Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

The Top 10 Most Epic Proposals of 2018

2018 was jam-packed with one unforgettable proposal after the other (and we’re not talking about baldwin and the biebs.) So, this holiday season… we’re taking a walk down memory lane and sharing the top 10 most memorable proposals of the year! Get ready for some serious waterworks over here guys, ’cause these stories are more emotional and romantic than a Nicholas Sparks novel. It’s official – 2019 has some BIG shoes to fill.

1. This insanely adorable proposal went VIRAL this year – and for good reason. Since their love for the Harry Potter books brought them together when they first started dating, Heather knew she wanted to incorporate everyone’s favorite magical tale into the proposal. They were dressed up as Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass (who get married in the books!) for a halloween party – which made for the most perfect timing! Heather had Kelsey’s friends in on the proposal who brought Kelsey from one Little Free Library to the next. A Harry Potter book, another best friend and a letter from Heather were all waiting for her at each Little Free Library, until she was finally lead to meet Heather on the rooftop where the Halloween party was being held. Heather proposed with a beautiful ring in a little blue box and the fourth Harry Potter book that she had designed to spell out “Marry Me” in the pages. As if that wasn’t amazing enough – J.K. Rowling herself tweeted them congratulations a few days later! Talk about some serious Potter magic!

2. This bride-to-be just couldn’t hold back her hysterical laughter when her man, Billy, proposed surrounded by the most breathtaking Santorini backdrop – its what she does whenever she gets super nervous! We love when a bride is genuinely so surprised when her S.O. pops the question – Chetti truly didn’t see this one coming and her adorable reaction landed them a spot on our top 10!

3. Marcus had an entire night planned to propose to Molly at the iconic fountain in Forsyth Park and we’re getting major The Notebook vibes. Marcus hired a driver to bring them to their destination and a photographer to capture the moment – it was truly so romantic and well thought out. Our favorite part? The wow-worthy platinum, cushion cut engagement ring Marcus picked out for Molly – nothing but the best for his girl! There are so many reasons why we’re obsessed with platinum engagement rings. Not only are they special because platinum is naturally white and won’t fade overtime, but it also symbolizes a relationship that will endure. Platinum is strong and rare – just like the love shared between you and your partner.

4. When a couples shoot in Paris turns into a full blown surprise proposal! This guy truly thought of everything when it came to planning his proposal to Leah – right down to asking her best friends to help her find the perfect dress for their “photoshoot” prior to the trip… now that’s the kind of thing every girl needs! Well done, Olabode, well done.

5. Okay you guys this is seriously the cutest and funniest story ever – we’re weeping over here. Right in the middle of Robert’s proposal to Kritzie on a bridge in Venice… the ring fell right out of it’s box and dropped into the canal! The sweetest part of it all was that Kritzie couldn’t care less about the ring dropping, nothing could her bring her down from the overwhelming happiness she was feeling in that moment. Lucky for them, the ring was retrieved from the canal and ended up safely on Kritzie’s finger (forever!!)

6. Since Ryan missed spending the 4th of July with Krista – he lit up the sky for Krista with his own firework show to make up for it. With a little help from his friend, Ryan popped the question under a handmade gazebo covered in twinkle lights, tea lights in paper bags, a 4 minute slideshow video and a firework show for the grand finale. Yup – an all around PERFECT proposal.

7. This “bride” thought she was modeling for an editorial shoot, but little did she know… the entire day was made just for her! Every detail of the shoot was made perfectly to incorporate elements that represented Michael and Ainsley and their unique relationship. It safe to say the results couldn’t have turned out any more beautiful!

8. Aman wasn’t going to let a snowstorm and a missed flight stop him from proposing to the love of his life, Satnam. After 20 hours of travel, Satnam’s fairytale proposal was just around the corner. In the tiny mountain village of Hallstatt, Austria, Aman got down on one knee and asked the most important question of his life. The proposal was complete with a romantic table for two, the most amazing scenery and a professional photographer to capture the moment!

9. It was 17 degrees, they had just hiked a very long way to the beautiful view at Mills Lake and Andrew had a secret plan brewing. Before they headed back down the mountain, Andrew asked their friends to take a picture of them facing the mountains (not at each other so Jules couldn’t see him!), right then and there… Andrew got down one knee and asked Jules to marry him! She couldn’t have been happier, more surprised or more excited to get down the mountain to celebrate over some warm matcha lattes (haha!!)

10. During this photoshoot turned surprise proposal – Austyn was literally so caught off guard and excited that she literally asked the photographer “am i dreaming or is this really real life?!… I mean, how stinkin’ cute is that!!! David had their photographer reach out to Austyn through instagram DM to see if she would be interested in “collaborating together for a style shoot for her photography portfolio”… aka, “you’re getting married girl!!” We’re so obsessed with this adorable proposal.

Nautical Rhode Island Wedding at the Weekapaug Inn

Being a New Englander, I can tell you one thing; a classic seaside wedding will never be out of style. I may be biased as my very own I dos were said on the coast of Rhode Island, but I think after seeing this stunner from Erin McGinn and TRUE Event, you’ll agree. Mint, navy, peonies and lace… it’s all right here in the full gallery for your pinning pleasure.

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From the bride, Maggie… I have been going to the Weekapaug Inn since I was a baby. Jake came there with me in 2017 and fell in love with the place. In fact, my father and him had already booked the venue before Jake proposed. I wanted our wedding to feel naturally beachy and calm and relaxed. Rather than having a formal sit down dinner, we opted for stations so that people can go and eat as they please. We also wanted to be sure to include details in the wedding that I think my mom would have liked. My mother was an interior designer so we chose to do fabric table numbers and menus to incorporate that element of her design into our day. Our signature cocktail is also the cocktail she had created at our club, Shorehaven, and we wanted the focus of the cocktail to be on her rather than having an individual one for Jake and I.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Elegant And Refined Wedding at Villa Arconati in Milan

Today we’re sharing a breathtaking wedding in Italy, captured by Peter & Veronika, that combines Italian and Jewish cultures and elegant style with a bit of fun. Their venue, Villa Arconati is the definition of a fairytale. Guests dined al fresco under a canopy of string lights at round tables decorated with elegant centerpieces from Valerio Grassi. The bride looked flawless in her beaded Atelier Pronovias gown. It’s safe to say White Emotion thought of absolutely everything when planning this dream of a wedding day!

From The Bride… When we began to plan our wedding, we set out to create something fun and inclusive for everyone – my American family, his (Northern and Southern) Italian family and friends, as well as our many international friends from Milan and around the world. We considered this important moment an opportunity not just to celebrate our love, but also introduce the most important people in our lives to our cultures.

Living in Milan for the past five years (and Alex since birth!), we wanted to share an authentic, yet magical, Milanese experience. The style we hoped to reflect was elegant and refined with a bit of fun thrown in. Our venue had all of this and so much more. Villa Arconati is a foundation and museum still under restoration. Part of its appeal is that it is not perfect, shiny, and new, but rather takes you back to a different era and is filled with history. Its gardens are immense, and there are countless indoor and outdoor spaces. During our first site visit, I found myself taking photos non-stop of all the details and painted interiors. These photos (taken with my phone!) I later integrated into the printed materials that I designed, with Alex’s consulting and help, along with dictionary-style translations of titles for each piece.

The museum provided English and Italian guided tours so our guests could discover the history behind this enchanting estate. Our dear friend Davide was our officiant, along with help from the wonderful Cantor Evan Kent. Our friend’s participation in the wedding began as a joke over beers. Soon after Alex and I got engaged, one night I told Davide he spoke English better than any other Italian I know, and he replied suggesting that he should marry us because he could speak to all our guests. At the time we laughed it off, but later on we decided it was a wonderful way to have a multilingual ceremony.

We used the details of the day to integrate our cultures, as well as remind us of our loved ones. The chuppah was my grandfather’s tallit. We read our vows in each other’s native language. During the dinner Alex’s groomsmen took part in the old Italian custom of cutting up his tie as souvenirs. We then danced the Hora, or, as our Italian friends called it “il ballo con le sedie” (the chair dance). I borrowed my earrings from Pérola, the jewelry line of a close friend unable to travel to Italy. I got my dream shoes via a friend working on the shoe design team at Prada. A week or so before the wedding I still hadn’t figured out my hair accessories, and a bridesmaid came to the rescue – the beautiful hair comb was custom made by Vera Wang for her wedding on the same day 6 years earlier. She actually never wore it, but it matched my look perfectly! After visiting an embarrassing number of bridal salons in which I said I didn’t want tons of lace, clouds of tulle or beading, I finally went to the Milan flagship store of Pronovias and ended up with exactly that. The saleswoman insisted she had “my dress” and that it was not any of the dresses I showed to her at the beginning of the appointment. I never thought I would “just know” when I had “the dress,” but she knew it! I fell in love with an unusual style from Atelier Pronovias that seemed to have a little bit of everything I had on my no list–a mermaid lace silhouette and a tulle, beaded overskirt and long tulle “wings” that provided just enough drama for our outdoor ceremony.

Our planner Alessia Santa from White Emotion is nothing less of a force of nature. She pulled together a dream event in just 2 months after we unfortunately had to let go our initial planner. Alessia knew so much about how to make every minute of the event flow smoothly, as well as how to mix our multi-cultural backgrounds.

Jewel Tone Autumn Wedding at Kestrel Park in Santa Ynez

We’ve just said adieu to fall, but that isn’t stopping us from appreciating autumn wedding inspiration galore. Today’s fete from Jen Huang is a California fall soiree for the books. Set at the sprawling Kestrel Park, event planner Davia Lee stood by this Bride & Groom in their planning process that resulted in a wedding you’ll be tempted to pin every captured detail. There’s so much more than what’s below so make sure to have a peek at the full gallery!

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From the Bride, Ali… Our wedding day was by far the best day of our lives. Steven and I are incredibly close to our family and friends so we wanted to ensure our day was personal and inclusive. My brother officiated our wedding, Stevens brother and grandfather sang a song during our ceremony, and we had our parents and other family members do readings about values that were important to us.

Our venue quite literally took our breath away and we were drawn to it for it’s natural beauty and European feel. Incorporating both of our Italian heritage into our day was something that was really important to us and we sure did! Davia Lee was the mastermind behind our incredible wedding and our dream team of vendors made the day not only beautiful, but stress free and so much fun!

I will never forget seeing the sail cloth tent for the first time and gasping at how amazing everything looked. Camille infused some moody elements into our florals which helped create the ultimate “wow” moment as you entered the reception. The dance floor was completely packed the entire night so much so that our guests demanded an encore from our band which resulted in Steven and I dancing up on stage, singing out to all our family and friends. We had an absolute blast. Our day was better than we could have ever imagined – full of magic and was so us!

Favorite Moments… Our first look was hands down our favorite part of the day. It was so intimate and our eyes never left each other as I walked down the aisle towards him. We both let out the biggest sigh as soon as we saw each other and were so comforted in being together! Not that I ever doubted whether or not he was the one, but in that moment I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Showing him my veil and watching his reaction was something I will never forget. All of our nerves seemed to dissipate and we were just so excited for everything to start!

Our vows: hearing the wind in the trees and each other’s voices as we professed our love for each other was pure magic. We both say we will never forget the rustling of the leaves as the wind moved throughout the trees. That and knowing we were surrounded by the people that meant the most to us was one of the best feelings in the world.

The napkin dance! Steven and I really wanted to incorporate Italian elements into all aspects of the wedding so we requested our band to play “Thats Amore” during dinner. When the song started, some of our guests took their napkins and were swinging them over their heads! Before we knew it, the entire reception (and I mean everyone) had their napkins up and people were swaying back and forth singing to the music. It was completely unplanned and a moment Steven and I still smile about now!
My grandmothers song – I surprised my mom and dad with a recording of my late grandmother singing during our reception. The look on my moms face as she heard her mothers voice is something I will remember forever. My entire family huddled in a circle on the dance floor dancing to her song. My mom was in tears and my siblings, dad and I couldn’t stop smiling at each other. There was so much love in that circle!

So many favorite details (I am such a detail person!): My favorite detail was by far my custom veil. I’ve saved the letters and cards Steven has written me over the years and I wanted to find a way to incorporate the words that had been so meaningful to me into our wedding. I worked with Hermoine de Paula to create the perfect love letter veil that was the best surprise for my soon to be husband. The look on his face the first time he saw it still gives me chills! I also kept it on during cocktail hour so that I could share the story behind it with our guests and watching everyones reaction was so special – there were a lot of tears!

Working the fashion industry, I knew I wanted to incorporate something fun and unique into my look. Carly Bennett helped create my custom “Skavdahl” white leather jacket that I threw on when I changed into my slip dress. It was so me and is such a fun, personalized piece that I will have forever.

Raina from Fete and Quill was amazing in creating so much of our signage and special elements. I wanted something really special for the escort display that felt natural with the venue and had movement. Davia came up with the amazing idea of creating free standing banners which really “wowed” against the lush greenery. They floated with the wind and were so cool! We used the same idea for the back of Steven and my chairs and draped fabric that read ” Avere” and “Tenere” which means “To have” and “To hold” in Italian. Finally, our dried greenery acrylic place cards helped tie in the entire look as they were inspired by our venue! For our lounge, we had a light up “Andiamo” sign which means “Let’s go” in Italian. It was such a fun backdrop and our guests loved getting pictures with it!

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Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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This Puppy-Filled Holiday Shoot Will Be the Cutest Thing You’ll See All Day

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!!! Raise your hand if holidays wouldn’t be complete without your four-legged friends (not-so) patiently waiting for a tasty crumb of Christmas dinner to drop. In honor of our pawfect pets, we’re sharing the cutest holiday shoot of all time from For the Love of Paws and Jessica Hennessey Weddings. A red truck, a Christmas tree farm, gorgeous wreaths from Beach Plum Floral and puppies galore!! Scratch that Santa, we’ve already got everything we could ever wish for this year! If you or someone you know is looking to adopt a pup this Christmas – Sadie, Precious & McIntyre (the dogs in this shoot) are all still searching for the forever homes. Read on to learn more and see all the adorable captures by Lauren Dobish and Rachel Buckley Weddings.

From For the Love of Paws Boston… The Christmas Tree Farm in Pembroke set the scene for a day filled with the delicious smell of pine trees, intricate wedding details and puppy kisses from the dogs at Brown Dog Coalition and Survivor Tails Animal Rescue (STAR). Two organizations that exist to rescue, rehome & rehabilitate these animals.

As a wedding planner & designer and lover of 4-legged doggie friends, Jessica – the owner of Jessica Hennessey Weddings in Massachusetts, wanted to combine her two passions and help get local rescue dogs out of foster care and into their forever homes. What better timing than the holidays?

In collaboration with Danielle Engel from For The Love Of Paws, who got the adoptable dogs camera-ready for their big debut – Jessica planned a holiday-themed wedding in the tree fields and a winter-design to remember. Photographing the day was Rachel Buckley Weddings and Lauren Dobish – who couldn’t have captured it more perfectly.

Behind the scenes, Beach Plum Floral designed the most beautiful bridal bouquet, floral hoops and collars, as well as a gracefully detailed floral runner across a Coast & Country Rentals farm table to complete the perfect holiday tablescape. Elegant gowns by designers Amy Kushel & Jenny Yoo from Flair Boston graced the farm, prettied up by the girls at The Bridal Bar and Stephanie Ward Makeup. And who can forget the cake? A cable-knit beauty by Delicious Desserts rounded out the details on this gorgeous day.

Almost all of the puppies here have since found their forever homes, but the three dogs featured (Sadie, Precious & McIntyre) are still in search of their permanent families. If you are interested in adopting or supporting one of these organizations, please contact Survivor Tails and Brown Dog Coalition for more information.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Berry Toned Holiday Wedding Inspiration in a Pampas Grove

Just when we thought we’d seen it all when it came to holiday wedding inspiration – Cavin Elizabeth and this 10/10 vendor team came in and knocked our Christmas socks off! Set in a pampas grass grove, this style shoot marries whimsy and modern to produce the ultimate subtle holiday wedding inspo. Leaf it to Lexi created breathtakingly beautiful ivory, red and mauve arrangements, the bride donned an ethereal long-sleeved Marchesa gown and Crowned Events tied the whole look together. All I can is… Happy Holidays to us!!

From Cavin Elizabeth Photography… In my spare time I love going on long walks around my neighborhood. I often find small spots that I think would be a beautiful place to photograph a couple. Recently, I was drawn to a pampas grass grove that I’d driven by many times before. It wasn’t until I slowly walked by that it hit me to incorporate it into an editorial. For this shoot, we wove pink tones of light blush, rose, and a deeper-almost burgundy-berry throughout the invitations, tabletop, and accessories to emulate a holiday wintry wedding.

The stationery created by Epoch Design featured a mix of mauve and ivory pieces with hand torn edges for a romantic look and feel. Our escort display consisted of hanging pampas grass, some of which was dyed pink, and hand-calligraphed lists of guest names. For the tabletop, Jessica of Crowned Events chose a neutral ivory linen so that the addition of the berry chairs would balance perfectly with the centerpieces. Light pink glassware and neutral napkins paired beautifully with the light pink dinnerware that we laid on top of ivory chargers. The chargers themselves featured a celestial design in gold accenting that resembled snowfall – another nod to the holiday season.

Leaf it to Lexi created lush centerpieces with ivory, red, mauve florals mixed with organic greenery. The table had one large arrangement seated in the middle of two satellite medium-sized arrangements and elegant ivory taper candles. Adjacent to our table, Lexi added a stunning pampas installation to tie in the table to the surrounding environment.

Our groom donned a sleek black tux, while our bride wore an ethereal Marchesa with long sleeves and bow and floral detailing. The movement of the train flowed elegantly in the wind – a feature which I love in wedding gowns. For the ring, I chose a berry David Yurman piece for the bride. Her hair, styled by Beauty Bespoken, was softly curled into a low updo. Some curls were left loose to give the bride a whimsical yet elegant look. For brides getting married in the late fall or early winter before Valentine’s Day, this editorial is the perfect inspiration for infusing the holidays in their celebration without being overly themed. Sometimes a few subtle nods to a season or holiday are just the right amount.

Emerald and Gold Antique Inspiration with a Major Dose of Holiday Glamour

There’s just something about vintage details and the holiday season that go so effortlessly well together – and this gorgeous inspiration shoot from Kristiann Photography proves just that. It’s a fusion of rich emerald hues, elegant antiques, 1920’s glamour and one seriously stunning wedding dress. OH, and the prettiest fleurs you’ve ever seen from Mum’s Weddings. I mean… need we say more!?

From Kristiann Photography… With winter well on it’s way, I wanted to create something that embodied the glamour and tradition of the holidays.

The rich emerald colors against Helena’s magnificent red hair and the warm golden ambiance create a cozy, yet elegant vibe. Our bride looked so effortlessly beautiful in her Marina Semone gown.

I wanted to bring in a lot of vintage elements, being inspired by 20s glamour, so we brought in this amazing emerald settee, that gorgeous antique sweetheart table, and an exquisite wooden bar, all from With Love Vintage Rentals.

How incredible is this gold and white cake made by Delectable Catering and Desserts? It looked so perfect with our antique, holiday glamour theme.

We shot these in an old abandoned building in Colombia Falls, Montana and the textured walls, peeling paint, and brick hearth, created the most amazing backdrop!

A Very Merry Hot Pink and Green Christmas Wedding at Greenbrier Resort

What do you get when you mix Christmas spirit, hot pink, a horse drawn sleigh and the sweetest couple of all time?… this AMAZING wedding! If this festive fete at The Greenbrier Resort from Perry Vaile Photography doesn’t get you in the holiday mood – we don’t know what will. Pamela Barefoot thought of every genius holiday-inspired detail of this day, and trust us when we say there are countless! Thanks to the magic of Christmas, the next morning guests woke up to a winter wonderland straight out of a storybook! Keep on reading to unwrap all the gifts this wedding has to offer.

From Perry Vaile Photography… Courtney and Alex’s wedding was the most joyful day filled with so many incredible Christmas details. They tied the knot at the beautiful The Greenbrier, a luxury resort located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

Upon arrival to the resort, guests received a welcome box with chocolate chip cookies, candy canes, seasonal alcohol, an “eat, drink and be merry in the morning” stamp, and snowflake pretzels. Guests who attended the weekend could participate in festive activities such as ice skating and a horse and carriage ride.

The bride had a tinsel tree in the bridal suite with gifts underneath for all her bridesmaids. They unwrapped the gifts to find silk monogrammed pouches with earrings inside for them to wear that day! They sipped on some bubbly (a hand painted bottle of Veuve!) while they got ready for the big day. Her bridesmaids looked absolutely gorgeous in their green velvet dresses holding pink & white bouquets made beautifully by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD. Green velvet was featured not only in the bridesmaid dresses but in the reception seating and vow book too!

During the ceremony at the Greenbrier Chapel, the flower girl was pushed down the aisle in a tiny, flower-covered sleigh – how adorable is that?! After Courtney and Alex exchanged their “I do’s”, guests tossed a flurry of snow from “Joy to the World” sheet music and rang jingle bells as the couple exited the ceremony into a horse drawn sleigh. It was pure Christmas magic!

As guests made their way to the reception, a wreath escort wall helped them find their seat. At their table, each guest received vintage glass ornaments next to their place cards as a festive keepsake from the day. To satisfy those sweet holiday cravings, a decadent dessert bar featuring tall nutcrackers was covered with sleigh cookies and gingerbread cookies galore. The reception really got guests in the Christmas spirit thanks to some green Santa hats, light-up Christmas tree necklaces and tinsel halos as the band rocked out to Christmas favorites. The final song concluded with a shower of confetti snow across the entire dance floor!

Following the confetti snow reception finale, the weather forecast changed, shifting the area into major snowfall. By the time many guests awoke the following morning, a blanket of snow covered the ground. Quickly, the Greenbrier Resort found itself under 25” of snow! Guests and vendors alike were stuck to enjoy the resort for an extra day, but the bride and groom made a long, snow-covered journey through the storm and safely made it to their flight to warm Hawaii!

Our Top 15 Picks for the Best Engagement Rings of 2018

It’s so crazy to believe that 2018 is already coming to a close and another year is about to begin! Let’s be real, this year had its fair share of ups and downs, but one thing’s for sure – 2018 definitely didn’t disappoint in the sparkle department. We’re talking major bling envy here. To celebrate the end of another year around the sun, we’ve rounded up our top 15 picks for the most memorable engagement rings of 2018! We already can’t wait to see all the countless gems 2019 will bring.

1. We’re head over heels in love with this horizontal, three-stone, emerald cut beauty! Perfect for the classic bride-to-be.

2. There’s only two words that come to mind when describing this intricate, marquise diamond – JAW.DROPPING.

3. A classic cushion cut with a halo and matching diamond band – I mean, what more could a girl really need?!

4. When you can’t decide if you’re more obsessed with the rock or the band… you know it’s a total winner.

5. This unique round engagement ring is giving us major vintage vibes with a heavy does of romance.

6. Let’s be honest, this blindingly gorgeous emerald cut diamond can speak for itself. Ob-sessed.

7. We can only image her reaction when she saw this unbelievable emerald cut complete with a floating halo and double band. We’re feeling short of breath over here just looking at it!

8. This platinum, cushion cut dream by Ritani is definitely a major head turner. What…a…BEAUT!

9. This cushion cut beauty complete with a sparkling halo and twist setting is everything.

10. The second we saw this bride’s bling – we were speechless! Hashtag blessed.

11. We’ve never seen an engagement ring quite like this, how unique is this radiant cut stunner?!

12. A can’t-miss, three-stone engagement ring fit for a princess. Yup, obsessed.

13. We are absolutely living for the regal design of this one-of-a-kind sparkler.

14. This unique ring is perfect the vintage bride who loves a color pop!

15. We love the simplicity of this pear shaped solitaire. Classic and oh-so stunning!

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Photography

2 Brides Photography

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Vintage Garden Wedding at The Gadsden House in Charleston

In one word, this day feels: effortless. There was of course, plenty of hard work to bring this celebration to life, thanks to Lindsay Bishop Events and the entire vendor team. But the result is totally unfussy, blushing Southern romance with just the right amount of elegance. Ava Moore was in attendance to document it all behind the lens and I think you’ll agree that it’s the definition of lovely.

From Ava Moore Photography… Congrats to Megan and Lee on their elegant Gadsden House Wedding! Megan reached out to me two weeks after Lee popped the question at the Biltmore House. She described that she wanted an elegant and romantic wedding day with light neutral colors of pale pinks and champagne. Lindsey Bishop Events was able to bring this vintage garden wedding to life at The Gadsden House with her amazing floral installations over the fireplaces. Megan wore a stunning Birenzweig gown that she found at Sweet Elegance Bridal in Atlanta. It fit her like perfection and was accented with an equally stunning cathedral length veil. The sweetest part of the day was seeing Lee fight back the tears as Megan walked toward him down the aisle. These two are truly one of the sweetest couples I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this year!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Chic South Asian Wedding at Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

As much as I love a wedding packed with Pinterest-worthy details, without fail, I always come back to the bridal portraits. They’re my favorite images to look at when I first open a gallery—so you can imagine my excitement when I clicked on this one captured by Erin Wilson. They are powerful portraits that tell the story of the blending of two beautiful cultural backgrounds and the love of Alyzae and Viqar. To top it all off, we had a chance to interview the Bride herself, on every facet of their day. Read it all below!

Tell us about your cultural backgrounds?

My cultural background is of British and Pakistani heritage, and Viqar’s heritage is from India and Yemen. Both of us grew up here in the states – he grew up in Western New York and I grew up in Dallas.

What elements of your culture/heritage were important to incorporate into your wedding?

The clothes and jewelry played a big part in our wedding – both of us wore pieces that had meaningful significance within our families which was really special. I also got to wear a beautiful, signature Indian jewelry set from Viqar’s mother. Food is also a highlight in South Asian weddings so having a variety of traditional food was important. Our culture also places an emphasis that a marriage is not just between two individuals, but between two families, so the the involvement of our families was important.

How did you blend cultures and still keep your ceremony & reception cohesive?

Fortunately, there are a lot of similarities between our cultures, so it was a matter of merging the two cultures together.

Did you have Western influences at all? If so, what were they?

Yes! Traditionally, the South Asian wedding outfit is red, but I always knew I wanted to wear white. As part of our cultural wedding dress, we wear a veil (“dubata”) on our head, but I loved the idea of a long cathedral-style veil so I combined the two! Traditionally, our weddings are a multiday event, with the ceremony typically held on the day before the reception. The set up of our wedding mimicked a Western wedding in that we had the ceremony and reception in one evening, with a social (“cocktail”) hour in between. We also had my brother’s friend play the piano to “All of Me” by John Legend for our entrance. Lastly, my mother set up a massive dessert bar that included both traditional South Asian dessert as well as Western dessert.

What were any challenges that you faced when planning your wedding?

Because I live in Maryland and Viqar lives in Boston, planning our wedding Dallas and finalizing the venue, photo/video, clothes and makeup from afar was definitely challenging! It was nice to have my parents in-town to help with coordinating all the different pieces.

Biggest piece of advice for those looking to infuse their wedding with more than one culture?

Openly communicating between families with what traditions/aspects of the wedding is important to them was really helpful and kept everyone on the same page. It also gave everyone a piece of mind that they’re values/traditions were being respected. Infusing multiple cultures into a wedding also gives you the opportunity to go outside the box with your planning and provides you and your guests a unique experience!

Photography: Erin Wilson Photography | Videography: Company N Films | Hotel: Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

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Erin Wilson Photography

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The 3 Meaningful Ways ‘Bachelor’ Alum Sharleen Joynt Celebrated Her One Year Wedding Anniversary

It’s been just over a year since one of our favorite Bachelor alums, Sharleen Joynt, tied the knot to her soulmate, Andy Levine, at an intimate ceremony in NYC’s beautiful Battery Park. For Sharleen, celebrating her one-year anniversary meant not only celebrating her handsome hub, but also celebrating her amazing support system that stood by her side on that unforgettable day — especially her gorgeous mama! Photographed perfectly by Judy Pak Studio, below are the three ways Sharleen commemorated this happy occasion we think every bride should totally adopt.

1. Wearing her new favorite perfume. Sharleen recently discovered her new go-to perfume, Beautiful Belle by Estée Lauder – an irreverent blend of Lychee, Mimosa, Rose Petals, Orange Flower, Gardenia and Marzipan Musk. This unique fusion of ingredients has a significant underlying message. The daring and unconventional components represent those of love, and the notion that #LoveBreaksAllRules. This modern pairing of ingredients always leaves Sharleen feeling nostalgic of her wedding day, as her bridal style was modern, romantic and untraditional – mirroring the elements of Beautiful Belle. Although this day happened to be a very special occasion, Sharleen admits that she can’t help but wear her Beautiful Belle perfume as often as possible. Later in the day, Sharleen has an intimate lunch date planned with her husband where they will exchange anniversary gifts.

2. Mother-daughter coffee date. Before her dinner plans with Andy, Sharleen’s beautiful mom met her for the cutest mother-daughter date to talk all things wedding over a cup of coffee. They reminisced on everything from seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress to her and Andy’s romantic love story. It was the sweetest way to celebrate the best day of her life. It’s also pretty safe to say we officially know where Sharleen got her movie-star good looks from, am I right?

3. Looking at old wedding prints. For a tangible way to reminisce on the day, Sharleen brought out a handful of her most loved wedding prints to look at with her mom. The ones that made them laugh, the ones that made them cry – and everything in between. This is such a perfect reminder that getting your favorite wedding photos printed is oh-so worth it. You’ll be so thankful to be able to look back, hold them in your hands and cherish them for all the years to come.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Floral Design: B Floral | Hair and Makeup: Anna Breeding | Creative Direction and Styling: Veronica Rogers | Perfume: Estee Lauder

A Pomegranate and Peony Summer Wedding at Chateau Bouffémont

Today’s gorgeous Chateau Bouffémont wedding planned by Lovin Concept with photos from Mariel Hannah is not only a celebration of love, but also a very important day in France – Bastille Day!!! This elegant, peony-filled wedding has the most delicious color palette of pomegranate, garnet and shades of pink. We still can’t get over how cute and creative the place cards are. And of course, it’s complete with an epic firework show to end the night with a bang… obsessed is truly an understatement!

From Lovin Concept… When you get married in France in the most magical chateau and the day happens to fall on Bastille day, you can expect the most fairytale-like firework show to complete the celebrations.

Antoine & Gizem got married in a Chateau just one hour outside of Paris. This elevated, yet incredibly relaxed celebration was full of stylish guests from around the globe, tasty wine and un-paralleled cuisine. Everything you would expected from a wedding in France.

Gizem with her refined elegance wore a beautiful Jenny Packham dress. After finding and booking the perfect venue, it was time to choose a bespoke style. Flowers for for the fireplace, details, the stationery… First, choose a pretty palette to enhance the green walls of the main room. With tons of fig, garnet and shades of pink the result will be beautiful. Peonies, garden roses and blackberries result in a pretty little variety of flowers .. Add a touch of gold to highlight this gourmet arrangement creating a modern yet elegant table.

To welcome the guests, we created unique place cards – a bud vase pomegranate made custom for the wedding in Turkey with gold calligraphy to contrast clearly with the dark pomegranates. Some other unique details of the table were various memories of vacations with vintage photos taken all around the world.

Paired with a refined cocktail menu, the reception was a french dinner served with a fresh Amuse-bouche of cantaloupe suprême with ginger ice cream and mint coulis, slow-cooked veil confit, and many different sorts of desserts. And of course, champagne! This unforgettable day was sunny, joyful and radiant!

Elegant Destination Wedding at The Ranch At Rock Creek

It’s not often that I get to say I’ve experienced the beauty of a venue in a feature I’m writing, but today I do. And so I can attest that The Ranch at Rock Creek is just as gorgeous as it appears in these lovely images from Simply Sarah. The team at Habitat Events and Habitat Floral Studio added their touch with glowing candlelight, blooms and greenery for days and an overall design that compliments the rustic scene so well.

From the Bride… Jerry and I met through the business he owned, EMTEQ. He had a facility in MT where I lived. We met when I got a job here as the HR Manager. Although our personal relationship started later. We did have the opportunity to get to know each other professionally, at work, which I think is an advantage because you don’t have the normal dating pressures that most people have. Once we started dating we realized what a treasured and wonderful relationship we had and became very committed to making it work. We dated long distance for about 3 years or so before my daughters and I moved to Wisconsin. We were engaged the day before Easter 2017 on the beach, at sunset, in Marco Island, Florida. It was amazing. We decided to get married the day before Easter 2018 which is special as it marks the anniversary of getting engaged.

Jerry and I talked about getting married quite a bit and where or how we’d do it. We both have children from previous marriages so immediately knew they should be a part of it. We often discussed a beach wedding, something small. After really discussing it, Jerry brought up The Ranch at Rock Creek. This was a place special to both of us because one of the first holidays we spent together was Thanksgiving weekend and we spent it at the ranch. We were always very fond of this place. It became apparent that Montana and the ranch were a perfect location to be married. Once we had the dates locked in, I immediately got in touch with Jennifer at Habitat Events to start the planning process. I really wanted to reflect Montana in the wedding and the softer colors and touches of spring. So it developed into a mix of rustic and romantic. I researched and found many inspiration photos which I shared with Jennifer and she worked her magic turning my ideas into reality. We wanted a small, intimate wedding with just our closest family and friends involved. Weddings often can get out of hand with entertaining the guests and I think the bride and groom can lose sight of what/why they are doing it all for. Jerry and I were determined to not lose focus and to really celebrate that weekend for what it was.

There are so many wonderful memories from that day, it was really an entire weekend, but I think overall the most favorite memory was exchanging our handwritten vows. Oddly, but funny our vows ended up being VERY similar which made me teary and giggle at the same time. Perfect confirmation in that moment that our relationship is so good for both of us. The runner up favorite memory would be the opportunity to bring both sides of our families and friends together for our wedding and Easter weekend. It was amazing to be able to spend that time with everyone together. It could not have been more perfect!

Simply Sarah Photography does not disappoint and I would absolutely recommend them to other brides! Sarah and her husband were both incredibly friendly and professional. I’ve often times seen photographers that get pushy or have to be in the way to get the “right” shot, which becomes very unnatural and not to mention annoying. I never experienced this with Sarah’s team. Many times I didn’t even realize there were photographers taking photos! She was able to capture moments I had forgotten about or didn’t even realize had happened- which I think is a gift as a photographer, to be able to go unnoticed!What a wonderful surprise when I saw my wedding photos. They are all so beautiful and it’ll be torturous to decide which photos I want to actually print! I’d recommend Simply Sarah to any bride and groom planning a destination wedding.

Galia Lahav’s Enchanting New Collections Are Here Just in Time for Engagement Season

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year again – engagement season, that is! And for every diamond ring under the tree, there is a dream wedding dress just waiting to be found. Lucky for all you soon-to-be fiancées, Galia Lahav is gifting you not only one… but TWO stunning new collections! The GALA by Galia Lahav Collection VII is perfect for the modern, free-spirited bride who craves a bit of fantasy. The ALEGRIA Collection is inspired by a vision of Latin Royalty keeping the feminine body in mind. Believe us when we say, every single dress is heart-stoppingly gorgeous. We’re rounding up some of our favorites from each collection, but who knows… your dream dress just might be one click away at the full gallery!

GALA by Galia Lahav Collection No. 7

G – 201
I think we can all agree – this low back beauty is a total knock out! She’s made of antique lace crochet with a scalloped embellished pattern. The front? A sexy, plunging v neckline. A thousand times yes…

G – 202
It’s more than a dress, it’s a work of art! This stunner features a high neck, geometric pattern, sheer cutouts and is made of the softest tulle. It’s the perfect mix of modern style and alluring romance.

G – 203
For our princess brides, this graceful, off-the-shoulder A-line was made for you! With sheer French lace and a detachable tulle skirt, what’s not to love?

G – 205
Did someone say 3D lace?! Don’t mind us, we’ll just be staring at this voluminous beauty for the rest of our days. Peep the high slit and plunging deep v neckline… yup, we’re in love!

G – 206
If you’re looking for a dress with transformable style – look no further! This elegant gown made of 3D embroidered tulle can be rocked with or without the detachable sheer sleeves. With this, you can easily transform your look from the ceremony to the reception!

G – 209
This dress is perfect for the bride who doesn’t want to show a lot of bare skin but still wants to look a little sexy on her wedding day. The plunging v illusion is so unique through the sheer bateau neckline. This dress is hand embroidered from head to toe and made of French lace!

The ALEGRIA Collection

ALBA
If a dress with an abundance of glistening beading is what you’re looking for – then ALBA is your girl. She has that timeless style, matching fitted gloves (to die for!!), a fitted corset top and detachable skirt. What a gem!

NISSA
We could stare at this gorgeous gown for hours and still not get over the endless, inspiring details. It features a sweetheart neckline, low back and 3D embroidered appliqué accents.

CAMILLA
With stunning balloon sleeves, sheer side cutouts, a corset top and fitted trumpet shape – Camilla s perfect for the fashion-forward bride who isn’t afraid of a little drama.

FABIANA
I mean… can you even believe how beautiful this dress is? Fabiana is truly a masterpiece with a very regal look. She’s complete with a corset top, scoop neckline and captivating 3D floral embellishments.

NEVIS
A gown that’s truly unlike any other, Nevis features a custom-made pansy floral design that you will only find on this dress. We’re living for the long sleeves and v neckline. If you want to take it one step further – try it with the Nova skirt (pictured) for a wow-worthy moment!

QUERIDA
Ohh this blush ballgown is stealing our hearts. Silk tulle, embroidered appliqué and a plunging v corset top with sheer cutouts – swooooon.

Royal Wedding Inspiration at Chateau de Champlatreux

Spring brides, I know you’re out there—and I can bet you’re in the midst of wedding planning bliss and stress, which come hand in hand. But just for today, let it all go and let yourself drift and daydream with this absolutely stunning inspiration from Alexandra Vonk and Idyll Stories. Inspired by royalty and Rococo paintings, violets, pale pink, lavender, and peach tones are woven throughout for a faux fete that I hope will be a muse for your very own.

From Idyll Stories… This was the year of royal weddings, so when I decided on France for the editorial, the story I wanted to tell was about a daughter of a modern French queen. The editorial follows the return of the Queen’s daughter, who has taken a break from the royal life off in the countryside. Her home is an 18th century chateau, Château de Champlâtreux, and it had all the elements of a royal abode. One spring morning, the chateau was to host once again notable politicians, poets, and writers but this time for the marriage of the Queen’s daughter.

For this spring wedding, we drew inspiration for our colors from Rococo paintings — violets, pale pink, lavender, and peach tones. We imagined an organic and delicate bouquet for the young bride, as if the bride went to her garden and picked it herself that morning. For the ceremony, we didn’t want to distract the guests focus from the bride and the beautiful setting so we kept it minimal and let the stunning chateau take center stage as the backdrop. As the young bride and her love said their forever “I do”, the celebration moved to an intimate dinner setting behind the chateau where the guests can linger and dine with the view of the majestic park.

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Italian-Themed Wedding at Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada

You might be wondering what a lemon has any business doing in the middle of a winter wedding… but for this Bride and Groom, it was more than a symbol of the Italian coastline that inspired their theme. Tanner proposed to Danae while walking through a lemon and olive grove in Cinque Terre during a vacation to Italy. THAT my friends is the way to infuse you into your wedding. There’s really so much more than that one little detail thanks to the help of Julianne Young Weddings, and I urge you to cozy up below for the full story and imagery by Justine Milton.

From Julianne Young Weddings… The bride, who is soft spoken, caring and enjoys good sarcasm, and the groom who is self-described as dorky, goofy and caring brought their style and personality into every aspect of their wedding day. Danae and Tanner’s vision of an Italian inspired wedding with organic and natural elements allowed their wedding planner and designer Julianne Young of Julianne Young Weddings to carefully work with the couple to curate a mid-century Italian inspired wedding that reflected the couple’s taste and personality effortlessly.

Why all the lemons? Well, along with lemons being a symbol of the Italian coastline, Tanner proposed to Danae while walking through a lemon and olive grove in Cinque Terre during a vacation to Italy. These lemons had more than a design purpose, as they embodied the moment where the couple’s wedding journey and marriage began, with hints of the lemons seen throughout the day.

Danae and Tanner invited one hundred and thirty of their friends and family to celebrate their wedding day at the world renowned Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. A castle on a mountain base within Banff National Park, a UNESCO world heritage located in Western Canada.

The couple’s ceremony took place in front of cathedral windows and marble floors with the Rocky Mountains as their backdrop. A custom eight foot circle arch designed by Flower Artistry made a statement and furthered the organic and natural feel that Danae wanted to have. A harpist greeted guests as they arrived and took their seats in lime washed chiavari chairs before the ceremony began.

For the reception, guests were wowed by the high ceilings and beauty of Mount Stephen Hall where a mix of long banquet tables and round tables offered a styled and elegant setting. Tall sandstone taper candles in crystal holders set a romantic tone within the castle as the sun began to set. Modern touches of grey and gold matte flatware and linen napkins were beautifully balanced by gold rimmed glassware and custom menus on calligraphed parchment with hand-torn edges.

The flower centerpieces and wooden cross back vineyard chairs added in the perfect balance of natural and organic elements that Danae and Tanner wanted to come through in the design. Individualized limoncello flavours greeted each guest at their setting to further keep with the Italian inspired design. Garden roses in various tones of cappuccino and distant drummer paired with wine coloured ranunculi and peach spray roses added elegant tones into the wedding design.

The show stopper of the wedding reception, the cake. Adorned in natural greenery with lemon slices carefully placed on the 4-tier salta stucco buttercream cake included two decadent flavours, strawberry and lemon lavender in honey soak, which captured the hearts and taste buds of the guests.

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See the 15 Gowns That Prove Traditional with a Twist Is the Biggest Trend of 2019

Trends may come and go, but the new year is on the horizon and we’re embracing the change with open arms. Tops on our list in 2019? Classic gowns with a decidedly sexier twist. Yes, we will always fall for those traditional, princess-inspired looks – but give us an illusion neckline or a backless style with a mermaid tail and we’re all googly eyes and dropped jaws. See 15 of our faves from the runways below.

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Blush Bohemian Wedding at Ios Club and Cycladic Gem in Greece

Carefree and in love, this Bride had me at barefoot. Barefoot in Greece, with her Groom and dozens of loved ones. Does it get any better than that? While Anna Roussos‘ images of this celebration captivated me, I proceeded to be wowed by the film from Vasilis Kantarakis Films, which provides proof that this was one ridiculously good wedding. Take a few minutes to be a virtual guest at this Cycladic Gem Luxury Villa ceremony followed by a reception at the Ios Club , you won’t regret it.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/295763228 600 338]

From MAZI Event… It was such an enjoyable experience to design and plan the wedding day of our wonderful Daniel and Jasmyn… From the very beginning of our communication we fell in love with this beautiful bride and her vision to get married on a secluded and peaceful spot in Ios island in Greece, overlooking the Aegean Sea!

Daniel was looking forward to propose to Jasmyn with her beloved animal at arm’s length, made it so that they went at the Canberra zoo, where they stayed overnight in the giraffe enclosure! It was definitely the sweetest wedding proposal we have ever heard and we couldn’t resist to include this lovely animal as a sketch detail in their wedding stationery!

Our couple had always dreamt of a summer destination wedding in Greece, and since Ios island is their happy place, they didn’t need much convincing that it was the ideal for them. The ceremony took place at a serene location where everybody, couple and guests, had to make their descent for over 180 meters through a seaside secret path, however the compensation was well worth it! The calm and peaceful ambience of this magic place combined with the breath-taking view to the boundless horizon and the Aegean Sea, made the perfect scenery for the couple to exchange vows of eternal love and dedication in front of an amazing floral arch.

The ceremony was followed by a dinner party, accompanied by Greek flavours especially chosen for the occasion which the guests savoured against the setting sun, enjoying the view and the fresh sea breeze. It was an experience that will be forever cherished in everyone’s hearts… What the couple loved the most was the attention to detail, which was highlighted by the calligraphy wedding stationery, the elegant three-tiered wedding cake with their handwritten names as a wedding topper, arranged on the stunning floral swinging base, the rustic whiskey and cigar bar, the handmade water coloured in soft hues deckle edged menus on the dinner tables. All decorated with the uniquely inspired floral combination of eucalyptus greeneries and wild garden roses… an arrangement that made up for a fresh, bohemian chic style wedding! As the sunset palette was constantly shifting, this perfect evening was completed by the signature cocktails and the one-of-a-kind wedding gifts for the guests: Mastic liqueur love shots against the bar with the calligraphy bar backdrop that was calling everyone to get up on the dance floor and sway under the moonlight! A dreamy party full of memories an amazing couple full of love!

A Fairytale Wedding at Château De Robernier in Provence

When former Miss Scotland weds an international Scottish rugby player – you know it’s going to be one gorgeous wedding! White Eden Weddings planned their fairytale day at Château de Robernier in the romantic Provence region of France. The bride couldn’t have looked more beautiful in her drop-dead Galia Lahav gown while her bridesmaids stunned in shimmering lavender dresses, all captured by Craig & Eva Sanders Photography. Don’t miss out on the emotional video by Heart Visuals at the end (you’ll want the tissue box nearby for this one!)

From White Eden Weddings… Ellie and Richie’s wedding was planned and designed to be a true fairytale for them and their guests. Richie is an international Scottish rugby player and plays pro in Toulouse, France. Ellie is a student and former Miss Scotland.

They met in June 2011 in Glasgow and started dating in December. Richie proposed in September 2015 and they’ve contacted us in July 2017, one year before their wedding to plan their dream day.

Ellie’s idea was to plan a very elegant and refined wedding, around a color palette of gold, white and lots of gypsophila. We had a very high level of custom, starting with the bespoke stationery suite – designed by the great Laila Lettering– which featured the hand drawn Chateau, in gold foil, to the favors (personalized candle for the ladies, whisky bottle for the gentlemen), to the hand calligraphed place cards stung into French vanilla macaroons.

The aesthetics was one part of this beautiful wedding, as Craig & Eva Sanders captured it so well, but the atmosphere was equally important to Ellie & Richie and everything was thought to make the guests feel comfortable, welcome and loved; and make sure they were having an amazing time.

A bagpiper accompanied Ellie as she walked down the aisle, a caricaturist entertained the guests during the cocktail hour where they could also sip the 2 signature cocktails while enjoying typical and provencal canapés. This wedding was visually beautiful but the love we could feel from the guests for these two lovebirds was truly breathtaking.