If you haven’t seen the lovely photos from their wedding, you simply must! The rich reds and deep purples filled the space with a glow that belied the temperatures outdoors.

In addition to being the beautiful bride, Irene is also a fantastic graphic designer.

from Irene …

“As a graphic designer, I wanted to personalize our event through our stationery. The invitation was written in English and Russian. Russian textile work and the baseball diamond, reflecting my husband’s passion for baseball, inspired the design of our invitation suite. This design was then incorporated throughout the wedding, including the menus, coasters, and the calendar favors.”

Irene has now started designing for weddings and events. We’re really anxious to see more of her fabulous work! When her new website, Rinka and Ink, launches, we’ll see if she will send us some more of her creations. In the meantime, we’re pretty sure she’d love to hear from you!

And as always, a huge thank-you to Karen Wise for sharing her fabulous photos. For more from Irene & Marty’s wedding, here is the LINK to Karen’s blog post with ALL the details!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Color Palette Red Purple, Karen Wise Photography, Manhattan, New York, Rinka and Ink, Russian Inspired, Winter Wedding
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

They were married in Manhattan on a freeeeezing New York afternoon in January.

Irene, the beautiful bride was born and raised in Russia and wanted to find ways to intermingle her heritage and it’s rich traditions into her very New York-chic wedding celebration at Bridgewaters.

from the bride  … “I was born in Ukraine and raised in a Russian household, in a small community. We wanted to have as many personal touches as possible, including incorporating wedding traditions from my background, to make the day unique to us. During the ceremony, one of my bridesmaids read a love poem in Russian, which was then translated by my brother into English.

As my husband and I entered the reception, my parents presented us with traditional wedding welcome bread, the Karavay, on a decorated handmade towel called a Rushnik, welcoming us to the family. We had hired a Russian vocalist to perform during part of the reception and for the father-daughter dance.

One of the highlights at the reception was when the maid of honor and my brother surprised everyone by stealing the bride’s shoe. … a game played at Russian weddings when the groom then needs to “pay ransom”, in the form of performing a task, to win back the shoe for his bride. My husband had a great sense of humor about the whole thing and happily performed the Slavic folk dance “prisiadka” with much encouragement from his American friends and family. Although we were celebrating in America, my husband and I felt that my Russian heritage was a big part of our day.

We have a few more beautiful shots from Irene and Marty’s wedding day coming right up as well as photos of the wedding invitations that Irene designed!

Also, be sure and check out Karen’s blog for even more.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bridge Waters, Color Palette Red Purple, Karen Wise Photography, Manhattan, Russian Inspired, Winter Wedding
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

Here are a few beautiful wedding dress photos from our Little Black Book Files, past + present + future.

The bride sitting on the floor between all her lovely maids (above) was featured here in a fabulous wedding sent to us by LBB members Lyndsey Hamilton and Christian Oth.

And of course this bride (last photo above) was from featured photographer Kate Triano this week on Style Me Pretty.

The wedding in the second row (above) wasn’t featured on Style Me Pretty … but is a totally beautiful wedding shot at The Foundry in Long Island City NY. You can see more of Diana and Osman’s wedding on LBB photographer, Karen Wise’s blog.

The images of the bride in the first row above (right) and the last row was sent to us by our great friends and LBB members, Bill and Anne of Holland Photo Arts. Tessie & Matt’s wedding had so many special details! To see it, take a look at Abby’s FACEBOOK page, Bill & Anne’s blog … or a really good slideshow from their wedding. Tessie and Matt own a blacksmithing shop in Charleston, West Virginia ~ Wallace Metal Works. They designed and hand-made many items that they used in their own wedding. How cool is that! Here’s a link to their website: Wallace Metal Works. It might just be that perfect design/inspiration springboard that you need!

Photo / LBB Credits (top to bottom; left to right)

Row 1: Corbin Gurkin Photography

Row 2: Lyndsey Hamilton Events, Christian Oth Studio/Jake McBride

Row 3: Melissa Dunstan Photography,  Justin Marantz Photography

Row 4: Kate Triano Photography

Row 5: Jenne Hohn Events, Card Girl, Michelle Walker Photography

Row 6: Genevieve Nisly Photography

Row 7: Kate Triano Photography

Row 8: AK Event Design, Andrea Polito Photography

Row 9: Karen Wise Photography

Row 10: AK Event Design, Andrea Polito Photography

Row 11: Holland Photo Arts

Row 12: Sweet Pea Events

Row 13: Holland Photo Arts

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bridal Gowns, Charleston, Christian Oth Studios, Holland Photo Arts, Justin Marantz, Karen Wise Photography, Kate Triano, Long Island City, Lyndsey Hamilton Events, New York, The Foundry, Wallace Metal Works, Wedding Vendors
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Style

Question: If you add a chic, modern, state-of-the-art production facility overlooking the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the mix … what do you have?

Answer: A magnificent fall wedding … from one of our favorite Little Black Book photographers, Karen Wise.

Jane and Bryan’s posh city event took place at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn NY. This place is incredible.

Stage 6 is the newest venue of Abigail Kirsch, a world renowned caterer and author of The Bride and Groom’s First Cookbook!

A few more of the specifics: Jane’s the maids’ gowns were by Jim Hjelm, shoes by Stuart Weitzman. Hairpiece is by Myran Callan of Twigs and Honey (Etsy). The gorgeous fall florals were by Atlas Florist.

Joy D. Cho (Oh Joy!) designed the entire stationery suite from start to finish. How gorgeous is this! Her designs never cease to amaze us.

The Caramel Sea Salt Brownies were from Mari’s NY (you’ll drool at the brownies on their website!).

Love, love, love fall weddings!

For more gorgeous weddings from Karen Wise, do check out her website and blog!

Previous Posts on Style Me Pretty from Karen:

Joy’s Wedding

Deb and Jack’s Fall Wedding In Connecticut (Features Hana Floral Design with amazing bouquets and wedding florals)

Winter Wedding At Blue Hill Farms, NY

September Wedding In Chatham, MA (gorgeous colors!!!)

Shining & Karl’s Wedding (saw one of these pics in the current Martha Stewart Wedding magazine!!)(more pics from this great wedding on Karen’s blog)

Julia & Scott’s Westchester Wedding (love Julia’s bouquet)

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abigail Kirsch, Atlas Florist, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Classic Fall Colors, Fall Wedding, Food Wedding Favors, hairpieces, Jim Hjelm, Karen Wise Photography, Mari's NY, New York, Oh Joy!, Stage 6, Steiner Studios, twigs and honey
Post categories: Contemporary, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography

Oh and if you are interested in all of the fun details that Joy infused (think brownie inspired favors, perfect bridesmaids gifts wrapped in perfect packages and custom designed stationery) check out Oh Joy!

More to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Joy, Karen Wise, Karen Wise Photography, Oh Joy!
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Cultural Beauty, The Blog, Traditional Elegance

Here is a bit more from yesterday’s completely cozy Winter Inspired Wedding from Karen Wise …

From the bride…

We (Jill & Eric) live in Westchester County NY. We wanted a small, intimate wedding – more of a cozy dinner party with close family and friends than a big, choreographed affair. We chose Blue Hill at Stone Barns for several reasons. First, the food is fabulous. Eric and I enjoy buying produce at farmers markets and like to eat locally produced foods whenever possible.We had visited Stone Barns and eaten at Blue Hill in the past and loved the fresh, farm-to-table ethic and organically grown food. Rather than choosing from a catering menu far in advance, the chef designed a personalized menu for us about a week before the wedding that featured what was fresh and in season on the farm that week.

The setting itself is rustic, yet sophisticated and there was something really magical about the way the votive candles made the stone and timber-beam interior glow. We kept the decor simple, unfussy and elegant to echo Blue Hill’s interiors. There were simple mustard yellow/green raw silk table runners and floral arrangements of richly-colored seasonal flowers and berries on two long rectangular tables – each set for 20 guests. Ou

r Chupah was made of fresh bamboo that we discovered growing on our property. Sandra Clothier, our florist designed an amazing structure using the bamboo Eric and I harvested (literally – we spent half a day in the woods, saws in hand chopping down 7-foot lengths of the stuff!) and garlands of magnolia leaves – which were in season.

Because it was such an intimate gathering, we wanted our guests to be able to chat and enjoy each other’s company so it was important to us that the music blended with and enhanced the mood with rather than overpowered conversation. We opted for a simple jazz trio to play during the ceremony and dinner that followed. Eric and I didn’t do a traditional “first dance” However, on the spur of the moment during dinner we felt inspired when the musicians played one of our favorite songs and snuck off to dance. It was very romantic and spontaneous and one of my favorite moments of the evening.

The beautiful cake was crafted by Sweet Melissa in Brooklyn, New York.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blue Hill, Brooklyn, Karen Wise Photography, New York, Rustic, Sandra Clothier, Stone Barns, Sweet Melissa
Post categories: Real Weddings, Wedding Photography

Row One: Orchard Cove Photography; Row Two: Photography by Walters and Walters

Row Three: Michele DeVries (left), Elegant Engagements/Cape Wedding Planner (right)

Row Four: Jennifer Davis Photography - ABC Dragoo Designs (left), Cake Lava - Visionari (right)

Row Five: Kristin Vining for Weddings And The City

But then … we saw the next shots taken by Robin Dini  (row one) and Kristin Karzmit (rows two and three). Pictured is one of SMP’s Little Black Book members, Steve DePino … composing a couple of tricky shoe-shots … (found ‘em on Steve’s blog). Wow, we knew that being a photographer took true creativity, but this is a whole new perspective!

ooooooohhh….so that’s how they do it! Isn’t art grand? Seriously, Steve’s work is grand.

Here are a few more great shoe-shots.

Row One: Justin & Mary Marantz (left),  Walters & Walters (right); Row Two: Holland Photo Arts

Row Three: Karen Wise (left),  Walters & Walters (right)

Many thanks to the SMP-Little Black Book photographers and event coordinators who sent us their favorite shoe shots!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ABC Dragoo Designs, Cake Lava, Cape Wedding Planner, Elegant Engagements, Holland Photo Arts, Jennifer Davis Photography, Justin Marantz Photography, Karen Wise Photography, Kristin Karzmit, Kristin Vining, Michele DeVries, Orchard Cove Photography, Photography By Walters and Walters, Robin dini, Steve DePino, Visionari, Wedding Shoes, Weddings And The City
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Shoes, Wedding Style

You’ve gotta love fall in New England!  Be sure and visit Karen’s website and blog for tons of wedding inspiration.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Cape Cod, Chatham, Karen Wise Photography, Massachusetts, The Yard
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style

This next wedding is another New York based event shot by Karen. Love the jade bracelet (and Shining & Karl’s adorable dog).

Bottom line is … if you develop a good rapport with your wedding photographer, believe me, the camera will love you right back. As you can see in these shots, being at ease with Karen, is a breeze!  Thanks, Karen, for joining us at SMP in our Little Black Book Blog  and for being the best of the best in the industry!

We have one more of Karen’s weddings coming up, so check back soon.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Destination Photographer, Karen Wise Photography, New York
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

Isn’t this a cute Real Wedding — Real People — shot?

But, back to Karen … one of her clients said, “your laid-back style provided an oasis of calm amid a background of tension and activity.” [...weddings...tension...hmmmm, maybe just a little...]

Stay tuned.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Karen Wise Photography, Photography Tips
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Wedding Resources

This first featured wedding was set in Westchester, New York. It’s gorgeous. It’s heart-warming. It’s happy. And really, when all is said and done…isn’t that what it’s all about?

Karen’s clients use the words “calm” and “unobtrusive” over and over in their acclaims … but I think this says it best: ” Every bride and groom wish they could bottle their feelings to savor and cherish forever. [Karen] All of your photos are a slice of pure happiness for us.”

Isn’t this bride’s bouquet great? Love the cameo and love the one special flower tucked into the back.

More from Karen’s amazing gallery in a bit….

**Just a quick update: more photos from Julia & Scott’s wedding are posted on Karen’s blog. The wedding took place in Rye, New York at the Wainwright House.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Karen Wise Photography, Little Black Book Blog, New York, Rye, Wainwright House, Westchester County
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography, Wedding Style