So This is Bliss :: A Northwest Wedding Blog by Luxe Event Productions: December 2010

Luxe Style :: Modern Twist on Retro Holiday Nostalgia

There are so many different styles in the holiday season that it's really fun to use the winter season as inspiration. For example this {Inspired by the Season} Luxe Style wedding inspiration board is all about modern twists on a retro holiday. Using the white faux Christmas tree as our color and image of inspiration here is what I suggest to pull this all together...

Colors:: Royal jewel tone blue, vintage aqua with touches of cheerful pinks and passionate reds
Energy:: Retro holiday nostalgia with a colorful modern twist. Fashion forward, playful and flirty.

Attire Suggestion::
Even though this is for a winter wedding I suggested a short bridal gown. It's so flirty and sexy alongside a jewel tone blue cocktail dress -the girls will look chic and trendy while the men hold the classic stance with a clean black tuxedo and velvety red necktie.

This Karalyn Style from the Vineyard Collection
is in the board, but really there are many short styles
that would work just as well.

Or like this Romona Keveza dress. Short, sassy and modern.

Signature Cocktail Suggestion:: Blue Swoon
Ingredients::
1 oz. blue curaçao liqueur
1 oz. apple juice
4 oz. champagne or Prosecco
½ oz. Rose’s Lime Juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a martini glass. For a sweet touch, line rim of glass with sugar and garnish with a slice of green apple.

Guest Favor Suggestion:: Snowflake shaped holiday cookie.
You can make your own and get all the gals in one place to make these festive treats from scratch by using one of these recipes::

Tiffany Snowflake Cookies from {Cake on the Brain}
Snowflake Cookie Tutorial from {Peggy's Baking Corner}
Snowflake Cookies from {Paula Dean on the Food Network}

Watch this DIY Snowflake Cookie Video from Sandra Lee::
Swirled Snowflake Cookies From {Sandra Lee on Better Home and Gardens}

Or you can just buy them already pre-made from Wedding Flavorites {.com} for $2.60 ea.

Local Reception Venue Suggestion::
The venue needs to be posh and modern, these listed venues below will do the trick for sure. Each have a cocktail area or a vibe that will hold this design well.
The NINES | The Hilton Vancouver | Holocene | Mississippi Studios | Bay 13

Image credits::
Top:: Short wedding dress , Karalyn Style from the Vineyard Collection, Blue cocktail dress from Priscilla of Boston Vineyard Collection, Pink and white holiday snowflake cookie from Holiday Candy Lane; men's suit from Gift Idea Direct.
Middle & Bottom:: Blue Martini from Brides; table design from Country Living, men's bout' from Squido; holiday inspirational image from My Heart and red pom pom from Brides.

A Kiss is Worth a 1000 Words

Image found on We Heart it via Gia Canali Photography

Luxe Style :: Winter Knits and Snow Wedding Inspiration Board

Taking more cues from the season this morning with another addition to our Luxe Style, {Be Inspired by the Season} wedding inspiration board series. Today's inspirational image is a sweet golden retriever enjoying the first snow of the season.

Taking cues from the image's colors I decided to create a warm and intimate event concept that employed the warming hues of gold, vintage whites and bow tie black. A bit creamy and indulgent this Luxe Style is full of winter charm. Not a holiday theme rather a winter inspired snowy-evening-wedding. Touches of vintage glitz coupled with soft winter knits add a seasonal flair that would make this event sparkle with a bit a winter magic.

Colors:: Winter knits, vintage inspired creamy whites and classic black bow tie.
Energy:: Rustic winter glam with the essence of a 1950's ski lodge.

Attire Suggestion:: Creamy white tux with a classic black bow tie for the groom while groomsmen in a traditional black tux with black cumber-bun and matching bow tie.

Maids would look beautiful in black full skirted dresses with a sparkling rhinestone brooch added to complete the look, while the bride wears a silk satin chiffon one-shoulder cap sleeve gown.

This Rita Style from Priscilla of Boston would be perfect!

Signature Cocktail Suggestion:: Bourbon Champagne Cocktail

Found on Cocktails.About.com :: This traditional Champagne Cocktail is made with bourbon in this version, and instead of a sugar cube and bitters it employs a sweet vanilla simple syrup. The flavor of vanilla is one of the best pairings for the taste.

Ingredients:

1 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1/2 oz vanilla syrup (recipe below)
4 oz Korbel Champagne
1/2 vanilla bean

Preparation:

Mix the bourbon and syrup in a Champagne flute.
Top with Champagne.
Garnish with a vanilla bean.

Vanilla Syrup:

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
2 vanilla beans

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan.
Split the vanilla beans lengthwise into halves and place in a heatproof jar or bottle.
Pour the hot syrup over the vanilla beans and let

Guest Favor Suggestion:: (1) Chandelier Crystal ornament. (Ebay is the most cost effective place to buy a large amount of crystals) Hang crystals from winter branches that have been placed in a large vase. Use alternating black and off-white satin ribbons to tie crystals to branches. Place a few tea lights below the branches around the table and watch the sparkle!

Local Reception Venue Suggestion:: The Viewpoint Inn | Mt. Hood B&B | Sunriver Resort | The Allison Inn and Spa | Timberline Lodge | Wine Country Farm | Heathman Lodge, Vancouver | Meriwethers

Image credits::
Top:: Ceramic mason jars would add a little magic to the event for sure, simple and a little retro. Vintage heart, mother of pearl cuff-links found on The Knot; bride with ice skates from Brides;

Middle & Bottom:: Snowy scene and winter knitted bride with bouquet found on Style Me Pretty; chandelier crystal image found on The Knot; signature white cocktail found on Brides.

Luxe Style :: A Roaring 20's Inspired Gown for the Winter Season

I adore fashion and if I could own a million wedding dresses I would. Maybe one day I'll open my own wedding gown salon! Wouldn't that be fun? For now I get to dream about owning a $3000+ dress like this week's {Luxe Style :: A Gown for the Season} created by wedding dress extraordinaire, Jenny Packham.

It doesn't get more LUXE than this! Heavily embellished column gown with beaded waist detail. Made by Jenny Packham, this gown's round neckline and intense embellishments makes me think how perfect this dress would be for a wintry Great Gatsby inspired wedding. Or a roaring 20's event! The conservative cut and heavier weight from the embellishments of this dress would most definitely keep you warm during your January wedding.

This dress is a stunner and certainly a sophisticated look with the high neckline. Jenny Packham makes some of the most breathtaking dresses, this one included.

Let us know what you think! Leave a comment!

Now, this is cool!

Now, now, this cake is totally awesome! Thinking of where the heck to get your wedding?

Here are two of my favorite local wedding cake designers:

Claudia of Cakeway to Heaven & Jenn of Simply Sweets by Jenn

...tell them Misty of Luxe Event Productions sent ya! ;o)

Image found on We Heart it and saved in My Heart, which is my online inspiration album.

Luxe Idea :: Color Your Event

Sometimes thinking outside the box with regard to color palettes for your wedding can be difficult. All I can say in all my experience is "Be creative" and stop trying to make your wedding like what society thinks weddings should look like, make yours all about you. Like today's feature wedding...it's vibrant and completely original, just like your wedding should be. Enjoy the process of being creative and if you need help, contact us anytime for questions...we are always here to help...

To see more of Stephanie & Will's wedding and all it's gorgeous colors, head over to Wedding Obsession!

Images found on We Heart it, via Wedding Obsession;

Luxe Find:: DIY Paper Doilie Wreath -for any time of the year wedding

I just like the look of this dolie wreath so much. And it's an easy DIY project. Not only for a holiday wedding but for your spring, summer or heck any time of the year wedding. I found this while looking at holiday decor and thought what a cost effective idea. Wouldn't this look beautiful hanging on double doors? You could use battery operated lights too. They have those at the craft store for under $5.

From Martha Stewart.com:: A delicate-looking wreath that creates the magical effect of candles flickering in the snow is easy to make and surprisingly sturdy. Wreath frames are strung with twinkling lights that are nestled in frothy, doilylike paper bouquet holders known as "Biedermeiermanschetten."

Step 1

Working on a covered surface, lay a 24-inch wreath form inside a 30-inch one. Attach them with 24-gauge wire at 6 to 8 evenly spaced points.

Step 2

In a ventilated area, coat combined wreath form with white spray paint. Let dry.

Step 3

Wrap wreath form with a 20-foot strand of white holiday lights (test lights beforehand), leaving the plug end unwrapped (as much as is needed to plug in).

Step 4

With scissors, widen the center-hole slits slightly in paper bouquet holders (we used 10 8.8-inch ones, 20 6.4-inch ones, 20 4.8-inch ones, and 50 3.2-inch ones). Poke a finger through center hole of each bouquet holder (from front to back) to create openings large enough to accommodate a lightbulb.

Step 5

Beginning with largest ones, place bouquet holders evenly around wreath, slipping a light through each hole so that bulb bases, not bulbs, rest against paper. (From time to time, hang wreath, and step back to ensure that the arrangement is balanced and attractive.)

Step 6

Add remaining bouquet holders in descending size order. Use smallest bouquet holders to cover centers of larger ones and to fill in any gaps.

Hang near an outlet.

Unplug when unattended.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Paper-Doily Wreath - Martha Stewart Crafts

A Kiss is Worth a 1000 Words

...Many have seen this wedding before out there in the blogosphere, but really it is worth every second of re-looks...

If you have yet to see this wedding head over to Martha Stewart Weddings and enjoy!

Luxe Idea:: Cake Display

What I love about this Luxe Idea is that the cake is atop an old vintage cake tin, not a cake stand. It's black aluminum charm really sets the tone of the table and lends to a classic and nostalgic presentation. You could find tins like this one on Ebay, I've a few in my time surfing around...

This image came form a Ashley and Kirk's wedding posted over at Once Wed.

Images found in My Heart, via Once Wed, Cake and Cupcakes by: Back in the Day Bakery

Real NW Wedding :: American Korean Wedding on Orcas Island

I just love traditional weddings. There's something to be said for a couple who embraces who they are and offers a nod to their family's cultural wedding traditions. Ben and Jin did just that, they had a traditional American-Korean wedding. Thanks to our friends Jagger Photography for sharing this beautiful event with us.

They were married at the Inn at Ship Bay on Orcas Island, the hotel overlooked the ocean on a huge cliff. The setting was perfect. Jin was the quintessential classic American AND Korean bride.

A little about Korean Wedding Traditions:: Before a Korean bride may be married, she must take part in the traditional Introduction ceremony, where she is accepted into the groom's family.After the Korean newlyweds have exchanged their wedding vows, the groom, formally, introduces his new wife to his parents. The groom's father may throw red dates at his daughter-in-law to bring her luck in fertility.

Important Korean Symbols:: A couple getting married in Korea might incorporate ducks or geese into their wedding ceremony. Both ducks and geese mate for life and represent faithfulness.At one time, a man who wanted to get married in Korea, would travel to his future bride's home on a white pony and present her family with a pair of geese.

Congrats Ben & Jin! Wishing you all the happiness the world can offer. You're wedding day was picture perfect and we thank you so much for sharing a little bit of it with us.