From the lovely, lovely bride…

We say we moved to Vermont for the food, and we did our best to show our guests some of our favorite treats during the course of our wedding weekend. Overnight guests received brownies from the Vermont Brownie Company, (the Maple Toffee Brownie was the best!) and all guests left the reception with a nip of maple syrup from our favorite sugary, Morse Farm. Our caterer, Occasions, did a great job showcasing Vermont food. We had s’mores at a bonfire friday night, fresh Vermont apple cider before the ceremony, tons of local cheese and produce, among a huge assortment of other delicious goodies. In lieu of wedding cake, we served a variety of home-made pies, and our groomsmen used this as an excuse to have a hilarious pie-eating contest at the end of the night. Guests were also entertained by the Dave Keller Band, a Montpelier-based blues/rock group, and a very-popular photobooth by Vermont Photobooth. We had the best time at our wedding, and we’re pretty sure our guests had a pretty great time as well!

Our favorite wedding details were our stationary/paper goods. Gered’s sister, Kara Dunne is an artist, and among her many talents, has studied printmaking at Rhode Island School of Design. She designed our amazing fancy barnyard letterpress invitation suite which was printed by Rob Charlton at the Goosefish Press. Kara also designed our barnyard animal placecards, which were printed by Lasso’d Moon Designs.

All was captured by the fabulous Jen Curtis, and we are so excited to see the art that she created from our day! Some other fun details: My dress: Vineyard by Priscilla’s of Boston Bridesmaids Dresses:  Jcrew / Hair + Makeup: Leslie Rogers / Flowers: A Schoolhouse Garden / Guestbook Box: Just Wright Boutique (instead of a guest-book, we had a recipe box with one card per guest – cards had a space for the guest to draw their picture and write us a message) / Labels for Favors: MAU Promos / Bridesmaid Gifts: handmade crystal necklaces by Roxane Weiss (Miami, FL), handbags by Studio Cherie

I think that it’s pretty obvious that I am OBSESSED with this wedding. It’s the perfect combination of charm, of style, of unabashed gorgeousness. I love,love, love it and am so happy that the perfect bride and groom allowed us to feature it here on SMP. Here is to many years that are as beautiful as this very day. And to Jen Curtis for sharing the stunning photographs…I am in love!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: farm, Jen Curtis, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance

From the ridiculously lovely bride…

Gered and I finally met during our Junior year at Colgate University when we were introduced by mutual friends. We should have met 2 years prior, when, unbeknownst to us, we were in the same 8:00 AM Freshman Chemistry class. Unfortunately, Gered rarely made it to class, and when he did, slept through most of it in the back of the room. (I sat wide-awake, up front)We dated for a looong time after college while in grad school in Boston, and planned our wedding for soon after my graduation from residency this past June. We both love farms and barns, and Vermont seemed like the perfect place for our fun and relaxed, outdoor wedding. Conveniently, we both ended up finding jobs in Vermont shortly before the wedding, so we were very excited that our wedding would be our chance to show off our new home to our family and friends!

Riverside Farm offered us the perfect mix of beautiful scenery, rustic but refined barns, and great food. We loved that Riverside offered several different venues so that (even in the case of rain), we could have each event (Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony, Cocktails, Reception) in a unique space. Our outdoor ceremony couldn’t have been better. The weather was perfect, and we were married in the meadow centered between 3 barns on Riverside Farm. Dave Keller and Ira Friedman played the guitar and organ respectively which gave a unique sound to our Beatles instrumentals for the processional and recessional. We were married under a Chuppah, hand-quilted of family photos by my mother and sister, and we had several friends participate in readings, and read our own hand-written vows, during the ceremony that we designed. My 1 year-old nephew Gavin was the cutest ring-bearer in the whole world, and was brought down the aisle in a red wagon.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: farm, Jen Curtis, Riverside Farm, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance

Ok! This wedding that Jen Curtis sent us is pure magic. And to be honest, it’s her photography alone that brings this lovely, lovely wedding to an entirely new level. The wedding was held at the Amee Farm in Vermont, which is designed for sustainable yet luxurious living…with touches like hand selected antiques in guest rooms that are gussied up with perfectly fabulous linens and such. It’s a dream come true really.

The adorable couple actually met online eight years ago. So great how far the web has come to introduce a perfect pair like this one! The bride ROCKED a Lian Carlo dress and the bridesmaids wore Amsale. They loved the idea of hosting a wedding at a fully working organic farm, with a venue that was absolute perfection.

Eryn actually designed all of the invitations and printed accoutrement’s herself, with letterpress by Jason McDanial of Missing Q Press in Dallas. She used all recycled paper products in the design and ordered vintage stamps from Ebay that coordinated. The couple gifted guests eco-friendly tree seed wedding favors from Plant a Memory. The organic, eco-chic design of this wedding was threaded through literally every detail. The end result…FABULOUS.

Thank you so very much to the HUGELY talented Jen Curtis for sending us today’s affairs. Jen is based in San Francisco though as you can see, will travel anywhere to photograph perfect weddings. We have another Jen Curtis wedding coming up next week, so if you are as addicted to her work as I am, you are in for a treat!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amee Farm, eco, farm, Green Wedding, Jen Curtis, Tree Favors, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance

Amanda is actually the genius behind quite a few of our favorite SMP weddings. Here are a few of the ones that you just HAVE to see…

The Camp Inspired Wedding that was ALL charm /The Elegantly, Mismatched Cape Style Wedding /The Pretty, Yellow Inspired Affair on Long Island.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the gorgeous couple for letting us share in their special day. And to Amanda Herzberger for inspiring us YET AGAIN with your stunning approach to photography.

We have more wedding eye candy coming up next!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Casual Elegance, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance

From the bride…

I really loved when we got introduced as a couple at the beginning of the reception (even if our name was incorrect Our first dance was really special and I think that will stand out forever. The biggest surprise, though, was the adorable figurines my parents made of us when we were children to put on the cake table. I loved how they put a little veil on me!

Kevin’s family has a tradition of singing “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Meatloaf during the reception. The guys stand on one side and sing the guy parts and the girls on the other singing the girl parts. The bride sits on a chair in the middle of the circle and the groom stands singing to her. Interesting tradition, I know. But, it was hilarious!

Lots more goodness coming up in just a bit!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Orchard Cove, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance

The wedding was held this past August at The Mountain Top Inn & Resort, Chittenden, Vermont. All of the girls’ attire, including the bride’s, was by J. Crew. From the beautiful bride…

We wanted our wedding day to be perfectly “Vermont”. We really succeeded! It was comfortable and had a very natural feel. I wanted to use oranges and greens because I  felt like they were such earthy colors and really cried out “Vermont” to me. We wanted our wedding to express how much we love the outdoors and the mountains.

So much more gorgeous to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amanda Herzberger, Blue Toad Flowers, J. Crew, Mountain Top Inn & Resort, Orchard Cove Photography, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog, Wedding Photography

We have tons of gorgeousness coming up in just a bit from this lovely, lovely day!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: J. Crew, Orchard Cove Photography, Summer Wedding, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance

They sent us these gorgeous images from Bina and Andy’s wedding that are knock-your-socks-off sensational …

LOVE the henna-hands shot!

From the Bishop Photographers’ Blog, the beautiful bride, Bina said …

“We designed our own ceremony, fusing traditions from the East and the West, and selected the poems and songs with our friends and families’ help. We also wanted the parts of traditional weddings we most admire and that most represent our love to be part of the day!”

Yummy cupcakes by Cloud Nine Catering.

Andy, the groom, had to sing a song to retrieve each of his shoes!

The clear-tented reception outside the Coach Barn was simply gorgeous …

The beautiful florals are from A Schoolhouse Garden.

Aren’t these two just so-so-so cute!

Congratulations to Bina & Andy on a stunning wedding celebration!

To see all vendor credits, lots more of their wedding photos and some of the pre-wedding festivities at their Sangeet, head over to Daria & Andy’s brand-spanking new website and blog. When we say a blog is fantastic … you KNOW that we know what we’re talking about! BIG beautiful Vermont countryside weddings!

Thanks SO much to Daria Bishop Photographers for sharing the day!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Cloud Nine Catering, Daria Bishop Photographers, Henna, Hindu, Shelburne Farms, Vermont
Post categories: Contests, Inspiration Boards, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, The Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, Wedding Photography

I love, love, love to see vendor’s own weddings as they always have such an easy, completely effortless style that seems to be infused into each and every detail.

From Sarah…

Our photographer, Brendan McLaughlin (who I found on craigslist ) was not a wedding photographer, but was interested in getting into the field…After looking at his at his small portfolio, I  realized I liked his point of view and vibe. We told him we were looking for a less traditional, moody photo diary of the day, and he produced exactly what we wanted. We were really lucky.

Thank you so very much to Sarah for sharing her absolutely gorgeous day with us. It was beyond lovely and such a beautiful example of an effortlessly chic day, a intimate wedding that is all about the pretty.

I really don’t want to sound like an ad here, so try to understand that I am speaking completely from the heart…if you are lucky enough to live in Boston, you should DEFINITELY put Sarah and her floral studio, Spruce, on your must-have list. She is an incredible talent and there is no doubt that she will turn your wedding dreams into the best reality you could ever imagine. I love her work, always have and cannot recommend her highly enough!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Sarah, Spruce, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

Of course I would expect nothing less from the bride behind the affair, my very own florist Sarah Matteson of Spruce in Boston.

photographs by Brendan McLaughlin

From Sarah…

We spent 3 days in the kitchen and came up with a menu that was both luxe and homey—but most of all do-able. My business partner and his wife slaved with us in the kitchen and produced some unbelievable food!  Crab cakes with lemon pesto vinaigrette, roasted pork loin with apricot shallot stuffing, aged parmesan and olives, truffled mac and cheese with caramelized wild mushrooms. I kind of wish I was a chef and not a florist sometimes…next life. And chocolate desserts to feed my hubby’s addiction.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Spruce, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

photographs by Brendan McLaughlin

More from Sarah…

Flowers were abundant( as you can imagine) mostly un-colors like chalky, pink, sand and gravender… garden roses, sweetpeas, succulents, sedum, vintage hued-carnations, scabiosa and poppy pods- regular Spruce staples. Birch sleeves wooden boxes and unglazed ceramic peppered with mercury glass gave everything a modern, but weathered feel.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Spruce, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

Which is exactly what my own florist and Little Black Book member, Sarah Matteson of Spruce Floral in Boston, did for her recent wedding. And it turned out to be total and complete perfection.

photographs by Brendan McLaughlin

From Sarah…

So while I am in the owner/creative director of Spruce Floral ( & so very picky…), it  really was otherwise a major DIY and we came in budget-wise at about $10k —a real feat these days in wedding production. We made our own invites, did our own flowers, cooked everything from scratch. Linens were washed and rumpled canvas painters tarps ( $18 ea!!! ) with burlap runners. I scoured ebay for vintage hankies to use as cocktail napkins.

photographs by Brendan McLaughlin

I found an AMAZING girl on Etsy, Tawny Holt at Armour sans Anguish, to make me a custom dress. She only uses recycled vintage fabrics so while the dress was totally one-of-a-kind, I love that somehow it was also infused with history.

So much more to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Armour san Anguish, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Spruce Floral, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

I remember telling Sarah that if my wedding was a room in my house, it would have an old wingback sofa recovered in some great vintage fabric , accessorized with graphic pillows to update the look. She responded by saying that if her wedding was a room in a house, it would have an old, beat up steel table with a fabulous crystal chandelier hanging above. I knew I was in good hands.

So, when Sarah sent me pictures from her own recent wedding, I knew that I was in for a treat. It was a complete and total DIY affair, with flowers that are so beautiful you just might fall out of your chair, and perfect touches that could put any other wedding to shame. Needless to say, I am so SO excited to share this beautiful day with you.

photographs by Brendan McLaughlin

From Sarah…

Tyler and I didn’t even consider getting married anywhere other than the history-filled ages-old lake house belonging to his family on Lake Caspian in Vermont. The space is rustic and tattered and warm, and we embraced that when deciding what direction to go in for mood, food and décor. We decided on an evening of cocktails, dancing and small plates.

So much more on the way!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Spruce Floral, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired

tara pollio floral-event design specializes in signature destination weddings and events.  She says, “Every design starts with a clean slate and is built around each client. If you can dream it, we can implement it. From your custom linens, event rentals and lighting professionals, we work only with the best. All of our flowers are brought in from around the globe, using specialty growers when possible. Our product is cut specifically for us and shipped overnight to ensure quality and freshness”

Devon and David’s August wedding was held at the Hildene Estate in Manchester, Vermont. The colors they chose effuse such a fun, warm, sophisticated sophisticated tone to the affair. Photography provided by Tara Pollio and Barrie Fisher.

I’m not sure what the best color palette “generator” programs are out there … but I do know that they exist. If anyone would like to leave a comment telling us what you’ve used that others might benefit from, please do!

Thank you, Tara for sending us Devon and David’s wedding. We LOVE the chic white couches paired with the perfect touches of natural Vermont charm!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 35 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Barrie Fisher, Color Palette Orange Green Pewter, Floral Event Designs, Hildene Estate, Manchester, Summer Wedding, Tara Pollio, Vermont, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Color Palettes, Little Black Book Blog

Daria and Andy Bishop have been so good to us by sending lots of real Style Me Pretty “style” weddings. You’re going to be seeing lots more from them here on the LBB blog!! But, we’d be remiss if we didn’t start off with their photos from Amanda & Jeff’s wedding. Amanda and Jeff Herzberger of Orchard Cove Photography had their own gorgeous wedding this past July at Shelburne Farms, Vermont.  And when one great photographer weds, who does she ask to capture her special day? Why, another Little Black Book member, of course. Enter, Daria Bishop Photography!

Amanda and Jeff’s first look photographs …

Seeing this hug … well, I honestly can’t imagine a more magical moment …

First looks … to see each other on this momentous day, before that walk down the aisle …

Now, you know that one of the questions you too will face when planning your wedding photography is whether you do (or don’t) want to have that first look alone. Seeing each other before the wedding is a hot topic. Some couples are vehemently opposed to it while others have now started thinking, hmmmm, well, maybe…?

Before you decide, talk to your photographer and really listen to the pros and cons. Talk to other couples who have taken the high road and decided to experience this moment privately. I seriously doubt that you will find many, if any, who wish they hadn’t.

And now, more from Amanda and Jeff’s wedding …

I love the shades of blue they used … such a natural pop of color. And the Vermont countryside … wow!

Talk about a pop of color. How much better does it get than beside a red barn?

It just looks like a wonderful location, time of year … lovely people … everything a wedding should be!

Congratulations to Amanda and Jeff from all of us at Style Me Pretty!

And a huge thank-you to Daria and Andy Bishop, today’s Little Black Book featured photographers. Your passion for wedding photography is soooooo evident in your work !

Visit their website and blog to see tons of weddings with tons of special details that will truly inspire you.

Amanda wrote a tremendous post about the “first look” photography decision on her blog at Orchard Cove Photography. If you are on the fence … at all … you really need to read it!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Color Palette Blue, Daria Bishop Photography, First Look, Orchard Cove Photography, Shelburne Farms, Stone Barns, Summer Wedding, Vermont
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Inspiration Boards, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography