I LOVE their blog. I know that whether they are posting one of their astonishing weddings or writing about one of their latest adventures, it’s always going to be a great read. So, what started out as a hunt for some wedding prettiness … turned out to be some pretty exciting news for me today.

Not only are Justin & Mary Marantz incredible photographers, they are also terrific writers …  and from what I’ve gatherred, they are making quite a name for themselves as speakers in their Spread The Love workshops. Right now, they are just beginning their third week in what looks like a grueling jaunt from North to South … then East to West and everywhere in between!

What is Spread The Love?  In their words …

Spread the Love is a workshop about LIFE.  Anyone who works for themselves or is in a service-based industry can attend.  We talk about how to build a business that works for you, rather than the other way around!  We focus on building your business, but we also touch on finances, relationships and giving back.  It’s the feel good movie of the year! It would be terrific if we could help just one person avoid the pitfalls that we fell into.

If you read just a few of the comments on their website, it will be pretty obvious what a smashing success their workshops are.  Justin & Mary’s complete schedule and links to sign up to attend Spread The Love can be found on their website ~ Spread The Love!

Their latest wedding blockbuster is that of Sarah & John at Laurelton Hall and the New Haven Lawn Club. After you’ve feasted on all three parts … you will totally feel like you were there (or wish you could have been)!

From Justin and Mary’s blog … Sarah & John Part One;  Sarah & John Part Two; and  Sarah & John Part Three

Since I’m quite literally swiping these images from their website, I think I’ll have to leave it at this …

… and count on you to follow the links (above) for the complete feature!

* * *

And the exciting news for me?  Justin & Mary are in Houston on Friday. Hmmmmmm !!!!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Connecticut, Jim Hjelm, Justin Marantz Photography, Laurelton Hall, New Haven Lawn Club, Spread The Love
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Vintage Chic, Wedding Photography

Just in case you missed the first post {here}, Suzanne and Justin were married this month at the Branford House in Groton, CT.

Mary described them as “two people who shine from the inside out” …

Suzanne’s mom walked her to the beginning of the aisle, where Justin met her.

Her beautiful bouquet was by A Floral Affair.

Seriously. I’m right, aren’t I? It doesn’t get any better.

To answer just a couple of the questions we know you’ll ask … Suzanne’s beautiful gown is from Nicole Miller. Her necklace is her something borrowed (from a friend) and something blue, by Ralph Lauren.

Next up, the details of the day … from Justin & Mary Marantz!

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Post tags: A Floral Affair, Branford House, Connecticut, Felicia's Sweetface Pastry Shoppe, Flowergirl, Groton, Justin Marantz Photography, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, ring bearer, Shawl
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

The beautiful bride, Jenna is captured throughout the day with her gorgeous smile and that glow that you read about in romance novels!

These shots with Jenna and her Dad are priceless!

… and her grandmother … too sweet …

Jenna’s amazing dress is Priscilla of Boston. LOVE the design!

Lots more to come of Jenna & Joe’s Connecticut wedding from Justin and Mary Marantz …

{ps, the Marantz’ are featuring Jennie Fresa’s Beauty Library on their site today. Jennie is one of our fabulous Little Black Book members who specializes in wedding makeup! So while you’re waiting for the rest of Jenna & Joe’s details, take a look at Justin & Mary’s post …}

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Post tags: Black Lake Yacht Club, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Jennie Fresa's Beauty Library, Justin Marantz Photography, KD&J Botanica, Priscilla of Boston, Shoes
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

I think they did a great job tying together the whimsy of the carousel with the decor of the reception! Festive and light-hearted, lots of hanging lanterns, brightly colored flowers in simple antique medicine bottles that Julia & Mike found in antique stores … just so many little touches that made this space so special.

Not to mention romantic!

If you’re just joining us … Abby has given me carte blanche on the SMP blog today. And when she’s away, I feel impelled to share a secret or two with you guys! One quick, little-known fact about Abby …When Abby was a young girl, she LOVED carousels and really wanted a hobby horse in her room! They were kind of ‘pricey’ … but I honestly did look for one that, perhaps, we could refurbish. Never did find one, but to this day, carousels remind me of Abby! On one of our family vacations, we spent a few days at Martha’s Vineyard.  She was SO excited to ride the historic Flying Horse Carousel, but devastated when she dropped the brass ring!

Lots more detail shots from Julia and Mike’s wedding to come a little later this afternoon …

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Carousel, Connecticut, First Dance, Hobby Horse, Justin Marantz Photography, New Haven, Paper Lanterns, The Carousel at Lighthouse Point
Post categories: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Whimsical

From polka dots and drumsticks to pick-up trucks, sassy yellow shoes and sneakers …

Gotta’ love the Chevy!

Justin & Mary Marantz are two of our favorite Little Black Bookers … We’ve featured a couple of their really great weddings (Katie & Colin, Josh & Beth). But to be perfectly honest, Julia & Mike’s engagement shoot is probably the all-time BEST Little Black Book Blog feature ever. Mary guest-blogged for us about engagement shoots {Getting to Know You!} and Julia & Mike’s was a real hoot! Take a look … {click} A 1952 Better Homes & Garden spread. Super cute. And for more of their vintage-themed engagement shoot, here’s a link to the original Marantz post.

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

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Post tags: Connecticut, Drumsticks, Justin Marantz Photography, New Haven, Paper Lanterns, Polka Dots, Rose, The Carousel at Lighthouse Point, Truck
Post categories: All Real Weddings, Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Whimsical

And so, since I tend to rely heavily upon our Little Black Book members for inspiration, I turned to Justin & Mary Marantz for a New England wedding filled to the brim with SMP-styled wedding details.

Julia and Mike were married last year in New Haven, Connecticut. As a surprise for Mike {the drummer}, Julia ordered custom drumsticks with their names and wedding date on them and had everyone banging them as they ran out of the church! How clever is that …

A beautiful day, a beautiful bride … and a great pair of yellow shoes = a recipe for success!

Lots more to come from the oh-so-talented Marantz team!

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Connecticut, Drumsticks, Justin Marantz Photography, New England, New Haven, Polka Dots, The Carousel at Lighthouse Point, Yellow Shoes
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style, Whimsical

Being detail-oriented is what life … and love is all about!

Just a bit about “details” from Mary Marantz …

It’s what makes it unique. Makes it different. Makes it them. It’s the thoughtful cards for no apparent reason, the time it takes to add humor to the ordinary, the care that goes into the design. It’s flowers when you least expect it, a hug when you really need it, and doing more for the other person than you would ever think to do for yourself. It’s cooking dinner, and making coffee, and picking new paint colors for the dining room wall. It’s listening to music, and planting flowers, and working together side by side as you take on life’s chores. It’s the way he looks at you like no one in the world could ever be more loved. It’s boy meets girl. And anyone could see, it’s a perfect fit.

photography by Justin and Mary Marantz

More details from Julia & Mike’s Connecticut wedding in a bit …

{to see the full gallery, click here!}

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bouquet, Connecticut, Details, Justin Marantz Photography, New Haven, Sunflowers, The Carousel at Lighthouse Point
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

Happy, Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to start out the day than with a photo of a beautiful red rose bouquet!

We have so much more of this wedding from Justin and Mary Marantz coming up a little later today. In the meantime, if one of your “searches”  is for drop-dead gorgeous wedding dresses … head over to Justin & Mary’s blog to get a sneek peak at the 2009 gowns carried at The White Dress by the shore,  Beth Chapman’s elegant bridal salon. Many of the wedding gowns at The White Dress are exclusive in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

About a month ago, we showed you the Themed Engagement Shoots that Justin and Mary do … Josh & Beth’s Theme was “My Heart’s In San Francisco”.

And now, as promised … more from their wedding!

Their Asian-inspired red/black/white wedding was gorgeous against the brilliant green of the outdoors!

So many great details went into planning this day. Love, love, love the roses.

The story from Beth & Josh’s engagement shoot kind of sums it all up:

“It all started with a pony tail. A pony tail, and a summer camp over a decade ago. It was one of those quick fleeting, almost trivial moments that could have easily been lost in time. Trivial, except that it would change everything for the rest of their lives. She had just casually pulled her hair back into a pony tail as she walked out of her cabin, but that was the moment that Josh looked up and saw Beth for the first time. Sure he had seen her before, but this was the first time he really *saw* her and knew his heart would never be the same. “It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.” Over ten years later they were reunited in San Francisco… and he’s still saying the same thing.”

Thanks to Justin & Mary Marantz for always sending us such great love stories!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Color Palette Red Black White, Justin Marantz Photography, Maggie Sotterro, Oriental Inspired, Red Rose Bouquet, The White Dress By The Shore
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography