My Sunny Wedding Issue no.2

My Sunny Wedding

Happy Holidays!

Issue #2 December / January 2011-2012 Inspiration, images and ideas for the Big day

Editor’s letter

“Time goes by too fast, so let’s use it wisely”. You’ve probably heard this advice many times, but it’s the holiday season (already!) that makes you consider it more than with the daily dose of scepticism. This October life has given me the chance to visit one of the most amazing places on earth – Paris. And as I still glance at these early fall photos as if they were taken yesterday, I can’t believe that the Holidays are almost here.

It makes you stop and think. Am I doing everything to make my days to make me happy? Am I doing everything to be good not just to myself, but to others as well? Probably not, but the good thing is that we all still have the chance to get better.

The second issue of “My Sunny Wedding” online magazine has been born in the blink of an eye as well and it is filled with joy, Holiday treats, great advice from our amazing contributors, beautiful photographs, interviews, ideas... Besides that, we’re talking to the lovely Parisian designer Delphine Manivet and featuring some great French inspired items (all my fault!).

What I’m very proud about this issue are the two inspiring weddings, filled not just with the usual love and beauty, but also with the human ability to be kind to one another. One of the weddings took place in the book store. How did that happen? Housing Works is a healing community with a mission is to end homelessness and AIDS. They are using their businesses of wedding organizing and catering to sustain these efforts. Yes, you can help by getting married!

Another inspiring story has happened with the help of a non-profit organization „Wish Upon a Wedding“ that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness and serious life altering circumstances. Just look how happy the couple is!

I'm inviting you all to read this issue, write to us about your ideas, thoughts and suggestions. I'm hoping you’ll all have great Holidays, beautiful celebrations and an amazing year ahead!

Yours truly, Milla Editor in Chief

In the magazine 8... A very Merry Christmas in DC 12...Christmas gift guide 16... Christmas Wedding in Hampton Court Palace, UK 26... A classic Christmas wedding 30... Wedding Etiquette Roles & Responsibilities 40... Sweet and Sunny desserts 44... A sunny day in Maui 48... For the love of food 54... Wedding in Canberra, Australia 60... How to plan a wedding without going broke 64... Eco-friendly and fun wedding paper 66... Blooming days: vintage and ballroom wedding styling 74... Vintage wedding styling ideas 80... Wish upon a wedding 92... A fairytail wedding in the French Castle 98... For your new home 102... Unique wedding spaces 108... A bookstore wedding 112... Delphine Manivet 128... Two Hundred Years of Wedding Fashion 138... Mirror, mirror on the wall

Contributors of the magazine: Abby Jiu Photography Anna Kim Photography Anthony Navarro, Liven it Up Events Barbara S.Clark, An Elegant Affair Botanical PaperWorks Carey Hawkins Chateau de Challain Haiku Mill Heather Anne, Sweet Heather Anne Housing Works Isha Foss, Isha Foss Events Kelly Tunney Photography New England Country Rentals Phillip Allen Photography Photography by Beulah Rachel Lusky, Puremotif Photography & Design Reese Rowe, Herban Feast Samar Hattar, Blissuful Event planning Tamiz Photography The Flower House The Found Rentals The Shooting gallery Photography Tinywater Photography Cover: Abby Jiu Photography

Contact us if you want to submit a real wedding

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE advertise@mysunnywedding.com

Providing unique and affordable invitations for every bride, every budget.

Save The Dates Layered invitations Pocketfolds Petals Wedding Programs Menus Table numbers Place Cards Favor Tags

submissions@mysunnywedding.com If you want to contribute to our content

editorial@mysunnywedding.com If you are interested in advertising opportunities

advertising@mysunnywedding.com

For inquiries, call 334-625-8824 or email us. Like us on Facebook 10% Discount for mentioning ad.

Editors picks

“Inspired by Paris (obviou

Home: Sea Coral Art Glass Bowl

Shoes: Vince Camuto Pumps

Book: The Wedding Dress: 300 Years of Bridal Fashions

6

Dres Nude

Perfume: Miss Dior Cherie

Holiday Gift: Red Suede Noteboo

usly), I simply love these items!”

Movie: “Midnight in Paris Cosmetics:L'Occitane Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid

s

Carry-on: Kate Spade Clutch

ss: Miss Selrfidge e Shoulder dress

ok by Baghy Jewelry: Ionkoosh Vintage

Real weddings

8

Stephanie and Matt A very Merry Christmas in DC Images: Abby Jiu Photography

Real weddings

10

Gift guide Nail Polish

Deborah Lippmann

Smartphone Case

12

Juicy Couture

Decorative Throw Pillow Cover

CouchDwellers

Christmas

GOL

Leaf wall Decor

Kohls

Acanthus Votive Holder

Z Gallerie

gift guide:

LD

Winged Cuff Bracelet

Forever 21

Gift guide

Glitter Pillar Candles

Z Gallerie

Christmas gift guide:

Wood Stretch Funky Bracelet

DevikaBox

RED Infinity hand lotion

Rituals

Jetlag Travel Alarm Clock yliving.com

Gingerbread Spice 16 Stick Incense

Pumpkin Cottage

14

Couture Vintage Car inspired Handbag

RevampProductions

Ruby Red Slippers bath bubble

Lush Tiny scallop clock

uncommon

Baggy Wine Coat

yliving.com

Bright red ceramic bowl

Ning’s wonder world Red Mug Sleeve

Natalya’s Studio

Real weddings

16

Caroline & Tom’s C

in Hampton Court

Images: Dorset wedding photographer Phillip Allen

Christmas Wedding

t Palace, Surrey, UK

Real weddings

18

Real weddings

20

Real weddings

22

Holiday treats

24

Gingerbread cookies - the taste of Christmas • 6 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1 tablespoon ground ginger • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1 teaspoon ground cloves • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly • 1 cup molasses • 1 cup packed brown sugar • 1/2 cup water • 1 egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an un-greased cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch.

Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.

Real weddings

26

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS WEDDING

Real weddings

28

Ashley and Matt

Images: Rachel Lusky, Puremot Photography & Design

tif

E tiquette

30

Wedding Etiquette Roles & Responsibilities by Barbara S. Clark Accredited Bridal Consultant(tm) An Elegant Affair Trained by The Emily Post Institute

The maid of honor (single woman) or matron of honor (married woman) is usually a close friend or relative of the bride. Some modern brides have both a maid and matron of honor.

There are brides who have a best friend who is male and she has him as her “man of honor�. It is the responsibility of the maid of honor to buy her own dress and accessories for the wedding as well as pay her travel expenses. The bride pays for her hotel. Her role is to organize a bridal shower and bachelorette

party for the bride. She may accompany the bride when she shops for the wedding dress. She serves as an official witness, signing the marriage certificate at the church. She holds the groom’s ring at the ceremony. She will offer a toast at the rehearsal dinner. Some maids of honor will also do a toast at the wedding reception but this is not expected or necessary. She should ask the bride what she prefers. She helps the bride get dressed on the wedding day and bustles her gown before the first

Traditionally, the bride’s parents’ pay for the wedding and the groom and his parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, the bride’s bouquet, the engagement ring, wedding ring and the honeymoon. In the more modern version, the groom’s parents’ may pay The best man is the groom’s right hand man. for the liquor at the wedding or the wedding recepLike the maid of honor, tion band. The fact is that he is there to offer both weddings are expensive moral and practical support. Again, there are times and often both sets of parwhen a groom has a best ents are willing to help with gal friend who is his “best the cost. Because couples person”. These roles are getting married when should be filled by people they are older, they also who mean the most to us ~ share in the expenses. not by gender.

As you see, some “tradiAt the church, he has the tions” are changing to acresponsibility of holding the commodate the modern bride’s ring, being an ofbride and that is a “very ficial witness and signing good thing” as it more acthe marriage certificate. He curately reflects today’s soalso stays with the groom ciety. before the ceremony to keep him calm. dance at the reception.

She is there to be a sounding board for the bride and runs interference when wedding plans go awry.

With the proliferation of wedding planners, this task is often handled by them.

R eal weddings

32

Meghan & Paul

'Images: Photography by Beulah Styling: Blue Box Workshop

Real weddings

34

Real weddings

36

One step closer to you...

Real weddings

38

Desserts

40

Sweet and Sunny “My Sunny Wedding� talks to Heather Anne about all things sweet and lovely in the dessert world.

Images: Abby Rose Photo

Desserts

42

What are the current wedding dessert table trends?

A dessert table displays a couple’s favorite flavors in a creative, and beautiful way.

Instead of serving everyone a slice of cake, guests are invited to choose what they’d like from a display of mini desserts. There is often a cake that acts as a centerpiece for the table. This cake doesn’t need to feed all of the guests, but is one of the many dessert choices. Treats on the dessert table can also double as favors. Cute packaging displayed with the desserts

allows guests to create their own favor with their favorite desserts.

What could you suggest for a couple, looking for something classic, but at the same time unique and at least a little bit unusual?

Simply having a dessert table instead of one large cake gives a wedding a unique flare. There are so many opportunities to highlight a couple’s personality. We could pair a classically decorated cake with desserts that fit the couple’s aesthetic and taste.

French macaroons are a beautiful way to bring in color, and can also be displayed in a tower to give the table more height. Cake truffles are also very popular right now. I love to display them on stacked vintage cake stands.

cream cakes that look like they were iced by someone’s grandmother. Pies and homey cookies are also a nice touch.

What would you suggest for a ballroom wedding?

Which dessert choices could A dessert table at a ballroom you suggest for a vintage, rus- wedding should enhance the elegant feel of the wedding. tic, outdoor wedding?

Gilded cake stands and mirThe key to creating a beautiful rors are fun choices to display the desserts. The cake can vintage table is incorporating unexpected pieces to display be a bit more over the top, with intricate details like hand the desserts. We’ve used painting and fashion inspired things like antique cabinets, textures. Macaroons, cake cooking scales, and birch stumps to give a table person- truffles, and intricately decoality. These tables often fea- rated cookies all add a sophisticated feel to a dessert table. ture rustic butter

Real weddings

44

Serena & Matthew a sunny day in M

Images: Anna Kim Photography

w: Maui

Maui, Hawaii's historic Haiku Sugar Mill is a truly breathtaking wedding location with it's enchanting European Garden setting.

Real weddings

46

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Haiku Mill Caterers: Catering From Soup to Nuts Florals: Ariella Chezar of Ariella Flowers Infused drinks: Garnish Events Wedding Cake: Ghiselani Designer Wedding Cakes

Food

48

one meat item.

Creating the menu for the wedding can be as challenging as picking the flower arrangements or decorating the venue. “My Sunny Wedding” is coming to the rescue with the help of Reese Rowe from “Herban Feast” Catering.

Follow the season!

Stick with the seasons! Feature seasonal produce, but make it suit your taste and style. Butternut squash soup shots are wonderful in the fall, and can be tailored to give an Indian, classic French or an Italian flair just with seasonings and garnish. Choose foods you love, but that also will appeal to guests who aren’t super adventurous eaters. Try to cover the bases – a trio of appetizers could include one vegetarian item, one fish or poultry item and

Image: Bradley Hansen Photograp

For the love and we Be a fun vegetarian!

Keep the food colorful and unexpected. Everyone does a tomato-basil-mozzarella bruschetta…change it up – do caramelized onion, thyme and peach instead. Ask your caterer to help you think of fun vegetarian items. Reflect the venue! Usually, a cou-

ple’s taste in venue will carry

nish).

Classy, but no way boring!

How to choose the menu, which is classy, but not too simple or boring? (Some new trends in the gastronomy world)

phy

e of food.... eddings over to their menu selection as well. There’s no right or wrong way to coordinate venue & food, but there are fun ways to play them off each other. For instance, when we cater for couples celebrating on a farm we like to incorporate ingredients from the farm (even if just a few herbs & flowers for gar-

Everything old is new again – upscale comfort food never goes out of fashion and appeals to everyone. A twicebaked potato is something everyone will recognize, but when was the last time you had one? You want to serve a plate of food that everyone will be excited by – so appeal to all the senses.

Image: courtesy of “Herban Feast”

Food

50

Image: Rubin Photography

Hearty food!

Cook outside!

Outdoor food should be simple, but hearty. Avoid creamy, mayonnaisebased sauces which have to be kept super cold. Instead, focus on fresh fruit salads (add some cilantro or jalapeño to make it sparkle), simple grilled vegetables with a room temp sauce like a pesto or chutney. Vinaigrettebased sauces are best for vegetable salads and meats.

Use the surroundings and definitely cook outside. Pick items that can be tailored to the location – do a crab or lobster boil (lobster or crab, sausage, potatoes, corn) on the beach, and grilled vegetables, meats and fish in a park. In a vineyard, try to use some of the vine trimmings on tables for décor, or to weave into your arbor.

Image: courtesy of “Herban Feast”

Food

52

Don’t stay thirsty!

food. Your caterer should be able to help with this. We love to tray-pass prosecco for toasts – Start with tray- sometimes we add a raspberry passing non-al- to each glass. Late night, nothcoholics before ing beats little glasses of cold the ceremony milk passed with warm cookies.

– peach iced tea or herbal infused lemonade are great thirst quenchers. Post ceremony, a light cocktail is refreshing – try passing cuba libres in the sum- Image: courtesy of “Herban Feast” mer, or fresh lime gimlets.

At dinner, offer your guests local wine if you’re lucky enough to live in a wine region, or pair your options with the Image: Rubin Photography

Image: courtesy of “Herban Feast”

Real weddings

54

Pip & Wedding in Canb

& Will berra, Australia Images: Kelly Tunney Photography

Real weddings

56

“We wanted our wedding to be casual and fun and to focus on the things that were really important to us. Our favourite parts of the wedding were the things that we did our own way and the things that our family and friends got involved in. It was pretty much the best day ever!�

Real weddings

58

Planning

60

How to get the wedding YOU want without going broke?

“My Sunny Wedding” talks to Samar Hattar, Founder and event Coordinator of “Blissful Events”, who shares her tips about planning a wedding on a budget.

Image: Carmen Alvarez Photography

Don’t spare on what you love This will vary for every couple.

You will want to make sure that you are doing what feels right to you. Don't be afraid to be yourself and share with your guests what is important to you. If you love food and music, then make sure to put a little extra money in your budget for those things.

Having your favorite meal served and your favorite band play will create a memorable experience for you and your guests which will be remembered beyond your wedding day.

Save on details There are many ways to save money, but it really depends on what is important to you.

For example, transportation is a great way to save money. Ask a

friend with a nice car to drive you around on your big day instead of hiring an expensive form of transportation. Your friend will feel honored and you will be able to put those funds toward something else. Win-win! Another place to save is with the little things like place cards and menu cards. Instead of paying someone do them for you, make this a DIY project. Don't forget to add your personal touch!

Cocktail party or a family style dinner Go with a big cocktail party with heavy hors d'oeuvres instead of a big formal sit down dinner. This can be achieved by passing hors d'oeuvres along with stations of different foods. For cocktails, having a few signature drinks for

guests to choose from instead a full bar can save money. Creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere will be a unique experience that your guests will soak right up!

If you would like to have a sit down dinner then go with a buffet or family style option instead a plated dinner. Guests will get to eat what they like and you can save a little extra on the bill.

Family style is great when your guests don't know each other as it encourages everyone to mingle at their tables.

DIY project.

The theme of the wedding really depends on decor. If you are having a vintage, 1940's type wedding, think about using some vintage family photos as part of your centerpieces which is a wonderful way to incorporate family. Go to your local party store and buy pearls and feathers to string them from your centerpiece and around the tables. You will add an element of drama and really draw out on a 1940's theme wedding.

A great way to incorporate your DYI personalities is with decor. If, as a DIY is a great way to have fun couple, you like to play the game and show your guests your per- Scrabble, then you might want sonality. It can also be a great to use Scrabble letters as your way to save some cash! It’s good place settings for your bridal tato be creative with the small deble. tails like adding a personal or seasonal element to your wedHire a professional ding. Go ahead and add some Here a few things you don’t want color to your guest tables with to take on yourself: Pomegranates, Persimmons Do not make your own invitaor Pumpkins. Creating your tions. It will take too much time own favors for guests to take and effort plus it may not look home with them and menus or polished. Guests may think it’s place cards can also be easily too messy which is not the first achieved with a little creativity. All impression you want for your big of this can be a real treat when day. Unless you are going with you do it yourself and get your a very simple centerpiece, don’t family and friends involved. Invite try to make it yourself. It may some friends over for some ap- look easy but the logistics are a petizers and wine and work on a

P lanning

62

right equipment to shoot my wedding? lot harder than you think. You don’t want to worry about trans- If you can answer "yes" to all porting vases and trying to keep these questions, then hire your flowers fresh on the morning of friend without any fear. If not, I would bite the bullet and hire a your wedding day. That’s your professional. time to relax. In other words, leave the big jobs for professionals and remember that being stress free is the #1 most important thing on your wedding day.

Budget, budget, budget The first thing you want to do when you start planning your wedding is you want to put a budget in place. It may not be Friend as the wedding photog- the first thing you want to think about but it will be very helprapher?

Hiring a friend or family member ful to know how much you can spend on everything before might work for you are if you are confident that your friend is making deposits. First, talk to your families and see if they a professional, reliable person will be helping you contribute who will really be able to catch to your wedding fund. Put toevery special moment of your gether a budget then create an day. Here are some questions itemized budget. Here are some you might ask yourself if you are considering hiring a friend or numbers to keep in mind: family member:

Reception: 45%-50% Ceremony: 2%-3% 1. Is my friend a professional photographer? Eg. has he/she Flowers: 9%-10% taken classes or does photog- Attire: 8%-10% Wedding coordinator: 8%-10% raphy for a living?

Entertainment/Music: 8%-10% 2. Does my friend know what to do in different types of light- Photography: 4%-6% ing situations (eg. sunset, moon Cinematography: 4%-5% Stationery: 2%-3% light, overcast, etc.)?

Wedding Rings: 2%-3% 3. Does my friend have all the

Parking/Transportation: 2%-3% Gifts: 2%-3% Miscellaneous: 4% You may want to think about allocating at least 5% of your budget for unforeseen things.

You may end up falling in love

with a venue that is a bit out of your budget or you may decide to change outfits from ceremony to reception. It's always good to know you have options.

Invitations

64

Plant your invite!

Eco-friendly and fun wedding paper

If you’re looking for ways to make your wedding environmentally friendly, you can start with the plantable wedding invites, favors, confetti...In addition to that, how fun is the idea of the place card or a menu turning into a plant?!

Plantable paper is a biodegradable eco-paper that is made with post-consumer materials (no trees harmed for this paper!) and embedded with seeds. When the paper is planted in a pot of soil, the seeds grow and the paper composts away. All that is left behind is flowers, herbs or vegetables and no waste.

How To Plant Plantable Paper You will need: * A pot for planting * Some good potting soil * Plantable paper * Water * A sunny corner Prepare your pot

Confetti

Fill your pot 2/3 full with good potting soil. Tamp down the soil and add more if necessary. You want the pot to be firmly full, but not packed. The paper can be planted indoors or outside, so you get to choose according to the temperature and conditions at the time of planting (we don’t recommend planting outside if there’s a blizzard or desert-hot!).

Plant the paper

Take your plantable paper and tear it into small pieces, about 1 inch. Cover the soil in the prepared pot with the paper. It’s okay if the paper overlaps. Spread a 1/2 inch layer of soil over the plantable paper pieces and tamp down gently.

Water during germination

After planting the paper in your pot, give it a good soak. You want the paper and the soil to be nicely damp but not swimming in water. During the first 10 days, keep the paper moist at all times.

The water is necessary for germination.

Care after germination On sprouts appear, continue to keep the paper moist but be careful not to over water. Once sturdy plants appear, water as needed.

Here’s what the pot looks like after planting a greeting card: Plantable wedding stationary: Botanical PaperWorks

Invitations

Invitations Favors

Styling

66

Blooming days: vintage and ballroom wedding styling “My Sunny wedding” talks to Isha Foss, founder of “Isha Foss Events”

Styling a vintage wedding When styling your event, consider things that you love.

Look to your collections – a particular metal (like copper), interesting containers, etcetera.

If you consider vintage to be things that were once in fashion and have had a return to prominence that leaves a wide range of options. An item does not have to be a vase to be used in a centerpiece. I love hat boxes, colored glass, sifters, even fireplace bellows. If

flowers can be placed under, around, or on top – it could make a great look! In this setting I love muted, dusty tones.

Styling a rustic wedding In a rustic setting, I suggest adding soft lighting, drapery fabrics for softness, and a little glitz to play against type. But I wouldn’t hesitate to repurpose a few farm implements. I recently saw old rakes holding wine glasses – very charming.

Add rich, bold flowers with fruits and berries, or greens

and whites with pods, branch- how inexpensive, look es or grains make a great amazing when massed. Resist the urge combination. to do a single stem or two in a vase, it will just get lost. Tons of candlelight, a beautiful Beach weddings look great with driftwood, fan coral or sea overlay, and basic up lighting urchins mixed with fresh flow- or a focal wall with a patterned gobo can be a better option ers or succulents as an alternative to sea glass and shells. than a moderate centerpiece on a white polyester table cloth.

Styling a ballroom wedding Styling a beach wedding

Lighting is crucial for ballroom Image: Echard Wheeler Photography weddings as the provided lighting may cast a yellow tone over everything. The entrance and pre-function spaces are often overlooked, but a few large statement pieces, either floral or graphic, can distinguish your event. Specialty linens create a canvas for the details on the table. I really like to add decorative elements over, or around the dance floor as it is a visual void.

Styling on a budget Pick the items that are in-season. Most blooms, no matter

S tyling

68

In love w

Images: Tamiz Photography Venue: Haiku Mill Coordination: Countdown Events Flowers: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique Custom stationary: Wintons Social Station

with pink

nary

Styling

70

Styling

72

Styling

74

Backyard

Blue dresser with mirror and drawers as a wedding cake or a dessert table

Backyard, g beach or ra these are th ding venues a great stylin in a brand ne Together wi Found Renta telling you

Garden Get a heavy wooden farm table for the newlyweds table or dessert stationary.

(Left) Vintage church pew with rustic looking paint can be a great seating option for the ceremony (Right)

The garden images: Amy and Stuart photography & Jose Villa ph

hotography

A blue chippy painted scale to place your rings

The backyard images: Ashley Photography

garden, anch he wedthat with ng shine ew light. ith “The als” we’re u how!

tyling Styling

76

Beach

A metal dish dryin hooks, trays, and shelves. is perfec dessert display, o decorations.

Get a in big and car n do y

A metal pedestal side table with scrolled details with a white canopy is a great place for the wedding cake.

The beach images: Studio EMP photography

ng rack with d three large ct for favors, or theme

a farm table, cover it g table cloth, flowers park a red country next to it. What else you need? (Down)

The ranch images: Jose Villa photography

Ranch

Big reels will perfectly serve as flower tables (Left)

Styling

78

French countryside wedding inspiration Wedding at Duxbury Maritime Museum. The wedding is styled with the walnut farm tables, distressed chiavari chairs, spiral flatware and French countryside china.

Styling: New England Country rentals Images: Studio Atticus

R eal weddings

80

Wish upon a

a wedding

Real weddings

82

Wish Upon a Wedding is a non-profit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness and serious life altering circumstances.

The organization was created to celebrate the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding Wishes. It’s hope is that chosen recipients can inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength.

John & Jaynell: San Francisco balroom wedding Images: Tinywater Photography

John and Jaynel are both writers and met at the Association of Writers professionals. With a relationship that finally, evolved into love, John and Jaynel were engaged during Christmas of 2010. A few years before they met, Jaynel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Throughout all of her trials with MS, John has been at her side.

Wedding Planner: Amazae Video: Lovespun ~ Handmade Films Venue: Julia Morgan Ballroom DJ: Big Fun Disc Jockeys Guitarist: Entire Productions Lighting: Enhanced Lighting Flowers: Flourish Designs Invitations: May Inspired Cupcakes: Sift Supcakes Hair & Makeup: Professional Makeup Artistry Rentals: Classic Party Rentals SF Linens: La Tavola Accessories for Bride: One World Designs Shoes for Bride: Hey Lady Shoes Officiant: Pastor Jon Olson

Real weddings

84

S tyling

86

Inspiration:Lovely flowers Designs by: The Flower House Images: The Youngrens

Inspiration

88

The Perfect Wedding Details: More Than 100 Ideas f

You've picked a date, booked the church, and finalized t that your wedding is one you and your guests will remem it's all in the details.

You'll find luscious photographs and in-depth how-tos o candles, wedding cake tables, favors, and programs. Wi aid brides in finding materials, The Perfect Wedding Deta

Handmade Weddings

In this book, Eunice and Sabrina Moyle, the founders of Hello!Lucky, j gorgeous projects. Whether you favor a modern, classic look or a retro ration suited to your tastefrom vintage-key save-the-dates to delic At the front of the book you'll find guidance on choosing a look, sourci projects are fully explained with

“My Sunny We Weddings by Tara Guérard

Premier event designer Tara Guérard takes the rea from choosing a venue to choosing colors; decidin the altar, the table, and even the bride’s shoes! Fro and tricks of the trade from over a decade in the in flows with beautiful photography and details to inc

Wed

The wedding bouquet, like the center jewel in the engagement ring, is a f rangement, and even fragrance, can express the mood and style of the to the décor of the reception room. How to decide? Each of the 300 bou tos and careful descriptions of each detail, with recommendations for th ment. Every color theme

for Personalizing Your Wedding

the invitation list. You've even found the perfect dress. But how can you ensure mber for years to come? As wedding expert Maria McBride-Mellinger explains,

on every detail of the reception - including bridal chairs, place cards, cocktails, ith a comprehensive list of the author's favorite resources around the country to ails will ensure a perfect event - carried off with style, finesse, and individuality.

s: More Than 50 Crafts to Personalize Your Big Day

join forces with stylist Shana Faust to bring you over 50 o, homespun flavor, you'll find plenty of crafts and inspicate paper wreaths to silhouette bride and groom signs. ing materials, and working out timelines. each of the 50 h photos, how-to diagrams, and step-by-step directions.

edding� bookshelf

ader on a guided tour through twelve dream weddings. She covers topics ng on hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, or a formal sit-down meal; and decorating om a formal Southern soiree to an ocean island affair, Tara shares the tools ndustry. The book is filled with ideas and inspiration, and each chapter overcorporate into your own wedding.

dding Bouquets: Over 300 Designs for Every Bride

focal point for the celebration. The bouquet's colors, arceremony, From the bridal gown and attendants' attire uquets displayed here comes with lavish close-up phohe kinds of dresses and ceremonies they best complereceives special treatment (with price range indicators).

Follow us on Twitter, Like and win one of these 2

All you have to do is like our profile and w on the wall until 31st of December 90

e our site on Facebook 2 great wedding books!

write 3 of your bridal New Year’s resolutions 2011! You might be the lucky one!

Real weddings

92

Katelyn & Pierre Andre: a fairytail wedding in the

e French Castle

Wedding venue and planning: Chateau de Challain, France Images: Janis Ratnieks Photography

Real weddings

94

R eal weddings

96

Home

98

Jewel Poinsettia Napkin Rings

Z Gallerie

For your new home: something

Blue

Pablo Pardo Tube Top Light Relish

Lola Arm Chair

Z Gallerie

S

Z

Calais Chandelier

Z Gallerie

Suzani Tile Rug

Z Gallerie

Ballo Toilet Brush

A+R Store

Krenit Bowl

A+R Store

Pacific Soap Pump

Crate and Barrel

Home Bamboo Soap Dish

Crate and Barrel

Sunf Maganda Vase

Crate and Barrel

For your new home:

wood Arnoux 2-Light Pendant

100

Ballard designs

Marin Cabinet

Crate and Barrel

Monogrammed All-Purpose Tub

Ballard designs

flower and Floating Leaf Pillows

Viva Terra Square Tufted Storage Ottoman

Ballard designs

White Tablo Tray With Teak Stand

Relish

Mango Wood Round Stool Viva Terra

Planning Unique wedding spaces Be original.

Be special.

Be yourself.

“My Sunny Wedding” talks to Anthony Navarro, the founder of “Liven It Up Events” ware, and flatware pattern/collection as well as the table linen and napkin style, color, and make, to the chair type, color, I work in flower shops, wareseat cushion color and texture. houses, photography studios, And that is just a little bit on the lofts, and all sorts of interesting venues. There really are not food and the tables and chairs! rules in working in those spaces. The options are limitless!

If you create the space to it allows for its natural flow to hap- What should be taken in conpen, then you really can decide sideration before making such a what you want to do throughout decision? the evening. The most imporThe biggest pro of throwing a tant piece to realize on planwedding in a unique venue is it ning a wedding in a unique or unusual wedding venue is that can become personalized from all of the parts of the wedding, there are many choices that have to be made. It truly makes from the food, to flowers, lightthe wedding unique because ing, to the chair that the guests you do get to select everything. sit in. The con can be it is a little From the actual menu from the more leg work and takes more caterer, to actual china, glasstime to put those types of wedAn unusual wedding venue – what would you suggest?

102

dings together. There are more decisions, more vendors to talk to, and more thought that has to be put in, like deciding what chair to sit in. But, in the end, the entire wedding can be personalized and individualized for the couple!

How to choose the right venue?

I tell couples it's like buying a condo or a house, or renting an apartment. When you walk into a condo/house or an apartment, you just get the feeling like, "yup, this is where I want to live." The same feeling happens when you are planning your wedding. When you walk in the space, you just know, this is where you want to have the wedding, then book it. If you don't have that feeling, keep looking! You have to love every part of the wedding team, including the venue space. It will make your day more enjoyable!!

What are the most unusual venues you've organized a wedding at?

The most interesting place that I have organized a wedding at is the Museum of Contempo-

rary Art's (MCA) Warehouse.

There is this old warehouse on the west side of Chicago that the MCA stores art work and then rent it out for events. You use the second floor, which is large enough for something like 600 people, cocktail style.

The second floor is divided into four rooms, some with exposed brick, some with really cool old windows that look over the city and the train tracks that trains still fly by on. The ceilings are all wooded with wood beams and cross bars, with exposed pipes and old lights hanging from them. The space is used for many different events and can be used in a number of different ways! What is truly special about this location for me is it used to be an old pie factory. When I was telling my grandmother about this wedding in an old pie factory, she asked "Where is it Ant?" I told her, "Hubbard & Wood". She replied, "Well I'll be darned. When I was a little girl that is where my mom would send me to buy pies for the family." There is just something special knowing that about the Warehouse that makes it even more special for me to work in that venue.

Real weddings

104

Amy & Andrew: a bookstore wedding in NYC

Getting married in a bookstore? Interesting, original, romantic and is helping for the ones in need. The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe and The Works Catering are businesses that raise money for the organization Housing Works.

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by AIDS/HIV. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of life saving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain their efforts.

Real weddings

Venue and catering: The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe • Images

106

s: Sarah Tew Photography • More information about Housing Works

Engagement

Engagement photo shoot: an urban getaway

108

Images: The Shooting Gallery Photography

Engagement

110

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Read our Blog

Interview

112

Delphine Manivet

French designer, inspired by the 50’s, 70’s and Grace Kelly What was your inspiration for the 2012 spring collection?

My everyday inspiration is my brides to be and who they are: wonder women (both mother and working girl) in the real world, who want to be exactly themselves on their D-day.

My fashion inspiration is particularly the 50's smart & chic while very covered - and the 70's (bohemian style) that I constantly reinterpret on my fashionable pieces.

and fragile they seem to be at the same time. Such women like Vanessa Paradis, Lauren Hutton, Brigitte Bardot...

If it's about a bride, I would say both Grace Kelly (because of her traditional Calais lace gown) and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (because she reinvented the wedding dress by wearing such a simple and perfect couture fourreau.)

What would be your one advice for the bride, choosing her wedding Who is your bride? gown?

I first think about the Never feel disguised: perwomen I am really a fan fect cut and the beautiful of - their attitude, their timeless style, how strong fabrics are the help for it !

What would you recommend for a couple, planning their wedding in Paris?

Everything except the clichés. The best is to come first to scout the perfect Parisian places in order to

feel Paris like a Parisian.

If I had to talk about a famous place brides to be abroad must know it maybe would be the “pont des arts”, a beautiful view of Paris and so quiet & romantic at night.

Bridal fashion

114

Delphine Manivet Spring - summer 2012 bridal collection

Images: Delphine Manivet

Bridal fashion

116

Bridal fashion

118

Inspiration

Co

Paris

Se

of your dreams

120

Vintage

AnnaLo

Paris Map Lamp

WhimsyHome Polymer clay earrings

Lepun

ollecting Clouds set of 4 cloud prints

evenOlives

Portobello Jewelry

Stefani Chung photography French Toile Clutch Purse

CHICAGO FINE THREADS

fine porcelain decorated boot

ouVintage

Glasses pouch with copper clasp

imali

Eiffel Tower Photo Pendant Necklace

Magnesina

Bridal fashion

122

Blue by Enzoani 2012 collection Images: Enzoani

Forbidden Forest

Bridal fashion

124

Bridal fashion

126

History

128

Two Hundred Years of Wedding Fashion “Two Hundred Years of Wedding Fashion” is an amazing bridal fashion touring exhibition of the “Victoria and Albert Museum” in London. The exhibition presents the most romantic, glamorous and extravagant wedding dresses from the V&A's collection. Tracing the development of the fashionable white wedding dress from the beginning of the 19th century to the present day, the exhibition illustrates its treatment by key fashion designers such as Charles Frederick Worth, Norman Hartnell, Charles James, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang.

The exhibition comprises over more than 40 wedding outfits, including those of bridegrooms, alongside a selection of accessories including wreaths, veils, hats, shoes, corsetry and lingerie. “My Sunny wedding” is inviting you to take a short break and travel in time together with these priceless historic wedding gowns.

Images: Victoria and Albert Museum

History

130

Embroidered silk satin wedding dress designed

by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933.

History

Embroidered muslin wedding dress, lined with silk, British, 1834.

132

Sil Ch

lk satin wedding dress by harles James, London, 1934.

History

Wedding dress desig Vera Wang for her sp

Pleated silk wedding dress and coat, net veil decorated with silicone rubber,

by Ian & Marcel, London, 1989.

134

gned by pring 2007 bridal collection.

Silk faille wedding dress and silk net veil decorated with antique lace, John Galliano for Dior, Paris, 2002.

Bridal fashion

ON THE RUNWAY Carol Hannah 2012

Images: Carol Hannah

136

Beauty Mirror, mirror on the wall…

138

“My Sunny Wedding” talks to Carey Hawkins – France based Bridal Make Up Artist. Carey has worked with brides for the past 7 years, as well as working on a wide range of films and for television. Careyhawkinsmakeup.com

Make-up and hairstyling are a hugely important part of your ‘Big Day’. It can make all the difference to photography and the confidence of the bride. This is the only day in your life that you will be photographed hundreds of time and you need your look to last the day.

So how do you get your make up/hairstyle to look perfect in your photos for your wedding abroad?

The make-up Let's start with make-up.

Working in any warm climate can be a challenge when it comes to creating a long-lasting make-up look.

The answer? An excellent

primer and waterproof mascara. Primer acts like a magnet for other products that you add to your skin, creating a smooth base for your make-up. And waterproof mascara will stay put through the heat and tears of an emotional day!

You may be marrying at a

cooler time of the year or (due to the weather) need to be inside which does have a different effect on your make up and hair.

With artificial lighting and flash photography you can afford for your make up to be stronger. Photos are two dimensional and your features can be lost if the make

up is badly applied or too subtle. Stronger, smoky eyes work well – for the ladies a little nervous of this look, it can be created with softer brown shades, which work beautifully for a Wedding.’ Be careful with any highlighters as these ‘bounce back’ light on your photos and you make look more shiny than glowing!

muted tones that enhance their natural look – brides want to look like themselves but at their most glamorous and have that ‘glow from within’ that make up provides!

The hair

When it comes to hair, updos are the most requested look. Hair is usually curled ‘Generally the brides I have through and given texture, worked with in France go for before being swept up using classic styles in natural or pins or grips in one of

Beauty

many different styles and then set with hairspray. Updos always look timeless, elegant, keep you cool and stay put all day. Relaxed, romantic styles where the hair is softly curled and slightly messy are also particularly popular. Also avoid trying anything too different from your normal look - if you never wear your hair up, your wedding day is probably not the time to try is for the first time!’

up artist/hairstylist – get to know them, through phone calls and at the trial.

Having your make up and hair done is a very intimate process and you need to completely trust the service they provide.

The artist If you decide to use a make

140

Image: Copland-Cale Photog

graphy

Image: Chris Brock Photography

Groom

142

GROOM HIM WELL Styling: Lovebird Style Photography: Love Is A Big Deal Dress, Hat and Blazer: Monkey Suit Vintage

Groom

144

Bridal fashion

146

Suzanne Ermann Wedding couture 2012

Images: Suzanne Ermann

Bridal fashion Accessories:

Red and Silver

Silver Earrings

Something Borrowed NY

Snakeskin Cuff Bracelet

UNEARTHED Hair Flower

Hair Flower

Clark and Diversey

Clark and Diversey

148

BlueRoseRetro Vintage Silver Brooch

CamanoIslandVintage

Something Borrowed NY

Silver Necklace with Celtic heart knot

Yoola

Bridal fashion

150

You and your bridesmaids Anna Elyse Bridal

Images: Anna Elyse Bridal

s & Anna Elyse Bridesmaids

Bridesmaid fashion

Love by Enzoani 2012 collection

Images: Enzoani

152

Hollywood Diva

Bridesmaid fashion

154

Copyright Š My Sunny Wedding 2011