I am more than certain that I will be spending the remainder of my day dreaming about these gorgeous Toronto nuptials captured by the uber-fabulous Lg Weddings.  And that’s definitely okay with me, because I honestly can’t think of anything I would rather do than while away the hours with some beautiful blooms by Broadview Flower Market, perfectly pink heels and brilliant French-inspired details galore (including mini Eiffel Towers).  Thankfully for me (and you), there is an entire gallery of stunning images just waiting to be adored.  Join me there for some serious gazing!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Lg Weddings… There is something so lovely and almost enchanting about Anna and Anthony’s wedding – the venue itself, so endearing in it’s eclecticism, lends itself perfectly to Anna and Anthony’s vintage French countryside influence in theme and décor. Eiffel Towers and framed black and white photos of cities in France and Italy, antique chandeliers and old wooden barrels, delicate white wildflowers picked straight from the field… all these pretty details and textures combined with a sumptuous palette of lime green, hot pink, faded metallics and pastels, make this event a veritable feast for the eyes. DIY cakes, treats and decorating, passed down pearls from grandmother and being married by a childhood family neighbor, add to the overwhelming feeling of comfort, warmth, and love at this stunningly beautiful wedding.

Wedding Photography: Lg Weddings / Venue, Catering, Chairs, Tables + Linens: The Berkeley / Wedding Gown: Watters via Felichia Bridal / Veil: Etsy / Hair Accessories: Custom via The Dressroom on Danforth / Jewelry: Grandmother’s Pearls / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka via Nordstrom / Make-up: The Bride / Hair: Violet at Bob + Paige Salon / Groom’s Attire: Moores / Wedding Coordinator: Kathy Lee at The Berkeley / Florist: Broadview Flower Market / Decorator: Friends + Family / Officiant: Sue Weiss / Wedding Cake: Chantelle Lepin-Cercone, Bridesmaid / Wedding Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Floutist: Glen Tooth / DJ: Gary of DJ’s Unlimited

Another wonderful week of inspiration is just beginning here on Style Me Pretty Texas and we are kicking it all off with this jaw-droppingly gorgeous traditional Austin affair captured by Brett Buchanan Photography.  And, believe you me, we couldn’t have started on a better note.  From those gorgeous hydrangeas-filled bouquets by Stems Floral to an amazing Oscar de la Renta gown (I am in love) to the oh-so-adorable cookie tribute to New York AND Texas, I am completely smitten with every fabulous detail.  All coordinated to perfection by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother, there is an entire gallery full of gorgeous to keep us occupied this lovely Monday morning.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Sean is from Seattle, I am from Houston, we live in New York City, and got married in Austin. When we first got engaged we knew that no matter where we got married all of our family would have to travel, so we decided to have it in one of our favorite cities, Austin. We chose the Four Seasons Austin immediately because of it’s location in downtown Austin with it’s feeling of a country lake property.  We wanted our wedding to be casually elegant, like we were having all of our friends and family for a big dinner party. We wanted to bring the bright Texas stars from the terrace inside with lots of candles filling the room with twinkle. The room full of hydrangeas were chosen to imitate the textured feeling of my Oscar de la Renta gown. Sean’s cuff links were made from 19th century ten-dollar gold pieces given to his grandfather by his great-grandfather. I wore my grandmother’s crystal earrings pinned in mu hair beneath my veil.

Wedding Photography: Brett Buchanan Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Saint Mary Cathedral / Wedding Reception Location: Four Seasons Hotel Austin / Wedding Coordination: Your Very Own Fairy Godmother / Floral Design: Stems Floral / Cakes + Cookie Favors: Stardust Pastry / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Hair: Jen Hoover / Make-up: Nisa Nicole

I literally gasped aloud when I first laid eyes on this Maryland engagement party, captured brilliantly Rachael Spiegel of The Observatory. And gasping is always fine by me on a Monday morning. First of all, I have such a bride-crush on the bride. That gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gown she wore? I’m in love. The whole affair seemed to take place around the gorgeous dress, from the beautiful cake from Kendall’s Cakes, to the delish looking nosh from Well Dunn, to the absolutely stunning decor, designed by Elizabeth Duncan Events. What we got was such a cohesive look for so many fantastic and chic details. Seriously, right out of a dream. Dream your day away in the full image gallery!

From Elizabeth Duncan Events … French.  Vintage.  Garden.  In our first conversation, these were the three words Lena used to describe the engagement party she would like to have.  She had me at French, but downright giddy with vintage and garden!  The bride’s family home in Bethesda, Maryland had a modern, minimalist design that proved to be the ideal blank canvas upon which to create this beautiful, romantic and elegant celebration.

Lena and Reda’s parents were friends, so they had known each other since childhood, but it wasn’t until Lena and Reda were in High School and College that their friendship blossomed into love one summer.  Reda is completing medical school in Dublin, so they have been long distance for some time now.  With friends and family also scattered around the world, the most important thing to them about the party was having quality time to spend together visiting and catching up with their nearest and dearest.

Lena’s gorgeous Monique Lhuillier floral watercolor design gown reflected the color palette of the event.  Lush blossoms in coral, butter yellow, creme and soft green were abundant throughout the event.  From the flowers to an ivy archway entrance to custom topiary to vintage garden sculpture, we wanted to make guests feel like they were in a garden, even when they were indoors.

For dinner, farm tables with a mixture of vintage-inspired placesettings, French cheese sharing plates, and French café music played by a roaming accordion player combined to evoke an ambiance and intimacy of a Golden Age Parisian party.

Lena and Reda also wanted to add a touch of whimsy to the event.  Custom-designed mobiles and a chandelier in the foyer showcased 1,000 origami cranes “in flight” while a colorful dessert display with a ribbon streamer backdrop featured mini French desserts and a specialty cake.  As a small thank you, Lena and Reda ordered custom treasure keepers made from old books, which we adorned with bunches of dried lavender from a local farm.

Event Planning and Design:  Elizabeth Duncan Events / Catering: Well Dunn / Flowers and Décor: Capital Décor & Events / Photography: Rachael Spiegel, The Observatory / Tent: Sugar Plum Tents / Lighting:  Frost Lighting / DJ: Bialeks Music / Cake:  Kendall’s Cakes / Accordionist:  MSE Productions / Hair:  Christophe Jouenne / Make-up:  Adrian Avila, Nectar Skin Bar / Valet:  MarcParc Valet / Calligraphy: Arney Walker / Lavender: Blue Skye Farm / Bride’s Dress: Monique Lhuillier

This Locus Grove wedding by Kala Minko Photography is such a great example of an understated yet lovely celebration.  I love hydrangeas.  They are such gorgeous, voluptuous, quintessential summer florals.  Throughout this budget beauty they are used in simple and romantic ways.  Paired with light and airy baby’s breath and queen Anne’s lace the look is soft and sweet.  And the best part?  All these organically modern details can easily be recreated without breaking the bank! See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Matt and I have known each other since middle school, but we didn’t start dating until graduation day.  We continued to date throughout college and he finally proposed right before I was to start pharmacy school.  When Matt proposed I knew instantly that we would be having a budget wedding.  With me being in school, I just couldn’t imagine spending a fortune on a wedding.  I had no clue how hard it would be to do a budget wedding, but the details came together nicely. I used my grandfathers vintage pharmacy bottles, baked the wedding favors and packaged them, made the cake stand and cupcake stands, and even cut about 100 hydrangeas from my neighbor’s yard.  I searched for a dress that could be made to fit my length (since that is the most expensive alteration), a florist that designs out of her home, and a fabulous photographer that I went to high school with.  One of my favorite things about the wedding was including my twin brother and little sister that passed several years ago.  My mom set up a table with hydrangeas and their pictures in an engraved frame.  I knew they were there for our special day!

Wedding Photography: Kala Minko Photography / Flowers: Twigs, Leaves, and Flowers / Ceremony Location: McDonough Presbyterian / Reception Location: Locust Grove Conference Center / Wedding Dress: Casablance / Cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes / Wedding Cake: Stephanie Bender / Catering: Farm House Catering

Welcome back to another fabulous week here at SMP! Kicking off the day is this super sweet North Carolina fete complete with men in tuxes on the beach, a classic Rolls Royce, a pretty petal strewn aisle, a seriously fabulous cake, the biggest and best smiles, and beyond gorgeous images by Millie Holloman Photography. Stellar Events planned this pretty, pretty day, and if you ask me, I think they knocked it out of the park! Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From …Jennie and Craig’s wedding was a sweet, classic wedding that took place on the coast of North Carolina. The ceremony was held on private property that overlooked the ocean. A bed of rose petals filled the aisle as Jenny and her father walked to the end where Craig was waiting to greet her with a big smile.

The reception was held in a tent on the grounds of Figure 8 Island Yacht Club. Guests enjoyed a variety of international cuisine including sushi, southern favorites, and yummy lo mien dishes. The cigar bar was popular with the gentleman who enjoy an evening light, and  guests sampled the tasty selection of desserts, provided by Flower & Flour. The band, “Simply Irresistible” was a huge hit with the crowd and kept everyone hopping the entire night. Jennie and Craig even made a little appearance on the stage!

Everything was beautiful and a complete success, thanks to Courtney Arnold and her staff from Stellar Events as well as Jen Mitchell who runs the events at Figure 8 Island Yacht Club. Jennie and Craig said their farewells to their family and friends as confetti was tossed. The day was wonderful and the night was filled with fun!

Ceremony Location: Private Property / Reception Location: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club / Venue Coordinatior: Jen Mitchel / Event Planning + Design: Courtney Arnold + Team at Stellar Events / Flowers: Sam Haddock / Lighting: Steve Peterson of High Performance Lighting / Wedding Photography: Amanda + Brent Holloman of Millie Holloman Photography / Wedding Videography: Life Stage Films / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Flower & Flour / Band: Simply Irresistible / Hair + Make-up: Elisha Wendt + Lindsey Bush of Lavish Salon / Rentals: Party Suppliers

We’ve got the prettiest and most classicly beautiful wedding to start your week off right! Say goodbye to any Monday morning blues while you gaze at all the gorgeous images by Kenny Kim Photography. This wedding, coordinated to a T by Clementine Custom Events, has me totally wanting a wedding do-over! Just look at the bride’s gorgeous gown! And those fluffy, pastel florals from Scarlet Petal are simply to die for. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be spending my morning taking in all these pretty, pretty images in the gallery…join me, won’t you?

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Aaron and I met in college at the University of Illinois.  We got engaged in August of 2009 and decided to have a long engagement since he was living in Chicago and I was finishing up graduate school in North Carolina.  Since we had spent the majority of our time after undergrad in Chicago, we decided that this would be where we would marry.  We wanted an elegant and beautiful space to hold our intimate wedding and searched all over the city stumbling upon the gorgeous Rookery Building.  The Rookery also happens to be only a few short blocks from where we live, so it really was perfect!  I knew right away who to choose to do our photography.  After we chose the venue, the only other decision we knew we were set on was our photographer.  Kenny Kim has been a friend of ours for years and makes the most beautiful photos.  He was the first vendor I booked – two years early!!

Being the homebody that I am, I decided to get ready at my apartment.  Aaron and I opted to see each other before the ceremony so we could spend as much time as possible with our out-of-town guests.  We had our “first look” at the gorgeous JW Marriott.  It was really nice to share this moment together before the ceremony.   We were both so nervous!  One of the stops while driving around town taking photos was the LaSalle Street Bridge where a large group of kayakers yelled “congratulations!” in unison.  We had so much fun and the photo session really helped take the edge off!

We chose to have both the ceremony and reception at the Rookery.  Aaron’s childhood pastor came from Aaron’s hometown of Knoxville, Illinois to officiate our ceremony.  I am Chinese so it was important to me to incorporate some of my heritage into our ceremony as well.  We had a traditional tea ceremony that symbolized the union of our two families.  As the caterers changed over the room from the ceremony to reception decor, the guests went to the second floor to enjoy a signature cocktail – pomegranate champagne cocktail and hors d’oeuvres.  I wanted to tie in as many handmade elements as possible, as I enjoy being crafty.  I taught myself calligraphy and addressed the invitations, made the escort cards and programs.  We also had several small children at the reception so my mom and I put together little goodie buckets to keep them busy and happy.  They were a hit!

Bridal Gown: Christos / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Photography: Kenny Kim Photography assisted by Collin Pierson Photography + Bob Davis / Wedding Coordination: Kelly Cavanaugh of Clementine Custom Events / Catering: Jewell Events Catering / Floral Design: Scarlet Petal / Wedding Cake: Take the Cake / Hair + Make-up:  Jahnne Valez / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston / Flower Girl Dresses: Rare Editions via Dillards / Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Fabric Draping: Art of Imagination / Dance Lessons: Chicago Wedding Dance / Music: Style Matters + String Theory / Venue: The Rookery / Paper Suite: Magnificent Milestones

When the love is strong and great between a couple a little rain, even a downpour, won’t sour their wedding day.  Such was the case for these soul-mates who had a completely breathtaking wedding despite the weather.  Old world charm meets whimsical elegance is the perfect theme that was used as inspiration for all the sweet details.  Style Art Life not only helped with some of that great style but is responsible for the gorgeous photographs as well.  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Style Art Life…Dana knew the moment she saw Carl walked into the restaurant she was working at, that he was the one for her and “called dibs on him” amongst her colleagues. Timing was too soon when they first dated and had to bring the young relationship to a halt.  Flash forward 10 years, Dana ended up in California while Carl remained in NY. Despite the many relationships that came to pass, Dana always knew Carl was the one. One evening, Dana took a leap of faith and placed a phone call to him. After their first weekend visit, Carl knew Dana was it for him and took a leap of faith 6 months later to leave NY for California to be with her. Their old past had become their charmed future.

Inspired by the concept of old meets new (like their relationship), Dana wanted to have a feeling of old world charm mixed with a  spirit of whimsical panache. Dana wanted an event that was intimate, more like a dinner party. Before Dana had even picked her venue, she knew she wanted me to photograph her day and in helping with the event styling. Dana not only loved my photography work but my personal wedding style which she had seen on SMP. She used that as a jumping off point to begin planning her own sweet & whimsically charmed affair. Dana & I became friends through the planning process as I became her sounding board, as well as offered to scout out a beautiful “getting ready” location like the Cromwell Manor where we ended up.

Dana chose Brotherhood winery for its history and claim-to-fame of being America’s oldest winery. The winery has a hauntingly elegant wine cellar where dinner was held over long Tuscan style tables. Burlap details were contrasted with metal lanterns which illuminated the cellar lined with 100-year-old wine barrels. Seating charts were written on a slate board matching the slate numbers on the table.  Dana also became very familiar with the Etsy online market as she found hand streamers, antique spoons for accents, personalized cufflinks as gifts & even someone to make a sign “I call dibs”. For their photo booth, a Polaroid camera along with whimsical props were set out for guests to leave a picture & note in the guest book. To embrace Dana’s Italian heritage, she had a frosting-free cannoli cake made. For her dress, it was another “Carl moment” after she tried on the Jim Hjelm dress, no other one compared.  Though she initially purchased a different dress, her heart eventually brought her back to “the one”.

It was important to Dana to have an outdoor ceremony. Though plans were thwarted by heavy rain with no backup plan, the groom came up with a charming idea to have the ceremony under a tree that was thick enough to keep most of the rain out as guests gathered under an adjacent deck awning to watch. Dana walked down the aisle to the song “Marry Me” by the band Train which couldn’t be any more apropos if you listen to the lyrics. Though it turned into a rain drenched evening, the love between Dana & Carl beamed with sunshine through the dreary downpour.

Wedding Photography: Twah Dougherty of Style Art Life / Floral Design: Fleur-Di-Re / Ceremony + Reception Location: Brotherhood Winery / Invitations: Debbie of Wrapsody Invitations / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Hair: Jennifer Dillan / Make-up: Amanda Hudziak / Charm for Bridal Bouquet + Cufflink Charms: Kristin Victoria Designs / Wedding Cake: Defilppis Bakery / Thank You Bags: Papermoon By Kat / Caterer: Wayne Hall / I Call Dibs Sign: Sarah Phillips of Cardboard Sheek

Happy Monday my fabulous Floridians! We thought we would get your week off to the sweetest of starts with this gorgeous week-long celebration by HBB Photography. Yes, these pretties celebrated all week long! I just adore the idea of keeping the wedding intimate so you can keep the party going with your nearest and dearest for as long as possible. It’s all as pretty as it is sweet, and you can see the entire soiree in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Scott and I met in Louisville, Kentucky, where I have lived my entire life and Scott has been for about 4 years from a work transfer. Needless to say, we are a slow-paced and casual couple with bluegrass roots, a ton of southern hospitality, and a Midwest sophistication. We weren’t looking for anything fancy for our wedding.  We debated on having a huge bash in Louisville, but I preferred a small, intimate setting.  We spent the majority of our time as an engaged couple talking about where to get married and just three or four months before our wedding date, Scott mentioned a “perfect” little town in Florida that he had been to on a business trip in the past. We took a quick four-day weekend down Watercolor to visit and I immediately fell in love with the place. The perfect little town for our small, but oh so perfect little wedding.

We didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a wedding that would last one evening so we decided to extend the wedding day into a wedding vacation. Because we kept the guest list to family only, we could manage to get the majority of our guests down for the entire week. Such wonderful memories for us and our family! Watercolor is a euphoric little town, so charming and casual, with exquisite little houses and the world’s most beautiful beach. The parks rival some of the finest we have ever seen, and we took full advantage of the setting in our pictures. Our photographers, Hannah and Shawn from HBB photography were amazing!  They did such an amazing job capturing the magic of the day.  I love my wedding pictures and believe it was the best investment of the day.

Our on resort wedding planner, Cheryl Walton, was such a huge part of the success of the wedding. She walked us through the details of the event and provided suggestions that were right in line with the casual rustic beach wedding that I was looking for. Beyond the colors, the music, and the food, I was really open to anything. Our florist Sally, from Florals by the Sea, took a few basic ideas of ours and ran with them. Our ceremony site was perfect; simple, casual, with a few touches of elegance spread throughout. We held the reception in the community’s boat house surrounded by rustic wooden planks, paddle boards, and canoes. Our florist did such a great job dressing the place up, but not so much as to distract from the natural beauty of the boathouse. Our families danced the night away and ended the night with a few drinks at Bud and Alley’s on the beach.

Wedding Photography: Shawn and Hannah Brown of HBB Photography / Floral Design: Florals By the Sea / Event Planning: Cheryl Walton at WaterColor Resort / Ceremony + Reception Location: WaterColor Resort / Bride’s Shoes: Mia / Wedding Dress: Blush by Jim Hjelm

I don’t believe it gets any better than this seaside Malibu affair courtesy of the insanely talented Shannon Renee Photography.  No, it does not.  And with a fantastically unique color palette of orange and navy blue, beautiful blooms by Floral Fields, the cutest cake toppers I ever did see and a plethora of pretty, pretty details planned by Bluebell Events, this elegant, beach chic affair just made my Monday with every last ounce of fabulous.  I plan to sit back, relax and get lost in all of this lovely… And I seriously suggest you do the same.  Be sure to join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… We envisioned our wedding day to be an intimate reflection of who we are as a couple, while incorporating all the things we both love…family, friends, the ocean, and great food!  We kept our style formal, yet comfortable.  Russell wore a light-colored suit rather than a tuxedo, while I wore a formal bridal gown that was warm, romantic, and whimsical.  We made sure to be surrounded by the colors we loved (burnt orange and navy blue), dreamy candlelight, and tons of details that reminded of us of the beach…starfish, seashells, Adirondack beach chairs, and touches of sand here and there.  We wanted our guests to have fun, feel spoiled, and party with no regard to time!  I think we were able to accomplish all of those things, we had an absolutely speculator night – one which we will never forget!

The moment I remember most is standing under our white chiffon covered altar on the beach, surrounded by our families, amazing flowers, looking into each other eyes, lost in our own world as we heard the waves crashing in the background.  It was a perfect way for us to start our lives together!

Wedding Photography: Shannon Renee Photography / Event Planning: Charley King of Bluebell Events / Floral Design: Debbie Fields of Floral Fields / Officiant: Reverend Clint Hufft / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Sunset Restaurant / Lighting: Special Event Lighting / Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rental / Linens: La Tavola / Catering : The Sunset Restaurant / Wedding Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop / Hair + Make-up: Jana, Makeup & Hair Design / Wedding Dress: Galina Signature / Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic

This morning I am going to ask you to sit back, settle in, and enjoy traditional elegance at its finest via all the fabulous photos from Tony Spinelli Photography. This level of prettiness needs your full attention! With florals by the amazingly talented Hana Floral Design and the gorgeous reception venue that is Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park – it just doesn’t get prettier than this, and there is even more to see in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Our vision was “simple elegance.”  We wanted to achieve a balance of traditional and modern, classic and unique – a wedding that would be memorable and timeless.  For our ceremony we chose a beautiful, white steeple congregational church in Connecticut:  the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. This classic New England church was incorporated in 1665 and is as rich in beauty as it is in tradition.  Our reception venue, Eolia Mansion, was the summer home of the Harkness family beginning in 1907 and is now part of Harkness State Park.  The Gatsby-like setting on Long Island Sound includes ocean views, sprawling lawns, hidden gardens and admiring fountains.  Guests enjoyed cocktails and dancing under the tented terrace and dinner in candlelit rooms throughout the estate.

While the beautiful location set the tone of the wedding, the details added the charm and character.  Every decision was made with the “simple elegance” vision in mind.  Classic hydrangeas in soft colors of pale pink, green and white were used for the centerpieces and to decorate the Mansion’s mantles alongside floating candles.  A clean and elegant bouquet of white hydrangeas, garden and spray roses and ranunculus flowers created a tailored and classic bridal bouquet.  Guests were welcomed to the reception with handcrafted pink paisley place cards tied with sage ribbon and the traditional guest book was replaced by small note cards on which guests could leave marriage well-wishes.  These items, along with calligraphy bride and groom chair signs, were designed and created by artists and craftsmen discovered on Etsy. Pale pink cards were tucked into the napkins of each place setting which listed the charitable donations made to non-profit organizations in honor of our guests.

The wedding celebration was truly everything we hoped it would be and the planning was a labor of love – worth every appointment, every blog search and all the time spent researching and working with talented vendors.  As a young girl I often dreamed of a truly special wedding day.  I am touched today to say that our wedding was worthy of that young girl’s wish and a day that we are more than proud to remember as the first of our marriage.

Wedding Photography: Tony Spinelli Photography / Floral Design: Hana Floral Design / Event Design: Cloud Nine Catering / Ceremony Location: First Congregational Church of Old Lyme / Reception Location: Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park / Wedding Dress: Mariella Creations

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As much as I grin ear to ear for a great big ballroom wedding, or clap my hands with pure giddiness over a vintage barn affair, or jump out of my seat for a fantastic and chic soiree at a cool city restaurant, sometimes all it takes is a fabulous love story shared with just a few people to get my heart a goin’. So when IQVideography sent over a simple, sweet San Francisco City Hall wedding, I knew I had to share. The love, the joy, the happiness, are all so apparent, I can’t help but clasp my hands under my chin and watch (much like a little girl in her mothers pearls would).

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I would have to be quite the storyteller to put into words just what an amazing wedding we had. Luckily we had Alex from IQVideography with us to capture our intimate moments in the most enchanting of ways.

Being our second marriage, and our discomfort with being the “center of attention” we both felt a connection to having our ceremony consist of just us, our three children and as “DIY” as possible. From my hand made veil, that perched on top of the “up-do” I created moments before, to the orchids I picked at the flower market the day prior and hand wrapped with the silk ribbon I chose from a vintage haberdashery store.

If I could have I would have designed and made my own wedding dress but luckily I was able to find a simple but beautiful double-sided satin gown that was designed by an Australian designer. This satisfied my desire to pay homage to the country I experienced most of my childhood memories in.

Arriving by taxi to the beautiful San Francisco City Hall was real and simply perfect. The noon light that shone through the large ornate windows on the fourth floor illuminated the marble corridors as I walked to meet my soon to be husband was one of the most romantic experiences for me and us.

I am reminded each time I watch my wedding video that we had exactly what I wanted and what can’t be fabricated or bought… we had the purity of us and the truth of our love. And in the end that was all that really mattered.

Cinematography: IQVidography / Venue: San Francisco City Hall

Don’t you just wish at times that you had an easy button for your life, especially when planning your wedding? You know, like those famous office supply commercials that make everything look so simple and effortless? Enter the fabulous entrepreneur, Ilana Stern, armed with a background in Fashion and a passion to simplify the lives of brides (and their besties, aka maids) everywhere. Enter her vision, Weddington Way, a group shopping site for bridesmaid dresses that has accomplished what brides everywhere have been searching for: a way to make the whole bridesmaids dress shopping experience simple and social. Oh, and did we mention super fashionable and cute to boot?

Brides are totally loving Weddington Way because they can be efficient, prompt and orderly. Gone are the days when brides needlessly worry about what their besties will wear on their big day, leaving them plenty of time to ponder over other important details like the oh-so-important seating chart. Bridesmaids are thanking their lucky stars because of Weddington Way‘s stylish frocks by designers like Lela Rose, Alfred Sung and Thread, available in over 300 styles and silhouettes and 50 colors in a range of prices.” Weddington Way’s Technology = Easy Collaboration. Brides invite their bridesmaids, bridesmaids rank the brides favorites… and all the while, brides can track their ladies’ activities so they know exactly where each girl is without having to send a million texts and emails. Kind of amazing, right? If only this service was around when I got married! I must have changed my mind a million times and the girls felt lost. Well, with Weddington Way, that’s no longer an issue!

As if we couldn’t love Weddington Way any more than we do, they are offering up a pretty little promo for 1 lucky Bride-to-be to win! Simply Register at Weddington Way by October 1 and follow the contest guidelines to enter the Weddington Way Contest. One lucky Bride-to-be will be chosen to win $250 towards her bridal party purchase of 4 or more bridesmaid dresses! So hurry up and enter! And good luck!

The feeling of fall is in the air and just like the new season we have a few new pretties to introduce you to this Saturday morning! I just love love love making the connection of our readers with our advertisers – it’s a match made in wedding heaven, and today’s lineup is full of lovely! We have serious talent behind the lens with Sherrell Photography and Lisa Davenock Photography – their images speak for themselves. And then there is the floral goodness of Petalena whose gorg bouquets will have you at hello. So get cozy and get to know each other – y’all are meant to be!

From Sherrell Photography…Larry and Tabitha Sherrell started their life together doing what they love best. Taking pictures! Each of them bring their individuality to their work. Larry’s thoughtfulness, technical savvy and ninja like presence helps them to get the shots that no one knew were taken. Tabitha is amiable and intuitive. Together they please.

From Lisa Davenock Photography….the three words that best describe my wedding photography are romantic, playful, and adventurous. I would consider my style to be editorial: a fusion of photojournalistic event coverage with stylish portraiture. I’m definitely not a traditional style photographer and I *love* doing wedding photography in out of the ordinary places…the quirkier, the more adventurous, the better. I would dunk every bride and groom in the water if I could…though I think most of them would dunk me first. I’ve been shooting weddings full time since 2007 and have now shot over 100 weddings all over New England, Canada, and beyond.

Special I would like to offer SMP brides: anyone who books a wedding with me (wedding date must be before Dec 31, 2012) will receive a complimentary bridal fashion portrait session, boudoir session, or trash the dress session.

From Petalena…Petalena is a boutique floral design studio servicing Boston and all of New England. Their unique style reflects an appreciation for the natural world with inspiration from European floral design and contemporary technique and artistry. Petalena’s unique custom floral creations capture the mood and spirit of their clients and each event. Petalena has had the pleasure of working with some of Boston’s best and most sought-after vendors and venues. Their design work has been featured in many of New England’s renowned wedding publications including Boston Magazine’s – Boston Weddings, Brides Boston, The Knot Boston Magazine and The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine Wedding Issue. Most recently Petalena was voted “Best of the Knot” for 2010 and 2011, receiving accolades from their clients for their distinctive floral designs. Wedding Wire also honored Petalena in 2010, and in 2011 with the “Bride’s Choice Award,” a distinction that recognizes the top 5% of wedding from professionals for their excellence in quality, service, and professionalism. Petalena’s florals and décor have graced New England’s most unique hotels and venues including The Boston Public Library, Liberty Hotel, Taj Boston, Willowdale Estate, Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center and The Lyman Estate,  .

Petalena’s founder Apryl Sahadi has the greenest thumb of anyone you will ever meet and is a true artist when it comes to all things floral.   Her love affair with flowers started at a young age growing up with the beauty surrounding her at her mother’s flower shop in Connecticut.  After attending school at The Boston Conservatory, she opened her own event design studio and the rest is history!

So take a little stroll on this Saturday morning to her pretty sites and show her some SMP support! We’re couldn’t be more happy to have her join our Style Me Pretty Massachusetts Family!

Rise and shine New York! Happy Saturday! Before you get off to brunching and lunching, we have a very important introduction to make this lovely fall morning. Everyone meet Michael Simon – the talented photographer behind all of the gorgeous images below and newest member of the SMP family. I highly recommend stopping by his site to get to know him a little better. He was even nice enough to offer a sweet discount for SMP New York readers – talk about a good first impression! Welcome indeed!

From Michael Simon…I began my photography career as a photojournalist in New York City. In 2003, I began covering weddings on the side, and quickly realized that I much preferred working with wonderful clients on their wedding days over working with newspapers. Photographing weddings became my priority and, eight years later, I still love it. My clients receive highly personalized service directly from me. I do my best to make each couple feel like they’re my only client. My team and I look sharp, arrive early and are quietly everywhere at once. We make beautiful documentary photographs that will become an important part of your family’s visual history. Also, mothers love us.

For clients who come to me through Style Me Pretty for a 2011 or 2012 wedding, I’m happy to offer an engagement portrait session at 50% off the normal price.

A big SMP New York welcome! We are so happy to have you!

I know it’s the work week is over and you’re probably enjoying your Saturday off but we just have one little job for you to do.  We need your help welcoming our newest Style Me Pretty Illinois advertisers.  Without folks like photographer extraordinaire Barry Phipps Photography and stationery superstar Courtney Callahan Paper we wouldn’t be able to bring you so much pretty day after day.  So please join me in giving them a big, virtual hug and welcome to the Style Me Pretty Illinois family!

From Barry Phipps Photography… Barry Phipps brings an old school aesthetic to his wedding and portrait photography. With a passion for film and classic Leica, Contax, Holga and Polaroid cameras, Barry is one of the few 100% film photographers in the Chicago area. Barry develops and scans his own film, delivering a handcrafted and unique product.

I’m looking for compositions that are airy, simple and uncluttered. I’m in love with natural light and only use a flash late in the evening. As an artist who is interested in photographing people, weddings are where it’s at – eight hours of endless opportunity to photograph people distracted by the activities of the day. I also love engaging with family and guests for impromptu portraits throughout the event. And of course, people love when I pull out the 50’s era Polaroid land camera and photograph guests to display at the end of the evening.

I’d like to offer a free one hour engagement session to the first three SMP readers who respond. Couple must be unmarried and live in the Chicago region. Couple will view all images online and choose ten photos for delivery on a DVD, suitable for printing up to 10 x 15 inches.

From Courtney Callahan Paper… At the heart of Courtney Callahan Paper is the belief that every wedding should feel like a one-of-a-kind experience. When I officially launched the business in 2009, my objective was to design custom invitation suites to help deliver just that.  The invitation (or Save the Date) is the first glimpse guests receive regarding the big day, so I try to imagine them opening up the invitation to see what is in store – a romantic affair, a beach side casual evening or maybe a black-tie soirée. The personal attention I provide each and every client is something that is very important to me and what sets me apart from “big-book” vendors. My process begins with a face-to-face consultation (or phone call) where I want to know everything – wedding colors, venues, flowers, personal style, and how the couple met.  I ask my couples to think about the little details that make them and their wedding unique – whether it be how they met, their favorite spot in the city or the signature cocktail they will be serving – because these little touches can play a special role in their design.  In combination with their style and vision, I create an invitation suite that is truly one-of-a-kind and can include everything they will need for their big day.  I create everything from the essentials (save the dates, invitations, wedding programs, and thank you cards) to the day-of extras (napkins, coasters, place cards, table numbers, menus, and more). My custom designs can be achieved in a variety of printing styles – letterpress, thermography and flat – to match all budgets and personalities.

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty Illinois family!

Hello, SMPers!  It’s another lovely Saturday morning here on Style Me Pretty Texas and I suggest you curl up and get comfy, because we are about to up that lovely up a notch with some pretty, pretty inspiration, courtesy of two of our fabulous advertisers.  It’s no secret that we absolutely ADORE our advertisers here at Style Me Pretty and we love to shout it from the rooftops whenever we can.  Which is why days like today are oh-so-special… We have the honor of introducing you to some of our wonderful sponsors AND we get to enjoy the day perusing their websites, which are chock-full of gorgeous.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  So, without further ado, let’s give a big SMP Welcome to Elegant Custom Invitations and Lifestyle Portrait!

From Elegant Custom Invitations… Elegant Custom Invitations is one of Houston’s premier Custom Invitation Design Studios.  We specialize in custom designed invitations, as well as Fine Catalog invitations from some of the nation’s leading stationery brands.  We have been privileged to work with beautiful brides within and outside of Texas since the fall of 2006.

Our clients are thrilled with the amount of personal service, attention to detail and uniqueness provided on each stationery suite we create.  The testimonials from our past clients speak for the quality of the invitations and stationery accessories we create.  We are committed to providing the very best of everything.  For our recent work, check out our blog.

We would love to offer a 10% discount on our custom invitations to SMP readers.  Contact us for more details and to schedule a complimentary consultation.

From Lifestyle Portrait… Amber Richardson Evers, of Lifestyle Portrait, comes from a family rich with visual artists, designers, and musicians. She was without a doubt going to follow suit in her chosen profession. While attending photography classes in college in Southern California she had the opportunity to assist rock star wedding photographer John Barber and her fate was set in motion. That was 12 years ago. Since then Amber has refined her craft from film to digital imagery. Her work has been described as dreamy, intimate, and relaxed. Her personal style is laid back and easy going but highly focused and organized. She has a way of putting people at ease with her casual and professional manner. Her boutique studio located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards is a wonderful location to have a casual meeting, portrait session, or special viewing of your images. Amber is a member of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International and Professional Photographers of America. Amber’s work has been featured in Bride’s of North Texas, D Weddings, and Get Married Magazine.

Amber’s special offer to SMP readers is a complimentary engagement sign-in book with the purchase of an engagement session.  This offer will Expire December 1st, 2011.

Swoon.  Worthy.  Don’t miss a moment of pretty… Head on over to their websites, say hello and show our new advertisers some SMP love!  Welcome Elegant Custom Invitations and Lifestyle Portrait!  We are so happy to have you!

There is nothing more fabulous than a Saturday spent cuddled up on the couch with my trusty laptop and some lovely inspiration from some of our uber-amazing advertisers.  And today just happens to be one of those oh-so-fabulous Saturdays, because we have three new wonderful sponsors to introduce you to and we couldn’t be happier.  Yes, it’s our advertisers who help us to bring you all of the pretty day after day here on Style Me Pretty Australia and to say that we adore them would be a HUGE understatement.  No, we all caps ADORE them… And in a big way.  And, better yet, we know you will, too.  So, give a huge welcome to the newest members of our SMP family, Milk & Honey Photography, Butterfly Philosophy Floral Styling and Girl Friday Weddings!  And then head on over to their websites for a day full of gorgeous inspiration!

From Milk & Honey Photography… The best photo of the day is often the one that you didn’t realize had been taken.

Milk & Honey Photography’s key ingredient is to always have two experienced photographers working on the day. This allows one to be capturing the main event, while the other photographer is seeking out those more fly-on-the wall moments that you will also cherish.

This is just one of the many reasons that we are able to enjoy a reputation as established leaders in wedding photography.

Our favourite quote: “Photography has little to do with the things you see, and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Eliott Erwitt

Milk & Honey Photography is run by husband and wife team, Anni Payne and Matthew Duchesne. They have been running the boutique studio Milk & Honey Photography since 1996. The studio has a reputation for having beautiful, romantic and creative images and for being fun, friendly, personable and loyal; they love what they do. Laura McClintock, Rose Punch and George Voulgaropoulos make up the creative team.

We would like to offer the SMP audience a complimentary pre-wedding (playdate) session when they book their wedding with us (value $350) if they mention that they saw us on SMP.

From Butterfly Philosophy Floral Styling… At Butterfly Philosophy we believe everything is better with a little flower… and we are passionate about proving it! Servicing the Sydney Metro area, we offer floral styling that is fun, fresh, and interesting.

Whether an intimate backyard gathering or a grand ballroom event, we’d love the chance to be a part of your special day. We meet extensively with all our couples to ensure we deliver on your vision and create flowers and venue styling that will knock the socks off your (and your guests’) feet!

We would love to offer a special for all SMP readers. Book your wedding flowers with Butterfly Philosophy and receive your groom and groomsmen’s buttonholes free! Offer valid till 31 October 2011 – just mention this post when you contact us!

From Girl Friday Weddings… Handmade details, inspired decor and thoughtful accents will make your wedding unique. But if you haven’t yet figured out the execution on the day, or need help preparing in the lead up to your day then speak to the professional planning and coordination experts at Girl Friday Weddings. Friendly and enthusiastic advice, help and service your nerves can’t do without.

Gorgeous, right?!?  Now make your way on over to each and every one of their sites to say hello and show them some SMP love and support.  Believe me, there is a whole lot of pretty to be seen!  And one last huge welcome to Milk & Honey Photography, Butterfly Philosophy Floral Styling and Girl Friday Weddings!

I don’t know about you but all the prettiness over here on Style Me Pretty California is just making the days fly by!  It’s already time to give our awesome advertisers a big, virtual high five.  After all, they are the ones who allow us to keep the pretty coming day after day.  We wouldn’t be able to do it without folks like the wedding aficionados at Cory Martin Events and the stellar designers at Shichijiro.  So please join me in giving them the best Style Me Pretty California welcome ever!

From Cory Martin Events… Cory Martin Events (CME) is a globally influenced event firm featuring expert event and wedding planning services, signature edibles created in-house by our Award Winning Executive Chef, visionary design, personalized décor, and a highly trained model staff. Combining cosmopolitan sophistication and style with a timeless sense of service and refinement, Cory Martin Events offers the ultimate in full service event planning, insuring that the experience of both the host and guests goes beyond their expectations. SMP readers, when they mention Style Me Pretty, can get all three sessions of the CME’s Signature Wedding Planning Workshop for $100 per couple (buy 2 get one free). Enjoy delicious edibles and celebratory sips while learning how to navigate the planning process and getting answers to all your wedding questions.

Shichijiro is next up to bat. They offer the sweetest of designs from four skilled designers with a specialty in custom invitations and save the date cards and quality is the name of the game. All of their fabulous stationery is printed on premium, heavy-weight paper and the best part? It’s 100% recycled and Mother Earth approved. Plus, for all of you DIY Brides who really want to roll up your sleeves and put your own style stamp on your wedding paper goods, they offers printable invitations that are completely customizable. Amazing, right? So to kick off the fabulousness that is Shichijiro, they are offering all of you lovely SMP readers 10% off  your order with code SMP10. Head over and see what all of the buzz is about and indulge in a little weekend shopping with a side of sweet discounts. Sounds like a Saturday well spent to us!

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty California family!

Wow, I can’t believe it’s Friday again already! What a pretty week its been here at SMP! We are super excited to bring you our second Blogger’s Challenge and if you missed it last week, you can see the first one right here. Basically, we’ve asked our favorite bloggers to create a super fabulous buying guide based on a popular SMP wedding so you can pick and choose the details that are just right for your own big day. And now it’s Reichal Broussard’s turn of Copy Cat Chic! Don’t you just love her blog?! Her challenge was to create a buying guide for this gorgeous Austin wedding by The Nichols. Remember that one? It had us swooning for days!

1. A gorgeous pre-made centerpiece from Esty seller Naturodesign using a vintage cheese box is just like the original.
2. Fun and colorful straws with flag toppers make any drink a party.Etsy seller HeyYoYo has a variety of designs and colors to choose from.
3. A brightly striped tie from Sarar just like the grooms adds some cheer to formal attire.
4. These adorable mini chalkboards from Wisteria would make fun table numbers.
5. Glittery Christian Louboutin pumps inspired by the bride’s original pair, but with the addition of just hint of color!
6. The handy-work on this gorgeous sash from Esty seller Sol Bijou is just so beautiful and I love the splash of pink, coral and aqua to tie it in with the wedding decor.
7. Vintage looking teal glass vases make perfect vessels for bright florals. Here are a few choices from Amazon: Turquoise Glass Bottle, Turquoise Vintage Glass Bottle and Vintage Turquoise Colored Bottle.
8. Mason jars make cocktail hour a little more casual and fun.
9. I absolutely love the Bow Monde from JCrew bridesmaid dresses they chose because they make the perfect neutral backdrop for all of the fun accent colors surrounding them.
10. Confetti streamers from Etsy seller Pip Squeak and Bean would be such a fun way to decorate and add color to your reception space.
11. These adorable ribbon pennant toppers from BHLDN would look smashing on appetizers or even on the wedding cake.
12. A gorgeous flower girl’s dress from Zappos to match the bridesmaid’s dress.

Now THAT’s a buying guide! A big thanks to Reichel for sharing her talents and taking part of our 2nd Blogger’s Challenge! Be sure to check out what else she had to say about the challenge right here on her fabulous blog. And don’t forget to check back next week to see who’s up for the next challenge! Have a fabulous weekend! XOXO

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

a cheerfully yellow Maryland fete
a gorgeous Los Gatos affair
a bohemian chic inspiration shoot
a romantic and elegant California wedding
a day full of seven gorgeous weddings
a sweet and very popular barn wedding
a Napa Valley stunner
an elegant beach fete in San Diego
a whimsical Chicago wedding
a romantic, French inspired photo shoot
a classic and stunning Napa Valley fete
a laid back yet gorgeous Jackson Hole wedding

Some fabulous links from around the web:

A romantic Big Sur elopement via Ruffled
A festive and musical NYC wedding via 100 Layer Cake
A pretty day after shoot complete with horses via The Sweetest Occasion

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

Kasey Hamel Custom Design + Event Styling
Lillyput Lane Design Company
Jen Lynne Photography
The Flower Girl
9tailors
Brooke Courtney Photography
Bella Vista Designs, Inc
Crane & Co.
K. Holly Photography
Chris & Adrienne Scott, Photographers
Flaunt Boudoir
CANDICE&ALISON Luxury Weddings
Albertine Press
Secret Diary Designs
The Oregon Olive Mill at Red Ridge
Sandra L. Porterfield Wedding & Event Floral Design
FlowersFlowers
Poetry Booths
Ryan Ray Photography
Rachel Olsen Photography
All Occasions Event Rental
Hendrickson Photography Weddings
Lotus Hair Studio
Altared Wedding Productions

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

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

I know lots of you are eagerly looking forward to the cooler weather, sweaters, hot chocolate, and beautiful autumn weddings that fall will bring, but before we get there – let’s enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Photography by Melanie Mauer sent over a fabulous and obviously summer engagement sesh and I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate the final hours of the season so lovingly proclaimed Wedding Season. It’s a perfect way to end the lineup of gorgeous, awe-inspiring weddings the LBB Blog has seen all week. So enjoy the sunshine this weekend, LBBers, and we’ll be back bright and early Monday morning with a new round of glam! xoxo

Click here to see the full image gallery from Photography by Melanie Mauer.

In case you missed any, here is the week’s lineup of pretty:

an oh-so-emotional Indiana highlight film
a luxe wedding at the gorgeous New York Botanical Garden
a pretty in pink & green soiree in Texas
a SMP-inspired Pebble Beach affair
a romantic tea party for many in the California woods
a bit of whimsy in this California inspiration shoot
a capital GLAM backyard affair in Coto de Caza
a Washington D.C. wedding, covered in chic
a Napa Valley fête with a fab wine tasting ambiance
a beautifully green & nature filled wedding in Minnesota
a classically chic Virginia travelers wedding

Links we’re loving from around the WWW

a pretty wedding with the most perfect pops of red via Grey Likes Weddings
a bit of New Orleans romance inspiration from Junebug Weddings
a Jamaican holiday giveaway on the Main Page (don’t forget to take me when you win!)