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Old-World Garden Inspired Summer Wedding In California

Pops of pink and blue are sure to put a smile on your face at this old-world garden-inspired California wedding.  For their special day Christine and Hung turned to Weddings by Susan Dunne to bring their wedding vision to life- and does she deliver and then some! The day was adorned with vibrant florals by Mulberry & Moss, and artfully captured in images that are sure to stand the test of time by Anya Kernes Photography.  Visit the full gallery to fall in love with every detail.




From the bride… Hung and I met on a flight in October 2009 from Richmond, Virginia to Los Angeles, California. I had just started my first year of medical school at VCU and Hung had just finished his post-baccalaureate program. We had adjacent seats to each other and again had adjacent seats on the connecting flight. A year later Hung was accepted into medical school at VCU and that flight that started out as hours of conversation, transformed into years of friendship. I later moved to DC in 2011, but fate brought us together again in 2015 when we were both completing our residencies in Southern California. It was during this time our friendship developed into a romantic relationship. Since the venue did not allow pets, but we still wanted to include our two French Bulldogs Gary and Peanut on our special day. We included the poem “How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog” by Taylor Mali as part of our ceremony, as well as naming our signature drinks after them.



From Weddings by Susan Dunne…  Christine and Hung wanted an outdoor summer wedding with an old-world garden feel. We thought Rancho Las Lomas was a perfect fit for their wedding day goals. The ceremony and receptions were nestled under ancient oak and sycamore trees. The teatro stage has a marble stage, blue and white hand-painted tiles, and murals from Portugal. The botanical gardens that surround the reception gave it a romantic and charming atmosphere under the stars.  Our design goals were to tie in some of the lush botanical gardens Rancho Las Lomas has to offer and blend beautiful hues of pinks with a touch of blue to organically match the blue and white hand-painted tiles from Portugal. The ceremony was adorned with florals cascading the archway with florals in vibrate pink and magenta. At the ceremony steps we had an assortment of baskets with bouquets of flowers, and candles sprinkled around to create a more romantic ambiance. Reception tables had one large, low centerpiece and two smaller satellite arrangements in brass vessels. Votives and brass taper white/taupe candles to accent.



Paper goods included a custom hand-drawn map, drawn by an artist from Thailand, of the venue’s zoological garden. The menus were Translucent vellum with slim place name cards with gold teardrop clips. This was chosen to give it a slightly modern touch. Christine and Hung are both first-generation Vietnamese and wanted to incorporate a subtle nod to their culture. They served a traditional 10-course Vietnamese menu for dinner and wore traditional Vietnamese ao dai for the reception.



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Photography: Anya Kernes | Cinematography: Tim & Co Productions | Event Planning: Weddings by Susan Dunne | Floral Design: Mulberry & Moss | Cake: Simply Sweet Cakery | Invitations: Paper Cliche | Reception Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lulu | Catering: Furiwa | calligraphy: lilano minous | Beauty: Kelly Zhang | Bride Accessories: Bella Belle | Brides Gown: Estee Couture Bridal | Music: Vox DJ Company | Rentals: signature rentals | Styling Plates: Simple Things Ceramics | Styling Surfaces: Locust Collection | Viel: BHLDN | grooms: The Black Tux

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Majestic Mountain Views And Darling Details Make This Arizona Wedding A Must-See

Majestic mountain views and darling details make this Arizona wedding a must-see.  Imoni Events planned a picture-perfect day in shades of white, cream, blush, and black, and Lux Florist brought our couple’s Big Day dreams to life with fabulous florals from the ceremony to overhead on the reception dance floor.  The love of the day is artfully captured in the elegant imagery by Rachel Solomon Photography, visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.




From the bride… Kevin and I dated for about 7 years before he proposed to me down in Cabo on a romantic sunset cruise! While Kevin and I are born and raised in Kansas City, we both enjoy the climate, beauty (and golf) in the Scottsdale, AZ area. We knew we wanted to keep our wedding intimate, and both always dreamed of a destination wedding, so Scottsdale it was! Scottsdale holds so many amazing venues, however, we absolutely fell in LOVE with El Chorro in Paradise Valley and their gorgeous event lawn. It was everything we were looking for: a breathtaking background and setting with Camelback Mountain, the ability to have the ceremony and dinner outdoors, and still plenty of gorgeous space indoors for dancing, drinks, and dessert! Being that this was a destination wedding for us, a wedding planner was a must, and I could not have done any of this without Jenni Thye and her team at Imoni Events. Jenni began by asking for words to describe the wedding we envisioned, and it was simple: dreamy, romantic, elegant, comfortable, and breathtaking. I’ve always thought Coco Chanel said it well, “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”



With the help of Imoni Events, our color scheme came to be whites, champagne, black, and a very light/soft blush that looked “dreamy” against the desert and mountain setting. We worked with the ever-talented Cynthia at Lux Florist who made my floral vision come to life. Tall and full arrangements of flowers in the setting for the ceremony carried over to the table centerpieces. They were stunning atop the romantic lace “White Anita” overlay with “Latte Satin” underlays from Nuage Designs. The evening then transitioned inside to a fun, hip, elegant, and comfortable feel for the dancing, drinks, and dessert! The black, blush and champagne colors came to life there, especially with the black and white checkered dance floor that highlighted our choreographed first dance together (I was a dancer and dance teacher), along with a greenery-filled ceiling and gorgeous floral chandelier! Our dog, Stella, even got some time in with “Stella’s Signature Cocktails” thanks to Heidi at Idieh Design who put together a perfect cocktail sign featuring Stella.



Everything came together so beautifully, and I am forever grateful for how Rachel Solomon Photography captured the day perfectly for us to remember every detail. The entire day and evening were absolutely breathtaking, everything I had ever dreamed of and more! We were beyond grateful for the amazing support of our families and friends, all traveling near and far to be there with us. The special evening was all made possible because of the direction and guidance of so many wonderful vendors, who all saw my vision and made it a reality! This wedding dream team carried out every one of our envisioned details impeccably, and truly made our evening a dream come true!



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Photography: Rachel Solomon Photography | Cinematography: Something New Media | Event Planning: Imoni Events | Floral Design: LUX Wedding Florsists | Gown: Madi lane | Cake: Ruze Cake House | Invitations: Idieh Design | Reception Venue: El Chorro | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Bridesmaids' Dresses: SHow Me Your Mumu | Makeup: Make up by Amanda | Hair: Pin and Primp | Band: Neon | Groom's Attire: Ted Baker | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Sweetwater Strings | Beer Burro: Walking M Farms | Cigar Bar: Fumar Cigar | Cocktail & Dinner Music: Obadiah Parker | Gown Boutique: The One Bridal | Linens: Nuage Designs | Rentals: Event Rents- Phoenix | Rentals: Prim Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
An Epic Three Day Wedding Weekend In Umbria At Villa Valentini Bonaparte

For Ayesha and Asad their epic three-day wedding weekend in Italy was amore all the way.  From the welcome pizza party to the endlessly romantic all-white villa wedding, The Tuscan Wedding planned a celebration that stuns.  Floral design by Il Giardino Delle Fate brought the couple’s love story to life through beautiful blooms, and Sandy & Odysseas captured every magical moment perfectly in their imagery.  Visit the full gallery for the weekend in Italy you’ve always dreamed of.




From The Tuscan Wedding… A wedding is about two people coming together as one and professing their love and commitment to one another. Ayesha and Asad chose to marry in one of the most romantic regions in the world, Umbria, the “green heart” of Italy. On the 28th & 29th of September 2021, Villa Valentini Bonaparte served as the most perfect backdrop to Ayeshas and Asads two day wedding celebration, capturing their love story and adoration of color extraordinarily. The breath-taking styling by The Tuscan Wedding ensured that the couple was able to enjoy every single second of their magical celebrations surrounded by their most loved ones. Ayesha and Asad dreamed of having an Indian wedding before their white wedding with traditional dancers, music, and colorful, ethnic decorations nestled amongst the vista of the Italian landscape, with the romance of Umbria stealing their hearts and sealing their marriage. The Mendhi Night itself was something out of this world.



On the morning of their Indian ceremony, Ayesha got ready in the Villa with hair and makeup done by the talented Cherie Spisso. With Ayesha’s amazing wedding henna by Erica Mendhi and her soft blue sari and Asad’s color matching Indian wedding suit, all eyes were banned on this beautiful couple. After a wonderful Indian ceremony a musician with his traditional instrument, Dholak, plays during the Aperitif and created an unforgettable start to the Mendhi Night. Il Giardino Delle Fate created a beautiful centerpiece for the dinner tables filled with colorful flowers and surrounded by candles where the delicious dinner provided by Preludio Catering was served. With rustic wooden tables and Indian multicolor sofas, Preludio Noleggio made a more than stunning lounge area for guests and the couple. Every detail was decorated in shades of orange, fuchsia, green-blue & a touch of ivory and looked so precious and the atmosphere was magical. It’s these tiny touches that really set this wedding apart from others, with every aspect carefully curated and designed.  The Tuscan Wedding‘s ability to show such different styles really stood out, with the two-day celebration providing guests with captivating scenes set in totally different styles.  The wedding celebrations were a wonderfully special project to work on, and the styling and organization orchestrated by The Tuscan Wedding made sure that Ayesha and Asad had the most perfect wedding that they had always dreamed of, settled within the stunning scenery of the Umbrian Hills.  The newlyweds danced the night away under the glow of the Italian stars with the people they cared about the most. The fabulous team from Sandy & Odysseas, an excellent photographer, & the talented Videographer fromVertigo Wedding created unique and perfectly captured memories of this magical wedding night. This wedding was a 3-day event. On the first day, they welcomed their guests with a pizza party. Enjoying freshly made pizzas gave the guests a chance to relax and enjoy themselves as they arrived for the wedding. In addition, they had their white wedding at the Villa the day after the Mendhi Night with a traditional symbolic ceremony. Everything was decorated in burgundy, blush, shades of green, and a touch of gold for a spectacular event. Also, this day was full of cheer, dancing, and smiling faces.



From the couple… Sometime during our 2nd or 3rd year of dating, Asad and I talked about having a Tuscan countryside wedding one day. We’ve always loved traveling and knew, even early on, that we’d love to bring our international family together for a multi-cultural, destination wedding. When it came time to actually start planning our wedding, Italy still felt like the natural choice. We loved the food, the culture, the atmosphere, the scenery, and the idea of giving our friends and family a beautiful adventure abroad. Since everyone would already be traveling, we decided to spread out the events over three days so that we would have quality time to spend with all of our guests. We started out with a classic Italian pizza party where our guests could casually meet each other, enjoy delicious gelato, and get henna done in anticipation of our second event, the Mehndi. Since my husband is Pakistani and I’m half Indian, we knew we wanted to incorporate some traditions from those cultures into our wedding. So for our second day, we held a Mehndi, which started out with a Dholak player who kicked off the party by leading us down to the amphitheater where a gorgeous stage had been set up for dancing. One of the most special moments of this day was watching our sisters and friends perform dances that they had choreographed and practiced together for months. We even ended with an impromptu performance that got everyone on their feet dancing before heading to dinner. The Mehndi then ended with even more dancing (albeit less coordinated post-limoncello) and toasts by our friends that had everyone in tears. With a venue as stunning as Villa Valentini Bonaparte, we knew we wouldn’t have to add too much extra decor to create an incredible experience. For the Mehndi, we wanted things to be bold and colorful, so we used vibrant pillows and fabrics in the amphitheater along with a vivid coral, teal, and gold palette for the dinner setting. We also added lots of fairy lights to create a beautiful evening under the stars. Our favorite part was having everyone seated for dinner at a long winding table where we ate and drank and enjoyed the gorgeous summer evening together. Mehndis are typically colorful and vibrant, so we wanted to use florals to help add to that effect. We incorporated bright, colorful flowers on strings as the backdrop for our seating, while the dinner table was adorned with gold birdcages filled with vivid pink, orange, red and yellow flowers. In the end, the table setting was absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding.  Asad and I added some things here and there throughout our event to add a personal touch. Our outfits for our Mehndi, and Asad’s suit for the wedding, were actually all designed and handmade by Asad’s aunt in Pakistan at Muddhouse by Saima Rana. Designing those outfits together over the year leading up to the wedding was such a unique experience and really added our personal styles into our outfits. We were fortunate enough to work with Asad’s aunt, Saima, and her daughter, Minhal, to create custom outfits for the Mehndi, since they run a fashion house in Pakistan. We met multiple times over the course of a year via video chat to create my Lehenga and Asad’s two suits. For my Lehenga, I knew I wanted it to be some form of teal (both mine and Asad’s favorite color) with enough detail and beadwork to fit the occasion while being light enough to wear for hours without getting uncomfortable. I also really love pearls, so I wanted to incorporate them into the outfit in some way. After a few conversations, Saima and Minhal designed my dream outfit in the perfect mint color with a stunning back made of strings of pearls and paired it with a rose-colored dupatta. From there, they created Asad’s white “prince jacket” to match, with a hand-painted, floral design that complemented the colors in my Lehenga perfectly. For our Mehndi, we were both incredibly excited to see our sisters and friends perform the dances they had choreographed. We had successfully avoided any spoilers about the music choices or the dances themselves, and when it came time to perform, they all blew us away. We hadn’t realized just how dance-inclined our friends and family were, and it meant so much to me and Asad that they were willing to go out of their way to create this special moment for us.



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Photography: Sandy and Odysseas Photography | Cinematography: Vertigo Wedding | Event Planning: The Tuscan Wedding | Floral Design: Il Giardino Delle Fate | Invitations: The wedding letters | Ceremony Venue: Villa Valentini Bonaparte | Reception Venue: Villa Valentini Bonaparte | Catering: Preludio Catering | DJ: Dj Matthew | Hair & Make-up Artist: Cherie Spisso | Light Designer: Wedding Music And Lights | Mehndi Lehenga & Grooms Mehndi outfit: Muddhouse by Saima Rana | Mehndi shoes: Freya Rose | Music: Asparas Bollywood | Rentals: Preludio Noleggi

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Mixing-And-Matching Your Bridesmaid Dresses Just Got Way More Attractive And Affordable Thanks To Rent The Runway

Gone are the days of your besties all standing in a row wearing identical cookie-cutter bridesmaid dresses, and we couldn’t be happier! With more and more couples opting for mix-and-match bridesmaid ensembles, not only do the photos look more natural, you can tell that the bridesmaids feel better too and are actually enjoying themselves. Let’s face it, there is no one dress that looks incredible on everyone, this isn’t Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. And while you may love whatever dress you select, it’s a big investment for your bridesmaids to purchase the dress and make it a permanent piece of their wardrobe. Thankfully, there’s an easy answer to all of these common bridesmaid dress conundrums…Rent The Runway

We know you’ve heard of them and you probably already have a membership for your own wedding wardrobe needs, but did you know they can help dress your besties for your big day too? That’s right! Imagine, no limits on the style or color selection for your bridesmaid dresses–you have the entire Rent The Runway collection at your disposal! You simply give your girls the color palette and let them shop their hearts out free of fit concerns and pricey commitments with free backup sizes and one-time rentals starting at just $30! Sounds pretty great right? Here’s a little inspo to get you started. We’ve rounded up some of the hottest trends in cocktail attire and are bringing you bridesmaid-worthy looks that are on Rent The Runway right now! 

Show Some Leg

Goodbye frumpy bridesmaid dresses! Brides are more confident now and don’t need to hide their girls under mauve sac dresses to feel good about themselves. So, why not let your girls show a little leg in something like this flirty midi-dress with a slit?

 

 

Dusty Hues

This classic color palette will never go out of style and there’s something so flattering about dusty hues. This sweet off-the-shoulder dress has a subtle floral print in all of those beautiful muted tones that make it super easy to mix and match. Plus, the support from the boned bodice and the flowy skirt would make this a super-flattering option for a variety of body types.

 

 

Ruffle Accents

Ruffles are in and the more, the better! This pleated off-the-shoulder ruffle is a chic twist on the trend and how adorable would this dress look dancing in the breeze at a waterfront wedding? 

 

 

Florals

Prints are a great way to incorporate your color palette into your bridesmaids’ dresses and nothing says wedding like a floral print! We’re loving the texture of this floral lace dress that would be perfect for a summer garden wedding.

 

 

Square Neckline

The square neckline is giving the sweetheart cut a run for its money, and it’s not hard to see why. How hot is this little velvet number with this ever so trendy neckline and sexy cutouts?

 

 

Asymmetry

From one-shouldered dresses to flirty hemlines, asymmetrical cuts are having a moment. This little yellow dress would be perfect for a summer rooftop wedding and the silhouette would be flattering on so many different body types. 

 

 

Drawstring Accents

You’re bound to have at least one pregnant bridesmaid, but just because they’re “with child” doesn’t mean they have to dress like one. Check out this saucy black maternity dress with drawstring details and a thigh-high slit for a little leg moment. 

 

 

Satin-Finish

The satin slip dress was all anyone was wearing last year and we can expect to see that trend stay with us for a while. Keep the satin and ditch the straps with this asymmetrical draped midi dress that is sure to turn heads. 

 

 

That 70s Dress

Going for an upscale boho vibe? Pick some of your favorite 70s elements like a full-length skirt and blousy sleeve and let your girls have fun with embellishments like the sequins and embroidery on this gown. Sheer sleeves like this are also a great option for a bridesmaid that likes a little more coverage but still wants to wear something fashion-forward. 

 

 

Off-the-Shoulder

Yellow is big in weddings this year and this flirty yellow dress would be absolutely perfect for a summer wedding. Not only is the off-the-shoulder ruffle adorable, it’s a cut that looks good on just about everyone!

Your bridesmaids will thank you for letting them Rent The Runway! With renting, they get to wear the latest trends in a style that fits their body and their personality, plus they’ll be saving a ton of $$$! In fact, they can save an additional 30% on their first order! 

 

 

30% OFF is valid for first-time customers only and applies to one-time rentals over $75 OR the first two months of 8 item plan.

 

T&C’s: Code applies (1) 30% off the first RTR Reserve rental of $75 or more (pre-discount and pre-taxes) and/or (2) reduces the price of ONE (1) 8 items/mo RTR Membership to $100.80/mo (+taxes) (1st and 2nd mo. only). At the end of the promotional period, the membership will renew automatically each month at the then applicable membership price on RTR’s website or mobile application until canceled (additional taxes and fees may also apply). Memberships can be paused or canceled at any time by visiting your membership settings. Code may only be used once. Valid only for new customers. Cannot be applied to PRO, existing memberships, existing orders, purchases of gift cards/credits, or other items for sale, or combined with other offers. Enter code at checkout. Offer subject to end without notice or otherwise on June 2, 2022, at 2:59AM EST.

 

Follow @renttherunway on Instagram to keep up with the trends and their latest additions.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
A Late Summer Watercolor Inspired Ranch Wedding in the Heart of the West

Today’s ranch wedding is everything we needed and more – from the bride’s long sleeved lace gown to the breathtaking mountain ceremony views at 4U Ranch. The incomparable team at Tinge Floral brought the couple’s watercolor inspired vision to life with organic arrangements made with wildflowers that looked as if they grew right from that very ground. Michelle Leo Events had the day’s festivities going off without a hitch while Heather Nan was behind the lens capturing every last detail. Watch the gorgeous day unfold over at the full gallery!

From Heather Nan… Late summer watercolored inspired ranch wedding in the heart of the west at 4U Ranch located in Peoa, Utah filled with graceful touches of artful floral set at the forefront of this tranquil riverside backdrop.

Kate and Dan’s individual love for travel and Pennsylvania roots are what magically brought them together. They met abroad in Croatia one evening after Kate noticed Dan wearing a shirt from her father’s alma mater. This simple connection far from home was enough to begin a kinship that eventually would eventually turn to love. Their paths crossed again on the ski slopes of Utah two years later, which led to the beginning of a multi-year long distance relationship. After several cross-country moves between New York and San Francisco, Dan proposed to Kate on a trip to Zermatt, Switzerland in December 2019. 

Throughout their time together Utah has become an even more special place to them, as they’ve continued to visited often due to their passion for skiing. When planning their destination wedding Kate and Dan’s decision to celebrate in Utah was an easy one. Especially as they enlisted the assistance from Michelle Leo events to guide them during a pandemic ridden planning process.

They celebrated their welcome cocktail party and rehearsal dinner at Goldener Hirsch (a new Auberge property) set in middle of Deer Valley Resort.

The wedding celebration took place at 4U Ranch, a privately owned property nestled in the mountains of Summit county, on the banks of the Weber River. 

Kate’s choice of dress was overall lace, high neckline and textured long sleeves that were removable with an open back, giving her two stunning looks for the day by Monique Lhullier. She finished off with a third look, a sequin mini dress, from Markarian. 

Kate enlisted the services of a talented watercolor artist for a custom-designed paper suite and day-of paper goods from Studio Luzance. 

She also worked with the talented Ashley Beyer from Tinge Floral to create a beautiful design for the neutral white barn on the property.  Hues consisted of a variety of both warm and cool tones inspired by the natural wild flowers that surround the property. It was a gentle watercolor inspired palette, perfect for the setting and the couple in which we celebrated. 

Plain and simple, Kate was the epitome of grace, as reflected in her day. Such a joy to work with!

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Photography: Heather Nan Photography | Cinematography: NP Films | Event Planning: Michelle Leo Events | Floral Design: Tinge Floral | Wedding Dress: Markarian | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: the dessert studio Utah | Invitations: Studio Luzance | Catering: Culinary Crafts | Catering: Top Shelf Utah | DJ: New Soul Brigade | DJ: Tribeca Ensemble | Groom's Attire: Ascot Chang | Wedding Venue: 4U Ranch | Beauty: Kristen Packard | Beauty: Kali Chris Hair and Makeup | Rentals: Vault Event Rentals | Rentals: Diamond Rental | Rentals: Wild Event Studio

Big Blooms and Bold Colors, Welcome to the Citrus-Inspired Garden Party of Our Dreams!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… we love a bride who’s not afraid to go BIG. Big blooms, loud colors, and a creative wedding vision from beginning to end. Allow today’s citrus-inspired day in Sonoma to inspire your bolder side! Bari Elexa Events planned their colorful affair to perfection with the help of some floral magic from Freckled Floral (just waitttt until you see the escort card display you guys.) Swoon over every last detail at the full gallery, all captured by Olivia Marshall Photography!

From the planner Bari Elexa Events… Jane was the true epitome of a dream bride with a clear yet incredibly creative vision. Working in events herself, she knew how important every detail was and wanted to wow her guests at each twist and turn of her wedding day. The theme was key to her to tie it all together – a Citrus Inspired Garden Party. With a love for bold and bright colors, big blooms and lush floral, and all the yumminess citrus provides, Jane worked with her wedding planner, Bari Elexa Events, to bring her vision to life.

As guests arrived, they were welcomed into a flower filled garden with cascading citrus embellished signage, an endless floral walkway into an enchanting ceremony amongst the pond, and a reading of vows that had everyone wiping their eyes and filled with love. Guests would then flow between the ceremony to cocktail hour through an olive tree grove, and later on be welcomed into dinner by a beautiful bagpipe performance by the bride’s father, followed by a candle lit walkway lined with flowers to take guests to the dance floor and get the party started! Jane & Chris’ photographer, Olivia Marshall Photography, was there for each and every special moment, delicate kiss, and loving embrace.

The standout moment for guests was walking up to the custom citrus and bloom seating chart display created by Shimmer and Stain, adorned with floral from Freckled Floral. It was an epic backdrop for photos and a perfect nod to what guests could expect when they enter the dinner space and see all of the bride’s dreams come true.

Guests danced the night away under the starry night lighting display and officially welcomed “The Taylors” into their forever to come.

Photography: Olivia Marshall Photography | Event Planning: Bari Elexa Events | Floral Design: Freckled Floral | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Lighting: Twilight Design | DJ: Dart Collective | Beauty: Leilani Slack | Beauty: The Secret Glow | Escort Display: Shimmer & Stain | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Lounge Furniture: Found Rental Co. | Musicians: Trio Maxim | Paper Goods: The Boarding School Collective | Photo Booth: Giggle and Riot | Rentals: Encore Event Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
An Intimate All White Wedding With Tons Of Heartwarming Touches

This California wedding is sure to tug on your heartstrings.  After setting a date in 2020 our bride was faced with both breast cancer and losing her beloved father.  Ever the fighter, three years later she decided on an all-white wedding as a nod to new beginnings with a beautiful homage to her Dad incorporated into the ceremony.  Palette Events Co planned and designed the picture-perfect day, and Soul Flower Design Studio filled it with lush and romantic white blooms.  Evey magical moment was elegantly captured in the imagery by Carlie Statsky, visit the full gallery for a closer look.




From the bride… There were 3 years and 4 months in between our engagement and actual wedding and this was not the plan. After picking a 2020 date and gearing up for what we thought would be a small 70-person Calistoga wedding we eased into wedding planning. Unfortunately, those plans took a backseat when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and urgently had to start undergoing treatment. What should have been the best year of my life turned into my own personal nightmare. A year of weekly clinical trial treatments, surgeries, infections, quarantining, chemotherapy, the hospitalization of my father, burning of our original wedding venue, and ultimately my Dad’s unexpected passing.  When the dust settled, we realized that what mattered to us more than throwing a huge party was celebrating our love and those that had loved us so truly through the past year. In our search for a new venue, we wanted something intimate, elegant, and timeless. I had always loved the look of an all-white wedding and it felt right especially for all we’d been through. A nod to new beginnings everything fresh and beautiful.



We created touches to nod to the things that mattered the most to us. Montage Healdsburg let us personalize the wines to include wineries we love to visit. Our wedding planner Ashley Brand of Palette Events Co was our officiant because after 3 years we are not just customers we’re life long friends. We included our two fur babies Maverick and Milton with signature drinks and photos on napkins. Most importantly my Dad’s chair in the front row.



The night was nothing short of magical and the perfect dinner party for 17 family and friends. The best gift was the image our photographer Carlie Statsky captured of what we know is my Dad walking me down the aisle.



Photography: Carlie Statsky | Cinematography: Josh Harney | Event Design: Palette Events Company | Event Planning: Palette Events Company | Floral Design: Soulflower Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri | Invitations: Blush Type | Ceremony Venue: Montage Healdsburg | Reception Venue: Montage Kapalua Bay | Catering: Montage Healdsburg | Beauty: Bella Bridal Hair & Makeup | Guitarist: Justin D Musician | Rentals: Theoni Collection | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Signage: Blush Type | String Musicians: Bellarosa String Quartet

Eberjey Has Everything You Need From Before The Aisle To After The Dance Floor

You’ve got the dress, the shoes, the jewelry, but do you know what you and your girls are wearing to get ready? If you’re an avid reader of wedding blogs, then you know just how important those classic “getting ready” shots are. You’ll need something low-maintenance but still super cute because, trust us, these are going to be some of the best photo ops with your favorite people! We always love matching sets for the bridal party, and no one does that better than Eberjey! Their famous Gisele PJs are perfect for getting ready and they make great thank you gifts. After all, don’t your girls deserve a nice thank you after being there for you from the bridal shower and bachelorette party to the big day itself? The button-down top makes getting in and out of them for hair and makeup a breeze and you can even have them monogrammed for that extra special touch! 

 

YOUR OWN PERSONAL WEDDING CONCIERGE

If you do decide to surprise your bridal party with something from Eberjey, make sure to reach out to their dedicated Wedding Concierge. They’ll help you with everything from styling decisions and sizing to bulk discounts! They’ll even send you a special surprise on your wedding anniversary–how sweet is that? Schedule your meeting with the concierge today

 

SEXY & COMFORTABLE GO HAND-IN-HAND

After a day of squeezing into shapewear, the thought of lacing yourself into some kind of lingerie contraption may be the farthest thing from your mind, but, believe it or not, sexy and comfortable can go hand in hand! With Eberjey you get the best of both worlds. They’re famous for their iconic Gisele PJs, but did you know they also have slinky sets made of washable silk and ones with lace trim that are perfect for the wedding night? So, when you pull the classic, “Let me slip into something a little more comfortable…” line, you’ll actually mean it!

 

THEY HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE 

While you’re investing in your wardrobe, you may want to spoil your bridal party too, and not just the girls! Eberjey also has an entire line of menswear for the men in your bridal party and your new hubby. And don’t forget the littlest members of your bridal party, they deserve some cuddly PJs too!  

 

A PURCHASE YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT

Not only are they gentle on you, these must-have loungewear pieces are gentle on Mother Earth too! All of their textiles are not just comfy, they’re low-maintenance and machine washable! Their iconic Gisele PJs are made from Tencel™ Model, a resilient fiber that is resistant to pilling and keeps its color. So, while you may be investing in these pieces for your wedding, know that they’ll be your go-tos for years to come. 

 

THEY’VE GOT YOU COVERED ON YOUR HONEYMOON TOO (LITERALLY!)

We touched on this before, but don’t sleep on the lingerie and loungewear collections (pun intended). Of course, you’ll need a few matching bra and panty sets for your romantic getaway, but don’t forget the PJs for lounging about the hotel room. We’re obsessed with this linen PJ set for a tropical destination or this little lacy romper for those days when you don’t want to leave the room. 

 

MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR WEDDING LINGERIE SHOPPING LIST

Your wedding day is unlike any other when it comes to getting dressed, where you normally sport one or two ensembles in a day, here you may have three or four! And, likely, each will require its own set of lingerie. It doesn’t stop there, you’ve also got the honeymoon to think of. Here’s a list of every underpinning and loungewear item you’ll need for your big day from start to finish and they’re all available in the Wedding Shop at Eberjey.

 

GETTING READY LOOK

Most brides have their photographer there while they’re getting ready, to document the process, but most importantly, to capture priceless candids with their closest friends and family. You’ll need something cute to lounge about in before you slip into your dress, and you can’t go wrong with the classic Gisele PJ set and matching Gisele Robe from Eberjey. Not only is it super cute, but it’s comfy too! 

 

UNDERWEAR FOR THE WEDDING

You’ll need something to wear under your gown. We always recommend simple no-fuss undies like these ones and selecting the color closest to your skin tone so they don’t show through your gown.

 

BRA FOR THE WEDDING

Depending on the neckline of your gown, you may or may not need some kind of support. Eberjey has everything from structured underwire bras to delicate lace bralettes. Whatever you decide to wear under your gown, make sure to wear it with you to your alterations fittings to make sure your gown fits like a glove on your big day.

 

WEDDING NIGHT LINGERIE 

You’ll want to slip into something sexy (and clean!) after you get out of your gown. You can’t go wrong with a matching bra and panty set like this longline lace bralette and matching bikini undies.

 

HONEYMOON TROUSSEAU

You’ll want a variety of options for your honeymoon from cuddly PJs for those Netflix and room service nights to spicy lace numbers and cute little rompers. Thankfully, Eberjey has something for every occasion!

Follow @eberjey On Instagram for a steady stream of inspo from the softer side of life.

Getting Ready Wear: Eberjey

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Show Him You Appreciate Him With The Perfect Fit From State & Liberty

Did you know that today (April 16th) is Husband Appreciation Day? If not, you’re welcome! There are plenty of ways to show him you care, but we think the best way to show your love is to help him love his look. Seriously, is there a better gift than self-confidence? Many men struggle with their wardrobe, especially those that are, athletically inclined. While that big bicep energy may have them feeling great at the gym, it can be awkward and uncomfortable when it comes to dressing for everyday life and especially dressing for their wedding! Here’s where you sweep in with the win, we’ve got the deets on the revolutionary menswear brand, State & Liberty, that is designed with your buff babe in mind and is sure to have him looking and feeling his best.

 

Help Him Look and Feel Great

If your man struggles with finding clothes that fit, you know the frustration of having to endure costly alterations on just about everything in his wardrobe, but not anymore! State & Liberty makes all of their clothing from casual day-to-day pieces like t-shirts and hoodies to formalwear like button-down shirts and suits from innovative 4-way stretch fabric that gives your guy that tailored fit without the restriction of traditional woven clothes. They’re so confident that the fit will be on point that they offer free returns and exchanges in the USA. So, if you’re between two sizes, order both and simply keep the one that fits best. If you really want to spoil him, they also offer full custom sizing for that made-to-measure feel. 

 

Fabric That Performs Unlike Any Other

And, there’s no better brand for your wedding day…we’ll tell you why. Between nerves and dancing, your man is sure to sweat (a lot) on your big day. Gross, we know, but it has to be said. Traditional cotton and wool garments will show every drop, but not an ensemble from State & Liberty. Not only does their fabric boast the 4-way stretch, it’s also lightweight and moisture-wicking (just like his favorite gym clothes)! So your honey will be free to dance the night away comfortably without the fear of sweating through his suit. Oh, and did we mention that the fabric is also wrinkle-free and machine washable?! Which, is a must, especially if you’re having a destination wedding.

 

One-Stop-Shop For All Of Your Wedding Menswear Needs

Sure, you don’t need an occasion to spoil your man, but when one comes along, why not take advantage of the opportunity? From the engagement party and rehearsal dinner to the big day itself, your wedding is the perfect excuse to invest in some wardrobe staples for your hubby-to-be. And while shopping for menswear can be a bit overwhelming if you’re in unfamiliar territory, State & Liberty is there to help you through every step of the process, including offering styling services and discounts when you order for the entire bridal party with prices ranging from $485-$650 for a full wedding outfit (depending on the size of your party). For your wedding timeline, they recommend booking your consultation at least five months before your wedding date, but with this wedding season being one of the busiest our industry has ever seen–the sooner the better! Book your call with their wedding concierge today!  

 

They Have More Than Just Tuxes

If you’re picturing him standing at the end of the aisle in a tux, then you’re in luck! State & Liberty has plenty of sleek tux options like this one that we’re crushing on with a classic shawl lapelBut, in addition to tuxes, they also have a ton of fashion-forward suiting options in a variety of fun colors ranging from classic neutrals like black, gray, and navy to burnt orange, maroon, and copper (to name a few). While we could go on and on about their amazing suiting options, let’s be honest, the real hero of any menswear look is a well-fit dress shirt and theirs are a whole vibe. They are beautifully tailored and have fun trim options that you can play with to get his look just right for the big day. Plus, he is guaranteed to wear this shirt over and over again long after the wedding. They also have accessories like belts and cuff links that make great gifts for your hubby-to-be and all of the men in your bridal party.

 

Follow @stateandliberty on Instagram to stay up to date on the season’s hottest menswear looks. 

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Modern Bohemian Wedding Full Of Tantalizing Textures

Pretty shades of pinks and greens have stolen our hearts at this bohemian-inspired wedding at The Grandeur House.  Anne Claire Allen Planning & Design designed a day that delights, from an indoor ceremony filled with greenery that brought the outdoors in, to a reception filled with hanging florals designed by the ever-talented Silks a Bloom.  Erin Wilson Photography and Films captured every magical moment beautifully in her imagery, you’ll want to ooh and aah over every detail in the full gallery.




From Erin Wilson Photography and Films… Devon and Blake chose to host their wedding at beautiful The Grandeur House in the heart of Arkansas showcasing the beautiful outdoors and gorgeous all-white venue so their modern bohemian wedding full of soft muted colors and textures could shine. They love riding horses and being outdoors so having the feeling of being outdoors indoors was important to them. 



Devon and Blake included Devon’s sweet daughter in their wedding ceremony where Blake also said the sweetest vows to her and all the guests were in tears. It was beautiful to witness. A fun highlight of the evening was a sweet little coffee bar serving the best coffee around and yard games for all the kids to play outside.



Their dance floor was a custom pattern matching their design and adorned with a beautiful hanging installation with baskets and beautiful textured florals. The beautiful design included soft seating with a mixture of leather and linen and it was perfect. The beautiful color combination of the wedding has my heart as well, the shades of peach, blush, and greens are stunning.



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Event Planning: Anne Claire Allen Planning & Design | Florals: Silks a Bloom | Cake: Cupcake Factory | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Heritage Catering | Makeup Artist: Kakki Jones | Hair: Lindsey Huey | Dj: Joe Snell | Wedding Venue: The Grandeur House | Coffee: Zeteo Coffee | Dance Floor: The Dance Floor Man | Photography and Videography: Erin Wilson Photography | Rentals: Eventology

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7 Brilliant Jewelry Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party and Beyond
A Summer Garden Party in the Mountains With a Sun Valley Aesthetic

Let’s go girls! Grab your boots and giddy up on over to the Idaho mountains for today’s stunning Sun Valley wedding. The bride described their aesthetic perfectly, “easygoing and simple, yet chic and timeless” – the dream combination if you ask us. Londyn & Grey Events brought the couple’s vision to life while Two Hands Floral created organic arrangements complimenting the natural beauty of the landscape. See it all at the full gallery, captured by Brie Thomason Photography!

From Brie Thomason Photography… Rebecca and Adam were married on July 16th in Sun Valley, Idaho, a place very special to the groom’s family. Rebecca is in her residency to become a physician working in a busy hospital in Manhattan. Adam works in finance. The two wanted to escape their busy city lifestyle for their wedding day and wanted their intimate guest list to get to experience the joy that the mountains of Idaho can bring. Rebecca was overwhelmed with helping with Covid in Manhattan, so their original plan for a September 2020 wedding needed to be pushed to 2021. You will notice the original invite was used for the detail shots because it was very special to Rebecca and Adam. The wedding was a garden themed wedding placed in the mountains, and I truly believe it was executed so well! There are several great little details like their dog on the invitation and signature drinks, organic florals lining the ceremony, a moss table escort cards, floral bridesmaids gowns, and more. The bride changed gowns for the reception into the gown she wore for her intimate Covid wedding last year. The guest list was on the intimate side with around 75 guests— all closest family and friends. The venue was a private residence, which was great because the party rented out the space and were able to do everything on scene, which kept things even more secluded.

From the bride, Rebecca… We wanted our wedding aesthetic and vibe to reflect that of Sun Valley – easygoing and simple, yet chic and timeless. Lucky for us, the scenery is breathtaking. Every detail was carefully selected to curate a day that complemented the natural beauty of the landscape and capitalized on the beautiful views. One of my favorite moments from the day was our first look, where we were surrounded by unobstructed mountains on a quiet trail. It was absolutely worth the trek, dirt and bugs.

I knew that I wanted a dress that was form fitting and elegant, but not over the top. I chose the Suzanne Neville Mayfair dress in a gorgeous silk pique fabric and fell in love with the buttons on the back. After trying on the dress, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It matched my personality perfectly. Adam wore a navy blue suit from Ralph Lauren Purple Label, while his groomsmen also worse navy blue suits. The bridesmaids each chose their own floral-patterned dress, which all came together so nicely.

The day was designed to allow the guests to appreciate the entire property. The ceremony was situated in the backyard with views of the mountains peeking through the aspen trees. Our florist lined our aisle with a variety of delicate wildflowers and grasses, many foraged nearby, as if they were picked from the side of the mountain. Guests donned parasols for sun protection and carried glasses of rose, which gave off a garden-party-in-the-mountains feel. After the ceremony, guests were taken to the front yard for cocktail hour. Our bartender crafted the most gorgeous (and delicious) cocktails. Our dog, who was perfectly illustrated on our stamps, was also included on the cocktail napkins and bar signs. We placed photos of our grandparents from their weddings in wooden frames on a table to remember our loved ones who were celebrating from afar or were there in spirit. We also can’t forget our guestbook, which was an edition of Extraordinary History of Sun Valley filled with sweet messages from our guests and now serves as the perfect coffee table book and a daily reminder of our special day.

For the reception, guests were escorted into a sailcloth tent, set on an open field adjacent to the mountains. At the entrance of the tent was a table covered in moss and chamomile flowers with wooden plaques inscribed with guests’ names and table numbers. Our planner helped us select beautiful neutral linens for our square tables and farm tables. Wildflower arrangements with bud vases and candles adorned the tables. Our planner chose to incorporate subtle pops of yellow for an extra element of fun. Each guest had a menu illustrated with wildflowers to tie it all together. Our fantastic caterer created an Idaho-style dinner of trout and prime rib (which guests are still raving about). We opted for homemade local pies in lieu of cake, which were devoured before we even had the chance to see them.

After taking our golden hour photos before the sun set behind the mountains, I changed into a satin Ulla Johnson dress to continue the party. I vividly remember standing at a distance admiring the sailcloth tent and celebration that commenced beneath it, simply in complete awe of the entire event. Our wedding day was the perfect blend of an intimate, joyous and wild party. One piece of advice I would give brides-to-be is to consider a smaller guest list. It was so wonderful watching strangers become friends, and we all danced and laughed the night away together.

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Photography: Brie Thomason Photography | Cinematography: Carli & Beau | Event Planning: Londyn & Grey Events | Floral Design: Two Hands Floral | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Invitations: Mine & Kindred | Catering: The Haven | Catering: Piedaho Bakery | Band: Ben Mallare Events & Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Beauty: Bonnie Snell From The Feathered Flip | Beauty: Ash Aesthetic | Linens: BBJ La Tavola

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A Wyoming Summer Wedding With a James Bond Twist

Looking for inspo on how to pull off an upscale event in a rustic setting? Say no more. Calluna Events has got ya covered and then some. Today’s timeless black and white affair at a private residence in Wyoming is the definition of understated elegance. The classic floral arrangements by The Perfect Petal are just that, perfect. Check out the full gallery from James and Schulze and get ready to go on a major Pinning spree!

From The Bride… Jason and I met in Denver and connected over a love for Wyoming, golf, good music, and adventure. We both have a deep love for Wyoming and its beauty after i grew up there and took Jason to visit several times. It is where after many visits we fell in love! A few things we loved about the day – seeing our friends and family from so many places in this highly remote place and appreciating the beauty of the place we love so much. Seeing our highly unique vision of the juxtaposition of authentic, rugged Wyoming vs. An elegant, upscale black-tie event come together how we envisioned it.

The Dress

The Carolina dress epitomized the vintage elegance i wanted to wear within the Wyoming backdrop. Whilst the blue color hit was not incorporated as a theme for the event, that blue was perfectly me.

The Stationery

Easily one of my favorite parts. Sophie nailed the mix between western authenticity and upscale vintage classic and again, brought ideas that were new to the creative process instead of repurposing the same old thing. To think she hand tea-stained each save the date is incredible. Instead of an envelope for our invitations we used a “boxelope” that could tie in the story of our location to our guests whilst also having a very traditional, formal invitation within.

The Band and Speakeasy

Good gosh this was one of the most incredible moments of our lives (and we just were married hours before… Ha!) again with flipping templated weddings on the head, we wanted to incorporate our love for fun music that wasn’t your normal wedding band and throw an absolute blast of a night for everyone because doing that is one of our favorite things. We kept the reveal of the speakeasy a complete surprise to everyone in the wedding and although we had seen renderings of our design we didn’t step into the space before the actual reveal ourselves. There was a great moment well into the night when i found my dad having a cocktail at the end of the bar, watching the band bringing down the house within this incredibly svelte, moody speakeasy design and he said, “we’re in a hay meadow right now”. The whole concept was brilliantly done and perfectly executed alongside an incredibly talented funk band that had everyone smiling like they never had before. Your standout vendors – Jill, Sophie, James, Sperry, Fastlane, Calluna obvi!, The Perfect Petal although I didn’t focus on florals as much

Decor and Design

The whole event was about mixing authentic, rugged Wyoming with themes of vintage elegance to give off this incredibly private, unique, unexpected experience for ourselves and our friends. Many weddings follow basic templates and we threw most of that out whilst also keeping certain elements very traditional and it worked. Strings played, guests sipped on classic cocktails and enjoyed a black-tie sit down dinner, but yet were within this incredibly diverse Wyoming backdrop of mountains, streams, sandstone cliffs, and hayfields, culminating in this final reveal of yet another extraordinarily novel experience of a speakeasy that seemingly impossibly existed for only a few hours within this landscape. There was this unbelievably quiet feeling of secrecy mixed with incredibly fun, free funky music and dancing that made the event beyond memorable to all of us. Looking down from the cliff above you see the same old hay meadow by the stream … As if the memory of the event was created in your mind.

Photography: James and Schulze | Floral Design: The Perfect Petal | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Invitations: Sweet Zion Paperie | Reception Venue: Private Residence | Catering: Old Baldy Club | Entertainment: Turkuaz | Beauty: The Parlour | Ceremony Musicians: OnCue Entertainment | Decor: Eclectic Hive | Lighting, Sound, Production: Fast Lane Productions | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Sweet Zion Paperie | Planning: Calluna Events | Rentals: Colorado Party Rentals | Restrooms: The Lavish Loo | Tenting: Sperry Tents Colorado | Wedding Dress boutique: Little White Dress Bridal Shop

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A Vibrant Jewel-Toned Wedding On The Beaches Of Florida

With deep, bold, and rich hues this jewel-toned wedding is nothing short of wonderful.  Albriana Shante Events brought this couple’s wedding day vision to life with a circular beach ceremony that will take your breath away.  Filled with moody blues and purples, floral designs by Royal Events & Services add to the elegance.  You can feel the love and joy of the day in the incredible imagery by Terrie Images, visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the chic details.




From Terrie ImagesIn the beautiful outdoors of The Current Hotel, a dream wedding was about to happen. The witnesses? The dearest families and friends of Stacy and Marvell, and the breathtaking Tampa bay.  When the team and I got to the venue, the panoramic view stunned us. We were enthralled and speechless. Every detail was perfect! The overall inspiration for the wedding originated from Stacy’s love for rich jewel-toned colors. Similar to peacock colors but without the feathers. She loves the rich, deep purples and blues and those were a must for the wedding. Stacy wanted to memorialize her father so for the ceremony she draped one of his shirts on his seat as a way of saying, “I saved a seat for you Dad.” Stacy also loves candles. She had custom scented candles made for her guests as a wedding favor. Stacy’s guilty pleasure in between workout sessions is brewster cake batter ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. They served it to their guest as part of their late-night snack. The signature His and Her drinks were inspired by two of their loving dogs. When it came to cake tasting, they could not choose one flavor. So they had not one, not two, but three different mini cakes each with a different flavor. Each cake was named after three of their dogs.



From the bride… I had just arrived to my new duty station for the U.S. NAVY in Bahrain in 2014. It was my first day and I was walking around the facility to learn where I would be working. As I was about to leave the watch floor I got that feeling that someone was watching me. I turned around and that’s when I saw him. He was across the room amongst other co-workers and he was the one who was standing up and slow waving at me. I remember thinking is he waving at me? I looked around and saw no one else so I waved back said, “hey” and chuckled to myself as I walked out the door. Over the next few weeks, we would randomly see or talk to each other for a few minutes or we would talk at work. We had our first “hang out” date at a place we came to love called Healthy Calorie and I remember thinking to myself, ” I like him.” He had massive broad shoulders, deep brown eyes, and amazing lips. We always had great conversations and he always had a way of making me laugh. We ended up being great friends and I always looked forward to seeing him or talking to him. In fact, my day wasn’t complete until I got to see and talk to him. I didn’t realize it was really love until he and I went on leave back to the states and I didn’t get to be around him every day. He had become my everything. About a year later he invited me to visit him in California. I remember getting off the plane and being so excited to see him because it had been a few months since I had left Bahrain. As I was walking to the main lobby of the airport I saw him and my entire body LIT UP. I ran to him and he picked me up and hugged me. (I swear it looked like one of those chick flick moments). We had a great time in California and on one of our last nights there we ate at this delicious pier-side seafood restaurant. We walked on the pier after dinner and as I was watching the sunset I turned to see Marvell with a ring in his hand. My heart jumped a billion times as he asked me to marry him and a tear came to my eye as I said YES!!! I am so excited and blessed to be marrying my best friend. So many people never find their soul mate and I am so overjoyed and lucky to have found mine. You never know you are missing a part of yourself until you make this bond with someone you know that you can’t live without. 



Photography: Terrie Images | Cinematography: Z and Z Image | Event Planning: Albriana Shante Events | Floral Design: Royal Events & Services | Cake: Cake Cuties Bakery | Lighting: Tampa Lights | Entertainment: Cigar Xperience | DJ: DJ Lady Shay | Favors: The Ladybug Factory | Groom's Attire: Bespoke & Co. | Beauty, Hair: The Hair Doula | Beauty, Makeup: Nicki Mac Brides | Bride's Gown: Ccs Boutique | Graphic Designer: Andi Mejia | Linen: Fancy That Linens | Location: The Current Hotel | Musician: Cotton Lifestyles | Rentals: On The Move | Rentals: Letz Dance On It | Rentals: Stylehouse Rentals | Rentals: A Chair Affair, Inc.

Three Engagement Rings For the Bridgerton Loving Millenial From Grown Brilliance

Dear Reader, 

As you have no doubt heard, the Bridgerton family has made quite the stir once again and has the entire ton, nay, the world, in a frenzy. From fashion to home decor, it seems that they may be the most influential family since the Kardashians. So, it comes as no surprise to this author that we are seeing these Regency-era trends in jewelry as well, especially engagement rings! If you’re searching for the perfect ring to encapsulate your love for your partner and make the other ladies of the court positively green with envy, look no further. Grown Brilliance has a collection of stately pieces that are sure to impress.

 

SOME ROYAL INSPIRATION

It’s clear that when they set out to create their latest collection, the design team at Grown Brilliance looked to the Royal Family for some inspiration. Let’s start with Queen Charlotte herself. She was gifted a simple gold diamond band by her husband King George III on their wedding day. And while the fashions of the time would have required it, she never wore any other rings on that finger. The delicate pavé bands of the Grown Brilliance collection are no doubt a nod to this particularly treasured royal ring. Moving on to Queen Victoria, one of England’s most recognized Queens in her contribution to fashion. She sported the most unique engagement ring, a gold serpent featuring a pear-shaped emerald head and two ruby eyes. The pear shape is a very popular cut in the royal jewels and definitely makes an appearance in the Grown Brilliance collection. Queen Elizabeth II has a classic 3ct circular diamond set in platinum decoratively framed by smaller stones. Grown Brilliance has a very similar circular cut that is encircled by two intertwining pavé bands that mimic Queen Victoria’s serpent ring as well. And we couldn’t forget Princess Diana and Princess Kate’s shared oval-cut engagement ring, such a timeless cut that will never go out of style. And while she has currently renounced her royal title, Meghan Markle’s tri-stone engagement ring seems to have inspired one of the Grown Brilliance rings as well.  

 

THESE VINTAGE CUTS ARE STILL THE TALK OF THE TON

In addition to pulling inspiration from the royals, Grown Brilliance was undoubtedly inspired by the fashions of the Regency era. Aren’t we all at the moment? During the Regency era, jewelry was not just ornamental, it was symbolic. Each stone, each cut meant something different. Pear, oval, hearts, and floral motifs were the most prevalent. Grown Brilliance touches upon each of these swoon-worthy cuts and created rings that would woo even the most discerning debutantes.

 

POPULAR METALS

Rose gold, yellow gold, and silver were the most popular metals of the time, with silver being the most common setting for diamonds as the color brings out the stone’s natural glow. We have since discovered white gold and platinum- more luxurious and resilient options that will provide the same look and are both offered by Grown Brilliance

 

AN ETHICAL UPDATE TO VINTAGE CLASSICS

Though diamonds may never go out of style, some unsavory practices when it comes to acquiring these priceless gems certainly have. Thankfully, the “diamonds offered at Grown Brilliance are lab-grown and are completely conflict-free.” And, to those who would inquire, they are also responsibly made with all local labor laws being strictly followed. The great news is that “lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to natural diamonds.” So, you’re getting a higher quality stone at a fraction of the price with none of the guilt. It’s a win, win, win!

 

MODERN MEETS TIMELESS

While they admit to having taken inspiration from a time gone by, Grown Brilliance is always focused on creating timeless pieces that you will look at and love for a lifetime. They focus on “evergreen shapes” and update them with a modern setting to give freshness to some of your favorite vintage looks. 

 

Catch the newest pamphlet from Lady Whistledown to stay abreast of the season’s most delectable gossip and follow @GrownBrilliance on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest trends in wedding jewelry. 

Photography: Joe Tanis | Photography - Assistance: Mark Grgurich | Stylist: Sharon Ryan

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An English Garden Overflowing With Elegance At The Seaside

You might want to pinch yourself because it doesn’t get dreamer than this coastal English garden-inspired soiree.  Dear Lovers both photographed and styled an affair filled with all things pretty. Organic details, floral prints, and a soothingly soft color palette have us begging for more.  Just wait till you see the floral design by ophelia floral co, who worked with natural paths of grass on the sand dunes to create an endlessly romantic aisle in the sand.  You’re going to love every magical moment of this endlessly romantic day, see it all in the full gallery.




From Dear Lovers… My heart has always had a soft spot for English gardens with English heritage and growing up in New Zealand. Trailing roses along stone walls, glistening with the dew from the early morning mist. There is truly nothing more magical or peaceful. Mix that with a love for the seaside and we couldn’t have dreamed up a prettier day. Straying from the more typical nautical design for a seaside wedding, we wanted to bring the garden feeling to the water, so we incorporated lots of floral prints, muted colors, and organic elements into the design. A refined palette of cream, gold, and french blue leant to the soft garden aesthetic, blending ocean and garden seamlessly. The incredible Sae of ophelia floral co brought in actual white rose bushes to plant in the sand dunes.  We worked with the natural paths made by the grasses scattered throughout the dunes to create a winding rose bush aisle that looked like it could have grown there, making for a spectacular organic walkway for our bride to meet her groom.



A vision in white, our sweet Dresden wore a Tulle-plissé corset gown with ruffle details at the neckline and oversized sleeves with button cuffs by the incredible Israeli designer Alon Livne. A pair of Loeffler Randall french blue heels were the perfect complement to the gown in matching tulle. We had a custom The Mrs. Box made with the same floral linens as we used for the tablescape, which tied together our bride’s getting-ready moments with their dinner reception. Michelle Renee Calligraphy designed an exquisite invitation suite, complete with custom floral wax seals. We lucked out with a rare foggy evening along the California coastline, perfectly bringing out English garden vision to life.



From Crowned Events… When our good friends Dear Lovers asked us to collaborate on a design concept in Morro Bay we were instantly inspired! The coastal setting surrounded by rolling sand dunes, natural grasses, and the iconic Morro Rock was the perfect space to create an intimate ceremony and dining space, nestled into the natural landscape.  Ophelia floral co created the most incredible winding rose aisle that seamlessly blended into the dunes and pre-existing foliage. She also designed a classically elegant white and green garden bouquet for our bride as well as a lush and textural centerpiece composed of varying white blooms and wispy grasses to complete our tablescape. A mix of vintage-inspired tableware rentals from Catalog Atelier was beautifully complimented by Michelle Renee Calligraphy‘s hand-lettered tabletop paper goods containing rounded edges and floral textile accents.



Floral Design: ophelia floral co | Wedding Gown: Alon Livne | Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Suit: J Crew | Beauty and Hair: Beauty Bespoken | Chairs: Adore Folklore | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Linens: Latavola Linen | Models: Dresden | Models: Cole Gill | Paper Goods & Custom Wax Seals: Michelle Renee Calligraphy | Photography & Styling: Dear Lovers | Planning & Design: Crowned Events | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Styling Boards: Chasing Stone | Tabletop: Catalog Atelier | Veil: The Veiled Beauty

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Elevated Elegance At Auberge du Soleil In Napa

The heart of wine country provides the perfect backdrop for this beautiful wedding day.  Filled with a classic color palette of crisp green and white, Parker Nichols Events and Design brought this couple’s wedding vision to life in the most wonderful of ways.  Floral design by Nancy Liu Chin is as stunning as the scenery, and the love and joy of the day shine in the imagery captured by Anya Kernes Photography.  You can visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.




From the bride… Tobi and I were so excited to plan our wedding, but we also knew that we did not have the time to plan a wedding that met both of our standards. So from the beginning of the planning process, we knew we would need a wedding planner. Tobi and I work in consulting/client service roles, and we are perfectionists. We knew that we wanted to have a smaller destination wedding, and we both agreed Napa was the perfect place! Napa was special to us because we went through a rough period while dating, and we took a trip to Napa to get back on the same page and focus on our relationship. It was the best trip we had as a couple before the wedding. We selected Auberge du Soleil because of the class, reputation, and breathtaking view. Frances’s statement to describe her personality is “overstated but understated,” and that is how we wanted the wedding to be—overstated in that it had a wow factor and understated in the classiness and simplicity of the decor. Auberge du Soleil had it all. An effortless breathtaking view and an exclusive romantic venue that we could design with a classic, feminine affair that was lux and romantic. We wanted things to feel sophisticated and effortlessly breathtaking.



On the wedding day, everything turned out better than we could imagine. We wanted a quality wedding, and we feel that everyone that knows us knows everything we do is well thought out and quality. Christina Nichols from Parker Nichols Events and Design helped us execute that vision, and I genuinely felt that the quality of the wedding reflected us as a couple. “The real deal,” no shortcuts. Christina Nichols went above and beyond to design a creative venue that exceeded our expectations. One of our favorite additions was the circular arch at the end of the aisle with a white floral installation. On the wedding day, Frances wore a satin, classic simple “understated” dress with a large bow at the back to give it that “overstated” look. Timeless, with straight cuts. Effortless, designed by Pnina Tornai. Frances paired her dress with a pair of crystal-studded Jimmy Choo sandals. Tobi wore a white satin Tom Ford tuxedo jacket paired with a bow tie, classic tuxedo pants, and black patent leather lace-up oxford shoes by Ermenegildo Zegna. The bridesmaids wore a blush dress with an elegant, classy, and effortless feel. The groomsmen wore a classic black tuxedo to align with the overall theme of the wedding (i.e., classic and sophisticated feel). One thing Tobi and I decided not to do was have a “first look.” We wanted the photos to catch our raw emotions when we walked down the aisle.



We wrote our vows which were so special. We went for original, sentimental, and funny vows. The best part of our wedding, outside of the emotions we felt when we walked down the aisle, were the speeches! The speeches by family and friends during the wedding reception were heartfelt, unique, and both tear-jerking and hilarious at the same time. An unforgettable special moment. We felt so loved during our speeches, and members of the staff even said that they see weddings every weekend, but there was truly something special about our wedding, which meant a lot to us! Additionally, the joy and energy in the room were incredible. Watching everyone genuinely have a great time is all a bride and groom wants for their wedding day! Our wedding day was the best day of our lives so far! The advice we have for couples currently planning a wedding is to hire a wedding planner (Christina is great), leave a cushion in your budget, and be sure to enjoy your wedding day and take it all in. It is truly a special time to have all of your close friends in one room, celebrating your love!



Photography: Anya Kernes | Event Planning: Parker Nichols Events and Design | Floral Design: Nancy Liu Chin | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: Jasmine Rae Cakes | Invitations: Elsa Madeline | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Vani Leon Beauty | Hair: Ninahwee Beauty Maker | Lighting: Got Light | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Transportation: Sonoma Sterling Limousines | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridal Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal | Engagement Ring Designer: Blue Nile | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Location: Auberge du Soleil | Music: Ryan Hernandez | Rentals: Theoni Collection | Styling Plates: Simple Things Ceramics | Styling Surface: Locust Collection | Weddings Rings: Gorman Jewelers

Timeless Romance At This Classic Green And White Wedding

This inspired classic green and white wedding will steal your heart.  Ruffles and Tweed planned a day that dazzles, and Flowers By Brian filled every moment with lush, fresh blooms. Amy Rizzuto Photography captured all the romance in elegant imagery that is sure to stand the test of time.  Visit the full gallery to fall in love.




From the bride… It was a beautiful summer day in 2011 and some mutual friends of ours were getting together to hang out in Central Park. Ryan was 16 and I was 15 years old. Once everyone in the group arrived and we were all mingling, Ryan and I both remember immediately sensing something special between us. The two of us trailed behind the pack for the rest of the day while talking and making each other laugh. From that moment on, we never stopped talking or laughing and got married the weekend of our 10 year anniversary.  We love to travel and Ryan proposed that we go to Prague and Amsterdam during Christmas time in 2018. On our first night of the trip, in Prague, we had a late and delicious dinner. On the walk back to our hotel over the Charles Bridge Ryan suggested we pause to take in the view. We were the only ones there since it was late and 20 degrees. I had my back to Ryan and when I turned around he was on one knee. I was so surprised and felt the whole world stop. Ryan knew Prague was a special place to my parents and especially to my mom who we lost in 2017. It was such an emotional, yet joyous experience and a moment neither of us will ever forget. We spent the rest of the trip on cloud 9 celebrating.



My vision for the wedding day was timeless, elegant, and romantic. I loved getting ready in my grandparent’s house with my closest friends and family, the car ride to the church with my dad, our first dance, listening to the speeches, and seeing all of our friends and family happy and together.



If I had any advice for future brides, it would be to stay true to yourself and your wedding vision, treat your partner like your teammate always, but especially throughout the whole planning process, and be present on your wedding day.



Photography: Amy Rizzuto Photography | Cinematography: Michael Justin Studios | Event Planning: Adrienne O'Connor of Ruffles and Tweed | Floral Design: Flowers By Brian | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Wedding Dress: Wedding Salon Of Manhasset | Cake: Leonetti Pastry Shop | Invitations: Ipanema Press | Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church | Reception Venue: North Hempstead Country Club | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Fame And Partners | Band: Atomic Funk Project | Beauty: Anna Naso | Beauty: Mervat

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Why You Need These REAL Booze-Free Cocktails From Curious Elixirs At Your Wedding

Now, more than ever before, couples are putting the emphasis on guest experience when planning their weddings. That means thinking through everything from travel and transportation and anticipating their guests’ wants and needs to ensure that everyone leaves with some incredible memories that they can cherish for years to come. Let’s face it, when you think of a good time, your mind immediately goes to good food, good company, and of course, good drinks. Chances are you have your wine list picked and your custom cocktails crafted by a renowned mixologist, but what do your booze-free options look like? If you were just planning on going with whatever soda comes with the open bar package, we’ve caught you just in time to prevent a terrible mistake. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of couples completely forget to consider their sober or “sober curious” friends when they are planning their bar menu. Or, perhaps, like a lot of people, you simply didn’t know there was an alternative to club soda and sparkling cider. Thankfully, there is a brand that crafts unique booze-free cocktails that all of your guests can enjoy, Curious Elixirs!

WHO’S IT FOR?

First, let’s talk about who these Curious Elixirs are for. There are a lot of different reasons that your guests may be opting to go booze-free at your wedding.

 

Designated Drivers

Some guests may be sober because of a lifestyle choice. But, another huge group that needs to be taken into consideration is the number of guests that have signed up to be DDs for the night. Not only will they feel more seen and appreciated by you offering a real cocktail that they can enjoy, they will be less tempted to stray from their responsibilities.

 

Sober & Sober Curious

As people learn more about their health and the negative effects of alcohol on the body, more and more people are turning to a sober lifestyle. Whether that means avoiding alcohol entirely or just limiting their weekly intake, it’s nice to have a sophisticated cocktail option to offer these guests so they can join in on the fun.

 

Pregnant Guests Or Guests With Other Medical Conditions

There are usually a few pregnant guests at every wedding, and for them, watching everyone enjoy their wine and cocktails and dance the night away can be hard. It’s easy for these guests to get FOMO. But, even though a drink isn’t alcoholic, doesn’t necessarily make it safe for pregnant people. Thankfully, Curious Elixirs has already thought of it all and they even have a list of which cocktails pregnant guests should avoid and which cocktails do not contain ingredients listed as foods to avoid while pregnant by the FDA.

 

SPARKLING CIDER AND CLUB SODA DON’T QUITE CUT IT

If you’ve ever had to say no to booze at a celebration, then you know the feeling of watching everyone else get their cute custom cocktails in their special glasses with their fun-shaped ice cubes and garnishes while you’re stuck sipping club soda from a water glass. Not so fun, right? There’s something about the ritual of having a real cocktail–the complex flavors that allow you to sip it slow, the pretty presentation. Just because your sober guests don’t want the booze doesn’t mean they want to be left out of the rest of the experience. Not only does Curious Elixirs offer cocktails with incredible unique flavors crafted by world-class bartenders, herbalists, and food scientists, each cocktail is infused with adaptogens that can help your guests get that chill vibe without the hangover the next day. So remember, when you’re stocking your bar, sparkling cider and club soda don’t quite cut it, make sure your sober guests can get in on the celebration with a real cocktail.

 

GARNISH AND GO

Not only will your guests thank you, your bartenders will love Curious Elixirs too! Each cocktail comes in stylish bottles or cans for a more laid-back cocktail hour presentation or can be poured into a cocktail glass and jazzed up with a garnish of your choice. Whatever presentation you decide on, these “garnish and go” cocktails will significantly cut your guests’ wait time at the bar and free up more time for the dancefloor!

 

A COCKTAIL THAT’S ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU!

Oh, and did we mention that Curious Elixirs are not just booze-free, they’re actually good for you! Each cocktail is made with organic ingredients and has no refined sugars, so no post-wedding hangover (can you even?)! And the antigens that we mentioned before “bolster the body using the mysterious properties of plants–from an ancient botanical that increases serotonin and dopamine precursors, to another that increases circulation and was used in Mayan culture as an aphrodisiac.” Even if you aren’t planning on going booze-free on your wedding day, these babies are shelf-stable for up to one year, so keep the leftovers (if you have any) and sub them for your usual nightcap and wake feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

 

A FEW OF OUR FAVES

All of the cocktails from Curious Elixirs have something special to bring to the table, but here are some of our favorites inspired by classic cocktails that are sure to be crowd-pleasers on your big day!

 

No. 1

When you’re ready to get the party started, it’s time to break out the rhodiola-infused No. 1 that’s a booze-free pomegranate twist on the classic Negroni. Serve in a cut crystal glass with a decorative orange peel garnish.

 

No. 4

The No.4 is a non-alcoholic riff on an Aperol Spritz. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for an outdoor cocktail hour on a steamy summer day! Serve over ice and garnish with an orange slice and you’re golden.

 

No. 3

The No. 3 is a booze-free cucumber collins that gives us some major Derby vibes. Have your bartender muddle some cucumber slices at the bottom of the glass and garnish with a sprig of mint. 

 

Getting married now? It’s not too late, you can order cases directly through their website and they ship in 3-5 business days!

 

Follow @CuriousElixirs On Instagram For First Dibs On New Limited Releases

 

 

Photography: Brooke Nash Photography | Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Curious Elixirs

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Bourbon And Blush Intimate Wedding Inspiration

We love an intimate affair.  A smaller wedding presents the opportunity to fill the day with special touches, and focus on what matters most- being surrounded by the people you love.  For this inspiration shoot, Peninsula Events planned an idealized day for real-life couple Owen and Josh featuring lots of cute cameos from their oh-so-adorable son Leo.  The couple’s favorite things from local custom bottles of bourbon to their love of the Lowcountry helped to shape the vision, and The Happy Bloom captured every meaningful moment perfectly in their elegant imagery.  Sophisticated florals from Petaloso help to bring Owen and Josh’s love story to life.  You’ll love every dapper detail inside the full gallery.




From The Happy Bloom… Over the past few years, intimate weddings have really been the heart of the wedding industry. And I really hope this “trend” is here to stay. Real-life married couple Owen and Josh (and their adorable son Leo) were the true inspiration behind this shoot. We sat back and thought – how would these two celebrate their wedding in 2022. Lowndes Grove – known for celebrating weddings of over 200 – was the backdrop but how would this space be utilized for a more intimate affair? By scaling down the numbers, we were able to create some incredible personable details for these two. Local custom bottles of bourbon create a wonderful takeaway for guests AND allow them to find their seat at the reception. While the usual reception space at the venue is a large tented area – this wedding was able to utilize the gorgeous lawn and the sweeping oak trees as their dinner backdrop; NOT a bad trade out! We really wanted to capture the essence of an intimate wedding by putting family at the forefront. Having Leo there – right in the middle – was a must! 



From Peninsula Events… Very early on in the planning process, I always ask my clients to tell me about their everyday lives. From a slow, Sunday morning at home, to a wild night out on the town with friends, I ask them to describe the things in life that bring them the most joy, and from there, start building a design concept off of it. I always strive for my couples to feel like when they arrive at the venue on their wedding day, every detail (from the color palette to the vendor team) is an extension and a true reflection of themselves as individuals and also as part of a dynamic partnership.  When it came to Josh and Owen, their love for one another, their families, and the Lowcountry became the foundation for their intimate celebration. We created custom wood tags for the local whiskey that served as both place cards and favors for guests to take home, and also drizzled their favorite local honey over their hors d’oeuvres. These small, yet important touches of local Charleston flair enhanced their event and overall guest experience! What more could you want in your big day!



No matter the size, all weddings really involve the same planning process from start to finish, so I think it is really important for couples to be on the same page from the very beginning when it comes to their event priorities – like guest count, location, budget, etc. With a more intimate gathering, it allows creative or logistical elements, that may not have fit in with a larger event, to take place. So be daring and think out of the box – as long as the details of the day are intentional and authentic to you and your partner, I say go for it!



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Photography: Justin Leon Brown (formerly The Happy Bloom) | Videography: Dock House Digital | Event Planning: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Floral Design: Petaloso | Catering: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Historic Home: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Paper Goods: Prairie & Sage | Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals | Rentals: Ooh! EventHaus