We’re pretty much convinced that Nichole + Matthew planned the perfect wedding. I mean, any day that marries our love of bold modern details with subtle black and white elements is a five star winner in our wedding book. If that’s not enough, add in the unparalleled lens of Tennison Photography and you’ve got yourself a day that rivals daydreams, see it all in THE VAULT!

Nichole + Matthew's Wedding

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Nichole + Matthew's Wedding

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From The Bride…The vision for our wedding began with the Venue. We knew without a doubt we wanted to use the Cescaphe group. They are the best in Philadelphia with superior service and an excellent reputation. We wanted the venue to reflect us, and Tendenza is just that, Modern chic! We wanted all the elements of the day to reflect that as well. Starting with the dress , it was the fist one I tried on and it was classic yet modern with the delicate tulle flowers on the bottom. The then inspired the flower paper wall. We are both creative people and smart with our finances – trying to make our wedding very personal without spending unnecessary amounts of money.

We wanted the wedding to have distinct style. The flowers had to be unique and a soft pastel color pallet. Our Florist was unbelievable, they truly made our vision come to life . Unlike any typical florist they have amazing creativity and passion which shines through their work. Considering Tendenza has so many bold features already, we incorporated black and white stripes to really balance the classic and modern feel. Also having books with love related titles to reflect “our love story. ” The bridesmaids dresses we chose were in a neutral tone in tulle fabric to coordinate with the tulle flowers on my dress. The groomsman looked rather dapper in a light navy suit and a soft pale pink tie. I loved how the bridesmaids and groomsman looked amazing together yet they didn’t “match” perfectly.

The most appreciated vendor of our wedding day was Matthew. Our photographer. We didn’t choose him only for his creative way of capturing the moments and emotions of our day . But for his kindness and patience. The day flew by and I didn’t even realize he was there, yet after seeing the pictures it made me realize he (and his staff) didn’t miss anything from our day. After planning and prepping and dreaming up what would be our perfect wedding day, we were so happy to have it all come together and we wouldn’t have chosen any other people to make our day just perfect!!

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: TENNISON PHOTOGRAPHY | Floral Design: Flowers And Company | Wedding Dress: Kelly Faetanini | DJ: Ebe Amsterdam | Venue: Cescaphe Event Group

When a handful of New England’s best vendors come together – looking at you, True Event, Hana Floral, Tie That Binds, Sperry Tent, and Katie Slater – beautiful things follow. Set on the Connecticut shore, this wedding features a classic church ceremony, a tented seaside reception, and too many pretty moments to count. Find your happy place here in The Vault.

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From The Bride…Robbie and I met at boarding school in Connecticut when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. Our school had a “walk back” tradition that when a guy liked a girl he asked to walk her back to her dorm before night check in. I remember him throwing a football with his friend before asking to walk me home and I thought he was such a show off! Looking back, we were so young but our connection was instantaneous and grew stronger with every challenge life threw us. Little did I know Taft’s quirky tradition would lead me to my high school sweetheart and lifelong best friend.

Seven years of dating across state lines and different colleges later, our lives came full circle and we both landed back in Connecticut. At just 23 and 24, the one certainty in our lives was that we knew we wanted to build and celebrate them with one another. I was secretly hoping he would propose around the holidays but by 8pm on Christmas Day, I was sure he didn’t get any of my hints! Somehow he managed to catch me completely off guard and proposed to me outside of his childhood home in Montreal, Quebec late Christmas night.

Between Christmas and our plans for an August wedding, we had 8 months to plan. I knew immediately I wanted to have the wedding by the Connecticut shore. We booked the Catholic Church where I spent summer mass each Sunday and decided to do the reception at my father’s waterfront home. Determined to plan the wedding on our own, Robbie and I researched and found our amazing photographer, Katie Slater. Beyond her talent, Katie is an absolute sweetheart. We knew she was special when, in a winter storm, she trekked out to Elizabeth Park in Hartford so we could capture our engagement shots in the snow! After sourcing more fabulous vendors—Hana Florals and Coastal Gourmet—it became clear to us that we would need professional planning to pull off the backyard reception. Sarah True of True Event and her team worked with us the rest of the way and made the day everything we imagined and more.

The only way to describe our wedding day was absolutely magical. Someone told me before the wedding as long as you have the man you love at the end of the aisle, that’s all that matters. That advice gave me a sense of peace going into the big day and is also something that I hope other brides can remember when all the planning ends!

Many of the best memories from the wedding were unexpected ones. One of my favorites was when our band, The Hudson project, started playing ‘We are Young’ (so romantic, I know!) and asked all the guests to form a circle around Robbie and I while the two of us slow danced in the middle. The way Ryan Designs and Sarah’s team designed the lighting in the tent made it feel like we were dancing underneath the stars. I’ll never forget spinning around in the middle of the circle looking at everyone in my life I love surrounding me and then back at my awesome new husband and thinking, life doesn’t get better than this.

Photography: Katie Slater Photography | Event Planning + Design: TRUE Event | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka | Wedding Dress: Watters | Cake: Zest Fresh Pastry | Invitations: Tie That Binds | Catering: Coastal Gourmet | Makeup: Timothy Pamment Salon | Hair: W Salon | Band: Elan Artists | Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang Black For Men's Warehouse | Transportation: Black Swan Limousine | Transportation: Rockstar Limo | Venue: At Home | Accommodations: Mohegan Sun Hotel | Accommodations: Saybrook Point Inn | Bathrooms: Country Portables | Bridesmaid Jewelry: Judith Bright | Cocktail Hour Music: Suite Occasions Music | Lighting + Draping: Ryan Designs | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents

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Hana Floral Design

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This is the kind of wedding inspiration that makes me skip with happiness to my computer each morning. An unfussy vibe, neutral palette paired with just the right amount of subtle hues here and there and completely organic at heart. Basically, it’d be the jumping off point if I had a wedding do-over. So, thank you Julie Paisley, Firefly Events, Southern Events, Designs In Paper and team, for crafting it all—we’ll be pinning every bit in THE VAULT!

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From Firefly Events…Nestled among the tallest hills in Williamson County, Trinity View Farm is an exquisite venue with undeniable European influence. When you round the final turn up the long driveway and first see the so-called barn, every visitor feels transported out of Tennessee and onto a picturesque Italian hilltop boasting panoramic views. The only thing it lacks are the olive groves that inspired this shoot.

Katie and Josh, our real life, newly married model couple, shone against the rustic but elegant backdrop and textured, modern florals. Firefly Events crafted each understated detail to create a bigger picture that would inspire an earthy setting of romance and thoughtfulness.

We used greenery paired with neutral, earth toned garden roses for the florals. Our favorite detail is the sourdough loaf set at each place setting accompanied by hand poured olive oil favors. Olives, with their varying sizes and hues, inspired the color scheme and atmosphere. The whitewashed brick and dark wood features of Trinity View Farm set a warm backdrop for the elegant dress, jewelry, cuisine, and paper goods. We hope this shoot speaks to you and inspires a welcoming atmosphere for your event.

More Southern Wedding Inspiration this way!

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Event Planning: Firefly Events | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: Beyond Details | Wedding Dresses: Olia Zavozina | Cake: Dulce Desserts | Invitations: Designs in Paper | Jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Hair + Makeup: Elizabeth Warner Artistry | Groom's Attire: Street Tuxedo | Venue: Trinity View Farms | Rentals: Southern Events Party Rental & Vintage Prop Shoppe

As I much as I adore entertaining in the summer, there is something so comfy about having people over in the winter months. A warm fire, a good red wine, a dinner menu filled with our favorite comfort foods – it’s all recipe for a perfect evening. But, for us, it simply must start with a dynamite winter cheese plate to get the senses going before the main attraction. So I’ve laid out our go-to tips below so you can recreate it in your home as soon as tonight. Bon appetit!

1. CHOOSE YOUR PLATE:

There are so many to choose from – wood, marble, slate – and really you can’t go wrong as long as the cheese is delicious. This is actually a marble pastry slab from Crate & Barrel, but I love to use it for cheese because it’s large and in charge. Meaning more cheese. It’s also easy to clean, which is a big bonus for me. Oh and it’s marble, and that’s kind of an automatic win.

2. PICK YOUR CHEESES:

This is the part you really have to pay attention to. The rest you can scroll over (kidding, but you do you). I am by no means a cheese expert other than the fact that I consume a lot of cheese, but I have found a few that really seem to work for a crowd.

La Tur: My all time favorite. Like by a landslide. It’s a creamy blend of goat, sheep and cow, and Murray’s (my disneyland) describes it as “ice cream served from a warm scoop; decadant and melting from the outside in…” Sold?

Cremont: If you can’t find La Tur, Cremont is my next go to. It’s goey and delicious and made in Vermont, which always sells me. My mom and I eat this like it’s our job.

Wensleydale: This one might not be the fanciest, but it is always a crowd pleaser. La Tur and Cremont can be a little smelly and goey for non-cheese lovers, but Wensleydale (usually with cranberries) just sits pretty and welcoming. It’s always gone by the end of the night.

Cambozola Black Label Blue Cheese: If you are a blue cheese lover, this one is dynamite. Also Roquefort is a complete blue cheese dream come true. If you can’t find these at a local shop (my only cheese source normally is Whole Foods), you can usually just pick up the standard Cambozola and be totally fine.

Manchego: If you can’t tell, I adore soft cheeses, so I have to remind myself to throw in some firmer ones as well. That’s when I usually reach for a Manchego.

Cabot Select Cheddar: Just typing the word cheddar makes my mouth water. No lie. It’s 6AM, and if there was some in the fridge right now, I’d probably be eating it. No shame. It’s also one that anyone will eat, because who doesn’t love cheddar?

Above all of these recommendations, my biggest tip is to talk to your cheese monger. Let them help you out, and don’t be afraid to try something new. I swear I come out with a new cheese I’ve never tried every.single.time I go to an amazing cheese shop. That’s how you’ll find the diamonds in the rough.

3. LABEL THE CHEESE:

This is important, because people want to know what they are eating. If you have room, add a little description too. The more people know, the more they’ll be willing to dig in. Most people will say to place the cheese in order of mildest to strongest, and that’s awesome if you have space, but I may or may not be guilty of arranging cheese the way it looks the prettiest. (shhhh….)

4. CHOOSE YOUR VEHICLES:

The vehicle in which the cheese enters your mouth is oh so important. To me, nothing beats a fresh baguette for those creamy cheeses, but I love to have options. I usually have 2-4 different options in the cracker variety for folks. Bland is typically the way to go – this isn’t the place for loads of flavor, but texture is always good.

5. CHOOSE YOUR PAIRINGS:

You know that moment when you have the perfect blend of tastes in your mouth and you feel like you’re in heaven? You want to provide that opportunity for your guests. Apples, pears, dried fruits are often forgotten, but always delicious.

6. SERVE UP SOME SWEET:

Speaking of pairings, I usually make sure I have some fig spread or honey out for guests. Chocolate is another good option. They usually pair well with cheese (or after cheese in chocolate’s case), and bring your cheese experience to another level.

7. SERVE UP SOME SAVORY:

I’m savory girl all the way. Chocolate cake does nothing for me. But give me a cheese plate with marcona almonds and prosciutto, and I’ll probably be drooling.

8. SEPARATE SERVING UTENSILS:

Make sure you have separate knives or spreaders for each cheese. This just helps keep tastes where they need to be. Crate and Barrel has some good options that don’t break the bank.

9. PROVIDE PLATES:

This may seem like a no brainer, but cheese is just easier to eat when you actually have a plate. And that way, guests can make their own little cheese plate to sit and experience. Appetizer plates are a good investment.

10. DON’T FORGET THE WINE:

Wine and cheese just go to together like, well, wine and cheese. There is no better combo in my book. Try to pick wines that will compliment your picks.

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Photography: Erin McGinn | Styling: Abby Capalbo

We named two-piece bridal dresses one of the wedding trends to watch in 2016, and sure enough this bride is rocking her Manuel Mendoza crop top gown with total elegance and grace. Whitney Krutzfeldt photographed the outdoor lovefest – which was threatened by a torrential rainstorm  – but one look at the images and you’d never even guess. More inside The Vault!

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From The Bride…Luke and I chose to get married up the Sunshine Coast, as it was here, 12 years earlier that we first met as teenagers. Being in the outdoors by the ocean and looking out to the island where we fell in love was the perfect location that brought back so many amazing memories of laughter and love with our friends and family.

Our wedding day started abruptly at 6am to the sound of a torrential rainstorm hitting the roof of our tent. It wasn’t long until things got into motion and we started getting ready. The rain continued and the winds started to pick up (we were told to expect record wind speeds that day). We were fortunate enough that the sun made a brief appearance during Whitney’s amazing photo shoot.

All in all, we couldn’t have asked for a more amazing day. As the rain came down, our family and friends stayed huddled under our clear top tent eating, laughing and dancing the night (and early morning) away. The energy and love that surrounded us made it truly a day to remember!

From Whitney Krutzfeldt…Luke and Lindsay’s Wedding was at one of my favorite venues in British Columbia, Rock Water Resort. It’s a stunning location that’s far enough out of the city that everyone feels like they’re on vacation for the weekend and it epitomizes the beauty that is the Pacific North West.

There wedding day just so happened to fall on the stormiest day of the year with 90km/hr winds and heavy rain on and off all day. You would think that would lend itself to a stressful day but it brought everyone tighter inside the stunning tent and made for an even better party! The sun came out during cocktail hour which was perfect and it poured all night as the guests danced away under the clear star lit tent! Everything from the brides beautiful two piece Manuel Mendoza dress to the crystal details on the table made for a stunning day.

Photography: Whitney Krutzfeldt Photography | Event Styling: Alexie Gray | Floral Design: Gibsons Florist | Wedding Dress: Manuel Mendoza | Bride's Shoes: Aldo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Aritzia | Hair: Chris Funk | Hair + Makeup: Katie Elwood | Bow Ties: Beaux | Venue: Rockwater Secret Cove Resort | Photography - Assistance: Kvd Photography

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As much as we love a blush wedding at SMP, we also love a day bursting with color like this one from Ashley Therese Photography. And with invitations and stationery from Roseville Designs, a gorgeous Jenny Packham gown from Everthine Bridal Boutique and entertainment from Sweet Tooth & The Sugarbabies Band, the color scheme isn’t the only thing to love about this day. See all the beauty in THE VAULT!

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From The Bride…The only thing we were set on while planning our wedding was having some aspect of our day outside. We both love the outdoors and spending time with my family in Connecticut and wanted to share that with our guests. The Inn at Longshore is close by where I grew up and was the first, and only, venue that we visited. We loved the location and the waterfront view with the option of having the ceremony and cocktail hour on the lawn overlooking the Long Island Sound.

Brian gave me free reign when planning the wedding, since it really is every girl’s dream, but I didn’t have a specific vision in mind. I knew that I wanted it to be beautiful and romantic, and not feel dated when we look back at our photos in 20 years, but other than that I was open to anything. There are so many choices for every facet of a wedding that it can be overwhelming. Our wedding planner, Amy of Amy Champagne Events, was wonderful and really helped us to narrow down what we wanted and to find the perfect people to work with.

From the start Brian had his heart set on hiring Loudbyte as our cinematographers. They created the most amazing film for his brother’s wedding but because they are based in Chicago we only Skyped and emailed with them. That really got us hooked planning online as much as possible. Since we were living out of state in New York City and recently had a baby, we tried to keep traveling to a minimum. The bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s tuxes were ordered online. We didn’t meet our photographer, Ashley Therese Photography, in person until our engagement session, and all of the invitation and day-of paper design was done with Sandy of Roseville Designs over email. We actually never even saw our band, Sugarbabies, perform until our wedding! It sounds crazy but with social media and everyone having a website, you can get a lot of information and feel really comfortable with your choices even if you aren’t able to meet face to face.

Before the wedding one of my bridesmaids reminded me to stop every once in awhile and be in the moment; just to take it all in. I’m so glad she told me that because I think it really made everything slow down for us and we were able to enjoy and really remember the day so much more.

Photography: Ashley Therese Photography | Cinematography: Loudbyte | Event Planning: Amy Champagne Events | Floral Design: Diane Gaudette Custom Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Cake: Erica OBrien Cake Design | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: On The Marc | Makeup: Caitlin Cotter Makeup Artistry | Calligraphy: Belles Lettres Calligraphy | Lighting: Shindig Lighting | Band: Sugarbabies Inc. | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Transportation: Gateway Limos | Venue: The Inn At Longshore | Bridal Boutique: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Invitations + Stationery: Roseville Designs

This elopement turned intimate country fete is sure to put a gleam in your wedding-loving eye. Whether you want that stunning solitaire on your left hand, that fit-like-a-glove lace dress hugging your curves or that gold painted pomegranate cake too pretty to eat. And with a team like Love This Day Events, Tamara Gruner and European Flower Shop, there’s more than enough to get your swoon on here in THE VAULT.

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From Ali Fortunato…Madison and Adam wanted their wedding to feel intimate, comfortable and timeless. They thought of eloping, but when their families caught wind of their plans they decided it was best to include their very closest family members in their celebration. Colorado was the perfect setting for their destination wedding because they were sharing a new place and experience with both families.

The color palette for the ceremony was muted: white, ivory, blush pink and sage green. Nothing distracting, just soft and romantic so that the focus was on the couple and their vows. They chose to add in bolder colors for the reception: pomegranate, deep pink, red and gold accents – which made the two spaces feel different and more like a progressive event. I used timeless flowers and greens such as peonies, garden roses and eucalyptus, but kept it modern by choosing gold statement vessels and sliced pomegranate.

They provided thoughtful decor such as blankets on the chairs and personalized luggage tags to ensure that each guest felt comfortable and special.

Planning a Colorado Wedding? See more inspiration here!

Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography | Event Planning: Love This Day Events | Event Styling: European Flower Shop | Floral Design: European Flower Shop | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: Indulge Bakery | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Nine West | Catering: Wild Basin Lodge | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Wild Basin Lodge | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Silk + Ribbon: Silk and Willow

Oh, to be a guest at this wedding. To have seat at the oceanfront ceremony, to sip champagne while the Thailand sun sets, and to gasp as you enter the tented reception complete with draped ceilings, crystal chandeliers and greenery vines strung throughout. It’s the kind of wedding that could only be the handiwork of absurdly talented vendors like Joy Proctor, Luxury Events Phuket and Bows + Arrows, and thanks to Ryan Ray and Lovell Productions we get to live vicariously through their images and film. Start with the bridal session, wedding part one + two, and then soak up the full gallery for every last moment.

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From Joy Proctor… Making their way to the reception, guests were greeted by an oversized wooden board holding the seating assignments, and baskets of flip flops and pashminas. Guests entered the tent, taking their seats at weathered wood chairs. The U shaped tent has a fully draped ceiling, with soft chiffon panels tied off with greenery on every pole.

Crystal chandeliers hung above with greenery vines strung throughout. Menus made of cotton paper with gold foil sat tucked inside napkins, with guests names tied to sprigs of greenery. Etched bottle openers with the couples monogram sat at each place setting inside stamped muslin bags. Lush, organic green and white flowers sat between mercury glass and metallic candle holders, creating an intimate and romantic environment.

Verna and Tino did their first dance of the dance floor with sat in the middle of the U, outside the tent. After dinner, guests watched as a beautiful show of fireworks went off overhead.

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Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Coordination: Luxury Events Phuket | Event Design: Joy Proctor Design | Floral Design: Bows + Arrows | Invitations: Lauhaus | Ceremony Venue: Samujana | Catering:Go Samui Catering | Hair & Makeup: Gabbie Lee | Cinemetography: Lovell Productions | Linens: La Tavola | Reception Stationary: Written Word Calligraphy | Rentals: BIC Phuket

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Joy Proctor Design

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We truly can’t get enough of Alexa of Manderley Design Co.‘s kitchen renovation. That brass lighting? The blue Viking stove? Floor-to-ceiling subway tile? Swoon! So, we asked Alexa the recipe (pun intended) to a successful (and beautiful) kitchen remodel. Now, excuse us while we go pin all the gorgeous photos from La Luz Photography to our “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board!

ONE.

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Design two kitchens in one for visual interest!

Our kitchen is pretty square, and small enough that I couldn’t sacrifice counter or cabinet space to add in pretty furniture or a desk or eating bar; things that usually break up the space. Instead, I incorporated two different, but complementary designs. On one side of the kitchen, the cabinets are white and the counters are wood. On the other side, I created a baking center with a marble counter and blue-gray cabinets. So much more interesting! The secret to success is to keep some elements the same throughout the space—all of the cabinet doors are the same design, and all of the hardware is a consistent warm brass that will age over time. The final product is interesting and cohesive!

Two

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Add a deeper window ledge!

I had my contractors add just two inches to the window ledge over the sink. Now, I have a space to display collections (usually rocks, shells, and empty birds’ eggs that my boys bring in!), small plants, birthday cards, candles, holiday decor…whatever reflects my current mood. It’s nice to have a place to personalize and decorate a room that can often be very utilitarian.

Three

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In the design stage, think about how YOU will use the space, not just how it was before.

You may be remodeling for cosmetic purposes, but that also creates the opportunity for you to customize your kitchen to your lifestyle. For example, we left the basic footprint the same, but created a new mudroom out of the old breakfast nook. When my boys were young, it was great to have them eating right there in the kitchen, but now that they are in school and sports, the table was always piled high with soccer gear, school bags, and coats. We decided it was much more valuable for us to have a lot of hidden storage for their gear, and more pantry space because they are eating a lot more! There are often some easy tweaks that don’t involve moving walls or changing the footprint, but they can make your home so much more livable.

Four

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Consider various types of lighting.

Many kitchens just have overhead lighting so the light is only at one level, and too often, the fixtures aren’t interesting. Lighting is my favorite part of any project because it feels like room-jewelry to me. I love brass library lights, and didn’t see any reason not to put them in my kitchen. We also have dimmable under cabinet lighting that makes cooking so much more enjoyable. Kitchens just feel warm and welcoming when they have various forms of lighting to bounce the light around at different levels of view.

five

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Open shelving!

It’s very popular for making a kitchen feel more spacious, but it’s amazing how much easier it makes unloading the dishwasher! Just make sure that all of your dishes are attractive and somewhat coordinated. Our everyday dishes are all white, so it works for us. They don’t have to match though; but they do need to be combined in a thoughtful way if you are going to bring in patterns and color.

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Photography: La Luz Photography | Interior Design: Manderley Design Co.

When a designer like Hayley Paige turns Bride and then creates a gorgeous collection inspired by her very own wedding dress (p.s. don’t you just love her?), beautiful things happen my friends. The 2016 collection is here, and it glows with lace, sparkles and appliqué galore. See the twirl-worthy proof below!

Brides, if you’re looking for a charmed look, this season highlights fleurescent-inspired designs and applications, including flower bombing in color and creating effervescent sparkle from hologram-like embellishments.

The Hayley Paige Spring 2016 Collection also features layered sequins and the loveliest floral detailing. “If this collection was a tea party, we would be serving lavender flavored tequila and hand-painted petit fours!”-Hayley Paige

To see the entire Hayley Paige Spring 2016 Collection, head on over to the Look Book. Let us know your favorite design in the comments below!

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It’s 2016, and the world is (thankfully) more modern than ever. But there are still some notions stuck in the past—like, the rules of engagement rings. Thankfully, our friends at Who What Wear are dispelling the outdated myths and giving them a much-needed update for the modern 21st Century bride-to-be. From social media to money, these are the new etiquette rules of engagement rings in 2016.

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THE RULES

Yes, You Can Help Pick Out the Ring

Tradition dictates that the proposer shops for the ring and surprises his or her intended with the bauble as a gift, but many modern women (and men!) would prefer to have some say in the style of the ring. And in 2016, that’s totally fine; you can go shopping together, suggest designers, send inspiration, whatever you like. After all, if you’re the person wearing it, you should like it!

Splitting the Cost of the Ring is OK

Tradition stipulates that the proposer pays for the ring. But since ideally you are entering into a partnership with someone who you consider your equal, why not also share equal responsibility, re: the purchase of the ring? Of course, if you want to be gifted the ring, there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you do want to help pay, the gesture will likely be appreciated.

Think Carefully Before Posting a Close-Up of Your Bling

This one’s a toughie, because the ubiquitous presence of sites like Facebook and Instagram make it very tempting to post a shot of your beloved rock as soon as it’s on your finger. But, posting a close-up shot of just the ring is in poor taste; instead, post a more zoomed-out photo of your hand in the hand of your betrothed. That way, loved ones can see your ring without it being the central focus.

If You Dislike the Ring, You Can Say So

If your proposer surprises you with an engagement ring and you don’t absolutely love it, you have every right to express that opinion—but do so graciously and politely. Offer to help pick out a replacement, and even pay for it, if need be.

Head over to Who What Wear to see the Rest!

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Prettiest Engagement Rings Ever

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Prettiest Engagement Rings Ever

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Petit Bouquet

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Take my advice and clear the rest of your afternoon schedule. Because when Ryan Ray sends us a wedding, it’s a hold-the-phones and stop-all-else sort of situation. His images speak straight our wedding-loving souls and when a vendor team like Luxury Events Phuket, Bows + Arrows and Joy Proctor are involved? It’s a recipe for perfection. If you have yet to see the bridal session start here, followed by a viewing of Lovell Productions amazing film below, and sit tight for part two coming up next. (Pssst: there’s even more in The Vault!)

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From Joy Proctor… It was an absolute pleasure to help Verna & Tino design their wedding. Verna had a clean vision of what she wanted for the wedding; organic yet elegant, romantic and intimate. We began designing shortly after the invitations had been printed which left a lot of room to create something magical. After a few phone calls, I created an inspiration board and design proposal detailing all my ideas for layout, welcome gifts, flowers, stationary, ceremony, tables and all those special little touches.

We set up a walk through in Thailand to meet and view the beautiful property and confirm all our plans a month prior to the wedding. Verna and I walked through the entire event, planning special design details for each event, and thinking through all the logistical details to ensure a phenomenal guest experience! Planning for the tropical Thai weather, I suggested an open sided, U shaped tent, so that guests would be covered in the case of rain while still being able to appreciate the beautiful environment. The phenomenal production team, BIC built the chairs, bars, tables and tent exactly to my specifications. The result was an exquisite, intimate weekend.

Guests arrived at the Koh Samui airport greeted by a wooden sign with organic greenery swag, cold towels, and welcome bags containing a local sim card, water and a snack. Upon arrival an Samujana, guests met their Villa manager, who offered them an in house menu, as well as gave them the opportunity to sign up for a variety of classes throughout the weekend, including yoga, cooking and muay thai.

The day of the wedding guests were greeted with cold towels and a welcome beverage on the ocean front lawn. As the ceremony began, the bridal party entered down a pathway lit by more than 300 candles. Guests stood as the bride made her way down the aisle, lined with a lush pathway of growing flowers. The bride and groom exchanged vows between organic floral arrangements. After the ceremony champagne, signature drinks and appetizers were passed to guests as they mingled on lounge furniture as the sun set.

Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Cinematography: Lovell Productions | Coordination: Luxury Events Phuket | Event Design: Joy Proctor Design | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Invitations: Lauhaus | Stationery: Written Word Calligraphy | Catering: Go Samui Catering | Hair + Makeup: Gabbie Lee | Venue: Samujana | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: BIC Phuket

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Joy Proctor Design

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I am about to tackle a total kitchen overhaul and this remodel by Manderley Design Co. is getting added to the top of my inspiration pile. That blue viking stove is full on dream status! And when you pair it with floor to ceiling subway tile, open shelving, brass lamps and a whole marble baking station; like I said, it’s total kitchen dreaming. Take the full tour captured by La Luz Photography in the VAULT.

Our new kitchen was a complete remodel that was a long time coming! We moved into our house five years ago, but the house had a lot of history before us. It was built in 1920, and unfortunately, the updates had been few and far between, and were not done well. We had so many projects that required our attention first, so I was overjoyed when we finally had time and resources to do the kitchen!

Some of my favorite details in our kitchen are the floor-to-ceiling white subway tile, the beautiful wood countertops, the marble baking center, the farmhouse sink, and the personal touches I included like my vintage French street signs because I love art and collections in kitchens.

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One note about our counters, because a lot of people ask about our them. Visitors always say the wood is so pretty but assume it won’t hold up. Not true! This is our second kitchen with wood counters, and we love them. Surprisingly, they actually will hold up better than the marble on the other side of the kitchen. When the marble gets a stain, chip or scratch, it’s there for good. But we’ll just give the wood a quick light sand and fresh topcoat of sealer every couple of years, and they glow like brand new again.

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Sources: Brass library lights (unlacquered brass): Rejuvenation | Farmhouse sink: Build | Ceiling lights: Schoolhouse Electric | Custom maple counters: Perfect Plank | Stove: Custom color Viking 36″ sealed burner gas range: Viking | Cabinetry hardware (unlacquered brass): Rejuvenation | Drawer pulls (unlacquered brass): Rejuvenation | Dishes: Pottery Barn | Glass jars: Target | Pepper grinder: Williams Sonoma | Our favorite olive oil! Most used ingredient in our kitchen: Stonehouse Olive Oil

Photography: La Luz Photography | Event Planning: Pottery Barn | Invitations: Target | Favors: Schoolhouse Electric | Interior Design: Manderley Design Co. | Vendor: William Sonoma | Vendor: Rejuvenation

Let me be clear as I imagine there might be some confusion: this elegant affair took place in TEXAS! Overflowing with European beauty, bright blooms by Without Wax Katy and linens by La Tavola, it’s easy to think you’ve been transported to Spain. The Nichols captured every breathtaking moment, making our VAULT more colorful than ever – see it all right here!

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From the Bride… Coming from traditional Spanish roots, both Miguel and I had envisioned a Spain-inspired Catholic wedding. We chose the beautiful hill country of Austin, TX for our reception because it seemed just about the closest we could find (in the US) to the countryside of Spain… plus Austin is just a blast! We felt like Spanish royalty celebrating under the pavilion of Villa Del Lago, outlooking the vast expanse of rolling hills and Lake Travis. The best moment was when Miguel and I looked out over the balcony, my veil gracefully flowing in the wind – we felt like King and Queen of the Hill Country Kingdom! Hah!

From a design perspective, deep autumnal tones brought in a warmth that we were looking for. Wherever possible, traditional laces were used to bring in a textural softness. Miguel’s last name,’Chavez’, means “keys” in Spanish, so, being the graphic designer I am, created a custom ‘key’ monogram for the event. This motif was present on so many elements – napkins, favors, menus, etc. The entire cocktail and dinner menu was a collaboration of autumnal flavors and traditional Spanish dishes.

Miguel could not stop smiling the ENTIRE ceremony and evening. I knew that he finally understood all of the work and stress that went into planning and that my design team and I had hit the nail on the head. Just seeing his big smile made my night. At one point in the evening I sat down quietly in the corner and just watched him from afar – he is so handsome!

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Peruse more Texas weddings here!

Photography: Nichols Photographers | Event Planning: Without Wax Katy | Event Planning + Design: Mayhar Design | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary Cathedral Diocese Of Austin | Reception Venue: Villa Del Lago | Bride's Shoes: Chanel | Catering: Kurant Events | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola

When it comes to booking your vendor dream team, finding that perfect photographer is a pretty big deal. They capture the moments you’ll treasure forever, and that’s where Magnolia Weddings comes in. In the words of Erich of Magnolia, “I love bringing the couple’s story to life in their images,” and that’s exactly what he did for this sweet couple wed at the Berkeley City Club. Get lost in the gallery and don’t miss a major Magnolia Weddings giveaway below.

From Magnolia Weddings... This wedding took place at a California Historic Landmark, the Berkeley City Club. The historical society designation says that architect Julia Morgan’s “Moorish and Gothic elements created a landmark of California design.”

Not only was there distinctive architecture as the backdrop but the library, courtyard and pool all added to the elegance of the wedding. The courtyard provided a great romantic spot for the bride and groom’s first look. The library was perfect for the groom and groomsmen to hang out and drink scotch in while they waited for the ceremony.

The couple met at a crossfit class–in fact the groom was the instructor. I think the story of ‘law school student finds love at the crossfit gym’ is the perfect set up to a romantic comedy. At the wedding they enjoyed themselves throughout, making each other laugh and having a great time dancing with friends and family.

The Prize: Magnolia Weddings is giving away the winner’s choice of either a deluxe engagement portrait session (within a 40 mile radius of San Francisco) or $400 off a wedding package!

To Enter: Simply visit Magnolia Weddings and leave a comment below telling us which style wedding (rustic, modern, classic, etc.) most closely matches your own style.

To Win: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, January 29.

Terms & Conditions: Can be found right here.

Photography: Magnolia Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Berkeley City Club | Reception Venue: Berkeley City Club

Ladies, listen up! What you’ve heard is true, we’ve officially found your dream wedding. Get ready to say hello to the newest love of your life, or better yet what we like to call the perfect Maui masterpiece, and it’s all thanks to the ever so talented Wendy Laurel. A day drenched in tropical sun, one gorge cliff backdrop, and a romance that is practically palpable, we invite you to witness it all in THE VAULT!

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From Wendy Laurel…Getting married on Maui when its cold at home is a fabulous idea. Especially when you mix the luxurious surroundings of the Ritz Carlton Kapalua and the gorgeous scenery of West Maui. Clarissa and Andrew choose Maui for their wedding to accommodate their guests and family from all over the world. And really who can complain about a wedding in Hawaii? Their elegant wedding took place in the Sacred Hearts church in Kapalua with an outdoor reception by the beach on the hotel property. A gorgeous cliff with the deep blue ocean swirling below provided the perfect backdrop for bride and groom portraits.

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Cake: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Ceremony Venue: Sacred Hearts Church At Ritz Carlton | Reception Venue: Ritz Carlton Kapalua | Photography Assistance: Jeffrey Oltman

For any of you lovelies dreaming of a classic-meets-glam ballroom wedding, look no further than this D.C. affair. With exquisite white-and-gold calligraphy invitations from Laura Hooper Calligraphy, sublime fashions (we’ll be dreaming of that ballgown) and an abundance of fresh flowers, this Ritz Carlton wedding is as glamorous as can be. See all the beauty from Abby Jiu Photography in THE VAULT!

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From Evoke…When you think of a D.C. wedding, you think of classic elegance with timeless touches, which is just what this fabulous couple wanted for their big day!  The fabulous early Fall soirée was traditionally romantic, from Lara and Nathan’s cozy ceremony too their fun glistening reception that featured a mix of square and round signature mirror top tables. No detail was missed, every place setting had a monogramed napkin of the couples initials paired with custom laser cut name cards from Laura Hooper Calligraphy. 

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Cinematography: Bowen Films | Event Planning + Design: EVOKE DC | Floral Design: Amaryllis | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Ritz Carlton, Washington D.C. | Invitations: The Write Image | Hair + Makeup: Carola Myers Makeup & Hair Artists | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Band: Elan Artists | Venue: Ritz Carlton Washington D.C. | Drape: Fabrication Events | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.

Hands down, one of the funnest parts of any wedding? Dancing the night away and capturing silly and sweet moments galore in the photo booth. But why do these two highlights need to be separated? Boston Common Band is here to share their insider advice for making the most of both hot spots for your soiree so that not one monumental moment is missed (aka Uncle Larry pulling off a mean Dougie).

From Boston Common Band… Often times when you’re attending a wedding that has a photo booth, you’ve likely found that it was placed away from the dance floor, or even in a separate area, outside of the main ballroom. You end up separating the whole party, with 20% of guests focused at the bar, 20% at the photo booth, either having their photos taken, waiting to have them taken, or waiting for their photos to print, and the remaining 60% of guests on the dance floor.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could keep the 80%+ of the party near the dance floor?! Modern photo booths have essentially dropped the “booth” and now often feature “open air” concepts. This allows you to keep the camera nearby the dance floor, with best-practice putting it on the corner of the dance floor next to the Band or DJ. As your guests are having their photos taken, the backdrop of the photos then become all of your friends and family rockin’ out to some great tunes!

Additionally, new photo booth/kiosks are often equipped with social media features. You’ll find them being called “Social Media Booths.” They allow you to temporarily sign-in with your Facebook / Twitter / Instagram accounts, and directly post the photos immediately on the spot, including being posted with your wedding’s hashtag. There’s a number or really amazing technologies being adapted to make weddings much more personal and interactive!

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More wedding planning 101 advice right here!

Photography: Mirelle Carmichael | Entertainment Advice: Boston Common Band

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Entertainment

Boston Common Band

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When it comes to weddings, there are some factors out of our control and Mother Nature is one of them. But impending rain doesn’t mean smiles turned upside down, and this gorgeous Bride is the perfect example for taking stormy skies with a grain of salt. Cedarwood Weddings are pros at handling anything and a few drops here and there are nothing to fret over. Kelsey Combe and Little Josh Productions captured it all, from the Designs In Paper creations that set the scene and the beautiful bridesmaids in Jenny Yoo to the sparkler send off. See it all in our VAULT this way!

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From Kelsey Combe Photography… Cedarwood was a dream come true. When I got the call from a dear family friend to shoot her wedding in Nashville, a destination location for me, I jumped for joy at the opportunity. The ladies of Cedarwood are extraordinary. They take the visions of brides and they RUN with it. They turn childhood dreams into reality and then some. Everything was so carefully styled, so curated, no detail left undone. And rain? Who cares. Cedarwood will provide the umbrellas and even change the schedule around to accommodate being able to hold an outdoor ceremony. And when it rains anyway, they will help everyone put up their umbrellas and enjoy the view.

And then, let me just gush about the bride, Carey, for a moment. She was in a stunning, perfect, intricate Vera Wang gown. Her hair was perfectly done – her makeup simple and lovely. And that girl just didn’t care that it was raining. During the ceremony, she happily laughed as the rain fell. She embraced the day and made sure the weather didn’t control her. By the end of the night, the bottom of the dress was caked in a layer of dark Nashville dust – but it was the best worn dress and happiest bride I’ve ever seen.

From the Bride… Kyle and I met at Vanderbilt University after locking eyes at a mutual friend’s dinner party. While he hails from the suburbs of Louisville and I grew up in Boston proper, we were immediately drawn to each other and found ourselves staying up until the early hours of the morning watching CMT while Kyle sang questionably into my ear. Upon graduation, Kyle moved to Boston for law school, and I excitedly joined him a year later. Chicago called to Kyle post law school and I again followed him.

While we love each city we have lived in and shared together, Nashville was ultimately the city where we met and fell in love, and the city that still holds a big part of our hearts. So with that easy choice out of the way, it was time to select a venue. Both of us grew up camping and experiencing the outdoors, so we wanted to include an element of that in our wedding day. When we saw Cedarwood for the first time, we were both blown away. We loved the rolling hills, the at-home feel, and how each corner afforded a new vantage point. Once the venue and date were selected, it was time to pick a photographer, a videographer and a band. Each of these held significant importance to us so we researched for months to ensure we were exhausting our options and finding the ones that we knew would capture who we were as a couple. The videographer came first – Josh Curd of Little Josh Productions. We met him while in Nashville and we knew right away he was the one for us. He is friendly, relatable, hard-working and passionate about what he does. The band came next. Lovers of Texas Country and Classic Rock, we wanted a band that could play a variety of classics but we had a few songs on our “must play” list and one more complicated requirement that held us up a bit – a fiddle player (“If you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle on the band,” right?). We eventually found Edsel West and they were everything we wanted – a little bit of country, a little bit of rock and roll and a lot of fun.

The photographer was the hardest part for us (read: me). I had a very specific look I was going for and was looking up every Nashville photographer I could find. The whole time, however, I had a very specific person in mind whose style I was trying to emulate. Ultimately, I realized – why am I not asking her to see if she’s willing to travel to Nashville? Not only is Kelsey Combe one of the most talented and breath-taking photographers I have laid eyes on, but she just so happens to be someone I grew up with in our small, close-knit summer community in Northern Michigan, and I loved the connection that was able to bring to our Nashville wedding. Kelsey was almost, if not just, as excited as we were about this newfound professional relationship and as you can see from the photographs, we could not have picked a better, more professional or more genuine photographer. What a team we created!

The day of our wedding was a magical, mystical, and misty day. Cedarwood went above and beyond to bring our dreams to fruition. Being in the interior design business, I was meticulous about little details and didn’t want anything overlooked. Details I thought may be missed, Cedarwood caught. Colors, textures, and scents were mixed together to create an absolute dream day. Dressed in Vera Wang with my hair and makeup done by Toni Ann Christian Moss, I finally felt like the woman who was about to become Mrs. Elder in a few short hours.

Rain sprinkled our ceremony and then splattered our dinner, but everyone danced on, embracing the beautiful backdrop under a white tent and twinkle lights and everything Mother Nature created for us. Friends and family came from all over, with no more than two guests local to Nashville. We were eager to show our guests the city we had fallen in love with and Cedarwood was the perfect place to encapsulate the Southern charm we love so much. The team at Cedarwood cannot be exceeded. From the white golf umbrellas on hand for rain, to the ease and flow of the day, the Cedarwood team knows what they are doing and they do it with excellence. My mother, sister and I did not feel an ounce of stress that day and that would not have been the case without the team we had created behind us. Thank you to everyone who made our day what it was. It was the best way we could imagine celebrating our new life together.

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Find more stylish Southeast weddings here!

Photography: Kelsey Combe Photography | Cinematography: Little Josh Productions | Floral + Event Design: Cedarwood Weddings | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Patty Cakes | Invitations: Designs in Paper | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: For Her And For Him | Catering: Chef Christopher | Hair + Makeup: Toni Ann Christian Moss | Band: Edsel West | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Violinist Rebecca Baumbach | Transportation: Anchor Tours | Venue: Cedarwood Weddings | Maid Of Honor Dress: Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Kitchens are the heart of the home, and I like to think of the hardware as the accessory that really makes them tick. The perfect knob or pull can be like adding jewelry to an outfit, it can really bring your kitchen to an entirely new level.  Which also means it can be somewhat overwhelming to pick the perfect pieces for your home. But have no fear, we have you covered with some serious inspiration for your hardware dilemmas below.

Kitchen Hardware Inspiration

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Kitchen Hardware Inspiration

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Now that you have your dream kitchen floating around in your brain, it’s time to find out just where you can make that happen. So we have quite the stylish hardware shopping list ready to make your dream kitchen vision a reality.

Favorite Hardware Roundup

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Favorite Hardware Roundup

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