I am proud to introduce Li’K Designs new Fairy Tale Wedding Invitations. The invitations have been a labor of love for my dad and me. I love the storybook charm of the classic Disney and for many years have desired to create a line of invitations with the Disney art and style of those classic days. I am thrilled to be the new Disney Fairy Tale Wedding invitation vendor and excited to start working creating the perfect invitation for the Disney brides.

Here is one of my favorite shots from the movie Snow White and the image I gave my father to paint the wishing well.

A highlight in his career with Walt Disney Productions was working with designers John De Cuir, Nino Novarese, and Herb Ryman on the “Hall of Presidents” attraction at Walt Disney World, Florida. Over the years, as a consultant with Disney Imagineers, Martinez worked on numerous projects. One in which he takes pride is the design and painting of “Fifth Freedom – Free Enterprise”, a 55-foot long by 6-foot high oil-painted mural. The mural, located in the exit lobby of the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” artistically depicts the people who contributed to the technological and creative growth of America. A portrait of Disney, which had to be approved by his family, is pictured in a prominent place on the canvas, recognizing his creative contributions.

A project with Walt Disney Productions, which gave Martinez much satisfaction, was the design and art direction of the “Mexico Pavilion” at World Showcase, EPCOT Center, Florida. It was during the research for this project that he was inspired to continue his studies of the ancient American culture of Mexico.

By Wedding Planner A Divine Occasion

Caroline was such a relaxed and tasteful bride! She was so open to every creative idea we proposed, it was like planning our own dream wedding! The tone was set with acrylic invites by Li’K Design and Caroline’s wish that everything be very vibrant and colorful. She wanted to be the only person wearing white for her special day. Caroline and Elias also knew immediately that they wanted the Montage in Laguna. The ocean front and prestigious venue was a perfect match for their guests coming from all over the world to celebrate with them. Jaime and Olivia from the Montage were amazing to work with! Their professionalism made my job easy.

Melissa from Flowers by Cina, once again, blew me away with her completely innovative outside the box floral design. I knew Melissa would be a perfect match for Caroline and Elias, because she does events on such a grand scale with Disney and we needed creativity with no drama! She knocked it out of the park by incorporating all those vibrant colors into a completely elegant look.

Duke Photography and his staff were also fantastic. They were there from the beginning to end and made the entire process seamless. We had a red carpet step and repeat wall by Li’K Designs upon arrival for all guests to stop and take photos like they were walking the red carpet to a major event. From the moment they got out of their car they were pampered with a breathtaking view, passed Bellinis, Cosmos, Lemon Drops and warm sunshine.

Caroline and Elias’ ceremony was so beautiful. They selected the amazing Rev. Clint Huft to officiate their wedding. He tied many traditions into the ceremony and I loved how they had their wedding party participate with a reading from Antoine de Saint-Exupery “The Little Prince, ” Plus a reading by Judith Viorst: “Infatuation is when you think he’s as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he’s as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford — but you’ll take him anyway.”

Music was also very important to Caroline and Elias. They had a solo guitarist for the ceremony and cocktail hour on the lawn overlooking the ocean. He played contemporary, classical and jazz. The passed appetizers after the ceremony were tasty and beautiful and consisted of Tuna Tartar, Thai Spring Rolls, Lamb Kebabs, Mini Beef Sliders, Bruschetta, Goat Cheese Tuile and Fingerling Twice-Baked Potatoes….this all before an amazing 4-course served dinner!

Wedding Planner: a Divine-Occasion
Florist: Flowers by Cina
Photographer: Duke Photography
Venue: Montage Laguna Beach
Stationary: Li’K Designs
Catering: The Montage and In-n-Out Burger
Cake: The Montage
Linens: Wildflower Linen and Fusion Linen
Videography: Elysium Productions
Decor: Barker Decor Service, Inc. and Dazian Rentals
Beautician: Andrea Buhler Hair and Make-up
Cake Stand: EventLuxe Acrylic Cake Stands
Entertainment (DJ): Invisible Touch
Lighting: Five Star Audio Visual
Officiant: Rev. Clint Hufft
Photobooth: Elegant Fondue and Photobooths
Rehearsal Dinner Venue/Catering: Choura Special Events Catering
Rental Supplies: AFR Event Furnishings and Baker Party Rentals
Seamstress: A Stitch in Time

I met Liz at a bridal show in Dana Point and was impressed with her work – her creative use of fonts, her eye for balance and design, her unique artistic ability – and I shared with her my idea for wedding invitations, but told her I’d like to do a lot of it myself to cut costs. She was flexible and willing to work with me and to share some of her resources – something that I’m sure other businesses would not do. So I sat down with Liz to begin creating the perfect invitation. I had so many ideas and my color palette was all over the place. I mentioned that I had fallen in love with a napkin with a paisley teal and champagne pattern and she suggested we design the invitation around that, but I wanted a beachy starfish theme, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to work together. I was afraid I was trying to do too much. When Liz sent me the rough, I cried a little. I couldn’t believe her genius at being able to incorporate everything and yet still look elegant. I bought silver starfish to glue on and then Liz added the Swarovsky crystals. They were stunning. When I got the finished invitations, I did cry… a lot, actually. I couldn’t believe how beautiful they were and that it incorporated all of my tastes and desire for that perfect wedding invitation.

I passed them out personally at my bridal shower because I wanted to see people’s reaction to them. My friends and family were blown away by them, saying how elegant they were and that it was the most beautiful wedding invitation they had ever seen in their entire lives. Liz exceeded my expecations by leaps and bounds. I started out with a very small budget for all the printing, but because the invitations were so beautiful, I insisted on building the entire wedding theme around the invitations and kept adding items for her to print with that same design – the menu cards, the programs, the table numbers, the seating chart, the name placecards, and finally, after the wedding, the thank you cards, which I just got yesterday and can’t wait to send out to all of our friends and family. I still don’t know what I actually spent for all the printing because I kept paying as I went and told Liz never to give me the tallied up figure because I didn’t want to know. I just had to have it, and I didn’t care about the cost and never want to know. Price was never an issue after I saw her work. Although, her prices are very fair and reasonable, and a little too low if you ask me, and I hate to admit it because I find myself thinking of other projects with which I’d like to work with her. Not only is Liz’s work genius, but I couldn’t wait to see her when I could. She is so upbeat and genuine. I feel like I’ve made a friend for life.

Cassandra Caldarella

It was so fun spending time with Cori with Events by Cori, and Diane with Mon Aime this past Saturday. I’m excited to start working on some design work for Mon Aime.
We were honored to meet the designer Lazaro at his only Southern California special appearance for the Winter 2012. Mon Amie Bridal Salon was featuring the newest Lazaro Couture Bridal Collection. Absolutely beautiful dresses!