Ohio Weddings

Is there anything sweeter than high school sweethearts? Straight from the the lens of Leo Timoshuk Photography every moment of this elegant affair is sure to bring a sweet smile to your sunny day. From their young love that blossomed into a lifelong adventure, their sweet ceremony is forever immortalized in a gallery that is just waiting for you right here!

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From the beautiful Bride… One rainy April evening, our Ukrainian church youth gathered at a local bowling alley after our all-day regional conference. I was 15 and it was the first time I had ever been out. We all congregated together in a billiards room, and I stood by watching a pool game that was in progress. I had never played before, but somehow a friend of mine convinced me to join a game of two on two. My partner promised to show me how to play and did he ever! It was a moment out of a movie script; I was so shy I could not look him in the eyes. If I remember correctly, we won that game! As he shook hands with me to tell me: “Good game. By the way, my name is Victor” I look up and my goodness, he was the cutest guy ever!

I came home that night and told my family of the encounter. It was so poignant and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had met “the one.” I was so young that I resigned myself to think that it couldn’t be so. Over the next few years, we grew to be very good friends before dating. “High School Sweethearts,” if you will.

Two years of dating and what had been placed on my heart came to fruition. Victor proposed to me by a beautiful spot near my old high school: a little bench where we first talked of dating all those years back. I was so overjoyed when he was delivering his proposal speech that I interrupted him saying “yes, yes, yes!”

Perhaps what I noticed the first day we met, is what I love most about Victor. He has such a beautiful, peaceful aura about him. In many ways we complete each other, but I think what makes him so special is that he feels like home.

Photography: Leo Timoshuk | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Cake: Patisserie 42 | Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas | Ceremony Venue: Church Of Evangelical Faith | Reception Venue: Stan Hywet Hall And Gardens | Shoes: David's Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Church Of Evangelical Faith | Makeup Artist: Chanelle Walker Beauty | Groom's Attire: Dillard's | Groom's Shoes: Perry Ellis | Jewelry & Rings: Jared | Veil & Hair Accessories: David's Bridal

There is that special time each day, that magical hour, when day turns to dusk and everything is cast in an ethereal glow; it’s absolutely enchanting. Studio Elle Photography and Anchor Events & Design captured that romance in these photos and with Borrow Rentals perfect pieces and Twig Florals’ beauties, we have one gorgeous gallery to get lost in right here.

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From Studio Elle Photography… The inspiration for our bridal portrait shoot started with a quote about an enchanting time around dusk that read, “It is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections glow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn.” Our muse was a violet hued sunset around cocktail hour that we see so often during the long winters in the Midwest. The airy and industrial feel of the Lake Erie Building provided our Cleveland based team with the perfect setting for our vision.

Our bride wore an ivory, sweetheart gown along with a scallop trimmed Mantilla veil with soft beading detail. Her vintage bracelet and earrings were iridescent and reflected the soft color palette of the evening.

The flowers by Twig Florals were lush, wild, and romantic with shades of violet, periwinkle, pale blue, and ivory. The bouquet and table arrangements were created with the most perfect lavender sweet pea accented by ranunculus and smilax vine. A backdrop for the bride was created using the vine to mimic the flourishes of the hand lettering throughout the stationery and art.

To create a sweetheart table fitting for the romantic violet hour, we selected a white wash wooden table and outfitted the table with chic candelabras with lavender candlesticks, art deco inspired china laid atop gold chargers, lavender and gold napkins, and vintage champagne flutes with modern gold foiled glassware. The white wash octagon dessert table complemented the sweetheart table and showcased the minimalist yet elegant gold scalloped Fondant cake.

The stationery suite was truly a work of art by Rose Gold Studio. The pieces were all hand lettered with ink and watercolors. Lavender tulle was tied around the invitations, and vintage stamps adorned the outer envelopes.

Photography: Renee Lemaire Photography | Event Design: Anchor Events & Design | Floral Design: Twig | Cake: A Cupcake A Day | Invitations: Rose Gold Studio | Jewelry: Mirandas Vintage Bridal | Hair And Makeup: MKleinman Artistry | Bridal Boutique: Leonardo's Bridal Boutique | Event Space: Lake Erie Building | Rentals: Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals | Ribbon: FrouFrou Chic | Veil: The Mantilla Company

Ask anyone I know and they’ll tell you I am rarely at a loss for words; I like to talk… a lot.  But every once in awhile, I come across something sooo incredibly breathtaking and beautiful, words escape me. And that something is the brilliant work of WASIO photography, a talented team of photographers that know a thing or two about capturing your wedding day in images you’ll treasure for always. Made up of two husband and wife teams (Sasha & Yaneck + Magda & Marcin), WASIO photography is known for building personal relationships with each and every one of their clients; meeting them several times pre-wedding, bonding with them at their amazing engagement shoots and even inviting family members to the viewing sessions post-wedding.  Which means that on your big day, you’ll have friends documenting all of those special moments, making their perspective that much more unique. And WASIO photography isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get the jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind image, whether it’s on the day of your nuptials, at night with their custom lighting or at one of their breathtaking sunrise engagement sessions. [iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/KZtDuEQCXM0 600 338] Visit WASIO photography today to talk to the team of photogs that will take your wedding photography to the next level. And don’t forget, if you book WASIO photography by June, 2015, you’ll receive a 16×24 beautifully matted fine art print printed on hand-made German 100% cotton museum paper ($450 value)!What: WASIO photography is giving away a sunset or sunrise 1-hour engagement session!* (Value $499)

How: To enter, go here!

Ask anyone I know and they’ll tell you I am rarely at a loss for words; I like to talk… a lot.  But every once in awhile, I come across something sooo incredibly breathtaking and beautiful, words escape me. And that something is the brilliant work of WASIO photography, a talented team of photographers that know a thing or two about capturing your wedding day in images you’ll treasure for always. Made up of two husband and wife teams (Sasha & Yaneck + Magda & Marcin), WASIO photography is known for building personal relationships with each and every one of their clients; meeting them several times pre-wedding, bonding with them at their amazing engagement shoots and even inviting family members to the viewing sessions post-wedding.  Which means that on your big day, you’ll have friends documenting all of those special moments, making their perspective that much more unique. And WASIO photography isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get the jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind image, whether it’s on the day of your nuptials, at night with their custom lighting or at one of their breathtaking sunrise engagement sessions. [iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/KZtDuEQCXM0 600 338] Visit WASIO photography today to talk to the team of photogs that will take your wedding photography to the next level. And don’t forget, if you book WASIO photography by June, 2015, you’ll receive a 16×24 beautifully matted fine art print printed on hand-made German 100% cotton museum paper ($450 value)! What: WASIO photography is giving away a sunset or sunrise 1-hour engagement session!* (Value $499)

How: To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us your why you would love a morning or evening session with the fantastic WASIO photography!

Who: One lucky reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on April 17, 2015! *Session must take place in Chicago or mutually agreed location on mutually agreed date. The giveaway includes session time plus eight WASIO Signature Edit high resolution photos. Online gallery will include all of the final images from the session and clients will have the option to purchase prints of additional images or add a USB of all high res images.  

For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies!

Elopements built for a little more than two make my heart happy.  Think you and yours, a handful of your nearest and dearest and a wonderful celebration filled with amazing details.  Now add in a talented team of vendors for an inspiration shoot that takes all of the aforementioned and kicks it up a notch with pretty paper goods from Five Dot Design, the fab stylings of Milk + Honey Event Styling And Rentals, golden hues and ghost chairs.  See it all captured by Fyrefly Photography right here.

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From Five Dot Design… There’s something wildly romantic about living in the moment and going with the flow… especially when you only have a few hours to get ready for the happiest day of your life. We instructed the bride-to-be to visit Carrie at Carrie Karibo Boutique, choose whichever dress she wanted and then head down to brideFace for hair and makeup. While the bride was having her moment of pampering, Milk + Honey Event Styling and Rentals, Two Little Buds and Five Dot Design prepped the ceremony site. The juxtaposition of full, romantic florals and a full skirt ballgown with broken windows and concrete pillars lends itself to the perfect venue to not only transform on short notice, but enhance the intimate setting. Nathan Peel Photography and his team were on-hand to capture each moment.

Photography: Fyrefly Photography | Event Design: Milk + Honey Event Styling And Rentals | Floral Design: Two Little Buds | Wedding Dress: Carrie Karibo Boutique | Cake: Tres Belle Cakes | Invitations: Five Dot Design | Hair + Makeup: brideface | Venue: Private Warehouse | Rentals: All Occasions Event Rental

There’s no question that we welcome a pretty wash of hues with wide open arms during the spring season, and today? We’re painting the blog with this color-infused Cleveland Botanical Gardens shoot from Lauren Gabrielle Photography, A Charming Fete, Borrow Rentals and Twig. See a few of our favorite details below and dive into the cheerful gallery for more!

Can you even handle that dreamy Sarah Janks dress?! It’s the perfect white canvas for that hot pink bouquet from Twig.

This artsy, ‘painted’ cake from Philomena Bake Shop might just be the coolest cake we’ve ever seen! The macarons are pretty darn cute too.

Smitten On Paper nailed it with these happy, floral watercolor invites.

Stunning jewel tone baubles from Ella Capri complement the bright, vibrant hues.

Donna Morgan always steals our hearts with her floral designs. Why not have your ‘maids be your ‘something blue’?

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From A Charming Fete…As we’re experiencing freezing cold negative temperatures in the Midwest we wanted to channel spring “through the Glasshouse” (at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens). We captured the natural beauty of our model in this warm rainforest-like environment with layers and layers of lush foliage and playful, bright colors all through the film lens of Lauren Gabrielle. The delicately beaded bridal gown by Sarah Janks is so soft and dreamy yet showcases the most intricate design details. A bright bouquet full of lavender, hot pink and white ranunculus and the most decadent dripping peachy/orange sweet pea pops against this gentle palette. We wanted the second gown to be all-out colorful and fun. This blue patterned and flowy Donna Morgan gown was such a perfect and unique counterpart to the bouquet. We styled the hand painted macarons and cake on vintage blue glass mosaic trivets. We set the table with botanical vintage china place settings complete with a tinted amethyst champagne glass. The rock ledges, climbing vines and waterfall provided a perfect backdrop, a botanical oasis.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Event Design & Styling: A Charming Fete | Floral Design: Twig | Jewelry: Ella Capri | Bridal Gown: Sarah Janks | Bridesmaid Dress: Donna Morgan | Cake & Macarons: Philomena Bake Shop | Invitation: Smitten on Paper | Location: Cleveland Botanical Gardens | Model: Cindy Murcia | Vintage Furniture & China: Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals

This wedding right here?  It’s all kinds of awesome.  Imagine sweet, classic stylings, peony-filled bouquets and just enough bling to make your heart happy and you are sooo on the right track. Now add to the fabulous mix a twosome who could.not.be cuter and the uber-talented Henry Photography to capture every moment and it’s what I call the world’s most gorgeous gallery.  Join me there for more. 

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From Henry Photography… Chris and Megan married May 3rd in Columbus, Ohio. They met their junior year at Ohio University. Megan worked at a bar attached to his apartment. He invited her to a Christmas party and they have been together ever since. After school they both moved back home to Columbus for Chris’ family business. They dated for over five years before getting engaged. Chris had been designing a personalized ring for months. Chris proposed to Megan by closing a private park and then surprised her with all of her family and friends to celebrate.

They had a gorgeous spring day. They wanted their wedding to be a reflection of all the happiness they have shared over the years. It was a classic wedding styled with peonies, a grand ball room and live band for guests to dance the night away. They incorporated personalized details into their whole wedding theme. Chris’ Bow Tie was to honor his Uncle Steve who had recently passed. He loved to get dressed up and always looked sharp. Chris became Catholic and was baptized two weeks before the wedding. Megan had a blue rosary engraved with their wedding date and carried it at the baptism and wedding. The wedding cake was designed with the lace pattern of Megan’s dress. It was a perfect day with our closet family and friends.

Photography: Henry Photography | Florist: Orchard Lane Flowers | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Band: The Conspiracy Band | Tuxedo: Men's Wearhouse | Hotel: The Westin Columbus | Baker: The End Dessert Company | Bridal Boutique: La Jeune Mariee | Bridal Gown: Romona Keveza | Video: TrueVideo

Farm weddings rock, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. They are fantastically fun, yet also surprisingly chic, taking an everyday, American image and turning it into something extra special with some “I do’s” and sparkle. This celebration at the Conrad Botzum Farmstead is my new go-to example for such farm soiree style and Studio Elle Photography captured it all. Join me in the farm fan club right here.

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They chose a wonderfully talented list of vendors to bring their ideas to life. The flowers and decor from the Budding Tree were nothing short of spectacular! Erin really went above and beyond putting all of the small touches together, including the hand-lettered seating assignment on old windows. The catering from The Good Fork was not only delicious, it was visually amazing! I love the rustic elements they incorporated into the spread to compliment the rest of the wedding decor. Aside from their gorgeous wedding day vision, these two were absolutely wonderful to work with. They have such fabulous style, laid back personalities, and a great sense of humor!

From the Bride… Dan and I wanted a wedding that felt like us (we are not fancy, formal people!), but also felt special. I think we ended up accomplishing that; the location was rustic but beautiful, and the decorations were a little vintage, but still put together (I give most of the credit to our florist!). One of my favorite details were the tissue paper flowers my mother-in-law and sister-in-law made; I am not very crafty, so I really appreciated the effort they put into them, and I thought they looked beautiful. I also loved the table numbers. For each number we had side-by-side pictures of me and Dan at the corresponding age. Choosing all the photos with my mom and my mother-in-law was so fun (and I totally would have had a crush on Dan if we had met at any time in our lives!). A couple of my favorite memories of the day itself were Dan getting frosting all over his tux from leaning in our cupcake tower when we cut the cake; getting heckled by some of the groomsmen when we were taking pictures after dinner; and getting back to the hotel and realizing Dan had been so flustered that he had forgotten to take his gym shorts off before putting on his tux – he had been wearing them underneath the whole time! 

Photography: Renee Lemaire Photography | Floral Design: The Budding Tree | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | Cake: KB Confections | Invitations: Splash Of Silver | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: The Good Fork | Make Up: Shelly Theilling | Hair: Georgie Salon & Spa | DJ: Beach Boyz Entertainment | Grooms Attire: The Black Tux | Officiant: Tim Greathouse | Wedding Venue: Conrad Botzum Farmstead | Bridal Robes: Silk And More

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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In my color palette book, pink + gray reign king. It’s the perfect combination of soft and sweet, and this Cincinnati bride brought that very vision to life. With the talents of Viva Bella Events by her side, she achieved a day that’s got “SMP” written all over it, and Clary Pfeiffer captured each and every bit. Head to the gallery and watch the entire shebang from Epic Motion below.

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From Clary Pfeiffer… From day one, Kristen described her wedding vision as simple and elegant. A pearl among gemstones, she wanted a day inspired by classic beauty, foregoing flashy gimmicks for subtle, luxurious details. Kristen chose elements to compliment the nature of the day. Her love for Andrew, both sweet and mature in nature became a muse for the design of the wedding. Every detail exuded simple romance and fashionable sophistication.

The reception was held at The Center, in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. The room displayed large floor-to-ceiling windows at either end, giving the guests a taste of the city. Using the cityscape as a backdrop, Kristen’s vision took life in the matter of a few hours. The room was dressed in square tables with stone linens and large wooden farm tables with matching stone runners. The chairs put a twist on the traditional as gold chivari chairs sat before the square tables and ghost chairs sat at the wooden farm tables.

Emphasizing the warm tones in the grey linens and mimicking the gold chivari chairs, gold utensils and lined chargers sat at each place setting. Kristen chose a palette of pale pinks and champagnes tones to accent the stone neutrals. The flower arrangements, napkins, crystal votives, and the rose champagne poured in every guest’s glass gave the room a light and polished feel. Paired with the flickering of the votives, the ambiance created was truly romantic and undeniably lovely.

Kristen and Andrew’s first reaction to their reception was nothing but dazzling smiles. In awe of all their decisions coming together into one fantastic vision, the two were amazed and giddy in their post-ceremony excitement. This feeling spread through the room, as guests were welcomed in to the sounds of the Dan Rafferty band, brought in all the way from Detroit. As guests entered, they were greeted by the splendor of the overall décor, the simple three-tiered cake with charming pink flowers decorating the exterior, and of course the newly weds beaming with wedding pride.

It was definitely an infectious happiness that followed through each course of dinner and guests danced and celebrated with Andrew and Kristen as the sun set behind the city.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Videography: Epic Motion | Event Design: Viva Bella Events | Event Planning: Viva Bella Events | Wedding Dress: J.Crew | Cake: Maribelle Cakery | Invitations: Poeme | Reception Venue: The Center | Catering: Funky's Catering | Lighting: Goodwin Lighting Services | Band: Dan Rafferty | Wedding Venue: St. Ursula Chapel | Linens: Wildflower Linen | Photography - Assistance: Jen And Jonah | Rentals: Camargo | Rentals: All Occasions Event Rental

When these high-school sweeties tied the knot, they knew they wanted something unique. The result? One modern industrial affair that’ll leave you breathless. With guests gathering at their favorite restaurant, organic touches of metallic and blush lend to the decor. Their love story came to life with the help of Greenhouse Florist and Lauren Gabrielle, and you can see the pretty-filled results right over here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Josh and I met in high school and began dating while we were off at separate colleges. We both moved back home to Cleveland after graduation, excited to finally be in the same place. When Josh proposed, we began the wedding planning quickly. I had been dreaming of a modern or industrial affair for awhile, but we couldn’t seem to find the right venue, so we changed tactics. Josh and I didn’t want something very traditional, so we began thinking of alternative venues. It was then we thought of Crop Bistro, one of our favorite restaurants which is located inside of an old bank (think marble floors, bank vault). They do other events, but we weren’t sure if they would host a wedding. As luck would have it, they were willing and available. Holding our wedding at Crop was one of the best decisions we made during the wedding planning. As Crop was already very detailed on its own, we kept the decor more organic with touches of metallics and blush. Being a restaurant, the food was incredible (good food was high on our list of must haves). Our wedding was everything we could have imagined and more. It was like a huge dinner party, complete with our favorite people and their dancing shoes!

While I know there are so many places to find wedding advice these days, I just have a few pieces to share. It is okay to be choosy about your wedding vendors. You only get to choose the right vendors once (and we chose the best!). The whole day goes by so quickly, be sure that you don’t miss it because you are worrying about your missing cake knife (I promise no one will notice!). This day is not just about you, it is also about all the people who have supported and loved you throughout your whole life. Celebrate them too.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Videography: Infocus Studios | Coordination: At Last Event Planning | Floral Design: Greenhouse Florist | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier | Invitations: Blue Envelope Boutique | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup: MKleinman Artistry | Hair: Katie Papson | Lighting: Vincent Lighting | Band: Special Request | Groom's Attire: Burberry | Ceremony & Reception: Crop Bistro Bar

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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http://kristinlavoie.comAround these parts, Kristin La Voie Photography is totally legend.  An award winning photographer recently named one of the Best Wedding Photographers of 2015, she is a serious expert at capturing each and every gorgeous moment of your day as it unfolds naturally.  In other words?  Stunning images for you, and a whole lot of swooning for those of us here at SMP.  We call that a win-win, lovelies.

A specialist in film photography, and one of the leading film photogs in the Chicago area, we’ve been obsessed with Kristin’s work since the very moment we laid our eyes on her breathtaking captures.  Think beautiful light-filled images that document your day in the prettiest of ways.  With Kristin La Voie Photography, you’ll have those special moments you didn’t even realize were being captured (she’s that good, people) to remember for always.  And, bonus.  Kristin La Voie Photography recently launched KLP BEAUTY, a brand new site totally devoted to capturing all of you stunning brides pre-wedding in a beautiful + oh-so-romantic light.  It’s boudoir reinvented, and it’s totally awesome.

Contact Kristin La Voie Photography today to get started on your amazing journey.  And don’t forget that Kristin is offering SMP readers $300 off any 2015 wedding package through March 31st!

Kristin La Voie Photography is giving away a Boudoir Mini Session to one lucky SMP reader, which will include session time (30 minutes) and digital images!*  To enter, leave a comment below telling us your most beautiful feature!  The winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, March 27, 2015.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

*Boudoir session must be held at a location within 20 miles of 60174.  Value $450. 

How do you spend the perfect Sunday?  Getting to know the fabulous + oh-so-talented team of eco-friendly wedding vendors at the Chicago Green Wedding Alliance.  Because when it comes to hosting an amazing event that is also socially conscious, this is a group of vendors that will most definitely deliver. Learn so much more about their mission… and their crazy cool wedding show, Committed, below.

From Chicago Green Wedding Alliance… The Chicago Green Wedding Alliance is a group of eco-friendly wedding vendors that is committed to making less environmentally impactful events. We connect vendors with the conscious consumer for mindful weddings and social events. Our vendors create gorgeous events that transcend people’s expectations of “green” weddings.

Check out the Chicago Green Wedding Alliance on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.  

The GWA is hosting a wedding show on February 22nd at Greenhouse Loft!  Any couple that books with the code “SMP” will get $5 off!  The discount on tickets can be redeemed on the Eventbrite ticketing page.

I’ll admit it.  As much as I love being a bridesmaid (and, oh, do I love it), trekking to bridal shop after bridal shop to try on gowns is, well, seriously tiring.  Which is why I am all sorts of obsessed with Brideside, the online retailer that brings the bridal shop to YOU by letting you browse bridesmaid dresses online and then try them on in the comfort of your very own home. Say it with me, loves: awesome.

With Brideside, you can choose from a plethora of style choices and colors, all with the help of an amazing stylist who works with you every step of the way to guarantee a fabulous (+ chic) bridal party. Just chat with the stylist about your dream wedding and vision, then let them take over and guide your besties through an array of different designers on Brideside’s online store.  They’ll even provide instructional videos on measuring and selecting the best dress types for your body!  And when every last dress is chosen, they’ll ship the samples to your home, so you can have that girl’s day with mimosas and cozy yoga pants.  Soooo comfortable and soooo fun.

Ready to get started?  Visit the Brideside website ASAP or, if you live in Chicago, make an appointment with a stylist here. And don’t forget this exclusive discount for SMP readers: When you buy your bridesmaid dress in February, the first $20 is on Brideside!  Use discount code “SMP20” at checkout. (Terms & Conditions: Cannot be combined with any past or future promotions. Readers must purchase bridesmaid dress at full price on or before 2/28/15. Offer does not apply to the following designers: Joanna August, Donna Morgan, Jenny Yoo.)

This shoot m’dears is the beauty that happens when ethereal meets industrial and when delicate charm meets a rustic, raw space with endless possibilities. It’s a city kind of love dreamt up by A Charming Fete and seen through the lens of Lauren Gabrielle, featuring the prettiest additions from Borrow Rentals and Something White. For all you city dreamers, there’s a whole gallery for perusing right here.

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From A Charming Fête…We were inspired by the soft, muted blue-gray and neutral tones of the cityscape on a hazy day. We wanted to create a hard-meets-soft design (but easy and neutral) and showcase an ethereal, delicate, soft style within a raw, hard space. The shoot location provided the perfect feel with rough concrete floors and huge black, towering industrial windows, situated in the heart of our city. Achieving such delicate beauty in this rough space was pure perfection.

We incorporated lots of soft textures and rich velvet tones for a hint of drama (as seen in ribbon, fabric draping, vintage furniture and our groom’s bow-tie). Miles and miles of ivory veil kept our bride covered in the softest muted light. Her gown flowed weightlessly to the ground in sheer gentle pleats. We draped a super thin, nearly transparent fabric over the natural wood farm table to create a soft blurry palette for our tablescape and mirror the concept of the bride’s veil. Beautiful stationery was a necessity, hand-calligraphed in a subtle gray matte ink, complete with a natural torn edge. Florals were a huge focal point executed in muted tones with subtle hints of pale blue. Eclectic stem combinations in the most neutral tones made a huge impact (ranunculus, blushing bride, garden roses, olive branch, nigella, thistle, scabiosa, anemone, eucalyptus, airplants and more).

The floating centerpiece (a wood platform) was affixed to the ceiling pipes with pale gray parachute cord which nearly disappeared into the natural light. Mixed foliage and blooms dripped over the tabletop which required minimal accent other than a few small vintage gold compotes, olive branches and simple taper candles. The place setting felt so elegant within the space, complete with vintage china, crystal stemware and pale blue antique goblets for a hint of color. Luxe gold flatware was the perfect complement to the rumpled, hand-dyed, gray linen napkin. The cake captured the moody blue-gray hues of the city to perfection. The candlelit ceremony space and upcycled wood bench pews felt so intimate and easy. A muted vintage rug defined the aisle and our bride and groom relaxed on a blue-green velvet vintage settee.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Event Design: A Charming Fete | Floral Design: Molly Taylor and Co. | Cake: Hummingbird Bake Shop | Rings: MK Designs Jewelry | Hair And Makeup: Rania's Hair Salon And Spa | Groom's Suit: Banana Republic | Bridal Boutique: Something White | Bridal Gown: Watters | Ceremony/Reception: RED Space | Chairs/Chargers: Event Source | Groom's Stylist: The Gentleman Bentley | Invitations/Menu/Seating Cards: Butler's Pantry Calligraphy | Napkins: Not Perfect Linen | Velvet Bowtie: Boutaugh | Vintage Rentals: Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals

Take just one step inside the doors at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) and one thing will be certain… this is the place you’ll host your wedding.  Because The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) isn’t just any wedding venue, it’s the perfect combo of breathtaking beauty (hello, Grand Ballroom) and top-notch service… all wrapped up in one dream-worthy locale.

Located just steps from the amazingness that is North Michigan Avenue and nestled amongst some of the world’s coolest landmarks (think the Museum of Contemporary Art and the John Hancock Building), The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) is not only a seriously stunning place to say I do, it boasts a team of Wedding Experts that will handle every last aspect of your big day, from providing those much needed vendor recommendations to customizing yummy menus to organizing the guest accommodations.  And speaking of guests, they’re going to love sampling the crazy culinary skills of Executive Chef Martin Knaubert, the floor-to-ceiling skyline views of Chicago and the 400,000 crystal chandelier located in the ballroom.  It’s basically a wedding paradise.

So what are you waiting for, lovelies?  Head on over to The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) (and their blog!) to start planning your dream wedding… you’ll even receive a guest room stay the night prior to the wedding day and complimentary lunches for the men’s and women’s changing rooms on the day of the wedding!

Photography: Amanda Hein Photography | Photography: Kingensmith | Photography: Katie Kett Photography | Photography: Gerber + Scarpelli Wedding Photography | Photography: Kent Drake Photography

Take the world’s most beautiful chapel (Rockmill Brewery, I heart you) and add in an adorable duo + a fabulous team of vendors that know a thing or two about amazing weddings and the results are this.  A drop-dead gorgeous day filled with stunning details planned to perfection by Something Blue Weddings And Events and captured in pretty, pretty pictures by Lily Glass.  See them all here.

From Lily Glass… Erin and Wade are two of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. Their wedding day was full of laughter and their smiles never went away. Lawn games and sparkling lemonade welcomed their guests to the picturesque Rockmill Brewery and its intimate chapel which served as the backdrop for their vows. Their wedding day took place on the 40th anniversary of the chapel’s first ceremony with Erin’s uncle officiating.

The couple also followed good ol’ Southern tradition and buried a bottle of bourbon upside down at the ceremony site to keep the rain away… and while they couldn’t have asked for lovelier weather, I’m confident that even a torrential downpour couldn’t steal the joy these two were feeling.

Quenetta and her team from Something Blue made sure that no detail was overlooked and Erin’s beautiful vision for the day was beautifully realized.

Photography: Lily Glass | Videography: Prodigy Cinema | Event Planning: Something Blue Event Planning & Design | Floral Design: Orchard Lane Flowers | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Enticing Icings | Ceremony Venue: Rockmill Brewery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Two Caterers | Musician: Liam Jones

Let me guess: you’re bundled up on the couch, holiday music playing, with multiple cookies and a large cup of coffee within arms reach. What better time and place to settle in with this rustic winter wonderland that is this wedding, captured by Braun Photography and Studio Z Films. These photos have me toasting to good cheer and I don’t plan on leaving this spot anytime soon.

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From the Bride… My husband and I fell in love in the winter. Our first date was sledding, we said I love you in a snowstorm, and all our favorite memories of that time involve snow. So, when we decided to tie the knot, we wanted to say “I do” on our fifth anniversary and kiss under an evergreen chuppah to remind us of the snow-covered evergreens we shared our first kisses under.

We are DIYers at heart. So, while we loved the idea of bringing in experts to take beautiful photos and video, and to prepare delicious food, we knew that the decor was going to be a project for the whole family. My parents made the evergreen chuppah, my mother-in-law made my necklace, and I created all the decor with help from family.

We also knew that our ceremony had to be personal to us. Neither of us is religious, but we wanted our ceremony to have the same deeply meaningful resonance as religious ceremonies. So, we recited vows we wrote as well as traditional vows, we had our families stand and pledge to welcome each other as a son and daughter, we had our friend play viola while Ryan’s father lead a bitter-sweet wine ceremony, and we had Ryan’s sister and my sister-in-law read special poems. Everyone said it was the most beautiful ceremony they’d every seen, and I ugly cried through most of it.

Because our ceremony was so deeply personal, we chose to keep our wedding small, with just 50 guests. It turned out to be the smartest move we could have made. We got to spend time with each and every person, and the whole night had the intimate feel of spending holidays with the family.

In the end, so many things just fell together perfectly, like the fact that it ended up being negative 5 degrees, but my bridesmaid Sarah had borrowed a bunch of vintage furs from her mother, so we ended up wearing those. Also, my veil didn’t work out at the last minute, but my wonderful florets made me a wreath that I loved. It was truly a day of kismet.

My husband was a musician and is a huge music nerd, so music was very important to us. He spent months curating the perfect playlists for cocktail hour, dinnertime, and dancing. Our special songs included: “The Book of Love” by The Magnetic Fields, “Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy” by The Kinks, “Love Letter” by The Wannadies, “Find Love” by Clem Snide, and “Love You Madly” by Cake.

Photography: Braun Photography | Videography: Studio Z Films | Floral Design: INSPIRED FLORAL DESIGN - Flowers, Event & Atmosphere Planning | Gown: BHLDN | Ceremony Venue: Centennial Barn | Reception Venue: Centennial Barn | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts | Favors: Green World Project | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Boutonnieres: Designs By Bride, Made By Mother Of Groom | Braidsmaid's Necklaces: Bauble Bar | Bride's Jewelry: Designs By Bride, Made By Mother Of Groom | Day-of Coordinator: The Love Riot | Decor: DIY | Fur Coats: Designs By Bride, Made By Mother Of Groom | Invitations And Stationery: Five Dot Design

With the perfect amount of charm and glam, this DIY wedding crafted up by the stunning Bride below is one for the books. Why you ask? Well, because not only did she dream up all the swoon-worthy details sitting in this gallery captured by Jenny Haas Photograph, but those amazing take-your-breath-away florals? She whipped those up too. I know, it’s too much – but there is even more waiting for you here.

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Some of my favorite details of the day were the florals, Heather designed them herself [crazy and ambitious!] she did an amazing job! I loved the pops of color and they accented the bridesmaids dresses perfectly. I also thought it was unique that some of the girls wore black gowns and some of them work mismatched pastel gowns. Heather’s gown was simple and elegant.

The tables at the reception were covered with gold table clothes and decorated with blacks and golds. Heather and Loftur made CDS for favors with their favorite songs, and Heather arranged all of the flowers. The Art Institute was the perfect backdrop for all of the details!

Photography: Jenny Haas Photography | Floral Design: Evergreen Flower Co. | Wedding Dress: Ivy And Aster | Cake: Dorothy Lane Market | Bride's Shoes: Seychelles | Hair: Sweetly Pinned | Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Dayton Art Institute | DJ And Lights: Party Pleasers- Doug Ziegler | Linens, Plates, Silverware: Prime Time Party Rentals

Can I let you in on a little secret? I kind of love winter. It’s not a statement you hear often, mostly up here in New England where the winters are particularly fierce, but there is just something about that season that is beautiful, cozy and intimate – and how can you not love that? Belle Ombre Photography packed all that winter beauty into a shoot that will make your heart sing with the help of Swank Floral Creations, A Cupcake A Day and J Paris Designs, and you can see it all here.

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Photography: Belle Ombre Photography | Florist: Swank Floral Creations | Wedding Cake: A Cupcake A Day | Hair & Makeup: Beauty Therapy | Venue: Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Bridal Gown & Accessories: The Dress Bridal Boutique | Coat (fur): 4 Ladies & More Consignment Boutique | Furniture Restoration & Design: J Paris Designs | Invitations & Placeholders: Pink Tomato

We spent this morning at the beach with these two cuties and Jeremiah and Rachel Photography, albeit we didn’t have our toes in the sand with them, we felt as if we did. And because we loved it so much, we couldn’t resist sharing another pretty from these talented photogs, and ooh darlings, it’s a pret-ty one. A Bride in a blush dress, sparkle and shine in every corner, gorgeous rings, shoes and blooms galore… we’ll leave it at that and let the gallery speak for itself.

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From the beautiful Bride…My wedding day was the happiest day of my life! I was all smiles & overwhelmed with all the love surrounding me. My best advice to other brides is to take it all in. The day flies by, so stop and soak it up when you can!

From Jeremiah and Rachel Photography…From our first interaction with Stephanie and Ian, we knew we loved them. Their wedding was filled with so much love from the two of them and their amazing friends and family. Stephanie is a girl after my own heart and I adored her touches of glam pink and sparkles throughout the day. I especially love weddings in early summer, when peonies are still in bloom! Nothing says romantic wedding like fluffy white and blush blooms. She told me on the day of that she knew pink was a popular wedding color, but she really tried to make their own, and I think they did just that! Stephanie had two wedding dresses made especially for her, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. I still can’t tell you which one I loved more, but I LOVED being able to photograph such a gorgeous bride in two spectacular dresses! Her ceremony wedding dress was a dream, with layers and layers of tulle and magic, with her reception dress being a sexy, pink lace mermaid dress. Stephanie looked radiant all day with her cascading blonde hair and shimmery eyes. Everything about Stephanie and Ian’s day was wonderful and had their own unique touch to it, from the custom paper goods and the pink ombre wedding cake, to having Ian’s step-mom perform the ceremony.

Photography: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography | Videography: Sway The Crowd Productions | Floral Design: Orchard Lane Flowers | Wedding Dress: Jasmines Bridal Shop | Wedding Dress: Cara Bridal | Cake: The End Dessert Company | Ceremony Venue: Griggs Reservoir Boathouse | Brides Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Soiree | Bridesmaids Dresses: D'Zage | Catering: Carfagnas | DJ: Encore Entertainment | Grooms Attire: JCPenney | Bracelet & Earrings: Helena Noelle Couture | Paper Goods: Alexandria Lindo On ETSY | Photobooth: Dan Buckley Photography | Rentals: Lasting Impressions | Veil: The Little White Dress