Psst: If you’re reading this before 9p today, you need to scroll down to the next post and make sure you enter our Casa de Perrin giveaway!

I hope you are all having a lovely week!  Today I’m excited to share an interview I did with the Central Coast Wedding Standard — a great blog/site all about the fabulous wedding community here on the central coast of California!  I had answered the interview questions last fall so re-reading my answers today made me smile.  I like how I predicted Pantone‘s color of the year!  (Not joking… you can ask my friends Ryan, Jeni and Diana who know I was fixated on emerald green last year when we starting planning our winter gathering shoot last October!)

If you are thinking about a central coast wedding, you’ve gotta check out Central Coast Wedding Standard.  It has an incredibly thorough venue search tool, a blog full of inspiration and real weddings, and lots of artist interviews, helping you get to know the fabulous vendors out here.  I have to say that this stretch of California coast is home to a lot of industry giants and I am truly humbled and honored to join this vibrant community of creatives.

Take a peek at my interview and hopefully you’ll learn something new about me!  There are also lots of pics of me and Olive shot by Cameron Ingalls, the site’s creator and curator.  ;-)

Thank you again, Cameron, for this great feature!  Grateful to know you and call you friend!

Everyone else — I’ll be back soon to announce the giveaway winner *and* will share more photos of me and Olive from this impromptu shoot with Cameron!  And you know those post-partum baby hairs??  I’m finally doing something about them today.  It’s time for a new look!

xoxo, Angel

Remember how my sister’s wedding was published in the spring/summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine??  Well today we are thrilled that a lot more of its gorgeous, vibrant, citrus-hued details are featured on Style Me Pretty!  We couldn’t be more excited about this extra exposure and are so thankful to Abby for sharing it with her readers!

I have been chomping at the bit to share more about her wedding with you — from the design process to the fine point details.  I look forward to highlighting some of those items in coming posts!  Today, it is going to be a lot of eye candy.  Lots and lots of scrumptious eye candy.  If you love photos of people in love, gorgeous florals and pretty settings, you are in for a treat.  :)  Thank you (again and again!) to my dear friend Ryan Ray, who perfectly captured the beauty and emotion of the day.

Here’s my little write-up, for those of you interested in the background.  I promise not to mind if you simply skip to the photos!!  ;-)

Anna and Sean are an extra-special couple to me, because Anna is my beloved younger sister!  It was a complete delight to plan and design her intimate Ojai wedding to Sean, my now-brother-in-law.  The two of them had been friends in college years ago, and I remember her telling me about her freckled crush back then.  They reunited in the fall of 2011 and knew right away that it was “it.”  Only a few months later, they were engaged and we began planning their springtime wedding!

do you see that tear that ryan captured??!

They decided early on that they wanted to have a semi-destination wedding: a celebration that was close enough to their native Los Angeles for easy guest travel, but unique enough to feel like a getaway.  They landed on the charming hillside town of Ojai, known for an excellent farmer’s market, quaint shops, and organic produce.  Ojai is also famous for their dramatic pink-tinged sunsets, created when the sun is setting across the Topatopa Bluffs.  Anna and Sean selected the fabulous Ojai Valley Inn and Spa as the setting for their nuptials because it is the perfect balance of luxury and that signature Ojai charm.  The sprawling property features an incredible full-service spa and wellness center, great golf (Erik may or may not have gone everyday that we were there!), meandering bike baths, beautiful gardens and fabulous dining.  Most of the wedding guests ended up staying with us at the property and I think I speak for everyone when I say no one was ready to leave!

Anna envisioned a small, intimate wedding set in the Herb Garden, where they would exchange vows and then dine al fresco under a gorgeous vine-covered pergola.  She and Sean drew up a guestlist of closest family and friends, and then really gave me the reins to create the beautiful day for them.  I was completely ecstatic to run with my vision for their wedding; I can’t tell you how fun it is to plan a wedding for your sister, a person you know so well!  Anna has worked with me planning and designing weddings for years, so I had picked up on her style over time.  Anna has a vibrant and vivacious personality, so I knew that we wanted to embrace a bright and cheery palette for the wedding.  She completely entrusted me with most of the details, which allowed me to really get creative.  We began with a lovely range of citrus-inspired hues: coral, raspberry, tangerine and yellow.  Ojai, the setting of the celebration, is known for their citrus (especially their pixie tangerines — in season now!), so I wanted to reference that in the design of the wedding.  I enlisted talented illustrator and graphic designer Julie Song, of Julie Song Ink, to create a beautiful watercolor stationery suite for their invitations.  She incorporated images of lemons, coral charm peonies, sunflowers (a nod to Anna’s favorite bloom) and of course the magnificent pink-tinged Ojai sunsets in her pieces.  The hand-lettering and whimsical feel of the stationery really set the tone for the playful look of the wedding.

Guests arrived at the Herb Garden for the ceremony, and discovered an enchanting set up of vintage settees and sofas in lieu of traditional chair seating.  With the gorgeous inventory of vintage furniture of {found} vintage rentals, we were able to design a much cozier and elegant space for exchanging vows.  Each settee was unique, but the arrangement felt cohesive in feel, with lots of feminine and neutral colors, luxe fabrics like velvet and linen, and button-tufting and gilded details.  Small side tables were placed amongst the upholstered seating for guests to set down their watermelon lemonades once the ceremony was underway.  In keeping with the residential feel, a stunning vintage mantel from {found} was the focal point of the ceremony, covered with framed photos of the couple and copious candlelight, flowers, and garland from Heavenly Blooms.  With such an intimately-sized group, it felt like a gathering at someone’s home.

A vintage vanity was used as a guest sign-in station, and guests tucked handwritten well wishes into the drawers.  A welcome beverage station was decked out with stunning citrus topiaries and featured fresh watermelon lemonade, iced tea and citrus & cucumber water.  Classical guitarist Brandt Jacobus played in the background, completing the idyllic scene.

There ceremony was a traditional Christian ceremony, and the bridal party was made up of only siblings: me and Sean’s brother.  I walked in with my husband and 3-month-old daughter (their new niece!) and Anna was escorted in by my mom and stepfather.  Brandt played Beatles songs including “Across the Universe” and “Here Comes the Sun” for the processional.  There were joyful tears shed as they exchanged vows, and they recessed to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson, also performed by the guitarist.

Cocktail hour took place on a lower lawn where guests could enjoy a phenomenal spread of California artisan cheeses, truffle honey, local citrus chutneys, nuts and more.  Passed hors d’oeuvres included some of Anna and Sean’s favorite treats, including bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola and double smoked bacon-wrapped scallops with maple glaze (sensing a trend?).  Bocce ball and croquet were also set up for guests to enjoy as the sun slipped behind the mountains for that magical “pink moment.”

As the sun set, guests were invited back up to the garden underneath the long covered portico.  We had a local singer and guitarist, Ray Fortune, play for this portion of the evening.  His beautiful voice was the perfect accompaniment to the setting we created.  All 39 guests were seated a long table (created using multiple vintage dining tables) in an eclectic mix of upholstered and bistro-style vintage chairs.  Overhead, delicate crepe paper blooms (which I handmade) were strung alongside glass spheres sparkling with light.  The scene was positively enchanting.  A citrus “chandelier” was suspended over the cake at one end of the portico, and the bar was placed at the opposite end.

The magnificent table was overflowing with stunning floral arrangements nestled in pressed glass goblets and footed bowls.  Tangerines and lemons were nestled amongst peonies, amaryllis, garden roses, bougainvillea, craspedia and more.  The look was lush and abundant, feminine and romantic, yet also youthful and fresh.  Of course, tons of candlelight added drama and mood to the table.  The entire setting was sparkling!  Placesettings featured the white-on-white lacy designs of gorgeous Spode Jewel china, via Casa de Perrin tabletop rentals, as well as their clear pressed glassware.  Guests found their assigned seats via dainty paper “lemon slices” affixed to each wine glass like a little garnish.  Cherry yellow and white patterned napkins from La Tavola added a touch of fun.  Guests also discovered an amazing menu atop their plates.  I teamed up once again with Julie Song on these labors of love.  Her charming illustrations and hand-lettering were designed in a menu that was over 2′ long printed on crisp white linen.  I handcut each menu and then sewed them along the top to roll up as a scroll on porcelain branches (actually drink stirrers I repurposed from BHLDN!).  I hand-dyed lace trim as a tie to each scrolled menu.  I loved hearing the gasps of delight as each guests unfurled their scrolls at the dining table, stunned at the dramatic display of the feast to come!  The memorable meal included a crab and corn chowder with green chile corn fritters, a composed tomato and burrata salad, merlot braised short ribs with garlicky prawns, a berry trifle and a delectable wedding cake made with Ojai’s signature pixie tangerines.

The meal was punctuated by a welcome by our stepfather, a prayer by my husband, Erik, and toasts by both siblings (me and Brian).  Anna and Sean shared a simple first dance to Ray Fortune’s creative rendition of “Honeybee” by Blake Shelton.  After the meal, guests lingered over coffee and cake, enjoying conversation and laughter with one another in the magical setting.  It was a natural ending to a truly impeccable day.  I remember stepping back and feeling so overwhelmed with the beauty of what I saw.  The setting was dripping in details and aesthetic beauty, but it also radiated with the unspeakable joy of the newlyweds and their loved ones.  The night was unforgettable in every way, and I am so grateful I could be a part of creating it for my darling sis!

{vendors}

Location, Catering, and Cake: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa  – Sarah in catering is AMAZING.
Event Planning and Design: Events of Love and Splendor
Photography: Ryan Ray  – our talented and dear friend, who is more like family to me!
Flowers: Heavenly Blooms  – Jaclyne always goes way way above and beyond!
Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals  – Jeni’s beautiful furniture set the stage.  Her styling is impeccable!
Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin  – CdP’s wares made the tabletops shine.  I wish every meal was served on their beautiful china, and every toast made with their gorgeous glasses!
Stationery, Menu, and Calligraphy: Julie Song Ink  - such a sweetheart and a brilliant artist!
Videography: Elysium Productions – Julie shot my wedding, my mom’s wedding, and now Anna’s wedding!  The circle is complete!
Music: Brandt Jacobus and Ray Fortune  – two people you NEED to hire.
Linens: La Tavola Linen  – always my pick for lovely linens!
Hair and Makeup: Nicole Deanne  – our cherished friend helped us look our best!  Loved her being there on the big day!!

Hope you guys enjoyed this special & more detailed look at such a special day for my family.  If you have any questions, let me know!  See you all very soon — enjoy your Thursday!!  xoxo, Angel

Happy Monday, everyone!!  First things first, congrats to the 3 winners of Olive’s birthday giveaway: Vivian, Delia and May!  I’ve contacted the three of you so check your email so we can get your goodies out to you!  I’ll be sending out all the giveaway prizes (these 3 + the 2 winners of the Martha Stewart Weddings giveaway) on Thursday!

Today I’m thrilled to have a guest post up on the WhatToExpect.com Blog “Word of Mom.”  It’s a fun blog with original content from the WTE editors as well as real moms like me!  I was so honored when they reached out to me in January (I was in Big Bear at the time and remember squealing on the couch, in fact) and really enjoyed writing this post for them.  The post centers on 5 lessons I learned during my first year as a mom, and I’d love if you went over to check it out!

I’ll be back later this week with some wedding sneak peeks (yay!  So overdue!) and Olive’s official 12-month summary post!  Enjoy this beautiful day!

xoxo, Angel

Happy Monday, everyone!!  I am SO excited to let the cat officially out of the bag today and let you all know that we were PUBLISHED in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine!  { pinch me! }

Yes, the Spring 2013 issue features one of our beautiful weddings on its pages… and it happens to be the wedding of my baby sister, Anna!  My love & splendor clients and colleagues all know and adore Anna, as she has been an assistant coordinator for me since the very beginnings of the company.  Anna was married to my wonderful brother-in-law, Sean, last June, and it has been sooooo hard to keep this gorgeous wedding under wraps for so long.  But, we knew this stunning wedding was destined to be shared somewhere special.  It is a true honor (and honestly, one of my proudest biz moments ever!) to see this wedding on the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings — it is a dream come true.  The fact that the wedding is my sister’s takes it over the top because the event held so much personal meaning to our family.  I will never ever forget that day… It was filled with so much beauty and love and emotion.  I kept looking over at Anna throughout the evening and her expressions were filled with so much pure joy.  Designing this day for her and Sean was a true labor of love and I hope it shows!

photo by my dear friend, Ryan Ray

When we found out that the wedding would be featured in the magazine, I nearly keeled over!  I have been counting down to this date for months!  Okay so I’m already thrilled, I am pushed to the limits of my excitement, and then imagine when I found out that a photo of my precious family was included in the magazine as well!  Yes, a photo of me, Erik, and a 3-month old baby Olive are featured in the magazine, too!!  AHH!  

I cannot tell you how much my heart is exploding.  It’s a business-personal-family-press milestone all wrapped into one big ball of joy and now I want to celebrate with YOU!

To mark this fabulous occasion for love & splendor and my family, I wanted to host a little giveaway!  The prize includes a fresh copy of the Spring 2013 Martha Stewart Weddings magazine to enjoy, a Starbucks gift card (because we all know reading magazines is always better accompanied by a latte) , and a few surprises.  ;-)

To enter, just comment below and let me know either your favorite thing about spring.  It could be a flower, a tradition, a local event…  I can’t wait to read about your seasonal favorites!  One of my favorites has to be fresh English peas.  They are like tiny bubbles of happiness!  I love their mild sweet flavor and I try to eat as much of them as I can while they’re available!

Good luck on the giveaway — you have until WEDNESDAY, March 6th at 6p PST to enter.

P.S. I highly recommend grabbing the magazine in all its printed glory, but right now you MUST get the gorgeous iPad version.  It’s currently FREE (woohoo!) with the code GEhhNG.  Just go HERE, fill out the info and the promo code, and they will email you instructions on how to obtain your free iPad copy.

I will eventually be sharing a LOT more of this wedding so stay tuned!  For now, here are the incredible vendors who made this day what it was.  I am truly thankful to every single one of these amazing folks…

Location, Catering, and Cake: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa  – Sarah in catering is AMAZING.
Event Planning and Design: Events of Love and Splendor 
Photography: Ryan Ray  – our talented and dear friend, who is more like family to me!
Flowers: Heavenly Blooms  – Jaclyne always goes way way above and beyond!
Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals  – Jeni’s beautiful furniture set the stage.  Her styling is impeccable!
Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin  – CdP’s wares made the tabletops shine.  I wish every meal was served on their beautiful china, and every toast made with their gorgeous glasses!
Stationery, Menu, and Calligraphy:Julie Song Ink  - such a sweetheart and a brilliant artist!
Videography: Elysium Productions – Julie shot my wedding, my mom’s wedding, and now Anna’s wedding!  The circle is complete!
Music: Brandt Jacobus and Ray Fortune  – two people you NEED to hire.
Linens: La Tavola Linen  – always my pick for lovely linens!
Hair and Makeup: Nicole Deanne  – our cherished friend helped us look our best!  Loved her being there on the big day!!

And THANK YOU, to the wonderful editors at Martha Stewart Weddings who gave us this incredible feature.  I’m off to enjoy this beautiful Monday!  Thank you for sharing in my joy today!!!

xoxo, Angel

In early November, I had the pleasure of working with a fabulous team on a winter-inspired shoot.  Yesterday the fruits of our labor were featured on Style Me Pretty, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!  Make sure to mosey over to see both of the posts (HERE and HERE) which take a peek at two unique “takes” on the same table.  And lots of love to the team at SMP for their support of our work throughout the years.  <3

I don’t do a lot of staged shoots, but the idea for this unique project was borne out of a desire to capture the holiday spirit and bring it to life with REAL people, REAL food, and a REAL gathering.  Instead of perfectly manicured models traipsing around opulent tables that are big on WOW and short on practicality (i.e. tables you would never have at an actual wedding), our shoot would feature real people (including me and my husband and some of our dear friends from Cana VP) sitting at a rustic table that you could easily recreate at home.

The hearty winter menu featured beautiful seasonal produce including a ribolita (a Tuscan bean and cabbage stew), fig and chipotle stuffed pork loin, herb and parmesan-crusted pumpkin wedges, cider-braised brussels sprouts dotted with pomegranate jewels and warm farro with grilled raddichio, pistachios, dried cherries and a white truffle shallot vinaigrette.  The meal was presented on my favorite Spode Jewel china from Casa de Perrin (did you know you can rent their wares for more than just weddings?  Their gorgeous tabletop décor is perfect for intimate dinner parties, holiday festivities and more…) — a subtle and lovely white-on-white pattern that gets me every time.  Gold flatware added a touch of luxury, and emerald goblets paired with clear pressed glass made for a festive tabletop.  Simple pine boughs draped along the center of the table, punctuated by pinecones and potted olive trees (hint hint) brought a touch of the season in, without going overboard.  The endlessly talented Julie Song of Julie Song Ink created lovely placecards, menus and placards for the food using reclaimed wood and gold ink.  The coasters she made from wood slices with gilded edges are my favorite!  Our friends from Enjoy Cupcakes provided the sweetest ending with a gorgeous cake (the sugared cranberries were show-stopping!) and scrumptious cupcakes in flavors like gingerbread, cranberry cobbler, and spiced pear butter chardonnay.  YUM.

To really showcase the versatility of the tabletop, we ended up doing two set-ups: the original vision as described above, along with one more luxe and lush that could translate beautifully into a wedding.  Our wintery elegant tabletop swapped the branches for creamy textural florals in ceramic glazed trophy cups and striking pillar candles.  The greyish green tones of natural air plants added a bit of modernity to an otherwise classic look.  Our cozy lounge vignette featuring pieces from {found} vintage rentals made the perfect accompaniment, using flokati pillows and a warm cable knit throw.  The entire look was luxurious yet accessible.  The floral designer, Camilla of Camilla Flowers, is a true artist.  Her creativity and talent blows me away…  (She did my mother’s wedding back in 2008 and I am still in awe of her work from that day!)

Here is a peek…

you can always gauge how happy I am when i smile by how much of my gums I show.  so… I’m pretty darn happy here.  :)

yes, that is my adorable husband above on the right!

cheers!

As we sat down to wrap up our “shoot,” we realized that the inspired setting we had created was more than just a still-life for eyes only.  Our intention all along was to design a table that could actually be enjoyed, food and treats that could actually be consumed, a place that would become an actual venue for laughter, conversation and holiday cheer.  As the sun set and we clinked glasses and passed dishes across the table, I couldn’t help but marvel at what we had created.  It was more than a tabletop.  It had become an event.

My hope is that this Christmas, this season, at your wedding or at your next gathering with those you love, you would turn your table into an event. Even a casual dinner can become an occasion when you set the mood and incorporate a few well-conceived details.  In the end, what set this shoot apart (in my mind, anyway) was the warmth and love of all those involved, coming together for something more than just a pretty picture.  Of course thanks to Ryan Ray we got the stunning images, but more than that, they evoke a lovely day filled with laughter and good friends.  Your setting is just the stage for creating beautiful memories.

Here is a roundup of the fabulous team that brought this gathering to life…

• photography by Ryan Ray
• design and styling by Angel Swanson of Love and Splendor
• florals by Camilla Flowers
• stationery & calligraphy by Julie Song
• tabletop rentals by Casa de Perrin
• furniture rentals from {found} vintage rentals
• catering by Trumpet Vine Catering
• cake & desserts by Enjoy Cupcakes

Thank you for stopping by!  With Christmas and the end of the year rapidly approaching, I have a handful of blog posts coming your way.  ;-)  Keep your eyes open for 1) Olive’s 9 months post, 2) A gorgeous Santa Ynez wedding feature, 3) Another great giveaway and 4) An exciting announcement!

Let me know in the comments: what are YOUR plans for gathering during the holidays?  Enjoy your weekend!!  xoxo, Angel

Niki & Will are such a rad couple.  They are stylish, hilarious, and head-over-heels in love… and we had a blast working with them!  Their playful wedding was featured on Green Wedding Shoes last month (thank you, Jen!) but we wanted to share some photos here, too.

The shindig took place at one of my new favorite venues: Santa Margarita Ranch in Santa Margarita, CA.  I love the old marquee out front (which Will and Niki customized with their own welcome wording), the vintage train, the ceremony courtyard strung with market lights, and the barn — oh! the barn! — is a 100-year old structure built over original walls from 1817!  The building was initially built as an asistencia to Mission San Luis Obispo.  When I stepped into the barn for the first time, I was taken aback by the incredile stone + mortar walls, the warm sunlight pouring in through wooden slats, the overhead lighting that is enchanting in its simplicity.  It is a wonderful setting for a wedding (or any celebration!) and I look forward to returning there soon!

Niki and Will both work in the entertainment industry (Niki writes for The Office, and Will is an actor) and have a great sense of fun.  Their crowd is also an incredible party crew; I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more packed and lively dancefloor!  Their day was infused with lots of personal and whimsical touches like…  tables named after the funny Texas sayings of Niki’s father // custom paper bibs for a proper Southern feast // a pie bar // a ceremony backdrop made by the couple using salvaged screen doors // readings from Steve Martin and Rumi and a re-enactment of a scene from “True Romance” // a pom pom toss for the recessional …

We LOVE this couple and we know you will too after you take a peek at these great photos from onelove photography.

i had fun making the chalkboard dinner menu + window pane welcome sign for the couple :)

VENDOR ROUNDUP

photography: onelove photography // venue: Santa Margarita Ranch // event design + planning: Angel Swanson and Michelle Cardona at Love & Splendor // wedding dress, shoes + bridesmaid dresses: J. Crew // hair + makeup: Felicia Howe of Primrose Organic // groom suit: Bloomingdale’s // invitations + paper goods: DIY // catering: Trumpet Vine Catering // pie: The Avila Barn // music: Red Shoe LA // transportation: Ride-On Transportation

I hope your week is off to a great start!  In my world, recent events include… planning an upcoming visit for some much-missed Texans (Hi Ryan and Cary!) // knitting two new scarves (drop stitch and lace ladder stitch) // house-hunting (so exciting!!) // brainstorming for Christmas cards // starting Olive on solid food (quite the adventure!).  I’ll be back soon but as always, feel free to follow along my day-to-day journey on Instagram (@loveandsplendor).  Thank you for stopping by!  xoxo, Angel

Happy Wednesday, everyone!!  I wanted to put up a little post congratulating Amanda for winning the Ruby LOVE baby book!  I’ve already emailed you so look out for another message on getting the book to you.  ;-)

Thank you to all of our readers for entering and being a part of the giveaway!  We have more giveaway ideas brewing so look out for another chance to win something fab soon.

Today Olive is SIX MONTHS old!!  I absolutely cannot believe it.  I’m finishing up her six month post and hope to share it within a few days, along with a fun wedding featured on Green Wedding Shoes today.  Take a peek HERE and come back soon for our take on the big day.

Aside from all the excitement today, we are busy finishing up preparations for two more fabulous September weddings.  :)  Back to escort card making for me!

Because every post should have a picture, here’s an iPhone snap of Olive from yesterday.

Enjoy your Wednesday and see you all soon.  <3

love,

Angel

Two weeks ago, while I was prepping for my sister’s wedding, this fabulous wedding popped up on Style Me Pretty!!  I was thrilled for our feature, but was sort of bummed I couldn’t properly time my own post to coincide with it.  ;-)  Nonetheless, I am excited to be sharing this romantic Malibu wedding with you today.  It’s soft, feminine, and elegant… a lovely bit of wedding beauty to kick off your week!

Nelly was a dream client and is just a darling girl.  I loved getting to know her while we planned together, as she has such a sweet and calming demeanor.  She was always genuinely interested in how I was doing (especially since I was pregnant while we were collaborating!), making it a point to ask me each time we got together.  I found that so touching that while she was preparing for such a momentous occasion in her life, she was truly excited for me and my own exciting news.  We laughed together, visited food trucks together (LOL) and dreamed together.  Nelly and I share a love for all things romantic so the design of her wedding was effortless.  The muted pastel palette, lush florals and vintage details made for a picture perfect scene.

One of my favorite design details we worked on for this wedding was the escort card display.  Nelly and I also share a love for Parisian décor (I’m a total francophile and French is my 2nd language!), so we brought in a bit of France with a boulangerie-inspired escort card set-up.  Using a a cobbler’s rack from {found} vintage rentals, we stocked it with beautiful artisan breads and petite floral arrangements.  Escort card tags were hung from lengths of sweet cotton lace trim using mini clothespins.  When guests arrived at their seats, they found petite baguettes wrapped in kraft paper waiting for them.  ;-)

The festivities were held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, and captured by my insanely talented friend, Hugh Forte.  Take a look…

For a video of the day, check out this goodie from our pals at Elysium Productions.

As always, many thanks to the group of colleagues and friends who made this day flawless:

Wedding Photography: Hugh Forte Photography / Wedding Venue: Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California / Event Design + Planning: Angel Swanson of Events of Love and Splendor / Floral Design: Hollyflora / Wedding Cinematography: Elysium Productions / Hair and Makeup: Nicole Deanne / Wedding Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop / Ice Cream: Sweet Lucie’s / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Vintage Dinner Plates: Casa de Perrin / Wedding Stationery: Tritia Chang of Blue Metropolis Design / Ceremony + Cocktail Musicians: Mark San Filippo and Jazz Band / Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals / DJ + Lighting: Atmosphere Entertainment / Photo Booth: Smilebooth / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angiolini / Bride’s Headpiece: Jenny Packham / Men’s Neckwear: Mimi Fong

See you all later this week~

xoxo, Angel

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