Inspiration from Real Wedding Friday: Rustic Heaven in Descanso Gardens, LA

Guess who was the mastermind behind this woodsy, organic wedding of Susie and Curtis? It is Beth Helmstetter Events! You have seen her work here too. If you want more inspirations from her, check out her blog.

Save the tree by transforming individual menu card to menu on board - I just love that idea. It makes me feel like home and being 'green'.

Here are other elements I like about this wedding, besides the menu board:
1- Incorporate fresh fruits into centerpieces
(especially locally grown fruits from farmers near you!)
2- Wood benches with cushions lounge area during cocktail hour
3- Wooden customized figurine cake topper
(visit etsy.com for cake topper from some creative artists!)

Photo Credit: B&G Photography

Alright, my weekend mood is kicking in right now. Hope this simple wedding inspires you to plan your next event. Be it a wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, or a simple friend gathering, I hope you have fun planning it.


Update:
Instead of regular Monday to Friday postings, we are going for a spur-of-the-moment posting for next week (we are working on upgrading our blogpost ^.*). See you till them!

Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday

First year of marriage is sweet, ten years of marriage is lovely, fifty years of marriage - a WOW factor! Have you ever wondered how the couples maintain their marriage for so many years down the road? How to keep the romance going years after?

Photo Credit

I came across this flashy title while doing my research for Valentine's blog posts via Real Simple the other day. Gillian Laub interviewed seven couples and had them shared the most unforgettable moments in their marriage life. And here's the result of the interviews.

Stella & Ben Sonnenschein: Married for 51 years and counting
"We don't sweat the small stuff."
"Peace and a good heart are the most important things."

To view their interview, please click here for a video clip captured by Gillian Laub.

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "Ben doesn't say, 'I love you', and I don't force him to. Instead, I appreciate it when he brings me a sandwich in bed. Especially since he hates crumbs in the sheets," says Stella.
(Rachel: Thoughtful Ben~)
2. "Don't get angry over more than one thing at a time. People jump around from one issue to another," says Ben.
3. "We still kiss. We are affectionate. But it comes naturally. It doesn't happen for show. Sometimes we just lie down in bed and hold hands," says Stella.
(Rachel: That's sweet, Stella & Ben.)


Macon & Jim McDavid: Married for 51 years and counting
"Let's do what is right and good - and do it together."

To view their interview, please click here for a video clip captured by Gillian.

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "In every family, someone's got to drive the bus. But sometimes you change positions. You say, 'OK, this is not my thing after all. It's your turn to drive.' All our marriage, Jim took care of our checkbooks. Then, three years ago, I realized I had these wonderful math skills and could do them easier than he could," says Macon.
(Rachel: I agree with you Macon. Always remember 'never try, never know'.)
2. "You've got to be able to trust your spouse. If she passes me the ball, I try to run with it. And if I pass her the ball, she does the same," says Jim.
3. "Jim loves to talk, so by now I've heard most of his stories. But they're all good ones, so I still happily listen. And for me? Jim thinks I can do just about anything," says Macon.


Ayako Kawakami & Harold "Pete" Petersen: Married for 53 years and counting

To view their interview video clip captured by Gillian, click here.

Secret to their Happy Marriage:
"When we just started out, Pete used to lose his temper a lot. The stress of his police job got to him. I always stayed calm, and soon he wanted to handle things like I do," says Ayako.
(Rachel: A good virtue (stay calm) to handle all challenges in life!)


Barbara & Morgan Barokas: Married for 54 years and counting

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "Treasure the little moments. When I go grocery shopping, Morgan always says, 'Wait! I'll go with you!' His companionship has turned an uninteresting errand into something special. When Morgan was in the hospital last year for kidney problems, I wandered around Costco by myself, thinking how much I missed him," says Barbara.
(Rachel: This is a touching story. Hope Morgan to get well soon and join you for grocery shopping again!)
2. "Morgan is my 'calm down' person, who tells me everything will be OK when I'm not being rational. And I like to think I put spice and fun into his life that he wouldn't otherwise have. He thinks I'm nuts!" says Barbara.
3. "Communication is a big part of our staying married all these years. But as I get older, not being able to hear so much plays a big part, too," says Morgan.


Imogene & Elmer Edwards: Married for 55 years and counting

To view their interview, please click here for a video clip captured by Gillian.

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "Never stop courting. We always try to see each other the way we did in our early days, even though I sure look different from that girl he married!" says Imogene.
(Rachel: Yes right, get the romance going ^.*)
2. "Elmer always takes my hand and leads me across the parking lot like I'm his girl and he's taking care of me," says Imogene.
3. "I take Imogene's hand and help her walk because otherwise she's liable to fall down," says Elmer.
(Rachel: Elmer, you are definitely a caring husband! Lucky Imogene! Hmm...hopefully my husband will do the same too =>)


Betty & Louis Chernoff: Married for 60 years and counting

To view their interview video clip by Gillian, click here.

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "We don't read newspapers at breakfast. We talk to each other," says Betty.
2. "Our clocks click exactly the same. Whenever Betty wants to do something, I want to do it, too," says Louis.


June & Bill Pritchard: Married for 64 years and counting
"June and I always felt like partners and friends, and that is the most important thing in any marriage."
(Rachel: This is golden!)

To view their interview, please click here for a video clip captured by Gillian.

Some secrets to their Happy Marriage:
1. "We don't get in each other's way. I don't challenge what Bill spends. And he knows better than to touch my computer," says June.
(Rachel: Aren't they are a cute couple?)
2. "If June makes a decision and I'm not there or vice versa, the other follows through. We always stayed united in front of our children," says Bill.
3. "Bill can be very knot-headed about things. When we have our spats, we each speak our mind and then we go on our way. We don't always expect everything to be resolved or to change the other person's mind," says June.
(Rachel: What a democratic couple!)



After reading and hearing the secrets of these lovely couples, do you have your stories to share? Have you ever approached your parents and asked them what their happy marriage secret is? (Shame on me...I have not done that...but I am going to do it when I visit my parents in Malaysia in a couple months later!)

Hope their stories and happy marriage secrets inspire you to build and maintain a good relationship with your partners, not just during Valentine's Day...Instead treat everyday a valentine's day and cherish your loved one every single moment you are together.

Happy Weekend everyone!
Do come back and check out our Chinese New Year postings next week! (Oh...I miss 'yu sang' in Malaysia so much, especially the one I had with my family!)

Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday

Happy Friday, everyone!
How are you doing today?

No matter how busy or boring you are; you are going to love this organic-inspired wedding reception of a couple (Louisa and John) which was designed by event planner Beth Helmstetter. This wedding was also featured on Hostess with the Mostess back in 2008.

Elements of the day:

• Organic Russian Linen in Wheat Color
• Pine Cones as Place Card Holders
• Fresh Flower filled Bark Centerpieces
• Old Tree Stump as Cake Holder
• Fresh Herbs adorned Napkins
• Food: All Fresh & Organic Ingredients from Local Community
  

If you like this wedding reception and would like to plan a similar organic-inspired party, please visit Hostess with the Mostess event planning blog for more tips for your home celebrations.

Signing off for the week (and also next week!).

I will be back on Feb 1, 2010 with Chinese New Year (1st week of February) and Valentine's Celebration (2nd week of February) Series. Stay tune and I hope you have wonderful days in January 2010!

Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday

Can't wait for the sunny and warmer weekend in New York City!

The eagerness goes the same to this very colorful wedding I am going to show you today which I found on Johnathan Canlas Photography Blog last weekend. Three catchy spots about this wedding that made me fell in love with the pictures again and again.

Vibrant Colors, Vibrant People, & Vibrant Energy
(Nina & Russell's Wedding at Los Angeles, CA by Johnathan Canlas Photography)

Feeling nervous on your wedding day? Why not to have a glass of your favorite wine to calm down a little (just like what the bride, Nina, did!)?

Go Moroccan! Colorful cushion on rows of benches and the classic cutout metal lantern!

Are you considered yourself as a non-traditional bride? Go a different route (vintage-y) and prepare a typewriter for your guests to type out their wishes for the newlywed!

Here you go: the vibrant colors and people! The happy spirit lingered around the wedding.

Here come the bride and her parents. So lovely!

Long wooden tables and chairs, love it! A nice piece for both outdoor and indoor weddings.

Serving finger food is always my first choice at the wedding! It gives the newlywed more time to hang out with their family and friends. Nice touch on the wedding ^.*

Congratulations to Nina & Russell! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful wedding with us today. Johnathan Canlas, you did a very good job on Nina & Russell's wedding!

Coincidentally, this wedding is also posted on Snippet and Ink Blog yesterday too! The blogger, Katherine, has a story from the bride to share you today.

Alright, I am officially signing off for the rest of this week! Welcome my lovely sunny Saturday! See you all on Monday =)

* Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday *

A RUSTIC Winter Wedding Inspiration Board to share with everyone tonight!

Color:
White, Woodsy Brown, Dusty Green, Lush Green (All the earthy colors, love it!)
Ambiance:
Giving you a cozy, down to earth feel!

Clockwise from top left: Nili & Anthony's Winter Wedding (Couple Shot & Bouquet) via Vermont Vows Wedding Magazine, Hydrangea Wedding Cake & Candy Olive Wedding Favor from Martha Stewart Weddings, Old Watering Can by Tre Bella Flowers, Birch Pillar Candles from Wedding Bells, Place Cards & Ceremony from Nili & Anthony's Wedding via Vermont Vows Wedding Magazine, Oversized Metal Lantern via Peach and Pearl, Wedding Reception Table via Veranda

This is our last post of the year!
Thank you all my family, friends, and blog readers for your unconditional support! All your advices and praises are well received and I truly appreciate it. We will keep improving our postings, blog design, and of course, the content of this blog (wedding-related, special-occasion-related, fashion, beautiful decors, flowers, interior design, photography, and many other inspiring subjects)!

Hereby, I wish everyone of you to have a GREAT, MEANINGFUL, and THANKFUL Christmas and New Year ahead! Love you all ^.* See you next year, we will be back on January 4th, 2010 (Stay tune for Fashionista Monday!).






RE: Yeah! Flying out of New York City on Christmas Day~ (Shh...I will have an exciting news to announce when I am back in January!)

Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday

Happy Friday everyone!
It's so cold and windy here in the New York City. Stay warm!

For those who stay home tonight, here's my little inspiration board behind the idea of having the Parisian Weddings Week.

1st Row (from left): (leftmost and rightmost) Holiday Table Settings as seen in Blueprint Magazine November/December 2007 Issue, (top) French-inspired living room via Pink to Green, (bottom) French Chic Living Room via Decor Pad
2nd Row: Interior of French Chateau by Punam Bean via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Chandelier from Blueprint Magazine November/December 2007 Issue
3rd Row: Newlywed posed in front of the French Chateau captured by Punam Bean as seen in Elizabeth Ann Designs, Chateau Plates - Amsterdam, - Provence, - Basel, all from Anthropologie, Table Setting as seen in Blueprint Magazine November/December 2007 Issue

From home decor, holiday table setting, chargers, architectural plates, chandelier, feather, to bridal shots in a French Chateau, everything comes together beautifully. You may tune into a more formal celebration by holding your wedding reception in a French Chateau as we show the bridal shots above OR turn to a relax, laid-back backyard/private estate wedding reception with a few French elements as seen on our Moment-Capture Thursday series posted yesterday.


Good night and hope you all to have a GREAT weekend!

* Inspiration from Real Weddings Friday *

We have coffee bar and relax Fall season engagement photo session this week. That inspired us to end the week with a bright, laid-back, intimate backyard wedding of Penelope and William, photographed by Tec Petaja Wedding Photography.


Here's a short bio of Tec Petaja (from himself):
"After living my first twenty something years in the great land of Michigan, I traveled throughout central Asia, lived in Indiana and Hawaii, and finally found a home in Nashville, Tennessee where I currently reside with my wife. My approach to photography leans towards lifestyle and editorial."


Happy Friday, and hope you have a good weekend ^.*