Love and Splendor – Official Blog

Hello lovely readers!!  We are thrilled to share that Love & Splendor will be at THE CREAM event next week on Thursday, March 1st!  This unique event is a one-of-a-kind curated wedding  showcase of fabulous vendors in the wedding world, all put together by the lovely ladies of Bash, Please.  We are honored to be a part of this event’s “crop” of vendors and share some inspiration amongst our peers!

There are endless reasons why you want to be at THE CREAM next week, but here’s our Love & Splendor top ten…

• Come visit us and our playful tabletop display!  We are thrilled about our unique collaboration with Heather, floral designer of Twig & Twine, and cannot wait to debut it!
• Get dolled up by the incredible ladies of Fiore Beauty, who are going to be doing lashes, lips and neon/metallic shellac nails at the event.
• Ogle over (and even shop for!) the artistic creations of one of my favorite wedding friends — Myra of Twigs and Honey.  Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge fan of everything Myra creates.  I’m sure you’ll find me buzzing around her pop up shop.  ;-)
• See some of the best-of-the-best in the wedding world, including some of our favorite vendors & friends — {found} vintage rentals, Braedon Photography, Sloan Photographers, Heirloom LA, Sweet Lucie’s, Casa de Perrin, and the aforementioned Twigs and Honey.  So many of our faves under one roof = guaranteed great times!
• Chat it up with some amazing bloggers like Jen from Green Wedding Shoes, Summer from Grey Likes Weddings, and the ladies behind 100 Layer Cake.
• Try Sno-Con Amor with us!  My mouth is watering over the idea of their sno cones made with natural handcrafted syrups.  With flavors like hibiscus, prickly pear, watermelon basil and pineapple with lime… I have a feeling one won’t be enough.  ;-)
• Watch a gorgeous fashion show by BHLDN.  Love this!
• Great food and drink from some amazing catering companies = nosh and nibble while you peruse the pretties.
• The Flashdance spinning tunes for your listening pleasure… and a dance-off where the winner gets a 3-night stay in PARIS — as in, Paris, FRANCE.  <3
• And finally — come take your bets on when I’ll go into labor (maybe that night?!  LOL) since I will be 39+ weeks pregnant!  Unless I’m in active labor, I’ll be there.  Live on the wild side with me.  :)

We are delighted to GIVEAWAY a pair of tickets to a lucky reader out there!!  To enter, let us know the top 3 things you want to do at THE CREAM (feel free to use 3 things off of my list above, or write your own!).  You have until this SUNDAY, February 26, at 9pm PST to enter.  The winner will be announced on Monday morning here on the blog!!

If you want to guarantee yourself a spot at this not-to-be-missed event, buy tickets HERE.  Cannot wait to meet some of you there!!

xoxo, Angel

NOTE: This wedding was beautifully featured last Friday on Style Me Pretty!  Check it out over there — we thank the lovely team at SMP for always being sweet supporters of our work!  xox

Hello everyone!!  Today I’m kicking off a two-part post of a vibrant Indian wedding I planned and designed last year.  I remember meeting Vipula and Dan for the first time at a local coffee shop and soaking up their vision.  They both desired a quintessentially Indian wedding, embellished in vibrant hues and dripping with luxurious, exotic details.  They were getting married at Saddlerock Ranch (my home away from home), but at a different venue — the Oak Grove.  It was the perfect setting for their larger guest count because it provided a blank slate for the layout of the celebration, as well as lots of open, flat space (which was important for the tenting they eventually decided on).  We capitalized on all that space by creating three unique ‘venues’ on their wedding day.

Their traditional Hindu ceremony was held under a custom-built mandap made by the floral and event designers/geniuses at R. Jack Balthazar.  Rene & Niki are two of my favorite people in the wedding industry and they and their team always over-deliver with their incredibly creative work.  The wooden structure was draped with floral garlands and hanging lanterns for a lavish look.  Cocktail hour was held on an adjacent lawn, featuring a bar staffed by professional mixologists offering signature cocktails with exotic ingredients such as earl grey-infused vodka, thyme, tamarind syrup and fresh mango puree.  Upholstered lounge furniture and embroidered pillows made for a luxe yet warm setting for imbibing.  I especially enjoyed working on the escort card table design here, which played on Vipula’s love of elephants.  Escort cards were cut using a custom-made elephant-shaped die, and then nestled in shallow bowls of fragrant and colorful spices.  The entire table was covered with elephant figures and statues to further play out the motif.

Guests were moved to a grand “village” of tents for dinner and dancing.  Instead of a single tent structure, we utilized “destination” tents for dining, a custom-built bar, and a dessert and chair lounge.  All of the tents surrounded an inner ‘courtyard’ of sorts, which featured more tables, cushy lounges and the dancefloor.  Sumptuous fabrics, abundant florals and plush furniture made for a spectacular setting that was decidedly extravagant while also intimate and warm.  Per usual, my dear friends at R. Jack Balthazar pulled out all the stops for this wedding and did not overlook a single detail in setting each opulent table.  The overall setting was nothing short of spectacular.  It was pure magic to watch Vipula and Dan’s guests, many adorned in splendid saris, mingling in the lavish scene.

Because there is just *too much* deliciousness to share in just one post, I’ve decided to break up this wedding posting into two parts.  Today I’m sharing photos of the couple, the ceremony + the cocktail hour.  I’ll be back soon with the reception images, so make sure to come back to check them out.  ;-)  In the meanwhile, cozy up with your cup of chai (I like mine with milk and a hint of vanilla) and enjoy the gorgeous images courtesy of Nate and Jac Kaiser of The Image Is Found — two of my favorite people and photographers on the planet.

meet vipula and dan :)

i was completely in love with all THREE of vipula’s saris that day…

a sheet separates the couple before they can see each other for the first time

absolutely adorable kiddos <3

sari #2 — possibly my favorite :)

cocktail hour!

since dinner would be an all-out Indian feast, cocktail hour featured vip & dan’s favorite American-style bites

tented cards are much more fun when they’re elephant-shaped :)

Lots and LOTS more to come!!  :)  In the meanwhile, I hope you have an inspired Wednesday.

VENDORS (because it takes a village to create a sumptuous ‘village’ like this one!)

—

photography : The Image is Found // planning, design & coordination : Events of Love and Splendor // floral & event design : R. Jack Balthazar // venue : Saddlerock Ranch // stationery & all printed materials : Kristin, in-house graphic designer for Events of Love and Splendor // cinematography : Elysium Productions // catering : Chakra Beverly Hills + Huntington Catering // mixologists : The Cocktail Consultant // DJ : Red Shoe LA // rentals : Classic Party Rentals // linens : La Tavola // cake & desserts : Sweet and Saucy Shop // photobooth : Smilebooth // entertainment : Bollywood Step Dance // security : Sandman Security // valet parking : Premiere Valet

—

xoxo, Angel

Today I am SO delighted to share this charming, woodland-themed wedding with all of you…  It is a wedding that is dear to my heart for so many reasons.  :)  First – Jess & Scott are two of the loveliest, most creative and wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.  (I know I always share a lot of love for my clients but honestly, can you blame me when I work with the best clients in the world??  You’ve seen this couple on my blog already HERE and HERE and HERE (which you MUST click to see their wedding video)!  Working with these lovebirds was a dream from start to finish, because they had an incredible artistic vision and the most insane vintage-hunting skills ever.  ;-)  Most of the unique decor and furniture was individually sourced by them at flea markets from here to Indiana! 

Secondly – this wedding vendor team was made up of some of my very favorite people.  It is always an extra blessing to work alongside people I love, who inspire me!  In this case, I was fortunate to have both Ryan Ray Photo & Cana Video Productions along for the celebration.

Finally – everything about this celebration is both stunning yet approachable.  Truly, I was obsessed with every detail and aspect of this wedding because the warm, intimate, rustic and oftentimes quirky (love!!) design made me smile all night long.  Likewise, I loved watching the joy spread over the faces of guests, unexpectedly discovering gnomes, forest creatures and enchanted mushrooms nestled amongst the flowers and candles on their dinner tables.  From heart-warming ceremony to tearful wedding preview video showing, to late-night bonfire s’mores-roasting… being at this wedding was bliss.  Thank you to Jess & Scott for allowing me to be a part of the magical day…

Today we are honored to have this lovely celebration featured *all day* on Style Me Pretty, one of my favorite places on the web to be inspired.  :)  Enjoy checking out Jess’s inspiration boards, as well as these feature posts (HERE and HERE) for all the beauty you can handle.  Photos are courtesy of the painfully talented Ryan Ray Photography, whose imagery moves my heart.  It is a blessing to call him friend.

guest tables were individually themed after woodland creatures: bear, owl, fox, and you know… dinosaurs!!  :)  each table featured miniature toys and trinkets in the shape of the highlighted animal.  you would not believe the goodies jess and scott discovered!!

{ Vendors }

• Photography: Ryan Ray Photography
• Cinematography: Cana Video Productions
• Event Planning: Events of Love and Splendor
• Venue: The Flying Caballos Ranch, San Luis Obispo
• Catering: Two Cooks Catering
• Rentals: Unlimited Event Rentals; a handful of gems were also sourced fromour friends at {found} and Casa de Perrin; the rest was thrifting treasure from Jess and Scott!
• Flowers: April Flowers + a lot of DIY with flowers we brought up from the LA flower mart :)
• DJ: Malik from Goodbeat Productions
• Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes
• Pies: Linn’s of Cambria (the same place I lunched on Christmas Eve!)
• Baklava: Jaffa (this is a MUST if you are ever in SLO!)
• Hair and Makeup: Rhonda Johnson
• Bride’s dress: Saja
• Bride’s shoes: Re-mix Vintage Shoes “Anita”
• Groom’s bowtie: Forage Bow Ties

Enjoy your Tuesday, loves!! 

xoxo, Angel

Just under 3 months ago, we had the absolute pleasure of seeing the culmination of this very special wedding… the marriage of blogger (and friend!), Rachel and her high school sweetheart, Dustin.  I’ve known Rachel for years because she grew up with my best friend, Kristin.  I got to know her better via her incredible lifestyle blog, Heart of Light, where she regularly posts about food, family, crafting…  She lives her life beautifully, I savor each post she writes.  I was both floored and honored when she reached out to me about possibly helping with the planning and coordinating of her wedding day this fall.  I knew without a doubt that the day would be a special one.  Rachel’s creativity and eye for design are inspiring.  Pair her up with Dustin, a talented architect, and you have the recipe for a fabulous celebration.

Rachel and Dustin get all the credit for the incredibly beautiful, handmade, colorful and playful décor they created for this wedding.  From the gocco’d invitations to the hand-dyed napkins… to the carefully crafted paper flower centerpieces to a festive fringed and ruffled crepe backdrop… Rachel and Dustin poured their hearts into designing a wedding that celebrated THEM.  Anna and Michelle, my ever wonderful assistants, simply carried out Rachel and Dustin’s designs on the big day.  It is always a treat to work alongside such creative clients and although we here at Love & Splendor adoooore being a part of the design process, we are also eager to collaborate with our brilliant couples on their own phenomenal visions for their weddings.  What a privilege.

Rachel & Dustin’s beautiful wedding has already made a splash on the net after a series of features were posted on 100 Layer Cake (one of my very favorite wedding blogs).  Enjoy this look at their whimsical, vibrant, bliss-filled day, courtesy of images from Fresh In Love Photography.  xoxo

i LOVE this one.  simple and perfect.

<3

We hope you all enjoyed this cheery celebration as much as we did.  The bright colors feel like a bit of sunshine on this chilly winter day.  :)  Enjoy your Tuesday!!

 xoxo, Angel

{vendor round-up}

• Venue: George C. Goehller Alumni House at Cal State University Fullerton
• Wedding Planning & Coordination: Love and Splendor
• Photography: Fresh in Love
• Catering: Border Grill Truck
• Cakes: Vanilla Bake Shop
• DJ: PropsFX
• Photobooth: Red Cheese
• Bartending + Staffing: Party Staff
• Rentals: Create A Party
• Stationery, paper flowers, handpainted linens & dyed napkins, paper flowers, cookies, etc.: DIY by the talented bride and groom!
• Bride’s gown: Saja
• Groom’s suit: N. Hoolywood

Hello everyone!!  Thank you SO very much for your heartwarming comments on the last post.  I read and re-read them all, cherishing all of your kind words.  We feel so surrounded by love during this exciting time and are blessed to have your support and prayers.  :)

Today I am delighted to share with you a positively stunning wedding that took place almost exactly a year ago (Happy Anni, I & H!).  This beautiful affair was featured on Style Me Pretty today and I know you will enjoy poring over the gorgeous images here, too.

The event took place at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, which is easily one of my favorite venues ever.  The property has a genuine charm, sweetness, and romance that is completely natural.  It just feels like love.  Ingrid and Howard’s wedding can be summed up best in one word: lovely.  Their intimate celebration was romantic, vintage and inspired by nature.  They embraced a soft and ladylike palette of sherbet colors (including peach, blush and pale yellows) accented by a dusty aqua.   Their heartfelt ceremony on the garden lawn was followed by a cocktail reception featuring raspberry mojitos and peach bellinis.  Inside San Ysidro Ranch’s Colman Cottage, they gathered with just over 40 guests for a cozy dinner party.  The sounds of classical Spanish guitar played in the background as guests dined and laughed together.  As the night wound down, guests were treated to a dessert buffet and a gourmet popcorn station featuring fanciful toppings — everything from chili powder to dried seaweed flakes.  The atmosphere facilitated warm conversations that lingered into the mild summer evening, as guests lingered on the starlit patio…

Feast your eyes on these breathtaking photos by none other than the purely talented Jose Villa…  Everything he captures on film, I want to frame.  Grateful to call him a friend.

I & H: You are two of the sweetest, most thoughtful people I have had the pleasure to work with over the years.  Your gentle and genuine love was incredible to behold, and your wedding day was pure magic.  Wishing you only the best — miss you both!  xoxo

{ vendors }

• San Ysidro Ranch
• Events of Love and Splendor (planning & design)
• Jose Villa Photography (ethereal images)
• Lola Video
• Flowerwild (one of my very favorite floral designers)
• Classic Party Rentals
• La Tavola Linen
• {found} vintage rentals (jeni’s pieces look AMAZING at SYR)
• Monique Lhuillier Dress ‘Monet’
• Teresa Huang (makeup)
• Anthony Ybarra (Spanish guitarist)
• Laura Hooper (calligrapher on chalkboard menu)
• Hello Lucky (stationery)

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all having a lovely week.  I cannot believe it is already Wednesday night — life has been a blur since last Thursday, when I headed to New Mexico for another client meeting.  I will write more about my trip soon, but today I am thrilled to share some absolute wedding gorgeousness, courtesy of the one and only Elizabeth Messina.  This wedding was featured today on Inspired by This, the fabulous blog by Be Inspired PR.  Make sure to check it out!

Last year I had the pleasure of planning an elegant and unabashedly romantic wedding at Saddlerock Ranch for Angela and James, who reside in New York. Although Saddlerock often lends itself to more rustic-feeling events, Angela really desired a soft and feminine feel for her wedding.  With the help of an all-star cast of vendors, I think we were able to achieve this beautifully.

A blush-tinged palette of neutrals set the stage for the day, in shades of pink, peach, soft gold and a dusty sage. White Lilac did the most incredible job with the florals, which were lush and textural, overflowing from a collection of mercury glass containers mixed with large tabletop lanterns.  To set the mood at the reception, abundant candlelight was utilized on the tabletops and grand chandeliers were suspended in the trees overhead.  I loved the juxtaposition of the natural, organic feel of Saddlerock and the luxe feel of the décor, which included over-the-top linens from La Tavola and carefully selected vintage pieces from {found}.  Elizabeth’s photography was the perfect complement to the feel of the day; her ethereal images immediately transport me to all the loveliness of this very special celebration.  It was an absolute delight working on this wedding and I am so thrilled to share it with all of you!

angela & james: thank you for allowing me to share in the beauty of your day.  your love is truly inspiring.  miss you both!!  xoxo

{ the dream team }

Venue: Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu

Photography: Elizabeth Messina

Wedding Planning & Coordination: Angel Swanson, Events of Love and Splendor

Floral Design & Décor: White Lilac

Catering: Huntington Catering

Band: The Buzzcatz

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Lighting: Lighten Up, Inc.

Linens: La Tavola

Vintage Rentals: {found} vintage rentals

Calligraphy: Xandra Zamora of XYZ Ink

Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier “Camelot”

Hello everyone!  I’m so excited to kick off the week with a beautiful wedding that was featured today on Grey Likes Weddings!

Last August I had the pleasure of watching this lovely celebration unfold at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu.  You all should know by now that Saddlerock is my home-away-from-home!  I spend a lot of time there every year (and 2011 is no different!), and I never, EVER tire of it.  (I was actually there today with a 2011 client (Hi D!) for our initial walkthrough!)  When I first met Cynthia and Luis, I was instantly moved by their kindness and joy.  After working with them in planning their wedding, I can say they are sincerely two of the most genuine and loving people I’ve had the pleasure to meet.  They also happen to be madly in love with each other.  And they’re utterly GORGEOUS.  And their wedding was, too.  ;-)

Cynthia envisioned a Spanish-inspired wedding dressed in bold, fiery colors including fuschia, red, orange, and a strong cobalt blue accent.  I love when brides have fun with color and this wedding is a perfect example of that — vibrant hues that really pop against the verdant backdrop of Saddlerock.  Cynthia had her talented uncle, a blacksmith, create stunning candleabras for the tabletops made of wrought iron and horseshoes.  Colorful Mexican pottery served as unique vessels for the floral arrangements, and the cobalt blue goblets made a great statement on the dining tables.  Handcrafted tin star lanterns floated above the dancefloor for an added dose of romantic ambiance.

My favorite moment of the night was listening to Cynthia surprise her new husband by singing a rendition of “Lovesong” by The Cure (one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands) after dinner.  It was incredibly moving, to say the least.  She has a fabulous voice!

Enjoy a glimpse of the day courtesy of Rudy Arpia…

I adore these two pics of the stunning bride.

The dapper groom, Luis, was SUCH a gentleman.  That’s just the best word to describe him.

I love the florals juxtaposed with the bridesmaids’ blue dresses.

Cynthia and I share a love of flan!  (I even have a flan scar from one of my cooking misadventures — don’t ask…)

Cynthia & Luis… Thank you so much for entrusting me with your wedding plans!  I absolutely loved every second of working with the two of you.  The sweet love you share is such an encouragement and blessing to witness.  :)  Cynthia — you have a heart of gold and I am grateful to call you a friend!  Love you lady!!  Looking forward to keeping in touch for years to come… xoxo

{vendors}

• ceremony site (not pictured above): Sacred Heart Chapel at Loyola Marymount University
• reception site: Saddlerock Ranch – Malibu, CA
• wedding planning & coordination: Angel Swanson, Events of Love and Splendor
• photography: Rudy Arpia
• videography: Isabel Gonzalez Videotique
• catering: Contemporary Catering (always fabulous!)
• rentals: Town and Country Event Rentals
• floral design: Kristin Brancaleone, formerly of The Treasured Petal… Find her now at Petal and Thorn!
• custom stationery (invites, programs, etc.): Mekala from Tie that Binds (a total sweetheart)
• dj: richard martinez of Hey Mister DJ
• makeup: Nyrie Aitken of Symmetry Beauty

Hope you all have a fantastic week!  I’ll be spending mine with lots of clients: site visits, consultations, floral design meetings…  I can hardly wait.  :)

love, Angel

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I wanted to quickly drop in and share that the organic and nature-inspired baby shower we planned for Kristin of Petal and Thorn is featured today on “On To Baby.” If you haven’t checked out this blog, you are missing out on the most lovely and inspiring spot on the web for mothers and mothers-to-be!  I will admit I am one of those non-mothers who can’t get enough of nursery design, baby showers, and birthday parties.  ;-)  I am definitely going to be in trouble when I join the mommy club!!

photos by the lovely and fabulous Trista Lerit

A million thanks again to everyone involved with this shower, as well as the ladies of On To Baby for the great feature!!

See you all again very soon; have a wonderful day!

xoxo,

Angel

Hello again, everyone!  I’m back again to share another fabulous featured wedding — this time the bright and cheerful nuptials of Sarah and Steve, which took place last May in Pasadena. The wonderful ladies of the Wedding Chicks featured this wedding last week, so make sure to check out THIS POST (if you haven’t already) to see all the details and learn more about the inspiration behind the day. I absolutely loved the quintessentially happy palette of canary yellow, cool “succulent” green, cool gray and pops of crisp white. The overall feel of the wedding was chic and playful… casual California elegance.  I hope this wedding brings some sunshine to your day!

one of my favorite bouquets ever.  a breath of fresh air.

i love the structural cymbidiums and callas paired with the creamy dahlias and softer dusty miller…

Sarah + Steve: It was such a joy to work with you, and a pleasure getting to know you (and Sarah’s sweet mom!) along the way.  ;-)  Thank you for all the trust you put in me as you planned from the other side of the country.  I couldn’t have been more pleased with the final outcome; your wedding really captured that balance of whimsy and elegance you desired.  Adore you both and wish you only the best.  Hope to see you next time you’re in town!!  xoxo

{impeccable vendor team}

• venue: pasadena city hall
• photography: jerry yoon
• planning and coordination: events of love and splendor
• floral design: kristin brancaleone, formerly known as the treasured petal (now she runs petal and thorn — check her out!)
• catering: the kitchen for exploring foods
• DJ: ian of red shoe LA
• rentals: classic party rentals – culver city
• linens & chiavaris: elegant designs specialty linens
• hair and makeup: kelly zhang
• wedding cake: cake sensations
• late night snacks: kogi bbq truck (yum yum!!)

Hello everyone!!  I’m so thrilled to share that Khali & Potsch’s wildly creative and whimsical wedding was featured on Green Wedding Shoes!  Check out THIS POST for tons of info on the inspiration behind the day straight from the genius minds of K+P.

When I first met Khali and Potsch for their consultation with Anna, I got a major ab workout.  Anna and I maintain that their consult holds the record for most laughter. Khali and Potsch are simply two of the sweetest, most generous, kind-hearted and UTTERLY.HILARIOUS people you will ever meet.  I loved every interaction I had with these two… from the sweet emails to the giggle-fest meetings.  It was a joy to come alongside them as they planned an incredibly personalized wedding filled with DIY touches.  Anna was the lead coordinator on this wedding, which means she (and darling Michelle) ran the show on the day-of.  But, because I was managing all the planning before the big day (and had become so attached to K&P!), I couldn’t stay away from the wedding.  ;-)  I came for a little set-up, the ceremony, and cocktail hour.  Everything was perfect and I was blown away by the (countless) unique, gorgeous projects that Khali and Potsch put together.  From hand-sewn runners and napkins to a wooden cupcake stand complete with tiny figurines (we had the best time dreaming up funny stories about the characters…), the wedding had a whimsical, almost dream-like quality.  Enjoy these photos, courtesy of the insanely talented Kelty of Steep Street.

Stills from the silent film they made & debuted at the reception.  INCREDIBLE!!  Make sure you WATCH IT HERE.

Khali & Potsch — WOW do I love you two.  :)  Thank you for inviting us into your lives at such a special time.  It was so inspiring to watch your creativity come to life, and it was an honor being a part of the big day.  I was so moved during your ceremony… I sat on the grass under a big tree and just reveled in the amazing power of your love. You are surrounded by so many wonderful people, too — what a blessing!  I miss you madly and can’t wait to get together soon.  And Khali: are we still going into the shoe biz together???  LOL  xoxo

{fabulous vendors}

• Venue: Temescal Gateway Park + Stewart Hall
• Photography: Kelty of Steep Street (adored working with her!)
• Videography: Isabel Gonzalez
• Wedding Planning and Coordination: Events of Love and Splendor (with Anna as lead coordinator)
• DJ: Ian of Red Shoe LA
• Caterer: Brats Brothers
• Appetizers, Jam + Cupcakes: Chef Cathy Shambley (mother of the bride!)

We have another exciting feature to share with you in a day or two, so keep your eyes peeled for that!  Hope you all are having a marvelous week!

xoxo, Angel