Alicia & Jason

I have been wanting to blog this wedding for months and months! Things have been crazy and honestly I couldn’t narrow down what photos I wanted to post. They were all too good! Thank you Leanna Annunziato for your beautiful work and helping me get this post up! This wedding is very special to me because the Bride & Groom are special to me. I have known them since high school and working with people you are close to is such a different experience. Alicia was very clear on what she wanted the wedding to look and feel like and I wanted to surpass her expectations. The wedding was held at the Groom’s parent’s home and Alicia didn’t want it to feel like any party they had in the past, for obvious reasons. We wanted the guests to come in and feel like it was an outdoor ballroom. When you have an estate or backyard wedding, the options are endless and you can transform the space to look anyway you want it to. A little draping goes a long way! Guests signed oversized bottles of champagne with well wishes for the Bride and Groom when the entered and we chose lots of gold accents (my favorite) and the most amazing vintage pieces from Found. One of my favorite parts of planning was going to the Found warehouse with Alicia to choose all the rentals for the wedding. It made me very excited to see all of the decor come together. I did all of the floral design to fill the tables, along with brass candelabras and a mixture of votives and bud vases. Almost every decor detail for this wedding was custom, the sequin sweetheart linen, lace table runners, welcome sign, table numbers,  and a huge frame for the wedding cake backdrop, it was my surprise to Alicia. The speeches at a wedding are usually my favorite part, you can really learn so much about the couple and how their friends and family feel on such an important day and they had some of the best speeches I’ve heard. Just a little side note 🙂 It was the most beautiful (and hot!) day and I couldn’t be happier for them. They are an amazing couple! Cheers to Alicia and Jason! XO

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/80526702″>Alicia and Jason Wedding Highlight Film</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/stockhammedia”>Stockham Media</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

 

Photography: Portraits by Leanna – Leanna Annunziato

Videography – Stockham Media Weddings

DJ – Entertainment Express

Coordination, Florals and Design – Samantha Dapper

Email for additional vendors

 

 

Paul & Brooke – Great Gatsby Inspired Wedding

I featured photos from this wedding a few months back in a previous post, but these are from the lead photographer that day…and it’s another reason to showcase this gorgeous wedding! Thank you to Gavrielle Graham Photography for sending me so many beautiful images that captured such an amazing day!

Every wedding is so different from each other and this event was no exception. No matter how much you prepare, something always happens. On this day it was RAIN. Pouring rain…all day long. There was a small percentage of rain in the forecast so we tried holding off on tenting the dinner area, but on the morning of the wedding the rain never stopped. Thanks to the most amazing rental team, a tent was put up in record time and the set-up continued. My right hand man Alyssa Martinez Photography was there shooting details and helping with the other hundred finishing touches and I couldn’t have done it without her.

All in all, the dinner tent was stunning and so intimate and the rain never put a damper on the dancing. It was truly one of the most fun receptions I had ever seen. If you want your dance floor full for the entire evening, please contact Robert at Platinum Peaks Entertainment…one of the best in the biz and too much fun to work with!

For the decor, the Bride and I decided on a nod to the 1920’s mixing bold black with mixed metals. It was sophisticated, while also being a little whimsical…my favorite. Hope you enjoy these beautiful photos! XO

Event Design/Styling/Floral Design – Samantha Dapper

Entertainment – Platinum Peaks

Photography – Gavrielle Graham Photography

Rentals – All Occasion Rentals

Featured: Urban Style Blog

One of my trends for 2013 has been featured on Urban Style blog! Make sure you go check it out! XO

Roaring 20’s! 2013 Trends: Day 5

My 5 day countdown has come to an end and I had to go out with a bang! I am obsessed with the 1920’s right now so it had to be one of my top trends. Everything about the style is fabulous. It’s all so decadent and over the top. There are so many different things you can pull from this trend and that is what makes it amazing. Mixed metals and Art Deco can be made very modern and could be the perfect addition to your wedding decor.

The point I always stress is that trends are great, but you have to find a way to make them your own. The glitz, fashion, and decor of the 20’s provides a plethora of ideas to go off of…How about jazz music playing during cocktail hour, a champagne tower to great your guests as they enter the reception, and candelabras lining your dining tables? Find the elements that you like best, and use that as your starting point. I am hoping that clients will want to increase the glam and nod back to an era of extravagant style. Your wedding will probably be the biggest party you ever throw, so why not dial up the splendor!

This post is also a tease of what’s to come! I am working on a 1920’s inspired styled shoot that will be posted in March and I cannot wait to feature it! Also, thank you to Alyssa Marie Photography for being my wingman during this countdown! I couldn’t have done it without your amazing talent!

So…in the meantime, throw up some confetti, sip on Champagne and enjoy!

Styling: Samantha Dapper

Photography: Alyssa Marie Photography

Let’s get Nautical! 2013 Trends: Day 4

One of the most popular wedding styles is a beach theme. It is casual and is a very easy look to create. Instead of the usual sand and shells, go nautical! It is timeless and gives an upscale feel to your event. Add subtle details like rope and anchors to compliment your wedding aesthetic and not overwhelm it. Modernize your decor with classic white vases and candle holders. They are pieces that will always be in style! Bon voyage!

Styling: Samantha Dapper

Photography: Alyssa Marie Photography 

Headpieces! 2013 Trends: Day 3

I am all about creative ways to dress up the bridal party. They should…almost…look as fabulous as the Bride & Groom. Once again, get creative with the accessories. I LOVE unique headpieces. Don’t get stuck with the traditional bouquets and up-dos. Embellished head bands and floral headwear are unexpected and so chic. Floral bouquets are gorgeous, but they get placed on a table after the ceremony. Design them on a smaller scale and put your money into something that makes more of an impact. Your wedding photos last forever and you want everyone in them to look like a stunner. XO.

Styling: Samantha Dapper

Photography: Alyssa Marie Photography

Bottoms up! 2013 Trends: Day 2

Cocktails! Who doesn’t love them? You know what they say about first impressions and drinks are the PERFECT opportunity to set the tone for your reception. It is one of the first things your guests will notice about your personal style and event decor. Play it up and have fun with it! Signature cocktails are also very cost effective if you aren’t hosting an open bar. By selecting one or two signature drinks, you give your guests the opportunity to drink a liquor option, besides the obvious beer and wine. It is even more special if the drink is one of your personal favorites.

At a wedding…everything matters, even the smallest detail can make a big statement. Take another minute to pick out a straw, swizzle stick or garnish!

Cheers!

Event Decor & Styling: Samantha Dapper

Photography: Alyssa Marie Photography

 

Bright Centerpieces! 2013 Trends: Day 1

Bright Centerpieces!

A huge trend in 2012 was soft, romantic and muted colors. Tablescapes featured combinations of blush, beige, and tan. It can be very beautiful, but sometimes a lot of details can be lost with layers and layers of the same tones. Nothing has the chance to pop! I am sure the rustic-chic décor will be here to stay for at least a little longer so I hope brides will be open to more color! Your centerpieces should be bold and intriguing for your guests to look at. That’s what they are there for! You can still do the beige and blush that everyone loves, but add a pop of fuchsia or yellow. It doesn’t have to be the focal point, but it adds much-needed dimension.

With the help of Alyssa Marie Photography, I put my spin on three tablescapes that are both classic and on trend.

::Rustic-Chic::

I had no idea how many people love mason jars, but they do! Let me remind you that there are many different rustic container options out there. So lets switch it up a little (milk glass, wooden boxes, vintage liquor bottles).  I used a rustic wooden box with a hand-painted chevron runner. I love the contrast of the old and new together. I love how noticeable the centerpiece is on the table. It is fun and playful and it has a lot of impact, which is what every wedding needs! The arrangement is filled with yellow and coral roses, yellow “billy balls” and yellow ranunculus. Each place setting has a mason jar, for those of you who love them 🙂 Mason jars are super cute for drinking stations and are definitely cost effective, if they are your guest’s designated glass for the evening. I also chose an edible mini-wedding cake favor for this display. I almost always suggest an edible favor. It saves you money and it is something that your guests will definitely enjoy. Most favors are an added cost that is very unnecessary and your guest will probably never use. So get creative! What is your favorite snack or treat together? Make it personal to you!

::Classic-Elegant::

I love a centerpiece that has a lot of layers. The more flowers and candles for me, the better! My current obsession is banquet tables. Having décor run all along the table makes me very happy 🙂 And there are so many options! You aren’t designated to one centerpiece and 6 votive candles per table like a traditional wedding. You can do whatever you want. Mixtures of high and low centerpieces are my favorite, with bud vases scattered in between. It really makes your guests feel like there are having a real dining experience.

For this tablescape I used a vintage decanter, a mixture of mercury glass, with tapered and votive candles. I love combining different textures and prints. I used a silver sequin linen with a thin black and white stripe napkin in a bow fold on the china. This is a very traditional and popular combination of black white and silver. I used the pop of lavender and fuchsia in the flowers for the contrast. The vases are filled with stock, anemones and dahlias.

::Bright-Bold::

The brighter and more detail the better! Using soft tones like beige and gold are beautiful together. When you add contrast colors like aqua and pink to it, it POPS! Of course too much color together is not always a great thing, but when done right it’s gorgeous and can make your wedding décor so much fun. I tell all my couples that their wedding décor should reflect who they are and what they love. Your guests should come to your wedding and pick up your style immediately. It should really remind them of you two.

For this tablescape I used an aqua lattice-patterned runner as the contrast to my focal point arrangement. Again, find something with a lot of impact and not a lot of space. I used three different size vases for my pink ombré floral arrangement. The vases are filled with different shades of pink roses, ranunculus, and stock. I used patterned votive holders for a more playful feel against the traditional gold and beige tones. There is also a sparkler at each place setting for a sparkly send-off; of course 🙂 I chose a boxed macaron favor for this setting. They are delicious and so cute! I also added a set of wine and toasting flutes. It is nice when they are non-descript and can be enjoyed again, instead of being packed away when the wedding is over.

Trends can be great, but find a way to make it your own. As corny as it sounds, your wedding décor should be as unique as you are. If you see an idea you like, that’s great, but think of a way to put a twist on it…and don’t be afraid to add some color 🙂 XO

Event Styling and Floral Decor: Samantha Dapper

Photography: Alyssa Marie Photography 

Vibiana LA

This past weekend I had the opportunity to coordinate the most fabulous wedding…ever. It was literally a dream. Planning this wedding over the last 9 months has been the most amazing experience. Christine and I have such similar taste, so seeing all the decor come together was so exciting! I am honestly sad that the planning is over!

I snapped a few photos on my phone, which do not do this wedding justice! I will be doing a longer post when I receive the professional photo so you can see all the details and so I can share this wedding story! Enjoy for now!

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Hanna!

XO