I gush about Laura Leslie Photography on the Style Me Pretty Florida blog all the time.  Well, Georgia, you are just as lucky as the sunshine state because, though the lovely Laura has no problem crossing state lines, she is actually based part-time in Atlanta! This sweet as a peach engagement session is a delicious example of the dreamy and romantic images that come from this talented shutterbug.  See them all in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Laura Leslie Photography…Carl and Taylor picked “The Inn at Serenbe” in Georgia for their session. It’s a farm nested in a rural country town with a farmhouse, barns, goats, chickens, lambs, horses and an organic vegetable garden. They brought their 3-year-old puppy Macy along and we also brought bubbles to play with.

We added a few Georgia props to the session such as Georgia peaches and sweet peach tea. And Carl brought handmade bowls that he made for his bride-to-be. It was a Georgia Peachy kinda day!

Photography: Laura Leslie Photography / Location: The Inn at Serenbe

The other local blog lovers in New York, Australia and Georgia have had their chance at inspiring us pretty with their board building skills, and now it’s your turn Illinois! We are borderline obsessed with our Inspiration Board Builder, and we look for just about any chance we can to play around with all the pretty images on SMP. It never hurts to day dream a bit right? So day dream we shall, and today I’m dreaming of an eclectic Chicago chic wedding (go with me on this one…) with loads of style and lots of spunk. Think modern meets whimsy meets a classic good time. What do you think? Well it’s your turn to show me your dream Illinois wedding – just whip up a pretty little board (or whip up five pretty little boards – we don’t judge) using our Inspiration Board Builder, TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty ILLINOIS, and we’ll pick a winner next week!

So what do you think of eclectic Chicago chic? What does your Illinois affair look like? I want to see! So be sure to use the new board builder and TAG your board Inspire Me Pretty ILLINOIS so we can easily find your masterpiece.  I’ll announce the winner next week!

A spring wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with big, fluffy flowers around every corner just seems like a dream to me. A sensory overload of fabulous, so to speak. After feasting my eyes on the gorgeous group of photos by Joshua Zuckerman, it’s obvious that this wedding will most definitely appease your sense of sight. Then there are the shoes. Hand died and accessorized by the bride – which makes my sense of shoes heighten to great extremes. The entire affair is a smorgasbord of fabulous for the senses, and there is so much more to devour in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Joshua Zuckerman Photography…Laura and Mike were married on a perfect spring day in May. Their wedding was a joy to photograph, not only because the couple were awesome to work with, but also because their wedding was full of warmth and energy. The couple’s marriage took place on the bucolic grounds of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on the gorgeous cherry esplanade. They had wanted an outdoor wedding and the afternoon ceremony followed by cocktails on the lily pond plaza allowed them and their guests to enjoy the full beauty of the gardens in bloom.  The Palm room, decorated all in white with pops of color from the flowers, made a lush and elegant setting for the reception.

The flowers, a reflection of the diversity of the garden’s colors, were a rich array of pinks, purples, orange and yellow. The bride’s turquoise shoes, which she cleverly made herself with dye and a clip on pearl earring, carried through the colorful theme. The turquoise accent showed up in the details including the flowers on the cake (and the Tiffany ring boxes!). The couple, both musicians, enlisted a friend to DJ. The music was awesome and everyone had a blast, especially Laura and Mike. The photos captured the spirit of the party and the candid expressions of true love between the couple.

Wedding Photography: Joshua Zuckerman Photography / Hair: Nikki Flaming / Make-up: Kristen Thérèse / Floral Design: Opalia Flowers / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Groom’s Suit, Groomsmen + Bridesmaid Attire: J.Crew / Bride’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Rings: Tiffany & Co. / DJ: Mandy Graves of 74 Events / Caterer: Newman & Leventhal / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Chuppah: Four Branches / Custom Jacket + Alterations (including changing the wedding dress to a short cocktail dress after): Jean Kormos of Ghost Tailor / Veil: Sister of the Bride / Venue: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This wedding is so super sweet and filled to the brim with adorable details that I could literally go on and on for the entire morning I think. From the beautiful bride’s lace dress to the simple but totally steal worthy seating chart complete with baker’s twine to the cute-as-can-be centerpieces with baby’s breath and lace. Kat Braman Photography was there to capture the many details along with Cabana Pictures who set it all to motion in a sweet film, not to be missed, below. For even more, click here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

And don’t even think about skipping this beyond adorable film by Cabana Pictures, you’ll love it!

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From Cabana Pictures…A little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.  A sweet couple keeping it simple with tons of details.  It was infused with their personality from top to bottom.  Handing out Elvis sunglasses, a wall of pictures full of memories, and asking guests to sign a fingerprint tree!

Wedding Cinematography: Cabana Pictures / Wedding Photography: Kat Braman Photography / Photo Booth: Shutter Box / DJ: Kenny Mondo / Mini Cupcakes: DD’s Cupcake Shoppe / Rentals: Special Occasions and Events / Caterer: Cowboys BBQ and Steak Company / Hair + Make-up: Amanda Lynn & Co. Salon / Flowers: Flower Petals / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Venue: Quail Creek Plantation

We are celebrating Labor Day the only way we know how – with a big dose of lovely inspiration. And talk about a knock out. This photo shoot is taking rustic to a new level of California cool as seen through the lens of Diandra Ann Photography. From beach picnic to gorgeous succulent-infused tablescape, the ladies at Beauty and the Beach crafted their hearts out with this one and we are eating it up one fabulous detail at a time. From the pretty, pretty florals by Natural Charms Flowers, right down to the delicious dessert spread by Sweet Cream Bake Shop, you can see it all here in the full gallery! Happy Labor Day!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Beauty and the Beach…I was inspired by the idea of a wedding being a maiden voyage. The concept paired perfectly with our coastal and historical venue The Casino San Clemente. The ocean air has a way of adding patina to everything it touches, that patina provided the broad range of colors we used. There were nods to travel sprinkled throughout the shoot, but we didn’t want the focus to be there. Whether it was an old book, antique silverware, lanterns or a funny little fish it was important that every detail feel like it could be a travel memento.  The style became a wonderful combination of old and new, rustic and elegant.

We collected vintage silver serving pieces and beautifully aged urns to use for the breathtaking florals by Natural Charms. Neallie of Vatne Designs created one of a kind jewelry and accessories sprinkled throughout the shoot. We even dreamt up a boutonniere pin for our groom reminiscent of an antique tie clip or pocket watch.  We collaborated with Sweet Cream Bake Shop to design the beautiful and delicious dessert table. The coconut cake-pops are to die for! Bitsy events crafted a lovely invitation suite that evokes a sense of vintage charm. Hair and makeup was impeccably styled by Beauty and the Beach.

This shoot is full of details highlighted beautifully by Diandra Ann Photography. It was truly a pleasure to work with such a talented team of vendors, thank you so much for helping set this maiden voyage in motion!

Styling: Heather Puhek of Beauty and the Beach / Make-up: Katie Vollmer of Beauty and the Beach / Hair: Katie Vollmer + Heather Puhek of Beauty and the Beach / Photography: Diandra Ann Photography / Venue: Casino San Clemente / Accessories: VATNE Designs / Floral Design: Rebecca Salimpour of Natural Charms Flowers / Sweets: Lisa Lowe of Sweet Cream Bake Shop / Invitation Suite: Bitsy Events / Newlywed Models: Anna & Travis

I couldn’t help but take a quick break from my Labor Day festivities to share with all of you this sweet-as-can-be e-session by I Love Wednesdays. I mean, really…How cute can this couple get? I love their sense of fashion and the way they look at each other and embrace. It’s really, really, really, adorable and has totally put a big smile on my face on this rainy, cold morning. Click here for even more beautiful images.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From I Love Wednesdays…Gem and Dunc are truly two peas in a pod. I remember first meeting them and just knowing that they were perfect for each other. They compliment each other so perfectly that even their clothes coordinate without them knowing what the other is wearing. The way that they look at each other and the way they embrace is just so loving, so complete, that I really dare anyone to look at the two of them together and not feel that emotion warming your heart.

Gem is also a little bit of a scrabble fanatic, so we had to work that in to the shoot in some way through their very cute scrabble mugs. Though I have to say that she was slightly disappointed that G wasn’t more points than the D.

Photography: I Love Wednesdays / Make-up: Sandra Glynn

For those of you stateside, we thought you could use a little inspiration on your day off from laboring in the form of a fairy tale photo shoot. And we couldn’t forgot all of you outside the U. S. of A looking for pretty things that keep you chugging along on a Monday. Lucky for us eph*ra event design and Corina V. Photography placed this gorgeous photo shoot in our laps for everyone to enjoy! It’s a fairy tale of a photo shoot, and there is even more in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Corina V. Photography…The “Faraway Tree” – an English children’s story book by Enid Blyton. The magic of the forest and a child’s imagination of a wedding in the wood inspired our vision. Two childhood playmates become husband and wife as they return to the forest of their youth. Inspired by the magic of pixies, fairies and the charm of mushrooms and moss, we created a whimsical, chic and ethereal event.

The invitation set the tone in a chocolate brown silk gatefold box with the printed wood invitation nestled snugly on a bed of moss. The menu, table numbers and place cards were printed on paper-thin natural wood, and cut into a beautiful contemporary shape. The dining table nestled near a stone wall, was layered in texture and colours reminiscent of an enchanted forest. Chiavari chairs, white sheers and chandeliers swaying gently in the breeze were elegant and in perfect balance. Peacock chargers were the foundation for each setting.  The plates were bright blue and green, while the stemware, candles and centerpieces grounded the look with an earthy feel.  Centerpieces of various heights, textures and composition were made up of traditional flowers, moss, grasses and hens & chickens.  Whimsical and unique details were interspersed on the table, such as tiny crystal owls, pixies, birds, books and mushrooms. We pulled all the elements together at the cake table and created a feast for the senses. The cake was whimsy perfected with delicate meringue mushrooms, flowers and ferns.  No detail was forgotten with tiny mushrooms, butterflies and bees on even the cupcakes and cookies. A moss-covered ladder displayed the cupcakes and glass cloches were scattered on the table alongside a row of little birds eyeing the cookies.

The ceremony was set under a row of trees that created a natural canopy.  Big mushrooms and owls saw the bride down the aisle to her waiting groom.  The altar was kept simple with a variety of vases to house the flowers, feathers and twigs. Birch disks were stacked to give height and interest.  A frog-prince sat comfortably on the nearby bench beside baskets of ceremony programs rolled and tied with twine and a darling button. A fabulous collaboration of talented vendors made this fairy tale of an event come to life.

Photography: Corina V. Photography / Concept Design + Event Styling: eph*ra event design / Stationery: Hip Ink / Make-up + Hair: Olivia Ha / Gowns: Max Chaoul Couture + Alfred Sung via Sweet Seraphine / Cakes + Cookies: Two Enjoy / Floral Decor: Sticks & Stems Floral Studio / Chairs: Pat’s Party Rentals / Venue: Paletta Mansion / Models: Roxanne Woudberg + Conor Stephen

This Austin bridal session by Urban Grey Photography is such a sweet way to honor both the past and the future.  The absolutely breathtaking bride brought in a collection of antiques and sentimental props that had belonged to her grandparents.   The vintage elements paired with one of my favorite Nicole Miller gowns and wild florals by STEMS Floral gives it a fresh, whimsical vibe.  Bridal sessions are such a fun way to get some more quality time with your wedding dress and really let your personality shine.  This one is the perfect reflection of that. See all the details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Urban Grey Photography…Jessica, the bride, loves vintage details. She wanted to incorporate a few into her bridal session. I had been eyeing a few fields in Austin, and thought the combination of the vintage details would be gorgeous. I wanted to take these artifacts and set up a scene with the props. This would be a big contradiction of two things that didn’t really belong together.

We began in a hay field, where a series of hay bales were haphazardly placed. We simply incorporated the first of the props (her grandfather’s luggage) into this part of the session. I simply wanted Jessica and the location to pop out. Her gorgeous deep red lipstick really popped out.  The next location was an abandoned field that we set up right at sunset.  This is where we went wild setting up the remaining props. The props Jessica brought along were not just ordinary props that she collected at antique stores. The luggage was her great-grandfathers. The hats were her grandmother and mom’s, as well as the original hat boxes. She took pieces of jewelry from her grandmother and added them to her shoes. The wooden chair was her great-aunt’s chair that she and her husband, Will, would be using in their first home together. All the tiny jars, vases, and coffee mugs were collected for table decorations at their wedding. The lanterns were going to hang overhead at their wedding ceremony.  Every single detail had a special meaning.

Abby of STEMS Floral created the perfect finishing touch for the bridal session. I wrote her an email detailing our session and she completely went beyond my expectations. My jaw dropped when I saw the gorgeous vintage-inspired bouquet she had hand crafted for Jessica. She gave us all the remaining flowers to fill the cups, jars, and vases with to complete the look.

From the Bride…The inspiration for this shoot came from some old suitcases and a hat. Because my grandparents passed away when I was young, I knew I wanted to incorporate some of their old things in this session. I used my grandfather’s vintage suitcases and my grandmother’s stunning hats (the black hat is my favorite!).  The vintage, warm, romantic feel is exactly what I dreamed of for my wedding, so I was ecstatic about this bridal session with Magan.  When I look at these photos I can’t help but smile. I couldn’t have dreamed of photos better than these. They bring out my personality, expressions, style, and of course the beauty of everything bridal. I like to imagine what my grandparents would think if they could see them, and I know they would be grinning from ear to ear.

Photography: Urban Grey Photography / Floral Designer: Abby of STEMS Floral

I am just going to jump right in and say it.  This wedding is perfection.  Yes, these Lake Tahoe nuptials by Catherine Hall Studios are ABSOLUTELY perfect, complete with billy balls, balloons and an oh-so-talented (and uber-stunning) bride, who also happens to be the brilliant designer behind the entire affair, right down to the invitations.  Seriously.  Amazing.  And with a breathtaking location, some gorgeous blooms by Bellissima Floral and one of the most beautiful wedding gowns I have ever seen, I am completely enchanted by each and every moment.  I can think of no better way to spend the day than surrounded by all of this lovely.  Join me, won’t you?

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Charlie and I met while at school in Boulder at University of Colorado. I was introduced to him briefly at a house party and just started wondering about him. He was different and I was smitten. I wanted to ask him out but I just didn’t see him around for the longest time. Eventually I found out that he spent that winter term skiing in Europe. When he got back, a mutual friend ended up connecting us again. We met up at an after party for a ski movie premier in 2001, I asked him out, and we have been together ever since. After university we moved to Lake Tahoe together to rock climb and ski. After living there on the north shore for 6 years together we finally decided to make it official. We got engaged on New Year’s Eve 2008.

Although Tahoe weddings are typically very lake focused, the woods and trails surrounding the lake were really where Charlie and I spent the most time together. This venue, the Tahoe City Nordic Center, was literally our back yard for the majority of the time we lived in Tahoe. Our house backed up to this clearing, which is the beginning of the trail systems for the Nordic Center, and we ran and biked amongst these trees countless times. The golden colors during the late summer and the tall grasses beneath the trees were perfect. September is my favorite time of year in Tahoe. Plus, I always had a fascination with the totem pole that was there! It is a very special place for us to this day.

I love looking through old photographs. I love colors that are sun bleached. And I love balloons. I am an architect and graphic designer, so the placement of the perfectly round, giant balloons within the natural setting was really important to me. Charlie and I placed the most importance on our venue and the people we wanted at our wedding and we wanted it to truly be fun. To have the flavor of a carnival without getting too kitschy. We didn’t want to make it over the top… since the setting was so amazing on its own. Friends, balloons, stripes, brass animals and a few pennant flags were all we needed. And there would have been no way I could have narrowed my colors down to just one or two. I had to have them all!

We are very much our own couple, so we wanted to make the day our own unique experience. We wrote our own vows and had our friend marry us. I did wear a pair of earrings that my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother had all worn for special occasions. Charlie and I compiled our favorite pictures from past family weddings and set them out. Instead of a cake, we had a beautiful assortment of individual pastries from the Tahoe House, a Swiss bakery in Tahoe City that is Charlie’s favorite place to get coffee and sweets. But maybe the best part of our day was the dance party. We had our first dance to The Shin’s New Slang and there was no cheesy wedding music played. Our friend and master DJ Eric Messier put together a playlist that literally no one could sit down to. The floor was packed all night until we had to turn off the lights. It was magical.

My most vivid memory is literally the light. The golden light of that day just signaled such wonderful things to come for us. The balloons dancing in the wind and the grasses swaying. And Charlie. He is so handsome and is truly my soul mate. I remember holding his hand and walking into the reception area and just feeling so much love surrounding us. Charlie and I both agree that it was the best day of our lives.

Wedding Photography: Catherine Hall of Catherine Hall Studios / Floral Design: Sara Spurlock of Bellissima Floral / Wedding Coordination: Anya Miller-Berg (The Bride) / Wedding Invitation Designer: Anya Miller-Berg (The Bride) / Catering: Mountain Magic Catering / Wedding Cake: Tahoe House Bakery / Wedding Gown: Cymbeline / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew (Styled by Anya Miller-Berg) / Wedding Venue: Tahoe City Nordic Center / Hair: Laura Seegmiller / Jewelry: J.Crew + Family

Happy Labor Day LBBers! I hope it’s time for a quick break from your summer celebrations, because boy is it worth it. The fantastic floral and event designers at Bea & Company sent this charming wedding our way all the way from Maine, and I am in love. It’s the perfect mix of Americana Summer and Classic Chic for your holiday (and it even took place over Labor Day Weekend last year!). Every single image from Emilie Inc. has me giddy. Seriously. Every single one. When you’re ready, click here for even more. You’ll be so glad you put down your hotdog for just a few minutes.

Just days after our engagement, Joe brought me to Paris Hill, Maine for the first time to spend the Fourth of July holiday with his immediate and extended family. I knew that Fourth of July was Joe’s favorite holiday, but I did not fully grasp why until I went to Paris Hill that year and partook in the fantastic Brooks family annual celebration. What I saw when I got there was a pristinely beautiful setting filled with people who went out of their way to create family togetherness, preserve tradition and honor history.

Paris Hill is like a time capsule. An historic township, the beautifully preserved buildings are centered around the open, grassy Common. The landmarks are simply the church (built in 1803), the courthouse, the old jail, jailer’s house, registry, and the old Paris Hill Academy. You can’t help but feel transported back in time when you’re there. The Hill is set against the backdrop of a spectacular view of the White Mountains. The physical beauty of the place is trumped only by the family traditions that made the visit truly visceral for me. From the family softball game played in vintage baseball jerseys to the lobster dinner in the barn, I fell in love with Paris Hill and the deeply rooted family traditions that my fiancé’s family was bringing to life. Paris Hill is slice of pure Americana, so few places could be more apropos of celebrating the Fourth of July. It also turned out to be the perfect setting for our wedding…

On the plane ride back to California, as I watched the tiny islands off Portland fade into the distance, I leaned over and asked Joe if he ever thought of having our wedding in Paris Hill. A broad grin swept over his face and I knew that’s where we would be exchanging our vows. Joe had assumed I would want to get married in Laguna Beach, where my family lives. Laguna would be a no-brainer because of the natural beauty combined with my family’s history; but Paris Hill just felt right. Not only was it such a special piece of Joe’s family history, but his Grandmother lived steps from church! From that day on, we began what would become one of the most fun projects I’ve ever been part of. Because we had such a wonderful, authentic setting, all we really had to do was not mess it up by trying to get too fancy or overdo it. We knew that we wanted a rustic, understated, elegant affair that was all about family, but the challenge was how, from 3,000 miles away, we would find someone who could understand what Paris Hill meant to us and execute our vision.

Joe was a fantastic partner in the wedding planning because he wanted to be involved in everything and helped with all aspects. In fact, he is the one who found our AMAZING wedding planner, Sandy Shapiro-Hurt, founder of Bea & Company in Portland, Maine. Once we were in her hands, it was smooth sailing. During the first of many phone planning sessions to come, we told Sandy we wanted our wedding to have the feel of “Anthropologie meets rustic Maine.” She knew exactly what we were saying. We did only one wedding planning trip, and Sandy helped us do a one-stop shop that weekend. We went to her house to do the tasting with our caterer, Chi Chi Chef, and the moment I walked into her house I knew we had chosen the perfect person to design our wedding. The aesthetic and décor in her house was exactly what we wanted at our wedding and from that moment on, I knew we were in good hands. She listened carefully to what we ruminated on and helped us pull together all the elements that would create the perfect celebration for us. One of our best resources we used for accents was etsy.com, on which we relied heavily for those random custom items (wooden signs, vintage candy jars, table and name cards, etc.).

We were married over Labor Day weekend, and when we deplaned in Portland, our spoiled Southern California senses were hit with a wall of heat and dense humidity. In addition to the heat, we had the looming threat of Hurricane Earl that we heard was causing last minute location changes to weddings all along Maine’s coastal areas. I could hear my family and friends whisper about the weekend forecast, doing their best to insulate me from worrying about it. Despite the imminent wrath of Earl, we managed to stay calm and optimistic over in Western Maine. The night before the wedding, it began to rain torrentially just as the last guests dispersed from the rehearsal dinner, and that had us a little worried. Luckily, I awoke the next morning to my sister excitedly pulling the drapes in my room apart to reveal blue skies and news that the hurricane had passed us overnight. And in fact, the storm had lifted the unbearable heat and humidity and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! Another thing the morning revealed for me was that my sisters surprised me with hand-made programs for the ceremony. They used vintage paper and apparently it was quite the undertaking, and even caused them to have to pull an all-nighter the previous week to finish them!

Our wedding day was perfect and I still savor every detail to this day. Sandy took our vision and elevated it to a level Joe and I never imagined possible. The wedding was designed to be a procession from the church to the cocktail hour and finally to the Paris Hill Academy for the reception, all located on the same winding road. It all unfolded gorgeously as I had hoped. On the advice of my best friend and maid-of-honor, Stephanie, I was adamant that we take a group shot of everyone immediately after the ceremony. That is one thing I truly recommend if possible. There is something so American Gothic about those shots.

At the backyard cocktail hour held at Joe’s cousin’s home, guests sipped prosecco with a single blueberry and local beer, while the bluegrass band played at the edge of the lawn. Our reception was held in an antique building that was formerly the Paris Hill Academy. Multi-colored dahlias of all sizes were arranged delicately in vintage glass bottles, along with several other rustic accents. The ambience was simple and reflected the relaxed elegance of Paris Hill. We dined on an Italian-inspired menu (Joe’s favorite) served family-style (my favorite). We wanted people to pass and share food, and refill their wine glasses from bottles open on the table. We had a delicious red velvet wedding cake, as well as homemade whoopee pies, but guests went crazy for the candy buffet (go figure!). We danced late into the night to the Beatles and Elvis, as sleepy kids went home one by one (unless, that is, they fell asleep on the benches that lined the dance floor, and allowed their parents to sneak a few more songs in ). Being surrounded by our families and closest friends in a place so special to us – I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.

Photography: Emilie Inc. / Flowers: Bea & Company / Event Design: Bea & Company / Event Planning: Bea & Company / Ceremony Location: First Baptist Church / Reception Location: Paris Hills Academy / Catering: The Chichi Chef / Wedding Cake: Two Fat Cats / Make-up & Hair: Lisa Satorn, Ken Paves Salon/ Stationery: Maida Vale / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang via Saks Fifth Ave / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Shoes: Calvin Klien / Groom Attire: Hugo Boss, Brioni / Groomsmen Attire: Burberry / Bridesmaid Dress: Lela Rose via Bella Bridesmaids / Engagement Ring + Wedding Band: Tiffany & Co. / Bride’s Earrings & Necklace: Joy Baxt Collection

There’s just something about a traditional wedding, with the grand dress and the ballroom reception, that sends my heart all a flutter.  And this Chicago stunner by Artisan Events, Inc. is the kind of soiree that sends my heart racing AND leaves me completely speechless.  It’s true.  From the beautiful ceremony and reception locations to the fabulous florals and lighting by Kehoe Designs to those sweet as can be flower girls, these nuptials are as fairytale-esque as they come.  All planned to complete perfection by Bliss Weddings and Events, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that we have an entire afternoon to bask in all of this gorgeous.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… Because we did most of our planning from abroad, I relied heavily on my wedding planner Renny from Bliss Weddings and Events.  We made important decisions from the reception venue to the band to the photographer strictly from looking at their websites.  Our full trust was given to Renny and boy did she nail it.  We absolutely loved all of our vendors.

The style of our wedding was a romantic, grand, old elegance feel with a touch of our world travels.  I enjoy soft colors and romantic flowers like peonies, along with soft draping and uplighting to attain that elegant feel.  Cornflower blue with hints of soft pink coupled with shades of ivory and champagne was the color scheme.

Because we met and fell in love in Chicago, we both knew we wanted an urban wedding.  An outdoor element was also desired.  That proved to be difficult to find in such a large city.  Ultimately we decided to have our ceremony within Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square.  I was a bit apprehensive about this ceremony venue knowing it would draw large crowds and be very noisy.  It ended up being one of my favorite parts.  From the moment we saw pictures of the Chicago Cultural Center, we knew it would be our reception venue.  After waiting patiently, a weekend in June opened up!  It was the perfect location and fit my elegant wedding vision perfectly.  The Tiffany Dome, which is the largest in the world, really made an impression.

Kehoe Events couldn’t have applied my vision for our reception any better.  The Chicago Cultural Center dripped with romance.  Candles everywhere, mirrors on tables that made a beautiful reflection and an abundance of flowers that finished off the look.  It took my breath away.  The cake was not only beautiful but also tasty.  Our guests raved about the food from Blue Plate Catering.  Hors d’oeuvres were samples of some of our favorite foods from India, SE Asia and Argentina among others.  Indigo rocked having had our guests on the dance floor until the clock struck midnight.  Our photographer, Amanda Sudimack and company from Artisan Events and our videographer, I do Films were both a joy to work with and they captured all the special moments from our Big Day.

A very unique and touching moment was a tribute to my mother.  Wanting to get her a special gift as an outward sign of what she means to me, a song writer was hired to write an original song for my mom.  Jeff Meegan wrote the most amazing song for her and even performed it at our wedding.  My mom was speechless and there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

It was truly our dream wedding.

Wedding Photography: Amanda Sudimack of Artisan Events, Inc. / Wedding Planning: Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events / Wedding Ceremony Location: Wrigley Square – Millenium Park / Wedding Reception Location: Chicago Cultural Center / Hair & Makeup: Beauty on Call / Wedding Cake: take the cake / Floral Design & Lighting: Kehoe Designs / Catering: Blue Plate / Band: Indigo / Videography: I Do Films / Paper Goods: Cheree Berry Paper

Folks, I just want to stare at your boards all the live long day! Let’s keep this board building party going – keep tagging your boards Inspire Me Pretty Georgia, and your board will still be in the running for the next Inspire Me Pretty contest. Y’all created sooo many pretties they all need to stay in contention! But for this go round – we do have a winner…drum roll please…Congratulations Jennifer! Thanks to your board, Georgia will be on my mind for the rest of the day!

We interrupt scheduled Labor Day festivities to bring you a little burst of pretty on this day of last summer hurrahs. Before you head off to bask in the sun and fill up on grilled delicacies, feast your eyes on this urban meets modern inspiration photographed by Continuum Photography. It is reminiscent of a lovely European city backdrop mixed with modern details that pair together quite beautifully. Plus it’s boasting an awesome team of vendors including design and coordination by Gather Event Planning and Consultation, florals and styling by Petalos Floral Design and the yummiest of paper goods by Paper Bloom. Get your inspiration on with more from this urban shoot in the full gallery!

see the full shoot here!

From Paper Bloom… This photo shoot took place at the historic West End Theater, a beautiful event venue located in downtown Portland. The vendors who collaborated on this shoot were inspired by the venue’s outdoor alley that closely resembles an alley you might find when wandering the streets of Italy. In order to best utilize the narrow space, small vignettes were created to accentuate the intimate setting and color palette.

For a modern twist, the use of plexiglass was incorporated for invitations, signage and a guest book. Test tubes with roses adorned one of the alley walls, giving an otherwise plain space an instant elegance. To add prominence to the white textiles, they were silk screened with the same font used for the plexiglass pieces. The bride and groom table was kept simple, and patterned after an Italian café table, while the hors d’oeuvres table was set abundantly with fruits and cheeses. The favors table offered a pairing of olive oil and vinegar, and fresh baguettes – a classic favorite!

The bride and groom featured are a real couple, that were married a couple of years ago in her homeland of Bulgaria, where they met and fell in love while he was serving there for the Peace Corps. Their wedding celebration in Bulgaria did not include a photographer, so this was a wonderful opportunity to give them photos. Much like their own wedding, the couple wore formalwear that complimented their personal style. For an extra touch of Italian inspiration, the couple posed with a vintage-style scooter.

Location: The West End Theater / Coordination & Styling: Gather Event Planning and Consultation / Florals & Styling: Petalos Floral Design / Photography: Continuum Photography / Dress & Accessories: The English Dept. / Groom’s Formalwear: Duchess Clothier / Signs, Place Cards & Invitations: Paper Bloom / Screen Printing: Cipriano Designs / Hair & Makeup: Destiny Taylor / Rentals: Barclay Event Rentals / Bride & Groom Models: Dimitrina Bakurdjieva & Eric Wiley

As exhilarating and exciting as being engaged is wedding planning can sometimes be a tad overwhelming.  Sometimes it’s exhausting just trying to figure out where to begin!  Since this is most likely the first time that either you or your fiance are getting married the road to wedded bliss can look a little overgrown and windy without a map.  Luckily for us we get to spend some time today with Shelby Peaden who creates and plans lovely events all over Florida.  She has graciously agreed to give us some insider tips on planning the most perfect event without suffering panic attacks along the way!

1. Location: Keep your location in mind when deciding on style, color, and decor. The aesthetics of your wedding or event should coordinate with it’s surroundings. This might sound odd, but don’t forget about parking or local events occurring on your wedding date.

2. Budget: Keeping your guest count to a minimum is a great way to save money and keep within your budget. It allows you the opportunity to splurge on a few things that will make the day special for you and your  guests. The small, we’ll thought-out details are what connects your guests to you and this milestone in your life.

3. Inspiration: Finding inspiration on blogs and tearing out pages of wedding magazines is a lot of fun and very useful; however, don’t be afraid to look outside the box. Inspiration can come from anywhere — a piece of fabric, furniture or even an article of clothing.

4. Details: Speaking of details, paying attention to the small things will set your wedding apart from the rest. Serving a signature cocktail as guests arrive in your color palette, a unique escort display, or the prettiest paper details awaiting guests on the tables are all examples of details that will have your guests talking through the night. Guests appreciate seeing in the time and effort you spent to entertain them.

5. Dress: There are so many gorgeous gowns out there making it even harder for brides to find “the one”. Find a bridal salon and let the sales staff help you find a gown that fits your body perfectly. Be sure not to forget proper undergarments.

6. Lighting: Light can really change the overall look and mood of your wedding. The difference between candlelight and overheard fluorescent lighting is obvious. Lighting can create a mood where people want to interact and connect with one another Remember lighting when planning your decor. If your budget doesn’t allow you to do an elaborate lighting schematic, speak with your  florist or event designer about  doing one focal point, and make it special.

7. Music: If there’s one area where a couple can express themselves freely, it’s with music.  Give the event a dose of your personality. Whether you make a playlist for your ipod, or select songs to be played by a band,  and make sure it is played at the appropriate volume for the reception space. Your guests shouldn’t have to shout or whisper to carry on a conversation.

8. Love your vendors: Choosing the right vendors is key in planning your wedding. Let me say that again. Choosing the right vendors is key in planning your wedding. You will enjoy the process if you have vendors  who understand you, and that you like. When they understand you and your vision, they will produce the wedding you want, and probably make it a lot more than you ever thought it could be.  Wedding vendors are creative people. Their energy and passion is in everything they do. So if you “connect” with a vendor, but are still shopping around, don’t discount that connection. There are times when a vendor’s personality, sense of humor, or quick wit will lift you out of the planning trenches. Most of all, trust the people you’ve chosen to deliver. You’ll be amazed at what they can do.

Planning tips: Shelby Peaden Events / Photography: Lauren Kinsey Photography, Candice K Photography, Meg Baisden Photography, Pure 7 Studios, Loving Legacy Photography

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Shelby Peaden Events

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Happy Labor Day SMPers! We’ve got the perfect wedding for you today. It’s a little bit country, a little bit city, and a whole lotta gorgeous! I’m loving the bushels of veggies, the warm richness of the long wooden linen-less farm tables, the hay bale ceremony seating, and the super sophisticated dress on the beautiful bride. Raquel Reis was there to capture all the beautifully crafted details and I won’t tell (or blame you!) if you spend your entire Labor Day in the full gallery.

Click here for entire image gallery!

From the bride…We decided to have the wedding at the twilight lodge because we thought it would only make sense to use the magical space we are so in love with it.  It’s a family owned property that we have invested ourselves in and pretty much made our own. We have quite literally renovated the bed and breakfast ourselves, from concept to creation.  We wanted as many friends to be involved and we are lucky to have a great bunch there were talented and excited to be a part. The design was very important to me and again I wanted it to be US… I wanted the people that know me to say (this is so you- and they did!), I had tons of help from friends and family combined with my event experience.  I was looking to integrate the idea of food/Hudson valley/vintage/rustic warm feel.  I wanted it to be elegant and beautiful but mostly I wanted it to be FUN. Starting with the save the date – a recipe card – we started the design line that we continued on with the invites that where lots of fun – our friend/graphic designer came up with some of those brilliant ideas! They are so perfect for the region and our relationship. I wanted to use vintage food tins, to go along and tie the whole design together. As for the I wanted clusters of homogenous flowers in warm deep colors because I don’t like flower arrangements. Farm tables – with no linen – Turquoise/gold rim/lace plates to achieve a rich weddingy-tablescape. We wanted a ceremony that would be full of love and spirituality, religion and heritage and it was a bit tricky as we come from VERY different upbringing.  We have two great friends called Heather – we thought they would be the best choice – and they sure were!

There are so many things I love about this wedding, I am not quite sure where to begin.  I could start with those centerpieces that were designed by the bride and groom, complete with hanging candles, crystals and a whole lot of wow.  Or I could mention the beautiful color palette of brown and green and the bride’s stunning J.Crew gown, which I absolutely adore.  OR I could just skip right ahead to those amazing photos by Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography, which have completely blown me away with their beauty.  Seriously gorgeous.  Yes, there is definitely a lot to love about this fabulous soiree, so prepare yourself for all of the pretty and join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From the Bride… We wanted every aspect of our wedding to be filled with significance and ultimately be a reflection of what matters most to us, our faith, family and our friends.  The primary motif of our wedding was light, symbolizing what we believe Christ to be to our world. Since both Gerhard and I are trained as architects, the MIT chapel was the perfect location for our ceremony. Not only was the chapel, designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, an excellent example of mid-century modern chapels, the scale and atmosphere of the interior were also ideally suited for what we envisioned. Against the dark backdrop of undulating brick walls, beams of bright light stream down, cascading off the sculpture and onto the white altar, bathing those taking part in the ceremony in bright white light. Our vows were written by ourselves and performed partly in English and partly Afrikaans, and with a striking performance by our violinist and cellist the result was an unforgettable ceremony.

After considering several venues for our reception we decided on the fellowship hall at Redeemer Fellowship Church, our church in Watertown. The double volume space of this recently renovated hall provided a classic setting with a warm atmosphere. Here we had ample opportunities to add special touches to the space through the addition of custom made, but meaningful decorations.  We designed and fabricated the centerpieces and chandeliers ourselves. Crystal strings provided a sense of verticality, tying the glass chandeliers and bent wood centerpieces together. The scattered tea-lights and suspended candles added a soft glow to the room, and as the night became darker the glow became brighter. Our combined well wishes and guest book consisted of photos from our courtship our guests wrote messages on that we intend to bind in a book. As a thank you gift we gave each guest a small canvas bag filled with traditional South African Rooibos tea and a rusk.

Broadway Gourmet provided a delicious barbeque dinner, ending it with their chocolate filled red velvet cupcakes guests couldn’t get enough of. Thank you to Deborah Teo, our cellist, and Susie Kim our violinist. A big thank you to Mikhail Glabets for capturing this, one the most important days in our lives, in such a beautiful fashion. Your work speaks for itself, and it speaks to us, every time we look at the photos.

Wedding Photography: Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: MIT Chapel / Wedding Reception Location: Redeemer Fellowship Church / Catering & Cupcakes: Broadway Gourmet / Bridal Party Flowers: Petali Flowers / Small Topper Cake: Yum Bunnies Cakery / Orchid Plants: Mahoney’s Garden Center / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bride’s Hair: Franco’s Hair Studio / Wedding Design & Decor: DIY / Table Floral Arrangements & Centerpieces: DIY / Wedding Program & Invitations: DIY / Favors: DIY

It’s Saturday morning my lovelies, and you know what that means. A little slice of cinematography pie to brighten up your weekend, nice and early. Today we have a very romantic reprise from a beautiful Massachusetts wedding sent to us from the superb team at GENERATIONS cinemastories. It’s filled with pure romance and sweet love, and the cutest couple to boot. But first, a little hint of what’s to come from Peason+Killian Photography.

Click here for the full image gallery!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/26356832 599 337]

Heather & Adrian Reprise from GENERATIONS cinemastories on Vimeo.

From GENERATIONS cinemastories …  Heather and Adrian wed on October 9, 2010 at The Spring Valley Country Club in Sharon, Massachusetts. Their wedding was the culmination of  an intense relationship that began five years prior, when the two were co-workers in New York. According to friends, the sparks started flying between the couple from the very beginning and clearly there was an intense electric charge still evident between them at the wedding. Heather and Adrian fell “crazy in love” – so much so that the couple moved in together a mere month after starting to date.

Along with hiring Tasha Bracken and one of Boston’s best planners to design and coordinate their wedding, the couple also had the help of Heather’s big sister, Stephanie Penn Solomon, who is a consultant at Rentals Unlimited. With great friends throughout the wedding industry, Stephanie decided (for her little sister) to continue with the same trusted team she had hired for her own wedding almost exactly three years earlier at the Country Club.

After getting ready, the couple played a quick golf match, then met up under a beautiful chuppah to exchange vows in an almost-Jewish ceremony. The weather was perfect for October, bright and crisp, and Adrian was often moved to tears as he stood gazing at his bride, resplendent in stunning .

Heartfelt toasts and enthusiastic dancing to the music of Legit characterized the event that culminated in Heather tossing her bouquet to her single girlfriends – and landing an athletic throw right into the chandelier overhead! Heather’s dad told how Adrian had come to ask him for Heather’s hand – on a golf course in Arizona – and how he had demanded that Adrian sink a birdie in order to win his consent. Adrian charmed the guests by responding loudly that it was the only birdie he had ever made.
The reception ended with guests sugaring up at a mirrored dessert table topped with a sign that said “Love is Sweet.” Indeed.

While the feature wedding film contains our usual dialogue and story telling, we decided to end the film with a short, very romantic reprise. The couple liked the reprise so much, that we decided it could stand on its own as a sweet portrait of the couple – a Wedding Song – which is now a companion concept piece to our much loved Modern Love Poems.

Event Coordination: SD Events / Band: Legit / Photography: Person+Killian Photography / Floral Design: Artemesia Flowers / Lighting: ALPS / Linen & Décor: Rentals Unlimited / Hair and Makeup: Rachael Berkowitz / Cinematography: GENERATIONS cinemastories / Venue: Spring Valley Country Club

Hello and a happy weekend to you, SMPers!  It’s been just over a month of gorgeous here on Style Me Pretty Australia and what a month it’s been!  We’ve been loving every second of pretty and we definitely couldn’t have done it without our fabulous advertisers, who help us to bring you all of the amazing inspiration day after day.  And today I have the honor of introducing you to one of those oh-so-fabulous sponsors, who we just so happen to L.O.V.E and we know you will, too.  So, give a big SMP welcome to our newest advertiser and master of all things pretty paper, Akimbo!

From Akimbo… You’re reading Style Me Pretty so I know you’re putting a lot of love and thought into making your wedding day memorable and unique to you. So why announce your special day with stock standard invitations that your guests have seen a hundred times before?

Akimbo’s quirky invitations are complemented by a range of save the dates and personalised stationery as well as those little details that will really make your wedding shine. As much thought and care is put into a clever concept as into the execution, so you know your stationery will be impressive from every aspect. I search far and wide to source the world’s best supplies and printers so you can take advantage of a variety of materials and printing methods, including letterpress, digital, embossing and foiling.

But for all that detailed, careful process, I still receive feedback from happy brides saying that the invitation design process was so easy and enjoyable… just as it should be!

Akimbo has a range of existing designs for you to browse, or if you’re after something one-of-a-kind, I’d love to chat about a bespoke design.

If you’re swooning over all the gorgeous stationery here on Style Me Pretty but don’t know where to start, be sure to download Akimbo’s free e-book to find out everything you need to know about ordering your wedding invitations.

Sign up to our newsletter to receive news about exciting product releases and special offers!

Become a fan on Facebook to join the fight against ugly stationery.

So, so, so gorgeous, right?!?  Oh, how I love beautiful paper!  And there is so much more inspiration to be had on their website (I just spent the last hour perusing all of the awesome), so be sure to stop on by and show them some SMP love!  Welcome to the family, Akimbo!  We are so happy to have you!

It’s that time again – time to give a huge virtual hug to one of the newest and loveliest family members at SMP New York! Today, that lovely is Sara Wight. The talented photographer behind all the pretty pictures below, and a person you just must get to know. So let me formally introduce the two of you – SMP New Yorkers meet Sara Wight, Sara Wight meet all the fabulous SMP New Yorkers. I have a feeling this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship…

About Sara Wight…Sara Wight is an award-winning photographer with an MFA in Photography, Video and Related Media from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. For more than a decade, her fine art photography has been exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and is held in many private collections. She also shoots commercially, teaches photography and has worked as an art director with some of the top photographers in the world. Sara’s background brings to her photography a technical expertise that is elevated by her artistic approach and her appreciation for all that is possible within the medium of photography. She is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, Wedding Photojournalist Association, Artistic Guild of the WPJA and the Professional Photographers of America. Her wedding work has been featured in New York Magazine Weddings, The Knot New York and Brooklyn Bride.

So go ahead and make a beeline straight for her website for even more lovely and to give them a big SMP hello!  Welcome to the family, Sara Wight! We are so happy to have you! xoxo

Happy three day weekend!  I hope you are all at your holiday destinations either BBQing up a storm, lounging poolside or just appreciating the last few days of warm weather before fall creeps in.  We’re about to run off to our own holiday weekend festivities but first we just wanted to share one of our awesome advertisers with you!  Laura Hooper Calligraphy creates gorgeous pieces of art with her hand lettering for all types of fun wedding accessories.  I’ve had a love affair with her sweet, custom-made maps for years but there is oh-so much more that she offers from invitations to tote bags.

From Laura Hooper Calligraphy...

– We specialize in the art of hand lettering and will give your invitations a lasting first impression

– Choose from our Lucky Orchid invitation line for unique invitation suite using a variety of styles, textures and detailing

– Our custom maps create a memorable keepsake for you and your guests

– Complete your looking by creating coordinating reception pieces such as programs, menus, seating charts, escort & place cards and other event signage

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty California family!