Villa Florentina Photo Shoot in Coloma, CA

Last month, the CMD team had the incredible opportunity to stage a photo shoot at the breathtaking Villa Florentina in Coloma, CA. We worked with some fabulous vendors who truly helped make this shoot a complete success! You can bring the destination to your wedding instead of bringing your wedding to the destination. The Villa Florentina is the perfect venue to bring a Mediterranean theme into play without flying halfway across the globe.

The most important part of any Italian wedding reception is the food! With large rectangle tables, you can capture the warmth of Mamma’s kitchen while serving a delicious family-style dinner. Dress up the tables with richly colored linens, place vibrant flowers in wine bottles, or use funky pasta shapes in unique jars to further enhance your Tuscan theme.

We went all out on the head table! Using bright oranges and deep purples in the decor plays off of the venue beautifully. Those Coloma hills sing when the sun sinks down. Bellisima!

It will be pleasantly warm in the fall months, but it’s always nice to offer guests a beverage upon their arrival to the wedding. This beverage greeting station takes the theme to the next level by allowing the guests to make their own Italian sodas!

The cocktail space can mirror the reception area by implementing the wine bottles with lush flowers, candles to keep up with the romantic mood, and plenty of lounge seating for wine sipping.

Dress-up your ceremony space with a gargantuan flower chandelier. This theatre-in-the-round (square, really) seating allows you and your hubby to literally be the center of attention.

Mini Olive Oil bottles personalized with your guests’ names could serve as your favors. They’re useful and in uniform with the Italian theme.

The Villa Florentina also offers a carriage house that can be used in case of rain. There are so many spaces that can be utilized or left alone at your discretion. This is the perfect venue for those who want understated elegance or lavish decor. Either way, you can have the destination wedding you’ve always dreamed of without even leaving the Sacramento region!

We wanted to give a very big shout to all of the vendors that made this photo shoot possible.
Photographer: Jennifer with The Memory Journalists
Venue: Villa Florentina in Coloma, CA
Venue Owner: Loren
Rentals: Celebrations
Flowers: Katie Edwards with Ambience Floral Design
Paper Goods: Invitations Ink
Bride and Groom Models: Maria and Eric Bardet
Makeup: Shana Beals
Bridal Gown: Nicole with La Soie
Photo Shoot Designers: Catrina Arcularius, Katie Nielsen, Emily Mufich, Jessica Little, Ashley Douglas

 Written by: Emily Mufich

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

New Year, New Trends!

Happy New Year!! Each new year brings fun and exciting new trends. Colors, flowers, decor, gowns, entertainment, and more! Where to begin? No worries, we are here to help! Each week, yours truly will keep you updated with what’s hot and what’s not!

For my first trend of the year…color! What do you think is hot this year? This may throw you off a bit, but tangerine is the way to go. It’s bold, bright and beautiful. This color can definetely make a statement and bring a lot of life to your big day. Tangerine would look great with lime greens, pinks or even purples. I am loving the teal and tangerine color combination.  Here are a few ideas of how this bold color can be used.

Photo courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Photo courtesy of theswishlist.com

Read Full Post »

Elegant Evening at the DeRosa Center at University of Pacific

It was a beautiful day filled with of family and friends who came to witness Candace and Geof’s September 3rd,2011 wedding. These two college lovebirds took their vows at Morris Chapel at the University of Pacific~the couple’s alma mater, of course. After the ceremony, guests walked through this beautiful scenic campus to the DeRosa Center where the reception was held.  They first entered a secluded outdoor patio filled with mason jars hanging from the trees, cocktail tables, and padded cushions randomly placed on the existing brick walls.The ballroom was filled with beautiful orange flower arrangements varying in heights and sizes done by couple’s close friend, Talia Hernberger . Classic Party Rentals provided the chiavari chairs and linens that made this room look so classic and elegant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A traditional Chinese tea ceremony took place where the Bride and Groom served tea to their families. What an incredible tradition in which to honor their families.  After the tea ceremony, in house caterers,  Bon Appetite served a delicious filet mignon dinner. They also created a late night snack for the guests that included a table filled with yummy sliders, chicken strips and sweet potato fries.

One of the fun elements added to this reception was the Doggie Biscuit Bar. Candace and Geof are big dog lovers so guests were able to take treats home to their  little four legged loved ones. This display was decked out with framed photos of each of the bridal parties’ pups, sweet paper windmills, doggy treats, baggies, and dog tags signed by the couple’s one and only, little Abby.

Who loves Pinkberry and cake?! And we don’t mean you have to choose between the two! Sweet Cakes by Rebecca created a Pinkberry design made out of cake for these ‘fro yo’ lovers! This cake was a perfect replica of an actual Pinkberry cup with a frozen yogurt swirl.  Let’s not tease the guests, right? Guests also had the pleasure of enjoying Pinkberry yogurt as dessert. Each guest was served their own personal Pinkberry with their choice of toppings right at their table.  Special thanks to Katy with Pinkberry for delivering these tasty treats!

Gary from Elite Entertainment kept the party going while Richard and Shawna of Briggs Photography were there to capture all of those moments and they were such a pleasure to work with.

Some couple’s know how to keep a party going well past midnight, so following the guest’s shuttle departure to the group’s hotel, University Plaza Hotel, the party continued.  This hotel boasts a large modern outdoor courtyard with AstroTurf flooring and complete with lounge furniture of every shape and size and a bar with extended hours. And yes, you are right on the waterway too. I wouldn’t normally mention AstroTurf, but really, this place is spectacular!

Special thanks to make-up by celebrity make-up artist Ammie Wu, Encore Photobooth, and Moonlight Limo. Big kudos to Arleene and Beth from The DeRosa Center for their help creating a flawless day. You girls rock!

It was a wonderful evening filled with fun, family and friendship! Congratulations to Candace and Geof! Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

Read Full Post »

True Love & Tacos at David Girard Vineyards Placerville, Ca

Joanna and Matt

Married: June 11, 2011

The scene was picturesque; the bride and groom stood beneath a massive oak tree on the property of David Girard Vineyards in Placerville, Ca. Yellow rose and freesia petals decorated the aisle and the bouquets of the bridal party, a gentle breeze moved their scent around while friends and family watched Joanna and Matt exchange their vows.

After the ceremony the guests enjoyed some of David Girard’s finest selections and appetizers in the shade with a breathtaking view of rolling hills and grapevines. Friends and family were then taken to the tented reception area that had been beautifully decorated with blue gingham linens and stunning freesia centerpieces by Cheryl Hamilton Porter. The hard working staff from Bocca Catering served the guests a colorful and delectable dinner. A mouth-watering dessert table was provided by Christina Aguiar (who also doubled as a bridesmaid).

First Class Entertainment provided just that, and kept the party going. There to capture the day on film was Carrie Richards Photography and they were both a pleasure to work with.

After dancing the night away Joanna and Matt had one last treat for their guests, a special snack before everyone went on their way…Jimboy’s Tacos. Platter, upon platter of the couples favorite late night snack arrived just before the reception ended. Shortly after, everyone (including the bride and groom) loaded up on shuttles provided by Delta Charter and headed off to the after party.

All together it was a flawless day; beautiful weather, and a beautiful couple. Thank you Joanna and Matt for sharing your story and your special day with us. All the best to the both of you!

Read Full Post »

Tea for Two. The Firehouse Restaurant, Old Sacramento

Jeff Maltz and Gillian Garrett: Married May 1, 2011

It was a cloudless May morning as guests began to take their seats on the patio of The Firehouse in Old Sacramento. As Gillian made her way down the aisle wearing a gown passed down from her mother it seemed as if time stood still. When the ceremony got underway, Jeff and Gillian stood embracing each other as they spoke their vows, and exchanged their rings.

The huge shade trees, and branch covered brick on the patio was splashed with spring color thanks to Cheryl with Accents by Sage. The guests enjoyed a signature cocktail while the new couple posed for pictures in the cobblestone alley behind The Firehouse with photographer Mike Greener with Greener Visuals. A breathtaking spread of artfully crafted appetizers was presented by Shannon and The Firehouse staff.

This no-nonsense couple had succeeded in their mission to have a “no-fuss” wedding in all respects but one, the sweets!  They began at the hotels where the out of town guests were greeted with a custom cookie creation. For Dessert an amazing and decadent spread of confectionery was assembled even miniature root beer floats! The finale was a send-off with a lavender handmade marshmallow all thanks to Carissa from Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts.

Family and Friends lined the alley way and waved good-bye as the couple rode away in a  Silver Ride PT Cruiser. Jeff and Gillian are headed to Africa for three weeks and we wish them all the happiness in the world! Thank you both for letting Catrina Maria Design be a part of your special day.

Read Full Post »