For the cake design I really wanted a bottom tier that was twice as tall as the top tier. I love the proportion of April Reed’s cake and that was definitely an inspiration to me.

The cake was created by Robyn Loves Cake and she is an expert at sugar flowers. Can you believe this sugar flower peony?

The pattern of cut fondant was taken from the bottom of Stow House. Its a very Victorian detail on the house and I loved that little bit of texture on the bottom of the cake.

This is the sketch I gave to Robyn. I debated using a dahlia versus a peony, and ended up going with the peony. But as you can see Robyn executed the sketch to a T!

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie

Cake: Robyn Loves Cake

Design: Kelly Oshiro Events

I love vintage suitcases and I thought holding fans would be so cute.

I tied grosgrain ribbons in two colors to the base of the fans to add some color.

For the flower girls I found these copper candles holders that were the perfect scale for their baskets.

I tied each side with grosgrain ribbon and filled them with baby’s breath.

The flower girls were too cute!

For favors, Santa Barbara Preserves made rose jelly and put these in adorable mini canning jars.

We used the same dashed pattern on the napkin as a border for the label. Santa Barbara Preserves custom made rose jelly, but she can make any flavor (her habanero raspberry jam is so good!)

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie

Favors: Santa Barbara Preserves

Design: Kelly Oshiro Events

There was this great rusted fence at Stow House and I thought it was the perfect place for the seating cards. Betsy Dunlap did the calligraphy and I clipped the little cards to the fence with mini clothespins.

Instead of making up faux guest names, I used some of my favorite authors as “guests” for at my Anthropologie wedding. I love George Eliot and Betsy’s calligraphy makes her name so pretty (and its an awesome keepsake for my office!).

For the invitation design I gave Megan of Nutmeg Press, three sources of inspiration: I wanted an aqua  fade with the couples names in white and to use the pattern and color of the napkin fabric for the design inspiration. And this what this what she created:

The blue fade is so pretty and subtle and the copper dashes tie in perfectly with the napkin pattern.

The menu cards were little booklets the size of a business card with all the courses on each page. It was bound with copper thread. I was so in love with the invitations and Betsy calligraphy they are definitely getting framed and hung somewhere in my office!

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photography

Invitations: Nutmeg Press

Calligraphy: Betsy Dunlap

Design: Kelly Oshiro Events

Location: Stow House

For the dining table I set it up under a large juniper tree. I picked out the linens and napkins from Michael Levine’s and had them custom made for the table.

For the decor I love the idea of mixing traditional taper holders and putting them in glass cylinders. The look is modern, and practical, since  you’re taper candles would blow out otherwise.

For flowers I used pink and white ranunuculus, blue thistle, berzilla balls, muscari, peonies, queen anne’s lace.

All the containers were from Anthropologie except for the pink depression glasses (reused from the Valentine’s table I did for the City Sage), the candles holders (Jamali Gardens) and the glass cylinders were bought in downtown LA.

I mixed Town & Country’s gorgeous aqua chargers with their Provencal line for the table setting.

On top, I made a flowers from copper wire and tucked in the menu card envelope which had a letter pressed pattern that matched the napkins.

Photos: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie

Flowers, Design, Production: Kelly Oshiro Events

Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals

Paper Goods: Nutmeg Press

The inspiration for the ceremony was those paper chains we all made in kindergarten. Instead of paper, I used grosgrain ribbon which has a beautiful subtle sheen to it that I just love.

Cynthia and I made about 540 loops to achieve the effect I was going for.

I thought the effect was so pretty and magical!

Photos by: Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie

Design, Styling, Production by: Kelly Oshiro Events (me!)

Assistant: Cynthia Beard

Its finally feels like spring is here! My cherry tree is blooming, the daffodils are out, and all I want to do is host a fun, springtime, brunch.

We could play lawn bowling and sport our cutest wellies.

Then I’d set the table with a simple taupe runner on an old beat up white table. I’d serve a menu of quiches along with a platter of fantastic cheese. I’d use loads of potted plants for decor (economical and a great hostess gift) and serve champagne. Aww, springtime…

Images from top: 1. & 2. Anna Skoog 3. Atlanta Bartlett

I love this sweet moment captured by Kate Headley. The shoes plus the dress are so adorable!

I love the apple orchards in England, and so for this inspiration board I designed a simple, chic wedding. The bride would wear wellies and her hair down, her neighbors would play music while sitting on apple crates during the ceremony. Guests would bring baskets full of food and drink for the reception. And the table for reception would be decorated with the apples of the orchard.

Description: Orchard, England, white, red, apples

Images from left to right, top to bottom: {Row 1} 1. Corrie Bond 2. Karen Mordechai 3. & 4. Mikkel Vang {Row 2} 1. Deborah Williams 2. Martha Bernabe 3. Marcus Hay 4. Tina Rupp {Row 3} 1. Geoff Lung 2. David Tsay 3. Jim Franco

For this month’s Pretty Posey, I wanted to create a very Edwardian/Victorian look. I used white Scabiosa and Ranunculus as the main flowers, and mixed in Dusty Miller, Misty Linolium, and Baby’s Breath.

After the center of the bouquet was completed, I circled the outer edge with sprigs of– baby’s breath. I know baby’s breath gets a bad wrap, but I think that’s just because it looks hideous paired with red roses. In a huge bunch, it looks very pretty and delicate. Then I layered the dusty miller (the silver leaves) around the ring of baby breath to ground the softness of little blooms and provide a contrast in texture.

I wanted the texture of the bouquet to feel like antique lace. I envision the bride who would carry this bouquet would wear an heirloom lace gown, the groom would wear a morning suit, and they would get married in a quaint stone chapel like you’d see in a small village in England.

A special thanks to Tim Halberg for photographing the bouquet!

Floral Design & Styling by me.

I’m loving this delicate detail on the back of these shoes!

And oh yes, the winner for the Pretty Chic giveaway is… Honey My Heart is who said “so many pretty choices, i love the houndstooth.”

Photo by Jessica Johnston.

I don’t know about you, but the many days of gray skies and rainy weather has me dreaming of springtime… I love this little bundle of mason jars each with a unique bloom and tied up with ribbon.  Its so sweet and dainty.

And I love this bundle of daffodils tied with blue gingham ribbon. Ahh, spring…

Photos by Polly Wreford.

Happy Weekend! I’m hoping to enjoy a few cups of these, finally crack open the new Martha Stewart Wedding magazine that I’ve been saving for weeks, and, weather permitting,  take a long walk with the puppy.

And, oh yes, do check out this fabulous new blog find: The Brass Petal. Written by Emily Henderson, prop stylist extraordinaire, its about her adventures stylist and what she thinks works and doesn’t work. And oh yes, talk about pretty pictures galore. I found it through The City Sage. Go.read.it.now.

To me, there is nothing more glamorous than a delicate tea cup filled with jewelry. Paired with soft pink peonies or roses, the look is just darn pretty.

Of course you’ll need an equally fabulous vanity to hold these jems.

Images from top: Left. Chris Everard Right: Sandra Lane 2. Polly Wreford 3. Jo Tyler all via Sarah Kaye

I love this garden trough bursting with with white flowers and springs of lavender. So dreamy.

I love this collection of watering can centerpieces. How darling would these be an early spring garden wedding?

Photos by Sarah Yates.

Introducing… Pretty Posey! Every month, on the second Wednesday, I’ll be posting a bouquet I created. I have a passion for flowers and hopefully I’ll provide some inspiration for my readers along the way. Enjoy!

For the color palette, I chose  a soft blue with a purplish tone, against a background of white and hints of coppery green. I used Muscari and Blue Thistle because they have a similar shape, but completely different textures.

I used Paperwhites (love the tiny delicate blossoms) and Hellebourus for the white tones.

To complete the look, I used Berzilia Baubles to add a bit of texture, I love their slightly coppery color.

And of course, Ms. Mira, supervised the photo shoot.

Photos, styling, and bouquet by me.