Whenever Jose Villa posts a new wedding, I get so excited. His photographs are always so timeless and the weddings are just beautiful, plus most of them are located here in Socal and it is exciting to see how different venues can look from one wedding to the next. This one is no exception. It took place at the Crossroads Estate in Los Olivos and the event was designed by one of the most creative event designers I admire – Rebecca Stone of Duet Weddings. Her weddings are always unique and really show the personalities of the couple. I asked Rebecca if she would share some of her thoughts on the design of the wedding – thanks so much Rebecca!
Behind Chris & Ainjil’s tattooed, rocker exteriors are utter romantics. They of course would never admit this out loud, but a peek into the files of ‘Ainjil’s favorite things’ would reveal a love of the French countryside, dried lavender, antique chandeliers, a home filled with imported scented candles, and loads of overstuffed lacy pillow shams. A simple question of how they met would reveal a soft glint in each of their eyes bringing them back to the moment- a truly romantic tale- she a singer in a band, he recording her album.
I love ceremonies under a big tree! So romantic.
The wedding design was inspired by their love story, and their love of beautiful things. It would be elegant without being fussy, and it would transport guests to another time and place. Vintage touches, a bit of mismatched charm, comforting foods and music dancing on the air- all night long. A single, massive chandelier hung from the Oak under which Ainjil & Chris exchanged vows and tiny muslin sacks containing dried flower buds were used for tossing as they came back up the aisle.
Guests were greeted upon arrival with a “make-your-own” champagne cocktail station, where they could serve themselves with fancy little spoons to create little cocktails of their choice before heading to their seats for the ceremony. Along the way, we displayed vintage umbrellas for guests to help themselves to and use for shade.
Cocktail hour was full of merriment- we created little vignettes using different lawn games- an antique croquet set in one corner, horseshoes in another, vintage badminton set in another. The space was dotted with ruffley vintage pagoda style umbrellas- one under which sat a silhouette artist who created little masterpieces with his hands as guests looked on in awe.
An antique riddling rack stood alone displaying guests’ escort tags, and a framed record of ‘Chris & Ainjil’s song’ placed atop stacks of sheet music was used for signing.
Guests moved inside an old barn for dinner, where more chandeliers twinkled from the rafters. The enormous, open barn presented challenges with Chris & Ainjil’s intimate group, so we sectioned off with fabric and ribbon (we created a 24’ wide wall made entirely of ribbon- in varying shades of antique, muted tones) to create different spaces. The ribbon wall was an incredible labor of love, but the effect was pure whimsy and elegance!! The use of ribbon below is AMAZING. Love love this idea to add a bit of elegance to a rustic environment.
The bride has a serious sweet tooth, so a gorgeous dessert display was in order. (Guests were delighted to nibble throughout the evening, and take home in bags at the end of the night.)
On the table tops, loose creamy blooms filled collected silver pieces, while mismatched china made for unexpected dinner plates. We stamped table numbers on burlap bags which the dinner wine was placed inside of, and wrapped it loosely with antique velvet and lace ribbons.
At the end of the night, the couple danced to their first dance, “performed” by Jim Reeves. (A large screen was placed behind the dance floor, and a black-and-white projection of Jim Reeves singing created the effect of him serenading them at that moment..) It was a truly magical sight!
Thanks so much Rebecca! You can see more photos on Rebecca’s Blog and Jose’s Blog.
Some other vendors:
Camilla Svensson Burns – florals
TEAM – hair and makeup
Bella Vista – the gauzey fabric draping and elegant chandeliers
SBBBQ – catering
DJ Nahchey – music
Beautiful. But Re the shot of the invitations…
Please, please tell me that the "YOUR INVITED" is some kind of joke?
(I am an English teacher in addition to a bride-to-be, and I can't let these things go…)
Absolutely beautiful. I love the mismatched elements like the bridesmaid dresses and china, and their invitations are just gorgeous. Lovely palette. My only question is; where did she find those shoes?!
Gorgeous! LOVE everything about the wedding!
wow…love this wedding so much. this is how i picture my wedding!! thanks so much for posting.
Beautiful! I LOVE, love, love the TREE. Fantastic wedding.
Wow…what a gorgeous wedding. Everything complimented each detail. Loved it!
This wedding is amazing. I perfect blend of romantic and spice
@#1: I, too, saw the "YOUR" and cringed.
Aside from that… I love under-tree wedding ceremonies, and the rest of the photos are beautiful.
"Behind Chris & Ainjil’s tattooed, rocker exteriors…"? What exactly is rocker about these two? This wedding is the ultimate preppy, girlie affair. Gorgeous wedding but these two don't look rocker at all!
To Anonymous – I think that is her point :) Even though they might be rockers in their normal lives, they wanted a beautiful elegant wedding with a french countryside inspiration. It sounds like not what you would expect from these two. Kind of like me and my husband! Love it! Thanks for sharing.
ooooh, the umbrella is a marvelous touch!
brides {bliss} – the shoes are Miu Miu. I saw them and immediately went "i need those shoes!" So I went on a 2 month internet and store search until i ultimately found someone selling an unworn pair in my size on ebay. I swear i was ooooobbbbbbbbbbsessed with finding them!
I have to give major props to Mar from T.E.A.M Hair and Make-up for airbrushing my tattoos to the point where no one can see them! I love it! We made a last minute decision to do that becasue we felt like it would be jarring with the decor.
Wishing someone would have airbrushed my horrific spelling error though! Thankfully it only went out to our immediate families and bridal party for the rehearsal dinner. Well….that is until the entire internet got it! LOL The lesson here for all brides ….when you choose to DIY, get a spell checker! LOL
I asked my wedding coordinator, Rebecca Stone, to have the photo taken down because i dont want my dumb moment taking away from the ammmmmmmazzzing work done by all of my wonderful vendors who went above and beyond what I requested and made the entire wedding planning process stressfree!
Wonderful photography. Adore the details, the quirky, vintage and lovely look of this wedding.
I think it's so cool and quirky but still pretty and romantic. Love.
The dress… what about the dress. Is it J.Crew?
this is perfection! I love all the details, the photos are beautiful and the venue…. amazing!
happy tuesday, Joanna
http://simpleblueprint.typepad.com
Beautiful wedding!! What's the name of the song (and who's singing)that's set to the video? It's so pretty! My fiance' and I are eloping to Italy in four weekd! While we won't have a reception while over there, we're going to have one upon our return and I would love to have that song on our CD.
Spelling error, schmelling error. Who cares?! Really, people. The smiling bride and groom, the bridesmaids' dresses, the place settings, the champagne station… everything is too gorgeous for words. Bravo on an amazing wedding, and thank you for the inspiration!
The song from the video is Today by Joshua Radin. Love this song and so perfect for a wedding video – or to play on your day :)
Thanks Ainjil for answering some questions and sharing your photos with everyone. Your wedding was GORGEOUS and you can tell you spent a lot of time with Rebecca designing the perfect day for you two. We wish you the happiest life together! xoxo
Her stunning dress was by Badgley Mischka
Such a beautiful wedding, and I nearly died when i clicked on the video, i LOVE josh radin, and Today is my favorite song. I've been a fan ever since he used to play to an audience of 4!
Again, such a lovely wedding though, thank you for sharing.
I cried a bit. What gorgeous footage, so timeless.
So so beautiful! I love the idea of a single chandelier hanging in the tree they married under. Amazing, so inspiring…
Goodness, I just have to echo almost everyone else and say that this is one of the most gorgeous weddings I've seen in a while. It seems like no detail went unnoticed (we all misspell words sometimes) and it all looks so fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing!!
wohhhh…. cool shots
I would LOVE LOVE to find these shoes.. any pointers on how to start??!! I'm down to about 1 month until wedding!
the best videographer I've found in So Cal is at http://www.flickerfilmsla.com
he'll do super 8, 16mm, or high def. digital and has the most creative shots i've seen!
I absolutely *love* the candy buffet — so rustic and feminine at the same time! I had to include the image on my website- http://thesoireecafe.com/2009/12/01/over-the-molasses-swamp-and-through-lollipop-woods/
Fabulous!!! Everything is so beautiful.
I love love love the umbrella, where is it from?
Everything is so Fabulous!!!