#KjbrideoftheWeek -Evelyn

Married Eric on September 21st, 2019

getting ready

The process of finding “the one”…

“Kinsley James is truly a diamond in the rough. My previous shopping experiences felt overwhelming with so many options, none of which felt right. Kinsley James not only has a perfectly curated collection of dresses, but the entire vibe of the store is designed so beautifully with a comfort level I didn't expect! The best part of Kinsley are the KJ Girls! All are kind, honest and incredibly helpful. From start to finish, my experience was exceptional.“

“I had always admired Liz Martinez' gowns and how effortlessly romantic they looked. When I tried on my dress, the first I tried on at KJLA, I immediately fell in love with how it made me feel; beautiful in a way that I had never felt before! I tried on a few more dresses after but could not stop thinking about my first. When I put it back on and added the veil, I knew it was "my one!" So much so that I had my MOH cancel my next appointment and finalize it right then and there!”

how did you know your husband was “the one”?

“Similarly to finding my dream wedding dress, he made me feel beautiful in a way that I had never felt before. He made me let go and become more authentically myself, flaws and all.“

the ceremony

where did your wedding #inspo come from?

“My venue! I got married at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a beautiful outdoor property in the hills near Simi Valley. I wanted the design of my wedding to fit the already beautiful views.”

“At the end of the day, it's all about getting married to the love of your life. I knew that it was normal to be stressed during the process but I also knew it was all temporary. My day came, it was perfect, and the stresses that led up to it were all forgotten!”

Your favorite part?

“Every single part of that day is my favorite but outside of our beautiful ceremony, which my father-in-law officiated, and celebrating our love and pure happiness with family and friends at the reception, I really loved ending the night in a rental home on property with our best friends/bridal party. We were all slightly delirious and giddy and had the best time munching on Tommy's Burgers at 3 AM!”

the reception

vendors

Cigar Roller/Bar: @mihavanacigars 
DJ/Musicians: @djinternationalofficial @cattusquartet 
Magician: @majickstar 
Dress: @kinsleyjamescouturebridal @lizmartinezbridal 
Cocktail Hour Bar: @crystal_bartenders 
Hair: @rimassalon 
Makeup: @sev_a_na777_ 
Invitations: @shinewedding 
Print-house: @axiomprintla
Live Painter: @eventpaintingbyagnes

Planner/Designer: @withaflairevents
Coordinator: @wishlovesthis 
Venue: @hummingbirdnestevents 
Photographer: @kriskan @arminmphoto 
Videographer: @caitcutty 
Florals: @stellabloomdesigns 
Rentals: @arentalconnection @arcbob @foundrentals 
Catering: @ladybugz_inc 
Cake: @shirinbakery 
Dessert/Espresso Station: @boncafetit 

any advice for future brides?

“As a wedding/event planner myself, I have tons but the important advice I can give is 1) hire professional vendors that you can trust and rely on and 2) no matter how stressful it gets through the process, when you wake up on the morning of your wedding day, let go and trust everything will fall into place.“

congratulations evelyn & eric!

#KJbrideoftheWeek -Amanda

Married Joao Paulo Ferreira on February 22, 2020

getting ready | her

Hair/Make Up: Kimmy Huynh 

Photographer: Inna Elsie

How did you know your dress was "the one"?

“I have seen a lot of beautiful gowns but when I walked by “the one”, which was only at the store for a trunk show, something inside of me had to put it on. When I did, it was instant sparks! I felt like the dress was made for me and I totally got all the feels, but I knew I couldn't say yes to the dress until I showed my mom. We tried getting it here when she was visiting but it just didn't work out. She obviously saw pictures and videos, though, it was a really sweet moment when she saw it for the first time on the day of! I worked with the AMAZING Galia Lahav team to make a few customizations as I have always imagined wearing a gown with a high neck. The end result was beyond my wildest dreams (and I think my husband would agree!)!!”

getting ready | him

ceremony

Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from?

“I am that girl who has pictured my wedding day since I was young and Ive always known I wanted to get married in a castle. We were originally planning to get married in Europe but ran into complications so we searched for the next best "European castle". We came across Dover Hall Estate online and actually booked it site unseen, simply because it had everything we were looking for. When we visited shortly after, it was even better than the pictures and truly embodied the vibe we were going for. Once we saw it, everything else just came together.”

ceremony

Venue: Dover Hall Estate | Florals: Cultivate Event Co. | Event Coordinator: Alana Futcher

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

“It's hard to choose just one favorite part because it was truly a magical weekend. There was endless love bursting from every corner. Each moment felt like a "pinch me moment". My family lives on the east coast and my husband's on the west coast, so having everyone in one room was so so special. Not to mention, seeing something you have literally been planning for a year finally come to life, magic! However, I think the part that stands out the most would be when my husband and I left the ceremony to have an intimate moment in the wine cellar before we took photos. We were able to really look at eachother (since we didnt do a first look) and soak in what just happened.”

congratulations mr. & mrs. ferreira!!

#KJbrideoftheWeek -Samantha

Married Darren on April 6th, 2019

#kjbride samantha wore the ‘Celeste’ gown by Marchesa

Photographer: Sun + Life Photography (@sunandlifephotography)
Hair and Make Up: Kelly Jo Make Up and Hair (@kellyjomakeupandhair)

“When I put on the Marchesa Celeste gown, I kind of just came to a stand still in the dressing room once it was on my body. “

The dress shopping process:

“I found out about Kinsley James while researching every bridal shop in Los Angeles. The place surpassed all of my expectations and made my dress process a dream! The team is truly fantastic and made my experience very special and stress free. Before I went into Kinsley James I was starting to feel a little disheartened that I wouldn't have "that feeling" of finding the dress I was going to marry Darren in. I went to Kinsley James by myself one day and casually tried on a few dresses thinking I would have the same luke warm feelings I had been having at other stores. When I put on the Marchesa Celeste gown, I kind of just came to a stand still in the dressing room once it was on my body. I just felt so classy and elegant, but still fresh and young. Once I came out of the dressing room and saw myself in the big mirror and realized there were pockets in the skirt - I was floored. I got chills when they put the veil on me, I started getting very emotional. I remember Cassidy (a KJ Girl) asking me, "is this your dress?" I was hesitant to admit that because I was by myself that day. But I literally kept comparing everything to THAT dress. I didn't want to take it off - it was my dress. And I knew it was the dress I was meant to marry Darren in.”

ceremony

Why He’s “the one”

“Darren is truly one of the most well rounded and thoughtful individuals you will ever meet. He is such a positive person with an energy for life that I had never experienced before. We just had the best time together, he was always down to try anything, and incorporated this when we first started dating by orchestrating some of the most unique and well planned out dates you could imagine. He was a gentleman and really courted me! He also took note of the little things he learned about others, and made such an effort to get to know everyone important in my life. It was his considerate nature, adventurous spirit, curiosity and passion for life that really drew me in, pushing me to be the best version of myself - and that’s when I knew he was my person for life. Whether we went to a new music festival or tried a different type of food or learned a new subject together - he quickly became my favorite person to spend time and explore life with. I just couldn't get enough of him. This didn't wear off as the relationship progressed, our relationship truly gets better with age. “

“The favorite part of our wedding was the ceremony. I still get chills thinking about standing up in the front of all of our favorite people who were able to witness the most special day of our lives. People from all corners of our lives being together in one location as we said our vows on our wedding day was a pretty surreal and magic feeling. We selected certain friends and family members to give speeches, they were unbelievable and made both the ceremony and wedding feel that much more warm and intimate. Darren's best friend married us, which really set such a beautiful tone for the whole day. We felt so at ease up there, it just felt natural and I wasn't nervous or tense at all. In fact, I laughed way more than I cried during the ceremony. “

husband & wife

details

Wedding Planner: E Events Co (@eeventsco) & Venue: Holman Ranch (@holmanranch)

Catering: Five Star Catering (@fivestarcatering831)
Floral: Seascape Flowers (@seascapeflowers)
Rentals: Revival Vintage Rentals (@revivalrentals)

congratulations Samantha & Darren!

#KJbrideoftheweek -Haleigh

Married Whit McCarthy on October 12th, 2019

haleigh

Dress: Crawford by Rita Vinieris from Kinsley James Couture Bridal

Photographer: Nola Fontanez Photography

How did you know your dress was "the one"?

“I had gone wedding dress shopping a few weeks before and hadn’t found anything I loved. I ended up making an appointment at Kinsley James and asked one of my best friends to come with me. We walked in and there was a trunk show going on so we started selecting some of the dresses. My dress was the first one I tried on and I instantly knew this is exactly what I wanted to feel like on my wedding day. As soon as I walked out in my dress, my girlfriend and I both had chills and we both were like, “this is the one”. It was everything I was looking for in a dress. It was timeless, elegant, sexy and I felt like the most beautiful bride.”

whit

Suit: Custom Trunk Club

Event Calligraphy: Rosemont Lane

How did you know your husband was "the one"?

“I knew I loved him more than anyone very early on, but then every day that passed I somehow loved him more than the day before. I didn’t think it was possible to love him anymore than I already did..”

ceremony

Wedding Coordinator and Florist: Harvest Moon Events

bride’s advice

“Enjoy the process. Don’t stress out too much. At the end of the day, everything is going to be ok and whatever doesn’t work out there’s so many bigger things happening in the world so don’t stress the little things. You’re still going to have a blast. Also, it’s about you and your partner. Enjoy that. It’s the one day you get to spend with all of your favorite people who are supporting you and loving the life you are choosing to build with this other person. Embrace that love and have fun!”

the mccarthys

reception

Location and Catering: Victory Ranch, Kamas Utah

Band: Diamond Empire Band

her favorite part

“Our first dance was amazing! We danced to Big Mountain; Baby, I love your way. It was a crowd pleaser! I remember we were both just trying to take in the moment and we both looked out and everyone was standing on the benches and tables swaying and singing to the top of their lungs the lyrics. I don’t think we’ve ever felt so loved. The energy was contagious. It was so much fun.”

congratulations haleigh & whit!!

#KJbrideoftheweek -Kylie

Married Tyler Offill on October 12th, 2019

the bride

Makeup - Kitty Olitan

Hair - DeAnna Bloom from Salon 77 West

Dress - GALA by Galia Lahav

about the dress

“A coworker of mine told me about Kinsley James and said I HAD to check it out. My mom, sister friends and I were wedding shopping for fun in Walnut Creek and I remember walking past Kinsley James and thinking to myself I would love to see the dresses, we walked in and were greeted and I told the lady I didn't have an appointment and she said she had an opening. I canceled my appointment to the next shop and found my dress on the last but 5th try ! This was my 3rd wedding dress shop I had been to , but my second that day.”

saying yes to the dress

“Well I personally did not pick out the dress. My mom & the sales consultant picked it out without me knowing so when I tried it on I was just as surprised as they were, but the dress fit me like a glove I felt so beautiful in it and it was nothing I had ever seen before let alone nothing I would imagine myself in. But I fell in love with it and imagined myself walking down the aisle in it and I knew nothing would compare.”

the groom

he was “the one”

“I had never been with someone who loved me for who I was no matter what , He is the kindest most loving man in my life, we really are best friends, and the fact that our families got along so well together was the cherry on top ( still to this day our families hangout without us around) “

the “i do”

FLOWERS - Delford West Flowers

Wedding Planner - Pins and Petals

her favorite moment

“One of my favorite parts was having the big sliding barn doors open up while I was about to walk down the aisle and seeing Tyler on the other side trying to hold it together meanwhile I was balling my eyes out with my dad.”

the offills

Photographer - Tylar Delegeane

“We were high school sweethearts. We've been together since we were 16!”

the reception

Bride’s advice

“HIRE A WEDDING COORDINATOR ( Erin Rugala Events By Pins And Petals) , Save yourself and have someone help you out. Try to stay organized, my mother in law made sure she put all my decorations in bins and within those bins she had a paper in it with it stating where everything belonged to and how many items/what items were in the bin. A huge stress reliever for me was knowing my coordinator, Mom, & Mother In Law were in control and took the stress off of my shoulders”

congratulations kylie & tyler!

#Kjbride of the Week -Sara

Married Gavin on August 16th, 2019.

Our stunning #kjgirl turned #kjbride wearing ‘Langham’ by Anne Barge to her Lake Tahoe wedding

the bride…

How did you know your dress was "the one"?

“ I called all my family and friends because I thought another dress, Anne Barge -Lana, was my dress and it was only here for the weekend. My mom asked me to put on some other gowns as well, so with Alexia's help, I pulled other gowns I had always loved and decided to start with those dresses and finish with the Lana gown. The first dress I put on was Anne Barge, Langham. I turned to Alexia in the room and said, "wow, this is really pretty". I had never put on a ball gown prior to that. When I came out in the dress, everyone's jaw dropped and my grandma said that's your dress. Everyone asked if this was the dress I had called them to see and I said nooooo, but I was shocked at how much I loved it. I went back and forth between Lana and Langham, as I always imagined myself in a fitted gown. With Alexia's guidance, I ultimately decided that Langham had everything that I was looking for. Alexia reminded me that while the fitted, crepe was gorgeous it was also very trendy right now and Langham was timeless, classic and different from everyone else. It was the perfect dress for me, and I was so excited to see Gavin's face as I walked down the aisle in it. It was the hardest secret to keep, because all I wanted to do was show him, but it was so worth it :)”

Do you have any advice for future brides?

“Don't be afraid to try on all styles and pick a dress that you love, no matter if you think it doesn't fit your venue. I never imagined a giant ball gown for a Lake Tahoe wedding, and now I can't think of a dress more fitting. Also, when you go to try on dresses, come with your hair and make up similar to how you envision wearing it at your wedding. The defining moment to picking my dress was when I pulled my hair into a low bun and placed the veil on and the entire look came together!”

the groom…

the “i do”…

the cookes…

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

“I had so many favorite parts! I did a first look with my Dad instead of with Gavin, which was so fun and special! Also, right after the ceremony we took all our family and bridal party pictures, since Gavin and I didn't do a first look. After, my photographers asked if we wanted to step away with them for a moment and take a few pictures just us and away from everyone. It was the first moment I felt like I could catch my breath and that Gavin and I could celebrate what just happened. It was a really special moment to take a step away from everyone else and pause and cherish together everything that just happened, before we rejoined the party.”

the venue…

How did you overcome any stressful moments?

“Wine :) I had to really remember to let go, that I couldn't control everything. Things were going to go wrong no matter what, but it will be a great story later, like having to print and frame my seating chart 3 times because life lol.”

the party…

congratulations sara & gavin!!

the vendors

Venue: The Lodge Restaurant at Tahoe Donner
Flowers: Love and Lupines
Dessert: Little Truckee Ice Creamery
Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Linens: Le Tavola Linen
Rentals: Celebrations! Party Rentals

Dress: Anne Barge / Kinsley James Couture Bridal
Tux: The Black Tux
Bridesmaids: Show Me Your Mumu / Mumu Weddings
Coordinator: A Touch of Grace Events
Photography: Custock Photography
Videography: Hugo Film Co.
Hair & Makeup: Maya Roget Makeup

#KJbride of the Week -Diana

Married Avo Boyadzhyan on July 13th, 2019.

the bride & her dress

How did you know your dress was "the one"? 

“When I tried on my wedding dress, I felt ethereal, like I was the only girl in the room (even though I was quite literally the only girl in the room because they kept the store open for me late at night). And though I admit I envisioned myself walking down the aisle in two other dresses, I felt like my final decision was a perfect expression of myself. Simple and classy with some drama. “

#KJBRIDE Diana wearing the Marchesa ‘Nicolette’ gown.

Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from?

“Ever since I was in high school I was in awe of the lavish Marchesa gowns that women strutted down the red carpet. But it wasn’t until I saw a picture of Nicole Richie back in 2010 glowing in a bespoke Marchesa wedding gown that planted the seed for the love I have for Marchesa. I still have that picture saved in my archives till this day. So the moment I decided to go dress shopping I knew I had to try on my beloved designer’s bridal gowns”

diana’s dress shopping process:

“The only bridal salon I found to host a Marchesa trunk show in Los Angeles was none other than, Kinsley James couture bridal. So it was on top of my list! Since Kinsley James Bridal was my first (and last) stop, I had no idea what to look for or even what looked good on me! I tried on many dresses that fit my body differently. I purposely did this to immediately establish what I liked, what I liked and actually looked good on me, what I absolutely loved and what I disliked. I found after the first few styles of dresses, I began to form a list of favorites.”

the bride & groom

What was your favorite part of your wedding?

“Marrying my best friend. Sounds so cliche but that’s what gives me all the butterflies when I think back to that day! “

Do you have any advice for future brides?

“Do not stress over the little things! Yes, this is so much easier said than done but enjoy the experience of planning your wedding. Take it day by day and remember, you’re marrying your best friend and that’s what matters! It’s inevitable, things are bound to go wrong even if you have the luxury of hiring an event planner. There are so many variables that go into a wedding, you or anyone else for that matter, cannot control it all. I’ve never heard of a wedding going 100% as planned. So it’s important for you and your fiancé to acknowledge the fact that things may not go exactly as planned and that’s ok! Also, wear sneakers on the day of! I wore white adidas ultra boosts and it was a complete life saver. I wore my heels for all of 5 minutes to take pictures in (that did not even show) and then wore my sneakers. No one is going to see your shoes under a big white dress so don’t torture yourself with unnecessary pain ! You can opt for higher end heels to feel a little extra. I know Giuseppe Zanotti has great wedged sneakers.”

congratulations diana & avo!!

vendors

Reception Venue: Metropol Millennium Hall 
Ceremony: Saint Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
Cake: Anna’s Cakehouse
Photographer: Kriskan

Dress: Marchesa
Heels: Saint Laurent 
Makeup: Faces by Rob 
Hair: Grace Zip

#KJbride of the Week -Sydney

Married Dexter on June 15th, 2019

from Hafen to dake…

how did you know your dress was “the one"?

“When I tried on the Gia dress from Galia, I fell in love with the construction and the fit, but knew I wanted something more minimal. When I asked about customizations and discovered that Galia was known for customizing dresses, I knew this was the one I wanted to walk down the isle in. “

first look…

How did you know HE was “The One”?

“It took a while for me to believe that he was all that he seemed to be; handsome, charming, kind, loyal, employed, not living with his parents- I was convinced that he was a player, but it all checked out. We met on a Saturday, went on a second date on Tuesday, a third date on Friday, and saw each other pretty much every day after that. For the first time, dating didn't feel like a game or a power struggle- from the very beginning it was mutual adoration and generosity, and in that kind of trust, love grows freely. “

the ceremony…

the “i do”…

her favorite part

“Weddings are like a real-life fan fiction where people in your life who you never thought would meet come together. The overwhelming feeling of love and sheer joy was a high I'd never felt before, and has to be my favorite part of the wedding. I couldn't choose a single moment, every memory was is still so precious.“

how did you meet?

“We met at a bar in Dallas, where I was going to school at the time and he was working. He walked over with two beers and struck up a conversation, and we immediately fell for each other. It really made us both believe in the whole 'love at first sight' thing.”

the venue…

Where did the inspiration for your wedding come from?

“I wanted our wedding to feel like a celebration of love for everyone there; like our guests were on a date and taking joy in each other. We had a flower adorning station at the entrance, and as our guests arrived, I wanted everyone to feel beautiful and present and like they were just as much a part of the celebration as we were.”

Vendors…

MUA: Amy Lawson 
Videographer: Luke Lindgreen
Caterer: Thomas Keller Group / Ad Hoc 

Photographer: Anni Graham 
Wedding planner: Traci Steuteville 
Florist: Meredith Law 

the dakes…

.

congratulations sydney & dexter!!

#KJbride of the Week -Alexandra

Married Issa Samara on July 13th, 2019

getting ready

Headpiece: Maria Elena Headpieces

about the dress…

“I want to emphasize the feeling of wedding dress shopping when you are curvy. Going into it, I was nervous and didn't really fit well in the standard dress sizes. It was very important for me to find a retailer that understood that and made me feel good. I went to a couple places, I even flew to LA to the places you see on Instagram--they just shoved me in a "plus size" section of old out dated dress styles. At some point you feel like the system isnt fair. Then, you go to Kinsley James and its a completely different experience. Nobody had service and personality like KJ. I felt so welcomed every time I went and my stylist really understood my body and made me so comfortable! Heck, in the end I was naked in front of her all the time trying dresses on. So if any girls out there are discouraged, there are places out there that will find your PERFECT dress. I had a great experience with KJ in Walnut Creek.”

the ceremony

the inspiration…

“I love a good sultry, romantic, effortless yet chic vibe. I was going for that! Less is more and I was trying to pull something off that was not the classic white on white drapery look. The venue was so beautiful at all angles so I wanted to make sure I didn't cover that up.”

her advice…

“Do what you want and learn how to smile and let everyone's opinions pass. There is a difference between advice and opinions. And, don't sweat it-- some things wont go as planned but enjoy those moments and let it go. In the end, none of it matters-- as long as you and your husband are happy!”

the reception

“My ultimate favorite part of our wedding was the dancing of course-- I sweat my hair out but good thing my stylist is my friend-- she kept me together all night!”

congratulations Alexandra & Issa!!

#KjbrideoftheWeek -Danielle

Married Chris on March 9, 2019

GETTING READY TO SAY “I DO”

bride’s advice

“Determine a day or time before the wedding where you make the decision to let everything go, trust your vendors, and be in the moment. For me, it was the minute I hit the road to Palm Springs!”

FIRST LOOK

SAYING “I DO”

A DESERT DREAM

details

inspo

“My wedding was at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs so the inspiration really drew from the vibe of Palm Springs... Old Hollywood mixed with modern glam. I incorporated pops of pink and pampas grass which added a fun touch.”

VENDORS

Wedding Attire: @kinsleyjamescouturebridal @lizmartinezbridal @jcrew @stuartweitzman @sandroparis
Catering: @rivierapalmsprings
Dessert: @exquisitedesserts
Signage: @andersigncalligraphy
Invitations: @mintedweddings

Venue: @rivierapalmsprings
Planning + Design: @palmandpineevents
Photographer: @alexandriamonette
Cinematography: @charlesgambino
Florals: @moonlightflora.co
Hair + Makeup: @get_beautymarked

Mr. & mrs.

her favorite moment

“Definitely the late-night dance party and being surrounded by my closest friends and family all weekend.”

CONGRATULATIONS DANIELLE & CHRIS!

#KJbride of the Week -Rachel

Married Jared Sandberg on September 1st, 2019

her

Hair & Makeup: Infinite Beauty LA

Rosette by Marchesa from Kinsley James Couture Bridal

Maria Elena Headpiece from Kinsley James Couture Bridal

“How did you know your dress was ‘The One’”?

“I knew it was the one when I left the store and couldn't stop thinking about it! I went back to buy it only a few hours after leaving the store because I couldn't get it out of my head!”

him

the first look

“Soak in every minute! It can be so stressful at times, but you will miss the entire process when it's over.”

Venue: Beverly Hills Hotel

Photography: Katie Edwards Photo

the ceremony

the inspo

“We really wanted something timeless and classic that we could look back on years later and still love and that influenced our color palette choices. We also loved the idea of a quiet secret garden space in the middle of busy LA and we found just that at the Beverly Hills Hotel.”

the sandbergs

“What was your favorite part of your wedding?”

”The moment alone that my husband and I had together right after the ceremony. We got to bask in the love and joy of just being pronounced husband and wife alone and it was so special!”

the reception

Planning & Design: With A Flair Events

Florals: Petals LA

Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy

Rentals: MTB Event Rentals

SWEET MEMORIES

“Some special moments from our wedding day include being able to have my grandmother with my while I got ready. She is such a special person to me and I really cherish the memory of getting to hold her hand while my hair and makeup were being done.”
”My something blue was a rosary my grandfather passed down to me, he passed away and every time I held my bouquet and felt the rosary I felt like he was with us.”
”Our something borrowed was my parents wedding song - we had our wedding party walk down the aisle to it!”
”Jared custom made our dessert with the pastry team at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Instead of a traditional wedding cake we had a chocolate dome with custom mallets for our guests to break into.”
”We really loved our first dance as well. We took dance lesson at Arthur Murray beforehand and it was SO much fun!”

-THE BRIDE

congratulations to the sandbergs!

#Kjbride of the Week -Ivey

Married Trent Mayol on June 21st, 2019

LAKE COMO, ITALY

The inspo

“Working in the bridal industry, I see A LOT of weddings. The details are always what stand out most to me. We got married in Italy with about 75 of our closest friends and family. It was a big ask of people to travel that far, so I wanted to make it feel incredibly personal. One thing I had seen years ago was a Build Your Own Welcome Bag stand. I worked with our wedding planner to create a farmers market-style station where our guests could pick from various Italian treats and beverages, as well as other little things we thought might be useful. We also had our friend design custom matchboxes featuring our Shiba Inu, Teddy Roosevelt.”

THE WELCOME PARTY

WEDDING DAY | bride

our very own #kjgirl Ivey became a #kjbride when she married her love, trent, in lake como, Italy this summer

Bride’s thoughts on her gown

“I used to tell my brides, "Be open-minded when it comes to dress shopping. You may think you're a ballgown bride... but you never know. You might surprise yourself." My whole life I thought I was going to wear a super simple Calvin Klein-esqe slip dress. Maybe even throw a bow on the back if I was feeling crazy. But when I put on this Marchesa dress, I felt like I was wearing a work of art. I read an article once about brides who were asked that same question and one lady responded that it felt like a privilege to be wearing her dress. That's the best way I've ever heard that feeling described.”

How Ivey found “the one”

“Being a KJ Girl, trying on wedding dresses was literally part of my job. The first time I ever tried on The One, I was knee-deep in boxes for an upcoming Marchesa trunk show. I pulled it out of the box and thought, "Wow. For having everything I hate (sleeves, lace, crystals, a low back AND a deep V), this is a pretty dress." Naturally, I immediately tried it on *for work purposes*. It made me feel absolutely beautiful. After about ten minutes of living in a fantasy world, I remembered that I was, in fact, not engaged. Back to work. Back to reality. Much to my surprise, Trent, my boyfriend of several years, popped the question just a few months later. I knew I needed to try on that dress again, just to see if it was a fluke. As it turns out, we were having another Marchesa Trunk Show, so it was pretty serendipitous.”

wedding day | groom

first looks

the ceremony

how did you overcome stressful moments?

“I played drinking. Often. : ) I also took Miranda's spin class at Aura Cycle. Her cycle-therapy classes kept me sane.”

the bride’s advice

“Try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. This is a celebration! And when it comes to budgeting, nobody is going to be putting a photo of your place settings on their mantle. Don't skimp on your dress or your photographer! (By the way, @parkeryoung was our photographer and he's as good of a person as he is talented)”

the details

vendors

Planning: @lakecomoweddings + @rachelbirthistle | Hair + Makeup: @jennifer_bradburn | Dress: @marchesafashion, @kinsleyjamescouturebridal | Flowers: @rattiflora | Video: @marcoabba | Veil: @tonifederici | Stationary: paper_melange

the reception

her favorite moment

“That's so hard! Everything was so special... but I think walking into the reception for the first time stands out to me. Wildflowers by Tom Petty was on and we realized about half-way to the table that the band was singing it live. It sounded incredible and it was the perfect song to capture the feeling in that room.”

congratulations ivey & trent!

#KJbride of the Week -Lace

Married Fernando Maciel on June 8th, 2019

THE INSPO

“I let the church and reception venue set the tone and created the colors, themes and decor from there. The reception venue was an old Hollywood Spanish style estate, so I leaned in on the old Hollywood vibe and Spanish nods.”

THE CEREMONY

#KJBRIDE Lace Varn wearing the ‘Berkeley’ gown by Anne Barge

“After the ceremony, we walked outside the church and were greeted by all of our family and friends. It was a magical moment. And now we have a photo of everyone together on the steps of the church!”

RECEPTION IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS

A NOTE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER…

“It was amazing to see to two very different backgrounds blending together with so much love. They made sure to incorporate some small traditions throughout the night like a mariachi band serenading the cocktail hour in honour of Fernandos Spanish family roots. We took some sunset portraits of Lace & Fernando in a spot that overlooked LA and the views were breathtaking. Getting the chance to be a part of something so special and capturing all the raw unfiltered moments between these two was something we are really fortunate to be a part of.” -Brandon Scott Photography

ADVICE FROM THE BRIDE

“Find some time during the day of your wedding to spend with your husband. It's a flash of a day, and you'll be so glad you had some moments alone. Also, we wrote each other letters to read before we walked down the aisle, and that was really special. “

VENDORS

Hair: Meredith Morris
Makeup: Christina Adams
Wedding Designer & Flowers: Ashley Tearston
Rentals: CPG Event Rentals

Photographers: Brandon & Jess Scott
Church: St Monica
Food: Gus's BBQ
Cake: Milk Bar

CONGRATULATIONS LACE & FERNANDO!!

#KJbride of the Week -Kira

Married Andrew Dixon on September 21st, 2019

HOW THEY MET…

Kira and, now husband, Andrew’s meeting was pure fate. While Miss America (to be) was working in a restaurant in the year of 2012, the marine-in-training, Andrew, walked in and immediately had his eyes set on Kira. He took a leap of faith when he asked for her number (with a little liquid courage, of course). After a whirlwind of a summer romance, the leap of faith proved to be successful when two years later, timing was perfect and they began their beautiful relationship.

the venue…

Kira described her private ranch venue as the “dreamiest location ever”

the dress… the ceremony…

Kira explained on her Instagram story that she just couldn’t seem to track down the perfect, unique, gown that didn’t make her feel like she was in a pageant…. until KJ stylist, Cassidy, showed her a photo of the Kim dress by Lee Petra Grebenau. She said the second she saw the horizontal lines and leather belt, she was SOLD! They decided to add an overskirt and make a few customizations in order to make the gown perfect for Kira’s style.

“Every detail of the ceremony had a special meaning behind it. We didn’t want the wedding to feel scripted or copied. We wanted it to be entirely unique to us,” says Kazantsev. “We spent a lot of time with our officiant in the year leading up to the wedding. He is a big fan of music and wine. One night when we were indulging in wine and discussing music and of course, the wedding, it somehow came up that the ranch where we were getting married was like a chapel. Then we spontaneously broke into singing ‘Chapel of Love,’ which stuck so much that we ended up singing it during the actual wedding ceremony.”

mr. & mrs. dixon

the party…

congratulations kira & andrew

vendors…

Rentals: Bright Event Rentals
Band: Hip Service
Tent: Zephyr Tents 
Photo booth: The Vanity Portrait Studio 
Lighting: Got Light SF
Cake: Freeport Bakery
Hair: Jenn Bradford, Le Perle California, Austin Ryde 
Makeup: Austin Ryde
Jewelry: Erickson Beamon
Diamonds: Emkay Diamonds

Month of Coordinator: All Set Events
Videography: Cabie Films
Photography: Valorie Darling Photography
Roses: Passion Roses
Florist: Willow and Magnolia 
Dress Designer: Lee Grebenau
Prosecco Truck: Bubbles and Brews SF Bay
Catering: American River Provisions
Printables: Minted Weddings
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bhldn

#KJbride of the Week -Katherine

Married Scott Blomquist on May 5th, 2019

the dress

HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WEDDING DRESS?

“It was a total surprise! I had been to three other salons before arriving at Kinsley James Couture Bridal. I came in for an appointment with Maxine and had my heart set on the fit and flare style. Maxine, being the expert stylist she is, put me in an a-line gown and as we put on dress after dress, the a-line style completely won me over. Maxine then brought out the "Wellesley" by Anne Barge, and in that moment, I knew it was the one.”

“The "Wellesley" dress made me feel like a bride. I also just loved the little details and the intricacies of the design -- the placement of the lace, the horsehair layered skirt -- just everything about it won me over. The more time I wore it, the more I didn't want to take it off. It's funny because just a few weeks ago, I found the "Wellesley" dress saved in my Instagram "Favorites" from a few years ago, and it's kind of like it was fate.”

“My favorite part of my wedding was the moment I got to spend with my new husband after the ceremony and before the reception. We had just gotten done taking our photos, and we spent about ten minutes by ourselves, just talking and basking in this overwhelming happiness that overcame us. Even with all the great moments throughout the day, that moment will always hold a special place in my heart. It was just us two, and it reminded me of the roots of our relationship, and made me excited for our future.”

Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from?

“I've always been a fan of a mixed material aesthetic, and that really showed through when choosing the color theme and details for our wedding. A lot of that inspiration was brought to life through things I found on Pinterest and wedding blogs that I followed. For our reception, I sketched out the layout of what I wanted the space to look like, which ended up being wooden cabanas, draped in blush fabrics, elevated with string bulb patio lights for mood lighting. We then added in copper accents for a lot of the day of signage (table number holders, seating chart, welcome banner), and other wooden accents (signs, chairs and name cards). Our color theme of blush tones, ivories, and green foliage brought together the look and feel.”

congrATULATIONS mr. & mrs. blomquist

vendors

Dress: ‘Wellesley’ by Anne Barge 
Bridal Salon:  Kinsley James Couture Bridal
Alterations: Jila Couture
Tux: Men’s Wearhouse
Engagement Ring: Mark Broumand
Wedding Rings: Ben Bridge Jewelers
Venue: Wente Vineyards, Livermore, California
Photographer: Kate Anfinson Photography
Videographer: Amor in Motion
DJ: DJ Jeffty
String Band: SF Conservatory of Music
Decorations/Rentals: Pleasanton Rentals
Calligraphy: Ettie Kim Studio
Florals: The Blooming Studio
Hair + Makeup: Bay Area Beautiful
Cake Toppers: Goose Grease Shop

#KJbride of the Week -Kelsey

Married Patrick Gregory on July 14th, 2018

Dress - BERKELEY by Anne Barge

the inspiration

A lot of online inspiration. Instagram was helpful haha. Neither one of us had attended many weddings (since childhood at least), so we had a lot to learn and think about. We knew we wanted everything to feel very elegant and timeless, yet California casual. We didn’t want any crazy colors. Everything was very neutral with pops of blush and gold. We loved the natural beauty of the central coast and Greengate (our venue) so having an outdoor ceremony and reception was something we wanted to take advantage of.

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the first look

The bride and her father arrived to her Big Day in a vintage turquoise Jaguar

The ceremony was the most meaningful part to us. We are so grateful to my aunt, who was our officiant. Even though we had about 200 guests, the ceremony still felt intimate. We had a few family members participate in our ceremony which was special and it made it feel interactive.

reception

Cheers to Mr. & Mrs. Gregory!

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vendors

Venue- Greengate Ranch and Vineyard (San Luis Obispo) 
Planning- Ciel Bleu Events (Azurae Shults) 
Catering- Trumpet Vine 
Photography- Benjamin Patch 
Videography- The Brothers Martens
Cake- Slo Cakery  
Donuts- Slo Doco 
Floral- Noonan's Designs (Katie Noonan) 
Furniture- Scout Rentals  
Rentals- All About Events 
Linens- La Tavola 
Makeup- Amanda Olson 
Hair- Jess Wilcox  
Lighting & Drapery- Islay Events 
DJ- Heart of Gold DJ's 
Displays/Signage- Lovelyfest  
Car Rental- Cars With Distinction  
Dress- Anne Barge 
Shoes- Valentino  
Groom's Tux- Suit Supply 

#KJbride of the Week -Christina

Married on September 22, 2018

We are just dying over #kjbride Christina’s soft pastel wedding! We had to know where her inspiration for this light and romantic color palette came from. So we asked, and she answered! “Pastel rainbow sunsets and jellyfish! Which was a special item that triggered our first kiss”.

Christina said “yes!” to the Inez gown by Galia Lahav at Kinsley James Walnut Creek. And let’s take a quick moment to appreciate that the bride did her own makeup! Christina is also known as bridal make up artist ‘Makeup by Quis’.

“I DO”

THE DETAILS

“I loved being surrounded by all our loved ones and friends. It was surreal seeing everyone from all over the world in one place with us. Seeing all the visions we had planned for come to life was amazing too! I had photoshopped things together with images of my venue to render an virtual image of what I thought the wedding would look like, and it was even better than I had imagined.”

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINA & KEN!

VENDORS

Caterer @figcaters
DJ @boutiquedjs  
Officiant @alex.hwang  
Invite @theideaemporium with special thanks to @seniman_calligraphy  
Calligraphy @blushtype  
Paper plates @harlowandgrey  
Rentals @encoreeventsrentals  
Cake @aspoonfulofsugarcakes 
Groom's Suit @suitsupply 

Wedding planner @charmedevents
Photographers @jasmineleephoto @tonychuphotography @junshienweddings
Dress @kinsleyjamescouturebridal@galialahav
Makeup @quissy (Makeup by Quis)
Hair Larry Hufana
Florist @pineapplepetalsstudio
Videographer @jordanpowellfilms
Venue @trentaduewinery@milestoneeventsgroup

#KJbride of the Week - Dara

Married on November 17th, 2018

DARA + GARRETT HENRICKSEN

Where did your inspiration for your wedding come from?
“We love the aesthetic of our venue, Colony Palms Hotel. It has an old Hollywood--meets Moroccan--meets laid back California vibe, which we really wanted to play off of. We worked closely with our planners/designers, Hello Gem, to enrich the hotel's color palate with tons of greenery and florals in various shades of oxblood and white, as well as lit candles all over the property to create a warm glow throughout the night.”

Bride, Dara, is wearing ‘Arlene’ by Idan Cohen from Kinsley James Couture Bridal.

the first look

“I do”

The bride’s favorite moment

“Garrett breaking the glass early at the end of our ceremony. Our officiant was about to explain to our guests what the breaking of the glass symbolized, but Garrett thought she indicated it was time to step on it, so he did (and broke it pretty well). The photos from that moment are priceless and you can see both the shock and laughter that ensued. It was a perfect moment that you couldn't have scripted.”

Do you have any advice for future brides?

“Take a mental snapshot during the reception--look out at all your guests, the atmosphere, the environment, try to remember the music that's playing and remember how you feel at that exact moment. The night goes by pretty fast, so I think it's important to take these mental snapshots that you can come back to. Also, hold hands with your partner as best as possible during the reception. Guests will try to pull you both in different directions to say hello and offer congratulatory wishes throughout the night. The day/night is about the two of you and experiencing such a wonderful life milestone together.”

CONGRATULATIONS DARA & GARRETT!

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vendors

Photographer: Chris Glenn
Wedding Planner & Design: Hello Gem Events
Jeweler: ERA Jewelry
Videographer: Sunbeat Films
Venue: Colony Palms Hotel
Florals: Hello Gem Events
Hair: Nicoletta Gauci
Makeup: Tanika McConnell
Cake: Over The Rainbow
Lighting: Elite AV
Rentals: Town & Country; Planks and Patina; Signature Party Rentals

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#KJbride of the Week - Alex

Married on April 27th, 2019

KJ Bride Alex with her new husband, Karl

“My absolute favorite part was honestly seeing my husband for the first time during our first look. The first look was a moment that we got to spend together, just the two of us. One of the only moments the whole day. We got to stop, take in everything, and just be so happy with each other.”

the inspiration

“We got married at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe on top of the mountain. I didn't want to take away from the natural beauty that we were surrounded by so I decided that I wanted it to be very elegant, timeless, and and have all neutral colors. I stayed off of Pinterest as much as possible so it would be what I wanted and not trying to copy what I saw. The whole day, decorations, and my vision came out better than I could have ever imagined!”

advice from the bride

“Hmmm, the best advice that I got and the advice that I would give is to stop and take it all in. The day goes by so fast and it is easy to miss all of the small moments. Make sure to actually spend time with your significant other. The day is about the two of you and you want to spend it together! Don't stress about the little things and remember what the day is truly about! Oh! And late night pizza is a must! :)”

How did you handle the stressful moments?

“Laughed and joked my way through the stressful moments. That might not be how everyone handles stress, but I always took a step back and tried to see if it was something really worth stressing about. Usually it wasn't and something 100% out of my control”

Bride is wearing an Angel Rivera gown from Kinsley James Couture Bridal.

cheers to forever!

vendors

| Photographer: Jihan Cerda |
| Florist: Love and Lupines |
| Venue: Squaw Valley High Camp |
| Wedding Planner: Katie Ross |
| Hair and Makeup: Bridal Beauty On-The-Go |
| Entertainment: Epik Entertainment |
| Videographer: Aaron White |

#KJbride of the Week - Kristelle

Married on September 15th, 2018

From Buenviaje to Bamba

“When I tried on the Galia Lahav, Emma, I knew it was the one. I went to other stores and tried on other dresses and could not stop thinking about it! I went back to KJ and sealed the deal. Sara and the girls at KJ made the whole experience wonderful. The dress was everything I had envisioned I'd marry the man of my dreams in- trumpet silhouette with stunning 3D intricate floral details throughout. I loved how it was made to my exact measurements and I was able to customize it. Galia even surprised me with a long beautiful veil that complemented the dress so well!”

advice from the bride

“Enjoy the day because it sure does fly by! My advice for future brides is to take a few moments with your husband during the ceremony and reception to look around the room, take mental snapshots and really soak it all in. Wedding planning is indeed stressful! Remember the sole reason for a wedding: love and building a future life together. Nowadays it's easy to get carried away with planning and have this get lost in translation. As the date gets closer, dedicate some time with your partner to relax and take some time off from wedding planning. ”

Dress & Veil: Emma by Galia Lahav

vendors

• Make up and Hair: @BeautybyBellez–Annabelle Antonio

• Photographer: Studio Dizon 

• Videography: Cinememories

• Calligraphy Signage: Menakshee Designs

• Getaway Car: Bentley (pre owned by Mike Tyson)–Monterey Touring Vehicle

• Ceremony Venue: San Carlos Cathedral, Monterey, CA

• Ceremony Florist/Bridal Bouquet: Amy Eimer

• Reception Venue: The Beach and Tennis Club, Pebble Beach, CA 

• Reception Venue Florist/Décor/Production Service: Michael Romero and Jennifer Kirsch-Pebble Beach Event and Floral Department 

• DJ/MC/Entertainer: Mark Banks 

”My husband and I were inspired by disney films and its fairytale and enchanting theme, particularly Beauty and the Beast. We wanted to combine that with the natural splendor of the coast and found the perfect venue in Monterey/Pebble Beach to manifest the magic! The details included shades of pink, lots of candles, fairy lights, luscious floral and greenery! “

 “Oh how do I pick my favorite part, I loved every moment of it! But if I had to choose, one moment was my husband, Patrick and I sat down for dinner together for the first time as a married couple. We were so ecstatic to see everything we had planned for finally come to life; but most importantly we were so grateful to see our loved ones all together in one room.”

sweet moments

“Another favorite moment was during the magical moment of “golden hour” (an hour before sunset.) We took photos along the 17th fairway at Pebble Beach. This was the first time my husband and I were able to spend some alone time together and soak it all in. I remember holding my husband’s hand, seeing the sun setting so beautifully, sailboats bobbing by, while hearing the gentle waves lapping along the shore. It was such a magical moment!”

congratulations #KJBride!!