My initial consultations with wedding coordinators and clients often include a conversation about my love of story-telling. I usually share about how I like to get to know my clients, understand their stories, and help them express them. I love subtle details and wacky romances. I want to hear about the proposal, how my couples met, and what they are most excited about for their marriage. Some might think I’m sappy but I find connecting with people to be the most meaningful part of my work. Expressing these personal details in bold and understated ways is why I do what I do.
When I met with Gloria McCune of Grand Engagements about our upcoming photo shoot, I was delighted to get to know her story a little better. As we talked about her inspiration for the stylized tablescape and decor, I began to connect the dots. She described an urban vibe with an eye for fashion and something a little unexpected. Her vision included a striking palate of black and silver with accents of purple. It wasn’t just an arbitrary concept however. Gloria wanted to infuse part of herself in this shoot.
When I discovered that she is Hungarian, grew up in Germany and the US, speaks multiple languages, and has a rich Eastern European heritage, I knew we were getting somewhere. The crown in her logo isn’t there just so she can connect with brides who want to feel like a princess; she has a very regal sensibility about her. As she shared about her childhood and the aesthetic & cultural influences that have made her who she is today, I knew we needed to tell this part of her story.
Gloria’s love of chess, languages, romance, and fashion came together at this fabulous photo shoot at The London West Hollywood.
To top it all off, the fabulous girls over at The Wedding Chicks featured the photos on their blog.
We’re so honored to be featured in one of our favorite publications: The Bride & Bloom. “Thrilled” is the only way to describe how we felt when the ever-fabulous Carissa of JL Designs asked us to be part of her Homespun Chic tablescape. Collaborating with wonderful professionals like Carissa, Gabriel Ryan Photography, Wildflower Linen, Classic Party Rentals and Sweet & Saucy Shop is one of the best parts of our work. Another is creating interesting pieces like these menus made from ratan.
This design was full of details. Lush white blooms, sweet crystal cups, a peony cake, and a gorgeous wooden table made for a stylish rustic look. The hemstitched napkins and the beautiful runner pulled the palette together. Carissa even used fresh mint in the arrangements that looked (and smelled) delicious. These chocolate and green touches (including custom dupioni pillows) were the perfect combination for the “grandma’s attic” homespun design.
And in case you missed it, check out our mod baroque collaboration with these same talented professionals.
We’re so excited to share Natasha & Brandon’s wedding stationery with you. We’ll be posting pictures soon but wanted you to see their spectacular wedding in the meantime. This video is from the ever-fabulous Elysium Productions.
We just got the beautiful pictures of Erica & Pethan’s wedding and had to gush over them with you. The talented Ira Lippke graciously shared them with us.
This stylish couple knew that they wanted killer invitations and stationery for their wedding. Timeless, classic yet contemporary, and quality were the words for the day. We designed a handmade box with an oversized satin bow, a steel invitation, and complementary stationery to match.
We asked Pethan to share a little bit about his wedding planning experience. What inspired the design elements of your wedding day?
When we were planning our wedding we wanted never to look back twenty years from now and be disgusted by choices we made. Instead of choosing trendy we opted for a more classical style with a contemporary flair. What made you choose steel for the invitation? What drew you to that material?
When we were looking at invitations, Erica knew for sure she wanted a well constructed box with clean edges and a large classic bow. On the inside we wanted something to create style and drama so that our guests could anticipate what was in store for them. When Jon showed us the metal invite we knew that was the element that tied our classic/contemporary theme together. The metal was clean, sharp, bold without being overbearing. What was your favorite moment of your wedding day?
My day was filled with favorite moments from start to finish…it was a night of transitioning from one favorite moment to a newly created one. You seem like a pretty involved groom. What advice do you have for grooms out there who are interested in planning their weddings alongside their brides?
Erica and I have similar tastes and inspirations when it comes to style. I truly believe the wedding should be equally for the groom and it should have elements that reflect both people involved. It requires strong communication, trust and compromise…just like marriage.
We’re so excited that our client Tassoni Jewelry came to us when they needed spectacular packaging for their one-of-a-kind jewelry. The project was so unique, it became an international affair for us. Anglea Tassoni (a model turned jewelry designer) was refered to us by Donum Elite Gifting in Rancho Santa Fe. We enlisted the help of our vendors in Los Angeles, Orange County, Colorado, Thailand and New York to complete the elaborate handmade boxes filled with engraved cards and custom embroidered silk pouches that will be sold in London.
We asked Angela a few questions about her work and her brand. Here’s what she said.
TIC: How did you get started making jewelry? Angela Tassoni: I started making jewelry for my fashion shoots when I worked as a fashion model.
I was inspired to look different to achieve something unique from anyone else. I did it as a hobby.
TIC: Tell us about your pieces. What makes them unique? Angela Tassoni: I take antique pieces that are mostly very rare (museum caliber) and bead with rare beads and glass, semi precious stones, precious, crystals (also antique), pearls, other findings and up to 24k gold and sterling silver. Each piece is created to be one of a kind. The beading is all detailed with a unique pattern that is based on architecture and unexpected color structure to create a story or poetry in the piece. Giving each piece it own statement.
TiC: Why did you want custom packaging for your pieces rather than something that was already available? Angela Tassoni: I wanted unique packing because Tassoni Jewelry is custom made and felt that each piece should have its own custom made protective case.
TIC: Why is the concept we created for you a good fit for your brand? What kind of impact or attention do you hope that the packaging will get for your work? Angela Tassoni: The jewelry speaks for its self though, having custom made packaging shows a certain kind of respect for the life span that you hope your jewelry can achieve. Tassoni Jewelry is timeless. And I looked for a packaging that would also express a timeless quality and provide respective protection for the Jewelry.
TIC: Where can your pieces be found? Angela Tassoni: Tassoni Jewelry is selling at Harrods. It can also be purchased by appointment at tassonijewelry.com.
Thanks Angela for allowing us to be part of your creative journey. We can’t wait to see where your work will be next.
What fun it was to work with actress Jennifer Freeman and NBA guard Earl Watson on invitations and a website for their big day. This tuscan-inspired ceremony took place at the home of a family friend with a reception to follow at the Montage Beverly HIlls.
The invitation used etched steel, fabric-wrapped backers, and satin ribbon to introduce the decadent celebration. We also created a chic website for the couple where guests viewed pictures, event info, and were able to respond online.
We were so glad that Jennifer & Earl allowed us to be part of their day!
“Jon and his team at the Innovation Companies did an amazing job with our wedding invitations. A well known event producer spoke very highly of him, so we knew we were in good hands from the start. Their portfolio was so diverse and impressive, we had a hard time making a decision! Given the fact that we had three weeks to mail them, he gave us the guidance we were looking for. Weeks after the wedding, our guests are still talking about the invitations. Everything was just perfect” - Jennifer and Earl Watson
Photography courtesy of Triple Cord • Event Planning by Kimberly Bradford
We were honored to help Julie & Michael kick off their nuptials with this fanciful layered plexiglass invitation. We joined a fantastic array of Southern California’s best professionals for this celebrity wedding. Kelly Meyer of Kelly Michelle Weddings coordinated the chapel ceremony and reception held at a private ocean-side residence. R. Jack Balthazar created the gorgeous bouquets and floral decor. A champagne 1963 Rolls Royce, bourbon-laced Midsummer’s Night Lemonade cocktails, and a six-layer cake from Vanilla Bake Shop made the evening romantic, personal, and a true celebration of Julie and Michael’s love story.
See more of Julie’s wedding in Instyle Weddings Spring 2009 issue.
After months of careful collaboration, Shawn Eden’s new website is live and thriving. Both Shawn Eden and The Innovation Companies worked hard to make sure the site was exactly what she wanted before we were satisfied. The result has been fabulous. Not only has she received compliments, but we have too. We’re so honored that owner Shawni Hartman trusted us to design a site that identifies her as the professional, creative, and talented florist and designer she is.
For her site, we used flash-based design to feature galleries of her creations in two formats.
The Featured Weddings Galleries flow from side to side as long as the cursor is over the images.
The Weddings Galleries are more static but show the details of bouquets and other arrangements.
We’re so thankful for the opportunity to work with Shawni. Here are a few words she had for us:
“I realized I never really thanked you for my beautiful website and just wanted you to know that I really do love it and think you are a very gifted designer. I do want you to know that I am grateful for the website you designed and have gotten a lot of positive response for and from it.”
101, Company News, Design Challenge, Featured Projects, Holiday, Inspiration, Uncategorized, Why Design | admin December 4, 2009 | 
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