It's All In The Kiss

Ahhh the kiss :)! The sweet, delectable, spine-tingling first kiss as husband and wife. The moment that all your guests have been waiting for and the million dollar money shot that will be framed and placed in your living room for all the world to see. Even though you kiss your guy everyday and don't even think twice about it, once you have a hundred pairs of eyes watching you, it's amazing how anxious this first kiss can make you feel. So here is my advice to all you beautiful brides, practice your first kiss! You're not going to hear your fiance complaining about this part of the wedding!

I just wanted to share some of my couple's beautiful first kiss moments, I dare you to even do the dip kiss like Anya and Josh!

 

(Photography by Eric Curtis)

(Photography by Mark Kuroda)

(Photography by Ben Hoffman from Two Sparrows) 

(Photo by Amy Williams Photography)

(Photography by Docuvitae)

Seriously, practice the way each of your heads will go, I know this sounds silly but nothing's more silly than a teeth-clashing head-butting, awkward first kiss photo that you know will show up on Facebook.

Love,
Charley

Too Hot to Handle!

Watching the Emmys this past weekend started me thinking about bridesmaid trends for 2012 and with all the fabulous red and coral dresses that were on the red carpet. I'm thinking that perhaps brides might be bold and go for these gorgeous hot, vibrant, and oh so pretty colors. 

Best dressed at the Emmys for me was Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang. What a stunning bridesmaid dress that would be!

 

(via bellasugar.com)

Here are some other pretty and a bit more non-scene stealing bridesmaid dresses in my trend prediction colors for next year.

 

(via morilee.com)

(via FashionClothing.com)

 (via bestbridalprices.com)

(via frenchnovelty.com)

Is hot red and coral too bold for you or do you think you can handle the sizzle?

Love,
Charley

Tantalizing Tuesday: Headpieces

This year I haven't had a lot of brides wear the princess tiara. At least 50% haven't even chosen to wear a veil. I have noticed that the trend has been more towards the headband and even the fascinator with the birdcage veil. Even the stunning Cartier "halo" tiara that Kate Middleton wore was beautifully understated and more like a headband. Its fun, its modern, and can be worn at the beach or at the palace. I also love anything with feathers and sparkles. Here are some fun and fabulous hair pieces that I am loving right now.

$89.95 from USA Bride

$165 from ban.do

$129 from Etsy

$130.95 from Erica Koesler via Advantage Bridal

$119.95 from Advantage Bridal

What do you think the trend for 2012 will be? Will we keep this fun trend or revert back to the classic veil and train? I love both looks equally.

Love,

Charley

Great Gatsby Inspired Wedding

While I was at Good Gracious Events, I had the great fortune to work with Josh and Anya on their Great Gatsby/Prohibition Era Wedding.  I love it when a bride comes to me and says she wants to do something that is "outside the box." So when my beautiful bride said she wanted to find an antique door and place it in the middle of her wedding location to symbolize stepping into their new life together. It became a great adventure trying to find it.

The wedding took place at the gorgeous Chateau Le Dome at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu. The 360 degree views of the mountains and vineyards are breathtaking. We tried all the rental houses to find the perfect door and we ended up finding it on Craigslist of all places! We didn't want to overdress it and just wrapped it in vines and leaves to match the ceremony site.

Another wonderful detail were the escort cards, which weren't actually cards but bottles of beer that the groom lovingly brewed in his garage. We had to find an interesting way to display the beer and keep it chilled, so we found a vintage bathtub at the Silver Lake Salvage Yard.

We also wanted to bring the couples personalities and heritage on to the tabletops. With Josh being a Director of Photography and Anya a beautiful actress originally from Russia, we used their collection of vintage cameras and Russian antique samovars as part of the table centerpieces. The table also features beautiful goblets, handmade by the groom's mother.

I also had to share this fabulous cake topper with you. Which was placed on top of a delicious cake from Le Provance adorned with antique broaches.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Fritts, a truly beautiful couple inside and out!

Love,
Charley

Photography: Eric Curtis Bouquet: Lilla Bello Flowers: Flower Dec Catering: Good Gracious Events Rentals: Classic Party Rentals