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

11 Spring Wedding Guest Dress Trends with Rent the Runway

With over 2.6 MILLION predicted weddings gracing our calendars this season, the year 2022 has officially been dubbed the year of weddings. It seems like anyone and everyone is getting married and as your mailbox is flooding with invite after invite, your wallet is starting to protest. You might think you only have two options — break the bank or become a dreaded “outfit repeaterrer” — but our friends at Rent the Runway are the key to a budget-friendly way to do trend-forward designer clothes without sacrificing your retirement fund!

By either utilizing their one-time rental service (and rentals start at $30 so that’s a no-brainer) or signing up for all the perks of membership (free returns, dry cleaning, and a free backup size is always included, just to name a few) you can now afford to be wildly fashion-forward at all of these upcoming weddings.

So without further ado, keep an eye out for these eleven trends as you pick out your wedding guest outfits!

The Puff Sleeve

One of our favorite trends we’ve seen make a strong, steady presence is the puff sleeve. It’s chic, it elevates any look and it’s also secretly super flattering. This pink puffed sleeve option is an adorable way to participate in the trends and look good doing it.

Tasteful Cutouts

It’s the perfect classy with a little bit of sassy vibe that is a token of being “with the trends.” A chic dress with a cutout a way to take an average year-over-year trend, and add a little spice to it. This particular version is one of our favorites, but the whole Rent the Runway site is full of stylish options!

A Dopamine Dress

“Dopamine Dressing” is one of the top trends on Pinterest right now and the whole idea is about dressing in a way that boosts your mood, and nothing does that better than a bright, bold yellow color! Coming off of a season of neutral colors, some people find it hard to commit to colors so rooted in the “trend” category, but that is the beauty of *ahem* renting the runway — participate in the trends without fully committing your closet (or budget) to one specific style.

Simple Silhouettes

If there’s one style that you can never go wrong with — it’s a figure accentuating, simple silhouette. Bonus points if it comes in a flattering color! But the best versions of this style are made in fabrics that can cost a pretty penny, so enjoy the luxury and the extra cash in your wallet by opting to rent a version this wedding season.

Big Floral Patterns

The ditsy floral had its moment, and bigger, bolder patterns are making their way into the scene. We’re seeing a lot of big patterns AND big colors, but if you’re on the fence you can never go wrong with a pretty blush base and a classic brand like Kate Spade (for a fraction of the cost, we might add.)

Embroidered Pattern

Nothing screams painstaking attention to detail quite like embroidery work in our minds. It’s the kind of luxurious detail that speaks to a craftsman makeover mass production, and while that type of detail usually costs a pretty penny, the rented version makes your wedding guest ensemble seem super intentionally thought-out without dishing out too much cash.

Mad for Plaid

The plaid pattern is one of those details that takes its time to rotate in and out of prominence, but the thing is it almost ALWAYS returns. It’s a classic, it’s a way to juj up simple styles and it always makes a statement.

Royal Seal of Approval

If you’ve got Royal taste with a commoners budget, welcome to the club. Any royal family stepping out for a public event immediately sets a trend, but if you can find the EXACT DRESS Kate Middleton wore for a fraction of the price, it’s a no-brainer win for any wedding, any time.

Twist On a Slip Dress

Slip dresses are going to be EVERYWHERE this wedding season, so if you want to stand out opt for a patterned version! Same flattering silhouette, same effortless yet chic vibe — but you run less of a risk of accidentally matching another wedding guest or (heaven forbid) a bridesmaid!

THE Pink

Once Valentino dominated the stage with a fresh take on fuchsia, there was no going back. What was once referred to as Elle Woods signature color will now be gracing the wedding sphere in a few different ways — but the first place we’ll see the color make an appearance is on the guest list.

Delicate Flutter Sleeve

Sister to the puff sleeve, this delicate version is best utilized in warm climates and outdoor venues. The flutter sleeve is a way to stay stylish and chic in even the harshest wedding environments, and with as many weddings are there are this year you’re bound to attend a few warmer temperature soirées.

Staying stylish, on budget, and on-trend is historically a tricky balance, but getting a little street-savvy and exploring your options, you’ll quickly find that Rent the Runway is one of the absolute best solutions to keep you feeling ultra-confident at every.single.event you attend this historical year of weddings — especially when you get 30% off your first order — which we got you the hookup for :)

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30% OFF is valid for first time customers only and applies to one time rentals over $75 OR first two months of 8 item plan.

T&C’s: Code applies (1) 30% off first RTR Reserve rental of $75 or more (pre-discount and pre-taxes) and/or (2) reduces the price of ONE (1) 8 items/mo RTR Membership to $94.50/mo (+taxes) (1st and 2nd mo. only). At the end of the promotional period, the membership will renew automatically each month at the then applicable membership price on RTR’s website or mobile application until canceled (additional taxes and fees may also apply). Memberships can be paused or canceled at any time by visiting your membership settings. Code may only be used once. Valid only for new customers. Cannot be applied to PRO, existing memberships, existing orders, purchases of gift cards/credits, or other items for sale, or combined with other offers. Enter code at checkout. Offer subject to end without notice or otherwise on June 2, 2022 at 2:59AM EST.

This article was brought to you by our friends over at Rent the Runway.

Sophisticated And Chic Sage Green Wedding

Looking for the next romantic neutral? Your search has ended with sage green. Plume Events used this refreshing hue as the perfect way to add an organic and natural touch to Olivia and Santiago’s special day. Filled with fabulous personalized details and a bevy of beautiful blooms, you’re sure to love every sensational image shot by Madeline Trent Photography. Visit the full gallery to get inspired by the color of the moment.

From Madeline Trent Photography… The beautiful fall colors surrounding Old Edwards Inn And Spa set the scene for Olivia and Santiago’s weekend wedding in Highlands, North Carolina. Over a multi-day celebration, beginning with a welcome dinner party at The Bridge, wedding guests enjoyed an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.

Amy Pardue of Plume Events created a stunning display of florals and foliage throughout the ceremony and reception, bringing in autumn tones and textures to set the mood. Amy choose a warm color palette to tie in the landscape, complete with dark green velvet linens from Latavola Linen, and soft tapered candles. Olivia chose blush-colored heels, using the iconic Prada label for her “something blue”. She looked stunning throughout the day thanks to Latia Curtis Fine Art Beauty.

The couple hand-made favors themselves of leather keychains and organic teas for their guests to take home. The day was filled with tear-filled moments and joyous celebration as two families joined together. The couple ended the day with a mix of DJ and live music by Hip and Hitched, and danced the night away with their guests before leaving for their honeymoon.

The Ultimate 4-Day Fairytale Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Today’s wedding planned by Amalfi Wedding Planner is the dictionary definition of a fairytale. Their four-day Italian affair overflows with envy-worthy fashion, drool inducing cuisine, and endlessly breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea. The beautiful setting, enchanting history, and rich culture played a major role in influencing the design elements of their day, along with the playful pops of color you’ll notice in their floral arrangements by Armando Malafronte. See all the magic unfold at the full gallery, captured by Elias Kordelakos.

How We Met
We departed from very different starting points – Glaudson grew up in Brazil and moved to the US as a teenager, while I grew up in Germany and moved to San Francisco after my studies. We followed different paths, but somehow we each arrived at the same destination. Whether by the hand of fate or pure chance – many thousands of miles away from where our lives began we met – and we fell in love.

We had our first date in San Francisco at a wine bar and right there we knew we wanted to see more of each other. For us, love really did happen in a heartbeat – from the moment we began to know one another, we found an immediate ease and each of us felt an inescapable attraction to the other. Our first date, an evening where the hours flew by as we chatted and laughed together, was inevitably followed by a second date just days later. Since then we have been inseparable and the rest, as they say, is history!

The Proposal
Glaudson’s romantic proposal was worthy of the most wonderful fairytale! On a visit to my hometown, Glaudson arranged a private tour of the city’s Baroque Castle, accompanied by my family, which ended in the castle’s ancestral hall, where he dropped to one knee before kings and queens of yesteryear, presented the ring and popped the question. As I said ‘YES’, the hall erupted in cheers, before we shared a celebratory toast against the castle’s regal backdrop with my family.

Wedding Planning Process
Together we have faced and overcome many difficult life experiences, especially during the past two years but these challenges have served only to strengthen and deepen our bond. After getting engaged in January 2019, we were planning to get married in June 2020 – then the pandemic hit. We rescheduled our wedding four times due to COVID and planned and re-planned all events for 2.5 years until we finally were able to travel to Italy and to say our ‘I do’s’ on September 7th 2021. With the words from Maya Angelou: love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope! Overall, the planning process was a joy and brought us even closer together.

Wedding Gown
As I started my search for THE wedding gown, I flew to Los Angeles and met up with my close friends to visit the Galia Lahav Flagship store. I tried on a couple of dresses in various shapes and styles before putting on the Aelin gown. Once I put it on, I felt like I was immediately transported into a fairytale. The waves of white, sparkling tulle, the exquisite crystal embroideries made of hundreds of beads catch the light with the classic A-line shape of the gown made me feel like a real-life princess. The gown was modern with sequined flower petals and lustrous metal leaves cascading down its pleated skirt with the sheer corset top, yet timelessly elegant. After I learned that each gown of the Galia Lahav couture collection is designed to each bride’s measurements, all hand-crafted – I knew it was the one! It took almost 8 months to finish it. Thread after thread, bead after bead…it was worth the wait. I cried when I put it on for the first time.

The second Wedding Gown
For dinner, I changed into a light, flowy pure white pleated gown by the designer Maria Lucia Hohan and with a side slit. The gown has a feminine corset type top with an open back and corset strings and the slit made it easy to dance in.

Welcome Cocktail Gown
For the Welcome Cocktail I wore a lace embroidered gown with illusion neckline, keyhole open back, and silk chiffon full skirt by Berta Bridal. I wanted to create a wow-effect for when our guests see me for the first time in Ravello and give them a little taste of what’s to come on the wedding day. The gown was very comfortable with material of the bodice and lace appliqué being stretchy – it felt like a second skin.

Lemon Grove Tour & Rehearsal Dinner
The Amalfi Coast is all about its lemons. Leading up to the wedding events I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect dress and what would be more fitting than a lemon dress which I found by the designer Alexandro Miro. The rehearsal dinner design was inspired by the colors of the Italia flag – green, white and red. I wore a Dolce & Gabbana summer dress in those came colors with a matching D&G purse and comfortable Prada wedges while Glaudson wore a casual light beige suit.

About our Guests
We were fortunate to be joined by 40 guests made up of our closest family and friends, who came from as far as California to join us in Ravello for four days. It was the perfect group size for us, as we got to spend quality time with each and everyone of them over the course of the festivities. It felt like one big family despite different cultural backgrounds and some language barriers (guests from Germany, France, USA, Brazil, Japan, India, Russia and Africa).

Why Ravello
When selecting a location for our wedding, we considered our family and friends who are scattered all around the globe. So we decided to make an adventure out of it and chose a destination everyone would want to travel to. We were looking for a place where we could spend at least three or four days full of activities with family and friends. We love the ocean, scenic landscapes and views, lush vegetation and great food & wine. What came to mind first was the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Once we narrowed down our search we decided on Ravello, the Jewel of the Amalfi Coast!

Ravello is an ancient coastal village perched on a hilltop more than 1200 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, with the most breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. To me it’s one of the most enchanting and romantic settings in the world. A place where magical, mystical and physical elements blissfully co-exist.

Ravello has many beautiful wedding venues to choose from, but for us the one and only option was Villa Cimbrone. It combined everything we wanted for our special day – a beautiful setting, various event areas, an exclusive and intimate feel and 5-star service, food and wine. And not only that, Villa Cimbrone also has a rich history. The Villa dates back to the 11th Century, the Villa Cimbrone was lovingly renovated and restored by a British nobleman in the early 20th Century.

With it’s stunning, turreted, castle-like structure, nestled into extraordinarily beautiful gardens and with breathtaking views reaching towards infinity, this fairytale kingdom – rich in art, history, culture and natural beauty – has long been loved by authors, poets, actors, artists and composers. When asked about the most beautiful place he had ever seen, American author Gore Vidal said: the view from the belvedere of the Villa Cimbrone on a bright winter’s day when the sky and the sea were each so vividly blue that it was not possible to tell one from the other.” The villa was also the heavenly secret hideaway of actress Greta Garbo in the spring of 1938. Isn’t that romantic!?

Wedding Invitation & Stationery
Our wedding invitation was an important part of our wedding as it set the tone for the upcoming experience! Amalfi is famous for it’s hand-made paper which is a century old tradition in this region. Hence, we worked with talented calligraphers and artists such as Amanda (from La Pomme Et La Pipe Press), who created an invite of hand-made, deckled-edge paper with floral letterpress elements. Our invitations details like gold beveled edges and the seal wax stamps reminded one of the ancient Villa Cimbrone. Amanda also created matching ‘her & his’ vowcards for us with hand-dyed silk ribbons in blue and blush colors. The dinner menus were written on hand-made Amalfi paper with matching seat tags with gold foiled deckled edges.

I wrote a personalized ‘thank you’ note to each of my bridesmaids which was printed on hand-made deckled-edge paper and added together with a name card to their gift bags that included a blush satin bridesmaid robe from Flora Nikrooz and a Prada fragrance.

Wedding week and timeline of events
Our wedding was a magical four-day event (September 5-9, 2021) in Ravello, Italy and surrounding towns.

Welcome Cocktail
We started with a Welcome Cocktail in the sea-view gardens of the historic Palazzo Confalone followed by a dinner at the Belmond Caruso Hotel on Sunday, September 5th. We selected Palazzo Confalone because of its history, unique architecture, lush gardens and excellent cuisine. Like a diamond in the rough whose brightness increases over time, Palazzo Confalone stood on an uncertain date, probably between the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth century, beginning a history of luster and wonder. Back then, it was the residence of a noble family originally from Scala.

When entering the atrium of Palazzo Confalone, our guests were stunned by the majestic arches and marble columns. A sumptuous staircase leading to the main floor unveiled the path to a room with a frescoed ceiling in a good state of preservation. Afterwards our guests entered the gardens with a belvedere of the Amalfi Coast. We set the mood with soft jazz music, white fairy lights in the gardens, a table with welcome bags and a hat garland which served as a fun welcome gift.

For the occasion and for a first ‘wow’ effect, I wore a lace embroidered gown with a silk chiffon skirt by Berta Bridal. As the Cocktail Party began, we welcomed our guests and enjoyed typical Italian drinks, such as Aperol Spritz, Bellinis, and local canapés while catching up with family and friends which made for an emotional start of festivities as we hadn’t seen many of them in a while due to travel restrictions during the pandemic.

Welcome Dinner
Afterwards we walked over to the Belmond Caruso Hotel for dinner at the Belvedere Restaurant where we enjoyed more time with family and friends over dinner and took in the stunning views of the coast over Belmond’s iconic Infinity pool as the sun went down.

Lemon Grove Tour
This was followed by a Lemon Grove Tour in Amalfi on September 6th with our guests where we learned everything about the Sfusato Amalfitano, the most famous Amalfi lemon. We wanted our guests to feel and taste the true essence of the Amalfi Coast and what the region is known for. We felt a cool breeze while walking through the lemon groves which protected us from the southern Italian mid-day sun. After walking the lemon grove terraces we ended the tour with a delicious hand-made pasta lunch prepared by our hosts from the Amalfi Lemon Experience.

Rehearsal Dinner
In the evening, we met our family in a little hill town called Scala at the Trattoria da Lorenzo. Spending time with our family and eating really good food are two things that Glaudson and I hold dear to our hearts and Trattoria da Lorenzo offered the perfect setting for it. We started off the evening with an Aperitivo in the Gardens with canapés and an open bar. Followed by a casual 3-course dinner prepared by who they call the ‘Mozart of Meatballs’ in this region.

Wedding Day
Tuesday, September 7th, was the day of our wedding ceremony and reception. The weather was an absolute dream! I got ready in the morning in Villa Cimbrone’s Bridal Suite with my bridesmaids. We got our hair and make-up done by the fabulous team of Alessandro Mancino while sipping on a glass of champagne. I surprised my friends with a gift bag that included a satin robe, perfume and a personal letter. I wore my Galia Lahav gown with a matching cathedral veil and with white Jimmy Choo satin sandals. After my bridesmaids helped me into my wedding gown, I headed to the Cloister area at Villa Cimbrone for the First Look.

In the afternoon our guests gathered in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone sipping on lemonade and champagne while we had our First Look and took wedding photos. At 5pm we began our Wedding Ceremony at the Tea Room. A violin and cello quartet played songs like Wildest Dreams by Duomo while guests arrived in the area. I walked down the aisle to an old-time classic ‘Can’t help but falling in love’ by Elvis Presley. The ceremony was held by Carmela, our wonderful wedding officiant, and brought everyone to tears including us.

We timed things so that we could capture couple portraits at Villa Cimbrone’s beautiful terrazza dell’infinito right after the ceremony before joining our guests for the Aperitif. The Aperitif took place in the Gardens of Four Dancers where we gathered for a toast. We performed the cake cutting, and cheersed to our loved ones. All kids loved the wide open space to run around during this warm September afternoon. With a glass of champagne in our hands we continued with our guests to the terrazza dell’infinito. The sky and the sea were each painted in different shades of blue so that it was not possible to tell one from the other. We took in the view and soaked in the last sun rays while the sun descended over the hilly coastline.

Our Reception (dinner and dancing) took place at Villa Cimbrone’s Garden of Two Fountains, where we set up a fully stocked open bar, a separate dance floor, a bride & groom table, and two long tables where our guests could enjoy a four-course meal artfully prepared by the talented team at Il Flauto di Pan. On the menu: Roasted octopus, fresh cannelloni pasta filled with Genovese, braised beef or a choice of sea bass fillet with various sides and two types of cake – a white sponge cake with lemon cream, and Delizia al Limone di Ravello, a local lemon cake topped with strawberry sauce.

During dinner our family & friends held speeches and we enjoyed several toasts. And after dinner, we performed our first dance to “At Last” by Aretha Franklin. After, we kicked off the party with “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, and danced the night away!

Boat Tour
The next day on September 8th, we invited our guests to experience the Amalfi Coast by sea and rented a 24m Turkish Gulet. We spent most of the day on the boat, enjoying a swim in the warm waters of the mediterranean sea, antipasti and homemade pasta prepared by the fabulous team of Plaghia Charter and breathtaking views of Positano and the Amalfi Coast.

Wedding Design Concept
When we decided to get married in Ravello, we had a vision for a magical, fairytale-like experience that would reflect our shared taste for elegance and the beautiful things in life (La Dolce Vita). Our starting point was a 50-page inspiration book that I put together with mood boards, color palettes, musical soundtracks, and design inspirations for each of the events during our wedding week. From the beginning, we set out to design a cohesive narrative across events that would transport guests into a real-life fairytale amidst Ravello’s naturally romantic scenery, medieval architecture, and iconic cliffside gardens.

Lighting played an important role to create a romantic setting. From the white fairy lights in the Gardens of Palazzo Confalone, to lanterns that bathed the gardens of Trattoria Lorenzo in a soft light during Aperitivo. Complemented by big white lanterns that illuminated the path, during our reception at Villa Cimbrone’s Garden of Two Fountains and fairy lights draped around trees.

Similarly, we wanted to mirror the natural beauty of Villa Cimbrone with its lush green gardens and vines climbing up the historic walls of the villa. Villa Cimbrone is such a naturally stunning location, that we did not want to overdo it, just add a personal touch to it. We chose florals and vines to be draped organically around pillars, lining the ceremony aisle, winding around the cocktail tables and even the wedding cake to evoke a lush, overgrown, enchanted garden feel without seeming overdone. Throughout, our main color scheme consisted of shades of blush, white, light blue and green with fresh pops of color such a pink and fuchsia that seamlessly tied into the natural environment. The bouquet was kept simple in white and blush colors.

Color pops were added as a red thread throughout the events such as Amalfi lemons and blue and majolica ceramic tiles. I incorporated a ‘something blue’ throughout various parts of the wedding day – from the blue tiles of the Bridal Suite, the light blue delphinium flowers at the ceremony, the blue and white Amalfi ceramic vases, the blue ribbons on the dinner table to the blue pleated Randall Loeffler sandals I wore with my 2nd dress for dinner and dancing.

Even our guests’ attire was matching the theme. My mother and mother-in-law wore a fully beaded tulle gown designed by Adrianna Papell in a light blue and champagne color. The leaf embroidery matched my dress and followed the wedding’s fairytale garden theme. The flower girls wore hand selected dresses in blush and light blue colors with ‘La vie en rose’ embroidery, while the ring bearer wore a little black tux. All of the bridesmaids wore simply elegant formal dresses in blush and champagne colors in various styles while the groomsmen wore black tuxedos and suits with matching bow ties.

In keeping with the concept of timeless elegance, we chose décor that felt timeless. For instance, elegant white Chiavari chairs at the ceremony and reception tables matched with pure white table linen and napkins. Glamorous silver vases, elegant silver under-plates, lots and lots of candles and dinner menus made of hand-made Amalfi paper with simple but classic glassware. We set up multiple standing tables in the reception area so guests could walk around and mingle. One table was placed at the beginning of the dinner area which offered a shot of limoncello to guests before taking a seat, on another one we had placed a polaroid camera for guests to take fun instant pictures.

Live music also played an important role in setting the tone of our special day. A string quartet during the ceremony evoked emotional feelings and created a romantic setting during the aperitif: our DJ played the best Motown and Jazz music during dinner and dance music after.

Overall, we added some fun touches and designed our own cocktails such as the ‘La Dolce Vita’ and the ‘Godfather’ that were on the custom bar menu.

Finally, in addition to the aesthetic and atmospheric elements, we wanted to thank our guests for traveling to Italy and welcoming them in Ravello. To that end, we invested in a variety of custom gifts for each guest: a bag with goods from Ravello and our wedding itinerary and sun hats, fedoras at the Welcome Cocktail, gift bags with robes and fragrances for bridesmaids and Ravello’s famous limoncello for each guest on the dinner table as wedding favor.

Our favorite part of the wedding
Bringing everyone together after such a tough time and being able to enjoy ‘La Dolce Vita’ together. Seeing how our family and friends become one big family, no matter their cultural backgrounds or some language barriers. And finally seeing everything come together so beautifully – after such a long time and postponing the wedding four times – was such a dream come true!

Advice to ‘Brides to Be’
Enjoy the process! The wedding planning process is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with your partner to create a beautiful and personal experience. I put a lot of effort in upfront planning and was very hands-on in the creative process and the design of our wedding events which resulted in a well planned series of events that Glaudson and I could fully enjoy and be present with our guests.

This California Wedding Is Filled With Dreamy Details

This wildly romantic California wedding will sweep you off your feet. With a pink and blue color palette as playful as the couple themselves, Maravilla Gardens planned a day that we can’t stop drooling over. Romantic and stylish details are woven throughout the story of the day, from the dreamy ceremony installation to a delicious dessert table. Lush pink and white blooms designed by Lovely Peonies, LLC create endless inspiration. You’ll love every perfectly planned detail in the full gallery.

From Purity Weddings… With garden vibes and charming rustic styling, this California couple, Dyamond and Stan, blissfully combined both fun and dreamy. The result is a wedding that is not to be missed.

The color palette of soft pink and deep blue complements the venue perfectly, while funky modern accents are what make this wedding stand out. The details were as fun as the couple themselves.

It was a magical night filled with memories that will last a lifetime. The entire event beautifully set the tone for a romantic and fun wedding.

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A Coastal Wedding in Miami With Cuban Influences and Oceanfront Views

The bride and groom of today’s gorgeous oceanfront Miami wedding pulled off the day of their dreams against all odds. Three postponements laters, and just 90 days before their big day… their venue let them know they wouldn’t be open in time for their wedding date. Fortunately, the talented team at Events By Elle and Ever After Floral Design knew exactly what to do to transform and redesign the vision to perfectly fit their new location – the groom’s godparents’ waterfront home in Coral Gables, FL. Watch it all unfold at the full gallery, captured by Katie Lopez Photography!

From the Bride… Many people ask when we met, but my husband, Frankie and I, have known each other since elementary school in Miami, FL. While we were friends for most of our childhood, we started dating when we were 16 years old in July of 2010. After high school, he went to Dartmouth and I moved to Boston to attend Boston College. After 4 years of long distance, we decided to move together to New York City. In April 2019, after 9 years of being together- Frankie proposed on a rainy Friday night in our apartment and surprised me by flying our parents to NYC for the weekend. He had also planned a surprise rooftop party at Mr. Purple with all our friends & family the next day. After a year of wedding planning, we boarded a flight from New York City back home to Miami, FL five days before our wedding date of March 21, 2020. As we landed, we realized how severe the pandemic had become. We ultimately decided to postpone our wedding and have a civil ceremony performed by my aunt in my parents’ backyard with our immediate families, while my sister (and MOH) broadcasted the ceremony on Instagram live for friends & family. This was even before zoom weddings!

After three postponements throughout 2020, we finally had a new date for our religious ceremony and reception – May 1, 2021. However, three months before the new date our original venue called to let us know they would not open in time for our wedding. With less than 90 days, we moved venues to the groom’s godparents’ waterfront home in Coral Gables, FL. I could not have executed any of these obstacles without Elle Saade-Becerra and her team at Events by Elle. The team was able to completely redesign everything from top to bottom and execute a sophisticated, coastal, classic reception with blue & white décor that played off the native florals of South Florida. We added rattan lanterns and bamboo chairs to accent the oceanfront venue. After a long year of lockdowns, we wanted our guests to feel they were transported to a cozy coastal vacation where they could dance the night away in celebration. We chose a white dinner jacket attire to accent our décor and keep the men comfortable on a warm spring day in Miami. Luckily, the women showed up in beautiful patterns of all colors that really livened up the party! After 11 years of dating, we were married at Epiphany Catholic Church – the Church at the elementary school where we met 20 years ago.

Our out-of-town guests were greeted at the hotel with a welcome box full of classic Cuban goodies- Maria cookies, merenguitos and ingredients for a Cuba Libre cocktail (Bacardi, coke, and lime). Our custom logo was designed by Dogwood Hill and we attached it to our welcome gift bag. It was important for us to incorporate our Cuban heritage throughout the events. Our upbringing in Miami, FL was influenced greatly by our Cuban grandparents, and it was so special to share that piece of us with our guests.

The bride’s group got ready at my mother’s best friend’s home. She surprised me with custom cocktail napkins embroidered with our wedding logo that I still use to host friends and family at our home! Before I even started shopping for wedding dresses, I knew I would find my dream dress at Ever After bridal shop in Miami, FL. As I walked in, the owner, Camille, said she had picked out the perfect dress for me but she didn’t want to show me until I had tried everything on. I loved taking risks with my own style and was determined to find something unique and out of my comfort zone. At the end of the appointment, I finally tried on the long sleeve Zuhair Murad gown she had chosen. It was totally different from what I imagined I would wear, but something felt right about the delicate lace detail and off the shoulder silhouette. I booked a wonderful style team- Nicole Emano and Keshia Garnett- for my make-up and hair. After gathering some inspiration from Hailey Baldwin Bieber’s wedding day look, I decided upon an “effortless French girl” look that was sleek, simple, and chic to complement the dramatic gown. This beauty team got my vision perfectly! My jewelry was especially important- I wore the same earrings my aunt and grandmother had worn for their weddings, and an emerald (my birthstone) ring given to my mother by my grandfather the day I was born. Accompanying these items was a lace ring bearer pillow hand-stitched by my great-great grandmother in Cuba. It was so special to have family heirlooms to commemorate this day. My mother and mother-in-law were both wearing custom Victoria Lopez-Castro designs. I loved the way their one-shoulder red and halter powder blue gowns played off each other.

Styling my bridesmaids dresses was such a fun part of the process. In my spare time, I love helping friends find wedding guest outfits and this time I was able to do it for myself! I envisioned playful nude and pink patterns that felt fresh for Spring. Everyone looked gorgeous and unique in their different styles – especially my sister, Cristi, (and MOH) in her Galvan London rose gown. One of my bridesmaids, Vivian Grimes, founded the Florida-based startup, Henri Noël Fine Jewelry, and she brought diamond earrings and necklaces for each bridesmaid to wear. Funny enough, I began working with her full time after returning from my honeymoon. Although I wasn’t anticipating much for our first look, Frankie’s reaction to seeing me in my dress was incredible. I had never seen him speechless! As it was time to head to the church, my wedding planner alerted me that the car we rented couldn’t start that morning. The company had sent another classic car instead – a 1930 Ford Model A. This little hiccup turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This unique car was one of my favorite surprises of the day! Our wedding party and Frankie headed to the church in a white trolley – dancing together the whole way there. My father and I were the last ones to leave, and we decided to take a tequila shot together before heading to the ceremony. As we arrived at the church that I had gone to throughout my childhood, I began to get nervous! Nothing is as nerve-wrecking as waiting for the church doors to open, but the nerves quickly settled as I saw Frankie at the altar. We celebrated a traditional catholic wedding mass, including a Spanish “mantilla” that has been passed down through our family for generations. The “mantilla” is a lace veil placed over the bride and groom’s shoulder to represent the new union formed in through marriage.

After the ceremony, white trollies transported our guests to our reception. Our cocktail hour took place around the pool and boat dock at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Guests were welcomed by a jazzy saxophone and our signature drinks- a spicy paloma and old fashioned. During quarantine I picked up a painting as a new hobby, so as our wedding started getting closer, I decided to order rattan fans and hand paint our initials in French blue to be passed out as the guests arrived. For our guest book, we chose a coffee table of Capri, Italy representing our honeymoon destination. Our guest book is now part of our coffee table décor to enjoy whenever we want! Our caterer, Style Catering, planned a menu that incorporated Cuban staples with modern dishes– spicy tuna tartare, vaca frita tostones, and crispy polenta croutons with pulled duck ragu. In a nod to our college years in the Northeast, I had this vision of guests enjoying my favorite appetizer- oysters- by the water. Our caterer was able to bring my vision to life with oysters in special wooden trays served throughout cocktail hour. These were definitely a crowd favorite!

Our guests entered the Sperry tent under a blooming bougainvillea entrance that added a pop of color to the blue, white and green décor. During wedding planning, there was a big debate about what color flooring we should have inside the tent. Should we do green to look like grass? Or a classic neutral? My wedding planner suggested white turf, but would it get dirty? I decided to trust her gut and go with the white turf floor. It was difficult to imagine how it would come together, but once we saw how bright and crisp the inside of the tent looked – I knew it was the perfect choice. Inside, the tent was filled with round and rectangular tables with two different linen prints of greens, blues, and whites. Ever After Florals created beautiful greenery accents that transformed the tent into a coastal gardenscape. My mother-in-law found gorgeous French blue and white ginger jars a month before the wedding, and our wonderful florist was able to incorporate them throughout the reception. We also chose a white-washed wood Sperry dance floor with white couches to create a quintessential coastal focal point for the tent. Our band, The Clique, got the party started and got our guests dancing immediately. After a few speeches and dances, we opened the buffet-style dinner for our guests. It was important for us to keep a party-like atmosphere and have our guests feel free to mingle, hit the bar, and fill their plate at their own pace. Our food stations were inspired by our favorite foods – Spanish tapas with seafood paella, “Little Italy” with Branzino and a red wine braised short rib risotto, and a meat carving station with NY strip and slow roasted pork “lechon”. Our wedding cake was designed by a renown Miami bakery- Edda’s Cake Designs. We chose a classic rum cake- our favorite childhood cake.

Inspired by our shared Cuban heritage, the “hora loca” (Spanish for “the crazy hour, a Hispanic wedding tradition that is meant to kick off the later hours of the party) started with a pop of white confetti that filled the tent like snow. Our wedding planner passed out “tropical space cowboy” themed accessories – 40 gallon cowboy hats, astronaut hats, disco headbands and flower crowns. I wore a custom orchid headpiece and my husband wore a custom captain’s hat with his initials. One of our favorite memories was when the band performed the groom’s family’s favorite song “Friends in Low Places”. Our families got on the stage and sang every word together. After such a long year of postponements, it felt wonderful seeing the whole night come together and finally celebrating with our friends and family. We ended the night on the stage singing Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” with our guests, a nod our favorite city where we lived together and got engaged two years prior. So much has changed since our April 2019 engagement, and we were thrilled to host such a joyful day with everyone we love.

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Petit Bouquet

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Earth-Tone Luxury Ekaterini Estate Micro Wedding

We can’t stop obsessing over this romantic micro-wedding in Greece filled with warm, romantic earth tones. Shades of neutrals play perfectly with the idyllic background of Ekaterini Estate, where Phaedra Liakou Events brought our couple’s wildest wedding dreams to life. Lush florals by Leonidas Rammos help tell the tale of true love, and all of the waterfront wonder is elegantly captured in the imagery by Sotiris Tsakanikas and Lefteris Kalampokas. The full gallery is where you’ll find every darling detail.

From Phaedra Liakou Events… The Ekaterini Estate is a magnificent hilltop estate above the village of Gastouri, one of the oldest and most beautiful villages of Corfu. This luxurious prestigious residence gives you unique privacy. It was painstakingly restored in the late 1990s and 2000s by the current owner’s mother, a distinguished art historian, art critic, and collector. She had an unfailing eye, infallible taste, as well as a deep love for the island, its architecture, and history. As a result, the Estate combines luxurious and comfortable living with the beauty and elegance that characterizes the finest of Corfiot mansions. The grandeur of the villa with its extraordinary views is truly unique. There is a plethora of stunning outdoor sitting and dining areas for you to enjoy, each with its own special feel and style. The interiors are refined and stylish throughout. All these characteristics made Ekaterini Estate the perfect choice for Joanna and George’s wedding and their 60 guests.

Manousenia designed a chic stationery suite with an acrylic invitation and a hand-drawn map with historical places of Corfu to be mentioned. The couple offered their guests a bottle of a traditional kumquat Corfu liqueur. Its name means “golden orange” and it is produced by extracting the rare citrus fruit kumquat into alcohol.

Wedding design details were curated to create a fresh luxurious palette featuring cappuccino tones and creamy neutrals, with an exploration into asymmetry. Paired with an earthy-tone tabletop and complimenting modern decoration, the result achieved a romantic, refined experience that was both welcoming and elegant.

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Sotiris Tsakanikas

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Trend Report: Four Unique Engagement Ring Details That Make Your Ring Pop with Fascinating Diamonds

Engagement season is in full swing this “year of weddings” and we are just drooling with every #smpringselfie that comes across our feed! And, spoiler, we are seeing SO many gorgeous unique details that we just can’t get enough of, and our friends at Fascinating Diamonds filled us in on some of the top trends they’re seeing and how these trends have some sneaky and oh-so-brilliant benefits attached to them.

Pear Shaped Diamonds

While Paris Hilton’s pear shaped stunner brought this shape to the top of our minds, it’s just a drop in the (ice) bucket of the historical use of this shape. (editor’s note: we worked very hard to incorporate that pun in this section) The pear shaped diamond, sure, is currently trending, but it’s one of the original classics for a good reason. This shape creates optical steering to draw your eye long and wide making the diamond appear well weighted while elongating your finger. Win-win in our book!

Halo Style

We’ve seen bigger, bolder halos make their way into the ring-selfie game this year and we are here for it. Halo’s add an additional sparkle to any setting, but the added bonus is that they make the center diamond look bigger! This year we’ve seen an emergence of halos that are, dare we say it, chunky and reminiscent of old-world design.

Hidden Halo

Opposite of the standard halo, the hidden halo is a detail for the wearer to get to appreciate (and point out to all of her besties, duh) This not-so-little detail is the work of a craftsman and is the type of care and intentionality that assures you that you have a quality, heirloom item. Our favorite hidden halos sit at the base of a raised setting and show off a little extra glimmer of sparkle with each elegant hand wave or directional point. It’s not inherently flashy, but you’ll find it catching your eye with every swirl of a wineglass or flick of the pen.

Oval Shaped Diamonds

We can all collectively agree the oval diamond is here and is here to STAY. It’s a fairly modern look, but it’s quickly becoming a classic. We can’t get enough of them honestly, and for good reason! The shape is another optical guidance situation that elongates the finger and extends the visual weight of the diamond itself. Pair it with a halo and you’ve got an unbeatable look that gives you more sparkle for less spend. Additional bonus we love — flanking the center stone with two gorgeous colored stones! Adds some fun zest to the lineup.

We can’t get enough of these trends because while there’s a resurgence of their prominence, at the core these are intentional, thoughtful decisions that extend the dollar (and your finger!) making them an instant classic. We caught wiff of these specific trends with our friends from Fascinating Diamonds, and with other options like sustainable choices (moissanites, lab diamonds or conflict-free mined diamonds hand crafted in NYC!) there’s a reason they have over 20,000 satisfied betrothed out there singing their praises.

Check them out and other unique engagement rings and wedding bands here!

Our Favorite Spring Wedding Reception Looks and Must-Haves From the Style Me Pretty Collection That Match

Last week, we called out some spring wedding morning and ceremony trends that currently have our hearts, but today, we’re excited to jump into what’s hot for the reception. The decor and details you incorporate into your reception will be what entrances your guests and keeps them talking long after your wedding day is done. Not to mention, it’ll be what shows up in the back and foreground of all of your celebration photos — so you’ll want all the stylish subtleties to pop.

Our Style Me Pretty Shop is truly an extension of our SMP brand: soft, feminine, ethereal, romantic, and beautifully bespoke, with an artful palette that comes to life every season (especially spring). So, we’ve mulled over some of our most beloved spring wedding vibes, and curated a stunning selection of must-haves from Style Me Pretty to ‘add to cart’ for your own day. From charming chair signs to trendy tablescaping tokens, these are the picks you’ll want to play with for your very special party.

Photo by Claire Eyos

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Pastels that mix and match with metallics, magically.

We’ll never tire of spring pastels. From blush-worthy pinks and purples to make-you-want-to-melt mint greens and dove grays, the hues aren’t just dreamy, they’re also incredibly versatile and pair perfectly with metallic gold and silver touches. That’s the tonality we’ve been obsessed with at Style Me Pretty from the very beginning, and you’ll find that all of our gold and silver details — particularly our gold metal tea lights — align stunningly with a soft and delicate palette (that can only describe spring).

Photo by Ruth Eileen

Light and airy aesthetics.

Once the heavy winter doldrums have dribbled away, the name of the game is lightness and airiness. And that’s what we love about our thin and tasteful taper candle sets. They’re golden to illuminate your wedding tables, drawing guests’ eyes up and creating a gorgeous high-low dynamic with the rest of the table (when it comes to cocktail glasses and toasting flutes, tea light candles and varied-in-height floral centerpieces).

Photo by Ruth Eileen

The same can be said for our wooden wedding table number holders, which give our table placards the loveliest lift. Even with the regal scalloped edging and bold metallic typeface, the card feels light – the pinnacle of elegance.

Photo by Will Reid

Accents that are even better with blooms.

It’s true, once spring has sprung, everything looks better with fresh florals and bud-vase-brimming blooms — our ‘love’ wire and hanging hoop decor, for sure! Now, whether you’ll be nuzzling up to your love at a sweetheart table or pulling front and center seats up at the head table, our Mr. and Mrs. chair signs are a great add to an overall “Our Day” ambiance. We love how the simple iron frames (which look best when used in a pair!) can be dressed up with greenery or flowers for a much more styled and thought-out effect. And believe us, the photos your photographer will be able to capture from the back are 👌.

Photo by Sarah & Ben

Planning for your own warmer-weather party to celebrate your love? Then make sure you take a peek at our curated Style Me Pretty shop collection, available on-site right now!

A Chic Summer-Inspired Celebration In Florence

With a touch of elegance, a bit of timeless and a whole lot of beautiful flowers, this Florence inspiration shoot is nothing short of wonderful. Tuscan Tours and Weddings and Tuscany Wine Food Adventures planned and designed a day that has our hearts swooning. We could stare for hours at the organic, free-flowing arrangements designed by Giorgia Carolini Floral Design, and can’t get enough of every single image expertly shot by Koman Photography. You’ll fall in love with every photo inside the full gallery.

From Tuscan Tours and Weddings… This editorial shoot at the beautiful Villa Le Fontanelle in Florence wanted to inspire chic brides seeking an elegant and at the same time romantic setting for the most important day of their life. Villa Le Fontanelle with its beautiful historical character and that perfect mix of city and countryside was the perfect inspiration for this summery old-world style celebration. Situated just above Florence and enjoying one of the best views of the city and Brunelleschi’s dome, this boutique-style villa is immersed in an amazing natural environment with terraced gardens full of flowers, greenery, and olive trees.

The editorial team created an amazing design for every moment of the day that wanted to remind of summer light and colors in Tuscany. The bride wore an ethereal white gown by Millia London, that gave a super romantic and dreamy vibe to the day, and flowery Bella Belle Shoes shoes completed her look together with natural makeup and a clean style updo. The gorgeous stationery suite designed by The Wedding Letters was inspired by the coral-peachy flower decorations and Brunelleschi’s dome – undoubtedly one of the most known landmarks of Florence. Florals and table rentals did add that real Italian-style summer vibe, reminding of Tuscany’s sun-soaked terracotta rooftops and sun-kissed fields, with coral and peach floral installations displayed in a delicate natural style, to give the idea of having just picked them from the surrounding countryside.

We chose to have the ceremony by the ancient chapel to add some historical charm, followed by signature Italian drinks like Aperol Spritz and Negroni, and of course Prosecco! Dinner took place in the panoramic terrace in front of the breath-taking view of Florence, at an ancient wood table lined up with wrought iron chairs and set up with lots of gorgeous items to create a classy, understated, elegant feel perfect for chic summer soirees under the Tuscan sky. This inspiration shoot is a wonderful source of inspiration for couples who dream of getting married in Tuscany and have in mind a mix of classic elegance and contemporary romanticism.

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Event Planning

Tuscan Tours and Weddings

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This Wedding Planner’s Stunning California Villa Wedding Will Take Your Breath Away

You’re not dreaming, this all-white wedding really feels like you’re floating in the clouds! When it’s a luxury wedding planner’s turn to get married, you know you are in for a treat, and this special day planned by our bride of Pure Lavish Events is all that and more. From a ceremony aisle lined with lush white blooms to the reception filled with cherry blossom draped chandeliers, installations by Le Bloomerie create effortless elegance at every turn. Get ready to be blown away by the imagery artfully captured by Ashley Rae Studio, visit the full gallery to watch the whole day unfold.

From the bride, a wedding planner with Pure Lavish Events… Our classical all-white wedding with a twist of modern took place in the Italian style Villa Loriana with cherry blossom-draped chandeliers, glass candelabras, and billowing white florals that gave the feeling of “floating on the clouds”–how my fiancé and I felt since we got engaged and every day since. In fact, the day Nolan proposed to me in Vail atop a mountain trail, we were surrounded by low-hanging clouds, truly a magical day that we wanted our guests to experience throughout our wedding day.

As a luxury wedding planner myself, I made sure that every detail had personal meaning. The Italian-style villa reflected Nolan’s family roots, and a New Orleans style “Second Line” to bring Caroline’s hometown to life in California. It was important to us to feel like everyone involved in our wedding felt like family, and we were lucky enough to have my own team,Pure Lavish Events, and other “friendors,” bring our dream to life.

As a crafty designer, I knew that I wanted to build all of the small elements that made our day special. From the hand-torn paper invitations that I designed, created, and addressed, to our embroidered napkins with personalized ribbon “place cards,” and frosted acrylic signage hanging from the Villa’s oak trees, we dreamt up every element of our wedding and brought it to life in our tiny living room, together. Our thought and care is apparent in all of the small details, and the love and warmth between us is captured so perfectly by Ashley Rae Studio in every moment of the day, from our personal vows to our intimate first dance—floating on the clouds.

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Majestic Mountaintop Wedding Overflowing With Style In Virginia

This majestic mountaintop wedding is overflowing with style. From the scenic ceremony designed to look like an outdoor church to signature drinks topped with custom cookies cut out in the shape of the couple’s dog, every creative detail was carefully curated by Just A Little Ditty. Southern Blooms filled the day with lush summer florals in bright and happy hues, and Jen Fariello Photography captured all the love of the day perfectlyin her elegant imagery. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.

From Jen Fariello Photography… Shannon and Jono met around St. Patrick’s Day in 2017 and quickly realized they led basically parallel lives, both floating through the same towns, schools, and social scenes but just missing each other. When they finally connected though, the rest was history. Taking inspiration from their Irish heritage and Shannon’s killer personal style, they collaborated as a team with Marilyn Speight of Just A Little Ditty, Sherry Spencer of Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs, Danielle Redmond of Occasions Caterers, and Jen Fariello Photography to bring their whimsical yet elevated garden party dreams to life. Originally, the ceremony was planned for a historic church with the reception to follow at a luxury resort in Charlottesville, but we were forced to pivot nine months prior to the wedding due to covid and renovation-related setbacks. Plan B, however, turned out to be even better than anyone dreamed!

A private mountaintop setting provided the perfect celebration scene. Accommodations and auxiliary events, like the rehearsal dinner, a pool party, and the farewell brunch were held at a nearby luxury inn, The Clifton. Guests were also treated to a modern welcome party at The Quirk hotel in downtown Charlottesville. When it came to the wedding itself, guests experienced a progressive event, starting with the outdoor ceremony on the mountaintop, cocktails at the historical home on the property, dinner in a sailcloth tent overlooking all of Central Virginia, and dancing in another sailcloth tent designed as a lounge meets ballroom space. In an attempt to recreate a church vibe, Shannon, Marilyn and Sherry designed a custom cross arbor which the team at Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs executed magnificently. White Glove Rentals provided gorgeous white garden chairs which featured an arc detail reminiscent of the church’s windows, accented by a meadow aisle of lush summer florals. Julie and the team at The Stylish Bride helped Shannon with all of her various wedding looks which featured custom dresses by Oscar de la Renta, Mark Ingram Collection, and a wedding gown Monique Lhuillier. They also worked with the wedding party to coordinate a mix of ready-to-wear styles in various floral patterns and shades of blue.

Occasions Caterers helped to create many custom touches that reflected Shannon and Jono’s personal style – like signature cocktails inspired by the couple’s Hawaiian honeymoon, a tableside ordering experience for guests that gave a restaurant feel, dishes using ingredients sourced and inspired by the setting, and late-night treats of espresso martinis (the couple’s favorite drink) with cookies perched on the side of the glasses shaped like their dog TJ, cheesy bread from the couple’s UVA college days and Detroit-style pizza as a nod to their new home base. Dinner featured classical string music by Melodious Strings, who covered everything from Beethoven to Bruno Mars. Tables were set in three distinct yet coordinated looks that provided many opportunities for the eye to dance around the layers of texture, color, and light. The crown jewel of the dinner tent was a stunning five-tier wedding cake by Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations. Smooth, white fondant icing provided the perfect canvas for sugar flowers, leaves, and clovers all echoing the blooms featured in the couple’s day. Emily Baird Design designed all stationery elements which included custom hand calligraphed clover escort cards, bar inserts, paper cones in various prints pulled from the invitation suite, and ceremony booklets with custom wax seals. The couple’s wedding monogram, designed by Emily as well, was also featured on the dance floor. Simply Irresistible kept guests dancing all night long and the evening ended with a visit to a special stargazing area where the couple took advantage of the elevation to treat their friends and family to a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

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In Full Bloom: 10 Pretty Places to Add Floral Print to Your Wedding Day

Rain Made This Outdoor Florida Art Museum Wedding Even More Special

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, and for Melissa and Steve it was certainly the case! After showers on their first date, bridal shower, and at the courthouse, the bride sweetly said that the rain was their family who was no longer with them, showering the couple with love! The twosome turned to none other than Taylor Falcon Events to bring their Big Day dreams to life, and Flower Child Florist to design the most incredible florals in soft, romantic shades. Each elegant moment was artfully captured in the imagery by Everence Photography, grab your umbrella and head to the full gallery!

From Everence Photography… Melissa and Steven had what most couples fear the most in the days leading up to their wedding – a 100% chance of rain for their entire all outdoor wedding day. The pouring down, thunder and lightning kind of rain. But that didn’t stop them from having the most incredible, beautiful, and emotional day full of so much love, happiness, and laughs.

From the bride… I like to think the deluge was our grandparents and great grandparents sharing in our joy, literally showering us with love and blessings. It rained on us during our very first date, on my bridal shower, and at the courthouse.

It was only appropriate that the most incredible outpouring of all be on our wedding day. The rain was not an obstacle at that moment, but a beautiful compliment to our day

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https://vimeo. Com/646616637

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This Intimate California Wedding Played With Texture to Create an Elegant Dinner Party

From the bride’s gorgeous gown, to the lush bouquets by Plenty Of Petals, to the table linens – this wedding is texture done oh-so right. HauteFêtes brought the couple’s vision to life, an elegant dinner party in the garden complete with a rich Fall palette. Jacqueline Benét Photography was behind the lens capturing every must-see moment from their day, prepare to fall in love at the full gallery.

From HauteFetes… After first pivoting their nuptials from Mexico to Southern California, and then postponing their wedding again from Spring 2021 to the Fall so that Jessica’s Canadian friends and family could join, the couple decided to shift from a largely neutral, pastel palette to a rich, warm one that better reflected the season and the warm vibe they wanted to create for their guests. It was important to Jessica and Matt that we design and center all the spaces around friends and family for their micro-wedding and that as much as possible it resembled an intimate dinner party. We drew inspiration from the French, bucolic style of Bastide de Bonheur, and layered textures such as natural linen, wicker, crystal and ceramic, softened by fall blooms, vines and candlelight. To keep the design cohesive with surroundings, we incorporated these textures in repetition – the vintage wrought iron detailing in the ceremony chairs was repeated in the pretty iron candle holders used as part of the reception tabletop; soft linen was carried from the ceremony through cocktail hour and to the reception, and so forth.

Jessica got ready with her maids in the bedroom and then stepped outside into the garden to meet Matt for their first look and family photos. For the Ceremony, iron garden chairs were set up in front of a beautiful fall-inspired arch set up in the olive allee, creating a beautiful focal point for the ceremony. As guests started arriving, they took their seats for the start of the ceremony. An acoustic guitarist entertained them with the strumming of soft melodies that wafted through the cool shade of the allee. Together the couple shared communion and said their vows to one another. Once the ceremony concluded, everyone headed to cocktail hour, greeted at the top of the stairs with tray passed cocktails including white wine and the couple’s signature drink, a tequila, lime and lavender cocktail they named, “Dress Nice and Casual” as an inside joke for how they met.

After cocktail hour and tray passed appetizers, it was time for dinner. Guests took their seats at a long, feasting table set in the courtyard by the fountain at the front of the house which provided a romantic, intimate setting for the wonderfully warm and inviting wedding supper. Fall blooms consisting of distant drum roses and antique hydrangea arranged in textured ceramic pedestal vessels beautifully blended with the roses and lavender in the existing plant beds in the garden, while taper candles and soft linens provided texture for the garden fete. Aged iron garden chairs added further garden charm and elegance, pulling together the neutral tones of the surroundings. Guests were served a delicious seasonal salad and then a choice of crispy salmon and crab or Prime rib in a bourbon cream sauce.

After dinner, Jessica and Matt and their guests retired to the pool area to cut their banana-walnut cake and dance to the band. Above, market lights twinkled as the evening sun set. Having so much fun, everyone remained on the dance floor until after the last dance when guests finally departed for their hotel. Elegant but down to earth, the entire event beautifully set the tone for a chic and intimate wedding experience, proving that despite a global pandemic, love will surely always win.

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Fresh and Vibrant Fall Wedding at Holman Ranch

If you’re looking for a gallery to inspire your dreams of a tastefully designed, colorful Fall wedding – let today’s gorgeous Holman Ranch nuptials take the lead. Ruby & Rose styled their day to perfection, with subtle modern details and bright pops of color. Anastasia Andematten created a blooming aisle runner that appeared as if it were growing organically from the ground up. Head on over to the full gallery by The Ganeys to see all the magic unfold.

From The Ganeys… Holman Ranch is a charming property in the heart of Carmel Valley. After the couple graduated from college, they went on a road trip and stopped in Carmel. They knew they wanted to get married in the area some day – and after some research they found Holman Ranch. The textures, colors, views – it is a remarkable venue!

Ali and Andrew’s wedding style was fresh and vibrant. They put so much trust into their vendors – providing some inspiration – and then letting them take it from there. The result was inspiring and colorful! Modern, playful wedding invitations. A dainty yet dynamic bouquet – wrapped in a handkerchief that Andrew’s mom got when he was a baby. Popcorn for guests as they entered the venue – a nod to Ali and Andrew’s careers in LA. A ceremony space where flowers appeared to be growing down the aisle. Ikebana style flower arrangements at the reception. Every element was memorable and unique.

During the ceremony, Ali’s father walked her down the aisle. She was a vision! Ali’s bridesmaids stood by her side and carried petite bouquets and wore velvet mismatched Jenny Yoo gowns in the perfect fall tones. Ali and Andrew exchanged rings and brief personal vows. One of Ali’s rings (she had 3!) was her mother’s and one band included the diamond’s from her grandmother’s ring.

A delicious meal was enjoyed as Ali’s father welcome the guests. The couple cut a petite cake and guests enjoyed a full on dessert spread by the barn where the dancing was held. A vintage photo booth was enjoyed by all as merriment continued throughout the evening. It was such a special wedding celebration where every guest felt like family.

Stylish Terracotta Inspired Garden Wedding in Southern California

Warm, sunbaked terracotta was the inspiration for this southern California wedding. With earthy hues and incredible attention to detail, you’ll love every inch of this romantic day designed by Kelsey Rae Designs. Embracing the relaxed garden vibes, Carla Kayes Floral Design created the most breathtaking deconstructed ceremony arch for the couple to exchange vows in front of. Dear Lovers magically captured every special moment in imagery that is sure to stand the test of time, visit the full gallery and prepare to fall in love.

From Dear Lovers… Anna and Roberto are truly so special and some of the sweetest souls. They had their trials being a covid couple and having to reschedule their wedding a few times, but in the end, it couldn’t have been more perfect. And more perfectly, them. We started their wedding off with lots of bougainvillea elements and a slightly different color palette. That progressed as the date changes happened into one of my favorite color palettes to date. We landed on terra cotta vibes, with some layered neutrals, a pop of blue, and lots of very carefully thought-out details.

They got married under the big beautiful tree at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, with the most gorgeous deconstructed arch I’ve ever seen, put together by the insanely talented, Carla Kayes Floral Design. It was important to Anna that we have a place that felt anchored, while also incorporating the tree and not taking too much away from it. The deconstructed arch was a perfect solution as it gave purpose to the space but was the perfect compliment to the nature around it.

After they enjoyed some drinks and apps, we brought them over to the reception space, which took place under the prettiest tent! Guests found their seats by way of the cutest seating chart display- an arched installation dreamed up by me and Fawn Lettering, with lots of pretty flowers! I worked closely with the bride to put together two looks on the round and farm tables with rentals from Catalog. I always love when couples want to mix the looks, as it adds a visual appeal and something a little unexpected! The one element that had high importance to Anna, was incorporating the blue vintage water goblets. It was the perfect accent color to all the pinks/peaches/ terra cotta colors we had going in the flowers. We hung boho lanterns and dressed them up with greenery above the dance floor- it was stunning! They had such a great band through Bonnie Foster Productions, with tons of energy, and a bilingual MC that really brought it all together. And it was all so expertly captured by Dear Lovers Photography and SJ Video. They understood the importance of the details for Anna and Roberto and truly delivered on their gallery and video! The day was a perfect celebration bringing two families together, who all traveled in from different parts of the US and Mexico. They all got to enjoy time together at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe and have a whole weekend of celebrations! I’m forever grateful for getting to bring Anna and Roberto’s vision to life. They are the best!

A Sun-kissed California Wedding Infused With Citrus Inspired Elements

This California wedding is sweeter than sunshine. Filled with citrus-inspired details, from the cheery color palette to real lemons lining the reception table, Embark Event Design created a day that’s equal parts chic and fun. Beautiful blooms from The Flora Club in tones of pink, yellow, and orange are sure to put a smile on your face. You’ll love every bright and beautiful moment artfully captured in imagery by Jen Rodriguez Photography, visit the full gallery for your dose of vitamin C!

From Embark Event Design… Elise and Jasper’s history at HammerSky Vineyards dates far back before they said “I Do” at the beautiful vineyard and even long before they were engaged. Elise and Jasper met on a sunny day in Southern California as Elise made her way home from a long work trip with her colleague & friend. From Elise, “All I could think about was getting home and relaxing on the couch, but my friend had other plans. We were to go hang out at our friend’s house in Venice beach for a BBQ. Little did I know, Jasper also happened to live at that house. I told her ‘no way, I’m headed home to get some rest’ but Liz quickly won that battle and I obliged (all it took was a mimosa and Liz telling me how good my eyelashes looked). Even though I know we would’ve still met one way or another, I always think about what would’ve happened if I wasn’t so easily convinced.”

From the day of the unexpected BBQ later, Elise and Jasper were inseparable and immediately began traveling the world together, with one of their first stops being California’s Central Coast & HammerSky Vineyards where they would eventually wed. As Elise and Jasper sipped wine and looked out over the beautiful rolling hills bursting with vines, Elise let out “If we ever get married… This would be the place”. Fast forward to the not-so-easy year that 2020 was as Elise and Jasper navigated being newly engaged and planning a wedding in their dream spot all amidst a global pandemic. Instead of letting a wedding postponement and the many challenges and pivots that came along with it get them down, Elise and Jasper decided to have faith that the future would still be bright, so much so that we adopted this mindset for their entire wedding weekend! Jasper and Elise’s new shared last name is Albright – which paved way for their wedding and life slogan “It’s Gonna Be Albright!” Every last detail of this sunkissed California wedding features sweet nods to brightness and happiness, from the warm color palette to the lemon filled tablescape and beyond.

From Sarah at Embark Event Design, “Designing Elise and Jasper’s wedding weekend was one of my fondest memories of 2020 and 2021. With each design & logistics decision, Elise and Jasper kept the focus on their love for each other and gifting each of their guests a magical weekend in California. We spent countless hours pouring over custom paper goods with Britt at Swell Press Paper, resulting in a beautiful invitation suite featuring Elise and Jasper’s love story and citrus-inspired elements. We kept the imminent change of season in mind for this late September wedding and tied in hints of sunset tones throughout the design
while still allowing for the yellow and happy hues to pop. Elise’s chic Sarah Seven gown and Jasper’s custom tux (engraved with their motto – of course!) were the perfect selections for this classic setting. The two enjoyed every last moment of their day and danced long into the night never leaving each other’s side – finally husband and wife and with a very bright future ahead!

10 Thoughtful Mother of the Bride Gifts For Every Style And Budget

Top Trends to Shop for Your Spring Wedding

As we head into spring wedding season, we’re always thinking about trends that have made a splash [as of late] and ways to incorporate them into the upcoming celebrations. So, if you’re part of a couple that lives for trends and elements that have become Insta-famous, then you definitely might want to take a look at these fun wedding finds and add some get-the-look-with-these products to your spring soiree wish list. Our Style Me Pretty Shop is stacked with sweet accessories and aisle-worthy accoutrements that shine for knots tied in springtime, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorites.

Photo by Corina V. Fine Art Photography

Start shopping now!

Photo by Weddings By Scott & Dana

A change in just-for-brides status.

Getting ready as a wedding party isn’t just reserved for brides: The groom’s suite is a big deal, too. What was once an exclusive mimosas, slippers, robes, and female power jams session for the bride and her gang is now an equally fun and memorable time for the groom and his group (think whiskey, board games, poker, custom snacks, etc.). Same goes for the wedding ensemble props, like hangers for the guys (or girls) to hang their suits or tuxes on and cute signage to signal that respective wedding party glow-ups are in progress.

Photo by Courtney Leigh

Wedding morning surprises.

Exchanging gifts with your significant other (in private, usually) on the morning of your wedding has been popular for as long as we can remember, but a new trend we’ve been smitten with is couples surprising each other with little trinkets or tidings that aren’t huge or grandiose, but still incredibly meaningful and appreciated. Our peel and stick ‘I do’ and ‘Me too’ shoe decals are exactly what we imagine when we think of an understated, but still smile-inducing gesture. And your guests will get a kick out of them, too, if your ceremony format finds you kneeling at the altar.

Photo by Courtney Leigh

Matching vow books for at-the-altar captures.

Personalized vows are certainly not a trend, as they’re always in style, but special ‘mine and yours’ type vow books have only really become popular in the last few years — and we’re obsessed! Whether you want to go with His and Hers keepsake books or simplify with books embossed with ‘vows’ in elegant script, coordinating with sentimental journals that match will not only look stunning in photos (in both getting ready and ceremony vignettes), they’ll be wonderful reminders of your special day for years to come.

In fact… since the hardcover books come with 68 sheets of paper (a substantial amount of space!), you can even use them to drop special ‘love notes’ to each other over the course of your marriage: anniversaries, birthdays, and just because occasions. Adorable, right?

Sure, a wedding is haute in any season, but nuptials happening in spring just truly set our hearts on fire. Just the bloom-wreathed pets and pairs of festively-dressed flower girls and ring bearers, alone, make March through June weddings some kind of wonderful. Planning for your own warmer-weather party to celebrate your love? Then make sure you take a peek at our curated Style Me Pretty shop collection, available on-site right now!

Photo by Courtney Leigh

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A Sun-Drenched Garden Wedding at Bear Flag Farm

Today’s effortlessly chic wedding at Bear Flag Farm planned by Parker Nichols Events and Design is making us crave every ounce of summer! Sun-soaked lavender fields, a live quartet, and a dreamy floral arch by The Posh Posey are just a few of the many moments you can expect to swoon over in the full gallery from Anya Kernes Photography. The countdown to summer wedding season officially starts NOW.

From Christina of Parker Nichols Events… We loved working with Kelly and Todd on their September 2021 Wedding. This classic couple wanted to have a summer garden party style wedding and we loved bringing their vision to life! Originally, we were planned to transform a local tennis club for for this timeless affair but once our couple saw Bear Flag Farm, they knew this private estate was the perfect location for their fall nuptials.

This venue had everything our couple was looking for… and more! Designing this day was a dream. Sailcloth tents, fresh lavender fields and endless green spaces provided the perfect backdrop for this occasion. We kept the ceremony classic with a beautiful floral arch from the Posh Posey, white chiavari chairs and a live quartet in the sunken garden.

Guests moved on to our tented cocktail in the Citrus Grove where they sipped on Margaritas and Negronis. Reception took place in the lavender garden; A beautiful green space set between two lavender fields. Bistro lights, tapered candles, and the most beautiful sunset created the perfect scene. Wooden cross back chairs, clear beaded chargers, and gold flatware pulled together our table scape.

Our finishing touch, and probably my favorite small detail of the day, was our personalized baguettes at each place setting with custom tags from Postal Press. Dinner was a formal, plated meal from Farm to Table Catering who is known for their delicious options and beautiful, farm fresh aesthetic. Our couple decided on five, 6 layer chocolate cakes from Susie Cakes, a favorite of the bride. It was the perfect early fall evening. Guests danced under the moonlight and celebrated this amazing couple!