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

Here’s How To Throw The Ultimate Vineyard Wedding

Wine lovers start taking notes! This Napa Valley wedding is better than a freshly chilled bottle of white. Jake and Megan are partners in business and love, as the CEO and Art Director respectively of One Hope Wine. When it came time for their wedding day, there was no better way to say “I Do” then on the private estate at One Hope Vineyard where the grapes for their wine are grown. The special touches and classic style of the day were beautifully captured by Matt Rice. Uncork your favorite bottle, and head to the full gallery for all the dreamy details.

From Beijos Events… We had the pleasure of designing and planning the wedding of Jake and Megan. Jake is the founder and CEO of One Hope Wine, Meg does the marketing and social media for the company.

They fell in love and moved to Napa to continue to grow One Hope. Along the way they helped design and build the gorgeous Estate 8 where the wedding was held.

They decided they had to get married on this amazing property surrounded by family, friends, and the vines. The setting for the affair was such a big part of their love story!

Meg’s attention to detail and style was epitomized in the gorgeous touches throughout the event. From tablescapes of seasonal fruit mixed with beautiful blooms to an epic escort card display, the wedding was truly a sight to behold.

The evening had a decidedly elegant feel. Lush vines and the natural beauty of the surroundings made for a stunning combination.

The event from beginning to end was a perfect representation of the love Jake and Meg share. They are a couple everyone was truly happy to raise a glass in celebration to.

When The Bride Is An Amazingly Talented Florist, You Know Her Intimate Wedding Is Going To Be Good!

For this intimate wedding of 10, the venue of choice was the bride’s family home on beautiful Lake Huron, with stunning views as the backdrop! With an intimate tablescape and food prepared by the groom’s father, the entire wedding day had a laid back, beach feel which went along perfectly with the bride’s Grace Loves Lace wedding gown! Amanda Collins Photography was there to photograph it all including the absolutely gorgeous florals put together by none other than the bride herself as she is a florist with Honeysuckle Floral Co. How amazing is that?! Take a scroll below to see all of the jaw-dropping arrangements!

From Amanda Collins Photography…Maggie and Evan are San Diego natives. But when planning their perfect wedding, they could think of no better place than Maggie’s family cottage in the quaint town of East Tawas Michigan, which sits on Lake Huron. They invited ten of their closest family and friends and exchanged their nuptials right on the lake. Maggie, being a talented florist, spared no expense when it came to the floral details. She designed the intimate tablescape, which sat in the middle of their property overlooking the lake. Evan’s dad prepared a fish dish he is famous for. This entire wedding is adorned by genuine, intimate details.

When planning the color palette, Maggie commented, “I have a secret love affair with Grace Rose Farm and centered the color palette around Distant Drums- one of my very favorite roses, which ranges from dark blush buds to a pale, creamy mustard in the center when fully opened.” Maggie decided that a floor arch would best suit their simple but beautiful feel for the ceremony that would not distract from the backdrop of the sparkling Lake Huron in the background. The table was adorned with modern plates and glassware from Crate & Barrel, set against more traditional brass and crystal candlesticks and a gorgeous chiffon runner from Tono & Co.

Maggie’s Emmanuela dress from Grace Loves Lace was the perfect fit for an intimate beach wedding, paired with Evan’s linen suit from Men’s Warehouse. She also has a love for organic and loose floral designs, which was incorporated in her bouquet with a variety of roses, peach stock, vintage color pee-gees, and one of her favorites, anthurium. These flowers were also used to re-vamp an old family bar where the drinks and cake were served.

While laid back, it is clear that each detail of this wedding was meaningful and intentional. This bride and groom couldn’t have asked for a more perfect September wedding day!

With These Tips, You, Too, Can Be the Hostess with the Mostest

When it comes to Christmas, I’m of the opinion that more is more. Always. In fact, if I could get a Christmas tree the day after Halloween, I would. Unfortunately, that’s not possible in New York City so I have to wait a whole month until Thanksgiving is over to get my apartment in the Christmas spirit. So, imagine my excitement when I saw this gorgeous holiday shoot from the amazing Sarah Kate, The Wildflowers, Bows & Arrows, Arabella June Design Studio, The Left Handed Calligrapher, Peyton Anne Frank and more! Consider this an early Christmas present. And the proverbial star on top of the tree? The Wildflower’s tips to host a holiday party worth celebrating!

From The Wildflowers… Hosting can understandably appear like a stressful feat. You not only have food and drinks to prepare, but invitations, decor, florals, a playlist, making sure your home is spotless, and that you have all of the serveware that you need. My biggest piece of advice is to outsource what you can and create a comfortable atmosphere. For me, I will focus on making our home look nice: clean spaces, sourcing and setting up the tablescape and decor, my husband will cook, my friend Alicia of Bows and Arrows will make our centerpieces, and when my guests ask what they can bring, I’ll recommend whatever their favorite bottles of wine is or dessert. Keeping it simple for yourself is crucial. A 5-course meal sounds lovely, but there’s nothing wrong with delivered pizza paired with great wine. It’s really the company that counts … and, of course, the tablescape.

Invitation

An invitation lets your guests know you’re planning something special for them. Yours should reflect the aesthetic of your evening and the level of formality you wish to communicate. If you’re picturing a more formal dinner, send a printed or handwritten invitation. For more casual events, an online invitation, email, phone call, or even quick text can work.

Lighting

Turn off all overhead light, turn on a table lamp or two, and light plenty of candles. Whether you use a silver candelabra or a handful of tea lights, soft illumination is one of the easiest and most important ways you can transform your space.

Tablescape

Think of your tablescape as more than just a place to serve food and drinks. It’s the source of the evening’s atmosphere. If it’s set with love and intention, your guests will notice. It’s a great way to showcase your personality. For me, mine usually looks like a formal set up, but will be juxtaposed with a family-style food service that is more communal, warm, and inviting. It has fun decorations, but ultimately, is not too stiff.

Don’t be afraid of choosing a color palette that is different from your traditional holiday colors. For Christmas, for example, instead of using just red and green, adding different hues of those colors will make it unique: a warm raspberry, wine, and even a lighter fern color. Additionally, you can always add accents that pair well to finish it off, like, french blue, midnight, and amber.

Guest Experience

As the host, your job is to help guests get acquainted and comfortable with each other. The best gift you can give your guests is to set the tone yourself by being relaxed and convivial. Upon arrival, greet your guests with a glass of something wonderful: either a glass of red, cider, or sparkling water. Think about how your guests will interact with each other. Get them chatting by including a tidbit about each person when you introduce them, and if two guests share a common interest, be sure to mention it to them. For the dinner table, consider place cards for groups of eight or more, especially if not everyone knows each other.

It’s always a wonderful idea to make your guests feel special. One way I like to do that during the holidays is to write special notes for each person, place it into an envelope with their name calligraphed by my friend Nicole of The Left Handed Calligrapher, and place them in our Christmas tree. Upon arrival, when guests are greeted with a beverage before dinner begins, they will be encouraged to pick out their envelope. The envelopes serve not just as beautiful ornaments, but are a great conversation starter and let your guests know how special they are to you.

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Bows and Arrows

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Scandinavian Inspired Holiday Décor Shoot with a Wreath Making Tutorial

This dreamy Scandinavian-inspired styled Christmas shoot is simple, elegant and everything our neutral loving hearts could ever desire! Take a look and be sure to check out the tutorial on how to make a wreath of your own!

The shoot centered around creating beautiful and simple holiday décor, inspired by Scandinavian design, using lots of foraged natural elements like fresh greenery and berries.

Wreath Tutorial

Create a simple fresh foraged holiday wreath:

1. Gather your materials: you’ll need a sharp floral clipper, floral wire, and a wire wreath frame. Snip the evergreen branches.

2. Cedar is a favorite of mine because the soft silvery-blue berries add even more texture to the design. Other evergreens such as pine, spruce or fir will work perfectly too.

3. Start by placing a branch or small bunch of the evergreen on the frame and attach it by tightly wrapping the wire around three or four times.

4. Don’t cut the wire; continue by adding the next bunch of greenery on top of the first.

5. Overlap the starting bunch by a couple of inches and keep all the stems going in the same direction, then wrap the wire around three or four times.

6. Continue this until you have made it all the way around to the starting point, then snip the wire and wrap it tightly around the wreath frame until it is secure.

7. To add more interest to the wreath I love to add a cluster of colorful berries, pine cones, or dried flowers. Bright red holly and nandina berries are a couple of my favorites. Shiny green and brown magnolia leaves are also a fun choice and add a contrasting texture to your wreath. Dried flowers like strawflower or celosia could also add a vibrant pop of color to your design. You can nestle these into the branches of the wreath and attach to the wire frame with a small piece of floral wire if needed.

8. My favorite way to finish off a wreath is by tying on a pretty silk or velvet ribbon in a loose bow with long tails.

Photography: Darcy Benincosa Photography | Styling: Emma Natter | Floral Design: Wild Fleurette

The Must-See Fall Color Combo You’ll Want To Steal For Your Wedding

Trust us, this is the color palette your fall inspiration board needs! For this autumnal inspired photoshoot, designed by Erica Estrada Design, mustard yellow is partnered with rust for an autumnal color combination that’s equal parts refined and welcoming. When it comes to weddings, we love everything the fall has to offer. Autumn’s cooler temperatures allow for bold textures, rich colors, and don’t get us started on the fall foliage! Beautifully shot by Ellie Koleen photography, you won’t be able to stop starring at all the warm, golden-toned details. Visit the full gallery for a look at the entire inspiration shoot.

From Erica Estrada Design… This editorial features vibrant and bold, autumnal colors that are evident in each frame. The aim for this shoot was to bring a refined and polished aesthetic representative of the New York bridal market.

It was captured by film photographer, Ellie Koleen, at the charming Park Winters located right outside of Sacramento, California. Its unique grounds made for the perfect setting for wedding inspiration. The groom’s dijon mustard jacket and bride’s stunning, high neck bridal gown represent a subtle expression of confidence, which perfectly complemented the turn of the season in the trees.

Complete with many textures and a variation in florals and foliage, the arrangements designed by Shannon of ARVO Floral Studio served as a main focal point on the tables. The lush, neutral shade of wild grass that outlines the property in addition to the couple’s wardrobe, florals, and tablescape perfectly represent all that is autumn.

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Petit Bouquet

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A Festive Holiday Cocktail that will put Those Copper Mugs to Good Use

Grab those copper mugs ladies and gents because Chrissy McDonald of Harlow James and Torrey Fox Photography have got just the ticket to put those puppies to use. This Pomegranate Mule is not only festive and gourmet style deliciousness but it also comes packing a bonus treat. Fig infused vodka…umm yum! Snag the recipes for both below and get ready for a serious Holiday Mule upgrade.

It’s that time of year again, the surge of holiday parties! To shake things up a bit, Torrey and I wanted to create an easy cocktail with a festive touch. By adding simple garnishes such as a sliced fig on a skewer or fresh berries the drink was instantly elevated. This recipe is perfect for a holiday party, but works for any occasion!

Pomegranate Mule with Fig Infused Vodka

Ingredients

2 ounces fig infused vodka
3 ounces pomegranate juice
Fresh lime juice (1/2 lime)
12 ounces Ginger Beer
Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Fresh fig for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in copper mug and top with crushed ice.

2. Garnish with fig slice on a skewer.

Fig infused vodka

Ingredients

Bottle of Vodka
10-12 figs

Instructions

1. Pour bottle of vodka into an airtight container.

2. Remove skin from 10-12 figs, slice in quarters and drop into vodka.

3. Seal tightly and leave on the counter (or at room temperature outside of direct sunlight) for at least 2-3 days.*

4. Shake the jar once or twice a day to move everything around.

5. Once you have the flavor you want, use a cheesecloth to strain all of the fruit pieces left in the vodka.

*You can leave the fruit in the longer, the stronger you want the flavor to be.

Photography: Torrey Fox Photography | Copper Mugs: World Market | Drink Recipe/ Styling: Chrissy McDonald | Drink/Photo Styling: Torrey Fox Photography

A Bold Red Wedding Complete with an Explosion of Flowers and a 24-Ft Floral Chandelier!

This red wedding (the good kind, not the GOT kind lol) is truly one of the most floral-filled weddings we’ve ever seen in the history of SMP. And. It’s. GORGEOUS. Waterlily Pond and Simone Lennon Events brought the bride’s vision to life with towering arrangements, a lush floral arbor and hanging reception installations you just have to see to believe. Lucky for you, Christina McNeill was there to capture every last petal, and it’s all right here at the full gallery!

From Christina McNeill… Says bride Sara, “I always knew I wanted a wedding full of flowers” and thanks to Simone Lennon and Waterlily Pond her dreams of an explosion of flowers came to fruition. The couple chose red as their main color palette—a bold and powerful color that complimented the couple’s unique personalities. During each moment of the day (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and dancing) they escalated the floral design heightening the ‘wow factor’ in color (soft pinks to red) and scale. For instance, during the ceremony they kept the design minimal with a large circular wedding ring filled with whites, greens and pinks with pops of red. By dinner, they had more reds and more pinks with a jaw-dropping 24-ft floral chandelier, and by the time the guests reached the barrel room for dancing, the florals were the deepest shades of red, with a romantic floating floral dessert display. The couple, who met in college, married at The Estate Yountville with one-hundred of their closest family and friends. From the stationery, the music during the entire event, signature cocktail choices, to their vows and ceremony, and their ‘EDM’ dance party at the end of the night, each aspect of the wedding was deliberate and meaningful.

MUSIC:

Thad and Sara are huge fans of EDM, so their entire wedding was catered to their music preferences. For instance, the song for the recessional was an instrumental version of the song Roses by the Chainsmokers. At dinner, Thad and Sara were introduced to DJ Snake’s “Turn Down for What”. Their first dance was to an instrumental version of “We’re All We Need” by Above and Beyond. Everyone called the dancing and dessert portion of the night “Club Herold”, a nod to the couple’s last name.

SIGNATURE COCKTAILS:

They had two signature cocktails, his and hers. ‘His’ was a tequila lemonade with a sugar rim. ‘Her’s’ was a Tito’s vodka, a little bit of soda water, a spritz of lime and some muddled blackberries. They wanted both drinks to be slightly reddish/pink to match with the color palette of the wedding.

BEST WEDDING ADVICE:

From the Bride… The wedding advice that I would give to my best-engaged friend would be the same wedding advice that my sister-in-law gave to me. At your wedding, make sure you take a caramel moment. What a caramel moment means is just standing, imaging that you have a caramel in your mouth and it is melting. Just take in the moment and savor the sweetness that is all around you.

FLOATING DESSERT DISPLAY:

Pretty Please Bakeshop made a black three-tiered cake filled with lemon zing and pb&j layers, and topped fresh flower accents. Their floating display also included red velvet twinkies, classic chocolate ding dongs with fresh strawberries, mini ding dongs, mini lemon pies and strawberry cream pies, macarons, and pistachio lime, raspberry almond and s’more cupcakes!

FLOWERS USED IN 24-FT FLORAL CHANDELIER:

Dahlias, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Aranthera Red ‘James Storie” Orchids, Amaranthus, Garden Roses, Ranunculus, King Protea and Amaryllis.

STATIONERY:

“We wanted the stationery to also reflect the escalation color, boldness and scale throughout the night. The save the date was a thick card stock with red trim and black text keeping the design minimal. The invitations were a gorgeous lace cutout that opened to a thicker card stock with red text. I think the escort cards might have been one of my favorite pieces created by Yonder Design. We had black acrylic escort cards that were placed on a 360-degree floral standing display during the cocktail hour. Everyone was able to take their escort cards home and I loved having the display be the center of the cocktail hour.”

BRIDE’S ATTIRE:

“I wore a stunning Ines di Santo gown with matching veil and small blusher veil. I knew from the outset that I wanted a ball gown with a long train.”

GROOM’S ATTIRE:

Thad wore an all black Calvin Klein tuxedo with all black details. His favorite accessory was an all black Armani watch that Sara gifted him for their wedding. However, a close runner-up were the colorful socks that he and his groomsmen wore.

BRIDESMAID GOWNS + GROOMSMEN ATTIRE:

Sara’s bridesmaids wore crimson red floor length gowns in varying styles from Hayley Paige. The groomsmen wore black Calvin Klein suits.

Garland 101: The SMP Guide to Using Christmas Garland

Christmas garland can seem like one of those things you decorate with “someday.” Someday when you have a mantel, a bigger budget, a banister… when you know how! But we’re here to tell you today, yes today you can be fully equipped and ready to add this to your Christmas decor regime.

The beauty of garland is that it’s so versatile that whether you play by the classic rules or improvise with your own home’s features in mind, it will still look beautiful. Whether you’re looking for DRAMA or just a little bit of festivity, you really can’t go wrong with adding garland.

Types of garland

There are a lot of different types of garland out there to choose from. They can be sorted through by length, durability, leaf type or decorative elements. We think the easiest way to sort through the options is to look at leaf type, then look into pre-decorated detailing.

pine

Classic “piney garland” is by far the easiest to locate and find for all price ranges. We’re talking $6 for 9ft kind of possibilities here. This is a great place to begin when you’re just starting out because of how economical it is.

magnolia

Magnolia garland is making a huge surge these days and we LOVE it. It’s fuller, a little more dimensional and has some good coloring to it. Unlike pine, these leaves are wide so you need fewer of them. It’s a little pricer for sure but it really makes a statement.

eucalyptus

We love eucalyptus garland so much we decided to start selling it :) The disc shape peppered in with the traditional long stem most greenery has to offer ads SO many more dimensions to the look giving the garland, all by itself, a big impact.

boxwood

Boxwood garland is making an appearance this season and we have to say we are big fans of this curveball. Typically boxwood functions as a bush that lends itself well to trimming in various shapes and sizes, so seeing it in a long form is a bit new but we LOVE it. The leaves are smaller and more bunched together and it creates a super textural look wherever it’s displayed.

flocked

Flocked garland is typically part of the pine needle category but because it looks so distinctly different we’re pulling it out on its own! Although we say that greenery is a neutral in and of itself, the snow-covered look is a great option to go for if you’ve got bold colors in your home and green just seems really off-putting.

pre-decorated vs. not pre-decorated

There are a few pros and cons here. If you get the pre-decorated garland you literally just get to set it down and go. Done! Easy peasy. The down side to getting garland pre-decorated is that you’re committing to a color palette and decor style for longer-term, and the price that comes with pre-decorated garland makes you want to use it for a looonng time. You really can’t go wrong with either direction, so whatever fits your preference and budget is the right answer!

where to hang it

Truthfully — the answer is just about anywhere you want it. There are a few tried and true locations that really are just begging to be adorned with the festive greens, but any feature you want to make a focal point can have garland. Here are a few of our favorites:

the mantel

The pièce de résistance to all Christmas decor, the fireplace mantel is by the highest and best use of your garland. If you’re opting to splurge on just one strand of garland — this is where you’re gonna wanna put it. Upfront and center!

doorways

Any door can be a highlight to your garland. Any arch, opening or door can greatly benefit from the addition of the festive greenery. The garland acts as a frame to your home’s natural features here and really compliments what you’ve already got going for you.

above windows

This is mostly scene in a kitchen, but framing out the ever-coveted window above the sink is a great way to use garland that is of a petite length. And, it decorates your kitchen for Christmas which is a pretty tricky task to do.

railings

You see this all over Pinterest and for good reason. Garland down a banister is about as iconic as it gets. Add in some ribbons and bows and you’re in for a really glamourous get up.

on your furniture

EVEN if you’re home is as plane jane as it comes, you still have options. Garland can go ~anywhere.~ We’re talking buffet tables, pianos, tv stands, above your headboard, above a mirror, on a crib, and last but not least, if you doubted it’s versatility we ask that you see the above photo. Yes, garland is such a valuable decorative tool that it can make even a CHICKEN COOP festive.

How to set it up

Again, garland is SO versatile that there’s really no wrong way to set it up. The rule of thumb (with most decor actually) is intentionality. Ask yourself “do I like this?” if the answer is “yes,” then it’s right for your home!

laying flat

This works best on mantels, flat furniture or shelves and is by far the easiest way to install. You simple *set it down.* Pepper in some figurines and decor (read more about that below) and voila! You’re done!

hung

Whether above a doorway, arch or down a railing you’ll want to choose how you want to hang it. You can either make it taught or loop it. It’s a bit easier to hang tight because you just need to be sure that you’re nice and secure. But if you’re looping it can add a bit extra ~drama~ and takes your display game to the next level. If you’re attaching it to a wall, simple command strips should do the trick without damaging your paint.

asymmetrical

We’re seeing quite a bit of asymmetrical garland this year and WE. LOVE. IT. The thing that we love about it so much is how intentional it is. It’s typically paired with a tapered garland (bushy in the middle and gets thinner at the end) and can take a problem of having garland that’s too short and turn it into an intentional decor statement. We are in full support.

garland add ons

Whether you bought live, faux or pre-decorated garland — you could always benefit from these little add-ons.

lights

The great thing about garland is that it’s festive even during the daytime, but when you light it up it’s doing double duty and shining right there along with your Christmas tree. You can easily light it yourself with the “tree” strands of twinkly lights, or if you’re feeling particularly motivated you can order battery-operated fairy lights and it takes whatever garland you purchased to a whole new, elevated level.

ribbon

Ribbon is an extremely overlooked powertool when it comes to Christmas decorating. It’s both parts pretty and functional, and that’s no exception when it pairs up with garland. A gorgeous velvet strand of ribbon not only serves as a decorative element to your garland, but it also assists in keeping it in place. Tying your garland to your banister with bowed ribbons is an ultra-chic way to make sure everything is secure.

bits, bobbles and sprigs

If you opted for plan garland but want to dress it up a bit — take a nod from how you decorated your tree! You can often find pretty miniature ornaments meant for kid’s trees that are actually perfect to add some festivity to your garland. Sprigs are another really helpful element to add some liveliness to strands (also sometimes called picks, also sometimes called the “little mini bundles of pinecones and stuff you stuff in the tree”)

figurines

If you’re laying your garland flat, it provides the perfect base for all your Christmas figurines. Think candles, nativity scenes, animal figurines, nutcrackers, and cute tiny houses. That type of trinket decor really benefits from some added greenery, and adding them on top of your garland makes it pop even more.

All in all, it’s pretty safe to assume you can never go wrong with adding a little garland to your toolbelt — it certainly goes a long way. If you have any more questions please feel free to add them in the comments!

You might also enjoy

SMP Round Up: 12 Christmas Mantels We Love

Christmas Decor Trend Report: Citrus!

Back of the Kitchen Chair : Jaclyn Mari | Double Door Entryway: The Leslie Style | Dropping Down with the Drapes: Lark Interiors | In the window — pink settee: Wit And Delight | Kitchen Window with Red Ribbon: Inspired By Charm | Multi Wreaths in the kitchen windows: Jean Stoffer Design | On the Coat Rack : Moore House Interiors | On the Table: Style Me Pretty Shop | Reading Nook with red bow: Rachel Parcell | Square Wreath: Anastasia Casey | Tiny Wreath in the Bathroom: Gwen Driscoll | Tiny Wreath in the Shelves: Brooke & Lou

This Bride Thought of the CUTEST Way to Include Her Grandparents in the Design of Her Wedding

Today’s gorgeous wedding highlights the stunning natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies. With help from Ivory and Vine Event Co., the adorable couple combined their love for Vail, CO with tons of personalized details to create the most beautiful western inspired wedding. A few things we’re obsessed with? The boozy escort display, the soaring ceremony views, and the bride’s TOO CUTE grandparents!! Dive right into the full gallery to experience it for yourself – all taken by Stephanie Brazzle!

From the Bride… Matthew and I met in July of 2013 through mutual friends one summer, while we were living on campus attending TCU. I was working for a wedding planner in Dallas at the time, and he had an internship. After four years of dating, Matthew asked me to marry him and I happily said yes!

For our wedding we chose to invite our nearest and dearest friends and family members to escape to Vail, Colorado – the state where I was born and raised, and the place where we one day hope to raise our family. This little town is nestled in the stunning Rocky Mountain Range, full of wildflowers, calm streams and gorgeous mountain peaks.

We wanted to immerse our guests in the true Colorado experience; and began the weekend with a white water rafting trip, followed by an intimate rehearsal dinner set amongst the rolling hills on a working ranch in Vail. Adorned in our “Colorado Western” attire, we dined on a farm-to-table family style dinner complete with Rocky Mountain trout, seasonal vegetables and Colorado peach cobbler as we watched the sun set over the valley.

For the wedding day, we wanted the natural beauty of the Colorado landscape to be the showcase; and said our vows to each other in front of the beautiful Rocky Mountain range amongst the wildflowers. We wanted our reception to be elegant, but with a a laid- back feel that encouraged dancing and celebration. I drew my main inspiration from our surroundings; wanting to highlight Colorado’s natural beauty and juxtapose it with touches of modern, clean lines. Our color palette of muted grey tones paired perfectly with vivid, spring flowers to provide happy pops of color at every turn.

We chose a clear top tent to bring in the aesthetic of the surrounding town square, which pays homage to Swiss and German architecture; and danced the night away under Aspen branches and string lights.

We also chose to incorporate touches that were personal to us. For the rehearsal dinner, we shipped in barbecue sauce from one of Matthew’s favorite restaurants in his hometown, Kansas City Missouri. For the wedding, we incorporated touches from my grandparents into the paper goods & desserts. My grandpa has always been one of my closest friends since I was young; he is a retired art teacher and I spent countless afternoons doodling and drawing with him by my side. He drew gorgeous pencil sketches of the Colorado wildflowers which were incorporated into our stationery suite, and all other paper goods, including two large portraits which were hung over the dessert table, which showcased my grandma’s famous homemade pies.

We pulled inspiration from our travels together for not only the decor but the food and drink that was served at the reception as well. The menu was modeled after one of the best meals we’ve eaten in Florence, Italy, and the Aspen branches were meant to mirror the decor of one of our favorite restaurants in Positano. After changing into a white pantsuit, I finished the evening dancing the night away with with the love of my life, the starry Colorado sky shining through the roof of our tent!

If I were to give one piece of advice to other brides, it would be to never lose sight of what’s truly important: the one that you’ll be sharing the rest of your life with, and the fact that all of these people will never be together in the same place again. Take advantage of that time with loved ones.

This Couple Chose New Orleans To Tie The Knot Without Ever Visiting!

Imagine choosing the city where you will say I Do, without ever going there?! Well, this creative couple did (along with the help of their wedding planner Sapphire Events)…and the city of choice, New Orleans! What better city, for their guests from all over the world to come together to celebrate them and, what better venue than the New Orleans Museum of Art?! With stunning emerald green and ivory floral arrangements by Bella Blooms, the ceremony and reception arrangements were stunning and Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography captured them beautifully, along with every magical moment and fun elements like dancing the night away with the sounds of NOLA! Take a peek below to see it all come to life!

From the Bride…Since we’re an international couple (I’m originally from New Jersey and Rene is from Germany, yet we met in London) we had friends coming from all over for the celebration. We chose New Orleans because it is such a fun city and knew it is such a unique place yet easy to get to. We chose New Orleans without having visited…

We were our wedding planner’s couple that chose the city without having previously visited. After we decided on the location, I flew out two weeks later and looked at eight venues and knew immediately the Marigny Opera House and the New Orleans Museum of Art was so special.

One thing we loved would be the band because we had such an eclectic audience (wide age range, people from all over) and we wanted a party band that could reflect New Orleans and play to the diverse audience. Many New Orleans bands are Jazz bands so we did a lot of research to find a great party band, which ended up being the Manhattan Party Band from Houston.

Flowers. They were beautiful but the expense was much greater than we initially anticipated; partially because we had four different venues to decorate (ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner table, and reception). Our color palette was emerald green and gold. We were drawn to jewel tones to match the vibrancy of New Orleans and thought emerald green would look great with crisp white flowers. We had a creative friend hand-make soaps, we ordered postcards online, found local pralines, and had a family member with a products company order the custom made favor bag.

My one piece of advice would be Don’t forget to pinch yourself and to take in all the love on your big day!! Something may go wrong but you have to be able to brush it off and enjoy the moment :-)

Floral Obsessed Brides Need to See This Romantic Garden Wedding Inspiration

A floral adorned harp, a breathtaking blooming arbor, a cascading bouquet – this editorial planned by Fabulously Chic Weddings is every botanist’s dream wedding inspiration. Jump right in to the lavender and blush hues of the full gallery captured beautifully by Set Free Photography for all the enchanted garden vibes. Floral Symphony – we’re simply in awe! Oh, and one more thing… THE. CAKE… let’s just say it’s confection perfection. Keep on reading and get those Pinning fingers ready!

From Fabulously Chic Weddings… La Casa Toscana, formerly a private estate only hosting family affairs, was recently opened to the public and as a wedding designer, I was ecstatic to get my hands on it! We partnered with an amazing team of creatives, specifically Floral Symphony, to create the overall design, and So Staged, Script Me Pretty and Sweetified to bring the concept to life through other decor details. La Casa Toscana is a stunning, and very unexpected, Mediterranean inspired home in Southwest Florida.

The venue itself is so beautiful and inspiring; we wanted to bring out the garden feel of it and present it in a soft color scheme, without just sticking to the “go to” of just blush. We couldn’t not include our fan favorite shade of blush, but we loved mixing in soft purple tones and mauves to give the color scheme some depth, while keeping the soft, feminine look that we desired. We loved styling the bride and groom with two very different looks. A second dress for brides has been popular for many years, but more recently, grooms are starting to do a second look too!

The groom’s first jacket was a fun, yet sophisticated mauve jacket. We paired it with a tulle skirt Wtoo gown with a nude underlay. The moody tones worked so beautifully together. The second tux was a more classic black tux look, but with a paisley print. We paired with with a sexy, yet sophisticated gown by Made with Love Bridal, adorned with soft and airy floral appliques galore! For the ceremony, the venue often uses a permanent arch structure for the backdrop, but we really wanted to do something different, and show the versatility of this property (so many options for ceremony spots). So, we used the gorgeous home as a backdrop instead.

We wanted the space covered in florals and greenery, and Floral Symphony did not disappoint. They cleverly utilized the beautiful structures that were already in place as an entrance to the aisle, and created a natural, free flowing arch structure at the altar. We used So Staged’s natural wood King Louis chairs for guest seating, and they were the perfect addition to the natural and flowy, yet polished, look that we created for the ceremony. For the tablescape, we combined the lush texture of the BBJ gray velvet linen with soft wood tones of the charger plates, napkin rings and King Louis chairs to convey the sophisticated garden look that we desired. Script Me Pretty beautifully accented the details with a gorgeous menu and place cards in blush ink. Sweetified bakery created a gorgeous cake with a gray toned background accented by sugar flowers and appliques in all of the pink and purple shades we used. We staged it on asoft wood accent table from So Staged, adding a flowy soft purple chiffon to further bring out the tones and create some beautiful movement. All of the details really came together perfectly to create a shoot that wowed everyone that was present!

These High School Sweethearts Said I Do At A Picture-Perfect Romantic Estate!

It doesn’t get much sweeter than high school sweethearts and Stephen and Alexa might be the sweetest, along with their dreamy, romantic wedding at Carinwood Estate. With classic details and overflowing florals by Carl Alan Florist, the venue was transformed and a fairytale was had! Lauren Fair Photography captured the bride who looked like a princess and all of the special moments like dancing the night away! Check it out below and be sure to watch the day unfold in their meaningful video by our friends, NST Pictures!

From NST Pictures…Stephen and Alexa met in high school when Alexa was 14 and Stephen was 17. They shared a first kiss and became friends before they started dating two years later. They both attended college at the University of Delaware. Throughout the years they have traveled to many exciting places, made great friends together, and shared countless, unforgettable memories.

Before hearing more, let’s watch their fun & captivating video by NST Pictures!

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August 8, 2018, on a trip to France, Stephen proposed to Alexa at the Jardin de Tuileries in Paris. It was like a fairytale, as you can imagine just by looking at these stunning images!

The couple’s advice to couples planning their wedding: “Take your time, enjoy the process, stay organized.”

Regarding having a wedding videographer: “I’m so excited to have a video to look back on such a special day!”

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Lauren Fair Photography

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This Is the Ultimate Wedding Weekend Itinerary for a Hot, Desert Wedding!

Kicking off with a vibrant pink pool party and ending with an epic dance party under a canopy of café lights – this is everything a wedding weekend in the desert should be and more! Imoni Events made the couple the happiest bride and groom ever by bringing their Arizona inspired wedding to life, while the lovely Rebecca Yale Photography captured every can’t miss moment. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the sweetness this weekend has to offer – including an adorable dessert cart that’s about to blow up Pinterest!

From Rebecca Yale Photography… The story goes like this.. It all started in Pullman, Washington home of the Washington State Cougars (and home of Steven and Brittany at the time). Both business majors in similar circles, it’s a wonder it took 4 years for the pair to meet. It finally happened one fateful (and chilly) night at an apartment party 3 months before graduation. Steve was talking to one of Brittany’s friends when she introduced the pair. Steve spent the whole night cracking jokes until Brittany’s cheeks hurt. Steve offered to walk Brittany home, and they quickly realized they had lived nearly across the street from each other their entire college careers.

The following evening, Steve spotted Brittany at “Mikes”, the infamous bar in town. He saw her buying a round of drinks for another guy and kept his distance; he was unsure if the connection he’d felt the night before was a figment of his imagination. His friend asked why he wouldn’t go talk to the girl who he had seen Steve hit it off with the night prior.“I don’t think she’s interested – she’s been buying that GUY drinks all night.” Steve replied. Much to Steve’s surprise, his friend laughed and told him it was her triplet brother – Chris. Steve bought both Brittany and Chris drinks and proceeded to make them both laugh the night away with his witty (and often cheesy) jokes.

They both knew they had chemistry – but with college coming to a close both were certain of one thing: Neither wanted to start a relationship, least of all with someone who’d be living in a different city. Saying what they both pretended would be their final goodbyes, they left Pullman wondering what could have been had they met earlier or stayed longer. But we all know this isn’t where the story ends. It only took a few weeks for Steve to ask Brittany if he could come to visit. They decided that while they never envisioned a long-distance relationship, they liked each other enough to try. Like grew to love. A year and a half later, Brittany moved to Seattle. A year after that, they moved in together, and six months after they got a dog they adore (Samson). On September 2nd, 2018, Steve proposed and Brittany said yes.

After falling in love with each other, Brittany and Steven also fell in love with Arizona. The desert brought good memories, sunny weather, and incredible scenery. Hailing from Seattle, the two of them were excited for an opportunity to show their friends and family a place they both held dear to their hearts. Given their love for the sun, Brittany and Steven kicked off their wedding weekend with a bright and vibrant pool party at Hotel Adeline. Fuschia pinks and lemony yellows dawned the retro pool as the bride and groom to be showed up in matching yellow-striped swimsuits. It was a perfect way to kick off such a fun-filled weekend.

As they woke the next morning, wedding bells were in the air and venue set up was underway. Brittany and Steven had envisioned a wedding that screamed romance and played off the natural architecture of Silverleaf Club. With the help of their wedding designer, Jenni from Imoni Events, they were able to curate the perfect collection of flowers, soft seating and rental items so their guest felt wrapped up in casual elegance with a touch of Brittnay’s girlie personality and graceful style.

Touches of blue accented the main color palette of mauve, blush, and silver. And since Arizona is known for its strong elements, we used residential wood tables, metal chairs and soft cotton seating with custom bows and monogrammed pillows. And thanks to their talented photographer Rebecca Yale, the details of perfectly matched vow books and carefully designed paper suite by Victoria York were essential to the overall look. The effect was a perfect setting for Brittany and Steven’s love story to continue. So as they walked through the day, the sweetest first look, their emotional vows, the hilarious Father-Daughter dance, and a cake-cutting that ended with a bang (surprise fireworks show for all their guests)

Brittany and Steven were on cloud nine (or 11 as she kept saying.) The moments might have been imagined, but the memories were organic and heartfelt. It’s no wonder the photos and video scream of love and laughter.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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For These Seattle Natives, Home Is Where The I Do’s Are!

These Seattle natives wanted to show off everything there is about their hometown to all of their friends and family, so tying the knot at The Seattle Tennis Club was an easy yes when it came to venue choice! With beautiful water and mountain views, the couple had a dreamy first look photographed by Blue Rose Photography and a classic yet fun party afterward with blooming centerpieces by Flora Nova Designs and even a champagne tower! Take a look below to see all that Occasions Wedding and Event Planning got to put together for a romantic, sunny Seattle day!

An Interview with the Bride…

When and where did you meet?

Charlie and I met in high school, and both grew up in Seattle. One of the things that we prioritized from the outset of our planning was having the wedding in the city – we wanted to show our friends and family from out of town (most of Charlie’s family is in the midwest and most of mine is in California) the city that we grew up in and all the places that are meaningful to us and our relationship.

You both went to UW correct?

Charlie is a UW graduate! I went to UCLA for undergrad, and am currently in law school at UW (so we both became Huskies eventually!).

Where did you get your dress and bridesmaids dresses from?

My dress was by Anny Lin (it was originally a one-shoulder gown that I had customized to be strapless). The bridesmaid dresses were by Jenny Yoo – I went to visit my bridesmaids in Los Angeles to go shopping for bridesmaid dresses, and they completely fell in love with the embroidery on these dresses.

Inspiration for the style and feel for your wedding?

Family is incredibly important to both of us, so it was a big priority to involve our family members – we had a total of 7 flower girls and ring bearers because all our little cousins wanted to be involved (which was pretty overwhelming at the rehearsal, but went perfectly during the actual ceremony). We also wanted to make sure to showcase the location – we had our welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Pioneer Square, a historic neighborhood in Seattle, but then our ceremony took place on the shore of Lake Washington with Mount Rainier in the background, highlighting the natural beauty of the city! We also wanted the party to feel fun and authentic to us – we had oysters and Aperol Spritzes as a specialty drink during cocktail hour (two of our favorite treats) and my siblings pulled out “money guns” which shot out fake dollar bills on the dance floor to get the party started.

What advice do you have for other brides planning their weddings?

The thing that most helped me in planning my wedding was having a solid team helping me, and clear roles for each person. It can get overwhelming when there are so many details to work out, vendors to call, decisions to make, etc., so Charle, our moms, our wonderful wedding planner and I would work to divvy up the project (and I made sure to take on the things that were most important to me!). This made the planning process a lot more manageable and fun, and brought our families even closer ahead of the wedding – by the time the big day came around, it really felt like a joint effort that we were all personally proud of.

I would also recommend creative thinking in terms of making your dreams a reality – with the internet, it’s easier than ever to take inspiration from wedding magazines or Pinterest and figure out how to make it happen. For instance, I really wanted a vintage convertible as our “getaway car” and was able to find someone in our area on Vinty.com with a red, vintage VW Beetle convertible who was willing to chauffeur us away, which was absolutely perfect. I also really wanted a custom watercolor monogram for our invitation suite, so was able to find an artist in Croatia on Etsy who had the exact style I was looking for.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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A Romantic Emerald Green Editorial Inspired by the Scottish Highlands (Complete with Wreath-Adorned Sheep!)

Yup, you read that right – wreath. adorned. sheep. And we thought puppies at weddings were cute! One look at this stunning wedding inspiration planned by Marae Event Management and you’d never guess it wasn’t shot in the Scottish Highlands. Every detail of this day perfectly represented Scottish heritage – from the sounds of bagpipes at the ceremony to the elegant paper details. The romantic and timeless color scheme of emerald and rust couldn’t have been a more beautiful pair (just wait ’till you see the bridesmaid dresses!) Yup, a visit to the full gallery captured by D’Arcy Benincosa is an absolute MUST. Major inspo ahead.

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So much of a wedding day depends on the couple’s history with the location. You take two wild mountain hearted people who crave only their closest friends surrounded by only the biggest mountains and you have the perfect intimate celebration.

With the gorgeous neutrals and colors of the earth, this wedding focused on elegant and timeless romance–long cathedral veil, white and earthy florals, the perfect sweeping updo, and classic touches of emerald and rust to echo the mountain colors.

With a Scottish groom it was important to have the sounds of bagpipes echoing in the hills and the ranch is known for its cranes, horses, and a set of local Utah sheep made the space feel even more like the highlands.

From the paper details and vow books down to the cocktails and champagne fountain, we wanted every detail to be reflective of Scottish heritage and stunning landscape. The photographer ended the shoot by recreating an epic dinner scene inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Art meets Romance meets the Mountains.

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River Bottoms Ranch

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Gingerbread & Royal Frosting Recipe

GINGERBREAD

1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup molasses
4 1/2- 5 cups flour
1 tbs ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking powder

Melt butter in a large saucepan. Add sugar & molasses, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat & cool.

In a large bowl, sift 4 1/2 cups of flour, then add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix together. Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the warm butter mixture. Blend well, until dough is too stiff to stir. If the dough feels too soft, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour.

Knead dough with hands into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least one hour.

Preheat the oven to 350º. Roll the ball of dough out on an un-greased cookie sheet to about 1/4″ thick. Lay out the cookie cutters on the surface to make sure you can fit 2 of each shape on the sheet, but don’t cut yet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cut out the gingerbread house shapes with the cookie cutters. Let cool on sheet for 2 minutes, then use a large spatula to move to a cooling rack.

ROYAL ICING
2 egg whites
2 tbs lemon juice
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp salt
3 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp salt

Place 2 egg whites in a large bowl. Sift in 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, add the cream of tartar & salt.

Beat slowly on low speed until the mixture is smooth & creamy. Stir in lemon juice until the mixture is the consistency of whipped cream. If the icing is too thin, add in more powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

This icing hardens quickly, making it perfect for assembling the house, but it should be put in a sealed container quickly to prevent premature hardening.

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Assemble house according to the instructions here.

Photography: SMP Living | Recipe: SMP Living

You Won’t Believe This Modern White Barn Venue Is Located in the Heart of Hollywood

Today’s beautiful couple tied the knot at The Lombardi House, aka the hidden gem of Hollywood, and celebrated their newlywed status with their closest family and friends at an intimate indoor reception. Guests dined under rows of string lights at long tables adorned with bud vases and adorable succulents from Twigs and Twine. Marisa Nicole Events planned and executed every detail to perfection, allowing the brides to relax and soak in every second of their special day. See all the magic unfold at the full gallery – taken by Birds of a Feather!

From Marissa Nicole Events… Ginny and Jaime’s big day was truly one to remember. We brought their mid-west, desert, and coastal hometown roots to Hollywood, and it combined flawlessly! These lovebird’s wedding festivities took place at the Lombardi House in Hollywood, CA.

From the moment they saw the barn, mixing something so quintessential Americana smack in the middle of the excitement of Hollywood, the gals were in love. Natural green tones were complemented by vibrant pops of blues, greens, and pinks.

Since families traveled from around the country for this destination wedding, it was important to Ginny and Jaime that the evening feel like one big dinner party for their nearest and dearest. We paired textured light linens with wooden vineyard chairs to evoke both the modern and rustic feels.

The tables were decorated with a mixture of soft, open blooms and potted cacti and each setting included foxy patterned china and textured glassware. These touches, along with strung bistro lights, created an elevated, comfortable affair.