I am a tea snob, through and through. So you can only imagine my excitement surrounding the idea of an English Tea Party to ring in ones 30th birthday. And it’s now fairly safe to say that my future 30th is officially planned (thanks ladies!) Co-designed and styled by Ashley Baber  for Liz Cook
Photography, this one is chalk full of inspiration of the prettiest kind. And it’s all right here in the gallery.

From Liz Cook… Every birthday deserves acknowledgement, but the start of a new decade of life is cause for a celebration. I decided for the first time in my life, I was going to throw in the towel and plan my own party to celebrate turning 30. When the stars aligned and the ladies from Cater This! told me about their Authentic English Afternoon experience, I was sold! I love getting dolled up and enjoying afternoon tea whenever possible, so it only made sense to celebrate with something I enjoy so much. I immediately contacted Amanda from Ashley Baber Weddings, my go-to for planning and styling advice. Together, we brainstormed the look and feel and the entire day came together flawlessly. Amanda suggested the perfect linens from La Tavola Linen and chair jackets from BBj Linen and it was love at first sight for me. Mary Ellen from Irvington Spring farm gathered together the most beautiful florals from her local garden and they became the glue that brought the whole look together against the unique backdrop of exposed brick in Tresca on 8th’s upstairs space. Each and every vendor involved contributed to create the lovely, victorian feel of the afternoon.

After guests arrived they were directed to their seats by custom made jewelry bags labeled with each person’s name and stuffed with coordinating coffee cozies and a hair pin. Place settings were adorned with individual menus designed by Jenna from I Can Do that Design. Once seated, our English Afternoon Experience began just as storm clouds rolled in and rain began sprinkling the windows. It felt like we were transported to England for just a few minutes. Perfection.

The first course was a selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches including a traditional cucumber, chicken salad, and my favorite: the zucchinni sweet bread. The second course included delicious warm scones with clotted cream and preserves. We broke out of tradition to take the third course of homemade cakes and pastries over to the lounge side of the room to enjoy alongside of a group game.

The game I selected, Fish Bowl, is a fun spin on Charades. Guests had so much fun we played it twice! We wrapped up the evening by enjoying the beautiful and delicious ribbon cake designed by Jennifer of La Bella Torta.

Overall, the event was a huge hit and the absolute best way to ring in my 30s!

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Photography: Liz Cook
Photography | Design & Styling: Amanda Gray, Ashley Baber Weddings | Venue: Tresca on 8th | Catering: Cater This! | Cake: La Bella Torta | Flowers: Mary Ellen LaFreniere, Irvington Spring Farm | Linens: LaTavola Fine Linen | Chair Jackets: BBj Linen | Favors: The Goose Beary Shop | Stationery: I Can Do That Design | Game: Fishbowl

As an honest-to-goodness lover of all things paper, and a believer of the adage that “it’s all in the details…” I can’t help but fall head-over-heels in love with Zazzle’s new line of day-of wedding goodies! From menus and place cards to seating charts and programs, they’ve got it all. Offering stylized collections (think vintage, beach + floral) you’ll find the perfect accessories for your big day. And the best part? These pretties are as affordable as they are adorable. It’s a win, win lovelies.

Super cute, am I right?! With coordinating suites (we’re talking invitations to programs!) to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect match for your big day. Aside from the incredible selection of styles and colors, you know you’ll get Zazzle’s renowned customer service and super-quick turnaround! It’s a one-stop paper shop!

Zazzle makes it incredibly easy to check a few things off your ever-growing wedding check list! You know I love that! So head over here to browse (and shop!) the amazing wedding collection, my dears! xo

Products Pictured: Menu / Table Number / Escort Card / Program / Poster Seating Chart

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This bride has some of the best advice for couples tying the knot… “Always make time to eat cake.” Especially when your cake is this pretty. Alders Photography captured her beautiful wedding and put everything from the ridiculous gorg floral design to the cool lounge furniture from Found Vintage Rentals in a gallery for your viewing pleasure!

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From the beautiful bride… We met in Fall 2007 during our senior year at St. Lawrence University. On January 13, 2012 we took the Aerial Tramway ride to the top of the mountains in Palm Springs, and Dan proposed with the ring he designed, including South African diamonds cut in California, New York and South Africa to represent where we’re from and where we met.

We wanted an indoor/outdoor space and the Summit House has a beautiful outdoor patio which is where we held our cocktail hour. The reception was held indoors and provided us enough space for eating, dancing and a photo booth. The staff also went above and beyond our expectations!

We wanted to have some bright accents even though we were having a winter wedding so we used navy blue, gray with peach and orange. Dan had a beautiful navy blue suit that he wanted to wear for the wedding. The bridesmaids’ dresses were a graphite gray and we used peach, orange and white flowers.

Dan is from Zimbabwe and his mother was able to bring over fabric from home to incorporate. We made the fabric into pillow cases and they were used in the lounge area during the reception. We also had a fondant poppy and flame lily placed on our wedding cake to represent our home state/country.

Our first look held in the hotel where we all stayed was a special moment before we started our day. The speeches made by Sarah’s father, sister and Dan’s brother were all so touching and hilarious. We quickly went from tears to hysterical laughter!

We would recommend to schedule enough time for getting ready so there is some time to relax before the day gets started with photos, etc. Enjoy each moment and don’t stress about the details on the day! And always make time to eat cake!

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Photography: Alders Photography | Floral Design: Bella Blooms | Cake: Beverly’s Best Bakery | Entertainment: Red Shoe LA | Hair + Makeup: Vanity Belle Makeup | Reception Venue: Summit House Restaurant | Ceremony Venue: Fullerton First United Methodist Church | Bride’s Dress: The White Dress, Priscilla of Boston | Bridesmaid’s dresses: J.Crew | Stationery: Cloud Nine Stationery | Lounge Furniture: Found Vintage Rentals | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Transportation: California Trolley

This wedding has my name written all over it. Because let’s be honest — anything inspired by a 1920’s garden party is right up my ultra girly alley. And adding to this vintage chic obsession? Every pretty bloom from Village Flower Shop (I’m looking at you, pink ranunculus) and one amazing cake from The Master’s Baker (hello, gorgeous yumminess!) Want even more? You can find all the images from The Wedding Artist’s Collective waiting oh-so-perfectly for you here.

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From the Bride… Our intimate wedding was held in Pottstown, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 18th. Although the weather was unexpectedly chilly and rainy at times, we couldn’t have felt more lucky. We celebrated the day with fifty-four of our closest friends and family, amongst colorful gardens, trees, and sprawling meadows. Our time spent outdoors has always been a time of peace and connectedness, which made Welkinweir, a country estate and arboretum, the perfect place to say I do.

We chose blush tones as our colors, and wanted everything to feel and look very soft and romantic. We were inspired by 1920s garden parties that look so simple, yet elegant. My Jenny Packham gown was art deco inspired, and I love how timeless it looked. Daniel looked handsome in his navy J Crew tux and black pork pie hat. We snuck in a first look in between rain clouds, one of my favorite, quiet moments from the day. It was so hard keeping my dress a secret from Daniel for almost a year!

We were fortunate the rain stopped just a few minutes before the bus with our family and friends arrived. As they walked down Azalea Lane, where hundreds of azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel were in full bloom, our very talented friends, Johanna Samuels and Sean Pierce began to sing. After singing a few songs, including one of my favorites, True Love Will Find You in The End, it was time for the ceremony to start. Our ceremony took place in the remnants of a two hundred year old barn, in front of a beautiful stone wall covered in ivy. Daniel, his best man, Jon, and my sister, Brittany, walked down the aisle to If Not For You by George Harrison. As I walked down the aisle, Johanna and Sean played In The Aeroplane Over The Sea on their guitars. Daniel and I met at a Jeff Mangum concert, and it took every ounce of strength not to cry the whole way down the aisle! One of my very best and oldest friend’s, Jason, was our officiant. Hearing him read the ceremony script Daniel and I completely wrote together, was so special. My friend, Joe, who had flown in from Thailand, and my Uncle Joe, read excerpts from books Daniel and I chose. Daniel read me an excerpt from Asphodel, That Greeny Flower by William Carlos Williams, and I read him Sonnett XVII by Pablo Neruda. And just like that, we were married!

Our cocktail hour was supposed to take place outside, but unfortunately because of the rain, it was moved inside to the estate house. This was a little disappointing, as Daniel and I had spent many months rounding up a vintage couch, garden tables, chairs, a bench, and other outdoor decorations. As our DJ played delta blues and jazz, our guests sipped on cocktails and snacked on hors d’oeuvres. We had four signature cocktails — a cherub’s cup, dark & stormy, tequila thyme lemonade, and an old fashioned.

After cocktail hour, we had a tented reception that overlooked the enormous pond and woodlands. I absolutely loved our table settings, filled with candles and lush floral arrangements of mostly peonies, dalias, ranunculus, and garden roses, in wooden boxes handmade by my dad. My mom handmade the floral fabric napkins on the table. My sister, Brittany, folded hundreds of blush tone paper cranes that looked so pretty hanging in the tent. Together, my sister and I made a tissue pom backdrop for the bar. Sage catered our amazing, completely vegetarian wedding. For dinner entrees, we had a choice of lemon herbed baked tofu, spinach stuffed portabellas, and strozzapreti pasta. We had a dessert table with bite-sized tarts and cakes, and a lemon wedding cake with raspberry filling.

As the night was quickly coming to an end, and we’d been dancing for hours, our photographer, Gary Ashley, opened the polaroid photo booth. The polaroids do such a great job of caputuring everyone’s personality and spirit of the evening! My favorite moment of the night was our sparkler send off. Just as we were walking through the sparklers, it started to pour. It truly felt like a movie, with us kissing in the rain and our friends and family waving goodbye, as we hopped into a vintage car to head to our bed & breakfast.

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Photography: Gary Ashley of The Wedding Artist’s Collective | Wedding Venue: Welkinweir Estate in Pottstown, Pennsylvania | Floral Design: DeeAnn of Village Flower Shop |  Wedding Catering: Sage Catering | Wedding Cake: The Master’s Baker | Ceremony Music: Johanna Samuels & Sean Pierce | Invitation: Designed by Ashley Shaw and Daniel Morris of Geronimo James + handprinted at The Arm Letterpress | Calligraphy: MJW Calligraphy  | Signs: Handpainted by Groom | DJ: Nate Cheyney of White Label DJs  | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Headpiece: Debra Moreland | Maid of Honor’s Gown: Vera Wang for David’s Bridal | Groom’s Tux +  Best Man’s Suit: J.Crew

I think we can all agree that Pinterest has been a total game changer. Much like on instagram, my life/my taste/my everything looks much prettier when pulled together into perfectly curated collections. My only complaint? Finding the stuff tucked within my coveted Pinterest pics. Take for example my favorite bedroom below. Where oh where do I find that quilt!?!? And those amazing X-benches? Well, we’re on a mission to find the “just-as-pretty” details found in our most beloved pinterest picture. Starting of course, with this dream of a bedroom.

1. Bed: Z Gallerie | 2. Drapes: Restoration Hardware | 3. Metal Lamp: Restoration Hardware | 4. Vintage Linen Pillows: Restoration Hardware | 5. X Bench: Amazon |  6. Quilt: Gypsa| 7. Peach Fabric: French Bleu Living | 8. The Little Dictionary of Fashion: Amazon | 9. White Sheets: Bloomingdales | 10. Pink Throw: Joss & Main | 11. Black Chest: Wisteria

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Sometimes a bride and groom are sooo adorable and sooo incredibly in love, I almost forget that I am supposed to be soaking in their entire wedding.  It’s like the only thing that matters are these two people, their love for each other and their stop-time kind of romance.  This is one of those duos.  A twosome that you just can’t take your eyes away from, they are so sweet and full of joy for their Big Day… and each other.  Get to know them in the full gallery captured by  b. Schwartz Photography.  They (and their wedding) are amazing.

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From the Bride… Mulch (It’s his nickname. Long story.) and I are high school sweethearts. After three years of dating, he led me on a carefully crafted scavenger hunt with the aid of our friends and proposed in the same place we had confessed our love for one another years before. I never envisioned myself as the girl who would get married young, but I found myself walking down the aisle a few months shy of my 21st birthday. Being young added an unconventional element to the wedding planning process, but we had so much fun.

We found the perfect venue in Goleta that was classy and beautiful, with an antique charm that made us feel we were back in the 1800’s. We both grew up in a small Southern CA beach town, and while we love the beach we did not want a typical “laid-back” Southern CA feel to our wedding. The old Victorian home and train station at the Stow House were the source of inspiration while we planned the wedding of our dreams.

Almost every element of our wedding was DIY. A friend designed our invites, and Mulch and I printed, assembled and sent them off. We delegated the décor to several friends, who spent countless hours stringing together flags and little pouf balls. My mom and I scoured every thrift store in the area collecting antique bottles and lace tablecloths for the centerpieces. A dear friend of ours catered the whole event, and the coffee shop Mulch works for served delicious espresso and lattes to our guests. We held the ceremony in a secluded tree grove next to the house, under a little tree. To set the tree apart, we wrapped lace around the trunk and hung paper hearts from the branches. It added a delicate backdrop to the already beautiful area.

The reception was held on a large lawn which inspired us to incorporate a picnic theme into our reception. We had several tables, but we also laid vintage quilts out for our guests to sit on. Each blanket had a basket full of flowers on the corner in lieu of a centerpiece. Croquet and bocce ball were available for guests to play, along with lots of food and a photo booth.

One piece of advice: it’s important to respect tradition, but ultimately this is your wedding! I had a lot of friends who were wise enough to tell me this early on, and for that I am so grateful. We don’t like to dance, so we choose to forego the pain of being forced to dance at our wedding. Instead of a full meal, we decided to offer a “high tea” complete with scones paired with jam, curd and cream. In addition, there was fresh fruit, cheese platters, nuts and lots of other yummy treats. For dessert, we set up a DIY cupcake bar with different toppings for our guests to choose, while Mulch and I shared a small carrot cake.

We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of God’s gift of love, and it was nothing short. Don’t forget that; it is a time to celebrate! Your wedding is only the beginning to your marriage, which is much more important. Love each other and celebrate the little moments you get to spend together during this special time.

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Photography: b. Schwartz Photography | Flowers: S.R. Hogue & Co. | Coffee Bar: the French Press | Event Venue: Stow House, Goleta, California | Invitations: DIY | Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles | Bridesmaids Dresses: Forever 21 | Men’s Attire: H & M

Here’s the thing about soul mates, their love just seems undeniable. And even if you only get to see that love unfold through images, you simply can’t help but notice that something magical is happening between them. Particularly when the images are as gorgeous as these from Nicholas Purcell Studio. They paint the picture of one amazing pair of soul mates and their gorgeous wedding day, and you can see every last moment right here.

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From Nicholas Purcell Studio… While taking portraits after the ceremony, I noticed raw-food chefs Carmel and Doug were looking a bit concerned. I put the camera down and they turned to me and confessed they hadn’t prepared a wedding dance. I was secretly worried but more surprised because everything else on the day had been so well organized. I offered some thoughts about songs they could easily waltz to. They nodded but then Doug confessed, “We did have one idea a week ago.” They seemed to be looking at me for approval, – or at least to see my reaction. “The song from the dancing scene of Pulp Fiction.” I knew that would only work if they were great – really great – dancers so I bought time by asking them to show me what they meant. I was preparing a list of nice ways to suggest they stick with a waltz. But there, on a jetty beside yachts, surrounded by seagulls and tourists they rocked it out to an inaudible movie soundtrack. And they absolutely nailed it. My assistant and I were cheering and clapping, laughing and immensely relieved to witness two great – two really great – dancers.

Few weddings are such an extraordinary gift as Carmel & Doug’s. Blue skies, blue sea, blue shoes; a twinkling yacht club; sophisticated details; and an immensely stylish and beautiful couple. They were relaxed and hilarious, excellent dancers and most clearly, soul mates.

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Photography: Nicholas Purcell Studio | Wedding Venue: Riva, St Kilda Melbourne, Australia | Cake Decorations: Clayphory

This wedding is awesome.  Awesome in that it’s the kind of wedding that you sort of always knew you wanted… and want each of your friends to have, too.  It’s a fabulous blending of cultures with sophisticated stylings and the overwhelming love of one very amazing bride and groom.  In other words, it’s Chicago perfection, all set against a glamorous Maude’s locale and captured in breathtaking images by Two Birds Photography.  See them all in the full gallery.

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From Two Birds Photography… This wedding was unlike most we have ever been to. The groom’s father is from Bombay, India and they really wanted his heritage to be a part of their celebration. The ultimate result was incredible, and we had so much fun capturing their beautiful event!

From the Bride… Brian and I met on December 1st four years ago. It was a cold and snowy day. We were so incredibly lucky that December 1st of 2012 fell on a Saturday. What a fantastic day it turned out to be. Who would have EVER thought it would be in the sixties?!

My vision for our wedding was French meets Indian with a Bohemian vibe. I was really inspired by Kate Moss’ wedding. We wanted a party not a stuffy wedding. The most important element to us was gathering our friends and family together over great food and drink. This was our opportunity to get the people who matter most in our lives in one room together for one night. Food brings people together, good food makes people happy and good drinks make them sing and dance. Almost everyone told us that the food and drinks were the best they have ever had at a wedding. And so many of our guests told us that it was the best wedding they have ever been to. We owe it all to Rebecca Royster, the GM at Maude’s. She and her staff made our vision come to life. They were kind and warm and funny and overjoyed about the occasion. Scottie McNiece, Maude’s music maestro made it happen with a soundtrack of old school Rap, Gypsy Jazz, Bollywood and House music. We danced the night away and as the evening ended we exchanged hugs and well wishes with our guests. The staff waived us goodbye as we walked out the door. We wouldn’t have changed a single thing about that night. Thank you to everyone who made our wedding a success. And certainly to the dynamic duo of Jake and Jennifer Moreland at Two Birds Photography for capturing our moment in time.

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Photography: Jake and Jennifer Moreland of Two Birds Photography | Wedding Venue: Maude’s | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham (Eden) via Ultimate Bride | Shoes: Jimmy Choo (Lace) | Veil: Custom Juliet cap by Dorene at Unveiled Bridal Designs | Earrings: Carolee | Floral Design: Ashley at a New Leaf (Boutonnieres + Corsages + Large Arrangements) | Bouquet: Bride | Table Arrangements: DIY by Bride + Friend, Kasi | Vases: West Elm

Brides like this seriously floor me.  You know the ones – those uber-crafty (+ uber-beautiful) lovelies who tackle every last detail of their wedding.  They are the kind of ladies who always, always know how to deliver the pretty… and as a DIY-challenged blogger myself, I can’t help but be in awe of their serious talents and creativity.  Take for example this sweet Mrs., who crafted almost every beautiful detail you’re about to see from Blush Wedding Photography, from the yummy cake (!) to the bridesmaids’ bouquets to the gorgeous centerpieces.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

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From Blush Wedding Photography… Erin had a vision for her Elegant vintage wedding and she achieved every bit of it with grace and style. Of any wedding I’ve ever been to, Erin had the most handmade and thoughtful touches even though she had to move her wedding up by 5 months at the last minute because her husband is in the military…I have no idea how she did it all. She created all the flower arrangements and bridesmaids bouquets, made the flower girls hats, help designed the logo and assembled all their invites. Her reception dress and veil was made from her mother’s wedding dress. She sewed a ‘something blue’ heart inside her wedding dress and had a ladybug pin on it which is a symbol of her grandfather. She refinished the old vanity which was her signing table and made box for the ring barrier. On top of everything, she even made her own wedding cake! I loved the vintage mirrors used as signs and the dyed dollies for the ‘guest book’. The champagne, ivory and brown colour palette with accents of silver was elegant and classic and look that will never go out of style.

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Photography: Blush Wedding Photography | Wedding Dress: 2 in 1, Essence of Australia | Reception Dress: Custom Designed, Ellebay Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids Dress: Roberto Rodriguez | Suite: Vera Wang | Earrings + Pendant: Carolee | Invitations: Co-designed with Bisi | Rings: Verragio + Creative Goldsmith | Decor: Sweet Beginnings  | Catering: Savory Chef  | Flowers: Kirby’s Floral Inc Wholesale, Bride Designed | Bridal Bouquet: Absolutely Thorny Concepts and Design | Cherry Tree Rental: Green Scape Decor 

Can I just tell you, I just adore, and I mean adore, the idea of snapping up a few shots the day before your big day. Before all the hustle and bustle, before the whirlwind. I adore it even more when it’s captured by the lovely Judy Pak on the gorgeous island of Turks and Caicos because that means we are in for some serious lovely. And that’s just what is sitting in this gallery. But don’t stray too far today, this couple’s gorgeous wedding is coming up next!

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From Judy Pak… Marissa and Kanu opted for a portrait session before their wedding day to document their time on the gorgeous islands of Turks and Caicos. We decided to charter a private boat and explore some deserted islands. These two were so happy, laid back and in love…a complete joy to photograph. They laughed, frolicked and just enjoyed each other’s presence with nothing around them for miles and miles. With the beautiful sun setting behind us, we headed back to the hotel where they were joined by friends and family for their gorgeous rehearsal dinner on the beach. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

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Photography: Judy Pak Photography | Location: Turks and Caicos

You know what makes me happy?  Beautiful blooms.  Beautiful blooms in every shape, color and size of the rainbow.  From rose-filled bouquets to dahlia-dotted centerpieces, I love them all.  And this darling Camp Lucy wedding?  Well, it’s boasting beautiful blooms aplenty from the talented designers at Petal Pushers… works of art, really, that have me completely mesmerized.  Add in some pretty pink hues, a gallery of lovely captured by EE Photography and a stunning bride and groom and, well.  It’s my kind of Tuesday.  See it all in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… Josh and I met 5 years ago when I was a college senior at the University of Arizona and he was playing minor league baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks. We had an instant connection and became great friends. After a few years, our friendship developed into a relationship and Josh proposed in February 2012. Shortly after, Josh retired from professional baseball and we decided to make Austin, TX home.

I am from Southern California and Josh is from Baytown, TX but we knew after looking at Camp Lucy that that was where we wanted to get married. We both just felt something special there and knew it was the perfect place to say our vows in front of God, our family, and our friends. The venue is so beautiful and we wanted to use every inch of the space. We were married in the Chapel, had our cocktail hour in the Open Air Pavilion, and held our reception in the Events Hall. I have to confess, I am one of those girls who had always dreamt of my wedding day and had a very clear vision of what we both wanted. Our wedding was casually elegant and a true reflection of who we are as a couple. We wanted everyone to leave our wedding thinking “that was very Josh and Rachel” and they did. The colors and decor were a combination of neutrals, blush, mercury glass, and candles. Our caterer created the perfect Tex-Mex menu and we served Texas Martinis as our signature drink. In lieu of a champagne toast, we toasted with tequila in monogrammed shot glasses that our guests took home as favors.

We were married by a family friend who knows both of us well and exchanged traditional wedding vows. As opposed to writing our own, we felt there was something romantic about saying the same wedding vows people have said for years. Our wedding day truly was the best day of our lives. We were surrounded by 75 of our closest friends and family members and were humbled by the love and support we received that day.

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Photography: EE Photography | Flowers: Petal Pushers | Event Planning + Design: The Bride | Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy | Invitations: Ruffled Ink | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Caterer: Pink Avocado | Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori | Rentals: Whim Event Rentals + Marquee Rentals + Loot Vintage Rentals | Wedding Gown: Vera Wang | Flower Girl Dress: Tutu Garden | DJ: Altared Weddings | Makeup: Maris Malone Calderon

Great Gatsby-inspired weddings have made a serious comeback in 2013… something that I’m guessing has a little something to do with a handsome man named Leo and an awesome movie adaptation from Baz Luhrmann.  Whatever the reason (I think I’m right), it’s been one seriously fantastic love-fest of all things The Roaring 20’s and I don’t ever want it to end.  Case in point?  This drop-dead gorgeous photo shoot from Paris Mountain Photography, aka, an ode to F. Scott’s amazing novel with the glamorous stylings of Kelly Garner, beautiful blooms from A Perfect Wedding Floral Design, dazzling hair and makeup from A Glamour Affair and the oh-so-chic stylings from Brides Atlanta.  See it all in the full gallery.

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There’s nothing more glitzy or glamorous than the roaring ’20’s! With the release of the recent Hollywood version of the Great Gatsby, more and more brides are looking for this flashy, vintage theme for their weddings. The style team we call the “fantastic four” were thrilled when The McGarity House asked them to put together this Gatsby Inspired shoot for her vintage wedding venue in Georgia. Stylist Kelley Garner put together all of the fabulous antique pieces for the setting! No one could have done a better job with the finger curls and fantastic makeup than A Glamour Affair. A Perfect Wedding Floral Design always goes above and beyond with her bouquets and centerpieces. Then, Pam with Paris Mountain Photography puts it all together with her photographic edge! The fantastic four always puts together styled shoots to inspire brides, push their creative juices, and just plain have fun!

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Photography: Paris Mountain Photography | Styling: Kelly Garner | Floral Design: A Perfect Wedding Floral Design | Hair + Makeup: A Glamour Affair Hair and Makeup | Venue: The McGarity House | Furniture: Puddle Duck Cottage | Dress: Brides Atlanta | Rentals: Unlimited Party Rentals | Cakes: Sweet Like Me Cakes | Car: Xtreme Cycles of Dallas | Headpiece:  Fairytale Jubilee

Boston weddings are always breathtaking. That is a fact. But a Boston wedding at the Boston Public Library? That’s next-level lovely. And when it’s all captured by Shane Godfrey – well that’s when I know it’s time to stop everything I am doing and soak up every .last.image. Because this, ladies and gentlemen, is a Boston wedding done oh-so-right, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

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Photographer: Shane Godfrey Photography | Officiant: Lev Ba’esh | Wedding Venue: Boston Public Library | Wedding Planner: James Hansen at The Catered Affair | Catering: The Catered Affair | Floral Design: Artistic Blossoms | Band: Kahootz | Videographer:  SV Videography | Wedding Dress: Christos Bridal

Closer to Love Photography, this may be a little forward of me, but I adore you. Your images are stunning and you have got to have the coolest personalities ever because the couples who are drawn to you are phenomenal. Like these two, who wed on a Pennsylvania farm. Love!

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From the beautiful bride… My Wedding Day was inspired mostly from my uncle’s Farm! The day my fiance, Austin proposed to me, I instantly thought of my Uncle Mac and his farm and most of the ideas were ideas I had in my mind from my whole life of wanting to be a bride! I am very inspired by the 1940’s and the 1950’s so I wanted to put a modern twist to it with a farm setting! I also just wanted it to be like a big family get together, I didn’t want to over exaggerate any of it, I’ve never been into big show off-y things so I wanted it to be as simple as possible but elegant at the same time! Through the months of brainstorming and piecing things together I thought of using a ton of burlap, because I worked at a Coffee Shop at the time I could get free sacs for free, so it helped to make a lot of the decorations! We flew out to Pennsylvania (from California) two weeks before the wedding and used all the old wood and doors from my Uncle Mac’s old barn! We used a lot of his old chests and apple crates as well! The tree stumps were from his woods, he let us cut some trees up!

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Photography: Closer to Love Photography | Bridesmaids Dresses: Penny Pardy | Brides Dress: Mary Me Bridal | Groom’s Tux: Suit Supply | Groom’s shoes: Allen Edmond’s | Bride’s Shoes: Abound Nordstrom | Cake: Desi Rocha | Hair and Make-up: Lauren Beaumont and Allie Overholt | Wedding Bands: Andre Fine Jewlers | Flowers: Giant Eagle | Signs: Danielle Overholt | Arch/Doors: Brian Overholt | Brides Head Piece: Granny’s Treasures Route 40 PA | Babies Breath: Mary Barnhart | Ceremony music: Kaitlin Lang | DJ: D.J mac | Burlap: Kean Coffee | Groomsmen Tux’s: Jos.A.Bank

Breakfast in bed is one of those things that always sounds like a great idea, but can quickly go south if not planned appropriately. Timing is imperative, a pretty tray is a must, and Bare Root Flora florals and cute pj’s are obviously a bonus (dare I say essential?). Lucky for us, the sweet A Vintage Affair is here today sharing her tricks for a flawless breakfast in bed execution, and Laura Murray has captured it all. Plus, there’s more in the gallery (just in case you’re looking for it!)

From A Vintage Affair… There’s something delightfully luxurious about waking up to a tray of delicious food and drinks, with no need whatsoever to climb out from under the covers. Let this shoot serve as inspiration to make your loved one a romantic breakfast in bed. To really pull it off it does take a bit of planning, so here’s a little guide to making it special.

THE FOOD

Simple, delicious food. These sinfully yummy pastries came from the French bakery Trompeau a mile down the road from us. Throw in some yummy French macaroons because dessert for breakfast is always a good idea. Lastly, we added some yogurt and fresh fruit to round out the feast, and some tasty java and fresh juice to quench our thirst.

THE PRESENTATION

A statement tray and some fancy dishes. This is a Florentine tray I picked up on my honeymoon in Italy. The pretty plates are from Anthropologie and my own collections. The point is, use the special stuff. Presentation is key. Throw on a book of love poems and this darling breakfast in bed coupon and you’ve made someone a memory they won’t soon forget!|

THE PRETTY

Fresh flowers. This gorgeous arrangement was made by the talented girls at Bare Root Flora. We wanted a sweet arrangement of spring’s prettiest blooms so they tucked lilacs, ranunculus, hellebores, anemones, spray roses, and andromeda into a tiny silver Revere bowl–we loved the tarnished and lived-in look of the bowl. It was perfect for a lovely and leisurely breakfast in bed on a sunny spring morning.

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Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Styling & Design: A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals | Florals: Bare Root Flora | Model: Keri Tremblay

I’m fully convinced Landon Jacob can do no wrong. Because when either half of this duo picks up the camera, pretty moments are bound to follow. Take this Haig Point wedding, for example. It’s sheer beachy beauty in the loveliest of forms, and should you find yourself seeking more, you can find it right here.

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From the Bride…From the moment we stepped off the boat we knew The Haig Point Club on Daufuskie Island was the perfect spot for us. Haig Point is a magical place that inspires a sense of timelessness. The private club is located on Daufuskie Island, a 7 minute boat taxi from Harbor Town, Hilton Head Island, SC. Aside from the sheer beauty of the island and the pristine views, the biggest selling point for us was that there are no cars on the island. Guests staying on the Island are given golf carts to get around.  For us, it immediately brought a unique element to the overall feel of the wedding weekend. And it was really, really fun! People constantly tell us how much fun they had getting lost at night on the golf carts. You could literally hear the laughter and screeching tires at night as people moved from one event to another.  We practically had the entire island to ourselves.  From the poolside Rehearsal Dinner Pig Roast to the Bonfire and Smores at the Beach to the Lighthouse Ceremony to the Tented Reception. Amazing! It was a fairytale wedding weekend.

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Photography: Landon Jacob | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Haig Point | Floral Design: Fresh Cuts | Cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes | Hair: Connie Tamburri, Salon 1050E | Makeup: Belk, Chanel Makeup, By Sandra Subacius | Ceremony Music: Lowcountry String Quartet | Reception Band: Deas-Guyz | Wedding Dress Nicole Miller | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik |

If there is one thing I just adore about a Florida wedding, it’s that they have this ability of being casual yet elegant all at the same time. It’s really quite amazing if you think of it, and when it happens, there really is nothing prettier. This darling day captured beautifully by Stephanie A. Smith is the perfect example, and it’s all waiting for you right here, in the full gallery of gorgeous.

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This was such a beautiful wedding to be a part of. I thought that Megan had a gorgeous vision for her day. From the colors, to the dresses, to the locations, it all seemed so soft, romantic and classic Florida. There were endless amounts of smiles, laughter, and {happy} tears shared throughout her day.[dotted]

Photographer: Stephanie A Smith | Photographer’s Assistant: Karen Harrison Photography | Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee Hair and Makeup | Wedding Dress: Pronovias via The Perfect Dress, Sarasota | Floral Design: Oneco Florist | Ceremony: Palma Sola Presbyterian Church | Reception + Catering: IMG Academies Golf & Country Club | Cake Balls: Sweet Doctors | Robes: Silk and More | Bride’s Shoes: Nine West + Toms via Nordstrom | Paper products: Cheer Up Press | Bridesmaid dresses: Dessy

Have I mentioned just how much I adore Dove + Sparrow?  How I seriously jump out of my seat when I see their name pop up in my inbox; how I am downright obsessed with every single wedding they send our way?  Well, if I haven’t, then consider this my official announcement: they are awesome and I love them with every ounce of my being.  Because when I see affairs like this sweet Shelter Island beauty, it’s a full-blown obsession from the get-go.  One that has me swooning over darling DIY details, a breathtaking setting and one crazy amazing Pennington Flowers bouquet.  Click here for all of the pretty.

From the Bride… My husband, Nic, and I met in 2008 in Princeton, NJ. A few months later, he accepted a job offer and moved to Maine. Over the past four years, and despite a move to Boston on my part, we have never lived less than 200 miles away from on another. Our families are even farther away, with mine still in NJ and his in Sweden. Therefore, being able to host a wedding and have all of our family and friends together in one place was very special to us.

My great grandparents purchased a home off the coast of the Hamptons on Shelter Island, NY in the 1940s, which is now shared among my grandmother’s siblings and used as a summer home among our families. Shelter Island is a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, and is only accessible by ferry. I have such wonderful, happy memories of Shelter Island from my childhood, so Nic and I thought it would be the perfect place to get married. With its small community and laid-back feel, it was a great setting for our intimate wedding.

Many of our guests traveled from Sweden to celebrate with us. Our friends’ and family’s presence meant so much to us that it became even more important to us to have a hand in the small details. I made over 100ft of pennants for the hotel’s porches, as well as the programs, menus, cake topper, table numbers, and heart garland for the place cards (which our guests turned into name tags!). We spent the year collecting bottles for our flowers… we had about 250 of them. My bridesmaids and I had arranged about 60 jars of white roses for the rehearsal dinner the night before, which were repurposed for the ceremony. We realized that the chapel can be hard to find, so Nic and I made wooden signs pointing our guests in the right direction.

The ceremony took place at the Union Chapel in the Grove. Built in 1875, it is the quintessential Hamptons chapel, with its wooden exterior and colorful interior, complete with stained glass windows that incorporate actual local sea shells into the designs. Friends played acoustic guitar for the processional and recessional and our siblings did the readings. My father walked me down the aisle, and I held the cross necklace my late grandfather wore every day throughout the ceremony. Our best friends served as our bridal party, and our officiant read a prayer in honor of Nic’s mother. The ceremony was very personal and intimate.

The reception was held at La Maison Blanche. We wanted it to feel like a big, end-of-summer back yard party. The cocktail hour took place on the front porch of the hotel, where guests could relax or play a game of petanque on the hotel’s courts. Dinner and dancing took place on the back porch, with guests enjoying french bistro-style fare, such as lamb burgers and pomme frites. My good friend, Whitney of Whitney Stanek Photography, kindly donated her photo booth set up for the night, which was a huge hit.

Swedish weddings are typically very formal (men wear morning coats, women wear ball gowns and gloves), so our relaxed vibe was a change for the Swedes, but we did keep the Swedish tradition of speeches during dinner. Instead of toasts, friends and family give long (they can last over a half hour!) speeches, that can include anything from photo presentations to skits. In order to coordinate everything, the groom assigns one of his groomsmen to the title of “toastmaster,” which is similar to the US title of best man. (Aside from toastmaster, we didn’t have a best man or maid of honor, and chose to go with “best men” and “best ladies.”) Those who could not make it to the wedding also sent in toasts to be read aloud during dinner.

I had very specific ideas about how I wanted everything to look, from the flowers to the place settings, and I couldn’t have been happier to see it all executed. Specifically, Jeff Pennington’s team at Pennington Flowers in Southampton, NY, did an excellent job. I said I wanted a h-u-g-e bouquet, and they delivered! They were also so easy to work with and the reception flowers were exactly what I wanted. I can’t say enough great things about them! We were so happy to be able to host our family and friends in such a beautiful, happy setting.

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Photography: Dove + Sparrow | Flowers: Pennington Flowers | Event Planning & Design: The Bride | Day-of Coordination: celebrated. | Officiant: Rev. Alison Cornish, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork | Wedding Ceremony Location: Union Chapel in the Grove, Shelter Island Heights, NY | Wedding Reception Location: La Maison Blanche, Shelter Island Heights, NY (Private Residence) | Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride’s Dress: Casablanca | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Banana Republic (Suits) + Stroms Stockholm (Shirts) | Hair & Makeup: Kristen with MG Hair and Makeup | Wedding Cake: Butta’cakes | Wedding Rings: David Yurman (Groom) + E.B. Horn Boston (Bride)

Beyond the gorgeous details, the stunning venues, the gorgeous gowns – what really makes me adore coming back to SMP everyday is the love I get to see play out through images. Love like this couple’s – that is so strong you can almost feel it in every perfect picture Alicia Gines Photography snapped up. And you can see exactly what I mean right here, in the full gallery of images…

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From Alicia… This is a beautiful engagement session highlighted around quirky vintage props such as a radio, camera, bike, and yummy snacks like cream soda in a glass bottle! The most beautiful location for a love like this; San Fransisco’s Lover’s Lane, was where everything took place. The lighting was breath taking; the sun was beaming as it does in the spring time, and the good ol’ San Fransisco fog was rolling in all just at the right time so that it was creating beautiful rainbow flares for the camera. Just about every photo is adorned with rainbows; priceless really! If the amazing weather and props were not enough; the couple would make you speechless, as they did me, if you could witness it in person! Their love for one another was not clear at first until they were asked to rely on one another for comfort, it was then that it really shined through! They snuggled, kissed, got silly, but in the end they had an amazing time being… comfortable, for the first time in front of a professional camera. It needs to be known that love IS beautiful no matter if you are gay, straight, purple or polka-dotted! Telisha and Patricia’s love shows everyone just how amazing love can be if you look!

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Photographer: Alicia Gines Photography

After spending the day with this boho glam soiree, we were certain today could not get better. But then this modern lovefest came along. Stealing our hearts with every impossibly chic detail crafted by Orange Blossom Special Event. Woven with a layer of total intimacy and warmth , it’s the kind of dinner party-style wedding we soooo wish we were crashing. And making us all the more envious? The gorgeous photos from JAC Photography and video from Studio 205 Films. Have a look for even more here.

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From the Bride…My husband and I briefly met in college, but didn’t start dating until several years later while living in Santa Monica, California.  Even though we had relocated to Santa Barbara, we knew Los Angeles was the perfect location for our wedding, as well as a convenient destination for out of town guests. From the beginning, I envisioned my wedding to be an intimate dinner party.  After going through a tentative guest list, and wanting to include all of our family and friends, my dinner party had gone from 20 to 120 guests.  We looked at several venues that didn’t feel quite right, but after visiting the Carondelet House, we knew it could capture the intimate feeling we wanted on a larger scale.

Once we decided on the venue, so many elements fell into place.  I strongly believe the venue helps determine most of the decisions you’ll make, from the style of your dress to the formality of your invites.  Since the Carondelet House is such a beautiful venue, I felt like all I had to do was add flowers and candles.  No extra décor and lighting needed! With that in mind, and as a budding floral designer (Heirloom & Bloom), I wanted the flowers to be special.  I have followed Style Me Pretty since 2008, when my sister was planning her wedding, which led me to Holly Flora.  I have admired them for years and knew they were the right fit for my aesthetic.  They were able to set the tone for the rustic, elegant wedding of my dreams.

I DIY’ed the escort cards (which I hung from a vintage birdcage), table numbers (made from stencils and stationary from Paper Source), and note cards stamped with our initials (for guests to leave messages on).  My sister made a shadowbox frame guest book (with paper hearts for the guests to sign), which now hangs in our office. Some of the best advice I received was “it’s just a big party” and “no one will know if something isn’t executed the right way or you didn’t have time for a last minute project.”  In the end, all that matters is celebrating the love between you and your husband, with the people that mean the most to you.  

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Photography: JAC Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Carondelet House | Floral Design: Holly Flora | Catering: Tres LA | Day of Coordination: Orange Blossom Special Events  | Cakes + Desserts: Scootabaker | Rentals: Town and Country | Ceremony String Music: Alira Strings | Cocktail Hour Music: The Singer and The Songwriter | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Cinematography: Studio 205 Films | Invitations: Urbanic | Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Hair + Makeup: Emily Dawn Artistry | Wedding Dress + Veil: Vera Wang | Earrings: Vintage | Shoes: Mui Mui | Bridesmaid Dresses: Various | Groom’s Suit: Burberry | Groom’s Shoes: Prada | Groom’s Tie: Givenchy | Groomsmen Ties: Penguin

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