Many brides today are unsure how to go about navigating the trend of the ‘garter’, a lacy, stretchy band of fabric that goes around the bride’s thigh, to then be removed by her husband and tossed into her wedding guests. If you’re not so sure whether or not, or how to participate in this tradition, read on to explore the origin story behind the bridal garter tradition!

History
Claimed as the oldest wedding tradition around, the garter has been around since the Dark Ages when wedding guests would help couples de-robe after the ceremony, in order to prepare for married life. It was considered good luck during this exercise to get a piece of the bride’s wedding dress, and thus the garter was invented! Now the tradition is to ceremoniously have the groom go up the bride’s dress, retrieve the garter, and toss it into their crowd of guests.

Styles
Garters come in all different laces, colors, and with different detailing. Consider getting one with a touch of blue ribbon for your ‘something blue’ or with a little charm on it to add a subtle detail. Traditionally, there is no one specific style of garter necessary for a bride to purchase, nor does it matter who picks the garter, whether its the groom, a bridesmaid, mother of the bride or the bride herself.

Garter Toss
You are by no means obligated to do a garter toss ceremony at your wedding reception! You may feel that this is an antiquated tradition and feel really uncomfortable about it, and that’s okay! On the flip side, you may not mind and want to participate in the tradition, and if that’s the case, make it fun! Consider getting one garter for the toss, and a nicer, more heirloom style for you to keep as a memento.

Or, you and your groom may be a bit torn on how to incorporate this tradition into your wedding in a way that feels comfortable. Keep in mind you can always simply get a garter to wear on your wedding day, and to keep for yourself, but avoid doing the toss in front of all your guests. No one will come up to you later demanding a garter!

It’s important to be mindful of what traditions you want to include in your wedding day so the day feels completely comfortable, and more importantly, your own.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Goli Parvinian is a bridal enthusiast and masters student living in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past few years, she has worked for bridal brands in her hometown of Chicago, New Zealand and New York City. You can typically find her in a cafe, face-timing her nieces or out on a long run.

The first trip these two beauties ever took together was to the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua on the pristine shores of Maui. A few years later, they returned to the lovely property, and while relaxing in their favorite hammock, they became engaged. Naturally – with its exquisite beauty and the special place it holds in their hearts – they decided that Maui and the Ritz would be the perfect place to celebrate their commitment to each other. They enlisted Couture Events, Mandy Grace Designs, and Angie Diaz Photography to bring their wedding vision to life, and after seeing these photos, we’re all but on a plane ourselves to go visit this clearly special place.

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From Couture Events… Maui holds a special place in Alanna and Sabrina’s hearts since it was a place they often visited together and quickly fell in love with. They became engaged at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on “their” hammock and thought it only natural that they chose that venue for their wedding day celebration.

The overall design of their wedding was alluring, natural, classic and refined. Guests enjoyed fresh off the palm coconuts after the couple said their “I dos,” and then guests were whisked off to Merriman’s at Kapalua Bay where they enjoyed a seafood raw bar and Vueve followed by a romantic candlelit dinner. French ivory tables, bistro chairs, and a lush and long tablescape with natural and romantic arrangements beautified the tables.

From Mandy Grace Designs… We designed the florals keeping the words “alluring, natural, classic, and refined” in mind. Alanna’s bouquet was loose and romantic while Sabrina’s was minimal and edgy. We wanted the ceremony to feel like a garden with a path of soft, local foliage leading to where the couple recited their vows. Beautiful white florals with touches of blush (roses, larksper, lisianthus, delphinium) formed a semi-circle around the brides. Moving into the reception, we created an elegant feel down each table, with low and abundant arrangements of ranunculas, peonies, scabiosa, garden roses, and chocolate cosmos plus votive candles for a soft, romantic glow.

From the bride, Sabrina… Alanna and I met in Nov 2011 and have been inseparable since. Our first trip together was in April 2012 to Maui where we stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. It quickly became our favorite destination and holds a very special place in our hearts. We returned to the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for the New Year 2016 where we got engaged on “our” hammock (near the basketball court). The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua has been a part of many life events for us as a couple, and it was only natural that we chose it as a venue for our wedding and stay. We enjoy an active lifestyle, amazing food and drinks (our beverage of choice is champagne), and luxury experiences whenever possible.

Photography: Angie Diaz Photography | Cinematography: Sunlit Films | Event Planning + Design: Couture Events | Floral Design: Mandy Grace Floral & Event Design | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Cake Fanatics | Ceremony Venue: Ritz Carlton | Reception Venue: Merriman's | Catering: Merrimans | Catering: The Catered Coconut | Hair + Makeup: Meili Autumn Beauty | Calligraphy: Alannah Rae Calligraphy | Bridal Portrait Venue: The Steeple House | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Rio Event Design | Rentals: Signature Boutique Event Rentals

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Boho weddings are our jam, so you know we love it when a new collection of bohemian-inspired wedding gowns comes our way. This year, we’ve been completely obsessed with the flowy lines and intricate details woven into all of the beautiful designs from Allure Bridals’ newest collection, Wilderly. These gowns were made for free-spirited brides – and you can check out all of the goodness right here in their Lookbook… or scroll for some of our faves.

These Boho Gowns Are All We Can Think About

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These Boho Gowns Are All We Can Think About

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Wedding Dresses: Allure Bridal

Lace lovers, this one’s for you. Because Maggie Sottero’s newest Lookbook Collection is here and it’s filled with everything you’ve been looking for. From beautiful ball gowns to fit and flare silhouettes to flattering A-line styles, the team at Maggie Sottero Designs has done it once again… and this time, it’s in one of our all-time favorite fabrics. Take some time to peruse all of the stunning options in the Lookbook, then scroll for some of our faves below.

The design geniuses at Maggie Sottero are known for crafting up some of the prettiest dresses to hit the runways, and their newest Lookbook Collection is no exception. We’re all about the classic details and flowy movements, and absolutely LOVE the intricate lace patterns. Truthfully, these are any lace lovers dream, because they are the perfect balance between traditional and modern with just a hint of sexy thrown in for good measure.

If you are looking for that lace-filled dress of your dreams, check out all of the beautiful options in Maggie Sottero’s Lookbook. You’ll definitely find the one.

Trends may come and go, but romance? That’s a trend that’s always in style. And if you’re looking to infuse your big day with amour a plenty, this Lookbook Collection from Madison James should do the trick. Think delicate lace fabrics, figure-hugging silhouettes and details that will make you stop and stare. They are just that good.

I think you know by now that we love all things romance, so it should come as no surprise that Madison James’ newest Lookbook Collection is all we can talk about. We’re all about the illusion details (those long-sleeved gowns are insanely beautiful) and the shimmering fabrics had us at hello. These are definitely statement makers, and we’ve been scrolling through our favorites non-stop.

Whether you’re saying “I do” in an English garden or high atop a rooftop in Manhattan, the newest Madison James Collection is seriously made for you. Check out the Lookbook now for every gorgeous dress. You won’t regret it.

Photography: Ashley Upchurch | Florist: Cotton Lifestyles | Makeup Artist: Hear and Soul by Ally Nicole | Hair: MOLLYGEEdesigns

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Petit Bouquet

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Bound together by their love of each other, of family, of travel, and of the South, these two cuties tied the knot in a picturesque celebration planned by Posh Petals + Pearls and captured by Dana Cubbage Weddings. By incorporating family tokens, Southern traditions, nods to their adventures abroad (hello, koala cuff links!), and carefully selecting each stamp for the invitations, this sweet bride and groom crafted a celebration as meaningful as it is beautiful. Read all about their thoughtful touches, the meaning behind those stamps, and the significance of the koalas in the bride’s own words, below!

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From Dana Cubbage Weddings… My first wedding of 2018 was a showstopper.  Beautiful bride Thayer looked stunning in her lace gown, while her handsome groom Josh looked oh-so-dapper in his classic black tuxedo. Pair that with a really fun bridal party, a gorgeous tented reception, and perfect weather…it doesn’t get much better!

We started their day with a sweet first look at Lowndes Grove, followed by portraits and group photos.  Everyone was so sweet and cooperative despite a slight chill in the air. Before long, everyone was headed downtown to St Mary’s church, where Thayer and Josh said, “I do!” in a romantic evening ceremony. Guests were shuttled to Lowndes Grove as dusk fell, greeted with signature cocktails and delicious passed appetizers. As guests were welcomed into the reception space, everyone just oohed and ahhed at the brilliant reception space, elegantly designed by Posh Petals and Pearls. The dance floor was packed all night, and everyone was having such a good time. At the end of the night, Thayer and Josh exited through a tunnel of sparklers – the perfect ending to their fairy tale day.

From the bride… Our wedding style inspiration was really based around the winter season and wanting to throw a romantic, intimate party for our closest family and friends. We loved the idea of mixing winter colors and textures with lots of fresh greenery and a clear top tent to give our wedding a wintery, lush garden vibe. We’re both from the South, with Josh growing up in Savannah and me being born and raised in Atlanta, so we wanted our wedding to incorporate some traditional Southern details, like the menu full of traditional Southern favorite with a modern twist and the acrylic and dark wood calligraphy signs. We also brought in décor details such as oyster shells taken from Josh’s home in Savannah that were originally part of many family oyster roasts with us together with Josh’s family in their backyard.

Family is very important to both of us, so we wanted to incorporate pictures at the reception of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days for good luck as they all represent the start of lasting, loving, happy marriages. We both love to travel, so we decided to use the names of cities for our table numbers that each represent places we’ve visited together and made great memories in over our eight-year relationship. We also included vintage stamps on our wedding invitations that each represented something dear to us: Georgia and Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games stamps to represent where we’re from, a Utah stamp to represent where we currently live after our surprise move back in February, a science stamp as I am a scientist currently working towards obtaining my Ph.D. in Immunology, a globe stamp to represent our love of traveling together, a U.S. Navy stamp as my father and late grandfather were in the Navy for many years, and an elephant stamp to represent our love of animals and trip to Tanzania for a dream honeymoon safari. Overall, we tried to combine touches of Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston, three amazing but very different Southern cities, in a way that reflected us as a couple as well as our families.

For my “something old”, I had lace trim from the veil my mother wore at her wedding sewn onto a clutch that I used on the wedding day. For my “something borrowed”, I had mementos from each of my grandfathers who have passed away, including my paternal grandfather’s U.S. Navy wings pin, attached to my bouquet. Josh wore a set of koala cufflinks that I gifted to him because he proposed to me on Raymond Island – a tiny island off the coast of Australia with a large natural wild koala population – while we were traveling together in 2016.

Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Cinematography: Siegel Films | Event Planning: Posh Petals and Pearls | Floral Design: Branch Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal | Cake: Patrick Properties | Stationery: By Invitation Only | Ceremony: St Mary Catholic Church | Reception: Patrick Properties | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Patrick Properties | Hair + Makeup: Ash & Co. | Lighting: Charleston Uplighting | Band: The After Party Experience | Men's Attire: The Black Tux | Bridal Boutique: La Raine's Bridal Boutique | Rentals: Ooh! EventHaus

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Jenny Yoo

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Blending East Coast sophistication with alfresco beauty of a wine country affair, this Chalk Hill wedding designed by A Savvy Event is dressed in lace and the most romantic florals by Loop Flowers. It’s a beautiful combo and one that lends itself perfectly to an end of summer affair in Healdsburg. See the full celebration through the lens of Sylvie Gil, plus a film by Kindlewood Films below.

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Rachel & Adam’s Chalk Hill wedding has the feel of a breezy, changing-seasons affair at the tail end of summer. It blended New York sophistication and California wine country mellowness for a beautiful and romantic ceremony with a sense of class and a touch of glamour. The groom and groomsmen all wore tuxedos to match the elegant black gowns of the bridesmaids. The bride donned a dreamy lace gown with twisted straps and an open back. String lights over lace tablecloths decorated the reception tables outside the winery, and family mementos from the bride’s and groom’s families added a personal touch. Florals in a spectrum of shades of pink added an understated addition to the romance of the day.

Photographer: Sylvie Gil Photography | Videographer: Kindlewood Films | Floral Design: Loop Event Arts | Cake: Moustache Baked Goods | Catering: Chalk Hill Estates And Winery | Hair & Makeup: The Knot | Lighting: Illusions Lighting | Band: East Coast Entertainment | Transportation: Pure Luxury | Beverages: Best Beverage Catering | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Chalk Hill Estates And Winery | Ceremony Musicians: Musical Heart Strings | Gift Bags: Favor Custom Gifts | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Suite: Méldeen | Planning & Design: A Savvy Event | Rentals: SirReel Studio Rentals | Rentals: Encore Events Rentals

Becoming a morning person isn’t easy. But when you’ve got a little extra motivation? It get’s easier. And maybe a whole lot easier if you’ve got a shower as gorgeous as one of these. From double waterfall nozzles to tile dreams, let these stunners inspire your next bathroom reno. You’ll be jumping out of bed every morning for your daily spa visit!

(Image Source: Homes to Love)

Double waterfall nozzles and black hex tile make for a statement shower that you’d never want to leave. Did you see the underlit shelf, too? This one has it all.

Talk about taking your tile to the next level! Amanda Barnes designed this beauty captured by Alyssa Rosenheck. Pretty sure 30 minute showers would be mandatory on the regular in this masterpiece.

Smith Hanes implemented their signature ‘soft industrial’ style when designing this bathroom and it works SO well. We’re loving the contrast and drama, while appreciating the simple approach.

Kaemingk Design is bringing back the shower curtain in the most elegant way. We’re loving this draping look paired with classic subway tile.

Light and airy, this shower crafted by the folks at Homepolish and captured by Tessa Neustadt welcomes you right in with charming tile and white subway tile.

I have a thing for fall weddings and this romantic Brooklyn bash is exactly why. A warm October day, with the leaves just beginning to change colors… is there any setting more suited for these two cuties to say “I do”!? Cassi Claire and NST Pictures captured the autumn allure and all the sweet details of their boathouse wedding, leaving us with a gallery of goodies to explore. Happy Friday indeed!

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From the Bride… My fiancé and I always knew we wanted to get married locally (we live in Brooklyn), and when we stumbled on the historic Prospect Park Boathouse we knew it was the perfect venue for us. We fell in love with the building – the incredible green tiled vaulted ceilings, the chevron floors, and the stunning views of the lake and surrounding park. So we kept the rest simple to let the beauty of the boathouse shine, sticking to neutral white flowers with lots of greenery to play off the ceiling, and touches of rose gold as a nod to our weddings rings (also rose gold!). And when the day came, it was more incredible than I could have imagined – it was 78 degrees in October, the leaves had just starting changing, and we were married by my best friend right on lake, in front of our closest family and friends. It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful life with my new husband – I’ve never felt luckier.

Photography: Cassi Claire | Videography: NST Pictures | Event Planning: By Amanda Event Studio | Floral Design: Ashley Drago | Wedding Dress: Made With Love Bridal | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Cake: Junior's | Bride's Shoes: Raye | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Bon Soir Caterers | Make Up: Gab Reyes | Hair: Emily Carcaramo | DJ: Jay McElfresh | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse

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Jenny Yoo

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Petit Bouquet

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As an editor at Style Me Pretty, I have the treat of looking at dozens of weddings and editorials each and every day, and with that comes a familiarity with the current trends in colors. And while I’ll never tire of the classic blush, ivory, and gold combo, I can’t help but get excited when I see an unexpected hue styled to perfection. So when this romantic bridal inspiration session by East Made Event Company landed in my lap with its understated and chic ode to yellow, I was instantly hooked. Take a peek at the photos captured by Jeremy Chou and fall in love with this bold color.

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From Elizabeth at East Made Event Company… Yellow. An often underutilized color in fine art wedding design, yellow exudes joy, happiness, and cheer. Goethe wrote, “We find from experience that yellow excites a warm and agreeable impression…The eye is gladdened, the heart expanded and cheered, a glow seems at once to breathe toward us.” Coming from a desire to demonstrate how the boldest, sunniest color can be elegantly subdued, the inspiration for this bridal session was drawn from the blush tulle, rose gold sequins, and yellow appliqué flowers on an exceptionally designed Emily Riggs gown.

Paired with a second, equally detailed, white gown, the yellow color also shines in the floral arrangements by Sophie Felts and in the vintage glassware, originally owned by stylist Elizabeth’s great-grandmother. More minimal elements, like the invitation suite by Julie Ha and a vintage ostrich feather fan, balance the appliqué embellishment. Photographed in the newly renovated chapel and on the back lawn of the National Cathedral School in Washington, DC, the shoot mimics the bridal portrait elements of a real wedding day. Our bride is first posed in front of large windows for portraits, and later, gracefully swishes her gown on the lawn behind the impressive European-style architecture of the school. Dainty tablescape and dessert displays round out our details, ensuring that the overall design is “warm and agreeable” indeed.

Photography: Jeremy Chou Photography | Floral Design: Sophie Felts Floral Design | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Hair + Makeup: Georgetown Bride | Stationery + Calligraphy: Julie Ha | Venue: National Cathedral School | Cake + Embellishment: Fleur and Flour | Creative Direction: East Made Event Company | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Rentals: White Glove Rentals | Ribbon Sponsor: Frou Frou Chic | Sponsor: Dekora Album | Sponsor: Fuji Film | Sponsor: ProDPI | Sponsor: Align Album Design | Styling Surfaces: Simply Rooted Calligraphy | Tarts: Black Pearl Tarts | Wedding Dresses + Gold Crown: Emily Riggs

Forget everything you know about typical beach celebrations and feast your eyes on this number. Granted, it’s a post wedding party for one of the best event designers in the business. Ahem Amy Nichols, we’re looking at you. And it also happens to be captured by another industry great, Joel Serrato.  But there is so much to be taken away from this stunning affair. One, a color palette of citrus and pink is a total winner and two, you can never go wrong with a Moscow Mule bar. See this seaside celebration layered in florals at the hands of Kelly Oshiro and get ready to up your summer party game.

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From Amy…Both Mark and I have large extended families throughout Southern California — from Santa Barbara to Palos Verdes, so we knew that a casual post wedding party was in order.

Picking a spot to host the party was a no-brainer. A dear family that my parents are very close with, the Orrs, have a beautiful home set on spectacular Faria Beach in Ventura. Growing up, this was the house where we had many many celebrations — Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July, Easter and New Years. The views are spectacular but more than anything it had the warm family vibe we wanted. It was also one of the first places where I got to flex my creative muscles as an event planner. As a kid, John Orr would put me in charge of decorating and buying party supplies.

My mom and John both LOVE cooking. They could discuss menus for hours. Likewise, John and my dad both come from Ventura County farming families — they could talk about farming avocados and lemons all day (this was way before avocado toast became a thing). My mom decided she wanted to do all of the cooking for the party (for NINETY plus guests). Both my dad and I thought she was nuts but if anyone could do it, she could.

The menu leaned heavily on two things — Italian food (my mom is half Italian) and local fruit and produce from Ventura County. Growing up on an avocado and lemon ranch, I guess you could say a love of food has been ingrained in me. Thankfully Mark’s family loves food as much as we do!

When it came time to think about the decor and design for the party, my mom and I knew we wanted to rely very heavily on things that could be foraged from their ranch. With oranges, lemons, and succulents growing abundantly, there was no shortage of “material”! I reached out to my friend Kelly Oshiro as I love her style and I knew that as a floral designer, she’d be game to design arrangements that were heavily foraged with just the right amount of floral mixed in. Kelly loved the idea. With citrus as a guide, my mom and I designed the party and set to work picking tables, chairs and linens that would fit the casual vibe we wanted. We kept the bar menu simple for the day of and did a specialty “mule bar” in lieu of a full bar — we served Mexican mules (ginger beer, lime & tequila), Kentucky mules (ginger beer, whiskey & lime) and of course the traditional Moscow Mule, which is one of Mark’s favorite drinks.

Documenting the day was important to us and I reached out to Joel Serrato once we had our date. Like me, Joel is a Ventura County native so I knew he was the perfect person to capture the day, and he did so beautifully. We just love our photos.

photographer: Joel Serrato Film Photographer | planner : Amy Nichols Special Events | Floral Design: Kelly Oshiro | stationery : Susan Silverberg | makeup : casey robinson | beauty (hair): donna kirkpatrick | decor : BBJ La Tavola | rentals : glassbaby | rentals : Ventura Rental Party Center

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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Well, I think we’ve found one of my favorite engagement shoots yet. Between the vibrant colors, gorgeous florals, the Palm Springs setting and the chic style, it’s pretty darn close to perfect. But wait, there’s one more piece. And it’s this puppy. I’m left speechless… bumping this shoot by Rebecca Yale to beyond perfect and more. I’ve already favorited this feature because there is no doubt I’ll want to revisit it again… and again… and again.

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From Rebecca Yale… Mallory and Surge travelled from New York to their family’s home in beautiful Palm Springs for their engagement session. Their wedding will be taking place this fall in Palm Springs with Ro & Co Events and they wanted the photos to capture the beautiful vibe of the town, but have a different feel than their wedding images so we shot all around La Quinta taking advantage of the beautiful desert flowers and unique landscaping at the property. Their adorable fur-baby Buffy joined in on the fun and joined her parents for a few photos although she seemed to prefer munching on her floral wreath over posing for pictures!

From the Bride-to-be… The perfect proposal may not exist. Nothing is perfect, but what’s significant about the proposal is very clear to me; ​it’s about the person you love more than anything asking you to spend the rest of your lives together even when everything goes not quite as planned… When my fiancé, Surge, planned to propose, it was supposed to be near perfect. He had been planning for months to propose on a picturesque cliff that overlooked the ocean in Santorini. Lucky for me he still proposed even though the 48 hours leading up to the proposal was a scene from one of those action packed crime comedy movies. We were robbed and robbed of everything down to our clothes and suitcases. And yes… you guessed it, we were robbed of the ring. But we made the best of a bad situation and learned something new in the process – we truly can get through anything together. Surge went through with his proposal as planned! He took me to a private dinner in Imerovigil. Our table sat on the edge of an infinity pool that overlooked the ocean and Grecian sunset. As we stood up for a photo, Surge bent down on one knee. He asked me to be his wife and I said yes. I told him I would love nothing more. In that moment, I didn’t care about the ring. The hardware is not what a proposal is about. It’s about the love and respect you have for one another. It’s the desire and commitment to spend the rest of your lives together. In my book, I don’t know what’s more romantic than that.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Event Planning: RMBO Collective | Floral Design: Rebecca Yale Photography | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Venue: La Quinta Resort & Club | Puppy: Buffy Doodle Do | Ribbon: Silk and Willow

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Bangkok will most certainly be on your radar after a quick perusal of this gorgeous destination affair captured by Czar Goss. Bringing together friends and family from near and far, this Bride and Groom set their sites on Thailand for a truly romantic affair planned by Sarah Park Events. Stationery in a sea of pretty blues by Custom Crafted Calligraphy, the most elegant gown by Alexandra Grecco, and classic meets modern details are all tucked inside this magical celebration.

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Sydney and Ted hosted a wedding celebration in the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand. This jet-setting couple, who began dating in Los Angeles, California but currently reside in China, chose to have their wedding in Thailand so that their closest family and friends from Thailand and Korea could attend without too much travel. The theme of the wedding was minimalist and modern. From the brides stunning Alexandra Grecco gown to the ikebana style florals by Sarah Park Events, Sydney and Ted put together a sleek wedding in the heart of the city, with details that celebrated their Asian cultures.

Photography: Czar Goss | Event Planning: Sarah Park Events | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Groom's Attire: Empire International Tailors | Wedding Venue: Varavela Gardens | Bouquet/Tea Ceremony Florals: VLYN Floral | Bride's Ring: Golden West Jewelers | Calligraphy Suite: Custom Crafted | Ceramic Bowls (Centerpieces): Aoon Potter | Crystal Champagne Flutes: Crystal Pluss | Film Scans: Goodman Film Lab | Groom's Ring: Cartier | Groom's Watch: Rolex | Grooms Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Hair/Makeup: Jinjutha | Reception Florals: Sarah Park Events | Silk Ribbon: Tono Co | Tabletop Rentals: Etho Collective | Tapered Candles: Yummi Candles | Tea Ceremony Dress: Tadashi Shoji | Tea Ceremony Shoes: Valentino | Veil/Accessories: Veiled Beauty | Video: Kapsule Co

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Petit Bouquet

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It’s no surprise that many of us have a hard time saying no. That tiny two-letter word can come with loads of guilt and shame, especially if for those of us who are prone to compassion and empathy (raised hand over here!). Simply put, we want to preserve our relationships—whether personal or work related; whether it’s a girl’s night out or a potential new client. Saying yes can be a wonderful thing when the time is right, but it can also backfire on that whole relationship preservation thing. If we can’t keep up, we end up letting others around us down. Saying no is something that really needs to be de-stigmatized; we can’t do it all and do it all well. Because when it comes down to it, every no gives us more opportunity for a yes that’s really worth it down the line.

Saying NO in Your Work Life

Here at SMP, a big part of our jobs is saying no and trust me when I say it is HARD. We work with an array of incredibly talented vendors in both the lifestyle and wedding industries and receive thousands of submissions each month. We wish we could feature every beautiful piece of content that comes across our desks, but we simply can’t. If we did, we wouldn’t be the curated platform that we are today—the reason you log in with us on the daily. On some level, most of us experience the stigma of saying no in the workplace, whether it’s to a client, co-worker or even a boss.

Clients & Customers

While feedback is typically courteous, it can be ridiculously time consuming and kill productivity. It’s OK for no to be a complete sentence, without a reason or a ‘sorry’ attached to it. But it’s also helpful to be courteous. Here’s a positive way to say no to potential clients or customers:

Hi Sarah,

Thank you so much for reaching out! I think we’ll have to kindly pass at this time, but we so appreciate you keeping us in mind for this project.

Warmly,

Melissa

Depending on your product or service, this wording may vary—but the general idea is to:

1. Thank them
2. Decline
3. Show appreciation
4. Provide future opportunities (optional)*

*Depending on your reason for saying no (if you have a full client roster or you feel it is simply not a fit) you can choose to add a note on potential opportunities in the future.

That’s it! No ‘sorry’ needed. Creating canned responses in email is super helpful if that is how you connect with most clients or customers, but the same approach can be taken in person or over the phone, too. Be prepared to be completely honest if you are asked why. You can get yourself into a whole lot more trouble by coming up with excuses than by simply being honest.

Co-workers & Bosses

Saying no to a co-worker or boss can be much more challenging because we equate yes to success and no to failure. We want to impress, we strive for future promotions, we aim for acceptance… and it’s easy to get caught in the yes game chasing after those things.

Speaking from personal experience, I busted by booty my first couple of years here at SMP. Like BUSTED, almost broke myself. My relationship with my husband was even affected as I was working ridiculous hours into the night. I took on WAY too much and ultimately, got behind in every project I was working on. Not to mention, wasn’t recognized in the way I had hoped. The sad part is that I wasn’t being forced to do it—I did it to myself. I said yes to everything in hopes to impress. It was only when I learned the art of saying no that my confidence level rose, my work performance got better and I felt that my time was more respected.

If you’re struggling with the same—saying no is so, so important. But you’ll also want to chat with your co-worker or boss about the bigger problem. Are you feeling overworked? Are expectations too high? Do you feel your opinion is undervalued? 9 times of out 10, when you approach these situations head on with confidence and honesty, those you work with (or for) will respect you more for it.

We all know that hosting an epic dinner party takes more than just pinning “table designs” and sending out invites, but if you’re lost on how to channel that hostessing goddess you always knew you were, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Wayfair Registry for a little guide on getting started. They have all of the essentials you’ll need, plus a long list of awesome benefits that you’ll want to take full advantage of (hey there, group gifting). Scroll for a celebration your friends won’t ever stop talking about.

START SIMPLE

Our mantra is always start simple and Wayfair Registry makes that super easy with some of the prettiest tablecloths you’ll ever lay your eyes upon. We chose this light gray beauty to add some texture, and the neutral color is the perfect starting point, because it’s just so versatile. After that, we layered two table runners in similar shades of blue gray to really give our table a loose, organic feel. We love how it turned out.

GO FOR LOW CENTERPIECES

Long, rectangular tables are always a roomy place to host a dinner party, but can sometimes make conversation difficult. We opted to go with long, low centerpieces to keep those convos flowing (even at opposite ends of the table) and basically jumped at this set of glass votives and these rustic white pitchers as gorgeous vases for our seasonal blooms. Remember – you don’t have to go overboard on decor – simple stylings will keep it comfy for your guests.

FIND THE PERFECT DINNERWARE

This stunning dinnerware set is everything, so we obviously HAD to have them. The soft watercolor design makes them easy to dress up OR down, so you can be sure to use them for every dinner party on your itinerary – including holidays. Plus, the neutral tones make them so, so easy to match any type of decor you choose. These are definitely a win-win.

DON’T FORGET THE EXTRAS

Registering is an awesome way to fill your home with all of the essentials (especially at Wayfair Registry), but it can be easy to forget all of the little extras that can really take those dinner parties to the next level. We’re all about filling your table with must-haves that will keep everything within arm’s reach, like salt jars, bread plates, water pitchers and, of course, a cheese board, because no party is complete without it. Just keep in mind that a beautiful presentation doesn’t have to be overly complicated and food will bring in a lot of color, so choosing hues in neutral tones will always make your table pop, especially if you layer in different textures like linen, ceramic, glass and marble.

Ready to host that first dinner party as newlyweds? You’ll need Wayfair Registry. They have everything you’ll need and USE, plus great benefits, like free shipping, a 10% off completion discount, free returns, customizable lists and registry specialists that can guide you through the process. Plus, they also offer a group gifting option, so you can easily upgrade those old college throw-aways or register for that one big ticket item you’ve had your eye on for centuries. You’ll be totally set for those amazing get-togethers – just add in some fresh flowers and, voila! Instant success.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Styling: Jess Blazejewski

Summer months are among the most popular dates for weddings and for good reason – there is a happiness and blissfulness in the air during those warm summer days in general, but even more so when you add love to the mix. Adding aspects of fun, like a game of croquet or ring toss, to your wedding reception or pre-ceremony moments can up the ante for how much fun your guests will have!

Mirror the Game Selection to the Feel and Style of Your Wedding
Lawn games can be laid back and casual, or you can fancy up them up if you are having more of a classic fete by adding upscale design elements such as incorporating your event color palette, fonts, etc. into the design of the games. These details will tie the activities to the event itself without it feeling like the games were an afterthought.

If you are having a classic outdoor ceremony with modern design details, yet want your guests to feel comfortable and enjoy the in-between moments of your day, opt to include games with design features that speak to your “theme” and style of your overall event. Think your wedding monogram or family crest as an addition to your croquet mallets, Jegna pieces, or cornhole bags.

Choose Games With a Bit of Meaning
The fun thing about adding lawn games into your wedding entertainment is the ability to curate the games based on your relationship and style. Meet the love of your life in college and associate some of your favorite college days playing cornhole while tailgating? Opt to include this as a sweet memento to your early relationship days. Or maybe you have a favorite game, such as Jenga or Connect Four, you like to play with your partner on a date night in – opt for giant versions of the games for your guests to play. This is also a great way to speak to your relationship and make the day even more “you” as a couple.

Limit the Number of Games
While having several different game options for your guests is a great idea in theory – hey, something for everyone! It is best to keep the games to two to three count per one hundred guests. This way, you are adding a dash of personality and giving your guests activities, yet the games are still organized and serve just as much in the decor department as they do entertaining your guests.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Erica Chambers is a freelance writer and blogger at Styles by the C. After living in New York City, she has made her permanent residence along the white sandy beaches of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida with her husband, Michael, and fur child, Maxwell. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her exploring local brunch spots or designing a nursery for her and her husband’s first child, Leo.

Have you heard?! The Little Market offers a wedding registry option and sells beautiful handmade items for your home all while giving opportunity to women artisans from around the world. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! From gorgeous ceramic dinnerware handmade in Morocco to hand-woven laundry baskets from Senegal, The Little Market has endless items to make your newlywed home feel special. I’m breaking down some of SMP’s favorite registry items below and trying not to want to get married all over again so I can have a registry re-do!

Blush Ceramics | Floral Coffee Mugs | Whimsical Hamper

Recipe For Love Gift Set | Ceramic Teapot | Soy Blend Candle

Registry: The Little Market

This is one of those posts that I wanted to go on forever. I wanted to use every.single.one of Ether & Smith’s photos because every single one is simply stunning. Look at this Bride and her ladies? Does it get any chicer!? And that’s just the beginning. So it’s no surprise we chose this celebration as our LBB Wedding of the Week; we’re talking serious wedding goals here. Sit back and soak it all up!

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From the Bride… Jake and I met through a mutual friend when I was living in Boston. He had flown out to spend a few days visiting his high-school friend who I had gone to college with and on his last night there, my roommates had convinced me to go out with everybody- and I am so glad they did! Jake and I had that “love at first sight” kind of beginning. It didn’t make much sense as he was flying back to California the next day, but we had spent the whole night talking and for the first time I felt 100% sure this was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. He left and we began our two and a half-year long distance relationship. I would fly out and spend a weekend with him here and there and he would come to me, but during this time he began his career in the Navy, making regular visits even harder. We thought if we could get through this we could get through anything – and then life threw us a curve ball. He found out he was going to be stationed in Japan for a year. We spent Christmas together with my family right before he left for Japan and that’s when he totally surprised me with a proposal! Planning a wedding while he was on the other side of the world definitely wasn’t the easiest of tasks, but it helped the time fly by. A little over a year later he was home and we were finally able to nail down a date (a short five months from that time) and my move out to Southern California. We both knew we wanted a wedding that was simple and intimate with meaningful and personal details. I think I can honestly say the biggest hit was my grandmother’s homemade fudge as our favors! We had all of our family and friends come and help us and celebrate and that really made the day so incredibly special! My advice would be to not get caught up in the little details that truly don’t matter. Soak in the day from beginning to end. Take time to catch your breath – look at your new husband and feel all the love from your friends and family that surround you as you begin this new journey.

Photography: Ether & Smith | Coordination: Events by Talissa | Floral Design: Moments In Bloom | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cakes: Cute Cakes | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Shoes: Vince Camuto | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Hair + Makeup: Blush and Adore | DJ: Battleson Entertainment | Suits: The Black Tux | Wedding Venue: Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club | Monogrammed Wax Seal on Fudge: Stamptitude | Photobooth: Event Booth Rentals | Rentals: To Be Designed | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

Mixing traditional pieces with mid-century modern finds, this home is best described as beautifully eclectic with a side of California cool. And as the VP of Brand & Design at Hutch, Aisling knew just who to turn to when designing her Studio City bungalow that she shares with her husband Andrew, son Ryder and furry friend too. From the perfect white paint to a serene master bedroom and the most awesome kid’s space we’ve ever laid our eyes on, tour a home that’s equal parts cozy and designed to perfection.

When Aisling, VP of Brand & Design at Hutch, approached the design of her home, she went for a more minimal look and only incorporated things her and her family love into the space. “Since the house is not that big, we wanted it to feel calming and airy. Also, we wanted the house to feel comfortable and not too stuffy, so it was important to work with fabrics and materials that could handle the inevitable spills and wear of life with a kid and dog.”

Aisling lives in her Studio City home with her husband Andrew and eight-year old son Ryder.

How would you describe your design style? I would describe my design style as Scandinavian influenced California modern. I love traditional pieces mixed in. I have so many favorite interior designers and the best ones in my opinion can really mix styles and make it all feel cohesive.

Where do you find design inspiration? Everywhere! I love traveling, and we always bring back little treasures. We went to Copenhagen and Sweden for our honeymoon and stayed in some pretty epic hotels including Ett Hem which was designed by one of my favorite interior designers Ilse Crawford. I love how she mixes modern and traditional and her spaces evoke a feeling of warmth that I wanted to recreate in our home. Besides travel, I do love Pinterest and Instagram. I am a super visual person and I love how easy it is now to keep up with tastemakers who are constantly inspiring me.

Favorite space? “We recently designed our master bedroom with Hutch, and it is easily my favorite space now. I love how calming it feels, and can really decompress from the busy days in there. “

Biggest challenge? The kitchen remodel. “The overall process was pretty seamless since we hired great contractors and it was finished in a relatively short period of time, but it was definitely overwhelming at times making decisions on materials and trying to picture how they would work together.”

Easiest part? Painting the house. We picked the white paint we wanted the day we got the keys, and once the house was all white, the house automatically had the vibe we were looking for.

What feeling were you trying to invoke with the design of your home? Since the house is not that big, we wanted it to feel calming and airy. I went for a more minimal design, and only incorporated things we love into the space. Also, we want the house to feel comfortable and not too stuffy, so it was important to work with fabrics and materials that could handle the inevitable spills and wear of life with a kid and dog.

Approach for designing her son Ryder’s bedroom? I think kids rooms are the most fun to decorate. Even when he was a baby, I always was drawn to neutral colors and away from a baby-ish feel. When we moved into the house we decided to let him have a queen bed so it could double as a space for when guests visit. 

I incorporated things we collected over the years such as the vintage kilim rug I got at a flea market years back, and a Pendleton blanket we bought on a trip to Lake Arrowhead. 

We decided to give him a desk as he loves to draw with a quirky gallery wall. The oversized Pizza Pony picture is from a dear friend of ours, Jonpaul Douglass. Ryder did not have a lot of opinions when it came to his room, just a request for a place for his legos.

I can’t tell you how many he has because it is ridiculous, but we conceal them in storage bins under the bed and in his closet. Most of the time it looks like a lego bomb went off in his room!

Can you walk through the process of how you designed your bedroom using Hutch?  When we moved into the house, we did not really buy anything besides things for the kitchen and a couple of rugs. I kept putting off our bedroom, and it was super minimal before. Once I joined Hutch I decided it was time to give our space some love. 

I knew I wanted low oak nightstands and a cozy wool rug, so I used the filters when swapping out items in the app to find what worked for me. Once I picked those two main items, the lamps that provided height and in a neutral tone came next. Lastly, we wanted cozy linen bedding, so the Jenni Kayne X Parachute striped duvet was key, and I added the chunky wool throw to add even more comfort to the space.

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Photography: Hutch | Design: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch | Source/Product: Hutch

Joseph has a beautiful, seven-year-old daughter named, Lily, so when it came time to ask Jessica to join their family, he wanted to make sure Lily was included every step of the way. Not only was she an integral part of the proposal (read the cute story below!), Lily was also the “Junior Bride” at the wedding, complete with her own mini veil and a special daddy daughter dance at the reception. Joesph is one lucky guy with these two beauties, right!? This sweet act of love is a testament to just the kind of amazing people Joseph and Jessica are, so you better believe we are a pile of mush every time we look at Stephanie Brazzle‘s photos of their special day.

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Jessica and Joseph were classmates in their high school health class, but their story didn’t really begin until about ten years later when they reconnected at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner.

For their one year anniversary, Joseph planned a trip to Waco, Texas, for a weekend getaway to Fixer Upper’s Harp House. After arriving at the Harp House, they FaceTimed Joseph’s seven-year-old daughter, Lily, to give her a tour of the beautiful home. At the end of the tour, Lily asked Joseph, “Daddy, are you ready?” He replied, “Yes,” and Lily then continued with, “Jessica, Daddy has something to ask you.” Joseph, down on one knee, said, “One year ago, I asked you to be my girlfriend, and today I am asking you to be my wife. Jessica Dickinson, will you marry me?”

Their anniversary weekend continued with a day trip to the Texas Reds Steak and Grape festival in Jessica’s hometown of Bryan, Texas, and a football game at her alma mater, Baylor University. 

The rustic elegant charm of The White Sparrow Barn in Quinlan, Texas, made it a dream venue for Jessica and Joseph’s wedding day. The beautiful country landscape and the whitewashed wood walls were what they pictured as the perfect backdrop for their wedding ceremony and reception. Slate blue accents, mauve florals, and gold details were used throughout the barn to complete their vision of a day filled with romance, simplicity, and love.

What made this day even more special was becoming a family of three. It was important to both Jessica and Joseph to have Lily feel included in their wedding journey. From food and cake tasting to a bridal luncheon with the ladies, Lily was a part of this very special time for this couple. As Jessica’s Junior Bride, Lily spent the day getting ready with the bride and bridesmaids and wore an ivory tulle and lace dress with her own veil. One of the most precious moments of the night was Joseph and Lily’s dance to Paul Simon’s “Father and Daughter.”

Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Event Planning: Borrowed & Blue | Floral Design: Holly Viles | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: The Butterfly Cake Factory | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Abuelo's | Hair + Makeup: Brittany Jones Hair And Makeup | Calligraphy: Pretty Post Calligraphy | DJ: Complete Weddings and Events - Ben Lewis | Groom's Attire: Perry Ellis | Venue: The White Sparrow | Banner: Goldie Design Co. | Bridal Boutique: Lulu's Bridal Boutique | Bride's Robe: BHLDN | Linen Rentals: AM Linen Rental | Programs: brittany hansen design | Rentals: Junk Disorderly | Rentals: Beautiful Event Rentals