As promised, here’s the second of this week’s Valentine’s Day Dream palette.  When it comes to love, I have several weaknesses.  Yesterday was chocolate, today is Gold.

Inspiration: Golden Seduction

(Above: Source)

Dream Palette # 64: LOVE ME IN GOLD

Colors: Espresso, Gold and Wheat

(Above: Bridal Gown via Nouvelle Vogue; Gold Forrest; Gold chocolate by Promise me Chocolate via Martha Stewart Weddings; Wheat photo by Sir Victor 59; Invitation; Shoe photo by © Alison Rosa; Stairway; Chocolate bouquet; Be Mine Pendant by Bella Jewelz; Fragrance bottle by Cox and Cox; Woman in mirror via Padma Lakshmi; Chair photo by © Morgan Lynn; Book)

Tomorrow?  a crystal inspired valentine’s dream palette.  Don’t miss it.

Tuesday features a wedding of fairytale proportions.  It’s the love story of fresh and inspiring photography by Dave & Charlotte Lifetstyle Photographers, paired with two…correction, three love able characters in a traditional Sikh union that leaves me breathless every time I look at the album.  It’s the story of boy meets girl meets little girl.

Setting: Ontario, Canada.

Heroine & Hero: Rachel and Sonny….and Little Rylee.

Scene #1: COLOR ME ROUGE

I often focus on the design style and challenges faced by each couple in planning their weddings.  However, Rachel and Sonny’s story has to include the tale of how he popped the big question…

(Above: Red Bridal Gown from Bombay Trendz; Bride’s make up by Rajvir Samra )

…How he proposed.

As a single mother of a lovely girl named Rylee, Rachel met her future husband on her shift as a nurse.  Sonny, a young physician not only exercised wisdom by going with his gut and asking her out, he also showed that he knew how to really  listen.  At their second date, Rachel shared a photograph of a tree that offered comfort and solace for her.  She expressed her strong desire to go to wherever that tree was one day.  Well, he listened.  Fast forward two years…Sonny not only tracked down the photographer, and located the tree, he planned a surprise trip to the spot in New York’s Central Park.  Under those symbolic branches….Sonny dropped down on one knee, Rachel screamed “yes!”  And the rest is history.

Scene #2: THE GROOM PREPARES

The groom’s family performed several preparatory customs including saying prayers (“Ardas”) and helping the groom get dressed.

(Above: Groom’s Salwar Kameez Suit by Fine Fabrics in Mississauga, Canada)

Scene #3: HORSEBACK OR AUTOMOBILE?

How about both?  She arrived on wheels.  He arrived on Horseback.

(Above: Limousine by Mermaid Limo Service; Flower girl’s dress via Fine Fabrics in Mississauga, Canada)

Part of Sikh wedding custom involves the groom’s family journeying to the home of the bride before the ceremony.  I just love that Rylee, the bride’s daughter was included in this event.  My favorite shot has to be that of Sonny and Rylee walking towards their gallant steed.

Scene 4: ANAND KARAJ (“Blissful Union”)

The place of worship for followers of Sikhism is called a Gurdwara. Rachel and Sonny’s ceremony adopted a traditional format, including removal of shoes, covering of hair and separation of seating for men and women, out of respect for the house of worship.

(Above: Ceremony at Oakville Sikh Temple)

For more information on Sikh wedding customs, visit here.

Scene 5: I SEE A CHANGE IN HUE

From sultry red to a luscious glow of pink and purple, all 250 guests were invited into a magical world of color and style.

Without the aid of a wedding coordinator, Rachel was still able to envision her dream wedding design filled with robust summer colors with the support of family, friends and the team at Wedding Decor to pull it all off.

(Above: Groom’s Suit from Charles le Golf; Purple bridal Gown from Bombay Trendz)

We’ve featured other real weddings in which the couple found creative ways to include their children in the ceremony.  In addition to letting Rylee ride on the horse, Rachel and Sonny included her in their first dance to “Lullaby” by the Dixie Chicks.  In the spirit of one of the lyrics “Is forever enough? Cuz I’m never giving you up” Sonny’s response to his new family absolutely melted my heart.

“Rylee’s fully my daughter.  I can’t fathom her not being in my life.” Sonny said.  “Is Forever enough?  I’m dying with Rachel and that’s it.  It may not always be pretty but we’re going to make it work.”

(Above: Reception at Pavillion Royale; Design by WeddingDecor; Cake by Bride’s Mother; Cake topper by Lily Tsai of Lily’s Design)

I’m so glad I’ve been introduced to Lily Tsai.  If you’ve googled cake toppers lately, you’ll sadly notice that there’s a huge lack of fun and unique ideas.  Lily’s personalized toppers give the mass produced figurines a speedy run for their money.

(Above: All images by Dave and Charlotte Lifestyle Photographers)

“Keep an open mind.  Love can happen anywhere, no matter what culture or religion you are…..”

-Rachel, the Bride. -

Here’s to a beautiful couple who remind us that love cannot be manufactured.  Congrats to R & S on their inspirational wedding.  Thank you so much to Dave and Charlotte for entrusting their album of work to me for this feature.

He’s a Londoner, she’s a  Grecian New Yorker….and their wedding? SPECTACULAR!

See ya tomorrow with all the details!

Spicyhugs,

Fri

‘

Hi Lovelies,

So as you know, my husband and I were expecting our first on Dec 8th. Well I’m so happy to inform you that our daughter decided to arrive a day earlier on Monday Dec 7th, 2009 at 8:56pm, weighing in at 7lbs 9 ounces. A very long four day labor, that concluded in a natural unmedicated and excrutiatingly emotional deliver…but I wouldn’t have changed any single moment.

Her name is Nahla Sophie

Little side story: Nahla means “A drink of Fresh Water”, and of course she chose to be born on the one day out of the year in Los Angeles that it rained and poured like crazy ALL DAY LONG. I guess, serendipity comes in all shapes and sizes.

Anyway, I hope you now understand the lag in posts this week, and most likely for the rest of the week. I promise to be back in Wedding Nouveau style next week. Thank you so much for your patience, feedback, well wishes and great comments.

Dream in Color, Dream in Culture…(and for me, I’ll be dreamin’ in diapers)

Spicyhugs,

Fri

As mentioned yesterday, the new Anthropologie magazine arrived in my mailbox, and as always, I couldn’t stop salivating over their vision for this month.  Oh, to be an art director for a collective as such!  In particular, there was a feature on unique paper cut outs, ornaments and other cute ideas inspired by artist  all over the globe.   From Rhino ornaments that were hand made in South Africa, to recycled newspaper ornaments and sentimental clocks that would make for charming centerpieces…the sky’s the limit.

(All Images from © Anthropologie, Nov 2009 Catalog)

You can find much more images from the Nov 2009 issue at Anthropologie Addict.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

Okay brides out there, if there was ever a time to take advantage of an amazing give away, it’s now.  I came across this while combing the “intrawebs” as always.  Not only was it heartfelt, there’s a prize to be won.   YES! A Wedding Prize.  In one simple click, you can not only raise money for food, health care and education for an orphan…you can also win a fully paid-for dream wedding.

I normally get skeptical about “Feed the starving children” campaigns, but this one really touched my heart.  It’s called Wedding4Africa.

HOW TO ENTER

Here’s how it works.  Volunteers, sponsors and other professionals will be helping one couple from across the country, receive a fully expensed paid Dream wedding in sunny California on October 23, 2010. All you have to do is simply register to raise funds for Heart4Africa.  The couple to raise the most will receive the grand prize.  There are runner-up prizes available, as well.  For more information, visit the blog of Elations Designs here.

The Winner will be announced in January 2010.!  To Register click here.