good-bye summer...

summer is gone, ladies. it is gone. the crispness of the pacific ocean air has returned and the skies hang lower as we say goodbye to august and watch autumn take her place.

...okay, so if you don't live in Portland maybe you aren't experiencing these summer regrets. but this scene makes me wish i could have done more this season. there is always next year...

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Destination France Part 1 of 3

My summer vacation became an excuse to explore a destination wedding venue I have been dying to visit. The Chateau de Massillan, in Provence, is my idea of a perfect hotel. It's small, discreet, luxurious, filled with history, great design, delicious food and a well-stocked wine cellar. The staff is uber-friendly, the GM charming and earnest and the experience sure to be unique for every one of your guests. If you are planning a wedding for 40-80 guests and you’re looking for a castle that feels like home, here’s your spot. Chateau de Massillan is a boutique luxury hotel located in Provence. The Chateau is a unique and magical property, built in the 16th century as a hunting lodge by Henri II for his mistress Diane De Poitier. The Chateau only changed hands a few times over the centuries until 2000 when German interior designer Birgit Israel redesigned the interiors in a modern, classic style. The décor includes 19th century crystal chandeliers, antique furnishings revamped in 21st century silks and velvets. 1950s lounge chairs and ultra-modern sconces sit comfortably in this ancient building.

Here's a view overlooking the internal courtyard and fountain. This is the perfect place for a summer wedding dinner for up to 80 guests. Imagine music wafting down from the balcony -- and it's a great place to toss your bouquet!

A close up of the fountain.

One of the spots where you can choose to have your ceremony -- what a fabulous aisle.

The lavender and mature trees create a bucolic backdrop for ceremony or cocktails at this completely private chateau. Perfect if you are looking to escape the paparazzi.

The front entrance, looking like a fortress. Luxurious both inside and out.

An interior courtyard photo-opportunity.The lavender growing in the circular entry-way provides a fragrant Provencal greeting for you and your guests. The 24 acres of park land with pine woods, a small lake, open fields and a walled vegetable garden offer at least a half-dozen picture perfect backdrops for a wedding ceremony, cocktail hour or dinner.

A lounge chair or two set apart from the pool, overlooking the courtyard. Yet another charming spot for a ceremony or cocktail.

Poolside you look upon the walls and towers of the chateau.

See what I mean?

My car upon departure -- I promise you I did not want to leave! Stay tuned for more posts on weddings at the chateau, food, interiors and more...
For more on wedding venues in France, check out Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Elegant Whites at La Quinta Golf & Country Club, Marbella

This week we did a lovely wedding at the La Quinta Golf & Country Club, it was the first wedding we have done here and it is such a beautiful, elegant setting.

Although it was hot outside and the welcome cocktail was set up on the terrace I can imagine, not just in the summer, but for a winter wedding in Marbella this would be a perfect venue.

We created these fabulous martini arrangements (without the fear they would blow over!) which complimented the elegant surroundings and managed to stop by for a quick cocktail on the terrace only to be serenaded by the extremely talented Matt McGurk on his flamenco guitar, wonderful :)

In fact I have had the pleasure of hearing Matt twice this week as we were at a wedding together two days earlier in Mijas!

Many more weddings to post and many more photographers to nag:) David you are one of them!

Lots of weddings coming up now in September, then our Costa Del Sol Bride of the Year wedding in October so please do check back to see all our weddings here in the south of Spain.

Purples and Pinks in Antequera

It was 2 weeks after we did Natasha and David's wedding at La Posada that we were up in Antequera again for the lovely wedding of Lema and Alex and it was amazing how much the countryside had dried up even more as we drove up there. It was amazingly hot as we were now in the middle of July!

Alex and Lema had chosen a fabulous combination of purple and pink flowers for their wedding with Olivia at Sol Weddings. Olivia contacted us to invite us to finish off all the wedding details with Lema and Alex. We provided the white flooring for the ceremony, the fuchsia chair sashes, decorated fans, and lanterns to complete this fabulous wedding. A near disaster as we moved the floral archways but all was quickly sorted out in the end, just as well Jeremy was not nearby to take photos! Thank you again to Jeremy and Jenny for these fab shots!

A lovely email from Lema

Hi Laura

I hope you're well.

Just wanted to say thanks for doing such an amazing job with the ceremony area. I was so taken aback when I stood at the top by the bar waiting to walk down the stairs. The area looked so beautiful - what a transformation. I really wasn't expecting it to look quite so lovely.

You were so nice to deal with all the time and never made me feel like i was pestering you when i needed your advice.

Jeremy has just posted our slideshow, the photos look fantastic if you want to have a look http://www.jeremystandley.com/wedding-blog/

Anyway, best of luck for the future and if you ever need us to write a testimonial for your website or anything, we'd be happy to.

Take Care
Lema x

Dash for a Diamond & a Cure

I love this idea. Michael C. Fina and Tacori are sponsoring a treasure hunt for a $20,000 diamond, a honeymoon and additional gifts. The registration deadline is September 2 and the "Dash" is on September 12, culminating at Michael C. Fina where you can meet additional sponsors such as Ron Ben-Israel and the Wedding Library. Join us in supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and join in the hunt!

gown friday!

morning! am i glad it's friday!
not everyone has a black tie ballroom wedding or a chic event at the country club, and that is okay! no matter what the reason for a small family & friends wedding, sometimes a traditional wedding gown just doesn't seem to fit. i love these pieces from Andrew Gn. a little white dress could be that perfect ensemble for any intimate wedding ceremony.

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The Sintan Wedding :)!

I first met Natasha & David last year when they were venue hunting, upon their return back to Dublin I received an email confirming they had chosen the charming La Posada del Torcal as their wedding venue.

As the year progressed and we designed and planned together I earnt many nicknames due to always complaining to Natasha that I did not have any time to sit in the sunshine although I lived in Spain! For the record, Natasha, having had a few days off in August the legs are finally brown back and front :)!

What a truly, amazing day this was, starting with a military church wedding in Antequera followed by a Zoroastrian blessing back at La Posada in the evening all organised by Jenny.

The whole day was fabulous with some beautiful saris and of course lots of handsome young men in uniform and I was thrilled to have a pink bhindi stuck to me before the Zoroastrian ceremony started! I was so excited I almost forgot to go and get the garlands out the fridge, it was a close escape as the highly organised Jenny suddenly realised I had not produced them!

We created a beautiful white and aqua theme with stunning centrepieces that echoed the feel of the venue and it's fabulous peaceful surroundings. All the little details again with the fans, the gazebo for the blessing in the evening, plus the lanterns and candles to make the evening magical. The hentastiques were true to form, as promised!, and created the quirky initials to hang from the tree and did some pre wedding crafting of lovely table seating ribbons to hang from the trees.

Thanks yet again to Jeremy for these beautiful photos, albeit I am a PITA now and of course a Sintan (with a tan now!), am rather puzzled that everyone seems to have the urge to give me nicknames?!

I am still waiting for my bracelets Natasha?!