And for all of our readers, here is a little piece of advice from the bride…if you have a budget, give yourself some wiggle room (because it costs lots more than you think) then stick to it. A wedding can get way out of control. Pick your most important elements and go cheaper on the rest.

From the gorgeous bride…

Although we had wanted to keep photos to a minimum during the cocktail reception, we ended up loving the hour we spent with our photographers after the ceremony ended. It was just us and them (Kendrick and David make a fabulous team), goofing off and having fun. Kendrick and David were able to catch the pure happiness and joy of this unique moment in time while Bryan and I had time to steep ourselves in each other’s presence. I would highly recommend setting aside time for you and your new hubby to enjoy each other before you greet all your guests.

We hired a bluegrass band to play the ceremony and cocktail hour yet asked them to play our favorite Paul Simon song, “Hearts and Bones,” for the processional. They also played special songs for the recessional and our first dance. It was wonderful to hear twangy versions of our favorite tunes. To make the ceremony feel more personal, we asked our sisters to each do a reading and Bryan’s best friend to perform a favorite song. Incorporating certain traditions and loved ones and working with our officiant on the text ensured that the ceremony truly represented us.

Credits: Location Claxton Farms, Catering by M7 Events, Wedding Coordination by Asheville Event Co., Flowers by Bloom Room, Short Steet Cakes, Cocktail Napkins, Jar Labels, and Stirrers by Miss Pickles Press, Peach Butter from Ashevilles Finest, School Buses from Emma’s Busline, Cake Topper by Ann Wood Handmade, Make-up by E. Scott Thompson, Suraj, Wedding Dress, Veil, and Flower hairpiece by Melissa Sweet.

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Post tags: Asheville, Charm, Our Labor of Love, Rustic
Post categories: Casual Elegance

And if you can’t wait for our next post on this affair, head on over to Our Labor of Love for more pictures and details!

I mean seriously…the menu alone is enough to send me clear over the edge. Throw in those adorable jam favors and a couple of cute signs and you’ve pretty much got me. But what I love the most is that each and every detail, each and every little touch of pretty, seems like it was made especially for this space. The style is so cohesive, so effortlessly lovely. It’s kind of like when your mom tells you that make-up should look like you aren’t wearing any at all. Every detail of this wedding just looks like it was made for this day alone.

Credits: Location Claxton Farms, Catering by M7 Events, Wedding Coordination by Asheville Event Co., Flowers by Bloom Room, Short Steet Cakes, Cocktail Napkins, Jar Labels, and Stirrers by Miss Pickles Press, Peach Butter from Ashevilles Finest, School Buses from Emma’s Busline, Cake Topper by Ann Wood Handmade, Make-up by E. Scott Thompson, Suraj, Wedding Dress, Veil, and Flower hairpiece by Melissa Sweet.

We have lots more coming up from Our Labor of Love in just a bit! In the meantime, if you haven’t already checked out their RIDICULOUSLY gorgeous blog, you are in for such a treat!

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Post tags: Asheville, Charming, Our Labor of Love, Rustic
Post categories: Casual Elegance

From the lovely, lovely bride…

Bryan and I spent almost a week looking all around the greater Asheville area for a wedding site. We originally envisioned a large house with a big tree but when we drove onto Claxton Farm and saw the tobacco barn and the field surrounded by the blue ridge, we knew we had found our spot. We just loved how the mountains surrounded us on all sides and how the large wood planks of the barn allowed the sunlight to stream in.

Bryan and I decided not to see each other the day of the wedding until I walked down the aisle. I went to the site early with my immediate family. I absolutely LOVED walking onto the site hours before any of the guests arrived. I was able to wander and enjoy every little detail, and be so grateful to all the wonderful people who made it happen. Then my sister and I got to hide in a little room, drink champagne, and peek through the window as the guests arrived. Walking through the field to my beloved B, with all our family and friends, and my parents at my side actually made me cry, the space was so beautiful and full of love. B gave me a big smooch and dipped me at the end. We had sort of planned it (there’s a history of dipping) but got a little excited and almost fell over! It was hilarious and so much fun. We read our vows from our Ketubah and B stomped on the glass. The kiddush cup was my grandfathers, which had been used in my parents and my sisters wedding.

Credits: Location Claxton Farms, Catering by M7 Events, Wedding Coordination by Asheville Event Co., Flowers by Bloom Room, Short Steet Cakes, Cocktail Napkins, Jar Labels, and Stirrers by Miss Pickles Press, Peach Butter from Ashevilles Finest, School Buses from Emma’s Busline, Cake Topper by Ann Wood Handmade, Make-up by E. Scott Thompson, Suraj, Wedding Dress, Veil, and Flower hairpiece by Melissa Sweet.

So much more to come!

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Post tags: Asheville, Details, Our Labor of Love, Rustic
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Jen Huang completely blew me away with these photographs from a recent green and white inspired affair. The wedding itself was gorgeous, but the photographs…holy cow. You can see the full post here and the entire gallery of images right here!

And lastly, an oldy but a goody on Our Labor of Love…

So much more to come!

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Post tags: Jen Huang, Kiss the Groom, Our Labor of Love
Post categories: The Blog

And of course, a ridiculously big thank you to Ashley and Allen for letting us share in their celebration. I thought that I could end this real wedding feature with some fun photographs of the friends and family that made the day that much sweeter. I hope you find as much inspiration in these as I did! Oh and when you have a second, check out Ashley and Allen’s awesome new band, Anthem In!

I have this dream that one day, I will find the time to have the candid photographs of my own wedding blown up and framed then hung on the walls of my house. That way, every morning when I wake up, I can remember that not only are we hugely blessed, we are hugely loved. Looks like these photographs tell that story exactly.

We are changing it up BIG TIME this afternoon with a wedding that is totally and completely different than Ashley and Allen’s. Oh and we have a pretty killer giveaway coming up so definitely check back in a bit!

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Charleston, Our Labor of Love
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Completely adorable. Oh and if you are just now catching up with us, the team at Our Labor of Love are the one’s that captured these perfect photographs. Love, love, love.

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Charleston, Our Labor of Love
Post categories: Casual Elegance

all photographs by the amazing Our Labor of Love

Ring a ding ding (did I just say that…I am seriously in need of some new words)!! Aren’t these details completely perfect! The candies are whimsical and fun, graphic and perfectly hued. And the cake, oh the cake. It’s absolutely yummy. I honestly can’t get enough of this wedding so I’ve done a few more features that are on the way in just a bit!

Here are some fun details from the bride, Ashley, who just happens to be one of the best designers I’ve seen in a long time!

Wow this is so exciting! I looked at Style Me Pretty everyday when I was planning my wedding (which I did in 4 months!) My dress and shoes are JCrew, as is the Maid of Honor’s dress (she’s my sister, Jill). The event was held at The Wickliffe House on Ashley Ave and our ceremony was performed by my father. The florist for the large arrangements and bouquets was Louise as Charleston Flower Market. My mother did all the flowers in the small vases on each of the individual tables and a few of the other arrangements, as well as the yellow “candy bar” and the anniversary time capsule. It was a 12:30 wedding on a Sunday, so we had sort of brunchy food – mimosas, a raw bar, mini blts, deviled eggs, shrimp and grits, and so forth. Jim Smeal (a little black book member) designed the incredible cake.

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Charleston, Details, Our Labor of Love, Yellow
Post categories: Casual Elegance

So, when you put today’s couple together with the fabulousness that is Our Labor of Love, the result is well…perfection.

I mean, come on! How gorgeous are these? The breezy, vintage quality. The sweet, completely charming romance. The pure deliciousness of each one. I wish it was me and my husband in these photographs because I would hang them on every wall of my home.

Now, pair the above gems with this next set of colorful, bright photographs and you have a match made in picture heaven!

STUNNING. Jesse and Whitney of Our Labor of Love are my new best friends (they just don’t know it yet)…they are so stinking cool, so unbelievably talented, so inspiring. And, for some reason, they get to work on the greatest weddings with the most gorgeous couples. It’s crazy! Now, here is the best set that I’ve saved for last…

Ok, just wait until you see the incredible detail shots that we have coming up next!

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Charleston, Our Labor of Love, Yellow
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Sigh. So, so beautiful. The photographs shot by Our Labor of Love tell the story of the day to absolute perfection…romance with tons of chic thrown in for good measure. I am in love!

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Charleston, Our Labor of Love, Yellow
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Our Labor of Love is the absolute genius behind the photographs…

I could go on and on about Our Labor of Love but let’s just say this…ANYTHING that they shoot is a keeper. “They” are a husband and wife team who is bursting with talent, who captures the beauty in every detail, the joy in every moment. Their work is flawless. There, I said it.

So much more coming up in just a bit!

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Post tags: Ashley and Allen, Our Labor of Love, Yellow
Post categories: Casual Elegance

from Jesse and Whit’s blog …

Sometimes i take a break from my day and write a little what-i-am-thankful-for list and this past month jacqui and lachlan were on the top of my list. they are the kind of people that shine the light and no matter what kind of day you are having, they will rub right off on you. so needless to say…the whole wedding went like this. completely filled with light and love ...

… we already felt like old friends when the wedding began. our first meeting with them was over tacos and beers. it was instant love. then we met for their engagement shoot about 11 days before the wedding and it seemed like we were all a little frazzled between rush hour traffic, wedding plans and the wedding season that was ahead of us.  it took about 5 minutes before we all found ourselves rolling in green grass, breaking through fences and laughing our tails off! jacqui is the social sales manager at king plow so how she found time to plan her own wedding amongst everyone else’s is beyond me.

Jesse and Whit are the fantastic photographers of Our Labor of Love. They are based in Atlanta, but split their time between there and California, with a few trips to Martha’s Vineyard along the way. In other words, they will be more than happy to join you at your destination of choice! Just looking at the images of Jacqui and Lachlan’s wedding … well, you can see that Jesse and Whit totally connect with their couples in an intimate and privileged way. And isn’t that what you want for your wedding day? A photography team who really ‘gets’ you!?

From the beautiful bride, Jacqui …

We had the most fantastic experience from start to finish with all of our vendors! From our planner, Christina Zubowicz from Magnolia Weddings, to Bold American Events and Catering for their unreal flowers and food, to Michelle Smith from Inviting Ideas for her invitations, programs, and menu cards, Frosted Pumpkin for his unreal hanging wedding cake, and lastly but most importantly Whit and Jesse from Our Labor of Love!!!!

Lachlan and I met in Aspen Co while both working a Ski season. He was the bartender at the famous Little Nell Relais and Chateau and I was a hostess he is Australian and I am South African, so it was really important to incorporate this into our wedding. One of the ways we did this was to serve red wines from Australia and white wines from South Africa. We had over 4 continents represented, making it a truly well traveled wedding crowd! I love black and white but wanted a fresh spring feel, so all of our flowers were yellow – my favorite color! I also love the contradiction of modern and vintage so having when I found my Rivini lace dress, I knew we had to have some fun old fashioned elements – hence the yellow umbrellas, soft personal flowers, and long vintage veil. We have been in Atlanta for 3 years and love it! Lachlan is starting his MBA at Emory in the fall and I have been a Sales Manager for Bold American for 3 years.

Again, from Our Labor of Love’s blog … this was “out-of-the-box” and “into-amazing” wedding for king plow. steve, michelle, susan blew minds with their interiors. Tulips hung upside down from a moss base that reflected into the mirrors of the table tops. hanging cakes. rooms filled with umbrellas. floor to ceiling tapestries. it was insane. and so was the smilebooth. {If you’re not familiar with the Smilebooth, you totally need to take a look {here}! SO much fun for your guests!}

Upside-down tulips??? Hanging cakes??? Whoa!!!!

Now that is truly awesome! The stunning cakes were provided by Little Black Book member The Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc.

The yellow, black and white color palette has made a big splash in the wedding world, but none so grand as this!

What a warm and enticing wedding celebration this was. Just the perfect mix of sophistication, bubbly charm and a big dose of whimsy !

THANK YOU~ to Jesse & Whit and the whole OLOL team for sharing this day! And a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqui & Lachlan !!

Be sure to visit the Our Labor of Love website and their blog for so many more gorgeous examples of the work!

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Post tags: Atlanta, Bold American Events & Catering, Color Palette Yellow Black White, Daisies, Decor, Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Georgia, Inviting Ideas, King Plow, Magnolia Weddings, Our Labor of Love, Parasols, Smilebooth, Table Settings, tulips, Umbrellas
Post categories: Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Details, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography, Whimsical

And a huge congratulations to Bruce and Uta…may you have many, many years filled with love and laughter! More to come!

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Post tags: Our Labor of Love, Uta and Bruce
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Wedding Photography

Kids just innately bring joy to whatever they do. It’s in their genetic make-up or something. And although having a screeching baby belt one out in the middle of your vows isn’t exactly ideal, if you have the space for the little ones to run around and play, your wedding will be so much more joyful, so much more charming if the kiddies are welcome.

The photographs were all shot by the fabulous, amazing, oh-so-talented (I could go on and on but I’ll spare you the cheerleader routine) team at Our Labor of Love. I honestly believe that Jesse and Whitney are two of the most talented photographers around and if you are lucky enough to book them for your wedding, you will be absolutely thrilled with what they produce for you. They just get it. It’s as simple as that.

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Post tags: Children, Kids, Our Labor of Love, Uta and Bruce
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Wedding Photography

Aren’t the photographs breathtaking? The softness, the romance behind each one is just spectacular. These are the kind of images that you hang on your walls, falling in love each time you pass by. So much more to come from Our Labor of Love and Uta and Bruce’s beautiful day.

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Post tags: Our Labor of Love, Uta and Bruce
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Wedding Photography

This gorgeous wedding was photographed by Little Black Book member, Our Labor of Love. Here are some details from Maria…

I love this wedding because it is without a doubt so fresh and unique…and full of the best details!  From the clean lines of the all white room ceremony space and the more playful reception room that featured a graffiti wall and a huge letter “A” light sculpture, the space at Studio 900 was the perfect setting for a modern and unique affair!

More from Maria…“Ashley and Dusty wanted their ceremony and reception to have a bespoke, handmade, modern and vintage theme. They decided to serve cake and ice-cream versus traditional wedding fare and almost everything about this wedding was handmade – from the invitations to the confetti packets. Equally impressive to the great color palette, original ideas and great taste of the couple was the fact they managed to keep this wedding at a budget of $13,000! This wedding is inspiring and impressive to me in every way and I love when couples can express their style and personality so effortlessly through their wedding details.”

Thanks so much to Maria of Ritzy Bee and to Our Labor of Love for sharing this delightful wedding with us!

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Post tags: Our Labor of Love, Ritzy Bee
Post categories: Real Weddings