Lorraine & Sanders were married in April at the Legare-Waring House in Charleston.  What an amazingly beautiful place!!  The day was captured on film by the super-talented Richard Israel …

This beautiful day was choreographed by another Little Black Book member, Melissa Barton and her terrific team at A Charleston Bride! They pretty much do it all … event decor and design, coordination, AND floral design. Wow. What a gorgeous event this was!

We asked Melissa to share a little of Lorraine & Sanders’ story …

Lorraine is a very successful (and busy) woman so she gave me a lot of free reign with the design. She knew she wanted bright pink and black as her color palette, but was open to any suggestions from there. As a matter of fact, she was pleasantly surprised at her bouquet as she really wasn’t sure what it would look like! She loved the southern charm of the Legare-Waring House with the oak trees dripping with moss and alligators relaxing on the bank of the pond so we kept it simple and elegant. Everything was clean, not fussy which fit Lorraine and Sanders’ personalities perfectly. It truly reflected their style and the guests were in awe!

REALLY PRETTY !!!

If you missed the post earlier today about Richard’s “return to film”, you really need to check it out.  A very insightful interview concerning the unique aspects of film photography. Film vs. digital vs. a combination is one of the key decisions you need to make as a couple when choosing your wedding photographer! There are pros and cons to both, and lots of passion for both. Be sure you examine all sides of the question!

And to see more of Richard’s sensational images from weddings to fashion to family … visit his blogs {here} and {here} and his website. Truly awesome work.

So, to wrap it up, here are a few more of Richard’s captivating images from Lorraine & Sanders’ wonderful celebration of love and family …

Thank you SO much, Richard (and Liz) and Melissa for sharing this fantastic day!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 24 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Charleston Bride, Charleston, Color Palette Pink Black, Legare-Waring House, Richard Israel, South Carolina, Tented Reception, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography, Wedding Planners & Designers

Courtenay also sent us some gorgeous images from one of her winter weddings … Patricia and Adam’s elegant November celebration that we think you’ll love as well …

from Patricia …

We wanted the wedding to be simple but classy – The Lyceum was the perfect back drop to create such a feeling. Combined with the flowers, candles, music, food, and champagne!! It was perfect!. The gold dresses and accents were a nice nod to the holidays without being too much.  Since the wedding was in November, which can be dreadful in Cincinnati, the gold helped keep things warm and inviting. With our move to Switzerland 2 months prior to the wedding, we wanted to bring a few touches of Switzerland – The Swiss Chocolates were direct from the Lindt factory here in Zurich, Switzerland; the Swiss theme Cookies were made by “Cake Creations by Sue”, and the Swiss flag baggage tags were used for table assignments and then kept as favours. It was an easy way for us to provide our new contact information as well as open up an invite for visitors.

Simple and classy … warm and inviting … perfect …

Courtenay’s gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces added just the right amount of color to the elegant color scheme used throughout the wedding.

Patricia’s make-up was done by one of Cincinnati’s best … Little Black Book vendor, Brideface. Seriously ~ look at the close-ups … just beautiful.

{And by the way, Nancy has really great beauty and make-up advice on her Brideface blog.}

Patricia’s wedding gown was by Nicole Miller. Her stunning coat was custom-made by … an unnamed designer. (So sorry … we definitely WILL try to get that information for you!)

Cute, cute Switzerland-inspired cookies by Cake Creations by Sue; Cake by Tres Belle; Photography courtesy of Stephanie Carson of StephCarson Photography.

Congratulations Patricia & Adam … and thanks to Courtenay Lambert Florals for sharing their wedding with us!

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Post tags: brideface, Cinicinnati, Courtney Lambert Florals, Roses, Wedding Coat, Wedding Colors, Wedding Fashion, Winter Wedding
Post categories: Bouquets, Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Flowers

So, when any of our Little Black Book members is doing something that we think will help you in your searches, we just have to share! Kendall Brown, the creative genius at Eclatante, is an incredibly talented event designer.  She has started publishing monthly Color Stories on her website that we think you really will LOVE. Last month, we featured Kendall’s “hot and cold running (perfect) pinks” on out Little Black Book Blog:  “Girls Only Wedding Party” .

Today, though, it’s March! You just have to think spring!! And as we turn the corner into spring … we’re bringing you a sneak peek of  Eclatante’s March Color Story: All About Blue.

FABULOUS floral designs by Bill and Donna of Beautiful Blooms (Little Black Book vendor). Stunning photos provided by Marie Labbancz. 

Just a quick blip from the March Color Story on Kendall’s blog:  “Bill and Donna of Beautiful Blooms were the ultimate perfectionists creating their gorgeous florals that adorned this fantasy perfectly. The centerpiece consisted of three vases wrapped in white lace paper filled with a mixed arrangement of purple hydrangea, deep plum tulips, blue curiosa roses, purple double lisianthus and muscari. At the base of the vases were smaller vases with lace accents filled with muscari. The whole table was accented with navy blue skinny taper candles.”

You really must see this whole Color Story. It’s that good and more!  To see the inspiration behind Eclatante’s March Color Story, the tablescapes, the carousel, the awesome Monique Lhuillier wedding gown … click {here}.

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Post tags: Beautiful Blooms, Blue, Color Palette, Color Story, Eclatante, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Bouquets, Centerpieces, Color Palettes, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers, Wedding Resources

Their wedding reception was at the classic Parker House in Boston. Abby is always urging you to do little things to make your wedding reflect your own personality. Let’s see what you think about her little touches at their reception …

Abby wanted a wedding cake that shimmered, but no adornment. She wanted the ballroom to be filled with candles, white feathers and lots of crystals, but all of the flowers needed to be tidy and simple. She wanted the deepest brown linens that we could find, and one show-stopping (white) floral arrangement.

I made one minor adjustment. The cake was beautiful, but it really needed something … so I pulled a flower from a nearby table centerpiece and placed it on top of the cake. I didn’t tell her. She loved it.

At the time she married Tait, she owned Abby Jean Press, a lovely engraved wedding invitation company. So she quite naturally, designed their invitation and all paper pieces that go along with a wedding. Rather than having a guest book, she made cards for their guests to write notes upon. We filled large (inexpensive) vases with feathers nearby for them to be dropped in. We engraved an “L”  on mint julep cups that contained little bunches of flowers throughout the reception space and on the tables. Family took these home as mementos of the day. We found mirrored frames that we used for numbering the tables. We only tried to buy decorative items that could be used as favors or used in our homes after the wedding.  Mostly we found accessories in antique shops, on e-bay and at our local Hobby Lobby! Sarah at Spruce Floral took all of our booty and pulled it together into a glittering reception space.

There’s so much more! With every wedding there always is …

I hope that this glimpse of Abby and Tait’s wedding made you smile, gave you ideas, or just made you feel good.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Boston, Color Palette, Massachusetts Weddings, Parker House, Table Settings, Wedding Cake, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

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 | 48 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

A bit from the bride, Alana…

My husband Alex and I were married on July 19th 2008 in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. We currently live in Montreal, Canada but we both grew up in the Okanagan and couldn’t imagine our wedding taking place anywhere else. Our ceremony was held on my parents’ lawn, which overlooks beautiful Okanagan Lake. We wanted to create an elegant, clean & simple wedding.

We were on a budget so we kept our guest list relatively small (75 people) and tried to do as many DIY projects as possible. We also wanted our wedding to be unique and very representative of us and didn’t want to have to sacrifice that because of the budget.

Stay tuned to hear all of the details from this gorgeous wedding!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blue, British Columbia, Budget Beautiful, Canada, Green, Okanagan Lake, Outdoor Wedding, Summerland, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Real Weddings, Traditional Elegance

Although there were so many boards that I loved, I chose this one because I felt like the designer really took the challenge to a new level. She found an image that completely inspired her and she ran with it. I love the vibrancy of the color palette, the beautifully cultural approach and the infusion of different textures and patterns. Great job!

The reader voted winner is the oh-so-blue inspired palette that you can see right here!

Congratulations to everyone that entered! I am saving those that didn’t make it up this round for our next color palette contest.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 21 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Contest Winner, Something Very Blue, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Coral, Ferns, Floral, Green, Wedding Colors
Post categories: Color Palettes, Contests