Before we send you off on your Thanksgiving travels (although we’ll be posting tomorrow!), we thought we’d leave you with a wedding that will stick with you for awhile. Styled to perfection by the super talented Tori of Sitting in a Tree with the fabulous Smog Shoppe setting the stage, it’ll will be hard to shake this beauty from your brain (and you won’t want to). Sprinkle in some florals from The Little Branch and add in the stunning images from rad and in love, and we are officially sending you off in style. See every moment here.

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From the Bride… For our wedding we never wanted anything traditional – we just wanted something that felt like us. We didn’t want to get married in a banquet room because that felt too impersonal, so when we found the SmogShoppe we knew we were on to the right start. It is such an eclectic space. We loved the succulent wall and all the trinkets and character it had. With a lot of venues you have to bring in a ton of stuff, but with the SmogShoppe a lot of that was already there. But most importantly it was the right fit for us. So this was where we started. Weddings at the SmogShoppe can sometimes look more low key so we thought it would be cool to have a formal wedding in a relaxed space. We actually had a lot of trouble finding what we wanted in terms of inspiration both on online blogs and in magazines. Because it was less traditional there wasn’t a lot we could show our vendors that other couples had done before. We were the couple who walked into the florist and said “no peonies, no pink, and no purple”. The first thing we did was hire all our vendors. We wanted to get the people we liked best and not have to worry about if they were booked already. So we hired everyone really early on. Tori, our coordinator, was such a huge help on this. She sent us different options (all amazing) and we chose who we used. We really went by what we could afford and if we got along with them. All of our vendors were AMAZING and I would recommend them tenfold to anyone looking. Here’s why we liked each of them:

Photographer: We liked Rad and In Love because they weren’t the traditional look and feel of a wedding. Their photos looked like they were out of the 60s or 70s and we really liked that. They shoot in both digital, on film, and with polaroids. I never noticed them during the wedding, but they didn’t miss a moment.

Florist: We are obsessed with The Little Branch! We thought that we would hate picking out the flowers the most, but turned out it was one of our favorite parts. The Little Branch really got what we were looking to do. Their prices are SO reasonable, and they are just two really cool girls. We were looking to do terrariums. We kept saying we wanted them really Tim Burtonesque. Not only did they get our vision, but they kept it really classy. How many florists could do weird terrariums in a beautiful way? They totally blew us away. The floral arrangements were so perfect. And all of our guests kept asking to take them home with them.

Caterer: So The Vetted Table is probably the BEST caterer you could get for your wedding. Juan (the owner) cares so much about what he is doing and the food he’s giving to your guests that it really shows. It’s been over a month since our wedding and people are still talking about our food. They went above and beyond to make sure our guests needs were met. Their prices are fair and reasonable, and they were so on top of everything.

DJ: Austin is just a super cool guy who knows music. We made a huge list of things we liked and didn’t like for him and he really followed it. He can get music wirelessly so if you forget something and want to hear it last minute you can.

Photo Booth: Flaashbox was great. They brought a bunch of different props for people to use. Everyone seemed to congregate around the photobooth all night, and judging from the photos, it seems like all our guests really enjoyed it too..

Planner: Sitting in a Tree is not your typical wedding coordinator. They recommended all of our amazing vendors, and helped with some of the design aspects. They put some great touches on our wedding. They really brought each place setting together for us. The napkins, newspaper placemats, name card and photobooth picture of us thanking our guest for coming were all them.

As far as our wedding goes we wanted to make it as special as we could. I think little touches really made that happen. Every guest kept commenting on how much the wedding felt like us and how many small details they’d noticed that we had put together. One of my favorite things we brought in were the Mr & Mrs vintage lights. They really fit the vibe of the SmogShoppe and added warmth to the room. We had my brother marry us which was probably the best decision of the entire wedding. He spent so much time writing and memorizing a beautiful ceremony. On a day that flies by where you barely remember anything, his marrying us will be something that we will never forget.

Half of the wedding guests came from out of town (and a few from the other side of the world) to help us celebrate. We were so touched by the love, warmth and generosity of everyone who shared this amazing moment in our lives.

Photography: Rad + In Love | Event Design: Sitting In A Tree Events | Event Planning: Sitting In A Tree Events | Floral Design: THE LITTLE BRANCH | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Catering: MIHO | hair and makeup: 10.11 Makeup | DJ: Austin Hendrix Productions | Photo Booth: flashbox | Smog Shoppe: Marvimon

There are two things that I could not, would not, ever want to live without: good food, and fabulous friends. And when you pair the two together, in a wide open field in the middle of fall no less, you’re basically speaking my love language. Beautifully designed by Celeste Greene and exquisitely captured by Brumley and Wells, this is one event that you may want to bookmark for future reference. Oh, and the gallery? It’s chalk full of great ideas. 

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From Celeste Greene… This harvest dinner shoot was a vision I dreamt up three years ago and have been thinking about it ever since. This year, my friends, collaborators and I decided to put it into action! I wanted to create a earthy but elegant feeling in the middle of the tall grass, rock cliffs and trees turning their colors for fall while capturing the last of our garden’s bounty.

The table was made using logs for legs and and old wooden table top. The benches used for seating were handmade by a local carpenter. The potato sack napkins were hand dyed with red tea for the light amber color. A pinecone garland was strung along the center of the table around hand made beeswax candles in mason jars. The food was simple, handmade pizzas, salads and decadent hot buttered rums. In other words? Perfection.

Photography: Brumley & Wells | Event Design: Celeste Greene: Sustainable Event Design | Baked Goods: Serious Delights Bakery | Benches: Fuller Style | Vintage Rentals: Heirlooms

Tuscan weddings can be hard. The countryside is so beautiful in that part of Italy (ahem, ALL of Italy) so it really is a task to build a beautiful wedding that stands next to the stunning country, both complementing it and living up to it. But as we see with this fairy tale soiree, if you’ve got Efffetti Wedding Planners & Events in Tuscany on your side, you have nothing to worry about. Studio Bonon Photography’s images of the day show a wedding that is nothing short of perfect under that beautiful Tuscan sun.

From the planner… Daria and Paolo decided to have a destination wedding in Tuscany, even if for them it was just 4 hours drive, this meant a lot more to think about, compared to a close-to-home wedding. Daria wanted a fairy tale unique wedding whose theme was just “pink heart” … so she asked Efffetti Wedding Planners in Tuscany for a full planning of their wedding in Tuscany. They were suggested to celebrate their marriage at the Castle of Santa Maria Novella, a castle built in the 1100 and only recently rented for private events. This granted the uniqueness of the venue and the glam of an ancient and historical luxury venue. The location impressed Daria and Paolo immediately. All of their guests were able to sleep at the castle and could experience a weekend of pure luxury and a jump into the past.

The ceremony was held in the lawn of the castle involving the bridesmaid the groomsman two of the other friends and the 3 kids of the couple who all together performed the sand ceremony… ending with the little one playing with the sand…

The wedding celebrant was provided by the team of Italian Wedding Celebrants and the minister is also a close friend to the couple. The ceremony was so touching and most of the readers, the couple and guests were so emotional throughout the marriage.

The mum of the bride worked with Efffetti to create a nicely heart shaped “tableau de mariage” (sitting plan, each table had the name of a place where the couple had been on vacation), some stationery, favours (little bottles of home made “Cedrina” an Italian liquor similar to Limoncello which she prepared last winter, plus the typical Italian “Confettata” table (a table where guests favours and several types of Italian Confetti Candies (sugared almonds or flavoured creams covered with candied sugar) are placed to be offered to the guests at the end of the party. Simone Bertini Flower Designer built the special marquee with flowers for the ceremony and the bridal bouquet. Efffetti made all the rest including table decorations. The team of Studio Bonon Photography took amazing shots even from the top of the towers hanging on the top to make aerial pictures of the venue and of the couple.

Photography: Studio Bonon Photography | Wedding Planner: Efffetti Wedding in Tuscany & Italy | Ceremony Venue: Castello Di Santa Maria Novella | Reception Venue: Castello Di Santa Maria Novella | Catering: Leonardo Catering | Groom's Attire: Alberto Sposo | Bridal Gown: Clara Couture | Bridal Shoes: Giglielmo Rotta | Cake Design: :a Foresta di Zucchero | Flower Designer: Simone Bertini | HairStyle: Vanità Poggibonsi | Table Decorations: Efffetti Wedding in Tuscany & Italy | Wedding Celebrant: Italian Wedding Celebrants

Hey there, Pretty Brides! Devon Rachel here for another Devon Says I Do. The engagement shoot can be one of the most difficult steps in your wedding planning process. Where to shoot? What to shoot? What to wear? It can be a stressful process, but the moments captured will be so worth it, and you’ll have a cute pictures to hold onto forever! I teamed up with Tim & Co. Motion Pictures to address all of my concerns in a little Q&A video plus styled three example looks to get you inspired!

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Outfit 1: Something cozy

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A pretty but cozy look is a must for engagement shoots. Because you have to capture the “rolling around on a blanket in the field” vibe, and this look is perfect for it! I love a great sweater cape as an option—and nothing is more chic than all white! Go for a classic look in this picture, something you’ll feel comfortable in.

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Outfit 2: Something with movement

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When you’re picking outfits for an engagement shoot, think movement. How gorgeous are the pictures of girls with fabric blowing around their bodies in the wind? They are way gorgeous. Think angelic! This long kimono by BCBG would make for the perfect laid back yet ‘blowing in the wind’ look. I’m thinking about a long dress, too.

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Outfit 3: Something you would wear on a date

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This would be your chance to wear that adorable dress you’ve needed an occasion for. Wear something that makes you feel sexy and confident for this dressy look. Think cinched waists! Show off that hourglass figure or create one.

Remember: it’s extremely important to stay true to your own style in the process of engagement shoots, but you also want to keep the look timeless. Never pick something too trendy. I have a problem with buying too many trendy pieces—learn from my mistakes, girls!

We shot our engagement pictures yesterday and I cannot wait to share the images with you next week! We went with a 60’s theme, keeping classic elements throughout. Stay tuned next week for the big reveal! xoxo

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Film: Tim & Co. Motion Pictures | Styling: Devon Rachel | Outfit 1: Top: Gap | Pants: Gap | Ring: Samantha Wills | Bracelets: Kate Spade | Heels: TJ Maxx  | Outfit 2: Kimono: BCBG | Jeans: J Brand | Tee: Gap | Necklace: Samantha Wills | Heels: O’Neill |  Outfit 3: Dress: Anthropologie | Belt: Anthropologie | Heels: Zara

Being a California girl, I have often fantasized about, though never tasted, apple cider doughnuts from apple farms on the East Coast. Inspired by these delicious-sounding morsels, I whipped up a batch of apple cinnamon beignets, studded with diced fresh apple that goes wonderfully soft during cooking, warm cinnamon and nutty brown butter. Although these beignets were fantastic with an ample dusting of confectioners’ sugar, when paired with a decadent apple cider caramel dipping sauce, they’re unreal.

For anyone who may have been put off by caramel recipes in the past – this one is foolproof – no thermometer or burnt sugar mishaps here – simply cook apple cider over medium high heat until it reduces significantly, and then swirl in some butter and a bit of salt. The result is a slightly tart, apple-flavored caramel sauce, which would be amazing drizzled over ice cream and apple pie, or packaged in simple Weck jars for the perfect holiday hostess gift. For more recipes, head on over to my blog Fleur de Sel!

Lindsay GehmanApple Cinnamon Beignets with Apple Cider Caramel Dipping SauceUnreal beignets dipped in a fail-proof caramel sauce

prep time 20 Minute/s

cook time 20 Minute/s

total time 40 Minute/s

Serves 4Ingredients

• FOR THE BEIGNETS:
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• Vegetable oil for frying {I used about 1 quart}
• Confectioners' sugar {optional}
• FOR THE APPLE CIDER CARAMEL SAUCE
• 2 cups apple cider {I used Martinelli's}
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. FOR THE BEIGNETS:
2. Place butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until butter turns brown and starts to smell nutty. Keep an eye on it as it can easily and quickly burn. Immediately pour into a separate small bowl to prevent overcooking. Set aside and let cool.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add milk, brown butter, and vanilla. Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together until just combined {do not overmix}. Fold in apples.
4. Heat a couple of inches of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once oil reaches 375ºF on an electric thermometer, drop teaspoons of batter into the hot oil, six or eight at a time. If you don't have an electronic thermometer, test the heat of the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil; if it sizzles immediately and rises to the top, the oil is ready; if it burns quickly, lower the heat. Once the beignets are browned on one side, use a spider or a slotted spoon to flip them over. Cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes total.
5. Remove the beignets from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Keep warm in a 200°F. oven. Once all beignets are finished, dust with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve with apple cider caramel sauce.
6. FOR THE SAUCE:
7. While beignets are cooking, boil cider in a medium saucepan over high heat until mixture reduces to 1/3 cup - about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn heat to medium low and swirl in butter and sea salt. Cook 2 minutes more and then remove from heat. Mixture will thicken as it cools.

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Photography & Recipe: Fleur de Sel

This wedding, my dears, is an absolute burst of sunshine. You can almost feel the crispness in the air and the warmth touching the beautiful Oregon countryside. Sprinkle in the brightest pinks and corals from Jeanni’s Garden and we’ve got one of the happiest galleries around, thanks to Amanda Marie Studio!

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From Amanda Marie Studio… Emily and Brian are a fun loving couple who love the outdoors, snowboarding and the country. Their amazing wedding was situated in the heart of the Willamette Valley, surrounded by old growth douglas furs, wide open fields, Christmas tree farms and amazing vineyards. The couple’s vision was a simple garden theme bursting with pinks, corals, golds and greens. Their elegant flower bouquets and Emily’s gorgeous headpiece added a whimsical feel to their style which complimented their entire aesthetic perfectly! The highlights of their evening were definitely the “shoe” game, and capturing her amazing Grandparents busting out some amazing moves on the dance floor!

Photography: Amanda Marie Studio | Floral Design: Jeanni's Garden | Wedding Dress: The Bridal Gallery Of Salem, OR | Cake: Sarah Puls (Cousin Of The Bride) | Bridesmaids Dresses: ModCloth | Catering: Valley Catering | Makeup: Tricia Deardorff | Hair: Raechelle Blackman | DJ: Alpine Productions | Wedding Venue: Paradise Springs | Cake Topper: The First Snow | Headpiece: Twigs & Honey

It’s crazy to think that you could meet the love of your life at the ripe old age of five, but for this beautiful bride, that’s exactly how it happened.  One minute she’s making friends at Montessori School and the next minute, she’s meeting her future husband.  And even though she didn’t know it at the time, fate (or Cupid) was setting up a lifetime of family vacations and BBQ’s with the most amazing wedding celebration capping it all off at the end.  That’s true love right there, SMPers… and you can see every last minute captured by Two Foxes Photography right here.

From Two Foxes Photography… Jason and Eileen hosted this gorgeous event at the downright spectacular private estate of Eileen’s uncle – a beautiful timber home situated on several acres of Truckee mountain land. The couple’s closest family and friends traveled all lengths of distances to celebrate their union and the bride’s cousin acted as the officiant. This awesome bride went bananas on DIY projects!! The old ladder with each escort tag individually tied on with burlap string, the custom stamped flags that hung throughout the site with the couple’s initials and sweet words, the hundreds of succulents planted in their custom built planter boxes, paper flags, fabric flags, just married flags, oh my! We also loved the Spanish overtones that the bride chose to compliment her rustic mountain wedding, including the amazing paella feast, delicate tissue paper flags, and bright orange paper fans (which came in handy for guests in the hot temps). The bride also put her bridal party to work several weeks pre-wedding assembling and freezing over 500 empanadas for guests to nibble on during cocktail hour- talk about dedication!! The succulents were uniquely and tastefully done in custom built rustic planter boxes which adorned the long family-style tables (yes, the bride planted each one herself!) We love how she also managed to sneak in a pop of orange into almost every facet of the wedding (we especially loved the idea of using mandarin Cuties and sewing pins to display the place cards).

What made this wedding extra special to capture was the sweet sweet love story these two share. Jason told us that he has always loved Eileen and would’ve waited his entire life for her. Jason was pretty much the happiest man we had ever met on his wedding day and it was an honor to be a part of their celebration.

From the Bride… Jason and I met many years ago… may sound crazy, but I was actually five years old!! My sister Rose and I were enrolled in the same Montessori school as Jason’s younger brothers, David and Jonathan. Jason’s mom and my mom became very close friends and soon our families were doing everything together, from weekly barbeques at the beach to summer vacations! We were always in each other’s lives in some way or another, but the timing for a relationship was never right. Fast forward to 2011, Jason and I crossed paths again, and finally the timing made sense! We dated for about a year before getting engaged and the rest is history!

As far as my process behind the wedding, it honestly all came together pretty organically as we went along. I always knew I wanted to get married outside, and I envisioned lots of little white lights and white candles. When I first started planning, I had no clue what I wanted our ‘theme’ to be, I just knew I wanted the color orange (my favorite) to be involved. A nice neutral like gray tied it all together.

I also always knew I wanted to use succulents rather than flowers, as they can last long after the wedding is over (you can plant them in your garden as a sweet reminder of the day, or give them to guests/family!).  Once I had our color palate down, I felt myself drawn towards a more earthy and rustic theme – succulents, reclaimed centerpieces and wooden signs that I knew I would use.

As for food, I always knew I wanted to serve paella at my wedding. My mom, sister and I all lived in Spain and my mom learned to cook traditional paella when she lived there, and so we grew up eating it! I loved the idea of having some Spanish flair in our wedding, which came out in the form of the food and hints in our decor. The white papel picado that we hung on our altar, my moms very dear friend actually bought in Spain when I was born and wrote a little note on them saying that they were for my wedding when I grew up!

I feel that everything just came together once I had those specific things nailed down (the Spanish accents, the succulents, and orange, of course). Overall, I was so happy with the final outcome and feel like Jason and I got everything we wanted and it was the perfect day for us.

Photography: Two Foxes Photography | Event Design + Planning: E Events Co. | Wedding Dress: St. Patrick-La Sposa | Shoes: Tory Burch | Rings: Dell Williams Jewelers | Bridesmaids Dresses: Henkaa | Caterer: Addy's Paella | Make Up: Jill Briggs With Beauty Box Makeup Arts | Hair: Krystle Tanton | DJ: Cope Entertainment | Centerpiece Planter Boxes and Wood Signs: The Alibi Interior Creations | Florals + Day Of Coordination: Blooming Soiree | Groom + Groomsmen Suit: Vera Wang | Hand-piece Jewelry + Bride's Bouquet Locket: Rose Inez | Private Residence: Private Residence | Succulents: Succulent Gardens

There’s a reason that I happen to love fall weddings, and that reason is glaringly obvious in this sweet Saskatchewan affair.  Soft fall hues, crisp, cool weather and a crazy gorgeous “I do” celebration?  That’s what I call a guaranteed day of lovely, my friends.  And when that lovely day is combined with some fabulous fall stylings (think DIY paper florals and mason jar centerpieces) and a bride and groom who could NOT be cuter?  Even better.  See it all captured by Prairie Lane Photography right here.

From the Bride… Our wedding day was absolutely perfect. From the ceremony through to the final dance, we were filled with joy and surrounded by love. The décor, which was such a true representation of both of us, came together effortlessly. The fall weather cooperated and made for a warm afternoon in the sun with our fantastic bridal party. It was a blessing to have all of our friends and family there to share in the celebration – we were overwhelmed with the love and support of our guests. It truly was the happiest day of our lives!

Noah and I first met more than ten years ago when he was playing CIS volleyball with my older brother. My family often went to watch his volleyball games and I knew Noah as the tallest boy on the team. He came to live at my parents’ farm to work in the summer of 2007 and I didn’t think much of it. He was done with university and I was still in high school; I was his buddy’s little sister and he was my brothers much older friend – nothing more. He was a great family friend and sparks didn’t fly between us until three years later when I was finishing university. I ran into him one evening at the bar, gave him a big hug, and introduced him to my friends as “Noah, the boy I’m going to marry!” We soon began dating and two years later were engaged to be married.

I bought Noah tickets to see George Strait for Christmas 2012 and the concert was in North Dakota so we planned a quick weekend trip to the States. We were on our way back home and had to pass through the tiny town of Rugby, North Dakota. Noah had done his research and realized this small town was actually the Geographical Centre of North America. We stopped to take pictures at the landmark and it was there that Noah proposed!

My best moment of the day was after supper, during the program, when one of our groomsman surprised us with a song he had prepared. I listened to him sing and was brought to tears as I stopped and took in that special moment. I looked around the room and realized that every person we loved was there with us, and all of our preparations had finally come together to create the most wonderful day of our lives.

My favorite wedding detail was the décor. From the mason jars to the antique wooden doors to the antlers, it was all such a true representation of Noah and me.

Photography: Prairie Lane Photography | Ceremony: Denzil Sacred Heart Church | Reception: Macklin Communiplex | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Le Chateau | Favors & Flowers: Michaels | Groom's Tux: Tommy Hilfiger | Groomsmen: Tip Top Tailors | Invitations & Stationery: Vista Print | Music: Amped Prodcutions

First and foremost, can I just tell you how thrilled I am that we now have a place for Virginia weddings to shine? They always have this lovely way of making my heart flutter, and now we are revel in all that pretty right here on the Mid Atlantic blog. So before you head off into your (hopefully long) Thanksgiving weekend, join me in cozying up with this quintessential Virginia wedding. One that inspired this very blog. One that is so pretty, so perfectly captured by Morgan Trinker, so filled with the sweetest blooms this side of the Mississippi by Beehive Events, and one that makes me oh-so-thankful Virginia weddings found a place on SMP. See it all here.

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From Morgan Trinker…You may remember Heather and Franklin from their Mad Men-inspired engagement session you featured on your Facebook page last year. If so, it probably won’t come as any surprise that their wedding was equally as stylish and gorgeous! Though these two now call Los Angeles home, they’re both from Charlottesville, Virginia originally and have known each other for most of their lives. In fact, growing up, their families were very close to each other, but Heather and Franklin didn’t start dating until Heather was in college, and they’ve been together ever since!

Their vision for their wedding day was rustic-meets-Gatsby-garden-party, and Castle Hill Cider was the perfect backdrop for such a glamorous affair. Their event planner, Dickie Morris, helped bring all the details together beautifully, from the art deco-inspired invitation suite, to the fresh oysters served out of a canoe during cocktail hour, to the lovely, colorful garden florals adorning everything from the tables to the flower girls’ hair. One of Heather’s good friends (and bridesmaids!) is Caroline Z. Hurley, whose geometric hand-stamped linens have recently been getting a lot of attention from design powerhouses like Domino Magazine and Design*Sponge. As a wedding gift to the couple, she created stunning table runners for the reception. The gold geometric pattern was a perfect counterpart to the soft, romantic florals and ornate candelabras on the tables. As a nod to Heather and Franklin’s careers in television and film (he’s a writer, and she’s an actress), they had a red carpet step-and-repeat photo booth at the cocktail hour and used the titles of their favorite T.V. series instead of traditional table numbers.

Even though there was a rain delay, the weather cooperated just long enough for these two to have the outdoor ceremony under a huge gorgeous tree they had been dreaming of. And if the amount of tears shed was any indication, everyone present was thankful it had turned out just as they had hoped.

Photography: Morgan Trinker | Cinematography: Shaking Hands Productions | Event Design: Just A Little Ditty | Florist: Beehive Events | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Invitations: Landis Stationery | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Catering: A Pimento Catering | DJ: Greg Tutwiler | Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Cider | Ceremony Music And Cocktail Hour: Art Wheeler | Ceremony Musicians: Philip Clark String Quartet | Hair and Makeup Artist: Lora Kelley | Musician Provider: Tutti Musicale | Reception Musicians: The Adrian Duke Project | Rentals: Beehive Events | Rentals: Stonegate Event Rentals | Table Linens: Caroline Z. Hurley

We love, love, love The Nichols around these parts, and it’s easy to see why after you take a peek at all the pretty below. They have this amazing way of capturing weddings that make you feel like you were right there, celebrating the stylish couple with champagne in hand. And oh what a wedding this one would have been to attend, because not only is is packed with pretty from amazing vendors like Wayfarers’s Creative, The Left Handed Calligrapher and Sprout, but it’s also just about as sweet as they come. See why we can’t stop gushing here.

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From the Bride…Eli and I selected Mansefeldt Ranch in Cherry Spring for our ceremony and reception. The private estate holds special meaning for us, as we reconnected at a friend’s wedding there six years ago almost to the day. We wanted our wedding to be a reflection of our Texas Hill Country roots and both of our personalities. Eli loves boots, beer, and barbeque, while I lean toward champagne, chandeliers, and fine china. Even though our tastes could be considered opposite, they somehow compliment each other perfectly. I’ve always been drawn to the combination of pairing something very rustic with something equally elegant, from home decor to fashion. Our wedding style evolved quite effortlessly, simply by choosing items we liked, and embracing the juxtaposition of these two themes.

Eli and I share a love of hunting – we used deer antlers from my family’s ranch for decor throughout the venue. Rugged shed horns and burlap table runners were paired with mismatched vintage china, mercury glass votives, and lush, ruffly floral arrangements on the guest tables. My mother and I love all things vintage and enjoy collecting antiques. Many of the treasures we have gathered over the years found their way into our decor – metal arrows used for outdoor signage, shabby chic wooden frames for calligraphy chalkboards, a rusty bed spring for escort cards, a sewing machine drawer for wedding programs, silver trays and glass cake pedestals for tiny pies, etc. Hay bales from my family’s ranch were covered with my mother’s heirloom quilts for additional outdoor seating. We rented vintage church pews and a large crystal chandelier for the outdoor ceremony held beneath two large live oak trees, and vintage furniture for the cocktail hour in the old rock sheep barn. My mom and I bonded over the 16 months of planning, and thoroughly enjoyed weaving the details of our antique chic vision into reality. We were able to relax the day of the wedding, knowing every design element would be perfectly executed by our fabulous weekend-of coordinator and wonderful florist.

Eli and I had many favorite moments on our wedding day. Among my favorites was immediately following the ceremony, the first few minutes we shared as a married couple. I remember my heart being filled with pure joy and wedded bliss as we were surrounded by our closest family and friends congratulating us. Eli says his favorite moment was seeing me for the first time on that day, walking down the aisle toward him, that he could not wait for me to get to him, to hold my hand and begin the ceremony.

From The Nichols …Just wanted to mention another thoughtful detail–Hilary and Eli incorporated crowns into their decor as the cake topper, etc. since Eli’s last name (and now Hilary’s) is King.

Also, how adorable is the giant bow that Hilary added to her dress for the reception? Too cute.

Photography: Nichols Photographers | Videography: 31FILMS | Coordinator: Jasper Eisenberg | Floral Design: Sprout | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Sophie's Bakery | Reception Venue: Mansefeldt Ranch | Catering: August E's | Make-Up: Rae Cosmetics | Hair: Lucy Skyrocket | Calligrapher: Wayfarer's Creative | Band: Mike and the Moonpies | Venue: Mansefeldt Ranch | Calligrapher (Invitations): The Left Handed Calligrapher | Ceremony Musicians: Hill Country Strings | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals | Vintage Rentals: Sisters Vintage Party

Hawaii is one of those places where inspiration is literally dripping from every nook and cranny.  Where fabulous locales, pretty, pretty details and breathtaking scenery exists on every corner of every city.  It’s a place that is just begging for beautiful weddings, and when a talented team of vendors joins forces for an inspiration love-fest like this crazy awesome shoot, it’s a day that we can’t wait to share with all of you here at SMP.  See every moment captured by Weddings by Willy & Meghan right here in the full gallery.

The Story… The wedding took place on a rainy cold day but just as the bride was ready to walk down the aisle, a miracle happened and the clouds parted so the ceremony could be bathed in beautiful Hawaiian sunshine! The bride wore her mother’s wedding gown in vintage lace that went perfectly with the rustic ranch theme. Dillingham Ranch is a historical ranch established in 1887 by one of Hawaii’s first railroad tycoons Franklin Dillingham. Now they use the beautiful space for weddings and events. The theme of the wedding was rustic elegance set amidst lush Hawaiian tropical jungle. The decor details included mason jars with luggage tags for guests to write their names. They also had photo booth with custom made signs for wahine (girl in Hawaiian) and cowboys! Guests favors were little jars filled with nuts with handmade labels.

Photography: Weddings By Willy & Meghan | Dress: Vintage | Cake: Friend Of The Family | Makeup: Friend Of The Family | Venue: Dillingham Ranch | Flowers And Event Styling: Passion Roots | Photo Styling: Weddings By Willy & Meghan | Photo Styling: Seasons of Life Events | Rentals: Pacific Party Rental | Speciality Linens: Chair Cover Express | Wooden Tables: Event Essentials

I love a good surprise. I’m awful at pulling them off! But I sure do like them. So when I read that this sweet couple surprised their entire guest list with a wedding that no one knew was happening? I was bursting with excitement and quite honestly, impressed beyond words. Of course, Lovestru.ck Weddings + Events was there to help pull off every pretty detail, while The Mullers snapped up every jaw-dropping moment. Join in all the fun right here in the gallery and don’t miss the look on the guests faces in the film by Creative Films!

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From Lovestru.ck… I have known Jocelyn since the first day she opened her bridal salon in Omaha. Since then, we’ve shared in helping multiple brides get married in the Midwest. I knew Jocelyn had been dating her boyfriend, Paul, for nearly fourteen years, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked me this past summer to help plan her wedding. But Jocelyn did have a trick up her sleeve. No one knew Paul and Jocelyn were actually engaged. She wanted her nuptials to be a complete surprise for her guests.

Jocelyn set a date for three months after our initial planning meeting, so we quickly got to work. The bride-to-be wanted her wedding to feel timeless, but we knew we had to come up with fresh and innovative design concepts for Jocelyn who is constantly surrounded by wedding details in her line of work. We drew inspiration from notable dress designers and threw in some highly-personal details along with a few whimsical touches. The french blue and opal color palette was inspired by two Amsale bridesmaid dresses carried in Jocelyn’s store. We even ordered extra Amsale fabric to make a custom linen for the cake table.

One of the hardest decisions for Jocelyn to make was her gown selection. After brainstorming many options, she choose a gorgeous gown from Kelly Faetanini, a newly acquired line at her store. The fit-to-flare gown had a sweetheart neckline and was covered in a stunning gilded guipure lace. We soon realized we had to be very strategic about how we planned the couple’s wedding. The goal was to gather guests at a cocktail lounge under the pretense that Paul was going to surprise Jocelyn and propose to her in front of all of their family and friends. Once guests arrived at the cocktail hour, they would learn that the couple was actually getting married that night and be shuttled to the church and back to a reception at an art gallery across the street from the cocktail lounge.

Inclosed Studio created invitations for the cocktail hour/surprise engagement. Jocelyn loves stationery, so she wanted the invitation to be a work of art, but they had to be designed with more masculine touches as the invitation had to look like it was coming from Paul. In order to give Jocelyn the invitation suite she’s always dreamed of, we decided to use stationery to reveal the evening’s true intentions. Inclosed created a gorgeous invitation along with an paper accordion that was filled with the evening’s timeline, the ceremony program, and each guest’s escort card. We attached the envelope bundles to a floating wall, and prompted guests to grab their marked envelope as they entered the cocktail hour. I was so glad Creative Films was able to capture many of the guests’ astonished reactions.

After guests picked their jaws up off the floor, they grabbed a drink at the bar as they waited for the shuttles to the ceremony. We bundled chicken salad sandwiches on mini croissants and sweet potato chips in boxes for guests to eat on the bus ride and to tide them over during the couple’s catholic ceremony. The element of surprise created a palpable energy in the church, as just over one hundred guests witnessed Jocelyn and Paul’s nuptials. After the ceremony, the newlyweds exited the church through a tunnel of sparklers and rode to their reception in a 51 Chevy Convertible.

Guests were once again surprised as they entered the reception. Blooms and Bouquets transformed the art gallery with gorgeous chiffon draping and clusters of chandeliers. Guests were offered a Wedding Cake Cocktail made of vanilla vodka, ginger ale, and fresh raspberry as they found their seats. The table numbers were marked by different years the couple had dated as well as a fun memory from each year. Attitude on Food served a delicious family-style meal to all of the guests. The couple chose to serve their wedding cake a la mode in honor of their late fathers who often shared their love of ice cream with their children after dinner. The bride and groom both love donuts, so we created a wall of donuts for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. We gladly turned a blind eye as the groom’s nephews decided to have pre-dinner donut.

Usually we deem a wedding successful based on the guest experience and the flow of the evening, but we felt extremely proud to help Jocelyn and Paul achieve their top secret mission of throwing a surprise wedding without a hitch!

Photography: The Mullers | Videography: Creative Films | Event Design + Planning: Lovestru.ck | Cake: Happy Hollow Country Club | Stationery: inclosed stationery and letterpress shop | Church: Our Lady Of Lourdes | Reception: Anderson O'Brien Fine Art | Jewelry: Mark Edward | Catering: Attitude on Food | Makeup: Blush Makeup Artistry | Hair: Kontempo | Bridal Gown: Ready Or Knot | Cocktail Hour: J's on Jackson | Personal Flowers: Hy-Vee | Reception Florist/Draping: Blooms And Bouquets | Rentals: AAA Rents | Sparklers: Aerial FX

With its clean lines and modern style, it’s no surprise that the Bride behind this North Carolina beauty is an architect. She and her talented team of vendors transformed the North Carolina Arboretum into a magical space that I am sure wowed her guests – and now, through the equally gorgeous images from Bamber Photography, we get to be wowed too. See them all here.

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From Bamber Photography…Kelly is an architect so one of the biggest challenges was locating a venue that fit her vision. She wanted something that had lines, was visually appealing in light and structure. It took 3 visits to determine that The Baker Center at the North Carolina Arboretum could be transformed to fit the Classic and Modern theme.

Monochromatic white with touches of gold, draping, lighting, these were all the elements that Kelly wanted to incorporate. She was not a pinterest bride, she rarely looked at photos or bridal magazines. She just knew in her head what she wanted and together we created a team that en-captured her vision. The theme for the reception decor was not what we typically see for Asheville weddings and Blossoms at Biltmore Park was definitely up for the challenge.

It took 2 days of set up to transform the venue, draping the ceilings created a softness to the linear designs of the venue. Hundreds of candles lined the window sills. An arrangement was suspended over the head table that was covered in white hydrangeas, roses, orchids and candles and clear glass balls hung at varying heights over the table. A custom backdrop was the focal point for the bar with a series of white square cubbies that contained unique elements in white and gold.
Kelly had her cake baker selected before she even met Paul…and what a cake it was! 5 Tiered with sugar flowers it was quite a statement.

Kelly + Paul met on a blind date 8 years ago and Paul said he’d call, but never did. They randomly ran into each other 4 years later and from there started dating.

As for the donuts, Paul gave them to Kelly when he proposed. It goes back to an email he sent her early on in their relationship that had two donuts talking to each other. The male (plain glazed) was talking about the female (sprinkled with icing), saying “She thinks I’m so plain, but she’s my everything.” He thought it was the perfect depiction of them, so he had the donuts made for when he proposed. Kelly had trays of doughnuts paraded through the reception at the end of the night.

Photographer: Bamber Photography | Wedding Planner: AEC Planning and Design | Florist: Blossoms at Biltmore Park | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri | Cake: Dessert Designs | Ceremony: Basilica of St Lawrence | Reception: North Carolina Arboretum | Catering: Corner Kitchen | Makeup: Make-up at the Grove Arcade | Hair: Lola Salon | Transportation: Gray Line Asheville | Clutch: Judith Leiber | Cocktail Hour Music: Asheville Pipers | Reception Music: Mr. Potato Head | Wedding Dress Boutique: Kelly's Closet

I’m a true believer that the color gold has the power to make everything just a little bit better (it’s totally true), but when I spotted this gorgeous bride’s David Meister masterpiece, I think my mind was officially blown.  I mean, are there even words to describe just how awesome this magical gown is… or how amazing she looks against one of the most beautiful farm settings you will ever lay your eyes upon (hello, Riverside Farm)?  This, loves, is pure perfection with a side of rustic beauty and you should definitely dive into the full gallery from Michelle Gardella.  It’s chock-full of pretty.

From the Bride… We absolutely knew we wanted three things for our wedding: a rustic, but chic wedding with the feel of New England autumn and a city touch, no flowers whatsoever, and ingenuity. For us, those three things dictated how the rest of wedding details were going to flow and, luckily, it made all the difference. We figured, hey! Its our one and only wedding day why wouldn’t we want to go outside the box, do whatever we want to do? There are NO rules.

Always wanting a rustic wedding, we fell in love with Riverside Farm. The entire property is just absolutely breathtaking and it gives you the feeling of romantic seclusion in the middle of the woods. With our guests traveling from Boston to Vermont for our wedding, we wanted to make sure the entire weekend was a celebration. We had “Weekend Survival Kits” sent to each guest upon arrival and organized a welcome cocktail party the night before the ceremony. S’mores around an outdoor fire and cinnamon apple sangria were some of the things that we had that night to kick off the weekend festivities and capture the autumn feel.

For me, originality is everything. And when I found my David Meister gown online, I asked herself, “Who says I have to wear white?” From there, I decided that I’d flip it. I would wear gold and put the bridesmaids in a textured Anthropologie ivory dress. In keeping with the colors ivory, brown and gold, we found brown suede ankle strap shoes, faux wolf shrugs and the Sophia pearl bib necklace from Stella & Dot to complete the bridesmaid look. Feminine rustic! With a dress that speaks for itself, I kept my accessories minimal with two veils – a brown and an ivory, three J.Crew pave bracelets, raw diamond studs that Jeremiah got me as a wedding day gift. The boys wore the Signature Suit from Jos A. Bank in brown with gold ties. Naturally, a sock picture would be necessary, so Jeremiah also picked out socks that suited each groomsman’s personality.

Our ceremony was held at the beautiful Christ the King Church in Rutland, Vermont. Since we had no flowers, I held oversized rosary beads we got on a trip to Spain earlier that year. The beads were blessed by a female Roman Catholic Bishop that we met on the trip. We sealed the ceremony with a high five followed by a kiss.

The reception was at the brown barn at Riverside Farm and catered with some of the best food we have ever had by Occasions Catering. Candles, bare branches and white pumpkins decorated the tables, chandeliers hung from the barn beams and mini burlap sacks containing Bloody Mary kits sat on each guest’s place setting. Instead of cake, we had Ben & Jerry’s come to the wedding with an ice cream cart with some of our favorite flavors. Our DJ, Julian, played the most unbelievable music which kept people on their feet all night. After the reception, we had a Chinese food buffet set up at a local bar as an extra treat for our wedding guests. People loved it!

The next morning, we hosted a brunch at Killington Hotel to say farewell and show how grateful we were for our guests sharing in our special day. The entire weekend, from start to finish, was everything we could have ever imagined. Looking around the the room that night and being in a venue that makes you feel cut off from the world, we could not have felt more in love with each other, surrounded by the people that matter the most to us. It was the most beautiful day. Each moment was better than the next.

Photography: Michelle Gardella Photography | Dress: David Meister Collection | Invitations: Laser Cut Wood By Oslopress | Ceremony Location: Christ The King Church, Rutland, Vermont | Reception Location: Riverside Farm | Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie | Caterer: The Linen Shop by Occasions Catering | Makeup: Andrea At Lucia Loves Cherry | Suits: Jos A Bank | Boutonnieres & Centerpieces: Bloom for Life | Bride's Bracelets: J.Crew | Bride's Earrings: Alexis Russell | Bride's Headband: Anthropologie | Bride/Bridal Party Hair: Danielle At AZ Studio, Hingham MA Www.azstudio | Bridesmaid Jewelry: Stella & Dot | Veils: Eileen Reardon, Aunt Of The Bride

Our Behind the Invitation series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Aside from the fact that I’m head over heels for anything paper, we’re getting a peek into some of the best designers in the industry, and I can vouch for that. Today’s Gatsby-inspired design comes to us from the darling Lauren of Lauren Chism Fine Papers who also happened to design my holiday cards last year! So it comes at no surprise that everything she cranks out is pure gorgeousness. Keep reading for Lauren’s inspiration, stunning design shots from Perez Weddings and a glamorous New England affair from Superflat Photography.

The Vision: Megan’s vision for her big day was all about style. Her and her fiancé, Lincoln, really love the 1920’s and Art Deco, so they wanted their wedding to be glamorous with a fun Great Gatsby feel. Think lawn games, craft cocktails, and the beautiful ocean as their backdrop. Her primary colors were sapphire blue and gold with dark teal and dark green, so I immediately thought of using colored paper for the invitation. I created a modern, art deco suite that featured a mix of gold foil letterpress, rich navy inks and luxurious paper. Gold liners and modern calligraphy also added elegance to the final look.

Upon seeing the photos by Super Flat Photography of Megan’s big day, you can just see how with the help of Stephanie at Couture Parties, Megan’s vision came to life. I love the pops of color, the gorgeous lighting, and amazing details. I think the invitation was the perfect preview of the day. I wish I could have been a guest at this wedding!

Standout Features: The gold foil letterpress on the navy stock was a big standout for me. It’s not something I typically do, so when I first saw it, it took my breath away. I am a dramatic paper lover, what can I say! But what I loved most about this suite was the cohesive look of everything without being too match-matchy. Each piece is different and looks unique, but works together in an effortless way. I think Megan has amazing style and a great vision and I love how it all came together. The final look, from the invitations to the wedding day details, was just perfection and I am so glad to have been a part of it.

Custom Services: Megan and Lincoln’s invitation was a custom design, with navy cardstock and metallic envelope liners. We mixed gold foil letterpress and flat printing to stay within her budget. Hand calligraphy, done by Chips and Salsa Design Studio, used ink in a matching metallic gold. I also designed a custom monogram, which she used on cocktail napkins and programs that the bride did herself.

Wedding Photography: Superflat Photography | Cinematography: David Bettencourt | Event Planning: Couture Parties | Floral Design: Stoneblossom | Wedding Dress: Daniel Faucher Couture | Cake: Confectionery Designs | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Nicole Miller | Bridesmaids Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Calligraphy: Chips And Salsa Designs | Grooms Attire: Armani | Groomsmen Attire: Viking Tuxedo | Wedding Venue: Castle Hill Inn | Animal Table Name Illustrations: Red Gate Arts | Bride And Groom's Jewelry: Takohl | Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Musicians: Lois Vaughan | Confetti: Couture Parties | Invitation Photography: Perez Photography | Linen Rentals: I Do Linens | Mother Of The Bride Ceremony Dress: Daniel Faucher Couture | Mother Of The Bride Reception Dress: Savoia | Programs & Menus: DIY By The Bride | Reception Band: Sultans Of Swing | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Wedding Invitations And Monogram: Lauren Chism Fine Papers

When it comes to cozy farm affairs, the Catskill Mountains is where it’s at. A little gem of New York state, it’s perfect setting for this rustic beaut made even prettier through the lens of Colette Kulig. And while I don’t think I’ll EVER get over this wedding’s understated elegance, or that cake from Desserts by Danielle, allow me to introduce you to the full gallery filled with sooo much more.

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From the Bride… From the beginning we wanted to make sure our wedding was personal & a great party for our guests. So even though Jeff and I live in NYC, it seemed only natural to have the wedding on my family’s farm in the rural Catskill Mountains. Luckilly Jeff agreed as Spring Lake Farm is just a few miles down the road from his own parents.

While the farm was still under deep snow (we got engaged around Christmas), we picked a spot overlooking both the lake & down the valley. We set immediatly to planning. My musts: Caterers that would be willing to source the meat from our farm; And Jeff’s: A DJ that would keep our friends and family on the dance floor. Thanks to my graphic design background and Jeff’s event planning skills, everything was going swimmingly (even with the tight timeline of 6 months!). But then, three weeks before the day, we realized just how much our site slanted – In order to correct a five foot slope we had to move heaven & earth (literally 100 tons of it) to make a level platform for the tent. To say it was an unexpected stress that threw off our planning timeline is an understatement. However, thanks to the help of many family members (my father worked on it for 2 weeks straight during haying season), supportive friends and AMAZING vendors, we pulled off the wedding of our dreams.

The loose color theme of ivories & gold was inspired by how the tips of grass turn a beautiful faded gold in late July (the time of our wedding). The simple centerpieces, all lovingly arranged by the ladies of the wedding party, were a mixture of large white roses with pale floral accents set in galvanized metal pails amid mercury glass tea lights.

Jeff and I were both so happy to share our special day with friends and family at this beautiful location that we worked so hard to put together. One of Jeff’s oldest childhood friends flew from Cambodia to be our Officiate. Cousins & friends (and all of our beautiful flower girls & handsome ring bearers) traveled from up and down the East Coast, California, Switzerland and Iceland to celebrate and support us on our special day. Even the amazingly beautiful wedding cake was made and gifted to us by the Best Man’s girlfriend. In the end the food was delicious, the views breath-taking, the music set the perfect spell and our memories of the wedding leave only happiness.

Photography: Colette Kulig Photography | Wedding Cake: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Jewelry: Marks And Spencer | Jewelry: Art Deco Engament Ring: 1920s Old European Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring | Wedding Bands: Doyle And Doyle | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Harsuccthing | Venue: Spring Lake Farm | Bride’s Dress: Watters | Bulk Flowers: Wholeblossoms.com | Groom’s & Groomsmen Suit: Tzarelli | Rentals: Scratch Weddings | Wedding Catering: Sunrise Specialty Catering

With Thanksgiving merely hours away, chances are you’re knee deep in butter & flour and Thanksgiving preparations of the most exciting kind right about now. And before you go ahead and put the finishing touches on those fabulous desserts of yours, allow us to  re-introduce to you a few cute un-traditional pie toppers that are totally floating our boat. EIGHT of them, to be exact!

Are you excited? I know I am. Here’s where we break it all down and dig a little deeper!

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Calligraphy will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s timeless, chic, and super impressive to boot. As an alternative to this Love Pie, how about spelling out what can be found within (a la “apple” or “berry”) so your guests know exactly what they’re getting into!

While our brilliant DIYer freehanded this bad boy, unfortunately not all of us possess these qualities. Simply download a script-y font (we love  Carolyna! And this free version is also pretty spot on) and you’re golden.

Type up the word of your choosing, print it out and carefully cut around all the nooks and crannies.

Lay your calligraphy template on top of your rolled out pie dough and, using a sharp knife, carefully cut around it.

Transfer your masterpiece onto your pie and bake as directed.

Feel fancy and super accomplished.

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Now, a herringbone pie isn’t exactly a classic, but seeing as this pattern is completely timeless, we’re thinking that should change immediately, if not sooner. Serve this beauty on a crisp white plate with a ruby red filling and you’ll instant become the hostess with the mostest.

Start by cutting out 1″ x 1/2″ rectangles. Pinch and round the tops and bottom corners together.

Beginning at the edge of your pie, lay your pieces down at a slight angle. Continue with the next row by mirroring the angle. Repeat until fabulousness ensues!

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This right here is the show-stopper. It’s unlike any other, looks uber fancy, and is super easy to boot (I promise!) Plus? The crust-lovers amongst your group will thank you as this beauty is loaded with the stuff.

Once your dough has been rolled out, begin by cutting long triangles in three different widths.

Lay the triangles, slightly overlapping, any which way you chose. The best part of this one is that you literally cannot mess it up!

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The trendiest pie there ever was, the youngins’ in the crowd will appreciate this one. With a few slices of the knife your pie will totally and completely match those toss cushions you recently picked up (every hostess’ dream, no?)

After you roll out your dough, proceed to cut strips in a zig zag pattern in 1/2″ widths. Continue cutting until you have 1/3rd of the dough remaining.

Roll out your remaining 1/3rd crust until it’s the same size as your pie. Cut out the centre using zig-zag cuts, leaving a 1/2″ border. Use this to finish the edge of your pie.

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A take on the classic “over-under” pie crust we all know and love, this multi-width plaid version is a cleaner, more modern approach. Serve them in miniature ramekins with a big scoop of ice cream on the side for bonus points.

Slice your dough into uneven widths. Using an over-under pattern, lace your strips tightly together.

Set it gently overtop your dish or ramekin, trim the excess and tuck any loose strips within.

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For the girliest of girls (that would be me!) this folded “ruffled” pie crust is just the ticket.

Slice your dough into 2″ wide strips.

Leaving a 1″ long “tail”, fold the longest side over the 1″ “tail” at a slight angle.

Using the same proportion, and opposite angle, fold the longer part of the dough back over. Repeat until you have a line of ruffles.

Place each line of ruffles on top of your pie so that each is abut to the next.

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For those of you who are looking for a pop of wow without all the hassle, this starburst variation is calling your name. Just a note, this guy works best with a brightly coloured pie so that little bit of sparkle can really shine.

Start by cutting out a diamond out of the centre of your dough.

Next, cut a thin line across the corners of the diamond. Continue making tiny slits until your starburst resembles your desired shape!

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And last but most certainly not least, the minimalists amongst us may prefer this simple swiss dot. It’s easy, peasy and super impactful.

Start by creating a bunch of tiny round dough balls and lay them at random on top of your pie filling.

Lay a sheet of dough overtop and cut a round hole in the centre. Tuck the edges into the side of your dish.

The dough will puff up as it bakes creating a fun swiss dot effect!

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PS – If you feel like you’re seeing double, you’re not going crazy. We posted this run down last year (right here) but thought we’d dust it off for another go this year because we love it so! Happy pie making lovelies!

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Photography: White Loft Studio

Some shoots simply make my eyes happy. The way they are captured, the colors, the scenery, it’s all so pretty I can almost feel them smiling. Little Owl Events and sent us just such a shoot. One where every image from Ale & Kim Photography is oozing with prettiness, making this gallery one joyful place to be today. See it all here.

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From Little Owl Events…Some of the finest Brisbane and Sunshine Coast wedding vendors came together to create a a relaxed, yet beautifully polished beach ceremony elopement inspiration shoot full of summer florals, turquoise hues and a fun couple in love.

The Sunshine Coast has some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, popular with Bride’s from all over the country. We wanted to show these Bride’s what could be done for those wishing to escape the stresses of planning a full wedding. The elopement shoot showcases some of this season’s most popular colours, which work so well with the natural landscape of the beach.

Ale & Kim’s use of film photography really enhances the natural colours and lighting at the beach while still showcasing the deep, bold colours of the floral work by Willow Bud. Hair and Make-Up by The Beauty Case showcases the relaxed atmosphere of the shoot, while enhancing our model’s gorgeous skin and hair.

The shoot was brought to life with styling by the impeccable Simply Style Co. who managed to pull off the relaxed, yet polished vibe with a stunning canopy, church pews and a relaxed low table dining area.

The concept for this shoot was developed by both Little Owl Events, and Simply Style Co, who really wanted to showcase what is possible on the Sunshine Coast for those couples who prefer a more intimate wedding.

Photography: Ale & Kim Photography | Coordination: Little Owl Events | Styling: Simply Style Co. | Flowers: Willow Bud | Stationery: Maytide | Suit: Suits Direct | Bridal Gown and Bridesmaids Gowns: Eve Boutique | Hair & Make-Up: The Beauty Case

My love affair with Paris has been life long. But I’m here to say it has officially been trumped by my love affair with this Parisian wedding, which pairs beautifully my favorite city with my favorite thing. You might remember it from our second SMP Fashion & Beauty Magazine, but if not, prepare yourself, because ladies and gents, it doesn’t get more gorgeous than this. With images from Clary Pfeiffer so pretty I want to hang them on my walls, and style that is purely perfect – this, my lovelies, is as good as it gets. See even more here.

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From the Bride… Combining our love of travel and desire for an intimate affair in a beautiful setting, a destination wedding in Paris seemed the perfect choice, and not least because Paris holds a special place in our hearts – it was the first city that we had visited together as a couple and we knew we would be back on our first trip as husband and wife.

Bevan and I always dreamed of getting married in a church and we chose The American Church in Paris, located in the heart of Paris, for its beautiful gothic architecture. We wanted our intimate ceremony to be personal and meaningful so we opted for personally-written vows as well as traditional ones, and had a dear friend recite my favourite poem, “I carry your heart with me” by E. E. Cummings.

We wanted to treat our guests to an amazing meal and knew Hotel Le Meurice, home to a 3 Michelin star restaurant, was the venue for us. The landmark hotel has not only an incredible menu but also a breathtaking reception room – the Pompadour Salon. It was the timeless Salon itself on which we based our wedding colour palette of gold, champagne and ivory. To complement the Salon’s ornate gold panelling and chandeliers, the dinner table was lined with candlelit candelabras, cream peonies and David Austin roses, as well as place cards in gold frames. We honoured our families by displaying their wedding photos on a feature table in the Salon. To embrace the French tradition, we chose a traditional croquembouche as our wedding cake – with sparklers and all!

Designing our wedding stationery and monogram was a labour of love and it was an amazing feeling to see all our ideas and hard work come to fruition. In keeping with our wedding colour palette, we chose to print our stationery in raised gold ink and on ivory stock card.

My very sweet and talented mother made our flower girl’s dress as well as my “something blue” – an ivory lace garter with a delicate blue ribbon bow. My “something borrowed” was the dressing gown that I wore on the morning of our wedding day, which my sister had worn on her wedding day ten years earlier. My “something old” were vintage crystal earrings that Bevan had gifted to me for my birthday and my “something new” was my parents’ wedding gift to me – a diamond bracelet.

We wanted to leave something special of ours behind in Paris to find many years later so we engraved the words, “I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart”, along with our monogram, names and wedding date, onto a padlock which we attached to a railing on the Pont des Arts. In keeping with the love padlock tradition, we threw the keys into the Seine river as a gesture of our commitment to each other. We plan on returning to the bridge on our anniversary to find our padlock!

As for my dress, I knew I wanted it to be traditional and befitting of a black tie affair, but it also needed to embody my personality as well. I chose Vera Wang’s “Emmeline” for its ballgown silhouette and beautiful layers of tulle and organza as well as its stunning metallic gold hand-painted floral detailing on the skirt. To make the dress my own, I had the bodice altered into a sweetheart neckline and added a french and italian lace bolero to complete the look.

We chose to have a private first dance following the reception. We danced under the stars on a terrace at the hotel with the most incredible view, overlooking the City of Lights. There was no band and no music. It was just the two of us, quietly singing and humming to each other. It was perfect.

The most memorable part of the day for me was the look on Bevan’s face when I walked down the aisle towards him. His eyes were full of love and pride and he had tears running down his face. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

I had envisioned our wedding day to be a celebration of love and family over a candlelit dinner, with the most important people in our lives, seated at a single table, eating, laughing and sharing memories of the years gone by. The magnificent chandeliers atop the table, the lobster and foie gras, the elegant backdrop reminiscent of another era, my favourite flowers, and 15 of our nearest and dearest dressed to the nines, were more than we could have ever hoped for. Our wedding day was truly the happiest day of our lives.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Cinematography: Studio Artifice | Ceremony Venue: American Church In Paris | Reception Venue: Hotel Le Meurice | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair and Makeup: Lexi Derock | Bouquet floral design: Sol Y Flor | Bridal car: Anciennes de Prestige | Bride's Bolero: Angelika Liv | Brides Dress and Veil: Vera Wang | Designed by the Bride and printed by Thermowest: Thermowest | Groom Tuxedo: Z by Zegna | Reception floral design: Hale Koa phineas Estate

You’d think that after all the Thanksgiving posts we featured last week I’d be tired of entertaining ideas. But I’m not. Not by a longshot. ESPECIALLY not when they’re this lovely. Designed and styled by Beehive Events, my only question is where do I sign up? Oh, and there’s a whole lot more in the gallery. Meg Runion really hit it out of the park with this one.

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From Beehive Events… What better way to celebrate fall than an elegant dinner party set amidst the fiery leaves and crisp autumn air? With a hickory tree’s yellow branches offering an intimate backdrop, this table positively glows with the lush, sensual colors of the season bathed in an abundance of candlelight. The show-stopping floral centerpiece, spilling over the sides of its woven seagrass compote, is composed from peonies, roses, agonis, scabiosa, persimmons and honeysuckle. The arrangement’s blossoms just barely brush the tall, sand-colored pillar candles set in bark-rimmed wooden coasters; gold filigree votives provide additional candlelight on the table surface. The round farm table, stained a dark walnut and set with Tuscan cross-back chairs, has been set in anticipation of an elegant, seasonal meal with pheasant-motif china, three-face etched stemware, and the designer’s own heirloom silver and linen napkins.

Photography: MEG RUNION | Photography: Meg Runion Studios | Styling: Beehive Events | China: Festive Fare A Classic Party Rentals Company | Farm Table And Cross Back Chairs: Beehive Events | Flowers And Decor: Beehive Events