Love Notes: The Pacific Weddings Blog

Dressing the Man: Formal Wear Past & Present

With last years Emmy craze, "Mad Men" has certainly had it's moment in the sun. The reason you need to be hooked on this show is to take in the fine art of dressing the man. Forget the story line, the wardrobe alone will summon you. There is just something so classic about the 1960's tailored look of menswear. The show's costume designer Janie Bryant is the winner of the 2009 Costume Designers Guild Award for Outstanding Design for a Period/Fantasy TV Series. I love her brief and amazing thought on formal wear: "A real man owns his own tuxedo". (via all plaidout)

This led me to a great segment on the New York Times video series, One in 8 Million, where Michel Kramer-Metraux, "The Wedding Wardrober", shares his expertise as the director of men's formal wear at Saks Fifth Avenue. Really good stuff...watch here.

 

Mr. Kramer-Metraux says the most popular tuxedo that he sells today is the one button peak lapel-- the one tuxedo everybody wore fifty years ago. photos by Todd Heisler

As for the modern day take on men's fashion, I couldn't resist posting this image from the New York Times story on trousers (looks like designers are focusing on the view from behind his season!). So what do you think of men in tight pants, ladies?

photo by Dean Isidro for The New York Times at the Standard, New York

Wedding Book Love: Sylvia Weinstock Sensational Cakes

Sylvia Weinstock is famous for two things: creating absolutely gorgeous wedding cakes and donning her signature style, black framed glasses. We were thrilled to hear that the wedding industry's "Queen of Fanciful Cakes" had compiled her latest work into a book, Sylvia Weinstock's Sensational Cakes. We not only see page after page of flawless buttercream cakes and sugar flowers that perfectly mimic nature, Weinstock takes us into her busy artisanal workshop where a staff of 17 assists her in baking and embellishing each confectionary masterpiece.

A little known fact about Sylvia Weinstock: the designer never had a cake at her own wedding, a subtlety that actually sparked her desire to create gorgeous cakes. She says, "A cake is a quintessential part of a party ritual. As it turns out, a cake is more than just a dessert: It's a decoration, a conversation starter, a backdrop for photos, and sometimes even a keepsake." We couldn't agree more!

Portrait of Sylvia Weinstock by Melanie Dunea
Cover photo by John Labbe; Stewart, Tabori & Chang

Ace Hotel and Swim Club Palm Springs

 

The swank hotel circuit in Palm Springs welcomes a new member this month with the opening of Ace Hotel and Swim Club. Hotelier Alex Calderwood has been meticulously building his hipster Ace Hotel chain over the past decade, with the original Ace in Seattle followed by openings in Portland and Manhattan. The hotel's chic, minimalist aesthteic speaks to a particular clientele— those seeking an understated style and laid-back vibe, not to mention an affordable price tag. The one thing that Ace does really well is design with the hotel's particular location in mind. The rooms in the Palm Springs outpost have a desert feel to them, designed to "embrace indoor-outdoor living with cloaked, tent-like walls and a concrete floor".

 
We were  most excited to hear about the event space, known as the Commune, that will double as a lounge area for hotel guests. The 4000 square foot event space is available for meetings, receptions, dinners and weddings. The walls open up to a circular pool, an intimate amphitheater, and views of the mountains. For more information, you can email sales.ps@acehotel.com or call (760) 325-9900

A Garden Party Wedding Gift: Tea Time

If you are the type who fancies a morning tea over coffee, consider sipping from the newest porcelain offerings from designer Re Jin Lee. Her delicate and whimsical Teabag Teaspoon Cup and Saucer set is hand decorated with a teaspoon and teabag illustration, available at Bailey Doesn’t Bark!

The above photo has us in the mood for an afternoon garden party! Purchase this "Lovely Ladies" print here and view more of Abby's beautiful photography here.

The set would make for a thoughtful wedding gift paired with your favorite tea. We favor Talbott's gourmet tea offerings for their all natural ingredients and exotic spice pairings (cacao, cinnamon, cardamom and almond, for instance!). The Grand Luxe Tea Gift Set includes three tins of tea, one T filter wallet, a tea scoop and honey straws. 

Dressing the Groom: Suits of Color

The black tux may be the go-to piece in wedding attire but after eyeing the Fall 2009 Menswear Collections, you may reconsider color for a formal affair. When it comes to dressing the groom, the palette rarely veers away from black, gray and beige and for the most part, the runways this week were awash in dark, muted tones. But it was these bold slate blue suits that caught our eye! Our favorite looks included an English prep school tux from Band of Outsiders and a clean and polished tailored suit from Calvin Klein Collection. Would you dare don color on your wedding day?

CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION

HUTSON

[Band of Outsiders photo by Don Ashby, Calvin Klein Collection photo by Marcio Madeiravia; via style.com]

Style Sheet: An Olive Orchard Wedding

I couldn't resist sharing these photos from Meghan and Matt Goldman's wedding, held at the Willow Creek Olive Ranch along California's central coast, and captured by the lovely Allyson Magda. Last week we gave you a sneak peek of their celebration in our story, Puppy Love, which featured the couple's adorable French bulldog Nelson (he not only ushered in the ring during the ceremony, his black and white portrait adorned the escort cards and letterpress tags on the "sweet send-off" gift bags). The groom, a stylist for the likes of Gwen Stefani, lent his talents to the event décor which was designed around four objects of personal sentiment: an olive branch to signify the location, their French bulldog, a top hat in tribute to their stylish pal, and an accordian (the bride works in the music industry). The couple's love of music was present throughout the celebration where a variety of their friends (and talented musicians) took to the stage to entertain. Enjoy!

Valentine's Day at Four Seasons Resort, Lāna‘i

One can only say "I love You" in so many ways, right? Some rely on sweet indulgences and pampering, while other's pen their true sentiments on paper or let the scent of roses do the talking. This Valentine's Day, Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i iat Manele Bay combines all of these romantic gestures into one perfect package.

The Suite-ést Chocolat package includes two-nights luxurious accommodations in the oceanfront Hulopo`e Suite; chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival; and private island transportation upon arrival and departure.  Designed for couples seeking romantic bliss, the seductive package also includes an intimate four-hand couples massage, side-by-side, utilizing The Spa’s exclusive chocolate treatment personally prepared by Pastry Chef Roberto Hernandez for Valentine’s weekend only.  The massage is followed by a seven-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing exclusively prepared by Executive Sous Chef Fabrice Huet. The private island of Lāna‘i is truly the ultimate in luxury...too bad Valentine's Day only comes once a year!

The Suite-ést Chocolat package is offered Valentine’s weekend (February 13-16) and is based on double occupancy, with rates starting at $14,000.  For reservations, please call Four Seasons Resorts Lāna‘i at (800) 321-4666.  Please refer to the Suite-ést Chocolatpackage.  

J.Crew Weddings & Parties

 
Have you checked out J.Crew's Wedding Shop lately? Their styling is always so chic and classic. And really, how can you top that stunning seaside location in Greece?

Emilia at Auburn & Ivory posed the question that I've been asking myself as I glance through fashion mags and the blog world: Are balloons the new cupcakes?

Sweet Valentine's Gifts & Wedding Favors

If you are in search of the perfect Valentine's Day gift and can't bear the thought of a traditional (boring?!) heart-shaped box of chocolates, check out our friends at Williams-Sonoma. They have partnered with the finest chefs across the nation to deliver up the most scrumptious treats no matter where you live. Shaunna cast her vote for the sweetheart "whoopee pies" that reminded her of childhood days back in Boston. I adore the set of message cookies for the same homespun memories they conjure. Perhaps you prefer the more sophisticated Parisian Macaroons? Get back to us once you've had a chance to check out these mouth-watering confections! (Window shopping is calorie-free:o), and you may find one of these treats is the just perfect wedding favor you've been seeking.

Final Day to Win the Anniversary Collection!

The latest PW edition is on newsstands now and to celebrate our Ten Year Anniversary, we are giving away the entire collection of Pacific Weddings to ten lucky winners! All you have to do is visit pacificweddings.com to preview a few of the features in the latest issue, then make a quick comment on this post noting what piqued your interest most. Keep it brief and amazing!

Your name will then be placed in a drawing to win the entire Anniversary Collection worth well over $100 (and its weight in gold if you are currently planning a wedding;). The last day to leave a comment is Friday, February 6! Click here to see WHAT'S INSIDE...