Here is a last look at today’s oh-so-fab featured wedding…

Thanks so much to Lifework Images for sending. If you have some time and want to completely emmerse yourself in gorgeous real weddings, definitely check out their site. It’s pure eye candy.

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And finally, here are a list of vendors that helped make this wedding so beautiful…

CEREMONY – Holy Family Parish, RECEPTION – Prairie Production, CHICAGO LIFESTYLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY – LaRae & Cory Lobdell of Lifework Images, WEDDING DRESS & VEIL – Kasia’s Bridal, SHOES – A. Marinelli WEDDING JEWELRY – necklace and earrings by Nadri at Nordstrom’s, HAIR – Matthew at Orbit Salon, MAKEUP – Lauren at Beauty on Call, BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES & SHOES – Bloomingdales and Jones New York, PAPER PARASOL UMBRELLAS – Fuchsia, Mango and White Parasols from Luna Bazzar online, TUXEDO FORMAL WEAR – Men’s Wearhouse, FLOWERS – Altar pieces, Bridal and Bridesmaid Bouquets were by Event Creative, Boutonnieres & Corsages by Dominick’s, cake and bride’s hair A New Leaf, reception table flowers provided by Fifty Flowers and Dominick’s, and arranged by the groom – Arturo Cortes – sister of the bride and mother of the bride, INVITATIONS & RESPONSE POSTCARDS – Wedding Paper Divas and Zazzle online, PAPER FOR PROGRAMS, MENUS & PLACE CARDS – Cranes, FAVORS/PLACE CARD FLOWER-PENS – Kelly’s Petals by Kelly Acker (bridesmaid), MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT – Gil at DJ Chicago, CATERER – Gil at Christine at Food For Thought Catering, WEDDING CAKE – Naomi at Tipsy Cake, LIMOSINE TRANSPORTATION – Prestige Limo Service, LINENS – BBJ Linen, RECEPTION RENTALS – Tables, chairs, china, glassware etc. Halls rental, Chicago

Whew! Congrats to everyone who made this wedding a HUGE success!!!

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PS – Don’t forget that we are announcing the winner of the Hello! Lucky contest later today…check back in a bit!

When I choose a Real Wedding to be featured on SMP, it’s usually because of the details. Of course a lovely gown, an endearing groom, a beautiful bridal party, a perfect bride…all go into the making of a great wedding. It’s the details, though, that really set a wedding apart.

Today’s wedding, sent to us by the oh-so-talented team at Lifework Images is all about the details.

I love that this couple really embraced color…bringing bright, strong hues together with the sleek sophistication of stark white. Stay tuned to hear about all of the vendors that helped craft this lovely affair!

Today’s absolutely gorgeous featured wedding was sent to us by the talented team at Lifework Images. For me, this wedding was ALL about the details. Those perfect details that showed the couple’s unique personalities and allowed their guests to get to know them a little bit more…

Loving every bit of this wedding. We have more details to come!

Well ~~~ how many of you just got engaged? And who’s scouring the web and wedding magazines for your perfect wedding dress?

Seems like today might be a good day for us to post some lovely real brides and their lovely real wedding gowns!

To fuel the fire within … from Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book members’  features (past, present and future) ~

photography by meghan sepe (row one) and allyson magda (row two)

photography by james christianson (row one), holland photo arts (row two/left and row three), sedona bride (row two/right)

Many of you soon-to-be-brides have an idea of what you don’t want, but honestly, until you get out there and start trying on a variety of styles, don’t etch it in stone. Try one or two gowns that you think you won’t like … just because … who know, you might be pleasantly surprised.

More photos from our Little Black Book photographers from this past year …

from christopher record photography ~

from kate triano photography ~

from kate benson photography ~

So that was the good news.  Here’s the bad news …

We’re not quite sure of the designers on all of the gowns … if you’d like more info, let us know and we’ll try to find out for you!

We’d also love to know … did you get engaged over the holidays? When ( and where?) is your wedding going to be???

Today’s real wedding, sent to us by Lifework Images, is shockingly beautiful…the bright, vibrant colors, the modern but timeless style, the lovely, lovely couple. Every detail is simply beautiful.

I have to admit, I am feeling under the weather today, so my writing skills are, well…lacking. BUT, the good news is that this wedding completely speaks for itself. It is a lesson in color, a lesson in style. Bringing the most gorgeous hues together into a cohesive, stunning palette. So much more to come!

Jennifer Sbranti of the Hostess Blog is throwing a FAB event planning workshop in Boston this upcoming Thursday and she is inviting you! It’s a free event – a cocktail party/entertaining how-to where guests are treated to free drinks & appetizers and get to learn some tips on entertaining and party décor on a budget. So fun! For more information and to reserve your place, click right here!

What better way to kick off a new week than with a giveaway!? Caroline, over at Paloma’s Nest (one of my very favorite etsy shops), just released a handful of absolutely gorgeous new products and she is celebrating by giving away one of her perfect ring bowls to two lucky readers!

Before I share the details from the contest, I wanted to show you a few of her new designs. The first being these ridiculously pretty gold hearts…

I love them. Really, really love them. They would look adorable in a group of three, placed right near your guest book. I am also loving these new ring bowls that Caroline has designed…

I have seen a ton of readers use Caroline’s ring bowls for their own wedding and they always add that special, handmade touch to the affair. And lastly, these absolutely lovely heart tiles…

Perfect little favors for a small, intimate affair.

Okay, now for the giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite Paloma’s Nest design. We’ll pick two random winners on Friday! It’s that easy!

Earlier today we announced the new website and digital collection that the girls at Hello! Lucky have been hard at work on…and have officially launched! In celebration, they are giving away a $150 gift certificate to one lucky SMP reader. Read on to find out how to win!

To enter, grab a cup of coffee and head on over to the Hello! Lucky website. Find your very favorite invitation from their new digital collection, and leave a comment below. We’ll announce the winner on Monday!

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And finally, it’s time to announce the winner of the New Year’s giveaway! The winner is…Mandy, who said:

“I always love reading about real weddings and what creative ideas people come up with.  Along with all the fun ideas and beautiful photo’s, I’d love to see a section of “Real weddings: What I would have done different had I known better”  or A multi-tude of real life “don’ts” would really help us bride-to-be’s avoid hassle, confusion, chaos, and mishaps. “

SUCH a good idea. I can’t even tell you how many good ideas there were and we are taking each and every one to heart. Our goal for the New Year is to design a site that serves our readers needs like no other. So if you ever have an idea as to how we can make SMP even better, just shoot me an email! It’s really important to us that we create a site that our readers find not only hugely inspirational, but hugely useful as well.

Now for the really, really good stuff. The reception from today’s fabulous featured wedding!

Oh how I wish that I was at this wedding. The food, the dancing, oh my. Thank you so very, very much to Brian and Stella Alesi for sending us this wedding.  And, to Courtney and Martin for brightening my day to no end!

We’ve still got the Hello! Lucky giveaway coming up, so check back soon!

If you are just now joining us, Brian and Stella Alesi sent us today’s featured wedding…and I am totally and utterly smitten. This couple is so cute, so in love. The whole affair just seems like a true celebration of love, of life, of happy, happy days…

Just wait until you see the reception that this oh-so-cool couple threw. It’s basically as good as it gets. Stay tuned!

Loving today’s featured wedding. It is making me feel infinitely more happy than I have been lately, thanks to the gross Boston weather. It’s actually reminding me of Summer, of friends and family, of that blissful moment when you realize that life is really, really good.

photos by Stella Alesi

More to come!

We are featuring the ridiculously fun wedding of Courtney and Martin that Stella Alesi sent us, knowing that we would fall head over heals in love…

Here are a few fun tidbits from Brian and Stella…

Courtney and Martin were married this summer at Courtney’s family home. This was a cool wedding for a number of reasons…

1. the bride and groom were super cool.

Martin plays saxophone in a number of bands such as Antibalas, Ocote Soul Sounds and TV on the Radio. Courtney is a grad student studying women’s studies. Both travel the globe.

2. they did everything for this wedding.

They prepared all the food, created the table centerpieces and made the favors, candles and buttons with the Osram Ne Nsoromma symbol, a moon and star symbol of love, faithfulness and harmony.

3. they had a pinata for the many kids in attendance. so super cool.

4. they jumped the broom!

So much more to come (literally a new post every hour today)!!

I have a feeling that today’s featured wedding, sent to us by Stella Alesi Photography, is going to make you completely re-think your approach to your own affair. There is something magical about this wedding, something so familiar, so incredibly real. Not sure whether it’s the adorable couple, the vibrant colors or the fabulously fun reception (that we’ll share with you in a bit)…it’s just one of those weddings that makes you smile.

These perfect photos were sent to me by husband and wife team, Brian and Stella Alesi. I am a HUGE fan of their work so I always jump at the chance to feature one of their wedding.

{Here are some quick links to past features by Stella Alesi…a military inspired wedding, an elegant DIY inspired affair and a fun bohemian style fete.}

Can’t wait to share more from this wonderful wedding! Stay tuned!

When you think of the golden hues and sizzling colors of fall, Brooklyn may not be the first place that pops into your mind.

Question: If you add a chic, modern, state-of-the-art production facility overlooking the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the mix … what do you have?

Answer: A magnificent fall wedding … from one of our favorite Little Black Book photographers, Karen Wise.

Jane and Bryan’s posh city event took place at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn NY. This place is incredible.

Stage 6 is the newest venue of Abigail Kirsch, a world renowned caterer and author of The Bride and Groom’s First Cookbook!

A few more of the specifics: Jane’s the maids’ gowns were by Jim Hjelm, shoes by Stuart Weitzman. Hairpiece is by Myran Callan of Twigs and Honey (Etsy). The gorgeous fall florals were by Atlas Florist.

Joy D. Cho (Oh Joy!) designed the entire stationery suite from start to finish. How gorgeous is this! Her designs never cease to amaze us.

The Caramel Sea Salt Brownies were from Mari’s NY (you’ll drool at the brownies on their website!).

Love, love, love fall weddings!

For more gorgeous weddings from Karen Wise, do check out her website and blog!

Previous Posts on Style Me Pretty from Karen:

Joy’s Wedding

Deb and Jack’s Fall Wedding In Connecticut (Features Hana Floral Design with amazing bouquets and wedding florals)

Winter Wedding At Blue Hill Farms, NY

September Wedding In Chatham, MA (gorgeous colors!!!)

Shining & Karl’s Wedding (saw one of these pics in the current Martha Stewart Wedding magazine!!)(more pics from this great wedding on Karen’s blog)

Julia & Scott’s Westchester Wedding (love Julia’s bouquet)

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Hana Floral Design

View Portfolio

Just like a proud parent, I had to take a minute to brag on one of our Little Black Book members. Unless you have been hiding under a rock (or have given up TV as a New Year’s Resolution), you know that the Anne Hathaway/Kate Hudson movie, Bride Wars, is coming out today…with those fabulous Vera Wang dresses, the gorgeous wedding details and guess what…the photography of Christian Oth!

Yep, that’s right, Little Black Book member, Christian Oth was selected as the official wedding photographer for the film and some of my all time favorite photographs of his are making their big screen debut…

So congratulations Christian Oth…it’s an honor so well deserved! If you haven’t already, grab a cup of coffee and spend some time checking out Christian’s site. There are no words as to just how much inspiration can be found.

Oh and make sure to check back in a bit…we have the most fun real wedding today!

I was browsing around one of my new favorite sites, Twig & Thistle (the blog of our brilliant new DIY editor, Kathleen) when I discovered Letteria, a beautiful letterpress shop out of Switzerland. Although I can’t read a single word on their website, their Flickr stream is filled to the brim with unbelievably great inspiration. Definitely check it out when you have a minute!

I first discovered the genius of Hello! Lucky when I was living in San Francisco…the design and letterpress capital (some would argue).  I fell in love with their vintage perspective paired with their fresh, modern colors, typefaces and designs. Their work is simply lovely, thus I am so excited to announce the launch of their  BRAND SPANKING NEW website!

Aside from the fab new facelift, the site is so comprehensive and beautifully organized…allowing you to browse through their collection, learn a bit more about letterpress and of course, devour their gorgeous blog. But, the best part, is their new wedding department…

You can choose from a HUGE array of classic letterpress designs or from their new digital line. Which brings me to the really great reason that we are writing all about Hello! Lucky today…to celebrate the launch of their absolutely, holy-cow gorgeous new line of digitally printed wedding invitations…

Why digital you might ask? Well, straight from the horse’s mouth, “It is  less expensive than letterpress and creates a look that is a bit more casual, and yet still incredibly style savvy.  In digital printing, an image is sent directly to the printer using digital files such as PDFs from graphics software such as Illustrator. This eliminates the need for a printing plate, which is used in offset and letterpress printing, which can save money and time.

Plus, instead of having to print large, pre-determined runs (as you have to do with letterpress), requests can be made for as little as one print. Digital printing technology has advanced rapidly over the last few years, meaning that it now results in quality that is comparable to old-school methods of printing.”

Oh and the turn around time is a mere 5 business days. Ummmm, pretty great, isn’t it? Guess what’s even better…to celebrate the launch of their new line and beautiful new website, the girls at Hello! Lucky are gifting one lucky reader a $150 gift certificate to their online shop.

We’ll have ALL the details of this giveaway (and how you can win) later this afternoon when we announce the winner of our New Years Contest!

When I was chatting with owner of Lulu Events, Angela Nelson, she mentioned that there are so many great ways to create a super stylish wedding while working on a budget…just like she did while designing today’s featured wedding.

Angela is a premier planner in the Bay Area, one that brides looking to plan a truly memorable affair look to for her sense of taste and style. So, of course, I jumped on the chance to have her share some of those tips with us!

Without further ado, here are Angela of Lulu Events cost cutting tips…

1. Personalize, Personalize, Personalize – by creating a theme or sticking to a cohesive look you can make a wedding or event look very sophisticated with just a few ideas that guests will always remember. Prioritize what is important and spend the money there.

2. Identify your color palette and stick to it. Remember you always need an accent color. One main color and 2 accent colors are ideal.

3. Party Rentals – by selecting a colored or textured linen you get more bang for your buck than spending money on lots of colorful flowers on a white table cloth. The linen color will transform the space immediately and set the tone for your wedding reception.

4. Choose flowers that are in season and go for a monochromatic look, buying flowers in bulk is less expensive than buying many different types of flowers and my favorite trick is to incorporate fruit in to the centerpieces!

5. Choose a live musician for the ceremony and cocktail hour but nix the band and stick to a dj for the reception. It will save thousands of dollars. Just make sure to choose a play list that reflects the mood of the event and personality of the couple.

6. By booking a wedding venue off season or on Fridays /Sundays – wedding venues and vendors will likely give you discounts so you can save your money for a honeymoon splurge!

7. Consider hiring a wedding planner – we really are experts and our tips & ideas can save you time, money and get you discounts with vendors.

8. Select one signature cocktail for the cocktail hour such as a Bellini or Kir Royale that will be passed by the waiters and offer wine and beer only the rest of the evening. You will be amazed at the cost savings!

9. Minimize the guest list- do you really need to invite that neighbor that you pass thru the hall or your second cousin Vinny that lives across the country?

10. Skip the wedding favors (do we really need to see another Godiva chocolate at the place setting?), instead spend the money on a signature cocktail or a favor the guest will use during the course of the evening like a black and white photo booth!

11. Never ever try to skimp on a photographer- a talented photographer will capture memories that will last a lifetime!

Thank you so very much to Angela for sharing these brilliant ideas. And to Ingrid of Myrtle and Marjoram for sharing these beautiful images. And of course, to Julia and Brian for sharing their absolutely lovely day with us.

Okay, I know that you guys are loving today’s featured wedding from Myrtle and Marjoram, so I wanted to share some of vendors behind this beautiful event. But first, a bit more eye candy…

First and foremost, the wedding was planned and designed by Angela Nelson of Lulu Events in San Francisco with the lovely flowers crafted by Blumengarten. The to-die-for dress is by Vera Wang and the bride’s shoes by Nine West.  Lastly, the ceremony was held at The Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park with the reception at The Carnelian Room.

Oh and guess what…Angela Nelson of Lulu Events is stopping by in a bit to share her tips on creating a fabulously stylish event on a budget, just as this bride did!

Today we are celebrating the work of Ingrid Nelson of Myrtle and Marjoram with this show stoppingly gorgeous wedding. The bold hues against the softness of the bride’s gown, the perfectly beautiful venue and the lovely little details…well, this wedding is just about as good as it gets.

As a quick side note, I think that today’s wedding is a really fun lesson in color. Yesterday, we featured a green, black and white inspired wedding. It was modern and fresh, it was bold and yet totally elegant. But, by swapping out the green with a shot of yellow, you bring a sense of sweet sophistication to the affair, a cheerful sense of celebration. Two similar palettes, two totally different looks!

Stay tuned to hear all about the other vendors that helped craft this wedding (including the FAB event planner behind this lovely affair and the designer of that beautiful dress)!