We chose to do a wedding in which every part of the ceremony was meaningful to us. If it wasn’t meaningful to us personally, we didn’t do it. This meant that we wrote and emceed the ceremony ourselves and had a total of 13 guests (plus a stray dog), who sat in a semi-circle and each spoke during the wedding. Our guests were our closest family members–the people who would find our ceremony as significant and meaningful as we did. To us, marriage is both a very private and a community affair, so we wanted people who would be an active part of our married life to be a part of our wedding.

Throughout the wedding process, we made sure to stay true to ourselves. At the end of the day, we were the ones getting married, and we were the ones to whom every choice would matter the most. Plus, our parents got to plan the receptions that came a few months later, so they could funnel all of their own preferences into those. Also, we tried not to sweat the small stuff or fall prey to the belief that more extravagant is always better. Matching dresses and hair, decorations, and seating arrangements wouldn’t have made the day any more special to us. Nor would anything more expensive than we chose. (Some good resources for others trying to decipher what elements of weddings are truly meaningful to them are the books Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert and A Short History of Marriage by Ethel Urlin.)

One aspect of the wedding that was very important to us from the get-go was having a really, really good photographer. We wanted more than anything to remember the emotions we and our families felt on that day, and the best way to do that was to get the kind of photographer that captures people as they are, not people as they look. I think you will agree that our wish was more than fulfilled.

In fact, the whole day was absolutely perfect. And every bit our dream wedding.

Photography: Hawes Photography / Venue: Old Orchard Gallery / Hair & Makeup: Dominic Michael Salon

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Post tags: Black and White Photography, Dominic Michael Salon, Hawes Photography, Intimate, Intimate Weddings, Missouri, Old Orchard Gallery, Rain, Rainy Day, Short Gowns, St. Louis, Umbrellas, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

From the beginning stages of the planning process, Ken was involved in every part of the planning process. Our three most important aspects that we kept in mind throughout the process were family, friends and romance! The gorgeous St. James Chapel and Trump Tower Chicago locations allowed us to maximize the amount of time we spent with our guests but also take in the beautiful photo opportunities of downtown Chicago.

My dress choice was a total surprise to myself. I had pictured more of a traditional satin top lace bottom dress but immediately fell in love with the contemporary vintage style of Lazaro. When I tried the dress on everyone in the dressing room came immediately over to me to oo and aw and admire the dress. I knew that was the one! It was such an amazing dress that even during photos when it got all muddy, by the time we got to the church, it had dried and all the mud fell off!!

The dress helped set the theme of the wedding — contemporary vintage. Ken described the vision to the florist and they hit the nail on the head with the floral scheme. The flowers were probably my favorite detail of the wedding and I will always remember the unbelievable smell of gardenias in my bouquet!

Everyone says it is good luck if it rains on your wedding day. I always thought this was just something everyone said to make you feel better. Boy was I wrong! I could not have imaged a more perfect day, rain and all. The umbrellas were amazing props and captured some romantic photos being snuggled up under the umbrellas! Had it not been raining, we would not have taken photos under the Trump Riverwalk — where we captured some phenomenal photos reminiscent of the Kennedy’s (or so says Ken!). Some of my all time favorites!

Larry King Orchestra set the tone for the reception and everyone had such a great time. Besides the gorgeous venue, the top two compliments following the wedding were the band and the food. Larry King even timed the memorial day fireworks viewable from the reception to the Katy Perry song firework!

I loved the toasts too…the uniqueness and creativeness of my father’s which laid the foundation to the video, the history toast from the best man, the best wishes from Ken’s father to the most eloquent and heartfelt speech from the maid of honor!

Photography: Riverbend Studio / Event Planning & Design: Engaging Events by Ali / Cinematography: Xpress Video Productions / Flowers: The Flower Firm / Orchestra: Larry King Orchestra / Lighting: Frost Lighting / Ceremony Location: St. James Chapel / Reception Location: Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago / Invitations: William Arthur from Yellow Bird Stationery / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Dress: Lazaro / Wedding Rings and Engagement Rings: Tacori / Linens: BBJ Linens / Bridesmaid Dresses: Coren Moore – Bella Bridesmaid, Chicago

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Post tags: BBJ Linens, Black and White Photography, Chicago, City Views, City Weddings, Classic, Color Palette Purple White, Engaging Events by Ali, Frost Lighting, Glamourous, Illinois, Jimmy Choo, Larry King Orchestra, Lazaro, Rain, Rainy Day, Riverbend Studio, St. James Chapel, Tacori, The Flower Firm, Traditional Elegance, Trump Chicago, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, Trump Tower, Umbrellas, Wedding Planners & Designers, William Arthur, Xpress Video Productions, Yellow Bird Stationery
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

I just can’t wait to show you the highlight CinemaCake sent our way – so before we get too far into the affair, here we go. Warning – grab some tissues. And I hope your mascara is waterproof.

CinemaCake Filmmakers on Vimeo.

Evan shocked me when he proposed in Monte Carlo in 2007 – so much so that I thought he was kidding. On the flight home I immersed myself in wedding magazines and lived wedding all the time. Our plans became so big, so overwhelming we both took a step back and said we want simple and we want elegance. At this point I found Style Me Pretty and it was my “ah ha!” moment.

I wanted to merge my simple upbringing in rural Pennsylvania and our busy city lifestyle in Baltimore. I wanted elegance with a touch of whimsy. As a child my parents vacationed in Saint Michaels, MD at the Inn at Perry Cabin. I have fond memories of watching the sailboats from the patio and chasing my sister through the gardens.  I realized this place felt like home and this was where I wanted to be married.

Our wedding of 120 could not be accommodated indoors so we resorted to an outdoor tented reception and ceremony.  My ceremony was rained out so the Inn quickly turned one of their indoor spaces into a ceremony site. Candles filled the room with a rose petal runner and copper lanterns lined the aisle. My florist made huge flower and moss balls which were relocated from the lawn to the ceremony site and then moved to the tented reception. They added that touch of whimsy I was looking for. My florist also made hanging cones from birch bark that were intended to hang from the tree branches along with small glass globes illuminated with tea lights. The birch cones were relocated to the tent and filled with David Austin roses. Although it was not the waterfront ceremony we were expecting, it turned into something beautiful and warm–and believe it or not– a welcomed surprise despite the rain.

My Watters & Watters dress looked handmade and vintage and paired perfectly with my red Valentino d’Orsay pumps. My husband wore a blue and white striped suit with a gardenia boutonnière.  My bridesmaids wore beige colored linen, knee length dresses and carried bouquets of cream hydrangeas.

I hired the fabulous Susan Stripling to freeze the day and CinemaCake to capture the moving visuals. At the entrance to our tent we hung place cards on an old barn shutter I found at an antique shop. The place cards from Kate Spade had sayings that read “Playing Footsie is Encouraged” or “Save room for Dessert”.

One of my favorite childhood movies is Alice in Wonderland, and to add to the whimsy theme we lined champagne glasses and attached coffee stained hang tags that read  “drink me,” which our guests enjoyed. The kids table was outfitted with oversized lollipops and small trinkets to keep them busy. I really loved the tissue poms I found on Etsy and bribed my attendants’ with wine and kind sentiments to help make smaller poms into napkin rings. Most of the women at the wedding actually wore them as bracelets after dinner.

I would say the home run of the evening was our photo booth from Baltimore Photo Booth Company. They provided props and I honestly could not fathom the amount of joy it would bring my family. Everyone, including my 80 year old grandmother, was in the photo booth laughing hysterically. They were able to take home a souvenir and the photo booth company also gave my husband and me a book with a copy of each photo taken that evening. We had an after party by the huge fireplace inside the inn. I had rented couches and the Inn provided pillows and blankets. Everyone enjoyed rum spiked cider, peppermint hot cocoa and roasted s’mores.  It was a great end to a fabulous day.

Photography: Susan Stripling Photography / Cinematography: CinemaCake Filmmakers / Flowers: Mary Ruth Chapin / Event Planning & Design: The Bride & Groom / Venue: The Inn at Perry Cabin / Entertainment: MyDeejay & Sage String Quartet / Shoes: Valentino d’Orsay / Dress: Watters & Watters / Photo Booth: Baltimore Photo Booth

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Post tags: Candles, CinemaCake Filmmakers, Dogs, Mary Ruth Chapin, Maryland, MyDeejay, Neutral Color Palette, Rain, Rainy Day Wedding, Ring Bearers, Sage String Quartet, St. Michaels, Susan Stripling Photography, Tented Reception, The Inn at Perry Cabin, Valentino, Valentino d'Orsay, Water, Watters & Watters, Wedding Cinematography, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

We met at Colby College, while living in the same dorm our sophomore year.  After dating for about seven years, we became engaged in Paris in October 2010 when Will flew over to surprise Kate (who was on a business trip) on the point of Ile de la Cité.

We were married on Malden Island, a 10-home summer community off the coast of Maine. Will’s family has been part of the island community since 1881 (the Home Club was founded in 1872); his is the sixth generation to spend summers there. Kate and her family have been visiting for years now, too.

With the lobster boats, buoys and fog in the harbor, boardwalks, old wooden houses, and pine trees on the island, the location is classic coastal Maine. Our hope for the wedding was that it was “of the place” – laid back and rustic – while being fun and distinctive. Instead of ribbon we used twine, the groom and his brothers wore boat shoes, flowers were in wooden boxes and medicine bottles. While we didn’t have a single wedding color – flowers were a medley of hues – blues predominated. The maid of honor’s dress was navy and the flower girl’s was light blue seersucker, the groom and his brother wore navy suits (with ties in their family’s Scottish tartan), escort cards were lots of different blues, invitations incorporated a cobalt blue, the bride wore lapis earrings.

The ceremony, held in the island’s cookhouse (where island members eat together during the summer months), was intimate, simple, and thanks to our minister, pretty funny.

Location: Private Home Club, Malden Island, Maine / Event Design and Planning: Maine Seasons Events / Catering: Ian’s Eats / Music: Steam Powered / Airplane: Steam Powered Airplane / Flowers: Friend / Tent: Sperry Tents / Rentals: Be Our Guest / Photography: Jenny Moloney Photography

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Post tags: Be Our Guest, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Blue, DIY Flowers, Fog, Ian's Eats, Maine, Maine Seasons Events, Malden Island, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Wedding, Rain, Sperry Tents, Steam Powered Airplaine, Tented Reception, Water, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

106,000 Miles….A Wedding Trailer from Loudbyte Cinematography on Vimeo.

From Loudbyte Cinematography … 106,000 Miles is a wedding trailer starring Angela + Phil. As is the custom in many chinese weddings, the groom must go through many challenges or ‘door games’ before he gets to see the bride. The door games are hilarious! Phil had to do push-ups while speaking Cantonese!

From the bride … Rewind. September 26, 2006.  It is a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we are off to our first date to the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  Phil, like the laid-back guy he is, rolls up in his car wearing a polo and jeans.  I, like the high-maintenance girl I am, click-clock to his car in my high pale pink heels and a summer dress.  Our story didn’t seem likely but it soon became full of love and mutual respect.  Fast forward.  May 28, 2011.  It is a wet and rainy day but probably one of the best days of our lives because today is the day we say “I do.”  After traveling over 106,000 miles for each other from Chicago to San Francisco and then separating again for 10 months for my visa, we finally made it.

Ceremony & Reception: Eaglewood Resort & Spa /Wedding Coordinator: Sweetchic Events / Cake: Lutz Cafe / DJ: Spin Productions / Shoes: Nina / Florist: Vale of Enna Flowers / Groom’s Watch: Mont Blanc / Cinematography: Loudbyte Cinematography

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Highlight Film, Illinois, Itasca, Loudbyte Cinematography, Lutz Cafe, Mont Blanc, Nina, Rain, Spin Productions, Sweetchic Events, Vale of Enna Flowers, Wedding Cinematography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

Unexpected intense summer thunderstorms didn’t stop photographer Carla and hubby Dave Ten Eyck from renewing their vows at Carla’s childhood home and their current studio and home in Hartford, CT.  The wedding was orchestrated by a team of vendors belonging to the members of the Little Black Book, including Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Studio Foto, Jubilee Events, Datura: A Modern Garden, Dana Bartone & Co, The White Dress by the Shore, and RAW Photo Design.

Details of this wedding were anchored in Carla and Dave’s strong sense of family, her mother Georgianne’s memory, her Mexican heritage and her passion of photography. Carla looked stunning in her tea length dress by Siri and head piece by The White Dress By the Shore. The bridal party, consisting of her children Jack and Georgie and studio members, wore her studio colors – pink and brown. The gowns were from The White Dress By the Shore.

Colorful star and globe shaped lanterns swayed in the breeze, lighting the wooden picnic table that was once Carla’s dinning room table growing up.  The wooden table set up was reminiscent of a dia de Los Muertos altar in Mexico, and was peppered with Carla’s mother’s china, pictures of Carla’s studio members and roses given to Carla’s mother for Mother’s Day.

Amongst family photos, various old cameras were displayed, owned by Carla and her father. Friends wrote well wishes on paper tags and hung them on a Blue Atlas Cedar wishing tree, the tree that Carla gave her husband Dave as his original wedding gift (almost 12 years ago). The words written all described words of wisdom for a strong and lasting marriage. Rodney, their cat and Mexican Food. Yes. Keys to a successful marriage for sure!

To escape the rain, the ceremony was held on the front porch, as guests held umbrellas and snapped pictures. Childhood friend, Susannah McGlamery who officiated the ceremony, reread the same words she spoke at their first wedding years before.

Bouquets by Datura, A Modern Garden, included pink peonies, queen anne’s lace (one of Carla’s mother’s favorite flower), ranunculus and garden roses.  Guests enjoyed pizza and gelato from The Pizza Truck while relaxing on furniture from Ryan Designs.  When the festivities were over, guests left with Carla’s aunt Donna’s homemade “Keep it spicy” hot pepper jelly.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Growing Tree Photography, DeCarlo Photo Studio, RAW Photo Design, Studio Foto / Wedding Dress: Siri at The White Dress by the Shore / Hair & Makeup: Dana Bartone & Co. / Officiant: Susannah McGlamery / Flowers: Datura: A Modern Garden / Cake: Hope from A Little Imagination Cakes / Video: Jim Altieri, Vintage Cinema / Brides Jewelry: Custom made by Aquina, The White Dress by the Shore / Maids Jewels: Perception Jewelry / Lanterns & Furniture: Ryan Designs / Brides Shoes: Bagdley Mischka / Day of Coordination: Jubilee Events

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Post tags: A Little Imagination Cakes, Bagdley Mischka, Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Chinese Lanterns, Color Palette Pink Brown, Connecticut, Cupcakes, Dana Bartone & Co., Datura: A Modern Garden, DeCarlo Photo Studio, Flower girls, Growing Tree Photography, Hartfort, jam, Jubilee Events, Lanterns, Perception Jewelry, Rain, Rainy Day Wedding, Raw Photo Design, Ring Bearers, Ryan Designs, Siri, Studio Foto, Swings, The White Dress By The Shore, Vintage Chic, Vintage Cinema, Vow Renewal, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

Click here to see the full image gallery

From Jenna Walker… Ali & Cooper are the creative masterminds behind San Francisco-based Cooper Carras Photography. Shooting weddings on a weekly basis, it came as no surprise that Ali & Cooper would find something different up their sleeves when it came to saying “I do.” Anything ordinary or traditional was set aside. The typical violinist would be replaced with the sweet serenade of a mountain bluegrass banjo player. Paper flowers and one simple hand-assembled bouquet would take the place of a florist. And a little rain wouldn’t stop these two from tying the knot in a meadow in the early morning hours. In an open space park outside of Boulder, Colorado – Ali & Cooper tied the knot and made their own sunshine – proving that a little rain just might be good luck on your wedding day.

They toasted to their happiness with close family and friends in a lunch-time celebration at Boulder’s The Kitchen – an organic eatery with all the makings of simple.

Photography: Jenna Walker Photography / Flowers: picked and put together by the bride; handmade paper flowers / Ceremony: Heil Valley Ranch Open Space Park outside of Lyons, Colorado / Reception: The Kitchen, Boulder CO / Transportation: Banjo Billy Bus

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Post tags: Boulder, Colorado, Jenna Walker Photography, Outdoor Wedding, Rain, The Kitchen
Post categories: Do-It-Yourself Inspired

Click here for more of this rainy engagement!

A week of wonderful weddings, in case you missed any:

a little amoré from Florida’s Carillon Beach
a gorgeous Pennsylvania affair with the most amazing colors
a fantastically white wedding in Australia
a very sweet Arizona affair
a Sonoma vineyard wedding with the most beautiful bride
a preppy chic Charlottesville summer soiree
a über cool and classic affair in Palm Springs
a Canadian castle wedding fit for a princess
a romantic pink and purple fête in Austin
a homespun New Jersey farm wedding

Some pretty links from around the world wide web:

a bit of unique wedding cakes from Martha Stewart
a summer sea food boil from Once Wed
a industrial-pretty flower shop makeover from Design*Sponge

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Engagement Sessions, Engagement Shoots, Jennifer Lindberg Weddings, Rain, Rain Boots, Texas, Umbrellas, Weekly Wrap-Up, Wrap it up Pretty
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog