Love Notes: The Pacific Weddings Blog

A Vintage Wedding at MacCallum House Inn, Part II

Here is the rest of the story from Nicole and Tony's California wedding at the MacCallum House Inn by the talented Suzy-Q of Q weddings. We hope you enjoy her oh-so-delicious photography as much as we do! xo —robyn

 
 

 

A Wedding at MacCallum House Inn, California

Today we are featuring the "delicious photography" of Q weddings, aka, Suzy-Q, who only shoots film and describes herself as "half retro, half modern". (Perhaps we were separated at birth, Suzy?:) Nicole and Tony's destination wedding at the MacCallum House Inn is so perfectly matched to Suzy's whimsical style. We adore the homespun details and nostalgic flair of their wedding in Mendocino, California. Thank you for sharing these fabulous romantic photos!

 

 

We will be sharing more of Nicole and Tony's wedding tomorrow. xo ~robyn

More Than Just a Dress: Alisa Benay Wedding Gowns

I recently received these beautiful gown images from California wedding publicist, Leila Khalil, the guru of Inspired By This who happens to have great taste and the inside scoop on all things wedding. I am happy to share the romantic new gown designs of Alisa Benay, along with a fairy tale story board of her inspiration for the collection. Vintage, soft and very feminine—love at first sight!

 

Guest Blog: Hawaii Wedding Designer Sandra Williams

Today we welcome one of our Preferred Vendors, Hawaii event designer Sandra Williams of Finishing Touch. Sandra has exquisite taste and a unique sense of style, so we are thrilled to add her to our group of contributors. (Photos by Frank Amodo)

I have been anticipating Junko and Oscarʼs wedding for quite some time, because I knew it would be one of our most beautiful weddings in 2009. Junko first contacted me back in late 2008, and I felt an instant connection with her. We both love fashion and bold, dramatic patterns, and we’re big fans of the t.v. show The Hills. I have to admit, I love working with brides who crave a beautiful wedding—from her gown and hair  accessories to her table linens and flowers—everything had to be absolutely chic. The bride compiled meticulous inspiration boards to plan the day. This can be a great tool to give your vendors, particularly when you’re planning a destination wedding. 

 

Junko was unafraid to use a beautiful espresso brown and white floral silhouette linen to give her table that “wow” factor. A Capri blue table runner and matching napkins balanced the patterned table linen. Pink  dahlias, English garden roses, hydrangea and ranunculus adorned the tables, with seven crystal  chandeliers overhead casting a soft, romantic glow at night.

Guests enjoyed an action station menu featuring fresh local seafood. After a few champagne and sake toasts, the night ended with a surprise salsa performance by the newlyweds, who met at a New York salsa dance class 7 years ago!

Wedding Design & Coordination: Sandra Williams, Finishing Touch
Images: Frank Amodo
Floral: Yvonne Design
Wedding Cake: Cake Lava

In Living Color: A Wedding that Pops

At the risk of sounding hopelessly domestic, my recently purchased sewing machine has opened up a new realm in life, and with Emily Dickinson's prose dancing in my head, "I dwell in possibility" now has a whole new meaning! Although I have yet to sew a stitch, (I'm watching, ok!?), I am inspired by the amazing colors and textures I've found. Today I've decided to share some of these pretty little things that could be a starting point for a fabulous wedding. If you love crafts and whimsical color, Heather Bailey's fabrics are perfect with their subtle vintage style and vivid prints. My thoughts instantly went to Kate Sullivan's graphic cake designs as I looked through the patterns. Check out Heather's site then share your wedding ideas with us! (Photos courtesy of Heather Bailey) Click for more Kate Sullivan wedding cake inspiration.

Photo above by Tara Donne

Photo © Gabrielle Revere

Vintage Wedding Style: Moss & Bell Jars

I've had a longstanding love affair with bell jars, and I recently discovered it was the French that developed the glass cloche to protect plants from cold weather frost. I like the idea that these miniature gardens are a natural still life framed only by the glass that envelopes them. Blended with moss and European accents, a bell jar wedding arrangement is both interesting and unique. For this style sheet I looked to two of my faves, Roost and Anthropology, for inspiration. (Photos: above, La Mome bridal caplet is available at Tocatta's Etsy shop; upper right image via Apartment Therapy; bell jars above and images below by Roost.)

For our table setting below at Pua Le‘a Estate, a historic sugar mill tucked away in the lush green hills of Haiku, Maui, we used moss in lieu of linens to cover the table adding bouquets of white orchids and calla lilies as centerpieces. Below, another amazing Anthro store display; moss balls and Euro accessories from Save-on Crafts. I think it would be fun to create a unique tableau for each of your wedding reception tables with these interesting pieces, and your guests will appreciate the nature-inspired still life scenes.

A weathered container from World Buyer's new collection is a fabulous table accent. Finally, a perfectly adorable Antrhopologie frock dubbed the Beach Grass Dress is perfect for a casual destination wedding—you decide whether it is for the bridesmaids or for the bride herself. xo ~robyn

Wedding Style: Silver & Amethyst Palette

Amethyst is emerging once again as the color of choice among fashion and interior designers, and this rich shade of eggplant makes a beautiful wedding palette when paired with silver. These colors were the impetus for a Pacific Weddings photo shoot on the Garden Isle of Kauai, known for its legendary Hanalei poi, a local staple that is usually a beautiful shade of dusty lavender. A silver bridesmaid dress by Umee Honolulu accents the flowers arranged by Hawaii florist, Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne Design. Photos by Visionari; food prepared by Kauai Cuisine; shot on location at the Princeville Resort, a romantic honeymoon and wedding destination.

 

A Country Wedding at Turtle Bay Stables, Oahu

Today we are featuring a real wedding post from one of our regular contributors, Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne Design, one of Hawaii's most sought after floral and event designers. Photos were captured by talented Hawaii photographers at L'Amour Photography. (For more Hawaii weddings on the North Shore, visit the PW Movie Room.)

My favorite weddings this year have been yellow and white, which seems to have been the color scheme of choice for our summer brides. This season we have created events in varied motifs— modern and chic, classic and elegant, sweet and traditional—all following a yellow and white color scheme. My absolute favorite was this country romance wedding we designed for Jodi Santos and Gary Yu at the Turtle Bay stables on Oahu's North Shore. Delicate flowers in shades of white and pale yellow were gracefully designed in ceramic pedestal bowls. The inviting fragrance of hyacinth, stock, and sweet peas was combined with beautiful Limoncello roses, lisianthus, and hydrangea. To emphasize the country theme, mini gerbera daisies were used throughout the reception, adding a playfulness to the décor. The result was a unique country wedding you don't often see in the islands. ~aloha, Yvonne

A Passion for Pink Weddings

I adore pink so much that we once dedicated an entire issue of Pacific Weddings to all things pink. Of course it was called The Pink Issue and it remains one of my personal favorites over the past decade. You can still order this edition if you are looking for gorgeous ideas for a pink wedding! Here is more inspiration if you are considering this alluring color for your wedding day.

Cupcakes by Sugar Bloom Cupcakes; Photo of pink dress © Party Dress, Text by Alexandra Black, Rizzoli New York, 2007

  

J. Crew's pink bridesmaid dress; The Pink Issue of Pacific Weddings; pink macaroons; and finally, a pink sea urchin or these pink Miu Miu Mary Janes could be the jumping off point for a stunning wedding theme! xo- robyn

 

Cassandra Dieterle Designs a Stylish Hawaii Wedding

Today we welcome a guest contributor and talented wedding designer, Cassandra Dieterle, who has been a Pacific Weddings® preferred vendor for many years. Cassandra will be sharing the details of a destination wedding she designed for Bernice Chao and Davison Avery of New York City.

From Cassandra: It came as no surprise that Bernice and Davison were urban New Yorkers. When I first spoke with them and asked them to tell me a few things they loved, they shared their affinity for night life, multi-cultural foods, bright colors, traveling, and--of course--each other. The self-described "city people" wanted to plan a sophisticated beach wedding, and with various family members traveling from around the world, Hawaii was a great central location.

Bernice and Davison were completely at ease with relinquishing control of the overall design to our team at Honolulu Wedding Consultants. To help them decide on a color palette for the event, I directed them individually to the local paint store to select two colors. Ironically, they both returned with red and a blue swatches and this prompted their unique choice of a deep red, rich azure and turquoise blue wedding theme. Unlike many destination brides, Bernice didn't want an overt tropical style for the wedding, so we incorporated a few subtle hints of island ambiance with mini pineapples in the centerpieces and waves of colored sand to decorate the oceanfront setting.

The two were married on May 11, 2009 in a simply elegant ceremony at the Loulu Palm Estate on Oahu's North Shore. Honolulu Wedding Consultants prepared the beautiful flowers for the ceremony and reception, and guests dined al fresco in a clear-top tent at the ocean's edge. Modern lounge furnishings and colorful table linens added to the lighthearted feeling of the wedding, and in the end our NYC couple felt completely at home in the Islands. Aloha,  --Cassie

Cassandra Dieterle is also an accomplished Hawaii wedding photographer. To view her portfolio visit her website and blog.