If you’re looking for romantic and passionate shades of pink, red and green, look through the following pictures for inspiration. These warmer shades of spring are traditional colors for love and passion and the accent of green creates a well-balanced contrast to the overall theme.
Crimson red, pretty pink, gushing orange and bits of green! These bundle of flowers are filled with eye-popping colors that will definitely stand out against the bride’s white dress.
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
A perfect outdoor wedding by the lake.
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
These DIY photo-in-a-bottle is the perfect vintage-inspired memorabilia to place as decors on the table. The bottles can be used to place flowers, seashells, candies and more! Go ahead, I dare you to let loose and be creative.
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
Reds galore! To contrast the boldness of this romantic color, add in bits of white, green and light pink to balance out the tone.
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
Images from the Ruffled blog and Blink Photography
Hey girls! I know many of you are sticking to a strict budget for all your wedding fiestas and I don’t blame you! The trend nowadays seems to not be about who spends more money on what, but it’s more about who spent the least money on MORE stuff! The thrifty bride is the “cool” bride!
More and more brides are getting into the whole DIY bandwagon and this DIY Cupcake Bar idea is brilliant! Not only do your guests get to become their own pastry chefs, but they can also pick and choose what flavored cupcake they want and what toppings they want to go on it! What group of women don’t like sitting around together while gossiping, eating, and getting their hands dirty on scrumptious cupcakes?
Ok Southern California brides, you know that we’re always on the lookout for fabulous new vendors that will help make all of your fairytale dreams come true… and we just came across a fun, fearless Latina wedding coordinator & designer that you’re guaranteed to love as much as we did.
Wendy Ramos & Andrea of Just Wenderful puts the entire focus of her wedding planning & designing efforts on your vision for the perfect boda. So, whether you’re looking to design a wedding from the ground up, or you’ve already chosen your vendors and simply need a little help pulling it all together, Wendy and her team can de-stress the whole planning process for you.
What’s more, she’s all kinds of fun to work with—making it seem less like a stranger is taking over your wedding, and more like you’re being guided by one of your girlfriends. (Well, a really organized, creative, and wedding minded girlfriend, that is!) From venue scouting to wedding day coordination and every detail in between, Just Wenderful offers a variety of packages to suit every bride’s need and budget. (And personally, I’m a firm believer that the candy buffet from JW is an add on that no wedding should be without) And, as if all of this fabulousness wasn’t enough to make you run out and book Wendy as your wedding coordinator already, how’s this for cool—she has an Etsy shop where you can purchase handmade crafts and wedding favors. Don’t see what you wanted? Don’t sweat it… she’ll customize something just for your boda! (Seriously—now do you see why we love this chica?)
Hotel Capella Pedregal is brand spanking new and absolutely gorgeous. Think five star location, accommodations, food, and service all in one beautiful little package. Capella Pedregal is located just footsteps from the heart of Los Cabos. One could enjoy a walk to Cabo’s famed nightclubs and selection of amazing restaurants, but there’s no need given the fleet of SUV’s waiting to whisk you off to wherever your heart desires. But first you must travel through a mountain. That’s right, a mountain! Capella Pedregal drilled a tunnel so that it may have access to the city on one side and a blissful, private beach on the other.
The View
Not only do you have access to their private beach cove, but you can also see the Atlantic ocean meet the Pacific ocean from your pool chair. You’re probably thinking it couldn’t get better than this…but I am just getting started.
Service & Accommodations
Capella Pedegral prides itself on its service and it is dedication to giving its guests the best possible experience. This includes lavish accommodations with your own infinity pool and butler. YES, a butler. Your “mayordomo” is there to greet you, unpack your bags, cook you breakfast, and do anything you need. Just to give you an idea, my favorite shoe broke on the way to the hotel (probably because it was a $10 sandal from Santee alley in Downtown LA) and my lovely mayordomo immediately called in the handy man who was able to fix my shoe in a matter of minutes. A couple of days later I fell victim to an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite during a mid-night party in a friends accommodation and not ten minutes later after I made a call, I had a package of Benadril brought in for me from town. The service at Capella Pedregal is absolutely priceless.
Dining & Cooking
Lets talk food. The hotel has chefs flown in from four star restaurants around the world, and they are not stingy with their delicious recipes. After falling in love with their sweet corn soup drizzled with truffle oil at dinner, I made it to my room and found an envelope with my name on it. Inside was the recipe with cooking directions directly from the chef himself. Amazing! Not only will they share their incredible recipes, but they will also show you how to cook them in their lavish kitchen in one of their home style cooking classes. Cut, mix, and cook the freshest ingredients with world famous chefs as you laugh with other hotel residents around a large communal kitchen table.
The Fish Market
And if you’re in the mood for something fresh but don’t wish to prepare it yourself, just walk down to their gourmet seafood market located on the side of a cliff (you can feel the spray from the crashing waves) where you can choose from a large selection of raw food which will then be cooked and prepared for you at your preference.
Exercise & Health
Want to make up for gorging on all of that delicious food? No worries, guests have full access to a state of the art gym with a view of the ocean and your very own personal trainer. They will help you tone, build, and trim your body through exercise and a diet plan that will be forwarded to all of the hotel restaurants so your meals will always follow your healthy desires.
A Bonus
Capella is the perfect location for an intimate and fun honeymoon or an extravagant wedding. Did I mention the Jefe’s wife is an amazing wedding planner? Choose Leslie from One Happenings for your wedding guide and you will have access to all of the best of Cabo, including Capella Pedregal. Even if you decide to use another location, her knowledge of the town and kind nature will make any wedding dream come true with ease. I highly recommend you consider Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas as a location to visit with your hubby or hubby-to-be. It’s sure to be a vacation you will never forget!
We see chocolate fondue fountains a lot at weddings, but sometimes having a huge overflowing mountain of melting chocolate can either be overwhelming or not go along with the wedding decors! Check out this simple, yet chic way to set up a fondue set where not only does it look delicious, but it also adds a special touch as a decor!
We absolutely love Palm Springs weddings so when one of our favorite brides shared her amazing photos with us we felt blessed to get such a fabulous wedding!!
Here is the couple’s amazing and adorable story straight from their lips!
Paratinovia: How did you two meet?
Alex (The Bride): We met by chance at our favorite local poolhall called “The Saloon”.
We chose colors that would brighten up the Mid Century modern hotels where we were married (The Hideaway and Orbit In), and a color mix that would go with our ’50’s theme.
Alex (The Bride): Jason grew up in Palm Springs and the desert has always been my family’s favorite getaway spot, and we wanted everyone to spend the weekend with us so this was perfect.
Did you integrate any DIY (do-it-yourself) elements?
~ We put welcome packages in our guest’s hotel rooms ~ we found fun retro-brands including sodas, potato chips and other snacks at Trader Joe’s.
~ I hung a cozy, monagrammed robe in the closets of each of my bridesmaids, along with a pair of tangerine flip flops to match their bridesmaid’s dresses so they could kick off their heels during the reception.
~ Jason put monogrammed pitchers and pint glasses in his groomsmen’s rooms.
~ We made CD’s with songs by the Rat Pack (Sinatra, etc.) and played them during the cocktail hour at the Orbit In.
~ We had our Rehearsal Dinner at Top of the Chop (above The Chop House). They had a big fire pit so we roasted S’mores for dessert.
~ We used our own color printed to print the Rehearsal invitations, the placecards & table numbers ourselves ~ saved $$!
~ My mom made our adorable ring-bearer pillow for us.
Alex (The Bride): One of my bridesmaid’s, Heidi Mayne, is an event planner and she referred the Florist, Caterer, band, photographer, and party rental company to us.
Yes, my parents and Jason’s parents told us how much they could give toward our wedding and we tried to stay within those numbers. We saved $500 doing Cupcakes instead of a cake, and tried to use as many in-town vendors as possible to avoid travel costs.
If you’re dreaming of a Florida Beach Wedding, look no further! Simple Weddings offers complete beach and outdoor wedding packages on the beautiful white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay to Naples, including: Honeymoon Island, Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Indian Rocks, Treasure Island, St Pete Beach, Fort Desoto, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Venice, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Naples, and Marco Island.
Chelsea Nicole specializes in alternative wedding photography and cinema. She rocks trash-the-dress, boudoir, engagements, wedding and lifestyle photography. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, she shoots both national and international destination weddings.
Vibrant. Adventurous. Fun. Chelsea Nicole sweeps up her camera and leaps cities, oceans and continents to capture all the sparks, romance and magic that first inspired you and your lover to dream about saying: ‘I do!’
A “traditional” wedding in Spain often varies from region to region… but one thing is certain across the board—a Spanish wedding is rich in tradition and culture.
All across Spain, it’s traditional for the bride to embroider the shirt that her husband-to-be will wear for the ceremony herself. While not all Spanish brides still hold to this custom, it’s a beautiful way to add a personal touch to your wedding day. As for the bride’s dress, women from the Andalucía region often wear a flamenco style gown in tribute to the area’s most famous dance. (Long column dresses with ruffles and flounces at the bottom also pair well with short bolero jackets for a similar feel)
Of course, if you want your Spanish wedding dress to be 100% authentic, then it should be made of black silk. And, without a doubt the most traditional part of any Spanish wedding ensemble is the gorgeous lace mantilla that the bride wears over her hair, held up by two large black combs.
When it comes to wedding flowers, nothing is more traditionally Spanish than orange blossoms. Whether tucked into the bride’s hair, as part of the bouquet, or arranged within the centerpieces, orange blossoms are a fragrant and delicate symbol of romance and happiness.
During the reception, it’s customary for the groom to hand out cigars to the male guests, a tradition that most guys are very appreciative of. As far as bridal favors go, the novia often makes small flowered pins for her single female guests to wear upside down during the reception. If you lose yours… watch out! You may be the next to get married!
Una boda “tradicional” en España varia de region a region… pero una cosa es cierta en todas partes—una boda Española es rica en cultura y tradicion.
En todas partes de España, es tradicional que la novia borde la camisa que su esposo se va poner durante la ceremonia. Aunque no todas las novias Españolas siguen esta costumbre hoy en día, es una manera bella de agregar un toque personal a tu boda. Cuando se trata del vestido, mujeres de la región de Andalucía a menudo usan un vestido estilo flamenco. (Vestidos largos con volantes abajo y un abrigo corto de bolero es un look parecido)
Claro que si quieres que tu vestido de novia Española sea 100% autentica, entonces debe ser hecho de seda negra. Y, sin duda, la parte más tradicional de cualquier traje de boda de España es la mantilla de encaje que la novia se pone sobre su pelo, detenido por dos peines negros.
Cuando se trata de flores de boda, nada es más tradicionalmente Español que azahares. En el pelo de la novia, como parte del ramo, o adentro de los centros de mesas, los azahares son un símbolo delicado y fragrante de romance y alegría.
Durante la recepción, es acostumbrado que el novio le regale tabacos a los invitados masculinos—una tradición que a los chicos les encanta. Cuando se trata de recuerdos para las damas, la novia tradicionalmente hace broches pequeños de flores para las invitadas solteras. Ellas se las ponen durante la fiesta… ¡pero ten cuidado! Si se te caí, tú puedes ser la próxima que te cases.
Ok we were definitely checking out the amazingness on all the blogs this morning when we came across a random post we think on Twitter – love that Twitter. Anyways…here is the awesome save the date we spied from the extremely talented Inspired Bride blog.
Here is the official download - Inspired Bride - so you can print these at home!
Check out these unique decors for the Flower Girl and Ring Boy! The nude and soft-toned color palette gives off a classy, romantic feel to the wedding. Everyone is so used to the traditional ring pillow and the flower basket. This amazing decor was just one of many additions to the wedding which was filled with an abundance of orchids, import roses, hydrangeas, and peonies.
Maybe this will give you an idea of how to make even your Flower Girl and Ring Boy stand out and be different from all the other weddings!
It’s still spring, but these particular color scheme invokes the image of an outdoor summer wedding by the beach. The shades range from a cool turquoise blue and sunny yellow, deep pumpkin colored orange and an exquisite plum purple. This proves that it is absolutely OK to mix in the bright and the dark without causing a strain to the eye. So go ahead and get inspired to unite different shades of colors together!
Take a look at these gorgeous floral arrangements for the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid and table decor. There are at least 4 different colors that are bunched together to portray a striking bouquet.
If you want bright colors to pop out even more, have a white or neutral color tone in the background. Just take a look at this simple and cute table decor.
Check out these amazing and inspiring Trash the Dress photos from our favorite Las Vegas photographer Chelsea Nicole.
You may have seen her work around the blogosphere. She was one of the first amazing photographers to work with Para ti Novia so we have a special place in our hearts for her!
With a style that’s been compared to Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, and Carolina Herrera, Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez has been wowing critics and brides alike since he first began designing wedding dresses in 1999. And we’ve got to say… we are definitely among Sanchez’s faithful fans.
Because of his background in architecture, it’s no surprise that so many of Sanchez’s dresses have a clean, streamlined look. What is surprising, however, is the way every Angel Sanchez wedding dress combines that modern flare with feminine touches so romanticly, they just make you want to sigh. (Think we’re kidding? Just try to keep yourself from saying “wow” at least once, we dare you!)
>
Nothing is more beautiful than confidence, which is why Sanchez’s dresses are designed to flatter a woman’s figure—accentuating her body and helping her best features stand out. And with enticing details as delicate as spun sugar, you’re sure to get more than one ‘wow’ of your own on your big day. Not to mention the fact that this entire collection of wedding dresses embodies the definition of “contemporary”– they’re unlike any other dress you’ll try on, guaranteed.
>
Need another couple of endorsements? How about Eva Longoria Parker and Sandra Bullock? Both superstars chose Angel Sanchez dresses for their own weddings! One look at their gowns— both of which are ethereal, feminine, and totally gorgeous—and you’ll be sold, too. Who wouldn’t want their style compared to Eva Longoria’s?! (And anyone who caught Sandra’s interview on George Lopez’s late night talk show last month will agree: the girl should be considered an honorary Latina!)
Angel Sanchez is redefining the Latin American perspective on wedding fashion. And we love him for it.
Are you completely lost and frustrated with your wedding plans? Do you have a creative idea or theme that you just can’t seem to expand? Save yourself from losing your sanity and leave the stressful and time-consuming wedding plans to the pros- Simply Natural Events. You don’t want to become the notorious “bridezilla” do you? Even if you are a control freak, Simply Natural Events coordinators will attend to your personal tastes and assist you with finding the perfect vendors, venue, theme and more! So sit back, relax and leave the planning process to Simply Natural Events.
From destination to green weddings, partial to full planning, Simply Natural Events is THE wedding genie that grants not 3 but unlimited wishes to permit a beautiful wedding of your dreams. Voted as one of the top five wedding planners by My Fox LA’s Hotlist and Project Wedding, Simply Natural Events is definitely known for their understated style and whimsical tastes. For the modern-day savvy brides, this amazing events coordinator will surely transform your wedding fantasy into a reality.
For a free consultation or inquiries about wedding planning assistance, call 310-498-7995 to schedule an appointment, or contact them online at info@simplynaturalevents.com
When Pink Posh (one of our favorite photographers) sent us pictures of NIkki’s Quince our mouths dropped to the floor. We new we just had to share this incredible Quinceanera with our readers. From her crystal studded converse shoes (which her mom did herself) to the gorgeous pink floral cake, this quince’s decor is so incredible it could inspire a wedding. We were lucky enough to interview Nikki… see what she had to say about her special moments, unique DIY tips, and more!
Paratinovia: When did you start planning the quince?
Well we started planning my Quinceanera three (that’s right) 3 years in advance…however I think my Mom started planning the day I was born.
ParaTiNovia: Did you integrate any DIY (do-it-yourself) elements?
Oh yeah! My mom is the queen of DIY. She custom made my shoes….she added lots of “bling” to a pair of converse. It took her about 2 months to complete these shoes. Almost every night we would hear her saying “ouch…ouch” but like the trooper that she is she never gave up on them. Besides every girl knows that comfortable shoes are an essential part of ones outfit. BTW I started a trend…after my quince all my friends wore converse. I didn’t want to be the only one wearing comfortable shoes so my mom and I went looking for some inexpensive “cute” slip on shoes. We wrapped them in see through material and tied them with a ribbon. We used these shoes as a thank you gift for all of our girl guests. This also allowed me to personally thank everyone!! We also made my table centerpieces….burned my fingers to the bone but worth every permanent scar. They looked amazing! My mom and I designed my invitations….you have to really look at them closely to see that they were hand made. Picking out the paper was a challenge, the pictures were a snap…Pink Posh made that really easy.
ParaTiNovia: What were the main colors & theme of your quince?
My favorite color is green….so that was easy to decide on. My mom said that I should pick another color to go with green I know she always wants me to wear pink so I thought that this would be a nice way to make her feel special also. My theme was very feminine and fun….just like me!
ParaTiNovia: Is there any significance to your colors?
My birth stone is Peridot and favorite color is green so it just worked out perfect.
ParaTiNovia: Did you incorporate any cultural traditions or Latina flare?
I am in a band and LOVE all types of music…I guess the one traditional thing that I had was mariachi’s….they rocked! I don’t think this is a “latina” tradition…but here is what I did. I am the only granddaughter and my grandparents had no daughters…this meant that my “Grumpy” would never walk anyone down a church isle. So what I thought would be nice to do was have my “Grumpy” walk me down the isle. Of course I talked to my daddy about this first he agreed as long as I promised that he be the one walking me down the isle the day I got married. I think this was a pretty easy compromise and I know that this meant a lot to me and my “Grumpy”
ParaTiNovia: How did you choose your quince venue?
My Aunt Nettie lives in Spring, Texas and she told us about Ashton Gardens. When we walked in and saw how beautiful it was I knew this was it. We had surfed the net and saw some other placed that were nice but nothing like Ashton.
ParaTiNovia: Did you incorporate anything unique into your quince?
Both of my grandparents on my Mom’s side are no longer with us..so what I thought about was to put two separate white roses one with a pink ribbon and the other with a blue ribbon. We decided to put them on my table that displayed all of pictures. To me this was a way to let everyone know that even though I never meet them they have been with me all my life. I wish I could have known them my parents share lots of memories of them and they are all full of love.
ParaTiNovia: How long did you rehearse the dance for? How did you pick your song?
The only dance that I had was my father/daughter dance…my daddy has two left feet so we practiced at home every minute we could. The song I picket was “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw….this just was the perfect song for me to dance with the one man that has and will always be there for me. What I did was I asked my mom to take me to a music store so that I could look for just the instrumental version of this song. I didn’t want my dad to get tired of listening to the words and I thought that this way when we were dancing he could concentrate on listening to the words and not be so nervous about dancing in front of 250 people. It worked! I have to say there was not a dry eye including both of us. There are lots of things that I will remember forever, I know this definitely is one of them.
ParaTiNovia: Was budget a factor? If so in what way?
Well my parents pretty much took care of that. I would let them know or show them my ideas and together we would find a way to make or purchase it for less money. If you are willing to put in your time you will be surprised how much you can save and you will appreciate it more. Less expensive does not mean “cheap” looking!
ParaTiNovia: What would you do different?
I can’t think of anything that I would do different….maybe get more rest the day before my party. My parents, family and friends made this day very special and unforgettable.
Simply Natural is known for both their understated elegance and their stylish, whimsical tastes. With a refreshing, modern perspective on classic wedding elements, Simply Natural has become the company of choice for savvy, stylish brides. Noted for their originality and flawless productions, Simply Natural is at home in any surrounding, from high-end affairs to casual garden settings.
Looking for ways to make your wedding decor magical and unique? Or a new twist on a bridal shower? Based out of Arizona, Vanessa Vilencia is an artist with a knack for creating whimsical decor and fun-filled events. In our chat with her, Vanessa spills the beans on all things wedding – from her own color pallet choice to her own dream wedding. Check out some of the highlights of our interview below!
Are you married? (If so, what was your wedding like?) Have you ever worked with a wedding before? (favors, decor, all that fun stuff?)
I am not married in the traditional fashion. My significant other and I have been together for 10 years and throw many wacky garden parties celebrating the beauty of our relationship. We march to the beat of our own tune, both of us being creative artistic souls. When we decorate for our parties, there are no boundaries, we always go with the colors and vibe that we love.
I think that it is incredibly important for any event, especially a wedding, to stick to what you love as an over-all theme, feel and look – instead of changing your vibe for your wedding. For example, if you love the color lavender, use it and embrace it, since it is already soothing to your soul. Don’t be persuaded to switch to something that is not you.
Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
I get my inspiration from so many different places including music, colors, dreams and more. I never know when the inspiration wave is going to hit me, because it can be woken up by anything really.
However, because I have been creating since I was 11, I know how to channel the creative vibe (this works for decorating for my parties/events as well). If I put on music that makes my skin tingle, and start pulling out fabrics and paints and colors, my mind will start to flow, and the inspiration will come. The look or feel of a piece of art, or whatever it is that I am working on (party, event, my gypsy garden etc), tells me what it wants to be.
As soon as I can see it in my mind’s eye, I jump in and start creating.
What advice would you give a bride that wanted to put together a mad tea party or alice in wonderland bridal shower, wedding, or bachelorette party?
The first thing is that, it doesn’t have to look like an Authentic Mad Tea Party, it just has to be mad!
My main advice to anyone in preparing for parties or decorating in general is, don’t hold back. If you envision something, try to bring it to life. Chances are you already have everything you need in your house for a Mad Tea party. Like wacky fabrics and tea sets etc.
I think Mad Tea Parties or Alice parties for an occasion are a blast because you can use all sorts of colors and styles, and the wackier and more whimsical the better. You can fill jars with candy and gumballs for centerpieces, string white lights and paper garlands all around. The ideas are endless…
Describe your ideal color combination…
I have several different color combos I love. However, personally (for my own decor and parties included), I like to start with white as my base color for almost everything. Then I like to add a main color to this and an accent color (or two) to enhance that. For my wacky aesthetic I always gravitate to pink, teal blue and green, often in antique tones as well. Sometimes I like to throw in black or dark brown as an accent.
Some other color combos I love.
- Pale Teal, Yellow and a light blush pink
- Pale pink, light teal and a touch of red
- White, olive green and a burnt sienna or bronze
- White, antique pink and silver
- A medium gray blue, lavender and blush pink
- bright pink, red and teal
If you had a jar full of pixie dust, how would you describe a dream wedding: venue? time of year? tons of flowers? two people barefoot on a beach?
I personally love garden weddings (even forest weddings), where everyone gets to wear something flowey and magical and beautiful, and the strict traditional rules are broken. I like nature being infused. Berries and flower crowns, lots of white flowing, and sheer fabrics hanging in the trees. And I love seeing weddings with added whimsy and a more relaxed flair…
I always go back to people sticking to the core of who they are for their wedding. I notice that many people change so much of themselves for their wedding. Harsh hair do’s, a dress they don’t love, discomfort. Why not create the fairy tale you and your partner desire, instead of the wedding you think everyone wants you to have?
I don’t think weddings or parties of any kind for that matter, are a time to reinvent yourself, stick to what you like. It is a time to embrace and shine as who you really are. After you embrace that concept, everything else will start to flow…
The greenest country in the Latin America can be found between Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica is alive with gorgeous beaches, tropical scenery and stunning waterfalls—all of which make amazing settings for an unforgettable wedding.
Planning a traditional Costa Rican wedding will most likely begin with a religious ceremony, since the majority of “Ticas” are heavily influenced by their Roman Catholic upbringing. Marriages are lavish affairs here, with the majority of both friends and relatives on both sides of the family receiving an invite to the ceremony and reception.
Many Costa Rican wedding customs are directly borrowed from their Spanish influence. Most prominent among these is the use of a black silk wedding dress and lace mantilla for the bride, and a white embroidered shirt for the groom. Traditionally, the bride would hand embroider her husband’s shirt, but many brides today are choosing to purchase a ready made shirt for their man.
Finally, food is an important part of every Costa Rican wedding. The more courses a couple serves, the more respect they are showing to their guests. It’s not uncommon to see everything from rice and beans to fried eggs and sweet plantains all served at the same wedding reception!
El país más verde en Latino America se encuentra entre Nicaragua y Panamá. Costa Rica esta viva con playas hermosas, escenas tropicales, y cascadas espectaculares—todo lo que hace para un lugar increíble para una boda inolvidable.
Planeando una boda tradicional Costa Rícense debe de empezar con la ceremonia religiosa, ya que la mayoría de las “Ticas” son Católicas. Matrimonios aquí son asuntos lujosos, con la mayoría de familiares y amistades de los dos lados de la familia recibiendo una invitación a la ceremonia y recepción.
Muchas de las costumbres de boda en Costa Rica son descendidas directamente de España. Los más destacados entre estos son el uso de un vestido de seda negra y una mantilla de encaje para la novia, y una camisa blanca bordada para el novio. Tradicionalmente, la novio bordaría la camisa a mano para su esposo, pero muchas de las novias de hoy están escogiendo comprarla ya lista.
Finalmente, la comida es una parte importante de cada boda Costa Rícense. Cuando más cursos sirven una pareja, mas respeto están enseñados a sus invitados. ¡No es extraño ver todo desde arroz y frijoles y huevos fritos y plátanos dulces servidos juntos en la misma cena!
OMG we are in love with this wedding! Not only is it absolutely stunning with ivory and olive tones detailed with bold purple and wine, but this wedding was also eco-friendly. Who doesn’t love a green wedding and as you can see you here, there’s no compromising on style.
This classic pair of satin shoes gives a more feminine appeal, thanks to the rhinestone studded heels. Adding personal touches like this can be a great DIY project for a budget friendly wardrobe.
How charming are these green plant fixtures? They’re not the typical flowers that you’d see at most weddings, which makes it all the more unique and special.
The cream and plum colored theme displays a romantic and classic atmosphere. The 4-tier wedding cake is absolutely gorgeous in its simplicity with just enough flowers to accentuate the overall presentation.
For wedding dresses that define femininity and romance—at surprisingly affordable prices—you’d be hard pressed to find a better designer than Maggie Sottero. The international wedding gown super star has become synonymous with luxurious fabrics, amazing details, and a fantastic fit for every woman’s body. (And, with most of her over 200 dresses available in sizes 0 to 28, we’re talking about a wide range of real women… in real shapes) There’s a reason why thousands of brides choose a Maggie Sottero gown for their wedding day.
The Details You Crave
A lot of wedding dress designers claim to put a big emphasis on an attention to detail… but how many of them follow through with hand sewn embellishments, genuine Swarovski crystals, and some of the most sumptuous fabrics in the industry?
From ball gowns to A-Lines, every dress in Maggie Sottero’s collection offers the brides that wear them soft lines, romantic touches, and the look of couture, without the pricing. If making an entrance is important to you, chances are good you’ll fall head over heels in love with the carefully crafted gowns at Maggie Sottero.
Made to Fit
Across the board, brides have cited Maggie Sottero for having the best fit in the industry. Shimmery satin, delicate lace, metallic organza, elegant tulle and luxurious silks… whether you’re seeking a traditional frock with all the wedding trimmings or are in the market for something a little more avant-garde, you’ll be thrilled with the way your dress flatters your figure!
The Destination Collection
Make sure you check out the Destination Collection when you’re scoping out Maggie Sottero dresses. Perfect for laid back, less formal affairs (or even just for brides that want something a little different) these dresses are some of the most gorgeous frocks we’ve stumbled across. Regardless of whether you’re getting hitched on a deserted beach or a packed cathedral—we highly recommend you take a look at these gowns!
We fell in love with Alexis & Armando’s wedding the moment we saw it. The wedding was held in Hawaii and it incorporated a gorgeous color pallet and decor ideas that are impossible to ignore (like a beige peacock bouquet and flower filled bird cages). What we didnt know was their incredible love story… read about it and more in our interview with the beautiful Alexis below.
Paratinovia: How did you and the groom meet? How long did you date before getting engaged? How did he propose?
Armando and I met through a mutual friend. We dated for 7 and a half years. He proposed at an amazing ranch in Julian, CA. We had the entire property all to ourselves. A friend of mine owns it and sent us there for my 33rd birthday. It’s so romantic and peaceful there. We were with our dogs watching the beautiful sunset through the gorgeous forest when he got down on one knee!
Paratinovia: How did you choose your wedding venue?
We chose Maui, Hawaii as it has always been a very special place to us. My best friend and I found the house online where we stayed, got married, and had the reception. It was so beautiful and so intimate. There were just 24 people and nobody else around.
Paratinovia: How did you pick your team? What part did your coordinator play in helping you make those decisions? Was budget a factor? If so in what way?
I had heard of Lollipop Events and Designs from living in the San Diego area. Their site is amazing and we were so drawn to them. They played a HUGE part in every step of the planning. We would not have had the amazing wedding we did without them. Yes, cost was a factor and they worked well with us helping figure out what was necessary and what we could live without.
Paratinovia: Did you incorporate anything unique into your wedding (Cultural Traditions and Latina Background)? Did you integrate any DIY (do-it-yourself) elements?
I asked our designers to incorporate peacocks into our theme. The girls from Lollipop Events and Designs did an amazing job catering to our request throughout our wedding festivities. They did many different DIY projects that made our event so unique and special.
Check out this enchanting music video called “Chocolate” by Jesse and Joy. The stop action animation is all made from adorable cookie figurines and yummy cookie ingredients (chocolate, milk, sugar, flower, etc…) and the video is directed by Carlos Estrada (the son of Carla Estrada – Telanovela Extraordinaire). The song is beautiful and the animation is so creative and cute… we just cant get enough!
Ok, be honest… ideally, how involved in the wedding planning process do you really want to be?
We’re men. As such, there are certain things that just aren’t a part of our DNA. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love you, or that our wedding day isn’t important to us. It just means no matter how many color and fabric swatches you show us, we’ll never be able to tell the difference between salmon, rose-bud, or blush. (It’s all pink to us!) The same goes for words like tulle, satin, or silk-like.
Don’t assume that your fiancé is brushing you off when you ask him about, say, the color of the cake frosting and he responds with “Whatever you want, baby”. It’s not that he doesn’t care… it’s just that it’s more important to us that you be happy. Trust me, ladies—chances are good that we won’t really remember the color of the cake (or the bridesmaid dresses, for that matter) a month after we say “I Do.”
That being said, there are certain things that we really do care about when it comes to planning the big day. For example, choosing a venue, making sure there will be enough booze at the reception, picking a photographer, and deciding where to go on the honeymoon.
Why not talk to your man before starting your wedding plans? Ask him to tell you (honestly) what’s most important to him, and he’ll be more likely to join in the whole wedding prep stuff. And don’t be to hard on the poor guy.
Vintage inspired looks are becoming extremely popular in 2010. Mix in the old with the new by wearing a pair of classic vintage heels with your little white dress. If you’re having a spring/summer wedding, mini dresses are the newest trend and that’s all the more reason for you to show-off those cute little shoes. To make a bold statement, choose from bright colors like coral green, fuschia pink, or mellow yellow.
¿Estas planeando una boda tradicional Venezolana? Tal vez debes de empezar con formalmente pidiéndole la mano de la novia a sus padres. Esta tradición, aunque ya no es muy popular en los Estados, sigue siendo grande en Venezuela, adonde familia viene primero.
Bodas Venezolanas consisten de dos ceremonias y dos recepciones. Primero hay una ceremonia civil, seguida por una fiesta pequeña. Aproximadamente dos semanas después viene el servicio religioso, cual es más grandiosa, y la recepción elaborada. Y con influencias Nativas, Españolas, Africanas, Italianas y Sur Americanas, ya sabes que la comida en todas esas fiestas va ser una combinación riquísima y ecléctica.
No te sorprendas si los recién casados hacen un acto de desaparición durante la recepción. En Venezuela, se considera buena suerte que la novia y el novio se escapen sin que nadie los vea mientras que la fiesta este andando. ¡Simplemente sigue festejando, y la pareja feliz comenzara su luna de miel!
From exploring the downtown marketplace to a sport fishing adventure reminiscent of The Old Man and the Sea, Cabo San Lucas offers unique experiences that can only happen in this one special town. The wonders of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The privacy of an intimate, modern Cabo San Lucas beach resort. The service and luxury accommodations of Capella. Discover a remarkable level of seclusion and sophistication, just steps away from the excitement of downtown Cabo San Lucas. Experience the wonder of your own private Los Cabos beach, where every room has a picture-perfect view of the ocean. Welcome to Capella Pedregal
Planning a traditional Venezuelan wedding? You might want to start by formally asking the bride’s parents for her hand! This tradition, while no longer quite as popular in the states, remains big in family-oriented Venezuela.
Venezuelan bodas actually consist of two weddings and two receptions—a small civil ceremony and party, followed about two weeks later by the religious services and big fiesta. And with native Indian, Spanish, African, Italian and neighboring South American influences, you know that the food at all those parties is bound to be an out of this world eclectic mix of flavors.
Just don’t be surprised if the newlyweds pull a disappearing act midway through the reception. It’s considered good luck for the bride and groom to slip away unnoticed some time during the festivities. Feel free to party on into the night as the happy couple sneaks off to get started on their honeymoon!
Hawaiian fever is the theme of this wedding. The stunning colors and unique details in the decorwill knock you off your feet. From lovely birdcage-like-candles, to a beige peacock bouquet, you are sure to be inspired.
We absolutely love the setting but its the little details from this wedding that blow us away. Just check out this incredible table setting. Can you believe how incredible it is.
Walk through the incredible doors of this beautiful hotel, it will take your breathe away. It is not hard to see why this hotel is knocking so many brides’ socks off.
When we drove up to the hotel, we knew we were in a different place altogether. In fact, the Valet told us the whole hotel had gone green!
Green! Seriously? Yes. And, for those brides and grooms with green cars…your parking is FREE. We love that.
So for those of you who think green is Birkenstocks and hippie chic, guess again. This fabulous five star hotel is the place in San Diego to get married and it is green.
We in particular loved the hotel deck. For those brides who want different areas to get married in, there is nothing better than a beautiful deck with a majestic ocean view. Their outside bar and deck is gorgeous and would be an incredible location to be married at. Oh but wait, there is more. There are two decks to choose from so guests can toast your love on their upper deck all while enjoying the amazing Del Mar sunset that are quite frankly…a sight to behold.
And did we mention the food. The catering is provided by their incredible chef Paul McCabe at Kitchen 1540 – an amazing Del Mar restaurant – who is making quite the name for himself in the San Diego food scene so no worrying about the catering. This place is all luxury from the pillows in your bridal suite to the food in your guest’s bellys as they dance the night away.
We also love their suites that are the perfect place for a bride and her maids to begin their ritual the day of. With a roomy living area and second bathroom, definitely speak with the coordinator at the hotel about getting one of these luxurious rooms for the day of or even your night of! Trust us you will not be disappointed.
L’Auberge Del Mar, 1540 Camino Del Mar PO Box 2889 Del Mar, CA 92014, 800-245-9757
Hi Novias. Remember the amazing wine trolley wedding we spotted and put on the blog? Well if you didn’t see one of my favorite weddings you need too. And, finally we have the amazing weekend here all in one place with the bride here to share the story of how she and Dustin met.
Their wedding was beyond beautiful and idyllic but just in case you don’t believe me here are the amazing pics…and Brittany’s own words about planning this incredible day!
But, before we move on to Brittany’s story, we wanted to share how the couple kicked off their incredible weekend – the Rehearsal Dinner.
The thing we love most about this couple is not just their rock-star wedding…which was an all day affair but also the cute cool things they threw in like Dustin’s funny glasses!
Brittany: Dustin and I meet when I went into his office to pick up a set of construction plans to bid a flooring job to him. I knew I was in trouble the minute he walked down the stairs in the lobby, because for one of the few times in my life I didn’t know what to say. We dated for a bit over a year before we got engaged.
Dustin proposed at my favorite restaurant in my home town on La Jolla (Café Milano). It was a Tuesday evening and he tricked me by saying we were meeting friends for dinner, and when we arrived they weren’t there. The table was set with an amazing bouquet of flowers as well as a bottle of champagne; he threw me off by saying “I just wanted to do something nice for you, since you are always working so hard”. About 15 minutes after sitting down he started getting nervous and then reached in his pocket and got down on one knee, I can barely remember what he said when he proposed because I started crying and just said YES. The next thing I knew both of our families arrived and my best friend for an impromptu engagement celebration. The entire night could not have been more perfect!
Paratinovia: Tell us about the theme and colors of your wedding
Brittany: Our colors were orange, light blue, and chocolate brown with the majority of the linens and flower being white. The theme was a Wine Trolley Wedding. There was no significance to the colors, but I just wanted to do something different from many of the weddings I had seen before.
Paratinovia: How did you incorporate your Latina background?
Brittany: We incorporated my Latin culture into the welcome dinner the night before the wedding with food and drinks that had a Latin flare. We did integrate DIY elements. At the ceremony site: My Dad and his girlfriend Viv sanded the branches and assembled the base of the canopy at the start of the isle, Dustin’s mom made the beautiful white paper flowers at the base of the canopy and hanging from the tree. At the reception: The birch cake and cupcake stand was built by my Father and Dustin, as well as the centerpiece on our table. All of the linens were done by Dustin’s Mom and my Mom. Cortnie and the other Lollipop ladies spray-painted wine bottles white to use at the catering table, and I handmade the wine charms. I know there were more DIY items I just can’t think of them right now
Brittany: I picked Lollipop event and design because we love their unique aesthetic and creative approach to DIY. The only other vendors that we picked ourselves were Mike Larson Photography, Kramer Entertainment, and Rhonda Johnson for hair and makeup. We picked Mike because of his laid back surfer demeanor, great reputation, and beautiful pictures. Kramer Entertainment was recommended highly by many people and we loved working with Melissa. Rhonda was recommended by Mike and I trusted his advice. All of the other amazing vendors were selected by Lollipop.
We love to bring you the coolest new sneak peeks of everything from dress trends to tabletop decor….but now we get to bring you even cooler new TV episodes…and NOW movies….
Check out this exclusive sneak peak…of OUR FAMILY WEDDING starring the amazing America Ferrara.
Venessa Vilencia is known for throwing some crazy beautiful and whimsical tea parties… a cute and unique theme that would make any wedding absolutely adorable. Stay tuned for our exclusive interview with her later this month!
Choosing your wedding invitations can be a lot of fun. In a way, it’s your guests’ first peek at your personality as a wedded couple. Are you shopping for your own invites? Well you’re in luck, because we’ve scoped out the hottest trends in wedding invitations just for you. Here’s a look at what’s cool right now:
Black and White
Color is cool, but few things catch our attention quite like a bold black and white print. Whether tribal inspired, fabulously floral, or accented by pink, blue or yellow, we love, love, LOVE a well designed black and white invitation. But forget those boring tone on tone invitations of yesteryear. Instead, look for something with some serious pop appeal.
Looking for black and white invitations? Check out Citlali’s Floral Damask print in white and black. ($150 for 50 — available on our shop page!)
Cherry Blossoms
No matter what season you’re planning your wedding, cherry blossoms make your invitations look posh, sophisticated and totally polished. The same things that make them fabulous wedding flowers make them look absolutely stunning on an invite. Architectural and completely regal, cherry blossoms are a wedding’s best friend.
Want to incorporate cherry blossoms into your wedding invitations? We like the Cherry Blossom Stationary Set by Lani Blue. The pink, brown and crisp white color combo would make great wedding colors! ($275, see our invitation shop for more details)
Vintage
From dresses to accessories, everything vintage is HUGE this year. When it comes to invitations, we’re crazy about throwback stationary that reminds us of old school clothes, fabrics, or entertainment.
Want a smoking hot vintage invitation look that won’t break the bank? Sugarflower’s Vintage Cardigan Invitation kit lets you print gorgeous invites at home for $75! (And yes, you guessed it… you can buy it right here!)
Yum!! We all love looking at beautiful cakes so here are some eye candy pictures to stimulate those taste buds!
A lot of brides are going for a more unconventional color palette these days and the cake is no exception! Black, especially, seems to be one of the trends right now. Accenting your cake with non-traditional colors will add a modern twist to your wedding.
And for you brides who love to do everything massive and want to go out with a BANG! This is an example of how a multi-tiered cake can attract the eyes of every single guest walking into the room without looking like it’s hovering over them or like the cake is about to tip over! Now THAT would not be a pretty sight.
Dramatic scenery, gourmet cuisine, adventure and romance all combine to make Portugal a honeymoon destination location like no other. Why settle for a boring vacation when you and your man could be celebrating your nuptials in a place alive with history and excitement? Once you’ve decided that a Portuguese honeymoon is right for you, consider some of these amazing things to do:
Walking Tours of Lisbon
The best way to see the capital of Portugal is definitely on foot! Make sure you pack some comfy shoes so that you and your querido can explore the city’s history. (Lisbonwalker.com is a fabulous resource for scheduling a free tour with a knowledgeable guide) Try taking a spin of downtown, the bohemian Barrio Alto, or—our personal favorite—a tour of some of the places where spies from all across Europe met during World War II. For a small fee, you can even arrange a private walk for just you and your honey.
Port Tasting at Vila Nova de Gaia
The port wine center of the world also happens to be one of the most romantic and picturesque cities in Portugal. Spend the day at a wine tasting, and then snap some amazing pics throughout the afternoon. Want to spend more than one day in Vila Nova de Gaia? (We can’t blame you… it’s an amazing city!) Check out the museums, art galleries, and the Santo Inacio Zoo. Finally, don’t forget to spend some time listening to Fado (the Portuguese version of the blues) over a delectable dinner.
Thalassotherapy Spa Treatments
Portugal has some amazing spas. Among the wickedly delectable options available here are thalassotherapy treatments. The use of natural sea water, minerals, and mud baths make for some sexy spa activities. Spend the day getting pampered, and you can both enjoy the benefits of your super soft skin.
Have you guys heard about the Alice in the Wonderland movie that’s coming out soon? Why not join in on the fun and incorporate the theme into your beautiful garden wedding party! Of course it won’t look as crazy and wild as the Tea Party with the Mad Hatter, but take a look at how excessive decor can be used to create a dream-like story instead of looking overwhelming! Think…. VINTAGE ALICE IN THE SPRINGTIME!
>
>
>
