Dessert of the Week: Smores Bar

Do you and your fiance love campfires? Why not bring some of that fun to your wedding with a Smores Bar! This tasty bar was put together by Mallow Mallow and will leave your guests happy campers!

Photography by Siegel Thurston Photography

Smores from Mallow Mallow // Photography by Siegel Thurston Photography

Wedding Wednesday: Chelsea & Scott

8/29/2015  |  Private Residence

Chelsea and Scott blend their families in a beautiful shabby chic wedding in Fallbrook, CA. There are many tender moments between Chelsea and her son, Scott and his daughter, as well as Chelsea and her loving father.

Photography: Elle Lily Photography & Videography

Ask Abby: The A-Zs of Throwing a Traditional Sofreh Aghd

Cultural Weddings are some of our favorites as they can showcase a couple's culture and pay homage to the traditions laid out by their ancestors. We spoke with Romy from Fazeli Cellars who has hosted Sofrehs at the winery! Check out the gorgeous detailed photos below from a Sofreh Aghd held at Fazeli Cellars and learn a little more about the A-Zs of hosting a traditional Iranian wedding ceremony! 

Aghd, the Iranian wedding ceremony, is a beautiful and joyful event dating back thousands of years to the ancient culture of Iran-zamin. It incorporates and pays tribute to many aspects of the Zoroastrian traditions and to the elements of nature; including earth, wind, fire and water.  Each of these four elements is represented on the Sofreh (the spread) and is believed to bring prosperity and happiness in the couple’s life and marriage.
Items on the Sofreh and their symbolism:
Ayeneye_Bakht (Large mirror) - believed to bring light and brightness into the future
Sha’am (Two candelabras) - to symbolize fire and energy
Naan-e-Sangak (Flatbread/bread) - represents prosperity
Tokhm-e-Morgh (Decorated eggs) – to symbolize fertility
Gerdou & Bodoum (Walnuts & almonds) – to symbolize fertility
Seeb (Apples) – to symbolize the divine creation of mankind
Anar (Pomegranates) – for a joyous future, pomegranates are considered heavenly fruits
Nabaat (Crystallized sugar) – to sweeten life for the newlyweds
Asal (Honey) – consumed right after the ceremony to ensure sweetness in life
Kalleh Gand (Two large sugar cones) – to shower the couple with sugar symbolizing sweetness and happiness
Esfand (Wild rue) – to represent purity and good health and ward off the evil eye 
Sabzi (Tray of fresh herbs) – to share the happiness and prosperity of the couple with the guests
Shirini (Sweets & pastries) – to share the sweetness of life with the guests after the ceremony
Noghl (Almond candy) – representing prosperity
Other various items on Sofreh may include:
Termeh (Embroidered cloth) – traditional Persian gold or silver embroidered fabric used to decorate the table,
usually a family heirloom representing family and tradition
Golaab (Rose water) – extracted from Persian roses to perfume the air
Hafez (Book of Poetry) – beautiful poems of love and life for the couple to reflect upon
Or
Shaah-Naameh (The Book of Kings) – to reflect Iran’s history and its cultural values
Or
Koran (The Muslim Holy book) – for religious or spiritual representation

Wedding Wednesday: Ari & Josh

2/7/2015   |  Wiens Family Cellars

From the Photographer: "Josh and Ari tied the knot at theWiens Family Cellar, in Temecula. It was an extremely fun wedding, filled up with lots of dancing and drinking. Earlier in the day, I walked around with Josh and Ari for some portraits. We found this really cool grapefruit field right next to the winery, so I thought it would be a good idea to start there. Josh made everything really easy by cracking jokes every five minutes. We then drove to a nearby barn that I know very well.
It was not only the union on two people and two families, but the fusion of two cultures. Most of Ari’s family came from Mexico, and were really happy to witness that special moment.
Here are a few of my favorites from Josh and Ari, in Temecula."

ingredients
Location: Wiens Family Cellars
Photography: Fonyat Photographer
Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co.
Florist: Wholesale Flowers and Supplies

Wedding Wednesday: Dena & Michael

6/20/2015  |  Del Mar Country Club

From the photographer: "The moment I heard that the wedding was going to be at the Del Mar Country Club, I knew that it was going to be more than special. With planning by After the Engagement, flowers by Organic Elements, and an amazing cake by Twigs Bakery & Coffeehouse, it was definitely a match made in heaven.This makes it perfect for Mike and Dana, the kind of couple that anybody would love to watch as they get married. From the moment the preparations for the ceremony started, all the way until every single guest was on their feet, celebrating with the newly-weds, every frame was perfect.Watch out for the highlights and stolen moments caught on camera as Mike, Dana, and everyone around them celebrated life and love in this rustic wedding."

ingredients
Photography: Fonyat Photographer
Location: Del Mar Country Club
Coordinator: After the Engagement Event Planner
Florist: Organic Elements Floral Designer
Officiant: Pastor Mike Mitschke Officiant
Cake: Twiggs Bakery and Coffee House Cake Designer

Dessert of the Week: Part Naked Cake/Part Formal Cake

Cake by European Cake Gallery

Do you like the idea of a naked cake but can't fully commit to it? Why not have the best of both worlds? By exposing part of the cake, you can still have the effect of a naked cake but with the elegance of a frosted cake! Happy holidays from our wedding family to yours!

Wedding Wednesday Martha & Mauricio

4/111/2015  |  

Martha & Mauricio tied the knot at their home church in Chula Vista, CA on a gorgeous April afternoon. Martha looked breathtaking in her elegant floor-length veil and trumpet style wedding dress with romantic sleeves. These two lovebirds are beyond adorable, and their heartfelt vows were so beautiful. Every moment of this wedding day was absolutely perfect!Their fairy-tale reception was at Rancho Guajome Adobe- a gorgeous park and wedding venue in Vista, CA. What a perfect backdrop for some romantic portraits of the bride & groom! Rancho Guajome Adobe is such a great San Diego wedding venue. Their reception was held in the garden area, and the space was perfect. There was plenty of room for all of her guests to dine, dance, and celebrate the afternoon.I so loved their vintage inspired reception decorations. Martha put tons of her details together herself. Giant hand-made paper flowers hung in the trees, and created a beautiful element of fantasy in this garden wedding reception. I also love the vintage suitcase used to hold cards from guests. So cute! She really made so many amazing DIY wedding details! Guests were also able to take home a really great personalized glass to remember the wedding day. What a useful and unique wedding favor idea! Putting together so much of the wedding themselves meant that their wedding was truly customized, and was a great representation of who Martha & Mauricio are as a couple! It was so precious!

ingredients
Photography: Brit Jaye Photography
Ceremony Location: La Vid San Diego
Reception Location: Rancho Guajome Adobe 

Dress: Pronovias Dress Designer / David's Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses 

Entertainment: DJ Misha DJ 

Rings: Givenchy Jewelry 

Men's Formlawear: Ralph Lauren Tuxedo
Hair: Thorne Artistry Hair Stylist

Ask Abby: Who Should Come With Me to Try on Wedding Dresses?

 

Photos of Archive Bridal

This is a question that varies bride to bride and how involved you want your family and friends to be. Second opinions are definitely important especially in such a big purchase as your wedding gown but you also don't want too many cooks in the kitchen. Make sure to go in with an open mind, the dress you want may not be the dress you originally had in mind. Try on everything they bring you and take the second opinions into consideration. Remember, you want to leave with a dress that you love and will feel 110% comfortable in on your wedding day. If you don't find it at the first salon you try, that's okay too! Some brides love the first dress they try on and some love the 101st dress, it's not a competition! Find what you love that you feel confident in and the rest will fall into place!

Ask Abby: Do I Still Need to Send Paper Invitations?

Invitations by Petals & Paper

In the ever increasing technical age we live in, more and more things are going online. Which poses the question of can I send my wedding invitations online?

While there are some websites that specialize in this, it is still traditional and best to send paper invitations. If you are concerned about a budget for the invitations, there are many companies that specialize in wedding invitations and can work with you and your budget. There are many factors that go into the price of invitations including paper material, how many invites there are, and response cards among others. They can still produce an end product that your guests will keep for years and cherish with fond memories of your wedding, regardless of your budget.

Wedding Wednesday: Jolina & Trevor

5/10/2015  |  Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center

Jolina and Trevor have such a beautiful and unique love story. ?Friends in college, they parted ways after graduation, reunited years later and realized their attraction for each other was strong and real. They have been inseparable ever since! They celebrated their wedding day with close friends and family near San Clemente State Beach at the Wedgewood Golf Club. Their rustic-inspired DIY wedding touches were nothing short of adorable and perfectly complimented their love for each other on their special day. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Manchester!

ingredients
Location: Wedgwood Wedding and Banquet Center
Photographer: Green Feather Photography
Florist: Flower Company of San Clemente
Entertainment: Garrin Romero and Team
Cake: It’s All About the Cakes
Dress: JLM Couture Boutique
Hair & Makeup: Salon Incognito