This exclusive little Friday surprise comes courtesy of the lovely Aleah and Nick from The Good Life event specialists in Southern California. I had the pleasure of meeting the husband and wife event planing team during their last visit to Manhattan, and have been giddy about sharing their work ever since.
With all the tea-party trends out there, I just adore their classically romantic take on a Modern English Garden. Hoping you enjoy this absolutely gorgeous photoshoot and Aleah’s inspirations below!
Photography: Joseph and Jenny Llanes from Llanes Weddings
Bride’s dress: Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla; “Chloe” from Queue, $350
Paper goods: Kristy Rice, Momental Designs
Hair and Makeup: Char Sanchez
Location: The Catamaran Hotel & Spa
Linens: Wildflower Linens
What was your vision for this project? We wanted to showcase a whimsical and lovely table setting for a celebration in high tea fashion. This year we are seeing so many different interpretations of receptions – like brunches, cocktail parties, and luncheons – and wanted to show brides and grooms options away from the traditional dinner reception. I am in love with English gardens and afternoon tea so wanted to incorporate a sweet setting with natural garden colors. We utilized the grounds at the Catamaran Hotel in Mission Beach, San Diego, as they are lush and romantic and put a tropical spin on English tea.
What little details did you incorporate to round out the design and make it special? Vintage hankies were found at nearby antique shops and we utilized a few family heirloom pieces (like the Chinese teacups) to really bring home the lovely feeling. We created the lush garden centerpiece and bouquet with bells of Ireland, kale, pale pink roses, pussy willow branches, white ranunculus, and English ivy. The gorgeous paper flower was created by the incredibly talented Kristy Rice with Momental Designs, as were the other stylish paper goods. We wanted to style our bride and groom in a way that you don’t see too often; again showcasing how you can bring in colors or elements that might not be traditional, hence the bride’s pink dress and the groom’s gray tuxedo!
Who would this wedding be fitting for? A tea reception would be so fitting for a fun couple who perhaps wants a more intimate celebration and a more eclectic ambiance. Think about grouping together three round tables to create a different visual effect while still keeping it a little cozy and close knit. Show off family heirlooms like tea cups or linens, and treat guests to an afternoon of visiting, enjoying delicious pastries and tea sandwiches and each others company.What design tips or ideas would you give to a bride looking to design her own wedding? Our #1 tip is: be true to you. Don’t be swayed by trends or others’ opinions. Trends come and go and you don’t want to look back on your wedding thinking “why did we do that?” Incorporate sentimental elements or reflections of you. If you have a great hand at calligraphy, why not add your personal touch to the programs or favors? If you love to travel, incorporate food from your favorite foreign country into your cocktail hour or as a late-night menu. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to remain true to your vision and have fun during the planning process!
To learn more about Aleah and Nick from The Good Life , visit their Web site .
Photos courtesy Llanes Weddings .
