28 05, 2014

Jose Villa Italy Workshop Featured on Style Me Pretty

By |2014-05-28T10:15:27-06:00May 28th, 2014|Featured, Photo shoot|

This, my sweets, is a Jose Villa workshop, Italian style. And it comes bubbling over with talented craftsmen like Kate Holt Of FlowerwildLaurie Arons Special Events and a team of artists who transformed Villa Cetinale into pure wedding magic with a good dose of old world elegance. Have a look here for even more inspiration and if you missed it, the engagement session that started things off.

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A note from Laurie AronsThe 17th century regality of Villa Cetinale inspired our “wedding” design for the Jose Villa workshop. Built by the Medici family for Pope Alexander VII, the Villa’s Roman Baroque architecture and religious artifacts set the scene for our faux formal wedding in the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. I felt a carefully selected shade of deep plum befitted an occasion at the elegant villa. Used as a accent color against a palette of ivory, cream and rich beautiful gold, it struck just the right note of royalty and romance.

I worked with A Day In May Design to develop the invitation suite, thank you notes, menus and day-of details. Together we enlisted Tara Jones Calligraphy, as her beautiful free hand style of calligraphy reminded us of Old World Italian documents. While most of the printed pieces were created on natural, antique feeling papers, we decided to print our menu/placecards on deep plum card stock with guest names calligraphed in gold. They photographed beautifully on the dining table against the plum taper candles.

Another favorite detail were the welcome trays we created for each student in the workshop. Kate Holt from Flowerwild hand-painted Florentine trays I sourced in Florence, which we topped with personal calligraphed stationery by A Day in May and Tara Jones. We then found gifts from the region including pears from the local market, Italian fine chocolate and candles from Santa Maria Novella, the oldest ‘farmacia’ in the world.

A note from the Kate of Flowerwild“Dove il cielo si incontrano la terra” – where the heavens meet the earth. This quote wrapped around the leather passport covers which were a pre-welcome gift for attendees – a hint at the marvelous and things soon to unfold on their travels to the Jose Villa Workshop. Not to be sappy – but this is my second workshop with Jose and it is so eye-opening for me to observe him teaching, and see all the talents around him come together to create something unique. I learn SO much with each experience. I know I have him to thank for many great strides by business has taken since I was lucky enough to observe him teaching in Mexico a few season ago. No denying… that was life changing for me. I’m certain all his attendees feel the same.

For this workshop I was simply drawing from the space, the unbelievable villa, the tones within the landscape, and the natural environment and architecture to create a look for Jose and his students to photograph. Going there sight unseen -except for what I could gather from online imagery- sort of opens up the experience to half good-planning and forethought, and the other half- a strange mix of luck and an ability to focus and seek out the best of what the environment provides. I find that if I lock myself too deeply into one direction or look – I am inevitably sidetracked or slowed down by certain items not being available, or sought after materials being impossibly elusive.

To begin designing, I started with the little Italian phrase, and then researched traditional Italian weddings to see where it would lead me, to see what I could learn about another culture’s approach to the vows between two people in love. I looked at poems, timeless traditions, wardrobe history, baroque architecture (the style of the villa) and did my best to gently weave these ideas into the bones of the look.

Deep olive and plum tones, veils to the ground, easter lilies, an abundance of altar of candles, dramatic gowns, and gold embroidery are a few notes that I began to build the look from. Laurie and her team dreamed up these very deep toned-plum, standing place cards with gold calligraphy. For me, these set the tone for everything moving forward from there. I basically just looked to balance the high drama and luxuriousness of the villa against the real, rawness of the countryside there. Some items were painstakingly resourced by Laurie, Katie, Summer, and my husband and I – and others were serendipitously discovered along the roadside. With some very generous guidance from a friend on the ground in Italy – Tomasso – and some amazing luck we were able to make it all happen!

To me the workshop is such a collaboration – as all weddings are. We all lend what we can and are lucky enough to have Jose and his students capture it. I hope we can continue to do it “per cent anni!” for a hundred years!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Gown: Reem Acra From Gabriella Bridal | Gown: Samuelle | Hair And Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup | Calligraphy: Tara Jones Calligraphy | Beaded Charger: The Ark Event Rentals | Car: Zephyrus Sienna | Creative Direction And Design: Kate Holt Of Flowerwild | Design And Planning: Laurie Arons Special Events | Florentine Charger: Casa De Perrin | Graphic Design And Printing: A Day In May Design | Guest Speaker: Summer Watkins | Guest Speaker: Joel Serrato | Guest Speaker: Laurie Arons Special Events | Guest Speaker: Shira Savada Of Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine | Leather Work And Brass Tags: Amber Moon Of Pitbulls And Posies | Models: I Love Management And Casting Italy | Special Assistant And Decor: Tomasso Of La Rosa | Veil: Preston Olivia | Venue: Villa Cetinale | Villa: Villa Cetinale | Wardrobe Stylist: Summer Watkins

Preston & Olivia is a member of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here. Jose Villa Photography, A DAY IN MAY DESIGN, TEAM Hair and Makeup, Joel Serrato Films and Casa de Perrin are members of our Little Black Book. Find out how members are chosen by visiting our FAQ page.

14 05, 2014

Jose Villa Mexico Workshop Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By |2014-05-14T10:57:45-06:00May 14th, 2014|Featured, Photo shoot|

Wedding Day Inspiration from the Jose Villa Mexico Workshop

Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. Say, for instance, from a crazy gorgeous Mexico Workshop crafted by Jose Villa, Lisa VorceMindy Rice Floral Design, and beauty overload at the hands of Mar of TEAM Hair And Makeup. It’s a beautiful interpretation of destination “I Do’s” and comes on the heels of the 2014 Mexico Workshop announcement with registration now open!

“Wedding Day” Shoot details… For the Ceremony, we used a collection of the Hacienda’s vintage benches for the seating. We lined the aisle and the “altar” with sterling punched tin stars sourced locally in Guadalajara. Local agave plants also lined the aisle accompanied by rustic terra-cotta pots filled with fresh cream petals.

For the dinner table: We draped the table with a beautiful hand-loomed, un-dyed cotton linen from the local city of Tonala. Casa de Perrin outfitted our table with a combination of pewter beaded chargers, silver vessels, crystal glassware, and vintage white china. Mindy’s florals included coral hibiscus blossoms, privet berry, eucalyptus, Majolica spray roses, Bougainvillea in a carmel tone and sprigs of incense cedar. As a special detail on the Hacienda’s antique chairs we tied a combination of fresh eucalyptus and privet finished with hand dyed ribbon in teal, deep sea and graphite. Was a beautiful pairing next to the blue silk velvet chair cushions we had made. BB Paper Ink created beautifully calligraphed menus on soft cotton paper – and bordered them with sterling silver detailing.

For the Tequila Bar: We showcased several different types of tequila in vintage apothecary jars. Each labeled with sterling silver and cotton paper tags from BB Paper Ink. We used Lisa’s personal collection of sterling shot glasses and Mindy’s collection of vintage Mexican cocktail napkins for authentic details.

For the Florals: Mindy fashioned boutonnieres from dainty local cedar, privet and fern. She finished them with a variety of silk ribbons. An antique frame purchased by Lisa while scouting in Guadalajara antique stores provided the perfect presentation tray for the bouts. For the groom’s boutonnière, Mindy backed it with a dried leaf painted with sterling silver, a single spray rose and incense pine. A perfect combination! For the bride’s bouquet, Mindy incorporated local flowering trumpet vine, coral hibiscus, privet berries and detailed the bouquet with a gradation of silk ribbon in a variety of teal hues.

For the Donkey: We used locally sourced baskets with detailing of lush floral and foliage. Inside the baskets were a variety of gifts wrapped in paper that was handmade by Mindy using the metal letter press plate as a stamp.

For the Cake: Melody at Sweet & Saucy created two beautiful cakes for us.The first one was inspired by a Mexican silver punched tin jewelry box. Melody created the most beautiful pastillage succulents to adorn the cake. The second one was a simply beautiful 3 tier soft white fondant cake that showcased Mindy’s simple floral treatment beautifully.

Cakes: Sweet & Saucy Shop | Hair And Makeup: TEAM Hair And Makeup | Event Planning And Design: Lisa Vorce | Flatware, Glassware And China: Casa De Perrin | Florals And Design : Mindy Rice Floral Design | Guest Speaker: Joel Serrato | Guest Speaker : Abby Larson | Guest Speaker : Lisa Vorce | Guest Speaker : Karina Puente | Guest Speaker : Shira Savada Of Martha Stewart Weddings | Guest Speaker : Mar Of Team Hair And Makeup | Guest Speaker : Summer Watkins | Hacienda La Labor: Hacienda La Labor | Long Sleeved Wedding Gown: Mira Zwillinger | Models: Citro Modelos | Paper Goods: Brenna Berger | Photography : Jose Villa Photography | Sleeveless Wedding Gown: Galia Lahav | Table Top Details: Casa De Perrin | Venue : Hacienda El Carmen | Wardrobe Stylist: Summer Watkins | Wedding Gown Salon: The White Dress

14 05, 2014

Santa Barbara Engagement Session

By |2014-05-14T10:27:46-06:00May 14th, 2014|Engagement Session, Featured|

Santa Barbara Styled Engagement Shoot

A no-fuss, totally gorgeous styled engagement session in the heart of Santa Barbara is one concept I can totally get on board with.  So is the beauty prowess of Mar Romero of TEAM Hair & Makeup combined with a gallery of beautiful images captured by Laura Luis Photography.  That’s the epitome of a Monday evening spent wrapped up in pretty and you can every amazing moment right here.

From Laura Luis Photography… A laid-back, off-beat day in the quaint town of Santa Barbara with models Sindar Mimms and Natalia Barulich. Set against the tangerine saltillo tiles, ivy-covered shop fronts, and colorful alley-ways of Santa Barbara, Sindar & Natalia blend chemistry and whimsy into an editorial shoot focused on expression and rhythm of an engaged couple out and about in Santa Barbara. This is a shoot fashioned after a basic, no-fuss engagement session (no elaborate props).

Photography: Laura Luis Photography | Styling: Stephanie Bradshaw, Nikki Scott | Hair & Makeup: Mar Romero Of TEAM Hair & Makeup | Model: Sindar Mimms/Next Model Management | Model: Natalia Barulich/Brand Model Agency

From Laura Luis Photography… A laid-back, off-beat day in the quaint town of Santa Barbara with models Sindar Mimms and Natalia Barulich. Set against the tangerine saltillo tiles, ivy-covered shop fronts, and colorful alley-ways of Santa Barbara, Sindar & Natalia blend chemistry and whimsy into an editorial shoot focused on expression and rhythm of an engaged couple out and about in Santa Barbara. This is a shoot fashioned after a basic, no-fuss engagement session (no elaborate props).

Photography: Laura Luis Photography | Styling: Stephanie Bradshaw, Nikki Scott | Hair & Makeup: Mar Romero Of TEAM Hair & Makeup | Model: Sindar Mimms/Next Model Management | Model: Natalia Barulich/Brand Model Agency

14 05, 2014

Bacara Wedding by Jasmine Star Feautured on Elizabeth Anne Designs!

By |2014-05-14T09:39:53-06:00May 14th, 2014|Featured|

With the beautiful Santa Barbara coastline as the backdrop and the elegant setting of the Bacara Resort & Spa, you know you have a stage set for perfection, and Brittany and Ahdev’s wedding does not disappoint! Their gorgeous outdoor affair features the most stunning blooms from Camellia Floral Design—dahlias, fluffy roses and hydrangea, and a lovely ribbon-tied bouquet that perfectly complement Brittany’s Romona Keveza gown. We love the chic white linens from La Tavola against deep wooden estate tables, set beneath string lights for the romantic reception. Each and every image from Jasmine Star has us swooning!

Pale Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

Elegant Ivory and Pale Pink BouquetFluffy Ivorya nd Pink Bouquets

Pink One Shoulder Bridesmaids Dresses

Romona Keveza GownWedding Ceremony at Bacara Resort

Elegant Ceremony Flowers

First Kiss at CeremonyClassic Santa Barbara Wedding

California Wedding Jasmine Star

Bride in Long Veil

Couple at Bacara ResortDark Wooden Wedding Tables

Escort Cards in Gold TraysBlush Dahlias

Framed Calligraphy Table NumberMercury Glass and Ivory Flower Centerpiece

Elegant Wood Wedding TablePink and Ivory Elegant Reception

White Wedding Cake with Pink Roses

White Lounge Area at WeddingSanta Barbara Wedding

Photography – Jasmine Star | Venue – Bacara Resort & Spa | Floral – Camellia Floral Design | Stationery – Paper Source | Calligraphy – DIY | Videography – Serendipity Cinema | Linens – La Tavola | Band – Anthony Ybarra | DJ – DJ Kidd Spin | Hair and Makeup – Team Hair and Makeup | Gown – Romona Keveza | Bride’s Shoes – Christian Louboutin | Groom’s Suit and Tie – Hugo Boss | Groomsmen Suits and Ties – Men’s Wearhouse | Officiant – Pastor Jon Ireland

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