{Glamorous San Francisco Wedding} Anahita & Mehndi

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Today's gorgeous wedding is a perfect blend of modern glamour, timeless tradition & San Francisco.  It just doesn't get any more fabulous!   IQphoto Studio shows us the beauty:

Anahita & Mehndi got married on September 1, 2012 in San Francisco.  Their elaborate wedding was a modern love affair laced with classic traditions.  In a nod to their Persian heritage & its customs, the luxurious wedding had two distinct stages.  

The "Aghed" is the first stage & it's the actual legal process of getting married.  This small, intimate ceremony was held at historic San Francisco City Hall.  The Bride & Groom said "I Do!" & took sweet portraits with the breathtaking architecture serving as a stunning backdrop.  

The second stage of marriage consists of a religious ceremony including the "Sofreh Aghd."  In a beautifully decorated room at the Fairmont San Francisco, the "Sofreh Aghd", an elaborately decorated spread on the floor, was set-up for the Bride & Groom.  Every item has a special meaning, such as eggs symbolize fertility, gold symbolizes prosperity & mirrors & candelabras symbolize light & fire.  The Bride & Groom sat by the "Sofreh Aghd" while female relatives held a delicate fabric over their heads during the traditional marriage rituals & customs.

The lavish feast, good music & fun dancing followed in the dazzling Gold Room, featuring crystal chandeliers, ornate bas reliefs & French Provincial details.  Along with their 250 guests, the Bride & Groom celebrated their new marriage with plenty of food, drink, laughter & dancing.  What a romantic, radiant wedding!    

Nobody says it better than the Bride: "Wedding day was magical. When I heard people say their wedding day is the best day of their lives, I used to wonder why! Now I can tell it was definitely one of the best days of my life because I had so many people who love me and I love them join our celebration."

(Disclaimer: I did a bit of research to properly explain the Persian marriage rituals & customs.  If I have made any mistakes, I sincerely apologize.  Thank you!)

My Favorite Moment: I love the Bride & Groom wandering the streets of San Francisco & capturing their love.

My Favorite Detail: The "Sofreh Aghd" is beyond amazing.  The more I look at it, the more I notice!  So lovely, so meaningful.

Congratulations, Anahita & Mehndi!

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: IQphoto Studio  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony & Reception Venue: Fairmont San Francisco  /  Videographer:  IQphoto Studio  /  Floral Designer: Flower Affairs  /  Officiant: Wedding Vows by Nilou  /  DJ: Dr. T.  /  Make-up Artist: Asal Make-up Artist

{noteworthy} Martha Stewart at Alt Summit NYC

Do you remember how I told you I was honored to attend Alt Summit NYC at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's headquarters last month?  It was just amazing to hear from & learn from such fabulous speakers, like Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge.  But there is a little something I failed to mention.  

Rumor had it that Martha Stewart would make an appearance at the conference.  Martha had spoken at the Alt Summit NYC the previous year.  Plus the conference was just a hop, skip & a jump away from her office.  But she was nowhere to be found on the schedule of events.  Still, I had hope.  As a longtime fan of Martha Stewart's creativity, I was so hoping the rumor was true!  

Somewhere between the first speaker & the first panel, it happened.  Martha Stewart!!!! 

As you can imagine, the Alt Summit NYC crowd went wild:



I was so excited to hear from Martha Stewart that I forgot to take a single note.  She spoke about her new book, Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids, & about creativity.  I wish I could remember more but I thought it was important to stay present in the moment, instead of worrying about taking photos or notes.  Needless to say, seeing & hearing from Martha Stewart  was a really fun experience.  Oh, it was a good, good day!

Photography: Justin Hackworth Photography, Sponsored by Atly

{Sneak Peek} Anahita & Mehndi

Three cheers for Friday!  I can barely think about what we are doing this weekend because I am so, so excited about next week's wedding feature.  It is just so stunning!  Here is a sneak peek at next Wedding Wednesday:

The Bride & the Groom!  The architecture!  The lighting!  The everything!  Set in San Francisco, the luxe Persian wedding is over-the-top fabulous.  Stop by next Wedding Wednesday & prepare to be amazed!

Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Photography:  IQphoto Studio  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights

{Navy Blue & Pink Vermont Wedding} April & Ryan

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

After thoroughly enjoying my Vermont vacation, I am over the moon to return with a breathtaking wedding in Vermont.  Once again, the skies are blue, the mountains are green & the wedding is just stunning with charming navy blue & pink accents.  Lucas DeSousa Photography shows us the beauty:

April & Ryan got married on July 21, 2012  at Stowehof Inn & Resort in Morrisville, Vermont.  One of the last classic Alpine inns, Stowehof Inn was the perfect setting for this lovely wedding.  The wedding day dawned bright & beautiful as the Bride & Groom met for their First Look.  Judging from their happy faces, they were excited to see each other!  They officially became husband & wife in an outdoor lawn ceremony under the sunny skies & surrounded by their family & friends.  Cocktails by the pool were followed by dinner & dancing in a tent.  Boasting terrific views of the Green Mountain Range, the white tent was decorated simply & tastefully with white, navy blue & pink paper lanterns.  The festive celebration continued long after the sun had set & sky lanterns were released with well wishes for the new Mr & Mrs!

My Favorite Moment:  The sweet First Look!  It's the very first one I've featured!!

My Favorite Detail:  The darling wedding cake decorated with those hand painted pink flowers.

Congratulations, April & Ryan!  

VENDOR LOVE:
Photography: Lucas DeSousa Photography  /  Submitted via Two Bright Lights  /  Ceremony & Reception Venue: Stowehof Inn  /  Floral Designer: I Do Blooms  /  Wedding Cake Bakery: 
Vermont Sweet Tooth

{Fourth of July} red, white & blue

Three cheers for red, white & blue!  Happy Fourth of July!

(Reminder: Regular blogging will not resume until Wednesday, July 17. Thanks!)

Photo: via Martha Stewart

{noteworthy} it's my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm popping in from my summer vacation for just one moment to show you the gorgeous, colorful flowers the oh so talented Jen of Jen Kim Creative made for my birthday!  Aren't they just beautiful?  I wish my camera skills did them just a bit more justice.  Four of these beauties are sprinkled around our home in honor of my birthday today & my birthday celebration tomorrow.  The bright, pretty flowers are the perfect way to get this birthday party started!

Carry on, my friends.  Treat yourself to something beautiful or sweet in honor of my birthday!

(Reminder: Regular blogging will not resume until Wednesday, July 17. Thanks!)