Drink of the Week: Sparkling Pear & Cranberry

Thanksgiving is a great time to gather with friends and family to indulge and feast! In keeping with that spirit, this week’s cocktail is Thanksgiving themed with delicious hints of the season’s fruits! We found this ah-may-zing recipe on Martha Stewart’s website for creating a sparkling pear & cranberry cocktail. For fall or winter brides, this is a classy signature drink to offer to guests at your wedding reception.

Ingredients

Destination Real Wedding: Persian Opulence in Italy

Jerri and her husband were married in June in beautiful Italy! Their destination wedding was gorgeous and full of wonderful traditional Persian details. The bride asked us to help design a sofreh for them to transport all the way to Italy where a designer constructed it. Although we could not be there personally, Jerri let us know it turned out beautifully. Here are some images of the sofreh and the lovely couple.

 

 

Marine Corps Ball + Veteran’s Day Inspiration

In honor of the 236th Marine Corps Birthday and the upcoming Veteran’s Day, we’d like to thank the men and women who are serving and have served in the armed forces. It’s not easy to take on the task of serving our country, but you do it with dignity and honor. We’ve gathered some photos of Marine Corps weddings and accessories to inspire you if you should ever be engaged to a Marine or want to plan a traditional Marine Corps wedding.

Fun fact: Did you know that there’s more to a Marine Corps wedding than just having your groom in his dress blues uniform? If you’re going to be inviting his “higher-ups,” you will need to send formal invitations that address their ranks. Also,  at the end of your ceremony, you can choose to walk through “The Arch of the Sword,” a symbolic pledge of loyalty to the newlyweds from the Marine Corps family!

 {Cake Topper}

{Marine Corps Cake}

 {LeJeune Photography}

{Lindsey H.}

Real Wedding: Japanese + Indian Vibrance

Miharue and Vivch wanted a fabulous wedding full of details and colors inspired by their Japanese and Indian roots. Like their marriage, the two cultures blended perfectly into their wedding and reception theme! Held at a private estate in the Inland Empire, the couple had a traditional Indian ceremony complete with a gorgeous mandap, and the bride donned an Indian gown; later changed into a Japanese kumon. Signifying “luck,” bright colors like red, orange, and gold were prominent throughout the decor, floral, and wedding cake. To see the feature from SDSW, visit San Diego Wedding Style.

Venue: Private estate in Inland Empire

Photography: Brett Charles Rose Photography

Gowns: Atirma, Indian Gown and kumon from Japan

Groom’s formalwear: Imported from Japan

Florist:  ArtQuest Floral

Lighting: Amber Yin Event Design

Catering & Rentals: Indulge Contemporary Catering

Reception Entertainment: Needle Free Pugs DJ; Reiko Obata (Japanese Performers)

Cake: Dream Cakes

Invitations: From India

Jewelry: Highglow Jewelers

Hair & Makeup: KC Stylist Studio

Transportation: Beverly Hills Best Valet

Flower-Free Centerpieces

 

While watching an episode of “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera,” I remember Mr. Tutera scolding one of the brides for not using flowers as her table centerpieces. Now, we agree, fresh floral arrangements can tie your wedding theme together, but that doesn’t mean non-floral centerpieces are any less memorable. Bridal Guide compiled some unique, and very DIY-friendly centerpieces that require little to zero flowers. We’re sharing some notable ones

{Birdcages}

{Pinwheels}

{Hot air balloon}

{Lanterns}

{Fruit bowls}

{Circus animals}

{Hollowed out books}

{Terraniums}

{Teacups}

Pictures were lovingly borrowed from Bridal Guide.