Is it too much tooting of my own horn for me to have a Friday Lovely that I’m responsible for?? Okay, okay- this is more of a “preview for what’s to come” than it is a true Friday Lovely. But, it is lovely, isn’t it??

Gold chiavari chairs with long, streaming lush strips of netting and lace and tulle and chiffon… just a whole mess of romantic amazingness.

Told ya so! And in the background… that’s the ceremony decor. A large, hanging curtain full of the same textural elements served as the background and focal point for our modern-day Romeo and Juliet [it was conceptually themed after the idea of looking much like a dramatic theater/stage setting].

The photos are just a few quick snaps we took as we were about to tear down.

But here’s another quick secret for you… go ahead and check out Two Auer Photo. Don’t worry- we’ll talk more on that later.

There’s so much more to come, but for now… enjoy these lovelies as much as you enjoy your weekend!

xoxo,

A.

I probably shouldn’t be showing you this. But, the fact of the matter is that I tweeted it myself over the weekend anyway. But really… at this point, it’s top secret info. Kinda. Sorta. A little bit. Okay maybe I’m being a bit dramatic! Either way, here’s my favorite table shot from the shoot I wrapped this past Saturday for our modern Valentine’s Day double date tabletop.

I am totally and completely in love with it, y’all. I think it’s sheer perfection. Hope you feel the same [and by that, I mean I hope you tell me you feel the same by pouring out your love for it- in comment form- below]!

As I work away like a busy little worker bee for my exceptionally large photo shoot this coming Thursday [you remember Romeo and Juliet, don't you?], I’ve found myself out of time to connect with you my dear readers. But I promise, in the coming days, I will continue to give you little snippety sneaky peeks of what we’re up to. The designs, the decadence, the details. We are have soo much fun these days!

For now, I just have a quick brain teaser picture to help set that romantic mood. If you’re unsure of what to do on this weekend filled with cheap romance… my suggestion is to take that cheesy and make it REAL! Not cliche. Not overwrought. Not anything but true, heart-felt, and pure. I know you can do it. You’re in love, after all- whoever it’s with and where ever you find it, cling to it! I know I am!

xoxo,

A.

A little something to get you [and me] through the weekend. Here’s a glimpse of the stylistically fabulous shoot we’ve got planned for next week’s Romeo + Juliet themed photography workshop. I am DYING to put it all together and make it [as I do] the “new hotness”. But, for now, it just looks like this:

Sitting. On the ground. In a pile. In my studio.

Fabulousness is sure to ensue in the coming days. Check back for more gorgies [because, bee-tee-dub, we just wrapped the shoot for our Valentine's table a few hours ago!] in the weeks ahead!

And if you’re over-eager [as I would be- remember, impatient!!], you can always follow your favorite event design team on twitter to get instant access to my personal life, the on-goings of our wacky office between blogs, and more than that- BEHIND THE SCENE PICTURES [gratification to the max]. Hello, what are you waiting for??!!

With lots of love and fluff and stuff…

xoxo,

A. Auer

I dare myself to be consistent! I LAUGH in the face of my enemies!! Just kidding. I’m honestly super proud of myself for getting out this Friday Lovely on an actual Friday. YAY me, YAY!

But this lovely was totally easy to chose now, wasn’t it? I’ll bet you can see it right now, under these words, so distracting that you may even be looking and THEN reading. Because that’s the type of readers I’ve got, huh? Impatient and brimming with curious thoughts and wandering eyes. I love that about you all. Hope you know that. It’s a trait of my own!!

Without further adieu, compliments of Jasmine Star, your Friday Lovely…

Word on the street… that’s the head table decor y’all. Like, wow. Style. Yep! Floral designer Lauryl Lane truly outdid herself when it came to the texture-heavy, interesting and unique elements involved in the wedding of [also wedding photographer] Brandon Kidd to the lovely Kristin [now Kidd, too]. I am dying over the cotton. Dying for it. It’s delicious times ten! And because lovelies are always better in threes, here’s a few more drool-worthy deets:

It’s okay. You can say it. Everyone is thinking it… that bouquet is RIDICULOUS! Out. Of. This. World.

….aaaaand it’s a wrap on my search for my most favorite ever in the world ever cake topper to top a cute little two-tier cake. Ever. Oh Melody, you are so Sweet and Saucy with your confections!

Now that I’m hungry, inspired and beautified [from the inside out], it’s time for the weekend!! Allowing the beauty above to seep down into the very core of my being… enjoy the ride, lovelies!

xoxo,

A.

I’m going to show you something that’s never been seen before. Are you so excited or what? Because I totally am!

This tabletop was part of my previous collection that I styled last summer, shot by Wayne Toshikazu. It’s taken me forever to go through the images and select a few favorites but now, here we are! The glorious day!

I love the play on traditional elements. At heart, I’m a gal who truly loves a good wedding. By saying that, I mean I love the classic feel of elegance and style. When I think about my personal style, as a designer, I know that I’m constantly taking the warmth of the familiar and splicing it into my modern, clean aesthetic. This table is no exception! Take a popular subtle color like eggplant and add a pop of orange to the pallet! Take a large over-wrought centerpiece and break it up into smaller portions by separating the flowers by style and color! Take the familiar old and hoist it away to bring in the flashy new.

It’s what we’re all about!

Orange Bengaline linen was sourced via BBJ Linen. Flowers were provided by the amazingly incredibly wonderfully talented girls of In The Now [and trust me, I'm saying that to THEM, not about us!]. The backdrop was provided by Stacey and staff at Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach [cannot thank you all enough for allowing us to INVADE for the afternoon!].

Each place setting held a mini corsage/boutonniere for the guest. Sandwiched between the flowers was a small round name tag, to designate each guests’ place at the table. I love this idea, like a lot!

We used opaque white crushed glass in the bottom of each cylinder vase- which brought in a great modern feel. We hand-tied each mini-bouquet of flowers with lush dupioni eggplant ribbon and then finished it with copper wire to accent.

My favorite part about this table? The lady slipper orchids. I love, love lady slippers.

The idea that all of the flowers were cascading outward and pouring off the table. The vases actually sprawled across the length of the table, taking up 2 guest places. I truly adore the idea of “unconventional” positioning of centerpieces, as well as disproportional. I didn’t want something over-the-top or extravagant, but I did want something that made a statement!

Modern votive holders in varying heights make my heart melt! And one last detail shot for you of the darling plate:

And here is my commitment to you, dear readers. Here’s the skinny on what’s been up over here: we are committing to shoot one tabletop a month. Kinda amazing, right? Since we’ve already shot our January table [and dying with anticipation to show y'all], we’re off to style-to-death our February with a – you guessed it- VALENTINE theme! Can’t wait to bombard you with design in the coming months!!

Stylize your life today! Make it cohesive and beautiful in every step, with every moment… exude your style!

xoxo,

A.

I know that Laura and Mark have already had a feature on 100 Layer Cake’s Blog but I wanted to give you a brief moment with them again through my eyes. Here are my favorite images from the day. Images that capture them and their essence. Images that I feel show you what it was to be with them on the most intimate and wonderful day of their lives….

I hope this story, shared with you, will remind you of love in it’s most raw form. I adore working with couples who just “get it”. The style, grace, and softness that Laura and Mark posses when they’re together… there’s not a doubt in my mind, heart or soul about them. Most special thanks to Stephanie Williams for the extraordinary, evocative images.

xoxo,

A.

Well, if you aren’t familiar with Formspring, it’s a site dedicated to questions and answers- mostly anonymous. I set up a Formspring account a few weeks back and have been answering openly and honestly any questions that come my way. Since this is a great tool to get to know me both professionally and personally, I figured I’d blog a few questions once a week, for as long as people ask!

Q: How do you go about recommending vendors to your clients…that you haven’t worked with before?

A: Typically I preface it, if I do this at all. If I know someone that has worked with them, that’s a huge selling point. If I’ve met them and spent time with them in person… even bigger. To me, the wedding industry is all about character. Sometimes you truly CAN tell that by reading a person’s blog/website. Sometimes it’s face to face contact that leaves an impression. It’s always quality of work. I’m fortunate enough to have a large pool of vendors that I’ve worked with in the past to chose from. I have incredibly high standards for myself and co-mingling my name with anyone’s name in ANY capacity can be scary. I also let my clients know up front any known issues with vendors that I still recommend [ie. "she's amazing, but really not so great at email... we'll just have to pick up the phone and call her"]. I believe honesty is key!

Q: Will you be hiring new interns anytime soon?!

A: Hiring is a sticky word!! I do have one current intern- a newbie- who is working with me come May in the office. We’ll need another [or two] to help with the summer season and also in-office once or twice a week with admin stuff. If you’re interested, follow the blog and I’ll post something on there when we’re a bit more sane on the home front!

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be an Event Designer?

A: I think it came gradually and over time. I definitely didn’t know when I got married at 21. About a year later, I took an intern position for a wedding planner that my mother had known many years prior. It just so worked out that she taught me all the ropes [however, she is not a designer]. The design side is something that grew out of my love for the event as a whole. It’s where I’m most skilled. :)

Q: What is your degree in?

A: Although I attended college for one year, I never graduated! I don’t have a degree in anything. A rarity these days, I’m sure. Planning [and event design, especially] just came naturally to me. I always thought I wanted to be a mom and wife above all else. And though I look forward to that very much, I feel blessed beyond words to have found something I’m passionate about as well!

Aaaaand there’s the honest truth for this week!! Hope you find it interesting enough to ask any burning questions that you might have! If you want to read more of my answers about my life, my husband, or my job- visit my Formspring Page and ask away!

Here’s a quick picture of my husband Josh and I over the holidays on a day where he bought me a beanie with flaps to match his!

Always remember to laugh, y’all!!

xoxo,

A.