Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Rebel Bride - and Groom



Your Wedding Style: The unconventional couple

The couple: The rebel couple might mix and match their wilder ways in wondrous ways - a digital save-the-date note with an elaborate medieval paper scroll invitation with seal and all, a designer dress worn barefoot in the woods and a silk suit worn with flip flops, a menu showing of the best of super healthy raw vegan cuisine with a selection of to-die-for booze, a gourmet dinner around a bonfire on the beach - but their freedom from rules won't jeopardize their impeccable sense of class. They might rather order food from their favorite restaurant instead of using a classic caterer and prefer to have their friends organize local bands rather than hiring the typical DJ. Their centerpieces might be art objects matching their theme or hundreds of candles, why cut flowers? The wild at heart couple will rock the first dance with a tango they trained many months for or perform a piece of theater, which they had written in 31 nights - whatever fits to the scene and is not boring to look at.


Rings: The engagement ring is the opening act for all to follow. A ruby, emerald or sapphire ring is a very personal mirror of your passion. Rare and unusual stones are andalusite, axinite, cassiterite, clinohumite and bixbite. I personally love a glowing red ruby engagement ring to express who I am. If it has to be a diamond, the smart groom would choose a certified ethically mined beauty for his savvy rebel bride. He might contact a free spirited jeweler who mines his own gold (!) The couple's weddings rings are made of recycled gold or from metals with less impact on the environment - designs go from zen-ish simplicity to amazing artful extravaganza. A few couples have even chosen polished bamboo or wood. Check for more info on the side bar.


Location : The location will be unique, a hotel wedding is out or it's something like the Figueroa Hotel in grungy Downtown LA. Nature Preserves, lakes, lofts, museums, vinyards, apple orchards, movie theaters - they choose a site which makes their hearts sing and for sure not a wedding factory, where four weddings are held at the same time.


Decor: From a couple who brought their animal taxidermy collection to fill the site with oh!? to ceilings filled with delicate and happy origami birds, we have seen originality up to and over the edge.

The "greener" couple checks the recycle bin for creative ideas and writes their seating list on a window, this one matching the feel of "The Ranch" in the Malibu Hills.

Decorative and useful favors are the way to go, no frou frou bells and whistles but hands on edibles and drinkables, or useful knickknack, which guests actually love to take home like pink pens for the girls and pocket knifes for the guys, rose and peppermint oils, candles and matches, flip flops and organic sunscreen... It's a joy to see your guests try to "please get just one more" rather than watching the event planner tossing tons of jolly plastics into the garbage bins.

Transport: These two individualists will arrive in style: in an English double decker, on a motor bike or on horses, a Hybrid sportscar or a 60ties Corvette (it's re-use after all) or singing pirate songs with sixty of their best friends in a school bus. Hummer Limos make them gag.

The Rebel Bride: The Rebel Bride is a smart girl with a mind and taste of her own. A creative, fun loving lady, she is often cutting edge: ball room ready rockn'roll, innovative bohemian, eccentric vintage or a princess in pink, her choices are slightly fierce but always right on tasteful. She won't wear a white traditional veil... Our weddings couples are glad to see our extensive vendor list packed with creative professionals.

Fashion: Not afraid of color her dress might be radiant red or awesome orange. Some even pull the Gothic Grunge up to new levels of tasteful. "The Rebel Bride can make an original statement at her reception without compromising class by choosing a dress that isn't traditional," says haute event planner Yifat Oren.


Vintage is en vogue and even if many of the dresses remind you of grandma's, which might really not be your style, the 30ties and 40ties offer some silk and satin dreams, the fifties are perfect for the rebel bride and the sixties have a few wild styles to entice you with. Check out Antique dress' wedding gallery and Posh Girl Vintage.

Renee Geneva does corset couture with eco materials, Lucid Dawn thrives in theatrical fashion and Christina Hurvis fights for green couture.

As rebel brides are self confident their brides maids shine in sassy outfits. Tattoos are often part of the design.

Beauty: The look is unusual, personal, dramatic and definitely memorable. It shows who you are rather than what you think you should be. Find out which makeup shades and techniques work best for a fearless face, including tips from mineral cosmetic expert Jennifer Charm at Carabella Salon or Aimee Valentine in San Francisco.



The groom: The rebel groom will choose the linen designer suit over the tuxedo, perhaps wears an Indian silk outfit, a prohibition look with scarf and sleek hair do or matches a formal jacket with jeans. He might meet the event planner waving a sustainable fish list into her face and order a beer from some faraway monks, who nobody has heard of. He might even brew his own beer. He is the new type of guy who actually enjoys planning his wedding because it doesn't force him to abide to rules far away from his character.



Cakes: A unique cake style that none of your guests will forget is a lot of creative fun. Rebel couples might not want to have hormones in their whipped cream or pesticides in their fruit and choose an organic cake - or no cake at all. Cup cakes are favorites since a couple of years, petits fours are becoming more and more hip and the confident culture couple offers what they really love - pies for example. Dan and Daniela (April 5, 2009) are exited about a pie baking party with their friends in lieu of bachelor and bachelorette outings.

Photography: I find wedding photos one of the really important parts as they will last a lifetime, so your images should express your life style. Journalistic photos are the rebel couples first choice. To capture those quirky scenes and unexpected happenings require a photographer who is sensitive, alert and intuitively at the right place at the right moment. Posed photos? Sure, with a quirk even those long hours can be fun.

Videography: The rebel couple might check on their favorite movies and find a style they love. From Super 8 film over black and white gangster movie style to "Ever after" cinematography or "pushing daisies" over the top colors - there are so many videography styles to choose from.


Honeymoon: The duos adventure travel, car-free island, sports challenge or eco-retreat will be paid for by their guests gift cards or online wish contributions - who wants big fat boxes with toasters and things? The always actively-engaged-into-something-couple will choose an Earthwatch expedition where they contribute to saving the earth, her animals or people...

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Photo Heaven



Brian and Laura had lot of fun at their intimate wedding in Topanga, but most of all they loved the photo session with Helene Cornell. They explored the woods, the streets and found the best back drops...see more

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The beauty of Simplicity


I love abundance, passionate colors, mindful indulgence and often shy away from "simple" things as they sound beige and boring. But of course there's Zen, there is elegance and awe in simplicity. Nikki and Roger celebrated at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga: the design was calm and soothing and their happiness sparkled in between like fire works.






Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Being creative is inherently green


Updates on Daniela and Dan's wedding in Malibu on April 5, 2009
The flowers were a trial and error creative process of several hours, but then it clicked for Daniela: recycled wooden boxes wrapped in tree bark filled with succulents and orange blooming plants. Matching the Malibu beach they center pieces will be surrounded by frosted beach glass, shaped by the mighty ocean him/herself. Which co-inspired the colors: light blue and white. To find the perfect orange we went spiritual.

That's the color, she said....
I had organized a circular trip through LA starting with Invitesite in Pasadena and their amazing hall of antique German letter press machines, munching on exquisite tasting bites at Twenty1West, trying Cake Divas, which was unfortunately not quite convincing and ending the tour at Classic Party rents who had a mock up prepared for us.

Shuffling it around we decided to go for light blue linen with orange accents. That then inspired the idea of Mexican tin candle holders, which will pop the picture. The general idea is to integrate the families diverse lineage: Mediterranean food, Jewish customs, Mexican music and folk art...

Back home the ladies felt inspired to dig into Susie's basement for wedding paraphernalia. They had found grand ma's garter, worn by Susie in 1974 and now by Daniela in 2009. They re-discovered the oh so 70ties wedding hat and realized that Susie had been green-ish all along: her dress incorporated vintage lace.

I really liked Dan's idea of a pie baking party but it might be a bit much to dig into tons of dough a day before the wedding. So we're checking out the alternatively sweetened and Spelt flour happy bakery of the Inn of the Seventh Ray, where even the Coconut Cream Pie becomes a little healthier by using honey and organic cream.
Event Planner Angelica Weihs, Daniela and Dan were interviewed by the Whole Life Times for February 2009 edition. They'll feature green couples from NY, Seattle and LA. Don't miss it.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Lush and green

Amazing and eco conscious photographer Nathan Welton did it again: Ruthie and Russell's green wedding in the Bahamas (the only not so green thing was buying carbon offsets for all the flyer miles) became the title photo for Ever After. (Colorado)

Friday, January 2, 2009

The Eco Team joins for Jocelyn and Jason




I am always happy to get the green team together for a wedding: Jihan Abdalla had a lot of fun shooting the photos of Jocelyn and Jason on November 8, 2008. Jennifer from Salon Carabella did her magic with mineral make up and all organic cosmetics, the chefs of the Inn of the Seventh Ray created the Vegan meal including a Bruchetta Bar, an amazing Lasagna and vegan house baked bread and Michelle Rodriguez, the Goddess of Vegan wedding cakes, baked the cup cakes.
Groom Jason, a graphic designer, created the watercolor/design of their wedding invites. The rings: ethically mined metals of course...

Outside of the See's Chocolate Box

Vegan Victorian with a touch of Goth...
Marcipan skulls on the soy cream cheese frosting might not be many people's taste, but our vegan weddings surely show: when we jump out of the box and go green, vegan, vegetarian or rebel bridish in any other way, creativity blooms.





Alanda and Allan's Eco Path
All Victorian dresses and suits will be used again or consigned
Tricia Villalobos designed and handmade the bride’s dress and most of the groom's outfit
The bride wore fabulously synthetic/vegan boots
The wedding was in a nature setting lit by twinkle lights and candles
The banquet was organic Vegan
The Vegan 'cheese'cake with raspberry filling and marzipan bones and skulls was made by the groom
They integrated traditions like handfasting
The favor was Licorice tea in glass bottles with hand made labels
Hand written table placards with names like: Queen Victoria’s funeral progression
The "ghost book" (vs. guest book) was an old album redecorated by the groom
The skeleton couple that guarded the card box was dressed by Trica Villabobos

Friday, December 26, 2008

Wild Vegan Winter Wedding


Ninjas, seriously? If anybody could pull this off, it was Candace and Josh, who got married at the Malibu Nature Preserve. Their first dance was accompanied by Kermit the frog and all in an elegant pimento, gold decor with pine cones and wrought iron candelabras, lots of nature - the bride wore linen shoes but did not hike up to the ceremony site ... Read more...

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Mountain Mermaid Prep Time

12/6/2008. 10:00 am, Bill Buerge, Angelica Weihs Events and Classic Party, the eco-friendly rental guys, are setting up. Task: to keep the eccentric feel of the Mermaid villa, the antic tables and armchairs present and use as much of the available furniture as possible but still get enough 60 inch tables and Chiavari chairs into the layout that 120 guests can find a seat. It was not supposed to look "set-up", the idea was deconstruction from centerpiece to design. Matching the theatrical crowd, there was no assigned seating and the time line was kept a la mode, fluid, which means for the planner to be at the pulse of the crowd at all times.... Of course we also needed to keep space for the dance floor and theater stage in front of the fire place. After an hour of shuffling and schlep it looked just perfect. The rustic Adobe linens from BBJ contrasted with burgundy Damast napkins, fit the Mermaid like a glove.

The decision to do copper in the kitchen turned out amazing and the 55 extra candles added a bit of medieval feel to the 30ties style. When Shirvan's flowers and candelabras arrived at 1:00 pm we were ready for them to rock the stage while Don Kreindler and his crew jumped under the kitchen structure and prepared amazing food. Handsome staff, Don! and not just great to look at. As a wedding planner I am absolutely grateful for attentive staff who pays attention to details and helps with more than just what the job describes.
We are anxiously awaiting the photos from Rebecca/Docuvitae and Dana Hargitay.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The eccentric Culture Couple

Rebecca and Harry were married on December 5, 2008 in one of the Chateau M's garden suites, they call them bungalows. The intimate ceremony will be followed today by an eclectic, eccentric, sophisticated Bohemian reception at the Mountain Mermaid in Topanga. 120 guests of the theatre, media and movie scene, artists and a bunch of other nice people...
Tonight, Arsine from Shirvan Design did her flowers (local and/or organic) and sent a taste. Angelica Weihs from Angeliquevents will polish the final design of the Mermaid's historic dwellings and then spread her coordinating magic....

A green wedding with lots of class and pizazz...

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Since I was a little girl....


Just a decade ago you had to be a "rebel bride" to get what you really want, but like Suffragettes, the pushy brides of yesterday have opened the road for as much creativity as we can handle, actually the more the better. The obligation of "having to go to a wedding", which many guests might have moaned about before, is obsolete as receptions have become exciting even adventurous. Not everybody integrates hang gliding, hikes and helicopters. But in an amazing place like Topanga, California you can ride into your reception at the Mountain Mermaid and be horse whispered at by your guests (loud cheering would spook the animal) . Georgeann, a Topanga resident saves horses and allows them to have a wonderful life on her property. She offered to give one of my brides riding lessons and to make her grand entrance not just spectacular but heart warming: that's what horses do, says Georgeann, they inspire the longing for freedom and they heal people. More soon...