Real Wedding: Kim and Mel

Once I came across this wedding I knew I had to share it. Beautiful bride, amazing Monique Lhuillier gown, happy couple, and balloons! Kim and Mel were married in May at La Crescenta Presbyterian Chruch in Cresenta, California, with the reception at Calamigos Equestrian Center in Burbank. The incredible photos were taken by Chenin Boutwell of Boutwell Studio. From Chenin: "Back in May I shot what I've affectionately referred to as the "mystery wedding" of Kim and Mel. I called it this because, until the Big Day, I hadn't met or spoken with the bride and groom, nor had I even heard of their wedding location. Weddings like this always make me a little nervous but I knew everything would be splendid once I met the adorable Kim and her absolutely wonderful Monique Lhuillier gown!"




I love the fact that Kim wore a dress that you would see in a fashion spread in a wedding magazine! She looks amazing!!












All photos by Boutwell Studio.

DIY: Paper lace garland

This DIY is perfect for the bride who is going for a vintage, shabby chic, or DIY feel. A doilie garland - so simple and lovely! Via Project Wedding.


Supplies You'll Need:
1. Doilies, assorted sizes: Paper doilies come in a variety of diameters, the larger the diameter the easier it will be to align each doily half while sewing the garland. For added variation, try alternating between small and large sizes. Use the size of the doilies to estimate how many you'll need for the desired length of your garland. Since we'll be cutting them in half, one doily will create twice the diameter in garland length.
2. Double fold bias tape (fabric stores will have this tape)
3. Thread to match bias tape
4. Scissors or paper cutter
5. Sewing machine

Directions:
1. Cut doilies in half: You can fold one in half first to determine the center, and then use it as a guide for cutting the others.
2. Prepare to sew: If you've purchased bias tape, iron out any creases in the bias tape resulting from it's packaging. Pinning doilies in place prior to sewing is an option, however I found it easiest and most efficient to position each doily while sewing.
3. Sew the garland: Sandwich the doily halves between the fold of the bias tape, placing them end to end, and carefully sew along the edge of the bias tape.

Bride and Groom Session: Mallory and Josh

Know that you'll be crunched for time on your wedding day? With all the family photos and group shots and running around, there might not be time for enough pics of you and your man - I know there wasn't on our wedding day! Consider a "day-after"portrait session with just the two of you, or pre-wedding portrait sessions called "Bridals" when they just feature the bride, "Groomals" when they just feature the groom, or "Bride and Groomals" when feature both bride and groom. Once popular mainly in Utah, Bride and Groomal sessions are gaining popularity with brides and grooms who want a relaxed photo session in a different location. This stunning photo session of Mallory and Josh was done by Rebekah Rebekah Westover Photography. It was shot on a day with the "weirdest weather ever. There were no clouds, and it was sunny. But it was raining at the same time!! (That's what all the white specks are in the photos)." The result is pure loveliness.


















All photos by Rebekah Westover Photography.

Real Wedding: Nichole and Joel

Today's real wedding features Nichole and Joel's wedding - which took place in Southern California on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Nichole's dress is pretty amazing and I love the group shots with that old truck with plants growing out of it! The photography was done by Aaron of Aaron Shintaku Photography.

Bachelorette: Top 10 Hangover Cures

Having spent a long weekend in Las Vegas this past weekend, I saw at least a hundred bachelorette parties going on. Most of these parties are harmless and usually involve the bride wearing some variation of a veil and/or tiara (with or without plastic or confetti male anatomy adorning said veil) while out in clubs dancing with her friends. These parties will most likely also involve drinking. And a good night of drinking on the dance floor with your girlfriends usually leads to a not-so-fun hangover in the morning. So I had to share when I saw this feature on One Wed all about Top 10 Hangover Cures For After The Bachelorette Party. So any bride or bridesmaids who will be participating in one of these rites of passage - read up and take note!


10) Cucumbers – No doubt the eyes need some major TLC to de-puff…
9) Ice pack – Applying a cold compress works wonders on a throbbing head.
8) Tomato Juice – If you can’t stomach the “hair of the dog” with a Bloody Mary, then tomato juice contains sugar to help break down the alcohol in your stomach.
7) Coffee with Lemon - Lemon juice alleviates nausea and the caffeine helps shrink blood vessels that cause that pounding headache…
6) Crackers with honey – This naturally flushes the system to rid your body of alcohol fast!
5) Peppermints – Kills two birds with one stone by freshening breath and helps stop a churning stomach …
4) Gatorade – Dehydration is a major cause of a hangover; give your system a hydrating boost and replenish electrolytes with your fav flavor…
3) Bananas or better yet, banana milkshake - Bananas helps calm the stomach and the milk soothes the stomach and re-hydrates your system.
2) Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich – The greasier, the better to soak up all those celebratory tequila shots and eggs help re-hydrate…
1) Advil – make it Extra Strength – no explanation needed…

And my own personal recommendations ... WATER, lots and lots of it both before and after imbibing. Also some (but not too much of) caffeine since it can help to reduce the size of the blood vessels contributing to your pounding headache. For breakfast enjoy some eggs which contain large amounts of cysteine, the substance that breaks down the hangover-causing toxin acetaldehyde in the liver's easily depleted glutathione, and have a banana which replenishes the potassium lost to alcohol's diuretic effect.