When it comes to weddings, I’m all about keeping things cozy. And that’s the very route this Cali couple took with just 75 guests on the list. Joji Rose brought the “big family dinner” vision to life, and Onelove Photography was on the scene to snap every second. Happy swooning!

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From the Bride… Our wedding was an intimate gathering of 75 people, and our wedding guests witnessed us profess our vows to each other at the Old Mission Rey De Espana Church in Mission Hills, on a perfect California winter day. Following our ceremony, we headed at Westlake Village Inn, where we had our venue in the Vintage Room. We feel so incredibly blessed not only to just be married to each other, but that we got to share our day with the people that we love. We also wanted to make sure our family and friends had a good time.

When we were planning our day, we wanted it to feel like a big family dinner. We wanted to be relaxed and not obligated to a wedding day timeline or tradition. We decided to keep our guest list small and everything else really simple and intimate, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing! We wanted to create a vintage rustic, and ethereal feel, and we felt like it really didn’t need a whole lot of decoration.

One of the most important decisions was our photographer, since that is who captures the precious moments and general feel of your day for you to look at for a lifetime. We spent weeks researching until finding my perfect fit. Choosing a venue that included everything so that I didn’t have to worry about the other details made a huge difference. Our special thanks and gratitude to my mom, Joji Rose who designed the event and arranged our floral design together with the rest of the family and our coordinator Korina Banks. Our wedding day turned out absolutely perfect and we couldn’t be happier!

Photography: onelove photography | Coordination: Korina Banks | Event Design: Joji Rose Oliveros | Floral Design: Joji Rose Oliveros | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Invitations: Shabby Scrap From Etsy | Ceremony Venue: Old Mission Church Rey De Espana In Mission Hills, CA | Reception Venue: Westlake Village Inn | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Wedding Bands: Cartier | DJ: Mark Ray Entertainment | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Guitarist: Juno Rada | Hair & Make Up: Kelly Zhang | Maid Of Honor Attire: BHLDN | Soloist: Viel Marie Oliveros | Wedding Cake & Dessert: Merely Sweets

I’ve admittedly seen the skateboard shelf done before, and haven’t exactly been it’s biggest fan. But then 100 Layer Cakelet came into my life. As it turns out, bronze pulls and nautical rope are enough to make me do a 180 because their DIY skateboard shelf is adorable. Beyond adorable, really. Perfect for a nursery, kids room or heck, front and centre in the living room while we’re at it!

Skateboard deck
Jute rope
Nautical looking hooks
Decorative succulent planters
Succulents

Once you’ve purchased all your materials, you’ll need to drill some larger holes into your skateboard deck. It should be just large enough to place your rope through the holes.

 This is where you’ll need to start eyeballing where you want to place your shelf, and how long you want the rope to be. Our shelf measures 17″ from the hook to the board.

Now that you’ve marked where your hooks will be placed, it’s time to drill and secure them into the wall. Use a level and make sure they’re evenly spaced above the holes on your board.

Once secure, add the rope. Tie a secure knot, and insert rope through hole closest to the wall. Pull up through the hole, and make sure the knot is super tight and secure. Loop rope around hook twice. Repeat this step on the other side. Place rope through front hole and tie a knot making sure the board stays level. Once you have the last knot in place, cute off any access rope.

 Secure the board with a few screws. We placed one screw on top of the board right smack dab in the center. The screw sticks should stick out about a quarter of an inch from the wall. We then placed two screws, evenly spaced, on the bottom of the board. These screws stick out about half an inch.

Decorate your new skate shelf with some pretty succulents, a pretty picture, and Viola!

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DIY: 100 Layer Cakelet | Photography: Scott Clark Photo

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PS: ALL OUR HOME DIY’S IN ONE PLACE!

Pretty doesn’t even begin to describe what you’re about to feast your eyes on, my dears. Inspired by old world craftsmanship and the jewelry history of Europe, Adam Foster Fine Art Jewelry creates truly stunning and unique designs. Each piece is designed by Adam Foster and hand made in his St. Louis, Missouri boutique + studio. I mean, come on, how gorgeous are these sparklers?!

Traveling across the country — and the world — to source incredible stones and to gather inspiration, Adam Foster of Foster Fine Art Jewelry is truly a creative genius. He believes that knowing the source of the materials and the people that cut, mine or make each element of his pieces is crucial to the design process. And we couldn’t agree more. From truly unique engagement and wedding rings to one-of-a-kind necklaces and bracelets, this line of jewelry is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

Working with clients across the globe, Adam Foster Fine Art Jewelry can help you design something incredible. You can see more of his work in his Etsy shop, as well as on Pinterest and Facebook. To schedule your in-person meeting, give them a call at 314.771.3390 or email info{at}fosterjewelry.com.

Ok, time out. Before we dive into this wedding, I feel like I need to quickly say I am obsessed with it. Obsessed. And really, you will be too once you take a look at the super chic pics snapped up by A Brit & A Blonde. I mean, come on. Those shoes? That venue? This couple? It’s all so beyond, and there are so many more cool pictures of these two here.

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Their wedding was on the eve of the first day of Fall. The lovely florals mixed in with fruits had a real harvest feel and were perfect for a September wedding.

Andrea & Ian had a feeling that it might rain on their big day – so they came prepared and bought some really super fun umbrellas. These ended up coming in extremely handy when it did rain when we were set to do the photos of the wedding party. The umbrellas really saved the day and they looked fantastic. Which allowed Mother Nature not to rain on Andrea & Ian’s parade.

Here is a bit more from Andrea & Ian…..We were originally looking to have a wedding out in the country, but couldn’t find a location we loved. We went out for dinner at Boehmer, and it instantly clicked for us. We completely shifted gears and went for a city wedding. We loved the food, the ambience, and the wooden chandelier. It was an intimate and relaxing environment, but still cool enough to be unique and sophisticated. It just seemed to fit.

Definitely the ceremony was our favorite moment of our big day. It really set the tone for the rest of the wedding. We were so happy that we decided to have our wedding at a restaurant. The staff at Boehmer were awesome. They were incredibly attentive to both us and our guests. Everyone raved about the food. We also loved the music. We had a saxophone player walking around the restaurant during dinner, and that was pretty cool. We also loved the fact that we did our photos before the ceremony, which meant we could spend cocktail hour with our guests.

Photography: A Brit & A Blonde | Floral Design: Sweet Woodruff | Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore | Cake: Bobbette and Belle | Invitations: Carte Blanche Design | Bride's Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood | Bridesmaids Dresses: Aritzia | DJ: Bello Sound | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Boehmer | Umbrellas: Belle De Provence

If a small, intimate wedding is what you are after, you’re sure to find inspiration within the folds of this shoot crafted by All Together Now , with florals by Rose Bredl and imagery by Lily Glass Photography.  The details are simple yet driven by whimsy. And if we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times – A day that ends with Moscow Mules and donuts is certainly a winner in our book. See it all right here.

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Photography: Lily Glass Photography | Event Planning: All Together Now | Floral Design: rose bredl flowers and garden | Dress: Anthropologie | Jewelry: Pluma Jewelry | Catering: Mouton | Suit: H&M | Chalk Art: Lalese Stamps | Hair+Makeup: Virtue Vegan Salon | Location: Mouton | Paper Goods Design: Thea Bergstedt

This, loves, is the perfect mid-week picker upper: a beautiful fall wedding drenched in the prettiest of coral and orange hues, with a dash of awesome DIY details on the side for good measure.  I’m talking the crafty stylings of a talented bride meets DIY florals created by friends meets the prettiest of bed and breakfast settings.  See it all captured by Faith Teasley in the full gallery.

From Faith Teasley… I photographed this lovely fall wedding in October. The bride and groom, Mallory and Stephen, are the sweetest couple ever and reside in Chapel Hill, NC.

Mallory and Stephen’s wedding took place in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina at an adorable Bed and Breakfast. Their color scheme was super unique and perfect for fall (tangerine, guava, champagne). Most of all, their day was full of a contagious joy!

Photography: Faith Teasley Photography | Floral Design: Clint & Darshan Hartgrove, Friends Of The Bride & Groom | Cupcakes: Artist's Way Creations | Venue: Rosa Lee Manor | Reception Details: DIY, The Bride

We’ve seen some sweet soirees around these parts, but I swear this one takes the cake. Because, yes there are hula hoops at the reception (so awesome), and yes, Save The Date Event knocked the styling out of park (seriously, such a home run). But what I love the most is, this Bride and Groom look like the happiest people on the planet, and that makes me the happiest wedding blogger on the planet. More here.

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From Happy Confetti Photography…Katharine and James are one of those couples who just enjoy life and wanted a comfortable wedding that showed off who they are, a fun loving couple! The weather was perfect when Katharine and James said “I Do” by the river on the beautifully manicured lawn at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons. After the ceremony guests enjoyed lawn games, drinks and adult snow cones while looking at photos of the couples family members weddings. Everyone says that rain is good luck on your wedding day, if that is true then Katharine and James must have the best luck in the world! Not only did the rain come at the perfect time as guests were entering the pavilion, it then stopped right after dinner and a beautiful double rainbow appeared. Katharine had a very talented group of friends who made all of the floral arrangements! The room was the perfect setting for a delectable family style meal from Catering By Design. For dessert, guests enjoyed an amazing selection of homemade pies from Tee and Cakes. Guests worked off their wonderful meal by dancing to amazing music from the Parlor Pickers band. Katharine and James wanted their guests to have a true Colorado experience, from the tubers on the river during the ceremony, to the amazing bluegrass music, to the cut-out of a bear that they brought with them, and as you can see from the photos their day delivered the perfect Colorado experience.

Photography: Happy Confetti Photography | Event Planner: Save The Date Events | Flowers: Fifty Flowers | Catering: Catering By Design | Make-up: Liz Boyle | Hair: The Parlour | Band: Parlor Pickers | Bar: Peak Beverage | Pies: Tee & Cakes | Reception And Ceremony: Planet Bluegrass | Seating And Menu Chalkboard: Pink Posey Design Co

In the wedding blogging world, we have our own celebrities, and Lane Dittoe is definitely one of them. If you mention his name around our offices, you most likely will hear us all start listing off our favorite Lane Dittoe classics (like this one or this one or this one). Well, it’s safe to say we have another beauty to add to the list, and it’s all thanks to this gorgeous couple and their picture perfect Cabo San Lucas wedding. And you can see just what I mean right here. 

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We rented a beautiful, 10,000 square foot oceanfront villa for four nights. We hired a staff to cook breakfast and lunch for us everyday and we enjoyed just a few of the many delicious restaurants Cabo had to offer. We had a wonderful time with our nearest and dearest. While the guys went golfing at Cabo del Sol, the girls stayed back at the villa where Suzanne Morel’s mobile spa came to treat us to massages, manicures and pedicures overlooking the ocean. Our days were sun-drenched and spent on the beach drinking cervezas & margaritas, lounging by the pool and enjoying a full staff who attended to our guests and their every need. Our goal was that our friends didn’t lift a finger and simply enjoyed themselves. I’d say it was a mission accomplished.

I hired a Suzanne Morel as my wedding planner and, although she helped with much of the organization, flowers and food, I DIY-ed much of my decor. I am obsessed with black & white stripes, pink and gold so it was vital that I incorporate them into the decor. Gold-rimmed plates, pink napkins, gold flatware and personalized carved wooden placeholders sat atop a single black & white striped table. The gold leafed “yours mine” signs were also custom made as well as the large golden pinata. We all sat together and enjoyed a delectable dinner, followed by dancing and more poolside lounging.

We wouldn’t trade our wedding week for anything in the world.

Photography: lane Dittoe fine art wedding photographs | Coordination: Creative Destination Events | Florals: Creative Destination Events | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Invitations: Amanda Day Rose | Shoes: Valentino | Jewelry: J Luxe | Catering: A Matter Of Taste | Hair And Make Up: Suzanne Morel Face and Body Care | Grooms Attire: Arte Latica | Estate: Villa Captiva In Punta Bella | Estate: Cabovillas Com | Film Processing: Goodman Film Lab | Grooms Shoes: Arte Latica | Linens + Decor: Cabo Linens, Things and More | Minister: Creative Destination Events | Travel Agent: Kathleen Wahab

Vermont seems to be the capital of charming weddings, and it only takes one look at this super sweet Boyd Family Farm fête to turn that theory into truth. With the talented Michelle Gardella behind the lens to capture every perfect moment this team of talents (including Sixpence For Your Shoe, BBJ Linen and Mezze Catering) whipped up, it goes without saying – this gallery charmed my socks right off.

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On a hillside overlooking the Mount Snow Valley, family and friends gathered as Dina and Tim wed with personalized vows (Tim, a professional musician, sang his) and a touching ceremony. Dina wore Modern Trousseau’s Dove, a lace overlay with dove gray seersucker beneath, truly stunning and unique while Tim was dapper in Charcoal gray!

Dina has always loved the peacefulness, serenity and rustic appeal of Vermont, spending much time there at her family’s West Dover home. She infused so much of that natural and rustic vibe into the wedding decor, through refined and tasteful personal touches, working closely with Mezze Catering in the Berkshires. The raw wood tables and cross back brentwood chairs beneath the soaring sail cloth canopy set the foundation for the design. The stationery throughout incorporated a subtle wood grain, with accents of burgundy and plum through the florals. Dina, the founder of a dog rescue organization, Karuna Bully Rescue, has an incredible devotion to animals, specifically dogs and wanted to incorporate this big aspect of her life into the reception. Through her engagement, she collected vintage dog tags from across the country spanning back decades, and used them on her escort cards, hand selecting the tags to accompany the guests names she felt had the most connection.

The food by Mezze Catering was the epitome of farm fresh, as guests dined in delight, followed by dancing and a spectacular fireworks display, a surprise touch by Dina’s father to end a spectacular night.

Photography: Michelle Gardella Photography | Florist: Boyd Family Farm | Cake: Lisa Bigelow Cakes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Catering: Mezze Catering + Events | DJ: Rockaway Entertainment | Venue: Boyd Family Farm | Bridal Gown: The White Dress by the shore | Ceremony Musician: Nicole Zuraitis | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Makeup Artists: Nature Spa At The Grand Summit | Rentals: Classical Tents | Stationery & Design: Sixpence For Your Shoe

Take a stunning bride and groom + their seriously adorable son, a handful of ecstatic family members and a crazy cool art gallery setting like Gallery FiftySix and what you have is an intimate wedding bursting with sophisticated details and some of the chicest moments you’ll ever have the privilege to see. It’s glittery gold hues meets awesomeness from Lindsey Lissau.  See it all in the full gallery.

And feast your eyes on this gorgeous film from Undertone Pictures.

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From the Bride… Ryan’s favorite quote has always been, “Energy and persistence conquer all things,” and it definitely proved true in our case. We met when I was his server at Old Venice Pizza in Memphis, and he pestered me for months before I agreed to go on a date with him! Four years (and a baby!) later, he proposed on the rooftop of the Peabody Hotel. His excitement was apparently so infectious that several members of the management were waiting in the dark with champagne for toasting and pictures!

We were engaged for 15 months while I planned pretty much every possible type of wedding. But, when it came down to it, we both wanted to do something a little less involved than a huge wedding, and a lot more special than the courthouse. Our solution? A private ceremony with our parents and son , Grayson (well, we tried to include him, but he promptly fell asleep 20 minutes before our ceremony!). It was so intimate and special and really allowed us to soak in every last moment of the day.

We were married on July 11th at a small art gallery full of graphic black and white abstract pieces, which set the overall “feel” for our ceremony. Clean and simple, yet subtly detailed. Thank goodness for our day-of coordinator, Becky Best… she made sure everything was exactly where I envisioned it. The ceremony itself was short and sweet, with the PERFECT message by Rev. Sarah Taylor-Peck. She surprised us by involving our parents in our ceremony and asking them to surround us and pray over our new marriage; it was such a heartfelt and personal moment that I’ll never forget. After our vows, we were able to immediately turn and hug our parents before a quick celebration in a smaller wing of the gallery. The men in our families are the criers, and our wedding was no exception; both of our dads gave the sweetest, most heartfelt toasts, which brought us all to tears.

After the ceremony and celebratory toasts, our parents headed home to snuggle Grayson, and Ryan and I headed downtown to a friend’s speakeasy for a few moments of solace and, of course, cake! When we finished at the Blind Bear, we decided to take a walk back to our hotel in downtown Memphis, with a quick detour by Aldo’s Pizza on Main Street.

Every detail was so personal, down to my custom gown by Shareen., and we are so incredibly lucky to count every person involved in our wedding as a friend; from our musician that I’ve known since I was 15, to our hair and makeup stylist that was my first college roommate, to our photographer that I met in April.

Photography: Lindsey Lissau | Cinematography: Undertone Pictures | Wedding Dress: Shareen Vintage | Cake: Yolo Bakes! | Invitations: Elli | Invitations: Elli | Ceremony Venue: Gallery FiftySix | Reception Venue: Blind Bear Speakeasy | Shoes: Show You Shoes | Hair And Makeup: Studio 78 | Accomodations: The Madison Hotel | Groom's Attire Pocket Square: The Snappy Sapling | Jewelry & Accessories: Lolly And Lou | Ring Bearer's Suspenders + Bowtie: The Snappy Sapling

Bold statement alert: La Jolla is one of my top five fave wedding destinations. The stunning soirees we feature in this locale never fail to disappoint in the pretty department. And the Darlington House is as pretty as it gets. One look at the stunning Rose Garden captured by heidi-o-photo in this romantic fete, and I think you’ll agree. See the rest of this beautiful day in the gallery!

From heidi-o-photo… Christine and Ryan are so sweet. They’re kind and loving, and fun and adventurous. They have a long history together. They met in Kindergarten, Christine was friends with Ryan’s sister, and their families became friends, but going to separate high schools they lost touch. But at a family Christmas party in ’06 they met again, exchanged numbers and have been inseparable ever since!

Ryan and Christine’s wedding was such a lovely event. Christine’s mother collected all the beautiful decor items- vases, lanterns and more that decorated the ceremony and reception. The soft pastel color palette of their outfits and florals fit perfectly with the Darlington House.

They partly chose the Darlington House so they could serve Ryan’s legendary margaritas- one of his talents is mixology. The Darlington House also has ecclectic global architecture and decor, which represents their love of travel.

The wedding was a beautiful coming together of all their friends and family.

Photography: heidi-o-photo | Videography: OpenGlass Studio | Coordinator: Before I Do Events | Florist: Organic Elements | Cake: Heavensent Desserts | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Catering: Giuseppe Catering | DJ: Injoy Entertainment | Bride's Accessories- Belt & Earrings: BHLDN | Ceremony & Reception: The Darlington House | Hairstylist: Mount Tabor Park | Photobooth: Pixster Photo Booths

S’mores are THE snack of the summer. We all know this. The marshmallows. The chocolate. All smashed between two graham crackers?! It’s a diet’s worst enemy! Attempt to tone down the sugar damage by creating a much healthier version with popcorn! Chocolate in small amounts is considered healthy, right? XO, The Proper Pinwheel

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Lexy Ward | PROPERS'more PopcornThe perfect fireside treat!

prep time 10 Minute/s

cook time

total time 10 Minute/s

Serves 0Ingredients

• 1/2 c popcorn kernels
• 2 1/2 c mini marshmallows
• 3/4 c milk chocolate chips
• 1/8 c light corn syrup
• 2 1/2 Tbsp butter or margarine
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 c mini marshmallows (for topping)
• 1/2 c graham cracker crust

Instructions

1. Start by popping the kernels with an air popper. Once popped, spread on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the marshmallows, milk chocolate chips, corn syrup, and butter or margarine. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
3. Gently drizzle the chocolate marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and quickly sprinkle the graham cracker crust and remaining marshmallows on top.
4. Allow the popcorn several minutes to set.

Wrap it up in some brown kraft paper or serve in cute bowls (these are my fave!)

Head to the mountains or cozy up to a fire and enjoy!

Photography: Lexy Ward | Concept & Styling: Lexy Ward | Vendor: Billy Ella

We’ve got a little treat in store for y’all because today we’re brining back Wedding Wednesday with seven pretty features that’ll rock your world. First up – this adorable southern love affair captured so beautifully by Watson Studios. It’s a wedding eight years in the making (read: high school sweethearts) and the gallery is bursting with so much more.

Top off the pretty with Nicholas & Keaton Cinematography’s capture of the day!

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From the Bride… Blake and I can’t remember how we met: it could’ve been at a friend’s house or a cheesy action movie or neither one. At age 14, you’re not exactly looking for a soulmate. We had similar acquaintances and at some point or another, we became friends. What we do remember: Blake called and asked me to his girlfriend on February 2nd, 2004.

Eight years or so later, on March 4th, 2012, after numerous birthdays, high school proms, college graduations, graduate school and long distance, Blake got down on his knee in the middle of Cades Cove, Tennessee and asked me to be his forever.

As we began planning our wedding, we quickly realized that a formal and traditional celebration wasn’t in the cards for us. Almost immediately we asked a dear friend (who happens to have an impressive beard, Ph.D., and love for magic tricks) to serve as our officiate to make our ceremony very personal and meaningful. All other aspects of our wedding followed suite from the cotton in our floral arrangements, to our Star Wars cake toppers, to our blackberry sangrias, to our bright red double-decker bus.

Since we grew up in a rural town in East TN and Blake was raised on a dairy farm, we wanted a simply southern celebration. Many of our decorations were handmade by my dad or came straight from the family’s farm. There were numerous moments throughout the planning process when I became overwhelmed with all of the details, but I thankfully had folks to keep me calm and help me along the way (thanks, Mom & Soirees).

Leading up to our wedding weekend, I hadn’t seen Blake in a month since we live six hours away from each other. So, the most perfect moment during our wedding was seeing him for the first time as I walked down the aisle. My second favorite moment was shortly before the ceremony when I saw our reception site for the first time. Every detail was perfectly arranged with all of the delicate white flowers and greenery against the backdrop of an all-white barn and mountain views. Our family pictures were ready for viewing as you walked through the barn doors, the tables were decorated with romantic tapers, our bride & groom chairs had gorgeous olive branch swags, and the fried chicken and gelato were waiting to be eaten.

I can say with the utmost certainty that our wedding day was the most stress-free and perfect moment of our lives. Blake and I were so blessed for all the friends and loved ones that celebrated with us and also for our vendors who carried out our vision to a T. Most importantly, our photographers captured every one of these moments flawlessly. Dan and Natalie were consistently a calming and warm presence and their work is the cherry on top of our favorite day.

Photography: Natalie Watson | Photography: Watson Studios | Videography: Nicholas & Keaton Cinematography | Floral Design: Ensign The Florist | Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell | Cupcakes: Cupcake Kitchen | Caterer: Events With Taste | Makeup: Candace Hernandez | Hair: Nicos Salon Downtown, Ashleigh Carver | DJ: Sound Force | Transportation: Chattanooga Double Decker | Venue: Mountain Cove Farms | Bluegrass Band: Lou Wamp | Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Bride’s Shoes: Louboutin | Gelato: : Milk & Honey | Invitations & Programs: Kate Moore Creative | Men’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Photobooth: The Photo Blaster | Planning: Soirees

I could probably sit here all day and tell you exactly why this sweet Mallard Island Yacht Club wedding completely rocks, but let’s just start out with the obvious.  It’s sooo pretty.  Think vibrant colors (hello coral, pink, yellow + teal) meets whimsical stylings, all in a seriously breathtaking setting.  Now add in the photo expertise of the talented Kay English and, well… happy Wednesday.  See it all here.

From Kay English Photography… Both the bride and groom love the Jersey shore, and in fact, they met there. With Mallard Island Yacht club being as exquisite as it was, the bride and groom felt they should add some more casual and laid-back touches. Little additions like the cupcakes and hints of chevron made the occasion beachy, yet chic. The bride, an art director, tried to create constant surprises for her guests. From personal menus to childhood photos, guests were surprised by loving touches at every turn. The night was special one, as guests enjoyed a beautiful cocktail hour, followed by dinner and a photobooth and then dancing the night away. Truly a beautiful night at the Jersey Shore.

Photography: Kay English Photography | Floral Design: MDS Floral Designs | Cupcakes: Cake That! Manahawkin | Stationary: K Jensen Design | Reception Venue: Mallard Island Yacht Club | Makeup: Jeanine Mangan Makeup Designs | Hair: Ten Hair & Makeup | Officiant: Steven Jensen | Photobooth: Photobooth Pop Up

One thing I’ve absolutely loved about planning my wedding is how much closer it’s brought me to some of my best girls, my bridesmaids. Let’s face it, the lovely ladies who will stand by us on our Big Day? They’re kind of a big deal. So to show them how much we appreciate them, here are ten fun ideas for things to do with your ‘maids before you say “I do”!

10 Things To Do With Your Bridesmaids

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10 Things To Do With Your Bridesmaids

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Have you heard, lovelies?  Tea length bridesmaid dresses are back… and they are back in a big way. Think gorgeous flowing chiffon Paul Hunt numbers in the softest of hues totally taking your breath away. Set them against a stunning classic meets Australian country wedding and we can barely contain our glee.  Soak in every last ounce of awesome captured by Kelly Adams in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Our wedding was very Elegant and Classical, with a twist of Vintage Country.  I chose very neutral colours for myself and bridesmaids, I feel my personality reflects my choice. I’ve never liked being the centre of attention (even on my own wedding day). Although I do love things to be beautiful without being in your face, very different to my husband, who likes all things bright. Navy is another favourite of mine, so to give the boys a less “formal ” look I decided to go with a navy jacket and beige pants. Very country Australian men’s dresswear.

Having close family and friends at our wedding made the day so special, but most of all seeing my my best friend and 18-month-old son at the end of the aisle made everything seem so perfect.

Amazing food, great wine and dancing to old time favourites definitely made all the planning worthwhile. When you see your guests enjoying themselves, you have a gasp of relief.

I loved everything about my wedding, being able to make it so personalised is the best part of planning. My favourites were definitely the Blooms & Dress! You can never have too many flowers.

Photographer: Kelly Adams Photography | Videographer: Matt Barwick Films | Cake: Jocelyn's Provisions | Hair: The Powder Room | Celebrant: Julie Hogg | Bride's Dress & Bridesmaids' Dresses: Paul Hunt | Cars: Princess Luxury Classics | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Sirromet | Florist & Stylist: Pink & Purple Petals | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: R.M. Williams | MUA: Jade Worley

This wedding is as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen. Seriously. It’s elegant, yet approachable. Intimate, yet ridiculously stylish. It’s a wedding that will no doubt stand the test of time, which makes me just want to kiss every gorgeous image Tara McMullen sent our way. See them all here.

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Our goal from the beginning was to blend the natural and laid-back beauty of our surroundings with an elegant and traditional aesthetic. Ruby the Fox took inspiration from an English country garden in designing our invitations, and it set the tone for the rest of the décor. I was away at business school for the vast majority of the planning process, so relied heavily on my mother to coordinate all of the elements that come with hosting a reception not only at home, but also in the middle of a field!

While I’m not very crafty, I did manage to pull off several DIY products, including taking apart some old paintings found in our basement, and mounting a floral fabric against the gold frames to use as a backdrop for the escort cards.

Hosting the wedding at home meant that we had flexibility in terms of catering, and we were very excited to find the Food Dudes. They blew us away with their creativity and extremely high quality food – a huge highlight for our guests!

Our DJ was truly amazing, and kept our many friends and family on the packed dance floor well into the morning. It was an incredible day that we both wish could be relived regularly… the experience of having everyone you love all together is truly once in a lifetime.

Photography: Tara Mcmullen | Floral Design: Holton Flowers | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cake: The Wedding Cake Shoppe | Invitations: Ruby The Fox | Bridesmaids Dresses: White Toronto | Catering: The Food Dudes | Makeup: Gregory Graveline | Hair: Nirvana | DJ: DJ Famous Tim | Band: Alex Belhaj | Tent: Premier Events | Private Home: Bride's Family Farm | Rentals: Chairman Mills | St. Peter's Church: Cobourg, Ontario

Earlier today, Mirelle Carmichael introduced us to this beautiful Bride and Groom in the form of this playful e-sesh that stole our hearts. So much so, that we couldn’t wait to unveil their elegant summer soiree at Villa Del Sol D’Oro. They’re the kind of couple that you’re immediately drawn to. Their infections smiles, impeccable style and beautiful love for one another. See it all in the gallery.

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From Mirelle Carmichael Photography… Lauri and Sumin had a beautiful summer wedding at the Westminster Presbyterian Church and Villa del Sol d’Oro estate.With a summer palette of sky and powder blues with whites and pale pinks, guests celebrated under the stars on a warm night in Pasadena.

From the beautiful Bride… My husband and I started dating in college eight years ago, and since then we’ve endured the struggles (and hidden blessings) of a long distance relationship. From Roseville to Berkeley; Fullerton to Millbrae; Chicago to Los Angeles; and Millbrae to Los Angeles. Nine months after our wedding, we are FINALLY living together in San Francisco!

Planning was definitely an enjoyable challenge for us considering we were both in grad school in different states, and extremely busy. Finding the venue was the first (and most challenging) part of our wedding process. We wanted it to be in Southern California because I was living there for grad school, and because his grandparents (though one is no longer with us today) were too fragile to make a trip anywhere else. Though he was living in Chicago for grad school, he managed to visit between 15-17 different venues in Southern California. Setting the reception venue at Villa del Sol d’Oro was easy as we fell in love with the romanic, rustic, Italian style architecture and landscape. For the ceremony, we wanted to get married in a church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church had one of the most breathtaking displays of architecture we’d ever seen (until our honeymoon in Italy the following week, that is).

After our venues were set, it helped set the tone for the rest of our wedding decisions and details. We narrowed down our choice of photographers to two who had similar photojournalistic styles and whose photos displayed bright, sharp colors. Mirelle was an easy decision to go with because she was just so well prepared and excited to meet us. We also saved where we could. For floral arrangements, my sister-in-law arranged our reception centerpieces on the morning of our wedding, and they turned out absolutely beautiful. We designed our invitations and programs ourselves using Word, Photoshop, and an online printing company, and my friends helped assemble our invitations in my tiny studio apartment. We decided against renting a photo booth since one of the funnest weddings we’ve ever attended in Maryland didn’t have one, allowing us to realize the value of simplicity when appropriate. We also didn’t hire a wedding coordinator, and instead took one of my bridesmaid’s advice and fabricated a 3-page long 15-minute interval schedule for our bridal party to help keep us organized and present where/when we needed to be. My husband ended up being the groom and coordinator on the day of our wedding. And though there were inevitable bumps along the way (with 3 different venues including the afterparty, and 2 separate receptions including one for the adults), he was truly amazing at being both.

In the end, through all the decisions/payments/meetings/planning, we wanted to remember that this would be a day where our family and friends could come together and celebrate our union and God’s faithfulness in our relationship. We wanted it to be a memorable (I believe the over-100 degree weather alone achieved this) and most of all, a fun time for our guests to celebrate with us and one another. We think we achieved these simple goals and we truly thank those who were able to celebrate with us!

Photography: Mirelle Carmichael | Videographer: Christopher Lee | Floral Design: Mount Tabor Park | Wedding Dress: Trudy's Bridal | Ceremony Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Villa Del Sol D'Oro | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Union Station | Hair And Makeup: E2 Beauty | DJ: Skyline Entertainment | Bridal Shoes: Enzo Angiolini | Catering - Ceremony: Shin Mi Catering | Catering - Reception: Villa Del Sol D'Oro | Photography - Assistance: Mirelle Carmichael | Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co.

Not only are these two crazy adorable but they have a love story for the books, thanks to matchmaker Giuliana Rancic who interviewed Lauren after her tragic accident. She just knew Jason and Lauren would be perfect for each other. Fast forward to to an engagement and an upcoming winter wedding, and she couldn’t have been more right. With Lindsey Shea and Kat Harris in tow, this duo hit the streets of LA for an engagement session full of undeniable love. Grab an exclusive peek right here.

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From Lauren Scruggs… Giuliana Rancic reached out to me after my accident as she was simultaneously going through a life altering struggle. After talking for months, she asked me to come out to LA so we could finally meet in person. After meeting, she interviewed me, and told me she wanted me to meet Jason. She said he loved God, had amazing friends, and was such a great guy. My mom and I went to LA together for the trip, and Jason wrote out a list of things for us to do while we were in LA, one being a hike on his favorite canyon. He said to text him if we went because he and a friend were planning on going. We hiked the next day, and the rest was history.

From Kat Harris Photography + Lindsey Shea Photography… Lauren has been a dear friend of ours for years, and we were tickled pink to photograph hers and Jason’s engagements in LA while we were in town. We decided to run the streets of Melrose Avenue and ended at Jason’s beautiful home in Beverly Hills. Jason and Lauren have such a rich, authentic, and fun love! He’s always making her laugh, and she puts a smile on his face as big as the state of Texas! We cannot wait for the wedding this winter!

Photography: Kat Harris Photography | Photography: Lindsey Shea Photography | Venue: Melrose Ave | Venue: Private Residence | Hair And Make-up: Remba Productions

There are few things that scream celebration more than toasting with a glass of bubbly. And when it comes to the perfect sparkly beverage — look no further than La Marca Prosecco! We’re head-over-heels for their new mini bottles, because, don’t you just love a little something blue?

La Marca Prosecco, the #1 Prosecco in the U.S., offers a luxe experience at a seriously affordable price! Perfect for engagement parties, bridal showers + more, these little pretties are as lovely as they are delicious. How cute would it be to have a mini bottle as a wedding or shower favor with a custom tag? Or I’d love to see a little La Marca Prosecco served on a tray with a decorative straw attached — hello adorable! We’re loving the crisp, refreshing flavor that pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods — from hors d’oeuvres to wedding cake.

At just $17 per 750 mL bottle and $5 per mini bottle, La Marca Prosecco is a fabulous luxury with a totally affordable price.  To find a list of  retaliers throughout the country, head over here. Oh, but there’s more my dears — La Marca Prosecco is giving away an amazing something blue prize pack to one lucky reader!

The Prize: One lucky reader will win: a Style Me Pretty book ($20), Kate Spade Toasting Flutes ($65), Hand Painted In Bloom Petal Robe from BHLDN ($65), His and Her heirloom hangers from BHLDN ($56), a Pottery Barn Wine Bucket ($79), plus a $200 Visa Cash Gift Card!