Inspiration Board: A taste of Spanish Vogue

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Inspiration: Spanish Vogue
(Above: Photos by Alexi Lubomirski via Vogue Germany Dec ‘08)
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Colors: Plum, Pomegranate, Fire Orange and Lilac
image from WeddingNouveau
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Engagement Session: we heart balloons

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Fantastic images of the engagement session from photographer Josh Goleman

Another balloon series…but this time, it’s water balloons!

This engagement session shot by Daniel Kiyoi brings back sweet childhood memories of summer. Hoping the trend catches on quickly, because I am loving this. The energy they give off in these photos is amazing.

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

Water Balloon engagement session save the date idea

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Inspiration: Bohemian Chic

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We love the design of this chic boho and vintage inspired wedding styled by North Carolina event designer Elissa Keno and photographed by the talented Kellie Kano. The colorful palette of turquoise and sunny yellow on a base of neutrals is the perfect wedding palette for a bright and cheery spring wedding. Classic pink, white and yellow roses were given a modern and updated look with a bold pairing of succulents and feather details by florist Tre Bella while still keeping with the whimsical wedding design. From the burlap table runner and succulent centerpieces to the vintage turquoise doorknobs and colored glass bottles, the rustic tablescape was the perfect mixture of vintage and organic elements.

Credits:
Photography: Kellie Kano Photography. Styling: Elissa Keno. Gown: Junko Yoshioka from Tre Bella. Bouquet: Tre Bella.

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Fashion Trends: Boleros

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We seriously love the boleros of independent Irish fashion label Bonzie. With a romantic vintage feel each piece is infused with an artful blend of tattered chic, neovictorian, steampunk and deconstructed elements that we adore.

We’ve posted a few of our favorite Bonzie designs but you can visit the Bonzie etsy shop to see the latest available pieces and visit their blog for some more wedding day inspiration!

Here is a beautiful soft platinum marabou feather stole from Cassin. The bride’s dress is silver-blue taffeta with beaded lace at Eternity Birde.

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Lighted Wedding Dress.

Two words: So Cool.

It’s a wedding dress that runs on 4 AAA batteries.  This design is Project Runway worthy for the designer’s (Alison Lewis) innovation.

There’s no way you can miss the bride–she’s glowing, literally.

Trend-spotting: Macaroons & Macarons

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Make your special day a little sweeter with Macarons

Ah yes, the macaron. These pretty little French pastries have definitely grown in popularity. They are the perfect size for wedding favors and since they’re so colorful (each flavor having it’s own distinct hue), they’re the perfect addition to the ever popular dessert bar.

wedding macaron

(images above: row 1: Our Labor of Love | row 2: Martha Stewart)

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Macarons are delicate French pastries that date back to the 18th Century. These sandwich-like pastries are often filled with a sweet cream or ganache. Paulette is an exquisite bakery housed in both Beverly Hills and San Francisco that creates these delicate Parisian sweets. Out East there has been a trend toward giving these as wedding favors in a sweet little box. Why not consider using these tasty treats as the main dessert at the reception? Paulette offers some classic flavors and many innovative specialties, as well. Très chic!

Perfect for any occasion, these round meringue-like domes have a flat base, making them perfect for stacking and creating the most unique presentations.

Worried that our Macarons will upstage your wedding cake?  They also make unique wedding favors that you can leave with your guests.

Joie Patisserie

macaron wedding favors

row 1: Martha StewartAruna B. Photography
row 2: Lisa LefkowitzAllison C. Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

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Sex and the City Girls Who Know How to Party

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On February 23rd, 4 girls of the BD’s team had a wonderful time to celebrate our anniversary by having our own “sex and the city photo shoot” plus a small party with our wedding industry friends. It was kind of hectic to host our own party, to have the photo shoot done and to prep all the food for 16 guests all in one day. But it sure was well worth it!

It all started with a small idea of planning a photo shoot last year. When I met with Natalie who captured our day beautifully, I told her I wanted something different for our shoot with a cool l and be totally fun! She immediately got excited and suggested to use some props.

After I got settled into a new office, I started planning our photo shoot and the party.  First of all, just like any other planning, I started with developing an overall theme and concept…after that everything was all downhill…:

1) Theme & concept – “Chic, modern & fun” / ‘Sex and the City’ girls who know how to party”

2) Location – “Rooftop of BD’s office over looking the City of Angels.”

3) Date & time – February 23rd, during sunset 5-6:30pm

4) Numbers of participants – Four girls of Bella Destinee, the creative coordinators + 12 guests

5) Color Palette – In various shades of popular wedding colors – Pink, Purple, White & Peach

6) Rentals & featured wedding props – Enzoani Wedding Gown & 2 birdcage veils from Galleria Wedding, Beautiful flower arrangements & bouquet from Design by Ashley, perfect lighting & linens by Flowers on Mars, gorgeous boutonnieres & purple bouquet from My wedding blooms and a modern Chair.

7) Invitation – Evite

8) Make up & Hair by Galleria Wedding

9) Grocery shopping then some cooking

10) Gift shopping

11) Set up (Linens, lighting, food – flavors of New York, gifts and perfect music to set the tone)

With Bellatini

Over the past 5 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with the most talented and incredible people. In every wedding we’ve set out to create, the vendors come together and collaborate on almost each aspect. It is truly a team effort – I’m happy to say – with each mind bringing unique and amazing ideas to the table. I have to admit not only am I SO lucky to work with these folks but I have THE BEST time doing it!!

Thank you everyone for always going extra mile for making my bride and groom happy!

Thank you our Bella Destinee team for all your help and support. I seriously could not have done it without you guys.

I’ll post more of the party details soon so come back soon!

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Our BLOG

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We would like to thank all the readers who have been following the blog. With the New Year now upon us, we want to introduce a new concept that will be soon implemented – themed days. Each day of the week will reflect a certain topic such as latest trends, resources, and more. We hope you will find our personal insights helpful and relevant and visit our page frequently.

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SMTWTFS

Resource Mondays – start your week right with some help to plan your event

Trend Tuesdays – latest and most recent in current style

Inspiration Wednesdays – something to keep you going and that will last you until the end of the week

Open Thursdays – posts on a variety of topics

Love Fridays – things we fall head over heels for

Splurge Saturdays – while we work hard, we play hard — it’s good to treat ourselves from time to time

Zen Sundays – life is always about balance, we take a look at things that help keep us at peace and in the right state of mind

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We are looking forward to what this year will bring us. There are some big events that we have in stored for our readers and designs are already in progress for them. We can’t wait to share them with you and welcome any feedback or comment you may have for us. The devotion, passion and love for our work remain strong and we hope you will see that in what we showcase.

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May you and yours have tremendous blessings of love and happiness in this new decade.

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White, Wedding, Romantic

Image by Geoff White

Wedding, Purple, Farm, Nicole mark

Image by Gene Higa

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Festival of Brides at Terranea Resort

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This past weekend we had the pleasure of working with a few of our favorite vendors for the Festival of Brides event at Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. Let me start by saying, if you haven’t taken a trip down to Terranea yet…it’s well worth it! The grounds are beautiful and the ocean views are breathtaking! Its a great weekend destination for your wedding.

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The first thing you notice about Terranea is the setting: broad tawny cliffs, rolling cobalt ocean, and multiple terraces carved out for saline-treated pools, restaurant patios and walking paths. The 582-room property just opened in June after 12 years of planning to create a resort that would enhance, rather than exploit, the surrounding community. The end result was a success — Terranea’s eco initiatives, including landscaping with succulents and installing a rain-filtration system, have helped conserve California’s limited water supply and actually cleaned up the ocean (much to neighbors’ delight). Airy guest-room balconies, as well as public spaces, make the most of the vista, and furnishings are earthy and inviting.

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The event space


The Catalina Lawn (seats 200) is the favored ceremony site; perched on a cliff, it affords regular sightings of dolphins and whales, and its trellis is easily dressed up with strings of orchids that flutter in the breeze. From there, wedding parties move to the Catalina Terrace for cocktail hour (outdoor lounges, complete with fire pits and cozy cabanas, are a popular addition). Next door, the Catalina Room effortlessly conforms to any reception theme, thanks to its muted color scheme. All three venues are within walking distance of one another and boast killer ocean views.

Image by Boutwell Studio

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Discovery Trail

This two-mile oceanfront path, which starts at Nelson’s restaurant and winds its way down to the resort’s sheltered beach, was as scenic as it was refreshing. I couldn’t help but stop every few yards to admire the breakers and distant outline of Catalina Island.

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From the show

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The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.

The Ritz-Carlton is here!!! In Los Angeles!!!

The building’s architecture is futuristic and so chic!

If you are looking for an urban/regal wedding or celebration venue, the Ritz is the perfect venue for your wedding!!!

Interesting facts about the new Ritz in LA:

- Guest check-in is on the 23rd floor.

- Located only blocks away from the sports/entertainment center: Staples Center, Nokia Theatre, and the Grammy Museum.

- Lobby lounge and restaurant is on the 24th floor, 2 floors down from the fitness center located on the 26th floor with amazing panoramic city views.

- The hotel is a 54 story-tower.

- Took 4 years to renovate from its previous LA Live Hilton Hotel.

- Connected with the Marriott Marquis hotel.

- Has over 77,000 square feet of ballrooms and meeting rooms (offering the most efficient meeting space/venue in Downtown, LA)!!!!

February 15th was the hotels grand opening and it is open and ready for many many wonderful and fabulous weddings/celebrations to be held in its new facilities.

Check it out!