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A Whimsical 10-Year Vow Renewal at The Apiary

Boy oh boy… do we love the magic of vow renewals. Our hearts can’t help but melt over the thought of two people coming together to reaffirm their love and commitment after years have passed. Whether it be an intimate affair of just two or one big celebration – we’re all for it! Today we’re sharing a romantic 10-year vow renewal at The Apiary between the sweetest couple. Refined Social Events planned every memorable moment and Kelli Lynn was there to document the day unfold. Just wait until you see their little girls all dressed up with flower crowns to match. Yup. Cuteness. Overload.

Leah & Jon met over 10 years ago! When they decided to get married, they knew they didn’t want to wait, so in jeans and a t-shirt they decided to go to the courthouse and elope. They found someone on the street to be their witness and had a sweet little ceremony at the courthouse! Knowing they wanted a beautiful wedding one day, Leah & Jon decided to wait and have a big 10-year vow renewal!

They chose to renew their vows at a hidden gem in Lexington, Kentucky called Apiary Fine Catering & Events. This venue is nestled in downtown Lexington and with its rich tones and lush greenery, this place is absolutely stunning! 

Leah and Jon wanted to incorporate her style along with Jon’s Japanese heritage. One way they honored Jon’s heritage was to incorporate a wall of paper origami birds and specially made chop sticks that had their names engraved on them. So many unique touches made this day incredible!

As a photographer, this vow renewal was a dream! It was an intimate celebration with their closest family and friends. It was such an honor to capture a couple’s love story, especially when it is already over 10 year in the making. You could sense how much in love Leah & Jon are after 10 years of marriage and that is just inspiring!

Working with Refined Social Events is always a treat because they work so well to make their couple’s vision come to life. This vow renewal was everything our bride & groom envisioned and I think it just shows that even if you didn’t have your ‘dream wedding’ in the beginning, that your marriage is the most important aspect and that you can always still have your dream wedding down the road!

Photography: Kelli Lynn Photography | Event Planning: Refined Social Events | Wedding Dress: Twirl Boutique | Cake: Martine's Pastries | Catering: Apiary | Makeup: Kristin Gray | Hair : Hairport | Calligraphy: Claudia Engle | DJ: Cd Productions | Wedding Venue: Apiary | Car: Gold Shield Cars | Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture

A Budget Breakdown on a Deceptively Luxe Kentucky Wedding

When I started Style Me Pretty a million years ago, I envisioned a place where mom and pop shops could sit next to celebrity planners. Where the line between editor and reader was blurred. Where we simply came together to celebrate weddings in their many forms and functions, with their million dollar budgets right alongside their backyard charm. But we’ve gotten away from that. And while I think you can steal ideas from any wedding and make them your own, it’s even more fun to see weddings where you can actually relate to the person saying I-do. Where you can see yourself in all of the beauty. So today, we have just that. A $15,000 wedding where the innate loveliness leaps off the page and yet the cost of said loveliness, stays right where it should. Perfect photography by Kaylie Plummer.



What was the “vision” for your wedding? Rustic Mountain Wedding

What was your actual budget? : $15,000

*We’ve broken the entire budget down at the bottom of this post! SO interesting to see how she made her budget work so hard for her and her lovely hubs.  



How far did you think your budget would take you and were you surprised when it wasn’t as far as you had hoped?

We were so close to meeting our budget! The day before the wedding we had to make the ultimate decision to rent a tent for the reception due to inclement weather which put us a bit over. I was very surprised at how fast things began to add up, especially in the final month of planning.


What did you DIY?

I chose to DIY my wedding invitations, part of my bridal gifts, wedding signs, and lighting. Here is a look at some of those projects:

  • For our invitations, I bought a template on Etsy and then had them printed at a local print shop. I used the same template design from my invitations for some of our wedding signs, simply having them printed in larger formats. 
  • I bought vinyl Monogram decals from a coworker to adhere to champagne glasses as a gift for each of my bridesmaids.
  • We purchased used string lights from a friend and bought 2 more matching sets from Michaels to coordinate. The groomsmen tied them around the center pole of the tent and then draped the strands from the center to the outer corners. It looked perfect!
  • While not a DIY – a few other tidbits that helped us save by going about it a different way. We rented an AIRbnb for the ceremony and reception; We supplied champagne and the reception was BYOB- Bring Your Own Bottle! It was a great way to save money but also became a conversation starter for our guests to chat about — why they chose a particular liquor or bottle of wine. etc. 



What are your top most important cost-savings tips?

My most fun cost saving tip is in making details pull double duty. For example, we gave our guests party favors that they could also use during the reception: a monogramed stadium cup with our wedding logo.

We also used in – season flowers which saved a ton.

We made an effort to buy things as we went – cups, utensils, napkins, plates, and straws – in bulk from places like Costco and Sam’s Club. We ended up saving a lot of money this way as we were able to take advantage of deals and sales along the way.



Any regrets or challenges that you faced in pulling off the wedding of your dreams?

My biggest regret was not having a coordinator for the reception. After the ceremony things only get more chaotic. I wish I could have had more organization of the events after, so guests didn’t wait around for food, first dance, or speeches. HIRE a coordinator, it will be worth not having that additional stress.

Any advice or tips for couples who have big dreams and smaller budgets?

Create a budget first! Communicate with your partner and work together as a team. The stress of planning a wedding is not something that the bride alone should carry. Include your family, lean on them for help and don’t be afraid to buy used items. Also…enroll in a marriage counseling. It saved us financially and spiritually!!

What was your most memorable wedding moment?

The most memorable wedding moment was “the first look”. The look on his face when he turned around was enough to make my knees weak and my heart burst with love! “You my dear, are mine forever and always!”

Bridal Rapid Fire!

Ceremony Vows: Wrote your own or Traditional? Traditional
Ceremony Readings: Genesis 2:18-24
Bridal Party and Groom Entrance: Nuvole Biancheby Ludovico Einaudi
Bride Entrance: Love by Muziq Soulchild
Ceremony Exit: Marry You by Bruno Mars
First Dance Song: Why I Love You by Major
Last Dance Song: In My Feelings by Drake
Menu: Red State (BBQ); Brisket, Pulled pork and pulled chicken
Favors: Plastic Stadium cups with wedding date, names, and a quote

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

Ceremony and Reception: $2,500
Officiant: $600
Food Service: $1,100
Beverages: $300
Cake: $290
Desserts: $100
Reception extras: $350
Wedding gown and Alterations: $1,075
Groom Suit and Alterations: $225
Hair Styling: $165
Bridal Makeup: $75
Shoes: $32
Bridal Accessories: $45
Pre-wedding Pampering: $60
Flowers: $700 (Which included 9 boutonnieres for the men, 1 Bride bouquet, 7 bridesmaid bouquets, 7 centerpieces, centerpiece greenery, archway flowers, and flower girl petals) The bridesmaids’ bouquets were used as centerpieces for the reception.
Ceremony + Reception Décor: $270
Ceremony +Reception Music: $500
Photography: $1,500
Videography: $200
Save the Dates: $110
Invitations: $120
Stamps: $60
Bride’s ring: $474
Groom’s Ring: $326
Favors: $130
Bridesmaids’ Gifts: $120
Groomsmen Gifts $90
Rentals: $2,580 (Seating, tables, tent, etc)
Lighting: $40

Total: $16,717

Photography: Kaylie Plummer | Videography: One Touch Media | Floral Design: Evelyn Kramer | Wedding Dress: Meant to be Boutique | Cake: Confused Confections | Rings: Kay Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Make up: Brittany Moses | Hair: Lauren Morgan | DJ: Edmund Murrell | Groom's Attire: Macy's | Rentals: Goff Tents | private residence : Jacks creek lake house | sandals: Steve Madden

A Southern Kentucky Derby Themed Wedding in a Polo Barn

In a sea of bright sunshine, pretty blooms, and lush Kentucky pastures, Emily and Jon celebrated their nupitals with close friends and family. Bride Emily got ready at her family farm, Winstar Farm, which actually produced Justify, this year’s Triple Crown Winner! I’m from the area so I am TOTALLY fan-girling right now… how cool! Their cheerful and sweet Southern wedding included the prettiest outdoor ceremony and we’re drooling over the photos by Jeff & Michele Photo!

From Jeff & Michele PhotoJon & Emily are free-spirited, relaxed, friendly, and a couple that embodies adorable. Emily is truly elegant and gracious. John is confident, yet subtle. Their love is filled with smiles and a very natural and endearing glow.

Emily’s getting ready was held at a historic house on their family-owned Winstar Farms, known most recently for producing the 2018 Triple Crown winner, Justify. Overflowing with lush greenery and flowers, their Lexington Kentucky wedding was nothing less than dreamy.

Having grown up around horses and horse racing, Emily incorporated aspects of that into her wedding day, while also including elegant decor that helped their traveling guests experience a taste of both the horse culture as well as a taste of Kentucky class.. The Polo Barn at Saxony Farm provided an excellent equestrian setting for her Lexington, Ky Summer Wedding.

Photography: Jeff & Michele | Event Planner: Bit By Bit Events | Floral Design: Stems | Wedding Dress: Eva Lendel | Cake: Martine's Pastries | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Bayou Bluegrass | Hair + Makeup: The Knot | Band: The Company Band | Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Polo Barn at Saxony Farm | Donuts: North Lime Donuts | Film Lab: State Film Lab | Rentals: Purdon’s Rental | Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

This Bride Evokes All the Audrey Hepburn Prima Ballerina Vibes

It’ll come as no surprise that Audrey Hepburn’s earliest career ambitions were to become a professional ballerina and the beloved actress will forever be known as one of the most fashionable women in history, and we couldn’t help thinking of Audrey the moment we laid eyes on this bride. Amy Cambell Photography captured Shannon in her Amsale gown, which looks like it was made for her with its crepe bodice and sheer back that fit the bride like a glove and the tulle skirt that harkened back to her own ballet days. Clearly, this would be a timeless, elegant affair, so don’t miss a second of it, filmed by Reel Special.

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From Amy Cambell Photography Shannon and Colin’s wedding was planned to perfection. The couple wanted a formal day with neutral hues and lush greenery. Beige hues were found in the gorgeous floral details with greenery, the amazing paper suite, and even in both mothers’ dresses to seamlessly blend with the bridal party. The Apiary in Lexington Kentucky was the perfect reception venue blending the outdoor gardens with the indoor tablescape.

From the bride… In most aspects of my life, I appreciate elegance in its simplest form. That concept became the guiding design principal for our wedding. As I worked through details with my wedding planner, Camille Tucker, we defined elegant simplicity with a neutral color palette punctuated by soft gold accents. We worked alongside Elizabeth Earnest Floral Design, a master of highlighting the beauty and elegance found in a plant’s natural form. Floral design centered around layered white florals and an array of greenery textures. While formality was a priority in all of our events for the day, Colin and I also wanted our reception to exude intimacy. We kept the guest count to 165 and achieved an intimate setting through a plated dinner in The Apiary’s dining room, known as the Orangerie, on tables overwhelmed with tall arrangements of nothing but lush greenery, small arrangements bursting with white blooms, and an abundance of candlelight. The end result took my breath away.

Classical ballet played an important role in my childhood and teenage years and seemed to leave a lasting impression, as I found myself attracted to tulle and its ethereal quality. After a whirlwind weekend in Atlanta with my mother, sister, and future mother-in-law, I decided on an A-line Amsale dress composed of a crepe bodice with a sheer back atop a soft tulle skirt. For the ceremony, I completed the look with a floor length veil (because when else do you get to wear a veil?) and some fabulous hand-beaded earrings by Mignonne Gavigan.

Colin and I went back and forth on whether or not to do a first look. We were enamored by the romantic quality of seeing each other for the first time as I walked down the aisle. After much discussion, however, we decided to do a first look. We were swayed by the idea that by doing a first look, when we walked out of the church as a married couple, we were done with all the formal obligations of the day and had the entirety of the evening to celebrate our new marriage. We experienced every second of our cocktail hour and reception alongside our guests, and I couldn’t have been happier with our decision.

Cocktail hour began immediately following the ceremony and took place in the formal gardens of The Apiary. In lieu of a signature cocktail, guests were greeted with champagne garnished with a lemon twist and were free to mingle as a harpist set the mood. Light, summery hors d’oeuvres were passed and consisted of a chilled cucumber soup, whipped brie, and fish tacos. Guests transitioned inside for toasts and the cutting of the cake, a lemon cake with vanilla swiss buttercream. Following the cutting of the cake, the Orangerie doors were opened, and guests flowed inside for the plated dinner. Our dinner consisted of a compressed watermelon salad, a pork tenderloin entrée, and our cake was cut and served as the dessert course. We danced the rest of the night away to a fabulous local band, Encore of Lexington.

Colin and I were married at Central Christian Church, a historic church in downtown Lexington that I have attended since childhood. Following our ceremony, we descended the front stairs of the church as our loved ones showered us with white rose petals. We drove away in a white vintage Bentley, listening to the cheering and laughter of all our closest family and friends. It was truly a magical moment.

After our engagement, Colin’s grandmother, Maxine, wrote a letter of congratulation in which she shared Shakespeare’s commentary on love, Sonnet 116. We invited Maxine to share these words with all of our wedding guests and had her read Sonnet 116 during our wedding ceremony. The words that touched Colin’s grandparents throughout their marriage were now a part of our marriage from the very start.

When Colin and I began dating, he lived in an apartment near the construction of what would become our wedding venue, The Apiary. We often took walks to nearby restaurants and bars, walking past what we heard would be a new event venue. One night, as The Apiary was nearing completion, we walked past and peeked through the iron gates, trying to steal a glimpse at the new construction. I found myself looking at a maze of formal gardens unlike any I’d ever seen. I knew I’d get married there as soon as I laid eyes on it. Two years later, when Colin and I got engaged, The Apiary was the first decision we made, and after we booked it, I knew everything else would fall into place.

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Photography: Amy Campbell Photography | Cinematography: Reel Special Productions | Event Planning: Camille Tucker Events | Floral Design: Elizabeth Earnest Florals | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Kathy Martinolich | Ceremony Venue: Central Christian Church | Reception Venue: Apiary | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bridal And Formal | Catering: Apiary | Hair and Makeup: Ana Crane | Calligraphy: Marcardin Calligraphy | Band: Encore of Lexington | Ceremony Music: Michael Rintama | Transportation: Gold Shield Cars | Transportation: test | Hotel: 21c Museum Hotel | Bridal Boutique: Bridals By Lori | Cocktail Hour Music: Elaine Cooke | Paper Goods: Cardinal And Straw Fine Paper Goods | Rentals: Bryants Rent All | Rentals: All Occasions Event Rental | Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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How To Give Your Wedding a Hip Vibe at a Historic Venue

If you’re after charm, historic venues are a fabulous choice. But what if you want a more hip vibe, too? Playing with a combo of styles is a great way to truly personalize your fete, and mixing the old with new proves to be uber gorgeous—just take it from Lovely Leaves, the design mastermind behind this urban, organic editorial. Exposed brick serves as a mighty pretty backdrop, while overflowing greenery graces the table. Ready for more? Peruse the entire gallery captured by Kelli Lynn.

From Giselle Callahan of Lovely LeavesThere’s something special about The Livery, a feeling you get when you walk through the space that takes you back in time to historic Lexington. A local landmark, the venue was initially built in 1868 and still features the original exposed which brick painted-over over the years creating a sort of rustic elegance overflowing with Southern charm. Horse culture is and has always been supreme in Lexington and at one time, the Livery stabled horses and carriages passing through the beautiful city. Now a gallery for local urban artists Allen and Evan of KRFT GOODS, the walls showcase pieces from their recent collections of wood art.

Our inspiration shoot was inspired by the venue and has a hip, urban feel with organic elements. We utilized a ton of southern smilax creating a gorgeous garland heavily draped down to the floor. The table featured a clean white linen topped with crystal wine glasses, glass candlesticks with pale blue taper candles. Modern gold flatware was paired with layered blush, linen and smoke heirloom china and beige napkins with crisp menus. Lexington is known for family traditions and history and we definitely wanted to tie that in: Vintage pieces, chairs and the cake table came from B&B Vintage and with a cake from family-owned Kentucky bakery Batter & Buttercream.

Caitlin and Cal are actually engaged to be married next year and we could not have found a more adorable and in-love couple to model. Absolutely gorgeous, Caitlin is a UK cheerleader and lives and breathes Kentucky spirit. Her gown was from Southern favorite Twirl Boutique which is also located in downtown Lex. Her naturally deep red hair was styled into a sweet, classic updo by Dana of Pink LouLou and contrasted boldly against the kelly green door of The Livery. Clematis grows wild in Kentucky. Raised in Texas, I have never seen something so amazing and I was thrilled to mix the star-shaped blooms into her bouquet with Keira garden roses, andromeda, tea roses, hellebore and white lilac. Blue suede shoes and rose boutonnieres completed the couple’s look.

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Photography: Kelli Lynn Photography | Design: Giselle Callahan of Lovely Leaves | Floral Design: Lovely Leaves | Wedding Dress: Twirl Boutique | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Cake: Batter & Buttercream | Stationery: Haley Michelle Designs | Wedding Venue: The Livery | Artist: KRFT GOODS | Beauty: Allison Johnson Pink Loulou | Rentals: Bryants Rent All | Rentals: B&B Vintage Rental

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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A Little Creative Problem Solving Results in a Chic Southern Wedding

When this Bride, the beautiful Southern blogger behind Glitter & Gingham, fell in love with The Apiary as her reception venue, she was crushed to find out that the space couldn’t accommodate a seated dinner for her number of guests. Instead of letting this discourage her, she consulted with the team at Shelly Fortune Event Design and came up with the perfect solution! They opted for a cocktail style reception – no seating chart, no table settings, no real timeline. The end result was fun, casual, and comfortable – and lucky for us, Aesthetiica Photography and Reel Special were there to capture the day and share it all here.

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From the Bride… Hey y’all! I’m Shelby Back, and I’m the southern life and style blogger behind Glitter & Gingham. And I’m so excited to share our wedding with you all today! Our day was such a fairytale, and we owe it all to our amazing vendors.

For a little back story, Tyler and I actually went to college together, but weren’t friends and didn’t start dating until a few years after we graduated. I admittedly dragged my feet when we were set up by some mutual friends, and I definitely still give him a hard time about that! Thankfully I gave in and the rest was history, so they say. When I finally got to know Tyler, I was immediately taken aback by his kind nature, his handsome smile, and his ability to make me feel like all is right in the world.

I was never the little girl who dreamt of her wedding, never the little girl who grew up dreaming of prince charming, and he changed all of that for me. I was suddenly dreaming of our wedding, but I had no idea where to start or what I wanted! Cue Shelly Fortune Events. Once we were engaged, we knew we could not do this alone, so we sought out help from Shelly and her team to plan our wedding – it was easily one of the best wedding investments we could have made. She understood what was important to us on our wedding day and made it happen.

We wanted our day to be fun, memorable, and feel like “us”. Most importantly, we wanted our day to be about LOVE – the love we have for each other, the love we have for God, and the love we have for those nearest and dearest to our hearts who were there that day to help us celebrate. Shelly understood that, and she understood my wedding “style” when even I didn’t understand what I wanted our wedding to look like. From the lucite chairs, to the bold and bright flowers, she made the space feel warm and inviting, which set the tone for the entire day!

After 14 months of planning, Tyler and I tied the knot in front of 250 guests during a classic Catholic ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky. It was followed by a fun and romantic reception at our stunning venue, The Apiary. The Apiary was the first venue we visited when we started looking, and I had my mind set on that space right away. It shattered my sit down dinner dreams when space became an issue for the amount of guests we wanted to invite, so we took a different approach – we opted for a cocktail style reception. No seating chart, no table settings, no real timeline. This allowed for more socializing and flow through the venue throughout the night; people ate what they wanted, lounged and drank when they wanted, and danced the night away! It couldn’t have felt more like us!

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Photography: Aesthetiica Photography | Cinematography: Reel Special Productions | Floral Design: P.G. Howard Designs Florist | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: The Cake Lady | Church: St. Peter Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Apiary | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Apiary | Hair and Makeup: Allison Johnson Pink Loulou | Band: Jordan English Band | Bridal Boutique: Bridal And Formal | Bridal Boutique: Twirl Boutique | Bride: Shelby Back | Event Design and Coordination: Shelly Fortune Event Design | Groom's Cake: Tinker's Cake Shop | Paper Goods: Cardinal And Straw Fine Paper Goods

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
How To Pick the Perfect Outfit for Your Engagement Session

Hi, fellow brides-to-be! It’s Ali from Love You, Mean It. I’m so excited to share our engagement photos with you today! Planning our e-sesh has been one of my favorite parts our engagement so far. We’ve used these beautiful images captured by Leslee Mitchell and Tarin Frantz on our wedding website and also printed a few for gifting to family. That said, it can also be stressful when deciding where to shoot and what to wear. So, I’ve put together a list of five tips to make the “what to wear” part a breeze.

1. Location

The first element to consider should be where you will be taking your photos. Will you be outside? What will the temperature be? Thinking through the locations will ensure you dress appropriately for the weather and will help inspire your outfits. If it will be chilly, you don’t want to be freezing the entire day. If you’re uncomfortable in your setting, you won’t be able to properly relax for the photos and be able to have fun. Will you be taking photos on a horse farm (like me!) or on grass? Don’t forget the appropriate footwear!

2. Number of Outfits

Once you have the location (or locations!) set with your photographer, it makes it easier to envision the appropriate outfits. Personally, I had two venues that I wanted different outfits for. I knew that I wanted to take more casual photos as well as dressier ones, and a few right in between. For me, it made sense to do the more casual photos when we were at home in Kentucky and take fancier ones in front of Perkins Chapel at SMU (just a few feet away from where we first met!). If you’re worried about coming off as “cheesy,” wear a typical Saturday outfit and it will make the photos look less staged and more real-life. On the other hand, I think it’s special to have photos that are a little more dressed-up to celebrate this exciting time. Ultimately, however, this is not the time to go completely out of your comfort zone when it comes to what you wear which leads me to my next point: deciding on the outfits!

3. Coordinate and Prepare Your Looks

It’s definitely necessary for both of you to think through and try-on your outfits before the day-of. You want to make sure you “match” each other when it comes to the level of dressiness. You also want to make sure you and your fiancé won’t clash and that everything is clean, pressed, and ready to go. If either of you have bought something new for the photos, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to receive the item and try it on so you can make any necessary alterations– you don’t want any surprises on the actual day! For our casual photos, I wore a solid color sweater and jeans and Ben wore a button down and jeans. Easy and comfortable! For the pictures we took in front of Perkins Chapel, I wore an ivory tulle skirt and embellished sweater from Jenny Yoo. My skirt felt bridal and super special. It’s actually from the same fabric that my bridesmaids dresses (also Jenny Yoo, of course!) will be made from which I thought was a special touch!

4. Test Your Wedding Hair/Make-up

If possible, engagement photos make a great occasion to test out your wedding hair and/or make-up. Luckily for me, I was able to meet with my wedding stylist when I was home in Kentucky for our photos. It allows you to get to know each other a little bit and, not to mention, your hair and make-up will be looking great in the photos! Because I wanted to look super natural, I asked for “my everyday look, just a little better!”

5. Be yourselves and have fun!

It’s a fact, staged photos can be AWKWARD. What you will wear should be the least of your worries! If you plan your outfits out ahead of time and feel good about them, it will be one less thing on your mind the day of the shoot. Also recommended: packing a cooler with snacks and champagne to celebrate as the day goes on!

I’ve also included a bunch of my favorite pieces for engagement sessions below, starting off with some beauties from Jenny Yoo!

How To Pick the Perfect Outfit for Your Engagement Session
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How To Pick the Perfect Outfit for Your Engagement Session
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Photography: Leslee Mitchell | Photography: Tarin Frantz | Church: Perkins Chapel | Embellished Sweater: Jenny Yoo | Tulle Skirt: Jenny Yoo

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Allison Hollins

Blogger Bride
Sweet Summer Garden Wedding

Why do I love these two? Because they love love loved their wedding, it’s obvious in every single pic by Nina & Wes Photography and throughout Bryan Starr Cinematography’s film. From the first look, when the Groom spontaneously twirled his beautiful Bride to this genuine JOY taking over as they walked down the aisle as newlyweds; these special images are what makes me smile all day long. Get in on all this goodness in our VAULT right this way!

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From Nina & Wes Photography… Maddie and Austin got married at a beautiful park in Lexington, KY. There were so many unique and beautiful moments throughout their day. From the first look where Austin twirled his bride around in a moment of joy and fun… to Maddie’s first look with her father, where they both cried and embraced tightly… to the prayer before the ceremony where all of Maddie’s bridesmaids and family surrounded her… to the painting their friend created as the ceremony unfolded… and the music that guests were asked to join in during the ceremony… and every single look of joy throughout each moment of their wedding day was something beautiful to behold. The love Maddie and Austin have for one another is tangible and pure. We are so thankful we got to capture such an emotional and heartfelt day.

From the Bride… “I’ll never forget shortly after Austin and I decided to hold our ceremony outside at Waveland State Historic Site, we took a sunset stroll on the property—just dreaming together about our wedding day. About ten minutes into the walk,the grounds keeper approached us and asked if we were getting married here. His assumption of our romantic behavior was correct. Our conversation began so naturally as he humbly shared about the joys of marriage. The way he talked about his wife and his selfless, simple love for herafter 45 years brought euphoria to our souls. It was a moving moment, sharing a glimpse of our future together in an unanticipated exchange. He talked about how the grounds were a peaceful place—and they were indeed.

Austin and I reflected on that moment several times leading up to our wedding day. We couldn’t have been more satisfied sharing those special vows on Waveland’s overgrown, lush property. The woodland trails and rolling hills made our city-limits ceremony venue appear as the green, natural “heaven on earth” that we most wanted.
For us, it was all about sentiment. Many of our wedding decisions were made with sentimental attachments. From the reception venue to the tiniest details, the plans were made with more meaning than most of the guests would’ve ever known. But we liked it that way. We envisioned the experience for our friends and family by making every decision to create an atmosphere of love and joy. As people would be reunited with family and friends, we asked questions like how we could plan a seating chart or flow of events that would cause people to savor conversations, to laugh together, and enjoy celebrating the seasons of life. As everything culminated on August 14th, it was a true joy to look around and delight in all that it came to be. Unlike I’ve heard from so many other brides, Austin and I were able to enjoy our wedding day being fully present! It’s one of my favorite miracles about the day. Even if we had an unlimited budget to throw the most extravagant of celebrations, we couldn’t have imagined it any better. It was gloriously blessed and more than we could’ve dreamed. We are so thankful.

Peruse more rustic style weddings here!

Photography: Nina Wes Photography | Floral Design: Hide And Seek Design | Wedding Dress: Coco Anais | Cake: Martine's Pastries | Ceremony Venue: Richard H. Lewis Lodge At Historic Cherokee State Park, Kenlake | Reception Venue: The Livery | Bride's Shoes: Charter Club | Rings: Sheila Bayes Fine Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Karem Catering | Makeup: Simply Makeup | Hair: Hali B & Co | DJ: Bluegrass Beat | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Ceremony Music: Curt Vernon & Julie Futch | Artist (Painting): Ember Canada | Centerpieces + Decor: Stems | Cinemetography: Bryan Starr Cinematography | Furniture Rentals: Goff Tents | Groom's Shoes: Bed Stu | Paper Goods: Melody Joy | Wedding Party Table: Louisville Farm Tables

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Romantic Winter Inspiration in Kentucky

Today is officially feeling like Fall making this cold-weathered inspiration all the more relevant. It’s a time to pull out your cozy sweaters, dust off those hot toddy recipes and settle in for the snow. And if winter is as pretty as this inspiration crafted by Lauren Chitwood, with flowers by Sarah Harris, invitations by Five Dot Design and photography by Amy Campbell, then we’re ready to embrace it

From Lauren ChitwoodThrough this long arduous winter we have all been experiencing , Lauren Chitwood, LBB Member, and her team decided to find the beauty in the cold with this sweet inspired photo shoot. Photographed by Amy Campbell, with a sparkling coat of ice over the Bluegrass the design team had a vision of warm luxury with a vintage mink, seasonal greenery, and vibrant shades of pomegranate and peach.

The bride wore a tailored lace gown with a detachable tulle skirt designed by Tara Keely. Earrings, headband, necklace and bracelets were sourced at Anthropologie and jeweled belt is from designer Kelly Faetaini graciously provided by Twirl Boutique. Ana Crane expertly crafted a convertible up-do that was easily taken down for a romantic but sexy half up- half down look. Highlighting our beautiful brides piercing eyes with lashes and smoky lid is a great dramatic look that transitioned from day to evening while photographing beautifully against the snow.

The sweet hear table was delicately crafted atop an antique leather top table with gold brushed tableware sliced pomegranates and full floral garland. The design team brought together the warm tones of pink Asiatic lilies, pink protea and peach Juliet garden roses and paired them with varieties eucalyptus, pine and spruce. The pussy willow stems added to the floral design were just enough to flirt with the suspicion that spring was seemingly just around the corner. Among the blooms and textured greenery, the team placed a cobalt blue Jim Beam bottle circa 1960 and a brass antique vanity stand to hold the bouquet thus creating a combination of perfect elements to carry through the essence vintage sophistication.

Five Dot Design, LBB member, created a striking invitation suite inspired by the warm gold tones and the deep plum hues. An elaborate crest monogram in gold complimented the regal table scape and a formal feeling that just feels so right in the snow.

This shoot make us just want to appreciate the crisp elegance of winter just a little bit longer.

Photography: Amy Campbell Photography | Event Designer: Lauren Chitwood Events | Floral Designer: Lauren Chitwood Events | Hair & Makeup: Applied Cosmetic Services | Venue: Wimbeldon Farm | Bridal Boutique: Twirl Boutique | Stationary Design: Five Dot Design

Opening a Clothing Boutique with Morton James Boutique

I think anyone that has a love affair with all things fashion has at one point, dreamed of opening their own store. A perfect little space that’s beautifully curated and lovingly designed. So today we’re picking the brain of Halie Rogers – the fashionista behind Morton James in Lexington with photos by Tiffany Mitchell – to see just what kind of chops it takes to open a store of your very own.

SMP: What inspired you to open a boutique of your own?

Halie: Having lived in Nashville for the past couple of years I fell in love with the city and all it had to offer. It is filled with lots of local, thriving businesses that really seem to define the essence of Nashville. Being immersed in that atmosphere really inspired me to become a part of Lexington’s evolving community.

SMP: Tell us about your career path before openings Morton James.

Halie: I’ve been focusing on raising my 6 year old son while also studying photography. I’ve always had an entrepreneur drive so once he got old enough I started planning a business that would satisfy my creative side while still allowing me the flexibility to be the mom that I strive to be.

SMP: Tell us a few things about retail that you perhaps weren’t prepared for when you were in the “dreaming” phase.

Halie: While I knew it was going to be a lot of dedication and work, I’m not sure I knew quite how time consuming and overwhelming it was going to be. The creative aspect of owning a boutique is what really drew me into the business, but perhaps I should have taken my dad’s advice and gotten a business or accounting degree first! ha!

SMP: How do you set yourself apart in your market?

Halie: Though it’s evolving, Lexington is still a traditional, Southern city and there are a lot of great boutiques that cater to that lifestyle. After visiting other cities across the US and living in Nashville, I saw a huge void in the fashion market here. I felt like we needed an edgier, boho, casual-chic boutique for men and women, that’s more aligned with today’s modern fashion. I feel like that vision alone sets us apart as we cater to a segment of the local market that really relates to our aesthetic.

SMP: Is having good taste when it comes to fashion enough to run a successful retail store?

Halie: To be honest, I thought so- but I was wrong! Having good taste helps since you have to design an inventory that attracts clients but there’s so much more that goes into running a retail store than just that. I’m lucky to have a great friend/manager/life-saver who has extensive retail experience that’s been here from the beginning to help with every aspect of running the business. She really helps balance the work load which is a huge stress relief and it doesn’t hurt to have a friend to go through all of this with!

SMP: How do you source your collections?

Halie: We did alot of research on the lines we wanted to carry- most of which were ones that were unheard of in Lexington. We visited lots of showrooms in NYC and also went to several markets in both Atlanta and New York. We are constantly on the lookout for new lines that we think will fit our style.

SMP: What are three trends your currently loving?

Halie: Sling back booties are sure to make even the simplest outfit look great, cream colored jeans as opposed to the typical white pant and lastly, a great fitting denim top.

SMP: Who is your favorite designer right now, right this moment?

Halie: That’s a tough one to narrow down! I’m currently loving both Raquel Allegra and Mara Hoffman. Raquel Allegra produces really chic and timeless clothing so I find myself wearing a lot of her tops for almost any occasion. Mara Hoffman, on the other hand, is a great go-to line when I’m in the mood to wear bold colors and patterns. Her spring and summer designs are to die for – I can’t wait to get them in!

SMP: If you had to choose one accessory to wear every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Halie: Probably a pair of Melanie Auld earrings. Her whole jewelry line is simple yet colorful and modern making them all easy to wear on a daily basis.

SMP: What are 5 staples to splurge on?

Halie: A good bag, an awesome leather jacket, a pair of booties, black skinny jeans and a well made white t-shirt. All are staples that you’ll wear time and time again- season after season.

SMP: What is THE color for 2014? THE must have piece?

Halie: Black is THE color for me always. You can never go wrong. I tend to buy neutral and then layer in with accessories and textures. I’m not sure I have a specific piece that everyone must get their hands on – but I do know sheer detail or lady-like lace are both going to be huge trends in 2014 along with lots of rose gold jewelry. I’ll definitely be sporting all of the above!

SMP: What does the next five years look like for Morton James?

Halie: We are really content with where we are and with the vision that we have established. We just want to work toward growing new relationships within the community and nurturing those that already exist. We want to stay true to our mission which is essentially to provide Lexington with clothing to fit our modern day lifestyle. Who knows though, maybe you’ll see Morton James pop up in another southern city! In the meantime, we are staying focused on growing our presence here in Lexington.

Photography: Tiffany Mitchell | Interior Design: Hannah Maple Studio | Vendor: Mara Hoffman

Lexington Wedding from Melanie Mauer + One Fine Day Wedding Consultation

These two lovebirds have been through it all and back again, so it was high time for them to let down their hair and celebrate in a classically stunning, especially sweet soiree, planned to perfection by One Fine Day Wedding Consultation. The resulting affair was beyond pretty, beyond special, beyond romantic… Really just beyond. Photography by Melanie Mauer captured every heartwarming second of the big day and has packaged all the images up so pretty in a full image gallery for you to pour over all morning. Enjoy!

Click here for the entire wedding in the full image gallery!

Right before the wedding, my aunt began playing “Doe a Deer…” from the Sound of Music on the piano and all of us girls broke out into song, dancing around, drinking and having the best time. There was never a minute of stress – it was a constant party.

I loved seeing Brandon all dressed up on our wedding day. The way we staged the first look had the perfect amount of anticipation. Sitting in my carriage hearing the call to post was such a unique and old-world moment. I remember thinking how I wish I could clone myself to see everyone’s reaction.

Listening to Brandon’s vows still give me the chills because they were so honest and loving. Nothing can surpass our first kiss as husband and wife and hearing the two simplest words: “I Do”.

Planner: One Fine Day Wedding Consultation / Flowers: E. Stephen Hein / Cake: Martine’s Pastries / Photography: Photography by Melanie Mauer / Venue: Spindletop Hall / Make-up: Ana Crane-Simpson

Lexington Wedding by Melanie Mauer

Welcome back to yet another beautiful week on SMP! We are just aching to start the lineup of lovely, and start we shall with this Bluegrass State beauty by Melanie Mauer! I’ve had ants in my pants to share this wedding since I first set eyes on this southern soiree, and you’ll see why with just one scroll through all of the pretty. With a bride that is take-your-breath-away gorgeous, a classic old Kentucky home as the venue, a dapper groom, pretty ponies to pose with and a lineup of lovely details – it’s sure to make this Monday feel a bit more elegant. So grab a mint julep (ok, maybe it’s a wee bit early for that…coffee will do) and trot on over to the full gallery for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Let’s keep this pretty party going with their video from Portal Films, shall we?

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/34199842 600 338]

From Melanie of  Photography by Melanie MauerElizabeth Lary and Steve Kirsch were married this fall on the Glen Lary estate here in Lexington. The estate itself has been in their family for generations and was the perfect thing to bring the couple to Kentucky for their wedding. They are from Los Angeles (Manhattan Beach) but planned a glamorous country wedding here in the Bluegrass to enjoy being surrounded by friends and family. Elizabeth is charismatic and extraordinarily talented! The groom is her perfect compliment, calm, level headed and subtle. The couple are now back in LA, but soon to transfer to NYC.

From the bride… From the first time I first set foot on the grounds of our family home, I knew that this would be the ONLY place in the world that I would ever get married. Steve and I met in Miami, Florida fresh out of college and have spent almost every day together since. After a stint in Germany, New York and a cross country move to California, he proposed after we got home from a magical Michael Bublé concert. Down on one knee, with our house full of roses, my favorite champagne and our dogs. Nothing could have been more magical. Being a corporate event planner by trade, planning my own wedding seemed to fall right into place. I already had the perfect venue and the perfect groom, which made the rest easy. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a hopeless romantic who lives my life vicariously through fairy tales and romantic comedies. That being said, I knew that our wedding would have to encompass all of the above. From our “Father of the Bride”/”The Notebook” style venue to the twinkling lights above our heads, a band that was to die for and a groom that stood by my side throughout the entire process, it was the most magical night of our lives. Friends and family flew into the Blue Grass state from all around the country to celebrate our magical weekend. Horse racing at Keeneland, bourbon tasting and a wedding at our family home tied everything together into the perfect Kentucky weekend. All of our Lexington vendors and friends that we met through the planning process went above and beyond the call of duty to help out a California bride with her dream wedding. All invitations and printed materials were designed by a wonderful friend and assembled over nights of wine and laughter. Gift baskets were from the heart and wedding favors tied into our family history. All in all, our wedding was my piece de resistance and a weekend that hopefully no one will ever forget. 

Wedding Planner: The bride / Day-of Coordination: Always Planned / Venue: GlenLary Estate / Photography: Photography by Melanie Mauer / Florist: Crist Creona Designs / Cake: Martine’s / Rentals: Purdons / Catering: DaRae & Friends / Cinematography: Portal Films / Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Belt: Carolina Herrera / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Hair & Makeup: Tara Ferrell (tarabracayle@gmail.com) / Band: Simply Irresistible / Hair piece: Alisa Brides / Cake Topper: Mudcards / Paper: Cheryl Humphreys (cheryl310@mac.com) / Design: Joe Richardson ofHubbuch and Co.

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Talon Winery DIY Wedding from Cat Satre & Martine’s Pastries

A DIY affair should not be as chic, gorgeous, creative, and glam as the ones you talented couples send us. You amaze me with your fabulosity. Weddings like this Kentucky wedding have taken Do-It-Yourself weddings to an entirely new level, and I capital LOVE it. From the fan-tastic programs, to the mason jar centerpieces, to that delish cake from Martine’s Pastries, the whole affair is phenom. Make sure to check out the rest of Cat Satre‘s beautiful images in the full image gallery!

My wedding day was absolutely everything I could have ever wanted it to be. My fiancé and I had to live six hours away from each other during our engagement because of his job and my schooling, so it was a long a difficult planning process but came out perfectly! I am a Southern California girl and he is an Illinois farm boy, so we wanted to bring together our personalities and our different lives into one for our special day. I wanted it to be comfortable, fresh, and fun! I found a lot of the ideas of blogs, but some of them just evolved through brainstorming together.

We met in Kentucky so we decided to have our wedding at a local winery in Lexington, Talon Winery. It was a gorgeous setting the required minimal decorating. We were definitely on a budget and my mom, sister, and I did most of our decorations. Mason jars and fireflies are two things I love about living in the south. I knew even before we were engaged I wanted our colors to be green, my favorite color, and blue, his favorite color. Also, I knew I wanted light, fresh flowers and to decorate with mason jars. I really wanted to utilize the beautiful space that we had. I loved adding unique touches like a birdcage for letters, or a wooden cake stand.

We chose to do fans for the ceremony because we knew it would be hot! So my mom created templates to make them ourselves. We used shepherd’s hooks to hold our flower arrangements and used burlap and white drapery to decorate the gazebo. I loved using the barn next to the ceremony site for the reception. It had perfect lighting and just felt right. We made our own photo booth, had a remembrance table for family members who had passed away, gorgeous food by DaRae & Friends, and a gorgeous cake table. We love the kids we have in our lives and so we wanted to make sure we had a kid’s table for them to play at during the reception. For the send-off, we tied ribbons in our wedding colors to wands for everyone to wave since we couldn’t use sparklers. It ended the perfect day.

Photography: Cat Satre / Flowers: Jeanie Gorrell Floral Design / Event Coordinator: Planned to Perfection of the Bluegrass / Ceremony Location: Talon Winery / Reception Location: Talon Winery / Invitations: Minted / Shoes: Kelly & Katie / Dress: Galina / Cake: Martine’s Pastries / Caterer: DaRae & Friends / Hair: Lindsey Pace / Make-Up: Ana-Crane Simpson / DJ: Sound Travels

Kentucky Wedding by Bella Grace Studios

This Southern fête is overflowing with pure Style Me Pretty style.  It is simple, sweet and filled with oh-so pretty touches perfectly matched for a Kentucky garden wedding.  There can be no wrong in my eyes when spring flowers like anemones drip from bouquets and centerpieces as they so beautifully do here.  All the classic details with a vintage twist are radiant under the lens of Bella Grace StudiosClick here to see even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

Our wedding was a fantastic reflection of our Kentucky past and our Chicago present. Returning to our hometown for our wedding weekend was a great opportunity for our Chicago friends to witness where we grew up and the wonderful things Kentucky has to offer. Events included a day at the races, a barbecue on the family farm, complete with hayride, and an outdoor garden wedding at the historic Bodley-Bullock House.

The wedding afternoon started with a cocktail hour at the Hunt Morgan House, paying homage to Thomas’ grandmother, Betsy Alexander, who at one time tended the gardens. The ceremony, in the Bodley-Bullock garden, was a laid back occasion with a vintage feel. The evening was capped off with a Bossa Nova band at the LexArts gallery. The day could not have been more magical for my husband and I.

Wedding Photography: Bella Grace Studios / Pre-Ceremony Cocktail Location: The Hunt-Morgan House Gardens / Wedding Ceremony Location: The Bodley-Bullock House / Wedding Reception Locations: The Bodley-Bullock House + LexArts Gallery / Makeup: Bethany Tiesman of BEAUTY by Bethany / Floral & Event Design: Melody Walker Rodgers of Refined Social Events / Invitations and Programs: MOK DUK by Anne Benjamin

Kentucky Wedding by Portal Films + Jacki Allen

When I watched this little vignette that Andy over at Portal Films put together, I literally cried. Which I guess isn’t that telling considering that I cry about once a day because of something beautiful that one of my favorite vendors sends my way. But in all sincerity, the tears that I shed were completely authentic as this is one of the most beautiful little moments I’ve ever seen. Planned by the lovely and wonderfully talented mother and daughter team, Jacki and Jaimeson, this wedding is all gorgeousness.

Click here to see some still images from the day.

Lexington was the perfect location for our wedding, since we met there and it was my hometown. We now live in Pennsylvania so Lexington was a good blend of familiarity for us and a fresh venue for our friends and family coming from outside the area. Our journey together began during graduate school at the University of Kentucky in 2002. Five and a half years later our adventure included one dog, two moves, two new jobs, some tears, some smiles, and a proposal! On a snowy moonlit evening in February 2008, to my surprise, I found Michael on one knee with an engagement ring in hand, and our faithful “fur kid” by his side. Yes!

Both Michael and I agreed on a small, intimate, outdoor wedding. With autumn in mind, we discovered the perfect venue, Shaker Village. The solitude of the West Lot offered privacy while the abundance of trees and the rolling hills provided the natural atmosphere we wanted.

On the afternoon of October 3, 2009, bathed in the warmth of the fleeting summer sunlight and beneath the maple trees, surrounded by our friends and family, Michael and I were married. A horse drawn carriage delivered my father and me along the country road leading to the West Lot. As I passed our guests, I was overcome with peace and joy knowing our moment was finally here. After exchanging our vows, we exited the guests’ seating spiral, returning the many smiles of family and friends as husband and wife.

Our menu featured many Shaker and locally grown foods. As we dined, we enjoyed the traditional folk sounds of the banjo and mandolin. With night upon us, the party began! Guests wandered between the photo booth, complete with costumes, ice cream and coffee bars, the beautifully lighted lounge area, and the fire pit complete with s’mores. Too soon I found our wedding day coming to a close! We made our exit aboard a vintage tandem bicycle; our dog running beside us, showered with eucalyptus leaves and well wishes from all.

Wedding Planning: Jacki and Jaimeson / Photography: Angela Anderson Photography /  Cinematography: Portal Films / Flowers: E. Stephen Hein / Beauty: Ana Crane Simpson, Applied Cosmetic Services / Ceremony Music: Kentucky Wild Horse

Lexington Kentucky Wedding From Melanie Mauer Photography

We got the sweetest note from Melanie Mauer, one of our Little Black Book photographers in the Kentucky area. She said, “We have heard from so many brides and grooms that your blog has inspired them and provided them with ideas to incorporate into their wedding to make it personal and meaningful. We would hope that some of the wedding images we have captured would be a great addition to this source of inspiration.”

Well, we think that Whitney and Marshall’s Lexington, Kentucky wedding will absolutely inspire you!

Photography by Melanie Mauer

What perfect wedding colors for a springtime wedding! The flowers were designed by The Best of Flowers in Lexington. Just beautiful.

Photography by Melanie Mauer

The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Headley-Whitney Museum.

Photography by Melanie Mauer

Cute, cute, cute Kate Spade shoes! Whitney’s gorgeous gown was designed by Renella Defina and the bridesmaid’s dresses are by Jenny Yoo.

Photography by Melanie Mauer

Wedding Cake by Martine’s

Whitney and Marshall’s monogram was woven throughout the wedding, a fantastic way to personalize a wedding. LOVE the monogram on their cake!

Photography by Melanie Mauer

Very unusual and beautifully crafted place cards …

Photography by Melanie Mauer

A little bit from the beautiful bride, Whitney … “Marshall and I actually met at the hospital the day after I was born. Our fathers went to High School together in Lexington and our families have remained close ever since. Our families have gotten together for years at Lake Cumberland but Marshall and I hadn’t seen each other for several years since he was living in Jamaica and I was in Italy. When we did, I fell in love at first sight (reluctantly). It took several years to get on the same continent but it is a blessing to have “in-laws” that we love like family!”

Congratulations Whitney & Marshall!

A huge thank-you to Melanie Mauer Photography for sharing this beautiful Kentucky day!

Oh! And just a quick reminder … you can find many of your favorite shots from Style Me Pretty weddings in our Photo Galleries. For example, if you love Melanie’s photograph of the bouquets (above), you can go into the SMP Photo Gallery by category (flowers) and then click to the last page (photos are loaded from oldest to newest) and you’ll find the beautiful shot of Whitney’s bouquets … along with the color palette! Pretty cool!!

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Real Wedding: Jennifer and Trey, VII

Thank you so very much to Jennifer and Trey for sharing their absolutely lovely day with us! The airplanes, the fabulous and oh-so-personal details, the everything…was just perfect.

For all of you that are wanting a little more, don’t fret, it’s not quite over. Jennifer actually emailed me because she used one of our FAVORITE Little Black Book vendors, Portal Films, to capture her wedding and Andy has been sweet enough to share a clip with us. That’s coming up next, right after this next set of gorgeous pictures!

jennifer real wedding

photographs by the oh-so-talented Frank Becker and Sarah Jane of The Time Photography

Stay tuned to see the day on film!

Real Wedding: Jennifer and Trey, VI

Love, love, love the reception space for today’s featured wedding! And the details…oh the details!

jennifer real wedding

photographs by the oh-so-talented Frank Becker and Sarah Jane of The Time Photography

From Jennifer, the lovely bride…

Food and Drinks – We entertain at our house often and really wanted the reception to feel like we were having friends over for a special meal.  To achieve this feel we seated our guests at large tables and served comfort food “family style,” passing bowls of sides like mashed potatoes and grilled corn cut off the cob and bottles of wine.  We served my favorite cocktail of champagne and PAMA pomegranate liquor and Trey’s favorite beer, Red Stripe, during the cocktail reception.

Children – we have 7 nieces and nephews between us and wanted them to feel special so we made baskets of candy and toys for them to enjoy during the reception – the boys seemed to enjoy the helicopter the most though!

Sundae Bar – Trey LOVES ice cream so we had a sundae bar as a late night treat instead of a groom’s cake.  It was a big hit!  And, our first dance was to Sara McLaughlin’s “Ice Cream”.

Airplanes – we wanted to incorporate airplanes into the details at the reception so we used touches like miniature diecast airplanes with the escort cards.

More on the way!

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Real Wedding: Jennifer and Trey, V

I get emails here and there from brides who are looking to design a super chic wedding with their ceremony in a traditional church but with there reception in kind of a fun/funky spot. Well, that is just what today’s bride did!

I know that in many parts of the country, it’s hard to find those great farms, the incredible seaside resorts, the modern lofts and the lakeside estates that we often feature on SMP. But, I will tell you this…EVERY town has hidden gems that are definitely worth discovering. Like the Aviation Museum in Lexington, Kentucky!

jennifer real wedding

How cool is that!? I am dying right now…it’s just so fabulous. The juxtaposition of the airplanes with the feminine, pink and chocolate tables. LOVE!

From the bride…

The museum is in an old airplane hanger and there are several jets and airplanes on display – the guests enjoyed getting to see the everything up close and it was a great place to dance the night away.  I loved the contrast between the harsh, warehouse feeling space and the warm, beautiful flowers and fabrics and the comfort of being surrounded by friends.

Wait until you hear about all of the fun details that the bride incorporated into their day…so much more to come!

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Real Wedding: Jennifer and Trey, IV

I have to say, the best part about today’s wedding is probably the ridiculously great reception that the couple threw. But, the ceremony details are pretty gorgeous too, so I wanted to share a few more photographs of those before we dive into the party!

jennifer real wedding

photographs by the oh-so-talented Frank Becker and Sarah Jane of The Time Photography

More to come!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here