PORTFOLIO
Inspiration + Events
Winter Engagement Photoshoots Inspo
Happy Engagement Season once again! It gets a bit tricky when the holiday season hits but here are a few ideas to stay in the spirit of the holidays and in the spirit of your wedding.
We've found some awesome photoshoots that includes both, check them out!
These are just a few ideas and theres so much more. Get out there and get creative!
Photography: India Earl | Colin Cowie Weddings
Top California Wedding Venues
In celebration of the start of engagement season, we couldn’t help but share our favorite California wedding venues for our soon-to-be brides looking for their dream-wedding destination! And yes, we’ve worked with all of these!
1. THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL (NEWPORT BEACH, CA)
For more information, visit www.pelicanhill.com
2. VIBIANA (LOS ANGELES, CA)
For more information, visit www.vibiana.com
3. SADDLEROCK RANCH (MALIBU, CA)
For more information, visit www.saddlerock-ranch.com
DPARK Photo & Video
Having recently worked with California-based photo and film team DPARK at Mirei and Ben’s Monoarch Beach Resort wedding, we couldn’t recommend them more after seeing the quality of work they produced as well as witnessing the professionalism they exhibited.
Junebug Weddings impressively named the DPARK team one of the “World’s Best Wedding Photographers.” And if that isn’t enough, EventDV Magazine lists them amongst the “Top 25 Hottest and Most Influential Event Flimmakers in the World.”
We consider ourselves lucky to get to work with DPARK on weddings and events in California. See how gorgeous their work is for yourself:
Same Day Edit
Holiday Wedding DOs & DON'Ts
Everyone celebrates and observes holidays differently, which is why it’s important to consider the following DO’s and DON’Ts of booking your wedding on or around a major holiday.
- Do give guests as much notice as possible. Travel costs are always inflated around holidays, and family members who typically go on vacation will need to plan accordingly.
- Don’t be surprised when prices are higher. Venues and vendors may charge higher rates during holiday weekends. If your budget is tight, consider the Friday or Monday over a long weekend, as Saturday’s and Sunday’s are the more expensive days for weddings.
- Do incorporate holiday elements into your ceremony and reception. This can be in the form of favors, music, signature cocktails, or more!
- Don't be disappointed if the guest count isn’t as high as you expected, as holiday celebrations can be very important to some people who aren’t willing to sacrifice their traditions.
Tags: #weddingtipwednesday #downbeatlaweddings #holidayweddings
Photography: The Bride Link | Martha Stewart
Wild Heart Events
Santa Barbara wedding and event design company, Wild Heart Events, is beyond impressive to work with! It is clear how dedicated the entire team is to their clients and fellow vendors when it comes to executing a big day.
The great thing about Wild Heart Events is that they cater to their couples and clients, whether they are looking for partial or full service planning.
For more information on Wild Heart Events, visit wildheartevents.com.
Tags: #sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingplanner #eventplanner #santabarbarawedding
How To Brand Your Wedding
Your wedding brand is the overall look and feel of your special day. Here are the steps to consider when choosing the brand you want for your wedding:
1. What represents you as a couple?
This can be applied to either the general aesthetic or specific elements such as flowers, colors, etc. As a couple, are you more romantic? Rustic? Modern? Inspiration boards can be helpful in determining this.
2. What colors do you love or are important to you?
This might simply be your favorite color, or you can let the season you’re getting married in determine these as well, but having a color palette and a selected metallic or texture/pattern is a step in the right direction of branding.
3. Select fonts or create custom logo
Fonts and logos can be used throughout the entire process, from save-the-dates all the way up to wedding day escort cards and signs. Additionally, if you have a family crest or can create a custom logo that resembles who you are as a couple, this is a wonderful touch to include on all of your stationary items.
4. Which details will you choose to convey the overall look and feel for your night?
Details are the final step in bringing your wedding brand to life. Signature cocktails, desserts, music selection and various reception activities can all be representative of who you are and help to create the desired environment for your wedding.
Bacara Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for luxury, Bacara Resort & Spa delivers far beyond expectation! AMFM recently helped celebrate Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding at this gorgeous Santa Barbara venue.
We absolutely love the dramatic ocean view atop their outdoor ceremony and reception site, The Bluff, and have also had the pleasure of performing in the Bacara Ballroom for indoor receptions as well.
Bacara truly offers everything California brides and grooms could ever ask for!
For more information on Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, visit meritagecollection.com/bacararesort.
Tags: #sundayspotlight #downbeatlaapproved #weddingvenue #eventvenue #socalwedding #santabarbarawedding
Photography: XOXO Bride | Magnolia Event Design
Wedding Day Signs You Need
Welcome signs, directional posters, bar rules and food menus are just a few examples of the types of signs we recommend having at weddings to prevent guests from asking questions and wondering what comes next.
Most planners and venues will have insight on this, but DIY brides can have fun and get creative as well! Here are important signs every wedding needs.
WELCOME
Consider a big custom framed sign to excite guests and let them know they’re in the right place!
DIRECTIONAL
Avoid any issues with navigating around a large venue with strategically placed directional signs to all of the key areas, including ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and bar.
FOOD AND DRINK
Do you have a signature cocktail? Are there specific bar rules guests must follow? Serving late night snacks? These are all important things you’ll want to communicate to guests on signs that can be placed on bar tops and food stations.
BRIDE AND GROOM/CELEBRATORY
Personal touches on the backs of your dinner chairs or at guest check-in signs create more excitement on the big day. Whether it’s a simple, “Mr. & Mrs.” sign or something more elaborate, make it personal and appropriate for you as a couple.
David Hutchinson
Our Sunday Spotlight goes to this incredible film maker who had the chance of working with! It's hard to understand how an individual can capture the special moments knowing that theres a lot, but David Hutchinson can. If you don't believe us, check out some of his work below!
For more info, head to his website and view his other works! www.davidhutchinsonmedia.com
Tags: #SundaySpotlight #downbeatla
Halloween-Inspired Weddings
Have a Halloween Inspired Wedding isn't a new idea but we love it so much it, we had to share some cool ideas we've seen.
GO CLASSIC
OR MAKE IT REALLY SPOOK-TACULAR!
Photography: Karma Event Lighting | Mango Studios | Gina & Ryan Photography
Westlund Photography
We recently crossed paths with this awesome team from Westlund Photography and after seeing their work and how they work, we definitely had to give them a shout out!
If you're looking for an awesome team to capture your special moments on your special day, we highly recommend you to head to www.westlundphotography.com
Plan Your Wedding (4 Step Guide to Getting Started)
There is a lot that goes into planning a wedding. The moment you start the planning process you'll realize that from the dress to the venue to the entertainment, the options are endless. Here's a four step quick guide to getting started with your planning process.
STEP 1. CONGRATS YOU ARE ENGAGED!
STEP 2. CONSIDER A WEDDING PLANNER
There is so much to consider and might need help. Reach out to a few planners to get some options on how they can assist you. They'll also help with a budget to get started.
STEP 3. PICK A DATE!
Depending on your venue's availability, find the perfect date.
STEP 4. FIND YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
We might be a little biased but great entertainment gets book usually 12 months prior to the wedding date so you'll want to start looking at entertainment or getting ideas of which groups you'd like. Check out a great band below!
M Cakes Sweets
Our #SundaySpotlight goes to this awesome team of dessert experts, M Cakes Sweets! We recently had the opportunity to see their masterpieces at one of our weddings and we were certainly impressed. Here's a few exampled of their stunning desserts!
Pictures can only do so much, so if you're searching for experts to fix your sweet tooth; look no further M Cakes Sweets!
www.cakessweets.com
Lighting You Need For Your Event
Let's talk Uplights
Lighting can make a big difference in the atmosphere of your event.
Uplighting works to add some flare to the party and can often times make the room feel more lively. Also if you use customizable color LEDs, its a great way to match your decor. Whether your event is big or small and you want to add some lighting, uplighting would be a great place to start.
LB Event Planning
Our Sunday Spotlight goes to our friends at LB Event Planning! In our recent events, we've had the privilege of working with this incredible team and all we can say is that they can do it all! From interior designing, weddings, and corporate events; it's very clear that they know what they're doing.
Check out some of their masterpieces by heading to their website - www.lbeventplanning.com
Don't Forget To Dance
All married couples say the same thing: the wedding goes by so fast! So much preparation and planning is put into the big day and it’s important to enjoy every moment as it’s passing.
DON’T FORGET TO JOIN IN WITH YOUR GUESTS ON THE DANCE FLOOR!
You work hard to create the party of a lifetime for your guests, so make sure you also get to enjoy it! Guests will cherish every moment they have with you, but sharing a drink and laughing at each others’ moves on the dance floor is much more memorable than a hurried conversation as you attempt to greet each and every table.
Tags: #weddingtipwednesday
Photography: Lisa Marie Photographie
Truly Fancy
Katie and Brian’s wedding at USC Town & Gown Ballroom was amazing, and Soultones had guests dancing the night away! One of the most beautiful components of this particular wedding was the gorgeous floral designs and arrangements by Truly Fancy Events.
It’s no wonder this Southern California-based team is featured on all of the top wedding blogs, check out some of their gorgeous work below.
For more information, visit Truly Fancy Events at trulyfancy.com
