End of an Era...

I am pleased as punch to announce our new website AND blog page - all combined into one!   I've absolutely loved blogging here - this is where my business started - where all my hearts and loves began - but now it's time to move ahead with a more website/blog friendly site.  I've worked really hard on it in order for it to be blog friendly, Facebook friendly, pinterest friendly … I can't wait for you to check it out and thank you so much for following me for all of these many years!

To go to the new site, just click on the new logo down below :).

Elizabeth & Matt's Whimsical Vintage Hacienda Fiesta!

I met Elizabeth's Mom and Dad before I met Elizabeth and Matt and from that moment forward I knew this wedding was going to have that additional touch that I cannot bring to it - it's something that comes with the bride and groom and their wedding party - that special touch of love and warmth and joy which is the cherry on top of a beautiful design and thoughtful coordination.  And I was right - this party was one for the record books and the love was over flowing and the joy was contagious ... and Elizabeth brought me the cutest apron I have EVER seen and had written me the nicest thank you card - and she gave it to me BEFORE the wedding - I was touched beyond measure and so thankful to have this wonderful couple ... they are missed! :)

Place:  Casa Quetzal
Caterer:  Andres from B y B
Bride Photographer:  Jillian Mitchell
Videographer:  Ray from Promovision
Staff Photographer:  Soko the Great
Minister:  Tamara Bradley from Chic Concepts
Cake:  Memo of Charme
Misting Fans:  Mist & More

INSPIRATION BOARD
Elizabeth has a sense of style and she knew what she wanted from the get go ... to quote "We would like the wedding to have an eclectic, vintage, whimsical, fiesta feel to it."  I thought, yes, a bit challenging but I was definitely up for the challenge!!  Once we had Casa Quetzal as the backdrop, everything else started to fall into place.  Elizabeth was torn between wanting a white ceremony but she wanted color as well ... I recommended we start with a soft color palette of whites, creams, natural woods and then, as the night progressed, we started adding in touches of color so that the reception had spots of beautiful color and you really noticed it ... this was the board I came up with :).

THE CEREMONY

I heart smatter and adore this ceremony set-up.  As I toured the villa I realized that the living room would make a fantastic backdrop for Elizabeth and Matt's ceremony with the beautiful architecture and tile on the living room floor - the room really needed just small touches to make it the perfect spiritual place for our whimsical hacienda feel ... We strung white dendrobidiums up above the ceremony backdrop ... I had Omar paint a light white design on top of cream fans so that the design would show up with the reflections of the light.  We had the guests wave papel picado fans with Elizabeth & Matt's names and the wedding date at the kiss.  The bridesmaids carried white and cream lisianthius while we created a beautiful romantic bouquet for the bride with coral amarlyis and white and coral peonies.  The result was gorgeous!

IN REMEMBRANCE....
Elizabeth and Matt had sent wedding photos of their grandparents and parents and we displayed them in silver vintage frames on a side table in the ceremony area with lace covered mason jars.  I heart smoosh this picture Soko took of Elizabeth looking over the photos before the ceremony.

THE COCKTAIL
After the ceremony, guests went out poolside to enjoy the amazing views of Vallarta and listen to the Mariachi.  Cocktail tables were covered with white chiffon fabric with teal vintage bottles and colorful coral flowers.   The tequila tasting was set out on a vintage looking table with a talavera spice rack holding the escort cards.  The tequila shot glasses also doubled as favors and were painted specifically for the bride and groom :).

THE RECEPTION
We had the reception inside the amazing courtyard.  Tables were covered with cream chiffon with a burlap runner and lace overlay.  Vintage teal bottles had been hand-painted to just the right shade and filled with coral, cream and magenta florals.   Napkins were cream colored manta with lace edges and held in place with hand painted talavera napkin rings with the guests name hand painted on each one :).    Candles also dotted the tables to give it a romantic glow as the sun set.  Chandeliers were hung up above the tables and we had white floral lights strung in the iron work going up the stairs.  Elizabeth loves butterflies so, as a touch of whimsy, we created special printed paper and made two toned paper butterflies which were placed in and amongst the reception table florals.

THE CAKE, THE PHOTOBOOTH, THE MARACAS, THE DANCE FLOOR
The cake was based off of a papel picado, vintage feel and Memo, as always, created a masterpiece!  Elizabeth and Matt had met at Match.Com so we thought it would be fantastic to recreate the Match.com logo with face cut-outs for guests to take pictures holding a heart sign with Matt + Elizabeth!  Antonio did a beautiful job :).  Hand painted maracas in shades of teal, magenta, yellow, orange were painted with an incredible papel picado design - Omar hit this one out of the park! Twinkly lights hung over the dance floor. We had originally wanted to hang mason jars covered with beautiful lace over the dance floor but rain was threatening (and, in the end, it DID rain) so we moved the vases inside and filled them with candles instead :).    

I have nothing but great memories about this wedding and the guests who were there.  It was fun, memorable, loving, kind, amazing and I heart smatter the design from beginning to end!  This was an amazing wedding and a great post to end Mishka Designs' blogspot run - all further posts will be made from our new website and blog which I will announce soon - I promise!  I'm so excited about it and I've worked hard to make it facebook friendly, pinterest friendly, blog friendly, etc etc!  Unveiling soon! :)

End of an Era...

Well, okay, not technically an era ;), but definitely the end of one thing and the start of something else :). This will be my last post as far as a big congrats to a whole bunch of maracas brides! As most of you know, Mishka Designs is no longer handling maraca orders (although we will still be doing maraca orders for our wedding designs and design-in-a-box clients). One of the artists, Omar, who use to paint some of the designs has started his own business, Maracas Mexico. This will allow me to focus on wedding designs and decor, which is my first love :). They don't have a webpage or facebook page yet, but you can email them directly at maracasmexico@yahoo.com. Meanwhile, without further ado, big congratulations are in order to:

Livia & Bernie who tied the knot this past June 5th at the Hotel Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda. I absolutely heart the maracas and matching fans which were based off of a vintage looking birdcage and painted by Antonio!

Tara & John who said their "i dos" this past June 6th under the coordination of Baja Weddings. 

Katie & Mike who were married this June 6th at Dreams Riviera Cancun.

Chasity & Dustin who tied the knot this June 7th in the Riviera Maya.

Shelley & Craig who tied the knot this June 9th under the coordination of Amy Abbott of Amy Abbott Events in Cabo!

Katie & Kevin who said "yes" in Dreams Riviera Cancun this June 11th - unfortunately I do not have photos of their maracas to share :(.

Amy & Jeremy who said their "i dos" this June 16th under the coordination of Amy Abbott of Amy Abott Events in Cabo!

Jae & Ben who said "yes" this June 16th in Las Caletas here in Vallarta!

Caitlin & Brad who tied the knot this past June 16th in Quintana Roo!

Priscilla & Michael who said their "i dos" also June 16th in Playa del Carmen - I heart heart these maracas, painted by the very talented Yazmin!

Charlea & Tyson who said "yes" this June 19th at Dreams Riviera Cancun!

Nadine & Rabih who tied the knot June 22nd in Barcelona Spain!

Amy and her love who tied the knot this June 22nd Puerto Morelos!  I heart these maracas and fans!

Maria & Jose who said "yes" June 23rd at the Barcelo Palace!

Kristin & Dan who tied the knot June 26th at Las Caletas here in Vallarta!

Elizabeth who married her love this June 28th in Sayulita. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to share :(.

Courtney & her love who tied the knot this June 30th in Quintana Roo - unfortunately, no pictures to share :(.

Melissa & Steven who said their "i dos" this June 30th in Las Caletas here in Vallarta - unfortunately, I have no pictures to share :(.

Sarah & Jim who tied the knot this June 30th at the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort in Quintana Roo - unfortunately, I have no pictures to share :(.


Margot & Jeff who said their "i dos" this July 12th in Cancun.

Sandy and her love who were married this July 13th in Puerto Morelos - unfortunately, no photos to share :(.

Marielle & Seth who said their "i dos" this August 3rd in Quintana Roo - unfortunately, no photos to share :(. 

Lana & Mark who said their " i dos" this August 4th in the Dominican Republic.  Beautiful maracas!

Jocelyn & Masih who tied the knot this August 4th in Tulum, Mexico.

Lena who married her love August 20th in Dreams Cancun - unfortunately, I don't have any photos to share :(.

Coming-up ... Elizabeth & Matt's wedding blog, Pelin & Kevin's wedding blog and my big, fat, gigantic announcement (and hopefully new webpage and blog!).  Oodles of goodies so stay tuned ;).