Ana + Gina’s Colorful Rustic Handcrafted Wedding (071412)

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Elisa

As you can see by the date in the blog title, I’m just slightly behind in sharing the weddings I’ve been working on. 😉 But in truth, I realized that I’d started this blog post a while back. I was encouraged to publish it finally after last week’s marriage equality ruling. And see? I’m trying to keep my promise for moar!blogging!

Ana and Gina are one of my favorite couples. They have such wonderful energy and chemistry, and I immediately liked them. Mind you, I have a LOT of incredible couples that I like immediately – it’s something I am proud that I can say about just about everyone – but I still remember our first phone call. Ana had just e-mailed me and set up a time to talk. They lived in the Bay Area and couldn’t meet in person. She hadn’t mentioned anything about Gina at all. “My fiancé is here and wants to meet you too!” she said, as we were introducing ourselves on the phone. I heard Gina’s voice, and my heart leapt. It seems a bit silly now, but in 2011 marriage equality was still such an uphill battle. I’d always wanted to do weddings for everyone, but you can’t really pick and choose your clients. So I had to wait for someone to choose me. I remember getting off that phone call and dancing around. They liked me! They really liked me! And I liked them! This was happening!

Over the next several months, we worked together on decor plans for their wedding. We always had the most fun when we were together; it felt comfortable, like we had been friends for a long time. The venue, Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa (which is no longer), was one where literally everything was do-it-yourself. It was lovely, but challenging, especially given their tight budget, so we had to get creative! You can see the results in the photos – lots of paper and streamers… But it was so very lovely. I’m so proud of the way their whole day looked! I loved how colorful it was (they were inspired by a painting they loved), and how many fun details we were able to bring in.

On the wedding day, I had a team of four working from 10 am to 7:30 pm (when the reception was already starting, we were still finishing up the cake table that was, thankfully, in the other room), hanging lights and lanterns, setting up tables and chairs, doing table settings, putting together a DIY Photo Booth, and so much more. We’d have been there sooner to get started, but we were running last-second errands for the wedding! It is actually because of this wedding that I require additional assistants for venues that aren’t “set up” for weddings, since simply placing, setting up, and dressing tables for 60 guests took two of my staff several hours to complete!

At any rate, the wedding itself was incredible. Happy and gorgeous couple, happy friends and family, heartfelt vows, beautiful decor, and a great party! Kaysha Weiner took the most stunning photographs (more on my website). It’s no wonder that Ana and Gina were featured on Equally Wed!

Ana and Gina's Wedding, image by Kaysha Weiner Photography Ana + Gina’s Colorful Rustic Handcrafted Wedding (07*14*12)

Wedding Design + Coordination: Events by Elisa
Stationery: Paper Doll Design | Studio
Photography: Kaysha Weiner Photography
Cake: San Diego Desserts
Cupcakes: Calculated Whisk
Ceremony Music: Ocdamia Strings
Reception Music: DJ Carmin Wong
Hair and Makeup: Charlyn Sanchez

Stacy + Tyler’s Handcrafted Rustic Yellow Wedding

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Elisa

I feel a little silly writing this blog post. You see, in the intervening year and a half since Stacy + Tyler’s wedding, SO MUCH has changed in their lives too (they welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family!). But still, I want to share the celebration, even though it’s taken me much too long to do it. It was a truly beautiful one, and one I loved being a part of. 🙂 And I’m thrilled to say that one of their bridesmaids has just hired me for her wedding later this year!

Stacy + Tyler and I clicked right away. Sometimes you meet a couple and think “Oh, they were nice, I wonder if they’ll hire me?” And other times you walk away saying, “If they don’t hire me I’ll be soooo sad!” Yup, it was the latter. 😉 Luckily they felt the same. 🙂 It helped that their AMAZING wedding photographer (Jenna, from FlutterGlass Photography) referred me to them, of course. That’s why it’s so nice to have a great network – fantastic referrals! 🙂

I did their wedding Coordination and styling, and designed their program and a few hand-drawn signs. But really, I just had a heck of a lot of fun with them. 🙂 And these photos? Well, they really speak for themselves. Just check them out and watch the story of their wedding day unfold!

Stacy + Tyler, I know this is a bit belated, but I loved being your wedding coordinator and I’m so thrilled you let me into your lives! 😉 Hoping we can get A and F together for a play date some time soon! 🙂

Stacy + Tyler’s Handcrafted Rustic Yellow Wedding Vendor Credits:

Coordination and Hand-Drawn Signage: Events by Elisa
Programs: Paper Doll Design | Studio
Photography: flutter glass Photography
Videography: Porcelain Rose Productions
Floral Design: The Bee and the Bobbin Floral Artistry
DJ/Musician: Invisible Touch DJs
Catering/Rentals/Cake: Ranch Events

Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Elisa

This post is long overdue. Like, more than a year.

Yeah, sorry… That happened last year.

Anyway, I’m trying to get back on the blogging bandwagon. Starting here. With one of my favorite photo shoots I’ve done to date. My Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot from June 2012!

This shoot grew out of the Inspired Bridal Bowl table that Desiree of Penny Blooms Floral Design and I did together. We played with moss and wood, added in some pops of white and red, and created a fun and whimsical look. Of course, we had to step it up once we made it a “proper” photo shoot. So we called on a little help from our friends. 🙂

We had no less than ten wedding vendors, a fantastic venue, and a couple of amazing boutiques involved in this shoot, plus a couple of seriously gorgeous models. Throw in perfect San Diego weather, and I guess it’s no wonder that this shoot has been featured on Lover.ly, Every Last Detail, and San Diego Style Weddings!

Melissa Biador snapped these exquisite photographs, and Porcelain Rose Productions filmed the day (linked at the end)… And what a day it was…

Nic.Roc.Designs created some AMAZING stationery (including this fabulous wooden invitation!).

And of course we had a sweets buffet replete with goodies, from the INSANELY beautiful cake (OMG mini frames!) by Hey There, Cupcake!…

To the apple cake pops and cake ball gems by Calculated Whisk…

To the marbled macarons by La Reine des Macarons

To the delectable (and beautiful!) apple pie pops and mini mason jar pies from Wicked Spoon!

Of course, putting it all together was fun…

Then of course there were Desiree’s florals. Seriously, Penny Blooms Floral Design is one of my favorite vendors for a variety of reasons… But one of the biggest is because she isn’t afraid to play around with different ideas, try different things, go out on a limb, and be downright creative. We always talk about creativity and innovation in our business, but Desiree consistently does it. And pushes me to, as well. 🙂

Then we have the flawless makeup and hair by Blush Makeup Artistry and Beth Whitfield:

And the ombre dress – absolute perfection – from Bliss Bride:

And our handsome groom’s suit, from A Better Deal Designer Tuxedo and Suit Rentals:

Of course, our models – Taylor and Ben – aren’t too shabby either.

Scratch that. They are gorgeous!!!!!!

We hung frames and mirrors from the trees…

And cut slits into apples to use as place card holders…

Didn’t skimp out on details…

And even had a little play acting at the end…

Ooh, you can see the edge of her phenomenal dress in this shot! 😉

At the end of the day, we were just seriously blessed by all the stunning pieces to this photo shoot. This is still one of my very favorite projects I’ve gotten to work on. Ever.

We’ve been trying to get the same team back together for another round… But due to unfortunate timing it hasn’t worked out. Cross your fingers for a second fairy tale fabulous photo shoot!

Oh yes… And don’t forget to check out the film!!!!

Snow White: Rustic Styled Shoot from Porcelain Rose Productions on Vimeo.

Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot Vendor Credits:

Planning, Design & Styling: Events by Elisa
Florals, Design & Styling: Penny Blooms Floral Design
Photography: Melissa Biador Photography
Videography: Porcelain Rose Productions
Stationery: Nic.Roc. Designs
Cake: Hey there, Cupcake!
Sweets: Wicked Spoon Desserts, Calculated Whisk, La Reine des Macarons
Makeup: Blush Makeup Artistry By Laura Crivello
Hair: Beth Whitfield
Dress: bliss bride
Suit: A better Deal Tuxedos & Suit Rentals
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals, Hall Weddings + Events
Details: Summer Wind Soy, Sparrow Bridal
Venue: Villa De Flores

Happy Anniversary Alex + Allen!

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Elisa

Oh my goodness, this is EXTREMELY belated!!! I thought I’d hit “schedule” on my post (to post on November 19th) but apparently I didn’t… So this is a month and a half belated! Alex + Allen, I still wish you both a lifetime of happiness and love!

It’s yet another anniversary around here… Last fall I was SO BUSY… The week before this gorgeous wedding I had a baby shower and a 1st birthday party; the day after, I participated in a bridal show! 🙂

I met Alex + Allen through a referral; a friend of mine worked with Alex across campus from my day job. We joked it was the official University wedding, since both Alex + Allen work on campus, as does Jason Almazan, their photographer. The music at the ceremony was provided by one of the campus’ a capella groups, and the sound equipment was provided by another one of the couple’s coworkers.

Alex + Allen are SUCH a joyful, loving couple. They’re both very reserved and quiet, although I wouldn’t say “shy” is the right word to describe them. Both were extremely open, warm, and caring. I’d never done a wedding without dancing before, but none of their guests missed it – they were having too much fun in the photo booth area and giggling and telling stories!

You’ll definitely recognize some of their photos from my website too… Love the energy these two had and this picture of them giggling at their ceremony is still one of my top photos I’ve ever seen of one of my couples. SO much love!!!

Check out more photos from Alex + Allen’s wedding on my blog and website, and while you’re there, look at the amazing review Alex wrote!

Alex + Allen’s Modern Rustic Wedding at Olivenhain Meeting Hall, 11*19*2011 Vendor Details:

Coordination: Events by Elisa
Catering: Jaramillo Catering
Bartending: Stacy’s Events Bartending
Photography: Jason Almazan Photography
Officiant: Ceremonies of the Heart
Ceremony Music: UCSD Dots
Rentals: Classy Party Rentals San Diego
Cake: San Diego Desserts
Florals: Organic Elements
Venue: Olivenhain Meeting Hall

Events by Elisa in PRINT! Our Snow White Shoot Featured in San Diego Style Weddings!!!

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Elisa

Ok, with everything that happened last week I didn’t have a chance to share my other piece of news. This one’s pretty amazing too.

I’ve been published in my first magazine!!!! Now, obviously *I* am not the only one responsible for this amazing shoot (which, again, I promise to share in more detail here!), and, actually I worked very closely with Desiree of Penny Blooms Floral Design to make it gorgeous. There are some INCREDIBLE vendors that gave their all too! But still, it was thrilling to see my business name and the work I am so proud to have done in a magazine!

We got a whole page spread of photographs, beautifully taken by Melissa Biador! (And special thanks to Nikki of Calculated Whisk for sharing this photo – I have my copy of the magazine but keep forgetting to take a photo of the spread!). 🙂

Check it out in the huge 25th Anniversary San Diego Style Weddings magazine (available on newsstands NOW!). 🙂

Our Snow White Shoot – “Get The Look” Feature on Every Last Detail!

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Elisa

Did you catch yesterday’s Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot, featured on Every Last Detail? It’s getting a lot of great attention, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you should. You already did, you say, and you loved it? You’re in luck, then! Lauren is starting a new feature along with photoshoots, and we’re the first ones to get in on the action! She asked me last week if I’d be interested in participating in her new “Get The Look” series, and of course I said yes! I am a big believer in transparency and helping people get the best wedding they can have… So I went back through our receipts to find out the prices for all the pieces we used, and Lauren wrote them up.

We used a mixture of vintage/thrifted pieces and new ones, including mirrors, chargers, and plates from Wal-Mart; moss, wood, and other supplies from Save-on-Crafts and the local flower market; and candle holders (used to hold succulents) from IKEA.

Check out our “Get The Look” feature on Every Last Detail today!

Snow White Shoot Featured on Every Last Detail!

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Elisa

I’ve got to catch up on blogging my own shoots and weddings… But in the mean time, I’m being featured all over the place!!! 🙂 I’m SO thrilled to announce that our Rustic Modern Snow White inspiration shoot (no, it still hasn’t been blogged here, but I promise it will be soon!), photographed by Melissa Biador Photography, is featured today on Every Last Detail! I have to admit that ELD is probably my favorite wedding blog to read (if you follow me on Facebook you’ll notice I do a lot of linking to Lauren’s posts). I was SO thrilled to find out that we were going to be featured!!!

And there is no shortage of gorgeous on the blog today, including the utter fabulosity of the florals by Penny Blooms Floral Design (just… wow), custom stationery by Nic.Roc. Designs, custom cake by Hey There, Cupcake! (seriously… I about fell over when I saw it), as well as the marbled macarons by La Reine des Macarons, the apple pie pops by Wicked Spoon, and the apple cake pops and gemstone cake balls by Calculated Whisk! Lauren even posted a link to the behind-the-scenes video by Porcelain Rose Productions!

I am so happy our hard work (and over 9 months of planning!) paid off with this gorgeous shoot! 🙂 I swear I’ll blog it soon! 😉 Check out the whole shoot feature on Every Last Detail!!! <3!

What I’ve Been Up To Lately…

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Elisa

June was an extremely busy month for me (spilling into the first day of July). I’ve got three more events happening in the next several weeks but I thought that on this beautiful holiday I might share a little taste of what I’ve been involved with over the last month!!! Three styled shoots (including stationery for two) and two weddings (including programs for one and all the stationery for the other) meant a ton of work and very little time off. But look at the gorgeous results!!!

I hope you have a fantastic holiday – I’m off to spend the day with friends and my husband. Be safe!!!

Photo credits:

Rustic Modern Snow White Inspiration Table at the Inspired Bridal Bowl!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Elisa

Last November I was honored to be asked to participate in the second Inspired Events {San Diego} event, the Inspired Bridal Bowl. The intimate bridal show at North County Tavern and Bowl was full of hand-picked vendors from throughout San Diego (all members of the Inspired Network went through a rigorous screening process) and, along with my good friend Desiree from Penny Blooms Floral Design, I was able to design the featured showpiece of the event – a modern rustic table inspired by Snow White!

I’d worked with Desiree a few times already at this point, and when we found out that we’d been assigned to create the tablescape together, we were thrilled! Nothing is better than the synergy created when you’re working with a good friend who also happens to be a creative partner and an excellent match for your creativity. I can’t say enough for working with someone you feel truly comfortable with, to design something greater than you could alone!

At any rate, we started discussing our ideas and Desiree hit on the modern rustic trend (this show actually took place the day after Alex + Allen’s wedding, but we started planning before Alex hired me – by luck it was a modern rustic weekend!). We started thinking of moss and pine trees and acorns and… The table just sort of built itself. And then I realized that I’d already done a table based on a fairy tale – my Vintage Cinderella table at the Alfred Angelo show last year. I guess maybe I’ll always be a dreamer at heart?

We were working with an oversized table – a pool table, to be exact (huge thank you to my husband who stood in line at Home Depot for an hour the day of the show to get the large piece of plywood we used to create a flat surface, and then brought it to us in the rain!). And an oddly-lit room with lots of busyness behind and around the table, since the bowling alley itself has large windows that look out onto the mall. That said, I think that the photos taken by Stacy and Melissa of Sunday Romance Photography give you a taste of this stunning table. And we just might have another taste of it coming up in a few months. 😉

Of course Desiree and I worked together on the design. She also created the gorgeous floral arrangements (including the fantastic birch-wrapped bouquet!!!). We also got amazing support from our friends at Classy Covers and Calculated Whisk. We also made a new friend – the incredible Nicole of paper | scissors | print, who provided us with gorgeous stationery!

So without further ado… The photos by Sunday Romance Photography!!!

First, the whole table. Desiree and I spent lots and lots of hours searching for just the right pieces (like our mismatched flatware and glasses, and our fantastic “wood” chargers!

And the details… Like Desiree’s STUNNING birch-wrapped bouquet and the arrangements in hollowed-out pieces of wood:

And the stationery Nicole created for us! She’s truly an artist, and came up with this amazing design with just the words “modern rustic.” Love her!

Nicki of Calculated Whisk created the cutest little apple cake pops for us!

And the most.incredible.gem-shaped cake balls. Seriously they were perfect. Everyone was amazed that they were cake!

More details! Desiree and I had a fantastic time decking out the table with whimsical elements! I adore the moss runners and the little moss squirrels and rabbits, as well as the little acorns we scattered like jewels. 🙂

You’d never know that this entire place setting (not including the napkin, generously provided by Classy Covers) cost under $5 to buy.

I’m so happy to finally be able to share these with you! Next up, more photos from the Inspired Bridal Bowl!

Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Table at the Inspired Bridal Bowl Details:

Design: Events by Elisa and Penny Blooms Floral Design
Florals: Penny Blooms Floral Design
Cake Pops/Balls: Calculated Whisk
Linens: Classy Covers
Stationery: paper | scissors | print
Photography: Sunday Romance Photography

Alex + Allen’s Modern Rustic Wedding at Olivenhain Meeting Hall, 11192011

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Elisa

Alex was referred to me by my old coworker Tanya. She had worked alongside me for over a year back in my former life as a gala planner, and she now works in the same office as Alex. It turned out that over half of the vendors involved in her modern rustic wedding (held in a building over 100 years old!) are connected to my alma mater (which also happens to be where Alex and Allen both work)! Go Tritons!

Alex is gentle and graceful. She moves softly, like a cat, but has a sparkling smile. And she brought all her vendor contracts, plus a layout of the venue, to our initial meeting! Mind you, there was only a month to go before the wedding, but I was super impressed!

Jason Almazan took some great photos of the day (especially in the challenging lighting conditions of the century-old meeting hall), including one of my favorite photos of any of my clients (which we’ll get to in a bit). Organic Elements created the most amazing sculptural pieces from driftwood and flowers, and Classic Party Rentals provided the backbone – tables, chairs, linens, and lighting (I *heart* festival lights!).

I think after last week’s especially long-winded post, I’d rather let the photos of this elegant, modern rustic wedding speak for themselves… So without (much) further chatter… The pretty photos!!!

OMG – look at that SMILE! And Alex made that brooch bouquet herself! 🙂

Alex and Allen wanted to incorporate seven traditions for marriage (from different cultures) into their wedding, so they drank wine together and smashed a glass, among other things.

And the bridesmaids surprised Alex by coming to the venue early the morning of the wedding to decorate the ceremony space with chalk!

Can I just pause for a second and say how much I adore these two? And how absolutely the two of them together radiate love? They are so open, so giving, and so generous. I didn’t even meet Allen until the day of the wedding (they chose to go rehearsal-less), and by the end of the night he gave me a huge bear hug. Just seeing these photos makes me so happy.

And this next photo? This is one of my favorites. Ever. Of any of my couples. I just adore the expression. The pure happiness. The couple who is so at ease with each other. Bliss.

The ceremony was over – and now it was time to party! This reception was pretty relaxed, since the venue won’t allow dancing on its antique floors. But we did set up a DIY photo booth using my props. Everyone enjoyed it!

A beautiful reception it was, too. It’s an incredibly small venue, but Alex and Allen made great use of the space available, including the benches along the walls, for seating. Each table was decorated with flower-dotted driftwood and battery-operated candles (open flames aren’t permitted inside the old structure either).

What a great group of guests this was – they didn’t mind not dancing one bit… Instead, it felt like a party at someone’s house, with everyone talking and laughing until long after the official party “ended.”