This St. Petersburg pretty by Gina Leigh Photography is just the thing to make my morning feel fabulously elegant – even as I sit here in yoga pants, sans makeup. It is just beyond tasteful and timeless, and it fully motivates me to get a little more glam on this Monday morning. Maybe I’ll drink my coffee out of my prettiest mug or put on something pretty or actually wear my hair down – whatever the case, I know for certain I will be keeping the glam going in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Gina Leigh Photography…Christina is Filipino and Pete is Greek which made for an amazing blending of cultures at the wedding!  The ceremony was at a beautiful Catholic church – St. Mary’s, and the BEAUTIFUL reception was in the historic Renaissance Vinoy’s Grand Ballroom in St. Petersburg, Florida.

A few notable details included the Jimmy Choo shoes, Anne Barge dress, the incredible Chihuly blown glass sculpture chandelier in the ballroom, and the TOMS that the bridesmaids were given as a gift which they wore during the reception.

Ceremony Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church / Reception Location: Renaissance Vinoy / Wedding Planning: Events by Vanessa / Wedding Photography: Gina Leigh Photography / Flowers: Four Seasons Florals / Wedding Dress: Anne Barge via Malindy Elene Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Jewelry: Adorned / Invitations: William Arthur at Beach Papery & Gifts / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston via Bella Bridesmaids / Bridesmaid Shoes: TOMS via Nordstrom

This charming Garrison soiree is about to brighten your Monday morning with a whole bundle of lovely details, including a vibrant yellow and blue color palette, beautiful blooms by Bridal Flowers Exclusive and some beyond breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley.  (Seriously… Check out that ceremony set-up!)  And with an entire gallery overflowing with brilliant images by Ulysses Photography, I just can’t stop swooning over all of this pretty.  So, start your week off right (very right) and join me in the gallery for every amazing moment!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… I was never one of those girls who’d been dreaming about my wedding day since age 10, so I had nothing in mind for the big day when I got engaged. While my fiancé and I love a good party and host plenty of them at our apartment, we realized our wedding would be a celebration for our family and friends. We tried to focus on the necessities that would make the day urbane to us as a couple: a beautiful view, good food, good music and bright colors. Most of all, when I looked at my wedding album, I wanted to make sure the images were timeless. I’d been perusing wedding blogs as soon as I got engaged and found that many of the images appeared trendy. I saw a lot of photographs that produced images with a smoky, vintage look or a fishbowl roundness to them.  I wanted to make sure the one thing I took back from the day—the pictures—would be clean and focused on the moments of the day.

I’d picked The Garrison for our venue easily after looking at a handful of places in the area. I liked the clean, open feeling of their space. I wanted to be away from New York City where we live to allow for a slower-paced day. My mother, soon-to-be mother-in-law, and I looked around the room at the Garrison and instantly knew all of our friends and family would feel comfortable spending the day there. The view really made it stand apart from the rest.

From the jump, Jenni and Ulysses at Ulysses Photography were incredibly responsive. Jenni answered all our questions easily and promptly, and their experience spoke for itself. At the end of big day, I was most pleased with Jenni and Ulysses. They are so wonderful as a team and really got to know us beforehand through email and our engagement photo session.  On my wedding day, I was overwhelmed with all sorts of emotion: nervousness, excitement. When it came time for our private photo shoot, I couldn’t believe the day was actually happening and needed a moment once I saw my groom. Jenni and Ulysses were so patient. Jenni even gave me a pep talk about all the little things that were floating around in my head and distracting me. Above and beyond the call of duty!

The general décor was to be simple as we are as a couple. The details seemed to fall together. I wanted pears to be on display, as my new last name, Hruska, meant pear in Czech.  I picked three wicker baskets that matched the wooden tables at the Garrison to hold a few pears. We also included two images of pears on either side of the guest names on our escort cards. In memory of my cousin Samantha who had passed away in the time I got engaged and married, I had two sunflower arrangements, as they were her favorite flower. She was so excited when we got engaged and I needed to have a visual reminder of her. To spruce up the table settings, our dear friend and artist, Emily Nagle, created custom images of places Mike and I had been to in our relationship and planned to go to on our honeymoon. She designed our save-the-date, so we wanted to tie the feel of her artwork into the day itself. For music, we picked DJ PQ, who was recommended by the DJ at a friend’s wedding where I had danced all night. We wanted to make sure the dance floor was packed because we both love to dance. His mix cd was right up our alley. It contained a majority of the songs I’d been compiling to play at the wedding anyway!

Thankfully, everything went off without a hitch. All of our gut reactions proved solid. Our vendors helped make the day just as special as everyone who attended. I can’t describe the feeling of looking out into the crowd as you prepare to say your vows and knowing that all the hard work (prepping for the wedding and nurturing your relationship) is fully supported by those staring back at you.  Utterly priceless. Make the day what you want by surrounding yourself with good people. That’s my wedding motto!

Wedding Photography: Ulysses Photography / Flowers: Bridal Flowers Exclusive / Location: The Garrison / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Enzoani / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Make-up: Jill Imbrogno / Hair: Diane, The Garrison Salon / Wedding Cake: The Pastry Garden / Artwork: Emily Nagle

Just imagine…it’s finally the day of your wedding, and you’re dreamily floating through your day, decked out in THE designer dress of your dreams, looking absolutely fabulous. Is there anything that could make this scenario even better? You betcha! If you purchased that stunning dress at Your Dream Dress, you’d know that you grabbed that one-and-only (gown, that is) at up to 90% off retail!  I know, we can barely contain our excitement either, but at Your Dream Dress, you can find genuine, new, couture wedding dresses by ahhhmazing designers such as Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra, Monique Lhullier and more. And best of all, they’re all listed at up to 90% off!

Founded in 2004 by bridal expert Kimberly Hoffman, Your Dream Dress is an online bridal store with the pretty fantastic mission of bringing the finest quality, top designer, couture bridal gowns (new gowns, directly from designers, overbuys, samples, canceled wedding gowns without alterations, etc) and accessories to brides everywhere without breaking the all-important budget. Yes, they have accessories too! And better yet, all the gowns and accessories are new and 100% authentic! Can it get any better, you ask? It sure can. Your Dream Dress offers a No Risk Return Policy which allows buyers to try on one or more dresses in your own home without any pressure. You can try it on and think it over with the help of friends, family, your seamstress before any final decisions are made. Keep the dress for three days and if you don’t fall in love with it, send it back. All you pay is the shipping cost!

And since we can’t stop delivering good news today, we have a bit more. Your Dream Dress is offering a Giveaway and a discount to SMP Readers!! One super lucky reader is going to win a $450 Gift Certificate to Your Dream Dress! To enter, simply go to their website, browse through both the Gowns and Accessories and then comment below, telling us your favorite gown and accessory. One bride will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, September 30th. AND from now until October 1st, everyone can enjoy an EXTRA 20% off everything on the site by using the Discount Code: PRETTY20. What a great way to start off the weekend, right?

Click here for terms and conditions.

We’re mixing up the Blogger’s Challenge a bit this week and bringing you some love of the interior design kind from Jenny Komenda over at The Little Green Notebook. She put together this amazing home decor buying guide inspired by this insanely gorgeous Napa Valley wedding by Lisa Lefkowitz. Remember that little stunner? We sure do! By now, you’ve probably figured out what this whole Blogger’s Challenge is, but if you’re playing catch up, check the other ones here and here and sit back, relax, and let the keen eye of Jenny Komenda lead you into your lovely, well deserved weekend.

1) Blush Pink Linen Sofa: Pale, dusty pink with a bit of an orangey undertone is actually quite a neutral color. It’s lovely mixed with other colors, but best of all it’s super complimentary with every skin tone. You’ll look and feel beautiful sitting in your living room!

2) Sunrise Print: The soft colors in this photograph are so calming and pretty! I love the little hits of dark colors and shapes for contrast. Isn’t it magical when feminine and modern come together?!

3) Gold Moroccan Pouf: Any pouf is a practical addition to a room. It’s a place to prop up your feet, put down your popcorn bowl, or even extra seating in a pinch. But I really love this pouf in shimmery gold! It’s such a great accent piece!

4) Blue Stripe Alpaca Throw: Anything striped gets my vote, but I’m just crazy over this super soft and very pretty throw by Dwell Studio! I’m pretty sure this one would move from room to room in my home.

5) Rustic Portico Mirror: I like the mix of country and modern happening here with this mirror from West Elm. It would be perfect for a nook or a small wall in just about any room in your home.

6) Ceramic Gourd Lamp: Lamps are a great place to get adventurous with color. This Robert Abbey lamp is a classic. I’ve used it in many design projects and can say that it’s definitely even more beautiful in person! The color is amazing and the quality is worth the little jump in price tag from ho-hum lamps.

7) Agate Boxes: These stone veneer boxes are stunning! I’m imagining a special one on an entry console or a coffee table. I’d want to be able to see and enjoy this piece every day.

8) Hot Pink French Desk: Can you believe this French style reproduction desk is only $225? A pretty small price tag for a big statement piece!

9) Gray Ombre Rug: This pretty ombre rug is a great way to incorporate the ombre trend, but the gray color is classic and also a little masculine. It’s all about find the balance in colors and styles. A rug like this one would help to balance out the pink sofa.

10) Guava Block Print Pillow: Pillows are my favorite part of home decor. I love fabrics and color and this is a great place to go a little crazy and have some fun. The investment is pretty small too, so it’s easy to commit to and also easy to change.

11) Rose Pink Velvet Pillow: Here’s another pretty pillow with a really interesting shape. The velvet looks so soft and is a great way to add a new layer of texture.

12) Ikat X Bench: X Benches look great sitting at a desk or in a pair in front of a console table or a sofa. They’re another really versatile piece of furniture with an interesting shape. I love the ikat fabric here too. It’s a softer color and a smaller scale, which makes it feel a little less graphic and more organic. A good choice for this room!

Omg, I want every single one of those gorgeous items in my house like right now…okay, maybe more like yesterday! A big thanks to Jenny Komenda from The Little Green Notebook for playing along! We love you! Make sure to check out all her other fabulous ideas here on her blog and check back next week for our forth and final (for now) Blogger’s Challenge!

If you missed any, here are all of our pretty posts from the week:

a pretty Sayulita wedding
a beautiful Laguna Gloria fete
a nautical, stipe infused Malibu wedding
an urban chic Chicago affair
a colorful Sonoma stunner
a gorgeous Santa Barbara wedding
a day full of seven gorgeous weddings
a whimsical New York wedding
a beyond beautiful Bayside fete
a Santa Barbara stunner

Some fabulous links from around the web:

A cute-as-can-be DIY tea favor via Once Wed
A not so vertically challenged DIY garden via DesignSponge
A guide to fun with fall fruit and flowers via One Lovely Day

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Little Black Book members…

Erica Weddings
Jason Q Tran Photography
Bella Angel, LLC
Fine & Fleurie
The Finer Things Event Planning
Casa de Novia Bridal Couture
Lachlan Burrell Photography
A New York City Wedding by Rev. Will
The Pink Orange, LLC.
HEY MISTER DJ “DJs that PLEASE without the CHEESE”
Russell Morin Fine Catering
Hart to Heart Media
Haiku Mill
Captured Photography by Jenny
All You Need Is Love Events

To apply to become a member of our LBB click here. We’d love to hear from you!

And lastly, we have a lucky winner to announce! The winner of the Ceci NY vintage postcard save the dates and thank yous (with the purchase of a 4-piece Invitation suite) is Mandy! Congrats chica!

Have a pretty, pretty weekend! See you back here Monday morning. xoxo

Well another week has zoomed right past. I try each and every Monday morning to prepare myself for a week that will speed by like a shooting star, but every Friday afternoon I find myself just a little dizzy from the speed at which the lovely five days go by. Lucky for you, we have a gorgeous Napa Valley engagement session to shoot you right into your weekend. Sent to us by Adeline & Grace Photography, this love fest is sure to sweeten up your impending weekend. And fear not, LBBers, we’ll be back bright and early Monday morning, just as always. Have a beautiful weekend! xoxo

See the rest of this cute as can be sesh here!

The pretty parade, in case you missed any of it:

a super sweet San Francisco highlight film filled with utter joy
a Maryland engagement party, so glamourous you WILL gasp aloud
a modern wedding in Connecticut filled with so much love you can feel it
an oh-my-goodness gorgeous all-white affair in Tennessee
a rustic, chic, outdoor South Carolina soiree we just can’t get enough of
a California fête so full of whimsy, I could die of the fabulousity
a vendor spotlight celebrating all things beautiful & sweet
a fantastically classic family affair from California
a quintessential Maine wedding on the water
an all-star team of LBB vendors in an ah-maze-ing California soiree
a San Francisco affair so classic, so chic, and so beautiful

Some pretty awesome links from around the web, if I do say so myself:

a tiny tassel DIY that would make adorable decor, especially if made in bulk via Oh Happy Day
a bit of thinking outside the white in the world of wedding dresses from Green Wedding Shoes
a Jamaican holiday contest you MUST enter on the Main Page

Every wedding that we feature on SMP is near and dear in one way or another. Perhaps we’ve fallen head over heels for the adorable couple or we secretly wish that our wedding looked just like the one at hand. They are all fabulous and all close to our hearts. But. When the wedding featured is one of our very own…well, it’s that same feeling times about a million. This is the wedding of Tyler and Lindsey. One of SMP’s most loved ladies and one of the reasons that SMP is just so, well, awesome.  She’s not only Audrey Hepburn gorgeous, she’s also smart and fun, thoughtful and hard working. And just really freaking great. So we hope that you enjoy her wedding as much as we did…it’s the definition of pretty and the reason that we love what we do so very much.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

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From the Bride…Our wedding was in a word – perfect. Perfect for many reasons. First and foremost because we were getting married! After 5 ½ years (which included 4 years of medical school and a move to Chicago for residency) we were excited about our big day. Even though we live in Chicago now we knew our wedding had to be in our hometown of St. Louis, MO. We wanted our wedding to be elegant and traditional but fun with personal and “Style Me Pretty” touches.

Deciding on color palette and theme were the toughest things for me.  I love sooo many styles and was inspired daily by SMP.  My husband went to Notre Dame and is a fan of all things Irish and my favorite color is green (match made in heaven, right?) so we took those details and ran with them.  Out of these details came one of my  favorite touches of the day, our custom-made Vineyard Vines bow ties with shamrocks that matched the Coren Moore bridesmaid dresses perfectly. We had a bagpiper at the ceremony which was very dramatic – in a good way.  The bagpiper came down the aisle to “pick us up” and lead us in the recessional. It was amazing  to have a moment, facing the church, my husband in hand,  listening to the bagpiper.  My advice to brides to be is don’t be too concerned with what your “colors” are or what your “theme” is but start picking things you love and that are personal to you and your husband and everything will fall into place.  The most amazing and incredible part of the day was feeling all the love around us. We feel so blessed to have such amazing friends and family who helped make our day so special.

A key part to our perfect wedding was our vendors! I loved each and every one. If SMP taught me one thing it was choose amazing vendors. Even for a detailed oriented type A personality like myself – you can’t do it all on your wedding day. Our photographer, Susan Jackson – is incredible. The ultimate professional but someone I wanted to be best friends with. And she is so talented I wasn’t worried for a second about how our photos would turn out. Our wedding planner, Jen was the best! I did not worry about a thing the day or week of our wedding.  Danielle, who did my hair and make up – ah-mazing. So fun to be around and also so freaking good at what she does. I wish I could say I look like I did on my wedding day everyday… not so much!  Joe, our cinematographer – also awesome.  I hardly knew he was there and am so so so glad he was there to capture so much of our day.  Bloomin’ Buckets, our florist, also fabulous, she translated my vision to reality  perfectly. I could go on and on about our vendors but they truly were the best and made our day everything we wanted it to be and more.

From Susan Jackson Photography…Yes, Lindsey and Tyler are a beautiful couple and that makes my job easy. But I want take a moment to talk about something. Lindsey is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met on the inside. She’s the type of person every little girl would want to be when they grow up. Brides’s take note here, Lindsey was sweet, happy, relaxed and poised all day long and gracious to all of those around her. This is the definition of a beautiful bride. It’s not how expensive the dress is or how big of a budget you have. I’ve photographed big and small budget weddings over the years and a “beautiful wedding” is when the couple embodies all of those qualities that I just mentioned above…..and yes, Tyler did too. Every couple has glitches on their wedding day, it’s just part of the territory, but there was no drama for this girl, she just smiled, even though the weather was approaching a hundred degrees. So brides if you’re thinking about having one of those “freak out moments”, because the cake was leaning or the flowers weren’t quite the right shade you were imagining or your mother is driving you crazy……don’t do it! No one is going to remember the “small stuff.” They will however, remember how poised you were in handling the situation. And….it should go without saying, this always makes for prettier pictures!

Wedding Photography: Susan Jackson Photography / Floral Design: Bloomin’ Buckets / Wedding Planner: Soirée Saint Louis / Wedding Videographer: Boda Film / Hair + Make-up: Danielle Erb of DanielleStyle / Invitations: Crane & Co. / Paper Goods: Wiregrass Weddings / Wedding Cake: Cravings / Groom’s Cake: The Cakery Bakery / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang-Le Notre / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Wietzman / Bridesmaid Dresses: Coren Moore / Groomsmen Ties: Vineyard Vines / Linens: BBJ Linen/ Church: The Shrine of St. Joseph / Venue: Bellerive Country Club

Okay LBBers – I’m about to show you a San Francisco wedding sent to us from Cliff Brunk Photography. But the only reason I’m sharing it with you, is because I know you will totally, utterly, and completely fall for it as hard as I have. That being said – remember. We have to share. We have to share every stunning little detail. Every gorgeous little flower from Branch Our Floral & Event Design. Every inch of that stunning venue. So don’t go nuts over this wedding and forget that it’s for all of us to enjoy. Share. And definitely share this full image gallery with all your luckiest, wedding-obsessed friends. It’s only fair.

From the beginning we knew we wanted a wedding that would be uniquely us—classic but modern, traditional but fun, expressive of our personalities but cognizant of our backgrounds.

After looking a dozens of venues all over northern California, we came across the Flood Mansion in our own backyard.  We were instantly enchanted by its beauty, unbeatable views, and little piece of San Franciscan history.  The Flood Mansion’s understated elegance inspired our décor.  Our goal was to enhance its soft, neutral color palate and classic architecture with simple white flowers, subtle golden uplighting, and romantic candlelight.

We married in the cortile, creating our own ceremony and wring our own vows, reflecting our faith and values, and incorporating traditions from both of our backgrounds.  We mixed old and new: We began the ceremony with the new tradition of a ring warming, followed by an adaptation of the traditional Indian garland exchange.  I walked down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D, but we recessed to Oasis’ Wonderwall!

Likewise, at the reception and dinner, we had traditional damask linens and a pianist, but mixed things up with modern place settings, and contemporary music.  Food was a major priority for us.  We knew we wanted fusion dishes that incorporated the groom’s Indian heritage, but still had mass appeal.  We worked with Global Gourmet Catering to create a custom menu that adapted Indian flavors in a fresh, creative way.  Alicia and Lauren were super accommodating—not just fulfilling the role of caterer, but also acting as day-of coordinators, allowing us to do many DIY projects.

We designed our own invitations and had them printed at a local letterpress company.  We carried the design of the invitations—classical scroll flourishes with modern font—throughout the wedding: the signage, seating chart, place cards, wishing tree, table numbers, programs, etc.

In lieu of a guest book, we had a wishing tree.  This non-traditional sign-in method yielded some of the most inspirational, poignant, touching and hilarious messages.  Some guests even drew pictures!

As a conversation starter, we gave each guest a pin with their name on it, which they placed a board demarcated with years to indicate when they met us.

Our place cards, held by silver picture frames, doubled as favors, to be used in conjunction with the pictures from the custom photo booth designed and built by the groom.  The photo booth was probably the biggest hit from our wedding.  Everyone loved it— some a little too much!

But our favorite part of the night was after dinner.  Knowing our crowd well, we opted not to have a dance floor and instead have a modern, swanky lounge with classical Indian musicians and all of our favorite desserts, including the amazing salted caramel and cardamom cream cake created by our ingenious baker, Jasmine Rae!

Photography: Cliff Brunk Photography / Floral: Leighsa Montrose of Branch Out Floral & Event Design / Catering + Day of Coordination: Global Gourmet / Rentals: Blue Water Party Rentals / Sting Quartet: Exeter String Quartet / Piano: Kent Strand / Lighting: Got Light / Cake: Jasmine Rae Bakery / Dress: Custom Gown from Watters / Paper Printing: Mercurio Brothers Printing

Healdsburg is such a little pocket of gorgeous in California and is the perfect spot for a wedding like this. You know the kind – charming nuptials infused with the loveliest organic touches and an air of casual cool all set to a really romantic backdrop like Barndiva. And then you add in stunning greenery and florals by Dragonfly Floral with a moss-covered ampersand to boot and we’ve been signed, sealed, delivered off to la la land. Matt Edge Wedding Photography snapped one stinkin breathtaking image after another and hip, hip hooray for galleries because we’ve got the whole fabulous affair right here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Seth & I met in Tucson, AZ and after a year of long distance, we found ourselves together in San Francisco. Our proposal was as low-key as the wedding planning process was: just the two of us in our apartment.We initially wanted a barn wedding, but without the Bay Area barn wedding price. Being a full-time student with little free time and a moderate budget, I knew I needed to find a venue that was outstanding on its own without needing too many added elements. We found that in Barndiva, about an hour and a half north of San Francisco in the heart of Sonoma County’s wine county. The charming, modern-yet-vintage restaurant stole our hearts during our first visit, but it was the back garden and dining area that really sealed the deal. Little details like an old library card catalog on the back porch, wrought iron weather vanes, and strings of twinkling white lights made the venue seem as if it were made just for us! Not only is it a “barn”, but it’s a modern take on the old barn wedding.

Because we met in the desert, I knew that succulents and other arid-weather plants were going to be an important component that allowed me to keep my color focus on neutral, natural colors such as grey, green, ivory, and dusty yellow. DIY was the name of the game when it came to decorations and details. In lieu of table cards, I painted individual names on 3 large, old window panes that we found at the Alameda Flea Market. I was inspired by a few “mad lib”cards on Etsy and fashioned my own. I printed out copies for everyone on my home computer and used them instead of a traditional guest book (great way to save money!). From making the moss-covered monogram and ampersand to cutting old maps of the Bay Area for seating cards,my best piece of advice is to start projects MUCH earlier than you’d think! Even the small project of covering our initials with decorative paper took hours longer than originally expected-not to mention the time it takes to shop around for good deals on paper, glue, etc.- it’s a time-consuming process.

Our short-and-sweet ceremony was performed in the back garden of Barndiva by owner Lukka and the sun peeked through the grey skies right after The Mighty Chiplings finished playing the processional song “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. The cocktail hour moved next door to Studio Barndiva where guests were able to enjoy eclectic art pieces (another money saver-no need to decorate this space!) before everyone was whisked to the back garden dining space. Magical arches lit up with tiny white lights as guests dined on filet mignon and pan-seared halibut. We chose not to have musicians during the dinner hour, instead enjoying the clinking of glasses and laughter from the guests to serve as background music. Bonnie at Dragonfly Floral used beautiful succulents and other local floral from her 6-acre flower farm less than a mile from the venue. Being able to utilize local vendors not only cut down on delivery and travel costs, but it made the event much more personal and special. The night finished with a bang as everyone danced the night away to the most amazing cover band HIP Service.

All of the time and effort spent on the many DIY projects definitely paid off and we are still getting compliments on all of the little details. The overall mood was completely relaxed and we can’t wait to go back to Barndiva for our one-year anniversary!

Wedding Photography: Matt Edge Wedding Photography / Venue: Barndiva / Wedding Dress: Lea Ann Belter via Clarissa Bridal / Hair + Make-up: The Traveling Stylist, Amy Perdigone / Bride’s Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Katie B. Design Shop / Groom + Groomsmen Suits: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen Ties: Brooks Brothers / Floral Design: Dragonfly Floral / Invitations: Hello! Lucky / Calligraphy: Beacon Lane / Custom Address Stamp: Emililies / Vintage Paper Straws: The Gray Goose / Wooden Clothespins: Honey Can Do / Additional Paper: Paper Source / Guest Book “Mad Libs”, Monogram, Table Number Window: DIY / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Barndiva / Cake Topper: Vintage (bride’s grandparents’) / Officiant: Lukka Feldman of Barndiva / Bride + Groom Rings: Cresalia Jewelers / Ceremony + Cocktail Music: The Mighty Chiplings / Reception Music: HIP Service

Another wonderful Friday morning is upon us here at SMP California and I can’t think of a better start to the weekend than this stunning Beverly Hills Hotel affair by John & Joseph Photography, complete with a pretty pink and gold color palette, some of the most insanely gorgeous florals I have ever seen by Nisie’s Enchanted Florist and a fabulous pair of sparkly Loubs.  Swoon.  Worthy.  All planned by Jeannie Savage of Details Details, this is most definitely a traditional ballroom wedding down oh-so-right.  Plus, when you read the bride and groom’s sweet as can be love story, you’ll be smiling through the weekend.  So, don’t miss a minute of lovely… Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… I am a true believer that timing is everything and that things happen the way they do for a reason. I met Michael several times before our relationship really took off. We first met in 2003 while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico. Both of our families were part of the same guided tour but we didn’t really talk much and really had no interest in each other. Then, in 2007, Kenny, Michael’s fraternity brother, introduced us at a club. He always mentioned that he had a great guy to introduce me to, but I never took it seriously. When we finally met at the club, we talked, but things just kind of fizzled. The following year, Kenny told me that Michael was asking for my email address and instant messenger name. He wanted to introduce me to his brother-in-law, who would also be heading to Cornell that year to get his M.B.A. He now admits that he used this opportunity for himself to get back in touch with me. Our relationship started with the constant text messaging and emailing. When we finally met face-to-face, we were inseparable. That’s when we realized that we had met in Cancun, five years prior and that our parents were even acquaintances! Unfortunately, I had to move to Ithaca, NY to start school so we took our relationship online with Skype and the bi-monthly visits by Michael. Although for the most part, our relationship was long distance, we couldn’t deny that fate really brought us together at a time when we were both ready to be committed to each other.

Michael and I both grew up in the Los Angeles area so we decided to pick a focal and reputable location where all of our family and friends could celebrate with us. We felt that Beverly Hills Hotel held those attributes. Beverly Hills Hotel is not only a historical landmark of Southern California but also a hotel with excellent service and quality food. I wanted to capture a sense of elegance and class and BHH’s Crystal Ballroom fit well with our traditional, romantic décor. I loved its Murano glass chandeliers and the foyer. The elegant moldings in the ceiling, the walls, and even the mirrors complimented this essence of luxury. I felt that I had to pick a timeless place close enough where Michael and I can return to celebrate our anniversaries and also be a reminder of our wedding day. We definitely plan to stay in BHH’s bungalows again as we did on our wedding night.

I wanted the wedding to be traditional, romantic, elegant, and feminine. What better color is there than pink?! I chose a softer dusty pink to give the décor an old traditional feel, as opposed to a more modern baby pink. We chose dusty pink linens, gold charivari chairs, and antique gold centerpiece bases with hanging crystals. The dance floor was a darker dusty pink with a large ivory decal of a design we incorporated from our wedding invitations. The focal point of the décor was flowers, especially roses. So we filled the tables with multiple high and low centerpieces and created a cake table linen made entirely of pink roses.

Wedding Photography: John & Joseph Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Good Shepherd Catholic Church / Wedding Reception Location: Beverly Hills Hotel / Wedding Planner: Jeannie Savage, Details Details / Hair + Make-up: Jessica Kim, Hair Day / Officiant: Father Welbers & Father Alex / Cocktail Music: West Coast Music, Jazz Trio / Wedding Reception Music: West Coast Music, James Gang Band / Surprise Performance: “The Baker’s Dozen” of Yale University / DJ: DJ Lucky Lou / Wedding Videography: Elysium Productions / Floral Design, Rentals, Dance Floor, Linens + Chairs: Nisie’s Enchanted Florist / Lighting: Shine Lighting / Individual Wedding Cakes + Cakes: Kayla’s Kakes / Photo Booth: Pacific Photo Booths

If you’re already hungry for lunch this next photo shoot might be plain torture for you.  I know it is for me!  The spread of deliciousness that this crew put together is just intense.  Also, I’m going a little gaga over the mini Le Creuset pots.  They are just the cutest things ever!  Also cute is this sweet theme for a couples’ shower crafted by Tiger Lily Weddings.  With an industrial meets elegant charm, it’s such a chic and playful take on an al fresco evening with friends.  Plus “poptails” might be my new favorite thing ever!  See all the delectable details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Tiger Lily Weddings…We wanted to find a way to bring a juxtaposition of an industrial, raw flare to something elegant and important like a wedding or couples shower. We used a mix of homemade projects with an elegant presentation. The bud vases in the trees made from 60 watt bulbs, the appetizer pairings outlined in packing paper, the table runner of doilies sewn together, and the parting gifts of cactus and fried pickle recipes are all in-expensive and adorable.

Guests were greeted with Poptails (popsicle paired with cocktail) and the perfect dusk evening. The event was set around a block farm table lit up by vintage string bulb lights where everyone enjoyed a colorful mixed beet salad, lobster pot pie, and bit sized sweet treats at the gorgeous Thomas Bennett House in downtown Charleston.

The floral arrangements were designed to be whimsical and fun using teddy bear sunflowers, godetia, billy balls and various tins and containers to make for a comfortable view. The color scheme was set to show the end of summer and beginning of fall with coral, oyster, and camel as the center design and used throughout all the paper goods. The only thing that could make this night any more beautiful was the glowing couple.

Wedding Photography: MCG Photography / Event + Floral Design: Tiger Lily Weddings / Invitations: Mac & Murphy / Poptails: King of Pops + ICE BOX / Catering: Caviar & Bananas / Lighting: Technical Event Company / Location: Thomas Bennett House / Rentals: Snyder Rentals

I.love.this.bride’s.style. It’s that effortless, glam look that makes me feel like she wakes up looking this fabulous. And the fact of the matter is, she probably does. She seems to be one of those girls where style just oozes out of every pore, and that definitely showed in her nuptials to her handsome beau. Hello black bird cage veil! The entire stylish affair was captured perfectly for the couple by Nikki Mills, and don’t forget there is a gallery full of even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Nikki Mills, Photographer…This wedding was really lovely. The couple, Jennifer & Simon, met at U of T a few years ago and decided to get married at Knox College. They have been engaged for a while, but decided on a whim to tie the knot a little sooner and threw this together fairly quickly using their favorite spots around the city they have enjoyed as a couple.

The bride is an artist, and it certainly showed in her unique style, the black bird-cage veil and red lipstick were very striking. This was definitely a wedding where they spent their money carefully, thoughtfully and on very specific things to create exactly what they wanted.

As a couple they had spent many hours at the galleries in the Gladstone Hotel, so they both got ready there before the ceremony. The Racine room was beautiful and made the perfect backdrop for photographs. They got ready together, very untraditional, but they were so sweet and tender with one another, and Simon helped Jennifer with her shoes and dress, and even her earrings. We spent some time wandering around the hotel, looking at the art and enjoying the building. We went down to the bar where they ordered a drink and waited for their 1951 Rolls Royce to arrive to drive to the ceremony. The car was beautiful and we took some great shots on the way to U of T.

The ceremony was sweet, their vows very touching, and it was all very relaxed. After that everyone went over to Celestine for an elegant dinner.

Wedding Photography: Nikki Mills, Photographer / Flowers: Martin Flowers / Ceremony Location: Knox College at University of Toronto / Reception Location: Celestine / Bride’s Shoes: Aldo / Wedding Dress: See by Chloe

Your board building skills down under are ba-na-nas! Picking just one board might be the hardest thing I did all week (ok, that is a wee bit of an exaggeration). I absolutely adore these contests, because seeing SMPers vision of a perfect day is just delightful. So this pretty, peach party by My Handmade Heart just grabbed my alfresco affair loving heart. It’s fun, it’s whimsical, and it’s the perfect way to start your weekend! Until next time lovelies! xoxo, A.Blaire

One look at this GOREGOUS, bright, floral-filled affair by Krystle Akin Photography, and I have a feeling you will be grinning from ear to ear all day. And after soaking in the entire soiree, I do believe your weekend is guaranteed to be a happy one. How can it not be when it’s started with a wedding this cheery? A stunning couple, bright details, precious flower girls – it all makes for a gallery full of gorgeous!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…With family and friends traveling in from literally all over the world the wedding came together flawlessly. Guest came for Zambia, London, Australia, Haiti, New York and all over North and South Texas. The colors that Holly and Brian chose played a key role in the outcome of the final vision, which in turn made my day full-filled with details. The ceremony took place at The Villa Di Felicita located in Tyler Texas which is a premier East Texas Venue designed with a Tuscan flair. Since it was a hot Texas August weekend when the couple wed they planned to celebrate the nuptials inside in the indoor chapel with the same Tuscan atmosphere. Mixed with a gorgeous color palette of orange, yellow, and purples the ceremony was gorgeous.

Throughout the venue, picture frames with the couples engagement images were placed in common areas and reception tables. Not to forget to mention the brightly decorated tables with crystals hanging from each arrangement. Every table had a different feel, but all within the same bright color palette. Holly and Brian were announced by the amazingly talented George Faber and Friends band from Texas who knew how to have the wedding party dance the afternoon away. A live band that played anything from modern pop hits to classic r&b they made guests of all ages get on the dance floor. The cake was a spin on a classic with the flowers of the day on the top-tier and of course crystals placed perfectly on each layer. The bride and groom left to their honeymoon in Hawaii with one of the bride’s main request for me to capture her excitement of the send-off, of course with orange rose petals. The day was perfect to see all of the differently nationalities come together to mingle perfectly.

Wedding Photography: Krystle Akin Photography / Location + Catering: The Villa Di Felicita / Floral Design: The Flower Girl / Make-up + Hair: Salon Kalea / Wedding Cake + Groom’s Cake: Amazing Grace Cakes / Band: George Faber and Friends / Wedding Dress: Jasmine Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Poetic License of London / Groom’s Suit : Custom Tailored Calvin Klein / Bridesmaid Dress: The Dessy Group

We’re literally still reeling from Wednesday’s gorgeous photo shoot over on the New York Blog so we wanted to spread the pretty over onto the main page in case any of you missed it. We’re talking full on romance and elegance that will leave you secretly hoping for a spontaneous proposal and wedding. Imagine, your favorite man in the whole world sweeps you off your feet for a weekend getaway and you wake up to the most amazing diamond ring and a beyond gorgeous gown. Yup, you’re tying the knot TODAY. Well, that’s exactly the vision that Scott Andrew Studio and Tracy Taylor Ward Design had in mind when they put this pretty, little diddy together. And once you see the beyond beautiful images, you’ll see why we’re still falling head over heels in love with their vision. Click here for the full story and a complete list of vendors!

I know, unbelievably gorgeous, right? And there’s stuff like this going up each and every day on all ten of our local blogs! You can find them at the bottom of the main page so it’s super simple to get your local content on…so go ahead, check out what’s going on in your neck of the woods whether it’s New York, Massachusetts, Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Destination, Australia, or Canada, we’ve totally got you covered.

What do you get when you throw a handful or two of some of our favorite LBB vendors into a Connecticut vineyard for a wedding? I’ll give you a hint – it’s stinkin’ spectacular. This gorgeous wedding was planned by TRUE Event, flora’d by Hana Floral Design, beautified by Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, fed by Gourmet Galley, dressed by Bella Bridesmaid, and captured brilliantly by Robert & Kathleen Photographers. And those invited from Paper Moss – are you serious? I’m not kidding when I say spectacular. The whole affair is personal, beautiful, and chic – this bride knew what she was doing when she chose her big day team. Click here for the rest of this fantastic vineyard affair!

And last but certainly not least – we’ve got a special highlight film from Buzz Media Company. If you don’t already have an obnoxious grin on your face (like I do) you most definitely will after seeing this great film.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/29394606 601 338]

emily + justin from Buzz Media Company on Vimeo.

Justin and my love story began in the unlikeliest of places, a Spring Break bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many of our closest friends were there with us on that fateful March night and then celebrated with us, over five years later, at our wedding. Those who were there from the very beginning will always hold a special place in our hearts and our lives, prompting us to take a Spring Break ’06 reunion picture on the dance floor at the wedding.

The one thing we knew when we embarked on planning our wedding was that we wanted a “kick off your shoes and dance” kind of party. The Connecticut shoreline has always held a special place in my heart and we wanted to find a unique venue that captured the beauty of the area. As soon as we drove up to Saltwater Farm Vineyard we were completely blown away by the metal airport hangar waiting at the end of the long gravel driveway. From the outside, Saltwater resembles an ice hockey rink and given Justin’s lifelong love of hockey, we thought this surely was a sign that this was our wedding venue. We fell even more in love with the space as we walked inside and gazed at the glowing metal wine tanks and towering wood beamed ceiling. We knew this was exactly the type of space we were looking for  – rustic, charming and utterly breathtaking.

Starting the planning process felt both exciting and overwhelming. With so many decisions to make, we enlisted the help of Sarah True from True Event and other amazing vendors to help us make our vision into a reality. My mom and I are both very artistic, crafty people and I knew I would want to take on various DIY projects as part of the wedding. With the help of friends and family we collected corks for an entire year and used frames made out of wine staves to create an escort card corkboard. I also constructed a scrapbook documenting our love story that served as our guestbook. These special touches are things we will be able to use in our everyday life that will continue to remind us of our incredible wedding day.

Working on designing our wedding paper was one of my favorite parts of planning our wedding. We worked closely with Paper Moss to create an invitation suite that would complement the rustic chic feel of the day. The creative process was incredibly fun and we watched Paper Moss create the most stunning, double letter-pressed invitation with a gorgeous hand drawn vine design. We were able to weave the design throughout the rest of the wedding paper and even the menu chalkboard.

When we woke up on the morning of July 16th, we welcomed in a perfect sunny summer day. Jennie Fresa and her team went to work as I sat around with my closest friends eating lunch and anticipating the excitement of this day. We could not have begun to imagine how the space would transform with Sarah’s magic touch. I knew I wanted a colorful wedding and chose a palette of jewel-toned purples with accents of bright blue and pink. We wanted to capture the rustic feel embodied by the winery and Sarah incorporated burlap wrapped candles into the table. Yumiko from Hana Floral Designs created the most unbelievable chuppah and bouquets that displayed the bridesmaids cobalt blue dresses. The rustic brown branches of the chuppah contrasting with the bright, colorful flowers and pure blue sky was absolutely breathtaking. This set the stage for our ceremony where we had the privilege of being married by my mother’s childhood friend.

Walking down the aisle on that July day was overwhelming. Never again would Justin and I be surrounded by all of the people who love and care about us. We chose to have a “first look” before we saw each other at the ceremony. I highly recommend this to any bride. There was so much anticipation building up to this moment and I was already feeling the emotions of the day bubbling over. Being able to see the smile on Justin’s face, and the tears in his eyes, when he turned around was priceless. We were able to stand together, look into each other’s eyes, and have a few moments to take in what we were about to do.  This also allowed Justin and I to share in the signing of our ketubah together with our families. The actual ceremony felt like a whirlwind to me and seeing each other prior did not take away the butterflies of excitement I experienced seeing Justin waiting at the end of the aisle.

Our guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio and then entered into the airport hangar for a night of eating and dancing. The room was aglow with purple up lighting and our guests sat down to a French family style meal catered by Gourmet Galley. It was really the amazing Hudson Project band that made the party unforgettable. They had the dance floor filled the entire night and took the evening to a whole new level. It was exactly what we wanted – a wedding dance party!

Our wedding day was beyond what we could have ever imagined. Not only were we surrounded by the love and affection of our friends and family but also the idyllic beauty of Saltwater Farm. We are so thankful to both Robert and Kathleen Photographers and Buzz Media for capturing the beauty of our day for us to relive forever.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers / Flowers: Hana Floral Design / Planner: Sarah True of TRUE Event / Hair & Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library / Gown: Vera Wang / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Catering: Gourmet Galley / Band: The Hudson Project / Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard / Videographer: Buzz Media Company / Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Thread via Bella Bridesmaid / Invitation Designer and Stationery: Paper Moss / Save the Date: Posh Paperie / Desserts: Vanderbrooke / Chalkboard & Calligraphy: Meghan Chapin Calligraphy

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Want to hear what pushes my wedding loving buttons? – A traditional, simply elegant wedding mixed with an urban landscape. There is just something about the contrast that puts me on high alert, and these images from Erica Rose Photography did just that. Weddings like this one coordinated by Estera Events make me feel like I need to take a deep breath they are so pretty! Or I should just hang out with this bride and her maids – they arranged for the bride’s favorite yoga instructor to come the morning of the wedding so they could start the day cool and collected – fab idea, right? There is so much more fab to be had – so hop on over to the full gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Erica Rose Photography…Erica and Sean’s wedding was such a classic Chicago affair, and very well suited to their personalities. The ceremony took place at the stunning St. Vincent DePaul chapel on the grounds of DePaul University (where Sean and Erica first met). Following the ceremony we headed to the Kinzie Street Bridge to capture a classic element of the Chicago skyline, and take advantage of the industrial warehouses for some wedding party photos. The reception took place at Erie Cafe which is old Chicago at its best, a charming spot right off the river walk with a gorgeous outdoor terrace, which was used for the cocktail hour.

The decor was beautifully put together by Hilary of Estera events, who captured Erica’s vision for simple elegance using earthy tones. An easy way to illustrate this bride’s personality: She and her girls started the day by bringing in Erica’s favorite yoga instructor for a private class in their room at Hotel 71. When I arrived for photos they were all relaxed and ready to just enjoy the day…perfect!

Erica and Sean are so natural together, their love shines through the lens so clearly and they are such a pleasure to photograph. Some of my favorite couple shots were taken when we went out onto the river walk at sunset, to catch that glowy, romantic light.

Wedding Photography: Erica Rose Photography / Event Coordinator: Estera Events / Floral Design: Scarlet Petal / Reception: Erie Cafe / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth Chicago / Guest Accomodations: Hotel 71 / Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston

Savannah is a city so rich with charm and history that any wedding thrown there would have a certain magical quality to it.  When the wedding is as cute as this vintage beauty by Esther Louise Photography that magic just comes naturally.  First of all the venue, The Olde Pink House, just has the most adorable name PLUS it was the starting point for this sweet couple’s proposal night.  The flowers are to.die.for with a fun mix of sherbet hues and wild flair.  It doesn’t get much better than sweet Southern vintage and this wedding is working it!  Take a stroll through the full gallery to see all the darling details!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Nick and I are both Florida natives and met while attending college at Florida Gulf Coast University in 2004. After 2 years of dating, Nick transferred to an art college (SCAD) in Savannah, GA. Last November he took me back to Savannah for my birthday. We had dinner at the Olde Pink House (built in 1771)- old mansion converted into an intimate restaurant. After dinner we walked around the beautiful city of Savannah, and he proposed on River Street with a ring from 1914 (ring belonged to the grandmother of our officiant and family friend, Mark).

Savannah’s southern charm and historic beauty has made it our favorite city. We knew it would be the perfect location for an intimate wedding of family and friends. We had the ceremony at Washington Square (even through a little rain) and the reception back at the Olde Pink House. We ended the evening with a sparkler exit to the horse-drawn carriage that brought us to our hotel for the wedding night, the Mansion on Forsyth. It was everything we dreamt it would be. Sweet. Southern. Charming. Intimate.

I wanted the wedding to have a sweet southern and vintage feel. I knew I wanted to incorporate vintage blue mason jars so that was the starting point. For the 9 months of wedding planning, I sat each and every morning with my cup of coffee and read the Style Me Pretty blog for inspiration. Aqua blue and peach was the color palette  for our summer wedding. The flowers we chose were cabbage roses and hydrangeas. For a little texture, we had wheat added into the centerpieces – which kept the sweet but southern feel.

Wedding Photography: Esther Louise Photography / Florist: Garden on the Square / Ceremony Location: Washington Square / Reception: The Olde Pink House / Classic Guitarist: Sean Driscoll / Hair + Make-up: Salon Aqua / Bakery: Bakers Pride / Wedding Dress: Robert Bullock via Malindy Elene Boutique / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein + Brooks Brothers / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew

I hope you are in the mood for some romance this lovely Friday morning (And really, who isn’t?), because this Biltmore soiree from the ah.mazing Asheville Event Co. is all about the amour and then some.  And with some seriously stunning North Carolina views, a plethora of beautiful blooms by The Flower Gallery and an oh-so-awesome horse-drawn carriage, it’s literally one fairy tale-esque detail after another in this fabulous affair.  Thankfully, Realities Photography was on hand to capture every breathtaking moment, so we have an entire weekend to spend with all of this pretty.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… I envisioned the day of my wedding surrounded by the people we love, sharing in our joy! We both knew we wanted a “destination wedding” that would provide our guests with opportunity to partake in multiple celebratory events during our wedding weekend.  We selected Asheville as the setting, although it meant that all of our guests would have to travel a great distance to attend.  The “Walled Garden” of the elegant and historic Biltmore Estate, framed by the backdrop of the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains, provided a magical setting for our special day and fulfilled every expectation for an enchanting wedding venue.

As I regally arrived into the Walled Garden in a horse-drawn carriage on this magnificent sunny day, I met the gazes of our delighted guests.  As I was escorted down the long aisle to meet my “husband to be” in front of the wedding Chuppa (canopy), everything was exactly as I had envisioned it! The flowers bedecking the Chuppa  were beautiful and everyone in our wedding party looked amazing! Brett looked handsome in his tuxedo, as he walked towards me grinning broadly, grasped my hand and whispered how beautiful I looked!!

My wedding colors were my favorite colors -orange and yellow accented with green.  Mary from Flower Gallery was a tremendous asset in creating my decor. When we first met, I wasn’t sure of what I really wanted although I knew I preferred the elegance of  cally lilies and orchids.  As this wedding was planned long distance, Mary sent me sketches of designs for my approval.  We collaborated to create a unique and dramatic style, which utilized a combination of contemporary flowers with a traditional look. Mary was able to fulfill my vision with her spectacular floral creations!

The wedding canopy looked stunning – a simple wrought iron structure, draped with coppery colored calla lilies – totally in keeping with the simplicity of the Walled Garden. The wedding centerpieces were absolutely gorgeous and masterful! Every other centerpiece was composed of a towering centralized vase, filled with orchids floating in water and decorative branches, expanding over the vase with tea candles hanging from the branches. Small vases, filled with flowers, surrounded the larger vase, creating a stunning impact of different floral levels on each table.

As we arrived at the Deerpark for our reception and entered the courtyard, which was adorned with lanterns hanging down imbuing the ambiance with a magical feel, we were introduced for the first time as Valerie and Brett Evenson. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the environment that had been created and by the joyous welcome we received from our guests.  We were ready to join the party and celebrate!

Wedding Ceremony Venue: Walled Garden at Biltmore / Wedding Reception Venue: Deerpark at Biltmore / Wedding Photography: Realities Photography / Wedding Planning: Asheville Event Co. / Florist: The Flower Gallery / Wedding Cake + Horse-drawn Carriage: Biltmore / Entertainment: Allergo Music + Split Second Sound / Make-up: Make-up at the Grove Arcade / Other Transportation: Asheville Historic Trolley + Blue Ridge Limo

How perfect is this next fall-inspired wedding by Joyelle West Photography?  It just screams autumn in New England with the bright mix of colors reminiscent of the changing leaves, the adorable use of pumpkins throughout the decor from the invitations to the ceremony seats and the falling leaves cascading down the wedding cake.  Guests were even treated to a Massachusetts staple during the cold weather months – hot apple cider!  There is so much charm and personality to be found in each and every detail. See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Joyelle West Photography…The Great House at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA was the setting for the lovely fall wedding of Julie and Patrick. The ceremony was outdoors on the Grand Allée, a series of rolling hills on the lawn that ends with a view of the ocean. The reception was held inside the mansion, overlooking the wildlife refuge and winding salt marshes.

Julie and Patrick incorporated elements of New England in the fall – they offered guests warm apple cider; the colors of their wedding were yellow, orange, and sapphire blue; and pumpkins decorated everything, from their invitations, to the chairs at the ceremony, to the ceremony steps, to the table décor. Julie and Patrick met at Harvard University, so they used places at Harvard that were special to them as table names. They also both worked at Let’s Go, a series of travel books that is published by Harvard students, so they used the Let’s Go logo as placecards. The final autumn touch was the cake, which was decorated with branches and falling leaves of yellow, orange, and red.

Wedding Photography: Joyelle West Photography / Florist: Dana Markos / Wedding Cake: Cakes for Occasions / Invitations: Smudge Ink / Caterer: Timothy S. Hopkins Catering / Hair + Make-up: Carolina Velasco / Favors: Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie / Rolls Royce: Sir Charles Limousine / Venue: The Great House at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

We’ve got a pretty-pretty treat for all you Florida brides to be today! This elegant yet totally laid back (think Tommy Bahama pants and short sleeved shirts for the groomsmen) fete will have you begging for more gorgeous images from Mi Amore Foto. We’re loving the all white beautiful bouquet, the cool as a cucumber green dresses that the maids rocked, and the overall chic vibe of this day. Click here to see even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Mi Amore Foto…I no longer live in South Florida, but when I got the email from Megan and Joel I knew I had to photograph this wedding.  They were so gracious from the very beginning and I really felt like I was more a friend than a guest.  They were both so laid back and really just concentrated on each other, which is what every wedding should be about.  Megan had told me that she made her bridesmaids cute little monogrammed shirts to get ready in so that they didn’t have to be in their dresses the whole time I was photographing them.  I thought this was such a brilliant idea.  The girls were comfortable, yet still looked great for the getting ready pictures.  It was a way to keep it laid back, but appropriate at the same time.

They kept the feel very old Florida by keeping the groomsmen in casual Tommy Bahama slacks and short sleeve button up shirts.  If you’re going to get married in Florida, in July, then it’s a great idea to keep your wedding party cool.  The reception was great because it’s in a historic part of Delray Beach.  It was held at Old School Square, inside of the gymnasium.  The first time I photographed at this venue, when the couple told me the reception was going to be in the gym, red flags went up!  I was quickly delighted when I walked in and saw how absolutely adorable it was.  We also got to sneak away and got access to the theatre where they still have shows and plays.  We got some great shots of the two of them, all alone, dancing on the stage.  It was such a great venue and such a wonderful couple to work with.

Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl’s Dresses: Elegant Child Boutique / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Floral Design: So In Love With Flowers, Leslie Maloney / Wedding Cake: Sweet Art by Lucila / Caterer: VIP Catering / Groomsmen Attire: Tommy Bahama / Bride’s Make-up: Kelly DeMauro / Bride’s Hair: One Aveda / Band: Solid Gold / Officiant: Pastor Vincent Putnam / Ring Bearer’s Outfit: J.Crew / Reception Venue: Old School Square / Wedding Photography: Mi Amore Foto