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Melissa McGowan of Flowers by Cina in Orange County is one of Disneyland Resort’s main floral designers. She is known for her classic, picture perfet florals and is who designed the over-the-top wedding flowers and all 10 bridesmaids bouquets. The grand bridal bouquet that was composed of blushtone florals to match the cream and gold color palette had swovarski crystal centers and white ostrich feathers and was an amazing 14 inches in diameter! It “was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen” Kristy said. The dress was a custom design with a 12 foot train and veil in “diamond white” satin from The Bustle in Del Mar.
Clint Griggs of Lounge Appeal married on February 26 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy, San Diego to his Italian bride, Kristy De Bernardi in a traditional catholic mass and gorgeous reception immediately following. Both ceremony and reception were designed by Emily Smiley Fine Events & Soireés and Lounge Appeal, Inc.
Platinum Pro created the gorgeous custom vinyl dance floor shown above, with the bride & groom logo in gold lamé. They also specialize in bar wraps, as they made for Lounge Appeal’s sectional showcase bar in the same font and gold lamé! This made for such a nice, custom touch and acute attention to detail. The guests were “floored”.
Photographer extraordinaire Scott Lawrence of Scott Lawrence Photographs captured the entire wedding in such an amazing, candid fashion. The below is one that depicts the transformable Culy Warehouse, situated in the heart of the gaslamp district in downtown San Diego. Views of Lounge Appeal’s white and glow furniture vignettes and Emily Smiley’s gold manzaneta “wishing tree” peer through the finely etched window. 
It’s all in the details…….as catering professionals 24 Carrots of Orange County know, as they impressed guests with custom cocktails shaken, not stirred! They arranged the most beautiful “mediterranean landscape” of cheeses, hummus, grilled vegetables, artisian breads and specialty olives to begin dinner, after tray passing prosecco and chilled wines to accompany the grilled cheese triangles with tomato bisque shooters, individual greek spanakopitas and caprese “skewers” with aged balsalmic. Then, lavish “share plates” of various pastas, raviolis and sauces made to order to compliment the main entreés of braised short ribs and macadamia nut-crusted halibut were served.
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We were so excited to have our intimate rehearsal dinner soireé designed by Vanessa Van Wieren of Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations and captured by Scott Chebegia of Scott Lawrence Photographs! The gorgeous white florals were designed by Melissa McGowan of Flowers by Cina in Orange County. Vanessa designed our wedding invitations, as well as the gorgeous tablescape you see showcased below. The Andaz Hotel rooftop, commonly known as “The Ivy” was the gorgeous backdrop on this crystal clear day before our wedding on February 26. Professional wedding blog extrodinnaires at Style Me Pretty quickly picked up media coverage on the event, as it truly was a storybook night to remember. Here is our story…….
Once upon a time there was a beautiful little girl who dreamed about the day when she would be married. She imagined glitter and sparkle and all of the favorite things that little girls love….
This was the inspiration behind Kristy & Clint’s rooftop wedding rehearsal set against the beautiful San Diego skyline at the Andaz Hotel in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. As Kristy and I became friends I saw the sparkle in her eyes light up at the sight of glitter and gold and all things girly. Clint on the other hand (owner of Lounge Appeal Event Furniture) was very much into clean, modern and sleek designs such as the furniture he creates. I wanted the design of that special night to be reminiscent of the little girl inside of Kristy and what she imagined her wedding to be like, combined with what her grown up self would want with a modern and fresh twist that represented Clint as well.
Gold and glam were the keywords here as we started by loosely laying down a gold sequined runner atop the 30 person tablescape. We then incorporated eclectic vintage and modern décor and vases for a fun juxtaposition of style elements for layers of interest and design. From amber glassware, mercury glass, milk glass, cut crystal decanters and even fun jewelry boxes and baubles, we combined elements from the past and present. For some quirky and edgy elements, we even brought in a few vintage décor pieces reminiscent of the 80’s that Kristy’s grew up in.
To keep the look clean and modern we stuck with an all white palette of flowers ranging from orchids, parrot tulips, roses, lisianthus and anemones. Rich gold-rimmed glasses and china were layered onto the table for a totally decadent dining experience. Custom designed menus were tucked inside of a gold sequined trim for a beautiful and elegant presentation.
Like the treasures and secrets she kept hidden in them, we incorporated beautiful vintage music boxes and jewelry cases atop a filigree perfume tray in the lounge area. For a glittery and memorable farewell, we offered sparklers for guests in the lounge along with a sign that read “Send Kristy & Clint off in a flurry of Love and Sparkle as they say “adieu” the night before they say their “I do’s!”
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