We really consider our LBBers to be like family. We get to know them so well, respect their work enormously, and legitimately adore them. So when they fall in love, we like to consider ourselves pseudo-bridesmaids. Kristin of A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production is getting ready to tie the knot with her (handsome as can be) beau and thanks to KLK Photography, we’re getting a front row seat to their love. Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend loves! xoxo

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Photography: Klk Photography | Stylist: A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production

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A look at this pretty, pretty week:

a sweetly beautiful lakeside soiree in Pennsylvania
a New York affair with so much amazing laughter
a wedding in Kauai that will have you packing your bags
a warm and gorgeous Quebec fête
10 tips on pretty-ing up your wedding with calligraphy
a New Jersey soiree that is almost too amazing to believe
another expert answers your questions, this time about planning
a preppy and cute Boca Grande fête which I love
a beautiful beach soiree in Mississippi
a jaw-droppingly gorgeous Hawaiian wedding

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We’re a little obsessed with:

these gorgeous confetti dipped balloons via DIY Studio
a 30th birthday party in Palm Springs via 100 Layer Cake
the gorgeous home of Zoe Chicco via The Glitter Guide

Raw beauty is something that Big Sur has in abundance. It fully embraces that whole natural, organic feel that gives a wedding an effortless elegance. And all that effortlessness comes at the hands of talented vendors like planning by Big Sur Weddings & Elegant Events and loads of earthy florals by Christine Cater Wedding & Event Floral Design. Now add a gilded Monique Lhuillier number to the mix and holy smokes, we have ourselves a glamorous forest meets beach wedding that you have to see to believe. Have a look at all the details captured by Marcel and Meher Photography in the full gallery here.

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From the Bride… My husband, Brad, and I knew immediately that we wanted to be married in Big Sur, California. As a California native, I love the raw beauty of the area and my husband, an avid surfer, fell in  love with the coastline and trees. Paion is a place like no other. We both agreed it was the most  appropriate setting for both the ceremony and reception. We liked that we could do everything in one  location and that our loved ones, many of whom traveled across the country for the event, would not have  to relocate for the reception. We rented an old RV to transport the wedding party up the coast to the site. My husband and I stayed at the incomparable Post Ranch Inn, while our wedding party shared cabins are Ripplewood Resort.  Swimming in a nearby river and surf trips for the boys added to a relaxed vibe throughout the weekend.  For my bridal gown, I knew I did not want to wear white. Inspired by the setting, I searched for something  more organic and rustic. When my mother and I came upon the gold embroidered branch gown from  Monique Lhullier’s Resort 2012 collection, we knew we had found the perfect dress. I also loved the fact  that it was not part of a bridal collection, which gave it a more relaxed feel. For the reception, I let my hair  down and topped the gown with a Helmut Lang lambskin jacket. We enlisted the help of Diane Allen and Christine Cater to enhance the beauty of the venue by  complimenting the rustic surroundings. As an interior designer, I had a clear idea of the look and feel of  the wedding. My husband and I chose a rich, autumnal color palette for our October wedding, an artisanal  dinner served tapas-style on long, farmhouse tables, and a relaxed, bohemian mood to the evening.  Bridesmaids wore flower crowns and the groomsmen accessorized with suspenders, straw fedoras, and  personalized wood sunglasses, a gift from the groom. Wooden pews were assembled on the lower lawn  for the ceremony, officiated by an artist friend, after which the wedding party ascended through oversized,  antique doors to the upper level, where guests dined at tables overflowing with flowers and branches.  The piece de resistance was a huge nest canopy created specifically for the affair, a surprise from my  mother, under which antique chandeliers sparkled and guests danced the night away. It provided an added layer of rustic glamour and created the appearance of an enchanted forest. After dinner, my husband called me down to the firepit, where he sang me a favorite song and played  guitar while our friends sang along and played instruments. Afterwards, we roasted marshmallows and  ate pizza by the campfire until early the next morning. The following day, we celebrated with a long, lazy  brunch at Deetjen’s and ended the weekend driving back down the coast with our friends.

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Photography: Marcel and Meher Photography | Wedding Coordination: Big Sur Weddings & Elegant Events | Floral Design: Christine Cater Wedding & Event Floral Design | Plant Tenders: Carmel Plant Tenders | Vintage Rentals: Archive | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Coffee: How Ya Bean | Pizza: Ron Arguello | Dessert: Parker Lusseau | Bridal Accommodations: Post Ranch |  Shuttle: American International | DJ: Family Friend | Makeup: Nancy Espanola | Hair: La Coiffure | Groom’s Outfits: AllSaints | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale | Groom’s Tux: John Varvatos | Wedding Dress + Veil: Monique Lhuillier

Every now and then we get a party or a celebration so perfect, I actually start thinking about what kind of get together I can throw just so that I can steal every last detail. This is one of those parties crafted to utter perfection by Sweet Root Village. Aside from the fabulous pink hued palette, the details are so fun, so whimsical and so freaking pretty. Plus, it’s brunch, my favorite meal of the day. Complete with a yogurt bar and a mimosa station. My only question…why wasn’t I invited! Click here for more!

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From Rachel of Sweet Root Village…Nikki Jackson is the lady of the hour. She has been engaged to her fiance Kyle since the end of last year and I’ve been scheming and planning for this party ever since! They are eloping in October with their closest of relatives and friends in Alexandria, Virginia, and with no bridal party and all of her family out of town, I took it myself to ensure she got a feminine, classy shower to celebrate with friends.

We had a simple sit down brunch with a total of 8 guests (not counting Nikki and myself and my awesome assistant AnaMichele). The lovely ladies all arrived in party colors for mimosas and juices, a greek yogurt bar, individually baked eggs with prosciutto and gruyere, and a dessert of blackberries with sour cream and brown sugar (recipe shared by Rebekah Pizana of *I Write Gourmet* iwritegourmet.tumblr.com/). We took some photos of all the girls as they were dressed their best, toured the home, socialized and sipped our cocktails, and watched Nikki open lovely gifts! It was a sweet and classy time, much tailored to the sweet and classy lady the party was for!

We also had quite the rocking party playlist featuring artists such as: Alt-J, Bastille, Lucius, Freelance Whales, Metric, Ra Ra Riot, Fiona Apple, Birdy, Daft Punk, and more!

Photography: Sweet Root Village | Styling: Sweet Root Village | Dress: Bebe | Invitations: Little Bird Creative | Jewelry: Charming Charlie | Hair and Makeup: Ana Buitrago | DIY Elements: Sweet Root Village | Floral Decor: Sweet Root Village | Linens/Textiles: Upcircle Studio

Don’t get me wrong, there is little in this world I adore more than a Hawaiian wedding. But the best part about this particular island soiree? It’s not the typical Hawaii wedding. It’s unexpected – still just as beautiful as the rest (or maybe even a little more so) but Vintage&Lace Weddings surprised me in the best ways. Do not forget about the gallery from Toby Hoogs Photography!

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From the planner… Planning, Coordinating and Designing weddings on the Big Island is always such a privilege and this one has to be one of my all time favorites. Kendee had exquisite taste and brainstorming with her on ways to create a chic-beachy style that wasnt predictable or cheesy was so fun. We were really able to listen to her vision and harness our creativity and resources to make her wedding exquisite! We found those adorable little pink sea urchin place card holders and decided to mimic the same texture in the pearl colored chargers. We also opted to add little pops of pale blue to add a little intrigue to her mostly white and pink palette. From her stationary to her necklace to her shoes and linens, every detail was just perfection! It also helped that we found the ideal oceanfront luxury estate right in Kona for her venue. The ceremony took place on the lawn just steps from the waves while the reception was perched up on the lanai next to a gorgeous infinity pool and under the eves of beautiful ohia branches that we opted to accentuate with sweet twinkle lights.

Photography: Toby Hoogs Photography | Florals: Bliss In Bloom | Catering: Outrageous Gourmet | Officiant: Elizabeth Theirault | Lighting and Equipment: Hawaii Island Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music: LT Smooth | Private Rental Home: Hale Ohia Kai | Wedding Planning, Coordinating and Designing: Vintage&Lace

If you have a look at pinterest on any given day you’ll see the pins that are gushed about and repinned a million times over are often centered around all things hair. From inspiration to actual how-to’s, us ladies covet those tips from the experts and wedding day hair is no exception. Now enter Your Cloud Parade who teamed up with beauty and hair extraordinaire Nicole Deanne for two super simple, totally gorgeous tutorials. They require nothing more than a comb and a bobby-pin or ten and voila! Total hair perfection that will take you from date night to the big day.

Bobbi Pins
head band

Place head band over the top of your entire head. If you have bangs, leave them out, or if you do not have bangs, part your hair where you’d like & leave down, while placing the headband over your head.
 You can pin head band in place if not secure.
 Then bring the majority of your hair behind resting on your back & start twisting upwards into the headband.

Keep twisting & rolling the hair up into the head band. All the way across the back of your head, until all of your hair is tucked up.
Lastly pin in all the loose places to secure the style.
Now admire how beautiful your hair looks!!

And here’s another tutorial for all you braid lovers. I know we have a few of those at SMP HQ and this style so fits the bill…

hairspray
bobbi pins
teasing comb
elastic rubber bands
loose hair pins

Part hair down the center all the way back in two sections. comb away any knots in the hair with a comb.
Braid each section like you would do as wearing pig tails.
Rubber band each pig tail with a small elastic.

One braid at a time lift up and across the top of your head, as if you were wearing a headband.
Now secure the first braid with bobbi pins/ hair pins
Do the same with the second braid. Lift up and across the top of your head laying over or crossing over the already pinned braid.

Then pin away. Make sure to tuck the loose ends under to give it more of a secure look.
Spray to polish off the style.
Now checkout those awesome milk maid braids you have on your head! RAD!

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Photography: Your Cloud Parade | Hair + Makeup: Nicole Deanne

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Whenever someone asks me about how to determine a color palette – whether for a new living room or a simple dinner party – I always say the same thing. Think layers. While it’s easy to conceptualized a color blocked space (ie, pink and gold), your space will always feel richer with a palette that is layered with various hues within the same color family. And this Plum & Pink Palette — um, and coordinating JELLO SHOTS — from Brita Olsen Creative is layered pink perfection. Click here for more and scroll down for a fabulously grown-up jello shot recipe.

From Brita Olsen Creative…When bright fuchsia is paired with saturated plum, wonderful things begin to happen. Pink looks fresh again, darks don’t look so dull and the whole color palette has a fresh inspired vibe that would breathe new life into a late summer or early fall party. This shoot by Tory Williams and Brita Olsen Creative utilizes berries as inspiration, and pairs rose glassware with gilded china for a look that is 100% ladylike countryside. The themed treat? Sour cherry Jello shots served with fresh blackberries!

AbbySour Cherry Jello ShotsFresh cherry jello shots made with tart cherry juice & vodka.

prep time 30 Minute/s

cook time 3 Hour/s

total time 3 Hour/s 30 Minute/s

Serves 12Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups vodka, divided
• 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin, divided
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sour cherry syrup (ie. Adro sour cherry jar)
• 1 cup water, divided
• cooking spray
• 2 cups tart cherry juice (ie. cheribundi brand)
• red food coloring
• blackberries (optional)

Instructions

1. Place 1 cup vodka in a medium bowl. Sprinkle 2 envelopes gelatin evenly over vodka; let stand 3 minutes.
2. Combine 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, 1/2 cup sour cherry juice, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Add hot lemon juice mixture to vodka mixture, stirring until gelatin dissolves.
4. Pour lemon-vodka mixture into an 8-inch square glass baking dish coated with cooking spray; chill 1 hour and 45 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, place remaining 1/2 cup vodka in a medium bowl.
6. Sprinkle remaining 2 envelopes gelatin evenly over vodka; let stand 3 minutes.
7. Combine remaining 1/2 cup water, 2 cups cherry juice and one small drop red food coloring in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes, stirring mixture occasionally.
8. Add 2 cups hot blackberry mixture to vodka mixture, stirring until gelatin dissolves.
9. Gradually pour cherry-vodka mixture evenly over partially set lemon-vodka mixture. Chill 3 hours or until set.
10. Cut into 36 cubes. Garnish with blackberries and lemon rind strips, if desired.

Photography: Tory Williams Photography | Invitations: Ladyfingers Letterpress | Flowers and Prop Styling: Brita Olsen Creative

I don’t know about you, but I’m waiting on pins and needles for fall to begin…weather wise, that is. Because with treats like pumpkin bread and fresh apple pies on the horizon, it’s all I can do not to break out my baking gear in this crazy hot weather. So while I patiently (not!) wait for the leaves to turn and the temps to drop, you can find me perusing my sweet little heart out over on SMP Living…or really any other time of year, for that matter. Scroll on for our fave Living features from the week and pop over there for so much more.

Joy the Baker. One of my favorite food bloggers since forever. She joined the ranks as SMP Living’s newest contributor this week, and she’s whipping up yummy recipes in true sassy Joy style.

Everyone has their favorite Living tidbit, and mine is home tours. There’s no better way to get to know someone than through their home, and after poring through Margaret Elizabeth ultra stylish digs — I feel a little like her wannabe soul sister.

Is there anything better than poptarts? Yes. Homemade poptarts. And when you start with The Honest Company’s  Fruit + Veggie Wash, it’s a treat you can truly feel extra good about. See Abby and her sweet daughter Audrey’s baking adventures here.

Life skill alert! How to Tie a Bow Tie. It’s a must bookmark tutorial from Annie Dean that breaks down the process into seven simple steps.

I’m the type of person who never has trouble finding a reason to celebrate. You bought new shoes? Totally champagne worthy! As far as I’m concerned, life is too short to not take advantage of milestones, both big and small. Which is why I’m totally loving this new trend in bridesmaid parties. Throwing a mini shin-dig for those ladies you love is such a sweet gesture, especially when it’s as pretty as this one. Designed by Harvesting Love Events and captured by Caitlin Turner Photography , the whole shebang can be found right here.

From Caitlin… Amid the chaos of planning for the big wedding day, it says a lot when the bride takes the extra time to create a special day for her bridesmaids. When Annaliza, of Seventh Heaven Vintage Rentals and Event Planning, reached out to me to photograph this styled shoot I was more then happy to get involved. Inspired by the beauty of friendship, spring color palettes, vintage furniture, whimsical tea cups/plates and beautiful florals we created a Tea Party inspired “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?” Shoot. Elizabeth Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, CA created the perfect environment for the Tea Party, full of blooming flowers and trees. All of these elements together created a beautiful scenery for a fun day focused on the bride-to-be and her bridesmaid!

Photography: Caitlin Turner Photography | Event Planning: Seventh Heaven Vintage Event Planning and Design | Event Planning: Harvesting Love Events | Flowers: Flowerstory | Hair and Makeup: N.D.G. Artistry | Calligraphy: Caitlin Turner Photography | Venue: Elizabeth Gamble Garden | Rentals: Seventh Heaven Vintage Event Planning and Design

For all of you lovelies out there in SMP-land who happen to adore soft purple hues and lush bundles of lilacs like it’s no one’s business, this romantic photo shoot from the geniuses at Divine Weddings & Events is for you.  Or as I like to call it, a “serious lesson in lilac perfection” brought to you by a dream team of Canadian vendors (ahem, Little Flower Shop) and one glorious moment after another captured by Sugar and Soul Photography.  Get your pretty on right here, right now in the full gallery.

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From Divine Weddings… My Beloved Is Mine and I am His – a whimsical styled shoot inspired by Spring and true love. Lush lilacs were used in an outdoor setting as the main floral element. The bouquet used lilacs, roses, calla lilies, rice flower, hydrangea and dusty miller. The model wore a lace gown, a 1930’s inspired veil and vintage jewelry.

The table design combined modern and romantic touches. The unique placing of the tables gave the perfect opportunity to showcase a stunning dramatic centerpiece. Ferns were added to the table to bring in a whimsical element, and the satin lilac linens and ghost chairs were the perfect modern touch. Vintage dinnerware added that romantic feel, along with the customized stationery.

The cake was designed to be simple but with the perfect amount of pretty – placed on a vintage dresser underneath a weeping willow, with a chandelier hung over the top, it was a lovely addition to this outdoor setting.

We wanted the ceremony to have a magical feel – so champagne draping and lilacs filled the space. Nothing brings an intimate feel to a ceremony more then being surrounded by the love of your family and friends – so the layout was designed to have guests seated around the main chuppah on all sides, surrounding the couple in love.

Photographer: Sugar And Soul Photography | Wedding Gown: Labelle's Bridal Boutique | Stationery: Karta House | Design and Coordination: Divine Weddings & Events | Floral Design and Rentals: Little Flower Shop | Linens and Drapery: Dream Day Decorators

If you need a little something to put the pretty in your Friday, you’ve come to the right place. Because this wedding from Jacqui Cole Photography is simply as lovely as they come. With gorgeous florals from Frontier Flowers – Fontana, a color palette to die for, and one stunning couple – it’s the perfect way to ease into the weekend in style. See it all here.

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From the Bride… Throughout our five years of being together, David and I have faced many obstacles along the way. Many of these obstacles stood in the way of us moving forward with our lives and ultimately tying the knot. When May 25th finally came I knew nothing could get in the way of what we had waited so long for. For a colder than average May day, the clouds and cool weather made for the most romantic setting. We loved our lakeside ceremony that was personalized just for us, our flowers that had a vintage spring feel and our spectacular tower of cupcakes that were a big hit. Most of all we loved the moments we had alone together that no one else could feel what we were feeling. Our family and friends were there when we read our personalized vows and our first dance was just magical. But when we saw each other for the first time by the beautiful lake, those are our moments and memories alone together. It was about David and me and our journey together. Realizing in those exact moments that everything that lead us to this particular day had all been worth the wait.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: Frontier Flowers - Fontana | Wedding Dress: St. Patrick-La Sposa | Cake: Sugar Jones | Bridesmaid Dresses: Brides by Demetrios | Men's Suits: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: The Abbey Resort and Spa

There’s adorable and then there’s adorable, a serious sweetness (+ joy) that bursts from every last moment of matrimonial bliss.  It’s the kind of happiness meets cuteness that you find wrapped up in the most stunning of moments… a sort of overflowing of adorability, if you will.  And this breathtaking Palm Beach affair?  Well it has all of that and then some with a bride and groom who could.not.be sweeter and an entire day of pretty captured by SugarLove Weddings.  See it all right here.

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From Sugar Love Pictures… Lauren and Ben were married at a private residence in Palm Beach and celebrated with family and friends at the Boathouse, Palm Beach. Lauren wore a modern gown from Shizaz bridal featuring a large floral detailing at the front, a perfect fit with the brides bouquet of dahlias. Lauren’s three nieces carried cute posies of baby’s breath. Ben wore a grey vest & suit trousers from Peppers Formal Wear. Their wedding details were super sweet and included a divine dessert table, little hessian chocolate gift bags and a heart-shaped garden on the front lawn of their ceremony location. Their cake was a lemon & poppy seed ruffle iced design by Distinctive Cakes. The boathouse was the perfect choice of rustic location to suit Lauren & Ben’s style on the day.

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Photography: SugarLove Weddings | Floral Design: Melinda Tualima Flowers | Stationery + Styling: Sunshine & Confetti | Bomboniere: Love, Loans & Linen | Cake: Distinctive Cakes | Wedding Rings: Paradise Facet 58 Jewellers | Brides Dress: Shiraz Bridal | Brides Shoes: Forever New | Mens Suit: Peppers Formal Wear

Growing up, my friends and I would play the “desert island” game on almost a daily basis.  You know the one… the “what would you take if you were shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island” game?  Yep. We rocked that.  And even though I don’t remember any of my answers (I am guessing they were NKOTB and lip gloss-related), I can guarantee one thing.  They didn’t look a thing like this breathtaking shoot from the talented Rebecca Arthurs and Opihi Love Boutique Rentals & Event Design; a shoot sooo lovely and sooo amazing, it’s giving an entirely new meaning to the word pretty.  See why in the full gallery.

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From Rebecca Arthurs… The Huialoha Church was the ideal location for this Shipwreck Wedding Styled Shoot. Set on the rugged coastline of Maui, the historical landmark was an epic spot for this Bride and Groom who wanted to explore the untouched beauty of the island. It’s a wonder places like this still exist.

The Bride wore a wild organic silk gown by Lindee Daniel. The natural color of the raw fibers in the dress gave the impression of sea foam crashing on the shore, while the clouds loomed out to sea like lingering pirate ships. The table design was a mix of eclectic and antique items found by Opihi Love. A vintage ship calender was re-purposed into placemats. Custom driftwood escort cards, engraved by Miss B Calligraphy, and gorgeous blooms arranged by Stephanie Shepherd adorning the table top. Across the bluff, a plush lounge area arrayed with pillows by Blue Jane Maui, beckon you to sit and stay awhile. This couple may be shipwrecked but they are certainly surviving in style!

Photography: Rebecca Arthurs | Event Design: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Flowers: Haiku Mill | Wedding Dress: Lindee Daniel | Cakes: Cake Fanatics | Hair + Makeup: Ry-n Shimabuku | Venue: Huialoha Kaupo Church | Dishes: Dish Wish | Escort Cards: Miss B Calligraphy | Pillows: Blue Jane Maui

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This wedding is everything I dream about weddings wrapped up in one lovely post. It’s al fresco meets ballroom, DIY meets chic. Honestly, there isn’t one thing planned by Something to Celebrate sitting in this gallery by Heather Curiel Weddings that I don’t want to pin, favorite…or basically hang on my walls. It’s beyond from start to finish, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

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From Something to Celebrate…Janet and Keith dreamed of having a wedding that reflected who they were as a couple. Many of their first dates were outdoors so selecting The Courtyard on St. James as the backdrop of their summer evening wedding was an easy choice. They envisioned a wedding that conveyed a timeless, intimate and laid-back atmosphere, with an abundance of unique textures and candles, and neutral hues serving as the color scheme.

The couple values their respective family heritages so it was important to honor their culture on their wedding day as well. Both Janet and Keiths parents immigrated to the United States as refugees during the Khmer Rouge. During their wedding, the two performed a Sand Ceremony where Keith brought back Cambodian soil and ashes, which came from burial grounds of those who died during the war. This heartfelt moment was symbolic to the couple as they gave tribute to their family history while looking forward to their future.

At one point in the couples relationship, they dated long distance overseas, which led to quite a bit of traveling back and forth. To continue to tie in different chapters of their story, they asked their photographer to incorporate elements of travel into their photo booth. There were vintage suitcases and paper airplanes strung up as a backdrop for picture taking guests.

Among Janets favorite memories of her wedding day was when she stood in the foyer as the ceremony began. Music was playing and the wedding procession started to make their way down the aisle. At that moment, Janet was overwhelmed with emotions and thrilled with excitement to marry her best friend.

When asked to share advice for future brides, Janet highly recommended a wedding planner to help make the planning process easier as it can be overwhelming when being bombarded by a variety of wedding ideas. Janet also stresses the importance of keeping your day personalized to you and your husband-to-be and the love you share for one another.

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Photography: Heather Curiel Weddings | Planning: Resha Zazueta, Something to Celebrate | Floral Design + Rentals: The Blooming Gallery | Ceremony + Reception Venue + Catering: Courtyard on St. James | Cinematography: Video by Robot | Cakes: Just Baked Kakes | Lighting: Impressive Events | Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings | Reception Music: Unique Style Productions |
Hair: Hair by Liz | Makeup: Laura Martinez

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For my wedding style I wanted to convey the same natural and effortless look that I loved about West Chop. I ended up choosing an Amsale wedding dress that I immediately fell in love with that made me feel both bridal and relaxed at the same time (it even had pockets!). To make the dress my own, I added a sash to it that my seamstress sewed in for me. For bridesmaid dresses, I went with very simple (and non-bridal looking) silk, elastic waist dresses from Joie. My goal was to have all of the girls feel as comfortable as I did in my dress. For the boys, my husband chose basic khakis, white shirts and navy blazers that were accompanied with Vineyard Vines ties.

To extend this same style into our venue and decor, I wanted to keep my flower arrangements very simple. We chose to go with whites, light pinks and peach and then add a pop of hot pinks and other brights to help add some warmth. We also wanted to incorporate some personal touches and share our love for Martha’s Vineyard with our guests, so I tried to do so by using rocks that I had collected along the beach (with some help from my fiance, friends and family) as the place cards and table numbers. I thought this helped bring a unique and natural feeling to the reception (and it also was a great way to save money).

Other DIY projects that we did included things like the wedding programs, menu board, custom paper straws and mason jar wedding gifts and their hang tags. Although I had been cursing at myself leading up to the wedding taking on too many DIY projects, I must admit that on my wedding day it was so fun to see all of these projects come to life. Not only did it give the reception a personal touch, but it also was a fun reminder to be able to look around and think back on the hours spent with my husband, friends and family putting these all together. I definitely would recommend this to future brides; not only do these projects help save you money, but also allowed for some special memories with friends and loved ones shared over a bottle of wine to create those irreplaceable personal touches on your wedding day.

The day ended up coming together perfectly and it truly could not have been a better day, or representation for that matter, of my husband and me. Everything from the trolley ride to and from the church to the warmth of the small West Tisbury Congregational Church to the perfect fall crisp weather during the cocktail hour where guests sipped dark and stormies out of mason jars to the insanely talented (and fun!) band we had that kept every single guest on their feet all night, helped make this the effortlessly perfect day that we were longing for.

Photography: Jennifer Langdon Photography | Floral Design: Flowers On The Vineyard | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Invitations: Rugg Road Paper Company | Bridesmaids' Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Shoes: J.Crew | Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joie | Catering: Tea Lane Caterers Inc. | Hair: Maggie's Salon | Band: Mike Benjamin Band | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Wedding Venue: West Chop Club | Bridal Boutique: The White Dress by the shore | Bride's Jewelry: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Monelle Boutique | Cake + Cupcakes: Black Dog Bakery | Cardigan: J.Crew | Flower Girl Shoes: Toms | Groom's Tie: Vineyard Vines | Guest Book Map: Designs by Tenisha | Mason Jars: Discount Mugs | Rentals + Tent: Big Sky Tent & Party Rentals | Sash: Modern Trousseau | Save the Dates: Minted

I’ve got a major soft spot for this wedding. Not only is it covered from beginning to end in the prettiest pink you’ve ever seen, but it just so happens to have taken place in my backyard. Well, almost. You see this beach is my beach – the beach I walk along every week. Taylor Lord Photography did it proud by capturing it’s beauty – along with the rest of the stunning details from this big day – and I’m soaking up every ray of sunshine in the gallery right now!

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From the stunning bride… To say this was our perfect day would be an understatement. Southern Mississippi weather is very unpredictable. It rained and rained the week leading up to our big day. But on our wedding day, the sky opened up and in perfect harmony, the rays were shining down on us and created a completely magical experience. It truly was a dream come true!

I will never forget the moment I turned the corner with my mother to walk down the aisle, and seeing my future husband for the first time. It absolutely took my breath away and he stole my heart when I saw the tears of joy in his eyes. So Romantic!

From the first moments of planning our wedding, we knew we wanted a Southern wedding with subtle hints of Kentucky Derby charm, as our wedding was actually on Kentucky Derby Day. Another great reason to have all your friends and family join together. My husband grew up in Kentucky and most of our family and friends traveled from out of state and even from different countries to join in on our wedding day!

I was attracted to different shades of pink and grey, modern elements, and DIY projects. My husband even built our arbor! I was blown away when I saw the set up of our ceremony, and to think that he made it himself was even more special. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of how amazing the ceremony site was. He’s amazing!

One of the most important things to us was that our guest to feel as blessed as we were to have them join us on that day. I wanted everyone to feel included. We decided to have mini cakes as centerpieces on the table, to be conversation pieces. We brought in old pictures of our family members as testaments to those we lost and those whose marriages had last the test of time and set a great example for our life ahead.

The whole day I was overwhelmed with love. Love that Keith and I share for each other. And the love seen in our friends and family. Our hearts were warmed forever and our memories will always be of that magical day!

Photography: Taylor Lord Photography | Cake: Sweet Stuff Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Ocean Springs, MS, Ocean Springs National Seashore | Reception Venue: Biloxi Visitors Center | Makeup: Danielle Ladner with Jessica Jones Salon | Hair: Randy Barras and Friends | Rentals: ABC Rentals

You know that J Lo movie The Wedding Planner? Slightly embarrassing confession, but it’s one of my faves. 1) because a sucker for any and all romantic comedies and 2) because when a wedding planner gets to celebrate her own wedding. Well, that’s pretty darn special. Enter, this sweet Bald Head Island Club affair where the beaming bride happens to be one of the creative forces behind Kickstand Events. Theo Milo and Inkspot Crow Films captured her perfect day, and there’s lots more pretty to be found right here.

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From the Bride…As a wedding planner and designer at Kickstand Events, planning my wedding started very easy because I knew the exact vendors I wanted to work with!  Theo Milo Photography and Inkspot Crow Films were a perfect combination to capturing my wedding in more ways than one.  I knew Kim Fisher Designs was the right choice to create my flowers because of her experience and design skills.  All I had to tell her were my colors and that I wanted something new and different, and boy, she didn’t disappoint.  I loved the bright coral color in my floral arrangements and the deep teal of the bridesmaid dresses combined together, the pairing of the two make me so happy!  Nick and I also knew we wanted to write our own vows, something I had been looking forward to saying to him for such a long time.  We had been dating for 5 years before we got engaged, then another year for the engagement, but 6 years flew by faster than I knew it would.  

I spent a lot of time putting together details in the paper products, escort display, little silver bells for the ceremony, the layout of the event, and so many other things that I really can’t remember anymore–but the real payoff was seeing everything come together and the reminder once I saw my stunning wedding photos and incredible wedding video.  I spent countless hours organizing and making sure everything was going to be finished, then after all was said and done, I’m happy I spent the time because everything was so beautiful!

The Bald Head Island Club was the most perfect location for Nick and me.  It had a destination feeling without being too far away.  Bald Head Island doesn’t allow any regular passenger vehicles, only golf carts, so naturally, I chose a Rolls Royce Golf cart to take to and from my wedding.  Shauna at the Bald Head Island Club was seriously a Godsend.  She made so much of the planning seamless and easy–I couldn’t have done it without her.  Overall, my wedding was perfect because of the vendors I chose.  I can’t say enough good things about all of them!

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Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Floral Design: Kim Fisher Designs | Ceremony + Reception Location: Bald Head Island Club | Paper Products: Kickstand Events | Linens: CE Rentals | Dance Floor: Rent A Tent | Photobooth: The Soapbox | Wedding Cake: Imaginary Friends Bakery | Cinematography: Inkspot Crow Films | DJ: Brian Hood | Bridesmaid Dresses: Butter by Nadia via Minx Asheville  | Wedding Dress: Lazaro via  Victorian Rose Bridals | Officiant: Kevin Martin of Get Married NC

One thing I know for certain about this darling Atlanta duo: they really know how to have a good time. From their epically awesome First Look to their smile-filled ceremony to their seriously fun (+ seriously beautiful) reception held at the amazing Monday Night Brewing, you can tell these two really know how to throw a party.  Even better?  They do it all with a love that seriously bursts from the computer screen. See it all captured by Caroline Fontenot right here in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… Jeff is from Indiana, I’m from Texas, but Atlanta has meant a great deal to each of us, so we knew we wanted to have the wedding in Atlanta. Monday Night in particular, was the most obvious choice. The owners are our good friends and some of the first people we each met when we moved to Atlanta. The three guys all started out going to the same church Jeff and I were members of there. Monday Night beer is probably responsible for most of Jeff’s friendships and many of mine…in many ways…Plus, the beer’s really great!

Photographer: Caroline Fontenot Photographer | Floral Design: Stems | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Reception Venue: Monday Night Brewing | Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Caterer: Simply Catering | Band: PLATINUM | Pre Ceremony Location: Georgian Terrace

Brides these days can truly do it all. Look gorgeous and DIY the heck out of their wedding all without skipping a beat. It’s really amazing if you think about it. Take this wedding from Michelle Lange Photography for instance. Not only is every.single.detail sitting in this gallery crafted with love by the lovely Bride, but that lovely Bride managed to whip up the prettiest of weddings all while looking downright stunning. I’m in awe, and I am sure you will be too – once you see all the gorgeous images waiting for you right here.

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From the Bride, Amanda of LittleMissMrs… Some brides have been planning their weddings since they were little girls. I wasn’t one of those brides, but it is safe to say that Ive been practicing for my DIY wedding since I was a little girl. Endless arts and crafts projects, using whatever I could find around the house, which developed into a passion for handmade cards, were all clear signs that I would design and conquer my DIY wedding.

First and foremost, I wanted a wedding that would capture the unique love Drew and I share. I started with the invitations. After gathering much inspiration from Style Me Pretty and other wedding blogs, I decided on a theme, colors, and little details that reflected our personalities. For example, I included the great state of New Jersey on our invitation because on the day we met, we were both on our way to NJ (from Baltimore), where we both grew up. I was planning on taking the bus but instead Drew gave me a ride!

I taught myself Adobe Illustrator and dove into designing our invitations. Our RSVP was a mad-lib postcard, which reflects our lighthearted dispositions, as well as our inner-English teachers (we are both Teach For America alumni). The mad-lib RSVPs were not only so fun to read when we got them back, but they also made for a neat decoration at the wedding, and a great keepsake. Leading up to the wedding, I went on to design and conquer the ceremony programs, place cards, table numbers, and station banners and signage. One tip for future DIY brides is to consistently use the same 2-3 color codes (HTML is you also have a wedding website), as well as fonts. I also recommend choosing one graphic detail (for me it was a heart) to include on every piece of wedding stationery. Although it was a time-consuming process, the finished products were exactly what I had envisioned.

Our flowers were DIY with a ton of help from my lovely bridesmaids. Since we had the luxury of staying at the inn all weekend, they worked on bouquets and centerpieces the day before. For brides wanting to save money with DIY (not always the case), flowers are definitely a manageable project. For the centerpieces, we wrapped mason jars with ivory lace to match my dress, which had an ivory lace overlay. One of my favorite moments of the wedding weekend was walking into the barn on the day before the wedding to see the beautiful floral arrangements my bridesmaids had completed.

The beauty of DIY is that every last detail on your wedding day can be exactly how you imagined. My shoes are a perfect example of this. I searched for months for shoes, but could not find a pair with all three of my requirements: 4 inches, blue to match the bridesmaids color scheme, and a little pizzazz. I finally settled on a pair that met requirements one and three, but not two. Then, one week before the wedding I found these amazing teal shoes at Marshalls. I told my bridesmaids that they were the perfect height, color, and comfortable (added bonus!), but they needed a little more personality. My bridesmaids found rhinestones at a craft store, which we super-glued to the heels. The finished product was my dream wedding shoe!

I won’t say my DIY elements made wedding planning any easier, but I will say the time I invested in designing and conquering my wedding was well worth it. In fact, I had so much fun designing for my own wedding that I’ve opened a wedding stationery boutique on Etsy, Little Miss Mrs. I hope future brides will find inspiration from my wedding photos, captured by the incredibly talented Michelle Lange.

Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Invitations: LittleMissMrs | Hair + Makeup: Ore Makeup Design | DJ: Tri-State Unique Productions | Wedding Venue: Raritan Inn | Day of Coordinator: The Bride Organizer | Other DIY Projects by Bride: LittleMissMrs | Photography Second: Cassidy Parker Smith | Programs: LittleMissMrs

Does anyone remember Jenna Lyons NYC apartment in Domino Magazine? Her living room was this amazing black and white space with a gorgeous pop of yellow. It seemed so alive, so modern and yet was filled with timeless details. And this party – crafted by Ooh La Love Events with photography by LMarie Photo – reminds me totally of that space. Chic, modern, style for days. Click here to see even more.

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From Jesenia of Ooh La Love Events… I was asked to design Caroline’s shower by her sister and maid of honor Elizabeth. There is nothing harder than planning your close friend and business partner’s bridal shower but I was super excited to be a part of this big event. I wanted to make sure Caroline’s attention to detail and style were captured. It was a beautiful day!

Her family really wanted to make her day special for her.  Between her Mom, Sister, Aunts and Cousins they collected vintage tea cups for the favors and made the adorable flower arrangements. 7th Tea Bar provided us with some delicious breads and spreads and personalized tea service which really made for a top notch affair.

When it came to the decor, the bride really didn’t want a traditional girly pink shower, so we embraced the modern yellow, black and white of the venue with linens and accents

From Lisa of LMarie Photography… One of the best things about being apart of the wedding industry is the community of talented vendors I get to work with on a daily basis. Even better, that I can call many of them close friends. The sweet and talented ladies of Ooh La Love Events, Jesenia & Caroline are both friends and wedding planners that I have been working with often over the last year. When Caroline asked me to photograph her gorgeous yellow, black & white bridal party, I was honored to capture one of her beautiful wedding events.

Photography: LMarie Photo | Photography: Sweet Root Village | Event Design: Ooh La Love Events | Creative signs: Scarlet Love Boutique | Rentals: Baker Party Rentals | Vendor: Charlie Ford Vintage | Vendor: Jillian Harris

I like to think of this darling shoot as the perfect way to start the weekend.  Well, that, and a darn good way to spend your Friday.  Because when a talented team of vendors (think 5Thirteen Designs, L.I.F.E Events and De Azucar Bakeshop… just to name a few) join forces for some citrus-inspired pretty, it’s a sort of virtual celebration.  One that combines drop-dead gorgeous stylings with non-stop inspiration.  See it all captured by Jessica Connery right here.

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From 5Thirteen Designs… Get ready to feast your eyes on the beauty of this styled shoot! We designed this shoot with an aim to incorporate chic and rustic elements in a quaint southern setting. Choosing three colors (pink, green, and yellow) within the citrus family, we focused on delicate and elegant details accented with gold. We featured a real life couple who are so passionate about each other you could hear the air sizzle between them.

The exquisite farm table was set with a delicate lace runner anchored by delightful flowers that faded from green to yellow to pink. Simple white chargers embossed with a delicate floral pattern were highlighted by gold cutlery, watercolor inspired napkins and paper menu. Gold chiavari chairs were adorned with handmade lace caps to bring a decidedly elegant and chic quality to the setting.

Our invitation suite which included invitations and RSVP cards, seating cards, paper menu, and table number was created using pink, green, and yellow in graceful watercolor strokes that incorporated the metallic gold juxtaposition to the delicate nature of the suite.

Resplendent florals included roses, asters, hydrangeas, orchids and so much more.

The bride donned an empire waisted slim a-line dress with delicate beading around the bodice and a gorgeous rhinestone broach attached to the sash. To complete the look we pulled in a lime green fascinator with a birdcage veil that complemented her red hair and low braided up do perfectly.

Photography: Jessica Connery Photography | Event Planner: L.I.F.E Events | Wedding Dress: Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique | Hair + Makeup: Marigold Scott | Cake + Baked Goods: De Azucar Bakeshop | Chairs: A Chair Affair | Floral Design + Decor: Atmosphere Floral & Decor | Stationery + Paper Products: 5 Thirteen Designs | Table Settings: Dishie Rentals | Video: Treasured Moments