If you looked up “modern elegance” in the fictional dictionary of style, this wedding would pop up – I’m certain. It’s one part classic and another part contemporary, and drenched in pretty thanks to Design Perfection. Blueberry Creative captured the gallery AND film so you can swoon for yourself. Enjoy!

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From the Bride… Although Andrew & I now live in Fort Lauderdale, we both were raised in Wilmington, NC. We believe it to be one of the most beautiful and special places on earth. A wedding day is already an incredibly special day for a bride, but I was able to have the wedding I have always dreamed of at Grand Oaks, my family home. Since I was a child I imagined my wedding taking place out on our lawn, overlooking the Intracostal Waterway, the beautiful Marshlands and the incredible 100-year-old Live Oak Trees that the South is known for. This home holds a special place in my heart, full of love and wonderful memories growing up. The opportunity for Andrew and I to share our vows and begin our lives together at this amazing place makes our memories even that much more special! Our wedding at Grand Oaks, PERFECTION!

The best thing about our wedding day was first and foremost sharing the most incredible day of our lives with family and friends. We are blessed with many wonderful people who have touched our lives in special ways and each had a part of us growing into the couple we’ve become. We were honored to have them with us to share the beginning of our journey together as Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stephen Grocki!

With a year of planning and brainstorming, another best of our wedding was seeing our vision of every little detail come true. It truly was a fairy tale wedding, with Jeff Bryant of Design Perfection with us every step of the way. Jeff’s creative talents made planning FUN, “we just clicked, he got us”. Jeff’s eye for elegance and detail was exactly the professional direction we needed. We asked and Design Perfection made it happen. I remember when I saw everything come together, I thought to myself that it was as if he had taken a picture from my dreams and created a reality. From the crystal chandeliers hung amongst the moss in the 100 year old Live Oaks, the fountains full of gorgeous floral arrangements and customized linens. Even perfectly placed accent lighting, as our reception went into the night, and dancing under the stars on our personalized dance floor (a surprise from Jeff).

We appreciate the talents of the amazing photography and videography from Blueberry Creative. Besides the aesthetic of the wedding, the most important thing to us was the way the wedding was captured. After seeing Blueberry Creative’s work and meeting with Austin and Adam, we knew that they understood exactly what we wanted as far as memories for our day. Thanks to Blueberry Creative we have the most beautifully artistic memories of our wedding that we will be able to cherish for the rest of our happily ever after!

As the bride and fashion professional, I feel I can’t talk about what was best about my wedding and not include the extremely above and beyond experience of choosing my Vera Wang wedding dress. Not only was it my wedding dress but, it was my dream wedding dress. The whole experience with the Vera Wang team was absolutely priceless. From the initial appointment trying on wedding dresses to my second and final fitting I was treated like a princess. I tried on countless dresses at Vera Wang each one more beautiful than the one before and honestly each one felt like a dream because it was a Vera. I had never considered myself to be the girl that would cry when I found my dress, but I totally did. Therefore, as the bride, one of the “bests” of my wedding day was wearing my perfect wedding dress!

We are so grateful to each of our amazing vendors that contributed their talents for our once in a lifetime wedding.

Photography: Blueberry Creative | Videography: Blueberry Creative | Floral & Event Design: Design Perfection | Gown: Vera Wang | Shoes: Miu Miu | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Milner's Cafe & Catering | Hair & Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Tuxedos: Vera Wang | Venue: Grand Oaks, Bride's Parents' Home | Bride's Veil: Vera Wang | Ceremony Musicians: Chris Johns | Ceremony Officiant: Blueberry Creative | Chairs, China, Chargers, Linens And Glassware: CE Rentals | Clergy: Reverend Dale Curtis | Custom Decor Rentals & Accent Draping: DP Etc. | Departure Vehicle: The British Taxi | Gourmet Coffee Bar: Am Coffee Distributors | Groom's Bowtie: Arte Latica | Invitations & Stationary: Design Perfection | Lounge Furniture: Pomp Event Furnishings | Power & Lighting: High Performance Lighting | Reception Band: Bibis Ellison Band | Tent, Tables And Flooring: Party Suppliers & Rentals | Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Design Perfection

Don’t champagne towers make you want to celebrate? We just know when the champagne’s a flowin, a gorgeous black tie affair is on the horizon. And the Biltmore in Santa Barbara knows how to host just such an affair along with beautiful rich details by Jill La Fleur, blush flowers with pops of orange by Blue Magnolia and an elegant candlelit reception captured by Michael & Anna Costa. See it all here.

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From The Bride…We were attracted to the effortless and understated sophistication that inspires the relaxed Santa Barbara lifestyle. It’s impossible not to feel more alive and healthy here, and it’s no surprise why this part of the country is called the American Riviera. Plus, anyone who knows me well knows I am obsessed with Spain and the Mediterranean. As soon as Santa Barbara was on our wedding venue radar, I thought it was the perfect backdrop:  Spanish Colonial architecture, wine country, lavender fields, olive trees, ideal climate, and the ocean and mountains. We both also loved the classic, timeless feel of the Four Seasons Biltmore. The hotel is nestled in the Montecito foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, overlooks the Pacific ocean, has lush gardens, and is a place any girl would feel incredibly lucky to plan her wedding (which is exactly how I felt).  We kicked off the weekend festivities with a wine country trip, including a pit stop to pick up Enjoy Cupcakes in Los Olivos to celebrate my husband’s birthday (who doesn’t love wine and cupcakes??), followed by an outdoor welcome cocktail reception in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
 
We wanted to amplify the celebratory mood and play up on the California Spanish style, so we invited guests for a ceremony prelude, where they were greeted with Spanish guitar, white sangria and sparkling wine, fresh fruit, and rosemary and raspberry-infused lemonade. We wanted to create a space that was not stuffy, but tastefully relaxed and joyful. Our wedding was intimate, in a private garden near the ocean, and it felt like our own hidden space. I personally think the whole idea of an ostentatious wedding has been overdone. As a couple, we gravitate toward the idea that simplicity is more sophisticated.  We let its natural beauty shine, and kept décor minimal; we brought in custom chairs, hung garlands of bay leaves and flowers alongside the aisle, and added larger arrangements where we exchanged our vows.
  

Immediately following the ceremony, we all toasted with a champagne tower—I was very excited about that!  The cocktail hour was al fresco (which I love)–we had an open bar and also offered an elderflower champagne cocktail and a grapefruit margarita, which complemented the color palette. In addition to passed hors d’oeuvres with crowd-pleasers like mini gourmet cheeseburgers with parmesan fries and black bean empanadas, we also were really pleased with how the Four Seasons did such an excellent job of incorporating local ingredients, such as fresh lobster, avocado, Point Reyes blue cheese, and California olive oil into other appetizers. We also included a cheese station and charcuterie, sushi and a raw bar for our guests. We kept the escort table unfussy, so as not to compete with the hotel décor, and instead chose classic ivory paper goods and fragrant gardenias as an accent. Cocktail tables were topped with single gardenias and petite terrariums.

 
Walking into our reception space exceeded our expectations, and our entire vision was executed so flawlessly. We had added weathered oak cross-back chairs and long feasting tables lined with natural linens and touches of citrus and succulents, as well beautiful bud vases and larger blooming arrangements done in a palette of corals, melons, ivories and greens. Kerstin of Blue Magnolia incorporated hydrangea, garden roses, dahlias, poppies and ranunculus, along with pops of color, texture, and clementines. Soft votive candles flickered to create a beautiful glow, which is super flattering for dinner conversations. I felt so involved in the wedding details that I really enjoyed being surprised with the final result. There were so many thoughtful touches, down to the olive sprigs on each napkin and local Santa Barbara wines. We really wanted our guests to feel like they were at a dinner party, and give them something beyond what they might expect.  
 
Now for the praise: we were so incredibly lucky to work with such a talented team. Their professionalism gave us confidence while we were planning from the opposite side of the country, and allowed us to truly enjoy a stress-free day. Jill LaFleur has such a graceful and relaxed presence, which immediately put us at ease. I sometimes have a hard time relinquishing control, but it was easy to put my trust in her and she worked her magic to tie everything together beautifully. We could not have asked for a better husband and wife team than Michael and Anna Costa, who captured our day so beautifully and made us feel so comfortable. Kerstin Horneman of Blue Magnolia is so warm and personable, and practically read my mind when it came to what I wanted. Maria Axiotis of the Four Seasons is so poised and I felt like I’d known her for years. My advice when selecting a supportive team is to listen to one’s gut because our first impressions did not fail us and it all felt like a natural fit.
 
Our wedding was personal, honest and full of so many tender moments. It was a day full of love, and truly better than we could have ever imagined. Our family and friends helped make it an unforgettable day, and we are looking forward to an excuse to return for anniversaries!  

Photography: MICHAEL + ANNA COSTA PHOTOGRAPHY | Event Planning: La Fleur Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Blue Magnolia | Invitations: Elum Designs | Ceremony Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Band: Free Radicals Band | Grooms Attire: Tom Ford | Grooms Attire: Burberry | Officiant: Judge Thomas Adams | Transportation: D D Limo | Assistant Coordinator: Amanda Masson | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Dress & Veil: Monique Lhuillier | Hair & Make-Up: The Studio Agency | Lighting Design: Ambient Event Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music: Just Dave Band | Music: Sam Adams | Rentals: Town And Country

I remember this french fry place in San Francisco that had like 30 different dipping sauces. Oh the joy of narrowing that down to my top 5 as I placed my order…one delicious dunking tank after another. Well today, we’re making our own little dips of heaven. From Bloody Mary Ketchup to Bourbon Honey Mustard, these dips will crank up any dish your cooking.

Kicked Up Condiments

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Kicked Up Condiments

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And for those of you looking for the perfect recipes to dunk, try these Pork Tacos, this Halibut Burger, these Three Bite Sliders or this healthy Quinoa Cake. All would be delish with any of these sauces!

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Styling: Style Me Pretty Living

After poring over the images from Brett Heidebrecht, I’m thoroughly convinced that all engagement shoots should be captured in a desert. There’s something about that dreamy red rock landscape that photographs impeccably. And with the cool blue styling by Kylie Swanson paired with king protea florals by Poppy Lane Design and the prettiest hand lettered save the date courtesy of Lindsay Letters, you’ll probably agree that this inspiration is one for the books.

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From Brett Heidebrecht…The desert can be a scary place. Ragged rocks for days with not much life other than cactus sprouting up and scorching sun. But there is a lot of beauty in the desert as well. I teamed up with Kylie to produce this beautiful engagement session inspiration and the team she put together as the creative director and stylist was over the top. What better way to cool down the desert landscape than with hues of blue… so Kylie reached out to the folks at Neiman Marcus about outfitting our couple and we were blown away that they obliged to provide the wardrobe from head to toe along with some beautiful jewelry. My favorite had to be the light blue and very form fitting Victoria Beckham dress. It was such a nice contrast against the desert colors. We knew we wanted to add some floral elements but we didn’t want to forget that we were in the desert so we kept it as simple as possible and Poppy Lane Design really came through in a big way. Lastly we had the amazingly talented Juliet Grace and Lindsay Letters produce a map of the desert as well as a save the date to tie everything together. With all the details taken care of by Kylie, all that was left to me to do was shoot this beautiful and in love couple as they enjoyed some time gallivanting around in the desert.

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design | Venue: Phoenix Desert Mountains | Creative Director / Stylist: Kylie Swanson | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Paper / Calligraphy: Lindsay Letters | Paper / Calligraphy: Juliet Grace Design | Wardrobe: Arte Latica

These two? They’re pretty darn adorable. And their love for one another (proven by their sweet, sweet words below) is unmatchable. They teamed up with Gracie Blue Photography to capture that love at the beautiful Barnsley Gardens Resort, and the result is one of my fave love shoots to date. Have a peek for yourself right here in the gallery.

From Gracie Blue Photography…Lisa and Stephen wanted their engagement session to take place in a location that matched their relationship, which they describe as romantic, affectionate and private. They fell in love with the beautiful Barnsley Gardens and we all agreed that the setting matched them perfectly. What’s more romantic than a beautiful private garden with historic old ruins as a backdrop?

From the beautiful Bride-to-be…From the moment I met Stephen, I had this really good gut feeling about him. We hit it off right away. Stephen exceeded my expectations in every single way. During the 9 months of our long distance relationship, we flew to see each other as often as possible, and we talked on the phone and skyped all the time. We were addicted to talking with each other to the point where I was always tired at work. I always had to look out for how many minutes I was using on my phone every month because I went over the limit a couple of times. He worked really hard to get the job in Atlanta, which was extremely competitive, and there was a high possibility that he would not get that job. Despite all the obstacles and the distance between us, as cheesy as it sounds, he made me believe in love again. He gave me hope, and he made me feel a kind of happiness I never felt before. Usually there’s a lot of pressure to a relationship when someone moves for the other person, but I felt like with us, we didn’t have to try to make it work or force anything to happen. Instead, we fell in love and knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

I want to remember how we never take each other for granted, and we are always grateful to be together. I want to remember all the inside jokes we have with each other. Our perfect Saturday together is hanging out at a park or hiking, and then, dinner and a movie. We like to keep it simple. It really doesn’t matter what we end up doing because we enjoy every minute we have with each other since he works a lot of weekends. We share a tradition to go on a yearly cabin trip. We bring food with us and grill for our meals. We hike around the nearby trails, and relax by the fireplace watching a movie and roasting marshmallows. I love how Stephen understands all my quirks and appreciates them. I love that he was raised with good morals, and I love his patience and compassion.

From the handsome Groom-to-be…I love that Lisa laughs at some of the strangest and littlest things, and I love that we have started to build an extensive list of inside jokes that no one else can understand. I love that she gives me a lot of support. She has made my life much more fulfilling and joyful.

Photography: Gracie Blue Photography | Resort: Barnsley Gardens Resort

I can’t think of a more wonderful way to kick off the weekend than with a romantic picnic in Paris. I mean, anything in Paris is kind of aces around here. But a late summer meal around the corner from La Tour Eiffel? Well it just doesn’t get much better than that. And we can thank La Fabrique à Rêves for this one. With photos from O’Malley Photographers, the gallery is a wonderful place to get lost. 

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From Delphine… It only takes one look at Ashlee and Scott’s work to understand that they make magic and bring out the best of everything in their photos. It was then easy to get inspired from their talent. Our wish was to highlight true love as well as the natural simplicity of the environment with an authentic decor made of raw products and a soft blush palette while using wonderful, fresh flowers from Akiko Usami.

Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Styling And Design: La Fabrique a Reves | Floral Design: Akiko Usami

There’s something to love about hand crafting a project for your big day. It infuses a celebration with heart and personality and can sometimes save some serious mula. And we aren’t the only ones hopping on this bandwagon. We dove into the treasure trove of our fab wedding contributors to pull 9 projects on our must try list. So roll up those sleeves, get into weekend warrior mode and feast your eyes on these DIY gems.

9 Wedding DIY's to Try

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9 Wedding DIY's to Try

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This might be the tiniest bit biased thanks to Radcliffe (the couple’s adorable pup) but this is hands-down one of the sweetest engagements I’ve ever had my hands on. Photographed by the crazy talented Lora Grady, it’s a sunset session on Seattle’s gorgeous coast, and just what we need to kick a Friday off right. Click here for lots more.

From Lora Grady…Brett and Chandra are a vivacious couple! Full of laughs and energy and they are just so sweet. It was so fun photographing them in some of their favorite places. They are moving to Oregon soon, so it was was the perfect way to commemorate their love and life in Seattle. They were such a joy to be around, and their little dog (Radcliffe: Rad for short) is so adorable. And he LOVED me. (Okay… that last part was kind of a lie.) It really was the perfect night!! I am so excited for their 2015 Spring wedding!

As a Seattle Engagement photographer, I never run out of opportunities to photograph in beautiful places. The city skyline was the perfect addition to this Seattle couple’s engagement session. We chose a beautiful evening, so that made for a sunny and crowded quick stop at Kerry Park for the iconic Seattle city skyline as the backdrop for this Seattle engagement session. We then went to a more natural location with trees and pretty light and finished up at the most beautiful Pacific Northwest beach.

Photography: Lora Grady Photography | Park: Discovery Park | Park: Discovery Park

This beachy e-session has that effortlessly cool Cali vibe I for one totally envy. Capturing not only the couple’s charm, but their killer style, Rod Foster Photography takes us on a west coast adventure through the quaint SoCal town of San Clemente. Styled by Vanessa Ebel, from the streets to the shore, this shoot is definitely worth a visit to the gallery.

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Many shoots are all about the bride which is lovely… But this engagement shoot was driven by the groom, literally, in a super cool vintage truck. Fate intervened about a year ago when Tayren modeled for a Petals and Stones photo shoot, where she met the talented and super sweet stylist Vanessa of Beauty and Grace! Vanessa was so impressed by Tayren that she could not wait to introduce her to her friend Jon! Her matchmaking skills didn’t disappoint and it wasn’t long before the couple fell for each other! They have been brightening each others days ever since!

This engagement shoot is full of beautiful images of these two soaking up the sun and strolling around the quaint Southern California town they call home. Jon & Tayren ended their date with a romantic yet casual picnic, some awesome floral accents, a sparkly gift, a surprise love note and a beautiful beach sunset!

Photography: Rod Foster Photography | Florist: Enchanted Fine Florals | Caterer: Caitlin Vartanian | Hair And Makeup: Beauty And The Beach | Calligraphy: Mon Voir | Venue: California Beach City | Bridal Accessories: Petals And Stones | Photography - Assistance: David Linder | Wardrobe Styling: Vanessa Ebel

Give me pretty pastels, a garden ceremony, and a beautiful estate for celebrating, and my blog post basically writes itself. Shot by Evan Hunt Photo, this Illinois wedding at Patrick Haley Mansion is one of my favorites. The light pastels of Bokay’s bouquets next to those dreamy bridesmaid dresses? GORGEOUS. See why I’m obsessing, here.

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Jasper and Michael met in college and he proposed in the middle of a very well known but hidden speak easy, mixology bar in downtown Chicago.

Their love for each other was completely contagious throughout the entire process and was overflowing on their wedding day!

Photography: Evan Hunt | Florist: Bokay | Wedding Gown: Bella Sposa Bridal | Cake: Creative Cakes | Invitations: Angelique Ink | Bride's Shoes: Nina | Rings: New York Jewelers | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Band: Maggie Speaks | Bride's Belt: Vera Wang | Bride's Earings/bracelet: Swarovski | Bridesmaid's Bracelets: Alex And Ani | Ceremony / Reception: Patrick Haley Mansion | Groom's Tux: Vera Wang | Groom's Watch: Victorinox | Save The Dates: Wedding Paper Divas

Destination weddings like this at the One & Only Palmilla are my dream come true. With the perfect amount of elegance, gorgeous florals from Elena Damy, and that Mexican flair we all love, every image from Sara Richardson feels like a virtual vacation. And you can get lost in all the lovely here.

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Photography: Sara Richardson Photography | Wedding Coordinator: One And Only Palmilla | Floral Design: ELENA DAMY Destination Wedding Planners, Floral & Event Designers | Wedding Gown: Rivini | Invitations: P.S. The Letter | Bridesmaids Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Dj: DJ Mijares | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Diego Vidal | Bride´s Boots: M.L. Leddy's | Ceremony & Reception Venue: One And Only Palmilla | Groom´s Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Guitarist: Francisco Alatorre | Mariachis: Mariachi Diaz | Programs & Menus: Via Byrd And Bleecker

If the mister and I ever renewed our vows, I would want it to look exactly like this gorgeous dinner party beautifully captured by Sara Hasstedt. Intimate yet gorgeous styled by Jessica Hearing A Vintage Affair Events everything from the beautiful florals from Violet Floral Design to the stunning stationery by Lana’s Shop makes me want to start planning our vow renewal ASAP. See why here.

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The menu design combined hand lettering and a subtle watercolor wash. These unique menu boxes were secured with a colorful ribbon and wax seal. Inside the menu box guests will find a delightful treat, french macarons. We love that this menu doubles as a favor. One of our favorite details were the long delicate tapered candles that sprouted out of mini greenery arrangements at the table. We loved how easily this married the romantic ambiance with the outdoor setting.

The florals for this styled shoot were designed to capture the feminine yet wild and free romantic in us all! We loved the “lipstick colored floral palette” of Peonies, Garden Roses, Ranunculus and Clematis mixed with a home-grown aesthetic of fresh berries and foliage. It was the perfect color complement to the ladylike hues of the dress and the awesomely organic outdoor setting. Organized elegance in a old country setting could never be wrong.

We really wanted the paper goods to reflect the wedding palette and our elegant bride.
The invitations were each mounted onto thick watercolor paper with a wash of deep pink to make the copy really pop while keeping the overall look soft and whimsical. Illustrated flowers in the liner really completed the look.

Photography: Sara Hasstedt | Stationery: Lana's Shop | Hair Stylist: Hilary Hackney | Dress Shop: anna be bridal boutique | Floral Stylist: Violet Floral Design | Groom's Tie: QP Collections | Makeup Arist: Liana Figgins | Orchard: Ya Ya Farm Orchard | Plates: Anthropologie | Stylist: A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals | Table & Chairs: Event Rents | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio

True story: I walk through the Marriott Long Wharf all the time while gallivanting through downtown Boston. It’s at the very center of all the city’s action, and setting to this glamorous summer affair. Patrick Howell Films captured the lovefest, and I highly suggest you kick back and press play.

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From Patrick Howell Films…Meet Amber & Suneel. These two Floridians invited us to both Film and photograph their amazing Boston harbor wedding and film their save the date engagment video. This Wedding was a fusion between the Eastern (Indian/Hindu) and Western(Christian) cultures and religions. The amount detail and care these two took to make the wedding day such a perfect masterpiece was unbelievable. From the gift bags in the rooms, to the mid night snack (which was the bomb!!!) these two did it all. We can not wait to film in Boston again so we can see these love birds!


Their love story…Suneel and Amber were two ambitious Master of Health Administration graduate students at the University of Florida. Suneel caught Amber’s attention after an evening of de-stressing from their first semester of final exams when he chivalrously and tirelessly attempted to retrieve items that were ‘stolen’ by their cab driver. Friendship began to blossom during late night study sessions, ‘professional networking’ over cocktails and Finance tutoring. That friendship bloomed into love and the ability to restrain these feelings for career development was quickly overcome. Amber and Suneel knew their love was worth nurturing so after graduation they sold their belongings, packed up their cars and drove 1300 miles to Maine. Eighteen feet of snow and 333 days later they moved to Boston, slowly making their way back to Florida. Then on their three-year anniversary, March 9th 2013, Suneel proposed to Amber under a gazebo on the water in Jamaica.

Photography: Dustin Corynn Mckibben | Videography: Patrick Howell Films | Ceremony Venue: Boston Marriott Long Wharf | Reception Venue: Boston Marriott Long Wharf | Make-up Artist: Joanna Petit-Frere

I adore anything gilded and nautical stylings always speak to me, so the moment I opened up this inspiration from Threaded Together Photography I knew I was going to be in love. With stunning florals from Barbie’s Blooms, gorgeous styling from Threaded Together Vintage Rentals and steal-worthy signage from Katie Hoffman Ink, this gallery is pure goodness.

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From Threaded Together Photography…I am a sucker for anything nautical so I’ve been wanting to do a full inspiration shoot that was nautical but also authentic and sophisticated. The overall theme for this shoot was inspired by the nautical term “Hold Fast” which is used as a directive to hold the rope taught and strong against treacherous winds. “Hold Fast To Love” is a perfectly appropriate phrase to celebrate as a couple prepare to enter their marriage. It is a sweet reminder of the blessing that is finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and also of what’s worth holding on to and fighting for. The beautiful Oyster Bay Yacht club in Fernandina Beach, Florida which is home to large southern oak trees, a marina, marsh views and the private estate style wedding venue made the ideal spot for our seaside shoot. Since this needed to be a sophisticated and elegant take on maritime decor I went with lots of brass and blues. Found vintage items mix with gilded elements (like the gold sequin mini dress by Pencey) and beautiful floral. The theme phrase was hand painted onto a vintage oar and sets the romantic tone. A unique element is a nautical twist on the photo booth which includes salvaged nautical props (like a ships wheel, brass porthole, buoys, oars and a sailor hat), and a custom backdrop hand made from knotted rope, vintage navy flag code cards strung with twine and a cedar frame. The vintage navy code cards are adorable and include colored flags, naval terminology and little sailor’s showing how to properly signal. Flower boxes were also built into the base and vintage fish net draped down the sides created a softness. Pretty gold lettered signage informs guests to “Jump ship and take a pic.” The open backdrop enables the coquina ledge and marsh views to show through in the photos. The backdrop does double duty and also serves as a unique way to display the naked cake whipped up by Sugar Rush Confections. A lounge area was set up on the front lawn. The floor area invites guests to relax and sit around the coffee table and chat with guests seated around the perimeter. A striped blanket topped with an old cable spool as a coffee table and fluffy pillows add a cozy touch. My vintage dark and chippy mantle and upholstered chair gives a home-like feel and an authentic lobster trap (barnacles and all) serves as a display for chunky striped throws perfect for chilly evenings. A sweetheart area of the lounge includes my two-seat theater bench with custom inserts adorned with gold knots and reads “Almost His” and “Almost Hers.” A vintage wash basin serves as the beverage display with signage reading “Down the hatch” and houses the Shipyard and Anchor brand beers. Brass and cobalt glass pedestals with flowing floral, brass lanterns, rose and hydrangea adorned driftwood, a weather vane, sail boat tray, champagne bottle and trunk add pretty detail. Striped and gold weaved cushions encourage relaxing on the vintage pew. A sweetheart tablescape was set up in the curved path leading to the marina. A brass industrial light hangs over the vintage table. Blue rope dishes add texture, fish print appetizer plates add whimsy and the gold chargers add a touch of luxury. I tied the vintage flatware with gold knots. Brass candlesticks add warmth and the vintage Nippon Sento onion lantern ringed in roses makes the perfect centerpiece. White Hydrangeas, Veronica and tan Sahara Roses added a softness while their understated color palate allowed the nautical decor to stand out. Weather you are a sucker for nautical like me, you want to incorporate the groom’s sailing hobby, or perhaps your family’s Naval heritage, have fun using these ideas in your wedding and party plans!

Photography: Threaded Together Photography | Floral Design: Barbie's Blooms | Cake: Sugar Rush Confections | Location: Oyster Bay Yacht Club | Signage: Katie Hoffman Ink | Styling And Vintage Rentals: Threaded Together Vintage Rentals

This pretty little barn bash from Amanda McKinnon Photography is sure to put a pep in your step today my dears. It’s rustic. It’s glam. It’s adorable. A marrying of sparkles and lace, succulents and peonies, distressed wood and lovely lettering… and it’s oh-so-lovely. See even more here in the full gallery!

From the beautiful Bride…Richard and I are both from Chicago and moved to Los Angeles 4 years ago. When Richard proposed we both decided that we wanted to get married here in California where we started our life together and where we are building our future. We knew that it would mean some of the important people in our lives wouldn’t be able to make the trip, but from the beginning we wanted our wedding to be exactly what we wanted and not worry what other people thought. The moment I stepped into the Dana Powers barn I knew it was where I wanted to get married. It took my breath away. From there, everything fell together. My family owns a floral business in Chicago so of course I knew I was in good hands from the start. Our wedding was all about the fun, personalized details and enjoying the natural beauty of the California coast. We worked with the absolute best vendors and everything turned out exactly as I had imagined. Everything was truly “us” from the mac and cheese and root beer floats, to the beautiful peonies, to the sequined tablecloths. I loved every minute of it! My advice to brides planning would be to not be afraid to do what you think is fun and don’t worry about what others think or expect! Its your day!

Photography: Amanda McKinnon Photography | Florist: Ashland-Addison Florist | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Two Cooks Catering | Hair And Makeup: Rhyan Townsend | DJ: Joe LaBarbera | Groomsmen Attire: BeauxNeckwear | Wedding Venue: Dana-Powers House | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Embellish

When the temps begin to move towards sweater weather, my cocktail menu tends to move towards one of my favorite drinks, Mint Moscow Mule.  By combing tart ginger beer, fresh mint and lime juice stirred up in a copper mug… well all I have to say is cheers! MKR

Mandy Kellogg RyeMint Moscow MuleA classic drink, perfect for fall!

prep time 2 Minute/s

cook time

total time 2 Minute/s

Serves 0Ingredients

• 2 ounces Vodka
• 4-6 ounces Ginger Beer
• 2-3 mint sprigs plus more for garnish
• 1 lime plus more for garnish

Instructions

1. Muddle mint sprigs and the juice of 1 lime in the bottom of a copper mug (or rocks glass).
2. Add ice, vodka, and ginger beer.
3. Stir, garnish with a mint sprig, lime slice and enjoy.

Photography: Rustic White | Styling: Waiting On Martha | Mugs: Waiting On Martha

A chic city wedding is surely something we celebrate, and this Philly affair is no exception. Papertini’s beautiful bouquets of deep purple calla lilies totally pop against the historic backdrop, as MK Photo captured the newlyweds among their beloved city’s many landmarks. See the pretty details for yourself in the gallery here.

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The couple chose Philadelphia for their wedding location, as it had become their home. The wide geographic spread of family and friends also made it as central of a location as any. Chelsea and Stephan shared many of their Philly favorites through restaurant recommendations on their wedding website and welcome bags for guests with the best of Philly’s snacks (TastyKakes were a huge hit!). The chosen venue was Le Meridien Hotel. It was selected for many reasons: classic beauty, central location, and great food and drink options. Great food = happy guests!

Chelsea and Stephan wanted their wedding to be romantic yet chic, with personalized touches to symbolize them and their relationship. The wedding planner, Chrissy Lehman of Truly You Events, turned their ideas and tastes into beautiful decor and ambiance.

The day was absolutely perfect. The guests had a blast, continuing the after party in the hotel lobby until past three in the morning! There were many favorite memories from the day.

“Reflecting on our magical wedding day, we would not have changed a thing. The team of professionals who ensured everything ran smoothly allowed us to relax and enjoy every moment of the day. One regret–we cannot do this every year!”

Photography: mkPhotography | Wedding Planner: Christiane Lehman Of Truly You Events | Florals: Papertini | Wedding Gown: Augusta Jones | Wedding Cake: Felix's Caketeria | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup: Face the Occasion | Hair: Jason Matthew Salon | Band: Ebe Amsterdam | Groom's Attire: Henry A Davidson | Groomsmen's Attire: Henry A Davidson | Ceremony Music: Hot Club Philadelphia | Transportation: Global Limousin | Venue: Le Meridien | Bridal Hair Accessory Designer: Sara Gabriel | Engagement & Wedding Ring Designer & Point Of Purchase: Simon G, Purchased At Govberg | Groom’s Cake / Croquembouche: Aux Petits Delices | Lighting / Equipment Rentals:: Eventions Productions | Macarons (Escort Cards / Gift): Whipped Bakeshop | Stationary Designer & Point Of Purchase: Chick Invitations | Video: Rose Tree Films

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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It’s kind of a blogger cliché, but I’m one of those girls who completely geeks out over fall. The leather boots and pumpkin lattes, cozy sweaters and nutmeg candles – it’s everything I love rolled into one perfect time of year, and this berry colored wedding is yet another reason why. Pickles And Pies brought the romantic barn vision to life and Rebecca Yale Photography has all the goodies here.

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From Erin Crosby of Pickles and Pies…As a wedding planner and stylist I come across many kinds of weddings. All weddings are special, but others rise above that and become something truly memorable. Andrew and Gretchen are two of the kindest and lovliest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Because Gretchen was off in Boston getting her degree from Harvard Business and Andrew had just opened up his first restaurant, Untamed Sandwiches here in NYC, Getting together and planning a wedding was not going to be easy. We relied on lots of emails and the use of Pinterest.

Gretchen being able to pin pictures that inspired her, and get ideas out of her head and into board gave me a peek into her wants and hopes for this wedding. What I came away with was a rustic, sweet, and romantic barn wedding. She chose jewel tones and deep purples for her colors, and let me fill in the blanks. I loved using lace and wooden boxes for floral centerpieces, and the use of craft paper for all our paper goods. We had custom chalkboards for the program and shuttle schedule. For the ceremony, we filled wood cones with dried lavender for the guests to throw, and had personal wood fans for the heat.

The entire day was filled with personal touches. The love of their lives is their dog Revis, who couldn’t be at the wedding. We created the special cocktail for the day called The Revis Island, to have him be a part of the celebration. The “guest book” was actually a polaroid camera. Guests took fun pictures of themselves then glued them into a custom book with a little note to our happy couple. One of my favorite touches to the wedding was the “table numbers”. They chose places/restaurants that had special meaning or importance in their relationship and told the story of why on the back of the cards. Every guest came away knowing a bit more about them as a couple. One of the big things that makes Andrew and Gretchen so wonderful, is that they are people who give. Helping others is part of who they are, and they are passionate about it. So instead of giving their guests a traditional gift, they let their guests choose what charity of three that were important to them to donate to. We made cards that were placed on each table setting, then set up a display of 3 jars for guests to put their cards in. They chose North Shore Animal League, Minds Matter, and Root & Rebound. The most beautiful thing to see was people not only putting their cards in, but dipping into their pockets and putting cash into the bowls.

This wedding ended up helping three organizations in need. The food was served family style by Cucina out of Woodstock. The day was captured by the wonderful Rebecca Yale. And the 45 Riots kept everyone dancing all night. We ended the night with a grand sparkler exit towards their after party, where we had a bonfire and late night drinks and snacks waiting for everyone. It was a beautiful day, for a wonderful couple.

From The Bride…Our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for and more. In the morning, I had so much fun getting ready with my bridesmaids – admiring the hair stylists’ and the makeup artists’ work; popping champagne and lots of laughter. I was so lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring women who were also my closest friends, and it helped distract me from the butterflies in my stomach. I only learned later that my soon-to-be husband was experiencing the same butterflies while watching World Cup games with his groomsmen, even though I assumed he’d be the calm and collected one!

Seeing my husband for the first time for our First Look was probably my favorite moment of the day. Us being together (forever!) was the whole reason everyone had gathered in Hudson that day, and so seeing each other in our wedding-finery was both exhilarating and calming at once. My husband told me his favorite moment was later on seeing me walk down the aisle, but I was concentrating so hard on not crying at the time that I barely remember it.

Our officiant was a mutual friend who got ordained for the occasion and led a moving and personal interfaith ceremony. Despite an iffy forecast earlier in the week, the weather was perfect, and we got to enjoy the beautiful grounds of our venue for our ceremony and cocktail hour. We moved into the barn for the reception, which had a natural beauty without any adornment, but really took my breath away when I saw how our planner had set everything up – from the hanging twinkle lights, to the table runners, to the floral centerpieces, to the dance floor…no detail was overlooked!

We enjoyed a delicious family-style feast from Cucina and then a rocking dance party care of 45 Riots. And of course, through all the craziness, our incredible photographer was there to capture the special moments that were over in the blink of an eye. She was the best vendor decision we made for our wedding, and I will relive the day for years to come through her gorgeous images. Now that it’s all over, I’m just so excited to be married to the love of my life, and we’re so lucky to have celebrated our love with our nearest and dearest in the most wonderful way possible!

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Videography: NST Pictures | Planner: Erin Crosby Of Pickles And Pies | Floral Design: Erin Crosby Of Pickles And Pies | Wedding Gown: Jenny Lee Bridal | Invitations: Paperless Post | Bride's Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Catering: Cucina | Makeup: Face Stockholm | Hair Stylist: Jackie Kalmenson | Band: 45 Riots | Groom's Suit: Brooklyn Tailors | Venue: The Hill | Bouquets And Bouttonnieres: Christa Stosiek Of Markristo Farms | Earrings: Margaret Elizabeth Jewelry Purchased At Charm Chain | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Groom's And Groomsmen Ties: John Varvatos | Ketubah: Paper Cuts By Oren | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Second Shooter: Monika Photography

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Photographer Mike Larson said it best; nothing is better than a sun-drenched photo-shoot on the cliffs of an Australian beach. Unless Danae Grace Events is on the scene, that is, to make the oh-so dreamy visions really come to life. With this pair styling and shooting, a gallery visit to see all the couture looks is an absolute MUST.

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Photography: Mike Larson | Coordination: Danae Grace Events | Event Design: Danae Grace Events | Floral Design: Clementine Posy | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Hair & Makeup: Megan Vaughan | Venue: Sydney Coastline

A bold bride is a fabulous bride in my book. A beauty who is willing to steer away from the norm, even in subtle ways. Take this stunning lady for instance… donning a vibrant turquoise statement necklace, dressing her bridesmaids in gorg black gowns from Two Birds Bridesmaid and kicking aside heels for comfy flats. I think she has the right idea and it’s just the start… there’s so much more to love about this wildly beautiful day from Wai Reyes Photography.

From Wai Reyes Photography… Brittany and MJ are as awesome as they come. We hit it off from day one, despite them needing to bend so low just to hug me back. I never felt so short until I met these two, who are like supermodels in looks and in build (bride is 6′ tall). I knew from our first meeting being part of their wedding would be one of the highlights of my year. I first met with Brittany and MJ in 2012 for their 2014 wedding. I thought then, “wow, they sure are taking their time!”. And they did, with plenty to spare. Everyone was in good spirits on the day of, family and friends were all excited with anticipation, and there was not a single dry eye as the two said their I Do’s.

What I especially liked about this wedding was how laid back it was. Brittany wore the teal jewelries to match her emerald engagement ring that she wears everyday and opted for flat sandals for her bridal shoes. I’d like to go on record in saying that she’s probably one of the easiest brides to get along with: she’s not only beautiful and funny, but she’s as real as it gets. And one can agree that’s perhaps the traits MJ loves about her. He can’t not look at her and not have a smile on his face; and likewise. As their wedding photographer, capturing moments from a couple who are so happy and in love is the best part of the job.

Photography: Wai Reyes Photography | Floral Design: The Bloom Of Time | Wedding Dress: Panache Bridal | Cake: Cakes To Celebrate | Reception Venue: Wilson Creek Winery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Hair And Makeup: Design Visage | DJ: Battleson Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Bridal Shoes: Shopbop | Wedding Invitations And Wedding Programs: DIY