It’s about all I can do to muster up a pot of coffee in the morning.  The prospect of making a big meal before noon is just beyond me.  Luckily, there’s TOAST!  Toast is the answer to most prayers.  In this rendition, we’re exploring the sweet and savory side of toast.  Sometimes we want the sweet jolt of honey and plums, other times we want a kick of salt and spice from prosciutto and pepper.  With toast, we can have it all!  And… we can make it with one eye open.  Coffee helps. For more great recipes, visit joythebaker.com.

Joy WilsonBreakfast Toast for TwoToast for two. Keeping things sweet and savory.

prep time 7 Minute/s

cook time

total time 7 Minute/s

Serves 2Ingredients

• 2 thick slices bread
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon honey, plus more for drizzling
• 1 ripe plum, pitted and sliced
• 1 sprig mint leaves
• 1/4 cup ricotta
• small handful fresh arugula, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• small handful cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 slices prosciutto

Instructions

1. Toast bread slices.
2. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup ricotta with honey.
3. Top one piece of toast with sweetened ricotta, plum slices, fresh mint leaves, and a drizzle of honey.
4. In another small bowl, combine 1/4 cup ricotta with chopped arugula. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Top the remaining piece of toast with prosciutto, ricotta, and tomato halves. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Enjoy immediately with lots and lots of coffee.

Recipe & Photography: Joy the Baker

I’m the fabric girl. I’m a little obsessed. I have been known to buy a fabric with no plans for it, and then worry about using it for the “wrong thing” – meaning it sits in my pretty fabric pile for years. So needless to say, I am a little obsessed with the custom Chinoiserie table linens in this gorgeous wedding from Thérèse Marie Wagner Photography. But even I will admit they are just the icing on the fabulous cake that is this soiree.

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From the photographer… Gail & John Henry met on vacation at beach in Newport, RI and quickly bonded when they both found out they lived in Beacon Hill in Boston. The next five years flew by with summers at Newport Beach. John Henry knew his beautiful bride to be well when he planned out his proposal while on a Christmas holiday to his family home in RI. He took a little detour and arranged a private tour of The Vanderbilt Hotel for Gail who is a talented interior designer. It was chilly and it took a little coaxing and a glass of champagne to get her out onto the patio deck but as she stepped out she saw John Henry shivering with a photo album of their favorite moments together and he dropped to one knee and proposed!

The bride grew up in New Jersey where her family’s life revolved around golf at Baltusrol Golf Club where she learned to play at an early age with her dad. John realized early on he would have to learn to love golf if he was going to be accepted in the family, and lucky for him he was a natural at the game and quickly won the family over with his warmth and good nature. For their big day there was no other place they could image than the Kennedy family’s home away from home Baltusrol Golf Club. Gail worked with Lynda Dandenau to create a Chinoiserie theme for her wedding mixed with classic country club appeal and a little golf for good measure. They started with Peonies and dogwood and wanted to keep the look playful with bright navy blue and conch shell pink. J Papers in Greenwich helped custom design the Pagoda that was engraved on the invitations to introduce the chinoiserie theme. Each detail was crafted to perfection. Not even the intermittent thunder and lighting could keep her spirits down, the minute the sun came out from behind the clouds she kicked of her Kate Spade’s, grabbed a cocktail and a putter and headed for the course with her handsome new husband.

Photography: Thérèse Marie Wagner Photography | Cinematography: SparkStory | Event Design: Lynda Dandeneau | Flowers: Lynda Dandeneau | Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Invitations: J Papers | Ceremony Location: Christ The King, New Vernon | Reception Location: Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield NJ | Bridesmaids Dresses: J.Crew | Band: Hank Lane Music | Tuxedos: Ralph Lauren | Bridal Boutique: Saks Fifth Avenue | Confectioner: Natale's Summit Bakery | Custom Tablecloth Design: Quadrille | Custom shirts: Bonobos | Day of Planning: An Affair To Remember Wedding and Event Planning | Hair & Make Up: Elle Murphy owner of Ellela Cosmetics | Menu: J Papers | Rain Boots: Hunter | Tablecloths: Gerardo Upholstery

You just might recognize this gorgeous duo. They graced our pages last week with their beyond stylish engagement sesh, but guess what, loves? That was only part one. And if you can believe it, part two has even more pretty to devour with stunning beach captures by Ashley Kelemen and florals from Sweet Marie Design. So let’s not waste another second and get to swoonin’ our hearts out right here.

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From Ashley Kelemen…Allison and Justin decided to do a two part engagement session to reflect both where they live and where they are getting married. After our shoot in Venice Beach near their home on Abbot Kinney, we decided to meet up on the beach in Del Mar, just a quick drive from Allison’s childhood home where they are having their wedding! They asked Alise from Sweet Marie Designs to create a floral crown and some other amazing designs to bring some texture onto the beach, and Allison pieced together the lace & tulle dress right there on the sand. Mostly, these two played and laughed like teenagers right up until sunset.

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Photography: Ashley Kelemen | Floral Design: Sweet Marie Designs | Bride: StyleSaint | Dress: Designed by Bride

My daughter Audrey is my mini-SMPer. She helps with photo shoots, recipes & cooking (check out these Whoopie Pies we made!) and her 5-year-old loveliness is a constant source of inspiration for posts. So of course, when I mentioned that I wanted to transform our recently acquired fruit into some homemade apple pie & strawberry jam pop tarts, well, you can probably guess who wanted to be involved.

Before we got started with all of our pop tart goodness, we sprayed our bounty with The Honest Company’s  Fruit + Veggie Wash. It’s become somewhat of a ritual around these parts and to say I’m a die-hard sprayer is a bit of an understatement. It’s my go to in the kitchen and it’s as pure and as simple as it gets. If you had chatted with me five years ago, it never would have occurred to me that the simple act of baking pop tarts could potentially involve chemical residues and terrifying bacteria. Oh how things change when you’re responsible for wee little lives…

When it comes to my family, I simply want to use natural, clean products that I can fully and wholeheartedly trust. And like most working moms, I don’t have a ton of time to read labels or do gobs of research.  But with The Honest Company, run by working parents themselves, I know that I don’t have to. They do all that not-so-fun background work for me.

Once we had our freshly washed fruit all whipped up and set to cool, we made our dough. We used Smitten Kitchen’s recipe for pie dough because it’s scrumptious, it’s reliable and it browns up beautifully. After chilling it for a bit we divided the dough in half then rolled out each half to about 1/8″ thick. I trimmed each rolled out half down to a 12″ x 8″ rectangle making sure to save the scraps for other fun projects.

We then measured the dough to 4″ x 3″ pieces and placed the first 8 pieces onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Next, Audrey scooped a heaping teaspoon of each filling onto the tarts. The girl has a bit of a heavy hand so I kept having to say things like “Look! There’s Elvis!” wherein I’d sneakily remove a little of her handiwork. Distraction tactics – genius.

After we filled those babies up, we placed the identical pie topper on each and used a fork to secure the edges. I might have taken over here because the perfectionist in me couldn’t bear the idea of uneven fork marks (I’m not ashamed). Then Audrey painted a very light coat of egg wash on them and I poked a few holes in the top to release the steam. We popped them in the oven and voila, homemade goodness. Made with simple, clean, delicious ingredients.

So there you have it. Cooking with Audrey. Not only a fun family adventure, it also makes for some pretty great recipes, some pretty cute pictures, and I can rest assured knowing that my family is taken care of.

STRAWBERRY FILLING————————————————————————————————–

1 pint strawberries, hulled and chopped (you’ll have leftovers…yum!)
2 TBS honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbs corn starch
1 tbs warm water

Combine strawberries, honey and vanilla in saucepan. Bring to gentle boil. Reduce to a low boil for 12 minutes until strawberries breakdown and reduce. Meanwhile, combine corn starch and warm water until smooth. Add corn starch mixture to strawberries and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat & let cool.

APPLE & BROWN SUGAR FILLING————————————————————————————

1 1/2 cups (about 3 medium apples) apples, chopped
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
squeeze of 1/2 lemon
1 tbs corn starch
1tbs water

Combine apples, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon & lemon in saucepan. Bring to boil. Cook on a low boil for about 8-10 minutes until apples soften. Meanwhile, combine corn starch and water until smooth. When apples are done, add corn starch to mixture and cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat and let cool.

HOMEMADE POP-TARTS————————————————————————————————-

1 recipe for pie dough
1 cup filling (I used strawberry & apple above)
1 egg
1 tbs water
parchment paper

Make your dough and chill in fridge until ready to use. Preheat your oven to 375 and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide your dough in half. Roll out to about 1/8″ thickness (or just roll it out kind of thin). Using a ruler, cut your dough into 3″ x 4″ pieces. Place your pieces on your parchment covered baking sheet. Roll out your second piece of dough and cut to the same dimensions. Combine your egg & water. Brush a layer of egg wash over your first set of pop tarts. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of filling, then place a second piece of cut dough on top. Repeat with remaining tarts. Press your edges together using a fork and coat each tart with your egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes and cool.

ICING SUGAR HEARTS————————————————————————————————-

a small piece of wax paper
icing sugar
a sifter

Simply cut a  little heart out of some wax or parchment paper and hold it over your cooled pop tart. Using a sifter, sprinkle some sugar on top then slowly remove your paper revealing your heart beneath!

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And now for the exciting bit! Style Me Pretty Living readers in the US and Canada can enjoy $10 off a $40 minimum purchase on their first Honest Company purchase using the code HonestlySMPL. This code applies to first purchases only, one per customer, expires September 22, 2013.

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We sort of pride ourselves on being expert wedding pinners around these parts. Striving to curate the prettiest of pinboards overflowing with inspiration all the live long day. So when we heard InStyle had nominated us for their Social Media Awards — in the “Best Wedding Inspiration on Pinterest” category, no less — you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces if you tried.

But this is where you come in. We need YOUR help to snag first place. And voting? Well, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. So get your cutie patootie over to the polls right here and show us some love! We’d be just tickled pink for your vote. (Hurry, voting ends Sept, 15th at 11:59 EST!) XOXO,SMP

It goes without saying that I am a sucker for details. But what really gets me when I am looking through a wedding is love. The way a couple looks at each other, the hugs from family – those little moments in between the big moments always make me swoon. So when I come across a wedding like this one from Lumens Photography I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot, because it’s filled to the brim with both. See it all here.

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From the Bride…Our wedding was set against the backdrop of beautiful historical town Jarrahdale – which wove right in with rustic theme we embraced. Alot of our wedding was planned while we were still apart – so I would take photos of churches and table decorations and send them to Ivan for him to OK! My top priorty was to have a beautiful, relaxed, fun day surrounded by our closest family and friends. It was a true DIY wedding day – with hundreds of glass jars which we decorated with string and lace (I had had eveyone collecting jars for a year prior!), heart shaped confetti (cut from the pages of my favourite book ‘Pride and Prejudice’) hand stitched hessian table runners, mini blackboard place cards, and as the key decorative feature –  70 metres of handmade navy and white bunting hanging from the reception hall ceiling. I loved the idea of working the bunting in as a main decoration – and it was reflected also in the way we strung photos from our visits to each other in our time apart on lengths of string, and in the mini bunting strands my sister and mum made to go around the bridal and gifts tables. I also sourced old photo frames from op shops, had them painted white and filled them with photos and words that told our story and journey to our wedding day.

I found the church in Jarrahdale by accident, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was the place. I had wanted to be married in a place much like the country wedding in “Dr Quinn Medicine Woman” – an old tv show – and this was it. And the best bit was – the church has it’s own bell! Which my little brothers gleefully rang as we left the church. It was a real family oriented ceremony – my father officiated, Ivan’s father was his best man, and both our mothers prayed over us which was all very special. We had afternoon tea in the parkland surrounding the church following the ceremony, with all the food been made by family and church friends.

Whilst we originally intended to have our wedding in Summer, it was so important to us that Ivan’s family be able to make it over from South Africa for the day – so we decided on a Winter day, and it turned out to be perfect. In light of the season, I decided to have the bridesmaids carry lanterns with candles, which gave a warm glow to the ceremony. Also, although we had a beautiful sunny day, it had been raining the day before so I wore gumboots with big red roses on them to our photoshoot! My mum also gave us the blanket she had as a little girl, and which we often used as a picnic blanket as a wedding gift. It had several holes in it, so she had my grandmother mend it with patches saying “Ivan loves Anna” – and we also used this in alot of our photos and it was very special!

My dress I had designed myself, and I had originally intended to have it made by my Great Aunt, who was coming over from New Zealand for the wedding. However, her husband had a heart bypass and although he was thankfully okay he couldn’t travel so they sadly couldn’t make it. I then tried ordering a dress online, which didn’t work out either. So despite having started planning almost a year prior to the wedding day, my dress begun been constructed less than two months prior to the big day! In the end it ended up perfect though – with all the lace having to be stitched on and appliqued by hand to the dress it was a job of many hours work for the family friend who amazingly did the job!

My Great Aunt had also intended to be the caterer – which threw a bit of a spanner in the works of the plans! Thankfully, we found some amazing caterers and even though it was a cold winters evening outside, we had a cozy spit roasted dinner with the people we loved. The transformation that took place in our reception venue was astounding. It was a Horse and Pony Club Hall, which although it has lovely rammed earth and jarrah wood structure was stark and empty when we arrived. With a team of family and friends helping the day before our wedding it was transformed into a cozy party with meters upon meters of bunting, fairy lights, jars filled with tealights and gysophila flowers, hessian accents, a quirky photo corner and lots of photos telling guests of Ivan and I’s story of love. Even the speeches were fun filled with my sister and maid of honor’s speech taking the form of a song she had written about us accompanied by a surprise flash mob of our friends! From the warmth, love and fun inside you wouldn’t even know it was a freezing night in the hills outdoors!  I couldn’t have imagined a day more perfect!

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Photography: Lumens Photography | Floral Design: Tessa Chapman of Tickled Pink Posies | Caterers: WA Spit Roast | ‘Forever’ Cake bunting: Amy Gibbs | Bunting (at Reception): Amy Gibbs, Val Roberts, Elsie Kinney | Hessian Table Runners: Val Roberts (friend) | Blackboard Place Cards: Keith and Elsie Kinney (grandparents) | Wooden Signs: Andrew Hadfield, (uncle) | Makeup: Amanda Cass Makeup Artistry (amanda.cass@westnet.com.au) | Bridesmaids Lanterns: Target | Bridesmaids Shoes: Big W | Bridesmaid Dresses: Topshop London | Brides Dress + Flower Girls Dress: Susan McLachlan | Brides Shoes: Betts | Brides Hairpiece: Alannah Hill

Intimate weddings are my favorite.  Maybe that’s because I’ve always pictured my own wedding day as a small celebration with just the closest of family and friends… or maybe it’s because I adore anything cozy and comfy.  My guess?  It’s a sweet combination of all of the above and the reason I can’t stop swooning over this Beverly Hills affair planned to perfection by The Charming Little Company.  It’s what I call pure wedding perfection and you can see every last glorious moment captured by Hugh Forte right here.

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From The Charming Little Company… Robin and John wanted a beautiful and intimate wedding, shared with just a few friends and family members – parents, siblings and spouses. Our goal in designing the feel and look of the space was to keep it beautifully simple while incorporating special touches throughout the space. This included florals that were organic, loose and full of blush colors and a custom made fountain top to hold a large floral piece and alternating sized candles. For the ceremony, we used chunky, ivory dining chairs arranged in a semi-circle to ensure all guests felt included. In the cocktail space, designated for celebration champagne immediately following the ceremony, an iron tea cart held mineral waters and iced tea and two tall tables provided guests with snacks from Belvedere Restaurant. For the dining room, large arrangements, mercury glass and an assortment of candles provided a feeling of comfortable dining at home. The Peninsula’s exclusive, garden-inspired grounds were perfect for photos of the couple and surrounding space, by Hugh Forte.

Photography: Hugh Forte Photography | Event Design + Planning: The Charming Little Event Company | Wedding Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Hair + Makeup: Joyce Luck | Wedding Venue: The Peninsula Chicago | Linens: Fusion Linens

From start to finish, this Alberta affair from Debbie Wong Photography is just downright adorable. The kind of adorable that makes your heart do flips and your fingers anxious to start pinning all the pretty. You might even want to spend all day soaking up the sweetness, and you can do just that right here.

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From Debbie Wong Photography…I’m excited to share a wedding I photographed last weekend on August 10, 2013 in Red Deer county, Alberta, Canada. The location was held on the grandparents flower farm and the theme was a rustic, vintage farm wedding. The bride and groom, Nicole and Justin, chose a neutral palette to fit with the theme. The bridal party wore nude neutral colors while the groomsmen wore grey and black. Nicole and Justin collected and made most of the decorations, while some were from second hand stores and others were family heirlooms or pieces from friends and families.  The little white dresser with the mirror is an antique piece and has been passed down generations in Nicoles family. Bridesmaids and family members also made the desserts and wedding cake, and the maple syrup favors was made from the groomsmans family farm in Ontario. There was definitely no shortage of help from friends and families to create Nicole and Justins vision and bring it to life. Nicole and Justin opted to have two first looks. The first look when Nicole wore her vintage like shorter dress in the afternoon and the second before their sunset ceremony. The reception food was Mexican, a build your own taco style buffet. Nicole grew up in Mexico during part of her childhood and she wanted to incorporate that part into her wedding.

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Photography: Debbie Wong Photography | Floral Design: Two Rivers Flower Farm, Grandmother of the Bride | Ceremony + Reception Location: Two Rivers Flower Farm | Catering: Paloma Restaurant | Cakes + Desserts: DIY, Bridal Party | Favors: Maple Syrup, Benjamin Corkum’s Family Farm | Hair: Kelly, K Club Red Deer Hair Salon | Ceremony Dress: Borrowed from Sister of the Bride | | Reception Dress: Justin Alexander | Shoes: Nando Muzi | Grooms Tux: Moores

Mixing rustic and modern just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite wedding combinations; a style choice that is guaranteed to make me weak in the knees the moment I lay my eyes on its pure awesomeness.  Such is the case with this beautiful day captured by C. Tyson Photography, a stop-you-in-your-tracks DIY affair set against the industrial amazingness known as the Prairie Street Brewhouse and featuring one of the most beautiful bouquets you will ever, ever see from Broadway Florist.  Soak in every last gorgeous moment right here in the full gallery.

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From Christopher… I met Brittany and Joe in 2010 when I photographed their friends’ wedding. They were just dating at the time and were both in the Bridal Party. After seeing the photographs from that wedding, they made it clear that when they did get married, I would be the one to document their wedding. Fast forward three years and here we are! Brittany and Joe have been absolutely huge vocal supporters of me over the years and when they got their engagement photographs, I could not believe how rapidly they spread them through every social media platform. I feel they did a great job of honoring tradition yet they were not afraid to make it theirs. They even tossed the idea of cake out the window and just had an ice cream bar instead!

The church they were married at was St. Bridget Church and is very unique with the entire sanctuary being round with a spire in the middle that lets all kinds of natural light pour into the venue. This church is the church that Joe and his entire family grew up in. So while the space is beautiful, the church means something to the couple. The reception space was the Prairie Street Brewhouse. The Brewhouse was originally built as the Peacock Brewery in the 1850’s. Through the years it has survived fires, the prohibition area, recessions and much more. Yet in the early 2000’s, the brewery was a shell of itself and it needed many repairs. In the past four years it has undergone an entire transformation and is now a hub in the downtown revival that Rockford, Illinois is undergoing. While it has been updated, the builders have been very careful to retain as many elements as possible to keep the rustic, urban feel that the Brewhouse had originally had.

Photographer: C. Tyson Photography | Florist: Broadway Florist | Wedding Dress: Sarah Grace | Ceremony Venue: St. Bridget Church | Reception Venue: Prairie Street Brewhouse | Caterer: Altamore | Hair and Makeup: Thexiprence Salon and Spa | Lighting: Luxe Productions | Lighting: Spin N Play | DJ: Spin N Play | Suits: Jos. A. Bank

You know what’s amazing?  Two (stunning) architects saying “I do” against the beautiful backdrop that is the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in a day planned to perfection by Joyful Details and boasting more than its fair share of pretty.  I’m talking a day that features gorgeous (+ modern) florals from Articulture, a crazy beautiful Alexia Gavela gown and a whole lot of yummy goodness from Tiny Pies and Austin Catering.  See it all captured by Stella Alesi right here in the full gallery.

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Tracie and Justin were married at the incredibly beautiful Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center this past May. The Center is always beautiful but especially in the Springtime when all the wildflowers are blooming. The bride and groom are both architects so they were very detailed when it came to the design of their wedding. I loved all the natural centerpieces that Tracie helped design with Articulture. They were a perfect match for the natural outdoor setting of the venue. Following a gorgeous ceremony guests were treated to an amazing dinner from Austin Catering. Then Robert Ellis helped them get their dancing shoes on and they danced the night away under the stars. It really was a perfect evening!

Photography: stella alesi/photography | Planner: Joyful Details | Floral Design: Articulture | Wedding Dress: Alexia Gavela | Cakes: The Cake Plate | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Catering: Austin Catering | Hair: Salon Intuitions | Lighting: Ilios | Limo: Austin Classic Limo | Venue: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | Ceremony Musicians: Will Taylor & Strings Attached | Linens+ Rentals: James Allen Salon | Pies: Tiny Pies | Reception Music: Robert Ellis

Florence is a magical place in itself. Florence combined with an intimate destination wedding dripping in romance brings that magic to an entirely new level. It’s a combination that will certainly make your heart flutter a time or two, particularly because the images from John Zillioux and Lisa Poggi Photography are overflowing with pretty. It was all perfectly planned by Original Tuscan Wedding, and you can see it all right here.

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With a small guest list of 20 people, you have more leeway to get creative with your details and the ability to produce many of them yourself because there are so few to make. My fiance and I designed and assembled the olive oil bottle Save the Dates, which our friends and family loved. I designed and created the menus, welcome bags, bird-seed toss bags, and the welcome booklets filled with information about the week’s events. To represent our love for books, we had antiqued copper bookmarks with each guest’s name on them to serve as placecards. Our copper hand-calligraphed chair signs read “Sposa” and “Sposo” to mark the Bride and Groom’s seats. In lieu of a traditional guest book, we asked our guests to sign bottles of wine, which we would open on our 1st, 5th and 10th wedding anniversaries. The real challenge was hauling all the wedding details in our bags from Charleston to Florence!

The most memorable characteristics of our wedding were those we did not plan. We won gorgeous custom wedding invitations from Paperfinger after I entered an online contest on a whim. In Florence, Italian workers went on strike so the Uffizi closed on the day we were scheduled to visit–our guests shopped and ate gelato instead! Two days after arriving in Florence, I fell very ill with bronchitis and had to spend the day before our wedding in bed while our relatives toured the city. I was terrified that even after all the planning and thousands of miles of travel, I would be too sick to enjoy our special day. With the help of strong Italian antibiotics, though, I felt amazing on our wedding day and even had a sexy, jazz-singer’s voice in which to speak my vows!

My husband and I agree that though the ceremony was beautiful, the most moving moment of our lives was one that was unplanned and happened when we exited the Palazzo Vecchio after the wedding. A choir from Finland was performing in a nearby town that evening, and came into Florence for the day to see the sights. When we walked through the piazza after the ceremony, we encountered the choir and they serenaded us! The serendipitous moments are the ones you never forget.

We could not have been more pleased with our Italian vendors, including the phenomenal duo Ann and Elizabeth of Original Tuscan Wedding. The day ran beautifully and all we had to do was sit back and enjoy! To any brides who worry about planning a wedding in another country, we advise you to take the leap as long as you have an amazing planner who will do the groundwork for you. Finally, we would like to thank our photographers Lisa Poggi, from Florence, and John Zillioux, from Charleston, both of whom created images we’ll cherish forever!

Photography: John Zillioux | Photography: Lisa Poggi | Event Planning: Original Tuscan Wedding | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Invitations: Paperfinger | Ceremony Venue: The Red Room | Reception Venue: Il Salviatino | Shoes: Tory Burch | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Paige Tanenbaum | Groom's Suit: Z by Zegna | Bridal Boutique: Maddison Row | Clutch: Calvin Klein | Groom's Shoes: Cole Haan | Hair Comb: BHLDN | Place Cards: Snappin Engraving Snappin Studio

I am such a summer fan. Yes, I love every season, but summer never fails to steal my heart. So when we enter that inevitable transition into fall, I find myself clinging on to any warm weather activity with all my might. This little camping getaway captured by Johnny Cheng Photography  and styled by Megan Elliott is the perfect way to do just that, and it is sooo up my summer-loving alley. See why here.

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From Lush to Blush..There are few things more peaceful than escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy some time with nature. After a stressful few weeks, Johnny and I decided to head just north of Atlanta to get away for a couple days. Although we are both huge environmentalists and love nature, camping is not something we are generally drawn to. But when we discovered a site that offered teepees with real beds inside, we took advantage.

We headed to a little town called Lula for our weekend getaway. When we got there, we decided to have a picnic for dinner at sunset. With yummy eats from The Little Tart Bakeshop in Atlanta and a couple glasses of wine, we were set. Next, we got settled into our teepee. It was easy to make the outdoor abode feel cozy with some candles and blankets. I brought some additional items, like my Crafts & Love jewelry collection to make it really feel like home (and to wear, of course!).

Our night plan was to watch a meteor shower and make smores, but unfortunately, rain prevented us from doing so. On the upside, the storm outside made us feel that much cozier in our little teepee. The next morning we made some hot chocolate and chatted by the campfire before heading back home. The short, overnight break from reality is just what we needed.

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Photography: Johnny Cheng Photography | Stylist: Megan Elliott, Lush to Blush| Jewelry: Crafts + Love | Food: The Little Tart Bakeshop | Camping Site: North Georgia Canopy Tours

You know what’s better than a gorgeous dose of Old Hollywood-inspired pretty?  A gorgeous dose of Old Hollywood-inspired pretty with a decidedly modern twist.  One that takes all of that glamour and sophistication we know and love and ties it all up in a pretty bow made with succulent-filled florals from Village Green Florist, a glittery gold masterpiece from Caketopia Cakes and a whole lot of fab stylings (and beautiful images) from Ampersand Wedding Photography.  See them all right here in the full gallery.

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The team behind the Hollywood Glamour shoot wanted to create a modern take on old Hollywood glamour. By playing off what has become a traditional palette of white/black/gold/red, we added a modern twist with the floral arrangements, adding trendy succulents, and the ever popular peony in a beautiful beet color, as well as a beautiful dark purple artichoke. The gold plated eucalyptus leaves added a fun pop of elegance and enchantment to the floral arrangements and table displays. Catering by Dale beautified the food and even brought in the theme through the glittered strawberries, and heart-shaped mini baked alaskas. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day and a more fun and motivated group of vendors to make this day a wonderful reality.

Photography: Ampersand Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Village Green Florist | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Cake: Caketopia Cakes | Invitations: Rebecca Manchester | Catering: Catering by Dale | Makeup: Bianca Riley | Makeup: Bianca Riley of Orbit Hair Design | Hair: Formal Hair Design By Kerry | Venue: Shelburne Farms | Bridal Boutique: Fiori Bridal | Bridesmaid's Dress: Justin Alexander | Concept + Styling: Ampersand Wedding Photography | Signage + Paper Suite: Rebecca Manchester

When you hear the word calligraphy, I bet most of you envision a beautifully addressed envelope. Trust us, we love a pretty envelope! But we’re kind of loving the gorgeously creative ways that couples are working with their vendors to really personalize their weddings, with calligraphy and custom lettering. In spirit of that, we’ve put together a pretty little round up of some of the loveliest lettering around!

Welcome Your Guests. Whether it’s a simple ‘welcome’ sign like this gem from Julie Song Ink or a custom sign with your names, your family and friends will love being welcomed to your special day.

A Beautiful Backdrop. We love this Victorian Party Etiquette signage from Stockroom Vintage. It’s a great focal point, ties the whole style so nicely together and gives guests something to chat about! Peruse the gallery to see how it pairs so nicely with the calligraphy from Hardink Calligraphy.

Place Cards. Here’s a classic form of calligraphy that’s sure to make your guests feel special right when they walk in the door. Belles Lettres Calligraphy prettied up these kraft cards with white ink for a casual summer wedding, which were held up by the cork key ring favors.

Hello there, Mr. & Mrs. Dress up your sweetheart table with your new titles! Aside from these darling driftwood Mr. / Mrs. signs from  Julie Song Ink, a few fun variations we’ve seen on the wording are Bride / Groom, I’m His / I’m Hers, He’s All Mine / I’m with Her.

Tell Your Story. Pair your table number with a ‘story’ like these from October Ink. Or, name your tables after placed you’ve traveled, streets you’ve lived on or foods you love… share a fact about yourselves that your guests may not know!

Cocktail Calligraphy. The coolest part about this cocktail menu? Aside from the fact that it’s completely stunning… the Bride DIYed it herself. Now, we don’t expect y’all to become calligraphers overnight, but if you like your own handwriting, why not try it out yourself!

Custom Lettered Invitations. Berin Made has these amazing custom stamps that we can’t get enough of. Why fuss with over-used fonts when you can have your own logo?!

A Gorgeous Dinner Menu. Don’t leave your guests guessing what’s for dinner. Get them excited with a pretty menu! Take this gorgeous scroll watercolor menu from Julie Song Ink for example. It’s also a nice touch to create custom menus for each place setting, trust us, your guests will appreciate it.

Monogrammed Dessert Toppers. Laura Hooper Calligraphy fancied up these sweets with her lovely lettering. We like the idea of a cute phrase too, like “Love is sweet!”.

Welcome Baskets, Bags + Favors. Have a custom stamp made up with a sweet note from you and yours, like this adorable welcome basket from Bash, Please. You could also print these on fabric welcome bags or paper favor bags. It really doesn’t get any cuter than that!

Southern weddings are the cream to my coffee. The sweet spot in my hectic days. And when it happens to be the most darling minty pink “I do” captured through the lens of Katelyn James? Even better. Tack on planning from Amore Events by Cody with floral pretties by Couture Designs, and it’s official — today is going to be oh so good.

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From the Bride… After dating for over four years, Bob popped the question while we were on vacation in Napa Valley. Since that moment, we knew we wanted our wedding venue to somehow represent that amazing day we shared in California.

In the months following, we immediately jumped into wedding planning mode. Bob and I spent months researching and visiting countless venues. One weekend I suggested we make a trip to Charlottesville, a town I had loved since I visited my cousin at UVA when I was in high school. We toured a handful of locations, but from the moment we drove up the driveway to Pippin Hill, Bob and I knew we found the perfect venue. I remember driving home from Pippin being able to visualize our entire wedding in my head. The breathtaking panoramic views, beautiful architecture, and overall feel was everything we dreamed of; a true reminder of the day we were engaged.

Our inspiration really came from the natural beauty surrounding Pippin Hill along with the venue’s ambiance. We wanted the beautiful view from Pippin Hill to take center stage, so we chose a neutral color palette of gray, peach, ivory and blush, then accented that with coral and mint for a pop of color. Our wedding was intended to be chic, elegant, and a little rustic. Once I finally choose a dress, we added little hints of lace for a soft and romantic feel.

Bob and I wanted our day to be unique and true to our personalities. The details really made this possible. Being a graphic designer, not only was I able to envision these things, but I was lucky enough to be able to create them myself. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to design hundreds of wedding invitations for other brides, so the true challenge came when I had to create my own. Once we booked Pippin, I had the inspiration to get started. I created a simple and elegant invitation incorporating my favorite color, the soft minty aqua, along with a subtle wood grain pattern. I had so much fun designing the coordinating pieces and making them interactive for our guests. We included a music request card in addition to a “love letter,” where our guests were encouraged to send us advice, share memories, or even draw a picture! Receiving the responses and seeing what our friends and family requested and wrote in the “love note” portion was so exciting. The invitations set the overall tone and the details didn’t stop there, we were just getting started! From the favor packaging to the hand-painted escort sign and the custom corn hole boards to the hand-sewn ring bearer flags, Bob and I designed, cut, painted, assembled and crafted for a good portion of our engagement. The best part of it all was that we tackled all these projects as a team. It was so amazing to see all our hard work come together on our wedding day.

Aside from all the details, we also really tried to incorporate our personalities and thoughtful touches into the wedding. Bob and I are both foodies, so mini bottles of olive oil and soy sauce we the perfect favors for us. Over the course of our engagement, we collected tons of wine corks that were used to create a huge “M” for the welcome table as well as our place card holders. The runner was sewn by my mother out of vintage doilies for the sweetheart table and pieces of lace from her wedding dress were integrated into my bouquet. Bob’s close friend read a Traditional Irish Blessing, a reading that reminded many of the guests of the days of summer camp when they were kids. It was so moving to see how many people were affected by this reading, there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. We also wrote our own wedding vows for the ceremony. It was so important to us to share those intimate words with the most important people in our lives.

I wish I could have stopped time during our wedding day, but it was filled with so many wonderful memories: getting ready in the beautiful bridal loft, seeing each other before the ceremony, the look in my Dad’s eyes before we walked down the aisle, the amazing speeches given by our childhood best friends, my cathedral length veil blowing right off of my head during the ceremony, and just being surrounded by our loved ones. Our DJ ended the night with “Country Roads,” which has become a tradition amongst our group of friends. I remember dancing with Bob in the middle, as everyone circled around us and sang along. As we were surrounded by all of our closest friends and family, Bob looked into my eyes and said “never forget this moment.”

Our photographer, Katelyn James (and her hubby, Michael!), did such an amazing job capturing all the details and emotions during the wedding. We will treasure those images forever. A big thanks to Cody Grannis, our fantastic wedding planner, and all our other vendors for making our wedding day flawless. We could not have possibly asked for more.

Photography: Katelyn James Photography | Floral Design: Couture Designs | Dress: Casablanca | Cake: Maliha Creations | Invitations: Jess Creates (The Bride) | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids: J.Crew | Hair and Makeup: Faces By Joy | DJ: Derek Tobler | Officiant: Rev. Claire Goodman, Interfaith Minister - Sacred Ground Ceremonies | Transportation: UVA Chapel | Venue: Pippin Hill Farm | Bridal Boutique: TLC Bridal Boutique | Bride and Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Coordination and Planning: Amore Events by Cody | Mini Pies: Paradox Pastry | Reception Dress: Ruche | Ring Bearer Bow Ties: Apple & Ivy

French country inspired events always hold that little bit of something special that I can never quite put my finger on. Perhaps it’s the worn linens, the casual approach to fabulous food or the sweet yet simple details, but this is one luncheon that I’m sad to have missed. It turns out, when you pair Valley & Co. with Dennis Wise great things are bound to ensue. And there’s lots more pretty right here in the gallery for you to peruse at will.

From Valley & Co…Inspiration comes from so many places. For us it can be journeys to bistros in our favorite French cities: namely Paris and Nice, a stroll in the park or a memorable visit to a quaint little shop or museum. We are constantly on the lookout for beautiful ideas that come from everyday activities or sights that can spark thoughts that in turn become creations for our client events or weddings, designs or magazine work.

We recently teamed up with a few of our favorite industry people to bring to life an effortless French countryside caf setting complete with chicken wire detailing, wooden cheese wheel accents, gorgeous whimsical thistle and textured Canadian scabiosa blooms, and an overall ambiance that screams lovely and easy. Easy like a Sunday afternoon perched at a bistro sipping a delicious cocktails and enjoying the sounds, scents and sights of France…

Photography: Dennis Wise | 1 - Vintage Scale: Pearls and Prose | 2 - Ball Mason Jars: Basics Plus | 3 - Vintage Cutlery: Posh Chicago | 4 - Clear Plates: The WebStauraunt | 5 - Babies Breath: Photography Blog | 6 - Linen Tablecloth: Mjolk | 7 - Tolix Side Chair: Office Chairs | 8 - Mint Julep Cups: One Kings Lane | Food, location and cocktail: Ravishing Radish Catering | Planning, styling, floral and props: Valley & Co.

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is getting to see a couple’s wedding planning period unfold on the screens of SMP. Take this couple for instance, it seems like only yesterday we were swooning over their engagement session, and now we get to devour every last gorgeous detail of their big day. It just makes my heart so happy, and I couldn’t be more honored that they wanted to share this important part of their lives with us. See all the gorgeous images from claudia oliver Photography in the completely gorgeous gallery of images.

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From Claudia Oliver… Ana and Chris are a gorgeous couple! She got ready at her parent’s home. Their ceremony was held at the Church of Little Flower, the most beautiful church in Coral Gables and their reception was at the luxurious Downtown Miami Hotel VICEROY. Their first dance was choreographed — such fun! Because they were engaged in Paris, they chose Eiffel tower favors. At the end of the night they had a traditional Latin American HORA LOCA which translates to a “Crazy Hour”– when guests don accessories and props for an hour-filled party!

Photography: Claudia Oliver | Floral Design: Florana Designs | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Wedding Cake: Edda’s Cake Designs | Wedding Invitations: Lilian Designs Studio | Ceremony: Church of Little Flower | Reception Venue: Viceroy Miami Hotel & Resort | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Makeup: Bridal Makeovers by Aradia | Hair Stylist: Carmen Cabrera | Entertainment: The Event Factor | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Donna Morgan | Bride’s Veil: J del Olmo Bridal Gallery and Couture | Event Design & Coordinator: Lourdes Milian Productions | Groom’s Suit: Vera Wang

Here’s what I know.  This affair captured perfectly by Isabelle Selby is the epitome of drop-dead gorgeous (it sooo is) and there’s no place quite like the always-fabulous NYC for some sophisticated meets elegant Winter wedding magic.  Because New York City?  Well, it’s the kind of city that just screams “Winter chic” and for these two dapper grooms, there was just no better (or more romantic) locale to say “I do” than amongst it’s magical, candle-lit spaces.  Catch all the art deco-inspired glamour in the full gallery.

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From Tom… Both myself and my husband Pete love to travel so when I proposed to Pete in 2011 on a trip to the Caribbean there was no doubt in my mind that we would have a destination wedding. We had always wanted a winter wedding; that magical combination of snow, glistening candles during those long nights, that crispness in the air, and that magic that just seems to bring people together. With that in mind it did not take us long to decide that New York City was the perfect place. Not only was the city the perfect backdrop but more importantly our marriage would be legal.

When we first began traveling to New York to search for venues I really wasn’t sure what we were looking for. We just wanted something that would have that unmistakable New York feel. We also wanted it to be an amazing experience for both us and our guests. We ended up finding all of that and more in both of our venues. Neither one of us is overly religious, however when we first visited All Souls Church we just knew this was it. Standing on the altar during our visit I could visualize what our wedding would be; the lanterns running down the aisle, a string quartet playing in the background, the lights low, and lots of candles. It was magical. I think that was the first time it felt real for me. Choosing Eleven Madison Park as our reception was probably the easiest decision we had to make. Everything about the space just said classic New York and there is no questioning the quality of their staff and chef.

The best advice I could give to anyone is to stick to your vision, keep it simple, don’t let others define what your wedding should or should not be and don’t shy away from being different. We had our string quartet play all classical music while our guests were arriving; however for the actual ceremony we had them switch to top 40’s music. They played Rihanna, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, and Snow Patrol just to name a few. It helped cut the tension for both us and our guests and put a smile on everyone’s faces. We also tried to carry elements through from our invitation to the reception. Finally, we didn’t try and fight with the spaces. Everything about Eleven Madison Park was done in an art deco style. So we went with an art deco theme for our decor and played classic love songs from the 1930’s and 1940’s during our cocktail reception. The end result was a night we will never forget. Everyone warned us that our wedding day was going to fly by. While they were right, when I look back at our photos now I may not remember what was said, but I remember that feeling of love, joy, nervousness and that naive hope that all newlyweds have and it puts a smile on my face.

Photography: Isabelle Selby Photography | Photography Second Shooter: Sasithon Photography | Floral Design: H Bloom | Wedding Cake: Baked NYC | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: All Souls Church | Reception Venue: Eleven Madison Park | Wedding Bands: Tiffany & Co. | Men's Ties: Penguin | Men's Ties: Calvin Klein | Officiant: Judie Guild | String Quartet: M.A.S. Music | Accomodations: The Nolitan in New York | Boutonnieres: Pomp and Plumage | Buckeye Candy: Harry London | Cake Knife Set: Mikasa | Cake Stand: West Elm | Candy Gophers: Savannah's Candy Kitchen | Coats: Banana Republic | Desserts: Baked NYC | Gloves: Ralph Lauren | Groom's Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Groom's Suits: Macy's

We think of all you pretties out there as friends. We may or may not feel like your virtual bridesmaids. So when we hear of an event right in your backyard that would be a crime to miss, we make sure you know about it. It’s part of our virtual bridesmaid duty. That’s why we are pulling out the stops to make sure Project Fashion hosted by the lovelies at Boston Weddings is marked on your calendar in pen. Because, really, what’s better than coveting couture from talented folks like Daniel Faucher, Luke Aaron, Firas Yousif, and Marie Galvin? We can’t think of much.

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And you know what’s even better? They are giving away 2 free tickets to 2 lucky SMP readers – just leave a comment below on why you can’t wait to attend below to enter the giveaway. If you aren’t one of the lucky ladies or gents to win, simply enter projectfashionsmp when you register (do so right here: http://projectfashion.eventbrite.com) to get 20% off the ticket price!

It’s a one of a kind event in Boston, and it’s all at your finger tips! Plus proceeds benefit students attending the School of Fashion Design, so it’s a total win, win. Alright pretties – ready, set, comment! We’ll announce the winners on Friday! See all the details here.

For as endlessly pretty as the images from Lane Dittoe’s camera always are, I’m positive that Lane has finally met his match in this wedding. And do you know what pretty meets pretty looks like? It looks just like this Santa Barbara affair heavy on the sunshine and natural beauty with vendors like Cody Floral Design and ImagineWeddings and Special Events, LLC only enhancing all that goodness with their design and details. Snag a peak at the full gallery for even more.

But that’s not all folks. We’re going to send you into wedding la la land with a last hurrah courtesy of Lolavideo. It’s a wedding film too beautiful to pass up. Have a look…

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From Lane Dittoe Fine Art Photographs…The wedding of Marisa and Bryan brought their family and closest friends together to celebrate in beautiful Santa Barbara, a meaningful beachside location to the Southern Californian bride and groom.Exactly a year prior, the groom proposed in Paris after a day of biking around the city with the engagement ring sewn inside his jean pocket. A special memory the bride’s ring will always carry.  The groom’s ring also holds sentimental meaning as he inherited his grandfather’s perfectly fitting gold wedding band inscribed with his grandparents’ initials and wedding date. Following tradition, the couple added their own initials and wedding date to the opposite side of the grandparents’ inscription.

Staying true to heartfelt details, the UC Berkeley grads exchanged handwritten vows in the Mariposa Garden as the sun set into the Pacific Ocean behind them. At their sides were the bride’s two sisters, her maids of honor, and the groom’s brother, his best man. The intimate garden ceremony, ordained by the father of the bride’s longest childhood friend, was surrounded by views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and Butterfly Beach. Fruitwood chiavari chairs lined both sides of the rose petal aisle while Pachelbel’s Canon in D, played by a Spanish guitarist, accompanied the bride down the aisle – a vision of sweet and delicate beachside charm with a touch of classic tradition.

After the garden ceremony, guests were led to the oceanfront patio where servers passed out refreshing spring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.  In lieu of a guest book, guests were invited to leave personal handwritten notes for the couple to open on their future wedding anniversaries. Once the cocktail hour concluded, guests were ushered inside the Spanish-style hotel to enjoy warm toasts, dinner, and a night of dancing. The oceanfront El Mar Ballroom was transformed into a complete vision of Santa Barbara enchantment. Creamy shades of blush, champagne, ivory and white hues created a soft and romantic feel exuding understated elegance. Atop delicate ivory linens, blush peonies, white hydrangea, light pink roses, and dusty miller leaf accents filled a mix of mercury glass containers and crystal cut footed urns. The romantic amber lighting was further enhanced by various heights of votive candles and the soft glow of the burning fireplace. The intimate affair concluded with a memorable send-off as guests gathered outside with sparklers in hand to bid adieu to the Dr. and Mrs.!

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Photography: Lane Dittoe Fine Art Photographs | Coordination: Rebecca Gigandet, ImagineWeddings and Special Events, LLC |  Event Design: Alexi Marquina | Floral Design: Cody Floral Design | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Four Seasons The Biltmore Resort Santa Barbara | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs | Rentals: Fusion Event Rentals | Cinematography: Lolavideo | Officiant: Bruce Tsukamaki | Ceremony Music: George Quirin | Reception Music: Spencer of Gavin Roy Presents | Paper Goods: Francis Orr | Calligraphy: Annie Burton (annieb503@gmail.com) | Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Bride Dress: Vera Wang | Bride Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom Suit: Hugo Boss | Groom Shoes: Too Boot New York | Hair + Bridesmaids: Diane von Furstenberg