Friday, February 26, 2010

A Weekend of Lovelies

Photo Credits: Ariella Chezar and Meg Smith

What a lovely week it has been. Hope you have an even sweeter weekend and enjoy catching up on some delightful finds...

To do or not to do? Helpful tips on why you SHOULD hire a wedding coordinator for your special day!

DIY Soda Pop escort cards are perfect for that whimsical event you are planning!

This French film looks absolutely adorable! Can not wait to brush up on my French with this lovely film.

Going for that ethereal romantic look? You'll want to perfectly accessorize with some of these glamorous finds.

Adorable Paper Candy Gift Toppers make me smile.

All that glitters... Johanna Johnson is one designer you do not want to miss out on!

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Center Stage

You may recall our delightful little post on perfectly pink ballerina inspired wedding gowns that we featured earlier this month. Well, leave it to Martha to perfectly spotlight the most girly bit of gorgeousness taking center stage in the whimsical world of weddings. The Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2010 edition has yet to hit stands, but I couldn't resist sharing it's elegant ensemble of the most graceful tulle wedding gowns that have me seriously rethinking my obsession with duchess silk satin. For our lovely brides-to-be, please take note. You will most definitely gain a standing ovation for your bridal debut in a gown as dreamy and romantic as these ethereal ballerina confections.




Photo Credits: Ditte Isager for Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2010

You will most definitely want to pick up the Pretty in Pink Spring 2010 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings as quickly as it hit stands, it's filled to the brim with the loveliest bits of inspiration.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Vintage Garden Romance: Kelli & Sam, IV

I'm betting that today's delightful romantic feature has left you with tremendous awe. Maybe a little bit of envy. Overall, it is my hope that you have been inspired with a fresh perspective to styling an event with sweet simplicity. Sweet simplicity that speaks volumes, nonetheless.

I graciously would like to thank Kelli & Sam for allowing us to indulge in their romantic wedding celebration. Be sure to check out more of Kelli's work right here.

Below is a video that Tom of Aqua Vivus and Matthew Forrey put together for Sam and I on our wedding day. He pieced together and edited the footage all in under two hours (during cocktail hour of the wedding) and we were able to share it with guests at the end of the night on a huge projector screen! It had the whole crowd in tears! Every time I watch it, it brings me back to that very moment, and I re-live the joy of that day all over again. -Kelli Larson



Kelli + Sam - Same Day Edit/Wedding Trailer from Matthew Forrey on Vimeo.


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Vintage Garden Romance: Kelli & Sam, III

Recently, I was asked what the one piece of advice I would give to all brides and grooms would be. Simple. Let your personality dictate your wedding style. Don't be afraid to break from tradition. Allow yourself to infuse unique, memorable, and personal touches that define the essence of your relationship. Taking a clue from today's gifted bride Kelli, the perfect place to start infusing personality: wedding papery elements. And with talent as inspiring and unique as that of Kelli Larson, one can only imagine how much personality she would evoke into her very own wedding invitation suite. A labor of love that clearly translates as a treasure to cherish for the recipients.




The royal scoop from the adorable bride:

I love to layer textures and fabrics into many of my designs and I decided to do that here with our invitation as well. I hand drew the branch/feather frame and chose a font I thought suited it. I scanned in some lace and layered it on top of old vintage paper. After playing around with colors for a bit, I decided on this pale peach…which I want to be a dominant color of the floral! And then I went with a slate shimmer envelope. I can’t get enough of custom die cut invitations, so I had to tack on that little added touch as well!

For those of you who stop by often on The Royal Scoop know quite well the depth of my love for all things vintage. It's pretty much a given that I am going to fall head over heels with all things that encompass a touch of vintage elegance. So it comes as no surprise that these darling papery elements, designed and printed by the bride herself, have made my heart flutter with glee. I am particularly smitten with this muted color palette… the pretty peaches and soft grays, just gorgeous. And the wedding programs...oh my! They stand as a stunning example of Kelli's talent…with perfect details, personal written notes, and a style that is all together lovely, you can't help but wish they were your very own.





Photo Credits: Sarah Shreves


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Vintage Garden Romance: Kelli & Sam, II

Today's feature is every bit vintage inspired, and yet it has a fresh, updated perspective that is absolutely gorgeous. A little bit of pure elegance with an incredibly lovely understated style, Kelli and Sam's romantic and awe-inspiring wedding has me floating on cloud nine. Infused with a galore of garden-inspired elements, you can practically hear the birds chirping at this lovely affair. It really is just that delightful. It's that perfect blend of backyard sensibility with super chic style. And seriously, can we just have a moment for this glowing bride who defines the epitome of gorgeousness? {Sigh}.


Aside from being an illustrator extraordinaire, Kelli has a natural flair for style and design. Her eye for chic sophistication enabled her to capture pretty perfection in all that she created for her wedding day, making the entire affair seem beautifully effortless. The theme of the wedding was Vintage Garden Romance - I wanted it all to be very soft and fairy-tale like....almost like it was from another time. -Kelli Larson

The Inspiration Board: Fall Romance






I recently had a chance to discuss with Kelli the most memorable and sacred moment of her wedding day. On a day where every moment is a memory in and of itself, I was sincerly delighted to hear the emotional and loving response she shared with me.

Honestly, the best part of the whole day for me was standing on the alter with Sam, hand in hand and looking into his eyes and knowing that this was the man I would spend the rest of my life with. It was a feeling of joy and comfort and commitment and overwhelming love. Something I had never felt before. We could have been anywhere at that moment. But as I looked around me and saw all the people I have ever loved in my life witnessing and supporting our commitment to one another....it became just that much more special. Another kicker for me was the song that my friend Kendall Payne sang for us during our ceremony. It is an old hymn called "How Deep a Father's Love for Us". The words brought me to tears in thinking about the greatness of God's love. And how lucky I am to love...because He first loved me. -Kelli Larson



Although this gem of a wedding is overflowing with gorgeous details, I have to admit, it's the DIY bridesmaid's accessories that really make my heart melt. And luckily for us, Kelli is here to divulge all her secrets.

I am lucky to have a cousin who is the “queen of crafts”. Ask her how to do anything creative, and she will most likely know. Well I went to her with the idea of creating custom accessories for my bridesmaids. I didn’t want them all to wear the exact same thing, but I did want it all to coordinate in one way or another. And because their dresses are very simple….I wanted to make more of a statement in jewelry. I was inspired by the work of Marquis & Camus, a collection of jewelry that offers a truly unique look into the future of remixed couture. I am SO IN LOVE with all of it! In a dream world, I would have bought each of my bridesmaids a Marquis & Camus original…..but I decided to get crafty instead.




Photo Credits:Acres of Hope Photography

My cousin and I went out and bought a handful of odds and ends: charms, pearls, chains, elastic, feathers and flowers…….as well as a few “base necklaces” from forever 21. (Yes, I admit it) She hand made silk roses and coffee stained tattered tool to add as needed. After much thought on what to create with all this “goodness”, we decided on 3 necklaces, 2 bracelets, and two flower hairpieces. A little something different for each girl.

And I'm sure you're probably dying to know where you can get your hands on those fabulous bridesmaid's gowns? I'm a little embarrassed to say it, but it was from Charlotte Russe! Although I altered it myself, removing the ric rac that was on it and adding my own trim below the bust. I used the same tattered tool on the top of my own dress to tie it all in. -Kelli Larson {Gasp}. How genius is that?


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Vintage Garden Romance: Kelli & Sam

Our featured bride, Kelli Larson, is just that kind of girl you can't help but fall in love with. A girl with an infectious smile, timeless beauty, and that laid back California chic style. And to top it all off, she's been gifted with quite a unique, yet every bit amazing, oh-so ridiculous talent as an illustrator. You just can't help but be enamored with the sweetness she radiates or envious of her charm. And you can only imagine that a girl with so much loveliness could only find a match as wonderful as herself.

Introducing Kelli and Sam...





It's hard to imagine a more thoughtfully and lovingly designed wedding than that of Kelli and Sam's. It's one of those weddings that is just pure prettiness from head to toe. Their Happily Ever After began as a backyard chic wedding in El Cajon, CA with details that were absolutely spot on beautiful. Even more notably, Kelli infused a plethora of DIY projects, all the while keeping a savvy budget friendly appeal, that will literally make your heart flutter. And for those of you who are left with bated breath, not to fret. We have a delightful day of gorgeousness and insight from the darling bride herself.


Photo Credits: Acres of Hope Photography

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Making Magic Happen

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Lately, you have probably noticed that things have been quieter than usual here on The Royal Scoop. Well, we have been busy bee's making magic happen behind the scenes. Literally. Every year, my husband and I are fortunate enough to spend our winters in Florida, due to the nature of my husband's business. And during our winter break, we delightfully frolic around the enchanted land of Walt Disney World creating magical memories for families and children of all ages. Yep, that's right, we are Disney cast members. Coincidentally, our time spent as Disney cast members, making the magic happen, seems to bring as much blissful merriment into our own lives as the lives we touch. A humbling experience nonetheless.

Photo Credits: The Royal Gala

As one might assume, working with Disney is an extraordinary experience and I feel truly blessed to be a part of a company that claims a level of greatness all it's own. There is just something really, really special about the nature of it's core being. I can honestly admit that it absolutely is a place where dreams come true and fantasies flourish. A bit of a reminder that life is much merrier with a dash of whimsy and a belief in the most fanciful of dreams.

A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true. -Cinderella

With that being said, we are back to creating magic, of the prettiest kind, here on The Royal Scoop. We hope you'll stay tuned, we think you're gonna like what we have in store!


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Photo Credits: Martha Stewart

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Accepting Submissions to The Royal Scoop


Interested in appearing on The Royal Scoop? We LOVE to feature delightful weddings, and all special occasions alike, that are full to the brim of couture inspiration. Have a unique and inspiring DIY project that you are working on? Well, we would LOVE to give our followers the royal scoop on your labor of LOVE. Please contact Jacquelyn at jchiovari@theroyalgala.com if you are interested in having your work publicized on our blog. Also, if you have stumbled upon something that you think is so fabulous we should share it with our audience, please spread the LOVE, we'd be oh-so delighted for you to do so! In fact, we'd LOVE you for it!
jchiovari@theroyalgala.com


Submission requirements:
  • 5-10 photographs with proper source credits {Photographs should be between 400-600 pixels wide}
  • A brief description of what you are submitting and why you feel it fits the bill for our audience. For weddings: please give us an insight into the details that encompassed your special day. What was your theme, the overall vision for the occasion, what made your day unique and memorable? For DIY projects, please provide us with a tutorial on how you created your divine designs.
  • Any relevant information that pertains to the vendors {Name and Website} who helped translate your dreams into reality for your project or special occasion.
  • Please provide us with an email address to contact you for further information if necessary.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Fancy This: Sash & Bustle

As of late, I find myself drawn to quirky, charming and unexpected bridal details. A little bit of a reminder that sometimes the overly fancy and über glamorous way of thinking is not always the answer. Case and point: Sash & Bustle {Toranto, Canada}. The fresh approach to bridal attire by Sash & Bustle is everything a vintage obsessed gal like myself could dream of. Offering brides a stylish yet understated perspective on the classic white wedding dress, Sash & Bustle is sure to delight the bride-to-be who longs for a dress full of personality. Just a few of the details I am loving..


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Photo Credits: Crimson Photos via Ritzy Bee

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