Engagements - 100 Layer Cake

10 May

Surf trip portrait session

categories Engagements

This portrait sesh is so intimate, and warms our heart so much that we’re going to let photographers, The Why We Love, tell their side of the story since they got to know Mike + Silvia + daughter, Mia first hand.

surf trip engagement sesh

From The Why We Love:
Silvia and Mike have a passion for one another that is infectious! They have that perfectly serendipitous, and an oh-so-dreamy California love story that makes any romantic smile. While both living in Huntington beach these two were first introduced by a mutual friend and later found love while paddling out for the perfect wave. Years of friendship turned into a deeply rooted love for one another which has since poured over into an unyielding love for their beautiful daughter Mia. When Kevin and I were asked to be a part of capturing this family’s story we couldn’t think of a better backdrop than where it all began… the sun and sand of old Surf City.

surf trip engagement sesh

We love the colors that came about as the haze rolled in and out, and the sun flooded the area. Stay tuned for Mike and Silvia’s AMAZING, intimate wedding that was held this past September at Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad, CA.

Photography: The Why We Love

3 comments

27 Apr

Magic is in the air e-sesh: Ruby + Ben

categories Engagements

Ruby, can we just tell you that we’re a wee bit jealous that you’re marrying a real magician? Can you guys imagine just how much fun these two must have together? Ben here, is a member of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles and a lover and master of card tricks so it was a simple decision for Chris and Kristen Photography that this was going to be a romantic and whimsical e-sesh. Ruby + Ben’s adorableness would do the rest!

Magic in the Air Engagement Session

The first kiss Ruby gave to Ben was a strawberry flavored Hershey’s Kiss at their company’s new hire orientation. Ben and Ruby started working at their company around the same time and while working at two different departments in two different floors, their paths were crossed with a chocolately kiss. After dating for a year and half, Ben planned a surprised trip to Ruby’s favorite city, San Francisco. Ben took Ruby directly to Crissy Field, a park overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge (magical place on a sunny day). In the middle of the park surrounded by passersby walking their cute pups, Ben proposed to Ruby by playing the ukulele and singing Marry Me, by Train.

Magic in the Air Engagement Session

Congratulations on your engagement Ruby + Dave, and happy planning!

Photography: Chris and Kristen Photography / Ruby’s dress: Forever 21 / Ben’s suit: Zara, tie and vest: Ted Baker, fedora hat: Calvin Klein / Makeup + stylist: Shirley Kao

4 comments

23 Apr

Our mid-century-inspired engagement photos

categories Engagements

Top o’ the morning to you, everyone! So very excited for today’s post. I finally get to share Tim and I’s engagement photos with yous. We took a little trip out to the desert awhile back with Elizabeth Messina for a spiffy photo shoot at Hotel Lautner, an amazing mid-century hotel in Desert Hot Springs. We wanted to have some fun with this shoot and do a more editorial-style approach. I think Elizabeth captured us perfectly.

We had the best time together that day.. all dressed up and feeling like a glamorous 60′s couple.. oh the life..

mid-century engagement photo

retro engagement shoot

100 Layer Cake engagement

retro engagement shoot

Fiore Beauty did wonders with my hair and makeup. They are good, those girls. Many of you had asked about my engagement ring. We had this one custom-made by Philip Press in Los Angeles. I always knew I wanted a modern styled ring, and I love how it turned out…a 3-sided eternity band with pave-set diamonds. It is so sparkly!

retro engagement shoot

60's engagement shoot

retro engagement photo shoot

60's engagement shoot

retro engagement photo shoot

mid-century engagement shoot

mid-century inspired engagement shoot

60's engagement shoot

desert engagement photo

100 Layer Cake engagement

Being engaged to Tim has made me feel like a new woman. I didn’t realize it would be different than being with someone for a long awhile, but it is. Life feels lighter, more conquerable, and we’re more connected with a deeper sense of love for each other .. it almost makes me teary to think about it. I’m such a lucky gal.

Our friends at Utterly Engaged are featuring some beautiful pages of our photos, along with an interview we did about how we met, our first “I love you” and some other fun tidbits. So make sure you pop over and check their magazine. There are always so many great bridal fashion and decor ideas in there too!

And you can read about our first kiss on Elizabeth’s blog Kiss the Groom. Let me tell you a bit about Elizabeth…she is a master at her craft, has an eye for creating perfect beauty in every moment and is an inspiring person to be around. Plus she has so much love to give… we were truly honored to be in front of her camera that day.

xx, Amanda

Photography: Elizabeth Messina / Styling: Amanda of 100 Layer Cake, with assistance from Catherine of The Life Styled / Hair and makeup: Fiore Beauty / Location: Hotel Lautner / Engagement ring: Philip Press / White dress: Halston Heritage. Black and white zebra dress: Kate Spade, and earrings all c/o Rent the Runway. Red, navy and white striped dress: Trina Turk. Orange heels: Zara. Heart swimsuit: Jcrew

33 comments

17 Apr

The Five-Year Engagement Survival Guide

categories Engagements, Sponsored Post

Being engaged for 5 years would be, um, interesting? Right? At the very least it would be long, and would require fielding an infinite number of questions from many many inquiring friends and family members.

Tom and Violet thought the most important thing to share with any of you in a similar situation would be a robust survival guide – so you could make sure that you and your betrothed were well-prepared for the next half decade.

1. Be sure to take advantage of MANY engagement parties. Might as well celebrate while you’re waiting.

2. Consider taking up a hobby to distract you…though preferably not archery. Could lead to some unforeseen accidents.

3. No matter how crazy, don’t forget to make time for fun with your fiancé.

4. Create a wedding blog (duh!) to direct persistent family members for information about the “wedding”. You can check out our blog to see where we’re at with our planning!

5. At all costs, avoid discussing the guest list with your parents until the last minute. Unless of course you plan to elope anyway. When your mom says “I’d like to invite my entire bridge club to the wedding,” you know it might be time to think of other options.

Hope you all love our wedding!

xo,

Tom and Violet

The Five-Year Engagement in theaters April 27th.

{bubbly via Style Me Pretty / arrows Native Shop on Etsy / Tom in Apron / Tom & Violet’s blog}

1 comment

3 Apr

Magical 1920′s glass Greenhouse Engagement Session

categories Engagements

From what we can see, Michelle and Colby are madly in love and have an impeccable taste in fashion. He also knows how to twirl her around in a sequined vintage gown, she knows how to style and design a black dress that kills. They’ll be getting married at a plantation in New Orleans in just a couple of months, but we couldn’t not share these photos asap! Photographer and friend of M + C, Nancy Neil gives us a peek at her gift to them – a fresh, elegant and timeless love sesh in a 1920s abandoned glass greenhouse in Santa Barbara.

1920's greenhouse engagement shoot