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Photo Booth Trends We Love
Posted by lvictoriaflame on 22 Oct 2014 / 0 Comment

Having a photo booth at your wedding is becoming just as traditional as cutting the cake! Photo booths are a great way for guests to break the ice, they provide memorable pictures of your entire guest list and of course they are FUN!

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Nowadays brides and grooms have more exciting photo booth options than ever before. These are a few of our favorite new photo booth trends that will amaze your guests!

The Slow Motion Photo Booth:

Watching your guests celebrate in slo-mo is hysterical! These booths from the fun people at Classy Event Group amp up the energy and are the newest trend we love!

The Social Media Photo Booth:

Because we all need faster ways to post on social media right? This booth from Recorded Memories is for the Facebook and Instagram savvy brides and grooms. These alternative kiosks update statuses right from your reception!

 

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The Red Carpet Photo Booth:

For a Hollywood style affair roll out the red carpet! Guests can have their photos taken paparazzi style in front of a dramatic step and repeat. Personalize your own backdrop at Souverazzi. Perfect for the A-list brides!

boothphoto

The Modern Photo Booth: 

For a sleeker kind of photo booth experience, check out the minimalist experience at Rock My Booth. DLSR, HD, LCD…this booth is for the techie brides and grooms!

RockMyBooth_pic1.

The Creative Photo Booth:

Set up an eclectic vignette for your guests to pose in front of. Save on costs and set up a Polaroid camera for a more DIY feel. All of the benefits of a classic photo booth while making it your own!

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-wedding-photo-booth-outdoors-beautiful-image41227332

 

The number one rule on selecting your photo booth- just have fun! Photo booths are a great way to let loose even in formal attire!

xoxo,

Victoria

The Mini Moon
Posted by lvictoriaflame on 12 Oct 2014 / 0 Comment

Mini Honeymoon Spots in Los AngelesSometimes you can get so wrapped up in planning the wedding of your dreams that you completely forget about planning the honeymoon of your dreams! When this happens I encourage brides to take a breather and book a Mini-Moon.

A mini-moon is similar to a honeymoon where you take some time after your I Do’s to give your new marriage the quiet attention it deserves. It is a shorter period of time and doesn’t require flight bookings. Save your overseas vacations for the end of the year so you have more events to look forward to!

What I love about mini-moons:

  • They are more cost effective than a traditional overseas honeymoon
  • They require less planning (who wants to leave the room anyway?)
  • They are following the wedding (usually during the week) which means less crowds
  • They are a perfect alternative to skipping the honeymoon altogether
  • They are great if you’re strapped for vacation days around your wedding

The purpose of the mini-moon is to celebrate your newlywed bliss. You don’t have to go very far to have an incredible experience. Here are some of my favorite mini-moon spots around Los Angeles:

Santa Barbara Mini Moon Location

  • Santa Barbara – Take in the ocean breeze and relax with your honey on the beach. Santa Barbara has top quality hotels and wine tasting tours that will pick you up right outside your door. Hop aboard the Grapeline and have fun with other celebrating couples!

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Minimoon Location near Los Angeles

  • Ojai – An hour and a half outside of LA, Ojai is a special gem. Enjoy a private horseback ride and explore this soulful town. Splurge and book a couples massage at the world famous Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.

Big Sur and Treebones Resort Honeymoon in Los Angeles

  • Big Sur – A longer drive up the PCH, Big Sur is a majestic mini-moon for the active couple. Spend your time hiking the numerous trails and nestling together while viewing the breathtaking vistas. Book a night at Treebones Resort and glamp it up in your own private yurt.

Catalina Island Honeymoon location near Los Angeles

  • Catalina Island – Just a short ferry ride away Catalina Island is perfect for a 2 night mini-moon. Rent a pair of bicycles and ride around the entire island. Check out some zip-lining action if you’re feeling more adventurous!

Mini-Moon or Honeymoon at Disneyland Resort

  • Disneyland! – Stay at the Disneyland Resort and get the Disney treatment wearing your “Just Married” mouse ears. Lines are shorter during the weekdays and you continue to get the Princess treatment as all of the members congratulate you. Always a fun time!

 

Can I tell you a secret? After you get married anytime you go on vacation is your honeymoon! Let people know how many years you have been celebrating and enjoy the encouragement.

Short trips or long you’re with your honey and that’s what matters most!

xoxo,
Victoria

Victoria’s Favorite Things: September
Posted by lvictoriaflame on 01 Oct 2014 / 0 Comment

This month marked the end of wedding season (until November!), the end of hot weather (finally!), and the beginning of crisp beautiful fall (yay!). These are a few of my favorite things! 

Favorite Things September

Labor day fun at Chateau Flame! Love homemade BBQ, girls vs. boys volleyball and a private yoga session with teacher Mai. private yoga session with teacher Mai

Tasting menu at Chef José André’s restaurant Saam. What an experience!

Meeting the fabulous Shari of LA Party Designs. Lighting, rentals, flowers- she does it all!

Standing under a stunning flower chandelier from Petals of Love Floral.

Double dating at the Dodger gameDouble dating at the Dodger game!

Lady lunching at Green Peas in Culver City. Love all their vegan options!

Gorgeous ombre cakes – may this trend never end!

High and Dry dispatches from the Desert. A blog that highlights lives of those living in the High Desert Valley, particularly my Grandad.

Visiting my “ol’ stomping grounds” at Kappa Delta preview night at UCLA, good luck at recruitment ladies!

Becoming an AirBnB Host this month!

 

xoxo, 

Victoria 

“Love in Bloom”: Remembering Grandpa Connie
Posted by lvictoriaflame on 14 Sep 2014 / 0 Comment

Weddings are about your love bringing friends and family together. Occasions that bring traditions passed on from generations. If not for joyous wedding celebrations I would not have had a chance to get to know Dr. Panagis.

Sherri J Photography

Sherri J Photography

Family weddings are particularly special to my husband and me. These weddings have brought us to Utah, to ours in Malibu, to and from Milwaukee and Virginia this fall. These weddings are when we get to see family that would otherwise be across the country from us. It is at these special events that I had the chance to meet my husband’s Grandpa, Dr. Constantine Panagis.

I met Dr. Panagis at the first family wedding I attended at the breathtaking Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. At this wedding I first experienced the Panagis family tradition of Constantine reading a personalized poem he wrote for the bride and groom. It was the very best. That night I laughed around with him and he told me I could call him Grandpa Connie. I learned that he had written a poem for his children’s weddings and continued the tradition for his grandchildren’s weddings.

Fast forward to our wedding and Grandpa Connie has written a poem for us! It was beautiful, personal, and so heartfelt. Many people would tell you it was hands down the best part of the evening. His poem even inspired a “Hall of Flame” achievement in my husband’s video game.

This summer Grandpa Connie delivered one last poem at a family wedding in Milwaukee. Even though his eyesight was beginning to fade and he was in a wheelchair he stood up and delivered his poem. Tears were shed as the family applauded the wonderful moment.

This past week dear Grandpa Connie passed on leaving a legacy that will never be lost. He was the son of immigrant parents, served his country, studied medicine and became a doctor, married and had 7 children and 24 grandkids and more great grandbabies. I’m grateful for the few memories I have with him at our family weddings. I will always remember him as the poet and patriarch of a strong family I’m lucky to be a part of.

“Love in Bloom”

What the “Call of Duty” had in store,

Tony would be a Bachelor no more.

Westwood Brewing, the place to meet

There, she swept him off his feet

Boldly, he made the initial move,

She quickly showed the she approved!

Kudos, Tony for your wonderful find,

You have moved to the front of the line!

On his 26th birthday at Disneyland,

What became clear was his next command

Love doth grow, when hearts combine,

Smiling faces and eyes that shine!

The grandeur of the Florentine Ruins,

Set the fate of these California Bruins!

A beautiful gal, with a Milwaukee name,

Assures you a place, in the Hall of FLAME!

Protect and nurture this remarkable love,

Tied with Blessings from the Lord Above

With my love,

Grandpa Connie

Blogging Bride: 6 Tips to Help You Say Yes to the Dress
Posted by lvictoriaflame on 10 Sep 2014 / 0 Comment

6 Tips to Help You Say Yes to the DressI love shopping, probably more than a healthy amount. I love clothing, fashion, styling, and everything that goes into making a statement. However, I have always had an adverse reaction to all things bridal. Nothing ever spoke to me. Needless to say, the day of wedding dress shopping had me more than a little nervous. But the whole experience was flawless, and my adventure ended with a perfectly non-traditional gown that I love. Here’s my advice to get even the most reluctant bride to say “yes” to the dress:

  1. Go in with a game plan. Victoria organized the whole day. We had appointments at all the shops (something I didn’t even know you needed,) plus lunch reservations. She emailed the agenda, with addresses, to all of us beforehand.
  2. Don’t bite off more than you can try on. We went to three shops that day; that equated to around 25 dresses. On an 85 degree LA summer day, that was enough.
  3. Remember a ship is only as good as its crew. Have a good group of people there for you. This was probably the most important part of the day for me. I had my mom and my three bridesmaids there to help me pick out dresses. Watching my bridesmaids go through the store, sorting through gown after gown, and running over each time to show me what they thought I’d like. Everyone came with such a great attitude. It’s a long day, and you really want people who are happy to be there. People who are happy for you.
  4. Honesty really is the best policy. Have someone there who will be frank. For me, that was my mother. I needed her in the dressing room with me – as my first reaction, my staunch supporter, and the one who would probably tell me what I didn’t want to hear. My bridesmaids brought the smiles and champagne, but I did need someone there to tell me the cut was not flattering.
  5. Have realistic expectations. Don’t stress yourself out about finding “the dress” in the first store, on your first day. Every bad dress I tried told me something more about what I didn’t like, which for me, was very important. I knew that I might not find my dress that day, and I was okay with that.
  6. Trust in the system. This was hard to grasp until it happened. When it’s the dress for you, you’ll know. When I finally had that “ah-ha” moment, I came bouldering out of the dressing room with a permanent smile cemented on my face. I didn’t care that I was barefoot, or that it was the wrong color. I didn’t ever want to take it off.

While my experience won’t cover the gamut of bridezillas out there, I think these are good words to live by. Now, if only the wedding goes as smoothly… TBD.

xoxo,
Rachel

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