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DIY’s for a Spring Decor Refresh on The TODAY Show!

Abby Larson is at it again. She’s hanging out with her TODAY Show pals and this morning she’s sharing 6 projects that will give your home a pretty splash of Spring. And since these are all easy DIY’s, that splash is totally on budget. From baskets, to blankets and wallpaper, door mats, stools and mirrors too, there is a little something to pretty up your entire abode. Find all the goodies from the segment below and get ready to give your home a refresh perfect for the Spring season.

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See the DIY’s from Abby’s Today Show Segment below!

Spring Decor DIY's
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Spring Decor DIY's
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Their Love Story Began In New York, So They Returned For Their Wedding

If you heart New York, then you are going to heart this classic New York City wedding. From the English Garden-inspired Bryant Park ceremony and Bryant Park Grill reception to the Momofuku Milk Bar wedding cake and all-night dance party thanks to 74 Events, this was the ultimate Manhattan affair. Add in a glamorous Bride and Groom and Ryon:Lockhart Photography to capture al the magic, and you’re left with photos as iconic as the city itself in The Vault!

From The Bride…Our story began in New York City – meeting through mutual friends and the rest, as they say, is history. Our lives melded together seamlessly, falling in love with the city as our backdrop. Shortly after our engagement we made the decision to move from New York to Los Angeles, kicking our wedding planning into high gear!

Nestled in the heart of the city, Bryant Park Grill was a quintessentially New York venue. The view from the roof offers the city skyline while also overlooking the lush greenery of Bryant Park in August. It set the stage for the “English Garden” vision in my mind, which the brilliant Rawan Rihani of Aurora Botanica executed perfectly. Rawan’s expertise in floral design, along with her kind spirit, make the wedding floral planning process seamless! From the flower adorned cake to the sweetest flower girl crown, and everything in between, it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Our cross country move had an unexpected twist – it led us to our amazing photographers, the husband and wife team at Ryon:Lockhart Photography. Recommended by west coast friends, we were trading places with Sarah and Tim as they relocated from LA to NYC, just in time for our nuptials. We overlapped with them in Los Angeles and were able to do some engagement photos in Venice beach. I love that we did our engagement photos in Los Angeles because along with our
wedding photos, we capture our tale of two cities. The moments Ryon:Lockhart captures with their artistic eye and gorgeous use of natural light are lifelong treasures for our family.

The wedding weekend quickly arrived and it was an incredible kind of homecoming for us. To have all of our friends and family surrounding us in New York City for the weekend was truly magical. It’s a special time capsule that I can always replay in my mind. Kicking off the weekend in our old neighborhood favorite, 12th Street Ale House, our rehearsal dinner at Perry Street, and the perfect wedding day at Bryant Park Grill – it was a dream weekend with our beloved friends and family. Our DJ, Duane Harriot of 74 Events, had the crowd on its feet throughout the night. Looking out from our sweetheart table at dinner, Phil and I were overwhelmed with gratitude to be surrounded by the wonderful people sharing in the joy of our wedding: parents, aunts, and uncles who have nurtured us through the years, friends who have become family. Phil’s mom exclaimed the next day (as we polished off the top of the Momofuku wedding cake in her kitchen!) “you could feel the love in the room – it was palpable.

Photography: Ryon:Lockhart Photography | Floral Design: Aurora Botanica | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Bryant Park Grill | Makeup: Stephanie Perez | Hair: Kristina Maccaro | DJ: 74 Events | Groom's Attire: Lanvin | Venue: Bryant Park Grill

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Fashion Blogger Shares How to Pick Your Bridal Accessories

Hello Brides, Olivia here! I have exciting news to share…I said yes to the dress! Now that I’ve found ‘the one,’ it’s time to start shopping around for those final touches to take my bridal look from beautiful to ‘perfectly unique to me.’ I recently had a field day while bridal accessory shopping at BHLDN and I’m excited to walk you through all of the finds I adored, plus share ideas for accessorizing your look too!

5 Bridal Accessories to Consider
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5 Bridal Accessories to Consider
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As a fashion blogger, I am frequently asked about how to incorporate accessories into everyday looks – and this same idea translates into bridal styling, as well. Two ladies may have the exact same wedding gown but wear it completely different due to how they accessorize. After working for a jewelry company (…along with always having a serious accessory obsession), I often think of clothing as a canvas to accessories. A casual tee and jeans can be transformed into dinner date attire and dolled up with a statement necklace and bracelet stack – or perhaps look more polished and tailored by tucking in the tee and adding a belt and subtle pendant necklace. See where I’m going with this? Accessories can truly transform a look and tell the story of your own personal style. And let’s be honest, on your wedding day you want to feel as authentic to your personal style as you possibly can!

Although I live in Austin, I ventured to BHLDN in Houston to do a little bridal accessory shopping. The vibe of our big day is “vintage-inspired,” so let’s just say BHLDN was a pretty magical place to shop around for a few pieces to wear with my wedding gown. (Side note, because I know you might be wondering: I did not photograph the dress I will be walking down the aisle in – but you’ll find out soon enough!).

Though there was quite a selection to choose from, I scooped up a few of my favorite wedding dresses to try on and embellish with accessories. From dainty and whimsical to beaded and bohemian, let’s just say I was soaking up every minute in these gorgeous gowns!

From stunning sashes, pretty clutches and whimsical headpieces, to jewelry that adds just the right amount of sparkle to an already beaming bride, have fun with accessorizing your wedding gown and above all, remember to stay true to your personal style!

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Follow Olivia’s Wedding Journey:

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

Photography: Kayla Snell | Bracelet: Amazon | Jewelry: BHLDN | Beaded Halo Headpiece : Amazon | Boho Beaded Gown: Amazon | Earrings: Amazon | Fashion Blogger: Olivia Watson | Heart Clutch: Amazon | Sash : Amazon | Strappy Back Dress : Amazon | Tulle + Floral Gown: Amazon

Olivia Watson

Blogger Bride
See Why a 1st Anniversary Shoot is So Worth It

Elizabeth Fogarty has officially shown us what it’s like to have #anniversarygoals. Because what couple wouldn’t want to toast the first year of newlywed bliss?! So start planning about slipping on a beautiful gown, donning a handful of florals, and let’s not forget the cake. See it all unfold in The Vault!

From Elizabeth FogartyFor this 1st year anniversary shoot, we really wanted to capture the celebration of the first year of marriage with some simple details while also keeping the look romantic, mature, and elegant through our color palette. We love that couples save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary and bringing that fun concept into the shoot along with some champagne really allowed our couple to celebrate their first anniversary! We also incorporated a calligraphy cake topper and sign adorned with their shared last name to highlight their marriage. Our peach, pink, and gold color palette was the perfect romantic complement to our celebratory details and the accents of marble gave the shoot a mature and clean look. This anniversary session was filled with images of celebration and romance for this couple to cherish and remember for many more years to come!

Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Event Planning: So Lovely Weddings | Floral Design: Sophie Felts Floral Design | Dress: Adrianna Papell | Cake: Sweets By E | Makeup: T Mak Artistry | Calligraphy: Allison Dee Calligraphy | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

12 Reasons to Never Buy Another Throw Pillow

Some may call it an addiction but we call pillows a necessary decor refresh. Those little, fluffy, decorative squares give a tired sofa new life or allow you to fully change up your color palette with the seasons if you so choose. But what if we told you you’d never have to buy another pillow again? Check out 12 DIY versions even better and way more budget friendly than their store bought counterparts.

12 Reasons that Prove You Never Need to Buy Another Pillow
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12 Reasons that Prove You Never Need to Buy Another Pillow
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For more DIYs, follow Our How-To Pins Board On Pinterest!

Follow Style Me Pretty’s board How-To Pins on Pinterest.

What Happens When a Wedding Dress Designer Makes Her Own Gown!

Sabrina Dahan is one very busy lady. Not only is she working on her new Spring 2017 Bridal Collection, but the Los Angeles-based talent is in the middle of planning her August wedding — and designing her own wedding dress! We sat down with Sabrina in her super chic LA studio to talk all things pretty, including her new collection, her bridal accessories, and of course, the dress! Take a peek at all the gorgeous photos from Rebecca Yale Photography and, don’t forget to follow along with SMP as we highlight the stunning new gowns at Bridal Market! #SMPbridalweek

Why did you decide to design your own wedding dress?

I decided to design my own dress because I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to make a gown that is unique to me on my special day. I want to create a gown that is going to be perfectly flattering and compliment the wedding, making sure everything is cohesive.

How will your wedding dress be different than your newest collection?

Well, I don’t think it will be very different from the Spring 2017 collection. The gown that I have designed is definitely cohesive with the rest of the collection in terms of fabrication and silhouette. It’s top secret, but I’ll give you a hint – it’s a ball gown!

Tell us a little bit about your wedding.

I cannot believe that my wedding is just 5 months away and there is still so much planning to do! The big day will be held at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles in August. I am so excited about this space! We are still working through the aesthetic of the party and currently working on finding the perfect florist to turn my vision into a reality.

Tell us about your new collection.

I am so excited about Spring 2017!! Considering that I am a bride to be and constantly have wedding brain, one of my main focuses during the wedding planning process has been the flowers. I have discovered a complete love for floral arrangements! I am constantly drawing inspiration for my collections from art and this season I came across a few beautiful paintings of still-life floral arrangements by Renoir and Manet. In addition to the beautiful painted colors in some of these canvases, I also took notice to the intricate brocade frames that hold these amazing pieces of art. I am so excited to spice up the bridal world with this splash of color!

Where did you look for inspiration for your own dress?

For my gown, I drew inspiration from aspects of my wedding, the venue, time of year and flowers.

How has the experience of designing your own dress differed from that of designing a collection?

I think that the only difference between designing a dress for the collection and designing one for myself is the pressure. When it comes to the dresses in my collection, I feel I am more decisive when making creative decisions. During the process of designing my own dress, I’ve found it difficult to decide exactly what I want because I want it to be special and really reflect my personal style as well.

What do you look for in fabrics?

I look for a sense of delicacy and prettiness. When searching for fabrics, I go with the connection I feel when I see a swatch for the first time. Because each one dress in the collection is special and tells its own story, the fabric must have a wow factor. When I come across a beautiful swatch of fabric, I know instantaneously that it will have a home in my collection.

Did you look at any other wedding dresses to help you design yours?

Of course! I have been in the industry now for 5 years and am always looking at what is popular and what is available to all brides.

How will you accessorize your dress on the big day?

I most definitely will be wearing a veil on my wedding day! I also hope to wear some sort of headpiece either during the ceremony or to the reception. My dream is to feel like a princess!

What advice would you give to brides looking to work with a designer on a custom dress?

The beauty of being a custom bride is to enjoy the collaboration process with the designer. I advise the bride to be extra vocal about what she wants because after all it’s that one special day!

As a bride, what is your biggest fashion piece of advice for the wedding?

As a bride myself, one of my biggest concerns is looking back on wedding photographs one day and feeling that my wedding day look wasn’t timeless and may be overly trendy causing a sense of regret. My advice is to choose a gown that is unique yet beautiful and everlasting.

Most important piece of advice?

My advice is take one task a time, one day at a time. This applies to the intense and hectic fashion life and the even more hectic bride-to-be life.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Wedding Dress: Sabrina Dahan | Calligraphy: BRIDAL ARTISTRY

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Drumroll Please… Introducing How-To Pins with Pinterest!

If you know anything about us, you know how much we LOVE pinning. (I mean, have you seen our boards?!) So you can imagine we were pretty excited when our pals at Pinterest reached out and asked us to partake in a pretty special project. Introducing, how-to Pins! With supplies, steps and close-up snapshots listed right below each Pin, you can DIY up a storm…without ever having to leave Pinterest. Sound to good to be true? See for yourself! Follow our board, and try out some of our fave how-tos below!

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DIY Confetti Poppers

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How To Apply False Eyelashes Like A Pro

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DIY Gold Leaf Donut Favors

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How To Master The Classic Side Braid


Follow Style Me Pretty’s board How-To Pins on Pinterest.

Advice After I Do: What I Wish I Registered For

I received so many lovely gifts for my bridal shower and wedding, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there are still some items I dream of daily. You see, it doesn’t take long to realize what you actually really need, or dream of using, once you’re in the habit of cooking, cleaning and living together. I don’t think I’m alone, so I checked in with my fellow SMP ladies to see if they too had registry regrets and we happily share these with you, our readers, in hopes of preventing any future wishlist fails!

Editors' Registry Regrets
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Editors' Registry Regrets
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Why You Should Never Drink a Regular Old Mimosa Again

I consider mimosas a brunch staple. But a simple champagne + orange juice combo will never be the same again now that I’ve caught wind of this dreamy concoction from Howerton+Wooten Events and Natarsha N. Wright Photography. The Dreamsicle Mimosa Smoothie is a delicious blend of all the mimosa staples plus coconut milk and vanilla yogurt for a delicious smoothie twist.

Dreamsicle Mimosa Smoothies
prep time
5 Minute/s
cook time
total time
5 Minute/s
Serves 4Ingredients
  • 1 Cup of Whole Milk Vanilla Yogurt
  • 1 Cup of Orange Juice
  • ½ Cup of Coconut Milk
  • 2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup of Champagne
Instructions
  1. 1. Combine the ingredients in a blender and mix until frothy.
  2. 2. Divide evenly among four champagne flutes.
  3. 3. Garnish with an orange slice
  4. *Recipe Note* We understand that whole milk yogurt isn't the best for the waistline, but whole milk mixes much better with champagne than low-fat or nonfat yogurt.

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Check out more Brunch Cocktail Ideas…

Best Brunch Cocktails
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Best Brunch Cocktails
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Photography: Natarsha N. Wright Photography | Styling: Howerton+Wooten Events

A Neutral Colored Wedding with a Little Pop of Sparkle

Meagan and Justin’s Southern California wedding is proof that neutrals are anything but boring. With Event Design by Luxe Events,  a gorgeous color palette of soft gray, taupe and cream, plus blush and ivory flowers from Isari Flower Studio + Event Design, this darling duo mastered the art of a sophisticated and glamorous wedding. See all the pretty moments from Bryan N. Miller Photography and Open Glass Studio in The Vault!

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From Luxe EventsMegan and Justin found each other in the hey day of post-college beach living. That magical time when anything and anyone is possible. You find yourself at random house parties, and your soulmate happens to be one of your roommate’s girlfriends, friends, friends. And voila you have found the man you’ll forever share slow dances with in your living room at home. Many dance nights, and hard working days later these two became engaged after six years of courtship. The beach lovers chose a venue that was close to the ocean near to their first home together. The Darlington House’s charming garden back drop was the perfect setting for their “Sparkling Neutrals” wedding. The wedding design was centered around the art of layering textured neutrals from lush mushroom colored linens, grey washed papers, blush gauzy ribbon along with metallic vintage pieces. Soft watercolor taupe, grey, and creams make for a glamorous muted palette. Garden flowers in blush and ivory tones are accented with greenery creating lush tablescapes. Modern calligraphy graces the wedding elements from the custom water color invites, hand painted wood signage, and menus. The reception utilized a combination of long wood tables and lush linen covered rounds. Each table styled with a unique eclectic flower vignette. Vintage table settings glammed up the tables along with the silk ribbon tied menus. The bright garden light turned to sparkling dance party as the evening took over the al fresco dinner reception.

Photography: Bryan N. Miller Photography | Cinematography: Open Glass Studio | Event Design: Luxe Events | Floral Design: Isari Flower Studio + Event Design | Catering: Toast Catering | Invitations + Calligraphy: Twinkle And Toast | DJ: Michael Tiernan | Venue: The Darlington House | Bridal Salon: M Bride | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Farm Tables And More

A Christmas Inspired Wedding in That’s Anything But Cheesy

Never in my wildest dreams did I think a Christmas inspired wedding could be crazy chic, but Vicki Grafton Photography has forever proven me wrong. Because this celebration? Straight up magic. Complete with a family estate reception and traditional catholic church ceremony, Elena & Jesus were married in true holiday style. Proving that a large guest list (500!!) can still feel intimate, we’ve got their seriously sweet celebration waiting for you in The Vault!

From Vicki Grafton PhotographyElena & Jesus were married on December 12, 2015 at the Catholic Church Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón de El Hatillo in the mountains of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Following their ceremony they returned to Elena’s family estate just a few minutes down the road to celebrate into the night with all their family and friends.

Entertainment started with chill lounge music for cocktail hour followed by the Jorge Torres band starting just before dinner and DJ’s returning later in the night to keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning. The reception was designed with wide open spaces to accommodate their 500 guest mingling and partying all night long. It included a separate space just for charcuterie, cheese and appetizers before dinner. Since Elena’s family are cheesemakers, the cheese station was a very important element of their wedding.

A large white dance floor was the heart of the event space and directly next to it was a large glass walled ballroom with a gorgeous decorated fireplace, two large dinner buffets, dessert stations, a cigar and whisky station, and their wedding cake as the centerpiece of the room.

From their planner Anamaria Events: The bride wanted a very romantic wedding, the groom wanted the wedding to be an unforgettable party, the bride’s dad wanted cascades of lights from the trees, and the bride’s mom made sure there was enough food to last from 4 pm to 2 am! We set up two beautiful bars made with mirrors and a touch of gold to be set near the dance floor, we set 2 separate shot bars with quezalteca and tequila. We had Moscow mules as a welcome cocktail, and small bottles of Moet Chandon Champagne with a striped gold straw…young and old danced all night it was a fun wedding.

The decor consisted of lace table linens in cream, gold and silver accents, lots of candles, deep red and blush roses, hypericum berries, ranunculus in dark red, and olive leaves in every place setting along with the menu card for each. Some tables were set on the terrace other on the grass, with lounge furniture in between. Cascading lights were stung around the property leading to the main event area and natural spruce trees gave a festive Christmas vibe and wonderful smell throughout the evening.

Photography: Vicki Grafton Photography | Wedding Dress: Ersa Atelier | Cake : Vicky Motz Bakery | Ceremony Venue: Parroquia De Nuestra Señora Del Sagrado Corazón De El Hatillo | Reception Venue: The Bride's Family Home On The Mountains Of Tegucigalpa | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Halston Heritage | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Silvia Tscherassi | Catering: Plaza Juan Carlos | Hair and Makeup : MCB Hair & Makeup Studio | DJ: Vic Buezo & DJ Tormack | Band: Jorge Torres | Church Florist : Ramon Agurcia | Reception Florist : Leonte Rueda | Videographers : Maleta Films | Wedding Design, Planning And Coordination : Anamarias Eventos

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Yet Another Reason to Hop on the Watercolor Trend… this Nursery!

For a talented watercolor artist like Kristy Rice, crafting a nursery inspired by all things art was a total no-brainer. But she went one step further, giving her son’s room a whimsical, colorful spin on Botticelli’s masterpiece “Primavera”. The result is color and pattern and special touches that make for pure magic. Have a look at some of our favorite details all photographed by Kim Spath and even more in the VAULT.

A Botticelli Inspired Nursery
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A Botticelli Inspired Nursery
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Photography: Kim Spath Photography | Airbnb Apartment: Houston, Texas | Changing Table: Pottery Barn Kids | Custom Fabric: Momental Designs | End Table: One Kings Lane | Faux Taxidermy: White Faux Taxidermy | Mobile: Custom Made In Switzerland | Navajo Weaving: Navajo Reservation, Northern Arizona | Newborn Photography: Lida Mathews Photography | Rocking Unicorn: Pottery Barn Kids | Upholstered Bench And Crib: Land Of Nod | Watercolor Backdrops: Momental Designs | Wooden Calligraphy: LH Calligraphy

A Pink-on-Pink Bouquet? See How It’s Done!

This bouquet had me going at colorful, but then totally won me over with those dark pink ranunculus. The powerhouse of petals behind this posy was none other than Bristol Lane Florals and we’ve asked this truly talented floral whisper to share the deets. Read on about it all below!

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Colorful Hill Country Dinner Party Inspired Wedding

  • 3 blooming pink jasmine
  • 5 Israeli ruscus
  • 5 dark pink ranunculus
  • 4 white dahlias
  • 4 roses
  • 6 veronica
  • 4 double tulips
  • 3 anemones

From Bristol Lane FloralsBristol Lane is a full-service floral design and styling studio based in Austin, Tx. We approach each wedding with a mindset of creativity and excellence. Our goal is to celebrate our clients, the covenant of marriage, and the beauty of meaningful relationships. We specialize in large-scale installations, romantic designs, and bringing a fresh, artistic eye to every event.

When Brittany reached out to us for her colorful, dinner party wedding, we were thrilled. Brittany and Dave wanted their wedding to be a celebration of their relationships and have a relaxed yet beautiful feel. They were the perfect client for Bristol Lane! We strove to create a cheerful and welcoming environment through the flowers, starting with Brittany’s bouquet. For the bouquet, we kept to a color pallet of creams and corals. The base of the bouquet was Israeli Ruscus and white Dahlias which have a wonderful spring feel. To add some softness we placed in a few pale coral roses and white double tulips. We love to finish off bouquets with feminine touches and fun textures. For those special additions we used veronica, gorgeous pink ranunculus, and blooming jasmine. The day before Brittany’s wedding we stumbled across some incredible coral tinted anemones at a local flower market. They added a little extra depth and a punch of beauty to Brittany’s bouquet.

To finish off Brittany’s bouquet, we used a mix of silk, velvet, and gold printed ribbon. The trailing ribbon looked festive and fun in the Hill Country wind and the peak of gold tied in perfectly with the gold place cards and cupcake stands on her tables. The bouquet ended up being the perfect blend of romance and whimsy! Brittany was a dream client and her wedding was one of our favorites of 2015. It was a joy to serve her and Dave and work along side such talented vendors, including Westcott Weddings and Love, The Nelsons!

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Floral Design: Bristol Lane | Photography: Love, The Nelsons

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Press Play For More Floral Inspiration!

I Get Paid to Be the Perfect Bridesmaid, and Here’s What I’ve Learned About Weddings

As a Bridesmaid for Hire, I’ve stood beside many brides before and during their wedding, as they took their first few steps toward saying I DO to their forever person. I’ve been the one picking a bride up from the tile floor, during a pre-ceremony meltdown, sitting down the rest of the bridal party and debriefing them on what their duties really are during the wedding adventure. And the one who serves as their on-call therapist, wedding emergency fixer, and personal assistant. In the past two years of working this job, I’m sharing the top ten things I’ve learned that all brides need to know.

Lessons from a Professional Bridesmaid
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Lessons from a Professional Bridesmaid
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And because it’s Friday, let’s get the scoop on this week’s deals…

ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Minted
Zola
Casper

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 BeachWeddings by Susan DunneBrideside, giveaway from WED School, and don’t miss Sunday’s Luxe Bridal Show!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and don’t miss Grace Loves Lace’s Concierge Events (April 19 – 25)!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events and promotion from Round Hill!

For our Southeast Brides… Discount from Cassidy Carson Photography

For our Southwest Brides…. Don’t miss Grace Loves Lace’s Concierge Events (April 29 – May 2)!

For our Midwest Brides… Don’t miss the upcoming Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event!

For our Australia Brides… Don’t miss Victoria Park’s Annual Wedding Open Night!

OUR WINNERS:

Congratulations to our Magnolia Weddings winner Teresa!

Jen Glantz

Contributing Editor
A San Diego Engagement With the Cutest Grooms-to-Be

You can’t help but have a smile plastered to your face when you look at this engagement session from John Schnack — Matt and Chase are so clearly happy and in love. With San Diego’s Coronado beach and quaint downtown as a backdrop, the Grooms-to-be posed for portraits that simply radiate love. See all the happy moments in The Vault!


From John SchnackMatt and Chase were referred to me by their talented wedding coordinator, Molly Stark of Tres Chic Events. From our initial phone consultation, I knew they would be a fantastic couple to photograph! During our conversation, we chatted about possible locations for their engagement session. They mentioned how they spent a good deal of time in Coronado and that it holds a special place in their hearts. We picked a brilliant, mid-summer afternoon for their engagement shoot, and the “Crown City” did not disappoint.

Coronado huge beach and its iconic hotel, the Del Coronado, are familiar backdrops for engagement and wedding shoots. But beyond the main drag of Orange Avenue and the touristy shops at the Del, there lies a quaint neighborhood filled with wonderful locations that one doesn’t see photographed very often. There are streets that harken back to the city’s humble beginnings and shops with façades of yesteryear.

We spent the first part of the shoot exploring these areas, playing with the light and getting Matt and Chase comfortable in front of the camera. After a quick outfit change, we headed down to wide, expansive beach that is Coronado’s draw for so many.

Coronado’s beach is the only stretch of coastline in San Diego that faces due south, so instead of the sun setting over the ocean, it sets over Point Loma to the west, creating an amazing, dark backdrop that can’t be found anywhere else in San Diego. As the sun got lower and less intense, I turned Matt and Chase into it, allowing us to capture the landmark Del Coronado in the background. After all, one can’t have their picture taken in Coronado without showing the Del.

Photography: John Schnack Photography | Venue: Coronado Community Center

See What You Missed on SMP This Week

I’m sitting at my desk, plugging away at work, the rain pouring down outside, but I’m all smiles. See the first pic in our slideshow below? That’s just one reason why (and with that level of adorableness, how can you resist!?). Whenever I need a happiness boost, all I gotta do is head over and see what our LBBers have been up to, and before I know it, I’m lost in all the pretty pics and worries have disappeared. Turn that frown upside down (corny, but oh so true) with these can’t miss moments from this week!

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: Judy Pak | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Photography: KT Merry Photography | Event Planning + Design: Cheeky Details | Photography: Ashley Bosnick Photography | Hair + Makeup: Suzanne Morel | Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis | Invitations + Escort Cards: Coral Pheasant | Envelope Calligraphy: Ink Revival | Photography: Manuela Kalupar | Floral Design: A Very Beloved Bloom | Creative Direction, Production, Design + Styling: A Very Beloved Wedding | Photography: Zev Fisher Photography | Venue: Belle Mer

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
The Boston Skyline is the Most Epic Ceremony Backdrop We’ve Seen!

When you work in the wedding industry, getting married isn’t always a cake walk. But thanks to Cambria Grace, we got a first-hand look at what it takes to become a photographer-turned-bride. She shared snippets of her journey down the aisle, and today we’re unfolding the big day pulled together with vendors like Lauren Wells, Pollen Floral Design, Ceremony Boston and Beat Train Productions behind the scenes. Dylan & Sara captured the fun, and make sure to check out their fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner today on SMP New England!

From The Bride…Ross and I love our home. We love our dog, our families and our house. Since graduating college together in 2011, we have made Charlestown our home and the place we run our businesses. We knew we wanted to get married here, and after an extensive Google search, we decided on a pier in the Navy Yard that looks out over the city we love!

Our wedding day was insanely fun. There is no other way to describe it. I’ve never seen our parents dance so hard before! The most important thing to us was sharing the day with our friends and family. When Lauren Wells, my maid of honor and the magical unicorn of her own design business, kindly offered to help us style the wedding, we were so excited. Krissy (Pollen Floral) also made us some unbelievable flower arrangements, and I am forever grateful for her talent!

I have so many favorite moments from the day, but one that stands out in particular is our ceremony. Ross and I were nervous about standing in front of everyone proclaiming our love (it is so daunting!) so when I finally got to him at the end of the aisle, I was so relieved. And like it was right on cue, one of the ships in the navy yard blew its horn…and then a duckboat went by us cheering and honking…and to top it off, a police boat’s sirens went off as it pulled over another boat. It was total chaos out there. I was crying from laughing so hard, which made getting through our vows way easier. Of course, Ross’ were hilarious and sweet, which is a perfect representation of him, so I laughed my way through the entire ceremony.

The weather was a major worry of mine, but the rain held off until we were all under the tent. It led one of the most romantic moments – walking home with my husband in the rain at 2am. It will forever be one of my favorite memories. For anyone planning a wedding, the best moments are often the unplanned ones and you just have to embrace them!

Photography: Dylan & Sara Photography | Event Design: Lauren Wells Events | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Invitations: Bride | Catering: Dandelion Catering | Hair + Makeup: Kacie Corbelle | Calligraphy: Li Ward | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Courageous Sailing Center | Bridal Boutique: Ceremony | Poppers: Meri Meri | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Wedding Logo: Anne Robin

Food Hack: How To (Magically) Ripen Fruit Faster

The problem: You are the resident guacamole chef in your friend circle (at least, you will be once you try this recipe!You bought a big ol’ bag of avocados, your friend’s bash is in two days and you are ready to rumble. Only… your avocados aren’t. We’ve all been there. But what now? Don’t surrender just yet! Here are 3 easy (read: magical) ways to get those pears, peaches, mangoes (etc.) ready for whatever little dish you’re cooking up! Without the wait.


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1. Brown paper bag it:

One of the easiest tricks in the book, this go-to hack rapidly speeds up the ripening cycle of a variety of fruits. Simply throw in your fruit, seal up the bag and watch the clock tick. Pro-tip: If you’re in a rush, speed up the process even more by throwing in a banana!

 

2. Drop it in rice:

A little lesser known than the classic paper bag trick, placing your fruit in rice is an equally effective way to speed up the softening process. Simply fill a container with dry rice, make sure fruit is fully submerged and put some hours on the clock (or hours, depending.) End result? Ripe and ready fruit that’s ready for the eating.

 

3. Lay ’em on a clean linen towel:

Last but not least, if you’re reachin’ for peaches (but they’re not quite ripe) lay them on a clean cotton or linen towel, place your them stem down and make sure they’re not touching. Next, cover those pretties up completely with another clean towel—closing out as much fresh air as possible—and wait. Now go ahead and get those pie fixings ready because those babies are ready to go!


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Ready To Get Cookin? Start Here!

23 Recipes to Make in Under 23 Minutes
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23 Recipes to Make in Under 23 Minutes
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Entertaining with Abby: DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches

When it comes time to feed a crowd, dessert is the way to their hearts. But we’re not into average, ho hum desserts. Life’s too short for that dears. Nope we’re going fancy pants with these DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches. They’re a wildly delicious mix of chocolate cookies and dulce de leche ice cream all wrapped up and ready to serve. Get the how to plus a genius hack below and for the Outdoor Dinner Party behind these tasty morsels, click here.

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DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches

Photography: leila brewster | Video: Elysium Productions

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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The Vanderpump Rules of Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress

Stars: They’re just like us! Need proof? Check out Vanderpump Rules’ Katie Maloney’s recent visit to New York City’s Kleinfeld, where she shopped for her dream wedding dress. Thanks to our friends at Glamour, you can watch Katie try on all the contenders — from sexy curve-hugging silhouettes to traditional ballgowns — and find out, did she “Say Yes to the Dress?”

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'Vanderpump Rules' Star Katie Maloney on Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress

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The Most Gorgeous Wedding Dresses Ever

100 Jaw-Dropping + Beautiful Wedding Dresses to Say Yes To
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100 Jaw-Dropping + Beautiful Wedding Dresses to Say Yes To
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Wedding Dresses 101

Dress Shopping Secrets | Definitive Guide to Silhouettes | You Picked the Wrong Dress — Now What?