We are so excited to post our first (of many) Style Sheets to inspire all of the fresh details of a modern wedding event from favor ideas to color palettes, fashion and cuisine. Michael and Anna Costa sent us these beautiful images from Amy + Mike's wedding at El Careyes Beach Resort, a hidden gem on Mexico's gold coast. The Santa Barbara photographers perfectly captured the island casual setting and thoughtful details of the destination wedding.
Our last post on Oslo Press seemed to strike a chord, so we thought we would share a few accessories that complement the wood veneer invitations. Our beloved Martha Stewart is the Princess of Faux Bois, offering everything from beautiful craft supplies to unique wedding cakes decorated in this motif, which literally translated simply means "false wood". (The French translation always adds caché, doesn't it?!) Here are a few more ideas from MSW that will bring out the nature girl in you! ~aloha, robyn
(Photos by Oslo Press and Martha Stewart Living)
I'm loving the brighter than blue splashes of color this season! Anthropologie's spring catalog showcased primary colors like no other in their spread, Pigment Play. Why not combine the old with the new on your wedding day and incorporate a 'something blue' in a bold way. Wedding Paper Divas recently introduced their new letterpress line of invitations, save-the-dates and thank you cards. Their offerings are contemporary and fun! Along with the style of the exclusive Wedding Paper Divas design, your
cards will be printed with the fine letterpress quality of William
Arthur, a luxury stationery leader for nearly 60 years. The Simple Stalks Wedding Invitation is pictured below in capri blue. The clean design mimics the blades of grass in a wild field. Also shown is the Solid Monogram Wedding Invitation in navy. It makes a statement with a classic monogram design and structured layout.
J.Crew's pure silk faille Mirabelle dress in brilliant blue is perfect for any occasion. It would look lovely on a bridesmaid holding a simple white bouquet. Midori Ribbon and Hand Made Paper was founded with the Japanese tradition of gift giving as both an art form and an important social obligation in mind. Their new color-coordinated Hand-Picked Collection is packaged in an elegant Midori box and includes between 18-21 rolls of ribbon in lush textures, patterns and styles. Their paper is made out of 100% recycled cotton fiber. Also shown is an antique blue milk glass cake plate. If you haven't scoured Look in the Attic yet, check it out for all of your unique decorating needs! xo Shaunna
Whimsy Press has all of those fun accoutrements to make any gift look, well, gift-worthy! Peruse the site for a moment and its impossible to resist each vividly whimsical pattern. Instead of simply shopping by occasion, you can browse the collections according to your personal style (Modern Garden), relationship to the giftee (Best Friends) and even gender (Dude Wrap), to name a few. How very cute and clever! Mum's the Word, pictured above could easily inspire a bridal bouquet or invitation set.
The serene shades of lime green and sky blue in this Flower Girl Wrap is
fresh and modern— perfect for a bridal shower present. The design is one of five sheets included in Whimsy's Love & Marriage collection, which playfully tells us to "Take this wrap to have and to love for as long as you shall give." Here at Pacific WEDDINGS, we're as guilty as anyone for indulging in the current cupcake craze sweeping the party circuit. I thought it would be fun to set-up a cupcake display atop this Cupcakes & Chocolates motif. Be sure to check out Whimsy's fine ribbon and bow details too! xo Shaunna
Spring is just around the corner and that means fragrant flowers will soon be in bloom. In the meantime, these artsy floral print and pattern finds will have to satisfy! I love the idea of a slender flower stem that was once a simple sketch on an artist's notepad being translated to fine china. The new simplyFine china collection from Lenox does just that with their latest tabletop offerings. The Flourish set, pictured above, can easily cross over into everyday life after the wedding. (via HWTM blog) And for a matching stationery set, Wedding Paper Divas has a simply pretty Meadow Flourish invitation with delicate leaflets, pictured above in hunter green. When it comes to fragrances, nature's blooms have long inspired perfumers in search of exotic aromas. TSI~LA Eau de Parfum collection, with their lovely orchid motif-painted bottles, infuses pure plant extracts with 100% natural ingrediants. The mini marvels are neatly packaged in a black lotus box for easy travel. So go ahead and start planning your garden party! xo Shaunna
February is one of my favorite months, mainly because of the ubiquitous sweets and candies that Valentine's Day brings. Since we are all about inspiration, here are a few of our favorite confections that are both romantic and memorable--the ideal combination for a wedding favor, don't you think?
Wedding Things has an amazing list of favors and wedding details, and we were smitten with their raspberry heart gumdrops. The glass-topped mongrammed tins are perfect containers to reveal a touch of color on your reception tables.
Willams-Sonoma recently relaunched their website and they have added some wonderful new products, like the lucky ladybug truffles crafted and decorated by hand by Philadelphia confectioner, John & Kira's. Nestled in a wooden gift box, each luscious love bug combines a dark chocolate shell with a velvety chocolate ganache center. Ladybugs have long been symbols of good luck – these are simply irresistible!
Buttery vanilla shortbread cookies are sweet replicas of the Valentine's candy we all used to share in grade school. They are hand dipped at Boston’s famous Dancing Deer Baking Company. Each pastel heart is stenciled with a romantic note: “Love U,” “Kiss Me,” “Be Mine” or “Flirt.” When ordered through Williams-Sonoma, they arrive in a wooden Shaker-style box tied with a red ribbon. Packaged individually, we think they would make adorable wedding favors. (BTW~ if you want the "real" conversation hearts, you will find them at Wedding Things.)
Speaking of cookies, Cutie Pie Cookie Co. is another fun resource for custom favors. The delicious homemade vanilla sugar cookies can 
bear your own personal wedding mongram, a logo, or even a photo. (We prefer the monogram idea, but we'll leave that up to you:)
If you are a chocolate girl, Beaucoup's heart-shaped lollipops will make both you and your guests smile! Beaucoup offers these chocolate delights boxed in a clear case, each iced with your design and custom message – a great way to have your chocolate and eat it to!
I've always been known for my love affair with stripes but lately I have a crush on polka dots! These elegant crystal paperweights by Iomoi will add a stylish touch to any tabletop! Although Iomoi is known for their online social stationery, they offer classic home accessories with a fun and modern twist. Partners Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby set out to find a more personal way to communicate online, so they crafted "iomoi", a handwritten note that could be sent via email. Each choosen design is paired with specific fonts and colors in mind and can be monogramed if you so desire. Beyond the polka dots, there are lovely flower patterns and island themes from which to choose. (Pictured L-R: dot pattern in black, preppy dots, dot pattern in yellow).
I love Iomoi's black and white polka dot coasters with a miniature pink heart, pictured below. Is it too early to mention Valentines Day?! Also shown are Hable Construction's pink polka dot gift tags that will make any gift look cute. The thick cardstock is letterpressed with their signature bold patterns. And their new line of linen covered photo frames are perfect for a guestbook table! xo Shaunna
While I am currently living the sweet island life in Hawaii, I do consider myself a city girl at heart. What is my city of choice, you ask? New York, of course! To crave both locales is an interesting mix-- the serenity, ease and abundant nature of the Hawaiian Islands vs. the vivacious energy, and inspired chaos of the concrete jungle. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds when it comes to hosting your wedding? While the few beaches in New York may not compare to the white sandy shores of Hawaii, there are endless venues full of character and charm to choose from. If you're in search of all things wedding in NYC, turn to Vane at Brooklyn Bride. She offers up some really great creative resources for planning a modern celebration and she's got that designer eye for
detail. You
could literally spend hours sifting through her hand-picked selection
of wedding vendors (including the chic reception site, Divine Studio, pictured below).
I'd like to share one of my favorite shops in Brooklyn to find truly unique gift offerings and home decor. When I stepped into The Future Perfect,
located on North Sixth Street, I couldn't resist purchasing this Hope
Forever Blossoming vase by D-Bros, innovatively made of plastic materials. Wouldn't this make the coolest
reception table centerpiece? (Image from Dedece+ where they can be purchased online).
xo Shaunna
If you are of Japanese descent or raised in Hawaii, you'll
recognize this cute kitten. These ceramic statues of a waving cat are
said to bring good fortune, and you'll find them a ubiquitous sight in
the islands, a true cultural melting pot. Karen Sasaki's
hand-decorated Lucky
Cats aren’t made of traditional porcelain, but creamy, solid
Belgian Chocolate. As owner of Suedy's Koo-Ki Sushi, she is a sansei,
or third-generation Japanese American. Her luck began when she won a
cookie contest that led to the creation of her adorable, kitshy cookies
made to look like sushi. The legendary kitties make a cute wedding
favor and give a whimsical nod to your Japanese heritage.
Karen also offers kanpai cups (pronounced “kom-pi”, Japanese for “cheers!”), that are shaped in rich chocolate and come in four delicious flavors: green tea, strawberry, white chocolate, and dark chocolate marble. Each sake cup is decorated by hand with a detailed floral trim except for the dark chocolate, which is marbled with creamy milk chocolate. Although tasty on their own, the kanpai cups can be used to serve sake, your favorite liqueur or sorbet— a memorable finish to your reception dinner.
C'mon brides, share your ethnic favor ideas! Cheers~
Since the details of the day are often the things that your guests will remember, we knew you would appreciate a few resources to add a personal touch (or two!) to your wedding. How cute are these mint tins from Beaucoup with the retro graphics and great colors? We also discovered Dragonfly Cakes's delicate petit fours at Williams-Sonoma and instantly ordered them for our photo shoot in the new issue. WS is an excellent source for personalized items, like their elegant paper coasters in gold or silver. If you want to get even more detailed, visit ForYourParty.com, where you can customize everything from cocktail stir sticks to gift tags for your event. If you've had fun putting your stamp on all your wedding details, please share your ideas! We'd love to hear from you. (Photo above courtesy of Beaucoup; below courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.
Shaunna is away in NYC until next week, reportedly shopping until she drops—one of her many amazing talents. So, while she braves the icy cold, I will blog away in the Maui sunshine. In case you are fending off the cold weather, too, I thought you'd appreciate a touch of spring. We both loved Kate Spade's whimsical floral sketches on her Rutherford Circle
dinnerware, which we featured last winter. The brilliant
colors are brought to life in Town and Country’s floral designs, an
enticing arrangement of orange tulips, red makara orchids, pink
bouvardia, yellow freesia, yellow spray roses, and sugar snap peas. A
chartreuse ribbon accents the base of an ultra-modern vase. Clara
Confectioner’s boxed chocolates are tied expertly with a ribbon striped
with fuchsia, yellow, and white. Kinohi’s contemporary invitation
announces the festivities with a playful monogram. This bold, contemporary palette may be the perfect thing to cheer any winter blues, but if you'd like more on spring flowers, try MSW.
Brides have so many wonderful creative options to honor and indulge their guests. A candy buffet is a fun way to express your personal tastes (literally!) and we love the idea of using sweets to reiterate your color theme. The new Winter Spring edition of Pacific WEDDINGS will be on shelves by the end of December and we featured a scrumptious array of white wedding confections your guests will adore. For the story, Chef Michelle Nakaya of Ginniberries Catering in Honolulu created these pillowy meringue cookies topped with buttercream icing and white rock candy. For something truly simple, did you know m & m's offers their classic candies personalized in 22 beautiful colors? Present them in old-fashioned candy jars to add a bit of elegance. Melts in your mouth, not in your hand, right?
While we're usually a generous group of office mates, our (mostly female) staff rushes to sign for any package bearing the classic Big Island Candies logo! We featured their white confections in the Winter/Spring 2008 issue of Pacific WEDDINGS™ (on newsstands in just a few weeks). The illustrious chocolatiers are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and they have earned a reputation for their delicious candies and cookies made with Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, lots of fresh butter
and scrumptious chocolate. Whether or not you are hosting your wedding in Hawaii, the elegant packaging and fabulous flavors of Big Island Candies makes them a tasteful wedding favor. You can visit the chocolate factory and gift
shop in the sleepy town of Hilo, Hawaii, where the spirit of aloha still reigns. Make sure to ask about their custom packaging—they are happy to create a look especially for your wedding theme.
Since the pineapple has long been a symbol of gracious hospitality, good cheer,
and family affection, what could be more fitting for a wedding theme? This fabulous cake was designed for Pacific WEDDINGS by Carmen Emerson-Bass of Cake Couture. Issue no. 12 contains dozens of wedding ideas celebrating the exotic, beloved fruit.
Whimsical invitations by Kinohi Designs are a fun way to announce your nuptials, but no matter what your style, you'll find the pineapple is a popular icon for wedding stationery.
We love these Limoges-style pineapple boxes. A tiny note of aloha can be tucked inside for guests to find at their place settings.
Floral designer Debbie Hemingway created this bouquet of green cymbidium orchids and ivory roses crowned with adorable miniature pinapples.
Hiring a wedding agency to pull all these details together is a must, especially if you're planning from a distance. The coordinators at White Orchid Wedding see things differently. Created nearly twenty years ago, White Orchid has grown to be Hawaii's award winning wedding agency. If you're dreaming of a Maui wedding, look no further.
A Lasting Impression
If you are interested in becoming an advertising partner for Love Notes, email us at weddings@pacificweddings.com.
