Fiesta Style Tablescape

I know. This might be weird. But I had this *brilliant* (in my eyes, at least) idea of how to do something different for one of my client's Salsa Dance themed wedding this summer. I put together a bright, floral print linen, white china, bright napkins, chile can vase, and spray painted a tumbleweed (which are quite hard to find here, BTW) and used parsley to fill in the gaps of the vase. I welcome your feedback *swallow nervously*!

Of course the photos are by the handsome, Mr. Haack.

Carlisle linen by BBJ Linens.

Amazing Accessories

Accessories. Amazing Accessories. Everything from hair pieces, belts, earrings to veils and necklaces. These things truly are unique and COUTURE! Justine M. Couture is an unbelievable designer of all things to accessorize the most perfect bride. I have actually had a couple of my "most perfect brides" adorned with the creations of Justine M. Couture. Well, GOOD NEWS! She is having a trunk show this weekend! Go and check out all of her wonderful pieces! Here are the deets:

February 27, 2010

Chez Bride Moderne

La Jolla, CA
T: 858 551 1295

photos by Sarah K Chen & Perfectly Pictured (respectively)

Style Me Pretty

Our Winter Wedding Shoot was featured on one of my all time FAVORITE blogs EVER, Style Me Pretty! I can barely contain my excitement! Go check it out:

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I will be posting a full post of this beauty soon, so keep your eyes open!

DIY Billy Ball Flowers

Craft time. Flower alternative time. Who did I call for help? Domestic Day! In my book, she is the Queen of Crafters. We decided to make a billy ball look-a-like out of crafting supplies. I'm going to show you how we did it. Here you go:

Supplies:

1 bowl of hot water

1 bowl of cool water

Dish Soap (I of course recommend something environmentally friendly)

Package of Natural Wool Roving.

Pipe cleaners or wood skewers for stem of flower

Step 1:

Cut out a piece of roving. The length determines how large of a ball you get. Just experiment at first, until you figure out how large you need them to be for your specific project. In this picture I cut out about 6 inches.

Step 2:

Tie the roving in a knot right in the middle.

Step 3: Spread out the roving evenly on each side of the knot.

Step 4: Bunch both frayed ends around the knot.

Step 5. Once you have bunched the roving together, put a small dot of dish soap in the palm of your hand about the size of a lima bean. MMMM, when is the last time you had lima beans? So good.

Step 6:

Start rolling the roving around in your hand to saturate the wool with soap.

Step 7:

Once you feel like you have spread the soap out a bit, dip the roving ball in the hot water.

Step 8:

Continue to roll around in your hands to create a ball. As the ball gets soapy, continue to dip in the hot water. I rolled each ball around for about 1 minute, and dipped into the hot water 3-4 times.

Step 9:

Once you feel as though you have rolled out a majority of the soap, dip the entire thing in the cold water.

Step 10:

Continue to roll around in your hands to dry it out a bit.

Step 11:

Stick a wooden skewer, floral wire, or pipe cleaner into the ball to create a stem.

Step 12:

Place in your arrangement of choice. YES.

Big thanks to Mr Haack Photo and Melody Brandon for the photos! ENJOY!

How to deal with a Trouble Guest

This is something you ALL need to know. Your wedding will probably NOT be perfect. Chances are something is going to go a bit differently than you expected. You have a choice. You can either be a perfection Nazi, keeping your eye on every little detail, waiting to find something that isn't exact OR you can kick back, relax and just know that whatever happens, perfection or not, that it will be another unique page to your never-ending story. Read my latest article published by the sweethearts from Style Unveiled to hear a true story of one bride's GRACE. Here is a preview:

Me: “Are there any sensitive situations you want me to be aware of?”

Sweet Bride: “Yes, my dad’s girlfriend is crazy. Everyone hates her and she isn’t invited, but she might come anyway.”

Me: “Wow, that sounds exciting.” (what else can you say? Come on!)

Sweet Bride: “We’ll see HOW exciting!”

Two weeks before the wedding, I receive this phone call:

Sweet Bride: “Hi Jesi, she’s coming. And my sister might not come now because she will be there.”

Now, fast forward to the wedding day. The bridal party is gathered in the ceremony ballroom getting ready for family pictures. My bride’s eyes widen, her jaw drops, she looks at me with panic in her eyes.

Sweet Bride: “She is wearing a white dress. She. Is. Wearing. A. White. Dress. SHE IS WEARING A WHITE DRESS!”

The crazy girlfriend walks in wearing a floor length, white gown with a plunging (understatement) neckline, covered in one million sequins. The final touch is the over-the-top white fur stole she has wrapped around her extremely orange body.

Me: “Don’t worry. She looks like a Be-dazzler on crack. You look elegant, beautiful, magical and stunning. Don’t think twice about it.”

How did Sweet Bride handle it? Go here to read the end!

Bouquet Alternative

Alrighty, you already know I am a big fan of Trader Joe's. You already know I am a big fan of recycling. Why not combine the two? You might remember my Owl Stir Sticks post from a while back. I found yet another use for those Trader Joe's bags that are stacking up in your pantry from buying too many Joe Joe's this holiday season (best things ever)! I have a beautiful client, Ali, who wants her wedding to be 100% eco friendly and I CANNOT wait to show you guys. Meanwhile, I am trying to dream up ways of using minimal cut flowers for the bouquets. Here is what I came up with. A few tissue paper flowers (check out my complete tissue flower wedding here), and a few Trader Joe's flowers, and if my bride likes it, a minimal amount of freshly cut flowers completes my vision. What are your thoughts? Do you guys have any brilliant ideas of what to add in a bouquet to make it beautiful yet sustainable?

1. Start off with a grocery bag. (love TJ's, but Whole Foods or Henry's will suffice)

2. Draw a circle (the larger the circle, the leafier the flower) and slowly taper it in to the center like a spiral keeping the lines about 1/2 inch away from each other.

3. Take your scissors and begin cutting along the line you just drew, furthest away from the center.

4. Continue cutting, following on the drawn line until you reach the center of your spiral.

5. Snip off the end of your spiral at the point that it begins to turn back into the bag (does that make sense?)

6. Beginning at the end of the spiral, start to roll up the paper until you reach the center of your spiral.

7. When you are finished rolling it, it should look like a tightly rolled up piece of paper. I know, I'm brilliant with words.

8. Place the rolled up paper in the palm of your hand and let it fall loosely apart. You may have to gently "help" it by turning the center of the flower to open it up a bit more.

9. For the stem, I chose a green pipe cleaner, but you could use your imagination and come up with something different or funky depending on your project. Flip the flower upside down, and tape the pipe cleaner to the base of the flower.

10. And here is the finished product :)

11. Add a few paper flowers and it becomes a unique bouquet!

12. And to step it up a notch, we added a few tulips and a hydrangea.

DONE :)

Rainy Day Wedding!

NEVER AGAIN should you live in fear of rain on your wedding day!! If you can't beat em, join em!

Aaron Shintaku and I have been designing this shoot for a while. So when we got word that it was supposed to rain last week, we got our stuff in gear! We, of course, brought in JL Designs to create our bouquets and she totally delivered! I told her we wanted something unique, and non-flowery. She is amazing, right? I had a blast designing and styling this shoot, and of course Aaron Shintaku is the MASTER. Watching him run around holding his camera in one hand and his favorite BRIGHT PINK umbrella in the other was too much for words. I am so so pumped on how it all turned out. What do you think? Could you see yourself having groomsmen wearing ponchos and bridesmaids in coats and golashes? I love it!!!