Thursday
Feb232012

Design Crush: RockaBella Jewels

Having just spent the past few weeks in Maui {my former home} I couldn't help but notice all the island girls were donning puka shells on long gold chains. Although shell jewelry tends to have a tacky side to it, I didn't mind the look at all. I even gifted my bridesmaids RockaBella's puka shell gold bangles and purchased the gold-dipped sharks tooth charm for myself. Kristel, the designer behind RockaBella Jewels, works from her home studio on Maui where she has lived for the past 17 years. She finds inspiration in the ocean. "I am facinated by Peahi, or jaws— the misconception and respect for sharks is where the shark teeth come in. My obsession with pearls and shells is tied to the healing properties of gemstones," she says.

"I want to create jewlery that holds memories. I use letterpress keys to stamp coordinates on gold and silver coins and bars to connect on a new level with my customers— only we know where the location is or the personal stories behind them." She prefers to work with gold in its many forms "to show the versitility of the metal— hammered for an organic effect to dripping off shells and stones like they just got out of the water."

 

Shop RockaBella here.

Wednesday
Feb222012

A Studio Love Shoot with Neon Brights

There is something refreshing about a studio engagement session, especially one dotted in brights! Patty, the bride to be, came across an awesome set of photos of a Holi Powder fight in a small town in India. {Called the Festival of Colors, Holi is a popular springtime festival observed on the last full moon of the lunar month in India). "The colors left me stunned and it instantly became our peg for our engagement shoot. We wanted it to be colorful, playful, and happy-happy-joy-joy!" We think they succeeded. 

Patty said, "Mangored photography is a breath of fresh air. Their style is never contrived or stiff. Even just talking to them in between takes put us both at ease. They let us play around and be ourselves throughout the shoot. It didn’t feel like a photo shoot at all. It was more like Patrick and I went on a date and they just tagged along… with their cameras."

Photography by Mangored
Stylist: Bianca Santiago-Reinoso
Make-up: Jasmine Mendiola

Monday
Feb202012

Ask a Member: Megan + Emily of Enjoy Events Co.

Megan and Emily are the wedding planners and designers behind Enjoy Events Co. based in California's East Bay. They share a unique design sense and enjoy combing flea markets and boutiques around Northern California to find cool materials to repurpose for each singular event. We appreciate their down-to-earth spirit and are so very excited to include them among The Collection Event Studio's planner resources list!

Enjoy Events Co. was recently invited to participate in The Cream Event, Los Angeles on March 1st at the book bindery building! Get your hands on tickets here. And now, a fun little Q+A with the ladies.

Describe California wedding style in 3 words. Organic, Ecletic and Fresh.

What is the best thing about living in California. We kind of love everything about our good old state! It has everything under the sun!

What's the first thing you do when you get home after working?
Work some more. No...we show love to our four-;egged friends as we both have dogs and cats that are part of the family!

Best piece of advice you can give to a bride?
Trust your wedding vendors and enjoy the moment. 

Tell us about your dream wedding venue and why.
We are both obsessed with two different kinds of looks; We love the look of an urban, repurposed industrial space. Those exposed brick walls get us every time. And second, we always dream of having an event set on a big open field with that perfect organic touch.

What is your favorite cocktail?
Anything Gimlet, basil, cucumber, you name it. And Rye Manhattan!

What is your current obsession?
Mid-century modern furniture.

This, of course, was one of our all-time favorite weddings of 2011, captured by W. Scott Chester and featured on 100 Layer Cake. It is no surprise as we love Edison lights and Durham Ranch in St. Helena is an amazing venue. The ladies said, "We began the design process by getting to know the ins and outs of the design in Chandler and John's home. Chandler said she had multiple blue walls, that they love color and texture mixed with clean lines and that she loves the combination of soft and textural elements. As we got to know John, we learned of his inherent acting skills and his participation in the film community {how could we not play off of that?}"

"The outcome was an intimate celebration with sophistication and some eclectic charm. We really wanted the barn to feel like a swanky restaurant. The white interior of the barn allows for diversified design choices but with taller-than-tall ceilings the challenge arises of how to make the environment feel more intimate, especially with 85 guests. What to do? Hang lights at eye level down above the tables, project a larger than life film on the wall, bring in warmth with the flowers and place settings and provide a blanket for each couple to cozy up with."

{Venue: Durham Ranch w/ Paula Le Duc Fine Catering; Planning + Design:  Enjoy Events Co.; Catering:  Paula Le Duc Fine Catering; Photography: W. Scott Chester; Videography: Austin Hendrix Productions; Flowers: Florali; Lighting + Projection: Got Light?; Trio: Le Jazz Hot; DJ: DJ Dukes; Rentals:  Classic Party Rentals + La Tavola Linens; Vintage Rentals: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals; Pillows: Mignonne Decor + La Tavola Linens; Blankets: All Organic Textiles; Calligraphy: Kathy Lee; Hair+Makeup: Audrey and Stella}

Emily and Megan styled Emarie of The Collection's Big Barn Bash for her 30th birthday party in her hometown of Winters, California. They properly outfitted the barn in a down-home vibe. "We used lots of blues and indigo hues and tons of recycled elements like doors, quilts jars and tin cans," Megan says. "Because it was in a barn we wanted the concept to blend but still seem slightly staged." Partygoers could grab a hat from the "cowboy hat wall," dance to the band under the hanging mason jar lights and lantern installments or grab some grub and sit on the hay bail makeshift tables.

{Venue: The Farm on Putah Creek; Photography by Scott Andrew Studio; Event Design: Enjoy Events Co.; Flower Design: Enjoy Events Co.; Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen; Catering: Buckhorn Catering; Cake: Inticing Creations; Dessert bar by Emarie's fabulous mother-in-law & Aunt-in-law;Live Band: Hardwater; DJ: DJ Sol}

A perfectly whimsical wedding in the foggy mountains of Mt. Tamalpais captured by Delbarr Moradi Photography with day-of coordination by Emily of Enjoy Events Co, featured on Ruffled.

{Venue: Mt. Tamalpais; Wedding Photographer: Delbarr Moradi Photography; Day-of Coordination: Emily Read Bentley of Enjoy Events Co. ; Wedding Dress: Coan Couture; Bride’s Headband: Mignonne; Bride’s Velvet Bed Jacket: Lacis; Groom’s Suit: Maxwell’s Clothiers; Groom’s Shirt and Tie: Sean; Makeup: Paige Howie; Hair: Diane Beaver of Solid Gold Salon; Wedding Flowers: Ingrid Shoemaker of Blume Designs; Wedding Caterer: Sage Catering; Wedding Cake: Susie Cakes; Stationery: Printable Press}

It's all in the details: A gorgeous streamer archway designed by Enjoy Events Co. captured by Delbarr Moradi at taber ranch; succulents in mini mason jars line the tables at the Big Barn Bash; poppy bright watercolor escort cards let guests know where to take to their seat, captured by Delbarr Moradi; Enjoy Events Co. is known for bringing the indoors outside. Here, indio-printed pillows set the scene; Wildflowers placed in vintage bottles.

Enjoy Events Co. are members of The Collection Event Studio. Say hello here.

Friday
Feb172012

Fall In Love with A Soolip Wedding

A Soolip Wedding 

Sunday February 26th, 2012
11am - 3pm


Attention San Francisco brides-to-be!! The wedding showcase of the year is here again. A Soolip Wedding is the best San Francisco Bridal show the city has to offer and its coming in full force. The Second Annual event is taking over the historic Bently Reserve on Battery Street once again for an afternoon of expert panel discusions, glamorous gowns and delicious food. Cake and Champage tasting? Yes, please!

Fashion show featuring gowns by Jin Wang and floral beauty by Kathleen Deery Design

 

VENDOR AND SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS

Lighting | GOT LIGHT?

Music | ENTIRE PRODUCTIONS

Food | Collection Member PAULA LE DUC

Cakes | PERFECT ENDINGS

Linens | Collection Member LA TAVOLA FINE LINENS

Rentals | Collection Member CLASSIC PARTY RENTALS

Photography | JEN O'SULLIVAN AND FILM FOTO FUSION

Floral | KATHLEEN DEERY DESIGN AND KRISTA JON

More | MARAVILLA GARDENS, JLM COUTURE, VEEV ACAI SPIRIT, BLACK, STAR AND FROST, THE KNOT, UTTERLY ENGAGEDC MAGAZINE, VICEROY HOTEL GROUP, BEL-AIR BAY CLUB


Wednesday
Feb152012

A Love Shoot in Paris

Sweethearts Cedric and Maeva were photographed by Alban Desloyal in Paris for their wedding announcement. On a trip to London celebrating their nine year anniversary, the pair naturally began to dream about their own wedding and how to celebrate nearly a decade of love. They opted for a civil ceremony in Paris surrounded by their closest friends followed by high tea by the canal Saint Martin and a bicycle ride around Paris. Sounds lovely, no? This summer they plan to take their family along with a bigger circle of friends to a bed and breakfast in the French Alps for a grand celebration.

Photography by Alban Desloyal

Tuesday
Feb142012

Color Crush: Candy Red + Rose 

{1. Girl with Balloons via We Heart It, 2. Ombre Peonies via La Mignonette, 3. Heart Milk Cubes via A Subtle Revelry, 4. Vintage Heart Purse via Fancy Fine, 5. White Chocolate Cheesecake here, 6. Bottega Veneta Silk Chiffon Dress via Net-a-Porter, 7. Love Matches via Pinterest, 8. Heart Tote via Design Love Fest, 8. Red Velvet Hot Chocolate via A Beautiful Mess}

Monday
Feb132012

Valentine's Day Handmade Gift Packaging

We are dedicating this week to love and not just because Hallmark pressured us into it. It's a beautiful concept— setting aside one day to simply share your love for friends, family and that sweetheart in your life. So in typical DIY fashion, we've rounded up the cutest gift packaging ideas for all of your last-minute crafting needs.

{Love filled felt fortune cookie via The Wonder Forest; Warm someone up by adding a handwritten note to a heart-shaped tea bag via Martha Stewart; Love You More Valentines Day brown lunch bag printable via The Sweetest Occasion; Let's Make Butter and Spread the Love printable labels via Maize Hutton; My Little Valentine Matchbook boxes filled with candy via Inchmark; Made with Love cookie label unknown; Valentine's Day brownie bag via Twig & Thistle. She sells the glassine bags in her Etsy shop, too!}

Thursday
Feb092012

Style Crush: Muted Stripes

With spring just around the corner, we find ourselves reaching for a little something that reflects the warmer seasons. Stipes are such a classic, but in yummy, earthy hues we can enjoy the coming season a little sooner, even if we're still bundled in scarves and boots. 

 Cotton Dress from Madewell; Woven rug from Pottery Barn; Bag from Madewell via Shopbop; Birthday Hatch Card from Snow & Graham; Citris Stripe mug from Crate and Barrel; Cotton Tie-back Tank from Anthropologie; Scarf packaging courtesy of Parcel Post.