Color, Color and more Color!

Hi!

I posted in a previous post about Kallie's color and the planning and all the fun I was having. I am pleased to announce that Nick and Kallie were wed on May 12th at the Jones Victorian Estate under a beautiful and bright sunny day!

All her special touches came to life that day.  The Estate's flowers were stunning in the background and added just what we needed to complete her special day.

An extra special Thank you to Brandi Barr Photography for capturing all the details and the fun of their day!!

At the Estate, the bougainvillea is always blooming and was the perfect backdrop for Kallie's gown!! More Color, please!

Here, all the Bridesmaids are standing in support of Kallie as she spoke her vows. I love their floral dresses!

 Now this is a great photograph! I love the energy and of course... the color is spectacular!

The Arch was decorated with beautiful  ribbons of different widths, colors and textures. I added flowers to the ribbons that created a  playful yet elegant Arch. It was colorful yet romantic and all those ribbons had movement!  They swayed in the soft breezes!!! It was a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony.

Nice Kiss!!!

Ahhhh, the gazebo! The ribbon skirting for the cake table! It's color and it's just gorgeous!! Where's the cake?

Kallie's sign welcomed the guests to the ceremony site and I added the little floral touch on the right.

 I found an old white frame, wired three of her colorful mini milk jugs to it, added flowers and tied it to the gate along with one of her framed flowers and... Waalaa, it's so cute!!!

 I just love the special detailed decoration!

Props! I found this old colorful parasol and instantly thoughts of Kallie! It adds just the right element for the shot and for the day!

Thank you Kallie and Nick for choosing the Jones Victorian Estate! I loved working with you and I miss you dearly!!!
love,
Michelle Gregory
Stylist/Coordinator
the Jones Victorian Estate
714.744.1608

Jelly Is Not Just For Your Toast!!

Hi, Happy Holidays!

Today, while I was making  Pomegranate Jelly for family and friends this holiday season, I remembered a gentleman named Michael at one of the weddings this year. Just thinking about him had me smile and I thought this would be a fun post. 

I was running around during a wedding earlier this year trying to locate all the members of the Bridal party for the introductions. An elderly gentleman came up to me and said, "What's going on? Who are you looking for?"

 "The Bridal party," I said, "I getting ready for the toast!"

 "Ahhh," he replied with a youthful grin and said, "I'll have mine with jelly!" 

I  stopped right then and there and had a good laugh! I hugged him and told him I was going to write about him on my blog. He said his name was Michael, the uncle of the Bride, from Oregon. True to my word,  this is Michael's story. A wonderful man who made me laugh  and smile all night long. So... Thank you Michael, this blog posting is dedicated to you, my new friend and jelly enthusiast!!

So, I was thinking... what about Jelly??!!

It's a great gift favor idea and one that everyone loves. Besides, what is peanut butter without Jelly, 

or as Michael said; Toast with Jelly?

I have had two Brides in the recent past that have taken advantage of this special fruity treat to the amazement of their guests.  It takes time to make it but anything this great does!

Here, my Bride Kristen, her sister and Mother made Strawberry and Raspberry Jams as a special treat to their guests. We displayed the jars on a separate table with a lovely sign that read, "Spread the Love."  The guests selected their  jar of jam as they exited the property as a special thank you from the Bride and Groom.

Another Bride, Katie Schmidt-Dyer made Jalapeno Jelly, her colors were purple and green, as their gift favor. They were delightfully decorated and placed at each place setting. The rich, emerald green color sparkled in the sun light and added a homespun feeling to the tables. 

Are you thinking about Gift Favors? Give them something they'll love... Jelly is a great idea.

My jars of jelly are ready for adornment! Happy Holidays!!

Love, 

Michelle Gregory

Stylist and Coordinator

Engagement Shoot for Brandi and Josh!!!

Hi!

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day and we took advantage of our good luck by having Brandi and Josh take their engagement pictures. There are so many reasons to take your engagement pictures at the Jones Victorian Estate, here are just a few!!

1) Your photographer gets the "lay of the land" so to speak. He's able to check out all the different
locations that he can't possibly get during the wedding and reception.
2) You and your finance have the Bride's room and Groom's room for your change of outfits!
3)  You and your photographer get to know each other better at the same location of your wedding!
(He can't get lost or be late!)

4) As a couple, the more you visit the Estate, the more at home you'll feel!  

Here, Brandi was in a white lace dress accented with Red boots and belt and Josh in his red plaid shirt!! Perfect for the rustic shots! Wait until you see her sequined dress and  Josh in his tie at the sunset shots!!

Brandi and Josh had pictures out in the "meadow", up on the hill over looking the city and in the palm farm where the trees line up like sentries. They walked all over and climbed - Brandi in heels!! I was able to see a couple of quick pictures from their photographer and they are INCREDIBLE!!  Here's what I took it with my camera phone!!! Geez! I can hardly wait to post the "REAL" ones!!

Have a lovely holiday!!
Michelle Gregory

Two Bright Lights blog

                                                                               Hi!

I was just notified that Stacy and Joe's pictures are posted on another blog... Two Bright Lights! It's so much fun seeing what other sites pick for their blog. 


 I am here to say they left out one of my favorite pictures!! I  L O V E this shot!! You're beautiful Stac!!


Check out the blog at this link:
http://donebrilliantly.com/2011/12/real-wedding-standout-bouquets 


Love, 
Michelle

Erica and Charles are on "Stylemepretty!"

Hi!

Erica and Charles' photos have been posted on the stylemepretty blog. Megan and Micah Dalberg did the honors and what a great day it was!!

Go to:http://www.stylemepretty.com/california-weddings/2011/12/01/jones-victorian-estate-wedding-by-micah-megan/

Congratulations!! Yippee!!
Love,
Michelle Gregory

What's Vintage?

Hi!

What's vintage to you?

Vintage is all about the special touches that makes your event truly amazing. Those unique touches don't have to be expensive or large like a table but may be simple and elegant. Take vintage silverware, Theodore Haviland china and assorted vintage floral tea cups and saucers for example. They are simple decorative pieces but have a big POW effect. 

 Here, the beautiful gracefulness of the Haviland china teamed with the silver fork (with "Bride") adds the feel of yesteryear while creating a special elegance just for you.

The Haviland plates were added to the walls of the Gazebo! We began with two plates and then loved it so much, we added different sizes and lots more!! You may use any china or plates that you find or ones that Grandma has!!!

The cake added to the vintage feel with an ivory base with white  frosting flowers. The cake topper was a mini tea cup just perfect for top layer size. We finished the table with a crystal cake stand, moss green satin floor length linen with a delicate floral organza overlay.

Pictured here, the tea cup and saucer with the floral arrangement completed this vintage look to our Gazebo's windows. Each windowsill had a different tea cup but all had the same lovely color scheme.

Other items may be easily added such as picture frames, canisters, old hats and tea pots to create a look that is special to you. Remember, the items way be used in different ways! How? Turn the tea cups on their side or upside down, add candles to them or in them.  We recently used a mini tea pot for the flower girl! Katie glued it to a decorated pole and whaaalaa! A gorgeous
flower girl accent!! (I'll post the photo soon! I just received the link from the Photographer!)

Whatever you do.... have fun. Isn't that what it's all about? What's in your cubboard?
Love,
Michelle Gregory

Picnic Baskets are definitely VINTAGE and fun!

HI!

When I look at my collection of picnic baskets, they just make me feel so GOOD.  I picture a green meadow with a soft breeze, a colorful, comfy quilt to sit on and the basket filled with goodies! I imagine this wonderful quiet and peaceful place to spend enjoying a special meal.  It's these times that we so desperately need in our busy everyday life. 

You can have this same wonderful feeling incorporated into your wedding by simply displaying them or including these special baskets (or ones like it!) in your overall design.

  How about at the guest book table? They can be stacked and a cute sign (I used a chalk board!) could be displayed on top. Flowers and photographs could be added to the open baskets to create a lovely vignette of wonderful family treasures. If you don't have any, don't worry! An engagement or funny photograph   will also do the trick. 

 These playful picnic baskets may be used for the safety of the card gifts or  hold special accessories at the bar, such as colorful straws, napkins and licorice! 

How about a basket as your cake stand! I used vintage canisters in exchange for a cake!! hehe

The ideas are limitless! Have fun with any vintage item and use them in new and different ways!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

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