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How do I love Stacie + Todd? Let me count the ways… actually, I won't do that because I would never get around to posting the fab pictures from this wedding!! I'll just say that I heart this couple SO much. I first met Stacie for our consult at a Coffee Bean in Huntington Beach. We clicked INSTANTLY and had the best time gushing over ideas and inspiration photos she had brought. Over the course of her planning, we swapped HUNDREDS of emails about every last detail of the big day. Stacie is a insanely creative graphic designer (mostly working in the web design field… check her out!) and hand-crafted all of her stationery, printed ephemera and signage. She also had a fresh, offbeat style and vision for her day that really inspired me. I knew her event would be one-of-a-kind and like nothing I had done before.

Stacie + Todd are both avid surfers and the ocean was the backdrop of their blossoming love story. It was no surprise, then, when they chose the hip + beachy W Hotel in San Diego for their venue. They were wed on the hotel's rooftop “beach” (complete with sand and surfboard bar) and then set the scene for a swanky lounge-inspired reception in the great room. To create a unique, club-like vibe for their reception, we dismissed the idea of fixed guest seating and tables. Instead, we brought in dozens of white leather couches and loveseats, paired with clear ghost chairs and LED-lit cube tables. Add a sleek black dance floor, dozens of Chinese paper lanterns and modern arrangements of orchids and wheatgrass… and you had an ultra stylish space that facilitated a fabulous party.

Guests enjoyed heavy tray passed hors d'oeuvres along with a selection of tasty food stations: 3 types of salads, made-to-order Pad Thai (YUMMM) served in Chinese takeout boxes, freshly prepared sushi and a carving station for the meat lovers. The perfect sweet ending to the evening: a decadent dessert display with nostalgic treats in the couple's signature chocolate + chartreuse palette. One of my favorite bands, Masta, kept the energy up and guests on the dance floor!

Enjoy another photo-overload post courtesy of my ultra-fabulous and amazing photographer friends, Nate + Jac of The Image is Found. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know they are 2 of my fave people on the planet. They are also two of the most creative folks in the biz, always pushing the envelope with their images. On top of all of this, they are a TON of fun and I loooove working with people I love! Check their radtastic blog for lots of eye candy! Here we go…

Stacie's modern + graphic invites, perched atop gifts wrapped in Paper-Source polka-dotted paper.

Stacie and I share a love of chai tea truffles, The Smashing Pumpkins, the ocean, and this…Twigs and Honey (aka the brilliant handiwork of Myra Callan)!

The beautiful bride!! I LOVE Stacie's red curls. Adoooooore.

A joyful moment during the couple's “first look.” I loved Todd's suit. It was the perfect choice for their beachy wedding.

Stacie made the bold choice to alter her dress to tea-length…and it was brilliant! Her ensemble totally captured her style, and I loved peeking at her shoes all day!

One of my hands-down favorites from the day!

This fab mural is in front of the pool at the W. Did you catch a glimpse of todd's perfect chartreuse socks??

Stacie's sleek and structural bouquet consisted of pure white callas and lime green cymbidium orchids.

Since the ceremony took place in the sand, Stacie provided cute chocolate brown flip flops for guests! Her monogram stickers were the perfect size for covering the brand stamp.

Stacie's programs were long and horizontal. I love this layout, as well as the eyelets on the binding!! Every single detail was coordinated perfectly!

Crisp, tart lemonade and water for pre-ceremony refreshment!

I am dying over these personalized, sueded kippot. The chartreuse stitching was TOO perfect! Stacie's cute sign says, “Take one of these, put it on your head, and ‘kippah' it there for the ceremony.” LOVE.

The striking setting for their ceremony! We used the existing beach cabanas for our chuppah structure. The central cabana was framed by tall posts of fresh bamboo, adorned with clusters of phalaenopsis and cymbidium orchids. Strands of orchids were hung delicately from the top of the chuppah, as well. The graphic floral silhouette linen we used for the ceremony table added the perfect POP.

A closer look at some of the chuppah details. Aren't those little glass vases too much cuteness??

Another fave pic from the day! this is how we seated guests for the ceremony — a modified runway style! Everyone had a great vantage point of Stacie's walk up the aisle as well as the ceremony.

Beautiful!!

Although there was no assigned seating, Stacie wanted the personalized touch of alphabetized favors. These adorable boxes contained two artisan truffles from Chi Chocolat, located in San Diego's Little Italy. Their chai tea truffles are soo intense.

Stacie + Todd's simple + stylish monogram was everywhere. It is actually just the W hotel's logo turned upside down!! The W Hotel staff was totally rad and wore their belts and pins upside down all day for the wedding. AWESOME. This monogram was projected at the bar, between two framed engagement photos.

Ta-da! here's our lounge reception, all set-up. Don't you love those glowing cube tables??

The guests enjoying the free-flowing space..

A dessert display was unveiled after dinner. Mini cupcakes, mini lattice pies (ahh!!!), cookies and bars were presented in style. The “magic” bars blew my mind. chocolate + coconut = bliss!

A great detail shot of one of our cocktail tables: river rocks, votives, and a petite arrangement with horsetail bamboo, orchids and bear grass.

Chartreuse + chocolate pillows were placed on the cushy sofas. The LED cubes were topped with more river rocks and a sleek container of wheatgrass.

I'll end with this sweet first dance pic. A room brimming with style and LOVE!

I loved everything about this wedding: the couple, the families, the fun-loving guests, the unique menu and creative set-up! I hope you enjoyed this little peek into one of my fave weddings of 2008. Stacie + Todd: you already know I love you two!! I cannot wait to get together for the wedding video viewing party. Stacie, we are two peas in a chartreuse pod! I adore you to pieces and treasure our friendship.

Vendor roundup time!

• Delectable photography by The Image is Found
• Videography by DV Artistry (The same day edit from this wedding can be seen HERE. Amazing!)
• Floral design by the lovely nellie of Stems Design Studio. Nellie is super sweet and delightfully creative. we had the best time collaborating!
• Show-stopping entertainment courtesy of Masta, represented by deBois Tntertainment
• Lounge furniture rentals from Plush Impressions
• Lighting (including the LED cubes) from San Diego Stage and Lighting
• Tasty and nostalgic desserts from Elizabethan Desserts (a MUST-see if you are in the san diego area

Of course, many thanks to the wonderful staff at the W for their hard work and assistance! I can't wait to work with you all again! (p.s. to any long-d readers out there, I LOVE to travel for weddings!)

xoxo, angel