I used to write Mondays off as just a dud of a day. It’s goodbye to the weekend and back to routine, but when the work week means it’s time to drool over the world’s most perfect weddings, the Monday morning outlook takes a total 180. So to start of this oh-so-happy day, we have the loveliest “I dos” on the Upper East Side. It’s the perfect blend of city views and enchanting garden with a fun pop of red thrown right into the mix. Lindsay Madden is to thank for every pin-worthy photo, and it’s a gallery you really don’t want to miss.

 

From Lindsay Madden Photography…New York City is a really special place to have a wedding as it’s a place filled with so much culture, excitement & attitude. Joanne and Joshua opted to celebrate their special day at Astra right in the heart of midtown. Astra is a chic and modern venue that provides breathtaking views of the city streets below. Their ceremony took place at the lovely St. Francis de Sales which sits on the corner Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side. The Central Park Conservatory Gardens makes my heart happy and I love nothing more than using these secret gardens as a backdrop for portraits. I also loved the fact that we held bridal party and family portraits on the roof deck of Joanne & Joshua’s apartment building. So New York! Joanne & Joshua’s reception was an awesome party! Stage Floral Styling decorated the space with beautiful peach, pink and white flowers which rested in gold vases and the cocktail hour took place on the balcony 20 stories up! The atmosphere felt warm once the candles were lit and everyone partied well into the night thanks to the DJs of Expressway Music. Joanne and Joshua smiled and laughed throughout the entire day and I was lucky enough to capture their beautiful wedding!

Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Second Shooter: B. Hull Photography | Floral Design + Lighting: Stage Floral Styling | Ceremony: St. Francis de Sales | Reception: Astra | Entertainment: Expressway Music Inc.  | Invitations: Betsy White | Cake: Lloyd’s Carrot Cake  | Bride’s Dress + Veil: RK Bridal | Shoes: Nina | Hair + Make Up: DIY | Groom’s Suit: Burberry

Happy Saturday, my dears! Now, take a second, get cozy and grab a big mug of coffee, because I’ve got some amazingly exciting news to share with you. Our friends and paper mavens at Minted are hosting a fabulous Dream Wedding giveaway with some incredible prizes that just may make your wedding planning a bit easier! With goodies such as a full letterpress invitation suite, bridesmaids dresses from Weddington Way, wedding rings from Brilliant Earth, suits from Indochino and much more, this is a giveaway not to be missed! How’s that for starting the weekend out on the right foot?!

The Grand Prize winner will win: 1) A full letterpress wedding invitation suite, day of pieces and thank you cards from Minted (a $2,500 value) 2) Two 18 karat white gold wedding rings from Brilliant Earth (a $2,575 value) 3) Three bridesmaids dresses for your wedding party from Weddington Way (a $1,000 value) 4) Three custom suit packages from Indochino, including a two-piece suit, shirt and two accessories (a $1,608 value).

Runner-up #1 will win: A  flat-printed wedding invitation suite and accessories from Minted (a $500 value). Runner-up #2 will win: Three Silver Initial Pendants made of recycled sterling silver from Brilliant Earth — a perfect gift for bridesmaids!

Weddington Way and Minted are members of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

Weddington Way

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Minted

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After a nice, long week of the loveliest real weddings, I think it’s time we step back and soak in the beauty of love before the big “I do.” I’m talking about an engagement session so gorgeous it could bring you to tears and give you goosebumps. It’s that pretty. On a chilly winter’s morning this couple set out for Sullivan’s Island to sip hot cocoa on the beach with Kelly Sauer there to capture. The result? Something straight out of e-sesh heaven. Enjoy the full gallery and scroll on down for this week’s lucky winners!

 

From Kelly Sauer… The engagement session happened on a cold January morning on Sullivan’s Island, with “hot chocolate on the beach” for early spring – complete with fine hot chocolate and gourmet marshmallows in Norpro My Favorite Mugs, blackberries and homemade French Baked breakfast donuts (recipe available) white tulips and pretty peachy-pink roses, seagulls and sand, a straw hat and oversized sweater, and so very much sweet love it warmed everything up. We wanted a pretty-but-casual feel for this down-to-earth bride-to-be who loves dreaming, and came up with a shoot that crossed sweet with a little French and a little homey relaxation at the sea.

Emily is a kindergarten teacher, Andy is in the army. She’s a sweet southern girl from North Carolina; he’s from California. She’s petite and energetic, he’s a well-built movie buff. They met at church, where Emily watched Andy for a year while she listened to her brother talk about him, but he didn’t make a move on her until a game night at her house, when he started subtly flirting with her. Flirting soon turned to Facebook messaging, and before they knew it, they were closer than they had imagined they could be. They started dating, knowing that it was going to land at marriage, but the ring he’d ordered didn’t come when he thought it would. This couple has a habit of being romantic in the cold – Andy took Emily to the cold beach anyway and they had a blast. A few days later, the ring arrived, and he scheduled a date. It was a teacher workday for Emily, and she wasn’t about to get proposed to in her all-day attire, so she hit a local consignment shop and dressed up for their evening walk to the gazebo, where he proposed as they gazed up at the starlight.

Wedding Photography + Floral Design: Kelly Sauer | Location: Sullivans Island Beach in Charleston, South Carolina | Floral Source: Tiger Lily Florist | Food: DIY, Recipe from Camille Styles | Hot Chocolate: Silly Cow Farm Hot Chocolate | Homemade Gourmet Marshmallows: Haypenny Confections | Bride’s Hat + Necklace: Old Navy | Hair: Self

You know what’s up next…we’re announcing this week’s winners!

Angeline and Cari are the lucky duck winners of four place settings of Noritake Colorwave in the shape and color of their choice (valued at $320) Congrats, ladies!

And guess what, Lauren? You get to snuggle up in one of Doie Lounge’s Lillian or Bettina robes. So fun!

Cheers to the weekend, and we’ll meet you back here on Monday! XOXO