SUBMIT WEDDING
We’re Deeming This #EngagementSessionGoals

Leave it to Jose Villa for photos that can only be described as #EngagementSessionGoals. Golden light adds that dreamy touch to each and every image, and this peek is only a slice of all the pretty waiting for you in The Vault. Go ahead and pin to your heart’s content.

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Photography: Jose Villa Photography

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A Love Affair with Vermont and A Registry to Match

They say Vermont is for lovers and around these parts, that’s most definitely true. Because tucked into those breathtaking landscapes and vibrant scenery are some of the most amazing “I do’s” you will ever lay your eyes upon. You can take these visions for your very own Big Day, and weave handcrafted goods from Vermont’s own Simon Pearce into your registry at Bloomingdale’s. Scroll below for all the inspiration you’ll ever need… There’s even a trip involved.

Whether you’re planning a grand ballroom affair, intimate barn celebration or something that falls squarely in the middle, Vermont’s all-American feel and rustic meets romantic vibe will take your celebration to the next level. (Trust us.)  The same could also be said for the gorgeous lineup of glassware, tableware, lighting and home decor handcrafted by Simon Pearce and inspired by the lush foliage and towering forests located in the Simon Pearce Mill’s very own backyard. From stunning footed servers to decanters that are as pretty as they are useful, The Registry at Bloomingdale’s makes it beyond easy to incorporate a little piece of Vermont into your everyday living.

Adding pieces from Simon Pearce to the already amazing options at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s is what we call a win-win.Think beautiful goods that will leave all of your guests talking. Plus you’ll have access to out-of-this-world perks and benefits, from exclusive savings (20% off in store) on dresses, intimates, fine jewelry and men’s suiting and formalwear to an amazing completion offer (10 – 20% off) to bridal event invites and fabulous honeymoon packages. Your Personal Registry Consultant will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process, making sure that every aspect of your home and life is covered.” There’s even a Registry Checklist, Thank You Manager and mobile Big Brown App.  Just a few of the many reasons we love them.

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What: Open a qualifying registry at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s through September 30* to be entered to win a trip to Vermont with Simon Pearce. (Value $10,000)

Who: One grand prize winner will receive round-trip transportation to Vermont, a luxurious 4-day, 3-night stay at the Woodstock Inn, meals, transportation, sightseeing and activities, travel to the Simon Pearce Mill, including glassblowing lessons, *$1500 of Simon Pearce Tableware.

Terms and conditions: Can be found RIGHT HERE. Good luck! xo

*$6500 worth of items must be added to your registry by October 7, 2016.

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Photography: Jose Villa

Registry Picks: 1. Simon Pearce Hartland Ridge Dinnerware 2. Simon Pearce Woodstock Glassware 3. Simon Pearce Hartland 5-Piece Place Setting 4. Simon Pearce Westport Footed Server, Large 5. Simon Pearce Rye Decanter 6. Simon Pearce Chelsea Bowl

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A Beautiful Classic Wedding with a Sweet Side of Confetti

How do you top one of the best proposals ever? (Seriously, read below.)  You throw a stunning classic affair in the heart of Carlsbad, complete with a confetti send-off post-nuptials.  Add to all of that fanfare a long list of talented vendors and a ballroom decked out in head to toe pink and gold and what you have is one very pretty Saturday.  See it all captured by the brilliant Ether & Smith in THE VAULT.

From the Bride… Our Wedding Proposal… It was just a day before my birthday and Richard surprised me with a trip to Paris by giving me an Eiffel Tower lego set. He knew Paris had been the one place I’ve dreamed of visiting since I was a kid. Already excited about the news to Paris, we celebrated by putting the lego pieces together. After two hours and 320 lego pieces, we were down to one piece. He said he remembered leaving the last piece on the bookshelf. So I walked over to the bookshelf and to my surprise I found more than just a lego piece, but my engagement ring cradled in the hands of a lego mini figure! As I turned around Richard was behind me on one knee. Before he could even ask I said “Yes!”

Our advice for future wedding couples is don’t get caught on the small things. Enjoy the day and cherish every moment and focus on making memories because it goes by so fast. We also advice choosing your location and venue first because it will really influence your wedding style. Pinterest is a great source for wedding inspiration and ideas.

Photography: Ether & Smith | Cinematography: Sweet Day Studio | Coordination: Betty Blue Events | Floral Design: Third Bloom | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Kelly Zhang | DJ: Hilo Productions | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | String Quartet: Eliana Strings | Venue: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort: Luxury Carlsbad Resort | Dessert Bar: Three50Bakes | Escort Cards: Bottega Louie | Party Rentals + Decor: Concepts Event Design | Tea Ceremony Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA

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The Prettiest Dusty Purple Garden Wedding

These two city dwellers wanted to swap the hustle and bustle for a serene outdoor wedding, and an intimate garden affair in San Juan Capistrano perfectly fit the bill. With Ether & Smith behind the camera and Amari Productions filming, they married in timeless style, treating their guests to a dining experience by 24 Carrots. Inside The Vault you’ll find what made the celebration so very special.

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From the bride… The story of how Steve and I met is not romantic let alone intentional, but it was definitely bound to happen since my best friend in high school became his best friend in college. We first met at a club in 2010 (like I said.. not romantic) and rather than dancing or flirting, we spent the majority of our time together debating on who has a better phone. I was an avid Blackberry user at the time and I just remember thinking ‘what a dork!’ as I watched Steve get pumped up to have this iPhone vs Blackberry debate. Despite my position in our debate, I was soon converted to an iPhone user when we started our long-distance relationship of five years – iMessages and FaceTime really saved our relationship! Fast forward five years, and countless driving and flying to and from San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Arizona, we found ourselves holding hands in front of all of our loved ones at our own dream wedding.

While our long-distance relationship was coming to an end, new long-distance relationships with our family and friends were set in motion as we got ready for our new chapter in Steve’s city of occupation, Phoenix, Arizona. With most of our family and friends in Los Angeles, California, this new chapter in our lives was exciting but also bittersweet. For us, our wedding was an opportunity to throw a big party with our family and close friends before leaving our hometown. Our wedding was for our loved ones as much as it was for us, which made it all the more special.

When we started planning our wedding, there were a lot of ideas up for discussion but there were two things we knew for sure: 1) have an intimate outdoor wedding and 2) keep it simple and neutral colored. Steve and I, along with the majority of our guests, are always in the city and on the go, so we loved the idea of having an outdoor wedding filled with greenery, flowers, and candles for a serene atmosphere and just get away from the entire city feel. But it was important that we find an outdoor venue without a large open space to maintain the intimacy we wanted for our wedding of 120 guests. As for the look of the day, Steve and I are minimalists and lovers of all things in solids and neutrals. We envisioned our wedding to be mostly white with greenery, mixed in with muted blush and gold as accents. As soon as we walked into Franciscan Gardens, we knew the enclosed walls covered in green luscious vines would be the perfect place for it – simple, romantic, and intimate.

Come wedding day, a dear friend of mine, also one of my beautiful bridesmaids, told me to take mental snapshots of moments I want to remember and tell myself that ‘I’m going to remember this moment’ because the day will go by all too quickly and there will be too much happening for one to remember everything that happens that day. This is probably the best advice I can pass onto other brides as well. I specifically remember sitting at our sweetheart table and Steve and I had a brief moment to ourselves. I started to look around and admired all of our visions brought to life. It was surreal to see all our loved ones together at an event we’d been planning for months. As I was taking it all in, I felt like the clock had stopped, or maybe I just wanted time to slow down; in that moment of stillness all I could hear were chatter and laughter of all the people we love and cherish. It felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from. When I looked over to my left, there was my husband taking it all in as well and when we both looked at each other, we both knew that we would remember this moment forever.

Another one of my favorite moments is when I danced with my father. As a traditional and conservative parent, my dad was very reluctant to have the father-daughter dance as part of the wedding timeline. My dad and I have never been affectionate, and we probably haven’t even held hands for the past 20 years despite the fact that I’ve lived with him all my life. So the thought of dancing together in front of others was a scary one. In the end, I didn’t give either of us the option to back out and included the father-daughter dance as part of the program because when will we ever get a chance to dance together? We nervously took each other’s hand to the dance floor, and started making steps to Michael Buble’s Crazy Love. I don’t know what had come over me, but I started getting very emotional and my dad took me into his arms with gentle pats on my back to guide the tempo. To my surprise, everything about the dance felt familiar and natural, and in that moment there was no one else but me and my dad. I’ve made many memories living with my dad for the past 29 years, but this wedding gave us the best memory to cherish.

Our wedding day was truly the best day of our lives in so many ways. As others have advised me, my advice for brides as they plan for one of the biggest days of their lives is to not let all the wedding to-do checklists overshadow the real meaning of marriage. And when the day comes, be sure to take the day slowly, and really live in the moment (take mental snapshots!) Lastly, invest in a good photographer and videographer. There’s no better way to relive the best day of your lives than through films and photos that captured your favorite moments and moments you missed!

Photography: Ether & Smith | Cinematography: Amari Productions | Wedding Coordinator: Valentine Entertainment | Floral Design: Shindig Chic | Wedding Dress: Dawn FitzGerald Atelier | Cake: Sweet Lady Jane | Invitations: Blush Paper Co. | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lulu's | Catering: Giracci Vineyards Farms | Hair + Makeup: Kohnur | Groom's Attire: Ryder Tux | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Franciscan Gardens | DJ + MC: Valentine Entertainment | Dessert: Chunk-n-chip | Invitations Purchased Via: Zazzle | Photo Booth: Cheesy Photobooths | Robe: BHLDN

Crafting a Tranquil Nursery amongst the Hustle and Bustle of NYC

Tranquil is a good starting place when deciding on your nursery design; especially if you’re smack dab in the middle of a vibrant city like New York. This couple wanted to craft a serene oasis for their little baby boy away from the hustle and bustle of NYC and a spot that felt boyish without being babyish. With pastel hues and fresh modern touches (like that decal wall!) this nursery was born. Sneak a peek at even more captured by Meg Miller.

As soon as my husband and I found out we were pregnant, I couldn’t wait to design to the perfect, dreamy nursery for our little babe. Then, when we found out we were having a boy, I was admittedly shocked (but so excited!). Me – someone with a sister, and a niece, a husband with two sisters, and mostly all girl friends – having a boy! I knew nothing about boys, and certainly nothing about decorating a room for a boy.

But, I was up for the challenge (and was in full nesting mode), so I immediately turned to Pinterest and Instagram and Google Images, and the idea for our nursery fit for a little prince was born. The goal was to create a peaceful, serene nursery amidst the hustle and bustle of NYC. I wanted a space that was appropriate for a baby boy, but wasn’t too babyish. Something adorable but elegant, modern yet cozy.

 I chose a palette of greys, blues and whites, and decided to infuse touches of animal inspiration throughout. The first thing I decided I wanted in the nursery was an accent wall that was fun and different, but again – modern and cool. I chose triangle wall decals from Urban Walls in grey and blue.

Putting up the decals in perfect straight lines on a 16 foot wall was no small feat (at 7 months pregnant, I merely “creative directed” while my husband was the true executor), but I am thrilled with how they turned out.

It was a true labor of love. With the idea for the focal point of the room complete, it was time to outfit the space with furniture and accent touches. Here’s what I chose:

Animal prints: The Animal Print Shop | Glider: Little Castle | Crib: Babyletto | Rug: CB2 | Side table/stool: Pottery Barn Kids | Crib sheets: Pottery Barn Kids | Dresser: DaVinci |Diaper Changer: KeekarooJellycat stuffed animals | Star pillow: The Land of Nod | Elephant Hamper: Home Decorators

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Photography: Meg Miller Photography | Interior Design/Decoration: Annie Nathan (self)

Saturday Morning Movie: A Classic Texas Love Story at The Plaza Hotel NYC

A classic beauty, an iconic venue, and timeless words welcome us with open arms in this stunning Rob Adams Films clip. Set at The Plaza Hotel in NYC, this elegant and grand wedding is straight out of a movie – from the gorgeous views to the fairy tale romance. Sit back and enjoy this happily ever after!

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From Rob Adams FilmsMarried at The Plaza Hotel, one of New York’s finest luxury wedding establishments, Leah and Blake’s young love was celebrated in New York City! This couple swept us off their feet with their lavish wedding decor, a stunning venue, and a timeless Texan twist! A case of love at first sight, this couple is one of our favorites! As he sat alongside Leah listening to speeches by loved ones, and held her hands in his, Blake was full of gratitude and joy. “Endowed with her mother’s beauty and cheerful personality, she was bound to attract a potential husband in short order” says Leah’s father in his speech. “You radiant an inner and outer beauty without a trace of vanity,” her father says. Her hair worn long, and styled in delicate waves, Leah was a gorgeous bride.

On a beautiful spring day, complete with a grande room full of guests, Leah and Blake were joined into holy matrimony together in a short non-denominational Christian wedding ceremony. Leah was absolutely stunning in her haute couture wedding dress by world renowned luxury dress maker, Galia Lahav, and Blake went with a classic Hugo Boss tux. Once married, their guest tossed rice into the air in celebration of their new life together! The couple headed into Central Park for a post-ceremony photography session where they had fun taking portraits and turning the heads of other sophisticated New Yorkers passing by them. Overlooking Manhattan’s Central Park South, Leah stole Blake’s heart at the wedding of a lifetime. Their love for one another, so sweet and youthful.

Upon their return to The Plaza, Leah and Blake joined their close friends and family for cocktail hour where they shared laughs, dancing, drinks, and delicacies all the while preparing for their choreographed first dance! Their first dance was delicate and romantic – ending with Blake dipping Leah on the dance floor for an exit kiss! A live trio and quartet played throughout their wedding reception; the music enveloped the Plaza’s grand ballroom with melody in celebration of their love. Gathered with their closest friends and family, and full of genuine and heart-felt emotions, we really enjoyed filming their special day. Here is a teaser, a short film, for you to experience the beauty of their day through our offerings of luxury cinematography. We appreciate that Leah and Blake chose us at Rob Adams Films to create their wedding film for them. We love meeting brides and grooms who are excited about and care deeply about having a gorgeous wedding film!

Photography: Hiram Trillo | Cinematography: Rob Adams Films | Event Planning: The Plaza Hotel | Floral Design: Floralia Decorators | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Cake: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes | Invitations: Ceci New York | Catering: The Plaza Hotel | Hair + Makeup: Once Upon A Bride | Lighting: Bentley Meeker | Entertainment: The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn | Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss | Wedding Venue: The Plaza Hotel | Day of Coordination: Baton NYC | Photography Session: The Plaza Hotel

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Not Your Average Ranch Wedding

In case you’re curious what my dream boho chic wedding would look like…this is it. I’m talking unique floral design moments, Ikat printed tables linens, and one dreamy chandelier effortlessly hanging from the trees. Of course, no day like this comes together without the help of wedding pros like Lovelyfest along with our girl Jen Rodriguez behind the camera. Happy Frid-YAY indeed.

From the bride, Ali… I do not have the words to accurately describe the feeling that I had on my wedding day. There were so many emotions throughout the day from nervousness, excitement, joy and obviously love. I was so nervous getting ready with my mom and bridesmaids, that I didn’t even know what to do, but when we arrived to the venue that afternoon I was truly speechless. We arrived to my dream wedding. I don’t even know how it happened because I knew I didn’t do a phenomenal job of expressing what my vision was, but it was like our designers/coordinators got inside of my head to design the most beautiful and personal space I have ever seen.

From the flowers, to the signage, the linens, and decor, I was speechless, it was actually the first time I cried all day! I would highly recommend hiring a designer/coordinator at least for the day of your wedding, not only are they pros in coordinating dreamy weddings, but they make your life so much easier and allow you to enjoy your day without a single worry (my mom also swears that because of their knowledge and expertise, they saved us money!).

My advice for new brides is to have fun! We had a BBQ the Thursday before for our wedding party to get to know each other, so by the wedding day they were already best buds and having a great time! My husband and I also took the time to write our own vows which I’d also recommend. Remember, the reason you are having your wedding is to promise forever to your husband/wife, so why not make them personal! This also gives your wedding guests the responsibility of holding you accountable on your vows/promises! Enjoy your wedding, I’m confident it will be your best day ever!

Photography: Jen Rodriguez Photography | Cinematography: Steelhead Cinema | Event Design: Lovelyfest | Floral Design: Precious and Blooming Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Cake: Christina Bonnett | Catering: Field To Table Events | Hair + Makeup: The Queens Bees | DJ: Kramer Events | Transportation : SLO Safe Ride | Wedding venue: La Cuesta Ranch | Beer Truck: Central Coast brewing | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Mini Donuts: Sugar Lips Mini's | Photobooth: Kramer Events | Rentals: All About Events

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This Stylish Bride Wore a Wedding Dress with Pockets!

If a custom wedding gown complete with pockets sounds like your coupe of champagne, then look no futher than this stylish celebration captured by The Edges Wedding Photography. Trendsetters take note, because this stunning celebration is how you do it. Complete with A DAY IN MAY DESIGN invitations, Jenny Yoo clad ‘maids, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental lined tables, and of course one strikingly beautiful Zephyr Tents, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

From The Bride… We chose our venue because it resonated with us both on an intimate and grand level at the same time. The stunning grounds and classical look of the main house gave the space an old-world feeling which we loved but despite its large size, our choice to have our wedding reception in a tent out on the grounds of the property really kept a sense of all of us being together. Even though our venue was in close proximity to San Francisco, it felt like a destination wedding with its majestic views and warm ambience.

We didn’t go into planning our wedding with a specific theme but we both wanted a formal ceremony with a more relaxed, and fun reception. I looked to several wedding websites including Style Me Pretty, Carats & Cake and Instagram but wanted to be sure our wedding felt like our own rather than a copy of something another couple had done. We also had a great time looking at the photos from previous weddings that our photographers had captured!

The most important bit of advice to give other brides is DO NOT go to more than one wedding dress boutique in a day. My mom and I made the mistake of trying to go to THREE in a single day and by the end every dress started to look the same. I had my dress made by a wonderful designer in San Francisco and I am so happy that I did. I was able to build my dress and spent more than just the one day in it!

Reading our vows was incredibly special for the both of us. We had each written our own separately and then read them to each other two nights before the wedding. Promising to be there for one another for the rest of our lives in the presence of our family and friends was incredibly moving and the most intimate moment of our ceremony. We also made the decision to have a “first look” before the ceremony which was a surprise and relief all at the same time! I had to get to the venue several hours before the ceremony and had not seen Will since the rehearsal dinner. While waiting to get ready I felt every emotion I think possible from excited, to nervous, to happy to scared. Once we both were ready, Will and I separately went out to the grounds of our venue. While he waited with his back to me I quietly walked up behind him. As soon as I saw him, I started to cry I was so excited and relieved to see him!

Photography: The Edges Wedding Photography | Cinematography: Justin Fone Productions | Floral Design: La Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Atelier des Modistes | Cake: Sweet on Cake | Bride's Shoes: Chanel | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Sherrie Long Makeup Hair & Effects | Band: Hip Service | Groom's Suit: Gene Hiller | Tent: Zephyr Tents | Ceremony & Reception: Private Estate | Invitation: A DAY IN MAY DESIGN | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Planning: Kristi Amoroso Special Events, LLC | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | String Musicians: Nob Hill String Ensembles

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A Wedding You’d Never Guess Was DIY-ed

We love a bride who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and do a little work on her big day. Enter Ashley, the bride who rallied her ‘maids and DIYed the floral design infused with greenery galore. Thankfully Michael and Carina Photography were there to capture every pretty detail and we’ve got it waiting for you in The Vault!

“My bridesmaids and I did all the florals,

I loved seeing their personalities in the bouquets

From the Bride… Matt and I met in college when my sorority lost a challenge to his fraternity. In return we had to cook them dinner. I’m not sure if Matt and I exchanged a single word that day, but afterwards he tried relentlessly to get me to agree to a date. After more than a year of insisting we were better off as friends, nonchalant hangouts (Matt believes otherwise), and a little hiccup—I fell for Matt, and we finally began dating. Four years later, Matt proposed at the site where our first house was going to be built. Every aspect was a total surprise and made for the most perfect proposal!

Our goal was to create a unique wedding that would reflect who we are and our favorite things in life. The style we envisioned was ethereal and romantic with classic touches. We wanted the colors to be soft and muted with lots of organic elements. We enjoy spending time outdoors and were inspired by nature. So we had an outdoor ceremony, dancing under the stars, and an abundance of flowers! I wanted flowers everywhere and arrangements that were organic, so my bridesmaids and I took on all of the floral arrangements! I loved seeing each of my dearest friends personalities in their bouquets and the arrangements.

To keep with the natural style, I used plant-dyed silk ribbon to tie up my dress and bouquet, and I hand painted wood signs as décor around our venue. Matt and I also love to read (I collect antique books) so a lot of our inspiration came from romances in literature. We chose quotes that spoke to us for our paper products and wood signs, and we had a close friend read a Shakespearean sonnet during our ceremony. Our friends and family were another inspiration. They are the people who have fostered our relationship, taught us important lessons, and acted as our role models, so we wanted to make sure they felt our gratitude. From providing sandalwood fans to keep them cool and thank you notes at the place settings, to the choice of food, music, lawn games, and favors, we wanted our guests to feel loved and to have a great time.

The next day we also invited our friends and family to join us at our favorite brunch destination, and sent them home with flowers! Something that made our wedding unique is how much we created ourselves. We love making things together—Matt the architect and I the crafter. Matt built the arbor that we got married beneath; I created all sorts of little details. I love calligraphy so I used our wedding as an excuse to dabble in a new art for creating the invitations, addressing the envelopes, and drawing a wedding monogram! Matt also refinished badminton racquets from my family’s antique store and built corn hole boards for me to paint.

As a teacher, I was insistent on having a summer wedding, but July weather in Virginia can be unforgiving. So in southern tradition, to ward off bad weather, we buried a bottle of bourbon exactly one month from our wedding day. We are so thankful that we did! Our perfect day was sandwiched between dreary days full of rain and storms. It also made for a fun memory when we got to dig it up and share it with our favorite people!

As fate would have it, our wedding day had quite a few mishaps despite all our planning. Matt, as usual, came to the rescue! Everything worked out beautifully and our day was an absolute dream. My advice is to have faith in the work that you’ve put into your day without expecting perfection. Just enjoy it all. Take a step back and soak in all the beautiful little moments—like your aunt dancing so full of joy or your dad swiping icing off the wedding cake during speeches.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Floral Design: DIY | Wedding Dress: Agatha Gown by Watters Woo | Wedding Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Shoes: Nina | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Williamsburg Caterers | Hair Stylist: Salon Vivace | DJ: Joe Bowman of Dynamite DJs | Suit: Vera Wang | Arbor + Design: DIY | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Paper Goods: DIY

See How a Party Stylist Translates Her Cool Girl Style into her Home (x2)

This party stylist’s home has California cool on lockdown. And if you saw her business partner’s abode earlier than you know this space is guaranteed to be fab. Designed by Natalie Myers Of Veneer Designs, it’s filled with gorgeous pattern and some of the most glorious rugs we’ve ever spied. In a nutshell, it’s a bohemian textile haven. See the full tour captured by Amy Bartlam right here!

The home started out as your typical over the top outdated travertine, granite, and beige construction. The task of turning it into something that felt as young and edgy as Lisa and her family seemed daunting, but we broke it down room by room and before we new it we had something very special happening.

We couldn’t feasibly change the flooring and her husband was suspicious of a major remodeling after the major home purchase so we had to be mindful of what we changed and how to hide the things we couldn’t.

The transformative magic of paint is very clear here for brightening and lightening up the overall feel of the space with specific lighting and streamlined furniture to give the home a chic look. My signature mix of modern furniture pieces with ethnic textiles and organic textures came together to create this California cool home.

The living room is pretty rock and roll with a large grey wall hanging, sling arm chairs layered with sheepskin throws, brassy coffee table and marble side table from West Elm, and a fabulous white linen sofa from Clad Home. The dark vintage turkish rugs ground the arrangement and give the sofa and tables a chance to dramatically pop.

In the kitchen we painted the cabinets Benjamin Moore Valley Forge Tan, along with a new countertop and backsplash, and designers’ favorite Lewis Dolin bar pulls in polished brass.

Lisa had always dreamed of a banquette and I knew the Serena and Lily bench was a beautiful way to tie the tones of her kitchen to the casual chic vibe of the house. With white and oak Prouve type dining chairs and a Saarinen oval table, we were set.

 The adjacent den has a super large sectional and Lulu and Georgia poufs for extra comfortable family lounging over a ethnic inspired rug and an awesome gallery wall assembled by Marisa (House #1)

The dining room came together simply with an extra long 11′ dining table for the two families to gather weekly, the buffet from HD Buttercup, and two CB2 rugs layered to create one large area rug that covers the existing floor.

The leather schoolhouse chairs from Rejuvenation give it a rustic casual comfort and the brass chandelier provides a touch of glamour along with the Kelly Wearstler sconces.

 The game room was challenging to say the least. We didn’t really know what to do with that room since they didn’t need a home office or another bedroom or another den. I knew I wanted to paint every surface Benjamin Moore Soot and hang a brass sputnick light but beyond that it was a big question mark.

We tried it as a salon configuration, then more of a sports bar with a pub table and all, and finally settled on a game room with a built in bar. Its actually a big hit and all of their visitors love spending time in that room. The leather chairs are from Pottery barn, the game table from Wayfair, and the Sputnick from Lucent light shop.

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Photography: Amy Bartlam | Home of: LA Party Stylists | Interior Design: Natalie Myers Of Veneer Designs

This Love Filled Wedding Will Make Your Hearts Happy

This wedding is stunning… there’s no doubt about that. From the rich purple and pink color palette to the breathtaking Hayley Paige gown to the awe-inspiring locale (hello, Secret Silversands Riviera Cancun), each and every moment is beyond awesome.  But above all of the fab details and sweet sunshine is a tale of two sweeties who are sooo smitten, it bursts from every brilliant capture from Adrian Bonet.  Head to THE VAULT to share in the love.

From Adrian BonetChantel and James, a couple from New Orleans, decided to celebrate their wedding in Cancun, in the month of December. They prepared themselves at the Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun. The ceremony was held under a beautiful contemporary gazebo. Cocktails and dancing were held in a tented lounge of the same resort.

Photographer: Adrian Bonet | Rings: Béjé Wholesale Jewelers | 2nd Shooter: Ivonne Matias | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters and Watters | Bride’s Gown: Hayley Paige | Bride’s Jewelry: Cézanne | Bride’s Shoes: Antonio Melani | DJ & Sound: DJ Diagnosis (Dr. Thomas Oden) | Getting Ready, Ceremony & Reception Venue: Secrets Silversands, Riviera Maya | Groomsmen’s Attire: Ike Behar | Groom’s Attire: Luca Falcon | Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan | Invitations & Printed materials: Wedding Paper Divas | Mother of the Bride Attire: Adrianna Papell | Mother of the Groom Attire: Night Scene LA

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A Spring Minneapolis Wedding on Lake Calhoun

I just made the big move to Minneapolis and I’m starting to see just how gorgeous this city can be. Here to help prove my point? This springtime wedding set right on Lake Calhoun. Lasting Impressions Weddings along with Sadie’s Couture Floral & Event Styling embraced the couple vision of a traditional, elegant day and we couldn’t be more excited to dive right into the images by Jaimee Morse.

From the Bride and Groom… Mark & I are “almost” high school sweethearts from a suburb of Minneapolis. The timing wasn’t right as we chose colleges across country from each other. We both found ourselves back home in 4 years and quickly picked up right where we left off. We “officially” became a couple June 5th, 2011 at his sister’s wedding at Calhoun Beach Club. Fast forward 4 years…. And now we were getting married!

Mark proposed to me with an oval diamond engagement ring that was given to his Mom the day Mark was born to signify his April birthday. When we began to think about locations and venues for our day WE KNEW Calhoun Beach Club would be the one! It was meaningful to us to celebrate our marriage where we first began our relationship. We also fell in love with the lake view, gorgeous natural light and the traditional, elegant, & romantic feel of the beach club, and those would serve as our overarching theme for our day.

We got married in a small, vintage church on the lake a half a mile from our reception venue. There were just enough seats for our 200 closest family and friends! Meghan walked down the aisle to Elvis Presley’s, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and we exchanged my parents vows (36 years ago!) with our parents standing by our sides at the altar. We walked out of the church to flower petals and hopped on a bright green New Orleans style Trolley with our wedding party of 24 to cruise around the lakes before heading to the reception.

Our wedding day was a brisk, yet sunny, spring day so we opted to keep cocktails indoors in a mirrored room adjacent to our reception ballroom. We served Old Fashioned’s & a handful of dessert appetizers as we are passionate about our sweets at any hour! We wanted our reception to feel like a small dinner party, only with 200 of our favorite people.

We decided on a light & neutral color scheme for spring- ivory, champagne, blush.. And GOLD everything to warm up the space! Our 20 most meaningful #’s as a couple served as our table numbers so the guests could learn something about us as well. The most important thing to us was music and dancing! We chose a band and kicked off the night with east coast style dancing & continued to dance the night away.

Dessert is a passionate topic for us as a couple and we could only narrow it down to our top 3 favorite cake flavors so decided on serving all 3 assorted for our guests- our cake being Pink Champagne with Buttercream frosting as Mark had a cake made this flavor for our first anniversary as a couple.

Photography: Jaimee Morse | Event Planning: Lasting Impressions Weddings | Floral Design: Sadie's Couture Floral & Event Styling | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Invitations: The Paper Source | Stationary: A Milestone Paper Co. | Reception Venue: Calhoun Beach Club | Bride's shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Calhoun Beach Club | Makeup: Tina Beaupre | Hair: Primped | Band: Bluewater Kings Band | Wedding Venue: Lake Of The Isles Lutheran Church | Rentals: Apres Party And Tent Rental

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Beautiful Bouquets + Majestic Mountains Make This Elopement Pretty Perfect

There needs to be a national campaign all about the beauty of Alberta – and I nominate these pics by The Ganeys to be the leading images. With a scene set by JoyFoley Weddings and florals from Fleurish Flower Shop, it’s a pure romantic escape. The Pretty Haus made sure our Bride was beaming and you can see every beautiful bit in our Vault right here!

From Stacey of JoyFoley WeddingsRomance, beauty, passion. A mountain elopement so full of emotion, love and sweetness. When I was first contacted by Emily and Thomas, of Emily Katharine Photography, to create an editorial for them during their visit to Canada, I knew that it needed to include the beautiful rocky mountains, a wonderful couple in love and some of Calgary’s finest wedding vendors. When I envision the perfect mountain elopement I envision Rob and Sarah. The sweetest couple, so content in their love, so passionate for each other, and so wonderful to be in the presence of.

Sarah was dressed in the beautiful Zephyr gown by Elizabeth Dye from The Bridal Boutique in Calgary and Rob was suited up by the gentlemen at Ed Williams Menswear. I went for a classic, romantic feel that would allow the beautiful backdrop to add the simple drama that we wanted. Jaime Gage from Fleurish Flower Shop helped to bring my floral visions to life with a soft, elegant and romantic floral scheme. The bouquet, accented with beautiful ribbons from Frou Frou Chic, was the perfect combination of simple and dramatic. The floral boat garland, floral crown and cake flowers were the epitome of accent piece perfection. Jill Mayer of Art & Alexander brought her a-game to our custom calligraphy vows. Written in a soft grey ink, to perfectly pair with our The Mrs. Box ring box, Jill created vows that would make even the biggest romantic melt. The beauty team was created with two of Canmore’s greatest talents. The Pretty Haus and Lilies and Lace Beauty Co. Worked together to create Sarah’s soft and romantic look. A neutral color scheme allowed us to accent Sarah’s gorgeous eyes and her perfect pout. Sarah’s hair was upswept and created the perfect amount of drama around her face.

Our editorial took place around the gorgeous Lake Minnewanka in Banff, Alberta. One of my favourite locations for many years, the lake provided the perfect background for two gorgeous people in love!

Photography: The Ganeys | Event Planning + Design: JoyFoley Weddings | Floral Design: Fleurish Flower Shop | Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Dye | Cake: JoyFoley Weddings | Ring: Vintage | Makeup: The Pretty Haus | Hair: Lilies & Lace Beauty Co. | Calligraphy: Art + Alexander | Bridal Boutique: The Bridal Boutique | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Menswear: Ed Williams Menswear | Ribbons: Frou Frou Chic | Ring box: The Mrs Box | Vintage Table: Orange Trunk

Forget the Ballroom and Beach, Because This Florida Lakeside Wedding Inspo Is Where It’s at

Yeah, you read the title correctly. So for those of you Floridians who feel like you’re forced plan either a ballroom fete of a beachside affair, Kt Crabb Photography has cordially invited you to think again. Because today we’re headed lakeside to bring you one of the prettiest wedding inspirations that’s sure to inspire you. See it all in The Vault!

From Kt Crabb PhotographyIt’s often that I find couple overwhelmed with the process of finding a location that meets the needs of their guest list size, dream look for their wedding and has parent’s approval. When thinking about planning a Florida wedding, most fall quickly under the impress that if it’s not at the beach, then it must be in a ballroom. There is so much more to Florida than just it’s beaches! My hope and purpose behind this shoot was to showcase another side of Florida that often goes unnoticed for it’s elegance and beauty.

My family has roots in Florida that span many generations. With this background, I grew up living in the water most days wether in a lake, pool or the beach. My family would head off to my grandparent’s lake house for holiday gatherings and spend the grilling, chatting and skiing. This place floods me with sweet memories every time I step foot on it’s property. It makes me slow down and really take in the beauty around me. This is the feel I wanted to create with this shoot. I wanted couples planning their wedding day to be able to dream of a place familiar, warm and inviting that would leave them relaxed on their most memorable day!

This dream came to life with the help of an incredible team. We worked to nestle the reception table under the canopy of towering pine trees. It created an intimate environment that made you want to stay and chat for hours. We even took our couple for a little joy ride on a canoe as the sun began to kiss the water as it said goodnight. It was then that the romance came alive with candle lit cuddles and slow dances. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to show off another side of Florida’s unique beauty.

Photography: Kt Crabb Photography | Floral Design: Flowers By Lesley | Dress: Saint Isabel Bridal | Cake: Anna Cakes | Invitations: Riannon Boven | Hair + Makeup: LUMA Bridal | Venue: Private Residence | Rentals: RW Events | Rentals: Dishie Rentals

New Orleans Meets Arizona In This Bright Al Fresco Affair

Cacti can be ultra romantic and these pics by Rachel Solomon are all the proof you need. This outdoor celebration combined the flair of New Orleans with the textures and colors of the Southwest – and it all worked out perfectly, thanks to Louise Thomas of Events Made Special. Black Sheep Filmworks captured the action live and their film and all the pics are in our Vault right this way!

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From the Bride… Steven and I started dating almost five years to the day before our wedding. He was a pre-med student with big travel and career aspirations, who saw himself getting married at age 32. I was a romantic dreamer who saw myself married young like my parents and their parents before them. Despite our different plans and personalities – or rather because of them – we began to create a beautiful, vibrant, and joyful life together. Within a month, we were in love, and we never looked back. It was this wonderful coming together of cultures and personalities that inspired our wedding day. We wanted to combine all of our favorite things in an unexpected, yet refreshing way. Growing up in Tucson, I have always marveled at the beauty of the desert. I love the way the fuchsia of bougainvillea, the crisp white of saguaro blooms, and the soft green of prickly pear cacti come together to reveal a delicate beauty. So for our wedding day, we chose to use these colors to create a happy, festive atmosphere that complemented the natural beauty of our surroundings. We also knew we wanted to incorporate some New Orleans flare – as the city is a part of Steven’s heritage and has been our home for the last three years. So we chose to name our tables after some of our favorite streets in the French Quarter, and asked the JJ’s to lead us and our guests from dinner to the ballroom in a classic New Orleans “second line.” As the night progressed we chose to exaggerate the exotic nature of the desert with dramatic gold linens, Moroccan lanterns, and a hookah lounge. Finally, staying true to our New Orleans vibe we served late night snacks to keep the party going until the early morning. We owe endless thanks to our friends and families, especially our parents. We also want to thank Louise Thomas for catching our vision, without whom our wedding day would not have been half as beautiful. We feel so blessed to have experienced such a perfect day.

From Events Made SpecialThe vibe for the magnificent wedding of Kylli and Steven beautifully played off the elegance of the Ritz-Carlton with a very romantic-fairytale feel. In it’s sophistication, guests witnessed elegant details with touches of the Southwest or maybe even Santorini, with a Moorish or Mediterranean feel. Beautiful reds, pinks, bougainvillea, and eucalyptus were threaded throughout the event which was staged in 4 parts. The ceremony boldly presented a flourish of pinks and fuchsia, embellishing the natural wood framework behind the bride and groom. The wooden structure also framed the pair of saguaro cactus that grow on the mountainside behind this romantic grassy site. The aisle was accented with rose petals of pink and fuchsia along with huge stone pots filled with a lavish amount of florals and greenery. During the transition from the ceremony to cocktail hour, Latin Fusion entertainment filled the air as guests were offered prickly pear margaritas along with a top shelf selection of cocktails and Ritz-Carlton appetizers. A vintage wooden table layered in ivory lace held elevations of cobalt blue Mexican shot glasses filled with mini-succulents tagged with handmade escort cards. As the night progressed the dinner reception moved towards Southern Spain with an almost Mediterranean/Moorish vibe with a look that subtly exaggerated the exotic desert feel. The long wooden runs of vineyard tables held an assortment of tablescapes that included black iron candelabras, gold baroque candlesticks, mercury glass, cobalt blue chargers, and colored glassware. Kylli wanted the reception to feel like a royal banquet out of a storybook. Indeed it did…with bistro lights overhead and a full moon in the distance. Timeless, textured, celebratory and enchanting. Fireworks were the surprise factor that evolved as the groom was toasting his appreciation to the family.


Photography: Rachel Solomon Photography | Videography: Black Sheep Filmworks | Event Design: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Floral Design: Avant Garde Studio | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: Studio BDR | Reception Venue: Vera Wang Papers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Margarita GoDiva | Calligraphy: Jillian Vandall | DJ: Satyr Entertainment | Band: The JJ's Band | Ceremony + Dinner Music: Tesoro | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Specialty Rentals (linens, accessories, decor): Hale Koa phineas Estate

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See How a Party Stylist Translates Her Cool Girl Style into her L.A. Home

They say that birds of a feather flock together and this home tour is proving that point. Event stylists behind LA Party Stylists and besties decided to give both their Los Angeles homes a revamp with the help of Natalie Myers of Veneer Designs and the results are pure perfection. First up we have Marisa who had a vision of modern bohemian while maintaining the classic bones of her home. See how that gorgeous, eclectic mix plays out with even more shot by Amy Bartlam in the VAULT.

Marisa had a clear vision and a tight budget to achieve the modern bohemian look she adored and make it mesh with the traditional bones of the home. 

We reused much of her existing furniture from her previous home but added a few dramatic new changes to make the home feel new, fresh, and quite different than its previous beige and ornate version.

low danish style lounge chair balances the more formal sofa and the stacks of art books and Marisa’s amazing art collection make the living room feel like a Parisian salon. Ethnic textiles throughout the home give it a layered thoughtful feel.

The dining room boast an oversized round brass mirror, a console from West Elm that was raised to buffet height with taller hairpin legs, and a West Elm dining table and chairs.

The shibori Milton & King wallpaper steals the show. Serena and Lily navy blue color block window panels tie into the kitchen cabinets’ navy blue and the relaxed sophistication of the white linen slipcover on the existing sofa.

The kitchen cabinets were painted the same Hale Navy color and adorned with brass knobs and handles from Schoolhouse Electric.

We dressed up the breakfast dining nook with new natural colored wishbone chairs, custom pads made of Kantha quilts for the tulip base chairs, and a rad Park Studio LA chandelier.

Changes to the stairs included ripping the carpets off, painting them and the railings Hale Navy, and installing a kilim runner.

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6 'Rules' You Should Be Breaking in Your Home
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6 'Rules' You Should Be Breaking in Your Home
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Photography: Amy Bartlam | Home of: LA Party Stylists | Interior Design: Natalie Myers Of Veneer Designs

A Tented Ceremony That Brought the Outdoors IN

In the bride’s words, “My mom has instilled in me a love for nature and gardening, so naturally, I embraced a romantic garden vibe.” That point of inspiration turned into a tented wedding ceremony that brought the outdoors in with branches, greenery, and lush florals throughout. Believe us, your Friday is about to get so much prettier thanks to images from the lens of Michelle Lange.

From the Bride… After the excitement of the engagement settled, I turned to Pinterest and other online blogs to gain inspiration. I soon found that I was getting both overwhelmed and lost in a world of wedding expectations that were excessive and simply unrealistic. Once I realized that I wanted to base the theme around inspirations from my loved ones, my vision came to life. My mom has instilled in me a love for nature and gardening, so naturally, I embraced a romantic garden vibe.

The florals were a beautiful mix of ivory and blush shades with hints of loose flowing greenery throughout. Anthology Studio created gorgeous arrangements that climbed up intricate pieces of driftwood. The stationary mimicked these florals, many of which my mom and I designed together. My dad and I created the slate table numbers one afternoon using slate from their yard. We continued this garden theme with the unique place card display my mom created using vintage drawers from my grandmother’s sewing machine that she filled with an ivory flower bed for the cards.

Both my mom and Josh’s mom are cancer survivors, so we decided to make a generous donation to the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer chapter in lieu of traditional favors. During our ceremony, we incorporated a special Polish tradition in honor of my grandfather and his heritage. I’ll always remember the smile on his face as he passed us the heirloom cup of wine and dish of Polish bread.

I wore an ivory high-neck lace dress, one that my mom and grandmother instantly agreed fit the romantic feel. I allowed each of my bridesmaids pick a blush dress of their choice from BHLDN, and they looked absolutely stunning. Josh and his groomsmen all love and work in athletics, so Josh bought them matching Nikes to pair with their gray suits. We each wanted our closest friends to be psyched about what they were wearing, and the consensus was that we delivered!

My favorite moment was a brief one that only Josh and I shared, but it was one that I’ll treasure forever. We asked the band to play “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons for our first dance. Though untraditional, the song has been a sort of anthem to the long distance portion of our relationship. Josh told me in the middle of our dance that he listened to the song during his morning commute, thankful everyday that I was willing to “wait” for him. The fact that you caught this touching moment on camera was wonderful!

Now that the thank you notes are sent and the gifts are put away, I can look back and realize I’m proud that each design element paid some sort of special tribute to a loved one of ours. I truly didn’t see everything come together until I saw it all documented in the collection of gorgeous photographs you captured. I recently scanned through my old wedding Pinterest boards, and I’m thankful we went in a unique direction to create a romantic vision of our own that honored the ones who mean the most.


Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Event Design: Anthology Design Studio | Floral Design: Anthology Design Studio | Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup : Strut | Hair Stylist: Robyn Colores | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Wedding Venue: Saratoga National Golf Club | Bridal Shop: Ferri Formals and Bridals | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Groom's Shoes : Nike | Wedding Officiant : Victoria O. Mine

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5 Stylish Outfit Ideas to Steal for Casual Friday

As a work-from-home gal, I have to admit, every day is casual Friday for me. In fact, I like to practice ‘fancy Fridays’ to spice it up a bit. Totally not trying to rub it in office-bound peeps, sorry. But, I think in today’s world, the typical office job doesn’t necessarily mean suit pant/blouse anymore. So, maybe you can pull off some of these looks outside of Friday, too. Either way, these five outfit ideas are a surefire way to stay comfy and look like a million bucks doing it.

Stylish Outfits to Wear on Casual Friday
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Stylish Outfits to Wear on Casual Friday
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More Fashion & Beauty Inspiration right this way!

This Wedding is the Definition of “Timeless”

If you’re looking to design a wedding that stands the test of time, take cues from this couple who held their big day at San Francisco’s City Hall. Reminiscent of some of their favorite architecture in Paris, they played off the venue’s dramatic backdrop pulling in shades of gold, ivory and dusty gray blues. Of course, the day wouldn’t have come together without a crew of talent, and Charmed Events Group, Amy Burke Designs, Got Light and La Tavola were a few who made it happen. Caroline Tran photographed and the images are a dream day realized.

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Warren and Debra both knew they wanted a wedding that was classic and timeless, yet modern with hints of Old World European elegance. One of their favorite places in the world is Paris and they chose San Francisco City Hall as their venue for its reminiscent characteristics of the Palais de l’Institut de France right in front of the Pont des Arts where they added their love lock to the once extant bridge of padlocks. The breathtaking San Francisco landmark was also the perfect backdrop for them with its high ceilings, intricate details and touches of gold. They wanted to play off of what already existed at the venue and pulled soft colors of ivory, gold and dusty gray blues from the venue to compliment what already existed. Touches of Old World European and personal sentiments were sprinkled throughout the details of our wedding. The romantic, ethereal feel of the day was brought out by the custom calligraphy from Written Word Calligraphy and gorgeous, lush arrangements of garden roses, peonies, and Debra’s favorite flower, anemones, by Amy Burke Designs.

Candles and gold trays adorned the reception to add to the dreamy mood of the elegant rotunda. A mirrored sign read, “Hold my hand and we will reach the moon”, which was what Warren had written to Debra in a birthday card when they first started dating. What was most special was the memorial table, which honored Debra’s late father. It was lit with candles in his loving memory and displayed her favorite photos of them together. Their most unforgettable moments from the wedding included their first look, exchanging personal vows in front of loved ones, the heartfelt yet hilarious toasts and the relishing feeling of finally being husband and wife during their first dance. It was simply a magical day to remember.

Her wedding dress was made by none other than Vera Wang. When searching for the perfect dress, Debra found it a little hard translating her personal style into bridal. As soon as she saw Petra in her Fall-Winter 2015 Campaign, she knew she had to try her on. The Petra embodied everything Debra wanted; it was edgy yet clean and modern with touches of subtle romanticism in the peony lace skirt. The entire dress had an insouciant feel to it. To complete the look, she paired her dress with a pair of gorgeous python pumps by Tom Ford. Debra said, “Our perfectly special day would not have been possible without our team of amazing vendors. We are so grateful for this passionate and talented group of people who exceeded our expectations and then some! BethAnn from Studio Cake created the most delicious guava and coconut cake, our guests could not stop raving about it!

To capture the beauty and intimacy of every moment, we chose the amazing Caroline Tran for her soft and airy aesthetic. She has an incredible eye and a true gift of making people feel so comfortable around her in front of the camera! And last, but certainly not least, our wedding day was absolutely faultless thanks to wedding designer and planner turned friend, Frances Liu from Charmed Events Group. It was such a privilege to work with her. Her attention to detail and chic flair helped bring our dream wedding to life.”

Photography: Caroline Tran Photography | Cinematography: The Film Squad | Event Design: Charmed Events Group, LLC | Floral Design: Amy Burke Designs | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Studio Cake | Bride's Shoes: Tom Ford | Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Calligraphy: Written Word Calligraphy | DJ: DJ Kenfused | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: San Francisco City Hall | Bartender: The Bartender Company | Lighting + Draping: Got Light | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Rentals: Frances Lane | Rentals: Standard Party Rentals | Ribbon + Silk: Silk and Willow | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | string trio: Corelli Strings

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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10 Must-Haves for Your Nautical Wedding

Hang around these parts long enough and you’ll quickly realize one thing: we love, love, love a nautical wedding. So today we’re breaking down a fab list of 10 Must-Haves for YOUR maritime-inspired soiree, all with the help of our friends at The Duchess.  It’s a step by step guide to that seaside affair you’ve always wanted, complete with a seriously awesome locale.  Scroll below for a look.

THE LOCALE TO END ALL LOCALES

You can’t have an awesome nautical wedding without an equally as awesome locale and when it comes to take-your-breath-away venues perfect for saying “I do” seaside-style, The Duchess is IT. Think an ultra-elegant setting with hardwood dance floors, full-service bars and stunning contemporary decor. Not to mention climate-controlled interiors and fab outdoor furniture for lounging under the stars. This is celebrating in style… and then some.

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PRETTY PAPER GOODS

You’ll most definitely want every.single.one of your our nearest and dearest on hand to celebrate your BIG moment, so be sure to invite them to the Party of the Century with some pretty paper goods that scream Nautical Chic.  I’m talking a gorgeous suite that is most definitely seaside inspired, so your guests know they’ll need to grab those boat shoes and get ready to dance the night away, bubbly included.

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A FUN-FILLED REHEARSAL DINNER

Rehearsal dinners are ALWAYS a good time, but a rehearsal dinner pre-nautical wedding? Sooo awesome. Think a lobster or clam bake with the cutest details, all held seaside at a crazy cool venue like the Fish Bar, Pier 81’s IT seafood lounge and rooftop.  Starting your events off right has never been more fun… or convenient.

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CREATIVE PLACE CARDS

You can’t have a nautical wedding without some sweet rope detailing, so throwing some nods to your boating skills on your place cards is, well… totally awesome.  Not to mention that it’s a fab way to add a little touch of your theme to the proceedings without being too over the top. We honestly adore that.

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TOTALLY AWESOME ROPE VASES

And speaking of fabulous ways to add some knot-inspired details to your Big Day… DIYing some special touches, like these amazing rope vases, is a definite MUST.  You’ll be adding a touch of personalization your guests will absolutely adore, plus you can sit back and admire your hard work the day of. It’s what we call a win-win, loves.

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STUNNING SEERSUCKER

You know we love a stylish groom and it doesn’t get much better than a handsome Mister rockin’ some seersucker.  Whether it’s simply a suit jacket or you prefer an all-out ensemble, adding this gorgeous fabric to your Big Day lineup is a definite MUST… and throwing in that dapper bow tie doesn’t hurt, either.

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A CRAZY COOL COMPASS

You can’t have an awesome nautical wedding without a little ode to compasses. That’s basically a fact. So why not add those sweet Save the Dates to your lineup?  They’re totally unique + seriously stunning AND set the mood the minute your guests receive them. We’re obsessed.

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THE PERFECT GIFT FOR GUESTS

Start your guests off with the coolest compass ever and send them away at the end of the night with a little pack of helpful items for the day AFTER.  Think everything from ibuprofen to a pack of tissues to those much needed breath mints. Trust us, this is a detail your nearest and dearest will LOVE.

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ANCHORS AWAY

Saying “I do” in a nautical wedding just wouldn’t be right without a little anchor love.  Add this must-have detailing with sweet DIY pillows, table linens or even place cards or table numbers.  Just don’t throw your Big Day bash without one.

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YOUR ONE TRUE LOVE

Sure, you need all of the amazing details to pull off a nautical wedding, but the one thing you can’t do without? Your one true love.  Because when all is said and done, you’ll be happily sitting on one of The Duchess’ fabulous decks, staring at the breathtaking skyline that is the world’s greatest city (NYC, of course) and sipping champagne while your guests party the night away in high style. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

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Contact The Duchess TODAY to begin planning your nautical wedding.  Your dream day is waiting, loves.

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Photography (Top to Bottom):  The Duchess (Image 1) + KT Merry (Image 2) + Kirsten Julia (Image 3) + Arielle Doneson (Image 4) + Style Me Pretty Living (Image 5) + T&C Photographie (Image 6) + KT Merry (Image 7) + Love & Light Photographs (Image 8) + Ruth Eileen Photography (Image 9) + I Do Weddings (Image 10)

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