14 05, 2014

Bacara Wedding by Jasmine Star Feautured on Elizabeth Anne Designs!

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

Elegant Santa Barbara Wedding

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!

1 04, 2013

Ojai Valley Inn Indian Wedding by Lacie Hansen Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2013-04-01T13:53:49-06:00April 1st, 2013|Featured|

Ojai Wedding from Lacie Hansen

At face value, this wedding is wildly gorgeous. Bright colors and detailed traditions are literally dancing across the images by Lacie Hansen. But once you dig a little deeper into this blend of cultures, it holds even more beauty. Beauty that is laced throughout the groom’s poetic description of a chance meeting that resulted in the ultimate happy day and in the true emotion behind all those pretty details crafted by Flowerwild and planned by La Fleur Weddings & Events. Be sure to stop by the gallery for even more and check out the new issue of Magnolia Rouge that is also debuting this sparkling Ojai beauty.

Gorgeous, no? And it’s about to get even more so with the film behind the day captured by Love Spun Films. Have a look…

From the Groom…The yoga class we religiously attend describes itself to be a style of class that, “offers nothing…if we are lucky.” And this is exactly how we met, within a whole lot of nothing. I came to class early one Thursday evening and Nicole did too. There was only one mat in the back of the class when Nicole came in, mine. She quietly set her mat down beside me and our relationship began. I guess somewhere in the silence and breath we found a connection to each other. Even before uttering a single word between us, we felt it immensely. We always reminisce about that time and about how glad we are that we met there, in that way. Yoga, for us, is a place where a person really gets to be who they are, without a façade, authentically themselves. You get to be someone who is working on strengthening not only the outside body but the inside as well, happy to live in the present. We both recall that particular yoga class being challenging but exceptionally robust and energizing. After class, as the crowd poured out of the studio, we both—uncharacteristically, sat and waited. I broke the silence by asking her how old she was when she realized that she lived a blessed life….I think we both immediately fell in love. We had our first date the next day on Friday February 5, 2010, said we Loved each other on Saturday, February 6 and on Sunday began to plan our marriage and our family. And that was it, no struggle, no fight, no second guessing. Just us.

Seeing your wife for the first time at your own wedding is a surreal moment. And I remember that moment clearly. I was sitting under the mandap with my parents and Nicole was to be walked by her parents under the branches or our tree and through the audience. As she appeared and came into my view it was just like really seeing something with naked eyes, something for the first time and it is etched into my memory.

The whole day, as the tumult was swirling around us, I had made a mental decision to stay present and be within all the big moments that make up our wedding. And this moment was the one I was practicing for all day…in fact, probably, all my life.

As she stepped into the light where I could see her, he eyes were shining, her red sari was blazing around her like fire, and as corny as it may sound, she was literally that vision you see from far away and squint your eyes hard to make sure it is really real.

As she started to walk towards me, a soft breeze began to blow, and as if on cue, the 300-year-old oak tree sent its leaves to bless her movements. They fell slowly in circles from the sky and faintly the smell of flowers and earth filled my lungs. The only time I even took my eyes off my wife was to look up at the sky, the clouds bright in the light blue sky, and a flash of the mountains that circled our ceremony. When they finally rejoined my wife’s she was happy and that memory was pressed into me forever.

My uncle told me once, that as you grow old, it isn’t the big houses or the fancy cars you drove in your youth that make you really happy. He said it’s the memories you made in your life in the crucial times that matter. The feelings the strong ones bring you are worth all the struggles and hardships you went through to get them. With this memory, I agree.

We had a beautiful traditional Brahmin Hindu ceremony to celebrate our union, and wanted to carry the Indian influences on throughout the cocktail & reception with the decor as well as the food. We are both pretty laid back in our lifestyle as well as our personal style, so we wanted to wedding to reflect that, inviting and comfortable for our guests, with unique Indian inspired details throughout the event. For our colors, we choose a lot of gold and saffron tones with pops of indigo. Our wedding fell on a beautiful, warm full moon night and our memories of dancing under the full moon with all of our closet friends will remain some of the best memories of our lives together.

11 02, 2013

Bacara Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2013-02-11T17:11:06-07:00February 11th, 2013|Featured|

Santa Barbara Resort Wedding from Joy de Vivre & Michael + Anna Costa

When a wedding this pretty comes across our desk, it’s not just a happy day. It’s like this big sigh of “this is why I am never allowed to complain about my job” happy day. Because in life, beauty this rich and layered is decidedly rare and it easily reminds you that even on your cloudiest day, when it comes to weddings, all is good in the world. Designed by the lovely Joy de Vivre with flowers by Modern Day Design and imagery by our friends Michael & Anna Costa, I could live and die in this celebration alone. Click here to see so much more.

Photography By / Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd.
Planning + Design By / Joy De Vivre Wedding Coordination

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From the Bride… Steve and I met my last year of college. We had tons of mutual friends but didn’t get around to being friends until he had already graduated. We went on our first date soon after meeting, and from then on, we were pretty inseparable. When Steve asked me to marry him in July 2011, there was no question of where we’d get married – Santa Barbara. Being the planner that I am, I started reading Style Me Pretty religiously and putting together inspiration boards for our future wedding.

I am from Northern California, Steve is from Washington, and we live in LA, but Santa Barbara holds a special place in our heart. Living in LA, it’s a place we like to visit at least once a year for so many reasons – the palm trees and Spanish architecture, the intimate feeling of a small city, the fact that you can go wine tasting and walk on the beach in the same day…oh and the perfect weather! Since all guests but two had to travel into town, we wanted them to be able to make a vacation out of the trip. Bacara is an amazing resort with multiple pools, ocean views, and tons of activities. We were able to use the whole resort from the Rehearsal Dinner in the Spa Cafe, Welcome Reception on Ocean Terrance, and Newlywed Brunch on the Miro Lawn. Our one goal for the weekend was to make sure our guests had an amazing time the whole weekend, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to get married at Bacara.

I always had a vision of what I wanted our wedding to look like – soft, pretty, and intimate. We put this look together with TONS of chandeliers, candles, muted colors, mercury glass, and wood. I think my favorite details of the day were the handmade wooden signage and 21 chandeliers that filled the beautiful tent we put up on the Ocean Lawn. Tracy Lazaro also did a beautiful job with all the paper products and calligraphy. I think my favorite moments of the wedding were seeing our friends and family dance together…and the late night cigar bar and pizza were a nice touch! It was a day full of love, friendship, and family, and it was better than we could have ever imagined.

Wedding Photography: Michael & Anna Costa / Wedding Venue: Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta, California / Wedding Planning + Design: Joy de Vivre Wedding Coordination / Floral Design: Modern Day Design / Officiant: Judge Thomas Adams / Wedding Cinematography: Rising Moon Films / Wedding Stationery + Calligraphy: Lazaro Press / Band: Stew & the Crew / DJ: Gavin Roy Presents, DJ Gavin Roy / Wedding Signage: Julie Song Ink / Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus / Cigars: Anthony Fiset of Wedding Cigar Rollers / Wedding Dress + Belt: Christos via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Shoes + Clutch: Jimmy Choo / Veil: BHLDN / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Tuxes: J.Crew

Bella Vista Designs, Inc, Julie Song Ink, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Lazaro Press & Design, Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd., Rising Moon Films and TEAM Hair and Makeup are members of our Little Black Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.
Amsale, BHLDN and J.Crew are members of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.

4 02, 2013

Santa Barbara Elopement Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2013-02-04T16:10:32-07:00February 4th, 2013|Featured|

Santa Barbara Elopement from TEAM Hair and Makeup

As I sit here at my computer on a otherwise normal Monday afternoon, tears are slowly trickling down my face. Those tears? They are from reading this Bride’s description of not only her beautiful big day, but also her love. Her through thick and thin, unconditional love for her amazing groom, who happens to be surviving cancer. But on this day, this beautiful day captured by Ashleigh Taylor Photography with the talents of TEAM Hair and Makeup on duty, he is just a man who couldn’t be happier to marry the women of his dreams. To wrap his arms around this amazing person he gets to call his wife, and that honestly makes my heart melt. See so much more of this sweet elopement right here.

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Photography By / Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Floral Design By / Simply Bouquets

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From TEAM Hair and Makeup… When Jessica called the studio to inquire just 2 days before their elopement & told us their story, we cleared our schedules to make sure we were available to make her look and feel as beautiful as ever on her wedding day. We decided to give her a complete makeover, adding in custom extensions, styling her hair & makeup, getting her nails done and giving her a pearl bracelet to match her pearl earrings. We didn’t want Jessica & Norm to miss out on anything so we staged a place in our studio for them to have their first look & their first dance, topping it off with a glass of champagne. We captured photos and video so that they could look back and remember these special moments. Seeing Jessica & Norm together and the overflowing love and strong bond that they have for one another is both touching and truly inspirational. We felt that their story should be heard and we wanted to do what we could to help support them and their journey. Although Norm is doing well now, in almost all cases, with this type of cancer, it comes back. People who live 3-4 years are extreme success stories and there is one account of someone living 7 years after the diagnosis, which is near miracle status. Norm and Jessica hope to be a miracle story, and make history with his recovery. They are with the right doctor, who is on the breaking edge of science in this field. They are extremely confident & hopeful that Norm will be able to beat this, but in order to do so they need your help. Although Norm does have insurance, it certainly does not cover everything and their medical bills are piling up. They are grateful for any donations given to them. In order to donate follow this link.

From the Bride… My husband Norman and I eloped in Santa Barbara on 12-12-12. Our wedding was not the one of our dreams, but it was better! Norm and I have been together four and a half years. We met a week after I moved to Las Vegas and were giddy in love from day one. Norm and I were ready to marry long before we did. The big obstacle in our way was cancer. Norm had a seizure in January and was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme. By September, he had SIX brain surgeries. He has fought through chemo-radiation, tumor recurrence, and bi-weekly infusions. Putting his health first, we postponed our wedding.

A few weeks ago, I unveiled to Norm his new blogsite. He cried happy tears and said he also had a surprise. “I’ve been thinking a lot about when we should get married, and I can’t think of a better date than 12-12-12.” The date was set. Without seeing his next MRI though, we could make no wedding or travel plans. We decided we would marry on 12-12-12, no matter what. Whether in the infusion center, in a hospital room after another surgery, or in the Cedars-Sinai chapel, we were getting married! Great news came on November 28, when Norm had a perfect MRI! We had been prepared for the worst and now we had a wedding to plan!! We took a couple of days to get our thoughts around what was best for us. We quickly realized that a traditional wedding and reception would cost more than we could justify spending. We wanted our day to be special, but had to be responsible and save money toward future treatments. With less than two weeks notice, flying family cross country was also not realistic. We decided to elope.

Norm always wanted to take our restored 1966 VW bus up the coast of California. This was one of those dreams we never “had time” for before. Why not fulfill this dream with a road trip elopement? We decided on a beach ceremony near Santa Barbara and photos in the rolling hills that Norm and I both love. Afterwards, we would take off, free as (love) birds in our bus. Norm and I love photography, and I wanted to capture the carefree spirit and adventure of our day. Thank goodness for Style Me Pretty! I spent hours looking at the blog and gathering vendor info for the Santa Barbara area. We booked our photographer first, then bought Norm’s wedding band and outfit. I ordered a dress online from J. Crew. It was delivered to our doorstep four days before the wedding! In the end, our vendors really made the day. With very little notice and a tiny budget, they worked together to make our day better than we ever dreamed! Ashleigh Taylor Henning suggested a beach location, and pointed me toward Simply Bouquets and Crushcakes. She went above and beyond for us and made us feel like we were the cutest couple in the entire world.

Mar & Nicole with TEAM Hair & Makeup stepped in like a surrogate family on the morning of 12-12-12. They created excitement that had a ripple effect through the entire day. Not wanting us to miss a thing, they staged our first look and first dance in their studio. They lit candles and downloaded our songs from iTunes, just moments before my groom arrived. They played John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” as Norm walked around the corner to see me for the first time. That first look brought me to tears and was the most special part of the day. Thank you Mar for working your magic! Our families were also with us that day in spirit, if not in person. Norm and I carried with us reminders of our loved ones: his mother’s diamond, a “wedding ring” quilt from my grandmother, earrings from my grandfather, his grandparents’ wedding rings from Germany, and many more. On one shoe, I wore a flower clip that I had worn 20 years earlier as flower girl in my aunt’s wedding.

We drove our mint green “Happy Bus” to Refugio Beach. Our wedding officiant had worked with us over the phone and through email to make sure the ceremony was personalized and everything we wanted it to be. With our photographer as witness, we said the vows that we had wanted to say for so long. We kissed and were introduced to the world as Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bruns! That day was, far and above, the best day of my life. Norm and I are more in love than ever before. He is still the man I fell in love with: kind-hearted, positive, always up for an adventure or a good laugh. I think our wedding day was in that same spirit! Thanks to all who made it so special!

Wedding Photography + Set Styling: Ashleigh Taylor Photography / Location: Santa Barbara, California / Floral Design: Simply Bouquets / Wedding Cake: Crush Cakes / Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup

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.
J.Crew is a member of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.

29 01, 2013

Biltmore Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2013-01-29T13:41:36-07:00January 29th, 2013|Featured|

Santa Barbara Wedding from Lacie Hansen Photography

Santa Barbara is sort of my happy place. Though I’ve never been there. But sitting in my chilly, snowed-in Boston office, Santa Barbara just seems like warmth and happiness and everything beautiful in the world. And I’m pretty sure that if the universe is listening, it will pick up my house and move it right plop in the center of this little slice of heaven. Hmm, you’re probably right. Next best thing? Living vicariously through a Santa Barbara wedding as pretty as this one and the inspiring photography of our sweet friend Lacie Hansen. Then soaking up the incredible, is-this-real-life? film by one of our besties and cinema genius, Joel Serrato and of course, hitting up the galleries for far more lovely.

From the Bride… Brandon and I met the night of my 28th birthday through a mutual friend at a bar in West Hollywood. Just as we walked in, he happened to be standing right there, and worked with one of my best friends. There, we were introduced, however, I was out with a gaggle of girlfriends and meeting a guy was the last thing on my mind! He did manage to get my number and asked me to dinner for the following week. The hostess on our first date told us that “we were a very cute couple.” We never looked back.

Our wedding was just over a year later on June 9, 2012 at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California. Having grown up just north of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, that hotel has always been one of my favorite spots and was special to us as it was the location of our first weekend getaway together. We knew we wanted the wedding to feel very romanitic and warm with a touch of easy elegance. We also played off of the classic Spanish architecture of the hotel. The ceremony was interfaith with a Rabbi and Minister who worked perfectly together. We loved taking traditions from both Jewish and Episcopalian religions. The ceremony was held on the beautiful Monte Vista Lawn surrounded by palm trees and gorgeous views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The bridesmaids wore coral, blush or champange dresses and chose their own style by the same designer. I definitely wanted them to do what they wanted and wear what they loved! During cocktail hour in the Palmera Garden, guests sipped on some of our favorite snacks and refreshments including fresh blood orange margaritas, vodka gimlets dusted with mini gold stars, and little patron bottles filled with homemade margaritas, and accompanied by bit sized tacos.

We then moved into the Loggia Ballroom decorated with an abundance of peonies, cabbage roses, hydrageas, viburnum and dahlias, hundreds of twinkling candles, and a soft glowing fire in the fireplace. The tables were of various shapes and sizes and shared hues of blush and champagne, with pops of coral and hints of gold. The 12 piece band was incredible, specializing in Motown, but playing everything from Foster the People to Van Morrison to Madonna. After the dinner and dancing, Brandon and I exited under a trail of sparklers, and led the way across the street to the Mardis Gras themed after-party at the ocean-front Coral Casino. There, our guests donned boas, beads and masks, and dined on sliders, mini shakes and fries while dancing away to a DJ spinning tunes into the wee hours. Some guests even woke up in the sand to the sunrise! The day and night could not have been more perfect. By far, the most special moments were being around all of our best friends and family, spending the day getting ready with my bridesmaids and mother, walking down the aisle on the arm of my father, and most of all, marrying the most wonderful man and the love of my life.

Wedding Photography: Lacie Hansen Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering + Cakes: Santa Barbara Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, California (Ceremony : Monte Vista Lawn + Reception: Loggia Ballroom) / After Party: Santa Barbara Four Seasons Coral Casino / Wedding Planning: Liz Brown of Central Coast Memory Makers / Event + Floral Design: Kate Holt of Flowerwild / Wedding Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films / Ceremony Officiants: Rabbi Arthur Rosenberg and Reverend Gary Dickey / Wedding Stationery: Crane & Co. + Letter Perfect / Ceremony, Cocktail + Reception Band: Side Effect (West Coast Music) / After Party DJ: Everett Wong / Party Favors: Mother of the Bride’s Homemade Strawberry Preserves / Wedding Dress:”Emma” Dress by Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Veil: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale (Champagne, Coral + Blush – various silhouettes) / Hair: Michelle Mason / Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup / Groomsmen Suits: “Ludlow” by J.Crew / Linens: La Tavola Linen

Joel Serrato Films, 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.
Amsale, J.Crew and Monique Lhuillier are members of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.

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25 01, 2013

San Ysidro Ranch Wedding by Elizabeth Messina Featured on Snippet & Ink!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2013-01-25T10:46:47-07:00January 25th, 2013|Featured|

Tiffany & Peter | Classic Garden Wedding at San Ysidro Ranch

If you loved Sharon and Adam’s wedding, then you’ll love today’s feature – another stunning celebration at San Ysidro Ranch, this one from my dear friend Elizabeth Messina. It’s also being featured in the latest issue of Magnolia Rouge, so be sure to check that out as well!

The bride wore a lace dress by Rivini that she found just a month before the wedding: “The dress was perfect – the problem?” she says. “The wedding was in one month and there was not enough time to order a dress! The stars were aligned for me that day – the sample was in perfect condition and only needed minor alterations.”

Credits: Elizabeth Messina

Mindy Rice designed all of the romantic floral decor. Says Tiffany, “I knew I wanted a soft and romantic ambience for the wedding and ceremony. Mindy Rice truly helped to make that vision come true through her floral and event design.”

This bride is a girl after my own heart – her favorite details from the day? “The cake! When I close my eyes, I can still taste the fresh berries and lemon! To be honest, my husband and I couldn’t wait the full year to eat the top layer of the cake. I think we ended up only waiting one day!”

You can see so much more from Tiffany and Peter’s gorgeous garden wedding in the gallery.

Photographer: Elizabeth Messina / Videographer: Joel Serrato Films / Venue, Catering: San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California / Planner: Soigne Productions / Floral Designer: Mindy Rice / Bride’s Dress: Rivini / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair, Makeup: Team Hair & Makeup / Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan / Groom’s Attire: Mission Tuxedos / Stationery: Lazaro Press / Music: Ybarra Music / Ceremony Pew Rentals: Found Rentals / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Lighting: Ambient Event

9 08, 2012

Featured in Pacific Weddings!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2012-08-09T10:51:36-06:00August 9th, 2012|Featured|

18 07, 2012

Biltmore Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty!!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2012-07-18T13:11:58-06:00July 18th, 2012|Featured|

Santa Barbara Wedding by Michelle Warren Photography

Get ready for the most gorgeous, most quintessential Santa Barbara wedding you’ve ever laid eyes on. We’re talking a pretty lace dress, loads of fluffy white florals, pink and blue touches and the prettiest Spanish architecture ever. Yup, we’re totally smitten with this one! Michelle Warren Photography captured all the classic details and there’s SO much more where this came from. Click here for all the pretty!

Photography By / Michelle Warren Photography
Event Coordination By / Events By Philippe

From the Bride… Rob and I met on Valentine’s Day 2009 at a good ol’ Texas honky tonk/dance hall in Houston. He and his buddies were handing out candy bracelets in exchange for a dance. I have to admit, I saw straight through the cheesy pick-up attempt, but boy, am I so glad I said yes to that dance! A short (and sweet!) three years later, we were engaged.

We were both born and raised in Dallas, Texas. It wasn’t until high school that my family moved out to Bakersfield, California – much of my family is still in Bakersfield or in the San Luis Obispo area. Most of Rob’s extended family is in Chicago or scattered up and down the east coast. We knew that any location we chose would be a destination for someone! We decided on Santa Barbara because it’s the most beautiful place on the planet – seriously, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. As it turned out, we both have ties to the Santa Barbara/Montecito area. After my family relocated to Bakersfield, Santa Barbara quickly became a favorite vacation spot. Rob’s mom has many family members who live or have lived in the Santa Barbara/Montecito area. Needless to say, the stars were perfectly aligned. The Biltmore was my first and final stop. Once I stepped foot onto the property, I knew I wanted our wedding to have that Spanish colonial elegance that the Biltmore so perfectly exudes. The bright, bold colors of Spanish tiles instantly became the inspiration for our color scheme and invitation suite. Ultimately, we used Santa Barbara itself as inspiration for the design –the lush greenery, beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and overall amazing-ness that makes it such a magical place.

Wedding Photography: Michelle Warren Photography / Ceremony: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Montecito, California / Reception: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California / Event Coordination: Events by Philippe / Floral Design: Cody Floral Design / Catering + Wedding Cake: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs / Chair Rentals: Fusion Event Rentals / Linen Rentals: La Tavola / Party Favors: Chocolats du Cali Bressan / Transportation: Santa Barbara Trolley / Ceremony Music: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church / Cocktail Music: Sam Adams / Reception Music: DJ Gavin Roy / Wedding Dress + Alterations: Alina Pazzano Couture Bridal / Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup / Rehearsal Dinner: Montecito Country Club

15 05, 2012

Sunstone Villa Photoshoot Featured on Style Me Pretty

By Teamhairandmakeup|2012-05-15T11:57:17-06:00May 15th, 2012|Featured|

Santa Ynez Wedding Photo Shoot by Mark Brooke Photography + Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events

May 15th. 2012 by A. Blaire | Filed Under | 11 comments

What do you get when you combine a team of talents, the gorgeous Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez and some seriously beautiful inspiration? Apparently you get layer upon layer of photo shoot perfection. Pick your jaw off the floor perfection. Pin every picture perfection. Every romantic detail of this Italian villa meets California sunshine shoot was carefully curated by Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events and beautifully captured by Mark Brooke Photography – giving us so much pretty we could swoon all the live long day. And trust me, with a work of art cake by Sweet & Saucy Shop, serious styling TEAM Hair & Makeup and SO much more – there is a LOT to swoon over. See it all here!

Photography By / Mark Brooke Photography
Event Planning + Styling By / Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events

Photography By / Mark Brooke Photography
Invitations By / Prairie Rose Press

Photography By / Mark Brooke Photography
Event Planning + Styling By / Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Rani Hoover of Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events… I am so pleased to share my inspiration for the villa shoot at The Sunstone Winery. I came across this amazing property while scouting for venues with a couple from LA and fell instantly in love. The property is a “green” property with in-floor heating, made from over than 80% reclaimed materials that were shipped over from France and designed and built by the parents of the current owner. Nestled in the Sunstone Vineyard, which is an organic estate vineyard, and sitting atop a bluff overlooking the river valley in Santa Ynez, I couldn’t wait to plan a shoot using every inch of the property. This shoot became very special to many of the vendors contributing as we learned the history of the property, styled the shoot with amazing vintage heirloom pieces and planned every detail from the heart.

The inspiration: A two-story Italian Villa sits atop a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive trees with views to die for and all of the charm of a privately-owned estate. The couple elopes to their family estate and invites their closest family and friends to enjoy a glass of welcome sparkling wine with floating hibiscus and follow the ribboned flags to the wishing wall. Once there, the guests are asked to write a wish for the bride and groom and lace it in the wishing wall before joining them for an intimate and lavish dinner in front of the villa. After dinner, guests witness a sunset ceremony overlooking the valley under a standing oak tree lit by a field of lanterns. Post-ceremony fireside port, cigars, cake and truffles are waiting before they depart in classic style.

The details, design and style all reflect the feel of a couple who have pulled the most cherished items from their family home to create a lavish tablescape full of love and personal touches — a truly intimate ceremony full of lanterns, and candlelight and dessert by the fire, surrounded by loved ones. If the love is in the details, the beautiful sky-blue La Tavola linen feels like the bride pulled down a 14 foot drapery to dress the table, the hand painted place cards cling to the bone china Herand bowls and top the jars of freshly-jarred olives from the orchard. Even the scallop on the label mirrors the front door wood carving. The bride’s heirloom pieces of jewelry are her family’s treasured pieces made to feel as grand as the backdrop of the villa. I have also drawn inspiration for this shoot from a personal hand woven rug I’ve always loved and used it to anchor a 13-foot table lined with daylight candles. The flames of silk ribbon with touches of leather, wood, vintage furs, antique Christofle silver, heirloom Herend bone china (loaned from a friend) and to-die-for vintage Chanel and Vrba jewels. I love the elements of fire and air so these are present throughout, along with an air of mystery and surprise touches intended to inspire such as the welcome table and the wishing wall. Toss in beautiful classical guitar wafting through the villa and cap off the evening off with a vintage 1941 Cadillac appointed with silk ribbons and a floral medallion. Perfection!

Photography: Mark Brooke Photography / Venue, Wine Magnum, Table Wines & Port + Select Furnishings: Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California / Planning, Styling, Rug, Chargers + Two Cranes Purse: Rani Hoover of Rani Hoover Inspired Weddings & Events / Floral Design + Accessories: NLC Productions / Table Drape, Napkins + Ceremony Pillows: La Tavola / Benches, Tablescape Accessories, Sofa + Tables: Archive Vintage Rentals / Arch, French Antique Table + Three-Tier Display: J.Woeste / Christofle Items, Vrba + Chanel Jewelry, Toasting Flutes, Cake Serving Set + Compact: Coast 2 Coast Collection / Wedding Invitations + Letterpress Signage: Prairie Rose Press / Lighting: LBPS Lighting / Custom Dark Chocolate + Salted Caramel Truffles: Jessica Foster Confections / Wedding Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop / Guest Rooms: Hotel Corque / Guitarist: Chris Fossek of JSH Music Productions / 1941 Cadillac: Classic Motoring Car Rentals / Wedding Dress: La Soie Bridal / Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup / Female Model: Elly Brown (floatingsinger@yahoo.com) / Male Model: Rocky Fain (rockyfain@yahoo.com)

2 05, 2012

San Ysidro Ranch Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty!

By Teamhairandmakeup|2012-05-02T09:53:27-06:00May 2nd, 2012|Featured|

San Ysidro Ranch Wedding by Jose Villa Photography + Joy de Vivre Part I

April 26th. 2012 by Abby Larson | Filed Under | 26 comments

I’m a girl’s girl. The kind that will always find comfort in the color pink. That will forever sigh when I see a bundle of peonies. The kind of girl’s girl that can spot a perfect Jose Villa photograph from a mile away. And whose fingers can’t ever find the right words to introduce one of his stunning weddings. So imagine my nerdiness when you layer on a bride that is glowing from the inside out, a groom that is all dreaminess and a wedding style by Joy de Vivre and Florette Floral Designs that would make anyone swoon. Yeah, I know. Pure wedding bliss in full effect. We have Part II coming up next, but if you want to cheat (and we totally get it), you can check out the full gallery right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I’ve always dreamed of a garden wedding. There is something so effortlessly romantic and beautiful about nature. We kept our wedding simple and tried to allow the beautiful surroundings at San Ysidro Ranch to stand out. With only 60 of our closest friends and family (plus our precious poodle, Molly), the day was intimate and special. We had the ceremony in a grassy lawn with two arches adorned with small white roses. Dinner was served in a cozy cottage, warmly lit by the setting sun. The characteristic fireplace added a homey touch alongside the bookshelf of vintage books and vases. The long wooden tables we sat around came to life with gorgeous centerpieces arranged by the amazing Kelly from Florette Designs. She also arranged my unforgettable bouquet of peonies, dahlias, and jasmine vines, while my sweet bridesmaids each held single-stemmed blush peonies. We took a break and had a moment to ourselves in the lavender fields, just Jason and me, soaking in the remainder of the sun and all the beauty surrounding us. Our photographer, Jose, and our cinematographer, Joel, captured every precious moment and were the sweetest people to be around. There was so much love in the air, and to us, this was the most perfect day.

Wedding Photography: Jose Villa Photography / Wedding Venue: San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California / Event Design + Planning: Joy Proctor of Joy de Vivre / Floral Design: Kelly Kaufman of Florette Floral Designs / Wedding Cinematography: Joel Serrato Films / Wedding Cake: San Ysidro Ranch / Wedding Invitations: Etsy / Escort Cards: Lazaro Press / Wedding Dresses: Vera Wang + Claire Pettibone / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Makeup: Mar of TEAM Hair and Makeup / Linens: La Tavola