We’ve decided, 2016 is the year of the elegant wedding. Take this perfect waterside celebration as proof. With Caroline Ro behind the lens capturing the merriment underneath a perfectly elegant Sperry Tent, this is one gallery you won’t want to miss. Witness every detail of Hannah and Morgan’s celebration firsthand in THE VAULT!

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From Caroline Ro…Come their October wedding, I had been working with Hannah for over a year and a half! Before she was even engaged, she emailed me with questions about having a wedding in (highly coveted) Charleston. From then on, I felt like one of my nearest and dearest friends was getting married. I photographed hers and Morgan’s engagement portraits, Hannah’s bridal session and of course, their wedding day.

Set on a perfect, breezy October afternoon, guests witnessed Hannah and Morgan say their vows after over five years of dating underneath dripping Spanish moss and overlooking the Edisto River. Plantation singers sung Hannah down the aisle as well as the newly married duo to their cocktail hour underneath the oaks.

All the details along the way were thought through with so much care: Hannah’s invitations were hand calligraphed on the softest of linen paper, her dress was bought without her having tried in on by a friend local to Charleston, the bridesmaids picked out their favorite Adrianna Papell gowns which went perfectly with the groomsmens’ tuxes. Hannah even donned her great-grandmother’s fur for portrait time, intentionally including family heirlooms in the day. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour under the oaks and the reception underneath a beautiful Sperry tent alongside a classic checkered dance floor with cafe lighting above.

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Caroline Ro | Floral Design: FLORA | Wedding Dress: Fabulous Frocks Bridal | Cake: Whole Foods Market Preston | Invitations: Lydia Robins Hendrix Studio | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Royal Grand Events | Hair + Makeup: Charleston Events Hair & Make-up | DJ: Epic Charleston | Band: Plantation Singers | Bow Tie: Mrs. Bow Tie | Venue: Cypress Trees Plantation | Rentals: Snyder | Rentals: 428 Main Vintage Rentals | Signage: Dodeline Design | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents

Cape Elizabeth has just immediately been added to my summer getaway list after going through Emily Delamater’s photos (over and over again) from this whimsical summer wedding. With fun blue linens from La Tavola and a blush gown that I’m going gaga over, it’s a match made in Maine wedding heaven. See these delightful details and more all in one place, the VAULT, right this way!

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From Emily Delamater… Such a dreamy summer day with Julia and Andrew in Cape Elizabeth this summer. The details of the day were so beautifully put together – Julia is definitely someone who knows what she loves and she has a great eye for bringing together elements that are both meaningful and fit together beautifully. I absolutely loved Julia’s blush Monique Lhuillier gown – so airy and romantic. Julia and Andrew were a dream to work with, they were so sweet with each other and both so excited to be celebrating with their friends and families. I got to work with Judy from Flora Fauna for the lovely event which is always such a treat, her florals are always perfection.

From the Bride… Andy and I met by chance (kismet) in Washington, D.C. seven years ago. We haven’t gone a day without talking since. Andy lived in Maine and I lived in Virginia, so we dated long-distance for over two years until I finished law school and was able to find a job in Maine. After five years of dating, Andy proposed with blueberry pancakes in bed accompanied by our beloved dog, Hermione, and cat, Panda.

After envisioning my wedding day since childhood, and having a very specific vision in mind, I knew that I wanted to plan my own wedding. We discussed having the wedding either in the D.C. area or in Maine, but I felt I could be more directly involved in planning each element of the wedding locally. As someone who loves the water, I was also won over by Maine’s incredible coast.

We visited the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, the day that we got engaged and decided immediately that its beautiful grounds on the coast would be a perfect venue for our July wedding. As a bonus, the Inn is also incredibly dog friendly (dog massages and room service are available) and it was wonderful being able to incorporate our flower-bedecked Hermione into our wedding day. We wanted our wedding to have a “beach-y chic” feel to it, and I knew that I wanted to wear a gown in blush, so we decided on a palette of blush, navy, gold and white. I loved assembling the elements of our wedding design and searching for items like pearlescent shells, pale pink sea urchins, coral, lanterns, bottles, and mercury glass votive holders.

We were extremely lucky to have the help of friends, family, and amazing vendors with this wedding. My talented friend and bridesmaid, Andrea Kohashi, designed and printed our beautiful letterpress Save the Dates and invitations. A judge whom I clerked for performed our wedding ceremony. Wedding Specialist Tracy Albert, at the Inn by the Sea, was a huge help in suggesting and implementing ideas, coordinating elements, and making the day feel flawless. My sister wrote and delivered a wedding poem that brought me to tears. Emily Delamater and her husband Matt captured more beautiful images of our wedding than we could have imagined. Our florist, Judy Bourgeois of Flora Fauna, was able to procure my dream bouquet of peonies in the middle of July and created arrangements that made the wedding feel like a fantasy to me. I loved so many of the details of our wedding that the vendors made possible: the hair and make-up, the cake, the linens, the food, and the ambience.

When I think of our wedding I feel profoundly grateful. I’m so happy that after weeks of worrying about the weather and after a cold and wet start to the summer, our wedding day was sunny and beautiful. I’m grateful to our friends and family who made the wedding such a fun and beautiful experience for us. (We had a great time!) And, I’m so grateful to be married to my husband, Andy.

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Peruse more magical Maine weddings here!

Photography: Emily Delamater Photography | Floral Design: Flora Fauna | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Let Them Eat Cake | Invitations: Andrea Kohashi | Bride's Shoes: Gucci | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Hair + Makeup: Head Games Salon for Hair & Body | Venue: Inn By The Sea | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola

The secret to planning a perfect wedding? Easy, first purchase one dreamy Anna Campbell gown and then ask the O’Malley Photographers to capture all the pretty. For we swear their cameras have magical powers – because honestly everything they capture turns into wedding gold. Just as Chris and Kelly, for their big day was one graced with marry-me-moments crafted by Valley & Company that’ll have you pinning it all. It’s the type of gallery that we’re going gaga for and it’s all sitting in THE VAULT!

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From O’Malley Photographers…We absolutely love Chris and Kelly, one of the kindest and most genuine couples we’ve ever worked with. Their Roche Harbor Resort wedding in July was a joy to be part of.

They are both busy with high-level military jobs that keep them working very hard, so we worked to create a beautiful and memorable island getaway where they could just relax and enjoy life with their friends and family, who flew in from across the globe. It proved to be a great retreat where they could kayak, lounge on the rocky shores and eagle watch with their guests without a care in the world.

We brought a lush Northwest-inspired look to the ceremony and reception with hundreds of feet of overhead greenery installations dancing overhead while guests dined at long king’s tables. To enhance the beautiful seaside surroundings, each detail was thoughtful and classic, just like Chris and Kelly. Subtle unexpected nautical touches popped up throughout the day, like driftwood aisle markers in over sized galvanized pails, hand-calligraphed driftwood escort cards, oyster shell calligraphy place cards, and beautiful decadent bon-voyage treat boxes with curated Northwest goods like Washington State cookies, jam and Orcas Island postcards.

One of the highlights of their wedding day was the Color Guard Ceremony, a formal military-style ceremony where the flag is brought down and trumpets played {summer camp-style!}. The entire harbor stopped to watch and the couple was formally announce before cannons shot off. Dozens of boats followed suit with their horns. Such a fun sentiment!

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Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Event Planning: Valley & Co. | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: Valley & Co. | Wedding Dress: Anna Campbell | Cake: Tallant House | Invitations: Sparkvites | Rings: Mociun | Hair + Makeup: Erin Skipley | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | DJ: Mike Garcia | Band: Hank | Favors: Valley & Co. | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: Seattle Wedding Officiants | Venue: Roche Harbor Resort | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | Custom Monnogramming: Oatmeal Lace Design | Desserts: Tallant House | Linen Rentals: Choice Linens | Rentals: Cort Party Rentals | Treat Boxes: Shop Sweet Lulu

I’ve never actually been to a baby shower and I’m nowhere near having children of my own, but SMP founder Abby Larson sure does know a thing or two about how to throw a party. And, in the spirit of the new year, let’s make a resolution right now to throw amazing baby showers—after all, if she’s carrying a child for nine months, she deserves it. With lots of inspiration in THE VAULT and Abby’s ideas below, every baby shower is sure to be a hit with the momma-to-be.

Ingenious Baby Shower Ideas

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Ingenious Baby Shower Ideas

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More Baby Shower Inspo You’ll Love

Flamingo-Infused Baby Showers | Blue Baby Shower | Rifle Paper-Inspired Baby Shower

There’s nothing that’ll sweep me up with emotion faster than a great wedding film. And a film by NST Pictures? Pure perfection. You see, they don’t just film a wedding, they tell a story. They capture the moments in between moments that adds up to a memory you’ll cherish forever. Their wedding packages start at $980, and today they’re graciously giving away an amazing cinematography gift to one lucky winner. Get the details below!

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Get cozy, grab a tissue and dive into a few of their incredible films…

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What: NST Pictures is giving away an all-inclusive wedding cinematography package to one lucky couple, including a full day of coverage with two cinematographers, a trailer film, a feature film, a documentary edit, USB copies and HD digital film links!  (Value $4810)

How: CLICK HERE to enter, and for all terms and conditions. Good luck, SMPers!

We’ve come to know and love Chloe of Boxwood Avenue as a Blogger Bride over on Style Me Pretty Weddings, and today, we’re loving her for a completely different reason: these life-changing kitchen cleaning tips. A clean kitchen in just 10 minutes? Absolutely. Now the hard part isn’t cleaning, it’s deciding what to do with all your free time!

Minute 1

Remove and put away everything from the countertops that isn’t an absolute necessity. Spray an all natural cleaning spray onto counter tops. Let sit.

Minutes 2-3

Load any dirty dishes into the dishwasher, and hand wash anything that was left to soak overnight. Start the dishwasher, and use a kitchen towel to dry any dishes that were hand washed, then return them to their proper cabinets.

Minute 4

Use a piece of scrap rag (I like to cut these into fourths) to wipe down the counter tops (paying close attention to the stove), anything that was stuck to the countertops should be loosened up by now. Allow any crumbs to simply fall onto the floor.

Minutes 5-6

Use the same scrap rag to dry up any water from washing the dishes. Wipe down any appliances, and if needed, the inside of the microwave. Make sure you also wipe down the faucets!

Minute 7

Sweep the kitchen floor, catching any crumbs or animal hair that may have happened to gather.

Minute 8

Check the trash can, if needed, empty and set the full bag aside. Deborah gave me a great tip for this – keep spare bags in the bottom of the trash, so putting a fresh bag in is a breeze!

Minutes 9-10

Grab your Swiffer (no, I am not getting paid to tell you that), and take care of any stubborn spills. Mop yourself of the room, and kiss your clean kitchen goodbye on your way out! Enjoy your day not having to worry about any kitchen chores!

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Photography: Alyssa Rosenheck Photography | Christina Shields | Tracey Ayton | Tessa Neustadt

I’m a proud book nerd (let’s not even get started chatting recommendations!) and the more greenery the better I say, so combine these two loves and what do we get? This masterpiece right here by Keely Thorne Events, overflowing with gorgeous green florals and literary love all around. Shaun Menary captured it all, and I’ll be soaking up everything, from chapter one to the end, in our VAULT right here!

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From the Bride… Hunter and I live in San Antonio, but we decided to have our wedding in Houston because we both grew up there and most of our family is there. As soon as I saw the Julia Ideson Library in downtown Houston I was hooked – there was no question in my mind that this was the place we were going to celebrate our marriage. Luckily Hunter (who was back in San Antonio at the time) ended up loving the library just as much as I did, and from there the architecture and color scheme of the library really drove most of our planning process. I grew up in the Methodist church, so once we found the library it was an easy decision to have the ceremony at the beautiful St. Paul’s United Methodist Church located just outside of downtown.

We wanted to incorporate elements of the library into the wedding so we added small touches like printing out our Save-The-Dates on bookmarks, displaying the escort cards in card catalogs, and having the table numbers printed on library cards. The Spanish Renaissance style of the library was already gorgeous on its own, so we created a color scheme that complemented the colors that were already there – lots of greenery, white and neutral colored flowers, and gold accents. Our wedding planner, Jennifer Hobson-Kaldis with Keely Thorne Events, did an amazing job of tying together all of our ideas, and all of our vendors were so creative and easy to work with. Even after almost a year of planning our jaws dropped when we first walked into the library that night! After dinner, everyone danced to music by the Kris Gordon Band; one of our groomsmen – a close friend who was there both the night Hunter and I met and the day we got engaged – plays guitar for the band, and we loved how personal it felt having a band that we have seen many times and enjoy listening to so much.

The whole night was perfect. Looking back, we’re so glad that we worked in little moments of private time throughout the day. We did a first look, ate a quick private dinner during the cocktail hour so we could visit with everyone during dinner, and we had a private last dance before our exit. Everything went so quickly and was such a blur, it meant a lot to us to have a few minutes together to soak it all in.

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More lovely library weddings here!

Photography: Shaun Menary Photography | Coordination: Keely Thorne Events | Floral Design: Events In Bloom | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: Susie's Cakes & Confections | Invitations: Pressing Events | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul's United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: Julia Ideson Library | Bride's Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell | Rings: Americus Diamond | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: A Fare Extraordinaire | Makeup: Jentry Kelley | Hair: Jeff Bruins | Band: Kris Gordon Band | Favors: Rook Design Co | Transportation: Sam's Limousines | Bridal Boutique: Ivory Bridal Atelier | Getaway Car: Monarch British Limousines | Getting Ready Venue: The Aspen Institute At Wye River | Rentals: A Finer Event | Sound: Pro Sound

When my hair is down, I have a tendency to twist and play with it until someone swats my hand away, but I’m not always in the mood to rock a ponytail. That’s where this ‘do from Jennie Kay Beauty comes in. With the utility of a ponytail and the soft femininity of having your hair down, this half up, half down hairstyle is as perfect for every day life as it is for a date night with your man! Get the how-to below!

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Videography: Elysium Productions | Photography: Leila Brewster | Hair: Jennie Kay Beauty

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Elysium Productions

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Brides, can I let you in a little secret? You really don’t need to spend a fortune on a wedding dress to look beautiful on your walk down the aisle. Don’t get us wrong, we could drool over designer gowns all day long, but if your budget simply doesn’t allow, we’re happy to say there’s dream dresses at every price point. Pick one of these budget beauties, take your savings and go on an AH-MAZING honeymoon instead—win, win!

Wedding Dresses Under $1,000

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Wedding Dresses Under $1,000

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More Fabulous Wedding Dresses

Beautiful Beach Wedding Dresses | Disney Princess-Inspired Gowns | Wedding Dresses for Your Zodiac Sign

When it came time to shower a baby on the way, Beth of Palm Beach Lately, knew that her signature flamingo needed to somehow be involved. And thus the idea of the “flamingo stork” was born. Seriously, it’s kind of genius. Stocked with banana leaf prints, pale pink everything and flamingos aplenty, the images by South Moon Photography will have you counting down the days until summer.

We recently rebranded our lifestyle blog, Palm Beach Lately and the inspiration behind the shower décor was turning the flamingo in our logo into a flamingo stork and mixing in the banana leaf pattern. Five of my best friend’s hosted my baby shower at The Colony Palm Beach which was the perfect venue after its recent renovation with banana leaf wallpaper in the lobby, pink and white stripes in the guest rooms and the overall Hollywood glam feel. Paper Please created a complementary banana leaf and pink and white striped invite, as well as, the menu cards, Grace banner and mama to be chair sign.

When guests arrived they were greeted with pink lemonade in banana leaf acrylic glasses from Palm Beach Lately that doubled as their shower favor. Paper Trail by Lauren B created custom pink and white straws with the flamingo stork in gold glitter and Social Graces & Co. made pink and gold foiled napkins to match.

The tables complimented the theme with banana leaf overlays from Chateau Alice Designs over light pink linens. Gold chargers, chiavari chairs and silverware from TentLogix accented the tables. Guests found their seat by gold script place cards from Blush by Grotto Graphics attached to flamingo stork cookies by The Sugar Monkey. Creations Production created the blush and white floral centerpieces, as well as, the flower flamingos on the guest table. The guest table previewed some of our maternity photos and pictures of my husband and I as babies. Also on the gift table were two floral flamingos with a “Grace” banner attached to greenery that revealed her name. One of my favorite gifts was the Swan rocker from Pottery Barn that perfectly fits her “Swan Soiree” themed nursery.

Photography: South Moon Photography | Banana Leaf Acrylic Glasses: Palm Beach Lately | Banana Leaf Overlays: Chateau Alice Designs | Cookies: Sugar Monkey | Floral Design + Flamingos: Creations Productions | Invitations, Menu Cards, Banner + Sign: Paper Please | Napkins: Social Graces & Co. | Place Cards: Blush By Grotto Graphics | Rentals: TentLogix | Straws: Paper Trail By Lauren B

Not only did this Groom propose with the help of a “Beauty & the Beast” melody but the florals at this garden-inspired celebration are straight out of a fairytale, making him officially our Prince Charming. And so naturally, this Bride takes on the role of a perfect princess, shining brightly in all of Marial Hannah’s pics. Start dreaming of your happily ever after with all this pretty in our VAULT right this way!

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From the Bride… As many other young girls in the world, I had always dreamed of what my wedding day would be like. It was truly a blessing when Mickey entered my life and allowed for my dream of true love to come true. I had always imagined to share this special day with my closest family and friends but most importantly with my best friend, my soon to be husband. I remember the day Mickey proposed to me as if it was yesterday. Our love story began as I had volunteered to work as an intern at a small private school that I attended as a child. Mickey had just started working at the school as a new teacher and to my surprise that is where our love story began. I remember the first day we saw each other, we both described it as a true blessing of attraction and deep interest within the heart. God is and has always been the foundation within our meeting and it truly was a blessing that we were both placed in a little school that would bring us more than just a career or college credits, but the gift of a soul mate.

As the weeks went by from our first meeting, to our first date, to the moment we both knew this was meant to be forever, it truly was a fairytale. We were each other’s first true love and we knew that our time together was a gift from God. The day that Mickey got down on one knee in the Library, where he first asked me on a date, with the candles in the bookshelves and our pictures surrounding everywhere within the books was the day my life changed forever. It was the most intimate, special time of my life as just he and I danced to “Tale As Old As Time” from Beauty and the Beast and I cried as he put my beautiful engagement ring on my finger. I exclaimed “Yes!” that I “accepted with all my heart.” As a little girl I always loved the classic fairytale stories and as we danced in the library to the tune of one of my favorite songs, I truly understood that I was going to spend the rest of my life with an incredible man.

As soon as the engagement began the wedding planning commenced. My parents were incredible and my dad had hired a phenomenal wedding planner as every detail of our soon to be magical day was discussed and planned. The overall inspiration for our wedding was based upon sophisticated classic elements and whimsical romantic touches. I wanted the day to feel soft with nostalgic flair. Our wedding was in June, as any classic bride dreams of being a ‘June Bride’ and with much planning and preparation we decided upon a classic Country Club wedding. The colors I chose were all in the ranges of different shades of blush, whites, creams, and accents of gold with rustic wood touches. I wanted a Grace Kelly meets Audrey Hepburn atmosphere that also merged whimsical elements of nature within the floral décor and centerpieces. There were many traditional elements that were maintained within my classic theme, however we also added fun touches such as a photo booth, lemonade bar, cookie stand and lounge area that guests very much enjoyed. Truly my wedding day was an absolute dream, from the grand water fountain with dripping petals to the great ballroom with large windows that showcased the city lights from on top of the hills.

From getting ready with my beautiful bridesmaids in the morning to sharing special moments with my mother putting on jewelry, I started my day as a single young lady and ended my day with a new last name as a married woman. The entire day went by so quickly but one of the most memorable moments within the day was when my husband and I took communion alongside our parents. It was the realization that even within the grandeur of the day the love that we shared with one another was the only thing that mattered most within that single moment.

Our advice for future brides and grooms would be to cherish every moment within the journey, to not allow the little things to get in the way of happiness, to be flexible as schedules and times change, and to most importantly enjoy every second of the wedding day as it goes by so quickly.

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Find more country club weddings here!

Photography: Mariel Hannah | Event Planning + Design: Shannon Hough Events | Floral Design: House Of Flowers | Stationery: Matinae Design Studio | Venue: Bakersfield Country Club | Decor: Custom Creations | Desserts: De Coeur Bake Shop | Rentals: Walker Lewis Rents

On a scale of 1-10 if we were to rate just how much we love this wedding it would be off the charts (I’m talking level 15) in terms of our obsession. Because any day that has La Petite Fleur crafting florals and Lori Gail Photography behind the lens is sure to be a new favorite. Join us as we revel in the pretty and see it all for yourself in THE VAULT! 

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We met on the first day of orientation for our Masters degree programs at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, where Eric studied International Security Policy and Caitlin studied Economic and Political Development. Eric proposed on a dock at sunset at Loblolly house, designed by Caitlin’s dad, where the Kieran family and friends spend many of their weekends (our save the dates actually featured a painting of this dock by our friend and neighbor). We planned to visit Nicaragua for our honeymoon, but when we went to check in online the morning after the wedding, we discovered that Eric’s passport had expired. Fortunately, Eric had the bright idea that we visit Puerto Rico instead. We immediately changed our flights, joined our friends and family for brunch and solicited suggestions for things to do and see in Puerto Rico, booked a few hotels, and flew out that evening. It turned out to be an amazing alternative to Nicaragua.

We decided to get a self-uniting marriage license and asked that everyone present at the ceremony serve as witnesses to our vows and do all in their power to support us in our marriage. A number of friends and family offered their musical talents to add some personal touches to the ceremony and reception. During the ceremony, Caitlin’s brother Chris Kieran sang “My Love is an Arbutus,” accompanied by Geoff McDonald, a Kieran family friend. Kathleen Knighton, Caitlin’s friend, performed an original song that she wrote for the wedding entitled, “Ask Me Again.” Another friend, Bethany Kessler, played the cello during the processional and recessional. At the reception, Chris Kieran performed “Come Fly With Me,” accompanied by Grand Tribeca Band, while Eric danced with his mom and Caitlin with her dad. And members of Caitlin’s college a cappella group, Something Extra of Yale University, sang Moondance.

Caitlin is a Senior Research Assistant for the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets, led by the International Food Policy Research Institute, where she monitors and supports the incorporation of gender analysis within the program’s research portfolio and conducts research on issues related to gender, agriculture, and assets. Eric is a Lead Engineer and Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton where he prototypes new tools and analytic methodologies and researches threat actors, techniques, and trends in cybersecurity. They live in Washington, DC with their dog (and ring bearer) Tobias.

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Photography: Lori Gail Photography | Floral Design: La Petite Fleur, weddings & events | Wedding Dress: Ivy And Aster | Invitations: Minted | Stationery: Fleurish Ink | Catering: Jamie Hollander | Hair + MakeUp: Bella Angel, LLC | Entertainment: Tribeca Grand | Men's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Transportation: Great American Trolley Company | Venue: Glen Foerd Mansion | Photobooth: Poseybooth

It’s no secret that we love a Wendy Laurel wedding. For her lens always captures the couples who’ve also managed to plan the ultimate tropical celebration. Take these middle school sweethearts who wed on the beautiful beaches of Wailea. It’s the ultimate love story capped off by one gorgeous Katie May gown making this the ultimate gallery, and we’ve got it all waiting for you in THE VAULT!

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From Wendy Laurel…Maybe its a trend but many of my wedding couples this year have been together for a long time before marrying. But this couple has the best and longest love story. They met in middle school and have been together since then (through high school, through college). Something about that just makes me melt. And they were surrounded by their best friends and family all of whom have known them forever. It doesn’t get much better than that.

And then they planned a stunner of a destination wedding all by themselves. They included fun tropical touches such as the banana leaves and the handmade surfboard shaped table numbers made by the groom. Kelsey looked amazing in her backless Katie May wedding gown with her brightly colored tropical bouquet. They choose a ceremony and reception spot right on the beach in beautiful Wailea to make full use of the sky, sand, and ocean in their images.

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Photography: Wendy Laurel | Wedding Dress: Katie May | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Venue: Five Palms | Photography Assistance: Jeffrey Oltman

Any bouquet that features Cafe au Lait dahlias is a winner in my book. And when it’s classically white, ivory and cream-hued like this pinch-me-perfect bouquet from Floral & Bloom? You can bet we have to have the recipe for it’s beauty. Read on for each pretty petal below and match them up in the shot by Vicki Grafton!

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Classic Washington D.C. Ballroom Wedding

From Floral & Bloom… When working with flowers it’s really important to me that my clients florals reflect their personalities and ties together their aesthetic for their wedding day! Katie (my bride) was such a pleasure to work with! She loved flowers and my work so she had total trust in me. She had a really clear vision for her wedding since she previously was a planner in Chicago and was around events a lot! She wanted soft romantic colors blushes, whites, ivory, peach, and lots of pops of greenery to create a loose and free flowing bouquet.

I tied all of my favorite Spring flowers into Katie’s bouquet. All of the florals were in season in late May besides the cafe au lait dahlias. Luckily one of my suppliers in California had some so I was able to use pops of them throughout Katie & Sam’s wedding. It was definitely such a memorable event!

• 5 stems of white snap dragon
• 3 stems of cafe au lait dahlias
• 6 stems of white ranunculus
• 3 stems of spirea
• 4 stems of blush peonies
• 3 stems of dusty Miller
• 5 stems of olive branch
• 2 stems of Italian ruscus
• 2 stems of davalia fern
• 5 stems of wedding spirit garden roses

Find more Bouquet Breakdowns here!

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Floral Design: Floral & Bloom | Photography: Vicki Grafton

New Years resolutions often involve clean, healthy eating, lots of gym time and absolutely no donuts. Tear! But this skinny vanilla bean donut from The Skinny Fork is an indulgence that fits right in with your healthy resolutions. And when it comes to grabbing a sweet treat to munch on, my bet is on the donut over the carrot stick. Don’t you agree?

These donuts are pure bliss and absolutely bursting with vanilla perfection. No one will ever guess that these are light since they absolutely taste like a rather indulgent treat. 

Erin LepperdSkinny Vanilla Bean Donuts

prep time 20 Minute/s

cook time 15 Minute/s

total time 35 Minute/s

Serves 8Ingredients

• Donuts:
• 1 C. Whole Wheat White Flour
• 1/4 C. Sugar/Sweetener/Honey (I used half sugar and half sweetener.)
• 1 Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 C. Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. Fat Free Milk
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Light Butter, Softened
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste
• Vanilla Bean Glaze:
• 1/2 C. Powdered Sugar
• 1 Tbsp. Fat Free Milk
• 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Bean Paste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. and lightly spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine the first four dry ingredients (flour, sugar/sweetener, baking powder, and cinnamon) into a marge bowl until well blended. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining wet ingredients until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the wet ingredients in with the dry and combine just until everything is fully incorporated.
5. Spoon or pipe the dough into the prepared donut pan, dividing evenly among the sections.
6. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the donuts are cooked through.
7. In the mean time, whisk the ingredients for the glaze together in a small bowl and set aside.
8. Once done, remove the donuts from the oven and allow to cool.
9. Dip the donuts face-down into the glaze and set on a wire rack until set. Maybe 5 minutes or so.

Find even more healthy indulgences on The Skinny Fork!

Photography: The Skinny Fork | Recipe And Styling: The Skinny Fork

From crumbling eyeshadows, to long gone lipsticks, it’s time to clean up, refresh, and renew. That’s right, today we’re overhauling that hefty bag of makeup madness into something a little more polished and pretty. Which is why we’ve enlisted the talented Lisette Bugeja to help us clean house. Read on for her tips below on why (and when) you should say bye-bye and toss that tinted concealer and beyond, below!

Mascara

Lifespan: 3-4 months.
I know, we all don’t finish that quickly, but scary things can happen that tube if used over time! Best to be safe and avoid any haphazards and replace your mascara tubes every 3-4 months.

Translucent Powder + Bronzer + Blush

Lifespan: 12-18 months.
After a year these powders can lose their application fluidity and ease. Anything stored for your face that you have used, after time, can cause skin problems. Bacteria finds its way and spoils like everything else!

Lipstick

Lifespan: 6-12 months.
Whatever you do, don’t share your lipstick. I don’t have to explain that! There are undeniably countless types of lip options. I find for me, the Big Fat Lip Crayons, are so easy. They don’t crack( how many times has that happened? Mid application half the lipstick is now broken and on the floor), do not melt, so easy to find and distinguish their color, and application is a breeze! So many deep rich colors, or sheer if that’s your preference!

Foundation

Lifespan: 6-12 months.
There are so many types of foundations and some can last longer than others. I’d say your liquids are more prone to change in their color if they’re in glass while creams and foundation sticks have little longer shelf life. Anything that you’ve had for over a year should not be put on your face. Perfect example? I was doing a wedding trial, the bride insisted I used her foundations since she hardly ever used it, and she insisted. I asked how long she had the product and it turned out it was 1/12 (should this be 1.5 years?) years. I tried to explain the hazards, but since the Bride-to-be insisted I obliged and as soon as the foundation touch her skin, that her face became red and slightly blistered. Of course I was mortified. Moral of the story, toss your foundation if it’s more than a year old!

Eyeliner pencils

Lifespan: 18-24 months.
Keep your pencils in tip top shape by keeping them sharpened and clean. I’ve seen sties happen from not taking care. You don’t want this to happen – very painful and not cute!

In Conclusion

When in doubt, replace what needs replacing. Furthermore, since winter is fast approaching a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid (not as scary as it sounds) is an absolute must! This acid is finally getting the attention it’s due because it binds to and absorbs water, giving fullness and plumpness to the skin! Also, I can’t say it enough, always carry sun block in your bag throughout the year. Finally, do yourself a favor and make your makeup routine easier by investing in a clear makeup bag – no time for digging around for what you need since you can see it!

10 Items Every Woman Needs in Her Makeup Bag

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10 Items Every Woman Needs in Her Makeup Bag

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Sonoma Wedding Sweepstakes
Allure Bridals 2016 Ultimate Sweepstakes
Zola
Minted

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discount from The Ranch at Laguna Beach
For our Tri-state Brides…Discount from Femina Photo + Design

OUR WINNERS…

Congratulations to our Doie Lounge’s giveaway winner Jessica!

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This way for more Beauty Tips!

Hair + Makeup Looks for the Bride | The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Checklist

Wedding Day Beauty with Molly Sims | How to Find Your Dream Bridal Beauty Team

We love moments that wow. Moments caught in time that you can show your grandkids. Those bits that sum up your love, ever-growing, but shining in time. Ones like this and this, where bursting-at-the-seams happiness makes your heart swell. Our Little Black Book Members—they make those moments happen, and this week we were spoiled with all the beauty. Dive in below!

Must-See LBB Moments

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Must-See LBB Moments

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Start planning your wedding with The Little Black Book!

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Featured Members: Sally Pinera | Anticipate Invitations | Curlicue Designs | Jose Villa | TEAM Hair and Makeup | Daughter of Design | Graham Terhune | Floral & Bloom

Not only this this bride’s white sari stunning, but it was the very same sari the bride’s late mother wore at her own wedding. It was a beautiful nod to her loved one in this day set at Rancho Las Lomas with Amorology behind every moment of the color-filled design. There’s an entire gallery of bright and whimsical details waiting to be pinned, captured by the wildly talented Ashley Kelemen.

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From Ashley Kelemen Photography…Zareen and Jaxson spent their wedding day full of smiles, and to everyone there, it felt like watching their love in a movie. The whole day was chock full of personal details and inside jokes, as well as a beautiful and touching nod to Zareen’s late mother when Zareen wore the same sari she wore at her own wedding. The colorful and fun personalities of these two were perfectly reflected in the incredible decor designed by Amorology and bright florals by Twigg Botanicals. It was an incredibly special day from beginning to end!

Photography: Ashley Keleman | Floral Design: Twigg Botanicals | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Invitations: For The Love Of Press | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: TFNC London | Hair + Makeup: Swell Beauty | DJ: Vox DJs | Groom's Attire: Macy's | Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Day of Paper: Peanut Press Creative | Desserts: Nana Fi's Bakery | Event Design + Coordination: Amorology | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Photography Assistance: Heather Howard | Rentals + Catering: Giracci Vineyards Farms | Tabletop Rentals: Hostess Haven

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

Event Planning

Amorology

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Dessert is my favorite meal of the day, but brunch is a close second. Pancakes, waffles, donuts, muffins, mimosas, bellinis—that’s only the sweet stuff! And, brunch isn’t brunch without eggs and bacon. I know it’s New Years and we’re all trying to be healthy in 2016, but trust me, these recipes are worth ruining your resolutions for, or at the very least, worth a cheat day!

Scrumptious Brunch Recipes

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Scrumptious Brunch Recipes

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More Mouth-Watering Recipes

Cozy, Cold Weather Recipes | Homemade Ice Cream Recipes | Slam-Dunk Party Recipes 

Brides, I have big news. Like, really big news. Marchesa, the design house known for their ultra-romantic and ultra-feminine gowns, teamed up with bridal boutique extraordinaire BHLDN for a five-piece capsule collection. The collection, Marchesa Notte Bride for BHLDN, offers the very best of Marchesa with the effortless appeal of BHLDN (and at an affordable price!). Check out all the beauties, available now, below!

Marchesa Notte Bride for BHLDN

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Marchesa Notte Bride for BHLDN

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Photography: Marchesa | Wedding Dress: BHLDN