Rural and Jersey are not typically synonymous but this classic affair is about to flip all of your preconceived notions upside down. From rolling hills and picturesque vistas to the stately backdrop of Natirar, this romantic celebration planned by DM Events, with insanely gorgeous florals by Bride & Blossom, and images by Sally Pinera is Jersey at its finest.

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From Kate and Chase… Our first date took place at McCarren Park in Brooklyn, NY. Chase, an actor, lived in Greenpoint and I, a musician, was living in Williamsburg. When I saw Chase (tall, dark and handsome) approaching me with his bicycle, red converse shoes, and a smile that could move mountains – I turned around, panicked, and started walking the other way to compose myself. Surely this man was too handsome to be anything other than a mirage. Shortly thereafter my phone rang, and it was confirmed that Chase was not, in fact, a mirage, and he was just as sweet as his smile. He swept me away, and has every day, since.

Chase laughs when re-imagining Kate spinning around and heading the other direction. When I first saw Kate, I thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Conversation was so natural and it felt like we were on the same wavelength during our entire first date. As we started to get to know each other I discovered how thoughtful and kind Kate really is. For awhile I thought she was too good to be true, but soon realized she was the real deal. I knew meeting Kate meant it was the end of my days as a bachelor.

We always talk about how our first date was the best date we’d ever had. Effortless and unforgettable. We lost track of time and soon enough, realized we’d spent nearly an entire day together. We’ve been together for about three years and much like our first date, time flies when you find real love. Chase proposed to Kate on the Brooklyn Bridge in September 25th, 2016 and they were married at Natirar on September 3rd, 2017. Shortly after getting engaged, Chase and Kate visited Natirar and fell in love with the location.

Although they were living in New York City, Chase grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and Kate grew up on a farm in the NJ Countryside, so a natural setting was more desirable than a city setting. The natural landscape, gorgeous countryside views from Natirar Mansion hilltop, farm to table restaurant and cooking school (90 Acres) and the rustic elegance of Natirar were all factors confirming that it was the venue of their dreams. The fall season was so popular at venues they had visited, so they took advantage of the Labor Day long-weekend and secured one of the last open dates at the Natirar Mansion.

They couldn’t wait to start planning their special day. Kate’s creativity and vision flourished along the way as every detail was imagined and brought to life. Chase contributed with incredible big picture ideas. Together, Chase and Kate, lived the day of their dreams, with their incredible team of creatives and vendors. Our wedding day itself was a dream come true. It was cloudy that morning, and just as our party began walking down the aisle, the skies actually(!!!) parted and the heavens opened, allowing the sun to shine down for our ceremony. It was surreal, miraculous, and heavenly – like our love was being blessed from up above.

Photographer: Sally Pinera | Videographer: Christian Oth Studio | Florals: Bride & Blossom | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair and Makeup: The Luxe Beaute | Groom's Attire: Alan David Custom | Venue: Natirar | Bridal Shoe: Aquazzura | Bridal Veil: Daphne Newman Design | Bride Gown: Liz Martinez (by Kinsley James) | Bride's Hairpiece: Naturae Design | Ceremony and Cocktail Muscians: Highline String Quartet | Day Of Stationery: Lichen Ink | Photobooth: Sweet Booths | Planning : DM Events & Design | Reception Music: The Loyales | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Wax Seals: VenusEnvyPaper

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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We all know that weaving gorgeous metallics into your big day can be a fine line between seriously glam and a little over the top. A little glitter goes a long way, you guys – and nothing says pure sophistication quite like the beautiful gowns from Bari Jay. We’re obsessed with the sleek silhouettes and silky fabrics – and when paired with a breathtaking locale like Brooklyn Botanic Garden it’s absolute perfection.

What do you get when you take a jaw-droppingly beautiful wedding and add in gorgeous metallic bridesmaid gowns from Bari Jay? Happy besties… AND a day that is just as glamorous as you always wanted it to be. That’s because Bari Jay knows everything there is to know about bridesmaid dresses (they’ve been doing it for 50 years, after all) and just how to create a sparkly gown your bridal party will love. We’re all kinds of obsessed with the beautiful fabrics (like chiffon and lace), size options (hey there, 0 – 26W with petite and extra length available) and maternity dresses with stretch panels. And we’re really loving the new floral sequins, because, well… they are awesome.

Perusing this gorgeous shoot from the likes of Gabrielle Hurwitz, Patina Events, Shutterfly and You Look Lovely Fine Art Photography (just to name a few) was not our hardest day at the office. And if you’re suddenly picturing a bridal party decked in head to toe metallics, we say do it. From junior bridesmaid gowns to super cute flower girl options, Bari Jay has you totally covered in gowns that will add just the right amount of glitter to your celebration. Visit them now.

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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You’ve set your budget and pinned away, but now you’re worried the numbers don’t match your vision. Don’t fret! Wed by Design, the luxe wedding e-design service, is here to help! Together with stationery extraordinaire Paper Rock Scissor and floral genius MAVEN, they created multiple paper good packages and flexible floral arrangements – all for one budget. That’s right – you have options! Dig in to their tips and tricks below along with the gorgeousness that is this shoot captured by Melissa Oholendt, and we promise you’ll finish feeling ready to design around your budget – not the other way around.

The Inspiration

From Wed by Design… The concept of this shoot was to show brides how you can take one budget and create a variety of designs all depending on your creative vision. We teamed up with amazing Minneapolis vendors to demonstrate how this unfolds in both floral and paper design, working off the bride’s initial points of inspiration.

The shoot begins with a bride flipping through magazines, scrolling on her phone, and collecting all her design ideas to show off at her vendor meetings. She know what she wants when it comes to color palettes and textures, but she ultimately wants to design around her budget – not the other way around. First up, it’s a meeting with her paper designer.

Paper Design

From Paper Rock Scissors… Our first piece of advice is to bring things to your consultation that have inspired you: color swatches, photographs, magazine pages, and anything you have looked at that you love! We also recommend working out a stationery budget as well as a rough count of invitees/households ahead of time. All of this will help your paper designer create your perfect wedding stationery.

If you haven’t shopped for stationery before, don’t be afraid to ask questions about different printing methods, paper stocks, or ways couples typically handle situations. Knowing your stationery budget is key to making the BEST suite. Your designer will be able to guide you in balancing elements to get the right feel. Maybe doing a foil stamp printing won’t have as big of an impact for your guests as a custom envelope liner, etc.

If you find yourself stuck, keep in mind your designers are here to help you! Be it financial concerns or feeling too close to a project to make decisions, we want to help you realize your vision for your day while maintaining your sanity and your budget.

We designed two separate stationery suite and day of paper good packages so you can get a sense of ways your stationery designer can create a custom look that suits your style and needs. The overall budget for each of these packages is $3,000, and the paper goods are for 100 guests.

Stationery Suite Option #1

• Custom digital invitation
• Digital reception card with custom map illustrations
• Digital RSVP with printed envelope
• Outer envelope with return and guest addressing and envelope liner
• Total: $1490

Stationery Suite Option #2

• Custom digital invitation
• Digital reception card with custom map illustrations
• Digital RSVP with printed envelope
• Outer envelope with return and guest addressing and envelope liner
• Total: $1410

Day of Paper Goods Option #1

• Double sided programs
• Menus
• Place cards
• Total: $635

Day of Paper Goods Option #2

• Folded programs
• Seating card
• Welcome inserts for hotel bags
• Total: $635

Next is a meeting with her floral designer.

Floral Design

From MAVEN… We designed three different looks, and they all work within the same vision and design to accommodate various price points. Our best tip is to set a budget for your florals and really stick with it. You’ll have a lot of different vendors and budgets you’ll be working with, so make it easy on yourself and set realistic standards. For example, more greenery does not always mean less cost. A lot of what is factored into the budget is the ordering, supplies, labor, elements, etc. When talking through cost effective options with your floral designer, here are a couple questions to help frame your discussion: “What are ways I can stick within my budget?” and “Is there a particular bloom that is less expensive than others?” Overall, make sure to trust your vendors and let them run with your vision.

In this shoot, the game plan for the reception tables is to mix-and-match centerpiece options to stay within a total budget of $7,000. You might choose to splurge on the most expensive centerpiece options for the head table and scale back to smaller arrangements or bud vase clusters for your guests tables. There are so many creative solutions to bring your vision to life within your budget!

The Looks

• Large arrangement: $265
• Medium arrangement: $195
• Small arrangement (bud vase clusters): $85

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Photography: Melissa Oholendt | Event Design: Wed By Design | Floral Design: Maven | Makeup : Heather Trachsel | Hair: Cristina Ziemer Beauty | Calligraphy: Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher | Model: Nicki Lamkin | Paper Goods: Paper Rock Scissor

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Paper Rock Scissor

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Petit Bouquet

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Saying “I do” in front of a view like this one; can you just imagine!? Thanks to Laura Murray’s gorgeous photos and Elysium Productions’ film below, we can stop and stare at this beauty all day long. But don’t stop there; we have much more to share, for when you have a wedding with Gold Leaf Event Design & Production running the show, it’s guaranteed the details and design will be pretty near perfect. See every beautiful bit right this way!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/251510609 600 338]

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From Gold Leaf… Harmony (Teitsworth) and Dylan (Bowman), former Aspen locals, tied the knot on Aspen Mountain in September. Dylan, originally from Boulder, is a professional ultra runner, and he and his wife, Harmony have always had a place in their heart for the mountains, particularly in Aspen. Harmony and Dylan asked for a modern aesthetic that wouldn’t interfere with the beauty of the mountains. This drew on the Gold Leaf Event team to utilize accent pieces including glass and acrylic. Guests found their table assignments on escort boards lightly draped in greenery, which led them to other specialty acrylic signage, and ghost chairs. The round, dining tables were dressed beautifully in soft white linen, gold-rimmed chargers, gold flatware and a peach napkin for a subtle pop of color, highlighting the colorful arrangements in the center. An assorted eucalyptus runner grew down barn wood tables, peppered with garden roses, dahlias, and ranunculus which were perfectly emphasized by a mix of glass votives, modern floating candles, gold candlesticks with cobalt blue tapers contributing to the Sundeck at The Little’s romantic glow. The bride danced the night away in her stunning, fairytale-esque Carolina Herrera gown, alongside her champion ultra-runner hubby, in which, that evening they both won the ultimate prize!

Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Event Design: Gold Leaf Event Design & Production | Floral Design: Carolyn's Flowers | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: d'Elissious | Catering: The Little Nell | Make Up: Malle Gambuti | Hair: Jess Robson | DJ: Who Is Chris Lewis | Ceremony Music: Silver City Strings | Wedding Venue: The Little Nell | Audio Visual: Halcyon Productions | Dinnerware: BBJ La Tavola | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Suite: Paper Plates Press | Rentals: Premier Party Rentals | Specialty Entertainment: Katarina | Specialty Signage : Paper Birch Designs

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Elysium Productions

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A chic Alexandra Grecco dress featuring a playful back cut out. Fun and colorful Aquazurra sandals. A bold, tropical bouquet created by Lara’s Theme featuring palm fronds and king protea… Yeah, this bride’s style game is strong. So it’s no surprise we’re crushing hard on every single image of this modern, tropical celebration, captured by Amalie Orrange Photography.

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From the bride… Mike and I met on LinkedIn. I’m only half kidding. Living only a few blocks from one another and sharing quite a few mutual friends, Mike and I kept bumping into one another, but both of us were a bit nervous to begin talking. Finally around the third casual encounter, at a bar in the East Village, Mike struck up a conversation with me about my career – something my friends know I am incredibly passionate about. He had clearly done some digging. Needless to say that kicked things off, and he really sealed the deal with a LinkedIn request the next day.

Mike and I never discussed marriage. We both always saw it as a very organic process – either it would happen one day or it wouldn’t. Safe to say, I did not see it coming! We were at his family’s house at the beach, we had just finished a perfect, leisurely Sunday lunch, and I suggested we go for a walk at a nearby nature preserve, something Mike normally politely declines. But lo and behold, he was up for it today because we had eaten quite a bit. We came up to a beautiful outlook, and I annoyingly asked to take Mike’s photo, and he repaid the annoyance, asking me the same. When I turned around, there he was, ring box in hand. I was so surprised, it took me what felt like five minutes to fully grasp what was happening. Needless to say, I said yes, and Mike, who looking back was incredibly well dressed for a casual walk, managed to get the whole thing on film. We actually didn’t tell anyone for a few hours and just enjoyed the time together, with a fire and some champagne. of course.

I have always loved botanicals, and when we decided to get married at Windsor, I immediately thought of The Book of Palms by Taschen. I felt it captured the tropical lushness yet refined elegance of the club. It served as inspiration for the save the dates and then everything grew from there. The book made a cameo as our guest book, and it was fun to be surprised with notes on random pages.

Windsor is such a stunning location, and the team is so on top of it, it was beautiful from the moment we arrived. We basically showed up. Lara executed the flowers so flawlessly. We chose to use as much local greenery as possible, and I loved the way it looked like everything could have just come from the property.

The theme for the wedding party was tropical chic, and I basically let the girls choose whatever dress they wanted in a solid color. They all ended up with the most stunning and vibrant colors, that up against the colors and architecture of Windsor, brought so much life and movement to the event.

The highlight from our first look was walking over to the Town Hall, where our ceremony was about to take place. There was an intense sense of anticipation knowing the striking structure was about to be filled with all of our favorite people yet the calmness of it just being us for a moment. We knew that after the ceremony, the rest of the night was going to fly by, and we wanted to make sure we set aside a few moments to breathe and take it all in together.

One of my favorite moments was the New Orleans style second line parade from the Town Hall to the reception. The brass band was a surprise to our wedding party and guests, and the spontaneity of the whole thing really set the tone for evening. Music has always been central to our relationship, so it is no surprise that our favorite moments center around it. Other favorite moments were our mother/son, father/daughter dance, which we did together to the 1920s swing song, ‘In the Mood’. One of my close friends performed ‘Like A Prayer’ by Madonna as a tribute to my amazing aunt who passed away, and she absolutely rocked it.

Photography: Amalie Orrange Photography | Event Planning: Lauren Melillo | Floral Design: Lara's Theme | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Bride's Shoes: Aquazzura | Makeup: Cindy Goetz | Hair: Lindsay Naffziger | Band: Gypsy Lane Band | Groom's Attire: Armani | Venue: Lauren Melillo | Bride's Jewelry: Miriam Haskell | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Sesame Letterpress

Between travel, entertaining guests, and partaking in many festive cocktails over the past several weeks, you and your love may be feeling a little sluggish and missing your healthy energy and in-house date nights. Getting back into a healthy eating schedule after the holidays can seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning and an organized trip to the market, you will be feeling like your pre-holiday healthy self.

Make a List of All the Recipes + Go Shopping

Inventory all the groceries, spices, and ingredients you currently have in your kitchen and think about what meals you can make with those ingredients. Not only does this decrease your cost at the grocery store, but it also decreases the amount of time spent shopping for ingredients. It’s a win-win.

Then, sit down with your partner and curate a list of recipes you both will love. Once your recipes are chosen and your days are outlined, make a sub-list of all the ingredients you will need when you go to the market. Extra props to you if you make an additional list with all of your ingredients listed in the order in which you will shop for them. This tip will save you the headache of searching for each item on your list.

Start Prepping

Make it a date night! Stay in on a Sunday night, pour a glass of wine, turn on some music, and start prepping! Who says cooking and meal prepping can’t be fun?

First things first, rise and slice your fruits and veggies, and grill or bake your proteins and sides and store in separate containers.The best way to make this more fun is to cook with your partner! Maybe he prepares the meat on the grill while you chop veggies for a beautiful salad or organize your fruit for morning smoothies. You will be much more prone to make a healthy breakfast in the morning if all the ingredients are carefully prepared ahead of time instead of scattered about your refrigerator.

If you don’t prefer to make three to four combinations of meals for dinner and store them in containers together, opt to store all the cooked ingredients separately and mix and match throughout the days. Also, a large salad with all the healthy fixings makes for an easy, ready-to-eat side that elevates your entire meal.

Set Aside Grab-and-Go Breakfast Items and Snacks

Last but certainly not least, snacks! Preparing grab-and-go snacks such as fresh fruits and veggies, granola, and low carb crackers will make starting your morning routine that much easier! Plus, who doesn’t love a good snack?

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 new husband 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.

Backyard weddings are our jam, but if you’re not too keen on hosting your Big Day celebration at your own abode, we’ve got the perfect solution: Sole East Resort. Think of it as your home away from home with everything from gorgeous gardens, bamboo archways and a fire pit perfect for roasting post-nuptial s’mores. It’s that backyard vibe we absolutely adore meets a talented events team that will handle every jaw-dropping moment. You seriously can’t go wrong.

Sole East Resort has always been one of our fave Hamptons venues, and it’s not just because of the sweet Tudor charm and their 70 gorgeous guest rooms. Their accommodations are amazing and their onsite amenities make it the perfect place to relax and play with your friends and family. From their heated pool to their fab Montauk locale to their awesome (+ full-service) Backyard Restaurant, it’s the best place ever to spend a weekend celebrating you and yours. Gather your friends around the fire pit after your rehearsal dinner, take a 5-minute walk to the beach the morning of your Big Day to ease those butterflies and host your last hurrah with a goodbye brunch the morning after your nuptials. They literally have everything covered – and it’s all with that laid-back charm we love so much about the Hamptons.

Sole East Resort isn’t just the perfect place to tie the knot, they have the perfect staff, too. From planning your rehearsal dinner to coordinating your big moment to everything in between, the Sole East Events Team has you totally covered. Our advice? Shoot them an email pronto (events@soleeast.com) to get started planning your amazing nuptials. That backyard wedding you’ve always wanted is waiting – and there are still a few prime May and June 2018 dates available (with generous discounts!) if you’re last-minute planning!

Photography: 4Eyes Photography | Ceremony & Reception : Sole East Resort

Eloping is becoming more and more common these days, and no longer involve a bride sneaking out of her bedroom window and running away to a chapel in Las Vegas. Now, couples just want a more private and intimate experience for their wedding and chose to get married in secret, or with only a few friends. Elopements are often still planned to some extent but they better reflect a bride and grooms personality.

Then comes the hard part: letting everyone know that you’ve tied the knot! If you’re not quite sure how to go about it, read on for some tips!

Face-to-Face
In all fairness, a few key people should be informed of your marriage before everyone else. Even if the elopement is to remain a secret, as soon as you get back you should make an effort to sit your parents and families down to share the big news. The key to allowing this to run smoothly is to choose your words carefully. Clearly express why you chose to elope without casting any sweeping statements about your loved ones. Explain that you were not trying to leave anyone out or exclude anyone but that you wanted to maintain an intimate, close moment with your partner specifically.

Paper announcements
It can be nice to take a more traditional route in this situation and send out nice marriage announcement through the mail to all your friends and family. This is a chance to include any photos you have from the elopement itself, and it allows you to express your new status in a slightly more personal way, while saving the dozens of conversations at family holidays. Online wedding invitation websites have plenty of options for this.

Your announcement can include a photo from your elopement, or just of the two of you, the date on which it occurred, the location and potentially a brief description. This could be where you express your desire to elope, a bit about your feelings on the day and thanking each person for the role they play in your lives as a couple.

Social Media
In order to forgo any drama or hurt feelings, it might be wise to hold off on updating any relationship statuses or even posting pictures until everyone has received the marriage announcements and been informed. However, this could be different for every couple because you may know that none of your family members will really be upset about your elopement.

Or, you may have some really traditional extended family and simply avoiding a post on Facebook could keep your happy new marriage bubble intact!

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.

Scroll down just a little to see that invitation suite by Bluebird Paper Company and then scroll back up here. Done? Now let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this color palette. So good, right? Warm, natural, inviting – the olive, tan, and cream combo captured the quintessential look and feel of wine country while providing a sense of freshness for this romantic affair, planned by Kathy Higgins Weddings and captured by Sylvie Gil Photography. More, please!

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From Sylvie Gil Photography… Carrie and Matt’s wedding is filled with fresh, late-summer-in-wine-country vibes, from the simple olive, tan, and cream color palette to Carrie’s effortlessly chic lace gown, complemented by modern, one-shoulder bridesmaids’ gowns. Guests threw dried lavender buds as the newlyweds walked out of the church, and a vintage car for the vineyard shoot added to the romance of the day.

From the bride and groom… Our dream of a wine country wedding was turned into reality by our amazing team of artistic experts. Napa Valley holds a special place in our hearts from the beginning of our relationship, so we couldn’t think of a better place to host our special day. Our wedding was authentic, elegant, and timeless. Our vision was beautifully crafted and captured in the stunning photographs that will stand the test of time.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Cinematography: Amor In Motion | Event Planning: Kathy Higgins Weddings | Floral Design: Valley Flora | Cake: ABC Bakery | Ceremony Venue: St. Helena Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Calistoga Ranch | Catering: Calistoga Ranch Resort | Hair + Makeup: Carrie Aldous | Lighting: Illusions Lighting | Band: Lucky Devils Band | Ceremony Music: Larkangel | Transportation: California Wine Tours | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Suite: Bluebird Paper Company

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Lucky Devils Band

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Friends, get ready! This one gives me shivers every time I looks at it! Inspired by the haunting yet soft, draping qualities of Spanish moss, the stunning landscapes of RiverOaks, and a beautiful passage (see below!) from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Evangeline, East Made Event Company created this “Forest Primeval” editorial for the recent Michael and Carina photography workshop in Charleston. From the effortlessly draped table to the moody autumnal palette, from the twisted updo to the wild quality of the florals, this shoot has all the magic of a woodland fairytale.

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This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of old, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.
Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean
Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest.
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline, 1847

From Michael and Carina Photographers… Inspired by the draping, ghostly quality of Spanish moss, our main shoot draws upon a deep, autumnal color palette to enhance the richness of the forest and the landscape of RiverOaks.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Floral Design: La Fleur Du Jour | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Cake: Wild Flour Pastry | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Hair and Makeup: Emily Artistry | Calligraphy: Maurelle Calligraphy | Venue: RiverOaks Charleston | Accessories: BHLDN | Creative Direction: East Made Event Company | Dishes: Chris Targoni Clay | Female Model: Madison Shaffer | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Male Model: Rivers Atkinson | Ribbon: East Coast Trimming | Ribbons: Frou Frou Chic

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Petit Bouquet

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Early in my bridesmaid career, I spent an entire afternoon hot gluing tiny papier-mache flowers to a gold-painted birdcage. “What on earth is this for?” I whispered to the Maid of Honor, avoiding eye contact with the DIY bride. The MOH pointed to the gift table, where another bridesmaid was busy arranging a backdrop of paper lanterns and balloons.

Since then, I’ve noticed similar receptacles on gift tables at every wedding reception. Cards including cash (or a check) are quickly outpacing wedding registry items at modern weddings.

But etiquette is one thing that should never be outpaced. Here’s how to avoid that cringe-worthy “thanks for the cash” thank you note.

Avoid words like cash, check, money…
Never, ever start a thank you card with “thanks for the cash/check/money/donation to my honeymoon fund…” It’s impersonal and flies in the face of a graceful note. The “it’s rude to talk about money” rule still applies here. And you should absolutely never mention the amount.

Instead, include a phrase like “thank you for your generosity.” No matter how much they gave, it was a generous gesture.

Describe how you’ll use it
While it’s a little different from describing all the ways you’d use a crystal punch bowl, people still like to hear how you’ll enjoy their gift. It makes the note more personal. Add a thoughtful way their gift will contribute to something you’ll enjoy as newlyweds.

For instance, “Thank you so much for your generosity and for attending our wedding! Landon and I are so excited to decorate our new home. Thanks to you, we’re able to add chairs to our dining room table! We’re looking forward to hosting you for dinner soon!”

Mention the card
Remember, it’s not just about the money. Odds are this guest picked out a specific card and wrote a handwritten note to express their love and congratulations. Show them how much you appreciate their thoughts (and that you actually read their card!) by mentioning it in your thank you note.

For example, “Your card was so special to us! We always appreciate your advice.” “We laughed out loud at your card! Let’s hope we never get to Step 3….”

While you’re at it – say a special thank you to the bridesmaid who created your special “deposit box” (or birdcage, or dollhouse, or whatever). She worked hard for your money.

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.

Have you ever been to Charleston? No? Oh darling, book that trip pronto and I promise you won’t regret it. I’ve been several times but my hubby has never. I’m aching to bring him to this beautiful city and experience all it has to offer together. So it’s no surprise that engagement shoots in this Southern sanctuary just tease me to no ends. And this one by Michael and Carina may just be a favorite. Captured along the Battery downtown, it’s simple yet chic, romantic yet playful. It holds the magic of Charleston right next to the love between these two cuties. It’s pure perfection.

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From Michael & Carina… Young love in Charleston…Emilia and Charles and a sunrise engagement session at the Battery. And Emilia wore the most beautiful beaded dress from BHLDN!

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Dress: BHLDN | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Hair + Makeup: Emily Artistry | Accessories: BHLDN | Creative Direction: East Made Event Company | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Location: The Battery, Charleston

Snow-capped mountains, flocked evergreens and a fireside celebration are all tucked inside this winter wedding that reads like a stunning postcard from Telluride. Tec Petaja’s scenic images combined with the lush, jewel-toned florals by New Leaf Design, and production by Soiree Telluride are all the proof you need that cold weather nuptials are the prettiest of all.

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Shana & Anthony’s ceremony was in the Great Room at the Ridge Club at an elevation of 10, 535 feet with sweeping views of the mountains and Town of Telluride. Guests enjoyed the romantic gondola ride to transport them to the ceremony location. The decor in the ceremony space was minimal and muted as a nod to the wintry environment backdrop enjoyed through the floor to ceiling windows behind the bride and groom. The beams were draped in neutral ivory to soften the space, ghost chairs were added for seating, and ivory aisle runner lined with low monochromatic arrangements completed the space. A string trio played throughout the intimate and personal ceremony. Post ceremony, guests moved upstairs to Allred’s where they were greeted by a string trio playing and silver tray passed champagne. A large scale floral garland was added to the mantle in the bar, where the guests enjoyed cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres. Guests gathered near the wall of windows to soak in the view of the alpenglow sunset that Telluride is so very famous for. As guests were led into the dining room, by the Australian grammy winning DJ, the decor palette deepened to compliment the elegant touches. The reception venue was transformed by a large-scale ceiling installation comprised of fabric panels and floating floral clouds to set a striking back-drop for the reception. For dining, layers of velvet linens created a rich look with custom runners and napkins (fabricated by iDecorate, which is owned and operated by the bride). Each place was set with a a rose gold charger and matching flatware (from iDecorate) as well as a personalized leather luggage tag was added as a place card for each guest. The modern arrangements were color blocked from soft ivories, blushes, nudes, culminating in deep burgundies to create a dramatic tablescape. Lighting was added to highlight the decor and create an intimate feeling in the breathtaking space. Guests enjoyed multiple courses, superb wines and dancing the night away in Shana and Anthony’s magical winter wonderland.

Photography: Tec Petaja | Wedding Dress: Ersa Atelier | Makeup: Erin Cain | Hair: Megan Keever | Groom's Attire: Ermeneglildo Zegna | Event Production: Soiree Telluride | Floral/Decor: New Leaf Design | Rentals: Premiere Special Events | Restaurant : Telluride Ski Resort | Tablescape: iDecorate | Video: Benny Gatteggio

Celebrating a new little bebe is always a good time but when you add in a gloriously pretty combo of lucite and whimsical florals, it makes for a party anyone would kill to get an invite to. Have a look at this alfresco celebration designed by Rock N’ Events with florals by Three Petals and all captured by Natalie Bray.

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From Rock n’ Events Genevieve…As for planning and inspiration, it was a world-wind of wild ideas, specifically we wanted to steer clear from the typical pink baby showers that you see all over Pinterest. We were intrigued by our clients and the mom-to-be’s whimsical personality. Being inspired by the inner workings of our clients personality was the first step in the design process. In the design process we take a word, for example ‘whimsical,’ we then explore ideas that don’t make you think “That’s whimsical” but rather transport you to a place of a purely fantastical experience!

From Photographer…This was such a wonderful event to get to capture from the love surrounding bringing a new life into this beautiful families hearts to the incredible detail that was put into each inch of this baby shower to celebrate baby Sophie. So many great moments: whimsical umbrellas paired with lucite, gorgeous Casa de Perrin and white tulips by three petals shined and grounded the color palette, macaroons, cute gifts on each place setting, and floral crowns for each guest. It was an incredible afternoon filled with immense joy and happiness.

Photography: Natalie Bray Studios | Event Design: Rock N' Events | Floral Design: Three Petals | catering: Giracci Vineyards Farms | calligrapher : alice hung with Rock N' Events | Table Cloth rentals : Wildflower Linen | Table top rentals : Casa de Perrin | bunny rentals: zoo fantastic | desserts: Bottega Louie | event rentals : Signature Party Rentals | umbrellas : Bella Umbrella

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Natalie Bray Studios

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It’s true that every engagement session is special, but this one has an added dose of magic. Not only is the bride-to-be a Style Me Pretty veteran, but her best friend and cousin, Erin Mulrain, captured the whole thing. Prepare yourself, because this gallery is full of the sweetest moments!

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From the bride-to-be… Growing up, it was always a give in my closest friend and cousin would play a huge part in my wedding – but never could I have imagined that would have been in more ways than one! When I realized how serious Erin had become about her photography over the past year, it was clear to Brian and I that she was who we wanted to take our engagement photo shoot. I knew not only would Erin’s photographs turn out amazing, but there was no one I’d rather share this part of our engagement with than her.

After talking with Erin and throwing around a few ideas, we both knew Hoboken was the ideal place for the shoot. Brian and I have both lived in North Jersey our whole lives – and actually first started seeing each other after meeting in Hoboken 5 years ago. We’ve made countless memories there not only with each other, but with our friends and family — including of course, Erin.

Hoboken offered a mix of different backdrops that Erin photographed beautifully – from the stunning skyline and historic train station to the quaint Court Street, we’re thrilled with all of the photos. Not only will the pictures celebration of our engagement, but they’ll always be a little extra special thanks to Erin!

From the photographer… When my cousin Stephanie asked if I would take her and her fiancé Brian’s engagement photos, there was not a moment of hesitation in giving her my excited yes! Stephanie and I have grown up together and been by each others’ side for countless milestones and we can now add this to the list!

Having only picked up my first Canon a little over a year ago, it is safe to say they were taking a chance on me! This bit of kindness and trust, however, was nothing unexpected from my cousin and her fiancé.

We quickly decided that Hoboken, New jersey would be the perfect location to shoot as it is where Stephanie and Brian first met and where I have lived for the last few years. After making our way down the cobblestone road of Court Street, we were able to stop in by the Hoboken Terminal and then head down the Hoboken Waterfront Walkway just in time for “golden hour” and beautiful fall skies at sunset.

Hoboken’s unique style and backdrops are only trumped by the countless memories we have all made here. I will forever be grateful to have been a part of this process for my cousin (and oldest friend) Stephanie and her fiancé Brian.

Photography: Erin Mulrain

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Petit Bouquet

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It’s a gooood time to be a bridesmaid, my friends. Gone are the days of over-ruffled, crinkle satin, poofy numbers and IN are elegant, sweeping styles that you’ll be thrilled to keep in your closet long after the I dos are over. And the hue options? There’s sooo much pretty to pick from. Here are five shades we’re keeping our eyes on for 2018.

Teal

Jewel tones are sneaking their way back into the scene and we’re loving it. An elegant teal is a beautiful alternative to traditional navy blue!

Pairings: This hue pairs beautifully with coral, blush and peach.

Dusty Mauve

Love the look of blush but going for something a little less ‘sweet’? Try an elegant dusty mauve. This hue transcends seasons and looks gorgeous on a variety of skin tones.

Pairings: This hue is lovely mis-matched with blush, ivory and even grays.

Dusty Blue

Any hue muted just feels that much more elegant and allows you to play around a bit more with color in your florals and decor. So is true for dusty blue!

Pairings: Red, coral, peach and cream. The pretty proof is above!

Nude

Neutrals are always in, but this year we’re predicting bridesmaids will be donning nudes over blushes. The perfect way to give your wedding a light, airy vibe.

Pairings: Mauve, sweet pink, peach, teal and navy come to mind—really, nudes are just so versatile!

Midnight Blue

Alllmost black but not quite, a midnight blue has the classic feel of a black without going all the way there.

Pairings: Creams, yellows, pinks, you name it. Think of hues that will pop against this beautiful deep hue!

This wedding may have occurred on April Fools’ Day but it’s no laughing matter; instead we have a pretty as can be spring wedding with plenty of pastels and lots of smiles. Eventi Floral & Events spearheaded the design and fabulous florals for this special celebration in Chesapeake Bay and Abby Jiu and Lee Russell Films captured it all from start to finish. All in all, it’s one inspirational island wedding we’re happy to be surprised with!

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From Eventi Floral & Events… When the bride, Melissa, was just a little girl, her parents brought her to Gibson Island to see if she might like living on the island. During a tour of the club, she walked out the back door, looked out over the water and said that she wanted to get married there. Fast forward a few years to a stunning brand new Club and she still had the same wish.

From the Bride… Gibson Island is a small community, 1000 acres on the Chesapeake Bay with roughly 200 homes. Our friends and family on the island hosted guests for us so that everyone was able to stay on the island and have a wonderful relaxing weekend both celebrating and enjoying the space. People were able to rent golf carts to drive around and fully enjoy the island experience.

From Eventi Floral & Events… Once we navigated the housing situation, the only pickle was that the club had recently been rebuilt and was not able to accommodate her 200+ guest count. So, tent it was!

From the Bride… When looking at available dates in April, April Fool’s Day seemed like the perfect fit! We wanted our wedding to feel inviting and welcoming. I am from the east coast and Scott is from Arkansas, so we knew many people would be traveling. We wanted to make sure that they felt taken care of and welcome and understood how grateful we were that they travelled to come celebrate with us. We tried to tie in different elements from our respective families and homes as well. We called the hogs at the wedding (an Arkansas tradition) and everyone cheered with excitement when the band played it!

We thought purposefully about seating arrangements and where to put people so they got to know other great guests. We also had several guests that we knew had something in common or would get along and wanted to create a way to make sure they were able to visit with one another. At dinner, we had something called The Hunger Games – we put little known facts that we thought would bring out conversation, get people talking, or make the small world connections known. It would say something like “Someone at this table…” and then apply to multiple people, a cool story about someone, a connection to the bride/groom etc. We felt it added to the atmosphere of making everyone feel welcome and like a true guest.

From Eventi Floral & Events… We wanted to give Melissa and Scott something they could put up in their home so we opted to have Amanda Day Rose create a watercolor of the club that held their reception and have guests sign around it. We then used the watercolor design throughout the day on the seating chart display, the bar menus and a few other places. It really helped tie everything together. We also has a ring bearer pillow made out of the same map print of the Chesapeake Bay from the invitation envelope liner.

From the Bride… Some of my favorite memories include:

Getting ready with my friends and my mom and taking pictures on our back lawn. The wind made for great photos and it was so relaxing and fun!

I did a first look with my dad and my friends. No one had seen my wedding dress and it was so wonderful to surprise everyone. My dad started crying, which of course made me cry.

Getting ready to walk in, and start the ceremony my bridesmaids and parents were hanging out in a room upstairs. They had a window that looked out onto the entrance and we got to see everyone walk in. That was so much fun seeing all the guests arrive – I could feel the anticipation and excitement.

As the guests approached we had bagpipes playing. That element was super special. My parents had them at their wedding and we are a very Scottish family and my husband’s name is Scott – so it added to the “Scottish” element!

Walking down the aisle and seeing Scott for the first time was very emotional. We decided not to do a first look because he wanted to see me for the first time in that moment and I’m glad we waited. It truly was what you dream about as a kid.

Walking in to see the tent for the first time was amazing. I had not been able to fully imagine how incredible it was going to look and it was really breathtaking. After all that planning, and planning remotely you just trust your wedding planner/designer that it will all work out and she really did more than I could have ever imagined. Getting to see it put to life was underrated. Even for Scott, he had some idea about things but was also in the dark about a few and getting to see his reaction of all the hard work everyone had done was just as wonderful. It was like getting to experience that happiness twice!

Being announced was easily one of my favorite memories and I didn’t anticipate it being that way. The way we walked into the tent we walked through a line of our friends and they were clapping and high fiveing and patting us on the back. We felt the love from everyone that day in a whole new way.

Our first dance and then having everyone come out onto the dance floor was so memorable. It felt like the party was getting started and I could feel how excited and happy people were to be there. I felt very much like a host throughout the whole wedding and wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time and their needs were taken care of, getting the dance party started and dancing with Scott as husband and wife was the BEST.

The confetti during our last dance was AWESOME. It was like being inside a snow globe and was the best way to end the night.

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Videography: Lee Russell Films | Event Planning + Design: Eventi Floral & Events | Floral Design: Eventi Floral & Events | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Invitations: mlc designs, llc | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Gibson Island Club | Hair + Makeup: Behind The Veil | Calligraphy: Shotgunning for Love Letters | Entertainment: DJ Jake Sherman | Band: Infusion By Washington Talent | Men's Attire: Menguin | Transportation: American Limo | Venue: Gibson Island Club | Tent: Loane Brothers | Ceremony Musicians: Washington Talent - Da Vinci Strings | Custom Watercolor: Amanda Day Rose | Dessert: Sugar Bakers Cakes | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photography - Assistance: Abby Jiu Photography | Rentals: Party Rental LTD | Rentals: Select Event Group | Rentals: Revolution Event Design And Production

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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When it comes to home priority lists, it seems the bedroom always gets put on the back burner. It’s simply a room you sleep in, right? Wrong. The power of a well-designed bedroom has the potential to start your day off on the right foot and end it with a welcoming, serene vibe. Today, we’ve invited the team at SAGE Interior Design to share their tips on how to give yours ALL the cozy feels and this one they designed for one of their clients is EXACTLY that. See it all laid out in the full gallery captured by Freebird Photography!

Luxe Bedding

The best way to get a good nights sleep? Invest in amazing bedding! We used all white bedding from Parachute Home and it was one of the best decisions we made for our clients. They are always telling us how they never want to leave their bed because they are so comfortable! The 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton is crisp, clean and livable and gets softer with every wash. Parachute Home is hands-down our favorite bedding on the market!

White Furniture

White furniture is a modern style staple that is never considered a “trend.” You can’t go wrong with white furniture in any room of the house, especially the bedroom. White evokes feelings of airiness and cleanliness because it’s calming, simple, and timeless. You can add in pops of color through throw pillows & blankets, artwork and even wallpaper (another favorite of ours right now!).

Natural Pieces

With so much white & blue in this room, we wanted to break it up by adding in natural, warm textures like the woven chandelier and baskets. These pieces will never go out of style and blend in perfectly with the rest of the room. The chandelier is also very structurally interesting and draws the eye up when you enter the room. Plus it gives the room that extra coastal feeling we were going for!

Leather

Add a natural + warm look to the your space by adding in leather! Leather adds a modern and also natural look to a room, Bonus: authentic leather wears beautifully with age. One of our favorite leather items for the bedroom? Using poufs at the end of the bed to be used for extra seating that can easily be moved over to your reading chair to act as a footrest! We also tied leather into other side of the bedroom by adding rich leather straps to natural wood to create a book shelf for the reading nook. If you take a close look at the rug you can also see there is leather woven into it as well!

Greenery

One of favorite ways to create a dream bedroom is through the use of plants! We always incorporate two plants into every room: one floor plant and one smaller plant that can sit on a table or shelf. Plants not only bring color and life into a room but they can also help fill in those empty spaces where nothing else would work. Bonus: plants naturally clean our air so of course we want them in our bedroom!

Photography: Freebird Photography | Interior Design: Sage Market + Design | Product Inquiries: Sage Market + Design

After vacationing in the Luberon Valley and falling in love with the charm and rosé of the area, it was clear where this London based couple would be holding their destination wedding. Mas de la Rose provided all the beauty of a Provencal backdrop they could dream of and was made even more so with florals by Big Day Studio and stationery by Beautifully Lost Studio. Pore through image after stunning image of this blushing affair captured by Oliver Fly.

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From the Bride… Thomas and I had been together for a year and half before he asked me to marry him on the very beautiful island of Koh Lanta, Thailand. Unbeknown to myself, Thomas had asked my father for permission and I was completely blindsided by his very thoughtful and traditional proposal. After popping the question on a remote part of the island, he arranged the most romantic evening dinner on the beach. There were huge love hearts engraved into the sand which were covered in pretty flower petals and candles, it was truly the most romantic gesture and I knew I was lucky to be marrying Thomas.

We couldn’t wait to start planning our big day and we both knew deep down that we wanted a destination wedding. Unfortunately London, our home, is famed for its greys skies so getting far away from this was, in our minds, a done deal. Thomas’ parents have a small cottage in the idyllic Luberon Valley, in Provence, and our first holiday together was there. I had been to France quite a few times but never to Provence and, I do not say this lightly when I say, I was blown away by its charm and breath-taking beauty (not to mention the delicious Provencal rose!). So for all these reasons we decided to have a Provencal wedding.

After a short time of looking we came across Mas de la Rose and we knew straight away that we wanted to have our wedding there, the venue is stunning and Veronique, the hotel manager, made everyone feel so special. With the wedding venue chosen we needed to find a photographer that would capture our special day and we were blown away by Oliver Fly’s beautiful pictures. It was clear to us from the onset that he takes great pride in his work and we really valued his very personal approach. We spent several skype sessions getting to know Oliver and this helped us to feel at ease with him ahead of the big day and, after seeing our photos, we could not be happier with his work!

We were so incredibly lucky to have the most amazing team of people who take such pride and pleasure from their jobs : Ylva and Agnes were so sweet and helped me and bridesmaids to get ready; Thomas Dusseune, the DJ, was just so attentive and professional and he clearly has an incredible grasp of his art and Big Day Design created the dreamiest floral arrangements that complimented my colour scheme the venue to perfection. Thanks to our amazing friends and family, a dreamy venue and team of highly qualified vendors we ended up having a wedding weekend that exceeded our imagination in every possible way. Everyone who shared this with us and who contributed to the success of our day will be forever in our hearts.

Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Floral Design: Big Day - Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Anna Georgina | Wedding Dress: Kobus Dippenaar | Catering: Mas De La Rose | Hair : Agnes Caneri | DJ: Thomas Dusseune | Calligraphy/Stationery : Beautifully Lost Studio | Luxury Hotel : Mas De La Rose | Make Up Artist: Ylva Langenskiold | Processing Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Silk Ribbons : Orchidee De Soie

We did it! My favorite gals and I headed over to BHLDN last month for my very first wedding dress shopping trip. And dare I say, it was a smashing success. While I was as awkward as can be (typical), it was a really lovely morning with some of my favorite people. We worked with a gem of a stylist, who helped me in and out of some of the most beautiful gowns I’ve ever seen.

We even combined the bridal and bridesmaids appointment. Because I now live 1,000 miles away from 4 of the 5 bridesmaids in our wedding, we figured it would be ideal to shop for both my wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses at the same time. We started with the bridal appointment, then transitioned into the bridesmaid appointment. Both were a total blast, as you can see from Sweet Monday‘s gorgeous photos!

If you’re getting ready for your first (or second, or third….) appointment, here are 7 ways to prepare for wedding dress shopping.

Finalize your appointment guest list
Are you bringing family members? Friends? Bridesmaids? Finalize your appointment guest list a few days in advance to prepare the boutique or shop you’re visiting. If you’ve got a large group, it’s best to give them a heads up. Many boutiques have a limit of how many people you can bring with you, so be sure to look into that prior to your appointment.

Keep an open mind
My dear friend and wedding planner extraordinaire, Kelly, told me that I should be open to trying on at least one dress that I never envisioned myself in. And boy was she right. I never would have known that I loved it because I never would have tried it on! So, keep an open mind, because you never know what you may find (or fall in love with).

Jot down the elements you like and don’t like
For example, I knew I didn’t want strapless. I want to be comfortable in my wedding dress, which I know isn’t always a ‘must’ for wedding dress shopping. But, I’ve heard horror stories from friends of having to cut wedding dresses off because they were too tight…. And, no thank you. I want to be happy and comfortable, and able to eat, drink, and dance on my wedding day! So, fussing with a strapless top all day is out. I also knew that I didn’t want lace or a tight gown. I could go on and on, so let’s get to the point: plan to head in with a few of the elements you like or don’t like in mind or even written down so you don’t forget. Your stylist will ask you before you dive in what types of gowns you have your eyes on and which ones are an absolute no.

Know that you may not find “the one”
If this is your first time dress shopping, don’t feel pressured to find “the one”. If none of the wedding dresses pique your interest, that’s okay! What you can do is take photos of the wedding dresses you liked (and photos of you in said dresses) to look back on later. You may see pieces of the gown that you liked and didn’t like, which will help you prepare for your next trip.

Wear the right undergarments
To be frank, this is the less glamorous part of the appointment – actually getting into and out of the gowns. There will most likely be a stylist accompanying you in the dressing room, so I’d suggest wearing undergarments that you’re comfortable with a team member seeing you in. And – a strapless bra may be best!

Have fun with it
Something I was unprepared for was not having a mirror in the dressing room, which meant that I had to venture out into the space where my family and friends were awaiting each dress unveiling. It was intimidating and slightly unnerving, because I didn’t know how I looked in each gown until after I saw their reactions. However, all I could do was be a little silly and have fun with it. If you’re feeling anxious, shake it out and just have fun with it.

When in doubt, brunch
Plan for a little treat after dress shopping to keep the celebrations going. After we went dress shopping, we all went out for a tasty brunch nearby. We kept it simple – and gasp, didn’t even make reservations – which was exactly what we needed. It was a low-key meal that we enjoyed together, and of course, spent chatting about all things wedding.

Are you a fellow bride-to-be? How did your first wedding dress shopping trip go? I’d love to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly!

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Petit Bouquet

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