Vendor Pick: Alina Pizzano Couture

I had the pleasure of meeting Alina a month ago when Lina Wallace and I were asked to plan a launch party for Calligraphy Katrina at her boutique.

Each dress is custom created and made for each bride. No one else in the world will be wearing you're dress.

And prices start at just $2,500 for a custom couture gown.

Her boutique is in Pasadena and she will take care of you. Believe me.

Alina Pizzano does truly beautiful work.

Inspiration: Twilight

So, I will admit openly that I did not read the Twilight series, but I did see the first movie. When I'm not planning weddings and other events I volunteer my time with jr. High and High School youth at a church where my husband is a youth pastor and for a while it seemed like Twilight is all they were talking about including many other friends and adults I knew. I thought it only fitting that I create an "inspiration" board just for Twilight, but I didn't do just 1 I did 2. I created a "Day" inspired look as well as a "Night" inspired look.

Twilight- Day

Twilight- Day by Events by Heather Ham on Polyvore.com

For the "Twilight-Day" inspiration board I was inspired by all of the beautiful scenery in the movie, particularly of the forests. I thought it would be fitting to place a ceremony or celebrating outdoors in a forest setting and make the decor very earthy and organic in feel yet still breathtaking and elegant.

Twilight- Night

Twilight- Night by Events by Heather Ham on Polyvore.com

For the "Twilight-Night" Inspiration Board I went a little darker and infused the crimson and blood red hues (like the apple or blood). And who can forget the amazing twinkling gazebo at the end of the movie? I was able to find an event that had a tent covered in white twinkle lights which is just breathtaking.

Vendor Pick: Brides Against Breast Cancer

I like the nostalgia of thinking that one day my daughter might wear my wedding dress, but in reality...it will probably just sit in a box for years and years and just gather dust on a shelf. Instead, I have decided to donate my wedding dressand veil (see photos below) to a wonderful organization called Making Memories: Brides Against Breast Cancer. It's similar to Make a Wish Foundation in that "wishes" are granted, in this particular case, they are granted to women with Breast Cancer.

They accept donations as well as wedding dresses, veils, slips, tiara's, mother's gowns, flower girl dresses, bridesmaid dresses, diamonds, estate jewelry, and accessories. So, you could even tell your bridesmaid who most likely won't wear her dress again that she can get a tax exemption for your gown and who couldn't use a little extra help these days??

Check out their site as they have so many events all over the country and other organizations such as The Pink Envelope Project, Diamonds for Dreams, March for Memories, Quilters Against Breast Cancer, and Tea Parties.

Why let your gown gather dust in a box. Grant a wish for someone in need.

Inspiration: Winter Wonderland

In the spirit of the winter season that is upon us, I thought it fitting to share some winter wonderland inspiration I found to inspire your winter affair. Found in Inside Weddings is this lovely photo of a bride and groom taken by Wirken Photography.
You can't go wrong with white at a wedding, this photo found on Webshots.
Red Bliss created these lovely winter inspired invites, faux fur, velvet and all.
This is a stunning and sparkly gown by Kenneth Pool.
Here's a closeup.
This is an amazing white bouquet with crystal, pearls, and even snowflakes to make it sparkle. The bouquet was created by Xquisite Events.
This amazing and sparkly hair piece was created by Regina B.

It's not every day that you get to wear a soft and fuzzy wrap, but a white winter wonderland wedding is rather fitting. These two designs were created by Linda Gorringe Couture.
There's a lot of directions you could go in choosing the color of bridesmaids dresses, but I thought this lovely timeless dress by Melissa Sweet in slate grey is very flattering and compliments the winter theme quite nicely.
Each of the bridesmaids could carry a white bouquet, each in a mono floral theme. Some great blossoms are calla lillies (like the bouquet shown by Clementine Floral Studio), peonies, tulips, roses, casablanca, lillies, orchids, hydrangea, just to name a few.
Or you could take things one step further and get married in an ice castle or just have your honeymoon in one, like this beautiful ice castle in the Finnish town of Kemi.
I fell in love with this tree when I saw it in Brides Magazine years ago and I still love it to this day. You can create this masterpiece as a DIY project. Just get a manzanita branch from your local florist and paint it metallic silver and then string strands of crystals in either glass or made of acrylic from websites like Cristalier.
Here's a soft and romantic take on the traditional escort cards, also found in Brides Magazine.
I can't remember where I found this cake, but it's so fitting and classic, and not too cheesy when it comes to the winter wonderland theme, plus it has a little added bling that can be worn as a brooch after the wedding or passed down as an heirloom to be someone's "something borrowed" at their wedding one day.
Chameleon Chairs give a sleek and seemless addition to the decor and the design above is by none other than Tres Fabu Events.
And this amazing winter wonderland wedding was put together by MixMingleGlow and photographed by the amazing hubby and wife team of Becker and Jessica Claire.
Here's a pic of the same wedding at the quite amazing reception. And, as an added touch, they had an ice sculpture bar and put a plexiglass dance floor over the pool. WOW!!!

Inspiration: Mamma Mia

I absolutely loved the movie Mamma Mia! and still listen to the Soundtrack often. I have never been to Greece but would love to visit...it looks absolutely breathtaking. I hope you enjoy the inspiration I drew from the movie with my own little spin on it. "If you change your mind...I'm the first in line...honey, I'm still free...Take a chance on me..."
First comes the invitation and being in California, this would be a destination wedding and what better way to invite guests than to have custom made passport invites from HGO Creations!

Being a destination wedding, you get the opportunity to spend time with your guests for a few days and celebrate with them on several occasions. So, why not treat everyone a day or two before the wedding and go sailing around the islands of Greece, like the one seen here in Santorini, photo take by the amazing photographer Jessica Claire.


I found an over the shoulder dress somewhat similar to what the bride wore in the movie version of Mamma Mia. This dress is only $399 at OnlyGowns.com.

I found this very organic and romantic bouquet by Hawley's Florist.
Here are some beautiful chiffon dresses, of which any would be a complimenting outfit for any bridesmaid. Blue on the left by Watters & Watters, Green in the center by Thread, and the Yellow on the right by Lazaro.
Torches would line the pathway to a wedding by the sea, found on Brides.com.

This is the filming location of Mamma Mia. This part of the island, seen in the movie with the chapel on top where the wedding takes place, is part of the island of Skopolos in Greece. As seen in the movie, because it's a natural and organic event, a great addition is butterflies. Seen here making a curtain backdrop for a wedding ceremony.
In researching the inspiration for this wedding, I came across a chef who takes Greek food to a modern and eye catching level. He is Psilakis who was taught how to cook by his mother. He is the owner of a few restaurants one of which is Mia Dona in New York City.

And carrying on the butterfly theme is this amazing cake with small butterflies and dragonflies adorning it by We Take the Cake!
Here are some wedding clips from the movie! I can't wait until December 16 when the movie comes to DVD to own.