Alexandra's Bio

Benjamin and I: May 6, 2006

About My Wedding:   We're having an outdoor spring wedding that will reflect our committment to each other and the planet. We're doing our best to keep everything from our invitations to our food organic, environmentally friendly and sustainable.  Our ceremony will be based on the four directions and the Chinese 5 elements mixed with influences from Native American tradition, Hinduism, Sufism, Taoism, Magik, Judaism, Christianity and lots of intention...

About Me:   Mother, middle eastern dancer, performance artist and all around creative soul.

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our mother</font>
 
 

Our mother

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>On the playa in 2003</font>
 
 

On the playa in 2003

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>At a friend's wedding in San Pedro</font>
 
 

At a friend's wedding in San Pedro
Sometimes I can't believe how beautiful he is...especially in green!

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>In the forest</font>
 
 

In the forest
Can you tell we like kissing for photos?

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The water crystal of 'Love of Husband and Wife'.</font>
 
 

The water crystal of 'Love of Husband and Wife'.

The World of Water

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our family</font>
 
 

Our family
Benjamin, Tao and I at the San Francisco Zoo on Tao's 1st birthday. 

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>My ring</font>
 
 

My ring
By Simayof of San Francisco.

 

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This is from their site, only mine has 18 pave diamonds instead of 12 and the center stone is in a cathedral setting.  

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our rings</font>
 
 

Our rings

Our rings are being hand-carved in 14k white gold by an amazing artist in Berkeley named Carol Mortensen.  They'll be similar to this only there will be a dragon (Ben's

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Lavender</font>
 
 

Lavender

Our colors are lavender, sage and ivory...

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Sage</font>
 
 

Sage
This is the green!

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our invites</font>
 
 

Our invites

These are what the finished invites will look like, but with a different text layout and the lavender colored paper below.  Instead of the leaf, we are using hemp yarn/twine.&am

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Wildflower paper</font>
 
 

Wildflower paper

This is plantable paper so that our guests will have wildflowers in a week or so after receiving the invites! It's also tree-free (made from recycled cotton and other recycl

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>More invitation thoughts...</font>
 
 

More invitation thoughts...

We have a little 3x5 card with info for our guests and these are some thoughts on how to insert them into the invites (sewing, tying or making a pocket). This image is from Twisted Limb:

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>My dress</font>
 
 

My dress

The inspirations for my design:  It will be a one piece in cream hemp/silk with the bodice exactly like the pic at to

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The jewelry</font>
 
 

The jewelry

This called a tikka and is worn on the forehead up into the hairline.  Mine is pictured in the hair trial pix.  I'll also be wearing my great-grandmother's Tif

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The earrings</font>
 
 

The earrings

These are mother-of-pearl from Braindrops in San Francisco ...I wasn't sure until I walked in and saw them, but they're just beautiful and perfect!   

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Hair</font>
 
 

Hair

This is the style of braid I've chosen.

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Makeup</font>
 
 

Makeup

With lavender rather than mauve on the lids, but otherwise, this is it!  I'm having a trial in March and will update with photos then.

 

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The bridesmaids will have something like this only a bit more subtle (the colors are right on, though).

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Bridesmaids</font>
 
 

Bridesmaids

I've chosen the design on the left with a shorter kurta(top) like the one in the middle.  Imagine it in cream with sage brocade around the neck and a small bit of sage

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Flower girl thoughts</font>
 
 

Flower girl thoughts

I like the style on the right, but simplier and perhaps in lavender. 

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>For the ring bearer</font>
 
 

For the ring bearer

This is what our son is wearing...it's light grey and has beautiful embroidery with iridescent crystals.  The best man's kurta is hanging behind.

 

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A bit of the detail on the kurta.

 

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Detail of the best man's kurta.  It's a medium grey silk with crystals-just beautiful.

 

<FONT face=magik color=#cc00ff size=6>The perfect hydrangea</font>
 
 

The perfect hydrangea

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The perfect orchid</font>
 
 

The perfect orchid

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>And...</font>
 
 

And...

I found these freeze-dried hydrangea blends at Flyboy Naturals: www.flyboy

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>For the circle</font>
 
 

For the circle

Since we're having our ceremony in a circle, lavender and ivory rose petals will surround us as oppossed to being under our feet.  We're also imagining a carpet of petals that e

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Ceremony seating</font>
 
 

Ceremony seating

It will be similar to this, only we'll have a full circle with four aisles (creating a clear path for the four directions)-hopefully.  Depending on th

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Location</font>
 
 

Location

The Malibu Nature Preserve. This is where we'll have both the ceremony and reception; within a grove of ancient sycamores.

 

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The females will enter from the bridge and Benjamin and I will exit this way after the ceremony.

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our symbol</font>
 
 

Our symbol

We've chosen this symbol to represent us, our journey and everyone we love!  Though the pentagram is often associated with Wikka, for our ceremony it signifies

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our custom seal</font>
 
 

Our custom seal

I reversed the image so it's as it will look on the invites. We're thrilled with how it turned out!   

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our monogram for the favors</font>
 
 

Our monogram for the favors

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The cake</font>
 
 

The cake

  We're going to wrap each layer with a thin lavender ribbon and add flower accents ourselves.  Our cake is stacked rather than tiered and is being made with entirely o

 

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We especially like the 'branches' and we'll probably add them ourselves. 

 

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Perhaps alternating green and lavender/periwinkle colored blossoms with each layer for accent rather than surrounding it?

 

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<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The lodge</font>
 
 

The lodge

 This is where the cocktail reception will be while we set up for lunch at the ceremony site.  T

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Lanterns for the lodge</font>
 
 

Lanterns for the lodge

We've bought 5 of these and 5 of the leaf impression below for inside the lodge (or the tent if the weather turns rainy).

 

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<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>For the cocktail bar</font>
 
 

For the cocktail bar

We'll be doing something similar with small rose buds for the bar.

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Seating chart<font>
 
 

Seating chart

We've decided to name our tables for the ideals and principles we believe in (love, community, respect, peace, etc.). This is similar to what our seating chart will look like. Thanks to

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Bamboo</font>
 
 

Bamboo

In keeping with our ecological theme, there will be an arbor at the entrance to the ceremony site made of bamboo and our table name holders will be made of bamboo and clay.  Why

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Reception tables</font>
 
 

Reception tables

This is what we're going for-so clean and simple.  We're going to have cream colored tableclothes and DIY sage-colored table runners with lavender & cream colored flower

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Center piece thoughts</font>
 
 

Center piece thoughts

We both love Ikebana; very minimal, powerful and beautiful.

 

BL9-SG.jpg
 
 

Another possible centerpiece choice...imagine it with these blossoms and lavender colored flowers.

 

47b4ce04b3127cce990ba2ccea6f00000026109AcOGrdm4by.jpg
 
 

I love this presentation as well, only with purple orchids.

 

47b4ce04b3127cce990ba2aeea0d00000026109AcOGrdm4by_001.jpg
 
 

I also love the fishbowl orchids (in purple)...

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Hair trial</font>
 
 

Hair trial

The braids on the sides will be a bit lower and we're losing the ribbon and adding crystals and flowers in the back.

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My tikka is actually an heirloom pearl and sapphire necklace of my great grandmother's.  My something old (and blue!)

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>Our inserts have arrived!</font>
 
 

Our inserts have arrived!

The y are printed with soy inks on 100% recycled vellum...a crunchy bride's dream come true!

 

<font face=magik size=6 color=cc00ff>The first invitation is done!</font>
 
 

The first invitation is done!

I chose to use hemp cord along the sides for the insert rather than sewing because it looks more natural and hand-made, which is what we were going for.  The tears on this one a

 

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The sticker on the inside gives instructions on how to plant the paper and the insert contains all the other info about the day.

 

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All sealed up!

 

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A bit of faerie dust...just got to do it!

 

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No envelope, just addressed on the invite itself.

 


'Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.'   Rumi

 

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