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

Whether you’re starting out the new year newly engaged, just now jumping into your wedding planning or are obsessed with weddings in general (we hear ya), the annual Courtyards & Cobblestones event is one that we always recommend. It’s the coolest way ever to meet the best wedding vendors in Southeastern North Carolina and you’ll even get to peruse eight mock weddings on a walking tour of downtown Wilmington. It’s awesome – and so is their amazing giveaway that includes tickets AND a hotel stay. Check it out below.

When it comes to wedding shows, Courtyards & Cobblestones, A Walk Through Wedding Row reigns supreme. Why? Because this isn’t just any old grouping of wedding vendors – it’s a hand-picked selection of amazing creatives showing off their stuff with eight mock weddings (ceremony AND reception) that will keep the inspiration flowing in a relaxed environment. You’ll love walking through downtown Wilmington, browsing the gorgeous details and soaking in the live music, table settings, flowers, cake tastings, yummy samplings and incredible giveaways. But the best part? Meeting the vendors that put it all together. These are the talented people that will work tirelessly on your wedding – staying up late into the evenings, taking your phone calls and collaborating with you to build that day you’ve always dreamed of. They’re the best of the best… and all in one amazing place. Oh, and we mentioned you can win tickets AND a hotel stay, right?

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Ready to get inspired and start planning your big day? The Courtyards & Cobblestones Venue Tour is happening on January 13th with the Courtyards & Cobblestones Mix & Mingle Brunch on January 14th. Trust us, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this one – it’s definitely an event that will bring your entire planning process together. Start planning your nights out with your loved ones and purchase tickets here, and be sure to enter the giveaway below for two tickets to both events, plus a one night stay at Courtyard by Marriott Historic/Downtown in Wilmington!

What: Courtyards & Cobblestones is giving one lucky reader two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Venue Tour on January 13th and two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Mix & Mingle Brunch on January 14th, plus a one night stay at Courtyard by Marriott Historic/Downtown in Wilmington, NC.

How: To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us what you are looking forward to the most at Courtyards & Cobblestones! (Ex: I can’t wait to find the florist of my dreams!)

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced on Monday, January 8, 2018. Good luck!

Classic San Francisco Stunner

My husband and I met in San Francisco nearly 15 years ago. And I totally believe that it was the magical city that played matchmaker, giving us the most beautiful canvas ever to fall madly in love. And this stunning wedding, photographed so beautifully by Janae Shields, proves that the magic is still stealing hearts and making wedding dreams come true. Click here to see even more.

From the photographer… Emily and Mike love the water and knew they wanted to married near the gorgeous bay that surrounds San Francisco. They went school together in Berkeley and fostered that friendship and relationship as time went on. Their wedding had the perfect San Francisco Bay elements that makes this is true Californian celebration.

A Classic Vineyard Wedding, Fireworks + Fur Baby Included

You know what’s better than a classic vineyard wedding? A classic vineyard wedding complete with ballroom reception and a seriously cute fur baby… in a tux. Now add a surprise fireworks display orchestrated by the groom and it’s basically the best wedding ever, all captured by the amazingly talented Erin Stubblefield Weddings And Portraiture. See every beautiful moment in THE VAULT.

From the Bride… The morning of our wedding started out like any ordinary day; it was just the two of us and our dog, Otis. It was important to us that we had some quiet time before the busy day ahead and it wasn’t long before my bridesmaids, mom, and future mother-in-law arrived to pick me up for hair and makeup. Getting glammed up with my girls will forever be a special memory for me to look back on.

The morning rushed by with all of the little things that tend to come up at the last moment. I consider this fortunate because I was nervous, excited, and anxious for my first look with my fiancé, Chris. It was a moment that had been building over months of planning, finding the perfect dress, the makeup, and the bouquet. A moment that I would catch myself daydreaming about and one that had finally arrived. With a tap on the shoulder, he turned around and I could see the sparkle in his eyes and the smile on his face. Every minute of planning was worth it for that single moment.

Early on in our planning, Chris and I decided to write and say our own vows. To us, if we were going to promise things to each other, then it only made sense that we should write and say those things. Reading our vows was perhaps the most emotional moment of the day and while I can’t quite remember the details of that moment, I was assured by several guests that our words were inspiring and heartfelt. We had a very brief ceremony and exited to the music of Love Actually, one of our favorite films. Outside we were quickly joined by the rest of our party, but needed a moment to ourselves to reflect and absorb. Twenty minutes alone debating if we should head in or just run away together might sound a little crazy, but we wanted to cherish and live in that moment for as long as we could. We of course opted to stay, well because, it was now time let our hair down as they say in a place that we spent months planning to prepare.

Chandler Hill is one of the most elegant and romantic venues in St. Louis and their team, with help from our florist, Les Bouquets, made it absolutely gorgeous. Being born and raised in California, I never thought I would find a Napa-esque venue in the heart of the Midwest. I cannot stress enough how much the flowers added to the look and feel so if I have one piece of advice to give it’s to go nuts with your florist. It was important to me that our reception be simple and elegant. Lots of greens with succulents and eucalyptus, lit by candlelight created a very inviting atmosphere. True to myself, I tastefully (I think) incorporated squirrels into the theme which had some guests scratching their heads and others whispering, “classic Stacy”. I just have to say that squirrels are one of the cutest of the woodland creatures and as such deserved to be part of the natural feel I was trying to create.

After toasts with tears and partially eaten dinners, Chris and I walked out to the deck for our first dance under the stars. We danced to our favorite version of “Beyond the Sea” with vocals from Kevin Spacey. It was a dream! After our dance, a dip, and a kiss, fireworks exploded in the sky…literally! Lo and behold, Chris surprised me with a well-timed fireworks show as my bridal gift. Leading up to the wedding I spent hours poring over images to find the one that encompassed the wedding day I wanted. I’m so lucky that the day was everything I dreamed it would be and more. The amazing work done by Chandler Hill, Les Bouquets, and Celebrating Life Cakes gave me that perfect day, and our photographer Erin Stubblefield beautifully captured it in a way that far exceeded any of the pins I saved.

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A Master Florist at Work…alongside a Master Photographer

When it comes to planning a wedding, it’s so incredibly easy to get lost in the minutia. The lists and the must-do’s. But the journey of planning a wedding, in it’s purest form, is so much more that. It’s family. And love. And unabashed artistry at a level that is hard to even find the words to describe. And today, we get to indulge in just that. With an incredible behind the scenes look at the talent that is Laetitia C. Fleurs d’atelier through the lens of Oliver Fly Photography as Laetitia designs a tablescape inspired by the gorgeous restraint of the Provence countryside. Click here to see even more loveliness.

From Laetitia C. Fleurs d’atelier…For this romantic engagement dinner, set in the courtyard of an ancient Mas, I chose a blue color palette with some accents of white. I wanted to reflect, in my choice of flowers and colors, the very deep bond between our couple, Joy and Matthew. Blue seemed like the perfect color for that occasion as it symbolizes true love, purity, serenity, intimacy and deep trust and Delphinium flowers are a symbol of new beginnings.

What I liked most about these arrangements is that they’re nearly all foraged from the garden and hills around the Mas. I harvested what was right there and the different hues of green I found complimented perfectly the varied blues of the Delphiniums and Gentians. I used some heirloom brass vessels and candle holders to compliment the venue and the beautiful ancient and textured stone table. I really think that breaking away from the traditional flower vases makes a whole difference and gives a genuine and charming touch to the arrangements, whatever the occasion.

This ‘all blue’ look is a bit of a ‘think outside the box’ statement today as, for romantic and wedding florals, we are more used to seeing pastel colors like pale pinks and blush tones. But these have been around for quite a few years and lately, flower colors seem to get a little bolder in the new trends with deeper and moodier shades. Blue, along with berry tones and Merlot browns and reds, are slowly making their entrance in the flower trends.

I personally enjoy seeing blue coming back in the picture as, for centuries, it was the color associated with weddings. Brides wore blue in ancient Rome to symbolize love, modesty and fidelity. It was a very popular color in the wedding attire until the late 19th century.

And, as the proverb says “Marry in blue, lover be true”.

From Oliver Fly Photography…As a wedding photographer, I am always honored to be the privileged witness of the beautiful floral arrangements from florists/floral designers. I always see the finished result of a wedding day and we all know how much hard work actually went in to creating some floral decor with bouquets and centerpieces. However, I never had the opportunity to see the Behind The Scenes of those talented creatives because during that time we are photographing other moments with the bride and groom.

Love for the beauty and wildness of nature, my father’s legacy, one of my greatest inspiration combined with the encounter of a talented florist gave birth to the editorial « Florist at Work ».

As a result, I had the fabulous opportunity to travel from Paris to Provence to capture the deep love for flowers and creativity of the french florist Laetitia C. Fleurs d’atelier.

With more than hundreds and hundreds weddings under her belt, she’s running a successful business with a modern and stylish feel to her creations staying inspired by the beauty of Provence.

Such a privilege to capture her flower recipe for success when crafting some beautiful floral arrangements for a romantic engagement dinner in the courtyard of a lovely « Mas », a traditional provencal house nested in the middle of lavender fields.

With an approach that places creativity, effortless, care and attention to details above all, Laetitia revealed that shades of blue could be one of the new trend for the next season.

Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Floral Design: Laetitia C. - fleurs d'atelier | Calligraphy: Nice Plume | Table Runners + Silk Ribbon: Orchidee De Soie

Planning your Big Day? This event is an absolute must.

Every January, we bust out our party shoes and hit the ground running in one of Wilmington’s coolest ever events. Yes, I’m talking about Courtyards & Cobblestones, the awesome downtown walking tour that features the area’s finest wedding vendors. Think seven fully styled venues, live music and tasty treats, all happening on January 14th and 15th. This celebration? It’s a can’t miss, lovelies.

An evening perusing seven (yes, seven) mock weddings in one of our fave cities is basically a dream come true, and Courtyards & Cobblestones does NOT disappoint. I’m talking creative teams made up of amazing vendors from Southeastern North Carolina all coming together to conceptualize and style some of the coolest mock weddings you will ever lay your eyes upon. Even better? You’ll be strolling through each and every masterpiece, gathering ideas + inspiration for your own Big Day AND having the time of your life with your loved ones, besties and in-laws included. Not to mention meeting each and every one of the wedding pros that will make it all happen. It’s sooo much fun.

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From gorgeous florals to yummy cake tastings to amazing giveaways to swag bags full of goodies, Courtyards & Cobblestones is one celebration you definitely need to attend. Mark those calendars NOW and head to the Courtyards & Cobblestones website here to get tickets. And be sure to enter the giveaway below for one seriously fun weekend.

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GIVEAWAY!

What: Courtyards & Cobblestones is giving one lucky reader two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Venue Tour on January 14th and two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Mix & Mingle Brunch on January 15th, plus a one night stay at Courtyard by Marriott Historic/Downtown in Wilmington, NC.

How: To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us what you are looking forward to the most at Courtyards & Cobblestones! (ex: I can’t wait to find the florist of my dreams!)

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be chosen on Friday, January 13, 2017. For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck!

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Brighten Your Day With This Colorful Boho Wedding

The holidays have come and gone and all our red and green decor is packed away. The post-holiday blues may be creeping in, and the only solution I know of is lots of bright colors and sweet love stories. So that’s exactly what we’re delivering today. This boho beauty is full of pink petals – floral crowns included thanks to Crowns By Christy – and seaside sights that are giving us the breath of fresh air we’re all craving. Betsi Ewing captured all the beautiful hues – see every bit in our Vault gallery right this way!

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Summer Weddings

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Beach Weddings

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Bohemian

From Betsi Ewing… Rachel and Donny knew their big day would be best celebrated on the water – they both grew up on Long Island fishing, beaching, boating and surfing. So when The Surf Lodge in bohemian cool Montauk became available for their September date, they jumped right in! A warm, late summer breeze blew through the entire gorgeous event, and Rachel chose bright turquoise and muted gold accessories with loads of garden roses, bushing bride, ferns and monstera leaf to punctuate the laid back Cali retro style of the venue. “It was the perfect place for us and the best night of our lives” Rachel says. “It really represented us.”

Proof that You Can’t Go Wrong with a Black + White Wedding

I’m a classic girl at heart when it comes to weddings and to me, there’s nothing more timeless than a day decked out purely in black and white. Sure, I had a bit of peachy blush in my own big day, but when I see a colorless fete like this one planned by Amore Events by Cody? I’m convinced that (even on a rainy day) this good ol’ combo does the trick. See more captured by Gianny Campos in The Vault!

From Gianny Campos Photography… News anchor Eve (Tannery) Russo and owner of Capital Printing Corp. Nolan Russo, from New Jersey, were married in a rustic-chic wedding at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Virginia. The couple, in their 30s, had been to every banquet hall, country club, and hotel in their area for weddings that were all relatively similar, so they wanted their wedding venue to be something different, memorable, and intimate. The wedding was a “drive-able destination,” so guests could spend a few days celebrating the couple and getting to know one another. The big day marked the end of a rare, non-stop week of rain, but it didn’t dampen what turned out to be an unforgettable wedding. Because of the soggy ground, and Eve’s meteorologists at work warning her of potential downpours, the couple chose to get married under Pippin’s long porch, which still overlooks the mountains. It provided a comfortable and stunning venue for the ceremony. The clouds ended up proving to be the perfect backdrop, with a majestic steam developing over the mountains and the colors beautifully complimenting the couple’s classic and glamorous black and white color scheme. Because family is so important to Eve and Nolan, they really wanted guests to “feel the love,” and they did that through beautiful paper and signage by Poppy and Scooter with personal touches including a custom-designed monogram, lyrics from the couple’s “song,” clever sayings, and even funny hashtags. Amore Events by Cody created the most glamorous and inviting space for the reception, with candles and greenery (some of which Cody forged herself) and luscious floral arrangements on every table. Stunning lanterns hung from the ceiling to create the perfect ambiance. Guests were able to enjoy various areas – the dance floor, a cigar bar, a fire pit, and even a local donut truck, where workers served fresh, organic donuts for dessert…a “sweet ending” for what was truly a magical day.

Monet Inspired New York City Wedding

They say that you can find inspiration around every corner. In a shop window or an old storybook, perhaps tucked inside of a painting. And this couple did just that…taking their cue from Monet then allowing a team of amazing vendors including – photographer, Charlie Juliet | planner, Ang Weddings and Events | cake designer, Nine Cakes | hair and makeup artist, Facetime Beauty | DJ, 74 Events – to turn their vision into its gorgeous reality. Click here for even more!

From Photographer, Charlie Juliet… Lindsey and Alan are two Princeton graduates who fell in love and decided happily ever after was the next chapter for them. After Alan proposed and the two started wedding planning, they quickly fell for The Harold Pratt House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It’s old world charm and architecture was the perfect fit for their classic and glamorous wedding.

Ang Weddings and Events planned the whole celebration to a T and helped Lindsey and Alan orchestrate their dream “Monet Inspired” Summer wedding. Lindsey took my breath away walking the streets of the Upper East Side wearing a stunning Ines Di Santo gown paired with a gorgeous lace cathedral veil. She was just the most beautiful bride and so glamorous.

The entire day was like a dream come true, I remember gasping every time I walked into a different room. Quatre Coeur created the most beautiful Monet garden inspired flower arrangements filled with hydrangeas, ivy, lilacs, and roses while green ivy lined the staircase leading guests up to a private intimate dinner.

The night didn’t end there, guests got to enjoy Lindsey and Alan’s favorite desserts by Creative Edge Parties while they danced the night away. It was a picture perfect day and one of my favorite portraits of Lindsey and Alan is when we snuck outside together at the end of the night and got some classic New York City nighttime portraits as the cabs passed them by. It was the perfect ending to their romantic wedding day!

A Garden Party Wedding Like You’ve Never Seen

Thanks to Margaret and Darius we’re kicking off 2017 in a serious way and it has everything to do with their garden wedding set in the bride’s hometown of Pasadena. It’s classic pretty to a T, and the pin-worthy blooms by Enchanted Garden Floral Design are only the beginning. See the entire day photographed by Steve Steinhardt in the gallery and don’t miss the clip below from New Classic Wedding Films.

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Spring Weddings

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Garden Weddings

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Classic Weddings

From the Bride… My husband and I wanted to make sure the wedding truly represented us as a couple — so it was very important that the wedding wasn’t distinctly my vision, nor simply his. After all, marriage is not only about compromise, but the idea that you are better together. Our venue was born out of this idea — as I really wanted a garden ceremony, and my husband wanted nothing more than an indoor reception.

When our planner took us to the historical Ambassador Mansion and Gardens in Pasadena, we both feel in love with the expansive and well-manicured grounds which included many smaller gardens and lawns. It was perfect for the progressive evening event that we envisioned. Plus, it was an off-the-beaten-path estate in my hometown of Pasadena, which made our hidden gem feel even more personal.

We loved the idea of getting married in the round, so we planned our ceremony for Merritt Garden where guests were seated around two fountains and an overlooking bridge. Leading up to the bridge was the most stunning backdrop for a garden ceremony — a four-story staircase, which made my walk down the aisle both a breathtaking and dramatic moment. The staircase leading up to the mansion and was lined on both sides by Italian cypress trees, so we were able to leverage the natural beauty of the environment, and added florals to the fountain as well as the bridge. For an added touch of glam, guests were welcomed to sit in ghost chairs while sipping on passed champagne upon their arrival.

Instead of a guest book, we requested that attendees at our wedding send us a message in a bottle, a DIY project I took on. Using 5 champagne bottles, we assigned labels for different anniversaries — 1 year, 5-year, 10-year, etc — and allowed guests to write us words of advice that we would read on our anniversary for those particular years.

Cocktail hour was a short walk to Fowler Garden. Guests were guided by sequined gold arrows and custom wood directional signs built by my father, with calligraphy that matched our romantic garden invitation. My husband and I really tried to surprise our guests at every turn, so guests were met by a 60-foot custom gold sign that was created in partnership by two of our vendors. It really was my favorite piece we created for the wedding. It was installed on a 90-foot natural hedge that bordered Fowler Garden, and was a lyric from our first dance song — How Will I Know by Whitney Houston. Instead of the original, we chose a Sam Smith cover of the timeless classic, which is a more romantic ballad and fitting for our first slow dance as husband and wife.

For cocktail hour, guests got to enjoy a traditional garden party complete with a string quartet, passed hors d’oeuvres and a choice of our signature cocktails — “the southern gentleman” or “la rosette.” Our escort cards were hung on a floral chandelier by silk ribbons at one end of the garden, with a vintage lounge set on the other. I was inspired to bring one of my favorite childhood games to cocktail hour, given that my cousins and I often played croquet on my aunt’s lawn in Pasadena. This made our garden party feel even more family focused — particularly due to the DIY projects which included a hand-painted pastel croquet set and a custom-built bean-bag toss built by my father.

Our reception was held in the Terrace Villa which held two historical ballrooms. We greeted guests after cocktail hour one by one as they entered the villa, surrounded by a floral-lined staircase and candles which made for warm and inviting lighting. Servers passed rosé in gold sugar rimmed glasses, with cocktail napkins that contained advice from loved ones we received during our engagement and other fun facts. We created an indoor/outdoor space on the villa terrace with white trussing, chandeliers, and warm lighting and provided ivory pashminas for guests in case the weather became chilly.

We considered having a sweetheart table but knew that more than anything we wanted our reception to feel like a large family dinner. We choose long rectangular tables inside and out, and filled them with the most glamorous details we could imagine — Chantilly lace runners, gold flatware, and vintage crystal glasses. For a personal touch, we added tiny gold horses for place settings — in remembrance of my grandfather who raised horses as a young man in Illinois. It was a DIY project of mine, and a way to honor family members who were present in spirit. Vintage family wedding photos from my parents, grandparents, and others sat on the mantle in the Great Room as another tribute.

Since we sat with our guests instead of at a sweetheart table, we adorned the back of our chairs with roses and custom gold-mirrored signs with the words “Better Together” — another nod to our garden chic style for the evening. Our cake was created one of my favorite bakeries — and as a compromise, my husband picked the flavors, and I picked the design. We actually made the mistake of forgetting to eat a slice during our reception and didn’t freeze any for our one year anniversary. As a surprise to my husband, for our first anniversary, I had a mini replica cake created and read words of advice from our “message in a bottle” guest book. We’ve also started the tradition of reading our vows each year — so I saved our toasting flutes and vow booklets as keepsakes.

Every time I look at my wedding photos — they inspire the same breathtaking emotion I felt on my wedding day. This is not only because of how incredible our love is, but because of my closest friends and family who celebrated with me — and all of the magical vendors who made my dream day possible.

Why You Should ALWAYS Let the Venue Guide the Way

In a lesson that I’ve said probably a hundred times while writing this blog…if you book your venue before making any major style decisions for your big day, your wedding will be SO much easier to design. Your venue should set the tone for the types of florals you have, the linens you choose, the gowns you ask your bridesmaids to purchase. And this affair is proof that the Venue First Formula, works like a charm. With planning done so beautifully by Destination Wedding Studio and photography captured so lovely by Care Studio, this Key West stunner is nothing if not absolutely gorgeous.

From the bride… John is from Louisiana, and I am from Florida, however grew up in Louisiana. Strangely, we grew up 15 minutes from each other. We chose Key West because on a whim (while at Coral Castle in Homestead) decided it would be wonderful to visit Key West since we both have never been. Well, it took a lot longer than thought and ended up only being there for about 2 hours that night. But, in that short time, we fell in love with the place. It was like New Orleans met with Florida and had a child. To us, it represented both sides of our families, and we love that. For the venue, I personally picked Casa Marina because it seemed like Key West’s history never left. Adore that.

The planning was SO smooth. We picked the most beautiful venue and church without even physically checking any places out. On top of that, we had Peggy Russell as our wedding planner, and she’s perfect. She is detailed as I am and we both share love for design, aesthetic, and carrying out ideas.

The theme for our wedding was 1940’s/50’s and we wanted to cater to our grandparents and the older crowd in not make it a huge party but a real celebration. The decor had as little flowers as possible, as little as I was allowed (ha!). We really wanted to bring out nature’s elements within the building as the venue had such a beautiful deep espresso brown, ivory and green palette. Our florists, Duarte Florals helped us achieve our own complimentary palette of navy, neutrals, and green.

The bridal party held the same theme as the wedding itself — with a hint of Boardwalk Empire pinstripes for the men and fine silk dresses for the women. We wanted the bridal party to be in one color. The bridesmaids’ dresses were made lightweight with textured silk, designed to fit all body types. Comfort was of huge importance, and also their opportunity to wear it again. The men had matching suits, except for the groom – he had a custom made version (it was our first time we had our initials monogrammed in something). He bought all the groomsmen matching shoes and tie bars.

A special memory that was so simple, but so meaningful, was when we were walking out of the room where we got ready and I stopped to look at myself. Until that moment, I hadn’t ever stopped to really look at myself. It was surreal. I never dreamed of having a wedding or getting married, and there I was standing in front of me, doing something I never thought I would… And it felt so good. After the Father announced we were official husband and wife, we just smiled at each other with pure bliss and turned towards the group of people who loved us and we paused… Fully accepting all the love that everyone was there to give. The whole night… We were so loved.

An Elegant Montana Wedding – With A Dash of Rustic Romance

Don’t be fooled by these elegant pics courtesy of Simply Sarah Photography; while we may have a classic wedding before us – we’re talking lace and pearls – look a little closer and what do we see? Bridesmaids with cowboy boots peeking out from under those pretty dresses of theirs! The perfect combination of rustic meets elegance, this celebration planned by Habitat Events melds both styles seamlessly for our eager eyes. See every detail and every moment in our Vault right this way!

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Fall Weddings

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Rustic Weddings

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Classic Weddings Rustic

From Simply Sarah Photography… When Lauren and Andrew first got engaged, choosing their wedding venue was an easy choice! They chose the bride’s family’s private ranch in Red Lodge, Montana as a picturesque destination to bring their family and friends from all over the U. S. to celebrate their fun filled wedding weekend!

From the Bride… Andrew and I had met in passing several times, through introductions from a number of mutual friends, before he asked me out about a year later. We’ve both considered ourselves to be a couple immediately following that first date, a cozy dinner at Aqua Al 2 in DC, where I (admittedly) talked his ear off and he (admittedly) dominated the decorating of “our” very own plate for the restaurant walls. It is hard to put a finger on when or how we fell in love because it was effortless and nearly immediate once we had entered each other’s lives. He would say that it was his dashing good looks and two championship rings that sealed the deal, but in truth, seeing the way he is with our friends and family, it was easy to take the measure of this open, loyal and outgoing person and know that this would be the one for me. Luckily for us, the feeling was mutual!

Our favorite part of our wedding weekend was getting to share the moment, and the time surrounding it in a space that is special to us both, with so many of our friends and family. We are lucky to have found each other and are blessed with the love of and support of so many wonderful people. We dearly missed those that couldn’t be there and appreciated everyone who could make the long trek to experience it with us.

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5 Chic Ways to Organize Your Jewels

When it comes time to organize jewelry, I’m usually a mess. Never let your necklaces and wads of rogue earrings get bunched up in a big, scary ball of metal again. Jillian of Sweet & Spark is breaking down 5 chic and simple ways to organize all those jewels. From small trinket dishes to large busts, this style savvy lady knows her stuff. She is the founder of an uber cool vintage jewelry company after all so you best believe, we’re taking notes.

At Sweet & Spark, we believe that jewelry collections, like stories should be treasured over time. I think jewelry collections should be considered art, as no two will ever be the same.

People always ask me how big my personal collection is and the truth is, is that it’s pretty curated and mostly reflects my love for statement earrings.

Since jewelry is always the last thing to put on, it can be easy to forget and leave the house in the morning without. When you can easily see your collection at home, it’s easy to stay inspired and pull together the details.

My hope is that your jewelry collection comes to reflect the milestones in your life and bring you joy forever. Here are a few of the ways that I love styling jewelry in my home.

5 ways to organize your jewels at home

Colorful, vintage ceramic dishes

I love picking up pretty painted vintage dishes on my jewelry buying travels and then styling them in the top drawer of my CB2 dresser to keep the dust off of the majority of my vintage earring collection. As you can see, the ones I keep here are usually more seasonal or special occasion driven. You can shop all of our vintage jewelry dishes and trays here, we add new ones every season!

Catch Alls on Nightstand

I also love to scatter vintage ceramic dishes on my nightstands as an easy catch all for whatever pair I wore that day as well as to display the pairs that I wear most often, like pierced studs.

Bracelet Bars

Bracelet bars (like this one here) are a great great way to organize all of your bracelets in one place. I like to organize them by color story. Also, it can be a great way to lay out your idea for an arm stack and make sure it will look good before wearing! Here is a bracelet stacking 101 guide.

Brass vintage hooks and decor

These help anchor your jewelry display collection as well as show off some of your more colorful pieces. Hanging necklaces with longer chains helps them from getting tangled.

Bust Forms

I love styling short necklaces on short bust forms on my dresser and for long necklaces, they look better on a tall bust form like this one here. The more layered up the bust form is, the more inspiring! Plus the tall bust form is a great way to break up your collection and showcase in another vignette of your bedroom room.

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Genius Organizing Products

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Genius Organizing Products

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Photography: Andrea Posadas | Sweet & Spark: Sweet & Spark

Newly Engaged? This Sunset Shoot is Exactly Why You Should Do an E-Sesh.

As we pack up the crystal coupes and clean up all the tinsel from this year’s holiday festivities, I’m betting some of you are donning a sparkly new gem that will most definitely NOT be packed away. That’s right, the bubbly wasn’t the only thing being popped this year—hooray! Now that you’re engaged, it’s time to start thinking about that e-sesh. Not quite sure you want to do one? Just have a peek at this sunset shoot from O’Malley Photographers. You’ll be searching for your engagement photographer in no time.

From O’Malley Photographers… A stylish and gorgeous couple in the warm desert at sunset? Yes, this is a recipe for creating gorgeous engagement photos! Martiin and Michelle loved the landscape where their wedding venue was located so much that we decided that’s where their engagement photos should be taken, as well. So, on a sunny, late summer day we hopped in the car and headed 3 hours outside of Seattle to create some photo magic in the vast canyons during golden hour. Their wedding planner and stylist, Kaleb Norman James, came along and did an amazing job styling the session.

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You might also love…

10 Mistakes Newly Engaged Couples ALWAYS Make
A Guide to Social Media Etiquette For The Newly Engaged Girl
The Prettiest Engagement Rings Ever

Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Event Planning: Kaleb Norman James Design | Styling: Kaleb Norman James Design | Floral Design: Kaleb Norman James Design | Location: Cave B winery

What NOT to Do When Your BFF Gets Engaged

Whether it’s over FaceTime, in-person, or writing in an all-caps text message, there are few phrases more exciting than hearing “OMG, I’m engaged” from your BFF seconds after the question (and hopefully a bottle of champagne) has been popped.

Chances are you’ll feel like you just got engaged too, finding yourself shedding happy tears, jumping up and down in pure excitement, and perhaps even wondering what you should plan first for the upcoming wedding.

As a professional bridesmaid, whose job it is to often times be the “bridal party’s wrangler” making sure that the bride’s close friends are keeping calm and not creating chaos, I’ve seen bridesmaids and maid-of-honors over-stress the bride by trying to do too much for her and the wedding in the first few weeks of the engagement.

That’s why it’s important to take a step back so that you don’t suffocate your friend with requests, tasks, and even too much pre-wedding stress, since it was only seconds, days or weeks ago that she just verbally agreed to enter wedding planning chaos with the love of their lives, and of course you, their number one pal.

So hide the new Pinterest board you created, refrain from sending over a spreadsheet of potential vendors, and press pause on sending selfies of you in bridesmaid dresses, for right now. While you’re at it, take note of these 4 things not to do when you hear the news that your BFF is engaged.

Don’t Become Her Wedding Planner

Having a friend who is all about wedding planning can be quite the blessing for any bride-to-be, especially because they’ll appreciate being able to turn to someone for advice and vent sessions, but before you put on the wedding planner hat, ask the bride what kind of help she needs and even what you can do to make the wedding planning flow smoother. Before doing anything, always ask first, so that you don’t step on anyone’s toes.

Don’t Make too Many Promises

When you hear the news that your friend is going to say I Do, you may find yourself so overwhelmed with excitement that you agree to doing too much at once. Before you have a chance to take a deep breathe, you may have promised to be the best maid-of-honor in the world, fly once a month to do wedding tasks with her back in your hometown, and take care of all the bridal tasks yourself. Try not to agree to everything or make false promises off the bat just because you’re thrilled, beyond words, for your friend.

Don’t Assume You’re the Maid-of-Honor

You may have dreamed of being this particular friend’s maid-of-honor for years, but before you tell everyone you know, or write it on Facebook, that you’re the MOH, wait for the bride to ask.

Don’t Give the Bride Reasons to Stress

You may want to warn the bride that she should set a date and book a venue ASAP, but remember that there really shouldn’t be a rush to make those decision in the first month of being engaged. Let the couple sulk in joy for a little bit before then offering to drive around to venues until the bride finds one that sparks her attention and you find one that a good enough dance floor so you can bust out your favorite moves all night long.

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Jen Glantz is the author of the new book Always a Bridesmaid (For Hire) and the founder of the head-turning business, Bridesmaid for Hire. She can often be spotted wearing old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store or on first dates. You can follow her adventure here.

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Plus, 5 Tips to Being the Perfect Wedding Guest

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Petit Bouquet

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Jen Glantz

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Bridesmaid for Hire

Trying to Get in Shape for the Big Day? 7 Ways to Never Miss a Workout

Ladies, do you want to get in shape and look amazing for your wedding? Of course you do! But it’s hard enough just to get to the gym and make it happen: with wedding planning, a full-time job, and all that crazy stress, it’s really tough to find the time to workout. And the answer isn’t just to “get motivated” and “stop being lazy” — it goes deeper than that. (In fact, I help fiancés get in shape at GroomBuilder and I see them struggle with the same exact thing.)

Today, I want to show you 7 amazing and proven tricks to help you create a fantastic routine that will make going to the gym effortless and make it super easy to stick to your habit. The best part? You’ll look absolutely sexy in your wedding dress on the big day.

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The Tips

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Focus On The Habit

Let’s say your fitness goal is, “I want to lose 10lbs.” What’s the habit that will get you to your goal? Go to the gym 3x week? Take 4 group classes a week? Eat healthy 80% of the time? Walk for 30 minutes every day? Focus on your habits — not just your goal — because you have complete control over them. And every time you follow through on your habits, you succeed and build real momentum. The goal will take care of itself.

Get A Workout Buddy

Getting a trusted friend as workout buddy — or your fiancé — can help you stay on track. If you ever miss a workout, you’ll have to answer to yourself and your friend. Text each another when someone goes to the gym and inspire each other. Also, join a fitness group or meetup to make friends with people who share your goals, encourage you, and make it super fun to go to the gym.

Put It In Your Calendar

If you’re like me, if something isn’t in your calendar, it doesn’t happen. (Whoops!) That’s why putting your workouts into your calendar, as simple as it sounds, can make a HUGE difference. You’ve committed to that workout. It’s in your phone and you can see it every time you check your week. And now, you have to schedule your appointments around your workouts instead of struggling to “find time” for exercise.

Imagine What You Want, Not What You DON’T Want

We’re pretty good at imagining what we DON’T want: “I don’t want to look fat. I don’t want to embarrass myself. I don’t struggle to get into my dress. I don’t want to look bad in front of my husband.” It’s perfectly normal. And instead of fighting those negative thoughts, simply spend more time imagining what you DO want and how it would feel. What if your fitness routine were perfect? How would it look? And how would it feel to look absolutely stunning for your wedding? Think about it more and it’ll become easier to achieve.

Bet on Yourself

Tell a few of your friends or family about your fitness goal and bet on yourself — this seems kind of silly, but adding some rewards or punishments can help motivate you to do your workouts. For example, if you skip the gym, pay someone $20. Pick a reward that you LOVE and risk something you do NOT want to lose. It’ll make your success taste even better.

Commit To Less

If your goal is too big, you might set yourself up for failure. For example, going from exercising 1x/week to 5x/week is a great commitment, but it could overwhelm you and drain your motivation. Instead, pick a smaller commitment and stick to it. You’ll improve your fitness AND feel better because you’re hitting 100% of your goals. Then, gently increase your goal.

Prepare In Advance

Final step: Remember to pack your gym bag. It would be awful to plan your workout and then forget your gym clothes, shoes, gym pass, towels, etc. Create a checklist and place it somewhere you can see. If you work out in the morning, lay out your gym clothes ahead of time; that way, when you wake up, it’s easy and effortless. If you go to the gym at night, bring workout clothes with you to work so you can go right after.

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I hope these tips help. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Featured in GQ, Men’s Health, and PopSugar, Anthony J. Yeung is the founder of GroomBuilder, the 8-week fitness program to transform the way men look for their wedding. Click here to get the FREE 5-day e-course to learn how to get in shape for the big day!

The Wedding Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2017

Trends come and go, but your wedding photos will last forever. Thankfully, the 2017 wedding trends predicted by top planners are not only gorgeous, but they’re also timeless. From lush greenery and bold color combos to exciting entertainment and fashion-forward styles, these trends guarantee 2017 will bring some of the prettiest weddings yet!

The Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2017

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The Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2017

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How to Have the Prettiest Wedding Ever

Discover Your Wedding Style

Gorgeous Details for Every Season

Inexpensive Wedding Details that Make a Major Impact

Guests Wore White for this Glam Winter Wedding!

Donovan and Santini wanted their wedding “to be a type of event guests had never attended before.” And man did they deliver. Thanks to industry legend, Colin Cowie they designed a black-tie affair with the women in white gowns to complement the snowy mountains of Utah surrounding them. Annie McElwain photographed this perfectly nontraditional day and you can find even more right here!

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From Annie McElwain Photography… When I met with Donovan and Santini at their offices at CAA, they told me they wanted their wedding to be a type of event guests had never attended before. They wanted things to be a little different than at an average wedding. The first thing they told me was that they wanted the ceremony to be AFTER dinner, when guests were relaxed and already seated. The two long dinner tables created an aisle that each groom walked down with his mother, meeting in the middle on a stage for everyone to see.

As a photographer who has shot weddings for over 10 years, I had never seen a couple have such freedom from a traditional timeline. Starting immediately with cocktail hour allowed for a relaxed flow to the evening that everyone enjoyed. Donovan and Santini said the most important thing to them was that their guests, who came such a long way to celebrate with them, have a great time.

Next, for their black-tie affair, they asked the women to wear white gowns, which created an incredibly chic look against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains of Utah. Then, once the ceremony was finished, the guests were lead through a sparkler arch to the reception area, where everyone danced through the night. The whole event was classy and incredibly stylish and Colin Cowie helped them design and plan the wedding of their dreams.

A Glamorous New Year’s Eve Wedding Complete with Festivities Galore!

I’ve always wanted to go to a fabulous wedding on New Year’s Eve. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with balloons, champagne and bushels of love as you witness inspiring “I do’s.” And if I ever get that invite, I hope it’s just like this fete planned and designed by Kate Siegel Fine Events. It’s a party to remember and these two get to re-create it every December 31st. Larissa Cleveland and Elysium Productions captured it all to help get us in the mood for this weekend – Happy New Year’s all!

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Weddings in Historical Venues

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From the Bride… How we met: I was hired as an assistant at the law firm of Barasch McGarry Salzman and Penson upon graduation from Pace University. Nearly three months into my new job, I struck a close friendship with Christopher Carozza, a then young lawyer working for the World Trade Center Victim Compensation Fund. Our early relationship was built upon after work drinks and mutual friendships with co-workers. If I had developed a crush on Christopher, I did not let him know at all. After all, he was in a serious relationship and I was a single girl living in Manhattan, working a full-time job and spending weekends with girlfriends. When “Hurricane Sandy” ravaged the city in October 2012, I was displaced from my TribeCa apartment. I wasn’t the only one at my job displaced though. Chris had recently broken up with his girlfriend and was also displaced from his Manhattan apartment. As we shared horror stories of not being able to get back into our apartments, we also began hanging out more and more, as we were “couch surfing” due to relationship status and the aforementioned Hurricane displacement. One night, Chris surprised me with tickets to their mutual favorite Broadway musical, the revival of “Annie.” That was the beginning of the end. Since I was little I had loved that musical, and the message of “hope for tomorrow” rang true for each of us that evening. Though they were still living out of suitcases, after that “date night” our tomorrow was a new lease together on the Upper East Side and an engagement that followed two years later.

Favorite wedding moments: I have so many favorite moments from my wedding. The entire day was just so calm it really didn’t hit me until I was standing with my father waiting to walk down the aisle. Once it began there was one excitement to follow another. From the most amazing band setting a very New Year’s Eve mood to my brothers surprising me with a song and dance that included all my childhood friends. It was a feeling I will never forget: pure happiness. The few times I was able to sit down I looked out to the dance floor and can’t recall it once being even close to empty. We had a difficult time getting guests to sit down to eat! When midnight hit I stood and looked out to the a stunningly gorgeous room, covered in balloons and confetti, surrounded by everyone I love – that was such a true celebration of love… and quite the Happy New Year!

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Kate Siegel Fine Events

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The First 5 Things to Do Once You’re Engaged!

YOU’RE ENGAGED!! Pop the bubbly, let the excitement sink in, and let’s talk about what’s next. Wedding planning extraordinaires, Aleah and Nick of Valley & Company Events are here to help spell out those very first steps so you can fully enjoy the early days of your journey down the aisle. Grab a seat and let’s get started!

Soak it In

Before you do any actual planning, take a breath! This is one of the most exciting times in your lives, and we recommend relishing in that and celebrating with family and friends before you do any framework building. Take a week to just enjoy and daydream about what the day means to you and what you want it to look and feel like.

Talk Priorities

When you’re ready, talk to each other about your priorities for the wedding before you set any plans into motion. Consider: how you want the wedding to feel (intimate, formal, a destination?) and who you want to share in your day. Think about what season best suits this vision and your schedules.

List it Out

Individually, write down a list of locations and venue properties you could envision your wedding at. See how your lists match up together as well as with your initial priorities.

Ask Your Bridal Party

Ask away! Once you have a few ideas in motion for how you want your wedding to look and feel like, ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen who you want to stand by your side!

Announce + Celebrate!

Spread the news! We hear it all the time – it’s so easy to get (naturally) bombarded with excited questions about the when, where, and what of your wedding when you announce your engagement, so having just a few ideas on the table before sharing the joy can make that part of the story that much more enjoyable when you have details to share!

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P.S. More Resources for the Newly Engaged!

Unique Engagement Announcements | 3 Places to Never Wear Your Ring | How to Find Your Vendors

4 Tips for the Cutest Ever Non-Traditional New Year’s Eve Party

When I think of a classic New Year’s Eve shindig, layers of black and gold and elegant gowns galore set the scene in my mind. But if this non-traditional slice of NYE inspiration presented itself to me this year? I’d most definitely choose tropical over traditional. How fun would it be to kick off a new 365 in warm-weather style?! With Lulu & Georgia and Beijos Events behind this party pretty, throwing confetti and clinking those glasses is just as magical. See more from Heather Kincaid in The Vault!

From Lulu & Georgia and Beijos Events… This year, skip the black and gold and do something different for your NYE bash. During the cold, winter months we dream of warm, exotic getaways and this tabletop was inspired by the tropics. Bring resort life to you with these easy tips for an nontraditional NYE tablescape.

SET THE SCENE

When creating a look, always start with a rug. A rug will completely inspire the design, while helping everything come together. For this dining scene, the bold colors of the Lulu & Georgia Painted Desert Rug in Oasis make the pieces on your table really standout.