A Wedding At Vibiana

I think I've mentioned here before how much I LOVE weddings at Vibiana.
It would seem as though plenty of brides do also....flicking through the latest Ceremony magazine yesterday I saw about 7 featured weddings that all took place here!
The most amazing thing was that they all looked so incredibly different....it is such an architecturally beautiful "blank canvas", you really can create a dream wedding at Vibiana.

Bahareh and Sami's gorgeous wedding was so glamourous and elegant.
The floral arrangements and chuppah by LA Premier were practically works of art!

And it was so fitting that there was a red carpet to walk down that aisle because most of the ladies dresses were Oscar-party worthy for sure.

The Speakeasy

I guess you learn something new every day.
When I shot this fabulous speakeasy-styled, private party designed by Brown Hot Events I thought that Jeff Brown was simply being his super-creative, witty self by calling it The Blind Pig.
But this from Wikipedia:

" The term "blind pig" originated in the United States in the 19th century; it was applied to lower-class establishments that sold alcoholic beverages illegally. The operator of an establishment would charge customers to see an attraction (such as an animal) and then serve a "complimentary" alcoholic beverage, thus circumventing the law.
The difference between a speakeasy and a blind pig was that a speakeasy was usually a higher-class establishment that offered food and entertainment. In large cities, some speakeasies even required a coat and tie for men, and evening dress for women. But a blind pig was usually a low-class dive where only beer and liquor were offered."

Hilarious!!
But I have to say this party was high-class all the way...even the waitstaff and bartenders were dressed for the part.

The amazing burlesque show from the Cuban rum bar La Descarga was the evening's entertainment...beautiful girl doing a sexy "striptease" along the bar..... talk about wow factor!

A Wedding In Italy

Not quite.
But the beautiful Villa Del Sol D'Oro in Sierra Madre WAS designed after a particular villa in Tuscany.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Italy...especially Tuscany...so I am always ecstatic when I have a wedding at this villa. With just a little imagination you can almost believe you're in Italy.

Maybe it's the old wrought-iron gates that open onto the driveway, or the colonnaded balcony, or the reflecting pool lined with Cypress trees....you almost expect to see an accordion player wandering the outside reception, and to hear shouts of "Mangia! Mangia!" and " Salute!".

The bride, Julie actually went to the high school that is also on the grounds, and her husband Michael is from Switzerland.

Photographers can always recognise a location they've shot at....so it was great to see the art directors for Ralph Lauren transform the Villa Del Sol D'Oro into a California rancher's homestead for their latest Home decor Ad campaign.

Caribbean Wedding

Even with all the planning and logistic difficulties it's easy to see why some couples simply HAVE to get married in the Caribbean. The wedding day can't help but be laid back and easy going....no bridezillas here!!

What's not to love? The warm, tropical sea breeze; calypso music; friendly locals; fresh seafood; island paradise.....

Laura and Tim's small family-only wedding on the beautiful island of St. Lucia was a dream.
I don't do too well in tropical climes...I'm British!! But even I was thinking, " My job doesn't exactly suck... " as I was floating in my few spare hours in the Caribbean sea ; )

I'm an explorer by nature...so I LOVE being dropped off somewhere I've never been before...it's one of the greatest pleasures in life.
I'm inspired beyond belief by territories new to me, so I'm delighted whenever I have a destination wedding and perhaps the creativity is amped a little!

The largest church in the Caribbean, The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, in Castries, was the location for Laura and Tim's wedding ceremony. It is huge and seemed such a privilege that our small celebration was allowed.
The vibrantly colored town center was great for the bride and groom shots. As was the wonderfully formal "colonial" Derek Walcott Square, with cherub-flanked gates, brick paths and red coral trees.
Local children adored the new bride and flocked around the couple.

Even when it rains on your wedding day on a tropical island it's still gorgeous....just a casual umbrella can feel and look more like a parasol : )

Laura and Tim's very casual cocktail reception was on the beach followed by a reception at Jacque's Restaurant, stunningly situated on the marina's edge.

I had the great pleasure of shooting the 200-person celebratory part for Laura and Tim a month later at the Jersey Shore, wheer they shared their wedding and engagement photos with their guests as projected slideshows.

Chameleon Chairs

I've shot many a fabulous wedding where the reception seating has been provided by Chameleon Chairs...and one thing I can say is never underestimate the impact 150+ chairs can have on the "look" of the room!

It was an honor to be asked by the ladies who run Chameleon to shoot their newest ad campaign, featured in the latest editions of Inside Weddings magazine.

It felt great to work with my talented team-mates: Ashley Bogart and Kim Koral from BK Events, and Joey Corrigan the fabulous floral designer at Sticks and Stones.

And the cherry on top was having the gorgeous Vibiana act as the backdrop!

The Bubbly Bride

The signature cocktail has become a fun, sometimes unique addition to many a wedding. So it was with great pleasure that I shot the images for The Bubbly Bride, the second book written by my very good friend and colleague Natalie Bovis aka The Liquid Muse ( Natalie's earlier book was Preggatinis ).
The book has been perfectly summed up by the ladies over at The Shower Diva :

" With her new book, The Bubbly Bride: Your Ultimate Wedding Cocktail Guide, Natalie guides readers through outfitting a home bar, hand-crafting simple syrups for signature cocktails, and today’s chic flavors. Are you ready to learn champagne basics or how to put a libation twist on pre and post wedding parties?

A perfect little bartender’s bible for the newlywed’s household, The Bubbly Bride’s washable cover is au courant, complimenting the contents. For those who don’t know the difference between a shot glass or a shaker,The Bubbly Bride will be their go-to handbook.

We’ve mixed up a few of the more than 70 tasty cocktails to try; just the names invite giggles and a race to grab the shaker and ice! Try Battling the Bridezilla jitters with a frosty flute of Chill Pill, filling a martini glass with a White Pomegranate Teani or raising a toast to the newlyweds with a Love in Bloom cocktail.

Don’t get the idea these recipes are just for bridal showers and girly get-togethers. Bachelor parties can serve up more than a pony keg or cases of beer. You may have to arm wrestle the man in your life for your copy ofThe Bubbly Bride once he’s mixed up the Jackalope, Dirty Harry or Bachelor Party Punch!

There are plenty of tried and true recipes plus new renditions of traditional favorites. The Bubbly Bride has suggestions for cocktails with muddled herbs, fruit, nuts, and yes, even vegetables.

We loved the idea of planning a function around personalized cocktails. Think of fruity cocktails and mocktails from a juice bar at the reception or creating designer cocktails that compliment the wedding menu.

From first blush to happily ever after, the contents of The Bubbly Bride guarantee glasses will be raised and sprits bright, toast after inventive toast. "

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about...order your copy of The Bubbly Bride at Amazon....perfect shower gift!

A Film Noir Photoshoot

Since living in LA I've always wanted to create a Film Noir-inspired photoshoot.
You know....the dangerously sexy dame flirting with the whisky-swilling gumshoe. All moodily lit of course : )
As luck would have it I was recently house-sitting at THE perfect location....a fabulous 1930's house in the Los Feliz Hills. One terrace even had a backdrop of downtown LA.
I managed to persuade Vickey and Tom to discover their acting chops for their engagement shoot.....take a look at how they did here in the slideshow.....with some very sexy music...

A Veuve-Clicquot Summer

It doesn't get much better than sipping champagne on a beautiful Sunday afternoon while watching South American men on horseback!
Veuve-Cliquot sponsored the matches summer-long at the Santa Barbara Polo Club.
Sunny yellow banners and vip tents brightened up the playing field, thanks to BrownHot Events. And if you found a cork on said field while divet-stomping....a case of champagne was yours for the taking!
Sadly, labor day marks the end of Summer......wonder what they'll sponsor next?