Welcome back to another awesome Q+A with the talented, creative and knowledgable Valley & Co. Last month you commented with your burning wedding planning questions and Aleah and Nick are here to give you some more of their stellar advice.  Remember!  We’ll be back in December with more guidance and know-how from this dynamic duo so make sure you leave your question in the comments!

How do you pick a photographer that will be perfect for you? What questions should you ask them when you talk to them? What qualities should you look for? I have no experience in photography, but want fabulous pictures and just not sure what questions to ask to get the product I want! Thanks!

Choosing a photographer is a key piece to your wedding puzzle. The special images they capture will live on and you’ll look back on them 50 years from now. Selecting a photographer that you are comfortable with is incredibly important. Start by perusing websites and blogs to help you develop an idea of a style that you like. Ask your planner or friends for recommendations they trust and have work with. When you find someone whose style and you start a dialogue, you like you can send them links to those images you like to give them a better idea of the style you are going for. Be sure to ask a photographer about their backgrounds and how that plays into their techniques and style. What do they do for fun? What’s their favorite type of location for weddings?

Possibly our number one photographer interviewing tip: give them room to be creative in your conversation. They are artists and need room to be creative both leading up to and on your wedding day. Questions are fantastic and necessary when getting to know them to ensure you are clear about what you are getting and what you want, but clicking with their personalities is so important. Once you’ve had a nice chat some nitty-gritty specifics to be clear on:

How much coverage will I be getting on my wedding day? Will there be a second shooter {having coverage for both of you is invaluable}? How do you prefer to capture portrait shots? What about candid shots? How will you tell the story of our wedding day? Approximately how many edited images will I receive? What’s your turnaround time post-wedding? What are your copyright clauses for image usage?

If you can, set up a pre-wedding shoot with the photographer to ensure you gel and have fun with then. Laughter and silliness should be present! When it comes down to it, your photographer{s} is going to be with you during every special and intimate moment on your wedding day. When it boils down be positive that they put you at ease and that you and your fiancé enjoy their company.

Photo by by Jeremy Leffel

My fiance and I are planning on having a Friday wedding in order to get the venue we want (it’s already booked every Saturday next October). I was wondering if you could tell me if it’s still acceptable to have a wedding at 6 p.m. on a Friday or should we consider having it at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to give guests plenty of time to arrive. Thanks!

Friday weddings can be so lovely and a fantastic way to kick off the weekend. It also leaves the rest of the weekend to either enjoy time with visiting out of town guests or just relaxing as newlyweds! Being mindful of guests getting off of work early for a Friday wedding is a polite gesture however, we would work backwards with your timeline to make sure that you and your fiancé aren’t cutting the wedding too short by having it start later, like at 6:30 pm or 7 pm.

Start with your end-time of when your venue needs to be clear and work from there. Clean-up {as a rule of thumb} will likely take about an hour dependent upon the amount of décor or rentals you have {check with your vendors on this as well to ensure it’s ample for them}. If you’re anticipating fun entertainment and  toasts and traditions like cake cutting and then guests dancing the night away, three hours should do it for that period {you know your guests in this capacity – perhaps you don’t anticipate a lot of dancing so this can be trimmed}. Dinnertime typically takes about an hour and a half, when all is said and done. And the ceremony and subsequent transitional time {often cocktail “hour”} can take about an hour and a half depending on how long your ceremony is. With this being said, we’re comfortably looking at about six-and-a-half to seven hours.

It’s an equation to get to that point but even a half hour {or more if people are stuck in traffic or running late} can really make an impact on your timeline. Send out save the dates {signifying a Friday wedding and the start time} well in advance to let guests know your expectation of timing. If given enough notice, we’d recommend staying with an earlier wedding start time of six o’ clock so that your wedding can flow nicely with no time crunch.

Male bridesmaids are becoming more and more prevalent in wedding celebrations and there are a number of ways to incorporate yours into the celebration while keeping him visible as part of your wedding party. Inviting someone to be part of your wedding party, whether male or female, is such an honor and making him feel unique standing next to you will speak volumes.

Gift him a tie and a pocket square that coordinates with the bridesmaids’ dresses, while keeping the looks of the groomsmen different. This will give him a distinct identification while standing out from the groomsmen.

On the wedding day invite him to be present with you while you prep for the big day. We’ve had a number of our brides have a male bridesmaid and we’ve encourage this. Start the day off with a brunch where he’ll be present and make him feel welcomed and not stuck in between the two parties.

Give him a special duty that also sets him apart: ask him to perform the task of escorting your mother or grandmother down the aisle. If he’s a musician ask him to serenade you during your ceremony by strumming the guitar.

With a combination of little gestures the appreciation will be felt and he’ll love standing beside you on your wedding day.

Photo by Ian Grant Photography

Thank you, Aleah + Nick, for another month full of incredible advice!  If you have a question or two that has been keeping you up at night make sure you leave them in the comments below!

Jemma Keech is my Friday morning hero. She is the photography genius behind this ode to inspiration and we are indeed feeling inspired. The light captured by Jemma, that gorgeous, airy, dress that I could eat it’s so pretty, the BEEEAUTIFUL bouquet courtesy of Natural Art by Rebecca Grace, the classic approach to romance – it’s all coming together for one knock-you-out-of-your-seat photo shoot where dreaminess is center stage. See it all in the FULL gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Jemma Keech…I am trying to incorporate more film into my work, so I did this inspirational wedding shoot. I chose a pretty palette of soft pinks and creams – colors that I know perfectly suit beautiful, creamy film. We did the shoot amongst the old street-scapes in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Photography: Jemma Keech / Floral Design: Natural Art by Rebecca Grace / Car: Belle Classic / Gown: Pallas Couture / Male Model (Tom): Chadwick Models / Female Model (Sarah): Friend

We have a super fun, charm-filled, vintage beauty of a wedding by Vanessa Voth Photography for you today!  It may be set in a British Columbia country club but it looks like it could be tucked away in a sweet country field.  I love blanket portraits with the groom sweetly serenading his new wife.  The music continues throughout the sweet decor with sheet music wrapped around vases and bottles.   Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…When asked to write about our wedding, it was hard to think of what to say simply because the day itself went so flawlessly and went by so quickly. It’s strange to think that, after ten months of planning, the wedding is over in a day and a lifetime with your best friend begins.

With both ceremony and reception at the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre, our decorator from DeLovely Creative helped us create a vision of simple, vintage elegance that incorporated elements of who we are as a couple – Michael, with his love for music, and me with my love for all things Pride and Prejudice and romantic. But as much as we loved the food, the setting, and the overall wedding, what made it so special was the commitment we were making to each other and the opportunity to share that with so many loved ones. The little moments, like seeing each other for the first time, our first kiss as husband and wife, laughing (and crying) through speeches, and dancing the night away, were really just the icing on the cake that made the day so memorable.

Above all, however, our faith was central to our wedding day. We both wanted God to be at the center of our wedding and our marriage, and we hoped that people would see Him being glorified on our special day, for it is He who gave us the gift of marriage in the first place. And now that real life is in full swing and the dreams and planning for “the big day” have come to an end, we look forward to the kind of dreaming and planning that lasts a lifetime, our lives joined as one as we follow God and learn to love and grow as a couple.

Wedding Photography: Vanessa Voth Photography / Catering, Ceremony + Reception Venue: Langley Golf and Banquet Centre / Hair: Nadine Bergsma / Make-Up: DIY / Wedding Dress: Sottero & Midgely via The Bridal Centre / Bride’s Shoes: Sterling Shoes / Bride’s Jewelry: Ben Moss / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Lady K Jewelry / Hairpiece: Etsy / Bridesmaid Dresses: Everything But the Groom / Groom’s Suit + Accessories: Moores / Engagement Ring: Custom Gold / Wedding Bands: Ben Moss / Floral Design: DeLovely Creative / Music: Andrea Cave / Decor Rental: Trove Rentals + DeLovely Creative / Day-of Coordinator: Carly Peterson, Friend of the Bride / Invitations + Paper Goods: Michaels / Wedding Cake: Cakes by Meg

Garden weddings always have a way of sneaking their way to the top of my favorites list…. There’s just something so magical about the combination of some uber-lovely nuptials and mother nature’s beauty that simply warms my heart.  So, it pretty much goes without saying that I am absolutely loving this charming Wheaton affair by Elizabeth Greve Photography with its gorgeous setting (but, of course), laid back meets elegant vibe, sophisticated black and white color palette and darling DIY details.  This is just the pretty we needed this Friday morning and the perfect start to a sure to be fabulous weekend.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Elizabeth Greve Photography… I’m so excited to share this awesome outdoor ceremony with you!  I was honored to photograph the wedding of a friend I have known for years which made the day even more special for me.  The best way to describe Katie & Matt is to tell you that along with being a wonderful couple together on the outside, they are also beautiful people on the inside as well.  They make everyone around them smile and laugh and their detailed wedding that included DIY projects and a dog as a flower girl reveals just that.  Below, you’ll read comments from Katie, the bride, on how the inspiration for this creative wedding came about.

As for the details, the bridesmaids were asked to wear black cocktail-length dresses (each of them have their own sense of style, and the bride and groom wanted to celebrate that)! The groomsmen wore classic, Calvin Klein tuxes… with the exception of the bride’s brother, who was in his Army dress blues (he was able to come to the wedding, on his mid-tour leave from Iraq). The outdoor ceremony included a secret garden-like path that the wedding party walked through. The bride’s brother serenaded her down the aisle, to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  The couple’s Pug, Ramona, acted as the flower girl. The groom’s mother made paddle fan programs, to relieve guests from the hot August sun. The bride, her mother, and mother-in-law made chalkboard framed signs that were displayed throughout the ceremony and reception.  They each displayed some of the bride and groom’s favorite lyrics like, “How Sweet it Is to Be Loved by You,” “I’m lucky I’m in Love with My Best Friend,” and “For you I’d wait til kingdom come.” The placecards were inspired by a Style Me Pretty inspiration board.  With old luggage tags, laundry pins, and vintage typewriter type, they were an easy way to bring the vintage flair to each table. The Candy Table included old-fashioned candy, jars, scoops, and a handmade banner. Guests were encouraged to take candy home, in small cellophane bags.  The bride wore a gown from Nordstrom Bridal.  After the ceremony, she quickly changed into her dance-friendly sparkly Toms. Flowers (in mason jars, with wire for hanging on shepherds hooks) from there ceremony were re-purposed for the reception.

Wedding Photography: Elizabeth Greve Photography / Florist: Petal Play Design / Weekend-of Planner: La Belle Fleur Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: Cantigny Park / Wedding Reception Location: Cantigny Golf / DJ: A Posh Production / Hair: Salon Vis a Vis / Make-up: Linda Camacho / Nails: The Nail Shop / Wedding Invitations: Etsy / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein / Wedding Dress: Nordstrom / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS

Timeless. Perfectly timeless. This wedding by Nancy Aidee Photography is understated elegance at its finest, and a wedding that will stand the test of time. I am absolutely in love with every little detail, and that mile-long veil just grabbed a hold on my heart and won’t let go. It’s a wedding I’ll look back on when I am old and grey and still think is devine, and well lovelies – you can’t beat that. Click here for even more timeless beauty!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Like most girls, I had been dreaming of my wedding day and wondering who my groom would be since I was a little girl. When I went on a blind date with Kyle in 2007 I had no idea he would indeed be the man at the end of the aisle. Kyle asked me to marry him after 4 years of dating and I was overwhelmed with joy at the thought of our future lives together. I was so thrilled to put the planning into motion and buy out the shelves of bridal magazines! I dreamed of having a wedding that felt like Annie’s from the movie Father of the Bride. I wanted something romantic, timeless, and mostly traditional.

We decided to go with champagne, cream, and blush pink colors to help keep the wedding soft and elegant. The wedding programs, menus, and place cards were all DIY projects inspired by weddings featured on Style Me Pretty. Luckily, I had a patient mom and some very helpful bridesmaids who were very giving of their time to help with the assembling. My favorite detail was the personalized matchbooks that accompanied the cigars available for guests to enjoy on the back patio.

My favorite moment was during our exit when Kyle made us stop to hug our parents goodbye as guests threw dried lavender. It was a beautiful day we will never forget and cannot wait to tell our children about. An evening surrounded by all the people who love and support our marriage, I can’t imagine anything better.

Wedding Photography: Nancy Aidee Photography / Floral Design: Wedding Flowers by Lisa / Ceremony Location: The Woodlands United Methodist Church / Reception Location: The Club at Carlton Woods / Event Coordinator: Karen Henson of The Club at Carlton Woods / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Amsale via Ivory Bridal Atelier / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Entertainment: Doppleganger / Wedding Cake + Cake Pops: Kiss the Cook Cakes / Wedding Cinematography: Neil Sandoz Videography / Catering: The Club at Carlton Woods / Pizza Rolls: Double Daves / L & K Door Signs: DIY / Ice sculptures: Ice Designs of Houston / Lavendar: Save on Crafts / Place Cards: DIY

Not only was this wedding totally gorgeous and well thought out, it sounds like it was an absolute blast to attend! This couple took their love of high tea and infused it into every nook and cranny of their big day and the outcome is totally adorable and perfectly unique. Craig + Kate captured all the vintage details of the day including the DIY shabby chic sweetie bar and you have to trust me when I say that this gallery is full to the brim with great ideas for you to take away for your own DIY affair. Click here to see more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Light, floaty, relaxed and not ‘over the top’ were the pre-requisites for the dress. I was incredibly fortunate to find the dress I always wanted on the first trip to Colchester with my mum. Although we went elsewhere and fully enjoyed the dress hunting experience, I kept coming back to the first one. To match the dress’s style, I had a bespoke hairband made to order.

From the Groom…Despite my Grandad being a vicar, we don’t hold any religious beliefs and thought it would be a tad hypocritical to get married in a church. However, with Bex’s parents married 30 years earlier at Layer Marney, we thought it would be apt to follow in their footsteps. Layer Marney is a stunning Tudor building and the ceremony room has many ‘churchy’ features, so it was perfect.

We liked vintage themes but they are a bit like the ubiquitous London bus so we decided to combine it with some homemade touches to create the best garden party we could think of. White and pink were the chosen colors but not the weedy pale pink – a vibrant uber gay pink that you couldn’t miss! Afternoon tea was certainly a big factor around the design of the marquee, surroundings, etc. We wanted to stay away from 3 course meals as we always think it’s too much food, especially on a hot day when the vino blanco is flowing. Plus, we are a little obsessed with afternoon teas and have probably visited all the table names which were famous London hotels e.g. The Dorchester, The Lainsborough and The Ritz. Penny Campbell, head chef at The Food Company and family friend for 30 years, came up with a menu which was scrummy. But one thing that we insisted on was rectangular sandwiches, a selection of different breads and pink macaroons – fussy indeed. And with vintage teas and RSVPs providing a completely random collection of tea cups, saucers, tea pots and plates, there was a huge amount of color in the marquee.

To finish off the food in the evening, we had a proper wood fired hog roast that my mum’s boyfriend made himself. It weighed a ton and was a pain to get up to Essex from Devon but it was well worth it. And with a locally sourced pig it was some of the juiciest pork I’ve had for a long time (no pun intended)! People wanting to dance was really important to us so we chose Funk/Motown as the style. It covers all the age groups and who can resist getting up to dance to a Stevie Wonder classic? Plus, with light filled paper lanterns filling the marquee, the evening had a great atmosphere and seemed to evoke some hazardous hip movements amongst the guests.

The sweetie bar was the best homemade project. Bex’s parents offered to update their existing dresser by getting it professionally painted and finished to match our color scheme (and their house of course!). With trips to Ikea for the jars, Makros for the sweets on an industrial scale and some cheesy pics of us, it came together brilliantly. Bordered by some branches from a Devon forest which my mum decorated with hand-carved hearts, we would say it’s unlikely this would be something typical to a wedding. But feel free to prove us wrong.

Wedding Photography: Craig + Kate / Floral Design: Anne Goldschmidt of Flowers by Anne / Wedding Dress: Benjamin Roberts via The Wedding Shop / Bride’s Shoes: Vivienne Westwood / Men’s Attire: Abigail’s Collection / Bridesmaid Dresses + Shoes: Monsoon / Hair: Louise of Friends / Make-up: The Bride / Marquee: Chelmer Marquees / China: Vintage Teas and RSVPs / Entertainment: The F Word / Catering: Marks Tey of The Food Company

I love the story behind this fabulous English inspired garden wedding and how this couple made their romance work across the big pond. I can only imagine how amazing and exciting it must have been on the day of their wedding to know that they will never have to travel that far to see one another ever again! I’m totally digging the whole Victorian garden vibe of this pretty, outdoor fete and think the tablescapes are absolutely out of this world. It’s the perfect mix of elegance and casualness and can we talk about how pretty those lace wrapped invites are? Ashley O’Dell Photography snapped all the details while Couture Parties designed and planned everything starting with the perfectly private venue in Chatham. Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

Take a minute to check out this fab film (and the groom’s adorable British accent!) from Absolute Media Productions:

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/28985084?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0 600 338]

From the Bride…Our story began in May 2007 at on the London School of Economics campus.  As a graduate student, Ashleigh had a part-time bartending job at the university bar, and Henry happened to stop in one night for a drink with some friends.  Towards the end of the night Ashleigh declined his request for her number, explaining that she wouldn’t give it out. So, he scribbled his email on a little ripped piece of paper, and Ashleigh spent the rest of the night checking her pocket to make sure the paper was securely there. Ashleigh returned to New York in September 2007, and so began 3 ½ years of long-distance, including a few thousand dollars in phone bills and numerous transatlantic flights back and forth across the pond.

Henry proposed on a surprise trip to Croatia in July 2010 (after a romantic dinner on a deserted beach!) and so began the wedding planning process from across the miles.  Henry moved to New York in March 2011, just in time for the last months of the planning!

From Couture Parties…We started with identifying the feeling we wanted the day to have – romantic, Victorian, English garden, delicate, lace, unique in the details.  We had already selected the location (a private residence in Chatham MA), and we selected this location for reason that we could really make the wedding our own and homespun instead of a typical venue site where there is little flexibility.  From there, we worked with the wedding planner to pick out images, fabrics, flowers and items (using pinterest.com) that embody the feelings we wanted.  Some of these included parasols, antique furniture and keys, soft flower palette and style such as  baby’s breath etc..  The little details were very important to the Bride, unique touches like the striped straws, the seating chart flower pins, wooden signs, the hanging mason jars, the lace wrapped ceremony programs, the lounge area, the chandelier cake table, the pashmina bar.  We wanted people to feel the care that went into even the littlest aspects of the day, and to feel as though they had stepped back in time and into an elegant Victorian garden wedding.

Wedding Photography: Ashley O’Dell Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Absolute Media Productions / Floral Design: All About Flowers for Weddings / Event Design + Planning: Couture Parties / Ceremony Location: Holy Redeemer Church / Reception Location: The Mack House / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Wedding Dress: Lusan Mandongus

If you are a lover of fabulous florals (and I know you are), then you may want to sit down before you jump into all of the gorgeous that is this stunning Statham affair.  Boasting some of the most beautiful blooms I have ever seen by Creative Home Goods and Services, I simply can’t stop swooning over all of this pretty.  And the lovely doesn’t stop there.  Oh, no.  This soiree is filled to the brim with the sweetest of details, including a vibrant fuchsia and purple color palette, a seriously charming location and one very stunning bride and groom.  Diana Lupu Photography was on hand to capture each and every amazing moment… and not only did she fill our gallery with breathtaking images, but she penned one very touching (and tear-inducing) description, as well.  Believe me, it doesn’t get much better than this.  Click here for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Diana Lupu Photography... “She looks beautiful,” I said to Andrei as we began his groom portraits. “I can’t wait to see her,” he said with a smile revealing dimples and bright eyes. The day began with grey skies and cool temperatures and as Alice sat to get her hair done, she nervously laughed with her sisters and mom, politely refusing the snack her mother kept trying to convince her to eat.  Alice slipped into her wedding dress and assured everyone that she couldn’t eat until she saw him. There were just too many butterflies for food.  As she made her way down to Andrei, Alice paused for a moment to catch her breath. She closed her eyes and remembered to remember. The moment. The suddenly clear skies and the warm sun on her skin. The way she felt. The way she loved him. As Andrei pulled her in for an embrace, all was suddenly right in Alice’s world; because he makes her skies clear, the butterflies calm, and her world bright. With a warm touch, he assures her he will never leave her side—for the rest of the day, and for the rest of her life.

Alice & Andrei’s wedding took place in a charming country club in a quiet, secluded town in Georgia. Because I wasn’t based out of Georgia, Alice and I were in contact for much of the planning phase of her wedding. She kept me in the loop by sending me inspiration photos of her decor and once I received the photo of the breathtaking location, I knew it would all fall into place perfectly. She wanted bright, vibrant flowers and sparkling crystals to adorn bird cages and lanterns, carrying through her lovely garden vision. To place a spin on things and bring in a modern element, she spray-painted her lanterns and bird cages a glossy black and accented them with green apples and royal purple satin ribbons.

Alice and Andrei were married in a traditional, Christian ceremony which reflected their personalities, culture, and merging families, who traveled all the way from Romania to witness their marriage. The reception was moved indoors to keep people warm well into the night and the couple provided guests with an amusing, yet creative 30 minute slideshow created by one of Alice’s best friends and bridesmaid. That, along with their delicious Nutella wedding cake (yes, please!!) was a huge hit with the guests. Due to religious restraints, this wedding didn’t have dancing, but the entertainment proved to be touching and long lasting, as Alice’s father is a singer who charmed his way into people’s hearts all night. Together, Alice and Andrei planned their perfect wedding and made sure to remain true to what the day was really all about: their new life together.

Wedding Photography: Diana Lupu Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Timotei Jinar / Floral Design: Michelle Vladia of Creative Home Goods and Services / Event Planning + Location: The Georgia Club / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

When one of our LBB vendors gets married, we’re always excited to see the big day. They’re like our own little extended family. So when we heard that Nathaniel Neubraber, owner of Contemporary Catering was marrying his gorgeous bride in a fabulously beachy California affair, we were very excited to see exactly how they did it. And just as excited to see how they fed it. So when the fabulous Callaway Gable sent over the photos, we could not dig in quick enough. The wedding was even more wonderful than we imagined, with the gorgeous Malibu views, awesome color palette, and a beautiful, beautiful bride. And the food, lets just say our mouths are still watering. You won’t want to miss the gallery – where there is even more of the handsome couple, fantastic florals, and mouthwatering, amazing dinners!

We met at temple.  Nace was close with the Rabbi and Rachel was working at the temple, training to be a Cantor.  Nace had been watching Rachel sing for months and really enjoyed it.  When the Rabbi’s wife turned 70, Nace and a few of his friends decided to hire Rachel to sing “Happy Birthday” to her as a present.  Nace and Rachel went to coffee the day before the birthday party, and came up with an idea that it would be a great little gimmick if Rachel dressed up like Marilyn Monroe for the party.  The next day, they began to search for a white dress (in the dead of December!) and a blonde wig, which took five hours and four Los Angeles shopping malls before they achieved success.  This little search became their first date, which extended on into the birthday party, a cheese course, and four hours at a coffee shop.

Nace proposed on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman on the first night of a vacation.  Rachel had absolutely no idea, and asked Nace while packing to put her laptop into his briefcase with his own, like she always does when they traveled.  He told her that he had no room…so Rachel rolled her eyes, thinking that her boyfriend was taking too much work with him on their vacation, unbeknownst to the fact that what was taking up all the room was a ring box.  On the coral at the end of the beach at sunset, Rachel was staring off into the horizon and Nace casually asked her “Can I ask you a question?” as if he was going to follow up with “What are you in the mood for dinner?”  It didn’t register that he had, in fact, followed up with “Will you marry me?” until she turned around to find him opening a ring box.

It was very important to Nace, as a surfer, that the wedding ceremony overlooked the ocean.  The venue happens to be one of Nace’s favorite venues, and it was right across the (long, windy) hill from Rachel’s childhood summer camp.  She was sold on the venue before they even finished driving up to it.

Photographer: Callaway Gable / Coordinator: Paula Gild of Gilded Events / Rentals: Town and Country / Caterer: Nathaniel Neubraber of Contemporary Catering / Venue: Rancho Sold del Pacifico / Dress: Casablanca Bridal, from Marylinn’s Couture Bridal / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Floral: Butterfly Floral & Event Design / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Band: No Vacancy

Good morning you darlings of wedding goodness. We have such a treat for all of you modern brides out there that are desperate for a little modern inspiration. And it comes to us in the form of what just might be the most beautiful wedding on earth. Fully aware that I am like the girl that cried wedding when I say things like that but this time…it’s so true. Designed by Chicago based Dettagli Weddings, with photographs by the beloved Erin Hearts Court and styling by the fab Hello Darling, this wedding is everything. So in the words of one of our loyal readers…”stick me with a fork because I am done!!” See it all here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Dettagli Weddings…Gabrielle and Nick are the quintessential Chicago couple, with roots planted in the city from childhood (they actually met in high school!), but have since traveled the globe, lived from coast to coast (NYC, San Francisco!) and managed to bring a little bit of all of their history to their stunning Art Institute of Chicago wedding. The venue was a no-brainer: Gabby studied art history and worked at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in NYC, and the modern wing reflected the contemporary style of both their family homes. From there, it was honing in on the incredibly thoughtful and sweet details that they wanted to incorporate, along with styling their event to reflect their modern style, which we coined “simple and hip.”

With the help of Natalie from Hello Darling, we created a stunning day that celebrated Gabby and Nick’s incredible style, heritage and life together. We pulled together the colors that Gabby liked: Black, white and gray, and gave them a bit more life with soft pinks and dusty purples. The bride loved the clean lines of the art institute and wanted to reflect that style in her printable and day-of materials. From the cutie G+N on top of the cake, to the sharp, glowing table numbers, as well as menus, placecards and programs that the bride designed herself (printed by Magnificent Milestones), the architecture from the venue translated to the perfect day-of materials.

Amidst all of the meaningful details (French macaroons from Vanille Patisserie at each spot to pay homage to the time the couple spent living in Paris, an engraved Magnum of their favorite Iron Horse sparkling wine from Sonoma, the family Tallit!), the love in the room with the families and friends was electrifying. The dance floor was packed (Toast and Jam DJs!), the photobooth was bumping all night with hilarious photos (Magbooth) and the toasts were sensational. Erin Hearts Court magnificently captured it all and managed to really showcase how much happiness and love was in that stylish room in June.

Venue: The Art Institute of Chicago Modern Wing / Caterer: Bon Appetit at the Art Institute of Chicago / Wedding Planner: Katie Kozlowski, Dettagli Weddings / Wedding Photography: Erin Hearts Court / Wedding Videography: I Do Films / DJ: Toast & Jam / Florist + Decor: Hello Darling, floral and event styling / Wedding Cake: take the cake / Macaroons: Vanille Patisserie / Photobooth: The Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Transportation: Windy City Trolley / Printed Materials: Magnificent Milestones / Bride’s Shoes: Valentino / Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

A bit of old Hollywood glam and a whole lotta lovely, this gorgeous gala by Joe Elario Photography is full of all the little touches that make a wedding blogger like myself embarrassingly giddy. Those fluffy peonies from Fleurtacious Designs? Squeal-worthy. The breathtaking tablescape in the picturesque ballroom? It’s what dreams are made of. I’ll be honest, there have been a few squeals out of this little blogger lady due to the prettiness of this wedding, and you can see all the reasons why in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I’m so thrilled to share with you our wedding day, which was May 20, 2011. The vision for our wedding was a classic yet elegant, old Hollywood-glam look. The Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, New York became the perfect backdrop for the event we have always dreamed about. The stained glass ceilings and beautiful architecture of the building was just the start of a spectacular day.

Because the wedding was in May, I wanted it to look very spring-like. The beautiful and lush peonies in my bouquet and the girls bouquets, really popped off perfectly from my wedding dress and the bridesmaids mermaid gowns. The beaded lamps on the tables the ballroom really added that Hollywood glam and sparkle, along with the elegant champagne color table linens and light gray napkins.  Touches of light pink and gray were throughout the venue whether it be in design pieces like menus or name tags or in the outrageous flowers in the ballroom.

Our candy bar was a huge hit. Guests raved over this and it gave them a nice treat for the car ride home. This was one of my favorite parts of the wedding, as being a graphic designer I created all of the tags myself. Another fun feature was our photo booth. The backdrop was just awesome and we had so much fun with our guests in it. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and we now have hundreds of hilarious images!

All in all, the day couldn’t have been more perfect in our eyes. Everything went smoothly, and every little detail that we had been planning for months was in it’s place. We couldn’t be happier with the way our wedding day went. We hope you enjoy the beautiful images!!

Wedding Photography: Joe Elario Photography / Photobooth Backdrop: Drop It Modern / Wedding Cinematography: Al Woodard Films / Flowers: Fleurtacious Designs / Event Planning: Christine Wheat Special Events / Ceremony Location: The Church of Saint Peter / Reception Location: The Canfield Casino / Invitations + Design: JennyCDesign / Caterer: 2Shea Catering / Wedding Cake: Villa Italia / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander via Lily Saratoga Bridal Shop / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alvina Valenta via Lily Saratoga Bridal Shop

A bundle of fabulous inspiration and some pretty pink hues are greeting us with open arms this wonderful Friday morning, all thanks to one seriously sweet St. Augustine affair and Pure Sugar Studios.  With beautiful blooms by Wilson’s Limited, romantic bridesmaid frocks and one uber-stunning location, I do believe this gorgeous fête is just what we needed to start the weekend off right.  Plus, any bride and groom that rocks the iconic Dirty Dancing number on their big day is super fabulous in my book.  Love.  It.  So, join me in the gallery for even more pretty and then stay tuned for an amazing film by Visual Power Cinema below!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

We’re not finished yet.  We thought we’d send you off into the weekend with this fabulous film by Visual Power Cinema. Enjoy!

From Pure Sugar Studios… Tina and Jeremy planned a romantic wedding around Tina’s favorite shade of pink. I have been shooting weddings for 3 years, and I can honestly say this was the most FUN wedding I have been to! The bride and groom re-did the dance from “Dirty Dancing” at the end of the night, the dance floor was full from the time the party started ’till the end. I don’t think a single guest left. Tina, the bride, incorporated all sorts of small details for loved ones, including a special portrait and poem for the best man who had passed away in December.

Wedding Photography: Pure Sugar Studios / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue + Catering: The White Room Loft and Rooftop / Bridal Gown: Alfred Angelo Disney Collection / Bridesmaid Gowns: Bill Levkoff / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Make-up + Hair: Panache Salon / Flowers: Wilson’s Limited / Wedding Invitations: MagnetStreet Weddings / Music: Event Sound Entertainment / Engagement + Wedding Rings: Kay Jewelers / Wedding Coordinator: Shannon of The White Room Loft and Rooftop / Wedding Cake Designer: Sweet Weddings / Officiant: John Marshall of A Happy Marriage Performed / Wedding Videographer: Visual Power Cinema

We very rarely tear ourselves away from our computer to hit up NYC’s finest but we managed to do just that for last night’s Newlywish + Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton celebration where wedding pros like yours truly, Marcy Blum, Mark Ingram, Ceci Johnson, Xochitl Gonzalez & Mayra Castillo, plus Jorge Pérez and Lord Wedgwood curated a mix and match collection of what has now been given our namesake. Each available exclusively through Newlywish. The coolest registry brand ever.

Here’s a quick peek into the SMP collection and a few behind the scenes shot by Allan Zepeda from the fabulous event. But before we go, don’t forget to enter their big $4,500 sweepstakes!

Above: Abby Larson + Lord Wedgwood

Above: The SMP Collection for Newlywish + WWRD

Above, Top Left: Ron Ben-Israel, cake designer extraordinaire and WWRD’s Jorge Pérez / Above Center (left to right): SMP’s Erin Lepperd, Abby Larson + Xochitl of Always a Bridesmaid + Amanda Allan of Newlywish + Marcy Blum

photos by Allan Zepeda, flowers by Melarosa and sparkling wine by Chandon

A huge thank you to Amanda and Robard of Newlywish, along with the fabulous team at WWRD for hosting such a fun project and such a beautiful celebration. While we were there we managed to score a guest blog by one of WWRD’s most renowned experts, Jorge Pérez, who we’re hoping will share the beautifully creative ways that he incorporates fine china into his every day life. He is pure genius and I can’t wait to have him here! And of course, to Lord Wedgwood who has made all of my crystal dreams come true. XOXO.

What do you get when you saturate a classic wedding with the most gorgeously rich palette a girl could ever dream of? You get this next little number, overflowing with colors so beautiful you want to pinch yourself. You can literally feel the warmth, the joy coming through each and every image with a bride that radiates total wedding glee. But the best part about this little piece of al fresco perfection? The moment. You know the one. The moment she saw her husband-to-be standing at the altar with the ones who loved her most guiding her way. So amidst all of the beautiful details and the stunning colors, photographed by Ashley Rose Photography and styled by In the Now Events, there was that moment. Click here to see even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

For anyone that reads Style Me Pretty you know that we are a group of girls who love us some seriously gorgeous details. We’ve been talking a lot about details lately here, as it’s the details that give us the wedding giddies, that have us gushing while we drink our morning coffee. But that’s not why we love weddings. And we don’t ever want to allow those details to overshadow that reason. A wedding, in it’s most beautiful state, is about the love. Pure and simple. It’s the moment that he lays eyes on her, the minute those vows are read, the first kiss, the first dance. It’s the love that will always be the reason that we get up in the morning and the reason we fall head over heels for every affair that goes up on SMP. So when we read how this particular bride married the pretty with the passion, well…we became very happy bloggers.

* * *

From the Bride…I had way too many favorite moments on our day! However, if I HAD to pick one favorite moment, it would have to be the wedding ceremony. The feeling of walking towards your husband-to-be, in front of all your loved ones, is indescribable. The beautiful flowers, the carefully selected music played by our trio, the perfect summer day, the words spoken by our pastor, the way my veil flowed in the wind, all played big roles in making our ceremony perfect. Along with the perfect details, the ceremony was intimate and personal, which made it that much more memorable.

My advice to brides sounds cliche, but remember to soak up every second of your wedding day. It will be a blur. Our coordinator basically had us promise her that we’ll stop and take a few seconds before walking back down the aisle as husband and wife. I’m so glad we did that, because we were able to take a mental picture of everything before the crazy start to an unforgettable night. Remember to breath and let go if there are any mishaps during your wedding day. Don’t waste your time worrying/stressing out. Rather, use that energy/time to be with your family and friends. Always focus on the positive and be happy, because you’ll never get that moment back.

Wedding Photography: Ashley Rose Photography / Wedding Cinematography: Abraham Park / Catering + Flowers: Elegant Event Decorations and Catering / Linens: La Tavola Linens / Event Design, Invitations + Planning: In the Now Events / Ceremony + Reception Location: South Coast Botanic Gardens / Getting Ready Location: Hotel Maya / Bride’s Shoes: Vaneli Brinda / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / DJ: After Dark Entertainment / Wedding Cake, Macaroons + Cupcakes: My Sweet and Saucy / Cookie Bar: Diddy Riese / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Banana Republic / Bride’s Hanbok: LeeHwa Traditional Korean Dress Shop / Groom’s Bow Tie + Groomsmen Ties: The Tie Bar / Groom’s Suit: Armani / Groom’s Shoes: Bally / Groom’s Shirt: Banana Republic / Bridesmaid Shoes: Nine West + TOMs / Flower Girl + Ring Boy Outfit: Crew Cuts by J.Crew / Hair + Make-up: Clara Kim Beauty

Oh man, this wedding is great. I know I say that a lot, and honest, I really do mean it a lot, but that doesn’t make it any less true. It’s an amazing California wedding. The color palette is fabulous (white, yellow and black – it’s the bees knees for a reason) and it’s oh-so-perfectly contemporary. Plus, I can’t get over that fabulous floral design from Isari Flower Studio + Event Design (who just so happen to be some of the sweetest people ever, on top of having the most fabulous green thumbs). Captured by the always lovely Ken Kienow Photography, every image has me begging for more. And more there is – in the full image gallery!

From Isari Flower Studio & Event Design … Yellow and fun paints the picture at this modern museum in San Diego’s jewel setting of La Jolla, California.

The ocean took center stage, the modern white museum our canvas and sunny yellow the art. The story is painted for you:  A stylish and urban couple from San Francisco envision  fun party first. Catherine from CBS Lifestylist helps design a flow-style event with the help of Giuseppe’s Catering. With decor as a second priority special care was taken to pull off the minimalist’s approach of an almost all white backdrop. Touches of yellow and green flowers in succulent form were added to soften lines and smooth corners.

Since it was a flow style event, this meant no dinner tables just easy comfortable white lounge furniture mixed with large and small and tall and short tables. Food was easy to carry and decor was elegant yet casual.  Tam from Isari Flower Studio began with a single glass vessel bursting of yellow and white blooms at the ceremony where the blue ocean sets our backdrop. A capis shell art piece adorned a section of the terrace to entice the eye without drawing away from the brilliant water view.

Immediately following the nuptials, guests were invited indoors to the museum’s atrium epicenter. Crisp white linens, stark white furniture, amber lighting and modest sweet florals fills the room. Food included pick and go choices of delicious Italian and American favorites . DJ Rey spun the music all night while guests reveled in the celebration. Dessert provided by Michele Coulon included mini cake and pie varieties and was artfully displayed at the end of the evening for party-goers to take, carry and eat on the fly. Brilliant music, simple beautiful decor and delectable satisfactying food was achieved, and the artist signs at the bottom the painting.

Wedding Coordinator: CBS Weddings / Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art / Photographer: Ken Kienow / Officiant: Judge Sturgeon / Floral Design: Isari Flower Studio + Event Design / DJ: DJ Ray Pena / Cake: Michele Coulon Dessetier / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Lighting & Furniture: Platinum Pro / Linen Rentals: American Party Rentals

After spending a whirlwind 24 hours in New York yesterday, I can fully appreciate an affair in the heart of this big, bustling city that feels so intimate, so serene, so full of love. Not to say there isn’t a whole lot of love in the Big Apple, just that it all seems a little fast and furious. But not this beautiful moment in time captured by Mademoiselle Fiona. It’s a glimpse into a gorgeous wedding with a couple that didn’t let the day stress or overwhelm them. Instead they created a breath of fresh garden air that has our hearts beating ever so fast. It’s perfect and it’s all camping out in the full gallery. See it here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…John and I met in New York. Our relationship has been long distance. We had actually not lived with each other before and prepared our apartment in advance of the wedding and our wedding night was the first night we spent in our new apartment. It was stressful setting up the apartment in a week, but it was more a lead up to the wedding day. We saw our wedding as an occasion to recognize our life starting together. We wanted the wedding to be stress-free and organic, so we tried not to include too many moving pieces.

Through the planning process my sister was there to remind me to not get too caught up in the “wedding day”. That every bride is beautiful and every guest is happy to be there so it will always be special. So stressing before, during and after (paying for it) is really not worth it when the outcome is the same. So I focussed on the details that made me happy (like finding the perfect cake topper, unique bottles and books for the centerpieces), when I noticed something was stressing me too much I brought in a friend or family member to think of a different solution that was either easier or cheaper. The whole process should be happy.

Wedding Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona / Flowers: DIY / Ceremony Location: Ladies’ Pavillon / Reception Location: Savoy Restaurant (SoHo) / Wedding Dress: Blessus

It’s true, everyone needs a little glamour in their day, and this stylish soiree planned by Kristeen LaBrot Events will be your daily dose wrapped up in one pretty post. Every image is like a dream come true – sparkly Loubies, a gorgeous Vera Wang gown, delightful florals and design by Sky Events & Productions. Love! We have Floataway Studios to thank for all the lovely, and the gallery is full of so much more glamour so you can get an extra dose today!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Kristeen LaBrot Events…Sharis and Chris planned a dazzling purple and silver affair for their April 16th wedding in Los Angeles.  The bride wore a lace Vera Wang gown and Christian Louboutin sparkly slingback pumps.  Her romantic bouquet consisted entirely of monochromatic, textured white peonies and the handle was wrapped in beautiful beaded fabric.  Her bridesmaids wore gowns from Amsale and their bouquets were made from different shades of purple florals, accented with green coffee bean berries.The ceremony was traditional but we brought in amazing decor to personalize the church.  Their custom made aisle runner was completely covered in white satin rosettes.  Hanging clusters of cascading purple & white Phalaenopsis Orchids lined the aisles and tall orchid arrangements flanked them at the altar.

For the reception, they chose the Starview Room of the Sheraton because of the fantastic view you get from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the hotel.  The table featured custom made overlays, rhinestone trimmed charger plates, crystal napkin rings and were accented by the stunning florals from Sky Events & Productions.  The low arrangements contained purple florals accented with white, including hydrangeas, different shades of purple roses, mokara orchids, vanda orchid, tulips, calla lilies, anemones, and cattleya orchids, accented with a variety of crystal candleholders.  The table numbers were hand calligraphed by Calligraphy Katrina.  She also calligraphed “Bride” and “Groom” on the mirrored charger plates.

The entry way to the reception was draped in eggplant fabric.  One of my favorite details from the event was the escort card arrangement.  Different sized frames were filled with fresh flowers and installed over the table.  The escort cards also the handiwork of Calligraphy Katrina and were displayed in rhinestone frames.  Just stunning!

A few other beautiful accents were the custom made card box completely covered in bright purple orchids.  I have never seen a more beautiful card box!  We brought in silver circular dance floor and created a lounge area in the back corners of the ballroom. The 4 tiered cake was dripping with details — a quilted top layer with silver sugar flowers, rhinestone and beaded ribbons alternated around each tier.

Wedding Planning: Kristeen LaBrot Events / Wedding Photography + Videography: Floataway Studios / Florals + Decor: Sky Events & Productions / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Ceremony Location: United Armenian Congregational / Reception Location: Sheraton Universal City / Band: Johnny Jordan / Calligraphy: Calligraphy Katrina / Lounge Furniture: Town & Country / Wedding Cake: Mignon Bakery / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale

Let’s face it, at one point or another you’re going to have to rock a less than desirable dress for a girlfriend’s wedding. You know you’ll never wear it again but you tell her it’s perfect, slip into it for the day, down too many glasses of champagne to forget your wearing it and then hang it in the back of your closet to die, right? Well, not anymore! Thanks to the brilliant people at Dessy, the creaters of NEWLYMAID, your dress will get a whole new life and you’ll get a new little black dress at a sweet discounted price! Yup, that’s right. You can trade in your old bridesmaid dress for a new little black dress! And it gets even better because NEWLYMAID just added seven new styles to their already fabulous collection! Like I said, totally brilliant!

So are you ready to thin out your closet? Simply choose a dress that you’ll never wear again (like that will be hard) then head over to NEWLYMAID to request a pre-paid return mailer. Say sayonara for good to that not-so-cute dress and pop it in the mail. Once it’s received and accepted, you’ll get an email with special pricing details and all that’s left to do is pick out the perfect little black dress. Easy peasy, right? The dresses range from daytime office looks to fun and flirty and we know you’ll absolutely love their new collection.

This is pretty much the easiest way to feel good about shopping not only because of the amazing discount you’ll get, but because NEWLYMAID will recycle your dress into yarn to be used on future dresses or it will be donated to Clothes4Souls. Like I said, it’s the best thing to ever happen to that not-so-cute bridesmaid dress, so what are you waiting for? Head over to NEWLYMAID now for some serious guilt free shopping and for a preview, check out the gorgeous dresses below!

I wish I could just jump right into this nature-inspired photo shoot and call it my very own.  The warm, earthy tones mixed with vibrant orange and red hues, the breathtaking location, the animal prints adding just the right touch of spice… I am completely captivated by each and every amazing detail designed by Event Planning Headquarters.  And when you combine those fabulous stylings with beautiful rentals from Special Event Rentals, gorgeous paper products created by The Paper Tree and one very awesome centerpiece by La Piazza Dasee, it all adds up to pure prairie perfection.  Thankfully, Shandro Photo was on hand to capture all of the lovely, so there’s an entire gallery of brilliant images just waiting to be adored.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Event Planning Headquarters… With spring finally upon us after a very long Canadian winter we were just aching to put together a shoot that would evoke the spirit of warm nights spent outdoors with someone you love.  We wanted a location that was raw and untouched but still romantic and flooded with soft light.  The perfect location was scouted out by husband and wife team, Michael and Haley Shandro, of Shandro Photo.  A small patch of land on the West end of Edmonton that had tall grasses and a wash of evening sun.  With a ring of trees bordering the location, we got a secluded “just for us” feel.  Inspired equally by nature and glamour we set out to develop our concept using different textures, prints, and subtle cultural touches. Our tablescape was a true expression of our vision.

We began by combining several different linens from Special Event Rentals, one a neutral pintuck linen and the other a textured crocodile leather, to create the base of our table.  From there we layered more refined elements like the gold rim goblets, mercury glass candle holders, and the glossy metallic elephant. Pairing these items with more rustic items such as the wooden carved roses, feather balls, and the stone vase of the centerpiece gave us the balance between wild/organic and classic/glamour that we were seeking.  The centerpiece was without a doubt the focal point of the table.  Created by floral masterminds – Janine and James of La Piazza Dasee – the custom built Witch Hazel Tree was a marvel of lush, exotic florals that stretched almost the entire length of the table.  The vibrant colors really popped against the mostly neutral tones below it.

We tried to incorporate similar elements throughout various portions of the shoot.  For example the textured, woven basket that we used on the cupcake table was mimicked by the charger plate on the tablescape.  We also used different animal elements throughout; a giraffe chair pad, small plastic toy animals were transformed with paint to dress them up, a leopard print ribbon was used to wrap the brides bouquet; these small details added a lot of depth to the shoot. The models were one of the largest expressions of contrast.  Being of different races they were an exotic mix of light and dark and we just couldn’t get enough of the two of them together.  The clothing, makeup, and accessories really emphasized our glamorous/wild combination.

We can’t say enough about how happy we are to have had an opportunity to collaborate with so many talented, local vendors!  We could talk for hours about how everything came together but maybe we’ll just let the photos do the talking.  We hope you’ll be inspired and enjoy!

Concept + Design: Kristina McAnally with Event Planning Headquarters / Rentals: Special Event Rentals / Decor Accessories: Edmonton Wedding & Party Centre / Wedding Photography: Shandro Photo / Flowers: La Piazza Dasee / Bridal Gown: Bridal Debut / Tuxedo Rental: Derks Formals and Menswear / Make-up Artist: Anita Gill / Jewelry: Stella & Dot / Cupcakes: Flirt Cupcakes / Stationery: The Paper Tree

Can you seriously think of anything more romantic than eloping to Paris with the love of your life and your closest friends and family? I’m literally drooling on my keyboard over these gorgeous fairytale like images by One and Only Paris Photography. This beyond beautiful couple nixed the idea of a large wedding and trying to please hundreds of guests and instead opted for a luxurious and intimate fete in the most romantic city in the world. Rendez-vous in Paris planned the entire beautiful day, down to that pretty, purple cake appropriately inscribed with the word l’amour. Be still my romance loving heart! Click here for more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From One and Only Paris Photography…As wedding photographers based in Paris, we love elopements. They’re intimate, and stress free. As a bride you have more control to infuse your style with each detail. When you’re unburdened with having to please hundreds of guests, your focus shifts more toward the meaning of the day. The pace is calmer, providing brides the time to soak in the significance of the important moments.

When we first met with Natalina she asked if we could try to avoid capturing expressions of stress and worry on the faces of the couple and their families. Like all of us, she had witnessed distraught brides and families during hectic weddings.  What she hadn’t yet realized was she had already sidestepped this possibility by running off with only her closest friends and family to get married in the City of Love. Escaping to Paris was the perfect solution to being truly relaxed and having fun, while still having a stylish wedding.

Natalina and Warwick down scaled in size, and up scaled in lavishness. They were able to seize the best Paris has to offer; an exquisite hotel for getting ready, a vintage car for their route along the Champs Elysees, a candle-lit orthodox ceremony, and an elegant reception in the famous Plaza Athenee.

Tradition dictated that Natalina not reveal her gown until she met her groom on the steps of the Russian Orthodox Church.  There, the couple awaited an invitation to enter from a greeting priest dressed in full regalia. After the candle-lit ceremony, we took the couple around the historic center for photos of them draped in our favorite city sights. Paris is a gorgeous backdrop for a romantic wedding, and brides are well received here.  Natalina and Warwick were greeted by waving pedestrians and drivers’ cheerful honking.  The genuine smiles this induced from the couple helped us capture the images we love that show the fantasy of Paris.  From these images, it’s easy to see that this destination wedding in the City of Love had quite an impact on the lucky couple. It truly was a special day for Natalina and Warwick. Paris tends to have this effect on lovers.

Wedding Photography: One and Only Paris Photography + Le Secret d’Audrey / Wedding Planners: Rendez-vous in Paris / Make-up + Hair: Sally Biondo – Natural Beauty Team / Reception Location: Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris / Flowers: Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris / Wedding Cake: Sugar Plum Cake Shop / Favors: Laduree / Rings: Cartier / Wedding Gown: Pronovias via Marry Me Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Gary Castles Sydney