My heart started to flutter when I read that the ceremony of this lovely wedding by Premier Planning Services was held at the childhood home of the bride. It’s the absolute perfect backdrop for the earthy yet elegant look the couple was aiming for. And boy did they get that look! By weaving in soft blues, beautiful butter yellows and earthy browns their wedding effortlessly accentuated the gorgeous lakeside family home. It’s simple, sweet and sentimental and exactly what they were looking for. For even more earthy elegance be sure to check out the gallery.

click here for the full wedding gallery!

Since I was little I had always dreamed of having my wedding at my family home on Lake Minnetonka, MN. It has been the place that I have spent endless summers with family and friends swimming, boating and sitting out back at our bonfire. It represents ultimate peace, serenity and happiness which of course is what everyone wants to feel on their wedding day!. With all that nature has bestowed on my family home, we didn’t feel the need to add much more.

My husband and I are minimalists; we wanted a simple and crisp feel but still very elegant and romantic. We chose to set the mood first by creating a custom designed letter pressed invitation on ivory heavy stock with sage green and brown ink. To highlight the organic beauty of the ceremony’s venue we went with a theme of “earthy elegance”, incorporating creams, butter yellows, some blues and of course brown. My bouquet consisted of yellow roses and white peonies with the stems wrapped with lace from my ivory wedding dress.  Our reception send-off was via boat to the old-world tradition of the Lafayette County Club. The grace and grandeur of the ballroom was the perfect setting to continue our nature theme, using birch covered pots filled with orchids, iron trees with green foliage and hanging votives as well as a moss covered reception table with curly willow branches dripping with crystals. The room was warmly embraced by the glow of the ballrooms regal chandeliers. In all, with nature providing our standard of beauty – and the added compliment of a few thoughtful choices – I was able to create the picture of my dream wedding.

Wedding Planner: Rita Swanson of Premier Planning Services / Photographer: Shelly Mosman of Photomoss / Florals: Fleurissima / Videographer: Josh Sundy of Photomoss / Baker: Country Cake Cupboard / Band: Mick Sterling & The Irresitibles / Calligrapher:  Kathy Moon / Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston / Invitations:  Andrea Kelley, aok Design, Oakland CA / Hair Stylist: Danielle Goulet-Peterson / Make-Up Artist: Cathy Mayland / Ceremony Rentals: Festivities / Reception Rentals: Linen Effects / Reception Venue: Lafayette Club / String Quartet: Wedding Music Expressions / Transportation: Minnesota Coaches / Tuxedo Rentals:  Savvi Formalwear

This next wedding is for all you vintage lovers and Southern lovers and well…really for anyone that can appreciate a fabulous garden fete. We happen to be HUGE connoisseurs of these outdoor delights and think this Savannah wedding is at the top of its class. Photographed by Shannon Christopher and designed by Morgan Gallo Events, this is a Southern ode to wedding perfection and there is so much more where these images came from in the good ol’ gallery.

see it all here!

Amanda is a teacher and Joey is a Sheriff. They reside in Gainesville, Florida and were engaged New Year’s Eve. They are a very laid back couple that wanted to focus on family, closest friends and a southern vintage theme that reflected what the area stood for. The couple wanted everything to feel and look intimate. They incorporated long tables that flanked the garden and both sides of the dance floor. For the ceremony décor, we used old wooden crates and stacked green apples in them with hydrangeas overflowing with ivy. In the trees we hung iron balls full of flowers and peacock feathers. The stairs were lined with lanterns and a swag of baby’s breath on each railing. For the reception décor, we focused around the beautiful Lenox vases that served as the inspiration for the tables. Candles of varying heights were stacked in between while filament lighting, lots of tapper candles of varying heights and elegant chandeliers set the mood.

For place cards we used baggage tags that had each guest departing from their city they came from to Savannah and were displayed in old luggage.  Old coke crates were used to place notes, memories and advice to the couple.  Savannah Bee Honey and an Oak Tree Cookie cutter were given as favors were placed in muslin bags and stamped with a quote and peacock feather for each guest.

Planner: Morgan Gallo Events / Florist: Kiwi Fleur / Photographer: Shannon Christopher / Cake: Two Cakes / Caterer: Cape Creations / DJ: All About You / Dress: Nicole Miller from Bleubelle / Shoes: Steve Madden / Venue: Harper Fowlkes House for both ceremony and reception

With a new year comes a whole slew of new weddings to delve into and from what we’ve seen so far, we’re pretty sure 2011 is completely raising the bar to a whole new level of gorgeous. Case in point, this elegant Boston affair that is boasting some serious art in the form of florals designed by the insanely talented Datura – A Modern Garden. It seems that everything they touch turns to wedding gold and we are seriously smitten with their latest creation. See the FULL wedding captured by Melissa Robotti and a whole lot more of that wedding gold we speak of in the gallery.

see the FULL wedding here!

Zoe and Carolina were married on June 6, 2010 at the Colonnade in Boston, MA. The couple live in New York City and much of the planning was executed by Zoe’s mom, Julie Arnow. She designed the whole paper story, coordinated the linens and gave me creative direction throughout. I just loved being a part of this incredible celebration. We designed three distinct tablescapes – in one, hand-tied giant allium are accented with callas and mokara orchids and support a globe with purple vanda orchids and a floating candle. This table featured satellite designs of burgandy peony and purple vanda. Our second table design featured the same flowers in a tall radial design with graceful lines. And for the rectangular tables we created armatures of curly willow and wove them with green anthurium, purple vanda orchids and fuchsia phaelonopsis orchids – accenting these tall components were clusters of burgandy peony, eggplant callas and purple vanda orchids.

Photography: Melissa Robotti / Flowers: Datura – A Modern Garden / Ceremony and Reception Location: The Colonnade, Boston, MA / Invitations: Julie Arnow /Hair: Kristen Ball of Dellaria Salon Kenmore Square / Make-up: Robin Osborne and Sam Osborne Christensen of Girly Junk / Carolina’s Dress: Liv Harris / Zoe’s Dress: Alvina Valenta / Bands: Grupo Fantasia and The New Boston Kleztet

It is one of our favorite, favorite days here on Style Me Pretty where we get to delve into a mega-lineup of wedding inspiration that runs the gamut in terms of style and location. There is one common thread that runs throughout each of these features though…each is unbelievably, undeniably gorgeous. And since we have so much to share, we are keeping things short and sweet and if you are dying to see more, simply click on the gallery for the FULL wedding.

First up is a Lake Como wedding captured by the ever so talented SugarLove Photography that is filled to the tippy top with elegance and breathtaking Italian views. And believe us when we tell you that these two things are quite possibly the most perfect combination we’ve ever laid eyes on. Be sure to stop by the gallery for a little vicarious living in the form of this glorious Italian wedding.

take a little Italian holiday in the gallery!

We have a little secret to share and believe us when we tell you it was so very hard not to spill the beans. We have been hard at work over the last few months poring through all of the gorgeous weddings that have graced our pages this past year and picking the best of the best to showcase in the first ever Style Me Pretty Digital Magazine. This e-glossy is jam packed with TWENTY of the most style-savvy weddings of 2010 picked by you, the readers. These lovelies received the most comments, the most tweets, the most ohhs and ahhs and maybe even caused a few complete wedding redos because they are just that gorgeous.

For your viewing pleasure…we recommend reading this pretty mag in the full screen option

On top of that, we have compiled buying guides for several of these weddings giving you resources for a ton of steal-worthy details right at your fingertips. And no SMP magazine would be complete without a round-up of the best vendors in the business so we’ve also included a guide to our favorite Little Black Book Members.

And there you have it. Our virtual cat is out of the bag and we are beyond thrilled to share the result… a collection of some of the best weddings, the most gorgeous details, fabulous buying guides and our favorite vendors all wrapped up in one pretty package. We hope that you love our first e-glossy as much as we’ve loved putting it together but we also hope that you’ll find as much inspiration and ideas on these pages as you do every day on SMP.

We also wanted to give a huge, huge THANK YOU to all of the people that made this happen – especially Viola of Chewing the Cud and our very own Elaine. We couldn’t have done this without you all!  xoxo

Although many of you are still recovering from the holidays and totally immersed in Winter, we couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful Fall affair with you. It’s the warm colors, the vintage images, the sweet and totally approachable style that completely stole our hearts. Plus, we’re thinking that a lot of you newly engaged ladies and gents are planning Fall inspired affairs for next year…just like this one. Photographed by Mark Eric, this wedding is all goodness. Click here for even more.

click here for more goodness!

The idea for our wedding began when Andrew proposed to me a year earlier in the same field in which we were married. Since we are lovers of natural beauty, we knew after the engagement that we would love to be married in the field. It made for such a beautiful, natural backdrop and since Andrew’s parent’s lovely, country home was within walking distance from the field, we knew where we could host the reception.

We knew from the very beginning that we wanted a small, intimate wedding that included all of our closest friends and family. And since we both have such talented friends and family, we trusted them with many of the wedding day designs. We brainstormed for ideas to integrate our love for the outdoors and our vintage, chic style. Andrew’s Mom and Aunt combed antique shops and estate sales from Louisiana to Oklahoma looking for the perfect pieces of décor. We raided friends’ homes for furniture and silverware. We were constantly on look out for decorative pieces throughout the year of planning. It was so much fun collecting the different eclectic pieces. Many of the pieces were so graciously loaned to us to use for the wedding. We were so thankful for all the friends and family members who were able to contribute towards the wedding. From my Mom typing the invitations and programs, to Andrew’s sister-in-law making the cakes, so many people graciously pitched in to help make our ideas come to fruition.

Initially, the thought of an outdoor wedding made both me and Andrew very anxious. We could control almost everything, but the weather was completely out of our hands. Luckily we chose a perfect day to have an outdoor Louisiana wedding. The weather turned cool right before the day of the wedding, and the new, crisp fall air was absolutely perfect.

I believe my favorite thing about the wedding was all the small, personal details. Andrew’s Dad built the groom’s table from lumber from the original community post office located on their property. The clock faces in every unique table centerpiece, the hand carved tree stumps by Andrew, the custom made flower girl dresses by Andrew’s mom, there were just so many little, personal touches that made the wedding feel so familiar. So…us. That was the whole idea for the wedding. We wanted the wedding to project our style and personality. And I believe with the help of our wonderful family and friends, we were able to truly create the perfect wedding for me and Andrew. It was truly the happiest day of our lives. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding.

Photography: Mark Eric Photography / Headpiece: GracyLu Originals / Wedding dress: Mori Lee by Madeline Gardner / Car Owner: Greg Grunlian / Ceremony music: Cara Waring, singer; Rebecca Axsom, violin; Devin Jackson, guitar / Reception music: Devin Jackson / Hair and makeup: Amore Salon / Ceremony programs: Kathy Kupperschmid @ The Printing Connection / Bridesmaid belt: rosebudlips / Groomsmen bowties: MeandMatilda / Ring bearer bowtie: butteredtoast / Wedding and groom’s cake: Alisha Hooker / Floral Design: Mary Hooker and Debbie Wilhoite

I’m not quite sure if there is a more romantic backdrop than the Golden Gate Bridge when you are taking your first peek at your soon to be husband and lucky us – it makes for REALLY beautiful pictures as well. The extremely talented Lauri Levenfeld of Zoom Photography captured every pretty minute of this first look as well as a host of other perfect details from this Sausalito gem. Held at Cavallo Point right outside of San Francisco and beautifully crafted from beginning to end by Melissa Panico of MAP Events, this is equal parts classic, elegant and pretty, pretty, pretty. For more from the day, be sure to stop by the gallery.

see the rest of this Sausalito beauty here!

We worked together for 18 months at Applied Biosystems in Foster City before we began dating. Our relationship changed when we embarked on a business trip together to Flagstaff, AZ that included a five-hour car ride from the Phoenix airport to Flagstaff. It was during that car ride that we both shared very intimate details of our lives. I’m not sure what compelled us to both be so open, but that ability to speak openly would later become the foundation for our relationship – honest communication. During our one-year anniversary, Chris was on a month-long business trip in Europe and invited me to join him in Paris for a long weekend. Although both of us had traveled to Paris previously, the city felt even more romantic and special as we explored it together. We spent our four days wandering the neighborhoods and gardens and indulging in French cuisine. One of our afternoons led us to Jardin du Luxembourg where we took a photo from a park bench that would become our holiday card to family and friends that year. Three years later on a gastronomic vacation to Lyon and Paris, and on our fourth anniversary together, Chris insisted that we visit the garden again. Locating the same exact park bench, Chris surprised me and proposed while on bended knee. I happily said yes. We took another photo for our holiday card and included our save-the-date.

The minute we returned to our hotel room at L’Empire Paris that evening, we contacted Cavallo Point Lodge to inquire about holding our wedding there. We knew we wanted to get married there although we had never discussed it openly with one another. We had visited Cavallo Point several times to have lunch or cocktails on the deck outside of the restaurant, Murray Circle, following hikes in Marin. Cavallo appealed to us because it’s an eco-resort that provided luxury accommodations but focused on sustainability. We were especially drawn to the food which is locally produced, organic and sustainable as well as the setting with stunning views of the city and beautiful surroundings that were both historic and modern.

By being just minutes away from San Francisco yet excluded enough among the trees and Marin headlands, Cavallo provided the perfect destination without leaving the convenience of San Francisco. Many of our friends also have children and would not have been able to travel to a remote destination. We wanted to create a sense of community by having all of our friends join us for the entire weekend in order to spend as much time as possible together and allowing everyone to get to know each other. Cavallo is a great destination for kids – tons of activities: the Bay Area Discovery Museum, beachcombing, hiking. Also dog-friendly – we had some guests from Los Angeles bring their dog and they said Sandro was treated like a king. They also provide babysitting services through Aunt Ann’s agency in San Francisco – our reception for an adult affair so the kids were in good hands with the babysitters nearby.

We loved Lauri because she was interested as were we of capturing the emotion of the wedding and the people in the beautiful surroundings. We wanted to capture the essence of the wedding – not with staged shots but through the natural interaction of the people. Her energy is amazing as is her ability to keep things moving without disrupting the natural flow of the day. Map Events – Melissa Panico, as we neared the wedding we understood that we needed help with the day of logistics and timeline. Her attention to detail, professionalism, and relationships with the other vendors were invaluable. Our wedding could have not gone more smoothly.

Photography: Lauri Levenfeld of Zoom Photography with Second Shooter, Jessica Epstein / Venue and Catering: Cavallo Point, Sausalito, California / Event Planning; Melissa Panico of MAP Events / Florist: Cherries Flowers / DJ: Chris Fox / Lighting: Creative Lighting / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Hair and Makeup: Kathleena Gorga Makeup & Hair Design / Invites: Wedding Paper Divas

When Melissa McClure Photography sent us this first little number, we were instantly mesmerized with the modern decor, the crazy gorgeous rooftop ceremony, and of course, the plethora of succulents. (Yes, we’re still whole-heartedly on that bandwagon) In fact, I don’t think there is one little piece of this wedding that we aren’t head over heels for. It’s cool, it’s contemporary and it’s all ours to devour in the gallery so be sure to carve out a little time this morning for a visit.

see the FULL wedding here!

Vanessa and Ryan met four years ago through a mutual friend and they wear their love for one another on their sleeve. I could tell it was a match made in heaven from the moment I met them! Though the two have done their fair share of traveling about the globe, the couple decided to marry in San Diego, the bride’s home town. They knew their special day would celebrate their beautiful kind of love but they wanted it to be an event that not just reflected them but also their desire to respect and preserve this gorgeous planet of ours. With the help of their planner, Megan of Swann Soirées, they created a wedding that celebrated both those things.

Vanessa and Ryan didn’t wait until August 21 to set their plan in motion. They set the tone of their event with invitations that not only let guests know where to be and when, but each one was printed on and sent in paper made from recycled cotton. Then once all the RSVPs were in it was time for the big day! All of the weekend’s events took place at venues within the Andaz Hotel and guests were encouraged to limit their use of cars for their few days in town. Our venue was the perfect setting for this celebration; The Ivy rooftop combines a modern urban feel with an earthy vibe. Its as if their decorator knew we were coming! The ceremony overlooked the San Diego skyline right before sunset, making for some pretty spectacular views of the architecture unique to our waterside town. The grooms uncle officiated the informal ceremony and after Vanessa and Ryan were pronounced husband and wife they were able to spend a few moments alone in one of the fabulous rooftop cabanas in the tradition of the “yichud” while their guests got to enjoy the cocktail hour.

After a little mingling guests were invited downstairs to the basement ballroom. The elevators opened and there waiting were small succulents serving both as an escort card and favor. Each little green plant was potted by the bride and groom and topped with a pennant penned by Vanessa. Since she’s the proprietor of Cursive and Ink Calligraphy she also repurposed some notebooks into intimate “Advice Books” in lieu of a traditional guest book. Her talents don’t end with pen and ink though, she used an old veil and belt and refashioned them into items that more closely fit her taste and personality. As guests stepped into the ballroom they were greeted with unique oval tables adorned with succulents and florals. With the help of Sally at Exquisite Blooms all the centerpieces and personal florals were made with local ranunculus and a smattering of succulents that the guests could (and did) take home.

Before the real party started everyone sat down for a meal together. Menus for the rehearsal dinner and the reception were based on local, seasonal fare, but this decision certainly didn’t stop all the food from being any less delicious! The cake in all its simple beauty even included a gluten-free layer for the bride. After the toasts were through the guests got things grooving on the dance floor. DJ Average Joe went above and beyond keeping guests young and old on their feet, and both the bride and groom remember the dancing as the best part of the evening. Melissa McClure skillfully captured all of the organic and DIY details without missing a beat. She took the time to get to know the bride and groom so well that she slipped into the reception like she was a guest and caught every move and emotion on camera. Their friends have a tradition of dancing with a beer bottle and I’m pretty sure even that little moment was caught on film forever!

Photography: Melissa McClure Photography / Event Planning: Megan Mills with Swann Soirées / Hair & Makeup: Marisa Von Sheere / Flowers: Exquisite Blooms / Venue: The Andaz Hotel, San Diego / Calligraphy: The bride! – Cursive and Ink / Officiant: Groom’s Uncle / DJ: Average Joe with JMC Events

We are starting the New Year off with a bang. An absolutely gorgeous, pick-your-jaw-up-off-the-floor-lovely kind of bang. So even if you are still recovering from a weekend of craziness, this little gem will bring you back down to earth and make you SO glad to be here. Crafted by Joy de Vivre, with photography by Michael and Anna Costa, it’s the perfect little details that totally elevate this Santa Barbara affair, taking it to a level of gorgeousness that has me green with envy.  Oh and you can click here to see even more!

click here to see the full wedding gallery!

From Joy de Vivre…It was such an absolute pleasure to help Erin and Paul on their wedding. Erin was a self professed lover of all things Martha Stewart, and took on a number of DIY projects which she executed to a tee! The ceremony and reception were held in the garden of an historical estate in Santa Barbara, California where Erin and Paul had gone to college.

Erin and Paul used quite a few Martha Stewart templates to craft their decor. Guests were greeted to lemonade and lavender iced tea in mason jars with sweet grosgrain drink flags that Erin and her family made using these. The escort cards flags were created by calligrapher Wendy Ware and hung between fig trees in the garden. Erin used the Martha Stewart banner of flags template.  They also sat in chairs with a sweet white doiley swag. Guests were guided to their seats by favor crackers containing saltwater taffy, also created using this Martha Stewart template.

Each favor read the guests name and was placed on to of a yellow and white striped napkin. All guest tables were covered in La Tavola Linens Tuscany Natural linen. The flowers, which were a lovely combination of dahlias, hydrangea, peonies, garden roses and dusty miller, were created by the talented Cody Floral and were placed in a number of different mercury glass vases down the tables. Antique-like garden wire frames held the table numbers, which were printed on yellow and white striped paper.

Coordination & Design: Joy de Vivre Wedding Design & Coordination / Photography: Michael and Anna Costa / Florals: Cody Floral / Rentals: Event Rents / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Calligraphy: Wendy Ware / Lighting: LBPS Events / Catering: SBB Gourmet / Location: Las Tapias Estate / DJ: Matt Armor / Ceremony Musician, George Quirin / Cake: Montecito Confections / Officiant: Rich Tobin

When one of our favorite photographers, Jasmine Star, sent us this next wedding, we just knew it would perfect for a brand spankin new year debut. It has that totally elegant and almost too pretty to be real style that we go gaga for. Plus, the bride’s Vera Wang dress practically speaks to our souls with its abundance of beautiful tulle. Sit back and take a gander at a Southern California interpretation of GORGEOUS designed fabulously by Details, Details and lucky you, there’s even more in the gallery.

click here for more from this fairy tale wedding!

I wanted a sophisticated, modern yet elegant wedding, and the first colors that came to mind were gold and white. I also love Phalaenopsis orchids, so I decided to use them as my main theme to tie various elements of the wedding together. Aside from being the main flowers used in the wedding, everything from our wedding stationery, menus, straw, water and dessert tags were linked by the simple design of a single pale gold Phalaenopsis orchid. I loved the simple yet coherent look. In addition to gold and white, I wanted to add a touch of pale blue as an accent color. During one of the brainstorm sessions with Nisie from Enchanted Florist, she suggested using the blue in Hydrangeas to complement the Phalaenopsis orchids – I instantly fell in love with the idea.

Even though we are currently working and living in Hong Kong, we chose to have our wedding in Los Angeles because we both felt that LA was “home” for us. While our family members are scattered all over US and Asia, most of our friends are living in Hong Kong, San Francisco or New York, so LA actually turned out to be a central location for everyone. We held our wedding at the Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, California. We both love the ocean, so we decided to find a venue which overlooked the Pacific Ocean along the Newport Coast and Laguna Nigel area. The moment we set foot in Pelican Hill, we knew we wanted to have our wedding there! The view from the ceremony rotunda was breathtaking, and the venue itself was gorgeous. We went back subsequently for our tasting, and everything from the entrées, wedding cake, to the macaroons was to die for! It made us so happy knowing that our guests would be able to dine well at our wedding.

We had friends and family flying into LA from all around the world (only a handful actually lived in LA); we were very grateful that so many of our guests made a special effort and took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with us. All the little details that Jeannie and I had planned turned out to be perfect – everything from the beautiful and delicious dessert bar and candy station, to the lantern lit patio and signature cocktails. Overall it was a very intimate evening at a beautiful venue, with all of our favorite people in the world dining, dancing and celebrating with us in the same room.

Photography: Jasmine Star / Cinematography: Productions / Flowers: Enchanted Florist / Event Design and Planning: Jeannie Savage of Details, Details / Ceremony and Reception Location: Pelican Hill Resort / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Dress: Jenny Lee and Vera Wang(ceremony)

We always do a little happy wedding dance when Corbin Gurkin sends something our way. She’s that lucky photographer that seems to score one gorgeous wedding after another, with details that are off the charts gorgeous and a sense of style that is always this perfect combination of timelessness and chic. And yet without fail, with every wedding, she takes that luck and elevates it to an entirely new level with her photographs. And this wedding in particular shows off her skills to no end. Add to that coordination by Maine Season Events and floral design by Flora Fauna and well, perfection. The bride and groom have opted to keep their faces out of the mix so instead, we’re focusing on the fabulous details. And when I tell you they are good, well…see for yourself. Click here for even more.

click here to see the full wedding gallery!

The feel of the design was a little woodsy Maine, natural, but clean, vibrant, and fun and with a hint of vintage. Early in the design process, the bride mentioned to Meagan at Maine Seasons Events that she loved the color orange and from there an orange and gray palette was born, with accents of white and green. The design incorporated local Maine gray forest rocks with pale green moss and tiny birch logs, discs and birch bark on the tables, with a base linen of dove gray, accented with white linen hemstitch napkins and assorted vintage white milk glass flower containers.

To satisfy the love of orange, Judy Bourgeois of Flora Fauna, created lush floral arrangements in a combined collection of vintage milk glass from Maine Seasons Events and Flora Fauna. The orange and green flower arrangements included ranunculus, dahlia, freesia, roses, mums, orchids, calla lily, celosia, seasonal berries, sage, dusty miller and moss.

The mix of rectangle and round guest tables were set with several vintage milk glass containers of flowers, moss, forest rocks, and surrounded by votive candles on perches of little birch logs and discs.

The bride loved games and designed the place cards to each have a little riddle on them and the answer to the riddle led each guest to their table, all named for animals. (“In the morning when you are groggy and need a little booster, listen for me to wake you up, because I am a____” (Rooster!) The table names were illustrated by the groom’s sister and placed in white IKEA frames on each table.

The custom made green place cards with white ink were arranged in a bed of moss, inserted into slotted birch logs created by Flora Fauna and illuminated with votive candles. Flora Fauna’s bouquets were hand wrapped with vintage ribbon and fabric details and the bride’s bouquet featured a gold wire collar. The ceremony in the apple orchard was decorated with vintage apple crates containing white birch trees, orange flowers and moss.

The dessert buffet included moss, birch bark, candles and wooden log pedestals created by Maine Seasons Events and Flora Fauna, mixed with vintage wooden crates to elevate the assortment of desserts. Orange paper lanterns were hung in the antique barn, where post reception music and late night food was served. A custom made fabric backdrop was installed in the barn as a photo backdrop area, along with a twine string displaying pictures of the couple throughout their lives, affixed with tiny clothespins.

Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Event Design and Planning, Meagan Gilpatrick, Maine Seasons Events / Floral design: Judy Bourgeois, Flora Fauna / Venue: Clark’s Cove Farm / Catering: 111 Maine / Music: Cocktails: Ameranoush / Reception: Redline

Welcome to 2011 SMP’ers!  We thought we would kick things off with a California wine country wedding that instantly captured our hearts. From the style savvy florals crafted by Asiel Design to the super chic details that Jenne Hohn Events tucked into every single corner and of course, all of the picture perfect photos from Larry Sengbush Photography and Damion Hamilton Photography, we can’t think of a better way to welcome a new year! Grab a sneak peek at the rest of the details including a drop dead gorgeous rehearsal dinner in the gallery.

The sensational images courtesy of lead photographer Larry Sengbush Photography with second-shooter Damian Hamilton Photography

see the rest of these California nuptials here!

I felt an instant connection when I met Megan and her aunts, Marynell and Elise. They were absolutely wonderful from day one. What was even more exciting was that, as we started planning, I found that Megan and Kevin’s tastes were very similar to my own – I finally had a chance to “play in my own garden.” We wanted a very modern and textural feel using royal purple and gold tones. We knew that the perfect floral designer was Linnae at Asiel – we never looked anywhere else. The wedding weekend kicked off on Thursday at Silverado Brewing Company in Calistoga for a fun and casual gathering. The rehearsal dinner took place at Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga. We didn’t want the rehearsal dinner to compete with the wedding reception so we muted the décor and let the food and the winery – with it’s world-renowned artwork, be the show stoppers. Chef Bruce Riezenmann from Park Avenue Catering surprised Kevin with a sabered champagne toast, tailored especially for the couple. Kevin’s mom created a special slide show for the couple, another surprise for the lovely bride and groom. Sharla Flock did the gorgeous floral décor while La Tavola provided the linens – hand–selected by Kevin. Mark Taylor provided flamenco guitar during the reception and dinner.

The wedding itself took place on a spectacular November afternoon. Linnae created a gorgeous visual spectacle using rose petals – custom artwork for the aisle. She created custom branch pieces with yellow orchids that were placed on the chairs on the inner aisle. A “tree” of escort cards was another show-stopper. Each guest’s name was printed and placed on a beautiful copper leaf, printed by Bloom 415.

Bloom 415 created special paper goods for the table names as well. Each table was named after a place special to the couple with an accompanying description of the place’s importance – great conversation pieces. We selected a unique serving piece from Classic Party Rentals for each of the courses. Linnae topped each charger with an beautiful orchid. We used La Tavola linens in mink and light mink in a multitude of textures from crinkle to windsor. Linnae created branch centerpieces with hanging orchids and votive holders. The effect was pure magic and romance. Got Light? draped the entire ballroom with sheer white fabric. We changed the lighting with each course. There were a number of show-stoppers in the ballroom – Asiel Design’s 6′ branch chandelier created especially for the couple with dangling yellow orchids. Linnae designed incredible décor for the cake tables and the head table in addition to the takeaway gifts (chocolates from Cocoa Bella).

Outdoors, Got Light? created mason jar lanterns just for Kevin. The surrounding landscape was uplit with amber lighting and we projected a “wave-like” blue shimmer on the grass. Lounge pieces from CORT were embellished with more fun décor from Linnae. Guests had a blast with the photo booth from Denon & Doyle. The couple had a “mini-moon” at Post Ranch Inn. Guests sent them off with love and affection. I made sure that the couple’s favorite breakfast foods were on board their getaway limo. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this incredibly loving and gracious family.

Event Planning: Jenne Hohn Events / Photography (lead): Larry Sengbush Photography / Photography (second-shooter): Damion Hamilton Photography / Wedding Gown: Badgley Mischka / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Venue and Catering: Solage Calistoga / Officiant: Reverend Peadar Dalton of Your Ceremony Matters / Transportation: Pure Luxury / Table linens, napkins, and cushions: La Tavola Linen / Napkins and Party Rentals: Classic Party Rentals /Hair and Makeup: Get Your Do Up / Film: Thomas Hughes Films / Lighting and Stage: Got Light? / Dance Floor: Zephyr Tents / Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Bellarosa String Quartet and Travis Andrews Guitar / Florals: Asiel Design / Cakes: Patisserie Angelica / Lounge Furniture: CORT Event Furnishings / Photo Booth: Denon & Doyle / Paper Goods: Bloom 415

Damion Hamilton and

Happy 2011!  I hope you all had an amazing New Year’s weekend!  There might not be a better way to start of the new year right than with this romantic, Southern charmer from one of my all time favorite designers Elizabeth Demos.  We are so lucky to have a bounty of loveliness by Aregrayline Photography with the help of Susan Dean Photography.  It is classic beauty at its absolute best set on the gorgeous Sapelo Island in Georgia complete with Spanish moss, trickling fountains and an enchanting mansion!  The dreaminess continues in not one but two galleries here and here!

Click here and here for more inspiration in the full wedding galleries!

We met as strangers, but quickly learned out that not only were our grandparents buried within a stone’s throw from each other in a tiny Waycross, GA cemetery (hold the Deep South/Deliverance jokes – we confirmed that our family trees are not intertwined), but that our paths had nearly crossed dozens of times before unbeknownst to us – from the Stone Roses first U.S. concert in 1995, to witnessing the Centennial Olympic Park bombing of ’96, to the parties of mutual friends we both inexplicably attended at different times, we have both been within a stone’s throw of each other all these years without even knowing it.  So little wonder that when we finally met, everything came together with a strange yet calm sense of destiny and within 10 months of meeting, we were engaged to be wed on a rather adventurous trip to the Florida Keys. Although we had both traveled extensively around the world and lived far from our mutual hometown, we both share a passion/love for the beauty and history of coastal Georgia and its barrier islands. With a list of several coastal wedding destinations (from Jekyll Island Hotel Club to St. Simons) to consider, we decided to begin our scouting on the little-known island of Sapelo. Within minutes of arriving on this otherworldly island of towering oak trees, Spanish moss and pristine beaches, we made up our mind once we stepped foot into the 19th century mansion of tobacco magnate J.R. Reynolds.

Although the island proved to have some logistical challenges – namely the fact that it is accessible by ferry only (no cars!) and there are no stores, hotels or restaurants on this undeveloped island – we were also glad to know that beyond the beauty of the island, that we could also have a positive impact on the island by giving our money to the state of Georgia and supporting the economy of nearby Geechee community Hogg Hammock rather than simply go the easier route of established resort or hotel chain.

Michelle’s vision was to have a weekend wedding and summed it up to our fantastic wedding stylist as ‘elegant vintage’. From the Spanish lace dress to the color scheme of teals, golds and grays, we feel like the ceremony and reception were exactly what we wanted. We decided to say our vows before noon and could not have had better light in the late October day. The reception included shrimp & grits, other southern delicacies and desserts, along with a Dixieland jazz band from Savannah. The cook staff and Mansion managers were full of warmth and hospitality. Guests spent the afternoon relaxing on throws and pillows on the lawn or combing the nearby beach for sand dollars. The  celebration was capped by a Halloween party that evening in the Mansion’s third floor Circus Room.

Wedding Design, Planning and Florals: Elizabeth Demos Events / Wedding Photography: Aregrayline Photography with the help of Susan Dean Photography / Wedding Venue: R.J. Reynolds Mansion / Cake: SugarBakers / Cake Topper: The Small Object / Invitations: Royal Steamline / Playing Card Favors: Monogrammatiks / Other paper goods: Hein’s Dutch Designs / Bride’s Dress: Bridal Couture by Ruby V / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair and Makeup: Kim Swann / Groom’s Suit: Le Tux Suit / Wedding Band: Savannah Stompers

I am sure everyone is gearing up for celebrations of the New Year’s kind so we will wrap it up short and sweet. We just wanted to give a huge, huge THANK YOU to everyone that makes Style me Pretty go round. From the beautiful weddings that are sent our way, to the amazingly talented vendors that we come across on a daily basis, to all of the happy brides and grooms that share their big day with us, to all of the wonderful team members scurrying behind the scenes and of course, to all of our readers. We are sending out lots of virtual x’s and o’s to each and every one of you. Have a wonderful, joyous New Year and we will see you next week for a brand spankin new 2011, SMP style.

this gorgeous wedding coming next week from Michael and Anna Costa is reason to celebrate indeed

Enjoy these pretty posts and we look forward to seeing you Monday!

a colorful DIY number
pastel meets pretty in Florida
a classic San Francisco wedding and one knock out dress
a Boston wedding full of vintage goodness
we are absolutely smitten with this North Carolina barn wedding
a destination wedding in Antigua that dreams are made of
a whole day FULL of wedding wonderment
one of our favorite venues played host to this delightful wedding in Los Angeles
a cozy winter wedding in Sun Valley

We’d also like to extend a very warm welcome to the newest members of our Little Black Book family…

Artistry Films
Portland Wedding Planner
Gina Leigh Photography
Wolfgang Puck Catering
MODwedding
Coco Paloma Desserts
Stepping Stone Ceremonies
Flora Bella
Weddings On Film
The Sutherland, Estate & Gardens
The Flour Pot Cookies
Botanical PaperWorks
Fashion Industry Gallery
Kendall’s Cakes
Yuko Ebina Designs
Green Orchid Events
SJ’s Disc Jockey
Lynn Fletcher Weddings

We’ve shared hundreds of weddings with you here on The Little Black Book Blog this year. We want to thank ALL of our amazing wedding vendors and ALL of our delightful couples and most of all … ALL of our readers! We feel very blessed and privileged to share in your wedding planning process and hope that 2011 will be an even bigger and better year for everyone!

And so, hand in hand we’ll lead you into the new year with another stunning Sun Valley Resort wedding from the ever-fabulous  Tana Photography …

From Tana Photography:
This was a stylish and casually elegant wedding that brought friends and family from all over to famous snow ski destination, Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s a gorgeous place to hold a wedding and give guests a true taste of the Pacific Northwest.
Natalie’s an outdoor Idaho girl at heart, who works as a stylist for Ralph Lauren in NYC. Natalie really wanted to bring her NYC businessman fiancé, (whom she met on a blind date) to her home state to share it’s rustic, outdoor beauty at their nuptials.
As the photographer, I was really excited to see how Natalie would combine her designer style with her laid-back outdoorsy attitude for this event. I know she wanted to bring the couple’s personalities together and show their guests an unforgettable time. The night before, the couple hosted a cowboy-themed costume party at the local “saloon” for their guests and on the wedding day, the ceremony gave everyone from NYC to Florida to Boston a breathtaking view of Sun Valley’s famous ski resort mountains.
Natalie’s co-workers custom made her Ralph Lauren wedding shoes, covered in Swarovski crystals, which the bride wore dancing up until the end of the reception. The groom wore a navy RL suit and groomsmen sported navy suits with purple ties. Natalie wanted bright, fun and colorful flowers in the bouquets and decor. She used mock ski-passes, with quirky facts about the couple, hanging from small evergreen trees to guide guests to their tables. Mini vintage SV posters showed the table numbers, and SV chocolate bars with colorful orchids were at each place setting. Local birch trees were placed inside the reception tent to bring the natural beauty indoors.
A sweet gesture (and great idea) came at the end of the evening when Natalie presented her grandmother a special gift bouquet before the official “toss”.

From Natalie, the bride:
“East meets the Pacific Northwest”. That would be the perfect description of our wedding. More that half of the wedding guests traveled from the East Coast to celebrate with us on our big day. Growing up in Idaho, I have always loved Sun Valley and for my family, it’s very special. Getting to share this magical place with our closest friends was the best part of our event! Many of our friends are looking to return to Sun Valley again!

Venue: Trail Creek Cabin, Sun Valley Resort / Photography: Tana Photography / Décor: The Sun Valley Company / Coordination: Bliss Events / Accessories: Ralph Lauren / Gown: Angel Sanchez / Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Ralph Lauren / Cake: The Sun Valley Company / Florist: Sue Bridgman / Music: The Big Wow Band / Makeup: Gabrielle Marcantonio for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

There is no time like New Year’s Eve to say I DO. It is the perfect evening for fabulous cocktail attire, glitz and glam and the excitement of new beginnings. So in honor of this festive eve, we are going to share some perfectly glamorous, whole-heartedly chic wedding inspiration that pairs beautifully with a little black dress and some bubbly. Photographed by Scott Lawrence with super fun design and styling by the ladies of I DO…Weddings!, this New Year’s inspiration will get you ready to bust out your party hats. We promise. See the rest of the party-rific details in the gallery.

see the rest of this festive inspiration here!

We decided on a New Year’s inspired elopement shoot. It was perfect! The color scheme we chose was mainly all white on white with touches of fuchsia and sparkly silver. This made our New Years Inspired shoot so fun to create. What bride doesn’t want to be the center of attention for her special day? Our New Year’s Eve bride sure does!

Concepts Event Design allowed us to use their showroom for the venue space, and all the fun goodies that came along with it! The sleek clear tables, and bright white chairs and linens made it a perfect New Years Eve elopement. We added touches of sparkly silver bowls, disco balls, and strands of mirrors hanging from manzanita branches. We even gave our couple sparklers to ring in their New Years together. The yummy sugary white cake pops, cupcakes, and mini wedding cake were provided by the lovely ladies Sydney and Sarah of Tailored Sweets. We definitely wanted to make sure there was a little pop of color so we went bold with Fuchsia Peonies for the flowers, and fuchsia and purple socks for our groom. A couple that gets married on New Years definitely want to party and celebrate!

Our Bride and Groom get the best out of their wedding experience by eloping on New Years! Great champagne, a hang over kit (just in case), sparklers, noisemakers in the bouquet, and also as a corsage! This couple had it all. And to top it all off they glammed it up in a convertible Jaguar as their get away car! What better way to bring in the New Year then saying “I DO”!

Photography: Scott Lawrence Photography / Coordinator: I Do…Weddings! – Melissa Barrad and Rachel Leber / Floral Design: Melissa Barrad / Desserts: Tailored Sweets – Sydney and Sarah / Venue and Rentals: Concepts Event Design / Shoes: Steve Madden / Dress: City Triangles

There is something about this lovely Sun Valley wedding that embraces the winter in such a beautiful way. It could be the snow boot and jacket clad bride that has our hearts pitter-pattering with delight or maybe it’s the candle filled reception that screams total romance. Whatever the case, Hillary Maybery photographed it to perfection and Taylor’d Events crafted one heck of a cozy winter wonderland and we think it deserves a standing ovation. Bravo Winter Wedding. You are completely delightful from beginning to end. See the rest of the day here.

see the rest of this cozy wedding here!

We did not have a wedding party.  We live in Sun Valley, Idaho which is 2 1/2 hours from the closest airport, and our siblings and friends live all over the country. Everyone coming for our wedding had to travel a long ways to get there. We ultimately decided that it would be less stressful for us and more enjoyable for our friends if they could just sit back and enjoy the weekend- go skiing, snowshoeing, etc. w/o worrying about where they need to be or what time. We had a very formal Catholic ceremony including a full mass. We needed to have witnesses stand next to us as we said our vows and we chose our parents. It was incredibly meaningful to have each set of parents,the people who made us who we are, standing next to us as we said our vows.

For the décor I turned to Taylor’d Events and That’s Entertainment (linens, extra champagne flutes). In addition, I went online to CB2 and Z Gallerie and purchased some of their candlesticks, vases, decorative bowls, etc. and that way Anthony and I could keep some of the decor for our condo when the wedding was over and give some to our parents and siblings. I was able to search and find the exact look I was going for, and we were able to keep everything at the end. Our wedding planner provided additional vases, candles and hundreds of votives.  Anthony and I knew from the start that we wanted to cut out a lot of the things that just weren’t as important to us or that would keep our stress levels down. We also knew we wanted it to be a huge party for our friends and family. Because of the formal nature of the wedding mass, we wanted the reception to be more like a cocktail party than a wedding reception. The result was perfect. We got rid of the cutting of the cake and throwing of the bouquet. My dad and older sister gave very short, but wonderful, speeches. Anthony and I danced (Bob Marley) and my dad and I danced (Louis Armstrong) but we only did 2 minutes of each song.  By doing it that way, we didn’t have any breaks in the continuity of the evening. Then, everybody danced for hours!

Photography: Hillary Maybery /2nd photographer: Kristin Cheatwood / Flowers: Taylor Sturges of Taylor’d Events / Fur Jacket: Milly / Cake baker: Christina’s Restaurant and Bakery / Event Planning: Taylor’d Events / Ceremony Location: Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church / Reception Location: Elkhorn Lodge, Sun Valley, Idaho / Groom’s tux: Hugo Boss Black Label / Shoes: Richard Shah / Wedding favors: In lieu of wedding favors, we sent out welcome packets three weeks before the wedding to all of our guests that had maps, guides, handwarmers, schedule of events, etc. / Wedding bands: Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona / Invitations: Izzy Girl out of Seattle, Washington / Honeymoon location: Cook Islands and Auckland, New Zealand

With over 300 guests in attendance, Krystin and Joe were married at St. Peter’s Catholic Church this past fall in Charlotte, North Carolina. Little Black Book photographer, Richard Israel was there to capture all the special moments and glorious details …

See more of this beautiful wedding on Richard’s blog and in our SMP galleries: here and here!

Congratulations to Krystin & Joe and a huge thank-you to the always-awesome Richard Israel!

Joe & Krystin ~ October 2, 2010
Church: St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Reception: The Westin

Our Vision – The vision for our wedding was romantic elegance. We wanted our guests to feel wowed when they attended the wedding and we tried to incorporate deep warm colors while keeping with an elegant feel. Our primary color palette was: Eggplant, Pewter, and Cream. From there we incorporated other complimentary colors which included dark berry colors, dusty rose, medium purples, light pinks and natural greenery.

Our Flowers – The Church flowers were mostly white with hints of eggplant and incorporated moss elements. Each of my maids bouquets were slightly different and incorporated natural plants and flowers. The bridal bouquet was 75% white and 25% dusty rose and light pinks. My great-great-grandmother’s cameo (from 1890) was pinned to the front of my bouquet for my ‘something old’. My ‘something blue’ – was the accent color from my grandmother’s handkerchief which my mother used and embroidered my parent’s wedding date, Joe’s parent’s wedding date and our wedding date – and I carried with me down the aisle. My ‘something borrowed’ was the earrings I wore during the ceremony which belonged to my matron of honor (and best friend of 11 years).

The flowers used for the reception were 80% white (so that they would stand out from the back drop of deep purple up-lights used around the reception room) and 20% eggplant and other purples. Each table at the reception had a different center piece – everything changed from the glass containers used to house the flowers, the height of the center pieces, the type of flowers displayed, even the height of the candle displays were all different from table to table. We wanted each of our 30 tables to feel unique yet still flow with the room and vibe of our wedding. Guests had fun going from table to table looking all the different arrangements! We also wanted the room to take on a romantic feel so we used 9 votive candles at each table along with floating and standing candle displays – incorporate in each floral display.

Our cake was 5 tiers and each tier was a different flavor and filling combination. The cake flowers were designed to match the flowers from the bouquets and the custom stenciling was taken from our invitations. Also on our cake table we wanted to honor our parents (they have both been married for 38 years) so on each side of the cake was a picture from their wedding day displayed in silver frames with little signs in front that I made.

Our Invitations were designed for us. We loved scroll work and elegant designs so our designer incorporated that into our invitations. They were all done on cotton paper and were letter pressed in an eggplant color. The invitation set included: invitation, reception card, response card for the wedding, response card for the rehearsal dinner and breakfast the day following the wedding. We wanted to thank our out of town guests for traveling so far so we invited all to our rehearsal dinner and our breakfast.

Welcome Bags:
60% of our guests were out of town guests (Joe and I are both from small towns in upstate NY but have lived in Charlotte for 15 years) so we created a “Wedding Guest Survival Kit” that all guests received when they checked in (see pictures submitted for kit). Included with the kit was:
Survival pack with directions and information for the weekend, Hospital-ity’ enclosure card to let guests know the hours of the Hospitality Suite, Hydration card tied to a water bottle, Food and supplement card; tied to various treats and snacks inside the bag (to remind guests to ‘keep their strength up’ throughout the weekend), Door hanger: “Do Not Disturb – I danced all weekend at Joe and Krystin’s wedding” – guest all hung them on their doors the night of the reception, Mini first aid pouch, Welcome card. *My husband and I designed all the pieces and assembled all 110 kits.

Attire:
My dress was by Pronovias and had a 4 foot train of all lace which bustled into the most amazing bustle! It included 50 ties in order to bustle it completely and consisted of 2 French bustles. It took my wonderfully patient bridesmaids 45 minutes to complete – but they did a wonderful job! Each of my maids’ dresses were all different floor length dress by Jim Hjelm in his eggplant color. I chose 10 dresses for my 8 girls to choose from and select the dress they felt most beautiful in! The men’s tuxedos were from Men’s Warehouse and all the groomsmen were in a black vest and euro tie with eggplant boutonnière and the Joe’s tux was a white vest and euro tie with a white boutonnière.

Beauty:
To make travel easier for my wedding party I had an on-location hair and makeup team come to the Westin and set up in a suite so everyone could come and go as they please and not have to rush around from hotel to house to salon. We ordered breakfast and lunch and drank mimosas and had a great time relaxing and getting ready! My bridesmaids cleverly created a white “Mrs. Ryan” jumpsuit for me to wear while I got ready! Hair Change: Between the Church and the reception I changed my hair from up to half-up, and also had my makeup updated to a more nighttime look and I changed my earrings to chandelier earrings for a more dramatic look.

Some of the other details and special touches, I designed and created myself: Cake table signs,”Eat drink and be married signs” on all the bars; “Love is in the Air” drink stirrers; Bridal lunch and day of beauty invitation (Love is in the Air with birds on it – this was a theme I used for the brides maid lunch and our rehearsal dinner); “Please take a seat” sign – was set among all our seating cards (seating cards were designed with our invitations); “A moment on my ‘sole’ forever in my heart, walk with me down the aisle” – all my maids and the moms signed the bottom of my wedding shoes in a blue ink; I also adorned my shoe heels with blue rhinestone shoe rings; Wedding programs – Joe and I heat embossed 300 programs and cut the envelopes (also embossed) for the programs to go inside of; My veil – my mother made for me; Reserved seating signs – I made one for my parents, my husband’s parents and my grandmother – all seating was assigned, but it was just a little something special for them to ensure they had prime dance floor seats; Birdecage for cards – I adorned the cage with small white birds and embossed a “cards” sign for the front along with a ribbon, I also found a small picture frame with white birds on it and placed an E.E. Cummings poem inside the frame – “I carry your heart”

Additional Details (from Etsty): The wedding gift I gave Joe – The card read “What did one penny say to the other? Together we make ‘sense’” – I gave him penny cufflinks, one from the year I was born and one from the year he was born; Picture props – “Just Married” parasol; “Mr. & Mrs.” Wedding signs, Monogrammed clutch, Bridal Suite sign, “Please leave a memory for the Bride and Groom” sign, Hair comb

Photography: Richard Israel Photography | Cake: Cake Lady Jill, Jill DelMastro | Flowers: Flowers from the Cellar, Pam Bailey | Beauty: Jeannie Fry Artistry Group, Jeannie Fry | Videographer: Studio 74 Productions | Attire (women): New York Bride and Groom |Attire (men): Men’s Warehouse | Limo: Silverfox Limo

Color. In a word, that basically sums up this absolutely stunning fiesta of a wedding celebration by Krista Malinin of Amber Events. Well, that and darling, gorgeous and festive. But there is so much color I can barely contain myself. That’s what happens to New Englanders in the winter, we crave color – so I do believe I will be bookmarking this beauty for my daily dose. Looking at the work of Picotte Photography is just what the doctor ordered for the winter doldrums, so plan some time today to cozy up with the gallery.

click here for even more of this fabulous fiesta!

The moment we walked into SmogShoppe for the first time, I knew it was going to be our wedding venue. Everything about it is perfect for Cody and I – centrally located for all of our family and friends, beautiful without much extra effort needed, full of personality and just completely “us.” It felt like a place where our guests could relax and have a good time, which is exactly what I had been looking for. I was spending a ton of time browsing the internet for inspiration for our details – I had so many ideas but nothing was really coming together for me. That is, until I came across Ay Mujer’s custom papel picado flags. I instantly was drawn to these flags, loved the colors and the festive atmosphere they would create. Once I found Ay Mujer all my other details started to fall into place.

Being a graphic designer and craft-geek, I have always know that I would make my own wedding invitations. After finding the papel picado flags, I had the idea to make my invitations look like these hand cut flags. I wasn’t sure how or if it could be done, but I was goign to try! I used drawings provided by the lovely Yreina of Ay Mujer to create a design. I then used a Xyron Wishblade to cut over 100 invitations. It was a long, painful process, but with Cody’s help we got it done and the work was definately worth it in the end. I was so happy with how they turned out!

The most important thing for us is that our wedding was fun and everyone was happy. I wanted everything to be colorful, cheerful, and summery. I never picked a color, or a set color scheme. This seemed to freak some people out along the way, but in the end everything looked so beautiful and exactly what I had hoped for. I didn’t want to rely on a color scheme to be the thing that people remembered – I wanted to create a *vibe*. Cody described our wedding details as “John Wayne’s Quinceniera.” When choosing my vendors, I wanted those that are most familiar with the SmogShoppe. The venue draws an incredible group of talented vendors who love to work together – I am so amazed with every one of them. I chose vendors who I trusted and knew would do a great job no matter what. I gave very little direction, just described the vibe, and allowed them to run with it and add their spin. I must say, it all worked out great! Seeing everything come together on our wedding day was magic. It all looked perfect and, most importantly, every one of our guests had a big smile on their face. Our ulitmate goal was achieved – everyone had a blast and the day went off without a hitch!

Venue: SmogShoppe / Wedding Coordinator: Krista Malinin for Amber Events / DJ: Smiles Davis / Flowers: Holly Flora / Catering: Jalisco’s Mobile Taco Grill / Bartenders & Wait Staff: Huntington Catering Company / Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew / Bridesmaids Shoes: Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose for Payless / Groom & Groomsmen Tux & Shoes: Men’s Warehouse / Bride’s Dress: Saja Wedding / Bride’s Shoes: J. Crew / Photobooth: PhotoboxLA / Cupcakes: My aunt, Jane / Mexican Flags: Ay Mujer on Etsy / Signs on Welcome Table: Yee Haw on Etsy / Wood Table Numbers: Dave’s Signs / Photographer: Picotte Photography / Hair and Makeup: Mariah Nicole / Flowers in Bride’s hair: Mikiye Creations on etsy

Before we delve into today’s gorgeous weddings, we are ever so happy to share some of our favorite bridesmaid frocks from the newest member of the SMP look book, Anna Elyse. Bright, classic and ever so chic, these pretty dresses will have your bridesmaids la la loving their wedding day attire.

Anna Elyse not only has a huge selection of adorable styles but they also offer custom color matching. How awesome is that? Gone are the days of searching endlessly for the perfect shade of blue, pink, grey, etc. Now that lovely hued bridesmaid dress is a simple color swatch away. Plus the craftsmanship behind these beauties is top notch. Anna Elyse pride themselves on couture quality pieces in silk dupioni, taffeta, and dull face satin. They also happen to have a multiple dress discount on orders of three dresses or more. Now that is what we’re talking about.

Be sure to stop by the look book to check out even more of Anna Elyse’s lovely bridesmaid frocks. We happen to think they are perfect in every way and we have a feeling you will too.