A special day at the Jones Victorian Estate - Orange County Weddings 714)744-1608

Hi!

I received this wonderful email that I just had to share. Abbey also sent these pretty pictures! They are so beautiful!!! Thank you Abbey and Matt for allowing us to share in your special day!!!

Love,

Michelle

"Hi Michelle,

I was just watching the video of our wedding ceremony and toasts and I was again just amazed at how beautiful everything was!! If I didn't say it enough before, thank you so much for every thing that you did for us! People at the wedding still mention to me how gorgeous it all was and how incredible it was that the rain stopped and the sun came out! Such a special day!

Sincerely,
Matt and Abbey Mankiewicz"

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE MEN! THE JONES VICTORIAN ESTATE - the Jones Victorian Estate

HI!
Don't forget the men in the wedding planning!! He might say, "it's all up to you!" He might say, "you decide!" Or, he might say, "what's the bar?"

Whatever he says, look beyond that. In my experience, he is saying more than that. So, make sure you have his favorite drink. Make a basket for his men's room that includes candy bars and/or cookies! Go with him when he picks out his tux or suit!

Here at the Estate, I always include the Groom because he definitely has an opinion. It is probably the same or close to your tastes because he loves you so. Just include him.... does he like desserts? Remember that cake tasting is a blast!!

What is your dream? Don't forget him in the planning!
Smiles
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Ahhh, Lois!!

Hi!

I just received this photo from Ashley of APictureLife Photography of beautiful Lois (D'Addario) Henley, my bride from October 21st!

(I actually stole it from Ashley's blog!! - thank you Ashley!)

It was an absolutely enjoyable experience from the beginning to the day of her event. I still remember the formal dining room in the Victorian House piled high with the most intriguing items she had collected and or made! We sorted and giggled, we paired and giggled, we created and giggled, we came up with wonderful ideas and giggled some more!

It's what I enjoy the most... creating!

I'm sorry to say I don't have more pictures but I will! Ashley will be dropping of a full c.d. of the event and I can hardly wait!!

A huge thank you to Flower Allie for the magnificent flowers!

Here's what Lois wrote in my Christmas card:

"Dear Michelle- We are on month "2" of wedded bliss! I thought you might like a photo or 2 to remember that beautiful floral arch OMG !!!  I will try to catch up with you after the holidays...

Got the CD of photos from my niece, we are trying to pick out of 600 shots she took! Your Estate looks so awesome I want to do it all over again. the "Photo booth" shots are a gas! ...

Love and Miss you - Lois and Page"

This is what having a wedding at the Jones Victorian Estate means... you are ALWAYS family!

I hope you will visit us today and make" the best decision of your life!"

Love,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

Pretty Labels!

Hi!

I just love vintage labels. Lucky for us, the Internet has a host of free labels that you can copy and paste.

I love them because they can add a beautiful finishing touch to anything that you make, purchase or just want to change.

Like a watering can!

Like a jar! I added a bit of lace for fun!

These are just a few of the labels I have collected. I cut and paste a portion of the label or just change the wording! For yellow label above, I changed Lemonade to Limoncello! Presto!

Don't you just love your computer?! I do!

Add a special touch to your gift giving with a personalized label for your very special treat!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

The High Light Photo Booth That Highlights Fun!

Hi!

Since everyone seems to be asking for, or wanting to use, or trying to find,

just the right Photo Booth Company that gives you all the options you desire at a

price that you love, I have found just that company.

High Light Photo Booth Company (formally Dragon Fly Photo Booth).

Ms. Sue Accongio makes your dreams come true. 

She has a large variety of props that are bold, creative, decorative and just plain fun!

The bridesmaids got in the act!

Yes, that's me on the Left. Who says the coordinator can't have fun? Right!

The Groomsmen and their classic attire. 

A copy for them, a copy for you and ALL the pictures on a flash drive!!

What are you looking for?

High Light Photo Booth is the company for you! Call them today at (949) 379-0049! Smile!

Love and Smiles,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

From Idea, To Mock Up, To Fruition!!

Hi!

I thought I'd share with you another beautiful example of the stylizing process I take with my Brides.

In this case, it was the lovely Allison for her wedding in September. 

On a previous post, I demonstrated how to turn a beautiful photograph into a spectacular photograph with hand tinting. My idea was to make the photograph pop with a hint of color!

I had wonderful responses to that particular post so I thought you'd like to see the entire creation.

Stage 1: This was the mock up of the centerpiece to give Allison and her Mother a better visual of what I was suggesting and was talking about. (The centerpieces consisted of two types; 1.Vintage double-decker wooden silverware boxes for the base, lace, silver candy dishes and silver smalls and silver candelabras, 2. vintage wooden Silverware boxes for the base, lace, crystal cake stands, crystal smalls and crystal candelabras) I used some silk flowers I had to give it a bit of color but for reference only.  Notice in this mock up photograph, I hadn't thought of the putting a photograph in the open drawer until a bit later. Even the table number was a mock up!

Stage 2:  Food tasting gave me an opportunity to make a  centerpiece sample with real flowers and a better table number! Just before dinner, I added  a photograph in the drawer (not Allison and Kyle) for fun.

Everyone loved it!

Stage 3: I was thinking that a regular photograph just wouldn't do with all the vintage accents. So, I came up with the idea of hand tinting the photograph (picture posted from a previous blog) to add pop.  

I included silver frames to go with the silver accents on those specific tables. (I roughed them up a bit too!)

Stage 4:  The real McCoy! The day of the wedding!! Complete and beautiful!

Stage 5:  Don't forget your napkin treatment. It's a really fun accent that can really embellish your table.

I love the way it turned out!!

Allison's Mother did a wonderful job with the table numbers!!

Here's a photograph of the crystal tables. These tables used the single wooden silverware boxes for the base and lots of crystal accent pieces.

I hope you love the presentation as much as we did!

I have a question for you...

Is it time to get designing and planning?

It is at the Jones Victorian Estate!!

Smiles and Love,

Michelle Gregory

p.s. A huge thank you to Flower Allie for the stunning flowers and another one to BrandiBarrPhotography.com for the photos.

Is Orange the new Pink in garden weddings? It's Orange at the Jones Victorian Estate

Hi!

     I don't know if that's really true but  Amber decided on both colors and it was incredible.  If you are looking for a garden wedding, look no further than the Jones Victorian Estate. With the special florist touch of Flower Allie and all the flowers at the Estate showing their colors,  it made for some breathtaking photographs! (Compliments of memoriesbymichael.com)

       Amber selected two shades of orange with hot pink. We 

 carried that theme throughout the entire Estate. The Bouquets, arch, cake and centerpieces all reflected these brilliant colors. We added decorative touches 

with urns on the Vienna gates, wreaths for the cherub fountains, floating flowers in the bird baths and pocket urns for the Bride and Groom's chairs.

       The overlays and the chair cover ties accented the fruit and  floral centerpieces. I love the look of fruit in the centerpieces, it gives the whole courtyard a yummy and fresh feel.  Let's not forget the menu cards too! They were a lovely 

detail that did not go unnoticed!

The arch was a spectacular backdrop for the back courtyard. The combination of the waterfalls and the bright colored flowers made this setup unforgettable.  It was just so happy! As the sun set, the tiny white lights underneath the flowers added a golden glint to the evening celebration. 

     Here at the Estate, each Bride's style is reflected! I'm here to assist you during the entire process.  Enjoy the splendor of a site that is ALL yours! Enjoy the Estate's private venue. Enjoy a family tradition! Years from now, I would love you to be able to come back and visit and remember that joy. 

Love,

Michelle