wedding details Archives

26Apr

Let There Be Cake! | Cake Topper Inspiration

By True Photography, April 26, 2016 Be Inspired, Cakes and Catering

At the wedding, even the smallest details can make a big impression. One unexpected way to showcase your personality as a couple is the cake topper. This fun expression of love can be as outrageous, understated, or glamorous as you want it to be.

Although its origins are shrouded in mystery, legend says the cake topper began over 100 years ago. Engaged to be married, a baker’s daughter came to her father seeking a unique symbol of love for her groom. After multiple attempts, and long consideration, the baker presented the bride-to-be with two figurines atop a cake. This representation of the wedding couple became instantly popular, and still holds to this day.

The ritual of the cake topper has been updated over time, with modern twists. We’ve seen ornate hand-carved designs, customized figurines, sophisticated paper cutouts, and much more. We hope you enjoy these recent cake topper inspiration photos below.

At Lauren and Stephen’s wedding at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (see below), they cheered on their favorite sports teams with personalized hockey and soccer cake toppers!

Cake toppers can be a fun way to get festive and celebrate your ancestry. This Day of the Dead cake from the wedding of Danielle and Michael (below left) and figurines from Jennifer and David (below right) added a pop of color to the day’s activities.

For April and Vernon’s wedding (below), the couple had an artist capture them in their wedding day attire, depicted as paper cutouts. This resulted in a timeless keepsake that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

If figurines aren’t your style, you can switch things up with a dash of fresh flowers. These two cakes by Sweet Cheeks Baking (see below) added elegance and tropical flair to understated white frosting bases.

Another idea is to incorporate streamed banners, adding a whimsical, handmade touch to the dessert table.

No matter how you top it, a personalized wedding cake topper is a fun way to welcome guests to your reception. We leave you with this sexy cake topper from Sisanie and Michael’s wedding at the Legendary Park Plaza Hotel, which really says it all :)

Check out more ways to personalize and decorate your wedding cake top.

04Apr

Through the Grapevine | Vineyard Weddings

By True Photography, April 04, 2016 Be Inspired

Tucked away in the valleys of Temecula, Escondido, and surrounding regions are award-winning San Diego-area vineyards. These properties are not only good for day trips and tastings – they make amazing wedding locations also! With their magical rolling hills,and fields of vines, local wineries are perfect venues for those looking to escape the city.

We have selected a few of our favorite images from recent vineyard weddings. Grab a glass of your favorite red or white (or both), and enjoy the inspiration :)

At the wedding of Apple and Ben (above), we went to one of our favorite spots at Orfila Vineyards, overlooking the fields below. As the couple embraced, we surrounded them with flower petals, and added a backlight for contrast, drama and elegance.

We love incorporating a vineyard’s unique rustic features, such as this majestic windmill at Cal-A-Vie (above). The textured stone walls and wood accents lent an old-world charm to these photos, which were captured at April and Aaron’s wedding.

At Stephanie and Sean’s Orfila Vineyards wedding, we rested our bride’s beautiful bouquet against a textured wine barrel (above). The rich red roses and hypericum berries, set against the rustic browns of the barrel, made for an ideal pairing.

As photographers, one of our favorite things is to scout out the best hidden locations. By arriving early, we are able to find areas with the best light of the day, as well as little “nooks and crannies” within the venue.

Whenever possible, we use the natural surroundings and daylight to our advantage, such as during Katie and Patrick’s wedding at the Yates Family Vineyard in Napa. When Katie made her debut, the light illuminated the leaves and her dress, which made for a stunning grand entrance.

After the ceremony, we like to make use of the stunning sunset colors, which can be especially vivid at remote winery locations. The golden vibrance of the sun, captured at just the right moment, helped to create the dreamlike image above.

These rustic, travel-themed accents from Michelle and Richard’s wedding at Bernardo Winery (above) added a fun splash of color, while also engaging guests to interact. The couple invited attendees to write messages in a bottles, to be opened on future anniversaries, while paying tribute to those who had traveled long distances.

You can’t have a winery wedding without grapes :) Before these were sent off to become wine, we borrowed this lush vine from Kim and Austin’s wedding for a unique ring shot. By using a simple background, and a strategically placed LED light, these rings began to sparkle!

For the photo below, we snuck behind-the-scenes with Naomi and Partho during their reception at Callaway Vineyards and Winery. By shooting at a low angle and adding a backlight to create dimension, the containers added a larger-than-life feeling to this epic kiss.

For additional breathtaking vineyard wedding photos, please click here. Salute!

30Mar

Sweet Inspiration | Wedding Cakes Remixed

By True Photography, March 30, 2016 Be Inspired, Cakes and Catering

The wedding cake is a worldwide tradition that spans across many cultures. Starting with a delicious blank canvas, skilled bakeries and caterers use craftsmanship and a bit of magic to create tantalizing works of art. We are always impressed when the wedding cake is specific and personalized to the couple, or when it ties in expertly with the wedding theme. The artistry involved never ceases to amaze.

For a delicious serving of inspiration, we decided to remix some of our favorite photos from throughout the years with cake styles we love. Sweet!

There are a variety of ways to match your cake to the overall theme of the day. For example, a sleek downtown wedding may call for a minimal, modern cake design with understated accents. At a more colorful wedding, the cake style may be more vibrant, such as the example below by Crimson Cake.

This romantic cake (below) by the Fairmont Grand Del Mar left us stunned. With its beautiful, ruffled ombre of chocolate-to-vanilla frosting, it is a visual treat! Throw a sexy vintage Corvette into the mix, and you’re in for one glamorous evening!

We love how the geometric lines of Christy and Sterling’s venue, Vin De Syrah, juxtaposed with this cake (below) by 24 Carrots Catering and Events. The cake’s minimal sleekness, topped off with a burst of ruffles, is the perfect counterbalance to this venue’s marble interior.

At a themed or exotic wedding, a touch of the environment helps to immerse guests in the experience. For example, when we laid eyes on these cakes by Temecula Creek Inn (above) and Sweet Cheeks Baking (below) we instantly fell in love with their incorporation of the natural surroundings.