If you’re getting married during the summer and you’re thinking about your bridesmaids’ dresses, then there are a couple of different factors to consider. First, you want to make sure the colors are seasonally appropriate, so generally steer clear of darker colors like burgundy and hunter green. Second, you want to consider the material! If you’re getting married during the warmest months of the year, odds are you will be outside at some point during the day, and you want to make sure your girls’ dresses are comfortable and breathable! Lastly and most importantly, you need to think about how the style fits in with your wedding dress and the tone and formality of the wedding.

For some inspiration, check out these summer bridesmaids’ dresses that your besties will no doubt love to wear!

10 Bridesmaids Dresses for Summer Weddings

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10 Bridesmaids Dresses for Summer Weddings

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Style Me Pretty Contributor – Julia Hurwitz is a freelance writer and Marketing Manager based in New York City. Her interests include travel, global craft, healthy baking, entertaining and exploring the outdoors.

As couples move from casual dating to getting engaged, they think about how to merge various aspects of their lives. Discussions usually center around issues like joint vs individual bank accounts, how to divide the holidays between families, and even logistical considerations like whose couch to keep when you move in together.

Often overlooked is the question of how partners will merge their spiritual lives. As millennials move away from formal religion and often identify themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” conversations on the subject seem unnecessary. However, even people who don’t currently plan to make faith a part of their shared life may find that religion enters their marriage in unexpected ways.

Merging family and faith expecations within your own marriage 
When Sasha and Rick* got engaged, Sasha knew Rick came from a religious family. Rick grew up praying before meals and going to church, but he had never done either when the two were dating. The role religion might play in their marriage was never discussed.

Now that they are married, Rick’s parents stay with the couple when they come to town. Before each meal, either Rick or his father says a prayer. According to Sasha, “At first, it was surprising to see Rick do this when his parents were around. I think the prayers are less about religion for him and more a way of connecting with his parents and being respectful of them. Still, I didn’t think his upbringing would mean religion would be a part of our married life.”

Sasha is content to go along with the rituals of Rick’s family, but some spouses in her situation would feel blindsided or pressured into religious practices that make them feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t fair of Rick to expect Sasha to participate in his family traditions (particularly in her own home) without talking to her. On the other hand, knowing Rick’s parents were devout in their beliefs, Sasha could have broached the subject to learn more about why Rick had moved away from the religious rituals of his childhood.

To merge faiths or coexist as “spiritual but separate?” 
Confronting spiritual differences may be a more obvious necessity for the growing number of interfaith couples. While one partner converting is an option, most couples prefer to coexist with their respective beliefs, even incorporating practices from different faith traditions into their wedding ceremony. In these marriages, ideally, couples move beyond simply coexisting to learning about one another’s faith. If possible, that could include respectfully participating in some of its rituals.

When to discuss religious development
Regardless of the way couples decide to address religion when it’s just the two of them, spouses often find that the arrival of their first baby is a catalyst for discussion and sometimes conflict. Before having children, it’s possible to live in a spiritual gray area; however, a child may require choices that are more black and white. Will the baby be formally initiated into a religion? If so, and spouses are of different faiths, which one will they choose? Partners who have previously seemed uninterested in spirituality can have strong feelings around these choices.

Although getting engaged and having a baby are key times to discuss faith, any significant life event such as a serious illness, the loss of a loved one, or a tragic world event may cause people to reconsider the role religion plays in their life. Spouses must be prepared for this possibility and allow room for their partner to evolve in what they believe and may or may not want to practice. With that level of open-mindedness and ongoing dialogue, couples can create a shared spiritual life that meets the needs of each spouse.

*Names changed

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Paula Holt is the creator of the website Practically Married, a resource to help couples prepare for marriage. She’s a self-described podcast enthusiast who enjoys singing loudly in the car and trying new restaurants with her family.

You’ve booked the perfect wedding venue in the mountains, complete with crisp air, fire pit, incredible mountain views, and towering trees. An outdoor wedding is a magical event that has built-in atmosphere.

All you need to do is add a little rustic decor, strands of twinkling lights in a grove of trees, and these 8 ideas to keep your guests happy campers at your woodsy wedding.

Campfire vibes
An outdoorsy wedding wouldn’t be complete without a campfire. Warm your guests up with a cozy campfire and station the s’mores at a nearby table for easy marshmallow roasting. A bucket of wool blankets is a cute and practical decor idea to warm your girl squad’s chilly shoulders once the sun sets.

Wood block guest book
Rather than the traditional guest book, give your guests a woodsy way to wish you well. Wooden Jenga blocks are the perfect size for a guest to write a short message and sign their name. Plus, it’s a keepsake that won’t just sit in the box in the attic, as Jenga is a fun, at-home date night activity as newlyweds.

S’more snacks
All of that dancing at the reception can make for a hungry attendee. Satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth with s’mores by the campfire. Prep the s’more ingredients by bagging chocolate bars, graham crackers and marshmallows in clear treat bags before the wedding, and don’t forget to have the roasters on hand.

Play games
Make your party fun for all. From washer toss and cornhole to giant tic-tac-toe and ladder ball, lawn games at a reception give guests something to do, especially if they have two left feet. And with all of the extra space in the great outdoors, wedding games are an inexpensive way to add rustic and functional decor.

Take shelter
Of course, any camping trip includes tents! Make your event comfortable with a tent guests can escape to for a quiet reprieve from a raucous reception, or, of course, for a peaceful moment between you and your groom.

Camping for the kids
Entertain the kids by setting up simple tents for them to play in while the adults play nearby. Add a bucket of washable markers and let them get creative by drawing on the canvas for a memento for participating flower girls or ring bearers.

Dine al fresco
Skip the big, white event tent and take in the great outdoors by dining outside. Guests will enjoy the fresh air, the sun setting over the mountains, and twinkling patio lights overhead. One, long dining table allows guests to sit down for dinner family-style, too.

Foresty favors
Remind guests of your big day with a forest-themed favor. Whether it’s a s’more bag, a live pine tree seedling, or a simple bag of skipping stones, woodland gifts will spark nostalgia of the majestic mountain views, crisp scent of pines, and dancing the night away in a natural setting.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Ali Struhs is a freelance writer, blogger, and mama in Denver, Colorado. When not typing away on the computer, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors, rocking out at Red Rocks, snuggling her new baby, and chasing around her toddler.

What do I have to do to get in on this tribe? The friends of this Bride and Groom came together to create an uber creative and personalized wedding, taking care of everything from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the ceremony music. But when it came time to capture the magic live, this couple chose wisely and had NST Pictures film their special day. And one viewing of their highlight film right here and it’s evident that they made the right choice. Don’t you agree!?

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From the Bride… We have a very talented group of friends, so rather than hiring vendors, many of the people who made our day a reality were friend vendors “friendors” which made the day so personal and intimate. Our wedding signage and day-of coordination were completely done by friends. Two of our friends who are amazing musicians sang for our wedding ceremony, and our wedding band was comprised of friends as well. One of my bridesmaids went to college with me at FIT. She now works in fashion design and so graciously designed and custom created my nine mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses and stood by me as a bridesmaid on her birthday. Another bridesmaid did an amazing job on my hair and makeup while the rest of the bridesmaids did their own. I am so thankful for these amazing friends who came together to help make this day so perfect!

Our photographer is a good friend, and as a huge photo person, I originally thought those would be my priority and that the video would be secondary so I was so conflicted about having a wedding video. Nonetheless, I still wanted to get a trailer film made to look back on our day and discovered NST Pictures. The moment we received our trailer, it was like the day came rushing back. Obviously, pictures will bring back memories but NST did such a beautiful job editing and making the day come to life in those five minutes of captured moments. When we watch the video, it pours out the whole spirit and heart behind that day all over again. When it comes to picking a videographer, I would definitely say don’t skimp out or settle. You need to find someone who understands your vision and who will understand how you want to remember this day forever. Mariano and I knew for a fact we did not want a cookie-cutter video. We wanted something different that was more of a cinematic experience that told a story, and NST did such a great job at capturing us as a couple in those few moments!

We love warehouses and industrial spaces so we knew right away Brooklyn was where it would all take place. We like the raw and urban look of brick walls, metal beams, and open spaces. So when we walked into 26 Bridge for the first time, we knew we had found exactly what we were looking for. When it comes to colors, we are pretty minimalistic. We wanted to keep everything very earthy and neutral with small pops of color to tie in the fall season. I wanted our decor to revolve around more foliage than florals so we decided to incorporate a lot of greens into the bouquets, as well as, half-size eucalyptus garlands on our dinner tables – wooden farm tables to tie into the earthy tones – decorated with mix-and-match glass bottles which we collected (the bottles were actually our favorite sparkling water and cold brew coffees which we felt added a little quirk and personality to centerpieces!). The little flowers that we did have were white, blush, and nude mixed with the green foliage and I also had hanging burgundy pieces to match my wine-colored velvet heels that complemented my custom dress by Sarah Seven (Mariano wore an H&M suit with Saint Laurent shoes – the ultimate high/low combination!). My crown was actually my mom’s from her wedding – it was the perfect something borrowed that completed my look that day.

We are now blogging about married life on LifeasLeoncziks.com. As high school sweethearts, we ended up getting married at the age of 23 and moving in together after the wedding which is not a scenario you hear about as often nowadays! We like to blog about what married life has been like and share our experience as two young people chasing our dreams as husband and wife!

Photography: Michael Tabuzo | Cinematography: NST Pictures | Floral Design: The Rosewood Girl | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Dulce de Leche Bakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dayra Galarza | Catering: Creative Foods Caterings | Band: Brian Beckford | Groom's Suit: H&M | Ceremony Music: Gabriella Chavez + Charlie Sztyk | Wedding Venue: 26 Bridge | Day-Of Coordination: Angelena Hreczny | Groom's Shoes: Saint Laurent | Hair + Makeup Artist: Courtney Androsiglio | Wedding Signage: Sabrina La Salle

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Being surrounded by family and friends on your Big Day (and in the events leading up to it) is a wonderful thing. But sometimes, the pressure can be strong to abide by certain wedding traditions. Traditions that might not be fitting for you—including having bridesmaids. It can absolutely be a positive experience for many, don’t get us wrong, but maybe it’s not right for your personally. And you know what? That’s 100% OK! Below are a few signs that having a bridal party might not be your jam.

You’d Rather Do Things Solo

As a bride, one thing I really wasn’t looking forward to doing was a big dress shopping shindig with my girls. I know my own style very well and felt it would be so much more confusing and stressful if I had six of my bffs giving out their kind, but varying opinions. This rang true for many other eventful moments leading up to my wedding day. Feeling the same way? Don’t feel pressured to have bridesmaids just to ‘help’ you with all of the details. If you’re more comfortable doing things solo, go for it!

Choosing Between Friends

This can be such a challenge! I have several close girlfriends whose bridal parties would have been ridiculously large if they included every single one of their intimate friends. At some point you have to draw the line and maybe for you, forgoing a bridal party altogether is the right choice. Other options include have one maid of honor and one best man, or including your siblings only! Most importantly, don’t fall into the guilt trap of having a bridal party because you don’t want to let people down—this is your day and you should do what you’re comfortable with.

The Financial Aspect

The larger your bridal party gets, the bigger you need to stretch your budget. In most cases, bridesmaids pay for their own dress and hair or makeup—but there are still bouquets, gifts, etc. If you’d rather allocate that budget elsewhere, that’s OK! Remember, you’ll still be able to celebrate with those same friends regardless if they are ‘bridesmaids’ or not.

Day of Duties

There are many day-of moments that provide fun opportunities to celebrate with your closest friends… from getting ready to having them stand by your side as you say your vows. But maybe you don’t prefer to get ready with a group of girls or you’d rather stand alone as you say I do. Take a deep dive into the reasons you do or don’t want a bridal party!

Near and Far

Whether you’re having a destination wedding or not, your closest friends might not all be so close by. While the idea of wedding planning shindigs and late night bubbly sessions with your girls might sound fun for some, it’s not always feasible for everyone. And when you do get together with those friends during the days leading up to your I dos, you might not feel OK bombarding them with wedding tasks and would rather spend quality time together.

All in all, if you’re not feeling the whole bridesmaid thing, there’s no reason to force it. As anything with your wedding, if something doesn’t feel right or just completely not YOU, skip it.

I’ve been trying to put my finger on what I love so very much about this Bellewood Plantation wedding – looking through Kt Crabb‘s photographs positively warms my heart! – and then I read their love story and knew immediately. While I’m always a sucker for plantation affairs, farm table receptions, and long sleeve lace gowns, what was speaking straight to my heart was that these two are high school sweethearts who met in gym class! I don’t know about for you, but when the lovebirds have gone through that kind of life growth together, it makes for a love so sweet and a bond so close I can always spot it. Read their darling story, below!

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From the bride… James and I met in high school gym class when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. We became friends, then close friends, and then best friends in that obvious way when you know two people like each other. A year and a half after meeting, James asked me to be his girlfriend. We dated for six and a half wonderful years. In that time, we got to graduate high school, attend the same college (Go Knights!), graduate college and find our careers and passions together. And thanks to the challenges and joys of life experienced over those six years, we knew with all of our hearts that we wanted to get married and spend the rest of this wonderful life together. So after James proposed to me – a complete surprise on New Year’s Eve with a surprise engagement party – I knew exactly what I wanted my wedding to be about: a celebration of our love, and a celebration with the incredible people in our lives.

Bellewood Plantation, our venue, offered the perfect canvas for my vision. A gorgeous, Southern-style home with a sprawling landscape, Bellewood had a place for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all on the grounds. James and I wanted our decor and apparel to be simple and classic, and we wanted the atmosphere of our wedding to emphasize our joy to be getting married. Bellewood had handcrafted long, farmhouse tables and market lighting under the reception tent, so we forwent table linens and used gold chargers, greenery, and candle votives of varying sizes. Our flowers, white and pale pink with dark greenery, looked so lovely against the classic black tuxedos and slate blue bridesmaids’ dresses.

When I think back to my wedding day, it is a blur of so many happy moments, but there are three that stand out clearly. The first is when James and I exchanged the vows we wrote each other during our ceremony. The second is immediately after our ceremony (we didn’t do a first look), when we soaked in our first moments of marriage together, captured beautifully by Katie. And finally, I loved when we got to see our family and wedding party after our pictures. It was such a sweet time with all our favorite people in one place. Our wedding day was truly the happiest day of my life, and I feel so grateful for my vendors, our wedding party, all our family, my parents, and of course my husband, James.

Photography: Kt Crabb Photography | Cinematography: Sarah Walker Production | Floral Design: Violets in Bloom | Wedding Dress: Mori Lee | Bride's Shoes: Dyeables | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Edible Art Catering | Makeup: In2YourBeauty Makeup Artistry | DJ: FyerFly Productions | Groom's Attire: Michael Kors | Venue: Bellewood Plantation | Bridal Boutique: Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique | Photography Assistance: Heidi Vail Photography

Without fail, if I do any one of the following things, I’m always feeling slugglish later in the day. They’re bad habits that most of us have fallen victim to at one point or another—and you might not realize just how badly they are wreaking havoc on your own energy levels! What are some things you do to get started of on the right foot every morning? Let us know in the comments!

A Sugary Start

We talk about our kids having ‘sugar highs’ and ‘sugar crashes’ but do we really apply the sugar rules to ourselves? Especially in the morning, sugar consumption can cause sluggish energy levels by the afternoon or even lunch time!

As someone who personally struggled with blood sugar levels a few years ago, I learned how important it is to have balanced meals, especially at breakfast. A healthy breakfast includes fiber, protein and a healthy fat, all which give you energy and leave you feeling full!

If you’re craving sweets in the morning, opt for fruit that has naturally occurring sugars (rather than foods with added sugars) since fruit also has fiber, which helps your body process sugar in a healthier way.

Catching Some Extra Zzz’s

Hitting the snooze button may be super satisfying in the moment (just another 10!) but it can actually mess with your body’s natural sleep cycles and leave you feeling MORE tired when the alarm goes off again and again.

According to Harvard Healthy Sleep, for adults “The average length of the first NREM-REM sleep cycle is between 70 and 100 minutes; the average length of the second and later cycles is about 90 to 120 minutes.” So when you’re hitting snooze, you’re tricking your body into thinking it’s going back into sleep mode for another cycle. And then when that alarm goes off again, you wake up with a foggy feeling called sleep inertia, which can stay with you throughout the day causing energy levels to dip.

The solution (albeit challenging): don’t purposely set your alarm to a time that will allow you to hit snooze. When you wake up, immediately think of something positive you’re looking forward to that day as motivation—whether that be the yummy breakfast you have planned, a project you’re looking forward to starting at work or a new movie you’re planning to see that evening.

Rushing Through Your Morning

My husband shared this speech with me a few months ago, in which Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement address for the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. His message was: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right. And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made. That you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.”

This message, although simple, is so inspiring. Our energy levels aren’t just a product of physical stamina, but mindful motivation, too. If we’re starting our mornings in a rushed manner, chances are that same attitude will carry throughout the day, leading to a huge decrease in energy. So, after that alarm goes off, make your bed and take pride in the little things that get you started on the right foot every day.

Magic is orcas crashing your ceremony rehearsal. It’s also a sure fire sign that you picked the coolest spot ever for saying “I Do.” From killer whales to a stunning modern affair under a sailcloth tent, this wedding day is one for the books. Wild Bloom Floral crafted all white blooms, paired with minimalism meets modern details designed by Callista & Company and the prettiest seaside location overlooking the Seattle skyline. Pore through this stunning affair so beautifully captured by Sarah Carpenter Photography.

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Abigail and George met at camp at age nine, over 19 years ago, and have been together ever since. George made it official by proposing with his Great Grandmother’s ring, which was given to her in 1896. The Country Club of Seattle, just steps away from Abigail’s childhood home, was the perfect venue for their refined, Pacific Northwest Wedding. We knew the wedding day would be a success after breaching Orcas crashed our ceremony rehearsal. Abigail’s brother and George’s sister married the couple after a dramatic processional along the coastline led by bagpipes and the bride and groom’s Newfoundland puppy, Sal. Guests then celebrated in a sailcloth tent overlooking the Seattle skyline. Food and beverage was of utmost importance to Abigail and George, who selected an abundance of local and seasonal shellfish, cheese, salmon, artisanal brews, and the island’s own, Mora Ice Cream.

Photography: Sarah Carpenter | Event Design: Callista & Company | Event Planning: Callista & Company | Floral Design: Wild Bloom Floral | Wedding Dress: Luly Yang Couture | Cake: Delicately Sweet Confections | Stationery: brylo wed | Catering: Ravishing Radish Catering | Calligraphy: Jaynie Lighter | Entertainment: Blue Wave Band | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Transportation: Butler Valet | Dessert : Mora Ice Cream | Hair & Make Up: Angela Kingery | Hair & Make Up: Erin Skipley | Hair & Make Up : Mia Leicht | Rentals: Something Borrowed Portland | Rentals: Puget Sound Farm Tables | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Happy Hour Bar Rentals | Rentals: Cort Party Rentals

Creating your guest list is arguably the most stressful part of wedding planning. You have your family and friends from all your life stages. Then you add your fiancé’s friends and family, your parents’ friends, and your future in-laws’ friends. Now you have to think about how many people your venue – and budget – will fit!

Because all venues and budgets have their limits, an overflow, or “B list” is a great way to include more of the people you love. Here’s how to navigate your second guest list with as few faux-pas as possible:

Make Your Guest Lists Early
Start making – and separating – your lists ASAP! When you ask your fiancé, parents, and future in-laws for their lists, give them a number and a deadline. You don’t want them listing 100 guests if, in reality, they only get 30 names.

The sooner you and your fiancé separate the lists, the sooner you’ll be able to send invitations, receive RSVPs, and include as many people as possible.

Be Consistent
While it is your wedding, you don’t want friends within groups comparing invitations and feeling like they didn’t make the cut. The best way to navigate dual timelines is to decide one set of criteria for close friends and family and apply it across the board.

Whether it’s high school, college, work, church, etc., decide what qualifies for A list and B list and stick to it for every group.

Send Invitations Early
Most couples send wedding invitations 4-6 weeks ahead of their wedding date and request the RSVP card three weeks before the ceremony. By mailing your wedding invitations 8-10 weeks out and requesting an earlier RSVP, you’ll have more time to receive your A-list responses and mail your B-list invitations to take their place. Your roommate from freshman year might never know she didn’t receive the first round of invitations!

Bonus: Include a digital reply option (email address or wedding website) for even quicker RSVPs!

Prioritize Your B List
Set thresholds for your overflow list. Who are the top 10 people you want to invite if some guests from your A-list can’t make it? By prioritizing your list with names of people who barely missed the cut at the top and people who would be nice to see at the bottom, you’ll be ready if A-list guests RSVP “no.”

The sooner you mail their invitation with a separate RSVP card, the less obvious it will be that they didn’t make the original guest list.

Print Separate RSVP Cards
The RSVP card is often a dead giveaway for the B-list. Nobody wants to receive an invitation with an RSVP due date that’s already passed.

Print a few RSVP cards with separate (later) due dates for your B list. The response card timeline should line up with the invitation timeline, so pick a date that’s at least a week after your guests will receive their invitations.

Keep Your Lists Secret
Who you invite to your wedding is completely up to you (and your fiancé). Never tell your friends or family who’s on your B list. You’d never want to hurt a friend’s feelings who might end up getting an invitation after all.

By the time you’ve mailed all your invitations, you’ll feel like you’ve performed a small miracle! Keep in mind that, when it comes to guest lists, the earlier you decide (and mail), the easier (and less obvious) it will be to your B list.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Madeline Littrell is a corporate PR strategist and freelance writer. Born and raised in the South, she loves big hair, country music, and chicken fingers. Madeline lives in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee.

Whenever I hear Lake Como, I tend to think Clooney but that may no longer be the case. After oohing and aahing over Marta Guenzi’s gallery right here, I can’t stop thinking about this wedding, the elegance, romance and the straight up style of it all. Beautiful white blooms burst everywhere, with pops of bright lemons and sweet kisses from the beaming Bride and Groom; it’s stunning to say the least. See our new King and Queen of Lake Como right this way – and don’t miss Alessandro Bordoni’s film below that captured the magic live!

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From Marta Guenzi… One requirement of any visit to Lake Como is a cruise of the lake by boat. This not only allows for one to feel instantly glamorous, but also allows for an uninterrupted vantage point from which to take in the steep Alpine foothills that line Como’s perimeter and the many historic villas that dot its shores. If you’re particularly lucky and your captain is especially experienced, he’ll know which buildings warrant a closer peek and he’ll steer just close enough to those so that the eye may roam freely and the imagination may run wild.

The villa that most captures the wildest imaginations is a very grand mansion on the western branch of the lake. This villa is known as Villa Sola Cabiati, or —to those in the know— La Quiete. It is famous for being one of the most stunning villas in a wonderland of stunning villas, and also for being the 18th-century vacation home of the very wealthy Duke Gabrio Serbelloni. It was his children who transformed La Quiete into its current Baroque dream, filling it with a museum’s worth of paintings, frescoes, porcelains, tapestries, and furnishings. And this is the place Tyisha and Thomas fell in love with when they started to plan their destination wedding in Italy.

The bride is from New York while the groom is from Stockholm, so their guests came half from the U. S. and half from Northern Europe. And who doesn’t get excited at the prospect of going somewhere gorgeous and unique to exchange vows? What I love about a destination wedding is the feeling of adventure that binds all the participants and this was exactly what I felt during the two days I spent with this amazing couple and their guests.

The wedding weekend started with a boat cruise at sunset and culminated the day after with the religious ceremony at the Church of the Ascension in Cadenabbia followed by an elegant reception at Villa Sola Cabiati in Tremezzina. I loved every minute of this intimate celebration, from the bride getting ready inside the historical rooms doing a pillow fight with the bridesmaids, to the first look in the fern-flecked Italian garden, to the moving religious ceremony, to the relaxing dinner around the imperial table overlooking the lake. Tyisha and Thomas were inspired by typical Italian fruits like lemons and white flowers that in summer adorn the shores of Lake Como. So they designed their watercolored stationery using these elements and chose to decorate the imperial dinner table with a mic of flowers and fruits: lemons, lisianthus, roses, eucalyptus and olive branches. The floral designers, Maurizio Buzzi and Luca Perini by Haute Couture Flower, suggested the spouses to set the dinner under the stars, in the upfront garden of the villa, overlooking the lake. What a better place to have fun and listen to the most touching speeches by the closest friends and family? I won’t steal more time and I’ll leave you with the images of this lovely day!

Photography: Marta Guenzi Photographer | Videography: Alessandro Bordoni | Floral Design: Haute Couture Flower | Ceremony Venue: Church Of Ascension | Reception Venue: Grand Hotel Tremezzo | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Maison du Food | Hair + Makeup: Daniela Guanziroli | Music: Blunotte Events

It all started with the balcony at Sunstone Winery, which sparked the idea for this Romeo and Juliet inspired wedding editorial created by Detailed Touch Events. The romance of this shoot captured by Kurt Boomer and Lolavideo is as fierce as the classic love story, pulling on our heart strings with incredible Marchesa and Berta gowns, a ceremony set up dripping in candlelight and florals by Lavenders Flowers, vintage details, and that soft blue and ivory stationery suite by Simply Rooted. Needless to say, this gallery has us quoting the Bard: “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”

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From Detailed Touch Events… The overall design and creative vision for this shoot started with the beautiful Sunstone Winery location in Santa Ynez, California. I kept dreaming of this venue and the estate’s Juliet balcony. I brought on the amazing film photographer, Kurt Boomer, as well as my styling mentor, Kelly Oshiro. That is when this modern Romeo and Juliet editorial came to life.

I wanted everything we brought into this shoot to represent their love story while complementing the aesthetics of the winery – from the olive leaves and Sunstone illustration that is included in the wedding invitation suite created by Jamie from Simply Rooted Calligraphy, to the delicate neutral color pallet that complements the Tuscan-inspired villa. I included styling accents that represented the love story; the vintage Romeo and Juliet book imported from Europe, a tray resembling a crown, and excerpts from the book instead of vows.

For the bridal styling, everything was intentional including the romantic lace robe for the bridal boudoir pictures, the Marchesa dress that featured a flowy, dreamy ballgown skit with delicate, soft flower appliques. My most favorite bridal accessory is the Juliet veil from The Veiled Beauty that gracefully drapes down the back of the dress while being held by two lace side clips. For jewelry, I wanted to keep it soft and dainty, so I chose small, drop diamond earrings paired with a simple engagement ring from 33 Jewels. The reception look is a Berta gown that embodies the intimate and sexy side of the Romeo and Juliet story, with off-the-shoulder tulle sleeves and a bustier bodice.

For ceremony and reception design, I wanted both spaces to feel like the greenery was growing all around them, achieving a whimsical environment like vines overgrowing an abandoned villa in Italy. To accomplish this, Lavenders Flowers designed a beautiful ceremony display, wrapping the outdoor fireplace with florals. We also covered the entire space with candles from Creative Candles.

For the reception table, we embellished each chair with greenery. The sheer sky textile runner from Tono + Co. truly made this space dreamy. The light blue tone softened the natural elements surrounding the table and complemented the furniture rentals from Town and Country. All tabletop was sourced from The Ark, where I carefully chose pieces that told our story – the delicate lace plates, the vintage glassware, and the silverware that resembled (to me!) an antique sword. Each plate was adorned with an Italian inspired menu set with a single flower.

We finished the day with his and her drinks accompanied by an olive oil bar. The bride and groom drinks are a traditional Negroni and Sbagliato. Cheers!

Drinks Recipe:

• 1 oz gin (sub champagne for sbagliato)
• 1 oz campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Stir, strain, and tumble with cubed ice
• Finish with an orange twist

Photography: Kurt Boomer | Cinematography: Lola Video | Floral Design: Lavenders Flowers | Cake: Lele's Patisserie | Bride's Shoes: Oscar De La Renta | Jewelry: 33 Jewels | Makeup: Janet Villa | Hair: Janet Villa | Tuxedo: Stich & Tie | Bridal Boutique: Lovella Bridal | Candles: Yummi Candles | Ceremony Dress: Marchesa | Cocktail Recipe: The Good Lion | Creative Direction: Detailed Touch Events | Female Model: Caity Maclennan | Hand Props: Embellish | Location: Sunstone Winery & Villa | Male Model: Franco Fox | Paper Goods: Simply Rooted Calligraphy | Reception Dress: Berta | Rentals: Town And Country | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Robe: Homebodii | Styling Mentor: Kelly Oshiro | Styling Surfaces: Simply Rooted Calligraphy | Table Top Rentals: The Ark Event Rentals | Textiles: Tono Co | Veil: Veiled Beauty

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Save the date! Kensington Palace announced Thursday that Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding invitations have been issued! With the wedding less than two months away, they’re right on schedule for sending out their invitations.

“Guests have been invited to the service at St George’s Chapel and to the lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall, which is being given by Her Majesty The Queen. Later that evening, around 200 guests are being invited to the reception at Frogmore House given by The Prince of Wales.”

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:46am PDT

The royals offered a behind the scenes look at the invitations and special meaning behind the printer and materials via their Twitter account:

“@BarnardWestwood have been making Royal invitations since 1985, and Managing Director Austen Kopley said he was thrilled and honoured to be making them. Using American ink on English card, the invitations are printed in gold and black, then burnished to bring out the shine, and gilded around the edge.”

How sweet is that? What a lovely touch to have American ink on an English card. We’ll be checking our mailbox ASAP!

Stay up to date on all our royal wedding coverage here!

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In the land of Palm Springs, leopard is considered a neutral and eclectic decor is a design staple. So it’s safe to say, this bohemian bash planned by Amorology along with florals by The Dainty Lion is quintessential Palm Springs. Filled with unique details like a floral filled octagon arbor, stationery gone wild and the sweetest ending by Over the Rainbow, get lost in this desert beauty captured by Luna de Mare.

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From Luna de Mare… Dubbed as the land of Eternal Sun, this quintessential Palm Springs wedding took place at the infamous La Quinta resort. A long time favorite of Hollywood’s elite for it’s privacy, and expansive landscape nestled against the desert hills, this beautiful resort and club was the perfect setting for Kelsey and Sean to exchange their vows. Designed by Amorology, this charming and eclectic wedding had all the ingredients of a chic Bohemian affair, complete with Pampas grass and Chinese lanterns adorning the octagon arbor. Long after the sun set behind those golden mountains, guests dined and danced until the end of the evening, strolling back to their casitas having enjoyed a blissfully beautiful gathering to celebrate the loveliest couple tying the proverbial knot.

Photography: Luna de Mare Photography | Event Planning: Amorology | Floral Design: Kimberly Anderson, The Dainty Lion | Cakes: Over The Rainbow | Shoes: Miu Miu | Groom's Attire: Jos A Bank | Backdrops: Backup Backdrops | Bridal Boutique: Kinsley James Couture Bridal | Furniture Rentals: Folklore Vintage Rentals | HMUA: KC Witkamp | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Maid of Honor Gown: Reformation | Paper Suite : Twinkle And Toast | Tabletop Rentals: Hostess Haven

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Amorology

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Trust us on this one, you guys: hosting a classic wedding doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to the latest and greatest trends hitting the runway. In fact, we think adding a touch of something new is the best way to infuse your wedding with a pop of something special. This year, we’re​ all about embracing ​bridesmaid dresses with sparkly metallics and softer tones. ​Check out more of our picks below.

GORGEOUS METALLICS

Okay, so metallics have been around for awhile now, but that just proves they are awesome, so they definitely top our list in 2018. The trick with metallics is not overdoing it – and we’re all for infusing a little glitter into your bridal party with gorgeous gowns like the ones from Bari Jay. We love the fabrics (hey there, floral sequins), size options that work for every shape + height (seriously) and the fact that they even have maternity dresses with stretch panels. Your girls will love how amazing they look – and you’ll love the craftsmanship and quality.

THE PRETTIEST SHADE OF PINK EVER

You know we can never get enough of a pretty pink hue, but this year we’re focusing on one gorgeous shade in particular: Bari Jay’s Rose. It’s a color that will look good on absolutely anyone (trust us) and your besties will be thrilled to float down the aisle in one of Bari Jay’s stunning styles. And if that’s not enough of a win-win, take note: Bari Jay is a family-owned business that has over 50 years of experience creating beautiful gowns and even offers up junior bridesmaid and flower girl options that will coordinate perfectly with your bridal party.

NEUTRALS DONE RIGHT

It’s not always about adding a pop of color, and Bari Jay’s lineup of breathtaking neutrals proves it. For a look that is more classic and demure, we can’t stop talking about the delicate detailing, figure-flattering silhouettes and statement making details, like those jaw-dropping illusion backs. Plus, we love how easy it is to take these soft hues and mix and match, so your besties can really feel relaxed in a style that is right for them. Oh, and did we mention that Bari Jay will soon debut a stretch crepe fabric? Yes, a bridesmaid gown with stretch – we know you love that.

From sparkly metallics to soft neutrals to the prettiest shade of pink ever, 2018 is looking to be a good year. We suggest spending some time perusing this lovely Brooklyn Botanic Garden shoot from You Look Lovely Fine Art Photography, Patina Events and Gabrielle Hurwitz (just to name a few), then head to Bari Jay to create your own stunning story.

Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Floral Design: Gabrielle Hurwitz | Flowers: Fifty Flowers | Wedding Dress: Mon Cherie | Invitations: Shutterfly | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bari Jay | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Catering + Event Production: Patina Events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Event Planning, Design & Styling: Gabrielle Hurwitz | Fashion Styling: Gabrielle Hurwitz | Linens: BBJ La Tavola

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Petit Bouquet

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Let’s level set on this: there is no such thing as a perfect reception. Seriously, among all the moving parts there is bound to be at least one small snag over the course of the evening. To be honest, those are usually the funniest memories to tell for the next 50 years. So whether your BFF drips on your dress, or your brother loses his speech, you won’t even break a sweat.

When Red Wine Stains Your Dress
This is surprisingly quick and easy to fix using items from the bar! Ask the bartender for salt, club soda, a black napkin – and your next drink. This will only take a minute.

Tip: Before wetting your dress, pour salt over the stain. The salt will absorb the excess wine and start pulling the stain away from the fabric. Then wet a black cloth napkin (it won’t leave paper residue or white “fuzzies” on your little black dress) with club soda and dab lightly at the stain in a circular motion. Do not rub! Rubbing only spreads the wine and deepens the stain.

When You Can’t Find the Venue
If you’re directionally challenged like me, you stick to Uber or provided transportation. Unfortunately, you can’t always depend on technology to save the day.

I was once a bridesmaid in a mountain wedding in the mountains. Maps couldn’t even find the scenic town where my friend chose to tie the knot! I suddenly realized all the trees started to look the same. And I was dangerously close to missing the first dance.

You CAN figure this out! Do NOT text the bride or groom that you’re running late. There’s no reason to stress them out with your status update.

Instead, take a breath and call a local. Pick up the phone and call a wedding attendee who lives or used to live in that town. Or stop in a local shop – a gas station, a diner, a boutique. Odds are they’ll be able to walk you through where to turn and how to get back on track.

When Your Friend is Overserved
Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. The worst thing to do in this situation is let an overserved guest stress out the happy couple.

If your friend is tearing up the dance floor (not in a good way), do them a favor and get them home. Best case scenario: you order an Uber on your phone, type in their destination, and watch your app to make sure they make it back safely. Worst case: you tuck them in bed and head back to the party! Either way, the bride is none the wiser (and your friend has fewer regrets in the morning).

When The Power Goes Out
We can pull out all the stops for these wedding receptions, but sometimes God has other plans. Don’t let a terrible storm put a wet blanket on your party!

If the power goes out, have the wedding or event coordinator contact the building manager. In the meantime, gather round the candle centerpieces and tell the band to switch into acoustic mode. If that’s not an option, light whatever candles are available and encourage “open mic” speeches for the bride and groom. Grab a glass of wine and keep the toasts going with marriage advice, wedding guests’ favorite memories with the couple, and best wishes for a long and happy life together. At the end of day, this will probably be your sweetest memory from the reception.

When You Lost Your Wedding Speech
You were already nervous to give a toast – and now you’ve lost your notes!

Here’s a quick fix: open the “notes” section in your phone and start typing out what you remember. Ask the rest of the wedding party for their favorite memories with the bride and groom or their favorite thing about the bride.

Start your speech with your favorites, then fill in the blanks with everyone else’s. Close your toast with a line like, “For these reasons – and so many more – we all know you two are meant to be. Raise a glass to a lifetime of love for the bride and groom. We love you so much!”

And just like that – the reception was flawless! And the bride will never know the difference.

Madeline Littrell is a corporate PR strategist and freelance writer. Born and raised in the South, she loves big hair, country music, and chicken fingers. Madeline plans to spend Valentine’s Day in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee.

We’ve seen plenty of delightful details at weddings but these just might take the cake. A beer and bubbles bar complete with a variety of toppings (marshmallows, rock candy!), sparkly lights galore, a color palette that’s chic and fresh, and the best flower girls we ever did see. Sean Cook Weddings captured every detail and more, making this gallery whimsical, colorful and so, so gorgeous. Get giddy and excited for more right this way!

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From the Bride… I knew I wanted a fall wedding with rich colors and a whimsical feeling. We were really going for a sophisticated fairytale sentiment (think: a whimsical take on Robin Hood and Maid Marian’s wedding, a woodland backdrop with earth and jewel tones along with pheasant feather accents). As a wedding planner I see so many fun trends and could not resist making them all come together in one day. Our color palette was all jewel tones, and we loved mixing rich burgundy with light pink, teal blues and metallics. Although our wedding was in Pittsburgh, many of our vendors were local to Chicago where we live and work. It was incredible to have vendors that were friends helping us create our wedding day. I let our florist surprise me with my bouquet – I knew I wanted something bold with a king protea as the center. I loved giving him the creative vision behind everything and being surprised just like all of our wedding guests at the final outcome. Instead of a traditional cocktail hour we had a “beer and bubbles” bar! We served champagne with a ton of different topping options, including our favorite handcrafted marshmallows from XO Marshmallow which is local to Chicago.

Jeff wore a custom-made chocolate brown suit by Knot Standard, paired with other neutral accessories and a pheasant feather pocket square. I wore two gowns, both from designer Hayley Paige. I went with an embellished, long sleeve, ball gown for the ceremony and photos, and then a fun open-back, short sleeve option when the party got started!

Photography: Sean Cook Wedding Photography | Event Planning: Urban Allure Events | Floral Design: Ashland Addison Floral & Event Decor | Wedding Dresses: Hayley Paige | Stationery: Vista Print | Bride's Shoes: Macy's | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | DJ: Treblemonsters | Groom's Suit: Knot Standard | Wedding Venue: Hyeholde Restaurant | Bakery/Cake: Bethel Bakery | Bride's Hair Accessory: Betenna | Bride's Shoes (tennis shoes): Kate Spade | Calligraphy/Signage: Simply Scripted Ink | Champagne Station Sign: Studio M Creations | Day of Coordination: Wanderlust Weddings | Groom's Accessories: The Tie Bar | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Marshmallows (Champagne Bar): XO Marshmallow | Rentals (ceremony arch): Penn Rustic Rentals | Rentals (glassware): Vintage Alley

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Photography

Sean Cook Wedding Photography

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Having just traveled in Sweden earlier this month, I am so in love with this wedding planned by TagerDu and captured by 2 Brides Photography – it’s making me want to hop on a plane straight back! The bride’s sleek Carolina Herrera gown paired with the classic all-white florals by Anna Gouteva and the almost surreal beauty of Norrviken Gardens capture that certain stylish something that seems to pervade Sweden.

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From 2 Brides Photography… Gustav married his fiancé, Danielle, on the rainiest day of the summer in Sweden. I was fortunate enough to photograph this lovely event, and I couldn’t have asked for a more gracious couple. The groom’s mother drew the map on the invites, illustrating the area where the groom is from. They had a local printer in the US print the suite, and the bride and groom assembled it together. The bride chose to have a first father/daughter look that was very emotional, and they exchanged gifts. It was the rainiest day of the entire year, but the ceremony was held ouwtdoors under an old oak tree where floral designer Anna Gouteva decorated the area in the chic, minimal style that perfectly matched Danielle’s Carolina Hererra gown. Later the couple was blessed with a stunning sunset while having dinner in the Orangerie at Norrviken Gardens.

Photography: 2 Brides Photography | Event Planning: TagerDu | Floral Design: Gouteva | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Ceremony Venue: Norrvikens Trädgårdar | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Groom's Attire: 1701 Bespoke

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Petit Bouquet

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Here is a bride with exquisite taste who knows the details make the difference, so she brought on Stylish Details to help her create the elegant Beverly Hills soiree she had imagined for her special day. Every little item was chosen with care, such as the soft, feminine florals created by Karen’s Garden to complement the pieces from Archive Rentals, and it was all captured for our enjoyment by the wonderful Sposto Photography.

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From Stylish Details… Kit and Jay were such a pleasure to work with! In our initial phone consultation, Kit told me about her vision for an elegant summer wedding hosted at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. We instantly connected while chatting about the romantic color scheme which consisted of blush, icy lavender, sage, and accents of gold. Special details were really important to Kit, so we made sure everything from the invitation suite to the ribbons on the bridal bouquets were styled to match her vision.

The flowers were created by Karen’s Gardens, a local Los Angeles florist. She really brought the floral vision to life by combining different textures to complement the soft color palette. The amazing photos were taken by the very talented Shauntelle of Sposto Photography. She perfectly captured the love and romance of the big day!

We had so much fun planning and designing this event for Kit and Jay. We wish them all the best in their new journey as husband and wife!

Photography: Sposto Photography | Cinematography: Noteworthy Weddings | Event Planning + Design: Stylish Details Events | Floral Design: Karen's Garden | Cake: Fantasy Frostings | Invitations: Minted | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Huntington Catering | Makeup: Kohnur | Venue: Greystone Mansion | Band + DJ: Downbeat La | Linens: Luxe Linen | Rentals: Signature Party Rentals | Specialty Rentals: Archive Rentals

We’re welcoming Spring with open arms (even if it is currently snowing in the North East) and this pink cocktail by Justine Celina is just the thing to kick things off. Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz is as pretty as it is tasty and works for any and all entertaining purposes. Get together with your best girlfriends? Check. Impromptu Sunday Brunch? Another check. Just because you’re thirsty and feel like sipping on something pink? All the checks. Grab the simple instructions for this fruity, floral aperitif below!

My Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz is a feminine, fruity and lightly floral cocktail combines Eau Claire’s stunning Cherry Gin with my favorite Prosecco, a splash of fresh lemon juice and a Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup for a contemporary spin on the classic French 75. Enjoy it anytime you want to indulge in a gourmet craft cocktail at home! It’s is free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar — and bursting with fruity flavours, floral undertones, unique botanicals and a refreshing effervescence. It’s the perfect cocktail to welcome spring!

Late last year I stumbled on Eau Claire Distillery via Instagram (their bottles are gorgeous and totally drew me in!). Imagine my surprise to find out we have an incredible, award winning distillery less than an hour from home! Over the holidays I took a trip to the visit their distillery in Turner Valley with my Mom (who loves gin) and my brother (who was home from New York and loves cocktails) for a tour and tasting — and we were all completely blown away by the quality of Eau Claire’s hand crafted offerings and their farm to glass approach. Now that I know they exist (and they’re local!) I actually can’t fathom using anything else in my cocktails! Over the last couple of months, we’ve padded our bar with several of Eau Claire’s artisinal spirits — including their most recent offering, Cherry Gin.

But first things first, let’s chat about the inspiration behind my Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz, Eau Claire’s stunning cherry gin! When we visited the distillery over the holidays, their Cherry Gin wasn’t available and wasn’t part of our tasting — but I had done some research online prior to our visit, so I was hoping they’d re-release it again this year. As I mentioned, Eau Claire has only been on my radar since late 2017 — and their Cherry Gin was released around this time last year as a limited edition, seasonal offering. So in January when they announced the Cherry Gin was going to be a permanent offering I was thrilled and knew I had to get my hands on it for Valentine’s Day. We had our first taste the day we got out hands on it — on the rocks. As someone who’s not a fan of overly sweet things, I was surprised (and thrilled!) that it actually was a lot drier and more tart than I expected. Eau Claire’s Cherry Gin is a London-dry style gin made from local Alberta grain, infused with sour cherries and over 12 unique botanicals. They describe is as subtly tart with a hint of natural sweetness and I find that description completely accurate. It’s equally delicious over ice as it is in a cocktail!

For this cocktail, I knew I wanted to try a updated spin on a French 75. Eau Claire’s spirits are truly world class and they have an amazing selection of craft cocktails at their tasting room (if you’re a local you should absolutely stop for a tour and tasting!). They really know what they’re doing — and I wanted to make sure I did their Cherry Gin justice.

If you’re a long time reader you’ll know I favour both simplicity and complexity in my cocktails and sangrias, but I knew I wanted the Cherry Gin to shine in my Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz. So, I opted for a fairly simple recipe to bring out the beautiful cherry flavours of this gorgeous gin, highlighting seasonal citrus and experimenting with a fresh way to infuse some complimentary rose flavours (cherries and roses come from the same family, Rosaceae) into this spring inspired cocktail!

Those of you who frequent my FOOD section will know that we don’t use refined sugar in our kitchen. So, I decided to use honey to make the simple syrup for my Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz. I was recipe testing at my childhood home in rural Alberta when I came up with the idea and my Mom keeps a huge vat of honey in her cellar — the beekeepers who tend the hives on our property drop off from time to time. It’s the most delicious honey I’ve ever tasted — plus it’s completely natural, organic and about as local as it gets. However, feel free to use any honey you have on hand (except manuka). And if you do use refined sugar in your kitchen, you can absolutely substitute honey for white sugar. 

Simple syrup is traditionally one part water and one part sugar, boiled and cooled. My Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup is definitely a more natural, gourmet version, but it’s also very simple to make. If you can find culinary rose petals and pink peppercorns (Calgarians, The Silk Road Spice Merchant is my favourite spot to source ingredients like this — however, they also ship Canada wide!), you can make it too. And if not, feel free to go ahead with either a honey and water version, or a classic water and sugar version — I’ve included directions on exactly how to make it below!

Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz

Yield: 1 cocktail

For the Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz

• 1 oz Eau Claire Distillery Cherry Gin
• 2 oz Lamarca Prosecco
• 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup (recipe to follow)
• Splash of fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Optional Garnish
• Pink peppercorns
• Dried culinary rose petals

For the Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tbsp dried culinary rose petals
• 1 tbsp pink peppercorns

Instructions

Chill your coupe glass.

Start by making your Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup. In a saucepan over medium / high heat, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup honey. Add dried rose retals and pink peppercorns. Stir boiling mixture constantly for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes.

Pour Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup over a fine mesh strainer with a large bowl underneath. Discard petals and peppercorns. Add simple syrup to an airtight container — it will keep refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.

Begin preparing your Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz by adding 1 oz of Eau Claire Cherry Gin to your chilled coupe glass.

Add 2 oz of Prosecco to the glass.

Add 1/2 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Add 1/2 oz of Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup.

Add a drop of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your cocktail. I know it sounds crazy — but the richness of the oil helps to cut some of the acidity in the cocktail and also provides a delightful, velvety texture!

Stir to combine.

Garnish with culinary rose petals and / or pink peppercorns and enjoy immediately!

Cherry Gin: Eau Claire Distillery | Glassware: Chapters | Recipe Development, Styling & Photography: Justine Celina Maguire | Rose Quartz Candle Holders: Homesense | Spices: The Silk Road Spice Merchant

This celebration goes from redwoods to elegant barn and sweeping hilltops without skipping a beat. Each spot has its own unique vibe but all fall into the “Crazy Gorgeous” category. Planned by Allison Weddings, with florals by Christine Cater Floral, and stunning images by Sylvie Gil, see how this elegant affair incorporates the beauty of Santa Lucia Preserve with a cultural pop of red.

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From the bride…We wanted our wedding to feel elegant yet playful and meaningful but also light hearted. The biggest compliment someone gave us afterward was, “your wedding was so Sarah and Mike.” The Santa Lucia Preserve was the perfect location – we got married under a dreamy fairy ring of majestic redwoods reciting personal vows and then danced the night away in a barn under a hanging garden of greenery, fueled by s’mores and other desserts from my favorite childhood bakeries. We laughed, we cried, and Mike took my breath away when he surprised me with a love song that he composed.

The nod to our heritage and families made the wedding feel extra special as we made sure to incorporate Chinese candy in our welcome bag, an Asian family style menu and pops of red, a color that plays a vital role in Chinese weddings, made a consistent appearance among the otherwise natural color palette of the wedding. Emily Asher, our stationary designer, even included red wax seals on the invite and menus!

The personal elements of the wedding were the most fun to work on and we loved weaving in details that reflected us, such as table names with investing terms, a fun fast-paced first dance, and a groom’s cake replica of a laptop featuring a “Marriage Merger Model.” One of my biggest learnings during the wedding process is that there is no “typical” wedding – everything you do to personalize your wedding will make it that much more meaningful. As an example, I asked my brother to emcee and speak at the wedding. He has been my best friend for 25 years and his hilarious and moving speech was one of the biggest highlights.

We thought the most important part of our wedding was our ceremony and making this feel like us. We invited Mike’s childhood pastor to officiate our wedding as he had known Mike for over 15 years and he and his wife had led our premarital counseling sessions in the months leading up to the wedding. Our personal vows were a quirky mix of light-hearted humor and heartfelt promises to each other. In case of heat, Allison’s team set engraved Chinese fans on all the chairs before the guests arrived. While I walked down the aisle, I asked a dear friend to sing the song that I used to listen to on repeat when I first met Mike. Hearing Colbie Caillat’s You Got Me was a walk down memory lane as we took the next leap in our relationship.

Finally, a consistently packed dance floor was one of the things that Mike and I both knew we wanted. We had a neon light sign made with our hashtag, #WangDingParty, to set the tone, and surprised our guests as we turned our slow waltz into a choreographed hip hop and salsa dance. When we opened up the dance floor immediately after, the energy was already high. We were ecstatic when our DJ Jon Belmont told us afterward, “I’ve never seen a wedding dance floor last that long!” To keep the party going despite strict noise restrictions, we turned the party into a silent
disco.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Videography: Reel Eyes Media | Event Planning: Allison Weddings | Floral Design: Christine Cater | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Bride's Shoes: Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Santa Lucia Preserve | Hair & Makeup: Maria Chang, Professional Makeup Artistry | Lighting: Fiesta Lighting | Band: Bay Music and Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Paris String Quartet | Bride's Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Santa Lucia Preserve | DJ/Silent Disco: Belmont Entertainment | Espresso Cart: Sweet Springs Rental | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Suite: Emily Rose Ink | Photo Booth: The Booth Bus | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Rentals: borrowed BLU | Rentals: Cultivate Rentals & Design | Rentals: Chic Event Rentals

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Petit Bouquet

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