San Francisco Wedding Fair

We're looking forward to the San Francisco Wedding Fair this Sunday, January 10 from 11 - 4 at Four Seasons Hotel.  Let's face it: most bridal shows are a kind of lame.  However, this one consistently attracts some quality vendors. If you're thinking of only hitting one of these events, it's the one to check out.

We'll be there exhibiting with partner Magnolia Photo Booth, an awesome photo booth company that just launched in the Bay Area. Magnolia will be demo-ing their booth, and we have some brand spanking new save the date designs that use the photos & photo booth pics!  Magnolia keeps a booth at our studio at 977 Howard Street (between 5th and 6th), so you can drop by use it for free to make awesome save the dates, thank you cards & more (just call ahead, as it's sometimes out on loan).

A few vendors to definitely check out at the show:

Cakes & Sweets

Sibby's Cupcakery

The Buttercream Studio

Cocoa Bella Chocolates

Calligraphy

Papineau Calligraphy

Florists

Floramor Studios

Rentals

Classic Party Rentals Hartmann Studios

Event Designers

Alicia K Designs

Check out the San Francisco Wedding Fair website for a full list of exhibitors. Enjoy!

Real wedding: Lori & James

Thanks to event planner Morgan Doan and Geoff White Photographers for sharing these stunning photos from Lori and James' recent wedding at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco. For their opulent event, they chose the Chandelier wedding invitation design by EIEIO Studio in coal and a custom berry red. So lovely!

Lori looked gorgeous! (Her makeup was by Neja Cosmetics).

As did James! Elegant minimal bout and floral arrangements by Michael Daigian Floral Design.

For those of you not familiar, the Bently Reserve is a gorgeous neoclassical building near the Embarcadero. Morgan did an amazing job of transforming it into a dramatic event space for the ceremony...

...and the reception.

Lovely cake by Jen's Cakes. Catering was by Taste Catering.

The invitation motif was carried through the seating cards...

and even the lighting (patterned gobos on the ceiling by Got Light?).

Congratulations, Lori and James!

Photography by Geoff White Photographers.

Real wedding: Abby & Ross

Congrats to Abby and Ross, who got married last month at Limn Gallery, a beautiful modern space in San Francisco!

It all began with this custom save the date design that we created for the couple, combining a nod to the fact that the space is a functioning art gallery, and a little bit of wit and whimsy!

Limn provided a chic, minimal backdrop for the reception. The event was catered by Jane Hammond Events.

Emily Dreblow of Soulflower Floral Design created these lovely sculptural boutonnieres, as well as the succulent centerpieces.

We revived the save the date design in a welcome sign carved by Because We Can...and a hand drawn seating chart.

The ceremony was held in gallery's outdoor courtyard.

The bride wore this gorgeous beaded shrug, custom made by seamstress Glenda Pongiglione.

The programs coordinated with their invitations (they chose the Lunaria invitation design in espresso and apple).

Promptly after the ceremony, they left for an amazing honeymoon in Greece (we're so jealous!!). Congratulations, Abby & Ross!!

Photography by Marla Aufmuth.

Style Me Pretty Destination Wedding Giveaway!

We are thrilled to be a part of Style Me Pretty’s exclusive destination wedding giveaway...and, trust us, it's a doozy! One very lucky reader will receive a fabulous gift of goodies worth up to $2100 - FOR REAL!  Prizes include a 1 hour consultation with wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss, beautifully handcrafted cup set from Heath Ceramics, 2 nights stay at the Bardessono Hotel, gift certificate to Bottega Restaurant and so much more.  

Also included in the giveaway?  100 digital destination invitation sets from yours truly – Hello!Lucky. To enter and get  more details about this amazing giveaway, check out  http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/09/23/giveaway/ NOW (no dawdling).  The highly enviable winner  will be announced next Wednesday, September 30th.   Enter...and keep those fingers crossed!  

Real wedding: Georgina 'High Tea' Worthington

  Earlier this year we were delighted to print the invitation suite for the owner of one of our favourite UK stockists, High Tea of Highgate (the fact that this is a delightful tea shop in a lovely part of London and that Georgina is a fabulous cook is entirely co-incidental!)

Georgina's wedding to Riccardo Carrelli took place in the magical setting of Burgh Island, an Art Deco hotel situated just off the coat of Devon and the setting for several Agatha Christie films.  Our letterpress suite printed over images of the island set the mood for Georgina's 1920's inspired celebrations and the whole event was beautifully captured  by the photographer Joanna Wilkinson

The Burgh Island hotel and the equally famous 'Sea Tractor' used to transport guests at high tide.

Georgina's fantastic dress was designed by Alice Temperley and, we are assured, was just perfect for doing the Charleston in!

...and to prove it!

A truly genius way of creating an edible centrepiece!

We just love the detail of these wedding favours a uniquely British delicacy - seaside rock from The Rock People. The couple's name runs right through it!

Congratulations, Georgina and Riccardo!

Invitation photos by yours truly, wedding photos by Joanna Wilkinson.

Spruce Wedding Showcase

We recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Annena & Co and Lisa Lefkowitz Photography on an event design showcase at Spruce. If you haven't checked this restaurant out, definitely stop by - the food is great and the ambiance, designed by Stephen Brady of Williams Sonoma Home, is very 1930's executive lounge -- lots of rich tones and leather!

Annena Sorenson of Annena & Company worked with Kathleen Deery (one of our favorite floral designers!) and Classic Party Rentals to create rooms with different themes. The Wedding themed room is above.

We collaborated with Maybelle to create these menus and place cards.

Birthday party theme.

Business anniversary theme.

Gift bags!  Thanks to Lisa Leifkowitz  (and her photographer Stephanie Poole) for sharing these lovely photos!

Woodland wedding inspiration

We just love all the gorgeous fern and woodland-inspired details in Tess and Adam's wedding via photographer Rachel Thurston.

This terrarium centerpiece is so lovely!

Gorgeous rustic guest book table...

Lovely button mushroom cake...

Love the bride's vintage wedding dress and ferny bouquet! See more details here.

Operation Aisle Style

Hey all you Bay Area folk, stop by the W Hotel tonight for Operation Aisle Style! Hello!Lucky will be there!

There will be (count'em) 2 fashion shows, one showcasing the latest work of Austin Scarlett,  Project Runway contestant and lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the other showcasing work bu the Art Institute of California’s "rising star" fashion students.

The event is co-sponsored by Anti-Bride. Should be a fabulous time!

Read all about it here!

WHEN March 12, 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM

WHERE W San Francisco, Third Floor 181 3rd Street San Francisco , CA 94103

RSVP oas@skout.com

Vera Wang 2009 Collection

We recently attended the preview of the Vera Wang 2009 collection hosted by San Francisco Brides magazine at the Bently Reserve - the event was fabulous, and the collection was stunning!

We especially loved all the ethereal detals and gorgeous romantic ruffles!

This seafoam number was one of our favorites - very Midsummer Nights' dream (and also reminded us of some of the goregeous dresses Tim Walker has photographed)

Some of the models back stage. Vera Wang's gowns are available exclusively at Bridal Galleria in San Francisco.

We created the invitations for the event using the Chandelier design by EIEIO. Photography by Jade Studio Productions.

Modern Creative Bridal Fair

 

We recently blogged about the fabulous Stacy McCain, and are thrilled to be participating in a bridal fair she's organizing with Dekker Photography on February 26th, featuring a collection of wonderful vendors, including Magnolia Floral Design, Cake Work, Best Beverage Catering, Amy Kuschel,  Got Light?, and Papineau Calligraphy.

The party will be on Thursday the 26th of February from 6-9pm and will be a low-key, intimate affair (unlike many of the large, impersonal bridal fairs out there!). There will be an open bar, delicious catering, live music and beautiful decor. So come on by, have some food and drinks with us and have fun! Tickets are available at

www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55135

San Francisco Wedding Fair

Last week we had the pleasure participating in the annual San Francisco Wedding Fair. It was a fabulous event, with delicious food catered by the Four Seasons and a wonderful group of wedding vendors. Above, some of our favorite people: Stacy McCain of Stacy McCain Event Planning, Lisa Neighbors of Blonde Tulip Photography, and Stephanie Watanabe of Atelier Joya.

Good friend and fellow designer Stacy Pancake and her assistant Nicole debuted Stacy's beautiful new, minimalist and gorgeous letterpress wedding invitation collection.

The effervescent Mary Jo Bowling, Editor-in-Chief of the new San Francisco Bride's magazine was there celebrating their inaugural issue!

Floramor Studios  create a series of over-the-top floral displays representing different decades in history (this one is from the 1900's). Love the ostrich feathers!

Event planner Kathy Goodman of Well Rehearsed created a sunny display featuring a yellow parasol and edible cupcake pops!

Showcasing their ultra-modern style was Hartmann Studios furniture rental.

Friend and collaborator Michele Papineau displayed had her impeccable handwriting on display!

And of course, we were there showcasing our wedding invitations, including new designs by Joel Dewberry and EIEIO (stay tuned for more details!).  It was a fun day, and a great resource for Bay Area brides! See everyone again next year!

Real Wedding: Danielle Spinetta & Greg Piché

We recently did fabulous invitations and day-of paper for our friend and fellow card maker, Danielle Spinetta of Tallulah.  She and her husband, Greg Piché, were married at Foreign Cinema in San Francisco, and had a fun vintage movie theme - Foreign Cinema has a giant wall for projecting movies (so cool!) - they showed Grease and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid during the reception. Love it!

Photography by Beth Hurley and Deb Mindel of Greg Piché Photography.

Danielle had her save-the-dates printed at the amazing Hatch Show Print and asked us to do the rest of the pieces in a similar show poster style (an aesthetic we happen to love, so needless to say it was a great pleasure to work on). Here's the menu (above)...

The place cards were inspired by vintage movie ticket stubs...

We designed these great custom cocktail napkins from For Your Party - such an adorable detail - served alongside these delicious looking glasses of huckleberry lemonade.

Love these Hooray! flags made by So Inviting (she also made the flag for the cake)...

The truffle cake was made by  I Dream of Cake

Love the earthy modern look of Foreign Cinema.  The giant letters in the background were made by Madeline Edwards. Congratulations, Danielle & Greg!

Real Vow Renewal: Nancy and Ryan

We were so delighted when Nancy over at Chronicle Books came to us with her brilliant idea for renewing her wedding vows: she asked us to create a single invitation to her husband, Ryan, to meet her at The Tides resort in Mexico to renew their vows. The invite appeared in the mail as a surprise - so romantic! Our design (available for purchase here!) was inspired by Mexican cut paper picatas, with a cute label and lined envelope.

Nancy shared these lovely pictures from their trip - love these welcome petals - so pretty!

The rooms at The Tides - perfect place for a romantic getaway!

Gorgeous star lanterns in the dining room.

The happy couple soaking up the Mexican sunshine!

Frothy drinks!  Cheers & congratulations, Nancy and Ryan!

BAWN Event at Flood Mansion

We were thrilled to co-sponsor a cocktail party and networking event hosted by the Bay Area Wedding Network (BAWN) last week at the glorious Flood Mansion in San Francisco. This is one of the city's iconic wedding venues, perched on a hill top in elegant Pacific Heights, with sweeping views over the bay.

Co-sponsor McCall Associates designed this lovely table setting featuring orchids and bamboo, and a gorgeous citrus colored linens from Wildflower Linens.

Here's a detail of the decorative touches they added to the backs of the chairs - lovely!

Everyone had a grand time, including the effervescent Kathy Goodman of Well Rehearsed!

Gorgeous modern cake by True Confections.

Lovely chocolates by Coco Délice - their chocolates can be customized with a monogram or design and come in a range of adorable favor boxes!

Finally, Curtis & Johan of Perfect Circle Photography did a beautiful job documenting the event.

Real Wedding: Mary-Kevin and Patrick

This week we're thrilled share these gorgeous pictures of the wedding of Mary-Kevin (founder of Luxe Paperie) and her husband, Patrick. The wedding took place on July 19 in La Jolla, California. The bride wore a beautiful gown by Jenny Yoo, and used pink peonies in her hair and bouquet. The groom wore a summer suit from J. Crew and an orchid.

The ceremony took place at Calumet Park in La Jolla, with a garden party at the lovely Darlington House. Each guest received a program and a fan decorated with a pretty DIY patterned flag that said "Welcome."

The reception was on a veranda surrounded by lovely rose bushes...

Mary-Kevin used lots of DIY details throughout the celebration. She writes:

We also made our favors, which were kraft boxes filled with salt water taffy from my most favorite sweet shop...Marini's at the beach in Santa Cruz.  We tied the boxes with brown and white baker's twine and a tag that we made using a custom rubber stamp and white tags that you can purchase at any office supply store.  My mom also participated in the diy fun...she made the beautiful champagne colored silk shantung runners that were used on the dining tables!

Mary-Kevin's stunning (and, we're sure, delicious!) cake was by Miette Patisserie, one of our favorite bakeries in San Francisco:

Mary-Kevin used our Cherry Blossom wedding invitation with calligraphy by the talented Crystal Kluge. We provided patterned papers and images from the invite, which she used to make custom rubber stamps and other DIY details.

An avid collector of milk glass, the bride used several stunning pieces to present the cake and other baked goods/sweets. The couple asked guests to fill out "Wish" tickets - such a cute idea!

These fabulous photos were taken by Carrie McCluskey.

Congratulations, Mary-Kevin and Patrick!

Real Wedding: Julia and Mathew

We were thrilled to receive photos from friend and collaborator Julia's recent wedding, beautifully shot by Jennifer Causey.  Julia and Mathew were married at The Oaks on Long Island, a beautiful estate on the water.

The classic green and white color scheme was carried throughout. We love that Julia bucked tradition and had her bridesmaids select their own dresses in various shades of green.

The wedding was full of handcrafted details featuring Julia's illustrations, of course!

Julia herself looked radiantly happy in a dress from David's Bridal and a hairpiece from ban.do.

Congratulations to Julia and Mathew! It looked like an amazing evening.

Real Wedding: Sandy & Harry

Thanks to Jeannie Savage of Details Details Wedding and Event Planning and Ira Lippke Studios for sharing these stunning photos of Sandy and Harry's wedding this past August in Laguna Beach.  Sandy selected our Cherry Blossom design for her save the date cards and wedding invitations opting for bold and vibrant colors and modern typsestyles.

The creative juices really started flowing when it came to the day of stationery. When Jeannie wondered if the seating cards could be in the exact shape of the blossoms on the invitations, our answer was an enthusiastic yes!

Diecut blossoms on colorful cardstock were artfully arranged on branches and featured calligraphy by Michele Papineau of Papineau Calligraphy.

Round menus fit perfectly into chargers and scallop labels reading "love sweet love" adorned take home candy bags.   Sandy and Harry also provided their guests with to-go boxes of comfort food liked grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers to satisfy their late night cravings.  A much appreciated touch, we're sure!

Love the elegantly simple cake punctuated with blossoms and bands of bright green and dramatically lit lounge area at the reception.

Such a beautiful wedding with so many thoughtful touches (cue gorgeous sunset!)...

For more photos and inspiration, please visit Jeannie's blog.

One Love Campaign

We're thrilled to be participating in The One Love Campaign, a new initiative to promote same sex marriage which launched this week. Originating from the recent California same sex marriage ruling and San Francisco's status as a leading destination for same sex weddings, the Campaign's mission is create a national movement to raise awareness and support for all couples of decide to tie the knot.

The Campaign will showcase select high profile Bay Area businesses, of which Hello!Lucky is one, who offer a full range of luxury services for relationships, weddings, events and honeymoons for all couples tying the knot.

The One Love Campaign includes a select list of high profile local businesses representing the first group of vendors openly promoting their services to all gay & straight couples getting married. The One Love Campaign Preferred Businesses offering Wedding Services include:

Hello!Lucky: Hello!Lucky is a specialty design firm, creating vintage-inspired, artisan-printed custom letterpress, social stationary, and wedding invitations. www.hellolucky.com. In honor of The One Love Campaign, Hello!Lucky will donate 5% of each One Love client package to SF Pride, sfpride.org.

One Life, LLC: One Life, LLC established by renowned relationship expert Ali Berlin (the aforementioned co-founder of The One Love Campaign), is a San Francisco based company dedicated to visionary relationships, innovative global service and the active expression of conscious love. As One Life’s passionate leader, Berlin offers both private custom coaching and exclusive wedding officiating services for progressive couples and individuals. www.aliberlin.com In honor of the One Love Campaign, One Life will donate 10% of all One Love affiliated client services to the client’s choice of SF Pride, sfpride.org or SF LGBT Center, sfcenter.org.

Paula LeDuc Fine Catering: For twenty-eight years, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, by creating unique and unforgettable events for each client and their guests. Create, celebrate, experience ~ the extraordinary. www.paulaleduc.com. In honor of the One Love Campaign, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering will donate 5% of your total event catering to the client’s choice of SF Pride, sfpride.org or SF LGBT Center, sfcenter.org.

Alison Events: With a fresh take on weddings, Alison Events doesn't just lead couples down the aisle, but helps them create unique, authentic and inspiring wedding experiences. With a down-to-earth planning process and a sophisticated take on style, we will help you create the wedding of your dreams and enjoy the process along the way. www.alisonevents.com. In honor of the One Love Campaign, Alison Events will donate 2% of each package purchased to SF Pride sfpride.org.

Lisa Lefkowitz Photography: Lisa Lefkowitz has been documenting unions since 1999 and has earned a national reputation for her luminous images and sensitive style. Her approach to weddings is photojournalistic in spirit; she unobtrusively captures each moment as it unfolds. Lisa’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Elegant Bride and Bride’s magazines, as well as many other publications. www.lisalefkowitz.com. In honor of the One Love Campaign, Lisa Lefkowitz Photography will donate 2% of each package purchased to SF Pride sfpride.org.

The Claremont Resort & Spa: Perched majestically on a pristine mountainside in the Berkeley Hills, standing watch over the glistening Golden Gates of The San Francisco Bay, The Claremont Resort & Spa is a San Francisco Bay Area landmark focused on preserving its tradition while conserving the future. From Signature Journeys at Spa Claremont and fitness classes at the newly renovated Club at the Claremont to exquisite Four-Diamond restaurants and the famous Bay Area views, The Claremont is a tradition, an entitlement of generations and America's quintessential grand resort. Please contact The Claremont for special packages. www.claremontresort.com

Mulberry Photography: Mulberry Photography specializes in fashion inspired weddings and portrait photography. Led by husband and wife team Albert and Tari Lewis, these two accomplished professional photographers have made Mulberry Photography an innovative and highly recognized company, with a style that is unmatched in the industry. Mulberry Photography has studio offices in Lake Tahoe & Palm Springs, but travel globally to shoot. www.mulberryphoto.com. In honor of the One Love Campaign, Mulberry Photography will donate 2% of each One Love package during 2008 to SF Pride, sfpride.org or SF LGBT Center, sfcenter.org.

TRuEStyle: TRuEStyle offers expert personal styling for fashionable weddings and everyday elegance. Founded by Teresa Kuhl, TRuEStyle translates each couple’s unique taste into a sophisticated and polished look with a flare all their own. www.truestylesf.com. In honor of The One Love Campaign, TRuEStyle will donate 5% of One Love client services to SF Pride, sfpride.org.

Sillapere: Sillapere is a San Francisco-based style lab, inventing parties and celebrations with irresistible sassiness and enduring sophistication. While providing the highest quality of service and design to clients, Sillapere also uses creativity to instill cutting-edge style with a strong commitment to sustainability for our planet. We believe in celebrating love and designing weddings that allow people to connect at a deeper level. www.sillapere.com. In honor of The One Love Campaign, Sillapere will donate 2% of all One Love packages to the client’s choice of SF Pride, sfpride.org or SF LGBT Center, sfcenter.org.

Fall Wedding by Jubilee Lau Events

Many thanks to Jubilee Lau of Jubilee Lau Events for sharing these gorgeous photos of a Fall-themed wedding she designed last year at Thomas Fogarty Winery, a stunning Bay Area venue in the Santa Cruz mountains with views extending in every direction. Jubilee collaborated with floral designer Nancy Liu Chin to create stunning floral arrangements featuring pumpkins and squashes with flowers spilling out of them. They used oranges, golds, and reds in the color palette, which coordinated with the green winery surroundings. The couple, Julie and Jay, looked stunning, too, and the entire event was filled with joy (as a wedding should be)! Congratulations to the couple, and the Jubilee and Nancy for creating an unforgettable event!

 Photographs courtesy of Gene Higa.

Real Wedding: Kelly & Erich

Kelly & Erich's Art Deco-inspired wedding at Gaia Arts Center, Berkeley, was nothing short of glamorous. Kelly, a manager at Hello!Lucky, has a sophisticated 1940's and 50's-inspired style and dry, quick wit (think Tina Fey). Both were incorporated in her letterpress wedding invitations and save the dates, which featured custom-illustrated silhouettes of a toaster, the couple, and their faithful dog, Montana.

Kelly looked stunning in a beautiful tea-length dress with her hair tied in a fabulous side bun. The crisp palette of black, white, and yellow was carried through all the details, from calla lily bouquets by family friend Irene Birch to Uncle Billy's home-made cupcakes. Silhouettes of Kelly and Erich graced custom-printed cocktail napkins by For Your Party, as well as signage for the men's (Erich) and ladies' (Kelly) rooms by Hello!Lucky.

Congratulations, Kelly & Erich!

Photographs courtesy of Akiko Photography.