Massachusetts Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

A Proposal That Started With An X-Ray And Ended In a Pink Party in Nantucket!

For these two lovebirds, a classic New England wedding was exactly what they envisioned…with pops of color to change it up a bit! The White Elephant Hotel in Nantucket was the venue of choice and pink the color, from the candy and cake display to beautiful blooms by Soiree Floral. Together with their planner, Cape Cod Celebrations the couple figured out what was most important to them and went from there! Take peek below at that stunning bridal gown which Rebecca Love Photography captured oh, so beautifully, check out their wedding day highlight by the one and only, NST Pictures and be sure to read that proposal story!

From the Bride…The Proposal: My fiancé and I are both dentists and he got me to come into his dental office on a Saturday when nobody was in the office for my check-up. He took my x-rays and said there was something I had to look at. When I looked at the x-ray it wasn’t a tooth, but actually an x-ray of a ring.

Before hearing more about the proposal, let’s watch their fun & captivating video by NST Pictures! [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/358362267 600 338]

He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He had champagne and flowers ready but needless to say, I had to come back another day for my cleaning. We headed home where he had a surprise engagement party set up with our friends and family.

Planning The Wedding: We both love the classic New England feel of Nantucket but wanted to mix it up a little. We kept the classic element but tried to incorporate more fun colors like varieties of pink from florals to our wedding cake!

Advice for Couples: It is so easy to get caught up in the planning process so at the beginning of wedding planning, sit down with your fiancé and family and figure out what is most important to each of you. Focus on those items and learn to let some of the other stuff go.

A Boston Harbor Elopement That Will Have You Ditching Your Guest List

Today we set sail on THE most romantic and modern nautical seaside elopement shoot planned and perfected by Kate Murtaugh Events & Design. With New England Summer nights as her inspiration, Kate combined the color palette of our dreams including poppy red and ocean blue which was incorporated into everything from the floral adorned sailboat and bridal bouquet by Beach Plum Floral Design to the groom’s crisp blue suit by The Groomsmen Suit. With just the right mix of elegance and quintessential N.E, Stephanie Vegliante Photography captured all of the romance and all of the stunning, well thought out details. Take a peek below and see why the stormy blue seas may be your perfect place to say I Do!

From Kate Murtaugh Events & Design…Brooklyn and Dean eloped as they set sail on Boston Harbor one late summer afternoon in August filled with dreamy light, a warm breeze and beautifully curated details. Inspired by rich summer tones of color and the stormy blue waters of Boston Harbor, our creative team came together to create a sophisticated yet colorful elopement against one of Boston’s most splendid backdrops that both locals and tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience.

For this elopement editorial, wedding planner and designer Kate Murtaugh imagined a design and aesthetic that infused color, fashionable yet timeless details, and elegant simplicity all while ringing true to quintessential New England summer nights. The shoot’s design featured a saturated color palette including colors like poppy red, hot pink, orange sherbet, summer peach, canary yellow, light pink and stormy blue set amidst old rigging and lines with the beautiful skyline as a backdrop.

Our imagined bride and groom, Brooklyn and Dean were a fashionable couple looking to infuse their chic style and love for their hometown of Boston into a modern-day elopement. While our couple was eloping, it was important that their bridal sunset sail feature all of the details and luxuries a bride and groom would ever desire for their wedding day.

Brooklyn and Dean set sail aboard The Captiva, a private charter Sea Captained by Dave Puett, owner of Classic Sail Boston. Captain Dave also served as their marriage officiant- (did you know Sea Captains in some US states can perform marriage ceremonies?) The Captiva, is a 45-foot Classic Chesapeake Skipjack known for its spacious decks and stability- making for the perfect setting to host Brooklyn and Dean’s harbor elopement. The boat was custom-built using mahogany, teak, obeche and other exotic woods that popped with such perfection with the addition of the gorgeous florals and greenery.

The splendor of the elopement day and love of our couple was captured by photographer, Stephanie Vegliante on both film and digital. Her work beautifully and evocatively captured the romance and emotion of the day.

Brooklyn wore a stunningly feminine gown by Alexandra Grecco, poppy red Loeffler Randall iconic Knot Sandals in poppy red, a stunning mixed metal bridal set including a custom fancy cut platinum engagement ring from James Allen and a uniquely set wedding band with oval diamonds set in yellow gold by MRT Jewelers. She also wore earrings and a bracelet from Zaxie by Stefanie Taylor to complete her look. Brooklyn’s flawless hair and makeup was done by Colby, owner of Pretty Wife Beauty.

Rather than going with tradition, our debonair groom, Dean wore a sharp light steel blue suit from The Groomsman Suit with a crisp white shirt and a white linen pocket square from Bonobos. For a pop of color, he wore a one-of-a-kind pair of Kilim Loafers from Artemis Design Co. made from vintage Turkish rugs.

Jill from Beach Plum Floral Design took our bright and saturated color palette and designed a floral scheme filled with pops of red and shades of pinks to emphasize the marvelous beauty of our sailboat and backdrop. Florals and curly smilax adorned the port side of the sailboat curling it’s way down the side of the boat and perfectly situated to blow in the breeze for their sunset cruise. The bridal bouquet was tied with blush silk ribbon and was filled with an array of pink, coral and red flowers including locally-grown dahlias, zinnias and garden roses.

Taylor at Mulberry & Elm created an elopement announcement to send to our couple’s family and friends and to invite them to a post-elopement celebration. The announcement suite included a custom hand-painted watercolor monogram with additional watercolor elements like a classic nautical striped envelope liner and hand calligraphed envelopes.

Our cozy tablescape situated under the boat’s mainsail included a beautiful grazing board and picturesque cocktails from Wanderlush Boston, a petite tasting cake from Lizzie’s Bakery and a collection of linens and pillows from Serena & Lily and John Robshaw Textiles.

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Kate Murtaugh Events & Design

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Every Bookworm Needs to Admire This Romantic Boston Public Library Wedding!

There’s something so incredibly romantic about tying the knot in a place, as Carrie Bradshaw once said, “… that housed all the great love stories”. The spectacular marble walls of the Boston Public Library surrounded their guests as they dined in Bates Hall, planned perfectly by Always Yours Events. It’s truly difficult describe how incredibly unique and beautiful this reception is… but it basically combines the grandeur of the Great Hall at Hogwarts and the romance of the library room in Beauty and The Beast. See for yourself at the full gallery captured by Michelle Lange Photography!

From the Bride… When Ryan and I got engaged, we knew that we wanted to find a venue that felt meaningful to the both of us. Right away we decided to tour the Boston Public Library. This particular venue is not only absolutely breathtaking, but also played a part of our story prior to our engagement. When we first moved to Boston together, we lived across the street from the BPL. Our apartment was small, dark and a little bit crammed, and so we would often find ourselves going to the BPL to do our work and study for upcoming exams. When we toured the Boston Public Library, we immediately knew that it was the perfect location to host our wedding reception for our loved ones! We were completely blown away by the character and history of the venue, and each and every space from the grand marble staircase to the Courtyard to Bates Hall left us in awe.

Knowing we wanted to be married in the Catholic Church, we found ourselves falling in love with the Shrine of our Lady of Good Voyage in the Seaport of Boston. This brand new little church and had the most romantic and slightly more modern aesthetic, which was exactly what we were looking for when it came to a venue for our ceremony. We did not want to take away from any of the beauty at both the church and the BPL, but enhance it and create a dreamy and romantic design within the spaces. Together with our wedding planner Keri (of Always Yours Events), we dreamed up a modern romantic and garden-inspired design that was very floral forward and featured a color palette of whites, cream, ivory and light blush, pinks and a slight pop of a pale and soft blue.

Our design was carried out into our stationery design with the talents of Taylor at Mulberry and Elm who created an entire custom stationery suite from save the dates to invitations to day of stationery consisting of a light blue crest with florals, a drawing of the Boston Public Library, and even a sweet watercolor of our pup Brady. The floral team at Les Fleurs worked with Keri to fill every space from the bridal suite to the church and every corner of the Boston Public Library with blooms, and even create a rose petal recessional as we exited the church. Upon entering the venue guests were wow-ed by the grand staircase covered in greens, roses and candles, as well as the sounds of our harpist from Gilded Harps.

One of our favorite features was the floral escort card display where each guest’s name and table number was printed on a bud vase filled with garden roses, peonies and sweet pea and filled gold shelves at the top of the staircase. Our guests enjoyed cocktails out in the courtyard under strands of cafe lights over the reflecting pool as well as on the lower level of the Library before heading upstairs for the grand reveal of Bates Hall. Guest tables in Bates Hall alternated between garlands filled with greens and garden roses, and tall centerpieces with small crystal compote arrangements. After enjoying a delicious menu catered by the Catered Affair, we moved into the Abbey Room for dancing to the sounds of Boston band, The Connection.

Our photobooth was a highlight of the reception, with a custom greenery hedge wall backdrop with our initials. At the end of the evening guests were gifted sugar cookie favors in the shape of our dog Brady in beautiful packaging. Guests lined the stairs with ribbon wands for an epic send off before Ryan and I hopped into a white Rolls Royce getaway car. To say the day was absolutely breathtaking is an understatement — the celebration exceeded all of our expectations! As we look back on our day with our stunning gallery from Michelle Lange and video from Stop Go Love, we can’t help referring to it as the best day of our lives! It was so meaningful to be surrounded by all of our closest friends and family, as well as to celebrate our marriage in one of the most historic and stunning venues we both have ever seen! We could not have done it without the support of our families and our amazing vendors, and we are so thankful to everyone who made our day so incredibly remarkable.

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Always Yours Events

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The Cutest Meaning Behind Butterflies at Your Wedding!

When it comes to wedding day decor, butterflies typically don’t make the top of the list! But, today’s inspiration shoot, captured by Marcela Plosker Photography incorporated them beautifully with subtle fluttering details here and there AND the most touching meaning behind it all. Held at The Commons 1854, just north of Boston, a whimsical shoot came to life, with a colorful bouquet, towering white centerpieces by Fleur and Stitch and the most gorgeous applique bridal gown by Lyra Vega Bridal. Take a peek and read on to see how the transformation of butterflies signifies the change from engagement season to wedding season.

From Lyra Vega Bridal…This butterflies inspired shoot was created to capture the metamorphosis of life. Much like the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, wedding days mark the end of the engagement season with the celebratory start to a beautiful marriage.

When they are witnessed in their natural environment, the colors and patterns of butterflies have a beautiful, natural way of drawing in the eye. So, we wanted to create the same effect while designing our shoot. Rather than opting for a venue with bright, bold patterns, we chose instead to highlight The Commons 1854. It has stunning high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and neutral colors, which offered the perfect opportunity to layer in more texture. Our tablescape features a tall white and ivory centerpiece by Fleur & Stitch that looks ethereal set amongst the pops of black seen through the taper candles, goblets, and butterfly table number. The cake is nearly all-white save for the butterflies added by Sweet Cheeks by Renee, and the stationery with its soft calligraphy by Callidora Designs has its own organic feel.

Except for the butterflies and pops of green in the stationery, the details are nearly void of all color. That’s because we wanted our couple – the highlight of their own butterfly-like transformation – to stand out the most. We were reminded of a butterfly flying when we saw the bride’s applique Lyra Vega Bridal dress, and we loved the vividness of her bouquet. Our groom looked dapper in his suit from Hive & Colony, and his extending boutonniere with its bright blooms was one of our favorite unique details from the day. Our eye is drawn to them, just as it should be.

To us, this shoot is hopeful, ethereal, and whimsical – the feelings evoked by butterflies and the same feelings we want a couple to experience at the beginning of their new marriage journey together.

About Lyra Vega Bridal…

Lyra Vega Bridal is an online wedding gown boutique founded on the belief that brides can look beautiful on their wedding day without breaking the bank. We’re dedicated to providing a seamless and stress-free experience for modern, practical brides, and we offer beautiful, custom-measured gowns – delivered to your door for under $1000.

Lyra Vega Bridal works directly with expert dressmakers to create beautiful gowns with quality materials – with an emphasis on not breaking the bank. As an e-boutique, there’s no additional overhead passed on to our clients as a result of working with middlemen or having a brick and mortar store. This allows us to offer wedding gowns at prices impossible for other boutiques, and we don’t have to sacrifice quality or service to do it. Instead of emphasizing the designer label, our focus at Lyra Vega is on the dress itself, and we’ve made it our goal to provide our brides with a stress-free purchasing experience.

Lyra Vega Bridal was founded to help brides who have become discouraged by the traditional method of brick and mortar wedding gown shopping, where gowns fail to live up to expectations and prices run high. Today, LVB seeks to empower modern brides to follow their own bridal path instead of blindly following tradition. We recognize that our brides are people of values and are proud that we can align with them on things that matter.

Lyra Vega Bridal values sustainability from two angels: 1) Our affordable prices means brides can make financially sustainable choices when it comes to their wedding, as they build the foundation of their lives with their beloved; and 2) by making custom-measured gowns, we eliminate unnecessary waste by skipping on mass production, carrying excess inventory, and using unneeded fabrics — a win for your budget, conscience AND for the environment.

At Lyra Vega Bridal, there is no one size fits all. We embrace all body types, shapes, and sizes. When you purchase one of our gowns, we craft each gown using your specific measurements to make sure your gown fits like it’s truly yours.

Lyra Vega Bridal is here to bring options to modern, informed brides who know better than to blindly pay the “bride tax”. We price our gowns based on our mission to bring you beautiful gowns without breaking your bank. We are always looking for ways to cut costs (not corners) to bring you the best quality at the best price point. All of our gowns are priced at under $1,000, and shipping is free — always!

As modern women, there are not enough hours in the day for all that is before us. With Lyra Vega Bridal, you can shop from the comfort of your own home and have your gown delivered straight to your door, so you can ditch the pushy salesperson and awkward try-on sessions, saving you hours of time and energy. As an online boutique, we skip the brick-and-mortar up-charges and provide you with the best possible price with the highest level of transparency, so you know exactly what you’re paying right off the bat — no hidden costs or fees, and free returns if you’re not in love!

Online shopping isn’t an unfamiliar idea for the modern woman, as women living in the 21st century, we are used to the convenience of choosing an item, putting in our credit card information, and receiving the purchase in the mail. Buying a wedding gown online isn’t that much different, but it does require it a bit more preparation. You want to make sure that you do your research prior to buying a gown, checking reviews on the gown, making sure you’re buying from a trustworthy company, and knowing their policies on returns and shipping fees. You also want to go in knowing the style, silhouette, and fabric details you desire for your big day so you can confidently make a purchase once you find the perfect gown.

LVB brides go through a measuring guide on our website to help us collect all the measurements needed for the gown. It is a step-by-step form with pictures and measuring tips. With the help of a friend, you can get all the measurements needed for the gown in about 10 minutes! For those who might not be confident in “DIYing” this step, a local tailor will usually charge a small fee ($20-$40 based on location) to take your measurements. Simply go through our measurement guide with them!

Nantucket Meets California In This Family Beach Retreat

Surfer vibes were the goal when refreshing this family’s Nantucket summer getaway, and that’s where Sasha Meredith Designs came in! The designers removed the old 1990’s interiors to make way for neutral tones, shiplap, and cool pops of art to really drive that surfer feel home. The home now is a great reflection of the area around it and a perfect summer escape. We are so ready to spend our summers here!

THE ENTRYWAY

The entry hall had a dated stairway, we replaced the bannister, painted the stairs, wallpapered the stairway, added some shiplap and painted the room in a bright white. New furniture completed this space and the transformation was complete, the house instantly had a welcoming and contemporary yet laid back entry hall. The client is one of three sisters, so she loved the mermaid art we found, which has three mermaids sitting together, referencing her sisters and their shared love of the beach in Nantucket.

THE DINING ROOM

The dining room was a smaller space and had been formerly filled with heavy french country furniture. We kept it neutral with lots of wood pieces in this room but added a fun punch of navy through the Serena & Lily dining chairs and Rejuvenation pendants hanging above the table. Art from local photographer Nathan Coe and an oversized mirror completed this room that was functional enough for formal dining while comfortable enough for everyday use.

THE LIVING ROOM

The home had 3 different living spaces, a family room off the kitchen had a heavy wooden mantle that was removed and we tiled over the fireplace surround with painted clay tiles and a salvaged piece of wood for the mantle, we wanted this room to accommodate overflow seating from the kitchen. The owners commented after moving in that it was the room they spend the most amount of time in!

The next living space was the formal living room, where we managed to fit in the husband’s request for a leather sectional! A surfer chic leather sofa fit the bill and gave a refined vibe in the formal living room. A white Japanese paper wallpaper covers the walls in this room, keeping in line with the bright white vibe of the house while adding texture to define this more formal entertaining space. A black and white print from another local photographer, Lauren Marttila hangs above the sofa.

The sunroom is off of the living room and was the perfect space for the family to gather around the built in banquette for breakfast or game night! The room also includes two oversized armchairs, with art that the owner found at a local store in Nantucket.

THE MASTER BEDROOM

Upstairs, the master bedroom was the epitome of luxury, with a four post bed, chaise lounge, grasscloth covered nightstands and high ceilings. The owners of this home often have weekend guests and wanted the master to function as a retreat away from the rest of the house.

KIDS ROOM

The owners have two young girls and so a bunk bed adorned with mermaid sheets and a dresser with woven jute knobs, created a beachy fun young vibe in their room. This home serves as a year round retreat for the Brooklyn based owners. The vibe reminds them they are near the beach while still creating an ideal space for year round luxury living.

Sasha Meredith Designs: Sasha Meredith Designs

A Chic Vogue-Inspired Wedding at The Mount in the Berkshires

New England charm meets refined elegance at this gorgeous wedding planned by the beautiful bride herself (umm, impressive!) It was the most perfect Spring day in the Berkshires for Kelsey and Nate to tie the knot. They exchanged vows in a garden setting under an arbor teeming with greenery and light pink fleurs. A bride after our own heart, she carried a bouquet lush with fluffy peonies arranged by Garden Blossoms Florist. Guests dined al fresco style at a single banquet table in between rows of manicured trees. See all the sun-soaked details of the day, perfectly captured by Amanda K Photography…

HOW WE MET

From the Bride and Groom… Nate and I met through work. I started working for a dental distributor after college and he had been there for a few years prior. Initially, we started out as just really great friends. Looking back, I think that was the best foundation for our relationship. After months went by, we began to date and the relationship evolved. Eventually, I ended up leaving my job and started my own swim and resort wear company, Lee Merritt. I got the name from Nate’s middle name Lee and mine, Merritt. Nate is now the director of business development for a dental firm. Together, we live in Austin, Texas with our two French Bulldogs, Vincent & Jules.

LOCATION

Many people know right away where they would want to get married but for us, that wasn’t the case. We had friends and family coming from all over the globe so we were up for anything. Nate is half Colombian and his family primarily lives in Bogota so we had originally considered hosting the celebration in Colombia. We visited several venues in Cartagena but ended up deciding that as much as we loved the romantic city, we wanted something one, a little more centrally located for our guests and two, a little cooler. Since neither of us were keen on a beach wedding, the search continued. I ended up coming across a historic mansion called The Mount located in the heart of The Berkshires by chance. As I scrolled through photos of the beautiful mansion that once was novelist’s Edith Wharton’s residence, I instantly fell in love. We went to visit the Berkshires in early October just in time to catch the fall foliage.

The area is filled with so much history you can just feel it. While we were there we came across another historic site called Chesterwood. This was the old summer home and studio of Daniel Chester French, the sculptor best known for the Lincoln Memorial. Behind his studio lies a garden with a blooming aisle of the most amazing hydrangea trees in late summer and gorgeous pink and white peonies in the spring. Both locations were so magical that we decided to have the ceremony at Chesterwood and the reception at The Mount. What I loved most about this location was that it was a place most guests would never have experienced otherwise. We rented out the charming Kemble Inn to host our Bridal Party for the weekend. Having us all under one roof was so much fun. Nate and his family hosted our rehearsal dinner at the incredible Wheatleigh Hotel just a few miles away in Stockbridge.

PLANNING

We visited the Berkshires once more before the big day in early spring to meet with vendors and have our tastings. We laughed about how the scenery looked completely different each time we visited and weren’t entirely sure what it would look like come June – “We’re not in Texas anymore!” Once I had the location picked out, making decisions became a lot easier. I’m proud to say I planned the wedding myself with lots of help from my mother. (Cheers to all the wedding planners out there, wow!) None of the venues were turn key so it was a lot of work but seeing it all come to fruition was the ultimate reward. I remember sitting at dinner and looking down the 130 foot dinner table at all of our friends and family enjoying themselves and just taking it all in. Nate and I know how rare and special it is to get all of our loved ones in the same place at the same time and are so grateful to have had such a magical night. With the entire weekend being planned outside, we were so happy to have gotten such beautiful weather!

DRESS

Per my usual, the attire was of highest priority. After trying on countless gowns, I had nearly lost hope when I stumbled upon Nardos, a custom couture bridal designer from Dallas, Texas. Nardos and I clicked immediately and she was able to help me achieve the perfect style for our big day by taking certain elements from a few of my favorite dresses I had tried on previously and combining them into one cohesive look. She nailed it. One of my favorite features was the detachable train. This allowed for a more dramatic look for the ceremony that turned into a slimming silhouette for the reception.

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A Wedding Planner’s Tented Wedding Inspired by Flowers at ShoreWay Acres Inn

When a planner ties the knot at a wedding inspired by blooms – you know the result is going to be drop.dead.gorgeous. Keri from Always Yours Events and her hubby chose to celebrate their big day at the bride’s family inn on Cape Cod, the ShoreWay Acres Inn – how special is that?! The Wild Dahlia filled this warm late-Summer day with lush fleurs in blush, burgundy, ivory, dusty rose and cappuccino hues (umm, dream color scheme anyone?) Prepare for a major dose of pretty with every detail from beginning to end, starting with the gorgeous floral-inspired stationary by Amanda Day Rose. Every moment was perfectly captured by Elizabeth LaDuca. We’re seriously so in love…

From the Bride… As a professional wedding planner who plans and designs weddings and celebrations for couples everyday, it was such an incredible and joyful experience to be on the other side as a bride planning my very own wedding with my now husband, Sean, and our families. When Sean and I first got engaged, we knew immediately that we wanted to host our celebration at my parents’ charming inn on Cape Cod. This resort style inn sits on a beautiful hydrangea filled residential street that leads to the ocean in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Comprised of refurbished colonial style sea captains’ homes, my grandparents bought this property in the 1960s with a vision to turn it into a little escape for guests visiting the Cape. They named it ShoreWay and then passed down to my parents and our family. Growing up, I lived in the house next door to the property and so hosting at ShoreWay truly felt like hosting in my backyard — the place where I grew up. And my parents had been married at ShoreWay 35 years earlier, which only made it feel even more special.

When it came to planning my own wedding, we wanted to create a private estate wedding that was not only gorgeous, but also filled with meaning and sentimental details that told our story and felt like “us.” With my couples, I strive to create and achieve a design that is so cohesive and ethereal that the guests feel enveloped by the design and if time just stood still, you could live in the celebration forever — and that’s exactly what we wanted for our own wedding as well. Within all of the fine details and formalities, we wanted to make every detail intentional and thoughtful so that everything together was remarkable, but also spoke to our story and who we are together. To ensure we captured all of the magic, we chose my favorite film photographer Elizabeth Laduca, as well as the wonderful Haley Harrington of OTD Collective for cinematography. Our wedding was inspired by flowers. Flowers are a love of mine and within both of our families flowers have always been something we share with one another as an expression of love. For our color palette, we chose shades inspired by blooms and greens including dusty rose, sahara rose blush, koko loko antique rose, cappuccino, ivory cottage rose, white and burgundy ranunculus, chocolate cosmo, quicksand rose taupe, jasmine vine green and bay leaf green. With florals as our primary source of inspiration, I turned to the most talented floral designer I know. I am forever grateful to Shawna of the Wild Dahlia as she and her team went above and beyond to bring our vision to life and to leave our guests in awe.

To further incorporate florals and meaningful details, I worked with an incredible boutique stationer Amanda Day Rose to create a wedding brand for our celebration including a custom crest of hand drawn flowers and interlocking monogram, a watercolor pattern comprised of meaningful icons from Sean’s and my journey together, a custom map of Falmouth, cocktail napkins, and everything in between. On a gorgeous and warm late Summer day in September 2018 we were married in St. Thomas Chapel, a little church with blue doors on the water of Falmouth Harbor. In the morning the bridesmaids and I got ready in my parents’ home with an incredible beauty team of hair and makeup artists including Jennifer Tawa and Amanda McCarthy. My father and I arrived in a classic white Rolls Royce to the chapel. I wore a custom beaded Badgley Mischka gown with an ethereal detachable train and a cathedral veil attached to an heirloom gold diamond comb worn by my mother, grandmother and great grandmother. I carried a romantic and lush bouquet tied with dusty rose ribbons and filled with varieties of garden roses, cottage roses, clematis, cosmos, jasmine vine and a few tiny stems of edelweiss in honor of my sweet grandmother who had just passed away. For our bridal party, we chose navy tuxedos for Sean and the groomsmen, and a mixture of beaded, crepe and chiffon gowns in dusty rose shades for a dreamy, textural effect. And our flower girl wore an ivory gown with a floral crown while the ring bearers wore navy tuxes, with the youngest in sweetest little navy suspenders and knee socks.

My uncle (my grandmother’s brother) performed a heartfelt ceremony, as he has done for all of the couples in our family. Once Sean and I said “I do” and became Mr. And Mrs. Walter, we processed out of the chapel for a ribbon wand recessional surrounded by our loved ones. After the ceremony we headed to Surf Drive with the bridal party for photos while our 190 guests headed back to ShoreWay to freshen up and join us for cocktail hour. During cocktail hour guests mingled al fresco on the grounds while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres including a custom fried chicken, pimento cheese and bacon and onion jam slider created from the recipe of a dish at one of Sean’s and my favorite restaurants in Charleston, SC called High Cotton. We served his (the Cactus Flower) and hers (The Hummingbird) cocktails, as well as a Salty Dog cocktail in honor of our bulldog named Poogan, who was also attending the wedding in his own navy tux! For the reception guests joined us under our Sperry sailcloth tent filled with crystal empire chandeliers and floral chandeliers. At the entry our guests found their seats at a taupe shiplap wall covered in floral and escort cards beautifully calligraphed in dusty rose ink by the talented Laney of Design by Laney. On the left side of the tent was a statement wooden bar overgrown with blooms and greenery. In the center of the tent was our 30′ head table covered in dozens and dozens of bloom filled compotes and sandstone taper candles for a romantic and dreamy look. Guests dined at tables covered in beaded gold linens and place settings of gold rimmed chargers, fine crystal, dusty rose menu booklets and a plethora of candlelight. And for dinner all enjoyed Russell Morins’ beef shortrib toscana (Sean’s favorite) and Lavender Statler Chicken, which was the very first dish I ever made Sean when we first started dating in college.

For dessert Montilio’s Bakery designed a stunning four tiered blush cake adorned with roses and made of delicious vanilla cake with fresh strawberries, Grand Marnier and white chocolate ricotta cream with buttercream frosting. Towards the end of the evening I surprised Sean with a groom’s cake made to look like his drum set (since Sean is a drummer), which we enjoyed at the afterparty. One of my favorite details from our design were the favors at each place setting. On every bread plate was a favor box tied with an ivory silk ribbon, and inside were “Marry Me Cookies,” which are delicious soft Italian ricotta sugar cookies with buttercream frosting. These cookies are so loved by everyone who has ever tried them. This recipe was passed down to me by my aunt, and to make a long story short I made these cookies for Sean almost 9 years ago after we first met in college as a Christmas treat. Sean loved them so much that after he ate them he sent me text message and asked me to marry him. Little did he know that we actually would get married years later. And so we let everyone in on that part of our story by sharing these as sweet little takeaway from the celebration. For the rest of the evening we listened to our beautiful toasts and danced the night away to the sounds of our eight piece band called the Silver Arrow Band. Sean and I danced to Someone Like You by Van Morrison. Sean and his mother danced to That’s Life, a song they used to sing together driving Sean to school everyday. My father and I danced to The Way You Look Tonight, which he promised me would be the song we would dance to together ever since I was five years old. Our wedding day will forever be the best and happiest day of our lives, and I feel so fortunate that we were able to celebrate with our closest loved ones in a place we love so much. A dream team of vendors and my two amazing event producers Susan and Kate (who I am forever grateful for) truly made our day come to life, and without them our vision could not have been made possible. The day was such a dream, and Sean and I have already grown nostalgic for it with a constant wish to return back and relive the day over and over again.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Silver Arrow Band

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Always Yours Events

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This Puppy-Filled Holiday Shoot Will Be the Cutest Thing You’ll See All Day

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!!! Raise your hand if holidays wouldn’t be complete without your four-legged friends (not-so) patiently waiting for a tasty crumb of Christmas dinner to drop. In honor of our pawfect pets, we’re sharing the cutest holiday shoot of all time from For the Love of Paws and Jessica Hennessey Weddings. A red truck, a Christmas tree farm, gorgeous wreaths from Beach Plum Floral and puppies galore!! Scratch that Santa, we’ve already got everything we could ever wish for this year! If you or someone you know is looking to adopt a pup this Christmas – Sadie, Precious & McIntyre (the dogs in this shoot) are all still searching for the forever homes. Read on to learn more and see all the adorable captures by Lauren Dobish and Rachel Buckley Weddings.

From For the Love of Paws Boston… The Christmas Tree Farm in Pembroke set the scene for a day filled with the delicious smell of pine trees, intricate wedding details and puppy kisses from the dogs at Brown Dog Coalition and Survivor Tails Animal Rescue (STAR). Two organizations that exist to rescue, rehome & rehabilitate these animals.

As a wedding planner & designer and lover of 4-legged doggie friends, Jessica – the owner of Jessica Hennessey Weddings in Massachusetts, wanted to combine her two passions and help get local rescue dogs out of foster care and into their forever homes. What better timing than the holidays?

In collaboration with Danielle Engel from For The Love Of Paws, who got the adoptable dogs camera-ready for their big debut – Jessica planned a holiday-themed wedding in the tree fields and a winter-design to remember. Photographing the day was Rachel Buckley Weddings and Lauren Dobish – who couldn’t have captured it more perfectly.

Behind the scenes, Beach Plum Floral designed the most beautiful bridal bouquet, floral hoops and collars, as well as a gracefully detailed floral runner across a Coast & Country Rentals farm table to complete the perfect holiday tablescape. Elegant gowns by designers Amy Kushel & Jenny Yoo from Flair Boston graced the farm, prettied up by the girls at The Bridal Bar and Stephanie Ward Makeup. And who can forget the cake? A cable-knit beauty by Delicious Desserts rounded out the details on this gorgeous day.

Almost all of the puppies here have since found their forever homes, but the three dogs featured (Sadie, Precious & McIntyre) are still in search of their permanent families. If you are interested in adopting or supporting one of these organizations, please contact Survivor Tails and Brown Dog Coalition for more information.

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Jenny Yoo

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Finding Lovely’s Holiday House Tour

While I miss living in Texas more than you can imagine, I will say that a New England holiday season is something special. The cold air, the twinkle lights, the cups of cocoa that are meant to actually warm you from the inside out. It’s a little bit of magic. And the crazy talented (and adorably pregnant) Jackie Hempel of Finding Lovely has managed to capture that very magic and transform her own New England home into a holiday wonderland. Read on for all of the sparkly goodness.

This is the first Christmas in our new kitchen following a major renovation on our old farmhouse victorian outside of Boston. It was built in 1879 and from the moment we walked through, I knew it had the potential for a charming family home. There’s just something beautiful and worthwhile to restoring a historical home and bringing it fresh life.

We’re from California originally so when it came to designing the home, I knew I wanted that light, airy, coastal vibe that felt fresh and lived well with littles.

When it came time to design the kitchen, I had several items on my wishlist. I wanted a window nook for the large farmhouse sink surrounded in old barn wood beams, a built-in refrigerator/freezer that looked like an old icebox and a freestanding range hood flanked with windows. I actually drew out how I wanted it to look and handed it to the carpenter.

It’s been such a happy spot in our home and exactly what I envisioned to honor this old home. Adding some Christmas lovely to this pretty kitchen has been quite the joy.

I kept it light and simple—white ceramic Christmas trees, pretty linens, some simple faux juniper wreaths safety pinned on the backs of the counter stools, mini Christmas trees in the windows, and a big faux cedar wreath with linen ribbon in the window nook is really all it took. Understated Christmas lovely.

—– KITCHEN SOURCES —–

Construction and Architecture: Cutting Edge Homes | Design: Finding Lovely | Cabinetry Color: Sherwin Williams Repose Grey | Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace | Kitchen Cabinetry: JD Millworks | Cabinetry Hardware: 8” Edgecliff Pull in brass by School House Electric | Backsplash Tile: Advance | Ceramic tiles in Chelsea White, 3×6” and 3×12” from Tiles Plus More | Island Tile: Tabarka Tile Nord 7 | Counter Stools: Restoration Hardware French Contemporary Counter Stool | Vintage Barnwood: LongLeaf Lumber | Island Pendants:E. F. Chapman Casual Darlana Fancy Lanterns in gilded iron size medium | Kitchen Runner: Finn Rug in Blue Pottery Barn | Sink Pendant Light: Boston Pendant in antique brass, McGee & Co. | Mini Juniper Wreaths on counter stools: A C Moore

Following the renovation we now have a kitchen that is open to the family room and it’s where we spend all our time. I wanted the Christmas decor in the whole house to feel fresh and flow well from room to room.

I love how light and airy it all looks with the earthy corals and denim blues. Our family room is where we have our large faux noble fir tree and it is decorated with these same colors.

I kept the built-ins neutral with a wood bowl of antique mercury ornaments, glazed white trees and zinc houses and added a wreath and simple garland to the mantel.

It’s the perfect spot in our new old home and we’re excited to make Christmas memories here.

—– LIVING ROOM SOURCES —–

Photography: Madison Rae Photography | Design: Finding Lovely

Modern Tented Wedding at Willowdale Estate in Massachusetts

When we meet Brides that tell us that Style Me Pretty was a huge part of their planning process and they spent hours right here on this site, we’re honored. And when we get to see the beautiful result that came from all that inspiration and hard work? We’re proud. Proud of the vendors involved and the way that each one of you find your own slice of style and infuse that into your Big Day. Today’s fete set at Willowdale Estate is no exception. Molly Anne‘s images are the beautiful proof.

From the Bride… As a Pediatric Transplant Nurse, my patients and the lessons they have taught me are a huge part of my life. After my husband, family, friends and these incredible children I get to work with every day, my next love has, and will always be weddings. I found weddings to be the positive outlet I needed to balance with my often times emotional job. I even worked at a bridal salon for a while to help share in other brides happiest days while I was helping guide families through their absolute worst. I have been subscribed to bridal magazines for years, have browsed Style Me Pretty for hours, and have watched more episodes of “Say Yes To the Dress” then any normal person should.

My engagement to my husband Alec came as a complete shock on the night of my graduation for my Master’s Degree in Nursing. After so many years of adoring weddings, to say I was excited to plan my own was an understatement. Two weeks after our engagement, we took the trip of a lifetime to Spain. We were awestruck and fell in love with the beauty, cobblestone alleyways, stone architecture and greenery of a small town called Valldemosa in Mallorca. When we returned, Willowdale was one of the first venues we visited while wedding planning and as soon as we drove up to the estate, we knew this was where we wanted to get married. It was like our own piece of Spain, here in Massachusetts. The history of the country manor, in the depths of a state park, mixed with the greenery of the courtyard was the perfect location for our ideal outdoor wedding. Willowdale gave us the feeling of warmth, love and happiness. We felt at home.

While planning, we really wanted to incorporate our mutual love of traveling into our day. We were inspired by the places we have been, places dear to our heart, and places we have yet to go. From touches of french inspired florals and shades of blues to Boston themed table numbers, we mixed inspiration from my countless hours of browsing real weddings with our experiences together and made our wedding uniquely ours.

Some of the most special and beautiful parts of our wedding day were flower girl dresses handmade by Alec’s mom out of material from his grandmother’s wedding dress, the grooms travel scrapbook gift, a cherry blossom card given to me by Alec (symbolizing where our relationship began), bookshelves filled with loved ones wedding photos, a bouquet charm of my grandmothers given to me by my mother, a special Irish blessing, family members we haven’t seen for years that traveled long distances to be with us, a custom veil made for me by Michelle Roth herself, a signature drink named for our cat Lily, emotional toasts by my father, maids of honor and best men, and 4 birthday celebrations. We even had the breathtaking privilege of having a previous patient of mine, now thriving, at our wedding. Words cannot explain that feeling. These are just a few of the moments of our day that we will cherish forever and that made us feel so loved and so happy. We have never smiled as much as we did on our wedding day.

Surrounded by friends and family, we said I do on the most perfect August Day. It was 72 degrees, partly cloudy and absolutely beautiful (unheard of in New England in August!) Our incredible team of vendors helped us create our dream day, and our photographer Molly captured every last minute. The love, support, happiness and energy of our guests was palpable throughout the entire day and into the night on the packed dance floor. We are so grateful and so blessed to have had such a perfect day and cant wait to share our photos with everyone!

To those who are currently planning a wedding, my recommendation to you would be this; breathe, enjoy the process, and don’t settle. If you have a feeling something isn’t right, trust your gut and go with what makes you happy. I changed my mind so many times during this process because I wouldn’t settle for anything less then what I had dreamed about my entire life. Admittedly, it was stressful at times with having perfectionist tendencies because of my job (I cant tell you how long I debated the perfect blue goblet), but it was all SO worth it. Wishing you all so much happiness and many adventures in your wedding and marriage. Good luck, you got this!

They Booked an Airbnb for Their Wedding Venue Sight Unseen

Feeling uninspired by the impersonal feel of the wedding venues they had researched, this couple decided to think outside the box and booked a home, sight unseen, using Airbnb for their upcoming nuptials, planned in just four months! With the help of Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles, they transformed the grounds into the warm and welcoming New England wedding they had always dreamed of, and the so sweet photos captured by Callisto + Co. of the beautiful bride in her bespoke Kathryn Conover dress on her special day are all waiting for you right here.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Outdoor

Styles

Casual

This New England summer wedding was the perfect combination of romance, nature, and the kind of feel-good vibes that you get when you return to the town you grew up in and are greeted with open arms by family and friends whom you haven’t seen in ages, but it feels just like yesterday. This was the case for Kate and Chris, who are now both living in Manhattan’s Greenwich village. They were both born and raised in Massachusetts, just north of Boston, so it felt more meaningful to them that they marry somewhere close to “home”.

After doing a little preliminary research on wedding venues and being disappointed by their impersonal feel, the couple decided to think outside of the box and try Airbnb! It was online that they found the rental house which would double as their ceremony and reception site. They booked the property site unseen, and when they finally took a weekend trip to see it, they were initially a bit concerned with the “diamond in the rough”. Of course, nothing says outdoor wedding like visiting an outdoor venue in January! It was a bit depressing but their wedding planner, Amy McLaughlin, assured them that all would be absolutely beautiful when summer came around and she had worked her magic!

The bride wanted very simple and organic florals in pastel hues. She wanted the view and the topography to be the focal point. McLaughlin used tons of eucalyptus mixed with blush and white roses to adorn the ceremony arbor. Guests were given fans in case they became overheated at the ceremony. The couple’s dog Penny, a rescue dog, was one of the highlights of the day. She was the most well behaved little girl and had the demeanor of an adopted child who was just so grateful to have been chosen to love. The evening’s fare of choice was a bistro style selection of comfort foods including a sliders bar and flatbread station. To top it off, Kate and Chris chose a whoopie pie buffet over the traditional wedding cake –a huge hit with kids and adults alike!

Whitney Bischoff’s Romantic Coastal Wedding Reveal

From The Bachelor to happily ever after, we’ve followed along as Whitney Bischoff found love and planned her Cape Cod nuptials. That gorgeous New England celebration is finally here and it is so worth the wait. Plus…#CutePupAlert. Peek inside this romantic coastal affair designed by Always Yours Events, with florals by The Wild Dahlia, stationery by Amanda Day Rose and images captured by Carly Michelle. And don’t forget to hit play on that perfect film by Brighter Lights Media below. Psst… for more of Whitney’s journey, click here.

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Y’all! You can official call me Mrs. Whitney Bischoff Angel! It still feels so surreal. For the past year, I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of the ideas and details I had planned for our special day, but to actually see it all come to fruition actually took my breath away. October 21, 2017 was hands down the best day of my life. I want to relive it all over again, but as knowing that time only moves forward, the next best thing is to reminisce and share all of my memories.

After Ricky and I chose to have our wedding on Cape Cod, we decided our first item to tackle was our venue. We visited several venues on the Cape, but after visiting The Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, our decision was made for us. Not only was the venue picturesque, from the grounds to the gardens, water views and accommodations, but the customer service was next to none. The team was so helpful during the planning process, but most importantly, what stood out to Ricky and I, was how well they treated not only us, but our family and friends. Every single employee of the Wequassett was so helpful, kind and warm. Our guests are still talking about it and some have already booked travel to go back. Thank you to the Wequassett for treating us all like family. We can honestly say we will visit the rest of our lives and can’t wait to bring our children.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my vendor team was the key to pulling off the wedding of my dreams. Each vendor, led me to another who recommended another, and yet another. It was almost like it was meant to be. It was so important that I trusted them, but also that they trusted one another and their work.

Thank you to our wedding planner, Keri Ketterer of Always yours Events, for all you did to execute such a perfect day! You did not overlook one single detail and without you we would not have been able to pull off this celebration. Thank you for keeping me calm, for your advice, professionalism and overall being such a kind soul and good friend.

The theme to our wedding…”Life has a crazy, beautiful design”….was a line from our first dance, which was performed by Ricky’s father and brother… a moment I’ll never forget. When I first heard the song “Amazing Day” by Coldplay it was the lyrics that really spoke to me and this line in particular. For those of you who have followed my journey to true love, I’m not sure anyone, including myself, thought I would find it. But I did, in a very crazy, but beautiful way. Every step and decision I had made, led me to that moment, that day, and to Ricky.

It was important that our personal touch was evident throughout the design. Our theme was quietly placed throughout the wedding to catch each guest’s eye. Our invitation suites had a keepsake card with the lyrics, which was such a special touch. All stationary was completed by Amanda Day Rose and beautifully calligraphed by Design by Laney. Amanda created a personal crest for Ricky and I, which was also displayed throughout the day. What many people don’t know, is the thought that went into making this crest unique and personal. It is a crest that we will continue to use throughout our life. I look at it as a representation of the start of our life together. Eventually, with the start of our family, I will ask Amanda to add to it, but for now an “R” and “W” are intertwined together, with angel wing flowers as a border and one lily, which is a tribute to my late mother, her favorite flower.

This leads me to our amazing florist Shawna of Wild Dahlia. She completely blew me away. Y’all, did you see my bouquet? That arrangement was a complete work of art (not to mention it was heavier than my dog daughter, Lillie!). It was the perfect arrangement of lush, full gorgeous blooms, with one lily, to represent my mom. The lily was facing me, closest to my heart. My sister, also had one adorning her bouquet, as well as each family member’s table. Lastly, there was one empty chair in the front row of the ceremony, which had an arrangement of lilies. I am so appreciative to everyone who understood how important it was to have my mother captured in our day. There was no doubt my mom was represented and was present. Everywhere I looked, whether anyone noticed it or not, we knew she was there.

Knowing how precious and short time is, is the reason I wanted a videographer there to capture every moment. Christian and his team at Brighter Lights Media did just that…every tear, laugh, kiss, look, touch…they captured. I’ve watched the video they put together a minimum of 100 times and each time my eyes well up with tears of happiness. There is no better gift to ourselves than this. Not to mention, I felt like Ricky and I were starring in our own movie. The cinematography was top notch. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

I have dreamt of my wedding day since I was a little girl. I wasn’t sure who would be waiting for me at the end of the aisle; I wasn’t sure what I would wear, or where I would be, or when it would be, but I knew it would happen. But this day surpassed all I had ever dreamt. Having my Mamaw (my mother’s mom) walk me down aisle to my “Old Kentucky Home” (a nod to my roots) and place my hand into Ricky’s, will forever be imprinted in my memory. When I looked out to our guests, and scanned the lawn of all the people that impacted our lives, I remember thinking to myself, “don’t forget this moment. Don’t forget this feeling you have. Don’t forget how loved you are.” And I won’t.
Thank you, Carly Michelle Photography for capturing this day and this wedding journey for us over the past year. Your love for what you do shines through your work and we will forever cherish the friendship we’ve made.

You know the saying “it takes a village.” That phrase has never meant more to me than preparing for my day and even more now looking back on it. Thank you to my makeup artist Amanda McCarthy and hairstylist Jen Tawa for all your hard work and attention to detail. I’ll never forget looking at my sister and saying “I feel beautiful.” What more could any bride want than to feel beautiful on her wedding day? This was all because of you.

Finally, thank you Ricky for choosing me to be your wife! I want to end this last post with the way I started my first: Ricky, thank you for being you and loving me for being me. We really did have one perfect, amazing day!

I appreciate you all reading along! I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have.

XOXO-
Whit A (gosh that feels good to write)

Photography: Carly Michelle Photography | Cinematography: Brighter Lights Media | Floral Design: The Wild Dahlia | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Brideside | Calligraphy: Design by Laney | Airbrush Tanning: Glo Airbrush Tan | Bridesmaids Accessories: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Pajamas: Celebrate with Laura | Ceremony Musician: Jason Paradise | Classic and Contemporary Hair Styling On Location: Jennifer Tawa | Custom Angel Wing Art: Wildline Weddings | Custom Gift Boxes for Bridesmaids + Groomsmen: Teak Twine | Custom Wedding Dress Designer: Belle Vie Bridal | Gown Salon: Belle Vie Bridal | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Makeup Artistry: Amanda McCarthy Beauty | Ribbons: Stella Wolfe | Stationery + Crest Design: Amanda Day Rose | Sweetheart Table Rentals: Peak Event Services | Wedding + After Party DJ/Emcee: ECF Entertainment - DJ Boogz | Wedding Band + Entertainment: Boston Common Band | Wedding Cake Bakery + Designer: Montilio's | Wedding Planner + Designer: Always Yours Events | Wedding Rings + Jewelry: Sam Rafidia + European Jewelry | Wedding Venue + Catering: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

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Boston Common Band

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Always Yours Events

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How to Pick the Perfect Floral Designer with Whitney B.

From SMP blogger bride, Whitney B.… If you are anything like me, when it came to envisioning my wedding day, I knew I wanted an abundance of flowers, but I had no clue where to begin with searching for a floral designer. After researching several different designers and looking through hundreds of pictures and websites, I finally narrowed it down to my #1: Shawna, owner of The Wild Dahlia. Below are some of the reasons why and tid bits of advice for all you future wives:

Find Someone With an Aesthetic You Love

When picking a floral designer, look at their use of color, their signature style, and their featured bouquets within their portfolio and on their social media accounts. As a bride, one reason I chose The Wild Dahlia is because I loved the look and feel of Shawna’s centerpieces and bouquets that I had seen featured on Instagram feed, on wedding blogs, and in portfolio pictures. I also loved the fullness of her signature bouquet style and her use of large statement blooms – such as garden roses and peonies mixed with greenery to create a full and romantic look – which is exactly what I was looking for.

Find a Floral Designer Who Understands Your Vision

Also consider a potential floral designer’s ability to understand your vision and run with it, while also making it unique and a little bit outside of the box. While I love flowers and had very specific blooms that I wanted incorporated, I also really wanted to lean on my selected floral designer and trust her to take my tastes and preferences and create a floral plan that not only fit our personal tastes but also felt unique and different than everything we had been seeing. I also took into consideration that The Wild Dahlia was a vetted vendor on my wedding planner’s (Always Yours Events) vendor list, and that it was very evident that Shawna could be entrusted with our vision and to be an integral part of our wedding vendor team.

Find a Floral Designer Willing to be Creative

Finally, consider his or her ability to be creative with your floral AND your ideal budget. During our first consult with Shawna, we loved her can-do spirit and ability to be creative with not only our vision but also our budget. We had a specific floral budget in mind, and Shawna helped us find creative ways to make our design work within our ideal budget while never sacrificing the aesthetic or design from day one. For example, we will have gorgeous arrangements at our ceremony that we wanted to see incorporated for more than just 30 minutes of our day, so we have worked with Shawna to take those florals and repurpose them for spaces later in the evening where they will be impactful and continue our design throughout all the reception spaces.

I hope some of these tips help you find the perfect floral designer for your own wedding day! I cannot wait to share with you all the design and floral from our wedding at the Wequassett very soon!

Happy Flower Picking-

Whit B.

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Always Yours Events

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Whitney Bischoff

Blogger Bride

Your Visual Playbook the Prettiest Brunch Wedding

By now you’ve likely caught a glimpse of our latest bridesmaid dress line with Weddington Way, and today we’re seeing these pretties in action with some brunch wedding goodness. Designed by our girl, Keri of Always Yours Events, with stationery beauty by Amanda Day Rose, it’s a shoot featuring farm-to-table bites with all the feminine design vibes captured by Meredith Jane Photography and JF3 Productions. Peruse the images and head this way for even more.

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From Always Yours Events… In the last few years we have seen the much-loved brunch trend grow, and as a wedding planner and designer I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of designing a wedding around an elegant and romantic brunch. The inspiration for this shoot actually came to light after a recent venue search experience I had with a couple who had found the perfect private estate to host their gorgeous wedding, however the venue only offered weddings during the day with an end time by 8:30pm. While the couple ultimately ended up selecting another wedding venue, I had already begun dreaming of ways that a day wedding could not only be just as spectacular, romantic and magical as an evening wedding, but also a little bit unexpected and unique. And from that real life experience came this feminine and romantic brunch design filled with lovely long tables covered in patterned linens, lush and colorful florals, a farm-to-table inspired brunch menu served family style, gorgeous bridal style, and of course rosé.

As we planned and designed this brunch celebration, the incredible vendor team and I wanted to incorporate a plethora of pretty and unexpected details to each facet of the day. For the venue, we hosted at the newly renovated and gorgeous Dennis Inn on Cape Cod, which is booked by weekend, offering the couple a private estate wedding with the ability to have multiple wedding weekend events. To accommodate the early morning getting ready hours for a brunch wedding, we arranged a light and feminine spread of berry parfaits and fresh French pastries to be enjoyed while the bridal party got ready with beauty stylists Natalie Lelless and Maricruz Polito, and opened their wedding day gifts curated by the bride with the Lux Box Company. The bride wore a modern romantic number and veil by Theia from Head Over Heels Bridal, and the bridesmaids wore these stunning and ethereal long rosé colored gowns with a gorgeous open back (in the style Hazel) from the Style Me Pretty x Weddington Way. Complete with overflowing bouquets filled with sorbet colored peonies, poppies, garden roses, and ranunculus, the bride and her bridesmaids were a vision. The groom and groomsmen donned J.Crew’s bright navy suits silk ribbon tied boutonnieres, and went with a crisp white shirt and sans tie to give a bit more of a comfortable while still dapper daytime look.

For the tablescape, we chose this statement white and pink patterned linen, tying into the color of the coral charm peonies found in the bouquets and working well with the elegant white cross back chairs from True North Event Rentals. Behind the head table The Wild Dahlia created a backdrop by draping the large windows with greenery and roses for a romantic look within the space. On the table we mixed Be Our Guest’s gold rimmed glass chargers with gold and silver flatware and crystal stemware from three different collections to create visual interest, and amongst the florals we added deep rose colored taper candles, acrylic table numbers and a bottle of Belvoir Elderflower Lemonade as favors for each guest. For the brunch, we hand selected classics with a twist for a higher end menu, such as berry parfaits with basil mascarpone, bagel BLTs with homemade smoked bacon and colorful heirloom tomatoes, and and lobster eggs Benedict. For dessert we selected heart shaped ice cream pops in a variety of flavors from the Local Scoop for a playful and unique dessert.

And finally for the stationery suite, the talented Amanda Day Rose created a suite perfect for a modern romantic brunch complete with an RSVP card featuring the title “Brunch with Us,” a personalized crest, sheer textured ribbons, and a vellum envelope calligraphed with gold ink. In lieu of traditional escort cards we tied each white hemstitch napkin with silk ribbon, which we had calligraphed by AMR Calligraphy with each guest’s name.

This design and day was captured so beautifully by Meredith Jane Photography and JF3 Productions, and looking through the galleries and video I love how much a brunch wedding allows for light and airy galleries featuring every aspect of the day in ethereal natural light. This design is one that I hope will inspire couples to think outside the box for their own celebrations, and create something romantic and a little bit unexpected that will leave a lasting impression on their guests.

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9 Wedding Locations You Havent Heard About Yet

We know that finding the perfect wedding venue isn’t always easy, especially if you’re looking for something that totally speaks to you and yours. So today we’re running through a list of nine (yes, NINE) fab venues we absolutely love, so you can find that dream locale. Scroll for some hidden gems you haven’t even heard of.

THE ST. REGIS WASHINGTON, D.C.

Why we love it: Just steps from the White House, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is the perfect mix of luxe accommodations and upscale wedding offerings – all with a dash of historical charm. You can opt for a cocktail hour in the Italianate revival lobby, or celebrate your “I do’s” in the Astor Ballroom with its hand-stenciled ceiling (an original 1926 decorative feature) and Palladian windows overlooking The Astor Terrace. This place is beautiful, you guys – and it’s no wonder it continues to be named the “Best Hotel for Small Weddings” by Washington Magazine. It’s just that good.

What you can’t miss: The Astor Terrace. Perfect for ceremonies OR receptions, this gem of an outdoor space features a dreamy fountain. Need we say more?

W SCOTTSDALE

Why we love it: Located smack-dab in the middle of Scottsdale’s Entertainment District, W Scottsdale is every modern lovin’ bride’s dream. Think totally chic contemporary spaces (both indoor and outdoor) perfect for celebrating your Big Day, plus amazing accommodations that will make your entire wedding weekend.

What you can’t miss: Their fab W Insider service. It’s concierge plus some with everything you’ll ever need just a push of a button away. Whatever you want, whenever you want it.

LE MÉRIDIEN DELFINA SANTA MONICA

Why we love it: Situated just three blocks from the ocean with great access and breathtaking views, plus offering up some awesome amenities for guests (hey there, Bicycle Programme), Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica seamlessly combines a glam spot to say “I do” with all of that laid-back Southern Cali charm we love so much. We’re obsessed with their Pool Terrace receptions, not to mention their chef-inspired catering menus and views of the Pacific Ocean.

What you can’t miss: Their venues. From the Delfina Ballroom to the Terrazza Garden, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica has you covered when it comes to celebrating in style.

HOTEL COLONNADE CORAL GABLES, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL

Why we love it: Ideal for those travel lovers who want to say “I do” in complete luxury, the Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables has elegant weddings (and accommodations) down to an absolute science. From their 23,000 square feet of event space to their gorgeous venue options (hello, marble-tiled rotunda) to their talented staff that knows everything there is to know about throwing the perfect wedding, you’ll most definitely be making a statement.

What you can’t miss: Their Make a Green Choice Program. Guests receive a $5 food credit or 500 SPG points just for making the choice to conserve natural resources in their room. We love that.

THE WESTIN CHICAGO NORTHWEST

Why we love it: It’s hard not to fall in love with a setting as pretty as Hamilton Lake and when you add in a climate-controlled tent and fully-renovated guest rooms, you have yourselves one of the prettiest wedding locales in all of Chicago. Plus, the Westin Chicago Northwest also offers up a plethora of indoor + outdoor venue options, customizable menus AND your very own wedding specialist.

What you can’t miss: Their 24-hour room service. (Enough said.)

SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL & MARINA

Why we love it: You honestly can’t go wrong with a San Diego wedding, and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the epitome of a perfect SoCal soiree with a gorgeous seaside location and deluxe amenities. Now add in a stunning garden ceremony spot (with marina views) and indoor venue options that are just as cool and you have the perfect place to say “I do.”

What you can’t miss: The Culinary team. They’ve been named “Best Caterer” by San Diego Magazine for 15 years running. Yum.

THE EQUINOX, A LUXURY COLLECTION GOLF RESORT & SPA, VERMONT

Why we love it: You know we can never get enough of Vermont weddings and if you’re looking for the perfect destination spot: this is it. From their three unique venues (Pond Pavilion, Colonnade Ballroom and Meadow House) to the amazing views of the Equinox Mountain and the Taconic Mountain Ridge, The Equinox Resort has everything you’ll ever need for that dream wedding… AND can accommodate anywhere from 80 to 250 guests.

What you can’t miss: The activities. This four-season resort offers up a world of fun-filled adventures, from golfing to skiing to fishing to snowshoeing – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

THE ST. ANTHONY, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, SAN ANTONIO

Why we love it: Four words: Open-air rooftop ballroom. Yep, you can literally dance the night away under the stars. Plus, the St. Anthony has been hosting weddings for over a century, so you know you’re in good hands with their talented staff of event professionals. From their gorgeous rooms to their convenient downtown locale, you won’t be missing a thing.

What you can’t miss: The details. From crystal chandeliers to a winding staircase to theatrical lighting and a 19th Century French tapestry, get ready for some non-stop oohing and ahhing.

THE WESTIN GALLERIA & OAKS HOUSTON

Why we love it: If you’re having a celebration with a lot of out-of-town guests, you can’t pick a locale better than the Westin Galleria & Oaks Houston. Its Uptown location paired with its amazing guest amenities and reception space for up to 1,000 makes it the ideal location for those looking to explore the Galleria neighborhood of Houston. Think shopping, dining and spa-ing the days away. It’s perfect.

What you can’t miss: The Monarch Ballroom. With floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the city, this 24th floor gem is a reception dreamland.

Visit SPG Weddings to find out even more about these hidden gems AND all of the amazing perks of having an SPG Wedding. You can thank us later, friends.

New England Wedding Inspired by Pride & Prejudice

Can we just take a sec to bow down for this dress (designed by the bride herself)? Talk about twirl-worthy! It was the perfect number for this fete inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, fitting for Aisha and Wes who are fond of history and literature. From the charming venue to the striking bridal captures by Sophie Kaye, the entire day is the definition of timeless.

From Sophie Kaye… Set against a stunning historical backdrop, Aisha and Wes wed surrounded by family and friends at The Mount in The Berkshires. The former home of American author Edith Wharton was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and features splendid architecture, picturesque views, beautiful grounds and enchanting gardens. Wes and Aisha both knew that they wanted to get married in the tranquility of the country, not in the bustling city, and thus began their search for venues in New England. They both love the beautiful scenery, open landscapes, crisp weather and elegance New England has to offer. Wes spent his childhood creating family memories throughout New England. Passing many a weekend sailing the Cape with his late grandfather.

The ceremony took place outdoors in the French garden, while the reception and dinner was held in the house and the veranda. The couple danced the night away in an intimate soiree with their closest family and friends.

Aisha and Wes knew they wanted a beautiful, timeless, romantic wedding and were inspired by the Pride and Prejudice Film starring Keira Knightly. Aisha created a vision board with neo classical/Edwardian architectural elements, soft pastels, golden light, frosty greens, a stunning long sleeve wedding dress, and soft and ethereal bridesmaid ensembles.

Wes and Aisha fell in love with The Mount upon their initial visit to the historic estate. They are both fond of history and literature [Wes minored in history at Washington & Lee] and felt it was the perfect venue to celebrate their marriage. The newlywed couple resides in Gramercy Park neighborhood, NYC, with their senior Chihuahua, Jonah. Wes grew up in Chappaqua, NY, and attended college at Washington & Lee, and works in the energy sector as the chief financial officer for a NH based firm, specializing in renewable energy. Aisha grew up in The Netherlands, and moved to the states with her family, where she attended high school, and afterwards went to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She currently works as a woman’s wear designer.

This Crane Estate Engagement Is a Timeless Beauty at Its Finest

The recipe for a timeless engagement session: regal architecture and rolling green landscapes, natural light and a white lace dress, and most importantly, a beautiful couple in love. Check, check, and check! Christina Bernales photographed these two cuties at the Crane Estate, so head to the gallery and get lost in all the pretty of this engagement session.

From Christina Bernales… Our sweet couple, Connie and Andy, wanted their engagement session to be set at a location in their home state of Massachusetts that had a historic and timeless feel, with gorgeous architecture and beautiful landscapes and light. The Crane Estate was the perfect place for their vision, and I had a blast photographing the beautiful scenery at this location.

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Classic Summer Wedding on Martha’s Vineyard

Planning a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard is no easy fete. Speaking from experience during my own venue search—things book up quickly! That is, unless you’re parents have a home on the island like this stunning Bride, done up by Stacie Ford Weddings. Their classic church ceremony followed by a tented reception is pulling at my seaside-loving heartstrings. Craving a coastal affair packed with elegance? Spend some time with this fete planned by Lyndsey Hamilton Events and captured by K Robinson Photography.

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From the Bride… Matt and I grew up in the same small town just north of the Manhattan. We unofficially met when we worked down the street from each other, he at his family’s pizzeria, me at the town bakery. He’d come in on Saturday for glazed donuts. We officially met in high school when he starting hanging around with my group of friends- and we became lab partners in physics and we’ve been partners ever since.

It took 10 years for matt to propose and a second for me to say yes! In July of 2015 we got engaged on Edgartown harbor in Martha’s Vineyard and decided there was no better place for us to say I do! We were married in St Elizabeth’s in downtown Edgartown by Matt’s cousin Michael White, who also married Matt’s parents 31 years earlier.

The reception was held at my parents property on the Edgartown great pond. Lyndsey Hamilton Events planned and designed a fairytale wedding. We started with cocktails, passed hors dourves, and a raw bar, in my backyard over looking the Edgartown great pond. During cocktail hour and dinner we enjoyed the beautiful musical styles of the lovely Parkington sisters- including an hour of old Irish songs as a nod to our heritage.

Matt, a chef in downtown manhattan, worked with Jaime Hamlin catering to curate a delicious menu; to start a plate of local cheeses and honey, then the main event of a whole roast pig, roast chickens, and grilled sword fish- complemented with a side of fresh succotash, and the biggest culinary hit of the whole night; cornbread. We made our way from the Sperry dinner tent to the clear top tent with a clear dance floor covering the pool. We used big sky tents for all our rentals. After all the important dances and the iconic moment, of my best friend jumping on stage to sing with the wedding band Sultans of Swing with Jerry Bennett, we cut our delicious carrot wedding cake made by Cakes by Val. The cops shut us down at 1045pm but that didn’t stop us from we heading over to the barn for my favorite part of the whole evening; the late night food truck from The Artcliff diner. We danced all night under the stars and ended the day sitting cuddled by the fire pit.

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Vintage Bikes + Boardwalk Strolls for a Nantucket Engagement

Ashley and Mike opted for a 5 am sunrise engagement session on Nantucket and the payoff was pretty major. They strolled the charming island streets and took a vintage bike out for a spin, all with Meredith Jane Photography capturing behind the camera. Steal a peek in the gallery for every adorable moment of this classic New England lovefest.

From the bride… Mike and I met 4 years ago while we were both out on the South Shore in Massachusetts, each with a separate group of friends. I was not looking for a boyfriend at the time as I had just made a career change and was back in college full time with a very busy schedule. But as Mike started talking to me something grabbed my attention. After that night out we continued talking and texting on a regular basis and I agreed to go out with him on a date. We met up and had drinks and watched The Bruins. After that first date I could tell there was something different about him, and from that moment on we were inseparable. We continued going on dates and turned that one night out into a lifetime of love.

We chose Nantucket for our engagement session because I love the Cape and Islands and the beach, and had never been to Nantucket before. We thought what better way to capture my first time there then to plan our engagement session for the same time. Memorial Day weekend on Nantucket is also the location where Figawi is held, which I have heard is a great time! I knew it would be fun and the backdrop would be extra special with all of the boats and American flags flying.

This session was special because we wrapped up our weekend away by doing a sunrise shoot on our last day in Nantucket. No one was around yet and it felt like we had the Island to ourselves. It was great to be out on the beach and walking along the cobblestone streets all alone. It was also pretty unique because it was freezing cold! Who would have thought that Memorial Day could have weather like that?! I think it was only in the 40’s and with the wind and being on the water, it sure didn’t feel like the start to summer.

My future vision for the wedding day is a classic, timeless evening. Colors of navy, blush and gold accents. Simple, clean decor. Floral centerpieces with hydrangeas and peonies and added touches of greenery. I envision my wedding day to be the most magical day, something that I will want to relive over and over again.

Photography: Meredith Jane Photography | Floral Design: Flowers on Chestnut | Bike Rental: Cook's Cycles | Rentals: Nantucket Bike Basket Co. | Rentals: It's a Shore Thing - Nantucket

A Rainy Day Creates an Intimate Wedding

You would never know that rain forced this darling, Nantucket wedding by Stacie Shea Events indoors – it all looks so perfectly welcoming and planned. Zofia & Co. captured each warm, cozy, and inviting moment from the intimate ceremony in the living room of the Westmoor Farm‘s main house to the closely nestled table arrangement at dinner and the late-night dancing in the barn, all waiting for you in the Vault.

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From Stacie Shea Events… Izzy and Matt couldn’t think of a better, happier place to get married than Nantucket, MA. They chose Westmoor Farm, a beautiful little compound off the beaten path, to host their closest family and friends in cozy little cabins.

Originally, the ceremony was to be held outside on the main lawn under a beautiful arbor of greenery and ribbons. Mother nature had different plans, and moments before the intimate ceremony was to take place, the skies opened up, and we were forced inside. Plan B wasn’t so bad, though. Matt was beyond thrilled to marry his best friend in the living room of the main house under what may be the largest moose head in existence.

During cocktail hour, the couple escaped to the cobblestone streets of downtown Nantucket where they took photos at some of their favorite places on the island. You can see happiness written all over their faces!

The reception was candlelit, quaint, and perfect. Three tables nestled closely together and a dinner catered by Nantucket Catering Company was the perfect way to eat, drink, and be married. Centerpieces of white anemones, hydrangeas, and roses added that little bit of Nantucket flare.

After dinner, guests moved the party over to the barn where they danced the night away to the Timbukblues and DJ Billy Voss. While it never stopped raining, the big barn doors remained open, and that salty island air swirled throughout the room.

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