In all honesty, this Jamaica beach wedding couldn’t have come at a better time. You see, here in New England we’re on the verge of the season’s first frost. Terrible, right? So a virtual vacay to the tropics is basically a complete and total a must. The ultra talented Blush Wedding Photography captured every second of this sun and sand soiree, and there’s a whole lot more to love in the gallery, plus a don’t miss video from Nate Makes Films.

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From the Bride… Duke proposed during our trip to Dominican Republic for our 12th year anniversary. While walking along the beach and trying to set up the timer on the camera to take photos of us, Duke was writing down in the sand “Will you marry me? Jan. 2012”. As I ran back to take the photo, Duke was down on one knee and I noticed what was written in the sand. and then I read what he wrote in the sand and then looked up as Duke got emotional and teary and tried his best to say the words, “Will you marry me?” and I replied, “Of course!”

The reason why we chose to have a destination wedding is because we’ve always liked to go to tropical places and just knew that we wanted to be married on a beach. During dinner time after we got engaged, we were already discussing our wedding plans and decided on Jamaica since we haven’t been there before and heard it was a beautiful place to be. We’ve already been to Mexico three times, Cuba, Bahamas and then Dominican Republic and instantly thought Jamaica was our next destination. We wouldn’t have done it any other way. We just knew it was how we wanted to get married.

We are extremely happy that everything went perfectly. From the weather, to the ceremony, the bonfire and releasing of the Chinese sky lanterns. Most importantly, we were happy to be all together with our family and friends celebrating our happiest day of our lives and that everyone enjoyed themselves.

Photography: Blush Wedding Photography | Cinematography: Nate Makes Films | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Invitations: Custom | Bride's Shoes: Benjamin Adams | Rings: Custom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Custom | Groom's Suit: Custom | Venue: IBEROSTAR ROSEHALL Montego Bay | Bride's Bracelet: Swarovski

Today has been a wedding dress whirlwind – that’s for darn sure. But hold on to your hats because we’ve got one last fashion recap up our sleeves. A Claire Pettibone recap, to be specific. You see, when I got the chance to head backstage before the show and chat with Claire, she opened up about her inspiration and the top trends we’d see in her killer new collection.

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Keeping your cool isn’t easy when meeting Claire Pettibone. I mean, she’s a bridal fashion legend. But lucky for me, she’s also about as down-to-earth as can be. She alluded to some of the surprises we’d see down the runway (hint: color, lace, gold!), and what inspired her in the process.

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“This is probably my most opulent collection, and a slightly different take on my signature style. I was inspired by still life art from the 17th century. And even just the words “still life” themselves, and the context they have in a wedding…how we take a moment to just be still.”

– Claire Pettibone

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Does it get any more romantic than this? The floral embroideries, the gold detailing and that all-around vintage perfection… they all stole my heart in a serious way. Not to mention Claire’s signature petal covered runway that so perfectly set the stage. And while I was almost certain she could do no wrong, after this show, I left completely convinced. Claire Pettibone, we heart you so.

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Photography: Daniel Dorsa

Few things make me more excited for fall than the appearance of pumpkin spice lattes at my neighborhood coffeehouse. The first sip of the season makes me giddy for the many autumnal flavors, comforting aromas and cozy sweaters to come. Inspired by this beloved drink, I created mini pumpkin spice latte bundt cakes – incredibly moist cakes, reminiscent of pumpkin bread but with a delicate coffee kick, and drizzled with a light, latte flavored icing. For more recipe inspiration, head on over to Fleur de Sel.

Lindsay GehmanMini Pumpkin Spiced Latte Bundt CakesA spiced cake, topped with latte flavored icing. In other words? Perfection

prep time 30 Minute/s

cook time 20 Minute/s

total time 50 Minute/s

Serves 8Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKES:
• 3 large eggs
• 3 teaspoons instant coffee granules
• 2 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 15-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• FOR THE LATTE FLAVORED ICING:
• 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 4 teaspoons freshly brewed strong coffee, cooled
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• Pinch salt

Instructions

1. FOR THE CAKES:
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. In a small bowl, gently whisk eggs and instant coffee granules until granules are dissolved and thoroughly combined. Set aside.
4. Grease mini bundt pans {or two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans}.
5. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend.
6. Stir in egg mixture and pumpkin until blended.
7. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl.
8. Stir into pumpkin mixture in two additions.
9. Divide batter equally between prepared pans.
10. Bake until tester or toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 to 22 minutes for mini bundt cakes and about 60 to 70 minutes for loaf pans.
11. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.
12. Once cakes have cooled completely, drizzle icing (recipe below) over cakes with a spoon.
13. FOR THE LATTE FLAVORED ICING:
14. In medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
15. If mixture is too thick, add additional 1/2 teaspoons of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached. It should be thin enough to drip off a spoon, but still hold its shape.

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Photography & Recipe: Fleur de Sel

It may have been the white-washed studio, the all-in-black audience, or the fact that I could spot a few familiar faces in the crowd (ahem…Desiree Hartsock and Randy Fenoli, to name a few), but there’s nothing like attending the Amsale show to make you feel a little like a glamazon. And when it came to the runway? Amsale totally delivered. We saw floaty tulle skirts, long lace sleeves, and necklines that break the strapless mold (halle-freakin-lujah!) Just call us trend-spotters, because we’re predicting a huge halter comeback this year!

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TOTAL dream-fest, am I right? It’s the unabashed romance of every design that’s enough to bring a girl to tears. A big, huge congrats to Amsale on this season’s smashing success! And be sure to sit tight loves, because we’ve got even more runway coverage coming your way!

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Photography: Daniel Dorsa

Brunch might just be my favorite time of the day. The food is the best, especially when enjoyed after an early morning walk (or even better, a late morning wake up call). So naturally, brunch weddings are my favorite. They’ve got that air of relaxation without anything to stress about. Erin Jean Photography captured a brunch wedding on Lake Michigan (which is a whole other story when it comes to why I love it so much) and, oh my goodness, it’s fantastic.

From the stunning bride… Chris and I knew from the start that we wanted an intimate wedding. We’re both very close with our families, so being able to share and enjoy the memorable day with those closest to us was truly special. Just our parents, siblings, closest friends (one of whom married us!) and of course, our dog Dexter.

When selecting the location, Door County, WI was top on our list. Chris’ great grandparents built a beach cottage on Lake Michigan in 1929 and his family has been spending summers out there ever since. It’s a special spot that we visit every year and we both loved the idea of one day being able to show our children where their parents got married!

Since it was a beach wedding, we wanted the dress to be casual. Chris wore a white shirt, khakis and a custom pink dot tie. Phillip, Chris’ closest friend who married us, wore a bowtie in the same pattern and our dog matched with his own pink dot tie as well. And since Door County is known for cherries, I thought it would be fun to wear shoes with cherry detail, and was thrilled when I found the Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon Cherry Heels. They were part of a limited edition collection so was fortunate to find a pair in my size from a woman in London who was selling them on eBay!

Ceremony – the morning ceremony took place on the back terrace of the cottage, providing guests with stunning views of the Lake. For décor, my goal was to incorporate simple accents that showcased us as a couple while allowing the natural beauty of our surroundings to shine. Distressed white stakes with a mix of sheer and satin ribbons created the aisle, French buckets filled with flowers formed the altar and guests sat on benches lined with burlap/lace runners. At each seat, we placed a bubble jar with an antique key (to be used as a bubble wand) and a personal note attached. For the first year of our relationship, Chris would send me an email every morning, each with a new thought about his feelings for me and of our relationship, so on the back of each note was a different “Nice Thought of the Day.” We thought it would be special to incorporate these into various elements of the wedding.

To make the ceremony more intimate, Phillip compiled special thoughts about us from all the wedding guests and worked them into the ceremony. We also had a bit of fun by incorporating me and my sister’s FAVORITE movie, Sixteen Candles, into the day. At the end of the ceremony, we played If You Were Here by The Thompson Twins. We timed it so that the words of the song started right when we kissed. The surprise on my sisters face was priceless, I heard her gasp in excitement!

Brunch – after the ceremony, a trolley took us to Horseshoe Bay Golf Club for brunch. We sat outside, our table overlooking the water and wooded cliffs. We placed a burlap/lace runner and bud vases filled with ranunculus down the center of the table, and pre-set personalized menus so that they also acted as seating cards. Similar to the bubble jars, each menu had a different “Nice Thought of the Day” on the backside.

The Club allowed us to create our own menu (they were so wonderful to work with!), so we incorporated specialties from both families. We placed jars of Chris’ Mom’s infamous cherry preserves on the table; each branded with “Susie’s Homemade Cherry Preserves” labels, and my Moms famous “Beach Granola,” served with milk and fresh fruit, was a choice on the menu. We toasted with cherry mimosas and in lieu of cutting a wedding cake, we bit into a tower of cake donuts.

If I had to give any advice, it would be to make sure that the day reflects you as a couple. Pick songs, choose desserts, set a location, etc. that feels right to you. Because at the end of the day, that’s what the celebration is all about, the TWO OF YOU.

Photographer: erin jean photography | Florist: Flora | Transportation: Door County Trolley | Bride Dress: Saja | Bride Hair/Makeup: Spa Verde | Brunch Location: Horseshoe Bay Beach Club | Groom Tie/Friend Bowtie: Barry Beaux | Paper: Chelsey Emery

Joanna August is basically the Queen Bee of bridesmaids dresses. With designs that are always completely romantic yet right on trend (hello, cut-outs, separates, and lace galore!) it’s no wonder she’s a favorite of SMP brides all across the board. I caught up with Joanna at market – who by the way, felt like an instant bestie – and picked her brain on choosing just the right look for you and your girls. She’s dished some amaaaazing tips, so hear me when I say, you’ll want to take notes!

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Joanna’s Tips

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1. With larger bridal parties, it can be really hard on the eyes to have so many girls in one single look. Try mixing styles or various shades of the same color. 

2. Don’t be afraid to add a hard belt on a soft dress. It can really transform the whole look.

3. The bride is always right, but she’s going to have a much happier experience if she asks for input. Let your bridesmaid have a voice and feel like her opinion matters.

Another topic on our bridesmaid agenda? Talking color trends of course! Joanna had lots to say about the blush pink popularity, and  those soft, subtle hues that’ve taken bridesmaid world by storm. “I don’t think neutrals are on their way out. I think they have always been popular and are going to be in for a while. Since they compliment any palette, neutrals have a real staying power.” You heard if from Joanna…neutral tones are here to stay!

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Photography: Daniel Dorsa

After watching the last UnReal feature we were feeling inspired. To give one of our favorite treats an at-home makeover. And while I wouldn’t exactly call these healthy, they use simple ingredients that you can actually spell and that you can most likely find in your pantry already. This recipes is for peanut butter cups but we also made a few with caramel for my son that turned out smashing, leading us to believe that the options here are kind of endless!

AbbyHomemade Peanut Butter CupsPeanut Butter Cups candies get a homemade makeover with fresh, simple ingredients.

prep time 30 Minute/s

cook time

total time 30 Minute/s

Serves 12Ingredients

• 2 cups chocolate chips (any combo, we liked 1 cup semi sweet + 1 cup dark)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (any variety, we used honey roasted)
• 4 TBS powdered sugar
• 1 TBS melted butter
• 12 cupcake wrappers

Instructions

1. Melt your chocolate chips either in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring frequently.
2. Meanwhile, blend your peanut butter, powdered sugar and melted butter together. Place in fridge to chill.
3. Spoon a very small amount of chocolate into each of your cupcake wrappers, about 1 tsp. If you need to, drop the liner on a table a few times to level the chocolate out and spread it across the whole wrapper.
4. Place chocolate filled wrappers in fridge to let chill for 10 minutes.
5. Remove chocolate and peanut butter from fridge. Form small patties with your peanut butter and place on top of the chocolate. Use as much or as little as you want, but make sure that it spreads across most of the chocolate, leaving a small edge free of peanut butter.
6. Add another tsp of melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter. You may have to gently reheat it to make it easier to spread. Use as much as you need to completely cover the peanut butter.
7. Place in fridge and let completely set, at least 30 minutes.

Lesson of the day?  Latin-inspired anything and vibrant hot pink and fuchsia hues make for one crazy gorgeous day of inspiration.  Think candle-lined tables filled with the fab stylings of Sparkles and Vintage and festive (+ beautiful) paper goods from Heart and Fox and you’re on the right track.  Add in a stunning Riley’s Farm setting and one mesmerizing moment after another captured by Lucy Munoz and you can bet your bottom dollar it’s a love at first sight kind of gallery.  Join me there for more.

I’m tickled pink about this shoot! This is an inspired Latin Boda (which means wedding in Spanish). The idea behind the shoot was to add a bold punch of color (as Latins usually do) without making it overly fussy. We went with an ivory, gold, and magenta palette. Our idea was that we wanted to incorporate bougainvilleas because they are so colorful and give off a slight feminine quality without being too overtly feminine. I came up with the concept and started the planning process. Then as fate would have it, Blaire Kimball of Sparkles and Vintage called me to see if I was working on any projects and together we bounced ideas back and forth until our vision came to fruition. Blaire used a mix of vintage pieces such as dishware, embroidered napkins and candles. She also incorporated a DIY bunting that resembled papel picado, but instead of the typical use of tissue paper, she went with remnants of vintage lace. We used the bunting to decorate and soften the dessert table.

On the windows, Blaire hung vintage lace and tissue paper flowers (another DIY component). We made sure we used the same magenta color for the tissue flowers that matched the many branches of bougainvilleas that lined the table. She also created lace chandeliers that hung from the rafters–another soft element that complemented the table decor.

The gorgeous wedding dress was created by Aria and the detail lace really won us over. We love that it’s a strapless dress with a fitted bodice. We added a beautiful detailed flower sash created by Something Treasured. As a final touch we decided to use a vintage lace mantilla to make sure we kept the feeling of a Latin inspired wedding. We wanted the bride’s hair and makeup to be romantic. Karissa Trujillo worked her magic with her makeup giving our model, Ashlynn Ramos, a strong lip and a neutral soft face. Sarah 4 beauty created voluptuous curly waves that framed Ashlynn’s face perfectly.

The venue we chose was Riley’s Farm in Oak Glenn. We loved that it has a little of everything. We used the barn for our table setup, but it has an apple orchard and raspberry vines that created an amazing backdrop to photograph. On top of that, they also have a ceremony area that has a built in wooden arch. We decorated it with magenta paper flowers for another pop of color.

For the dessert table we wanted typical Latin desserts that I have eaten my entire life. I knew that I wanted champurrado with pan dulce, as my grandmother used to make champurrado by scratch–and it’s made only for important celebrations. We also had bunelos, alfajor (coconut candy), empanadas, tres leches cake, sweet palmiers or orejas–as they are known to the Latin community.

All stationery and printed pieces were created by Heart and Fox. We asked her to make something festive, yet elegant. We loved that she created keepsake bookmarks for wedding guests and a marriage certificate for the bride and groom. We also loved her chair signs for the bride and groom.

This Latin inspired wedding shoot had everything we were hoping for–color, romance, and festive flair–and to that I say–perfecto!

Photographer: Lucy Munoz | Event Design: Sparkles And Vintage | Wedding Dresses: AriaDress | Invitations: Heart and Fox | Makeup: Karissa Trujillo | Hair: Sarah4beauty | Wedding Venue: Riley's Farm | Bridal Sash: Something Treasured | Cake + Dessert: Northgate | Location: Riley's Farm

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Angie Branch is giving me yet another reason to obsess over Australian weddings with this downright stunning beach wedding at Hastings Point. The light, the gorgeous flowers from Blossoms of Tweed, that ceremony setting – there isn’t a single thing I don’t love about this stylish soiree, and you can obsess right along with me right here.

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From the Bride…Wade and I first met through a mutual friend at Duranbah beach on Australia Day 2009. Our friends plan was to set me up with Wade’s best man, and Wade with my bridesmaid! As it turned out, our friend was no cupid but nevertheless introduced me to the love of my life. Three years later during a holiday to Hawaii, Wade proposed on Waikiki beach and I of course said YES!!!!!

We wanted our wedding to be casual yet elegant, with a hint of shabby beach and vintage chic. We made a lot of the dcor ourselves (e.g., centrepieces, lolly buffet, vintage blackboard, letterbox, table seating chart) with the help of our amazing family and friends.

I loved the idea of having all my bridesmaids wear something different and I was fortunate enough to find a designer that had a wide selection of styles in the same fabric and colour. Wade and the groomsmen got their suits made in Thailand (on the bucks trip). The trip was left until two weeks before the wedding, so I was absolutely petrified they would come home with (a) injuries, (b) ridiculous tattoo’s and (c) hideous suits. Luckily, they were welI-behaved (so they say!!!) and the suits couldn’t have turned out any better.

We chose Peppers Resort & Spa Salt Beach as our venue as we wanted our guests to experience the amazing food, and the relaxed, beautiful, seaside charm of the town. We loved the idea of having an intimate wedding with our closest friends and family in a beautiful setting. Many of our guests were traveling for our wedding, so we wanted to find a place that everyone could stay and have a good time.

We had the ceremony at Hastings Point Headland (which is usually blowing a gale) but we had luck on our side and it turned out to be the most perfect day anyone could have ever asked for. Our ceremony was very emotional as my brother walked me down the aisle to my mothers favourite love song (who without a doubt was watching over us). After the ceremony, guests were greeted poolside with canapes, while an acoustic guitarist played our favourite songs.

We are so thankful to our amazing family and friends who made our day absolutely magical, and to the incredible vendors that went above and beyond.

Photography: Angie Branch Photography | Flowers: Blossoms of Tweed | Invitations: Paper Dolls | Ceremony: Moments In Vintage | Ceremony: Circle Of Love Weddings | Reception: Beautiful Beach Weddings | Reception Venue: Peppers Convent

Confession time: I’ve been a little obsessed with Jenny Packham since maybe forever. Her gowns are like walking works of art, and when I got the chance to attend not JUST her runway show, but head backstage for all the pre-show frenzy. Well, I almost died.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, my friends. You see, while all models, makeup and last-minute walk-through commotion was happening, I spotted Jenny herself walking around, looking calm as can be. So what do I do? Swallow my nerves, went up to introduce myself, and we chatted for a second about blog world and SMP. After a quick photo op, she was whisked away, and then….it was show time.

As cool as I thought backstage was, the show was EVEN better. I’m talking a sleek industrial space decked out with twinkling trees and a far-away woodland feel. Basically the perfect setting for Jenny’s whimsical designs. It was a collection filled with flowing silhouettes, sparkling embellishments and those delicate details we know and love her for. So brides of 2014, let the dress swoon begin!

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Seriously, does it get any more stunning?! Jenny Packham, you’ve officially done it again.

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Photography: Daniel Dorsa

I love the inspiration that comes from this time of year. The colors, the themes, the flavors – it all makes me feel warm and cozy inside. And if there ever was a shoot I wanted to wrap myself up in, it would be this one from Sugar Photo Studios. From the stationery by Savvy Sendables to the design by The Pepperberry Co. and every fabulous thing in between, this is one pin-worthy post! See it all here.

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From Sugar Photo Studios…I recently photographed and helped to create the most magical, romantic and styled wedding I have ever seen, and am very excited to share it with you! Not only is it beautiful and season appropriate, but it is full of creative ideas and over-the-top cuteness that we have tailored specifically to inspire SMP readers. The attention to detail, the unique scenery and the feel of the photographs make it perfect for your readers! The wedding takes place in an enchanted, sunlit forest in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada’s famous wine country, during our most beautiful time of year- Autumn Harvest. Reds, Oranges and yellows accented by ‘cranky’ apples adorn the scenery. The drool-worthy brunch menu is made up of items such as, apple cider mimosa’s, a donut wedding cake and harvest pancakes, just to name a few. The bride and groom offer an ‘upscale twist’ on the typical bohemian feel, that will surely inspire. From the magical setting to the creative seasonal details to Oh-so-in-love couple, I truly hope you enjoy viewing this wedding, and fall in love with too.

Our inspiration came from the unique beauty of our region’s Autumn harvest. We wanted our wedding to be an inspiration for the warm colours, sweet aroma’s and magical feel that only Fall can bring! For our setting, we chose a forested, backyard scene to display our altar, brunch buffet and reception. Photographs capture the soft sunlight, vibrant greens and yellows of the trees and rustic, fallen logs, leaves and even scattered mushrooms. Truly a forest unique to the area. For our décor, we chose colours and the bounty of the harvest. Yellows, reds, oranges and apples fill the flower arrangements and floral crown; grape filled vines add a finishing touch to centre pieces, the buffet and make up the ‘chandelier’ for our reception table; an eclectic mix of weathered furniture, books and ladders help create vintage charm; and our custom-designed stationary add the finishing touches. Lastly our bride and groom, who are dressed in bohemian chic, complete the scene.

As a small + intimate wedding photographer (and SMP reader), I am over-the-top in love with this wedding! It is jaw-droopingly beautiful, it is unique and it is definitely inspirational! It is an intimate, brunch wedding set in forest during a magical time of year. Please enjoy the photographs; I hope they make you want to come to Niagara during the fall and get married all over again! It has been so exciting planning, styling and photographing this wedding in hopes that it will grace the pages of SMP and inspire readers to add a bit of ‘home’ to their weddings.

Photographer: Sugar Photo Studios | Wedding Dress: Custom Design by Kym Cody | Stationery: Savvy Sendables | Bride's Shoes: Browns | Hair and Makeup: Maria Delduca Hair And Makeup Artistry | Floral Design and Event Planning: The Pepperberry Co. | Groom's Blazer: Banana Republic | Groom's Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger | Groom's Shoes: J Shoes | Groom's Tie: Tiger of Sweden from Got Style Menswear | Groom's pants: Ted Baker | Necklace and Bracelet: Pacific Circle | Wedding Band: Spence

Sooo… these two are adorable.  The kind of adorable that makes soaking in their beautiful engagement session a downright joy-filled affair; one that brightens your day by about 1 million happiness points (that’s a real thing).  It’s one of those days where smiling faces and pre-wedding bliss join hand and hand and the results are captured beautifully by Melissa Hayes Photography.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From Melissa Hayes Photography… Kaitlin had reached out to me with interest in doing an engagement session and mentioned that they were getting married in Wisconsin. I had assumed that her and Dane had a photographer picked out for their nuptials next September. She shared her inspirations for their engagement session and how they also liked an “editorial” look to their images.

We started the day at one of their favorite spots, a cute little nook called Bite Cafe in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago. The blue chairs give this cozy cafe such charm! Upon meeting Kaitlin and Dane, I also had the pleasure to meet Kaitlin’s sister, Alex, a.k.a., prop stylist for the day!

After a quick shoot at the cafe, we made our way downtown to finish the second half of the shoot.

This was one of my favorite engagement sessions because of how fun Kaitlin and Dane are to work with! I loved their personalities and spent much of the session just laughing with them. I enjoy couples that bring their concepts and visuals and we work together to create a collection of memories for this special time in their lives.

Shortly after delivering their images, Kaitlin asked what I was doing on September 21, 2014 and if I would document their wedding!  Absolutely thrilled and honored, I, of course, said YES! I can’t wait to be there to create an even bigger collection of memories for their wedding in Madison, Wisconsin next year.

Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography

Let me tell you why this wedding is completely awesome.  1. A drop-dead gorgeous + elegant “Great Gatsby” theme that channels all of the glamour of the 1920’s with just a few modern touches (hello chevron stripes).  2. The amazing duo saying “I do,” a twosome who knew just what they wanted and threw a wedding day where details reign supreme.  And last, but not least?  3. The to-die-for images captured by Mustard Seed Photography.  They are simply amazing and you can see them all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… We took inspiration for our theme from our venue and the history of Galveston Island. We studied the history of the island in the 1920’s- 1940’s when Galveston was booming with wealth and opulence and known for it’s secret affairs, much like the descriptions of the era in ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Therefore, we framed the theme of the wedding around the feel of the book and the island during those decades. We used gold, silver, and black for most décor along with art deco fonts and art deco styled geometrical shapes everywhere we could. We used champagne saucers and had a lot of greenery in the flower arrangements as a nod to the era, as well. We also had the guests fill out postcards with advice that were decorated with seven different pictures of Hotel Galvez during various stages of its life from 1900-2013. To add a modern twist, we used some new trends such as chevron designs on the invitations, table numbers, and other décor.

We chose Hotel Galvez for numerous reasons. First, it’s unique history shines through in all of the décor (especially in the Terrace Ballroom and Veranda) and exudes a special vintage ambiance. Secondly, Galveston has been a go to vacation spot where Travis and I have spent many weekends together. Hotel Galvez is also where he proposed. Lastly, it carries special meaning with my family since one of my grandmothers was originally from Galveston. The Lyceum was a church built in the early 1900s in the Historic Strand area and reflected our theme and strong Christian upbringings. The beautiful stained glass windows and restored dark woods captured our hearts as the perfect backdrop to our wedding ceremony.

Photography: Mustard Seed Photography | Cinematography: Green Leaf Films | Event Planning: Polished Wedding Planning | Floral Design: Dream Bouquet | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Jula | Invitations: Southland Fox | Ceremony Venue: The Lyceum | Reception Venue: Hotel Galvez | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JS Collections | Catering: Hotel Galvez | Band: Skyline | Suits: Vera Wang | Groom's Accessories: Brooks Brothers | Veil: Houston Bridal Gallery

Jennifer Blair, I love you. I love the way you capture moments, and the way your images just overflow with prettiness. I’ll continue professing my admiration for your talent for as long as you send us gorgeous features like this one, where each image is worthy of the most prized spot on this couple’s mantle. If I were them, I would fill my entire house with each of these work-of-art images sitting in this gallery, because they are just.that.gorgeous – and you can see precisely what I am talking about right here.

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Jennifer Blair Photography…This romantic session was captured on Jekyll Island, most of which feature the backdrop of Crane Cottage. The immaculate gardens and architecture was styled after the Italian Renaissance when built in 1917. Walking around the terraces and courtyard provides a little slice of Europe on the Georgia coast. Combined with the gargantuan Oaks adorned with Spanish moss, Jekyll Island is one of the most romantic destinations for miles. This nostalgic and European inspired place was the perfect backdrop for this stunning couple and their overflowing love. Lindsay & James danced and whispered in corners as if they belonged there. The scenery just added to the ethereal feel of the entire session.

Photography: Jennifer Blair Photography | Wedding Venue: Jekyll Island Club Hotel

This wedding had me at three words: Saltwater Farm Vineyard, aka, the pretty little Connecticut locale perfect for celebrating some downright awesome nuptials.  Because this is a place where gorgeous outdoor ceremonies play hand in hand with amazing receptions literally overflowing with lovely, and today’s shining example is this beautiful gem of a day captured by Eric Brushett Photography.  It’s natural + glamorous stylings meets all kinds of happy and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

From Eric Brushett Photography… Jenn and George got married at the incredible Saltwater Water Farm Vineyard in Stonington, CT. It was a hot, sunny, and beautiful day for a wedding. The day started in the vineyard’s bridal suite that overlooks the entirety of the property. From there we went down into the vineyard for the ceremony, and then moved into the old airplane hanger turned wedding venue.

Jenn and George’s love for each other really came out during two very emotional speeches before the dinner service, and carried all the way through the rest of the night.

My favorite moment of the day was when I caught Jenn and George dancing with each other off to the side of the wedding in front of a wall of wine bottles. I clicked on a long lens and snapped three photos before I left them alone to enjoy each other. It was a truly candid moment, and I was honored to be able to photograph it.

Photography: Eric Brushett Photography | Catering: Coastal Gourmet | Wedding Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard

There are so many things to love about Tuscany… the food, the scenery and the romance! Oh, the romance. Making it the loveliest choice for a wedding backdrop as clearly seen in these photos from Innocenti Studio. It’s a shoot sprinkled with rustic touches, nature-inpspired decor and the loveliest florals from Franci’s Flowers. Keep reading for Franci’s 5 tips on how to throw a great tuscan affair and head on over to gallery for the rest of the romance!

1. Choose a rustic venue in Tuscany that preferably includes accommodations. That doesn’t mean you need to travel far from a main city or airport, there are lovely Agriturismo half an hour away from Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena.

2. June, July and September are preferable to enjoy an outdoor space as much it’s possible. May and October weather is unpredictable and August is far too hot.

3. Most venues have swimming pools—a great area to set up an aperitif welcome station or a candlelit dancing area. How romantic!

4. Always choose foods that are in season. Having fresh ingredients is so important and will help to keep your budget under control.

5. Last but not least, enjoy the beauty of nature and use that as your inspiration for your colors and florals. We love to incorporate items from nature, ears of corn, herbs, berries, fruits and vegetables can be a great way to decorate your wedding flowers!

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Main theme is simplicity and beauty, green, white and red as colors of our italian flag. The air is fresh and clean due to the surrounding nature and you can bask in the golden tuscan sun whilst sitting by the pool with a nice red or white wine, looking down on the magnificent busy town of Firenze. The lush greens and vibrant reds mix with the scent of italian aromatics herbs and spices providing a sensory delight. Enjoy the many inspiring details, from the red peppers on napkins to the piles of pecorino cheese, a good bottle of chianti, and a wooden table set up, their rustic mood is absolutely irresistible.

I wanted to keep things simple and rustic, just vibrant colors as red and green from bridal bouquet to centerpiece with red pachini tomatoes mixed with white of daisy flowers. Thanks to all our great team of talented contributors, most of all Emma Innocenti who captured stunningly the beauty of Michelle, Alex and this dreamful landscape!

Floral Design: Franci's Flowers Wedding Design | Dress: Ella | Stationery: Francesca Pulitano | Bride's Shoes: Debenhams | Jewelry: Prada | Hair & Makeup: Ilaria Borgioli | Tuxedo: Fórmula Jóven El Corte Inglés | Venue: Fattoria Di Maiano | Coordination Suppliers: Bianco Bouquet Weddings | Hair Accessories: Ruby & Frost | Photography & Video: Innocenti Studio

Seeing as it’s almost Halloween and all, we thought it’d be fun to turn our attention to all-things-candy. Not the junky stuff that you typically find around this time of year, but real, honest to goodness, filled with agave and cacao and legitimate ingredient kind of stuff. You should know that I take my chocolate bars in particular very seriously. So when I was first introduced to UNREAL candy, I was a bit skeptical. But scouts honour, it’s good. Really good.

Inspiring, no? We recently caught up with this ground breaking company, and we’re here today to tell the tale…

SMP: In brief, what’s the concept behind UNREAL?
Our mission is to provide better options in the food and beverage categories where healthy choices previously didn’t exist – starting with candy. Without sacrificing taste, we’re reinventing our candy using only real ingredients, less sugar and more nutrition. Most importantly, we want to eventually make UNREAL available everywhere and fairly priced.

SMP: What prompted this candy revolution?
The morning after Halloween, 13-year-old Nicky Bronner woke up to find that his father had confiscated most of his Halloween candy. Angry, Nicky to set out to do some research and prove that candy isn’t so bad for you. He knew that candy wasn’t good for you, but he didn’t realize just how bad most of it is. He found that the worst parts of candy, stuff like partially hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, chemical preservatives, and loads of sugar aren’t there to make it taste better – but instead to make it cheaper to produce and last longer on the shelves.

Nicky wanted to wanted to find someone to help him take up the challenge of creating a candy that tasted as good as his favorites, without the junk, so he teamed up with Adam Melonas, a master chef in Spain at the time, to recreate America’s most popular candies with real ingredients.

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SMP: 13? He was 13? That’s incredible! Once the idea for UNREAL came to fruition, how long did it take to get it up and running?
Our products went through thousands of recipes and trials before going to market, and even now we’re always going through improvements. Chef Adam and his team are continuously innovating to make the candies even more delicious and to continue to incorporate ingredients that are even better for both people and the planet. The product development took a little over 2 years from Nicky’s idea to when it hit store shelves in July 2012.

SMP: So why hasn’t it been done before?
Candy companies aren’t really incentivized to use high quality, natural ingredients because they’re a) more expensive and b) can reduce their shelf life. Instead, they use artificial dyes, a lot of sugar, and chemical preservatives. Even though we’ve proved otherwise, some of these companies probably thought their candy wouldn’t taste as good if they removed all those artificial ingredients. We created a great video, which talks about what’s going on in the food industry, which you can check out here.

SMP: How do you source your ingredients?
Our key ingredients are all responsibly sourced. We work to support farming communities and CO-OPs where we can – and minimize our environmental impact. Our dairy comes from pasture-raised cows in New Zealand that are antibiotic-free, with no added hormones. Our cacao beans come from farms in Ghana and Ecuador that have been audited for human rights and best growing practices. Doing the right thing by people is just as important to us as making the candy.

SMP: That’s amazing. Truly. How do you ensure the quality of each ingredient?
At UNREAL, quality is of the utmost importance. Chef Adam has personally visited many of the farms and locations that we sources our ingredients from. From the cacao beans in Ghana & Ecuador to the dairy protein in New Zealand, Adam has traveled around the world to make sure that all of our ingredients are of the highest quality.

SMP: So how do you decide which candies to re-create?
Nicky’s favorite candy is peanut butter cups, so we naturally started with those. We then moved on to America’s other favorite candies like Snickers, Milky Way and M&Ms.

SMP: Are there any that you’re struggling to get just right?
Our products are never complete. Our recipes are constantly being tweaked and improved to make sure that we use the most sustainable ingredients possible – and our candy tastes as delicious as possible. We are also working on several new products in the pipeline, which were inspired by the feedback we heard from our fans!

SMP: Spill the beans! Can you tell us what you’re working on next? Healthy Kit Kat, maybe? *crosses fingers*
It’s unfortunately top secret so we can’t share, but we can tell you that you can expect some new candies in 2014 – all inspired by what our loyal fans want most! We love getting feedback and suggestions.

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So let’s hear it folks, are you guys sold? I know I am. And I’m still hoping that those secret 2014 candies come in the form of a Kit Kat bar.

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Interview & Video: UNREAL Candy 

Bridal market is sort of like the Super Bowl of wedding world. It’s a week where all the industry greats gather to swoon the new collections of designers big and small…and of course, have a little New York fun along the way. We reported live from the runways, but what better way to spice up a Wednesday than an ALL day recap? Ready, SMPers?

One of my first stops on the Bridal Fashion show train was filled with gold and glam. A.k.a wedding accessories heaven. I’m a sucker for a beautiful necklace or headpiece so a pit stop at the Jennifer Behr booth was a total must. Jennifer has made a serious name for herself in bridal accessories, and it has everything to do with her focus on impeccable style and handmade construction. Her latest collection? It’s ALL about the sparkle + gold. And I, for one, can’t wait to see brides rock it.

Love what you see? We’re just getting started! We’ll be back in just a bit with dresses galore, some behind the scenes perspectives and loads of Bridal Fashion goodness.

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Photography: Daniel Dorsa | Accessories: Jennifer Behr

This, my friends, is exactly the reason I love Julie Cate Photography.  The reason I swoon on a continual basis over her gorgeous work, and the bride and grooms she so effortlessly captures.  It’s an ethereal look into the celebration of two sweeties sooo in love and sooo full of joy, it’s palpable.  From the beautiful blooms from The Conservatorie Floral & Event Design to the perfectly perfect stationery from St. Augustine Paper Co..  See it all right here in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… When Dan and I envisioned our wedding, there was one thing we knew for certain–we wanted to have a fun, intimate, and relaxed day that reflected us. We chose the setting of our wedding to be in St. Augustine, FL, a place that has been special to us throughout our relationship, as well as Dan’s hometown. The Oldest House Garden provided the perfect backdrop for our ceremony with its simplistic beauty. Guests were greeted by songs played by our favorite local musician, Ricky Kendall. To further personalize our ceremony, our pastor had us write letters to each other, which he read aloud. I was initially reluctant to this idea, but I am so thankful that we went forward with it. It truly made the ceremony special. The reception was held across the street at the St. Francis Barracks. DIY elements were found throughout, consisting of a homemade photobooth, fabric pennants strung across the tent, a fabric strip banner behind the cake table, and Mr. & Mrs. signs for our chairs. My mom and sister helped tremendously in making all of this. Ricky Kendall graced our ears with more tunes played during dinner, followed by a night of dancing. Two of our friends put together a Spotify playlist, which was a huge success considering the dance floor was full all night long. Guests enjoyed cakes and popsicles provided by The Hyppo, a favorite local spot in St. Augustine owned by one of our groomsmen. The night ended with Dan and I exiting through a tunnel of sparklers.

Thinking back to our wedding day, there’s nothing Dan and I would change. The weather was perfect, the ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was truly a party. It was better than we could’ve imagined thanks to the support and help of our friends and family. We were blessed to work with amazing vendors as well, who made the whole day seamless.

Photography: Julie Cate Photography | Event Design: The Conservatorie Floral & Event Design | Flowers: The Conservatorie Floral & Event Design | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Stationery: St Augustine Paper Co. | Ceremony Venue: The Llambias House | Reception Venue: Katie Deffke | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Caterer: Culinary Outfitters | Groom's Suit: Banana Republic | Cakes and Popsicles: The Hyppo | Make-up & Hair: Philosophie Salon & Apothecary

You know what’s better than an entire shoot dedicated to 1920’s glamour?  An entire shoot dedicated to 1920’s glamour that also happens to be planned and executed by a serious dream team of NYC vendors. Think the powerhouses that are Violet and Verde, Cake Alchemy, SB Beauty and Private Receptions (just to name a few) all coming together to create a day of serious vintage-inspired lovely set against the amazing Green Building.  Yes, it’s awesome… and you can see it all captured by Moss + Isaac right here.

From Private Receptions… Picture a smoky jazz club: a live band croons a love song while a man waits for his whiskey. A woman walks in and the crowd parts; their eyes meet. Drink forgotten the man asks the woman to dance… and dance… and dance. Fast forward to their wedding day…

The idea for our 1920’s shoot came from our good friend Bridget of Violet and Verde. When she approached us with the idea we immediately jumped on board and began assembling a team of our favorite vendors to work with! After choosing a color scheme of peach and lavender Bridget and I, together, looked for venues willing to host us.

My first thought for was The Green Building in Brooklyn with their intricate patterned walls, sexy speakeasy-esque room, and stunning chandelier. Fortunately, they were available and were happy to accommodate us. The incredibly talented Leigh Anna of Moss + Isaac provided photography for the day and captured the feel and beauty of the shoot perfectly, as always. I’m still stunned by how wonderful the photos turned out!

Of course, Bridget out-did herself with spectacular floral arrangements! She really brought the whole room to life with plump Juliet roses, lavender anemones, lamb’s ear, Amnesia roses, sweet peas, peonies and so much more. It was like a floral wonderland!

Sharon Becker of SB Beauty turned our models into 1920’s movie stars with hair and makeup. (Those eyes! That hair!) Hushed Commotion provided the gorgeous headpieces – the long veil she made specifically for the shoot! We all loved it so much we wanted to wear it, too!

The incredible china, cut glass, doilies, books, handkerchiefs and chair came from Little Vintage Rentals who were just wonderful to work with. (Thanks, Mandy!)

The outstanding cake and cupcakes was created especially for the shoot by Cake Alchemy. (Many thanks!)

Our stationer, A&P Design Co, was able to take the photos I sent her from the venue and translate them into a gorgeous letter-press invitation suite. She echoed the pattern on the walls in the entry-way onto the invitations! How gorgeous?!

…and they lived happily ever after.

Photography: Moss + Isaac | Floral Design: Violet and Verde | Cake: Cake Alchemy | Stationery: A&P Designs | Catering: Saucy By Nature | Hair & Makeup: SB Beauty | Venue: The Green Building | Dresses: Angelique Bridal | Feather Dress: Nearly Newlywed | Headpieces: Hushed Commotion | Planning & Coordination: Private Receptions | Rentals: Little Vintage Rentals