Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog

Waldenwoods Wedding from The Gown Shop + a girl in love photography

Mallory — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:15:23 +0000

I’m about to let you in on a little secret. For years and years before I even met my husband, I wanted to get married at Waldenwoods. With it’s big private lake, old panelled ballroom, and amazing grounds, it was the perfect place to get married – and SO beautiful. But even I could not have imagined how gorgeous it could look with the right wedding. This wedding. The gorgeous green apple palette. The beautiful bride in her Modern Trousseau gown from The Gown Shop. The fabulous lighting, brilliantly captured by a girl in love photography. It’s beyond perfect. I needed more, and I’m sure you do too, so we loaded up a gallery filled to bursting with amazing images!

Kris and I love to spend time outside and on the lake in the summer. We were looking for a venue between Detroit and Chicago that would allow us to have an outdoor ceremony, but other than that our search was wide open. At the last minute we decided to check out Waldenwoods, which happens to be within a few miles of our home. It fit the bill perfectly with its private lake, trees, beautiful landscaping, and wood paneled historic reception hall. We booked it immediately!

With our September third wedding date we wanted to keep the fresh green colors of summer in our pallete but also decided to incorporate a popular Michigan fall element, apples. Holly of Sweet Pea Floral Design did an amazing job using ivory garden roses and green flowers in the arrangements, also adding willow branches and green apples. After countless hours on Etsy and Style Me Pretty I decided on just a few DIY projects to personalize our day like the place cards, table names, programs and directional signs. I also customized our ceremony by pulling together pieces from friend’s weddings that I admired, and added an apple tree planting ceremony. But, overall with the unique details of the venue, we kept the theme very simple and natural.

The day of our wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. Although the forecast was threatening storms, the weather stayed sunny and hot for our ceremony by the lake. I had asked the bridesmaids to wear a green dress of their choice, and that morning was the first time we saw the colors come together. They coordinated beautifully! I felt like a supermodel in the custom Modern Trousseau gown that Stacy of The Gown Shop helped me pick out. It fit like a glove! Walking down the aisle towards Kris I felt so peaceful looking out over the water, sorrounded by our closest family and friends, about to marry my perfect match. Melissa of a girl in love photography truly captured that sentiment in her photos, and the joy and excitement we felt as we celebrated at our reception afterwards.

Photography: a girl in love photography / Flowers: Sweet Pea Floral Design / Ceremony Location: Waldenwoods / Reception Location: Waldenwoods / Stationery: Minted / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Dress: Modern Trousseau via The Gown Shop / Earrings: Haute Bride via The Gown Shop / Groom’s Tuxedo: DKNY / Wedding Cake: Zingerman’s Bakehouse / Favors: Spicer’s Orchards / Hair: Simplicity Salon / Makeup: Posh Salon

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Post tags: a girl in love photography, Apples, Color Palette Green, DKNY, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Haute Bride, Howell, J. Crew, Lake, Michigan, Minted, Modern Trouseau, Outdoor Ceremony, Posh Salon, Simplicity Salon, Spicer's Orchards, Sweet Pea Floral Design, The Gown Shop, Waldenwoods, Waterside, Waterside Weddings, Wedding Gowns, Zingerman's Bakehouse
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

Wedding Dresses by Rivini

Elaine — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:30:48 +0000

The search for your dress is definitely one of the most special and exciting parts of your wedding. We like to give you a chance to kick start the whole adventure right here on SMP. So our Fashion Look Book is totally dedicated to bringing the window shopping directly to you and getting inspired by gorgeous silk, beautiful beading, and lots of lovely lace from one of our all time favorite dress designers, Rivini. We’ve just added two of their collections to our Look Book and we can’t take our eyes off these stunning styles.

These amazing frocks are every bit as elegant as they are fashion forward… totally luxurious and utterly chic. Welcome to swoon central ladies. There are plenty of dream dresses to go around. So scoot on over to the Fashion Look Book to see even more exquisite Rivini’s gowns.

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Post tags: Rivini, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

Wedding Dresses by Monique Lhuiller

Abby Larson — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:30:01 +0000

The inspiration behind SMP’s Fashion Week definitely came from the RIDICULOUSLY gorgeous photographs that our very own fashion photographer Matthew Grazier snapped. He is a genius behind the lens for sure, but I’ll be the first to admit that he had some pretty awesome subjects to work with. And what better way to introduce you to this week’s gorgeousness than with the queen of all things wedding chic. Monique Lhuillier. A designer that I have obsessed over forever and whose gowns have literally brought me to tears. Click here to see all of the gowns.

Monique Spring 2011 collection was inspired by “A Field of Dreams.” Think nature…twigs, butterflies, rosettes, feathers. Anything dreamy and ethereal. With silhouttes that ranged from perfect sheaths to stunning ballgowns, the entire collection was Monique perfection. We have the full line right here and information on each gown should be up on their site soon.

Another gorgeous fashion inspired wedding coming up next! Oh and a HUGE thank you to Matthew and Enna Grazier for the images!

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Post tags: Monique Lhuillier, Spring 2011, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

Wedding Dresses by Modern Trousseau

Abby Larson — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:14:22 +0000

It’s Bridal Fashion week in New York and we are SO on it. One of our favorite photographers, Matthew Grazier, is snapping pictures as we speak and we’ll have the full recap for you later in the week. BUT, to get the excitement a-brewin’ we thought we’d share the latest (as in just released yesterday) collection by Modern Trousseau. A design house that we are completely, madly and totally obsessed with. Here are my favs…

I mean, are you dying over those first two dresses? SWOON CENTRAL. The black velvet ribbon, the gorgeous silhouette, the purely blissful fabric on the first gown. Then there’s the second. The rouging, the asymmetrical approach, the total unabashed romance in the cut. Whew. Enough to make a girl go a little nutty. Here are some of the other gorgeous gowns from Modern Trousseau’s latest collection…

A huge congratulations to all of the designers that are debuting their latest collections this week! We can’t wait to see the wedding gorgeousness that is coming out of your studios! And to our readers, stay tuned throughout the week for all of the lovely new gowns. If you’re currently dying to do a little window shopping, make sure to check out our Look Book, filled with SMP’s favorite designers.

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Post tags: Fashion Week, Modern Trousseau, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

SMP Loves…Monique Lhuillier

Abby Larson — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:14:26 +0000

Loving the ready to wear collection that Monique Lhuillier debuted with her Spring 2009 collection. I am an obvious admirer of all things Monique, but this season in particular just makes me happy. From the flirty yellow cocktail dresses to the stunning evening gowns, every piece is absolutely beautiful. My favorite just might be this particular dress that would make a gorgeous wedding gown!

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Post tags: Monique Lhuillier, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Featured

A Look Back At Wedding Dresses From 2008 To Fuel The Fire!

Eddye — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:20:28 +0000

Well ~~~ how many of you just got engaged? And who’s scouring the web and wedding magazines for your perfect wedding dress?

Seems like today might be a good day for us to post some lovely real brides and their lovely real wedding gowns!

To fuel the fire within … from Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book members’ features (past, present and future) ~

photography by meghan sepe (row one) and allyson magda (row two)

photography by james christianson (row one), holland photo arts (row two/left and row three), sedona bride (row two/right)

Many of you soon-to-be-brides have an idea of what you don’t want, but honestly, until you get out there and start trying on a variety of styles, don’t etch it in stone. Try one or two gowns that you think you won’t like … just because … who know, you might be pleasantly surprised.

More photos from our Little Black Book photographers from this past year …

from christopher record photography ~

from kate triano photography ~

from kate benson photography ~

So that was the good news. Here’s the bad news …

We’re not quite sure of the designers on all of the gowns … if you’d like more info, let us know and we’ll try to find out for you!

We’d also love to know … did you get engaged over the holidays? When ( and where?) is your wedding going to be???

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Christopher Record, Kate Benson, Kate Triano, Sedona Bride, Studio Foto, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Style

Wedding Dresses by Lara Helene

Abby Larson — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:00:22 +0000

Lara Helene is another one of my new favorites in wedding dress design. Just look at these beautiful gowns that are a part of her recent collection…

Okay, the dress in the top right corner with the huge bow…umm, it’s pretty fabulous. I am also in love with the delicate black ribbon on the dress in the top left corner. So simple and yet so over-the-top chic. Lara Helene’s couture studio is located in New York so if you are lucky enough to live in the area, definitely stop in and see their gorgeous work.

If not, they have a great online gallery!

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Post tags: Lara Helene, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

2007 Gown Round-Up

Abby Larson — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:00:00 +0000

Thank you all so much for your great feedback with the site design! It looks like design A is the clear winner so far! Next week, I am going to put A against a new design to see what you guys think. This round however, will end on Sunday, so don’t be shy about commenting.

One of my readers asked if I would do a little round-up of some of my favorite gowns for 2007….Um, of course!!! I still honestly believe that my wedding gown is the most beautiful gown ever in the history of wedding gowns, but I suppose there are some pretty ones out there this season. Just teasing. To me, a wedding gown is a lot like a child. Yours is always better.

Here are some of my favorites for 2007…

Okay, let’s discuss. The top row are gowns that are a little more traditional. With that said, each one is completely infused with a contemporary style that I love. From the left, the designers are Melissa Sweet, Jim Hjelm and Amsale. I loooove the Amsale dress. It reminds me of something that Chloe from Project Runway would do.

The second row gowns are all a bit more flowy…almost grecian. This style, for now, is more of what I gravitate towards. It just feels whispy and romantic. I envision a low, very loose bun and antique gold earings to complete the look. I am still kind of obsessed with lace and I love that these designers brought in a very sexy appeal to such a traditional fabric. Designer on the left is Oscar de la Renta and the center/right are Badgley Mischka.

The gowns on the third row are sweet, almost innocent. And yet, they seem so timeless and elegant to me. I absolutely love the detailing on each of these gowns…the first has such a pretty silhouette, the second has gorgeous lace detailing without seeming over the top and the third has such beautiful layering. You don’t see gowns like this often. From the left, the designers are Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera and Angel Sanchez again.

If you know about my love affair with all things Vera, you are probably wondering why I don’t have any of her designs up here. To be honest, it’s a totally different beast. Tomorrow, I am going to have my new favorite Vera dresses…I thought they deserved a post all on their own.

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Post tags: Amsale, Angel Sanchez, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrara, Chloe, Jim Hjelm, Melissa Sweet, Oscar De La Renta, Vera Wang, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion