Send me an angel: Events of Love & Splendor

(Since I have been blogging abut wedding related things this week, I thought it would be perfect timing to post my last 2 vendor recaps :))

Source

When we made the decision to go with a day-of coordinator, choose Events of Love & Splendor, and after our many meetings together, I have to say that Events of Love & Splendor was the best wedding decision we made, hands down. Yes I loved my locations, photographer, food, etc., but with out Angel, Anna, and Jeniece, the day would be entirely different.

Through the dozens of emails back and forth, the meetings in and around SB, and on our day, we were provided with the utmost quality of amazing, professional, efficient work. Our day was successful because of their help with planning and coordination, and Anna and Jeniece's tireless effort during the weekend.

We really were blessed with wonderful coordination and positive energy. From rehearsal to ceremony to reception, every event was executed seamlessly. I loved that they were patient with changes I had made and the requests I had, accepted all of our reception items as boxes packed your hotel room, checked in on us through the entire weekend, were very supportive with everything, had lots of energy and enthusiasm, ran our time line so well, and tirelessly executed every detail. They were on top of it all that I felt completely relaxed and confident that our day would be amazing.

They worked wonderfully with the Mission staff, assisting in any way they could during the ceremony. They kept me informed of the timeline and ran it with impeccable ease. They were always so positive and happy.

The reception set up (tables, signage, decor, layout) was superb. They really captured the style and ambiance that we wanted for the place. Especially loved seeing Anna and Jeniece peeking in from the foyer from time to time :)

Through the entire planning stages, I had visions of how I wanted my day to go, expectations of the settings and style, plans for the various events of the weekend. After going through everything and seeing how it all fell wonderfully into place, I am happy to say that my expectations were blown out of the water. There was no better J&M wedding day that could have come forth. Once it was all over, we sat with family in our hotel room in awe of how wonderfully everything came together.

My family marveled at how smooth the wedding events (rehearsal, dinner, ceremony, and reception) had gone. The time line was perfect for the age-range of our guests, allowing opportune times for food, fun, and relaxation. In trusting our day to Events of Love & Splendor, they gave us (Matt, family, and myself) the gift of piece of mind on our day. We were able to go from place to place, event to event with confidence that it would all be taken care of.

I really don't know what we would have done without Events of Love & Splendor! The energy, smiles, and genuine love for what you do got us through everything :) I totally want to have another event so we can have a chance to work with each other again.

DIY Wedding Cards

Last week, in anticipation for our friend's wedding, I put together a few wedding cake, doily, and flower cards. I kept the design and colors similar so that each option I made would fit their wedding aesthetic.


Soft pink and flowery cake.


Shades of pink and purple are my favorite colors.


A little something blue.


Between two doily textures and the pearls on the cake, I think the blue circle brings the cake's silhouette out, tying it all together.


Pink and brown.


Their invite had a pink and brown ribbon on top so i thought a card with those colors would be perfect. Added a pink pearl on to of the cake for extra flair.


A little bit muted.


Besides the gold doily, I like how this card has an almost neutral look.


A couple of flowers.


A bit too girly.


Pink flower and brown card.


Another one inspired by their invitation colors, this is the card I chose to give the couple :)

And to keep the inside note special, I collected a few of my favorite wedding salutations to choose from:

To a lifetime full of happiness and love!

Wishing you a sweet and charming life together.

May your love keep growing, and may you enjoy many more years of happiness together.

A hope that each day brings abundant happiness and love.

May your love continue to blossom each day. <-- what we chose for their card

What are your favorite greetings for wedding cards?


PS I will be listing the other wedding cards in my fourth coming etsy shop :)

Weekender: A beautiful wedding

We were up in San Ramon last weekend to celebrate a college friend's nuptials at the Bridges Golf Club. This was the first wedding we attended since our own and we were looking forward to the sweet emotions and small details of the day.

The weather was perfect and the course provided a serene backdrop to the ceremony.


Two huge flower arrangements would flank the bride and groom as they said their vows.


It was a quick ceremony and the bride blushed the entire time. One part that stood out was when the bride's parents gave the groom a rose, the groom's parents gave the bride a rose, and then the bride and groom placed their roses in a vase which signifies their love continuing to bloom and grow. On their anniversary each year the couple can put two roses in the vase as a reminder of their special day :) The vase was later displayed at the cake table.


I love the afternoon light.


Sealed with a kiss.


They look so happy!


The reception immediately followed the ceremony. Here: a personalized candle and framed photo sit on the guest book table.


Their classic 4 tier cake and the vase and roses from the ceremony.


Everyone loved the very generous open bar and I especially loved their signature drink: the raspberry martini!


The flower arrangement on our table. I love her choice of a warm summer color palette!


My place setting, menu, and martini!


Dinner choices were mahi-mahi, 4 cheese ravioli, and prime rib. I chose the prime rib. It came with summer veggies and was delicious.


The head table emptied when the dancing began.


Instax fun! Groomsman, groom, hubs were all friends since high school, for the groom and hubs since kindergarten!


We like to wear bright colors :)

I love attending weddings full of sweet love and can't wait until the next one!

Instant Gratification: Fuji Instax Mini

After months of wanting this camera, 2 almost purchases (canceled due to budgetary reasons), the Fuji Instax Mini is part of the family (!!!!) with huge thanks to the budget friendly pricing at Freestyle Photographic Supplies. I am so happy.


I have been playing with it for hours, getting accustomed to the view finder, trying to figure out lighting and settings, and am having such a great time. It is such a fun experience to capture a subject and have the image appear out within minutes. If only film was cheaper...

Below are my first prints!




Us outside.


One of my favorite planters at Paseo Nuevo.


Pinkberry!


Palm trees on State Street.


Pretty pink flowers.

I can't wait to take the instax out this weekend! Happy Thursday everyone :)

dans les details

Photo blogs are some of my favorite blogs to visit. I love the perspective, places, and people that are featured, I love the personal view the photographer shares with you, and I love escaping into their world, even for a moment. One of my new favorite blogs is dans les details. I am a bit bias because it is my cousin's blog, but one cannot argue the great photos seen here. Please check it out when you have a chance. I would also love to know what blogs capture your fancy :)








All photos from dans les details :)

Street Art at UCSB

I love noticing fun street art pieces around town. Graffiti, posters, stencils, stickers, it is all creatively cool. Downtown Santa Barbara is full of so much pretty, nice architecture, and art installations, but where I find the most street art is UCSB. With it's younger, freer, funner population, UCSB is more prone to street art and some pieces rarely get covered up. I love walking around between buildings and during lunch and noticing new things. Things that aren't suppose to be there. I have been spotting more and more on a daily basis, and here are a few of my favorites.

Sloth is sad :(


Power lines and birds.


Roy G Biv chalk art.


Vinyl art.
This musically resonant piece was by the Music Department in Spring Quarter and has been taken down.


One night stand. Also up during Spring Quarter but taken down quickly.


Mr. Roboto.
I could not put trash in this!


Reverse graffiti.
There is a really dusty door by the library and this t-rex was made by wiping the dust away. It's like cleaning!


Sticker.
I took a longer route on my way back from lunch a few weeks ago and saw this shadow man. It is just too cool!


Cute sticker.




More cute stickers.


Stenciled stickers.


Stencils.
Some have messages.




And some are just fun!


Peace grenades.


Four different stencils by Storke Tower.


Men standing guard.


And a happy face!

I love the nature of street art. I love seeing the unexpected in the everyday. I love that statements can be made, but there are also pieces that are just a lot of fun!

Have you seen any fun art around your town?