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

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