Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Keely Thorne Events… The inspiration for the wedding started with a tree. The meaning behind the tree started on July 7, 2010 when J.J. proposed to Kate under a very meaningful tree at the Fenway Golf Club in Scardsale, New York.  As a child, J.J., had spent many days playing golf with his dad at Fenway. When his father passed away unexpectedly when J.J was 8 years old, in memory of his father, the Fenway Golf Club planted a tree on their 8th hole, his father’s favorite hole. Kate and J.J. decided to have their ceremony outside at the Bayou Club in Houston, Texas, where trees could provide the perfect backdrop for their wedding.

Both the ceremony and reception took place at the Bayou Club. The couple worked with Kate’s minister and J.J.’s rabbi to blend a traditional Christian ceremony with a traditional Jewish ceremony. They wed under a chuppa and beneath a canopy of trees as the sun was setting. As guests arrived at the Bayou Club, they received their own individual ceremony programs with their names done in hand calligraphy from custom-made lattice screens that also served as their escort cards.

Following the ceremony, guests entered the backyard of the Bayou Club where a tent had been constructed over the club’s pool. Wooden tables, upholstered dining chairs, sofas, settees, coffee tables and side tables were all brought in to make the space comfortable for guests and to also create an “at home” but elegant feel. Large scale mirrors placed around the tent not only helped disguise the tent legs, but made the space feel grand and the candlelight that reflected made the entire reception glow!

For the groom’s cake, with J.J. growing up in New York, it was natural to have Yankee Stadium as his groom’s cake! To add a personal touch, an iPad was incorporated as the scoreboard and a slide show played throughout the evening with pictures of the couple. After a seated dinner, guests danced the entire night, but the unexpected addition of the groom on the drums and his brother on the guitar for a few songs really got the crowd going! At the end of the night, the bride and groom exited to her grandfather’s Model T Ford. Her grandfather loved cranking the car to get it going and then sped away with the couple! Prior to leaving, the bride’s cousins definitely had a hand in adding a few “decorations” to the car!

Event Planning: Kristin McShane of Keely Thorne Events / Wedding Photography: Chris Bailey Photography / Wedding Cinematography: 3 1 F I L M S / Floral Design, Linens + Tent Draping: Events in Bloom / Ceremony + Reception Location: The Bayou Club / Invitations: Sicily Eason / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Band: Sauce / Ceremony Musicians: Divisi Strings / Tent Rentals: SPF Event Resources / Lighting: Pro/Sound / Wedding Cake: Susie’s Cakes + Confections / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale via Bella Bridesmaids / Rentals: A Finer Event + Swift and Co.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 31 Films, A Finer Event, Amsale, Bella Bridesmaids, Blue, Chris Bailey Photography, Divisi Strings, Events In Bloom, Houston, Jimmy Choo, Keely Thorne Events, Monique Lhuillier, Outdoor Ceremony, Pink, Pro/Sound, Sauce, Sicily Eason, SPF Event Resources, Susie's Cakes & Confections, Swift and Co., Tented Reception, Texas Weddings, The Bayou Club, Traditional Wedding
Post categories: Houston Weddings, Texas Weddings, Traditional Elegance

And now, for the main event…

Coming Soon… Kendall + Preston from Diva Productions

Click here to see the fill image gallery or here to see more of this wedding on Paul Johnson’s blog!

From Keely Thorne Events … A beautiful June weekend provided the perfect backdrop to a fun and stylish Southern wedding in Seaside, Florida. The couple chose to be married in this quaint little beach town for two very important reasons. It was the location of their engagement and also a second home for the bride’s family who just completed a beach cottage just after the first of the year.

Guests from Houston (the bride’s hometown), Atlanta (the groom’s hometown), and everywhere in between started arriving in Seaside on the Thursday before the wedding for a three day celebration of the couple. The wedding weekend was kicked off in casual style with a welcome party hosted at the bride’s family beach home followed by a Friday rehearsal dinner at Bentley’s on the Bay hosted by the family of the groom. On the wedding day guests were treated to lunch on the beach followed by an afternoon wedding at the Seaside Chapel and an evening of celebrating at WaterColor Inn & Resorts.

Since the bride has a culinary background and the couple are foodies at heart their guests were greeted with mouth watering food throughout the night. Starting with cocktails on the beach under a canopy of umbrellas and the bride’s requested champagne bar, followed by dinner and dancing on the Inn Green with everything from a raw bar to comfort food.

After suprising their guests with a beautiful fireworks display the couple invited all of their guests into the resorts ballroom for more dancing and fun including candid photos with Smilebooth as well as “Mr.” and “Mrs.” themed lounges on the ballroom patios. Each patio was designed with the couple in mind so for the “Mr.” patio guests enjoyed scotch and cigars where on the “Mrs.” patio they got to sample some of the bride’s favorite candies as well as miniature POP champagne!

Cinematography: Diva Productions / Photography: Paul Johnson Photography / Event Planning & Coordination: Keely Thorne Events / Ceremony Venue: Seaside Interfaith Chapel, Heather Archdeacon-Williams / Officiant: Jack Modesett, Jr. / Cellist: Dr. Boyan Bonev / Pianist: J. Michael Bryan / Reception Venue: Watercolor Inn / Reception Venue Coordinator: Cheryl Walton for Watercolor / Florals: Florals by the Sea / Cake Designer: Bake my Day / Photobooth: Smilebooth of Louisiana / Trolleys: Beach Bum Trolley of Pensacola / Cart Rentals: Ecco Motors / Linens: Events in Bloom and BBJ Linens / Rentals: Room Service / Reception Entertainment: Gulf Talent Services / Gown: Romona Keveza / Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale / Hair & Makeup: Rolland’s Beauty Bar Seaside / Stationery: Avalon Stationery of Houston / Fireworks: Ashley Pyrotechnics

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Ashley Pyrotechnics, Avalon Stationery of Houston, Bake my Day, BBJ Linens, Beach, Beach Bum Trolley of Pensacola, Beach Wedding, Diva Productions, Dr. Boyan Bonev, Ecco Motors, Events In Bloom, Fireworks, Florals by the Sea, Florida, Gulf Talent Services, Keely Thorne Events, Paul Johnson Photography, Rolland's Beauty Bar Seaside, Romona Keveza, Room Service, Seaside, Seaside Interfaith Chapel, Smilebooth of Louisiana, Watercolor Inn, Wedding Cinematography, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

Grab a martini and party Draper-style with the phenomenal film by Tampa Wonderworks Films!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Tampa Wonderworks Films… As an LBB member, to further showcase our uniqueness and to highlight our newest offering of 16mm film, I put together a Mad Men themed shoot shot in 16mm film and HD. I felt the 60s vintage theme of Mad Men and the style, cinematography and theme of the show fit perfectly with the 16mm film medium. 16mm film is a very unique and rare way to capture a wedding. “Black Swan” and “Blue Valentine” (recent Academy Award winners and nominees) were shot on 16mm. JFK’s wedding was also shot on 16mm!

I put together a group of amazing vendors to help bring my vision to life.  I asked Lori Randall, LBB Member of Simply Divine Events, to coordinate the shoot. We brainstormed and came up with the perfect venue for this photo shoot- Postcard Inn on the beach in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Postcard Inn features vintage lamps, surf photos, and old school desks and couches which gives that perfect 1960′s feel. LBB Member MMD Events provided their new line of vintage furniture. I got Divine Light Photography on board for their incredible talent and vintage look.

The colors we used throughout the mock wedding were different shades of lavender. The invitation designed by Not From a Box had a retro feel to it, and it complimented the wedding perfectly.  Everything in this wedding screamed Mad Men, from the food, to the favors, to the table numbers, and the attire.

We worked alongside Puff n’ Stuff Catering to create a menu that was Mad Men inspired, using the classic dishes from the 60’s… deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, and classic Caesar salad.  For the appetizer we choose Antipasto Kabob, Mini Monte Cristo “On the Rocks,” Chicken in the Egg (deviled eggs), and Chilled Small Shrimp Martinis. Puff n’ Stuff created a plated meal for the dinner portion of the evening. The first course was the unique Porthole Caesar Salad. For dinner we had an Individual Beef Tenderloin Wellington accompanied with Dutchess Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole, which were served in mini casserole dishes. For dessert, guests had “dessert cigars,” crepes decorated to like smoldering cigars filled with assorted mousses and dipped in chocolate- they were even served in an ash tray.

To continue play off the Mad Men theme, we came up with the idea of using Old Advertisements from the 1960’s as guest table numbers and escort cards.  Don Draper, the main character in Mad Men, is an Advertising Executive, hence the use of advertisements.  For favors, we decided to use candy cigarettes.

Cinematography: Tampa Wonderworks Films / Photography: Divine Light Photography / Event Coordination: Simply Divine Events / Bar Service: uDream Events / Cuisine: Puff ‘n Stuff Catering / Vintage Furniture & Typewriter: MMD Events / Models: Raph Schwyter + Lili Rey + Kriss Pugh + Brianna Strum + Christina Kolosvary + Chris Dube / Wedding Cake: Cakes By Nomeda / Wedding Gown: Buffalo Gal Vintage / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid / Wedding Veil: Anglo Couture / Hair: Holly Nazario of Collective Creations / Makeup: Jess Waldrop / Stationery: Not From a Box / Linens: Connie Duglin / Floral Design: Events in Bloom / Venue: The Postcard Inn

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 1960's, Anglo Couture, Bella Bridesmaid, Buffalo Girl, Cakes by Nomeda, Collective Creations, Connie Duglin, Divine Light Wedding Photography, Events In Bloom, Jess Waldrop, Lavender, Mad Men Inspired, MMD Events, Not From a Box, Photo Shoot, Puff 'n Stuff Catering, Purple, Simply Divine Events, Tampa Wonderworks Films, uDream Events, Vintage Chic
Post categories: Florida Weddings, Photo Shoot

We had a few things done for the wedding, but quickly realized we needed help! We were going to have around 200 of our closest friends and family and we wanted them to have the time of their life! We found Lori with Simply Divine Events and boy did we strike gold! She had so many great ideas! We had a photo booth that doubled as a guestbook and favor for our guests, we did a ‘create your own cupcake’ bar along with our cake that was so different, which I loved, and there was a cigar roller for the cocktail hour. We had specialty cocktails made that represented our backgrounds, Italian for Todd and Spanish for me. We also had a kids activity room to keep the little ones occupied. We wanted the dancing part of the evening to be more like a club and less like a wedding so we chose most of the music that was played. But the ceremony was my favorite part. The officiant Lori suggested did this Native American blessing that almost everyone later asked me about and said how much they loved it. The whole ceremony and reception were truly breathtaking!

from Lori at Simply Divine Events …  Last fall we had the pleasure of helping Todd and Yolanda plan their wedding at the T.Pepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa, Florida. We incorporated a photobooth guest book as well as pool tables and shuffleboard tables for fun! A cigar roller and a cappuccino cart, a special kids room with games, movies (and a babysitter!) were a few more fun additions to the party. While their dinner guests enjoyed a seated meal, kids feasted on a kid’s buffet of peanut butter, mac n’cheese sliders and pizza! Adults and kids alike enjoyed decorating their own cupcakes at the cupcake bar. Our thanks to Belle Rempert Photography for the gorgeous photos! Congratulations to the handsome groom and beautiful bride!

With the help of so many people, I married my best friend. I couldn’t have asked for a better day! -yolanda, the bride

Venue: T. Pepin Hospitality Centre / Wedding Planner: Simply Divine Events / Photography: Belle Rempert Photography /Make-up: Hollie with My Make Up Pro / Decor: Floral- Events in Bloom / Plant Rental- Plant Directions / Lighting: Inspire Entertainment and T. Pepin Hospitality Centre / Cake and Cupcakes: A Piece of Cake / Catering: Catering By Design / Bar: U Dream Events / DJ: Rob Johnson / Coffee cart: Cafe A La Carte / Photo Booth: ShutterBooth / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Jennifer / Stationery: Maxeli Designs / Linens: Connie Duglin / Transportation: VIP Limo

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Piece of Cake, Belle Rempert Photography, Cafe A La Carte, Calligraphy by Jennifer, Catering-By Design, Connie Duglin, Events In Bloom, Inspire Entertainment, Maxeli Designs, My Makeup Pro, Plant Directions, Shutterbooth, Simply Divine Events, TPepin Hospitality, U Dream Events
Post categories: Florida Weddings, Little Black Book Blog, Tampa Bay, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Planners & Designers

Are you a glamour-girl, a modern-day princess? A lover of all-things-vintage or so-so-chic? If your florist truly “gets” who you are, your wedding flowers will tell the rest of the story…no matter the budget, no matter the time of year … be open to ideas and your trusty florist will lead the way.

Here are a few fabulous bouquet shots that were sent to us by our Little Black Book members. Can’t you just tell what each bride is all about??

Floral and Photography Credits (as available) – Row 1-3: Events In Bloom. Houston. Photography by D.Jones. Row 4: (left) The Wild Flower, Dallas; (right) Photography by Justin Marantz, New England. Row 5: (left)Photography by Jennifer Davis, New York; (right)  The Wild Flower. Row 6: (left) Bastian-Skoog, Minneapolis; (right) Michele DeVries, Colorado. Row 7: (left) Karen Wise, New York; (right) Aaron Delesie Photography, Mindy Rice Floral Design, and Lyndsey Hamilton Events, NY, New England, CA. Row 8: The Wild Flower. Row 9: Francoise Weeks, Portland, Photography by Rebeka Johnson. Row 10: Photography by Walters and Walters, Raleigh-Durham.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bastian-Skoog, D.Jones Photography, Events In Bloom, Francoise Weeks, Jennifer Davis, Justin Marantz, Karen Wise, Lyndsey Hamilton Events, Michele DeVries, Mindy Rice, Photography By Walters and Walters, Rebeka Johnson, The Wild Flower
Post categories: Bouquets, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography