I’m here to let you know Carla Ten Eyck Photography has a handful of super talented photographers. I’m talking, capture the emotions, bottle up the details, freeze the love, photographers. And Julie Morowski is one of them. As you can plainly see by her take on this ridiculously beautiful wedding, she gets lucky with the couples who are drawn to her… but considering her style is pretty much the epitome of perfect, I’m not sure how much of that is really luck.

From the photographer… Natalie and Scott are just darling, and so was their Lace Factory wedding. I had so much fun with these two lovebirds, and of course my sidekicks Erik and Ryan Lambchop. There was lace, and trains, and smiles, and love, and family, and friends. And it was just perfect.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck | Flowers: Ashleigh's Garden | Ceremony: Mount Saint John's School | Reception: The Lace Factory | Catering: Cloud Nine Catering | Hair and Makeup: Rina's Beauty Center | DJ: Scratch Weddings

Give me a pink wedding done right, and you can count me a happy camper. But add in a dash of modern design with peonies galore, and you better brace yourself for a pinning frenzy like you’ve never seen. It’s all thanks to an A-Team of vendors – Soiree Event Planning, One Plus One Design and Academy Florists, just to name a few. They crafted one heck of a day with Lani Elias and Paperback Films on the other end capturing, and we’ve got it all waiting for your swooning pleasure right over here.

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From the Bride… I wasn’t one of those kids that grew up dreaming about their perfect wedding day (do they even exist, or is it just me?). In fact, up until January of this year, I always thought we would elope. When we thought of all the people that couldn’t be with us on one of the most important days of our lives, we began to reconsider some things, and having a celebration back home no longer sounded like a bad idea. By the time we decided on a date, we had just under 5 months to make this happen, and we are so grateful to have had the help from our fabulous wedding planners at Soirée Event Planning.  We envisioned a wedding that was cozy and not too overdone. We wanted our guests to walk into the reception venue, and feel like they were attending a big family dinner, rather than a luxurious wedding. We decided on a very special venue at the Terrace in the Park, because of its beautiful outdoor setting, that was perfect for our ceremony and cocktail hour, and its cozy indoor reception room that sat 116 of our guests very comfortably. We wanted the room to be simple, and inspired by spring. The room was filled with natural light, as it is entirely made of glass, and it gave the feeling as if we were all outdoors, dancing under the stars. After the speeches, the evening began with the chicken dance, due to a bet that was lost between a friend and I, in a very heated fantasy baseball match. A man in a chicken suit started the night off with everybody clucking and laughing away on the dance floor. It sure set the tone for the rest of the evening, as the dance floor was packed all night long. I really have to give all of the credit to the incredible Danny Kramer band!

One of my favorite things on the day was my Jenny Packham wedding dress. A friend of mine, Kelli, had sent me a picture of one of her dresses, and I completely fell in love with the style that this British fashion designer had to offer. I had been scouring Winnipeg for weeks, and I was running out of time. Of course nothing was catching my eye like the dresses I was viewing online. I didn’t give it a second thought though, since the closest store that sold the dress was in Minneapolis. I wanted something elegant that would compliment my Grandmother’s pearls, and nothing too poofy, or tight, so as I could dance the night away! My husband plays hockey overseas, and I had come home early in January this year to get to planning our special day. Days off are few and far between, but I got word of the possibility that the team would have 5 days off in the coming week, which is practically unheard of!  I woke up one morning to a text from my husband that had asked if I wanted to meet him, some of his teammates, and wives somewhere in Europe, and as fate would have it, everyone chose London!  There is no better place to find my dress, than from the Jenny Packham store itself! And alas, that I did!

Hands down, my favorite part of our wedding day was our ceremony. I still get goosebumps every time I think about it!  Dustin and I got married under beautiful hanging votive holders filled with flowers that swayed so elegantly in the gentle winds. It was the most beautiful day in May. We wanted a ceremony that was short and sweet, but filled with as many personal touches as possible. We really wanted to share our love for each other with our closest friends and family, and at one point I turned to look at everyone, and didn’t see a dry eye in the house. It felt like everyone at that moment was giving us a great big hug. Dustin and I shared our own personal wedding vows, and showcased our time capsule box, to which we included all things wedding (even the dress I wore on our first date) to open on our 10 year anniversary. We walked down the aisle to some of our favorite songs, and signed the marriage certificate to Blue Rodeo’s, Lost Together. Every moment was filled with so much meaning. The most memorable part of the ceremony came right at the end, when we honored 12 of our closest family members with a rose and a hug.

Photographer: Lani Elias Fine Art Photography | Videographer: Paperback Films | Wedding Planning: Soiree Event Planning | Florals: Academy Florists | Flowers: Academy Florist | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Wedding Cake: Jenna Rae Cakes | Wedding Stationery: One Plus One Design | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Makeup: Angie Zachary | Hair: Prep Hair | Band: Danny Kramer Dance Band | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen Attire: EPH Apparel | Caligraphy: Julie Doan | Ceremony & Reception: Terrace in the Park | Linens: Planned Perfectly

You know when you meet someone and you’re instantly blown away by them? I mean, as a whole. Their talent, their insight, their beauty (both inside and out)? Well that’s kind of how I feel about Cassandra of Coco + Kelley. I’ve been reading her blog for longer than I’ve even been blogging myself (which is totally nutty when I think about it), and it’s girlcrush central over here. In my books, she hold celebrity status and and I’m so, beyond, over-the-top, incredibly excited to have her here today. Captured by the incredible Katie Parra , see all this and more right here.

SMP: Some words you live by?

Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I love this quote because it gets at the heart of what we all crave as humans – respect and kindness. We have the capability of truly hurting or healing each other, and that’s a powerful thing. I’ll also throw in there “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Wise words from Theodore Roosevelt and very appropriate for today’s culture where we have such an open window into each other’s lives. Just remember – there’s also a lot we don’t see.

SMP: Any guilty pleasures?

Probably too many! I love ending the day with dark chocolate and wine, splurging on shoes for special occasions, and have a serious pillow addiction. I probably have enough pillows to change them out every month!

SMP: What did you think your dream job was before your dream job found you?

I’ve always loved style in every form – fashion, and interiors. If you had asked me when I was five what I wanted to be, I probably would have said ‘rock star’. In high school, though, I really got into writing and that’s when I decided I wanted to be a journalist or editor. Aaaaaand, here I am! I’m incredibly lucky that blogging is basically a form of that dream job.

SMP: What’s your favorite quote that describes your creative process?

When I first started coco+kelley, I had this quote from Coco Chanel in the footer of my blog: “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” My designs and blog posts are always about being different. I can take something that has been shown a million times and put my own spin on it, or I can create something that is truly original and boundary pushing. But if it’s not different somehow, then it’s not worth doing.

SMP: If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?

To be the best, truest, kindest version of the person you are as much as possible. Imagine if we all lived a bit more that way, instead of allowing everyday worries, comparison, or want to weigh us down. If we all just did a little bit more than we ‘feel’ like doing that day – going out of our way for one friend, doing a stranger a quick favor, dropping one more compliment to someone who needs it – these little things go a long way. People remember the little things.

SMP: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?

Like… LIFE!? All over again? Maybe. I would have paid attention more to my passions a bit more. For example, I didn’t realize in my history class in Jr. High, when I was the girl who insisted that I write about history through the eye of fashion, that there was anything remarkable about that. Or that I was the only one of my friends who cared so intensely about the shade of lilac I would paint my bedroom at 13. If I had recognized those passions sooner, I feel like maybe I would have been on a different path. Not necessarily better – just different. It’s a gift to recognize not only what you want to do at a young age, but what you’re GOOD at doing.

SMP: What is one piece of advice you would give to a blogger just starting out?

Do it for the right reasons. If you’re trying to get into this game now because you think you’ll be rich and famous, stop. If you’re in it because you want to try and get free stuff, stop. But if you’re doing it for the love of sharing ideas, of design, or whatever your passion is, then be consistent, don’t give up, and stay true to your vision. Those are the bloggers we need more of. And guess what – if you do it for the right reasons, the rest will fall into place.

SMP: What is your favorite item in your home?

My art and a few small pieces of sentimental value. Everything else is replaceable.

SMP: What’s your best tip for balancing work and personal life?

I’m not sure I’m the best one to answer that, but a little over a year ago I started actually making rules for myself. Not more emails after 8pm. One day off on the weekends where you get to do whatever you want and don’t you dare pick up that laptop! Of course, I break these rules from time to time when I have to, but it’s helped quite a bit. Also, saying no and asking for help – quite possibly the two hardest things for any entrepreneur. But essential.

SMP: What was the tipping point in your business that made you feel like your blog was going to thrive?

I feel like there have been multiple tipping points. The first came when I got a call from Lucky Magazine waaaay back in the beginning of the blog. I think it was 2008 and I had been around for about a year or so. They wanted to shoot me for a small feature. I was like, “Woah. Something is happening here.” Even I had no idea the time how big blogs were about to get. That was the first of many moments where I knew that I was doing something right.

SMP: What is the hardest lesson in business you’ve ever learned?

Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Fear of failure, fear of losing money, fear of whatever – don’t let it control your decisions, It’s bound to lead you in the wrong direction or hold you back from what you could truly be.

SMP: Stranded on a desert island question… what’s the one cocktail you would take with you?

Does the island have a freezer? Because without ice, there’s just no proper cocktail to be had! If you’re asking what’s the one cocktail I can’t live without though, I’d probably say a good, dirty martini. Although I’ve been sipping a lot of whiskey on the rocks lately too. I don’t do fruity drinks, which is probably a shame on a desert island.

SMP: Oh, the island totally has a freezer, we’re not animals! What color do you think will stand the test of trend time?

Trends and time are oxymorons. I’ll go with black. Always, black.

SMP: One thing every style savvy homeowner should have?

A stunning chandelier.

SMP: If you could buy yourself a single gift of any cost, what would it be?

My current car is absolutely on its last leg and I’m driving it into the ground, so an upgrade would be nice right about now! Or maybe a trip around the world. Yes, that would do quite nicely.

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Psst… Keep your eyes peeled for Cassandra’s home tour, coming up next!

Photography: Katie Parra Photography | Interview/Blogger: Coco + Kelley

The perfect way to to kick off the week here on SMP California?  With a proposal, of course.  Because what better way to jump start your Monday than with two people sooo in love, it’s palpable.  This, my friends, is a moment that will fill your entire day with happy and you can see it all captured by Dmitry Rogozhin right here in the full gallery.

From Dmitry Rogozhin… Matt proposed to his girlfriend Lisa by the duck pond in the beautiful Paradise Point Resort in San Diego. I met with the groom-to-be an hour before they were supposed to come back together to do a little rehearsal, and she had no idea whatsoever. She thought they are going to the bar, and then the night club. Anyway, Matt forgot all the words he was rehearsing. The good news: she said Yes.

Photography: Dmitry Rogozhin | Location: Paradise Point Resort

Fact: anything Stewart Leishman touches turns to gold.  I guess that’s what happens when you are a genius behind the camera, and when you pair up with the ever-so-talented Intique & Co for a drop-dead gorgeous Moroccan + ombre-inspired inspiration shoot, magical things happen.  Magical things like beautiful blooms, golden touches and all kinds of pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Intique & Co... Communication is a very powerful tool, so when brides ask us exactly what is means to be a wedding stylist and what we actually do, we thought what better way to make use of the down season than show our brides what we are all about!

The theme for this shoot was to blend together two of the “In” Trends at the moment, Moroccan and Ombre (we called this editorial Marrakesh) and to adapt this into an event setting. The most important thing about styling is that you transform something so well (in a quality over quantity sense) you can take your guests to a whole other destination without even going anywhere.

Sourcing beautiful furnishings, fabrics and props, just as we do for our clients, we created our own little piece of Morocco right here, on a blustery spring day in Melbourne. 

Photographer: Stewart Leishman Photography | Hair: Dani North | Makeup Artisit: Rebecca Brown | Wedding Planner/Wedding Couture: Intique & Co

Three things that bring me joy: adorable duos in love, cute pups and a whole lot of happy.  And this awesome e-sesh from Wendy Alana Photography?  Well, it most definitely has all three with two cuties celebrating their upcoming nuptials in the drop-dead gorgeous Ontario landscape, complete with sweet fur baby.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Wendy Alana Photography… Dave and Cheryl are two of the most humble people you could ever meet. Their engagement shoot was inspired by all things beautiful and simple; from their garden at their sprawling country home, to their beloved dog Gus, to a romantic photo shoot on a canoe. It had threatened to rain all day, and actually started to sprinkle when we first started our shoot. This did not deter them one bit. We sat back and watched as magic happened. The lake was calm, the skies perfectly overcast and their love, above all else, was evident in front of my lens.

Photography: Wendy Alana Photography | Dress: Target | Floral Crown: Wendy Alana Photography | Men's shoes: Tommy Hilfiger

I’ve only actually been to Chicago once in my life, but after spending a lot of virtual time there via the lovely pages of SMP Illinois, I think it’s safe to say it’s one stylish city. Couples that tie the knot in the windy city just seem chic down to their core, and when they team up with the likes of Shannon Gail Weddings & Events and Kristin La Voie Photography to make their wedding day magical – fabulous things happens. See exactly what I am talking about right here.

From Kristin La Voie…This gorgeous summer wedding of Keely & Phil was so picturesque, taking place at Gary Church and Harry Caray’s Ballroom in the suburbs of Chicago. Keely was a GORGEOUS bride, and chose the most perfect floral combinations, color palette, and bridesmaids dresses you could ever hope for. SMP’s Little Black Book member Shannon Gail coordinated the event, and made every detail executed perfectly. In true Chicago fashion, a trolley transported the wedding party between venues to add a unique Chicago element to the suburban event. It was definitely a wedding not to go unnoticed! 

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Cinematography: Lexoria Wedding Films | Planner: Shannon Gail Weddings and Events | Flowers: Stemline Creative | Reception Venue: Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse | Hair and Makeup: Tamara Makeup + Hair Artistry

DIY Brides these days are my heroes. The pretty they can whip up just blows my wedding-loving mind, and this lovely Bride is a fine example. Her perfectly crafted day filled the gorgeous pictures from The Bird and The Bear with so much love, I simply can’t get over it. Sprinkle in some gorgeous florals from Petals, Ink., and lovelies, we’ve got one gorgeous gallery on our hands. See it all here.

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From Petals Ink… It’s impossible not to adore all of the handmade details of this wedding. Colors and textures collide to create a delight for the senses in a picturesque, Texas Hill Country Venue. Fringe garland, ruffled icing, succulents in tiny clay pots, wooden and lit signage throughout! But beyond all the lovely details, there is this gorgeous couple so obviously, wildly in love with each other. Nothing ever tops that!

From the Bride… My husband and I knew we had to get married in Austin, Texas; it’s a short drive down the road from our alma mater, Baylor, where we met our freshman year. The only problem was, I had moved home to Pennsylvania after I graduated while he finished an extra semester, and he was about to move back to California to start his new job after he graduated! So, in a nutshell, it was complicated from the start. But we were heart set that was the place, so we made it work! I planned the entire wedding while living on the east coast, which was definitely a challenge. I had to give up on a lot of my initial dreams and ideas because it just wasn’t possible with the distance. But in the end, it all turned out perfectly and many of those “crushed” dreams were forgotten. We wanted to get married as soon as we could, and I had to have an outdoor wedding, so that complicated things as well with the summer heat in Texas. We finally chose June 16, a little over 6 months from the day we got engaged. My goals when planning the wedding were: be frugal, make it personal, and make it casual. It was never in the budget for me to hire a full-on wedding planner, but I did take some advice from a few friends and hired a day-of coordinator who was absolutely amazing (I would say that was worth every penny to not have stress for anyone the day of the wedding).

I wanted the day to feel like a backyard party; casual and really fun. I hand made almost everything. I wanted my hands to be in all the details so that they would be super personalized to fit us as a couple. I worked around the color scheme of green and yellow (for Baylor, where we met at our freshman orientation), and worked it into yellow and mint and then with some blues and turquoises thrown in. I played a lot with different design elements, so I didn’t have one specific theme. It was kind of colorful-meets-rustic-meets-DIY. All the wooden signs I made out of old shipping pallets, my mom hand sewed the streamers draped in the barn, and we both scoured vintage and thrift shops for months for antique items to place around for an added rustic look.

I would say I am very laid-back and a nontraditional bride. My main focuses were the personalization of all the details, the photography and the food and desserts! The dress was probably last on my list. I had a really hard time spending so much on a dress that I would only wear once (it looked great though)! My mother actually handmade the one-shoulder lace jacket I wore for the ceremony. She sewed on the buttons from her (and my nana’s) wedding dress for a personal touch. It turned out perfectly, and it was fun to transition to another look after the ceremony! The day of the wedding, it was a perfect sunny day with a bit of a breeze to cut the summer heat. Half of our guests were from California (and struggled a bit in the heat) and the other half were from Texas. We got married in front of an old mantle I found at a thrift store that I had my dad prop upright and add a frame on top. The hole of the frame and the open part of the mantle had a perfect view of the Texas Hill country; it was absolutely beautiful. I struggled a little bit during the ceremony because the sun was shining right in my eyes, but it actually helped me not cry as much as I probably would have! Spencer, on the other hand, was a mess. It was so sweet! One thing I will never forget was being at the reception and seeing so many faces, all of which I knew and had a personal story with. It was the coolest experience ever to have so many people who meant so much to us in the same place, celebrating us. Our photographers, Caryn and Brian from the Bird and the Bear did an absolutely phenomenal job capturing the day. I have never been more proud of something in my life, seeing all my ideas come to life after such hard work!

Photography: The Bird And The Bear | Florals: Petals, ink. | Wedding Dress: Bijou Bridal | Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori | Invitations: Kramer Drive Designs | Shoes: Anthropologie | Catering: The Peached Tortilla | Catering: Whole Foods Market Preston | Band: Royal Dukes Band | Groomsmen Attire: Urban Outfitters | Get Away Car: Austin Classic Limo | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals

Is it just me or is Greece like the most beautiful country in the world?  I mean, crystal blue waters and endless sunny skies doesn’t even begin to describe the pretty that is bursting from this European paradise, and when you throw in a wedding like this one captured by Vangelis Photography, it’s sort of off the charts lovely.  I’m talking smiling faces, gorgeous backgrounds and a whole lot of happy.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Vangelis Photography… A few years ago Skopelos Island was not among the best-known Greek islands, such as Santorini or Mykonos. However, this certainly wasnt due to lack of beauty; on the contrary its lush green vegetation (in fact its the greenest Mediterranean island) and its pristine beaches made Skopelos a well-kept secret among well-traveled people.

However, things changed in 2007, when the film adaptation of the famous musical Mamma Mia! was shot on Skopelos. Suddenly people started wondering what was the beautiful Greek island that served as the background of the film. Of course Skopelos also became a popular wedding destination, since many couples wanted to have a fairy-tale wedding and a big party afterwards exactly like the film.

Simone and John were one of those couples, who chose to come to Skopelos to get married, although they live in South Africa. Their wedding took place at a Greek-orthodox church and the reception at a summer beach bar. The next-day sunset photos were shot at a beautiful location with three pine trees, which was also used as background for some scenes of the film. The place was very familiar to Simone and me since we both worked on the set of Mamma Mia, me as a backstage photographer and Simone as an extra. 

Photography: Vangelis Photography | Wedding Dress: Konstantinos Melis by Laskos | Reception Venue: Karyatis Cocktail Bar | Wedding Venue: Panagia of Pyrgos Church

A Boston engagement session always sounds like a good idea to me, but a Boston engagement session snapped up by Zac Wolf is pure genius. Because that means you get to walk away with a collection of images as gorgeous as the one sitting right here in this gallery – and ladies and gents, it doesn’t get much better than that. See it all here.

From Zac Wolf… Meghan and Daniel are one of those couples you click with right from that first meeting. So happy I got to photograph their engagement session in their old stomping grounds of the South End. I love the South End, so many awesome spots to shoot and there are always nice dogs walking around while we are shooting.

Photography: Zac Wolf Photography

You know what I love?  A bride who isn’t afraid of a little DIY.  A bride who will craft the heck out of every last detail of her big day, all with the help of amazing friends and family.  A pretty little lady like this one, who styled a drop-dead gorgeous wedding chock-full of love-filled moments and personality.  See all of the pretty captured by Holly L Robbins in the full gallery.

From Holly L Robbins… A very beautiful fall day for one of the sweetest couples I know… Kelly and Will’s Starrsville Plantation wedding had their guests in awe! Their ceremony showcased their love story and had us all in tears (yes, even me!).

Kelly worked especially hard on her DIY projects that made her wedding country chic. She and her bridesmaids rocked cowgirl boots and light teal dresses. Her flowers, a beautiful mix of elegance and whimsy. Kelly and her friends and family transformed the barn by adding decor to every square inch and drenching it with lights.

Such an honor to have been a part of this very special day. Congratulations Kelly and Will!

Photography: Holly L. Robbins | Floral Design: Bouquet by Betty | Wedding Venue: Starrsville Plantation

There are weddings that make you happy and then there are weddings that make you happy, and I’ve found that Mexico seems to produce a lot of the latter type. From the blooms courtesy of Florenta Flower Design to the lovely Los Cabos beach to the couple whose personality is woven through the entire day, Sara Richardson Photography has given us the gift of happy, and the gallery is smiles galore.

From the beautiful bride… Out with friends on Cinco de Mayo, I was looking forward to a night out with friends and welcoming summer. Little did I know that when I turned around at one point I would meet the future love of my life. Two-and-a-half hours of conversation later I knew I had met someone special, and as we got to know each other more over the next year we just fell more and more in love, knowing we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

On May 24th of the next year we went to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Kwamina had just surprised me with a surprise weekend away to Los Angeles and we needed were having our favorite meal before heading home to pack. When we got home, we started packing, and all of the sudden I heard our song come on, Good Life by One Republic. I put a pair of jeans away, and when I turned around there he was, down on one knee with a jewelry box in his hand. He started saying beautiful and romantic words, and I burst into tears of joy, and started kissing his face all over, and of course said “YES!!!!”

After a lovely and romantic weekend celebrating our engagement in Santa Monica, we returned home and started thinking about the wedding, and trying to think, what fits us, how do we make it a great vacation for our family and friends, who are spread all over the world, to meet? The questions were where and when?

After lots and lots of ideas about different places and times, we started seeing two themes in our relationship: May and Mexico, and with those guiding ideas we decided on May 18th in Cabo San Lucas. After a quick visit to Cabo, where we met our wedding planner, Vari Avila, and found an amazing location, Casa La Laguna, we were set to start planning our 10 day destination wedding!

We had so many stories within our wedding, and couldn’t imagine another way to celebrate our love for each other. From a three course of music, to lighting wish lanterns on the beach, it was an unforgettable day. Having friends and family travel from so many countries was a blessing we were overwhelmed by, and made our day that much more special.

Photography: Sara Richardson Photography | Floral Design: Florenta Flower Design | Wedding Dress: Mori Lee | Wedding Cake: Sweet Dreams Cabo | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Lazy Gourmet | DJ: DJ Alex | Groom´s Hotel: Hotel El Ganzo | Guitarist: Arturo Sotomayor | Hair + Make-up: Body Treat Spa | Private Villa: Casa La Laguna | Wedding Coordination + Design: Vari Avila from Allure Event

I don’t usually start my Monday mornings out in happy tears, but after pressing “play” on Red Carousel Films’ capture of this Cedarwood Weddings soiree, I didn’t have a choice. You see, when you come across bride and groom so deeply, madly, truly in love, it’s all you can do not to wipe away a tear or two yourself. Ariel Renae filled up a gallery of crazy gorgeous photos, and you can see lots more of this rustic chic day right over here.

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From Cedarwood Weddings… Jessica and Johnathan are a Renaissance couple with sophisticated tastes that bridge European Old World to Modern Chic styling. Jessica envisioned her wedding in shades of white – white fluffy flowers, fabrics and candlelight. She wanted an elegant, classic foundation to their wedding decor so that she and Johnathan could incorporate aspects unique to them as a couple. The setting at Cedarwood was dignified yet relaxed, with a ‘shot of Southern’ courtesy of cocktail hour in the Cedarwood barn.

Jonathan’s career spans music and fashion, and Jessica is his beautiful Southern muse who enchanted him when they met on a rock music cruise in Miami. Jessica resided in Nashville at the time, and Johnathan in Los Angeles. He flew to Music City to visit Jessica a few weeks later and they shared their first kiss overlooking Nashville’s downtown skyline. After several cross country visits, Johnathan and Jessica knew they were destined to spend their lives together and Jessica joined him in Los Angeles in 2011. Johnathan proposed to Jessica in butterfly fluttering fashion. On one of their visits to Nashville, Johnathan set up a surprise ‘date’ for Jessica. When she opened her eyes they were standing in the exact spot of their first kiss, only this time he proposed, surrounded by the friends and family Johnathan had gathered to celebrate the moment.

From the Bride… We were really set on having a romantic, evening, outdoor wedding. We also wanted a location that would be somewhat convenient for our friends and family. When Cedarwood was recommend we both instantly feel in love with charm of the property and the gorgeous grounds. It was beautiful and inviting, but not too formal – exactly the feel we were looking for.

The incredible thing about Cedarwood is how versatile a canvas it can be for so many design options. We saw so many ideas from past wedding held at the venue, but really worked off our own visions. It was important for it to have a romantic, classic feel, but still have it represent us as a couple. We designed our own alter, save the dates, invitations, rings, and wedding dress so that they would be exactly what we wanted. Johnathan has incredible taste that I have been fortunate enough to benefit from. We had a surprisingly easy time agreeing on our decor and details of the wedding. We were so happy with what we created on the day of the wedding – of course, with the incredible help of the Cedarwood team.

There are too many to list. I think for both Johnathan and I the top of our list would be seeing each other for the first time during the ceremony. It was such a powerful moment for both of us. We are both so blessed to have the most wonderful family and friends and seeing them gathered together to celebrate us was amazing. Our friends and family got along so well that we ended up celebrating until the wee hours of the morning.

Try and enjoy the whole engagement stage. We waited a few months to start planning so that we could just celebrate and enjoy the engagement before the chaos of wedding planning. Johnathan was incredibly involved in all aspects of the planning, partially because his experience in event planning, but also out of his desire to give us (me) a beautiful day to remember always. We truly tried to enjoy the whole experience of the engagement and wedding planning with a realization that it was such an incredibly special time that would pass by quickly. Of course we wanted a beautiful wedding, but the marriage was what excited us the most. We were planning our big day, but focused on all the days to follow it. We stayed really laid back and relaxed throughout the entire experience. This is a once and a lifetime experience, enjoy it.

Photography: Ariel Renae | Videography: Red Carousel Films | Videography: Red Carousel Films | Cake: Patty Cakes | Invitations: Designed by the Bride and Groom | Shoes: Kate Spade | Jewelry: JCPenney | Catering: Chef Christopher | Makeup: Kirin Bhatty | Hair: Bridget Murphy | Officiant: Paul Barber | Ceremony Music: Violinist Rebecca Baumbach | Limo: Metro Livery | Altar and Barn Draping: Events Plus | Bride's Dress: Wilshire Wedding Center | Cocktail Hour Music: B & G Jazz Trio | Floral, Decor, Styling: Cedarwood Weddings | Groomsmen Suit: Shipley & Halmos | Groomsmen Suit: Zara | Reception Music: Jace Aaron Entertainment | Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Cedarwood Weddings

Paint is one of those things that can absolutely make or break a room. With so many colors to choose from – the task can be overwhelming at best. We’ve made it our personal mission to reach out to some of our very favourite designers from around the world, and unveil some of their, personal, favourite paint colours. We’ve been chatting with the best of the best, and today it’s all about the sweet and talented Brian Paquette.

Coles Notes:
No. 1 – Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White: The bluest of all whites… I find this white is perfect for showcasing artwork and vintage textiles.

No. 2 – Benjamin Moore’s Ice Fog: In the pacific northwest we have a lot of grey…and instead of fighting it, I embrace the outside with shades like this that blur the lines between inside and out.

No. 3 – Benjamin Moore’s Fairmont Green: One of Benjamin Moore’s historical colors I can’t get enough of. Here I used it as a trim. It’s just really fun and punchy! Who says trim has to be white?

No. 4 – Benjamin Moore’s Flint: The bluest charcoal gray…perfect for a dark media room – oh, and paint the ceiling!

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Images & Tips: Brian Paquette

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For more designer’s go-to paint colours: Caitlin Flemming | Lark & Linen | Good Bones, Great Pieces | Caitlin Wilson And if there’s anyone you’d like us to reach out to, let us know! We’re always on the hunt for new fab designers!

Sometimes I get so caught up in the modern meets lofty awesomeness of NYC affairs that I forget about the other side of New York weddings.  That soft, romantic side that sort of blows your mind with pretty. Romantic weddings like this one from the ever-talented Kelly Kollar Photography; a day that is sooo sophisticated and sooo elegant, you almost need a new adjective to describe it.  See exactly why right here.

And even more amazing from First Day Films… enjoy, lovelies.

From Kelly Kollar Photography… As a photographer who loves all things beautiful, I am always thrilled to arrive at a wedding and see that the bride to be has put so much love and attention in to making her day truly a work of art. Coleen did just that. Right off the bat I could tell she was going to be a naturally stunning bride. She chose one of my favorite make up artists, Stacie Ford, who’s work is always subtle and flawless. Stacie’s work was perfectly complimented by the hair styling of Gina Brady of Hairstories, who created free flowing, natural looks for Coleen and all of the bridesmaids.

The best part of the day for me was the moment I laid eye on Coleen’s stunning Marchesa gown! It was so unique… the perfect combination of simple lines and dramatic detailing. I have seen a lot of dresses over the years, but this one was truly special. Coleen accented her dress with simple Jimmy Choos and the same earrings that her mother wore on her own wedding day. All of the bridesmaids had different, but coordinated dresses, as well as unique jewelry. From the photographer’s perspective, these kind of subtle varieties make the photos stand out.

Both Coleen and her husband Matt are from the Rockaway/Breezy Point area, so it was really meaningful that they were able to get ready at their parent’s homes, be married in her childhood church and take photos on the local beach. The Water’s Edge in Long Island City was a perfect venue with it’s stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. We had a beautiful day, and it was so fun popping out of the reception to take nighttime photos with the classic NYC view as the backdrop. Inside, the couple danced the night away to awesome music by DJ’s @ Work and kept the party going!

Coleen also did an amazing job choosing her florist and paper design, choosing Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design and Drolet Paperie to set the aesthetic tone for the evening. Rebecca designed two beautiful centerpiece variations – One more classic oval centerpiece and one grouped centerpiece, which incorporated small mercury bud vases and pillared candles. In additional to the tables, Rebecca created a gorgeous floral scene on the escort card table, using distressed white picture frames and and flowers on a vine. Lauren from Drolet Paperie created perfect complimentary papered details, in the invitations, programs, escort cards, table numbers and dinner menus. I spent almost and hour photographing these beautiful details and every time that I looked through the lens I noticed something different!

It was an all around stunning day marked with impeccably thought out details. I had so much fun getting to capture it all!

Photography: Kelly Kollar Photography | Cinematographer: First Day Films | Floral Design: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Stacie Ford Weddings | Hair: Hair Stories | DJ: DJ's @ Work | Groom's Suit: Calvin Klein | Transportation: Train-star Executive | Wedding Venue: Water's Edge Restaurant | Stationery + Paper Goods: Drolet Paperie

It’s always amazing to me how I seem I get to know the couples that grace the pages of SMP. It’s like meeting a new group of friends each day, and getting a peek at their personalities through images as gorgeous as these from Jillian Tree Photography is just the icing on the cake. With a wedding this lovely, and a couple this darling this gallery is one fabulous way to spend a day. See it all here.

From the Bride… Gabe and I met and became friends through the Lighthouse Church youth group when we were both in high school. Those were the days! I used to leave to go to school really early every morning in order to get a parking space (Cypress Bay was a very overcrowded high school), and Gabe would get there early on the bus most days…so he would come sit with me in my car until the bell rang. My mom encouraged him to do this so that I would not be alone in the “scary” parking lot; she referred to him as my body guard. Now, if you know anything about Weston or Cypress Bay (or my mom for that matter), you know that this was a ridiculously unnecessary precaution…but I did start looking forward to seeing him every day! Sometimes I would even bring him hot chocolate or some tasty breakfast treat =D Also, our houses were pretty close together, so a lot of times I would drive him home after school or he would just come home with me and we’d do homework together…

One particular day in January, my mom invited Gabe to come to the beach with us (us = me, my mom, and my sister). And yes, I said January (one of the perks of living in South Florida)! Upon arriving at Hollywood beach, we got some delicious pizza, and then my mom and sister decided that they were going to go for a walk (a total set-up!)…so, once they left, Gabe and I walked toward the water and plopped down in the sand. And, following some nervous stalling, Gabe told me that he liked me. After keeping him in suspense for a bit, I eventually told him that I liked him too! Then I asked him if we could take 2 months to pray about our developing relationship before we became “officially” boyfriend and girlfriend (of course, he agreed).

After a little over two months, on April 7th of 2007, Gabe took me out (on our first “official date) to an Italian restaurant called Tarantella. After dinner, we walked over and sat in front of the big fountain in Weston Town Center, and I told him that I would love to be his girlfriend. I will never forget how Gabe then prayed aloud the words that were in my heart for our relationship, and how I felt that God was smiling down on us – as HE was beginning to write our love-story.

Since then we have made tons of memories together – from our high school graduations, to road trips, to birthday parties, to cooking together, to theme parks, to picnics, to walks around IWU campus (sometimes in the snow), to concerts, to coffee runs, to classes together and LOTS OF STUDYING, to my college graduation, to ring shopping, to our epic engagement story – we haven’t stopped falling in love.

Sure, we’ve faced some challenges: many miscommunications, the living long-distance thing, times of sickness, excessive loads of stress at times, etc. but I can say that I am thankful for each and every challenge because they have been opportunities for our relationship and our love to grow deeper and stronger.

It is so wonderful to know now, without any doubt, that Gabe is so perfectly “right” for me, that He loves and respects me, and that He has chosen me to be his bride. And I would have never been able to imagine – at the start of our relationship 5 years ago – how very much I would grow to love and appreciate this man. But it is even more wonderful to know the love of God for me and to have Jesus as the foundational ROCK of Gabe’s and my relationship! In fact, this is what our “wedding logo,” the three roses, is all about! It is a symbol that God must be the center rose who intertwines us (the outside roses) – for we know that ONLY HE can satisfy our deepest needs and ONLY HE can give us the ability to love each other selflessly.

So, even though our upcoming wedding is a celebration of Gabe’s and my earthly romance and commitment to be faithful to one another for life…if you look a little closer, you will see that it is really a celebration of our heavenly “romance” and the never-failing faithfulness of God in our lives. In summation, “we love because He (Jesus) first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Photography: Jillian Tree Photography | Cinematography: Life's Highlights | Floral Design: Sherwood Florist | Ceremony Venue: Brooksville Wesleyan Church | Reception Venue: Brooksville Country Club

You know what’s better than a wonderful Saturday morning in November?  A wonderful Saturday morning in November spent soaking in all of the lovely that is B Floral, the stop-you-in-your-tracks, uber-talented team of floral designers that will turn your wedding day into a bloom-filled dream land with their serious works of art.  Think lush bouquets, crazy amazing centerpieces and everything in between. Can’t wait to get to know them?  Me, neither.  (Told you it was going to be an awesome Saturday.)

From B Floral… B Floral’s talented and creative team uses beautiful, fresh flowers from around the world to create innovate and fresh designs. Our success is based on a foundation of stunning artistry, experienced event management, and an impressive dedication to high-end customer service. Our meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that each event is developed with the client’s confidence.

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Welcome to the family, B Floral!  We are so happy to have you! xo

Happy weekend, SMPers! Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you an incredible wedding event that’s coming your way: The Vermont Wedding Affair presented by Vermont Vows and WellWed Magazines. Taking place on Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 4pm until 7pm at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms (1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, Vermont), this stunning celebration of all things wedding will offer an incredible showing of local wedding resources and tons of lavish inspiration!

Connecting couples with sought after vendors and unique locales throughout Vermont, this bridal event will give you all the information you need to plan the wedding of your dreams. Setting the tone with classic elegance, romantic inspiration and homespun details, The Vermont Wedding Affair will showcase interactive rustic-chic decor, a spa room and fashion exhibits as well as treats and libations from the best local vendors + wedding pros! Top it all off with a silent auction and fab gift bags filled with Green Mountain goodies, this is an event you will not want to miss! Head over here for additional details + to purchase your tickets. Be sure to register early as tickets do sell out!

Looks amazing, doesn’t it? Well it’s you lucky day, my brides-to-be, because The Vermont Wedding Affair is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to their signature bridal event!

PRIZE: A pair of tickets to the Vermont Wedding Affair on  Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 4pm until 7 PM.

TO ENTER: Comment on this post with one vintage + romantic detail you’re planning to incorporate into your big day! A winner will be randomly chosen and contacted to receive their tickets!

DEADLINE: Be sure to enter by Wednesday, November 13, 2013!

For more information on this amazing event, as well as loads more gorgeous inspiration, be sure to visit The Vermont Wedding Affair and WellWed Magazine Facebook page, and on Twitter @wellwed. Happy planning, my dears!

Photo Credits:  Beltrami Studios / Daria Bishop Photographers / Barrie Fisher Photographers

From showers and engagement soirees to wedding celebrations, the personality of the event comes through in the details. Making your customized vision come to life is incredibly easy and fun with the help of Garnish, the online shop selling incredibly adorable packaging and other goodies to help make your something special, spectacular.

From twine and wooden utensils to boxes, bags and tags, Garnish helps you add that little something extra that will keep your guests talking! With items that are completely customizable (think stamping and adding tags + labels), the possibilities are literally endless. So whether you’re creating monogrammed bags for your wedding candy bar or tags for your shower favors, your personality and style can come shining through. Take a peek below for some fabulous ways to add a bit of Garnish to your next celebration or holiday event!

 

Take a peek at the Garnish e-magazine (right here) for tons more inspiration and creative ideas! And the fun isn’t over just yet, my dears, because Garnish is giving three of our lucky SMP readers a $25 gift certificate to their online shop!

PRIZE: Three $25 Gift Certificates to Garnish gifted to lucky winners who will be chosen at random!

TO ENTER: Comment on this post with your favorite Garnish item and what you would use it for!

DEADLINE: Be sure to enter before Friday, November 15, 2013!

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We spend day after day on SMP Illinois swooning over moments. Moments that pull at our heartstrings and make us love our job more than you could ever imagine. As past brides ourselves, we all know the important decisions it takes to make your day your own, and one of the most important choices you’ll make is choosing the wedding gown of your dreams. It’s gown you’ll walk down the aisle in, the gown you’ll say I do in , and the gown that you’ll look back on for the rest of your years. So finding a bridal salon that is not only at the forefront of bridal fashion, but also puts heart into every consultation is like finding wedding gold. That’s why we couldn’t adore Dimitra’s Bridal Couture more. They truly cherish the fact that their gowns are moment-makers, officially making the Illinois brides that grace their shop one lucky bunch.

About Dimitra’s Bridal Couture… Located in Chicago’s Oak Street fashion district, Dimitra’s Bridal Couture opened its doors in 2001, bringing to the Chicago bridal scene an experience that cannot be found in any other Chicago salon. The pedigree of its founder Dimitra Maroulis, a European couturier garment maker, has been the cornerstone of their philosophy, to combine expertise and exceptional service, with high fashion and designer styling, while always treating the bride with grace and warmth, leaving pretense to the side. As one of the few Chicago salons to still offer in house, couturier alterations, Dimitra’s works with brides through the most difficult phase of the bridal gown purchase, namely the fittings. This level of commitment to the bride is unparalleled and a signature of the salon.

As evidenced in their online ratings, Chicago brides have lauded Dimitra’s not only for their professionalism and warm approach, but also for having the broadest selection of styles on the Chicago scene! Dimitra’s has a national reach, carrying such hard to find designers as: Zuhair Murad, Ersa Atelier, YolanCris, Francesca Miranda and Rafael Cennamo. These lines are complemented by bridal powerhouses such as: Ines Di Santo, Edgardo Bonilla, Alvina Valenta, Stephen Yearick, Ysa Makino and Matthew Christopher. The well-appointed accessory collections is just as carefully selected and also represents the best in the industry with names such as: Maria Elena, Erin Cole, Jennifer Leigh, Erica Koesler and Nymphi Design.

Trunk shows and designer appearances are typically held every weekend, and prices range from $2000 to $20,000. Having close relationships with their designers, Dimitra’s work with brides to make custom changes to achieve the bride’s vision to the last detail. Mothers are also not left to the side. The special occasion lounge has an equally exclusive selection of designer evening gowns and cocktail dresses by coveted designers such as Alex Teih, Tony Ward, Rene Ruiz, Kevan Hall Stephen Yearick and more.

Dimitra’s brides have been featured for their real weddings in luxe publications such as Grace Ormonde, Inside Weddings, and Brides Chicago Social. The salon has been featured multiple times on Platinum Weddings and TLC’s Four Weddings.