The season is upon us. When the leaves change and roadside flea and antique markets become a weekend adventure. So today, we’re breaking it all down for you. From what to bring to what to scout, this is your definitive guide to hitting up your local flea markets and walking away feeling like you scored some seriously awesome wares. Without any stress at all. Photos by Ruth Eileen.

Stress Free Guide to Flea Markets

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Stress Free Guide to Flea Markets

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CLICK THRU THE TOP SLIDESHOW FOR OUR FLEA MARKET TIPS & TRICKS!

Photography by Ruth Eileen  |  Cute boy is Adam, from Old as Adam

Mint is a fabulous choice for a spring wedding, it’s true. But if I’m being honest, I love it anytime of year. It brings an unparalleled sweetness to weddings—like this one full of French romance. And it all started with those darling invitations from Nabefabric. What follows, is pure lovely… mint shoe laces and ties, the flower girl’s sash, paper lanterns and so much more. You can see it here in the gallery from Instants Capturés.

From Nadège, the stationery designer… For this beautiful spring day, Marie & Jordan choose a gorgeous old Abbey built in the XI century, nestled in the countryside of France. Among the inspirations for their wedding: a palette of soft purple and green, and a vintage atmosphere in harmony with the wedding venue. Marie & Jordan prepared with the greatest care all the details of this wonderful spring wedding, from the organisation to the decoration, and the selection of talented vendors. And everything started with the wedding stationery… It was a real pleasure to work with Marie & Jordan. They were fully engaged in the choice of graphics, colors, typography, and showed a true desire for consistency, from their Save the Date to the entire decorative paper set for their D-Day. The Nabefabric Collection Douteau was redesigned specially for them, and we created with Justine (from Epure) a pretty ceramic medal showing their monogram, for the wedding invitation. Marie, Jordan and myself are sharing the same sense of detail, and I am really proud to see how the stationery was enhanced in the wonderful photos of their D-DAY.

From Amelie…There are weddings like this that we look forward and remind you how time goes fast! During the preparations, I realized that Marie wanted to give a real atmosphere to this day. The result exceeded my expectations! A lovely venue, an impeccable organization, a wonderful decoration, and adorable bride and groom … The perfect wedding … For those who know me and know how much I like the photo of tiny details, you can imagine how I appreciated to be part of this wedding.

Photography: Amelie Soubrie Instants Captures | Floral Design: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Reception Venue: Abbaye De Morienval, France | Hair & Makeup: Julie Aparicio | Groom's Attire: Les Nouveaux Ateliers | Invitations & Stationery: NABEFABRIC

Angela from Saffron Avenue here with my next blogger bride post! With all of the excitement around planning a wedding us brides sometimes forget about how to make the wedding process fun for our grooms, as well. Recently my fiancé saw me creating all of my ‘Will You Be My Bridesmaid’ boxes and wanted to do something similar for his gents. Of course, I obliged.

Since I made all of my bridesmaids a wooden box with goodies we did the same for the guys too. The boxes were also a good preview of what to expect for the wedding and the style. 

First we stained the unfinished cigar boxes and then I hand-painted each of their name on it, inside we included a short note about the wedding details, a small bottle of whiskey, and a cigar for celebration. Each box cost us around $10 to make and was well worth it and would recommend it to anyone.

Unfinished Cigar Box
Dark Wood Stain
Crinkle Paper
White Paint (for the names)
Cigar and/or Whiskey
5″ x 5″ Note about the wedding

Not only was it was neat to see each of their reactions but made it more special for them to be a part of our wedding. You could even have fun with it too and include something personal for each guy. I guarantee the groomsmen will love it!

Photography: Photographs By Jenna Leigh | Invitations: Michaels | Design Studio: Saffron Avenue

I don’t know why I’m surprised to find myself smack in the middle of a new season, a new life, the moment September hits. Maybe it’s the nip in the air or the kiddie footsteps clamoring on and off the school bus. Perhaps it’s some sort of internal clock that’s conditioned me—or, really, all of us—to get back into the swing of things each autumn. Either way, I’m finally motivated to step away from the barbecue and get back into a warm kitchen.

After preserving jam and jelly and pickles all summer long, I gravitate toward the simplest of all fall food gifts: cookies. And between new neighbors, a re-energized book club, potluck dinners and birthday parties, I bake to gift it all away — because if cookies hang out on my kitchen counter, well, they’re gone in about five moments flat. And if the cookies are packed with chocolate chips, well, I cannot be responsible.

Today, I’m sharing my breezy method for gift wrapping a stack of freshly baked cookies. Just mix your favorite recipe together or snap a few chunks of frozen break-and-bake cookies onto a cookie sheet and bake. (I used a favorite maker and woman-owned business, Sweet Loren’s, 100% natural cookies here.) The moment they’ve cooled, wrap them up following the instructions below. Your new neighbor, school teacher, babysitter, work colleague or pet sitter will thank you, promise.

Paper
Typewriter (or pen)
Scissors
Hole puncher
Ribbon, string or fabric strip
Tall glass jar (wide enough to hold your baked cookies) with lid

Type or hand write your message on paper and cut the paper into a little flag. With the hole puncher, make a hole in one end and slide ribbon through it. Once your cookies have cooled to room temperature, stack them in the jar and seal.

Tie the ribbon around the top of the jar, arranging the paper message in front, and gift them immediately.

Photography: White Loft Studio | Styling: Eat Boutique

CHECK OUT OTHER GREAT HOSTESS GIFT IDEAS ON SMP!

Modern Food Basket  |  Ice Cream Kits  |  S’mores Kits  |  Cakes in a Jar

Looking to be inspired? Thanks to the team of Kent Avenue Photography and Loop Flowers and Events, you can look no further! Berry toned blooms add a pop of color against the green hills of the Marin Headlands, creating a wildly romantic setting for this next photoshoot. Head to the gallery for more. Inspiration and beauty awaits.

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Pair all this loveliness with the majestic, rugged beauty of the Marin Headlands and we were in heaven! Talk about being over stimulated. Magnificent, undulating hills appear to rise from the earth and hug the coastline. The earthy smell of eucalyptus lingers in the air. Crashing waves, windswept hills, hidden coves and isolated beaches make for a truly mind blowing experience. Gravel-lined paths wind their way through high grasses, against hills peppered with spring wildflowers and teeming with wildlife, down to the jagged coastline. Late afternoon fog swims through the peaks and valleys of the hills and settles over panorama ocean views.

This wildly romantic setting could not have been a more perfect location for our bridal session’s moody, rich, berry palette. A sweet bench (perfect for two) was topped with oversized, lilac-linen pillows. Lush, garden-inspired floral arrangements sat atop layered, natural linens and paired with crystal-cut glasses and vintage silver flatware. Gorgeous, hand drawn menus and place cards featured whimsical botanical elements. A chocolate naked cake was layered with rich buttercream and fresh berries. The bride was outfitted in an ivory leavers lace dress and delicate, handmade hair accessories – a vintage, lace bridal cap and a gold, intricate floral, swarovski crystal headpiece. Pure romance.

Photography: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Floral Design: Loop Event Arts | Cake: Miette Bakery | Makeup: Naomi Berg | Hair: Alicia Mancuso | Venue: Baker Beach | Bridal Accessories: Haute Bride | Furniture: Milk Glass Vintage Rentals | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper/Graphics: Fig Tulip | Tabletop Rentals: Frances Lane

You know those scrumptious pink bridesmaids’ dresses you’re about to pin (I KNOW you are) they’re handmade just like the rest of this backyard love-fest. That’s right…handmade. It’s what happens when you’ve got a DIY savvy bride with The Perfect Occasion by her side, and the result is one, big gorgeous gallery from Anne Blodgett. Dive in right here.

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From The Bride…The vision for our wedding was rustic meets vintage with touches of elegance. Our goal was to hand-make the decor with things that were readily available, or pick up at antique shops throughout Oregon. Some of my favorite handmade items include all of the bridal party attire (except the Bride and groom). The groomsmen were in a light grey vest and slacks, which were made by my mother, Denise Martin. The bridesmaids were in a salmon strapless dress with rosette skirt, also made by my mom. The ring bearer/flower girl attire was handmade by Denise as well. Also my husband and I had a lot of fun making the wood guest signing slab. It came from logging job in Oregon. We planed and sanded the slab down ourselves and added bar topcoat to give its shine.

Also, we tore old pallets apart to make the “old wood flooring” affect to some of the centerpieces. To save money I hand cut and painted the chevron letters on tables. Also all of the burlap and lace runners with put together by Denise Martin. Lastly my Husband Hank Mast hand built the wedding arch from old barn wood that we found from a local barn that had been pieced apart a few miles from our home. The tin he used we found on our property. Some extra special touches that made the day even more special were the ruby earrings that were given to me by my grandmother and originated as a wedding gift in 1910 to my great, great, great grandmother. I wore them in honor of her. Also the pearl ring that was given to me from my husband as a wedding gift. It has been in his family for many years.

I had the vision for this wedding but it could not have come together like it did without the help of day coordinating and florals by Andrew Calvert of The Perfect Occasion.

Photography: Anne Blodgett Photography | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Make-up: Daniellea Martin | Groom's Suit: Perry Ellis | Venue: Private Residence | Bride's Boots: Corral | Floral Design + Styling: The Perfect Occasion | Rentals: Party Time

There may be nothing better than a sweet bridal shop filled to the brim with incredible designers. Case in point? a&bé bridal shop. With a midwest nice + coastal cool style, this Twin Cities boutique has it all for the unfussy bride looking for something honestly amazing + truly unique.

Bringing 10 new designers to Minnesota such as Sarah Seven, Rue De Seine, Katie May, Anna Campbell and Rebecca Schoneveld, a&bé curates a collection that highlights upcoming + independent designers focusing on boho-chic and romantic designs. Aside from incredible gowns, the shop also carries gorgeous accessories from designers such as Untamed Petals, Sara Gabriel and Hushed Commotion. Owned by two ladies who have worked tirelessly to elevate shopping for bridal attire, a&bé makes sure each and every bride has an amazing experience.

Since the opening of the second a&bé location, the first being in Denver, the Twin Cities’ bridal scene has moved up a notch. To celebrate the new locale, a&bé is offering SMP readers a $100 accessories credit with the purchase of a wedding gown! Gown must be purchased by October 31, 2014. Be sure to mention SMP to redeem the credit. Happy dress shopping, lovelies! xo

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If you know me at all, you know that I am sort of obsessed with Paris. Ok, I’m totally obsessed. So when I see at shoot like this one from French Grey Photography, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be pinning every dreamy image the second this post goes live, and you can join me in doing so here. 

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From French Grey Photography …Erin and Andrew travelled to Paris from Australia in December for their winter honeymoon. They had been to this city many times before, but this time they wanted to savour the moments of this romantic city wearing their recent wedding attire from their Australian wedding. As we strolled through the streets of Paris on a magnificent early December morning, Erin and Andrew looked stunning, quite Bond like, and heads were turning everywhere as we passed by. The late autumn leaves added to the elegance of the session and the colours and the early morning sunrise and lighting, were too good to be true. In a city like Paris, I love how even the cold winter months can create and inspire romance such as this. I am thrilled to be sharing these images with you.

Photography: French Grey Photography | Hair And Make-up Stylist: Allison Depriestre

This wedding is so perfectly styled by The Flori.Culture (who also happens to be the Bride) and captured by Charity Maurer Photography I honestly thought it was a photo shoot. It wasn’t until I saw the way these two lovebirds look at each other that I knew, this was as real as it gets. Filled with so much lovely, light and love – this gallery is just beyond.

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From the Bride…My husband and I both grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, yet did not meet one another until a memorable holiday break during our graduate school years. Though our studies and careers have prompted many moves, upon our engagement we decided to wed in our childhood state in the Valley of the Sun.

As a couple, we have always been drawn to the desert in springtime. We wanted our wedding to embrace the beauty of the desert landscape yet incorporate a modern, romantic aesthetic. It was also imperative to create an intimate ambiance, as our guest list held a total of fifteen immediate family members. We fashioned an environment for our families to enjoy stunning views, exceptional cuisine, spectacular company, and of course some bubbly.

Silverleaf set the beautiful backdrop for our wedding, bringing a touch of chic, Tuscan accents. Hints of Italian and Grecian design are reflected in the Bay and Olive branch foliage displayed within the ceremony seating and reception tablescape. This Mediterranean undertone to the design is fitting, as our upcoming honeymoon escape includes Greece & Italy.

As the bride and the flower stylist (owner of the company Flori.Culture), my botanical ingredients include romantic spring blooms with a touch of desert texture. The bridal bouquet recipe is abundant with feminine blossoms in pastel hues of champagne, apricot, blush, and cream and is fasted with raw silk ribbon, my grandmother’s brooches, and my Kappa Kappa Gamma key pin (inherited from my mother’s sorority days). The gentlemen’s lapels are accented with the single Anemone bloom for a clean, modern touch. At the reception, a sleek glass trough overflowing with ruffled pale apricot Parrot Tulips, romantic Juliet Garden Roses, dramatic Anemones, feminine Ranunculus, and textural Succulents line the farm-table.

I must mention, when designing the arrangements for our wedding, my new grandparents were my floral sous-chefs! Grandma & Grandpa assisted in processing flowers and styled alongside me the day before our wedding. I cannot describe in writing how meaningful it was to share my passion for flowers with my new grandparents for our wedding day. I will always cherish this memory.

We will also treasure the experience of having my father (a former pastor) officiate our wedding. Our ceremony prompted many unique moments, laughs, and happy tears. My husband and I are so fortunate to supported by such warm, loving, and welcoming families. We could not have dreamed for a more perfect wedding.

Photography: Charity Maurer Photography | Floral Design: The Flori.Culture (the Bride!) | Wedding Dress: J.Crew | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Make-Up: Jason Ascher | Hair: Lalou Salon | Location: Silverleaf Country Club | Photography - Second Shooter: Anna Christy | Placecards: Dream State | Sash: Shabby Chic And Vintage | Suite: Hugo Boss

I know I gush over weddings on the daily, but this darling DIY wedding is just as charming as they come. The setting, the personality-packed details, the sweet vintage touches – it’s all just fabulous. But what I really love is this couple. Their love is so obviously genuine, making not gushing over this gallery from Brandon Scott Photo Co practically impossible.

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From Brandon Scott Photo Co…Allie and Zach’s wedding this May was nothing short of incredible. The venue was dropped right in the heart of an epic Florida forest that isn’t even a wedding venue. The couple made it their own in every way. We were beyond humbled when they asked us to fly out from California to photograph their day. 

From the Bride and Groom…What was your inspiration behind the day?
WE LOVE FORESTS. We love being outside, being adventurous, going for hikes, and taking in all of the natural beauty that God has surrounded us with. Being the typical girl that I am, I love enchanted, magical forests, you know, stuff you see on disney princess movies and stuff like that. So that was our goal: find a simply beautiful forest, and make it look all fancy and enchanting by bringing in shades of pink and gold (my favorite colors).

For the reception, we wanted to continue the “fancy and magical” theme but make it a relaxing environment as well – in my parents backyard – we had beautiful vintage couches making small living room areas, as well as some tables scattered throughout with chandeliers hanging overhead. We also wanted our guests to have fun and relax so we had a game section with Life-sized Jenga, Corn-hole, and Ladder Golf.”

What was your “perfect wedding” vision? 
My perfect wedding was a small mini wedding with only our parents and siblings in the Redwood Forests of California. However, Zach’s perfect wedding was a huge celebration with anyone and everyone we’ve ever met. So after talking about it for what seemed to be months, we decided to keep the wedding at a reasonable number, with our closest family and friends, but to keep the forest theme, since that was something we both really wanted.

What are three unique details that you infused into your decor?
Glitter. Gold. And old things. Everything had glitter on it. Because what girl doesn’t love sparkly things? The majority of our decorations were things you could find in a recycling bin: old bottles, cans, cardboard, random pieces of scrap wood, really whatever we could find; that most people would consider garbage, we decided to make it glamorous.

What – if anything – did you DIY? 
We basically DIY’d EVERYTHING. My sister-in-law, Katy, was in charge of all of the decorations, and set up of everything and she did an incredible job! She made beautiful centerpieces out of bottles, cans, wine jugs, spray paint, twine, and glitter. She also decorated the ceremony site with a beautiful fabric altar. We got most of our supplies from Michael’s and JoAnn’s Fabric, but a lot of the stuff was random things we just had laying around. My dad was in charge of building all of the big projects, and he now officially hates the word “Pinterest” because he knew if I said “Hey Dad, I saw this thing on Pinterest…” it would mean I had found something else for him to build me. He built these BEAUTIFUL doors out of wooden pallets for the ceremony and for the reception site, he made benches for our guests to sit on, he also made a beautiful swinging bench with a tulle canopy that looks lovely in pictures, and he made LOTS of other things that would take entirely too long to list. Also one of my very good friends Julianne Brown (the 5th of the band FourFifths) made our wedding invitations, and I made the programs for the wedding. We got our flowers from King’s Wholesale Florist, and my sister-in-law, Katy, did all of the arrangements.”

What was your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment was right after the ceremony when Zach and I walked out of the ceremony and for a few seconds it was just us, being able to hug each other and really take in that we just got married, without anyone coming over to congratulate us or complement the wedding. For those 45 seconds, it was just me and my new husband taking in the craziness of the day, and it was one my favorite parts.

What song did you do your first dance to? 
Zach and I are terrible dancers – like the worst ever. So we decided to forgo the first dance. However, I walked down the isle to “Come to Me” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

What was on your menu? 
We had an INCREDIBLE private chef that has been a family friend of ours for a long time. He created a wonderful menu for us of cocktail style food that was still filling, there were Sweet and Sour Chicken Skewers, Braised Beef Sliders, Caesar Salad Cones, Bruschetta Rounds, Meatball Skewers, and many other delicious items. We also are big Coffee Junkies, and we love sweet treats, so our friends at the Coffee Barn and Bakery catered coffee, Cold Brew, and assorted pastries and deserts as well as adorable Bride and Groom Cake Pops.

Photography: Brandon Scott | Wedding Dress: Jon's Bridal | Ceremony Venue: Hog Island Recreation Area | Reception Venue: Private Residence | Hair Stylist: Meghann Zarillo | Cake And Dessert: The Coffee Barn And Bakery | Music: FourFifths

Lovely Day Styling, the creative masterminds behind the look of this vintage inspired shoot, designed pure perfection dripping with rich tones of blush, gold, and deep crimson. And, with a bride made beautiful by Dana Bartone & Company and Everthine Bridal Boutique, you’ll want to hurry to the gallery to see more. You can thank us (and Ashley Caroline Photography) later.

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Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Videography: Caddywhompus Productions | Styling: Lovely Day Styling | Floral Design: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Wedding Cake: Erica OBrien Cake Design | Invitations: Mr. Boddington Studio | Calligraphy: Li Ward | Bridal Beauty: Dana Bartone & Company | Bridal Gown & Accessories: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Ceremony & Reception: Waveny House | Groom Fashion: Angie Lu Tailors | Linens: Party Rentals Ltd | Vintage China: Borrowed Vintage | Vintage Rentals: Sassafras Vintage Rentals | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio

Dears, today we’re setting the pretty details aside (don’t worry, they’re not far away) and we’re talking about something that most couples don’t think of until right before the Big Day… the wedding readings! It truly is a part of the ceremony that is so special and meaningful. So we’ve teamed up with Reverend Barry Kolanowski of Chicago Weddings for some simple tips to make your readings memorable, powerful and a moment you’ll cherish forever.

From Reverend Barry Kolanowski of Chicago Weddings… Readings have been an integral part of wedding ceremonies for decades and they are also an opportunity to do even more. Sometimes the reading is a passage from a religious text, but more often it is poetry which conveys the feelings of the couple in the moment. A well selected reading can bring depth, tenderness, and even humor to a wedding ceremony. Tap your creativity and find writings that will touch everyone especially your partner.

1. Express yourself. Take this moment to share something that reflects your feelings. The final days and hours before a wedding can be such a rush, by picking out a poem or quote that reflects how much your partner means to you will only increase the moment for both of you. A reading doesn’t have to be an old passage, today’s brides are selecting many fresh and fun quotes straight off Pinterest or the movies.

2. Honor someone. You can honor a guest or family member not in the wedding party. There will be some very special people joining you on your day and asking them to participate in the ceremony by reading a carefully selected piece will be a wonderful way to include them. They can make the selection or you can and provide it for them.

3. Proper Placement. Most often the content will help dictate the best place when a poem is read. Some poetry is more general about love, perfect before the vows. Whereas, poems that speak specifically about marriage or weddings, may fit more appropriately after the vows. Consider the flow of the ceremony so avoid putting selections back to back. Further a reading creates more interest by the guests simply because of a different voice.

4. Print and Font Size. Most readers are not professional so provide them with a copy of the poem in an easy to read font and larger size, 14-16pt. Being, nervous can really complicate the brain’s ability to focus. Even nicer would be to attach the printed version of the reading in a decorative folder. This will prevent a breeze or turn of the wrist to interrupt the plan.

5. Advance copies. Give the reader plenty of time to review the reading in advance. Insist they look it over before the big day and that they use your printed version and not their Ipad, phone, or Kindle. The biggest reason is it looks classier, but also if your ceremony is out of doors the sunlight on a shiny screen can make it very hard to read.

Many still picture readings like old school verses from the Bible or other religious source. Trends are showing that couples are full of creativity with the biggest goal to find stories and poems that match their feelings and lifestyle. From Dr. Seuss to Sex and the City and many other great writers, they bring a strong and meaningful message to a very special day.

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Wedding Reading Tips: Reverend Barry Kolanowski of Chicago Weddings | Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Styling & Design: A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals | Model: Keri Tremblay

When you sit down with this little autumn wedding, you’ll realize it’s exactly the pretty yet personal approach we preach here on SMP. Held at the Bride’s family peach orchard, it’s chock-full of meaningful moments – not to mention the Groom’s own home brew – and the kind of relaxed-yet-totally-chic day ANY guest would die to attend. Just Crumbs designed the cake, Mary Margaret Smith snapped the goodies and Southern Vibe put it all to film. Dive in here.

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From the Bride… Matt and I have known each other pretty much all of our lives, growing up in the same town where our parents knew each other. I was three years younger than Matt in high school so we didn’t really connect until I graduated from college and he was finishing up his Bachelors Degree. One of my best friends (a bridesmaid) and one of his best friends (a groomsmen) got married a few years back so Matt and I were always the 3rd wheel (or 4th wheels?). We spent a lot of time together as friends for years – until the timing was perfect. I asked him on our 3rd date if he was going to marry me one day. He said yes.

I think it is safe to say that the most unique portion of our wedding day was the fact that I got to have my wedding in a location were no one else had been married, my family’s peach orchard. I had my wedding at home in my back yard where I grew up looking for arrowheads with my dad or fishing with my granddaddy. Matt got to get married at the local fruit stand that his mom took him to when he was a kid. The orchard consists of a pond surrounded by peach and apple trees. We had the ceremony in one set of peach rows, social hour/dancing around the pond, and dinner in another set of peach rows.

Everyone says “Don’t worry about the small details” well I say just the opposite – do worry about the small details! In the end it is all of those small details that come together to make your wedding unique. A lot of the details we decided on weren’t necessarily out of the box original, but we made them unique. We accomplished this by choosing details that were special not only to Matt and I but our families as well. For example, the guestbook on quilt squares has been done before, but my mom is actually going to be the one to put those squares together for us. This turns the guestbook quilt squares into a gift not only from our guest but from my mom as well. Another detail Matt and I were head over heels for were our table numbers, they were listed Table One – Table Twenty. But what made them special to us is that we took the time to sit down and go through song after song from all of our favorite artists and choose lyrics that remind us of each other to put on the table numbers.

One last thing I have to point out about my fairytale orchard wedding is that this wedding was not just about the bride and groom. This wedding was also about celebrating family and friends. Between Matt’s family and mine there haven’t been a lot of weddings. His parents/grandparents and my parents/grandparents all had court house weddings. No dresses or cakes, no suits or birdseed; this wedding was a chance for everyone to celebrate their marriage. And everyone treated it that way; we were surrounded by people doing things for Matt and I even when we didn’t ask. We had zero upsets the entire day. I found it relaxing and he had fun. The whole night was magical and romantic, it was so romantic. I think everyone there fell in love all over again. Matt and I were very blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people; we have families that feel like friends and friends that feel like family. You really could not ask for anything more. At the end of the night it was rewarding to hear our guests gush over and over about how perfect this wedding was. And they were right, it was perfect.

Photography: Mary Margaret Smith | Videography: Southern Vibe | Florals: Heritage Florist | Cakes: Just Crumbs | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Ashley's Creative Catering | Lighting: Metropolitan Disc Jockey | Ceremony Music: Felicity String Quartet | Venue: Private Residence | Bride's Dress: Jenny Packham | Day-of Coordination: Christy Nunnelee | Invitations And Lettering: Salt And Paperie | Location: Isom's Orchard | Reception Band: Mox Nix

As an interior designer, I’m all about trying to come up with the best of the best for less. And had you told me that Heather Jorde created her dining room fixtures with golden plastic straws, I probably wouldn’t believe it without seeing it for myself. And it’s kind of amazing. In fact, she constantly gets compliments on the fixture – and chuckles to herself when she explains it’s a $10 homemade project.

From Heather… Aside from the lighting, we were finished with our dining room makeover. We had just bought our head chairs and decided that we would wait on any more big purchases. Since I wanted a modern brass piece, I knew finding a cheap one was out of the question. So, I created my own with some spray painted straws and string. Everyone who visits assumes it’s brass and it’s always fun telling them I made it from straws.

String and needle
Straws (make sure they aren’t bendy straws!)
Gold spray paint
Wire (to attach the straw lighting to the light kit)
Pendant light kit (this one was used)

After spray painting the straws gold, string three straws together with your needle. Make a triangle and tie a knot, and then cut the string.

From there, add a row of continuous triangles, adding two to three straws at a time as needed.

As more triangles are added, you can start to combine them to create the 3-d shape that you want. I found that it was easiest to create a general shape on the table and then finishing touches after I attached it to the pendant light kit with the wire.

Lastly, trim any string from the knots you made, and then go back and paint over any exposed knots with gold paint.

Photography: Heather Jorde | Bridal Shower & Bachelor + Bachelorette Parties: World Market

A great nautical theme is close to our hearts. We do hale from the Bay State after all but this photo shoot is out to prove that decor isn’t limited to just stripes and anchors. Instead this group of talents, including Hello Love Events, EightTreeStreet, Laura Hooper Calligraphy and Terri Baskin Photography whipped up bold pattern, elegant calligraphy and a good dose of pink to go along with that navy and white. Click here for more.

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From Hello Love Events…After rebranding my business with a combination of my favorite colors – navy blue, coral, and gold, I knew I had to create an inspirational wedding styled shoot to complement it. I have always had a soft spot for nautical themes and have always wanted the opportunity to showcase my ideas of ways to bring my love for weddings together with a nautical inspiration, which is all the rave this year!

First, I had to find the perfect venue to complement my vision. When a fellow wedding professional recommended Harbour View events in Woodbridge, Virginia and I finally had a chance to tour the space, I was instantly sold. The warm weather with a gentle breeze, the docks full of lovely boats both small and large, the cozy marina surrounded by lush gardens. This shoot includes some amazing touches including a breathtaking navy sequin tablecloth from Candy Crush Shop, some seriously floral pretty from EightTreeStreet and nautical calligraphy by the infamously talented Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Our hair/makeup artist for the shoot – Enlightened Styles – really outdid herself with the models’ hairstyles. I requested some pretty braided styles and some sort of way to incorporate a nautical touch to the ladies. She created an insane nautical bow out of some simple navy ribbon that I had left over from the shoot. Are you kidding me?! Amazing. The bride’s dress? The bow? Crazy beautiful!

Photography: Terri Baskin Photography | Floral Design: EightTreeStreet | Hair + Makeup: Enlightened Styles | Wedding Venue: Harbour View Events | Formal Attire: Ava Laurenne Bride | Models: Ava Laurenne Bride | Nautical Cake: Sweets By E | Navy Blue Sequin Tablecloth: Candy Crush Shop | Stationery + Paper Products: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Styling + Coordination: Hello Love Events

Black and yellow have been done but never in a way so fresh and modern and all with a cool beachside vibe. Leave it to Australia and more specifically Bondi Beach, to turn these colors into fun, whimsical beauty along with a hand by Maggie May Flowers and Jane Allen Photography. And we haven’t even mentioned the dress. Oh that dress by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES. See it all right here.

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From The Bride…We met through work in 2004. We only worked together for a couple of years, but despite parting ways professionally we remained friends for years after. Our paths continued to cross and we would often go running together. Trent asked me on dates lots of times over the years but I kept turning him down! 6 years later after running the City 2 Surf, we ran into each other at the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi where we were celebrating our efforts with our friends. After all those years of saying no to Trent’s date invitations it was his impressive dance moves that afternoon that finally swayed me. One kiss later and I was hooked!

Trent proposed to me on the hill at Mark’s Park overlooking Bondi Beach. It is only a couple of 100 metres from where we live and you can see that spot from where we got married at Bondi Icebergs. He proposed to me on our morning run. I had no idea and just couldn’t believe it. It was the most perfect day apart from me missing out on doing my set of ‘burpees’ which were apparently interfering with Trent’s proposal plan.

Our location was Bondi Icebergs (pool deck for the ceremony and a cocktail reception in the Bondi Icebergs club). It was an easy choice for us. We absolutely love Bondi. As a couple it’s been a really big part of our lives, and our home together. The venue is simply beautiful. Given we live 200 meters away another big tick was not having to go anywhere on our big day! We spend many weekends at Icebergs swimming and enjoying the sunshine! It’s one of our favourite places. The venue and location are so beautiful I was conscious of not over styling. We wanted the beautiful white rock and ocean to shine. We chose a white colour palette with lots of different textures. Natural fibers like wood and un-coated card were featured throughout along with daisies as the main floral element.

The accent color was a little yellow taken from the Daisies which decorated both the ceremony and reception and a hint of black. My favourite decoration was the incredible Daisy Chain garland that’s swung between the flagpoles on the pool deck. I did all the styling myself and was lucky to find a wonderful group of vendors to help my vision come to life. Massive thank you goes to our florist, Jenni from Maggie May Flowers in Bondi who went way over my expectations in everything she created.

I got a lot of inspiration from home wear designers Blacklist Studio and Pony Rider and our flower girl’s dress which I found at a Zimmerman warehouse clearance for $15. The flower girl dress was the very first item I bought for the wedding and still one of my favourite pieces. My Mum made a beautiful flag with a love heart to hang from the reception ceiling. My Bridesmaid Dhiarne made our incredible wedding cake and cupcakes and I made jams as gifts for our guests. I purchased some personalized magnets from Etsy as well. Our flower girl Eden wore a daisy chain circlet on her head and carried a basket with daisy heads which she sprinkled as she walked. She wore a gorgeous white crochet floor length dress from Zimmerman Kids. I stumbled across both bridesmaid dresses. It was really important that both girls felt absolutely gorgeous in their outfits. I was keen for them to wear different dresses that worked together in the overall theme. It wasn’t until the day of the wedding that I saw their dresses together and couldn’t have been happier. Dhiarne’s dress was spotted in a store window in Bondi and Meg’s on the website BHLDN. Meg’s dress originally was lost in the post as we bought it online but lucky for us it showed up a few months later! Trent really wanted to get ‘dressed-up’ for our special day so we put all the boys in dinner suits. Trent wore a bow-tie and his brothers were straight black ties. All the suits were really easy to find and reasonably priced which definitely helped the overall budget. I saw my amazing dress in Cosmo Wedding and HAD to try it on. I knew it was the one before I even went into the Paddington store. It was absolutely perfect for my style and the wedding we had in mind. I looked through lots and lots of wedding magazines and blogs and had struggled to see anything I liked till I saw my KWH dress. Lucky for me the Paddington Store is just down the road from my work and I could try it on in my lunch break. I bought it the next day! The back of the dress was absolutely stunning. Just so unique and beautiful. I loved the sequin bodice and shape of the neckline and cap sleeves. The skirt was so flowy and light I knew it would be perfect with the ocean breeze. I wore a beautiful headpiece from Bo and Luca. My Mother-in-law bought me the most beautiful diamond studded star shaped stud earrings from a boutique in Paddington which I adore. My bridesmaids wore their own shoes and jewelry.

We love Jane and her brother James who photographed our day! Jane answered our brief to capture ‘the whole event not just us’ perfectly. We only spent 30minutes on bridal party photographs which was great as we wanted to spend as much time as possible with our guests and enjoying the moment. We aren’t into posed/styled photographs and Jane new exactly how to make that work. I can’t recommend Jane highly enough. Everyone just had so much fun. The dance floor was especially busy all night! I just loved our photographers Jane and James who not only captured everyone’s smiling faces but got right into the spirit by dancing along with our guests and especially my step Dad John. We’re still getting comments from our guests about how much they loved Jane and James! Jenni from Maggie May Flowers is an absolute genius! She made everything on the day (and before) perfect. Jenni listened to everything I asked for and came up with an amazing floral design that was perfectly ‘un-structured’ exactly as I wanted.

Erica came up with the most beautiful ceremony. She opened with a wonderful speech about us which she developed after speaking with Trent and I separately as well as 5 or 6 of our closest friends and family. Erica also suggested our Mum’s doing a speech during the ceremony rather than readings which was a great way for them to be involved. Their brief was to say anything they wanted! Trent’s mum read a beautiful poem which is dear to her heart and my Mum read a piece I had to write about myself to get into uni – that was very un-expected and gave all our guests a good laugh. I’ve never seen so much laughing in a wedding ceremony! I liked that I a lot. Melissa was such a lovely person. Her styling skills are so wonderful. I only had my hair trial one week prior to the wedding as I was too busy with work to fit it in before then. I never worried for one second! She listened to everything I asked for and I felt like my hair was perfect. Megan was incredible and made everyone feel so beautiful! She nailed our natural look. Doing the make-up for 5 girls who rarely wear foundation could have been tricky but she made us all feel and look stunning.

Photography: Jane Allen Photography | Floral Design: Maggie May Flowers Bondi | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Invitations: Minted | Hair Stylist: Melissa Cauchi | Grooms Attire: Uber Stone | Groomsmen's Attire: Roger David | Venue: Bondi Icebergs | Bridesmaid Dress (long Sleeve): Samvara | Bridesmaid Dress (no Sleeve): BHLDN | Ceremony Bamboo Flags: Spoonful Designs | Flower Girl: Zimmermann | Hairpiece: Bo & Luca | Make-up Artist: Megan Vaughan | Music: DJ Solutions | Reception Decor: Confetti Systems

When we get our hands on a gorgeous garden wedding like this one from Dave Richards Photography, it’s a good, good day at SMP. Because when you pair up fluffy blooms, vintage bits, delicate laces, a purely spectacular setting like Maravilla Gardens and loads of California sunlight? There’s no denying this sweet wedding concoction will fill you with sweeping love.

From the beautiful Bride… I wanted the wedding to be a “secret garden” theme. Both Michael and I are earth signs and love nature. We wanted to get married outdoors and were very inspired by the natural beauty of the gardens at Maravilla. We didn’t want anything too flashy or over the top. Which is why our color pallet was very muted with neutrals and whites. I would say my personal style for the wedding was ‘romantic.’ I had a Grecian influence and was drawn to delicate laces, vintage pieces and also anything bohemian. I wanted to have a timeless look that I would still love years down the road.

Additional Notes: Bride and Groom were married by a long time family friend. The cake was made by the Groom’s mother. Wedding signs were hand painted by the Bride’s sister. Also, the bride designed her own dress and Liza made the dress at her shop!

Photography: Dave Richards Photography | Floral Design: The English Garden | Wedding Dress: Brides By Liza | Invitations: Rifle Paper Co. | Ceremony Venue: Maravilla Gardens | Reception Venue: Maravilla Gardens | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Command Performance Catering | DJ: Elegant Event Entertainment | Cake Topper: BHLDN

Blush tones and metallic accents beautifully adorn this stunning wedding set in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Ashlee Virginia Events designed the perfect mix of pop and elegance, and thanks to videographer East West, we all get a front row seat at this classic affair! For more of the timeless details from Sarah Culver Photography, head on over to the gallery.

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From Ashlee Virginia Events… Mojy and Kurt were married on a beautiful spring day in the heart of our nation’s capital. The Women’s Museum is one of the most spectacular buildings in the district. Mojy and Kurt wanted a timeless design and the vendors did not disappoint. The blush tones and metallic gold accents looked stunning in a building that made you feel like you were stepping back in time. The architecture in the building alone is enough to make any bride, or wedding planner, swoon. One of the most unique things about their wedding day was they nixed having an officiant. Instead, they had their closest friends and family share a few readings and Mojy and Kurt read their own vows to one another. For the reception, Mojy wanted to make sure the art displayed in the museum was a strong focus and the soft color palate did just that. The Persian cuisine was a feast for the groom’s mid-western family. The wedding overall ended up being a perfect blend of the two cultures and was a real treat for all their wedding guests!

Photography: Sarah Culver | Videographer: East West | Event Planning: Ashlee Virginia Events | Floral Design: Petal's Edge | Cake: Classic Bakery | Stationery: Kat Bredeman | DJ: Sound Of Everything | Harpist: Capital Harpist | Transportation: Lasting Impressions | Wedding Venue: National Museum Of Women In The Arts | Catering And Rentals: Well Dunn Catering | Drapery: Drape Kings

This wedding is best described by the bride as boho with a side of fancy, fancy which translates into equal parts killer style and vendor dream team. From design by Yifat Oren & Stefanie Cove, to richly hued florals by The Velvet Garden and Gia Canali behind the lens. In the full gallery you’ll find a moonlit ceremony so enchanting followed by a ballroom reception with glamour tucked into every nook.

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From Gia Canali….Nicole and Doug are among our favorite couples ever, for so many reasons, not least of which is their abundance of humor and their exuberance. Their moonlit ceremony-in-the-round was incredibly romantic. And they didn’t have a seated dinner reception. It was more like a roving feast with an endless dance party.

The bride wore her grandmother’s antique jewels and the groom wore his grandfather’s cufflinks. They had champagne in coupes and Kir Royals as their signature drinks.

From The Bride…It was Nicole’s birthday and Doug woke her up with their dog Sheldon dressed in a tuxedo. (Sheldon is from the streets, but his essence is fancy. So we always thought he belonged in a tux and joked about it constantly). Nicole thought this was just a very thoughtful way to ring in her 28th year. When Doug suggested a hike in Griffith Park, Nicole threw on some sweat pants, and they both decided Sheldon should keep his tuxedo on. When they reached a beautiful plateau, where they normally stop to stretch and drink water, Doug asked a stranger to take a photo of them. Nicole picked up Sheldon and smiled for the camera, but did not feel Doug next to her. When she turned around to see what was up, he was on his knee with a ring. The stranger who Doug had asked to photograph the moment, was actually “a plant.” They had done a “dry run” two weeks prior, and he got the whole thing on video. When they got back to their house, Doug had arranged for all Nicole’s favorite foods (so, cheese) and champagne to be waiting for them upon arrival. That night, Doug surprised Nicole again, when she walked into a room filled with all of their closest friends, who thought they were there to celebrate her birthday. After a day like this, Nicole wasn’t sure whether Doug was trying to marry her or give her a heart attack and kill her.

Nicole got deep into Pinterest. Stone Fox Bride has some amazing boards to pull from. When we decided our dress code was going to be “Bohemian Black Tie,” Nicole had a blast making this super intense board for inspiration. It is mostly photos of Elton John wearing feathers and sequins. So, not that helpful to guests who were looking for a “rational explanation.”

We wanted it to just be a kick ass party from start to finish. We also had this theme of “circles”—putting the emphasis on inclusiveness and warmth. The dance floor was a giant circle, we drank from coupes, and most importantly, we got married “in the round.” That night, there were no separations, sides, or factions. Just total unity and oneness. At least that’s what we told people—the true reason is that we love being the center of attention.

– We read our own vows, and Doug final vow was, “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life…looking for your cell phone.”
– Nicole, hopping on stage, and singing “Crazy in Love” with the band, which brought the house down. It was a completely impromptu moment, brought on by the Nicole’s “magic weave” (clip-in hair extensions really are everything).
– After the band played, DJ Sam French got on the ones and twos and everyone danced until 3:30 am.
– Also, Superman crashed the wedding, and bought everyone jack and cokes.

The best advice we received was to live in the moment as much as possible and don’t be a dick. Our advice is the same to other couples live in the moment as much as possible and don’t be a dick. As well as the sense of joy and gratitude that we each felt was palpable. We truly LIVED every moment.

Photography: Gia Canali Photography | Floral Designer: The Velvet Garden | Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Makeup: Kristie Streicher | Hair: Tommy Buckett | DJ: DJ Sam French | Suit: John Varvatos | Wedding Venue: Hotel Bel-Air | Baker And Cake: The Butter End Cakery | Day-of Paper & Programs: Tiny Pine Press | Event Design And Production: Stefanie Cove and Co | Invites: Rifle Paper Co. | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Rentals: Revelry Event Designers | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Tie: Lanvin | Veil: Stone Fox Bride

Half the fun of planning your big day is getting to brand the look + feel of every single element. One thing we can’t get enough of is a fabulous signature cocktail — especially when that specialty drink is delicious and nutritious! Enter: Suja Juice.

All of Suja’s Juices are certified Organic, Non-GMO & Kosher and are processed using cold pressure — and did I mention they taste amazing?! These delicious and easy recipes from Suja are perfect for serving at your big day (or engagement party or rehearsal dinner!). Brides-to-be can even order the juices at a wholesale discount when ordering for their wedding. YUM!