Every bride describes her wedding day as the most perfect day. This bride, really lucked out. Having a July wedding in the Washington D.C. area is a risk for any bride – but the risk paid off for this lucky couple. The weather was unseasonably perfect, which made it so much easier for the guests to really see how fantastic the wedding really was. Planned and designed by Simply Chic Events, the whole soiree was a true and beautiful testament of the couple’s love. The flowers, courtesy of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, brought the rustic chic the wedding softly eluded to to an entirely new level. And the entire family-centric affair was captured by Kim Seidl Photography, phenomenally. Click here to see more!

Geoff proposed to me on a beautiful fall day (my birthday!) on one of our favorite bike rides in Virginia.  He had prepared a special picnic and champagne and we were able to celebrate while enjoying great views of our adopted “hometown” of Washington, DC.

We enjoyed about one week of engagement before we went into planning mode!  We knew we both wanted an outdoor summer wedding, and it was easy to decide on Woodend Sanctuary after seeing what a beautiful setting it would provide for an outdoor ceremony.  Of course, when the only availability was in July, we ignored the awful DC summer weather and booked it right away!

After picking the location, we talked about how we wanted our wedding to look and feel.  We wanted fun, relaxed, and natural, but something special too.  Luckily, our next move was meeting with Kate Harlan from Simply Chic Events.  She was able to take our long list of random adjectives and provide us with a vision that was perfect for us.  Working with Kate for the months leading up to the wedding made everything so much more relaxing – and fun!

We settled on a color scheme of whites and natural materials (wood, burlap, cork, etc.), with pops of yellows, blues, and greens.  Given our engagement story and favorite activities, we also decided to incorporate biking and wine into our wedding decor.  Kate introduced us to Niki Chandler, a talented local artist, who put together personalized welcome bags with a map of our engagement trek, a guestbook poster, custom pint glasses, and programs and menus that featured our colors and flowers.

We were also lucky to have the assistance of our families in putting together our perfect day.  Geoff’s mom sewed a burlap table runner for the head table and lace runners for the picnic tables.  Geoff’s sister and my mother assembled stir sticks, seating cards and place cards with our bike theme.  My brother even served as the officiant!  One of our favorite details were our “family trees” – we had family members and close friends send pictures of us and our families through the years and we hung them on jute twine around three beautiful trees for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour.

We could not have been happier with the way the evening came together!  We were SO lucky with the weather and enjoyed an unseasonably cool weekend.  The outdoor ceremony was just as we had hoped, and the floral arrangements and bouquets by Holly Heider Chappel were perfectly summery, natural and amazing.  Our guests enjoyed some signature cocktails (“Texa-Ritas” and “Publix Punch”) while checking out our family trees and sampling from the rustic cheese table.  The dinner took place in a tent attached to the mansion, and the decor was breathtaking.  Kate had created the most amazing and unique chandeliers out of wine corks that we had collected over time.  The head table looked so magical lit by the candles hanging from the chandeliers and the lanterns and votives lining the table.  Geoff and I were the last to leave our own wedding – just a perfect day.

Event Planning + Design: Kate Harlan, Simply Chic Events / Photography: Kim Seidl Photography / Ceremony + Reception Location: Woodend Sanctuary / Flowers: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers / Catering: Windows Catering Company / Lighting: John Farr Lighting / Day-of Stationary + Signage: Niki Chandler, Nichole Creative / DJ: Ross Anderson, Chris Laich Music Services / Ceremony Musician: Classical Guitar Ceremonies, Inc / Hair + Makeup: Kim Steele / Bride’s Dress: Judd Waddell / Bridesmaids’ Dress: J.Crew / Invitations: Taylor Street Paper / Transportation: Linder + Associates

This Thursday is not like any other Thursday here at SMP, oh no – today is going to be an inspiration extravaganza thanks to the oh so talented Justin & Mary. You see, they not only capture some of our favorite weddings (remember this Nashville wedding legend?), but they also host some fabulous workshops for their fellow photography friends they call their Walk Through a Wedding Workshop. Today we have the pleasure of exploring those fabulous workshops – which they host all over the country, inspiring folks and teaching them the tricks of the trade because that’s just the kind of awesome people Justin & Mary are. First up on the workshop pretty parade is their Boston Tea Party shoot, and it is sure get your inspiration flowing for your next fête. Perfectly pink with luxe details galore, I wouldn’t blame you a bit for spending a little too much time in the full gallery of inspiration today. It doesn’t stop there, you can learn more about what the workshop is about below, and be sure to stay tuned for the more inspiration throughout the day!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

About the Walk Through a Wedding Workshops…Walk Through a Wedding is a workshop that does exactly what it sounds like! We literally, walk you (the photographer) through each step of the wedding day.  We start with an introduction talking about our “Why” and how that affects the way we approach the entire wedding day, our couples, and ultimately the images we take. Our Why can be boiled down into these five things: AEIOU.   We want the images we create to be: Authentic, Emotional/Enduring, Intimate/Iconic, Organic and Universal.  We want anyone to be able to look at an image, and feel as if they were at the wedding, to feel the love between two people and the friends & family that surround them.

About the Boston stop from Justin & Mary…The Boston stop of our workshop was the last one on the tour, so we wanted to go out with a bang :) We decided to create a lush, decadent “Boston Tea Party” for the reception of our workshop. To create the luxe feel we wanted, we pulled inspiration from Sofia Coppola’s movie “Marie Antoinette”. We wanted to pay homage to the film, by decorating with tons of over the top details like gold silverware, DIY vintage shoes, and a dessert table filled to bursting with cakes, cookies, and petit fours. In reference to the movie, Lucinda put together an amazing DIY canopy to go over our head table and we used a settee with DIY hatboxes and shoes for our photo booth. We used tea tins for favors and our place cards were tea cups displayed on a vintage writing desk.

The bridal party was styled to look like they were from the 1700s, complete with big hair and white face makeup. We used cameos and black tulle to create unique hair pieces for each of the girls. Megan carried a bouquet fashioned entirely of Baby’s Breath while the maids carried paper cones full of pink roses and carnations. The tables were all decorated with tiny vases and teacups filled with pink flowers and we there was pink champagne with gold glittered rims at the entrance to the party.

Photography: Justin & Mary / Venue: The Belcher House / Paper Suite + Planning: Lucinda Wesson of Chocolate Creative Design / Hair + Make-up: d.d. Nickel Makeup Studio / Bridal Gown, Maids Dresses + Accessories: The Plumed Serpent Bridal / Vintage Rentals: New England Vintage / Desserts: Toria Dolce / Additional Paper Products: ElizabethSt / Style Interns: Michelle Cucinelli + Spring Smith + Joe Don / Bride + Groom Models: Megan & Greg / Bridal Party: Michelle & Spring

Oh my goodness, I am loving every last ounce of this pretty, pretty Glen Ridge affair captured by Brad Ross Photography.  From the stunning yellow and black color palette to the chic contemporary vibe to the succulent and billy ball-filled blooms, this is one VERY fabulous soiree.  Not to mention that ah.mazing sweets table.  Swoon.  Plus, with every moment designed to absolute perfection by Parker’s Petals, there are so many more lovely details to be seen.  Sounds like a great way to spend a Thursday to me!  Join me in the gallery for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… The wedding took place in the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge, built in 1925 by Henry S. Chapman as a memorial for his wife.  We thought the building and the romantic story behind it suited us perfectly!  The building is a beautiful weathered brick on the outside and furnished in antiques from the era in which it was built.  The look of the venue connected instantly with our dream wedding.

From the very beginning of our engagement we knew the type of wedding we wanted.  There were three things that had to be perfect- the food, the music, and the decor- and it was!  We decided on a sharp black and yellow palette, incorporating succulents where possible to add a little softness into the room. The focal point of the main room is a display of towering desserts.  Following in suit, we selected treats in the color scheme, adding some of our favorites like lemon heads in mini mason jars and black and white cookies- YUM!  To add a whimsical affect, many of the desserts were encased in glass domes.

As a gift for our guests, our event designer set up a little sweets buffet at the exit filled with cookies and candies. It was the perfect way to thank our friends and family for sharing one of the most special days of our lives with us.

Wedding Photography: Brad Ross Photography / Event + Floral Design: Parker’s Petals / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Women’s Club of Glen Ridge / Wedding Invitations: Bitty Invitations & Cards / Bride’s Shoes: Joan & David / Shoe Clips: Powder Blue Bijoux / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Groom’s Shoes: Frye / Band: NYC Swing / Desserts: Natale’s Bakery

A wedding that kicks things off with a Bride and Groom jumping on the bed is sure to be a wildly good time. Josh and Ariel of Anika London captured this Rancho Santa Fe beauty from bed jumping start to sparkler finish and we are thoroughly enjoying each and every second. It’s romance wrapped up in a gorgeous DIY details and a sea of lovely blooms by Robin Mathis of Twigg Botanicals and you can see every last magnificent inch of it here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…As soon as that ring was on my finger (and maybe a teensy bit before), I developed a minor obsession with wedding blogs. I spent countless hours at work home gathering inspiration, and it was probably one of the best decisions I made during the planning process. After a couple months of blog stalking, I had a collection of inspiration photos that were helpful in conveying our ideas to our wedding team. Thankfully, our venue was so beautiful that it didn’t need a lot of decoration, which allowed us to focus our budget on areas that were more important to us (like our amazing photography).

For our centerpieces, my mother and I collected approximately 90 white bud vases, and grouped them on top of squares of navy blue lace fabric that my mother-in-law sewed for us. Probably my favorite detail was our DIY flower pot escort cards/favors. The flowers were made of seeded paper that guests were encouraged to take home and plant to keep our love “growing.” We displayed wedding photos from our parents (both married almost 40 years!) and our siblings’ weddings on our guest poster table. I absolutely loved it.

To us, our wedding was all about creating a new family while recognizing the family and friends that made us who we are. In the end, it really didn’t matter what our decorations looked like. The overwhelming love and support we felt from our family, friends, and each other was the only thing on our minds.

Wedding Coordinator: Lynn Altbaum of Pure Planning / Ceremony + Reception Location: Inn at Rancho Santa Fe / Wedding Photography: Josh and Ariel of Anika London / Wedding Videography: Darryl Yee of Epic Affair / Ceremony + Reception Music: Promotion Entertainment / Furniture Rentals: Concepts Event Design / Floral Design: Robin Mathis of Twigg Botanicals / Wedding Cake: VG Donut and Bakery / Churro Cart: Churros El Tigre / Officiant: Tie the Knot Socal, Pastor Kreig Gammelgard / Hair: Kelly Trojnar / Make-up: Rita Nguyen

This San Jose couple is smart, sassy and full of style!  Instead of spending a massive chunk of their wedding budget on a reception venue they used it to remodel their backyard and threw one of the coolest DIY weddings at their own home!  Inspired by the ultimate in modern and whimsical design – The Viceroy Hotel in Palm Springs – the bride and groom paired a black, white and yellow palette with their vibrant personalities for a party that was fun, memorable and meaningful.   Encarnacion Photography captured all the delightful moments and details. Click here to see them all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Alex and I love riding our bicycles through Downtown San Jose on hot summer nights. There’s something nostalgic, romantic and spontaneous about riding a bicycle with the wind blowing through your hair and up your dress! What better way to celebrate a wedding than with a bicycle parade. Our “Tour de San Jose” hit all our favorite city landmarks.

This wedding was truly the definition of DIY starting with the reception site. When we bought our home, it was previously used as an office building so the backyard was literally a parking lot. Instead of spending our money on a fancy hotel or renting our dream venue, the San Jose Museum of Art, we decided to use the money to remodel the backyard. One year later, 2,000 square feet of removed concrete, 19 tons of gravel, 2 tons soil, 2 tons of mulch, over 100 plants, countless hours of shoveling, painting and pick axing, we finally had our french potager garden and some muscles! Instead of lawn, which gives you no food, the French potager or American equivalent, the “freedom garden,” focuses on planting edible ornamentals. In World War I and II, the American Government encouraged people to plant gardens to sustain themselves in times of crisis. They called them “freedom gardens.” We support the movement of organic and sustainable agriculture. On each corner of the square, we planted herbs: rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, basil, and parsley as a homage to the “freedom garden” and our love for cooking.

The colors, black white and yellow were inspired by a mother-daughter trip to the Palm Spring’s Viceroy hotel. The hotel exuded modern, crispness with yellow, bringing a touch of whimsy. I painted and re-upholstered garage sale finds and raided my mother’s garage. Chalkboard signs were hand painted and influenced by art deco and art nouveau designs.

The food paid tribute to our ethnic backgrounds. Empanadas reflected the groom’s Peruvian background, while Japanese snowcones, “kakigori”, scallop cups and ahi tuna reflected the bride’s Japanese background.

The best part of our wedding was having our family and friends help us remodel and paint. There was something very special about spending time with people you care about as you are collectively creating and building something together. Overall or wedding was everything we hoped it would be: fun, bright, whimsical and unpretentious. There’s nothing more humble than inviting people into your home.

Wedding Coordinator + Planning: The Bride / Ceremony Venue: San Jose Municipal Rose Garden / Reception Venue: Private Residence / DJ: Peng Yav / Wedding Cake: Ana’s Creative Bakery / Desserts: Beard Papa / Caterer: Catered Too! / Stationery: The Bride / Bride’s Gown: Melissa Sweet / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angolini + Chinese Laundry / Blue Handkerchief, Bow Veil + Rhinestone Brooch: Vintage / Pearl Necklace: Borrowed / Hair: Cory Nowicki / Make-up: Daisy Barrajas / Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers / Groom’s Socks: Joy of Socks / Groomsmen Bow Ties: Black Ruffle Brigade / Groom’s Bow Tie + Handkerchief: DivineDomestication / Floral Design: Flowers by Ivy / Hanging Jars + Magnetic Vase Favors: The Bride / Wedding Videography: George Nishikawa / Wedding Photographer: Encarnacion Photography

These adorable high school sweethearts got their DIY on in a big way and infused some seriously cute-as-can-be touches into their special day. Everything from the tablescapes with cute Scrabble sayings and pink crochet doilies to the birdie themed boutineers were handcrafted by the bride and we are in love with it all! Kurt Boomer Photo captured all the sweet moments and details and there’s even more in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kurt Boomer Photo…This amazing couple and their families threw one great DIY wedding. Lago Giuseppe isn’t the easiest place to find. But a search through Templeton lands you in the best that Central California has to offer. They went with a “birds in cages” theme. The rustic theme incorporated perfectly with the surroundings. It had that warm look and feeling with a laid back attitude. Outdoor venues are by far my favorite. The light during the ceremony and reception was amazing. The beautiful oaks make for perfect backgrounds throughout the property.  Lago Giuseppe is a perfect venue for couples looking to get married surrounded by nature. The winery is a active and you can enjoy their handcrafted wines during your event.  Every last detail was thoughtfully picked and placed by the bride. Lots of vintage details along with tons of great desserts.

From the Bride…We met our senior year of high school in California– I was a show choir nerd who had just quit dancing at a professional level and he was a very talented wrestler. We were both in the same Poli-Sci class and, what he says, is that one day he “woke up” and just saw me and knew that he was going to date me. The next day he came up to me in the library and we began talking. By the end of the week we were going to our senior winter formal together! We began talking well into the morning every night then waking up earlier in the morning so we could spend time together before school started. At the winter formal we decided to date. Everything spiraled after that and neither of us could fathom enduring a single day that we are not the person who has the other’s heart. On our family vacation to Mexico that summer Josh “proposed.” He was absolutely serious, and I accepted, but it wasn’t official yet.

The following year I went across the country to Gordon College in Wenham, Ma. We stayed together and in September, over labor day weekend, Josh flew out to see me– and proposed. We then began planning an intimate and DIY inspired wedding for July 23, 2011!

Caterer: Popolo Catering / Floral Design: Deborah from Albertson’s Grocery Store, The Flower Lady + Local Farmers Market / Location: Lago Giuseppi Cellars / DJ: Bob Stock of Phase One DJ / Desserts: Albertson’s Grocery Store (mini cakes), / Avila Fruit Barn (peach + olallieberry pies) + C-Cupcakery (mini cupcakes-Maid of Honor) / Wedding Dress: Casablanca via Down the Aisle / Bride’s Shoes: Tea and Cakes Shoes / Suits: Hearts Desire / Wedding Photography: Kurt Boomer Photo

This adorable Nashville bride says that her wedding ceremony and reception were disconnected due to a mid-panning design change but I have to disagree.  I think the attire affair is completely elegant and pretty from start to finish with a soft, whimsical feel that swirls around every one of these dreamy images by Austin Gros Wedding Photography.   It is one of the chicest picnics I have ever seen.  See it all here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Let’s keep the pretty train a-rollin’ with this lovely film by  Ryan Bernal Photography!

From the Bride…Ken and I spent our few dates picnicing – I would make lunch and Ken would drive over from the construction site where he was working. I started out planning a wedding that was (I thought) elegant and pretty – lots of soft pinks and purples. Then Ken and I saw Up! (the Pixar movie) and loved it so much it seemed ridiculous to not change the whole thing into a more relaxed, picnic inspired wedding (especially considering our first few dates).

That’s how we ended up with a ceremony and reception that were pretty disconnected. The ceremony remained soft and pretty and the reception changed into a brightly colored, Up!/picnic inspired party and I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

The only major (and last minute) DIY project were the strings of pennant flags. My bridesmaids and I made them. During the months leading up to the wedding I collected all the little bottles for the table arrangements. (I have eBay to thank for most of them).  Abi Reid at Nashville Event Lighting helped me pick out lanterns that we used to mimic a bunch of balloons and the gobos that would give that kaleidoscope effect of light shining through the aforementioned balloons. We went with cupcakes instead of a traditional cake because we thought they were also in keeping with the picnic feel we were going for.

Wedding Photography: Austin Gros Wedding Photography / Cinematography: Ryan Bernal Photography / Venue: Belle Meade Plantation / Caterer: Jeanette of Chefworks Inc / Floral Design: Ken Smith of Prestige Productions / Cupcakes: B. Jackson Bakery / Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting

We know the Holiday Season is in full swing when gorgeous snow-filled weddings hit our inbox. It’s as if weddings were meant to be celebrated on a wintry mountaintop. And this celebration is about as gorgeous as they come. It’s a sea of white on Mt. Hood and intimate nuptials inside the Silcox Hut at Timberline Lodge where guests enjoyed a warm, cozy dinner party, lovely blooms by Geranium Lake Flowers and even some skiing the next day. Catch all of the festivities captured beautifully by FS Photography in the full gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Dan and I got engaged on the Pacific Crest Trail hike up at Timberline lodge, where we stayed the night after and had a celebration dinner. We knew we wanted to marry within the year and we wanted a small wedding. The next day we looked at the Silcox hut on Mt. Hood and knew it was perfectly suited for what we wanted. We are both skiers and hikers and so it was fitting to marry on the mountain where we had our second date. We went downhill skiing and I promptly skied into a tree!

We happened upon the squirrel theme while picking out our invitations at Lark Press and it stuck. We had K+D on a squirrel for out Save the dates and then just ran with the woodsy theme for the cake and favors. I found the acorn buttons and fun quote on line for our Kleenex favors. “Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes.”  I had felt it was fitting that I was a blind squirrel and Dan was my lucky acorn find. We used the same squirrel from out Save the date on our favor boxes which had mints, candy and chapstix which read Kim and Dan Silcox hut 2-11-11.

We loved our wedding day. It felt personal and unique. We felt it was small enough that we could spend time talking with and enjoying our guests, many of whom had flown in from the East Coast. Everyone enjoyed the thrill of riding up to the lodge in the Snow Cats and hanging out in the tiny historic lodge for the the service and dinner. Twenty of friends stayed the night with us in the bunk room and skied down the mountain the next day.

Wedding Photography: FS Photography  / Venue + Catering: Silcox Hut, Timberline Lodge / Floral Design: Geranium Lake Flowers / Wedding Cake: La Joconde / Invitations: Lark Press / Wedding Dress: Ania Collection Boutique / Bracelet: Christa Hope Jewelry (Bride’s Sister)

To help carry you through your lunch hour, the next wedding on our little parade of pretty by Phenom Photographers will be sure to give you a much better boost than that cookie you are reaching for (although we fully endorse cookie consumption). It’s a sweet as can be farm fête that will be sure to activate your oooh and ahhhs, and really what’s better than that? Don’t forget, there is so much more pretty in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We wanted a wedding where country chic met city classics. Bringing together these two atmospheres – the rustic and urban, the family and the friends, the traditional and the irreverent, the old and the new – was behind everything we did.

We chose a time and place that brought together our families. We were married on the 30th anniversary of the bride’s parent’s wedding, on land which the groom’s grandfather had acquired in a poker match, and had been worked by four generations of his family.

We started by constructing a chapel on the family farm under a grand oak tree draped with Spanish moss. Vintage window’s and stained glass recovered from Canton’s First Friday Trade Show was suspended from the branches to create space and focus. The small group of family members were seated along an isle of white muslin in chairs collected from the farm house and local antique shops. White paper lanterns swung gently in the breeze and white paper parasols bobbed on ladies’ shoulders. The bridal procession was played on a vintage Victrola.

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via LuLu’s Bridal Boutique / Bridesmaid + Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew / Ties: Thomas Pink / Floral Design: Jennifer Pavlovich Designs / Wedding Cake: Black Flour / Music: Bride + Groom / Invitations: Michael’s (design by Bride and Groom) / Hair + Make-up: WET Salon / Wedding Photography: Phenom Photographers / Jewelry: Groom’s Mother via Etsy / Transportation: Lone Star Limousine + Austin Pedicab

When I first laid my eyes on this stunning Adelaide Hills engagement session, my heart took one very giant leap.  Because not only is this shoot one of the most beautiful e-sessions I.have.ever.seen, but it is boasting the prettiest of details, one very gorgeous couple and a fabulous Boho-inspired theme.  Swoon.  And with the ah.mazing White Wall Photography behind both the styling AND the brilliant photography, there’s an entire gallery literally overflowing with lovely…. Seriously, how lucky are we?!?  Join me there for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From White Wall Photography… We create our shoots around who our couples are, creating a story that relates to them as a couple. Our bride to be in the shoot is a country girl at heart and her love of horses was the basis for the shoot. The location was on a private property in the Adelaide hills and this rounded off the moody rustic bohemian feel that we were after. The color palette was inspired by the beautiful vintage boho dress by the vintage bride. The flowers included more foliage than flowers with lots of vines to give the untamed look that really completed the shoot. With the valley and rolling hills as the backdrop and a cute as pie couple it wasn’t hard to get the shots that we did.

Photography + Styling: White Wall Photography / Floral Design + Props: Poppies Flowers / Hair + Make-up: The Swoon Effect / Fashion: The Vintage Bride Boutique + Honey Hive

We have another gorgeous wedding film from Anything and Everything Productions to share with you today.  This one takes place in sunny Santa Monica and it embodies everything that is classic, sweet and romantic.  The color palette is perfection with soft shades of peach, blush and gold paired with pops of teal.  The florals are superb especially that luscious, bountiful bouquet bursting with garden roses.  And the elegant beach setting is straight out of a dream!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Anything and Everything Productions…The wedding ceremony was held at Bel Air Presbyterian, the beautiful high ceilings presented an amazing view of LA’s skyline as well as the city. The wedding was traditional yet very light on the feet. The reception was held at Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica.

Wedding Photography: Christopher Park of Black Curtain Photography / Wedding Film: Anything and Everything Productions / Wedding Planner: My Bride Story Wedding and Events / Floral Design: Flueretica / Ceremony Location: Bel Air Presbyterian / Reception Location: Jonathan Beach Club / Band: Buzzcatz / Photobooths: Cheesy Photobooth

Up next is this gorgeous Indiana outdoor fete filled to the brim with gorgeous mercury glass, amazing floral displays, and loads of unique, personal touches. We’re loving that the couple created a guest book out of rocks collected from Lake Michigan, one of their favorite places. Each and every element was captured perfectly by Melissa Hayes Photography and there’s an entire gallery full of even more gorgeous images just waiting to inspire you.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Justin and I knew that we wanted a wedding that was elegant and romantic but also laid back and tied to our love of the outdoors.  And since one of our favorite things to do together is to cook (and then eat), we wanted the food to be outstanding.  The Carriage House in South Bend, Indiana, where we were both born and raised, provided the perfect mix of beautiful gardens and excellent food.  The restaurant itself is housed in a historic church built in 1851 and is surrounded by a backyard garden containing organic herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowers that were used extensively in preparing our menu.  As luck would have it, even the garden arches covered in bridal veil clematis began blooming the week of our wedding, making a spectacular backdrop for our outdoor ceremony.

More than anything, we wanted our wedding to be a joyful celebration.  With the vision of a great party in mind, we greeted our guests with a blueberry cocktail as they entered the gardens.  Keeping the ceremony simple and intimate was very important to us, so we chose my sister and Justin’s brother to make up our small wedding party and had one of my oldest and dearest friends open the day with a poem by Robert Frost.  After the ceremony, our guests enjoyed wine and pizza straight from a wood-fired oven served on two long, tables on the alfresco patio.  They were then lead into a tent where we served more delicious food, wedding cake, and some amazing blueberry crisps. Our fabulous band, featuring local musician Darryl Buchanan, kept everyone on the dance floor all night with Motown and R&B favorites.

We wanted our décor to compliment and not overshadow the natural beauty of the gardens, so we chose flowers in shades of white and cream and succulents to line the tables.  We also used as much mercury glass as I could get my hands on to create a warm glow both inside and outside of the tent.  Our fabulous florist, Polly McCarthy – a creative genius and the mother of one of our good friends – even placed real oak trees covered in hanging candles inside the tent to create a magical outdoor vibe.  We added a personal touch to our programs and napkins by using the monogram of our names and “9.10.11” wedding date designed by the lovely Maggie Campbell of Campbell Raw Press in Brooklyn, New York for our invitations.  In lieu of a guest book, our friends and family signed rocks that Justin and I collected from Lake Michigan, one of favorite places.  For favors, we created custom tote bags to greet out-of-town guests and handed out ribbon-tied bags of Garrett’s caramel corn – a family favorite from Chicago where I used to live.

Finally, we ended a perfect evening by exiting through rows of sparklers.  We owe a special thanks to all of the talented people we had an opportunity to work with in creating an unforgettable evening!  It was an absolute joy to work with our photographer Melissa Hayes and her husband, Casey.  Melissa’s images capture how every element of the wedding reflected Justin and me as a couple.  Above all else, we are truly blessed by the love and support of our families and friends who traveled from across the country to celebrate with us.  There are no words to describe how much that meant to us.

Wedding Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography / Venue: The Carriage House / Officiant: Kerri Hoffman / Floral Design: Polly McCarthy of Poppie’s / Lighting + Sound: ProShowDJ / Band: Darryl Buchanan / Wedding Cake: Cakewalk / Invitations: Campbell Raw Press

There’s just something about a Chicago wedding that gets me every.single.time… and these stunning nuptials captured by Gerber + Scarpelli are certainly no exception.  From the beyond breathtaking florals by Fleur Inc to the traditional meets uber-chic vibe, this gorgeous affair takes every single detail I ADORE about the Big Day and wraps it all up into one breathtaking bundle of wedding goodness.  Plus, with every moment planned to a tee by Simply Perfect by Melissa, there’s an entire gallery of pretty just waiting to be adored.  Don’t miss a moment… join me there for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Simply Perfect by Melissa… Jessica and Jordan are a sweet couple from the Cincinnati area who planned a Chicago destination wedding. Jessica wanted to add some quintessential Chicago elements while creating a soft, feminine feel with a mix of vintage and contemporary.

Her day started off being pampered and treated like a princess in the famous Princess Diana Suite at The Drake Hotel. The couple tied the knot in a beautiful Catholic Church- Holy Family Parish. Guests were transported around town in trolleys allowing them to take advantage of the sights of Chicago. The 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building at the Signature Room for her reception brought in classic Chicago, along with some skyline touches here and there.

Guests were seated at square tables covered in gunmetal grey with each place setting perfectly set a with beaded charger and ornate silver trimmed plate topped with a personalized round menu, and stemware to match. Her soft floral shades, gorgeous billowing dress, and the overall inviting ambiance of her celebration created a perfect combination bringing her vision to life.

Wedding Photography: Gerber + Scarpelli / Floral Design: Fleur Inc / Wedding Coordination: Simply Perfect by Melissa / Wedding Ceremony Location: Holy Family Parish / Wedding Reception Location: The Signature Room at the 95th / Getting Ready Location: The Princess Diana Suite, The Drake Hotel / Lighting: Chicago Lighting Design / Bridal Gown: St. Pucchi via Belle Vie Bridal Couture / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Band: Jeff Sandler Orchestra / Linens: BBJ Linens / Place Settings + Chairs: Tablescapes / Invitation + Paper Goods : Bold Paper Design / Transportation: Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Bus + Empire Limousine / Favors: Frango Mints

If backyard weddings make your heart flutter, get ready to bookmark this gorgeous party in your favorite of favorites folder! Captured by Images by Bethany Schiedel with vintage rentals from Hazlitt Vintage Rental it’s the perfect mix of casual backyard ceremony meets perfectly appointed tented affair. Not to mention, the florals (arranged by the bride, might I add) couldn’t be more gorgeous. I could on and on about all the lovely, so be sure to visit the full gallery of images to soak it all in!

Click  here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Having been born and raised on a tree farm in Ontario Canada, I have always had a passion for the outdoors, nature, and flowers.  Making the decision to have our wedding with all of the above came naturally.  It just didn’t seem or feel right to do anything else. The groom was born and raised in California- just like someone would picture……close to the beach, has the love of the outdoors, simple, laid back, and relaxed. This is what we based our wedding ideas and venue on.

It has always been my dream to have pictures done in a field of sunflowers- nothing is more peaceful or beautiful then for my dream to come true!  The sunflowers were hand planted with love and care, the weather throughout the summer was perfect for growing, and the timing was too good to be true for pictures.  The sunflowers were as dreamy as they sound, and photographer Bethany Scheidel captured every special moment.

The ceremony took place outside (where else?!) under large Norway maple trees on soft grass.  We were surrounded by lush green fields of soy beans, gorgeous sunflowers,  shade from the maple  trees surrounding us,  and a soft wind blowing the hair on our faces.  Walking into the ceremony the guests had to follow hand painted signs with directions and labels leading them to each site.  The wood from the signs was part of the family deck that weeks earlier had been replaced.   At the ceremony the guests had to the option to cool off with some lemon or cucumber water, and listen to the string quartet playing in the background.  A swirl of white rose petals filled the aisle, with mason jars hung with white hydrangea on the sides of each chair.  At the front of the ceremony was a hand built arbor tied with various strands of lace in different textures, blowing softly in the wind.

After the ceremony, everyone made their way over to the cocktail area.  Cocktail tables were spread out on the grass, with clusters of white hydrangea placed on each table.  The brides favorite thing at the cocktail hour and after dinner was the unique hand-made bar from Hazlitt Vintage Rentals.   The bar was made of barn wood, and had a custom sign decorated with lights that set the mood perfectly as the night light grew dim.  Hanging from the inside of the arbor were old antique windows filled with pictures of the bride and groom.  Mason jars with candles inside were strung from tree branches around the cocktail tables, creating a light during the night outside.  Pomander balls with mums, roses, and hydrangea also hung from the branches, giving the tree a whimsical feel.

The reception took place on the grass in a white tent outside in the backyard of my parents house. The tent and chairs were rented from Four Seasons Rentals located in Markham.   Being a florist, I (with the help of family and friends setting up!) made all the flower arrangements and designed the tables myself.   I choose to do an assortment of vases- from sea urchin vases from California, to old mason jars from my mom’s pantry.  Each vase was filled with a cluster of white flowers- hydrangea, dahlias, freesia, lisianthus, and even hand-picked queen anne’s lace from the tree farm.  To add a touch of color, I  included a small pop of yellow craspedia balls nestled in the white hydrangea.   Also on the tables, I incorporated white pahlanopsis orchid plants wrapped in burlap and tied with raffia. Guests were able to take the plants home after the evening was done. In between all the flowers were three sizes of cylinder vases with white floating candles.  After the evening was over, we realized that we didn’t even turn the tent lights on!  With all the candles and the lights from the bar, the setting was so relaxing no one even thought of turning the tent lights on.  Food and Appetizers were catered by Grand River Catering in Elora.  For dessert we had home-made ice cream sandwiches; oatmeal chocolate chip filled with ice cream rolled in chocolate dutch sprinkles.  There was no problem finishing them off! Throughout the farm paths were made for the enjoyment of guests to take a stroll or drive around; exploring the beauty around the tree farm.  Overall the “Uhl” wedding experience was one I will never forget.  It was the Canadian outdoors with a touch of California beach.

Wedding Photography: Images by Bethany Schiedel / Decor Rentals: Hazlitt Vintage Rental / Decor, Flowers + Gardens: The Bride + Family / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ivy & Aster / Groom + Groomsmen: Forever21 / String Quartet: Daly Live Music / Tent + Chairs: Four Seasons Rentals / Food + Appetizers: Grand River Catering

When a wedding photographer marries a floral event designer and they do so in Hawaii, it’s just a sure bet that it will be beautiful. Well, that’s exactly the case here. Add to that some fabulous pops of yellow and a couple daring enough to take the plunge (literally) in the pool post ceremony, and we have on fun fête! It was all captured by Hassas Photography, and the gallery is full of even more pretty, so make sure to jump on in!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…When we started planning our wedding, we originally planned for a big at home shindig in Nashville. Tennessee. Since we’re both in the wedding industry (I’m a floral event designer, he’s a photographer) we pretty much instantly got overwhelmed with the logistics of such a wedding– how do you keep friends and colleagues happy while also dealing with the desires and expectations of family and friends. It was the most stressful time of our lives. I know that every bride and groom think about eloping, but when my then-fiance posed the question of running away, I didn’t hesitate. We were at another couple’s reception who had married in Kona, at the Wedding Tree and Don looked at me and said “let’s get married there,” and I just about swooned over the perfection of the place.

It took another few months to work up the courage to make our dream a reality, but we did it– and brought along 8 of our closest friends and family members. As I planned, I focused on making sure that each decision and every detail fully embraced and reflected who we were as a couple– sweet and fun loving, while still elegant and refined. Our venue was not unlike paradise– the place is gorgeous. It’s impossible to be there and not feel like you are in a slice of heaven. We made a point to carve out lots of time with our photographer and to spend time navigating the property. We wrapped up our session with a day-after shoot at dawn. I love those images because we’re so refreshed and laid back.  To be perfectly honest, I didn’t feel stressed out in the least on my wedding day. It was the most beautiful, perfect day– and I am so thankful that we made the decision to run off to Hawaii. Second only to marrying my husband, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Wedding Photography: Hassas Photography / Venue: The Wedding Tree at Four Seasons Hualalai / Event Design: Hillary Yeager (the bride) of Brocade Designs / Wedding Coordinator: Shea Cochran of Four Seasons Hualalai / Floral Design: Flowers by Heidi + The Bride (design) / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet found at the Bride Room / Sash: Gray Satin embellished by Tru Lu Couture / Bracelet: Honora / “Kona” Cufflinks + Pendant: The Green Daisy Shop / Shoe Clips: Finkshop / Invitations + Menu: Seaside Invitations / Programs: Amber Housley / Compass Favors + Table Sign: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Wedding Cake: Four Seasons Hualalai / Linens: Premier Linens / Chargers: Bride’s Own / Napkins: Vintage, Bride’s Own

Holy Moly Texas, do you produce some stunning weddings or what? This one came our way straight from Austin, and although we’re Keeping Austin Weird, there is nothing strange in site. It’s gorgeous. Straight up. BZ Events helped the bride plan a chevron chic affair – which seemed to be a blast for all in attendance (which included 25 children, friends, and family). Captured by Ashley Garmon Photographers, this fête is fantastic. You’ll definitely want to check out the gallery to see more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From BZ events…When we first began planning Ali + Chris’s wedding two things were very important.  One, Ali wanted everyone to feel like family.  Two, the wedding was one month away!  As luck would have it, the stage was already set for a beautiful event with Laguna Gloria providing the perfect backdrop.

“Happy Tears Hankies” were needed as a trio of tutued flower girls lead the way before Ali was escorted down the aisle by her mother.  Guests kept their hankies on hand for the special touches and romantic details that honored both families.  Tied to Ali’s bouquet was her grandmother’s wedding ring and a Texas charm, a nod to finding love in the heart of Texas.  Chris’ two sons, Ethan and Oliver, were his best men, and Ethan carefully delivered both rings to his dad.  Ali’s sister, Christine, serenaded the couple with a stunning rendition of Songbird by Christine McVie.

Ali’s chic style inspired textural centerpieces with custom vase wraps and a color palette of mustard and charcoal.  Cards noting five fun facts about the bride + groom adorned each guest’s place setting while the 25 children in attendance were encouraged to play I Spy with disposable cameras.  Guests were treated to a buffet of the couple’s favorite treats as Ali + Chris danced the night away under the stars.

Wedding Photography: Ashley Garmon Photographers / Venue: AMOA Laguna Gloria / Event Planning + Design: BZ events / Floral Design: unexpected elements / Caterer: Primizie Catering / Officiant: Judge Jon Wisser / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Linens + Rentals: Marquee Event Group / Ceremony Music: Hill Country Strings / Reception Music: Groovelabs / Cake: Polkadots / Dessert Buffet: Bake Sale / Hair: Shannon of Ritual Salon / Make-up: Angela of LucieMarie

For all of you who are lucky enough to attend (and maybe even throw) an Atlanta wedding – consider me jealous. Everything I see from the ATL has got me a little closer to packing my bags and stealing an invite to a fab soiree. Like this one. Forget that the bride is so beautiful in her white, lace gown that she could give the Duchess of Cambridge a run for her money, the entire affair (planned beautifully by the lovely Table 6 Productions) was beyond gorgeous, and this cinematic trailer from Three Ring Media? Perfection.

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From Three Ring Media…Wesley and Allison are both Howard alums. And while they both knew of each other during school, they had no relationship. But Wesley had taken notice of Allison, and he had begun to set his sights on her. A friend of his ran interference at a party so he could get to know her a little bit better. At the end of the conversation Wesley had convinced Allison to have dinner with him at a Ruby Tuesdays. They talked for hours, sharing their thoughts on family, faith and love and eventually closed the place down.

It was very soon that they had come to realize it was time to close down all other options, and focus their romantic pursuits on the other. So while Wesley was in Atlanta for a teaching conference, he asked to have dinner with her parents. And at another Ruby Tuesday’s he told them how much he had fallen for their daughter and asked for their blessing to marry her.

With Allison’s parents on board, Wesley plotted a Thanksgiving day proposal, so her entire family could witness the beginning of their new life together.

Wedding Planner: Mary Whelan of Table 6 Productions / Venue: Ritz Carlton Midtown / Wedding Videography: Three Ring Media

Picturesque Newport, Rhode Island, a long and lace-lined veil, a beautiful gown just begging to be twirled in, a perfect pink color palette, pretty blooms from Sayles Livingston Flowers – these are a few of the things I am currently swooning over. And when I swoon, I swoon hard so Snap Photography is making my day today with this elegant party. It’s the definition of classic elegance, and there is more pretty to swoon over in the full gallery of images!

And because we just cant get enough of this lovely wedding, we just had to share the GORGEOUS film from the fête by David Bettencourt…

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Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Nick and I both attended the same high school in Ridgefield, CT but we weren’t friends at the time. It was not until college that we would meet again through mutual friends and quickly become best friends and then in 2006 we began dating long distance (Nick in Pennsylvania and Maria in Florida) while in our senior year of college. We spent almost four years doing long distance until Nick proposed under the Brooklyn Bridge at The River Café and soon after moved in together in Jersey City finally putting an end to the long distance.

When I started planning the wedding I knew I didn’t want any kind of theme. I knew I wanted to focus mainly on the color pink and stick to a traditional and classic wedding. My mom and I did most of the planning together, ripping pages from wedding magazines, and of course often visiting etsy.com and of course stylemepretty.com for inspiration.  When looking for my wedding dress I knew I wanted a timeless look which I could look back twenty years from now and wouldn’t be out of style. The Lazaro ballgown was perfect because it was simple and elegant and the jeweled belt added sparkle without being too much. My veil which completed the look was made by Provnovias in Barcelona. My veil was one of my favorite parts of the wedding, it really made me feel like a bride!

Newport, RI is one of those most beautiful cities in the United States. It is surrounded by water and the cliff walk and mansions emit the classic New England charm. Nick and I both had many friends and relatives coming from all over the country and overseas so we wanted our guests to not only enjoy our wedding day but also enjoy our wedding location as they would probably be spending a few days in the area. We were married at Trinity Church, one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Newport. When we visited Belle Mer I knew immediately it was “the one”. Three words describe Belle Mer: location, location, location! The views are breathtaking and it has a very modern and sophisticated feeling. The Island House at Belle Mer is surrounded by a sprawling lawn where our guests enjoyed cocktail hour looking over the Narragansett Bay. Belle Mer also provided croquet and bocchi ball. The lawn games were a great way for guests to relax and have fun. One of the best parts of the wedding reception was definitely the photolounge by Snap Photography. Our guests were taking photos all night long and they were able to take them home as a favor.  The photolounge pictures are also a great way for Nick and I to laugh and see how much fun our friends and family had on our wedding day.

Our wedding day was a dream and one we will never forget. We had beautiful weather, a beautiful location and celebrated with our loved ones. Who could ask for anything more?

Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Veil: Pronovias / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Make-up: Sandra Downie / Maid of Honor Dress: Jenny Yoo / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Ceremony Location: Trinity Church / Reception Location: Belle Mer / Wedding Photography + Photolounge: Snap Photography / Floral Design: Sayles Livingston Flowers / Cocktail Linens: Rentals Unlimited / Macaron Favors: Confectionary Designs / Wedding Cake: Scrumptions / Wedding Videography: David Bettencourt / Lighting: High Output / DJ: DJ Derek Holtie / Transportation: Viking Tours / Limousine: A1 Limo

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I’m a total sucker for high school sweetheart stories. Especially when the sweethearts are this adorable. These two endured ten years of long distance after falling in love in Spanish class, and finally were able to have their California wedding dreams come true. Ian Grant Photography had the immense task of capturing ten years of love, excitement, and preparation, and he did so with poise. So well, that the image gallery is filled to breaking point with gorgeous images for your perusing pleasure!

And here’s a little somthin’ somthin’ from Stillmotion…

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Aaron and I met when we were 15 and in high school. We somehow managed to maintain a long distance relationship over ten years, while I attended school in Boston and him in Philadelphia, and after graduation, when Aaron moved to Boston and I returned to Los Angeles. When Aaron finally made it out west to San Francisco, I knew it was time for me to join him up north as well.

During Aaron’s vows, he said, “The faith that we developed as teenagers had withstood this test, and the love I have for you has only grown stronger over the years and the total seat miles traveled on AirTran, Southwest, and US Air combined.” How fitting, as our the significance of our wedding was so important to us not just because we were so ready to get married, but because we would finally be able to share our lives together at last!

Ian Grant, our photographer and Stillmotion, our videographers, captured everything that truly reflected our love and how we felt for each other.  I didn’t have any specific ideas for details, but knew that I wanted our wedding to reflect our testament to our long distance love. I gave Amanda Auer from In the Now Events full reign over this, and she executed the wedding details perfectly!

I also wanted to surprise Aaron with a game of beer pong at our wedding – he had been begging for a “Beirut Tourney” throughout the planning process, and I had always dismissed the idea as unsuitable for a wedding. This was all a ruse, of course, as I secretly planned with our vendors for over a year to surprise him with a few beer pong tables, of course, monogrammed in the classiest way possible. Not only was it a ton of fun, but seeing the final details that Amanda had executed perfectly, complete with monogrammed paddles, cups, and tables, was just the best feeling and the most wonderful night!

Makeup: Elaine Chou from Echoumakeup / Photographer: Ian Grant Photography / Videographer: Stillmotion / Coordinator & Florals: Amanda Auer from In the Now Events / Caterer: 24 Carrots / Rentals: Versatile LA & Bob Gail Events / Photobooth: Snappy Joe Photography / DJ: SoCal DJ, Eric Mosqueda / Officiant: Pastor Matt Nault, City Church San Francisco / Cake: King’s Hawaiian / Event Design & Coordination: Amanda Auer for In The Now Weddings / Floral Design: Stephanie Hester and Amanda Auer for In The Now Weddings / Monogram Design: Shannon LaBare for In The Now Weddings / Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen and Signature Party Rentals / Vinyl Decor & Details: Creative Media Print / Calligraphy Details: Kristina Kunza, K.A. Kalligraphy / Venue: Saddlerock Ranch

Good morning, SMPers!  Are you ready for another fabulous Wedding Wednesday?  We sure hope so, because we are about to brighten your day with EIGHT stunning soirees simply brimming with delightful details, gorgeous inspiration and a plethora of special moments guaranteed to make you smile.  So, prepare yourselves for an entire day of lovely and be sure to check out those galleries where even more gorgeous awaits!

Up first in our pretty parade is an uber-charming backyard affair by Shell de Mar Photography that will most certainly warm your hearts with its eclectic vibe and sweet as can be garden setting.  Even better, these two adorable lovebirds crafted each and every detail of the big day themselves, right down to the Polaroid escort card display.  (Best. Idea. Ever.)  Oh, and did I mention the VW van converted into an ice cream truck?  Yep, this wedding is all kinds of awesome and you can see every last moment in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… After only six weeks of being engaged we had found and booked our perfect wedding venue – a lovely converted barn surrounded by stunning countryside complete with its own small lake and rowing boat. Soon after that we confirmed out caterer, photographer, registrar and had sent out our save the dates – everything was going perfectly and we were ecstatic…. until we got a phone call from our venue cancelling our wedding just 6 months before our date. We spent a solid week searching for a new venue but when we told them we wanted a Saturday wedding in July they mostly just laughed at us.  We were just about to lose hope of getting married that year when Stu’s parents offered to let us get married in their garden.  We considered it for probably all of a minute.  The amount of work and the thought of planning almost an entire wedding in 6 months was daunting but we didn’t have to wait any longer to get married and we’d get to do it in a place that meant so much to us both – so we started working hard to create our DIY backyard wedding!

In the months before the wedding Stu and I made most of the details and decorations.  We wanted everything to have a personal touch with a rustic homespun feel.  We made the tissue paper pompoms, table numbers, place names, wooden signs, photobooth and props, jam jar glasses for the reception, cake topper, invitations, save the dates, orders of service, table runners, menu chalkboard, bunting, rubber stamped paper cocktail napkins, made 100 fabric napkins and our favorite DIY project, the Polaroid escort card display with pictures of us with each one of our guests.  We also spent many a weekend in the garden perfecting our ceremony area which included lots of clearing, planting of grass seed, falling trees and stumbling across a rat nest!  I think at times we both thought, “what are we doing?!” but on the day, seeing it all come together and all our guests enjoying themselves, it really was worth every second.

One of the things we both always wanted was to get married outside.  The laws in the UK are very strict and you can’t get married outside or in a private place so we decided to have a small registry office wedding the day before with our closest family and then had a humanist service outside in the garden with all our guests.  Apart from being able to get married where we wanted another benefit of having a humanist ceremony was that it could be personalized, we weren’t restricted in our music and readings and we could write our own vows.  Our celebrant spent a lot of time with us planning and writing the ceremony which turned out perfectly.  The ceremony was my favorite and most memorable part of the day by far (as you can see from the goofy grin on my face!). I will never forget that feeling of standing with Stu in a space that we had created together, listening to his vows for the first time.

We planned and created every single part of our wedding day together and as a result it felt 200 % personal. All our guest commented on how “us” it was which is all we ever wanted.  During the reception we served our favorite cocktails that my brother-in-law made that morning and our friends surprised us by dressing up their old VW camper and turning it into an ice cream van from which they served our guests 4 different flavors of wedding themed homemade ice cream.  Instead of a formal 3 course dinner we asked our favorite deli to make picnic hampers full of our favorite foods and afterwards we had a dessert table full of goodies made by some of our family and friends.

I know it’s a total cliché but it really was the best day of our lives and everything turned out more perfect that we ever could have hoped for.  I cannot put into words the sheer joy and love we felt that day surrounded by all our nearest and dearest, it is something we will both cherish forever.

Wedding Photography: Shell de Mar Photography / Day-of Coordinator: Louise of Bow Occasions / Tipis: Tipis4Hire / Catering: Delilah / Floral Design: Maison Fleur / Wedding Dress: Tibi via Little London Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Vivienne Westwood / Bridesmaid Dresses: Coast / Flower Girl Dress: I Love Gorgeous / Decor: DIY