I’m finally coming up for air after last week’s California Wedding Day’s Urban Unveiled bridal event at the Vibiana. My fellow vendors rolled out some seriously beautiful eye candy and I’d love to share some of my favorite elements with you.

We wanted to convey a clean, classic look with our space. Alejandro of Rrivre Works hooked us up with these custom made white tufted walls. I love them so much I’ve been trying to convince Larry we should buy them for our new studio!

Sherry of Creative Works Designs manages to mix opulence and sweetness in equal amounts into the beautiful invitations she designs. Plus, she and her husband are two of the warmest people you’ll ever meet.

If any of you ever want to buy me a present, save yourselves any running around and head straight to Mayfair House. This gift registry wonderland carries an abundance of riches any bride would be thrilled to receive.

Kat Minassi of Kat Minassi Events & Design nailed the Hollywood Glamour vibe. Her space was as elegant as she is.

If you read this blog with any regularity, then you know how much I love Holly Flora. Her arrangements never cease to delight. She can take a flea market vase, fill it with a sprig of posies and the whole thing is elevated to fine art.

Andrea’s Fashions does not only carry beautiful wedding gowns, they can also outfit the mother of the bride or groom elegantly.

Walking by Sticks and Stones’ booth was utterly intoxicating! Not only were the bouquets and arrangements beyond gorgeous, the smell of gardenias wafting made for a spectacular sensory experience. The jeweled elements were so perfectly Gatsby too.

I snapped this during the runway rehearsal. I just can’t resist playing with reflections!

Copper Willow wins my prize for most creative display. Having those beautiful invitations hanging down like confetti is so clever and whimsical.

It wasn’t easy being situated two booths away from New York Food’s tempting array of desserts. Towards the end of the night, I broke down and had a cupcake. It was divine!

Good Gracious really embodied the Great Gatsby theme. Between the feathers and the cheery Tiffany Blue linens, any 1920’s starlet would have felt right at home sitting at this gorgeous table.

This super-glam vignette was designed by: Amber Event Production, Shawna Yamamoto Event Design and Sterling Engagements.

While the lingerie and bridal aspects of the fashion show were really lovely, the highlight for me was the men’s bespoke suiting by Requisite Custom Made Apparel.

The Urban Unveiled bridal event is tomorrow at the Vibiana and we just picked up our postcards for the show. Image Source did an awesome job printing them. I highly recommend this photo lab for any and all printing needs!

If any of you would like to attend Urban Unveiled and revel in some Great Gatsby glamour, you can still get tickets at California Wedding Day’s website.

See you there!

To feel so at ease on one’s wedding day…

To feel the earth beneath one’s feet…

Is truly beautiful

Larry and I recently had dinner at Lavender Bistro in La Quinta with our good friends Cathy and Dorry, the fabulous duo behind Celebrations of Joy. Dorry and I both had the delicious butternut squash ravioli in brown butter sauce. While I sat there savoring each luscious bite, I got to thinking, “Hmm, I’ve seen all of the components of this dish at Trader Joes…” Sure enough on my very next shopping trip there I picked up everything I needed to recreate this truly indulgent, wonderful meal – at a fraction of the price I might add.

Here’s what you’ll need:
Butternut Squash Triangoli
Candied Walnuts
Manchego Cheese
Fresh Sage
Unsalted Butter

Here’s what you do:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Chop candied walnuts into bite sized pieces
Either grate or slice some of the cheese into slivers for the top of the triangoli. (The cheese looks prettier grated but tastes better in chunkier bits.)
Once water comes to a boil, it’s time to begin your brown butter sauce. I’ve found that if you start browning your butter once the water is boiling, the sauce and the triangoli will be done at around the same time.
Add approximately 3 tablespoons of butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Once butter is mostly melted, add some sage leaves.
Drop the triangoli into the boiling water and give them a gentle stir.
Flip your sage leaves over so they fry evenly in the butter. Add a bit more butter to the pan if it looks like there won’t be enough sauce to drizzle over the triangoli.
Continue to gently stir and flip your triangoli. They will cook fairly quickly, around 3 or 4 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they puff up.
Once cooked and strained, arrange the triangoli on your serving platter. Drizzle the brown butter and fried sage over them and top with the manchego cheese and candied walnuts.

In a few short minutes, you’ll have a fancy restaurant dish that tastes as good as it looks!

Have you seen the commercial where a wild animal doctor says she’d rather stick her head in an elephant’s mouth than create a website? Well, that’s exactly how I feel, but that is exactly what I did – create a website I mean. After many weeks of researching website companies, and running them through the paces through trial after trial, we finally have a site that truly represents what Isabel Lawrence Photographers is all about. The design is classic and elegant, just the like the images we have become known for and hopefully our love for capturing the decisive moment comes through as well.

Please take a look and tell me what you think.

Things have been beyond crazy for us these past couple of months. We’ll be making a couple of big announcements soon but while the dust is settling, I thought I’d let you know about our involvement with Urban Unveiled.

Urban Unveiled is presented by California Wedding Day magazine and will take place at the gorgeous Vibiana in downtown L.A on May 1st. If you are in the midst of planning your wedding, you must attend! This will not be the typical bridal show housed in a cavernous convention hall with a million and one vendors clamoring for your attention. Only the very best wedding professionals have been invited to participate and we are thrilled to be in such fine company.

The theme is “The Great Gatsby” so you know there will be lots of luscious eye candy and because the show will be intimate and carefully curated, you will have the opportunity to assemble a team of some of the best vendors in Los Angeles.

Of course, there will be lots of wonderful nibbles and cocktails on hand so be prepared to combine a little pleasure with your business! 🙂

You can find out lots more about this wonderful event and purchase tickets at California Wedding Day’s website.

Speaking of tickets, I have two to give away so if you’re planning a wedding and would like to attend either leave a comment or send me an email.