Ok, so these two are not really nearly-weds…they’re actually very newly, newly-weds! They JUST got married this past weekend, but I came across their engagement pictures by Rob Fadke and I just HAD to share them. They’re a totally gorgeous couple! Angie has this sexy, confident woman vibe that I totally love and admire. And Rob is originally from England, so he has this awesome British accent that would make him sound cool, even if he were wearing coke bottle glasses, and had his hair slicked like Alfalfa.

Such a sexy vibe right?

Now stayed tuned for the blog of their wedding. It’ll be comin at ya soon!!!

~ Alicia

I’m always so humbled and honored and blessed by seeing my thoughts come to fruition, and my fruitions plastered all over the world. Today is no exception. YAY for today!

Brooke over at Jackaroo Love gave me huge compliments on my Poppies tabletop and splattered my images on her blog! THANKS Brooke! We at In The Now love you, too!!

Head on over to her blog and read all about it. Plus, she pretty much kicks tail feather on a regular basis, so bookmark it!

Then I found out [via my Google Analytics- FAVE] that Accent The Party did a blog feature on one of my classic tables, the black/white/brown combo! Loooove it!

I’ve always had a special fondness for that specific color combo so I’m thrilled at the thought of it creeping into people’s everyday lives.

As for MY everyday life- it’s getting better and better by the instant! Loving this moment: the fresh air, the night sky, the secure and warm love of my husband. Life is so good.

xoxo,

A.

I can’t say these two are nearly-weds because they were married back in May, but when I saw the photos that they took the day before their nuptials, my jaw DROPPED. I knew they were good- we’ve talked about them. But, THIS good??? No clue.

Mandy and Jordan knew that they wanted some type of “engagment” session, but really, they wanted it to be more fun, quirky, and high-fashion then they did lovey dovey. And their photographer, [who flew out from the midwest to shoot their wedding] Ryan Russell was the perfect fit.

The day before their wedding- yes, they DAY before- they went out with him to shoot these bad boys. I am crazy for the vintage feel. Crazy for the styling [all done by M&J, and their friends], and crazy for this couple. Essentially, I’m kookoo for cocoa puffs.

VERY personality heavy in this one:

The closest we’ll get to schmoopy:

These next two are so gorgeously 70’s-esque!!

This one reminds me of Austin Powers and the femme-bots, for some reason. I looove that’s she’s pushing him away and being so coquette!!

Even THISCLOSE to a wardrobe malfunction, Mandy keeps her cool- this picture is epic:

And, just in case you were wondering, their personalities, to the T, are displayed once again below:

The theme of the shoot rolled into this photo, awkwardly gorgeous:

Absolutely loooooove the feel of this one down here…

like an old rat pack photo. UGH!

This old theatre provided the perfect back drop, in the heart of downtown Oceanside!

So cool with his cigarette “prop”!!

Love this [Katy Perry song inspired, on my end] Waking-Up-In-Vegas look they’ve got here:

Hands down, my favorite:

I’m pretty sure that Ryan shoots 100% in film, which is what really gives these photos their character. I’m so so SO looking forward to seeing the shots he grabbed on the day of the wedding, too! But, seriously, how is THAT for a unique and fun engagement session??

Hope you’re having a better day than I am- my computer gave me the sad face last night, so it’s into the Apple store I go! Wish me luck!!

xoxo,

A.

This week’s post comes straight from one of my client emails. To understand it, you gotta understand ME. For some amazing reason, I am blessed with a wonderful amount of brides with roots in the Philippines. One of my current clients that she would browse around the web and see what they’re doing over there for their weddings. It’s truly amazing to see how similar the traditions and cultures are with weddings, world-wide. Makes you feel like you’re a part of something so huge, so incredible, so intricate. These photos are compliments of a FABULOUSLY fantastic photographer in the Philippines, Paul Vincent Photo. Wow, is all I can say. I love love LOVE this one:

And this one sends me over the top:

Just two more black and whites that are epically photo-journalistic:

Wonderful. Fantastic. Filling my weekend with light and bright. Making me grin from ear to ear. Where is your heritage from? Your “culture”? Things like this- looking into traditional elements or pop culture trends going on right now- can heavily influence your wedding, and can become a beautiful part of where your marriage is headed. After all, we have to understand who we are, to become who we’d like to be.

Loving love, and every ounce of it, today! Find yourself in a cuddle-worthy moment this weekend!!

xoxo,

A.

Can I brag for a moment?? Really, seriously, for sure? Because these pictures from Sarah K. Chen are kinda stupid gorgeous. There was something about this wedding- no doubt brought on by the couple themselves and their love- that is truly, uniquely, gorgeous. It filled your heart with warm, your face with smiles, and your brain with love. Looking at these photos makes me remember every special detail about Cynthia and Ron. And not even just their wedding: them. As people. As friends. As husband and wife. Wow.

You may remember a few of my own photos from there day, all the way back here. Yep. Sarah’s a better photographer than me. Shocking, huh?

You may also remember that this was the FIRST [of a handful] wedding that I had the honor of complimenting my services with floral design for. Just LOOK at my girl strut her stuff right here! Legs for DAYS! [You do know that I'm talking about the bouquet, right? Bouquet= my girl; ribbon= legs]. What? I take my job personally!

It’s like the can-can!

We can this one, above, the “modern-day must-have”.

1 part Ronthia:

…not to be out done:

And here, below, is the thing about getting married at a historic estate: you get images like this. Timeless. Classic. I can’t find the words to describe how this makes me feel, but I want to see it framed on a heritage table at a wedding twenty years from now…

This was my “centerpiece B”- the one we had less of, the one with less pomp/circumstance. I can’t wait to get more pics from Sarah because if this darling looks superb, than my other little darlings must as well!

[I absolutely adore this stolen moment. It's like a page ripped from someone's diary- Cynthia glancing back at her man while she "should" be paying attention to their special song. If you ask me, she's doing exactly what she should be doing!]

Some “magic hour moments” that Sarah pulled them away for:

Um yah about that… totally worth it!

Separate but equal, these next two:

And, to wrap it all up, some fun pre-ceremony shots of the gang!

This picture is deliciously “quiet”. It makes me realize the enormity of marriage.

Hey, good lookin’:

Love it. Sigh… I really do see the world through rose-colored glasses [this is a premonition of new things to come- I'm writing my NEW bio for my NEW website]. But I see the world that way, because for me… it IS that way. That’s because of you. I’m so blessed.

xoxo,

A.

….And, I officially suck at blogging. How, HOW did this happen? I’m typically so on top of spilling my guts out to the world at my every whim. For this, I can only apologize to Lacey- who I’m sure is waiting for pics from her lovely wine-country wedding. What a pleasure her and Andrew were to work with. From day one, Lacey and I just ‘got’ one another. So, you can imagine my delight when I got to finally meet Andrew and see the two of them together. It was literally like watching two people melt into one. They take love to a whole new level. It’s in the eyes. In the touch. In their hearts.

Venue: Lake Oak Meadows

Photography: Teresa and Company @TeresaK Photography

Florist: Karen @ From The Garden

DJ: Aaron @ Authentic Sound

The thing I love about this venue: it’s just simply gorgeous. It doesn’t need much. With the rows of wine vines and the natural landscape… wow, it’s just perfect.

Some of Lacey’s fun details. These are over at the ceremony site!

The ceremony site is a peninsula area that backs [well, is surrounded by] the lake. It’s so serene and peaceful. As big as the property sounds, it’s actually the PERFECT size for an intimate wedding!

These fans worked PERFECTLY for the guests… though we had great weather. The day of the rehearsal there was actually a rain scare, but the cool breeze felt amazing with the 80-something-degree weather!

I died over this. Alicia, when we got there, walked up to snag a few shots of Lacey while she was getting portraits. This is Lacey’s little excited-that-we-were-there-half-wave. SO cute!

Oh P.S. forgot to mention she totally looks like Kelly Clarkson but cuter. Am I RIGHT?! Onto reception details!

Their courtyard/lawn area is just divine. Strung lights included over the area. A built in bar. Stones with the grass humbly growing between. SO charming.

THE CAKE. This cake is like none I’d ever seen. I remember Lacey was debating between two cakes. One was this one. We decided, if her baker could pull it off… go for it. And pull it off they did!!

Cute table details, and a HUGE toss bouquet, because that’s how Lacey rolls:

Candles as escort cards… yes please! And this picture below makes me giggle each time I see it! This is Lacey, being escorted via golf cart up to the top of the steps so that her walk will be an entrance to remember. I adore the “privacy parasols” to ensure her and Andrew don’t see one another!

A close up of it:

Onto the GOOD stuff:

I just feel like Lacey’s entire “look” wreaks of movie-star quality. Elegant hair. Elegant walk. The VEIL. Everything gorgeous!

Personal tidbits: Andrew DID get a bit excited half way through the ceremony [after his vows] and tried to lift Lacey’s veil and kiss her! She let out the cutest little “not yet!” and the whole crowd loved it. So perfect!

The theme for the day:

Good thing- it makes the cutest pictures!

Right after the ceremony they stopped to soak it all in… funny enough, RIGHT behind the chairs. It’s like they couldn’t wait just to be together and talk! I loved it. After a few seconds, we had to usher them around the corner so that the bridal party could join ‘em for pictures!

A shot that Teresa set up at the tail end of the cocktail hour, just before the Grand Entrance:

The new Mr. and Mrs!

I just love how happy they are. It warms my heart!

Straight into their loving first dance:

Cuteness overload.

Dancing with dad:

I LOVED these few pics of Lacey tossing her bouquet!

In mid-air, if you can spy it:

Finally cutting that delicious cake!

THIS is what I’m talking about- spontaneously in love. They are so perfect together. Even in the way they hold one another, it’s so obvious. Smitten!!

And of course, my personal fave:

WOW WOW WOW, Lacey. You are a married woman. I’ll bet it’s been the best thing ever. The past few weeks have flown by at jet speeds, but your love story has stayed with me. During the ceremony, I cried. During the speeches, I cried. Witnessing your love has been nothing short of an honor for me. Truly! I’m so thrilled that I got to be there with you. Knowing that you two are out there, representing marriage so well, makes me proud to be even the slightest bit a part of your story. I know there are so so so many more years and stories, tears and laughs and MEMORIES in your future! Hopefully as the pictures from your friends, family, and disposable cameras roll in, these are a little more love comin’ your way. It’s all about the moments we capture in life! Love you two like it’s going out of style!

xoxo,

A.

It’s a busy, bustling weekend for the team at ITN. We have 3 weddings Saturday- yep, 3! That’s the max our little team can handle and to be quite honest, I am totally longing to clone myself so that I could be everywhere with every couple! We have theeee best clients that the world has to offer. I’m convinced! And Karri and Doug, well… they’re no exception!

Karri contacted me back in August of last year. Maybe even before that. We talked on the phone. Loved each other. And then, I never heard from her. Until 4 weeks ago. She called, randomly, out of the blue. I had her number saved in my phone, randomly, out of the blue [because who plugs someone INTO their cell phone who isn't yet a client?]. She was convinced I was already booked. I wasn’t! It was MEANT TO BE. Right? Right! Since then, it’s been a whirlwind romance full of in-person hugs, conference call meetings and site walk throughs. This amazing couple is getting married at the consistently-amazing Villa Del Sol D’Oro [a venue I've been dying to work] and I am thrilled!! The colors: olive, platinum/silver, mossy green, and white. Perfect for the tuscan-style backdrop of the Villa! Okay, I’m gabbing on and on… here are the pics:

Tell me that the color aqua doesn’t look incredible on her skin. You can’t. Because it does!

Nicky @ Eight 20 Photography took these stunners and although I won’t be working with her on their big day, I am happy to report that they’re in the safe, wonderful hands of Jordana Hazel this Saturday! My favorite, 100% convinced, is this image that the team of Eight 20 snagged:

THAT my dears is why I live, breathe, and stress the way I daily do.

Ugh I love love! Lots of stuff coming out in the next few days, weeks, months… times they are a-changin’, and we are changin’ right along with ‘em. Rolling with the punches, going with the flow… doing the bull dance.

Cross something off of your to-do list tonight. Even if it’s a smallie errand, it’ll make you feel great!

xoxo,

A.

Hello to all! It’s Brittany again on the blog front. Hope you’re not getting sick of me already. Some wonderful news to share with you…Amel and Ashraf are getting married! Yup, that’s right, they’re goin to the chapel, well not really. Actually they’ll be beach front in a matter of days at the stunning venue The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel.

Not only do they have an amazing venue, but also a very talented photographer, Tony Florez. He shot Amel and Ashraf’s engagement sesh at the Mission Inn in San Juan Capistrano where they took some pretty SEXY pictures. These two should be models or something….come see for yourself!

One word: BREATHTAKING!

Amel is totally workin that camera. You go girl!

And lastly, my all time fav! They really are meant to be together….sigh

heart,
b.