Storybook Tea Party + Styled Shoot

When the ever-talented Julie from Juju's Tutus called me to create a styled shoot for her newest lines of darling tutus. I couldn't wait to get started.  I had been waiting for the chance to have a Tea Party, and this was the perfect setting.

I discovered Creekside Estates through the contracting business that my husband has owned and operated for 30 years here in the valley.  We have created some unique natural stone items and counter tops in this beautiful residence over the last few years. The owners graciously allowed a whole "gaggle" of giggly little girls to take over their home for a gorgeous day full of tulle, bouncy curls, doilies and cups full of pretend princess tea.

The inspiration for a "Storybook" theme really took flight when I spoke to Desiree from Paper Candee.  When she told me about her dream of a mirror invitation delivered to the special little princess in it's own fairy tale story book!  I instantly saw the entire shoot in my head.  Sometimes it takes just the right element to fire off all of the vision for an event.

 

It was the perfect storybook tea party setting – romantic and sweet.  This lovely shoot was full of cute tea party tutus by Juju’s Tutus.  Perfectly shabby chic and so romantic, these tutus will be perfect for flower girls and birthday girls.  The adorable tops, leggings and bloomers were a perfect compliment made by Makmay Designs.  Featuring vintage China from Tea Crockery, (a great new find) cookies by The Baked Equation, romantic florals by The Garage by Ivy (love the toadstools and succulents), and a tea cart rental by Modern Revival. 

Polishing off the little models were hair accessories from Princess Pie Boutique and necklaces by My Sassy Sister, and adorable hair styling by Mariana Marie.  The cake was one of my favorite elements. 

 I had been waiting for an opportunity to do a "naked cake"  Stacked with pale pink frosting and topped off with Ivy's beautiful fairytale flowers, and surrounded by little pearls, I am loving it!  As always, Angel Cakes Bakery, my own creations, provided some yummy little mini treats like mini french macarons, meringues, and cake truffles.

Diana Elizabeth and her fairytale camera captured all the magic, as usual.  In a perfect, fairytale land, Diana would just follow me around and make my world all mystical and magical and stuff!  Until then, I'll just keep dreaming of my very own Tea Party, and by the way, my grand daughter is one of the gorgeous little models, which made the day truly MAGICAL!  OK, I know I just used the word magic 4 times in the same paragraph...and I am not sorry!

 

Please visit these vendors, most are located in Phoenix but most all do business nationwide and we had items flown from these talented vendors.  Whether it’s for a birthday party, shower or wedding, these vendors can supply everything you need for a unique and gorgeous party.

Venue: Private Residence at Creek Side Estates / Event designer, custom linens: Angela Saban Design / Paper goods: Paper Candee / Tea Party Table and vintage China: Tea Crockery / Gluten Free Cake: Angel Cakes Bakery / Cookies: The Baked Equation / Florals: The Garage by Ivy / Tea cart, candy tins: Modern Revival / Hair styling: Mariana Marie / Tutus: Juju’s Tutus / Jewelry: My Sassy Sister / Hair accessories: Princess Pie Boutique / Tops, leggings, bloomers: Makmay Designs

Bridal Veils + How to's!

Brides are constantly looking for great intel on how to dress, what to choose and how to choose it, especially when it comes to accessories.  I received an email this morning from BHLDN and couldn't wait to share it with you.  Absolutely fabulous article on Veils!

Click on the article to go to the link, and make sure to pin it for future reference....

East meets West Dessert Table + Offbeat Bride Feature

Sage and Allison have to be one of my all time favorite couples for a few reasons.  First of all, I have never met a couple who knew more about who they were, both as individuals and as a couple.  Second, they knew exactly what they wanted from me, and never doubted that i was the right person for the job, refreshing!  Third, they not only wanted to enjoy the dessert table, they wanted their guests to be "over the moon" for their choices.  They offered gluten free and vegan goodies for their guests, as a lot of them had made certain lifestyle choices. Allison is a recent college graduate of internal medicine, and they are both gluten free by choice.  Their fun, funky, and very meaningful wedding celebration was held at Tre Bella in Mesa, AZ and was such a joy to be a part of, and it was also recently featured on a very offbeat blog site...Offbeat Bride.  You can see the full post on the blog.  My thanks to Allison, Sage, and Offbeat Bride for the gorgeous pictures and kind words.

 

Photo by Photo by Joy McCambridge

This is Allison's description of the day from Offbeat Bride...

Our offbeat wedding at a glance: It was important to us that we incorporated traditional Taiwanese practices into our wedding, as well as Gothic Victorian and modern touches. We had a table set up for red envelopes that traditionally contain money for the bride and groom. We created a special drink (an absinthe grand marnier cocktail) we called a double happiness, and served Tsing Tao at the bar. Our invitations were done in a sleepy-hollow font and put inside traditional red envelopes. We commissioned cupcakes inspired by almond cookie and Taiwanese pineapple flavors. We used a lot of red and gold since those are traditional wedding colors. We sent our guests home with happy golden Buddha photo holders in order to increase their happiness and prosperity. 

Photo by Damon Wilson

The dessert table featured Apple Pie Pops shaped like hearts, Firecracker, cherry bomb cake pops, and a hand painted red and gold cake. More pictures of the table in this post.

Photo by Damon Wilson

My funniest moment: Sage and I couldn't figure out how to cut the cake. Angela (our dessert buffet creator) had to help us figure it out.

Photo by Damon Wilson

Photo by Joy McCambridge

Escort Cards + Creative Displays

One of the most important elements of your wedding reception will be your Escort Card Display.  Why bother?  Because without assigned seating, your guests will wander around trying to find enough chairs to sit together with their friends and families.  Imagine a movie theater on premier night with only single seats available as far as the eye can see, and you have your 4 best friends with you.  You all want to sit together to enjoy the movie as a group, but no one will give up a seat, or change seats to accommodate you.  This could be your wedding reception!

 To avoid this horrible guest experience, create a seating chart.  Consider the ages, and relationships of the guests that you are seating together, and seat families at the same table, or tables very close to each other. 
Make the display of escort cards easy to read, fun and creative.  This is the perfect place to have your personalities really shine, so have fun with it! 

Here are just a few examples.....

http://ruffledblog.com/walk-the-tightrope-inspiration-shoot/

 

 

http://www.stylemepretty.com/page/3/

frames

 

 

 

Under The Big Top Halloween + Vintage Circus Theme

I can finally share with everyone the gorgeous pictures taken by Diana Elizabeth of our Under The Big Top, vintage themed circus party.  Costumes, desserts, and balloons, OH MY!

So proud to be featured on Hostess with the Mostess, I've waited a long time to be featured on this wonderful site.  The big top tent with red and white stripes was the perfect backdrop for the circus themed costumes created by the talented Julie Tadano at Juju's Tutus.  Vintage details and desserts that would delight little animals and performers alike.  This shoot was more fun than a barrel of monkeys, even though it was over 110 degrees in Phoenix the day of the shoot!

 


 

 
 



 





 


 
 
 

VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES:

– Photography: Diana Elizabeth
– Event Design: Angela Saban Design
– Flower Girl Dresses & Tutu Costumes: Juju’s Tutus
– Furniture: Modern Revival
– Bakery: Angel Cakes Bakery
– Hair & Makeup: Aeni Domme
– Flowers: Garage By Ivy
– Paintings: Dana Railey
– Appliqued Tops & Leos and Leggings: Makmay Designs
– Children’s Headpieces/Bows/Hats: Princess Pie Bowtique
– Children’s Jewelry: Tinsel for Tots
– Invitations & Paper Items: Page & Mason Invitations
– Tight Rope Walker Custom Parasol: M’Lady’s Parasols and Accessories
– Hand made felt goodies: Sweets By EJ
– Hair: Jenny Strebe

The Felch House Inn October Open House

My new adventure with The Felch House Inn, a lovely vintage venue in The Roosevelt District, began this month.  We hosted a beautiful Open House last Thursday, and the weather was perfect.  A clear, starry sky, great food, twinkling lights, and a house full of brides, eager to imagine their weddings in this gorgeous garden setting.  Carmichael Studios took these beautiful pictures.  Our chef from Jennifer's Catering provided the amazing food, and we provided (Angel Cakes Bakery) vanilla cake with raspberry filling and our latest creation, french macarons.  More pictures will be appearing soon, but this is just a taste of what you can expect to see in the months to come at a very unique venue, hope you can join us soon.