Archives for October 2013

Red, Pink and Gold Wedding at St. Regis Deer Valley

By looking at Jordan and Austin’s stunning red, pink and gold wedding at St. Regis Deer Valley, you’d never know it rained the reception right off the outdoor patio. Yep, in fact the bride said, “It stormed like I have never seen it storm in Park City!”

No bride wants to think of rain on her big day. I know I didn’t. But when planning an outdoor wedding, you need a weather backup. And thanks to event planner Kristin Spear from Soiree Productions, and many of the guests who helped move the entire setup from outdoors in, Jordan and Austin’s plan B was a complete success. But I couldn’t not show you the inspiring outdoor patio setup before it was moved, I mean…it really was gorgeous.

The couple chose St. Regis Deer Valley because Jordan’s family vacationed there every year at Christmas and in the summer. In her words, “There’s nothing more beautiful than a summer night in the mountains”. I’d have to agree. And these images by Pepper Nix Photography prove that point exceptionally.

“Since the entire event was planned outside”, said the bride, “We wanted to compliment nature without overwhelming it. And given our wedding was the day after the 4th of July, we didn’t want the traditional red, white and blue. So we went with neutral linens and mahogany chairs and let the flowers really shine! The centerpieces were a cluster of low containers and votive candles. And the flowers were mostly red with some pinks and greens, while the vases and votive candles were a beautiful mix of gold and bronze in combination with metal and mercury glass.”

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography // Venue: St. Regis Deer Valley // Caterer: St Regis // Event Planner: Soirée Productions LLC // Floral Designer: Decoration Inc. // Invitation Designer: Nine-Grain Design // Cinema and Video: 31 Films // Dress Store: Ivory Bridal Atelier // Dress Designer: Lazaro // Band: Texas Unlimited Band // Makeup Artist: Signaturebrides // Submission via Two Bright Lights

When asked what advice she has for future brides, Jordan replied, “Don’t worry about things you can’t control. I could have completely lost it when the storm blew in, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. So we made the best of the situation.”

And when asked what her favorite moment was, she wholeheartedly answered, “Dancing with my new husband in the rain!”

So in the end, if it weren’t for the rain they wouldn’t have one of the best memories of the day. Win, win!

PS…if you haven’t watched the short film by 31 Films , definitely do. It’s a heart warmer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Your Unique Fashion Style

The most common complaint I hear women say about their fashion is, “I’ll never look that good, I don’t have great style”.

Does this sound like you? If so, I need to give you a friendly slap. Lovelies, please wipe such thoughts from your mind. No matter what you say you’re 100% wrong!

Everyone has a unique style. Period. It’s just a matter of finding it. But once you do, it’s as easy as having the confidence and using your unique style to your advantage.

Finding your unique fashion style has nothing to do with being able to afford the most expensive “it” name brand clothing. It has nothing do with how many different outfits you have in your closet or even whether your wardrobe contains the latest in fashion trends. Nope, finding your unique fashion style is all about knowing what works for you and enhancing it to work even better.

Image via Pink Peonies

How do you do that? Easy. Pay attention to how you feel with certain things you wear. And especially take notice when you get the most compliments. Do you feel more confident when you’re wearing skirts as opposed to pants? If so, skirts might be part of your unique fashion style. Are jeans more your thing? That’s cool, rock them with heels or flats or sporty loafers like shown below. Do people compliment your selection in accessories? Perfect, then accessories might be your flair.

The point is – find what works for you and accentuate it.

Image via Atlantic-Pacific

Here’s a great example. Hats are part of my unique fashion style. But I didn’t always know this. In fact, I didn’t figure this out until just a few years ago. How did I realize this? It was mostly because a light bulb went off by about the 800 person who told me I look good in hats. Yes, when it comes to taking compliments I can be clueless too.

Once I realized hats are one of my things, I started wearing them even more. As you can see I’m wearing one in my profile photo. And now I’ll find any excuse to wear them. “Oh…it’s a bit chilly out? Guess I should wear a hat.” Or if I’m having a bad hair day, it’s the perfect time for a hat.

Image via Fashion Vibe

I also realized glasses, both sun and regular, are a style that works for me too. And accessories like scarves and necklaces and lots of bracelets are my friends as well. I’m not a big earrings kind of gal though. I get annoyed by them sometimes. But if they’re your thing, be sure to rock them like no one else.

So whether your style is high fashion or a laid-back weekend style seven days a week, the point I’m after here is wearing what you feel best in is usually what gives you the most confidence; and confidence is in turn what creates the spark behind your unique fashion style. It really is as easy as that.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blush and Bashful Hued Indian Beach Wedding

One day when Courtney and Jonathan first started dating he said to her, “Everything the light touches is our…”. Being a huge Disney fan, Courtney realized Jon was quoting a line from The Lion King, and at that moment she knew he would be the man she’d marry. Sure enough, one Christmas while decorating their tree in their pajamas, Jon got down on one knee and proposed. And of course she said yes!

Originally Courtney chose gray and yellow as the colors for her wedding to Jonathan. But after selecting her Oleg Cassini gown with it’s delicate blush roses, blush became the new color. Courtney laughs as she recounts a line from the movie Steel Magnolias. “Blush and bashful are my colors”, said Julia Roberts’ character Shelby in a proud southern accent. To which Shelby’s mother M’Lynn replies, “Her colors are pink and pink.”

Wanting something meaningful for their venue, the couple chose the The Ocean Club at Indian Beach, which used to be Salter Path Campground where Courtney vacation with her family as a little girl. Another meaningful detail, photographer Caroline of Caroline Lima Photography was able to capture a few images of Ellanore Rigby. Although it’s spelled different, Ella for short, is Courtney and Jon’s Catahoula dog who was named after a song by their favorite band The Beatles. She is their baby, so it thrilled them to have some wedding images with her included. As a fellow fur-baby mom, I think having a loved pet be part of your big day, in whatever way possible, is beyond special. And isn’t Ella the cutest?

These fun vintage beach styled invitations were done by CoppiaCreativa. And the barely blush pink peonies, ivory roses, hydrangeas and delicate pink-spray roses by Tildy Designs carried through a lovely romantic elegance that was perfectly suited for their day. And with a collection of old books, antique styled frames and traditional white vases, the couple most certainly achieved the vintage beach look they were going for.

Photographer: Caroline Lima Photography // Ceremony & Reception Venues: The Ocean Club, Indian Beach, NC. // Event Designer and Coordinator: Bridal By the Sea // Florist: Tildy Designs // Caterer: Patrick Hogan // Invitations: CoppiaCreativa // Groom and Groomsmen attire: Men’s Warehouse // Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid // Bridal Dress Store: Davids Bridal // Bridal Gown Designer: Oleg Cassini // DJ: Sami Lamir // Hair: Lulu Kingsley (919) 223-3409 // Cake: Mrs. Vingerber’s Sweets

Are you curious about the bats? I was too! So I asked Courtney and this was her reply. ” The Louisville Sluggers were given as groomsmen gifts because you can’t have an amazing baseball team with amazing players.” So she and Jon had the nickname of each “amazing” groomsmen engraved on their bat. What a neat gift!

Thanks for stopping by!

Relaxed Custom Styled Barn Wedding

It occurred to me today that I rarely refer to my own wedding when writing about them here on Fab You Bliss. But maybe I should. I mean, I am a wedding blogger and I have planned my own wedding. Yes it was nearly six years ago, but many of the details that were important to us I hear lots of couples say matter to them as well. So I’m guessing my experiences as a bride could be useful. So look for some blending of my personal wedding experiences going forward. Just a little though.

One of the most important desires we had with our wedding was we wanted it to be very relaxed. We hoped that friends and family would feel at home and enjoy our day as with us much as we were looking forward to enjoying it with them. And that’s exactly what today’s bride and groom wanted as well. Teri and John dreamed up and brought to life this relaxed custom styled barn wedding at their home in Howell, Michigan.

Gorgeous succulents and roses decorated the bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere. Rustic lanterns in various styles and colors were placed around the property as well as above the bride and groom at the barn alter. Wildflowers in mason jars were carefully placed all around the property and cut tree rounds were used as the base for table centerpieces in a lovely rustic way.

Vintage couches and wicker chairs were brought in for comfortable seating and to carry through with the relaxed vibe. And most of these lovely details like the signs and lanterns were provided or made by Teri herself, who stole the entire show in her stunning lace Claire Pettibone gown. And with these gorgeous images sent in by Chelsea Brown Photography, I’d say Teri and John were 100% successful in bringing their relaxed custom styled barn wedding day to life.

Photographer: Chelsea Brown Photography // Caterer: The Moveable Feast Catering // Event Planner: Luna Soiree Events // Floral Designer: Passionflower // Musicians: Shaun Garth Walker // Dress Designer: Claire Pettibone // Submission via Two Bright Lights

Thanks for stopping by!

Sea Glass and Mist Wedding Inspiration (Part 2)

Yesterday I featured part 1 of this Sea Glass and Mist wedding inspiration shoot by Bit of Ivory Photography and an amazing team of talented vendors. Today I’m delighted to share with you part 2.

In part 1 of this story, the couple married each other in an intimate ceremony and followed it up with a “sweet” reception. But the celebration soon ended as the groom had to head off to sea to fulfill his captain duties. So while the wedding was filled with love and amazing details, not knowing when they would see each other again left a somber note floating about.

But in today’s shoot the brightness returns. The captain and his wife are happily reunited. Even better – given you know my love for dogs – the couple and their bridal party are joined by a sweet big ole St. Bernard/Pyrenees mix named Gunther. And what a cutie he is!

So have a look and enjoy the second part of this Sea Glass and Mist wedding inspiration. And be sure to check out all the vendors listed below who helped put this fantastic shoot together!