I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I am officially on the “theme wedding” bandwagon. I know, sounds crazy. But frankly, after seeing dozens of weddings where a theme was so delicately and so beautifully threaded into each and every detail…I’m a total believer that a theme wedding can be absolutely magical. Such is the case with this next little number. A literary themed affair, pulled off to perfection for $13,000. Which is shocking when you see just how many wonderful little touches the bride and groom infused and the pair of Louboutins that started it all. Click here to see even more.

click here to see the full wedding!

We were engaged on New Year’s Eve, at twilight, outside Windsor Castle in England. Eric proposed first, not with a diamond engagement ring, but with a very sparkly pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. That night was more than magical – and it set the precedent for the rest of our engagement, and wedding. As I began to think of what kind of wedding I wanted, what kind of wedding would best represent our relationship; I began to ask advice of some our already-married friends and family. There was a common denominator in almost all the suggestions we received: do it your way; don’t try to please anyone else; make it about the two of you. And so I began planning a very unique little event, hoping that our friends and family would leave saying, that wedding was SO them!

After our engagement, I stumbled upon a little blog called Style Me Pretty. And so began my blog-obsession; I, like most of you reading this, spent an embarrassing amount of time online, looking at other beautiful weddings, gathering ideas, and noting what details I found to be most important. I created a myriad of folders on my computer for sorting design ideas: flowers, food, décor, photo ideas & poses, fashion & hair, cakes, themes, etc. I used these sample photos to communicate my “vision” with my vendors, especially my photographers, Chelsea & Mack of McGowan Images. There is no one more responsible for the successful outcome of our wedding than those two – photography was a priority for us from the beginning, but our expectations were far exceeded in the relationship we created with our photographers. Chelsea was my sounding board – she listened to and gave feedback on my ideas, helped in any way she could, and kept me from drowning in the final weeks before the wedding. I am genuinely proud of the images she captured at our wedding, and they are all the more special, because they’re the product of a nine-month commitment to a wedding that was uniquely “us.”

Many of the initial decisions I made started with the shoes – I knew I wanted to wear the engagement Louboutins for the wedding, and I knew I wanted them to really be seen. I chose a short dress to feature the shoes, and decided that the dress lent itself to a more nontraditional sort of wedding. And so one personal/unique/nontraditional decision led to another; my bridesmaids were given a color palette to choose from, and encouraged to pick a dress (and shoes!) that they liked, in a style that would suite their personality and body type. We served breakfast-for-dinner at our reception, and then moved the whole party out to the garden for desert and dancing. We chose my grandmother’s birthday as our wedding date; my Dad (a licensed minister) did our ceremony; my matron of honor’s mother did the beautiful flowers (and her father sang the special music), and a friend from work baked the cake. Our friends and family did all setup, decorations, light-installation (including the mounting of a chandelier from Eric’s grandmother’s house), etc. We hired very few vendors that we didn’t have a previous relationship with.

I saw so many other weddings using vintage books as décor, and was intrigued – not by the look of the books themselves, but by the stories within. The first present Eric ever gave me was a copy of Pride & Prejudice, from the Jane Austen museum in Bath, England. As our own story spanned several years, and many different chapters, the idea of “stories” as a theme for our wedding seemed a natural fit. And so we were married, surrounded by our closest friends and families, and by some of literature’s most classic love stories.

Most of our decorations and design elements came from my grandparent’s house and barn. I borrowed boxes of antique bottles, mason jars, cut glass and crystal, wooden candle pillars, and tons and tons of lace doilies. My one “splurge” was the mercury glass – I bought it wherever I could find it, which isn’t so easy between the months of January and October! Our cake topper (vintage penguin salt and pepper shakers) was ordered from Etsy, along with my veil, the custom burlap table runner for the head table, and my bridesmaid’s gifts (custom printed clutches).

I look back on our wedding day with a lot of pride. I’m proud that we were able to do so much with such a small budget (the grand total of our whole event was just under $13,000). I’m proud that we spent so much of our day together (the “First Sight” we did really helped with that). I’m proud of the reaction we received from so many people, telling us that our wedding, was indeed, very “us.” And I’m extremely proud of all our wedding images – they’ll be a lifetime reminder of the fabulous day we started a new chapter in our story together.

It is so inspiring to see the current movement towards a more personal wedding, and Style Me Pretty is a wealth of information for those that decide to do their wedding their way. I didn’t have the budget for a big white wedding, and didn’t feel pressured or disappointed in my decision to host an affair that was truly us. Our day was perfect, not because the invitations were perfectly letter pressed, or because we served the perfect four-course menu – our wedding was perfect, because it was perfect for us.

Photography: Mack & Chelsea McGowan, McGowan Images / Venue: The Belltower Chapel & Garden in Fort Worth, TX / Florals: Classic Flowers & Gifts in Bridgeport, TX / Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Penguin cake topper: PrettyDarnCute / Burlap Table Runner: TheRufflyOwl / Birdcage Veil: VeilLady / Bridesmaid’s Cluthches: PoppyPunch

We haven’t talked about color palettes (a.k.a. wedding colors) in a long long time! But when this wedding fell into our lap, oh boy! The colors simply blew us away! ummmm…. a virtual explosion! Bold and sassy, while remaining romantic and fresh. From Modern Bouquet ~ a profusion of loveliness!

images courtesy of Sean Walker Photography

See the scrumptious gallery here!

From Kristeen LaBrot … From the moment Hillary first described their wedding, I knew this was going to be fun. They wanted their wedding to be a unique mixture of the country and the beach since Hillary grew up around the ocean and Matt’s a mountain guy. In Hillary’s words, she wanted their wedding to evoke the feelings of “a country home with the ocean as the backyard.” Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla was the perfect location. The ceremony took place with an ocean backdrop on a big green grass lawn. Guests sipped iced tea and cocktails, and munched on cheeses from around the world. At the reception, each table had it’s own unique mix of floral arrangements displayed in vintage glass bottles which popped against the ice blue shantung silk linens. The seating arrangements on multicolored fabric squares were hung on vintage wooden shutters.The guest book was a thumbprint tree with a sign asking guests to “please leaf your thumbprint.” The bride and groom are both world travelers and huge foodies so they chose to have Thai, Indian AND Mexican food stations. Sliders and fries were served as a late night snack followed by It’s it ice cream sandwiches, ending the night on a sweet note.

Venue: Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla / Catering: Coast Catering by Barry Layne / Wedding Planner: Kristeen LaBrot Events / Florist: Modern Bouquet / Photographer: Sean Walker Photography / Graphic Designer: Kristeen LaBrot Events / Bridal Gown Designer: Nicole Miller Shoes: Calvin Klein / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Fifteen Twenty / Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Express / Rentals: Event Party Rentals / Linens: A Perfect Table / Hair: Misty Williams of Orange Salon & Spa in Encinitas / Makeup: Jennifer Flannagan / Lighting: D Lighting / Cake: Bride’s Mother / Ice Cream Sandwiches: It’s It

I am sure many of you who are reading this right now are deep in the trenches of wedding planning and know far too well that it is no small feat. With an ever growing to-do list, meetings, fittings, tastings, etc, planning tools should be your new best friend. Well guess what, Wedding Window is going to be your Knight in Shining Armor. They have just launched a new set of fantastic wedding planning tools that will take the hard part out of your approaching wedding day.

Wedding Window has seriously thought of it all. From a fancy new dashboard display with super easy navigation to a bevy of FREE planning tools such as a guest list, RSVP options, Checklists, Budgets, Vendors, a Calendar, Reminders, Workshops, a Journal…the list goes on and on. And with the planning tool dashboard, couples can now easily access everything from attendance and meal choices to invitations and gifts. Better yet, couples can select an icon to associate with each event, making things even easier to locate at a quick glance. So brilliant. Your perfectly planned and organized wedding is literally a click away with Wedding Window’s new features.

They have also just added PREMIUM options to their new line-up which is taking RSVP to a whole new level of fabulous. With an unlimited number of meal choices and up to 5 courses that can be tracked per RSVP, Wedding Window isn’t messing around.

So, in celebration of the holidays and their new planning tools, Wedding Window is offering a bunch of goodies. First up, they have $10 off ANY hosting package of at least 6 months in duration (for a limited time only). In addition, for all of you lovely Style Me Pretty readers, receive 15 months of wedding website hosting for $69 by entering the code: SMPDEC10. This offer is good through the month of December so act fast! And we aren’t finished just yet.  Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win a FREE 12 month wedding website hosting term. A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, December 17. Good luck!

to view the terms and conditions of this giveaway, please click here.

Well this wedding is just darling. Darling I tell you! It’s so delightful and comfy, it’s hard not to smile looking at all the beautiful images from Cheri Pearl Photography. With the gorgeous Orcas Island as the setting, and all the completely adorable DIY projects (including one of our SMP downloads!), it’s easy to see why we are loving this wedding. Everyone needs a little darling on a Monday, so why not get a little lost in the gallery this afternoon?

click here for the full wedding gallery!

Chris and I met in Washington, DC in 2004 and continue to live here now, so it almost seemed automatic that we would get married somewhere in the District.  We scouted and talked about a formal event at a historic venue, but just couldn’t shake the excitement of staging something more unique and personal out off the coast of Washington state in the beautiful San Juan islands.  I had spent a lot of summers at a wilderness camp on Orcas Island, Chris and I had vacationed there a few years ago,  and it is simply the most beautiful place to be in August. I had always dreamed of getting married out in the islands, and even though it would make planning and traveling more difficult, once we got a few things in place, it definitely felt like the right decision.

Chris and I both wanted our wedding to be a small, low-key, and casual celebration of our marriage. We wanted to keep the theme and style simple and classy, and spend time on getting the details right for the most important things.  We chose Odd Fellows Hall as our venue for its location along on the water, and its amazing two-story deck and expansive view.  The ceremony took place on the bottom tier of the deck, and we hired a local musician to play guitar while the guests arrived and during the ceremony.

In keeping with the casual and comfortable theme, our reception was decorated with an amazing collection of do-it-yourself projects. We scattered a collection of a Seattle-based favorite of mine, Glassybaby votive holders, on the tables and window sills. Friends and family pitched in to hand-make a variety of tissue paper and coffee filter pom-poms and flowers, which we hung from the ceiling, around the window frames, and chairs. For our flowers, I knew that I wanted local “farmer’s market” bouquets for the tables, and simple arrangements for the ceremony, which a dear friend created for us. Finally, we added a few more personal touches and details like a gummy-candy bar, monogrammed beer cups & napkins, and little blanket bundles for after the sun went down. Our friends even surprised us with pieces of driftwood that they had picked up during the weekend and carved our names into, which added just the right amount of island-y touch!

Our wedding weekend could not have been more perfect! The weather was better than I ever imagined – blue skies, sunny, and warm! We had a chance to go whale watching, swim and relax by a nearby lake, and enjoy the small town food and hospitality.  It was a weekend neither of us will ever forget, and I’m so glad we followed our instincts to pick the perfect place and setting to celebrate.

Photography: Cheri Pearl Photography / Caterer: Fire Smokehouse and Grill / Flowers: Once in a Blue Moon Farm / Cakes: Lone Cow Farm / Cake toppers: Goose Grease Undone on Etsy / Votives: Glassybaby / Dress: J Crew / Shoes: Anne Klein / Ceremony & Reception: Odd Fellows / Hair & Makeup: Salon Mir’toi

There have been some fine soirees coming out of Madison, Wisconsin recently!  This next wedding from Jonathan Hoffner Photography is by no means an exception and is dazzling with its vintage details and French flair.  Colleen is a bride (and blogger) after my own heart taking total advantage of the fantastic finds on Etsy and crafting a perfectly adorable celebration.  Her smile is completely infectious too and totally brightens up these already beautiful photographs! There is more inspiration in the full gallery so check it out!

Click here for even more inspiration in the full wedding gallery!

My inspiration for our wedding was “French vintage,” using a soft color palette with vintage and romantic details.  Our reception was at our favorite French restaurant, so the theme fit perfectly.  The ceremony was also in our State’s Capitol, which provided for a gorgeous setting.  With two venues that were already so beautiful, I tried to add detail and personal touches while letting the decor speak for itself.

Overall, I was just amazed at how well the day went and we felt like we were truly able to enjoy every minute.  I am so thankful for the planning that I invested into the day, because it allowed our wedding to go so smoothly.  We felt truly blessed by all of the wonderful family and friends that were there to share in it.  I feel so blessed to have found love and our wedding was beyond my dreams!  Now for the best part – marriage!

I saved money (and had fun) doing DIY projects, like making buntings/garlands and designing all of our paper goods on Illustrator and printing them locally.   [The Venue] gave me inspiration and allowed me to simplify decor.  I absolutely loved working with all of our vendors because they shared my vision, were creative, and incredibly passionate about their professions. It was such a fun process of sharing ideas and collaborating.

So many brides had told me “don’t let the little things get to you on your wedding day”…and honestly I was as happy and relaxed as could be and it made everything so much better!

Wedding Photography: Jonathan Hoffner Photography / Flowers: Daffodil*Parker / Wedding Ceremony Venue: Wisconsin State Capitol, Assembly Chamber Room / Wedding Reception Venue: Sardine / Bride’s Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Bride’s Veil: Marah’s Elegant Bridal / Bride’s Earrings: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Necklaces: Anthropologie / Groomsmen Ties: Rabbit Shop / Groom’s Ring: Polkadile / Vintage Chalkboard at reception: Revived Vintage / Hooray banner at reception: nice / Invitations: Ajalon Printing & Design / Save the Date: Irene Suchoki

Inspiration for weddings comes in many ways, shapes and forms ~ but today’s wedding, ooooh wow! A Faberge egg. The intricate design and colors of  the extraordinary Lilies of the Valley Faberge egg gave rise to an absolutely beautiful celebration and five, yes five, delicately designed cakes.  Genevieve Nisly ~ Another HUGE wow! Her images, as always have captured the innocence and magnificence of love …

See the full gallery of images from Genevieve Nisly here!

Photography: Genevieve Nisly / Flowers: Fresh Tendrils Floral / Ceremony & Reception: The Clifton Club/ Invitations: Paper Trails of Rocky River/ Cake: White Flower Cake Shop / Dress: Lazaro

We are going to start our week off on the right foot with this pretty number sent to us by Wildflowers Photography. If the photographer’s name is any indication, the wild bouquets are in abundance as well as a healthy dose of laid-back California cool. So sit back, take a few sips of that coffee and lets dive right into this rustic beauty. Oh and Happy Monday! See more California cool in the gallery.

see all of the rustic details from this soiree here!

The vision for our wedding was “Vintage Rustic Chic”. Infusing vintage touches to a rustic atmosphere at the Walnut Grove Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark, CA. Both Mark and I love old things and wanted to incooperate our love for vintage into our wedding and so it evolved! It started by looking around the house to find old suitcases quilts, and vintage pieces. We thought the older, the more rustic, the better! And since it was completely outdoors we wanted to bring hints of the “Indoors” out. Providing pillows and quilts to lay across haybails for people to sit on and windows to make it look like you were indoors. For our flowers we wanted it to look as if we had just picked them from wildflower fields and put them in our grandmas jam jar. With a combination of mustard yellow, pops of red, blue, and hints of green the tables were adorned.. And so through a collection of mismatched napkins, mason Jars, birdcages, lanterns, old vintage luggage, windows, chalkboards, vintage cake plates, dressers & nightstands, and some DIY projects our vintage wedding came to life!

Florist and Decor Coordinator : Jayne Hallaian of Bits of Whimsy / Venue: Walnut Grove Tierra Rajada Ranch, Moorpark, CA / Coordinator for the Wedding day: Michele Spring of Mia Bella Weddings & Events / Caterer: Joe Thies of Command Performance Catering / Photographer: Joy Harmon Prouty of Wildflowers Photography / Desserts: Hayley Pastusak from Sweet & Saucy Shop

It’s that time!  Once a month, we take a time-out to say a huge and hearty welcome to our newest advertisers. We are always so proud of the brands that we partner up with that we can’t help but share all of the good news with our readers. This month, we’ve got some pretty amazing companies in our lineup that will hopefully provide tons of inspiration and ideas for all of you!  Whether you are a traditional bride, a rustic-chic bride or somewhere in between, we have something for everyone!

We know that the mere thought of getting engaged is enough to send any girl into total freak out mode.  Well, the professionals at Zoara.com are committed to helping their customers make educated and well-informed decisions.  Let’s face it, when picking out a diamond (or any jewelry purchase) who couldn’t use a little help!

Just in time for the holiday season, Zoara.com is proud to introduce their stunning collection of vintage, art-deco style and pave set engagement rings.  We have never seen anything like it!  Their new vintage-style collection is sophisticated, elegant and chic.  Now you can design the perfect engagement ring in the comfort of your own home.  This is totally the season of giving and the perfect time to say “I love you” to your special someone.  Zoara.com has a fantastic collection of other fine jewelry too.  So, what are you waiting for?  Start shopping!

We are so happy that we found this next vendor.  You all know how in. love. we are with customized jewelry.  Cristina Ashely Designs is a hand-stamped jewelry and gift line that focuses on giving mothers (and pet owners!) the ability to show off their pride and joy through unique accessories.  From necklaces to doggie tags, there is definitely something for everyone… even the man in your life!

All of the jewelry at Cristina Ashely Designs in one-of-a-kind.  Nothing is mass produced.  It’s tailored and completely unique to you!  We love everything about this and we know you will find something unique for all the special people in your life.

Who doesn’t love shopping for antique jewelry?!  At SMP, we know that inspiration can be found anywhere… whether it’s a vintage piece of jewelry or artwork.  Ruby Lane is an e-commerce website that is designed to bring buyers and sellers of vintage everything together, online.  It’s truly a one-stop shop!

You want to talk about about an amazing selection…Ruby Lane features hundreds of independent shops showcasing quality Antiques & Art, Vintage Collectibles and Jewelry items from around the world.  And you can shop all of them from the comforts of your own home. Whether you are looking for a specific piece of antique jewelry or just something new for your collection, Ruby Lane has it!  They are constantly updating their website with new inventory and are truly on the cutting edge of on-line collecting by using the most sophisticated technology available.

Make sure to show our newest advertisers a little SMP love by swinging by their sites and checking out everything else they have to offer.  Thank you to all of these fabulous companies…we really appreciate you being here. Welcome to Style Me Pretty!

Sometimes all it takes is one FABULOUS detail to send us spinning into a fit of love.  The object of our adoration can run the gamut from the prettiest bouquet to one extremely adorable video wedding invitation and once in awhile, it can be as simple as the perfect shade of red lipstick. The Bride below has completely rocked that red lipstick like no one’s business and we are chomping at the bit to share the big day. We will try to keep ourselves occupied with some weekend festivities and we’ll see you back here next week for a little slice of lipstick heaven. Until then!

the perfect shade of red and a beautiful wedding to go with it coming next week from The Nichols

Enjoy these pretty posts and we look forward to seeing you on Monday!

getting our whimsy on in Toronto with these adorable nuptials
an island wedding complete with s’mores
you’ll need your boat shoes for this classic New England wedding
a modern Vegas wedding and no Elvis impersonator in sight
our very own Libby got her wedding on here and her video on here and it was oh so pretty 
this is what it looks like when an artsy graphic designer and a big time musician get married
lots and lots of wedding goodness was displayed on this day
a colorado wedding that just might win the award for most ADORABLE ever
what do New York and Shel Silverstein have in common? This wedding!
a DIY masterpiece in the Hudson Valley
and last but certainly not least, dining al fresco in Santa Barbara

Fun links from around the web:

calling all brides and grooms to be, you will not want to miss this free wedding giveaway hosted by Lauren Kinsey Photography & Shelby Peaden Events. See all the details here!
the perfect gift guide for the design maven on your list via Coco + Kelley
Holiday Sangria. need we say more? via Sprouted Kitchen

We’d also like to extend a very warm welcome to our newest Little Black Book Members…

Glow MedSpa
Jen Rodriguez Photography
Emici Bridal
ShutterBooth
Merkle Photography

Our Little Black Book Team Needs a Team Player!

If you have sales experience and relationship building skills, please email michelle@stylemepretty.com your cover letter and resume! We have a virtual Contractor Sales Position available. If you can start the first week in January and are available office hours M-F for about 30 hours a week, we’d love to hear from you! Excel knowledge and a quiet Home Office are required. Compensation: Commission only. Complete paid virtual training provided.

Have a cozy weekend! xoxo

My heart uttered a little squeal when I first laid eyes on this next wedding by Scott Lawrence Photographs.  Orange isn’t a color we get to see much of in weddings and that is a low down dirty shame.  It adds such an element of fun especially against a rustic backdrop like this one.  Fun is definitely bursting from every corner here as well as loads of charm and handmade projects galore!  Check out the full gallery for more DIY details!

Click here for more inspiration in the full wedding gallery!

I know, sounds a bit cheesy but The Temecula Farm House was actually pretty cozy and quaint.  The venue is rather spread out and wide open with bits of country charm throughout.

I bought all the glassware for the centerpieces at thrift stores and bought the black and white fabric for the table runners, that my mom then sewed. We had a local guy in Temecula, who sells fire wood, cut the round pieces of wood for us.  Brandon cut each wine cork with a band-saw for the name cards. (he was happy to help as long as he could use a power tool) So I designed and arranged all the tables. I set all the tables up the day of the wedding with my hair in curlers like a crazy woman. That’s why we were running late!

We bought the flowers in bulk from Fiore Wholesale in Temecula. They did the bouquets and boutonnieres. The onsite coordinator, Drea Lee, arranged the flowers for the tables. My mom was supposed to but forgot!!  All the other decorations, the hanging bottles, hanging pictures, hanging table seating cards, just married banner, etc. were designed by myself. I did have a ton of help from my mom and sister, getting things crafted together and family and friends helped set things up the day of.

Wedding Photographers: Scott Lawrence Photographs + Joielala Photographie / Venue: Temecula Farm House / Florals: Fiore Wholesale / Bride’s Dress: Augusta Jones /

It’s easy to see why guests of this wedding traveled all over the world to be part of the elegant, week-long Californian affair captured by Wildflowers Photography. I would happily do the same for an event with scrumptious food by the girl & the fig CATERS! and to die for floral design by Atelier Joya. It’s a tease just looking at the gorgeous images, but at least it allows us to dream of such a splendid week-long affair – and hey, it’s Friday, so we have that going for us. To keep the dream alive, be sure to check out the gallery for more.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

From the talent behind the lens, Joy of Wildflower Photography – The wedding location was AMAZING (held at Lancaster Estate Winery in Healdsburg).  First off, Emily and Morgan love to have fun and seeing that most of their guests would be traveling from quite a distance to be there (many from London, Wales, New York, Los Angeles) so they wanted to make the wedding into a week long event!  It was basically like a week of fun summer camp for grown ups followed by the party (wedding) of the year (or century). The whole thing was out of a dream… thousands of lovely flowers arranged in antique vases, teacups, sterling silver platters, crystal chandeliers hanging from above and vineyards for miles.  The whole night wrapped up with everyone dancing until the wee hours of the morning in the wine caves at the estate.

Emily and Morgan are both in finance, live in London, wanted a California wedding. They chose to be married in the area that Emily spend as a child on summer vacations, and have all of the guests stay in those cottages on the Russion River. Emily and Morgan both loved BLING! so the decor had to incorporate both elegance and sophistication, plus bling and sparkle. They wanted an elegant tent, so I chose Zephyr tents, and we added some fun chandeliers and a very cool, flashy gobo light pattern that felt like a little BLING! The site was quite complex in thr set up and movement of all the guests, so we had constant shuttles available to move everyone on the event day (set up was 3 day all said). Food was also a priority- local, fresh, and beautiful presentation. For dinner music and dancing in the tent, they chose Ever- a great jazz band from Berkeley. They love to dance, so they chose a deejay friend from London and flew him out. He played in the caves of the winery, which we turned into a mock Las Vegas nightclub including a cigar bar (they danced until 2 am). Style- they are both very into fashion, and loved the whole fashion-shoot preliminary part of the wedding…..with each other, wedding party, etc.

Photography: Joy Harmon Prouty of Wildflowers Photography / Venue: Lancaster Estates / Event Planner: Kristi Amoroso Special Events, LLC / Catering: the girl & the fig CATERS! / Floral: Atelier Joya / Music: Ever Music Group / Hair and Make-up: Wallett Hair and Make-up / Tenting: Zephyr Tents / Lighting: Got Light

Let me just preface this first wedding by saying I KNOW we post a ton of California nuptials and the majority of those hale from a little spot of Heaven called Napa but seriously, sometimes they are just too pretty to pass up. So what to do with a gorgeous wedding held on a private estate in wine country and photographed to total perfection by onelove photography? Why we blog the heck out of it, of course. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter where it comes from, if a wedding has heart and soul and a generous amount of lovely details, we’re on it like bees to honey. Care to join us? See all the sweet details in the gallery.

see more of the day here!

Having our wedding outside and as close to nature as possible was extremely important to us. We love to spend time outside and we make it an important part of our everyday lives. Nature helped inspire where we wanted to get married as well. We chose to get married in the California Wine Country even though neither one of us is from California – it was a destination wedding for everyone except the bride and groom! We moved here about two years ago and started exploring and absolutely fell in love with the hills and the scenery in the wine country – we couldn’t imagine a better place to get married. We found a wonderful private home through our wedding planner that was elegant, yet simple and chic. The property also reminded us a lot of Tuscany – we spent a bit of time there after I graduated from college and really started to develop our love for wine together while we were over there. -There weren’t a lot of decorations and accouterments at our wedding. Just as we had been inspired by nature to get married outside, we were inspired by nature for our simple decor. We wanted everything to be simple and elegant. Everyone kept asking us what our colors were for our wedding, but we just really didn’t have a set color scheme. We went with autumn and natural tones instead of a traditional wedding color palate. The most important things to us were the setting, the food, the party, and of course the wine!!! Everything was easy and not fussy – we had a great assortment of local Vegan Cupcakes for our dessert (even though we were the only ones that knew they were Vegan) and they were a huge hit! We love desserts and couldn’t possibly settle with just one cake flavor….we had chocolate, coconut, carrot, and lemon cupcakes. Our wedding favors were also the escort cards which were mini local olive oils from Saint Helena. We wanted all of our guests to get a taste of the local flavor that we’ve fallen in love with (side note: we LOVE to cook). We also put together a bunch of luminarias to help light up the property at night and give it a cozy lounge feel.

We decided to include our dog Wizard in the wedding because he is so special to us. I got Wizard when I was 15 and he’s been with me ever since. Pat really fell in love with Wizard and now they’re best buddies and we couldn’t imagine having our wedding at a venue that wouldn’t let us have our dog there. That was one aspect of our wedding day that was totally and unquestionably non-negotiable (he’s our fur child). A lot of people over look having their dogs as part of the wedding, but it really adds such a special and personal touch to the day. He kept us both calm and relaxed while we were getting ready and was a super star at the wedding with his simple and understated black and white bow tie (thank you mother of the bride!). I’m pretty sure he snagged several cupcakes too!

Our Wedding Day was so special, it’s hard for me to put it into words. My husband’s Dad usually sings “Galway Bay,” a traditional Irish Song at the weddings of any relatives – for our wedding he not only sang “Galway Bay,” but he also surprised us and sang “Danny Boy,” another beautiful Irish Song. It meant so much to us to have our loving parents there and to have a tribute to our love from his Dad – it brought us both to tears. Also, a very special moment for me was the toast from my Man of Honor, Wes. We’ve been best friends since we were 14 years old, and it’s been a really unconventional relationship from the beginning. Wes was my Confirmation Sponsor in the Catholic Church and has been my confidant and best friend without any fights or bumps along the way for the past 12 years. I’ve never seen him get emotional, but on our wedding day during his toast to us, he had a tear running down his cheek the whole time, and I just knew how special it was for the both of us. We had such a blast dancing the night away, even though the evening turned really chilly – I wasn’t phased. I stayed in my strapless dress the whole time without any cover up the whole night! I couldn’t believe it because I’m the one that’s always cold!! My mom and I made a bunch of fake mustache sticks a few days before the wedding, and it cracked up us seeing everyone dancing and taking pictures with the fake red, yellow and black mustaches!

Photography: onelove photography / Cinematography: Slava Basovich / Event Design and Planning: Mary Ellen Murphy of Off the Beaten Path Weddings / Catering, Cupcakes, DJ: Off the Beaten Path Weddings / Ceremony and Reception Location: Private estate, Napa, California / Hair Stylist: Alana Halvorsen / Officiant: Your Ceremony Matters

Today’s featured Little Black Book member is Jessica’s Country Flowers. Jessica’s gorgeous floral designs have graced the pages of Style Me Pretty on numerous occasions and filled the pages of New England bridal magazines for years. We KNOW you’ll be able to see why today!

August 28, 2010 @ Lord Thompson Manor
Bride: Caron and Adam

From Jessica ~ Lush centerpieces sat on top of beautiful curvy vases with white orchids submerged in water of pink hydrangea, ‘Faith’ and ‘Anna’ roses, with white cymbidium orchids submerged in water. For the low centerpieces, the same flowers were designed in a low dish and placed on footed cake dishes that Lord Thompson Manor had. The bride’s hand tied bouquet of ‘Patience’ garden roses, ivory roses and white cymbidium orchids with pink throats. We wrapped it with a wide ivory satin ribbon and detailed of French knots. The bridesmaids carried simplistic yet very pretty bouquets of ‘Cool water’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Anna’ roses. Wrapped partially with ivory satin ribbon and sheer pale pink ribbon of French knots.

From the Beautiful Bride:
The Manor is such a unique venue in that we spent the entire weekend on the property and everything (including the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, the After Party-after the wedding on Saturday night, and Brunch on Sunday) all took place there. The Manor has about 40 acres and two properties. The main property is the actual Manor where there are 6 guest rooms (Adam and I, our parents, etc… stayed in the Manor) and the other property being the Cottage House, located about 1 mile up the road in the center of Thompson, has another 7 guest rooms as well as a spa.

The entire property was exclusively ours for the weekend so it makes it very stress free to know you don’t have to run all over the place to the church, another place to take pics, etc…. everything was right there!

Adam is from NY and my family is from the other side of CT so we knew people would need to travel. The Manor was the perfect setting to get all of our family and friends together in a rural setting without any other distractions. The guys hung out at the Manor on Saturday and played games in the huge backyard while my bridesmaids and I got ready in the spa at the Cottage House. (You can see hair/makeup at the spa in some of Alissa’s pics) The pictures of me getting dressed are actually in one of the guest rooms at the Cottage House. The clean white linens and beautiful wood floors make for the perfect backdrop for the ‘getting ready’ shots!

The Manor is very secluded and feels very homey but is also a VERY romantic setting for a wedding with statues throughout the gardens and vines crawling up the side of the house. I wanted my girls in long flowy chiffon gowns so it looked like they were just floating as they glided down the isle. I thought that pink roses were the perfect flowers to go with my ‘romantic’ theme. Having 4 flower girls, 2 being much younger, it worked perfectly to have the two older girls carry the balls of light pink roses (loved them!) and to have the little ones throw petals out of their baskets. I loved how the guys all had orchids to match the orchids that were in my bouquet as well as the tall centerpieces. It all tied together perfectly!

Some sentimental things: I held my grandmother’s necklace around my bouquet and the necklace I was wearing was something we had our jeweler make from jewelry that Adam’s mother had given us.

The weather was absolutely perfect and was definitely the perfect final touch to, what was to me, an absolute fairy tale wedding. I could not ask for anything more: a unique and amazing venue, beautiful flowers, and perfect weather!!!

Photography: Alissa Dinneen Photography / Flowers: Jessica’s Country Flowers / Video: The Hartford Videographer / Ceremony & Reception: Lord Thompson Manor, Thompson, Connecticut / Invitations: Birchcraft Studios (The Paper Station, Newington, Connecticut) / Calligraphy: Michelle Dowling Calligraphy (Glastonbury, Connecticut) / Shoes: Fifi by Filippa Scott / Jewelry: a friend’s Dad (Mr. Arakelian, who is a jeweler out of Boston area) **couple’s rings and bride’s necklace / Dress: Private Label by G (The Great White Way, Watertown, Connecticut) / Bridesmaids gowns: Alexia Designs (The Great White Way, Watertown, CT) /Tuxes: Bonardi’s Formal Wear, Worchester, MA / Cake: Chocolate Rose Bake Shop, Griswold, CT / Hair & Makeup: Priscilla from Kiss Spa (which is at the Cottage House, Lord Thompson’s sister property) / Sarah, the bride’s sister did the bride’s hair

Grab your wedding binders, moleskin notebooks or whatever you use to jot down great ideas because there are a TON of them in this handmade wedding from Weddings by Two.  When the couple couldn’t do something themselves (there doesn’t seem like much these two can’t do!) they rallied their talented friends and family to help get the job done!  We are in love with every last precious detail from the vintage illustration table numbers to the handcrafted cake stands!  There is so much more in the full gallery so go check it out!

Click here for more handmade inspiration in the full wedding gallery!

Nearly everything in our wedding was handmade, and most of it by us. I love old things; so, since our wedding was set on an old estate hugging the Hudson River, I tried to create the feeling that the year could be 2010 just as likely as it could be 1927. When planning our wedding, the words that resonated most with me were vintage, intimate, lovely, playful and tasteful.  Through and through a detail person, I was inspired by all the things that reward the senses in subtle ways. Subsequently, most of the items I used were made from natural materials — from the all-cotton, eyelet napkins I made myself to the twine that attached the shipping tag name cards to the napkins; and from the hand spun lace runners to the muslin-wrapped candles. Wishing to neither procure in excess nor create waste, I tried to have as much of the things needed for the wedding harvested from what we already had, obtained as secondhand items, or reused once the day was done. Subsequently, I spent at least ten months gathering old candlesticks and limoges plates from yard sales and thrift stores to make the cake stands and tiered trays that served throughout the courses of our wedding — from cocktail hour appetizers to savory dinner tarts and finally macarons and cupcakes. In doing so, I learned how to drill through porcelain (surprisingly not all that difficult). As for other “something old”s — I found my earrings at a county antique store and stitched the ring pillow from a handkerchief that belonged to my grandmother (which my aunt had embroidered for our big day). The table number illustrations — scientific drawings of flowers — came from an old poster I found through an antique dealer. I bought my dress from a bridal atelier that gets couture gowns straight off the runway and donates 100% of sales to a children’s charity.

Despite an intensive planning process, I happily recognize that many of our wedding successes were due to sheer luck (or serendipity, depending on how you view those things). The flowers are a perfect case in point. Not wanting to spend a lot of money, and ambivalent overall about cut flowers, we were still without a flower solution three weeks from our wedding. During our final trip upstate to tie up loose ends, we took a side road we hadn’t previously taken, and that’s when we discovered “you pick flowers.” No one was present, but in their absence a sign read “please leave a check for what you take.” A week later, it occurred to me that we may have seen the field at its peak, and by the time of our wedding — at the summer’s end — there would be no flowers left. Nevertheless, I gave myself over to fate. When my husband and I arrived the day before our wedding, we found an even more bounteous offering. During my “bridesmaid luncheon,” my husband and his older brother went to work cutting all their sheers would allow. The ladies — instructed to only use their creativity and imagination as a guide — spent most of the afternoon the day before the wedding helping me arrange the flowers into gorgeous bouquets in mason jars. The flowers could not have been a more perfect, personal expression of us… or of how, for us at least, the act of not planning was rewarded handsomely, and how flowers CAN be done on the cheap.

Though it’s trite to say this, our wedding day was the best day of our lives. All of the nervous anticipation melted away once the activities were underway (and perhaps because there were so many details to tend to, we couldn’t be preoccupied with whether things would go “perfectly”). Seeing our guests before me during the ceremony filled me with so much joy, and throughout the entire reception there were endless touching moments. Many guests told me they cried seeing me dance with my father. I later noticed that my expression in the photos seems one of sentimental weeping — though, really, I was laughing uncontrollably throughout our dance, as my dad — never at a loss for jokes — was making me laugh throughout our “father daughter dance.” Though my husband and I did much of the heavy lifting in the months before the wedding, we would not have pulled off the wedding if not for all the help of our families, particularly in the final days leading up to the wedding. Their support and contributions made the entire weekend that much more special.

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Clermont State Historic Site / Wedding Photography: Weddings by Two / Band: Saturday Night Bluegrass / Event Design and Planning: Thistledown Creative / Favors: Crop to Cup Coffee Co. / Wedding Desserts: Kumquat Cupcakery and Macaron de Paris / Invitations: Sesame Letterpress / Bridesmaid dress: J.Crew / Groomsmen attire: Haspel / Groom’s suit: Mr. Ned Custom Tailor / Dress: Ulla-Maija Couture / Day-of-Coordinator: Sara Grady

If you are a dreamer, come in. Yes, I am quoting Shel Silverstein (who doesn’t love him), but for good reason I promise! The couple of this inspirational New York City occasion quoted Mr. Silverstein on their invitation, and I must say, it suites the wedding and dreamlike images by Melissa Hayes Photography to a tee. Perfectly elegant, yet rustic at the same time – it is such a unique and inspirational New York City event. So if you are a dreamer, come in! – to the gallery, that is.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

We knew we wanted a fall wedding. Fall is a magical time in New York City – the nights are cool, the afternoon sunlight is perfect, and there’s an intimate coziness that fills the entire city. And even though we had just gotten engaged in June – leaving us about four and a half months to plan – we both shared a vision of the kind of wedding we wanted, and had an incredible time putting it together. We wanted our wedding to represent who we are as a couple – elegant, but laid back. We found the perfect venue at 632 on Hudson, a beautifully eclectic triplex townhouse in the West Village, complete with marble fireplace, art deco lounge, farmhouse table, rustic antiques, roof garden, and a thai bedroom we affectionately coined ‘the opium den’. It was the perfect setting to throw an intimate but lively party for 87 of our closest friends and family. Together, we wrote a ceremony filled with personal elements, leaving out anything that didn’t carry particular meaning for us. A good friend (the person who introduced us nearly six years ago, actually) served as officiant. Several close friends gave readings, and another played classical guitar as Maya walked down the aisle – and a rousing rendition of ‘Linus and Lucy’ as we walked out. Maya wore a simply stunning Nicole Miller dress, along with antique jewelry borrowed from her mother. Tristan and the groomsmen wore ties in the Kincaid Clan Tartan and simple but formal grey suits.

632 Hudson is immaculately and eccentrically decorated, so we were able to enjoy the space without much added decorations. The flowers from Saipua were inspired and absolutely amazing. Sarah created uniquely elegant arrangements that took advantage of the deep and rustic colors of the venue while simultaneously adding a lightness and airiness to the whole space. Sean and Dan from djnyc crafted a great party out of all the music we love, segueing from cocktail hour to dinner music to dance party without missing a beat. Melissa Hayes captured the beauty and personality of the whole evening, with an exceptional eye for creating amazing and intimate images of the craziest moments and the most romantic details.Food was another reason we wanted to get married in the fall. We love the rich colors and rustic flavors of this season, and the menu that Leslie from Marcey Brownstein Catering helped create was perfect – from the shirred quail eggs and shortrib polenta to the butternut squash risotto and perfectly rare hangar steak.  Momofuku Milk Bar created the three-tier cake – chocolate chip with passion fruit curd for the top and the bottom, and birthday cake in the middle for no other reason than that everyone loves birthday cake!

At the end of the night, everyone took home a bag of mini madeleines that Maya baked, a cookie associated with sweet memories and a treat that Maya’s mom made for her when she was little. Tristan designed the favor tags, along with the labels for our guest books. Maya’s sister and Maid of Honor hand lettered the program on a chalkboard, along with some of our favorite poems on windows and mirrors throughout the venue. We had started the weekend on Friday with a rehearsal dinner for our families and the wedding party, and a welcome party at the oldest bar in Brooklyn for everyone the next day, which was a chance for people to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. So when our wedding started on Sunday afternoon, everyone knew each other and was ready to have the time of their lives – which is exactly what happened.

Photography: Melissa Hayes Photography / Venue: 632 on Hudson / Catering: Marcey Brownstein Catering + Events / Flowers: Saipua / Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar / Music: DJNYC / Hair & Makeup: Naho Sawada at Dvir Salon / Invitation Design: Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence / Bride’s Dress: Nicole Miller / Bride’s Shoes: Butter / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s suit: J.Crew

I spy with my little eye…the most ADORABLE couple with their perfectly styled wedding in tow. The bright colors, the picturesque views, the whimsical fashion, it all has me beaming from ear to ear. And can we please discuss the wondrous talents of Leah McCormick who managed to capture every stinkin cute moment atop this Colorado mountain? We have nothing but total LOVE for this wedding. Stop by the gallery for even more of the day.

see all the picture perfect details here!

As if this wedding wasn’t already off the hook in terms of style and adorableness, we got our hot little hands on the cutest video invitation made by the groom himself. It is a must watch for sure…

We got engaged about 5 days before making a move from New York City to Colorado, which was a great plan to keep us busy upon arriving in a much slower and quieter environment that is Colorado. We had so many New York friends that we thought it might be amazing for everyone to experience the nature and landscape of Colorado, as well as to experience our new life in the state. We decided there couldn’t be a better place for this and for us than on top of a mountain in Colroado! We decided it would be fun for us and our guests to theme everything “western”. For the rehearsal dinner we had a wagon ride and cowboy cookout. For the wedding favors we also gave out Colorado chocolates and high altitude care packages (the wedding was at 12,000 feet and most guests were coming from sea level).

Getting married in a ski resort town guarantees you spectacular views, plenty of recreation, and ample opportunity for all kinds of fun. (and free ski passes for the upcoming winter) There was also free transportation available for our guests and the ride to the wedding itself included a beautiful gondola ride rising 2000 feet above the base of the resort. In terms of planning and arranging we simply took our time and drew inspiration from various blogs and other sources. Many of the details at the wedding were done by Abigail, James, and Abigail’s family in Colorado. Without them it would have not been such a great success and perfect day! For Abigail, being in the fashion industry, her dress was the most important detail of the wedding day. For James, being a photographer, the photographer was the most important detail. We also tried to incorporate who we are into the music, decorations, and overall events of the day and weekend.

Although there were so many moments that are so prominent during and surrounding our wedding, we both agree that the ceremony and in particular the vows were the most meaningful part. Really it was the summation of the entire weekend, our lifelong promises and vows to each other as husband and wife. Our wedding was also very small and intimate. Several times during the ceremony we were able to look back at our friends and family who were graciously there in support of our marriage. James’ best friend’s father was also the officiant at the wedding which was special as he has known James since he was 6 years old and is like family to us. The service was so personal and intimate. We would have had it no other way.

Photography: Leah McCormick / Video Invitation: the groom, James Anderson / Flowers: Thorn Creek Flowers in Brighton, Colorado / Abigail’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Abigail’s sash: made herself / James’ suit: Michael Kors / James’ shoes: Allen Edmonds / Cake: Ned Archibald / Flags, Guestbook, Invitations, Menus, Table Clothes, and General Decorations by Bride and Groom / Flower Girl Dress: Abigail Doxsey Anderson / Abigail’s hair was done by Laurel Doxsey, her sister / Bridesmaid’s hair: Lindsey of Paul Morrison Colours in Boulder, CO  / Bridemaids were given a color and allowed to either purchase or make their own dress  / Abigail’s hairpiece: Classic Facets Boulder, Colorado / Guy’s suits: Frisco Fun and Formal in Frisco, Colorado / Ceremony Music: Perfect Poise Duo in Denver, Colorado / DJ: Erik at AGreatTimeDJ

I will probably never get enough of these dreamy, romantic weddings with their soft, pastel palettes and sweet, vintage-inspired details.  This Texas celebration designed by Blue Lotus and photographed by Sarah Kate may rank up there at the top of that list.  They had me swooning at the giant tillandsia in a bell jar all the way to the mossy ampersand!  Click here for more steal-worthy ideas in the full gallery!

Click here for more romantic inspiration in the full wedding gallery!

Kallie and Dustin were married in an outdoor ceremony alongside the rustic lake house style venue, named Winfrey Point.  Guests gathered under the trees to watch the union take place before their eyes.  Electric lanterns, fastened by rope to the branches, were suspended above the bride and groom’s head.  And, just beyond the trees was a picturesque lake view of White Rock Lake.

After the ceremony, guests made their way inside Winfrey Point.  As they strolled towards the reception, there was a quick stop to be made in the sunroom.  This is where they were to find their table number among escort cards strung by twine along the wall.  Once inside the main room, you were transported into another era.   The invitations, menu cards, and floral print teacups with planted succulents that held the table numbers were reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.  The room’s décor was eclectic vintage and artistically distinctive throughout.

Requested by the groom, each table consisted of birch wood stumps mixed with the floral design.  Burlap linens topped the round guest tables placed along the edges of the room.  In the middle of the reception were three oversized rustic wood tables, with delicate lace runners and a mixture of floral and décor that filled the table.  Gold metal chandeliers hung low from the beams in the reception, which highlighted other gold accents in the room.  This includes the gold details in the chivari chairs and the hand stamped brown bags for the candy table.

The cake table was lined with a thin mossy layer.  Among the moss were various pies and candy dishes filled with the bride and grooms’ favorite sweet treats.  The cake rested on top of a thick birch stump.  The venue’s fireplace was filled with driftwood and candlelight that added to the dreamy feel of the night.  As the jazz band played, it gave a classic touch to the ambience of the crowd.  The evening concluded with a lively final dance after which the bride and groom exited through a canopy of sparklers.

Wedding Design + Florals: Blue Lotus / Wedding Photography: Sarah Kate / Wedding Venue: Winfrey Point / Catering: Two Sisters Catering / Cake: Romano’s Bakery / Entertainment: Tetra Jazz / Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals / Linens: BBJ Linen / Wedding Makeup: Anita Haar from Elan Beauty / Bride’s Dress: WToo by Waters / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy Group / Invitations and Table Numbers: Brittnye Rutherford Designs

I want everyday to look like this wedding. It’s the perfect combination of modern and classic with a splash of freshness. I suppose if Salt Harbor Designs followed me around to make sure the day looked effortlessly gorgeous, I spent my day at Bald Head Island Club and I had Joey + Jessica there to capture every moment – that could be possible. Lucky for this adorable bride and groom, that was exactly the case. Believe me when I say (and when do I lead you astray?) you will want to spend a good part of your day in this gallery.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

We live in New York City, but our families are scattered between Georgia and North Carolina.  We selected Bald Head Island, North Carolina because our families live nearby, but the area is relatively accessible from New York by a short, direct flight into Wilmington.  And it is gorgeous.  We wanted a traditional wedding followed by a formal dinner reception – just timeless and simple.  Nothing too coordinated or gimmicky, and we never developed an overarching theme or wedding colors or anything like that.  We got married at the Bald Head village chapel, which is nestled among trees dripping with Spanish moss and surrounded by huge hydrangea bushes.  We hardly decorated the church at all, except for a few pew markers.  I wore a strapless trumpet gown detailed with lace panels, a traditional long veil with duster, and carried an all-white bouquet.  Rob, the groomsmen, and our fathers wore tuxedos.  The bridesmaids wore navy cocktail dresses.

The reception was at the Bald Head Island golf club, which has a spacious outdoor terrace facing towards the ocean. We put the bar, the band, and the dance floor all on the terrace, and the event designer decorated the space with lanterns, couches, and cocktail tables to create an intimate atmosphere.  Hydrangea flower arrangements and centerpieces referenced the Carolinas.  Escort cards and tables names injected something of New York into the event.  These appropriated subway graphics and were indexed to neighborhoods, buildings, and places in NYC that are meaningful to us, such as our engagement spot (Bayard Building) or professional connections (Wall Street, Morningside Heights).  Escort cards became metro cards and tables destinations.

Instead of going with a conventional wedding band or DJ, we hired Atlanta-based band Banks & Shane.  I grew up listening to them play southern rock covers, like Georgia on My Mind or Brown Eyed Girl, and having them there was like being transported back to my childhood.  Everyone from my hometown recognized them immediately and the music appealed to almost all ages.  Instead of making song lists or choreographing dances, I just let them do their thing: crack hilarious jokes between singing great songs.  I was a little nervous that eschewing the typical organizational role that a DJ provides, like making announcements about first dances, cake cutting, and speeches, would result in confusion and disorder.  But in the end, the unscripted, spontaneous quality of the band was one of the best aspects of the reception.  We avoided cheesy, predictable announcements and songs and just had a blast.  It was definitely one of our better decisions!  In hiring the other vendors, it was surprisingly difficult to find artists who could balance subtle, classic styling with a sense of modernity and freshness.  So we spent a lot of time researching and interviewing photographers, florists, and event designers in order to find creative people whose artistic visions resonated with ours.  DIY projects are not our strength, and so we wanted a team of people we could trust to handle the details for us.  For brides comfortable delegating, this strategy really paid off for us.  It was such a relief not to have to worry about candles, linens, menus, programs, centerpieces, photo albums, or whatever, especially in the days leading up to the wedding.

With that said, the one wedding detail that was very important for me was to bring my late mother’s spirit into the wedding.  She passed away four years ago, and I wanted to honor her memory in a way that felt uplifting and emphasized her presence, not her absence.  I have a brother and sister who were both in the wedding, so I had the florist incorporate gardenias, my mom’s favorite flower, into our bouquets and boutonnière.  Gardenias are very fragrant so we could smell them all night.  I wore her blue aquamarine ring, carried her vintage purse, and we printed a dedication to her in the program.  Probably the most special way that I honored my mother’s memory was to have lace from her wedding gown made into handkerchiefs, which I gave to my brother and sister before the ceremony (and kept one for myself).  These were useful when tears started flowing, but more meaningful is that they can be saved and hopefully passed down to our own children one day.

Photography: Joey + Jessica / Reception & Catering: Bald Head Island Club / Floral & Event Design: Salt Harbor Designs / Gown: Jenny Lee, from Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Rings: De Beers / Hair: done by friend / Makeup: Sister applied, MAC Cosmetics / Event coordinator (day of): Lindsey Cheek / Band: Banks & Shane / Cake: Crumb de la Crumb

SUCCESS is when we see one of the SMP Inspiration To Reality features turned into true REALITY! Today’s newlyweds saw an ITR on Style Me Pretty {here} ~ and used it as a springboard to their own fab Maine destination wedding. Their good, good friend Jenny Smith of Alders Photography was there with them to celebrate the day! In addition to being a great real wedding, it’s also a terrific testament to the wedding prowess of etsy!

See the whole gallery here!

Scott & I are Chicagoans, and love our city, but we were both more interested in having a destination wedding. I was voting for tropical, and Scott was angling for the East Coast, so it would be easier for his family to attend. We didn’t argue long about this, because the perfect venue was just sitting there, waiting for us to recognize it. My aunt and uncle own a winery in Maine, the Winterport Winery, and the special events venue attached to it, Pairings, was an intimate, cozy location for a fall wedding in New England.

So, the venue decided, the wedding planning began. We kept the guest list to family and close friends, and we were shocked by how many of them chose to fly in from various parts of the country for our wedding! (Though I harbor some suspicions that they were using it as an excuse to see Maine, as most made a long weekend out of it!) We were looking for our wedding to represent our urban selves in a New England fall setting…not an easy task. I had already settled on dark teal and chocolate brown for our wedding colors, and was having a hard time figuring out how to make those work together, until I stumbled upon this Inspiration to Reality photo shoot here on Style Me Pretty. PERFECT! A lot of lovely elegance, and a little bit of drama with the feathers! I loved it! Scott is an actor, and we LOVE drama, so I was instantly energized with a new vision for what I wanted in our wedding…and it HAD to include those feather flowers from Emplume! We took some of the elements that we liked and the overall feel of the day, and I am so thankful for that photo shoot for heading us in the right direction.

In retrospect, I would not recommend planning a wedding over 1,000 miles away by yourself in 4 months with no wedding planner. It’s a bit complicated, and that’s an understatement. Thank God for the internet! Etsy was my best friend in planning, as I am not particularly DIY-inclined. Many of the small details that you see in the pictures were sourced from there. My friends also stepped up in a big way. I happen to be very close friends with Jenny Smith, from Alders Photography. I am absolutely in love with her photographs, and so a part of me was sad to lose her as a photographer, but it was much more important to us for her and her husband to be in our bridal party! She solved the problem by providing photography from another friend of hers, Belen Aquino at Gerber + Scarpelli in Chicago, who documented our day alongside Jenny, and you can see the amazing result.

Another friend of ours, Dana Chen, provided the invitations and stationery for the event, and a friend of Jenny’s, Stephanie Potter (whose wedding was featured here on StyleMePretty – pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4, and pt 5!), provided my necklace and the bridesmaids’ jewelry for the wedding. It’s such a blessing to have such talented artists as friends!

In the end, our wedding was a little bit vintage, a little bit New England, and a little bit rock & roll. All in all, pretty perfect in our minds. We’re not very traditional, so it was fun to mix it up a bit. I loved every detail and every part of our day, but in the end, there is this: I married my best friend and the man who makes me a better person, surrounded by our family and closest friends. There is nothing better than that.

Photography: Alders Photography, featuring Belen Aquino from Gerber + Scarpelli / Venues: Winterport Union Meeting House and Pairings at the Winterport Winery / Florist: Chapel Hill Floral / Rentals: Wallace Tent and Party Rental / Invitations & Stationery: Dana Chen / Caterer: Pairings at the Winterport Winery / Bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres: Emplume / Cupcakes: Morning Glory Bakery / CD Favors: Bride and Groom, photo by Alders Photography / Gown Designer: Val Stefani by Moonlight / Bridal Jewelry: Vintage earrings, necklace by Stevie Potter / Bridal Shoes: Frye / Bridesmaids dresses: JCrew / Bridesmaids Jewelry: Stevie Potter / Ivory Ceiling Tile Memo Board and Custom Magnets: JoyFrameworks / Coffee-Dyed Escort Cards: therustypig / Glass jars: TranquilityFarms / Vintage Letters storage box: OrbitingDebris / Vintage Typewriter: nomadwords / Veil: Hems and Bustles/ Rings: Green Lake Jewelry Works

The classic design by Amy Nichols and the historic reception setting in the San Francisco Ferry Building proved to be the perfect marriage for this gorgeous San Francisco summer affair.  All of the crisp, clean details – captured beautifully by Julie Mikos Photography – just scream timeless. And really, what’s better than that? For more timeless images be sure to spend some time in the gallery.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

From the talented Amy Nichols – I am so thrilled to share John and Taylor’s wedding with Style Me Pretty’s readers! I couldn’t ask for more ideal and lovely clients. We started working together a year before the wedding — picking the perfect venues for their ceremony and reception. I loved getting to know them and their parents, and their story was such a cute one. They had met and been friends at Stanford for years before dating. Taylor’s sisters kept asking her why she wasn’t dating John, and soon enough, they were!  Both John and Taylor’s families were not from the Bay Area, so this wedding was very much a destination wedding for the majority of their wedding guests. We designed custom save-the-dates from Union Street Papery featuring San Francisco icons and places that were important to them. These icons were then again used on the escort cards and wedding programs.

The wedding reception was at the historic and beautiful Ferry Building in San Francisco, and it was catered by Paula Le Duc Fine Catering.  The color palette we chose featured cool blues, purple, green and white. I suggested that we do unique (but all white) bouquets for each bridesmaid — so one bridesmaid had all tulips, one had all ranunculus, and so on. I love the monochromatic clusters of vases for the centerpieces from Lidia Sadoun of La Fleuriste. Each table was a little different from the next! The entire evening was photographed beautifully by the very talented Julie Mikos.

Photography: Julie Mikos / Event Planning: Amy Nichols / Reception Venue: Ferry Building / Ceremony: St. John’s Presbyterian Church / Flower: La Fleuriste / Caterer: Paula Le Duc / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Ceremony Music: Nob Hill String Ensembles / Band: David Martin’s House Party / Hair and Makeup: Joseph Cozza Salon / Transportation: Events West / Cake: Cake Coquette