{Invitations: Signature Maybelle}

We are so lucky that we have someone on our panel who is an expert on all things invitations - Anne Millett of Mira Aster. Recently she brought up the importance of calligraphy. Anne says, "I know it is a lovely dream of many brides to learn calligraphy so they can address their own wedding invitation envelopes and place cards for their receptions". The way we gracefully address invitations, label various paper products and finish signage is yet another way we personalize a wedding experience.

We recently learned of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting. (iampeth.com) Their president, Janie Cravens, says that penmanship classes are once again in demand.

Noting that “beautiful penmanship will always catch your eye”, in the Feb. ‘09 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Janie also says “when you get a stack of mail and there is an envelope addressed in perfect script, it is like you have been given a gorgeously wrapped gift".

Check out this charmimg save the date with calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls.

Maybelle describes her style as “perfectly imperfect”. She breaks with the more traditional calligrapher’s goal of making every letter exactly the same, strictly following the same angle, and striving for consistent rhythm.

We sense the hand of the artist in all of Maybelle’s work. She has undoubtedly addressed thousands of wedding envelopes and lettered as many place cards (beautifully every time, of course), but she has also created some of the most gorgeous pieces for editorial that we’ve seen. She is a favorite of Martha Stewart Weddings for good reason! Leave it to the talented editors there to show us inventive uses of calligraphy beyond the envelope and the place card.

Her lettering for the Icing Tip Glossary is crazy-cute.

Her background illustrations and calligraphy for “Tailored Cakes” are so inspiring and delicious, we have to share them all.

The thing about calligraphy is that it looks so easy yet many of us don't even work on our penmanship anymore. The ability to create a unique script is a lost art that we truly welcome back! All things old really do look fresh again. Keep reading, we will try to feature more of these artisans in the near future!

In the meantime, "Welcome to the Pink Blossom List, Maybelle!"

{Photography: Up Close and Personal with Augie Chang}

We sent fellow Pink List Panelist, Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini of MB Wedding Designs, on a recent errand. We wanted to find out more about Bay Area wedding photographer, Augie Chang. Here’s MB on AC.

MB: Name one item or gadget that you can’t live without and why you need or love this item/gadget so much

AC: First thing that comes to mind is my iPhone. My iPhone has become a part of my body. Besides taking off my glasses, it is the last thing I look at and the first thing I pick up in the morning. I can't say that I cannot live without it, but not having it will make my life a lot less efficient. I run my entire photography business on my iPhone. From storing my portfolios to exchanging emails with my clients to checking my latest photo shoot appointments, my iPhone has it all. The one favorite application that I use ALL THE TIME is Shazem. If you don't know what it is, you HAVE to find out. I pretty much have music around me all day long, while I am driving to my next photo shoot or sitting at my studio office editing away. Finding out the name of a song and the artist is important to me. I am always looking for the next best slideshow song you know?!

MB: Who is your wedding vendor crush? Basically what vendor do you just like right now or who’s work do you admire or stalk frequently :0)

AC: I have a wedding vendor crush on the Canadian cinematographers - StillMotion. I had the opportunity to work with them in 2008 for my clients, Griffen and Curtis, who got married at V. Sattui in St. Helena. Their work is beyond the every day wedding video. Instead, they "produce" a music-video-like short film for their clients.

MB: What is your favorite wedding shot of 2009 and why? Please include image

AC: My favorite wedding shot of 2009 was from Stephanie and Dan's wedding at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. The typical bridal room was under construction so we had to move to the backroom of the amphitheater to get ready. Outside the backroom, there were arches along the bottom of the overhang. The evening sun was low which casted perfect shadows across the arches. Stephanie had a vintage head piece and an overall vintage look. I have always loved fashion, so adding some high fashion poses to my images seemed natural. We pulled up a chair and Stephanie sat underneath the sunlight. The sunlight highlighted her head piece and brought a beautiful glow to her face.

MB: Do you have any secret finds? A great place for a wedding that no one has heard of, a great vendor that’s under the radar, a place where you get supplies that no one knows about, or a secret gadget that you use?

AC: One of my album vendors that I think is talented but is under the radar is Michael Chinn Albums. I find Michael's work to be timeless, contemporary and elegant. The first time I saw Michael's work, I immediately fell in love with it. Not only does Michael's work speaks for itself, Michael is a genuinely nice person. His dedication to his work and to his family is something that I greatly respect. His attention to detail and his customer service is superb. Michael runs a boutique-like album binding business at his San Francisco studio. Now that the cat is out of the bag, I am afraid he is not going to give me the attention that I got from him before this post!! *wink*.

MB: What is one thing your best friend doesn't know about you?

AC: One thing that even my best friend doesn't know about me is that I am a closet world extreme cage fighting follower :) When my kids are asleep and whenever I am not working at night, I find myself tuning to ESPN WEC (world extreme cage fighting) reruns. The reason why I like cage fighting is because the fights are real. You can see the determination and the desire to win in these fighters' eyes. I love the real-ness of things, like how I apply that to my photography. I am not a big Photoshop fan, so you will see minimal editing work done to my photos. I don't believe in over edited photos. There's just something artificial about them. I prefer pictures that are more genuine with minimal editing.

Augie Chang turned a hobby into a career. Starting in 1999, Augie begun shooting weddings, engagements, kids, babies and family portraits. His style is a combination of contemporary and classic techniques. Each one of Augie’s assignments is unique just as it’s subject matter. The key to his success is his fun attitude which makes people trust him. The ability to make his subjects comfortable allows him to get genuine expressions. When not photographing weddings, kids, or events, you will find Augie playing around with his two sons and enjoying life with his beautiful wife of over a dozen years, May.

{Favors: DIY Labels by Flights of Fancy}

We recently got this great note from our vendor pal, Gia Graham of Betsy White. Her blog, Flights of Fancy, started a new series of DIY projects. Gia would like the Pink Blossom List readers to take a look at her fantastic DIY labels. Though we are usually not big on DIY, we were at first reluctant to share this with you...however, when we saw her favors, we just loved them.

We're sure that you will like her step by step instructions as much as we do. It's so easy.

To find out how to make these great labels we invite you to read the rest of her wonderful post entitled, DIY Download: Cello Bag Labels

{Décor : Oh Red, White & Blue}

In a recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, the editors sited Red, White & Blue as a color story to look out for. Being that July 4th is tomorrow, we’re thrilled to post this trend-right article about infusing these patriotic colors into your Summer wedding! The color palette evokes such a happy celebratory mood! Go ahead and play into the theme! Make red, white, and blue confetti for your guests to toss. Wear red pumps as you walk down the aisle! Use red, white, and blue printed paper for floral containers, mini umbrellas in drinks, and cones for ice cream. Don't forget some bright red soda pop! Provide festive sparklers at the end of the night!

In terms of what is the right shade to use, Gloria Wong of Gloria Wong Designs suggests that you "use a bright cherry red, true white, and shades of blue". Yes, shades of blue! From the predictable dark navy to sky blue and everything in between. Sprinkle in some stars and stripes for fun, but only use in moderation and in small scale.

The key according to Gloria "is to utilize the colors without making the event look like an Independence Day party".

We statue the red, white and blue and wish all of you a safe and happy 4th of July! Let freedom ring!!!

Photo from Wedding Style Guide.

{The List #12: Web Wedding Resources}

Last week, we gave you a list of Wedding Blogs that we adore, now it's about WeddingR esource websites that we find are great for brides looking for information, ideas, innovative trends, as well as inspirational ideas and vendor spotlights. Some aren't even American but that shouldn't matter. It's about great content.

Brides
Elizabeth Anne Designs
Junebug Weddings
Martha Stewart Weddings
Style Me Pretty
Style Unveiled
Project Wedding
Wedding Style Guide
Wedding Bee
The Flirty Guide

Image from Wedding Style Guide.

{Flowers: July Flower Ideas}

The first thing that comes to our minds when we think of July is the heat.

So we thought we would turn to our resident floral experts, Audrey O'Brien of Studio Stems and Nancy Liu Chin to share their candid thoughts on what to do for those warm, sunny outdoor celebrations. As you might guess, a floral designer's first concern is what flowers can stand the heat. Here are their recommendations:

- Choose hardy flowers

- Pick creative designs so that flowers have an adequate water source

- Limit complex set ups so that flowers can be placed for your ceremony or reception with a short amount of lead time so that they do not need to sit in direct sunlight for a long time

- Order a few extra boutonnieres

- Consider ordering a 2nd bridal bouquet one to take pictures with, one to walk down the aisle with so that it's always fresh

- Take advantage of non floral props like lanterns and ribbons to decorate a ceremony

- Add wonderful foliage that are long lasting and hardy




Here's a short list of a few hardy flowers that Audrey recommends:

Protea
Spider Mum
Button mum
Carnation
Craspedia
Coxcomb
Mini calla lily or regular Calla
Sunflower
Anthurium
Cymbidium orchid
Cornflower
Wax flower
Hypericum berries(not shown)
Thistle(not shown)
Horsetail(not shown)


What flowers should couples avoid if they are getting married outdoors in the heat? Nancy advises that couples should be a bit more careful with heat sensitive or fragile blooms that could wilt, shatter or brown easily. A few flowers that you might think twice about includes Hydrangea, Garden Roses, Dahlias, and Gardenias.

Don’t think that an outdoor July wedding limits you to only hardy flowers but simply consider more hardy choices especially for those worn bridal party flowers and bouquets.

Great tips and advise, Audrey and Nancy!

{Cake & Sweets: Color Me A Cake}

Recently, one of our fans wrote in about Studio Cake in Menlo Park, California. We are definitely going to do a spotlight feature on the talented Beth Ann Goldberg of Studio Cake but in the meantime, we just had to feature her beautiful sketches. As part of the concept design of a couple's wedding cake, Beth Ann creates these whimsical sketches. We think these would make a wonderful keepsake. Not only is Beth Ann a terrific baker, she is also a talented artist.

Aren't these sketches lovely?

We want to ask our fans, should Studio Cake be on the Pink Blossom List? You decide!