It may be officially unholy, how much I love these images. Jose is well respected in this industry for his clean, artistic style and it’s no surprise that so many artists just gravitate to his work as inspiration. I’m so thankful for inspiring people like this who continually push me to be at my best.

Soak it in, my lovely readers- this one is easy on the eyes!

Happy Friday, 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.

I’m thrilled to announce that our Utterly Engaged Designer’s Challenge Table was featured last Thursday! I’ll be posting tons of photos here [shortly] as well, but for now, go gift your eyes with some gorgeousness over at Junebug’s Post!

Brick place mats and plexiglass menus and faux bois plates with pops of deep teal and hot cocoa. Like, seriously for real! I love it!! Hope y’all do too!

xoxo,

A.

Favorite. Favorite. Favorite.

The laborious detail:

I’ll level with y’all: I’m exhausted just looking at this beautiful piece of art. Knowing the time and skill it took to craft it… just GUESSING the precision involved… yikers. My heart is bursting full of thanks for true artists like this. Perhaps a large-scale project in this manner of craft isn’t for you, but just a touch of this yarn-y, craft-y, homespun lovin’ would make any wedding a dreamy delight!

Happy Friday to you, my lovelies!

xoxo,

A.

That’s right! Our new, sooo NOW blog and website are here!! There are plenty of new amazing features over on the site so if you’ve yet to go browse around… go do it!!!

Here’s a short list [what?! I'm list-y lately, love me for it!!] of things that I think you should squeal with joy about in regards to the new site:

1. Team Bios!! YAY! A biography page for each of us gals!

2. A short blurb on what we consider to be our ideal client, which is amazing! [As all of our clients are, anyway!]

3. Our ridiculous press and features slideshow page. Ugh. So blessed. Honestly!

4. The fun FAQ page!

5. The BEST for last… NEW GALLERY IMAGES!! We’re featuring about 20 weddings on the site as well as tons of tabletops in their own separate gallery. So thrilled! Lots of weddings and tables you’ve likely never seen before, either!

And in case you didn’t notice… my FAVE new blog features:

1. PICTURES of the team, on the right [more pics of our newer girls are to come... just gotta get us all in one place at one time!]

2. My heartfelt note at the top of the blog. I mean it, every word. And I’ll likely be changing it [as well as the team picture] often!

3. Our badges of honor, on the left. Adore!

4. The header!! I loooooove the header! These pictures were hand picked and hand paired by yours truly and I love each one of them. They’re my gals, my guys- my couples! My loves! I’m so proud to display them and see them on a regular basis.

Hope you all love it, too!! So- what do you think?? Vast improvement?? Worth the year-and-a-half I put into really thinking through what I wanted In The Now Weddings + Events to BE and stand for?? I sure hope so!

I’m off on a mini-cation with my main man. But I’ve got a gorgeous Friday Lovely in store for this week- so stay tuned! And be sure to leave some love and thoughts about the new site, too!!

Until we meet again, loves…

xoxo,

A.

Things I love about this invitation:

1. 45 degree angle.

2. Text as the WHOLE invite.

3. Marriage as the center, larger focal point.

4. Hello, it screams to be letterpressed!!

I just adore everything about it. I’m so thrilled that I got to design it so perfectly. What are y’alls thoughts on the design??

Hope it makes your heart dance like it makes mine to the mambo!

xoxo,

A.

Thank you, House To Home, for bringing this vision into my life! I shalt never forget you, deliciously colorful bentwood chair. Can we have a party now or what??

Fill your weekend like a crayon box stuffed with colors!

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.

And so Megs, this Friday Lovely is for you! Blown away by this specific image [as you can imagine, from a workshop of 70+ photographers we've got literally hundreds of images to sort through in tons of various styles], which is brought from your computer screen STRAIGHT to your eyeballs via Cindee Bae. Helloooooo, Cindee. You’ve got a career ahead of you! And of course the beyond-cute married couple, Ashley and Sean, acting as our models didn’t hurt either!

Have an inspired, garden-style weekend where you let everything go with the flow, roll off your shoulders and soak in the sun!

xoxo,

A.

I’ve kinda gotten into the bad habit of forgetting to blog things that have been published online elsewhere. I will stop this- I promise. It’s important to me that you guys can come HERE to see my work and not have to track us down all over the old dubbeya dubbeya dubbeya for fantastic images of wedding inspiration.

Since my commitment to designing a new fresh tabletop each month is in total full effect, you’ll be bombarded almost constantly with images and features and inspiration boards and the like here on the blog. Which, I kinda have a crush on the thought of. Love it. The tabletop sessions for this year will actually focus more on party-style get togethers than actual weddings, but I like to think of my wedding style as more of an elegant, laid back design aesthetic whether or not it’s a party, wedding, or family get-together. So, it works. Here’s where the “+ Events” comes into play from the In The Now Weddings + Events. Ya see??

That being said, if you didn’t click over to the feature on Style Me Pretty, and if you didn’t see the ridiculously delicious teaser image that I posted last week, here are some of my faves! These images are all compliments of Two Auer Photo:

You had me at “cat-shaped-wine-bottle”!

My favorite, of course!

Love. Is. Forever.

Lace table cuff?? SO easy to do and such a big impact!

Ariel shots are totally my fave…

Texture of bengaline linens make me smile! Above, that’s my favorite detail shot. SO fun!

To see more description, pictures, goodness… click here and revel in the glory of Valentine’s Day all over again!!

xoxo,

A.

Brian Khang, one of my faves, snapped some amazing detail shots [and still had time to be a group leader] and I just had to blog brag for y’all to see!!

The massive vendor list included:

Styling by In The Now
Catering by Jay’s Catering [and the FAB Mary Lallande]
Venue was The Romanesque Room
Floral Fabulousness by Honey and Poppies and Megs- the rockstar!
Paper Details all created by Alliwell Studios
Pipe/Drape and Lighting provided by Flowers On Mars
RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING FURNITURE through Fete Accompli [I could work with them weekly, lemme tellya!]
Rentals via Classic Party Rentals [an In The Now staple!]
Linens provided by Wildflower Linens
Bridal Attire graciously lent to us by the staff at Mariposa Boutique [and everyone RAVED about the quality and selection]
Guys’ suits gifted by Friar Tux [the only place to rent navy suits- worth it!!]
Hair/Makeup by Alisha as well as Kacee and Becca
Model Styling by Michelle @ Mila Photo
And of course- cupcakes by Colette [Fancy That!]

Phew, right? I’m tired just [re]thinking about it! Now, some gorgeous detail shots…

That lace shawl, above, was painstakingly sewn by hand- each row of lace unique, with love and tender care by your favorite southern California event designer [trust me, she remembers every minute of it]. It is so so so gorgeous in person!

We really wanted to create a dreamy effect by ripping up chiffon and tulle and lace and shimmery organza into strips that were featured everywhere! On the chairs, in the curtain at the ceremony.. truly, it turned out as an exquisite piece!

Hope you’re floating in off of a love-infused cloud after the romantic vibes this weekend! I know that for me, every day is Valentine’s day in my heart- I just gotta make it that way! Remember: romance is in the eye of the beholder!

xoxo,

A.

I’m indebted to Abby for posting our images on her blog! I adore this Valentine’s table 100% and cannot think of a better place than Style Me Pretty to have it posted! There are tons more photos coming from this shoot but honestly- Abby posted them all over there!

So head on over to check it out and be SURE to leave a comment telling the world how much you love me! :D

Happy hearts and stuff!

xoxo,

A.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.