We had such an AMAZING wedding this past weekend at Meadowood in Napa Valley to celebrate Vicki and Gary’s love for one another.  Here is a preview of their day, I’m absolutely in love with all the details that we put together for them.  More to come but here is a little teaser.  Also, be sure to check out the gorgeous same day edit by our friends at Burkart Studios…nothing but loveliness!

Vicki + Gary | Same Day Edit from James Burkart on Vimeo.

I was absolutely enamored with Guemmy and Howard’s love story from the first moment that I met them.  They were both working abroad in Japan and met by chance right before Guemmy was planning to move back to the States.  The first time they met, they had chemistry and ended up spending the whole night together laughing and talking the hours away.  Guemmy extended her stay in Japan and the rest was history.  They were dating long distance via all mediums of technology:  Skype, Gchat, a private blog and phone calls and decided it was time to tie the knot.  I absolutely loved designing their wedding because the initial inspirations of baby’s breath, a Secret Garden and whimsical details such as a kettle popcorn bar and lanterns galore are all things that I love.  The celebration was an intimate one as their closest family and friends flew from all over the world to join in the couple’s happiness.

Guemmy and Howard, thanks for trusting us to design and plan your wedding in seeing all the details through.  Your love story unfolds like a movie.  Everything was so perfectly beautiful and the evening absolutely glowed!  Special thanks to my pal Gladys Jem for capturing their special day…Gladys, when you’re behind the camera, magic happens!  To see more lovely photos, be sure to visit Gladys’ blog.

Planning, Event Design, Floral Design and Cupcakes in a Jar:  Charmed Events Group

Photography:  Gladys Jem Photography

Stationary:  Post – Etiquette

Dessert Bar Mini Desserts:  Creative Cake Bites

Venue:  Tarpy’s Roadhouse

Linens:  Napa Valley Linens

One of my favorite experiences when I visit my favorite restaurants (such as Gramercy Tavern and Craft) in the Big Apple, is that after an amazing multi-course dinner followed by decadent desserts, they still manage to give you that extra feeling of care by sending you home with a pastry for the morning.  I think that putting in that extra effort is no different for weddings and is a welcome surprise for guests as they depart for a good night’s rest.  How wonderful would it be for them to wake up in the morning and quench their morning hunger after a night of fun with a breakfast pastry that you have already prepared for them?  I love this and I think it really lets your guests feel that extra care was given to ensure that they had an amazing time from start to finish.  Here is a recipe for Cranberry Orange Scones, courtesy of Barefoot Contessa (a chef-goddess!) via Food Network.  Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!

Ingredients:  4 cups plus 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar plus additional for sprinkling, 2 tablespoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, 3/4 pound cold unsalted butter (diced, 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten, 1 cup cold heavy cream, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk for an egg wash, 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar plus 2 tablespoons, 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice.

I would like to preface the recipe by saying how much I love the fresh ingredients of oranges and cranberries!

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

2.  In the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, mix 4 cups of flower, 1/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt and orange zest.

3.  Add the cold butter and mix at the lowest speed until the butter is the size of peas:

4.  Combine the eggs and heavy cream and with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the flour and butter mixture.  Mix until just blended.  The dough will look lumpy!  Combine the dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of flour, add to the dough and mix on low speed until blended.

5.  Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead into a ball.  Flour our hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4 inch thick.

6.  Flour a 3 inch round plain or fluted cutter and cut circles of dough.  Place the scones on a baking pan.  Collect the scraps neatly and roll them out to cut more circles for scones:

7.  Brush the tops of the scones with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes.  You’ll know your scones are ready when the tops are beautifully browned and are firm to touch =)

8.  Let the scones stand for 15 minutes, then create the icing for the scones by whisking together the confectioners sugar and orange juice.  Then simply use your whisk and drizzle the icing on the scones.

9.  To package these (or any breakfast treats for your guests), you can use small bakers boxes, cellophane bags, etc.  We’ve chosen to use bakers boxes for our scones:

10.  To make it more personal, affix some labels or stickers that thank your guests for coming and ask them to enjoy their sweet treats!  Special thanks to Post Etiquette for creating these bands for us!

Simply place your perfectly packaged treats in a basket or on a table near the exit door and your guests will be thrilled to take one for their ride home.

Enjoy!  Hope your weekend will be a baking adventure of breakfast goodness!

I love things that are dreamy…I think it’s because at heart I am the epitome of a dreamer.  Here are some inspirations that I am absolutely adoring right now that are so dream worthy and romantic.  Playing with a muted color palette with just the right hint of grey is perfect for the perfect mix of mood and fantasy.  Add a touch of soft and fluffy flowers, a little lace, some airy decor detailing and you have the recipe for some dreamy love.

Photo Credits:  Photo 1 & 5:  Deidre Lynn Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, Photo 2:  Jetfete, Photo 3:  BHLDN, Photo 4:  Ceci Style

Stephanie and Chester were married on a gorgeous day at Mountain Terrace in Woodside, CA.  Although it was a little gloomy, it was the perfect look to match the redwood forest that would hold the couple’s ceremony.  I loved every minute of planning with Stephanie and Chester, they are an adorable couple who are effortlessly comfortable with each other who you will find sneaking glances and laughs with one another in the midst of a conversation.  Here is a look at their day, thanks to I Do Studio for sharing these photos with us!

I absolutely love this homemade sign that the ringbearer is holding, it’s absolutely too cute for words and he did his job so well!

The Bride’s Father made the bird house as a card holder, it was charming!

AND, the Groom’s Father (retired baker) made the couple’s wedding cake!  Talk about a labor of love =)

Congratulations Stephanie and Chester, your day was beautiful and so full of your pink and navy inspired birdcage motif, I loved every minute of it!  Thanks to the lovely vendors that were involved, their day wouldn’t have been so perfect without you!

Planning:  Charmed Events Group, LLC

Photography:  I Do Studio

Floral Design:  Poppy’s Petalworks

Make-Up and Hair:  The Glamourist

Ceremony Musicians:  Pacific Strings

Videographer:  Video Madness