Photography: Lacie Hansen Venue: San Ysidro Ranch // Invites: Sugar Paper // Makeup: Team Hair and Makeup // Wedding Planner: Jill La Fleur // Florist: Kate of Flowerwild // Dress Designer: Ralph Lauren // Cake: San Ysidro Ranch // Linens: La Tavola //
New Years Eve is merely hours away and we could not be more excited. Our dresses have been procured, our baubbles selected and our shoes polished to a shine. While the bubbly chills in the fridge it’s now safe to turn our attention to the pièce de résistance: our makeup. Whether you’re after a natural look or hoping to wow them with a glamorous approach there’s no need to fret, the lovely Mar of TEAM Hair and Makeup is here sharing some tips and tricks.
Let’s just say that she has you covered. Following her simple approach you are more or less guaranteed to look dazzling when the clock strikes midnight tonight.
Au Naturel products:
2. Organic Mineral Foundation by Afterglow
3. Define a Lash Mascara in Black by Maybelline
4. Bare Escentuals Shimmer Bronzer
5. Maybelline 24 hour Eye Tattoo in Bold Gold
Tips for a Natural Look
1. Use a hydrating moisturizer, let it dry, and then apply a powder that matches your skin. The easiest way to choose the right shade is to simply swipe on the powder. If the color disappears into your skin, ta-da it matches! If you’re using a mineral powder, be sure to buff your skin with a powder brush to ensure an even complexion.
2. Apply a pop of blush to the apple of your cheeks and blend down while moving the brush up towards your temple.
3. Use a shade of lip stain one hue deeper than your natural color. One of my go-to’s is Maybelline’s 24 hour lip color in Eternal Sunset. Instead of painting on the color, dab a tiny bit on your pointer finger and softly pat the color on within your lip line. Rub it in to blend and then add a layer of clear gloss. For an extra pout, add a touch of Mac liner in Naked.
4. For instant brightness and easy application try eyeshadow cream. It will stay all day without creasing. Apply it with your index finger and dab onto your lids. Layer for more intensity!
5. To complete your daytime look apply a shimmery bronzer for a light pick me up! Dust on forehead and and chin only.
Go Glam products:
1. Angle Liner Brush by Bdellium
3. Mac Pigment in Copper Sparkle (adds a metallic look; perfect for New Year’s eve!)
5. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Sheer Raspberry
6. Makeup Forever Aqua Liner in Black (use an angle liner brush – it will save you every time)
7. Makeup Forever Gold Glitter
Tips for a Fabulous & Festive New Year’s Eve Look
1. Add Mac Pigment in Copper Sparkle on top of your everyday shadow. To do so, wet your brush first with water and press the pigment onto your lid. Alternatively, add it onto a cream shadow base for more drama. Use a press and wiggle technique, adding two layers, for a festive pop!
2. Try Mac Bronzer in matte to warm you up where the sun would naturally kiss your skin (below your blush, on your forehead and on your chin). Consider using it to create a higher cheekbone by blending some on top of your blush too!
3. With Makeup Forever’s Aqua liner in Black, line the inside your waterline and smudge it with your angled liner brush. Next, layer on your MAC Copper Sparkle pigment and blend it in.
4. LASHES!! Put a mirror on the counter so you can look down and get a better view. Apply a thin line of glue (black is my favorite) to the back of your non-dominant hand. Drag the strip gently through the glue so that a thin line coats the base of the lash. Wave the lash in the air a few times – this will make the glue a little tacky so that it won’t slide around as much! Looking down into the mirror, press the lash evenly to your natural lash line and let it dry for 30 seconds.
5. Add Smashbox gloss in Tease over your natural lip stain for added color.
6. Last but not least, the final addition to this look: Makeup Forever Gold Glitter! Apply it lightly under and around the eyes. Then, dust it on your lid with your favorite shadow brush.
Photography: Hennadiy Kvasov / Hair + Makeup: Mar of Team Hair & Makeup
It’s here! The day our pretty little book hits stands. The day that we’ve been nervous/happy/excited about for more than an entire year! The day has come and we are literally bursting on the insides with pure and total glee. So today we wanted to do something really special. We got permission from our publisher to give SMP readers an exclusive first look at the wedding that started it all. The picture perfect, can’t believe it’s a real wedding that we thought was so absurdly special it deserved nothing less than to grace the pages (literally 26 of them) of a book. A tuck-it-in-your-bag, pull-out-over-lunch-with-your-girls kind of book. It’s this wedding that literally gave us the idea to write a book at all and we have it all here for you today…designed by the crazy talented Joy Thigpen with photographs by who else? Jose Villa. Who I call a genius at least twice a week.
You know, we are lucky. Like really lucky. Because our job is to write about beautiful moments. The kind of moments that people remember forever and ever. And if we’re being really honest, it feels a little unfair. As dozens of moms and dads are lost in grief right now and as parents, we find it incredibly hard to continue with the prettiness, when some people are dealing with such ugliness. While this isn’t at all enough, we wanted to let you know that we’re donating all proceeds from today’s book sales to the families of Newtown, Connecticut.
We’ve been celebrating the launch of the book with the wedding that started it all. That Joy Thigpen crafted to utter pefection and Jose Villa captured in photographs that will make you smile and cry and laugh simultaneously because they are just that beautiful. Rather than take up more of your time when I know you just want to see the goods, we’ll just dive right in!
And here we go, on to Part III of the amazing wedding that gave our first Style Me Pretty Weddings book life and took it from an idea to an oh-my-gosh, I’m holding it in my hands today moment. The perfect real wedding that Jose Villa and Joy Thigpen sent our way many moons ago, that literally helped turn our book into something real. Because it was so beautiful, we had to find the best possible way to showcase it. And to use it to teach other brides that no matter where you get married, no matter what your resources are, you can have a wedding that is as lovely as those you see on the pages of your favorite blogs. Or books. Remember, all proceeds from today’s online book sales will go to the families of Newtown.
There aren’t enough words in the English language to properly thank Jose Villa and Joy Thigpen. This wedding is what wedding dreams are made of and it’s the reason that I find so much joy in my everyday. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for letting me share it with the world! And to the bride and groom who let us in and gave us permission to have a front row seat…you are amazing.
Wedding Photography: Jose Villa Photography / Wedding Venue: The Bride’s Family Farm in Floweree, Montana / Floral + Event Design: Joy Thigpen / Wholesale Flowers: FiftyFlowers / Officiant: Reverend Jan Witman / Wedding Cinematography: Nathan Pickett Films / Catering: Zac’s Montana Kitchen / Bar Service: Rocking K Bar / Wedding Cake: Cakes From Cabin Ridge / Cake Topper: Lollipop Workshop / Wedding Invitation, Program + Escort Card Design: Rifle Paper Co. / Calligraphy: Molly Suber Thorpe of Plurabelle Calligraphy / Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio / Map: Laura Condouris of Trial by Cupcakes / Music: Capital City DJ (406-227-8644) / Montana-Shaped Cookie Favors: Cakes From Cabin Ridge / Rentals: Celebrate Event & Party Rentals + Strobel’s Rentals / Linens: La Tavola / Shuttle Service: Great Falls Historic Trolley / Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara / Wedding Dress Modifications: Nazzy Nazari / Bride’s Reception Dress: Melissa Sweet “Fiesole” / Bride’s Veil: Vera Wang + Nazzy Nazari / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Backup Shoes: Hunter / Bride’s Jewelry: Custom by Wilson / Hair + Makeup: Mar Romero of TEAM Hair and Makeup / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Groom’s Suit + Shoes: Paul Smith / Groomsmen’s Suits: Kohl’s / Groomsmen’s Ties: The Tie Bar
Jose Villa Photography, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental and TEAM Hair and Makeup are members of our Little Black Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.
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Filed Under: wedding photo collection | 3 comment(s) What’s not to love about this wedding? A vibrant couple with beaming smiles, an Old Hollywood style wedding planned by Brooke Keegan Weddings and Events, and incredible images captured by the incredibly talented photographers of Callaway Gable Photography, make for magical combination. Enjoy!
The Wedding: 6.20.12 – Montecito Country Club – Santa Barbara, CA What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? From the very start, our inspiration was the Golden Age of Hollywood – Fred and Ginger, men in black tie, and lots of champagne! We were fortunate to find the Montecito Country Club, which really reflected the glamour of that period. We wanted a traditional ceremony and a reception that felt like an elegant dinner party. This was done by making every detail count – from lush, luxurious florals, to a neutral color palette with lots of ivories, black, and gold, down to the groom’s choice of classic peak lapels and the bride’s ivory silk gown. We love good food and wine so we made careful choices for the meal, the bar, and dessert, which included a delicious wedding cake of devil’s food cake with salted caramel frosting, plus an ice cream sundae bar and cookies brought in from Los Angeles.
Another decision we made right at the start was that it was very important to us not to see each other before the ceremony. We wanted to save the first look for the aisle, and it was an incredibly special moment. I let my bridesmaids choose their own gowns, giving them very loose guidelines of “long” and “black” and I was so glad I did! Not only did each girl look unique and stunning, but more practically speaking it allowed each to find something flattering and within her budget. Along these lines, we categorized the reception as “black tie invited” to encourage a certain level of formality that would indicate to our guests the tone of the evening but still give them a degree of flexibility. Though it was a great deal of work, we did all the print pieces ourselves from the save-the-dates to the invitations to the menus and escort cards. It didn’t hurt that Rich does print graphic design. I also spent time collecting vintage stamps for the invitations, which added to the Old Hollywood feel. Doing all of this ourselves allowed us to get exactly what we wanted and to put more of our budget toward other aspects of the wedding. The hora was a highlight for everyone, bringing all the guests out onto the dance floor and filling the reception with incredible energy that carried through the whole evening. Plus, seeing my father as he went up in the chair was priceless.
As you went into the day, did you have a particular approach to photographing Allison and Rich’s wedding? Having not been to their wedding venues, I scouted the locations and surrounding areas beforehand. It was really important for me to find interesting backdrops and environments that aren’t the obvious choices in Santa Barbara, which is mostly known for outdoorsy weddings. My style is all about color, texture and amazing environments – this is what I found, and where I photographed their portraiture. I also planned the spots for the family photos and our signature “Vanity Fair” shot so that their day ran smoothly and seamlessly. Before the wedding, I worked with Allison and Rich on their timeline to schedule enough time to create their portraiture, which, for me, often takes more time than what is initially planned by the coordinator. Finally, I made sure to have my super star second shooter, and Callaway Gable associate photographer, Lauren Belknap, be a part of the team. She is so talented, and is so great at making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. She is just so fun to be around, and it shows in their photos.
I also loved capturing the energy of the reception. Their friends and family were great dancers, best ever, and they weren’t afraid to perform for the camera. The best moment though was a dance they called the Anniversary Dance. All of the married couples started on the dance floor, and every few moments they asked people to leave the dance floor based on how many years they were married, fewest years first. The last couple standing had been married for over 44 years! They were still in love like they were as teenagers. Everyone was crying, including Lauren and myself! We were a wreck!
Photographer: Callaway Gable Photography Thank you Allison and Rich, and the whole wedding team!! |
We are teachers from New Jersey with a mutual love of travel and adventure. Erica teaches elementary special education while Ray teaches video production to high school students. We both enjoy documenting our travels, Erica by blogging and Ray by filming and editing highlight videos.
After reluctantly being set up by mutual friends two years ago, we quickly fell in love and realized we were a perfect match!
We got engaged in Santa Barbara while on our cross country trip last year and fell in love with the area. We envisioned an intimate and unforgettable experience for our wedding, which was provided by the beautiful gardens and ocean views of the Biltmore.
Upon returning from our honeymoon in Bora Bora we got a new addition to our family – a King Charles Spaniel puppy we named Jack Bauer! Erica hopes to train Jack to be a therapy dog and Ray is looking forward to renovating and remodeling their dream home in the next few years. We’re looking forward to visiting new and exciting places around the world.
There are too many pretty things in this shoot that are competing for our love. Elan Event Rental‘s massive, reclaimed, one of a kind acacia dining table, the florals by Oak & The Owl that look like they were picked from an enchanted garden, the Lovely Bride gown, and Kurt Boomer‘s fabulous film photography. Out in the middle of a park in Montecito, they set out to make Elan’s dining pieces and equipales chairs the focus of the design, and managed to create a sweet and simple setting we would most definitely love to jump into. Take a peek!
Photography: Kurt Boomer / Catering: Pure Joy Catering / Event Designer: Twine Events / Floral Designer: Oak & The Owl / Invitation Designer: Duk Design / Dress Designer: Lovely Bride LA / Equipment Rentals: Elan Event Rentals / Makeup Artist: TEAM Hair and Makeup / Location: Manning Park / Model: Gregory Shelby
Max Wanger had us the moment he said hello. And showed us how ridiculously awesome he is with the playful but so-freaking-gorgeous engagement sesh he did with Joanna Goddard from A Cup of Joe. And from that moment on, there was no turning back. Our obsession with Max went full throttle ahead, with each of his weddings being even more beautiful, even more fun than the next. Well, this wedding just might have to take the cake. It’s Max’s art inspired photos sitting pretty next to the most beautiful, classic fete a girl could ever want (courtesy of the equally fab Beth Helmstetter) and the result…magic. Oh and don’t even get me started on those baby’s breath centerpieces. Click here to make it last just a little longer.
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From the Bride…With Patrick and I both growing up and meeting in California, we knew that there was nowhere else we wanted to tie the knot. Deciding on the location was a no brainer…The Bacara truly embodies California culture: from the food and wine selections to the Spanish style architecture and its location on the Santa Barbara coast. It was stunning, and it was perfect! With the help of Beth Helmstetter Events, we were able to make all of our most indulgent dreams become a reality!
In terms of décor we wanted very neutral, earthy tones that would complement the colors of the Bacara. I also wanted a lot of textures in our wedding day – everything from my dress, to the linens, the flowers, to the cake – these all had feminine textural elements in clean, neutral colors that all tied in together.
Initially, we had planned to have an outdoor ceremony, but on the morning of our wedding we woke up to heavy mist along the coast. Of course, I started to panic….but our amazing team had a backup plan that turned out even more gorgeous than what we had originally wanted. Everything turned out for the best….the photos took on an amazing, dreamy quality to them, and until today I look back and thank my lucky stars that it drizzled!
Looking back, I would not have changed a single thing. I am so grateful that we were able to have all our friends and family together from all over the world to celebrate with us! Let’s do it again!
Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Evening Gown: Rachel Gilbert / Grooms Tux + Shoes: Prada / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Groomsmen Tuxes: Elite Tuxedo / Wedding Cinematography: Aqua Vivus Productions / Wedding Photography: Max Wanger + Margaux Wanger of Max Wanger Photography / Photo Booth: Smilebooth / Event Design: Beth Helmstetter Events / Floral Design: Holly Flora / Hair + Make-up: TEAM Hair and Makeup / Bride’s Lashes: Tussanee of Integrity / Venue: The Bacara / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Calligraphy + Invitations: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Bridesmaids Gifts: Papermade
Oh Jose Villa. You make me speechless each and every time I run into your breathtaking images. It never fails. And I am pretty darn sure that the rest of you in SMP land share that sentiment. Because his images are that of photography magic. A talent I’ll never be able to put words to, but I will always jump for joy when I get to spend any amount of time gawking over the gorgeous that magic creates. This cover shoot for the newly launched Mag Rouge? It’s the perfect example of that magic unfolding on our screens, and there is so much more of that magic waiting for you in the full gallery…
Are you completely, head over heels in love with those each and every image in that seriously to die for gallery? How could you not be? We might just pin every single one. Well just wait until you dive into the new edition of Mag Rouge. It’s page after page of stunning style and that is something we can get totally get behind.
Photography: Jose Villa Photography / Photo Shoot Location: El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara, California / Floral Design: Kate of Flowerwild / Event Design: Kate of Flowerwild + Jose Villa / Wedding Dress: Samuelle Couture / Hair + Makeup: Mar of TEAM Hair & Makeup
Elizabeth Messina. Honestly, the intro could end there. It’s all you really need to hear to know that this feature is going to be be-yond. That the images are going to be breathtaking works of art worthy of the most prestigious of art galleries. Am I gushing? Perhaps, but she’s worthy of every word. And this shoot at the gorgeous Bacara Resort & Spa would be worthy of paragraph after paragraph of such gushing. With Elizabeth Messina behind the lens and a team of talents including TEAM Hair & Makeup, Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events, Bella Vista Designs and Kristajon Floral Design – this level of style is to be expected I suppose, but it doesn’t make it any less magical. See so much more here.
From Elizabeth Messina Photography… Santa Barbara is truly one of the most beautiful destination locations in the world, and Bacara Resort & Spa encapsulates everything that I love about Santa Barbara. Nestled along the cliffs, overlooking the ocean, the bluff is the perfect spot for a wedding. This editorial shoot was a lovely mix of casual elegance and vintage, California-inspired design, from the classic chrome airstream to the colorful florals and the gentle ocean breeze. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world making photographs, but as they say, there is truly no place like home…
For those who do not know Bacara, the bluff has been recently re-opened. It is on top of a hill surrounding by trees, overlooking the ocean. Although it is just a stone’s throw away from the luxurious indulgences of Bacara’s comfort (fabulous food and a truly wonderful spa), it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. It is magical.
Photography: Elizabeth Messina Photography / Photo Shoot Venue + Food: Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California / Design: Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events / Floral Design: Kristajon Floral Design / Cake + Macaroons: The Solvang Bakery / Paper Goods + Signage: Paper Melange / Furniture + Airstream: Archive Vintage Rentals / Tabletop: Coast 2 Coast Collections / Lighting + Ceremony Sail: Bella Vista Designs / Surfboard: Channel Islands Surfboards / Favors: Get Back Designs / Wedding Dresses: JLM Couture + Claire Pettibone / Jewelry: Bryant & Sons / Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup / Female Models: Ashlyn Pearce + Kayln Hemphill / Male Model: Jace Foster
The Newlyweds: Allison and Rich
What three adjectives best describe your wedding? Elegant, Traditional, Joyful
Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? One of the best decisions we made was to hold the wedding in Santa Barbara. We looked at a lot of venues in Los Angeles, but ultimately were drawn to the idea of the semi-destination wedding vibe we could get in Santa Barbara, especially in light of all the guests we had coming in from out of town. Everyone could feel like they were on vacation.
More from the bride, on the planning process: I would just like to say, because I don’t think groom’s get much credit, that Rich is really the reason our wedding came together as beautifully as it did. The majority of our relationship (and all of our engagement) was long distance, with him in Los Angeles and me in New York. I did as much as I could to help, but there wasn’t much I could do from 3,000 miles away. So, he was the one driving all over Southern California scouting venues, meeting with vendors (he met Callaway Gable first, and I didn’t meet them until our engagement session!), and buying supplies. He was not only willing, but happy to do it. Our wedding could not have happened in the same way without his hard work.
What specifically drew you to 
The Photographer: Allie Callaway of 
Looking back, what were your favorite moments to capture? Portraiture is always a favorite for me, particularly with people like Allison and Rich who are so fun and completely trusting. They took the advice I had given them in their engagement session where they learned to be themselves and just go for it in every photo. They weren’t afraid to be romantic, sexy, fun and just downright silly. It also helps that Allison literally cannot take a bad photo and Rich is so incredibly in love with Allison that he was just beaming the entire day.
The Wedding Team:
