Ryan and Rachel - California Country Club

A quiet moment for Ryan and Rachel -- overlooking LaJolla (above)

R&R were married in the San Diego Temple of the the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints I love this couple--they are so fun!

I couldn't resist posting this! Ya gotta love little brothers.

Emerging from the temple--you get a view of Rachel's bouquet--mauve roses with Stefanotis. each little white bloom is studded in the center with pink pearl head pins.

Ryan's boutonierre--3 stephanotis, with gold wrapped stem. Clean and Classic.

Christian and Kinsey--brother and sister of the Bride cuttin' it up--a glimpse of the San Bernardo ballroom at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Where the reception was held. Gorgeous old world beauty. info at http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com/

Italian Ruscus, Stargazer Lilies, Hot pink Roses, curly willow and amaranthus in a stone vase
This dreamy cake was studded with edible gold dragees, wrapped in gold ribbon and lavished with flowers lavender, white and pink roses, lisianthus, stefanotis and verigated pittosporum

Ample centerpieces of rose, Stargazer, seeded eucalyptus, lisianthus, amaranthus...


...plus some waxflower and hydrangea, in these beautiful stone urns

The glowing parents of the bride

The gorgeous couple..

I loved this wedding! Warm, beautiful, classic.


Special thanks to family friend Anita Schiller for sharing her photos with us.

Love Poems, Quote and Bible Verses...

Brides will often ask me for a poem, quote or Bible verse that would be appropriate for them to use on their invitations or programs. So, I thought that I'd post my list here, for all the world to enjoy! I have compiled this list from a variety of sources including wedding books, the internet, the Bible, and from some things that brides have given to me to use. Enjoy!

~Laurie

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Two Loves
By Father Abram J. Ryan

Two loves came up a long, wide aisle,
And knelt at a low, white gate;
One—tender and true, with a shyest smile,
One—strong, true and elate.

Two lips spoke in a firm true way,
And two lips answered soft and low;
In one true hand such a little hand lay
Fluttering, frail as a flake of snow.
One stately head bent humble there,
Stilled were the throbbings of human love;
One head drooped down like a lily fair,

Two prayers went, wing to wing, above.
God blest them both in the holy place,
Long brief moment till the rite was done;
On the human love fell a heavenly grace,
Making two hearts forever one.

Between two lengthening rows of smiles,
One sweetly shy, one proud, elate,
Two loves passed down the long wide aisle
Will they ever forget the low white gate?

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No speed of wind or water rushing by
But you have speed far greater. You can climb
Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,
And back through history up the stream of time.
And you were given this swiftness, not for haste,
Not chiefly that you may go where you will,
But in the rush of everything to waste,
That you may have the power of standing still-
Off any still or moving thing you say.
Two such as you with such a master speed
Cannot be parted nor be swept away
From one another once you are agreed
That life is only life forevermore
Together wing to wing and oar to oar.

-Robert Frost-

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Love is like an eternal flame,
once it is lit,
it will continue to burn for all time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A life of sharing, caring
A love of endless giving together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two souls with but a single thought,
two hearts that beat as one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is only one happiness in life,
to love and be loved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love you not only for what you are,
but for what I am when I am with you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A new day
A new life
Together

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two lives, two hearts
Joined together in friendship
United forever in
Love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are:
The smile on my face
The beat in my heart
The light of my day
The dark of my night

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are:
The dreams I dream
The passion I possess
The soul I adore
The one I love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You bring into my life
a sense of oneness,
shared by two.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I think of my love for you,
it can only be compared to the
greatest feelings of love in the world
And that is God’s Love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Dove of Love has touched my Heart
Sprinkling purity each day that I start
Faith, Hope and Love is the way I shall be
Forever yours eternally

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are my best friend and soul mate
May the Love that we have for each other
Last forever in our hearts and soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My love I do give to you,
more than words can explain.
That's why I thank the Lord for you,
each and everyday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For on this day and every day after,
I plan to fill your heart with love and laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just for you
I give my heart
For years to come
'Til death do us part

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My gift to you is my love
Given from deep within my heart
It is the best I have to offer
And it's yours until this earth we depart

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In all my life
I have never known
someone like you who
makes me feel so complete
in everyway.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two lives, two hearts
Joined together in Love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whoever lives in love
Lives in God…
I John 4:16

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This day I will marry my best friend,
The one I laugh with,
Live for, dream with and
Love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love knows no limit to its endurance
no end to its trust,
Love still stands
when all else has fallen.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love you not only for what you are,
but for what I am when I am with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love you today
As I have from the start,
And I'll love you forever
With all of my heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do believe that God above,
Created you for me to love.
He chose you from all the rest,
Because he knew I would love you the best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are the one
who makes me whole.
You've captured my heart
and touched my soul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are the one
that stepped out of my dreams,
gave me new hope and
showed me what love means.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You alone are my reason to live
for the compassion you show
and the care that you give.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You came into my life
and made me complete.
Each time I see you
my heart skips a beat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are the one
God sent from above
The angel I needed
For whom I do love

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All I ever wanted was to be part of your heart,
And for us to be together, to never be apart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No one else in the world can even compare,
You're perfect and so is this love that we share.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have so much more than I ever thought we would,
I love you more than I ever thought I could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I promise to give you all I have to give,
I'll do anything for you as long as I live.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In your eyes I see our present,
our future and past.
By the way you look at me,
I know we will last.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope that one day
you'll come to realize,
how perfect you are
when seen through my eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I asked God for a flower, he gave me a bouquet
I asked God for a minute, he gave me a day
I asked God for true love, he gave me that too
I asked for an angel and he gave me you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forever is what I want with you
For the search is at an end
Our hearts have found each other
As lovers, as soul mates, as friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our lives entwined to be as one,
Upon this journey we’ve just begun.
Where you and I will find no less,
Than eternal love and happiness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Meaning of Love
Love is patient, Love is kind.
It does not envy, It does not boast,
It is not proud, It is not rude,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
But rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
Always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Across the years
I will walk with you,
in deep green forests
on shores of sand.
And when our time
on earth is through,
in heaven too,
you will have my hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two souls fused by commitment,
Two names written in the stars above,
Two lives intertwined by God,
Two hearts joined by the purest of love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As You Marry
On this your wedding day
May angels smile upon you
For a single heart now beats
Where once there had been two
The Lord has brought you to this day
Through all of life's confusions
To come full circle all the way
To bless your wedded union
May your days be filled with laughter
And your nights be filled with peace
As you grow old together
Sharing happiness and ease
For a man shall be a woman's heart
And a woman be a man's
Til the oceans cease to flow
And deserts lose their sands
"This is my beloved, and this is my friend."

Song of Solomon 5:16

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"God has poured out his love into our hearts."

Romans 5:5 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Only through Christ will we find true oneness in marriage, the kind He created for us from the beginning."

1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Love is patient and kind, always trusts. Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

I John 4:12 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Love yesterday, today and forever."

Jeremiah 31:3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The two will become one."

Ephesians 5:31 (NIV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So they are no longer two, but one.
Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Matthew 19:6 (NIV)

Selecting your perfect invitation and saving money along the way!

I've been selling wedding invitations for over seven years now and I can honestly say that I love what I do. I enjoy meeting wonderful young ladies and help them plan for the single most important day of their life. Finding the perfect wedding invitation is critical as it is the first impression your guests will have of what type of wedding they will be attending. Sure, the wedding dress is super-important, as is the wedding cake, and the wedding music, but your guests can't take them home and hang them on their refrigerator for weeks!

So, how do you find your perfect wedding invitation? The first thing that I ask a bride when I sit down with her is if she already has something in mind for what she is wanting. Some brides will already have their mind made up, so my job is made really easy.

For those that are less decisive, I then ask them what type of wedding they are planning - what their wedding dress is like, where will the ceremony be held, what time is the wedding, what are the plans for the reception, what is her budget like... This allows me to find out her style and her financial situation -- is she traditional or trendy, plain or fancy, upscale or casual? From there I can pretty well figure out which invitation will fit her perfectly.



For the traditional bride on a budget: I usually suggest something simple with black ink. The price to change the ink color is very minimal, so don't let those of you who are budget-minded worry about that. However, black ink is the traditional standard. That being said, there are several other colors that will still give off the "formal" feel that aren't black. You can also dress up your invitation by adding an inital or design to the top.

Usually, I start brides off in the thermography section of my wedding invitation books. Thermography is a finishing technique applied after printing that raises the ink and gives the effect of engraved printing. It looks like a genuine engraved invitation, but without the extra expense. The only visual difference between the two is that if you turn them over and look on the back side, you will see a dent on the genuine engraved invitations (a "bruise") that will not be visable on an invitation printed in thermography. In the engraving process, they actually make a metal plate that is pressed into the paper to raise the letters.

Now, for those brides that are traditional and money is no object, then I have no problem selling them genuine engraved if that is what they want! I just feel like I'm ripping off people when I sell them, because it just doesn't make sense to me to spend all that money. But, I also understand when they tell me that they can't settle for anything less than the best, so I'll let them have it!



My husband likes to pick on me and tell me that I'm too honest to be in business. What he means, is that I will tell a bride when she's getting ripped off, even if it means that I'm going to make less money. I have always given 25% off the book prices from the national wedding companies that I represent (Carlson Craft, National Engraving, Regency Thermographers, McPherson's, and NuArt). I feel like I am helping out my customers by saving them a wad of cash and in-turn I get more business because they recommend me to their friends. It's worked for me for over seven years now, so I guess I'll stick with that philosophy!

Then, there are the brides that are more trendy and want something that will make a statement and won't be forgotten easily. For them, I usually start by finding out what colors or theme they will be using with on their big day. If their wedding day is in December, I may recommend a holiday-inspired invitation. If the ceremony is to be held on the beach, a simple invitation with a nautical feel may be the ticket. If they are doing everything red -- they are in luck! There are some exquiste invitations in red these days -- red ink, red paper, a red border, red ribbons...so trendy and so cute!



There are those brides that are into the "fru-fru" invitations (myself included). These brides may be drawn to the invitations that are matched with a vellum overlay or adorned with a coordinating bow. There are tons of precious invitations that fall into this category, but beware -- they more "stuff", the more money!

For the bride that is only concerned with saving money, there are many beautiful invitations for you too!!! Nothing upsets me more than the fact that Wal-Mart sells do-it-yourself invitations. To all of those who have gone that route: TAKE THEM BACK BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! They cost MORE than some of the high quality invitations printed in thermography (raised lettering) that you can get from a professional printer. They make you think that since they are from Wal-Mart and you have to do them yourself you are getting a good deal. What they don't want you to know is that they usually don't include double envelopes (which is standard on most any invitation from any of the national companies) and that they are only selling you 25 or 50 at a time. If you need 50 invitations or less, then that is the only case in which I can make sense of buying your invitations from Wal-Mart! Ask for the "Tempo" book at any Carlson Craft retailer -- it's full of beautiful invitations and has outstanding prices.

When trying to save money here are some tips:
* Don't order an envelope liner (no one will notice, I promise!)
* Stay away from invitations that have bows, vellum or the "pearlized" stuff on them -- they are beautiful, but they cost more.
* Include your reception information at the bottom of your invitation rather than buying a separate reception card.

Whatever your budget and style, you are bound to find something to fit the occassion. Just keep in mind that with this single piece of paper you are setting the tone for your entire day, so make sure that it is appropriate to your situation. Happy shopping and let me know if I can help you in any way!

The Wedding Day Emergency Kit

You have spent weeks, months and (for some brides) years planning for your big day. It may be small, but something is bound to go wrong, no matter how much forethought you put into every detail. So, we have come up with a list of things to include in an "emergency kit" that you can put together before the big day and then assign someone to keep up with throughout the event for you. This will virtually guarantee you a stree-free day where you will be left to enjoy the experience instead of worrying about any problems that may arise!

Putting together these items for a bride and presenting it to her at a shower is a WONDERFUL idea too!! This would make a great gift from a group of hostesses to provide to the bride. You could go the extra step and put it in a great basket, a toolbox, a sewing basket, or a monogrammed bag that she can use forever -- whatever it is, make sure that it will holdup and withstand multiple handlers and a very busy day! You could also do "his" and "hers" kits.



MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR BRIDAL PARTY LOOK YOUR BEST!
* Static-cling spray
* Sewing kit, safety pins, scissors
* No-sew fusing (so you can iron a hem back together if it falls out)
* Extra pairs of pantyhose for the girls and socks that match the men's suits (some of them are bound to show up in blue socks and a black suit)!
* Spot/Stain remover
* Two bottles of nail polish -- one for your nails and one for your pantyhose!
* Nail clippers, file, tweesers
* Makeup: lipstick, foundation, powder, blush, mascara, eye shadow, whatever else you use...
* Lotion
* Deodorant
* Hairbrush, comb, hairspray, curlers or curling iron, hair dryer, bobbypins
* Iron
* Extra backs for your earrings
* Extra Glasses, contact lens solution, lens
* Eyedrops that will reduce redness
* Kleenex or handkerchief
* Cotton Balls, Q-tips, Brushes and whatnot to apply makeup with
* Baby wipes or moist towelettes
* Golf Umbrella -- in case of rain -- you will be able to keep most of your dress dry with one of these as opposed to a regular umbrella.
* Straws -- for drinking without ruining your makeup!
* Lint Brush
* Shoe Polish

MAKE SURE YOU'LL FEEL YOUR BEST
* Tylenol and Advil (some people can't take one or the other...)
* Antacids
* Gas Relief Pills
* Allergy Medication
* Cold Medicine (NON-Drowsy for sure)
* Throat Lozenges/Cough Drops
* Ace Bandages
* BandAids
* Perscription Medicines (for yourself!)
* Feminine Hygiene products: pads and/or tampons
* Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouth Waste, Floss, Mints, Toothpicks
* Mirror (if there isn't a bathroom nearby, or one in the dressing area)

MAKE SURE EVERYTHING RUNS SMOOTHLY
* Bring an extra copy of the scriptures, poems, readings and songs that are going to be used in the ceremony
* Pen, Paper or Notepad, Tape, Stapler, Scissors
* Fully-charged cell phone (make sure it's turned OFF during the ceremony if it will be close enough to be heard).
* A lamintated list of all of your wedding day service providers and their phone number(s).
* A laminated list of your entire weddding party and their phone number(s).
* Clock or Watch

EXTRA STUFF YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE
* Snacks
* Bottled water
* Camera (for those priceless candid shots)
* Double sided tape, Masking Tape, Duct Tape, Medical Tape
* Antibacterial Solution
* Sunscreen
* Matches/Lighter
* Loose Change (for vending machines, parking meters, etc.)
* Glue gun and glue sticks; super glue

Stephen and Brianne - a little bit country in Reno NV

Steven and Brie, emerging from their ceremony in the Reno Nevada LDS templeThese two give new meaning to the word "cool". They both were so calm and relaxed on their wedding day. (or maybe they are really good actors? :) With colors of Turquoise and Brown--we decided on white flowers
This all white bouquet was delicious. Lots of Ranunculus, with stock, Lisianthus, mums and the suprising touch of snowberries. The sumptuous blue velvet ribbon was hard to come by but worth the search

We brought in the wedding colors by hand detailing each container to look like aged copper.

Pure white stock in one of our "copper" vases

Brie's sister Taryn (far right) and cousins Megan and Rachel. the reception was held out on a historic ranch. The Bride and Bridesmaids all wore cowboy boots!

The cake topper mimmicks the bridal bouquet, and the cake decor (done by Brie's aunt) reflected the design of Brianne's wedding gown.

a cool country affair in the mountains of Reno....

and a darn good looking couple!

Thanks to Aunt Kristy for sharing her snopshots of the day. Brianne herself is a professional photographer, check out her site at http://www.briannehallimagery.wordpress.com/