Black & Gold Gatsby Glamour in Hollywood

Go Gatsby Glam! That's just what my clients Jared and Stephen did for their recent wedding. Their gilded gold and jet black Art Deco themed wedding was truly a lovely event. It was held at the famous and oh, so historical Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. The Theatre was founded in 1894 and features three levels and 75,00 square feet. The Renaissance-inspired structure is a noted architectural treasure and registered National Historic Landmark. The building includes a grand dining room, art salon, courtyard garden, and a 1,266 seat Broadway-style theater. My Father-in-Law was a featured violinist at The Ebell in 1941 (no, I was not alive to see him play) but I did get to see Nick Cave a few years back. So much history!

Jared and Stephen have show business in their blood and wanted to honor the history of The Ebell with a Great Gatsby theme. I designed a glittering gold metallic wedding stationery suite for them which featured a vintage star theme. We then incorporated these stars and geometric lines throughout the entire evening to guest books, vow books and signage. Jared and Stephen are Bakers by trade and incorporated my stationery design into their wedding cake. They are such accomplished artists- it was a show stopper! My favorite part of the event was the dramatic lighting effects that shown brightly over The Ebell of the logo I designed for them. I was in awe!

The best part is that we are able to share this wedding with a feature on Equally Wed. Check out the article right here. And, scroll through the photos to get a glimpse of their star-studded wedding. It's apparent these two are in love and love to throw a remarkable event!

Jared and Stephen in Hollywood - Photography by Peterson Design Photo

Planning and Design: @anythingbutgrayevents / Photography: @peterson.design.photo

Paper Goods: @gildedswanpaperie / Venue: @ebellevents / Beauty: @face_it_sugar

Catering/Bar: @ebellevents / Cake: @thebutterend / Band: @lukedavidcarlsen

Photobooth & Backdrops: @papermoonshoppe / Magician: @bigradbrad and Mark Matsumoto

Florist: @flowerduetla / Linens: @luxe_linen / Rentals: @papillionrentals / Suits: @indochino

Cape & Accessories: @julieharrisdesigns / Beauty: @face_it_sugar / Wedding Rings: @tiffanyandco

Groom: @jrd_sullivan / Groom: @stephenlowry / Showboy BakeShop: @showboybakeshop

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Dramatic & Moody Vintage-Inspired Wedding

People ask me all of the time what my favorite era for design is... Is it Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Victorian? I love those in-between periods; the era just "before" Art Deco reached it's zenith, or just after the Victorians were at their most elaborate. I like the fluidity of one style merging into another. It's a subtle blends of styles that gets us out of the cliche and into the creative! When Rebecca and Ryan asked me to inject a little Art Deco style into my Art Nouveau Honeysuckle invitation design, I said, "let's give it a try!"

The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia served as the perfect backdrop for their wedding day. They based their wedding theme around a vintage and macabre style, with the decor inspired by the 2015 film, Crimson Peak. The over-flowing florals were gushing out of book shelves, card catalogues and over the fireplace mantel. The details are moody, elegant and lovely. Check out the gallery to see a few of the details.

Dark and moody wedding details by Rebecca Renner via Darpino Photo

Photographer: Rebecca Renner via Darpino Photo | Venue: The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia | Florals: Courtney Di Trolio of Winsome Floral | Catering: Catering by Design | Bride’s Gown: Maggie Sottero from Kleinfeld | Hair: Stevie Rosalie | Makeup: Rebecca Raley | Groom’s Attire: Custom 1930s suit from SJC London | Engagement Ring & Art Deco Band: Emily Gill | Wedding Bands: Margaret Cross | Entertainment: DJ Joe Bene | Cake: Whipped Bakeshop | Invitations: Gilded Swan Paperie | Officiant: Michael Barth | Vintage Rentals: Lovebirds Vintage Rentals | Balloon Installation: Florescio Events

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Sunflowers in Southern California

According to FTD, the sunflower’s name comes from its tendency to reposition itself to face the sun. The ancient Greek myth of Apollo and Clytie is one explanation of why these flowers routinely turn towards the sun. In the story, Clytie was a nymph who adored Apollo. At first, he loved her back, but soon he fell in love with Leucothoe. Because of her jealousy, Clytie told Leucothoe’s father of the relationship and he punished her by burying her alive. Out of anger, Apollo turned her into a flower, but even in her new flower form, she still loved him and would spend her days watching him as he moved the sun across the sky.

We just love sunflowers! No matter where their name comes from, they are a symbol of warmth, happiness and vitality. I was lucky enough to be a part of this styled bridal shoot that took place at The Stonehurst in Los Angeles which featured gorgeous sunflowers and a myriad of other happy, yellow flowers! Event Planner Holly Gray @anythingbutgrayevents took the helm and planned a stunning wedding shoot which featured a diverse group of wedding professionals. She literally is the Queen of Diversity and all things Color! The wedding bridal photographer was Aurelia D’Amore @damorewedo Her phenomenal and oh-so creative eye captured that bold and dramatic color! What I love most about this shoot, is the strong color story it conveys!

I designed this wedding invitation suite using a vintage botanical sunflower illustration. The typography and flourish details evoke a late 1800's aesthetic which really lends itself to the wonderful boho and cottage core trend happening right now. The cottage core vibe reminds of us a simpler, more agrarian and sustainable time... just what we need right now!

And what about horses? As a long-time equestrian, I can't say enough of how much horses can bring to a shoot. The horse featured here was a Palomino Quarter Horse. Did you know that long ago, Queen Isabella of Spain owned over 100 Palomino horses and forbade any commoners from owning them?Luckily, she withdrew her monopoly on these lovely golden horses and sent them all over the world to populate other areas, like here in North America.

A strong color story really makes a statement. All photos by Aurelia D’Amore

Venue: @thestonehurst / Photographer: @damorewedo / Planner: @anythingbutgrayevents

Paper Goods: @gildedswanpaperie / Gown: @lorienbridal / Veil: @julieharrisdesigns

Florals: @flowersbyladybuggs / Rentals: @papillonrentals / Beauty: @beautybybonbon

Models: @trishesmusic / Horses: @darkhorseranchsunvalley

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