Monday Coffee: Photo Talk with Llanes Weddings

We hope you had a wonderful weekend! We had a busy one and attended the big bash for San Diego Magazine's Top 50 to Watch list; we are still just beyond grateful and so honored to be on the list with such amazing people! Then we jetted over to Palm Springs for the super fun Hitched Event! Needless to say, we're thrilled for many reasons to turn the blog over to our dear, dear {and ultra talented} friend Jenny Llanes from Llanes Weddings today:

There is a time during a wedding that most people dread: The family photos. If not tended to and prepared for, this can be a long drawn out process that adds stress to what should be a very happy day. Here are a few tips to make this easy & stress-free:

1. Prepare your family. If you let your family know when the photos will take place, it will ease the stress of gathering them when the time comes.

 2. Type out a list for your photographer. This is the most important advice I can give! If you type out a list and include first names, this will help the photographer's assistant to set up the next shot, gather the right people, and most of all, ensure that you get the shots you need!

3. Pay Attention. The photographer has quite a job at this point of the day. Try to always focus on the camera, and this will go smoothly. There is usually someone looking off-camera or at the bride and groom during the big group shots, so the photographer will most likely take multiple shots of each family combination from the list. (although sometimes the "off moments" turn out to be quite cute!)

4. Map out some time with your wedding planner and photographer. Setting a specific time for the photos is a must. Ask your photographer how much time is needed, and discuss with your planner. This will be determined depending on the size of the families and number of photos desired.

5. Assign a bridesmaid or groomsman to be the "family wrangler." A wedding is really just a big party, and most family members will be tempted to wander off to greet people they haven't seen in a while. If you have a member of the wedding party, that isn't family gathering grandma Stella or Uncle Bob, it can really lower the stress level.

An Image: Anticipation

We are so lucky to get an inside look into our couples' big days and special moments. We love this intimate moment captured by One Love Photography of our couple Megan + Logan. Though it's simple, it signifies so much.

At Home with Aleah: Mysterious Air Plants

Happy Friday! I hope you have some fantastic plans for the weekend! We have a weekend filled with some amazing events {ones we're attending for once, not planning!}. I hope you take some time out to relax and enjoy the little things: like air plants!

There is something just so mysterious about air plants. Not only do their tendrils reach and curl in such a beautiful way, but they grow without soil and need minimal water; just a  spraying every week or so. They're the perfect plant for travelers {we love them} as they require such little care yet they give so much. Mysterious and magical, give air plants as hostess gifts or lay atop a place setting for your guests to take home.

Image via Two Brunettes | Image via Lili Durkin Photography 

I love how funky these glass terrariums are and this elongated glass blown tube is so innovative. Imagine long, family-style tables decked out with spindly air plants sprouting out of clear glass vessels. Talk about a creative look! 

Image via My Inspiration Lounge | Image from Etsy

Image via Petunia Faced Girl | Image via Sewing in the Suburbs

I adore this bouquet and coordinating boutonnière; they're perfectly curious and so beautiful.

Images from Lili Durkin Photography via Bridal Hood

Are you a fan of air plants?

Nick's Favorite Refreshing Cocktails Your Guests will Enjoy

Summer is around the corner, which means the time has arrived to plan the bar at your wedding or bash. We've said it before and will say it again: choose cocktails people will truly enjoy, while still being unique and your style. While overly sugary drinks may look tasty, we see more go to waste than are enjoyed. 

We love these refreshing cocktails that are limited in complexity {which makes the job easier for your bartenders and in turn no lines!} and sure to be crowd pleasers:

The Leblon™ Caipirinha is more of a sipping drink that's flavorful and has a kick.

Ingredients: 2 ounces of Leblon Cachaça {sugar can liquor} | 1/2 lime | 1 oz. simple syrup

Quarter the lime and add to simple syrup
Muddle in a shaker
Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously
Serve in a low ball glass garnished with lime {yields one drink}

Photos from WhiskBlog

The Pimm's Cup is classic summer British cocktail, we've sipped these before on summertime trips to London and can't get enough. They're entirely light and refreshing with a hint of a spicy kick, perfect for a summer. Think about serving them in pitchers around your venue or lawn games for a fun atmosphere.

Ingredients:
2 oz. Pimm's No. 1 liquor | 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice | Ginger Ale | Cucumber

Fill a high ball glass with the 2 oz. of Pimm's, the 1/4 oz. lemon juice
Top with cucumber slices {or spear} and pack with ice
Fill the glass to the brim with Ginger Ale
{yields one drink but this can be easily made in large quantities}
*You can play with your favorite combinations - we've also used orange slices, mint sprigs, and other accoutrements {like San Pellegrino Lemonata or Aranciata instead of Ginger Ale} but the above recipe is a classic

Image via Crumpets and Cakes | Image via A Sweetful Spoon

More great cocktails will come in the upcoming months. Give these a try and let me know what you think! Nick

Inspiration: Nautical Romance

This is one of our all-time favorite photos shoots that we've styled and we're so happy to show it to you! The concept was Nick's: create an unexpected shoot brimming with simple South of France-inspired details: think a classic Bond-esque tuxedo, martinis, and crisp nautical china; all timeless elements.

 We went for a non-floral motif with our centerpieces and stacked white shells and coral in large glass hurricanes. Our bride carried a simple white orchid bouquet cinched with a satin navy ribbon and an antique crystal brooch. Her dress had pockets!

 How classic was our groom? He donned a picture-perfect black tux and rocked a paper boutonnière from Momental Designs.

 Classic. Simple. Fresh. Often times an ambiance is created by sticking with simple details and a stunning backdrop like Crystal Pier in San Diego.

These classic candids of our happy couple make us smile. The images are so timeless and carry an old Hollywood feeling, don't they?

There you have it! Can you derive inspiration from nautical elements? Tell us what your favorite detail is; we'd love to hear!

Styling + design: Valley & Co.

Photography: Llanes Weddings

Location: Tower 23

Linens: Wildflower Linen

Stationery: Momental Designs

Bride's dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

Groom's tuxedo: Men's Wearhouse, La Jolla

Hair + Makeup: Char Sanchez

Engaged! Snuggling up in Snowy Georgia

We're loving engagement shoot where a couple's true love radiates. There aren't any props or distractions; just a couple totally and completely in love. This engagement shoot is charming and special as it was captured on a very rare snowy day in Georgia last month. The couple jumped at a chance to utilize a bitter cold backdrop and to snuggle up for the camera. We love it!

 This series is great {and how cute are her gloves?}!

Thank you so much to Berry Tree Photography for sharing this brilliant engagement shoot with us!

Monday Coffee: Rehearsal Dinner Tips with Nick

"Traditionally" the groom and his family take charge of the rehearsal dinner planning and all that it entails. This night is key to opening the wedding experience your guests are in store for and it's a time your guests will get to know each other, reunite, and quite often share memories through speeches to the bride and groom. Here are some suggestions to keep the night a success without interfering with the big event.

1. Don't invite your entire wedding guest list to your rehearsal dinner {unless all of your guests are coming in from out of town this can be appropriate}. An alternative to ensure all of your guests feel included in the overall wedding experience is to have a post-wedding brunch, a pre-wedding dinner {if your guests are coming for a long weekend}, or some sort of all-guests-are-invited activity. Keeping your rehearsal dinner limited to your wedding party and immediate family also creates a close-knit feeling that you might miss out on if you are having a huge wedding reception.

2. Keep it casual and light. This is about fun and memories, not Wedding, Part I. Pick a menu that shares no similarity with your big day. Remember, this is a separate event.

Photos for Valley & Co. via Jeremy Leffel

3. Start early, end early. Never let this night run too late, especially if you're offering a bar. You have a big day ahead of you and you want your guests and each other to be well-rested, fresh, and ready to go all night.

However you decide to plan and whatever your guest list looks like, keep it fun and light.

Sunday Simplicity: Goat Cheese & Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs

Happy Sunday! Surely you're enjoying the big games today - if you're still in need of a simple, yet really delicious snack above and beyond chips + salsa, treat your guests to some tasty figs with goat cheese and prosciutto.

Image from Petite Chef

You need:

Fresh figs |  Chèvre {goat cheese}| Prosciutto

Dollop a tablespoon of soft goat cheese on a halved fig and wrap in prosciutto. You can eat as-is or place them on the grill for about 1 minute on each side to warm up the cheese and crisp the prosciutto. Enjoy!

At Home with Aleah: Cheerful Simplicity

Lately we've had spring on the brain. With our gorgeous Southern California weather these past few weeks, it makes me really excited for bright and cheerful spring days. We're longing for days that last longer, for bulbs to sprout, and for some of our amazing and refreshing springtime weddings. I hope you enjoy this collection of cheerful simplicity as I look forward to spring.

Image via Martha Stewart | Image via Real Simple

Get out there and enjoy the weekend. Get inspired.

Drink in a good cup of tea or pick up a fresh bunch of flowers from your local Saturday market and appreciate the little things. Happy Friday!

Image via Martha Stewart | Image via Southern Living

Frozen Ginger Lemon Drop {via Martha Stewart} - yields 8 servings

Ingredients

Lemon juice (about 1/4 cup), for coating glass rims

Superfine sugar, for coating glass rims 
Frozen Ginger Lemonade
2 to 4 cups vodka 
Lemon zest curls, for garnish

Directions

Dip rims of glasses in lemon juice and then in sugar. Pour 3/4 cup frozen ginger lemonade into each glass, and top with 1/4 to 1/2 cup vodka (to taste). Serve immediately garnished with a lemon curl.

Inspiration: Magical Woodland Wonderland

A while back we designed a whirlwind of fun + simple table top designs and had an inspiring day of styling with our pals at Llanes Weddings. This woodland-inspired shoot was full of spongy, lime green moss, gold brocade napkins, and a dreamy green setting {though it was set at the tropical Catamaran Hotel in San Diego}. Here are a few of our most favorite images. We love the simplicity of apothecary jars filled with moss, rocks, and simple small branches. The result is a magical little woodland wonderland in jar.

 Using natural elements like hand-carved wooden vases {these were gifts from a past bride and groom} and coconut shells to contain our sprouting centerpieces, the look was totally natural.

 The talented team at Momental Designs created this lovely, woodsy stationery complete with soft, velvety chocolate ribbon.

Our menu was simple: prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, salmon mousse cucumber canapés, and fresh ahi bites.

You might have spied these in some of our past shoots {like our couple's La Jolla flapper-inspired engagement shoot}. We have these cherished vintage print press blocks that Aleah's mom has had for ages. Aren't they so cool?

Our shoot was featured on Wedding Chicks a few months back.

Design, Styling + Table Top Details: Valley & Co.

Photography: Llanes Weddings

Stationery goods: Kristy Rice from Momental Designs

Bride’s attire: Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla, Queue Colette dress in vintage gray, $420

Groom’s attire: Tommy Bahama La Jolla

Hair and Makeup by Char Sanchez

Linens: Wildflower Linen

Location: The Catamaran Resort, San Diego