I don’t know about you, but as soon as I feel that crispness in the air in and around this time each year, I’m immediately struck with the desire to buckle down and hibernate. I forgot how much I love the idea of cuddling under an oversized throw with a ginormous mug of tea. I thought it’d be fun to round up a few ways that you, too, can start preparing for the months ahead!

African Autumn Tea: Chapters | Basket: Crate & Barrel | Birch Pot: Terrain at Styers | Candlesticks: Terrain at Styers | Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup: Girlcrush | Denim Chevron Pillow: Nordstrom | Glass Travel Mug: Chapters | Lanterns: Terrain at Styers | Le Creuset Teapot: William Sonoma | Throw Blanket: Habitat

Miami, you throw a darn pretty wedding. And when you team up with Karma Goddess, you are at your brightest. This wedding is living proof. Becca Borge Photography captured a love so pure that is spilled over effortlessly into a beautifully designed, wonderfully planned day. And I just can’t get enough.

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From the photographer… Christina and Leslie’s wedding was an elegant oceanside wedding at a mansion in Miami, FL. The wedding took place at the historic Deering Estate and was the perfect fit for this couple. They are an ocean-loving pair who live by the water and boat often. I loved how they incorporated a myriad of bright florals and decor for a elegant tropical feel, and pearls throughout (pearl paper invites and stationary, pearl DIY place cards, pearl champagne flutes/dinner ware, and Christina’s engagement ring is even a pearl instead of diamond). Other fun elements include a beach chair “guestbook” and water-gun send off!

From the beautiful bride…  Leslie and I both love the water. This was the main reason in the decor and venue selection. I also love history, so getting married at a historical site was also nice. We wanted something classy and elegant, but also incorporate our love for the sea. There was a lot of DIY. All the menus were designed and created by me and my mom. The aisle decor was DIY. My mom and I bought all of the sea shells and ocean decor and had the florist incorporate these into her designs. 

Photography: Becca Borge Photography | Coordinator: Karma Goddess | Florist: Hirnis Florist | Cake: Susie's Scrumptious Sweets | Shoes: Navy/Tan Sperry Topsiders | Caterer: Chef David Catering | Hair and Makeup: Kristin Brown | Entertainment: Chris Cruz with Emagination | Groom's Suit: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: The Deering Estate | Bride's Gown: Alfred Angelo

Spring in New York City is a magical time of year for weddings.  The blooming flowers, fresh, crisp air and sunny skies make for one seriously stunning backdrop, if you ask me.  And when you pair up all of that lovely with a traditional Battery Gardens affair chock-full of whimsy, it’s a special type of magic that fills our hearts (and our galleries) with pretty.  See every beautiful moment captured by Twah Dougherty right here in the full gallery.

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From Twah Dougherty… Sarah & Nick had a whimsical city wedding full of personality in Manhattan’s downtown Battery Park. This fun-filled couple effortlessly incorporated an offbeat combination of yellow, grey & purple with hints of red throughout their event which were indicative of their fun personality. Sara was able to find Toy Story figurines on ebay of Buzz Lightyear and Hamm to represent the funny nicknames they call each other. The couple honored their families by incorporating a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony which followed after their Classic American ceremony in one of Manhattan’s historical churches. This couple also let their personality shine when they decided to take dance lesson to surprise their guests with a fun coordinated first dance.

From The Bride… When Nick and I decided to get married, we wanted a fun-filled Spring wedding for our closest friends and family. During the wedding planning process, we searched high and low to find the best vendors that shared our passion and sentiments for our big day. We were thrilled to find people that are so passionate about what they do and went out of their ways to make our wedding special.

Yellow is my favorite color and it is such a great hue to compliment a Spring wedding. I drew inspirations from various wedding blogs and spent countless hours of research to find perfect and affordable pieces to suit our wedding decor. My mother and her friends also provided invaluable assistance by tailoring my dress, and designing/making the flower girl’s dress, as well as my veil and hair accessories. My DIY pride and joy was our cake topper, Buzz Lightyear and Hamm from Toy Story. Nick looks a lot like Buzz and its my nickname for him. Hamm was a natural fit since I’m such a piggy for any culinary treats. I found the two toy figurines from Ebay and dressed them up with a bowtie and tulle veil. It provided a personal and light-hearted element to the cake and the wedding.

The weather on our wedding day could not have been more perfect and it helped to set the overall mood for the night. It was the perfect evening with lots of dancing and laughing with all our guests. Our vendors went above and beyond our expectations and helped us execute the vision that we imagined. We were so lucky to have such an amazing group of family, friends, and vendors that made our night so fun and memorable.

Photography: Twah Dougherty | Cinematography: Fred Lee | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Cake: Silk Cakes | Invitations: Pear Tree Greetings | Church: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Band: Ariel Band | Grooms Attire: John Varvatos | Venue: Battery Gardens | Bridal Boutique: La Sposa Detalle | Earrings: Bill Levkoff | Makup + Hair: Sachiko Yanase | Reception Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Day Coordinator: Grace Lui | Wedding Programs + Place Cards: Wiregrass Weddings

You know what makes for a pretty amazing Saturday?  A meet and greet with two of our brand new advertisers.  That’s what.  And when those brand new advertisers happen to be the fabulous Parfaite Planning and Inn at Churon Winery, well… even better.  So grab that cup of morning coffee, snuggle on up with your laptop and join us for an entire day of inspiration.  It’s going to be lovely.

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It’s time to plan the greatest day of your life and you’re envisioning nothing less than perfection.  So who do you call upon to deliver that amazing, gorgeous-filled event of your dreams?  Well, Parfaite Planning, of course.  Because if anyone can turn that wedding of a lifetime into a complete reality, it’s this team of planners and designers who know a thing or two about breathtakingly beautiful nuptials and downright fun-filled parties.  Take a look at all of the lovely below to see exactly what I mean…

From Parfaite Planning… At Parfaite Planning we want to know who you are and what you love — your favorite things, the things that define you individually and as a couple, the things that make you do cartwheels when no one is looking and pop open an amazing bottle of champagne and toast. We love helping our clients find their own voice for their wedding day, beyond picking colors and fabrics. Together we will create an environment that speaks to who you are and why you have chosen each other for a lifetime!

You say, “I want it all” and we say, “we provide the whole shebang!” From finding your fairytale venue to perfecting your personalized touches, we literally do it all. Our clients enjoy:

Our experience: Over 200 events.

Our connections: What can we say?! We love our vendors and they love us… We can be found on the best of the best referral lists in all three of our markets.

Our negotiating skills: What can we say? We love saying “pretty please” to our vendors!

Photography: Harwell Photography + Gia Canali Photography

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Temecula, California is one of my favorite places in the world.  It really is.  Just a short trip to the hustle and bustle of San Diego, it’s like its own little paradise amongst glorious rolling hills and acres upon acres of stunning vineyards.  It’s heaven.  And the breathtakingly beautiful Inn at Churon Winery?  It’s one of the gems I love the most with its French-inspired decor and charming old-world vibe, aka, the perfect place for soaking in the sun, sipping on some wine and saying “I do,” of course.

From Inn at Churon Winery… Inn at Churon Winery provides a unique experience, as it brings a bit of France to the rolling vineyards of Temecula Valley’s wine country.  Inn at Churon Winery encompasses the Chateau complete with 24 rooms, 11 acres of estate vineyards, tasting room and various indoor and outdoor event venues.

Wedding ceremonies take place at an outdoor elevated gazebo overlooking vineyards, waterfalls and a panoramic view of Temecula Valley’s wine country.  Brides and grooms can choose between an indoor or outdoor dinner reception and can create a specialized menu to accommodate their guests’ needs.  Inn at Churon Winery’s professional staff will assist in menu selections, room design, decor and vendor referrals.

The morning after the wedding, a gourmet breakfast is prepared for the bride and groom and their guests. 

Inn at Churon Winery hosts only one wedding ceremony and reception per day to ensure that each wedding receives all the attention it deserves.  

The Chateau Wedding Package includes a complimentary Bridal Suite for the bride and groom.

Inn at Churon Winery is giving away a one night stay for two, including a full breakfast, one reserved hour of wine tasting and its famous 5-course wine-paired meal (Value $425). This is the perfect chance to experience firsthand its unique Chateau Winery experience. Leave a comment below letting us know what your dream winery wedding would be like. A winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, October 18, 2013.  For terms and conditions click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

Photography: Rachel Ranalli Photography

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Welcome to the family, Parfaite Planning and Inn at Churon Winery!  We are so happy to have you! xo

One of the best things about Saturday mornings is getting to tackle the day at your leisure. But the best thing about Saturday is that we get to introduce some of the talents sitting right under your pretty nose. Today those folks go by the name of Dandie Andie Floral Designs and Avenue Weddings, and we simply can’t wait for you all to become besties.

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Andie of Dandie Andie Floral Designs is someone everyone should want to bestie-up with. Why, you ask? Well her gorgeous floral creations are far more than bouquets and centerpieces – they are works of art. If you are flower people like us (and I’m pretty sure most of you are), you’ll definitely want to check out her work.

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About Dandie Andie Floral Designs…Dandie Andie Floral Designs based in Mississauga, Ontario and are known for their exquisite hand tied bridal bouquets.They strive to create each event to be custom tailored for the client’s specific needs and tastes to make every event unique. They love being small so that the person who consults with you will also be the person who designs for your event and sets everything up on your big day. They are a home based studio are not a retail store. “We don’t have customers coming in and out of a shop distracting us from what really matters, our full attention on your event. This allows us to be particular about what flowers we use and be focused on your event. We also love DIY Weddings. We want to help brides have gorgeous flowers for their big day.”

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You know that moment where you have all these fabulous wedding dreams dancing around in your head, but you realize you have no idea where to buy all the stylish supplies? Paper straws? Chalk boards? Cupcake wrappers? Favour bags? The search for these items can go on and on – unless you check Avenue Weddings,  the answer to just about everything you need to make your wedding exactly what you dream of…

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About Avenue Weddings… Avenue Weddings is a décor, supply and accessory store for weddings, bachelorette parties and bridal showers.We are one-stop wedding shopping for brides on Vancouver Island, with over 1400 different products in store. For local brides, we also offer a small selection of rentals.We now offer online shopping and ship across Canada from our store in Victoria.We sell ceremony and reception décor, stationery, gifts, bridal and men’s accessories, books and planners, food and beverage accessories, party supplies and more. Our favorite products include our garters, cake toppers, diamond confetti, washi tape, candy bags, cufflinks, tiaras and striped straws.From rustic to contemporary to romantic, big weddings or small, we have something for every bride and groom!

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Welcome lovelies! We are so thrilled to have you in the SMP Canada family! xoxo

From start to finish, you’ll want your big day to be completely reflective of you and your honey. And I couldn’t think of a better way to get guests excited for your impending “I do’s” than with fabulous save the dates from Pear Tree Greetings. With a gorgeous variety of designs in dozens of color combinations, you can fully customize your cards to fit your personal style and wedding colors!

From sweet photo magnets to simple two-sided postcards, all of Pear Tree Greeting’s designs are printed on luxe 100-pound, matte-finish card stock. I’m telling you, my dears, it’s never been easier to set your big day apart with fabulous and unique options that fit in perfectly with the design of your wedding.

And now that you’re totally head-over-heels for all of the gorgeous styles from Pear Tree Greetings, we’ve got a little treat for you! Pear Tree Greetings is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a $150 credit for save the dates! To enter, simply head over to Pear Tree Greetings and take a peek at all the amazing options, then head back over to this post and let us know which one is your favorite! A winner will be randomly chosen and announced on October 4, 2013. Good luck, lovelies!

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Hello New York! It’s a fine Saturday morning, and it’s about to get even better – because today we get to shed some light on the seriously talented Joe TickNow Photography. So go ahead and put that to-do list aside, and let swooning over his gorgeous work take the top spot this morning.

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Your wedding pictures are important. You know that. They will hang on your walls, sit above your mantles, and (hopefully) stand the test of time. That is why you will always hear us say that hiring a great photographer is oh-so-important. Enter Joe TickNow Photography. His images are worthy of all the top spots in your home, but you don’t have to take my word for it, just take a peek below…

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About Joe TickNow Photography… Joe TickNow Photography provide professional wedding photography on New York City and in the New York Metropolitan area. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the best quality, value along with outstanding customer service. Our vision and approach to wedding photography is modern, fresh and progressive with the range of details, documentation and intimate images. We preserve every moment and intense emotions from the best day of your life so it will become a unique history for the future. Because every wedding is unique, every couple is different and every collection is customizable to meet our client’s expectations, please visit our website here for more information on pricing and availability.

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Welcome! We are thrilled to have you in the SMP New York family! xoxo

Good news, lovelies.  We have two brand new advertisers to introduce you to today… and they are beyond amazing.  I’m talking the crazy talented Adrian Tuazon Photography and the ever-wonderful bellabox, here to completely rock your Saturday.  So prepare for the world’s best meet and greet and let’s get to know them, shall we?

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Oh, Adrian Tuazon.  Can you BE any more fabulous?  Your images are chock-full of the sort of magical moments that have the power to completely leave us speechless and capture our hearts all at the same time… and you always, always leave us wanting more.  Even better?  We can spend our entire Saturday and Sunday soaking in every last ounce of your lovely.  And, well.  That’s a pretty amazing weekend, don’t you agree?

From Adrian Tuazon Photography… In my personal life, I’m a father of a beautiful son who is constantly tormented by my numerous photos of him! My partner Jason and I travel a lot, but I will always come home to Melbourne, Australia. There’s something magical about the seasons, the colours each season brings and the events that happen throughout the year. Every summer I “seriously” consider a sea-change, every winter I escape the cold and head overseas, but for those days in-between, when I can, I take in the coffee culture and escape in a café somewhere with a pile of magazines.

As an artist I try to do things differently, looking at things from my own perspective. My work has a deliberate approach. Film photography gives me the creative freedom to create something unique, inspiring and beautiful. Film is imperfect, light and organic. The process is unmatched and produces classic images that I love.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, I specialise in wedding and lifestyle images. I love to travel and will shoot an assignment anywhere in the world.

Win a free engagement session from Adrian! Just visit the Adrian Tuazon Photography Blog or Facebook page for more information.  Good luck, lovelies!

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If you SMPers are anything like me (and I know you are), then you love getting your hands on some amazing beauty products.  From crazy wonderful moisturizers to glorious hair treatments to everything in between, there’s nothing quite like a day (or two) of pampering.  So when I first met the fabulous bellabox, I threw one heck of a virtual dance party.  Because this isn’t just any beauty service. It’s a $15 a month package of awesomeness delivered straight to your door with FREE DELIVERY.  Hello amazing.

From bellabox… Surprise yourself and be beautiful with bellabox!

bellabox is the beauty service that handpicks and wraps 5+ deluxe sized beauty products and delivers them right to your door for only $15 a month, including free delivery.

The perfect way of treating yourself – and every box is themed differently for a monthly surprise – bellabox helps you open your mind and beauty cupboard to new brands and products you may not have heard of, or had the opportunity to try before. Plus, when you sign up, you fill in a beauty profile, so they can target specific items to suit one of your beauty preferences.

bellabox work with a mix of well-known International and Australian brands, as well as the up-and-comers, so every box represents a variety of beauty, including skincare, body care, hair care, makeup, fragrance – even beauty tools!

They do all the beauty browsing for you each month, and give you the chance to try before you buy, so you never purchase full-size in-store, only to find a product doesn’t suit your beauty needs. And if you find something you love? Then you just jump online and purchase the products from their online store.

Plus when it comes to beauty, bellabox know their stuff. So all the items they handpick are ones you’ll want to know about.

It’s a brilliant concept, and for only $15 a month, it is so worth it! It is not about getting a bargain, but it is about expanding your beauty horizons and getting to try a product really well before deciding if you want to buy it.

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Welcome to the family Adrian Tuazon Photography and bellabox!  We are so happy to have you! xo

It’s been a really long time since we’ve shown some of our beloved advertisers some much deserved love, so I’m kind of excited about this post today! Because we have two beyond incredible companies that you seriously, truly, simply need to get to know. From snacks with NatureBox to home decor with Sarah & Bendrix we’re covering lots of ground on this wonderful Saturday morning!

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I’m actually pretty thrilled to introduce this first company to you!  Hailing straight from London, England Sarah & Bendrix has become my go-to for the prettiest of home decor. From delicious wooden toys to incredible paper goods to confetti bunting and beyond, they’re basically a one stop shop for all things lovely. Looking for the perfect anniversary gift? You got it. Have a baby shower on your agenda in the coming weeks? They’ve got you covered.

Oh and while we’re at it, we should probably mention their adorable blog. Perfectly curated and showcasing only the prettiest of the pretty I, myself, have just added it to my reader.

And today MIGHT just be your lucky day because the sweet folks at Sarah & Bendrix are giving each and every SMP Living reader %15 off their entire purchase! Simply enter: STYLE ME PRETTY LIVING at checkout to redeem your discount.

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Last but most certainly not least is the incredible NatureBox. Have you heard of them? They’re a company that delivers a selection of healthy, nutritious snacks straight to your doorstep each and every month. Yep. Kind of amazing. I’ve had the chance to test out a handful of their treats in the past and I promise you they are good. Better than good. And had I not been informed that they were healthy I never, ever would have known. I urge you to hop on this bandwagon!

Each box is filled with 3-20 bags of goodies, depending on the package you select, and it will make its way to you (with free shipping!) each month. I’m thinking this would make an awesome gift for that person who never really know what they want (you know the one I’m referring to, I know you do!)

And bonus? The lovely folks at NatureBox are offering all SMP Living readers 50% off their first purchase on any sized box! Simply enter SMP50 at checkout and you’re good to go. The code is valid until October 31st. Happy shopping my dears!

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Welcome to the family, NatureBox &  Sarah & Bendrix!  We are so happy to have you! xo

A couple weeks ago, I had the chance to attend my first flower potluck — a completely genius idea, if you ask me. With every guest bringing along their favorite blooms to mix and match, we were able to craft crowns, bouquets, and of course, have a ton of fun along the way. So when I got wind of this bridal shower flower potluck, my interest was peaked. AND then I read the reasoning behind this flower shower and my heart literally swelled with happiness. A Bride and Groom planning a budget wedding for $2000 and raising the remaining $25,000 for charity. Amazing right? Read all about it below and learn more about their charity here!

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From the Bride-to-Be…For our upcoming October wedding, my fiance and I have decided to do something a little different.  After researching the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. (around $27,000), we began discussing how many people that amount of money could help.  We did more research and determined we could put together our dream wedding for just $2,000, and we could raise the remaining $25,000 of the average wedding cost to give to others in need.  We are doing that through an organization called Pure Charity–you can read more on our fundraiser here.

Creating our dream wedding on a budget means we don’t plan to leave any of the important things out, we just have to think up creative ways to make them a part of our big day.  When it came to looking through my options for flowers, I figured a DIY approach to making bouquets for my bridesmaids and myself would be the most affordable option.  When I discovered the concept of a flower potluck through Kinfolk Magazine, I knew I wanted to organize one with my best girl friends.  It hit me when my Matron of Honor began asking where and when I’d like to have my personal shower–we could combine the two!

I’ve always loved the look of dried flowers–I have four dried bridesmaid bouquets around my house from the weddings I’ve been in–and I think they’re beautiful for fall decor.  When we decided July would be the best time to have my shower, even though I’m not getting married until October, I knew we had to try to implement the flower potluck into the actual wedding day.  We all brought a bundle of a single type of flower to my shower, then spent a lovely hour or so around my dining room table putting together the biggest, most beautiful wild bouquets.  The girls who aren’t in the wedding took their bouquets home as favors, while my bridesmaids and I gave the stems a fresh cut, tied them with twine, and hung them to dry.  We plan to carry them on my wedding day!

I definitely recommend this approach to affordable, gorgeous wedding flowers.  My bridesmaids and I spent about five dollars each at the Farmers Market on our bundles, and we were able to pick out exactly what we wanted.  Plus, it was so much fun to get creative and girly with my best friends, and our bouquets are way more special since we put them together with our own hands.

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And in true TGIF fashion….we have a few lucky winners to announce!

Congrats to Jamie M. who snagged five High Low Honey Dresses for her maids and a Boudoir Set for herself from Plum Pretty Sugar!

And oh, happy day to Sheri and Ivette Martinez who are each winning a ticket to the Something Lovely Wedding Event – congrats!  Tickets are still available here.

Well, we may be breaking out the trench coats and pumps, but we’re at that perfect time of the year where we can still go nude on the leg. You may want to take a page out of this ridiculously gorgeous bride-to-be’s book and pair your prettiest pointy pumps with a bare leg for your weekend festivities, because goodness does she make it look chic. Before you sign off for a few days, make sure to check out the rest of this stunning engagement shoot from Marisa Holmes Photographer! xoxo

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From the photographer… Lauren and Dorian are such an amazing couple in love and were more than happy to snuggle up and steal kisses from each other during our session. They both looked spectacular dressed up for their photos around Downtown Laguna, but Lauren admitted she couldn’t wait to get comfy and go barefoot on the beach to capture casual intimate photos which represents them so well as a couple. I always tell my couples it is important for their engagement photos to tell the story of who they are and not what’s trendy or what other people think. I’m so excited Lauren and Dorian didn’t hesitate to make sure their session was uniquely them and expressed who they are and how they wanted their photos to feel. If you are comfortable and having fun together as a couple the camera will see it and it makes for great photos. I’m looking forward to their wedding in Laguna in October with the fabulous Brooke Keegan.

Photography: Marisa Holmes Photographer | Vendor: Crystal Palecek Of Rue Magazine

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In case you missed anything, here’s the week at a glance:

an absolutely stunning Switzerland soiree (seriously, breathtaking)
a heartwarming Montana wedding film with a sweet, sweet, sweet couple
a Florida beach highlight film that is beyond beautiful
8 tips for finding your perfect wedding dress
a backyard affair in Encino that is maybe the best
a Southampton fête with the most gorgeous couple

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A handful of our favorites from around the web:

a girls day in we need an invite to via Rue Daily
the best tools for us straight haired gals via The Beauty Department
13 different (amazing) ways to make hummus via Shape

This wedding had me at classic lace dress with a hint of pink. Yep, sold. From the copious amounts of peonies to the gaggle of little flower girls captured so beautifully by Hazelnut Photography and that dream with a hint of blush gown, it marries fresh and classic in the best of ways. And the Bride and Groom, they’re pretty darn adorable too. Head over to the gallery for the full affair.

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From Hazelnut Photography…I think there are people that are put onto this planet to make it a better place.  I mean, we all ought to, but there are some people that actually do.  People that make it the goal of their lifetime to leave this earth in a better state than they found it.  Lindsay & Kyle, hands down, are two of those people.  I’d had this inkling before their wedding, even though I had only briefly met them.  They booked me from their moving truck, as they were heading across the country.  We had a short conversation and I immediately fell for their passion and their excitement.   (Seriously, how you can be excited while driving a U-Haul is beyond me, but they were!)  A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting them, along with her mother & sister and I knew that this wedding would be special.  The love they shared for each other was palpable.  And the excitement from her family was contagious.  I knew it was going to be oh so good. And, it was everything I hoped it would be.  Her incredible gown had just the faintest hint of pink, so fresh and yet classic.  The details were sweet and little hints of this beautiful couple, including granola made by our bride!  There were nods to the past, and mountains of hope for the future.  It was a lovely wedding, full of passion and brimming with love.  Two people who are so clearly meant to change the world together.  It’s a beautiful thing and I couldn’t be more excited for Lindsay & Kyle as they begin this part of their story.

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Photography: Hazelnut Photography | Cinematography: Paperweight Films | Floral Design: Luis Cerda | Ceremony + Reception Location: Maravilla Gardens | Bakery: I Heart Pies | Band: DeBois Entertainment

I swear, in my next life I’m going to be a florist. Because just staring at Rylee Hitchner‘s images alone has moved me into full flung grinning-from-ear-to-ear territory. How could you not be at your best when surrounded by natures most beautiful products? Though I unfortunately seem to lack a green thumb in even the smallest of quantities, Amy Osaba on the other hand does not. That girl works magic and is sweet enough to be giving away a few of her tricks to creating a rustic, foraged floral arrangement, so be sure to read on! And if you’re looking for more, take a peek at the gallery. It’s bubbling over with pretty. 

From Amy Osaba… Foraging flowers is a wonderful tool for adding organic movement in any arrangement. I really love how the wild nature of foraged flowers dictates the direction. The green foliage falls so nicely when mixed with hearty branches that cascade downward. This creates a base and easily allows you to place more delicate flowers within.

One trick for creating a loose and natural look is to begin with a wide mouthed vessel. A wider opening allows for more flowers and encourages them to have more movement and fall more naturally. I begin with the greens and then place the longer stemmed flowers in the same direction the greens are falling. I always add lush blooms closer to the mouth of the vessel in the center. Adding additional blooms of varying sizes, textures, and heights in the same flow as the greens will create more depth.

Adding fruits or vegetables to a tablescape creates immediate elegance. It just mimics the layers of textures within the arrangement onto the table. Ginny Branch, my sweet friend and stylist, introduced me to this amazing tool for cutting out a perfect shape to add tea lights inside of fruit. Don’t you just love the pear candle? Candles really set the mood for any occasion. I also buy clear votives from the dollar store and lightly mist them with gold spray paint (Our favorite is Krylon metallic. Don’t worry, it won’t catch on fire!)

It really is all about creating height and texture to create a beautiful vignette. All you need can be found around your home. Or maybe you are driving down the road and something catches your eye and makes you pull over. (Not that I have ever done that!) You will be amazed at what you are capable of creating with your very own foraged flowers.

Good luck and happy flowering!

Photography: Rylee Hitchner | Tutorial: Amy Osaba

You may know Joel Serrato as wedding film god extraordinaire but, my friends, you haven’t seen him like this. This that I speak of is gorgeous photographs of an anniversary session captured in the fields of Los Olivos. Yep, his talent knows no bounds. It runs from the most amazing super 8 films you’ll ever lay your eyes on to still images of  love in the golden glow of that California sun. And it’s beyond. See for yourself right here.

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From the Mrs. … As our 2 year anniversary rolled around, my husband and I wanted to, in someway or another, document the moment as to remind ourselves of this special bond that we had made to one another. We weren’t quite sure how, where, or who would be the one to help us capture this moment in time but coincidentally I had seen some gorgeous stills that Joel had shot and thought to myself, he has to be the one. After all, he was the one who shot the most beautiful, honest, artistic, and candid super 8 film of our wedding day. Joel is truly an artist in every sense of the word. Having spent most of his time devoted to creating Super 8 film masterpieces, this has afforded him the ability to pay close attention to detail, understand the movement and use of natural light on his subjects, and moreover create a picture that bleeds nostalgia. He is professional in all that he does and demonstrates his love and passion for the art of photo making with every click of his camera. He has a way about him that just makes you feel comfortable when your around him and it makes for a much more relaxed environment when he’s shooting you. We are so grateful for Joel and all of the incredible talents that he has to offer. Whether it be behind his Super 8 film camera or behind his still film camera, he will undoubtedly create memories for you that will last a lifetime. Thank you Joel Serrato for documenting some of the most beautiful moments for us to cherish.

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Photography: Joel Serrato

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Let’s face it, a babies’ first birthday party is more for the parents than it is for that sweet little nugget who likely won’t remember the details. So it only makes sense to make the event parent friendly too! We’re taking a cue from Threaded Together Vintage Rentals and  Julie Cate Photography  who’ve drummed up this sweet as can be kite themed birthday party that is as much fun for those kiddos as it is for the adults. Oh and there’s a whole gallery filled with inspiration.

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From Lynnell of Threaded Together… For my daughter’s first birthday, I wanted to host a casual family outing that would be just as much fun for the parents as the kids. For the parents we included a summer time cocktail adapted from SMP’s very own recipe (Raspberry Basil Limoncello cocktail), a simple and light menu fit for a hot summer evening, and a beach lounge area to chat and enjoy one of my husband’s home brewed beers. The menu included chicken salad croissant sandwiches, Greek salad and watermelon mint salad. For the kids I served lemon water in their very own kiddie cups, kite shaped PB&Js (always a classic favorite) and fruit cups filled with strawberries and blueberries (my daughter’s favorite.) I am a big fan of crafty activities verses games so I set up a kids table where they could decorate their own kites that they would later fly in the beach breezes. The kite decorating station was a big hit and the Dad’s seemed to enjoy flying the kites as much as the kids.

As a photographer and stylist, I also wanted the party to have lots of visual appeal.The overall style was inspired by who else but . . . Kate Spade! I wanted a preppy beach summertime feel mixed with a few of my vintage pieces like the farm table for the desert display and the trunk in the beach lounge. I chose a color palate of bright pink, yellow and navy. I created a cake table backdrop of fringe garland to look like stripes and set it up under the pergola. I also created a hand painted cake (inspired by Belle and Boo) with a mini replica of Kate and our dog Dublin. In addition to the cake, cake pops of kites and cloudy skies and kite shaped shortbread cookies were served. Since Kate is a little young to decorate her own Kite, I created a fabric kite prop for her to play with. I also made sure all of the decorating supplies were washable and included the activity plan in the invitation so parents would know ahead of time. Other details included a welcome table with a framed sign reading “Come Fly A Kite With Kate”, cutlery and napkin packets tied with twine, and a beverage/treat cart with mason jar beverage dispensers and a champagne topper.

For the venue, I chose a vacation rental that would enable us to make a weekend getaway out of it and take our time setting up. St. Augustine Beach is an hour south of our home base of Jacksonville, has lots of things to do and see, and it allowed guests to make a day trip of it if they so desired. The beach itself is very wide (unlike our local beaches) and allowed lots of runaround room for the kids and allowed us to fly kites without disturbing other beach goers. As a final touch, the “big kids” took home one of our favorite indulgences of raspberry dark chocolate bars and the kiddos took home little house shaped boxes filled with such goodies as cookies and milk, pinwheels and Chinese yoyos. Our photographer Julie Christman of Julie Cate Photography captured some sweet family photos of us while we were at the cottage in addition to capturing some wonderfully warm images of the party itself. It was a beautiful and relaxing evening for all and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

Photography: Julie Cate Photography | Cake: DIY | Invitations: Minted | Cake Pops: The Cake Pop Shop | Event Styling and Rentals: Threaded Together Vintage Rentals | Kite Cookies: Flippin Good Cookies | Kite Garland: Sweet Gabbie Via Etsy | Vacation Rental: Seaside Cottages

When a bride and groom are this chic and style-savvy, putting together a drop-dead gorgeous wedding is almost second nature.  It’s like planning an uber-elegant + crazy sophisticated affair is something they were made to do… and celebrating in glamorous fashion is the seriously pretty result.  And when they team up with some Australia’s finest vendors, like Matt Roden and Lisa Diederich Photography, there’s no end in sight to all of the lovely.  Start your weekend off in grand style and soak it all in right here in the full gallery.

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From Lisa… This was a particularly stunning wedding – a beautiful couple, an opulent Russian Orthodox church, a glamorous indoor winery, rain and umbrellas, and Russian dancers at the reception. So many personal touches!

From the Bride… Like the wedding day, our proposal was a rainy one! Ryan had planned to propose in the botanical gardens over a bottle of French champagne but we never made it because of his nerves and the weather. Waiting for the ferry to the gardens the sun peeked out and he (not so subtly) asked me over to a spot on the wharf. He distracted me with an anniversary gift while he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Happy tears ensued!

We were having breakfast at the Grounds of Alexandria when we saw this venue. That day we cancelled our previously booked venue and knew this was the one. There is something special about the 4143 dining room; it is warm and intimate and feels like you are somehow miles away from anywhere but you are right in the middle of industrial Alexandria.

When I think of our wedding I think, glamorous, romantic, traditional yet modern. We were partly inspired by my parents’ Russian Orthodox wedding in the 70’s. It was such a glamorous affair – the guys wore cool tuxes, and the attention to detail was unbelievable.

Favorite Moments: 1) My favourite detail and/or moment of the day (besides becoming husband and wife of course!!!) was our first waltz, we danced to a cover of Judy Collins’ “Golden Apples of the Sun” which was sung by my best friend in the world and her husband- Elstow Band. 2) One funny thing that happened earlier that day was when our bridal party’s vintage car broke down. The groomsmen had to push it into the reception venue in the rain while everyone was watching & eating canapes. 3) Actual Cossack dancers, and people trying to Cossack dance after too many vodkas.

Overall Thoughts: Lisa Diederichs work! We love her candid style. She managed to produce amazing photos in some pretty poor conditions! 4143 were exceptional. They made sure every person who attended our wedding was looked after from the planning stages to the end of the night. They had absolutely everything thought through and nothing was too big an ask for them. Oh and the food was exquisite!

As Ryan and I we were both the planner and stylists it was truly a labour of love, but the finished product was exactly how we envisioned it. Creating each element together made it all the more special on the day.

Photography: Lisa Diederich Photography | Floral Design: Flowers by Olya | Ceremony Venue: Russian Old Orthodox Church of the Holy Annunciation-Assumption, Lidcombe | Reception Venue: 4143 at the James Barnes | Reception Venue: 4143 at the James Barnes | Rings: Varoujan | Bridesmaids' Dresses: WISH From Myer | Makeup: Chloe Langford | Hair: Dirty Girl by Daniel Mostyn | Men's Attire: Jack London | Favours: Belle Fleur Chocolates | Invitations + Stationery: Matt Roden | Photo Venue: The Winery | Veil: Jennifer Regan

I’ll give you fair warning. The images from Adrienne Gunde of this stunning wedding… the images you are about to fall in love with… they may make you do crazy things like cancel every plan you’ve already got in the works for your big day, and start from scratch. This is the wedding that is filled with so many perfect details, and not to mention a whole lot of love, that will make you want your day to look exactly like this.

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From the beautiful bride… Our wedding could not have come together the way it did if it weren’t for the perfect combination of vendors that we worked with and all the help from family and friends. We were so excited when we found the perfect venue Caf Pinot is in the heart of downtown LA, offering a private garden surrounded by the library and skyscrapers. We also found the perfect photographer who captured all the love and emotions of the day, the perfect coordinator who made sure everything went smoothly, the perfect florist who made my dreams of a romantic garden wedding come true, the perfect DJ who kept everyone dancing all night long, and the list goes on and on.

Friends helped me put together all the DIY details from the tiny succulent table escorts/favors, the invitations, the programs, the calligraphy, and the frames we made into chalkboard signs.

We were inspired by our venue and wanted to play off of the elements it offered. This produced a natural and romantic garden ceremony, with a pretty floral garland hanging from the tree that we were married under. For the reception, we kept the garden feel but also added touches of vintage elegance with a mix of gold and tarnished silver vases and frames. We also hung a chandelier and lots of string lights, which provided a magical feel to the night when combined with the lights from the city, the library and the skyscrapers.

We wanted to put our personal touch to some of the traditional elements of a wedding. I found cute recipe cards from Rifle that fit our garden theme and used them as our guest book. We asked our guests to write us a recipe for love and a happy marriage and file it in our recipe box. These were both touching and hilarious to read after the wedding. For our unity ceremony, we sealed unread love letters to each other in a box along with a nice bottle of wine, to share on our 10 year anniversary. Needless to say, everything was absolutely perfect and just the way we wanted. It really was our dream wedding come true!

Photography: Adrienne Gunde Photography | Videographer: Cloud 9 Cinematography | Coordinator: Sassy Girl Weddings + Events | Florist: Bunch Studio | Invitations: It's Amore | Lighting: Amber Event Productions | DJ: Premiere Events Group | Ice Cream: Coolhaus | Makeup/Hair: Kelly Zhang | Photobooth: Photocube | Venue/Catering: Cafe Pinot

Around here, our love for Living runs deep. So deep, in fact, that we devote a special spotlight to their hippest happenings each and every week. And from home to hair, parties and more, this week is a big ol’ dose of lifestyle loveliness. Join me for a rundown of our absolute faves.

We LOVE a good bridal shower around these parts. But a black, white and yellow shower styled to perfection by Ooh La Love Events? Be still my heart. It’s a fresh, modern look to the classic girly shindig that we’re certain you’ll love too.

Like most everyone, I’ve had a girl crush on Jillian Harris ever since I watched her journey for love on The Bachelorette . But these days, she’s making a name for herself in the interior design world — which leaves us loving her all the more! And with the launch of her new shop Charlie Ford Vintage, she’s one busy bee. But lucky for us, she stopped by Living this week to spill her secrets on shopping vintage and achieving her signature chic style.

If you know anything about us, you know we have a serious penchant for pink. So it’s really no surprise that this pink bridal brunch stole our hearts from the very first second. Crafted with love by Sweet Root Village, it’s the kind of party that makes us wish we were brides-to-be all over again.

I hate to admit it, but lately I’ve found myself in a bit of a hair funk. Sporting two of the same styles over and over again. So when our newest Living contributor, Kristin Ess of The Beauty Department, showed us how to create an elegant updo that’s also insanely easy, I nearly jumped for pure joy. You can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be trying this ‘do over the weekend!

Calling all bride and grooms-to-be that find themselves waffling between a drop-dead gorgeous hometown soiree and a magical destination wedding.  Because this breathtaking shoot from High Culture: Weddings & Special Events?  It’s for you.  An ode to all things destination with the perfect seaside inspiration, it’s a lesson in combining your ultimate dream of a far-off locale with the awesomeness of the place you call home.  Add in some amazing vendors like FaBLOOMosity, Ryan + Beth Photographers and The Art of Cake and it’s also an oh-so-pretty way to spend a Friday.  Join me in the gallery for more.

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The popularity of the destination wedding is becoming increasingly popular; however, have you ever considered bringing the memories of your favourite travels as inspiration to your wedding, regardless of the location? What’s stopping you from bringing your favourite destination to your hometown? Through transforming a venue, a space can be converted into your favourite place, without having to compromise your guest list or turn your wedding into a wedding and honeymoon duo.

Our vibrant city, Edmonton, has a lot more to offer than meets the eye and if it’s another destination that inspires you most, well, why not bring your favourite things from that place to your Edmonton-based wedding? Of course, it is easy enough to say that you could just have a destination wedding, but it isn’t always as simple as that. Often, brides and grooms are deterred from destination weddings because of the financial significance to their guests, the matter of having to take time off from work, and the simple fact that not all of their loved ones will be able to attend the affair. So, why not bring touches of your favourite destination to your wedding and save the traveling for your honeymoon?

As a designer, I have worked with couples who have been inspired by their travels, as well as others who have had a destination wedding, but would like to host a reception in their hometown, so as to have the opportunity to celebrate with a greater number of their loved ones.

For Ryan + Beth Photographers’ Full Circle Workshop, we took the inspiration of a beach wedding and creatively, tastefully, and beautifully designed a mock wedding for Michelina and Paul. Through the use of neutral tones, we were able to employ the use of materials in whites, creams, and ivories, as well as understated pops of green to resemble the depth and diverse textures of the beach. Sea shells in a soft palette were delicately and creatively used by Janine Sebastian, the floral designer, who subtly placed them throughout the floral design. Our collaborative design team opted to understate the literal representations of the beach and rather use this location simply as subtle inspiration for a grandiose event.

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Photography: Ryan + Beth Photographers | Wedding Dress: Lillen Collection (Style = “Monique”) | Floral Design: FaBLOOMosity | Cake: The Art of Cake | Stationery: Justine Ma: Design + Hand Lettering | Rentals: Universal Décor | Rentals: Special Event Rentals | Shoes: Michael Kors | Groom’s Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear | Accessories: Sara Laurence | Bridal Boutique: Delica Bridal | Creative Director + Styling: High Culture: Weddings & Special Events | Design + Decor: High Culture: Weddings & Special Events | Hair + Makeup: Jenn Chivers – Freelance Hair & Makeup | Wedding Venue: The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald

Ok, I adore this engagement session from Diana Lupu Photography. The images are breathtaking, that red dress is to die for, and the location is perfection – but the thing that really puts me over the edge (the good edge, of course) is the way these two look at each other. It’s beyond adorable, and you can see every sweet look right here.

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Photography: Diana Lupu | Venue: Fourth Presbyterian Church