Europe Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Blending Rustic and Modernity at Château de Varennes in Burgundy

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Antic pink, corals, orange, white[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The bride really wanted a bright colored design mixing rustic and modernity with wooden table and peps florals with a touch of gold.

The color palette was in the tones of pinks, corals and orange.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]In late 2019, the two started planning a trip to Brussels, Paris, and Prague for the following February. Victoria offered to organize Airbnbs and flights, ensuring that they would be in Paris for a particularly romantic holiday. Little did she know that Ryan was simultaneously doing his own planning to ensure everything was perfect for that day. Upon arrival in Paris early in the morning on February 13, they went straight to Disneyland for a magical day. The next morning, Valentine’s Day, they visited a café in the 16th Arrondissement for a coffee and a pastry (Ryan’s breakfast of choice) before walking around the city. It wasn’t until they reached the banks of the Seine River, with the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower in the background, that Ryan got on one knee and proposed. It was an even more magical day filled with happy tears, croissants, incredible food, and still-vivid memories. They made the most of their time in all three cities, not realizing that their world would turn upside down less than a month later due to the Covid Pandemic.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Victoria wore a beautiful gown designed and created by Moonlight Bridal.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Ryan wore an elegant tuxedo created by SUit Supply where he worked several years ago.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]”The drinks are on us, the hangover is on you” sign says everything, cocktails were colorful. Spritz is definitely the best !

For this very special celebration, private chef George Winterford created a timeless menu.

It all started with a crispy soft egg with salad lyonnaise & truffled Vinaigrette.

Guests had three options concerning the main course :
° Filet Mignon with red wine sauce, truffled pomme purée & pearl onions
° Filet of organic salmon, citrus leeks, rattle potatoes & shellfish bisque
° Summer squash tandoori with turmeric onion beignets & pilau rice[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Lilas Wood used a lot of different flowers in terms or variety and colors giving this gorgeous result.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Victoria & Ryan chose the typical French Dessert, a Croquembouche Tower, to celebrate their love ![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Victoria grew up in Montréal, Québec, Canada and moved to Southern California at the age of 15. Ryan was born in San Diego, California and lived in both Northern and Southern California, Seattle, and Washington, DC (where his parents have lived since) before moving back to Southern California for college.

Victoria and Ryan met in the undergraduate dining hall, and he was interested in interviewing her for a linguistics class project. The two quickly became inseparable, and a few months later, they spent Memorial Day weekend in 2011 together at Disneyland. They finally became official boyfriend and girlfriend on the Little Mermaid Ride, after it unexpectedly broke down at the perfect moment.

In 2012, only a few short months into their relationship, they flew out to the east coast to enjoy each other’s company during winter break. They started in Washington, DC, where they played tourist, met Ryan’s family, and explored the vibrant capital area. A few days into the trip, however, and almost on impulse, they booked the least expensive route north to Montréal to visit Victoria’s extended family. Ryan, a much more naïve traveler at the time, thought the climates would be similar and packed few layers prior to their departure from Union Station. Sixteen hours later, they disembarked Amtrak’s Adirondack service in Montréal’s Gare Centrale to windchills of -15F and howling winds. While it was the first of many culture shocks, Ryan quickly grew fond of the area and, with only a few words of French in his vocabulary, loved his visit to the city.

From fraternity formals to weekend trips in Las Vegas, Victoria and Ryan became college sweethearts. However, they didn’t pick up the “travel bug” until after they graduated. Their first big trip together was a month-long backpacking trip in 2015 across (where else?) the many regions of France. While most others their age opted for trips across Europe without staying in a city, or even a country, for more than a few days, they sought to dive deep and learn as much as they could. And they did – they visited dozens of cities, prioritizing UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-famous wine regions, places significant to Victoria’s family history, and anywhere with good food. The trip also inspired Ryan to start formally learning French, kicking off years of formal classes and informal practice.

In the years to come, Ryan and Victoria would continue to travel in the same spirit, often sticking to one country, making impromptu plans, and letting their interest in trying new foods (e.g., India) guide the way. However, after a few years, Victoria made sure to schedule hair and nail appointments before any big trip – after all, proposals can happen anywhere! Future trips took them through the rolling hills of Tuscany, atop stunning observation decks in Taipei and Tokyo, and along the postcard beaches of Costa Rica and Vietnam. Each was more memorable than the last, but one detail remained missing.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Why France?
Of all the places we’ve been, it’s our favorite place to return to! In 2015, we spent our first trip together backpacking France for a month, visiting over 35 cities. Returning every few years for visits, Ryan became mostly fluent in French, while Victoria speaks French (due to her upbringing in Montréal). On Valentines Day in 2020, Ryan proposed in front of the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately due to covid, our engagement would end up being prolonged. We knew we wanted to celebrate our wedding in France from early on since it’s where we explored together for the first time, fell in love, shared the language and the place where we were eventually engaged. Even though the travel borders were still closed, we booked our venue and began to plan from abroad. We knew we wanted our celebration to be more than a 6 hour wedding like in the US. We had envisioned a multi day event where we could share the experience of the beauty, culture, and food that France has to offer, that we fell in love with. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Why Chateau de Varennes?
Though we had previously visited multiple potential venues in France, none fit all of our needs. During the pandemic, we booked a FaceTime visit with Château de Varennes and fell in love. It was the perfect mix of classic and modern. It had a wide array of amenities that we were eager to share with our guests, who would be spending a few days with us on-site. It hosted the perfect backdrop for our ceremony, with dreamy additions like nearby horses and a beautiful lavender field. We loved that the Château was not only able to accommodate most of our guests, but was also a truly historic property with over 400 years of lineage.[/field]
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Thomas Audiffren

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An Intimate Wedding in Italy with Whimsical Touches

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Blue and white is a color scheme we both love and have throughout our home together. I (Danielle) am particularly obsessed with it from loving French pottery with delicate blue and white floral details, so I knew we had to go in that direction. Ryan loves color, so we didn’t want it to be only blue and white, so we brought in pops of other colors throughout the details (the plates, florals etc). My mom (who passed years ago) also wore a blue dress to marry my dad back in the day, so I wanted to include that as a way to honor her memory. My engagement ring is also blue and white sapphires with little pearls.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

We knew for a long time that we wanted a small wedding- neither of us love being the center of attention, and after photographing so many large weddings, I knew I didn’t want to have to deal with that stress. This lead us to start looking into destinations outside of the US for our wedding, since we also love to travel together it made sense to leave the country, and was a way to keep things on the smaller side. We looked at places in Italy and France, and decided on Italy! Ryan is a great cook and food lover, so we knew Italy would be a fun place for us to explore together and to bring our family & friends to experience this with us. Once we hired our wedding planner Natalia, she helped us pick out the perfect venue (I was mainly looking for a place with olive groves for the ceremony and a courtyard with greenery for the reception, so Borgo Bastia Creti was simply perfect!) and then we went from there with the decor. We kind of landed on a European, romantic spring vibe for the overall colors and design. We wanted the vibe to be fun, chic and romantic, and I think we got it.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]In 2019 we spent a few months living in New York for Ryan’s old job, and I fell in love with the city. So, once covid was a bit better/we were vaccinated, we planned our first trip since early 2020 for New York in November 2021 as kind of an early birthday present for me. I kind of thought Ryan would maybe propose in NY, but I knew we didn’t have the ring yet so I didn’t expect anything. We spent our first day going to an antique market near central park, and then went on a long walk around the whole park. It was a beautiful fall day, so we took a rest on some large rocks in the park near the water. When we got to get up to leave, Ryan went down on one knee and pulled out a ring pop and popped the question! We had decided to design my ring together since I wanted something pretty specific, so this was the perfect surprise. We then celebrated at our favorite restaurant in Brooklyn (Kings County Imperial) and at other favorite bars nearby. It was perfect.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]I love fashion, so I knew this would be a hard choice! But as we narrowed down the overall look/vibe for the day itself, I knew I wanted something romantic with sleeves. I was originally going to look for a blue dress, but I ended up falling in love with this dress when I was casually trying things on around Chicago to get an idea of what I liked, so I went for it! The neckline was originally high which I loved, but in the end it wasn’t as flattering as I wanted it to be, so we made it lower and I think that was the right call. I love the lace floral detailing and sleeves so much, plus it had pockets! It was definitely a lot of dress to travel with, but it was worth it. For my party look I wanted something fun, so I ended up finding a white sparkly mini dress (that also had sleeves because I love a sleeved dress!) and it was perfect for the direct flash photos I wanted with the champagne tower, and more comfortable for the end of the night hang out.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Since we only had 24 guests, who were immediate family only and then our friends who would have been in the party anyway, we decided against a formal wedding party. But our dress code was “festive semi formal” for all our guests and some people had a fun time with it![/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Ryan wanted something on the lighter side (color and material wise) so he wouldn’t get too hot. When I decided to go with a white dress, we thought a light blue suit would be perfect for him! We went to Suit Supply and they helped us create his custom linen blended look, and gave us the knit tie option that we would never have thought about but ended up loving. He also lost his mom a few years back, so his sister gifted him some fabric from his mom’s clothing for him to carry during the day to have her with us as well.

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]This was an important part for both of us, as we wanted everyone to enjoy a taste of Italy! Our wedding planner connected us with the most amazing local chef and winery, who provided all our food, wine and a spritz bar, plus our delicious cake. They outdid themselves and everyone still talks about how good the food was. My favorite dish we had was a truffle gnocchi, and of course, all the amazing wine and prosecco![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Besides photography, florals were the most important thing to me! I am a huge plant/flower/nature lover, so I knew I wanted to have minimal but stunning floral decor to compliment the venue space. I love an organic shaped bouquet and arrangements, so I told our incredible florist Rebecca that, plus our colors, and let her do her thing! We combined the florals with a handmade blue linen our wedding planner sourced for us for the main reception table, and had plenty of candles and string lights to create the overall romantic and cozy vibe.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our cake was a traditional Italian millefoglie cake and it was delicious! It was filled with fresh cream and berries and had a beautiful minimal floral design.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]We didn’t do any readings during the ceremony, but we did have our good friend, who has known us both before we even started dating, officiate for us. She created a beautiful and simple ceremony that I told her to make under 5 minutes, and she did it! We were legally married in Chicago in our favorite park in 2022, so we didn’t need anything crazy, and knew we’d all want to get to the party part of the day quickly. We did private vows to each other after we did our first look earlier in the afternoon, which I can’t recommend enough! It was great to be able to say what we both really wanted to say without worrying about what anyone else thought.

I made playlists for each part of the day. There was the pre-ceremony music that was oldies love songs. Then I walked down the aisle to a string version of “Don’t Wanna Close My Eyes” by Aerosmith because Ryan and I have had a joke about that song for years. We walked up the aisle after the very short ceremony to the Golden Girls theme song because we both love that show so much. There was a dinner playlist that combined both of our music tastes, and a party playlist for the rest of the night. We had our first dance to “I’ve had the Time of my Life” from Dirty Dancing, which is another song that has been “our song” throughout our relationship. We love to joke around and be silly, so we wanted to include that part of our personalities in an otherwise very “classy” day. The best part about that song is how it has the short slow part and then the more fun part, so we did a little slow dancing and then when the beat picked up, we invited all our guests to dance with us for the rest of the song, and it was so much fun.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]I’m a wedding photographer, so I had a lot of little things/details I knew I/we wanted. I loooove shooting detail flatlays, so I made sure to include all of our curated details for Audra to play with, and she did an amazing job. My shoes were the ones I wore when Ryan and I had our legal ceremony here in Chicago on our 10 year dating anniversary the previous August. I brought the ring pop he proposed with, along with my moms wedding ring, and the ring I wore as a temporary ring while we were designing my actual engagement ring. It was a small pearl, so that’s why we also included pearls in my engagement ring. I embroidered Ryan’s pocket square with a phrase we use to talk about our two cats, Hugh & Barry, and made him custom cat socks with photos of the two cats we currently have, and our cat who passed away a few years ago. My something borrowed was a ceramic floral headpiece from my friend Kpoene’s dress shop who I love to work with, Mignonette Bridal, and my earrings were new from Etsy. My veil was gifted to me from Cindy who works at Mignonette but also owns the amazing Blush & Cinders veil shop. I also brought the vintage blue beaded purse I bought at the antique market in NY the day we got engaged, along with some other details and ring boxes I bought on our frist trip to Italy together in 2022. For our PJ photos, I got my dream set from Bon Vivian, and Ryan wore his favorite t-shirt that one of our cats’ Hugh has made holes in from when Ryan holds him, which is very cute.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Photography

Audra Wrisley Photography

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April Showers and Spring Romance in Tuscany at Castello Di Petrata

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]White, blush, baby blue and green[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Garden looking, romantic, fun[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]I had grown quite close to one of Randy’s cousins, Westie, and her 13th Birthday was approaching. We had made plans to drive down to the Panhandle of Florida (where we now live!) to celebrate Westie’s birthday with family. Thankfully, I had gotten a manicure that day! We all gathered on the beach for a bonfire with Randy’s cousins, parents, grandparents, etc. There had been a running joke in the family for years that Randy was the last one (he has 3 brothers) to get married. The younger cousins had been asking “when are you going to engage Ariel?” for years at this point. Well, just as we got settled at the bonfire, the cousins chimed in: “When are you going to propose?! When are you going to propose?!” To which I replied “I did not put them up to this!” Randy, then, turned to the cousins and asked “Well, do you think right now would be a good time?” As soon as I heard the words leave his mouth, I turned to find him on one knee with the most stunning ring staring at me. I was in complete shock! So much so, that I forgot to say yes! After saying yes and crying hysterically, I turned to find my parents leaping toward me – Randy had flown them in to surprise me! We all spent the rest of the night celebrating together and beginning to plan our dream Italian Wedding. It was the best day ever![/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Custom design by Sherri Hill. I met with Sherri several years ago when I was preparing for the Miss South Carolina America pageant, and I knew I wanted something spectacular for the stage, but also recognized it as an opportunity to have a custom gown that I could someday wear at my wedding. I hadn’t even met Randy at the time, and wasn’t dating anyone – but I had dreamt of my Italian wedding since I was 5 years old… And what better to wear for my dream wedding than a custom long-sleeved gown covered in Swarovski crystals?
After becoming engaged 5 years later, I worked with Britt Wood of Atlanta (@jhbrittwood on instagram) to create an Oscar De La Renta Overskirt to add a more Bridal flare to the already-breathtaking gown. Britt also had the idea to add some vintage-inspired buttons to the sleeves and back of the dress to tie the Old-Hollywood inspired gown together with the timeless, luxe overskirt. [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The Bridesmaids wore Amsale Sonia Dresses in the color ‘ice’. My bridesmaids live all over the US, so working with Bella Bridesmaids was extremely convenient for fittings and orders. I chose the Amsale Sonia dress because I wanted something classic and timeless that would flatter all different shapes & sizes. The Bridesmaids ranged from 5 foot 2 inches to 6 feet tall! Yet, I didn’t want different styles to distract from the detail of my gown. The Amsale Sonia dress was PERFECT! It photographed beautifully, was comfortable, and looked stunning on all 7 of my bridesmaids ranging in shape, size, and height![/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The Groom wore a custom-fitted Bonobos Tuxedo with mini-polka-dotted suspenders and vintage velvet loafers. As a former Collegiate American football player, finding clothes to fit his Athletic build can be difficult. We have found that Bonobos Athletic-Fit line provides enough stretch to fit over his muscular quads while still fitting his waist without appearing too tight or fitting uncomfortably. [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The Food & Drinks at Castello di Petrata were truly unbelievable. Another reason we fell in love with this venue was the true farm-to-table experience. We could look out and see the vines from which the wine was made, the fields from which the vegetables grew, and the freshness was evident in every bite. On the night of the Rehearsal Dinner, the servers brought out more Gnocchi for the guests to have seconds, and so many people requested seconds (and even thirds!) that the chef finally just brought out a large vat of Gnocchi for everyone to help themselves! The venue later told us that they were stunned by how much Gnocchi we ate. We are both proud and ashamed of how stereotypically American that is.

Petrata was also wonderful about organizing meals for dietary restrictions and allergies. We had several folks with dietary restrictions in attendance, and they all raved about the food, too! [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Spring flowers, garden vibe, elegant decor.
For the welcome dinner – wooden tables, blue color, lemons
For the wedding day – more elegant, shabby chic[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Traditional Italian millefoglie with berries[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Peter Decker, one of the designers of our rings and a close family friend, read a toast to us that he wrote entirely in Italian. No one in attendance spoke fluent Italian, and he gave a translation only to the Bride and Groom. It was an incredibly special moment for us that we will always remember. It felt like a sweet secret that only we knew. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We loved the ability for our guests to stay in the venue – we wanted it to feel like Adult Summer Camp and spend as much time as possible with our guests. Castello di Petrata provided just that! Another big factor was their ability to move the wedding inside without much notice and no extra cost – this was huge! And we are so thankful we chose Petrata, because 2 of our 3 nights ended up having to be moved inside due to weather! Their ability to make changes quickly & efficiently with the help of Happy Moments Collector was spectacular. Our “Plan B” was better than any Plan A we could’ve dreamt of![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]We enjoyed performing our dances during meal courses. That way, guests could enjoy their meals while watching our dances, and it didn’t take away time from the after party. Randy danced with his mother and step-mother, and also danced with my mother. This was extra special because we lost my brother, Alex, 15 years ago, and my mother never got the chance to dance with him at his wedding. Mother/Son dances have always been hard for her, and when Randy asked her to share a dance with him, she was beyond honored & excited. The Bride & Groom also danced to an unusual first-dance song: “Found You” by Kasbo. We took dance lessons to learn basic skills, but didn’t choreograph the dance, and it turned out perfectly! After that, the Mother of the Bride & the Bride performed a surprise choreographed dance to a compilation of fun & silly Country Songs that had been special to us throughout our lives. It was a blast! That was the perfect way to invite the rest of the guests onto the dance floor for the reception!
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Happy Moments Collector

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A Fairytale Green and White Wedding at Adare Manor in Ireland

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Green and white.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]”I don’t think we had a theme. It was important for it to be very white, green, and magical with candles everywhere.”[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Emily was in the Galapagos Islands with her mother and best friend looking for
tortoises because Emily has a giant land tortoise herself in Miami. After the Galapagos, Emily had a 12 hour layover in Quito, Ecuador so they decided to go to dinner before the flight. When Emily, her mom, and best friend got to the restaurant, they realized no one was in the restaurant. But, there were candles and flowers everywhere and Ryan was at the end of the room on one knee.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride wore a stunning ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder straps. “My dress was the first one I tried on from Zuhair Murad and then my after
party dress was Vera Wang,” says Emily. “I had such a nice experience with everything. I was much happier in my after party dress because it was so light and I was able to dance.”[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The couple hosted a seated reception dinner with multiple courses. The meal began with a fresh fig salad and finished with a selection of desserts.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The wedding day was absolutely filled with stunning green and white florals. At the ceremony, organic arrangements of greenery, white roses, and small white blooms lined the aisle on the way to a gorgeous chuppah. Trailing blooms, beautiful hydrangea, and plenty of greenery held together the elegant construction.

The florals made their way indoors as well. The castle’s grand staircase was bursting with similar arrangements of greenery and white florals. A gilded mirror seating chart at the entrance of the reception space also had organic blooms at its base.

The reception ballroom was transformed into a floral wonderland thanks to an incredible overhead installation of greenery and white florals over the dance floor. The tables were elegantly set with black linens, tall taper candles, and dramatic white floral arrangements with garlands that led to the floor. Tall trees on round tables also made quite the statement.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake was a seven-tier confection adorned with white blooms. The design by MM Cookies was placed on a table filled with white florals. The couple used a sword to cut into the towering cake.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]”I started to cry when I got in the horse and carriage and the horse started to
walk. It was like a true fairytale.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]”Adare Manor was a dream. There is no place that compares. It was the first Google search we found after looking up ‘best buy outs for weddings.’ The first said castle in Ireland and we looked at each other and said DONE. It took a total of one minute. We paid for it without seeing it. We knew it was going to be perfect just off the pictures.”

“But really one of the best parts of our wedding was our wedding planner. Having someone take control and make a lot of decisions for you makes the world a difference. Listen to what an expert has to say because they know what is best. My wedding was perfect but only because of my wedding planner.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]”The invitations said black tie or kilt. When I started seeing all of my best guy friends
in skirts and high socks, I think that was the hardest I have ever laughed.”[/field]
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Opulence and Romance at Paris’s Plaza Athénée

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[field title=”The Inspiration”]In the heart of Paris, the iconic Plaza Athénée sets the stage for an exquisite wedding celebration bathed in opulence and sophistication. This chic affair seamlessly combines the allure of haute couture with the romance of Parisian glamour.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]A palette of David Austin garden roses, in shades of delicate blush and creamy white, envelopes the venue.[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]

As the evening unfolds, a symphony of clinking glasses and the aroma of endless champagne fills the air at Plaza Athénée, creating an intoxicating ambiance that only Paris can provide. From an exclusive suite, with an alluring view of the Eiffel Tower, the newlyweds bask in the romantic panorama, their hearts dancing to the rhythm of the city of love.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride, adorned in a breathtaking Leah Da Gloria gown, glides through the grandeur of the hotel’s halls, accentuated by the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. Our groom donned a custom tuxedo complete with antique cufflinks and a silk bowtie.[/field]
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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Hundreds of David Austin Roses filled the oversized floral centerpieces for an intimate dinner in Plaza Athénée’s Organza Salon. Our design boasted a garden-inspired floral aesthetic to pair with the gilded, glamorous setting. The candles slowly burned down as the china clinked and champagne flowed well into the unforgettable evening.[/field]
[field title=”Favorite Design Element”][/field]
[field title=”Tips To Pull Off The Look”][/field]
[field title=”DIY Moments”][/field]
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Embracing Pastels and Italian Summer at Villa Renaissance

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”] Our wedding colors embraced a pastel palette, mirroring the warmth of summertime love. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The vision was intimacy – a testament to the love shared within our family. The atmosphere bloomed with flowers and the melodies of our favorite songs, a nostalgic blend of old school hits and modern tunes, dancing us from the aisle to For your Love by Stevie Wonder to the dance floor to Tacones Rojos by Sebastian Yatra.
[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Our love story took off like a whirlwind, with marriage vows whispered under the white royal palace in Oslo, just weeks after acknowledging our love for each other. Though it was just the two of us then, we’re thrilled to have been able renew our vows with loved ones now.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”] Fate led me to my gown. When my original dress fell through, a last-minute trip to a Newport Beach boutique, Casablanca Bridal unveiled a gem that brought me to tears. In it, I felt like a princess ready to relive her love story. [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Our bridesmaids shone in dresses of their choosing, provided they stayed within our pastel color palette. Their choices, a vibrant yellow from Banana Republic and a lovely pink, that was already in her closet, added to the bright and airy feeling of the celebration.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Dinner was a beautiful three-course meal served in an intimate setting.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Florals were the main detail and focus. The colors symbolized love’s tranquility, casting an airy and radiant ambiance over the entire celebration. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The bride chose carrot and almond cake as her wedding cake, her favorite![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Koman Photography

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This Beautiful Blush And White Wedding On Lake Como Is Not To Be Missed

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The colors for the wedding were white and blush pinks.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

As the owner of Velvet Victoria Home a homeware brand I have a very Meditterraian ascetic. This was always going to come through in the vision for the wedding and one of the reasons why we fell in love with Italy in the first place. I love bespoke and attention to detail items/moments. I wanted to create a romantic traditional Italian wedding full of little surprises for the guests. I wanted there to be bespoke details wherever you looked so that the guests felt like they were experiencing something completely unique and special. I wanted it to feel authenticity Italian and also luxurious. Every detail was to be thought out and considered. From the moment you arrived you would be drinking and eating the best. Every glass of champagne was considered and every canape tested. The best that Italy had to offer to experience in the middle of Lake Como with family and friends. The experience was to be like a movie, seamlessly moving from scene to scene and each different from the last. The venue was perfect because it was not shared and was completely exclusive. It was also a beautiful blank canvas that you can make your own. We knew the first time we visited Villa Del Balbianello that this is where we would get married. The view, the height, the gardens and the size are all perfect for our vision.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

My husband Jack who I met when i was 18 at University proposed to me in Paris on my birthday the 4th October in 2017. We stayed in the Ritz which had just re-opened after years of renovations so there was a fabulous buzz around the hotel and flurry of famous faces dotting about. On the evening of the proposal a car was waiting outside of the hotel ready to take us to dinner. On our way out Lionel Richie was standing outside the hotel and Jack looked at him and said good evening Lionel and Lionel looked at us both and said have a lovely evening kids. It was a moment which I wouldn’t forget because of how the evening unfolded. Jack had booked Cafe Marly for dinner which is a small candle lit restaurant which sits in the arcades in the Louvre and looks directly over it. We sipped champagne and spoke about the old master pieces sitting only a few feet away and how art is everlasting. After dinner the blacked out mercedes pulled up along side the restaurant and Jack said hop in. Inside waiting for us were macarons from my favorite shop in Paris and a bottle of my favorite champagne. Jack looked at me giving nothing away and said i am taking you to see the Eiffel tower lights as we have never done it before and i know you will love it. We arrived at the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge, a local gem, no tourists at all which is so rare for Paris in the evening and the Eiffel tower felt so close that we could touch it. The car mounted the pavement and we hopped out. We stood at the edge of the bridge and awaited the lights. It was magical, we counted down and the Eiffel tower lit up like a huge twinkly Christmas tree, it showered us in light and we had a little dance on the bridge with jack whispering our favorite song in my ear. He said let me grab some champagne from the car “you keep looking at the lights.” Then i heard him say my name and i turned around and he was down on one knee. Everything after this was a complete blur, i was so happy and of course the answer was yes. Like out of a movie he picked me up and spun me around, at this moment i realized that someone was taking photos. Jack had arranged a french photographer to take discrete photos of the whole evening so we can remember it forever. Later after driving round Paris taking in the moonlight, drinking champagne and listening to french music he told me how relieved he was as he had been hiding my ring in his sock on the plane and in the hotel this whole time.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

The gown was completely custom-made for me by a private Scottish dressmaker using Italian lace. I fell in love with the Vera Wang dress in the movie Bride Wars when i was a teenager and always knew that I wanted that style of dress. I did go to Vera Wang in London and I tried on that exact dress along with others and although it was a close call ultimately i didnt feel that it was right for the Italian setting of the wedding so i set out to create my Italian vision of the dress that I adored so much as a child. We kept the same style but made the whole dress from Italian lace. We also made the belt out of silk and created a larger central bow. The veil was a custom two tiered Royal length masterpiece. It was trimmed with the same lace as the dress and created the Italian feeling i was looking for. My headpiece was by Maria Elena. My shoes were Manolo Blahnik, hangisi white satin with light blue crystals. My husband has bought me a pair of Manolos every year on my birthday since we have been together so it was only fitting.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]These were custom-made blush silk dresses with white bows. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groomsmen all wore Thomas Pink tuxedos. Being the British gentleman that they are Thomas Pink was an easy choice of outfitter.

Marchesi a famous Italian patisserie institution in Milan designed and created our eight tier wedding cake. It was filled with vanilla spounge, fresh strawberries and Chantilly cream. Hand painted on the outside with our wedding crest and designed over six months with me. Marchesi also created our wedding favors for our guests in the form of traditional Italian wedding sweets presented in a little pink box.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Our wedding crest was created by Momental Designs in the USA and was used throughout the wedding. They painstakingly hand painted every stationary aspect of the wedding including invitations, service booklets, welcome sign, menus, drinks menus, name cards, dance floor, bar menu, table names, fans and the seating chart. Our napkins were hand embroidered in the UK, our dinner ribbons were hand embroidered with each of the guests initials in the UK, our candles were hand poured with our wedding rose scent in the UK by the same creators as Jo Malone. Our champagne was Rose Moet and Dom Perignon flown in from France and Macallan whisky from Scotland.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The Groom:

The grooms wedding tuxedo was Tom Ford. His wedding jacket is made from ivory silk with the silk trim running down his trousers. Mother-of-pearl buttons on his wedding shirt and a black bow tie. His shoes were black velvet Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes to match mine.

Wedding bands:

Grooms- Tiffany and Co platinum band.
Brides- Family heirloom pink sapphire and diamond 1920’s band.

Engagement Ring:

5ct cushion cut diamond, set in platinum with a diamond encrusted band. Designed by the groom and created by our family jeweler.

Bride wedding jewelry:

3ct Sapphire and diamond ring and matching sapphire and diamond earrings. These were given to the bride before the wedding by the groom.
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Happy Moments Collector

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Old Hollywood Glamor Meets Modern Romance At This Athens Wedding

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]We embraced a color palette that would bring out the venue’s warm colors: white, ivory and green. An added pop of yellow captured a more modern look, with gold accents underlying the royal elements of the location. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Georgia and Alex decided to get married at Queen’s Tower Estate, the royal estate where Queen Amalia and King Otto used to live. “We were looking for something unique, something that could be the perfect scenery for our fairytale wedding,” they reveal. “And, what is better than the gardens of a royal villa?” The neo-gothic architecture and manicured lawns supported their aesthetic and provided gorgeous photo ops. We wanted to create an event that would be characterized by old Hollywood glamour and romance with a modern touch. We designed a wedding day with an elegant aesthetic that felt like a natural extension of the surrounding landscape.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Georgia and Alex first met while taking an art class at the University of Florence in September 2017. “It was definitely love at first sight for both of us,” they admit. Two years later, the couple went on vacation to Corfu Island, Greece and there, at the Old Fortress of Corfu, while they were admiring the panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and the town of Corfu, Alex got down on one knee and proposed.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

For the ceremony and the main reception event, the bride opted for an elegant design with royal allure by Vassilis Zoulias. Georgia wore a strapless A-line gown with an oversized bow in the back, an aristocratic style that matched with her personality and the wedding concept.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Georgia’s bridesmaids wore two different outfits. During the pre-ceremony festivities, they wore yellow silk dresses with cowl necks and gold strappy heels. For the main event, the girls changed into blush gowns in various styles. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Alex chose a white double-breasted suit with black shoes and a black bow tie by Scala di Barelier.

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The couple served their guests a Mediterranean menu, based on authentic Greek cuisine. For the entrée, everyone selected either tenderloin in Champagne sauce or Milokopi fish filet coated in lemon sauce. French pastries from the dessert spread. Madeleines, macarons, religieuse (two choux buns filled with pastry cream and topped with chocolate ganache), and baba au rhum (rum cake soaked in syrup). Guests washed down the abundance of sweets with glasses of Champagne. Later in the night, the newlyweds offered “his” and “hers” cocktails: an orange mojito for the bride and an apple martini for the groom.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The couple opted for garden roses, orchids, peonies, delphiniums and seasonal flowers. To accent the bride’s silhouette, a bridal bouquet that revealed a mixture of femininity and opulence arrayed with an abundance of orchids and lush greenery was chosen. For the ceremony the couple standed in front of the Tower’s impressive arch. Because we didn’t want to spoil the historical view with any grand construction for the ceremony, we created a flower aisle in which the blooms appeared as if they were growing beside the rows of chairs. The impressive aisle led to the deck, which was surrounded by urns overflowing with sizable flower arrangements. Gold and white garden furniture softened the property’s dramatic scenery. We wanted to create an elegant fairytale atmosphere for the dinner reception. A flower aisle led the way to a romantic gazebo decorated with green garlands, a ceiling filled with fairy lights glittering among hanging flowers and an impressive chandelier descending from the center. The reception concluded in a spectacular setting in the center of the royal gardens, where the couple and their guests paraded down a path that led to two beautiful trees we had created for them as a symbol of their new life together. Behind the trees – which are a representative of love and prosperity- stood the magnificent tower which represents history and wisdom and in front of them stood a gorgeous fountain representing a sacred opening, a tunnel to eternity – their endless love. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Their wedding cake conveyed French flavors. Georgia and Alex savored a slice of a St. Honoré cake, which contains layers of puff pastry, balls of choux pastry, and smooth pastry cream.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]One of the couple’s close friends officiated the ceremony, and they asked him to integrate a few Greek traditions. In addition to writing their own vows, the duo personalized their ceremony by selecting a special reading—the bride’s favorite Greek poem called “Ithaka.” To Georgia, the poem is meaningful because it “speaks of the importance of enjoying the journey and not only longing for the final destination, which is the perfect metaphor for the purpose in life, one which we never stop pursuing.”
A live jazz band played “City of Stars” by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling from the musical La La Land for the couple’s first dance. Fog surrounded them to create “an illusion as if we were dancing on a cloud.”
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The couple dedicated some time for a photo shoot surrounding the royal gardens and spent a relaxing afternoon together long before the guests arrived. Because the bride used to ride horseback, we arranged an intimate walk for her with one of the Tower’s horses, allowing her a moment to relax and unwind.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]She also wore gorgeous bright yellow pumps by Manolo Blahnik not only for a pop of color but to infuse her Spanish heritage into her wedding wardrobe as well.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]“The groom has a love for cigars, so he wanted to surprise their guests with an intimate lounge party, complete with premium liquors and an exquisite cigar station,” Georgia shares. The antique furniture played into their overall vision.

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Stefanotis Weddings

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A Periwinkle and Rose Lake Como Affair

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Taryn Stark Wyant Event Planning and Design chose pale hues of periwinkle, rose, ivory, and ivy for Serik and Ayana’s Lake Como Wedding. Our goal was to create a gorgeous, cohesive design, avoiding too much contrast; we introduced a gentle transition from color to color, creating a full sensory experience for the Big Day.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Hailing from San Francisco, California, Serik + Ayana knew that they wanted to host a luxury Destination Wedding in Europe. Choosing the iconic Villa del Balbianello for it’s incomparable views of Lake Como was the first step in the planning of their perfect day. Guests joined them for a lakeside Ceremony under a stunningly clear sky. Prosecco and apertif’s awaited them for the Cocktail Reception overlooking the rolling Italian mountains and Dinner was served beneath crawling vines covering a centuries-old stone Villa. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the couple: “Serik proposed to Ayana during their first trip to Paris in 2019. Serik specifically went to Paris before ahead (visiting Europe for the first time in his life) to find a perfect proposal place. Serik proposed to Ayana in Rafael hotel rooftop near the Triumphal Arch with a perfect view of an Eiffel Tower at ~11pm on August 5th 2019.”[/field]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]From the Bride: “My main choices were between a silky slip dress and a more voluminous A-line dress. Silky dress design was winning in terms of transportation convenience, but I ended up going with an A-line taffeta ballgown because I really wanted a fairytale princess moment on my wedding day. The dress itself was purchased from a BHLDN store in California. It has a simple and minimalistic look, so I complimented it with a statement veil and pearl accessories. What I loved the most about this dress is that it harmonized a dreamy feel with a danceable functionality, so it was quite comfortable to walk and dance in, yet it still looked very elegant and magical.”
Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo
Shoes: Christian Louboutin[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]For our ladies in the bridal party, we adored a similar bouquet but smaller in scope to that of our bridal showpiece and in all white and green tones. Each of the bridesmaid’s bouquets had long flowing raw silk ribbons encircling their stems. We recommended each bridesmaid dressed in an olive green to compliment the space. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]For our Groom and his attendants, we recommended white and greenery boutonnieres. For our groom we suggested a chic, black tuxedo to really elevate the cohesive experience of the wedding. Custom cuff links and a statement watch were also essential to completing the attire for our groom.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Guests were escorted from the stunning ceremony location to the al fresco Cocktail Reception, where they were greeted with signature cocktails and sips of bubbles. We loved the use of a light blue patterned linen displaying glassware. A collection of lounge pieces set the mood for the cocktail hour and evening to follow.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]For the bridal showpiece we envisioned a collection of cream, ivory and pale blue toned blooms including, roses, peonies, wax flowers and ranunculus. Organic and loose greenery to complimented the blooms in abundance. We suggested an elegant but understated ceremony floral design to accent but not detract from the stunning
Lake Como view. To complete the ceremony look we loved a lush, a-symmetrical creation. The arch included floral elements such as bleached Italian ruscus, peonies, roses, ranunculus and organic greenery. The lush and organic piece was absolutely a showstopper. Remaining in line with the overall vision and vibe of the evening, the Reception table centerpieces were overflowing from their vessels, low to the table and running over the sides. Tapered candles in hues of ivory, cream, and blue were interspersed amongst the arrangements. We prefered an elegant and understated plateware and flateware set up. This complimented the abundance in the dinner space without competing with it. We just loved the neutral and white tones to the dinnerware.
We paired each setting with gold flatware wrapped in Italian ruscus. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We adore the drama of a well done wedding cake! For Seric and Ayana, we suggested a three or four tier cake in an elegant and soft design. This was a standalone piece, so we suggested the added drama of a non-traditional cake in the textured design of the fondant. We incorporated natural elements to the cake, as well, to tie into the rest of the evening.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]From the couple: “Two things that made our wedding ceremony so special were our wedding venue and weather. The Loggia Durini at Villa del Balbianello is gorgeous on its own, but during the golden sunset hour it looked especially stunning. On top of that, forecasted thunderstorms did not appear, so we were able to enjoy gorgeous views of the villa with nice weather. The atmosphere and the mood at our wedding reception were truly magical, mostly because of the design that came to life thanks to our amazing planners and vendors. Dimmed lighting, candles, and table setting design with floral centerpieces – everything contributed perfectly to the intimate romantic ambience of the evening. As a cherry on top, the groom’s performances and guests’ heartwarming speeches made the event extra special.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]From the couple: “Entire day was full of special and unforgettable moments, so it’s really hard to highlight a single favorite one. However, something that did stand out was seeing the smiles and joy on the faces of the people that happened to see us that day by chance. Whether it’s a random passerby near the Bellagio pier or in the Villa during the pre-wedding photography session, seeing everyone being so cheerful and supportive made us very happy.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]From the couple: “Going to the wedding venue in advance and exploring the area nearby is very helpful. Depending on the destination, the neighboring area can have a lot of caveats that are nice and sometimes crucial to know beforehand to ensure a smooth experience both for the wedding party and the guests. Lake Como, for example, is a very peculiar place that has a lot of small cities spread around different parts of the lake. Figuring out the lodging and boat transportation options can be hard for guests who haven’t yet been there, so having a travel guide will ensure a smooth experience during your and your guests’ stay.”[/field]
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BBJ La Tavola

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Taryn Stark Wyant Event Planning and Design

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Intimate Luxury Wedding on the Amalfi Coast at Villa San Giacomo

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Pinks, creams, whites, and pops of blue and yellow against a neutral palette.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]“As a designer, it felt a little overwhelming to decide what I wanted to do for my own wedding. So I did what I tell all of my brides to do – trust your intuition!” Kayla explained. With a love for color, Kayla wanted to lean into the bright colors of Italy, but in a softer and romantic way. She chose soft, spring pastels against a neutral backdrop. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]As a wedding planner, Kayla was used to planning elaborate affairs for couples in San Diego. When it came to her own wedding however, she envisioned the opposite. “I never dreamed of having a ‘big, white wedding.’ After 10+ years in the industry, typical weddings felt like work to me, so I wanted something so different,” she explained. “I had always dreamed of getting married in Italy with my immediate family only.” That dream became a reality shortly after Alex proposed to her in June 2022. They did not imagine, however, to plan the wedding so quickly! Alex serves in in the U.S. Navy and was slated to deploy at the end of the year, and with a busy wedding season ahead, they only had the options of getting married in September or October.

Kayla began researching venues in the Amalfi Coast region, and stumbled upon Villa San Giacomo in Positano, Italy. “Immediately when I saw photos, I could envision us getting wed there. The beautiful light pink walls, the backdrop of the city against the Mediterranean – everything about it screamed romance and intimacy.” While the villa typically rents out for a week at a time, they happened to have three days in September that were open. “It felt like fate, honestly – everything was coming together so smoothly and so quickly.” After discussing with their families, they moved forward, leaving exactly 95 days to plan their international wedding.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]“I was really only interested in two designers,” Kayla explained. “While my mom was in town, we had one week to find ‘the dress’. So I made an appointment at two stores in San Diego and two stores in Los Angeles.” At the flagship store in Los Angeles, Kayla chose a Galia Lahav dress from their Gala collection. Adding lace straps to the dress paired with the matching cathedral veil, the store promised the gown could be expedited to be delivered by the end of July. However, when it was delivered back to the store in July, the managers quickly noticed the top and bottom did not match. “They sent me pictures; the skirt was white and the corset was quite literally blush.” Because of this, the store had to send the dress back to Israel for repairs, leaving only a week for alterations. “The team at GL was incredible. They took every bride’s worst nightmare and made sure I got on that plane with a dress that fit properly and most importantly, matched!.” Partnering with The White Dress in Orange County for alterations, Kayla got her dress corrected and altered and fitted in just a week, boarding her plane to Italy only a few days later.

For her accessories, Kayla chose chiffon strapped Badgley Mischka ivory heels, paired with a borrowed diamond tennis bracelet from her mom, and borrowed three carat diamond necklace from a family friend. Her engagement ring is an elegant solitaire diamond paired with classic, thin gold bands. For her wedding day look, Kayla opted to accentuate her face and hair with a natural, elegant glam. “My beauty team was a dream. As someone who doesn’t typically wear a lot of makeup, the team used soft pinks and individual false lashes to compliant my natural features. I also knew I wanted to wear my hair down and showcase my long red hair, and the blowout with soft waves felt like the perfect pair. I have never felt so beautiful.”
[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Kayla also asked all of the guests to dress in a certain color scheme. “Though there a small group of us, I really wanted the ambiance to feel elevated and luxurious. We were in Italy after all!” The woman chose floor length gowns in a champagne color, while then men all dressed in modern, black tuxedos. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Alex wore a custom Canali suit with black velvet To Boot New York loafers.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The staff at Villa San Giacomo prepared a stunning four course meal for us for the wedding night. Paired with our own selection of red and white wine, we dinned literally under the stars to a completely custom and curated meal for our family. Our signature drink featured the classic coastal cocktail, an Aperol Spritz. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]“I really wanted the flowers to be the focal point, and everything else to accent it.” Ashley with Esprit Floral Co flew from San Diego to capture the whimsical and romantic feeling of Positano, while Kayla brought out the rest of the décor. “Maybe it’s the type-A planner in me, but I didn’t love the tabletop items that were available in Italy in our short planning timeframe, so I brought pieces out myself! We bought our own pink coupes and gold rimmed charger plates, while the floral gold flatware and napkins were borrowed from my friend Samantha with Hostess Haven. Finally we rented the cream velvet table linens from Luxe Linen. Our suitcases were not light,” Kayla laughed. Complimenting the greenery in the pergola, Kayla added modern chandlers for a touch of drama and repurposed the ceremony florals at each end of the table. “One of my favorite moments was going around the reception table with Alex doing final touch-ups to the table and lighting the candles. It’s my favorite thing to do at weddings as a planner, so to share that moment with my husband before our families sat for dinner was so special.”[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The cake was an elevated four tiered layered wedding cake with simple white frosting paired with a cascading pink florals. We really wanted a modern twist on a traditional design. The stunning cake featured chocolate cake paired with a chocolate mousse and raspberry compote in each layer.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]One of the most important pieces Kayla and Alex wanted for their wedding was for it to be intentional. With only 14 of them total, they wanted every element to feel special. Alex and Kayla chose not to do a first look, but rather asked for a private moment prior to the ceremony to pray together. “I snuck up behind him and wrapped my arms around his and he prayed over our marriage. I still get emotional when I think about that moment – I felt completely at peace and so excited to marry him,” Kayla explained. Kayla did, however, choose to do a first look with her father. “Seeing his face light up was so sweet.” Alex and Kayla choose their siblings to be their Best Man and “Man of Honor”, respectively. “My brother Brett was the ultimate Man of Honor,” Kayla laughed. “We had a lot of downtime the morning of the wedding before the HMU team arrived, so my brother and I went on a walk through the city to get some excited energy out. He was so attentive to bringing me water, snacks, and adjusting my veil and dress. It was so sweet to see and I felt so loved.” Kayla explained they wanted all of their guests to have a role during the ceremony. Kayla’s godfather, Matt, also married the two of them, both of their father’s said a prayer over them during the ceremony, the brothers held the rings, and the mothers participated in a handfasting ceremony. As a nod to their Celtic and Nordic ancestry paired with their Christian faith, Kayla and Alex performed a handfasting ceremony, with each cord of a rope representing both of their families and God unifying together as one.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Kayla also added personal touches through the wedding. “The welcome bags were filled with a mix of Italy and San Diego – we included our favorite snacks, coffee beans from Better Buzz Coffee in San Diego, and a disposable camera for our family to capture their own Italian memories.” [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Kayla also created sunbeam drink tags as a nod to their home in San Diego. Loren with Four Things Paper also designed beautiful custom invitations, leaning into the Positano landscape. Loren even created a detailed map of Positano, sneaking in portraits of the couple and their golden retriever. Kayla also wanted to bring in her and Alex’s beloved golden retriever, Murphy. Pairing custom cocktail napkins with a custom cake topper snuck on the side of the chocolate and raspberry cake, Murphy was included in the celebration from afar – they even had moment to FaceTime him in![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Outside of the wedding, each evening the group dined under the pergola each night to three course meals cooked by the San Giacomo private chef. “All of the vendors and staff at villa San Giacomo really made our three days so magical. Gennaro, our host, felt apart of the family by the end of our stay. He gave me the biggest hug on the morning after our wedding – I cannot express my gratitude for the staff there enough.” Following the wedding, the group took a private boat out to the island of Capri. “Diving off the boat and floating int the Mediterranean with all of the people I love most around me was a moment I will never forget.”

**Side note: we also have an Instagram highlight via our videographer on my instagram handle @simplygorgeousevents ; I was unable to upload it here![/field]
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Fashion-Forward Provence Wedding at Chateau de Robernier

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Our wedding colors were cream, white and sage, we wanted everything to feel calm, neutral and in keeping with the landscape in the south of France. Our florists, sisters and bridesmaids brought our vision to life beautifully. The courtyard looked spectacular with the hanging foliage across the top table.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The South of France was an easy choice for us! Brad has a very keen passion for wine, and I love all things fabulous, so the location was an easy one. When it came to choosing the venue, however, we had slightly different ideas. When we began looking for wedding venues Brads favorite word was “Rustic” and I just kept saying to him I think you mean “fabulous”. Brad wanted a courtyard wedding, and I had my heart set on fairytale castle. When we found Château Robernier, we both instantly knew it was the venue for us. It was the most perfect mix of fabulous and rustic rolled into one. Château Robernier is just magical, and we felt like we were living a dream the entire time we were there. Driving up the beautiful driveway to the venue the goosebumps start as the palms sway in the warm breeze. The exterior of the venue is like something from a fairytale and the interior is equally as beautiful and so elegant. The courtyard which we had lit with pontoon lighting was perfectly intimate and romantic for the wedding breakfast and gave Brad that courtyard fix. It was important to us that we could privatize the venue for two days so we could have a wedding brunch the next day. Château Robernier was perfect for this with its pool to continue the party into the next day. We loved how intimate the venue was and that it allowed us to create a wedding that was very personal to us. We genuinely felt our guests were blown away as much as we were, and we loved every second of being there.

I guess you could say our vision was rustic but fabulous! We went with a black-tie dress code, we wanted it to be an over the top but relaxed affair. We wanted the wedding to feel elegant and refined yet fun and relaxed at the same time. We knew we had to put on a party, and we certainly feel that is what we did.
It was also extremely important to us that once guests were at our wedding they didn’t need to think about anything but having a good time. We were so humbled that people from across the world (as far as Australia) travelled to celebrate with us. I will always remember one of my bridesmaids dancing on a chair during the wedding breakfast turning to me and saying she was having the best night of her life. We didn’t use a wedding planner, so our vision was totally our own and it was captured beautifully by our photographers who absolutely blew us away in every sense of the word. Maïlys Fortune who we used as our photographers amazed us both during our wedding and when we received the photos, they are simply magical![/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Brad and I met in Dubai, whilst he was working between Dubai and the UK. Of course, like many modern-day romances it started with a dating app and grew from there. Covid meant Brad had to be pinned to one place which really allowed our relationship to grow and when restrictions eased Brad moved to the UAE full time. Brad surprised me with a 30th Birthday trip to the Ritz Carlton in the Maldives. The resort was breathtaking, and we felt totally removed from the rest of world, it was like our own piece of paradise. On the evening of my birthday Brad down on one knee under the stars…and the rain, which made its only appearance that week for the moment! The entire holiday was magic, and the Maldives will always hold a special place in our hearts.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]For my wedding dress I flew from Dubai into London to go to the Wedding Club in Knightsbridge. Finding my dress and having my dress alternations with the wedding club was a dream process in every way. I choose a beautiful Berta gown with a fitted bodice and tulle skirt with a daring slit and sparkle to match my personality…sassy! I felt like a queen. I also had a beautiful bespoke Chantilly lace backless getting ready gown, an evening gown and a brunch gown made by the extremely talented Susanna Rachel Bridal in Dubai, if you are looking for bespoke in Dubai, she is your girl.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]My bridesmaids wore silver satin matching dresses.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Brad had his bespoke tuxedo tailored by Dubai-based tailors Suited and Booted, who were incredible in their attention to detail.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The food and drink for our big day were extremely important to us. Our appetizers were an interactive affair with live cooking stations serving beautiful bite sized dishes, carving of serrano ham and oyster stations. This was followed by a choice of either sea bream or fillet of beef, beautiful desserts, and cheese boards. As we wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time, we provided an open bar across the three days of our wedding party. For the drinks we began the day with cocktails on the lawn which were a choice of either Aperol spritz or Saint Germain Spritz. We also served a selection of drinks including fizz, beer, Mirabeau Gin and Mirabeau rosé for cocktail hour. For our evening meal, Brad beautifully paired red, white and rosé wines we sourced in France as well as Champagne. As the party got started, out came the evening cocktail choices which were espresso martinis and old-fashioned cocktails along with a gin bar and most spirits you can think of. For the brunch day bloody Mary’s were first on the agenda![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our wedding flowers, by the wonderful sisters and blush were a mix of white roses, hydrangeas, eucalyptus and hanging foliage. The courtyard was our favorite part of the décor. The hanging foliage structure across the top table with the hanging candles and pontoon lighting by wildfire DJs was just magical as the sun went down. We used Be Lounge to hire all of our furniture and Mirabeau Rose to hire a bar for our cocktail drinks. We also did a lot of DIY mirrors and favors which we brought over with us from Dubai or purchased whilst we were in France the week before the wedding.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our wedding cake was a traditional French “pièce montée” with pâte à choux.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]We had one of our bridesmen sing one of his songs during the ceremony. I walked down the aisle to a thousand years and our exit song was September by earth wind and fire which is a favorite of ours and our family. Our favorite reading, was our Winnie the pooh reading:
Winnie the Pooh
by A A Milne
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh?” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand.
“I just wanted to be sure of you.”
“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.
“Even longer,” Pooh answered. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]It is so difficult to give a single moment as there were so many. There were the obvious ones of seeing my Dads reaction as I came down the stairs in the Chateau which brought tears to both of our eyes. The next big moment was walking down the aisle and seeing Brad stood in his tuxedo about to become my Husband. What I think really moved both Brad and I was having everybody we loved in one place. COVID was hard for us living as expats away from family and friends, and this was one of the first times we had seen some people in years, and it was just amazing to have everybody we love join us to celebrate our special day. Brad and I both went upstairs and looked out onto courtyard whilst everyone was waiting for us to enter and seeing everyone together and enjoying themselves made us both extremely emotional.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Brad LOVES cars – he owns a racing company in Dubai. I wanted to create a lovely surprise for him, so I sought our a sleek ride for him. It was the gorgeous 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster we rode around the venue during our portraits. It felt so special for both. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]For our honeymoon we will be travelling to South Africa and we will be going to a game reserve on the border of Botswana. We will then be flying into the Seychelles to do some island hopping which will end at the Six Senses private island.[/field]
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A Regal Adare Manor Wedding in Ireland

When we think of fairytale wedding destinations, the spellbinding Adare Manor in Ireland’s County Limerick is right at the top of our list! And today’s nuptials captured beautifully by Sophie Kaye Photography is everything you’ll need to convince yourself of the same. Guests celebrated the newlyweds in style on the castle grounds, blanketed by the bright summer sun. With planning help from House of Hannah, meaningful touches of Irish culture were woven into the details of their day – see all the pretty at the full gallery!

From Sophie Kaye Photography… Laura and Jesse, an American couple, embarked on a magical journey to the Emerald Isle for their dream Ireland wedding. Set against the backdrop of majestic Adare Manor and filled with abundant florals, regal elegance, and breathtaking details, their celebration was nothing short of a fairytale. Laura and Jesse chose a local historic church as the setting for their ceremony. Nestled amidst the lush Irish countryside, the church exuded a timeless charm and provided a sense of reverence to their union.

Their florist adorned the entrance in a lush wreath of white florals to welcome guests inside. After the ceremony, the celebration continued at the remarkable Adare Manor, a true gem in Ireland’s castle landscape. This breathtaking estate, nestled in the quaint village of Adare, offered the perfect blend of opulence, history, and natural beauty. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the grandeur of the castle’s facade and gorgeous summer sun. The attention to detail was evident at every turn, with the venue beautifully adorned in a palette of soft pastels and lush greens, reflecting the natural splendor of the Irish countryside.

Inside Adare Manor, the reception space was nothing short of a regal masterpiece. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow upon the elegantly set tables. Delicate floral centerpieces graced every table, creating a romantic ambiance that took everyone’s breath away. The magnificent architecture of the ballroom enhanced the sense of grandeur and added to the fairytale-like atmosphere. Each guest found their seats via a beautiful escort card display adorned with tiny golden bells – an Irish wedding tradition.

Laura wore a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown that effortlessly captured the essence of regal sophistication. From the exquisite floral arrangements to the personalized touches on every table, no detail was overlooked. The couple’s love for Ireland was woven into the celebration, with touches of Irish culture incorporated throughout the day. A traditional Irish band and dance group provided lively entertainment.

Celebrating Classic French Design at Chateau de Champlatreux

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”The Inspiration”]In designing this celebration, planner Heather Benge of Styled Shoots Across America brought together elements to celebrate both the classical French interiors and enchanting flower filled grounds of Chateau de Champlatreux. The ceremony site, set on the sweeping back steps of the chateau, made for a truly iconic moment while the intimate reception design celebrated the whimsical outdoor garden grounds.

While the ceremony focused on the grand back steps of the venue, and the reception setup overlooked the chateau from the shady trees, for portraits we wanted to highlight the unique flower fields that make up the exquisite grounds streaming out from the venue. Photographer Katie Trauffer used the golden late afternoon light to craft glowing portraits that would highlight the whimsical, romantic effervescence of the flowering lawn. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Soft pink, honey, mint, and forest green.[/field]
[field title=”The Venue”]The idyllic Chateau de Champlatreux, located just forty minutes from the heart of Paris, served as the inspiration for this French garden party celebration. Combining both the sumptuous elegance of classic French details inside each of the seven unique salons with the whimsical grounds covered in fields of soft white flowers, Chateau de Champlatreux embodies both classical French design and the leisurely romance of the countryside.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride’s etherial Pronovias gown floated through the flowering fields of Chateau de Champlatreux. Layers of dancing tulle flowed as the bride walked the gardens while the delicately beaded bodice sparkled in the afternoon sun. The bride kept her look simple with drop earrings by Joanna Bisley Designs while Sunkissed and Made Up set loose waves in her hair.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Party”][/field]
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