other folks weddings: {malia & michelle}

i'm thrilled to feature this gorgeous wedding that took place last year on september 25...a lovely desert wedding at the ever so fabulous ace hotel in palm springs.  disclaimer:  i've known malia {in suit} since the early 1990's and i'm over the moon that she found michelle, the girl for her.  this relaxed, joyous wedding is full of love and fun... and i adore michelle's vintage style and yes, malia is woman who wears men's clothes...and wears them well! so get yourself a tasty beverage that reminds you of the relaxed summer vibe that this wedding emits, think sunny california desert thoughts and toast to malia and michelle!

how long were you together before you got married?

we have known each since the mid 90s but were a couple for about two years before we got married.

did you diy anything?  what did you leave to vendors?

we did the save the dates ourselves...our invitations were done custom by kimberly austin at austinpress in san francisco.  our beautiful flowers and the decor were done by luna at arrangements design in palm springs.  both ladies were a complete treat to work with and really understood what we wanted!

tell me about the day{s}.

we got married on sept 25 2011 at the ace hotel in palm springs...we love going there year round so we thought it would be perfect to have the wedding there...lots of happy times there for us...we had about 120 friends and family from all parts of the world join...we pretty much took over the hotel for the week! it felt really special to see all our loved ones in one giant magical place. the day of the wedding was filled with swimming, eating, the ceremony, and lots of dancing and more swimming! and a ton of love!!!

how did you approach the planning process?

we have a wonderful friend heather who can arrange parties with her eyes closed!so thankfully she helped us! also taneka at the ace hotel helped with arranging everything dealing with the space and vendors and the delicious food!!! 

what was important?

music!!! luckily the wonderful zach cowie lent us his talent for the night! no one wanted to stop dancing! it was awesome because the space had a private pool so people could dance and jump in the pool too.  zach really took time out of his crazy music world life to understand what we wanted to dance to and it turned out perfect!

what was your favorite part of the day?
the unreal amount of love that everyone brought...sounds cheesy but it was really so sweet...

one piece of advice?

just really enjoy each part of the planning and relax on the day of...it goes by really quick!

{photographer: eyla cuenca}

{dj: zach cowie}

{flowers & decor: luna at arrangements design}

rock & roll elegance...new design company

i'm doing something different for music mondays this week....i'm featuring awesome music-inspired wedding invitations.

how amazing are these invites & save the dates created by new design firm riot structure ? the save the dates are actual 45's that they re-purposed and added their own design to...and the invite harkens back to the extra cool rock posters back in the 60's & 70's...

well, design duo katie & josh designed these super cool invites for their own wedding. after they pulled off that event, they decided to make it a living & launched riot structure design firm with a third partner, mike. katie & josh just ooze style & taste...don't you want their eyes on your invites?

they have also done a rock doc {full disclosure: they did the graphics for HIT SO HARD, the documentary about patty} and album covers...they definitely take your interests into consideration when designing. for example, they did a bookmark style invite for some avid readers...

want to have your wedding invites designed by riot structure? they would like to do a creative design for an aesthetically adventurous couple. is that you? just mention steady happy and get 10% off your design fee {not printing}.

{photo credit: riot structure}

hippies buy used dresses

for $26!! not sure why i'm on such a hippie dress kick lately, but i simply can't ignore an amazing hippie wedding dress for $26, yes you read that right: twenty-six dollars, people!

{photo credit here}

dress like a hippie...

loving this dress from one of my favorite "upcycle" or recycle designers amour sans anguish...she made this dress for me. this would be awesome for a hippie or prairie bride...if a hippie decided to get married...

and it's only $225...amazing!

{photo credit here}

headband fit for a hippie...

i'm loving this headband, i would wear it everyday, or...

perfect for a hippie wedding...

{photo credit: liasion by kat swank}

i know you covet a monique lhuillier gown...

so some friends are casting for a monique lhuillier series and are looking for a bride-to-be...who knows who might want to be on tv to get a monique lhuillier gown? so i thought i'd post. no judgement if you apply....

from their site:

"MONIQUE LHUILLIER DOCU SERIES”

NOW CASTING: Brides-to-be with stories that will touch hearts across America!

A Major Cable Network and Gay Rosenthal Productions are seeking brides-to-be for a new Docu-Series.

· Do you have an emotional or inspirational story connected to your upcoming wedding?

· Do you have a particularly emotional or dramatic story that led to your engagement?

· Have you always wanted to walk down the aisle in the wedding gown of your dreams?

· Do you know someone getting married who has a great emotional story?

Monique Lhuillier is among the worlds leading creators of haute couture bridal wear -- brides and celebrities all over the world have sought her out to design their gowns.

On this new show, lucky brides will have the opportunity of a lifetime to wear the dress of their dreams!

To apply visit: http://thecastingfirm.com/monique-lhuillier

do hippies even get married?

well, if so, here's another hippie wedding dress. or prairie. or backyard garden. i'd love to see someone get married in this sweet dress.

{get this gorgeous dress here}

hippie is a state of mind...

ok, i have to weigh in on this. after esb did her version of a hippie wedding, i feel like i needed to throw in my 2 cents...being a hippie at heart and all...

hippie is a state of mind, not a style...you can't just throw on a new dress, spend lots on a flower headband and call yourself a hippie. i'd suggest finding a vintage dress, going barefoot, having a pot-luck, recycling and donating to charity instead of accepting gifts...so there, my 2 cents.

{photos from tavin shop, where she recently opened a vintage bridal section...}

hot knee highs & vintage inspiration {the citizens band}

ok, with all this talk of knee highs, i had to post about my friends sarah sophie flicker & jorjee douglass...they are the founding members of the citizens band, a fantastic cabaret troupe with a political bent.  their latest show, performed last october in new york, called 'the panic is on'
is described this way:

The Citizens Band's sixth original show, finds the troupe trapped in makeshift bomb shelter where they're forced to find common ground and hope in a terror filled world . Performing a spirited mix of classic songs and original compositions they ponder such issues as fear mongering, war, immigration, xenophobia, poverty and their own dreams for political change.

full of song, dance, trapeze acts, acrobats {who can ask for anything more?}, the citizen's band shows are truly a spectacular event.  part protest, part entertainment, their shows are amazing, full of fantastic talent, including, to name a few:  Chelsea Bacon, Ian Buchanan, Michael Cavadias, Turner Cody, Aaron Conte, Adam Crystal, Jorjee Douglass, Karen Elson, Jesse Gelber, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Rachelle Garniez, Jesse Gelber Mike Jackson, Mark McAdam, Angela McCluskey, Amy Miles, Jon Natchez, Jedediah Parish, Nina Persson, Rain Pheonix, Ronin and Craig Wedren

politics and protest aside, check out the amazing vintage fashions, including--yep, you guessed it--knee-socks and thigh-highs. {just for you, esb.}

they haven't been to los angeles in ages, and their last show in new york {home base} was last october, but keep your ears open...you won't want to miss it the next time the come a protesting... 

{photo 1: gaetano salvadore; photos 2,3: via the citizens band; photos 4-7: richard bush

for dazed and confused via gluda finds lulu}