real wedding shenanigans: dana & chris

Dana and Chris brought on So Smitten for day-of coordination for their beautiful Friday the 13th nuptials in San Juan Capistrano. The ceremony took place at Serra Chapel at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and the reception took place just down the street at Franciscan Gardens (run by 24 Carrots Catering and Events). We love Dana's neutral color palette, gorgeous dress from BHLDN, and her overall aesthetic! The evening featured romantic lighting, fun food stations (including tacos and sliders), a S'mores DIY bar, a caricature artists, and a ton of fun and dancing. And it was all captured by the wonderful Michael Farmer (disclosure: Marni's awesome husband) and Chelsey Coleman of Michael Farmer Photography. Congrats to the happy couple!

Coordinators: So Smitten Special Events
Photographer: Michael Farmer Photography
Ceremony Venue: Serra Chapel, Mission San Juan Capistrano
Reception Venue: Franciscan Gardens, San Juan Capistrano
Caterer: 24 Carrots Catering and Events
Florist: Petals and Pop
Music: DJ Angelo, Michael Angelo Music
Vintage Rentals: Sundrop Vintage
Caricature Artist: Darci Herbold
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Hair: Tomas Visca, Underground Salon
Makeup: Double Take Makeup Artistry

smashing! carmel apple martini

 

In honor of fall, we are featuring the super-yummy caramel apple martini. This elegant martini is a fun and tasty twist on your everyday appletini. Plus, it's candy-sweet and you barely even taste the booze. Talk about dangerously delish!  Garnish with your own special touch whether it be a dried apple slice, rock candy stick, drizzled caramel on the glass, or a squirt of whipped cream on top.

Caramel Apple Martini
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce sour apple schnapps
1/2 fluid ounce butterscotch schnapps
1 cup crushed ice
1 slice dried apple

Directions
Combine vodka, schnapps, and crushed ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously to chill. Pour into martini glass, garnish, and serve.

real wedding shenanigans: larke & russell

Larke and Russell had a spectacularly spooky Halloween wedding on October 31 in Los Angeles. They brought on So Smitten Special Events for full service planning and coordination, design and decor, flowers, and a personalized website. The couple wanted something unique, cool, and fun -- just like them. The design was inspired by Wes Anderson-meets-(not cheesy)-Halloween. We incorporated many of our vintage vases and props, created custom signage, and brought in bright fall flowers. We love how it all turned out!

The ceremony was so unique. Guests were invited to dress up in costume, and many did, including the officiant, who dressed as the Pope, and the ring bearer who was dressed up as Santa Claus. Epic. The couple sang their vows to each other, and after their first kiss, walked back down the aisle wearing horse and unicorn masks. So Epic.

The reception featured fun food stations with street tacos, sliders, butternut squash ravioli, and more, and So Smitten set up a wide array of old fashioned candy. There was lots of laughter, dancing, great speeches, and a rockin' version of Hava Nigila. Such a fun wedding to be a part of!

Photos by Russell Gearhart Photography and Chelsey Coleman for So Smitten Special Events (@apertureantics)

Venue: Millwick, Los Angeles
Planners: So Smitten Special Events
Decor and Flowers: So Smitten Special Events
Caterer: Summit Event Catering
Bar: Sunseri's
Cake: Lark Cake Shop
Photographer: Russell Gearhart Photography
DJ: Karene Daniels
Hair: Ava Brown
Makeup: Stephanie Navarro
Rentals: Apex Tent & Party
Coat Check: Night & Day Productions
Vintage China Plates: Cherished Rentals
Valet: White Label Valet
Shuttle: GTS Charter
Hotel: Hilton Checkers Los Angeles
Rehearsal Dinner: DRAGO Centro
 

real wedding shenanigans: ekta & bobby

Ekta and Bobby had a three day wedding weekend extravaganza, and brought us on as the  coordinators for the sangeet the night before the wedding, and for the big day itself. The day featured a magical Hindu ceremony, gorgeous florals and decor, and a music-and-dance-filled reception at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey. We loved the fun Indian wedding traditions like the groom's baraat (processional on a horse), the stealing of the groom's shoes (which turned into a tug-of-war for the ages), and the delicious Indian food. Ekta's vintage glamor style made for a gorgeous event with tons of fabulous details.

real wedding shenanigans: eric & carmen

After being together for 27 years, Eric and Carmen finally tied the knot in a private ceremony back in December. To celebrate, they brought on So Smitten Special events to help plan a reception/rockin' party, which was held August 22 at their beautiful home in Huntington Beach, California. We worked with Carmen to design a sophisticated nautical theme, as well as to figure out how best to prepare the indoor/outdoor space for 85 guests. Carmen also utilized our decor rentals and had us create the custom signage and floral design. The result was a stunning event on a perfect day where there was plenty of wine flowing. Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!

Planners: So Smitten Special Events
Caterer: Summit Catering and Events
Rentals: OC Events and Apex Tent and Party
Cake: Roosmoor Pastries
Decor and Flowers: So Smitten Special Events
Transportation: Lyft

 

peachy keen color scheme: fall

Fall is aproaching and can we say: We heart Fall! Apples, hot cocoa, mittens.  It's also a lovely season for a wedding, particularly if you are lucky enough to live in a place where the trees change colors.  Walk down the aisle during an outdoor ceremony on a path of gorgeous red and orange leaves.  Serve warm apple pie to your guests.  We also think a hot cocoa bar during the reception would be divine.  In the spirit of Fall, we've put together a color palette for a Fall fête along with a few images for inspiration.

Images (left to right, top to bottom): 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

etsy vendor love: bella puzzles

You may remember our post about wedding guest books when we featured Bella Puzzles. We love to see wedding traditions turned up-side-down, and that is exactly what Bella Puzzles does with their custom-made wooden puzzles which can be used in lieu of the traditional guest book. Personalized with names, figures, photos, and dates, these wedding puzzles are a fun activity for your wedding guests (they sign the pieces), an heirloom made to last for decades, a piece of art you can frame to enjoy everyday, and, of course, a puzzle. We're smitten!







Visit Bella Puzzles' Etsy shop!

All photos, designs, and creative content ©2009-2011 Lara Braithwaite / Bella Puzzles LLC.

artistic inspiration: camping

As epitomized by the photos below, camping-themed weddings are fun, relaxed, and nostalgic. Surrounded by the great outdoors, you can intrigue your guests with a campfire, design make-your-own-s'mores-kits as party favors, remind everyone of the happy camping days of their childhood, and provide a romantic evening under the stars.



















Images: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19

real wedding shenanigans: sandra & alan

Sandra and Alan were married in a beautiful ceremony at California Heights United Methodist Church in Long Beach, California, followed by a gorgeous reception at the bride's parents' house. So Smitten worked closely with Sandra to create a soft, romantic aura for the reception, which featured delicious Mexican food, a photo booth, lawn games, dancing, and a surprise mariachi performance. There's nothing we love more than a beautiful backyard wedding in the summer.

Planners: So Smitten Special Events
Caterer: Summit Catering and Events
Bar Service: Sunseri's
Tent and Rentals: OC Events
Flowers: Flowers by Laurel
Additional Flowers and Decor: So Smitten Special Events
Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop
Transportation: Classy Chassis
Photographer: Hartman Outdoor Photography
DJ: DJ Jonathan
Photo Booth: DJ Tempoe
Hair and Makeup: Stephanie Scholz
Portable Toilets: Mission Valley Sanitation

smashing! cocktail: champagne mojito



This champagne mojito makes us think of a beautiful warm day complete with a slight breeze. Combine fresh mint, tangy lime, and a splash of bubbly for a sweet treat you and your guests will love.


Ingredients
Serves 12
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups packed mint leaves, plus 12 mint sprigs, for garnish
6 limes, cut into wedges
2 cups light rum
Cracked ice
3 cups Champagne or sparkling wine


Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and cook over high heat just until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.

In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the mint leaves and lime wedges and muddle well with a wooden spoon. Add the rum and stir well. Strain the drink into another pitcher.

Fill tall glasses with cracked ice and pour in the drink, filling them about two-thirds full. Top with Champagne, garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.



Recipe via. Images: 1/2/3.

party shenanigans: mikey's first birthday

There's nothing we love more than helping to celebrate milestones like first birthdays. Mikey's parents came up with a unique theme for this pool party: Mikey's Yacht Rock Birthday Brunch. We worked closely with them on the nautical-themed decor and flowers, and the event featured a live band playing Yacht Rock music, a make-your-own mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, an out-of-control spread of brunch food, a speedboat photo wall, and more. Happy Birthday, Mikey!

Planners: So Smitten Special Events
Decor and Flowers: So Smitten Special Events
Band: The Status: Crowes
Photography: Chelsey Coleman (@apertureantics) for Studio M by Michael Farmer Photography
Cake and Desserts: Sweet & Saucy Shop

delovely d.i.y.: pinwheels

There are so many cute and fun ways to incorporate d.i.y. pinwheels into your special day. Whether they are adorning your cake, sprucing up your bridesmaids' bouquets, or acting as a boutineer for the guys, these nostalgic novelties can be created is any color and size, and are sure to bring a smile to everybody's face.
















D.I.Y Instructions via Ruffled.

What you’ll need:
  • Origami paper (4.5 x4.5 inches)
  • Buttons or pins for middle of pinwheel
  • Pin backings or wooden dowels for back of pinwheel
  • Cutting mat
  • X-acto or snap blade
  • Ruler
  • PVA glue or E6000 glue
  • Needle and thread
  • Optional: heavy duty paper awl, bookbinding needle and thread (instead of other needle and thread)
(All supplies are readily available in most arts and crafts stores and/or fabric stores)



Instructions:

Step 1: Measure the origami paper across the diagonal and mark the center point. From about a 1” radius from the center mark, cut along the diagonal to each corner. Dab some PVA glue on the center mark and fold in one of the eight bisected corner sections, so that the point is about a half inch beyond the center of the paper. With a dab of PVA glue between each layer, fold down alternating corner sections (should look like a pinwheel at this point).

Step 2: There are various was to sew the button on to the pinwheel, but here’s how I did it, which minimizes slack in the thread holding the button: Use the paper awl to puncture two holes in the center of the pinwheel (Note: awls make good sized holes, so be sure to space your holes far enough apart to not have them perforate into each other, but not wider than the diameter of the button you are using). Double-knot the end of your book binding thread. From the back of the pinwheel, stitch through the button and back out, gently pulling taut. Since bookbinding thread is nice and thick, sew through the thread, just under the double-knot, and gently pull taut (you should now have a flat bit of thread between the two holes). Tie a knot by looping under the flat bit between the holes, and, before pulling taut, loop back through the slack left on the other side of the flat bit. Trim any excess thread.

Step 3: Put a healthy dollop of E6000 glue on the back of the pinwheel over the knotted area. Lay a clean pin backing or wooden dowel, and gently press into place. Let dry (face down) for at least an hour.

Images via: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18.

smashing! cocktail: adult snow cone



This refreshing cocktail based on the nostalgic summer treat is perfect for a carnival or circus-themed wedding. The kids in attendance will love it, and you can serve the grown-up version featuring one of these delicious concoctions below...

STEP 1: Make your snow
  • Place approximately six cups of ice into a food processor fitted with the grater blade, and shave to a fine texture.
  • Using an ice cream scoop, transfer a cup of shaved ice into a chilled cocktail glass or paper snow cone cup.
  • No matter what spirits you add to the ice, try to cool them before adding to the ice.
STEP 2: Add your flavor
Slowly drizzle any of these chilled concoctions over the ice. Decorate with a garnish to add a burst of color.

1. ITALIAN FREEZE
Toss a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker, add 1 cup Campari and shake. Garnish with a lemon twist.

2. CREAMSICLE POP
Mix 1/2 cup orange concentrate, 1/2 cup Cointreau, and 3 tablespoons vanilla vodka in cocktail shaker and shake.

3. FROZEN MUDSLIDE
Add 1 ounce vodka, 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur, 1 ounce cream, and 1 ounce coffee liqueur to an ice-filled shaker.

4. ICE JOLT
Pour 1 cup of your favorite cream coffee liqueur into an ice-filled shaker and shake. Garnish with a coffee bean.

5. BERRY DELICIOUS
Add 1 cup vodka, 3 tablespoons crême de Cassis, and 1 cup fresh blueberries to a cocktail shaker. Muddle the blueberries in the shaker, then add ice. Shake and garnish with a blueberry.

Recipe via. Images 1/2/3.

real shenanigans: rustic chic baby shower

We recently designed and planned a rustic-chic backyard baby shower for a client in Long Beach, California. The beautiful rentals were provided by Glam Event Stylist, and the delicious brunch food (powdered sugar french toast bites with fruit compote, anyone?!) complete with mimosa bar was provided by Berg Catering. Many of the decor items come from our rental inventory, including the gold plate chargers, wood round centerpieces, and blue and white bottles and jars. For this particular event, we made the signage, and spray painted cute plastic animals gold. Such a beautiful and fun event!

delovely d.i.y.: fabric hoops

These fun and simple fabric hoops make us swoon. How lovely these would be hanging from a reception hall ceiling, acting as a backdrop for the dessert table, or sprucing up a bare wall.











Supplies:
  • Hoops, different sizes (6"-24")
  • Multiple cotton fabrics, at least 1/2 yard of each
  • Scissors
  • Fishing line or ribbon (for hanging and/or accent)
Instructions:
  • Unscrew embroidery hoops into two separate pieces and lay the bottom hoop (the one without the tightener on it) on the table.
  • Lay fabric over bottom hoop, positioning it to maximize fabric and pull as flat across as you can.
  • Push top hoop over bottom hoop to sandwich the fabric, and the fabric should pull tighter as you do this.
  • Pull fabric taut as you tightener the hoops together.
  • Embellish with ribbon at the fastener and suspend at desired height with fishing line or ribbon!
Images via 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11. Instructions via.

artistic inspiration: bunting

Bunting is super-in right now for a couple of reasons. First, it is an easy, low-cost d.i.y. project. Second, it can be used over and over again. Third, bunting can spruce up any plain ceiling, bare overhang, or drab dessert table. And finally, as you can see from these images, bunting can come in any shape, color, size, or material. Be creative while keeping your budget in check, creating a wedding keepsake, and sprucing up your venue.


















Images via 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16