Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

Behind the Blog: Hello Lidy!

Meet Lidy Dipert. You may already recognize her as one of our monthly contributors, but if not you need to make her acquaintance. Purveyor of all things DIY beautiful, I’ve been a longtime fan. And it has been my mission for some time now to get to know the girl behind the blog. So that’s just what we did! And you know what? She’s even cooler than I could have imagined. With photos from Christine Choi, let’s read on…

SMP: Tell us a little about Hello Lidy!
LIDY: Hello Lidy is a blog that focuses on creating and cultivating unique spaces that integrate original handmade designs and vintage pieces, while keeping up on current trends and designs. We also love to share our parenting/adoption journey here and there too!

SMP: What made you decide to start a blog?
LIDY: By nature, I am a creative person who loves to try new and upcoming things. Blogging was just one of those instances where I wanted to explore a new avenue and I just ended up falling in love with the process and people that I met along the way!

SMP: What’s one thing you’ve learnt along the way?
LIDY: I learned early on that when you open yourself up to the world, you are inevitably going to open yourself up to criticism and judgement. But you learn right away that blogging isn’t about people pleasing. It’s about having confidence in who you are, not being afraid to fail, steering clear of negative thinking and not being so critical of yourself!

SMP: If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
LIDY: To be honest, I wouldn’t change anything. Every bump in the road has taught me invaluable information that I know I’m better for. So to go back and do something differently would mean to lose knowledge of all that I know now -as a blogger, wife and mother!

SMP: One piece of advice you’d give to a blogger just starting out?
LIDY: I like to use the 5 W’s for blogging, which helps me stay focused and on track throughout the years. WHO do you want your audience to be. WHAT makes your blog unique and stand out against the rest. WHEN or how often do you plan on blogging a week (do you have a full time job that may take precedence over your blog? Would you want your blog to be your full time job? Etc.) WHERE are your located? Believe it or not, it matters. I’ve blogged both in the US and in Canada, both are very different. Specifically when working with sponsors and brands. It’s important to know that there are some differences. Not to mention, it’s important to get plugged into a blogging community, so do some research in your area! WHY is a blog or blogging important to you?

SMP: Your most embarrassing blog moment?
LIDY: Looking back to the first year or two of my blogging life. The pictures, the content, basically everything. One. Big. Embarrassment. But so fun to see growth over the years!

SMP: What was the tipping point in your business that made you feel your blog was going to thrive?
LIDY: I’ve been blogging for almost 4 years now and I am finally feeling like things are starting to pick up. I would have to say that most of that stems from larger blogs like Apartment Therapy recognizing my work and of course, Better Homes and Garden SO generously naming Hello Lidy one of the top ten decorating blogs of 2014. Best thing ever – so thankful!

SMP: What color do you think will stand the test of time?
LIDY: It may be perceived as boring and basic, but it’s so necessary. I would have to say white. It’s bright, fresh and a great backdrop to every color, texture and pattern!

SMP: One thing you simply can’t live with out?
LIDY: This is a loaded question. But if I had to pick just one thing, I’d have to say my camera. Yes, I know – totally original! But really, it’s the catalyst behind everything! Without it, I really wouldn’t have much of anything to show for.

SMP: Three things every stylish homeowner should have?
LIDY: One piece of vintage/antique furniture, some fun lighting and a house plant(s) to add some life in your space!

SMP: Your favourite online design resource?
LIDY: Hmm, this is hard because I have so many. Lately, I’m LOVING Emily Henderson! She is quirky, stylish and full of amazing tips and ideas.

Jacquelyn Clark

Weddings Unveiled

As the days begin to shorten and the temps start to drop, it can only mean one thing: fall weddings are upon us! California brides, get ready to gather tons of inspiration at the Weddings Unveiled event from 11am until 2pm on Sunday, September 14, 2014 at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center. This free bridal + wedding fair will get you on your way to planning your dream wedding!

This incredible free event (yes, free!) will help couples get a head start on their planning to-do list! All held in a beautiful setting filled with amazing inspiration, Weddings Unveiled will feature live music, a couture bridal fashion show by Bridal Galleria as well as 40+ top wedding professionals! This show is basically a one-stop-shop, where couples can check out incredible gowns, caterers, florists, invitations, music and even honeymoon destinations! Be sure to mark your calendars for September 14, my dears.

Not only will there be tons of amazing vendors, but there will also be giveaways, raffle prizes (such as 2 VIVO fascinators and a Motives gift bag) and special discounts, including 10% off invitations at Hyegraph Invitations & Calligraphy! For more information on the event, check out the Weddings Unveiled Facebook Page, and to RSVP, head over here!

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Whimsical meets Rustic Garden Wedding in Canada

These Canadian “I Do’s” are exactly what we picture a beautiful outdoor wedding to be. Full of garden games and flower filled tablescapes with a dash of gold; it has the feel of a garden party that meets somewhere in-between rustic and whimsical. Take a peak at the full gallery for even more crafted by Fiorire Custom Florals and photographed by Melissa Gidney.

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From Melissa Gidney…It was the perfect summer day for this beautiful outdoor wedding in Harisson Mills. The bride looked radiant in her exquisite flower crown, and dress. The color palette for the day was gray (for them men’s suits), blush (for the bridesmaid dresses), with light pinks, oranges, touches of yellow and accents of gold, creating one of my favorite bouquets to date. The reception was tented with lots of small lights and candles, with a desert table piled with cupcakes and cakes. Everyone’s gift to take home? Homemade cookies, the groom’s favorite.

Dallas Engagement at White Rock Lake

Inspired by the same themes they’re infusing in their wedding day, this e-session is the epitome of classic. Set in a romantic garden at White Rock Lake, we can’t get enough of this pretty shoot. From the lush greens to the lakeside sunset, the backdrops are to die for. Click here for all the beautiful shots by Marcie Meredith Photography.

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From The Bride…Reid and I met the old-fashioned way– online! My college roommate had met her now-fiance’ online a few years ago, and as a result she had a prepaid match.com account sitting unused. She put it back to work by changing all the profile information to mine! She told me to log on and start using it, since I’d be getting messages whether I liked it or not. A few emails from Reid and a single date with him later, my online dating career came to a quick end. A year and one cat later, Reid asked me to marry him standing in the Cervantes Rose Garden in Barcelona. We’re now happily planning a summer celebration with our family and friends next Memorial Day weekend! Our engagement shoot was inspired by the same themes we’re involving as we plan our wedding– a fresh take on classic with romantic, lush, garden vibes and saturated colors.

Destination Mexico Wedding at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

Tucked in this gallery is image after image of pure destination perfection. Between the gorgeous florals, the stunning styling by the Bride herself (who happens to be the talent behind Savvy Events, LLC), and lovely images by Nicole Lennox – this gallery is a virtual vacation in itself. Get lost in all the lovely here.

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Beach Weddings Destination

From Nicole Lennox…DeNeitra and Lawrence met in high school, but their love story didn’t begin until years later when they reconnected on Facebook. After dating for a few years, Lawrence proposed by serenading his future bride-to-be on the beach with a song he had written.

Their wedding weekend took place at the stunning Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. DeNeitra, an experienced event planner made sure that the decor and details throughout the wedding day and the entire weekend were simply beautiful and perfectly executed.

From the Bride…Prior to Lawrence proposing we knew we wanted a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta. We took our first vacation to Puerto Vallarta in 2011 and totally fell in love with the city, the people and the culture. The day Lawrence proposed I emailed Dreams Puerto Vallarta, now Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta to inquire on availability for our selected wedding date. Just like that a whirlwind 8 months of planning ensued.

As a Los Angeles based wedding and event planner and owner of Savvy Events, LLC I knew exactly how to approach the planning process and moved quickly to solidify a theme and a dream team of vendors. Having worked with countless couples over the years I knew that I wanted our wedding to be true to Lawrence and I and uniquely our own. An intimate affair filled with family, friends and love. I wanted our guests to not just attend a wedding but to have an experience. The weekend was filled with incredible festivities that encouraged relaxation, rejuvenation and, most importantly FUN. From our welcome dinner to bon fires on the beach and fun excursions; our guests had the most amazing time.

When it came to designing our dream wedding I did what I tell most of my brides to do – run over to Pinterest, create a secret board and start pinning your little heart out. I love vibrant yet soft colors and chose coral and teal with gold accents as our color palette. Lawrence is all about style and didn’t want me to see his wedding attire until the ceremony, so that was a fun spin on things. I had absolutely no clue what he would be wearing until I walked down the aisle. He looked amazing, as I knew he would.

I wanted our wedding day to be filled with wow moments. . . from the minute guests stepped on the sand for the ceremony and saw our handcrafted backdrop and hand-painted maracas to the moment they stepped into the reception and saw a sea of coral chair sashes and our breathtaking cake. Other wow moments included a same-day video edit we showed at the reception culminating with fire dancers leading guests to the gazebo area for a special and electrifying performance.

Our wedding was everything we ever wanted and so much more. After designing and coordinating dream weddings for other couple’s it was amazing to be on the other side. Being able to design a day filled with so much beauty, love and fun was exactly what Lawrence and I wanted. Mission accomplished!

Vintage Pastel Garden Bridal Inspiration

Looking to get lost in a little lovely this morning? Well, look no further than this stunning garden shoot from Jeff Loves Jessica. With lovely florals from Ashley Fox Designs and picture perfect styling, every image sitting pretty in this gallery will surely inspire your day. See them all here.

From Jeff Loves Jessica…Springtime in the Midwest is a long-awaited yet fleeting season. While warm evening light and green grass are enough to celebrate, we set out to create a bridal inspiration shoot that would capture the goodness we adore about late springtime, just before fades into summer. The overall design scheme was light, airy and elegant, with feminine lace, and pastel touches. Perhaps the most notable feature of the shoot was a nod to our feathered friends, with a brass bird perched on the table top and tiny glittered nests at each place setting. We even found a freshly hatched chick for our model to snuggle! Ashley Fox, a gifted floral designer, worked to incorporate blooms that were in-season and native to our area, such as lilac, clematis, apple blossoms, and perhaps best of all, an astilbe flower crown. Pale pink depression glass and small milk glass bud vases brought whimsy and texture to the top of the vintage dining table. For a soft, elegant look, Paperista created an invitation suite using fine fabric, with luxurious lace envelope liners. In the same vein, dinner menus were custom designed and printed directly onto linen napkins draped at each place setting. A two-tiered bundt cake with drizzled icing was the focal point of the dessert dresser, but it was also important to us to add the warmth and sustenance of a variety of foods, including a basket of miniature olive loaves, along with small trays of madeleines, buchee, and nougat from Patisserie 46. A vintage bike and wicker basket made a lovely setting for the brides bouquet, while the bride’s simple flowing tulle and lace applique gown perfectly fit the bill for the outdoor garden breeze.

Beautiful, Bright Inspiration Shoot at Carnton Plantation

Beautiful inspiration like this doesn’t cross our paths every day. So when it does, we tend to drop everything we are doing to soak up every last moment. Beautiful, bright and styled to perfection by Emerson Events – these images from Sawyer Baird couldn’t be prettier if they tried.

From Sawyer Baird…When Lauren, from Emerson Events, contacted me about this shoot I was on cloud nine! Being a person who adores neutrals and deep moody colors I found myself surprised with how in love I was with this vision that Lauren had. These bright colors bring out the happiness that comes with warmer weather. It was a treat to be able to be apart of this shoot!

DIY Holman Ranch Wedding

This Holman Ranch fete from Jasmine Lee? It’s DIY down to it’s very core. From the Bride’s lovely veil made by the Groom’s mother and her shoes custom-made by her twin brother, to the flowy chuppah, cork signage, pillows, invitations and everything in between, this day is jam-packed with hand-crafted details. Even the Bride’s Uncle stepped in to officiate. It’s one pretty package of homemade love SMPers.

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From the beautiful Bride… The day was perfect in my eyes. I married the man of my dreams, my best friend and partner of 9 years in the most picturesque setting at breathtaking Holman Ranch which is nestled in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley. We were surrounded by our dearest family and friends during our much anticipated wedding day. I could not wait to be in the moment, at my wedding to see my husband and for the many details of our wedding to come together at last. Many of our friends and family members contributed to making the day unique and special. My Uncle Alan was one of these individuals who became ordained for the occasion and married us. The ceremony was beautiful, personal, light hearted and a mix of two cultures coming together as one (Jewish and Japanese). The chuppah we were married under was constructed by my parents-in-law Glenn and Donna. It was stunning and created the perfect canopy for us to begin our married life under.

The veil I wore, along with the flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow were made by my mother-in-law Kathy. Carl’s sister created a gorgeous picture out of 1,000 paper cranes of two coy fish in a pond as a wedding gift for us. My mother collected jars and mirror glass sprayed all of the center pieces, and made 100 succulent garden name tags as take home gifts out of baby food jars. We corked signs and letters from 10 inch tall letters I bought from a MardiGras website for less than $3 each! Friends and family baked an array of desserts for our home baked goods bar. We had sake instead of champagne! My college girlfriends all wore blue dresses to be my something blue. A few of our friends brought their GoPros in place of a videographer since it was not in the budget and captured the most special moments of the day. My husband designed all of the paper products himself, from the save the dates, to the invitations, to the ketubah. He is truly talented! My twin brother custom designed and hand painted my wedding shoes. As we know it, our fathers played a tremendous roll and payed for gas while we navigated the way. It truly was a group effort. The day following our Friday wedding we went wine tasting with 30-40 people and then my in-laws hosted a BBQ for 100 people. It was the event of a lifetime.

The most special moments to me were seeing my groom for the first time during our first look and holding his hands, starring into his eyes during our ceremony as we made promises for a lifetime with our personal vows. I was the happiest as is physically possible, so consumed with love and emotions. It was incredible. We attended 9 weddings in 12 months last year and were able to gather a lot of inspiration for our day. We knew what made past weddings memorable to us, and a few of the most important things were to have a few consecutive days of events to prolong the time with our guests, a stunning venue, phenomenal food, a talented photographer that would capture our special day for eternity, a good DJ to keep the party flowing and most importantly a ceremony that was personal and reflected our personalities, our relationship and our values. It was perfect.

Black Currant & Raspberry Sorbet

Leave it to Have a Yummy Day to leave my mouth watering and my jaw totally agape. Black currant and raspberries play nice in this scrumptious treat. Truth be told, I’d typically choose ice cream over sorbet. But when the results are this delicious looking, all bets are off. I’m on team sorbet all the way!

Black Currant & Raspberry Sorbet

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Ingredients

FOR THE BLACK CURRANT SORBET
1 sheet of gelatin
1 ⅔ cup water
¾ cup caster sugar
25 g glucose
400 g black currant purée (blended and sifted black currant)
2 tablespoons Cassis Black Currant Liqueur (optional)
FOR THE RASPBERRY SORBET
1 sheet of gelatin
¾ cup caster sugar
50 g glucose
1 ⅓ cup water
450 g raspberry purée (blended and passed raspberries)

Instructions

FOR THE BLACK CURRANT SORBET
Put the gelatin in a bowl with cold water for 5-10 minutes. Boil sugar, glucose and water. Lift the gelatin out of the water and put it in the warm syrup and stir. Let the syrup cool and mix with black currant purée and liqueur. Freeze the sorbet in an ice cream machine to a creamy and solid texture. You can add 50 g whole, slightly mashed black currants in the ice cream mass when you use the ice cream machine, to make it more rustic, if you wish. Put in the freezer for 1-2 h.
FOR THE RASPBERRY SORBET
Put the gelatin in a bowl with cold water for 5-10 minutes. Boil sugar, glucose and water. Lift the gelatin out of the water and put it in the warm syrup and stir. Let the syrup cool and mix with raspberry purée. Freeze the sorbet in an ice cream machine to a creamy and solid texture. Put in the freezer for 1-2 h.

Photography: Have A Yummy Day | Recipe: Have A Yummy Day

Jacquelyn Clark

Southern Outdoor Plantation Wedding

Charleston, South Carolina is one of those spots that produces some of the loveliest weddings we see, and this plantation-set beauty is no exception. With classic sensibilities and a little vintage flavor, it has everything a wedding lover wants thanks to Ooh! Events, 428 Vintage Rentals and so many more. Hannah Colclazier snapped the gallery, and it’s all sitting happily right here.

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From Hannah Colclazier Photography…The stag and the fox, also known as Amy and Jeff, were married on March 1st 2014 in lovely Charleston, SC.

Amy drew a lot of inspiration from the Stag and the Fox which are incorporated throughout the wedding details. Invitations, Save the Dates, Cake Topper and antlers perfectly placed in the reception.

It was the perfect day! Amy and Jeff, both from South Carolina, now live in Alexandria, Virginia but wanted to go back home for their wedding day. The chose the Magnolia Plantation Carriage House as their venue for both the ceremony and reception.

Mustard yellow was one of the main focal colors throughout the day. Beautiful neutral flowers with pops of the bride’s favorite color, orange. The bride’s bouquet included pheasant feathers from her father’s home state of South Dakota.

The bride walked into the ceremony through two vintage doors to either side of the aisle and with chandeliers hanging from the trees above.

My favorite detail was the amazing “Guest Book” wall. Guests were invited to write their messages and hang their notes on antlers mounted on a wooden wall. At the top of the wall was a large bull skeleton…so cool!

Every last detail was placed by the Burlap Elephant and captured by Hannah Colclazier Photography.

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DC Wedding Film with Special Mother of the Bride Speech

No matter how gorgeous, it’s the story and the heart behind a wedding that make it truly special. Just take this classic DC affair captured by Stan Pe Films. The Mother of the Bride’s speech included a letter from the Bride’s late father, and his words resonate universally on love and life. Press play to hear for yourself.

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From Stan Pe Films… Alicia’s dad may not have been there the day she married Giovanni but his presence was clearly felt throughout the day. And her elegant and eloquent mother narrates the film through her heart warming Mother of the Bride speech and even shares a special letter Alicia’s dad wrote to Alicia and Giovanni years before!

Wedding Planner: Atrendy Wedding | Wedding Venue: The Hay Adams | Wedding Venue: St. Peter's On Capitol Hill | Wedding Cinematographer: Stan Pe Films | Wedding Photographer: Holland Photo Arts

Romantic Beach Engagement Session

We have to agree with Amy Rizzuto Photography; there is something so incredibly sweet about high school sweethearts. So, how fitting to kick off this shoot at the couple’s favorite ice cream shop! The rest of the photos from their romantic beach e-session capture even more off the charts charm, and you can catch it all right here.

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From Amy Rizzuto Photography…There is just something so incredibly sweet about high school sweethearts! Meghan and Kevin met in their homeroom class. She was a McDermott, he a McPartland, and since they were seated alphabetically, they sat just one row away from each other. As they spent more and more time together, Meghan and Kevin’s relationship grew, turing from a friendship into something greater. Years later, Kevin got down on one knee and proposed to Meghan on Long Beach Island! It was just the two of them on a blanket on the beach, and it was perfect.

This summer, I had the pleasure of capturing Meghan and Kevin’s romantic Beach Haven engagement session. Since Kevin’s family has a home here, this sweet couple has spent many summers walking along the beach, trying the best ice cream flavors from Barry’s, and dining at their favorite restaurants along the water. I had so much fun traveling down memory lane with Meghan and Kevin, and I am so excited to share a few of my favorite moments from our time together.

Photography: Amy Rizzuto Photography | Venue: Beach Haven | Barry's: Barry's Do Me A Flavor | Bride's Necklace: J.Crew | Bride's Outfit: J.Crew

Vineyard Wedding in Yallingup

Throwing your reception at Widow’s Estate Winery in Yallingup is one sure way to guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable, not to mention stunning, event. And, teaming with LiFe Photography? Now that’s a killer combination we can get used to. Head on over to the gallery to see why we’re swooning.

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From The Bride…Deciding on the kind of wedding one wants is not an easy feat. We had been to many weddings in the past, and had a better sense of what we didn’t want, rather than what we wanted. Over the course of 18months our wedding started to take shape. We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding under the stars strings of lights. We knew we didn’t want people to be stuck at the same table all night, instead preferring people the option to stand and mingle. We knew we didn’t want the traditional dressed bridal table, instead wanting something much more informal, such as couches. We wanted good music- and we wanted lots of dancing. We also didn’t want the formalities of speeches to drag for most of the night, instead opting for all speeches, cake cutting and first dance to be completed by early in the night, to allow guests as well as the bridal party a chance to relax.

We spent weeks searching for the perfect venue which would allow our wedding vision to take shape. When we stumbled upon Window’s Estate Yallingup, we knew we had found the perfect venue. Although not a overly lavish venue, it just felt right. In an area such as the Margaret River Wine Region, it is difficult to escape the larger vineyards where you are simply just another number. Window’s Estate is a small, family run vineyard. With my husband and his family being apple growers, the concept of a small, family run vineyard was perfect. They were great to deal with and allowed us so much freedom to do whatever our hearts desired. After deciding on a reception venue, we needed to select an appropriate place for our ceremony. With our families preferring a church service, we decided on the beautiful rammed earth St Thomas More Catholic Church in Margaret River.

Before searching for my dress, I really had no idea what I was looking for. The dress I eventually chose turned out to be the second dress I tried on. It was simple, timeless and perfect. The couture gown was made exclusively by Pallas Couture in Perth. They are amazing!

The bouquets, button holes and reception flowers were beautifully created by Kat at Poppy + Rose. They feature pale pink and white blooms, including peonies, white hydrangea and David Austin Roses. The church flowers were beautiful and crafted by my Aunt Margaret – as a gift to us.

We walked down the aisle to January Wedding by the Avett Brothers and signed our wedding certificate and left the church to Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding.

Photographs were taken by Maz Pederson of Life Photography at the absolutely beautiful Boranup forest, surrounded by tall karri Tree’s as well as in the vines and paddocks at Window’s Estate.

Guests danced the night away to a range of hits from both the past and present. A fantastic night was had by all!

Quaint Southern Chapel Wedding

There’s something about this simple chapel wedding that makes my heart really happy. Like smiling ear-to-ear and can’t stop happy. It’s a little reminder that the very best days aren’t overdone with details, but rather focus on the love. Watch the story unfold from Amy Arrington’s lens right here.

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From Amy Arrington Photography…Stefanie + Tyler were married at one of the sweetest little churches in the South. Whitefield Chapel is located at Bethesda Academy in Savannah. The scene at Bethesda is so dreamy with all of the oak trees and Spanish moss.

From The Bride…We chose Savannah for our destination wedding because of its beautiful southern charm, romantic feel and an enjoyable weekend for our guests. The weekend was planned to allow our guests to experience the highlights of Savannah; Thursday night was a haunted Halloween ghost tour, Friday guests were invited to rehearsal dinner at Lady and Sobs followed by a cocktail party at the 109 West house, Saturday was our wedding and Sunday guests joined for a farewell brunch.

Our wedding day was a beautiful fall day in Savannah where the bridal partygoer ready at the 109 West House. Trolleys transported the bridal party and guests from historic downtown Savannah to The Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda Academy. The ceremony was conducted by a family friend, Judge Kenneth Lester in a historic chapel filled with friends, family and flowers in memory of Stefanie’s Nanny and Tyler’s Grandma Ruby.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the patio of Trustees Garden enjoying snacks and Peachy Savannah Sangria. The night was filled with fantastic Motown music courtesy of The Root Doctors band which kept guests dancing all night long.

After our sparkler exit we were whisked away on a pedicab, wishing all of our friends and family a farewell after the end of a perfect day!

One year prior, Tyler proposed to me while on vacation, so Savannah will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Bayside Engagement Session in Door County

This darling e-sesh from The McCartneys has all the necessary ingredients for an all-around adorable result. 1. A sweet duo named Karyn and Tom, who are madly in love. 2. One black and white, bow-tie wearin’ pup named Weasley (yes, he’s pretty much the cutest thing you’ll see all week). And 3. Those breathtaking bayside views of Door County… really, it just doesn’t get any better.

From The McCartneys Photography… This engagement session was captured in one of the most beautiful parts of Wisconsin—Door County! This session, in a few words: soft, romantic, pastel, and lovely. Not to mention ADORABLE because this gorgeous couple brought their bowtie-clad pup, Weasley, along for a few photos.

When we arrived at Tom’s Mom’s house in Sturgeon Bay, we knew a few things to be true: Karyn & Tom are awesome, they have an adorable pup named Weasley, and Tom’s Mom’s house is on the water in beautiful Door County. Those three things alone had us feeling SO excited for Karyn & Tom’s engagement session!! Little did we know, we would be photographing them along one of the loveliest tucked away parts of the County on a private dock, with dunes across the Bay that looked like we were in Cape Cod. And, this was only to be followed by more costal beauty as we inched our way along Bayshore drive over to The Alpine Resort!

From Karyn, the lovely Bride-to-be… We wanted to keep the colors in outfits soft and romantic — the settings for our photos were so beautiful that we wanted to keep our outfits pretty simple. We also wanted to wear outfits that are similar to what we would wear on a typical date night– just prettier! I pulled my favorite white lace dress and added a pretty necklace and some heels to dress it up a little bit. Tom chose a few of his favorite shirts and we mixed and matched until we found combinations that we liked together.

Our favorite part of the engagement session was the excitement and anticipation that it brought for our actual wedding day! The experience was surprisingly intimate, emotional and special. We couldn’t stop smiling thinking about getting married to each other and I think that really came out in our photos!

Some advice for future brides-to-be as they plan for their own engagement session: Don’t stress about it! Just relax and know that your wonderful photographers will be able to capture natural, beautiful moments with the person you love.

Photography: The McCartneys Photography

Modern French Inspired Wedding with Pops of Color

Jen Huang Photography has been sharing loads of goodies with us today and it’s culminating in this tuscan inspired gem. It makes a healthy dose of color look elegant, refined and all at once gorgeous. With layers of textured details by Davia Lee Events mingling with the prettiest hued blooms by Inviting Occasion, gold dipped furniture by Found Rentals and a day positively brimming with happy.

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From Davia Lee Events…From my perspective, some of the most special aspects of this wedding was the amount of family love and support that went into it. The caterer was the grooms brother in law, the amazing young man that sang when lauren walked down the aisle & for their first dance was her nephew. There was family from near & far with many traveling all the way from Mexico. You could just feel the love all night long! From a design standpoint, working with Larrissa to create the beautiful ceremony backdrop and chapel like feeling in La Cav was one of my absolute favorite details to see come to life. It was truly a work of art, so special and so unique for this wedding. You felt as if you escaped from California and were transported to a little stone chapel in France. The design standpoint for dinner was al fresco dining with subtle details and hints. The beautiful La Tavola Linens and china from Town & Country created the perfect palette for a beautifully presented dinner menu. All of the small hand crafted details such as the painted menus, incredible 16ft charcuterie display & beer and wine tasting for cocktail hour really proved that their guest comfort was their number one priority and it was a wedding that ended far too soon!

From Jen Huang Photography…I absolutely love color, so I was so happy to see Lauren and Jorge’s bright pops of color against the neutral, natural stone of Sunstone Winery. The subtle stones, pink peonies and flow-y navy bridesmaids were such a visual symphony. Little details by Davia and Larissa that I thought were so beautiful were the delightful pairings of flowers and gold vases and fancy gold rimmed furniture. Did anyone notice the tiny little daisies in the bouquets that echoed the pieces of gold found in the decor and the absolutely adorable flower girl and her crown? I also love a good charcuterie spread, and this one didn’t disappoint, with layers of meats and cheeses and fruits in rustic, primitive wooden bowls and wax paper, all atop aged wine barrels in the Sunstone wine room. The dinner transformed the wedding from rustic to modern with lovely hanging glass chandeliers, textured La Tavola linens and gorgeous fluted glassware. Such a feast for the senses!

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Classic Wedding By The Chesapeake Bay

When I think of the Chesapeake Bay, the first thing that comes to mind is mouthwatering crab cakes. But a really close second? Jaw-dropping weddings! Everything about this seaside soiree at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is classy and timeless, from the rustic accents to the fresh flowers, and it’s captured below in this sweet video from Dorothy Cinema Co. Kick off your week with a smile (thanks to Natalie Franke!) and click here for all things gorgeous.

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From the Bride… Chris and Ellen’s wedding took place July 13, 2013 overlooking the Bay Bridge in Stevensville, Maryland. The nautical setting of the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club was balanced by soft, natural hues. Pale blush garden roses, amnesia roses and rustic accents complimented the floral arrangements and vintage rentals. Personalized ceremony touches included a prayer book from the groom’s paternal grandfather and a bible from the brides maternal grandparents. The rings were tied on top with twine symbolizing the beautiful joining of two families.

To balance the summer heat, an Arnold Palmer Station was set up for guests over the ceremony site. An entertaining moment was when the groom grabbed the microphone and surprised Ellen by speaking from the heart. Guests later enjoyed a cocktail hour munching on mini grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, grilled chicken skewers and ahi tuna wonton crisps. Entertainment included the band Black Tie, of Washington Talent Agency.

As the night concluded, guests visited a vintage inspired photobooth and candy bar. Gourmet cupcakes were complimented by an ice cream bar. Guests also completed personalized mad lib cards at each place setting in lieu of a guest book. As the sun set over the Chesapeake Bay, the perfect evening drew to a close, perfectly punctuating Chris and Ellen’s wedding day.

Entertaining in Style

If there’s one truth I know for certain, it’s that Jen Huang and Poppies & Posies are magical – especially when they team up together. Case in point? This stylish dinner party. A sky blue linen runner lines the table, adding the slightest hint of rustic glam, while grandma’s silverware incorporates that vintage touch. Layers and layers of beauty are about to unfold, and it’s all happening here.

From Jen Huang… Using foraged and market flowers, we photographed the pure and simple floral elements necessary to create a beautiful Santa Barbara table. Poppies & Posies used garden roses and clematis as well as foraged wild roses and blooms and arranged them in antique silver vessels, and laid them out on a beautiful, rumpled blue silk runner. You’ll see photos of Sierra of Poppies & Posies styling her flowers and foraging. Gold rimmed plates and vintage silver goblets and pressed glass were surrounded by small glittering votives. Jen Huang Art created simple invitations on hand made paper with hand painted messages in a light grey wash and embellished place cards with a beautiful golden wax seal. Perfect ideas for entertaining on a warm day in the Santa Barbara riviera!

Jacquelyn Clark

Santa Barbara Engagement Shoot among the Lavender and Oak Trees

Flower crowns are not a new concept but they have surely made a fashionable little mark on the wedding world. From flower girls to brides and now engagement shoots, they’re popping up everywhere and when captured by Jen Huang Photography, the result is a beautiful collection of images set against the lavender and oak trees of Santa Barbara. Click here for so much more.

From Jen Huang…Engagement shoots are so fun, it’s always a good idea to take it to the next level and add in floral crowns, gorgeous dresses and details like a beautiful white parasol and flowing dresses. Add in the gorgeous California light and then you’ve got something really special!

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