julia & james – 3.21.09

it’s time for another wedding feature! i am so delighted to share this lovely event with you today, as it was an early favorite for 2009. 🙂 julia contacted me with a vision for a fresh, chic, spring-inspired affair that reflected a love for literature. we discussed a citrus + gray palette that had me absolutely smitten. when you pair poppy sorbet colors with cool, calm slate gray, you get magic! pure white was the perfect addition for a neutral accent. the final result? a refreshing, cheerful, and altogether sweet scene that made me (literally) squeal with joy.

in addition to our yummy fruit-inspired colors (think grapefruit, raspberry, lemon, tangerine…), we decided to play up the charm by integrating playful, vintage-feeling décor. think eclectic bookshop meets saccharine-sweet nostalgic candy shop. 🙂 vases were mostly distressed mercury glass, while vintage books and galvanized metals were featured throughout the wedding. in a flash of brilliance, kristin of the treasured petal put together unique hurricane vases (for candles) by wrapping glass cylinders with pages torn from favorite books, printed on semi-opaque vellum. take a peek at the outcome of our planning, as captured by the fabulous mike & emi of evoke photography. i looove working with these two, as they always deliver gorgeous portraits and detail shots that are classic with a fresh edge. 🙂 plus they are sooo much fun! xo

meet the darling couple: julia & james! things we have in common: lovers of literature, great indie music, converse and france! 🙂

julia’s lush and textural bouquet included lots of “petally” florals like peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas and anemones. ultra romantic 🙂

the bridesmaids carried these bright & cheery posies — some of my favorite bridesmaids’ bouquets of all time. 🙂 don’t they just make you smile?? i spy roses, anemones, tulips, dusty miller and one of my favorites… craspedia (aka billy balls).

adoooore this pic!! the splashy colors of the bouquets are perfect complements to the steely gray dresses, and the bms are all wearing such precious sherbet-hued shoes!! swoooooning over this well-heeled bridal party 🙂

the groom & his guys, looking quite dapper themselves!

i love the feel of this bridal party photo — so much joy & ease.

a quiet moment before the ceremony @ the stunning westminster presbyterian church in pasadena.

the escort cards!! i love love loved the display we put together using galvanized metal trays (squares and circles). i filled the trays with sour watermelon candies in the perfect shade of pink. simple tent cards were nestled in the trays for a charming presentation, and kristin added a collection of sweet & simple arrangements amongst more of our beloved antique books.

here’s a look at one of the guest tables. i adored the shimmery coral napkins and the box of paulette macarons (some of my very favorites!) at each placesetting. did you notice that the tables were named after favorite authors??

a look at a stack of green books on the sweetheart table. 🙂 in my quest for the perfect antique books, i sought out volumes with especially beautiful spines, bound in spring-time colors. i hit the jackpot and even scored a few treasures for myself, including some classics printed in the 30’s and 40’s!

the stunning cake table! this may be my favorite cake display of all time. 🙂 how perfect are those encyclopedias as a last-minute cake stand?

and here’s a shot of the room, all set with white chiavaris (which i adore for springtime events).

julia & james were your typical, extraordinary l&s clients. 🙂 they’re intelligent, stylish, and most of all… in love with one another! i had such a fabulous time working with them both and am thankful i’ve already had the chance to see julia since the wedding. we share another love: rebecca minkoff handbags! so, naturally, we had to go to the sample sale together. julia also brought me my FAVORITE tea from her honeymoon in paris (mariage frères); sooo thoughtful! can’t wait to connect again soon over lunch! 🙂

many thanks to the lovely vendor team, who helped ensure a flawless day:

• the westin pasadena (i LOVE their staff, including my dear friends tracy & kathy)
• my dear friends michael & emi of evoke photography
• the sweet isabel gonzalez of isabel gonzalez videography
• my favorite florist and treasured friend, kristin of the treasured petal
• elegant designs specialty linens for linens and chiavaris
• my favorite DJs — ian and tony of red shoe la (we always have wayyyy too much fun working together! adore these boys!)
• rainbow sound & lighting
• paulette macarons for the delicate, elegant favors
• red cheese photobooths

i hope you’re all enjoying the gorgeous weather these days! i have taken up running (i know — who would’ve thought??) and derive a lot of joy just jogging in the sunshine, beneath brilliantly blue skies. enjoy the week — and happy early 4th of july!

xoxo, angel