For a full-blown treat, please visit Sarah's and Ryan's slide show to view more of this wonderful couple's special day! Just CLICK HERE.Florist: Bellissima Floral Creations
Cake Designer & Caterer: D'Lish Catering
Hair: Laura at Salon Bella Vita
Makeup: Bettina Riffo
Event planner Stephanie Anderson of One Fine Day and the brand-new wedding site, Tahoe Unveiled, authored a guest post for my blog. Stephanie is a talented professional with a gift for producing off-the-charts events. Today, she addresses a couple's inevitable wedding conundrum.
Kids or no kids?
How to handle inviting a guest's kids to your wedding:
Inviting kids to
a wedding? A few of my brides have inquired about the difficulties of guests
with kids. Although kids are lovely and can be very endearing, you may not want
to hear crying and screaming on your wedding day. In addition, it can be pretty
tricky to invite your friends and not their kids, especially if travel is
involved. To avoid the hassle, the arguments, and any hard feelings, try one of
these ideas:
1. Hire a
babysitter. Inform your guests that a babysitter will take care of your kids
throughout the ceremony and reception. For your slightly paranoid parents, you
may want to hire someone with First Aid certification. Ask your venue if they
have a spare room you can use as the kids' corner.
2. Kiddie
Corner. Designate one or two tables at the reception to kids only.
Garnish the table with GI Joes, coloring books, Pretty Pretty Princess, and
Hungry Hippo (clearly my childhood favorites). If you are worried about the
kids wandering off, hire a babysitter to sit at the table with them. But, make
sure your babysitter comes highly recommended and will do more than just sit at
the table.
3. Hire a magician!
Kids are easily distracted, so if games won't cut it, then hire a clown, a
magician to keep them entertained and away from your limelight!
Like my above
image of the young girls dancing? You are welcome to see more images like these
in the gallery section of my own recently unveiled website:
weddings.catherinehall.net
1) Sleek, glamorous uptown Manhattanites convening in the quaint, wine-country town of Yountville, CA (where there's not even a gas station).
2) The bride Alyssa's stunning "Eleanor" Fall 2010 Vera Wang wedding gown: "Strapless drop-waist full A-line gown with feathered tulle flower embroidery, and re-embroidered buttons on back bodice."
3) Despite being super-hip New Yorkers, the guests defied stereotypes with their warmth and generosity.
4) The groom Brett and his three, almost-grown-up sons were open and loving with one another. It's obvious that this father treasures his family, and even more obvious that his sons admire and adore Brett.
5) Legs,
legs, legs. I joked with Alyssa that a requisite for being on their
guest list must have been, well, being gorgeous. (My boyfriend Ryan
attended the wedding with me and was delighted by the attractive, toned
company--I had to play-punch him in the arm a few times.)
6) All-around accomplished bride who is an every-angle amazing human being. I mean, it's not just any woman who can pull off a heart of gold, to-die-for bone structure, fine taste, and an appointment to the Board of Visitors of the Duke Engineering School.
7) Rehearsal
dinner speeches that begin not with a groom's roast, but rather a
grateful acknowledgement of the powerhouse wedding coordinator Cay
Lemon and the photographer.
8) Cay Lemon is a red-headed dynamo with superb managerial skills and a soothing demeanor--meaning, she carried out her job duties to the letter, while still keeping the vibe relaxed and celebratory. Not an easy job. I was so struck by Cay's uniqueness, that I even did an impromptu, mini photo shoot with her! (Images to come!)
9) The
apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The groom, groom's father, and
groom's three sons all exhibit a strong patrilineal trait: being
ladies' men. These guys exude irrepressible,
make-you-weak-in-the-knees, epic charm.
10) Wedding-photographer
referrals! Alyssa and Brett came to me based on the recommendation of
my previous clients, the delightful Keisha and Troy.
*For a full-blown treat, please visit the couple's
Coordinator: Cay Lemon with Zest Productions
Photography: Catherine Hall with Catherine Hall Studios
Location: Villagio
Cupcakes: Sift: a Cupcakery
Officiant: Reverend Peadar Dalton with Your Ceremony Matters
Designer: Julie Stevens with Julie Stevens Design
Hair & Makeup: Betten Chaston with Betten Make-Up & Hair
Lighting: BluePrint Studios & Got Light
The wedding season is officially in full-swing: Bachelorette and bachelor parties are roaring, wedding coordinators are in a tizzy of last-minute planning, and photographers are anticipating a bevy of once-in-a-lifetime moments to capture on film.
The beauty, harmony, and joyous celebration that accompany wedding ceremonies inspire me to create the highest caliber of images possible.
I'm particularly fascinated by wedding locations. Location reflects a couple's values and aesthetic ideals. Whether they select a quaint cottage nestled in a redwood forest, an ornate villa on a remote shorefront, or a red-brick Methodist church, their choice of a wedding environment communicates a message to their community of family and friends.
Last year, Courtney's and Johnny's selection of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn for their wedding ceremony spoke to me on a deep level. The overall experience distinctively and authentically bespoke Northern California's wine country. From a rehearsal dinner in a wine cellar that was embedded in a hillside to an outdoor cocktail hour surrounded by the rich, warm color palette of Sonoma Valley, Courtney and Johnny's wedding location was at once sumptuous, earthy, and refined.
Yesterday, Junebug Weddings (a fresh, fun, cutting-edge wedding resource guide) premiered its
website, which includes Catherine Hall on its definitive World's Best
Wedding Photographers Hotlist.
Moreover, the fine folks at Junebug selected one of my images--of Joan and Lawrence's once-in-a-lifetime day at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay--to represent its San Francisco Wedding Photographers section. I'm thrilled.
Congratulations, Junebug Weddings. Thank you for your
exceptional contribution to the wedding-photography industry and your support
for my studios work!
A gentle breeze blew a lock of hair across my face as
I stepped onto our villa patio to gaze at the sparkling turquoise water. I
breathed in deeply, enjoying the fresh scent of an ocean mist lingering in the
air. My mind, being in perma-photography mode, instantly honed in on the stunning
blue hue of the water. I thought- "wow whoever photoshopped the water did a
great job!" I laughed, catching myself at my own mind game. True this setting
embodied every notion of art, a snapshot of a far off tropical island resort,
but it was also the reality in which I was currently residing.
Nothing prepared me for the phenomenal Viceroy
Anguilla resort. My host, Virgil Napier, insisted on many occasions, "I can't
describe it. You won't understand until you come." He was beyond correct. Despite traveling to many places in
the world I was still absolutely stunned by the gorgeous scenery and skillfully
designed resort.
The beaches and tropical island setting are
unrivaled. Stunning views of crystal clear water and long stretches of white
sand beaches are hard to beat. But more than anything, the resort itself
defines ultimate luxury. The design is innovative, so detailed and truly
artistic beyond just great architecture.
No expense was spared, no corner left untouched with tasteful decor. The
resort flows into the landscape flawlessly and enticingly luxurious.
The resort truly captures every desire. There is
ample space for enjoyable social mingling in the exquisite restaurants and
bars. Days can be filled with bike rides, kayaking, and beach lounging. Viceory
Anguilla also perfectly capitalizes on the luxury of seclusion. The spacious
villas embody the ultimate private retreat. They boast personal pools, plush
rooms, and are stocked full of amenities.
Even more, the customer service is impeccable. Virgil
Napier is the most hospitable host I have ever been taken care of by. Every
guest is met with an intimate experience catering to his or her individual
needs and desires. This attentiveness and kindness defines the Viceroy Anguilla as a top of the line destination resort located in a tropical paradise.
Image from the Viceroy, Anguilla website
I had just finished presenting at Wedding 360 and I was more than ready for lunch. Waiting impatiently for my food at the St. Regis buffet table, I secretly prayed that I would not have to engage in any form of conversation. I saw someone approaching me. I clung tightly to my plate, looked down and hoped for an escape. When I realized I was being approached by Virgil Napier of Viceroy Anguilla, the idea of talking to someone suddenly didn't seem all that bad. The next thing I knew I was engaged in an interesting conversation. I put my plate down like it was no big deal-- food didn't even exist anymore.
I was familiar with Viceroy of course,
but was not that familiar with their new flagship location in the Caribbean.
As Virgil described the luxurious Anguilla property I was swept away by visions
of a beautiful resort on the edge of endless white sand beaches flowing into
crystal clear turquoise water. Virgil encouraged me to take a look at the
resort and even consider a visit. He spoke about potentially placing me on
their preferred vendors list to shoot there in the future.
Excited, I ran back to my computer to do
my research! When I saw the resort my jaw just dropped. I was staring at a
tropical paradise. Not only are the beaches gorgeous, but the breathtaking
building is truly a work of art impeccably decorated by Kelly Wearstler. I was not surprised to learn
that the resort was placed on the Conde Nast Traveller HOT LIST for 2010. I
immediately emailed Virgil asking when I could come.
Now, having just arrived in Anguilla
yesterday, my exceptionally high expectations have already been exceeded. Details to follow - I need a little pool time right now.