Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica Wedding from Christina McNeill

From I Heart Productions…This really was one of those magical fairy tale type weddings. Set over 2 days at the beautiful Bendooley Estate in Berrima NSW.

Anurag and Phillipa live in London and flew over 2 weeks before the wedding for the celebration of their love. Guests joined them from all corners of the world to see Bendooley Estate come to life with all the colours and traditions of an Indian and Australian wedding.

This wedding really made us realise how much of an insight we get into our couples lives, from the thoughts that run through their heads the night before, the warm relationships they share with their families, the nerves, the excitement and the joy of catching up with old friends. This is a story of family, friendship and love. We honestly feel so privileged to have been a part of it.

Photography: Hilary Cam Photography | Cinematography: I Heart Productions | DJ: XYDJ | Wedding Venue: Bendooley Estate

This wedding right here? It’s amazing. A pink-filled love fest type of amazing with an adorable bride and groom and crystal blue waters filling every last image. It’s the kind of day that you totally wish you had… and totally wish you could attend. It’s just that awesome. And when you dive into the full gallery of lovely captured by Christina McNeill? Well, you won’t know what to do with yourselves. So sit back, relax and start your Friday off right here.

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From Christina McNeill… Kelsey and Cory had an awesome wedding in Jamaica, on a private island no less. They married at Couples Tower Isle, a resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The hotel decor was inspiring and pretty amazing, so on top of an amazing outdoor venue they also had some sweet spots indoors for photos.

From the Bride… We began looking at venues near our home in New Jersey, but the costs were just adding up and nothing was ever quite what we were looking for. We didn’t want the typical country club or reception hall, and we wanted to be married outdoors. At the time of our engagement, I was going through many difficult things in my life, and wedding planning just added to the stress. That’s when Cory suggested a destination wedding, and the idea stuck. I went on a hunt for the perfect resort, and Couples Tower Isle stood out. The location, the package, and the price were just right. The resort was gorgeous, and after many hours researching and scouring the resort’s forums for others’ wedding experiences, we took the plunge. Without ever having been to the resort, we booked our wedding there!

The Tower Isle was the biggest draw to this Couples resort. There were so many gorgeous resorts but none of them featured a private island which you could have the ceremony, cocktail and reception on. The island was too gorgeous to pass up. Also the fact that everything would be taken care of by my coordinator and there was very little planning to do made our wedding more beautiful and stress free than I could have imagined.

Walking down the aisle and seeing my groom in tears was probably my favorite moment of the day. I had always joked with him that if he didn’t cry when he saw me come down the aisle, that we would have to do it over and over until he did! Turns out he didn’t even need to see me – as soon as the music started playing, he started crying. He’s never been a very emotional guy, so seeing him get so emotional was super sweet.

Brooklyn Engagement Session from Clean Plate Pictures

These two are really, really ridiculously good looking. Like so good looking, these engagement photos from Clean Plate Pictures could be from the pages of J.Crew’s lookbook. But you know they are real… because they are so sweet and so in love and so adorable. It’s the make your day kind of engagement shoot and it’s all right here.

From the photographer… Patrice and Jonny’s engagement shoot was so fun! We started in DUMBO, Brooklyn where we hit all the great spots, including the roofless Tobacco Warehouse that has since been fenced off to the public so that construction of a new theater can begin. We then headed to the East Village where we took some street shots near where these two sweethearts live and got engaged. Can’t wait to shoot their wedding in Tarrytown next May!

A Post Thanksgiving Pie Party

The emphasis on food and family surrounding Thanksgiving is always such a treat. And once it comes to a close, I can’t help but feel a little sad. So when Tori Tait suggested throwing a Post-Thanksgiving Pie Party, it was all I could do to not kiss her square on the mouth. Ask your guests to bring over a bottle of wine and any remaining pie, set a table, light a fire, and ensure the holiday lasts just a little while longer. Captured by Nicole McCoy, the gallery is all sorts of festive and fun.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year. I get giddy just thinking about setting a dreamy table and playing hostess to my nearest and dearest friends and family. However, once the meal has been enjoyed and the company has cleared, it always seems the next day I am exhausted! The idea for this party came to me in that spirit of having conquered the holiday but still longing for more of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving — pie, wine, and friends.

This post-Thanksgiving gathering is very mellow yet still inviting. Have your closest friends bring over their leftover holiday pies (seriously, already sliced and all) and a bottle of wine. Set up a pie bar, set a causal table and nestle in for the afternoon.

More details about this Pie Party:

Centerpiece — Layering table runners gives the table a nice texture and the neutral colors allow for the centerpiece to be the star of the show. In the middle of the table, I simply took leftover mini Halloween pumpkins and gave them a shower of metallic gold and copper spray paint which instantly glammed them up for Thanksgiving. The greenery on the table is made from trimmed branches from a lovely dark green leafed plant found at my local nursery.

Placesettings — I used the same metallic gold spray paint and sprayed clear glass plates to make chargers that coordinated with the gold pumpkins. Each fork also got a touch of gold as well. The nakpins with their orange bird pattern make for a fun and playful addition to the table. Orange wine and water goblets also added personality to the tablescape.

Pie Bar — This was so easy! Using an exiting sofa table, I set up a place where guests could drop off their pies upon arrival and then guests could help themselves to slice after slice. The “PIE” sign is made of papermache letters that are adorned with feathers. Old mis-matched candlesticks make for interesting cake stand (just top with a plate).

Cocktail — Pie and wine are surely plenty. But you might want to serve a fun themed drink or pre-dessert shot. This mini Pumpkin Pie martini was the perfect addition to our Pie Party.

Photography: Nicole McCoy | Styling: Thoughtfully Simple

Jacquelyn Clark

Ocho Rios, Jamaica Engagement from Christina McNeill

Lovelies, this is just the beginning. This e-sesh right here? It’s the sweet little appetizer to an even sweeter wedding on the pristine beaches of Ocho Rios, coming up this afternoon. Christina McNeill shows us just what a fun-loving couple Kelsey & Cory are and we can’t wait to reveal the rest. For now, kick back in this sandy, love-filled gallery!

Photography: Christina McNeill | Location: Couple's Tower Isle

A Fall Wedding and Honeymoon Inspiration with Trent Bailey Photography

Trent and Dara of Trent Bailey Photography are like a power couple of style. Whenever they send something our way, it never fails to make jaws drop in the SMP offices – and when they team up with folks like Gabriella New York, That Time Events, Face Time Beauty Concierge and Michelle Edgemont we know we are in for the prettiest of treats. Well, today we get to overindulge in the preppy meets bohemian love story they all dreamt up at Cedar Lakes Estate. It’s all topped off with gorgeous accessories from Preston & Olivia (hello stunning veil!), so trust me when I say you’ll want to go back for seconds (and thirds) right here in the full gallery.

From Trent Bailey Photography…Dara and I are such huge fans of collaborating with friends and making new friends in the process. It’s such a joy to work with other creatives to bring together our vision.

We were inspired to create a modern bohemian meets preppy americana look for the shoot which was in the early fall days. We wanted to tell a story of the couple marrying on the mountaintop, escaping on a VW overflowing with florals, celebrating their marriage at a cozy camp, going for a dip in the pond and ending the night with s’mores!

Garden Party Inspiration Shoot from Poppy & Plum Events

Sometimes all you need to kick off the weekend is one serious dose of inspiration. A pretty little party, beautiful blooms, a stunning tablescape… or better yet, all three. Lucky for us, Poppy & Plum Events is here to deliver that exact trifecta of lovely, with a breathtaking garden party-inspired photo shoot that is the epitome of pretty. I’m talking crazy beautiful stylings meets amazing copper accents meets drop-dead gorgeous images from Ryon:Lockhart Photography. See them all in the full gallery.

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From Poppy & Plum Events… Poppy & Plum decided to style a shoot that was a whimsical woodland theme! Our idea started out with loving the idea of having bell jars as part of our table scape. As we thought about it some more, we thought it would be really neat to add a moss table runner and have wild woodland looking florals coming out from the bell jars. We also really wanted to incorporate copper elements throughout which you can see in the chargers, flatware, and tumblers. I loved the vintage looking farm table, mix and matched plates, and amethyst goblets. We really loved using the deep burgundies and purples in this too to add some depth. We hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Salt Lake City, Utah Holiday Engagement Inspiration Shoot from Brooke Schultz Photography

I’m what some might describe as a holiday junkie. I absolutely cannot get enough, so the minute I put away the turkey on Thanksgiving, my mind starts to wander the next holiday waiting in the wings. Lucky for me, Brooke Schultz Photography is serving up a heaping helping of gorgeous that will help inspire my holiday decorating today, and perhaps will inspire a few lovebirds looking for a few stylish ways to style their engagement shoot. Get even more inspiration here.

From Brooke Schultz Photography…This holiday inspired engagement shoot features cozy ideas that can translate from an engagement shoot to a wedding to holiday decorating at home. Because the shoot takes place in a homey setting, it has a glammed-up lifestyle feel.

This shoot goes beyond ‘props’ for engagement sessions and gives brides inspiration to go all out with a fully styled engagement shoot.

The flowers are perfect inspiration for winter: ranunculus, cotton, thistle, and berries with oodles of cedar say holiday without being overkill or themed. The delicate wreaths are a simple and beautiful backdrop for winter cuddling, and would also be beautiful above a cake table. The swag garland in the window is another unique element that could also easily be translated to a drink station, cake table, or head table.

Photography: Brooke Schultz Photography | Flowers: Merit and Vine | Hair And Makeup: Vivian Makeup Artist | Models: Michelle Lier and Kyle White | Studio: Jessica Peterson Studio

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Chicago Lakefront Engagement From Alyssa Rosenheck Photography

If you’re not the kind of person who gets along with the cold weather so well, this Chicago engagement session on Lake Michigan might just change your mind. The bright wintery whites are enticing, and Alyssa Rosenheck Photography captured them in a way that could make any summer girl trade in her bikini for a pair of snow boots (as long as they come with that sparkly canary diamond, right?).

From the photographer… I am so excited to share my fall engagement images with you of this beautiful couple in Chicago. The weather was magical and Brian + Alexandra were so excited to capture their love and their new engagement. This couple is super stylish with the soon to be bride’s Christian Louboutin Fall boots and estate engagement ring. It’s the largest yellow diamond I have seen. Her fiancé looks like he walked out of a J crew catalogue and I was so thrilled to be part of their Chicago Session and capture their love and beauty on the lake!!

Whistler Wedding from Anastasia Chomlack

Having grown up just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Canadian border, I spent much of my childhood + teen and early adulthood falling in love with our neighbors to the north. There’s just something about the breathtaking Canadian landscape that grabs ahold of your heart the very second you lay your eyes upon its beauty… and never lets go. So to say that this Whistler wedding from Anastasia Chomlack has me all kinds of swooning? A serious understatement. It’s Canada perfection with a big ol’ dash of pretty and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

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Backyard Texas Wedding from Elisabeth Carol Photography

From Bliss Event + Design… Working with Emma and Aaron was so much fun! They are two very special people, intelligent, fashionable and full of laughter. As many couples do, they came to Whistler for their destination wedding to celebrate their love for the outdoors and each other. Being B.C. home grown they knew that Whistler, and the Four Seasons Resort, would combine the natural beauty of the mountains with the elegance that reflects their style.

Emma was WAY ahead of the game when it came to all of her wedding planning including flowers and decor styling. As she was getting ready to attend business school in New York, looking at a crazy busy year and wouldn’t be with Aaron to discuss wedding details, she hit the planning road early to make sure she could relax and know the details were looked after way ahead of the big day. The day was planned a year in advance. No detail left unturned. It was an amazing day of family and fun, what more could you ask for. Some of my favourite details of the day were the incredible Ceasar bar, the wonderful elderly hotel guest who commented on how handsome the groom’s party was (and said the bride better be beautiful!) and Emma’s speech about how her and Aaron finally found each other years later after meeting in junior high. Such a story!

Emma and Aaron’s white, blush and wood wedding was held at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. The stunning images were captured by Anastasia Photography. It was incredible to re-live the special moments through their gorgeous photos! Bliss Event + Design created the lovely flower arrangements and ceremony and reception decor. I love the beautiful Japanese inspired paper (I told you she had style!) for the stationery designed by Seulo Creations. Emma’s one desire was to have dark wood harvest tables with chivari chairs. She was uncompromising in this wish (of course Aaron finally gave in!) and what a difference it made. Reflecting the beautiful wood accents from the outdoors. Every detail was perfectly selected to ensure the wedding was beautiful and fun, including a Caesar bar during the cocktails!

I stand behind ‘homemade’ weddings 110%. An intimate ceremony beneath your favorite tree in your parents backyard, family recipes, heirloom tablecloths and decor… makes it all the more special. It doesn’t take much more than a peek at Elisabeth Carol Photography‘s images of this day to know that a homemade wedding will touch your heart more than you imagined. See the rest of this beautiful backyard affair right here in the gallery!

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Oxford, Maryland Wedding from Eli Turner Photography

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From the Bride… Start to finish, the majority of everything we did was homemade or in some way had something to do with our family. We love our families, and wanted our wedding to reflect that. We only invited our very closest friends and family. There’s nothing wrong with a huge wedding, but we wanted this to be a quiet, intimate time and to share it with those that we love. The ceremony was held in my parents backyard in underneath my favorite tree. We started with collecting all of my family member’s dining room tables and chairs for the ceremony. Many of them were my great-grandparents and definitely held a lot of sentimental value. We collected amber jars and apothecary bottles for our homemade flower arrangements. With the help of my aunt, sister, and mother, we did all of the floral table arrangements and decorations ourselves. We did all of the food ourselves which included making the cake, tiramisu, cheese and charcuterie plates, and “wash-tub” sangria. Tablecloths were our grandparents/great grandparents. Jewelry was our grandparents (the necklace I wore was my grandmothers, Will’s gold wedding band was a gift from his late grandfather, my engagement ring was Will’s late grandmother’s).

You know what this Friday needs? Some stunning pink hues, an adorable duo saying “I do” and one seriously cute puppy. Lucky for us, this charming Maryland affair happens to have all three, plus one amazing tented reception and a jaw-droppingly gorgeous setting. It’s basically the perfect way to start the weekend, lovelies… and you can see every last heartwarming moment captured by Eli Turner right here in the full gallery.

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New Hampshire Wedding at LaBelle Winery from Mary Costa Photography

From the Bride… When Blake and I were first engaged, we loved the idea of having a destination wedding. We both loved the idea of getting all of our friends together for a weekend long party full of long dinners and celebrations that stretched into the night. Once we started exploring the idea, we quickly realized that an international destination would leave a lot of our friends and family out. With this in mind, we decided to throw a “Destination Maryland” themed wedding where I grew up on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore.

Selecting a venue was easy. We knew the moment that we stepped on to the grounds of the Combsberry Inn that we had to get married there. The combination of history, beauty and elegant luxury that the Inn offered was perfect for us- two somewhat nerdy lawyers who prefer books and adventure to parties and glamour. The venue was a blank canvas and allowed us to create our dream wedding in the midst of several hundred years of history in the small town of Oxford, Maryland. Blake and I were so pleased to be able to make use of the venue for the entire weekend. We even held our rehearsal dinner- a Maryland Blue Crab Feast featuring local craft brews- in the Inn’s historic barn and were up into the early hours of the morning catching up with old friends and welcoming arrivals from out of town.

On the day of the wedding, the bridesmaids and I got ready in the 17th century manor house, while Blake and the groomsmen readied themselves in one of the cottages. Selecting my dress was almost as easy as selecting the venue (and saying “Yes” to Blake!). I always envisioned myself in a form fitting lace dress with a little bit of a sexy flare. When I tried on my Jim Hjelm Blush gown at Garnish Boutique, it just spoke to me and I knew it was the one. Shortly thereafter, Blake’s mother offered to lend me the veil she wore when she married his father. Her vintage cathedral length lace edged Priscilla of Boston veil matched my gown perfectly and like so many things having to do with Blake and I, I knew it was meant to be.

A limousine transported the bridesmaids and I to the church the same church my grandparents were married in and where Blake and I were married in front of our friends and family. A classic Bentley carried the newlyweds back to the Combsberry Inn where our loved ones were waiting for us and enjoying a cocktail hour of fresh Maryland seafood, local wines and draft microbrews.

When Blake and I thought of how we wanted our wedding to feel, one phrase kept coming to mind: casual elegance. We both love to dress up and put on a great event, but our personalities are naturally very laid back and natural. Our goal was to have everyone dress up and look amazing, but feel as relaxed as if they were attending a summer bonfire on the beach. We were so inspired by the natural surroundings offered by the Inn’s location on the water that we knew wanted to keep the decorations in our crisp white tent at a minimum. Cream and ivory tablecloths covered alternating round and square tables that we paired with light wooded folding chairs. We kept the centerpieces simple, decorating with old law textbooks and mason jars that I wrapped with lace myself. Pink and white hydrangeas filled large mason jars while smaller jars held tea lights, creating a light romantic effect. Lace doilies, a play off of my dress, provided a base for the jars. I got a lot of my inspiration from Pinterest and thus we involved ourselves in several DIY projects, including making our own invitations and place cards and making the menu board for the oyster shucker and the bar. For the church, we made our own moss covered letters for the front doors and designed our own programs.

After several heartwarming toasts from friends, parents and siblings, the guests dined on a buffet of chicken chesapeake, ratatouille, and other organic, local dishes prepared by the local culinary school. We wanted to focus on local delicacies and ingredients and were very lucky to have been referred to some of the best vendors. The food was a big highlight of the event, especially the gentleman we hired to shuck fresh oysters during our cocktail hour. The emphasis on local food went a long way toward giving our local wedding the destination feel that we wanted for our guests.

Blake and I share a love of cupcakes that we decided to pass on to our guests, in lieu of a traditional wedding cake. We had a selection of a few of our favorite flavors made available from a local bakery that had recently opened. Not only were they a big hit at our reception, but we were able to take a few with us to snack on at the airport en route to our honeymoon!

As the reception wound down, we moved the party to one of the cottages at the Inn and kept it going until the sun came up the next day. We were even able to share some of nature’s wonder- the stars- with some of our guests from Korea who had not seen such a clear nights sky in years. The wonder of the entire night and all the love and support that was shared, right up until the sun came up the next morning, is a feeling that stays with us still. Many couples say that they never wanted their wedding to end, and Blake and I feel very blessed that we can say ours never did!

Ahh… the day after Thanksgiving. A time when both our stomachs AND our hearts are filled to the brim with awesome. It’s a day when we get to kick back, relax and soak in some of the prettiest weddings you will ever lay your eyes upon; weddings like this darling New Hampshire affair captured by Mary Costa Photography. With its cool fall hues and epically gorgeous ceremony setting, it’s like the perfect “extra” dose of Thanksgiving yumminess… and an amazing way to start your Friday. Click here for more.

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Lincolnshire Wedding Film from Ever After

From Mary Costa Photography… Abby and Adam had their first date in a coffee shop, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. These two are incredibly kind-hearted and put their loved ones first and foremost. They share a passion for sports, delicious food, and vintage bicycles. Although they live in Southern California, they got married in Amherst, New Hampshire, which happens to be both Abby’s and my hometown! Their day had sun-showers and rumbling thunder during their ceremony, but the weather held out. It was so special taking photos around our hometown center with this wonderful couple. LaBelle Winery provided the perfect backdrop for the rest of their day. Wishing Abby and Adam every joy!

The thing I love most about a good highlight film is the crescendo of emotions that always leaves me in the happiest tears, usually about 4 minutes into the film. It’s magical, I tell you. This film from Ever After has that special moment, but on top of that, it has the most amazing wedding at the center… in a castle… with rhyming toasts. I’m naming this one best ever.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/53327039 600 338]

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A Brunch Bar Cart by Charlotte Lane + A GIVEAWAY + A DISCOUNT!

From the stunning bride… Believe it or not, we had viewed 15 venues (yes, 15!) before booking Harlaxton Manor, and we really couldn’t have asked for more. It was really important to us that, even though we were having a civil service, the room we were getting married in had a special feel to it. When we saw their beautiful great hall, that was it for us. We mainly wanted a really classic winter wedding, but it was also important to bring out our personalities too and a little bit about how we met (which was through amateur dramatics!), so we planned for a few different fun things to happen throughout the day.

We both very much wanted a song to be part of our civil service, as music is very important to us, so we were delighted to start the service with Bring Me Sunshine! The lyrics were just perfect (“Make me happy through the years, Never bring me any tears, May your arms be as warm as the sun from up above, Bring me joy, Bring me Sunshine, Bring me love!” and everyone knew it and joined in. At the end, the order of service said, “Don’t forget the jazz hands”. Jonny and I turned round to find the whole congregation doing jazz hands back at us – it was such a joyful moment and set the tone for the ceremony we wanted. It was a pretty emotional service, with lots of tears and laughter; we were glad we had provided guests with handkerchiefs on the way in to the ceremony!

We also wanted to do something a bit different for our first dance, so worked on a full routine – with 2 choreographers even! We started off with a romantic dance to Adele – To Make You Feel My Love and then this cut off, as if the music was broken. To some gasps from the crowd, I pretended to get cross with Jonny before Let’s Face the Music and Dance kicked in and a routine involving jazz hands and a cane was begun! This was the biggest secret of the day that we kept from everyone else and we had an hilarious time with it.

We are very lucky to have some very talented friends and family, and really felt our wedding was a team effort, from poems written for us by my mum, to some amazing music, our wedding cake, the jam favours and the car Jonny arrived in; we were so touched by the support we received.

The professional team around us were also excellent. In particular, our videographers were fabulous – we had a same day edit which meant a short film of highlights of the day was ready to be played for our evening guests. We couldn’t believe how well this captured the day for us – it was just perfect! Our photographer Hannah was also just brilliant, we felt totally relaxed with her (she has some great practical tips such as how to get a cathedral length veil on!) and she captured our day better than we could have expected. The venue is so fabulous it didn’t need much doing to it, but we hired some gorgeous decorations from Perfect Details and again, felt this really made the day “ours”.

The run up to our wedding had been incredibly stressful, with changing job, moving house and then 4 family bereavements all within 2 months, but if anything, this made us appreciate the people we love more and made spending our wedding day surrounded by these people into a day better than we could have dreamed of.

Chances are you’re still feeling a little over-stuffed as a result of grandma’s famous mashed potatoes and dad’s delicious stuffing last night. And I’m assuming that the thought of an over-the-top breakfast is so far from appealing right now. Am I right? Enter: the Charlotte Lane brunch bar cart. Stocked to the brim with fresh juices, berry, yogurt, caffeinated beverages and of course, champagne. The best part? This entire look can be yours if you enter our GIVEAWAY (below!)

From Charlotte Lane… Bar carts are back in style for sure. They’re all the rage now in every home, but why not present a fun spin on the traditional boozing station? Our new company, Charlotte Lane, has introduced their new CL Home collection this month featuring many One-Of-A-Kinds, home pieces, and hand-painted paper goods as a Brunch Cart. And if you know us at all, you’d know that we never miss a brunch. Hosting the weekly feast at home is a must! We love to stock our bar cart with juices, champs (of course!) and the champagne flutes, a brunch bell (ring ring!), a neon mancala board (games are a must!), and many of the brightly adorned brass, glass, and wood pieces that make our event shine. We only wish that every day was Sunday.

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The kind folks at Charlotte Lane have offered to giveaway pretty much EVERYTHING you see here. Yep, it’s a brunch in a box and it can be yours!

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As an added bonus, to kick off your holiday shopping these sweet folks are offering 15% off of your entire purchase now until Sunday, December 1st. Simply enter SMP15 at checkout to redeem your discount! Happy holidays my dears! XOX

Photography: Paige Jones Photography | Styling: Simply Charming Socials | Home Decor + Paper Goods: Charlotte Lane

Jacquelyn Clark

Fall Engagement from Alea Lovely + Jill LaFleur

When Alea Lovely and Jill La Fleur sent over this cozy-as-can-be engagement shoot, I think we let out an office-wide gasp. Because no matter how many lovey dovey couples we’ve seen parade through the webpages of SMP, nothing (and I mean nothing) compares to the pretty we’re about to feast our eyes on this fine Black Friday morn’. So snag yourself a plate of those Turkey Day leftovers and cuddle up in the gallery right here.

From Jill LaFleur… I wanted a cozy fall in love in the fall engagement shoot…loved then pop of color her dress reminded me of the fall leaves. Loved it with her red hair. Natural hair/makeup so as not to out play the dress.

From Alea… Jill Lafleur is wonderful to work with. I had been looking forward to working with her since I met her at a Workshop Jose Villa did in California a couple years ago. The session was styled around fall colors with a air of holiday flavor. The red gown in contrast to the surroundings of the sand dunes , beach , lake and trail really set of the model’s red hair. Jill accessorized her well with a gorgeous leather vest that made her outfit a bit more edgy. The guy had a very nice gray jacket and hat that gave him a complimentary look, not to outshine the girl. Jill got together a sweet picnic for the couple with local treats for the couple enjoy at sunset before we rounded up their shoot and wrapped them in gorgeous pottery barn blankets.

Photography: Alea Lovely | Styling: La Fleur Weddings & Events | Dress: Teri Jon | Men's Attire: H&M | Location: Oso Flaco Lake

The Gathered Table Inspiration from Bare Root Flora

It’s one of our absolute favorite holidays around these parts and we so hope you are all getting set to enjoy a scrumptious meal with family and loved ones. While the turkey is a roasting and the stuffing is a baking have a look at this gorgeous inspiration crafted by A Vintage Affair, Bare Root Flora and Sarah Box Photography. It’s the perfect warm and inviting tablescape to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit. And Check out the gallery for all the inspiration you could possibly need. Happy Thanksgiving from Team SMP xoxo

An integral part of a wedding celebration is the gathering of loved ones around a table to share food and drink. We were inspired by the belief in the power of good food and good drink to connect people as family, friends, and a community—and what more could one ask for in the celebration of a new marriage? In this intimate shoot, we wanted to highlight this idea. We called it the gathered table–a gathering of beautiful things and beloved people.

One of Denver’s most celebrated restaurants, The Kitchen, served as the perfect venue for this gathering. One of The Kitchen’s missions is to create community through food—the name of the restaurant was chosen for its desire to act much like the kitchen in one’s home, a center of conversation and connection. We extended the feelings and warmth of the home kitchen to all areas of this wedding and brought in elements of cooking and beautiful edibles to serve as the backdrop for the celebration. To incorporate the feast right into the flowers, Bare Root Flora paired a gorgeous variety of blooms, including antique hydrangea and lush Sahara, Geraldine and Mother of Pearl roses, with all sorts of lush edibles, including artichokes, kale, pomegranates, persimmon, and lavender in a white porcelain vase. Accents of black privet, peruvian apple, and kiwi vine gave the centerpiece lush, yummy texture. Bud vases of rosemary and lavender and loose persimmon branches and pomegranates gave the entire table a harvest feel.

We knew immediately that our model, Brittany, was perfect for this shoot when we learned that she and her honey (the groom you see here) met when they were both chefs at the original Kitchen restaurant in Boulder, CO. Here, she wore a stunning deep champagne silk flowing gown called Amour by designer Sarah Seven, paired with a hand- beaded floral headpiece by Amanda Judge. Her bouquet was designed to evoke the kitchen-centric feel of the shoot, with its artichokes, kale, and pomegranates, accompanied by lush roses, ranunculus, antique hydrangea, Peruvian apple, black privet and other yummy flowers and foliages. We kept his boutonniere simple and appropos–lavender and rosemary.

The stationery was designed and calligraphed by Sally Balt of la Happy in pencil on off-white cotton Crane paper with hand deckled edges to give the paper goods a delicate, soft feel. The calligraphy was done in a modern, fresh, organic style. The invitation set includes cotton paper backed in taupe ticking fabric, hand stitched together. The napkins were made out of the same ticking fabric to give everything a cohesive look. The runner, designed and made by A Vintage Affair, was made out of soft peach chiffon, which allowed the richness of the wood table to come through. The escort cards, which doubled as a second favor, were charming wooden forks and spoons calligraphed with each guest’s name.

We did appetizers of delicious local cheeses and charcuterie along with seasonal fruits. For signature drinks we created a Raspberry Moscow Mule (ginger beer, a Colorado vodka, lime, and raspberries) and a Fancy Fig (prosecco, a Colorado vodka, figs, and thyme). As favors, we wrapped French apple tarts in parchment paper and included sweet recipe cards so guests could give them a try at home.

At its heart, a wedding really is a celebration of abundance–of love, family, food and memories. We hope this shoot will inspire couples as they gather around their own tables to create truly memorable and fabulous feasts.

A Whimsical Thanksgiving

At long last, Thanksgiving is upon us. And though we know it’s important to show our gratitude every day of the year, it feels especially special to have a full day dedicated to just that. So thank you, our loyal readers, for being so incredibly wonderful and supportive. We couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t want to do it without each and every one of you! And to show our thanks, we’re doing it the best we know how: with a whole lot of pretty. From Ruth Eileen and Poppy Loves Weddings, specifically. You may want to join us in the whimsical, picture-perfect, overflowing gallery.

From Maya from Poppy Love Weddings… The idea behind this shoot was of a newlywed couple’s first Thanksgiving dinner. Building new traditions together is what the holiday season is all about – gathering with family and friends, honoring the past and embracing your bright future. I was inspired by the brighter array of colors this fall and by the preppy casualness of a hunting lodge. I liked the idea of playing up the quirkiness factor by adding in animal portrait dinnerware, porcelain hedgies and hand crafted clay mushrooms atop mossy birch logs. A cedar branch table runner offered an earthy base for a delightful tablescape. The main centerpiece consisted of lovely porcelain doe & rabbit head vases and a large birch pot filled to the brim with hydrangea, dahlias, bells of Ireland thistle & brunia. A scattering of pinecones, deer antler sheds and spotted feathers provided the finishing touches.

I imagined inviting your guests to enjoy a delicious feast beside a forest pond, building a toasty bonfire complete with flannel blankets and tossed pillows, then serving up tempting seasonal treats like maple glazed donut holes (they look so pretty piled up on a cake platter!) and hot apple cider.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Event Design: Poppy Loves Weddings | Floral Design: Poppy Loves Weddings | Doe & Deer Head Vases And Porcelain Hedgehogs: Anthropologie | Forest Animal Place Card Holders: Pottery Barn | Lantern Tealight Holders: Jamali Garden | Table Linens, Dinnerware, And Flatware: West Elm

Jacquelyn Clark

Spring Sydney Photoshoot from Chanele Rose Flowers & Styling + Jenny Sun Photography

Just try to look at this adorable shoot from Chanele Rose Flowers & Styling and Jenny Sun Photography and not smile. I’d go as far as to say that it’s basically impossible. It’s an instant heart warmer, and filled with so much inspiration I don’t even know where to start. From the blooms to the bouffants, this gallery is packed to the gills with pretty, and you can see it all here.

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From Chanele Rose Flowers & Styling…This was a Grand collaboration with some very special Sydney Wedding Vendors put together as a Bridal Inspiration photo shoot inspired by the fabulous Miss Audrey Hepburn.

We wanted to Bring to life a Modern Day Hepburn meets Cary Grant Spring styled wedding!! Of course our Cary Grant is a much Younger and more stylish version and we added a lot more fun and colourful props and florals into the mix.

Together with Sydney’s best Wedding photographers- Jenny Sun and Fashion stylist Tamara Eason from My private Tailor we concocted this gorgeous and fun shoot. We were lucky enough to have Reymond Villa Senor from Creative Media Agency along all the way from the U.S also with us on the day to film an awesome behind the scenes video clip.

Turks and Caicos Wedding from R Wagner Photography + Ever Swoon

I’m a cold weather girl through and through so these frigid temps are like music to my bones, but today’s wedding in Turks and Caicos has me wondering if I’ve got it all backwards. The beach is so beautiful, the colors so vibrant, and the drinks are so deserving of an umbrella that I am craving some sand, some love, and a pretty party planned by the super talented Ever Swoon. R Wagner Photography, you might have the best job ever, if this wedding has anything to say about it!

Colors

Seasons