Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers Wedding from Brklyn View Photography

Understated elegance is my end-all be-all. Plain and simple. So when I come across a wedding like this beauty at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers by Brklyn View Photography, my heart immediately surrenders to all the pretty. I can’t help myself. I wave my wedding-loving white flag proud, and plan the rest of my day around every chic moment sitting in this gallery. The entire affair is simply the epitome of style, and when the beautiful Bride just so happens to be the PR darling of the TODAY Show, I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. See every stylish second here.

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From brklyn view… The two southerners met in New York City, and for their wedding, they wanted to bring a relaxed southern feel to the urban loft finish of New York City’s Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. The venue’s sweeping views of the Hudson River combined with classic touches of the South made for a memorable night for the 220 guests that gathered for the event. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb even chatted about the wedding on the TODAY show (starting at 1:15).

Many elements of southern style were incorporated into the affair, from the food and music to the decor and attire including: magnolia, gardenia, mason jars, luminaries, bow-ties, burlap, twine, grits and good bourbon.Since the couple tied the knot on a Friday night, it was essential to them to create a party-like celebration from beginning to end. Guests were first greeted at the ceremony with glasses of champagne, wine and cocktails to enjoy during the traditional Methodist service. Cocktail hour was filled with hearty hors d’oeuvres and plentiful cocktails (including a specialty Tea Time: Grey Goose Le Citron, St. Germaine, iced tea, and fresh lemon), and the reception started and ended with lots of dancing. The music was the most important element to the couple, and the Michael Hart band played nonstop through the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. The ceremony music was done on piano, horn and acoustic guitar and the processional included the Hawaiian version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and In My Life by The Beatles. The bridal attendants walked down the aisle to Lean On Me by Bill Withers, and the bride walked to Pachelbel’s Cannon in D. The guests sang the hymn, Morning Has Broken during the service, and Stevie Wonder’s Signed Sealed Delivered was played as the recessional. The couple’s first dance was Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by Hank Williams, the father/daughter dance was Take It Easy by The Eagles, and the mother/son Dance was to How Sweet it Is by James Taylor. The band kept guests on the dance floor all night playing an upbeat mix of pop, soul, funk, R&B, and classic southern oldies. Their rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller was a showstopper, and the TODAY show’s Savannah Guthrie and Natalie Morales joined the bride on the dance floor for a rowdy version of Gangnam Style.

Adding to the party-like atmosphere was a Polaroid Photo Booth where guests took Polaroids and clipped them with mini clothespins on twine draped between two ladders. Props from the couples alma matters included the bride’s Carolina blue pom poms from her days as a cheerleader at UNC Chapel Hill, a Georgia Bulldog foam sign from the groom’s school, UGA, and an original Jerry Stackhouse jersey that the groom gave the bride as a Christmas present when they first started dating. During the reception, white light-up “diamond” rings were passed out to the guests and when the party was in full swing, inflatable microphones and instruments, and mini tambourines were circulated and joyfully utilized on the dance floor.

For the menu, Abigail Kirsch designed several stations of the couple’s favorite foods: Soul Food Stations with shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, crunchy bayou chicken, truffled mac and cheese, collard greens and homemade biscuits. Taco Stand Stations with braised pork tacos, grilled mahi tacos and vegetable tacos, chipotle cheese fries and margarita sippers. Slider Stations with pulled beef sliders, lump crab cake sliders, grilled portabella sliders, regular and sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The groom’s cake was made by the couple’s favorite bakery, NYC’s Sweet Revenge and was designed as two suitcases with a one way ticket to symbolize the couples’ years of long distance dating and the groom’s eventual move from Atlanta to New York.Notable wedding guests included Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, Ann Curry, Lester Holt, Amy Robach, Andrew Shue, Bobbie Thomas (bridesmaid), Sara Haines and Jill Martin.

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Rosemary & Lemon Chicken from Jo Photo

Aren’t you always on the forever quest for the perfect chicken recipe? I am. Because chicken is sort of just a canvas for all of the goodness that you can sprinkle on top or tuck within. And done well, it’s one of those every day dishes that can be worth licking your plate. Well the lovely Kathleen of Jo Photo sent us her version of the perfect chicken with this gorgeous recipe from Chef Kevin Green. Complete with a splash of lemon and a dash of rosemary. And I’m already looking at the clock for quittin’ time.

recipe from Chef Kevin Green | photo from Kathleen of Jo Photo

Rosemary & Lemon Chicken

prep time
10 Minute/s

cook time
15 Minute/s

total time
25 Minute/s

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boneless/skinless
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil, halved
kosher salt/fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Remove rosemary leaves from stems. Start at the top of the sprig and pull downward toward the bottom. Chop rosemary leaves finely being careful not to bruise them. (A sharp knife will be your best friend here.)
Remove the skin from garlic cloves and mince; slice one lemon in half. Squeeze out juice.
Combine half of the olive oil, chicken breasts, and remaining ingredients into a plastic freezer bag and toss to coat. Allow chicken to marinate for a minimum of 2-4 hours for optimum flavor.
Heat black skillet on medium high. Add remaining olive oil. Once oil is hot, add seasoned chicken breasts and allow to sear for 2-4 minutes. (Be sure not to move the chicken until it is time to flip to ensure a nice, even sear.)
Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 4 minutes. Continue cooking chicken breasts over medium heat flipping every few minutes until thickest part of chicken breasts reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. (After the first sear you may consider finishing the chicken breast in a 400 degree oven until it reaches 165 degrees.)
Chef Tip: Sear a halved lemon the same way you sear the chicken breast. Squeeze the roasted lemon juice onto your chicken for an explosive flavor boost!

Recipes on SMP Living:

Donuts

Cheesecake

Grilled Cheese

Champagne Mojitos

Lavender Martini

Tequila Lime Chicken

Smoke Tree Ranch Palm Springs Wedding from Fondly Forever Photography

I swear, Palm Springs is the capital of style. Where people flock to display their chic-ness. And the couples that tie the knot there? Well they are the kings and queens of the trends. This dashing duo is just such a couple, and their wedding at the Smoke Tree Ranch is stylish and then some. Thankfully every gorgeous moment planned to perfection by The Events Department was all beautifully captured by Fondly Forever Photography, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

And don’t miss the equally fabulous film from Forrey Films …

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From the Bride… Our wedding planning started with the wish to get married under a big tree and have the whole wedding outdoors. We also really wanted the wedding to be a weekend getaway – far enough away that our guests had to stay the night, but not too far for it to be an inconvenience. We quickly decided that Palm Springs was our ideal location and then found and fell in love with the amazing Smoke Tree Ranch – our wedding venue.

The venue really set the tone for our wedding. Smoke Tree Ranch is one part Hollywood/Retro Glam, one part Rustic and our wedding was inspired by blending these two distinct styles. We were also really inspired by the marigold yellow accents in the Smoke Tree Ranch pool area and chose to have marigold as a key accent color.

The retro Hollywood Glamour was represented in my bridal dress and styling and in the navy bridesmaid dresses and Travis’ suit that both had a Mad Men-esque feel. We also incorporated a fun marigold and white chevron into the linens which my stepmother had specially made.

The rustic was represented in the grounds of the ranch and in the floras which incorporated billy balls and succulents. My cousin made the heart-shaped twig arch that served as a rustic background for our ceremony based on a rough sketch I provided him.

Aesthetics aside, our main goal for the wedding was FUN! We wanted our guests to relax, unwind and get wild! Many of our choices regarding the wedding ceremony and reception time line were based on ensuring that we kept the party going!

Michael Coppersmith officiated our wedding ceremony and absolutely blew us away. He has a great sense of humor and lightheartedness that really captured who Travis and I are as a couple. Our ceremony site was so beautiful and serene – I have such peaceful and calming memories of the ceremony itself.

The reception was focused on keeping the party going non-stop. We knocked out many of the traditional reception items including first dances, cake cutting, and speeches during the dinner so that there was no interruption once the party got started. The party officially got started when my sister and Maid of Honor ended her speech by introducing the USC marching band. Travis and I both graduated from USC and met in our very last weeks of college. We are big fans as are many of our family members and friends. The band played about 5 songs and then our DJ James Gonzales took over. One of my favorite memories was looking out at the dance floor once the DJ started playing and seeing just a mob of people. Everyone was out of their seats and on the dance floor.

One of my favorite memories was after the ceremony. Travis and I walked down the aisle and were whisked away on the back of a golf cart by The Events Department with our guests looking on. They took us back to our room to allow guests to head over to the cocktail hour by the pool before we started taking family pictures. It felt like such a special, dramatic exit and once we got back to the room we had a quiet moment to take it all in and realize that we were officially husband and wife. It was a quick quiet moment, truly to ourselves, on a day so full of great memories. We loved how the wedding turned out and Fondly Forever’s pictures so perfectly captured it!

From the Groom… Favorite memory: Standing under the tree at the ceremony with Amy, there was a peaceful breeze and I felt totally present in the moment. I also enjoyed the USC band and seeing how much fun our family and friends were having.

Wandin Hunter Valley Weddings Open Day

When it comes to finding a wedding venue combining breathtaking mountain views and fabulous amenities, my dears, look no further than Wandin Hunter Valley! And this upcoming Sunday, the first of September, 2013 from 10am until 2pm, you can see all this stunning locale has to offer at Wandin Weddings Open Day. This fabulous + free event features local wedding vendors and complimentary canapés + wine! Come and see how your dream wedding can come to life at Wandin Hunter Valley!

This incredibly unique venue located in Hunter Valley, Lovedale, boasts a stunning Cricketers Pavilion (a mini replica of the famous Lords Pavilion in the UK), which features a large verandah and breathtaking views! And with some incredible spots to say “I do,” only your creativity can limit the options to wow your guests with a Wandin Hunter Valley wedding. The space holds up to 120, and couples can customize their menu to work with a choice of award-winning wines. And get this, with on-site Tuscan style villas for rent, you can let your guests make a weekend of your big day. Sounds pretty perfect to me, my dears!

This incredible event is totally free of charge, and there is no need to register! Simply show up and fall in love with the gorgeous grounds and venue! And should you have any questions, Wandin Hunter Valley’s weddings and events manager will be on site all day to personally answer any of your questions and to book personalized wedding packages! And there’s just one more thing, my dears, the first 75 couples through the door will receive a copy of Your Hunter Valley Wedding Planner magazine! Enjoy, lovelies! xo

Cake: Hello Naomi / Styling: Carina Brezeanu / Photography: MMG Photo + Cinema

Toronto Wedding from LG Weddings

Rainy day weddings make me happy. So happy, in fact, that I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a little thunderstorm on my very own wedding day. (Seriously.) Because, really, is there anything more amazing then the soft sound of pitter patter on a window seal… or the smell of the crisp, cool air after a rainstorm?? It gives me chills just thinking about it. And when you add in a gorgeous set of nuptials, like dazzling Toronto soiree from LG Weddings, it takes it from amazing to AMAZING. See all of the romance right here in the full gallery.

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From LG Weddings… There is nothing more romantic then a warm, cozy and intimate wedding on a rainy spring day. Heather and James were married at The Berkeley Church Field House in Toronto, which was the perfect indoor location for beautiful formal photos – the quirky and eclectic space complementing the vintage and classic wedding day accents. With the bridesmaids in gorgeous navy blue dresses and bow ties on all the groomsmen, along with a bride and groom whose smiles lit up the room, a sweet and tearful ceremony, and all the most perfect little details – Heather and James’ wedding was unforgettable and simply lovely in every way.

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French Seaside Photo Shoot from onelove photography

Confession time. I’ve never been to France. I know, I know, it’s a total travesty… one that I most definitely need to rectify with a sooner-rather-than-later trip oversees. But until I book my ticket for the land of romance (and it will be soon, I promise), I have this darling seaside shoot from onelove photography to tide me over with its sweet + colorful details from Les Cocottes and crazy gorgeous images. Because if this breathtaking dose of inspiration isn’t a complete pitch for French tourism, then I don’t know what is. See it all right here.

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For our sweet tables we chose Delphine Tollaris food. Shes very talented and creative. She made a Wedding cake that matched with our theme. Navy blue, Carr Hermes Pattern and some pretty little bows. For the guest gifts, she made some cute cookies with the same pattern. Finally, she cooked some cupcakes with tiny origami boats on the top.

For the snacks, we decides with her to make some provencal food – panisses la fleur de sel are some fried chickpeas puree – Petites fritures dperlans are frid very little locals fishes – Gaspaccio is a fresh tomato and cucumber soup – Mini wrap de la mer are some little wrap with fish and cream cheese. Morgane Big Day took care of the flowers. She tried to respect the colors and the atmosphere of the shoot. Red, yellow, orange and purple were perfect among the decoration. Sebastien Akrolab designed the menu and the invitations. He used the same carrherms pattern as the wedding cake to be harmonious with the shoot.

Christina Sfez created a two parts wedding dress. A peplum top and a long straight skirt. Sylvie Transhair was in charge of make up and hair dress. She also dressed the kids as two cute sailors. Les Cocottes did some shopping in the flea markets to find old and charming stuff. They created little a cosy corner with a loveseat and vintage furniture. Flora and Julie made a bunting with some retro scarfs. They made the event coordination.

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East Texas Engagement Shoot by Dana Fernandez Photography

I couldn’t love this couple more if I tried. They are downright adorable, and their engagement session from Dana Fernandez Photography? Beyond beautiful. Each gorgeous image captures their love in an oh-so-perfect way, making this gallery one happy place to be. See it all here.

From Dana… This engagement shoot of Shavonne and Antonio took place in a small east Texas town of Flint, TX. The location was on the property of Shavonne’s parents. It was a special place to Shavonne since this is where she grew up, and where her father later built a house and laid the brick himself to finally give them the home of their dreams. It was such an amazing place as it was beautifully filled with tall pine trees and dirt roads as well as being surrounded by Shavonne’s fathers beautiful fruit, veggie and flower gardens. Even though, it was an early sunrise shoot, the heat was definitely present, as it typically is in June in Texas. Although, it was so easy to forget about the weather since Shavonne and “Tony” where so fun to shoot. They were up for anything we asked them to do and were absolutely hilarious when they were trying to get each other to smile. Whether it was Shavonne talking in a British accent or singing in conversation, to us telling Tony to give us his best “GQ” look (and trying hard not to bust out laughing), they were absolutely one of the best couples I have even done a session with. The best part was seeing how much they loved each other and made each other life like best friends that had known each other their whole lives.

Photography: Josh & Dana Fernandez

Lenox Wedding at The Elm Court Estate from Photography by KLC

This wedding plays out like the prettiest of dreams. A dream we get to see come to life through the oh-so-talented lens of Photography by KLC, and a dream that was made reality by this stunning Bride and her lovely family and friends. It’s picture perfect in every sense of the word, and you can see it all right here.

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From Photography by KLC… Shannon & Ken were joined by their family and friends In the Berkshires of Massachusetts at the gorgeous Elm Court Estate. The sprawling estate was once owned by the Vanderbilt family and was their “summer cottage.” The estate was largely abandoned and fell into disrepair before being recently renovated. The antique details of the estate were a perfect compliment to Shannon and Ken’s elegant wedding.

This event was truly a labor or love, with Shannon’s stepfather doing all the cooking, Shannon’s family and friends acting as event planners (and table setters and furniture movers!), Ken designing the programs, door tags, and menus, and Shannon’s artistic vision driving the over-all look of the event.

The wedding was on the smaller side, around 95 guests, and the focus was on the couple, their love, and their wonderful families. Ken’s family is from Belgium and they welcomed their guests with guest bags filled with Belgian treats (yes, waffles were involved) while Shannon’s grandmother kept the all the guests laughing all night.

Shannon’s details were understated and elegant – simple jewelry, a gorgeous form-fitting dress, and a color scheme of blush pink, white, and cream and that perfectly fit in with the natural beauty of the estate and the surrounding countryside. It truly was a beautiful day.

Thompson House and Gardens Wedding from Stephie Hicks Photography

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that this is what I get to do for a living. You know… spend my days soaking in some seriously stunning inspiration from some of the world’s most talented vendors? I know I am so, so very lucky, and on days like today, I count my blessings in a big way. That’s because I’ve been spending my morning gazing at this stunning affair from Stephie Hicks Photography, aka, a Southern-inspired masterpiece with too many beautiful details to count literally bursting from my computer screen. See it all right here in the full gallery.

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From Stephie Hicks Photography… Hannah and Rhett’s wedding was absolutely gorgeous! The vintage touches and soft colors were really amazing. The Thompson House and Garden’s was the perfect venue – You can’t find a bad spot to photograph.

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Photography: Stephie Hicks Photography | Ceremony + Reception Location: Thompson House and Gardens | Event + Floral Design + Planning: Thompson House and Gardens

Wedding Invitation Trends from Bliss & Bone

I am beyond excited this morning m’dears and thrilled to introduce one of our newest Little Black Book members and couture invitation designers, Bliss & Bone! Owners, and husband and wife team, Cindy + Carl, are one seriously stylish duo. With designs inspired by fashion and interiors, they’re so on point with the trends and since the wedding process begins with invitations, there’s no better place to start!

From Bliss & Bone… We understand that choosing a design direction for your Wedding is tough with a capital T. How do you decide when there are so many amazingly inspirational events and images out there!? We’ve put together some of the top trends from fashion to art and interiors to help guide you down the style path.

In the buff. Neutral is everything but blah. Blacks, whites, creams, greys and taupes combine to bring sophistication and dimension to any situation. For invitations in particular, a neutral color palette sets the stage for soft, classic and romantic, while allowing greater play with materials, textures, printing techniques and patterns. Unusual elements combine, and creativity soars with the endless options of neutral. The sophisticated letterpress invitations from our Signature collection combine leather, parchment, cotton and copper for an experience that engages all of the senses.

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Not your grandmother’s china. Long dining tables, silver flatware, and plated dinners are being served up hot. Guests get the Red Carpet treatment from start to finish and that begins with a chic Save-the-Date. Paper goods go beyond the pulp and turn up their noses to anything less. To keep up with the Jones’, Bliss & Bone offers delicacies like acrylic invitations and lace Save-the-Dates to the wedding stationery menu. Getting married in the lap of luxury is just one white gloved arm length away.

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Precious metals. More shine, more shimmer, more glam and more glitz are all the rage. Gleaming gold, silver and copper metallics bounce off surfaces throughout the Wedding spectrum. From glittering linens to gold dusted desserts, invitations are all but cast in bronze. Our Reverence collection, with it’s foil stamped splatters and metallic leather cord will render even Miss Hannigan speechless, ensuring that your Wedding shine like the top of the Chrysler building.

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Let there be light. Chandeliers are back in full swing. From ballrooms to barns, the more crystal the better. Light flickers about the room, and dances with guests, as each facet casts a romantic glow matching that of the Bride herself. Light crawls and seeps into invitations with their translucent materials and cutting edge techniques. Laser cut text, silk chiffon boxed invitations and pearlescent foil will leave you basking in the glory of our Lucent collection.

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Barrels and bourbon. Ditch the stuffy tux and bubbly, hold onto your suspenders and raise your Manhattan to the Bride & Groom. Because old habits die hard, backyard bashes are headed for the 20’s, and bringing the speakeasy above ground. Get your swank on between croquet swings and order your liquor up neat as you take in the woodsy decor. Start practicing the Charleston because letterpress invitations with hand-made details are back. Stamped linen, stitched wood Save-the-Dates and type from a good old-fashioned press as found in our Prana collection, will have you shining up those wing tips months in advance.

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Black & white and read all over. Black and white is in full effect from runway to that accent pouf your drooling over. Mixed prints, patterns, fabrics and color blocks are all the rage and you shouldn’t miss out on your big day. Make an impact and retain the classic with white florals and mini birdcage veils that adorn even your invites! Our Devoir collection answers your haute couture prayers with letterpress layers and tantalizing tulle. A custom wax seal is the finishing touch before you strut your stuff down your own catwalk to the alter.

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Pastel gets a punch. The pastel hues of the past have gotten a swift kick in the you know what. More punchy colors like mint, coral, salmon and yellow are all the rage. This means that invitations get to step it up a notch and get their flare on. Ink washes, florals that pop and graphic patterns are just a few ways that we see invites getting some hop back in their step. Custom invitations are easy with our Custom Chroma Library. 147 different colors assures that every bride finds their perfect hue!

BLT Summer Salad from JoPhoto

Alright you guys, are you as blown away as I am by Kevin Green’s blt summer salad? I mean, I love a solid BLT sandwich like the rest of them, but it never occurred to me to transform this classic treat into salad format. Captured by JoPhoto, be sure to grab the full recipe below!

BLT Summer Salad

prep time
10 Minute/s

cook time
5 Minute/s

total time
15 Minute/s

Ingredients

2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
3/4 cup bacon, diced and cooked
2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shaved parmesan
1/2 cup Caesar dressing (or favorite vinaigrette)
Kosher salt/fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 Tsp. prepared balsamic syrup (optional)

Instructions

Wash and drain the romaine lettuce. Chop into pieces approximately 1" in size.
Dice the bacon and over medium heat cook in a saute pan until crisp and brown.
Slice the tomatoes in half.
Arrange first four ingredients onto large platter and season to taste.
Top with dressing and balsamic syrup, if desired.

Photography: JoPhoto | Chef & Recipe: Kevin Green

Jacquelyn Clark

Islamorada Wedding from Concept Photography

Islamorada is one of those places that’s always inching towards the top of my must-visit list. Between the sun and the sand, and that forever sense of beauty, it’s a place I’d like to sit and spend a nice, long week (or two!) Add a wildly gorgeous wedding to the mix, and this Florida gem is officially the ultimate place of pretty. Join me for a virtual vacay through Concept Photography’s captures right here.

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Beach Weddings Destination Hotels + Resorts Weddings Outdoor Weddings

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From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to reflect our personalities. We wanted it to be understated but still beautiful. We were in the keys, there is not much you have to do…Cheeca was the first venue we looked at for the wedding. We actually put planning on hold and 2 years after the fact decided it was perfect for what we were envisioning. We made the call and the rest was history. Vin and I made a pact that we were not going to stress about the wedding. We were both in agreement this was a celebration, and we wanted to enjoy every minute. That being said our most difficult challenge was the wedding was a destination, making it difficult at times to meet with our vendors. I could not have pictured a more beautiful wedding. From the flowers, to the tables, to our vintage splashes throughout, it was picture perfect. Our vendors did an incredible job! I do not think we really took into account how much work goes into a wedding lol. We had several DIY details. Our favorite being the welcome bags for our guests, enclosed with goodies and our favorite local spots. Being surrounded by so much love. I remember looking around and the smiles and laughter were simply priceless. We were fortunate to have several days of fun with our closest friends and family! Although our dearest friend Kyle circling the reception on a Schwin was a monumental moment for sure!

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St. Petersburg Wedding at Postcard Inn from Shipra Panosian Photography

Let’s talk about fabulously chic weddings for a moment, shall we? Fabulously chic weddings held at the always breathtaking Postcard Inn with enough crazy gorgeous DIY details to fill your entire Wednesday with pretty. Because that, my friends, is exactly what this is. A picture perfect St. Petersburg affair where a crafty bride and groom (+ awesome friends and family) created a day that is all kinds of amazing… and all kinds of happy. See it all captured beautifully by Shipra Panosian in the full gallery.

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Casual DIY Inspired

From Shipra Panosian… Mary & Kevin’s special event all took place at the gorgeous beachfront Postcard Inn in St. Pete, Florida. The location was popping with color and pretty eye catching details. To keep this special day reflecting the bride and groom’s personalities and tastes the all the decor was DIY by Mary and her friends. This beach side wedding was such a joy to photograph!

Photography: Shipra Panosian Photography | Flowers: Fifty Flowers | Wedding Location: Postcard Inn

Los Angeles Wedding from Sarah K Chen Photography

I can’t truly express my love for this wedding and all its whimsical bits without gushing just a wee bit. I mean there are pink flamingos involved and bridesmaids wearing big hair bows. It’s a bowl full of awesome with a nod to Alice in Wonderland but done so perfectly. Sarah K Chen Photography snapped all the light filled festivities and you can see even more right here.

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Summer Weddings

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From Sarah K Chen Photography…His name is Ken and she looks like Barbie, and they share a love that is so incredibly special. It is evident in the way they laugh together and in the way Ken snuggles Andrea as if there is no other place he’d rather be. I had the honor of photographing these two lovely souls and I have to say it was probably one of my favorite weddings ever. There were chickens (real) and pink flamingos (not real) on site as well as paper airplanes, lawn croquet, giant jenga, funny glasses for family portraits, and food trucks. You really get a sense of Andrea and Ken’s fun loving personalities in their wedding and how important it was for their wedding to reflect that. I loved everything about this wedding! But mostly, I loved photographing their love, their laughter, and their loved ones on their wedding day.

From the Bride…Our wedding was inspired by the venue. We were married on the porch of the beautiful Hale House at Heritage Square Museum, and we incorporated many elements of home into the wedding design. Im also a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland, so Alice was incorporated as well with hints of a mad tea party, pink flamingos, doorknobs, and croquet.

The wedding was truly a labor of love. My mom and I spent months scouring Craigslist, the Rose Bowl Flea Market, antique stores, and thrift stores for furniture, decor, and all of the mismatched china. At least half a dozen times we received strange looks on the freeway as we used my mom’s convertible to transport a dresser or cabinet. I also hand-stitched seventy Save the Date postcards, while my husband, Ken, an illustrator and animator, drew all of the elements for the invitations, and Emily, one of my best friends and an amazingly talented graphic designer, took the drawings and created the invitations. She also created the wedding programs, and calligraphied the envelopes, as well as any other handwritten signs. Emily also handmade my garter and my veil, which used the lace of my mothers wedding dress. She also helped me make a unique fascinator for each of the bridesmaids. I asked my bridesmaids to wear a black dress of their choosing, so the fascinators were a way to make them stand out from the crowd. We also hand-polished the mismatched antique silverware, folded a hundred paper airplanes, and handmade the bunting, garlands, signs, and table numbers.

I have so many wonderful memories of the day, but one of my favorites was when Ken dropped the ring during the ceremony. He actually mimed dropping it during the rehearsal, so it was funny when he really did drop it on the big day. Luckily, it landed on the stairs; Ken grabbed it, and quickly shoved it on my finger. My other favorite memory is of our first dance. We were both so nervous about it! Ken took some dance classes, but I could never make it to class because of law school, so we winged it. Our first dance was to the song Midnight, the Stars, and You by Ray Noble, which is the song at the end of our first movie together, The Shining. Just as Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining had “always been the caretaker,” Ken whispered to me during the dance, “I have always been your husband. Forever and ever.”

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Wedding Dresses

Alvina Valenta

Fall 2015

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

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Kate Spade Puppy Party

I’m not going to lie, this next party has me completely and totally entertained. A party for your dogs? Now I’ve seen everything (and I’m loving every inch of it). Not only is this party specifically designed for your four-legged friends – and coined a “Boston Tea Party” to boot – it’s also inspired by none other than Kate Spade (but of course!) Designed and styled by the talented The Stylish Soiree, and captured by Milou & Olin, there’s more doggy heaven right here in the gallery.

From Yelena of the Stylish Soiree…

THE INSPIRATION:
The inspiration for this shoot came from a couple of wedding vendors who happen to all love dogs. Always looking for more fun ways to be creative (and also celebrate our love for our four legged best friends), The Stylish Soiree and Milou and Olin Photography teamed up and decided to create a Kate Spade inspired doggie birthday party – a Boston Tea Party, to be exact. With bold, poppy Kate Spade colors and the brand’s signature stripes, we brought the Boston Terrier Tea Party Birthday to life.

THE FOOD:
On the tablescape, bright pink dog bowls rest on green frisbee ‘chargers’, gilded dog bones serve as favors, and a big doggie dessert table is filled with dog treats from the amazing dog bakery Le Marcel.

THE DECOR:
Tables and other rentals by One True Love Vintage Rentals and Blueprint Studios were set at the perfect height for a pup to nibble off of, Soulflower Floral Design created bright beautiful blooms with stick accents to appeal to the pups, and the pooches themselves were dressed up in snazzy, colorful collars courtesy of two wonderful Etsy sellers, BigPawCollars and LADogStore.

THE VENUE:
Kohl Mansion provided the perfect backdrop with gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces, the models were styled by Q the Stylist with hair and makeup by Sarah Nicole Makeup. In the end, I’m not sure who had the most fun – us creating this shoot, or the dogs who got to nibble on Le Marcel’s treats all day!

Jacquelyn Clark

All Things Wedding Google Hangout with Mindy Weiss! #allthingswedding

We’re taking a little break from all the wedding eye-candy to sit down with one of the industry’s leading ladies, the very fabulous Mindy Weiss. Hosted by our very own Abby Larson, it’s time for our next All Things Wedding Google Hangout (#allthingswedding for those of you posting on the twittersphere and beyond). We’re diving into a serious dose of wedding inspiration and advice so sit back, relax, and stay tuned to hang live with the Mindy and Abby.

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Calgary Wedding Inspiration from Scott Gage Photography + Choreographed by Ciara

If the littlest cowboy in this shoot (who just so happens to be Choreographed by Ciara’s darling son) doesn’t steel your heart, nothing will. The shoot is absolutely western perfection… not too cowboy but just enough cowboy boots, but the star of this show has got to be that cowboy in training. Scott Gage Photography has gathered up quite a bit of beautiful inspiration for us, and it’s all right here!

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From the planner… Yahoo! The Calgary Stampede is kicking off and we’re celebrating with a fabulous Western Wedding Photoshoot. The goal of this shoot was to show how elegant and classic a western inspired wedding could be and that it’s not all hay bales and Wranglers – although we included a few of those too!

After the recent devastating floods in Calgary, some of us wondered if the Stampede would even happen this year. But Calgary is open for business and the motto of this year’s Stampede is “Hell of High Water!” Calgarians are ready to show you their Stampede spirit.

When I was designing the table setting I didn’t want to evoke your typical rustic feel for a Western wedding but instead went for a modern Cowboy feel. With chic burlap colored linen, dark wood charger plates and of course the wonderful Cowhide print covered Chameleon Chairs provided by Special Event Rentals the table took on a sleek Stampede inspired look. The table is a wonderful combination of classic elements with updated touches.

The flower arrangements by Lyn Chapman of Flower Artistry, were wrapped in rope as though it was used just earlier in the day to lasso a stray calf. Natural and underused elements such as cotton and wheat brought an earthy feel to the arrangements. The lushness of these florals blends perfectly with the understated tones of the table.

The table stationery was designed by the Social Page and added pure sophistication to the table. I can imagine guests sitting down excited to read the menu full of Alberta classics (beef of course!) and keep them as a momento of the day.

And when you add a bride and a groom to this table setting outfitted elegantly in modern Western attire by the Bridal Centre and Alberta Boot Company. The result is breathtaking. Some of the looks I chose for our model showcase that a cowgirl bride can dress up elegant with a more traditional veil and a beautiful silver buckle with tan boots. With our groom I had to have him in jeans but added sophistication in a tuxedo jacket and tan boots. When I looked to take him more formal ostrich leather black boots compliment the full black tuxedo and black hat worn by the groom.

Children add fun to any wedding but a Western wedding allows kids to really let loose and create magical moments. It is a photoshoot tradition that my son Declan is always the ringbearer. As he was born during Stampede week it is always a special time for him.

This photoshoot captures the romance, grace and elegance of a western wedding at the Calgary Stampede.

Birmingham Wedding from White Rabbit Studios

Whimsical weddings are the heart and soul of SMP. They’re those weddings that buck the boundaries of tradition and march to the beat of their own pretty little drum. They inspire us to reinvent the norm and add a little slice of quirk into our everyday style. And this Birmingham beaut? Hits every whimsical nail right on the head. It’s made even lovelier through the lens of White Rabbit Studios, and you can snag a looksy right here.

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From White Rabbit Studios…Carly and Matt’s wedding took place at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama. One of Alabama’s historic (and supposedly haunted) landmarks, Sloss made for quite the unique venue for a wedding! The rustic vibe was softened with the delicate decor chosen by Carly. While the ceremony was intimate and only for family, the reception was opened up to friends from all over the country (there were around 300 people in attendance).

Carly donned a GORGEOUS gown (a custom Olia Zavozina) for her ceremony before changing into a snazzy short number, complete with gold Tom’s (Carly used to work for the company). Matt was stylish and sleek with his ensemble and succulent boutonniere.

Even though it rained for a bit before the ceremony, Carly and Matt remained cool, calm, and collected. The two are so in love that nothing was going to change the fact they were to be wed that day! Right as the ceremony began, the clouds parted and the skies cleared! The rest of the evening was spent under a beautiful sky as the two love birds danced the night away with friends and family! Carly and Matt exited their wedding in a vintage car that belonged to her Grandfather (who she was very close to)…but he passed before the wedding. Carly’s dad finished restoring the getaway car as a wedding day surprise!

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Photography + Cinematography: White Rabbit Studios | Ceremony + Reception Location: Sloss Furnaces | Floral Design: Catherine Wayman, a personal friend | Wedding Dress: Dress: Olia Zavozina via Finery Boutique | Reception Dress: Sherri Hill via The Clothes Tree by Deborah (style 11028)

Date Night Idea: Beach Party for Two from Pictilio + A Checklist!

With summer on it’s way out (heavy sigh) I find myself trying to capitalize on every last ounce of sunshine we have left. You had better believe that I’m going to soak up those rays until the bittersweet end. And you know where I’m going to start? Right here with this fabulous date night idea. Captured by Pictilio and styled by Style Smaller, I urge you to grab your significant other, pick up a few goodies (we have a whole checklist for you down below) and enjoy! Oh, and there’s more cute images in the gallery, if you so please.

From Pictilio… We are officially only weeks away from Fall. Before the temperature begins to drop, be sure to squeeze in one last trip to the beach. This time leave the children with a babysitter and make it a beach party for two.

To save time on prepping a whole meal, we picked up a few artisan sandwiches and chips at La Boulange before hitting the road. We wanted to create a date that was more than just a blanket on the sand. This roll-up picnic table has become our favorite beach accessory. Its compact, easy to carry and assemble, and gives any beach spread an upgrade. A table runner from Rufflewood tied everything together and kept things bright and sunny even when the fog began to roll in at sunset.

No date is complete without a few activities to participate in. A beach ball keeps things playful and when you want to up the romance, a guitar will more than do the trick. Both add the perfect touch of laughter and love, key ingredients for any summer celebration no matter how small.

And because I’m a total and complete sucker for a checklist, I’ve put together a quick little list of everything you’ll need for a simple, yet romantic date night on the beach! You can download it right here, just as an FYI.

Photographer: Pictilio | Styling: Pictilio and Style Smaller | Food: La Boulange | Roll-up picnic table: World Market | Table Runner: Rufflewood

Jacquelyn Clark

Balnarring Wedding from Kate Ehrenberg Photography

When a darling duo like this throws a wedding, they don’t just throw a wedding. Nope, they put on a drop-dead gorgeous “Collaborative Wedding,” an affair chock-full of darling DIY details all designed and crafted by an amazing set of friends and family. I’m talking everything from the beautiful florals to the fab paper goods to the yummy cheese wheel cake. And then they set it all against the charming backdrop that is Palmers Hill and fill it with vibrant colors aplenty. In other words, it’s pretty amazing. See it all captured by Kate Ehrenberg in the full gallery.

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From Kate Ehrenberg… I am very excited to share with you this seriously gorgeous outdoor wedding, which took place on an amazing homestead property in Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. The bride and groom both contributed to the many cute DIY details you can see including the wonderful flowers, letting their own cute style show through. Please see below for some lovely and moving words from the bride, explaining how their wedding came to life.

From the Bride… If you had of asked me in my early 20’s what kind of wedding I wanted I would have said a BIG one! I would have had the bonbonnieres, the big designer dress, the Manolo Blahnik’s – it was the plan.

Fast forward eight years and my mindset had not only changed but had flipped 180 degrees. Maybe it was the seniority of an extra eight years, maybe it was the existentialism brought on by backpacking for six months with only two outfits or maybe it was the innate security felt by a 10-year relationship that continued to flourish dynamically. Whatever it was, I realized that the wedding I wanted came down to three parameters: inclusive, intimate and meaningful.

The house we hired was a beautiful 1940’s homestead in Balnarring on the Peninsula, We didn’t see the house until two days before the wedding! I know this sounds strange but the only day in summer it was available was on our dating anniversary on the 17th of January, I took this as a sign and hired it! I drew inspiration from my love of colour and simple styling so I relied on blogs and events companies such as: Etsy Weddings, Simply Gorgeous Events, Eat, Drink, Chic, Green Wedding Shoes and of COURSE Style Me Pretty. My family stayed with us at the homestead for two days prior to help set up and prepare for the day.

We were entering a life long partnership so that is how our wedding had to be, a partnership. Our wedding was a Collaborative Wedding meaning that everyone invited had a task or a job, from handing out food to flower design, no one was hired and everyone had a part in our special day. The Collaborative Wedding was also amazing help and we felt so blessed to have everyone around supporting us in such a constructive way.

Special details that flourished on the day were the silk ribbon marquee (that we made in 40 degree heat), the cool and hip design of our wedding programs made by our friends, the endless outdoor styling opportunities sourced from the amazing furniture in the house and the array of summer flowers that my parents-in-law picked straight from their garden and delivered the day before! The whole family made their own beautiful flower creations to decorate the garden while I took the best flowers to make my own bouquet and lapels.

Our wedding was held during the day and the caterers (Egg Unlimited) made gorgeous gourmet lunchboxes for everyone. The kids even had their own gorgeous packs with fairy crackles and chocolate milk. My husband made the wedding cake from cheese wheels; he loved this project and even decorated it beautifully with rose buds and muskets. He also was in charge of boutique drinks, the wedding music and the wedding dance. The day before the wedding we were glued to YouTube because he wanted to add a small acrobatics feature to the dance. It was touch and go, but I am happy to report the flip was performed and conquered.

We were also extremely lucky to have our photographer (Kate Ehrenberg) there for the whole day. She captured not only the wedding but also all the small details you go to so much trouble to include however; often go unnoticed in the hubbub. Looking back at the photos they completely capture the feel of the day and bring back life affirming memories of our special celebration. It was a day that started with a simple plan to be inclusive, intimate and meaningful and ended up as exactly that.

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