Hold on to your hats, SMPers, because there is a whole lot of adorable inspiration coming your way this lovely Friday morning, all courtesy of this very charming photo shoot designed and captured by Katie Cassidy Photography.  With a bundle of cute as can be details, a fabulous theme (Game of Love!), oh-so-creative paper goods by Southern Fried Paper, popcorn programs and some yummy treats by Layered Bake Shop, this darling day is overflowing with wonderful ideas that you can tackle all on your very own.  And how uber-fabulous is that?!?  All planned to perfection by Wendy Kidd of Each & Every Detail, there is an entire gallery of whimsy just waiting to be adored.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Each & Every Detail, LLC… Katie and I had never worked together, but it was kismet when she reached out to me to help with this photo shoot. She had a million ideas swirling about and brought me in to help organize and streamline, as well as brainstorm on ideas that would focus the theme. I was immediately impressed and couldn’t wait to dive in. We came together and started shaping our ideas into what we termed our “Game of Love” inspiration shoot. With Katie’s beer & pretzel bar idea and my scoreboard for the ceremony, we just fell in love with the theme and couldn’t stop!

We started with choosing bright colors- red, turquoise, orange and yellow to incorporate into as many of the elements as possible. To set the tone, we created the save the date with a game inside, with cookies for the game pieces and working spinner. Chelsea from Southern Fried Paper created a game box for it all to fit in and send to the guests. This truly lets the guests know what they can expect at this unique backyard wedding! The invitations carried out the turquoise and red and included the heart, diamond, spade and club from the deck of cards to keep with the game theme.

Creativity was the name of the game for the ceremony. We used a large chalkboard as our scoreboard for the ceremony area, showing you can be very creative in what you stand in front of for saying “I Do.”  It doesn’t have to be the typical gazebo or large tree! We replaced the usual floral with pinwheels and banners. Pinwheels are a super easy DIY project, we thought showing them for the bouquets and table décor would inspire brides who might feel floral is too costly or maybe just too typical. With a bit of carnival flair, we had popcorn for ceremony guests with the program on the side of their popcorn box. We envision at the end of the ceremony, the guests can sprinkle the newlyweds walking out on their hopscotch aisle with popcorn instead of traditional bubbles or rose petals.

For the reception, who wouldn’t want an ice cold beer outside in the afternoon? Katie’s genius idea of a beer and pretzel bar was complimented by the chocolate stout cupcakes with salted butterscotch buttercream icing created by the team at Layered Bake Shop. Katie gathered large pickle jars to set out different flavors of pretzels and of course it was all styled on items from Rent My Dust. Wine barrels from the Big D Party Rentals helped complete the look of the bar.

Seating was created using wine barrels as tables, a great checkerboard game table and a little patio set from Rent My Dust. We created a game center from pieces out of the Rent My Dust inventory as well. We had checkers, chess, dominos, jacks, card games and even crossword puzzles! Layered Bake Shop got crazy and made lots of sugar cookies that looked like the real game pieces! I swear you could barely tell the domino cookies apart from the real pieces on the table!

We think this theme is super easy for any bride to reproduce in a cute outdoor space. You can tell from the smiles on our happy couples face, it’s a “winning” theme!

Photography, Design + Concept: Katie Cassidy Photography / Planner: Wendy Kidd of Each & Every Detail, LLC / Vintage Décor: Rent My Dust / Cake, Cupcakes + Cake Pops: Layered Bake Shop / Paper Goods: Southern Fried Paper / Venue: Heard-Craig Center for the Arts / Hair + Make-up: Ashley Stiff / Wine Barrels: Big D Party Rental / Dresses: Circle Park Bridal / Models: Gabe & Laci Wilkins

From the dress that has us DYING over every inch of it’s gorgeous ruffles to an intimate backyard reception set in historic Savannah, this is one of those weddings that takes effortless to a whole new level of gorgeous. It isn’t east to go from glamorous to heart-warmingly homespun but these two pulled it off seamlessly and sealed it with a barefoot cupcake kiss on the front porch. How sweet is that? And with Lauren Kinsey Photography in charge of capturing the day, we are left with so many lovely images, it was hard not to post every single one, huge, in all its wedding glory. But I refrained so that you would have a little something to devour in the full gallery. See it all here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lauren Kinsey Photography…Meredith + Will were married in Savannah Georgia a couple weeks ago at Calhoun Square right in historic Savannah. All the details of the wedding were so wonderfully hand crafted by Meredith herself and her mother, even the little wands for guests to wave as they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.

Meredith wanted a french country theme for the wedding, and the sweet bar provided for guests was a huge hit, including the cookies that a family friend made. Meredith only invited about 20 people to the wedding, most which were very close friends and immediately family.

Meredith is studying to be a pharmacist, since her father has been plagued with Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, the week before the wedding, Meredith’s father fell and was very badly hurt, and Meredith was distraught that he may not be able to make it to the wedding. By God’s grace, he recovered in time, and was in the front row cheering Meredith and Will on. It was a lovely, perfect day.

Reception Venue: Mary O’Connor House / Ceremony Location: Calhoun Square / Wedding Photography: Lauren Kinsey Photography / Event Coordinator: Savannah Special Events / Officiant: Tybee Island Weddings, Stephen Palmer / Rolls Royce: Timeless Motor Coaches, Steve Smith / Floral Design: Garden on the Square, Julie Driscoll / Sweet Table: DIY, Antique Stores + River Street Sweets / Cupcakes + Catering: Indulge Catering / Paper Goods + Invitations: Jessica Massey Design / Bridal Gown: Essence of Australia via Bel Fiore / Reception Dress: Sue Wong / Bride’s Shoes: Dyeables / Shoe Clips: DIY / Suit: Hugo Boss + Macy’s / Hair + Make-up: J.W. Salon and Spa / Cellist: JL Music Service

When the bride is a freelance stylist and former craft editor for Martha Stewart Living then you know her wedding is going to go above and beyond in the style department.  This Cape Cod beauty by Ned Jackson Photography is such a sweet, whimsical, nautical dream.  I feel like I’m seeing the nuptials of Ariel and Prince Eric in a romantic underwater celebration and that makes my inner Little Mermaid fanatic totally giddy.  Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Planning a wedding from across the country was no easy task, but thanks to the internet and an initial scouting trip I was able to find a great location and put together a wonderful team.  As a stylist, I am always creating crafty moments for my clients, so it was hard for me not to want to do the same for my own wedding.  With so little time, I had to curb my desire to create everything myself and enlist the help of family and some crafty vendors.  I looked to Etsy for some of the handcrafted details, hired a florist, determined what could be delegated to (my amazing) family and friends, and then chose a few projects to create myself.

I started off designing our save the date and invitations – a great way to begin the creative process of choosing a color palette and overall look and feel.   I wanted our wedding to feel elegant and to be an authentic expression of us as a couple.  As I perused countless magazines and blogs for ideas, I kept seeing seaside weddings that felt very “preppy-nautical,” but this just didn’t feel like the right fit for us.  I wanted to give the seaside theme a different twist, so I chose a soft romantic color palette based on my shell collection and a few old sea glass bottles I found at the flea market – shades of aqua and shell pink – and then punctuated it with navy accents.

The seahorse theme was inspired by a trip we’d taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  I fell in love with their graceful elegance and the way they seem to dance effortlessly together – a sweet metaphor that we wove throughout our ceremony and reception.  A pair of white chocolate sea horses graced the top of our cake, we had custom seahorse wine stoppers made out of pewter for our favors, and for the sand ritual in our ceremony we poured sand from a large nautilus shell into a glass vessel etched with the sea horse artwork I created for our invitations. My vision for a romantic seaside wedding really started to come together when I decided to look to the beautiful intricacy of 19th century Sailors’ Valentines  for inspiration. These mosaic-like masterpieces composed entirely of small sea shells were originally brought home from a sailor’s voyage as a souvenir for a loved one.  Many contain examples of tiny shell flowers and intricate symmetrical patterns which inspired many elements of our wedding, including the design for our cake – a delicious mango cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, covered in tiny pastel sugar shells.

For my bouquet, I created some shell flowers by adhering small pink petal-shaped shells to pearl bead centers and then mounted each one to a separate wire to make it easy for our florist, Katie McConnell, to incorporate them into the feather- fringed fresh floral bouquet.  For my tiara, I glued small shells in symmetrical patterns to a metal head band wrapped with satin ribbon, and for my bridesmaids I created small pink shell flowers attached to hair pins.  My flower girl looked like a little sea shell princess, wearing a crinkled shell pink and gold satin dress, and a mini tiara and fashioned out of shells and small fabric flowers.  My ring bearer carried our rings tied onto a little satin pillow that I glued inside the opening of a large nautilus shell.

It was truly a memorable day!  Although we had to hold our ceremony inside because of wind and rain, Katie’s flower arrangements were so gorgeous that we almost didn’t notice.  Our chuppah was constructed of white branches draped with orchids, carnations, and crystals, and encrusted with shells, and sweet white carnation kissing balls lined the aisles. White manzanita branches dripping with orchids, crystals and hanging glass votives, set in mercury glass vases graced the center of our reception tables. Some of our family and friends weren’t able to be with us that day, so we chose to honor their “presence in spirit” by placing  pink and white feather butterflies throughout all the bouquets, flower arrangements, and boutonnieres.  They perched on the branches and the kissing balls, and floated from the orchid-draped chandelier above us on the dance floor as we did the fox-trot to Dancing Cheek to Cheek played by the amazing White Heat Swing Orchestra!

As I look back on it all I can’t say enough great things about our photographer, Ned Jackson.  He captured every moment, and all of the details with tireless enthusiasm and patience.  We couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out!

Wedding Photography: Ned Jackson Photography / Floral Design: Katie McConnell of Wild Bunch Studio / Event Design + Planning: Kelli Ronci / Ceremony + Reception Location: Wychmere Beach Club / Invitations: Kelli Ronci / Menus + Programs: Lilia Kay / Calligraphy: Barbara Callow Calligraphy / Shell Flowers + Tiaras: Kelli Ronci / Feather Butterflies: Floraltrims / Silver + Gold Shell Holders/Escort Cards: Gallery 360 / Starfish Place Cards: Timeless Paper / Sailors Valentine Cake: Michael’s Creative Baking / Etched Sand Ceremony Vessel: The Cutting Etch / Sea Horse Wine-Stopper Favors: Faro Products / Linens: BBJ Linens / Bride’s Gown: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaid + Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew + Crewcuts / Swing Band: White Heat Swing Orchestra / Hair + Makeup: Lisa George

The vibe of this wedding is so… romantic, cool, and what I would imagine as very San Diego. I’ve never been to the southern California city, but I would imagine on it’s best days, it feels a little something like this. Flora’d and designed by the amazing team at I Do…Weddings! this wedding is one of a kind, and over the moon lovely. From the bride’s romantic lace gown and broach bouquet, to the beautiful floral centerpieces, to the streamer exit, the entire affair is brilliantly captured by Jen + Shane Photography. And because we know you’ll need just a little bit more, click here for the gallery!

From I Do… Weddings! … Heather and Nick were married on July 29 in San Diego. Their ceremony took place at the Immaculate Concepcion Church in Old Town San Diego. Their reception for almost 200 guests took place at Marina Village, in the Mission Bay area of San Diego.

Heather and Nick’s wedding was very much a reflection of their interpretation of a vintage wedding, with a San Diego twist. Their ceremony photos took place in the historic and oldest area of San Diego called Old Town. The celebration was certainly a labor of love for both families. Almost every detail of the day was handmade. For example, the Mother of the Bride hand painted every single charger, created a unique display of glass shutters for seating arrangements, as well as the bride’s incredible brooch bouquet. The Mother of the Bride also hand-created beautiful and ornate Save-The-Dates and programs. The Mother of the Groom made incredible programs, as well as provided fun vintage signage.

The bride and groom served a fun signature drink, “Love Spell,” a blueberry daquiri with fresh blueberries. Heather and Nick also displayed photos from their engagement shoot (shot by Acqua Photo), as well as family wedding photos. Their cake was served as individual tiers, served on a vintage cake rack, with bridesmaid bouquets tucked throughout the rack. Vintage porcelain bells were placed on each table for guests to ring for the newlyweds to kiss. The room was swagged with organza and white twinkle lights to create a warm and inviting environment. At each placesetting was a cherub, holding a sign that read “Love in Bloom” and was filled with complimentary florals. At each table was a centerpiece of colorful hydrangeas, crystals and cut glass and candles for a romantic effect.

After leaving the ceremony, the newlyweds sped off in a classic car after an exciting send off by guests with ribbon wands. And, to keep the dance floor packed all evening, a vintage bicycle was placed on the dance floor with a basket filled with flowers. At the base of the bicycle was a basket of flip flops to help ensure guests could dance all night.

Photography: Jen + Shane Photography / Cinematography: Jeff Hendler / Flowers: I Do…Weddings! / Event Design & Planning: I Do…Weddings! / Ceremony Location: Immaculate Conception Church / Reception Location: Marina Village / Invitations & Stationery: Mother of the Bride / Shoes: Demetrios / Dress: Demetrios / Lighting & Reception Music: DJ Daniel Peterson

Today is a very special day and we want to do our part to honor and remember on this Veterans Day by celebrating some beautiful military weddings.  We’ll start the morning off with one of the sweetest DIY military weddings we’ve ever seen.  This Seattle beauty by Andria Lindquist is full of romance and precious hand-crafted details created by the talented bride.  These high school sweethearts spent their engagement miles apart and the joy on their faces on their special day is just the most darling thing ever!  Click here to see all the details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Andria Lindquist…Katie and Tanner are high school sweethearts and that rare case that it actually meant and turned into something. These two are more like best friends than anything and have been patient for this day. Tanner is an exceptional leader and protector, has the temperament of a mid-west gentleman and treats Katie like gold. They have spent the past years of their relationship across the country from each other – she, here in WA and he in Virginia at the Citadel Military College. They were apart for the entire wedding planning process and Katie took on the task of planning every detail and DIY aspect of their wedding.

The day was sunny and hot, both the bridal party and groomsmen got ready in this beautiful country estate with the most wonderful light peeking into each room. The guys played foosball and the girls ate M&M’s and drank champagne. When Katie and Tanner finally got to see each other it was so sweet…that is the only word. They are pure giggles and smiles with each other, they are so wonderful to shoot. The entire day, she was so relaxed (almost too much!….they had to tell her to brush her hair, ha) The ceremony was sweet and the pastor shared a lot about their relationship and how long they’ve waited for this day. The guests played lawn games and enjoyed drinks after the ceremony and after toasts from elementary and lifelong friends, the biggest and best dance party went down. It was an incredible celebration to attend and shoot.

From the Bride…Tanner proposed to me in December. Because he wouldn’t receive his orders from the US Marine Corps to report to OCS until May, we had to play it safe and set out date for June 12th. That gave us just less than 6 months to plan the wedding. Added to that, Tanner was still in South Carolina until May, so I was in Seattle planning our wedding. Until I got engaged I had never thought about what I wanted my wedding to be like and had no idea how much goes into it. Luckily I had a few friends who could teach me how to make decisions and plan a wedding. I was also working with a budget of $15,000 which was enough to have an awesome wedding, but I had to get a little creative.

When I started planning our wedding, Tanner and I had a conversation about what we each wanted out of our wedding. We decided that we wanted a short, meaningful ceremony, and then a dance party. Because of that I focused most of the budget on food, drinks, and entertainment so I frequented DIY blogs to make up for it in other areas. I had a great time with the more creative projects of the wedding. My family helped me to make our centerpieces which were wine bottle candles with corks, rocks and mirrors. It was all beautiful and very cost effective (I bought most of it from IKEA). My favorite projects that I took on however, were my bouquet, hairpiece and bridesmaid gifts. My bouquet which was made out of brooches from my family and friends was just a meaningful project which turned out beautifully. I really wanted all of my accessories to be unique and special and with a necklace from my mom, my bouquet, the hairpiece I made, and a sash made by a good friend, it was all perfect.

If I were to give advice to any bride without a planner and doing a lot of DIY projects I would say definitely do no procrastinate. That caused me a lot of unneeded stress. Also, don’t sweat the little stuff. You could go on and on making more little signs and detailed decorations but that will only get expensive and stressful. Lastly, just have a great time. On my wedding day I decided that I just wasn’t going to care about anything except Tanner and the people I love that came to celebrate with us. Because of that I had probably the best day of my life and everything was wonderful!

Venue + Catering: Lord Hill Farms / Wedding Prep: French Creek Estates / Flowers: Janelle’s Flowers and Gifts / Wedding Cupcakes/Cake: Bride’s Aunt, Darlene / Linens: BBJ Linens / DJ: DJ RT, Ryan Tilton / Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom / Wedding Dress: Sally Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Naughty Monkey / Hair + Make-up: Friends / Bouquet: DIY / Wedding Photography: Andria Lindquist

Wow, I can’t believe it’s Friday again already! I guess the weeks just fly by when you stare at pretty, pretty weddings and inspiration all week long. And so to wrap up another gorgeous week at SMP Florida we thought we’d share this super sweet, shabby chic inspired photo shoot by Ashley Daniell Photography and designed by Shannon Reeves Events. We’re loving the pretty southern feel of the soft and muted colors and not to mention those deliciously pink frosted cupcakes! The ivory, the gold, the lace and antique china all set the stage for one fabulously vintage chic soirée. Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Shannon Reeves Events…Throughout the process of working to build my new wedding planning business, Lara Casey pushed me to take time to think about who I was and what I wanted my company to be. I spent months considering who my ideal client was, what she valued, and how I wanted her to feel when she experienced my brand. I couldn’t have crossed my fingers and wished for a better representation of all of that than in this romantic, vintage Southern styled shoot. Shot by Ashley Daniell of Ashley Daniell Photography, this shoot shows my personality as a planner, and also captures the very best features of the Southern town of Tallahassee, Florida, where Shannon Reeves Events is based.

In this shoot – shot in early September in Tallahassee – I created the setting for a romantic, intimate Southern wedding with lovely, simple vintage touches. It was my goal to combine the soft pinks, ivory and gold in a way that would remind brides of a mix between their grandmother’s heirloom china and a chic downtown boutique. Since it was important to me to make this styled shoot beautiful, but also realistic and attainable, I collected pieces for the shoot from local antique shops in Tallahassee and paired them with pieces I already owned (something any bride could do!). I turned an old piece of lace from an antique shop into a table runner and tied it with a necklace I already owned. The silverware and glasses were all found at antique shops, and to add some personality and tradition, I incorporated my grandmother’s heirloom brooch and pearls into the tablescape. For a little DIY fun, I wrapped mason jars with lace and dropped a candle in, which couldn’t be prettier when illuminated! The dress was a Forever 21 piece from the Love21 Collection that we tied with a simple ribbon to give it a more polished look.

The romantic ivy wall and giant Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss provided the perfect backdrop to showcase Tallahassee’s sweet Southern charm. I think I honestly have the “bride” and “groom” models to thank in a big way, as well. They are an engaged couple getting married in April 2012, and I just couldn’t be more excited about how fun it is to see their picture-perfect chemistry show through in these photos. This styled shoot is “me to a T,” and will (hopefully!) be just the kind of look and feel my ideal client and the Style Me Pretty readers – polished Southern brides full of personality and traditions – will just adore.

Wedding Photography: Ashley Daniell Photography / Flowers: Missy Gunnels Flowers / Cupcakes: Lucy and Leo’s Cupcakery / Juliska Plates, Chargers + Cake Stand: Borrowed from My Favorite Things / Event Design: Shannon Reeves Events / Shoot Location: Tallahassee, Florida / Dress: Forever 21

This lovely New York City shoot has me thoroughly convinced that a five year anniversary session just might be the greatest idea of all time… and, believe you me, once you take in these sweet as can be images by Allan Summers Photography, you’ll most definitely see why.  It just doesn’t get any more charming than this adorable husband and wife duo and the obvious love they share for one another.  Plus, New York City as your backdrop is never a bad thing!  Luckily, the cuteness doesn’t stop here… there’s an entire gallery of heartwarming images just waiting to make your Friday a little lovelier.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

My husband and I have been married for 5 wonderful years.  We had a beautiful wedding in South Jersey surrounded by family and friends but unfortunately, I was never truly satisfied with the work of our photographer.  (They were nice, just not perfect…you know how brides can be.)  Fast forward 5 years later, I met Allan who was trying to build his portfolio for his budding photography business.  My husband and I decided that it might be nice to have a second chance at wedding pictures (at least “engagement pictures”) for our 5th anniversary.  So on a beautiful day over the summer, Allan met us in Battery Park in NYC for a fun photo session.  Allan’s beautiful photos that made my husband and I feel like we had just gotten engaged all over again.

Photography: Allan Summers Photography / Location: Battery Park, Financial District, New York City

What do you get when you place photographs by Elizabeth Messina alongside the prettiest of French lace, silks and embroidery a girl could ever dream of wearing? Well, my lovelies, you get the new Heirloom Collection that Claire Pettibone is debuting. Right here on SMP. And gorgeous doesn’t even begin to cover it. I have to say, I am admittedly a little shy when it comes to all things boudoir. After all, my dad reads this blog (proud papa), so I tend to filter myself just a little bit. But I took one look at this lingerie collection and all shyness went out the window.. and I might have literally gasped out loud. Aside from being painstakingly beautiful, each piece crafted with careful attention to every intricate detail, Elizabeth has managed to bring the sheer beauty of the line to an entirely new level of gorgeous. So without further ado…feast your eyes, ladies. Oh and there’s more here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Elizabeth Messina…Known for her ultra feminine style, this new collection of hand-crafted lingerie by Claire Pettibone incorporates exquisite details using the finest couture French laces, Italian embroideries and silks. The designer has taken her love of vintage style to the ultimate level, literally creating heirloom quality keepsakes for the wedding night, honeymoon, and “happily ever after” to follow.

The collection consists of panties, bralettes, baby-dolls and dressing robes designed for flirtation and romance. “These are entrance making pieces created with couture fabrics and luxurious details,” explains the designer. Officially entering the luxury arena, the collection hearkens back to days gone by when a bride collected special lace and silk pieces for her bridal trousseau. “We have such a loyal following for my couture bridal gowns, I felt it was time to present a collection of heirloom quality lingerie. We are speaking to an exclusive, luxury client who desires something truly precious for her wedding night or special occasion, to set the mood and create a timeless memory,” says Pettibone.

The “Claire Pettibone Heirloom” collection is produced in limited editions, and each piece is presented on a satin hanger. Surely, a must-have indulgence for the avid lingerie collector, Heirloom holds many treasures for the true romantic at heart.

The collection was shot on location at the antique treasure-trove that is Fernald Mansion. The designer shares, “One of my favorite moments was when our model, waiting in-between shots while we opened the curtains for perfect light, began to play a gorgeous piece of classical music on the vintage piano…pure magic!”

Lingerie: Claire Pettibone / Photography: Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom / Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Fernald Mansion / Hairpieces: Paris by Debra Moreland and Enchanted Atelier for Claire Pettibone

Destination weddings are so, so romantic. You and your betrothed, your closest family and friends, jetting away to a beautiful, exotic locale to say your I Do’s. And when the destination is Aspen, Colorado, it is promised to be beyond gorgeous. The Rocky Mountain peaks alone can add a total sense of style to a wedding. Add to that a fantastic color palette filled with romantic, soft details, and a bride & groom with style coming out of their ears? Well you got one fabulous wedding as the platform for starting the rest of your lives together. So when Ashley Garmon Photographers sent over an affair just like this one, captured brilliantly – I might add – I knew it was something special. And I think you’ll agree with me, especially after a trip to the full image gallery!

We have always loved Colorado. Scott was born there and our favorite trips have always been to the mountains. It was an easy decision to have our wedding in Aspen.

The inspiration for the wedding was the surroundings. Aspen is exquisitely beautiful in the fall. The aspen leaves turn yellow and are accented by evergreens and gray mountains. Instead of competing with the landscape, we decided to incorporate the colors surrounding us into our wedding and opted for a palette of gray, green, and yellow.

There were so many special moments during the wedding. We had a vase of freshly picked wildflowers that were handed to the guests with their program as they entered the wedding. The officiant explained to our guests towards the end of the ceremony that the flowers represented all of the meaningful people that are part of our lives and asked them to bless the flowers with well wishes for our marriage. She then collected the flowers and placed them in a vase at the altar. Lastly, she asked Scott and I to bless two yellow roses as a symbol for our love for one another and our love for our family and friends and placed them in the same vase. It was a poignant and beautiful moment seeing all the varied wildflowers together in the same vase and knowing that it represented our lives together.

The other special moment was the presentation of our wedding quilt. I am a Southern girl and all the women in my family have always sewn and quilted. My grandmother, Bartletta, in fact sewed every outfit by hand that I wore until I was eight years old. As a surprise, she and all the women in my family had saved the dresses and used the fabric to sew a quilt for my wedding day. My grandmother was the only person still living that had originally sewed the quilt and presented it at the wedding. It was very emotional seeing all the dresses that I wore as I child for the first time in 17 years. I had never seen the quilt, and it is a symbol of where I come from and the love of all the women in my family and their blessings for our marriage. I will always treasure it.

I have two favorite moments. The first is seeing my Dad for the first time in my wedding gown. My dad is in no way a crier. But when he saw his first child in a wedding gown and he took my hand, we both knew that I had grown up, that his knobby kneed 12 year old girl was now 25 and a bride and it impossible to hold back tears. My other favorite moment was seeing Scott, my husband to be, while walking down the aisle. I have never seen him look more handsome, most wistful and more loving in my entire life and I will never forget that moment. He looked how I felt, that this was the most important moment in our lives and that we were the luckiest two people in the entire world.

My favorite photograph is a moment that Ashley caught when I was walking down the aisle. Scott has tears in his eyes and you can see a hand at his back supporting him. It was his best man, his big brother with a hand on Scott’s back letting him know that he was still there.

Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Stationery: Hayden Avery / Flowers: Aspen Branch / Cake: Delissious Cakes Aspen / Photographer: Ashley Garmon Photographers / Wedding Planner: Jason Burns / Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN / Wedding Jewelry: Kendra Scott for Bridesmaids / Favors (mini pecan pies): Homemade by Bride and Groom / Custom Wedding Hanger: Heirloom

This wedding has a lot of gorgeous things going for it but one thing is for certain Fall and Wine Country are a lovely match. Like peas in a pretty pod those two are and all the fab images from Miki & Sonja Photography have us dreaming of a twinkle light filled dinner with lots of great wine and loved ones alike. And we can’t go without mentioning all of the autumnal florals by Jackie Combs Floral Design. Those beauties pulled us in at first glance and all of the fun details coordinated by Mary Sushinski of Occasions kept us coming back for more.  Check out the gallery for the FULL cozy fête.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Happy Couple…Whitney was bored at work on Valentine’s Day, 2005 and decided to enroll in an online dating site. That night, Alex came home from a dinner out with friends, saw Whitney’s profile and decided it was worth the dollar it would cost to email her — which means Whitney was on the dating site less than 24 hours before finding her match. After exchanging emails and talking on the phone, Whitney and Alex officially met for coffee on February 28, 2005 at a coffee shop near both of their houses. Alex proposed in front of this coffee shop about five years later on New Year’s Eve, 2009-10. They took their first post-engagement photo in the Rite-Aid up the street because it was the only thing open and, because Alex is a clean freak and a germaphobe, they do spend a lot of time in that drug store. Alex likes to make a silly face, known as “The Face” in our family (and captured on more than one occasion on our wedding day). He proposed by stopping in front of the coffee shop and pulling a box of mints from his pocket. “Do you want a mint?,” he asked Whitney. She said “sure.” Then he pulled out a ring box and said “Do you want to get married?.” Then he made “The Face”.

The first vacation Whitney & Alex took together was to the Santa Barbara area. This is also the first place he said “I love you.” They are also big foodies, so we wanted to have our wedding in a region known for its local flavors and seasonal ingredients. Alex and Whitney also like puns and the sort of idyllic notion of a rustic Americana. So we riffed on the idea of A&W Root Beer to play off our initials. Our wedding invitations incorporated that logo and theme and we placed A&W signs and bottles around the space. We even served root beer floats instead of a cake. But we knew some people would still want cake, so we had the cake designer also make mini treats to go with the Americana vibe, such as small Rice Krispie treats and ring dings.

We also used the A&W theme for our escort cards and we used twine to tie the escortcards around bottle necks of different sodas to note their menu choices. Those who ordered meat got an A&W Root Beer. Those who ordered fish got an orange soda (our fish dish was an orange-glazed black cod). The vegetarians got cream soda.

Alex and Whitney are both writers by profession, so we found a working vintage typewriter on eBay and let guests type their messages instead of using a traditional guestbook. Alex is a bit of a clean freak, so our wedding coordinator thought it would be cute to include handy wipes as part of the table settings. She even found wipes with labels that matched our color scheme! Whitney loves Jelly Bellies. In fact, gifting her with the beloved candy resulted in Alex receiving his first kiss from Whitney. Naturally we had to have jars of Jelly Bellies as party favors. We got colors to match our wedding colors — plus, of course, A&W Root Beer and cream soda flavors.

We also included classic rock ‘n roll songs in the evening. Whitney’s mother taught her to love The Beatles at a young age, so her parents escorted her down the aisle to George Harrison’s “Something.” We hired a rockabilly band to play our reception, pomodores and all, and our first dance was to Dave Clark Five’s “Because.” The band leader also sang the Beach Boys’ version of “I Can Hear Music” during the ceremony’s processional.

Whitney and Alex were both close to our grandparents and older relatives. But, as is often the case, most of our grandparents had passed on before our wedding. Whitney incorporated her “something old” by binding a ring from her grandfather and a necklace charm from her grandmother around her bouquet.

Coordinator: Mary Sushinski of Occasions / Venue: Firestone Vineyard / Wedding Photography: Miki & Sonja Photography / Catering: Duo Catering / Ceremony Music: Festival Strings / Music: Memphis Music Entertainment / Rabbi: Rabbi Eugene Levy / Wedding Cake: Decadence / Hair + Makeup: Malory of TEAM Hair & Makeup / Floral Décor: Jackie Combs Floral Design / Lighting: Ambience Event Design / Linens: Elegant Designs / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Invitations: 8 Illustrations / Transportation: EOS Transportation / Shuttles: Road Runner / Tuxedo: Rik Ducar / Sitters: Westside Sitters / Wedding Concierge and Event Resources: The Bridal Bar

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You know your engagement session is going to be absolutely gorgeous when you have Danielle Capito Photography behind the lens and you’re on private and unique grounds where Victoria’s Secret once shot a catalog. Complete with ponds, exotic birds, a waterfall, and of course a head over heels in love couple, this e-session has got it all. And I must say, I love how carefree and adventurous they were when they jumped into the waterfall and got silly. Click here for more.

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From Danielle Capito Photography…Robin & Ryan met while at school in Santa Barbara, and both now live in San Francisco where Robin works for Levis and Ryan works for Dreamworks. They still have friends down in SB, so her one friend pulled some strings and made it possible for us to shoot their engagement pictures at this unique location. The property has exotic birds, a pond, barns, a waterfall, bridges, the house is perfectly decorated, and the whole place feels like you’re in a tropical paradise. Victoria Secret has shot here before, so you know it’s beautiful! At the end of the shoot we headed up to the recently built waterfall. When we got up there, Robin looked at me and asked if they could get in it. I OF COURSE said yes, and in the water they went. They were soaking wet, and having the time of their lives!

Photography: Danielle Capito Photography

This vintage, shabby chic inspired wedding is so over the top adorable and seamlessly put together that you may be surprised to read that it was a total DIY affair from beginning to end. Each and every image from Float Away Studios is a study in pure romance and beauty and I literally can’t stop staring at them. The gorgeous flowers, the long farm style tables set up next to the church, the super cute bridesmaid dresses, and that amazing looking cake, all come together to form a perfectly vintage, perfectly romantic fete. Luxe Event Productions were on hand day of to ensure smooth sailing for this DIY couple and from the looks of it, their day was totally magical. Click here for even more.

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From the Bride…I’m going to be very honest with you guys. When it came to my wedding planning, I obsessed a little (ahem), er…a lot! I spent countless hours on blogs that fed my creativity, and gathered enough ideas to create ten weddings, which was good until I had to narrow my ideas down. But slowly I managed, and I knew I wanted something sweet, romantic, vintage, shabby/chic with a sort of timelessness. I also wanted it to reflect Ryan & I as a couple, so we infused it with lots of personal touches, and weren’t afraid to stray from a few traditions to make it less stuffy and more…us.

I spent the 9 months prior scouring second hand shops, gathering bits here and there, and claiming items I wanted to borrow from family and friends to help decorate. It wasn’t easy, there were many times I’d wished I had just picked one centerpiece to repeat throughout. But in the end, and now as I look back, I don’t regret all the work one bit. It was what I had always dreamed. (I have to put a shameless plug here, I will be selling some of these wedding decor you see in January, so be sure to check back!) Having personal items throughout made it very unique and special, and no two settings were the same.

About a month before the wedding my mom and I went to some local nurseries and got different plants that fit the faded vintage color scheme, and planted them in various little pots I had gathered. We then topped them with these adorable bird-cage-looking tiers. Each was different but helped carry a common theme. This was a big concern of mine; that everything would look chaotic and random. So I found common themes to carry throughout; the potted plants, muted vintage colors, birdcages, paper items and garden-fresh floral arrangements. In the end it had a very hand-picked, eclectic feel that worked well together.

Wedding Photography: Float Away Studios / Location: Oak Grove Church / Day-of Coordinator: Misty of Luxe Event Productions / Invitations +  Paper Materials: Red Pearl Designs / Flowers: Rebecca Butler of Belle Fleur Floral Design / Table Flower Design: Eric Crook, Friend / Suits: Colliers / Wedding Dress: The Bridal Gallery / Wedding Cake: Cakeway To Heaven / Food: Friends + Family / Table + Tent Rental: Central Oregon Tent Rental / Linens + Chairs: All Star Rentals / Bridesmaid Dresses: ModCloth / Car: Friend / Hair: Mindy, Friend / Bride’s Ring: Jackson’s Jewelers / Groom’s Ring: Samuel Jewelers / Set Up + Tear Down Team: Family + Friends

Oh my goodness, do I wish I had been invited to this charming Kaleden affair.  The vintage chic vibe and whimsical details designed by Vintage Origami, beautiful blooms by Polka Dot Door Flowers and the breathtaking garden setting is all kinds of fabulous.  Plus, I have never (ever) been more in love with a centerpiece in my life.  Those moss covered table runners combined with the gorgeous white candelabras are beyond amazing.  Make that all caps AMAZING, because they so are.  And with a gallery filled to the brim with brilliant images by Kevin Trowbridge Photography, this morning is looking very lovely indeed.  So, set aside some time for some pretty and join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kevin Trowbridge Photography… As soon as we arrived, we knew this was going to be a gorgeous wedding. Jenn & Jeff who had come all the way from Regina, Saskatchewan planned a beautiful ceremony and reception at Linden Gardens in Kaleden, British Columbia. The outstanding vintage décor provided by Yuriko from Vintage Origami set the stage for a whimsical, fun, and charming day. Jennifer has the most stunning red hair and blue eyes and looked absolutely beautiful in her vintage inspired wedding dress, while Jeff had an equally awesome suit, complete with contrasting blue pinstripes and an antique pocket watch. Jenn’s son, Landen, was the most comical and adorable child we have ever met and had us (and everyone else) laughing throughout the day. I seriously would not be surprised if he becomes a famous comedian or actor when he grows-up!

After the ceremony, we ventured down to the Kaleden Hotel, which was built in 1912, but became abandoned shortly after. We made use of its patina and dramatic architecture, while also capturing some dreamy beach images down at a nearby dock. Back at the reception, the night unfolded with touching speeches, amazing gourmet food from Joy Road Catering, fun music & dancing, and to top it all off – an awesome vintage inspired candy table. Before we left, we whisked the bride and groom away to capture some enchanting night time images in the garden, with even the clouds parting temporarily to reveal a luminous full moon.

From the Bride… Jeff and I vacationed in and around south central British Columbia when we were dating and fell in love with the weather, the wine, and the friendly hospitality that comes with the area.  After getting engaged, picking Linden Gardens in Kaleden was a no-brainer.  The gardens are nestled in a small town in the Okanagan Valley near the lake.  It is one of those places that we have all experienced where words, or pictures, could never do enough justice.  The area that held our reception was lined beautifully with lush flowers and vegetation, while the walnut trees, which were covered in rope lighting, canopied us from the sky.  The grassy area, completely secluded, is accessed by a quaint wooden bridge which sits over-top a lazy trickling creek.  It would hold no more than 50 people, which was ideal as we wanted to keep our wedding small and intimate.  The ceremony was everything we hoped it would be.  Short, personal, and surrounded by our families.

When we were introduced to Yuriko Larson of Vintage Origami through a mutual friend, we had heard that she was just starting her business of decorating.  We came back full of smiles after a wonderful photo session with our photographer, Kevin Trowbridge (Whom we found and came to our rescue a mere 9 days prior to our wedding!).  Yuriko and her husband Eric, in a matter of hours, transformed the Linden Gardens cafe into a fun, vintage themed wedding reception and left us doubting the whole “just starting out thing.”  From a typewriter for our guests to write notes to us, to a wooden cash register spewing out candy, she wowed us and our guests through and through.  I will let Kevin’s beautiful pictures speak for themselves.  We can’t express how grateful we are to the people that made our wedding day beautiful. It may come off as cliche and biased for a bride and groom to describe their wedding day as perfect, but for lack of a better word, our day was nothing short of that.  Perfect!

Wedding Photography: Kevin + Katherine Trowbridge of Kevin Trowbridge Photography / Flowers: Polka Dot Door Flowers / Event Design: Vintage Origami / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Linden Gardens / Wedding Dress: Beautiful Bride / Wedding Cake: The Cupcake Lady / Catering: Joy Road Catering / Wedding Ceremony Music: Family Friends

When it comes to a destination for a wedding Napa Valley is never a bad choice.  Lovely vistas of rolling hills and vineyards, some of the world’s best wine selections at your fingertips, countless ways to pamper yourself and your guests.  It doesn’t get much more idyllic than that!  This fabulously romantic wedding by vendor superstarsA Dream Wedding, Julie Stevens Design and LSD Photography wraps up everything we love and cherish about this northern paradise into one pretty, pretty package.  Beautiful florals, sweet details, one ooh-la-la dress and a gorgeous couple celebrating their special day.  Click here to see it all!

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From A Dream Wedding…I love the story of how Jamie and Chip met…hasn’t every teenage girl had a crush on her best friend’s older brother?  Jamie, the bride, and her best friend, also named Jamie, have been close since sixth grade.  The bride’s friend’s brother Chip is six years older so he wasn’t around much while they were growing up. Jamie (the bride!) grew up and graduated from college and she and Chip began spending more time together and came to fall in love.  She moved to New York to be with him, and the joining of their two families became complete, including a best friend turned sister.

Jamie and Chip were engaged on vacation in Rome, and that night at dinner, they decided on a destination wedding in California’s wine country.  They had wonderful memories of The Carneros Inn having stayed there twice in the past, and it was a natural pick for their beautiful wedding!  Jamie describes herself as “indecisive” so she brought her ideas and linen samples to Julie at Julie Stevens Design and she helped them focus their vision and decide on a dark purple and cream color scheme.  They loved it, and trusted Julie and her team to bring the day to life.  Jamie’s mother passed away almost five years before the wedding so it was very important to honor her throughout the wedding.  The bride’s best friend/sister of the groom and their mom made a beautiful locket that was wrapped around Jamie’s bouquet, and her mother was remembered during a special part of the wedding ceremony.  Jamie’s necklace was created from one of her mothers’ necklaces, and remains such a special piece that she wears it every day.

Wedding Photography: LSD Photography / Wedding Coordination: Suzy Berberian for A Dream Wedding / Venue, Catering + Cake: The Carneros Inn / Floral Design: Julie Stevens Design / Hair: Gilda Pastena / Make-up: The Spa at The Carneros Inn / Officiant: Rev. Tim Boeve / Music: Kelly Productions / Ceremony + Reception Music: Eloquence String Quartet / Dinner + Dancing Music: Brian Cline Band / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Stationery: Alpine Creative Group / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bride’s Jewelry: Mother of the Bride / Crystal Bobby Pin: Jennifer Behr / Groom’s Suit: Oxford / Groom’s Tie: Duchamp / Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang

After spotting that cake, the modern, contemporary, delicious looking cake from For Goodness Cakes, I needed more of this Charlotte wedding. And after checking out the traditional with a fun, clean twist affair, filled to the brim with love, style, and some of the most non-DIY looking DIY floral centerpieces, I needed more of this charming couple. And finally after spending some time on the couple’s wedding website, I totally fell in love with their seemingly effortless charm. Captured by The Beautiful Mess, the wedding is one I know none of us, even if we don’t personally know the happy couple, will soon forget. Click here for more!

After being able to travel extensively over the years, I slowly began to realize my hometown Charlotte is very unique. It still has the appeal of Southern charm, but with a lot of the perks of a bigger city, including great venues for weddings.  My husband and I knew we wanted an outdoor wedding, and after browsing online for possibilities, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden seemed like the perfect place. As soon as we saw it in person, we knew that this was the venue for us. The White Garden was large enough for all of our guests, but the fact it was enclosed gave the space a very intimate air.

Most of the inspiration came from the venue itself. Being designers, my mother and I found great joy throughout the planning process, setting out to create that perfect balance of décor- giving a subtle nod to times past, without over-doing it and forcing a theme. Images of 19th century English conservatories, vintage botanical illustrations, and apothecary label typographies constantly drove our decisions.

For the ceremony, we used mainly white hydrangeas and lilies. The whole garden was white and green- and we introduced color through the bridesmaids’ dresses, the men’s suits, and the bouquets. When it came to wedding gowns, I was originally interested in Jenny Packham’s signature sheath dresses, reminiscent of bygone eras with her intricate beading. After trying some on, I felt they were more fit for the red carpet than the aisle. My mother-in-law suggested I try on Jenny Packham’s Minerva gown, which had layer upon layer of ivory silk tulle- so light and comfortable! It was perfect for the garden, and I finally felt like a bride.

For the centerpieces we bought large apothecary glass jars and planted silk lady slipper and cymbidium orchids with moss. We chose a navy blue satin for the table linens, and placed the jars on a moss mats in the center of each table. We ordered Jaguar Pink Mokara Orchids from Thailand, and floated each stem in glass cylinders to add some color to the centerpieces. We also decided to give our guests a taste of the South with spiked Arnold Palmers for cocktail hour, and Deep Fried Peanuts for favors.

My favorite part of the planning process though, was collaborating with my husband to design our invitations and programs. We looked to old pharmacy and apothecary labels for guidance, and a friend letterpressed them with his old Vandercook Press.

It is so satisfying to look back and consider how each detail combined to perfectly reflect our desires for this special day. I only wish it could have lasted longer!

Venue: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden / Wedding Website: Designed by the bride & groom, Courtney and Kyle / Reception Flowers & Centerpieces: Jeannie Heth, mother of the bride / Ceremony Flowers & Bouquets: Place for Flowers / Decor: Creative Solutions / Photography: The Beautiful Mess / Cake: For Goodness Cakes / Hair & Make-up: Lindsey Regan Thorne / Gown and Headpiece Designer: Jenny Packham / Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Caterers: Best Impressions / Mens Suits: Banana Republic / Ties: Indochino / Officiant: Didi Wong, Church of the Good Shepherd / Wedding Coordinator: Connie Miller, friend of bride’s family / Invitations & Stationery: Designed by the bride & groom, Printed by Ryan Cook of Something Pressed / Favors: Mr. B’s Fun Foods Deep Fried Peanuts / DJ: Brian Keelan, Z Brothers DJs / String Quartet: Carolina Classic Strings

Let me just say, I would walk a million miles in this bride’s oh so lovely shoes – particularly because they are knock out Badgley Mischka’s and those pretty pumps got to step in the most exquisite of latte-colored Anne Barge gowns. Not to mention that gown and that beauty of a bride and those shoes all got to attend the prettiest of weddings to marry the handsomest of grooms in one of the world’s greatest cities. So when I think about it that way, I would walk a trillion miles in those pretty puppies without a single care about blisters, because after gawking over each and every glamourous image from Captured by Erika Photography, it would all be so worth it. Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…While in the course of planning our wedding a few words came to mind: elegant, fun, indoor/outdoor space, NYC and non-traditional. As David and I were both born and raised in NYC, NYC was first on our list. Luckily, we were able to find Battery Gardens in NYC that fit our criteria.  The venue is situated in Battery Park, right along the water and has amazing views of the river and the Statue of Liberty.Who doesn’t appreciate a gorgeous backdrop of lady liberty against beautiful sunset?

For the decor, we wanted plenty of flowers and candlelight. The colors we chose were black, white and silver with splashes of yellow.  We wanted the feel of the room to be be warm, romantic and cozy. Sean Psomas from Wildflowers really worked with us to achieve our vision and had great ideas on how to best utilize the space of the venue. It was paramount for us that it not have such a traditional wedding hall-esque vibe.  With our input and Sean’s creativity, we decided on long rectangular tables instead of the common rounds and we also incorporated large lemon trees as the centerpieces.  We alternated the tables with either the lemon trees or with large candelabras.  Black urns with low flowers and additional candlelight accompanied the centerpieces and spanned the length of the tables. Votives were also added to the perimeter of the room giving it a warm, intimate vibe.  We even added some loose lemons on the tables and in our flower filled urns -this added the splashes of yellow that made everything pop!

Our invitation suite was adorned with various damask designs which we used as a continuous theme throughout the wedding.  An assortment of damask designs adorned the ceremony programs, menus, escort cards, table numbers, gift bags and even our cake.  Being that we wanted the wedding reception to be a big celebratory party, David and I opted for a DJ versus a band. We both love to dance and we wanted everyone to be able to dance the night away. We wanted our wedding photos to be fun, casual and not so posed.  It was extremely important that all of the details from start to finish were captured in the photos. Erika was able to do this perfectly!  She just let us be ourselves and have fun with the whole day. We even just randomly walked on a New York City bus and she just started snapping away!

As for the dress, I never thought I would do anything other than white, but I found a dress in a color called latte that was just amazing.  I knew that I didn’t want a dress that was common or simple but I did not want one that was too glitzy or over the top either. Admittedly I was worried about the color not being white, but having the dress in this color just made the fabric look even more luxurious and one of a kind.  It was stunning and all in all I was very happy with my choice.  I received non-stop compliments and all of the guests were admiring the details, uniqueness and elegance of the dress.

To sum it all up, it was a great day!  It was filled with sunshine, the usual wedding jitters, lots of laughs, great food & décor. All this, combined with our family and loved ones celebrating alongside us, made for a very happy Bride and Groom .  It was truly a memorable night!

Wedding Photography: Captured by Erika Photography / Venue + Catering: Battery Gardens / Ceremony Location: St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church / Floral Design: Wildflowers Florist & Interior Design / DJ: DJ Rob from 74 Events / Stationery: By Invitation Only / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Make-up Artist: Once Upon a Bride / Wedding Cake: Hudson Cakery

This adorable bride and groom knew without a doubt that they wanted to say “I Do!” at the Old Field Club in East Setauket… and when you take one look at this amazing venue, it’s easy to see why.  The gorgeous lakeside ceremony and fabulous reception space have me absolutely head over heels in love… add to that the darling details and paper goods designed by Dapper Paper, a fabulous navy blue and magenta color palette, one very stunning wedding gown and brilliant images by Shira Z Photography and you’ve got yourselves one very pretty way to spend a Thursday.  I’ll be in the gallery soaking in every ounce of lovely.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… My husband and I got married on August 19, 2011 at the Old Field Club in East Setauket, NY. The Old Field Club was the only place we wanted to celebrate our big day. The Club was built in 1929 as a swim club for residents of Old Field South. Although, it is now a tennis and beach club it still holds the same charm as it did back then.

Our wedding color palette was navy blue, gray with touches of magenta. I choose a beautiful tulle gown by Christos with crystal and pearl beaded cap sleeves. John, my husband, along with the groomsmen wore a charcoal suit with a navy/white striped tie. My four bridesmaids wore classic J.Crew dresses in navy blue and my flower girl wore an ivory dress from J.Crew, as well. Our ring bearer wore navy pants/white shirt with an adorable gingham tie from Etsy! He carried a custom pillow from Etsy with our wedding date embroidered on it.

We wanted something special for our invitations and paper design. We had an AWESOME design team, Dapper Paper customized everything from our invites, to our escort card tags, menus, table numbers, program fans and donation cards. We also had escort tags tied to adorable watering can succulents. (Also from Etsy.) The table number and donation cards rested on mini easels I bought on Amazon and spray painted white! It was kind of a pain in the neck, but well worth it! Our cake topper was customized as well. Peanut Butter Bandit (Etsy) made a cake topper of John and I and our two rescue dogs. This was probably my favorite added touch at the wedding! In addition, to keep it simple we did all baby’s breath in galvanized pails with a simple navy ribbon tied around it. We also had mini pails line the ceremony aisle and tall pitchers on the deck overlooking the Long Island Sound. We think our wedding was amazing and we hope you do, too!

Wedding Photography: Shira Z Photography / Floral Design: Floral Designs by Nina / Event Design + Invitations: Chris and Elizabeth Boyette of Dapper Paper / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: Old Field Club / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Wedding Dress: Christos / Hair + Make-up Design: Cloe Vitale of High Style Bridal Makeup / Watering Can Favors + Escort Tag Holders: SucculentsGalore / Cake Topper: Peanut Butter Bandit / Ring Bearer Tie: Me and Matilda / Ring Bearer Custom Pillow: Giggle Room / Wedding Officiant: Pastor William Britton

We haven’t had our fill of beach fêtes just yet. We’re closing down the pretty party with one last knock-your-socks-off wedding from the California coast. Shot by Kim Le Photography, this is a wedding that seamlessly blends laid back elegance with all out gorgeous details and some really great ocean views. And you know what we say to that? Bravo Team California. Plus, we have the perfect ending in the form of a heart-warming film by 8 Kinds of Smiles below. See more of this Golden State gem here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…My husband and I have somewhat unique jobs.  We’re both variety acts entertainers, we perform an act about magic, mentalism, pickpocketing, and con games.  On the side, he consults for law-enforcement on security & theft.  I write poetry & edit for a literary website.  From the beginning, we knew we wanted a wedding that reflected the  uniqueness of our relationship.  Besides working together, we also share a mutual love for books, travel, and many things vintage.  We travel a lot for our job, performing worldwide.  We have a custom-made bookshelf in our home, which is decorated with many of the vintage decor you’ll see in the wedding.

We wanted to be hands-on with much of the look and ambiance of our wedding day.  Having been a former graphic designer, Apollo designed all of the wedding stationery, along with our A & A logo.  The save-the-dates & ceremony programs were designed to resemble a vintage newspaper (an affection to my literary love) and the escort cards & wedding invitations carried this same sentiment.  I made all of the boutonnieres from dry florals, wanting the groom & groomsmen to be able to keep them as souvenirs.  For the centerpieces, I wanted a carefree look that reflected my love for the ocean, desert, English gardens and French countryside, so I chose hydrangeas, gerber daisies, snapdragons, roses, and peonies.  Along with my caring bridesmaids, we arranged all the florals in vintage glassware rented from Ribbons & Rust.  Each of us also made our own bouquet, wrapped in lace & burlap and sprinkled with champagne.

Working closely with law enforcement and performing as a pickpocket, my husband wanted to arrive with his groomsmen in a vintage police car and vintage handcuffs.  This was a lot of fun for them as well as our guests.  Our ring bearer was also dressed as a secret police agent (black sunglasses, headpiece, and all), protecting a safe that carried our rings inside.

My favorite thing to wear on our wedding day was a necklace that my mother wore when she married my dad.  They’ve been married for 35 years and I hope it brings me the same joy & love it brought my parents.  Apollo’s favorite thing to wear that day were watch movement cuff links (a gift from me with affection for his watch-stealing performances).

Perhaps our favorite part of the wedding was that it was truly a family & friends affair.  Everyone pitched in to help us with their unending generosity.  My husband’s son was the DJ, one of my brothers was the emcee and wedding coordinator, and the other brother was the director of the videography and photo booth supplier.

We were so blessed to be able to have our reception in the backyard of a dear friend’s home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Clemente.  The ceremony was held in a small park right next door.  We loved that our guests didn’t have to drive and that left more time for cocktails and dancing.  The beach and train tracks where the bridal party photos took place were also within walking distance.  This made the whole day happen so smoothly and added to the organic and intimate feeling we wanted with the celebration.  We could not have done it with the help from our friends & family.  And it turned out to be the unique, warm, and intimate day we’ve always wanted.

Wedding Photography: Kim Le Photography / Assistant Photography: Ning Wong Photography / Wedding Videography: 8 Kinds of Smiles / Caterer: At Your Service Catering / Wedding Cake: Cinderella Cakes / Flowers: DIY / Vintage Rental: Ribbons & Rust / Silhouette Artist: Nancie Marie / Bride’s Ceremony Dress: BCBG Max Azria / Bride’s Reception Dress: Calvin Hyp / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang + Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Headpiece: Powder Blue Bijoux / Groom’s Cuff Links: Longines by EDM Designs

Some weddings look like they are loads upon loads of fun and this seaside soirée planned by All You Need Is Love Events is definitely one of them. It comes complete with a Mr. and Mrs. in their best sunnies and a Bride who isn’t afraid to rock a ruffled gown of gorgeous with her Tom’s. That combination is AWESOME in our books. And the vibrancy and excitement swirling throughout this day is almost palpable. This couple is so full of life and love and Jagger Photography did an amazing job of capturing every second of it. Catch the full day from start to pretty finish in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Tyler and I both grew up in Arizona.  To honor that my father read the Apache wedding prayer. Tyler’s sister read a passage from the Alchemist which is both Tyler and I’s favorite book and Tyler wrote me a song based off of this passage when we first started dating.  Also, our rings are engraved with “Language of Love” which is from this passage. As I walked down the aisle, I had a piece of my family, my best friends, and those who couldn’t be with us, in my hands with me.

There were a lot of details for our wedding. My mom has been saving every flower I have ever received in my life since I was born to make in to sachets for my wedding day. My hair pin was my great grandmother’s. My parents made wine from their vineyard in Oregon to serve at the wedding. Table assignments were in a Rolodex box from Freestyle gifts made from old record covers.  Inside the Rolodex were envelopes with tickets. Each table was a music venue that Tyler and I loved and the placements were tickets to that venue.  Tickets and table names done by Chris Campbell. Our topper on the cupcakes was my grandparents at their wedding and has been used at all grandkids weddings. The guest book was a record for everyone to sign- the record was our last dance ‘All my friends’ by LCD Sound System. Underneath my dress was a piece of her mother’s wedding dress and my nana’s wedding dress.

Wedding Photography: Jagger Photography / Flowers: Patina Prints / Event Planning: All You Need Is Love Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: Adamson House / Invitations: Chris Campbell / Shoes: TOMS / Groom’s Suit: Band of Outsiders, Steven Alan (tie), Barney’s Co-op (shoes) / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Bridesmaid Dresses + Bracelets: J.Crew / Groomsmen + Usher Attire: J.Crew, American Apparel + Urban Outfitters / Hair + Make-up: Kacee Geoffroy / Bluegrass Cocktail Band: The LA hootenanny / DJ: Aquarium Drunkard / Cupcakes: Buttercake Bakery / Ice Cream Sandwich: Cool Haus / Catering: Eco Caters / Rentals: Town and Country

This adorable couple was inspired by their engagement at a local tea and breakfast house and decided to have a Friday morning brunch wedding. And we totally love this idea! Not only does it save you money on your venue, but it’s unique and fun and like the bride said, who doesn’t love breakfast?! They set out to create a colorful chic garden party and that’s exactly what they got. So many DIY ideas were infused into their day and we love the name place cards tied to clementines for a fun pop of color. Colby Elizabeth Photography captured all the fun, early morning details and there’s so much more in the gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Dean and I are so happy to spend our lives together.  We have so much fun together and feel privileged to share our wedding day and story.  We were engaged 6 months before our wedding date at an adorable local tea & breakfast house.  Mmmm…..we just love breakfast!  So much so, we decided to host an outdoor garden party brunch for our wedding!

Most of my inspiration came from traditional weddings…in the sense that we wanted the opposite.  While our ceremony was traditional, everything else about the day was not.  We created a fun and relaxed atmosphere for all our guests.  A wedding day with family and friends enjoying life, love and summer!  We definitely stayed true to ourselves with this wedding and realized its okay to show your own style in your wedding.

Dean and I spent many days and nights working together on DIY projects; brainstorming ways to get the most for our money.  We used a lot of savvy spending techniques, thought a lot about how we could recycle and we recruited family and friends for help.  I created a photo folder on my desktop titled “My Wedding Style” and started searching different wedding & fashion sites for inspiration pictures (including Style Me Pretty!)…this helped a lot!!!  Four words to describe my finished folder… colorful chic garden party!  We definitely achieved that!

I love thrift stores because you can find great stuff that’s hardly been used for a good deal.  By shopping thrift stores I found unique, vintage centerpieces & favors.  My mom and I started collecting early.  We looked for unique glass vases with an antique feel and teacups.  There were two rules when buying… if it’s my style and under 3 bucks, buy it!  Teacups and saucers as favors turned out to be a great idea.  We collected 70 sets that were all different and in good condition.  Then under each saucer I wrote, “Dean & Gianna 6.10.11” in silver, permanent pen, and added a cute pale green “Thank You” tag, all hand written by my grandmother.  So cute! Craft stores were a big help too.  I made my flower girl a sign to carry down the aisle “Here Comes the Bride” and Dean cut out all the name place cards into the shape of a leaf, which I then embossed.  We fastened each one to a clementine as a fun bright pop of color at the place settings.

Brunch was an easy choice, because the food is always good, and who doesn’t like breakfast?!  Plus the venue gave us a great deal for a Friday morning.  We enjoyed two made-to-order omelet stations, and a waffle and french toast station, with three flavored whipped creams: Orange, Coffee and Vanilla Bean and two flavored butters: Strawberry with Fresh Mint and Brown Sugar Pecan.  At the bar we had an all you can drink mimosa and bellini bar. Fresh orange juice, passion fruit, strawberry, peach and pear were the flavors of the day. One of my favorite things from the day was our dessert table that we had in lieu of a traditional wedding cake.  Another way we cut costs was having all homemade treats from aunts, mothers and my grandma.  The dessert stands were all hand made by myself and a good friend using vintage plates, glued on top of old glassware as a stand.  The Dessert Table was finished with a cute handmade “Baked with Love” sign.

After our delicious breakfast we enjoyed visiting with our family and friends.  And what would a garden party be without lawn games? Badminton, bocce ball, croquet, and lawn darts were the order of the day.  Fresh strawberry lemonade was passed out mid-day for a chilled treat. We decided against a DJ, our venue had a great sound system so Dean and I personally selected every song we played as background music.  We created a play list of songs we love, songs our family and friends love, and all-around happy summertime songs! Everything turned out better than I could have ever imagined.  We had a fun relaxing day in the sun and celebrated our marriage!

Wedding Photography: Colby Elizabeth Photography / Wedding + Event Design: Firefly Designs / Venue: The Dove House at Lionsgate Center / Caterer: The Breadwinners Catering / Floral Design: Ivy Lane Floral / Wedding Videography: Essential Photo and Video / Music: DIY / Wedding Dress: Alec Milano of Danelle’s Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Groom + Groomsmen: Express / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung / Jr. Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom