Category Archives: Inside Scoop

Noshing At Tiffany’s – Styled Shoot, Westlake Village, California

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Alison in Featured, Flowers, From the Expert, From The Yentas, Inside Scoop, Inspiration Boards, Jewish Traditions, Planning, Styled Shoot

Elegance. Femininity. Fashion. High society. Total Glam.

Those are the words that describe Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn, and, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Aren’t these wonderful words to use to describe a wedding? Who says you can’t have a wedding in the style of Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Every girl can have her Audrey moment.

But you’re having a Jewish wedding. You have to stick to… tradition! How do you incorporate this kind of aesthetic when your wedding day is mildly or heavily guided by tradition?

Ah ha! A little word play has never been so glamorous:

The Wedding Yentas is proud to present Noshing at Tiffany’s!

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

So how do you pull off a Noshing at Tiffany’s wedding, borrowing details from the movie and style while combining some Jewish flair?

It all starts with food! A brunch time wedding is so yummy and high society! Pick a place that provides a beautiful brunch ambiance. We did (Stonehaus at The Westlake Village Inn) and the environment, food spread, and service provided the most luxurious spot for our photo shoot. While delicate desserts like Tiffany-blue chocolate covered strawberries (Bobalu Berries) and colorful macarons bring in ultimate class, go ahead and bring out the nosh with Jewish delicacies like black and white cookies, blintzes, and other treats you’d find in your deli’s spinning glass dessert case. A variety of bagels will always be welcome at any Jewish event and you can’t forget the accouterments: lox, onions, capers, cucumbers, tomatoes. And the cream cheese? But of course!

Here’s the wedding spin on cream cheese: You know the colorful spread of candy in apothecary jars or delicious dessert buffets we see at wedding receptions as we walk out with our midnight snacks? Here’s a new one for you:

Schmear Bar!

Different flavored cream cheeses to accompany your bagel! Noshing at Tiffany’s fusion does not get any yummier or Jewishy than that!

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

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It would have been criminal of all of us to produce a vintage Tiffany’s-themed styled shoot without that perfect twinkle of blue!

We’ll learn more about the inspiration for the design (An Enlightened Event) later this week, but I’m too impulsive to wait to share the details that are dripping in Tiffany’s robin’s egg blue. The table scape (Pretty Vintage Table and Ventura Rental Party Center) is dessert for my eyes and the brunch buffet even manages to boast signature blue via tri-fold labels (Fla-de-Dahs) and sparkly servingware (Bling Diva Designs). And what’s a better way to tip your hat to Tiffany’s? How about a “cake topper” (Bling Diva Designs) blinged out in Swarovski crystals in the figure of a class Tiffany’s diamond engagement ring? Since Noshing at Tiffany’s is a brunch, we didn’t include a cake and created a dessert tower instead and that pretty little gem of a topper dazzled from the highest tier.

The flowers (Happy Flowers) with silver spray painted succulents add a necessary antique quality to the dream of cream hydrangeas. This carries over from bouquets to boutonnieres to chuppah. The little things add to the big look! The rest of the floral design included romantic and textured blooms like roses, Million Star Gypsophila, Queen Anne palm seeds, Dusty Miller, renunuclas, and Pieris japonica.

You can even incorporate the palette in your Jewish details, too! Your ketubah (Anna Abramzon Studio) doesn’t need to be made out of Tiffany diamonds (although, twist my arm!), but why not select a piece of art that you love and integrates the color scheme? Success for Noshing at Tiffany’s! And you can purchase glass or use a bag for the glass that pays homage to the look of your wedding.

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

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Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

What screams “vintage” more than a Breakfast at Tiffany’s period Rolls Royce? Whether it’s for a getaway or just for photos, a vintage car (Classy Chassis) seals the deal on a vintage wedding. Shots in, out, and around the car with as a couple or with your bridal party is a great way to capture memories from your day.

This is something that even the girliest girl can get excited about!

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

It’s impossible to talk about 1961′s Breakfast at Tiffany’s without mentioning what Audrey Hepburn is most known for: timeless, sophisticated fashion. So, for Noshing at Tiffany’s, this was brilliantly achieved and also appropriate for a Jewish wedding.

While the dresses our models wore (Mill Crest Vintage) were time-period appropriate (more on the fashion of the shoot later this week!), the wedding dress in particular would be a beautiful gown for a traditional Jewish bride as it boasted a modest neckline and covered shoulders. And the black bridesmaid dress is a reminder of that little black dress that Audrey made so famous.

Wedding experts will tell you that your wedding dress will help dictate the style of your wedding, and dictate it did! The wedding dress was the starting point, and the rest of the vision followed, including the ladies’ hair (Hair of the Bride) and makeup (Sam Salk) styles.

Noshing at Tiffany's Styled Shoot

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This is just the tip of the Noshing at Tiffany’s iceberg! This week you’ll see in-depth details and analysis from the top-notch designers who expertly created the look of this photo shoot. They are the epitome of true professionals in the field. The idea came to me during coffee on a trip to Chicago with the vintage wardrobe designer from Mill Crest Vintage, and then I called upon my troops and they put their creative juices to work! This kind of collaboration is not only inspiring for brides who are currently planning weddings, but for individuals and businesses in the wedding industry.

It was an honor to coordinate this shoot with my wonderful team and I can’t wait for the Yentas community to see the rest of this dreamy result.

Photographer: Erin Saldana Photography
Venue and Catering: Stonehaus at The Westlake Village Inn
Styled Shoot Designer and Wedding Coordinator: An Enlightened Event
Bride and Bridesmaid Dresses & Accessories: Mill Crest Vintage
Floral Design & Chuppah: Happy Flowers
Event Design and Rentals: Pretty Vintage Table
Tuxedos: Friar Tux
Blue Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Bobalu Berries
Rolls Royce: Classy Chassis
Dessert Topper and Servingware: Bling Diva Designs
Paper Food Cards and Paper Table Number: Fla-de-Dahs
Ketubah: Anna Abramzon Studio
Hair Stylist: Hair of the Bride, Helena Van Zandbergen
Makeup Artist: Sam Salk
Linens: Ventura Rental Party Center

Wonderful Models: Runya Simon, Jason Simon, Yana Ward, Jonathan Bluth

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You Have a Junior Bridesmaid. Now What?

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Alison in Bridesmaids, Inside Scoop, Planning

Your younger, but not thaaaaat much younger cousin whose hair you used to french braid for dance class every Thursday. The cute girls down the street who considered you their favorite babysitter when they were tiny and you used to gossip with their mom after she’d come home from work. Your fiance’s only niece and the other cute girl in his life who takes him up on every offer for a piggy back ride and tea party. None of these girls are young enough to be the toddling and cute-but-clueless flower girl who walks down the aisle. But they’re also not old enough to be a bridesmaid who can do and afford all of the bridesmaid-y events. So, you have an epiphany and say to yourself, “Self! I know! [Insert Name Here] can be a JUNIOR BRIDESMAID!”

Genius idea, but what the blintzes does a junior bridesmaid even do?

Well, a junior bridesmaid is like a watered down version of an adult bridesmaid and a totally upgraded model of a flower girl. She’s cute and gets time to shine like a flower girl, but fits in more with the adult bridesmaids. Best of both worlds, right?

Usually, the over/under for the age of a junior bridesmaid is between 9 and 14. None of the traditions are requirements, but you can take what you need and make up your own rules about how to include your junior bridesmaid on your wedding day.

Because a junior bridesmaid is not, like, working for The Man, she probably has no income to throw you a shower. Unless your junior bridesmaid is Dakota Fanning. Wait, I think she’s older than 14 now. But you know what I mean. So, even though she won’t dish out cash to help sponsor the shower, she should be included by planning to attend and assist with bridal shower duties like set-up and clean-up, making favors, cooking and baking, helping with gifts, and other very important tasks.

You can even include your junior bridesmaid when you go wedding gown shopping. Now, you are not required to follow her opinions or let her pick out The Dress, but certainly she can be there as part of the experience. This is really more appropriate if your junior bridesmaid is a sister or a daughter, but it’s a nice and special way to include her. And she’ll love all the pretty dresses!

Speaking of dresses, she’ll get to wear a similar, if not the same, dress as the bridesmaids! Sometimes, brides select a dress for the junior bridesmaid that may be a bit longer in length or something with straps. It can be the same fabric and color as the adult bridesmaids, but if your gals are sporting a sexy dress, nothing says “tacky wedding” like allowing the junior bridesmaid to wear the identical frock. So, you know, good judgement yada yada yada.

She can also hold a smaller version of the adult bridesmaids’ bouquet. There’s always the corsage option, but that’s a little too prom for my personal taste. Most would agree.

When it comes to the wedding events, the junior bridesmaid will be at your rehearsal dinner like the rest of the bridal party and she can also hang with the ushers (what younger girl wouldn’t want to rub elbows with cool, older, cute guys in suits?) by also seating guests, handing out programs, or standing by the yarmulkes. She’ll definitely charm the old Jewish men that way.

Your junior bridesmaid can walk alone down the aisle, with another young man (junior groomsman?), or with another adult member of the wedding party. No rule here. It’s up to you and how symmetrical you are in your planning.

Just keep in mind — and this is a reminder because most of us have tried to forget — that your junior bridesmaid might be going through the, you know, change. Puberty. So, when it comes to picking out her look for day, be cognizant of the fact that she might be self-conscious or unable to pull off the style you have in mind. Remember when we were figuring it all out? Yeah, that’s probably what she’s going through right now. She might be brushing her curls… not something I ever did. No, no. I would have never done that because it causes really annoying frizzy hair, which makes awkward pubescent years even more traumatic. Sigh.

So, even though she may be a wee bit underage to join you for your bachelorette party at Guido’s Chippendales, your favorite younger gal pal can experience your bridal experience in a more G-rated fashion. She’ll be honored to be by your side as you say “I do” to your love, and maybe even learn a thing or to about how to be the coolest bride ever for when it’s her turn in 15-ish years.

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Kendra Scott Gives You Wedding Day Sparkle

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Alison in Featured, Gotta Have It, Inside Scoop

Recently, my friend and fellow wedding junkie, Beverly Harris of Beverly Harris Weddings and Events invited me for a lovely morning of bubbles and baubles! I was in the great company of other high end wedding vendors (a wedding blogger like me was in heaven, talking shop with the real pros!) as we sipped some champy and got googly eyes over stunning Kendra Scott jewelry inside the inviting and delightful Beverly Hills boutique.

Kendra Scott Color Bar

I’ve seen Kendra Scott in magazines and on celebrities, but I’d never personally handled the jewelry, and you guys, it’s gorgeous in person! And oh-so perfect for weddings! I can’t recommend Kendra Scott enough!

There are tons of options for you in store or online ready to go, and they would all make amazing gifts to your loved ones or even yourself (hey! you deserve pretty things, too!), but where I really gushed was the Color Bar.

What’s on tap at the Color Bar? Oh, you know, only the fantastic, high-end jewelry you expect with pretty much a rainbow (sans pot of gold — sorry) of colors to mix and match as you customize your bridal jewelry. YES. Customize. That’s like a bride’s favorite word.

All hail the Color Bar by Kendra Scott. I know this is a web site about Jewish weddings, but do you hear the angels singing?

All hail the Color Bar by Kendra Scott. I know this is a web site about Jewish weddings, but do you hear the angels singing?

I learned how the Color Bar works and was quite impressed with the process and it’s hardly even a “process.” The demonstration consisted of a touch screen, interactive experience! Cool geek overload! You can do this online, too. So, first you pick your style of jewelry. Pick your earrings/bracelet/ring/necklace and decide if you want it in gold or silver. Then choose your color gem. And, in theory, you’re done.

But say the piece you select is a chandelier earring with various spaces for stones. You can design your own pattern or arrangement of colored gems in each space. For example, online just now, I designed an ombre-style pair of chandelier earrings using shades of purple-ish tones. I was able to select the area and then click on the color. I made a few different versions before I settled on this one. See the progression of my build out.

Kendra Scott Color Bar

Cool, right?

Not into an ombre? Fine. You can do it all one color. Or just use two. Or go all Jackson Pollock and splatter color everywhere. No right, no wrong. You’re in control, sister. (Mmmmm. “Control.” Another favorite word for brides.).

I’m a big fan of color. I love colorful things and have a hard time sticking to muted tones. My own wedding was pink and orange with splashes of lime. So, I’m not kidding when I say I love color. But if you’re into black and white or charcoals or even just soft creams, you can still take advantage of the Color Bar and create the piece of jewelry that suits you. It’s all about you! And as it should be! Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently!

Kendra Scott Color Bar

So, when you’re looking for your bridal jewels, think about Kendra Scott! And the price points are absolutely affordable. I must admit I never purchased anything there because I assumed the prices were waaaa-aaaa-aaaay out of my budget and my husband would kill me. But I learned that their pieces are totally in most brides’ budgets so much so that you could probably customize a few pieces of jewelry. You need earrings for your bachelorette party, right? And you want something cute and sparkly to wear to your upcoming shower? Exactly.

Happy coloring with Kendra Scott!

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  • Kendra Scott says:
    February 18, 2013 at 11:59 am PDT

    Thank you so much for the fabulous feature! I am so glad you’re a new fan and made it out to our Beverly Hills store!

    XO,
    -Kendra

  • Beverly Harris says:
    February 18, 2013 at 8:36 pm PDT

    Hi Alison. Thank you for coming to the event. It was great to have so many wonderful industry people and brides come out and enjoy Kendra Scott’s jewelry. Hope to see you at the next one.

Ontario, Canada After-Wedding Session

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop, winter weddings

So, perhaps you’ve heard of the photo shoot that some brides or newlyweds do after their wedding called a “Trash the Dress” shoot. The name of this style of shoot always makes me sad because there’s nothing more heartbreaking to me than TRASHING A WEDDING DRESS!! Gasp! I’ve seen the photos and they’re cool. They really are. But I could never! It hurts my brain to think about doing naughty things to a $1,000 or more piece of clothing with sentimental value and beauty.

But I love this term that I just learned thanks to Caroline Ross Photography: LOVE THE DRESS SESSION! Yes! Isn’t that great? You love your dress SO much that you want to pose and look fierce and do cool things in it after you’re all good and married. THIS, my friends, I find easy to approve!

I especially love that these two cuties embraced the winter wonderland of Garson, Ontario in Canada and dolled up their wedding gear with sweaters and winter accessories and, is that a sled? I don’t know. This Yenta is a native of Southern California. No matter, this romantic shoot in the snow is so special!

Wedding Photo Shoot in Snow

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Attacking The Cocktail Hour

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Alison in Ask The Yentas, Inside Scoop, Planning, Witty

2012 was definitely the year of love, as my husband and I attended five weddings from August to December! By now, we feel we have memorized the general wedding ceremony and have mastered the art of leaving a guestbook message. Three of those weddings were Jewish weddings, so we definitely got our fair share of Horah time, and if I don’t do another grapevine for a couple more months, my feet (in heels!) will be OK.

No, really, weddings are fun, and we are lucky that members of our circle of friends and family are tying the knot and joining the Marrieds Club.

All this wedding-guesting, though, has gotten my husband quite a reputation as the Cocktail Hour Stalker. It sounds creepier than it is. What this means is that his favorite time of the whole Wedding Olympics is that glorious hour between the “I do” and the dancing: Cocktail Hour, AKA sixty minutes of miniature food items being passed around on trays, like a real life episode of Downton Abbey.

By the fifth wedding of the year in Chicago, our friends at the wedding checked in with my husband to make sure he was OK. Not because he’d fallen on aisle treatments. Not because he drank too much during the toasts. But to make sure he’d had enough of those coveted mac and cheese cups, or tomato soup shots and mini grilled cheese sandwiches duets, or beef satay wraps. Apparently, his consumption and approval of the hors d’oeuvre were a front-and-center concern.

Floataway Studio

Floataway Studio

Cocktail houring is basically an artform. If you have upcoming weddings on your calendar, here are some ways to enjoy this foodtastic time, as demonstrated by Husband Yenta (Yento?):

  • There’s the obvious Stand At The Kitchen Exit method. After the ceremony, find the space between the exit and the kitchen. Make like a lion in the Serengeti and lie in wait. When the unsuspecting cocktail hour server appears with tray in hand, pounce.
  • However, the above tactic won’t work if the servers get smart to your method. At the last wedding we went to, the servers sprinted out of the kitchen avoiding the area where people congregated to get their paws on the grub. In that case, head toward the back of the room. Servers will also tend to cover this section to accommodate some more sedentary guests, like older folks. I’m NOT condoning you steal appetizers out of the hands of senior citizens. I’m merely advising an additional location for prosperous appetizer consumption.
  • Split up. Make alliances. This is serious business. Partner up with your wedding date or another friend in case the servers are onto your shenanigans. Each of you can take turns picking up appetizers and sharing them. Maybe you are on chicken skewer duty while your partner is in charge of bruschetta. Divide and conquer.
  • Make friends with the servers. One of the servers at a 2012 wedding was a bit of a cranky pants. Every time we’d try to take an appetizer from her tray, she’d run away. She even began to appear from the kitchen with NAPKINS ON TOP OF THE FOOD to HIDE it from US. She was on a mission to keep food out of our hungry bellies. So instead, we found a young, cute, not-a-sour-puss server and told him that Scowly Face over there wasn’t stopping for us and could he help a sista out? His perfectly Crest-whitened teeth sparkled and I swore I heard a “ding!” when he smiled. Sure enough, all the mac-and-cheese cups were ours to enjoy for eternity… if the cocktail hour had gone on that long. Besties for life, yo.
  • If all else fails, drink. It IS cocktail hour after all.
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