I must admit — the past couple weeks I’ve been a teensy bit antsy for Fall to makes its way to Boston. The crisp weather, the apple cider, the riding boots…bring it on! But then this pretty landed in my lap, and I suddenly changed my tune. Because let’s be honest — when Jill & Co. Events, Kurt Boomer and Anna LePley Taylor team up for a summerland-inspired shoot, it’s enough to make any girl wish the warm weather could last a wee bit longer. Click right here for so much more. 

From Jill & Co. Events..Santa Barbara Country has some really inspiring beaches all along it’s coast, and Summerland is a quaint bohemian seaside that lended itself perfectly to this shoot. Kurt Boomer captured all of the images to perfection in film, such a refreshing change from the mostly digital that I see.  Elan Event Rentals has some beautiful pieces that are a natural extension of the outdoors for event elements such as the sweetheart table, lounge space and cocktail tables we set up. All of the furniture we used was made of repurposed tea fences, collected driftwood, and recycled boats. So fitting for a beach shoot.

Town and Country table top items paralleled the architecture of the table top, with clear glass plates, allowing the natural elements of the table to shine through.  The long elements of the Dragonfly flatware matched the tall backs of the chairs, really pulling that similarity through.  For floral, we knew we wanted something fresh, a fun and upcoming take on the succulents with the airplants, but with colorful splashes of bright orange to combat the June gloom that we often see in Santa Barbara. Beyond the traditional bouquet and boutonniere that personal flowers always entail, we loved the headpiece that Anna created for our bride, complete with the air plants and all.  We really wanted this to be a statement piece and it truly was.  I think this is a really fun element for brides that want to have more than one look but maybe don’t have the budget for a second dress.  You can always change looks from ceremony to reception with a quick hair change and addition of something as small as a flower or as fabulous as a headdress like this one. Brass has been a really fun metal element to work with, I loved incorporating it into the tiers of the cake.

T.E.A.M. Hair and Makeup did a stunning job of keeping the makeup on our model natural and glowing, fitting in with the local of the shoot.  Her hair started up in a beautiful braid that framed her face, and when let down, created stunning natural waves to perfectly complement the headdress. Stone Cold Fox’s Bridal pieces were incorporated and really an integral part of the shoot.  There are so many brides out there that want something bridal and romantic, but the traditional wedding dresses just aren’t for them.  Especially for outdoor weddings, their pieces were a perfect fit. It was the perfect shoot to start the summer off right with an amazing team of vendors!

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Photography: Kurt Boomer | Event Design + Planning: Jill & Co. Events | Shoot Location: Summerland Beach | Floral Design: Anna LePley Taylor | Furniture Rentals: Elan Event Rentals | Oysters: Santa Barbara Fish Market | Tabletop Rentals: Town and Country Event Rentals | Cake: Your Cake Baker | Hair and Makeup: T.E.A.M Hair and Makeup | Dress: Stone Cold Fox |

Some may say Jen Aniston. Others may go with Blake Lively or Jennifer Lawrence or Mila Kunitz. But my girl crush? Is decidedly Amber Fillerup of Barefoot Blonde. Aside from the fact that she is absurdly gorgeous with style for days, she also doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously and allows fashion to be a wildly individual sport. Plus she’s kind of a bad ass. And today she’s sharing her fashion genius with us mere mortals in her 5 Fashion Must-Haves. And I’ve already bought one of each.

#1: A FEMININE DRESS. It’s a must for every girl. I would say my style is more funky than classic feminine but every now and again I love to throw on a dainty dress and sparkly flats for a lunch date with girl friends.

#2: A PAIR OF BOOTIES. My go to shoe is a good pair of booties. I love that they give that “model off duty” feel to an outfit with how effortless they look. And its a major plus that they are a million times more comfortable than the typical pair of heels.

#3: A GORGEOUS BAG. For a lonnng time I told myself I didn’t need a nice, designer bag.. I couldn’t get myself to come to grips with the lofty price. But since I have made the plunge, I am now hooked. Nothing beats a quality bag that holds everything you own!

#4: A PRINTED T. I love throwing on a printed tee with… anything. They are so versatile and can be worn with a pair of skinnies and booties or with a blazer and heels.

#5: A BOLD DRESS. I always find myself gravitating towards bright colors and prints like this Topshop dress. I love bold pieces that make a statement and pairing them with more simple accessories or if I am feeling really bold, mixing them with other coordinating prints.

Photography: Barefoot Blonde | Booties: Nordstrom | Feminine Dress: The Fifth Label | Printed Dress: Nordstrom | Purse: Celine | T-Shirt: Asos

Can I just say that you Australian bride and grooms are seriously awesome?  Like so very, very awesome. Because not only are you some of the sweetest + craftiest ladies and gents I have ever had the privilege to virtually meet, you really, really know how to throw a drop-dead gorgeous wedding.  Weddings like this one captured by the ever-amazing Liesl Cheney Photography, a whimsical affair boasting colorful blooms, lace details and sooooo much pretty (that’s a lot, lovelies).  See it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Peter and I met in 2004 on his second day in Perth. I was at uni finishing my law degree and working retail on the weekends, while Peter had just moved from Queensland and was looking for a job in the mining industry. We soon made friends and started seeing each other about a year later.

After seven years together (during which time Peter got his Australian citizenship, we moved to Canberra and back and Peter got his geology degree) we bought and moved into our first home. Peter made me a beautiful Moroccan candlelit dinner that he said was to celebrate our 7th anniversary and our first proper dinner together in the new house. The food was fabulous, but the best part was dessert when Peter asked me to marry him and presented me with the most stunning diamond and sapphire ring that he had designed. It felt so amazing to be in our very own home and to be getting married.

The wedding had a rustic, shabby chic theme that suited our bush venue in the Perth hills, Darlington Estate Winery. I found some beautiful mismatched floral bunting on eBay and planned the entire wedding from there around a jumble of soft colours, lace, natural hessian and brown paper.

Our flowers were by the wonderful Jappalin Manning of FlowerTalk. My bouquet was a bright and beautiful mix of cream vendella roses, light blue delphiniums, yellow freesias, pink lisianthus and silver foliage. Mixed jars and bottles with the same flowers looked stunning on our long guest tables.

I wore a specially designed and made-to-measure lace and silk dress by Elvi designs, with a lace keyhole detail on the back and a small train. Having a dress made just for me was one of the best decisions I made. I loved the whole process and the finished product was everything I hoped for. The groom wore a delphinium blue silk tie with a William Morris print and cuff-links engraved with our wedding date.

I went a little crafting-crazy, tea-staining thousands of paper doilies and using them to make rose petal cones and decorate cupcake boxes and menus. We also made brown paper orders of service in the shape of a fan with a popstick handle, and a gorgeous bunting seating plan with guests names on little manila tags hanging on clothes pegs. It was loads of work but my fabulous friends pitched in and I was so proud of the results.

The highlight of the day for me was the wedding ceremony itself. We wanted our ceremony to be romantic and also to reflect that we were already in a long and committed relationship. Both my parents walked me down the aisle. We didnt have traditional attendants but we were helped at every stage by friends and family who acted as unofficial bridesmaids and groomsmen. Our civil ceremony included traditional vows and also our own personal statements of love and commitment. I dont think there was a dry eye in the house by the time we had wept our way through our promises, and Ill never forget the feeling of pure joy walking back down the aisle with my new husband.

Our honeymoon was a month touring around France.

Photographer: Liesl Cheney | Flowers: Flower Talk | Wedding Dress: Elvi Design | Cupcakes: Cupcake Decorate | Wedding Cake: Sherbet Bake Shop | Hair & Makeup: Sharon Padula of The East Salon in Maylands | Ceremony & Reception: Darlington Wine Estate

Rustic meets elegant meets one adorable duo, and the result? Well it’s prettiness defined. The Riviera Country Club set the stage for the prettiest of parties, and with the help of Occasions, Holly Flora and A Sweet Design, every detail tucked in this gallery is worthy of your favorite pin board. So feel free to join us drooling over every detail, right here.

From the Bride… I’ve loved Quincy from the moment I saw him 12 years ago at the Century City Food Court (very romantic). He was on a blind date with my girlfriend, who conveniently brought me along as her sidekick. That love fizzled, but my love for Quincy grew through the years, even though it took him a little while (9 years!) to “come around.” Quincy and I were both born in Los Angeles and went to USC together (but not “together”) where his fraternity was across the street from my sorority. I would spy on him at football games and hope one day he would love me, and finally a few months after we both graduated, he did! But our relationship was not an easy one, nine months after we started dating, Quincy moved to Georgia to begin his Officer Training in the Army, and I stayed back in Los Angeles. We spent nine months apart and then Quincy moved to Fairbanks, Alaska to his duty station. He deployed a few months after that for a year long deployment. When he returned in April 2012, I decided I couldn’t stand being apart much longer and packed up my things and moved to be with him! And from there, I planned a wedding in Los Angeles!

For as long as I can remember, my dad used to take me into the Crystal Ballroom at The Riviera Country Club and tell me, “This is the place you are going to get married.” So when Quincy asked me to marry him last June, I immediately knew it had to be at The Riv. I didn’t want to do the traditional black-tie affair that The Riv’s atmosphere caters to; instead I really wanted to make it my own. My vision was rustic meets elegant.

Q and I wanted our wedding to be more on the casual side, so instead of making our invitations very formal, Sloane Harmony created a fun, very “us” invitation with pinks, beiges and a burlap wrap. She kept the fonts and overall feel of our invitations for the rest of our paper goods including our escort cards, a welcome note and a very casual program that had a sense of humor (like us!).

To incorporate “us” in our ceremony and throughout our reception, we placed framed photos of us as well as fun items with our initials on them around. Since we have such unique initials (it is impossible to find things with a Q on them), we have been collecting items with our initials on them since we started dating. We used our initials for most of our wedding, K & Q Get Married! We even had our guests hashtag our wedding with #kandqgetmarried so that we could have all of our photos in one place!

I wanted our cocktail reception to really be Q’s moment (a bride gets the whole day, I wanted my groom to have an hour), so we focused on all things Q! He is a lover of Jameson whiskey (and his mom is from Ireland!), so we placed bottles with flowers around the reception area. We also wanted to incorporate America without being cheesy (no red, white and blue) and so we bought this fabulous wooden flag from Pottery Barn and hung it above the escort cards. And finally, Q LOVES coffee. He is a true coffee aficionado and so we had our escort cards sitting in cigar boxes filled with coffee beans and surrounded by flowers.

We had Alaskan beer offered at the bar to give an homage to our current hometown. And Q and I each had a fun signature drink “The K” – Moscow Mule and “The Q” – Jameson on the rocks. At some point in the night, the bartenders began making “The K & Q” which was a Moscow Mule with Jameson added.

For our flowers, I wanted them to look like they had just been plucked from the garden (no big bouquets) and Holly Flora was my one and only choice. For our outdoor ceremony, Becky and Holly covered the 10 foot tall gazebo with vines, which made it look like the flowers had grown naturally from the ground. We also had a gathering of small bud vases on a table behind us to give the gazebo some depth. For the reception, the girls created small groupings of flowers in mismatched vases including colored glass, mason jars, old tea kettles and vintage pieces to make my vision come alive. We also had individual balsa wood flowers placed on every place setting.

Desserts are MY thing. I didn’t want to just have cake, instead I wanted a selection of desserts for our guests. We had the girls from A Sweet Design create mini cookies and milk, cupcakes, cake pops and marshmallow pops for our guests to snack on. And Q’s mom made our wedding cake from scratch for us to cut into.

My favorite part of whole day was walking down through the saber arch, a military tradition where the newly married couple must kiss before being allowed entrance. Once the bride and groom walk through, the bride gets a (very rough) pat on the butt with one of the sabers and the soldiers say, “Welcome to the Army mam!” This was the perfect end to our ceremony.

Our photographer Jen couldn’t have made our day any easier. She captured our perfect moments without being in the way or making our day any more stressful. I love the way she caught the smallest details that I missed when I was walking down the aisle like the bud vases and framed pictures. She made it a night that I can relive forever through photos!

In Japanese tradition, my mom, aunts and family friends made 1000 gold origami cranes for my wedding. A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by family, who are wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. The construction of a thousand gold paper cranes symbolizes good fortune, fidelity and longevity. When my parents got married, they were surrounded by a thousand paper cranes made by my mom’s mother and grandmother and I was lucky to be surrounded by 1000 at mine.

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Venue + Catering: The Riviera Country Club | Wedding Planner: Mary Sushinski of Occasions | Photography: B&G Photography | Flowers: Holly Flora | Cake: Mother of the Groom | Ceremony Music: 5th Avenue Entertainment | Dessert Table: A Sweet Design | Disc Jockey: Red Shoe | Hair: Jessie Holiday | Make up: Lynn Simpson of Delilah Beauty | Lighting: Aspect Lighting | Linens + Chairs: Elegant Designs | Officiant: Elizabeth Oaks of Marriage To Go | Photo Booth: Shutter Booth | Printed Materials: Sloane Harmony Design

This is why I love Illinois weddings.  One minute I’m basking in a contemporary rooftop soiree in downtown Chicago, the next I’m seriously swooning over a classically gorgeous Winnetka Community House affair with vibrant hues, lush florals from Morning Glory and the perfect dash of whimsy.  It’s the the reason I adore my job (with a passion) and the reason I plan on spending every last minute of my day soaking in all of the love-filled moments captured by Katherine Salvatori Photography.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty.

From the Bride… We met playing pub trivia in Chicago. We were both on opposite teams, and we were quite competitive with each other. After many weeks of seeing each other every Wednesday night, Chris asked me on a date. The first date was at a local restaurant, and we talked for over five hours. It was a sign of many more good dates to come. The wedding was inspired by the venue (Winnetka Community House). We wanted something casual, yet elegant. The garden courtyard and reception hall with French doors provided an indoor/outdoor feel. We also wanted Chicago to be present in our wedding, so all of our tables were named after Chicago neighborhoods.

From Katherine Salvatori Photography… This wedding was absolutely stunning. The ceremony space had old, Italian styled arches, and the layout of the community house had such an intimate feel. Holly and Chris put so much time and attention into the details of their wedding, from the gorgeous floral arrangements to incorporating their love of the city into the table arrangements at the reception. Nothing was overlooked!

Photography: Katherine Salvatori Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Catered By Design | Floral Design: Morning Glory, Glenview | Wedding Gown: Jasmine Collection | Wedding Cake: Oak Mill Bakery | Invitations: MagnetStreet Weddings | Ceremony Location: Winnetka Community House | Reception Location: Winnetka Community House | Bride's Shoes: Saugus Shoes | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine Collection | Catering: Catered By Design | Makeup Artist: Indira Salon - Chicago | Hair Stylist: Salon Roula, Evanston | DJ: Three 5 Media | Men's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony Music: Three 5 Media

This Quebec wedding at Le Belvédère by Dallas Curow is just pure lovely. Pure, oh my goodness I can’t believe this is real, lovely. It’s the type of wedding that seems like a fairytale from the first image to the last, and you have to pinch yourself to make sure it’s all real. But oh it is, and it all makes for one completely stunning gallery of images.

From Dallas Curow…Staci and Dan were married at the maiden event of Le Belvédère, a then brand new, eco-friendly venue situated in the rolling hills of Wakefield, Quebec, Canada. It was a destination wedding of sorts for them, as they are two Canadians who are currently living and working abroad in Beijing, China. Although they travelled back to their homeland to be married, they incorporated many Chinese items into their wedding decor as a nod to their current locale. In fact, they packed all the Ming vases that would decorate the tables in their suitcases with them on their trip home! Those vases, along with the Maneki-neko (beckoning cats that are very popular in China), fresh pastries from the bride’s hometown of Thunder Bay, ON, and their many other elegant yet playful elements created a joyful atmosphere that paid tribute to both their home and adopted countries. They shared their first dance overlooking the valley below right as the sun set, and later their guests sipped cocktails under the stars. It was an unspeakably beautiful event, and all the more impressive considering it was planned from nearly 6,500 miles away!

From the Bride, Staci…Our dress code and concept for our wedding was “Creative Black Tie.” We wanted a classic feeling to the wedding without excluding people who wouldn’t normally dress up in tuxes etc. Black tie is too formal and restrictive. We wanted to have fun, be ourselves and by making it “creative,” we made it more accessible to all of our guests. We planned our wedding from China, which was fun but made for a lot more headaches than normal. It was difficult to make decisions on what we wanted since we couldn’t really see anything in person, and had trouble knowing what we were choosing. However, it did force us to make fast decisions and stick to them. Too much choice makes wedding planning more difficult, after all.
 
Given our situation, in hindsight I would recommend using a wedding planner. It is something we should have done and would have saved a lot of stress. Research and pricing is important, but at the end of the day, all quotes we received were similar so we went with the company, vendor etc that we felt most comfortable with.  I would also recommend to follow your heart and try not to listen to the opinions of others. A wedding is a reflection of you as a couple, not your guests. Guests should feel comfortable and welcome but not dictate the day!  A kids section is always a good idea too. It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite moment, because the whole day was a great moment. To touch on a few: getting ready with my bridesmaids; walking down the aisle and seeing my soon-to-be husband waiting for me; marrying him; pictures with the bridal party; my new husband’s thank you speech that brought the whole audience to tears, and of course, dancing!

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Photography: Dallas Curow | Floral Design: Bloomfields | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Le Belvédère | Cake: Thimble Cakes | Decor: Elyse Cragg of Peonies and Brass | Engagement Ring: Logan Antiques | Wedding Bands: People’s Jewellers | Blue + White Vases: Panjiayuan Market, Beijing, China | Table Runners: Beijing, China | Other Decorations: Michael’s Arts and Crafts | Wedding Dress: Custom, Beijing, China by a local tailor | Groom’s suit: Custom, Beijing, China | Shoes: BCBG | Veil: Borrowed from a friend | Earrings + Tailoring: With Love Bridal Boutique

When rustic and romantic join forces, it’s always a beautiful thing.  Especially when they come together in a crazy gorgeous wedding set against the industrial awesomeness that is The Filter Building.  That’s what we call beyond crazy gorgeous, and when you tie it all up with some sweeter than sweet details, seriously stunning hues (I’m looking at you vibrant green) and one love-filled image after another captured by Zac & Kaitlin, it all comes together in a gallery you just HAVE to see.  Join me there for all of the pretty.

From Zac & Kaitlin… We are so excited to share this sun-kissed wedding with you on such a beautiful day. Chase and Amy met years ago while they studied at Abilene Christian University. Amy left ACU and made her way over to the University of North Texas to finish out her degree but THANKFULLY that did not stop Chase from his pursuit for the girl of his dreams. They began an awesome relationship filled with lots of road trips to see each other knowing one day that would come to a sweet, sweet end. Their love for one another produced patience and understanding and then… ENGAGEMENT! Months later we met them on the beautiful lake to see them tie the knot! The day was filled with everything sweet: laughter, succulents, and a breathtaking view. It could not have been any better.

Photography: Zac & Kaitlin | Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Aspen Catering | Hair: Dry Bar | DJ: A Music Wave DJ | Bride's Dress: Pure Lux Bridal Boutique | Wedding Location: The Filter Building

Maui equals magic to me. And no, I’ve never actually been, but after drooling over many a Maui wedding on SMP Destination, I just know it’s the place where dreams are made reality. Take this couple, for instance. The day they walked down the aisle was the first time they ever saw their venue, but really how could they go wrong? It is Maui after all. See every gorgeous image by Maria Hibbs Photography right here.

From the Bride…Self-proclaimed “beach people,” my fiance and I knew we wanted an outdoor wedding with an ocean view.  Having fallen in love with Maui when both went for the first time the summer before our engagement, we quickly decided on the island.  Maui also seemed a perfect mid-point for both our families to meet since the majority of my family would be traveling from Guam and his from Iowa.  At first we picked a hotel as our venue, even sending in a deposit.  Soon after, a friend of ours from Maui sent us pictures of the Olowalu Plantation House.  I instantly feel in love and knew we had to have the venue.  I quickly contacted a local coordinator and commenced convincing my fiance that we needed to change our venue.  I assured him he would thank me when he saw the venue in person, and eventually he acquiesced. After we picked the venue, I immediately went on to picking fashion.  I soon found dresses for the bridesmaids by one of my favorite dress designers, Sue Wong.  Having picked a dress with embroidery and beading, I was next tasked with choosing colors and flowers that would match the dress but still maintain an island feel. Unlike most brides, many of my design choices were made to match the bridesmaids dresses rather than vice versa.  The fashion, along with venue, led me to my next major source of inspiration, the beautiful green cymbidium orchid.  The flower was bright and colorful, but yet soft enough to match the muted colors of the bridesmaids dresses. The flower embodied everything we wanted our wedding to be: elegant, vibrant, and a little exotic.    Being a destination bride, I knew I wouldn’t have the level of involvement in planning the wedding that a local bride would.  For that reason, I really wanted to make sure to add some personal touches to the wedding.  Having come from a family of artists, incorporating my mother’s art work into the invitations and table numbers seemed a perfect solution.  The artwork turned out amazing, and I was so glad to add that element of uniqueness to the wedding. The day of was a day of firsts: first day for us to see the venue in person, first day for our families to meet, and the first day my fiance and I spent as husband and wife.  The venue was more beautiful than we could have imagined, our families got along wonderfully, and we couldn’t have asked for a better first day to spend as married couple.  It was truly our dream wedding, and we are so grateful we were able to share it with our closest friends and family. And yes, my husband thanked me for convincing him to change the venue. [dotted] Photography: Maria Hibbs Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Jackie and Lori of Tropical Maui Weddings | Floral Design: Maui Elegance Floral Design | Printing: U Lucky Girl Design House with original artwork by Marilyn Schofield | Hair + Makeup: Katira | DJ: DJ Del Sol | Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Jamie Lawrence | Bartending: Maui Bars Are Us | Catering: Cafe O’lei | Wedding Cake: Cakes by JoAnn | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Officiant: Rev. Laki Pomaikai Kaahumanu | Custom Headpiece: Madison Avenue Designs via Circle Park Bridal | Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Stardust

This wedding has amazing written all over it.  The kind of amazing you can only see in a sea-inspired shindig with bursts of vibrant poppy hues and one of the most adorable duos you will ever virtually meet. I’m talking a Jim and Pam-esque adorable with smiles for miles and one serious ability to throw a pretty party.  In other words, they are awesome, their wedding is breathtaking and the full gallery of beautiful images captured by Lynette Boyle is simply stunning.  Click here for all of the pretty.

From Lynette Boyle Photography… This wedding and couple is very near and dear to my heart. Kaity, Kevin, and I all met through work several years ago in Boston. I witnessed Kaity and Kevin’s romance blossom over lunch hours and coffee trips, like Pam and Jim’s on The Office. Eventually Kaity and Kevin started dating, and we all moved on to new places, Kaity and Kevin to San Diego, and I to San Francisco. In the Spring of 2012 while visiting San Diego, Kevin told me he bought a ring and was planning to propose. I was absolutely elated for them. A few weeks later he popped the question on a trip to Santa Barbara and the wedding planning and a cross-country move back to Boston began. 

They chose to host their wedding at Latitude 41 at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. They liked the casual vibe and flexibility of what the venue had to offer. While the forecast threatened torrential downpours and flooding leading up to the day of their wedding, the rain passed through the night before and we had surprisingly abundant sunshine when it was time for the ceremony! The couple chose to expand upon the already present maritime theme at Mystic Seaport. Kaity chose green (her favorite color) and poppy for the wedding palette. Kevin, a designer and creative director by trade, designed a fun and colorful suite of wedding stationery to match the color palette and sea theme. The bridesmaids all chose their own dresses in a shade of green or tan. They made little lime sea-salt containers as an escort card and favor for their guests, and of course brought plenty of polaroid cameras for their guests to have fun with! The signature cocktail of the night was named for Kaity’s sister and Maid of Honor, Holly… it was fittingly called the “Holly-Would.”

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Photography: Lynette Boyle Photography | Floral Design: It’s So Ranunculus | Coordinating: Alyson of Latitude 41 | Ceremony Location: The North Lawn at Mystic Seaport | Reception Location: Latitude 41 at Mystic Seaport | Caterer: Coastal Gourmet | DJ: DJ Salty Snacks | Invitations: DIY, Bride + Groom | Hair + MUA: Sara’s Glam Squad Salon | Wedding Dress: Victoria Nicole (straps customized by the bride) | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dresses + Groomsmen Suits: Lula Kate, J.Crew

I love rehearsal dinners. The air is full of excitement and everyone wears smiles as if it is their most prized accessory. So when I come across such a dinner like this one snapped up by Bre Sessions, Scobey Photography, I get a little giddy. Ok a lot giddy. Because when you combine happiness and prettiness, it doesn’t get any better to me. See it all here.

From Bre Sessions… This exquisite rehearsal dinner that took place at the amazing Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta. I could tell the moment I walked in the door and saw all the beautiful tablescapes that it was going to a spectacular night. An adorable couple, surrounded by their closest family and friends, and dining on some of the best cuisine Atlanta has to offer! It doesn’t get much better than that.

Photography: Scobey Photography | Floral Design: Le Jardin Fracais | Location: Restaurant Eugene

Fans of The Great Gatsby, I’ve got a treat for you. This wedding was planned before the new movie was filmed, and set to take place less than a mile from the original Gatsby. Keeping that in mind, the couple planned a party that looked to be a roaring good time, and we’ve got the inside scoop from Meghan Sepe Weddings.

From the photographer… A Great Gatsby inspired wedding, this day had it all – including being less than a mile from where the original Great Gatsby movie with Robert Redford was filmed in 1974! The bride got ready in a luxurious suite at The Chanler Inn in Newport, RI overlooking Sachuest Beach, while the guys were in a nearby waterfront hotel, grooming and pressing their coat tails. The ceremony was at the bride’s Alma Mater, Salve Regina University (Chapel), which was a stone’s throw from the Chanler Inn and the famous Cliff Walk which actually joins all of these waterfront properties by a walking path along the cliffs and ocean. In a word – on a beautiful sunny Spring day – that area is breathtaking. The reception followed back at the Chanler Inn where long tables and chandeliers filled up the covered patio and pops of bright fuchsia and pinks stood out against the silver and cream tones of the linens and tables. Subtle art deco fonts on menus and napkins punctuated the theme.

From the beautiful bride… Luke and I met in his hometown of Old Saybrook where I used to spend my summers. At the time, I was attending college at Salve Regina University and loved every minute of it – as well as the beautiful seaside city of Newport, RI. As he and I fell in love, he too fell in love with Newport and we couldn’t think of a more perfect place to get married. I had always loved Newport growing up because it was where one of my favorite films, The Great Gatsby, was filmed. For me, every day in Newport was like being in a movie, a classic Hollywood film! Surrounded by the gorgeous mansions and beautiful scenery. Of course I wanted to take advantage of this feeling and take it one step further. Since I only plan on getting married once, I’ll admit it – I wanted it to be like my red carpet moment, my fifteen minutes of fame!

I wanted to include elements of The Great Gatsby (before I even knew the remake of the film was coming out or that it would be released on the exact same day as my wedding…Crazy!) and classic Hollywood glamour while taking advantage of Newport’s glamour as well. With a little research, we chose our color palette to reflect a 1920’s look and feel, using the same tones and shades that swanky parties used back in the day. We were thrilled with the outcome, it was truly just what we wanted.

Photography: Meghan Sepe Photography | Florist: Stoneblossom | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Hair + Makeup: Jennie Kay beauty | Venue: The Chanler At Cliff Walk | Bride's Dress: Matthew Christopher | Cake and Confectionery: Confectionery Designs | Champagne coupes: Rentals Unlimited | Chandeliers and balloons: Exquisite Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music/ Band: Lois Vaughan | Paper goods: Paper Moss | Trolley: Newport Wedding Trolley | Tux Company: Colin's Tuxedo Shop

First looks are my favorite part of any wedding. But when the bride and groom plan a secluded first look at sunrise, it makes for a moment that’s seriously special. Woodnote Photography captured a layer of intimacy and emotion that only the best photographers can do. And the words from the groom? Well, they’re enough to bring a girl to tears. “When I saw Jessica in the field for the first time that morning, I was very overwhelmed with love, joy, and peace.  I instantly broke out in tears as my anxiousness left me and my bride was by my side.” Grab yourself a tissue and join me for the full wedding right here.

From Woodnote Photography…These two met at a Bible Study, and became friends.  Jessica was training for triathlons, (have I mentioned that she’s already completed an Iron Man?!  The girl is a legend..), so eventually they started doing workouts together.  Robert thought things were going pretty well, so he asked if Jessica would like to go out, and she flat out said no!  (But did apologize to Robert if she had led him on…)  Robert explained, “After taking such a blow, I fell behind the scenes for a while only to reappear months later to spend more time with her biking or running. I eventually worked up the courage again (over a year later) to see if she would like to get to know each other again and to my delight she said, Sure…  Since then weve been two peas in a pod.”  (And as the photographers who have gotten to spend time with Jessica + Robert together, we can absolutely testify to the fact that these two are absolutely in love, and completely meant for each other!)

Jessica + Robert got married on a Sunday morning in May, and started their ceremony with a tea bar — greeting their guests as they arrived, and handing them a freshly baked scone in a bag that was labeled with their wedding program.  Immediately following the ceremony, a lovely brunch was served at their reception, which ended up meaning that the best time for Jessica + Robert’s portraits was … at sunrise.  When I first wrote the email to them, suggesting the wild + crazy idea, I thought, “well.. they might just laugh in my face” … but then they reminded me that they’re both athletes who are constantly training for big events, and so they’re used to getting up ludicrously early.  (Hooray!)  Let’s face it.  The lighting at sunrise just can’t be beat.  Not to mention the incredible poetic beauty of seeing your love for the first time on your wedding day, all alone, watching the sunrise together.  

Robert’s way of retelling his memory of the first look is beyond beautiful, “When I saw Jessica in the field for the first time that morning, I was very overwhelmed with love, joy, and peace.  I instantly broke out in tears as my anxiousness left me and my bride was by my side.”

After the first look and portraits with the maid of honor + best man, there was time to go out for a delightful breakfast together at Andrew’s Restaurant inside the Delafield Hotel!  It was such an incredible morning, with a nice little relaxed break in between photos + the ceremony to spend time together, and relax, too.  From our perspective, it was completely worth the 4am wakeup call, and Jessica + Robert say it was, too!  They told us, “We both thoroughly loved seeing each other for the sunrise pictures.  It calmed so many nerves, and was a great moment with each other. We also loved getting breakfast right after pictures at Andrews Restaurant with the bridal party and Caroline and Jayden.”

Without further ado, we’re quite excited to share these images with you all today.  But before we go, here’s a final word of advice for future brides/grooms currently planning their wedding from Jessica + Robert:  “Short engagements! Ours was under 4 months and it was a DIY wedding!  You can do it!”

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Photography: Caroline + Jayden of Woodnote Photography | Event + Floral Design + Styling: Jonathan Diel | Stationery + Paper: Michelle Neu, Maid of Honor | Ceremony Venue: Lapham Peak | Reception Venue: Oconomowoc Lake Club | Officiant: Josh Watson | Ceremony Music: Joseph + Bella Patenode | Wedding Favors: Loose Leaf Tea from Rishi | Cake: Waterhouse Bakery | Hair: Friend of Bride, Christine Andrus | Makeup: Mother of the Bride | Bride’s Jewellery: Family Heirlooms | Groom’s Suit: Bar III | Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Best Man Suit: Calvin Klein

The way I see it, Labor Day isn’t as much the end of summer as it is a way to celebrate the season with one last warm-weather hurrah. Though this long weekend is typically associated with all things red white and blue, we thought we’d change it up SMP style. And with that we present a simple backyard celebration in pink, white and teal!

So grab your nearest and dearest, your cutest sarong, and some bright blue plastic cups (filled with a fabulous cocktail, of course) and throw yourselves a mini-party worthy of the season.

Drink Dispenser: Pier 1 | Fire Logs: Terrain at Styers | Fire Pit: Terrain at Styers | Horseshoes: Terrain at Styers | Plastic Cups: Party City | Sandals: Charter Club | Sarong: Elie Saab | Shorts: Topshop | Tank Top: Montaigne Market | Umbrella: Wayfair | White Lanterns: Ebay

Weddings like this one make my heart skip a beat.  Maybe it’s the preppy chic meets classically gorgeous meets dash of contemporary awesomeness of it all… or maybe it’s because it’s just so darn pretty.  Either way, I’ve been hooked ever since the very moment I spotted these beautiful images from Brklyn View Photography, and I haven’t looked back since.  It’s a day that is boasting more than its fair share of amazing and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Even though Michael and I were living in San Francisco, we dreamed of getting married in the town we met: Montauk, New York, a fishing village turned hip surfer town on the very end of Long Island. It was important for us to hold a small wedding at a singular venue, so we could maximize the quality time with our friends and family. The Montauk Yacht Club fit our vision perfectly; minimalist with a soft touch of nautical and tons of natural light.

We used a palette of soft pastels and hoards of candlelight to create a flattering, inviting atmosphere. Small personal touches made it feel like us.  Escort cards alerted guests that they had reservations at our favorite Montauk restaurants. Rubber initial stamps were used on everything from cocktail napkins to gift bags. And for dessert we treated ourselves to our favorite local pies. After being in countless weddings, we were determined to have our wedding parties comfortable in clothing that fit their personal style and budget. I thought the bridesmaids looked like a bucket of sherbet!

My absolute favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony. We poured over the wording with our officient, adding personal touches like the tying of the knot ceremony, the blessing of the hands and a beautiful reading. Using the Yacht Clubs dramatic fireplace as our backdrop, we covered the mantle with different height candles, lanterns, and romantic gatherings of babys breath. It took my breath away when I entered. The biggest compliment was when our guests told us how touched they were by the ceremony and how it truly felt like us. Even some of the guys cried![dotted]
Photography: Brklyn View Photography | Second Photographer: Michelle Lange | Venue: Montauk Yacht Club | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhullier | Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade New York | Floral: Sag Harbor Florist | Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss Black Label | Hair + Makeup Artist: Laramie Glen | DJ: Play Something Good

If you need a big ol’ dose of summery color this morning, look no further than this Sanibel stunner captured by Laura Elizabeth Photography. Laura was not only the talent behind the lens of this beauty, but she also just so happens to be the Bride’s sister. So it’s no surprise that the heart in each image sitting in this gallery shines just as bright as all the gorgeous details, and you can see every last one right here.

From Laura Elizabeth… For this wedding I wore several hats- Bride’s sister, day of coordinator, babysitter, makeup artist, hair stylist, driver, Matron of Honor, and photographer. I was so thrilled to be able to be part of my sister’s wedding in paradise and happy to be the one to capture every moment for them. It was a day filled with happiness and joy after a struggle to get to this point. Last year, Brett and Jennifer were supposed to get married in Woodstock, Vermont, another picturesque area in which to get married. When plans fell through they wanted to have a secluded and intimate beach side wedding.

The day was gorgeous and after a week of storms threatening on the horizon it looked like we were just going to be able to squeeze the ceremony in before the only incredible down pour of the week began. The storm stayed off just long enough for an excited Jennifer and Brett to exchange their vows with their children standing next to them smiling on excitedly. Jennifer’s two children held on to each other, happy that their mother had found happiness, as Brett’s little girl tried to squeeze in close to her soon to be step-mother and father. The family was just filled over flowing with love, and it was written all over their faces.

Everyone smiled on as Sophia, Jennifer’s little girl, tried to quote the Princess Bride but was unable to because she caught a case of the giggles. After the ceremony all of us ran inside the Thistle Lodge were we dined, laughed and had the most amazing cake from Mason’s Bakery in Fort Myers. Jennifer’s flowers were amazing! Jennifer, not being the picky bride at all, just told the florist to have fun with color, and that they did! They were just as bright and beautiful as they could be. Standing out vibrantly against Jennifer’s snow white wedding gown.

Photography: Laura Elizabeth Photography | Bridesmaids Dresses: Chasing-Fireflies | Flower Girl Dresses: Chasing-Fireflies | Officiant: Dr. Dan | Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal | Floral Design: Floral Artistry | Wedding Cake: Masons Bakery | Ceremony + Reception Location: Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort

We could let our last post slip away without stealing a page from that gorgeous dessert buffet. Namely, the blueberry cheesecake that is causing me to sit on my hands as I type this so I don’t go raid the fridge and make some variations as this sweet cream cheese blueberry filled goodness. Ok not really, but almost. So here you go my friends. The best way to cheat on your diet since these little cakeletts from the lovely dessert gurus of Indulge Sweet Spot with photos from Catherine Guidry.

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Recipes on SMP Living:

This is what it  looks like to have all of our loves in one pretty spot. Gold, gold and more gold, pink florals galore by The Little Branch and glamour for miles. This wedding has SMP written all over it and a team of vendors that whipped the Bride and Groom’s vision of the Rat Pack meets Under the Stars into a gorgeous reality. That team includes design by Lady Liberty Events, coordination by Dee Gaubert of No Worries Event Planning and Brandon Kidd following suit with crazy good images. See so much more right here.

From Liberty Woodman Of Lady Liberty Events…When Ariel and Brandon contacted us they had described their vision for their wedding day as Rat Pack & Under the Stars that embodied an updated romantic feel.  Ariel described what she wanted with such precision but needed our help to bring it to life. Since the bride is an incredibly talented interior designer we knew that we had to create a concept and design that they would both fall in love with! After meeting Ariel & Brandon and getting to see both their sophisticated and silly sides we knew that a combination of classic beauty with unique fun details was the way to go.

Their ceremony took place at Wayfarers Chapel which was already filled with lush romantic greenery, living plants flowing from the inside out, and was overlooking picture perfect ocean views. The magic of the chapel really resonated with them and they didnt want to change or add a single element to it! Ariel & Brandon even had their unique invitations designed with a gold die cut pattern that resembled the exterior of the beautiful chapel. (Which were created, by her ever so talented sister, Arley-Rose of Ladyfingers Letterpress)  Ariel held a bouquet of vibrant fuchsia peonies mixed with garden roses that perfectly accented her stunning gown. The natural light washing into the chapel made both the bride & groom look angelic.

Guests made their way down to the Terranea resort where they sipped on specialty cocktails and posed for pictures to place in the guest book. Tall boxwood hedges accented with mirrored stars and the couples monogram (which was created by Ariel!) provided the perfect backdrop. Once the Bride and Groom joined the cocktail hour and had a chance to nibble on some Truffled Risotto Bites, Bacon wrapped Scallop Lollipops. & Brie en Croute w/Lingon Berry Jam, the guests made their way into the candle lit ballroom. The flickering candle light, reflecting that of a starry night, guided guests to their tables which were draped with white shimmer sequin linens that made the room simply sparkle. Romantic blooms of peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, and English garden roses were set in various sizes of gold mercury glass in hues of peach, coral, blush, and ivory. Sea Foam Peau de Soie napkins were stylishly wrapped around a lustrous gold charger and topped with a menu listing the delicious courses of the evening. However, Our favorite spot in the room had to be the sweet heart table which was perfectly placed so that Ariel and Brandon could easily see and enjoy all of their guests through out the evening. Their table was set with a sparkly gold and white chevron linen and was lined with lush arrangements in gold vases with hanging crystal candelabras on each end. Behind them was a custom made backdrop of glitter circle garlands, hanging candles, floating blooms and a plexiglass monogram which was flanked by two candles walls that made the Bride and Groom glow all evening. Each candle wall featured heaps of hand glittered candle vessels (which took us weeks to get all the glitter out of our hair!) in various sizes and were accented with loose peony blooms. The dappled effect on the dance floor produced a romantic pattern that ultimately acted as the centerpiece of the room.

The dazzling 4 tier cake with hand brushed gold detail on each tier & a perfectly opened peony bloom, was set front and center on the dessert buffet, which harmonized with the sweetheart tables chevron linen. A selection of miniature desserts displayed on levels of mirrored risers flanked the wedding cake and was accented by oversized floating candles that complimented the gold brush detail from the cake. Faintly lit with a soft rose wash, the cake table was on display taunting guests the entire evening. Following the cake cutting there were two touching acoustic performances dedicated to the bride and groom. (One performed by Ariels sister and the other by a close friend of Brandons) The reaction on Ariel & Brandons faces when we led them into a preview of their room was incredible. Its always so amazing to be able to work with such talented and creative couples and help bring their special day to life!

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Photography: Brandon Kidd | Floral Design: The Little Branch | Design: Lady Liberty Events | Wedding Coordination: No Worries Event Planning | Ceremony Location: Wayfarers Chapel | Reception Venue + Catering: Terranea Resort | Lighting + Rentals: Classic Party Rents | Invitations: Ladyfingers | Linens: La Tavola | Wedding Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop | Cinematography: Burkart Studios | Chairs: Chiavari Chairs | Wedding Dress: Watters | Bride’s Shoes: Butter | Dress Sash: BHLDN

If you asked me what my favorite thing in whole wide world was, I would answer without hesitation – love. It fills me up with the greatest of joys, and it’s what makes my adoration for weddings never-ending. It’s why after looking these stunning images Amanda Megan Miller Photography I know I am in the right business, because getting to witness love like this everyday is simply an honor. See it all here.

From Amanda… Two unbelievably gorgeous brides in beautiful gowns, full of joy and excitement to start their married lives together. And not even an unseasonably chilly day amidst a hot Chicago summer couldn’t stop these two from having an amazing rooftop wedding at LaCuna Artist Lofts, overlooking the city skyline. With the epic clouds in the sky framing the amazing Chicago skyline, they said I do in front of all their loved ones. And the cool day just gave Anne and Michelle an excuse to hold each other tighter and cuddle up just a little bit more!

Photography: Amanda Megan Miller Photography | Flowers: Vacha Family Florist | Wedding Dresses: J.Crew | Location: LaCuna Artist Lofts

There are two beauties in this California engagement session, the light (and honestly, this whole gorgeous locale) and that blushing bride to be. Don’t get me wrong, the groom is quite the looker too, but Ryan Ray Photography captured this leading lady in a way that captures her natural beauty, accentuated by a love-induced glow, and the gallery is gorgeous.

From the beautiful bride to be… Point Reyes National Park and Seashore is a hidden gem just north of San Francisco that photographer Ryan Ray discovered on a scouting trip for engagement sessions. When Ryan suggested this location for Ailee and Sasha’s shoot, they wholeheartedly agreed, and they don’t regret that decisions for one minute. The wooded area is intimate and rustic, and the beach, calm and serene. Ryan beautifully captured the gorgeous scenery in these engagement pictures.

Photography: Ryan Ray Photography

Do you ever have dreams of being outside, on a lazy hazy Summer day, walking barefoot with your closest girlfriends, eating copious amounts of cake? Me neither. But what I do dream of is a gorgeous picnic that feels both thoughtful and yet wildly effortless. With fresh from the garden food and people that make me smile. Exactly like this shoot  from Southern Couture Weddings & Catherine Guidry. A perfect picnic overflowing with grace and total Summer loveliness. Click for more.

The location for this shoot was in the midst of an overgrown, country home…with all the character of Louisiana’s local charm. We thought the natural, lush, and intimate setting felt reminiscent of a summer getaway spot.

Sophie of Joli Petale Accessories, Hannah Trahan of Southern Couture Weddings, and I envisioned a whimsical and romantic event that suited the location. Everything from Flowers by Rodney’s wild bouquets to his loosely styled centerpiece set the stage for the rest of the decor. Val Marie Paper created blush and ivory table numbers, invitations, and name cards to fit the event and Event Rental’s chic and somewhat formal tableware were a nice contrast to Indulge’s blueberry cheesecake and fruit tarts. Together, they created a high-end, yet low-maintenance feel.

Joli Petale Accessories were reconstructed of vintage pieces which included a belt, earrings, necklaces, and hair pieces and Sara Buteaux’s Hair/Makeup expertise was used to create soft, natural looks for the women.

Photography: Catherine Guidry Photography | Florals: Flowers by Rodney | Stationary: Val Marie Paper | Accessories + Concept: Joli Petale Accessories | Desserts: Indulge | Hair/Makeup: Sara Buteaux | Vintage Clothing: Sky Blue Clothing Studio