Simply Modern Weddings

Some people have adopted the idea of giving gifts to each other on the day of the wedding. (ok not just some people…me too!) I think it’s a really great thought, and it’s a nice way to start some family heirlooms.

For my wedding in July, I wanted to give my husband something that he would always treasure and something that maybe can get passed on to our future children. So I decided to purchase this watch for him.

Now I was really torn because I was unsure if he was going to like it and also because he had been raving about a jazz bass that he was itching to get. Hmmm…jazz bass or watch? In the end I went with my gut and gave him the watch. He couldn’t have been more excited! I think he showed that off at the reception more than his wedding ring. LOL!

His gift to me? This hot little number that I am typing on. I swore up and down I was going to get jewelry as a gift and to my pleasant surprise he sent my brother (a groomsman) to my room the morning of the wedding to deliver this cool little MacBook. Now I wanted jewelry, what woman doesn’t, but I was complaining about my old laptop for so long…that this was a much better gift!! (and I can’t keep my hands off it!)

In the end, it’s really not about the gifts. In the wise words of one of my closest friends…”he is getting me isn’t he?”! Your gift to each other on your wedding day should be your devoted love for one another. When I was writing out the card to my husband the night before the wedding, I was so overwhelmed with putting my feelings for him into words…it made me cry. The next day, I received the best gift of all…the gift of a man that I love and cherish, someone who understands me, a man I can grow with and love the rest of our lives.

This post may have been a bit different if this were wrapped up with a bow for me! Haha!

Some people have adopted the idea of giving gifts to each other on the day of the wedding. (ok not just some people…me too!) I think it’s a really great thought, and it’s a nice way to start some family heirlooms.

For my wedding in July, I wanted to give my husband something that he would always treasure and something that maybe can get passed on to our future children. So I decided to purchase this watch for him.

Now I was really torn because I was unsure if he was going to like it and also because he had been raving about a jazz bass that he was itching to get. Hmmm…jazz bass or watch? In the end I went with my gut and gave him the watch. He couldn’t have been more excited! I think he showed that off at the reception more than his wedding ring. LOL!

His gift to me? This hot little number that I am typing on. I swore up and down I was going to get jewelry as a gift and to my pleasant surprise he sent my brother (a groomsman) to my room the morning of the wedding to deliver this cool little MacBook. Now I wanted jewelry, what woman doesn’t, but I was complaining about my old laptop for so long…that this was a much better gift!! (and I can’t keep my hands off it!)

In the end, it’s really not about the gifts. In the wise words of one of my closest friends…”he is getting me isn’t he?”! Your gift to each other on your wedding day should be your devoted love for one another. When I was writing out the card to my husband the night before the wedding, I was so overwhelmed with putting my feelings for him into words…it made me cry. The next day, I received the best gift of all…the gift of a man that I love and cherish, someone who understands me, a man I can grow with and love the rest of our lives.

This post may have been a bit different if this were wrapped up with a bow for me! Haha!

My husband brought up a great point in my last post…what about the guys?! Yes, we cannot forget the groomsman on the quest for ultra cool attendant gifts. I let my husband choose what he felt he wanted to give to his guys as a thank you gift. He did pretty good I might say, and got them all really nice watches with different color faces to match their style.

This got me thinking…men like to look just as good as we ladies do! So why not tap into their inner style and get them a cool tie and cufflinks? (better than an engraved flask) Check out Thomas Pink for some really hip ties to match the wedding colors and Cuffwear for the funky cufflinks to match their personality. Below are some of my favorites…

This is for the “Yellow Chic Wedding” Guys

How about some cool cufflinks?

If you are like me, you want to give something personal to your bridesmaids as a thank you for for them standing by you on your wedding day…not just another bridesmaid tank top. One of my clients told me about 1154 Lill Studio. You can create one of a kind handbags, totes, clutches, makeup bags….oh my! (over 25 different styles in hundreds of colors!) Which means you can create a customized bag to reflect each one of your girl’s personalities. You can also make a custom bridal clutch for yourself!

Want a spice up the typical bridesmaid luncheon? Host a 1154 Lill Studio purse party instead! It doesn’t cost anything to host, and you and your bridesmaids can shop to their hearts delight. (I think I just want to host one just for me and the girls!)

Did someone say discount? They have a 10% off “bridal party” special if you buy 5 or more items of the same style. Can’t say no to that!!!

Here is a tote that I was inspired to create with a little bit of Simply Modern Weddings “funky flair”. Might make a great new bag for my Macbook.

Jennifer and Dave were one of the first couples to hire me when I “officially” started Simply Modern Weddings back in 2005. From day one Jennifer and I clicked because we shared similar styles and tastes when it came to wedding design. Sometimes we would chat forever on the phone about things like linens or types of flowers that we liked. One thing I loved that Jennifer did, is that she created a beach wedding without making it “beachy” themed. She just let the amazing location speak for itself!

They had a beautiful beachfront wedding at the Sunset Restaurant in Malibu. The ceremony took place on the beach right in front of the restaurant. The Sunset is a fabulous location, and their food is AMAZING! Jennifer and Dave hired “James Gang Encore” band with West Coast Music and they were a huge hit at the wedding, no one wanted to leave when the reception was over! Also, it was great wonderful to work with Kim Fox again, as she always takes such beautiful photos. Below are some of my faves from the day…

Wishing you many more years of happiness and laughter!

I recently discovered an article written about the “anti-bride” on Divine Caroline. How amazing was it to see that Simply Modern Weddings was mentioned as a resource for brides looking for something different in their wedding plans!

Divine Caroline is a part of Real Girls Media Network; and is a wonderful online outlet for women to publish their thoughts and stories. This particular article was written by a writer who recently engaged, found that a “picture-perfect” wedding like those in the magazine didn’t suit her personal style. Instead she wanted her wedding day to match her unconventional personality.

Since Simply Modern Weddings is all about creating the day that you have always dreamed of…(whether traditional or nontraditional) I feel it’s such an honor to be mentioned in this article!

Click here to read the article!

I did Yvett and Eric’s wedding back in June, and they had one rockin party! Their ceremony was at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and the reception was on Pacific Avalon Yacht Charters in Newport Beach.

Yvett is one of those brides that I swear needs to work in the wedding industry, this girl is the most organized person I have ever seen…I absolutely love it! (if that law career doesn’t work out…you have a job with SMW!) Eric was also very involved in the planning process…he refused for Yvett and I to have meetings without him being there. I also liked how they each took over a specific part of the planning process…very cool!

Yvett’s stunning flowers were designed by “amazing Allison” over at Flower Allie. Below are some photos that the wonderful Dru Chen shot of their beautiful wedding.

Cheers to you Yvett! I hope that you have a wonderful birthday…you deserve only the best!

Okay okay, I know I just posted about “yellow chic” yesterday…but when I say “green weddings” I am talking eco-friendly weddings. Christine Saunders of The Spiraled Stem Design is all about promoting green weddings. She is the 1st wedding florist in SoCal to become an affiliate of Organic Bouquet. Organic Bouquet is the market leader in producing organic flowers, and their growing practices enhance environmental quality for future generations.

I am also loving Christine’s use of the Blumebox. For Sunday’s wedding, she delivered Sarah’s bouquet in the Blumebox. It is made out of recycleable material, which is great considering that people usually toss the glass vases their bouquets come in. The Blumebox also looks très chic making it a “Simply Modern” alternative to a vase. (great for detail photos!) Here are some photos from Blumebox’s website:

I am so diggin this one (I mean it’s blue and it has my monogram!)

How about a cool idea for displaying place cards?

So I have always been a fan of eye popping colors in weddings. Something about colors makes me go “wow”! So it’s no surprise that my my new obsession is the fabulous “Yellow Chic”. Especially when it’s combined with the modern look of black and white. I LOVE this stationary set which is part of Elum’s new collection.

Here is an example of the “Yellow Chic Wedding”. I remember this knottie “springchic” had a hot wedding at the Viceroy and she utilized the colors and styles of the hotel throughout her wedding. Check out her inspiration board from Style Me Pretty :

Before the wedding? This seems to be a hot question that brides will sometimes face when working out the details and timing with their photographer and coordinator. I went the traditional route and decided to not see my husband until I walked down the aisle…we didn’t even speak to each other after 12am the night before. (haha…we took it very seriously!) However, I realize now that we could have gotten so many more photos and would have been less rushed after the ceremony if we saw each other pre-ceremony.

This makes me think about a couple I worked with back in April at Rancho Las Lomas. Aleeza and Pat decided to do the typical bride & groom, bridal party and immediate family shots pre-ceremony. Not only did this allow more time to get the photos they wanted, there was also an air of calmness with everyone…because there was no rushing. They were able to join in on the cocktail reception and spend more time with their guests, who had travelled from so far to attend the wedding.

Below is one of my favorite shots of them, taken by the amazing Amy Squires