Guess what? Sunday just so happens to be National Ice Cream Day; making it our favorite holiday ever. So to celebrate, we’ve rounded up a few frozen gems making an appearance in our galleries. From the cutest mini cones to full on sundae bars, ice cream is becoming a wedding staple in a maje way. Get inspired with these delicious treats and don’t forget to indulge in a little ice cream on Sunday!
For all you true romantics at heart, this ones for you. It’s gilded-blush goodness inspired by the sweet JuLee Collection, paired with loose and lovely hairstyles by Skyla Arts and adorned with gems from One World Designs. From laced-backs to ruffled necklines and all the sweet treats in between, U Me Us Studios caught it all behind their lovely lens. See more in the gallery!
From U Me Us Studios…This gorgeous romantic and vintage styled shoot was photographed by husband-and-wife duo, Evonne & Darren Wong of U Me Us Studios at the amazing Allied Arts Guild. It is a cooperative of artists and since 1929, it has been a San Francisco Bay Area landmark and an inspiring sanctuary for both artists and craftsmen. Originally owned by a Spanish King in the 1700s, it was purchased by art lovers and designed in the classic Spanish Colonial Style with tile work brought over from Spain and Morocco. The entire location with its Spanish architectural details of the red-roof tiles, archways, courtyards, wrought iron and the stunning Spanish-style gardens are very picturesque, making it the perfect destination-wedding venue.
Our soft color palette of blush pink and a hint of gold was inspired by the romantic vintage details of Judy Lee’s JuLee 2015 Collection with sexy, charming silhouettes. Playing with textures and colors, each dress features delicate lace, tulle, chiffon, and satin with a touch of gold or rose gold tone that shines subtly. The collection is designed for brides who are true romantics at heart yet bold and chic. They believe in tradition, but are not afraid to step outside the box and be unique. The collection reflects this daring personality in what we called “sweet and spicy.”
Complementing the dresses were hand-made hair accessories by Bonnie Harper of One World Designs Bridal Jewelry, featuring materials in gold, pink and blush tones. Some of the favorite pieces of the day were the pink hair flowers, gold rhinestone hairpins with champagne pearls that matched the bride’s necklace and add a little bit of sparkle to the overall theme. A few more favorites were the bridesmaid’s headband and set of pearl and gold hairpins with hand painted leaves to match her dress.
Skyla Arts provided a simple “Barbie,” high ponytail for Rashmi. As for Victoria, they did one of their favorite looks, a faux bob. It is the type of look that is fabulous on just about anyone, a combination of retro and modern, and it fit the style of the short gold dress perfectly. Makeup was simple classic beauty choices that never date and always looks modern. The eyes were framed in individual lashes and the lips were glossed to suit the model’s
skintone.
The venue was the perfect place for inspiration for floral designer, Cary Li of Petals by Cary. The red tiled roof, walkways and wrought iron details sought for a rustic and sweet flower accent. Color driven by the softness of the bridal dresses; white fragrant freesia and buttercup ranunculus was a must, especially in the spring time, when they are in season. The bridal bouquet comprised of Juliet garden roses from David Austin Rose provided shades of glowing apricot as they bloomed – cupped when freshly cut and opened to form large rosettes with perfectly arranged petals which complemented the gorgeous dresses. And of course, what is not to love about the matching floral hair pieces!
Yummy and scrumptious desserts were provided by Alison Okabayashi of Pretty Please Bakeshop, which included a trio of 6-inch mini cakes – fondant frills with gold edging, gold fondant with blush and light peach sugar rosettes and white fondant with oversized dahlia in blush. Of course, the dessert spread won’t be complete without the blush colored french macarons, mini rice crispy square dipped in white chocolate on a stick, mini coconut cream pies and the mini tea cakes with sugar peaches with gold leaves on top… all of which were inspired by the color and texture from the dresses.
The peony letterpress invitations with gold foil lined envelopes by Kristen Schenck Jackson of Letterpress Printables were an absolute match for the overall inspiration. The colors and textures were perfect complements to the gorgeous blush and gold linens by Napa Valley Linens.
Photography: Evonne & Darren Photography | Floral Design: Petals By Cary | Wedding Dress: JuLee Collection | Invitations: Letterpress Printables | Ceremony Venue: Allied Arts Guild | Reception Venue: Allied Arts Guild | Hair & Makeup: Skyla Arts Makeup & Hair | Cake & Desserts: Pretty Please Bakeshop | Hair Accessories: One World Designs Jewelry | Linens: Napa Valley Linens
If your wedding is a destination for your guests, it’s helpful to pick a venue like Devil’s Thumb Ranch where your guests can stay, play, (stare in awe at the Rocky Mountains) and celebrate all in one spot. And if you keep scrolling through David Lynn Photography‘s pictures of the day, you’ll see good decisions all over the place like the bride’s lace Anna Be gown and gorgeous bouquets from Love This Day Events. Love!
Photography: David Lynn Photography | Wedding Dress: Watters | Wedding Dress: anna be bridal boutique | Cake: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Ceremony Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Reception Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Bridesmaids' Dresses: AriaDress | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Catering: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Makeup: Maura Kelso | Hair: Chelsea Garcia | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: jenn-badding | Ceremony Music: Tunisia | Bride's Veil And Headpiece: Sara Gabriel | Desserts Other Than Cake: Sugar Bakeshop | Floral Design And Day-of Coordination: Love This Day Events | Flower Girl's Dress: Seahorse By Watters | Invitations And Save-the-Dates: One Plus One Design | Paper Goods: Swoozie's Denver | Reception Music: Tunisia | Ring Bearer Pillow And Guest Book: Susan Gurry
| prep time 2 Minute/s | cook time | total time 2 Minute/s |
Photography: Rustic White Photography | Recipe & Styling: Waiting On Martha
This wedding is my everything. Intimate, lovely and charming to the core, tucked in this gallery (captured beautifully by Krista Jones) is everything I adore about weddings. The mother of the Groom sums is all up when she said, “We arrived here as strangers and left as family” – which honestly gave me chills. Because when you take a peek at the pretty below, you just know it was true. See even more here.
From the Bride…We decided to opt for a very small, intimate, family-only wedding so our families could really get to know one another (and frankly, so we could avoid the stress of planning a big bash). Most of our families had never met and because everyone stayed at the house together it was a really relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. As my mother-in-law elegantly put it, “We arrived here as strangers and left as family.” In fact, we are already talking about a reunion there in 2016 because we loved the house and had such a great time. My sister-in-law got ordained online and did such a fabulous job during the ceremony. Thank God for the Internet!
I tied a photo of my Dad, who passed away in 2012, to the bouquet, along with a piece of lace from my Mom’s wedding dress. I purchased the dress from a boutique in New York called Saja with my Mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-law in tow. We all started crying when I came out wearing it so I knew it was a keeper. I found my lace ballet flats at the last minute at H&M! So comfy and perfect (& crazy inexpensive)!
The invitations were created online using Minted.com & Zazzle.com, two great DIY invitation websites that I highly recommend. My older sister created the program and the menu and I got this lovely blue crab stamp from Paper Source in Georgetown.
We got buckets of springtime flowers from a local florist called Seaberry Farm. Our moms and sisters and aunt spent the afternoon putting them together and it was a great way for them to get to know one another and bond a bit (or so I like to think). Luckily enough, the house we rented on Chesapeake Bay happened to have these lovely blue mason jars that were perfect for the aisle.
My awesome uncle and brother-in-law spent several hours hanging up twinkle lights on the porch. It was a great opportunity showcase their impressive handymen skills. They had never met before and got along right away.
Instead of throwing rice (which can be bad for birds and tough on lawns), we had decided to throw colorful sprinkles instead. My Mom and Mom-in-Law made the lovely holders using doilies & scotch tape.
Photography: Krista A. Jones Photography | Flowers: Seaberry Farm | Wedding Dress: Saja | Rings: Mervis Diamond Importers | Catering: Bistro St. Michaels | Dessert: Four & Twenty Blackbirds | Invitation Design: Minted | Invitation Printing: Zazzle | Private Home: Private Home
We’re all about gifting your girls pre-wedding. But let’s be real – finding that perfect something doesn’t always come easy. *Enter* A Pinch Of Lovely who’s here to share unique gift ideas your ‘maids will L-O-V-E. From the prettiest phone cases to a sparkly Kate Spade clutch, she’s taken the leg-work out of shopping and all you have to do is buy, wrap and go!
From A Pinch Of Lovely…A girl’s bridesmaids are one of the most important (and first!) decisions a bride will make. Bridesmaids can be the operative difference in helping guide their BFFs wedding experience sail right into smooth waters. In addition to all of the emotional support, they also take on the huge monetary responsibility as being a member of the bridal party – the dress, the shoes, the showers – your maids deserve a little love too!
On the morning of the wedding or the night before, shower your maids with pretty gifts they can use both the day of the wedding and to keep forever, and don’t forget the bubbly and sweets! It’s a thoughtful gesture to thank your besties for their lifelong friendship, support of you and your groom’s relationship and all their assistance leading up to your big day.
Beauty products like flattering lip colors, body bronzer (this Kismet brand won’t budge until you wash it off) and girly polish will help your bridesmaids look their best all day long. Include a fragrance sample or two that you’ll think they will love. Also, picking product packaging with a touch of gold will feel oh-so-luxe!
One always-popular option is picking out coordinating jewelry for the bridesmaids to wear on the wedding day. Try to look for transitional pieces that can be re-worn afterwards. You can even choose individual pieces depending on each bridesmaid’s personal style – a bracelet for the friend who loves bracelet stacks and earrings for your more minimalistic maid. Jewelry lines that have many styles utilizing the same stones like Kendra Scott provide endless possibilities.
And, since your bridesmaids are always on the phone with you, treat your bridesmaids to personalized phone cases. These embossed leather cases by Graphic Image come in a rainbow of colors with the option of customization. Gold lettering can signify monograms, acronyms (like BFF) and words (like SIS for sisters or future sister-in-laws).
And finally, they are going to need somewhere to keep all of their new favorite gifts. A hand-painted jewelry box, sparkly clutch or pouch make for a thoughtful gift and a way to stay organized on the day of the wedding. Again, look for versatile styles that can double as a makeup pouch or a small, clutch so they can use your gift over and over again.
It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and countless decisions that need to be made, and that’s why your bridesmaids are there to help support you in the process. Remember to shower your BFFs with thoughtful gifts they can appreciate after the wedding and treasure for years to come!
Photography: A Pinch Of Lovely | Styling: A Pinch Of Lovely | Jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bronzer: Kismet Cosmetics | Bronzer: Kismet Cosmetics | Glitter Clutch: Kate Spade | Gold Pouch: Target | IPhone Cases: Graphic Image | Lipsticks: Kismet Cosmetics | Painted Jewelry Boxes: A Pinch Of Lovely | Perfume: Jo Malone | Robes: Silk And More
The Waverley Country Club just might be my new favorite venue. It’s the perfect mix of classic and stunning, with dashes of downright elegance thrown it at every corner. In other words? It’s pure wedding heaven. And when you add in a duo as charming as these two sweeties, lush blooms from Rosemary Stafford Floral Design and a gallery full of pretty from Marina Koslow, well… awesome.
Photography: Marina Koslow Photography | Wedding Planner: Blush Bridal Consultation Group | Flowers: Rosemary Stafford Floral Design | Cake: Palace Cakes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Aritzia | Hair & Makeup: Powder Inc. | Groom's Attire: Proper Suit | Wedding Venue: Waverley Country Club | Bride's Gown: Anna's Bridal
Admittedly, I am completely obsessed with tea parties, so this Parisian inspired tea party wedding was for sure going to be one of my favorites (it just was). But beyond my love of the really, really good theme, it’s a drop-dead gorgeous day that gives pretty an entirely new meaning. Think vintage-esque styling meets one seriously stunning setting. See it all captured by Fill In The Blank Weddings right here.
From Fill In The Blank Weddings… Mike and Marrisa are good friends of mine. Mike was actually one of my groomsmen when I got married in 2008. I was honored and humbled that they chose me to capture their very intimate family-centered wedding at Cammidge Heritage House. From the beginning of the day there was an electricity in the air as they both anticipated their wedding day. They had an incredible first look before we did photos and ceremony, and the joy and fun carried though out the entire day. We had such a great time with the two of them and their families, and it’s a wedding we won’t soon forget.
From The Bride… The goal of our wedding was to ensure that the celebration of our union was both deeply meaningful and also a fun and relaxed time that we could share in with our closest friends and family. Both Michael and I share a love of tea, French pastries and nature walks at our local bird sanctuary. This set the theme of our avian and Parisian afternoon tea wedding.
Our guests arrived at the picturesque location of Cammidge House, a heritage home located inside beautiful, windswept Centennial Beach Park just outside of Vancouver. The park is situated near the Rifle Bird Sanctuary, a haven for a variety of local birds and is a nod to one of our favorite pastimes. Guests were greeted by blue sky, marshmallow clouds and dazzlingly sun, which is quite the departure from the typical “June-uary” we often experience before summer sizzles in.
Traditional, instrumental wedding songs floated on the summer breeze as guests left their name on one of two custom paintings created by the maid of honor (my very talented sister). Forgoing a program, the ceremony was communicated through a custom chalkboard which sat upon an heirloom chair of groom’s grandmother. Grandparents made an appearance through photos of their own wedding days, which was a meaningful touch. Guests were seated outside on the lawn looking toward the character home, with beach behind and a romantic, floral accented arbor in front.
Meanwhile, the bridesmaids and I dressed above in a room overlooking the site, which was a fun way to spy on all the guests and added to the anticipation. I wore a vintage mermaid-style dress in peach with a cream lace overlay. It was meant to be as it was the first dress I set eyes on and ended up being alteration free. I didn’t like the idea of a tone of jewelry, so I opted instead for two crystal headbands and a simple fingertip veil. My something borrowed were my earrings, which my sister wore to her own wedding the year prior. I’m fairly tall, so I had to forgo heels with my dress and instead chose vintage-inspired flats that were cute and functional. The bridesmaids all wore black high-low dresses accented with florals and pearl jewelry. The modernized vintage theme was capped off with cute and comfortable lace-cut wedges and a custom sash.
The groom and groomsmen greeted guests below as they were seated. The groom wore a cream suit with a golden vest, while the groomsmen donned black suits with golden vests for contrast. Once the ceremony started the contrasting color blocks of dark suited groomsmen and chic bridesmaids came into full effect as the light colors of our outfits popped. The ceremony was deeply reflective of the our spiritual beliefs and our commitment to one-another and our community of friends and family. The ceremony was performed by one of Michael’s best friends who came in from another province. Out wedding really was a community event, as our wedding coordinator was a family friend, as were our florist and cupcake and cake maker. Having such good friends involved so closely in our wedding made it so much more meaningful. This was also reflected in our song choices, which were partially sung by family friends, including the lyric version of “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, which I had walked down the aisle earlier to an instrumental version.
Following the ceremony, we had refreshments waiting for our guests while they enjoyed group photos. Following photos, guests were led to the marquee tent which was decorated to suit an avian and Parisian themed high tea. The majority of the décor was either items we owned or borrowed from friends and family or crafted ourselves. The first piece that inspired me to pursue our focus on birds were the sets of laser-cut birds. They were actually part of a window display at a high-end store that the I acquired when I asked if I could have them upon learning they would be thrown out otherwise. My sister and I spray-painted the majority of the gold to add a touch of Marie Antoinette elegance, as did the lush table overlays, golden birdcage centerpieces, and gold-rimmed china.
The food was reflective of a scrumptious afternoon tea, including mini-scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream as well as little amuse bouche and finger sandwiches. The sweet table was filled with all of the delicious desserts we adore from the French patisserie we frequent. In place of a traditional wedding cake, we incorporated a variety of delights including the French equivalent, a Piece Montee (aka Croquembouche), as well as a custom cutting cake. Guests also delighted in reversed lemon-meringue tarts, cupcakes, opera cake, chocolate mouse, a macron tower and more. We incorporated a longstanding tradition and handed out the cupcakes personally to all of our guests. Although everything looked picture perfect, complications can still arise. As mentioned, it was a brilliantly sunny day, and even with a gentle breeze and shade, it ended up melting the chocolate truffles within their glass apothecary jars. Thankfully we saw an opportunity rather than a disaster and utilized the fruit skewers to create a fondue.
The sweet treats and savory delectables were offset with custom teas made by the groom’s aunt. There was a lavender earl grey and a lemon roobis to pair. The tea theme continued with the favor as each guest received a custom lychee green tea based on our personalities. All teas were crafted by the groom’s aunt which again added to the community essence of our wedding. The tea and sweet-filled afternoon was capped off with story telling from guests, which also included the creation of a memory card for the bride and groom to keep.
Photography: Fill In The Blank Weddings | Floral Design: Sonia's Flowers | Wedding Dress: Bliss Bridal | Invitations: Minted | Shoes: Nine West | Catering: Faubourg Cafe | Catering: Faubourg Cafe | Catering: Culinary Blossoms | Groom's Attire: Black & Lee | Venue: Savoury Chef | Decor: Just Artifacts | Pastry: Faubourg Cafe | Rentals: Confetti Party Rentals
Chicago has “chic” is its name for a reason. Case in point: this classy Lincoln Park soiree. Just look at the bride’s stunning lace Watters gown and her gorgeous bridesmaids strutting it in Adrianna Papell, all perfectly complimented by generous rose and thistle bouquets from A New Leaf. So feel free to get lost with me in Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema‘s gallery of moments from the day.
From Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema… Paige and Ryan’s wedding was one of the prettiest weddings we have ever seen in Chicago. Surrounded by her childhood friends, Paige prepared for the day that they had all been imagining since they were little girls. One by one, everything came together. Lace, sparkles, pale pink flowers – everything was perfect.
Ryan, of course, was cool as a cucumber as Paige arrived in Lincoln Park in a fabulous Lincoln Hotel pedicab to meet him. From that point on, the rest of the day passed in a whirlwind. Kam and I were pretty much in love with every square inch of A New Leaf – from the exposed brick to the magical courtyard, it quickly became one of our favorite places in the City. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by the amazing scents of A New Leaf’s flower shop, and it’s impossible not to be swept away by romance. We also have to mention the amazing caterers – Hearty Boys – who were so professional and thoughtful, they were simply a delight to work with!
Photography: Ann & Kam Photography & Cinema | Florals: A New Leaf | Dress: Watters | Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg | Catering: Hearty Boys | Suits: Q Clothier | Hotel: JDV Hotels | Bride's belt: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dress: Adrianna Papell | Ceremony and Reception: A New Leaf | Mens Laces: Benjos | Mens Shoes: Allen Edmonds
If you’re a fan of all things New England, then this Maine wedding will perk your ears (er…eyes?) right up. Pops of blue against the moss-filled bogs, trollies, old maps, the perfect lace and chiffon Jenny Packham dress, all stylishly executed with the help of A Family Affair of Maine. So keep scrolling for some beautiful moments captured by Emily Delamater Photography and catch all the loveliness here.
From the Bride… Cole and I met during our junior year in high school through mutual friends. I thought he was the most handsome, blonde lifeguard I had ever seen!
Cole proposed on a foggy September day at our favorite beach in Georgetown, Maine. We were living in Colorado at the time and I had flown home for a visit while Cole stayed behind because of school. After informing all family members (who kept it a secret!) of his plan, Cole hopped a red-eye from Denver to Boston, then a 5:00 am bus from Boston to Portland, and drove up to Georgetown where he hid in the dunes of our little neighborhood beach. Thinking I was going to meet my father for a walk, I headed down to that beach where Cole was hiding. After waiting all alone on the shore for at least 20 minutes, I was beginning to get annoyed that my father had not yet arrived and almost decided to head home. Cole likes to claim that the reason it took him so long to approach me on the beach was because he could not see me from behind the dunes, whereas I, personally, think he fell asleep! Finally, I heard someone say “Hey!” from behind me and when I turned around there was Cole walking towards me on the beach. At first I was completely stunned and then I began to cry when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. To say that it was a life-changing moment and a complete surprise would be an understatement!
Cole and I share a love for adventure, family, and prehistoric artifacts! We spend most of our free time working with local archaeologists to find, categorize and study the prehistoric stone tools and sites of the Native Americans of coastal Maine. Our many shared interests are what we love most about each other and our relationship – we are never bored!
I was so excited about planning my wedding and insisted on being involved as much as I could. Thanks to my ever-present mother, wonderful wedding planner and fabulous vendors I felt that they really let me have fun with this experience! One of the most memorable aspects of wedding planning was spending countless hours with my mother collecting props like miniature oil lamps, vintage china plates, antique silverware and linen napkins which every vendor fully supported and embraced!
From the beginning, we decided it was important to us to have a private ceremony so we could really focus our love and attention on each other and be surrounded by those we are closest to. Cole’s father, Mark, married us on the waterfront lawn of our home and the ceremony was deeply personal and incorporated many unique elements; pauses to take pictures, a blessing of the rings, a Native American poem, and an incorporation of our pets, to name a few.
We tried to infuse our love for Maine in all aspects of the wedding – we used old Maine postcards as inspiration for our Save The Dates, invitations and guestbook and antique maps of Georgetown for Cole’s custom cufflinks and the one-of-a-kind fabric ties and bow ties worn by Cole, the best man, our little nephew, fathers and dogs. I used that same fabric to appliqué tiny hearts on vintage handkerchiefs for my mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts and grandmothers to use during the ceremony.
At the reception we listened to our favorite blue grass band and ate amazing food served and passed on vintage china plates in a rotating wave of themes that changed throughout the night. There were multiple tables made of old wooden doors placed on whiskey barrels that were decorated with antique boxes, bowls, stands, vintage silverware, antique linen napkins and chalk boards hinting at the amazing food to come as the night went on. We even constructed a saloon type bar specializing in Maine microbrews!
Wherever we could we placed antique oil lamps interspersed among mercury glass votives, and old glass bottles containing the most beautiful rustic bouquets of flowers. The ceiling was carefully and painstakingly draped with many different strings of lights making the reception feel warm and cozy. Upstairs in the loft, we created an inviting and relaxing lounge complete with couches, chairs, pillows and rugs!
One of my favorite details was the antique fireplace mantle that greeted guests as they entered the reception. It was decorated with candles, flowers, miniature oil lamps and driftwood and held framed pictures of our loved ones who were with us in spirit.
Photography: Emily Delamater Photography | Event Planning & Design: A Family Affair of Maine | Floral Design: Snell Family Farm | Wedding Dress: Everthine Bridal Boutique | Invitations: Ladyfingers Letterpress | Catering: The Black Tie Company | DJ: Dionne Entertainment | Band: The Jerks Of Grass | Transportation: Bath Trolley Company | Bridal Shoe Designer: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Shoes: L.L. Bean | Groom\'s Attire: David Wood | Groom\'s Cufflinks: Chart Metalworks | Museum: Maine Maritime Museum | Rentals: A Family Affair of Maine | Wedding Dress Designer: Jenny Packham | Wedding Rings: Springers Jewelers
Sweet and South Carolina weddings seem to just go hand in hand. Like peanut butter and jelly or glitter with, well, anything. And this beauty sitting below, it’s about as sweet as they come. From the priceless first look, to the darling first dance (and everything in between) this gallery from Paige Winn Photography is smile inducing to say the very least.
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Photography: Paige Winn Photo | Planner: Mac & B Events | Invitations: Somsara | Beauty: Ash & Co. | Hart to Hart Media: Hart to Heart Media | Legare Waring House: Legare Waring House
This my dears, is a party. It’s filled with color, love, laid back beach convos, watercolor-blue waters to match the invites, twinkling lights and one seriously beautiful Bride and I’m in love with every inch. Melissa Fuller snapped up every tropical-loving moment and you can see them all in the gallery!
From the beautiful Bride… This dress caught my eye because of the classic yet elegant design. I was looking for a fitted, sheath dress with a chapel train and because of the humid weather in Tulum, I needed a lightweight fabric. This dress had two layers, the bottom was made of silk and the out layer was made of embroidered lace with detailed beading throughout. My favorite was the low-v back and the button detailing down the center.
La Zebra Hotel couldn’t have been more perfect for our style. The hotel had a total of 15 brightly colored rooms, which ensured that it would only be our guests at the hotel during the wedding. It was so easy to develop a relationship with the staff and by the end of our seven day stay they felt like close friends. We invited them to share a celebratory tequila shot with us the night of our wedding. We stayed in the ocean front Bridal Suite for the majority of our stay at La Zebra. This room was gorgeous! It had a panoramic view of the beach and we would often see our guests enjoying tropical cocktails and swimming in the clear blue waters. We can’t wait to go back for an anniversary trip!
The engagement ring had belonged to my husbands grandmother in the 1940’s. It was a simple design with a marquis diamond in the center and was flanked by smaller diamonds. Originally, the band was silver. We wanted to keep the integrity of the design but update the material, so we had the band replaced with rose gold. Since the design of my engagement ring was very unique we decided on a less traditional wedding band that could be worn alone but still compliment the art-deco design. The bride band is made of rose gold with a pave setting and designed by Bony Levy.
We used classic white flowers that we purchased from the local florist in Tulum and we collected foliage from the site to give it a tropical and rustic feel. I was lucky enough to have a sister who is also a floral designer, so she was able to make the bridal party bouquets, boutonnieres and simple centerpieces the day of the wedding.
Cups Co Cups was a surprise favor to our guests, we provided sustainable stainless steel cups with custom drawn images of the two of us on them. Our guests were able to reuse these cups for many margaritas during their stay in Tulum!
In lue of a dessert table, we hired a motorized ice cream cart to surprise our guests with homemade chocolate, coconut and mango flavored ice cream cones. He pulled his brightly colored cart alongside the dance floor to serve our guests.
Our signature cocktails were Paloma and Cuba Libre.
Our wedding photographer Melissa Fuller created hand painted maps of Tulum and a list of events to pass out to our guests at the Welcome Reception. We fastened small envelopes with ibuprofen that read “Hangover Cure” to each packet.
As a late night snack the restaurant had prepared vegetable and cheese empanadas to serve as the partying died down. They were much needed after a night of dancing and drinking.
Once the DJ played the final song of the evening, the party wasn’t over yet. About half of the guests ended up swimming in the ocean. It was definitely a highlight of the evening, especially looking back at the venue from the water and seeing all of the lights strung around the open-air dance floor. It was amazing!
Photography: Melissa Gayle | Hair: Tyler Gomez | DJ: The Whooligan | Wedding Favors: Cups Co | Wedding Venue: La Zebra | Invites: Melissa Gayle | Welcome Reception: Zamas
Tucked away in the Israeli countryside is a wedding where the beauty of nature takes center stage. Yael and Uri focused on crafting a day of inspired simplicity and Liron Erel made sure no moment went uncaptured. Ready for more? Watch the story unfold in the full gallery right here.
From The Bride… When Uri, my husband, planned our first date, he planned a tour based on Tel Aviv’s most beautiful and unique trees. His personal favorite was the Indian Banyan Tree, as there are only nine of them in the whole of Israel. When we started planning for our wedding it felt natural to search for a venue that reflects our love for each other, nature and, of course, the Indian Banyan Tree. We found all these in HaAchuza, a greenhouse based in the middle of wheat fields, which also serves as a home to an Indian Banyan Tree. The moment we stepped through the gates, HaAchuza immediately felt like home, and the nature there, echoed a spiritual quality of simplicity.
In turn, we kept the details as natural and homey as possible. We spent the day together walking around the trees and fields, then proceeded to invite our guests for a delicious dinner with Irish music softly playing, the smell of freshly made pasta and grand plates of Paella and only at nightfall, under the grape vines, surrounded by family and friends and beneath my late grandfather’s “Tallit”, a traditional Jewish garment, we got married, and it was truly breathtaking.
For our invitations, Uri hand drew 300 of our guests so that each one could recognize themselves and their families on the invitation itself!. It made our guests feel truly welcomed and that much more involved in our wedding, which was important to us, because we really felt as though it wasn’t just our day, it was a day to remember for all the people in our lives as well.
Photography: Echoes Wild Hearts | Event Planning: Alon Hasson | Floral Design: Alon Hasson | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clará | Reception Venue: HaAchuza, Beit Hanan | Shoes: Roni Kantor | Bridesmaids Dresses: Naama Kamelo | Catering: Ran Shmueli | Makeup: Liat Maman | Hair: Ohad Zini Eric Mayost | Band: Magical Mystery Tour | Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss | Planner, Design, Florist: Alon Hasson
We can always count on our friends over at Classy Clutter to indulge us in DIY heaven, but this time I do believe they’ve outdone themselves. Enter: the DIY macrame hanging planter. It’s a series of knots that couldn’t be easier to do (once you get the hang of it) – and you can make two for under $10. The results? Well you can just see for yourself!
100 foot clothesline rope (from Home Depot!)
Two bowls (the ones shown are wood ones from hoem goods, painted)
A small plant or succulent
Tape
Cut 8 pieces of rope about 4-5 feet each. Make sure they’re the same length. You can always trim it down at the end really easily. Tape the edges right after you cut them because the rope will start to unravel as you work with it. You can also use a lighter to slightly melt the edges but I didn’t like that it made the ends brown.
Gather your 8 pieces together and tie a knot at one end leaving a few inches at the bottom for your tassel.
Split your rope into 4 sections, 2 strands each.
About an inch above your first knot (that tassel knot) tie a double knot on each 2 strand section.
Once you have your four knots, lay your piece flat. Then take one strand from each knot and tie it with a double knot to one strand from the knot next to it. Repeat on all sides. Repeat! This should give you a cross shape with square shape inside of it and a small cross in the middle.
Lay your piece flat and place your bowl/plant in the center and gather the rope around the outside of the bowl to create the planter.
Tie a knot at the top of your planter then braid or twist the remaining strands until you’ve reached how long you want your planter/how far down you want it to hang. You can cut it down if you’d like now.
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Photography: Classy Clutter | DIY: Classy Clutter | Original Post: Here
Take a show-stopping Vera Wang and add in a whopping dash of elegance + romance and what you have is a Finger Lakes affair that takes pretty to the extreme. It’s the perfect combo of a breathtaking backdrop like the Aurora Inn, lush blooms from Foley Florist and a whole lot of magical moments captured by Clark Walker Studio. Check out the full gallery of beautiful moments and the amazing film below.
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From the Bride… Mike and I met in the summer of 2005 at his work event. He worked with my older sister and she dragged me to a work going away party for their good friend. The guys had already begun the celebration at their golf outing so, with a bit of liquid courage; Mike shook my hand and asked me for my number. I politely declined. We ran into each other one more time at a holiday party but it wasn’t until February of 2006 that he decided to make a serious effort and asked my sister for my number. Admiring his persistence, I agreed. It was the best decision I have ever made. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I had blown him off. We went to dinner at an amazing Thai restaurant that was superseded only by the conversation. I could have stayed up talking all night and we have gone on to have many of those nights.
Fast forward six years, Mike was living in San Francisco after business school and I was living in DC finishing up my graduate research. Mike flew into DC to celebrate our dating anniversary. We planned a quiet and romantic trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, a two and half hour drive from the city. I was the driver, which wasn’t typical for us but Mike said he was tired from jetlag. He was our navigator and I questioned our route maybe only once or twice along the way since I had a friend tell me directions before I left. Mike was able to reassure me we weren’t lost and things were going well for his surprise up until he lost cell phone service and therefore his GPS. He was frantically in technology problem solving mode when I asked him “Have you heard of the Inn at Little Washington?” Secretly panicked, Mike calmly answered “No, why?” “I just saw a sign that says it is the next right. I heard it is a really beautiful and romantic spot, we should plan a trip there sometime,” I naively shared as the right hand turn came up. He shouted, “Turn right!” It wasn’t until that moment that I realized we were going to the Inn at Little Washington. I was truly surprised and so excited. Mike proposed privately in our suite. It was so heartfelt and romantic. We celebrated with champagne and dinner at the restaurant. The best part was that we didn’t have cell phone service so, we spent 24 hours blissfully engaged, enjoying each other and those once in a lifetime emotions. The next morning we held hands while walking around a peaceful farm, enjoyed breakfast and headed to Charlottesville, as a newly engaged couple.
After over a year of planning and anxious excitement, we celebrated our marriage with our family and friends on a perfectly sunny and 78 degrees day in August of 2013. We could not have asked for better weather, which was so important since our reception was outdoors. We decided to get married in the Finger Lakes Region near both of our hometowns. We looked at many venues in the area but once we saw the Aurora Inn, we fell in love. It is the type of place Mike and I look for when we want to escape for a romantic weekend together. We couldn’t imagine a better venue to reflect who we are as a couple. The Aurora Inn was the perfect setting to celebrate one of the best moments of our lives with those we love. It is an intimate and charming inn, full of history and character, with an incredible chef and restaurant on site. Can it get any better? Yes! The Aurora Inn is located in tiny, quaint town called Aurora and looks out over the gorgeous Cayuga Lake.
When it came to wedding planning Mike was happy to let me pick what I loved. There were a few things he really wanted to be a part of like picking out the groomsmen attire, food selection and music, otherwise, he helped me make decisions when I couldn’t choose. I began by picking our color palette of ivory, light pink, light peach and gold, which went perfectly with the pleated ivory lakeside tent for the reception. I kept the theme of soft romance in mind throughout the planning process. I lined our aisle with an ivory runner with a lace edging to keep things soft (the carpet was pinkish-red!) and topped it with tall baby’s breath arrangements. Our reception tables were layered with airy tulle, votive candles, baby’s breath and small floral arrangement. The fabric of my dress and the bridesmaids dresses all had softness to them.
From the start of wedding planning there were a few special touches I knew I wanted to incorporate. The first, having a homemade cookie table. My mom made thousands of cookies for each of my sisters’ weddings and this was a tradition we intended to continue at mine. We made a variety of sweets and put them on display with our wedding cake. As I walked down the aisle, I wanted to make sure I had all the important women in my life near me so, I had a pin from my mom, Mike’s mom and both of my grandmothers adhered to my bouquet. It was important to Mike and I that we honor our family members that could not be present. We did this in two ways, a photo display of our loved ones and in lieu of favors we made a donation to American Cancer Society.
Our wedding day, like so many couples will tell you, went by way too fast! However, we enjoyed every single moment. We spent the morning apart from each other while we each got ready with members from our bridal party so, the very first time we saw each other was when I was walking down the aisle. I was anxious since there were a few hiccups before the ceremony but as soon as I saw Mike, I felt calm. My stroll down the aisle with my dad was every bit as wonderful and emotional as I imagined it to be. Neither Mike nor I were nervous at the altar. Everything felt right. I remember being acutely present and trying to take in every aspect of such a special day. We both agree that our favorite moment of the day was when we exchanged our personalized vows. It was such a raw and heartfelt moment. After the ceremony, we celebrated by dining al fresco with our guests as the sun set over Cayuga Lake. We spent the rest of the evening with our loved ones eating sweets, dancing and enjoying the fire pit. We finished the evening with sparkler and released a wish lantern into the starlit sky. It truly was the best day.
Our day would not have happened without the love and support of our families, closest friends and the expertise of the best vendors in the area. We were lucky to have Heather Davidson from the Inns of Aurora as our wedding coordinator. She happily guided us through the planning process and was instrumental in making our reception spectacular. Not only is she on top of everything but also is genuinely excited about your day! Holly from A-List Artistry pampered all of us ladies in the bridal suite. She is very professional, has a great personality and every single lady loved their makeup that day. That is not an easy accomplishment! Finally, the Clark + Walker team captured our day perfectly. The photos bring us back to all of those moments that flew by so fast. The trailer that Josh created had us laughing, crying, smiling and reminiscing in just three minutes. We are so grateful that such talented individuals captured the most magical day of our lives!
Floral Design: Foley Florist | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Make Up: A List Artistry | DJ: Black Tie Entertainment | Venue: Inns of Aurora | Photography & Cinematography: Clark+Walker Studio
Bridal showers are a time to pull out all the girly stops. Get dressed up with your favorite ladies and drink champagne like it’s going out of style. So pour that bubbly and get ready for florals galore and every shade of pink. And what shower would be complete without a cameo from french macarons.
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Backyard Garden Bridal Shower | 50 Shades of Blush Bridal Shower | Bridal Shower Picnic
I was so excited to see this beauty of a wedding because it just so happens to take place in my childhood hometown; a pretty, pretty spot in California made even more so at the hands of Jose Villa. It’s So Cal au naturel kicked up a few elegant notches by Brooke Keegan and Holly Flora with a wildly good looking backdrop of Cal-a-Vie. Al fresco dining never looked so good, my dears. See for yourself right here.
Before you take off into the gallery that al fresco dreams are made of, lay your peepers on this sweet film crafted by Living Cinema…
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When we started planning our wedding a year later, Justin and I tried very hard to stay true to ourselves, we found just that at Cal-A-Vie, it was a dream destination, they hadn’t done a lot of weddings but thanks to a lot of help we were able to turn it into the ideal venue. We kept things natural to highlight the beauty of the California landscape and the old French décor of Cal-A-Vie, by filling the chapel with greenery and candles we tried to give the ceremony an intimate feeling between the two of us and our guests. And in an effort to keep the day about family, we found pictures of past generations at their weddings, giving us a great perspective on love through the ages. Throughout the day we tried to incorporate elements that would appeal to my love and pride of my Danish heritage, as a nod to that heritage we ordered mini kransekage, the traditional Danish wedding cake, as favors, and we had the guests sing along to a typical toast, which ends up being more like a roast. One of the most special elements we stumbled across was a custom monogram by Tiny Pine Press, it completely captured our spirit. As a lovely surprise Justin and I received a number of small contributions to our wedding day, including an abundance of vintage family jewelry and a traditional Danish plaque, memorializing our wedding day. Overall, with a lot of help and love we managed to plan our ideal California wedding.
Our wedding day was better than I ever could have imagined. It was filled with love happiness and excitement. It was a perfect day spent with family, friends at a wonderful venue with an amazing staff and the best band ever.
Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Videography: Living Cinema | Wedding Planner: Brooke Keegan Special Events | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Filigree Cakes | Brides Shoes: Miu Miu | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair And Makeup: Cal A Vie Health Spa Salon | Lighting: Akjohnston Group | Officiant: Father Earl Gibson | Venue: Cal-a-Vie Health Spa | Bride/ Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Brides Jewelry: Family Herilooms | Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Music: Ryan Heflin | Dance Floor/ Glassware: Town And Country | Floral/Decor: Holly Flora | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Tiny Pine Press | Reception Music: West Coast Music | Rentals: Signature Party Rentals | Wood Head Table: Archive Rentals
One of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram? The seriously talented Greg Finck. So when he sends a few pretty shots our way, a little midday party happens around these parts. Enter this dreamy-as-ever boudoir shoot designed by La Fabrique à Rêves in beautiful Provence. These pretty portraits will have you swooning all afternoon, promise.
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From Greg Finck… Maïly’s boudoir session was realized some weeks ago in Provence, in the stunning venue La Bastide de Marie. A soft and delicate session in a low-light pastel room, enhancing Maïly’s natural beauty. This was my first, but not last, collaboration with the wonderful videographer Gabriel Menassier (MG Image), whose breathtaking video is included. I also had the pleasure to be assisted by Benjamin Barlatier for a great team work coordinated by La Fabrique à Rêves.
Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Videography: MG Image | Design: La Fabrique a Reves | Gown: Claire Pettibone | Make Up: Blandine Fabre | Hair: Sylvie Pastore Transhair | Model: Enjoy Models | Provence Mas: La Bastide De Marie | Underwears: La Nouvelle
What happens when a stylist and designer has a whole new room to decorate in the house? Pure nursery magic, of course! Ann-Marie dreamed up a bright, happy space for her daughter-to-be filled with colorful DIYs and fabulous thrift finds, and the results couldn’t be prettier. Even more photos of Ann-Marie’s radiant glow and darling nursery details from Sorella Muse Photography in the gallery!
From Sorella Muse Photography: Ann-Marie is a freelance designer, crafter, and stylist based in Pasadena who runs the charming blog Ann-Marie Loves. She and her husband John are expecting their first child, a little girl, this July! With her passion for great design, flea markets, and thrifting, it’s no surprise that the nursery is filled with thoughtful vintage furniture and decor that’s rounded out by pieces from every modern girl’s go-to stores: Anthropologie, Target, and Ikea. And as a DIY maven, there had to be some handmade projects to fill the space with love, like the pretty woven wall hanging.
After taking some of Ann-Marie’s maternity portraits at the lovely home she shares with her husband John, we set out to walk around their neighborhood, down Green Street and then to the Pasadena City Hall at sunset. Ann-Marie and John are high school sweethearts who have been together for nearly 10 years, and it’s easy to see the love, stability, and ease between them, and how ready and joyful they are to become parents!
Photographer: Sorella Muse | Baskets: Thrifted | Bedding: Giggle | Blog: Ann-Marie Loves | Crib: Vintage | Dog Hook: Anthropologie | Dresser: Ikea | Glider: Thrifted | Gold Mobile Hook: Anthropologie | Gold Side Table: Target | Horse Rocker: Thrifted | Pillows: Ikea | Pillows: Target | Quilt: Handmade | Woven Wall Hanging: Handmade
I love the part of my job where I get to introduce you all to fabulous vendors making wedding planning that much easier. Case in point: WeddingWoo. Offering couples unique wedding websites that showcase their engagement photos, these stunning + customizable sites are seriously amazing.
WeddingWoo lets you tailor the look and feel of your site so you can tell your very own visual love story! And with truly custom options, you aren’t stuck with themes that can’t be personalized to your wedding day style. With zero coding skill required, you and your honey can change layout, fonts, colors and more. WeddingWoo also has an awesome Instagram feature where all photos tagged with your wedding hashtag are displayed — love that! They also offer an easy online RSVP feature, a photo gallery page, options for registry info, password protection and custom pages!
Top all that amazingness off with fun widgets like a wedding day countdown, an easy-to-use dashboard that allows guests to simply navigate your site and simple and, my dears, it’s pretty clear that WeddingWoo does it all. And get this, they offer simple, straight forward pricing (pay a flat fee for 1 or 2 years) with no monthly fees or annoying upsells. Yup. It’s that easy. To see examples of real customer created sites, take a peek right here. For even more info and to get started on your very own WeddingWoo site, head over here!
