Real Wedding: Jen + Joe

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Last Summer we had the pleasure of coordinating the wedding of Jen and Joe in conjunction with the fabulous Lauren Knuepher of Chicago based LK Events. The beautiful wedding took place at Vintage Estate in Yountville, California. The soft romantic florals created by Sharla Flock Designs, the bride’s stunning Monique Lhuillier gown, and all the detailed day of pieces created by Magnificent Milestones were just a few of our most favorite details. Please enjoy these beautiful detail shots from Jen and Joe’s big day, and be sure to check out the rest of them on on the Style Me Pretty Midwest Regional Blog.

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

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Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

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Photo by Vrai Photography

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Photo by Vrai Photography

Photo by Vrai Photography

See Jen and Joe’s wedding day in action, care of I Do Films:

Planning & Coordination: Stacy McCain Event Planning and LK Events / Photography: Vrai Photography / Printed Pieces: Magnificent Milestones / Videographer: I Do Films / Venue & Catering: Vintage Estate / Pre-Ceremony Photos: Quintessa Wine / Flowers: Sharla Flock Designs / Linens: La Tavola /Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Napa / Lighting: Lux Lighting Napa / Band: Deja Vu / Cupcakes: Sift Cupcake & Dessert Bar / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Hair And Make Up: Sherrie Long

Get to Know… Gabrielle Feuersinger of Cake Coquette

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

This month we are getting to know the lovely Gabrielle (aka Gabby) of Cake Coquette. Not only is Gabby a pure joy to work with, she is a true artist and pastry rockstar, presenting us with cake flavors such as Hazlenut Cake (lightly soaked in rum, then layered with thin ganache and hazelnut praline cream); Lemon Cake (soaked in a tart citrus syrup and layered with a smooth citrus creme); and Chocolate Coconut Cake (filled with layers of ganache, chocolate buttercream and toasted coconut cream). YUM! Now our stomachs are growling. Read on to get to know a little more about Gabby.

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Name: Gabrielle Feuersinger

Company: Cake Coquette

Started My Business: in 2007

Located: 1501 Cortland Ave San Francisco, CA 94110

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

A: The special smoothing and sculpting tools I use for icing buttercream and shaping cakes are my most essential tools.

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: Any moment not working I am spending time with my almost 3-year-old son and with my family; lately we are working in the garden.

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I can’t think of a venue that I am dying to work at, but I love when I get access to residential homes or venues of architectural significance that may not normally be open to the public.

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A: I love all dark, wheat, seedy, nutty breads covered in jam.

Photo courtesy 10th Kitchen

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: This is not very exciting, but if I can get time to read this feels like a guilty pleasure….I’m on the second book of Game of Thrones.

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: I watch Jimmy Fallon and Conan every night (from the night before). I just finished the first season of Game of Thrones and am starting to watch The Borghese.

Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: people who are late.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: The most recent online purchase was from eBay, an unopened set of The Beatles figurines from the Yellow Submarine movie. They are for my son, who is obsessed with the Fab Four.

Photo courtesy Animation Magazine

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: The Beatles.

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: A new dress from this amazing store called MAC in Hayes valley.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: To pick a favorite restaurant is too hard, but I am always up for Gracias Madre.

Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I love working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning Team because I know that everything about our event will be seamless and stunning. And that we might end up in Martha Stewart Weddings together!!

(So, we did actually end up in Martha Stewart Weddings together, which you can read about by following this link!)

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Jillian Schiavi of Jilly Ink!

Parental Love

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Photo by Mark Kuroda

The last step in parental love

involves the release of the beloved;

the willing cutting of the cord that

would otherwise keep the child in a

state of emotional dependence.

– Lewis Mumford

Real Wedding: Olivia and Dan on Style Me Pretty Today!

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

We’re beyond excited to share photos from Olivia and Dan’s wedding at Beaulieu Garden on Style Me Pretty today! We worked with an all star group of vendors to produce this gorgeous wedding, including Yvonne Wong Photography, Paula Le Duc Fine Catering, Sharla Flock Designs, Got Light., Sweet On Cake, and many others. Here’s a little sneak peak of some of our favorite photos, but please be sure to visit the entire gallery on Style Me Pretty by following this link.

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Wedding Traditions and History: The White Wedding Dress

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Stacy McCain Event Planning

Queen Victoria, circa 1840

The very first white wedding dress was worn in 1499 by Anne of Brittany, as she married Louis XII of France. Prior to this date, the bride would traditionally wear her best dress to her wedding, and in fact, the color did not matter. This was of course a more practical option because the bride could wear the dress again. The truth was that only the wealthy could afford an extravagant gown that would be worn just once. The trend of wearing a white dress never really took off until the 1840’s when Queen Victoria wore a white dress as she married Prince Albert.

Queen Elizabeth, circa 1947

Every culture is different. Here’s an interesting fact: in Japan, a bride wears white to symbolize that she is in mourning for having to leave her family. Later in the ceremony, the bride will change her costume several times to reflect her changing identity.

Photo courtesy e wedding inspiration

In Western culture, it’s a common misconception that wearing white is a symbol of the bride’s purity; it is in fact meant to be a symbol of joy. The act of wearing a white wedding dress is still very much the traditional choice today, however, symbolically, they are less about the bride’s purity and more about her debut as a first time bride.

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

In case you missed it, be sure to read our last entry featuring Wedding Traditions and History: The Wedding Cake!