{Photography: Foto Fridays IV}

For Foto Friday, our resident photographer, Michelle Walker sends us this emotional image. Michelle writes, "this is from a beautiful wedding at Calistoga Ranch. Mom was very close to her son and so happy to see him marry the girl of his dreams! She walked him down the aisle and was overcome with emotion."

Sometimes it's hard to let go.

Image by Michelle Walker.

{The List : Recap}

We thought we would recap the first 14 lists thus far so that you can go back and catch up if you missed them.

List #1 - Favorite First Dance Songs
List #2 - The Do Not Play List
List #3 - Favorite May Flowers from Nancy Liu Chin Designs
List #4 - Top Floral Designers
List #5 - Cheap but still Chic Ideas
List #6 - Favorite Color Combinations
List #7 - Best Honeymoon Spots - Resorts
List #8 - Favorite Traditions
List #9 - Favorite Wedding Cakes
List #10 - Favorite Summer Bouquets
List #11 - Inspiring Blogs
List #12 - Web Wedding Resources
List #13 - Instead of Cake
List #14 - Photo Tips by Kevin Chin

Do you have a list? If so, please share it with the Pink Blossom List and see if the next list might just be from you!

Image by Jennifer Baciocco

{Wedding Planning: Romance on the Sugar Mill}

We are so honored that Evonne Wong of Events by Evonne is sharing one of her favorite wedding stories with us today. Evonne especially wanted to share a wedding that took place in Hawaii that didn't have that typical Hawaiian beach look.

Let's see how this story unfolds.



Evonne writes, "Angela and Jeff both live on Oahu, but she has always wanted to get married at the Pua Le'a Estate on Maui. It used to be a sugar mill back in the 1800's and Angela loves the shabby chic look of the mill. While surfing the internet one day, she came across my blog about the mill. A few weeks later, she flew over and we both went to see the venue together. She was in love instantly, especially with the chandelier and the decor in the bridal room. When I first met Angela, she told me that her favorite store was Anthropologie. That gave me an idea of what her vision was for her big day".


Angela looked stunning in her La Sposa dress and her to-die-for Christian Louboutin shoes! Weren't they cool asks Evonne. Yes!


Angela's favorite color was bordeaux, so with the help of the talented team at Country Bouquets, we chose something that would complement that color - lavender, lilac roses, purple lisianthus, with some white hydrangeas and green hypericum berries.


No event is complete without beautiful linens. Together with Debbie Fisher, Owner of Pacific Event Group, Evonne and the bride selected the Stardust Crush fabric in bordeaux for the dining tables, pink taffeta for the cocktail highboys, and pink matte satin for the napkins.

To accomplish that look and feel, Evonne added a lavender sprig to each napkin with the menu cards. This is great advice - what a wonderful touch as guests take their seats.


Since Angela loved the chandeliers, that was her theme for her invitations and she also found the most perfect wedding favor online - personalized mint tin boxes with the pink chandelier design on them!


And to add more romantic lighting under the beautiful clear tent, Angela bought 6 dozens of ivory votive candles all hand-decorated with lace. Great idea!

One thing about wedding planning that we learned from Evonne's story is that it takes partnership and trust in order to get from the inspiration to the reality. Thanks, Evonne - great story!


Images by Tad Craig Photography

{Flowers: Interview with Carissa Jones}

Michelle of MB Wedding Designs returns this week with another great interview. This time Michelle spoke with the lovely and stylish Carissa Jones of JL Designs, a couture floral and event styling company based in Orange Country(the "OC"). Let's listen in on their conversation.

MB: What celebrity wedding would you have loved to attend?
CJ: I am obsessed with the wedding of fashion designer, Jenni Kayne. It took place in Malibu and it had the most amazing ceremony structure I had ever seen! It was made entirely of clear Lucite and covered in knotted, sand blasted grapewood branches. Plus the bridemaids' dresses were, of course, from Jenni Kayne's line and completely to die for! The whole thing was just typical SoCal, bohemian chic...

MB: What is the best thing about working with brides?
CJ: Getting to know them and their style and infusing it into their wedding! I am all about creating a day that just "fits" them. Also the feeling I get seeing their reaction to the florals and decor after it all comes together - priceless!

MB: What is your favorite floral bouquet to date?
CJ: Definitely my own bridal bouquet! It was a slight cascade made up entirely of white phalenopsis orchids. Wrapped the stems in a caramel velvet overlaid with a gold beaded trim. I then strung my grandmother's vintage necklace with additional family heirlooms (engagement ring, locket, pledge ring) and allowed it to dangle off the bouquet. It was so soft and delicate and meaningful. I wish I could carry it around with me every day! :)

MB: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
CJ: "Celebreality" shows, Nutella, Lattes, Nordstrom, Loehman's, Target, Mani/Pedi's.

MB: If you were not a floral designer, what would you be doing?

CJ: Definitely something in the event industry, working for a magazine or a full time wife and mom! Definitely looking forward to motherhood someday.

Well, we are certainly glad that Carissa is a floral designer because you are refreshingly talented(so never quit your day job).

Thanks Michelle and Carissa for sharing this with the Pink Blossom List. And many congratulations to JL Designs for being on our floral resource list!!!

{Invitations: Hawaii Style}

Today's inspiring invitation concept is quite fitting for those who dream of an island getaway. Read on.

Gia of Betsy White Stationary Boutique who has such a great eye for simple details sent us this inspiring invitation.

Gia shares with us that "so many couples [are] choosing to have destination weddings". Her island-inspired invites are quite popular. When designing the Alani wedding invitation, Gia wanted to convey the feeling of the tropics without using an obvious island motif. She was really inspired by the relaxed style and culture of Hawaii.

We think she captured the laid back, relaxed island style perfectly. How can you not love the warm color, the surf dude, and the breezy palms.

Here’s how the invitation turned out. "Tripendicular, brah!"

For more great ideas and inspiring designs, please visit Betsy White.

Photo Credits:

Hawaiian Inspiration Board

Row 1: Jupiter Images, image via Print and Pattern

Row 2: Letter "T" by Jeanie Nelson, Jupitar Images

Row 3: Hamoa Beach Image by RandomSpace.

Invitation Image Courtesy of Betsy White Stationary Boutique

{Photography: Foto Fridays III}

It's Foto Friday, Part III. This Friday, Michelle Walker sends us this beautiful black and white image from her amazing portfolio. She writes that this is one of her favorite images of "Samantha and Ryan sharing a little secret during their reception in the Observation Room at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay".

We love how you were able to catch that magical moment when Samantha is just an inch or two from Ryan's ear. It's such a private moment that only the two of them(actually the three of you) shared.

Thanks, Michelle, we can't wait to see what you have in store next week.

{The List #14: Photo Tips by Kevin Chin}

Our list this week comes from Pink Blossom List Photographer, Kevin Chin. We asked him for a list of photo related tips for brides and grooms on their wedding day. Here is his very wise advice.


Do attend the cocktail hour, makes for great candids.

Assign a family member to corral VIP's during the family photo session, help & save time since your photographer may not know who Aunt so and so is.

If you think something will take 30 minutes, buffer 45 minutes.

Point out meaningful details or special guests that you would like the photographer to document. Remember, he/she may not that the fabric for your favors were flown in from the Orient and that the box contains Asian spices(see image on the right).

Meet with your photographer ahead of time to discuss the day's events so that there are no surprises the day of the wedding.

Though hard to do, limit your wedding party, the more bridesmaids/groomsmen you have, the more you have to organize and manage.

Book an engagement session with your photographer so that you can develop a rapport. You'll be more prepared the day of your wedding. And certainly more relaxed.

Great lighting makes an impact especially for an indoor evening events or a space that's not well lit. (See the Chinese strung lanterns - makes for a great backdrop and lights a dark area)

Start out with the most picturesque venue that you can find in your budget. It sets the tone.


Image by Kevin Chin