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

Your Snow White Wedding Dreams Come True – With a Modern Twist!

Eager to reclaim the fairytale castle for the modern Bride, Stefanie Kapra Photography and a team of talented vendors created this stunning wedding inspiration session located on the grounds of a German castle, Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg. By incorporating romantic elements and tying everything together with light blue, velvet accents – from the Groom’s bow tie to the cake! – they created a light and airy feel for this traditional venue. So head on over to the gallery where all your Snow White wedding dreams will come true!

From Stefanie Kapra Photography… Historic castles are one of the unique trademarks of Germany (at one time, Germany was home to more than 25,000 castles and palaces). While not all of them exist anymore, many of these grand buildings have been restored and today make for a perfect wedding venue for the sophisticated and modern Bride, providing a one-of-a-kind backdrop for a luxury wedding. Yet castles are also known to be old-fashioned, dark, dusty, and a bit stiff – not exactly the characteristics a modern Bride is looking for in her wedding venue. Therefore, our amazing team of wedding vendors came together to create a castle wedding inspiration session with a modern twist to show future Brides that a castle wedding can indeed be modern, airy, bright, sophisticated, fun, and glamorous.

The idea was to use traditional materials and items that would typically be found in old castles and tweak them in a way to fit a modern wedding. We therefore chose velvet as our main material, but instead of going with a gaudy gold or heavy dark red color, we opted for a light and modern grey-blue. We incorporated vintage golden elements (for example the trays, perfume bottles, and mirrors), which added a bit of glamour and elegance to the modern palette while tying in the history of the venue.

Beautiful and soft colored flower arrangements were a modern update on old-fashioned red roses. These floral arrangements were put together by Madita in such a dreamy and natural looking way that they looked as if they came right out of a fairytale. Ira and Merle set up a gorgeous table using the historic walls of the castle for the backdrop. Again, soft and light-colored materials were used, and velvet was incorporated in little accents. Last but not least, Ana also did her usual magic with all the stationery items, combining high end materials with modern calligraphy and a one-of-a-kind drawing of Schloss Bensberg to top it all of.

The blue velvet was our one element that tied everything together. From the menus, to the cake, to the Groom’s tie, we subtly incorporated this luxury material in all our beautiful and thoughtfully created details. I then got to capture all this beauty on film with my vintage Contax Film camera – only fitting for this set-up and venue.

From Merle… This styled shoot combines classic, elegant, and modern elements and takes place in a very unique venue in Germany. I was always fascinated by weddings in castles. Therefore I was really happy when we found this beautiful and elegant venue for our shoot. Every little girl’s dream is to marry the love of your life in a venue like the castle Bensberg, which is located on top of a hill and offers a stunning view.

In this shoot, we combine the elegant fabric, velvet, in a modern color, blue. We used this for the decor, flowers, and the wedding cake. The purpose was to give this venue a certain kind of lightness, which is supported by the outdoor table setting, the outdoor ceremony, and the floral arrangements. I am delighted by all the lovely details like the calligraphy wedding stationery that has a drawing of the castle and the directions. This shoot proves how a classic castle wedding can be interpreted in a modern, fresh, but also classy way.

A Lakeside Wedding Never Looked So Lovely

If you think all things elegance should be reserved for seaside soirees, think again. This slice of inspiration crafted by Lovely Leaves and Creative Innovations proves that lakeside lovin’ can be next level. So, pull up a chair and feast on the full gallery captured by Dani Cowan Photography with us.

From Giselle Callahan of Lovely Leaves… Weddings in nature are our favorite variety. For this reason, Flint Creek Country Estate is one of our favorite venues. Guests experience nature on the long winding roads through tall trees and rolling hills setting the tone for a relaxed yet beautiful wedding. The drive alone is enchanting, but when you reach the venue set on private property, you get the feeling that you have travelled to a faraway place. The magnificent French Colonial mansion seems almost out of place set in Texas woods, but is perfect for a luxurious outdoor event. The venue is new and boasts rich stone archways, climbing ivy, stained glass windows and sits atop a cliff overlooking the lake with a stairway down to the water. The view is heavenly at sunset.

This inspiration shoot was different than many others we’ve styled. It came together easily with a group of dear friends one afternoon and everything just fell into place perfectly. I loved the opportunity to collaborate with florist Ginny Swalley from Creative Innovations. She designed the most wonderful, lush bouquet of Alabaster garden roses and pale blush Quicksand roses filled with veronica, ranunculus, silver brunia, astilbe, wax flower, sweet-smelling freesia and a glorious mix of ruskus, dusty miller and eucalyptus. Decor is will always be minimal at Flint Creek so as not to take away from the gorgeous setting, but vineyard chairs and farm tables tie in the French country-feel. Gold silverware, crystal wine glasses and romantic taper candles in vintage brass candle sticks tie in with the look. Menus were layered on cheese cloth set on vintage stoneware china atop the table paired with a thick garland of silver-dollar and roses.

Brittney has the type of effortlessly beauty you see in old Hollywood films and a perfect smile that lets you feel at ease. The dress she wore was designed by Allure from Georgio’s Bridal Salon. The way she and Colton smile and laugh, you would think they were actually getting married. It was almost difficult to get them to be serious. Perhaps the lake can make people fall in love. Hair and make-up by Southern Belles Beauty was light and simple⎯ideal for warm Texas evenings. Stationery was made to feel relaxed yet luxurious fitting with the location, each piece with perfectly hand-torn edges on heavy organic paper and a rich velum wrap to hold it all in place. A charcuterie board with aged Prosciutto, arugula, Texas pecans and french cheese was chosen for an afternoon snack. Buttercream icing is smooth waves across the four-tiered cake was meant to mimic the waves on the lake and accented with roses and greenery.

Three Tips For Looking Completely Natural In Your Wedding Photos

If you find yourself panicking over the mere thought of getting those engagement + wedding photos taken, know that you are not alone. Freeze face happens to the very best of us, and if you’re more than ready to conquer those awkward poses and staged kisses, the uber-talented Bethany Rees of DOLA Photography is here to tell us exactly how it can be done. Cozy on up for a lesson in oh-so-natural wedding photos below.

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

When it comes to capturing natural images, I love to keep couples moving and doing things, so that they almost forget they are being photographed. Even small amounts of movement can make photos look less posed and stagnant. It’s great when couples are up for whatever I ask, like leading one another through a field or walking quickly together down a set of stairs, trusting that I will always make them look good. Even if they are just standing in one spot for me, I’ll ask them to sway, almost slow dance with each other, so there is always movement. A good photographer knows how to give direction to get natural looking photos out of anyone, no matter what their personality is like.

IGNORE THE CAMERA

My style is also very photojournalistic, so outside of the time we do portraits together, I am constantly scanning the room on a wedding day looking for small moments – glances, laughs, hugs… those are the best candids. Sometimes I even hold my camera up and wait. I can see the photo in my head and I just need something small to happen, or someone to move into the frame to get it perfect, and it happens so quickly that if I didn’t already have my camera ready at my eye, I would miss it! For those photos I need people to ignore me – a lot of times when people see a camera they want to pose or smile, which is great, but normally my favorite candid photos happen when people are just being present, enjoying themselves at the party and ignoring me.

ENJOY YOURSELF

Consider doing something that is just for the two of you. It doesn’t need to be something major, but a small moment or activity together gives an opportunity for me to just document what you’re doing together in an unscripted way. Get coffee, have a glass of champagne together, go off and eat your cake while watching the sunset. Give yourselves extra down time in your wedding day schedule to really allow yourself to relax and for spontaneous things to happen. Those in-between moments are always some of my favorite and the most natural looking photos! For engagement sessions, too, I recommend getting your hair and makeup done so you are feeling fabulous and confident… treat it like you’re going on a fun date!

You want your wedding day to rock, so finding a photog that can ease your mind and help you feel natural in front of the camera is key. Bethany Rees, studio owner of DOLA Photography, is one of those talented photographers, using her years of experience to snap images that are modern, timeless AND gorgeous… and all with an unobtrusive and laid-back style that will sooo put you at ease. We are all kinds of obsessed with her photojournalistic style, and her ability to snap those moments you didn’t even know were happening. Do yourself a favor and contact her today for a wedding album filled with heart-tugging images you’ll cherish for always.

Photography: DOLA Photography

Uptown Chic Meets Rustic Farmhouse With This Glamorous Affair

From a chic, city backdrop to the beauty of a rustic farm, this wedding celebration has a little bit of everything. Starting in downtown Tampa for portraits and continuing to Barrington Hill Farm for a heartfelt celebration, see how glamour is infused into every nook of this beautiful day captured by Cathy Durig.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Farm

Styles

Rustic

Their wedding day began in downtown Tampa a the beautiful chic Le Meridian hotel. Here they each got ready with their best and closest of friends. The gorgeous and historic columns outside the hotel was the perfect setting to have their first look. As Megan exited the doors, Brent took a huge breath and didn’t release it until just after he turned around to see his stunning bride. The two embody poise and sophistication, as their portraits unfolded along the colonnade. After their portraits the couple, the wedding party made their way to the beautiful rustic Barrington Hill Farm, where Megan & Brent shared their vows under blowing Spanish moss. The evening proceeded on the front lawn of the farmhouse, where Megan chose dark wood tables that accompanied gold chivari chairs and light blue chiffon drapery for the tablescapes. She chose all white florals to add subtle glam and elegance to her already gorgeous palette. The two enjoyed the company of friends and family under the dark starry night sky, which made way for the stunning sparklers at the end of their already perfect wedding day.

A Dreamy Destination Wedding in the Bahamas

It’s no secret we love a good destination wedding and when it just so happens to be set oceanside in The Bahamas? Prepare to get your swoon on. These two gathered their closest friends and family for a tropical escape on January 15th, exactly 4 years to the very day they met. It’s a love story for the books and you can watch the day unfold with captures by Hunter Ryan.

From the bride… We selected The Cove for its outdoor, natural beauty. We wanted a small, intimate wedding with our closest family and friends. We wanted a relaxed atmosphere, genuine interaction, warmth and celebration. We loved the idea of all the guests being in one location for a long weekend to spend time with each other and to make it a vacation for themselves (and to feel like a vacation for us, too!). It was important to us that our guests felt like VIPs and had a one-of-a-kind experience.

For the wedding itself – one of our friends who have known us and our relationship since the first time we met will be our officiant. The day we chose for our wedding date, January 15th is actually the exact day we met over 4 years prior (January 15, 2012 – MLK weekend). We have been together ever since. For our bridal party, we chose only our siblings -Tal’s only brother, Jake, who I also knew in high school, my older sister, Kaitlin, and my younger sister, Kelsey.

For the wedding weekend, we hosted a cocktail Welcome Party to watch the sunset at the Point Bar on Friday night. On Saturday, we had the rehearsal dinner beachside, which was a fun and relaxed seafood barbecue with steel drums and local music. The wedding took place on Sunday (Jewish tradition) with an amazing DJ we brought in from NYC and the whole weekend ended with us sending our guests off with a farewell brunch on Monday morning.

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A Modern, Beachy Home Built for Entertaining

Designing a home to call your own is no small task — especially when you’re designing from the ground up. Loving their location but itching for more space, this young family decided to start from the studs and rebuild the home customized to their wish list. A little bit modern and a little bit boho, they fully embraced the Southern California vibes with risk-taking design moves (looking at you, turquoise cabinets!) that paid off in a major way.

After living in our 1,118 square foot home for nine years, we came to the realization that we loved our neighborhood, but had a huge wish list of things we wanted and needed for our growing family. We took the house down to the studs and doubled the square footage, pushing out the house to the backyard and adding a master suite on the new second level. We didn’t have the budget for a designer, so I relied on Pinterest, Houzz, designer blogs like Amber Interiors, Studio McGee, Emily Henderson, as well as, my trusty contractor Steve of Christiano Homes to source everything for the house.

We wanted lots of natural light, clean lines, and a beachy, inviting home built for entertaining. The look ended up being white walls with warm wood accents and we have a mix of mid-century modern, transitional, and boho accents throughout the house, like many homes around here in Southern California.

The only thing my husband requested was NO all white kitchen! I went with “Galapagos Turquoise” from Benjamin Moore off of a kitchen I had seen in a magazine and paired it with modern satin copper (rose gold) hardware from Schoolhouse Electric. I love to cook so the kitchen really is the heart of our home. The kids eat at the peninsula in the mornings, and we sit in the nook for dinner. I especially love the accordion “pass-thru” window over our nook. I can stand at the sink and get to look out to the pool and the greenery. We entertain a lot, so our wood clad La Cantina doors pocket into the walls to create an indoor-outdoor space we can use year round with built in space heaters and speakers.

Typically, the ladies are in the kitchen around the big peninsula in the comfy Serena and Lily Riviera barstools, while the men stand around the bar, and the kids run back and forth between the pool and the playroom which conveniently has barn doors to close off the kid mess and the noise!

My favorite room design wise is the powder bath. I knew that was one space that everyone will always get to see, so I went with my dream tile by Tabarka Tile from their Morroccan collection and played around with mixing metals in there. For the girls, I chose Aimee Wilder’s Pina Sola pineapple wallpaper and had chalkboard paint put on the barn doors in the playroom. Their bathroom has a fun, bright patterned cement tile, and I made sure they had their own mirrors and outlets for when they grow up and start fighting over hair tools and makeup!

Our master bedroom and bathroom is our retreat. We created a large double head shower with built in bench and I used a beautiful neutral limestone in different sizes and patterns. Small squares on the shower floor, large offset tiles in the shower, and herringbone on the bathroom floor. The walnut vanity drawers have a mid century design and I decided to have some panels of walnut added to the pony wall outside the shower to break up all the tile and tie in the vanity. And bonus, I found the most perfect rug at the Salvation Army for $100!

We have now been in the house a year and a half and there’s still a lot of wall spaces and nooks and crannies to fill and design, but I think when you’re choosing everything yourself, you just have to take your time. Thank you to Lane Dittoe for the beautiful shots of our home!

Photography: lane dittoe | Contractor, Custom Homes: Christiano homes

5 Irresistible East Coast Minimoon Resorts

If old-school charm, historical landmarks, and high tea get you giddy for more, a weekend minimoon to the east coast might be the perfect wedding celebration for you and your new spouse. With history and plush luxury amenities, these east coast resorts offer more than you could imagine.

Emily Delamater

The best part? You can cozy up together on your dream honeymoon while holding onto your wallet and vacation days.

Start planning your stay with one of these irresistible inns.

1. Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, ME

If you’re longing for ocean views, this well-kept secret gets you up close and personal with the Atlantic. The nautical aesthetic lures you out of your cozy cabin to explore all that the coast has to offer. And with Portland just a short drive away, you can add city adventures to your weekend to-do list.

2. The Sagamore
Bolton Landing, NY

The jaw-dropping elegance of this estate makes upstate New York transform into a secluded European escape. Rolling green hills and endless skies envelop The Sagamore Resort on Lake George. Facing the water, the resort’s inspiring gardens lead you down to the shore where you have an uninterrupted view of the entire lake. You can’t go wrong with a Duet spa before diving into the rest of your minimoon weekend.

3. The Verb Hotel
Boston, MA

This is the exception to the usual east coast decor. Themed entirely with a mid-century modern rock and roll decor, the hotel is almost too cool for itself. Little touches like the seafoam typewriters and records ready to browse around every corner make this a hipster-friendly hangout. That doesn’t take away from the amenities fit for a rockstar. You’ll feel just as comfy as any high-end resort as you lounge by the pool listening to classic Beatles tunes.

Carla Ten Eyck

4. Ocean House
Watch Hill, RI

As grand a location as a hotel can get, the Ocean House sits atop Watch Hill, the southernmost tip of Rhode Island. It offers unmatched views of the surrounding water and a direct path to the sandy shore below. Dating back to the later 1800s, this corner of the state is riddled with adventures perfect for canoodling. Laze on the beach, explore the ocean coves, and slow down to savor the flavors of small town living.

Rebecca Yale Photography

5. The Pierre
New York, NY

This one’s for all you city lovers. Sitting squarely on Central Park’s southeast corner is The Pierre, a hotel rich with history and dripping with gold. From the moment you walk inside to your first sip of their famous afternoon tea and every moment after, you’ll feel like royalty. Not only is the hotel’s 1930s architecture admirable, but the views outside offer an idyllic New York City landscape. Take a stroll around Central Park and enjoy endless local attractions like museums, theaters, restaurants and coffee shops. You’ll fall in love all over again.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Katy Palmer is a freelance writer and casting producer from Denver by way of Los Angeles. When she isn’t working you will find her volunteering at local film festivals, enjoying the Denver comedy scene and supporting other women in media. Connect with her on Instagram @bykatypalmer.

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5 Tips to Rock Your Premarital Counseling Sesh

Ready to plan for your future? Premarital counseling is as important to planning your wedding as setting the date! If you’re having a religious ceremony, you might already be registered for faith-based counseling through your place of worship. Your wedding planner, friends, or insurance company are other great resources for counselor recommendations.

Let’s talk about how to make the most of your sessions.

Tamara Gruner Photography

Accept the Challenge
It’s not going to be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Accept that some sessions are going to be more challenging and be ready to rise to the occasion. You’ll talk through fun topics in your sessions – like how you met and where you want to vacation someday. You’ll also tackle some tough topics – like intimacy and budgets. When you and your fiancé are on the same team, you’ll leave each conversation feeling more prepared to walk down the aisle.

Embrace Change
Okay, so you’re not perfect. Nobody is! Keep that in mind as you’re talking through what’s not working in your relationship. With the help of a professional, you’ll be able to identify ways to better meet your partner’s specific needs. Maybe your fiancé will finally learn not to leave his dirty towels on the bathroom floor. And – with that – you’re one step closer to perfection.

Graham Terhune Photography

Keep it Private
Trust is key to improving any relationship. Whatever you discuss in that room stays between you, your fiancé, and your counselor (or pastor, or priest). Don’t talk about it with your mom, your bridesmaids, or anyone else, for that matter. Absolutely do not post about it on social media. Counseling should be a safe place to communicate your dreams – and your vulnerabilities. It’s you two against in the world in there, just like in marriage.

Encourage Each Other
Remember, you’re here because you love each other! Share all the things your fiancé does well, your favorite parts of the relationship, and all the goals you’re working on together. Thank him for making the time to attend counseling together. If you know talking about intimacy is hard for him, reach over and hold his hand during the appointment. Counseling sessions can be a sweet time to build each other up and connect on a deeper level. At the end of the day, it’s a great sign that you’re both making your future a priority.

em the gem

Continue Communicating
Premarital counseling gives you tools to communicate and resolve conflicts in your marriage. Don’t let them get rusty! Keep asking questions to make sure each of you is feeling happy and loved. Set aside time to chat about the goals you set for life together. How’s the budget going? When do you want to start a family? What do you want your children to learn from your relationship?

Not quite ready for counseling? Grab a book or search online for “questions to ask before you get married.” (Here’s an example.) Take turns asking questions on date night or a road trip!

Pre-marriage counseling is a wonderful way to highlight the strengths in your relationship. Asking the right questions can help you learn things about your fiancé you never knew before. It will also help you understand how he thinks—a valuable skill, since you’re planning to spend the rest of your lives together!

Jasmine Nicole Photography

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. You can find her in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee.

5 Steps To Get The Fairytale Florals Of Your Dreams

When choosing your wedding florals, what comes to mind? If you’re picturing a princess in a ballgown saying “yes” to Prince Charming, a fairytale wedding may be in your future.

Here are five tips on achieving those fairytale florals you’ve been dreaming of.

Vasia Photography

Invest in high-quality florals while buffering with greenery.

If some of the flowers you’re hoping for are a bit pricey, get a few to be the center of your bouquet and then use pretty greenery to fill it out. This will add texture and make your blooms stand out. The quality of your florals will make all the difference in terms of how long they stay fresh and how bright their coloring is.

Don’t let them see too much heat.

On hot summer days, your florals will wilt quickly, and you want to keep them as lively as possible. Take a few outdoor shots with your stunning bouquet before having it whisked away by a bridesmaid or attendant to be kept in water. Ditto the cold–if you’re having winter nuptials, take one gorgeous shot with the flowers and then have them brought inside.

Keep the colors in mind.

“Keep the color palette eye-catching with contrasting but complementary colors,” said Phuong Nguyen of Mibellarosa, a floral + event design studio. “For instance, if a white peony has streaks of pink in it, then place a pink flower next to it to make both colors pop out from one another. If the color scheme is predominantly white and neutrals, use natural variations of greenery like bits of yellows, reds or creams in the leaves to break it up and add more character to the palette!”

Play with shape.

Cascading bouquets are having a moment right now, and they bring to mind castles and enchanted gardens. Don’t feel as if your bouquet has to be a perfectly-shaped sphere. Dangling flowers or pretty greenery can give your bouquet the extra “oomph” you’re looking for.

The Great Romance Photo

Evoke a garden feel.

“Keeping the aesthetics as true to nature as possible is ideal while creating larger-than-life designs. Integrate large blooms such as peonies and garden roses with smaller blooms such as clematis and sweet peas as if they were growing in a garden together,” Nguyen said.

Natalie Bray Photography

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Claire Swinarski is a writer and podcaster based in Wisconsin. When she isn’t writing, she can be found obsessing over football, eating a burrito bowl, or hanging out with her husband and son.

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Calling All Brides: This New Collection Of Gowns Is An Absolute Must-See

The recipe for a gorgeous wedding day look? It all starts with the dress, of course. So when the Pronovias Fashion Group announced they would be launching four new collections under the St. Patrick brand, we broke out the bubbly to celebrate the latest from the design powerhouse that has been making bride’s dreams come true for decades. And we have your first look.

When St. Patrick sent over images from their latest 2018 Collection Photo Shoot, as well as snaps from their runway show in April, we jumped at the chance to preview them first. Because these gowns? They’re amazing. Think sophisticated + glam (St. Patrick Studio), elegant + stylish (St. Patrick), trendy and innovative (White One) and totally romantic (La Sposa). And if you weren’t lucky enough to sit front and center at the debut fashion show during Barcelona Bridal Week, this is the next best thing.

The perfect combo of figure flattering and sophisticated, the newest St. Patrick collections are everything you want… and so much more. We’re talking fabrics like lace and crepe, thread embroidery, gemstones and a light, airy movement to each design that will leave you feeling like an absolute princess. We obviously love that.

From stunning overskirts, long capes and beautiful appliqués to Mikado silk and crystal tulle, the new St. Patrick collections are perfect for those brides that are as stylish as they are romantic. To see the gorgeous gowns, find a retailer near you or visit their website to request an appointment here. They’re available in over 97 countries throughout the world.

Fashion Show Pictures: Ugo Cámera

Combining a Glam Ballroom Wedding With the Beaches of Hawaii

Glamour is at very single turn in this destination wedding captured by Aria Studios. From the bride’s perfect red lip to the all white florals by Su-V Expressions and the tropical elegance of Honolulu’s Royal Hawaiian Hotel, it all makes for a wedding day as stunning as they come. Go from seaside portraits to a ballroom dressed to the nines with the full celebration right here.

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

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Resort

Styles

Glamorous

From the Bride…Growing up in two completely different parts of the United States, I’m a local girl born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and Tom, a southern boy from Jackson, Mississippi we some how found our way to each other in the middle of one of the busiest cities, Los Angeles. Our love story began with short glances and interactions at work in the hospital. Tom is a surgery resident physician while I am medical surgical nurse at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. We would occasionally talk about plan of care about the patients we would be caring for and purposely start to religiously show up for our monthly unit MD/RN collaboration meetings just to get more of a glimpse and interaction with each other. Not quite like Grey’s Anatomy but the real and genuine love that grew between us was extraordinary because we found our person in each other.

When we were planning our wedding it was a no brainer that Honolulu was the place to be but where exactly?! Since both of us lived in Los Angeles we were grateful that my parents were able to help us look at different venue options that were available for our date. When they came across the Royal Hawaiian it was just perfect and came full circle when Tom told me it was the first hotel he stayed at when he first came to Hawaii couple months before we met and for it to be the place where we celebrate our love, there was no other place than the Royal. The lush greenery against the historic pink reminded him of places back in the south and with having Waikiki beach and Diamond Head as our back drop we had the best of both worlds at our finger tips. Our ceremony was held in a chapel that was near and dear to my heart. Growing up Catholic, I wanted a traditional Church wedding ceremony and as a daughter/alumni of Sacred Hearts Academy I knew St. Margaret Mary Chapel was the perfect intimate setting. Lina from Lina B flowers decorated the church with a simple green garland to add to the charming character of the Chapel.

Planning the wedding from Los Angeles felt a little overwhelming even with family back in Hawaii to help, we still had no idea where to start after we got our venue. Everything just fell into place when we found our amazing wedding planner that is now our dear friend Karisa from Say I Do By Karisa! She is definitely the definition of a boss lady! With our first meeting in Hawaii back in August we told her our vision of a clean, chic, elegant and romantic wedding at the Royal, she helped guide us in making our dream wedding come to life! Her vendor recommendations were spot on because they were truly the best! Every trip we made to Hawaii, Karisa had set up appointments with our vendors and continuously emailed, called, and texted us with updates when we were back in LA. If you are planning a destination wedding in Honolulu, Say I Do By Karisa and her team is the first phone call you should make cause she will make your wedding dreams become a reality!

A Cake Life made our wonderful guava chiffon and carrot cake with buttercream frosting! The cake meeting and tasting was truly an experience because Kristen was so sweet and she sketched our cake design at the meeting! Aria studios were our videographer and photographer and Jonas and Holly were our main contacts throughout our whole experience and even after the wedding! They truly listened to our vision of how Tom and I wanted our wedding day to be captured and we are truly grateful on how amazing everything turned out! The floral goddess, Sue from Su-V Expressions is so talented. We wanted more of a greenery wedding with white accented flowers even though the idea seemed simple she made the floral decor so elegant! The sweetheart table was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and one of my favorite highlights of our wedding decor. The cascading greenery and the pillar candles reflecting against the light coming from Waikiki beach just set the tone for romance.

Little details were just as important. The draping from Les Saison transformed the ballroom into a white canvas and the glass panels that surrounded the ballroom were exposed so our guests could look out and see the night sky of Waikiki beach. I took calligraphy classes from one of my favorite calligraphers Courtney from PoppyJackShop. I hand calligraphy all the escort cards that were in a shape of a marble leaf tile to go with our greenery theme. HappilyEverEtched from Buena Park, California made our amazing Laser etched photo booth back drop and Nestor and Joey Hipolito from One Day Signs from Mililani, Hawaii created a beautiful mirror calligraphy signage to add a personal touch.

Tahiti Rey sang songs to the important dances I’ll ever remember. DJ Anit, a dear friend, brought the reception to life. All that mattered was all the love we were surrounded with that came from our friends and family who travelled all over the world to be with us on our special day. Our wedding day was everything we could have imagined and more!

A San Francisco Brunch Wedding for the Books.

Intimate weddings pull at my heartstrings. Classic weddings are my jam. And subtle details always win in my book. This brunch bash from Vicki Grafton Photography combines all three, and darlings, it’s wedding GOLD. With planning by Harvesting Love Events and florals by Studio Mondine, it’s a sweet reminder that when you strip an event down to the basics, it still shines so brightly.

From the Bride… Both of us being bay area natives and having lived in San francisco together, we knew we wanted to have our wedding in the city. Considering both budget and guest count having the wedding at a restaurant seemed the obvious choice. We had visited Trou Normand back when it first opened and loved the drinks and food. Once they got the back patio up and running, I thought it would serve as a perfect venue, providing an indoor/outdoor feel that would be weather proof.

Having worked in the wedding industry for a number of years, I crossed paths with Studio Mondine in their early days. I loved their style and booked them first thing, before any of my other vendors! Even though our wedding ended up being delayed a year due to an unforeseen job opportunity and move to NYC, they rolled with it. Through them I found Lorraine Lee. She was one of the best decisions we made. Lorraine and her team insured everything went off without a hitch and made the long distance planning as smooth as possible.

To complement the french industrial feel of the spaces, I wanted to go with a classic and neutral pallet. Lush spring floral arrangements in white and green helped soften the space and worked with both interior and exterior finishes. Even though the wedding was during the day and at a restaurant, we still wanted it to have that special wedding feel. We brought in white table clothes to add that element of refinement.

A passion for breakfast food is something Billy and I both share, and seemed like a fun thing to tie into the event. We decided to hold the reception midday and have a brunch menu complete with mimosas and french toast.

With my family’s rich Irish catholic heritage, having the ceremony at St Patrick’s church was a obvious fit. My grandfather played the bagpipes as we exited the church and kicked off the walk to Trou Normand which was just blocks away.

Our biggest advice to couples would be to hire a planner/coordinator, especially if you are planning your wedding long distance or have a demanding day job. IT IS WORTH IT. Lorraine was the best thing we could have hoped for. The year leading up to the wedding she kept tabs on all the moving parts, made fantastic vendor recommendations, like our photographer Vicki who flew in for the event, and made the entire process so smooth.

A second piece of advice: If you opt for a non traditional wedding time, like ours, make arrangements for an afterparty. We ended up renting out a bar later that night to celebrate and let loose with a larger group of friends and family. It was a great decision and we are really glad we incorporated it into our day.

5 Quick Tips to Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding

Planning a destination wedding is a little different than planning a hometown celebration – there’s a new set of expectations, challenges, and fun involved! Karina Tagliarini, Groups and Events Manager from Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, takes us through five quick things to keep top of mind when planning your dream destination wedding.

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1. Pick the Perfect Spot

The location of the wedding venue is one of the most important considerations. A wedding venue may meet all your requirements and must be available on the day that you need.

2. Plan With the Seasons

The weather around the world can change drastically depending on location. Try to find out as much about the weather in the country as possible, as this can easily sway your decision for picking a wedding date. Research is important, and working with professionals who can help you navigate your choices EARLY in the process is key. Although weather is unpredictable, it is always good to travel to the destination in the same season you are planning your wedding day.

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3. Dress Appropriately, Dress for the Location

Keep in mind your location’s climate when choosing a dress. You can go as elegant or casual as you want, but choose lighter fabrics like chiffon, organza, crepe, silk georgette, or tulle. Most wedding dresses are strapless now, which helps keep you somewhat comfortable if you’re getting married in a warm location. But consider a short wedding dress or one with fewer layers of tulle if your location will be hot or humid.

4. Plan Another Event

Part of the fun of a destination wedding is the time you get to spend with your close friends and family. Consider hosting welcome cocktails, a rehearsal dinner prior to the big day, or a farewell brunch to thank your guests for making the trip. But do this in moderation – you shouldn’t over-plan for your guests. They’ll appreciate some free time to explore and do their own thing.

5. Research Local Marriage Requirements

Marriage regulations requirements do vary from country to country. Be sure to check the requirements of the location where you are getting married as far in advance as possible.

Advice: Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

Whimsical Ojai Wedding Inspiration Set Amidst a Dozen Airstreams

If you love all things summer and are looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding weekend, then this Ojai wedding inspiration session at Caravan Outpost is for you. CMG Weddings & Events envisioned a vibrant and modern wedding in the Californian desert amongst a backdrop of authentic airstreams, and we’re definitely fans of the bright and whimsical look! Lucas Rossi Photography captured their fun and festive vision, which you can see all of in the gallery.

From CMG Weddings & Events… With summer adventures dancing in our minds, we were inspired to create a styled wedding shoot that tugged at the heart strings of the summer/weekend warriors. We immediately thought of incorporating an authentic airstream, but we soon discovered a venue that far exceeded our wildest dreams. We visited the Caravan Outpost in Ojai, California, and just knew this would be magical. One airstream? No, how about 12?! This up-and-coming venue is home to a collection of beautifully curated airstreams that are available for booking for daily or weekly accommodation. The venue can also be rented out exclusively for one-of-a-kind wedding weekends!

For this shoot, we wanted to pay homage to the eclectic and bright summer colors that we thought complemented the airstreams. We focused on geometric shapes and modern lines in contrast to the bright, romantic, and flowing florals. We mixed woods and metals throughout the tablescape, ceremony altar, lounge, and cake pedestal. We chose the most amazing Berta gown as the extra sparkle for this wedding shoot. Some of our favorite details included the place cards, the welcome sign painted on acrylic, the bright blue bicycle, and the old truck we couldn’t resist incorporating. Between the bright colors, palm trees, colorful “water tower,” and backdrop of airstreams, this shoot satisfies all summer wanderlust fantasies.

The Bride’s Enzoani Dress Will Make Your Jaw Drop

Matthew and Denise love escaping to Miami Beach any chance they get, so hosting a destination wedding in this sizzling city was kind of a no-brainer. Denise, an event planner herself, brought on a team of awesome vendors to help them plan from afar, including Erika Delgado to work her magic behind the camera lens. From her jaw-dropping Enzoani dress to the couple’s rooftop vows, this epic celebration is one for the books.

From the Bride… Matt and I have known each other since high-school but it wasn’t until we ran into one another 15 years later that we gave it a shot at dating. And here we are married today! We had a destination wedding since we are from Pittsburgh. Our wedding day was modern, chic and elegant, with our colors being primarily white with shades of blue.

I opted to go with no wedding cake (I may be the only person who doesn’t like cake) but instead, we decided on a Viennese table of assorted mini desserts and champagne. I’m an event planner myself so I wanted to keep everything easy and really have fun while planning my own wedding. Coordinating everything from Pittsburgh was a bit of a challenge, but the Miami Beach EDITION hotel and all of the wedding vendors we chose were amazing to work with and helped keep me at ease throughout the entire process.

My favorite parts of the day were our ceremony on the rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean and our “first look” which was on the amazing rooftop deck of our penthouse suite. Thanks to our photographer, Erika Delgado for coming up with the idea. It could not have been any more perfect, private and beautiful. Since we planned a destination wedding, our favors and escort cards were leather luggage tags for each guest. We also asked our guests to fill out destination tags for places we should travel to anywhere in the world on future trips together. Next up is our honeymoon to South Africa!

From Erika Delgado Photography… Sizzling, vibrant and known for its sunshine, top-notch food, and music, Miami is made for celebrations. The city is also home to historic art deco hotels, and ballrooms with sweeping ocean views which made The Miami Beach Edition Hotel the perfect wedding venue for Denise and Matthew. The couple is from Pittsburgh with friends and family traveling from the Midwest, so the skyline and beaches were a perfect treat.

P.S. More fashion inspiration for the destination bride!

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Bride Steals the Show in Hayley Paige Wedding Dress

There’s something about Southern weddings that pair so well with twirl-worthy dresses, don’t you think? It goes without saying that this Bride steals the show in her lovely layers of Hayley Paige. Paired with a sweet yellow bouquet designed by Gloriosa Design and her Groom looking dapper in navy, this day documented by Simply Sarah is the definition of darling.

From the Bride… We were roommates before we even knew each other. Through a mutual friend, we ended up living in a six-person house in Northwest DC. I had just transferred to finish undergrad at American University up the street, and the five boys were all starting out with new jobs in the area. We moved to Georgia together to attend Emory graduate school: he went to the law school, and I was in the art history program. In Decatur, we built a life a life together. Both of us became deeply involved with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work while living in the area, and found a beautiful community there (our DJ, Zack Falls, is a dear friend who volunteers at Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort). Volunteering also a strengthened our relationship–nothing brings two people together like rescuing a hawk or raising baby opossums as a team. We fell in love with Georgia as our love was growing into its own, and that may be the reason why, when it came time to choose a wedding venue, there was no question of where it should be.

Carmine proposed to me in Ft. Pierce, Florida, during a quick weekend getaway. At the time, he was living in Westchester, New York, for work — but I was working in DC and living at my old apartment. After almost five happy years spending everyday together in Georgia, this was a tough time for us both. But we made it through, and now we are married and back in the same place!

I’m not sure what my favorite moment of the wedding was but the best candidate may be popping the bottle of champagne during our ceremony. Carmine and I had a great experience touring the champagne caves of Reims, France, in the summer of 2015. So we chose a bottle of Taittinger champagne for a toast during the ceremony, which happened right before our officiant, friend, and former roommate gave Carmine permission to kiss the bride. Before toasting, we went over to open the bottle and pour two glasses for ourselves: this is my alternative to lighting a unity candle. I popped the cork and he poured, the same as we do at home, and it just felt so warm and familiar even with everyone’s eyes on us. That, or any moment spent with the goats.

My best advice to future bride is to try to find a venue where you actually want to be. In a vacuum, does it feel good to be there? Things will go wrong, but if you are somewhere that makes you feel happy, then you’ll feel less stressed even when you aren’t together. I know that once I was with Carmine, I didn’t have a care in the world, but even before I saw him, I had the baby goats and the gorgeous landscape at Serenbe to keep be me calm and that definitely made a difference.

We had quite a week leading up to the wedding. It started with me losing my wallet with everything inside, including my passports, before we left to drive down to Georgia. Having to replace everything delayed us leaving D.C., messed up our rental car reservations, had us scrambling to make up for time, and little things just kept going wrong from there. For example, our trunk opened somehow while we were driving at night and a few gifts flew out and disappeared. Luckily we were able to replace them in time!Our wedding week was such a ridiculous comedy of errors that I felt completely calm on the day of our actual wedding. Somehow, I remained calm when things kept going wrong throughout the day, too. None of it mattered, honestly, except that I got to marry my best friend and start the next chapter of our life together. In the end, everything worked out just fine, and we had the most beautiful, Georgia spring day full of goats, daffodils, and champagne–not to mention all the love and joy we felt from our friends and family.

We loved working with Simply Sarah Photography. There were a few bumps in the road and Sarah definitely helped me to stay happy and have fun throughout the day. The final results arrived so much sooner than we anticipated, and the images are breathtaking. They captured gorgeous details like the ethereal pinstriped organza fabric of my Hayley Paige gown, and the varieties of heirloom daffodils grown specially for the day. We are also so grateful for the beautiful pictures of the two of us. They perfectly represent the dreamlike quality of the whole evening. I would recommend Simply Sarah to anyone getting married, we were so glad to have them with us and so grateful for their beautiful work.

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The Perfect Way to Spend Sunday Funday

Weekends are a thing to be cherished. Don’t let this one pass you by without a good ol’ Sunday funday. Liz Martin of Charlston Weekender and her gal pal Beth of Palmbeach Lately are showing us how to pack in a tipple by the pool with a side of entertainment. It’s the perfect way to send the weekend out in style. Plus a new cocktail recipe never hurts. Get inspired to up your social game with this poolside soirée complete with the Aqualillies all captured by Rachel Red Photography.

From Liz Martin…While visiting Palm Beach, I invited Beth from Palm Beach Lately to my join me for a sunny Sunday by the pool. She came to my hotel where we enjoyed refreshments and a mini show from synchronized swimmers, the Aqualillies. I hope you enjoy these photos & feel inspired to recreate your own Sunday Funday with these simple steps.

Pick a place with color pops

These days, your friends will probably appreciate being invited somewhere with an Instagram-worthy backdrop. Find a place with plenty of fun colors, whether it be delightful furniture or a vibrant wall. We opted for the Colony Palm Beach Hotel where color abounds, but you could even BYOC (color) with a fun pool float or beach balls.

Offer Up Some Entertainment

Lounging by the pool is always a good idea, but providing some entertainment is key if you want to have a little more festive gathering. We loved having the Aqualillies come wow us with their synchronized splashes, but you could get creative depending on your budget and location. See who is available in your area; perhaps you have a great DJ, puppeteer, or ukulele player near by. Offering up a trade can help keep your costs down; i. E. Put that extra party budget toward a photographer and you might be able to barter a performance for professional photographs of them in action.

Get Crafty With Cocktails

Gone are the days of serving a boring old screwdriver as a fun brunch beverage, but you can still serve a great cocktail with minimal effort required. I used this recipe for a simple iced coffee cocktail. Add a colorful straw, cute coasters, and some fun glasses and now it’s officially a party!

(Makes 1 serving)
7 oz. Iced coffee or cold brew coffee
3 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 oz. Whiskey
a dash of cinnamon
Serve over ice

From Forest to Ocean, this Engagement Has Stunning Views

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Jose Villa’s photographs are such a good combo. For this engagement that combination spans from light-filled forest to stunning ocean cliffs and a seriously cute couple to boot. It’s a dreamworld as seen through the lens of a master.

photographer: Jose Villa Photography

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A Little Creative Problem Solving Results in a Chic Southern Wedding

When this Bride, the beautiful Southern blogger behind Glitter & Gingham, fell in love with The Apiary as her reception venue, she was crushed to find out that the space couldn’t accommodate a seated dinner for her number of guests. Instead of letting this discourage her, she consulted with the team at Shelly Fortune Event Design and came up with the perfect solution! They opted for a cocktail style reception – no seating chart, no table settings, no real timeline. The end result was fun, casual, and comfortable – and lucky for us, Aesthetiica Photography and Reel Special were there to capture the day and share it all here.

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From the Bride… Hey y’all! I’m Shelby Back, and I’m the southern life and style blogger behind Glitter & Gingham. And I’m so excited to share our wedding with you all today! Our day was such a fairytale, and we owe it all to our amazing vendors.

For a little back story, Tyler and I actually went to college together, but weren’t friends and didn’t start dating until a few years after we graduated. I admittedly dragged my feet when we were set up by some mutual friends, and I definitely still give him a hard time about that! Thankfully I gave in and the rest was history, so they say. When I finally got to know Tyler, I was immediately taken aback by his kind nature, his handsome smile, and his ability to make me feel like all is right in the world.

I was never the little girl who dreamt of her wedding, never the little girl who grew up dreaming of prince charming, and he changed all of that for me. I was suddenly dreaming of our wedding, but I had no idea where to start or what I wanted! Cue Shelly Fortune Events. Once we were engaged, we knew we could not do this alone, so we sought out help from Shelly and her team to plan our wedding – it was easily one of the best wedding investments we could have made. She understood what was important to us on our wedding day and made it happen.

We wanted our day to be fun, memorable, and feel like “us”. Most importantly, we wanted our day to be about LOVE – the love we have for each other, the love we have for God, and the love we have for those nearest and dearest to our hearts who were there that day to help us celebrate. Shelly understood that, and she understood my wedding “style” when even I didn’t understand what I wanted our wedding to look like. From the lucite chairs, to the bold and bright flowers, she made the space feel warm and inviting, which set the tone for the entire day!

After 14 months of planning, Tyler and I tied the knot in front of 250 guests during a classic Catholic ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky. It was followed by a fun and romantic reception at our stunning venue, The Apiary. The Apiary was the first venue we visited when we started looking, and I had my mind set on that space right away. It shattered my sit down dinner dreams when space became an issue for the amount of guests we wanted to invite, so we took a different approach – we opted for a cocktail style reception. No seating chart, no table settings, no real timeline. This allowed for more socializing and flow through the venue throughout the night; people ate what they wanted, lounged and drank when they wanted, and danced the night away! It couldn’t have felt more like us!

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5 Wedding Dessert Options If You Just Don’t Like Cake

Cake is synonymous with weddings—there’s even an entire part of the reception dedicated to cutting it! But what happens if cake just isn’t your thing? Well, you’re in luck.

Lately, brides and grooms are taking a different approach to their post-dinner dessert, opting for different sweets or foregoing the sugar altogether. Here are our favorite ideas for non-traditional wedding desserts.

Cheese Wheels
Cheese lover? Consider creating a cake completely out of cheese wheels. This trend is becoming more and more popular for brides and grooms, but there are ways to mess it up. Be sure you taste the cheese before choosing the wheels for your cake and try to choose cheeses that balance each other out. We’ll take a cheese tasting over a cake tasting any day.

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Pancake Cake
If you’re looking for something different, consider serving pancakes for dessert! Add chocolate chips or berries to give it that dessert-feel and offer syrup on the side in lieu of icing. Just be sure to pile it high to give it that element of “wow.” Plus, you can even make one of these yourself. Follow this recipe from Betty Crocker, and mix it up to make it your own.

Donut Tower

Cake may not be your thing, but that doesn’t mean you want to forgo dessert altogether. If that sounds like you, a donut tower is a great option. Many local donut shops offer this, but if they don’t, it’s an easy DIY cake option. Order clear tiered trays and fill each level with your favorite donut flavors. Your guests will love the options and the grab-and-go feel—it leaves more time for the dance floor!

Pie Table

Pie makes people feel at home. If you’re looking for a cozy vibe at your wedding, consider a pie table. Maybe your mom makes a killer apple pie or your local bake shop has the most delicious pumpkin slices. Order a few of your favorites and display them on a long table at the reception. Top a few with a cute cake topper and viola! You have a beautiful and tasty addition to your wedding.

Candy Table

Remember the grab-and-go element we mentioned for the donut tower? This takes that idea and runs with it. Set up a bunch of different bowls filled with candy on a table at the reception and place little clear baggies next to them for guests to fill. It’s a fun activity for the guests and it can double as your party favor!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.

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