Palm Springs es maravilloso. Pero para una luna de miel inolvidable, no hay nada mejor que ir al sur del la frontera. Y si piensas que la lista de destinaciones fabulosos en México para en Cancún y Puerto Vallarta, estas equivocada. Aquí hay una mirada a tres lunas de mieles inesperadas y completamente románticas:
Zihuatanejo
Aquí encontraras algunas de las playas más dramáticas que hemos visto, junto con un pintoresco pueblo de pescadores. Zihuatanejo es posiblemente el lugar más espectacular para una luna de miel en la tierra de Mexico. Y con casas privadas de lujos, casitas rusticas, y resortes de servicio completo, puedes encontrar alojamiento para todos los presupuestos.
Manzanillo
Tú quieres ser mimada como una princesa. El quiere golf y pesca de clase mundial. Los dos desean sensualidad y romance. Entre Acapulco y Puerto Vallarta encontraras a Manzanillo—el escape perfecto para los dos. Bastantes actividades, configuraciones hermosas, eco-turismo, y algunas de las personas más amables en todo México hacen este lugar escondido el local ideal para tu honeymoon.
Isla Holbox
Esta isla pequeña no tendrá un centro comercial o club nocturno, pero lo que si tiene te dejara encantada: belleza intacta, santuarios de vida silvestre, y el romance y la emoción de una vacación fuera de lo regular.
Sometimes our ideas spill over to the blog…and so when we scoped out the rest of the amazing details on the lavendar wedding, we had to share.
The Color Palette
We love this wedding color palette of blush, lavender, burgundy and white for a winter or even early spring wedding. Of course you could always translate this wedding palette if you are planning a fall wedding – it really just depends on your taste!
The Table Details
From the burgundy tablecloths to the dark wood chairs, are the perfect touch of dark wine colors against the lighter lavendar and blush colors.
The Fans
Check out these amazing fans in mint – a perfect little accent of color against this gorgeous palette.
Table Settings
These table settings are simple and chic white on white. Each table setting was then finished with a sprig of lavender to tie the whole look together.
The Cake
Cakes often can seem really overdone but this amazing ivory cake with blush florals really stands out as elegant and timeless.
A veces las ideas se extienden al colores y paletas de color … y así, cuando nos ámbito el resto de los detalles sorprendentes sobre la boda de lavanda, tuvimos que compartir.
Paleta de colores
Nos encanta esta paleta de colores de la boda de rubor, lavanda, burdeos y blanco para el invierno, o incluso de la boda de la primavera.
Por supuesto, siempre se podría traducir esta paleta de la boda si usted está planeando una boda de otoño – que en realidad sólo depende de tu gusto!
En la tabla
De los manteles de color burdeos para las sillas de madera oscura, son el toque perfecto de color vino oscuro en contra de la lavanda y los colores más ligero rubor.
Ok. So maybe we like black and white but it is perfect for a winter wedding. It can look classic in almost any setting!
The Color Palette
Winter and fall weddings often times are a bit more daring in terms of wedding color palettes. But, this use of blacks and whites is particularly fun. We love this particular palette because of the array of bold primary colors that the couple used in addition to yellow.
The Flowers
The bride used adorable bold white and black floral – the Anemone. Anemones look like poppies. But, in this particular wedding color palette they are the perfect addition to bring the wedding to life.
The Bridal Bouquet & Bridesmaids Bouquets
The Escort Card Table
The couple used vintage match cars to help the guests find their way to their table. We think these cars and the license plate numbers are a great touch.
The Favors: Matchsticks
The bride and groom also incorporated their color theme all throughout the wedding including on the matchbooks.
Hey ladies… ready for a look at three of the hottest wedding photographers in LA? This group of artists won’t just take pictures of your wedding day—they’ll help you relive it for years to come!
Paper Hearts and Lemonade
Traditional is cool, but we love the whimsical feel of PH&L. Some moments only happen once… why not capture them forever? You can almost hear the laughter and whispered endearments in these pics. No doubt about it, these photographers are great at knowing when to snap the perfect shot.
Elizabeth Medina
Planning a destination wedding? You can’t do any better than Elizabeth Medina. Stunning imagery, an incredible use of natural scenery and creative staging make her photography nothing short of breathtaking.
Lin and Jirsa
With and Jirsa, you get award winning photography and amazing set ups. Their artistic eye and creative touches produce gorgeous results. You’ve heard of eye candy; Lin and Jirsa is more like great sex for the eyes!
Looking for more photographers in Los Angeles, click here.
When we were cruising the blogs this morning, we came across the most incredible wedding that well we may just have to spend the better part of the week dissecting! It was so cool. And, each detail totally inspired us to think about cool ways to instruct you on the DIY elements that you could translate into your own wedding!
When we got the call from Gloria Mesa, we knew we had a great wedding to look forward to. Nicole and Mike are such a cool couple and you can totally tell by the fun wedding they through in October.
The photos are incredible with such cool stolen moments of the fun!
The Color Palette
Nicole and her groom chose a palette of Grey/Silver, with Burnt Orange as an accent color, and white. The theme of the wedding was Modern and Classy, yet casual with some traditional elements. I like the idea of juxtapositions and mixing the unexpected with the expected.
The groom and I met through his dear friend of ten years who at the time was my new my co-worker. After meeting me she came home from work that night and saw him hanging out with her husband and she told him “I’ve met your future wife” and he just smiled.
She eventually asked us both if we would be willing to meet each other and she set up a sailing date in Santa Barbara with her husband. So we were a blind date set-up.
They were engaged for 6 months when he popped the question!
How he proposed:
He proposed on a rainy Monday after work while having dinner at the restaurant where we had our first dinner date in the town where I live. I had been out of town over the weekend. We were talking about moving in together and he asked me if I wanted to make it official and had placed the ring on the table. I had no idea what he was talking about and did not see the ring so he asked me again and this time I realized that he was asking me something much more serious and then I saw the ring.
Nicole has some gorgeous shots of her pre-wedding activities. We absolutely loved these pics that Gloria showed us. They are so intimate and Nicole is one of the happiest brides ever!
I surprised the groom with Mariachis as we made our grand entrance and had them play during the dinner hour to honor his and his family’s Mexican heritage. He had no idea that I was planning this. The groom also danced the mother and son dance to a very classic traditional Mexican song. During the first part of our vow exchange, we had his nephew say a few words in Spanish before we started our vows. We also made sure that the DJ played a lot of Spanish music both Salsa and Meringue for the bride’s family and friends, and Banda music for the groom’s family and friends.
Our first dance was to “Somos Novios” the Andrea Bocelli version.
We had the cocktail hour and our vow exchange outside in the patio next to the pool at the hotel and we hung dark orange and white paper lanterns of different sizes throughout the trees in the patio area to give it our own special touch. This created a cool vibe as we got married in the evening. We also made our own boards to place the table name cards in out of fabric and materials in our colors and put the boards on easels rather than placing the cards spread out on tables as guests entered the reception room. Instead of a traditional sign in book, we had guests sign in a photo album containing our engagement shots yearbook style. We did a twist on the wedding slideshow that we created to show guests that focused on us as individuals and a couple and the theme was “Getting to Know Ourselves, the World, and Each Other.”
How did you pick your team? All of the bridesmaids are friends of mine going back to grade school, junior high, college, and more recent years. His best man is the husband of the friend who introduced us and he also had his nephew, my brother, and his friend from a very long time participate.
What part did your coordinator play in helping you make those decisions?
One of my bridesmaids acted as the coordinator. She is the one who introduced us to our venue. She helped us by researching our vendors and helping us to set-up appointments. She is the one who found our photographer through the web that has been one of the best experiences of the wedding.
Budget is always a consideration, especially because we only had a limited time to save, less than a year, but yet wanted to have the best wedding possible. Fortunately, we were able to have the exact wedding we wanted without going over our budget. The key was that we set a reasonable budget from the beginning that reflected our expectations, without overestimating or underestimating. We spent the most money where it mattered and did not spend money where it did not matter.
For example, we did not have favors for guests at the wedding, however for our overnight guests, we gave them goodies bag with expensive wine and other treats. For our invitations, we did not include RSVPs cards with envelopes and just had guests directly RSVP online at our website that we created. For our cake we ordered a small three tiered cake and had a sheet cake in the kitchen for extra cake.
We only provided flowers for the bride, groom and bridesmaids and I did not have a toss bouquet. After the cocktail hour we took our cocktail flowers upstairs to the reception room.
We created our guest list within a month of getting engaged and stuck to our maximum number of guests knowing that we would have less guests attend as our married friends told us. We opted out of a rehearsal dinner because half of the bridal party lives in Santa Barbara and half lives in Los Angeles so trying to get anywhere on a Friday night would have been a stressful nightmare for all so instead we gave them very nice thank you gifts.
We also created a Honeymoon registry site that gave guests a detailed itinerary of our honeymoon plans that was a socially acceptable way of asking for cash gifts and it paid entirely for our Italian honeymoon and some wedding expenses!
We chose to spend our money on attire, photography, flowers, entertainment, food and alcohol for our guests. Our guests had open bar the entire night, filet mignon/halibut/or Vegetarian as a dinner option, with sorbet dessert and sushi with other appetizers!
Establecido en Cancul y Riviera Maya, experiencia como Foto Periodista de Bodas. Me Encanta la luz amiental de las Puestas de Sol en La Laguna. Me gusta crear una obra de arte de cada dia de boda fotografiar la emocion real y contar historias.
Pueden contactarme para disponibilidad y precios de conbertura de la boda.
Los invito a conocerme por medio de blog, twitter y facebook:
Here’s a romantic way to add a touch of traditional Hispanic flare to your ceremony… “tie the knot” (literally!).
As a symbol of unity and the new life you are creating together as a couple, many Latin cultures incorporate atando el nudo into the religious ceremony. The lasso itself varies by culture (Guatemalan brides use a silver rope, while in Mexico it’s an extra long rosary) but the general idea is the same across the board: the couple is bound together via either their shoulders or wrists, while the priest pronounces a blessing.
Another reason to include the knot ceremony in your own wedding? You get to keep the rosary or satin rope as a completely unique memento of your big day!
Are you ready to purchase your lasso? Click here to find one to fit your budget.
Looking for a new cool citrus wedding color inspiration board? These incredible photos from Lin and Jirsa are just too good to pass up. We love the beautiful crystals the bride used. From the cake to the florals to the menu card, the citrus feel just cannot be passed up.
Menu Cards
I particularly love this cute menu card. If you are looking to put together a few cool choices for menu cards, then we recommend waiting until you decide on your palette. Once you do, this incredible lime green looks so crisp and bold against the black and white.
Florals
Check out these amazing arrangements. Unusual right.
The Cake
Brides, one thing to note, that we love about this wedding is that the cake is basically adorned with crisp green orchids. Simple orchids are a great way to communicate chic style on an affordable budget.
Hola chicas. Esta última boda viene de Chicago, Illinois. ¿No es preciosa. No podía esperar a compartir esta fiesta fantástica, con colores tan vibrantes y bella pareja. ¿No son hermosas?
Ok … vamos a revisar.
La ceremonia de entrega
Esta boda real viene directamente de la Ciudad de los Vientos – Chicago. Mira el vaso sorprendente en la iglesia. Le hace querer apresurarse a encontrar las iglesias más hermosas, ¿no? Desde el techo increíble que en realidad también coincide con sus consejos de inspiración y color … increíble. No sabemos si hemos visto una iglesia como esta todavía!
La Salida
Me encanta esta foto de la salida – la luz y el marco. Novias, esto definitivamente debería ir en la lista de su fotografia.
Paleta de colores
De pies a cabeza, esta novia fue vestida con un vestido precioso y una flor hermosa chic en el cabello.
El Bouquet
Si te estás preguntando cuál es su paleta de colores está, haga clic aquí para averiguar acerca de sus colores. Estamos absolutamente encantados con los colores mezclados.
La Administración de Alimentos
De los detalles de la ceremonia de la comida y la decoración, la novia no dejar una piedra sin remover! Nos encanta que la comida es tan colorido como la decoración. Hmmm. Me pregunto si se pretende?
¡Hola Chicas! Aquí hay cinco “tips” de Miranda [haz clique aqui para ver sus photos de compromiso], la novia real de este mes, para encontrar el vestido perfecto.
Nota: #1
Una buena investigación es importante. Compra y pide prestados revistas de boda. Así puedes decidir cuales son los estilos que mas te gustan. No te preocupes por como te quedaran por ahorra…
Nota: #2
Determine tu presupuesto… y no te pases. Llama algunas boutiques de boda y pregunta sobre sus puntos de precio. No tiene sentido probarte un vestido si no lo puedes comprar.
Nota: #3
Considera tu ropa interior. ¿Qué te vas a poner cuando vas de compras? Acuérdate que vas a tener un consultante en el proveedor con tigo. Entonces no es una buena idea ponerte algo que no quieres que otros vean. (Por ejemplo, si eres un poco tímida, ¡tal vez debes dejar la tanga en casa!)
Nota: #4
Pruébate todos los vestidos que puedas. Mantén la mente abierta—alo mejor no te gusta un vestido en el perchero, pero en tu cuerpo, puede ser el “look” ideal para ti.
Nota: #5
Compra lo más antes posible. Casi todos los vestidos de diseñador se demoran más o menos seis meses para procesar, diseño, y entrego.
This week we are going to deconstruct the very easy to do lemon placecards that we demonstrated on the homepage on Friday. Did you catch that little project? If not, here it is.
Now. For the lemon placecards. Remember, these placecards can be used pretty much for any table scape around. From beautiful mod table scapes to more odd pairing like the one we did for the homepage.
What you will need
You are going to need lemons, a cutting knife, lemon leaf and thick paper for the placecards.
Step 1: Writing the Cards
This is as simple as hand writing. The handwriting will make your cards feel extremely personal and it is so simple. You and your bridesmaids can do it.
Step 2: Make time for snacks
Ok. This isn’t really a step. This is the CEO and founder Candice Lapin with Jennifer Juhos of Fiore Designs.
Step 3: Create the Placecards
It is about cutting them to the correct size so that they aren’t too big.
Step 5: Cut into the Lemons
You are going to want to cut only about into 1/3 of the lemon leaving about 2/3 still uncut. This allows you to put some of the placecard into the lemon without drenching the card.
Step 7: Set Up
Now you are going to take the cards and put them into the lemons. How easy is that!
There’s a new trend in bachelorette parties—one that we are absolutely crazy about. Call them FMIL friendly, upscale, or just plain classy; these despedidas are all about celebrating your last day as a single chica without any kind of Girls Gone Wild craziness.
Ready to rock your big night with style? Check out our ideas for a chic bachelorette party that’s more about decadence than debauchery:
Spa Getaways
Wedding plans are stressful! Why add to your load by spending your bachelorette party worried about corralling your tipsy bridesmaids or keeping track of your purse as you work your way through a pub crawl? Instead, consider whisking your girls away to spend an indulgent night at a fabulous spa.
Or, for the ultimate in pre-wedded bliss, bring the indulgence (and the spa!) to you. Mobile spas will set up a few yummy pampering stations around your house. Then you and your lovely ladies can work your way around the room… sipping on champagne as you’re treated to neck massages, pedicures, and hot stone aromatherapy. Ahhhh… don’t you feel more relaxed already?
Be Wild
Of course, there are those novias who crave a little craziness in their bachelorette party. If that’s you, skip the male stripper and go for something that will really get your adrenaline going instead. White water rafting, bungee jumping, jet skiing, zip lining, or rock wall climbing all make for an unforgettable fiesta with your crew. Hire a guide for the afternoon, stay hydrated and cut completely loose!
Jammie Jam
Remember those slumber parties in junior high? Recreate that vibe by having your girls come over for a decidedly grown up take on the all nighter. Have everyone wear her most fabulous pajamas—be they satin nightgowns or the flannel feetie variety—swap out the hot coca and chips for chocolate martinis and hors d’oeuvres platters, and settle in for an all night wedding movie marathon. Think Father of the Bride, Monster in Law, the Wedding Planner, and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Pillow fights are optional, but make sure to pull a couple of practical jokes on whoever falls asleep first!
Oh my goodness. Besides just stumbling upon another great resource, the fun Pink to Green – an eco-friendly blog that also has tons of eco-fab ideas, the author prompted us to think…wait Spring is almost here and well winter isn’t quite over. So what kind of flowers would look amazing in Spring or Winter?
Um Balsa Wood Flowers. They are incredible!! And balsa wood flowers… well….they are eco-friendly. That’s right. Eco-friendly.
Here are some dreamy images of a gorgeous Balsa Wood flower arrangement courtesy of Utterly Engaged and the talented JL Designs….Amazing!
Lo mejor no? We totally dig it.
Si estas buscando una idea totalmente eco-chic puedes comprar estos flores que se llamen Balsa Wood flowers tambien via Krislyn en Los Angeles. Tiene unos arreglos que son como arte no?
Y, son totalmente ecological por que no pierdan! Quedan asi como un recuerdo de flores de tu boda. Que chulo no!! Lo puedes usar si tienes una boda vintage o una boda en la playa o una boda en la plancha!
En Miami, las novias en busca de un lugar memorable para tener la boda de sus sueños no van a encontrar ninguna escasez de venues fabulosos. Pero si buscas una locacion con un poco mas de lujo, considera uno de estos impresionantes puntos calientes:
Cena Celestial
Muy pocas experiencias gastronomicas se comparan a las delicias que se encuentran en el Ritz Carlton de Coconut Grove. El Ritz siempre ha sido el primer nombre en cuartos de lujo. Y ahorra también es sinónimo con opciones de menú y comida de boda emocionantes, inventivas, y simplemente deliciosos. Claro, no duele que el hotel es espectacularmente bello, ¿no?
Haciendo Olas
Con cascadas de coral, puentes, faroles antiguos, y grutas ocultas, el Venetian Pool en Coral Gabeles- bordeado de palmeras e iluminada preciosamente- es un impresionante escenario para una recepción de noche. Además, con un costo de renta menos de $2,000, este es un lugar que comprueba que si hay tal cosa como lujo asequible.
Historia Bella
Para un venue de boda que es tan rico en historia como en belleza intacta, nada mas tienes que mirar hacia el Monasterio Antiguo de España (Ancient Spanish Monastery) en el norte de Miami Beach. Escoge de varias arias sorprendentes para tu ceremonia y recepción para una boda llena de ambiente y grandes toques románticos.
Boda de destino
Bodas de destinaciones están más populares que nunca; y si vas a viajar hacia Miami para tu gran día, no te puedes equivocar con el hotel Alexander. Chequea sus fenomenales paquetes de boda, cuales incluyen todo—desde una cena de bienvenido para los miembros de tu procesión a fiestas de despedida de solteras. Hasta pueden ayudarte a planear un brunch al otro día para que puedas despedirte de tus invitados con estilo.
La Naturaleza en su Mejor
El Palms Hotel, cerca de South Beach, es una celebración de la belleza natural de Miami. Desde el gazebo en frente de la alberca a las ceremonias en la arena, una boda en el Palms es elegancia discreta. Solo te tomara un vistazo a la playa del hotel, alumbrado por el ardiente sol de Florida, para estar de acuerdo con nosotras.
Miranda and Juan… we first fell in love with this adorable couple when we caught a glimpse at their fun and flirty engagement photo sessions. So you can just imagine how excited we were when they agreed to let us follow them through the entire wedding process—from proposal to “I do,” Para Ti Novia is going to be there every step of the way (and we’re bringing you with us)!
This week, we go wedding dress shopping with Miranda as she finds the perfect frock to take her from Miss to Mrs.!
Like most of us, Miranda began thinking about dress shopping as soon as the excitement of the proposal began to settle in. She’d been scouring wedding blogs long before she found Mr. Right (something we can definitely relate to) so she already knew she wanted the charm and elegance of a vintage affair.
“I set out to find that one [dress] that made me feel like I was walking down the aisle for generations of brides before my time. That meant the fashion of the 1940’s mixed with lots of lace, ivory, tones, and sparkle”
After scouring the internet for ideas and thumbing through second hand weddings mags, she had a pretty good idea of what she was after.
Realizing that she had to set a budget first (lest she fall in love with a gown she couldn’t afford) she called a few wedding boutiques to do some price comparisons before ever setting foot in a bridal shop.
When she did hit the stores, Miranda did something that we recommend for every bride: she tried on tons of different styles.
“I thought I would love the style of a mermaid gown… but it didn’t compare to the way A-Line dresses fit my figure!”
A few weeks later, she hit wedding dress gold on a trip to Bridal and Formal in the Bridal District in Cincinnati. After telling the consultant what she loved (Vintage, lace, glam, A-Line) she tried on a series of dresses before being shown a beautiful ivory lace gown that gave her goosebumps.
“I didn’t even have it over my head yet, and my auntie was already in tears… And the icing on the cake? As I was purchasing the dress, I learned that the designer was Pronovias. My dress had Spanish style and influence all along, and I didn’t even know! How awesome is that?!”
This week we decided to finally post a cool new feature on the website: DIY Everything. Every few weeks Paratinovia’s staff will bring you a cool new idea that you can create for your wedding all from $25 to $50 per table setting.
With all the cool new DIY projects around the web we wanted to make sure you could translate some of the ideas we bring you in a way that is easy to achieve no matter what your budget.
Color Palette
Are you looking for a cool idea this winter or early Spring for a cool color palette that is different from norm? Check out this amazing new photo shoot we did at Paratinovia using Grey, Yellow & White. It is one of our favorite color palettes for Winter and even for Spring! It is definitely a bit more mod but we are all about introducing new ideas to you as often as possible so that you can translate what you see at an affordable price.
Dissecting the Layout of the Table
The Farm Table:
We started with a farm house table to achieve a new modern rustic look. Talk to your rental company about the possibility of bringing in these tables. Often you can even ask a venue if they have these tables, newer more eco-friendly venues have these tables on hand. I went to a wedding at the Smogge Shoppe (Culver City, CA) last year that had beautiful farm house tables that were so elegant in the indoor and outdoor space.
Jennifer, my co-founder at Paratinovia and resident expert from Fiore Designs, had this table at her own house – how lucky were we!
The Table Runner:
Check out the fab charcoal table runner – if we tell you that we got that runner and I just cut it you wouldn’t believe it! We actually went to Ikea to get charcoal gray but you can head to any local fabric store. We wanted to make sure it had that wintery look that could work at a Viceroy Hotel wedding or a Mexico City wedding – remember Ikea is global so look for a store near you and ask them for their charcoal.
The Arrangements
Hmmm. Arrangements don’t have to be complicated to make an impact. We spent no more than $15 total on these blooms. We headed to downtown LA’s own flower mart to pick up inexpensive flowers that we could arrange ourselves in a monochromatic color – yellow – to make it look chic and modern.
The Flower Choice
We took a few more interesting blooms and mix and matched our flowers. We used Ranunculus – $7 for a bunch. This floral is a great alternative to larger more popular flowers like peonies or even roses. Plus, they look cool and unexpected. Check with your local flower mart on availability.
Cost: $10 for the Ranunculas and the other pieces of flowers and citrus fruit sprinkled about.
To see our DIY project on creating this particular arrangement – check back on our blog.
The Lemon Place Cards
We absolutely love the idea of using small citrus fruits to create cool placecard holders. They can be impeccable and easy to create. We also have a DIY project on creating this particular arrangement which we will be posting in a few weeks – check back in a few weeks to get that post.
Check out the Lemon Placecard with a lemon leaf below and without a lemon leaf above! Can you tell the difference. Adding the lemon leaf just gives a little touch that can be so inviting.
Cost: $0 – We pulled the lemons off of a tree in Jennifer’s backyard.
For more tips on how to achieve cool looks at an even cooler price, then check back weekly for our updates and projects or click here.
Along the banks of the San Antonio River is the Riverwalk—a network of walkways lined by shops, restaurants, and some of the city’s most beautiful wedding venues. When it comes to planning a quince along the Paseo de Rio, we couldn’t help but fall in love with some of the Walk’s hotels. (And we’re willing to bet that you’ll go head over heels for some of these San Antonio hot spots, too)
Omni La Mansion del Rio
We absolutely adore the Spanish architecture and elegant ambiance at this four diamond resort. Despite the fact that the hotel is located in the heart of the busy Riverwalk district, the entire place embodies the charm and grace of a Spanish hacienda. Walk through the doors of the idyllic Iberian Ballroom and you might just have a tough time envisioning your quince any place else. Click here to book the Omni La Mansion del Rio.
Remember girls, this is a location for those without a budget in mind!
The Saint Anthony
Built in 1909, this ornate (and simply breathtaking) hotel is a National Historic Landmark. We love everything about this Victorian gem—and so will you. Details like eight foot wide crystal chandeliers and carefully restored paintings will lend your quince an air of sophistication and beauty that you wouldn’t be able to recreate at a newer venue. Ask for The Saint Anthony’s wedding package to see if they can extend it for a quince so you and your damas can have a cool slumber party and recap all the evenings cool events….Nice.
Inn on the Riverwalk
For those of your chicas who prefer the charm of a bed and breakfast to the bustle of a big hotel, may we suggest the Inn on the Riverwalk? Aside from being a beautiful venue in a stunning setting, the Inn has the added benefit of a fully customizable party. They do A LOT of weddings so just ask what their specials are for quinces. You can have them arrange the entire event, or just pick and choose what you want them to handle for you.
Looking for a playlist that includes some fun Latin songs to mix into your current playlist? Then look no further, hopefully this mix of current songs will keep the familia and your guests entertained and engaged.
Artist: Ruban Blades
Song Title: Caminando
This artist has been performing since the 1970’s and continues to be popular with fans of all ages. The song has an up-tempo beart with a good message.
Artist: Juanes
Song Title: Volverte a ver
How can you not love Juanes, right? A good song for during dinner.
Artist: Aventura
Song Title: Los Infieles
Its amazing any time of the evening.
Artist: Calle 13
Song Title: Tango del Pecado.
This song has a great beat, a mix of reggaeton and tango. The song is about two individuals from different class structures who fall in love and eventually get married.
Artist: Shalia Durcal
Song Title: Déjame Vivir
Born to famous parents, Rocio Durcal and Antonio Morales Junior, she is an accomplished performer in her own right. This song is fun to dance to and enjoyable to hear.
Artist: David Bisbal
Song Title: Let’s Make History
This duet is sung with Joanna Zimmer. The lyrics are very appropriate for a wedding: “Let’s make history; Only you and me; From now on it’s all for one; and one for all…”
Artist: Enrique Iglesias
Song Title: Rhythm Divine
No wedding playlist would be complete without this best-selling Latin artist. This was the first English single he released. It was well produced and fervently sung.
Artist: Pitbull
Song Title: Shut it Down
Such a fun song to get all your friends on the floor.
Artist: Mana
Song Title: Justicia, tierra y libertad
This song offers sturdy guitar influences with a strong message. Even if your guests don’t speak Spanish, they will appreciate this rock band.
Artist: Pitbull
Song Title: The Anthem
Ok. So we like Pitbull. It keeps this office on its feet mid-day!
Artist: Luz Rios
Song Title: Aire
This duet, with Joan Sebastian, is a unique Latin/Pop song. Her range is excellent and she belts a very upbeat sound. This song was a chart topper and received a Latin Billboard nomination for “Hot Latin Song of the Year – Vocal Event.”
Artist: Shakira
Song Title: She Wolf
An instant sensation in the US, Shakira is a popular cross-over pop artist. This new song is guaranteed to be another hit. It makes a great contemporary addition to the playlist.
Hello Para ti Novia readers! My name is Kelly Oshiro {www.kellyoshiroevents.com} and I am an event design and wedding planner based in Santa Barbara. Today I’d like to share some common lighting terms and techniques.
Lighting is such a crucial and often overlooked portion of the event design at a wedding. It can make the flowers pop, set the perfect romantic mood, and make for great photos.
Here are some tips for working with lighting:
1.Areas like the bar, dance floor will need a soft wash of lighting. Generally amber/pink tones work best for this kind of general lighting. Stay away from blues andgreen, it will make your guests look old (and highlight every gray hair).
2.Uplight architectural details or trees. This in itself can add instant drama and is not very expensive. Here you can get creative with color, I like to do dashes of blue/green/red on trees.
3.Gobos, or a pattern that sits on top of a light source, projects any kind of pattern you want (paisley, palm trees whatever), custom monograms of the couples names, whatever you want. These work well to create texture on a blank wall or to add some dimension to the dance floor lighting. Gobos can get pricey though, especially when you have custom gobos made for your wedding.
4.I love using large bulb string lights. They create an instant homey-vibe (think Italian restaurant) and in an outdoor space they can create a ceiling on the party—which makes the reception instantly feel more intimate.
5.Chinese Lanterns are great because they come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. I like to hang them in clusters over the dance floor in order to make a 3D floating sculpture. And please put real light bulbs in them, LEDs just don’t give off enough light.
6.Pin spotting is where a very small spotlight is focused on the floral centerpiece. This causes the flowers to pop and really shows off all the colors and textures in your centerpiece. For a low centerpiece, one pin spot should suffice, for a tall centerpiece you’ll need 2 or 3 pin spots to light each side of the centerpiece. And don’t forget to pin spot both sides of your cake as well.
7.And of course always light the way to and from the bathrooms, parking etc.
Hi chicas. This latest wedding hails from Chicago, Illinois. Isn’t it gorgeous. We couldn’t wait to share this fantastic fete with such vibrant colors and beautiful couple. Aren’t they gorgeous?
Ok…let’s review.
The Ceremony
This amazing real wedding hails direct from the Windy City – Chicago. Look at the amazing glass in the church. It makes you want to rush to find the most gorgeous churches, no? From the incredible ceiling which actually also matches their color inspiration boards…incredible. We don’t know if we have seen a church like this yet!
Religious Ceremony
Did you check out the amazing candle lighting picture. It makes us swoon.
I love this exit picture – the light and the frame. Brides this should definitely go on the checklist for a cool shot on your photography shot list.
The Color Palette
From head to toe, this bride was decked out in a gorgeous dress and a beautiful chic flower in her hair.
The Bouquet
If you are wondering what her color palette is, click here to find out about her colors. We absolutely love the colors all mixed together.
The Food
From the ceremony details to the food and decor, this bride did not leave one stone unturned! We love that the food is just as colorful as the decor. Hmmm. I wonder if intended?
So you’ve found the perfect wedding venue, and now you’re determined to make sure that your guests are as dazzled by the venue as you were…of course. The key is to create a completely unique space that not only showcases your incredible sense of style, but also makes the most of the features found at the venue itself. But, you don’t have to go overboard on decorating or styling the venue. All it takes is a little vision and some simple quick fixes.
Here are our top three simple style tips for decorating your venue, and amping up your wedding.
Tip #1: Shop for the Venue with Your Color Scheme in Mind
When shopping for a venue, keep your color scheme in mind… a lot of brides decide on a location—only to realize too late that the carpet or wall color clash horribly with there desired wedding colors! Here are a few more ideas on making your wedding venue shine:
Tip #2: Make an Entrance
Wow your guests from the time of their arrival by making sure that their first impression of your wedding venue is a stand out. If your chosen location has a long driveway or entrance, try lining it with luminaries, candles, or twinkle light lit topiaries to guide friends and family to your reception.
And here’s a decorating idea that will add some drama to your grand entrance: forgo traditional low lying floral centerpieces at the entry for silver candelabras filled with flowers. Then scatter candlelight throughout the entry way. Dim the lights and light the room via flickering candlelight as your guests take their seats. Then, as the DJ announces the new Mr. and Mrs., turn up the house lights and let the party begin.
Tip #3: Beautiful Illusion
If you’re not thrilled with a certain aspect of your reception hall, don’t sweat it… disguise it! Chipped wall paint disappears underneath draped yards of dreamy fabric, and stone pillars and staircases become stunning focal points with the addition of wound organza, fairy lights, or trailing ivy.
And here’s a great way to save a little cash without sacrificing style: take advantage of the free basic table cloths offered by your venue, and rent sheer toppers in your wedding colors to bolster the look.
It’s often the little things that have the biggest impact on wedding reception décor. Don’t neglect the details, and your night should come together beautifully.
You know exactly what kind of dress you want (strapless ball gown, please), what your cake should look like (dark flowers, white fondant thank you very much) and which flowers you want to see at every table (roses yes, carnations no). But even the most well prepared bride-to-be often feels lost when it comes to deciding on just where she wants to have her wedding. But, since wedding venues often book six months to a year in advance, the sooner you decide on a location, the more likely you are to have the boda of your dreams. So just how does a girl go about finding the perfect wedding venue?
Start with a budget
Decide on just how much you can spend on your venue before making a single appointment. Then make sure you only visit places that lie within your price range. (This will help you avoid the heartache of falling in love with one venue, only to discover that you can’t afford it.)
Consider The Size of Your Guest List
Next, consider the size of your guest list. Keep in mind that you’ll not only need room to seat everybody, but space for dancing and toasting as well. And you’ll have to decide if you want to have your ceremony and reception at the same place, or divide your day between two venues.
Go with the Unexpected
Once you’ve got size and budget in mind, consider looking beyond the country clubs and golf courses… you can often get more individuality for less money by going with someplace a little more unexpected. For example, taking the festivities outside will help cut down on the cost of decorations, and many city parks or forests charge very little for the use of their space. Look for features like fountains, covered patios, or grassy picnic areas.
Theaters and performance halls also make for unexpected—and classy—wedding venues. Or, consider going with someplace that has significant meaning to you and your future hubby. The beach where he proposed, the restaurant where you had your first date, or the vineyard where you first realized that he was the one are all great places to stage your “I do’s”.
Schedule Your Walk Throughs
Once you’ve assembled a list of potential locations, it’s time to start scheduling your walk-throughs. A good rule to keep in mind: Never make your final decision before seeing at least three different venues. Remember to bring a camera and a pad for taking notes. And, since it’s easy to become distracted as you daydream your way through a potential venue, it’s probably a good idea to bring a list of questions with you.
Ok ladies! We wanted to share this incredible Engagement Photo Shoot from one of our own readers – Miranda! Thanks Miranda.
We always love getting real wedding and engagement pics. And, when we saw these photos we just had to share…as soon as possible.
We especially love this photo shoot because these pics tell the story of Miranda and Juan’s own relationship.
Where they first met!
Juan and Miranda started with this adorable picture. That building in the background? It’s where they first lived when they moved in together. Like all of their pics, they used places that had meaning to them as background. (Are these two adorable or what?!) You can personalize your own engagement pictures by subtly incorporating things that are meaningful to you and your hubby to be, as well. Use the pics to tell the story of “you”, and they’re guaranteed to stand out! Why stay in one place? A strolling tour through all of their favorite places made this couple’s photo session completely unique. Talk to your own photog about taking several shots in different spots, as opposed to keeping all your poses stationary. Other fun engagement pic ideas include playing with weather (sunshine is fabulous, but rainy day shots under colorful umbrellas can be absolutely adorable), using nature to your advantage (a field of brightly colored flowers or his and her surfing pics, perhaps?), or even out of the ordinary locations (phone booths, bakeries, shops, or a row of brightly lit streetlamps all make for intimate and fun settings).Who says all wedding photos have to be formal? These shots, taken where Miranda and Juan had their very first date, look completely candid; and that makes them all the more romantic. Here’s where the importance of a great photographer comes in. There’s nothing staged about any of these pics… it’s just Juan and Miranda looking completely in love and ridiculously happy.Be on the lookout for more from this fun pareja as they let us follow them through the entire wedding planning process!
So, Romeo finally popped the question (yay!) and you’re ready to begin planning your dream wedding. First things first: it’s time to find the perfect wedding dress. But, what to do? Where to go? How to shop for that perfect dress. Relax, chica—we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to shopping for the perfect wedding frock:
Set a Budget:
Diamonds are forever. The dress, on the other hand, only has to last about ten hours, tops. So, unless your famila is loaded (or you started saving in the third grade) the prices of wedding dresses may send you into a little bit of sticker shock. But keep in mind that many bridal boutiques can take a picture of a designer dress and come pretty close to replicating it at a fraction of the original cost. A good budgeting strategy to keep in mind: Decide how much you can afford to spend on the entire wedding, carve out an allotment for your dress, and then work backwards from there.
Style, Babe:
Perhaps the best way to decide on the style of dress that you want is to grab a stack of wedding magazines and tear out pictures of the ones that catch your eye. You’ll probably notice a theme or two developing as your pile of cut outs grows. Try to keep an open mind (not every dress you love is going to love you back, so make sure that you check out dresses that will flatter your body shape).
You might want to keep the theme and mood of your wedding in mind as you select a gown as well. Casual or shorter length dresses look great at a beach wedding, while a splash of color or an extra long train can add serious drama to a formal affair.
Time it
Just how long does it take to find the perfect dress, have it altered, choose your accessories, and sashay down the aisle in style? We suggest setting out on your dress shopping adventure about 6 months before the big day. Figure it will take a couple of trips to bridal shops before you find “the one”.
From there, it will be about 8-12 weeks to receive your dress after the initial fitting. Tack on a couple of weeks for alterations and up to four months for delivery, and (whew) you’re all done!
Since 1995, Rochelle Rae has been dazzling the Austin hair and makeup scene with dramatic and romantic looks for everything from movie shoots and fashion shows to cosmetic companies and stage performances. And now, Texas novias seeking a completely unique and personalized wedding day look can benefit from that unparalleled experience.
And (as if the desire to look your absolute stunning best weren’t reason enough to book Rochelle for your boda) your entire bridal party will thank you for the decision when they find out that their makeup for the day is included at no extra charge!
When we came across this particular bride, we knew you would just have to take a peek. The wedding is beautiful and so is the couple…
Ok so take a peek:
How they met:
Ivette and Joe met while they were studying at the University of Notre Dame in one of South Bend, Indiana’s finest… a club formally known as “Heartland”. Ivette recalls the meeting, but did not really make anything of it besides thinking, “Isn’t that the cute boy from freshman year psychology class?” But Joe remembers the night he saw Ivette for the first time and instantly fell in love.
After countless, seemingly coincidental encounters at LaFortune (which were actually meticulously planned by Joe), a lunch at Panera, and a fun and friendly date to a formal at the Notre Dame Press Box, Joe and Ivette graduated from college and went their separate ways. But Joe’s conquest continued… his friendly calls seemed to come more frequently and the flowers and Godiva chocolates he would send made him known as “Godiva Boy” to Ivette’s friends in Houston.
After a trip to a Notre Dame football game during the fall of 2006, and a later trip out to LA for the Deloitte Prom in Feburary 2007, Ivette was hooked. The distance between Los Angeles and Houston could no longer keep them apart… and their friendship developed into something stronger, a relationship that could withstand anything.
How did he propose?
Despite being busy with 5 days a week of grueling therapy to realize his goal to walk again, Joe planned the fantasy proposal of a lifetime. His cover story started as a surprise trip for our two-year anniversary. All I knew was that I should practice my French, and pack like we were going to Miami, but I could not have dreamed of what was to come. Fifteen minutes before we were supposed to leave on our trip, Joe handed me an envelope: the cover read, “CONFIDENTIAL! For Ivette’s eyes only. DO NOT discuss with anyone until after February 21, 2008.” In the envelope was a paper that said, “You have won a trip to TAHITI”.
Tahiti has been a long standing inside joke of ours that started our first weekend as a couple, so celebrating our anniversary there was so heartfelt. From the moment we stepped off the plane, all the stress from our busy lives back in LA disappeared… we were literally in paradise. After a short ferry ride to a nearby island, we arrived at a private bungalow suite over the beautiful crystal-clear blue water.
We watched the sunset and headed back to our bungalow to finish getting ready to go out to dinner… or so I thought; but there was a knock at the door and our dinner had come to us! Our balcony was set up for a most romantic dinner for two. The view and the company could not have been better. We enjoyed our dinner, and right before dessert was served Joe asked me to come over to his side of the table to give him a kiss. Thinking nothing of it, I approached him like I usually would, and before I knew it, Joe was wiggling his way down to the floor and knelt on one knee. He started to say how he had thought about what he was supposed to say at that moment, but hadn’t come up with anything good so he was just going to say what was in his heart. That very moment, my brain froze… I heard nothing else until he said, “Will you marry me?” “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” I said over and over.
Then Joe was trying to get back up in the chair, so I had to help him up, since kneeling on one knee wasn’t something he regularly practiced during therapy. Once he was back in the chair, he said with a somewhat puzzled face, “But you didn’t answer my question.” At that moment I screamed, “Of course!” He pulled out a little box out of his jean pocket, opened it, and gave me the shock of my life. Things could not have been more perfect at that moment. Time stood still, and we were living a dream.
How did you choose your wedding venue:
We researched a bunch of outdoor venues in the LA area and found the LA River Center and Gardens. It had the “Spanish” feel we were looking for and was absolutely beautiful.
Did you incorporate anything unique into your wedding?
We blended the Filipino and Mexican cultures in the ceremony (veil, coins and lazo sponsors during the Mass). Traditionally, the handling of the coins to the bride represents the groom’s dedication to the welfare of the bride. The coins were be presented by the coin sponsors and Ivette and Joe passed them to each other as a symbol of their mutual hope for wealth, prosperity, and security as their joint efforts help build their lives and family together.
Our place cards were personalized fans that doubled as a favor that helped keep the guests cool on the warm September evening and place cards that helped them know where they were sitting.
Our other favors were individual Godiva Chocolates in the shape of tiny wedding cakes.
We had a martini luge (groom’s only request) that the bartenders used to serve Lychee and Cucumber Martinis for our guests.
Our dinner was served “Russian Style”, similar to family style, where large platters of food were brought to the table and guests could eat Mahi Mahi, Beef, Tortellini, Grilled Veggies and Fingerling Potatoes.
Incorporating Cultural Traditions and Latina Background:
The ceremony was a traditional Mass with all traditions of padrinos and the offering of the flowers to the Virigin. The cantor of the church sang Ave Maria during this part of the ceremony.
We had a Mariachi band perform during the cocktail hour before the reception and we had a live Salsa and Latin Jazz band play during dinner and the beginning of dancing.
Did you integrate any DIY (do-it-yourself) elements:
We made all our own stationary (save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, programs, menus and thank you cards).
Was budget a factor? If so in what way:
Yes – we went over! We had a rough budget at the beginning but continually added to it after we realized how much things actually cost. In the end we ended up going over budget, but it was completely worth every penny.
What would you do different?
Nothing! Well, maybe just stress less during the planning process.
We had the time of our lives! The only other advice I would give to brides-to-be planning their big day would be to enjoy every minute of it and stick by your grooms’ side. It goes by so fast and you want to take it all in as it is happening to have the memories that will last a lifetime.
Hello Para ti Novia readers! My name is Kelly Oshiro and I am an event designer and wedding planner based in Santa Barbara. Today I thought I would share what’s currently inspiring me, and the trends I adore for 2010.
1. Vintage and retro touches.
Birdcage veils have been popular for the last two years, but I’m also seeing, tea length dresses, 40’s style hairdos, tons of vintage containers (think colored glass and old coca cola bottles, mason jars), gloves (either short or long), vintage phones, old typewriters and even bikes are turning up for decor.
2. Colors
With my clients anyway, yellow and purple seem to be coming up a lot. I love the color combo together or separately. For bridesmaid’s dresses, gray and plum are projected to be the hot colors for 2010. Also I’m seeing a lot of more muted base colors in creams/taupe and then a pop of color from the flowers.
3. Eclectic
A lot of brides don’t want matchy-matchy tables with the same containers and linens. I love mixing colored glass (either vintage or new) to create an eclectic look that still looks cohesive, but has an organic quality to it. Likewise, using two or three printed patterns for runners that have similar colors also creates variety with being busy.
4. Rustic
Santa Barbara is home to some of the most gorgeous ranches in the world (think rolling hills with oak trees and ocean views) and a lot of these properties are now available for weddings. The rustic touches, unfinished wood, hay bales for ceremony seating, and barns for the receptions are immensely popular. Again the mood is homey, intimate and not stuffy.
I hope these tips have helped inspired you to design and plan your own intimate, eclectic wedding!
Kelly Oshiro is a Santa Barbara wedding planner whose work can be seen on her own blog. To get in touch with Kelly, contact Kelly Oshiro at {www.kellyoshiroevents.com}.
You probably had something very specific in mind when you planned your summer wedding. Your vision most likely included a perfect day, with a soft breeze gently blowing the edges of your veil, and the warm summer sun illuminating your wedding pictures. Chances are good, however, that your plans did not include sweltering heat, dehydration, or sunburn. But, alas, these are all too often the perils that come with a hot weather wedding. Luckily for you, however, we have the remedy to the summer wedding blues. Just keep these tips in mind as you make preparations for your nuptials, and your wedding is sure to sizzle in all the right ways.
Head for Cover
While you may have found the ideal sandy beach, meadow, or vineyard to hold your wedding, it’s important to keep in mind that summer weather is often unpredictable. June showers or July scorchers are not uncommon, and both can call for the implementation of a plan “B”. A beautiful white tent, large umbrellas, or even some strategically placed arches or arbors can provide both ambience and a much needed escape from the elements.
Props, Please
Even a few subtle additions to your summer wedding can make a big difference in the minds of your guests. The cost of adding a misting system to your reception area is fairly minimal, but the relief they provide is huge. Also, you might want to have your wedding programs printed on fans- again the price difference is small, but your guests will definitely thank you for thinking of them. (We love the beautiful program fans from Fans at $1.00- there’s a style to suit just about every summer wedding theme- and budget.)
H2-Oh Yes
In the frenzied selection of a venue, caterer, and bar selection, the simplest things are often overlooked. Having a stash of cold water bottles available for your guests can help them beat the heat- and have you looking like a hero.
Because the last thing you want to worry about is something like a little heat ruining the big day.
Tal vez es tu primera boda. Tal vez no. De todos modos, las posibilidades son buenas que tu y tus invitados tienen unas preguntas sobre la manera mejor de portarte durante la ceremonia y la recepción de una boda. Vamos a tomar una mirada a los dilemas de protocolo y etiqueta de boda mas comunes, ¿si?
Protocolo Para los Invitados:
¡Felicidades! Parece que los novios piensan bastante bien de ti—ya que quieren que seas parte del día más importante de su matrimonio. Recuerda que tomó mucho tiempo y esfuerzo planear esta fiesta… ¡por favor, abstente de quejas! Aquí hay algunas cosas que puedes hacer para asegurar que el asunto entero vaya sin problemas (y ayudar que el enfoque de la noche sea la pareja feliz).
Responde a la invitación lo más antes posible. Acuérdate que los planes de boda pueden estar on hold en lo que la novia espera las respuestas.
Si la novia esta teniendo una despedida de soltera, ese es el momento ideal para llevar un regalo de boda. También puedes enviar un regalo cualquier día antes de la ceremonia. Si lo vas a traer a la recepción, pregúntele a los padres de la novia (o a la dama de honor) adonde esta la mesa de los regalos. No es necesario dárselo a la novia misma.
Si tienes algunas restricciones de dieta, informa a la novia cuando mandas tu invitación.
Y si se aparece algo en tu plato que no puedes comer, simplemente ignóralo.
Si llegas a la ceremonia después que ha empezado la procesión, espera hasta que la novia llegue al altar antes de entrar. Resiste la tentación de mirar por las ventanas o puertas, ya que eso te causara a estar en las fotos de la novia. Igualmente, si llegas tarde a la recepción, espera hasta que ha entrado la pareja antes de entrar tu.
¿Eres parte de la procesión?
Entonces es parte de tu trabajo ayudar a la pareja durante la celebración. Mantén un ojo en el vestido de la novia, y arréglaselo cuando ella va a bailar o tomar fotos. Asegura que la paraje tome un momento a comer y sentarse. Y mas que nada, recuérdelos que todo el mundo la esta pasando de lo mas bien.
Protocolo Para La Pareja:
Has puesto mucho tiempo y esfuerzo (y probablemente bastante dinero) en asegurar que tu gran día es un éxito. También hay algunos consejos de etiqueta que pueden ayudar a los novios hacer la noche una maravilla:
Evite confusiones de mesa al con mandar invitaciones especificas. En vez de mandar invitaciones que digan “La familia Rodríguez”, trata algo similar a “La señora y el señor Rodríguez”, “Maria Rodríguez y un invitado” o “Juan, Maria, y Felipe Rodríguez”. Y si no quieres muchachos en tu fiesta, incluye las palabras “recepción de Adultos Solamente” en la invitación.
Evite confusiones de mesa al con mandar invitaciones especificas. En vez de mandar invitaciones que digan “La familia Rodríguez”, trata algo similar a “La señora y el señor Rodríguez”, “Maria Rodríguez y un invitado” o “Juan, Maria, y Felipe Rodríguez”. Y si no quieres ninos en tu fiesta, incluye las palabras “recepción de Adultos Solamente” en la invitación.
Debes de incluir sellos de correo en tus cartas de RSVP.
Durante la noche, trata de visitar a cada mesa por lo menos una vez para extender tus gracias y tomar fotos con amigos y familiares.
Aunque no debes de incluir información de tu lista de regalos en la invitación, si puedes incluir un link a tu website de boda. Lo que nunca debes de hacer: Mencionar que deseas regalos en efectivo.
Si alguien hace algo durante tu recepción que no te encanta, no hagas una escena. ¡No tiene sentido convertirte en un monstruo (y arruinar tu buen tiempo) durante el día de tu boda!
We all want to share and include everyone in our wedding. But, inviting all your favorite co-workers and friends from work is not always feasible with our budgets, especially in this economy. So, how to handle the situation so that nobody feels excluded?
What is Your Real Budget?
Start with your real budget. What can you really afford? How many people should be on the list and who shouldn’t be on the guest list.
Now for the Guest List!
Once you determine how many guests you can have at the reception, you can work realistically with your wedding guest list. Start your list with people that are most important to you and your fiance.
Coworkers
Making the cut can often depend on how many spare spaces you have on the guest list. Are you close with your co-workers? Do they think you are close? Do they expect an invitation? These are all things you should think about when making these decisions.
Remember, if you do have a close friend at work, most likely you consider them a friend not merely a co-worker, so they would make it on the guest list.
If you do not have space on your guest list…
Consider organizing a toast in your office and explain to everyone that your wedding reception will be small, but you’d like to celebrate with them this way. A few bottles of wine and some sandwiches will ensure that all feel they are important.
If you have space on the guest list…
If you have space on your guest list, then you may but are not required to invite co-workers. Now this is where it gets tricky… If you would like to invite co-workers, then start with an order of priority. Your boss should get an invitation. Then the co-workers you work immediately with, starting with someone you work directly with, i.e. any work buddies.
As an alternative
Consider inviting co-workers to different showers. Most often, it is polite to invite only those guests that will be included at the wedding, such that guests don’t feel left out. However, you might suggest that even if they are not invited to the wedding but would like to attend a shower or be included you would be happy to include them.
Remember that the goal of this celebration is not be celebrating along with everyone but you and your other half. Invite those with whom you two want to share and enjoy your marriage.
More than ever before, brides looking to ensure that their nuptials are a memorable affair are choosing a winter backdrop to set the stage for an unforgettable fete. (This is especially true for those novias who want their big day to stand out from the multitude of warm weather weddings that will take place this year) But is an end of the year ceremony right for you? Grab a mug of spiced cider and your fiancé—here’s a look at the pros and cons of una boda en el invierno:
A Big Yay for Winter Weddings!
So, aside from the uniqueness factor, just what are some of the reasons to go with a winter wedding?
Its Easy on the Budget
For starters, there’s the big bad budget to contend with. High end venues are oodles more affordable in the off season; meaning that you can get a great deal on a hall or hotel that you might not otherwise be able to afford. Honeymoons are also more inexpensive come winter (which means that you and the hubby can escape to someplace sunny right when you need it most!)
It works with people’s Vacations!
Another plus to a winter soiree is the fact that most people have vacation time at the end of the year, making it easier for friends and relatives to come in from out of town without having to take time off of work or school. (The same goes for those brides planning on a destination wedding)
Its Great for the Wardrobe
Finally, you might want to consider the positives of a winter wardrobe, as well. This is especially true for those chicas who aren’t comfortable with some of the strapless, backless, or plunging wedding dress style that are popular for summer weddings. An ice blue ball gown with a midnight blue sash and matching hooded cape, for example, makes for a conservative—and completely gorgeous—winter wedding dress look.
Are you more of a Spring/Summer Bride?
Of course, there are a few down sides to holding your wedding when it’s chilly outside, too. If any of these is a deal breaker for you, then you may want to consider being a June bride, instead:
Its more expensive to make the Trip
While time off is not a problem for people during the holidays, the cost of travel often is. Prices on flights and train fare often skyrocket towards the end of the year, which might be more than your guests can handle.
Conflicts with Existing Holiday Plans
There are also people’s holiday plans to contend with. (You may be dreaming of a sparkling white wedding on a snowy Christmas Eve… but keep in mind that your friends and family might want to spend the holidays with their own relatives on those nights!)
Flowers can be Tough to Come By
Flowers are also tougher to come by during the colder months. That means that you may have to adjust your color scheme or decorations to work within the confines of what’s available.
Hello Para ti Novia readers! My name is Kelly Oshiro and I am an event design and wedding planner based in Santa Barbara. Today I’d like to share some of my all time favorite wedding venue locations in Santa.
1. Zaca Creek Ranch
Located in the heart of California’s Santa Ynez Valley the gorgeous property features a huge lawn with stunning views of the valley-perfect for the ceremony or reception. There is also a large house on the property that the couple and there family can stay in. Adjacent to the home is a barn area that would be perfect for cocktail hour.
(Kelly, we love this too, it is definitely one of my favorite in Santa Barbara wedding locations!)
2. St Francis Ranch
Also in Santa Ynez Valley is a private ranch that has sweeping views of Lake Cachuma and there are even zebras on the property.
This property epitomizes Santa Barbara cool with a perfect landscape for a couple looking for a wedding location or venue that just says California!
3. Rose Story Farm
What can I say? It’s a rose farm and was featured in Martha Stewart Living.
4. Seagate Estate
This Santa Barbara estate features a gorgeous Japanese style home with sweeping 360-degree views of the ocean and mountains. The property can also sleep up to 6 guests. Perfect for the wedding party or the bridesmaids the evening before the wedding!
5. The Granada
A historic 1920’s theater in Santa Barbara that was recently renovated, the wrought iron work, the gold detail painting is truly spectacular and is completely unique. You can have your reception on stage and they will even put your name on the marquee for a nominal fee.
6. Coral Casino at the Four Seasons
Another recently renovated property this ballroom is right on the ocean. Featuring 1930’s regency details, its pure elegance.
7. Twin Peaks Ranch in Ojai
This ranch has one of the most spectacular areas for ceremony I’ve ever seen. A grove of Oak Trees come together overhead and create a natural ceiling that diffuse light; the effect is magical.
With summer drawing to a close, its time for those amazing late summer weddings to begin and planning for next year’s Spring weddings begin. What exactly is a late summer wedding and what colors can you or should you use for this time of year? Of course, late summer is that amazing time from mid August to late September when we take those amazing holiday vacations to the desert or even to the beach to get our last minute holidays in before the demands of work take over. Late summer weddings are much the same, a time when we can take in the amazing weather before the crisp autumn air turns the leaves from green to gold.
So, if you are getting set to pick you color palette or even just pick a date for your wedding, but looking for an amazing set of colors for your day, consider summer lilac, grass, fuschia and even orange. These colors are a the bright siblings of pastels with pops of color.
We in particular wanted to share this color palette from a wedding set a The Parker in Palm Springs California. Its a perfect crisp set of colors that is perfect for early May as well as even late summer.
The Personals
The bride chose these amazing vibrant petals for her own bouquet. A sea of fuschia and pink peonies that are monochromatic are a great way to make your dress and your bouquet pop on the day of your wedding. Of course, remember, peonies are typically available at the beginning of May so for the same look consider garden roses or other varietals for a late summer wedding.
The Groomsman
The groomsman had elegant and unusual succulents for their boutineers. Green succulents were introduced to set off the fuschia of the petals. The below pairing was perfect for the desert location.
Decor
In addition to your traditional cake or dessert table, consider a candy table for your guests. The bright colors of candy certainly will give your guests not just something to eat but incredible eye candy as well.
The tables at this particular wedding were decorated with incredible pin cushions in big bold pops of fuschia to carry the color pattern all throughout the event. Plus, the amazing and unusal flowers blended perfectly with the desert landscape.
For the sign in table, the bride opted for a sea of grass where the florist gently laid all the escort cards for a bit of whimsy and fun.
The Aisle Decor
The bride then reiterated the color palette by using simple yet cheerful flowers down the aisle.
The Food
What was also incredible about this wedding was that the food also was coordinated with the colors of the wedding with bright and cheerful food options served in bright oranges and greens.
Table Decor
The centerpieces on the table really glowed in the evening light. Low lying tablescapes with blossom branches are great for creating different interest at various eye levels without obscuring the view of the other guests. We in particular love the table numbers.
Of course who doesn’t love the color at the Parker Palm Springs!
We are the most experienced Wedding Coordination company in Tulum and own two Beach locations where we can guarantee the best quality and service so you can have a worry free wedding.
We have two beautiful locations on the Beach for Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Renewal of vows, Brunch, Private parties etc.
1. Ana y José Charming Hotel and Spa www.anayjose.com (you have to book rooms at the hotel in order to get married here and there is a 5 night minimum stay, please contact Oscar Zermeño reservations@anayjose.com from our sales office for information on rooms, rental cars, transfers, spa services and tours) as well as information on other hotels in Tulum. If you don’t have the entire hotel booked for your Wedding the Restaurant closes at 11:00 pm, if you do have the entire Hotel booked and want to extend the party past 11:00 pm permits to the local Government must be paid for extending the closing time and you must hire open bar for a minimum of 40 people and lower the volume of the music to 65 decibels. This new regulation applies to all properties in Tulum. The Restaurant’s capacity is for 130 people (ground floor and mezzanine top floor area) and the beach front deck with a capacity for 60 people. If you have less than 95 guests for the Restaurant we will section a special area for your group and cater to other guests.
2. Ana y José Beach Club, located on the beach 1km north of the Hotel, opened daily as a Beach Club. The Restaurant has capacity for 150 people and we have other areas that are smaller if you have fewer guests. If you have less than 120 guests we section the Restaurant for you and cater to other guests, and we will section an area on the beach for the Ceremony. If you have over 120 guests we will close the Beach club for your event from 4:00 pm until the end of the event. At the Beach Club we ask for a minimum of $3,500 us consumption in food and beverages in order to cater for your Wedding. (It doesn’t apply for payment of gratuities, vendors or any other extras). (We will open after 11:00 pm as long as there is open bar consumption for a minimum of 50 guests and local Government taxes paid for extending the closing time after 11:00 pm, this is a new Government regulation and you will have to lower the volume of the music to 65 decibels). This regulation applies to all properties in Tulum. Children of all ages are welcome at both locations.
Mention ParaTiNovia and receive 10% off on food and drinks on one of the events, if you hold two consecutive events with us (Beach party, rehersal dinner, wedding banquet/brunch)
Testemontials:
OCTOBER 2009
Hola Jackie, Claudia and Franklin,
Well we survived the week and now I am writing to you from our home in Austin with mixed emotions. Happy to be home but sad to leave the beautiful Mayan Riviera. I would have personally liked to have sent you each a hand written thank you but it would take too long to get to you, and I couldn’t wait to tell you all how Ana y Jose was more amazing than we could have imagined and surpassed all our expectations.
First of all Jackie, thank you for putting up with me and my millions of questions. From beginning to end you have been so helpful and flexible and helping me make our wedding the fairy tale dream I had also wished for. Our guests were so amazed and overwhelmed with the property and how magical it is. As well, thank you so much for that personal gift and note….it was very touching and so thoughtful of you. To me it is just another indication on how important you treat your guests and that says a lot.
Claudia, you were an absolute lifesaver. From coordinating the guests transportation, to setting up our hair/makeup appointments, hanging our decor, to ensuring everything looked and was perfect on the day of the wedding. Jackie put me in good hands with you and I am so grateful for that. For not having met you until the rehearsal you really put me at ease with everything. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Franklin, the food and service was impeccable. Everyone is commenting a/b how wonderful the food was and how professional your staff was. I don’t think there was an empty glass in the house at any point. They were especially so attentive to Shane and I, which was so nice. Thank you for taking such great care of us and our guests….I know there will be many people returning…especially for the poblano cream soup.
People can’t stop raving about how it was the best wedding they have every been to…and I can’t stop blushing about how wonderful and perfect it was. My only wish is that the night never would have ended. It all passed by so quickly I wish we could do it all over again. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for being apart and making our wedding so special and unforgettable.
I will definitely pass along our pictures as soon as we get them. Please feel free to use me as a reference for future brides and to use this feedback on your website. We look forward to returning and will definitely come by when we do.
Your wedding day. When it comes to making a serious impression, does a more ideal moment exist? We think not. This is your day to be a star. Why, oh why, would you opt for humdrum transportation to your wedding? Anyone can cruise up to their wedding ceremony in a regular car, but where’s the creativity in that? No, my dear… your wedding shall be a study in surprise and romance, starting with the arrival of the happy couple.
There are a few questions to ask yourself as you contemplate the best way to make your grand entrance. Practicality should always be your first concern. After all, no matter how much you’d like to arrive via tulle draped motor boat, if there’s no body of water around, your plan is sunk. Instead, consider the personalities of you and your betrothed. His and hers Harley Davidson’s, maybe?
For the ultimate in royal treatment, a horse drawn carriage is sure to elicit oohs and ahhs from family and friends. Or, for those lucky brides for whom price is no object, how about floating down to your wedding in a hot air balloon?
Keeping your transportation in tune with your wedding venue is another great way to make a statement. Marriage on the green? Consider arriving in a decked out golf cart. For a wedding on a farm or vineyard, wagons and horseback rides also make for a pretty picture.
However you decide to get there, your wedding day is sure to be a dazzling reflection of your witty, sexy, fabulous self… so don’t be afraid to get a little playful with it!
Imagine acres of lush vineyards, farmer’s market sourced dinners and lazy afternoons sipping local wine.No, we’re not speaking of Argentina or the South of France.Instead, you and your wedding guests can take a less arduous journey up the coast to Northern California’s wine country.Spots like Napa Valley, Calistoga and Sonoma offer up variations on a similar theme, each projecting a distinct personality with their own local resorts, hotels, restaurants and wineries.A few prime examples below:
An Elegant Napa Experience
As Carrie Bradshaw famously quipped to Big in Sex and The City, “You don’t move to Napa.You take a Napa.”Or, in this case, you get married in Napa.Resort experiences are rarely more exclusive and idyllic than at Napa Valley’s jewel, Auberge de Soleil.Originally built around their fine-dining eatery, “The Inn of the Sun” is made up of meticulously erected “maisons” or cottages in a light Mediterranean-style on a 33-acre olive tree-filled hillside.The resort’s private dining area and “Wisteria-Entwined Trellis” is completely intimate and has panoramic views of the valley, which are beyond beautiful.Guest can sip signature cocktails like Auberge Sunset with sparkling wine, cassis and a splash of brandy, while snacking on remarkable farm-to-table dishes like Diver Scallop with Eggplant Caviar and Ratatouille Vinaigrette.And, for downtime with the bridesmaids, don’t even get us started on the amazing pool with mountains rising in the background or the spa, where estheticians grow their own herbs for treatments in an adjacent garden. $$$
A Relaxed Calistoga Experience
At Solage, mud is thicker than water.Well, we supposed that’s true anywhere, but, in the resort’s Calistoga town, mud baths are the signature activity.Tucked beneath the mountains, the hotel itself has a youthful and relaxed vibe, as complimentary bicycles park outside standalone cabins.Inside, though, the design is anything but rustic with warm colors, but also streamlined modern décor and state-of-the art technology (WiFi, iPod docking etc.).The Solage experience is unpretentious, but high-end with unmatched service sans formality. The indoor/outdoor event spaces continue the clean and organic aesthetic.
Hang out by the retro-style pool with your wedding party or head over to the spa for a yoga class in the amazing open-air studio or a much-elevated version of the area’s signature Mudslide Experience (amazing for your skin) with aromatherapy mud bar, geothermal soaking tubs and harmonic sound chairs.Solbar at Solage offers up fresh bistro fare that guests can’t help but adore (Chef Brandon Sharp is an alumna of French Laundry, widely considered one of the world’s best restaurants and located in nearby Yontville).You can easily bike to the quaint, unfussy town, but you’ll hardly ever want to leave. $$
A Hipster Sonoma Experience
Though the Lodge at Sonoma also offers up a lovely wedding resort experience nearby the precious town, Hotel El Dorado is the cool kids’ option right smack on the square (across the street from favorite spot The Girl & The Fig—um, rehearsal dinner much?).Thanks to the cooler-than-thou new restaurant El Dorado Kitchen, this hotel and restaurant has become a truly hot destination.The design is certainly more spare and minimal, a contemporary design lover’s dream.
Still, the garden patio and Fig Tree courtyard create a more rustic vibe and make ideal spots for wedding receptions (they boast being able to host events from 20 people to 250).And Chef Justin Everett’s deep commitment to the green movement ensures that all the eats are farm fresh and the wines are mostly biodynamic.They also infuse their own liqueurs like Jalapeno Peach Vodka.A new café Eldorado Kitchenette makes a great breakfast stop for guests, as well. $
So pour some wine and propose a toast: “To your wedding!”
When we found these beautiful photos on Victor Sizemore’s blog, we just couldn’t resist. These Alice-in-Wonderland style shots will blow you away. From the beautiful rich colors of pink, purple and cream, to the beautiful blue sky. The colors in these photos are incredible and vibrant.
When you get married, so much of your personality gets communicated through the details of your wedding. From the music to the food, you get to throw the party of your dreams. Yet, sometimes the dream can come at a pretty hefty price tag that can send even the calmest of us into an anxiety attack. So, if you are thinking or rethinking your food budget and looking for smart but fun food alternatives, consider tapas or even a backyard barbeque.
Tapas
Tapas! The food made famous by stylish Spaniards looking for the perfect amount food to keep themselves satiated on their Saturday night pub crawl.Tapas range from perfect bite sized portions to larger grilled slices of beef.The key is to consider that there is no strict main course. Many new tapas restaurants have beef dishes, like steak a la plancha.But, these are steaks that are meant to be shared by all at the table.
Remember, you don’t need to be strict about the menu or the portions. For example, you may even want to serve a paella plate for each table so that each guest gets just enough to feel full. The purpose of tapas is to keep the guests happy with smaller plates of varied foods.
A la parilla!
Another way to keep the food costs down is to consider a backyard barbeque. If you are having an informal party, a barbeque is a nice way to communicate ease and comfort to your guests. Many caterers offer a barbeque option.Or, go direct to a barbeque restaurant that you like and find out if they cater. Many do and you will be able to capture the taste of your favorite fare right from the comfort of your own wedding!
The trick is to keep your menu informal and under $15 – $20 per person. Talk to your caterer about the menu. You can definitely be whimsical with a backyard barbeque and get creative labeling your dishes on any printed menus.
Looking for a bold but whimsical color palette that reflects Autumn? From the birds to the nests to the fruits and berries that influenced this color palette, the colors definitely pop. We love bold color blocking for crisp summer Autumn weddings. So here is a quick peek at some cool photos from one of our favorite photogs: Aaron Shintaku.
The Color Palette
The bride really stuck to her color palette and integrated twigs, blue, oranges and lime greens. Twig is a huge color for the Fall and a great way to bring in a neutral without going for chocolate.
The Decor and Flowers
The bride kept the decor whimsical and coloful blending green ribbons, orange roses, and berries for a simple crisp look.
The bride also made sure to carry the “love bird” theme throughout her cake, details and favor table. Did you notice that the favor boxes were resting in twig nests? Cute, right?
Ok girls. So we have been on a mission lately to find you the best of the best in Real Weddings from local brides. And, this particular wedding is right up there on the top of our list. I mean, who doesn’t love all this incredible color and in downtown Los Angeles no less. A big thank you to Danielle at Mor Cosmetics for submitting her incredible wedding.
We absolutely love love love it. Don’t you? Ok, now onto the photos ladies.
The Color Palette
We started swooning when we saw this incredible palette of plum, fuschia, deep orange and blue. Especially for a wedding. It is these kind of photos that keep us coming back for more and more weddings.
The Flowers
Um. Yeah so did we tell you how much we love these flowers. We especially love that the bride Danielle has a totally unique bouquet. Amazing really how much a little detail like providing the bride with the most interesting and colorful bouquet can really make her standout.
The Venue
A Venue, right or wrong, can make or break a beautiful wedding. This incredible venue – the Hotel Figueroa – has so much character that you really can’t go wrong. The details alone of the space can change the entire mood of your wedding.
Just check out this credible decor and lighting – um yeah – this is actually part of the hotel. Now ladies, the flowers are all Danielle. Isn’t this incredible with all the beautiful blue. Amazing.
Soft white sands, turquoise waters, and the warm Mexican sun. It must be the Riviera Maya. And for an unforgettable destination wedding in Tulum, it just doesn’t get any more spectacular than The Ana y Jose Hotel and Spa.
Just check out these incredible photos of the hotel and the wedding reception area. Who wouldn’t want to get married in this incredible location? Hmmm.
Photography Courtesy of Roberto FalkCan’t you just see yourself saying “I do” in this stunning setting? We recommend having both your wedding and honeymoon at Ana y Jose… because once you arrive, you simply won’t want to leave. Somehow, the words “romantic”, “charming” and even “breathtaking” come up short. The beauty of this hotel seems rivaled only by the natural landscape that surrounds it.The Ana y Jose Beach Club even has an incredible bridal suite for you to get ready in. Forget small and stuffy– we’re talking about a spacious, air conditioned room with a private terrace overlooking the jungle and ocean. It’s almost enough to make you late to your own ceremony…Yum… Mexican and fusion cuisine presented on magnificently set banquet tables are a feast for the senses.
Check out this amazing photo spread courtesy of Next Exit. From the little bird details to the florals to the amazing purple throughout the flowers, you will love it.
Looking for a fun weekend wedding task to do? Try picking your Father Daughter Dance Song! Ok so we have given you quite a few father daughter dance songs to select from but the process can be tricky to figure out especially because this dance song is reflection of your family personality.
Are you all sentimental? Are you party animals? Do you all love the seventies? You are sure to find some great slow and upbeat songs for the very important father daughter dance song below.
Canciones por Cantantes Latinos o Hispanos
1. De Nina a Mujer by Julio Iglesias
This is one of the most beautiful songs by oldie but goodie Julio Iglesias that is definitely sentimental but for an old fashion Dad can be a great option. Put a check by this as one to come back to.
2. My Baby You by Marc Anthony
He is such a wonderful singer that when he sings about his daughter you really feel his emotion. This is a great sentimental option for the Father Daughter Dance.
Dance Songs in English
Now if you are looking for more father daughter songs in English, never fear here are some great standards and a few new choices to help you in the quest to find the perfect father daughter dance song.
1. Daughters by John Mayer
How can you go wrong with this contemporary song about the relationship between the bride and her father. The lyrics are so moving but not in an overly sappy way. We think it is the perfect father daughter dance song.
2. Daddy’s Little Girl by Al Martino:
A sweet musical description of a cherished daughter. Perfect for the bride who is “daddy’s little girl”
3. Isn’t She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder:
A classic song about a father’s love. A nice, upbeat song for dancing.
4. A Song for My Daughter by Nikki Viereck
A beautifully moving song about a father’s (or mother’s) feelings on seeing their daughter as a bride on the wedding day. Good to dance to, not “cutesy”.
5. He Didn’t Have to Be by Brad Paisley
A country western song but not too “country”. Despite using male pronouns, this song is perfect for the bride who is sharing her dance with a Step father.
6. I Loved Her First by Heartland
This is sure to tug on the heart of everyone in the crowd. A great father daughter dance song.
7. Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel) by Billy Joel
Not your typical wedding song but it is full of meaning for fathers and daughters alike.
8. In My Father’s Eyes by Amy Grant:
A lovely song that reflects the feelings of a daughter for her father.
9. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra:
This classic Sinatra tune is great for dancing.
10. Father and Daughter by Paul Simon:
Upbeat, not overly sentimental but fun lyrics.
11. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac:
Not typical wedding fare but a great song for dancing and a favorite of many fathers and daughters.
12. Daddy Let’s Dance by Jamie Tate:
Released in July 2009, this song about a father and daughter dancing at her wedding is destined to become a standard.
13. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? by Elton John:
Another song that is favored by many modern brides, touching and sweet with beautiful music.
14. Unforgettable by Natalie Cole:
Natalie Cole’s rendition of her father’s song is deeply moving and filled with emotion.
15. Child of Mine by Carol King:
A song that may be more recognized by father’s than daughters. Still filled with meaning and nice for dancing.
16. In My Life by the Beatles:
Short and sweet this song is a classic and favored by many brides.
17. All You Need is Love by the Beatles:
Another song that may not be traditional brides that don’t want an overly sentimental song may like this up beat fun song.
18. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You by Rod Stewart
A classic slow dance song from an oldie but goodie. Rod Stewart’s song has a rock edge with a lot of sentimentality.
19. I’ll Stand by You
A newer song but incredible lyrics.
20. Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle.
A favorite, but some brides find it a little too sentimental and sweet. Dancing to this song is very easy.
Other Father Daughter Dance Songs to Help you Along Your Way:
* Wonderful Tonite by Eric Clapton
* I hope you Dance by Leeanne Womack
Such an empicable wedding it is for sure a wedding blog lovers dream. Beautiful photography and the ceremony site is unique and lovely.
Wedding Photography Marketing
Love love LOVE these dresses. I'm a big fan of the bohemian look for any sort of wedding, but I think it's especially appropriate for an outdoor beach wedding (I blog about destination weddings to Mexico.) I posted a few of these pictures and link to this post on my own blog, please check it out at www.WedInMexico.org. I'm also on Twitter @WedInMexico. Thanks!
Why stay in one place? A strolling tour through all of their favorite places made this couple’s photo session completely unique. Talk to your own photog about taking several shots in different spots, as opposed to keeping all your poses stationary. Other fun engagement pic ideas include playing with weather (sunshine is fabulous, but rainy day shots under colorful umbrellas can be absolutely adorable), using nature to your advantage (a field of brightly colored flowers or his and her surfing pics, perhaps?), or even out of the ordinary locations (phone booths, bakeries, shops, or a row of brightly lit streetlamps all make for intimate and fun settings).
Who says all wedding photos have to be formal? These shots, taken where Miranda and Juan had their very first date, look completely candid; and that makes them all the more romantic. Here’s where the importance of a great photographer comes in. There’s nothing staged about any of these pics… it’s just Juan and Miranda looking completely in love and ridiculously happy.
Be on the lookout for more from this fun pareja as they let us follow them through the entire wedding planning process! 
Can’t you just see yourself saying “I do” in this stunning setting? We recommend having both your wedding and honeymoon at Ana y Jose… because once you arrive, you simply won’t want to leave. 
Somehow, the words “romantic”, “charming” and even “breathtaking” come up short. The beauty of this hotel seems rivaled only by the natural landscape that surrounds it.
The Ana y Jose Beach Club even has an incredible bridal suite for you to get ready in. Forget small and stuffy– we’re talking about a spacious, air conditioned room with a private terrace overlooking the jungle and ocean. It’s almost enough to make you late to your own ceremony…
Yum… Mexican and fusion cuisine presented on magnificently set banquet tables are a feast for the senses. 
