Monday, February 22, 2010

Natalie and Armen - Dreams Villamagna

We literally bounced from one Dreams to the other this February, starting with Ali and Robin's pretty-in-pink wedding at Dreams PV and then over to Dreams Villamagna for our first wedding with them for Natalie and Armen's tropical chic beach wedding. We loved this couple! Natalie and Armen planned this wedding long distance - not just from us, but from each other as well! We loved the fact that their Armenian (and just-a-little-Polish) roots played a role in their wedding and that the brother of the groom was the half-coordinator, playing so much of a planning role he could practically become a PV wedding planner! There were all kinds of fun factors that played into this wedding's development and execution . . . and we loved the result!

Natalie and Armen wanted beachy, sexy and chic but also wanted tropical touches to really reflect what Puerto Vallarta is all about! So this is what we came up with:

Everyone at the hotel thought I was a little nuts when I said I was placing the ceremony beneath the palapas on the beach area. In fact, all day long while setting up, random employees kept telling me I was in the wrong place for the ceremony. I think they were trying to help us out, but as it was our first wedding at the hotel, they just didn't quite understand that we hadn't misunderstood the space, we actually wanted the ceremony beneath the palapas and trees! I love that it provided a little shade for the guests, felt very organic and also added a private and intimate vibe as it was far-removed from the main areas of the hotel. We scattered limes along the side of the aisle for a taste of the tropics and then added petals right before the bridal party entered. Flowers were strung to hang above the couple inside the ceremony canopy, and maracas added that lively Mexican flare as the couple kissed!





A nearby cocktail lounge awaited guests following the ceremony beneath a rooftop-style iron structure with flowing fabric galore! We surprised the couple by customizing pillows with the Armenian wedding blessing - which was so beautiful and appropriate!





The bride and groom took photos on the beach and then entered as their guests practiced a traditional Armenian welcome!


As cocktail hour came to a close, guests found their table assignments - not with numbers - but with words in Armenian (and their English translation) - much thanks to the groom's father and brother for providing help with this! Thank you!


Tables were set with clean round vases filled with circus roses, limes and cymbidium orchids - all drawn from the design of the bride's bouquet and cake!



My favorite part of the evening is when the sun goes down and the candles are lit! The transformation from day to evening to night is so much fun to watch!







If you happen to be our fan on Facebook, you've already seen images and heard all about this - but I'll repeat for those of you who aren't! This group was the first I've ever seen in which every single guest hopped up following dinner and stayed on the dance floor all. night. long. Amazing. I love this photo (it is just one of many) that show completely abandoned dinner tables and just a whole-lotta-shakin' on the dance floor! A celebration indeed!


Congratulations Natalie and Armen! You were truly one-of-a-kind and we were so blessed to work with you!

To see the design board that inspired this wedding, go here!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Dana and Sam - Dreams PV

Back in October, when rainy season was supposed to be coming to a close, Dana and Sam tied the knot at Dreams Resort. The day began ideally - sun shining, palm trees swaying, the wedding setup coming together beautifully.



But as the day progressed, storm clouds rolled in and rain began to fall. The bride and groom decided to move forward with ceremony on the beach but move their reception indoors. And so the day went. The professional photos from Kirsten Lewis are in, and they are such a perfect reflection of the day. And one of my very favorite and romantic photos EVER was taken with pouring down rain the background (see below!) So, without further adieu, Dana and Sam's wedding day!






This is it . . . the one I love!!!









For more details on this rain day, go here!

Congratulations (again) Dana and Sam!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Ali and Robin - Dreams PV

After a week of rain, the sun shone bright for Alison and Robin's early February celebration! Ali described her vision as "elegant, sparkly, chic, romantic and dreamy," and she is a self-proclaimed fan of anything and everything girlie - pink, lace, more pink, crystals, even more pink. (Any groom who agrees to this much pink is completely and utterly in love! Too sweet!)

The couple had a beautiful monogram on their invite that helped set the tone for the celebration:


In lieu of traditional ceremony programs, we took some quotes from the bride and groom that they wrote about each other and printed them - the words were so touching when we read them, that we knew family and friends would just swoon!



The bride's bouquet was a beautiful blend of roses in tones ranging from a silky cream to a pale pink with touches of white casablancas to add a sweet aroma! We surprised Ali with a beautiful monogram wrap for her flowers!



The bride and groom, midwest natives, inspired us to do a very natural backdrop to really take in the scenery of the beach but bring a bit of the natural beauty of the northern states to their ceremony. Of course we added touches of crystals and lots and lots of rose petals to the aisle for Ali and of course a touch of pink to the chairs!




The pink palette carried over into the cocktail lounge and reception where a few sparkly details caused quite a Wow!











Table runners were also personalized with the couple's monogram, and twinkle lights throughout the area made the reception absolutely glow!










To see the design board that inspired this wedding, go here!

Congratulations Ali and Robin!!!