COSMIC BLOOM DESERT ELOPEMENT

May 30th, 2017

Inspired by this year’s desert wildflower super bloom, and my longtime love of Gram Parsons, I gathered a few super talented vendors, and one fabulous couple, and we headed out to Anza Borrego for a desert elopement styled shoot. It’s 3.5 hours away from LA you guys, and it was SO. WORTH. IT.

A little country, a little rock n’ roll, and a whole lot of color.

Featuring brilliant blooms, a desert tabletop for two, flower-filled cocktails, a rock-candy cake, a guitar strumming groom, and a sweet barefoot first dance in the desert, this shoot is loaded with fun inspiration for any of you planning your own desert weddings.

Oh! And I almost forgot to mention the custom embroidered denim jacket (a Gram Parson’s lyric of course!)

Check out a few of my favorites below:

Desert Wedding Photography

Julie Shuford captured the love (hubba! hubba!) and the light so beautifully for our shoot. She’s super talented AND a total joy to be around, which is so important, because after your partner, your wedding photographer is the person you will be spending the most time with on your wedding day. Hire this woman!

The Ultimate Boho Wedding Dress

The moment I saw that lace and THOSE sleeves, I knew this was the dress for our shoot. This absolute stunner is from The Blushing Bird, and there’s more where she came from! I also love the simple, but no less showstopping accessories- these dainty earrings and headpiece pack just the right amount of sparkly punch.

The Desert Bridal Bouquet

You guys- I love this bouquet SO much, I had this picture framed for my studio. The variety of blooms- lush peonies, tropical protea, tiny desert wildflowers, and yes, even carnations… this bouquet just gets me.

Also, carnations are back y’all. Just thought you should know.

The Rock and Roll Wedding Cake

This shoot came together pretty last minute, so I was floored by this behemoth that Tamara of Mwokaji Cakery busted out for our shoot. She’s such an amazing (cake) artist! Also you guys- driving 3.5 hours with a massive cake in your car is SO nerve wracking, and gave me a newfound respect for bakers (and their delivery peeps) everywhere. And I thought a car full of flowers was bad!

The Floral Cocktail

Put a flower on it. And in it. Done and done.

The Desert Sweetheart Table

I took inspiration from cotton-candy-pink-melting-into-lavender sunsets, my model’s amazing unicorn hair, my father in-law’s goldenrod corvette, and of course GP himself! Then I raided my prop closet and did a little shopping. How perfect are these sunset cocktail glasses from Anthropologie?

The First Dance

Sorry if you’re one of those people who can’t stand the sight of bare feet!

Our Couple

Yep, they really are that cute.
Ravayna & David are the real deal, and I consider myself lucky to call them friends.

The Custom Bridal Jacket

…that started it all.

Because you really can base an entire shoot (ahem, wedding) off one amazing piece.

This classic Levi’s jacket was embroidered with love by my pals over at Ink & Thread.
They are THE BEST.

Check out our feature on Green Wedding Shoes for even more inspiration and check back later this week to talk inspiration and cocktails.

Venue: Anza Borrego Desert State Park / Event & Floral Design + Planning: Winston & Main / Photography: Julie Shuford Photography / Dress + Accessories: The Blushing Bird / Cake: Mwokaji Cakery / Embroidery: Ink & Thread LA / Models: Ravayna & David Coe

Last Minute Gift Guide: Shop

December 12th, 2016

Hello friends! It’s been tough to get in the holiday spirit this year, and we still haven’t managed to get a tree…

BUT I finally put on the holiday tunes and made this behemoth of a wreath to hang over our fireplace, AND the kind folks at Jord sent over a little holiday cheer in watch form, just in time (ha!) to help me turn the corner and do this holiday thing.

Won’t you join me?

Today I’m sharing a few unique last minute gift ideas you can shop, and over the next two weeks I’ll share a few more gifts to make, donate, and inspire.

1. An Amazing Wood Watch from Jord $189

I was initially hesitant when Jord offered to send me one of their wood watches- I don’t do a lot of sponsored content and I’m extremely particular about accessories.

Luckily my curiosity and love of unique pieces got the better of me, because I’m loving my zebrawood and champagne gold Frankie. Massive and minimal at the same time, she’s a statement piece AND a conversation starter. Beautiful, organic, and surprisingly light weight, I’m looking forward to wearing her with everything this holiday season and beyond.

Grab an instant $25 e-code here!

2. Stylish Leopard Slippers from Birdies $140

Old house. Wood floors. Enough said.
It doesn’t hurt that they’re twinning with my favorite shoes either.

3. Funny Feminist Everything from Yankee Dime Creations $28

I have a pile of these stickers on my desk and they make me SO happy.
Stocking stuffers for everyone!

4. Locally Roasted Coffee, Suits & Knives, from Coffee Colab $19

We all get lazy and go to Starbucks sometimes, but there are SO many amazing
local coffee roasters to support in Los Angeles! Buy a subscription for a friend, and if you want to go the extra mile, pair it with a Miele CM5310 or a coffee machine you know they will like-tada! The perfect gift for coffee-lovers.

5. Flower Subscription (from yours truly!)

In 2017 Winston & Main will begin offering a flower subscription service here in Los Angeles and I’d LOVE to fill your year with flowers! You can email me (hello@winstonandmain.com) to set up your custom subscription for weekly or monthly flower delivery in my signature organic style. 3 months of once/month delivery for ~~$225~~ $200 through the end of 2016!

* This post was sponsored by Jord, all opinions are my own.
Photo 1, 2, 7 David Coe Photo for Winston & Main/Photo 4/Photo 5/Photo 6

Wooden Wristwatch

Marta & Matt’s Enchanted Forest Wedding

October 24th, 2016

A year ago today I had the honor of designing Marta & Matt’s Art Deco meets Enchanted Forest wedding at Cicada Club in DTLA.

At our very first meeting we spoke extensively about the way Marta & Matt wanted their wedding to feel, and our design grew organically from there. They didn’t want another everythingartdeco wedding, but rather a celebration of their unique (and nerdy!) interests in an atmosphere of enchantment and fun. With manzanita trees, mossy vignettes, lanterns, fairy lights, and even a scavenger hunt, I think we nailed the magic. And the fun. And most importantly, we created an event that felt like authentically like them.

I loved creating this memorial tree, placed on the center of the escort card table, to honor those family members who couldn’t celebrate with Marta & Matt.