style is so personal….so subjective….every woman has her own innate sense of style….your wedding is the perfect place to let all of your stylish impulses come out….whether you are in a little white dress & barefoot on the beach….or snug in a satin corset & a pair of stilettos….be completely and utterly yourself…all dressed up & happy….there is no perfect style…just a style that is perfect for you….xoxo

be sure to embrace the details…from your lips waiting to be kissed…..to your manicured toes….and every wrap, headpiece and bouquet in between….each detail says something about you and your style….have fun & remember you are simply beautiful….inside and out…xoxo

i spent some time photographing in India & in honor of Slumdog Millionaire here are some of my favorites……

my time in India was indescribable…truly life changing…i visited many temples & wandered the streets, camera in hand….i drank hundreds of cups of tea….and felt honored to be greeted with such warmth by so many people….Slumdog Millionaire transported me back to India & reminded me of what an amazing place it is…if you have not seen this movie yet…do so, give your self the gift of spending two hours with Jamel & Latika….and witness firsthand one of the most wonderful first kisses ever…..

i’ll be watching the Oscars tonight with fingers crossed…..xoxo…elizabeth

there is an indescribable difference between boys & girls….sometimes very subtle…and other times not so subtle….i give my son just as many hugs and kisses as my daughters….and yet he is utterly and completely different from the girls….i am often in awe of his energy….and his ability to play basketball with an imaginary team for hours on end….but i think what really sums it up more than anything, is the joy he gets from playing with his dinosaurs on the dining room table….i imagine the feeling he gets is perhaps close to how i feel in a new pair of pretty shoes….so i let him play dinosaurs as long as he likes and smother him in affection whenever he lets me….

“the first time he kissed me was four days after we met….

i had insisted many times that we were just going to be friends….but lying there in the pitch black…right next to each other….noses inches apart…..i was suddenly desperate for him to kiss me…..

i could feel his warmth….his breath….his smell was intoxicating….my heart was beating so fast, i was sure he could here it…..every ounce of my will power was being used to keep me in place, so i would not lean into him….as ‘please kiss me’ continued to run through my head on repeat….then it happened…his warm lips pressed against mine…so soft…his hands on my hips pulling my body towards him….the first touch of his lips sent chills through my entire body….my arms wrapped tightly around his back & neck….we could not let go….”

-sheridan

(to see more of sheridan & bo’s beautiful wedding check out the current issue of elegant bride)

have you ever felt like you had the whole world in your hands?? has a pinecone ever been your magic wand?? there is nothing quite as wonderful as a child’s imagination…the wonder of a cardboard box when you are three years old….its a house, a castle, a spaceship….such a simple pleasure…when exactly does a cardboard box become just a cardboard box?? 

mmmm, who dosen’t love a spa? massage…facial…relaxing…healthy food….be sure to inquire about packages & half days….you can often get a great deal on several treatments….and spend as long as you like relaxing by the pool…most packages also include a spa lunch….if you are planning your wedding, there is nothing better than taking a day off to be good to yourself & simply relax…and if you are pregnant, be sure to inquire about what’s available for expectant mother’s….and ladies, what ever stage of life you are in….if you are a working mother, single or just in need of some down time….check out your local spa & see what services are available…you won’t be sorry you did….

here are some of our favorites……

Caudalíe of Paris

Maroma Resort & Spa

Blu Mediterraneo Spa

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Ventana Inn & Spa

Bacara Resort & Spa

Although Liara & Antonio McDyess had a beautiful wedding with friends and family in Cuixmala, what many people don’t know is they also had a lovely private ceremony in Santa Barbara at the simply stunning San Ysidro Ranch….celebrating in private can be just as elegant & special as a big wedding with all of your friends & family….Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! produced both the Cuixmala celebration & their private wedding….Liara is one of the most wonderful and warm people ever…and her and Antonio share such an obvious love & affection…if you are planning on eloping or want to have a private ceremony….do it in style just like Liara & Antonio….

My grandparents, Anthony & Antoinette Messina were married on July 4, 1940….Antoinette lived across the street from the church they were married in….Her father (my great-grandfather) rolled a long red carpet from the front door of their home to the steps of the church….so she could walk across the street to marry her groom….They were married for 60 years….I will never forget the loveliest advice she gave me….From the time i was a young girl, she would tell me “your grandfather & i always kiss goodnight”, she would smile as she went on”sometimes between clenched teeth, but we always kiss, no matter what…and that is the secret to our happiness”…i have never forgotten her words & love the simple sweetness of her advice….especially in the evenings, when i kiss my husband goodnight….

-elizabeth

remember to take time out everyday to kiss your groom….xoxo