.

design and photo credits

first row — {shell escort cards} laura hooper calligraphy • {napkins} family circle • {striped cake} cake work

second row — {wedding rings} lisa schaffer photography • {silk box invitations} paper olive • {beer escort cards} laura hooper, photo by lisa franchot photography, via bridal bar

third row — {boutonniere} blue flourish • {floral centerpiece} maimy m&m via flickr • {ring pillow} to have and to hold

beautiful miami blues

with the summer in full swing and an obsession with hgtv's color splash (set in south florida), i've found myself in a miami state of mind.

what makes a perfect miami wedding? beyond beachy elements or tropical mainstays, a modern miami wedding is a little more sophisticated, like the four seasons wedding featured below — all watery cool blues, rich sandy golds, and lots of crisp white.

i not only love the simplicity of this palette, but the various opportunities it allows to play with multiple hues of blue. i just want to dive into a plate of those aqua macaroons, don't you?

design and photo credits

first row — {wedding cake} gimme some sugar via chelsea nicole • {bouquet} martha stewart weddings • {bride on chaise} rodrigo varela photography

second row — {event space & design} the four seasons hotel miami • {cocktail ring} polyvore

third row — {blue shoes} klk photography via project wedding • {macaroons} la prochaine fois

orange + teal = a fresh modern wedding palette

you probably know by now that i am in love with the color orange. one of my favorite things about it is its flawless ability to pair beautifully with almost any other color — rich chocolate brown, crisp lime green, and of course, moody teal blue.

while i adore orange and aquamarine (that's worthy of another post), there is something almost magical about pairing vibrant orange with this deeper, darker teal.

these vanda orchids absolutely pop against crisp white containers and a base of dark blue linens. i just love it.

these colors, in fact, were a major inspiration for the custom invitations featured here, which paired bright tangerine with an elegant, almost inky teal. they're modern and sophisticated, like the overall palette. the overall effect is unique — and doesn't every bride want to stand out from the crowd?

design & photo credits

first row — {custom wedding invitations} • paper olive; {clementine dessert favors} • photo by rodney bailey photography, flowers by enchanted florist, place settings & linens by dc rental

second row — {cocktails} • photo by rodney bailey photography, flowers by enchanted florist, place settings & linens by dc rental; {boutonniere & tie} • photo by amanda herzberger, suit by men's wearhouse, via the knot

third row — {orchid tablescape} • jules bianchi photography; {satin shoes} • photo by hillary mayberry, via the knot

favorite floral trend — king protea

i gravitate towards the unusual, the unexpected and the unique. so naturally, my list of personal favorites tends to include some uncommon choices.

this definitely applies to one of my favorite flowers — the king protea, south africa's national bloom. the juxtaposition of its delicate pink color mixed with its spiky, almost cactus-like leaves makes the king protea a dramatic choice for a bridal bouquet. carry this down the aisle and everyone will be talking.

these are just two of examples of how to soften and highlight this magnificent flower. it pairs with bright and soft palates, blends beautifully with rustic twigs or sophisticated roses.

can you not also imagine it in cascading centerpieces on tables and ledges all throughout an event? spectacular.

photo credits

top photo, christine meintjes. bottom photo, kent meireis.

vintage wedding chic

i've been heavily involved in the wedding planning of my dear friend jessica, who is set on a modern vintage affair with lots of rustic touches, antique elements, and rich colors. naturally, i'm now obsessed with all things vintage, and had to share some of our best inspirations.

there's something very personal about an eclectic vintage aesthetic — from the dress, to desserts, to mismatched pillows and antique birdcages, each style choice speaks volumes about the couple. and of course, the look never goes out of style.

favorites? the amazing birdcages handing in the trees and above the tables, lit with candles and bedecked with flowers. and the vintage tins bursting with colorful bouquets are stunning.

its the cleverness of vintage decor that is probably its biggest charm. an old watering can on a distressed wooden chair is suddenly chic when it becomes an unexpected vase. how can you not fall in love?

design & photo credits

first row — {watering can with flowers} • via the knot, kimberly brooke photography and jocelyn filley; {couture wedding gown} • natalia misslin designs; {vintage wooden bird cages} • styled by duet weddings, photo by corbin gurkin

second row — {hanging bird cages} • bonnie tsang via ruffled blog; {vintage chalkboard} • mclellan style via nashville garden weddings; {vintage desserts} • rosie parsons

third row — {vintage flower tins} • martha stewart weddings; {vintage shoes} • haberdashery boutique; {cake on distressed table} • cake by montecito confections, photo by elizabeth messina, styled by carissa jones of jl designs

spring color + easter chic = a hip holiday wedding

just in time for easter, i thought i'd share some of my favorite finds and color obsessions for this wonderful spring holiday.

honestly, pastels and bunnies can be too cutesy for a sophisticated wedding. however, blending several rustic vintage elements with delicate florals creates fabulous texture. mix in pale pinks with bolder spring colors like teal and you have an elegant formal event that has the perfect hint of holiday whimsy.

favorites in this bunch? that gown. oooh, lela rose. so lush, soooo romantic. i just love it.

another fave is the brooch bouquet by fantasy floral. i can't get over that these are not flowers, but rather, an eclectic bunch of vintage brooches gathered in lieu of flowers, creating a stunning bouquet that can be kept as a unique keepsake far beyond the wedding day. it's too clever, don't you think?

design & photo credits

first row — egg cup arrangements • dreamhouse; chocolate egg favors • country living; tiered tea buffet • the ritz carlton via fête à fête

second row — wedding gown • lela rose; brooch bouquet • fantasy floral

third row — tablescape • bbj linen

purple splendor at the four seasons

we are delighted to share one of our favorite recent events — the january wedding of lisa & andrew at the four seasons hotel in los angeles.

with fabulous design by cobalt events and lush, sophisticated arrangements by the hidden garden floral studio, the amethyst and periwinkle palette was bold, romantic and utterly chic. we looove the use of creamy white flowers against bright plum vases and wisteria linens. it's a perfect balance of soft and vibrant color.

for our part, custom stationery was designed in hues of rich purple and delicate periwinkle to match the overall aesthetic. custom menus, table numbers, escort cards and programs varied in color to coordinate both with the couple's wedding invitations, and to complement the surrounding decor. we loved being a part of it.

for more details about this wedding, visit the secret life of flowers — the official blog of the hidden garden. their work {and blog} is synonymous with elegance, so you're sure to pick up a few great ideas.

photo courtesy of the hidden garden.

aqua + lime = fresh summer chic

with warm weather peeking its way into los angeles, i'm reminded that summer is coming — and somehow, few things feel more summery to me than a splash of watery cool aqua blue.

paired with lime green (clearly one of my loves) aqua positively comes alive. this uncommon palette is crisp, contemporary, and super chic. probably my fave item below is the trio of lime velvet cuffs adorned with blue jewels. i am crazy about them.

we also adore the textural blue ribbon on the lime green favor boxes, and of course, a major inspiration was our own frolic letterpress invitation, with its modern shape, playful polka dots and clean lines. and that blue beach lemonade just looks fun. what's not to love about this combo?

design & photo credits

first row — ring pillow • meandmatilda via etsy; velvet cuffs • susan jane; bouquet • precious petals, photo by faith west photography via the knot

second row — wedding cake • montecito confections, photo by bb photograpy via the knot; custom letterpress invitations • paper olive; tablescape centerpieces • photo by antonis achilleos via the knot, styling by dominique baynes

third row — boutonniere • tickled pink; favor box • beau-coup; cocktail • the lazy bride

a winning wedding giveaway & two lucky couples

each year, the incredible team at jessica's country flowers design and deliver a dream wedding for a deserving couple — people who are in financial hardship and yet still make it a priority to give back to their community.

this year, we were thrilled to be invited to participate along with the many talented vendors who will help create a fairytale wedding for two lucky couples in 2001: anna & justin and karri & chris.

here's a snapshot of the generous experts who will be working with these deserving winners:

team one

• jessica's country flowers

• justin & mary marantz

• details wedding & party planning

• stonington paperie

• lovely cakes

• the white dress by the shore and designer modern trousseau

• dancing pen calligraphy

• sandra downie beauty

team two

• jessica's country flowers

• steve depino photography

• sixpence for your shoe

• paper olive

• toria dolce fine desserts

• the plumed serpent

• dancing pen calligraphy

• sandra downie beauty

we couldn't be more delighted. visit style me pretty for more details on this and previous giveaways, and for continuing news & updates. and congratulations to both couples!

photo courtesy of jamie collins photography, jessica's country flowers, emily's catering group and jubilee events.

hot pink + lemon yellow = joyful chic

this bold color palette was inspired by a very dear friend — andrea boudewijn of superfine bakery. hand-cut pink hydrangeas against mod yellow fondant were an immediate favorite, and i instantly saw an entire wedding design in the first glimpse of her original work.

deep fuschia paired with screaming yellow may not suit everyone, but i know many brides out there who want to stand out on their magnificent day, who understand the importance of being personal and expressing joy in all their choices. what colors say joy more than these two?

design & photo credits

first row — cocktails • photo via brides, flutes by vera wang; bride with bridesmaids • photo by kate benson photography

second row — plumeria bouquet • bali wedding; wedding cake • superfine bakery

third row — beaded clutch • judith leiber

pink + peonies = perfect

the peony is hands down my all time favorite flower. so when i saw an airy cluster of them featured on a pair of strappy pink heels recently, i went absolutely craaazy and was instantly inspired. a whole wedding built around pink and peonies? what could be more perfect?

the stunning badgley mischka shoes were clearly the inspiration, but there are many fabulous ways to incorporate this lush flower into your design aesthetic.

how about an outdoor central park wedding that mixes the summery peony with coordinating flowers and elements in the same pink hue? bold boutonnieres by ariston florist would mix beautifully with cherry blossom accents and a playful cotton candy display that looks like a vase of peony stems (very clever).

i'm nuts about this peony cake, which is whimsical-yet-classic and just plain gorgeous. it makes a perfect complement to the sweetly simple tablescape by martha stewart — don't you love the pink glass china? crazy pretty.

and finally, what bride would be complete without this dupioni silk-lined peony clutch by red ruby rose? it's like a breath of spring. all right, how many brides out there love the peony as much as i do?!

photo credits
cake • tara donne; cotton candy • kristin spencer photography; boutonniere • patricia kantzos photography; shoes • ling photography, st. paul, mn.

romantic bouquets

i am clearly in love with contemporary design — fresh ideas, clean lines, bold colors. that said, there is something about a classic, perfectly romantic bouquet of flowers that just melts me.

not your average, everyday, ordinary bunch of pink roses, mind you. i'm talking about vintage artistry with an updated twist. simply put, when romantic meets modern, it is absolute magic.

like this lush, gorgeous bridal bouquet by castle & pierpont, courtesy of instyle weddings, which mixes peachy roses with milky white peonies and ranunculus (my favorite wedding flower of all). it's just dreamy.

or this delicately ornate rose bouquet by karen tran, with its sleepy lilacs, soft greens, and just enough shimmer to keep it from being too pale. this is what it means to put a modern spin on a true classic.

just two of my favorite finds for this week.  :o)

all about orange

i'm crazy about the color orange, especially for big events.  it was the focal point of my wedding, and recently the same hue has been popping up with several new brides, which makes me positively giddy.

since vibrant color is a paper olive signature, i thought it would be fun to offer three unique examples of how bold color can absolutely transform an event from common to couture.

classic roses

in the first photo, courtesy of wedding style magazine, orange roses and white lacquered manzanita branches are set on an all white feasting table at the johnathan beach club.  orange is truly the star here, expertly arranged by r. jack balthazar.  wedding by kelly michelle, linens by bbj linen, chair covers by covered affairs, table setting by unique tabletop rentals.

california chic

orange gets an edgy, even more modern twist in this fruit-centric design by modaflora, which comes courtesy of brides.com.

using the actual fruit is not only organic and elegant, but unexpected here, and the juxtaposition of the round fruit and square plates is a wonderful mix.

the best part?  citrus greens and delicate branches give the bountiful fruit an artistic aesthetic that is light, windswept, and truly uncommon.  it's pure sophistication.

tropical breeze

of the three photos, possibly my favorite concept is this one designed by yvonne chapman, shot at the loulu palm estate by chrissy lambert, courtesy of pacific weddings.  the fresh, cheerful hues of orange and peach are simply magical here.  it's a celebration of color, delicate and bold at once.  i am in love with it.

which one is your favorite? let us know!

autumn and thanksgiving weddings

the leaves are turning color and there's a chill in the air...perfect timing for some warm apple cider, a thanksgiving feast, and a wedding celebration.

autumn and the holidays are a great choice for your event not merely because of the rich orange and red color palettes, rustic backdrops and festive mood. thanksgiving weddings are fabulous in a very practical sense — guests are already traveling, and are often eager to spend the holiday in a new, unexpected way.

these are just a few of the lush design options for fall or thanksgiving. we love the bountiful joy of an apple motif, which is the star of this design collage.

from the unique, incredibly realistic apple candles by candle bay, to our own delicious apple-themed custom menu, the tone is bright, warm and inviting. mini-caramel apple favors by jody perlberger for perl continue the motif and match beautifully with earthy bouquets, also by jody.

round out the look with a simple, elegant table setting with rich golds and browns — including an all-brown chocolate & fruit wedding cake like this one by cheryl kleinman. you're sure to have an unforgettable wedding and a very happy thanksgiving!

a hip halloween wedding

what do you get when you mix classic autumn elements with gothic black, burgundy wine, and a little bit of whimsy? a fabulous halloween wedding.

with the amazing contrast of colors, the limitless favor and decor ideas, and a great sense of humor, there's no reason lovers of this holiday can't be a little spooky and sophisticated.

our favorite idea in the bunch? has to be a tie between the surprisingly chic skeleton ceremony site decor, and the ominous black widow cocktail. do you drink it or does it drink you?

design & photo credits
first row — skeleton bow photo • chung li photography; guest book • better homes and gardens

second row — day of the dead wedding cake • wiltelang's flickr photostream; candy favor display • the knot, photo by janae shields

third row — black widow cocktail • talk of tomatoes; bridal bouquet • melia's floral

parrot tulips • a timeless wedding motif

if you've read my last post, you know i've been poring through couture weddings gowns this week. in doing so, i came across a custom marchesa gown made for celebrity coleen mcloughlin. it's airy, sumptuous, and reminded me instantly of a cascade of tulips.

once again inspired, i put together another collage with gorgeous wild parrot tulips (yes, it's an addiction). from our tulips letterpress invitation, to delicate sugar flowers, to a fabulous multi-hued bouquet, this is one design motif that is classic, fresh and never goes out of style.

design & photos credits

bouquet • flower design; tulip letterpress invitation • paper olive; wedding gown • marchesa, photo via red carpet fashion awards; wedding cake • studio cake