Minnesota Weddings

Anytime we can talk to an expert, we gobble it up! These people are not just knowledgable, but they take action with their work! 

So today we’re in for a real treat! We got to (electronically) sit down with Bria Hammel to talk about this kitchen project while also learning some bits and bobbles about the process. 

Take a read!

Q: Tell us about this STUNNING kitchen! 

This kitchen really encapsulates our aesthetic at Bria Hammel Interiors – classic design with a fresh twist. We worked with our client on their new construction home to marry their traditional style and love of color and this beautiful kitchen is the product of just that. Like many can relate to, the kitchen is the heart of their home and where they spend the most of their time with their guests. We wanted to design a space that was not only extremely functional for their family but also a conversation starter and a bit of a show stopper. Who says you can’t have both?

Q: The tile is one of our favorite parts, can you tell us about it? 

It’s one of our favorites too! A while back, we had the privilege of previewing Annie Selke’s collection for The Tile Shop and instantly fell in love. When we saw this Smokey Blue Artisanal Tile, we knew that it had to make its way into one of our projects. Luckily, our clients were just as in love with it as we were and went for it. We love that it had that handmade look, but the durability and longevity of a ceramic tile. Perfect for a kitchen backplash!

Q: So many people are afraid of colorful tile, what advice would you give them? 

Is “JUST DO IT!” too simple? Haha! All jokes aside, we know that colorful tile can often be daunting but, when done right, it can truly be just as timeless as a white subway. For this space, we embraced a sleek, monochromatic look. Color matching the paint color on the island and the window treatment pattern to match the tile exactly. From there, we kept everything else neutral (perimeter cabinetry, light fixtures, hardware, furnishings, etc.).

Q: There are typically SO many decisions when it comes to tile selection. From grout, installation design — how do you decide what to do where? 

There are many decisions when it comes to tile but the most important things we consider are what the room be used for and the size of the space. That will dictate what type of tile you’ll want to use (marble, porcelain, slate, ceramic, etc.) and the scale (we recommend smaller tiles for small spaces, like a powder bathroom, to create a full, repetitious look).

Q: Do you have a favorite tile? 

Oooh, this is a hard one! Honestly, it would be near impossible to pick a favorite tile. However, we do have an installation technique that we adore. Often times, we love to select a traditional tile (i. E. White subway tile) but install it in a modern way (i. E. Stacking it straight vertically). We love a subtle, modern touch.

Q: Do you take location into account when choosing tile? Like if it’s a chic apartment in New York vs. A bright villa in South Carolina?

Yes and no! While we totally acknowledge location and it’s influence on a home’s design, we don’t think that that should box you in when it comes to your choices. If you live in the middle of Wisconsin but you want a New York loft-style home – go for it. Your home should represent your unique style and what makes you happy. However, there’s also beauty in embracing your geographic location’s style as well. Long story short, do whatever feels genuine to you!

Q: What questions should people ask before choosing a tile and its design? 

We kind of went over this above, but really take into consideration how the tile is going to be used. Is it going to be walked all over on a daily basis by your dogs muddy paws? Will it be splashed by water everyday when giving your kiddo a bath? Should it be able to withstand flying pasta sauce while cooking dinner? Functionality should be the #1 concern when selecting a tile so make sure to educate yourself (or hire a designer who can do it for you!) on the different types of tiles and what they are best for. How do you match tile to the rest of the house?

Q: Do you take color into account when thinking about the rest of the rooms? 

Yes! One of the biggest things a designer is tasked with is creating cohesion throughout an entire home. Making sure that each space flows effortlessly into one another. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that every room has to have the same exact color scheme, it does mean that each space pocessess a certain element or theme that ties them all together.

Photography: Spacecrafting | Architect: David Charlez Designs | Builder: Sd Custom Homes | Interior Design: Bria Hammel Interiors

Classic Brides, this one’s for you! These cuties said “I do” in a St. Paul, Minnesota wedding that we simply cannot get enough of. Between their timeless style and the elegant St. Paul College Club venue, this summer celebration was sheer perfection. Summer Street Photography and Harvest Film Co. were there to capture the day, so head on over to the Vault for more.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/222437925 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Summer Street Photography… Elizabeth and Colin just work together. They are approachable, kind, loving, generous, and talented. It’s clear that they didn’t fall too far from their roots, as all of their family and friends were equally gracious and hospitable.

Elizabeth and Colin chose the timeless Saint Paul College Club for their wedding. From the Bridal Suite to the lush backyard ceremony and reception rooms, it was an absolutely perfect location for their wedding celebration. Elizabeth and her ladies got ready in the suite right next to Colin and his Groomsmen. The house was buzzing with calm excitement as champagne bottles popped and laughter spilled down the stairs. Elizabeth was an absolute vision, clearly radiating the joy that surrounded her, which out-shined even her perfect bridal look. Colin and his guys waited patiently as the ladies finished their preparations, and the entire party was ready to roll and looking fantastic before guests started arriving. We were able to capture some beautiful portraits of the bridal party on the grounds of the mansion before and after the ceremony.

As guests arrived and took their seats, the weather cooperated to give them a beautiful, sunny afternoon ceremony with puffy white clouds and a slight breeze. It was clear that Elizabeth and Colin were grounded and overflowing with love. They were so happy. The reception was a fantastic celebration to cap off the day. Touching and humorous toasts entertained the crowd and delicious food (and cake from Saint Paul favorite, Cafe Latte) kept the party going well into the night, the dance floor crowded. It was a great day, and one we were honored to photograph. Congratulations, Elizabeth and Colin!

Photography: Summer Street Photography | Cinematography: Harvest Film Co | Floral Design: Hy-Vee | Ceremony Venue: St. Paul College Club | Catering: St. Paul College Club | Makeup: Lindsay Hanson Dukes | Hair: Baroque Artistry | Musician + DJ: Michael Shynes

Infused with all the little things this gorgeous couple loves most, and overflowing with meaningful details, this chic Library wedding is equal parts stunning and stylish. Beautifully captured by Jeff Loves Jessica, this is a gallery you’ll want to spend some serious time with. See even more in the VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Jeff Loves Jessica…Kerry & John’s wedding day in St. Paul MN appeared effortlessly elegant. The two exchanged vows at the beautiful Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, then held their reception at the James J Hill Reference Library–a stunning venue with 3 stories of wall-to-wall books and immense architectural and vintage charm! The tables were decorated with bold botanical collections of plants and exotic flowers mixed in with candlelight and some of the library’s original study lamps. These two are as tasteful as they are talented–the couple designed, lasercut, printed, and assembled the invitation suite themselves.

From The Bride…I envisioned our wedding to be uniquely stylish, romantic, and tons of fun! I liked the idea of creating a highly personalized experience that represented both my husband and me. I wanted the aesthetic to reflect both of our tastes and experiences. After poring over wedding blogs and magazines, I realized that since all weddings have the same elements, they can begin to look the same in many ways. Like every bride, I wanted ours to have at least some elements that no one had seen as a guest at a wedding before. This meant that I looked for opportunities to be “non-bridal” and add DIY elements at every turn.

Even though it’s usually the reception that gets the most attention, it was really important to us that the ritual of the ceremony was deeply meaningful and highly personal as well. I am Catholic, and so I wanted to have the wedding ceremony in my home parish. It’s where I went to kindergarten through 8th grade, and my parents are still very involved there. A family friend who is a Catholic priest performed the marriage ceremony, and he was wonderful in incorporating personal elements into the ritual that we developed with him. He took extra care to ensure that everyone in attendance felt welcomed and involved, regardless of religious background.

One of the personal elements was a foot washing ceremony, which recalls an important event in Christian scripture and demonstrates that the bride and groom were embarking on a life of service to one another. My husband was really nervous to do this in front of all of our guests, but in the end we were so happy to have included something so meaningful and unexpected.

The other special element was something that we did after lighting the Unity Candle. Usually, the bride and groom take their own candles, and together they light the one big candle. But as our celebrant described, that’s not a natural thing for fire to do–fire doesn’t get smaller, it grows and spreads. So, after lighting the candle together, we took our candles and lit the candles held by all of our guests. This was intended to symbolize how love grows, and to incorporate our guests in asking for their help in supporting our love. It was really beautiful to look out at all of our guests holding the candles and blessing us! (Although I was mostly worried about not setting my dress on fire…)

Of course, after the ceremony came the reception! When we began wedding planning, we started with the reception venue. My husband John is an architect, so when I asked him what he would like in a venue, the thing that came to the top of his list was “a place where people walk inside and are immediately impacted by the structure”. Since we live in New York City, but were planning the wedding in my hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, we looked to my mom for help. She suggested that we look into the James J. Hill Reference Library. Based on the photos, we were both thrilled! There was only one Saturday date left in the 2015 summer (even though it was more than a year in advance), so we were very lucky to get it!

The visual inspiration for the wedding flowed from the venue. I had been admiring lots of outdoor weddings with natural themes, but I changed course once we picked the library! I love a vintage aesthetic, and both John and I love to explore and travel. When we first met, I was working in northern Mexico, and during the course of our relationship, we spent time in a number of different countries (unfortunately, not often together!) For my work as a consultant for a design consultancy focused on international governance and development, I was actually traveling internationally (to Mexico, Indonesia, Panama, Colombia, Georgia, Turkey…) for about 40% of the time that we were wedding planning! So, something related to travel seemed like it would be fun, but that didn’t feel specific enough to me to make a great theme.

Thinking about the simultaneously intimate and grand interior of the library (as well as the idea of partying amidst thousands of books), I liked that it felt like an old-time private club. I thought of taking inspiration from the real-life Explorers Club headquarters in New York City. Founded in 1904, the Explorers Club is a society for the exploration of the world through field research.

The New York City club has the feeling of stepping back in time; it’s full of vintage maps and artifacts that members would bring back from their travels. We thought we could recreate that vintage club feeling for our reception!

John and I both have an eye for visual design, so visual consistency that evoked the theme without being too on-the-nose was a major focus throughout planning. Of course we wanted yummy food and great music (our band was awesome!) for our guests, but it was the visual impact that I was most obsessed with achieving. From that point, I took visual inspiration from
giant tropical plants—in photos, during my travels, and in vintage botanical drawings and prints. I stopped thinking about wedding flowers and only thought about foliage! Originally, I considering skipping florals altogether in an effort to have a more unique and less overtly “bridal” aesthetic. It was really important to me that the decor was romantic without feeling overly feminine–I wanted it to be something that John felt excited about too! Even though I love traditional wedding flowers, the goal for this wedding was that our guests would feel they were transported to an elegant, boisterous event that wasn’t just another wedding. With more visual research, and upon visiting the flower store with our florist, I ended up being quite taken by several gorgeous tropical flower options. We decided that blossoms would be used as hidden treasures among the dramatic foliage rather than as the main event. I worked with our florist to have an abundance of vibrant green foliage and giant tropical leaves. She looked far and wide to source the giant leaves that made such an impact! I also knew that I wanted an impactful bouquet of only one kind of flower. When we couldn’t find garden roses in a color that complemented my dress, my florist improvised and I ended up carrying a gorgeous trio of ginger flower blossoms, which were also an element of the tablescapes. I found out later that ginger flowers symbolize “fiery passion”, so I guess they were a good thing for a wedding!

Rather than pick a traditional color palette, we were inspired by the various greens of the foliage with small floral bursts of deep raspberry and orange color: birds of paradise, ginger blossoms, and velvety celosia cristata (cockscomb), We kept to white and gold when creating accessory elements.

The dramatic tropical decor was a major part of the aesthetic theme, but we wanted to carry through the vintage elegance in the design for all the graphic elements of the wedding, too. We focused on DIY that leveraged our access to digital design and fabrication tools, trying to achieve ultimate personalization without necessarily looking DIY. We designed our Save the Dates postcards, hinting at what was to come by promising “The Start of a Fantastic Adventure”. When it came to designing the invitation suite, I was inspired by the use of multi-colored silhouettes in an invitation suite posted on Pinterest. Unfortunately, I neglected to pin it, and to this day have never found it again! The process began with us taking photos of each other with backlighting to create the silhouettes. Then, John used his design skills to convert the photo into a graphic drawing file. I cleaned them up and positioned them, and they were ready to be laser cut! John designed the template for how we would laser cut the silhouettes and then fold and glue them to construct the external envelope, and I did the legwork to pick the right cardstocks. We spent hours in John’s workshop, laser-cutting hundreds of invitations and then gently erasing the tiny burnt edges for a flawless look. We were then able to use the silhouettes and ampersand as a logo throughout the wedding, including on the wedding programs, seating chart, and laser-cut cake toppers. In the end, we especially loved the “Is that really you two?” questions that people asked! John was a pro at assembling the invitations and I focused on designing the invitation inserts themselves. I found open-source images of tropical foliage and a vintage-inspired typeface, and combined them to create a design that would be printed on white, metallic gold-backed cardstock. Early experimentation with watercoloring the invitations by hand failed miserably. So instead, I learned how to do a watercolor effect in Adobe Illustrator that looked almost like the real thing, and we printed the invitations at home. We also used the same images of tropical foliage on the escort cards to subtly signal which entree the guest had requested. Other details to support the Explorers Club theme included having an antique travel trunk to accept cards, and having guests sign a large sepia-toned world map instead of a traditional guest book. Another DIY element was the table numbers. I found images from vintage field guides that are now in the public domain on the website Vintage Printable. I selected scientific illustrations of tropical fruits and flowers, including many that were included in the wedding foliage. I added a corresponding table number, printed them on cardstock, and voila — another uniquely DIY element that subtly supported the visual theme.

We incorporated the use of digital tools throughout all of our wedding DIY projects, but we took it to the extreme in how we approached our wedding bands. Given his profession, John is amazing at 3D modeling software, so he and I designed our rings on our home computer. Then, we sent them off to Shapeways, an online 3D printing service to prototype (not in gold!) and then to print final versions (in gold!). The bands have complementary but unique shapes, with a subtle peak at the top of the ring. It was a huge amount of work to take on all of these projects, but it was actually the most fun part of wedding planning for us because we got to be creative together. I developed my design skills and it was amazing to see him use his professional skills for such a personal project.

My bridal gown was a vintage inspired, beaded dress from Adrianna Papell for BHLDN. To my surprise, I found that I was drawn to the sparklier side of wedding dresses (instead of the lace that I seemed to like in photos). I wanted something that was not overly “bridal” in feeling, since none of the more traditional dresses seemed to feel quite right. The first time I went to BHLDN to try on dresses, this dress was not in the store! I found two other excellent candidates, but couldn’t quite decide. A couple of weeks later, my sister and I called to see if we could score another appointment and they squeezed us in. This time, I tried on the dress and immediately knew it was perfect! I loved the fit and style of my dress, and it wasn’t overly “bridal” (possibly because it is actually sold as a bridesmaid’s dress.)

The beautiful champagne blush color was perfect for my pale skin and red hair, but it presented a special challenge for color matching a veil. My mom even consulted a professional costume-maker to dye the tulle a matching color, but it wasn’t right. I had always wanted to give making my own veil a try, so I followed advice from several wedding how-to blogs, and decided to try doing it myself. My sister and I experimented with a fabric sample, using the boxful of Twinings English Breakfast tea from her cupboard, with delightful success! Somehow, the barely-blush color was perfect. I bought 4 yards of tulle and dyed the full veil length at home, using another brew of that same English Breakfast tea. Then I sewed the tulle onto a metal hair comb to achieve the long veil that I envisioned adding drama to my train-less dress. The color of the dress again posed a challenge for wedding jewelry! Anything yellow gold looked harshly yellow against the blush champagne. After quite a bit of searching, I eventually found the perfect rose-gold accessories to complement it. Advice to wedding boutiques, this is something you can work on!

We decided to serve guests from three flavors of lovely 10-inch cakes rather than a traditional large wedding cake. Both my husband and I share a love of banana cake with cream cheese frosting, and we had our hearts set on serving it at the wedding. So, we were very happy to discover that local bakery Cafe Latte carried a delicious version of it. We wanted to offer our guests a variety, however, so we also served Tres Leches (a favorite of the groom) and Double Chocolate (one of my favorites).

Since the cakes were decorated in a simple manner, we designed custom laser-cut cake toppers, which included our silhouettes, a series of hearts, and the phrase “Mr. & Ms.” Since I had chosen to keep my last name, one of my proudest DIY moments was the “Mr. & Ms.” cake topper. I was surprised and disappointed to have had no luck finding the phrase in any of my searching for wedding-themed accessories! My mom and sister also designed a bar of various white-colored candies in crystal dishes for guests to nibble on.

My mom is famous for her delicious frosted cutout cookies, and she baked hundreds of them in advance of the wedding, using cookie cutters in the shape of Minnesota (my home state) and Arizona (the groom’s home state). My sister and I frosted them with white icing and crystal sprinkles, and guests received the duo of cookies in cellophane bags on the way out of the reception.

Photography: Jeff Loves Jessica | Floral Design: Tying The Knot Flowers | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Invitations: Bride + Groom | Ceremony Venue: Nativity Of Our Lord Catholic Church | Reception Venue: James J Hill Library | Rings: Bride + Groom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Prom Catering | Hair + Makeup: Creative Beaute Agency | Band: Bluewater Kings Band | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Bar Service: Green Mill | Best Man Attire: Suitsupply | Bridal Boutique: BHLDN | Desserts: Cafe Latte

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bluewater Kings Band

View Portfolio

When it comes to inspiration for a serene winter white wedding, look no further than this gorgeous editorial photographed by the talented Jody Savage Photography. With stunning wintery flowers, soft gray candles and glass candlesticks on every inch of the table and blush tones scattered throughout, there is truly nothing more beautiful. See every pretty detail in THE VAULT!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Jody Savage Photography…Winter white and soft serene wedding inspiration was the vision for this shoot and it was brought to life with countless of our Midwest’s very best vendors. We wanted to impress the wedding world with french-style chairs, an elegantly distressed harvest table and greens cascading from above. We also wanted to highlight Rudy’s rentals as they have every thing for every need and dream a bride may envision for her magical day.

Photography: Jody Savage Photography | Event Planning: Jill Elaine Designs | Floral Design: Ashley Fox Designs | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Stationery: Jill Elaine Designs | Engagement Ring: RF Moeller | Hair + Makeup: Hayley Sachs | Venue: Rudy's Event Rentals | Bridal Boutique + Veil: l'atelier couture bridal boutique | Dishware: Anthropologie | Flatware And Glassware: Apres Party And Tent Rental | Model: Caryn Model Talent And Management | Rentals: Rudy's Event Rentals | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Velvet In Stationery Suite: Velvet Raptor

When a Bride admits that she used SMP as her wedding reference from the get-go, you KNOW it’s bound to be a pin-worthy affair. And with Geneoh behind the lens, this vintage inspired fete proves to be all that and more. From the serenading Groom to the sequined studded Bridesmaids’, it’s a gallery that sparkles with serious style.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the beautiful Bride…While we had a specific design aesthetic in mind when planning, the most important thing to us was that our day reflected our love. We wanted people to not just see that but feel it. We’d been dating for eight years before we got married so by now everyone knew us well as a couple. What people maybe didn’t get to see as often was just how deep our love ran. Ultimately, we wanted the day to recall those feelings of first falling in love again. We kept coming back to that in every element of our planning.

Phil and I elected to not use a wedding planner. Phil is a professional pianist and vocalist and has played at hundreds of weddings so he had a lot of ideas he had been collecting along the way and I used Style Me Pretty to gather all of our décor ideas. Our florist, Dani at Studio Fleurette, was a huge help too!

Although we’d been living in Los Angeles at the time, we elected to get married back in our home state of Minnesota. We chose a golf club located just miles from where we both grew up. We immediately fell in love with the sprawling hillside view and gorgeous draped tent. When it came to colors, we chose a soft color palette to evoke a natural, organic aesthetic. Adding gold accents and three large crystal chandeliers added the perfect amount of glamour to the tent—which we used for both the ceremony and the reception.

Since Phil is a professional musician, the music was one of the most important elements of our day. As guests shuttled into the ceremony, we had a string quartet playing “Bittersweet Symphony” and I walked down the aisle to Christina Perry’s “A Thousand Years.”

We chose to write our own vows (which we could barely get through because we were crying so much) and my sister and brother-in-law sang a couple of our favorite Christian songs to reflect on the real reason we were standing at the altar! We walked out to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.”

Cocktail hour was held inside of the golf club while the tent was flipped for the reception. When guests came back into the tent they were welcomed by an acoustic set performed by one of our favorite local singer/songwriters (who happens to sound just like Jason Mraz!). He also sang “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes for our first dance.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the night (and my favorite) was Phil’s surprise performance after dinner. He pulled me over to the piano, sat me down and sang a few songs to me. That moment was so special because it represented not just a romantic gesture, but so much of what we’d been through as a couple. Phil’s music career has been a journey we’ve been on together and I couldn’t be more proud of how far he’s come.

The night ended with an impressive fireworks display coordinated to our favorite songs including Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful”—which was selected as the soundtrack to our wedding video. Reflecting back on our day, we get teary eyed just thinking about it. It was the culmination of so much love and joy. It really was the best day of our lives!

Photography: Geneoh | Videographer: Visual Masterpiece | Event Planning: Maria Vizuete | Floral Design: Studio Fleurette | Wedding Dress: Panache Bridal | Cake: Buttercream | Bride's Shoes: Nordstrom | Engagement Ring: JB Hudson | Wedding Bands: Icing on the Ring | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Calligraphy: Quill Muse | DJ: Level11 | Band: Level11 | Tux: Nordstrom | Officiant: Pastor Ralph Olsen | String Quartet: Loring String Quartet | Hotel: The Saint Paul Hotel | Wedding Venue: Stone Ridge | Bride's Hair & Makeup: Peter Phung | Bride: Blogger & Stylist: Maria Vizuete | Bridesmaids' Hair & Makeup: Jennee Wathanaphone | Draping: Avant Decor | Groom's Bowtie: Tom Ford | Groom's Cake: Dorothy Ann Bakery | Groom's Shoes: Nordstrom | Groom: Pianist & Vocalist: Phil Thompson | Headpiece: Kennedy Blue From Wedding Shoppe Inc | Linen Rental: Linen Effects | Menus: Platinum Designs | Music: Phil Thompson | Rolls Royce: Gary's Collector Car | Sash: Kennedy Blue From Wedding Shoppe Inc | Vintage Furniture Rental: Rudy's Event Rentals

Having met in college choir years ago, these lovebirds hit every stylish note when planning their chic celebration. With the beauty of Sadie’s Couture Floral & Design’s work, their classic Gatsby-esque soiree didn’t miss a beat and these linens alone have me swooning. Melissa Oholendt and B&M Video Production captured it all, gathered up in this glam gallery for us all to ooh and aah over.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/112207327 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Melissa Oholendt Photography… When Beckie and Jacy met in choir their sophomore year at Luther College, in Iowa, they knew they were vocally compatible but would she be the soprano to his bass? Turned out love was not in the cards for them, but they still enjoyed each other’s company and decided to remain friends. Fate rekindled the old spark their senior year, when they decided to give it another shot. Three years later, Jacy proposed to his best friend. Beckie dreamed of a Gatsby-inspired reception, and 317 on Rice in St. Paul proved to be the perfect venue with its vintage charm and wood paneling. From her brooch-laden bouquet and cake to the gorgeous linens and feathered centerpieces, visions of sparkle and glam abound. Special touches signifying their love of family and friends were sprinkled throughout. With the unexpected passing of the co-best man just months before the wedding, a moment of silence was held in his honor, reminding everyone how fortunate they all are to have one another! As wine enthusiasts, Jacy and Beckie opted for a wine ceremony over the traditional unity candle. Parents each contributed a bottle of wine and a note to a sealed box for the couple to enjoy on future anniversaries. But first, the honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!

Photography: Melissa Oholendt | Videography: B&M Video Production | Floral Design: Sadie's Couture Floral & Event Styling | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Sweet Retreat | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Flutter Boutique | Catering: Levy Restaurants | DJ: Adagio | Men's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: 317 On Rice Park | Bridal Boutique: Posh Bridal Couture | Ceremony & Reception Linens: Linen Effects | Ceremony & Reception Linens: Apres Party And Tent Rental | Event Design & Coordination: Style-Architects | Hair & Make-up: Brittany Kinney Beaute | Invitations & Day-of Paper: Style-Architects

There may be nothing better than a sweet bridal shop filled to the brim with incredible designers. Case in point? a&bé bridal shop. With a midwest nice + coastal cool style, this Twin Cities boutique has it all for the unfussy bride looking for something honestly amazing + truly unique.

Bringing 10 new designers to Minnesota such as Sarah Seven, Rue De Seine, Katie May, Anna Campbell and Rebecca Schoneveld, a&bé curates a collection that highlights upcoming + independent designers focusing on boho-chic and romantic designs. Aside from incredible gowns, the shop also carries gorgeous accessories from designers such as Untamed Petals, Sara Gabriel and Hushed Commotion. Owned by two ladies who have worked tirelessly to elevate shopping for bridal attire, a&bé makes sure each and every bride has an amazing experience.

Since the opening of the second a&bé location, the first being in Denver, the Twin Cities’ bridal scene has moved up a notch. To celebrate the new locale, a&bé is offering SMP readers a $100 accessories credit with the purchase of a wedding gown! Gown must be purchased by October 31, 2014. Be sure to mention SMP to redeem the credit. Happy dress shopping, lovelies! xo

[dotted]

There’s nothing better — and more Midwestern — than sitting in a barn at season’s change, watching hues of gold take the rolling hills. Add a wedding, and that, my friends, is pure magic. Planner Lizie Anne helped her hippie-hearted bride make her countryside nuptials as chic and lovely as can be. The pictures from Joanna Day Photography speak for themselves and you can find even more in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Lizie Anne Weddings… Justin and Christina desired a wedding that was full of family and love. With an intimate setting at Hope Glen Farm as the backdrop, we created the perfect wedding for them.

I like to think that Christina is half hippy, so I designed the wedding with that always in the back of my mind! From the lace to the floral crown – nothing was overlooked in making sure Christina’s vision was spot on!

Perhaps the most stunning design piece brought in, was the lush greenery chandelier that hung over their heads for the ceremony. We later situated that same chandelier over the head table. With the rolling meadow in behind them, and the head table dripping with greenery as well, it was a picture perfect scene. All the floral had the hand picked, straight from the fields look to it, and complimented perfectly.

I brought in some hand cut larger wood pieces for the unity candle and family bible, and painted them white to give it more of a polished / yet perfectly rustic look. To compliment those, I placed smaller pieces of wood down the aisle with candles sitting atop.

Vintage chargers and vintage dish-ware made the family style meal that much more perfect! During dinner, Christina and Justin sang a song they wrote to their guests. Not many eyes were dry following that!

To give honor to Justin who is in the air force and Christina’s dad who just left the air force, they had a table set aside for those who could not share the day with them.

The guests enjoyed a late night popcorn bar as they danced or lounged in the vintage couches surrounding them. The perfect end to a perfect day for the sweetest couple.

Photography: Joanna Day Photography | Planner: Lizie Anne | Cake: Cake's By Jan | Ceremony Venue:: Historic Hope Glen Farm | Reception Venue: Historic Hope Glen Farm | Catering: Lisa's Catering | DJ: Showtime Entertainment | Bartender: With A Twist | Floral: Studio Fleurette | Lounge Furniture: Rudy's Rustic Rentals | Up Lighting: Ever After Sound

This looks a lot like my ideal saturday with my husband – gobs of coffee, a stroll through the local farmer’s market picking out some tasty treats for dinner that night. I think I would spend every day like that if I could. And while mine is a lot less picturesque (read screaming infant twins in tow) this Saint Paul engagement by The McCartneys is as gorgeous as they come. See even more right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The McCartneys Photography…You know that kind of person who you spend your entire life looking up to? For me (Kelsy) that has always been my Aunt Susan, and she is the beautiful lady whose smile lights up each one of these photos!! In hopes of not spoiling my wedding day speech, as I am so excited to be standing beside Susan along with two others as one of her Matrons of Honor, I’m going to skip some of the mushy stuff and move onto how excited I am to see Susan the happiest I have EVER seen her!!

Susan & Eric were introduced by friends, and their very first date is exactly what inspired their engagement session! After meeting at the Black Dog Cafe in Saint Paul, MN for coffee on a Saturday morning, they ventured across the street to the Farmer’s Market and continued to talk for hours. Not only is that an adorable first date, it also lended itself to a cute and meaningful location for their photos!! After making our way through mounds of brussels sprouts and autumnal blooms, we headed to what we like to call Central Park (aka Historic Irvine Park) and were lucky enough to have just enough playtime before the rain came.

Photography: The McCartneys Photography | Makeup Artist: Spalon Montage (Tracie) | Hair Stylist: Spalon Montage (Tracie) | Coffee Shop Photo Location: Black Dog Cafe | Farmer's Market Photo Location: Saint Paul Farmers Market | Park Photo Location: Historic Irvine Park | Susan's Blue Dress: Banana Republic

Continuing today’s lineup of pretty is a St. Paul affair with all the style and spunk we wedding bloggers so love. It’s a modern approach to a romantic affair with a bit of whimsy thrown in for good measure. Put on your pinning pants and get ready to swoon, because these captures from Canary Grey Photography are knock-your-socks-off stunning!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride…Since Mike and I got engaged in the woods and have a love for all things modern and vintage, the inspiration for the wedding was organic woodland & modern vintage.  I knew right away I wanted the wedding to have a timeless look, nothing too flashy or kicthey, so I tried to keep all the grounding elements (wedding party attire, table cloths, etc.) grey and white and have fun with the details of the decor. Adding in a woodland creatures to the decor felt very us and then became another theme I tried to weave throughout the space, adding in the birch tree name holders and elements of fur.  We chose a venue where we could really have control over the look and feel rather than having someone else dream that up for us.  Due to the last minute weather forecast, it was too cold to hold our ceremony outdoors as originally planned.  The balloons were a last second add on in an effort to fill some of the space behind us during the ceremony… and it worked out very lovely!

 I have a good friend who is a textile designer so I brought her photos that inspired me and together we adapted a color palette and came up with a design for the invites which we hand screen-printed (in my garage). That palette became the inspiration for the flowers and dessert table. I brought the invites to the bakery and florist so they had an idea of the colors and textures I was going for, but let them both have full rein of the final design. In the end they both nailed the look and far exceeded my expectations.

After picking up decorative items here and there for several months, it was somewhat hard to imagine what it would all look like together and since I couldn’t be there to decorate the space myself, I hired a wonderful coordinator who took the time to understand the look I was going for and nailed it while also coordinating all the vendors coming and going all day – what a job! In the end the look was one that evolved over time and couldn’t have happened without a lot of help from friends, family, vendors and the final product was even better than I had imagined it in my mind.

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Canary Grey Photography | Wedding Coordination: Lizie Anne | Floral Design: Colleen’s Flower Cellar | Stationery: Luci Kandler Designs | Decor + Balloons: DIY | Table Numbers: Wedology | Mr. + Mrs. Wood Signs: Oh Dier | Desserts: Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar | Catering: Deco Catering | Uplighting + Entertainment: Jukebox Express | Hair + Makeup: Julie Swenson Beauty | Wedding Dress: Posh Bridal | Bride’s Orange Coat: Vintage | Bride’s Shoes: Ruche | Bride’s Hairpiece: Bethany Lorelle | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew | Groom’s Suit: Men’s Warehouse

Libraries have always screamed romance to me. Perhaps it’s the history or the architecture or maybe it’s the sweet smell of an old book – but I am pretty sure it’s being able to take all those things in while being surrounded by a thousands upon thousands of stories. I couldn’t think of anything more romantic, other than perhaps saying I do right smack dab in the middle of it all. From the looks of the gorgeous images captured by Laura Ivanova Photography, that was precisely the case for this couple. The James J. Hill Reference Library set the perfect stage for this new (gorgeous) chapter in their love story…complete with happy ending. See it all here.

From the Bride… Our wedding was absolutely the most love-filled and glorious day of our lives. From the minute Joe and I met in Debate class at age 15, I had dreamed of walking down the aisle toward a man like him with such a love for God and family. After 7 years of developing a precious friendship, respect, and true love through high school dances, college study dates, and the overwhelming support of our family and friends, our first day of marriage could not come fast enough! As both Joe and I grew up in large, auditorium sized churches, we wanted to find a wedding venue that would reflect our passion for history and literature…and our “old souls”. The James J. Hill Library in St. Paul was the perfect fit of everything we had desired for the ambiance and simple majesty of our day. We wanted our day to reflect our style and creativity, so it meant a lot of long hours of planning, DIY-ing, garage sale-ing, and organizing to reflect the vintage elegance I had dreamed of since I was a young girl looking through wedding magazines with my mom for fun.

Planning a wedding had many unexpected stresses, and doing everything ourselves came with the hope that every detail would come together; from my personal collection of vintage books and vintage milk glass on each table, to our typewriter and postcard “guest book,” to the photos of our ancestors on their wedding days, to the tablecloths I gathered from Target after Christmas, to the chandeliers we decorated with flowers, to the vintage frames I restyled by stamping my favorite love quotes from literature and the vintage library cards and pockets I filled with bookplates and bookmarks for our guests, every detail was more perfect than I could have ever anticipated. Even more impressive was the love that was poured into each part of the process, especially from my mother and father who helped every step of the way and made our wildest dreams come true. The most beautiful accents of our wedding weren’t the decorations; they were the hugs of our guests, the strength of my parent’s arms holding me down the aisle, the uncontrollable tears of my groom throughout our ceremony, our best friends standing by our sides, worshiping and giving thanks for our blessings, the dancing with our families that erased every jitter, and the beautiful moment of becoming my best friend’s wife and companion for all time. To every engaged couple or hopeless romantic-know that not everything will run smoothly, but know that the beauty lies in the love, hope, joy and faith that cannot be planned, created, or purchased.

Wedding Photography: Laura Ivanova Photography / Venue: James J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul, Minnesota / Event Design + Decor: DIY by the Bride / Floral Design: Fleur De Lis / Wedding Cake: Taste of Scandinavia + IKEA Princess Torte / Music: First Class Dances / Invitations: Robin Bellomy of 0 Names Left / Drinks: Mintahoe / Tablecloths: Target / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via The Wedding Shoppe, Inc. / Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran via Che Bella / Bride’s Veil: BCGirls of Bridal Couture Girls / Bride’s Earrings: Macy’s / Bride’s Necklace: From Bride’s Mother / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Maurices / Bridesmaid’s Jewelry + Accessories: Kate Spade (bracelets) + Forever 21 + Maurices (Custom Redesigned by the Bride) / Groom + Groomsmen’s’ Attire: Heimie’s Haberdashery / Hair + Makeup: Mani Mela

Today is a great day on Style Me Pretty. Actually, every day is a great day on SMP but today is exceptional because it is all about the girly, the drool worthy, the down right gorgeous. And what better way to kick things off than with a pink infused dessert table? Designed by Jenna Marfori Lang of the fabulous blog Eat Drink Pretty, this little number is the creme de la creme of dessert feasts. Every girly base is covered and can we please discuss the blooms in apothecary jars…genius! We know it is only 9 am but it is never too early for cake and champagne in our book.

{click here for more sweet goodness}

From Jenna of Eat Drink Pretty:

I designed this dessert table to celebrate Eat Drink Pretty’s blogiversary. The vision was to bring my blog to life by asking the question, “if Eat Drink Pretty was a dessert table, what would it look like?” The colors and overall style of the table were influenced by the blog design; lots of pinks and grays, a chandelier and rows of tasty pink treats. Many of the desserts were homemade and were inspired by the many recipes I have featured on my blog over the past year.

Photographer: Sewell Photography / Florist: Just Bloomed / Linens: Apres Party Rental / Edible Icing Decals: Hello Frosting / Calligraphy, place cards, cupcake toppers and drink straws: Lovely Scribbles / Cake: Sweets Bakeshop / Concept and Design: Jenna Marfori Lang of Eat Drink Pretty

Get ready ladies and gents, back by popular demand is mini-feature Wednesday. We are going to bring you a sneak peek of a TON of fabulous weddings every hour on the hour. Like what you see? Click on the gallery for the FULL wedding feature. We liken it to an all-you-can-eat-wedding buffet…hope you’re hungry because there is a ton of pretty headed your way!

First up is a Minnesota wedding sent to us by the fabulous Jenn Cress. Moody grays and crisp greens and yellows are a match made in color heaven and we are giving this little slice a standing ovation. Plus, the adorable couple held their reception at a GORGEOUS library. Now if that isn’t a dream, I don’t know what is. For more from this chartreuse infused day, check out the gallery.

{click here for the FULL wedding gallery}

The bride and groom planned an early fall wedding with vintage flair.  The colors were gray, yellow and chartreuse, which played out in the flowers designed by the bride, invitations, programs, bridesmaid dresses and brides shoes! Something old was a garter passed down from generation to generation on the groom’s mother’s side.  Something new was a pair of yellow crystal earrings gifted to the bride by her mom. Special touches included family wedding photos at the reception, a ‘live’ photo booth for guests, the bride’s sister styling hair, and a late night snack of the groom’s favorite Chipotle tacos.

The bride led a flower workshop with friends and family two days before the wedding – everyone pitched in to make sure the flowers were completed on time and to the bride’s standards! Their wedding day far exceeded all expectations!!

Photography: Jenn Cress / Flowers (Bride’s Business): Floral Culture / Hair and Makeup: Shannon Darsow / Catering: Mintahoe / Ceremony Venue: St. Paul Cathedral / Reception Venue: James J. Hill Reference Library / Invitations: Farmhouse Productions / Dress: Dena Marie Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston

Oh so sweet is a phrase that comes to mind with this next wedding, sent to us by the lovely photographer Jenn Cress. The details are simple and the love is apparent which really made for the most charming day. Besides, who doesn’t love a mason jar I ask you? How about dozens all lined up in a row? I know I’m a HUGE fan. This outdoor wedding took place on Harriet Island in Minnesota with views of the river and the St. Paul skyline and lots of adorable kiddos running around. Oh happy, happy day.

{click here for the FULL gallery of pretty images}

I always knew I would get married outside, but planning an outdoor wedding in Minnesota is risky. Harriet Island was a perfect choice for us because the historic pavilion was available in case of rain (or snow!). Luckily, we had sun all day, and a sky full of stars all night. The Saint Paul skyline right across the river was magical when the sun went down.

The inspiration for our decor and details came from a vintage pillowcase of my grandmothers. The bold pattern and quirky color combination fascinated me. I spent the year before my wedding collecting mason jars of all sizes, which we filled with candles and various flowers. I wanted my bouquet to feel like an English garden, with lots of colors and textures. The ostrich feathers added a unique touch. We wanted to treat our guests to delicious food so we had an Italian feast. We had cupcakes for dessert, and caramel apples from our local apple orchard for favors. Our photographer did a fantastic job capturing all of our special moments. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day!

Photographer: Jenn Cress Photography / Venue: Harriet Island Regional Park / Florist: Alissa Berglund of I Do Flowers / Rentals: Midway Party Rentals / Catering: Donatelli’s / Cupcakes: The Roseville Bakery / Paper Goods: Nak Designs / Hair and Makeup: Allison Belisle / Wedding Gown: Our Shop, Stillwater / Bridesmaids: Raffine Bridal / Tuxes: MW Tux / Hotel: St. Paul Hotel