David and I met online and had our first date at a little Irish pub near my old apartment, right before he left for a short vacation to visit friends in LA. I thought the time apart might kill the momentum, but we talked the whole time he was away and by the time he returned and we were on our second date we both knew something special was happening.

On our third date I made a romantic dinner at his place, and then we went downstairs to watch a movie. There was a wild thunderstorm outside, and suddenly we heard slow creaking footsteps over our heads. We paused the movie, listening carefully, and I whispered “I think the front door is unlocked”. He sprinted up the stairs; I heard him yell and then two pairs of running feet. After a few seconds of silence I slowly crept upstairs, looked around, and walked toward the front door, which was wide open. There he was, alone, walking barefoot down the middle of the wet road, carrying my purse in his hand. He swears it wasn’t chivalry, but it made an impression. “Why on earth would you do that?” I asked, still a little shaken. “I thought he had my computer,” he answered, also a little startled by what he had just done. “Well,” we laughed, “it’ll be a good story to tell our grandchildren.”

A few weeks after that stormy night David asked me to go with him to his sister’s cottage on Georgian Bay for a few days. I was a bit nervous about heading into the woods with someone I hadn’t known very long, but a close friend reminded me of something my mother often says: don’t postpone happiness.

A little less than a year later, we returned to that cottage and as the sun set over the water, Dave asked me to marry him. After calling our friends and families to share the giddy news, we sat holding each other on the same beach where a year before, watching the Perseids meteor shower, I had wished on a falling star that that moment together might last a lifetime.

When we were first researching venues, it was Dave that suggested that he loved the idea of getting married in Sault Ste. Marie, the Northern Ontario town where I grew up and where my parents still live. Once we had made that choice, the rest of the decisions came easily. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum was a place where we could have an outdoor ceremony on the water, which we wanted, and had a funky, nostalgic feeling, which we loved.

We picked Nick Drake’s song “Northern Sky” as our processional music, and the lyric “brighten my northern sky” emerged as a kind of theme. The museum made us picture a 1940s bon voyage party, or a Canadian picnic under the stars, and these ideas became an inspiration for what we wanted to create: an event with both an old-world formality and the playful ease of the outdoors.

I loved that my dress had a slight classic Hollywood look to it, and I asked Karyn Gingras at Lilliput Hats to create a vintage fascinator with a birdcage veil that would complement it. David had a tux created by Don Fabien Lee at Trend Custom Tailors that also had svelte mid-century lines and a classic feel.We picked blue and grey as our primary colours, with small touches of mauve. I asked my bridesmaids to pick out their own dresses in a palette of blue. It was partly a coincidence that they ended up as matching pairs.

My mother-in-law, Jo-Anne, discovered Palettera and brought me to meet Deborah. We really enjoyed looking through all the options, gathering ideas, and being shown beautiful papers and designs. It was also a chance for us to have time alone. On the way there we would chat and catch up. Afterward, we shopped for china together, or tried our hands at calligraphy. Heartbreakingly, we lost Jo-Anne a few months before the wedding to unexpected complications from surgery. It was, and is, a devastating loss. As difficult as it was, we knew in our hearts that she would have been adamant that we continue with our plans. I treasure all of our beautiful letterpressed stationery because it reminds me of that carefree, creative time with her.

In the end, almost every detail held some significance for us. My mother and her friends arranged the flower centerpieces. My “something old” was the necklace my grandparents had given me, pearl by pearl, as a child, which was strung together for my 16th birthday. For my “something borrowed” and “something blue”, I wore my mother-in-law’s sapphire engagement ring, lent to me by my sister-in-law who hadn’t once taken it off since her mother passed away. And the Sault itself…

Taking the formal family photos in my childhood home, the center of my emotional universe, was a very powerful moment in the day. Sault Ste. Marie is almost 700 km from where we live now, and we wish it were nearer. To have everyone we love from all corners of the world gathered in that place was very special.

Venue: Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum / Caterer: A Thymely Affair / Event Planning & Floral Design: A Thymely Affair / Stationery: PALETTERA Custom Correspondences / Photography: Calla Evans Photography / Lighting and Sound: Crank Sound Distribution / Bride’s Dress: Cymbeline, Becker’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka & J.Crew / Headpiece: Lilliput Hats / Bridesmaids: J.Crew, Alfred Sung, Alfred Angelo / Groom’s Tux & Shoes: Trend Custom Tailors / Groom’s Cufflinks: Wedgwood / Ring Bearer Bowl, Table Numbers, Cake, Music: DIY

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Post tags: A Thymely Affair, Airplane Hanger, Airplanes, Alfred Angelo, Alfred Sung, Badgley Mischka, Becker's Bridal, Birdcage Veil, Call Evans Photography, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum, Color Palette Blue, Crank Sound Distribution, Cymbeline, DIY Projects, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Flower girls, J. Crew, Lilliput Hats, Ontario, Outdoor Ceremony, PALETTERA Custom Correspondences, Pearls, romantic, Sault Ste. Marie, Trend Custom Tailors, Vintage Chic, Water, Wedding Stationery, Wedgwood
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

Being a bride is a nerve wracking thing. Running up to the big day you spend so many months and weeks planning all the meticulous little details that when you finally get there it can take even the most prepared bride by surprise.

The biggest piece of advice I’d give to someone planning their nuptials is decide the one thing (apart from getting married of course!) that you want for the big day – set yourself one goal and stick to it. Mine was to enjoy the precious time I had with family, friends and loved ones and to laugh as much with then as I possibly could. Despite the madness, preparations and final arrangements I did just that, taking time to jump in the pool and have a beer an hour before the rehearsal dinner and then even put on some of the fancy dress items I’d bought for our photo booth and dance around the room to an ad hoc poorly made up wedding rap the morning before the ceremony.

My loved ones thought it was the most refreshing thing ever to be part of a such a fun, laughter filled day. Even our ceremony, which was personal, romantic and heartfelt caused some chuckles when James cut a flower for the rose ceremony in the wrong place causing it to fall apart in his hand. We’re a fun loving couple and more than anything I wanted that to come across during our big day.

Photography: Scobey Photography / Ceremony & Reception Location: Tyrone Farm / Event Coordinator: Ian MacLaren / Bride’s Hair: Prescilla Moston / Wedding Dress: Ian Stuart / Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Groom’s Suit: Formals By Antonio / Cake: Cakes by Sue / Band: Studio C / Floral Design: Glimpse of Gaia / Transportation: Rukstela Charters

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Post tags: Barn Wedding, Birdcage Veil, Cakes by Sue, Casual Elegance, Chalk Boards, Connecticut, Cupcakes, farm wedding, Formals by Antonio, Glimpse of Gaia, Ian MacLaren, Ian Stuart, Mason Jars, Outdoor Ceremony, Peacock Feathers, Peacocks, Precilla Moston, Rukstela Charters, Rustic Chic, Scobey Photography, Stuart Weitzman, Studio C, Sunflowers, Tyrone Farm, Vintage Jewelry
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Eternal Reflections Photography… Meg has lived in Italy for 8 months before and knew that she wanted to be married there.  Though she lives in Edmonton Alberta, she decided to take her closest family and friends to Italy and say “I Do.”  The planning that Meg put into this wedding was extraordinary! She had so many amazing ideas to create this very special day.  Meg and Mike’s wedding was a chic modern vintage styled day. Prior to the wedding day, I had the opportunity to meet Mike, who simply adores Meg. The chemistry between the two of them is truly inspirational.

Throughout the planning time, the ideas were getting bigger and more beautiful. The vision for the big day came together beautifully. Meg had two styles for her wedding! She started out with a fashion-vogue veil that was lush and beautiful, and she ended with hot red lips and a birdcage veil.  She incorporated small intriquite details including a childhood photo of Mike on her bouquet. Each guest received a welcome bag that and Italian trinkets inside.  Her Thank You cards couldn’t have been more perfect! She went into Siena, Italy and bought local post cards and wrote on the back of them.

Not a details was out of place. Her wedding was spectacular.

Wedding Photography: Eternal Reflections Photography / Wedding Location: Villa Corsano via RentVillas.com / Wedding Dress, Bracelet & Ceremony Veil: Novelle Bridal Shop / Birdcage Veil: Etsy / Groom’s Suit & Tie: Armani via Henry Singer / Floral Design: DIY, The Bride / Linens, Stemware, Etc.: Villa Corsano via RentVillas.com / Place Cards: Michaels / Welcome Bags: Etsy + Michaels / Chargers: Kijiji

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Post tags: Armani, Birdcage Veil, Destination, Destination Wedding, Eternal Reflections Photography, Etsy, Henry Singer, intimate wedding, Italy, Kijiji, Michaels, Novelle Bridal Shop, Outdoor Wedding, RentVillas.com, Tuscany, Vintage Chic, Yellow
Post categories: Destination, Destination Weddings, Italy Weddings

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Katie Neal Photo…Michelle and Curtis decided to elope and get married, much to the surprise of all of their friends. The only people that knew about their surprise courthouse wedding were a select few family members. The morning of the elopement, Michelle Facebooked/Twittered, “It’s a beautiful day to get married, so that’s what I’m gonna do.” Of course, they got tons of questions and comments asking for details, but for the rest of the day they ignored everything, and made it about just them two and their closest family. Their “reception” was a 5 course Indian feast for them to catch up with their family and truly soak in the day. And of course, they worked in some fun fashion and thoughtful details. It goes to show that if you don’t want to have a huge extravagant affair, there are cute ways of working in your personality, while making your day incredibly special and memorable.

Photography: Katie Neal Photo / Flowers: French Buckets / Hairpiece: Be Something New / Make-up: Kimberly Bragalone / Hair: Jen Alvarez of AG Lounge / Dress: For Joseph

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Post tags: AG Lounge, Be Something New, Birdcage Veil, Black and White, Elopement, For Joseph, French Buckets, Katie Neal Photo, Kimberly Bragalone
Post categories: California Weddings, Contemporary, San Diego Weddings

The moment we set foot on the grounds we knew that Willowdale was the place for our wedding.  The arts and crafts charm, the attention to detail, and the beautiful gardens were all part of our vision for the perfect wedding day.  We didn’t have to plan anything extra in order to manufacture ambiance; Willowdale already had exactly the vibe we wanted.  The way the light falls on the venue makes everyone look and feel their best; it is as inviting a place as I’ve ever been.

The ceremony was breathtaking.  It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and the excitement of the day, but Ross and I both made an effort to be present at the ceremony and to take it all in.  The stunning courtyard garden and all of our loved ones there with us was one of the most special memories we have.

The overall vision for the wedding was to throw the best party for our friends and family as possible, and to look great doing it!  We incorporated home-made everything whenever we could, and personalized every aspect of the guest experience. From the “Love Drunk Arnold Palmer” signature drink, to the framed family photos placed strategically throughout the venue, to the individualized center pieces, we wanted our guests to feel how much love we put into making this a special event for everyone.  Willowdale provided the perfect backdrop to showcase our personal style.  The event was all about celebrating our marriage, and letting the guests enjoy themselves!

Photography: Jamison Wexler / Cinematography: Tim Bakland Videography / Flowers: Wildside Florist / Event Planning & Design: Willowdale Estate / Ceremony & Reception Location: Willowdale Estate / Cake: Dolce Cake Design / Entertainment: Hank Agency / Lighting: Boston Uplights

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Post tags: Birdcage Veil, Boston Uplights, Color Palette Green yellow, Dolce Cake Design, Hank Agency, Jamison Wexler, Massachusetts Weddings, Outdoor Wedding, Tim Bakland Videography, West Side Florist, Willowdale Estate
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride (la Happy)… We were married at the newly-restored Arctic Club Hotel under the gorgeous, stained-glass ceiling of the legendary Dome Room.  As a professional graphic designer and lover of all things pink and vintage, I was intent on finding the perfect backdrop for my wedding day vision.  The moment Chris and I walked into the historic Arctic Club building, built as a social club at the turn of the century for men who had hit it rich in the Klondike Gold Rush, and took in the signature walruses, speakeasy music, historical photos and atmosphere that evoked Seattle’s Gold Rush heyday, we knew we had struck gold!

Our wedding day began under sunny skies with a photo shoot at a Seattle gem, Top Pot Doughnuts, our favorite Saturday morning date spot.  Photographer Yvonne Wong perfectly captured our personalities and those of our wedding party.  Then we headed back to the Arctic Club Hotel where both our ceremony and reception was held.

A string quartet and vintage-farm-table-turned-alter set with pink peonies and ivory candles set an elegant mood for the highly personal ceremony.  After the “I do’s,” the 150 guests were ushered to the lobby for hors d’oeuvres and drinks while the Dome Room was transformed into an enchanting formal dining room, replete with place cards hand-lettered by me, silver striped paper straws for sipping iced tea and mercury glass vases filled with peonies and anemones. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner of crab cakes and beef tenderloin served by a the incredible waitstaff, followed by dancing. The grand finale was a dessert buffet of doughnuts (with little stripped take-home bag for those who wished to take some for the road) from a tiny jewel of a bakery.

Nearly all the details of our wedding were designed and created by me, from the twin-silhouette logo of Chris and me that graced all our papery to the individually-set letterpress invitations, and tiered programs tied with vintage gold, pink, black and cream striped ribbons and groomsmen’s boutonnières fashioned out of vintage church-hymnal pages.

As we ran through a gauntlet of sparklers into the Seattle night, Chris and I agreed we had just experienced a perfect day that reflected our personalities, appreciation of family and friends and love for each other.  We wouldn’t have changed a single thing!

Wedding Photography: Yvonne Wong Photography / Floral Design: Wilson Gardens / Event Design & Coordination: The Bride / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: The Arctic Club / Wedding Invitations: la Happy (The Bride) / Bride’s Shoes: Ann Taylor / Wedding Dress: La Sposa / Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Express

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ann Taylor, Birdcage Veil, Black, Express, Gold, la Happy, La Sposa, Pink, Red, Seattle, The Arctic Club, Vintage Chic, WA, Washington, Wilson Gardens, Yvonne Wong Photography
Post categories: Vintage Chic

In her dazzling Romona Keveza gown and Valentino shoes … Katy rocked it.

see the whole gallery here …

And Hillary, captured the day with total brilliance!

From Hillary … This bride has amazing spunk, style, and was one of our FAVORITE and FUN weddings to be a part of. Katy’s look was ‘city glamour’ in the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. From the home style meals, the atmosphere of the party was very intimate and more like a very fun dinner party rather than a wedding. Katy did have a HUGE surprise for Doug! He thought Idaho was shaped like a foam finger. So Katy had foam Idaho hands made that she kept a secret from him…it actually brought tears to his eyes when Doug walked into the tent and when the guest were waving them!!

Hillary has a  fantastic blog post of Katy and Doug’s wedding with lots more details. Please, please, please take a look!!

Photography: Hillary Maybery, 2nd shooter Kristin Cheatwood / Cinematography: Max Monahan / Flowers: Kurt at Botanica / Event Planning: Amanda Seaward / Ceremony Location: St. Thomas Church / Reception Location: Katy’s Parent’s home / Shoes: Valentino / Dress: Romona Keveza

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amanda Seaward, Birdcage Veil, Botanica, glamorous, Hillary Maybery, Idah, Kristin Cheatwood, Max Monahan, Romona Keveza, St. Thomas Church, Valentino
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

from sarah …
after a night out with friends, we went back to Hunter’s house and he took me outside on the back porch and told me to close my eyes because he had a surcy (a surprise) for me. (I know what you are thinking- I should have known at this point… but I didn’t. Surcy is a word his family uses often for a small gift/surprise, so this was not unusual.) When I opened me eyes, Hunter handed me a bible with my new initials embossed on the front. At this point, I knew what was going on and when I looked up he was down on one knee. The next thing I know, “Goin’ to the Chapel” was playing on his ipod. We love to talk about how corny it was, but yet how funny and memorable it was as well.

Kristin’s lovely wedding gown was designed by Mikaella and was purchased at J. Majors Bridal Boutique in Charlotte, NC. Bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo!

During our year-long engagement, my Mom and I did a lot of the detail work at home in Charlotte. We picked out details such as attire, invitations, photographer, wedding day details, etc. My aunt was also a huge help – she did all of the printing aside from our invitations. She printed tags to hang on the guest bags, weekend booklets to put in all of the guest rooms, our programs, a sign for our baskets of flip flops for the guests, and wine tags for our wedding party.

{see their whole SMP gallery here}

When my parents decided to build a home at Brays Island, I immediately fell in love with it. It has such a natural beauty and is a place that is truly hard to describe until you have been there. When Hunter and I got engaged, the first thing on the list was booking our photographer – we knew we had to have Kristin! Not only did she photograph 3 of our friends’ weddings, but we loved her perspective and just knew that she would capture our day perfectly. Second item on the list was the date – we had to find a weekend that worked for both Kristin and Brays!!! May 22 it was …

Oh my lord … exceptionally beautiful!

Like we said … it doesn’t get any better than this!

See the rest of Sarah & Hunter’s joy-filled festivities on Kristin Vining’s blog!

See Kristin’s entire SMP portfolio here.

Photography: Kristin Vining Photography
Ceremony & Reception Location: The Inn at Brays Island Plantation, Sheldon, South Carolina
Cake: Christine Clancey, Brays Island Plantation
Flowers: Brenda Fontenot, Brays Island Plantation
Cateering: Brays Island Plantation
Gown: Designer:  Mikaella from  J. Majors Bridal Boutique, Charlotte
Bridesmaids dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaid
Grooms Attire: Ralph Lauren , Pink seersucker bow tie from The Cordial Churchman
Veil: Birdcage Veils
Hairstylist & Makeup  - Lindsey Regan Thorne
Invitations/Stationery: Smock invitations ordered from Salutations, Charlotte NC
Music/Entertainment/Booking Agency: Guitarist: DJ Cooke, friend of the groom
Choir for ceremony: The Hallelujah Singers, Beaufort, SC
Reception Band: Still Cruzin’, Willis Blume Agency
Rental providers (tents, linens, tables, chairs, etc.): Classic Party Rentals, Bluffton, South Carolina
Transportation provider: Bill Hatcher Transportation

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Post tags: Beaufort, Bella Bridesmaid, Birdcage Veil, Birdcage Veils, Brays Island, Classic Party Rentals, J. Majors Bridal Boutique, Jenny Yoo, Kristin Vining, Lindsey Regan Thorne, Mikaella, Peonies, Ralph Lauren, South Carolina, The Hallelujah Singers, The Inn At Brays Island Plantation
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography