Congrats to Melissa Comito Akare for Best Wedding Flowers!

The votes are in and www.asimpleceremony.com helmed by Melissa Comito-Aakre, has taken first place in SF’s incredibly competitive vetting process known as the Best of the Bay SF Chronicle/SF Gate for Best Wedding Flowers. This is no small feat in a city that prides itself on oral (cuisine and libations),  aural (a thriving music scene), and design (technology, architecture, art) fixations under the watchful eye of taste makers by the truckload sending down missives of what’s cool and hip across the blogosphere at warpspeed. Everything that matters in design, technology, cuisine, mixology and ambiance happens in the SF Bay Area, so to actually win here ups the ante of who’s got the goodies. Melissa clearly does.

Melissa is our brand new Ambiance Blogger on Antibride.com and Destination I Do Magazine, and she’ll share not only floral fantasies, but ambiance ideas, and indoor and outdoor transformation of spaces into magical places. We are also pleased to feature her in the September issue of Destination I Do Magazine, so stay tuned.

Congrats Melissa, you are the Best of the Bay and we love ya!

About

Melissa Comito Akare

To say that Melissa Comito-Akare is merely a florist is like saying the Coco Chanel was a hat designer. Infusing new and eclectic ideas in flowers, design, lighting, décor, table-scapes, point of view, and ambiance, and really getting to the heart of who a couple is, is what Melissa and her company, A Simple Ceremony, does best. Whether you are an eco-chic vegan couple or rock and roll royalty Melissa has the design know how, historical references and the resources to turn on the juice. This wunderkind got her start in Beverly Hills working with celebrities such as Jane Seymour, Bette Midler, Joan Rivers, and Barry Manilow; and companies such as Pixar, and George Lucas. Her work has been featured in several magazines including Martha Stewart and Grace Ormand. Her inspiration comes to her in random ways: a building, a pattern on a skirt, the color of a sunset, a trip to Home Depot, a stack of vintage Tarot cards, a mad scientists laboratory. If you have a dream for an event that must be expressed and created down to the detail, Melissa is the girl for the job like no one we’ve yet seen. www.asimpleceremony.com.

Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/petal2metal

Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/asimpleceremony

Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story:  Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide.  1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals,  “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe.  If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy.  The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687.  Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally.  Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings.  At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau.  More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

Magical, romantic, Napa Valley by Autumn

As an award winning travel writer based in Napa my first contribution to Antibride.com starts with a sneak peak inside the one of the most romantic destinations in the world.

You guessed it – Napa Valley!

When couples travel here they oftentimes ask the locals where they should go to eat, taste wine and what hotels they would suggest their visiting best friends to stay at. Well, you have an insider right here sharing with you the most romantic places in Napa Valley to eat, sip and sleep.

Most Romantic Wineries

Obrien Estate offers romantic tours for couples looking to get engaged, celebrate a anniversary or just celebrate a special moment. Castello Di Amorosa the castle of love, is a replicated Italian medieval castle filled with luscious wines to taste. Tour the torture room, wine cellars or explore the numerous towers and peek out at the beautiful views. Silverado Vineyards serves my favorite Sauvingon Blanc and some of the best views of the valley’s floor. Miner also possess some great wine and views too.

Most Romantic Hotels

Auberge du Soleil is often referred to as the gem of Napa Valley and is undeniably the most romantic resort. With celebrity guests, four star service and breathtaking views its nickname is richly deserved. Avia is a new boutique hotel in downtown Napa full of sweet hip overtones. Conveniently located next to amazing wine tasting rooms, restaurants and shops you may never need to head up valley.

Most Romantic Restaurants

Michael Chiarello’s new restaurant, Bottega is knocking locals and tourists socks off with his modern Italian cuisine, and relaxing, yet sleek atmosphere. If celebrity sightings aren’t your thing, step across the street for a completely different approach at Hurley’s Restaurant . Bob Hurley is often behind the lines preparing delicious California Cuisine with a non-nonsense unpretentious approach that his customers appreciate. Both restaurants offer al fresco dining, perfect for a starry evening.

Best time of the year to visit is during Harvest (Sept-Nov) when the wineries are at full production, harvest parties abound and the crisp air and golden amber leaves blanket the once green vineyards supplying sun-kissed views. Harvest is a time of the year when you smell the crushed grapes, glimpse the changing of the seasons and get a sense of the community. A community committed to a simplistic, yet richly joyful approach to life that which Napa Valley is well-known for. Understanding harvest is to understand the heart and soul of Napa Valley.

Fly into San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento and drive into Napa Valley usually within an hour or two after landing.

Lastly, when more details are required pick up the quintessential travel guide for couples; Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Keep on Romancing,
Autumn

Regency retro style at the sinfully scrumptious Bar Noir.

Celebrating the start of September and summer’s transition into fall, Maison 140 Beverly Hills is proud to announce a new locally-themed “Vin et Fromage” wine and cheese tasting series with Malibu Family Wines. Offered every Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.—starting September 2, 2009 through October 28, 2009—guests can lounge at Bar Noir and enjoy three local wine selections from Saddlerock and Semler (both Malibu Family Wines labels) expertly paired with artisan cheese, charcuterie, and fresh fruit for $35 per person. This qualifies as a mid-week hot date, so get some romance on in the sinfully stylish Bar Noir!

MAISON 140 BEVERLY HILLS
140 S. Lasky Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310.281.4000
www.maison140beverlyhills.com

Yeah! We’re back!

After a half dozen press trips, and on the heels of the fabulous Operation Aisle Style at the W Hotel, San Francisco, we’ve been on a 4-month redesign bender and decided to give antibride.com a new look with enhanced functionality. Yes, we need a martini the size of a bathtub, but the good news is, we’ve reworked our blog to make it more user friendly for our visitors and contributors, so you can Tweet, My Space, Facebook, Stumble Upon and Digg to your hearts content. Award winning WordPress and social community ninja, Gus Goodall of Media415.com is the brains behind the beauty of Antibride.com, and community manager. Beyond alterna-bridal and wedding, we’ve opened the lens to include a lot more lifestyle, street style, music, travel, and cater to oral and aural fixations, culture vultures, and everything in between with our new team of bloggers:

• Rocker Bride: From rock and roll, romance, relationships, fashion, where to go, and who to know, Heidi Richman lives the kind of fairy tale existence you see on TV. The big difference? She’s your attitude-free new best friend who wants to share her lust for life and fabulous finds in her blog. Tune in weekly and watch your life get more interesting….

• Destination Diva: Jennifer Stein, publisher of Destination I Do Magazine, shows us how wedding, honeymoon, and romance travel looks when you step off the beaten path to the road less traveled. She’s not only always got her bags packed for action and adventure, but she’s the co-producer of Operation Aisle Style with Carolyn Gerin, the first and only alterna-bridal wedding event in partnership with the W Hotel. When it’s time to hit the road, let Jennifer be your co-pilot….

• Tech Bride: Gadgets for Geek Girls by Gus Goodall of Media415.com, makes your life easier, your day brighter and the nefarious world of technology a little less confusing. From creating a wedding blog to finding the right gadget to make planning your wedding (or your life) more efficient, Gus has your back.

• Lifestyle & Entertaining: Laurent Gerin, head designer of Williams Sonoma talks entertaining, lifestyle, ambiance, and gear you gotta have.

• Style Phile: Katie Rice Jones, host of Comcast’s Inside City Limits, and Guest Style Host for CW’s Bridal Map helps us embrace our inner bombshell and shows us how to rock the runway in our daily lives.

• Ambiance Central: Alicia Falango infuses new and eclectic ideas in design, food, lighting and décor, and really getting to the heart of who a couple is and what they really want from an eco-chic couple to rock and roll royalty.

New Departments:

• Wedding Bands You Want: You know you want that cute British boy band in the skinny tie and striped suit. We’ll highlight the best and the brightest….

• Wediquette: Vexing Problems SOLVED! Give us your worst and we’ll do our best to come up with a good solution (or a good guess that sounds about right!)

• Rocker Bride Playlist: Heidi Richman, our beloved Rocker Bride, knows so many great bands with exquisite and eclectic taste in music. What would they pick for their wedding? All will be revealed!

• Hot Date: Put down that wedding magazine and take a look at your sweetie. Throw on something cute and explore the universe of new and different venues, urban expeditions, and off the beaten track treks.

• Groom with a View: Is that guy end of the aisle in a tux a hologram or the guy you are marrying? Let’s not forget the mister when you are on your way to the altar. Services, ideas and gear for him to take care of business, planning and have a little fun on the way.

• Two Brides: You’ve found her and she’s yours. Now you need to plan a fete that keeps you both sane, is utterly fabulous, deal with inherent family drama, and look like a million bucks. We’ve got you covered…..

• Spirited Girl: Signature cocktail recipes, fine wines, model wine lists, and new ideas in mixology by the entire team of bon vivants, libertines and culture vultures at Antibride.com. To say we like to have fun is an understatement.

An Alterna-Bridal Fashion Event
W Hotel – San Francisco March 12

You’re invited to an Exclusive Evening of Music – Alterna-Wedding Fashion Design, and Libations

W San Francisco March 12, 6 pm-11pm  - After Party, XYZ Lounge 11 pm?181 Third Street      415.817.7856?www.whotels.com/sanfrancisco

WATCH AND COMMENT ON THE SHOW! 7 PM PST! CLICK HERE

W San Francisco in partnership with Antibride.com and Destination I Do Magazine is ready to add some WOW to weddings by hosting its first Operation Aisle Style event, a fashion show and multi-media event highlighting the philosophy of tying the knot outside of the box and exploring the road less travelled when saying the words “I Do.” Operation Aisle Style will showcase the hottest emerging fashion talent, signature cocktails by Kai Vodka and divine wines by Napa Valley’s notorious Somerston Winery. The mood, the music, and the magic will be webcast by Skout.com, and documented in a hip photo booth (and book) by Blurb.com. The evening will culminate in a blistering performance from SXSW bound band, The Hooks.

Operation Aisle Style hits the runway with two separate fashion shows: one showcasing the designs of Project Runway contestant, Austin Scarlett, lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the second by The Art Institute of California’s future “rising star” fashion design students. Celebrity judges will jury twenty fashion design students as they show off their interpretation of “the alterna-wedding dress.”

One lucky winner will enjoy a 5 night stay in an Ocean Front Studio with breakfast at the Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club located on the tropical island paradise of Curaçao.

After March 12th, the entire notion of “Wedding” will change…join us and make fashion history!

Festive Attire Encouraged!

We’ve set aside a certain number of tickets for our friends from Upcoming, Facebook, Destination I Do, the Anti-Bride Community and other social communities. Please RSVP in advance of the event to oas@skout.com. You can also get updates from the “Operation Aisle Style” Official Facebook page.

Event sponsors include: W San Francisco, Anti-Bride Productions Inc. (antibride.com,) Destination I Do magazine (destinationidomag.com,) Skout.com, Austin Scarlett for Kenneth Pool, Blurb.com, The Art Institute of California, Britex Fabrics, The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology, Bad Habit Wine, Priest Ranch Wine, High Flyer Wine, Kai Vodka, The Hooks (thehooksmusic.com), Clarisonic, NeatReceipts, Craft magazine, Make magazine,  Cal Med Spa, Chronicle Books, Shannon Clark, Nearness Function, Paul Robertson Floral Design, Rubener Bautista Fine Jewelry, and the Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club in Curacao (kurahulanda.com).

Operation Aisle Style hits the runway with two separate fashion shows: one showcasing the designs of Project Runway contestant, Austin Scarlett, lead designer, Kenneth Pool, and the second by The Art Institute of California’s future “rising star” fashion design students. Celebrity judges Katie Rice Jones (Style Expert, In Touch Weekly magazine, Style Network, E!, TV Guide Channel, Oxygen); Samantha Durbin (FabSugar); Laurent Gerin (Head Designer, Williams Sonoma/Williams Sonoma Home) and Daniel Carter (Creative Director, Craft magazine, Make magazine) will judge twenty fashion design students as they show off their interpretation of “the alterna-wedding dress.”