SUBMIT WEDDING
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?

Entertaining with Abby: How to Create a Quick & Pretty Centerpiece

The thought of creating your own table centerpiece can be somewhat intimidating but we’re here to tell you to forget all that. Follow these simple steps for a quick and, might we add, insanely pretty floral arrangement using an 80/20 mix of straight from your garden flowers (or your neighbors, we won’t tell!) and store bought blooms. For even more Outdoor Entertaining 101, click here.

Materials

Floral Foam
Flowers
Plants from the Garden
Small Box or vessel
Plastic Bag
Clippers

instructions

Presoak floral foam in water and then place in your vessel surrounded by a plastic bag.

Start by adding some easy structure with a few pieces of long, loose greenery.

Then focus on your statement flower, taking care to cover all directions of your centerpiece.

Once your statement flowers are in, fill in with your other blooms and branches.

Continue turning as you add so that you can see your centerpiece from all angles.

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America Planned Their Entire Wedding and it Turned Out Amazing!

You watched (and voted!) as SMP helped dress Kaitlin for the Big Day, and now this sweet couple is spilling all the details of their TODAY Show wedding. They’re sharing exactly what it’s like to be married on live TV (no pressure, right?) with Joey Fatone as officiant to your “on the move” sidewalk ceremony. It’s an untraditional day with loads of love, laughter, style and heart, and you can see it all in The Vault!

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SMP: Why did you and John initially decide to apply for the Today Show wedding?

Kaitlin: We got engaged on TV on New Year’s Eve (live on the Chicago countdown!) and it was the most fun experience. As we began to write our guest list, we realized how expensive and overwhelming it is to plan and pay for a big wedding with both of our families. We began doing more research and came across the Big Fat TODAY Wedding contest, and we thought that would perfect! We have a big fat Italian family, so why not enter a contest inspired by big, tight-knit families?! We filmed a video of us writing our long guest list (with John’s Italian mom in it, of course) and tried to make our submission video authentic to our situation.

SMP: Tell us, what was it like to have America plan your Big Day?

Kaitlin: It was fantastic! America has great taste! Everyone was very supportive of our experience. John would read the comments online and they seemed to always support us and show excitement for our story. We had fun with it, and our families and friends loved being able to be a part of the process, too. Not having to plan the wedding was a dream! Also, my sister blogged the whole journey which will be fun to look back on.

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SMP: What was it like being married on LIVE television?

Kaitlin: It was really exciting! Everything was fast paced and memorable. And getting married by Joey Fatone is an N’SYNC fan’s dream come true! Such a fun twist. We were left in the dark about all the details of the ceremony and reception until our rehearsal, so we just went with it and had a great time.

SMP: Driven to the day by Carson Daly, Serenaded by Andy Grammer, Married by Joey Fatone on a NYC sidewalk, tell us how you felt going into the Big Day?

Kaitlin: I wasn’t nervous – we had rehearsed that run about four times before the big moment so I knew what to expect. One thing that did make me a bit worried was that it was my first time wearing my dress. I didn’t want anyone to step on it and I hoped that I wouldn’t trip on the train during the spins in our dance! But everything went smoothly and I could feel the love from everyone there.

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SMP: Any favorite moments of the day?

Kaitlin: Our favorite moments were the ceremony and our first dance. The ceremony was just really fun! The whole thing was only three and a half minutes from start to finish. To be able to sing and run through the streets of New York being serenaded by Andy Grammer was the best part for us. We laughed the whole way down the aisle. And our first dance was a fun moment in the making. We were sent to a dance class downtown on 14th Street and got so into the whole process. We even requested a second session just to make sure that we got it right and we enjoyed every minute of it! It was one of the things that we got to do on our own and we had so much fun performing it together.

SMP: If you could do it all over again, would you?

Kaitlin: Definitely! The most fun part was the experience itself. It was really special to be featured on the show every day. We worked with so many fantastic people and everyone was so kind and welcoming. The producers worked so hard to make this day memorable and their hard work made it that much more special.

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SMP: Although you were married with America watching, were there still some details you managed to keep super personal?

Kaitlin: Yes, for sure. Many of them involved my dad, who recently passed away this past September. On the inside of my dress, the wardrobe crew sewed in a heart shape from my dad’s shirt and tie. That was my something blue. They also had a table for two set for my dad, which made me cry the second I saw it. And while America voted on almost all the details, John and I got to choose all of the the appetizers and menu items.

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SMP: Describe what it felt like to going from engaged to married in less than 4 minutes?

Kaitlin: That was exactly what we wanted! We will have been together 5 years this month. So by the time we got engaged, we couldn’t wait to begin a life together as husband and wife. We also always hoped for a less traditional wedding, and this was definitely it.

SMP: What’s one piece of advice you’d want Brides everywhere to know?

Kaitlin: It’s not about the party and all the stuff—it’s about the two of you! And cherishing those moments when you are together that day. That will be the part that you remember and hold close to your heart.

Photography: Heidi Gutman/NBC | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Reception Venue: Rainbow Room | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Favors: Ben's Garden | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Rockefeller Center | Bride's Wedding Ring: Single Stone By TWO By London | Groom's Wedding Ring: Greenwich Jewelers | Hairstylist: Ashley Palumbo | Welcome Signage: Tableau Events

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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A Destination Wedding Near Home? See How It’s Done.

Although this Bride promised her father a destination wedding one day, when it came time to plan a wedding, she and her Groom quickly realized that celebrating with close friends and family was more important than the destination. So, with the help of One Blissful Wedding Day, they created a destination wedding feel near home. From the Seniman Calligraphy to the printed bridesmaids’ dresses, this fall wedding is all kinds of magical. See it all, thanks to Chloe Moore Photography, in The Vault!

From Chloe Moore PhotographyThis sweet couple found a perfect balance between fall elements (gilded pears!) and Southern California always-summer-lightness. Gorgeous calligraphy and florals tied the floral printed bridesmaids dresses in perfectly!

From The Bride…Although I had made a promise to my father at a very young age to have a destination wedding, I couldn’t pass up a once in a lifetime opportunity to plan a perfect celebration with all of our closest friends and family.

We chose to get married in Temecula because the area encompasses all of our favorite things: the outdoors, wine, great weather, and golf. We looked into LA venues, but couldn’t find what we wanted on a budget. Then, we looked into a destination wedding, but quickly realized expenses for our large families would add up quickly. Then, we realized we could create a destination wedding effect just a few hours away. Temecula was perfect.

The Temecula Creek Inn offers different venues: The famous Stone House, and the newer Stone Meadows. We fell in love with Stone Meadows instantly for its laid back feel, modern but rustic design, and the natural backdrop of trees and mountains. We instantly envisioned our friends playing corn hole and dancing under the stars. We were searching for a venue where we could have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner/dancing in the same area, as well as the ability for our friends and family to stay on site to create a more inclusive and familiar vibe, as well as creating less logistical stress on the big day.

The venue did not need much “doing up” which made the planning process and the details much easier for me. I knew from the moment we got engaged that I didn’t want to get obsessively caught up in the minute details and lose focus of the purpose of the bigger picture. That’s not saying that I didn’t have my moments analyzing the differences of dessert tables, guest books, etc., but I think we did a great job keeping things in perspective.

We chose to get married in the fall since it’s our favorite season… I chose a color palate of golds, greens, burgundy and blush to complement October in wine country. For the gilded pear place settings we used actual pears and spray painted them gold!

After changing my mind countless times, I finally fell in love with the Chantilly lace wedding dress with the low back details. I wanted something classy, timeless, and feminine, and I was lucky to find it all!

Photography: Chloe Moore | Coordination: One Blissful Wedding Day | Floral Design: Carla Kayes Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca | Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop | Invitations: The Paper Source | Bride's Shoes: Chinese Laundry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Guess | Catering: Temecula Creek Inn | Makeup: Heather Birch | Hair: Jennifer Mader | Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy | Venue: Temecula Creek Inn | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Rentals: Rustic Events

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Entertaining with Abby: BBQ Short Rib Pizza

This is the kind of pizza that grown-ups love, kids go crazy for and is 100% guaranteed to get devoured in about 10 seconds flat. A.K.A. it’s a total recipe slam-dunk. And so easy. Meet the BBQ Short Rib Pizza with Potatoes and Smoked Gouda. Not only is it delicious and comfort food at its finest, but it is perfect for prepping ahead of time and popping in the oven when guests arrive. For more Outdoor Entertaining ideas, click here.

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Click below for the BBQ Short Ribs and Tangy Pizza Sauce recipes!

BBQ Short Ribs

Sweet Tomato BBQ Sauce

Get inspired with the full Outdoor Entertaining 101 right here!

Photography: leila brewster | Video: Elysium Productions

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Win a Front-Row Seat to Monqiue Lhuillier’s Bridal Show!

Bridal Spring Fashion Week is coming up, which means a lot of absolutely stunning wedding dresses will be coming your way soon! It also means that one of you lucky readers will win the chance to sit front-row with Style Me Pretty at Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2017 Bridal Fashion Show! And that’s not all — the lucky winner will also get to meet the incredible designer after the show! Read the official rules below, then head over to Instagram to enter!


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Take a Peek Back at the Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016 Collection!

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016
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Monique Lhuillier Fall 2016
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Open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 or older.  Please live in the NYC metropolitan area or have plans on being in the area on April 15, 2016. To enter, follow @stylemepretty and @moniquelhuillierbride, and comment why you’d love to attend the runway show with Style Me Pretty using the hashtag #SMPxMLgiveaway. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 12, 2016. Limit one (1) entry per person per day. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing at the end of the sweepstakes. Winner will receive a front-row seat at the Monique Lhuillier Spring 2017 Bridal Runway Show and the chance to meet the designer, Monique Lhuillier. Prize has no retail value and does NOT include transportation to/from NYC or accommodations.  Winner is responsible for all costs associated with getting to/from the event. By entering, you confirm you have read and agree to the Official Rules.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
See How This Couple Infused Art Deco Glam into Their Beach Wedding

Chic yet sentimental with a wonderfully modern vibe, this stunning Ibiza wedding beautifully captured by Ana Lui Photography is pure destination wedding perfection. With Ibiza Wedding at the design helm and Aurea Flores behind all the beautiful florals, it’s no surprise that all the images in this gallery define dreamy. See even more in the VAULT.

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From The Bride…Ibiza has always been the first choice for our wedding destination. After coming to this magical island for many years, it has become a second home to us. We initially came for the music, but quickly discovered that there is much more to the “white isle” than super clubs and boat parties! With its strong spiritual presence, beautiful beaches and locals with a zest for life and adventure, we were hooked for life! And it certainly goes without saying, Ibiza was an easy place to entertain forty of our closest friends and family!

The concept for the wedding was simply to pick a place that encompassed all of the things we love about the island! Experimental Beach, with its amazing location, relaxed boho vintage vibe, and beautiful private beach with spectacular views of Es Vedra was the perfect choice. We wanted to add a little bit of New York sparkle to the space and make it, for lack of a better term, “Art-Deco-Boho-Glam!” Thankfully, the venue already had its own interesting details and we simple added an assortment of vases in silver, gold, and rose gold with a mixture of white flowers and succulents. We brought some of our own vintage details from home and added an abundance of candles and soft blue lighting to add more romance to the space in the evening!

My dress designer was by Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld Bridal in New York with footwear from Manolo Blahnik! Len’s suit was conceptualized and first fitted by Ostojenka Bespoke Atelier in Moscow and made by Príncipe D’Eleganza of Naples with footwear from Corthay!

Photography: Ana Lui Photography | Cinematography: Ana Lui Photography | Event Design: Ibiza Wedding | Floral Design: Aurea Flores | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Invitations: Paperless Post | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Lighting: Led House | DJ: Brian Beezwax | Groom's Attire: Ostojenka Bespoke Atelier | Groom's Attire: Principe Del Eleganza | Venue: Experimental | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Decor, Vases + Candles: Velvet Circus | Groom's Shoes: Maison Corthay | Hair Accessories: Percy Handmade | Lanterns + Table Plan: Cardamom Events | Menus: Minted | Table Number Decals: CircleLineStudio (ETSY) | Table Plan Design: Etsy Storyfor2

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties
A Mexican Fiesta Rehearsal Dinner (on the Boston Harbor!)

Get excited, because today you’re in for a very special treat. Without further ado, we’re sharing Cambria Grace‘s wedding today on the blog! But up first is her Southwest-themed rehearsal dinner fiesta. With the Boston skyline as a backdrop, Ross and Cambria celebrated their nuptials in the most festive fashion: with coconut margaritas, tacos and delicious donuts! See the whole affair, captured by Dylan & Sara Photography, in The Vault and stay tuned for her wedding later today!


From The Bride…One of our favorite date nights is going to Loco in South Boston (which was introduced to us by my MOH, Lauren Wells)! We knew we wanted to rehearse and enjoy dinner on the pier, so we asked Loco to cater the event and they did AN AMAZING JOB! Their team were the nicest people ever, and they also happen to make very tasty food (and coconut margaritas). Mike (the co-owner) even came to make sure everything was perfect, and it really was.

Lauren and Krissy made everything look beautiful and catered to that southwestern theme, that I am especially fond of as I’m from the south. One of my favorite parts of the design was from Li Ward, who calligraphed the terracotta pot with the bar menu. I still have it and treasure it so much!

Ross and I had such a relaxing night with our friends and family, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend the night before our wedding!

Photography: Dylan & Sara Photography | Event Design: Lauren Wells Events | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Dress: Billy Ella | Catering: Loco Taqueria | Calligraphy: Li Ward | Venue: Charlestown Navy Yard | Donuts: Union Square Donuts | Furniture Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

This Fashionable + Feminine Boudoir Shoot Is Giving Us Some Major Spring Wardrobe Wishes

From the pure beauty of these pics to the lavender and blush bouquet, this boudoir shoot is brilliant, but you know what’s making my heart pitter patter faster than usual this morning? These fashions! From the silk and lace romper to the black lace top, I’m ready to order one of everything.  Siloh Floral styled these looks (and all the flowers I pinned immediately) and thanks to Tamara Gruner’s gorgeous pics, I have my romantic spring wardrobe inspo all right here – let the love affair continue in the Vault!

From Siloh Floral… “She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.” – a quote by Roman Payne from The Wanderess.
There is something enchanting and mesmerizing about the natural beauty of a woman. Femininity is freedom, strength, grace, passion, and depth. That’s exactly the type of richness I wanted to capture through this color palette. Deep and saturated tones of black, charcoal, and plum coupled with the soft and light peach, cream, and lavender express the complexity of everything that is feminine. A beauty of a woman is something that is profound and that should be celebrated. I love how these images are able to express both the gentleness and lightness of a woman’s features and curves mixed with the depth and richness of her soul.

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More beautiful boudoir inspiration this way!

Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography | Styling: Siloh Floral | Floral Design: Siloh Floral | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Ring: Swarovski | Hair + Makeup: Makeup Artist Liz Wegrzyn | Calligraphy: Designsgirl | Venue: Cherokee Ranch And Castle | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Gemstone: Pottery Barn | Headpieces: Irene Lily | Lingerie: Veronica Sheaffer Intimates | Model: Sarah C. | Model Agency : Wilhelmina Denver | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Silk + Ribbon: Silk and Willow

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Craving Color? This Springtime Shoot Is Where It’s At

Charleston Stems, thank you. Because these blooms? Such. A. Dream. We could honestly go on for days, and seeing as how spring has officially sprung we invite you to take a moment to appreciate the beauty, because honestly it’s necessary after this past winter. With the magnificent Lucy Cuneo Photography behind the lens, this is an inspraiton that tops all inspirations. Layered with Lavender & Mint paper pretties and seriously happy blooms, we’ve got it all waiting for you to favorite in The Vault!

From Lucy Cuneo Photography“Best of Spring Florals” — right when early spring blooms begin to wane and the bright harbingers of warm summer days start to peak!

We wanted to highlight the vibrancy of spring flowers by using almost as many colors as we could get our hands on- there are some hues that you typically wouldn’t pair together (lavender and sunny yellow), but using them in different areas creates a cheerful tablescape. Coral sunset peonies, heirloom garden roses, bales of lilac, with almond branches, hellebores, viburnum, with local wildflowers and greenery tucked in.

We loved the idea of keeping the table colors (linens/votives/chairs) neutral and bridal and letting the flower colors shine through. When we spotted the blue glass plates we thought they would add a fresh ‘something blue’ and maintain the airiness of the table.

We had our models lined up well in advance and were so fortunate to be able to borrow two incredible 2015 Oscar de la Renta dresses from Saks Jandel which brought a formality to our lively color scheme. Middleton proved to be a timeless romantic backdrop and we also fashioned an arbor out of flowers for bountiful ceremony inspiration.

Photography: Lucy Cuneo Photography | Floral + Event Design: Charleston Stems | Wedding Dress: Saks Jandel | Stationery: Lavender & Mint | Bride's Shoes: Oscar De La Renta | Rings: Croghans | Hair + Makeup: Dannon K. Collard | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Middleton Place Plantation | Bridal Boutique: Saks Jandel | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Monogramming: Elizabeth Joyce Monograms | Plates: Juliska | Votives: Glassy Baby

Entertaining with Abby: An Outdoor Dinner Party

I’m a huge believer in simple entertaining that feels easy and effortless and let’s you get out in the yard, kick off your heels and have some fun with your family and friends. And now that the weather is warming up, this no fuss approach is perfect for an outdoor dinner party that centers around simple, gorgeous decor and insanely good food. Because really, what more do you need. Film by Elysium Creative Studios, Pictures by Leila Brewster.

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Outdoor Entertaining 101

On the Menu

unexpected comfort foods that your guests will go crazy for

Red Wine Stone Fruit Sangria
Warm Kettle Chips and Carmelized Onion Dip
A Simple Salad with a signature vinaigrette
BBQ Short Rib Pizza
Ice Cream Sandwiches for dessert

Table Decor

all the pretty layers that make up this easy dinner table

  • Wood Chargers – give a natural, outdoor vibe and set the tone for the whole table
  • Classic White Plates – an entertaining must. Pull these out for a pop against the wood grain chargers
  • Linen Napkins – I use them for everything. Literally everything. They look great with a dressed up affair or for a more casual get together
  • Pillar Candles – Sprinkled on the table sans holder gives a really relaxed, organic feel that’s beautiful.
  • Wrapped Flatware – Dress up your place settings with a bit of twine wrapped loosley around flatware. The puddle effect adds to the charm of this look.

Extra Touches

the little things that come together to make your guests  cozy and comfy

  • Add blankets and pillows for cozy conversation spots
  • Set out a station with sunscreen and bugspray to keep guests protected from the elements
  • Don’t forget extra water for a refreshing sip

Photography: leila brewster | Video: Elysium Productions

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How to Make a Signature Vinaigrette

Want to know the secret to a killer salad? It’s all in the dressing and this video is giving you the tools to perfecting a signature vinaigrette. I promise once you make this, you’ll never go back to store bought again. It’s that good. And it goes with pretty much everything. It’s a win win Shallot Vinaigrette and we have the easy how to below. See the rest of this Outdoor Entertaining series here.

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How to Make a Signature Vinaigrette

Photography: leila brewster

Entertaining with Abby: Red Wine Sangria

An easy way to kick up your standard wine offerings is to whip up a batch of Sangria. This Stone Fruit version is the perfect accompaniment to an outdoor party and it’s a cinch to create. Make ahead of time and let it marinate until guests arrive. And a little taste test is certainly in order after all that hard work. For more Outdoor Entertaining, click here.

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Red Wine Sangria

Photography: leila brewster

This Southampton Day is Not Your Average Beach Wedding

When this gorgeous Bride and Groom began planning their dream wedding, they knew they wanted a beach wedding with a certain level of elegance. And, based on these gorgeous photos from Jonathan Young, it’s safe to say they got it. From the ceremony in the sand to the classic tented reception, every detail of this day is elegant beach wedding perfection. See all the pretty in The Vault!

From The Bride…Zach and I met in college and after dating for almost 7 years we got engaged just before New Years on a hike to the top of Aspen Mountain. It was picture perfect! Surrounded by family and friends we immediately fielded questions about where and when we wanted to get married and we didn’t hesitate in choosing the Hamptons. I grew up going there in the summer and now my dad lives there full time so we’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time there. With our mutual love for the beach, we couldn’t wait to share such a special place with our friends and family. September is such a beautiful time out East so we decided to enjoy a longer engagement, which also gave us plenty of time to plan our wedding from across the country since we live in San Francisco. I actually loved the planning process, so I was happy to have plenty of time to really think through every decision and keep the stress to a minimum!

It’s been my dream since I was a little girl to get married on the beach, but we wanted to ensure a certain level of elegance too. We didn’t want it to feel like a casual family clambake, although we certainly love those! We wanted a classic but casual elegance to really inform the design and feel of the day and we were fortunate enough to find The Bridgehampton Club for our venue which allowed us to have our ceremony on the sand and also have a Sperry Tent that was a bit more protected from the what could be harsh conditions on the beach. It was the best of both worlds!

For the ceremony on the beach I really didn’t want to over-decorate and compete with the natural beauty of the beach and the ocean. We decided to go with white benches rather than chairs to keep things as casual and natural as possible. Instead of doing an archway or something similar to mark the altar, we decided to add beach grass to define the space while still feeling appropriate for the beach. And of course, Claire Bean truly executed it perfectly. We also loved designing our own ceremony from song selections, to readings, to writing our own vows. It all felt so perfectly us and I think our friends and family would agree!

In true Hamptons fashion, we went with a blue and white color palette keeping the flowers primarily white with pops of greenery. We brought in the navy blue with throw pillows for the chaises during cocktail hour, hand-stitched napkins with our wedding logo, customized menus that also acted as our place cards and blue and white ginger jars filled with hydrangeas to flank the dance floor. One of my favorite DIY details was the escort cards that we designed. Zach and I, and the majority of our friends, were members of The Tiger Inn in college. We designed our escort cards to mimic a TI pass. We though it would give everyone a laugh! At cocktail hour, his and hers cocktails were inspired by our dog Jake, a Labrador Retriever who sadly had to stay home. We were worried he’d try to go swimming during the ceremony! Zach’s choice was a “Ginger Lab” and mine a “Salty Dog.” The dinner menu was inspired by all of the incredible local bounty in the Hamptons — we served a burrata salad to start, the Groom’s favorite, and then the guests were given a choice of striped bass or chicken for the main course. It was delicious!

I’m not quite sure how to go about choosing one moment as my favorite part of the day. Zach and I decided that we wanted to do a first look prior to the ceremony. While it certainly allows you to spend more time with your guests during cocktail hour and the reception, it also was important for us to see each other so we could calm our nerves. I knew that once I saw Zach and we had a special moment alone, I would feel totally calm, at ease, and ready to get married! I also did a first look with my Dad, which was so wonderfully emotional and the perfect way to start such a magical day. I got dressed in my room with my mom and bridesmaids and walked down the stairs to see my dad holding my bouquet. He wanted me to keep my dress a secret, so it was pretty emotional when he saw me in my wedding gown for the first time! Another memorable moment was during the ceremony when our good friend Kyle came up to do his reading of the Apache Wedding Blessing. Zach published a novel last year — Kings and Pawns, check it out on amazon! — and Kyle came up to do his reading out of Zach’s book! Everyone laughed and at first I thought they must be laughing at me! It was such a fun touch. Kudos to Kyle on that one!

We cannot thank all of our vendors enough for making our vision really come to life. And the weather! I’m not quite sure what we did to deserve such perfection, but we couldn’t be happier about it! And a special thank you to Claire Bean who made planning a wedding from so far away such a wonderful, fun experience and really getting us. She even went so far as to decorate the chandeliers with my favorite flowers — hydrangeas — which really escalated the understated, but lush florals that we wanted for the reception. Walking into the tent for our first dance my draw dropped. It was even better than I could have envisioned it. And I spent a lot of time envisioning it! The party would also not be the same without our fabulous band, 45 Riots. One piece of advice I would give to a bride-to-be would be to consider doing a mini dance set prior to dinner. It was so fun to get everyone up on the dance floor after our first dance and get them really excited for all the dancing that was to come. A key factor for us in our wedding planning was to have one big fun dance party and 45 Riots made that happen. Every since person danced the night away with us! We went so far as to choose a final song — Billy Joel’s Piano Man — which had everyone singing along. In fact everyone put their arms around one another and created a big circle around the dance floor swaying back and forth singing. Zach then pulled me into the middle for our final dance of the night. It was an unforgettable moment and an unforgettable night!

Photography: Millay & Young Photography | Wedding Dress: Peter Langner | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Brent Newsome | Band: 45 Riots | Groom's Attire: Acustom Apparel | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Bridgehampton Club | Bridal Boutique: Mark Ingram Atelier | Event Planning + Floral Design: Claire Bean Events | Photography - Assistance: Tanya Salazar Photography | Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents Hamptons

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Bride + Groom Carry on a Family Tradition with La Jolla Wedding

For this Bride and Groom, finding a venue that was familiar and meaningful to them was a top priority. They found it in the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, where both the Bride’s aunt and grandmother were married. Incorporating shabby-chic beachy elements, I Do Weddings executed Brett and Jake’s elegant beach theme to perfection. See all the pretty from heidi-o-photo in The Vault!

From heidi-o-photoBrett & Jake live in San Francisco, Jake is a software engineer, and Brett works in alternative health care and is a yoga instructor.

Brett’s grandma lives in San Diego and has been a member of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for years and generously suggested that Brett & Jake marry there. They had a lovely, but HOT, beach ceremony officiated by one of their closest friends. To cool off, straight from saying their vows, they walked out into the ocean and hung out knee-deep in the waves.

For the reception, the decor was natural- with driftwood, and stones. Each table had a theme of an earthly element.

From The Bride… Jake and I met at a party in San Francisco, where I actually didn’t know anyone. My girlfriend who invited me ended up not coming at the last minute, so I didn’t know a single person there. I remember I enjoyed chatting with Jake, and we saw each other a few times in the following weeks. It wasn’t until a full year later that we reconnected and went to lunch near our offices and started dating for real.

Jake proposed at Alamere Falls near Bolinas, CA. We love to hike and this particular trail was special to us as we went on a great backpacking trip there at the beginning of our relationship. That being said, I was completely surprised when he got down on one knee at the beach at pulled out a ring. We had plans to go to his friend’s birthday later that night. I was a sweaty mess. I just didn’t see it coming at all. He did so many sneaky things to make sure I was totally surprised (including sneaking our tripod and nice camera into his backpack so we could take photos right after). Of course, I was thrilled.

Both my aunt and grandmother were married at the La Jolla Beach Club. I have memories of spending time there for as long as I can remember. For me, it was important to get married someplace that felt familiar, and I love the timeless feel of the club. I thought the view of cliffs on the distance would make for beautiful wedding photos. I also hoped that getting married on a beach would keep everything casual (which it did, especially when it turned out to be unexpectedly 98 degrees in October and everyone got in the ocean the moment we finished our vows).

We wanted an elegant beach theme with shabby-chic elements including burlap, lace, mason jars, beachy décor and shells. The florals for my bouquet were eucalyptus, succulents, babies breath, and pale apricot roses. For our ceremony we had a three-post bamboo arch draped with fabric, driftwood and greenery, hydrangeas, china mums and babies breath.

I’m really into yoga and teach online, so we had one of my favorite yoga teacher’s conduct our ceremony. We tried to weave our interests into the décor and had tables named after the chakras (energy centers in yoga) and mountains (Jake’s hiking-obsessed). I also spent a large portion of my wedding morning meditating and getting centered. I think this is something more brides should consider incorporating into their wedding week to stay Zen! (I have a free meditation resource for brides here).

G-Sharp Entertainment did both our ceremony and reception music and we absolutely fell in love with Greg. No one ever stopped dancing at our wedding! He saved the day multiple times (like when the venue’s mike for our vows suddenly broke) and he threw an unforgettable party for all our family and friends. I also loved my floral bouquet by I Do Weddings. And of course Heidi, who did such an amazing job with our photos.

We love all the candid shots of us with all of our friends in the water. Everyone bee-lined to the ocean the moment we finished our vows due to the crazy heat. These pictures are so fun, sporadic and joy-filled. I never thought I’d be wading in the water in my gown on my October wedding day. It’s crazy how much you plan for your wedding day, and then the day still has the opportunity to surprise you.

Photography: heidi-o-photo | Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Company | Hair + Makeup: Three Ways Beautiful | DJ: G Sharp Entertainment | Venue: La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | Floral Design + Coordination: I Do Weddings & Events

An Italian Garden Wedding With Total Fairytale Vibes

If you ask me, a destination wedding in Italy is ALWAYS a good idea. Especially one as straight-from-the-storybooks as this. I mean – that dress, that venue, and that al fresco reception set beneath the stars. It doesn’t get any better. Major kuddos to Tuscany Flowers , Galateo Ricevimenti, Baton NYCTuscan Wedding Cakes and One Fine Day for their incredible work. And Judy Pak, you’ve done it again with a gallery we can’t stop swooning. Take cues from a this couple, and start you weekend fun a wee bit early…we won’t tell!

From the Bride… Thinking back to those magical sun-kissed days in Tuscany, my heart overflows with the same warmth, love and gratitude that surrounded us during our 4-day wedding celebration! It was the greatest blessing to bring together our loved ones from different chapters of life (childhood, college, grad school, family, etc.) to celebrate the beginning of our adventure ahead as husband and wife.

We traveled to Tuscany for the first time nearly three years prior to the wedding and simply fell in love with the endless rolling hills, charming medieval towns, soul-warming meals and sumptuous brunellos (wine made from sangiovese grapes). Because we had guests traveling to Tuscany from all corners of the world, we really poured our hearts into every detail of the wedding – wanting it to be a memorable experience for everyone that was reflective of our tastes and love for this region. Our vision for the wedding was to transport guests to a magical fairy tale land, accentuating the beautiful natural landscape and grand gardens of La Foce with soft romantic décor. We were fortunate to work with an extremely talented team of vendors, who really helped us make tailor every aspect to the look and feel we wanted. (To help distill this, the former consultant in me felt compelled to create a 20-slide PowerPoint Wedding Inspiration Board filled with images that helped inform our decisions and ensure vendors understood our vision.)

The priority for me and Justin was to envelope our guests with one-of-a-kind experiences so the festivities would be as unique and special for them as they were for us. This included wine tasting at a medieval fortress atop the highest hill in Montalcino, a welcome dinner on the west façade of a castle facing the rolling hills at sunset, numerous thermal spa pool parties, and more. Justin even personally drove to Canalicchio di Sopra (our favorite producer of Brunello) to meet with Francesco (the owner) to secure special ‘reservas’ which we poured throughout the weekend and the wine we gave in our guest bags. To complement the wine, during our cocktail hour there was a carving station with aged prosciutto being freshly sliced off the leg. Food and wine are our passion so we personally designed the entire weekend menu based on inspiration from numerous meals at our favorite Tuscan spots in Rome, Florence, Milan and our hometown NYC. We are so thankful to Elise at Galateo (our caterer) for helping us personalize the dishes and Melanie at Tuscany Wedding cakes for creating our (delicious!) dream cake!

The best part of our wedding was being able to share so much of what we treasure with our closets family and friends. Judy and Amy’s team did such a great job of capturing gorgeous photos and videos of heart-felt moments and our loved ones from both sides bonding together as one big family….this was our favorite gift of all – to feel our worlds coming together as one. We are most grateful to our parents for helping us create this magical experience and for their patience and love throughout our journey. They are our role models and foundation; it is their warmth, support and humor that truly made it a weekend of free flowing love, laughter and vino!

From Baton NYC… There is no light more magical than in Tuscany. This Manhattan based couple choose to return to the countryside where they had shared romantic travels together. After an extensive search to find the perfect venue, they choose La Foce for their wedding ceremony and reception.
Guests arrived to the ceremony thru a secret door that opened to reveal a stunning floral arch next to a garden pool of floating lilies. Thoughtful details such as parasols for shade and having the program in both English and Chinese ensured that every guest was comfortable and included in the intimate ceremony.

The ceremony musicians began to play and the Bridal party processed down a dramatic stone staircase. The bride, in a dreamy Monique Lhullier wedding dress was accompanied by her proud father. Following the ceremony guests found their way to the upper gardens where they were treated to spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside, live music, traditional hors d’oeuvres and bubbly from a champagne tower.

The escort cards were hung from ribbons in Family Trees that were adorned with ancestral photos from the families of the Bride and Groom.
Dinner was inside a tall, clear tent styled with vintage chandeliers that gave off soft sunset tones of amber and rose. The romantic flowers and eclectic mixture of candelabras, votive holders and candlelight gave each table a unique look. The seated menu was thoughtfully chosen to give the guests a true Tuscan feast. Highlights of dinner were the heartfelt toasts by the proud parents, close family and friends.

Guests danced until the early morning under the Tuscan moonlight and a canopy of fairy lights. The dance floor was set half in, half out of the Limonia and beside the candlelit swimming pool. A photobooth, a candy buffet and both a traditional Italian and traditional American cake were served.

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Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Videography: One Fine Day Productions | Event Planning: Baton NYC | Floral Design: Tuscany Flowers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: TUSCAN WEDDING CAKES | Reception Venue: La Foce | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Aidan Mattox | Catering: Galateo Ricevimenti | Makeup: Azzura | Hair: Azzura | Lighting: Alma Project | Transportation: Viaggi Vacanze | Accomodations: Castello Di Velona | DJ/Band: Alma Project | Groom's Attire And Shoes: Armani | Paper Goods: Lion in the Sun | Photo Booth: Funny Booth | Tents & Rentals: Preludio Noleggi

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 favorites below!

Follow Our How-To Pins Board On Pinterest!

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

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DIY Instagram Gallery Wall

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DIY “No-Sew” Throw Pillow

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The Prettiest DIY Bouquet Bar

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How To Master The Classic Side Braid

10 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Have Activewear Lines

Ok ok, other than Kate Hudson. Which of these fierce lines (no pun intended, Kylie) will you be rocking for your next gym-sesh? Browse our winning picks below!

Celebrity Activewear Lines We Love
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Celebrity Activewear Lines We Love
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More Fitspo To Get You Sweating

10 Reasons To Never Skip Another Workout | 12 Fun Fitness Classes To TryThe Post-Work Workout That’ll Get You Bikini Ready

Everything You Need for a Snow White-Inspired Wedding

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest Bride of them all? You, of course, especially with these Snow White-inspired wedding details. From pretty red roses to mirrored signage to apple décor (not poisonous, of course), these fairytale touches are pretty enough to even make Grumpy smile!

Snow White-Inspired Wedding Details
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Snow White-Inspired Wedding Details
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A Wedding Held in the Home Built By The Bride and Her Mother

It’s not everyday that we get to witness a wedding that takes place at the Mother of the Bride’s home, so when we do we tend to cherish it – big time. Because the sentiment? Major. The sweet details? Aplenty. Take this culturally chic celebration planned by Anne Book Event Design. From the sweetest ceremony you’ve ever seen to the lovely lit reception, Judy Pak has got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

From Anne Book Event DesignThe 75 guest wedding took place at the waterfront home of the mother of the bride on Maryland’s Shore. They are a mother- daughter architect team and the mother designed the house. The entire wedding incorporated the bride’s Indian Heritage and the Groom’s Scottish heritage while embracing the local flavors and setting of The Eastern Shore.

There was a hurricane coming up the coast all week and the couple had to make quick decisions. They went from a sailcloth tent to frame tent with sides, installed heaters and a custom wooden wall to block the forecasted 30 MPH winds all 3 days before the wedding. In the end, the weather ended up being fine and everything turned out wonderfully.

Some of my favorite details were the individual cloches place cards that covered the amuse bouche, the driftwood structure that was designed and built by the couple for their ceremony, and the cocktail hour surrounding the modern pool and the custom invitation suite, and welcome gifts. Everything for this wedding was custom down to the hand dipped concrete floral containers to match the home.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Monachetti | Event Planning: Anne Book Signature Style | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Invitations: Sarah Drake Design | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Occasions Caterers | Calligraphy: Poppy And Scooter | Band: Sol Fusion | Ceremony Music: ANDY KUSHNER ENTERTAINMENT | Venue: Private Residence | Floral Design + Decor: Amaryllis | Tent Rentals: Sugarplum Tents

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here