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A Southern Spring Wedding Tucked Away in a Secret Garden

From the Bride…When I was 8 years old I was a flower girl in my Grandma’s wedding. She got married in front of the rose garden at my parent’s house in Quogue, NY. I always thought that wedding was perfect, and the rose garden was the perfect place to get married.

My husband, Byron, and I met at Gaffney’s, a bar in Saratoga Springs after the Travers Horse Race in 2011. I was there was some of my friends from Skidmore and he was there with a group of childhood friends. Hurricane Irene had just started and I was trying to get all of my friends to leave the bar before the storm escalated, but no one else seemed concerned so I went inside to get out of the rain and ended up sitting down next to Byron, who claims he’d been eyeing me from across the room.

Three years later, at the top of the tram in Jackson Hole. Wyoming, Byron popped the question. We celebrated our engagement at the top of the mountain with ice cold champagne that had been hidden in the snow earlier by a friend.

Back in Brooklyn, we started planning our wedding and I was thrilled to find out that Byron loved the idea of getting married in front of the rose garden at our house in Quogue as much as I did. We wanted our wedding to feel like an intimate, backyard wedding, despite the fact that we were inviting over 200 guests. With a year and half to plan our wedding, we enlisted the help of Duke and Van Deusen to help us make our vision a reality.

We didn’t want our ceremony to be too serious, but instead more fun and personal. Byron walked down the aisle with his mom and our cocker spaniel, Coco. We asked a family friend officiate (the same friend who had officiated my grandmother’s wedding, 21 years ago) and my uncle played guitar. My mom walked me down the aisle to “April Come She Will,” by Paul Simon, a song that had always been a family favorite. Byron and I wrote and recited our own vows and my mom read a passage from one of my favorite childhood books. Based on a Japanese tradition that is supposed to teach a bride patience, I folded 1000 white paper cranes which hung from our altar.

As the chef and owner of a farm to table catering company, Pickle and Link, I wanted to incorporate local produce into the floral décor, an idea that Ovando, our florist, executed perfectly. At dinner, all of the centerpieces were made up of flowers and potted herbs. The head table had a runner of eggplant, artichokes and cabbage. I hand wrote our guests names on all of the place cards which were then tied to a piece of rosemary.

Keeping with the backyard wedding vibe we had created, for dinner we had a family style BBQ by chef Peter Ambrose, complete with a whole roasted pig, cedar plank smoked bass and heaping amounts of creamy mac and cheese, so delicious that even I, the bride, made time to sit down and eat!

Our band, Eturnity Star, was so amazing that every wedding guest was on the dance floor from the moment they entered our amazing Sperry Tent. I was very lucky that my good friend and photographer, Meg Miller was there to capture the whole thing!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Tucked away in a secret garden, a knight in shining armor and his lovely Bride, decked out in a Jenny Peckham dress and a hair piece that I’ve already pinned to my Pinterest boards, say “I do” and start their happily ever after. With Mary McLeod of Amy Osaba’s talent on full display and Simply Sarah’s images captivating us, every pic is straight out of a fairytale – get all heart eyed in our Vault right this way!

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See SMP in the Latest ‘Charleston Weddings’ Issue!

From the Bride… Jim and I met in a rec soccer league here in NYC. Over the summer of 2012, we both signed up as individuals and were placed on the same team. About six months later, we started dating secretly, not wanting to get our teammates involved. It didn’t last long before we were eventually caught stealing kisses at the bar after games. A few months later, I tore my ACL during one of our games. Jim, my knight in shining armor, swept me up into his arms and carried me off the field, only then to be greeted with the true challenge of carrying me up all four flights of stairs of my East Village walk up apartment. It was in this moment, and the weeks following my surgery that I knew I had found someone special. I was at my weakest and most vulnerable, and there he was, only a few months into our relationship, nursing me back to heath, carrying my bags as I crutched around the city, hailing cabs, cooking dinner, and just keeping me from wallowing in self-pity.

In July 2014, we planned a weekend getaway to Charleston to celebrate Jim’s birthday. We flew out of NYC at the crack of dawn and headed straight to Middleton Place, a plantation I’d wanted to see just outside of town. We leisurely walked the grounds, and finally decided to take a break from the sweltering heat and humidity on a bench by the lake. Jim started getting all sappy as we chatted, which I thought was due to his turning a year older. Suddenly, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I was so utterly shocked, that I was able to say yes, but couldn’t speak for the next 5-10 minutes. We giddily walked around the rest of the grounds, and before leaving, a random girl walks up to us and asks if we just got engaged. We answered yes, and she continues, first apologizing for maybe appearing to be creepy, and then admitting that she saw the whole thing happen from across the lake because she was watching an alligator. Said alligator was apparently less than 10 feet away from us the entire time. She offered to send us her photos, and sure enough, there it was!

We knew we wanted to have a longer engagement; I needed to finish my thesis, and we wanted to actually enjoy the planning process instead of rushing through everything. We ended up being engaged for almost two years before tying the knot. As for the wedding planning process, we knew we wanted to get married outside, so this was our sole starting point. I’ve known of Dunaway Gardens for years – one of my bridesmaids got married there. We researched and visited locations around NYC, but nothing felt right or compared to the image of Dunaway in my head. When we went to visit my family in Georgia for Christmas, we scheduled a tour of the grounds. Even in the dead of winter, we knew that this was going to be our place. The unrestrained nature and history of the grounds (it was a theatre retreat in the 1920s), especially the enchanting intimacy of the hanging gardens were exactly what we were looking for.

We used the venue as our inspiration for the details of our wedding. We knew it would be lush and green in late April, and we picked soft, pastel colors, greens, and metallics as our loose color palette to complement our already gorgeous surroundings. We wanted the day to feel natural, intimate, and ethereal, with nature and twinkling lights and stars as our witnesses. One of our best decisions was a family style dinner of delicious, Southern style food. We chose to have a live band because our friends and family love to dance and party, so we needed everyone to have a good meal beforehand. My dad built the head table for us – a beautiful and sentimental touch. We can’t wait to use it in our house one day. Mary McLeod did an amazing job of bringing the gardens into the reception tent, creating magnificent chandeliers out of greenery, which were one of the few things I asked for specifically from her. The day before the wedding, my mom, bridesmaids, and I spent about an hour or two creating herb bundles (and drinking champagne!) that served as the escort cards.

I remember during the ceremony forcing myself to keep looking out into the crowd and trying to make eye contact with as many people as possible. It made the ceremony feel more intimate and kept me from getting too nervous. As Jim and I exited the ceremony down this huge flight of stairs, I remember finally getting down to the bottom, realizing we actually did it, and him picking me up and swinging me around before our wedding party followed us out. Those simple moments of pure happiness are some of the most memorable to me.

One of my favorite moments of the reception was my dance with my father. I wasn’t allowed to know what song he selected, but I knew we were the last of the “dances”. The music began, and he started talking about how Brad and Janet had a pretty good love story and made it through a crazy time (for anyone that doesn’t know, Brad and Janet are the couple who end up trapped at the mansion in The Rocky Horror Picture Show). We danced the first bit of “The Time Warp” together, and suddenly the crowd closes in, all in sunglasses, hiding my dad from view. Next thing I know, he is in a crazy mad scientist wig. Everyone is laughing, dancing, and singing – I couldn’t have imagined a more fitting or better way to start the party.

It was so special to have people from all walks of our lives at the same huge party, from childhood besties and family friends. Our lives had come full circle, together.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Wedding Dresses

Jenny Packham

Bridal 2016 Catwalk

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Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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We’ve had a longtime love affair with the pretty happening over at Charleston Weddings, so when an opportunity to collaborate on their latest Fall-Winter 2016 magazine came about, we jumped on it. Inside the issue, you’ll find an exclusive Style Me Pretty section that we’ve custom-designed for the Charleston bride including a real elopement, inspo for your bachelorette weekend, stationery trends, and a Q&A with Abby Larson. In celebration of this exciting partnership, we’re sharing a glimpse of the issue’s must-see fashion shoot photographed by Corbin Gurkin. Pop the bubbly and let’s celebrate!

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“We brought the season’s most timeless gowns here to

harken the era where colorful laces, layered luxe fabrics,

hand-embroidered veils, and jewels upon jewels reigned.”

-Charleston Weddings

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Grab Your Copy of Charleston Weddings on Newsstands Now!

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From Charleston Weddings… When we first visited the newly restored and redressed Gibbes Museum of Art, we were blown away by the majestic architecture, grand sense of space inside and out, and fabulous art collection. The Campbell Rotunda (so named for the stained glass dome that tops it) sculpture gallery particularly struck us and we know brides and grooms hosting weddings there were in for epic memories. Taking a cue from the Edwardian period when the museum first opened its stylish doors to patrons, we brought the season’s most timeless gowns here to harken the era where colorful laces, layered luxe fabrics, hand- embroidered veils, and jewels upon jewels reigned. Looking for a major Big Day statement in a storied location? Look no further.

For full fashion and style credits, head on over to Charleston Weddings Magazine now!

These Gowns Will Literally Take Your Breath Away

Guys, New York Bridal Week was ah-mazing, but when Pronovias presented its 2017 Atelier Pronovias Collection at the historic Prince George Ballroom, let me tell you… it was an entirely new level of awesome. Think one mesmerizing gown after another gracing the runway, all with that unique + elegant craftsmanship that Pronovias is so well-known for. Get your sneak peek below.

From stunning sheaths to breathtaking ballgowns, the 2017 Atelier Pronovias Collection had jaws dropping with its smooth lines, exquisite fabrics and intricate details. From the beautiful embroidery to the silk threads to the dazzling gemstones, each insanely gorgeous gown was an absolute show-stopper… and highlighted the latest trends in fashion in the way that only Pronovias knows how. It’s no wonder the entire event was dotted with celebrities, like British presenter Louise Roe, American fashion influencer Blair Eadie, television presenter Vanessa Huppenkothen and President of Pronovias, Alberto Palatchi.

Whether you are marrying in an intimate, yet completely fabulous city hall ceremony or plan on celebrating your nuptials with 500 of your closest friends and family, Pronovias has a gown for your and your wedding. Visit a Pronovias location today to find the ONE.

Makeup: Marina Kallman for Artis Brush | Hair: Michelle Martens for Joico | Photography (Backstage): Charlotte van den Berg | Photography (Front Row + Backstage): Xavi Menos

A Summer Inspired Affair Complete with Pops of Color

Goal for today: pin every single pretty image Larissa Cleveland Photography snapped from this wedding. Because to say that we’re completely smitten with every colorful detail of this crazy chic California affair is an understatement. So if you need us we’ll be in The Vault and re-watching every sentimental second Weddings on Film captured below!

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The Pros + Cons of Having Kids At Your Wedding

From Ruby and Rose…Sivan and Jeremy had very large families they wanted to include in the wedding, so the challenge from the beginning was to find a venue that could accommodate a large number guests and yet still feel intimate and personal. Sivan grew up in the oceanside town of Pacifica and the couple was really drawn to the natural beauty of the coast. With its dramatic rocky cliffs, wind-swept wildflowers, and waves crashing in the background, the Ritz at Half Moon Bay made the perfect setting for their celebration.

We pulled inspiration from all of those beachy Northern California elements to create a design that felt romantic, summery and elegant without being too formal. Anna Hoffman of Loop Event Arts artfully combined Fuchsia bougainvillea, deep purple Clematis, raspberries, blush toned dahlias and garden roses, eucalyptus, olive, succulents and air plants, which created a gorgeous contrast to the natural setting outside and neutral palette inside the reception space. To make things feel more intimate, we designed three large loose wreaths of greenery that filled in the space and also beautifully framed the head table.

One of my favorite details is the envelope liner from their invitation suite from Bella Figura – a pale blue watercolor wash which gave it that perfectly romantic, ethereal beachy vibe we wanted to capture.

From the Bride…I could always picture “being married” to Jeremy but not “getting married” to Jeremy. But after finding our perfect venue near where I grew up, I could start to picture our wedding day!

When planning our wedding, it was important to us to honor our families and blend our Jewish and Persian traditions, work with talented vendors that could capture and enhance who we are and what we love, and delight our guests with fantastic food and mind-blowing music.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Sarah Seven

Signature Bridal

Gold Label

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When it comes to hashing out the details of the big day, every couple has to make the guest list decision: kids welcome or adults only? It’s not always an easy question to answer, and today we’re weighing the factors to consider on both sides of the coin to help you make the choice that best fits your wedding vision. Grab your pro/con list and let’s get to it…

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CON: Meltdown Potential

We’ve all been there. A couple is right in the middle of exchanging their heartfelt vows, or the Father of the Bride is delivering a tear-jerking toast, only to be interrupted by a kid who’s in the middle of a full-blown meltdown. With littles on the guest list, big life moments could be met with unexpected tantrums.

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PRO: Treasured Moments

If you’ve got important kiddos in your life, you’ll likely always remember including them on your wedding day. Whether it’s sweet hugs from the flower girls or stealing a kiss from the ring bearer, they’re once-in-a-lifetime moments you’ll treasure long after the big day comes and goes.

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CON: Not Their Scene

Many couples look at their wedding as a chance to host the ultimate party, and that may not include kiddos running wild. Kids can struggle to keep occupied during the ceremony and can grow frustrated being told to stay in their seats. Instead, you could use your no-kids wedding as an opportunity for parents to book a babysitter, let loose, and enjoy a night out.

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PRO: Kids Table Can Be Cool

There are a million fun ideas to deck out your kids’ table with everything they’ll love. From coloring books to sweet treats to bubbles and more, they can have a great time even if the toasts or first dance don’t hold their attention.

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CON: Receptions Aren’t Playgrounds

Let’s face it, black tie events and tiny humans don’t often mix well. It’s best to look at the formality of your wedding and ask yourself, “Would children be able to enjoy this event?” If your wedding is an upscale, open bar affair continuing way past bedtime, the answer is probably no.

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PRO: Kids Add Life to the Party

On the flip side, no one gets a party started like kids on the dance floor. If you’re planning a more casual, family-style celebration, you probably wouldn’t dream of not including those littles you love most.

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CON: Additional Headcount Costs

Every guest (young and old) means added numbers on the headcount and another seat at the dinner table. Plus, do you really want your wedding budget going towards their gourmet meal when they’d rather dine on chicken nuggets and fries?

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PRO: Babies in Bow Ties

Kids on the guest lists equals babes dressed to the nines. You won’t be able to handle the cuteness when you see how darling your tiniest guest look on the big day.

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Bonus! LOL Kids Moments on SMP

Hilarious SMP Kid Moments

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Hilarious SMP Kid Moments

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A Venue You Need to See to Believe (Hint: There’s a helicopter!)

Choosing a venue for your Big Day is one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding… and also one of the hardest. We totally get that. Which is why we’re hosting a little meet and greet with The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, a little slice of wedding heaven that has everything you’ve ever wanted – from the talented staff to the crazy cool amenities. Your dream day? It’s right here and waiting.

With over 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, three pools, a never-ending list of fun-filled marina activities and a breathtaking Presidential Suite just waiting to host you and your main squeeze (or your entire bridal party!), The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village is taking “I do’s” to an entirely new level of amazing. Think picture perfect affairs from 20 to 200, all with those stunning views and crystal clear ocean waves. Oh, and if you really want to soak in the pretty, then check out their fabulous Heavenly Helicopter Nuptials package, a crazy cool way to amp up any wedding with the option to arrive or depart by helicopter, a ceremony for 100 guests, a one-hour cocktail reception and a dinner + champagne toast. And that’s just the beginning of the awesomeness, lovelies.

Whether you dream of making an amazing entrance on a helicopter (sooo, sooo cool) or walking down the aisle to a beautiful outdoor gazebo, The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has something for everyone. Contact a Wedding Specialist today to start planning your fab day, and don’t forget to ask about rehearsal dinners, personalized menus, chartered boat cruises… and more. The wedding of the century? It’s yours.

Photography: Miranda Lawson

The Best Design Instagrammers to Follow for Gorgeous Home Inspo

We spend a lot of time on instagram and I know we’re not alone! From work-related tasks to inspiration craving adventures, we’re constantly double tapping our favorites. And this group of designers and creatives is just a small sampling of our go-to’s. They craft spaces that inspire, have homes that will light a fire under your house designing booty and work that truly makes their insta feeds sparkle. Have a look at who we follow when we need a good dose of gorgeous interior inspo.

Interior Designers of Instagram

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Interior Designers of Instagram

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More home inspiration right this way!

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Petit Bouquet

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A Classic Southern Affair Filled with Elegant Details

When it came time to plan their big day, (familiar faces) Ana and Tim had one goal in mind. That being? A glamorous winter wonderland that their guests would remember forever. And we’ve got to hand it to them because mission totally accomplished. From the candle-lit reception to the personalized slippers guests were given to dance the night away, Jacqui Cole Photography captured it all to share in The Vault!

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This Vintage-Inspired Glam-Fest is Absolutely Perfect

From Jacqui Cole Photography…You may remember Ana and Tim from their engagement session featured here on SMP. Ana met Tim, a professional tennis player, at the Four Seasons Resort while Tim was in town for a tennis tournament. The couple wed 2 years later at the exact spot which they had fell in love.

Ana and Tim wanted to capture a glamorous winter wonderland at the Four Seasons venue. They wanted to create an evening that all of their guests would remember. The many ‘wow’ factors certainly achieved that! From a surprise mariachi band, confetti bombs, fireworks show and a late night taco stand the couple created an incredibly fun night for their family and friends. Ana said that “it was a dream come true to see our vision of an elegant, romantic, candle-lit winter wonderland come to life with all our closest family and friends. The whole day is a memory of overwhelming love and happiness”. Guests were treated to little surprises such as personalized slippers to dance the night away and a Mexican candy bar which were a ‘sweet nod’ to Ana’s heritage.

The reception decor was extraordinary, There were no details that were overlooked. From draped columns, floral covered entryways, mirrored facades, flower halos and beautiful centerpieces. Flowers draped everywhere with the focal point being the floral chandelier which hovered over the dance floor. The guests entrance was covered in stunning white flowers. The white roses were suspended from the top of the windows to make it seem like they were floating.

Ana and Tim left hand in hand under an aisle of confetti. They jetted off to Napa to enjoy their honeymoon the very next day. We wish them all the love in the world! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Smyczek!

From the Bride… After the proposal, which you can read all about here, as we began the wedding planning, the first and most important thing for us was the location and venue for our big day. We wanted to get married somewhere that was special and meaningful for us so where better than where we very first met – The Four Seasons in Dallas, which also happens to be my home town and where we got engaged! I’ve always dreamed of having an elegant and romantic wedding with a candle-lit ambiance to create an intimate and cozy feel. The time of year we got married, a chilly November day, was the perfect way to turn my wedding dream into a timeless winter wonderland.

Looking back at our wedding day, my heart is overwhelmed with countless moments but there is one moment that will stay with me forever – my Father-Daughter dance. It started with a tearful slow song and towards the end of the song, much to my fathers surprise, we transitioned to a fun Spanish song with confetti showering the entire dance floor! The confetti was such a special moment, giving my dad and I another moment to celebrate together as we opened up the dance floor for the festivities to begin!

The best advice I can give any bride-to-be would be to enjoy and cherish every moment – from the moment you say “yes!” to the moment you say “I do”. A fun tip for the big day; as Mr. and Mrs., take a moment to look around at your reception, to embrace how the vision of your big day all came together and to see all of your loved ones together in one place celebrating you!

Guy and Allison really know how to throw a wedding. And not just any wedding – a completely glamorous, vintage-inspired love-fest smack-dab in the heart of St. Louis. Think a sophisticated color palette, luxe details from Rogue Events and Design and perfectly crafted florals from Stems. All captured in mesmerizing images by Erin Stubblefield, this is sooo worthy of a trip to THE VAULT. See you there.

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A Sunshine Hued Wedding in Tuscany

From the Bride… I will never forget the moment Guy kneeled down and pulled out what can only be described as the most beautiful vintage engagement ring a girl could hope for. From the moment we met I knew he was an old soul and from the very beginning our love had a timeless quality that seemed to transcend generations. The first time I saw his charming smile at a University of Missouri football tailgate hosted by his fraternity my freshman year of college I knew he was the one… my old soulmate! We fell fast and hard for each other in a whirlwind of laughter and selfless companionship. It didn’t take long for me to realize that Guy had become my best and truest friend. On our third anniversary, Guy asked me to be his wife – and the rest is history!

We took our vintage-inspired engagement photos on The University of Missouri campus where our love story began. We were enamored with how classic and ageless the photos turned out and decided to stick with our elegant vintage theme from then on. It was important to us that our wedding guests felt as if they had been transported back in time to an age of elegance and glamour, but with every comfort of the modern day. We toured nearly every historical venue in St. Louis looking for the perfect places to celebrate our marriage. Rooted in our traditional values, The Old Cathedral of St. Louis, which was built in 1834, was an obvious choice for our Catholic marriage ceremony. Father Dennis Stehly, a Monsignor from my childhood parish, agreed to preside and The Rosewood Ensemble, a string quartet and vocalist, created the perfect quintessential ambiance for our friends and family. Portraits of my deceased grandfathers were displayed near the altar, which was a special touch that made me and my family feel as if they were there with us. I had never felt more beautiful in my life than I did on that day thanks to Bliss Beauty Bar and my doting bridesmaids! While waiting with my dad for our double door entrance into the Cathedral, I will never forget telling him how I felt nothing but excitement in that moment – I had zero nerves!

Speaking of my dad, he surprised us with a vintage Rolls Royce to ride away in! The rest of our wedding party and families rode to the reception in a trolley. First, we stopped at The St. Louis Public Library – where all of the greatest love stories are kept. As wedding gifts to each other we had exchanged small leather bound books where we had written 100 things we loved about each other… so this photo destination was the perfect choice. Out of nowhere, it started to rain (which Guy said he was thankful for because he had heard it meant good luck for newlyweds)! Our cocktail hour and reception were held at St. Louis Union Station Hotel, which first opened in 1894 and is now respected as a National Historic landmark. The Grand Hall, where we held our reception, boasts 65-foot ceilings and a beautiful stained glass Tiffany and Co. masterpiece above the double staircase. Another one of our favorite memories of that night was waiting to be announced with our bridal party at the bottom of those stairs. I have known all of my bridesmaids since I was in preschool and Guy’s relationships with his groomsmen can be described as nothing short of brotherhood. It was then, in that moment, that we looked at each other and knew how impossibly blessed we were to have them and each other.

The reception space took my breath away when I saw it for the first time. A specialty table featuring childhood photos of Guy and me in gold frames was a special touch that I’m glad we included. STEMS Florist not only supplied us with impeccable bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages, but also created incredibly beautiful centerpieces with ivory and champagne roses and rosettes. It was important to us that our guests were able to see each other across the table and enjoy each other’s company – so we decided on tall gold candelabras and short trio arrangements alternating throughout the space. The room was sprinkled with candles in a variety of gold and mercury glass votives. Ivory linens, gold chargers, champagne overlays, and elegant place settings completed the tables. In lieu of wedding favors, we made donations in each guest’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association – a charity that is near and dear to our hearts (we both have had a grandparent affected by the disease). We used a photo book filled with vintage photos of St. Louis as our guest book – this was perfect because we now have it on our coffee table and can read well wishes and messages from our wedding guests whenever we’d like.

STEMS also supplied a gorgeous garland for our head table and the perfect cake topper for our wedding cake. We designed our wedding cake ourselves during a road trip to visit family a few months before the wedding and thanks to The Cakery Bakery our vision became a reality! Five tiers of sweet sugary goodness made with homemade vanilla – our cake featured a buttercream rosette base, two champagne tiers with delicate vintage piping, and two ivory tiers with gold ribbon. It tasted just as amazing as it looked! It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable four-course meal supplied by St. Louis Union Station. Guy was very involved in the tasting portion of our wedding planning and I have to admit that he did a fantastic job. In addition to a wonderful spread of cheeses and crackers, vegetables, fruits, and passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour – the first course, a baby greens and fresh berry salad in a cucumber wrap with a maple vinaigrette, was served by white gloved waiters as a dazzling high-definition light show was projected on the arched ceilings of the venue. Looking around and seeing all of our closest friends and family in absolute awe as they stared up at the ceiling was the moment we knew that all of the planning had been one hundred percent worth it.

The St. Louis Big Band provided a jazz quartet to accompany our cocktail hour and a 20-piece ensemble for the reception. Guy, my dad, and I had taken dance lessons during the months leading up to the wedding and were excited to start the party off with the waltzes we had practiced for the past couple of weeks. Guy and I were serenaded by Joe Mancuso, the St. Louis Big Band wedding singer, who performed our song “All the Way” by Frank Sinatra. I loved the way my Oleg Cassini gown flowed as he spun me around the dance floor! My dad and I danced to The Missouri Waltz – the official state song of Missouri that is most often associated with our alma mater The University of Missouri. Last but not least, Guy and his mom picked things up with Ella Fitzgerald’s “Our Love is Here to Stay”.

Free flowing champagne and a top-shelf open bar fully stocked with cigars guaranteed a night full of never-ending conversation, fun and laughter. The band eventually switched over to a DJ, also supplied by the St. Louis Big Band, and ended with a late night Panera station. Katie from Rouge Events was the perfect coordinator and Erin Stubblefield Photography captured every priceless moment flawlessly. The whole day went by in the blink of an eye. We woke up the next day and suddenly the weekend’s events felt like a dream. The best part? I got to marry the love of my life! If I could give any advice to future brides, I would say don’t worry too much about being trendy, trends come and go but your love (and your wedding photos) are forever! Always imagine things from your guest’s point of views. If you’re like us and have a majority of your guests coming from out of town you want to make sure you are treating them to an unforgettable event that represents your values and tastes. Lastly, I highly recommend making your gifts to each other on that big day something personal and heartfelt. We will have those little leather books for the rest of our lives and can read them whenever we want or need to. Something like that means so much more than a store bought gift!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Accessories

David's Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Accessories

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridesmaids

David's Bridal Spring 2018

Oleg Cassini Spring 2018

WHITE by Vera Wang Spring 2018

Truly Zac Posen Spring 2018

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A sun-kissed celebration complete with yellow hued gowns is enough to turn heads, but add in the talented Peter & Veronika behind the lens and you’ve got yourself one stunner of a soiree. Complete with villa views, this is Italy like you’ve never seen it before. Witness the wonderment in The Vault!

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7 Ways To Simplify Your Kitchen Countertop

From the Bride…As for how we chose our wedding destination, Matthew and I realized when we first started looking at venues, we thought we would want a resort so we flew to Puerto Rico and visited 6 different resorts. They were all very lovely but we did not connect with them and thought they were too unreasonable priced for what we would get. We envisioned having a place to call home where we could reside with our closest family and friends and celebrate our wedding week. We decided to randomly email “large houses” all over the world and we narrowed the results to 3 villas all located in 3 different countries: St. Martin in the Caribbean, Mykonos in the Greek Isles, and Lucca in Italy. I decided against St. Martin because I cannot hang out at the beach for more than a couple of days before getting bored. Matthew decided against Mykonos because it has a reputation for being a “party town.” So, we both decided on Borgo Benni in Lucca because who doesn’t love Italy? We wanted our wedding guests to make a vacation out of it and Italy would allow everyone to do just that. We rented the villa without ever visiting and seeing it beforehand. We just put our faith in love and hope for the best outcome.

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Funny thing… whenever I decide to de-clutter our kitchen countertop, my husband always walks in the door and says “the house looks great, honey” even if I haven’t done anything else! Embracing simplicity isn’t something that most of us consider a design skill, but it truly IS and can transform any room, not just the kitchen. When it comes to that ever-busy home epicenter? It counts to go simple in the kitchen.

7 Ways To Simplify Your Kitchen Countertop

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7 Ways To Simplify Your Kitchen Countertop

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Calling all brides-to-be! This Trunk Show is an Absolute Must.

We can’t think of a better way to find that dream gown then attending a trunk show at the always fabulous Designer Loft in NYC. Lucky for you, on November 4th-6th + November 11th-13th, they’ll be hosting a Rosa Clara Trunk Show that’s basically everything you’ve ever dreamed. Think seriously romantic gowns that are as luxurious as they are figuring flattering. Scroll below for all of the deets.

From the gorgeous fabrics to the intricate + unique details to the seriously stunning silhouettes that will show off every one of your stellar curves, the Rosa Clara Two 2017 Collection is equal parts classic and romantic with something for everyone. Yep, whether you are saying “I do” high atop the city in a modern affair or tying the knot in that English garden of your dreams, Rosa Clara’s lineup of mesmerizing gowns will WOW all of your guests with styles that will make your hearts sooo happy.

From timeless ballgowns to sleek + sophisticated sheaths, the Rosa Clara Two 2017 Trunk Show is an absolute must-see. Contact Designer Loft TODAY to book your appointment (212.944.9013)… and don’t forget the 10% off Trunk Show discount you’ll receive if you purchase at the event. Amazing.

Collins Tuohy of ‘The Blindside’ Shares Her Wedding Day

We knew Collins’ wedding was going to be one for the books. She shared her darling bachelorette weekend chock-full of cute moments, so came as no surprise that her big day design knocked it out of the park. It’s a glamourous black and gold affair ending with an epic dance party, including a few family members you just might recognize. See their album from the lens of Chard Photographer!

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Relaxed + Romantic Engagement in Joshua Tree

From the Bride…When deciding the “theme” of our wedding I sat down with my mom and basically said that I really didn’t want a theme. I wanted more of a feel, and an experience. I wanted people to walk away from my wedding saying, “Wow, they love each other and they love life!” Therefore, I decided the overall theme of the weekend, if I had to choose one, would be, “lights and liquor”! I wanted every emotion you get from any kind of lighting (romance from candles, joy from a disco ball, or excitement from multi colored laser lights), and liquor was simply the easiest way to say…A really good party! My husband, Cannon, and I have been together for 11 years, so we wanted our wedding to be a celebration of all the time we have grown together. I would say we both love traditions as much as we like to shake things up, and our wedding was a direct reflection of that. Our venue was an easy choice as it is one block from my parent’s house, and about three from his. Yes, we grew up 4 blocks away from each other ha! I have been in and around the events world my whole life, so I knew from day one I wanted to design and plan my own wedding from beginning to end. I had an amazing team of people that my mom and I assembled, and we would never have been able to pull the weekend off without each and every one of them. I only had a few specific wants for the weekend. One was being able to walk right from the ceremony to the reception, and the second was for my out of town guests to be close to all venues we used. After we chose the Hunt and Polo Club, and made the decision to tent over the pool, the choice became clear that we would use the tent for both nights.

Here comes the first thing we shook up. Instead of your traditional Saturday wedding with a reception following we split up the night into two. Friday we had an intimate wedding in one half of the tent (oh yes, my center isle was acrylic flooring over the pool!!) and in the other half of the tent, that connected to the ballroom, we had a seated dinner. One of my dear friends, Kelly English (James Beard Award Semifinalist) prepared a five course meal that included everything from caviar (my mother-in-law’s favorite) to my grandmother’s caramel cake! Following dinner we had aperitifs in the cigar room and spent time together with friends and family celebrating our first night as Mr. And Mrs. Smith. Saturday night we extended the guest list, flipped all the decor in the tent, and had a big blow out party!

There are too many amazing things from that weekend to describe them all so here are some of my absolute favs! First and foremost, my mom was my warrior and constant provider of peace and ideas throughout this entire process – I would not have stayed sane without her. My husband was game for anything that made me happy as long as he could wear a cool tux, which he did both nights. His favorite being his Tom Ford he wore Saturday night, that was a midnight blue! My dress took 7 months to make. It came all the way from Australia, and I did not even see it until the day it arrived – about a month before the wedding! The dress had an 11 foot train and I wore a hand-made crown that made me feel very Grace Kelly. My best friends and I share a piece of lace that has our initials and wedding date embroidered on it – it has become a tradition to attach the lace under the dress and wear it on the day of the wedding.

The Friday night invitation was a 3×5 replica of Jackie Kennedy’s, simple and timeless, which aligned to our candle light ceremony perfectly. After we said, “I Do!” a gospel choir surprised guests and sang, “Oh Happy Day!” As Cannon and I walked down the aisle as husband and wife the drapes opened into the dining area. We had mirrored tables made specifically for the wedding so we could have an 80 foot long center table for the wedding party to sit together. I had 18 bridesmaids and Cannon had 25 groomsmen, 7 of whom were over 6’5″ (insert monkey emoji with hands over face).

Just as the Friday night invitation was a reflection of the evening, Saturday night was too. The invitation was 6×8 and had a gold glitter envelope liner – the guests knew they were in for a fun and crazy night! The band brought the house down! The dance floor had acrylic flooring over the pool that we lit with LED lights, we had confetti all night, and a light up tennis shoe station where guests could trade in their heels for some kicks and hit dance floor. I even wore bedazzled Nike high tops Saturday instead of heels! We had a live painter and now have a piece of art that captured our first dance forever. We passed out #5 football jerseys (my husbands number) late night that said Team Smith on the front. Guests could customize their name on the back, so they could really let loose. As we left the reception we had a fireworks wall and more confetti that capped off the magic of the night! After we left our guests thought the night had ended, but Cannon and I danced back into the venue and we had a surprise after party with a DJ, a glow-in-the-dark body paint station, and of course, Taco Bell!

Some of my absolute favorite moments however were the small ones between all the madness, like getting ready with all my girls, and having my little brother pop in and hang out. Or watching my nephew absolutely refuse to walk down the isle because it was clear flooring over the pool and my friend having to carry him down the isle. Like my groomsmen playing a little game of touch football Saturday night before the party…In their tuxes! They were silly but so special. There is not a single thing I would have changed about our wedding weekend, from beginning to end it was truly magical. My best advice to brides is go with your gut, and stick to your guns, because in the end it is about making memories with your husband that will last you a lifetime!

I’m a fan of all the individual pieces of this pretty puzzle – this shade of maroon, the dapper groom-to-be, a pup too cute for words and Greg Finck’s talent behind the lens. But put them all together and it’s even better than imagined. See it all in one gorgeous gallery right this way!

From Greg Finck Photography… Caitlin and Patrick contacted me awhile ago to photograph their wedding, which will happen in London next October. Patrick is from England, and Caitlin from the US, and they both live in Seattle with their oh so cute dog Moxie. We decided to realize their engagement photos in majestic Joshua Tree National Park.

There was no question Moxie would not be part of the adventure, or this session. So they drove all the way from Seattle, down to California, just so that Moxie can be part of the engagement photoshoot. I must say she’s been quite a model and totally behaved during the photoshoot despite her flower collar!

I truly cannot wait for this sweet couple’s wedding in London! And I can’t wait to see Moxie again in her wedding attire this time!

Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Bride's Dress: Show Me Your Mumu

Two Fashion Buyers Tie the Knot in Style

Let’s just say Danielle and Kyle know a thing or two about style. These two New York City fashion buyers – Danielle for Bloomingdale’s and Kyle for Ralph Lauren – knew their wedding day had to make a statement and they totally delivered. Rebecca Yale Photography captured and the gallery is a fashion lover’s dream.

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Inexpensive Wedding Details That Make a Big Impact

From The Styled Bride and Rebecca Yale Photography….Danielle and Kyle were married on June 4th, 2016 at the Ashford Estate. Danielle and Kyle both work in New York City as buyers in the fashion industry, Danielle at Bloomingdales and Kyle at Ralph Lauren. Fashion was a very important element to them for their wedding day. They both attended NYU, but did not meet until after graduation at a local bar. The bride and groom picked the lovely Ashford Estate in Allentown, NJ as it was the perfect distance between their two families and an easy drive for their friends in New York City. The day was planned and styled to perfection by The Styled Bride. Guests gathered on a sunny Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a pre-ceremony drink in the courtyard before being welcomed into the light filled white barn, decked out in lush florals and candles by Sullivan Owen. The bride and groom recited vows they wrote themselves in matching his and her vow notebooks. Guests were invited to enjoy cocktail hour in the conservatory and out on the patio as golden hour set in. Guests were then welcomed into the reception by the Craig Scott Orchestra, which was bathed in candlelight and leafy green florals.

The estate has the elegant feel of a French chateau, which the bride and groom played into with their delicately calligraphed invitations that carried through to all the paper goods of the day- program, escort cards and menu by Written Word Calligraphy. Guests received a wedding welcome bag with a welcome letter and wedding day (and day after) essentials kit from the bride and groom. The bride wore a intricately detailed beaded gown by Monique Lhuillier with matching veil with blush and gold tones weaved in. The dress was paired with Valentino Rock Stud heels in nude to give the look a little edge and a vintage beaded clutch. The bride’s bouquet and boutonnieres created by the Sullivan Owen were soft and organic with long trailing ribbons featuring peonies, roses and blushing bride- one of the bride’s favorite flowers. The bride and groom exchanged letters and presents before the first look, the bride gifting the groom new sunglasses, which he wore throughout the day.

The bride and groom had their first look in front of the estate as their parents and wedding party watched through the large glass windows. Bridesmaids wore lovely off the shoulder grey gowns while the groomsmen looked sharp in their black tuxes. The couple honored their families by having a memory table with photographs from their parents and grandparents weddings set at a table by the entrance and a 4 of those grandparents were in attendance at the wedding. Guests danced the night away and enjoyed the old fashioned photo booth before joining the couple for a sparkler send off and an after party in the library with snow cones, hot dogs and favors of Momofuku Milk Bar truffle cake balls.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Monique Lhuillier

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Designing your dream wedding on a budget is easier said than done. Especially when you want a celebration that your guests will be talking about long after the last dance. But fear not, savvy brides, because our editors are sharing inexpensive details that can make a serious impact. Trust us, you’ll want to save these for future reference!

Inexpensive Details With a Big Impact

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Inexpensive Details With a Big Impact

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Steal a Fashion Blogger’s Modern Wedding Style

You might recognize her as the Texas fashion blogger behind Murphy’s Law, and today Lauren is stopping by to share her wedding day photographed by Lauren Peele. I’m deeming their rooftop affair “classic with a crisp, modern twist,” and it has everything to do with the lucite accents and white-on-white floral design by Branching Out. More to see right this way!

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Advice From Our Editors: What We Wished We Had Registered For

From the bride, Lauren… Charles and I met eight years ago as Freshman in college. It wasn’t until I moved back to Dallas from Los Angeles that we began dating. We knew immediately that our connection was something special and we have been inseparable ever since! He proposed at a Dallas landmark, Reunion Tower, during dinner overlooking the city. He included my absolute favorite flowers on the proposal, pink peonies, that floated over to our table on the rotating exterior of the restaurant. It was an incredible moment and I blissfully said, “Yes!”. As if this wasn’t enough excitement for one night, he planned a surprise party after dinner with our closest family and friends.

Charles and I were both born and raised in Dallas so we knew we wanted to get married here. I had my eye on the Joule Hotel in downtown but really wanted an outdoor ceremony and reception. The Joule accommodated by letting us be the first and only wedding reception to ever be held across the street in the Eyeball Garden. We knew that getting married outside in Texas Was a risk but the weather could not have been more perfect for our rooftop ceremony and garden reception on April 30, 2016.

We’ve always loved a mix of classic and modern design which we created by using all white elements, lucite accents along with gorgeous, lush white floral. Detail is also very important to me so with the help of our exceptional planner, nothing was overlooked! Our dog, Bandit is very special to us and was actually the ring bearer in our ceremony. Additionally, we had an artist sketch his profile which was included in the reception paper goods like the coasters and bar menu. We were so happy that our guests loved the excitement of the black tie evening as much as we did and together, we all danced the night away under the stars. The juxtaposition of a white garden party in the middle of a Metropolitan city made for the most spectacular evening that we’ll never forget!

As a fashion blogger picking out my dress was a really fun but nerve-racking process. I ended up selecting a custom Mira Zwillinger blush dress with hand embroidered white flowers on the bodice, a layered tulle skirt, and the daintiest blush organza bow. When the seamstress added the bustle beneath the tulle, it was visible. I ended up forgoing the bustle in favor of having someone (a professional!) cut off the train of my dress after the ceremony and before I entered the reception. It was the best decision I could have made – I felt so free to dance the night away with all our family, friends, and now husband!

Charles wore a custom J. Hilburn Midnight Blue tuxedo stitched with our wedding date, 4.30, and his initials. The process of creating his tux together and picking out each design option made it such a fun experience for both of us. The team was amazing to work with and I couldn’t recommend them more.

As special as it was to create a vision for our wedding day and watch it come to life, marrying my soul mate was truly a gift. The amount of love and joy given to us by our family and friends is such a blessing and we couldn’t be more thankful!

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

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Guys, we’ve been there, done that. Registered our little hearts out, only to realize later that we missed a few key pieces that would have made our holidays sooo much better. So today we’re teaming up with our friends at Macy’s to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes. It’s our gift to you with a fab list of must-haves that will cozy up your home just in time for Friendsgiving. Scroll for a peek.

KitchenAid KSM152PS Artisan 5 qt. Custom Metallic Stand Mixer | Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 7.25 qt. Round French Oven | Royal Albert Old Country Roses Polka Rose 2 Tier Cake Plate | Martha Stewart Collection Wooden French Rolling Pin

We love to host and entertain guests in our home, especially during the holidays! One thing we’re kicking ourselves for not registering for is a beautiful Le Creuset Dutch Oven. From homemade stuffing at Thanksgiving to baked french toast casseroles on Christmas morning, this would have been such a useful (and beautiful!) addition to our chef’s arsenal. – Melissa

Baking delicious treats is one of my most favorite traditions during the Holiday season and no pie, cookie and cake making arsenal is complete without a Kitchenaid Mixer. Plus they look really cute sitting pretty on the counter. Thinking we should have skipped the fondu set and headed right for this copper beauty with our registry scanner. – Erin

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Bodum Chambord 12 Cup French Press | SMEG TSF02 4-Slice Toaster | KitchenAid KWB110OB Waffle Maker | Mikasa Dinnerware Italian Countryside Cappuccino Mug

There is nothing (and I mean nothing) I love more than a lazy Sunday morning brunch during the holidays. Which is why I wish I’d registered for a waffle iron, because sometimes a stack of pancakes just won’t do! – Michelle

As growing coffee aficionados, my husband and I love trying new blends and getting various espresso drinks whenever we’re out and about holiday shopping for all our friends and family… so why did we not register for an espresso maker or French press!? We could enjoy these when running errands AND when snuggled up at home wrapping said gifts! We ask ourselves this way too often and plan on investing in the near future (Santa, please?)! – Elizabeth

Would you believe me if I told you we don’t own a toaster? And after years of making toast under the broiler, I’ll be dreaming of this little SMEG number for Christmas. – Michelle

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Donna Karan Home Silver Queen Flat Sheet | Lauren Ralph Lauren Memory Foam Cluster Pillows | Martha Stewart Collection Solid Seed Stitch Sweater-Knit Throw | Lauren Ralph Lauren Humboldt Plaid 15 x 20″ Decorative Pillow

Once the holidays roll around, we tend to host out-of-town family and friends quite a bit. While we splurged on great pieces for our room, we always wish we had registered for several extra sets of quality linens, towels, and bedding for the guest bedroom. Don’t forget to include those must-haves on your list! – Stephanie

It’s so easy to fall in love with all of the amazing appliances Macy’s has in their arsenal, but if I had to do it all over again, I would most definitely add some cozy home decor to the list, especially decorative items that would translate well to the holiday season. Plaid pillows, sweater-knit throws and any other festive additions can really make a difference when hosting all of those family and friends! – Dawn

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Whether you’re prepping for your first Thanksgiving as newlyweds or simply want to feel the holiday spirit on those lazy Sunday mornings in, Macy’s Registry is THE place to make it all happen… beautifully. From their never-ending lineup of crazy cool appliances and kitchen must-haves to their fab home decor and baked good essentials, Macy’s Registry will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process to guarantee you don’t miss a single must-have. And don’t even get us started on the fab perks + benefits, like the Macy’s Newlywed Discount, The Registry Guide, The Registry Checklist and Macy’s Registry Star Rewards. (Hint: their awesome.)

Contact Macy’s today to begin your registry journey… and don’t forget those items that will cozy up your abode just in time for the holidays.

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Photography (Top to Bottom): Ruth Eileen Photography + Manifesto Photography + Danielle Moss

A Modern Wedding with a Classic Twist

This wedding had me at dinner plate dahlias and from there it just kept getting better and better. With Jen Wojcik Photography on hand capturing every wonderful detail (like those incredibe terranium centerpieces from Cost Plus!), this is one celebration that you’ll want share pronto. See it all in The Vault!

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