Beautiful, flirty and fun wedding dresses!

It has definitely been a while since I stepped foot back in the blogging world, and with the new year almost a quarter of the way done 2010 surely does have lots of lovely weddings to be excited about! CCLEO Weddings just relaunched a new website that is faster and user friendly! Check it out www.catherinecindyleo.com. And modestpeach - jewelry just released a two new lines of earrings; The Southern Weddings Collection (yes, these are named after the ladies of Southern Weddings magazine) and The Miniature Stud Collection. Feel free to peruse at www.modestpeach.com.

To kick off the new year (a tad bit late) I came home to the warm rosy/peach cover of BRIDES magazine, which now releases a new issue each month! I quickly flipped through the pages in utter excitement (random fact: I am a HUGE magazine buff and have a subscription to over 10 magazines) and stopped in awe of the breath taking dresses found on pages 231 - 246. Layers of delicious chiffon ruffles and frills, and eye-catching wedding gowns with tons of texture. I will admit I did GASP at the sight of a few of these gowns, can you guess which ones?

Enjoy these stunning dresses that I could not resist to scan for you all to enjoy!

The Counter - Carlsbad, CA

Happy Holidays!

It has been such a crazy couple of weeks with site visitations in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Moorpark (a little treasure tucked away that I was so excited to visit). I had the pleasure to visit The Counter, a custom, gourmet burger restaurant where you BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER, with Raymond. I was invited by my absolutely darling friend and August 2010 bride to the opening of their restaurant in Carlsbad, California last Thursday.

It was AMAZING! I was a little overwhelmed by the MANY options they give you only because I just could not choose what to get! I ended up choosing the turkey burger on wheat with provolone cheese, avocado, sprouts (my favorite) and chipotle sauce. Can I say SCRUMPTUOS! Most turkey patties I have tried are too dry and do not have as much flavoring, but this one was filled with mouth-water deliciousness! If you ever are in (or stopping by) Carlsbad, California, I would HIGHLY recommend you stop by The Counter (1923 Calle Barcelona Carlsbad CA 92009).

On another note…. I have been truly, truly BLESSED and thank GOD everyday for providing me with such wonderful friends and family members, my health and well-being and the opportunity to work with each bride on their BIG DAY! 2010 will be such an extraordinary year filled with many surprises and events that I cannot wait for!

Have a blessed holiday season! Merry Christmas!

The Counter - bar seating area

Our starter - onion strings! I’m not a big fan of onion rings, but these bad boys were to die for!

Ray and I at The Counter! A long drive from our hometown in the LA area but so worth it!

My custom turkey burger! It looks delicious and it tasted even better than it looks!

Raymond’s custom burger! He had way too much on his burger that I can’t even remember. The only thing he had that I remember (because I wanted it on my burger) was the fried egg!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

{Yalda & Ashkan Akasheh} - Irvine, CA

Happy Friday to Everyone!

This post for Yalda and Ashkan may be very late but still worth the wait ;) I just received the photos recently from Yalda and Ashkan’s July 11, 2009 wedding at the Irvine Hyatt Regency off of Jamboree from the groom himself.

The wedding was absolutely a delight for each guest including the bride and groom themselves! It was certainly a beautiful day in the middle of the summer as guests sat in the courtyard for the wedding reception. I absolutely LOVED the SOFREH! It was such a grandeur display and much larger than I normally would see.

The wedding reception took place inside the ballroom, and warm colors of burgandy, chocolate and champagne/gold filled the room. I’ll definitely do a round up of all the wonderful vendors that worked on the wedding at the end of this post. The DJ {DJ Behmix} kept the crowd on their feet (literally!) the entire evening and his team of musicians put on a show that really got the crowd moving and cheering!

Congrats Yalda and Ashkan! You were bought such a delight to work with and I wish you all the very best in your new lives together as husband and wife.

Stunning bride! I love her alternative to the veil :)

The bride’s bouquet! Beautiful burgandyand mango calle lillies with large pearls filled the bouquet.

Presenting to you…. Yalda Dorosti.

Her dashing groom…. Ashkan Akasheh

Is this not one of the biggest SOFREHs you have seen?!

The ceremony.

Possibly one of my favorite photos of the couple!

Mr. & Mrs. Ashkan Akasheh!

Head table centerpieces. Such a lovely arrangement of roses, dahlias and lizzianthus with hanging amaranthus!

Each guest received these little gold boxes filled with gold jordan almonds (one of my person favs) and decorated by the bride herself.

There must always, always be a room shot. :)

There is something about this photo that I love.

Time to party!

DJ Behmix and his team kept the crowd very entertained that evening, it even shows in the pictures!

Yalda and Askhan Wedding Vendors:

Coordinator: Catherine Cindy Leo

Cake: Rossmoor Pastries

DJ/Entertainment: Rick at DJ Behmix

Rentals:Vigen’s Party Rentals

Hair:Katie Vollmer

Makeup:Oscar at ZIBA Beauty

Catering: Jozef Beshrati

Venue: Trish Santalla at Hyatt Irvine

Florals: Shelby Nolan at Green Leaf Designs

Lighting: Golden Sounds Entertainment

Sofreh: Anaheim Florist and Wedding Center

Photographer: Joey Skibel Photography

Videographer: Prstine Videos

Helen & Eddie Wedding -Part II

I just wanted to share this beautiful grand exit for Helen and Eddie’s wedding this past weekend. Thousands of teeny tiny bubbles filled the air as Helen and Eddie departed from the church, and guests greeted the newlyweds as they lined up outside the church. At the end of the walkway a retro-style pedicab awaited the lovely couple to take them away to their reception at the Westin Hotel, Pasadena.

More pictures to come real soon!

An absolutely stunning couple! I LOVED her dress… I still swoon when I see pictures :)

When the reception is too close, but you still want a grand exit… find other options! This darling pedicab was surely a memorable moment for the bride and groom!

Stay tuned for more photos!

All 2009 weddings are complete and only a few special events to end the year. I am excited for 2010 and all  the already amazing couples I have been very blesses to work with.

Helen & Eddie Wedding

Congratulations Helen & Eddie on your marriage!

It was certainly an eventful wedding on Saturday as Helen and Eddie tied the knot at the First United Methodist Church! Just wanted to give everyone a little sneak peek at a few photos snapped during the set-up phase of the reception. More detailed pictures will be on its way in no time (and I promise they are worth the wait). The 155 person wedding ceremony and reception held a very vintage romantic feel. The church’s beautiful stained glass windows in the chapel poured in amazing lighting, while varying height glass cylinder were covered with delicate lace and arranged down the aisle. The couple rode off into the sunset to their reception by a retro style pedicab (from Bluewater Pedicabs) with a “Just Married” sign decorated with pearls hung from the back.

The reception took place at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena where we were honored to work with Kathy French. The reception was absolutely breathtaking. The room was completely draped in white satin with blush/amber uplights (Luna Party Rentals- amazing work). The arrangements did take my breath away **sigh** Kristin from Treasured Petals went above and beyond with her amazing talent and really captured the colors of the wedding into the flowers. Guests could not help but rush to the gourmet cookie station with their custom cookie boxes to fill with their favorite cookies.The very talented Aaron Delesie and his wonderful wife were both there to capture each and every moment. Looking forward to seeing all the pictures from the wedding!

Congratulations again, Helen and Eddie! Both are such amazing people that I had the pleasure to work with and allowed to be a part of their wedding :)

Boxes were tied with vintage lace and a custom tag to fill with gourmet cookies!

Several lace wrapped cylinders were dispersed around the room for a very romantic look.

Guest Table with low centerpieces.

Guest Table with tall centerpieces… darling carnation pomander balls!

Half of one side of the room. The colors were so warm and romantic… I absolutely LOVED the arrangements on the tables.

Cake from Porto’s bakery (if you ever stop by the bakery.. don’t resist the fruit tart)

Running like I never ran before!

Running. It seems to be on my mind a lot these days, possibly more than I could ever imagine and hoped for. For those who don’t know, I am an avid runner (I’m not that fast but I sure can run for one long distance) mainly competing in half-marathons and short runs. It has been my goal to run a marathon before I am 25 years old and a triathlon by the end of this year; two things I honestly did not believe I would do so soon.

Yet things do happen unexpectedly and this Fall 2009 season is certainly full of running events that I am super excited to be apart of! Five races to be exact. I will begin my journey of runs on October 17, 2009 in San Francisco at the Nike Women’s Marathon. I have done this race as a half-marathon runner for years but this will be my first as a FULL! The following week, I will be running the 10K Nike Human Race at the amazing USC coliseum along with several of my friends (excited yet guys?). Then comes the Muddy Buddy on November 1, Turkey Triathlon on November 29 and Las Vegas Santa Run (yes, I will be fully dressed as Santa) on December 4. Super excited about all these races that all I am always thinking about the next time my soles will hit the pavement.

If you are looking for a great way to get in shape and look great for the perfect day, I would highly suggest signing up (and training) for any race, especially the ones that benefit an amazing cause. I have two lovely brides that will be apart of two of the five races I will be running!

Here are some of the ad campaigns and photos from the races I will be running.

Congratulations to Jeanie and Andy Kim!

This may be a little late but I just had to BLOG about my very first couple that I worked with to plan their BIG DAY back in June 2008, Jeanie and Andy.

Jeanie and Andy just welcomed Baby Sophia into the world a few weeks ago and I would just like to say…. CONGRATULATION JEANIE AND ANDY!!!

Isn’t she just absolutely lovely? A beautiful bride and now a beautiful new mom!

Sneak Peek...

Aside from everything so beautiful happening in life I am currently working very diligently on my October bride’s wedding! We will just give her the nickname “Pearl” as one of her favorite elements that she wants to include into her wedding are pearls! pearls! AND MORE PEARLS!

Just to give you a little sneak peek into her wediding i will be posting a few photos from her inspiration board. This very vintage-romantic wedding will be taking place on October 24, 2009 at the stunning First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, with a reception dinner following at the Westin Hotel and Resort, Pasadena. I picture fabric draping and warm uplighting, blush toned roses and beautiful vintage postcards, skeleton keys and several delicate elements such as pearls and lace that I will show once the wedding comes and goes…

Here is her inspiration board for her wedding.

Celebrating Life... one step at a time

Every year I plan one BIG gathering for my friends and family members to come together, eat, socialize and raise funds for “challenges” around the world. This year’s theme was a “very laid back summer.” The colors I decided to use where cool and refreshing (yellows, pale pinks and browns, sky blue and khaki). Instead of having chairs and tables as usual, I decided to purchase raffia mats for guests to sit on the grass and provide large blankets as the evening cooled down. To keep guests comfortable, I sat down and actually sewn pillows with a coordinating fabric.

Guests sipped chilled lemonade, old-fashion root beer and soda pop from the beverage bar. For dinner I thought it would be more convenient to hire a taco cart to come and cook an all-you-can eat taco bar. Warm and delicious carne asada, marinated beef and chicken were served along with rice and beans. As the sun went away and night came dozens of candles were lit all around the yard, and a movie projector played “I Love You Man” outside against a blank white sheet that was placed on a brick wall. Keeping with the DIY theme, I had laid out a ice cream sundae bar where guests created their own ice cream sundaes (see the yummy  pictures).

It was a wonderful event and I am very thankful for each and every person who came out and celebrated…LIFE! Truly life is amazing and I do want every one to take advantage of every moments. Live each moment… have no regrets.

Now on to the pictures!

My homemade donation board out of an old table frame and leftover frabric from a past event

Beverage Bar

Varying size mason jars… mini ones for the lemonade and larger ones for the candles

Handmade pillows, blankets and raffia mats for guests to sit on

Create-Your-Own-Sundae Bar

A perfect ending to a splendid night…

Robin Kim - CCLEO Assistant Coordinator

In the midst of working on an upcoming wedding in October 2009 (which I will give a sneak peek of the darling details soon), I would like to take the time to introduce Robin Kim, a familiar face each of my wonderful clients will see on the day of their wedding.

I have been working with Robin since day one and I must say she is partially my backbone at every wedding, and I am truly thankful to have met such an amazing individual. Let’s get to know Robin a little more….

1. What’s your hometown?
My hometown is Diamond Bar, California.  DB… Woot Woot!
2. Favorite food?
My favorite food is sushi. If I could only eat one thing, it would be sushi.  That’s how much I love it.
3. Where did you attend college?

I’m currently attending University of California Irvine.  I am political science major with a minor in education.

4. What’s the weirdest thing about you others wouldn’t know from meeting you?
What makes me “special” (not weird) is that I secretly love Korean music and dramas.  I recently got into Korean entertainment.  Before this year, I absolutely was against Korean dramas and music but then later I finally opened my eyes and my love for Korean entertainment continues to grow exponentially.  (FYI: I’m not very good in speaking Korean.)

5. What’s the biggest life changing moment for you?
The biggest life changing moment for me is when I became a Christian.  I used to be a very pessimistic girl who looked at life as a cup that is half empty.  But now, I am a girl who believes in the best in people and through faith, anything can be done.

6. What’s a memorable moment for you?
The most memorable moment for me is when I was at a friend of a friend’s birthday party.  Some of the people were trying to set up the cake but then it ended up being a huge cake fight.  There was cake all over the floor, walls, furniture, basically everything in sight.  I, too, was covered in cake; head to toe. I smelled like chocolate Albertson’s cake for about three days.  To this day, I will never eat a chocolate Albertson’s cake ever again.

7. Favorite place you’ve traveled?
I absolutely am in love with Spain.  Spain is an amazing country that is filled with culture.  The people there really live life to the fullest.  The spaniards just want to be with their family, relax, and have fun.  Making money to them is just making money.  Money is definitely not something that runs their lives. Also the architecture and the history in Spain is breathtaking.  If you could travel to Spain, then hurry and pack your bags and go!
8. Passion in life?
One of my passions in life is to meet Big Bang.  Big Bang is an awesome korean boy band who can sing, dance, and rap.  If I could be friends with the 5 amazing members, I would almost feel complete.
9. What’s your talent?
My talent is that I could touch my toes.  This is a recently discovered talent.  I couldn’t do this before.  I have been proudly touching my toes for almost a year now. 
10. What inspired you to get involved weddings?
I always wanted to get involved in event planning.  Catherine had given me an opportunity to experience wedding planning.  Of course I jumped on board.  After Jeanie and Andy’s wedding, I realized that after all the hard work, the end result is definitely rewarding.  The smiles on the bride and groom’s face is priceless.  Not because of the fact that the wedding day is going smoothly but because that day is the day they get to spend the rest of their lives together. 
11. Favorite things about weddings?
My favorite thing about weddings is the husband and wife’s first dance.  The expressions on their faces definitely melts your heart into glue. 
12. Preferred season for a wedding?
I prefer fall.  Even though there is always a chance of rain, I think the whole atomosphere of fall is very tranquil and romantic.  Not to mention that it’s one of the cheaper season for the wedding!

Thanks for sharing, Robin! Here’s a small glimpse into Robin’s ideal wedding inspiration board.