We opted for mini bottles of champagne in lieu of the traditional glass for toasts. Not only did it give a whimsically rustic nod, but the champagne is delish and a cute tag pulled the decor together! Like 95% of the detailed cuteness factor is owed to Kristen, my adorable intern-turned-graphics-guru. She took their invites and whipped out a full suite of materials for their big day. Font matching… no problem! Color scheming… a breeze! I’m so thankful for her technically trained little heart, her passion for design, and her total can-do attitude even with last minute projects!!

A close-up of the homemade peach jam favors [yep, made by the mother of the bride, such a trooper!!]. We had a last-minute change of heart with the ribbon choice but I’m glad it ended up how it did. Natural cotton herringbone, meet your perfect match:

We actually had a few different images of the monogram dance floor decal, but I completely adore the one above. Love that the decal is in focus, love the little bud running across it. Love it! These finishing touches go a long way to leave an impression in your guests’ minds. They don’t break the bank, either [we promise]. Have I mentioned lately that we’re whiz kids on a budget? Just try us!! And one last grainy snap for y’all of our beverage containers with vinyl drink names

So moody. So vibey.

This is actually a trick that we’ve utilized a lot lately [the recently published Mexican Inspired Wedding Shoot and the to-be-blogged Serra Plaza event to name a couple!]. It’s the best, most effective and stylish way to alert your guests of their beverage options. I’m a fan. A big one.

More details to come [as we did the flowers in-house for this wedding] and lots and lots and LOTS more face time with Az and Jonathan in the future weeks!!

xoxo,

A chic simple design where we utilized screen printing onto wood and packaged it into a box with rustic wood filler:

An elegant, formal invitation that just screams “fancy” for this July all-black-requested affair:

A modern take on the Mexican fiesta-style wedding invitation featuring loads of papel picado and hand-drawn graphics:

And lastly, a super clean, modern invitation suite for a recent industry event [that went from nothing to packaged in literally 3 days- that is what I call efficiency!]:

Stay tuned for posts on each as they get their moment in the sun from the designers!

xoxo,

Cute, right? I wish you could all meet them in person and just hug on them the way I always get to when we meet!! There’ll be more where this came from right around the corner. You betcha!

xoxo,

But for now, here’s some quick candy-like treats for the impending Hallow-day!

And a few quick deets for ya:

Yes, that last one is me. Holding a ring bearer’s “pillow” made of succulents and button mums. Dying. I just love so many things about this wedding [um, including our drop-dead-gorgey-kins bride and groom!!]. Much thanks go to for his shooting abilities. I can’t wait to show you more. But alas… it’s always good to have something to look forward to, right??

Hang in there for me!

xoxo!

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The wordlessly beautiful Stephanie. I realize it may be an odd- almost eerie- picture to post but I think it’s captured so lovely and so perfect. Plus, I’m all about the slightly odd, semi-macabre wedding photos.

LOVE this:

And this [again with the odd and unusual] may be my ultimate fave:

Lastly, a very important one… for the road!

Love my job, love my love… LOVE my job! Their ever-so-detailed and fun French inspired wedding and reception will be in it’s full glory soon enough. Until then, soak it in [all the love and awe of childhood] like a sponge.

xoxo,

A.

Yes, I know. It doesn’t look so vintage here. It also doesn’t look so Sleeping Beauty. But it’s not like me to be all theme and no quirk. And thus, the quirk attack. LOVE these cute little signs I whipped up the morning-of. Shouldn’t everyone be holding these, ALL THE TIME??
More [vintage-y, sleep-y] to come on this one from Bethany Belle Photography!

xoxo,

A.

I know, you can’t even wait. And neither can I. Yay for love!

xoxo,

A.

They’re just magically dreamy deliciousness. Really! Like 100%. SO, for now…

Just know that the hotness is on it’s way.

xoxo,

A.

Their colors? Classic gold and ivory, paired with the richest shade of fuchsia-based purple!

The lovely Kristen, intern extraordinaire [and total graphical diva], was on-hand to create whimsy and personality combining the look of their invites, from Foglio Press on Etsy [in a purple and grey scheme]:

And their Save-The-Date cards:

And here is a couple items from their graphic suite that Kristen created – the graphic element is JUST the beginning. I cannot wait to reveal details from their actual wedding, but alas, pro pics are always worth the wait!!

A perfect combination for the love birds! Fun and fantastic all rolled into one!

What details, you might ask, are we creating? Everything from welcome baskets for their out of town guests [complete with custom monogrammed munchies], wedding programs, table numbers, signature drink accessories [flags and signs], menu cards, escort cards [the cutest you've ever seen- I'll betcha!], and more, more MORE! We are totally thrilled with the deets for their day!

Until next time my dears!

xoxo,

A.

Check out our two-part feature on the Ruffled Blog, the Vintage Cafe Shoot:

[And don't miss that *cute* logo on the right either- how stinkin SWEET did our graphic come out???]. Make sure you go ahead to see Part 2 as well, because it features the most tender “walk of shame” EVER for these little newly-weds!

More to come on this incredible session in the future- but for now… enjoy the photos!

xoxo,

A.

Stacey and John were married at an In The Now FAVE venue- Rancho Las Lomas!

The gorgeous bride…

[I mean how is that NOT the money shot for every photographer??] But I must admit- something about this picture is so enchanting and shows exactly how Stacey felt, acted and appeared on her wedding day… calm, collected, so full of true joy!

My FAVE, below, and a shot at Rancho I’ve actually never seen before!

More to come from this wedding in the future- I promise! Hope you’re all soaking in the beauty of the spring air. Wedding season is in FULL swing, lovelies, and I’m adoring every busy minute of it!

xoxo,

A.

That’s us, at the very beginning of the shoot. I’ll explain more later [like, um, why it's pitch black out] but here’s one of the whole gang of us, at the end [minus the team from FOUND Vintage Rentals, who snuck out before we could snap em!]:

Pardon our attire- it was quite chilly out still! And it’s a bummer because you can’t see the EPIC IN THE NOW shirts that we were rocking!

From left, to right:
Nowie Rachel
Models Nick and Yanessa Bowser
Me! Me! Me!
Nowie [+ hubberkins extraordinaire] Josh
Carlie B, Hair/Makeup guru
Sweet Photog Adrienne Gunde

I like to call this the “good sport” team! This was not a shoot for the faint of heart- and we all came together as a force to be reckoned with! Something so empowering about that feeling. Totally in love with it! We couldn’t have also done it without Karrie Pyke, our lovely dress provided by The Vintage Bride, the veil by Candi Merle @ Crowning Glory and Classic Party Rentals. Have I piqued your interest yet??

This shoot is under wraps until we debut the amazingness on Ruffled, so stay on your tip toes! More to come!!

xoxo,

A.

And the infamous TISSUE POM POMS that [if you follow me on twitter, you heard me moan about a couple of days last week] my team and I made in the wee hours of the morning!!

Visit Nicole’s post for more images and leave her pretty pretty comments about her pretty pretty pictures! I cannot wait for y’all to see the ridiculously perfect vintage furniture that Jeni from FOUND supplied. You will flip. Like for serious.

Until then, hang on and enjoy the ride!!

xoxo,

A.

I know that after I show you this, you will not be able to STAND it another second- but you’ll have to! I need just a few more days to really whip up something special, so hang in there! I promise to try my hardest not to disappoint. Think fun, fresh, funky, modern… April!

Hopefully this April is blessing you from the inside out!

xoxo,

A.

This dessert display is sooo channeling Amy Atlas! I’m in LOVE with the simple color combo and the Valentine feel to it. By the way, did you know that Krispy Kreme sells these little delicious heart-shaped donuts on Valentine’s Day only?? Brittany picked them up from the store on the way down to the wedding and they were definitely worth the extra trip [as the closest KK to Pala Mesa Resort is actually in Mission Viejo!!].

And one more precious detail:

Alicia came up with the idea to glue these little colored envelopes into the guest book, perfectly sized for each guest to sign their own Valentine to the bride and groom! So Martha of her!

You know, that’s how we roll here at In The Now! Details are a big deal. Details are the real deal. And we love them to pieces!

Thanks to Adrienne Gunde for making this look like a million bucks! We looove the pictures!! Can’t wait to share more with y’all!

xoxo,

A.

I just stopped by in the midst of my afternoon to share with you a lovely image that I find particularly drool-worthy. You may have seen our color board for the March Tabletop a few posts back, and here, my lovelies.. is a snippit of the fruition of said color board:

More to come on that later! Hope you’re having a splendid week. I’ll try my best to keep our blog fresh, inspirational, and regularly scheduled as wedding season sets into motion.

Here’s to keeping your head on in the midst of chaos!

xoxo,

A.

It completely, 100% FIGURES that I’d plan yet another trip to my favorite area [the downtown LA garment and flower district] on a day when torrential downpour is very likely to ensue. Yet, my motivation is strong, and my excitement is rumbling inside my brain louder than the thunder could roll!! Here’s a little sneak of the colors I’m putting together for our lovely March tabletop. Of course it’s got an Irish feel to it- it’s March! I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s going to be outrageously, utterly, ridiculously fabulous. And that’s not just because it’s me putting it together. Okay maybe it is. Jury’s still out… I’ll let you all decide!

What do you think of when you see this? When you think of March?? When you dream of Ireland??? Curious to hear the answers that you come up with! It may or may not make it’s way onto the March table!

xoxo,

A.

1. For Valentine’s Day my husband got my a stuffed lion [with a sunflower petal collar] that sings the song “Sunflower” by Neil Diamond in 3-part children’s choir unison. It’s disturbing at best. If you have absolutely NO idea why he’d do this, go here. The trouble is, I make the bed every morning and put it right in between our pillows as a joke… but now it’s kinda become a habit. Yikers.

2. I’m almost ready to reveal the new site. Like, in the next 48 hours, keep your eyes peeled. It’s gonna be epic sauce. And with the new site, I’ll likely be taking on a new intern for the office. I just feel they coincide. I’m super extremely overly ridiculously excited about that!

3. I’ve been doing a lot of designing lately. In fact, you’ll notice once the new site is up that design services are included in every In The Now package. For this, I am thrilled. But it also means that I have trouble sleeping at night with my head exploding and ideas pouring out onto [in the morning] illegibly-scribbled notepads. I’m kinda obsessed with it. I’m eclectic and random and scattered and all the signs of a great designer. But, I have the skill to reign myself back in. I literally separate my week into design days and organizing days. It’s become very efficient! A few of my iPhone pics that are inspiring me lately:

This specific orange-yellow tone of wood:

Mini champagne splits [dying]- BOTH being used in upcoming projects:

Lorina Lemonade with it’s feminine bottle shape:

Wallpaper at the Barnes & Noble. Hello, they’re mini ampersands!

VIBE! Dinnerware [plates, chargers, bowls] a la Town + Country Rentals:

And one last picture that always keeps me going:

Husband’s special note to me whilst cooking dinner. Love him, too!

4. Two Auer Photo. Okay I said we’d talk about it so here’s the talk. NO I’m not “becoming a photographer”. NO I don’t shoot weddings. TAP was essentially created because we have great light in our studio space, a nice camera, and I’m a control freak that wants to ensure I get the images I need from each table setting. Really, it’s much more simple for me to commit to designing one table a month when I know I don’t have to orchestrate a photographer to come lend their time shooting it for me. It’s worked out fabulous thus far. and The TAP blog is just to post images of our shoots on a place that isn’t associated as much with In The Now. I don’t want people coming here, seeing that Josh and I have taken the photos, and being confused. Simple as that! We don’t shoot people. We shoot things. Things that can’t move. Where the variables are considerably less and where [and when] we can control our settings, lighting, etc. That’s the way I like it! SO- now you know! A quick peek into “getting the shot”:

And here is the shot itself:

Kinda totally worth all the MacGuyver moves we had to make [at one point, Josh had his iPhone under the spoon- which was sideways still- holding up the camera! Ridiculous]!

5. I’ve been cooking at home a lot. It makes me feel like a lady. But it also gives me dishpan hands. Big sigh.

6. I don’t consider myself a DIY craft oriented type of person. But right now I’ve become increasingly distracted with paper products like this:

And this:

SHOOT me dead, I just love it so much! It makes me motivated to create and recreate!

7. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know that we hear a lot of familiar songs while watching Cougar Town. That’s because this is one of the FIRST shows that Josh has been placed on [with his music] that we can actually stomach watching. It’s quippy, smart, and fast-paced. Stuff that I love. The only problem is that when we do know he’s getting placed, I’ve already been distracted by the plot and I’m not paying attention! If you watch it, just know that if they’re in the bar, there’s a great chance my husband’s song is playing in the background as ambiance music. He’s been placed 7 times so far [and they've only had 15 episodes]! It’s pretty fun.

8. Something that made me smile today when opening a random folder:

Sometimes I miss my clients after their weddings. But it makes me bubble with pride, hope, and joy that they’re off creating families and lives and sharing last names! Thanks to Jonilyn for this one. And Christine + Tim of course!!

9. Do you notice that I release my blogs each day at 10:30am? I typically try to write in the evening, in advance, and then release at 10:30am for consistency. It’s currently 10:31am and I’m so anxious I’m biting my nails over it!

10. Since we’re changing the site and blog, we’ll have a lot more flexibility with writers and content and etc. So, I’d love feedback on what you’d like to see more of, what keeps you coming back, what you look for in a blog you love, and what will enhance our impact in your wedding world! Please, don’t hesitate to leave comments. We’d love it! I want to introduce you to our world in an intimate way, but I don’t want our features to be sloppy or incomplete. Tell me what you’ve liked, tell me what you haven’t so much cared for! I’ll give you all a dollar. Just kidding. I probably won’t.

And now for a soapbox moment: The deliciously adorable Shannon and her husband Scott entered the Green Wedding Shoes contest for a photo shoot and styling! They’re finalists!! Give your vote for them here!! SO proud of her styleboard! :)

Hope your day is filled with random JOY and bursts of laughter- the best kind!!

xoxo,

A.

Think rocky-sand east coast beaches meets white shingled houses and uppercrust people. I want the design to exude style and grace, and embody the cool wealthy beach vibe as it used to be in past times. Hamptons. Cape Cod. Nantucket. Grab a Tom Collins or a Long Island Iced Tea [garnished with a fresh slice of orange], put on a long flowing dress, and join me on the deck to soak in the sound of the sea.

Keep your eyes peeled for more.

xoxo!

A.