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

A Gender Reveal Baby Shower from Simply Couture Weddings and Events

Settings

Rustic Weddings

Styles

Romantic

From the lovely bride… So much of what made our wedding special was in the details. From the quintessential New England ambiance that reflected our upbringings (I’m from Connecticut; Ryan grew up on Cape Cod) to the level of color coordination, I spent much of our year-long engagement obsessing over all the little things. With the help of my parents, my husband, and many friends for the prep work, and then of course our amazing vendors, all of my ideas came together to truly bring the vision to life. Looking back, I am so thankful for all the details and for our fantastic photographer Julie who made sure none of it will be forgotten!

When looking for venues, we knew we wanted something a bit untraditional that could be a blank canvas for all of my colorful ideas. The Barns at Wesleyan Hills ended up being the perfect venue for us – minutes from my childhood home, surrounded by beautiful grounds, and full of potential. Despite the reception being held in a barn, I did not want the event to feel overly rustic. No mason jars, no twine, and certainly no burlap. Instead, I opted for bold black-and-white accents that helped strengthen and modernize the otherwise vintage space. I think the juxtaposition of elegant with rustic turned out so beautiful and also reflected our personal styles well. The peachy sunset colors offset by the stark contrast of blacks and whites made for a palate that was sophisticated, fun, and full of whimsy.

Since I spend my free time putting together a baking blog, I knew all of our guests were expecting fantastic desserts and creative touches throughout the night. Although I left most of the baking up to the professionals, I actually did make the 100 escort card cookies myself. My Dad helped me build the wire frame to hang them for display, and all together it made for an extremely personal and delicious element to our guests’ experience. The dessert table itself – thoughtfully assembled in our colors and favorite flavors – was titled “Ryan and Erica’s Sweet Tooth” as a fun reference to my blog’s name.

Some people may question why brides put so much effort into an event that only lasts several hours, but I learned that the planning, especially when it involves family and friends, is almost just as special as the wedding itself. My husband and I are planners at our core, so we definitely were in our element the past year making our massive wedding to-do list and slowly but surely crossing off every item. But my favorite part of the wedding ended up being the ceremony, which actually involved the least amount of planning. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t have planned Ryan’s eyes tearing up as he read his vows. The stripes, flowers, and touches of gold were beautiful, but in the end, it was the immense amount of love and emotion surrounding us that day that I’ll remember the most. Thank you Style Me Pretty for inspiring me to create the wedding of my dreams and for letting me share mine with you today!

If you know me at all by now, you’ll know that I never struggle to find a reason to celebrate. Half birthdays? Yep. Fresh highlights? You betcha. So, as you can imagine, it thrills me that the notion of “gender reveal parties” seems to be catching on. I truly can’t imagine anything more exciting than gathering around with your loved ones in order to find out exactly what’s in store in the coming months for you and your family. Designed by Simple Couture and captured by Lauren G., this gender reveal shower is as sweet as can be. See the whole thing right here in the gallery.

From Simply Couture… When the mama-to-be, Lauren and I first chatted, she had visions of a “non-traditional” pastel green and burlap inspired gender reveal couples baby shower. We wanted a rustic, more elevated spin on a rather “cutesy pink or blue” event. To celebrate, we decided to bring in rustic elements to create a gorgeous theme.

Simply Flowers got to work designing the most fabulous tall cylinders wrapped in thick burlap and exploding with large puffy clouds of white baby’s breath. All the petite hors d’oeuvres were provided by Cafe Chardonnay on mini spoons and forks for the guests to enjoy. We provided a candy buffet set for a king and queen-a gorgeous display of green and white candies for guests to fill and keep as favors. (Our fave detail were the little pram carriage favor boxes with matching green ribbon and the animal balloon weights we created).

There was also a beverage display complete with the drinks of the afternoon, “the non-alcoholic Mama-rita” along with Appletinis, Bellinis, and a White Sangria. The dessert table was rounded out by scrumptious macarons by The Sugar Monkey and a simply delicate cake placed on a rustic crate. The “gender reveal” cake pops were served on mirrored platters handed to each guest for the “reveal” to take place in unison. It’s a GIRL!

Finally, none of these images would come to you if not for the amazing Laura G. Photography captured the event details to perfection. The guests all raved it was the BEST “non-baby” shower they have EVER attended. I am still hearing compliments a month after the event. It was an unforgettable day. We had an amazing time showering the new parents-to-be!

Jacquelyn Clark

Wimberley, Texas Wedding from The Life You Love Photography

True story: I’ve never actually been to Texas. Total shame, I know. But I imagine that big, beautiful state to be a lot like this Wimberley wedding — a true slice of rustic charm. From the sprawling farm tables to the wide, open spaces of Montesino Ranch, it’s a place I’d be more than happy to sit and stay a while (or, forever!) So until I can get my “visit Texas plan” officially in place, you can find me in the gallery of The Life You Love Photography’s pretty captures right here.

Colors

Seasons

Travel Inspired Winter Park Wedding from Rachel V Photography

Settings

Rustic Weddings

Styles

Rustic

Jennifer was studying in a bookstore during her junior year in highschool when a boy came up and asked for her phone number… the rest was history! Jennifer and Nowlin planned their “destination” wedding (planning from San Antonio) at the beyond beautiful ranch at Montesino Ranch. Montesino Ranch is privately owned and spans acres and acres of gorgeous land and scenes. It was important to the couple to have an intimate wedding showcased all local vendors when it came to food, wine, breweries, flowers. The couple opted out of having a bridal party which really set the tone for how intimate the ceremony was. With the Wimberely hills as the backdrop to their vows, there was not a dry eye in the house. The sun set over the reception set up, rows of long tables with mismatched plates with twinkling lights over head. It was a beautiful day.

They say that your wedding day marks the beginning of some seriously fun adventures, and for this darling Winter Park duo, that statement couldn’t be more true. Because this pretty party wasn’t just the beginning of a brand new life together, it was the kick-off to an ah.ma.zing year-long trip around the world… a going-away extravaganza, if you will. On hand to make sure the day was a crazy awesome success? The oh-so-talented Atmosphere Floral & Decor, Elle Cinder Designs and Rachel V Photography, standing side by side with these gorgeous sweeties and filling our gallery with pretty. Join me there ASAP.

Colors

Seasons

Event Venue Outdoor Weddings

Settings

Styles

Designer Loft introduces Rosa Clara Soft Collection + A Giveaway!

From Rachel V Photography… This day was truly magical, the moment I met with Kristina and Josh I could tell we had an instant connection. I am a world traveler and seeing this young couple about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime made me so happy. Kristina and I talked throughout the process and when her wedding day came, it was all she ever described. Not only did this day have so many details that spoke of their journey to come, it was full of sentimental details. My favorite detail was the handwritten notes the bride and groom wrote to one another. I was one of the only people that got to see both of their reactions as they read the letters. For the man that married them, they had cufflinks with the nautical locations of the place he married his wife. To their flower girl, they gave a handkerchief that read “To use as your ‘something old’ on your special day, Thank you for being our flower girl. Love Kristina & Josh.” How sweet is that? This couple has set out on an adventure as husband and wife, I wish them an amazing first year!

From Michelle Cinder of Elle Cinder Designs… Kristina and Joshua wed on June 15th, 2013 at the historic Casa Feliz in Winter Park, Florida. As many brides and grooms seem to end a journey with their wedding, Kristina and Josh were just beginning! Their wedding was the starting point of their life-changing journey of traveling the world and exploring what life has to offer! This brave and beautiful couple celebrated the start of this amazing trip with a wedding their guests are sure to never forget!

Pretty pinks and preppy blues were highlighted throughout this theme of preppy travel which clearly defined the new Mr. and Mrs. As guests arrived they were greeted with vintage fans adorned with pink script and a touch of lace to keep cool during the summer nuptials. The bridesmaids looked amazing in their girlie pink chiffon cocktail dresses and the guys stayed true to the preppy theme with brown loafers, striped ties and pink pocket squares.

Kristina embodied classic elegance unlike any other. Her style was that of grace and beauty with her hair pulled back and vintage drop earrings. She was stunning in her Nicole Miller gown accented by her Badgley Mischka blush colored heels. For a sweet and sentimental something blue, Kristina’s new monogram was sewn, along with her wedding date, in a blue script on the inside of her dress. A true bridal beauty, Kristina was breathtaking.

Post-cards addressed with love notes to each and every guest showed the appreciation Kristina and Joshua have for their friends and families. Personalized thank you handkerchiefs were given to the bride and groom’s mentor family, who were also a part of the wedding ceremony. A unique world map was used as the guest book and vintage luggage as the card box.

The decor was perfect with touches of pinks and blues throughout this historic venue. The travel theme was present in the reception centerpieces with antique novels from various countries, set with lush low floral arrangements and hints of candlelight. Everywhere you turned there was another spectacular detail that had guests in awe! This wedding was the most amazing send-off this bride and groom could have ever asked for. Their guests were blown away with the attention to detail and care the bride and groom put into making this wedding perfect! The love Joshua and Kristina have for one another and their friends and families was so apparent. There wasn’t a dry eye during the first dance, watching this happy couple so in love is a moment no one could forget.

This travel loving bride and groom set off to explore the world – you can check out their blog to see what they have been up to: The Newlywed Nomads!

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

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

View All Collections

Wedding Dresses

Nicole Miller

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Fall 2015

SPRING 2016

View All Collections

It’s not every day you get to go shopping for the most important item of clothing you’ll ever wear; and the experience should be incredible from start to finish! So it’s no wonder that brides fall head-over-heels for the amazing service and stunning gowns at NYC’s Designer Loft. Offering brides a fabulous selection of dresses (think San Patrick, Christian Lucci and Galit Levi to name a few), in a no-pressure, relaxed atmosphere, Designer Loft allows the dress shopping experience to be just what it should — fun!

Among the amazing designers represented at Designer Loft is Rosa Clara, and the boutique is excited to announce the new 2014 collection entitled Rosa Clara Soft! Brand new in America, these gowns are hand-beaded with soft + flowy skirts made of tulle, chiffon and gorgeous lace. A bit art deco and a lot gorgeous, this collection is as unique and dramatic as it is affordable! With the varied selection of styles + designers and the motto “celebrate yourself, and others will follow,” Designer Loft has something amazing for each and every bride.

Designer Loft is full service from dress and accessory selection to alterations and they also offer custom gowns for mother of the brides, maids + flower girls! And get this, beginning September 1, 2013, they’re having a fall sample sale to make room for new inventory! With gowns from incredible designers that are priced to sell, this is a sale you won’t want to miss. Head over to the shop’s Facebook page for updates and to make an appointment visit the Designer Loft website or call 212.944.9013. One more exciting bit, my dears, Designer Loft is giving one lucky SMP reader a $300 gift certificate towards any full-price bridal gown! To enter, comment on this post with your favorite gown + designer seen on the Designer Loft site. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on October 4, 2013. Good luck, lovelies! xo

Paris Day After Shoot from Kristin La Voie Photography

I love Paris with all my being. So when I see a submission shot in the City of Light, I get a little bit more excited than I should probably admit. And when said submission happens to be as beautiful as this one from Kristin La Voie Photography – I stop everything I am doing to soak it all in. Join me in doing just that right here in the full gallery of images.

From Kristin… I am SO SO excited to share with you this absolutely magical day after session of Anahit & Hayk in the most romantic city in the world, Paris. Married just the day before and having celebrated in a castle in the French countryside, the next day was perfect to adventure around the city to capture their love story with all the most breathtaking Paris landmarks. A little rain couldn’t keep us away either — in fact it was perfect for their session in the city of lights, making it so incredibly authentic. I can’t get enough of this session!

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Dress: David's Bridal | Location: Paris

Laguna Beach Wedding from Esther Sun

This pretty little wedding from Esther Sun with florals by Pixie’s Petals is about to rock your world. It has elements of every lovable obsession from the beach, to just the right shade of mint, vintage details and an air of Frenchy goodness as a nod to the Bride and Groom’s current home (lucky ducks!). And I’m pretty positive you’re going to love it all as much as we do. Find even more right here in the full gallery.

Colors

Seasons

Flora & Fauna’s Home Tour

Settings

Beach Weddings

Styles

Vintage

From the Bride… Even though we are lucky enough to call Paris home, we knew from the beginning that we wanted to have our wedding in Southern California, where I grew up. The hardest part of planning a long-distance wedding was finding our ideal venue. We spent several fruitless months scouring the internet for a green, rustic, woodsy location with a barn (an image I was fixated on) until it became clear we were getting nowhere. We decided to fly out to California for the winter holidays and check out some venues in person. The day after we arrived, my brother drove us along the coastline and we stopped by Crystal Cove for lunch (a locale I’d already ruled out, because a) no woods and b) no barn) and the moment Benjamin and I stepped up onto the deck overlooking the sparkling ocean and huge blue sky, we both turned to each other and said “this feels right”. After that, everything else pretty much fell into place.

We let the atmosphere of the venue (ocean blue/beachy/vintage California) inspire all the design elements. My love for old blue Mason jars naturally led to the idea of having them line the table — I enlisted my cousins to thrift as many as they could find, and not only did they score gorgeous jars, but also dozens of vintage bottles of varying shapes and sizes in every hue of sea-green, turquoise, and cobalt. We asked our florist to intersperse bits of driftwood between the jars and bottles in keeping with our beachside locale, and our favors — chunks of amethyst, quartz, pyrite, and mint-green calcite were a nod to the ‘crystal’ in Crystal Cove. My dear friend, Hiroko, and I spent one rainy afternoon in a Paris cafe, brainstorming and sketching out ideas for the invitations, and she came up with the gorgeous seashell motif with Art Nouveau gold scrollwork (a bit of French flair I wanted to incorporate somehow).

I’d thought that since we were having a very intimate, tiny wedding with thirty guests, we’d be able to handle everything ourselves, but of course, we needed SO much help. Luckily our families and friends were amazing, and went above and beyond to do whatever they could to make our day all that we dreamed of. My brother (who is Scottish) was our officiant and humored our request that he don a kilt and accompanying traditional regalia for the ceremony. The groom’s mother saw me ogling a gold headpiece in a Paris boutique window and went in and bought it for me to wear with my wedding dress. My cousin, Lynn, caught a sneak peek at our wedding topper with it’s adorable mini fabric banner, and then secretly sewed a life-size one for us. My cousin, Kaelyn, also secretly hand-painted and crafted our bride and groom signs. The maid of honor did the lettering for our welcome chalkboard. Our guests flew in to be with us from every corner of the globe — France, Singapore, Texas, New York, Florida… I still get teary thinking about everyone’s generosity.

In retrospect, we are still incredulous at how well everything, every last little detail, came together to create one whole coherent, beautiful celebration. When we’d started planning, I’d received the same advice from every former bride I talked to: things will go wrong, so you just have to roll with it. But you know what? NOTHING went wrong. No, really. The food was excellent and we got to taste it all — we didn’t even miss out on the appetizers. We got to spend quality time with all of our guests (the benefits of a small wedding). The catering staff were impeccable, the florist outdid all my expectations, I had the world’s prettiest (and most well-prepared) maid of honor, many of the guests wore shades of blue (something I’d secretly hoped for but didn’t dream of demanding), and even the clouds that had hung around all day burned off just in time so we had brilliant, clear blue skies for the ceremony.
So my advice for others planning their own weddings would be: be clear with your vision, put as much of yourself into it as you can, ask for help from people who love you, and trust that it will all come together in the end.

Pardon me for staring, but I seriously can’t get enough of Flora & Fauna‘s home. From her deep indigo bedroom to that fabulous washroom wallpaper, there truly isn’t a thing I would change. Despite the fact that every single nook and cranny has been styled to absolute perfection, it still feels as if you could pick right up and move right in. Basically? I’m hoping Tatianna and her sweet family are on the hunt for a new roommate because I’m this close to making myself really comfortable. To see more, head on over to the gallery. Yvonne Rock is magical when it comes to interior images.

From Tatiana… This little blue cabin has been in my husband’s family for over thirty years but it had not been actively used for the past fifteen or so. When we moved in two years ago we really had our work cut out for ourselves – from wood paneling to green shag carpeting. It took us about three months to bring the cabin to a livable condition with the help of some handymen. Then the fun phase began!

When it came to decorating we knew we wanted to take our time. In fact we were sofa-less for a good three months until we found the perfect specimen for $80 at Goodwill! Funny enough it’s our sofa that gets the most compliments. And speaking of Goodwill, most of our furnishings and décor have been thrifted or have come from the likes of Ikea or Target. My theory is that if you wait long enough the perfect piece will present itself. And so, little by little, our cabin started to come together – a cookie jar from an antique store would lovingly grace our countertops, an abandoned recliner from my in-law’s basement would find its home in our living room and some otherwise “boring” items would have new life breathed into them with a fresh coat of paint or new drawer pulls.

I must admit that right now my thrifting is on hold. It’s easy to get carried away with that, especially where we live – there’s an amazing antique store around every corner. But when you’re working with such a small space, clutter can become an issue so I try to be careful. In the rare instance that I do bring home a new piece my rule is that I have to get rid of an existing one.

In the end we couldn’t be happier with the way this cabin has come together. Our biggest joy comes when people visiting our home tell us that they feel comfortable, cozy and that our space is inviting. We also get a funny little compliment from time to time that goes something like this “I feel like I’m in a fairytale cottage from a Disney movie.” Well my friends – mission accomplished! No one even knew that was my goal all along…

[dotted]

(psst – in case you missed it, we did an awesome Behind the Blog feature on miss Tatiana this morning!)

Jacquelyn Clark

Behind the Blog with Flora & Fauna

Have you ever stumbled upon a blog that you instantly know is going to be a new favourite? It’s kind of the best feeling. And, truth be told, it hasn’t happened to me in a while. That is, until I came across Flora & Fauna. Purveyor of all things sweet & adorable (including babies! Oh my gosh that child of hers!) I pretty much can’t get enough. Her attitude is infectious, her honesty is inspiring and I’m so excited to have her here today!

SMP: Some words you live by?
“One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.”—Sigmund Freud. Life isn’t rainbows and sunshine everyday but with our society’s constant obsession with “happiness” I find it important to be reminded of the fact that it’s often struggles and “hard days” that shape character and end up being the most instrumental in your life. It’s a daily reminder that even the most imperfect of days are pieces of a beautiful puzzle.

SMP: Any guilty pleasures?
Any of the Real Housewives shows and M&M’s – I cannot control myself when it comes to these two.

SMP: What did you think your dream job was before your dream job found you?
Oh my gosh, I’ve had so many “dream jobs.” There was the lawyer phase (who hasn’t had one of these right??), the real estate agent (complete disaster) and myriads of other failed ventures. I have not quite arrived at what I think is my dream job but I believe that every day, little by little, I’m climbing my way there.

SMP: What’s your favorite quote that describes your creative process?
“Follow your heart but take your brain with you.” ― Alfred Adler. As a creative person it’s often easy to get passionately caught up in whatever you’re working on but taking a moment to engage your more rational side can often help glean the best and most balanced results.

SMP: If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
My father drilled this Leo Tolstoy quote into me for as long as I can remember: “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” So I would say that if every day we simply set out to be better, kinder, work harder, love generously, laugh often and challenge ourselves even just a little, we’re bound to all make the world a better place.

SMP: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
Knee jerk reaction – yes. Unfortunately, even those “mistakes,” or things I wish I did differently worked to lead me to where I am and have made me the person I am today, for better or for worse. I wouldn’t be me and that seems strange and unnatural.

SMP: What is one piece of advice you would give to a blogger just starting out?
I honestly think that blogging today is so much harder than it was six, seven years ago. The expectations are different, the community has changed and the medium has advanced so much. But I would still say, if at all possible, write for you, about you, honestly and openly. Let your story flow out of you and through that, sometimes messy, process you will find your voice and your place.

SMP: What is your favorite item in your home?
Do books count? Our book collection is by and far our most prized possession. Books brought us together and books have always been a friend, a teacher and an adventure. It’s taken us years to put it together and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Sometimes I’ll just browse our shelves and remember what it felt like to read a certain book for the first time or pick up a new one.

SMP: What’s your best tip for balancing work and personal life?
For me personally it’s been finding a system that works and sticking to it. When Birdie is awake I am completely present with her. I play with her, feed her, change her, bathe her, etc. But when she is down for a nap I work feverishly in the silence and the evenings are prime time for getting work done. Since she goes to bed around 7:30 that leaves me with plenty of time to work. It’s not my ideal set up but it’s what works for now and with a child and family it’s so important to be flexible.

SMP: What is the hardest lesson in business you’ve ever learned?
Sometimes being right isn’t the most important thing. Without exception, people will always value kindness and humility.

SMP: What color do you think will stand the test of trend time?
Oh my gosh, without a doubt either black or white. Timeless.

SMP: One thing every style savvy homeowner should have?
A great, comfortable rug – it’s like artwork on the floor and can really liven up a room.

SMP: If you could buy yourself a single gift of any cost, what would it be?
An oil painting of my family. It’s a strange little dream I’ve had ever since I was a little girl. I love oils and I love my family, it would be a dream to combine the two for a lifelong gift.

[dotted]

Oh and we have her full home tour coming up later this afternoon, and I promise you’ll want to come back for this one!

[dotted]

Photography: Yvonne Rock Photo | Blog: Flora & Fauna

Jacquelyn Clark

Blueberry Harvest Wedding Inspiration from Jasmine Star

It’s feeling a lot like fall outside my window, yet this blueberry harvest shoot couldn’t have come at a sweeter time. Because while it was originally crafted with the summer months in mind, there’s a layered richness that could translate well to each and every season. One part industrial and another part rustic, I think it’s safe to say Jasmine Star, Kelsey Eads, The Sweet Side and EVERY vendor invovled have officially outdone themselves. Certain you’ll agree!

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings Summer Weddings

Settings

Urban Space

Styles

Modern

From Jasmine Star… Blueberries, wine grapes, black + white patterns. Our inspiration is the lively couple met while traveling overseas. They are eclectic, worldly, adventurous, warm and “happy”. Our styled shoot took place in a rustic industrial space in Seattle. The decor was reflective of a toasty summer day; deep colors were kept from looking too serious with lively fun patterns and textures mixed in. Fruity beverages that tie in with the blueberry theme keep the look running through every element. The paper goods have a worldly, almost tribal feel to them which are reminiscent of the linens. Airy lush florals that are heavy in foliage and fruits give off the vibe of a hearty summer harvest…

New South Wales Wedding at The Spit from SugarLove Weddings

There’s a reason we adore SugarLove Weddings with all of our being, and that reason is simple. They rock. And the sweet, sweet weddings they send our way? Well, they rock, too… and also happen to be filled to the brim with some of the most stunning details you will ever lay your eyes upon. Details like the ones overflowing from this gorgeous Sydney affair, a contemporary meets classic meets all kinds of amazing kind of soiree. Get your pretty on right here.

Colors

Settings

Event Venue Religious Institution

Styles

Eco-Chic Wedding Inspiration at Campovida from Larissa Cleveland Photography

From SugarLove Weddings… Anastasia & Garry had a classically beautiful wedding day with a traditional church ceremony at St. Spyridon Church, Kingsford. Their photo shoot in the pine forests of Centennial Park was blessed with the perfect light. Their reception was enjoyed by almost 200 guests at Zest, The Spit.

If there was ever a shoot I wanted to crawl in and live in forever, it would be this beauty from Larissa Cleveland Photography designed by Stacy McCain Event Planning and Nicole Sillapere. It’s completely dreamy in every sense of the word – from the gorgeous stationery by Mira Aster to the florals so amazing I could cry and everything in between – it’s what wedding blogger dreams are made of, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

Colors

Seasons

Modern Wedding Inspiration from Ann & Kam Photography + CityGirl Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Rustic Vintage

The Location: Campovida— A gorgeous organic farm up in wine country about an hour and forty minutes north of San Francisco.

The Concept: Using the farm to table movement as inspiration, we let northern California’s lush seasonal plants, flowers and abundant animal life dictate the casually fun and bright design for this shoot. We also incorporated many found materials, reusing / re-purposing, as well as supporting all local local artists and their products, designers and stores. Most of the clothing is handmade, as well as all of the details which were gathered locally – actually directly from the organic farm.

The Colors: Happy and Bright! Whatever was in season in the garden in May, which led us to yellow, red, corals and we added a hint of turquoise for a cool pop in some of the handmade details. We also incorporated lots of natural textures – recycled paper details, recycled wood, wool and cow hides. And the vintage VW bush of course!

The Menu: All gathered from the gardens and local farms near the venue.
-penny royal chevre pursed in sorrel and tied with chives
-buckwheat gnocchi with swiss chard and asparagus and with Campovida Viognier
-ciccolini of mcgruder ranch wild boar with rhubarb mostarda
-a gratin of cardoons and gorgonzola
-whole wheat brioche and Campovida’s honey whipped with butter
-fig leaf pannacotta with strawberries and mulberries stewed in Campovida Zinfandel

As much as I adore a beautiful rustic or traditional wedding, modern parties are my happy place. Clean, sophisticated lines, simplistic + breathtaking stylings, bold + dramatic details… I can never get enough. And when that contemporary pretty makes it way to me as a mesmerizing photo shoot from a talented team of vendors that includes CityGirl Weddings, Greenstar Paperie and Ann & Kam Photography, that’s an entirely new level of happy. See it all right here in the full gallery.

Colors

Settings

Urban Space

Styles

Modern

From Ann & Kam Photography… When dreaming about this shoot we, along with Sharokina from CityGirl Weddings, asked ourselves what a truly modern city wedding could look like. One of the wonderful things about a city like Chicago is the variety of styles and venues available, including wonderfully modern spaces like Venue SIX10. From the first time we visited, my husband, Kamran, and I were in awe of the open spaces, clean lines, wonderful light, and, of course, the amazing Michigan Avenue location of Venue SIX10.

Shar and I wanted to create a shoot that reflected the light and airiness of the modern space, with a pop of fun and whimsy. We chose a metallic silver with pops of yellow for our main colors. Adriana from Life Made Pretty provided the spectacular florals, from sophisticated calla lillies to light and delicate orchids. These provided a wonderful pop of color for the centerpieces as well as the lounge areas. Our outdoor lounge area, in particular, provided cozy chairs and an array of sophisticated florals that really popped against the cool blue of Venue SIX10’s outdoor balcony.

The beautiful gowns by VWIDON really set the tone for sleek sophistication. Venue SIX10 provided many of the accessories used in the shoot, including most of the jewelry and the sleek toasting flutes. Couples can purchase these unique and chic items right in the Venue SIX10 gift shop. What a cool way to remember your venue!

Our thanks to our lovely models Erin Thompson, Alexandra Pinheiro, Matt Hansen and Ryan Crice!

Engagement at Pine Farms Orchard from Purple Tree Wedding Photography

I will always be the biggest fan of engagement sessions. The biggest. For so many reasons. On the selfish side, I love soaking in all the sweetness on my end. But engagement sessions also give couples a great opportunity to get in front of the camera before their big day. And it means we all get to get inspired by sessions like this one from Purple Tree Wedding Photography. It’s image after image pure prettiness, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

Colors

Settings

Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Vintage

From Purple Tree Wedding Photography…Photographing two people in love is one of the most beautiful things in life. That love is captured so well on the camera – you can feel it in every picture. The King City Pine Farms Orchard was a magical place to shoot the engagement party. The bride-to-be’s shoot style perfectly reflected her personal style in everyday life: despite being a tough fitness instructor, she loves soft waves in her hair, full skirts inspired by the 60s and delicate lace. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Orchard and lit by the late summer sun, this couple’s engagement photoshoot was nothing short of extraordinary. Art and Halyna were inspired by rustic vintage with a touch of royal and chose beaming burgundy, pink and royal blue colours to compliment their day. The atmosphere at the farm was warm and endearing – it almost reflected the sparks between the two people in love.

From the Bride… The beginning of our love story is not your typical romantic story of love at first sight. The night Art and I met, I was pre-occupied with talking to my friends while he was busy flirting with other women. The second time we saw each other was different: we fell in love from the second sight and have been together ever since (I have decided my plan to move to Miami was failing miserably and stayed in Toronto). Fast-forward to 2011 – us gathering shells at the Costa Rica beach and watching the sunset. In one of the shells, I found my beautiful blue sapphire engagement ring, said “Yes!” to the man I love madly and never looked back.

I felt like the luckiest girl in the world on the day of our engagement shoot – not only did we have the perfect photographer, location and stylists, I also got to spend another beautiful day with the man of my dreams.

Houston Wedding at The Grove from Day 7 Photography

Good food, good company and good music. Three key ingredients for any seriously fun set of nuptials, and the “priority list” these two sweeties decided on when tackling their big day party. A day that was not only drop-dead gorgeous, but chock-full of those kind of stunningly gorgeous details that just make your heart sing. I’m talking contemporary meets pretty in every possible way. Dive into every love-filled moment captured by Day 7 Photography right here in the full gallery.

Colors

Seasons

Eatery Religious Institution

Settings

Styles

Destination Wedding in San Jose Del Cabo Mexico from Alison White Photography

From the Bride… I love good food, Alex loves good music. So, when we started planning the wedding, we picked only three priorities – good company, good food, and good music- and chose to not sweat the small stuff. So much of our joy comes from sharing in the happiness of our loved ones, and for Alex and I to share the things that make us happy in order to make others happy was all we could ask for! Because we had chosen to not worry about all the small details, the big day was relaxing, stress-free and so enjoyable. The ceremony was quirky, fun, and serious all at the same time… I especially loved Alex’s personal vows (they were in poem form!!) and how we chose to memorize our traditional vows so we could say them to each other as we placed wedding bands on each others’ fingers. The music throughout the ceremony was performed by a few of Alex’s good friends, making it even more meaningful and beautiful. Our reception was amazing as well: the food was out of this world (more than one guest told me it was the best wedding food they’d ever had!) and I had a ton of fun greeting our guests and listening to our close friends’ and family members’ heart-warming toasts.

Alex and I both really love being in nature and admiring God’s awesome creation. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved trees – climbing them, drawing them, daydreaming under them… and so when I was picking a wedding motif, trees immediately came to mind. Trees represent what we strive toward in our marriage: they start small, from just one seed, but grow with time and careful cultivation into solid structures capable of patiently weathering the different seasons of life with grace and beauty. I incorporated the natural look and colors of trees, branches, and floral touches into the wedding invitations and programs, the styling of the bouquets and centerpieces, the table number tags, the guestbook, and, of course, into the choice of reception venue (The Grove’s second floor is called “The Treehouse” after all!). When I walked into the reception for the first time with my husband and gazed out across the room, I was surrounded on all sides by natural light and beautiful treetops – it was absolutely perfect!

Another main inspiration behind our wedding was to have our guests “share our joy.” We didn’t want our wedding to only be a celebration centered around us. We wanted our guests to see that our joy had come from trusting in God and using His example of love for us to love one another. One detail of this was our wedding favors. Alex and his groomsmen put together small care packages as wedding favors for our guests to take and give to someone in need. Whenever they gave them out, we hoped that they could remember to “share our joy” by loving and encouraging someone who needed it.

Many details were, of course, found on Pinterest and wedding blogs. Two of my very talented bridesmaids helped DIY the cupcake stand from scratch and draw the table number tags, another friend of mine drew the guestbook tree, and of course, one of the groomsmen was in charge of assembling all the care package favors.

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

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

View All Collections

Wedding Dresses

Justin Alexander

Spring 2016

Spring 2018

Justin Alexander Fall/Winter

View All Collections

I always feel a bit spoiled when pouring over Destination weddings. Spending hours on end drooling over details in some of the most fabulous places on eart does feel a wee bit indulgent. But luckily for all of us, that’s exactly what SMP Destination is all about. Bringing you weddings like this one from Amy Abbott Events shot by Alison White that feels so incredibly decadent you can’t believe there isn’t a catch. It’s just pure gorgeous, and there is even more to devour right here.

Colors

Seasons

Settings

Beach Weddings

Styles

Romantic Elegance at The Crane Estate from Melissa DeSchamp Photography

From Alison White Photography….Heather and Matt live in Colorado, in one of the snowiest places in the country, so they decided to get away from it all and marry in sunny San Jose del Cabo, Baja Sur, Mexico. For their friends and family who made it, it was well worth the trip. They planned a week’s worth of activities, but for the wedding they chose the beautiful Campestre Beach Club where they married on the sand in front of the Sea of Cortez amid breaching whales and jumping Manta Rays. Baja was a wonderful choice in February; plenty of sun, but not too hot and a nice getaway from the cold winter.

Heather was inspired by the beachy tans, blushes and pale colors of the desert landscape, and her idea of a perfect wedding was a whimsical, yet elegant event, and one where everyone felt comfortable. They married on the beach, where a small boardwalk was set up, so that the ladies had no trouble walking in their shoes. They said their vows under a gorgeous canopy decorated lavishly with pale roses, white orchids and driftwood. It looked unbelievable under the deep blue Mexican sky! Heather and Matt included all ten of their nieces and nephews in the wedding. The girls carried nosegays and the boys held large vintage jingle bells with coordinating blush colored ribbons.

A romantic place card table designed ‘to inspire the love in all of us’ greeted the guests for the cocktail hour. They found their names hanging on a huge, decorative piece of wooden burl, on old tags attached to skeleton keys, and the table continued the vintage, beachy theme with mercury glass vases, creamy roses and orchids, succulents, and driftwood. Heather’s mother shared heart shaped sunglasses with many of the guests, and the reception was filled with ‘lovers’.

There were details to delight everywhere you looked, from the tequila bar on an antique cart to the crystal chandeliers lighting the dancing crowd with a ceiling of open sky. The mirrored bar held golden letters spelling ‘amor’, for all to remember just why they were all here.

After a few heartfelt toasts, the guests enjoyed food from around the world at several fabulous dinner stations. From the best oysters many had ever tasted to creative salads with locally grown ingredients to authentic Mexican fare, there was a flavor for every palate.

Everything was custom made for Heather and Matt to create a great Cabo experience including the bar and tables, and even the runners and napkins. Glass chargers with gold rims greeted diners at their seats, and the combination of round and long tables were decorated with driftwood, dendrobium orchids, succulents and pink roses, as well as mercury glass vases and gold chiavari chairs. A vintage lounge complete with overstuffed pillows in complimenting colors of pinks and tans allowed guests to rest in between dancing, and watch the ocean, and when the sun went down, many sat around the large fire pit to ward off the chill.

Heather and Matt kicked off the party with an unbelievable dance to a fantastic live version of “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Everyone danced the night away to the live music of Kilometro. But the best surprises from the bride’s father were the Salsa dancers who came to teach the gringos a thing or two. Finally, a phenomenal display of fireworks delighted everyone with a memorable detail that truly made Heather and Matt’s wedding a night to remember.

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

Amy Abbott Events

View Portfolio

I’m not typically what you would call a girly girl, but when it comes to pink, there’s just no resisting its beauty. Because pink is the kind of color that adds a dash of romance to every mesmerizing detail it touches, and it’s shining brightly in this gorgeous affair captured by Melissa DeSchamp Photography. From the lush blooms from Kerianne at Les Fleurs to the sparkling (+ yummy) cocktails to kick off the party, this, my friends, is all kinds of pink-filled pretty. See it all right here in the full gallery.

And an amazing film from Whit Wales for even more lovely…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/58134089 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Settings

Ballroom Weddings

Styles

Vintage Wedding in Evans Georgia from Jim and Gina Photography

From the Bride… Derek and I fell in love with the Crane Estate from the first time we saw it in a magazine. When we first went to visit and saw the rolling hills, the beautiful water views, the magnificent estate, and the romantic Italian garden, we knew that was where we wanted to get married. We drew inspiration from our venue for the wedding decor; it provided a true romantic and vintage feel.

When I awoke on our wedding day, it was pouring buckets. So much for an outdoor ceremony in the Italian Garden and Dancing Under the Stars as our invitations had promised! Luckily we had a beautiful Plan B and all that mattered was that we were going to be married surrounded by every person we love and care about.

When I walked down the aisle toward my best friend, I had my father by my side. I also had a piece of the three most amazing women in my life along with me; a piece of lace from my mothers wedding gown was sewn into my dress, my Grandmas brooch was attached to my bouquet, and my Nana’s engagement ring was on my right hand. The involvement of our family and friends was the foundation of our wedding planning. They all truly played a part. My mother learned calligraphy so that she could address the invitations; my cousin designed our wedding logo, invitations, menus and programs. Family even took part in the reception entertainment! After their first set, our band let my brother take the drums and my cousin take the microphone, and they performed an amazing rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” for Derek and me.

When I heard the band call Derek and me back up front later on in the night, I didn’t know what was going on. My Dad, my cousin, and my brother took the stage, handed us Boston Red Sox hats with our wedding logo monogrammed on each of them, and started to sing Kenny Chesney’s “She’s from Boston.” I looked around and Red Sox hats were being handed out to all of our guests. I did have a favor for our guests (which was the only detail I never could quite decide on) and it was perfect! Just as the song was finishing, the late-night sausage cart rolled in. Amazing!

Our wedding day truly was perfect. We couldn’t have had a better day surrounded by those who mean the world to us. A huge thank you to my Mom and to Ashley at the Crane Estate for making our vision for the day a reality– you executed each detail better than I could’ve imagined.

(And you never would’ve known it rained!)

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

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

View All Collections

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

View All Collections

Dessy

Bridesmaid 2014

Women's Tuxedo

Tuxedo

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

View All Collections

For most, Mondays come with a big ol’ side of of dread. But for me, Mondays mean I get to finally share more gorgeous with all of you after a looong two day hiatus. So I love them. So much. And when the wedding I get to share is as pretty as this one from Jim and Gina Photography, you can bet your bottom dollar that I was chomping at the bit all weekend for Monday to finally arrive. Thankfully it’s finally here, and we get to devour every last pretty detail right here in the full gallery of images.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/68578511 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Ballroom Weddings Religious Institution

Settings

Styles

Vintage

From the Bride… The day Lane proposed to me, I already had a pretty clear vision of how I wanted our wedding. I fell in love with J. Crew’s color Dusty Shale, and the soft, minty blue-grey became the inspiration for my vintage wedding. After browsing Pinterest and Style Me Pretty for years, I was thinking burlap, fancy china, and antique books. My family was so helpful throughout the planning process, and after many weekends full of estate sales and antique stores, we eventually had enough pieces to make all of the centerpieces ourselves. There were so many aspects of our wedding that were DIY projects, including the custom hangers, photo booth, mosaic cake plate, programs, and signs for the reception. We were so lucky to have help from a lot of close friends who wanted to help to make sure our day was perfect, which is how we ended up with such sweet rides, including a vintage Rolls Royce!

The ceremony was held at Wesley UMC, which was so special to us because it’s where we went to church together in high school and my dad did all of the metal art for the sanctuary. The reception took place at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, which has a beautiful ballroom with a balcony overlooking the Savannah River. We ventured across a bridge and down onto a dock to capture some amazing pictures. When I walked into the reception, it was everything I could have hoped for and more. We had a huge variety of food, ice sculptures on every table, and lots of great music and dancing. One of the most meaningful things to me, was the “family table” we had set up as people came in with pictures and memoirs from our family members to celebrate their marriages. Besides being beautiful, the reception was so much fun! One of my favorite parts was towards the end of the night when everyone was out on the dance floor, including our caterer and photographers!

It was the perfect day, and everything we could have ever dreamed of. I love looking back at all of the pictures and remembering how much fun we had celebrating. I hope ya’ll enjoy them as much as I do!

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

Menswear

Bows-N-Ties

Spring/Summer Collection

Fall/Winter Collection

View All Collections

InterContinental Mark Hopkins Wedding from BayPhoto Net Photography

It really doesn’t get any prettier than the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. The building is ridiculous in the best way and I for one can’t help but love every wedding that comes out of there. Take this one from BayPhoto Net Photography. That dress, the cake, the smiles… amazing right?

Colors

Seasons

Settings

Ballroom Weddings

Styles

Brooklyn Backyard Wedding from Isabelle Selby

From the designer… When panache and historic four star charm combine you get Jennifer and Ali’s San Francisco wedding. Jennifer stayed true to her feminine style by choosing a color palette of pale pinks, gold, and ivory while incorporating a masculine metallic silver to compliment the look and the grooms style. They were incredibly easy going and trust worthy through ought the planning process as their wedding coordinator Frankie Rogers and I collaborated on their design, layout, and every detail.

You know how they say you can buy fashion, but you can’t buy style? I think weddings are sort of the same way. No matter how much you prep and plan, spend and splurge, a great wedding really comes down to the bride and groom behind it — couples like this Brooklyn pair who add that unspoken cool factor from start to finish. (And of course, having incredible vendors like Isabelle Selby and Jove Meyer Events doesn’t hurt one bit either!) Catch every second of this style-infused affair right over here.

Colors

Seasons