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Cocktail of the Week: Skinny Acai Lemonade

Nahid — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:07 +0000

Thanks to our friends over at VeeV Acai Spirit, we’re highlighting this great low-calorie drink for our 2012 brides to consider. This sunny drink goes perfectly with spring or summer weddings. Served at cocktail hour as a signature drink or something to complement the palate during dinner, it really invokes images of summery nights outdoors. It’s also a happy hour and TGIF-friendly cocktail to have after a long work day with your coworkers or best buds!

1 1/4 oz VeeV Acai Spirit

2 lemon wedges (squeezed)

1/2 oz Natures Agave Raw

Club soda

Sprig of mint or basil (optional)

Squeeze the lemon wedges and shake all ingredients well with ice. Strain into ice-filled rocks glass, top with club soda. Garnish with mint!

So easy to make a skinny acai lemonade drink–easy on the taste buds and calories!

Couture Monday: Dilek Hanif Spring 2012

Buu — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:29 +0000

Dilek Hanif is a Turkish designer based in Istanbul and her designs are over the top gorgeous, feminine, and one of a kind. Her couture creations translate well on and off the runway, both at red carpet events and bridal. If you’re a non-traditional glam bride, Dilek Hanif couture may be the way to go to make a bold fashion statement at your wedding. There are just so many luxe details mixed in with this dream-like theme. We would die to be seen or even touch any of these Dilek Hanif dresses! These were some of our faves from the spring 2012 collection.

For more pictures of the Dilek Hanif spring 2012 collection, please visit Vogue.com

Indian Weddings: Sangeet Ceremony

Nahid — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:37:20 +0000

A sangeet is a traditional Hindu Punjabi ceremony held before a baraat. It is considered a ladies-only event, but men can participate if they are close to the bride and groom. The day is filled with dancing, singing, and a joyous celebration of the couple’s relationship. Depending on the size of the sangeet, it can be held in a large venue or at a house. To put it in a more Westernized term, it’s similar to a rehearsal dinner but differs because it’s a grander celebration of the couple’s history and journey towards marriage.

{Maharani Weddings}

{India Forums}

{South Asian Bride Magazine}

{Lin and Jirsa}

The two pictures above were from a wedding we worked on last year. The theme was a fun luau that had many natural elements in the sangeet decor.

Holiday Centerpiece Ideas

Nahid — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:05:20 +0000

Once you’re done decorating the tree and house, don’t forget to dress your table as well! Whether it’s a wedding reception or a holiday dinner, centerpieces really do complete a meal and set the mood for your guests. Plus, it’s something great to look at while you’re wining and dining. Wedding Elegance skimmed through the great world of the Internet, and found some really inspiring and gorgeous holiday centerpieces you can create or borrow ideas from. Choosing natural elements like pine cones and garlands offer a great rustic chic feel to your tablescape; while ornaments and candy create a sophisticated take on holiday cheer. Happy holiday decorating!

{Pine Cones, Silver and Apples, Candelabra, Fleur de Lis, Bowl of Silver and Candles, Dove, Candles and Canes, Peppermint Swirls}

WIPA Event at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Nahid — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:00:55 +0000

In May of 2010, WIPA held a seminar on photography–from the eyes of a photographer to everything you need to know about working with a photographer. The event was held at the Rancho Valencia Resort and the theme was “hacienda style. ” We had The Troubadours playing live music at the day long event. For our “cocktail hour” we served breakfast items and coffee. Lunch was a salad with salmon, and non-alcoholic passion fruit cocktails by Joes on the Nose (did you know they make drinks other than coffee?!)

It was an amazing event filled with great speakers and attendees!

These chiavari chairs are so cute and delicate, there’s no need for chair covers.

There’s Nahid!

Venue: Rancho Valencia Resort

Linens and Chair Rentals: Concepts Event Design

Floral: ArtQuest Florals

Menu Design: Rachel from Rock Paper Scissors Design

Videography: Mark from Ashley Video Productions

Cocktails: Joes on the Nose

Cookie Favors: The Crumb Runner Cookie Co

Desserts Table: provided by Rancho Valencia

Breaking Dawn/Twilight Inspiration Boards

Nahid — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:09:26 +0000

With the release of “Breaking Dawn: Part 1″ in theatres, we felt inspired by the dark romance and classic tale of love that surpasses time. Even if you’re not a fan of vampires, the theme of falling in love with someone who will go to the ends of the earth to protect and love you, resonates with all. So, we created two inspiration boards based on “Twilight” and what we felt qualified as a possible scene from Bella and Edward’s wedding! Hope this inspires you.

{Couple, Apple, Floral, Necklace}

Love the idea of taking photos right before the sun sets! Also loving the idea of flowers and jewels hanging from centerpieces–effortless but gorgeous.

{Ceremony, Invite, Bouquet, Gown, Twilight Scene}

Jenny Packham is a super talented designer and we love many of her creations. The idea of draping strings of flowers everywhere is so over the top and fabulous!

Drink of the Week: Sparkling Pear & Cranberry

Nahid — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:12:09 +0000

Thanksgiving is a great time to gather with friends and family to indulge and feast! In keeping with that spirit, this week’s cocktail is Thanksgiving themed with delicious hints of the season’s fruits! We found this ah-may-zing recipe on Martha Stewart’s website for creating a sparkling pear & cranberry cocktail. For fall or winter brides, this is a classy signature drink to offer to guests at your wedding reception.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dry cranberries
1/2 cup organic pear nectar
32 ounces Moscato d’Asti wine
8 small sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions

Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.
Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d’Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

Destination Real Wedding: Persian Opulence in Italy

Nahid — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:47 +0000

Jerri and her husband were married in June in beautiful Italy! Their destination wedding was gorgeous and full of wonderful traditional Persian details. The bride asked us to help design a sofreh for them to transport all the way to Italy where a designer constructed it. Although we could not be there personally, Jerri let us know it turned out beautifully. Here are some images of the sofreh and the lovely couple.

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

Nahid — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:56 +0000

Known for their high-end leather goods and ready-to-wear fashion, Louis Vuitton has just released their Spring/Summer 2012 collection for us fanatics to obsess over. After going through the one hundred photos we’ve picked some favorites to share with you! With this collection, we’re getting a late 1950s Parisian feel–from the light blues to the eyelet dresses and Peter Pan collared jackets. Marc Jacobs did a great job the details and styling of this collection. Whether you choose to focus on the shoes or handbags, you can never go wrong with LV, darling. For more pictures of the collection, please visit Vogue.

San Diego Style Wedding Feature: Four Points by Sheraton

Nahid — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:00:52 +0000

The Four Points by Sheraton hotel is a chic, modern, and great place to have your wedding and reception at. Speaking of, here’s a feature of a wedding we did there by San Diego Style Weddings! The couple, Paree & Robert, wanted a wedding that personified who they were, a mixing of American and Persian traditions. With orange and green accents, and Middle Eastern and Western cuisine, guests were delighted to a Persian American celebration. Enjoy the photos and to find out how the couple met and got engaged, click the link below to view the editorial feature:

san-diego-style-wedding-planner-magazine-four-points-sheraton

Venue: Four Points by Sheraton

Officiant: Fakhari

Photographer: Brett Charles Rose Photography

Videographer: Creative Vision Cinematography

Florist: ArtQuest Floral

Entertainment: DJ Mohsen

Cake: Edelweiss European Bakery

Invitations: Pink Star Design

Hair: Jessica Laube

Makeup: Bellage Cosmetics-Rania Awwad