Justine & Ryan - A Rusty Pelican Wedding

Justine was one of the wonderful brides we met at a bridal show over at the Rusty Pelican. As it would turn out, Justine was marrying her one and only, Ryan, and host her guests to a delicious Sunday Brunch 🍳 🥓 🥞 🍤 (which the Rusty Pelican is famous for). Looking for something simple and clean, we stuck to keeping the invitation printed on white stock, but integrating a Gold Leaf Pocket to take Justine's invitation up a notch. 🥂

After finishing up her invitation suite, we began working on Justine's wedding day paper goods. One detail that I'm especially excited about was the personalized place settings for each guest. The extra touch of calligraphy added a thoughtful touch that would surprise guests once they arrived at their tables to mimosa and brunch (Like wine and dine? Anyone?). 🍾  Scroll below to see more details from Justine and Ryan's big day.

I'm so excited that we were able to design a custom suite that would personify the clean, modern design Justine and Ryan were looking for. Wishing these newlyweds a life full of love and laugher. 😘 ☺️

Vendors

Venue - Rusty Pelican

Photography - Alan Phillip Photography

Dress - Brides of Florida

Suit - Calvin Klien from Macys

Florals - Blooming Gardens

Invitations, Paper Goods, + Calligraphy - Only One Mark, Inc. (US!! 😍)

Hair + Makeup - Bombshell Makeover Makeup Chris Richards

Ace Props House Elopement - A Styled Shoot

There are so many details to this one shoot that sing by itself...but oh...how the painted leather jacket does #slay!!😍  I'm so happy that Christy from Christy V. & Co asked me to join in on this throw back to the glamor of  60's Rock & Roll inspired weddings of the past. Girl, your ideas are magic. 

I'm proud to announce that we have been featured on Green Wedding Shoes!!

To quote the King 🎤...

“Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you”

— Elvis Presley

Click the link below to see the full feature!!

Vendors

Planner - Christy V and Co.

Photography - Andrielle Photography

Video - Esteban Hernandez

Florals - Simple Florals

Furniture + Venue - Ace Props House + Studios

Calligraphy - Only One Mark, Inc. (US!! 😍)

Tabletop - The Mix Dish

Hair + Makeup - Kristen Fortier

Dress - Island Tribe

Head Piece: Julhia Fischer

Bow Tie - TV-Head Company

Cake + Sweets - Elsie's Flour Shop

Models - Elisa + Johnny Lara

Behind the Scenes - Project NM

Ummm...and how could I not share what these moments looked like in action! Click the video below!!👇🏻 

Moody 4 Life - A Palmetto Bay Village Center Wedding

Gus and I met Nasima at a bridal show last year. Upon meeting up for our one on one consult, she was very specific with her expectations. Nasima was looking to create a suite completely designed around butterflies.🦋 As with all my brides, we played around with all the possibilities and invitation types. We finally narrowed down our options and I took to task. Needless to say, creating her invitation suite was definitely a treat.

invitation Photo Credit: Dipp photography

After getting to create this colorful invitation suite, we immediately began planning her day of paper goods suite. All I can say is that they turned out as equally as beautiful. We even incorporated some hand lettered pieces to make guests feel welcome. Oh and who doesn't wanna know what's in their drink. 😉  🥃 🍹

Getting to see how my bride's big day went always sets my heart a flutter. 🦋 😍  Wishing Nasima and Mahiri all the best in this new chapter of their story. 😘

Vendors✨

Venue: Palmetto Bay Village Center
Photographer: Charles Ingram Photography
Wedding Dress: Leggenda Bridal
Head Piece: SoVein
Makeup + Hair: Yaneth Gray
Groom's Suit: Joseph Abboud
Invitation + Calligraphy: ONLY ONE MARK, INC. 😘 💌 
Tables, Chairs, + Linens Rental: Rumba's Party Rentals
Florist: Edge Design Miami
Limo Rental: Florian's Classics

Across the Universe - A 70's Styled Shoot

There are just some themes to parties that some folks dread. I think 70's themed parties are one of those themes that have unfortunately become seen very cheap and tacky. Needless to say I was intrigued when Christy from Christy V. & Co. reached out through Instagram to discuss such a theme. After chatting at a local Starbucks talking about our businesses and Dave Ramsey, it was clear that we were going to work well together (and become great friends in the process). 

I'll tell y'all point blank, with the help from the other creatives that were involved and Christy's guidence, I could have never imagined such a non-blank version of the 70's era being so breathtaking. Want to breathe in this groovy scent of Strawberry Fields? Come Across the Universe with us into this picturesque shoot.

Wanna see these details in action? Check out this gorgeous video below.

Vendors

Venue: C&I Studios
Planner: Christy V & Co.
Photographer: Erica Melissa
Filmmakers: Made With Love Films
Furniture: Simple Rustic
Florals: Simple Florals
Macrame: HelloChiqui
Cake: Lalisweets
Makeup & Hair: Marz Makeup & Hair
Dress: Lighthouse Bridal and Letterpress Design
Suit: My Grooms Room
Veil/Shoes: Champagne and GRIT
Invitation & Calligraphy: ONLY ONE MARK, INC. 😘 💌 
Plating: THE MIX DISH
Nail Art: Luv Nail Shop
Blog: The First Look

Models: Erika+ Brian (Super Cuties that made me wish I was getting married again...or at least posing for a shoot with Gus) 😉 😊

Want to see more of the photos? Check out this link from our friends over at Erica Melissa who give you a view of the full shoot.

Are you inspired to incorporate some of these details into your own wedding or special event? Click below to read more in our feature on WeddingWire.

What is a Styled Shoot?

If you've been following us for awhile (or any wedding professional for that matter) you'll notice that I/they will sometimes talk or post about a styled shoot I/they are participating in. I've gotten a lot of blank stares and question mark faces 🤔 (like the ones you see in magnas or animes) whenever we discuss it with non-wedding/event folk. So, I thought it would be a great idea to give you a crash course into what makes a styled shoot and it's purpose for us wedding/event creatives. 

If you haven't notice by now, there are a lot of creative entrepreneurs out there in the wedding and events industry. You have planners, florists, photographers, stationers (like me 🤗 ), and many more specialists that can contribute to a wedding day. Like I tell all my brides, the wedding industry is like the aquarium from the movie Finding Dory 🐟 . You usually operate in one portion of an exhibit and when you find yourself wandering off, there are so many more fish in the sea....I mean creatives to work with. 🐙 🦐  🐠  🐡 🦈  🐋

So when a creative begins putting together a styled shoot, they first think of a theme or style they really want to bring to life. Recently, I got the opportunity to work on a 70's styled shoot that allowed me to get my groove on with my watercolors 🎨 🖌 and play with colors brides normally aren't keen on working with. Needless to say, some of the other creatives involved got to do something out of the ordinary: Like Jaime from Champagne and Grit who made a wedding veil out of macrame (guys, it's a dream to look at and oh...the dipped something blue feature...). 💙😍

Anywho, not only do we get to try out new things, but it also adds items or services to our repetuar that we otherwise might not have had the chance to create yet. For example, I have been dying to produce a backless wedding sign using my calligraphy for a wedding but haven't had the chance to do so. So one of the things I brought with me (and made sure to have it approved with the planner in charge) was a backless frame as an extra detail for that day.  

And for us non-photogs or videographers, it also allows us to open up our portfolio and add great new images to gush over (pretty pictures for the Insta too). Sometimes when a vendor doesn't have enough work in their online portfolio, some people think that they are inexperienced or too new to the game where they aren't the right person to trust for your special day. That's not always the case. To be fair, it's hard to share images aka proof of your work while it's in the event when you're not there (another story for another blog post). A styled shoot can be the perfect opportunity for creatives to prove they have the skill set you want to hire. 

I hope I've given you a bit more info on what a styled shoot is and how wonderful it is for us creatives to participate in as many of them as we can. Have you seen a styled shoot you absolutely loved? What theme or color scheme did it incorporate? Let me know in the comments below.

We Are Live!! 🎉 Our Rebrand 2017

After countless days planning and dreaming, the day is finally here. 😁  I am finally unveiling our new branding and website, today, August 1, 2017. To think that over two months ago, all of this was a thought and now it's a reality. Well, I guess you've waited long enough, no?

Here's our new logo!! 🎉

I am totally in love with this new look. For starters, the fluid flow of the text is exactly what we were looking for when trying to represent this new stage in our business. Keeping it clean, but hit with a hint of "magic" this logo is giving me all the feels.✨  "With great power, comes great responsibility"...no no no. Wrong quote. LoL. Actually, there are two quotes from one of my favorites that would be appropriate to share today. 

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

— Walt Disney

...and lest I forget..

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

— Walt Disney

Funny enough amongst all of the encouraging, sweet quotes and prints I have in my office, I actually have a similar photo to the one above. The only difference is that Uncle Walt (most Disney fans do this....calling Walt Disney "Uncle Walt". It's totally ok...) is standing beside a plot of land that at that time was known as the secretive "Florida Project". And although in a slightly faded, colored shadow, an image of Cinderella's Castle from Walt Disney World can be seen hovering on the immense plot of land. Why do I bring this up? 

Because we don't know the great work we are capable of and sometimes it takes a village (literally) to make you see the great potential there is in change. Change is scary, but if we don't change, we won't grow. We will stay stagnant in our pot of dirt and won't grow to our fullest potential.

One more thing, a little bit of scripture that been on my heart and I've shared before on the blog. 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (NIV), Bible

+

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), Bible

There is this funny saying that goes, "We make plans, God laughs". Most will take it in a sarcastic sense making it seem God thinks of us as stupid humans. I think of it differently. For anyone who has small kiddos in their life, there are moments in a learning experience where they are stubbornly trying to fit a square peg into where a circle peg should go. The adult will chuckle to themselves in a loving manner and try to show them the right way to do it. A lot of times, we aren't paying attention to the path God has thoughtfully carved out for us. Instead, we try to make our own way and wonder why "NO" appears at every dead end.

My encouragement to you today is to know that we all have our struggle figuring out what we are supposed to do in life. Let God light the path. He has the best lit path anyone could dream of.

And before I finish this post up, there are a few thank you's that need to be said.

Charisma - You helped make this happen!! Thank you for doing what I could not do for myself. Your insight and  really pushed me to think outside the box and be okay with doing away with some of the fluff that didn't belong.

Family + Friends - The ones that saw and encouraged this change and step in the right direction. Whether it was with your words or through your actions. You guys are my biggest cheerleaders and I'm so lucky to have a supportive tribe like ours.

Friendors - There is a small group of folks I want to thank that encouraged me before and through this process. Some of you told me the truth, without bumpers or any cushion for me to fall back on. You provided honest feedback and steps to better this sweet babe of mine. You know who you are. I've probably already told you "Thank you" more than anyone should...but again I say thank you. 🥑 🦄 

...and last but not least...

Gus - Kid, this is a big step for the both of us. As I sit here and type this...I am literally struck with emotion. Kid, we are no longer "Almost There". WE ARE THERE!! I love you more than words and am so excited to see what is over than next horizon.

So without anymore mushy feels and sweet words, I say with my best Arnold Schwarzenegger accent, "What are you waiting for? GO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE NOW!! DO IT NOW!!!"