Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

A Sweet Nursery Tour Full of Texture and Color

Editor’s Note: We love a good follow up! Getting to watch the SMP community learn and expand over the years has been so rewarding. From weddings to home tours and now NURSERY tours, we love getting to play a small role in highlighting some of your most important moments!

Today’s tour is of the sweet nursery is FULL of great inspo — enjoy!

I can’t believe it’s been just over two years since my home tour was shared on Style Me Pretty Living. That was such a fun day/week/month feeling the love of the SMP community!

Life has changed a bit for me since then, I had a baby in August! We’ve had a blast with her, and lots of fun decorating her nursery. Warmth, peace, comfort, style, texture, imagination. These are the words that inspired our nursery design for our sweet baby girl, Sienna.

There are several themes in her nursery to highlight. On top of a base of neutral, light tones, we added sunset colors, dusty rose, mauve, and peach, and a pop of water hue, deep teal. This adds the warmth and peace to the space. Despite having an unpredictable infant occupying this room, there is truly a sense of calm. Even during a meltdown, Sienna will often breathe a sigh of relief when entering her nursery.

The water hue speaks to our home’s location on a creek off of the Potomac River. Several décor elements reflect the water – the art over the dresser, the driftwood from Maine, the white pebbles from Croatia, and the pampas grass from our own backyard. There is abundant wildlife in our neighborhood even though we are just 20 minutes from DC – eagles, herons, geese, hooded mergansers (look these up, they are adorable), deer and more.

Along with the water elements, there is also a subtle bird theme in the artwork, crib sheets and decorative pieces. There are many DIY designs in the nursery such as the watercolor mural behind the rocking chair and the pampas grass wreath over the crib, but my favorite is the gold birds flying out of the painting over the dresser, it feels magical. Sienna loves looking up at this bold colorful painting, and grabbing it while we’re changing her diaper.

Yes, we’ll have to either move this piece up, or reinforce it on all sides, a new mom mistake! The gold birds are removable stickers that I spray painted gold and placed over the glass and onto the wall. We also brought in some sentimental pieces, sharing with Sienna important parts of our life pre-baby. The wine crates are from our babymoon in Portugal, pink chocolate box from a trip to Germany, kitten print from my mother’s childhood room, vases from a sabbatical trip to Croatia, artwork gifted and painted by family and a gold mirror we used in our wedding. As for the overall style of the room, it is a combination of old and new.

We have some new mid-century modern furniture and some vintage pieces. My husband likes the clean lines of the crib and dresser and I loved adding in the feminine antique loveseat and Audubon bird prints. It is a room that will always be so special to us, and even more so as Sienna’s toys and own décor start to meld in with ours. It’s been a peaceful, cozy space to spend hours on end, nursing, rocking and playing.

How to Pull off the Edgy Look While Keeping It Timeless

We love a bride who isn’t afraid to get a little edgy with her wedding décor. We’re talking tousled blooms, a moodier color scheme and a seriously intimate feel. Today’s inspiration shoot from Lauren Fair Photography, Julie Paisley and Oleander Curated captures just that, all while keeping the design completely timeless in style. Get ready for your Pinterest page to blow up after taking a peak at the full gallery of images.

From the designer, Oleander Curated…. The inspiration for this shoot was Neutrals, Smoky Blues and Greys, with touches of Aubergine & Soft Charcoal.

The wild countryside of Normandy inspired a looser, a bit more intimate, with a slightly edgy, tousled, moody look.

We focused on shooting intimate, lovely close ups with a lot of black + whites, an edgy feel to the portraits and a slightly moody approach – all while still keeping it in our signature airy, organic style. Chateau de Courtomer was our host for our workshop this week and was a truly spectacular old world setting!

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Lauren Fair Photography

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An Outdoor Fiesta Celebrating Motherhood and Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: This beautiful event was done in celebration of a truly great cause. This group of Mammas got together to celebrate and raise money for the Siestas For Fiestas Foundation that focuses on ending poverty in Cancun, Mexico. With intentional details like personalized gift boxes, mixology lessons and a well set table, how can you not feel inspired?

Take a read!

This is a story about how vendors can use their talents to make a difference in the world. The Siestas For Fiestas Foundation is focused on ending poverty in Cancun, Mexico and one of the ways we make this happen is by hosting an intimate Mama Fiesta.

As a former event planner myself I love planning this event so much because it’s such a joy to plan something meaningful. One of the things that makes this event so successful is that all vendors donate their valuable time and unique talents. Each and every vendor takes pride in that their donation will help provide a scholarship to a child living in poverty. This event isn’t your regular country club fundraiser or gold tournament. It’s an evening full of details to make these mamas feel special as they give back. That includes personal gift boxes, a mixology lesson and a mama backdrop.

A little about the evening:
Every May we gather as Mamas to celebrate motherhood and giveback. Guests arrived at the Maxwell House in Pasadena and were welcomed with a cocktail drink and live music. They mingled in the courtyard as they enjoyed a mixology demonstration. Rose Gold Heart Events designed a beautiful backdrop for the mamas to take pictures. Guests then were escorted to a Spanish inspired table where they found a gift box with their name that contained goodies from small shops. As they enjoyed their family-style meal, we shared our story of how my husband and I quit our jobs and moved to Cancun in 2015.

We met some amazing people that led us to start the Foundation. We reminded the mamas that their attendance at this event allowed us to gift another mama an academic scholarship for her child. The moms from the towns we serve dream of their children succeeding, but opportunities are limited. This night is so special because together we are able to impact a family. After enjoying their meal and learning more about the foundation, guests moved indoors for dessert.

The evening was a great success for our nonprofit and our guest enjoyed all the details our vendors put into the celebration. We are so thankful for these groups of vendors and mamas who help make a difference in our scholarship recipients life.

This Adorable Couple Got Married in a 400 Year Old French Chapel Imported From Dijon, France

From the towering pergola covered in lush blooms by Blush Botanicals to the romantic ceremony at a 400 year old french chapel – it’s physically impossible for us to say our favorite thing about today’s wedding because there’s just too much to love! Keely Thorne Events brought the couple’s fairytale day to life from beginning to end, while Joel Serrato was there to capture every last detail. Don’t miss out on the full gallery to watch all the magic unfold!

How incredible is this video from Elysium Productions? A total must see.

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From Joel Serrato Film Photographer… Lindsey and Micah were married in August in California. Both Houston residents wanting to escape the summer heat. They are wine lovers and wanted a small intimate wedding surrounded by their dearest friends and family. They chose Cal-a-Vie health spa and vineyards in Southern California outside of San Diego as their wedding venue. Everything about this property reflected the client’s personality (health and fitness, spa, wine, innovative food, golf, pristine grounds mimicking a French village) All wedding events took place on property.

Thursday – rehearsal dinner at the owner’s Chateau on property
Friday – welcome party around the garden on property
Saturday—ceremony, reception + after party (Chapel, L’Orangerie and Lawn)

Knowing this was a destination wedding for all of the guests we thought it would be best to kick off the weekend with a rehearsal dinner consisting of immediate family and wedding party. It was a seated dinner al fresco around the pool with a breathtaking view and all the floral and foliage was picked from what was fresh, seasonal and blooming on property. To be outside in August was a dream for this couple because back in Houston no one would dare. A hint of purple was tied into the tablescape as a nod to the bride’s alma mater “Texas Christian University.” Cal-a-vie created a specialty cocktail with purple flare that was served all weekend. It was named the “Party Starter” and the ingredients were detailed on a cocktail napkin so the bride could share her favorite cocktail with her guests. Notice it contained a little “Texas Kick” with habanero infused simple syrup. The night before the wedding we invited everyone who was attending the wedding to partake in a welcome party. We wanted this to be laid-back and fun and since everyone had traveled a long way it would be a great way for everyone to socialize ahead of the big day. The festivities and merriment ended with a dueling piano player. The vibe of the wedding was to have everything feel very romantic with lots of blush, creams, and whites. Florals were accented with lots of whimsical greenery and candlelight. The ceremony was held in a 400 year old French Chapel imported from Dijon France with stained glass windows. The couple wrote their own vows in a heartfelt ceremony where the groom’s grandmother participated in a reading. After the ceremony, guests were escorted over to the L’Orangerie and Lawn for cocktails, dinner stations and dancing. The L’Orangerie is a 300 year old reception hall also imported from Dijon, France. It consists of old world chandeliers and a 16th century stone fireplace. Lindsey wanted the reception to feel like a party from the very beginning. The reception band was in full swing with a lawn full of inviting lounge areas and a large centrally located bar. A dramatic pergola of dripping floral and greenery surrounded the band and an epic sunset and view created a show stopping backdrop. Once the sun went down the string lights created a romantic feel lighting up the sky above the reception with sparkle. The couple wanted to make sure everyone felt special and they incorporated details that reminded them that this day was about their love for each other, but at the same time they wanted to honor those who couldn’t be present. Butterfly cufflinks were worn to honor the bride’s brother. Lindsey had incorporated lockets with photos of loved ones on her bridal bouquet. No shortage of breathtaking locations from the first look outside the Chapel with a lush dramatic floral arch of dripping floral and greenery, the vineyards, and windmill that had champagne and strawberries for the couple to enjoy before making their introduction. Everyone danced the night away and after the traditional rose petal exit everyone joined the after-party. The DJ set the tone while guests picked their favorite party prop to wear and snacked on delicious late night food (pizza, fries, sliders, tacos).

From the Bride… We first met in October 2016 in Dallas at Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano Restaurant. We were both attending an annual event my dad and a few of his buddies have been putting on for 20+ years to kick off the Texas/OU Weekend. Micah noticed me immediately from across the room, but played it cool and waited for the right time to make his introduction. Although, we visited most of the night and there was noticeable chemistry (because as Micah would say, he’s “quite the conversationalist and a dynamic individual,”) the timing was off. The following year, we saw each other again at the same event in Dallas. Once again, Micah beelined it across the room to come and talk to me. We visited the entire night and had a great conversation. It wasn’t until 3 months later he mustered up the courage to call. Micah was feeling high on his luck that day as he had just closed a big deal he had been working on and at lunch he received a fortune cookie that read “you will soon meet a life-long kindred spirit.” After an hour on the phone and a very dynamic conversation, Micah coaxed me into going on a coffee date at Starbucks with him. Over a 4. 5 hour coffee date, we quickly started to realize how much we had in common and the rest is history. Since that day, we have laughed constantly together, traveled to Europe, Mexico, and the BVI’s, but most importantly we are best friends and have found a forever kind of love in each other.

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Elysium Productions

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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The Bride, Her Mother and Her Sister All Got Married at This Very Special Venue

Timeless, classy, beautiful, heartwarming… these are just a few words that come to mind when admiring Joel Serrato’s gorgeous images from today’s Santa Barbara wedding. What do we love most about it, you ask? Well, it has be the significance of their wedding venue, both the bride’s sister and their mother said their “I do’s” at this very venue – how special is that?! Don’t forget to head on over to the full gallery to see every thoughtful detail of the day, perfectly planned by LVL Weddings & Events.

Before you go any further, check out this beautiful video of their wedding day from Elysium Productions!

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From Joel Serrato Film Photographer… Keeping the meaningful tradition alive Mary and Richard decided to get married at the beautiful Four Seasons Santa Barbara just like her mother and her sister did years prior.

This venue holds a special place in their families life celebrating three different marriages. We had the honor of planning Mary’s sisters wedding and when Mary asked us to help her with her wedding we were so happy.

You often hear of family members not wanting to get married at the same place but we loved how that didn’t matter to this family and they instead thought of the venue as a sacred spot for their families and generations to wed. It makes me just imagine years from now with all their kids and grandkids going to this place and talking about all the beautiful memories they shared and passing the tradition down to generations. Sticking with the classy nature of the Four Seasons Mary decided on a classic wedding style but brought in a little fun with her bridesmaid dressed of different hues of blues and patterns. One thing that was important to Mary and Richard was that their guests felt entertained so we hired the talented Kevin Miso for ceremony and cocktail hour and then West Coast Music to really get the party started.

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Elysium Productions

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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Ocean-Loving Brides Need to See This Coastal Sunset-Inspired Editorial in San Diego

The inspiration for today’s swoon-worthy styled shoot came from Lauren Fair’s favorite color palette – the ocean and the California coast… I mean, does it get much dreamier than that? Everything from the delicate blooms by Max Owens Design to the bride’s ethereal, soft blue dress is an ocean lover’s heaven. Don’t miss out the full gallery of details that will leave you feeling inspired, all planned by Aly Ann Events.

From Lauren Fair Photography… For this oceanside editorial, I was inspired by my favorite color palette: the ocean and the California coastline.

The soft colors of the Pacific at sundown, juxtaposed against the colors of the earth, provided the inspiration for this shoot. Our beautiful bride’s gown was reminiscent of the water with its soft blue tone and subtle sparkle, and our groom was the classic California groom – ending with losing the tux and heading for the water!

The color palette sought to include no greenery but all soft blues, whites, creams, taupes and dusty colors that were inspired by the cliffs. Max Owens Design beautifully designed a gorgeous ceremony arch that was lit by the sinking sun against an epic backdrop. Aly Ann Events produced the most beautiful shoot with details galore. I was so thankful to shoot so much beauty and hope that our editorial together inspires the ocean-loving brides out there to pull their own inspiration from nature!

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Lauren Fair Photography

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A Venetian Inspiration Shoot Featuring a Jaw-Dropping Dress Fit for a Modern Queen

To all you fashion forward brides looking for some epic inspo – this one’s for you! Grab your passports and stroll through the gallery of today’s gorgeous styled shoot on a rooftop in Venice from Shades Waves, Linda Champenois and captured by Jeremy Froeliger. Just wait until you see the gorgeous gowns, including one with a train so endless it will quite literally take your breath away, who doesn’t love a good royal wedding moment are we right?!

Once Jérémy Froeliger, photographer, contacted me to offer me an inspirational shooting in Italy about a love story from the meeting of their union, it was obvious to me, highlighting the stages of the relationship through a city full of mystery, seduction and romance, the amazing Venice.

Within Venice, charm and authenticity mingle with the refinement of this city, just like our newlywed couple. Through this scenography, we wanted to represent the love that transcends 2 beings from their first glance, on their first date and until their marriage that united them. Artistically, I wanted to innovate and make the fan a fine art accessory, flowered with finesse and lightness to represent the Latin charm.

My declined accessory, my style, which is borrowed from my Asian origins. I wanted refinement through the floral composition and the Bridal bouquet, light, soft and unstructured, in tune with the times and mixed with the charm of Venice. Our favorite was one of the most beautiful views overlooking Venice, from the terrace of the sumptuous Palace Gritti, a historic gem where culture and heritage meet in a setting celebrating the revival of the Venetian style. A custom wedding stationery, with illustrations handmade by Atelier Preszburger. Sumptuous couture dresses, the designer Mae Collection Paris alluring for their meeting, the soft color of the Marchesa dress for their first delicate moments, and Nicole and Felicia Couture on the steps of the basilica which makes our bride, a queen of modern times. I let you discover this beautiful story that transports us on video with Rouge Wedding, a city that defines an exceptional wedding setting that we wanted to share with you through the work of each professional who makes up our magnificent team.

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Creative Table Number & Place Card Ideas For Every Wedding Style

When everything about weddings in 2020 is still so up in the air, it’s definitely difficult to envision a rockin’ reception with more than 100, 50, 20, even 10 people gathered at once. Elopements and Zoom weddings are certainly making the couple-only and watching-from-afar weddings a lot more mainstream, and we are so here for it (don’t get us wrong!), but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t miss weddings galore with guests. One day we’ll have those back, it’ll just take some 🤞and 🙏🏻 until then!

So, while we wait, we figured we’d take a look at some of the prettiest table decor out there – and give our brides and grooms some great options to ‘get the look’ with our own Style Me Pretty reception collection. Whether you’ll be celebrating with a bright al fresco fete, beneath a gorgeous sailcloth tent, a rustic reception set in the most stunning, vaulted-ceiling barn with wood accents aplenty, or a black-tie evening at a private estate, complete with a black-and-white color palette and modern, striking metallics, you can make sure your guests find their tables and take their seats as stylishly as possible!

Trends you can’t go wrong with.

If you haven’t already guessed by peeping our SMP real weddings on the regular, we love a creative, out-of-the-box escort card display or expertly-curated seating chart. We can’t help but give major props to our couples and their planners for dreaming up to-die-for looks to welcome guests to the party. That being said, classic place cards will always have a place in our hearts, because they can fit any and every kind of wedding affair: 100 percent formality chameleons.

The same goes for table numbers. With flowers, greenery, festive tableware, and flutes to toast with, the table number doesn’t have to be too peacocky – in fact, the more simple the designs/holders/silhouettes can be, the better, as they’ll need to harmonize with the rest of the table tempo: the colors, the textures, the wares, etc.

These looks will always get a standing ovation (see what we did there 😉).

Metallics.
We’re not shy about our love affair with anything gold, because it’s always rich, never risky. A simple gold table number stand will elevate even the most basic of table numbers, but at the same time, it can pair exceptionally well with gorgeously-calligraphed or scripted signage, too.
Jessica Grazia Mangia

Wood.
Another extremely versatile choice for displaying table numbers, because it can go so many ways for so many different settings – rustic, romantic, preppy, nautical, destination, etc. It’s clean, crisp, and straightforward and vibes incredibly well with plain white or ivory cards, either written out (table five) or just the number (5).

Jessica Blex

Acrylic.
By far, this is probably the biggest trend in table numbers, tabletop decor, and wedding signage right now. From welcome signs to cocktail signs, seating displays to fancy, etched place card drink stirrirs, the appeal of acrylic is just so clear. Numbers can be hand-lettered with a white chalk marker or inscribed with gold foil – and either combination is endlessly chic!

Tenth & Grace

And, of course, when you go with a mixed media look (metallic stand with an acrylic sign, wood holder with an acrylic sign, or a clear table number stand with an ornate silver or gold table number), the aesthetic is even prettier… As if that could be possible!

Our Style Me Pretty reception collection is replete with looks to match any style of wedding you’ll be throwing. Mixing and matching is strongly encouraged, too, because you don’t have to be ‘one and done’ with the thematics of your day anyway. When you can overlap vibes like glamorous and modern, rustic and romantic, classical and whimsy, that’s when things really get interesting.

You know when you were a kid, and you had to draw a line to match two things that ‘went together,’ well, we thought that’d be a pretty good application here. But again, you can really improvise with any of the options to go along with your individual wedding look, this is just a great place to start.

… And since these products have such all-purpose panache, you can absolutely use them for events well past your wedding day….

If you’d say your wedding skewed X, then think about trying Y:

Classic

Will Reid

Try

Ornate Gold Table Numbers – Shop here!

Place Card Napkin Rings – Shop here!
Boho Chic

Taralynn Lawton

Try

Vegan Leather Table Numbers – Shop here!

Rustic
Carlie Statsky

Try

Wood Place Card Holders – Shop here!

Modern
Erin Wilson Fine Art Photography

Try

Gold Acrylic Table Number – Shop here!

Clear Place Card Holder – Shop here!

Romantic
Lucy Munoz Photography
Try

Drink Rim Place Cards – Shop here!

Ornate Silver Place Cards – Shop here!

So looking forward to seeing those guest names in writing (or print, that’s on-point too) some time soon! Shop the Style Me Pretty Collection exclusively on site now for all the reception perfection you could ask for.

Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Erin Wilson Photography

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How to Choose Your Maid of Honor Wisely

For some people, selecting your maid of honor is a no-brainer, but for some of us, it can feel like walking through a field of landmines! On one hand, you don’t want to pressure anyone into a role that they don’t want or can’t handle, on the other hand, you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by not asking them.

First, consider your closest relationships–these can be siblings, childhood best friends, or current friends. Write out the names. Who is your confidant? Who knows how to cheer you up when you’re down or what treats to bring you when you’re not feeling well? Who is the person who can read your thoughts from across the room without either of you even uttering a word? If you can answer these questions, that’s your MOH!

The problem is, by the time you get married, most of us have moved several times and have a few different friends who are MOH material. There’s your elementary school best friend, your high school best friend, your college best friend, your first job best friend, and of course, your right now best friend…and each one is just as important to you as the last. We know it can be overwhelming, but, trust us, it’s a good problem to have!

PHOTOGRAPHER | Melissa Gayle

What is a Maid of Honor Responsible For?

Before we dive into who to pick, let’s cover the duties that the Maid of Honor is responsible for carrying out. Your MOH is traditionally responsible for planning your bridal shower and bachelorette parties. She can also help coordinate with the other bridesmaids to make sure they all know which dress and accessories to purchase and ensure that all of that is done on time. In order to be able to execute these tasks, your MOH should be over 21 (to book hotels, get into clubs, etc.), be organized, and friendly as she will be the lynchpin holding your bridal party together.

Besides a heartfelt speech the day-of and the duties listed above, there is nothing else that should be expected from your MOH. That being said a lot of MOH’s go above and beyond–like helping with DIY projects, gown shopping, etc…but that should be done at their discretion and is not a guarantee.

In addition to being a huge time commitment, being a MOH is a huge financial commitment as well…flights, hotel rooms, parties. If you have someone in mind but you think that they might not be able to fulfill the duties given their work schedule or financial situation, have a candid conversation with them. If they decide that they won’t be able to attend/host all of the wedding-related parties, ask them to be a bridesmaid instead. This way, they can still be part of your wedding party and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you communicated how much they mean to you.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Stephanie Brazzle Photography

Who to Pick?

Now that you know what it means to ask someone to be your MOH, let’s break it down into more manageable pieces.

Sister

The first logical choice is a sister, no one can be mad at you for choosing a family member–except that is, another family member. If you have multiple sisters, and you are all close, we suggest talking about the decision freely. If one sister is married, you can ask them to be your Matron of Honor (we seriously need to come up with a better term for that!) and your unmarried sister can be your Maid of Honor–this way no one is offended and everyone is honored in their own way. If all of your sisters share the same marital status, or you have more than two, consider making a deal with them that outlines which of you will serve as each one’s MOH, when the time comes, making sure everyone gets a turn. Also keep in mind, if you and your sisters do not get along–move on to the next option. Your MOH is someone that is there to support you through the wedding planning process, not bring you down. Make sure you’re surrounding yourself with good energy!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Carmen Santorelli Photography

Your BFF

A BFF is your Best Friend Forever, that friend you grew up with that no matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen each other, it’s like no time has passed. They’ve seen you through your ups and downs, and most importantly, they are easily identified by all of your other friends as your one and only BFF. Not everyone has a friend like this, but if you are one of the lucky ones, your BFF is the next logical choice for your MOH. You may have good friends that you hang out with more currently, but they will understand you asking your BFF to be your MOH.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Sposto Photography

A Close Friend

If sisters are out of the question, and you don’t have a designated BFF, then look at your current group of close friends. Are you thinking of asking all of them to be bridesmaids or just a handful? Of the ones that you are asking to be in your wedding party, is there one person that you are closest with? If not, is there one of your friends that enjoys planning parties and is super organized–then that’s your girl!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Sposto Photography

Loopholes

When we break it down into three manageable choices it seems so easy, but we know this decision can be tough! We already discussed the Matron of Honor loophole above, which can be used for any married MOH candidate, not just a family member. If that loophole doesn’t apply and you are between two people, consider asking them to be Co Maid of Honors. Not only will this prevent unnecessary hurt feelings, but it will lighten the load for your friends both in time and money as they can split the responsibilities.

PHOTOGRAPHER | This Modern Romance

Hopefully, this breakdown has helped make your decision a little easier, now go forth and pop the question!

Earth Tones, Textures and Minimalism Created Magic at One of LA’s Newest Wedding Spaces

The second we saw today’s stunning styled shoot from Somni Events, a few things came to mind… 1) Holy wow those tables are inspiring on so many levels, 2) Chelsea Carter is a floral wizard, and 3) What is this venue and how have we never seen it before?! Take one look at the full gallery captured beautifully by This Modern Romance and you’ll see what we mean. And p.s. the venue is a brand new event space in downtown LA called The Revery that has not yet been showcased to the public. One things for sure – that dreamy natural light and those white oak floors will be seen A LOT in future SMP weddings.

From Somni Events… I titled the styled shoot Ebb & Flow and aimed to capture the fleeting moments of nature. It explores some of the basic design principles of balance and rhythm, and really just an emphasis to create a space of simplicity and beauty. The theme of the design is minimalism with subtle signs of luminous earth tones – using a flesh palette such as soft tans, beige, and dusty browns to convey a sense of human warmth and connectivity. A creative team was curated for this specific style.

First – the location. The Revery is a new studio space in downtown Los Angeles that has not been showcased to the public yet. It has so much natural light with lots of skylights all around. The white oak hardwood floors with the original warehouse beams and steel windows provide the perfect blank canvas for this design concept. For the tablescape, I really wanted to create movement while evoking a sense of stillness. Starting with this idea of finding balance between the two, I knew I wanted to have a modern, airy, but still structured ceiling installation that showcases the delicate movement of Ebb & Flow.

I wanted the textures to be the center of the design where we have the bold and the soft coming together in a harmonious way. Using neutral tones of varying layers, the florals are designed to be a mixture of foraged materials and fresh blooms. Vintage tables and chairs were chosen from Found Rentals, charcoal charger with a matte satin finish were handmade in Italy from Greystone Table, and antique white table textiles were plant-dyed by Silk & Willow. The place setting features minimalistic paper goods from Revolution Paper Co. While keeping the tablescape relatively simple and minimal, I wanted to showcase timeless romance in two very different gowns with very intricate details. The Marie couture wedding dress from Claire Pettibone is a beautiful vintage-inspired piece with a two tone lace and French embroidered bodice. The Phoenix couture gown from Claire Pettibone is a silk velvet that features inlaid black Guipure lace inserts throughout and trailing along the stunning cathedral length train.

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A Peony Adorned Kestrel Park Wedding in Hot Pink and Blue Hues

Today’s gorgeous Kestrel Park affair captured by Joel Serrato and planned by Event of The Season is an instant mood booster. The darling two said “I do” under a lush chuppah decorated in bright pink bougainvillea by Hogue & Co. Later, guests dined family style on one seemingly endless reception table that will quite literally take your breath away, there’s just something about every guest sitting together at one long banquet table that will always amaze us. Head on over to the full gallery for plenty of color pops and miles of inspiration!

From the Bride… Kenichi and I met when we were working together in the hospitality industry and he was my boss (no quid pro quo though…). Our years in together in restaurants thought us a few keys to success – great location, good food, better alcohol. We kept that in mind throughout the entire planning process.

1) Location – In the maximum amount of time one can spend talking about a wedding during a 1. 5 year relationship, I never forgot to mention that I wanted it to be outside. The first step out of the car at Kestrel Park and I told my family to cancel all our other appointments. I was willing to settle on white plastic picnic chairs if that’s what it took to have our wedding there (luckily I didn’t have to).

2) Good food – We centered our dinner around a Spanish term “sobremesa” which refers to the time spent around the table after dinner relaxing, laughing, drinking wine, etc. We wanted everyone to feel like guests at our house during our Sunday night family dinners. That’s where the long table, family style meal with two pasta choices and lots of wine came in.

3) Better alcohol – We thought of everything on this front: pre-ceremony spritz, passed cocktails during cocktail hour, each dedicate to our grandparents who are not longer with us (think, Marty’s Margarita,), so many bars and bartenders that our caterer had to be convinced we would need that many, a dedicated tequila tasting bar with hand selected tequilas by us and late night espresso martinis.

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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Tips For Turning Your Home Into A Social Distance Haven With Saffron + Poe

Editor’s Note: While there seems to be a light at the end of the quarantine tunnel, social distancing is definitely going to be a new normal for a while. The Pros over at Saffron + Poe know a thing or two about making the most of this new norm and have dished out a few secrets for us to partake in as well!

We know that many people may not have the space for a designated home office, so we thought we would provide some suggestions for how you can convert your existing living spaces into functional and inviting work-from-home stations.

Get creative! Turn an unexpected nook in your home into an office space. This small San Francisco apartment closet was previously used for a murphy bed back in the early 1900s, and here we converted it into a cozy home office nook. Spend time styling your work station with things that bring you joy, like cherished objects + art, plants, and photos from past trips. Add a shearling or throw to your chair to make it more comfortable, and lighting to create and ambient glow and make your space more inviting.

Even if you don’t have enough room for a full desk in your living room or bedroom, if you mainly work on your laptop you can use a narrow console under a window or a half-sized desk that doubles as a bedside table.

Dining Room – Working from you Dining Room table? Think about improving comfort by updating your chairs to something upholstered or genuine leather that softens over time!

Kitchen Counter – A kitchen counter is a great place to perch and work for a change of scenery! If your counter stools need a refresh you may want to opt for something with a back for more support while working.

Working from your sofa or bed – For many of us work from home days involve staying cozy in your PJs wrapped in a blanket on your sofa, or even snuggled in bed! To increase productivity and improve ergonomics consider using a laptop table or lap desk so that you aren’t hunched over your computer!

With all this extra time spent indoors, many of us are finally getting around to all those organization and DIY house projects. Here are some of our tips for turning your home into a sanctuary that brings you joy!

Create cozy corners for reading, playing music or FaceTiming with loved ones. We love creating cozy spaces like this San Francisco bay window reading nook styled with our Woven Leather Strap Lounge Chairs, some traveled pillows, and a pouf for putting your feet up. (Shop the look?)

Style your bedroom to create a sense of calm. In our design projects we love to incorporate neutral tones, layers of texture, and a mix of natural materials like wood, leather, jute, and linen. Make your bed inviting by layering 3-4 decorative pillows in front of your sleeping and reading pillows to add texture & pattern, and a throw at the base of the bed for contrast and extra warmth.

Organize – This extra time inside is a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning and organize your belongings in a beautiful way! Storage baskets or boxes (like our Beaded Bali Baskets!) are the perfect solution to keep small treasures safe and organized, while adding a decorative element to your shelves.

Use stacking baskets on your countertops or dresser to declutter and store items such as makeup and jewelry.

Style your coffee table with baskets, books, scented candles and a hint of greenery to give it a quick refresh!

Shelf Styling Tips:

It’s all about balance! When it comes to styling shelves there are no real rules and it usually comes down to intuition and trusting your eye, but we decided to sit down and try to break down our process into a step by step guide.

Mixing new, traveled and vintage pieces

– Select your favorite books and place them in varying horizontal and vertical stacks. We tend to gravitate toward hardcover books with more neutral bindings, and group them by size.

– Select objects that spark joy and place them on shelving areas without books, on top of horizontal stacks, or on either side of vertical stacks as bookends! These could be pieces you have come across in your travels, decorative vases, or containers for storing treasures and memorabilia.

– Add in photos of your loved ones or of a special trip!

– Add a plant for a pop of greenery! We would love to share our tips with your audience at Style Me Pretty if you’re interested! I’d be happy to send you additional information, as well as more hi-res images of our projects/products.

Photography : Torrey Fox | Photography : Robert Vente

When High Fashion Meets the Sea… This Editorial Is Every Modern Bride’s Dream Beach Wedding

The second we saw today’s stunning styled shoot from Laura Murray Photography, Gabrielle Hurwitz and Smith + James Events – we were immediately inspired by their refreshing and undeniably chic take on tropical wedding décor. Dried palm leaves in crisp white vases decorated the minimalistic reception table beautifully while the bride STUNNED in a long sleeve Costarellos gown. Don’t miss out on the full gallery to see all the gorgeous details and find out why we’re head over heels obsessed with this modern look.

From Laura Murray… Tory Smith with Smith + James Events, fashion stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz, and I wanted to create a unique concept for an editorial at the Hybrid Co Conference in San Diego earlier this year. We were inspired by the beachside location and envisioned a modern and tropical editorial highlighted by gorgeous fashion.

Tory Smith pulled together the initial mood board with the following inspiration words: high-fashion, minimalistic, and chic. She incorporated monochromatic tropical arrangements, clean lines and natural woods. She kept the color palette mostly neutral, with plans to re-think the popular white and green color combo that so many couples love right now. She wanted to breath new life into that color palette.

When Gabrielle Hurwitz viewed the mood board, she visualized a Palm Springs aesthetic but by the ocean. She pulled a printed Zimmerman gown for a rehearsal look that she felt had a retro, yet romantic vibe to it. And paired it with a high-neck, lace wedding dress by Costarellos with the groom in a pale blue tux by The Black Tux. Plenty of Petals came in with gorgeous floral design. Tory said she wanted a tropical version of the small, chic lily of the valley bouquet and Plenty of Petals came through with a fritallaria masterpiece. The table consisted of a collection of white vessels filled with muted, sage-greens.

A Gorgeous Outdoor Mother’s Day Celebration In Wine Country

Editor’s Note: This mother’s day will look a little different, but that by no means translates as a celebration that’s less special. The thing we love about this absolutely stunning celebration of motherhood is that you can take the bits and pieces of it that you love the most and incorporate them into your own celebrations this year! Take a look!

Mother’s are like flowers, each one beautiful & unique. With Springtime upon us and Mother’s day around the corner what better way than to celebrate by hosting a Mommy & Me brunch?

Nestled in the vineyards of Temecula, California we were honored to partner with Hello Blue Photography to create a vibrant, fun and delicious Mother’s day brunch. All of the mother’s were able to enjoy the sunshine with their little ones, all while indulging in mouth watering drinks and scrumptious food. Rose gelatin, parfaits cupcakes, pastries, and a donut charcuterie (just to name a few) that was sure to get those kid’s on a sugar high! Sorry moms!

We wanted to create a colorful environment for the kids, while also incorporating the flirty colors inspired by mom. Pinks, oranges, yellows and plenty of fun accents. The Morgan Estate was such a gorgeous blank slate and we were able to play around with every corner of the property. It was an event designers dream! We designed two tables, one for the moms and one for the kids. Each child had their own personalized mini cake at their seat where they were able to dive in and “cake smash” to their hearts content! Talk about a photo op moment!

While the mom’s were gifted gorgeous personalized watercolor portraits of them with their children. It was a perfect way of showing appreciation and love for all the mom’s in attendance.

When the mom’s had a moment to pull away from tick tack toe and chasing the little ones, they spent quality time together talking all things motherhood and treating themselves to of course, cocktails! Signature cocktails were provided for all the mom’s and it was a HUGE hit! It was a day filled with love, snuggles, drinks, and good eats! What more can a mom ask for? Happy Mother’s Day!

Venue
The Morgan Estate | @morganestateweddings
Tiffany Halverson 1 (951) 538-0756
events@morganestate.com

Planner/Stylist
Pure Lavish Events | @purelavishevents

Photography
Hello Blue Photo | @hellobluephoto
christina@hellobluephoto.com

Florals
Florals by Jenny | @floralsbyjenny
jenniferproppe@hotmail.com

Mobile Bar Company
Katie Carroll
Typsy Gypsy | @thetypsygypsybar
info@thetypsygypsybar.com

Videography
Kaiel Jackson
Cali Viewfinders | @caliviewfinders
Caliviewfinders@gmail.com

Rentals
More Rentals | @morerentals
emily@morerentals.com
(Tables, Chairs, Shelving, Lounge, Table top)

Linens
Luxe Linen | @luxe_linen
veronica@luxelinen.org

Watercolor Portrait
Chasing Linen | @chasinglinen
hello@chasinglinen.com

Stationery
Darla Marie Designs | @darlamariedesigns
darla@darlamariedesigns.com

Acrylic Pieces
Moondust Studio Inc | @moondust_studio_inc

Models
Madison Fisher & Daughters @madisonbontempo
Hannah Lorain & Daughters @_hannahlorain
Jenna Cross & Daughter @jennnacross
Kristina Storey & Sons @krisstoreyxo
Janice Roberts & Daughter @janice.roberts

Catering
Canyon Catering| @canyoncatering
Lin Willis| lin@canyoncatering.net

Cake & Mini Cakes
By Grace Bakery | @bygrace.bakeshop

Donuts
Kate Dutka | @lavishcandysweetology

Hair
Alisha | @alishajaredhairartistry

Makeup
Raquel Meza | @Raquellmarie

A Modern French Chateau Wedding With Old World Details? Oui, Oui!

When the insane talents of Lauren Fair Photography and Julie Paisley Photography come together to design an inspiration shoot in France, you just know it’s going to be out of this world epic. Complete with lush blooms by Oleander, a timeless color palette of neutrals, greige, ochre, mink, and tarnished silver, and the most jaw-dropping backdrop of Chateau de Courtomer… it’s all just too beautiful for words. Head on over to the full gallery to experience the magic!

Lauren Fair + Julie Paisley brought together an incredible team at Chateau de Courtomer in Normandy, France for this stunning inspiration shoot. Pulling in opulent old world details, lush florals, an epic chateau ceremony site and beautiful location with our real couple Olesia + Charles, this day was a dream!

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Lauren Fair Photography

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This Coconut Inspired Editorial Is Redefining Island Wedding Elegance

If you’re dream wedding means exchanging “I do’s” with your toes in the sand, but you’re struggling to figure out how to keep that timeless style a constant throughout your decor – allow the talented vendor team of today’s styled shoot to show you the way! From the creative rum barrel bar setup to the neutral color palette inspired by nearby coconut groves, every detail was designed with elegance in mind while still playing with some fun Caribbean flair. Check out the full gallery for some major tropical wedding inspiration, captured by Alayna Kaye Photography with coordination from Events by Krystle!

From Alayna Kaye Photography… This elopement shoot was inspired by the neutral colors of coconuts, from their green beginning to the creamy inside, and the shades of brown as the husks age. We also played on the colors of the sands, from the typical tan to the pinky peaches that come out in many Caribbean sands.

We wanted to keep the whole setup very simple, while still creating an elegant and whimsical vibe, which is something many brides eloping on a luxurious island beach might hope for. The weather ended up being super cloudy, but this is something very common on a tropical island since evening rain showers are to be expected. Even with the clouds, the warmth of the sand and the lush greens of the palm trees allowed for a gorgeous glow in the photos.

The bride and groom models are newlyweds and island natives who treasure their Caribbean roots and even run a successful Caribbean restaurant in Charlotte Amalie. The coconut grove by the beach is still recovering from the recent hurricane damage, but it had a vibrant, Jurassic Park feel that was a really fun place for portraits. Under the welcomed shade of a mangrove tree, the rum barrel bar setup showed off the frozen Piña coladas with a touch of Caribbean flare . We were all very pleased with how each piece of the shoot came together to create such a sweet and elegant scene on a world-renowned beach lined with coconut trees.

Horse Lovers Will Fall Head Over Hooves for This Upscale Rustic Ranch Wedding

My country girl heart is swoooooning over today’s ranch wedding from Ashley Cook Photography! Cheerful blooms by Wildflower Portland and Summer Robbins Flowers, a tented reception, and the sweetest floral adorned, four legged friends – I mean, what more could a girl really ask for, are we right?! Gallop on over to the full gallery to see all the beauty of the day.

From Ashley Cook Photography… Ransom and Brandice were married overlooking the beautiful mountains of Tumalo, Oregon on a private estate. The couple focused on celebrating with friends and family and their four-legged family. From the family dog to Ransom and Brandice’s horses who watched over the whole ceremony from their field. When Brandice told me how she wanted her wedding to feel, she said she wanted an upscale cowboy wedding. Horses and country music, but also chandeliers, lush blooms and tuxedos for the men.

From the Bride and Groom… We were high school sweethearts who first started dating in the fall of 2008. It only seemed fitting to choose the first Saturday in October for our wedding day, as it was just a few days after our 11 year anniversary of dating. It was risky to choose a fall outdoor wedding in Central Oregon, but the day ended up being everything we could have hoped for and more. The week leading up to our wedding left the Cascade mountain range covered in a fresh coat of snow, making the most beautiful backdrop for our sunny and 65 degree outdoor ceremony. We were married in the hay-field of my childhood home as my horses watched and grazed on the same grass they grew up on. As my father and I walked down the aisle, we heard the horses whinnying in approval behind us. The weather, and the whole day, ended up being nothing short of perfection. To the best of our abilities, we added sweet surprises to every detail of our wedding day. My husband wore golden tiger’s eye cuff-links that belonged to my paternal grandfather, who passed away at the beginning of our relationship. I wore one of the first diamond rings my father ever gave my mother, and my mother wore my paternal grandmother’s wedding ring. Each bridesmaid wore hand-tooled leather earrings, made by one of my friends from high-school – the same friend was also hired to make beautiful leather-tooled wedding gifts for my husband and I from our best man, my husband’s brother. My mother hand-made every linen napkin as a favor for the 300 guests, and the menus and venue were adorned with our agricultural brand “B H R” signifying our first names joining with our last name in marriage.

Outside of all the planned details, we also had some serendipitous surprises. We were introduced for the first time and “Mr. And Mrs. Hayden” as our dog joined us on the grand entrance, bounding across the dance-floor with as much enthusiasm as anyone else attending the reception. She stayed for dinner, shifting back and forth between the sweetheart’s table and the bride’s family table – absolutely making herself at home among the guests. We also had a surprised arrival of our florist’s first-born child a day before the wedding – a beautiful surprise that taught us a lot about love, friendship, and trusting that everything works out in the end. Even with a few last-minute changes of plan, our wedding florals were the perfect, stunning bow-on-top of our wedding day decor.

From the Florist… As a Florist I often get asked by fellow vendors, “What event are you looking forward to the most this year?” Last year the answer to that question was always top of mind- Ransom & Brandice’s wedding on October 5th. Somewhere along the planning process Brandice became much more (!) of a friend than a client and I jokingly dubbed myself her fairy godmother. I was so smitten with this couple, with their love story, and I could not wait for their big day! I got busy planting flowers I would use at their wedding, sourcing leather to wrap their bouquets (etc, etc, etc) and then I got pregnant with my husband and my first child- due in October! The week of their wedding I shopped early- I was just so excited, and good thing because hours after leaving the flower market I was induced at the hospital! I remember asking the doctor if it would be alright to leave (go home and arrange, I thought) and come back. No such luck. So I thought, “If I have this baby today, it still gives me time to make it to the wedding;” that was Wednesday, and by Friday reality was setting in, I would miss the wedding of the year- that I had spent all this loving energy dreaming and planning. From the hospital bed, in labor, I coordinated with my Floral Designer friend- Summer Robbins. She and her team would take my vision and all of the flowers I had sourced, and they would deliver Ransom and Brandice’s wedding flowers. It was a collaborative effort I’m so proud of, eternally grateful for, and will never forget. Our baby girl was born one day before the Hayden wedding and yay- I’ll never forget their anniversary!

How to Add Old World Charm to Your Outdoor Garden Wedding

This shoot is like a modern day Jane Austen novel come to life! Abundant headpieces, whimsical stationery, a gorgeous villa setting and airy blooms from Siren Floral Co. that will have you obsessing for days. One of our favorite elements of this shoot was the inspiration behind the color scheme, Amorette Events Co. incorporated earthy tones to the overall design that represented the colors of a garden as it blooms in the Spring – so heavenly! Head on over to the full gallery captured by Lucy Munoz to see all the magic unfold.

From Lucy Munoz Photography… We were so excited for this beautiful old world enchanted garden inspired editorial. We wanted to keep the feeling light and earthy. There is nothing more magical than a garden wedding with beautiful flowers.

Siren Floral created the most beautiful floral arch that would leave any bride excited to walk down the aisle. Jessica from Amorette Events created an amazing soothing palette that showed the journey of the blooms. The colors of the garden are shown from its inception with the earth tone colors of the invitation suite signifying the soil and nutrients.

The ceremony arch was the final product showing the final product as it blooms. For us spring symbolizes the doorway through which all florals pass on their way to debut themselves–and thank goodness because we are all about it.

8 Stress-Relieving Tasks You Can Do at Home If You’re Wedding Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Total truth time right now: planning a wedding is tough. But when you take that stress, and then amplify it with pressures of a global pandemic, the mood can go from tense, but too-giddy-about-getting-married-to-care to wait, wasn’t there supposed to be light at the end of this overly-traumatic tunnel? Every bride is feeling it, too, no matter where she is in her planning process – be it early in, middle of the road [to the altar], or endgame in progress.

If you’re just-engaged, you probably don’t have a wedding hanging in the balance and you can wait out hopeful, better days ahead. On the flip-side, though, your post-proposal/engagement might not be close to what or how you always envisioned it would be. Social distancing has a way of doing that … taking away your freedom to share your huge news with your favorite people, in person; prohibiting you from going out to celebrate with your best friends, in the aftermath; limiting you only to whatever planning can happen from home (that’s right, for the most part, venue shopping is put on hold until further notice).

If you’ve been planning for a while, you may or may not have to make any big decisions over your wedding date, but your pre-wedding events might be compromised (i.e. your bridal shower or bachelorette party might be postponed or outright cancelled).

If you’ve been a bride in the trenches for some time, you probably got to bask in the excitement of this new milestone for a minute – perhaps by having an engagement party, asking your bridesmaids to be a part of your special day, embracing all things a #bride has the honor of privilege of doing: from trying on dresses and mailing out save the dates, to picking out flowers and taste-testing wedding cakes. Your perfectly-curated wedding, anticipated walk down the aisle, and honeymoon to mark this magical time; however, might need to be adjourned or entirely reimagined.

Whether you’re a 2020, 2021, 2022 or yet-to-be-determined bride, if you have a 💍 on your finger or one in your near future, the circumstances of COVID-19 can seriously rock your world, but we promise, your wedding will be wonderful. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when…

So, while you’re waiting for that day to come, take quarantine in stride at home, and be the best [bride] you can be! We have some things to hopefully help keep you safe, healthy, and sane, too… all exclusively shoppable on the Style Me Pretty site right now!

Corona brides, take us along for the ride!

Stay hydrated.

We know, it’s easy to want to fill those cups with something a little stronger these days, but water is going to be your best friend in the end. Proper hydration can lower cortisol – the stress hormone – levels, so sip, sip, sip, and make it cute!

Get organized.

Sometimes, all it takes to smooth out those #sundayscaries (which, TBH, seems like #everydayscaries in the age of corona) is some order and organization. Wherever you are in your waiting-for-wedding journey, you can get a lot out of our bridal planner: from collecting contact numbers to beginning some of that mindblowing budget planning. Not to mention, we haven’t met a sticker that didn’t immediately give us all the feels, and our gold, hand-sketched iconographical stickers are next-level cute.

Catch up on sleep.

Being on lockdown isn’t exactly how we all thought spring would start out like (isn’t hibernation only supposed to be a winter thing?!?!!), but we’re treating it as a blessing in disguise. If you’re a bride, planning in the midst of a pandemic, the stress just doesn’t seem to stop – but it’s nothing that some Netflix, a new plush eye mask, and some comfy Eucalyptus and cotton sheets can’t fix. Catch some winks, and don’t make us have to ask you twice! 😉

Schedule coffee with your crew.

For the time being, you can’t just text your girls to meet up at your favorite coffee bar, but Zoom dates, with your Nespresso machine nearby, work just as well to break up a stressful day! If you haven’t asked your bridesmaids yet, you can transform the coffee conference call into a regular pour over proposal experience. Let your ladies know that something will be coming in the mail for them soon, and ask them to text you once they’ve received the box (no peeking until the video call is in session!). While you drink out of your Sipping Pretty mug, ask everyone to open their boxes and see how many say YES to the role of lovely bridesmaid. Spoiler alert: they’re all going to say yes!

Work on that wedding website.

If there’s anything we’ve learned over the past month (+ some), it’s that communication, information, and transparency are so, so important. And your wedding website will be the first place your guests go for all their updates. That’s why you’ll want to keep it as up-to-date as possible with the news on your nuptials, especially if you’re planning on postponing and/or have new logistics to share. Prettying it up with photos of you and your partner and spending time wordsmithing everything special about your future wedding can be so therapeutic!

Send out save the dates.

… Or change the dates, if you’ve had to pick a new date for your celebration due to COVID. This is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning – where you can essentially hone a look for your entire pre-vow vibe, be it classic, modern, romantic, boho, whimsy, rustic, etc. It’s also a really fun activity to do together, so when you’re running out of things to do in quarantine, you can pour some wine (it and of itself, pretty darn relaxing!) and hop online to scout that perfect first impression. Our Style Me Pretty collection of stationery, complete with save the dates and change the dates, is stunning and completely customizable.

Keep your date nights lit.

Couples who aren’t planning their weddings during a pandemic need date nights to diffuse some of their stress, so those who are certainly need them to preserve their sanity. Light some candles, pour some champagne into respective bride and groom toasting flutes, and either cook dinner together or order in #supportlocal and enjoy each other’s company fully.

Host an engagement party for two.

Whether you had an engagement party that had to be cancelled with the arrival of the coronavirus or just got engaged and haven’t even had the chance to plan a party in your honor, we love the idea of throwing an intimate engagement party on your own behalf. Either keep it small, with just yourselves in the picture, or invite some of your best friends and family to join in on the special evening via FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom – and remember to make it festive with hangup signs, lots of love-focused decor, and ALL the bubbly to commemorate such a banner time in your life – not today, COVID!

Stress is a hard thing to escape when you’re getting ready to tie the knot, but if you can do things to flatten that worrisome [wedding] curve, then do it with your whole heart! Shop the Style Me Pretty Collection exclusively on site now for everything you need to keep your nuptials nerves nice and on an even keel.

Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.

Arizona Brides Will Fall Head Over Heels for This Modern Romantic Wedding Inspiration at El Chorro

Chic black bridesmaid dresses, lush desert blooms and one of our all time favorite wedding venues – today’s stunning styled shoot from Amy Mulder Photography and Imoni Events at El Chorro is every desert bride’s dream wedding. Get those pinning fingers ready for the full gallery, complete with epic views and a ceremony arch design by The Wildflower AZ that’s truly never been done before. Keep on reading for more details behind the inspiration of the day!

From Amy Mulder Photography… No one can deny that El Chorro has an incredible beauty that couples dream of for their wedding. Capturing on film… Just adds to that beauty. A lot of weddings lock down on one look, we wanted to do something a little outside of the box. Black attire for the full wedding party, velvet green suit for the groom, with some uniquely chic elements while maintaining that luxurious feel. I knew El Chorro was a place I wanted to be.

So after contacting El Chorro, I got to work assembling a dream team of vendors. After months of planning, I flew out to Arizona to meet the team, who already felt like amazing friends, and get to work. Jenny from Imoni Events and Nicole from The Wildflower AZ put together an amazing look for the color palette, floral design, rentals, table, ceremony set up, all of it! I went out on a limb and opted for putting all of the bridesmaids in black. And with Bella Bridesmaid providing the one and only Miss Hayley Paige as the designer, it was the perfect combination for the shoot. I also wanted to have one female be a groomswoman, so that model got to dress up in a Hayley Paige jumpsuit.

Brooke Benjamin came on board to design all stationery and calligraphy elements…. And were they amazing. The colors, the textures, the fun ideas she created were perfect! Maeflower Cake and Nicole teamed up to make a truly amazing cake. The models arrived for hair and makeup at Makiaj Beauty, where the stylists created an amazing look for our bride. It was so fun to watch all of the models when they arrived and saw their dresses, they all wanted to take turns wearing them all I think! And their icing to their cake – jewelry by Lindsay Marie. Always so fun to watch model’s reactions!!

It was a typical Arizona hot day… With a little added in humidity. But all ten of the models were so excited and had so much fun, which made my job so much fun!! No one knew each other, but within just a few minutes everyone was laughing and having a great time! It really was like photographing a real wedding with a real group of close friends! There is something so special about film photography, and the way it catches the rays of the Arizona sun. So the photographs not only show off all of the attire, the florals, the decor, etc they show off that Arizona sun. And it was magical.