Category: Announcements

Happy Monday, everyone!!  It feels SO good to be back on the blog.  It has been months since my last post, but it has been even longer since I blogged regularly.  Truly, I have missed it.  I’ve blogged in some form since college (2001-ish), back when I used Xanga (who remembers that??).  My content evolved over the years, but one thing remained: my love of writing.  I really enjoy having a place to share my memories and thoughts (like a virtual scrapbook of sorts, since I’m 7+ years behind on my physical scrapbook! ha!), as well as another venue to connect more deeply with all of you.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I use this blog to chronicle my life as a whole.  You’ll find posts on family, lifestyle, food and weddings (work).  I enjoy sharing a little bit of everything, but please let me know if there’s anything in particular that you love seeing here!

me and my two year old!

Things may be random as I play a little catch-up here and get back into the groove.  Coming soon to the blog:

  • a recap of our Disneyworld vacation last month
  • family updates
  • a backlog of beautiful weddings
  • essential oil 101 (current obsession)

Thank you SO much for stopping by and checking in with me.  I hope you’ll come on back for more very, very soon.  To keep up with me, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to the blog here!

What are you up to this week?  I am prepping for Noah’s 2nd birthday party this weekend.  We actually were supposed to have it on Saturday but postponed it at the last minute.  Looking forward to (finally!) celebrating my baby boy!

UPDATE: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  CLICK HERE!

Happy Monday, everyone!  In just two days, I’ll open up registration for the 2nd Love & Splendor Workshop and I couldn’t be more excited.  Today I wanted to post all of the details you’ll need to join us this fall.

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WHEN/WHERE: Monday, September 14th thru Thursday, September 17th at Greengate Ranch and Vineyards in San Luis Obispo, California

WHO: We welcome aspiring and current wedding planners and designers of all experience levels, as well as other event creatives who want to learn more about how to run a productive, profitable, passion-driven business.  Last year I was thrilled to have floral designers, stationers, calligraphers and bakers in attendance at the workshop.  The material can be adapted to many different creative entrepreneurs.

WORKSHOP SPEAKERS + COLLABORATORS: This year’s line up includes Angel Swanson, film photographer Ryan Ray, Jeni of Found Rentals, Diana and Josh of Casa de Perrin, Jesi Haack of Jesi Haack Design, Melody of Sweet and Saucy Shop, Emarie VanGalio of La Tavola Linen and Theoni Collection, and MORE to be announced.  🙂

photo by Ryan Ray

ABBREVIATED SCHEDULE // I love a good surprise so I’m keeping many details under wraps.  For now, here’s a basic look at how we will spend our time.  Of course, schedule subject to change as plans shape up.

  • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
    • Check-in to your room and get settled from 2-4p
    • 4p Opening session // Angel Swanson
    • 5p Depart for dinner
    • 530-8p Private Welcome Dinner — an exquisite meal shared with new friends, and a perfect time to break the ice and get to know one another!
  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
    • 8a Breakfast
    • 9a – 12 noon Speaker Sessions
    • 12 noon Lunch
    • 1p – 2p Speaker Session
    • 230-430p Off-site Visit & Table Mockup Reveal
    • 430-530p Prep for Dinner
    • 530-830p Dinner — a detail-laden immersive experience
    • 830-10p Campfire Conversation // Coffee, Cocoa, S’Mores + a Facilitated Time of Connecting Together
  • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
    • 8a Breakfast
    • 9-12 noon Speaker Sessions
    • 12-1p Lunch
    • 1-5p Speaker Sessions
    • 5-6p Prep for Dinner
    • 6p-9p Final Dinner — a grand finale you won’t soon forget, with lots of surprises in store!
    • 9-10p Campfire Conversation
  • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH
    • 730-9a Breakfast & Pack up for departure
    • 9-11a Final Sessions + Q&A
    • 11a-12 noon Farewells & Departures

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  1. Four days filled with actionable information, taught in a beautifully designed learning environment.
  2. A warm and welcoming community of industry-leading speakers and collaborators who will share their unique stories with you.  Questions are encouraged and each collaborator has a sincere desire to see you grow and shine!
  3. An intimately sized group of attendees to ensure a personalized experience.
  4. All workshop materials, including a binder filled with helpful outlines, documents and templates.
  5. All 8 meals from Monday dinner through Thursday breakfast — each meal will feature the best the area and season has to offer.
  6. Plenty of snacks and treats to keep us fueled throughout the day.
  7. Three nights of accommodations at *either* Greengate Ranch and Vineyard (the stunning location for the workshop) or our partner property, the luxurious four-diamond Dolphin Bay Resort (transportation provided daily to/from Dolphin Bay Resort).
  8. Memorable events and experiences, meant to wow and inspire.  You can expect all the love and care you would see go into a Love & Splendor wedding.
  9. Handpicked gifts and surprises just for you!
  10. A continuing “open door policy” — My desire is to be a lasting resource for all of my workshop attendees.  You can email and call anytime for advice and feedback, or even schedule a lunch or coffee date next time you’re in California!  I have loved spending one-on-one time with attendees from last year’s event!

Photo by Ryan Ray

INVESTMENT: $3400 for a private room OR $2900 for a shared room + bed (shared rooms are only for friends/colleagues who sign up together and indicate their roommate at the time of registration)

ACCOMMODATIONS:

  • Private rooms have either a Queen or King bed, with your own full bathroom.  These rooms are available at Greengate (the breathtaking site of our workshop) *and* at Dolphin Bay (within a 2-bedroom suite which is 1600 sq feet and offers stunning ocean front views, washer/dryer and shared kitchen).
  • Shared rooms have one King or Queen bed to share, with one full bathroom to share.
  • Both private + shared rooms are available at both host properties and your room will be assigned by Love & Splendor.  Preferences can be noted at registration, but are not guaranteed.  Trust me — you can’t go wrong with either property!

FAQ:

  • Can I come for just one or two days? // No, unfortunately there are no day passes available for the workshop; it is meant to be a complete experience.
  • Are there any discounts available?  // If you sign up with a business partner or friend and are willing to share a room (and king-sized bed) with them, you can opt for the shared room tuition of $2900/ea.  You must sign up with that person (on the same calendar day); roommates will be confirmed upon registration.  Shared rooms are available at both Dolphin Bay *and* Greengate and will be assigned by Love & Splendor.  All rooms are quite large and have PLENTY of space for two friends!
  • Can I room with a friend or colleague but have my own bed?  // Yes!  In this case you would each pay $3400 and will be assigned as “suitemates” for a 2-bedroom suite at the Dolphin Bay Resort.  You will each have your own room, bed, and bathroom.  Simply purchase a “private room” ticket and indicate your suitemate’s name via email to angel@loveandsplendor.com
  • What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions? // No problem!  I will collect this information before the workshop and will make sure to accommodate your needs.  🙂
  • Which airport is closest to the workshop location? // The closest airport is San Luis Obispo, a small regional airport a mere 10 minutes away.  If you fly into this airport on Monday, September 14th and depart on Thursday, September 17th, we will provide ground transportation (Uber or similar) for you.  Other major airports (e.g. LAX and SFO/OAK) are 2.5-3.5 hours away.  Upon registration, I can assist you with making travel arrangements and connecting with other attendees (to potentially share a rental car, etc.).

If you have any lingering questions, please don’t hesitate to email angel@loveandsplendor.com and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

class of 2014!

Don’t forget — registration opens this WEDNESDAY 6/10 at 9a PST / 12 noon EST.  I will post a live link on the blog that morning, and also have it in my Instagram profile.  Seats are limited to ensure an intimate, personal experience so if you’re thinking of joining us, don’t delay.  😉  I can’t wait to meet you in September!  Have a great day!

Happy Monday, everyone!!  With registration now open for the Love & Splendor Workshop, I wanted to share a little promo video about the workshop prepared by my friends at Elysium Productions.  We filmed this a while back on a busy street in downtown LA, not far from the Ace Hotel DTLA, where the workshop will take place!

Love & Splendor Workshops from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

Thank you to Erica of 10.11 Makeup for making me feel gorgeous that day, and of course to Libby, Julie and the editors at Elysium Productions for helping me with this little project!  I figure if you’re going to come to my workshop and hear me speak for 3 days, you might as well make sure my voice doesn’t annoy you (too much) first.  hahah!  I realize it’s the first time that most of you have heard my voice… was it weird??  I always find it a little interesting to watch someone on video that you’ve only seen in photos.  Now that I’ve set you up to analyze my awkwardness in complete detail, enjoy.  😉

For much more info about the workshop, check out THIS 411 POST.

To register to join us, CLICK HERE.

I’m thrilled about the talented women who have already signed up to join us; who’s next??  Thanks for watching and enjoy the day!

UPDATED — REGISTER HERE!!!

If you’re looking for information on the Love & Splendor workshop, you’ve found it!  Here are all the details you need to know about this very special time I’m planning!

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BASICS: Sunday, October 19th thru Tuesday, October 21st // Ace Hotel DTLA // For wedding planners & designers of all experience levels!

TOPICS COVERED:

  • Writing business plans, contracts and other planning documents
  • Pricing wisely
  • Managing marketing and publicity
  • Effectively harnessing (without being consumed by) the power of social media
  • Nurturing incredible vendor relationships
  • Web features and publication
  • Creating a sincere client experience
  • Hiring and building your team members
  • Cultivating a unique brand and standing out in a saturated market
  • Determining and reaching your target clientèle
  • Designing a wedding from inspiration to execution
  • Collaborating with other like-minded creatives
  • Planner vs. Event Designer vs. Coordinator
  • Workflow and time management
  • Nitty gritty money talks: how to run a successful business, not lose money on a hobby 🙂
  • Balancing work and life/family
  • Staying personally inspired
  • …and much, much, more!

WHAT’S INCLUDED: 

  1. Instruction by myself (Angel Swanson) as well as insightful guest sessions by industry experts including film photographer Ryan Ray, Jen Campbell of Green Wedding Shoes, Jesi Haack of Jesi Haack Design, Carissa Jowett of JL Designs and Brittney Castro, certified financial planner and founder of Financially Wise Women.  Instruction will be classroom-style as well as hands-on, focusing on both the business side and the design side of planning weddings and events.
  2. 6 incredible meals (dinner on 10/19, breakfast + lunch on 10/20 and all 3 meals on 10/21!) plus plenty of delicious snacks.  All food is provided by either Heirloom LA (Sunday and Tuesday dinners) or LA Chapter, the fab restaurant at the Ace Hotel DTLA.
  3. A beautiful binder filled with the workshop’s curriculum including templates, outlines, sample documents and notes, tips and helpful resources.
  4. Carefully curated gifts and surprises — I can’t wait to delight each of the attendees with some of my favorite things.
  5. A stunning setting.  The workshop will be set and styled with care and chock full of details that you’d expect at any event of Love & Splendor.  Our dear friends from {found} vintage rentals, Casa de Perrin and La Tavola Linen will help us set the scene, with floral design by JL Designs.
  6. An authentic and heartfelt experience.  I am working hard to ensure that you will have plenty of personal attention, interaction with speakers and other attendees, and most of all, a genuine experience that is truly inspiring.  I look forward to the connections and memories that will be made in our time together.

OVERALL SCHEDULE:

  • Sunday PM, October 19th // Celebratory Welcome Dinner prepared by Chef Matthew Poley of Heirloom LA at an off-site location.  Opening Words by Angel Swanson.  Mix & Mingle with other attendees.
  • Monday, October 20th // Instruction at the Ace Hotel DTLA from 8:30a-4:30p.  Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided by LA Chapter at the Ace.
  • Tuesday, October 21st // Instruction at the Ace Hotel DTLA from 8:30a-4:30p.  Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided by LA Chapter at the Ace.
  • Tuesday, October 21st // Farewell Dinner at 7p.  An unforgettable evening at a secret location (!), with a beautiful meal prepared by Chef Matthew Poley of Heirloom LA.  It will be the perfect wrap up to our time together and a night you won’t soon forget.  Cocktail attire requested.

TUITION: The 2014 Love & Splendor workshop costs $2200.  The full amount is due at the time of registration and tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

TRAVEL NOTES: If you are flying in to join us (!), you will want to arrive at LAX (just 17 miles away, which is about 45 minutes in ‘typical’ LA traffic).

A special block rate has been secured with the Ace Hotel DTLA for our attendees.  We encourage you to stay with us for the workshop and enjoy the amenities of this gorgeous new LA hotspot.  Travel information will be sent along once your registration is confirmed.

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Registration officially opens this Friday, at 9am PST / 12 noon EST.  HERE is the live link to registration.  Tickets will be limited to maintain an intimate workshop experience so if you’re interested in joining us, don’t wait too long!  😉

Any additional questions?  Feel free to email angel@loveandsplendor.com and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

I hope to meet you in October; thanks for reading!

A million thanks to: Ryan Ray // Heirloom LA // Green Wedding Shoes // Jesi Haack Design // JL Designs // found vintage rentals // Julie Song Ink // Casa de Perrin // The Venue Report // Elysium Productions // La Tavola Linen // Sweet Lucie’s // Sweet and Saucy Shop // Financially Wise Women

Hello again, everyone!!  It’s a big week as I approach opening up registration for my very first workshop (ahhhh!!).  In an effort to pre-emptively answer some questions about the workshop, I’ll be sharing some informative posts here this week with lots of information.  Today I wanted to share WHY I’m hosting this workshop and WHO is invited to join and would benefit from attending.

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WHY are you hosting a workshop?

I’m hosting a workshop because I am passionate about this industry and am eager to instruct, inspire and encourage others who work in the same field.  I don’t consider myself the end-all when it comes to wedding planning and design, but I have certainly gained some valuable experience, knowledge and (by God’s grace) a measure of success over the past 9 years.  I want to share that information with others who are desiring to develop and grow their own businesses.  I also love building community and want to create an environment where you can ask questions without fear and make new connections without pretense.  I want to foster more camaraderie among planners and designers and also see us raise the bar in the biz by pushing each other to reach new heights.  I want to watch others succeed, flourish and find joy in their work.  I want to help others achieve balance between work and home/family life.  I want to make new friends and be inspired by your stories.  I am realllly pumped about this workshop (can you tell??) and like most things in life, if you’re passionate about something, you’re going to succeed at it.  I am pouring my heart into making this experience a game-changer for everyone who attends.

WHY is it different from other workshops out there?

Every workshop is unique simply because each workshop organizer has their own interpretation of how to run one.  A workshop is naturally going to be infused with that organizer’s personality and aesthetic, and will be managed and run based on that organizer’s determination of the most valuable curriculum.  A workshop is also a collaborative effort.  In this case, the Love & Splendor Workshop will feature a carefully-curated roster of speakers and collaborators.  I can assure you there is going to be inspiration galore with the amount of talent we have on board our team.  I am humbled and grateful for each person who is coming alongside me on this endeavor.  Because of this, you will be exposed not only to my perspective, but also those of top wedding experts including Ryan Ray, Jen Campbell of Green Wedding Shoes, Jesi Haack of Jesi Haack Design, Carissa Jowett of JL Designs and many more.

This workshop will focus on both the business side AND the design side of events.  I wanted to make sure the workshop was filled with lots of useful information, focusing on classroom time led by me and other experts in the wedding and event industry.  The material will be practical and eye-opening.  We will also address the design side of the business, giving insight on the “how” of creating a unique event design from start to finish.  Finally, I want to address the personal side of the industry (since hey, it’s a personal business!) and how I manage balancing work-life with home-life.  The workshop will be a blend of both information and inspiration.  You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and interact with me and the other speakers directly, due to the intimate size and format of the workshop.

I can also promise that the workshop will have INCREDIBLE food (featuring Heirloom LA, Sweet Lucie’s and more!) and stunning attention to detail so our environment can inspire us as much as the education.  😉

WHY should I attend?

You should attend if you are looking for information, camaraderie and inspiration in the wedding and event world.  I knew if I ever did a workshop, it had to be a completely special experience.  I am looking forward to providing that to my attendees!

WHO can attend?

I welcome wedding/event planners and designers from all stages in their careers.  Whether you are aspiring to start your own business or have years of experience under your belt, I am working on creating a curriculum that will have challenging and useful information for all.  Maybe you’re looking for all the basics and information to finally get your dreams off the ground.  Or, perhaps you’re a seasoned pro that wants to see the industry from another perspective and refresh your brand and business practices.  I think we can always learn from one another and find new ways to step up our game.  I can’t wait to meet the talented group of attendees who will join me in the fall.

If you are working in another avenue within the event world, you are still certainly welcome to join but the curriculum is definitely geared toward those who plan and design events as the main focus of their work.

I think that’s all for now!!  I’ll share more nitty gritty details in the next few days.  Keep your eyes here and on my Instagram (@loveandsplendor) for additional information.  Thanks for reading and I hope to meet you in October!

Hello everyone!!  I can’t believe it — we completed our EXTREMELY busy June and July and now I have over a month before our next event.  🙂  Look forward to lots of blog catch up in the weeks ahead, as well as a deluge of comments on your own blogs if I’m following you!

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that this October I’ll be hosting my very first workshop!!  I’ve already disclosed the dates (October 19-21, 2014), the city (Los Angeles, CA) and some of the speakers and collaborators.  Here are the posts I shared on IG:

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Ryan Ray // Angel Swanson // Jen of Green Wedding Shoes // Jesi Haack Design // JL Designs // Casa de Perrin // Heirloom LA // {found} vintage rentals // center logo by Julie Song Ink

In just a couple of days, I’ll be sharing the final details (exact location, full list of speakers + collaborators, etc.) and we will open registration on Friday, August 1st (eeek!!).  I am so thrilled to finally host my own workshop; it’s been something I’ve had on my heart and mind for a loooong time.  I am working hard to make this experience extremely rich, fruitful, and special for everyone who attends and I’ve been blown away by the support and response I’ve received so far.  If you are curious about learning more, stay tuned!

I’m off to bed early tonight (still recovering from our last wedding!) but will be back soon with more.  I’m soo excited I can hardly take it!!

Happy Monday, everyone!  Thank you SO much for all the love and encouragement you shared regarding my new logo/blog/site launch last week.  I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who took the time to take a look and send some support.  I’m sending out big virtual hugs!

I used random.org to select a winner for the giveaway and CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Jennifer Anne Merrett of Stick Girl Jam.  Woohoo!  I will be emailing you to send you your prize.  🙂

Today I thought I’d kick off the week with something sweet.  Something decadently, indulgently sweet.  I mentioned in a recent post that one of my favorite activities of my weekend with the Kaisers was making homemade ice cream.  There is nothing like a rich and creamy batch of fresh ice cream, is there??  I let Grace choose the flavor we made and she was quick to suggest caramel.  That’s my kind of girl!  This creamy and buttery ice cream is mind-blowing.  When Nate took his first spoonful he said, “WHOA.  This stuff is legit.”  And I don’t know if I can put it much better than that.  It rivals any premium ice cream I’ve had anywhere else, and trust me when I say I’m quite the ice cream connoisseur.  I can’t take credit for the phenomenal outcome since I used a recipe from who else — David Lebovitz aka the King of Ice Cream.  But, I can tell you that it is worth the time it takes to make homemade caramel as your silky base.  Grace and I had a Monopoly game to get to so we skipped the caramel praline mix-in (little caramel chips).  I’m sure they would add some scrumptious texture but you won’t miss a thing without them.  If you try it out, let me know.  I bet you’ll love it as much as we did.

Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream // makes a generous quart
**Adapted from David Lebovitz

  • 2 cups of whole milk, divided
  • 1.5 cups of sugar
  • 4 TBS of good salted butter
  • scant 1/2 tsp sea salt (the best salt you have in the pantry)
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes (about halfway) and a bit of water so they are floating.  Then placing a metal bowl on top of that so it is surrounded by the ice cubes.  You want an extra cold bowl to add your ingredients later.  *A key to successful ice cream making is having a completely cold custard (un-churned ice cream) before pouring into your machine.

Pour 1 cup of the milk into the metal bowl and put a mesh strainer on top of it.  (You need a mesh strainer.  Invest in one).

Spread the 1.5 cups of sugar in a large saucepan in an even layer.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heatproof utensil (such as a silicone spatula).  Gently stir the liquefied sugar from the edges toward the center until it is completely dissolved.

Continue to stir and cook the caramel until it begins to start smoking and begins to smell like it’s just about to burn. (I know that sounds scary but it wasn’t that dramatic.  I saw the tiniest wisp of smoke rise and noted the distinct caramel scent in the air.)

Immediately remove from heat and stir in the butter and salt, continuing to stir.  Once the butter is melted, whisk in the cream.

At this point your caramel may harden (because you are adding cold/room temp ingredients to a hot melted caramel), but retirun it to low heat and continue to stir until it is amber liquid once again.  Stir in the other 1 cup of milk.

Whisk your 5 yolks in a separate bowl and then “temper” the eggs.  This means you very slowly and gradually add in some of the warm caramel to the yolks, stirring them, and then add a bit more, stirring…  If you just added the eggs to the caramel right away, you’d end up with scrambled eggs (eww).  The goal of tempering is to bring the eggs up to the same temperature as the caramel in a very gentle way.  I add the warm caramel to the eggs a spoonful at a time, vigorously stirring the entire time.  When the yolks are warmed up, you can add (slowly) to the caramel and continue to stir.  You want to heat this mixture up until it reaches 170 deg F.

Pour the custard over the mesh strainer into the milk (in that metal bowl over the ice bath).  This helps in case you didn’t temper patiently and have some floating egg bits in your custard!  It also ensures that the final product is super silky smooth.  Add the vanilla and stir over the ice bath until the mixture is cool.  Then, put the custard into the fridge for at least 8 hours, or ideally overnight.  This is a KEY step — your custard must be thoroughly and completely chilled.  If not, it won’t freeze completely in the churner and you’ll end up with soupy ice cream.  Delicious, but soupy.

When your custard is fully chilled, freeze it in the ice cream maker according to instructions.  I use the Kitchen Aid ice cream maker attachment that works with my stand mixer.  I love it!

Once the ice cream is churned, remove to a freezer safe container and chill until firm.  (Fresh churned ice cream will have a softer texture since it doesn’t have any artificial stabilizers, but it will firm up nicely in the freezer.)

Enjoy!!

Have a sweet evening and chat again soon!

Love_and_Splendor_FULL_LOGO_low-restightcrop If you’re reading this post in bloglovin or another similar subscription box, today is the day to click over to the actual blog and take a look around. I’m SO thrilled to finally unveil the long-awaited (and long-overdue) new branding and sites for Love & Splendor. HOORAY!

My old site was built in 2007 and slightly updated in 2008. Yikes! Although I launched a new(er) blog in 2011, I never updated the website because I knew it would take a lot more than a facelift. We needed something completely fresh and new. As I embarked on my rebranding journey, I reached out to my incredibly talented and dear friend Julie Song Ink. I am coming up on 2 years of having Julie in my world and she still wows me every single time. She is truly one of the most innately gifted illustrators/artists I have ever known, yet she has the most humble demeanor. I poured out my vision to her in the form of run-on sentences and an excessive amount of adjectives, colors, images, etc. She thoughtfully took in every single word and brought to life exactly what I had desired. Every stroke and detail was beautifully executed and somehow, I felt very personally connected to each bit (as if she had dipped her brush straight into my heart and let it spill out on the page). The new L&S logo is truly representative of both my personal aesthetic and our wedding design brand. See the dainty ginkgo leaves? I love how she integrated them as they come from my favorite tree. The site is clean (lots of white space) but the logo gives it that splash of signature L&S whimsy, charm, and exuberance. Playful with polish.  In addition to the dramatic Love and Splendor logo, Julie is responsible for the beautiful header on the new blog as well as all the pretty hand lettering you’ll find around the sites.  Julie // I can’t thank you enough for working so hard to bring this logo to life.  Your meticulous, careful, attentive nature paired with your natural talent bring about magic.  Pure magic.  No one else could have captured my heart in this way; you are the only person I would have wanted for this project.  I adore you so much and am thankful to call you a friend!!  Love you!!

Thanks are also due to the ever-patient and hard-working Steph Anne of Yellow and Savvy (along with programmer Raz) who helped design and code both the website and blog.  Steph Anne actually did my previous blog (in 2011) and I love working with her.  She has a great eye and offered lots of helpful advice along the way, while staying true to my vision.  I am grateful for all the effort and heart she put into this project and I absolutely could not have done it without her.

Thank you to my amazing colleagues (photographers, floral designers, etc.) for helping me bring this site to life.  The images that you see on my website and on the blog are the results of heartfelt collaboration.  It takes a village to put on a flawless event and I am blessed with the best of the best.  Working alongside amazing artists fuels my own creativity.

Finally, a huge thank you to my precious clients and blog readers who allow me to do what I love everyday.  I count it a tremendous blessing to have been in this industry for nearly 9 years, still working and being inspired and enjoying every minute.  I am also so humbled by each of you who take the time to stop and visit me here on the blog, and those who have written me encouraging notes and comments over the years.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love and support.

Still coming:  new team photos (woohoo!) and even more beautiful images for our portfolio.  Is it funny that I already know this season will turn out weddings that will become portfolio galleries?  😉  Get ready for a great year!

To celebrate the ALL NEW website and blog, I wanted to share a little giveaway!  Simply leave a comment below letting me know how you found my blog (or how do you know me, anyway??) and you’ll be entered to win a random assortment of some of my recent favorite things: an Emily Isabella tea towel, Maybelline BabyLips and a few other surprises.  😉

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You have until 9pm PST this Sunday, April 13th, to enter.  The randomly selected winner will be announced on Monday morning (the 14th).  Good luck and thank you again for celebrating with me!!!

It’s a great day on the blog because I’m THRILLED to be introducing you all to the newest face on the Love & Splendor team: Kourtney, aka Koko.  Exactly two months ago today, I put out the word that we were actively hiring for the first time ever!  In a little over a week, I received 33 incredible applications from creative and intelligent women all over soCal.  I was blown away by the response! A week later, I interviewed my top 8 candidates.  Kourtney was my 8th interview and she made a serious impression on me.  We had that instant rapport and a genuine connection.  I felt like she was a great personality fit (for our team culture and brand), a great style fit (impeccable art + fashion sensibilities) and a great talent fit (with experience in styling, photography, etc.).  I did one round of follow-ups the next week and then officially brought Koko on board.  In my heart I think I knew from the moment I read her application that she was “the one.”

a natural beauty // thoughtful, sincere, contemplative, generous, sweet

She joined us a few days later for her very first wedding on September 14th: a beautiful Paso Robles wine country wedding.  I’ve gotta say, it was the perfect inaugural wedding.  😉  She even got to meet Erik and Olive the following day!

Today Koko has two L&S weddings under her belt, as well as experience as a prop stylist + set designer for a special engagement shoot we helped with earlier this month.  I have already received glowing praise for her from vendors, colleagues, and our clients so I feel a bit like a proud mama. Koko has this gentleness about her.  She isn’t shy or quiet, but you get the sense that she chooses her words carefully and means each one.  In fact, her sincerity is almost disarming.  I have witnessed her get into deep conversations with people shortly after meeting them (myself included) without an ounce of pretense.  She wears her heart on her sleeve, she cares deeply for others, she is empathetic and warm and a great listener.  She also has an effortlessly chic sense of style.  The way she captures a photo, or considers a venue or space, or styles her breakfast for just the right Instagram shot, is stunning in its simplicity.  I thank God for bringing her to us, and I know she will add so much to our team.  Today I am excited to formally playfully introduce her here in true Love & Splendor fashion: 20 questions!

glowing inside & out // joyful, witty, playful, enthusiastic, silly

1) Give us the basic rundown on who you are, where you’re from, and your family.

Okay, hello!  My name is Kourtney.. although many know me as Koko.  I’m currently living in East Los Angeles, but I was born and raised near Dana Point, CA.  I adore my family.  My parents, older sister + brother-in-law, younger brother, as well as some of my extended family still live down in south Orange County.  I’m the only odd one that moved away.  It must have been the “middle child syndrome.”  😉

2) When you were 5, what did you want to be when you grew up?

My childhood dream alternated between being a veterinarian & a professional singer.  Those are similar, right?

3) What did you study in college and why?

I studied Studio Arts because I wanted to focus & develop my creative passions, with the hope of having a future career involving design or creative direction.

4) Describe your perfect Saturday.

I love adventures and Saturdays are good adventure days.  But for the common busy week, my perfect Saturday would include brunch at a local cafe, taking my puppy to the park, spending the afternoon with a friend, making dinner from scratch & watching an interesting new film.

5) What’s your favorite season and why?

I tend to think every season is my favorite, as I enjoy each one.  But I must say, Spring has something about covering the hills in green & the trees with fresh blooms that tempts me to call it my favorite.

6) What food is impossible for you to resist?

If you offer me a lemon bar, be prepared for me to accept the offer.  Always.

7) Tell us about the best trip you’ve ever taken.

I’ve had incredible travel opportunities in my lifetime, of which I’m so thankful for.  It would be hard for me to choose between my time studying Art History in Italy or teaching English on the Indonesian island of Java for a summer.

8) What destination is #1 on your travel wish list?

Japan is my #1, with Iceland close behind.

9) Your uniform (most worn outfit):

I’ve recently only been wanting to wear simple black on black ensembles, like my black Madewell skinnies with my favorite silk black tank.  This is a new phenomena, but I’m embracing it.

10) Favorite band and song of the moment.

I’m currently all ears to the new Volcano Choir album, Repave.

11) What are your favorite flowers?

I wish I were more knowledgeable on flowers, though I’m sure I’ll learn all I need to know while working with Angel.  As for now, I love my neighbor’s white rose bushes for their sweet fragrance.

12) What drew you to {love and splendor} and why did you apply for this job?

The Love and Splendor team always seemed to LOVE what they did and I couldn’t help but want to be a part of it!  I applied at a big transition time in my life and the opportunity was exactly what I needed.  It’s been such a gift to work alongside them so far.

13) What has been your favorite part of the wedding world so far?

As it turns out, it IS a blast hosting weddings with the Love and Splendor team!  We always end up laughing until our bellies hurt and smiling from ear to ear.  I couldn’t ask for a better team!  I also love getting to know the other creatives involved in putting on our events.  From the wedding band to the florist, we work with such talented and delightful folks through and through.

14) What movie could you watch over and over again?

Notting Hill has been a go-to for me over the years.

15) Where would you take an out-of-towner for dinner in LA?

I would give my guests the option between LA’s best Mexicatessan, Cacao, or the “hip” local spot for American comfort food, Little Beast.

16) Favorite book(s)?

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo + Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

17) What inspires you?

The ocean always inspires me, as well as the quirky little things of daily life, & being among passionate people.

18) Three random facts about you!

-Although I have a hard time pinpointing answers, I LOVE questionnaires like these.  I get way too excited about them.

-I wear glasses everyday because I misplaced my contacts a while ago… whoops!

-I have a 7 month old husky puppy named Indigo.  She’s my little partner in crime.

19) Hidden talents and skills?

Although it’s rusty, I grew up speaking French with my grandfather.  I enjoy writing and playing music.  And let’s be honest, I’ve got some dance moves up my sleeves that are quite “innovative.”  😉

20) Either/Or…

sweet v. salty — sweet

forest v. beach — both… the Pacific Northwest!

dress up v. dress down — dress up

earlybird v. night owl — either

sunrise v. sunset — sunrise

indigo + koko

Koko — you’re our perfect fit and we love you!  I thank God for bringing you into my life and onto my team at just the right time.  You have already become like family to me.  <3  I can’t wait to make many more memories with you by my side.  xoxo, Angel

It’s no mystery why she won us over!  Give Koko a warm welcome in the comments — I can’t wait for many of you to meet her in person soon.  Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

Today is a BIG day for Love & Splendor: for the first time since starting the business in 2005, I am actively seeking a new team member!  After 8 seasons working by my side, my darling sister Anna is ready to “retire” from the wedding world.  The truth is, she has another full-time job and wants to savor more of her free time with her husband and puppies.  Of course, we are going to miss her terribly.  Anna has been with me from the very beginning, and she has given me so much love & support along the way.  I am endlessly grateful to her for everything she has done to help me build this company, and how she has blessed countless couples along the way. <3  If you are one of them, I know she’d love reading your comments about your experience with her!

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With Anna moving on, Michelle and I are eager to add a new fresh face to the Love & Splendor team.  With Michelle, I never embarked on a job search.  You can read about how she joined the team HERE.  So this is a new endeavor for me.  But, I can’t hide my excitement.  I know that there is a lot of fun in store with bringing on a new face, and I can’t wait to grow alongside this new addition.  I am excited about the possibility that YOU are out there reading this right now (hi!!) — I can’t wait to meet YOU!

[ Job Description ] : Love & Splendor is seeking a southern Californian to join our tightly-knit planning + design team as an assistant coordinator.  We are a boutique company, taking on a limited number of curated weddings per year, working with stylish and discerning clientele from all over the globe.  Our team is known for sincere relationships with our clients, innate style and design sense, professionalism and expertise, excellent relationships with the best vendors in the industry and of course, having a ball on the job.  We love what we do and it shows!  We work with our clients to plan, design, implement and style personalized celebrations of love and splendor.  😉  And now we are looking for YOU.

Our new assistant coordinator will join us on the job at our weddings, helping us set up, install and style each celebration to perfection.  Your schedule will obviously depend on our wedding roster, but you can expect to dedicate a good portion (12-20) weekends of your year to working with us.  You will work directly with our clients and vendors to ensure that each wedding and event is a seamless production.  Of course, we will train and equip you every step of the way.  Note this is NOT  a full-time job, and your work will vary considerably from month to month, season to season.  This is the perfect job for someone who is looking for fun & fulfilling part-time work on the weekends.  This is also NOT an internship.  After one initial trial event, you will be paid for your time on the job.  We value the hard work you will contribute to our team.  Does this describe YOU?

  • You love the world of weddings and events, and are interested in both the planning/logistical/organizational side as well as the design/style side.
  • You consider yourself a hard worker, with a cheerful attitude.  You aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and do the sometimes unglamorous work that comes with events. (e.g. raking up flower petals, building structures, getting up on ladders to hang glass orbs.. you know, the usual!)
  • You have a great innate sense of style and think you have “the eye” when it comes to fashion, graphic design, interior design and of course, event design.  (Don’t worry about tooting your own horn here — confidence is key.)
  • You are intelligent, professional, creative, good-natured, well-spoken, calm under pressure, always smiling, laughing constantly, not overly sarcastic, charming to boot!
  • You are NOT looking to get your “feet wet” in the industry.  You are NOT hoping to get some experience before starting your own business.  Very frankly, we are not looking to train someone up and lose them in a year.  Our company is small & tight knit for a reason — we’d like to remain as a stable team that our vendors and clients can get to know and count on.  As you can tell, turnover is not big with us.  😉  We want to find someone who will become L&S family and is committed to staying on board for the foreseeable future. **If you are interested in training/education opportunities, feel free to email separately about that.

If you are out there thinking that you are perfect for this job, I want to hear from you!  Please make sure to follow these instructions carefully.  Attention to detail is vital in this industry; unfortunately we will not be reviewing incomplete or incorrectly-submitted applications.  Email jobs@loveandsplendor.com with the following items:

  • A cover letter in the body of your email (NOT ATTACHED), introducing yourself and why you think YOU’re the one.
  • At the bottom of your cover letter, please answer the following 3 questions: 1) Snow or sand — where would you rather spend your days? 2) What song always gets you dancing? 3) What do you order at Starbucks?
  • A photo of yourself
  • Your current résumé (It’s OK if you don’t have any event experience, but we still want to see what you’ve been up to!)

You have from now until 6p PST on SATURDAY, August 31st, 2013 to apply.  You can expect an email response confirming that your application was received.  Selected applicants may be interviewed the following week (in person in Los Angeles or via Skype).

I hope you all have an incredible Thursday!  Now ready, set, GO!