The mountains you’re about to see don’t look real, but I promise they are! (See: Emerald Lake Lodge) To match the scenery, every detail is equally vivid and stunning from the yellow bridesmaid dresses the the bold bouquets from Willow Flower Company. Not mention, the Paebaek Ceremony looks beautiful, fun, and moving to boot. Just take a look at Orange Girl’s photographs of the day!

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Autumn’s favorite memory was a minor wardrobe malfunction as she rounded the corner to walk down the aisle. The emotions started to build as soon as she saw her parents, and as she took her Dad’s arm to walk down the aisle she could already feel her eyes starting to well up. When she turned the corner, her train (or as she called it, her tail) got caught on the fence at the edge of the patio. The snag stopped her dead in her tracks, and she couldn’t help but smile. The incident helped ease her emotions, and the rest of the ceremony was full of big smiles and happy tears.

Advice for those planning a wedding now:
Wedding planning can be a difficult and stressful process. Try to remember that you’re both going through a lot, and be supportive of each other along the way. Take a deep breath every now-and-then, give each other a hug, and thank each other for everything the other has accomplished. Hearing that your husband/wife-to-be appreciates what you’re doing makes it all worth while. When the planning is over and the big day comes, enjoy the moment and savor the memories. Everything may not go perfectly according to plan, but most guests won’t even notice, and the little hiccups along the way will provide you with great memories inside jokes for years to come.

From the photographer… Autumn and Derrick traveled from Seoul Korea to Yoho National Park in Canada for their destination mountain wedding. They included a Paebaek (Korean Tea) Ceremony after becoming husband and wife. The elders of the family were invited to sit. The bride and groom bowed to the elders, poured them a drink, and listened to their marital advice. I found the advice from the elders to be a moving part of the ceremony, what a lovely way to start your married life. The elders would then toss dates into a piece of fabric held up by the bride and groom to symbolize how many children they hoped the newlyweds would have. The bride and groom would then try to deflect some of the dates tossed to a number closer to the number of children they actually hoped to have. This was a particularly funny part of the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony the groom gave piggybacks to his new wife and his mother-in-law symbolizing the grooms intention to carry/support his new wife and family.

Photography: Orange Girl Photographs | Ceremony Music: Music Mosaic | Bouquets: Willow Flower Company | Ceremony & Reception: Emerald Lake Lodge | Make-up & Hair: Clipso

Ladies and Gents, get your pinterest boards ready – because this elegant affair captured by Julia Franzosa Photography is overflowing with steal-worthy ideas. Planned beautifully by SQN Events and filled to the brim with florals so pretty by Molly Flavin you won’t even believe they are real, I can promise you’ll want to pin every single image in this gallery. See what I mean here.

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The wedding then moved to Shoreacres Country Club in Lake Bluff. The Club is located on Lake Michigan and the lake truly looks like an infinity pool as it is so close to the terrace on which cocktails were held.

We progressed to the Club’s dining room for a delectable dinner, complete with an amuse bouche composed of morel mushrooms the brides’ parents curated themselves.

After dinner, guests retired to a tent that was stunningly decorated, featuring several seating vignettes and a dramatic lattice with greenery and orchids suspended from the tent’s ceiling over the dance floor.

From The Bride…I had so many favorite parts of the day it is so hard to just pick one!! Aside from actually saying our vows a few of my favorites moments were:

*Sending love notes back and forth with Nicolas throughout the day
*Standing with my mom and dad in our dining room waiting for the ceremony to start. It was just such a special moment between the three of us.
*Celebrating with my family in the kitchen immediately after.

Photography: Julia Franzosa | Event Planning: SQN Events | Floral Design: Molly Flavin | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: Lake Forest Estate | Reception Venue: Shoreacres | Catering: Shoreacres | Makeup: Andie Cumber Makeup | Hair: Livia Caporale | Band: SWAY Chicago | Grooms Attire: Indochino

We’re big fans of the destination wedding here at SMP, and if you keep scrolling, you’ll see why. There’s the bluest ocean you could imagine reaching into the sunset, clean beaches with warm fair sand, surrounded by your closest family and friends. What’s not the love? And thanks to Wendy Laurel’s photographic handiwork, we get to relive the day in all its splendor.

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From Wendy Laurel Photography… Nothing screams summer like a wedding in Hawaii. Somer and Ryan came from chilly Canada to celebrate their love with their best family and friends. Luckily they had a gorgeous Hawaiian day for it. Their color palette of light blues and pinks went right with the pretty natural colors of palm trees, oceans, and blue sky.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Flowers: Dellables | Photography Assistant: Jeffrey Oltman | Restaurant: Merrimans

I am a huge, HUGE Joey Kennedy fan. The weddings he sends our way are not only down right gorgeous and captured so perfectly I could cry, but they also always seem to be filled with soul. It only takes one peek at the beauty below to see that this wedding is the perfect example. Handmade and overflowing with love, it’s hard to look at this gallery and not smile.

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From the Bride….The most important thing about our wedding day was that it fit us as a couple, and that it felt special. Many of the decorations were handmade by me and my friends and family; most especially my dress, which was designed and made by my sister. We knew wanted the day to be beautiful, but also relaxed and outdoors. Foxley Farm was the perfect location! Our ceremony was the most special part of our day. Guests took a short walk up a hill to the site. Sign posts with the most special dates in our relationship guided them up the path. At the top of the hill they were met by a free-standing doorway that lead to the aisle I would soon walk down. The little outdoor chapel we created had a 360 degree view of the rolling farm land of the Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. The ceremony was filled with tears and laughter and was finished off by a beautiful rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” sung by my good friend as the sun broke through the clouds. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day!

Photographer: Joey Kennedy Photography | Florist: Allison McGeary Florist | Catering: Elegant Catering | Hair & Makeup: Beauty Justified | DJ: 2nd II None Productions | Wedding Venue: Foxley Farm | Cake & Cupcakes: Vanilla Pastry Studio

This is one of those awesome weddings that mixes classic stylings with a breathtaking setting like Devil’s Thumb Ranch and pulls it off beautifully.  It’s rich hues playing nice with gorgeous invites from Regas, sophisticated details from Calluna Events and a bride who will take your breath away in Amsale. Oh, and then there’s the gallery of stunning images from Chowen Photography.  See them here.

From Chowen Photography… Maris and Tyler reside in NYC, but have a great love for Colorado, so they had their lovely wedding at the beautiful Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Northern Colorado. It is the perfect location for a destination wedding. They had such an ease about them and we truly enjoyed photographing their sweet love for one another, their family and wedding weekend. They trusted us completely and we couldn’t ask for anything more.

Their wedding day was perfection with blue Colorado skies, white fluffy clouds and the perfect temperature. The wedding day was simple and sweet. The bride’s mother was even in her wedding party and her step-father married them. We loved how close the couple was to their families. Maris and Tyler also chose to do a first look and have couple’s portraits before the ceremony and it was so special. They had a chance to just be alone and enjoy the moments, scenery and each other before the ceremony and celebrating all night. During the ceremony, they had the wedding rings passed along a ribbon and passed by friends and family members before being put on their fingers. It was a super sweet way to send the rings to the couple.

The ceremony overlooked the mountains and the dinner and reception took place in a large barn type building. There was a lot of dancing and fun after that.

Calluna Events was so amazing at putting together all the details for this sweet and simple wedding in the mountains for the loveliest couple.

Photography: Chowen Photography | Event Planning: Calluna Events | Florist: The Perfect Petal | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Tee & Cakes | Invitations: Regas | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Makeup Artist: Alchemy Mineral Blends | Hair Stylist: Jacqui Jolly | DJ: DJ Jahsonic | Groom's Suit: Martin Greenfield | Wedding Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Bride's Clutch & Bridemaid's Gifts: Kotur | Bride's Earrings: Margaret Elizabeth

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You can go ahead and file this pretty party under “seriously awesome weddings,” because, well… it sooo is.  A laid-back, yet totally elegant affair planned to perfection by Shannon Reeves Events, it’s what happens when shabby chic details and an adorable bride and groom meet the gorgeous shores of Santa Rosa Beach.  See it all captured by Woodland Fields Photography in the full gallery.

From Shannon Reeves Events… Pretty weddings are common, as I know you must know better than anyone. Pretty is usually a given. But easy, authentic, crazy-about-you, perfect-combination-of-over-the-moon-giddiness-and-calm-contentment is a bit harder to come by. These two had all of this in spades and you can just SEE it. And their wedding was pretty, too.

Jenn got engaged just about the same time I launched Shannon Reeves Events in October 2011. She was my very first client. Together, over plenty of phone dates and giddy emails between her home in Washington D.C. and mine in Tallahassee, we set a date, snagged the prettiest wedding venue you ever did see, assembled a to-die-for vendor team and filled in plenty of pretty details for a coastal wedding in Florida.

With Ian deployed, serving on the front lines in Afghanistan during most of the planning process, Jenn – sweet as she can be – focused more on the two of them then anything else. No big Pinterest projects. No over-the-top decor or filler craziness. Instead, a stripped-down, elegant affair with pretty flowers, southern lace, sweet handwritten vows and 72 of their nearest and dearest to share them with.

Bentley’s on the Bay, located in Santa Rosa Beach, is take-your-breath-away pretty. Classic white flowers, big wooden whitewashed tables, lanterns, mercury glass and textures galore was a perfect mix.

And some sweet cake with toasts to match and a packed dance floor on the waterfront, all under cafe lights on a summer night in Florida. Pretty perfect.

At the end of the June evening, the DJ played Jenn and Ian’s first dance song again, to end the reception just like it began. Such a sweet finale! And as though we drew it up perfectly ourselves, a summer storm hit the second the song ended and the DJ said farewell. And it downpoured the entire next day! We definitely didn’t forget to count our lucky stars.

The day was packed to the brim with grateful love. Real smiles. Adoration. She’s giddy-as-can-be and he’s the picture of happiness. It was the best big day I’ve ever experienced as a planner. I hope with these photos you can see it, too.

Photography: Woodland Fields Photography | Flowers: Florals By The Sea | Bakery: Bentley's on the Bay | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid's Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup Artist: Jamie Gummere | DJ: GT Entertainment | Bride's Dress: David's Bridal | Catering and Bartending: Bentley's on the Bay | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Bentley's on the Bay | Event Planning, Design and Coordination: Great Southern Weddings | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Hair Styling: Denise Davidson | Vintage and Shabby Chic Prop and Furniture Rentals: Hemstitch Vintage Rentals

This couple? They might just be the cutest ever. It’s not often that we share engagement films, but when you’ve got a comedian as the Groom-to-be and his sweet Bride-to-be who can dish it right back, it’s entertaining and endearing to say the least. Peter Ferriero captured this adorable duo’s moments leading up to the big day, and bonus? Next up, we’re sharing their wedding film—stay tuned!

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From Peter Ferriero… This is what happens when a stand up Comedian marries the girl of his dreams. We wanted to get the real story of how this romance all started. So the team at PF Films traveled to Nicole & Brian’s NYC apartment to find out. We found all the keys to their hearts here, and a cat that looks a lot like Jinxy in ‘Meet the Parents’. It’s not Jinxy.

PF Films: PF Films

Make me a cup of tea, and I’ll be your friend for life. Make me a cup of tea with a splash of lavender infused sugar? That’s BFF status right there. And though it may sound like work, Lauren Werkheiser is here to prove that creating simple infused sugars truly couldn’t be easier. A little of this, a little of that, and you’ve got yourself a decadent little treat that not only makes a great gift, but is awesome just for you as well.

From  Lauren Werkheiser… Infused sugars are one of the easiest and sweetest ways to add flavor to your normal recipes. This one, in particular, is one of my favorites. Give it as a gift, or add the sugar to your coffee, tea or other baked goods. Enjoy! 

Jacquelyn ClarkLavender Infused SugarUse it in your coffee, tea or baked goods for a delicious, subtle treat!

prep time

cook time

total time

Serves 0Ingredients

• 1 cup of sugar
• 2-3 tsp. culinary lavender
• Optional: 1 vanilla bean

Instructions

1. Pour your sugar and lavender into an air tight container.
2. If desired, scrape the seeds of one vanilla bean into the sugar as well.
3. Seal and shake every day or so.
4. After two weeks, your sugar will be infused and delicious!

Photography: Lauren Werkheiser Photography

My favorite weddings are always the ones that tell a story. The weddings woven with personal moments, which is exactly what you’ll find in this vintage-yet-modern Texas affair snapped by Stephanie Hunter. Look close and you’ll see nods to the bride’s love of animals alongside a colorful blend of autumn-loving blooms. And in case you want more (you know you do!) there’s a whole gallery of pretty waiting to be swooned.

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From Stephanie Hunter Photography… Lindsey & Johnny, had such a sweet, unique wedding – a vintage feel but with a kick! The main colors were black and antique gold. The table runners were black and white striped with colorful centerpieces adorned with different animals as table markers. The bride, Lindsey, has a great appreciation for animals – she worked at Sea World as a dolphin trainer & currently works at the San Diego Zoo with birds of prey and gorillas. She has also worked with horses her entire life and has dreams of opening an Equine Assisted Therapy Center for the elderly (she also has a degree in Psychology)! So she knew she wanted to incorporate her love for animals in a sophisticated way.

In addition to animal marked tables, the couple also chose gold napkin rings in the shape of animals. The ceremony was supposed to be outdoors but, due to weather, had to be moved indoors. The rain plan was beautiful with gorgeous draped fabric, strung cafe lights & chandeliers. An ornate rug framed with two planters filled to the brim with flowers served as the altar. The reception was so very charming – a decorative continuation of the ceremony. Parasols hung over the dance floor & lights were strung throughout for a romantic, cozy feel in the uncharacteristically chilly weather.

Photography: Stephanie Hunter Photography | Coordination: Justin Blair | Floral Design: Central Market | Wedding Dress: L'ezu Beverly Hills | Cake: Central Market | Catering: The Salt Lick BBQ | Hair & Makeup: Justin Blair | Band: London Calling | Officiant: Central Christian Church | Venue: The Salt Lick BBQ | Printing: Papel

It doesn’t get much better than a secluded, intimate wedding. And these sunny yellow nuptials on Cooroy Mountain are further proof that if you’re surrounded by nature and all the people you love, the recipe for all-out gorgeousness is pretty much guaranteed. Karen Buckle captured some cute as can be moments from the day. You can see all the loveliness here.

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From the Bride… Sean proposed to me shortly after his return from working overseas for 18 months. Our long distance relationship had been extremely difficult but had further proven to both of us how strong our love for each other was. We decided to have a long engagement and two years later it was time for our special day. We are both very laid back people and didn’t want to have a huge, expensive wedding. We decided to plan for a stress-free, intimate celebration with our closest family and friends. Of course it was difficult not involving all of our extended family and friends but everyone was very supportive and understanding of our decision. We chose to hold the day at a holiday house in the Cooroy Mountains which allowed us to have the ceremony, reception and accommodation all in the same place. This was a huge bonus for us and added to the seamless running of the day. Guests were able to begin the celebrations whilst we had our photos (also on the property). As the house is set on 100 acres and has a few bedrooms we were able to have most of the guests stay the night to continue with breakfast the next day. As the wedding was on a private property we completed all of the planning, styling, catering and preparing ourselves. Although this seemed like a big job, we had lots of willing helpers and it actually added to the excitement of the day. One of my sister’s friends did an amazing job of helping out during the day which allowed our guests to relax and enjoy themselves without having to be put to work. It was an amazing day that ran perfectly without any problems! It was so nice to share it with our closest loved ones and we felt lucky that we were able to spend quality time with each and every guest. We couldn’t have asked for a better, more ‘’us’’ day! Receiving our amazing photos a few weeks after the event allowed us to relive our special day and share it with our family and friends. Karen did an amazing job and allowed those that weren’t there a true picture of what the day looked and felt like.

Photography: Karen Buckle Photography | Flowers: Suncoast Florist | Makeup: Ultimate Makeup | Hair: Rolling Scissors | Celebrant: Weddings With Kristy | Private Home: Hillview Governor's House

The only thing that could possibly top a rehearsal dinner in the middle of the South African wild, is a wedding following suit. This gem is overflowing with the raw beauty of an African safari coupled with impeccably crafted details at the hands of Afresh Event Design, Nineteen Eight Five, and Wedding Concepts. Now throw in image after stunning image by Mike Falco For Christian Oth Studio and you have a gallery not to be missed.

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From The Bride…While Jon and I got ready with our family and wedding parties, the guests were treated to an early morning game drive at sunrise. After our preparations, we boarded the safari jeeps once again for the ceremony at Inkwazi Hide, a large, wooden deck under a 200-year-old Acacia tree overlooking the Sabie River. A local African choir sang Zulu praise songs as I walked down the aisle and we were greeted by our officiant who spoke on themes of friendship, adventure and nature (punctuated by hilarious hippo grunts coming from the river). When we were pronounced man and wife, our guests surprised us by loudly trumpeting on Vuvuzelas. Afterwards, Jon and I snuck away for a few photos and our guests were treated to signature cocktails while taking in a glorious African sunset on a deck overlooking the river. When it was time, guests journeyed towards the candlelit reception dinner.

Memorable Moments…True to our adventure theme, some of our most memorable moments from the wedding were the unplanned and unexpected ones. Our 2-year-old ring bearer not only dressed up as a lion cub, but also burst out with spontaneous roars as he walked down the aisle. A curious hippo joined us during our couples shoot on the riverbed. And despite the demanding travel and early morning safaris, guests rallied and still managed to dance the night away. One of my favourite moments was during the last song of the night, Toto’s “Africa.” As the lyrics blared “I bless the rains down in Africa” at 3am, it started to pour and we all rushed outside to dance in the rain.

Local flavor…Since the locale was so rich in raw beauty and splendor, we wanted the African landscape to be the focus and also tried to stay true to local elements and flavors. Waiting for guests in their lodges on arrival was a handmade Guide Box, filled with South African favourites like rooibos tea and Amarula liqueur. Also included were some clues for an adventure-filled weekend: a compass, an Acacia twig, and a Field Guide with information on local customs, wildlife facts and useful Shangaan phrases. To ensure that the florals would hold up under the fierce African sun, we opted for a combination of King Proteas, succulents and feinbos. As guests enjoyed local wines from the famous Stellenbosch region, a group of traditional Zulu dancers set the African rhythms in motion by teaching guests tribal dances.

Personal details…We wanted the wedding to be not just a celebration with family and friends but also a heartfelt thank you and show of appreciation for their constant love and support throughout the years. We tried to achieve this through personalized details. These ranged from surprising guests with their childhood photos on their seating cards (a great conversation starter) to calligraphy on the place cards with goofy nicknames and individual welcome “telegrams” that described our favorite past adventures with the guest.

In gratitude…In the end, it was a true “Wild At Heart” wedding adventure. A bottomless THANK YOU to Kim and Michael for helping to create and document our dream wedding. Jon and I were so grateful to begin our new chapter together with such an incredible adventure with our family and friends.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Event Design: Afresh Event Design | Floral Design: Nineteen Eight Five | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Invitations: Lara's Designs | Catering: Lion Sand's | DJ: DJ Rene | Wedding Venue: Lion Sand's | Beauty: Mist | Planning: Wedding Concepts | Travel Logistics: Travel Concepts

If I could bottle up this gorgeous wedding inspiration and use it for my own wedding? I would in a heartbeat. It’s everything I love about the cozy, intimate, semi-rustic elegant style that I return to every time. A quaint ceremony, followed by an al fresco family-style dinner sounds like complete heaven to me. And that table? The chairs from Found Vintage Rentals are perfection. Top it off with wild florals from Sweet Marie Designs and call it a day. With Bryan N. Miller Photography behind all the pretty shots, and To La Lune designing and coordinating the event, swooning is welcomed right over here.

From Alise of Sweet Marie Designs… As Bryan and I discussed our inspiration for this shoot, the idea of basics continued to resonate with us. We thought back to simpler times such as those cherished moments from childhood when people weren’t distracted by technology and rather the focus was on others. A time where meeting at the dinner table and facilitating deep relationships between family and friends was a priority.

Having both traveled separately to Europe, Bryan and I reflected on moments we found those priorities within the European culture, despite technological advances. Basic is life, clean and simple is important, and the true artistry, is ideal. From then on we knew every aspect of this shoot had to reflect such ideals, the kind of life we seek when we are forced into stillness.

We were all set to go… our idea was European life: back to the basics. What better way to show communal interaction between family and friend over dinner with a marriage? We dressed our bride in a beautiful Jenny Packham gown and suited up our groom in a clean navy suit. All colors were to reflect the neutral tones we see every day. Natural linens, wood chargers, white china. All the way to dipping our own bee’s wax candles with Mr. B’s Luminaries, every part of this elopement had all of our hands in it, embracing the idea of community and artistry.

Following this theme of real life situations, we wanted to make sure that the table scape wasn’t just this pristinely pretty yet detached image. The day was to be lived and celebrated. Glasses are to be used not just filled to the perfect oz., cheese isn’t cut perfectly and honey overflows from our charcuterie board.

Life is to be celebrated! Lets all take part!

Photography: Bryan N. Miller Photography | Floral Design: Olive Willow Designs | Wedding Dress: bliss bride | Invitations: Lovely Paper Things | Catering: Cucina Coronado | Make-Up: Beach Bridal Beauty | Venue: Vista Valley Country Club | Candles: Mr Bs Luminaries | Event Design & Coordination: To La Lune Events | Macarons: S'More Sweets | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Tabletop: Hostess Haven

This rehearsal dinner goes out to all those wild at heart. Capital A Adventure was an underlying theme that was woven throughout this South African safari wedding starting with a rehearsal dinner amongst the wildlife and the stars. Have a look at the gorgeous imagery captured by Mike Falco For Christian Oth Studio and stay tuned for the stunning wedding coming up next!

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From The Bride…Why Africa? Jon and I met in NYC through a mutual friend and over the course of our 8-year relationship, our favorite moments together are ones where we felt like we were on an adventure. So when it came time to plan our wedding, we wanted to cultivate that sense of curiosity and wonder by hosting a safari wedding out in the untamed African bush. We settled on my native South Africa and after five months of intense planning, 75 of our closest family and friends from different corners of the globe set out for our “Wild At Heart” wedding adventure.

Into the wild…After a long day on the road, our guests arrived at the Lion Sands Game Reserve, in the heart of Sabi Sands. All the arduous travel paid off as the remote locale allowed our guests to experience the majestic African landscape in all her unbridled splendor. After a refreshing afternoon tea, the guests hopped into jeeps and set out on their first safari game drive. The guides did not disappoint and fearlessly took everyone off-roading in search of the famed Big Five game. The wild encounters included four lions feasting on a freshly killed buffalo, a baby elephant tripping over its trunk, a pair of rhinoceros brothers napping together in the shade, and a mother leopard teaching her cub to track with a playful game of hide and seek.

Rehearsal Dinner in the Bush…After the eventful game drive, the jeeps brought the guests into an unprotected clearing where a casually elegant bush dinner awaited. The guests shared their experiences from the first day around a campfire and savored local meats such as kudu, ostrich and biltong. Glowing fireflies, oil lanterns hanging from trees and the dramatic Milky Way up above helped to illuminate this surreal evening.

Tea ceremony…After the relaxing dinner, our loved ones gathered around us in a protective circle as Jon and I served tea to our parents and elders to express our gratitude. A particularly poignant blessing from my 87 year-old grandmother resulted in moist eyes all around. I loved that the emotional moment was an unexpected melding of two cultures: a traditional Chinese ceremony taking place in the African bush, illuminated by a campfire and lanterns (with a few hyenas looking on as well).

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Event Planning: Wedding Concepts | Wedding Coordinator: Wedding Concepts | Floral Design: Nineteen Eight Five | Stationery: Lara's Designs | Catering: Lion Sand's | DJ: DJ Rene | Accommodation & Travel Logistics: Travel Concepts | Beauty: Mist | Decor & Lighting: Afresh Event Design | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Lion Sand's

In my next life I’d love to own a flower shop. Not only do you get to work with your hands each and every day, but your canvas is a vase filled with overflowing beauty. There’s something magical about it that just can’t be described. So when I get the chance to pick the brains behind beauties like the European Flower Shop, I jump at the chance. With photos from Ashley Sawtelle, there’s more beauty to be found over here.

SMP: Tell us a little about European Flower Shop!
EFS: We are a boutique floral design studio, creating inspired designs for weddings and events.

SMP: How did you get into floral design?
EFS: My first job ever was at the local flower shop in my hometown. I was 15 and my parents told me it was time to get a job, there was no other place I could imagine working. I was lucky to have an amazing mentor in the owner of that shop.

SMP: The best part of running your own business?
EFS: For me it is the creative freedom coupled with the incredible brides that I get to collaborate with. They come in to my studio with a color palette and a sense of the style they are going for and then they trust me to run with it.

SMP: The worst?
EFS: Getting bogged down in the administrative aspect of running a business. I am a creative and happiest designing, so I dread doing my books every month.

SMP: Your secret to success?
EFS: Listening to my clients and really getting to know them on a deep level. Once you learn everything you can about a couple, making their vision come to life on their wedding day is effortless.

SMP: What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in the industry?
EFS: Develop relationships with other vendors who you admire. They will be the ones who push you to grow creatively.

SMP: One thing you wish you knew when you started your business?
EFS: That is was going to be 24/7. I go to bed at night dreaming about weddings!

SMP: From where do you draw your inspiration?
EFS: From the flowers! I have a general sense of what types of flowers I will be using for each event, but when I go to the market to pick up my order, I always wind up trading this or that when something new in the cooler catches my eye.

SMP: Your number one tip for flower arranging?
EFS: Always have a focal flower and then work on layering textures and shapes from there.

SMP: Do you have any tips for making flowers look their best for as long as possible?
EFS: It is best to change the water every day or so and to give the stems a fresh cut. It is also helpful to pull off leaves and petals that are wilting, that way all the nutrients go to the blooms.

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From Ashley Sawtelle: European Flower Shop is a boutique floral design studio which creates inspired weddings and events all over the beautiful state of Colorado. Located in the heart of the Santa Fe Art District, the shop welcomes visitors from all over the country and locals alike who want to have an unforgettable destination event. Ali, the owner draws her design inspiration from the incredible artists on Santa Fe, the outdoors and from the seasonal flowers that seem to choose her.

We wanted to showcase this floral studio space and how Ali (owner of European Flower Shop) designed the space on a frugal budget. Her studio is not only a workspace, but a reflection of her work. It’s a space to create and to invite her clients to dream up the floral visions for their wedding day or event.

Photography: Ashley Sawtelle | Floral Design: European Flower Shop

Today is one of those super awesome days.  One of those days that we are lucky enough to share in a beautiful couple’s heartwarming wedding AND their post-wedding photo shoot around the snowy streets of the Windy City.  And while unforeseen circumstances kept these two cuties from wedding day portraits, their talented family (the oh-so-amazing Two Birds Photography) had it all handled in spades.  See it here.

From Two Birds Photography… This sweet bride and groom are very near and dear to our hearts. Julie Beth is my sister and Jerome is my brand new brother-in-law, and their wedding day was one for the books. As many people know, weddings rarely go as exactly planned, but the important thing to remember is that it isn’t all about that one day! The focus should never be entirely on the wedding, but on the marriage that follows. While we were sad not to be able to get portraits of these two lovebirds on the day of their wedding, we are overjoyed that we were able to take some photos of them a few weeks later.

We started their post-wedding portrait session at the Oriental Theater with our own private little tour — which we weren’t expecting and were so excited about! Julie Beth and Jerome have a love affair with the theater, so this location was absolutely perfect. We could not have asked for a prettier, or more fitting setting for the two of them!

After the the Oriental Theater, we made our way over to the Kinzie Street Bridge for a few photos in a blustery Chicago blizzard before wrapping things up at the very busy Union Station.

We just adore these two wonderful people, and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.

Photography: Two Birds Photography | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair: Ethan James Salon | Groom's Attire: Express | Theater: The Oriental Theater | Veil: Etsy

A Bride that isn’t afraid to jump on the bed in a gorgeous J. Mendel gown is my kind of girl. She’s also the kind of girl who’s wedding captured by Shawn Connell For Christian Oth Studio is so beyond beautiful. Imagine a weekend filled with a rehearsal dinner as pretty as they come, a ceremony draped in blooms, bocce ball while sipping on cocktails, and dinner and dancing under a glamorous tent. It’s classic as classic can be crafted by Bowen & Company with florals by Lewis Miller Design and you can see it all here.

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All of the guests, even those staying off property, were invited to enjoy the beautiful grounds on Saturday morning and afternoon prior to the Ceremony. The bride and groom lined up plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, as guests were treated to their own private, luxury resort for the day. Bocce, croquet, tennis, biking, and the couple’s favorite food trucks that drove up from NYC to serve lunch were among the fun activities on offer. Custom blankets, embroidered with the couples’ custom-designed monogram, were also provided to guests as they picnicked on the grounds and took in the breathtaking views from every side.

One can plan every last detail of their wedding, but weather is always a gamble in any season. As a last minute shower moved in to our area for the ceremony, we moved the ceremony from a bluff overlooking the lake to a tented terrace. Here, we maintained the gorgeous views of Glenmere Lake and the fall colored foliage, but guests and wedding party were safely tucked under cover. However, quick thinking was required as our team rallied to shift the floorplan. Luckily, Lewis Miller, one of NYC’s top designers, was on hand and had the brilliant inspiration to move the chuppah to the center of the tent with all guests seated around the couple. We began to lovingly refer to this set-up as “chuppah in the round.” Positioning the chuppah this way made for a more intimate and personal ceremony, and as the ceremony came to an end, the clouds parted, revealing a dramatic sunset for the happy couple.

Since these concert goers love music and Ryan is a musician, great music was a must when planning the wedding. The entertainment throughout the evening consisted of a string quartet (the bride actually walked down the aisle to Beethoven), jazz trio, 14 piece band, DJ and percussionist. They chose a playlist that would appeal to guests of all ages. A lively, swing dance set beckoned guests into the dinner tent, with a variety of standards from the American Songbook during dinner, and an after-party ensued with today’s pop hits.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted to make sure their guests were well fed and fueled up all weekend long ,so they provided custom tote bags filled to the brim with their favorite indulgences. Items included black and white cookies from William Greenberg Desserts, pretzels from Martin’s Pretzels Union Square, and BBQ Pop Chips. Each item was branded with designs that were cohesive with the look of their save the date and given a new name in their romantic theme. An emergency kit filled with aspirin, 5-hour energy, and other boosts bore the message “To keep you healthy and strong and dancing all night long.” Lastly, they included a weekend schedule so guests wouldn’t miss a beat of this amazing weekend.

Elizabeth and Ryan wanted something that screamed romance, and I think their wedding did just that. Lewis Miller used soft and pale flowers such as English roses and Dahlias with pops of greenery to create a lush bouquet for the bride. The centerpieces were comprised of mismatched vessels and candles so that no two tables were exactly alike. There was tons of candlelight, lanterns suspended from the fabric-draped tent canopy, and sparkling silver which made the tent twinkle.

Having incredible food was essential to the couple, who cook often and enjoy the vibrant NYC restaurant scene. The wedding menu was inspired by their love of comfort foods such as mac and cheese, braised short ribs, and pumpkin whoopie pies.

The dual-flavor cake was designed by Nine Cakes. It was comprised of chocolate and vanilla cake with white chocolate buttercream, plus the groom’s favorite coconut cake with coconut buttercream. The cake was on display during the reception but was given to guests as they left the post brunch as a sweet take away.

Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Videography: Films by Francesco | Event Planning: Bowen & Company | Floral Design: Lewis Miller Design | Wedding Gown: J. Mendel | Cake: Nine Cakes | Cupcakes: Baked By Melissa | Stationery: House & Paper | Reception Venue: Glenmere Mansion | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: Morgane Le Fay | Catering: Laurence Craig Catering | Lighting: Luminous Designs | DJ: Generation Events | Band: Hank Lane Music | Favors: La Maison Du Chocolat | Rabbi: Tom Weiner Of Congregation Kol Ami | Tent: Stamford Tent & Event Services | Beauty: John Olavarria | Blankets: In 2 Green | Bride's Veil: Tia Mazza | Custom Tote Bags And Luminaries: Henya Direct | Directional Signs: The Freckled Owl Studio Etsy | Floral And Decor: Lewis Miller Design | Groom's Tux: Z by Zegna | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.

Sometimes ‘simple’ takes the cake. An intimate affair set at a family estate, sprinkled with creams, touches of gold and single calla lilies for the bridesmaids. It just works. And then, there’s the stunning Bride who had her sweet mother walk her down the aisle in a gorgeous twenties-inspired gown. With a gallery as gorgeous as this one from Maya Myers, I think you’ll agree, ‘simple’ is lovely-as-ever.

About the couple… Sibyl leads the Marketing team for Whole Foods Market in Redondo Beach, CA. Her father, Hugh H. Fenwick, was mayor of Bernardsville, NJ until his death in 2002. Her grandmother is the late Millicent Hammond Fenwick, four-term Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey and 1st United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Wixon is a freelance film and television editor in Los Angeles.

From the beautiful Bride… We met in high school. It was a small school and we had a lot of classes together, but ran in different circles. While we blew it in high school, God gave us a second chance a few years ago when I moved to LA for my job as a chef. When times are tough Wix puts things in perspective and comforts me. We push each other, support each other, but most important we laugh a lot.

We both knew we wanted an intimate ceremony. Our families are from the east coast, so a destination wedding kept it to our closest friends and family. My uncle Peter is bi-coastal, with a home in Santa Barbara. He was gracious enough to allow us to host our wedding at his beautiful estate. It was one of the places that helped bring us together as we spent many wonderful weekends there when we needed to escape LA. We know it had to be the place where we would join our families and our new life together.

I hate shopping! So when the time came to find my dress, traditional wedding dress shops failed to capture my dreams. Luckily, a friend knew a designer who makes custom dresses inspired by different decades. I always loved the roaring 20’s, so when I met with Maria, I knew she was the one. She was able to incorporate my grandmother’s family lace into my dress and wedding veil. My bridesmaids chose a simple over the shoulder, draped dress that beautifully complimented my own.

We wanted the ceremony and reception to feel warm and welcoming. The natural beauty of my uncle’s property allowed us to keep the decorations simple. We emphasized the verdant landscape, lighting the lush gardens and towering trees from beneath to create our own cathedral ceiling under the stars.

Reinforcing our organic, sustainable ethos, we chose neutral colors and natural fabrics. Silk and burlap, cream and beige. My favorite color is navy blue, so that became an accent color. Navy blue and grey also happened to be our high school colors. Since that’s where we first met and some of our best friends and wedding party members (including Maya, our wedding photographer) attended the Millbrook School with us, it was great to incorporate that motif in our design. We even named the tables after each of our old dormitories!

Instead of a traditional layered wedding cake, we opted to get several cakes from our favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara: Jane. We presented them on staggered rustic wine crates we collected over the months leading up to the wedding, and had enough crates left over to fill with the floral centerpieces for each table. The centerpieces emphasized the our location and shared love of food. Desert succulents mixed with Bay branches, Sage, and Rosemary picked fresh from the property.

I brought my passions and experience in working with the best healthy chefs to fill the tables with a bounty worthy of kings while Wixon used his background in media to arrange the music and lighting. The groom and groomsmen strung vintage Edison bulbs across the yards to create a warm glow, there were heat lamps to warm the guests, and copious alcohol to keep the warmth growing. With friends and family helping in wherever they could, from arranging flowers to moving chairs (even the dogs chipped in, cleaning up all the scraps!), it all came together perfectly.

Overall, it was the wedding of our dreams. We had such an amazing time, we’re thinking about doing it again next year!

From the handsome Groom… It took Sibyl about six months to convince me that we were meant to be, even though everyone else knew we were. When she’s in the room, my eyes were always on her, and now I can’t imagine our lives apart.

Photography: Maya Myers Photography | Floral Design: S.R. Hogue | Wedding Dress: Bride Boutique | Cake: Jane | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Make Up And Hair: Carlyle Salon | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Linens: BBJ La Tavola

My most recent pregnancy craving has been smoothies… lots of them! So I thought we would share one that has great nutrition and super filling for breakfast! This smoothie recipe is great for a summer breakfast meal, full of protein and yumminess. Adding oats and chia seeds will fill up your tummy while also filling it with lots of nutrients to start your day – fiber, protein and calcium! Enjoy!

Joanna & MollyMango Banana Breakfast SmoothieThe perfect way to start your day off on the right foot!

prep time

cook time

total time

Serves 0Ingredients

• 1 Cup Frozen Mango
• 1 Banana
• 1/2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1/4 Cup Oats
• 1 Cup Almond Milk
• Honey (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1. Add chia seeds and oats to blender with milk. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to soak.
2. 2. Then add frozen mango and banana.
3. 3. Taste and see if honey is something you would like to add, add to taste.
4. 4. Serve to immediately.
5. NOTES: Milk measurements are approximate. Add more if smoothie is too thick and would like it to be thinner. Oats tend to dilute the sweetness of the fruit a little bit, so add some honey if its not sweet enough for you!

Photography: Irrelephant | Recipe: Irrelephant

Bright, vibrant, and full of love – it’s hard to look at this wedding and not be overcome with joy. Every single image sitting in this gorgeous gallery from Kirsten Shultz is overflowing with pure happiness and style, making me one seriously happy wedding blogger today. See it all here.

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From The Bride…Our “perfect wedding” vision was to create a contemporary, elegant, colorful, and whimsical event that would focus on family, close friends, and our perspectives on what being in a relationship, and in love, encompasses. These were the guiding elements that played into every facet of our wedding.

We felt fortunate to be able to celebrate our day in my aunt and uncle’s magnificent garden. A wildfire had broken out the week before and was raging close by, and there had been evacuations in the area that week. We knew our wedding day would be threatened by smoky skies, but we hoped nothing worse. Miraculously, our day was completely clear; vivid sunshine and azure skies. We exchanged our vows surrounded by our closest family and friends in this beautiful family garden that bordered dramatic cliffs along the Big Wood River.

We chose a vibrant poppy orange as our main accent color for flowers, bridesmaid’s dresses, groomsmen’s ties, and table décor to match my Aunt Jane’s garden that had many amazing elements including a “wishing well” where guest could leave ” well wishes” for the two of us.

Other personal elements to our wedding décor included a “guest tree” where guests were asked to sign and add their ” leaf ” thumbprint to our family tree that Jay and I had painted together. Also, all of our tables were all named after some of the many things that we find important in our relationship, including “Love,” “Play,” “Trust,” “Smile”, and “Dance”.

There were far too many memorable moments just to pick one, but some of the highlights were my “reveal” to Jay before the ceremony that we had planned in advance so we could have a special moment together before our friends and family arrived. Jay waited in the garden by a stone bench overlooking the river, and I walked up behind him and had him turn around – it was an incredibly exciting and emotional moment.

We also had written our own vows and during the ceremony read letters that we had written to each other before making them. The ceremony, we wanted something lively and fun so Jay placed bubble guns below the guests’ seats and had them raise their guns in a “bubble gun salute,” shooting bubbles as we exited to a classical quartet playing the Beatles, “All you need is Love.”

Our reception, set in a beautiful, three-peak, sailcloth tent in the garden, was more fun than anything we could ever imagine. We entered the tent to the band, the Groove Merchants (from Utah), playing Macklemore and Ryan’s “Thrift shop,” which set the tone for the rest of the evening followed by incredible food and drink, emotional speeches, and an amazing band. We chose Dave Matthew’s “You and Me” as the song for our first dance, and they nailed it! They kept all of our friends and family on the dance floor all night long, and at one point played the longest (and fastest paced) Hora ever. When the band took their one, short break my talented brother and cousins performed “Ho, Hey” by the Lumineers, which was touching and kept the spirit of the event alive. The energy and love from that night will forever be etched into our hearts.

Photography: Kirsten Shultz Photography | Videography: The Story Is Told | Event Planning: Taylor’d Events | Floral Design: Taylor’d Events | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: The Sweet Crumb | Wedding Invitations: Willow Papery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: After Six | Catering: Judith McQueen | Hair & Makeup: Danielle Anspach | Entertainment: Groove Merchants | Grooms Attire: Vera Wang | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Private Residence | Tent Rental: Diamond Rental | Bridal Hangers: Hanger Design Center | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Robes: The Fancy Pigeon ( Etsy ) | Groomsmens' Socks: Hugo Boss | Wedding Rings: Barry Peterson | Wedding Signage: Sweet Carolina Collective

You know what I love? I love that there are no rules anymore. And that just because you have a barn wedding, doesn’t mean you have to fall into a certain style silo. This pretty post is proof. Captured by Injoy Imagery with gorgeous florals from Cedar & Stone and planned to perfection by As You Wish Weddings, this gallery is chock full of gorgeous ideas to take your barn wedding to the next level. 

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The venue, Cambium Farms, is the home of a restored century old barn nestled in the picturesque hills of Caledon, Ontario. The barn was the ideal rustic setting to juxtapose against the glam elements that were infused through the gold flatware, sequin runner, and lush florals arranged in rose gold mercury glass by Caledon florist Cedar & Stone.

Our dessert table, designed by the talented ladies at Sweet Table, featured a backdrop of pink and gold-painted leaves intricately arranged on a vintage window pane, and a variety of sweet treats including candy apples, French macarons, and mini coconut dusted donuts.

With the light peeking through the beams of the barn throughout the day, highlighting the texture of the reclaimed wood harvest table and gorgeous blush and lace wedding gowns, Injoy Imagery beautifully captured every last detail with her soft, romantic photography.

Photography: Injoy Imagery | Floral Design: Cedar & Stone | Stationery: Ashly Bollert | Hair & Makeup: Blushing Belles | Venue: Cambium Farms | Mason Jar Chandelier: Lace And Lumber | Planning & Coordination: As You Wish Weddings | Sweet Table: Sweet Table | Vintage Rentals: Vintage Rentals | Wedding & Bridesmaids Dresses: Something Green Bridal Boutique