Texas weddings rock.  Plain and simple.  But when you throw in some beautiful bridesmaids in boots, a bundle of wonderful vendors and a bride and groom that really know a thing or two about fabulous parties, they rock and then some.  Case in point?  This darling day captured by Red Rogue Photography, a fabulous rustic meets classic Gabriel Springs affair with more than its fair share of pretty.  Ready to dive into every love-filled moment planned to perfection by Vintage&Lace?  Join me in the gallery for so much more.

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From Red Rogue Photography… William and Lauren’s wedding was held in the Texas Hill Country at Gabriel Springs in Georgetown, Texas. It was a spring wedding, held on April 4, 2013. The inspiration was simply Texas chic. Everything featured at the wedding were local brands. They chose a neutral color palette with vintage touches, burlap, lace, DIY and a little bit of flare. The bride was inspired mostly by Pinterest to make “Happily Ever After” signs, directional signs with the bride and groom’s cities they grew up in and where the families were coming in from, lace runners, a DIY “Here Comes Your Girl” sign carried by junior bridesmaids and homemade lawn games (bag toss and horse shoes). There were vintage coke bottles and crates the couple found that were used as decoration in the ceremony and reception. The tables were a mixture of alternating burlap and lace overlays topped with cedar coins cut for the couple, wild assortments of garden rose, stock, baby’s breath and various other flowers in antique tea pots, milk bottles, bud vases and lanterns. The couple salvaged marquee letters and the groom made a lighted LOVE sign for the reception background.

Some of the personal touches included the couples rings carried out on a family bible that had belonged to the groom’s great grandfather, a guitar signed by guests instead of a guest book, and exchanging cowboy boots as wedding gifts to each other to have the first dance in. The bridesmaids all wore mismatched dresses paired with cowboy boots, and the groomsmen wore tan suit pants and white kicks, after the grooms personal style. The bride wore a Jim Hjelm trumpet gown and the groom was in a slim fit Express mens suit. They served texas beer, Lonestar and ShinerBock assortments, Llano wine, local Uncle Billys BBQ, lemonade and cucumber water and Sweet Treets cupcakes in flavors 24 carrot, strawberry champagne and roasted banana and honey.

From Vintage&Lace… This was such a fun, energetic, creative couple to work with! Lauren had a clear vision for her wedding day style which made implementing the details a breeze. They took everything in stride, even two of the groomsmen breaking down on their way from the airport and having to call a taxi which delayed starting the ceremony, and definitely made the day about having a great time with family and friends. It was a celebration of life and love!

Photography: Red Rogue Photography | Event Planning: Vintage&Lace | Flowers: Central Market | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cupcakes: Sweet Treets Bakery | Catering: Uncle Billy's BBQ | DJ: Complete Music | Men's Attire: Express | Rentals: Whim Events | Wedding Location: Gabriel Springs

I love, love, LOVE wedding films. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and always, always make me shed a tear or two. And when they are as adorable as this one from Noelle Williams Photography, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear. It’s why I thank my lucky stars my job is to share it with all of you – so sit back, hit play, and get ready for an onset of happiness…

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Photography + Cinematography: Noelle Williams Photography | Ceremony + Reception Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

I don’t know what it is about you Rhode Island lovelies, but you happen to throw some pretty fabulous weddings.  I’m talking weddings that are chock-full of preppy meets glam details and a whole lot of heartwarming happy.  Stunning affairs like this gorgeous beauty planned to perfection by The Catered Affair and captured in mesmerizing images by Person + Killian Photography, aka, a never-ending love fest featuring vibrant blooms by Riverside Nursery and a Sperry Tent reception that is all kinds of amazing.  See it all in the full gallery.

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From Person + Killian Photography… For the first weekend of Summer, we traveled to historic Watch Hill, Rhode Island. The weekend of wedding events included a seaside ceremony, beautiful tented reception, and Sunday brunch the next day — all designed, catered, and executed by the amazing team of The Catered Affair. The bride, Megan, and her mother had been planning this wedding for over a year, and would often peruse the Style Me Pretty blog for great wedding details and inspiration!

All of the weekend’s events took place at a private residence in Watch Hill, with beautiful details incorporating bright summer colors, white and blue nautical elements, and touches of Irish heritage important to the family. Megan’s strapless white wedding gown was matched with a simple strand of white pearls, and she carried a bright bouquet of spring peonies. The colors of soft pink, tangerine, and deep cerise were brought into all the elements of the wedding from the ceremony to the brunch. Her hair was held with sparkling shamrock pins, and her veil was custom-made in Ireland with embroidered shamrock details. Even their dog (named Shamrock) wore a seersucker bow tie. Megan’s bridesmaids wore seersucker summer dresses in soft pastel colors, with bright summer sandals to match. Greg was dressed in a Navy suit with a white and blue striped tie. His groomsmen added a pop of color with their bright ties — matching perfectly to the bridesmaid dresses and color coordinated Sperry boat shoes to match.

We took Megan and Greg out onto the home’s balcony for their first look. After some pictures of the happy bride and groom, the couple exchanged gifts. For Megan, a diamond eternity ring and for Greg, a new wristwatch. Greg was shocked as the watch Megan had given him the day of their high-school graduation years ago actually stopped running that morning!

The beach was set up with classic white chairs, and beautiful floral arrangements right in front of the ocean. Lemonade spritzers were handed out as refreshments, and guests were invited to drop off their shoes at the designated Paddle-board “Shoe Check” and enjoy the ceremony barefoot. A station was even set-up for guests to rinse off the sand from their feet before heading back up to cocktails! Colorful bunches of pink and orange rose petals were handed out as guests took their seats, to throw at the big finale after Megan and Greg said “I do”.

Cocktail hour took place on the lawn outside the beautiful reception tent, with white garden chairs and colorful linens. The escort card table displayed three white seashells filled with sand and guests names on individual white sand dollars. Next door to the main tent was a lounge tent for guests to enjoy throughout the evening, with a dark navy blue canopy covered in large white nautical stars. Soft white and blue furniture was scattered throughout the tent for comfortable seating, and a photo montage of Megan and Greg was played on a large screen for guests to enjoy all night.

The main reception tent from Sperry Tents was built in the house’s backyard directly over the swimming pool, with a custom made clear dance floor covering the water itself! Tan linens were topped with teal and navy blue charger plates for a great pop of color, and soft white china lanterns hung from the tent’s ceiling. The floral centerpieces were directly inspired by a piece of art painted by Greg’s mom for the couple’s wedding invitation. As the sun started to set, the lanterns glowed in the tent and the trees outside were lit up with hanging lanterns.

Later in the evening, we were given a secret 5-minute warning from the Catered Affair team to bring Megan and Greg outside the tent for one last surprise. We set them up underneath the beautifully lit trees and took a couple pictures, before having them turn around just in time to see a spectacular fireworks show out on the water! It was a great way to kick off the dancing for the happy couple and all of their guests.

The reception tent was transformed on Sunday morning for the after-wedding brunch. The tan linens were replaced with bright tangerine and cerise linens, paired with pops of teal. Lounge furniture was available outside underneath the trees for guests to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, and we took a few minutes to get a couple of photos with Megan and Greg outside on the lawn.

From the Bride… Greg and I first met in high school while crossing paths in classrooms and hallways. Our friendship was solidified on the swim team as we shared practice lanes and more than a few bus rides to and from meets. The water proved to anchor our friendship and became a consistent presence in our lives throughout college and beyond. In March of 2012 when Greg proposed to me on the rocky shores of Maine it was clear the theme should continue; a beach wedding was an easy choice!

We wanted our wedding to reflect our friendship throughout the years colorful, casual, and fun! The event proved to be everything we had dreamed of and more. We were so blessed to have a weekend of perfect weather surrounded by our family and friends, delicious food, great music, and the incredible vistas of the seaside town of Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

Greg and I had a blast planning our wedding but couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of our creative mothers and a terrific team from The Catered Affair. Greg’s mother set the tone for the event by painting a watercolor of a flower-filled Nantucket basket, which became a beautiful invitation for guests and an accent on the wedding day itself. My mother pulled together many of the nautical details that were tastefully placed throughout the venue including sand dollar table assignments, a paddle board shoe check for the beach ceremony, lanterns hung in trees and scattered throughout the property, and the scrimshaw table numbers adorning Nantucket basket centerpieces. The Catered Affair tied it all together and flawlessly coordinated logistics when the day finally arrived. We are so thankful to everyone else who helped make our wedding truly special!

Photography: Person + Killian Photography | Event Planning + Design: The Catered Affair | Flowers: Riverside Nursery | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Bridesmaids' Shoes: Jack Rogers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Thread | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lula Kate | Catering: The Catered Affair | Makeup: Katrina Hess | Hair: Priscilla Collins | Entertainment: Klass Universal Entertainment | Band: Dexter Lake Club Band | Groomsmen's Ties: Brooks Brothers | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Tent: Sperry Tents | Bride's Veil: Visionary Veils | Groomsmen's Shirts: Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen's Shoes: Navy/Tan Sperry Topsiders | Invitations + Paper Suite: Respond If You Please | Linens: Table Toppers of Newton | Rentals: Peterson Party Center

Oh southern weddings, you complete me. It’s the southern charm mixed with the perfect amount of style, and the sweet focus on family and friends – it’s everything snapped up by Twin Hearts Photography at this gorgeous Georgia fête. Add some gorgeous florals from Gardenia Floral Design, lovely stationery from Rifle Paper Co and one seriously gorgeous (and seriously in love) couple, and I’m officially a goner. See why here.

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From Erin McKendry…Erin and Benjie could not have hand picked a better day to get married! Seriously, it was the perfect day for an outdoor wedding.  This beautiful Athens wedding was set on the family property of Lee Epting  (owner of Epting Events). The ceremony took place in a gorgeous sunken, English garden. Guests said as soon as the wedding began, the sunlight filtered through the trees and the birds started to chirp in anticipation. The Hill is known for its rustic look and the bride knew this historic property would be the perfect place to show her Northern guests what southern charm looks like. Twin Hearts Photography did such an amazing job capturing each tender and joyous moment the couple shared throughout the day. The bride and groom had such a fun time putting their personal touches into each detail of the wedding. The bride created the programs, wedding signage, and cocktail/drink menu. They both spent time antique and thrift shopping to collect all the eclectic vases, jars, and trays and helped create the chevron table runners. One of their favorite memories though was looking around halfway through the reception and seeing all guests sporting the custom neon sunglasses and glow sticks.

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You know the wedding was enjoyed by all when even Mother Nature cooperates and sends a magical sunset in honor of the happy couple. And you know you’re a lucky couple when you’ve got talented Sweetwater Portraits to capture said magic. This was just one of those weddings that is filled to the brim with gorgeous light, gorgeous details, and most importantly, a gorgeous love.

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From the beautiful bride… The planning process was definitely a labor of love and the details seemed to fall into place with every decision we made. My mom and I spent countless hours on Etsy and looked at many wedding blogs for inspiration. We found numerous accent signs, striped straws for our signature cocktail, matches for the Cigar Bar, lanterns for center pieces, and much more. I think we achieved our goal of adding in some personalized touches as well. We had an assembly line embossing the handmade ceremony programs, creating table menus, and tying ribbon for the bride and groom chair garland. All these details were tied together by our color scheme of Navy, Peach and Gold. My ivory gown was designed by Sareh Nouri and had silk organza roses that match the roses in the ballroom. The florist filled the venue with an abundance of gorgeous flowers and our amazing band/DJ kept us on the dance floor all night – my number one request!

The entire day was amazing. I spent the morning sipping on champagne while being pampered with my best girls. Bubba went golfing with the guys and then hung out playing pool in the man cave. We finally met at the end of the aisle, danced the night away and ended our night with pizza and beer by the fire pit. August 31st was unique in the fact that there was a “Blue Moon” on that night, a rare occurrence that happens every two years. Our wedding was over in the blink of an eye but I am so grateful for our extremely talented photographers and videographers who captured the day beautifully for us.

Photography: Sweetwater Portraits | Videography: Cord 3 Films | Flowers: Somerset Hills Florist | Dress: Sareh Nouri | Cake: Jeffrey Miller Catering | Invitations: Crane & Co. | Ceremony Venue: The Lake House Inn | Reception Venue: The Lake House Inn | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Caterer: Jeffrey Miller Catering | Hair + Makeup: Pink Comb Salon | Bridesmaids Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Kate Spade | Music: Craig Scott Entertainment

Happy Monday, SMPers! We’ve got a morning full of fun announcements that have us giddy as can be. Besides being nominated for InStyle’s Social Media Awards (totally blushing!) we’re thrilled to announce our 2013 Fashion & Beauty e-mag is right around the corner. That’s right – a SMP mag devoted to all things style. And in light of such exciting news, we thought — what better way to celebrate than this fashion-heavy lovefest from Hillary Mayberry? With a bride rocking the prettiest lace Lanvin gown you ever did see, it’s exactly what the #SMPfashionmag is all about!

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From the Bride…Keith and I had little doubt about where we wanted to hold our celebration. For as long as I can remember, my family has spent time nearly every summer and winter in Sun Valley, Idaho, so it was an easy call for me. And after seven years of dating, Keith (a born and bred New Englander) had grown to love the location as much as my family. But most importantly, we associated Sun Valley with memories we had made together, a quality that made this picturesque mountain town a slam dunk, so we checked location off our list. Next was setting a specific date. Each season in Sun Valley has its distinct qualities; in the winter, there is downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or for the less adventurous, simply cozying up inside before a roaring fire. Then there’s the summer—mountainsides filled with wildflowers, a vast system of hiking trails, fly fishing, outdoor symphonies and gallery walks, and an overall peaceful pace of life. However, the main concern was that our friends and family, most of whom live in New England or the San Francisco Bay Area, would be able to make the long trip out from opposite coasts. Although arriving at our venue in a horse drawn carriage had its appeal, we settled on a summer wedding so that more people could hopefully join us. And join us they did…

After al fresco dining on Tuscan fare for wedding party and family on Thursday night and a laidback pool party for the younger folks the next afternoon, all 165 guests piled onto two yellow school buses for the short drive north to Galena Lodge the evening before the wedding. Everyone was blown away by the location of the log day lodge, so much so that you would have been hardpressed to find someone not donning either cowboy boots or a jean jacket! As the sun began to set behind the surrounding mountains (and the temperature dropped 30 degrees), we mingled around picnic tables covered with red and white checked tablecloths and pitchers filled with bright sunflowers. There were mounds of chicken and pork barbecue, cornbread, coleslaw, etc., followed by wagon wheels (ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies), and we washed it all down with Sam Adams Summer Ale and a local IPA—a blend of our two worlds, Boston (the city we currently call home) and Sun Valley. Late Saturday afternoon, everyone gathered for our wedding at the historic Trail Creek Cabin, one of Hemingway’s haunts back in the day. Our officiant was a close mutual friend, my two uncles and dear friend contributed carefully chosen readings, and the secular ceremony was filled with laughter, and even a few tears. The sheer majesty of the ancient mountains and the cloudless blue sky gave a certain serenity to the occasion. Keith and I chose traditional vows and exchanged our wedding bands under a rustic wooden arbor. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were brilliant orange, yellow, and purple cut flowers, and I carried a more classic bridal bouquet of loosely arranged cream, delicate whites, and greens that complimented my lace wedding dress.

For the wedding party, we chose khaki, tan, and other natural hues, all of which worked well with our mountainous backdrop. After the ceremony, we crossed the footbridge over the cabin’s namesake, Trail Creek, to a cocktail hour with huge old wooden wagons laden with antipasto and copper buckets filled with even more sunflowers. Then it was on to dinner and the reception in a huge white tent on the Trail Creek Grounds. Keith and I were honored by everyone’s toasts and touched by the sentiments therein (there were very few dry eyes following their words), then we cut our cake layered with strawberries and butter cream (dropping our first piece but eating it anyway!), and finally danced the night away to a perfect playlist by our Seattle-based band. My mom’s aesthetic, classic but creative, was apparent in every detail of the evening, from the delicate tumbleweeds hanging from the chandeliers to the wooden pitchfork marking the aisle to the sprigs of rosemary tucked into each napkin to the antique copper vessels filled with blackeyed susans. It all came together to create a rustic, chic ambiance. One favorite moment may have been wowing the crowd during our first dance to Adele’s “One and Only” with moves hard-earned from our ballroom dancing classes. Another was the dance floor packed with guests of all ages, especially during Keith’s favorite wedding song that drew everyone out of their chairs to “kick their heels up and shout”! Yet another was the outdoor brunch on Sunday, where we all recuperated from the previous evening’s festivities over quiche, churros, fruit salad, and lots of much needed coffee. I could ramble on forever about countless other special moments, as well as the beauty of the setting itself. However, what I will remember most about our wedding is an incomparable feeling of contentment from the most beautiful aspect of all—Keith and me together, surrounded by our family and friends.

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It’s been a few weeks since we shared our last nursery and I’m secretly glad that we’re back with another. Because as far as I’m concerned, there isn’t much that beats a case of the Mondays than tiny baby toes and adorable leg rolls. Esther Sun has captured sweet baby Theo and his beaming parents in his equally amazing nursery and I just can’t get enough. And there’s a whole gallery filled with baby cheeks that I know you’ll fall in love with too.

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From Theo’s mom… I’ve always loved the look of how black and white gives such a bold stark contrast, and couldn’t wait to incorporate that into my son’s nursery. Babies love to look at strong contrasting colors, which has long made me want to have a bold black and white stripe in my future babies’ room. I also wanted to decorate it so that he could grow into it so we wouldn’t have to re-do everything in a few short years. The key was to keep the decor clean and classic. Toys, books, and clothes have so much color I felt there will be enough brightness in the room through those items so I kept the rest of the space quite neutral. I shopped at many different places including multiple trips to the flea market for each piece to make it just right.

Photography: Esther Sun Photography | Animal Stags: Restoration Hardware | Assorted plush teddy bears: Pottery Barn Kids | Black Leather Teddy Bear: Alexander Wang | Crib: Davinci Cribs | Crib sheets/bumper: Carousel Designs | Glider chair: Little Castle | Hat/coat hooks: Anthropologie | Personalized Hooded Towel and Stroller Blanket: Restoration Hardware | Rack/bins/hangers: The Container Store | White bookshelf: Pottery Barn Kids

I know I don’t need to tell you just how much we truly adore Judy Pak and her devastatingly beautiful work here at SMP.  It’s something we kind of like to shout from the rooftops on a daily basis, because, well… she’s just that fabulous and her work is just that pretty.  So when Judy sends us a little somethin’ like this gorgeous e-session shot at the The New York Botanical Garden, we go a little crazy.  Because starting our week off with a Springtime masterpiece and two adorable sweeties?  Absolutely amazing. Click here for all of the pretty.

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From Judy Pak Photography… Spring is one of the most lovely times to be in New York City and it was the perfect season to encapsulate Angela and Sam’s sweet and playful relationship. It was such a joy to photograph such a beautiful couple with the gorgeous backdrop of the New York Botanical Garden.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Vendor: The New York Botanical Garden

Monday mornings call for an extra dose of adorable, if I do say so myself. So today, Jason Mize is helping us serve up the style in an extra cute way with this super fab Florida engagement session. It’s a little bit vintage and a whole lot of adorable, and it’s all right here for you to enjoy.

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Our most recent adventure is beekeeping, so choosing a location for our engagement photos where we could incorporate our honey was really important to us. We also wanted a location that showed Florida’s natural beauty. We came across the Showcase of Citrus orange grove in Clermont and we were instantly attracted to it’s “Old Florida” style. It was the perfect blend of Chris’ love for gardening and my love for old, vintage things…and orange blossom honey happens to be one of our favorite types of honey!

We wanted the session to reflect who we are as a couple, so we kept it personable by using our own items as props – a blanket from my childhood, our picnic basket, a vintage Florida tablecloth, books we have around the house. Of course we had to include our black lab, Lola, and she behaved so well for her part of the shoot! We were able to use our jars of honey as our Save the Dates. As we were taken out to the orange grove, an employee brought us to the most wonderful prop – a light blue vintage flatbed pick-up truck. It definitely tied everything together beautifully and we ended up getting some of our favorite shots on the back of that truck.

We were so glad to work with Jason for our engagement photos. Chris and I are both pretty camera shy so we were a little nervous with being the “models” for the day. Jason helped us feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera and it was amazing how the photos really show who we are as a couple. We really couldn’t have chosen a better photographer and we are so excited to see how he captures our wedding day!

Photography: Jason Mize Photography

It’s no secret that we are head over heels for bridal fashion here at SMP.  Give us a room full of beautiful gowns, gorgeous veils and seriously stunning accessories and you’ll see one group of very happy ladies. So when we realized that we’d be spending our Saturday with the ever-awesome Bella Bianca Bridal Couture, we threw a little virtual dance party.  Because Bella Bianca Bridal Couture isn’t just any bridal shop… it’s a luxurious (+ amazing) experience for all of you lovely Illinois brides-to-be.

Sisters Melissa Russell and Natalie Bauer founded Bella Bianca almost five years ago with the goal of giving Chicagoland brides a fresh new option in couture bridal. After being brides themselves, Melissa and Natalie were inspired to create a boutique where brides could feel that their experience matched up to the caliber of gown they were selecting. While the business has grown to include a 2nd location in the Gold Coast fashion district of Chicago (just opened in January of 2013), the focus on customer service has remained top-notch.

Bella Bianca proudly carries some of the biggest names in bridal. Between the two salons they carry Alvina Valenta, Hayley Paige, Ines Di Santo, Judd Waddell, Junko Yoskioka, Lazaro, Rivini, San Patrick, Simone Carvalli, Sottero and Midgley, Tara Keely, and Victor Harper. They also host trunk shows almost every weekend of the year, often times with the designer attending.

As you can see by the salon’s reviews, brides appreciate the experience they receive, including everything from the extensive gown collection and welcoming showrooms to othe expert stylists and commitment to service. Bella Bianca carries a diverse collection which gives brides the opportunity to explore not only a multitude of different styles, but also in price point. Bridal collection ranges from $2,000 to $12,000 in Oakbrook and $3,000 and up in Chicago.

Bella Bianca has been featured on various programs such as TLC’s “Randy to the Rescue” and “Platinum Weddings”.

For even more information on Bella Bianca Bridal Couture, visit www.bellabianca.com.

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Welcome to the family, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture!  We are so happy to have you! xo

As we bid farewell to the final days of summer, here at SMP we know what’s just around the corner: engagement season! For that reason (and that reason only!), we simply can’t wait for the leaves to fall and the weather to cool. And when it comes to announcing your upcoming nuptials to excited family and friends, let me give you a piece of advice — head right over to Minted! With a gorgeous collection of save the dates all created by independent designers, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Minted has you covered.

Minted offers couples an incredible variety of exclusive designs and styles all printed on luxe, signature paper — you’ll have a hard time choosing your favorite! From flat photo cards to double-sided postcards, magnets and even multi-page, exclusive Minibooks™, you can be sure the first glimpse your guests get of your big day will be totally unique and personalized. And did I mention Minted’s top-notch customer service? Each couple is matched with a dedicated Perfection Team to guide them through the paper process, offering etiquette and design advice to achieve their unique vision!

And get this, SMPers, Minted now offers FREE recipient addressing on save the date and wedding invitations! Talk about a time saver! OK, my dears, it’s giveaway time! Minted is giving one lucky SMP reader the chance to win $250 in Minted credit! Head over here for details and to enter. Contest ends Thursday, September 15, 2013 at 11:59pm PT. Best of luck, lovelies! xo

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I’m just going to come right out and say it: Carolina Rivera is a genius.  And by “genius” I mean that her work is BEYOND fabulous.  The kind of fabulous that will literally bring tears to your eyes the second you take in the sweet, sweet moments she is able to capture so beautifully.  And I am not kidding, lovelies.  One look at her breathtaking portfolio and you’ll want to spend your entire day swooning away.  So turn off that cell phone, grab that cup of morning coffee and spend your day getting to know her.  She’s amazing.

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From Carolina Rivera Photography… Carolina Rivera Photography is a fine art documentary wedding photographer primarily serving New York and New Jersey, but also beyond wherever my couples take me!

My style is raw, organic, and a touch of romantic, ethereal to create beautiful fine art photographs from your unforgettable moments, with a little bit of a creative and out of the box flair. My goal is to make you truly feel as if you were there, reliving your moments as you experience your photographs again each time, through your own unique interactions on your wedding day, mixed with a keen observation of light and careful compositions. Your moments are unique to only you, and I want your photographs to feel that way as well.

I also offer a range of beautiful final albums and displays to house your photographs. There is nothing like the touch of an old (or new) photograph – looking through your grandmother’s cabinets generations later – or remembering how things used to be and really feel that energy. I make sure that all of my products reflect the mood of the photographs we’ve created together as well.

Please head over to my website for more examples of other couples’ moments seen through my eyes.

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Welcome to the family, Carolina Rivera Photography!  We are so happy to have you! xo

Happy weekend SMP California! And you know what makes it even happier? The fact that we get to spend it getting to know the fabulous folks at Ponte Winery and Ponte Vineyard Inn. That is if you don’t know them already. So fill up your wine glass and join me in toasting this fabulous little spot!

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Both of my siblings got married at a winery. So it’s safe to say, wineries hold a special place in my heart. SO many of my favorite SMP weddings were hosted amongst the vines, so when I stumble on a beautiful spot like Ponte Winery and Ponte Vineyard, I know it’s time to shout it from the rooftops. If you are looking for the perfect winery to host your I dos – look no further my loves!

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About Ponte Winery and Ponte Vineyard Inn… Ponte Winery is located in the heart of Temecula Wine County and offers excellent customer service, attention to detail, gourmet dining options and 300 beautiful acres of vineyards all within a day’s drive of major cities in Southern California. Our Winery has been hosting guests and brides with unparalleled service since we opened our doors 10 years ago, and has been sharing the wine we create right here from our expansive vineyards.

In 2012 we opened our hotel, Ponte Vineyard Inn. Ponte Vineyard Inn is a 4-diamond boutique hotel offering expansive vineyard views, luxury accommodations and a quiet escape to the country. Last year the hotel was named by American Express’ Departures magazine as a Top 10 Vineyard Hotel in the world and we have the honor of being the #1 hotel in Temecula from Trip Advisor.

Ponte Winery and Inn has several dining options, The Restaurant at Ponte offers casual outdoor dining with delicious wine country salads, grape wood fired pizzas, pastas and sandwiches while Bouquet Restaurant at Ponte Vineyard Inn offers an upscale gourmet dining experience with indoor or outdoor seating. Ponte Vineyard Inn also offers The Cellar Lounge, the only full bar in wine country. The Cellar Lounge offers craft cocktails, beers on tap, gourmet gastropub fare and wine of course!

We also offer several options for ceremony and reception locations. There are two vineyard-facing ceremony spots on property, one at the winery and one at the inn. Reception locations include our Vineyard Pavilion which can seat up to 300 and our barrel room with walls covered with wine barrels aging our wines. The architecture and beauty of the property lends itself well to brides who want to use a variety of photo locations on-site. We also offer a complimentary room at the inn to our wedding couples and a hotel room or bridal cottage for brides and grooms to use on the big day for getting ready, taking photos, etc.

We are giving away a one night stay at Ponte Vineyard Inn with tasting tickets to our Tasting Room and dinner at one of our restaurants. It’s a perfect pre-wedding getaway for a couple! Just leave a comment below letting us know why you could use a getaway! The Winner will be selected at random and announced on October 4th. Good luck! 

Photographer: Cean One Photography | Photographer: Maria Longhi Photography | Photographer: Lin And Jirsa Photography | Photography: Hulse Photo | Photography: Photographys by Anjuli | Photography: Theresa Minnette Photography | Hotel: Ponte Vineyard Inn | Winery / Hotel: Ponte Winery

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Welcome! Welcome! xoxo, A.Blaire

I love weekends as much as the next girl, but a weekend filled with a big ol’ welcome to two of our favorite folks? Well it doesn’t get better than that. So sit back, relax and get cozy with the talents behind Erin and Tara and The Wedding Boutique, it will be a weekend well spent, trust me.

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Oh photography. If there is something that makes us swoon more than glitter and love over here on SMP Australia, it’s fabulously fresh, make you weak in the knees, photography. So the talents behind Erin and Tara? They have us begging for more with their pretty pics, and thankfully we can see so much more right here on their site.

About Erin and Tara… We love weddings, there’s no doubt about it. There is magic in the air at a wedding and we want to capture it. As photographers we capture the raw unposed moments and creatively document the events of your special day and get the shots that you may of missed while you were distracted by the awesomeness of the day; All the champagne, the guests, the dancing and love.

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Bridal gowns. Is there any dress more special? More cherished? I think not. So when it comes time to choose yours, finding the right place to say yes to the dress is oh-so important. Enter The Wedding Boutique. Beautiful gowns, jewelry, veils and accessories? What more could you ask for!

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About The Wedding Boutique… Exclusive stockist of Jennifer Go Bridal Couture label featuring handcrafted made-to-measure gowns and specializing in bespoke couture creation. Jennifer Go Bridal Couture gowns uses the best silks, embellishments and French laces sourced locally and overseas, each gown is lovingly made in Sydney. The Wedding Boutique is also the exclusive stockist of Brisbane based designer Hilde Heims bridal label, Sydney designer Couture by Francescas ready-to-wear range, (all their gowns are individually handmade in Australia) and US based designer Nicole Millers ready-to-wear bridal collection. Along with an extensive bridal gown collection, The Wedding Boutique also stocks a wide selection of jewelry, veils and other bridal accessories. 

Gowns: Jennifer Go Bridal Couture | Photographer: Jonathan Hartland Photography | Makeup: Sarah Jane Bryan | Hair: Coventry Anneliese | Model: Emily Clay

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Welcome! Welcome! xoxo, A.Blaire

San Ysidro Ranch is one of those places that kind of looks like heaven on earth. I’m talking scenery that looks straight from a movie, and weddings so perfect it could bring you to tears. It’s a place made all the more heavenly in the hands of La Fleur Weddings and through the lens of Brandi Smyth. Have a look through the full gallery here, plus sit tight for this week’s special winner. And from all of us at SMP, happy, happy weekend!

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From Brandi Smyth Photography…This shoot was a styled wedding of a bride and groom at the beautiful San Yisdro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. My favorite piece in this shoot was the unique ribbon cape that was draped over the bride and also used as a ribbon veil. I just love the way it turned out, and have never personally seen anything like it. The invitation was treated with such detail, hand painted with watercolor paints and sewn with golden thread.  Hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed photographing it.

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Photography: Brandi Smyth Photography |  Stylist + Designer: La Fleur Weddings | Bouquet + Floral Design: Simply Bouquets | Location: San Ysidro Ranch | Brides Dresses: Claire Pettibone | Cape/Veil + Invitation: Karina Puente Arts | Grooms Attire: H&M | Hair + Makeup: Team Hair & Makeup

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Time to announce this week’s winner!

Oh, happy day to Nichole Wilson who’s receiving 25 custom flat notecards with color envelopes from Jenkins Rose — congrats!

And if you didn’t win that one, fear not! Jenkins Rose is offering a 25% off your wedding invitation order and 10% off all add-on services such as letterpress, calligraphy, thank you notes, etc. through October 2013!

Can we just forget the fact that the weekend is knocking at our door and get lost in this beautiful image from Elle Jae Weddings? Seriously, I’ve been sitting here taking it in for far longer than I’d like to admit. It is so dreamy. I promise to let you escape off to your weekend, but you have to promise me to peek at the rest of this engagement shoot first. Until Monday my loves. xoxo

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Photography: Elle Jae Weddings | Cakes: Once Wed

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Scenes from the past pretty, pretty week:

an Ohio wedding so pretty I could cry
a beautiful wedding trifecta realized in Toronto
a beloved LBBer ties the knot in a gorgeous gown in Connecticut
a sweet Santa Ana soiree that can make you smile no matter what
a peek behind this super cute aviation invitation suite
a backyard wedding to top all in San Luis Obispo
a fête in France filled with ridiculously pretty details
a soiree in Arizona inspired by Jonathan Adler
a Branson wedding film to warm your heart
a lesson in the perfect wedding weekend courtesy of Cedar Rapids

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We’re totally obsessed with:

the most amazing texture helper for your braided ‘do via The Beauty Department
how to contour + highlight for the perfect makeup via Once Wed
salted pumpkin chocolate chunk cookies (yes, please) via Picky Palate

You know what I love? A great dress flipping pic. Scrumptious layers of tulle floating in the air – it gets me every time. And this Holman Ranch wedding so beautifully captured by Edyta Szyszlo Photography has not one, but three very fliptastic images tucked inside. Oh happy, happy day. Get your dress flips, your alfresco dining details and everything else wrapped up in this pretty California affair right here.

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From Edyta Szyszlo…April showers bring May flowers’ wasn’t quite the motto for their wedding day! Luckily, the sky’s sprinkles only cozied Danaka and Jason with all their guests even more. Stormy skies and big open landscapes was a dream come true for any photographer. Add a rustic ranch and a breathtaking couple, you are sure to swoon all the way to the moon! Their wedding was the ultimate feel-good occasion, and I was honored to be their to capture the festivities.

From the Bride…The very first time I saw Holman Ranch, I cried. Maybe it was foreshadowing, or fate, but there was something very special about this place that brought me to tears. Years later, the man of my dreams proposed, and there was no doubt in my mind where I wanted our wedding to take place. Once we finalized Holman as our venue, the design and aesthetic of our wedding was created based on the simple beauty of the Carmel Valley area. I wanted the decor to blend in seamlessly with the gorgeous landscape and not take away from the ambiance of Holman.

My husband and I currently live in New York City but are both West Coast natives, so for us, having as many local California elements as possible was important. Our color palette, vendor selection and even our music, was a reflection of our California hearts. The delicious food was from a local caterer who grows their own vegetables and herbs. The flowers I used to create the centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres came from a local flower shop and my in-laws even grew most of the succulents in their backyard! Our pies were made from a local ranch that my husband and I went to on a berry picking date early in our relationship and the amazing wine was made by our dear friends and local winemakers in the Salinas Valley. Many other elements my husband helped designed such as the invitations, escort cards, and table cards. My husbands talented parents hand-made the beautiful signage that was placed throughout the property, and the lovely lace and burlap bunting was hand-sewn by a long-time friend.
I’m also thankful for the special memories that were made in the days leading up to the wedding, like sitting in the backyard with my then fianc and creating the succulent centerpieces, or making our small wedding cake from scratch in my mother-in-laws kitchen. My favorite memory was creating all of the bridal bouquets with my mom the morning before the wedding. It was such a nice chance for us to spend quality time together, and reminisce about my father, who sadly is no longer with us.

In the end, my husband and I were both so happy with how everything turned out. With such a magical setting, we really wanted our guests to soak up the beauty of Holman Ranch and truly enjoy the good food, good wine and good company. It was a day filled with so much love, emotion and gratitude…the perfect first day for the start of a very blissful life together! 

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Photography: Edyta Szyszlo Photography | 2nd Shooter: Kara Brodgesell | Wedding Coordinator: Caitlin Arnold Weddings and Events | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Holman Ranch | Officiant: Brian Lyke | Caterer: Paradise Catering |  Pies: Gizdich Farm | Small Wedding Cake + Floral Design: Bride | Music/DJ: Steve Ezzo | Wine: Le P’tit Paysan | Bunting: Fun Little Things | Hair + Makeup: Shawn Cavlan Beauty Co | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Groom’s Attire: My Suit NY + J.Crew

As far as I’m concerned, Jennifer Chong can do no wrong. The girl simply breathes beauty. Whether it’s in the form of a recipe (like this Thai papaya salad – holy yum!) or incredible photography, everything she touches simply turns to gold. So I’m beyond excited to have her here today sharing one of her delicious treats. And I, for one, know what I’ll be making tonight.

From Jennifer… Asian food is my comfort food. I’m Chinese but my parents were both born in Laos, a county that shares similar cultures and food to Thailand. My mom used to always make papaya salad at home and when we went over to a friends house. It was always so spicy but always served with fried pork skins. As a kid I loved the fried pork skin so I’d take little bites of the papaya salad to eat with the salty fried fattiness! Now I love the papaya salad even without the pork skins. When I traveled to SE Asia a few years ago I think I had this every day so delicious.

There are several variations of the papaya salad, sometimes people also add green beans, dried shrimp or crab, but this is how my mom made them. Oh! and I’d definitely recommend a Julienne peeler to cut the papaya, makes it a lot easier! Hope you enjoy.

Jacquelyn ClarkPapaya Salad

prep time

cook time

total time

Serves 0Ingredients

• 2 cups of green papaya, julienned
• handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 lime
• 1 garlic
• 1 thai chili
• 1 teaspoon of shrimp paste
• 1 tablespoon of roasted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of palm sugar – or 1/2 tablespoon of agave
• optional - fried pork skins

Instructions

1. papaya salad is typically made with a large clay mortar and wooden pestle, you can purchase these online or at most asian markets. traditionally all the steps below are smashed with the wooden pestle (including the tomatoes) if you don't have one large enough, you can use a smaller mortar and pestle for step one or just use your knife to smash the first step as i did.
2. Smash garlic and chili pepper
3. Add papaya, tomatoes, shrimp paste, peanuts, fish sauce, and sugar/agave –mix well
4. Serve with pork skin

PS: you can also download the recipe here

Photography: Jennifer Chong

What you are about to see is a lesson on how to plan the perfect wedding weekend. Rehearsal dinner, wedding, brunch… tie it all together so the images (like these gorg ones from Melissa Hayes Photography) flow in a way that is beautiful. This is a rehearsal dinner and a wedding all in one post, and even I am learning so much about honing in on your specific style. I love it!

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From the gorgeous bride… If you build it, they will come. Bruce and I met in Washington, DC almost six years ago. After a long courtship he popped the question and we decided to plan our wedding in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA. We wanted to be sure that the wedding reflected the two of us and we sought out to make things as personal as possible. As this was a destination wedding for so many out of town guests, we wanted to plan lots of wedding weekend events to be sure our friends and family enjoyed everything Iowa had to offer.

We held our large rehearsal dinner at the gorgeous Sutliff Cider Barn that overlooks acres and acres of Iowa farm country. It was a casual and relaxed evening that couldnt have been more perfect. Our rehearsal fell on the Summer Solstice and despite the morning thunderstorms, we were blessed with an evening filled with lots of natural light. After seeing our guests surprised faces as they exited the buses for dinner, I was confident that we succeeded in showing everyone how much beauty Iowa has to offer.

One of my favorite moments occurred before the ceremony. As we pulled up to the church, I was greeted outside by my nervous and emotional Father. He and I have always had a special relationship and I was so pleased that we were able to share a few moments together in the courtyard before he escorted me down the aisle as a string quartet played In My Life by The Beatles.

Following the ceremony, we held our reception at the Cedar Rapids Country Club a location that holds many memories from my childhood. It was fun to be announced as husband and wife in the very ballroom where I had spent so many celebratory occasions growing up. I was so happy that we were able to take photographs outside on the golf course and our guests were able to enjoy the view from the patio during our cocktail hour.

Planning our wedding from Washington, DC was only possible with the help of my Mother, who thankfully did the lions share of the work. We decided on a color scheme that included navy, toast and a little hint of coral. We worked with a local artist in Iowa to create our stunning invitations and wanted all of our paper products to mirror the same look, using the same combination of colors and fonts. The flowers turned out beautifully delicate peach David Austin roses, cream peonies and dahlias and lots of greenery. My Mother found lace tablecloths to complement my lace dress and we used lots of candles and mercury glass candle votives to decorate the tables at the reception.

Im still so touched by the many friends and family who traveled to Iowa to help us celebrate our wedding. The weekend was absolutely perfect in every way and it was truly a weekend that we will never forget.

Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography | Flowers: Cedar Memorial Flower Shop | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Jules Bakery | Invitations: RSVP | Reception Venue: The Cedar Rapids Country Club | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Band: Funk Daddies | Groomsmens Ties: Salvatore Ferragamo | Grooms Suit: Hickey Freeman | Bridal Boutique: Carine's Bridal Atelier | Bridesmaids Earrings: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Rehearsal Dinner Catering: Braise | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Sutliff Cider Barn

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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We tried to get our hands on Jimgermanbar‘s paella recipe from this beautiful dinner party (because, um, how good does it sound?!) but apparently it’s an old family recipe that they’re just not ready to divulge. I know! Crushing! BUT they were sweet enough to give us one of their fabulous cocktail recipes straight from the bartenders mouth! So I’d consider this a success…

Jacquelyn ClarkEl PradoA sweet and sour drink that is sure to please

prep time 2 Minute/s

cook time

total time 2 Minute/s

Serves 1Ingredients

• Approx 1.75oz Rhum
• 1 oz jasmine liquor
• .75oz lime juice
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• Ice
• Amaro Averna
• Brandied cherries, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a tall Collins glass with ice
2. Add your rhum, jasmine liquor, juices and stir
3. Top with Amara Averna
4. Garnish with a brandied cherry

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Photography: Ali Walker | Recipe: Jimgermanbar