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

Party Theme Idea: Parisian Carnival (AKA, CUTE!)

I’m pretty sure that this next celebration is every child’s dream come true. With vintage carnival rides and cotton candy, fresh popped popcorn and prizes for games won, there is not a single detail that has been overlooked. Planned and designed by House of Fete’s founder, Marissa, for her own little boy, we are bookmarking this for future party inspo in a pretty big way! Photos by Dani Lacey.

Tristian’s party was inspired by a paper mache blimp by Glittervill, and the images Marissa captured of carousels on her trip to Paris. Creating that feeling you get when you see a circus or carnival with a vintage feel along with our love of fresh, bright colors.

Marissa used an open field next door to her mother’s home in Fresno, California. With plenty of space and a blank palette, it was the perfect place to start. She rented the staples of any Midway – the tent, a mini ferris wheel and a popcorn stand – then added the iconic House of Fete’s style and design. Lindsi of The Collective Creative CO created an organic balloon garland that became a chandelier throughout the tent. This pulled the color story together mixing our favorite brights with moody pastels.

The show stopping florals created a Parisian Escape. The guys from Apis Floral adorned a tricycle with fresh florals that billowed out adding baguettes, and umbrellas to complete the Parisian vintage vibe we were wanting.

We added in a long table for the kids to sit, each setting being a little bit different but with the same sense of whimsy. The plates were adorned with cotton candy hats, created from Marissa’s family Halloween costume, making it that much more special.

Each space had flags, mini tents and French orange soda, complete with a ticket to the Kissing Booth. The other side of the table was filled to the brim with cheese, charcuterie and cookies making it easy for the kids and and adults to graze and snack as they enjoyed the party.

At the end of the table we had all the sweets. Individually wrapped cotton candy, a Milk Bar cake, custom cookies and a Carousel made out of macarons. If you didn’t have a sweet tooth, you could go for the popcorn macaron made with popcorn buttercream and salted caramel. Or, guests could just head to the popcorn bar for the real thing, freshly popped popcorn and a toppings bar!

It’s not a carnival without some activities and games. The mini ferris wheel was the biggest hit, but the games couldn’t be passed up. Josh, Tristan’s dad, built each of the stands that we then turned into games. We had a balloon pop, ring toss and kissing booth, with prizes and all. The sweetest part was the handmade signs that used Tristan’s handwriting to translate the french on each of the games.

After a ride on the ponies and way too many rides on the ferris wheel, it turned out to be the most perfect party! Don’t forget to grab your cotton candy party favor that opened up with tiny toys and memories of a great day!

Traditional Black And White Meets Romantic For A Look You’ll Fall In Love With

Romance is in full bloom at this black and white modern meets garden wedding! Natalie Choi Events created a day that will take your breath away, filled with timeless touches and romantic textures. Organic floral arrangements and a ceremony structure that stuns were impecably designed by The Loved Co. Every incredible image by Meiwen Wang is more beautiful than the last. Be sure to visit the full gallery for a closer look at this couple’s special day.

From Natalie Choi Events… Informed by Dawn’s love of clean modern lines mixed with romantic textures, we selected a venue that featured a mixture of white and moody walls. The bride had two bouquets, one for the ceremony and one for the outdoor garden portraits.

The center of the venue space featured black beams in the shape of an upside-down “M”, which none of us were keen to have be the backdrop of the ceremony, although there was no other way to work around it. We decided to completely cover the beams with foliage and florals to create a backdrop that would surround Dawn & Jordan. This floral installation of epic proportions became the centerpiece of floral décor for the wedding, later repurposed into the backdrop of their sweetheart table!

We carried the neutral color palette of mauve, tan, pale grey, dusty pink, and black into the reception tables, selecting pale grey linens and a soft, draping table runner paired with matte white plates and sleek black flatware. Our florist selected a palette of blooms in luscious and romantic tones, arranged in an airy, ikebana-esque style. Votives in a smokey glass were scattered along the table to complete their candlelight dinner setting.

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Transport Yourself to Paradise With This 3 Day Tropical Bash at Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii!

From a tropical chic welcome dinner to a seaside ceremony dripping in blooms from Of The Flowers – just consider this Hawaiian wedding weekend planned by Moana Belle Events your one way ticket to paradise. To the delight of their guests, the adorable couple incorporated sweet personalized moments throughout their wedding weekend – like a sunset beach walk each night (with Mai Tais in hand of course), a family tradition of the groom’s when visiting the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. If you’re craving tropical wedding inspo – look no further than the full gallery, and don’t miss out on one of the most creative escort displays we’ve seen yet, all captured by Rebecca Yale!

From Rebecca Yale… Janine and Alex were married on October 26th at the Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawaii. The 3 day bash included an all white Rehearsal Dinner, a tropical chic Welcome Party and then the gorgeous wedding day! Guests were invited to the day first with a vintage postcard Save the Date designed by Ashling of Lotus & Ash, who went to Stanford with the bride. The postcard was tucked inside an orange envelope, the color of the Mauna Kea, with the hotel’s logo lining the envelope. A little map of the Hawaii islands was subtly printed on the envelope. The Save The Date was followed by a gorgeous tropical invitation suite featuring letterpress green leaves on the back and front, a pink details card, a photo strip of pictures of the bride and groom at the Mauna Kea, and in lieu of a traditional RSVP card they included a die cut double sided leaf with their wedding address where guests could RSVP online.

The entire suite was wrapped in a tropical leaf printed vellum wrapper and was tied with a wooden tag with their wedding logo. Guests were welcomed to the Mauna Kea with lei’s, fresh juice and a welcome note from the bride and groom with the itinerary of the weekend’s events, which included not just the parties, but yoga and beach activities during the day. The weekend started off with the Rehearsal Dinner with just their wedding party and families joining them for a white party in the hotel’s luau space next to the beach. Alex’s family has been visiting the Mauna Kea for generations and their family tradition is to grab Mai Tai’s at sunset and walk along the beach as the sun goes down. They invited all of their friends to join in on the Mai Tai walk every evening, which was a highlight of each day. Lotus & Ash created a cloth sign that hung from a wooden stand with their wedding logo and date, which was used at each event to help guests find where they were going on the large property. The decor of the first evening was kept simple, rattan chargers on white tablecloths with white plates and napkins wrapped in rattan holders with a simple green place card tucked into each napkin ring. The tables were decorated with tropical leaves and twinkle lights were strung above to set the mood.

The second evening kicked off the Welcome Dinner with all of their guests sporting their chicest tropical wear on the great lawn of the hotel next to the water. Guests were serenaded by a guitarist and enjoyed a luau style buffet before grabbing their Mai Tai’s and walking down the beach at Sunset. Guests were treated to an absolutely incredible sunset and then returned to the lawn for a surprise performance of fire dancers arranged by the bride and groom. The morning of the wedding, the groom’s sister led guests in a yoga session on the lawn to get ready for the day. The bride and groom each got ready with their friends. The bride gifted her bridesmaids pouches that said “Aloha Beaches” with orange sarongs and a bracelet and hair pin inside The pouches were made in Costa Rica and had “Pura Vida” written on them, a nod to the bride who grew up there. The groom gifted his groomsmen each with tropical suspenders that they all wore on the wedding day. The bride and groom chose to write their own vows in beautiful white blind embossed vow books. The bride and groom had been intrigued by the idea of eloping, but also knew that they wanted to include their closest friends and family in their weekend celebration. They found a way to have their cake and eat it too by planning a secret ceremony right after the First Look. They invited their officiant, who was a friend, as well as their parents and siblings to join them on the beach and surprised them telling them they were really doing the ceremony there now.

They read their vows to each other as well as vows they made to each other’s family and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Janine embraced the tropics with a whimsical and light gown that moved beautifully in the wind, but was also incredibly intricate and detailed in the beadingwork. She paired the dress with natural pearl earrings and pearl shoes and a chic modern ponytail, later converted into a bun for the ceremony when she put on her veil. The groom rocked dark green pants with a white tuxedo jacket and a green bowtie, while the groomsmen all wore dark green suits. The bridesmaids all chose their own dresses or jumpsuits in a mix of tropical colors resembling a tropical fruit salad and each carried a unique tropical bouquet created by Of the Flowers. Janine carried a similar more elaborate tropical bouquet featuring a mix of traditional flowers like ranunculus and roses with tropical leaves and tropical florals like ginger and anthuriums. Guests enjoyed a seaside ceremony getting a break from the heat with parasols and fans at each seat- especially enjoyed by the bride’s adorable nieces and nephews who served as flower girls and ring bearers.

The couple didn’t want to block the view of the ocean so chose to have a low semi circle of tropical leaves and flowers instead of a traditional arch or altar. After the ceremony the guests made their way back to the lawn from the previous evening and enjoyed the couple’s two signature cocktails- an Aperol Spritz and Lilikoi Margarita. Guests snacked on light bites while they drank and signed the guest book, two coffee table books selected by the couple for their home. Guests once again kicked off their shoes and grabbed their cocktails and headed to the beach for a Mai Tai walk. Moana Events created shoe valet stations where the guests could leave their shoes and purses and then sit afterwards to put them back on with baskets of towels to wipe off their sandy toes.

As the sun set, the guests made their way onto another hidden lawn for the great reveal of the beautiful reception space, which featured an outer and inner ring of tables with a dance floor in the middle and a canopy of string lights overhead. As guests entered they found their names calligraphed on anthuriums in bud vases as a living escort card board. The outer ring of tables featured blue tablecloths with white chairs and white plates with tropical pink napkins printed with birds of paradise folded over the plate with the menu on top. The inner ring of tables had coral tablecloths and featured rattan chargers with the menu placed atop and the same printed napkin to the side of the plate.

The menus also served as place cards, tucked inside an envelope and the bride and groom surprised their guests by writing hand written thoughtful letters to all 160 of their guests, including to each other. As guests enjoyed dinner the singing duo Truly Medley Deeply made their way around the tables taking song requests and serenading guests with their guitar and maracas, singing everything from classic Motown to Cardi B. The bride and groom saw them at a wedding she was photographing in France and knew instantly she had to fly them out from London for her wedding. After cutting their cake and thanking their guests, the bride kicked off dancing with an upbeat choreographed dance with her step-father, followed by a sweet mother-son dance by the groom. Then they surprised their guests one more time with an incredible choreographed first dance before inviting everyone to join them on the dance floor to dance the night away.

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Step Inside A Pastel Colored Fairytale In Lisbon

This wedding inspiration shoot in Portugal is proof the dreams do come true. With a color palette of soft pink, blue, yellow, and violet Dream Weddings Europe is fulfilling all our princess bride fantasies. The day starts with the most magical ceremony arch that seeing is believing and ends with bright bloom-covered tables by Decorelle. Diane Sotero Photography exquisitely captured every picture-perfect detail. Prepare to fall head over heels in love with every image in the full gallery.

From Dream Weddings Europe… I was feeling very inspired by soft colors, delicate shades, and puffed fabrics, as if I was picturing an old watercolor dreamy painting. Lisbon has many beautiful, classical wedding venues, and I found my perfect fit at Verride Palace Santa Catarina.

I was looking for a very classical but modern floral design, and I thought the best fit would be to separate the flowers by types and color groups instead of mixing them in the arrangements. The massive wedding arch added a magical touch to the ceremony, and the dining table had a soft and clean look that perfectly complements the dinner area.

If I had to describe the final result with one word, it would be a fairytale. Many weddings are designed with luxurious and royalty-worthy details, but this was a very different one that can make you dream about soft old paintings, palace gardens, and fairies.

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Diane Sotero Photography

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Daydreaming of Eloping to Greece to Tie the Knot? This Photography Workshop Will Transport You Directly There!

It is no secret we are all developing the travel bug after this past year, and today we apologize for amplifying that feeling by 1000% with this breathtaking photography workshop by Rebecca Carpenter Photography, designed and planned by The Stars Inside. From jaw-dropping views to absolutely gorgeous wedding gowns (yes I said gowns!) and an intimate tablescape with glass bottles and terracotta pot details and the most amazing florals by Red Box Days. Now go ahead and start scrolling and get your mood board, Pinterest, wherever your saving your inspiration to ready, and be sure to check out the full gallery for all of the stunning imagery from the two-day workshop!

From The Star Inside…We had the great joy of traveling to the shores of Santorini to create this editorial, as part of a two-day workshop for photographers run by Rebecca Carpenter Photography. An international team of wedding pros came together to make magic from sunset to sunrise, exploring the sights and sounds of the clifftop towns of Imerovigli and Oia. The aim of the photoshoot was to inspire couples dreaming of having a luxurious, intimate wedding or elopement in a breathtaking, exotic destination – brides and grooms who value travel, privacy, and the authenticity of celebrating their love story in their own way.

The design concept was inspired by Greek myths and legends, with motifs like feathers, golden arrows, and sea-creatures all making their appearance in subtle ways. We brought the story to life through a natural, contemporary color palette echoing that of this captivating part of the world: earthy browns and beiges, rich shades of blue, and sparkling gold details. The floral design and cake details were chosen to mimic the flora of the sea, while the table settings were created to represent the variety of the volcanic landscapes in Santorini: we used a mix of textures like glass, terracotta, marble, silk, and velvet.

We wanted the styling to emphasize, complement, and embrace the beautiful surroundings – for example, the “window” shaped arch backdrop for the ceremony was our way of celebrating the views and sunsets of this incredible island. The accessories and outfits were chosen to have that Mediterranean, Grecian vibe: relaxed, timeless, and gently celestial to pay homage to the gods and mythology of Ancient Greece. We wanted this imagery to be about discovery – about a couple who chooses to fill their elopement day with meaningful luxuries, and plenty of time to breathe in the adventure.

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This Couple Pulled Together Their Dream Wedding In Two Months!

When the pandemic put this couple’s Hawaii wedding on pause, these lovebirds decided all that mattered was that they wanted to get married. With the help of Christina Williamson, they changed course on their original wedding plans and instead poured all their love into an intimate Arizona affair. A longtime admirer of Ashley Rae Photography and Love Story Films, the mother-of-the-bride reached out and was surprised when they not only agreed but suggested the ever-talented The Wildflower AZ for incredible floral moments! The results are so pretty you would never think there was a change of plans. See all the love unfold in the full gallery.

From the bride… I got engaged to my best friend and we were eager to start planning our wedding. We quickly decided on a date of 10/28/2020 my birthday Maui, Hawaii. Then due to the pandemic, both sides of the family mutually agreed this was probably not the best idea or time to be traveling.

We decided at least we will be married and together that’s all that matters, so in July we started to plan a wedding for 9/4/2020. My mother had told me about a venue called Royal Palms and I immediately fell in love. It was not my original venue in Hawaii but it still had a tropical feel that went along with my dress.

It may not have been our first plan but I wouldn’t change a thing about it . I simply loved every single detail of the day.

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Petit Bouquet

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The Backyard that Dinner Party Dreams are Made Of

One thing the pandemic brought in spades, is a true appreciation for gathering outdoors and taking the time to make the most of every detail when you do get to finally get together with friends. This AH-mazing backyard dinner party hosted by Veronica Alvarez + David Perrault – with an awe inspiring view to boot (I mean, can you imagine!?) – does just that, and we’re taking aaaaalllll the notes. Thanks to the stunning photographs from Carmen Santorelli, you can consider us officially jelly.

From the Host: All things design and cooking a homemade meal bring me so much joy. Entertaining our friends and family in our backyard is a way to share these passions and make memories with the people we love.

There really is something special about eating together over a thoughtfully set table and for me, the more candles, the merrier. For this dinner party, I envisioned mixing warm earth tones with lilac and Spring inspired pastels. I chose 4 different candle colors and a silk runner within that color palette as a starting point.

Collaborating with Taylor, owner of Catalog Atelier and Folklore Rentals, on the décor and Nancy of Oak and the Owl, on her stunning flowers is what really made the vision come to life. One of my favorite tabletop details was the edible art that Chef Perla of Elevation Eating created for the occasion.

As much as I love to cook, I’m so happy that I left the dessert to a professional. Her vegan chocolate tart was just as delicious as it was beautiful. It was an exceptional day and I genuinely enjoyed the entire design process.

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Petit Bouquet

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This Shoot Will Have You Rethinking Everything You Once Thought About the Most Commonly Used Wedding Hue

Tired of seeing the same old wedding hue used over and over again? We totally get it… and can’t help but love to see when vendors and couples alike decide to shake things up a bit when it comes to wedding colors. Allow today charming Charleston styled shoot from The Happy Bloom and Haley Kelly Events to leave you re-thinking everything you once felt about the #1 most popular wedding shade – PINK! Whoever said blush was the only wedding approved hue, was seriously disturbed ;) Check out the full gallery for all the inspo, including the most insta-worthy getaway car floral installation by Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co!

From The Happy Bloom… Pink. Sure – we’ve all seen it a wedding before. It’s actually the most commonly used hue in a wedding day color palette. But. What is we amplified it? That was our goal for this inspiration shoot at the gorgeous Hotel Bennett in Charleston, South Carolina. We challenged ourselves on how many places we could introduce or implement blush, magenta and rose. Starting off with a pink convertible filled with a spectrum of pink florals was clearly the right choice! Real couple Anna + Matt zipped around town in the adorable pink ride ending with an over the top floral installation by Tupelo Honey.

From the florist, Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co.… For the Pink Dreams inspired shoot I really wanted to bring in a lot of contrast and texture with the flowers with lots of variety in both the shades of pink and the types of flowers I used. I opted for several different tones of pink with pops of coral-orange and peach poppies for interest. Haley and I had talked about using Bougainvillea but unfortunately it would be pretty much impossible to get in February but I wanted that same look of airy pops of color coming out of the arrangements and the bouquet so I opted for lots of sweet peas in two different shades and I was able to find preserved bougainvillea to incorporate into the design. Even though we were using a lot of color I think we still wanted it to look modern and have an ethereal look. The sweet peas and bougainvillea helped keep that light, airy feel and provide movement. For the bouquet and centerpiece, I was influenced a lot by Tulipina who is an amazing, iconic Floral Designer who uses vibrant, bold colors in her designs. The rooftop of Hotel Bennett reminded me of a conservatory and so I wanted to bring in the cloche floral arrangement for the tabletop with the moss to add to that Conservatory/Greenhouse feel and wanted to carry it throughout the design using it in the ceremony pieces and the car installation. I think the moss helped keep that ethereal feel but with lots of texture. I was also inspired by Ikebana design with the cloche and the two small arrangements on the table using flower frogs and a minimalist design in contrast to the over the top centerpiece. The floral design for this shoot was a play on texture and different floral design styles married together with a vibrant pink color palette.

From the planner, Haley Kelly… When Justin reached out to me and the subject of the email was “PINK DREAMS” I was immediately sold, no matter what he was talking about. You see, almost my whole adult (ish) life I hosted a pink party for my birthday. Every guest wore pink, there were cocktails in shades of pink, pink flowers, pink balloons – you name it, it was pink. We held a brainstorm meeting and we were both drawn to multiple layers of pink and clean lines and white space which you naturally get at Hotel Bennett. First and foremost, The Pink Figgy was brought on board – we knew this would be the perfect backdrop for a car for our couple. We went back and forth on whether or not to go all in and do a mauve colored suit and at the last minute we went for it – and truly I think it tied everything together. We wanted to be sure we went over the top with floral and we sent a few inspiration photos to Tupelo Honey and the bougainvillea was a main inspiration. From a color standpoint and the impact it makes with an all white backdrop we knew it would be perfect. At the end of the shoot, we had planned a “flower spill” with the Pink Figgy. To be honest, we didn’t know exactly what this would look like – would it be in the back of the car, did we want photos with the couple or just the car? But what transpired while we were upstairs taking photos with the couple was magical. I have always been inspired by Lewis Miller and his flower flashes and this was a come full circle moment for me to see that we created just that but in the streets of Charleston!

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Tupelo Honey Flower Shop & Co

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Petit Bouquet

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Embracing the Beauty of Fall in Napa With a Rich Color Palette of Navy Blue and Maroon at Beaulieu Garden

Australian meets American at this Napa Valley celebration of love. With the groom’s family coming all the way from the land down under, this Fall evening at Beaulieu Garden was bound to be full of classic American favorites, like farm to table food, cornhole, smores, and of course, high-quality wine. The couple turned to Shannon Leahy Events to put together a color palette that spoke to the season and Flour & Bloom to create an adorable cake that stole the show. The night culminated with a dinner under the vines and guests rejoicing on the dance floor. Rebecca Yale Photography captured each and every detail oh-so-perfectly. If you fancy harmonious color coordination, you don’t want to miss the full gallery images!

From Rebecca Yale Photography… The bride and groom decided to plan a destination wedding in Napa Valley while living abroad in Australia, entrusting Shannon to plan and design the day. Madeline is originally from the states, but moved to Australia for what was supposed to be just a short period of time to play waterpolo, but met Clayton and decided to stay for years. They moved to America together along with their adorable fur baby, a frenchie named Winnie who served as their flower girl, just weeks before their wedding. Half of their guests traveled in from Australia so they wanted to be sure to show them a great time with all that Napa has to offer. The weekend kicked off with an elevated version of a classic American BBQ with farm to table eats and wonderful wine at Farmstead. Guests played lifesize jenga, cornhole and made s’mores as they enjoyed the warm Fall evening.

The majority of the guests stayed at Indian Springs Resort in Calistoga where they were welcomed to their rooms with a beautiful custom printed tote and some of the bride and groom’s favorite snacks and a blanket printed with their wedding logo. Shannon embraced the beauty of Fall in Napa with a rich color palette of navy blue and maroon woven into the day- from the invitation, to the bridesmaids pajamas, to the bouquets and full reception design. The rich tones of the bouquets popped especially well against the bridesmaids all white attire, Each bridesmaid selected their own flattering silhouette of a classic white dress, while the bride stood out in her beautifully embellished V-Neck gown with delicate embroidery reminiscent of grape vines. The ceremony took place in a beautiful European inspired courtyard around a central fountain, feeling both grand and intimate at the same time because of the sectional placement of the chairs. The front row was full of their family who sat together in one unit rather than the traditional “his” and “her” sides without a center aisle. The bride and groom are both lucky enough to have had grandparents in attendance, the bride’s grandmother and the groom’s grandmother and grandfather who adorably sat holding hands throughout the ceremony in the front row, except for the moments when they wiped away tears and when the groom’s grandmother gave a reading.

Their dog, Winnie, made quite the entrance down the aisle with a floral wreath around her collar, and in one of my favorite moments of the day, let out the cutest little whine when she watched her mom walk by her towards Clayton. Knowing that the tears would be flowing, the groom gifted his parents with custom embroidered handkerchiefs right before the ceremony thanking them both for making him the man he is today. The bride and groom broke tradition with Ketubah and instead of signing it privately before the ceremony, they integrated it into the ceremony, inviting their friends up to sign it under their gorgeous chuppah and their Rabbi read a passage from it as they both signed themselves.

In a very special moment post ring exchange, the couples parents were invited up to bless the couple and wrapped them in the bride’s grandfather’s tallit, a beautiful way to honor his presence in their ceremony. Post ceremony guests enjoyed two signature drinks (displayed on a bar sign with a beautiful drawing of Winnie) and delicious hors d’oeuvres from Paula le Duc in the garden. The couple snuck away for some golden hour photos along the famous driveway into the winery as their guests walked over from the cocktail hour to the reception under the vines, stopping along the way for some photos in the vines and to grab their escort cards which were calligraphed cards with a wax seal featuring the couples monogram. The reception carried through the blue and maroon colors of the day, with richly saturated navy tablecloths on a mix of round and square tables with patterned blue runners, which was echoed on the rectangular wooden head table. Each guest’s navy menu was wrapped with a maroon ribbon with a marble hanging tag that served as place cards for the guests, and a fun keepsake. Flour and Bloom created a beautiful cake, painted blue on the bottom tiers with gold foil and the most delicate and realistic sugar flowers in maroon and white. Guests enjoyed a fantastic dinner by PLD under the vines and twinkle lights before making their way over to the dance floor next to the pool, where they danced the night away, including some raucous table surfing when the guests hoisted the bride and groom into the air atop a round table!

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Two Bridal Gowns & A Stunning Floral Arch At Saint Elle, a New Nashville Venue, Ready For You To Say I Do!

We love introducing a new venue to y’all, and this one is a good one! Saint Elle in Nashville is a modern yet romantic beauty and ready to book weddings again, and Elizabeth Nord Photography takes us along on this gorgeous inspiration shoot! With not one, but two stunning bridal gowns and even a getting-ready robe by Cara Maria Farella, and the most beautiful handcrafted floral arch by Kennedy Occasions, this shoot is giving us ALL of the inspiration we needed to get us through the week! Feather and Oak styled the day and Posh Occasions planned it all from start to finish, which even included live painter, Rebecca Hunter Studio of the ceremony! Check it all out below!

From Elizabeth Nord Photography…This shoot was shot at Saint Elle which is a new venue that opened in 2020. Because of the pandemic, they were not able to have weddings in the space for a long time but this past fall, I was able to help plan and shoot in this amazing space located in downtown Nashville, TN. Just outside the venue, you will see the beautiful skyline! I reached out to some of the best vendors in the wedding business and created a styled shoot to swoon over.

I wanted to feature tons of fresh and muted florals and Kennedy Occasions did not disappoint. She created a stunning floral arch that took hours to pull together which made for the most beautiful ceremony backdrop for the couple. We even put the cake under the arch during the reception to show how you can reuse the arch for the end of the night as well. I also loved that the floral designer, Emily, was able to repurpose florals from the ceremony aisle to centerpieces on each of the tables at the reception.

It was important to me to showcase multiple clothing and dress options for the bride. My friend and talented Chicago dress designer and creator, Cara Maria Farella, blew our minds with two unique bridal gowns featuring two completely different looks for the first look/portraits and the ceremony/reception. She also adorned the bride with the most incredible getting ready robe and peacoat perfect for her chilly late night send-off.

The hair and makeup were provided by Shani with Canvas and Coif. Shani created two completely different hairstyles with each of the dresses to not take away from the gowns, but accentuate its unique features as well as the beauty of the bride. I love when my couples have a day and a night look!

The delicate handwritten invitation suite was created by White Ink Calligraphy. She also created “bride” and “groom” name tags as well as menus for the table settings that we chose to style with the gold silverware.

The ceremony featured a live painter, Rebecca Hunter Studio. She first painted the ceremony space and then once the ceremony began, she painted the bride and groom into the portrait. It was mesmerizing to watch. I love this trend of having a live painter at your wedding and having a unique first piece of art in your home together!

Feather and Oak was our stylist for the day and it was so much fun having her there. Seeing her style each place setting and help me with styling the getting ready detail flat lays was so much fun. I couldn’t have pulled this off without the help and day-of-organization of Posh Occasions. She pulled together my vision of a covid-friendly, intimate wedding celebration quickly and beautifully!

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Petit Bouquet

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Blogger Bride, Karli Willis Shows You Everything You Need To Register For From Cuisinart And Her Go-To Recipes!

As the weather gets warmer, it can only mean one thing…. bridal shower season is upon us! As things continue to evolve in 2021, ‘Zoom’ style bridal showers are still very much a thing, to keep loved ones safe. But, one question still remains… What kitchen items do you NEED to add to your registry? Blogger Bride, Karli Willis took us along for her at-home bridal shower and is sharing with us all of her favorite Cuisinart kitchen items. AND sharing her easy go-to recipes!

From everyone’s favorite, the cult-classic Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven to a Cuisinart Cordless Wine Opener (who doesn’t need one of those?!) Karli lucked out with some of the best Cuisinart products! As she walks us through her favorites, we promise you, you are going to want to add ALL of these to your own registry! Every product is multi-functional and you know you are getting the best quality when it comes to Cuisinart!

Before we dive in, check out this video of Karli’s Zoom Bridal Shower that she shared with her friends and family from afar…and then as she takes us into her kitchen for the day!

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HOMEMADE PITA CHIPS & HUMMUS

First up, homemade pita chips from The Delicious Spoon and hummus from Inspired Taste! Is there a better appetizer or snack than pita chips and hummus?! And who knew it was so simple to make yourself! To make it even easier the Cuisinart Airfryer Toaster Oven makes the perfect pita chips in minutes and the Cuisinart Food Processor creates your very own hummus with the touch of a button.

HUMMUS

Ingredients
-1 (15 oz.) can of chickpeas
-1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
-1/4 cup well-stirred tahini
-1 small garlic clove, minced
-2 tbsp EVOO
-1/2 tsp ground cumin
-Salt to taste
-2-3 tbsp water
-Dash of ground paprika for serving

1. In the bowl of the food processor, combine the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute, scrape the dies and bottom of the bowl and process for 30 more seconds. This extra time helps “whip” the tahini, making the hummus smooth and creamy.

2. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then process for another 30 seconds or until well blended.

3. Open, drain and rinse the chickpeas. Add half of the chickpeas to the food processor and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, add the remaining chickpeas and process until thick and smooth – 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Most likely the hummus will be too thick or have tiny bits of chickpea. To fix this, with the food processor turned on slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water until you reach the perfect consistency.

PITA CHIPS

Ingredients
-3 Pitas (Lebanese style)
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1 1/4 tsp oregano

1. Cut pita into triangle shape pieces.

2. Brush pita triangles with olive oil and sprinkle salt, pepper, and oregano mixture on to each pita. OR toss pita triangles, olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano together in a bowl.

3. Air fry at 375 for 5 minutes flipping over halfway through to make sure all side and pieces have a change to crisp up.

LEMONY ARUGULA CACIO E PEPE

Cacio e Pepe which translates to “cheese and pepper” is quite simply one of the easiest dinner dishes to make and one you should master as a newlywed! It is beyond delicious and adding some arugula and fresh lemon really takes it up a notch like this recipe from Half Baked Harvest! The Cuisinart SmartNest Stainless Steel 11 Piece Set allows you to put it all together with two of the pots and pans and when you’re done, all stacks together for easy storing!

Ingredients
1 lb. Bucatini pasta
4 tbsp salted butter
1 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
Couple handfuls of baby arugula
Fresh basil and lemon zest, for serving

1. Bring the 6 qt. stockpot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain.

2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the 10″ open skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until toasted.

3. Add the reserved pasta water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the pasta and remaining butter. Reduce the heat to low and add the parmesan and pecorino cheese, tossing until melted. Remove from the heat, add the arugula, toss until the greens are wilted and the sauce coats the pasta, adding in more pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.

4. Transfer to a bowl and serve topped with fresh basil and lemon zest!

SALTED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

If you have a sweet tooth like Karli, the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Hand Mixer is a must for any of your baked goods like these Milk Bar salted chocolate chip cookies via Foodie Crush! It makes mixing easy as pie (see what I did there) especially being cordless, not having to be tied to an outlet in your kitchen! It can be used for anything from whipping cream to even mashed potatoes, takes cookie baking to the next level, and speeds up the process a bit! Fun fact: Karli had her own cookie business in college, so you could call her an expert!

Ingredients
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and just warm to the touch
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp nonfat milk powder
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (chunks or dark chocolate chips)
1/4 cup flaked salt

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. With a hand mixer, mix the sugars together in a large bowl and add the melted butter. Stir vigorously for about a minute or more.

3. Pour the egg and vanilla into the butter and sugar mixture and mix until there is a glossy sheen, about 1 more minute.

4. Mix in the flour, milk powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined. Add in the chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed.

5. Use an ice cream scoop to portion the dough (or lightly form into balls about the size of a gof ball) and place on a baking sheet about 2 to 3 inches apart. Sprinkle flaked sea salt on top of each cookie.

6. Bake 9-11 minutes or until golden brown around the edges but still soft in the middle. The cookies will fall as they cool. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Whether you register for one of these Cuisinart items or all (we suggest all,) we promise you, you can’t go wrong! Do you have a favorite Cuisinart product? Let us know with a comment below!

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Petit Bouquet

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Traditional Blue & White Classic Boy’s Nursery

We will never tire of a classic but utterly sweet nursery, where timeless design, simple silhouettes and a little touch of luxury reign Queen. And this one – by designer Clary Bosbyshell Welsh – is everything. With storybook details, gorgeous textures, and charming prints, this beautiful room is a gracious nod to all things lovely. And photographer Vicki Bartel is serving up that very loveliness…in spades.

Designed by Clary Bosbyshell Welsh, this baby boy’s traditional blue and white nursery came together perfectly.

Wanting a classic and timeless feel, the parents wanted the space to be calming in nature, while adding warmth with different textures.

This sweet little room features Serena & Lily crib, and English Peter Rabbit art accents. The rocker from Wesley Hall Furniture is the perfect piece to cuddle up together in this beautiful space.

This Napa Valley Garden Elopement Is Everything We Love About Weddings

Get ready for a garden elopement that will take your breath away. Jess and Beau originally planned a large wedding, but Covid-19 led them to change their plans. In the time of two months, with the help of Madix And Co they transformed their 150 person wedding plans into those of an intimate affair for 10. Amanda Vidmar Design created a stunning bouquet of roses, dahlias, bleached bougainvillea, bleached peacock feathers, and dried grasses. You can feel the love in the beautiful imagery by Janine Licare Photography. You can see more of this epic event in the full gallery.

From … Jess and Beau had originally planned a 150-person summer wedding in Napa Valley, California until Covid-19 led them to reschedule. It was really important to the bride that her grandfather was at her wedding, so with the help of their planner, Kaella at Madix & Co., they did everything they could to make that happen, including transforming their large celebration into an intimate 10-person micro-wedding in under 2 months.

Jess found her original dress in New York City but wasn’t able to go to her fittings because of travel restrictions. Since she wouldn’t be able to get her dress in time, she found a new gown a month before the wedding at Kinsley James Couture Bridal; a simple yet elegant silk cotton dress designed by Rita Vinieris, with a low back, spaghetti straps, and a sweeping train that she paired with a 14-foot long veil.

They had their ceremony in the sunken garden and followed it with light bites, including artisanal cheeses, fruits, and nuts catered by Paula LeDuc. Their cake was a single-tiered carrot-cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, topped with fresh figs.

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Ridiculously Stunning Rustic Elegance At This Napa Valley Wedding

When rustic meets elegant, everyone wins. Warm cozy details, crisp white florals mixed with greenery, and breathtaking ridgeline views have our hearts beating for Tracy and Tim’s special day. With the help of LVL Weddings & Events, the couple had their closest friends and family together for an intimate outdoor celebration inspired by nature. Revel Floral created iconic moments like a floral installation climbing up the trunk of a large tree creating a spectacular ceremony backdrop. The happiness of the day shines in the pictures from Carlie Statsky. The full gallery is where you’ll find even more fun.

From Carlie Statsky… Tracy and Tim flew out from St. Louis, MO together with their closest friends and family to celebrate their wedding in a place that held many wonderful memories from vacations past. Ashley from LVL Weddings & Events did an amazing job creating a beautifully elegant design that was inspired by the surrounding nature and Meadwood’s ridgeline views.

Revel Floral added to that inspired design with an incredible, organic ceremony floral installation that climbed up the trunk of a large tree overlooking the golf course and ridgeline, and tables full of neutral-toned floral and greenery set in rustic wooden vessels. The laser-cut wood signage by Bourne Paper Co. repeated the ridgeline motif that was used on everything from the invites to the custom blankets that kept guests warm that evening.

Meadowood spoiled everyone with their incredible menu, along with added personalized touches, like the couple’s initials branded into the orange skins in their craft cocktails. The whole day flowed at such a nice and relaxed pace so that everyone could really take in the ambiance and the taste of Napa while enjoying every moment together.

Making a Mudroom out of Nothing + A Chic Mudroom Makeover

As a mom to three little ones, I only have 2 requirements in a home: a laundry room with folding space and a killer mudroom. If only I had Jacqueline Chiarot’s total mudroom reno to use as inspiration when I discovered that our dream home had exactly neither. Read on to see how Jacqueline gave her small space a total makeover that is both purposeful and pretty, then keep going to see my top picks for rigging up a great mudroom in a closet, a hallway, a nook or anywhere else you can make it work!

During the nation wide shut down COVID brought upon us, I took the opportunity to give our blank slate mudroom a complete makeover! This fresh & inviting design will carry us through the fall & winter months. I wanted a light and airy vibe similar to the rest of our home with traditional and comforting finishes.

You can see more home inspo on Jacqueline’s insta account too!

BEFORE

AFTER

The design came together exactly as I envisioned! I conceptualized the built-in unit for optimal storage and to keep light filtering through from the horizontal window.

I installed the wallpaper feature wall myself with Livette’s adhesive wallpaper. The lantern chandelier gives the small room a grand look when entering our home.

I opted for comfortable pillows as opposed to an upholstered bench cushion for the practicality of being able to set groceries and other items on the hard surface bench. The pillows still offer comfort when sitting to put on shoes, etc. These pillows are a combination of Homesense & Tonic Living. The walls are painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore.

We couldn’t forget our beloved golden retriever, Bailey, so when designing the built-in I made sure the bench was high enough for her to eat out of her pretty new bowls tucked underneath. Hope you love it as much as I do! xo, Jacqueline

Editor’s Note: If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to have a magical mudroom in your home, not to fret. In my own home, I managed to turn two coat closets into something that functions in exactly the same way, catching all of the kids loots and boots with ease and even space to grow. Here is an overview of my mud-room must-haves:

Cubbies. Depending on how your space is set up, having tall or long and low cubbies is a must. I prefer the long and low variety as they also serve as a bench to sit and put on shoes or a platform for a little extra storage.
Baskets. While you can certainly just tuck the shoes inside each cubby bin, having baskets that fit said cubby holes is an added bonus for hiding the mess and keeping your mudroom looking a little tidier. Just make sure that you consider how dirty shoes get and use a basket material that is durable (plastic, wood, wicker, lined with washable fabric, etc).
Hooks. Each of my children has 3 hooks. One for their backpack, one for their coat and one for an activity/sports bags. Nothing else is allowed in the mudroom, no extra sweaters or bags or random stuff from birthday parties or playdates. Just 2 bags and 1 coat. AND they must use their own hooks, no tradesies.
File Holders. For each of my kids, I have a file basket on the wall. When they come home, they take their shoes off (and throw in the bin), hang their coat and their bags up (on the correct hook) and unload their homework folder + any papers that I need to review, into their file bin. This worked particularly well when the children were actually in school, but hey. Here’s to hoping.
Tall Drawers. I tucked a tall set of plastic drawers in the corner of our mudroom closet. If the mudroom were in the open, I would have gone with something prettier. In the Winter months, the drawers are designated to each child for something snow-specific (William: Snow Pants | William: Mittens, Hats | Thea: Snow Pants | Thea: Mittens, Hats) and in the Summer, they transition to holding swim shoes, caps, cover-ups etc. Labels on these drawers are a must and if your littles can’t read, draw them a few self explanatory pictures.
Mini Drawers. These little drawers have come in super handy since covid has added necessary supplies to our outings. I use them to house mini sanitizers and extra masks for each of the kids. In the summer, they will be consolidated to also include sunscreen and bug spray.
Rugs or Mats. If you are turning a closet into a mudroom, skip the rug. It will just get in the way. But if you have the space, a durable or hearty welcome mat or rug, will both add a bit of design to the space while also being a spot to catch any leftover shoe scum that they have brought inside. Make sure the rug is one that you can easily throw in the wash or take outside to “beat.”
BONUS. Now that covid season is in full swing, consider putting a laundry basket or bag in your mudroom, along with a basket with fresh t-shirts. Kids can swap their dirty shirt for a clean one, and dispose of their fabric masks to be washed.

Design: Livette's Wallpaper | Interior Design: Jacqueline Chiarot Design

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Look Up! This Wedding Ceremony Had 80 Individual Roses Suspended Overhead

With a home reminiscent of the English countryside and a theme of flowers, flowers, and more flowers- you know this wedding is going to be good! The pandemic caused Lisa and Jordan to change their original plans for a large wedding. Instead, the couple turned to the ever-talented Tessa Lyn Events to throw an intimate backyard bash that was nothing short of spectacular. Mark’s Garden was sure to incorporate floral moments in every aspect of the day, from 80 individual roses hanging from the tree where the ceremony was held to a Porsche overflowing with blooms! Jenna Rose Photography exquisitely captured the love, romance, and intimacy of the day in her imagery. Visit the full gallery for a closer look.

From the bride… My Dad is 89-years-old and has Parkinson’s disease. We chose our original venue because it was local and easy for him to travel to and we were highly motivated to get married in April 2020. We went from postponing (four times) due to Covid, to finally canceling, to then deciding to host a micro wedding in the backyard. Having a wedding in 2021 or 2022 was not an option for us so the backyard became our wedding venue!

I refer to this pivot as our rebrand! Our vibe went from beachy chic to Father of the Bride garden party soiree! We did everything we could to create an event that was safe for our guests and vendors. We invited only immediate family and our closest friends, who made up our bridal party. Before and after our rebrand, my goal remained unchanged in that I wanted to have a fabulous party where everyone had a great time.

Through this whole process, I realized what was the most important to me and it was not having a big production event with hundreds of people, but that it was more important to be surrounded by my closest friends and making sure that we could celebrate this milestone moment with my family.

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A Wedding Marks a Huge Milestone for ALL the Relationships in Your Life

We are always the first to say that getting married represents a major milestone in the life of a couple. It’s the next step, a new and uncharted chapter to embark on together, and one of the most ‘adult’ things you’ve probably done, so far (of course, there are a lot of them that come after turning 18!). An engagement is certainly a turning point for the two of you, and one that’s completely deserving of all the fanfare, celebration, and excitement that comes after that ring, but it’s important to recognize that an impending wedding also earmarks a change in your relationships with the first loves of your life – parents, siblings, cousins, and best friends from the beginning, etc. And when such a time is upon you, taking a moment to love on those VIPs and thank them for everything they’ve done in the past, are doing at present, and will do in the future is so special.

When we launched our Style Me Pretty Shop, we not only wanted to fill it with items that would add all the pretty to your wedding day, we also wanted to curate bits and baubles, gifts and goodies that would bring magic to every event over the course of your engagement. From delightful cards that commemorate the all-important ask to your best girls and decorative tissues to help dry their happy tears to mugs and tumblers that remind every single one of your sisters that you’re stoked to have them in your bridal squad, they might not be engagement ring-rivaling expensive, but they’re invaluable nonetheless.

Photo by Jessica Grazia Mangia

Take a peek at everything we have for you and your crew in the Wedding Party Shop on Style Me Pretty. And remember, you might be leveling up your love on the day you’ll say ‘I Do,’ but that doesn’t mean you’re leaving anyone behind!!

Read on for everything you can do to show your team you love them and mean it…

For your own proposal.

While your favorites will undoubtedly back you up and be by your side when you take your vows, it’s still a nice gesture to ask each of them, formally. Our ‘Will You Be My Bridesmaid?’ cards are simple and sweet and include enough room to hand write your proposition and a few additional tidings + casually slide in a tissue or two for blotting any mascara runs. We love the idea of including a photo of the two of you in every card and asking them to save it – and then, on your wedding morning, gifting each girl a shadow box that they can fill with your card, the photo that came in your proposal, and one taken on your big day. Just to signify that, yes, your relationship has changed, but it’s only gotten better with age!

Photo by Kristina Adams Photography

For the days after long nights.

When you’re planning a wedding, there will be times when you put your besties through it (asking them to help you research, make calls, put out fete-related fires, etc.) – it’s inevitable and they’ll understand it – but that doesn’t mean that you should take it for granted and move forward without thanks and appreciation. A lot of our Style Me Pretty gifts end up being the perfect things to say ‘I know that wasn’t fun, and I can’t thank you enough for putting up with it!’ Even just calling out how lovely or how pretty they are, it’s something small that goes a long way. Trust us!

For the parties that prove you’ve still got it.

Okay, so, just because you’re going from Miss. to Mrs., doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on anything! There’s certainly a vibe change in the transition from girlfriend to girlfriend+1 for life, but if anything, when you’re coupled up for the long haul, you make room for all of the existing relationships in your life and do your best to prioritize them all! Whether you’re prepping for a bridal shower or a bachelorette, little things like ‘Let’s Bridal Party’ stemless wine glasses, girls night photo booth props, and glitter-crazy headbands make your ‘last fling before the ring’ feel as business as usual for your babe brigade!

Photo by Love, The Nelsons

They’re your bridesmaids and they’ll be showing up for you, so you should absolutely show up for them! Shop the full Style Me Pretty Collection now and visit our Wedding Party Shop for all the looks that’ll make your ladies feel the ❤️.

How to Pull off the Ultimate Rustic-Chic Wedding Weekend in Aspen

When it came time for Remi and Jonathan to pick a destination wedding location, there was no question: Aspen, Colorado. Not only was this stunning locale the perfect choice because it meant so much to the bride, but its photogenic setting is just one-of-a-kind. The couple carefully enlisted the help of NY Luxe Events to produce their special day and Design Works to craft the details. The result was a romantic ceremony overlooking the Rocky Mountain skyline and a magically moonlit reception. Have a look at the full gallery of unbelievable images, as photographed by Rachel Havel — and while you’re at it, take a moment to appreciate that floral arch that ROSE to the occasion.

From Rachel Havel… One year after Remi, a Life Coach (@levvibyremi) met Jonathan, a Real Estate Professional, they were laying on the beach in beautiful Anguilla. Jonathan’s grandfather had a family house there when he was growing up, so it held a special place in his heart. He was excited to share it with Remi. Family is extremely important to the couple, and the only thing Remi needed for the proposal was her sister. Her sister wasn’t in Anguilla with them, so Remi “knew” they weren’t getting engaged that weekend. To her surprise, they were walking onto the beach for a sunset dinner when she saw roses in the shape of a heart on the sand. She froze. Before she knew it, they were standing in the middle of the heart and Jonathan was down on one knee. It had been the most magical moment of her life, until her sister, his cousins, brothers, sister in laws, and nieces and nephews ran out to surprise them. Now THAT was the most magical moment of Remi’s life, until the wedding came around, of course.

They capped the night off with sushi, pizza, and tequila cocktails, with live music in the background by Bankie Banx – all of their favorite things. They immediately started the process of planning their dream wedding and hired NYLUX Events in New York City to produce the special day. Their team was able to navigate the difficult decisions when COVID hit. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise, because they got to celebrate with the closest people to them in a more intimate setting. The NYLUX Events team was amazing, and by their side every step of the way to guide them through COVID safety, restrictions, and testing. After countless hours of back and forth on wedding plans, the couple decided to plan it quickly – which ended up being in just three weeks time, as a destination wedding in Aspen, Colorado. It was unbelievable how their wedding planners were able to pull off such magic in such a short timeframe.

Remi’s family lives in Aspen including her four grandparents (one that is 100 years old). It holds an extremely special place in her heart. Jonathan made it clear early on that anything that made her happy made him happy. Although some of his closest family couldn’t travel during the pandemic, he showed up with the biggest smile on his face and so much love in his heart. To kick off the wedding week, they had a pre-wedding party with all of Jonathan’s family in New York. It was so special to be around his immediate family that wasn’t able to make it to Colorado. Not long after, they landed in Aspen to begin the celebrations with the extended group. The wedding was the best day of Remi’s entire life. She had never felt so at ease and peaceful. Walking down the aisle and seeing her husband was the most powerful moment in her life. She knew that nothing mattered but their relationship and the foundation they were creating together for the rest of their lives. The nature surrounding them made the ceremony even more spectacular. The mountains were hit with just the right light, leaves were glowing yellow and the birds were flying behind the gorgeous Chuppah that was adorned with greenery and pink roses. At night, the full moon lit up the party. Their vision for the wedding theme was rustic-chic, in true Aspen fashion. The decor was elegant and candlelit. The food was delicious. The speeches left tears in everyone’s eyes. Then, the tequila was flowing and the party went until the wee hours of the night. They couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate our love!

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Written by Lauren Megerdichian and Carly Zumar

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An Outdoor Dinner Party to Welcome in the Warmth

While this absolutely gorgeous al fresco dinner was held before the pandemic took place, it is the only inspiration we need to hang up our Winter blues and plan an outdoor gathering, complete with sun-kissed little ones and an easy, effortless meal. Planned and designed by Cherry Blossom Events, with beautiful photography by Jessica Bedore, this is such a sweet reminder that a simple but thoughtful gathering with friends or family is the only real medicine we need.

Planning a getaway to Door County with our close family friends was the perfect way to celebrate the change of seasons in Wisconsin. The Eagle Sands Beach Lodge was the ideal setting for a laid back weekend away.

To soak in all of the lakeside beauty we planned a special dinner for one of our nights there. Inspired by neutral tones, we chose a palette of textural elements in soft grey, beige, pale blue, and copper.

The perfectly soft linens from La Tavola accented with mixed fresh and dried floral in speckled ceramic vases from Ebb and Flow Floral, set the perfect tone for the design. Layering in ivory plates in an organic shape, copper flatware, and casual glassware finished out the look.

After watching the great outdoors together on one of our last weekend getaways together we thought having a dinner of lobster tails in the Northwoods was the perfect menu choice and one that made us laugh throughout the dinner.

Finishing the meal with individual skillet cookies made the menu a hit with the little ones too. We loved how Jessica Bedore captured this memorable dinner for our families and we cherish the photos of the kids playing and the perfect relaxing time that was had by all.

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This Inspired Shoot Will Convince You To Have A Micro Wedding

This inspired shoot highlights everything we love about micro weddings. Just A Little Ditty planned a day that proves a more intimate guest list gives you free rein to play around with luxe touches that otherwise might have been out of budget, like extravagant welcome baskets. The florals in this feature are a feast for the eyes, all lovingly designed by Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs. Don’t miss the explosion of crisp color beautifully captured by Jen Fariello Photography. There’s even more pretty to see over in the full gallery.

From Just A Little Ditty… The initial concept was for a winter shoot full of bright colors, whimsical details, and luxe touches. Taking inspiration from the Quirk Hotel’s artistic vibe we designed a seasonally appropriate shoot that was crisp, bold, and modern.

Building a collected palette using shades from Pantone’s colors of the year, gray and yellow, we accented this foundation with neutral, pink, and metallic hues while incorporating various textures of acrylics, crystals, velvets, and wood to create a moody yet vivid aesthetic.

This petite shoot featured a ceremony with wild yet structured florals framing the altar and modern gold wire chairs, then transitioned to cocktails and mimosas, wrapping up with an intimate dinner featuring a show-stopping head table and small guest tables for two where a bountiful brunch was served.