I have to say, my favorite posts are those where loyal SMP readers are featured. Whether it’s an inspiration board or a color a palette, a real wedding or simply an Ask Abby question, I love the sense of community that we are building here on Style Me Pretty.
One of our readers, Nole, emailed me back in January with questions about her upcoming wedding. It turns out that Nole’s wedding went off without a hitch and she has generously offered to share some pictures and details with us!
photography by Punam Bean Photography
Details from Nole…
My husband and I met in grad school while working on our M.A. degrees in international affairs (me) and security policy (him). Given our mutual background in international affairs, as well as my love of all things vintage and my husband’s love of history (he was a history major in undergrad), we knew that we wanted a wedding that was inspired by both vintage and global elements. I’ve always wanted a Spring wedding just because of the flower choices in the spring, and we both knew that we wanted to have an outdoor wedding if at all possible. We also wanted a really informal and intimate wedding — essentially a fun dinner party with all of our family and friends. We chose our venue, Woodlawn Manor, because it had the perfect historic feel (it was part of the underground railroad in the 1800s) as well as beautiful outdoor lawns for outdoor ceremony and reception.
And thus, we set out with the goal of pulling off our perfect wedding with an initial budget of $10,000….
We have so much more from Nole coming, so stay tuned!


Comment by Sarah on 9 July 2008:
I absolutely adore the bride’s bouquet of lilacs! I’ve always wanted to have a bride choose this as her flowers — did the bouquet hold up the entire day?
Comment by Jennie on 9 July 2008:
Stunning!
Comment by Nia on 9 July 2008:
The pictures are truly amazing, and both the bride and the groom are beautiful,Wish you a lot of joy and happiness !!! I am from Morocco and I am planning my wedding as well, and this site is one of my favourite sites … Thank you
!!!
Comment by Nia on 9 July 2008:
The pictures are truly amazing, and both the bride and the groom are beautiful,Wish you a lot of joy and happiness !!! I am from Morocco and I am planning my wedding as well, and this site is one of my favourite sites … Thank you
!!!
Comment by Nole on 9 July 2008:
Hi Sarah — The bouquet actually did hold up all day. I’d always wanted that bouquet ever since seeing something similiar in an issue of MS Weddings a few years ago. My florist had me a bit worried, but it was totally worth it with the end result. The bouquet was a mixture of lilacs and sweet peas - and while the sweet peas didn’t last too long, the lilacs were surprisingly sturdy!
Comment by emily on 9 July 2008:
i love your dress- is it mohnique luhlier?
Comment by Michele on 9 July 2008:
Love Punam Beans work!
Comment by Nole on 9 July 2008:
Yep - it’s a “Claire” dress by Monique Lhuillier, which I purchased secondhand from a lovely woman in Canada (only way I could afford it!).
Comment by Erin on 9 July 2008:
simply beautiful! i can’t wait to hear the details. that purple is SO purple!
Comment by jessamyn harris on 9 July 2008:
the lilacs! I have been dreaming about a simple,one-bunch kind of bouquet for months… that’s perfect!
Comment by Ashley Bartoletti on 9 July 2008:
love the stunning bouquet and the dress is gorgeous too
Comment by Katie on 9 July 2008:
Nole, what a beautiful wedding! Your dress is a dream!
Pingback by weddings plan » Blog Archive » Board #295: Nie Nie Auction Winner on 11 October 2008:
[...] in repast cups styled by Kate French, chromatic journeyman blow ornament picture by Punam Bean via Style Me Pretty, conductor box from Smith & Hawken via {frolic!}Row 2: nosegay by Ariella Chezar, coiffe by [...]