I don’t know quite how to put my feelings into words with this wedding. The only thought running through my enamored brain is… WOW. WOW. WOW. over and over. Every new image from Red Fly Studio brings a whole new fit of gushing because, well, I just can’t get enough of this affair. It’s a little bit whimsical, a little bit organic, a hint of classic with a side of silhouettes and a million bits pretty. And on top of all of that, it has a layer of totally unique and undeniably cool details that bring on a whole new stream of wows. So definitely carve out some time to cozy up to this gem in the full gallery and coming up a bit later we have a BUYING GUIDE to help all of you brides and grooms-to be snag the look. Stay tuned!

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From Red Fly Studio...I thought I would submit this sweet intimate wedding that we photographed near the shrimp boats on the docks of the Apalachicola River.  The bride and groom walked in at the same time, from opposite sides and met in the middle. Guests were seated in a semi-circle, and Alex and Allison were the completion of the circle. The ceremony was unique. Alex’s father married them, and they did not have a traditional bridal party. A few friends read passages. Alex read her a poem. There was a moment of silence, and a time that acknowledged those who could not be legally married.

Immediately following the ceremony, Alex and Allison took a walk by themselves while the guests lingered in the park to enjoy oysters and champagne.  When Alex and Allison returned, their friends had flagged down some locals who were boating. The locals took them on a short excursion around the river, before we borrowed them for photos.  The reception was in an old chocolate factory, and it was beautifully decorated.  Everything seemed soft, even though there were cacti in the centerpieces. Honey was given away, and the napkins were made of fabric that would later be made into a wedding quilt.  Photos of Alex and Allison together, from years ago (the first time they dated) were laid on the table with silhouette buttons that these two had made.  Alex had drawn a tree for the “Leaf your fingerprint” guestbook. The work that Alex, Allison, and their families put into this wedding really shined through. It was probably the most unique wedding we had this year.

Wedding Photography: Red Fly Studio / Wedding Cinematography: Unique Video / Flowers: Tricia Lee / Event Design + Planning: Tricia Willis / Ceremony Location: Apalachicola Riverfront Park / Reception Location: Apalachicola Chocolate Co. / Shoes: TOMs / Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Dye / Tuxedo: Thick as Thieves LA / Caterer: Vicki Cureton of Cruton & Company / Band: The Zack Batholomew Trio

I sure hope you haven’t put any sugar into that morning coffee yet, because I think we might just have the perfect amount of sweet for you all contained in one fantastic Louisiana wedding this morning. Stevie Ramos Photography was on hand at this classic southern affair – and what a southern affair it was. The bride (who looked beautiful) and groom (quite the handsome fella) tied the knot under a great big Oak tree, on the sprawling lawn of a gorgeous Louisiana plantation. Surrounded by friends and family, and not to mention the most fabulous, lush flowers, the two lovebirds started their story together in a day that could not have been prettier. You’ll definitely want to grab a mason jar of lemonade and meet me in the full image gallery for the rest of this southern stunner!

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I always dreamed of having a southern plantation style wedding. Once I found the man of my dreams I knew exactly what I envisioned for our wedding. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous. We got married at dusk, under massive live oaks with tea lights and beautiful peonies and hydrangeas with an ideal southern plantation as our backdrop. We wanted to keep it small and intimate. My husband was very understanding to what my dream was and did everything to make it come true. It was truly a day we will remember while growing old together.

Photography: Stevie Ramos Photography / Ceremony & Reception: Nottoway Plantation / Event Planning & Coordination: Nottoway Plantation / Florist: Billy Heromans / Gown: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

There’s not one single detail in this wedding that I’m not absolutely head over heels in love with. I mean seriously, how amazingly beautiful are all the colors in those adorable DIY programs tied with twine? The florals are to die for, the lace strewn antique doors turned tables are straight out of a rustic fairytale, and the those shoes…how cute are they? We Heart Photography captured all the vintage and romantic details of the day so perfectly that it was nearly impossible to decide which ones to include. But lucky for you, there are so many more just waiting for you in the full gallery!

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From the Bride…We saw a bunch of different venues, but the barn reflected exactly what we wanted. It felt romantic, vintage, natural, and the epitome of rustic beauty. There were chandeliers and twinkle lights hanging inside the barn that added to the loveliness of the site!

We did many DIY projects. One of our friends baked cupcakes for us. They were decorated with different textures of purple sprinkles and white pearls. We also used purple vintage looking cupcake liners. Throughout the wedding planning, we looked at thrift stores/Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and collected antique trays, cabinet doors with hinges, vintage dresser drawers, and cake stands. We used the cabinet doors for the rest of the food display. We also used home made purple fabric flowers to swag the tables. For dinner, the food was served on vintage doors on top of wine barrels. We had all different types of vintage dishware, glasses and silver…a collection of different pieces/sets. I loved that we made our own programs! We picked out paper we liked, had the interior printed, and then hole punched the side of the program so it opened like a book. We tied them with twine. We ordered personalized seam binding from Etsy seller TheLonelyHeart with our names printed on them. We cut it so that it read “Nick and Katie” and glued them on the front of the program. On the inside, there was a heart we glued in, made of an old Romeo and Juliet book (from Etsy seller thePathLessTraveled).

When I walked down the aisle, I tried to look at as many people as I could. I was so overwhelmed and grateful by all of the love shown to us by everyone. Once I got a few steps down the aisle, I saw my groom! It was so hard to look anywhere else. Another favorite moment of mine was right before we left the barn, we had sparklers. Everyone was outside the barn cheering, and Nick and I took one last look inside. The barn was completely empty with only candles still burning, because everyone was lined up along a pathway lit by sparklers! I turned to Nick (maybe with a few tears in my eyes), and just felt so full of joy and love!

My advice to brides would be keep a word/picture journal of every thing that inspires you. As soon as a word comes to mind that potentially evokes an emotion you want conveyed through your wedding day, write it down! And, start collecting various things that you think you may be able to use. Start looking at thrift stores right away for anything unique that catches your eye-a container for pens, a screen to hang photos on, vases for flowers, a suitcase for cards, a chandelier to hang, or trays to serve food on. The more you collect/create, the more it feels like YOUR wedding! My last bit of advice is that when the day comes…just completely enter in. Spend the whole day next to your new husband! And enjoy being together. See everything you wanted to see, dance to all the songs you wanted to dance to, hug all the friends you want to hug. Try to take in all the tastes, scents, mental pictures, sounds…all of it!

Catering + Venue: The Barn, Eucalyptus Lane + Table of Grace Catering / Wedding Photography: We Heart Photography / Floral Design: Nina Wiskus of Fresh La Fleur / Wedding Cake: Jessica McCoy / Linens: Conejo Rentals / Flamenco Guitarist: Chris Fossek / Hair: Kristina Pettit / Make-up: Amy Thornton / Men’s Formalwear: Kenneth Cole / Cupcakes: Marilyn Hood / Wedding Dress: Mori Lee via I Do Bridal / Accessories: Royal Accessories / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles via Nordstrom

Not only is this couple completely adorable and toting some serious chemistry but they seem like one of the most fun couples on the planet. The kind of people that you hope to be sat next to at a dinner party, the kind of couple that is full of energy and laughter and the couple that has that everlasting kind of love. Speaking of which, the gentleman half of this duo, is also the co-creator of Project Everlasting, a documentary about a 12,000 mile journey to find out what makes love last. After one glance at these images beautifully captured by D. Park Photography, I’m pretty sure he found his answer. See more of this fun pair in the gallery.

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From D. Park Photography…A couple that epitomizes romance and everlasting love for this generation, a one in a million love story. We feel incredibly blessed to photograph the love story of Mat and Irene, a couple we were so inspired by and whose story we had been following through Mat’s Project Everlasting series.

If you haven’t read Project Everlasting or watched the documentary, it’s a must see for everyone who wants to see how love is done and lasts for a lifetime. After his parents’ divorce and the unraveling of marriages in his family around him, Mat Boggs and his best friend, Jason Miller, were two bachelors who took a 12,000 mile journey to find out what makes love last.  Since embarking on that journey in his early 20s, he’s been on numerous media such Oprah and Friends XM, The Today Show, CNN Headline News, Fox News, ABC Family, and spoken all over the world, including an international peace symposium with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

We had the pleasure to hear Mat speak at The Wedding Pantry for his Cracking the Man Code seminar where David (husband/co-wedding photographer) was chosen to be a part of the Man Panel a year ago.  From then, we had to follow more of his work as it was such powerful and inspirational material (especially having come from a home of divorce myself). We got to sit down before Mat was engaged to hear his tips for brides on “what to discuss before marriage”, when we learned this bachelor was soon going to propose!

We couldn’t wait to meet what undoubtedly had to be an amazing lady. When we finally met Irene and saw the two of them together, we were ecstatic for them!  They have beautiful hearts to go with those good-lookin’ faces!  They are a hot couple!  But not just for their style but for their passion to love, communication, respect and commitment. When we did their engagement session, we had to do it Project Everlasting style and, in honor of Mat’s book, we designed an engagement album that included the story and lessons learned behind what is doubtless to be one of America’s next greatest marriages.

Photography: D. Park Photography / Venues: First Christian Church, Tuna Town Sushi Bar and Teppan Grill + Huntington Beach Pier / Hair + Make-up: The Bride / Outfits + Accessories: Forever 21

Listen up, ladies! The Wedding Shop from Gilt Groupe is back and it’s better than ever. Filled to the brim with the most fabulous deals and discounts for all your wedding day needs, this shop is the mother of all online wedding sales. We’re talking huge discounts, up to 60% off, the designers you actually want to rock on your big day like gorgeous gowns from Carolina Herrera and fine jewelry from Blake Scott and Tara Pearls.

Plus they have everything that your bridal party could ask for and more with pretty, pretty dresses from Two Birds and accessories from Sergio Rossi, Judith Leiber, Badgley Mischka and Elizabeth and James. They even have you covered for your bridal shower, bachelorette party, and honeymoon with jewelry, shoes, handbags and apparel. There’s literally nothing they didn’t think of! But you’ve got to head over there soon to snatch up these gorgeous goods because this sale ends Tuesday, October 25th at 12pm, EST.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Gilt kicks it up a notch by hosting a contest in which one lucky winner will receive a trip to NYC and a two hour consultation with event planner, Colin Cowie! Umm, hello? How amazing is that?! So head over to The Wedding Shop now to get the best deals on the best designers because trust us, these deals won’t last!

What really caught my eye in this Vancouver wedding was the magnificent light that RAD Studio captured in their lovely images.  It just seems to radiate off this beaming couple and surround every pretty detail of the day.  Mixed with a sweet, creamy palette of ivories and white from the bridesmaids’ chic dresses to the fluffy centerpieces of peonies and garden roses it’s like a little ethereal gem.  Click here to see it all!

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From RAD Studio…A destination wedding in my backyard. Both Crystal and Oliver reside in Australia, but are originally from opposite sides of the world. Before moving to Australia, he was from the UK, and Crystal was from Toronto, Ontario.

A beautiful sunny day was a backdrop for their wonderful wedding in Vancouver. They got ready at the Farimont Pacific Rim, did their nuptials in downtown’s Holy Rosary Cathedral, and celebrated with their guests who flew from far and wide to the Brock House, overlooking a magnificent view.

Wedding Photography: RAD Studio / Flowers: Oasis Flowers / Event Planning: Nicole Turcotte of Down the Aisle / Ceremony Location: Holy Rosary Cathedral / Reception Location: Brock House / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

I thought I was okay with the arrival of Fall, but this charming Los Cabos wedding by AMY DeYOUNG photographer has me missing summer in a big, big way.  Yes, I think a vacation to Mexico might be in order now that I have laid my eyes upon each and every fabulous detail of this magical affair, including beautiful orchid-filled blooms by Mazarte Floral, a breathtaking gown and one insanely gorgeous location.  Seriously, does it get any more stunning than this?  I’ll most definitely be spending my day in the gallery, just dreaming away.  Join me there for even more!

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From AMY DeYOUNG photographer… This destination wedding took place at the One and Only Palmilla, Los Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Vanessa and Reid knew early on they wanted to marry one another.  Their first Thanksgiving together was spent with Vanessa’s family in Cabo. The night of Thanksgiving dinner, Reid stayed around after everyone had left the table to talk with Vanessa’s father.  He asked Vanessa’s father for her hand in marriage.  He said yes and even though Reid had not yet asked Vanessa, in the Colombian culture, this is when the engagement begins and is considered official.  So Vanessa’s family started celebrating!

When Vanessa and Reid returned from Cabo, Vanessa traveled with her mom and sister to New York City to go Christmas shopping.  While in NY, her mom and sister convinced her to try on some wedding dresses at the Pronovias flagship store, which happened to be across the street from their hotel.  Vanessa felt a little awkward since Reid had not yet officially asked her to marry him.  She was convinced to go and the third dress she tried on was THE ONE.  Vanessa admits to feeling embarrassed because they kept asking about wedding details and she didn’t even have a ring yet.  Not to worry…

The day after Vanessa returned from NYC, Reid asked for her hand in marriage.  They decided they wanted to be married in Cabo because that is where Reid asked Vanessa’s father and they absolutely love spending time there.  The location of the One and Only was chosen simply because nothing else compares. It is stunning!  They welcomed family and friends as they celebrated at the One and Only.  The ceremony took place in the chapel on the grounds.  Vanessa was escorted in on a horse drawn carriage, the same one that Reid and Vanessa would exit on as Mr. and Mrs.  The party included live music, spectacular food, and lots of dancing.  Such an amazing event!

Wedding Photography: AMY DeYOUNG photographer / Wedding Location: One and Only Palmilla / Wedding Coordinator: Martha Huerta, One and Only Palmilla / Flowers: Mazarte Floral, Martha Zarate Pimentel / Catering, Cakes + Horse and Carriage: One and Only Palmilla / Drapery, Furniture, Lighting + Plates and Chargers: Oxten, Patricia Portugal / Linens: Myrna Special Events / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Groom’s Tuxedo: Perry Ellis via Dillard’s / Bridesmaid Dresses: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Bridal Jewelry: Vanessa’s “Something Borrowed” / Wedding Ring: De Beers

I would like to announce the winners of the Most Adorable Bride and Groom award – Scottie and Cooper – the classic beauties tying the knot in this romantic Philadelphia wedding. From her stunning Vera Wang gown, to her naturally classic look, this bride is definitely gorgeous – and the camera’s of MKPhotography LOVED her. And I can’t get over how sweet that groom looks in his glasses. This couple is way too cute. And the rest of the wedding? Just as amazing. Every last drop. When traditional meets the now, like Scottie & Cooper’s wedding did, it’s beyond, and we love it. Click here for even more!

That gorgeous Lilly of the Valley bouquet and all the other fab florals courtesy of Beautiful Blooms.

On Friday, February 12, 2010, Scottie was on her way from New York City to meet Cooper in Greenwich, CT for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend. Scottie was in a particularly good mood, and quite distracted, as it was her last day of work before going on vacation for two weeks prior to starting her new job. Cooper had arrived in Greenwich a few hours before Scottie because she stayed late in the city to take a yoga class, so to her – there was nothing suspicious about their mismatched arrival times. When the cab arrived at the house in Greenwich, Scottie walked to the back door and found a note saying “Follow the Candles…” Scottie proceeded to follow a trail of 5 candles that led through the house. At each candle, there was a portion of a note written by Cooper, and the last candle was located at the threshold of the living room where Scottie could see a beautiful fire had been made. The end of the note at the last candle read “Ms. Elizabeth Scott McQuilkin…” Just as Scottie finished reading the note, Cooper walked into the doorway, got down on one knee with a ring in hand, and finished the sentence “…will you marry me?” Scottie of course said yes, and immediately needed to sit down for fear of fainting!

Scottie grew up outside of Philadelphia, and had passed The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia numerous times growing up. The architecture is beautiful and the backdrop of City Hall made for excellent photographs!  We also wanted a venue where we knew we would get exceptional service so we wouldn’t have to worry about anything on the big day.  The Ritz-Carlton exceeded out expectations every step of the way and their service was impeccable.  They comfortably accommodated all of our guests and provided a beautiful central location for out of towners to reach.  The food and accommodations were great for our reception and ceremony!

The most important thing for Scottie to decide on first was the dress since it determined the tone and level of formality of the rest of the wedding….Scottie went to Vera Wang with her mom, mother-in-law to be, and a close family friend.  She tried on about 15 dresses, and when she put the last one on – she knew it was the one!  It was simple, classic and elegant.  Once her consultant at Vera Wang put on the cathedral length veil, Scottie knew her choice was made!  The dress also happened to match the PERFECT Christian Louboutin shoes Scottie had picked out a few weeks before.  After the wedding, Scottie donated her dress and veil to The Bridal Garden in NYC, which is a non-profit that benefits children in New York City. Scottie kept the sash from her dress as well as her shoes, in case there is a daughter some day who may want to wear them.  As a surprise addition to Scottie’s outfit at the end, Betteridge, the Greenwich, CT jeweler who custom made Scottie’s engagement ring and both Scottie and Cooper’s wedding bands, loaned Scottie an incredible pair of diamond chandelier earnings to complete her wedding day look!

For the photographer, Scottie immediately knew who she wanted.  Scottie’s colleague had worked with the mkPhoto team for her own wedding a few years ago, and when Scottie saw their incredible photos – mkPhoto was the only photographer she reached out to!  Scottie and Cooper were incredibly impressed with mkPhoto’s professionalism throughout the wedding planning process, and appreciated their expertise on the big day to ensure we got more great photos than we imagined!

For the flowers, Scottie worked with the team at Beautiful Blooms.  Beautiful Blooms had been recommended by a number of people, and for good reason.  Maya Shumar and her team executed perfectly on the concept Scottie outlined – white flowers of all kinds and lots of fresh green throughout the ceremony and reception combined with romantic low lighting and candles.  Scottie chose a bouquet entirely made of lily of the valley for her walk down the aisle, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen were accessorized with mini calla lilies and sprigs of lily of the valley to match.

Photography: MKPhotography / Flowers: Beautiful Blooms / Ceremony Location: Ritz Carlton Philadelphia / Reception Location: Ritz Carlton Philadelphia / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Veil: Vera Wang / Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang / Stationery: Dana Charette, Salt & Paper Design / Calligraphy: Mindy Mraz / Hair & Makeup: Richel D’Ambra Spa & Salon / Band: City Rhythm, Brandywine Valley Talent

There are few things I adore more than a garden wedding… the beautiful blooms and gorgeous setting get me hook, line and sinker every.single.time.  So, it pretty much goes without saying that I have fallen head over heels for this charming Chagrin Falls affair by Kortnee Kate Photography.  Held on the grounds of the breathtaking The Club at Hillbrook and filled to the brim with fabulous DIY details and vintage meets modern charm, this gorgeous fête has captured my heart one beautiful milk glass vase at a time.  Plus, I am loving those candle centerpieces!  All coordinated by Allison Miller of Kirkbrides, the pretty does not stop here.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… My husband and I knew from the start that we didn’t want a traditional formal wedding. Instead of extravagance, we opted for a lot of simple personal touches that would make our day memorable for us and our guests. I consider myself relatively crafty so I knew right away that if there was anything I could make instead of buy out of a box, I would try to do it.

We really wanted our venue to stand out on its own so we wouldn’t have to do a whole lot to make it beautiful. The Club at Hillbrook could not have been more perfect for us. All of the stone detail of the house and the beautiful grounds made you feel like you’d been transported to an old English manor. I credit so much of the day’s ambiance to our venue. I knew it was the perfect backdrop to the chartreuse, gray and white color scheme I had been in love with for so long. Soft and romantic with punches of chartreuse to keep it fresh and modern. If modern-vintage makes any sense at all, I’d say that’s what we were going for.

My friend Sara designed our invitations and they couldn’t have done a better job of setting the tone for the big day. I had them printed and mounted/stuffed them myself. I foraged eBay and Etsy for little things that could add unique touches to the day. Our chuppa was constructed by our florist from a vintage lace tablecloth I ordered off eBay from a seller in England for only about $12! It came pretty close to matching the lace on my dress and was a beautiful centerpiece for the ceremony. I ordered old milk glass vases off of eBay and my florist filled them with delicate flowers and accented different tables with them. We went very simple with the flowers which were a mix of mostly white flowers such as tulips and freesia with a little bit of hypericum berries and hydrangea for some green.

Our awesome wedding coordinator from Kirkbrides introduced us to L’Nique linens who just happened to have light gray tablecloths and chartreuse napkins. The combination looked so clean and put together with the white flowers and silver chargers we used. We did cupcakes instead of cake to stick to our more casual theme and had three tiers with a mix of flavors. I hand wrote the flavors on chartreuse paper, framed them in vintage style white frames and put them on the dessert table. Marshall’s is a great resource for inexpensive frames! We had a little cake that we cut and the adorable topper was a handmade pair of bride/groom birds I bought on Etsy. I spray-painted one of those giant letter E’s from the craft store chartreuse green and it made a nice little photo prop. Guests still tell me today how unforgettable of a day it was and that’s what we really wanted to do. Celebrate our love and show everyone a good time while doing so.

Wedding Photography: Kortnee Kate Photography / Wedding Coordination: Allison Miller of Kirkbrides / Wedding Cupcakes: Main Street Cupcakes / Wedding Ceremony Music: Athena Strings / DJ: The DJ Crew, John Kerata / Floral Décor: Grande Designs, Bernie / Hair + Makeup: Michael Christopher / Officiant: Rabbi Eddie Sukol / Wedding Videography: Z Media / Beverages: Colonial Beverage / Transportation: Thomas Limousine / Wedding Venue: The Club at Hillbrook / Linens: L’Nique / Cake Topper: Etsy

Brace yourselves, SMPers… you are about to be swept off your feet by a whole lot of fabulous, all courtesy of this amazing Tampa Bay affair and the amazing VHVIDEO.COM.  This traditional fête is the literal definition of glamour, complete with a brilliant aqua and red color palette, an insanely gorgeous brooch bouquet and one seriously breathtaking bride and groom.  Plus, a red carpet!  Trust me, this is one video you’ll be watching again and again.  Enjoy!

From VHVIDEO.COM… A celebration fit for royalty. The couple expressed their love at the First Baptist Church of Tampa and continued the festivities at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel. Each venue offered the perfect touch for their traditional vintage style wedding.  After a grand exit from the church, guests entered the reception on a red carpet with a customized step-n-repeat paparazzi station.  The main ballroom was transformed into a royal court consisting of a black n’ white checkered dance floor; white lounge furniture; lush floral arrangements and a customized built canopy over the head table . The hanging vignettes of fabric and frames were washed in teal specialty lighting creating a true royal feel.  In the end, Lisa and Ben got exactly what they wanted…”Benisa!”

Wedding Cinematography: VHVIDEO.COM / Wedding Photography: Andy Martin Photography / Flowers: Arlene Floral Design / Hair: The Michele Renee Hair and Makeup Group / Rentals: Chic Event Rental + US Tent Rental / Decor: Next Day Signs / Event Planning: Unique Event Design / Wedding Ceremony Location: First Baptist Church of Tampa / Wedding Reception Location:  Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel / Wedding Invitations: Paper Presence / Transportation: Ambassador Limo

This small and intimate Brooklyn wedding is just what the doctor ordered this morning on SMP New York. And we are loving every casual and colorful inch designed and planned by Brilliant Event Planning. The table decor and flowers are so cheerful and bright, it’s hard not to smile when looking at these gorgeous images from Kate Triano Photography. Oh, and as a former English major, I must say that I’m in love with the motto on the menu encouraging guests to remember to live. Totally brilliant. Click here for more.

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From the Bride, Vanessa…Nicole and I met when I was looking for a roommate.  Everyone says not to date your roommate and we tried not to for a long time but after a few months it was clear to everyone that we should be together. Nicole proposed around 7am after dragging me from sleep. Apparently, it can be very nerve-wracking to propose.

As far as our inspiration, we loved the space and wanted it to be as authentic as possible.  We wanted the flowers to be the brightest spots and were so happy with the color from the peonies and hydrangeas. We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are and how we live.  We wanted a relaxed, convivial reception with a focus on the friends, family, food and drink.

My most vivid memory is walking in and seeing everyone we love in one place cheering for us, it was unbelievable and remains our favorite memory.

Wedding Photography: Kate Triano Photography / Wedding Planning + Design: Brilliant Event Planning / Flowers: Posies / Make-up: Sharon Becker, SB Beauty / DJ: Mandy of 74 Events / Dessert: Two Little Red Hens

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is the perfect setting for an elegant outdoor fete with layers upon layers of organic touches and gorgeous florals by Cody Floral Design. And we can’t think of a more awesome photographer than BB Photo to capture all the goodness. What’s green, white and stunning all over? This fabulous affair! See it all here.

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The couple met at Westmont. He is from Laguna Beach and she is from back East originally but her grandmother lives in Santa Barbara. They wanted their wedding to be simple and organic yet elegant. The bride’s father is a pastor so he married them, along with the father of the groom participating in the ceremony. A sand ceremony combined sand from the West and East coast.

The reception was planned to be outdoors, one of the most important aspects to the couple, but with rain in the forecast, we transitioned the event at the very last minute to take place under a canopy. We were able to include the existing fountain and trees in the courtyard as part of the event space and used a clear tent which created a more natural environment.

Guests of all ages filled every inch of the dance floor all night long and then created the most incredible “tunnel of love” to a vintage car for the newlyweds to depart. They stayed at the Canary Hotel for their honeymoon night and then departed for their honeymoon the next day in Kuai, Hawaii while their guests had a post-wedding brunch at the Montecito Country Club. The rehearsal dinner took place in the bride’s grandmother’s backyard.

Location: Santa Barbara Historical Museum / Wedding Photography: BB Photo / Wedding Videography: Riley Towne Productions / Floral Design: Cody Floral Design / Caterer: Pure Joy Catering / Hair: Mishay Salon / Linens: La Tavola Linens / Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes / Transport: Classic Motoring Car Rentals / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc / DJ: SBDJ’s

I am thoroughly convinced that Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on earth… and when you take in the rolling hills and majestic mountain views of this gorgeous soiree by Cat Mayer Studio, you’ll most definitely see why.  With one breathtaking moment after another, this backyard affair is boasting yummy cupcakes (With orange zest!), a plethora of fabulous DIY details, a cute as can be cake topper and one very adorable bride and groom.  And did I mention it all takes place in Colorado?  Don’t miss a moment of lovely.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From Cat Mayer Studio… This mountain wedding was held at a private estate in the mountains of western Colorado’s Black Canyon. The event was flush with sweet and thoughtful DIY details. Even their handwritten vows didn’t leave a dry eye among their guests! Jami carried her purple theme throughout the day, from her shoes to the centerpieces to the lavender cupcakes, and the color perfectly complemented the blue and green of the surrounding mountains and landscape. All the personal touches made this a very charming and truly personal wedding.

Wedding Photography: Cat Mayer Studio / Location: Private Estate / Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero via Victoria Rose Bridal / Hair: Erin Blackwelder, Erin’s Chop Shop / Flowers: Country Elegance Florists / Caterer: Scotty Kenton with Hog Rock BBQ / Cupcakes + Cake Stand: Dilly Dale’s Delights / DJ: Scotty Kenton / Musicians: Wally Wallace and Sean Williams / Wedding Jeweler: Thomas Hunn Jewelers

Oh Mae Mae Paperie!  I am always so smitten with your perfectly whimsical and modern paper goods.  My heart went into overdrive when I saw this urban chic wedding by Erin McLean Events.  I’m just cray about the vibrant, patterned linens, the quirky, colorful details and, of course, all the genius stationery including those fabulous bird escort cards.  f8 Photo Studios brought it all home with some stellar photography.  Click here to see it all!

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From Erin McLean Events…Krishna and Bill are an urban-chic couple with fabulous mod taste. Krishna loves bold striking colors and textures. When we started planning we first went to their home that they had just renovated. It was a combination of classic hardwoods mixed with clear acrylic furniture.

Krishna knew exactly who she wanted to do the paper products for her wedding: Mae Mae Paperie. They did a wonderful job combining Krishna’s chic taste and style with a graphic design that was stunning. The bride also wanted a sweets table. She was in the process of opening Piebird, downtown Raleigh’s hottest new restaurant, so we worked with Swanks Sweets to get all types of desserts in the wedding palate and used Piebird’s mini-pies to fill out the table. The cake was created by Swank Cakes and was adorned with two love birds. The linens were custom made from fabric the bride found online. The pom pom balls that were hung from the ceiling of the historic Cobblestone Hall served as a great contrast to the brick. Because we were using such bright colors on the tables and all of the accent decor we kept the floral palate neutral in soft white peonies, ranunculus, and anemones.

Guests were greeted at the cocktail hour with signature drinks, a French Martini (vodka, chambered, pineapple juice) and an Ever After (St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, champagne, club soda) dressed with drink tags and swizzle sticks, lamb lollipops with cilantro and habanero jelly, spring rolls, pineapple curry chicken sate, mini crab cakes. When it came time for dinner the first course was a caprese salad followed by a second course of vichyssoise (a cold thick soup made of puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock.) For the entree guests ordered restaurant style. Choices were North Carolina stone-ground grits and coastal shrimp, wine braised beef short ribs, and a black-bean cake with pineapple salsa (the bride’s recipe.)

Guests danced the night away to the Dicken’s band and spend the night in the photobooth. It was a wonderful celebration!

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: f8 Photo Studios / Floral Design: Fleurtations Weddings and Events / Event Design + Planning: Erin McLean of Erin McLean Events / Ceremony Location: All Saints Chapel / Reception Location: Cobblestone Hall / Invitations: Mae Mae Paperie / Catering: Green Planet Catering / Wedding Cake: Swank Cakes / Hair + Make-up: Makeupforyourday / Dessert Table: Swank Sweets / Band: The Dicken’s

We’re so, so excited to announce that Laura Hooper, one of the most insanely talented calligraphers on the planet, is having a sale on Dress Rush, a new flash sale site dedicated to all things wedding and this crazy good sale is happening RIGHT NOW. Everything from her beyond gorgeous letterpress invitations to her quirky and fun custom totes will be discounted through Sunday.

Trust me when I say that if you want the most gorgeous paper goods and accessories to grace your big day, then heading over to Dress Rush right this minute to score these fabulous designs is a complete must. I could literally gush for days upon days about Laura Hooper and her insane talents but I’ll let the pretty pictures gush instead. Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll see.

With everything from stunning letterpress invitations to whimsical welcome totes that we just can’t seem to get enough of, style savvy accessories fit for the loveliest of receptions and scrumptious hand-drawn maps that had us at hello, this just might be the flash sale of the century. So drop what you’re doing and prepare to cozy up with Dress Rush. We know a great deal when we see it and we have a feeling Laura Hooper and her bevy of fabulous goods won’t last long.

And as an extra super duper bonus (not that anyone needs an excuse to hightail it over there this very second) Dress Rush is offering a lovely $25 gift card to Adorn with every Laura Hooper Calligraphy purchase for TODAY only.

Up next in our day of lovely is a charming San Diego affair that is filled with so very many fabulous details, I am not even sure where to begin.  The gorgeous florals by Bouquets by Bonnie, the soft, romantic color palette, the stunning couple, the vintage chic meets rustic vibe… to say I am smitten would be the understatement of the year.  Plus, Captured by Aimee was the genius behind the lens of the entire breathtaking affair, so you know our gallery is simply brimming with pretty.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Our wedding was held at the Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) CA. We fell in love with the winery for it’s casual, rustic feel which we felt would set off the style of our wedding perfectly. As an interior designer, I really wanted the decor to complement the setting and help set the tone of the wedding. We wanted to create a slightly rustic, romantic, vintage look that would help contribute to the relaxed feel of the outdoor venue. The color palette included soft gray and pale aqua, with accents of coral and pink flowers and natural burlap fabric for texture. The floral arrangements were displayed in a mix of aqua blue mason jars and old galvanized maple syrup buckets. The bride’s bouquet of coral peonies and freesia and the bridesmaid’s bouquets of white ranunculus, freesia, and sweet peas, were wrapped with twine, as were the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnieres of ranunculus and Queen Anne’s lace. Everything came together beautifully and really created the relaxed, romantic feel we were going for.

Wedding Photography: Captured by Aimee / Photo Assistant: Rachel McCauley / Wedding Venue: Bernardo Winery / Hair + Make-up: Katie Hollis of A Dab Will Do You /  Florist: Bouquets by Bonnie / Wedding Cake: Luscious Organic Desserts / Sugar Flowers on Cake: Petalsweet Cakes / Catering: Cafe Merlot at Bernardo Winery / Officiant: Vows from the Heart Ministries, Reverend Christopher Tuttle / String Quartet: Strings for Your Heart, Paul Ciolek / DJ: Infinity Event Productions, Josh Stapleton

What if your wedding venue had a preferred vendor showcase where florists, rental companies, lighting companies and stationary and favor vendors came together to display their most creative efforts to you and your family while you’re in your planning stages? How amazing would that be? Like a dream come true, right? Well, my friends, that is exactly what is happening on November 2nd for all the brides and grooms who book their special day at either Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery or its sister property, Palm Event Center in the Vineyard. And you can even bring your families and wedding party too. The more the merrier!

You’ll see an amazing collaboration between their preferred vendors as they design and create looks for all the different areas of their venues including the Ballroom, Estate Room, and Vineyard Terrace. This is pure genius and really helps you envision how your day will look once all your special touches are added. And what’s even more amazing is that all these looks are within your budget! Last year there were over 250 guests who enjoyed this free event and these gorgeous images are just a sneak peak of what you can expect. Totally gorgeous, right?

Owned and operated by Beets Hospitality Group both Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery and The Palm Event Center in the Vineyard are exclusive venues perfectly situated in the beautiful Livermore Valley Wine Country which houses more than 52 wineries. Both properties have large ballrooms, smaller interior ceremony rooms as well as outdoor ceremony sites. Livermore Valley maintains a rustic yet elegant feel as it is less developed than some surrounding area vineyards and many brides come from both Silicon Valley and East Bay. Check them out today and let your dream wedding unfold before your eyes!

From Beets Hospitality Group: Every great love has a story. Who will you trust to tell yours? We have brought together our most beloved and trusted vendors. When every detail matters, hire the people who see your vision. For tonight, enjoy theirs…

And the most adorable invite of the year goes to…these two sweeties who hand-crafted the most incredible stop motion invitation!  The bride, being a photographer and stylist herself, snapped close to a thousand images to create this little masterpiece. What a treat it must have been when this little package of goodness arrived on guests’ doorsteps.  Of course, I’m a big fan of the soundtrack but it’s the personal and touching story that really warms my heart.  I hope we get to see their wedding which, if this is any indicator, will certainly be fabulous!

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From the Bride…Even before I was engaged I was hitting refresh on your blog constantly! As a photographer I find it such a wonderful source of visual inspiration and, needless to say, since getting engaged I have found your blog even more a part of my everyday. I just wanted to share with you the invite that my fiance and I made recently.

I wanted an invite that was ‘us’, that included photos (being a photographer and all) and was inexpensive! Behold- 994 images that took a day to shoot and many hours to compile. We sent our guests CDs of the video, along with printed information in a recycled CD case from rebinder.com. We have been suprised and thrilled at the response which is why I was convinced to share it with you, and hopefully your readers! I hope you enjoy it. Again thank you for providing such a beautiful blog for us all to swoon over. Keep up the amazing work.

Photographer + Stylist: Anitra Keogh

Let me just preface this by saying this couple has more coolness and style in their pinkie fingers than my husband and I combined but that’s neither here nor there. What really counts is that Leigha Graf so perfectly captured their coolness, their vintage sensibilities, their undeniable chemistry and I kind of feel like this is exactly what they would be doing if the camera weren’t there. Just hanging out in a field, grabbing some eats at the local diner and just being their big, bad vintage selves. See it all here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Leigha Graf…Shannon + Claude have a great 50’s style we were looking to capture in their engagement session.  Between the Diner, the Scrapyard and the beautiful field at sunset we did just that.

Photography: Leigha Graf / DINER – Claude’s Pants: Levis Jeans / Shoes: Wolverine / Top: Vintage / Necklace: Billy Blue /       Hat: Vintage Biltmore Hat / Shannon’s Dress: Fever London / Shoes: Aldo / Necklace: Vintage Pearls / Belt: Lida Baday / Watch: Michael Kors / SCRAP METAL YARD –  Claude’s Pants: Diesel Jeans / Top + Shoes: Vintage / Top: Vintage / Sunglasses: Super / Shannon’s Dress + Shoes: Forever 21 / PICNIC – Claude’s Pants: Jeanshop / Shoes: Vans / Top: H&M / Shannon’s Top + Bottoms: Vintage / Headband: Forever 21 / Necklace: Beyond Retro

I’m loving so many of the details in this wedding, but my absolute favorite has got to be how the couple displayed their love letters to one another while the groom-to-be was serving over in the Middle East in a large, old window for all their guests to see. Bridal Blueprints did an incredible job of infusing their romantic love story throughout the reception and kept the decor green and re-purposed many items to keep the overall cost down which is always a good thing in the wedding world! Ulmer Studios snapped all the pretty images and there is so much more waiting for you in the gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Bridal Blueprints…The bride’s color palette was navy, mustard/gold, lavender and ivory. Since we were working on a budget, we had to get creative when it came to decor items.  We wanted to bring in a lot of personal details to the wedding – primarily the couple’s love story.  The groom had been in the Middle East since early last year, met his bride on a brief trip back home here, they kept in touch through letters, email and Skype – he sent her flowers on a weekly basis.  He proposed to her ‘unofficially’ over the summer when he sent her to Genesis Diamonds under the premise of picking up a watch he had ordered.  When she got there, the salesman told her to pick out which ring she wanted.  The groom came home for a week of leave in October, where he went home with her to meet her family.  During a family photo session, the groom proposed to her in front of her whole family.  Because of the dangerous situation the groom is in (his job is basically what the guys in the movie the Hurt Locker did with bombs), they went ahead and got married at the courthouse. Their real wedding was the one at Carnton in June.  We wanted to share their story, and did so by using the letters they sent to each other as part of the decor.

I tried to ‘upcycle’ as many things as I could do bringing in a green, environmentally conscious element as well.  All of the fabric flowers and pennants were made from old sheets purchased from Good Will.  The window was taken from an old house in Franklin.  Rather than using a ton of flowers, we went with fabric flowers for centerpieces and attached them to twigs from dead branches in my yard.  The glass vases were all old jelly, spaghetti sauce, pickle, salsa jars.  Rather than renting new dishes, the bride collected vintage china plates from yard and estate sales and thrift stores. The guests were also invited to sign these plates & will serve as the couple’s Guest Book.   The bride’s bouquet was made primarily from her grandmother’s vintage brooches – they served as her ‘something old’.   All of the drinking glasses were mason jars that were fitted with tags for guests to write their names on and claim for the evening.  The suitcases used as the altar were from the bride’s family and supported memorial candles in honor of the bride’s grandmother and the groom’s sister.

Wedding Photography: Ulmer Studios / Wedding Coordination: Meredith Zeller of Bridal Blueprints / Caterer: Bacon & Caviar / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Carnton Plantation / Entertainment + Lighting: Ross Hill / Event Rentals: Music City Tents & Events / Floral Design: Melissa Marie Floral Designs / Hair: Bryan Wood of Salon Capelli / Linens: Connie Duglin / Make-up: Andrew Pentecost