simply modern weddings

fresh. chic. simple.

well, hello…

simply modern weddings is a bespoke wedding design and planning firm based in southern california…but with a love for travel. our bags are always packed with ideas and ready for anywhere your fabulous event will take us!

i invite you to browse through our posts to find out more about our style and, more importantly, our unique perspective on wedding design. you’ll find a lot about what inspires me-i’m constantly on the lookout for fresh ideas and all things that fall into my definition of chic and modern!

but don’t take my word for it…i’d love to know what you’re thinking! share your thoughts and ideas by leaving a comment or two when it strikes your fancy.

and, by the way…nice to meet you!

xoxo,

wednesday tip: mix and match bridesmaid dresses

Posted in inspiration

one of my favorite things many of our brides do is mix & match bridesmaid dresses. the variation in style and shade with a subtle cohesiveness brings such a fun & chic look to your wedding party. it also allows your girls to pick a dress of their choice that fits best for their body and budget.

there are so many different ways to play around with the mixing of dresses. you can select different silhouettes; pick varying shades of the same color, or a palette of colors and patterns. there are so many options and different ways to go when allowing your girls to pick that dress they feel most comfortable in while keeping your overall wedding look consistent.

you can certainly do this with traditional gown designers like amsale; jim hjelm, dessy, jenny yoo, monique lhuillier; vera wang, watters, etc…or go with bridal party fashions from jcrew or bhldn. also twobirds is an amazing dress that provide your girls with the same fabric and color tones but options to twist and tie the dress into any silhouette of their choice.

i love seeing fashions from anthropologie, ruche, forever 21, and modcloth…all of which have such amazing options of cute chic dresses that vary in color, fabric, and look, and can definitely be worn again!!

xoxo,
kerisa

(credit: coral bridesmaid dresses-jill thomas photography; ivory dresses-shannen norman photography; neutral tone dresses-molly sims; sequin bridesmaids-jarvie studio photography; mix match bridesmaids-whitney darling photography)

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by smw kerisa

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smw christina - love those sequin pieces…great post kerisa!!

James - I like this idea, it gives the bridesmaids a choice of what to wear and it also adds more variety to the wedding party.

inspire me monday: baby james’ 1st birthday party

Posted in inspiration, personal

the fact that i am even typing “my little baby james will be 1 year old this sunday” makes me want to cry!! it seems like not that long ago we brought him home from the hospital. that moment every parent has: where they look at their sweet baby, look at each other, and then say “ummmm now what?!” gone is that little newborn who would snuggle & sleep on our chest. he is now an active little boy whose independent personality led him to boldly take his 1st steps on new year’s day…at only 9.5 months old. now he’s the king of the playground, exploring and getting into everything. i just love his playful curiosity, but also love those sweet moments where he will snuggle in my arms and be my baby as well.

this is what led me thinking about ideas for his 1st birthday party. even though some people say the 1st birthday isn’t a big deal, kids won’t remember it, blah blah, but it really is a major milestone. never in life will they grow and develop so much in one year. it also celebrates our 1st year of parenthood, we did it!! so i wanted this day to have meaning and to be something special for him.

i was inspired by one of his favorite activities…reading, and specifically bedtime stories. we’ve been reading him bedtime stories since before he was born, and it’s become something very special. it’s the time where we wind down from playing, and he snuggles up with his cozy pjs in our arms, and we are then transported to a land of imagination in his stories. as he excitedly turns the pages, touches or leans down to kiss the characters in his books, i am reminded of my own love of books as a child. there are even times where he’s quietly playing alone in his room (while i watch on the monitor) and i will see him get his books, sit down, and flip through them. then i wonder if he’s remembering the stories, the funny character’s voices, etc.? it’s just the cutest!!!

so…a bedtime story inspired party!! kids will be wearing their favorite pjs, we have a book donation going to CHOC, and some little fun activities. i am keeping as simple as an event designer can, but i did go a little crazy on some ideas. let’s just say, i have never crafted so much in my life. haha!! i am excited to share more details later, but in the meantime here’s our inspiration board created just for my little man’s big day. i can’t WAIT!!!

(credit: dessert table-sweet and saucy; pajamas-target; blue door-pinterest; party hats-tammy hughes photography; straws-shop sweet lulu)

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smw christina - thank you all so much for the comments and love!!! we are so blessed that we get to share in this moment with you!! @james, i promise next year will be simple. (i think)

Brian Khang - I was just thinking about you guys and J5 a few weeks back and as I took a peek into your Instagram, I loved seeing him grow up 1 photo at a time. Just as we knew, you guys would make amazing parents! He’s growing up so fast now and is developing such a personality! We’re so excited to many more years of watching J5 grow up! But for now, cheers to your 1st year as parents and cheers to J5 and turning 1!

angel swanson - It has been such a joy sharing our first year of motherhood together! Love you and love little J5! I know this party is going to be nothing short of amazing <3 xoxo

James - We did it, we survived our first year of parenthood! This past year has been such an enlightening experience. just watching this little guy go from this little newborn that would sit and look at us with so much curiosity to this little body running around the house and exploring everything. I know you have a lot of goodies in store for his birthday party and I can’t wait to see them all come together.

Krista Mason - YAY! I can’t wait! Looks awesome!

kristin @ petal and thorn - i can’t believe he’s turning 1 already! it just flew by so fast. it’s been a joy watching you embrace mommyhood, even on the rough days, you seem utterly in love with your little man. can’t wait to celebrate with you!

inspire me monday: naomi watts’ futuristic glam oscars gown!

Posted in inspiration

every year there is one completely jaw-dropping, stand out oscars gown that captures my heart.

last night it was naomi watts’ in this insanely beautiful gunmetal sequin giorgio armani. it had such a futuristic glam edge to it, that it of course made me think about our tron inspired wedding…and how to pull off a glamorous, architectural, avant-garde inspired wedding design!

(credit: makeup-vogue italy, cake-lovella bridal; couple-tron inspired wedding; stationery design-event jubilee)

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smw christina - i would totally wear something like this…if i had somewhere this fancy to be. haha!

James - very cool dress!!

wednesday tip: lipstick obsession

Posted in inspiration

lately I’ve been loving my new soft coral lipstick from bobbi brown. i love pairing it with my chunky cream sweater during the winter, it’s such a great way to add some color and dress up my comfy look.

it’s also a great choice for a bride looking for something with a bit more pop!! a bold lip really stands out when wearing a gorgeous white gown. and just in case you’re nervous about making sure your lips last the whole day here’s a few great steps to ensure your lips are ready for that first kiss as husband and wife…

- leading up to that big day make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips
- prime your lips with either lip primer or foundation
- line your lips
- apply your lip color
- use a kleenex and place it over your lips
- apply some loose powder over your lips
- then apply another layer of lipstick
- and flash that gorgeous smile!!!

what’s your favorite lip color? i’ve been trying to find some good ones to add to my collection

xoxo,
kerisa

(credits: bride with veil-jcrew; lots of lipsticks-the wall street journal; bride with floral headpiece-alicia swedenborg; pink lipstick model-vogue; bride with red lips-Codrean Photography & Films)

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by smw kerisa

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smw christina - you know i love a bold lip k!!

inspire me monday: braided hair tutorials

Posted in inspiration

love love love when brides rock long braided hair to the side!! it’s romantic and out of your face without being an updo…and since i found some amazing hair tutorials on various types of braids, i thought i’d share.

here are some of my faves from the beauty department… love this fishtail braid, a great one on the classic french braid, and this fun boho braid. hope you enjoy them all as much as i did!!

here are some brides rocking fun braided styles…

xoxo,
kerisa