One of my favorite things to do is design invitations, so it was a blast to be able to put together Dana’s bridal shower invitation.  I wanted to go for a very delicate, hand-stitched look for the invite.   Something that fit in with the theme and style of the wedding but was a bit more “girly” and sweet.   I went to PAPER SOURCE (the greatest store on earth!) and bought a few different card stocks for the main invite and small registry card.  I had the idea of getting an extra round scalloped note card to include in the invitation in which all the girls invited could write their favorite recipe and bring it back to the shower.  That way we could present to Dana somewhat of a recipe book that she can keep for her new home.  I also loaded up on a few LACE EDGE PUNCHERS from Martha Stewart…AMAAAZING….a small heart hole puncher, decorative handmade paper, and a bit of ivory paint to detail the front of each note card with a simple flower.  HERE THEY ARE!! What do you think!?

Thanks to Sean and Brianne Walker for photographing these invites for me.  They are also the pair responsible for Dana and Joel’s gorgeous engagement photos…see them all HERE.

Once again, I have returned to wedding mode as my sister Kerri just got engaged!  I am brainstorming what I can create for invites and DIY crafts and have even starting shopping around for bridesmaid dresses! LANE has me hooked! Check it out.

….and here is a handful of inspiring imagery pulled from the site.  ohh lala!!

Below are some photos from Myka and Georges destination wedding in Careml Valley, CA shot by Melissa Diep.

For more pictures and the FULL SCOOP, visit Style Me Pretty.

Let’s take just a minute and swoon over this old rustic barn……

Tori propped up the painting at the reception for Myka and G to discover during the night, and Tori later told me that the surprise was met with screams, squeals, and tears!! yay!

Thanks Tori and congrats Myka!!  You are one lovely bride!!

Check out Tori’s blogs : SITTING IN A TREE and TULLE AND FEATHERS !!!

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They are getting married at the incredible Smog Shoppe in Culver City, LA.  I have only seen photos of this place but it seems like the perfect wedding spot.  I’ve heard it described as sort of a mix of Paris meets Anthropologie meets a thrift store meets Flora Grubb.  Fabulous!

images via Jac Photography

images via GreenWeddingShoes

I have always loved the old Super 8 style film, and lucky for me, Russell had just the right stuff to make it happen.  He took us out a few evenings after work and shot us at the beach and riding bikes around our neighborhood.  I handed off all the old DVD’s and pictures I had gathered to Russell, and he ran with it from there.  When I saw the video he had made for us for the first time, I nearly started crying.  It is exactly what I was hoping for.

Kelli and Sam. from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Hold tight….it may take a minute to load.

Kelli + Sam – Same Day Edit/Wedding Trailer from Matthew Forrey on Vimeo.

So the photo booth at the wedding was a big hit! We splurged a little on all the film for the polaroid camera…but it was well worth it!  I had a few friends help me get together all the props (thanks Dana and Suzy!)  We had fur coats and gloves, hats, pearls, vintage glasses, bow ties, mustaches and hand painted masks! (Those things weren’t easy!) Along the lace backdrop we hung vintage frames that people could use as props as well. It was fun to see everyone get into it.  Here are some of my favorite shots!

From the very beginning of our engagement Sam and I talked about how we wanted our wedding to be one where every single person we ever loved and cared about could be with us to celebrate.  We wanted to have the biggest party of our lives….surrounded by all the people we loved.  Well it was that and more.

It hit me as I stood there on the alter, hand in hand with my “almost” husband, how incredibly blessed I am.  To look around and see the face of nearly every true friend I have ever had, to have the support of 7 of the most amazing women standing up beside me, to see family who had traveled from near and far to be with us, to have parents who have shown me nothing but love, and to look into the eyes of the man I knew would stand by me forever, in sickness and in health, til death do us part….(gulp).  It is a bit hard to explain in words the depth of love I felt that day, but it is something I will never forget.

I wanted to share a handful of my favorite pictures from the day. Shot by Erica. The wedding and reception were both held outside in the backyard of a friends house in El Cajon, CA. And although it was the middle of November, the sun decided to shine on us.

Labor of Love.  Photos by Sarah Shreves.

My cousin and I went out and bought a handful of odds and ends: charms, pearls, chains, elastic, feathers and flowers…….as well as a few “base necklaces” from forever 21.  (Yes, I admit it)  She hand made silk roses and coffee stained tattered tool to add as needed. After much thought on what to create with all this “goodness”, we decided on 3 necklaces, 2 bracelets, and two flower hairpieces.  A little something different for each girl.

Here is the outcome!