Wedding Wednesdays : My Best Friend's Malibu Wedding

My best friend of 22 years said "I do" to the love of her life on March 27, their seven-year anniversary, at the breathtakingly beautiful Malibu West Beach Club, and I was so blessed to stand beside her as her maid of honor. It was a perfect, warm, sunshine-filled Southern California day and the sparkling Pacific and clear blue skies made for a gorgeous backdrop during the outdoor ceremony, held on a patio overlooking the beach. Marielle stunned in her Maggie Sottero fit-and-flare gown, with sweetheart bodice and intricate rosette detailing in the skirt, while the bridesmaids donned vibrant blue chiffon frocks with ruffled necklines. A close friend officiated the nuptials, and Marielle and JP shared sweet and funny personal vows they wrote for each other. (I had the privilege of looking them over before the big day!) Once they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs., the wedding party kicked off their shoes and headed down to the sand for pictures while the rest of the guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio. A nod to JP's love of football, the newlyweds made their grand entrance into the reception by breaking through a paper sign and strutting to the NFL theme song! They then went right into their first dance, swaying and spinning 'round to John Legend's soulful ballad "All of Me." The reception was held inside the beach club, and Marielle's vision of a cobalt blue and yellow wedding, with chevron table overlays (hand-sewn by the mother of the bride) and touches of glitter and gold, came together even better than I could have imagined. No seashells or nautical kitsch here; the look was bright, fun, graphic and modern. A chic beachside wedding. After dinner was served (the 105 guests noshed on beef short ribs, bruschetta salmon or butternut squash risotto), the best man and I gave our speeches (eek!), and then the dance party began. In addition to cake, a dessert table/snack bar (another nod to the sports-obsessed groom) offered up cookies, cupcakes, brownie bites, jam bars, gourmet popcorn and pretzels to fuel wedding revelers, while the flowing wine and beer fueled hilarious takes in the ever-popular photo booth. In addition to their photo strips, guests took home custom etched pint glasses inscribed with the bride and groom's names and wedding date. A lot of love, sweat, glitter and spray paint went into crafting a dream day—a day seven years in the making—and it truly was the best day ever for Marielle and JP. There's nothing more I could wish for my best friend.

These photos were borrowed from the Instagram accounts of some of the couple's vendors: Matrimony Films, Nick Belohlavy Photography, and makeup artist/hair stylist Melissa Beck-Swarberg. I can't wait to see the professional photographs once they come in! Until then, I present my quick snaps from the rehearsal and wedding day, after the jump... 

Wedding Wednesdays : Hand-lettered Signs & Cards

[ A dressed-up envelope to accompany a special, glittery card for the newlyweds. ]

After deciding to learn calligraphy last fall, my best friend quickly informed me that she'd love to put her maid of honor's newfound skills to work creating signage for her wedding. And in the two weeks leading up to her March 27th Malibu nuptials, put to work I was! I hand-wrote three chalkboard signs; two for the ceremony space and one for the bar. It was my first time ever using chalk markers and, while I'm sure there's a better way, I freehanded each of them. Several hours were spent on each one. I also lettered or calligraphed smaller, framed paper signs (for the gift table, the escort card table, and one with their wedding hashtag) as well as place cards for the dessert and snack bar so guests would know which cookies were chocolate chip and which were peanut butter, and so on. The treat table signs were whipped up, no joke, at 2 a.m. the morning of the wedding at the request of a bridesmaid who was heading up the last-minute "Mission: Dessert Table." (Funny enough, I was happiest with how these tired-eyed pieces came out. I guess I was too exhausted to overthink them.) In addition, I created a personalized card for Marielle to give JP on their wedding day.

Finally, perhaps my biggest task, was painstakingly calligraphing 105 escort cards with guests full names in black Sumi ink and table numbers in gold (and then helping the bride stick on glittered tape to distinguish who was getting beef, fish or vegetarian). Initially I planned to break this massive project up into chunks, but due to time constraints I ended up writing all the names in one day and then writing the table numbers the next.

I am a perfectionist to a fault and my own worst critic, so while some of the projects didn't ultimately meet my high, self-imposed standards—I feel I could have done better on the escort cards if I'd had more time—the bride and groom were absolutely thrilled with everything and I heard that some of the wedding guests even commented on my work, thinking it was created by a professional or store-bought. So I know I need to cut myself some slack and be proud of all that I did create, especially since I'm still learning and it was my first time doing many of the projects. (I didn't even do all this sign-making work for my own wedding! Though still a big undertaking, the menus, dessert table signs, and favor tags/escort cards were simply written in my own, natural hand and the chalkboard signs were created by our very kind catering coordinator.)

Without further adieu, I thought I'd share a few photos of my work. I'm looking forward to seeing my bestie's professional shots when she gets them in! While it was, at times, a bit stressful taking on all these projects, it was a true labor of love for my very favorite lady.

Thanks for looking and reading! If you are interested in learning calligraphy, I would suggest taking Molly Jacques' Skillshare class. (Use my referral link to get a free month of membership with unlimited access to all Skillshare classes.) And my No. 1 tip is practice! I got a lot of practice making all those little signs, and multiple versions to boot, not to mention writing all those escort cards :)

P.S. You can follow along on my calligraphy journey on Instagram! Find me posting my latest creations and practice sessions at @wispandwhim.

Wedding Wednesdays : My Bestie's Kate Spade-Inspired Bridal Shower {Sneak Peak!}

[ The bride and I, posing in front of the "selfie station." ]

This past Saturday was my best friend's bridal shower. After months of planning (see the invitations here!), it was both thrilling and nerve-wracking to see my Kate Spade-inspired vision come together. Things went off mostly without a hitch. We were a little slow to get going in the beginning, still putting out food when the clock struck 1 p.m., but fortunately party guests tend to trickle in a little late. Plus, it was such an intimate gathering, with just 16 gals, so there was really no pressure for perfection (even if I do put that upon myself!). Everyone was just mixing and mingling for a few minutes, taking advantage of the "selfie station" and the bar until I corralled the gang together to officially kick off the party. It was smooth sailing thereafter. Today I'm finishing up last-minute details for the bachelorette bash in San Diego, which we leave for tomorrow, so for now I thought I'd just share a few images from the shower. Many, many more to come!

[ The shower decorations included calligraphed signs, Scrabble tile messages and engagement photos. ]

[ Pop, fizz, clink! Mini champagne bottles bedecked with pink bow ties were the perfect party favors. ]

Homeward Bound

Today's the day! This afternoon I'll be boarding a flight home (with Jasper in tow) to Simi Valley, California. This weekend is my best friend's bridal shower, which I have been thinking about and planning for months! I'm excited to see it all finally come together and a little nervous, too, hoping everything goes off without a hitch. Just five days after the shower, the bride and I, along with her best gals, will be off for a bachelorette bash in San Diego. Two weeks after that, G will join me in SoCal for the wedding of another pair of friends. And two weeks after that, it will be my bestie's turn at the altar (and I'll be giving my maid of honor speech, eek!). Suffice to say, I have a busy month-and-a-half ahead of me, partying it up to be sure but also helping out my favorite bride-to-be with anything and everything she may need. Wish me luck! I'll be sure to check back in and share about all the fabulous festivities.

[ Me & my bestie, at my wedding last May. ]

(California sunset image via Kayleen Eng,
wedding photo by heidi-o-photo)

Wedding Wednesdays : Cobalt & Gold Invitations

Almost nothing makes me happier than happy mail. You know the kind. Not bills. Not fliers. Not even coupons. But handwritten letters, party invitations... Basically love in an envelope. Last week I received the happiest of happy mail I could ever receive: My best friend's wedding invitation!

Marielle's wedding vision includes rich cobalt, golden accents and chevron details, and the invitations she ultimately chose—and trust me, the MOH, there were several in the running!—convey that theme perfectly. Because even though she and her fiancé are getting married at a beach club (their engagement session was nearby in Santa Monica), they are not having the typical seaside, shells-strewn-everywhere wedding. The bride-to-be used Paper Source to custom create her sleek, chic and modern invitations that subtly recall the golden era of the 1920s. Her mother and one of the bridesmaids put their excellent penmanship skills to work and addressed the envelopes, while Marielle used a personalized stamp for the return address. Like G and I, the happy couple used fun, casual language on the RSVP card (guests are encouraged to write a song request on the back!) and to keep costs down they printed their own directions and information card. Smart!

I'm still debating exactly which song I should request but one thing is certain: I'm so excited for this shindig!

P.S. You can see G and I's wedding stationery here.

Wedding Wednesdays : Confetti & Gold Shower Invites

Now that these pretties have made their way into the hands of all invited guests, I can safely share my bestie's bridal shower invitations. As my best friend's maid of honor, I'm spearheading the bridal shower and bachelorette festivities. And, as I've mentioned before, the theme for the shower is top secret so I still don't want to say exactly what I have planned but these invitations give a pretty big hint and offer a peek into the look and feel I'm envisioning (and, hopefully, executing!) for the party.

These invites were a definite labor of love. I searched and searched for the perfect invitation style (browsing collections on Minted, Wedding Paper Divas, Paperless Post and more) that would convey the shower theme and be a beautiful reflection of the bride. My bestie and I couldn't be more different—I'm very much a pastel and florals, boho kind of gal (as seen in my wedding decor) and Marielle is more into bright, bold colors, graphic prints and sparkle. The Shining Shower invitations I ultimately chose, from Wedding Paper Divas, were my favorite early on and nothing else I found or even mocked up could sway me from the fun and modern confetti design. I did, however, have to make a few customizations to get the invites just how I wanted them. At first I requested a turquoise blue background but black ended up being the best choice for clarity; fortunately, it looks chic and really makes the pink and gold accents pop. And since I just can't help myself (and had a sweet discount code), I sprang for the pearlized paper and scalloped edges.

Ordering the invitations was just half the battle. The easiest part, actually! Originally I planned to only calligraph the guests' names on the outside of the envelope and write the rest of the address in my normal hand. But, alas, my Sharpies weren't looking great on my tester envelope and the Lettermate I ordered to help me write straight was lost in the mail, so I decided to calligraph the entire address. As a calligraphy newbie, it was quite the stressful two days! Mixing up the white ink to the proper consistency so it would flow out of my nib, and then writing as carefully as possible. Luckily there were only 22 invitations to address and I only seriously messed up a handful of times and had plenty of extra envelopes. While the perfectionist in me sees my flaws and areas to improve, I am happy with how they turned out overall.

For an extra special touch (and to save me some time), I ordered a set of return address labels that had a complimentary black-and-gold confetti motif. And because no envelope is complete without a little washi tape, I picked up a black-and-white stripe tape and a turquoise-and-gold polka dot tape from Target to seal them up in style.

I hope my friend, the bride, loves them! Just three weeks until I leave for California for all the wedding festivities, and 24 days until the shower!

P.S. The recipe cards I tucked inside for guests to fill out are from Rifle Paper Co.

Sparkle & Pop : Look-at-Me Party Pieces

Agean Sea Beaded Cluster Necklace // Chelsea Crew Lola Peep Toe Pumps // Elyza Lace Striped Dress

One of the perks of being a maid of honor and planning fabulous parties for your best friend/bride-to-be is the excuse to go shopping. Because clearly I need a new outfit for the bridal shower, the bachelorette, the rehearsal dinner... (I already know what I'm wearing to the wedding!) Of course my husband would take one look at my closet and completely disagree with that theory and he might have a point but this dress-aholic (yes, it is a mostly dress-specific problem I have) finds a way to ignore him.

So the other day, I took a break from my MOH planning duties to do a little online window shopping. At first I was on the hunt for a new black dress for the bachelorette, since the "theme" for our big night out on the town—drinks, dinner, dancing—is "bling it on." The bride's ladies will be wearing black dresses with sparkling accessories. But finding a LBD that excites me enough to open my wallet—me, the one who is drawn to COLOR! PRINTS! FLORALS! as well as boho styles that don't quite fit the gone-clubbing aesthetic—proved difficult.

But when I saw the chic, black-and-white striped number at Francesca's I knew it would be perfect for the bridal shower. Now, I'm still keeping the theme for the shower a secret (just in case the bride spies this post) but I'm sure many of you can put these party pieces together and figure it out. In addition to the glitzy, golden peep toe pumps and the bright blue, almost confetti-like statement necklace, I'm planning on adding a hot pink belt to the ensemble. Or, perhaps I'll just tie a raspberry-hued grosgrain ribbon around my waist. Effective and affordable. (My hubby would approve.)

Since I'm a coupon googling master, I was able to find a 20% off code and score the above outfit for less than $100. Nevertheless, I know I can't drop a C-note on a new outfit for every party, so (hubs, are you listening?) I've resigned myself to making a black dress I already have hanging in my closet work for the bachelorette. The frock has tiny gold stitching throughout so it would fit the bling theme perfectly. Plus, now I have a pair of gold heels for the occasion.

But, of course, I am feeling like I need a little more glitz and glamour. (My jewelry box is more about color than sparkle.) These beauties from Anthropologie would definitely fit the bill. A girl can dream, right?

Labradorite Shimmer Round Ring // Rio Jeweled Drops // Lacespark Bib Necklace

Wedding Wednesdays : Confessions of a Maid of Honor

Lately, I have weddings on the brain. Not my own; my bestie's. I'm the maid of honor. (Technically, matron of honor, but no one better dare call me that!) The last six months or so, despite being 3,000 miles apart, I have been working hard to be the BEST best-friend-of-the-bride I can be. Which means I am part cheerleader, part counselor, part confidant. I listen, I advise, I encourage. As anyone who has planned a wedding knows, it is an incredibly stressful time, draining physically, mentally and emotionally. Weddings bring up all the feelings, good and bad. So I've been trying to help her navigate those sometimes rocky waters while also always being at least emotionally available (a phone call, text or email away) as her life boat, her life preserver, when the waves of planning, researching, budgeting, and overall decision-making get too much to withstand. While planning my wedding last year, I too, for different but likewise difficult reasons and circumstances, was often overcome by stress and sadness that seemed to push me to the brink. Marielle was there for me. It's my turn to be there for her.

At the same time, I've been trying to uphold my end of the party planning. I am throwing her bridal shower and organizing the bachelorette. Rough plans, ideas, themes have been in the works for months but the actual planning has intensified these last eight weeks as I try to coordinate with the bride, the bridesmaids and other party guests. The bachelorette—a long weekend in San Diego, kicked off with a day of wine tasting in Temecula—is finally booked as of Monday. Other than ordering some fun bachelorette shirts and making restaurant reservations, that party is done, planned. Now I can turn my attention back to the bridal shower, for which I have a venue, a (secret!) theme, some supplies and decor purchased, a general idea of the day's menu, and assignments out to the bridesmaids who are itching to contribute. My primary to-do at this point is to assemble, address and send out the beautiful invitations I ordered. (I promise I'll share all about the shower at some point, I just don't want to spoil the surprise!)

So just like when I was a bride planning my own wedding, being a maid of honor is both fun and hard. I'm excited and exhausted. But also like with my wedding, the thing that makes all the to-do lists and late nights worth it is LOVE. I love my best friend (of 22 years!) and even though she has learned and felt the truth that I discovered a year ago—that planning a wedding can, more often than not, suck the joy out of what society insists should be the happiest time in a young woman's life—I want to give her at least a few truly joyful days where she doesn't think about the stresses of planning, the decisions left to make, how she and her fiancé are going to pay for everything. My dear friend, the bride, deserves days where she just feels filled with happiness, celebrated by the people who love and support her.

Even though it's not always the case, that's what a wedding should be about.

(Photos by heidi-o-photo, bottom image of 
my bestie/MOH toasting G and I at our wedding)

Love & the Beach : A Santa Monica Engagement

My best friend is getting married!!!!! I'm so excited for her. (Can you tell?) Right now she is swimming in the sometimes stormy sea that is wedding planning (I know all about it), but the beacon, the lighthouse in the night, is this: She is marrying a great, funny, sweet guy who absolutely adores her. What more could you want for your best friend?

Today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite takes from Marielle and JP's engagement session. But first, a bit of backstory: I have known Marielle for 21 years, since third grade! We met as 8-year-olds on our elementary school playground in Simi Valley, Calif. I was kind of lonely. My first "best friend" and I had a falling out (drama so young, can you believe it?) so I was spending recess alone, by myself. I saw a group of girls playing together, giggling and having fun, and somehow I summoned the courage to go over to them. I'm not sure how very shy me managed to do that but I'm so glad I did. Because when I asked Marielle if I could play, too, she answered without hesitation and immediately welcomed me into the group. The rest is history! We've been best friends ever since.

Marielle and JP also have a long history. The two have been together since 2008, and they actually got engaged on their six-year anniversary this past March. It was important to them that the engagement happen on their dating anniversary, but JP was still able to keep it a surprise. Marielle didn't think it was happening this year, so she was totally shocked when he got down on one knee at the end of their date night, giving her the intimate proposal she always wanted. JP's sister had covertly placed flowers, candles and a Build-A-Bear teddy on their doorstep for Marielle to find when they came home. When she saw the set-up, Marielle still just thought JP was making a romantic anniversary gesture. But the bear held a special message when squeezed, telling her she was "The One," and when she spun around JP was down on his knee with a ring.

Isn't that just the sweetest?!

It was also important to the pair that they get married on their anniversary date, so the wedding is set for March 27, 2015. They'll be saying "I do" at the gorgeous Malibu West Beach Club. Marielle knew she wanted to get hitched by the ocean, and she wanted her and JP's e-session to reflect a beachy, fun vibe, too. That's why they chose the vibrant and colorful Santa Monica Pier. It was the perfect location for a fun-loving, SoCal couple.

Thanks, Marielle and JP for letting me share! Love you guys! So excited for the big day.

(Photography by Simply Perfect Images)