Wedding videography has evolved immensely over the years and these days, there are so many different styles, it can be a bit unnerving to find that perfect fit for you. Which one will capture your celebration the best? What are all the factors to consider? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost?! Stop right there because we got the gurus of Happy Together Films to share their insight so you can be prepared and ready for your time in the limelight!

FACE TO FACE

Be sure you know exactly who will be at your wedding! Ask the videographers to identify which professional will be shooting on that day during your meetings. Knowing the specific person who will be with you all day is very important – imagine if it’s someone you don’t get along with? They will be with you all day so a comfortable relationship is essential when starting the videographer search!

BIG OR SMALL

You should consider what your priorities are for your for your wedding day and apply that to your videography plans. If you really want your day to be intimate and simple, a team with one or two videographers is perfect. Usually these teams are quiet and try to mix in with guests. But if showing aerial shots, having a same day edit, etc, is important for you, a bigger team is the way to go. Sometimes teams like these can be big but you will be able to get those epic aerial shots that you desire.

PACKAGES AND BUDGETS

Don’t be shy! Ask all the questions you can think of BEFORE hiring the team you want to film your wedding. What do the packages include? When is the final results delivered, what sort of timeline? Are preview clips included? How are they delivered, and more!

ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Some videographers offer couples the option of having engagement sessions just like photographers do. Talk to them and see if that is possible and ask them how they approach it. Most couples feel much more comfortable on their wedding day, if they had already been filmed before.

AUDIO

Audio gives film another dimension. If you want your speeches to be recorded, make sure that is known and understand how it works – you may need to wear a small mic. If you have a friend singing a song or reading a poem, remember to talk about that with your wedding videographer prior to the wedding day. For recording good audio, preparation is key. The more information your wedding videographer has, the better.

SONGS

Songs aren’t just important to discuss for setting the mood and aesthetic of your wedding film, but also for copyright issues. Something additional to consider – if you choose the songs for your film, you’ll miss out on a fun, little surprise! If you love your team’s portfolio and trust them in choosing the best songs for you, the song surprise can be totally worth it!

GADGETS

We love wedding films with those wonderful epic shots. To capture many of these, you’ll need cinema gadgets like drones, sliders or cranes. Don’t forget that some of these can be noisy and quite large. Sometimes that can disturb the environment, the gorgeous natural views of your venue and also disturb some moments and guests. If your aim is to have an intimate wedding, less gadgets may be a better choice.

CONTRACT

Be sure your contract has every single aspect clarified and in print. If you have specific moments happening on your wedding and you want them to be recorded, make sure to include them in the contract!

CHANGES

Inquire if it’s possible to make any changes after your wedding film is delivered. Since video can take a long time to be ready because of the editing and post-production, some videographers don’t allow any changes. Others allow a specific number of changes and others charge for each change on the final film. Ask the team how they approach this topic.

ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Framebridge
Nambe
Animoto
ModCloth’s Memorial Day Sale
HoneyBook

We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Weddings by Susan Dunne

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and giveaway from The Duchess!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events

Cinematography Advice: Happy Together Films

This upcoming weekend is our gateway to summer; it’s not until right now that we can actually let out that sigh of relief and really believe that the sun is here to stay. And oh you better believe we will do just that! Picture this: long weekend, pouring chilled bottles of rosé and popping open our iPads to dive into all the beauty below and more. Because our LBBers have been on a roll and we just can’t get enough!

Must-See LBB Moments

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Must-See LBB Moments

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Start planning your wedding with the Little Black Book!

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Featured Members: Photography: Andrew Mark Photography | Floral Design: Ooh La La Designs | Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Invitations: A Day in May | Calligraphy: Curlicue Designs | Photography: Alexandra Meseke Photography | Bridal Boutique: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Event Planning: Laurie Arons Special Events | Floral Design: Mindy Rice Floral Design | Reception Venue: Lodge at Torrey Pines | Photography: The Grovers | Dress: Love And Lace Bridal Salon | Beauty: Kacee Geoffroy

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Laurie Arons Special Events

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You know we go a little weak at the knees for a beautiful wedding dress, so when Carmen Santorelli shared photos of this bride rocking an open back Watters Wtoo gown, we dropped everything and simply drooled. It’s the kind of gown that perfectly sets the tone for an elegant, outdoor affair, and once you take a look through the gallery, don’t miss the clip from Tim Kang Films.

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From The Bride…Eric and I attended the same church, but it was at our church softball practice that we first met, in March 2013. It was the first season our church would have a women’s team, and, ironically, my oldest and over protective brother had encouraged me to join. Lucky for Eric, he was asked (he calls it “forced”) to coach the girls team, and I joined the team by the 3rd or 4th practice. By then, Eric had gotten a black eye from pitching for the girls… but something about his black eye and his deep monotone voice was mysteriously attractive. That’s where our love story emerged, and we have been best friends ever since.

The main inspiration for our wedding was a bohemian, laid back style. We immediately fell in love with Hummingbird Nest Ranch and its Villa ceremony + reception sites. Once we decided on the venue, the other details came together. I loved how peaceful and close to nature this outdoor venue was. Every section, every angle, and every detail was absolutely beautiful and unique.

The Spanish style villa and fuchsia colored flowers around the Hummingbird Nest Ranch inspired the burgundy colored bridesmaid dresses and bouquet florals. To go along with the boho-elegant look, I wore my hair in a low loose bun with a braid on each side tucked in. My bridesmaids wore their hair down in any style, and then had incorporated a braid to each bridesmaid’s hair as well.

When it came to choosing the dress, I wanted a slender and elegant, yet somewhat bohemian or non-traditional. It was actually one of my bridesmaids who encouraged me to try on the dress that I thought would not be flattering. But after trying it on, we all unanimously agreed it was THE dress.

We held a Korean traditional ceremony “Pae baek” during our cocktail hour. The main purpose is to bow in honoring the groom’s family and receive their words of advice/wisdom.

We did a sparkler send off during our reception. Though this required 3 friends to help make 200+ DIY sparklers with me 3 nights before the wedding, it was a pretty simple and sweet way to include all wedding guests…and of course an opportunity for great photos.

Aside from the incredible BEAUTY all around us that day, my favorite part was having all of our loved ones from all over the world with us that day. It was a celebration that happens once in a lifetime, and we feel so blessed.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography | Cinematography: Tim Kang Films | Event Planning + Design: Everly Events | Floral Design: Bloomwell & Co. | Wedding Dress: Watters (style: Cinzia) | Wedding Dress: Watters Wtoo | Cake: Sweet Lady Jane | Stationery: Davina Kim | Catering: Huntington Catering | Hair + Makeup: Yuri Sinata | DJ: Jason Cova | Venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch | Bridal Salon: Lili's Bridals | Film Processing: Goodman Film Lab | Photo Booth: Instabooth LA | Rentals: A 1 Party Rentals | Rentals: A Rental Connection

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

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It seems that Caroline + Justin were fated to meet. Because their story? Unreal. And their wedding day? Rife with sentiment. From the stunning venue, to the coincidental date, it seems that almost every single detail is filled with meaning. Thankfully the ever-so-talented Sylvie Gil Photography was on hand to capture every moment of elegance and we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Justin and I have quite a bit of history between our families, as our fathers met in college, were tennis doubles partners thereafter and have been close friends ever since. Despite this lengthy history and both of us living in San Francisco, Justin and I never crossed paths until four years ago. Our relationship was immediately strengthened and accelerated by the special bond of our families and in many ways, we both felt as though there was an element of fate and destiny.

Palo Alto always felt like home to us; I attended Stanford and Justin has fond memories of visiting his grandmother when she lived there. As we considered wedding venues, the Menlo Circus Club struck us as an obvious choice for many reasons: it’s where my parents met, where my mom and Justin’s dad won a mixed doubles tournament and it was a place where we loved to spend time early on in our relationship. We chose September 19th as our wedding date, which coincided with my parent’s 35th wedding anniversary.

When dreaming of our perfect wedding, we quickly decided on our priorities: having all of our closest family and friends, an amazing band, plenty of food and overflowing drinks. Beyond these obvious choices, we were somewhat lost in terms of aesthetic and décor. We are incredibly grateful for Isabella Sikaffy and Claire Gilhuly of Florabella who did a brilliant job guiding us through the planning process (and also had amazing patience in dealing with our constant fluctuations in decisions). We cannot imagine a more professional, organized, thoughtful and present team than Isabella and Claire. They walked us through the year of planning with the perfect amount of structure and direction, while still welcoming us to explore and experiment. Even during a near panic attack after learning the club underwent renovations which affected our ceremony layout, they remained calm and gently directed us towards other options that we ultimately loved even more. As our wedding was winding down, I told Isabella and Claire (through a stream of tears) that I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing them anymore and I’m so thankful we’ve been able to keep in touch. Sylvie Gil was another obvious choice. We instantly fell in love with her energy, passion and impeccable work during our first few meetings. When looking at our photos, one can feel the love radiating from the images and instantly understand the story behind them. Sylvie and her team were fun to work with and we appreciated how well she got to know us and our families through the process. These photos have quickly become our most valuable possession and we can’t wait to forever relive our wedding through them.

What we love most about our wedding is that it represented more than just the union of us two– it was about our families coming together and becoming one. Our team did an incredible job of capturing the magical celebration of our day. Everything from the gorgeous details, seamless flow and delicious food and wine was perfect. However, it’s the precious moments like sharing a quiet moment alone on the polo field as husband and wife during the sunset, playing flip cup at the Dutch Goose with our best friends and diving into the hotel pool in our wedding attire at the end of the night that we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Cake Coquette | Catering: Menlo Circus Club | Makeup: Kathy Thorpe | Hair: John Mok | Lighting: Everything Audio Visual | Transportation: Bauer's Transportation | Venue: Menlo Circus Club | Ceremony Music + Band: Elan Artists | Event Planning + Floral Design: Florabella | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Blueprint Studios

Hello fellow Brides-to-be! In my numerous months of wedding planning leading up to our Big Day, one of the items on my checklist I’ve had the most fun with is picking out a reception dress. I should also mention that we’re having an outdoor ceremony in Texas which means it will be very hot, so slipping into something breezier will provide quite a relief to me towards the end of the night!

I love the combination of nude and ivory, so this plunging neckline lace dress was a no brainer to add to this list! Not to mention the lace overlay against the nude slip is a beautiful combination worthy of a double-take (…which I assure you’ll receive plenty in this dress!). This particular dress comes in a few other combinations, so if you’re looking for white on white for your big day, that’s available, too.

This high neck lace number is pure magic! The combination of it being a form fitting dress with a high neckline and modest hem make the dress sexy yet classy – it’s a timeless pick and absolutely beautiful in photos. Though there are a ton of little white lace dresses to choose from, this one shines above the rest with the numerous details (did you catch the high-low lace back?) and overall knockout fit. Trust me, you’ll feel absolutely amazing in this dress – and it won’t break the bank!

For the fashion forward bride, I am in LOVE with the idea of wearing a gorgeous jumpsuit in place of a reception dress. Depending on how formal your wedding is, it would even be fun to wear a fabulous white or ivory silk romper and show some leg – definitely a good idea for a summer wedding! Keep you wedding shoes and jewelry as is, and swap your gown for something that allows you to command the dance floor (…can you tell we’ll be a dancing pair at our wedding? Ha!). A jumpsuit is classy, chic and elegant – and this one by Trina Turk gives off that old Hollywood glamour vibe that I adore so much.

If you’ve always envisioned yourself running to the car in your wedding gown, then by all means make that your wedding day reality! That’s the beauty of a wedding – you can make your vision come to life, whether than involves a quick outfit change or not. Given the amount of times we’ll wear white throughout the wedding planning process (think showers, rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid luncheons), you can do no wrong investing in a timeless little white dress!

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Shop a few of my favorite reception dresses and jumpsuits below!

Reception Dress Picks

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Reception Dress Picks

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Follow Olivia’s Journey:

Meet the Bride | Bridesmaids’ Gifts | Mistletoe Moment | Save the Date | Toned Arm Workout | Bridal Accessories

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Photography: Kathryn Frazer Photography | Wedding Venue: The Contemporary Austin | Blogger Bride:Olivia Watson | High Neck Lace Dress: ASTR | Jumpsuit: Trina Turk | Nude + Ivory Lace Dress: Dress The Population

Hallways. Oh, hallways. Everybody has them but few know the nuances to pulling off a a cool, well styled space. It doesn’t have to be all barren white walls and long empty corridors and these 20 homes will show you the tricks to a well designed corridor. Who knows, it might just become your new favorite hangout. Say bye bye to blank, white-walled runways and hello to dreamy hallway space.

Hallway Design Solutions

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Hallway Design Solutions

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More Design Inspo for You to Check Out

Curate a Stunning Gallery Wall
Colorful Rug Runners
15 Wallpapers that Shine

There are a handful of things every good hostess should know how to do: set a table, open a bottle of bubbly, make a tasty appetizer and whip up a killer cocktail… just for starters (see Abby’s full list here!). But today, we’re focusing on the latter—how to be a master bartender, with must-know tips from cocktail caterers at the Whaling Club and captures by Rebecca Yale. Bottoms up!

CREATE A SIGNATURE MENU

Sticking to one or two featured cocktails will free you up to spend more time hosting and less time working behind the bar. Consider your attendees and create a menu that generally fits the palate of your guests and the vibe of your event. We tend to favor seasonal takes on classic drinks like basil gimlets and cherry daiquiris.

KNOW YOUR CLASSICS

No one will expect that you’ll know every cocktail penned before prohibition, but we recommend having some of the basics to make a handful of well known “classics” by request. You may have a guest or two who is looking for something spirits forward like a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned. If you can fulfill their request, you’ll make their night.

SOURCE LOCAL INGREDIENTS

All of our syrups, juices, and various other in-house ingredients are all made fresh just before event event. We source from local markets when possible for inspiration and to truly gauge what’s “in season.” We also have the benefit of being able to taste everything and the opportunity to chat with the farmers is priceless.

USE BLOCK ICE

Have your freezer stocked with some quality block ice. You can use this ice for everything from shaking to serving. Your drinks will not only look better, but will stay colder with less unwanted dilution. We hand cut our ice from 300lb clear ice blocks, but a few quality 2″ rubber molds should do the trick.

MEASURE EVERYTHING

We like to compare bartending to baking. Following a precise recipe, often times down to the quarter ounce, ensures balanced and consistent cocktails. The best way to guarantee accuracy is a jigger. While they come in countless different sizes and shapes, one graduated jigger will have just about every measurement you’ll need. You can score one at Cocktail Kingdom.

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See all of our cocktail recipes here!

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Cocktails: The Whaling Club

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Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

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After seeing Dru and Seeralan’s romantic-meets-rustic big day, I’m convinced every couple needs to follow in their footsteps and have a donut bar at their wedding. Why have just wedding cake when you can have wedding cake and donuts? But that’s not the only idea you should steal. This wedding is full of pretty inspiration — from the pastel color palette to the wild florals to the Bride’s lace wedding dress. Get inspired, courtesy of The Love Studio, in The Vault! [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/149914548 600 338]

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Photography: The Love Studio | Cinematography: The Love Studio | Event Planning: Arora Wedding and Event Planning | Ceremony Venue: Church of the Incarnation | Reception Venue: Oliver And Bonacini | Hair + Makeup: Toronto Bridal Style | DJ: Nspire Sound | Cake + Doughnuts: The Rolling Pin | Ceremony Musician: Stefan Wasowicz | Day-Of Stationery: Ferris Wheel Press | Event Design, Floral Design + Decor: Sara Baig Designs | Photo Booth: The Selfie Spot

After meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party and falling desperately in love, these two cuties decided to pay homage to BOTH their heritages and tie the knot in a stunningly beautiful farm setting. The result? A magical day crafted by some very talented vendors (think Laura Hooper, Beke Beau and Love N’ Fresh Flowers… just to name a few) that will leave your hearts happy. See it all captured brilliantly by Asya Photography in THE VAULT.

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From the Bride… We met at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner at the Four Season’s Bourbon Steak in D.C. The dinner consisted only of our friend Ashleigh, Viktor, myself, and another friend of the birthday girl. The evening was a blur and the connection was like fireworks. Ashleigh likes to say that it was like sitting in on the most perfect first date she could imagine. We were both casually seeing someone else at the time, but we could not shake that chemistry, and so in just one week, we sorted out our other situations and then went on our first date the following week after. Three months later we went on our first trip to the Luberon in the South of France where I met his family, et voila, the rest is history! We felt that Ashleigh was the most appropriate officiant for our wedding considering the story, so she married us.

Viktor grew up in Stockholm with much of his family running a farm near Hedemora, Sweden. He spent all of his holidays and countless family occasions at the farm and in the forrest land of this area. I grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania between a Christmas tree farm and a corn field, and have always held the charm of Bucks County farmland close to my heart. Considering Sweden would be a difficult destination for many of our friends and family, Viktor suggested that we find a farm in my hometown to honor our upbringings. The Inn at Barley Sheaf was a perfect location for us. Working in hotels, I have seen many beautiful weddings planned to include multiple locations and venues for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, after party, etc. We wanted to create an environment that made our guests feel welcome and comfortable, for an entire day of celebration, without having to travel anywhere. BSF has done a beautiful renovation on their barn space which served both as our ceremony space, and as our after party venue later in the evening. The Manor House hosted a lovely cocktail hour on the patio facing the gazebo, and there is plenty of space for our tent to have the reception. The fall foliage, horses, apple trees and space for croquet and lawn games was an added bonus. Not to mention, the entire wedding party (bridesmaids and groomsmen) were able to stay in the sixteen rooms on site, so it really made for an all inclusive sentiment – like a home away from home for the entire weekend.

Halloween is a very special holiday for us.  I host an annual charity event called Violence is Scary in Washington D.C. to support local domestic violence charities in the city because of my passion for the holiday and the cause. We bought a home on October 31, 2014, exactly one year before the wedding date. We wanted to incorporate the holiday without over doing it, so we had a roaring 20’s/Gatsby rehearsal dinner at the Michener Art Museum the night before, and then decorated the barn for the after party with Halloween themed inspirations and a fog machine (all DIY projects from the Paper Source). The photo-booth had all handmade Halloween themed props designed for the wedding by Manic Moose on Etsy. And the dessert table was a Trick-or-Treat theme, with a variety of delicious bite sized options made be Debbie Croll, my mom. The band learned Monster Mash as the encore song for the evening.

The rest of the wedding was very seasonally inspired with light apricot, marsala and sage at the heart of the theme throughout. There were touches of my favorite, rose gold, wherever metallic appeared. It was a black tie wedding because Viktor thought it would be a fun contrast to have a black tie dress code with a farm background. We had several DIY projects with tissue tassel garland and the bridesmaids carried oversized balloons with peach confetti. The table escort cards were secured to mini Chandon bottles with a sign reading “It’s not a VJ party without bottle service” as an inside joke/tribute to Viktor’s affinity to bottle service at night clubs and bars. We had cornhole boards made each displaying the skyline of Stockholm or Philadelphia, with the bean bags embroidered with our self made monogram AV symbol that appeared throughout the event.

Another contrast that was very important to us was to make sure that both the American and Swedish influences shined through. We had readings at the ceremony in both English and Swedish, the table numbers were displayed with hand cut wooden horses called Dala horses, that represent the region in Sweden where Viktor’s family is from. There were luminaries with the skyline of Stockholm, and we carved pumpkins to spell out the Josefsson for the evening to light the way for guests leaving after the event. There was a trick-or-treat cauldron with candy bags to take away Swedish fish imported from Malmo in Sweden for the guests. We rented a large marquee light of the LOVE statue from Philadelphia which is one of my favorite places in the city. We finished the evening late night with the Say Cheese food truck from Philadelphia because of my cheese obsession, featuring classic Philadelphia cheesesteaks and this was one of the biggest hits of the evening. The processional music for the wedding party was an instrumental piano version of Wake Me Up by Swedish DJ Avicii, I walked down the aisle to the Glasgow Love Theme from Love Actually, and the recessional music was a famous Swedish love song.

Viktor and I both discussed how there were several times throughout the evening where we just stopped and looked around to take in being surrounded by so many friends and family. Especially for Viktor, given that 40 family members travelled all the way from Sweden to attend the wedding. I will personally never forget my father/daughter dance when we waltzed to Sunrise Sunset, and then pretended to walk off at the end, but returned with a pompadour, elvis glasses and a huge foam bob wig to perform The Twist. Another hysterical moment was mid-ceremony when Viktor and I looked at each other, and then over at Ashleigh as she was reading. We both noticed a small spider dropping out of the floral archway directly in front of her forehead but she didn’t see it. We tried to keep our composure, but when we made eye contact again, we burst into laughter mid ceremony. Lastly, I learned part of my vows in Swedish to surprise Viktor, which certainly worked!

Photography: Asya Photography | Floral Design: Love 'n Fresh Flowers | Stationery: Haute Papier | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Kenneth J Lane | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Inn At Barley Sheaf Farm | Makeup: Beke Beau | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Band: The Heather Hayes Experience | Groom's Attire: Trunk Club | Transportation: Sterling Limosuine | Venue: Inn At Barley Sheaf Farm | Cake + Desserts: Bride's Mother Deborah Croll | Cufflinks: Hermes | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Rentals: Eventions Productions | Tuxedo Studs: Saks Fifth Avenue | Wedding Dress + Veil: Mira Zwillinger

It’s time to embark on a journey — a journey through Leah and Rob’s love with a little help from Elyse Hall Photography. The engagement session started in Boston at various locations throughout the city that played a part in their relationship. From there, they went to the Bride’s hometown in Rhode Island (where they’ll be married in the fall) where they posed for more gorgeous photos, with Leah in her great grandmother’s vintage stole. See the whole day in The Vault!

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Photography: Elyse Hall Photography | Location: Boston MA | Location: Rye NH

It’s the stories that make me feel like I really know our brides. With a little extra info, colors sparkle even brighter than before. And Dana Cubbage’s pics do just that. Being the oldest grandchild in her family, this Bride’s grandparents traveled all the way from India and they brought the necklace and earrings she wore on her big day – these special touches – and Ooh! Events’ beyond beautiful blooms – are what make our SMP hearts pitter patter. Read on and see all the colorful pics in our Vault this way!

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From Dana Cubbage Weddings… The Governor Thomas Bennett House in downtown Charleston is one of my favorite venues. Nestled in the quiet Harleston Village neighborhood, it’s one of the best kept secrets in town! Washington DC residents Chandra and Andy chose this beautiful Southern venue for their wedding on April 9, 2016 and it was the perfect setting for their elegant pastel garden wedding.

After sharing a romantic First Look together, Chandra and Andy were joined by their bridal party and families for photos before their intimate garden ceremony. Chandra has a mixed cultural and religious background, so their ceremony incorporated traditions from both her Indian and Jewish heritages which made their ceremony so unique and personal! Chandra is the oldest grandchild in her family, so this wedding was a big deal for her grandparents. Her dad’s mother traveled all the way from India for the occasion… and brought Chandra the necklace and earrings she wore on her wedding day! Such a special touch.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour both inside and on the porch of the Thomas Bennett House before heading down to the reception under a huge Sperry tent! Linen table cloths, wooden chiavari chairs, elegant white floral centerpieces, and gold votive candles created a romantic vibe for this beautiful springtime wedding.

The ladies of The Burlap Elephant did such a fabulous job with this wedding! Guests were treated to a seated dinner before hitting the dance floor… and hitting the dance floor is just what they did! It was packed ALL NIGHT and I’m pretty sure Chandra and Andy never left it either! It was an amazing evening for a wonderful couple!

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More Charleston weddings here!

Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Event Planning: The Burlap Elephant | Floral Design: Out Of The Garden | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Wildflour Pastry | Invitations: mac & murphy | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Salthouse Catering | Hair + Makeup: Ash & Co. | Band: The Adrian Duke Project | Venue: The Governor Thomas Bennett House | Rentals: Ooh! EventHaus | Tabletop: Polished | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents Southeast

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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When high school sweethearts get married, you’re guaranteed one romantic celebration. Take Audrey and Kyle’s Big Day as proof. A small and formal affair filled with personalized details, delish food, and great music, this darling pair wed surrounded by the people they love the most – oh and lots of lovely flowers. Kayla Barker captured it all and don’t miss the Seventh Ray Films clip below!

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From The Bride…Kyle and I are high school sweethearts and dated for nine years before getting married. We wanted our wedding day to not only be a celebration of our commitment to one another, but also a time to love on our friends and family who have supported us along the way. For this reason, we deliberately kept it small and formal, which allowed us to offer our guests an evening filled with beautiful, personalized details, delicious food and good music. Surrounded by the people we love (and lots of flowers!), the day felt more intimate and dreamy than we could have ever hoped for.

From Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography…I was so excited to be a part of Audrey and Kyle’s amazing wedding day. Being that they are high school sweethearts like my husband and I, we connected instantly and you can tell immediately when you are around them that they are soul mates. Even though the guest list for their wedding was more intimate, you could feel the love that everyone shared for the two of them on their wedding day. They were married in the beautiful fireplace room of The Houstonian Hotel surrounded by candles and flowers by Events in Bloom. Audrey’s classic style was reflected in her dress by Augusta Jones, custom invitations and calligraphy done beautifully by MM Ink and letterpressed by Lavender and Mint and their beautiful monogram was used on the napkins and cake. The day was beautifully coordinated by J. Bray Events and it was the most beautifully display of their never ending love for each other.

Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Cinematography: Seventh Ray Films | Coordination: J. Bray Events | Floral Design: Events In Bloom | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones | Cake: Susie's Cakes & Confections | Invitations: MM Ink | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Jewelry: Mikimoto | Rings: Robert's Fine Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: The Houstonian Hotel | Makeup: About Face by Dayna Leigh | Hair + Makeup: The Styling Stewardess | Band: Tianna Hall and The Houston Jazz Band | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony Music: Divisi Strings | Venue: The Houstonian Hotel | Invitation Printer: Lavender & Mint

It probably takes very little convincing to gather your best friends for a mini vacay. I mean, a girls weekend is pretty much the best thing ever and if you’re anywhere near Palm Springs you are so in luck. The ladies behind The Roc Shop are breaking down the must see, must sleep, must eat and (most importantly) must drink for an epic girls getaway to California’s desert gem. See even more photographed by Plum + Oak in the VAULT and a fun film captured by Audrey Alba Films below.

Need an excuse to run away with your besties for a weekend? The ladies behind The Roc Shop are sharing how they are partying it up this summer. Inspired by what they love most about California, they have put together a guide to an epic girls getaway in Palm Springs. Think bright colors, retro and sassy, palm trees and cacti, milk shakes and cocktails, bicycling through the town and pool parties. Since it’s only two hours from Los Angeles or San Diego, that puts this oasis in the desert as a prime place to crash for the day and take in the California sunshine with your girl gang.

Stay

The Wesley Micro Resort is a super colorful and modern airbnb.com find. With just 10 micro flats all featuring private kitchens & patio spaces, this hotel feels more boutique since you can often get the whole pool to yourself. Each room has been decorated differently but they all embrace the fun mid-century modern style. The location is within 10 minutes of downtown and makes for getting around very convenient.

Ride

For easy access getting around town rent a beach cruiser and slow things down to take in the scenery. There’s an abundance of super rad neighborhoods and you’ll want to take a picture in front of each brightly colored front door. If biking isn’t your thing or you simply don’t want to worry about picking a DD for the night, hop on The Buzz. It’s Palm Springs convenient free shuttle that stops by all the major hotels and downtown hot spots. Bonus, it’s cute too!

Brunch

With a prime location smack dab in the middle of downtown, Lulu is our go-to for a fabulous brunch. The menu has everything your brunch palette desires and you’ll look super posh as you sip a mimosa on the patio. We love that this place won’t break the bank either!

Hang

Head back to the hotel to live the good life. Grab the complimentary donut floatie, a fresh cocktail, and your girls for an afternoon of girl talk and a chance to just relax, you’ll need that energy for the evening!

Chill

If the sun has you feeling toasty, cool off when it’s the hottest time of the day at Great Shakes. Each milkshake comes with a mini donut on the straw! They have an entire wall of flavors to choose from and a huge array of old fashioned candy. Sitting in the window is a prime people watching spot. Have fun trying to guess the locals from the tourists.

Eat

To prep for a night out on the town, fill up with some classic Mexican food and margaritas as Las Casuelas. Their chunky guac is our fave! If you sit in the outside bar area you can catch some live music and get your salsa on early. The atmosphere is everything you want a Mexican restaurant to be and the staff always treats you like family.

Drink

Being in the party business we really enjoy our booze. The Bar is located downtown as well and is a great place to start your evening. They take their craft cocktails very seriously and we love the bartenders dedication to each creation. When you’re ready to dance, you’ll find a hip DJ in the back spinning some sick beats that will make it hard to sit still. This place is popular with the locals so we know you’ll like it too.

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Photography: Plum & Oak Photo | Videography: Audrey Alba Films | Coordination: The Roc Shop | Design: The Roc Shop | Jewelry: Love Tatum | Hair and Makeup: Soiree Beauty Concierge | Accommodations: The Wesley Palm Springs | Accommodations: The Wesley Palm Springs | Brunch Restaurant: Lulu California Bistro | Brunch Restaurant: Lulu California Bistro | Cocktail Accessories: The Roc Shop | Dinner Restaurant: Las Casuelas | Evening Cocktails: The Bar | Fashion: Azzura Capri Boutique | Fashion: Stroll | Milkshake Shop: Great Shakes | Milkshakes: Great Shakes | Pool Cocktails: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. | Wardrobe Styling: Chic & Disheveled

Yes, the reception is the celebration, but the ceremony is what unites you as husband and wife. So, reading this Bride’s note that “the ceremony was the most memorable part of the wedding.” With a dear friend officiating, the ceremony brought every guest in Brooklyn Winery to tears, laughter and cheers. From there, the night only got better with Designs by Ahn florals, a Sweet Booths photo booth and a sparkler exit. See it all from Meg Miller Photography and Rob Adams Films in The Vault!

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From The Bride….After finally settling back to reality from the absolutely unexpected proposal from James, the vision of our wedding was clear from the start – an unconventional and personal event that mimics a fun night out in the city where we fell in love and grew together as a couple. Brooklyn Winery suited this purpose – the space was the perfect combination of vintage and modern, casual but elegant filled with reclaimed wood creating a romantic, chic, and sophisticated interior unfolding within the industrial exterior. As a fully functional winery, the venue set the stage for the perfect night that intimately engaged our loving friends and family.

As we planned the rest of our wedding, we focused on creating a personal and inclusive experience, a conversational celebration for all so the guests were part of our story from the start. The wedding logo was one of the small but key elements that runs the theme throughout – a claddagh ring encircling a Chinese character “double happiness” to represent the joining of our families from different cultural backgrounds. To echo the rustic style of the venue, we wrapped each invitation in burlap with a twine tie; and to personalize, we tied a small wooden tag with a personally written message to each of our guests. The wedding logo was also featured on our table cards, photo-booth prints, and place cards. Each place card was placed in frames that we displayed on two 7-foot tall, custom made wooden standing shelves that was personally made by James’ father! The design was the perfect paring to Brooklyn Winery.

The ceremony was the most memorable part of the wedding. We asked our dear friend Laura Ahern to officiate our ceremony. As someone who introduced us and witnessed our relationship from the start, there was no one more appropriate and perfect than Laura to help tell our story. Laura gave us more than we could ever have hoped for. She delivered with a combination of quick wit and a big heart that kept the mood light and entertaining, bringing our story to life, filling the room with energy and laughter. Our own vows, which made for some very emotional moments, brought the crowd to tears, laughter, and cheers. It was perfect; and it made us so happy having been told by many that it was the best ceremony ever experienced and shared!

The rest of the night was truly blissful…a candlelit family style dinner with Matt La Von’s Jazz Quintet providing the perfect background music for a meal that any NYC foodie can appreciate. Later, everyone danced to the amazing music by DJ Chavez with the floor packed to the brim all night.

From the first look, the ceremony, the speeches, to the first dances and the epic dance party, the talented teams from Meg Miller Photography and Rob Adams Films beautifully captured every moment. They blended in seamlessly into the background while managing to be close enough to capture some of our most intimate moments. Meg and Rob’s teams were an absolute joy to work with and we can’t imagine anyone else we’d want in charge of capturing our memories.

From the beginning, it was very important to us to have a modern, unique, and intimate experience on our wedding day. As each chapter unfolds, it was the most joyful, beautiful day we could have ever hoped for and more.

Photography: Meg Miller Photography | Cinematography: Rob Adams Films | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Invitations: Park Slope Press | Bride's Shoes: Mui Mui | Jewelry: Swarovski | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Sabrina Gilbert | Hair: Kristina Maccaro | DJ: The Knot | Groom's Attire: Charles Tyrwhitt | Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Chalkboard Wedding Program: Andrea Casey | Photo Booth: Sweet Booths | Quintet: Scratch Weddings

If you’re the kind of bride who doesn’t shy away from a jewel tone, or who thinks your wedding florals should make a statement, this gallery right here is so completely for you. We’ve got lots of vendors to thank, Shannon Leahy, Emily Scott, Cherries Flowers and Bright Event Rentals, just to name a few, and you can keep the pretty going with a trip to The Vault.

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From Shannon Leahy Events…Heather and Josh wanted to give their guests the quintessential wine country weekend, selecting Kunde Family Estate as the perfect location for their wedding.

For the design, we wanted to balance the brides love for neutrals and organic materials with fun pops of color. Seasonal stone fruit became the inspiration for our color palette – deep plum, golden yellow/orange, and rich, berry pink. To add a little bit of glamour we added rose gold metallic accents and carried them through the invitation all the way to the flatware on the tables.

Wedding guests enjoyed fresh California fare by Componere Catering, and finished the meal with pies flown in straight from Texas from the Groom’s favorite pie shop, Royer’s Cafe. They ended the evening dancing under Kunde’s ancient oak trees lit by glowing market lights to amazing live music by N’Demand, the couple’s favorite dance band from Los Angeles.

Photography: Emily Scott - Weddings + Lifestyle | Cinematography: Reel Eyes Media | Event Planning: Shannon Leahy Events | Floral Design: Cherries Flowers | Cake: Branching Out Cakes | Catering: Componere Fine Catering | Hair + Makeup: Professional Makeup Artistry | Lighting: Bright Event Rentals | Band: Jordan Music Entertainment | String Quartet: Bellarosa String Quartet | Transportation: California Wine Tours | Venue: Kunde Family Winery | Goblets + Chargers: Frances Lane | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Wedding Dress Stylist: The Wedding Detailor

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Sarah Beth and Josh’s wedding is truly one to cherish. It’s classic, timeless, and filled with oh-so-elegant details. Captured by Jacqui Cole Photography with beauty from Salon Inga, we’ve got this stunner of a celebration waiting for you to fall in love with time and time again in The Vault!

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From Jacqui Cole Photography… Every single moment of Sarah Beth and Josh’s wedding day was truly a joy to capture. There was so much love throughout the day you couldn’t help but smile as you saw the memories unfold.

Sarah Beth and Josh chose to celebrate their marriage at the beautiful Tampa Yacht and Country Club. This classic Tampa venue not only has stunning grounds but the ability to enjoy both dining al fresco under twinkly lights and dancing the night away in the air-conditioned ballroom! Any Florida girl knows this is the best of both worlds.

Sarah Beth got ready at her family home with her dear friends and of course their sweet family pup! The girls sipped on champagne and relaxed as the team at Salon Inga pampered them with their beautiful hair and makeup. When it came time for Sarah Beth to step into her Monique Lhuillier gown, her mum and sister were able to share a special moment by themselves. So many of Sarah Beth’s detail were meticulously chosen and almost every one had a sentimental meaning. The wedding day events map was hand painted by her father, the champagne goblets were her Grandmother’s bridesmaid gifts and the custom embroidered bag was a gift from her sister.

Sarah Beth and Josh wanted a classic, timeless wedding with neutral colors. Pops of soft lilac and organic greens added depth to their decor. The table settings were simple yet oh-so elegant. The bride and groom love the beach and chose to substitute name cards in place or hand calligraphed shells.

Sarah Beth switched into her honeymoon dress and arm in arm they exited under sparklers into their Rolls Royce getaway car. I couldn’t be happier for these two beautiful souls – it was a true honor to capture these memories!

From the Bride… I had never pictured getting married in my hometown, but after living away from home for the past 10 years, it was incredibly special to have our wedding where I grew up. Josh and I wanted our wedding to be formal and timeless but also very personal. I had always pictured an organic, romantic style for our wedding, so we used long, candlelit tables to make the dinner feel more intimate and chose mostly greenery and neutral colors with a pop of purple in the flowers. We served craft beer brewed by my uncle and had a bourbon bar especially for Josh. I have a major sweet tooth, so we had an ice cream and cookies bar served alongside the cake. My parents also helped me (painstakingly) collect and paint over 200 oyster shells to use as place cards since most of my childhood memories revolve around the water and Josh often took family trips to beaches just an hour away from Tampa, despite growing up in the Midwest.

We also tried to incorporate a lot of family traditions. We got married in the church where my parents were married over 35 years ago and had our reception at the same location where both my parents and paternal grandparents had their wedding receptions. We displayed photos from our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings at the reception and used some special family heirlooms, including my grandmother’s set of toasting goblets. On my grandmother’s wedding day, her five bridesmaids gifted her with a set of six silver goblets — one for each of them and one for her — which they used at her wedding reception. After my mom realized that I happened to have five bridesmaids as well, we used them during the day while getting ready at my parents’ house. It was such a fun and relaxing part of the day that was made even more special since my grandmother couldn’t be physically present with us.

We are so grateful to Jacqui for perfectly capturing our wedding! It is so true that the day goes by really quickly, but we are thankful to have such wonderful photographs that remind us of all of the joy and love from that day.

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: The Potting Shed | Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Little Miss Press | Reception Venue: Tampa Yacht And Country Club | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Hair + Makeup: Salon Inga' | Band: Frequency Band | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss

To know Maggie Sottero is to love Maggie Sottero, so spending our day diving head first into a sea of their gorgeous sheath gowns?  About to make our Thursday sooo much better.  Think beautifully crafted masterpieces boasting glittering embellishments, silky soft fabrics and silhouettes that are equal parts sweet AND sexy.  It’s everything you’ve ever wanted, loves. Take a look.

Whether you are planning a soiree fit for a Disney princess, an intimate affair with just your nearest and dearest or a rustic party that is just as fabulous as you and your sweetie, Maggie Sottero has a sheath gown perfect for you and your wedding.  From the soft tulle and crystal buttons of the Andraea to the illusion side panels and bold open back (YES) of the Aspen to the long sleeves and subtle lace of the Deirdre, each and every perfectly crafted gown will fit you like.a.glove and WOW everyone you know with their intricate + seriously stunning details (ahem, Swarovski crystals).  Think all of the romance of a ballgown with a side of sass that is totally unique and totally YOU.  How awesome is that??

If you dreaming of saying “I do” decked out in the head to toe metallic embroidered lace (hello, Kylie), plan on rocking an ultra-feminine silhouette with hand-placed lace appliqués like the Mirelle or want something that is classic with a decidedly modern twist (we’re looking at you, Sipriana), Maggie Sottero’s collection of awe-inspiring sheath gowns is aisle-approved in every.which.way. Do yourself a favor and head there NOW to select your dream gown.  It’s definitely waiting.

If you’re looking for wine cask tables, cork escort cards or grape motif stationery, you’re in the wrong place. Instead, you’ll find a modern, romantic take on a Napa Valley wedding. With an al fresco sunset cocktail, a candlelit reception in the barrel room (including a photo booth from Giggle + Riot Funbooth), and sophisticated florals from Michael Daigian Design throughout, this day is all things pretty. See every gorgeous detail captured by Michael Radford Photography and Dollar Store Cinema in The Vault!

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From Michael Radford Photography…Deep in the heart of Wine Country, Patrick and Ashley began their happily ever after as they wed on a gorgeous summer day in a quaint church surrounded by their love ones and a staggering large bridal party of 20.

The Catholic ceremony took place at the St. Helena Catholic Church and was followed by a reception at the Culinary Institute; a perfect setting for a couple with an appreciation of fine food and wine.

Cocktail hour was on the outside patio with a sprawling overlook of Napa Valley vineyards. As the sun set, the cocktail hour area was beautifully lit from the glow of bistro lights. A harpist serenaded guests as they sipped wine and nibbled on delicious bites before coming inside for dinner.

Guests found their seat as they walked by a large wine cellar that had been decorated with hanging ribbon with affixed escort cards. Once they made their way upstairs the barrel room of the Culinary Institute glowed from the flicker of candles of all shapes and sizes and the tables were named after wine varietals, which was a perfect tie into the wine colored and themed reception. Flowers in the shades of blush pink Rosé, Cabernet red, deep purple Bordeaux and ivory Chardonnay were displayed in mercury glass vases. Gray linens were set with four glasses, an indicator of the great wine that flowed throughout the reception.

The bride, groom, and their guests danced the night away then capped of the evening with the most perfect display of sweet treats – which included everything from mini milkshakes to macaroons.

Photography: Michael Radford Photography | Cinematography: Dollar Store Cinema | Event Planning: Lorelle Events | Floral Design: Michael Daigian Design | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Ceremony Venue: Mount Tabor Park | Reception Venue: Culinary Institute Of America At Greystone | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Culinary Institute Of America At Greystone | Makeup: Ash's Lashes | Hair: Fiona Lake | Lighting: Five Star Productions | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Harpist: Harp Guy | Transportation: California Wine Tours | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Giggle and Riot | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Signage: Lauren Owen Design

If you’re looking to add some glam to your bedroom or maybe layer of french girl charm, look no further than this Parisian infused room of blogger Bows & Sequins .  Using Havenly’s design savvy, she crafted a space heavy on the chic and one that Coco Chanel would so approve of. Tour the space that blush and gold dreams are made of  with even more in the VAULT.

Jessica Sturdy of Bows & Sequins teamed up with online interior design platform Havenly to redecorate her space to create a light, bright and feminine oasis to relax and get cozy after a long day.

Working side by side with her designer, Jessica was able to infuse her taste with the expert advice of her vetted designer to dream up this pretty in pink room. Full of bright blushes, playful textures and accents of gold, Jessica achieved a look that was oh so feminine without being too frilly.

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Photography: Iron & Honey | Blogger: Bows & Sequins | Custom Framing: Simply Framed | Designer: Havenly | Un, Duex, Trois Print: Rifle Paper Co.

Top knot, organic arrangements, marbled moments, rose quartz, embroidered gown, copper details – we could go on, but we’ll let the gallery do the talking. Kate Rose Creative Group has created a day filled with every single wedding trend you need to see this season, Emilie Anne Photography captured it all to share. See it all in The Vault!

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From Kate Rose Creative Group…We love flowers and man, the flowers were over the top! Lush flowers with a gorgeous palette of blushes, creams, and copper tones. Emilie Anne Photography shot the shoot with film and the images turned out gorgeous! We love the simplicity of the white backdrop and the subtle touches of marble. The marbled cake was accented with greenery on the wall, and a soft sequined linen finished the look. With the flowers being the focus, we of course had a flower ring around the bottom of the cake. Speaking of flower rings, we had a seating area with flower wreaths to accent the stunning lounge area, finished off with a cowhide rug and blushed pillows. The dress was a gorgeous dress with blush undertones and the florist killed it with the large, lush, flowy bouquet.

We wanted to incorporate all of our favorite trends in this shoot and we did just that! We love the texture of marble, the soft color palette of the blush and peach tones, with touches of pink and the pop of character that the copper adds.

For the Bride’s look, we went with simplicity for hair and make up, with a simple dress shape, that had detailed lace to die for, along with blush undertones. We really loved how well this look went with the large, over sized, lush bouquet. The bouquet had a lot of movement in it’s shape and we couldn’t have loved it more!

For the groom’s look, we went simple. Sometimes simple is just better. A black and grey bowtie, tied in the look of the shoot. We kept with the traditional black and white attire.

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Photography: Emilie Anne Photography | Wedding Dress: Mon Cheri | Event Planning + Design: Kate Rose Creative Group | Floral Design: Bouquets Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Georgios Bridal Salon | Cake:Simply Delicious Custom Cakes | Stationery: Studio W Designs | Hair + Makeup: Divaz Fabula | Venue:Prospect House | Model: Abby Dosa | Model: Preston Rosebrock | Rentals: Monarch Event Rentals | Vintage Rentals: Visual Lyrics