Style Unveiled, as hard as we try, knows that sometimes it takes a woman who's walking in your same 'heels' to help with something like planning a day as big as a wedding.  And while we will always be here to help with inspirational photos, real weddings, vendor suggestions, venue ideas, our Perfect 10 lists, and more ... we want to bring you something priceless ... Advice from brides who are doing the same as you (right now!!) ... PLANNING THEIR WEDDING :)  Our new addition, Bride in the City will give you inside info from other brides in Southern California to help you along the way and make you feel like you're not the only one :)  So ... get ready to bond with Bride in the City guest:  Megan Day

November 29, 2008

April 10, 2010

• Catering by Dave at the Event Caddy
• Photography is Kim Le Photography
• Hair stylist is Sheila Ray Stone
• Sound guy for our own music is Roger at SoundNEyes
• Ceremony harpist is Amber Greenland
• Cupcakes by Knead Baking Company
• Bouquets and boutonnieres by Chandra Abel Designs
• Chair, table, linen rentals by Ventura Party Rentals
• Our officiant is the groom's father.  We are so excited to have someone we know and love perform our ceremony!

We are getting married in beautiful Ojai, California.  We are having our ceremony at my Grandparents' ranch home.  It is a very special place that has been in the family for a long time.  Ojai is the perfect place for an intimate wedding.  The reception will be held at the Lavender Inn.

I am most excited for our first dance as husband and wife.  We never dance together, so we are taking lessons to make this moment special.  I am also excited to spend the weekend with all of our closest family and friends.  It's a rare treat to have so many of us together at one place, at one time.

I did not keep a wedding planning blog.  I did, however, create a lovely Excel spreadsheet for all of the planning ;)

I tend to worry too much about everything ... ha!  But, I know that whether everything goes exactly as planned or if it rains and nothing goes right, I will still be happy to marry my best friend and spending the whole weekend with all of our loved ones.

The Lavender Inn and my family's ranch have both inspired our wedding theme.  We are using the color lavender througout the event, as well as the lavender flower in my bouquet, the boutonnieres, and centerpieces.  The ranch inspired our casual theme and BBQ style buffet dinner.

We did not hire a wedding coordinator, although I can see why many brides do!!  I decided that I wanted to use the cost of a wedding planner for the important parts of our day.  I am enjoying the planning part.  I couldn't have done it without my wonderful mother, maid of honor, and bridesmaids.

We have booked our honeymoon.  We are going to the Caribbean on the brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship, The Oasis of the Seas.  We are so excited to get away from work, school, and the bustle of Orange County to lay on the sandy beaches or St. Thomas, St. Martin, and the Bahamas.  We are leaving the Thursday after our wedding weekend.

I have used The Knot for wedding planning and the Wedding Tracker for our wedding website and the RSVPs.  I also visit several wedding blogs daily for inspiration and ideas.

My fiance is much more relaxed about the wedding planning than I am, which is a good balance!  He has been a great help.  I have shown him everything to be sure he liked it.  He coordinated his guest list, he is picking out his and his groomsmen's attire from head to toe, and he is creating our music play lists for the reception.  And of course, he tasted the cupcake flavors with me :)

My biggest piece of advice is to do what you and your betrothed want for your wedding.  Don't do something just because it's traditional.  In the end, this day is for the bride and groom, so make it yours!!  I also recommend choosing a location that is special to you.  Having vendors that I trust has kept me calm.  They take the stress away each time they answer a question I have or assure me that they will make this day go smoothly.  I found the best vendors with referrals from other brides and from my reception venue.

Ecstatic, anxious, lucky :)

The {GORGEOUS} engagement session eye-candy in this post is by Kim Le Photography

1. Zipper Bangle  2. Madame Butterfly Metal Chrome Zipper Necklace from ReborneJewelry  3. Steven by Steven Madden 'Stacy' Pump  4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Iconic Charms Zipper Bracelet  5. Zip Tie by ToyBreaker  6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Iconic Charms Zipper Pull Necklace  7. BCBGMAXAZRIA Zipper Embellished Clutch

Ok, so by now you know that I'm pretty obsessed with cupcakes ... If you saw our most recent Perfect 10 list, you know that Los Angeles is a great place to find these sweet treats!  Well, one of our favorite little cupcake boutiques, Enjoy Cupcakes, has offered Style Unveiled an amazing giveaway!!  What's that you say??  You are dying to hear more?  I know!!  Below are all the details of the giveaway ... and in the meantime, while you think of your answer, enjoy these eye-goodies taken by Jose Villa of Enjoy Cupcakes' fabulous cupcakery.

How to enter this giveaway:

First, click here to visit Enjoy Cupcakes endless list of delicious cupcake flavors ... Pick the 1, 2, or 3 flavors that sound the yummiest to you!  Then, leave a comment below (make sure to leave your email address so we can tell you if you've won) telling us the treats you crave!  We'll choose a winner on March 22nd.

What you win:

1 dozen deliciously baked cupcakes shipped straight to your door!!!  This will give you a chance to taste some and help you decide which flavor to order for your bridal shower or wedding reception!

Happy flavor hunting and good luck to you!!  You might be craving sugar for the rest of the day, but it was worth it ... wasn't it?? :)

~xoxo~ Heather

Want to see baker extraordinaire, Amber, hard at work whipping up some cupcakes?  Just watch the fabulous video clip below, taken by Joel Serrato ... So darling!

{GORGEOUS} eye-goodies provided and taken by Jose Villa

{AMAZING} video clip provided and filmed by Joel Serrato Films

Because, if you're anything like me, you'll be craving a tea party of your own after viewing these gems, we've rounded up some of our favorite tea party tools, accessories, and wedding favors for your consideration.

And... because the mere mention of Alice in Wonderland is enough to send most people off to grab their car keys and head to the theater, we are giving one lucky Style Unveiled reader a pair of movie tickets to use for a date night with their sweetie.

How to win a pair of movie tickets:

Write a comment on this post about what you're most excited to see in the new Alice in Wonderland film! {We're betting on a lot of Johnny Depp answers...!}

A winner will be chosen on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 from among all qualifying {non-spam} comments across all participating Style Unveiled sites :)

1. Marquis by Waterford Ava Teapot Set  2. Heart Shaped Tea Infuser  3. Williams Sonoma Barnardaud Vintage Tea Cup & Saucer  4. Tea Cup Favor Bags  5. Primula Flowering Tea  6. Laroma Teapot  7. "Gra-tea-tude" Tea Box  8. Tea Time Tea Infuser Favors 

Alice in Wonderland illustration found at Ghost Radio Blog

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

~ Alice

Whisk Kid made an incredible rainbow cake for her friend's going away party.  We love the element of surprise that this cake presents: crisp and white on the outside and then {BOOM!} bright, beautiful colors of the rainbow on the inside.  What a great idea, Whisk Kid!

So, next time you're imagining what your wedding cake will look like, don't forget to include daydreams of what the inside will look like as well.  Give your guests something that they will talk about long after the wedding is over :)

1. Juicy Couture Lace Drama Necklace  2.  AK Vintage Jewelry Subtlest Beauties Earrings  3. Dolce & Gabbana Peep Toe Lace Boots  4. BCBG Max Azria Mock Two Piece Satin and Lace Dress  5. Carlo Fellini Annie Lace Clutch  6.  Vera Wang Lavender Label Lynette Flat  

1. Vera Wang Rhinestone & Lace Bib Necklace  2. Via Spiga Over the Knee Stretch Leather Boot  3. Guess Pearl and Black Lace Necklace  4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Flower Lace Dress  5. Cosabella Celine Lace Trim Thongs  6. Licorice Clutch Wristlet from TheEnchantedSquare