Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog

Connecticut Wedding from Studio Blush

Elaine — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:28:25 +0000

Jen and Will were married this past June at Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park in New London, Connecticut. Sent to us by Elisabeth from Blush this wedding is the perfect chance for us to rave about some ridiculously gorgeous flowers and the couldn’t-be-happier bride and groom.

These flowers are the perfect compliment to this early summer wedding. They’re so fresh and lush, they look like they could burst. And the couple… seriously, how sweet are these two? The bride, glowing. The groom, totally charming… and that little smirk. Adorable.

From the very talented floral designer, Blush…

It was a whimsical wedding featuring whites, greens and golds. The ultra creative bride came up with so many amazing ideas including adding little bowls of shelled green pistachios on each table to coordinate with the pistachio green table linens! There was a bird theme in which gold birds where used throughout as well as a birdcage, ring bearer birds nest, etc.

Along with the beautiful setting, the little birds throughout the decor add a perfect playful touch and just give this event a very organic feel. And the flowers are just soooo romantic. It looks like they were designed with the bride’s dress as the inspiration. Thank you to Elisabeth from Blush for sending this lovely event our way!

Credits: Photographs by Maggie Conley, Flowers by Blush Floral Design, Catering by A Thyme To Cook, Makeup by Jennie Fresa Beauty Library.

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Post tags: Blush Floral Studio, Connecticut, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Wedding Centerpieces, VII

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:25:50 +0000

I’ve been to so many weddings where the flowers take center stage. And to be honest, it’s pretty great to see gorgeous blooms tucked in every corner, dripping off every detail. BUT, that type of decor isn’t always in the budget, especially these days. So today, we are chatting about centerpieces that are gorgeous, but in just about every example, they are also largely affordable or DIY-able.

One way to really trim your budget is to hop on the teeny-tiny vases trend. Tons of perfect little containers, whether they are clear, white or fabulously colored, filled with small bunches of your favorite stems.

Clockwise from Top Left: Image by Rebecca Thuss, glass vases by Ooh Events, hurricane vases on Brides.com, medicine jar vases on Brides.com, purple hued florals in tiny white vases by Brides.com, tarnished silver vases on Jamali Gardens

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Post tags: Brides.com, Centerpieces, Flowers, Jamali Gardens, Ooh Events, Rebecca Thuss, Tiny Vases, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, VI

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Another really great way to bring textures, colors and even prints into your wedding style is to use a box to house your flowers. Whether it’s a great old wooden box that you scored at a flea market or paper boxes covered in your favorite fabric, a box will add an unexpected touch to your decor that will really go a long way…

Top Row Left to Right: boxes by Artfool and Bride.com / Center Row: by Farmer Julie / Bottom Row Left to Right: Michelle Rago and Rebecca Thuss

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Post tags: Artfool, Brides.com, Centerpieces, Farmer Julie, Flowers, Michelle Rago, Rebecca Thuss, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, V

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:41:21 +0000

One of my very favorite ways to add a punch of color to your decor is through fabulously chic, colored vases. Whether they are rich in golds and silvers or they are a bit more funky in teal blues and pinks, this collection of colored containers should inspire you to think creatively when designing your centerpieces…

Flowers Clockwise from Top Left: Gold vase via Nicolette Camille, blue vases photographed by Courtney of Flush Designs via OnceWed.com, small white vases by Artfool, dark green vases by Artfool, red vase by Artfool, mason jar florals by Jonathan Canlas

Plus, if you can find inexpensive vases, this is a great way to make your flowers go even further, bringing more color and more variety to your style. Jamali Garden, IKEA, Target and Pearl River are all great places to find affordable vessels for your centerpieces.

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Post tags: Artfool, Centerpieces, Flowers, Flush Designs, Jonathan Canlas, Nicolette Camille, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, IV

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:30:38 +0000

Whites. There is something so beautiful about an all white palette. It just screams elegance and sophistication. Bring in some natural greens and a sweet feminine approach and the result is, well…fabulous.

All flowers by Blue Moon Events…lovely!

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Post tags: Blue Moon Events, Centerpieces, Flowers, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers, White Palette
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, III

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:12:40 +0000

This next set is so me, it’s hard to imagine any centerpiece any prettier…

Clockwise from Top Left: Image by Jessamyn Harris, Image by Karen Wise, Image by Heather Forsythe, Image by Our Labor of Love with floral design by Amber Fouts

I love the simplicity and elegance of each of these centerpieces. They seem so organic, so incredibly natural to me. Obviously, flowers are all natural, but there is just something unfussy and utterly beautiful about this particular set.

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Post tags: Centerpiece, Heather Forsythe, Jessamyn Harris, Karen Wise, Our Labor of Love, Wedding Centerpiece, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces, II

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:00:14 +0000

Loving this next centerpiece…simple limes immersed in water, accented with the fabulous brocade votive holders.

LOVE. These were sent to me by the oh-so-talented Caroline of Events by Caroline!

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Post tags: Centerpieces, Events by Caroline, Limes, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Wedding Centerpieces

Abby Larson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:57:29 +0000

People always ask me how I choose the weddings and ideas that I write about on Style Me Pretty. The truth is, it happens way more organically than many people realize. I usually start thinking about the next day’s posts at night, though I don’t solidify anything until the morning that it goes live. And oftentimes, I don’t have anything at all planned for the day when I wake up in the morning.

Which was exactly the case today. I am still playing catch-up from being away and real weddings are starting to pile up in my inbox. So many gorgeous real weddings, so many incredible ideas. As I was looking through them this morning, I started seeing some really fun, totally unique ideas for centerpieces so I thought that rather than post another real wedding, I could post some new and interesting ideas for flowers! Sound good?

Here is the first, sent to us by Alyssa, from her real wedding that took place in Wisconsin…

photographs by Kelly Brown

Alyssa collected tea tins from antique shops and the pearl river website, then had her florist, Dawn of Appleblossom, design arrangements using in season blooms. The end result is simply lovely!

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Post tags: Centerpieces, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Favors & Gifts

Ask Abby…Wedding Flowers, Grooms Attire

Abby Larson — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:54:08 +0000

I thought we would take a mini break from all of the real weddings that we have been doing for a much needed Ask Abby day. I have to admit, questions have been piling up in my inbox, as the days keep slipping past! So, I thought who better to ask for a bit of help than our readers! I am going to be posting questions throughout the day, then later this afternoon will add my own responses.

I know that each of our brides would LOVE feedback from you guys, so please don’t be shy!

Question 1: My partner & I are getting married on Saturday, the 12th of September 2009. The ‘look’ we are going for is vintage chic with a modern twist. The era we are mainly channeling is the 40’s, as we love the whole feel of the 1940’s.

My wedding gown is a Mori Lee dress in a vintage lace & tulle design, in Ivory. My bridesmaids dresses are floor length, silk evening gowns in a deep coral colour with a satin halterneck ribbon ( I hope you can envision them from my rather poor description). The have a very old school glamour feel.

Now this is where my problem starts…I am uncertain as to what flowers to use (I am thinking of picking flowers in very soft colours such as pale peach, soft pink and ivory). However, I still want the flowers to maintain a fresh modern feel?!

I am also unsure as to what I can put my H2B and his groomsmen in. I was contemplating black slim fitting suits but I am unsure whether this will look too dark against the soft colours of the flowers etc. My H2B will not wear an ivory suit and this is not really to either of our tastes…I have also been contemplating gray suits?! I would really appreciate your opinion.

What do you guys think? Flowers? Men’s attire with a vintage feel?

Answer 1: I have to say, this bride has it together. I love the combination of gray and coral, paired with a glamorous 1940’s vibe. I really didn’t have to think too hard to design this board, as I am already convinced that she is well on her way to perfection.

As for flowers, I would up the glamour ante and do tone on tone corals…different shades of coral from a peachy pink to a deep, pink-ish terra cotta. Go for soft, feminine shapes to add a feeling of laid back luxury to the look. To add a touch of modern charm, you could use sleek, lacquered white containers for your centerpieces. Might be a nice contrast to the vintage foundation.

Tip…if you love Peonies and your wedding is in August or September, have your florist source roses that have that same loose, fluffy style. If you are on a budget, go for monochromatic carnations. Sounds like third grade, but I swear, they are gorgeous when presented in one color in a huge bunch.

As for men’s attire, gray suits are a must. Pinstripes would be even better. Then, finish the look with a classic 1940’s Cadillac and man oh man….STUNNING.

* * *

PS…check out Heather Fowler’s (the incredible photographer that we love here on SMP) recent wedding that we are debuting on the Little Black Book Blog. It is all about vintage charm!

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Post tags: Grooms Fashion, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Ask Abby

DIY Project – Centerpieces

Abby Larson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:00:50 +0000

I am always a little shocked when I hear that brides are crafting their own flowers…centerpieces, bouquets, the works. It just seems like such an incredible task to undertake and yet the impact on your budget is pretty undeniable. But even more exciting to me, is when brides design a floral suite that is both beautiful and amazingly professional…just like this bride did for her recent wedding!

From the bride…

The flowers were my proudest achievement during the wedding. The flowers were the most important part of the wedding for me. I went to several florists but none of them could achieve my vision within my budget so I decided to make the arrangements myself. I was obviously uncertain about the whole idea but the minute I started putting the sample together, it came very natural. Two months prior to the wedding, I applied for an internship at a floral design studio in Santa Monica. I purchased the vases online, the flowers were all purchased at the Los Angeles flowermart for wholesale prices ( the owner of the studio purchased them for me with her resale license). I saved thousands of dollars doing the work myself, I loved the experience so much that I decided to pursue a career in floral designs.

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Post tags: DIY Instructions, floral designs, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Contests, DIY Projects, Wedding Resources

Parisian Floral Trends, III

Abby Larson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:19:00 +0000

I wanted to share a little bit more eye candy and thoughts from the oh-so-talented Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs. Her works is utterly fabulous and I am so so so thrilled that Laura stopped by today. After her first Paris report, I thought it couldn’t get any better…I was completely wrong!

The French approach blends the inherent beauty of flowers, gathered simply from the garden, with the personal vision and passion of the floral artist. It is this rapport between nature and artist that gives the French bouquet, whether rendered in the haute couture or garden style, a distinctive personality, flair, and emotional impact. This season, be sure to look for inspiration from the garden and Farmers’ Markets, in historical styles, and from fashion, to create your own masterpieces in the French style.

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Post tags: Interieurs et Fleurs, Paris, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces

Parisian Wedding Bouquets

Abby Larson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:14:49 +0000

Okay, here are some ideas that Laura took from her recent trip to Paris on wedding bouquets. Brace yourself, people…these bouquets are kind of amazing.

Fleur couture. In addition to deriving inspiration from history and nature, French florists are influenced by haute couture fashion, which creates incredible excitement and innovation in their designs. In my strolls through the Parisian fashion district, I noted how the new trends – structured, architectural shapes, strong, primary colors, exquisite hand-detailing (ruffles, layers, pleats), etc. will provide rich inspiration for nouvelle bouquets this season. To create the fleur couture style, use fashion-forward colors in chic monochromatic combinations, incorporate layers of textures (including a variety of natural materials), and add special flourishes and finishing touches (plaid ribbons, tweed wraps, jewel accents) fresh from the fashion runways.

More to come!

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Post tags: Bouquets, Interieurs et Fleurs, Paris, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Bouquets

Parisian Floral Trends, II

Abby Larson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:30:15 +0000

We are chatting with Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs about her most recent trip to Paris…she’s sharing the latest trends in Parisian Floral Designs. Let’s face it, this really is like a wedding blogger’s dream come true.

Marie Antoinette luxe. As enduring style icon and the archetype of luxe, Marie Antoinette reigns as the ultimate taste-maker, and her legacy continues to influence contemporary trends in French fashion, décor, and floral design. At the Grand Palais, Marie Antoinette’s objets de luxe were celebrated in a special exhibit that generated rave reviews and renewed interest in her vision. To achieve the look of romantic decadence and sumptuous opulence in your party décor this season, incorporate signature design elements such as boules de plume (feather balls), romantic flowers (Yves Piaget garden roses), and layers of posh fabrics (tulle, silk, taffeta). Use rich color schemes (French blue and silver, Versailles pink and gold, royal purple and peridot green) to create a sense of unabashed, over-the-top, classic French style.

Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing these incredible ideas…I am kind of in love with the overflowing, completely romantic style of these arrangements. But, I have to say, this next one is actually one of my favorite (along with the very first one that I posted earlier) as purple is just one of those colors that I am nuts about this season. Plus, it’s kind of Martha Stewart meets Abby Larson…Tailored and elegant, with a bit of flair.

Stay tuned to find out what Laura’s doing with bouquets!!

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Post tags: Interieurs et Fleurs, Paris, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Parisian Floral Trends

Abby Larson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:00:09 +0000

Our resident Parisian floral expert, Laura Dowling, has been at it again. Some of you might remember her incredible feature that we posted a while back on Style Me Pretty (you can see the full posts here and here) that I am literally still getting emails about. Needless to say, I am so excited that Laura is back to share her adventures in Parisian Floral Designs from her latest trip to Paris!

From Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs…

Bonjour! I am happy to be back at Style Me Pretty, and am excited to tell you about the latest Parisian trends. This summer, I travelled to Paris for special classes in French floral design, with an eye towards gathering new ideas for the fall season. Several top designers at L’Ecole des Fleurs and the studio of Pascal Mutel shared their latest tips and techniques for creating cutting-edge floral decor, fresh color palettes, and chic nouvelle designs. The results were magnifique! We made lush, garden-style bouquets with tumbling vines and branches, adorable country-style bouquets that incorporated fruits and vegetables from the French markets, and haute couture arrangements that were based on colors and trends from the Parisian fashion runways. Here are all the details, including new ways for you to use romantic French flower trends in your own wedding and event décor now and in the upcoming seasons…

Bouquet végetal. Fruits and vegetables, always a key ingredient in the French bouquet, are especially au courant this season. At Catherine Muller’s design studio, we added a sprig of plaintain bananas, a single courgette (zucchini), and a ripe plum to a romantic bouquet of blue and purple hydrangea and pink garden roses. Other ideas include surrounding a vase of elegant white lilies with fresh green beans and using large orange carrots to form the base of a striking bouquet of fuchsia phaleonopsis and pink mokara orchids. Fruits and vegetables add color and substance to floral arrangements, making the “bouquet végetal” not only trés jolie, but cost-effective, too!

So much more to come!

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Post tags: event floral design, Interieurs et Fleurs, Laura Dowling, Paris, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Abby Loves…Waterlily Pond

Abby Larson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:21:28 +0000

Waterlily Pond is one of those rare florists that approaches design with a truly architectural style. What I really love about Natasha’s work is that she seems to put the same TLC into a boutonniere that she puts into a centerpiece, so that the entire look just makes sense. If you haven’t checked out her website lately, it’s a must see…especially her featured wedding section! Oh, and definitely re-visit this incredible real wedding that Natasha did a while back!

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Post tags: Waterlily Pond, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Featured