What is it about old Hollywood glamour that leaves everyone in awe decades later? The style is definitely one of a kind and provided the perfect inspiration for Wanted Imagery when pulling together this beyond glam shoot. It’s the perfect place to get lost this Friday morning, and when you are done eating up all the elegance in this post, be sure to stop on by the full gallery for more!

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From Wanted Imagery…This shoot was based on the old Hollywood style, We have a lovely strapless gown from Calabro, and we added a simple thin black ribbon belt, and a satin black bolero. We had the model’s hair styled into beautiful curls, and her makeup was done with the screen siren look in mind. The groom, also handsomely donned a tux with bow tie.

The bouquet was a mix of fresh roses, chrysanthemums and baby’s breath with a mix of vintage brooches. We wanted to show a regal inside private affair, and we then took the shoot outside for a more relaxed vibe, where we changed the lip color to a fresh pale pink, got rid of the bolero and belt, but added a lovely veil. We were able to make use of the beautiful vintage car, and use vintage cameras as props (a real life love of not only the photographer but the real life married couple).

We held the shoot at the fabulous Longworth House in Newcastle, which is so regal in it’s own right, and perfectly complimented the bride and groom for the day. We also set up a very simple, sweet and elegant dessert for two upstairs. This consisted of homemade cheesecakes in tiny glasses, with vintage dessert spoons and fresh flowers with candles. Very simple, but so cute.

Photography: Wanted Imagery / Make-up: Danielle of Le Rouge Makeup Artistry / Hair: Create N Dreams Hair Studio / Stationery: Amber of Love Tree Invitations / Venue: Longworth House / Dress: Calabro

When you have a creative power couple like this one – she’s a jeweler designer and he started an awesome needle point belt company – then you know that their nuptials will be nothing short of spectacular.  Set it in one of the most beautiful cities in the world – San Francisco – and you have a scenario that just can’t be beat.  Anything & Everything Productions captured their touching, romantic, sophisticated wedding with this beautifully crafted film.

From Anything & Everything Productions…When I first talked to Michelle and Peter over the phone to discuss the wedding it was refreshing to hear that they had a clear view of what they wanted and they articulated their vision for the wedding very well. Michelle simply described the wedding in two words: timeless and classy and the backdrop was San Francisco. Easily one of the most beautiful cities in the US. I was informed ahead about Michelle’s immaculate taste and it was well known since her style is clearly represented through her boutique handcrafted jewelry company, Mija Jewelry. Peter is no slouch either as he’s the co-founder of the hip needle point belt company, Smathers and Branson. The wedding was a black tie wedding with all the guests dressed “so fresh and so clean clean” in tuxes and beautiful gowns.

Wedding Videography: Anything & Everything Productions / Cupcake: SweetieCups / Caterer: Melons Catering / Band: Bill Hopkins Rockin Orchestra / Floral Design: Passiflora Designs / Hair + Make-up: Sherrie Long / Lighting + Sound: Got Light? / Wedding Photography: Dennis Kwan Wedding Photography / Wedding Planner: MW Weddings

Good morning and a happy Friday to you, SMPers!  If you are looking for a lovely affair to keep you swooning through the weekend, then you most certainly came to the right place.  Yes, this stunning Chicago soiree is delivering all kinds of swoon-worthy details and then some, including a lovely purple color palette, beautiful blooms by The Wishing Well Florist and a breathtaking reception space.  And with Wes Craft of Modern Image Studios on hand to capture all of the pretty, it’s the perfect way to start your day.  Click here for more.

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From the Bride… Ever since I was a little girl, I envisioned being married in a castle in Ireland. When I got engaged, a destination wedding in Ireland was completely out of the budget, so for me, the next best thing was getting married in my home town of Chicago. My husband is from small town Ohio but has come to love the city of Chicago as I do. I knew I wanted the feeling of the wedding to be very ethereal, romantic, and vintage with influences of the Medieval and Renaissance eras. We started to visit reception venues and when we walked into Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center we were in awe. I actually had goose bumps as we walked throughout the hall. The architecture is absolutely stunning with marble mosaics, gorgeous light fixtures, and the most breathtaking Tiffany glass dome, the largest in the world! The extra large windows looked out onto the most gorgeous view of Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park. We were sold at that very moment!

We had our ceremony at my church and kept the decor very romantic with hurricane candle holders set on each pew along with bunches of lavender. I wanted to include my Irish heritage in both the ceremony and reception so we had Celtic inspired programs and a bagpiper lead us out of the church. We had guests throw lavender buds at we exited the church which was quite lovely especially with the scent of lavender blowing through the air. Believe it or not, this wedding wasn’t only about me! We chose a Trolley company that had green and yellow trolleys as an ode to my husband’s grandfather. He had owned a John Deere Dealership for quite some time where most the men in the family had worked so we wanted to honor him and the company. For the reception, I knew I wanted to go light on décor and table centerpieces since Preston Bradley Hall is filled with so many intricate details. I didn’t want anything to take away from the natural beauty of the hall. My florist took the lavender from the church and created centerpieces with lavender and hydrangeas.

I grew up Irish dancing with my three sisters so of course we had a special performance for our guests that included our bagpiper and Irish step dancers kicking off the party. I was so happy that I was able to share such a historic building in Chicago with husband’s family and our guests and also share a part of my heritage by having the sounds of the bagpipe waft throughout Preston Bradley Hall as the Irish dancers kicked their legs into the air. Not to mention, dancing with my husband under the Tiffany glass dome was magical!

I am also proud to say that I bought my dress at Brides Against Breast Cancer at their yearly event in Chicago. The dress was made in Italy by Galizia Spose. All proceeds from the dresses bought at the event go to women with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. It was so meaningful to look at myself in that dress on my wedding day and know that it wasn’t just special to me but that it made a positive impact on another woman’s life as well.

Photographer: Wes Craft of Modern Image Studios / Wedding Venue: The Chicago Cultural Center / Caterer: Jewell Events Catering / Florist: The Wishing Well Florist / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Bride’s Dress: Galizia Spose via Brides Against Breast Cancer / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaid Chicago / Bride’s Makeup Artist: Marla Del Angel / Bride’s Jewelry: Tejani + Etsy

If the flowers, linens and personal details are the building blocks of your wedding design then the venue is the foundation.  It is the starting point for any good design and should direct the focus of your wedding.  This Muskoka wedding by Rowell Photography and Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design is the perfect example of all the beautiful things that can happen when you work in harmony with your venue.  The moss that can be found in the woods surrounding the ceremony area is mirrored in the green of the flowers and the moss details in the reception.  The natural elegance of the terrain is reflected in incredible birch backdrop behind the sweetheart table and the result is perfectly stunning!  See it all in the full gallery!

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From Rowell Photography…The rugged but beautiful Canadian Muskoka was the setting for this quaint wedding. While the bride wanted elements inspired by the famous Muskoka terrain, she also wanted to ensure the wedding had a elegant feel with vintage accents. Wedding designer, Rachel A. Clingen created a fresh and intimate feel for both the water side ceremony and the tented reception. The ceremony was held on the dock over looking the beautiful lake. Large fresh arrangements of hydrangeas, roses, mums and orchids sat on top of large cylinder vases filled with accents of birch. Mason jars filled with compliment flowers hung on white vintage shepherds hooks and were the perfect detail for the aisle. Hanging satin ribbons, vintage lanterns and even the bride and grooms initials hung from a birch arch and was the perfect backdrop for the small intimate head table. Vintage bottles, birch candle holders all added to the romantic atmosphere. Mason jars filled with fresh hydrangeas, orchids and mums along with birch candle holders were the centerpiece of choice. Burlap wrapped napkins with an orchid attachment added a rustic feel to each guest table.

Wedding Photography: Rowell Photography / Decor + Floral Design: Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design / Venue: Delta Rocky Crest Resort Muskoka

These cuties met in New York City while working for an ad agency and when it came time to plan their big day they decided that a travel theme wedding would be perfect since she’s from Texas and he’s from New York. They infused a bit of each others home states and places they’ve traveled together into the decor with pretty custom map centerpieces. And it really wouldn’t be a Texas wedding without the bridesmaids in super chic cowgirl boots! She-N-He Photography and Design captured each and every special moment and detail to perfection and there’s much more where this came from in the full gallery.

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From She-N-He Photography and Design…Katie and Kieran met in New York City while working as copywriters for an ad agency. Katie is from Houston while Kieran is from New York. To celebrate the great distance they crossed to come together  they created a lavish destination affair.

Their centerpieces and table numbers were custom designed maps of locales that the couple hold dear to them including Manhattan, Mexico and Austin. They also included nods to their host city of Austin with charming cowboy boots, BBQ, and Tabasco sauce party favors. Their awesome wedding color combo of turquoise and pink was in every detail including bridesmaid’s dresses, flowers and a four tiered pink gradient wedding cake by Simon Lee Bakery.

Kieran mentioned during their engagement session that Katie requests or plays “Boot Scoot Boogie” everywhere they go in New York…hmmm, sounds familiar. With the Matt Wilson band at the helm there was not a still moment on their dance floor. It was an amazing Sunday evening with the most perfect sunset. A day any couple would proudly relive again and again.

Wedding Photography: She-N-He Photography and Design / Venue: Vista West Ranch / Coordination: Lizze Belle Event Planning / Bridal Dress: Galina Signature / Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaid Footwear: Cavendar’s Boot City / Hair + Make-up: Erica Gray / Groom + Groomsmen Suits: Michael Kors / Officiant: Chaplain Larry Todd / Caterer: Gourmet Gals & Guys / Wedding Cake: Simon Lee Bakery / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Lighting: FILO Productions / Ceremony Music: Musical Discovery Chamber Players / Reception Music: Matt Wilson Band / Custom Map: Snappy Map

Let’s come up with a dream wedding scenario for a minute.  Perhaps it involves an intimate celebration with your closest family and friends.  Your sharing a delicious Italian meal on the edge of a cliff with an incredible ocean view surrounded by the natural beauty of Capri.  Sounds pretty ideal, right?  For this nature-loving couple that dream was a very special reality at their 12 guest destination wedding planned by Sugokuii Weddings Capri.  It is straight out of  the most breathtaking fantasy.  See it all here!

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From Sugokuii Weddings Capri…This beautiful & intimate wedding was a second marriage for Lorin & Roseanna who were intent on finding the perfect outdoor location on the island of Capri, Italy which they love – combined with the sea, the cliffs, nature & forest – the parts they love most about Capri. After much location scouting – which is our specialty at Sugokuii Weddings Capri, I found this beautiful intimate setting; a tiny “belvedere” at the very top of a mountain, 600 feet above the sea – overlooking the famous Faraglioni rock formations and enclosed by natural rocks and mountain cliffs in a somewhat natural rugged setting far away from any villas or tourists — completely isolated. This location was perfect for the spiritual couple who were looking to have an intimate ceremony location be at one with nature. (There is only space for max 10 people standing). The design was also slightly inspired by Ancient Rome and Roman mythology which was displayed in a natural setting through the statues, reliefs & figurines that were placed throughout the long aisle through the forest – meant to look as if they had always been there and placed there many years ago.

The day started with Italian aperitivi served on the outdoor sea view terrace of their amazingly styish hotel, JK Place Capri where the couple had flown their friends and family to stay at for the weekend. Shortly after, everyone was transported to the tiny deserted area of Capri (about a 20 minute ride) driving through narrow ancient lanes where regular cars and buses aren’t able to drive (only very narrow cars can make it through and have to be specially booked days in advance) until they reached the hard to reach area at the top of a mountain. From here, in order to reach the ceremony location, one had to first walk through a local vineyard, a tiny forest, down the end of a deserted road – walking uphill – and I must say that Roseanna looked very much the part of a Roman goddess in her towering Jimmy Choo’s and Greco-Roman inspired Versace dress and Lorin in his beige suit and mint colored shirt matching Roseanna’s jewellery. The bride carried an all white peony bouquet rimmed with fragrant rosemary local to Capri (Capri has it’s own type of rosemary which grows everywhere!). The couple matched each other beautifully! Look at Lorin’s amazing belt that also matches his shoes and his unique cufflinks matching the same blue in her jewellery! This couple were truly in sync.

The ceremony lasted 30 minutes — and had only 12 guests in attendance (there is not space for more) – so it was a very intimate wedding overlooking the amazing blue sea, 600 feet above sea level which took place 1 hour before sunset. The natural rocks also served as makeshift benches — and in between this, to make the area a bit more soft looking between the rocks and rugged area, we added white flowers and lavender – which were the main colors used throughout the wedding, along with a natural rustic brown wood and the natural surroundings – which we didn’t want to change, but merely wanted to enhance it’s natural beauty. Lorin & Roseanna are a spiritual couple and this was reflected in the ceremony by creating a formation of a circle between all the guests who were primarily standing throughout the ceremony, which also included a special ceremony blessing and handfasting in the 30 minute long ceremony. Their ceremony was incidentally performed by an officiant that may officiate outdoor weddings in Italy with legal validity — one of very few in Italy who are allowed to do this. There was also a poetry reading from “Night on the Island” by Pablo Neruda, who lived in Capri in the 1950’s and often wrote poetry in the same area where the ceremony took place.

After the wedding, the guests walked down a path that lead into an other natural spectacular outdoor area of Capri — a tiny “park”, at the end of a road, filled with towering trees and a sea view “to die for”. When I saw this location, I knew immediately it would be perfect to have their wedding dinner here — the outdoors, the nature and the immediate connection with the belvedere above it where they just got married was perfect for them! This location I describe as “the edge of the world”, because it feels like it — as it is a tiny park at the very end of the road, at the edge of a cliff – nestled between mountains, sea and forest. It is truly like being at the edge of the world where one can’t walk any farther. In keeping with the Ancient Rome inspiration – the floral were kept simple, using lavender from local Capri fields picked that afternoon and classic white roses — and classic floral arrangements were put into large stone vases that were so heavy that it took 4 men to carry them to this location. These were put around the perimeter of the dinner location – but never taking away from the amazing sea view and cliff edges.

The entire wedding was captured by the talented Simply Bloom team, who really captured the ancient Roman-rustic-classical style, the amazing sunset, the intimacy of the wedding and the adorable couple. This wedding was truly unique and the first time a wedding ever had taken place in this location. When I asked the local mayors assistant for permission to use the location – they looked at me with amazement — and had no idea what to charge me to use the area, since it is owned by the state and had never been used before for a wedding or an official matter even. In fact, it took them 6 weeks to get back to me with a rental price with continuous correspondence and discussions with the local fire marshall — and even then, they seemed unsure about the rental price! However, when Lorin & Roseanna saw the location for the first time, the expression on their faces told me right away that I had found exactly what they were looking for – their love of nature, natural environment and the importance of close family & friends and love for one an other by having the ceremony & dinner feel intimate throughout in one of their favorite places in the world..It was truly a wedding at the edge of the world.

Wedding Design + Planning: Sugokuii Weddings Capri / Wedding Photography: Simply Bloom Photography / Carpentry, Floral, Linens + Tableware: Local Vendors in Capri + Napoli, Designed by Sugokuii Weddings Capri / Ceremony + Reception Location: Belvedere in Capri (Sugokuii Weddings Capri for info) / Stationery: Delapresse Custom Letterpress / Pre-Wedding Cocktail Reception + Hotel: JK Place Capri / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Shoes: Berluti / Wedding Dress: Versace

Get ready to feast your eyes on one super gorgeous beach side wedding by Kate Preftakes Photography. There are so many pretty details packed into this day but my faves have got to be the bridesmaids bouquets-beyond gorg full of fluffy peonies and pretty green hydrangeas, the bride’s custom dress, to-die-for, and the setting…it really doesn’t get any better! All these pretty details add up to one elegant and unforgettable day full of eye candy galore. Click here for even more.

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From the Bride…I chose the Wequassett because my parents were married there 37 years ago, and we absolutely fell in love with the setting when we visited last fall.  Although the setting was very traditional Cape Cod, I wanted to stay away from the typical hydrangeas and sand dollars. I really wanted an overall theme of romance so I chose a soft pallet for my flowers which included white and light pink peonies and lily of the valley.

I originally thought I wanted to have my bridesmaids wear blue dresses, but then I saw the eggplant dresses on a wedding website and fell in love with the color. My bridesmaids looked gorgeous in them, and I and tied their look together with cream and light pink pearl and grosgrain ribbon necklaces that I purchased from Etsy.com.  As for my look, I wanted to look more “Vogue” than “bridal” so I worked with a dressmaker (Ana Hernandez) and she added a long train to the back of the dress which made for a very dramatic look. The inspiration for the back necklace came from a Chanel advertisement featuring Nicole Kidman in a backless gown. My maid of honor actually sewed the necklace into place on my wedding day- best maid of honor ever!

My favorite moment of the day was seeing Robb as I walked down the aisle. I had pictured that moment my entire life, but I never imagined the joy and emotion I actually felt when I saw him standing there with a huge smile and watery eyes.

Wedding Photography: Kate Preftakes Photography / Venue: Wequassett Inn and Resort / Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister / Catering: Wequassett Inn and Resort / Wedding Coordination: Kalson Pang of Wequassett Inn and Resort / Floral Design: Flowers by Fancy / Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Alterations: Ana Hernandez Bridal Salon

Another wonderful week has come and gone here on SMP Georgia, but we aren’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet.  Nope, we have one very stunning Atlanta soiree and a bundle of breathtaking images by Light Love Laughter Photography to help us bid adieu… and this gorgeous fête is not only boasting a plethora of sweet details (including lovely purple hues and an uber-fabulous cake), but a beautiful Piedmont Park location that has seriously taken my breath away.  That ceremony is just wow.  Click here for even more!

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From Light Love Laughter Photography… Ashley and Josh were merely nursing school friends who enjoyed studying together but before long what began as a friendship grew into something much larger. Josh grew up in the Philippines and even had a pet monkey as a kid. He’s as sweet as sincere as any groom I’ve ever known and is the perfect match for Ashley. She’s driven, loves being a nurse, she’s beautiful, and loves to stay running (she’s dedicated enough she completed a workout bright and early the morning of her wedding) and absolutely loves sharing the adventures of life with Josh.

Ashley also really loves the color purple. They exchanged their vows in a beautiful late afternoon ceremony on the lawn at Piedmont Park. With the support and love from their family and friends they said “I do” as the very last sun rays of light broke through the trees they were pronounced husband and wife.

Their reception was elegant and beautiful and they shared their favorite pictures from their engagement session with their guests as they served as the anchors for the table numbers. Ashley and her father shared the most touching first dance I’ve ever witnessed and it was a party of celebration and excitement for the union of these two with all their friends until they very end.

Wedding Photography: Light Love Laughter Photography / Wedding Venue: Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm via J. Andrew’s Bridals / “Mrs. Myers” Dress Hanger: deliziare / Bride & Groom Chair Signs: Sweetest Moments / Wedding Guest Book Tree: Say Anything Design / Bridesmaid Robes & Parents Gifts: Chrissy’s Creations / Wedding Rings: The Shane Company / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff via J. Andrew’s Bridals / Bridesmaid Shoes: Nine West + Their Choice / Men’s Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear / Floral Design & Reception Decor: Flowers From Us / Hair: Ben White of Bob Steele Salon / Makeup: Leslie Roberts / Catering: Avante Catering / DJ: To The Rescue Entertainment / Honeymoon: Excellence Playa Mujeres / Wedding Coordinator: Surber Paz, Weddings & Events

A good whimsy wedding is like the perfect chocolate, or ice cream, or cupcake break for the start of your work day. Filled with bright colors, pinwheels, love, and fun, this California wedding has that ice cream factor that so many of us need to get us through to the weekend. And I’m loving it. The second I laid eyes on the fête, captured by Gertrude & Mabel Photography, I felt energized, ready to face the rest of my day, and SO. IN. LOVE. Just like this beyond adorable couple. Make sure you spend some time this afternoon getting lost in the full image gallery – it’s like the sprinkles to your love-filled sundae.

Alex and Kendall’s Napa Valley wedding was thirteen years to the day after they met.  A high school service trip to Costa Rica brought them together, and their initial puppy love blossomed into an enduring friendship that followed them to separate colleges and eventually back to each other in San Francisco.  Together again at last, their love for each other grew deeper still and it was only a matter of time before they decided to take the next step and get married (a decision they had each made many years before).

Kendall and Alex wanted to create a wedding that reflected this growing up together.   They wanted the day to feel playful and relaxed, like they are, without losing the elegant and sophisticated elements that maintained the significance of the long-awaited day.  Naturally, Kendall, a fourth grade teacher who likes little more than crafting, wanted to create this atmosphere with as many do-it-yourself projects as possible.  Fortunately her mom, Paula, lived nearby and likes little more than working on craft projects with Kendall.

When Kendall and Alex saw Beaulieau Gardens in California’s Napa Valley they knew it was the perfect setting for their dream wedding.  The space was beautiful and didn’t require any fussing.

Kendall considers her best decision in dreaming up the wedding day was not complying with a strict color palate.  She started with gray and yellow because she loved how gray was sophisticated but not stuffy and yellow seemed so playful against it.    Still, she never felt forced to select details in only these two colors when so many other colors complemented them so well.  Quickly the palate grew with shades of orange, light blue, greens, and even natural earth tones in some of the linens.

Katherine of Cherries in San Francisco completely understood Kendall’s request for beautiful, loose flowers.  Kendall didn’t want anything too structured or within too strict of a color palate.  She didn’t require Katherine to stick within a list of acceptable flowers, instead just trusted her to pick out what seasonal flowers looked best.  The yellow, orange and pale green blooms were incredible.  Yellow, “Billy Balls” for the groom and groomsmen were the perfect, playful accessory.  Old-fashioned tea tins held flowers over yellow and white striped linens in the cocktail area, and a variety of more rustic stone and metal containers held arrangements over natural linen tablecloths in the dining area.  Kendall and Katherine agreed on a flower palate that wasn’t “matchy matchy”.

Going along with this varied palate, the six bridesmaids more an assortment of dresses, with the maid of honor in a long gray dress from JCrew.  Kendall told the girls to look for a dress they liked in gray, yellow or a complementary orange or pattern.  They accessorized with jewelry and shoes in similar shades or neutrals.  Kendall didn’t see the dresses together until the wedding day, and couldn’t have been more pleased.  The various dresses added incredible color to the ceremony and a depth to the photographs that a monochromatic bridal party wouldn’t have achieved.

At some point early on, Kendall decided that the pinwheel was the perfect playful symbol for the wedding day.  She and her mom made over 250 of them using patterned paper, wooden dowels, and ribbon.  The pinwheels became the escort cards for the wedding–a paper strip attached to the dowel had each guest’s name and table number hand-written (in a few different ways).  After making them, they realized they needed some way to hold the pinwheels, so Kendall’ father, Steve, was enlisted to build two 6ft by 6ft foot garden stands.  Painted gray and adorned with pale yellow window planters, the colorful pinwheels looked fabulous and fun.

Viola, from Chewing the Cud in Oakland, California, worked with Kendall to create other paper goods to suit the concept of the wedding.  She used lined school papers and hand-drawn fonts to satisfy the idea of growing up together.  The pinwheel symbol was repeated in gray and yellow on the invitation and on the ceremony programs that doubled as fold-out fans.  Viola also created table number tents that shared numerical facts about the couple (Kendall and Alex met 13 years ago today at table #13).  The menu was done on natural colored paper with “EAT and love well” (a sentiment close to Alex and Kendall’s hearts) displayed at the top.  Chalkboard signage throughout the wedding was in keeping with the playful school concept.

The fabulous food and assortment of desserts (no wedding cake) were catered by Paula LeDuc. Tim Lilly at Paula LeDuc cleverly had the servers all in yellow ties, unbeknownst to us.

Perhaps the highlight of the whole incredible evening was the rising of the full moon in the warm, Napa sky while guests danced under the stars and twinkly lights.

Photographer: Gertrude & Mabel Photography / Floral Designer: Cherries / Event Design & Planning: Stacy McCain / Invitation Designer: Chewing the Cud / Catering, Desserts & Location: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering / Wedding Gown Designer: Amy Kuschel, Astaire Nosegay / Groom & Groomsmen Suits: J.Crew / Ties: Handmade by Emy / Location: Beaulieu Gardens

Brace yourselves, because you are in for quite the pretty experience this Friday morning thanks to Caryn Azure Photography. Because this wedding is the type of fête that will have you doing high kicks in your office chair. The bride’s necklace, fish-tail braid and worthy-of-a-royal veil? All deserving of the highest of high kicks. And that is just the tip of all the pretty to be had, so be sure to stretch your high-kicking legs before heading over to the full gallery for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…At the beginning of the wedding planning process I was a mess! I change my mind constantly and it seemed torturous to make decisions about an event that was over a year away!!! Every day I wanted to be a different bride (bohemian, classic, modern!) or choose a different color scheme (jewel tones, black and white, gray and yellow!).  But the first decision was the hardest…the venue. We visited all of the traditional venues and while they were all very beautiful, none felt comfortable or warm or familiar…until a very good friend suggested The Succop Conservancy.  When we saw the Conservancy and that beautiful willow tree, everything else just fell into place.  After that, I didn’t doubt a decision and in the end, I never even picked “wedding colors” or a “theme”.  It was an organic planning and design process and everything just seemed to click.

We came across Caryn Azure’s photography website and immediately called and booked her without talking to any other photographers. As soon as I saw her work I knew we spoke the same language. The same goes for our florist. The minute I stepped foot into the gorgeous, circa 1860’s Italianate house where Jim runs his shop, I didn’t even think about looking elsewhere! I explained what I wanted and he simply looked at me and said, “Yep, that’s what we do here”. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that those flowers would be breathtaking.

Brian and I talked about our idea of the perfect wedding day and we came to a simple conclusion. It’s a day that is free from stress and negativity. It’s a day where we can enjoy each other and all of our best friends and families without worrying about a thing or thinking a negative thought.  And that’s exactly what happened. We got married outside on September 2 and it was the happiest day of my life thus far (Bonus= no rain!). After the short and sweet ceremony our guests went inside the beautiful Succop Mansion for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music. The reception followed in a covered pavilion right outside the mansion where we had an amazing dinner fresh from the grill! After dinner came one of my all time favorite things, cake!  But this cake was very special to both Brian and I. It was made by Brian’s father and decorated by his grandfather at their family bakery.  When I first saw the cake it literally took my breath away, it’s a moment and feeling that I will never forget. After dancing the night away under the gorgeous string lights and having a blast in the photobooth, our guests left with 2 goodie bags! One filled with cookies from the amazing cookie table (what’s a Pittsburgh wedding without the cookie table?!), and a second bag filled with goodies from our candy table! My best friend Anne, who knows I’m a candy monster, assembled a MASSIVE candy table with all of our favorites!

My favorite part of the planning process was the DIY stuff! I truly enjoyed making our table numbers, and I think the methodical process of printmaking helped to relieve any stress I was feeling. Art has always been a huge release for me and I think that becomes very important because planning a wedding is not an easy or stress free task!   The moms collected wedding pictures from both sides of the family and my mom and I went antique shopping for vintage frames to display each picture. We had a blast and I am now completely obsessed with antiquing!! My mom assembled and beautifully labeled all the photos and sprinkled them around the mansion to make it feel like home! My dad helped me assemble the programs that I made and we turned them into fans…which worked out wonderfully because it was a toasty day! My Uncle and Grandma collected the centerpiece jars from Auctions and flea markets and they were absolutely perfect. Knowing that our families were so involved in the process made it very special.

Brian and I are very lucky. We both have amazing families that helped and supported us through every single step, bump, and decision leading up the our wedding day and we couldn’t have done it without them.

Venue: The Succop Conservancy / Ceremony Dress, Reception Dress + Necklace: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka (heels) + Vera Wang (flats) / Floral Design: Cuttings / Wedding Photography: Caryn Azure Photography / DJ: Magic Moments / Lighting: Benack Sound Productions Inc. / Caterer: Medures / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Wedding Cake: Schorr Bakery / Guitarist (Cocktail Hour + Ceremony): Jamie Wright

Hello fabulous fête! This wedding by Fede Photography just looks like one good time wrapped up in a pretty package. From having the pups in the ceremony to the fabulous pops of color courtesy of the balloons and bridesmaid dresses to those right off the runway shoes (swoon!), it’s all enough to make you a bit giddy this morning. So skip on over to the full gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to be a fun, colorful and casual affair where everyone would have a great time. We knew we wanted it to be outside, with a beautiful view and a rustic setting, so when we found Mount Gulian Historic Site, in Beacon, NY, we knew that was the place.

The invitations, programs and all other printed materials were created by my husband and I, who are both graphic designers and art teachers. We were inspired by the Dada art movement, which we both love.

I burst into tears when I saw the flower arrangements for the first time.  They were just what I wanted, and I realized then that the day was going to be perfect. The balloons really set the scene, with color and whimsy, just what we wanted. The little details really made the day for us.  Take the time to make sure and include special things that make you happy.

Wedding Photography: Fede Photography / Floral Design: Nicole Moral of Seed to Fruit / Hair + Make-up: Beauty by Nicole / Bridal Gown + Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Caterer: Bon Soir Caterers / Cupcakes: Yummee Cupcakes Cafe / Venue: Mount Gulian Historic Site

When it comes to capturing beautiful moments, Simply Bloom Photography LLC takes the cake and this Florida wedding just might be the most romantic little gem ever. An Affair to Remember designed and styled a sea of pastel prettiness from vintage chic paper goods to an all white candy bar and scrumdidlyumptious milkshakes to wash it all down. Seriously, if there was an award for The Cutest Wedding We Ever Did See, this would surely be the Winner. See the full gallery of gorgeous here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From An Affair to Remember…Nicole and Chris’s classy affair was a one of a kind wedding. We loved this wedding from the stripped awning brought into the Lake Mary Events Center to the “Home Cooked” style food of milkshakes, mini cheeseburgers, and mac + cheese that was served at the reception. This wedding was all in the details..the simple, organic baby’s breath centerpieces, drink flags, all white candy bar and tables filled with baby’s breath. We just love the simplicity of this wedding.

Wedding Coordination: An Affair to Remember / Ceremony + Reception Location: Lake Mary Events Center / Catering: Arthur’s / Wedding Photography: Simply Bloom Photography LLC / Band: Paul Vesco Band / Floral Design: Carly Ane’s / Officiant: Jan Jones / Wedding Cake: Belladonna / Transportation: VIP Transportation / Rentals: Suzanne Nichols / Ceremony Music: Strings & Things / Hair + Make-up: Patricia LeJeune / Chairs: A Chair Affair

The ladies of Carter & Cook Event Co. have done it once again; they’ve totally knocked us out of our desk chairs with this Marvimon number. It’s an eclectic mix of the prettiest shades of pink, the coolest of table linens and a dessert table full of sweet, sweet treats. Sounds like total perfection to us and with the addition of gorgeous florals by Honey and Poppies, this affair is in a bright, happy category all its own. Gabriel Ryan Photography shot many a pretty image and you can find them all here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

The only thing better than a wedding full of lovely images, beautiful decor and sweet as can be moments with family and friends is a wedding where all of this was caught on film. Aqua Vivus did just that so plop down and get cozy with this little number…

From Carter & Cook Event Co.…Amy and Tom’s wedding was inspired by bright colors, simplistic mid-century design & gourmet Mexican food cuisine. The ambiance we created was relaxed and felt like a fun, intimate dinner party, which is just what Amy & Tom wanted. Guests enjoyed chips & salsa, margaritas & a delicious variety of unique tacos from Loteria Grill. Although they had a tiny bridal party, many of their friends were involved in a variety of ways which made for a very special evening.

Planning + Design: Carter & Cook Event Co. / Wedding Photography: Gabriel Ryan Photography / Wedding Videography: Aqua Vivus / Floral Design: Honey and Poppies / Paper Goods: Paper & Thread Studio / Catering: Loteria Grill / Venue: Marvimon / Hair + Make-up: Symmetry Beauty by Nyrie / DJ: Red Shoe LA / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Desserts: Cake Monkey / Linen: La Tavola Linen / Rentals: Arcadia Party Rentals

I know I’ve said it before, but I just love Isari Flower Studio so much that I have to say it again. To a black thumb like myself, when someone has such an amazing, green thumb and uses it to create pure artwork, I am in total awe. One look at the floral design from this California wedding, and you will be right there with me. Especially those absolutely gorgeous bouquets. See what I mean about the works of art? The day, as seen by Chelsea Anne Photography, was so beautiful, I almost feel sad I wasn’t there. But luck of all lucks, there is a whole gallery filled with more to make me feel right at home with this affair!

I have always been a true believer that everything happens for a reason and timing is everything.  Jason’s mother informally introduced us in 2006 while I was working as a buyer and personal stylist for a clothing boutique.  He had recently moved to California from NYC. Instantly when I heard this, the California native in me felt the need to be his official welcoming party committee, and like that we became instant friends.  We were both going through a time in our lives when we first met, friendship was all that we needed and for the next five years that was purely what it was.  Both being workaholics we hardly ever saw each other but for some reason we always stayed connected.

The idea of transitioning from friends to dating came about one night when I introduced Jason to my friend Jennifer. I remember, like it was yesterday. She literally grabbed both my arms and shook some sense into me.  With her head tilted to one side and a confused look in her eyes the words came out… “Girl, are you serious, the guy you should have been with all along is right in front of you!”  She continued bantering on lists of all the wonderful qualities she found in Jason after only one night of introduction, I couldn’t have agreed more.   It was like a light had finally turned on in my head…  But how would we transition from friends to dating, did he feel the same for me, and how would I even know?

I decided to make more time in my life for Jason because I cared to find out the answers to all my questions.  The answers came quick from small things like a helping hand through a crowd of people that held on a little longer, to an invitation of a home cooked meal when we had always grabbed meals out.  I knew when I looked in his sink after he cooked me pasta and saw that a huge label sticker was still affixed to his strainer, that Jason had probably never cooked a meal and he was trying to impress me. Confirmed by my mother in-law now, my theory was correct!

After five years of friendship Jason proposed after only five short months of dating, following in the footsteps of his father. From a journal that he had spent time cutting a perfect square out of the center of 400 pages, he placed the ring in.  Written down were all the reasons he loved being with me. Then there they were the ultimate words… “We have an exceptional life together will you marry me?”  “Yes, I cried!”  That is when all the wedding planning began…

Our wedding day went so smoothly; it felt as if we were attending someone else’s.  Jason and I knew that we wanted a non-traditional, very intimate, mostly family wedding.  Realistically we knew between the both of us we could easily have had over 300 people if we didn’t keep to our formula.

Our wedding planning journey all started with our visit to the stunning Isari Flower Studio of Tam Ashworth. She is true talent with her incredible eye for detail and art of floral styling.  Being in her studio environment just makes you smile and feel like the options are the skies the limit to what she can create. Tam’s services did not stop there.  She gave us endless literature of other vendors and even helped in suggesting wedding sites by showing us beautiful photographs.  There was never any pressure just description of what was out there for us to choose from. She helped us paint a picture of what we envisioned and then the reins were released to let her work her magic; that is how much we trusted her skills.

Jason and I wanted to walk into our wedding and have it be a wonderful visual surprise and that it was.  Missoni inspired, bright colors like chartreuse green, bright orange tones, bold magentas, a modern twist with an organic blend was what we decided on. On my wedding day Tam walked in with my bouquets and it literally brought tears to my mom’s eyes and mine.  They were the talk of the wedding and even after the wedding!

The venue we picked was the number one pick for both our families and us.  There was no comparison to the beauty of the grounds and options that they offered. Ironically Tam had been the resident florist prior to opening her own studio, this fact made our decision that much easier.  The gorgeous Park Hyatt Aviara (formally the Four Seasons) is still the best hands down hotel service we have ever experienced in all of our travels.   Peter Ho, Kelly Smorzewski and the staff of Park Hyatt went above and beyond what was expected in a big day like this.  Jason and I could not believe how much they were willing to work with us on every aspect to make sure we were more than satisfied.  No matter when I looked around I could always spot Peter or Ryan White ready and able to help us with any requests small or large.  They honestly blew away any expectations that we had and more.  Thank you Peter for getting the baby wipes out of our car for cleaning the mud of my dress!

Chelsea Anne Photography was highly recommended by numerous ladies while I was getting my hair done with my dear friend/hair designer Angela from Bella Villa Del Mar.  Everyone just seemed to know Chelsea’s work and all in unison said “She is just SO sweet and easy to work with.”  Jason and I could not have agreed more after working with her.  We both feel in love with her photo style.  What set Chelsea’s style away from others is that she captures personality and the pictures looked real not over shot or over posed. She also has an eye in capturing those all too perfect moments.  Jason and I expressed how much we were not from the “picture takers”, and she really took our words into play.  With her everlasting smiles and giggles she kept us distracted while snapping away at rapid speed.  Before we knew it the photos were done and delivered. We are still sorting through them because there are too many ones we love!  Chelsea has a caring heart, no pressure personality that we appreciated so much.  Without Chelsea and artistic talent of Natalie Medoff, my makeup magician, I believe our wedding photos would have been a good laugh instead of awes!

Our wedding day Angel came about after numerous conversations with everyone saying, “No matter how big or small you MUST have a coordinator”!  Thank you to all of you for that important detail!  Tricia Bruni seriously was like Glinda the good witch and a guardian angel all wrapped into one.  Without her soothing calm spirit, professionalism, and impeccable organizational skills who knows what would have come about that day.  She always showed up to every meeting way before us, pen in hand, and ready to go.  Her opinions on numerous wedding details were so helpful and honest, while still letting Jason and I ultimately decide.  She never let a moment ruffle any of our feathers, even when my train got stuck before my walk down the isle and she had to undo it!  Tricia is a true expert in the field of event planning and we were so lucky to have her by our sides prior to and on our big day.

Our favorite parts of the wedding were our ceremony and cake!  Jason’s Grandfathers performed the ceremony.  All we did was write a wedding outline and told each one which part was theirs; the rest was up to them.  The ceremony, like the flowers, was another surprise factor.  We did not want to know what they were going to say, and it made the day that much more special.  Words cannot express how perfect in every which way the ceremony intimately turned out.

The two cakes one for Jason and one for all, which my mother made with love, were AMAZING!  Not only the beauty but also the taste blew everyone away.   For two months my mom had been making sugar roses everyday by hand to decorate the cake.  I did not know my request of a cake adorned in roses would be so much work, if I were to have known I would have never made such a grand request.  Honestly the red velvet cake probably weighed more than my tiny mom and we were so grateful for all the heart that was put into making it.

I must slip in one more favorite, my Elie Saab dress from Provence Bride.  They were so helpful and kind when I pretty much begged to buy the sample size 12 dress off their rack.  I think the designer-to-designer sympathy in Allyson Simone could feel the desperation in me.  With time running out to design my own dress, I purchased the dress knowing I would have to redesign it to a size 2 to make it work.  After removing 30 yards in fabrics and redesigning the entire top it was perfectly made for me and it was instant love!

As we looked out at our close friends and family while we danced to our band “Kicks” goose bumps version of “At Last”; Jason and I smiled knowing that our wedding day went just as planned and without a hitch!

Wedding Coordination: Tricia Bruni / Wedding Photography: Chelsea Anne Photography / Location + Catering: Park Hyatt Aviara / Officiates: Grandfathers / Floral Design: Isari Flower Studio / Wedding Cake: Mother of the Bride / Invitations: Sweet Paper, Bella Figura / Calligraphy: Jessica Ford Beltran, Moira Events & Design / Music: “Kicks” Band / Hair: Angela Carlson, Bella Villa Del Mar / Make-up:  Natalie Medoff / Wedding Dress:  Elie Saab, Provence Bride / Bride’s Wedding ring: Cartier / Engagement ring: custom design by Melvin Krumholz of Wedding Rings Original NYC / Bride’s Necklace: Morgan Jean Jewelry / Bride’s Earrings & Bracelet: Bloomingdales Fine Jewelry / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaid Dress: Bloomingdales (pink) & Shopbop (blue) / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Tie: Louis Vuitton / Groom’s Shirt: Gucci / Groom’s Shoes:  Gucci / Grooms Ring: Cartier / Groom’s Watch: Jacob the Jeweler

I think we can all agree that this San Ysidro wedding by Jessica Lewis is a little slice of wedding perfection.  Let’s start with the exquisite backdrop nestled in picturesque California wine country and boasting jaw-dropping views and romantic woodland wonderlands.  Then comes the beautiful bride and her wowser one-of-a-kind Jenny Packham gown.  Add lush, dreamy florals and delightful, gilded details and wedding magic happens!  See it all here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I had no idea where to begin when it came to planning a wedding.  We knew we wanted something different than the norm, something small and intimate, something very special with lots of attention to detail.  We loved the idea of an elegant dinner party…with my family coming all the way from Texas, and my husbands family in California, we wanted a very relaxed yet very memorable experience for all.  I wanted the focus mainly on the food, but I also wanted a beautiful, natural setting.  I have always loved the Santa Barbara area for its small town feel and romantic appeal.  As soon as we checked in to the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California for a romantic getaway, the signs were everywhere…the lush gardens, the green mountain tops and ocean air…the antiques in every room, the old Hollywood mystique.. you can’t help but be relaxed as soon as you arrive!  This was the place for a perfect wedding.

Kelly Clark Leonard  of the Event of the Season was the first and ONLY wedding coordinator I considered.  As soon as we spoke on the phone six months before our August 20th wedding date, I knew she was perfect person to guide us along the wedding planning journey.  She just makes everything SO easy.  I have no idea how she does it, but I would never have done it without her!  She helped create the elegance I wanted, with a touch of whimsy and lots of glamour.  The colors we used were gold and ivory, and Laura Sangas of Cody Floral Design added to the whimsy with some blush touches in the amazing table florals and rose petal carpet.

The next important detail for our wedding was the gown.  I had been eyeing the Jenny Packham 2011 Collection and just knew that her sexy yet ethereal approach to design was right for me.  Getting my hands on the Persephone gown was no easy feat!  My husband, Zach, embarked on a mission to get it for me!!  He wrote an email after we were told that the gown was stuck at customs,  which got forwarded to Jenny and company and without his amazing words, I wouldn’t have seen my dreamy Persephone gown at all. I was absolutely thrilled and felt so lucky to have that exact gown!  It meant everything to me.

With the help of Sharyl Smith of  Presence Studio City, we were able to set the tone for the day with beautiful letter pressed invitations, and used calligraphy on everything from the invitations to the butterfly place cards to the escort cards.  Our guests seemed to really appreciate that personalized touch. I am so glad we did it.  We kept the romance going with beautiful Spanish guitar by Anthony Ybarra during the dinner.  Because my name is Joy, Kelly came up with the very cute idea to have “Enjoy” in calligraphy on our favor boxes, which were placed at each guest’s seat at the table.  Inside, our guests found delicious mini- bread puddings in dulce de leche and white chocolate blueberry  from Sweet Arleen’s Bakery.  It was an homage to my Southern upbringing.  Those were a definite hit!

Jessica Lewis Photography captured the magical feeling of the day so beautifully!  Her photos expressed exactly what we felt.  There was love and beauty everywhere we looked!  I got so emotional just seeing her photos for the first time..it was exactly the way I felt that day..in addition to all of the fun we had!!! On the day of the wedding, I felt very at ease and surrounded by love from every direction.  It was important to us that our guests enjoyed amazing cuisine, a gorgeous environment, and the feeling of a family style dinner party.  We even had family style macaroni and cheese!  The entire event was pure magic.

Wedding Photography: Jessica Lewis / Wedding Coordinator: Kelly of Event of the Season / Floral Design: Cody Floral Design / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham (One of a Kind) / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Venue: San Ysidro Ranch / Music: Tony Ybarra / Make-up: Avril Lipsky / Groom’s Attire: Gucci / Officiant: Nancy Little Moon / Hair: Page Berse of About Face Makeup Artistry / Invitations: Crane & Co. via Presence Studio City

If you love fun weddings, this my dears, will be right up your wedding alley! You seriously can’t help but smile at the spunk and creativity of this sweet polka dot fete. This fun-loving couple were inspired by the groom’s last name, Presley, and named each table after a famous Elvis song and even had the lyrics of “Love Me Tender” hand painted on a piece of wood for a touch of rustic in the midst of their whimsical day. Micah & Megan captured each and every polka dot detail to perfection and there’s a whole gallery of pretty just waiting to be discovered.

Click here for entire image gallery!

From Micah & Megan: This wedding seemed perfect to submit with it sweet details and sweet couple.  Erica and Charles Presley chose the groom’s namesake as a very specific theme for their wedding decor. Inside a vintage telephone booth was displayed old Elvis Presley record albums. Each table was named for an old Elvis love song, including the sweetheart table’s title, “love me tender.” The lyrics to that song were painted on a rustic piece of wood: “Love me tender, love me sweet. Never let me go, you have made my life complete, and I love you so.” This theme was carried throughout their wedding. They added antique tins, sugar, and flour containers to the center pieces, along with the adorable, custom-made black and white polka dot table cloths. The victorian estate that they chose for their location added a perfect touch to the style and decor of their wedding. The bride and her family made the pies that the couple cut into instead of the traditional cake. Each and every detail was so carefully thought out, and the theme of “Love me Tender” was so apparent in the love that Erica and Charles have for each other. It was an absolute honor to document a love like theirs.

Ceremony and Reception Location: The Jones Victorian Estate / Wedding Photography: Micah & Megan / Wedding Cinematography: Mr. Videocam / Flowers: Allison of Flower Allie / Event Design and Planning: Erica Gregory-Presley and Michelle Gregory / Shoes: Rocket Dogs / Wedding Dress: Watters Style Austin / Caterer: The Jones Victorian Estate / DJ: DJ John Muir / Pies and Desserts: The Jones Victorian Estate and Missy Devine Cakes

 

People often ask me if I ever get tired of weddings, and I am quick to answer no. This wedding film by Hello Tomorrow Wedding Films is the perfect example of why that is the case. Weddings are touching, they are emotional, they are memories. How can a person ever tire of that? I was moved to tears by the sisters of bride’s speech in this gorgeous film, and for a moment I felt like I knew this family. That’s why I love weddings. I challenge you to watch this film and not get emotional, I think it might be impossible.

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From Hello Tomorrow Wedding Films…An amazingly touching wedding. We created this highlights of Tanja and Tony’s wedding this past March. One of our favorites to date!

Cinematography: Hello Tomorrow Wedding Films

I am fairly certain that I will be spending this lovely Thursday morning all wrapped up in this stunning Mexico soiree by Holly Wilmeth, so I should probably start clearing my calendar now.  Boasting beautiful blooms, a beyond gorgeous location and one of my favorite gowns of all time from Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, this intimate affair is what I call destination wedding perfection.  All planned by Alicia Vilar Segura of San Miguel Weddings, there is not a single detail that I don’t completely adore.  Click here for more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Cy and I met through a mutual friend who had lived with my cousin, Julia, in Mexico City. Cy had attended the University of New Mexico with my cousins. We were introduced over a beer, became fast friends over movies and Red Vines, and started dating 6 months later. My cousin, Julia, was my Maid of Honor and actually introduced me to San Miguel de Allende, our wedding location.

My goal was to have a small, intimate wedding that was a reflection of my husband and me. We love culture, interesting food, beautiful and creative surroundings, and our family and friends. Our wedding was a perfect combination of all of that. We introduced our family and friends to San Miguel de Allende, a colorful colonial town in Mexico. Many of our friends and most of our family had never been to San Miguel. They all loved everything about it – the food, the sights, the people, and the markets! Cy and I loved planning the menu for our reception; we wanted to share a unique blend of modern Mexican cuisine with our guests. I also wanted to make sure my cake was delicious, and still beautifully unique. I’ve never seen a cake I’ve loved more– the white shaved chocolate and the fresh flowers were divine. I asked my wedding planner to have cream and white Otomi (hand-embroidered with beautiful birds, and indigenous to Mexico) table runners made for each table. These beautiful handcrafted pieces were not only stunning but also exhibited the extraordinary talent of Mexican artistry. The fabulous Mariachi band at our cocktail hour also showcased the talent and beauty of the Mexican culture. Antique silver frames with our parents’, grandparents’ and great grandparents’ weddings were the first thing my guests saw as they were greeted with champagne upon entering our wedding venue. Showing our friends those who came before us and have inspired us and helped lead us to this day was important to us. Having our family and most special friends there to share the day with made our day complete.

Cy and I spent many hours creating our ceremony and our program.We were blessed to have a family member, Reverend Erin Bair (Who happens to be my sister-in-law’s sister!) as our officiant. Cyrus and I each chose unique readings that meant something special to us. We wrote our vows together and based them on a beautiful sermon that was written to honor one my best friends and mentor, Sr. Peg Dolan. She evoked love in every aspect of her life and my mom believes it was Sr. Peg relentless prayers that led me to meet Cy. My father sang the Irish Blessing (a tribute to my Irish heritage) to us at the end of our wedding. In our program, we wanted to celebrate the people who played a part of our wedding. We made sure to list each individual and why they were special to us. We also described the traditions and symbols of our ceremony and my attire (ie something borrowed, etc) so our guests knew exactly why our ceremony was the way it was. Every part of our ceremony shared a bit of our hearts with our guests.

My wedding planner was superb! Because it was a destination wedding, I needed help coordinating all the details I knew I wanted. Having Alicia in San Miguel helping me was one of the best decisions I made. My advice, know what you want and go for it!! I hesitated to get married in Mexico because I thought that people might not want to travel to Mexico or be unable to make the long trip. I knew though, that San Miguel was where Cy and I had to get married. I had known it for a long time. The town, the food, the culture, the energy – it just called our names. I was right! I should have never second-guessed myself because of the fear of other people’s reactions.

Wedding Photography: Holly Wilmeth / Lodging: Casa Tierra Negra, The Rosewood Hotel, Hotel Matilda + Various Private Homes provided by Casa Elegantes / Wedding Coordination: Alicia Vilar Segura of San Miguel Weddings / Ceremony + Reception Location: Casa Elegantes / Cake Design: El Petit Four / Stationery: Paper Joy / Hair, Floral Design + DJ: Provided by San Miguel Weddings / Make-up: Friend / Wedding Gown: Anna Maier Ulla Maija (Bianca Gown) via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Belt: Amy Kuschel via Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Headpiece + Veil: Custom Francesca Bianco, Phoenix / Wedding Ring: Gauthier / Earrings: Nadri / Right Hand Ring: Borrowed from Mother of the Bride (a Sapphire and Diamond ring – my something blue and borrowed) / Bride’s Shoes: Caparros / Bridesmaid Dresses: Enzoani

Kristi Wright just made my day. Take a look at the gorgeous images she captured below, and she’ll be sure to make yours too. This wedding is the absolute perfect mix of casual outdoor reception and uber elegant details. Pops of yellow against the grey and black details along with a cake I am absolutely smitten with makes for the prettiest of parties if you ask me, and you can see more in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kristi Wright Photography… Erica + Michael were married in a beautiful intimate, outdoor ceremony, in October, at the Allan House, in Austin, Texas. Erica + Michael are the sweetest couple!  Touches of yellow and gray accented the day including fun paper poms lining the aisle. Pearl Events Austin did a fantastic job of coordinating the event and making sure the day went smoothly. With Becky Navarro (Pearl) in charge, Erica + Michael never had to worry over a thing! The food by Austin Catering was so good – a mix of Louisiana (where the bride is from) and Texas favorites. Michael + Erica made their get away in a pedicab with a sweet “just married” sign attached!

Wedding Photography: Kristi Wright Photography / Floral Design, Wedding Signs & Paper Poms: Marcie Lynn Walker / Event Planning: Becky Navarro of Pearl Events Austin / Event Design: The Bride / Ceremony + Reception Location: Allan House / Catering: Austin Catering / Wedding Cake: Polkadots / Lighting: ILD Lighting / Music: Texas Pro DJ / Invitations: Alexis Wilson / Bride’s Shoes: Gianni Bini / Wedding Dress: San Patrick via Blush Bridal

This couple met in the city where I first fell in love with my husband – Fort Collins, Colorado. Call it kismet that their wedding fell into my lap, but as soon as I read the first line of their love story, I felt a certain pull to them. And then I read their amazing proposal story. And my stomach exploded in a fit of butterflies. And then. I laid eyes on the wedding. Photographed by Becky Young Photography. Phenomenal flowers by Cori Cook Floral Design. Cupcakes galore. And all set at the beautiful Della Terra Mountain Chateau. I was hooked, and I just couldn’t get enough. So I wanted to share this special couple with you all today, and I’ll remind you now that there is a full image gallery just waiting for you to explore!

Kanit and I met blues dancing in Fort Collins, CO.  It’s a passion that we share, so it made perfect sense that Kanit would devise a secret plan to propose while dancing. Our group of friends got together every Tuesday night to dance.  I thought the dance that night was nothing out of the ordinary, except that it was in a different location than normal and only our close friends were present. What I didn’t realize was that Kanit was in town.  He had lead me to believe that he was at his new base in Texas, when in fact he was secretly staying at my friend’s house. Even when I saw the floor lined with candles and flowers, it still didn’t register anything special. During one of the songs, I noticed that the girls were drifting out of the dance one by one, leaving me as the object of a large, involved, steal-dance with all the guys.  Imagine my surprise when Kanit suddenly stole me and everyone faded to the sides of the floor!  I immediately knew exactly why he was there and I refused to let him get on his knee.  After a good-natured struggle, he finally succeeded, whispered a heartfelt proposal, and I accepted.

We immediately started planning the wedding.  We knew that we didn’t want to have our wedding at some hotel or other popular venue; it just didn’t fit our personalities.  After an exhaustive web search, I found, quite by accident, Della Terra. Since it was only a half hour into the mountains from my parents’ house, we decided to check it out.  As soon as we walked up we knew it was the place.  The staff was so nice to us, the building gorgeous, the location perfect.  After we picked the venue, we began looking at wedding planners.  I had been a little unsure about hiring a wedding planner, but trying to plan a Colorado wedding while living in Texas was something that I didn’t want to tackle on my own.  I began emailing with Debbie at Save the Date Events, and after a long phone conversation, we decided to hire her!  Probably the best decision made during our planning process.  Through her, we met our photographer, caterer, and dj.  Through our wonderful photographer, I met our florist.  Debbie kept me sane and organized.  I highly recommend having a wedding planner!

Since Kanit is Thai and I was born and raised in the foothills of Colorado, we decided to turn that into a theme.  To compliment the beautiful venue, we went with a chocolate brown, light sage-y green, and purple (my favorite color).  With lots of help from Debbie and Cori at Cori Cook Floral, we were able to create a cohesive feel to the Thailand-meets-Colorado theme. For favors, we gave little Thai elephants because they represent good luck in the Thai culture nestled in with some Rocky Mountain Taffy, purchased at a shop in Estes Park.  The buffet-style dinner had local Colorado-style food, a mashed potato bar, and a Pad Thai station.

One of the things I remember most vividly is the weather.  The night before it was cold and very foggy.  Guests told us that they had driven through freezing rain and fog on their way up the mountain.  We were truly blessed.  On our wedding day, the sky was nearly clear, the air a cool mid-70s, and just the barest breeze.  I remember all the smiles of our guests and the energy of the reception.  Kanit tells me he remembers watching me walk down the aisle.  Becky at Becky Young Photography was amazing at catching all the moments during the day and we really have been unable to pick a favorite photo.

Overall, our wedding was everything we had dreamed of.  It was as close to perfect as possible.  And thanks to Debbie and the fabulous staff at Della Terra, the wedding went off without a hitch, and I didn’t even KNOW about any problems, so I was able to concentrate on enjoying myself, my new husband, and celebrating with our friends and family.

Photography: Becky Young Photography / Venue: Della Terra Mountain Chateau / Event Coordination: Save the Date Events / Catering: Footers / Floral Design: Cori Cook Floral Design / Cake: Intricate Icings / DJ: Great Time DJs / Hair: Bella Capelli / Invitations: Cloud 9 Weddings and Papers / Wedding Dress Designer: Robin Jillian Bridal