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

The Wedding That Will Actually Get You Excited for a Snowy Winter

I’m not one to rush summer away—in fact, I’d like a few more months. But when today’s Lake Tahoe fete landed on my desk, I couldn’t help but stare wide-eye at every little bit… portraits where the Brides dress blends in seamlessly with the snow, emerald greens for days and a classic Monique Lhuillier number for the books. Oh, and have a moment with the florals designed by Nancy Liu Chin, they don’t disappoint. Elise Events planned it all to cozy perfection while Ryan Ray worked his magic behind the lens. I’m just a tiny bit closer to accepting that summer is coming to a close and this classic affair makes it totally OK.

From the bride… Cyrus and I met like many people in San Francisco do: on an app! He had relocated from London by way of New York and Los Angeles to work for Google and I had come from Indiana by way of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. to work for Salesforce. We fell in love with each other and along the way with the stunning natural beauty of California, so when Cyrus proposed it was perfect in every way: over Lake Tahoe, which had frozen out a hundred yards from the shore, just the two of us. Cyrus grew up skiing in Switzerland and I became a Tahoe convert during my first winter in California, so Tahoe was the perfect location for our winter wonderland wedding.

Danielle and my mom were our two fabulous wedding planners. They literally thought of every possible detail during our long two-year engagement, but sometimes nothing goes as planned…and that was our wedding! The winter of 2019 has been one of Tahoe’s snowiest in 150 years, and it started on our wedding day. As the snow fell, the bus carrying the bridal party from the hotel to the church was one of the last buses on the road. Nearly every road was closed and only the immediate family, wedding party, and a few brave guests managed to make it to church for the ceremony!

Miraculously, after the ceremony we were able to get from Incline Village back to Northstar for our reception. Thanks to some fragrant winter greenery, luxe velvet, and lots of candles, it smelled and looked like a magical winter hideaway. We quickly came up with a back-up plan. It may not have been our first choice, but our family minister, who baptized both my brother and me, performed the ring exchange ceremony at the reception on the stunning white dance floor and 6,600 square feet of white carpet that Danielle had made into a snowy dream. We still managed to say our “I dos!” in front of our incredible guests, many of whom had had harrowing storm experiences to get to the reception but came ready to party and drink American Girl (bourbon) and English Gentlemen (gin) cocktails! My favorite moment of the reception was looking at the glowing faces of everyone who had come all the way from England, New Zealand, Singapore, Germany, Indiana, New York and beyond and feeling so loved while my dad gave an incredible father of the bride speech to end all father of the bride speeches. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, and we danced the night away until one in the morning as the snow fell.

The next day, I put back on my beloved wedding dress for an adventure out in the snow–since we were snowed in anyway! My dress was a custom, long-sleeve, lace, Monique Lhullier dress of my dreams, and I finished it off with my mother’s pearl and diamond bracelet that had been a gift from my father on their wedding day, her original engagement ring that had been set into a pendant as my something borrowed, and my pearl and diamond drop earrings that had been a gift from my now-husband as my something new. He had them custom made at the same family English jeweler, Hancock’s of London, that made our wedding bands and my stunning engagement ring. They are all so special to me and even more special since they came from my husband’s home country. My husband put back on his bespoke white tie from Dege & Skinner, a Savile Row institution. Our photographer, Ryan, and Danielle did such a wonderful job ensuring that we would have the snowy wedding portraits of our dreams to remember a very special winter wedding!

As the minister said during our wedding ceremony, life doesn’t always go according to plan and neither did our wedding, but it was still our perfect winter wonderland.

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

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Home Was The Perfect Destination For These Hawaii Natives

For these Hawaii natives, choosing a destination location which just so happened to be home for them was a no brainer! The Four Seasons Maui was the venue of choice, exactly what they envisioned for their tropical soiree filled with palm leaves, a gorgeous floral arbor and the cutest baby pineapples you’ve ever seen. With a completely outdoor wedding, from ceremony to reception, Aria Studios had all of the natural lighting you (and a film photographer) could dream of! Country Bouquets Maui crafted the picture-perfect tropical florals from bouquets to centerpieces full of the most stunning colors and flower crowns to match! Take a peek below and read how the bride found her dream dress just in time!

From the Bride…When we first started planning, we knew we wanted two things: to get married in Hawaii and to capture the tropical vibrancy of a sunset. We’re both from Oahu, so choosing the Four Seasons Maui as our venue felt like the perfect mix of home and destination. Everything came together on the big day. We got to celebrate with friends and family from all over, and every detail we deliberated on and dreamed of – food, flowers, linens, and so on – were all realized in the beautiful Maui surroundings. It was a day filled with laughter, joyous tears, delicious food, and so much love. It was perfect.

So guilty admission, I didn’t realize how far in advance you’re supposed to find a dress! Eight months out, I had been to numerous dress shops and tried on dozens of dresses, but I didn’t quite love any of them. Still, I felt like I had to choose in order to get the dress in time. But the thought gnawed at me. Maybe there wasn’t such a thing as “THE dress” or maybe I just started too late to have enough time to find it. And then I saw Alexandra Grecco’s gowns, and even though everyone told me to stop looking, I couldn’t help it. The Dress Theory was having a trunk show that weekend, so I went… just to put it to rest, I told myself. But the moment I slipped on the Iris gown, I knew. It felt so right (the fact that the liner was super soft probably helped lol) and if there was a way, I had to wear this dress at my wedding. The wonderful ladies at The Dress Theory were able to do a rush order of the dress, giving us plenty of time for alterations and I was so happy to wear THE dress for the wedding!

When it came to our design decisions about the wedding, we went with the idea of a “pineapple sunset” to reflect the colors and vibe we were aiming for: tropical, vibrant balanced by softer tones, relaxed but stunning. I spent hours combing through photos on Pinterest and Instagram, at first saving anything that caught my eye. Then going through and narrowing down the saved images really helped me define what I liked and what I was trending towards, although for a good while it looked like I had three different wedding styles in the works! I even made terrible cut and paste images from those photos to see how different elements might look together – the table, the plates, and glasses, the flowers. It was my life for a good chunk of a year, but I’m happy to say it all paid off in the end!

From the Photographer, Jess Nakasone of ARIA Studios…We had an amazing time working with Annie and Justin. Their colorful designs and decision to have an all outdoor wedding paired perfectly with our company because as film photographers, WE LOVE GORGEOUS NATURAL LIGHT!! Their ceremony site was located on Molokini Lookout which is on a golf course and it was a very sunny day but film photography is amazing at handling really bright light. We’ve been offering film photography to our clients for several years now and we love the look and feel of film. Film captures light in really beautiful ways and leaves us with light bathed images that give us all the feels.

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An Amalfi Coast First Birthday with Pretty Parasols + Lemon Baby Pools!

I first met the lovely Danielle Moss a million years ago when she and Alaina Kaczmarski were launching a little site called The Everygirl. You may have heard of it:) Fast forward nearly a decade and The Everygirl is now media mainstream and Danielle is mom to one of the cutest little one year olds on the planet. And today…we’re celebrating her very first birthday! Fit for an Everygirl princess, read on to see the most precious Amalfi Coast birthday theme ever, complete with tassel umbrellas and lemon gelato! And, check out Danielle’s gorgeous blog, along with The Everygirl + The Everymom!

“We honeymooned in Amalfi and it quickly became one of our favorite places, and felt like the perfect birthday party theme for our summer baby. It all started with pizza, spritzes, and lemons, and then took off from there.

I used our patio cooler as a gelato cart and added some lemon pools, beach umbrellas, a few balloons, and voila! Looks just like the Amalfi Coast, right? Ha!

I found some lemon banners on Etsy, and bought a few colorful banners to hang inside in case we had rain (and we did, so I’m glad I put a few banners inside, too). I found the cutest invites at Minted and hired Kelly Etz to create custom lettering for us that I used on our invites and cups.

We had a local restaurant bring a pizza oven to make lunch for everyone and bought gelato at Whole Foods. My friend Maura Stoffer snapped a few photos of the decor before everyone arrived but I was rushing around then put my phone away so I could be present.

Shortly before cake time, my friend and wedding photographer Katie Kett took a few photos of our family and some of Margot with her smash cake. In a shocking turn of events (did not see this one coming), I started crying a few seconds into singing Happy Birthday! My baby is growing up!!

It wasn’t the easiest year but it was always so easy loving her, and I can’t believe how quickly time is flying by. It felt like I was looking back (or perhaps ahead) at her life a la Father of the Bride and my heart couldn’t take it!”

How to Seamlessly Blend Dark Colors with Light, Airy Hues for the Ultimate Ethereal Look

Today’s editorial is for the romantics… ethereal puff sleeves, a flawless color scheme that blends both light and dark hues, and lush, delicious, heart-stoppingly beautiful blooms from Plain Jane Posy. I mean, does it get any better? Amorette Events planned every thoughtful detail of this stunning shoot, captured by Mallory Dawn Photography with olive trees as far as the eyes can see as their background. Be sure to check out the full gallery and get your pinning hands ready for some serious pretty.

From the Planner, Jessica of Amorette Events… Nestled within the busy city of San Diego, California, these olive groves were the perfect spot for this editorial. It is a small, intimate area that is surrounded by an abundance of olive trees which created a sense of mystery, romance, and intrigue and was secluded from the rest of the busy, fast-paced life of society.

We wanted to create effortless beauty which began in the details. The stationery design by Cottage Four Co. For Ciarra Claire had a delicate design which incorporated letterpress, olive branches, and gold calligraphy. We chose Galia Lahav’s Bellina gown which was the perfect dress, as it completely embodied ethereal beauty and grace, to keep with the elegant vibe that we were hoping to achieve.

Our beautiful models helped bring our vision to life so effortlessly. The talented Chiali of Chiali Meng Artistry created a natural look with classic curls and minimal makeup. We absolutely loved the idea of the dark colors against the light-textured tulle of the gown. Jane of Plain Jane Posy created a lush, flower forward bouquet with tones of blush, white, and nude, that perfectly accentuated the soft blush hue of the gown. Mallory of Mallory Dawn Photography captured the magic of the intimate moments these two shared in the groves where time seemed to stand still.

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Mallory Dawn Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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This Atlanta Falcons Player and His Bride to Be Booked Their Venue Site Unseen!

Every couple certainly knows how hard it is to plan a wedding on top of work and well, regular life – but for this couple, life included moving to a new state and the groom, being a professional football player making wedding planning quite difficult! Thankfully, they worked with Reed + James Events to plan their nuptials from their venue, Annadel Estate Winery (which they booked without seeing!) to their florals by Revel Floral which included roses and ferns wherever possible! Amanda Wei Photography was called upon to photograph it all, from first look to first dance and every darling detail in between. See the rest of the details (and stunning portraits) here and get excited for the start of football season!

From Reed + James Events…Alex and Ty are college sweethearts, and the most fun-loving and sweet couple you could ever ask for. They are thoughtful and so present with each other, it was a joy to watch their friends and family come together to honor their love.

Ty is a football player for the Atlanta Falcons and they had just moved to Atlanta from Colorado when we first started planning their wedding. As you can imagine, they have very busy schedules and we planned most of the wedding over the phone. They even booked their wedding venue site unseen!

Annadel Estate Winery was the perfect choice for them; Annadel’s beautiful Ruins were gorgeous and the beautiful gardens were the perfect backdrop for their style and design wants.

Roses are very important to Alex and Ty’s relationship and from the start, Alex wanted to make sure we incorporated roses and ferns everywhere we could, and did we ever from the bouquets and centerpieces to a delicate addition to each table setting.

We decided to use gold accents, like cutlery and candelabras and opted for white linens because of how green the venue was. The end result was a simple and elegant wedding that perfectly reflected the couple’s style and love.

These Brides Passed on an Elopement After Seeing This Wedding Venue

One thing I know is true… when you’re planning a wedding, something will change. Many thing will change. And all those shifts will result in the best celebration for you. That’s exactly what happened to Jenna and Nicole who had originally planned to elope, but after stumbling upon Planterra Conservatory, flipped their Big Day script. It’s uber romance, in all the light-filled goodness and these two Brides—captured by Kelly Sweet—are simply glowing.

From Jenna (one of the brides)… Getting married at the magical Planterra Conservatory was a dream come true for Nicole and I. Up until our engagement, we had planned on eloping, but after getting engaged something kept guiding us to go through with a wedding and to experience all our friends and family in one room. We are so grateful we did this because we didn’t realize how much it would mean to have all the people we love with us as we took our first step into our lives together.

During the planning process, we definitely broke some traditions with our wedding, but that’s the special part about planning your wedding- you can truly make it your own and do whatever feels good to you as a couple. When I went dress shopping with my Mom and two younger sisters, I knew the second I found my dress Nicole would rush from work to the bridal shop to see me in the dress I chose. While trying on dresses earlier in the day, I tried on one and immediately said, “Nicole would love this for herself.” Days later, we went back to the same bridal shop and Nicole ended up getting the dress I knew she would love. On our wedding day, we spent the whole day getting ready together, from make-up & hair to getting dressed together. Right before the ceremony, we read our vows together in private which we both agreed was one of the most special moments of the whole night.

We have pretty similar styles, but Nicole was thinking she wanted an elegant wedding while I was thinking a little more bohemian. We had a lot of inspiration for our wedding day and when we started working with Planterra, they helped us find the perfect middle ground for what we had both envisioned.

Everyone told us the night goes by so fast and it truly does. If we could give another couple advice it would be to allow yourself those moments to stop, pull each other in close, and take in the energy and love of the night. Looking back, those are the moments we remember so vividly.

3 Rules for Picking the Perfect White Paint

If my Pinterest home board says anything about me, above all it speaks to my love of white. To me, it’s anything but boring—but choosing just the right white for your space? Can be quite a challenge, or worse, a disappointment if you don’t get it right. Which is exactly why we’re taking pointers from the pros at Blackband Design. Grab their tips below and head here for more ways to find the right white!

ONE. The surfaces in the room make a difference and one of the largest surfaces is the floor. If your floor is travertine or wood with red tones in it for example you may find yourself seeing green as your eye naturally seeks the complement. Try something warmer with less gray undertone like Dunn Edwards Antique Paper DE6218.

TWO. In rooms that have a tremendous amount of sunlight light you may want to go a little darker to soften the glare of a stark white wall. Be aware though that in other rooms of the home this color will look very different. We like a crisp white like DEW381 Droplets for the fresh airy appearance and they are a great backdrop for some of the more vivid teal and indigo colors we like to use.

THREE. For walls and ceilings in living spaces we like low sheens like flat or velvet as they are softer, less reflective, on the eyes and hide imperfections on the wall. The shinier you go the better your drywaller must be. In bathrooms or kitchens a higher sheen is better for cleanability. In most cases we like to use bright white Dunn Edwards DEW380 in a 20 sheen to set off the shade we’ve chosen for the walls.

Some of our go-to favorite white paints are: Dunn Edwards DEW380 || Benjamin Moore Simply White || Benjamin Moore Super White || Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White.

See the home tour featured above here!

Photography: Tessa Neustadt | Design: Blackband Design | Builders: Graystone Custom Builders

They Said “I Do” 9,500 Feet Above Sea Level in the Middle of a Forest #MountainWeddingGoals!

Dreaming of a US venue that satisfies your adventurous soul? Look no further. Today’s darling couple tied the knot in a ceremony on top of a mountain (9,500 feet above sea level to be exact), in the middle of a forest. With the help of Sweetly Paired and their adorable four-legged friend who inspired many details of their day, it was everything the bride and groom hoped for and more! From lush blooms by Bliss Wedding Florist to ceremony views that will literally take your breath away – head to the full gallery captured by This Modern Romance to see all the Mother Nature magic unfold.

From the Bride… When we visited Pine Creek Cookhouse for the first time, we instantly knew that we had found our wedding venue.

It felt magical to be in a restaurant hidden in the middle of the forest with Cathedral Peak, one of Colorado’s fourteeners, in the background. That the food was amazing was icing on the cake, and we couldn’t wait to introduce 100 of our closest family and friends to this quaint mountain venue located 9,500 feet above sea level.

The night before our wedding, our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour at the St. Regis in Aspen, where we greeted them wearing “hanbok”, or traditional Korean clothes. The next day, we welcomed them to our mountain venue, where we had made many of the decorations ourselves because we didn’t want our wedding to look generic.

We press dried different flowers and framed them as table numbers, and we created welcome bags with a logo we designed ourselves. Our overall wedding brand was our golden retriever puppy, Nugget. She was on all of our stationery and even brought us our rings in a basket during the ceremony.

She happily mingled with all of the guests all night, who loved her free spirited and innocent nature. My favorite moment was when I changed into a silk slip dress so I could really enjoy the dance party. The night passed in a flash, but we were thrilled to hear how much fun our guests had in the weeks to follow. We were so happy that everyone enjoyed sharing their weekend with us in a little place called Aspen.

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Jenny Yoo

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An Approachable French Inspired Home

The problem with writing a blog that celebrates gorgeous homes and spaces is that I continually want to redecorate, rebuild, remodel, re-anything. And this kitchen, is really doing a number on my design stability. I’ve already called the contractor. Imagined and executed by Madison Nicole, every room in this Santa Barbara stunner just gets prettier and prettier. Come on in as Madison talks us through each space with gorgeous photos by Lindsey Drewes!

First and foremost, favorite thing in the entire house?

I really love the way the range + hood in the kitchen turned out. Originally there was a very heavy feeling hood with moulding that had carved grapevines in it, and the cream crackle subway tile that’s in the rest of the kitchen was behind the range as well. We replaced the hood with a much simpler look that matched the cabinetry, and framed it all out in a more rustic wood. I think it compliments and draws attention to the stunning LaCanche range so much more than the original design.

As you take us through your home, tell us a little bit about your design background.

I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to be an Interior Designer. I went to Cal Poly SLO and got my bachelor’s in Architecture, and then continued on to receive my Masters in Interior Architecture from UCLA/Cal Poly, Pomona joint program. I worked as a designer + project manager at an architecture + interior design firm in Los Angeles for about 5 years before deciding to start Madison Nicole Design.

What was your design inspiration?

The previous owners of the home had created a space that was very formal and a bit too polished for my client, but we all loved the architecture of the home itself. The exterior felt a bit like a traditional French Cottage, so we started by looking at books like French Accents by Anita Joyce and New Vintage French Interiors by Sebastien Siraudeau for inspiration.

How did you go about incorporating your design inspiration into your actual design?

The house already had some French Country elements present, so we tried to leave some of those things untouched, like the beautifully carved marble fireplace surrounds in the Dining Room and Living Room that came straight from France, and the stunning oak floors.

All of the light fixtures in the home were pretty over-the-top, and almost half the rooms were covered in bold, patterned wallpapers.

We focused on bring a more casual element to balance out the formality of some of the existing spaces.

So for example, while we left the existing crystal chandelier + sconces in the entryway, we replaced other fixtures in the kitchen and breakfast room with more simple, pared down pieces. It was all about bring a more casual feel to a space that was originally very formal.

Photographer: Lindsey Drewes | Interior Designer: Madison Nicole

The Prettiest Take on a Butterfly-Themed Wedding

I’m not big on themed weddings, but subtly directed details? Those are my jam. That’s exactly what today’s editorial is—in the form of the most delicate and intentional use of butterflies. Round of applause goes to Shannon Wellington Weddings and Events, Devon & Pinkett, Grace & Ardor Co. Photography and the entire vendor team for crafting such a stunner editorial. I can’t wait to see one of you use this beauty as your wedding muse.

The most beautiful time in a woman’s life is when she transforms into a bride. Transient, fleeting, and vulnerable—this bridal shoot was inspired by the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Set at Cairnwood Estate in their stunning old-world gardens and terraces, an elegant, intimate setting was created by an incredible team of vendors.Beautiful blooming wildflowers in purple and pink pastel tones grew naturally up the ends of the head table.

Delicate and feminine touches adorned every thoughtful detail, including handmade paper butterflies as place settings. Fluttering about the gardens, our model shined in couture gowns that elevated the look: a striking Viktor + Rolf Mariage number that featured 3-dimensional floral appliqués caught everyone’s eye.

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Mother of Bride

Tadashi Shoji

Spring 2017 Mother of the Bride

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An Intimate Wedding in Napa Painted in Every Shade of Wine – from Burgundy to Champagne!

Today’s gorgeous bride and groom took their love for wine to new heights at their Calistoga Ranch wedding by incorporating every shade of wine from burgundy to champagne into their wedding color scheme – and the results are stunning. Lambert Floral Studio perfectly represented each hue with their organic arrangements featuring the most breathtaking dahlias we have EVER seen (seriously, how are they even real) Callista & Company kept the wedding festivities running smoothly from the first look to the intimate al fresco reception. Check out the full gallery captured by Rebecca Yale and prepare for some major vineyard wedding inspo.

From Rebecca Yale Photography… Nicolina and Brian were married on a beautiful Summer day surrounded by just their closest friends and family at the gorgeous Calistoga Ranch in Napa, CA. The day was perfectly planned by Callista of Callista & Co with florals by Lambert Floral Studio who took Nicolina’s inspiration of all shades of wine from Burgundy to Rose and Champagne and ran with it, creating gorgeous olive lead menus, edible flowers and a beautiful custom designed invitation suite.

They chose a destination wedding in wine country because they both grew up in families that valued good food and company. Nicolina says, “As a child I remember many birthdays and holidays spent around a dinner table with an incredible home cooked meal and wines hand picked by my grandfather. My grandfather was a wine connoisseur who in his free time took my grandmother on trips to taste wines from around the world. He collected and shared these wines often during these family dinners, memories that have brought great joy to my life within his passing.

Calistoga Ranch not only offered us the wonderful food and drink that always brought our families together but an atmosphere that reminded us a lot of home (Upstate New York – The Adirondacks) and of those that we have lost that live on in our memories. “

Nicolina and Brian made family front and center at their wedding and instead of large traditional wedding parties, Brian had just his brother serve as his Best Man and Nicolina had her sister (and incredible wedding photographer Michelle Lange) serve as her Maid of Honor, with one other friend as a bridesmaid. Their nieces and nephews both served as the cutest flower girls and ring bearers ever! It was important to honor their siblings because Nicolina says, “Our siblings knew each other long before we began dating and went to high school together. My sister was actually the one that set up Brian’s brother with his current wife (Fun Fact!). Since our siblings children are all around the same age we thought it would be fun to include all of our nieces and nephews in the wedding. Watching them play and get along was definitely the highlight of our wedding day. It definitely made the day less stressful and lighthearted.”

The bride and groom had an intimate first look full of laughter and smiles before their ceremony up on the property’s Lommel Lawn. After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails and sunset on the lawn and as the guests made their way over to the gorgeous long table set for dinner on the far side of the lawn, the couple snuck away for a few minutes to take gorgeous golden hour portraits down in the vineyard and enjoy a glass of wine just the two of them. Nicolina says, “The best part of our wedding day was the dinner at sunset.

Since our wedding was small we wanted it to be intimate and so we decided to do one long dinner table. We were able to look down the table at our closest friends and family and really take in the moment by watching and listening to them as they enjoyed themselves over good food and drinks, all the while enjoying a pretty pink sky and cool summer breeze. The weather and atmosphere could not have been more perfect.” Nicolina’s advice to other couples on having the perfect wedding day, “Try not to get caught up in the stresses of planning and enjoy the process. It goes by so fast!”

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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A Romantic Elopement Shoot At What Looks Like Cinderella’s Castle

There is something so intriguing about a good, old elopement, and if there was ever an inspirational shoot to convince you to pack your bags…well, you’re welcome. Set at Kimberly Crest, a historic private estate turned wedding venue, C & C Photography made all of our want-to-be princess dreams come true with this utterly romantic and timeless shoot. Manna Sun Events used the natural hues of the venue to enhance the rich color palette and added pops of color for the cake by Sweet & Saucy Shop and bridal bouquet by Oak & Amble. Take a look below for outfit changes (by bride and groom,) stunning decor and all the reasons you’ll need to say I Do with just the two of you.

From C & C Photography…Alex and Tyler eloped on an afternoon in April filled with dreamy light on the beautiful grounds of Kimberly Crest, a historical private estate now restored into a lovely wedding venue. Inspired by their romantic love story, we captured every moment so that each and every image stands stunningly on its own, yet tells the complete story when strung together.

From Manna Sun Events…For this French romance inspired elopement shoot, we wanted to create the overall aesthetic to be romantic, passionate, modern yet timeless and mixing old world with contemporary styling. Immediately, we agreed that Kimberly Crest would be the perfect backdrop. Inspired by 16th-century French chateaus, Kimberly Crest was a well-preserved example of the Victorian Era in California. Our inspiration came from the pond in front of the mansion. It was like a perfect piece of jade when we visited Kimberly Crest, and we decided to include this color in our design. Teals and corals were rather tropical colors, but they brought a lively vibe to something gold and something blue of the mansion. The soft and smooth velvet largely used in styling played up the classy, luxurious and festive romance.

The invitations were simple with illustrations of Kimberly Crest. Simple and classy bridal style with jewelry in overstated vintage style was elegant, glamorous, and timeless. Minimalism inspired floral arrangements for both the ceremony and the reception were used to emphasize the marvelous beauty of the mansion. The place setting incorporated modern white plates, gold flatware with vellum menus. Amber goblets and clear coupes were the finishing touches.

From the ‘Groom’…Our story was written in the heavens above, when I first looked at her there was a familiarity in her eyes like I knew her or I was supposed to know her. It was as if every action that was ever made from the start of the universe has played out so that our paths would cross at just the right moment at just the right time in just the right place. And when they did… The cosmos itself finally felt the love it was longing for.

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C & C Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Just In: Jenny Yoo’s Delicate And Dreamy New Fall 2019 Collection

Jenny Yoo is back with more irresistible gowns in her Jenny by Jenny Yoo Fall 2019 collection — and we couldn’t be more in love! Here, you’ll find classic silhouettes catered to the modern bride, just in time for fall. If unexpected necklines, inspiring textures, and flattering fabrics strike your fancy, you’re in luck. Scroll on to get the preview and (dare we say?!) pick a favorite from the collection.

Callie

A spaghetti strap and a soft A-line design? Sign us up. As if this duo wasn’t flattering enough, the floral lace top and chiffon skirt truly bring this romantic beauty home. Trust us: This one is both striking *and* comfortable.

Carson

Let’s take the drama up a notch. The plunging deep-V neck and fit and flare silhouette make this style wow the crowd. Factor in head-to-toe beaded lace and illusion tulle cutouts and you’re guaranteed to make heads turn (even before you strut down the aisle).

Cooper

Meghan Markle fans will be *all* over this chic crepe frock. With a minimalist design and a court length trail, it was made for a princess (like you!) on your wedding day.

Evie

Sweet Evie here is a soft tulle overskirt that fits flawlessly over any Jenny Yoo gown. (Psst! The tulle panels can be styled in more ways than one to cater to your own unique style.)

Wyatt

Mirror the ballgown silhouette you love, but do in a more subdued style. The airy, organza skirt holds the volume of a ballgown, yet it’s soft enough to forgo the drama you’re wary of. Bonus: The lace on top just adds to the fun in this amorous getup.

Lawrence

Minimalists take note: This simple taffeta dress is a terrific option. Between the delicate scoop neck, extended train, and hidden pockets, it checks all the boxes for understated elegance.

Lennon

Lovely Lennon here seems to hit the mark when it comes to pleasing everyone. Consider the fit and flare style, thin straps, dramatic neckline, side cutouts, and delicate lace coverage, and it truly could be the closest thing to one-style-fits-all.

Lorelei

Lightweight, yet voluminous. Seductive, yet sweet. Simple, yet striking. This basic dress covers every contrast in the book — and we’re certainly not complaining!

Marley

Want something that hugs your figure a bit more? Turn to this matte crepe choice that effortlessly glides down the body and pools at the bottom. Take it a bit further by turning the chiffon attachment into a romantic back-bow for a memorable and sweet detail.

Neve

Two things to note of in this flawless option: The span of buttons down the back and the cutout illisions along the side. It’s a delight!

Rebekka

Seeking separates? With this pick, you might want to. A mock-neck bridal top is a terrific option for a soon-to-be bride who already has a bottom sought out. I mean, just look at that thick, jade lace detail — we can’t get enough!

Rosamund

Last, but not least, we have Miss. Rosamund. From the romantic lace and sinched waste to the full circle skirt, it’s whimsical and lovely in every way possible. Just *wait* until your groom lays eyes on you with this one!

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Jenny Yoo

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This Photographer’s California Chic Wedding Will Have You Craving All Things Autumn!

The start of Fall is right around the corner and we don’t know about you but we’re getting oh-so excited for that first crisp day of the season and pumpkin spice everything. In the meantime, we’ll just be over here obsessed over this photographer’s gorgeous autumn wedding in California – filled with fall foliage, a cozy color scheme and mini donuts (alllll the donuts)… Cara Goset of Michelle Garibay Events truly brought the couple’s vision to life. And let’s not forget about Carla Kayes Floral Design’s STUNNING arrangements. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Amy Golding to see all the autumnal magic unfold!

From Amy Golding Photography… Paul and Cara met through mutual friends on Thanksgiving Eve and were inseparable ever since. Cara started her career as a photographer, and Paul started graduate school before taking a job in San Diego. Then in March 2018, while watching the sunset in Huntington Beach, Paul surprised Cara with the most romantic proposal.

That golden California sunset proposal gave way to the perfect wedding design inspiration- a day filled with lush golden and muted mauves florals, reminding them of that perfect moment. Carla Kayes Floral Design created stunning arrangements filled with dried preserved copper beach, as well as distant drums and mauve coco loco roses from Ella Rose Farm. A deep golden hybrid Lisianthus perfectly tied together the palette.

Knowing how important Cara and Paul’s guests were to them, Cara Goset with Michelle Garibay Events designed the reception to be an intimate affair with rows of farmhouse tables so that guest could comfortably enjoy each other’s company all night long.

Cara and Paul’s first look was nothing short of a fairytale with the couple meeting atop a hill filled with trees and the wind romantically sweeping Cara’s Leanne Marshall wedding dress. Cara’s hair was adorned with an ethereal golden hair piece by Anna Marguerite.

Being huge fans of sweets, Cara and Paul decided to forgo the traditional wedding cake and serve their guests delightful sugar cookies from Batter Up Bakery and a cart filled with Mom’s Mini Donuts. Batter up Bakery shaped the sugar cookies like California frosted with a golden heart on Huntington Beach.

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Michelle Garibay Events

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Every Bookworm Needs to Admire This Romantic Boston Public Library Wedding!

There’s something so incredibly romantic about tying the knot in a place, as Carrie Bradshaw once said, “… that housed all the great love stories”. The spectacular marble walls of the Boston Public Library surrounded their guests as they dined in Bates Hall, planned perfectly by Always Yours Events. It’s truly difficult describe how incredibly unique and beautiful this reception is… but it basically combines the grandeur of the Great Hall at Hogwarts and the romance of the library room in Beauty and The Beast. See for yourself at the full gallery captured by Michelle Lange Photography!

From the Bride… When Ryan and I got engaged, we knew that we wanted to find a venue that felt meaningful to the both of us. Right away we decided to tour the Boston Public Library. This particular venue is not only absolutely breathtaking, but also played a part of our story prior to our engagement. When we first moved to Boston together, we lived across the street from the BPL. Our apartment was small, dark and a little bit crammed, and so we would often find ourselves going to the BPL to do our work and study for upcoming exams. When we toured the Boston Public Library, we immediately knew that it was the perfect location to host our wedding reception for our loved ones! We were completely blown away by the character and history of the venue, and each and every space from the grand marble staircase to the Courtyard to Bates Hall left us in awe.

Knowing we wanted to be married in the Catholic Church, we found ourselves falling in love with the Shrine of our Lady of Good Voyage in the Seaport of Boston. This brand new little church and had the most romantic and slightly more modern aesthetic, which was exactly what we were looking for when it came to a venue for our ceremony. We did not want to take away from any of the beauty at both the church and the BPL, but enhance it and create a dreamy and romantic design within the spaces. Together with our wedding planner Keri (of Always Yours Events), we dreamed up a modern romantic and garden-inspired design that was very floral forward and featured a color palette of whites, cream, ivory and light blush, pinks and a slight pop of a pale and soft blue.

Our design was carried out into our stationery design with the talents of Taylor at Mulberry and Elm who created an entire custom stationery suite from save the dates to invitations to day of stationery consisting of a light blue crest with florals, a drawing of the Boston Public Library, and even a sweet watercolor of our pup Brady. The floral team at Les Fleurs worked with Keri to fill every space from the bridal suite to the church and every corner of the Boston Public Library with blooms, and even create a rose petal recessional as we exited the church. Upon entering the venue guests were wow-ed by the grand staircase covered in greens, roses and candles, as well as the sounds of our harpist from Gilded Harps.

One of our favorite features was the floral escort card display where each guest’s name and table number was printed on a bud vase filled with garden roses, peonies and sweet pea and filled gold shelves at the top of the staircase. Our guests enjoyed cocktails out in the courtyard under strands of cafe lights over the reflecting pool as well as on the lower level of the Library before heading upstairs for the grand reveal of Bates Hall. Guest tables in Bates Hall alternated between garlands filled with greens and garden roses, and tall centerpieces with small crystal compote arrangements. After enjoying a delicious menu catered by the Catered Affair, we moved into the Abbey Room for dancing to the sounds of Boston band, The Connection.

Our photobooth was a highlight of the reception, with a custom greenery hedge wall backdrop with our initials. At the end of the evening guests were gifted sugar cookie favors in the shape of our dog Brady in beautiful packaging. Guests lined the stairs with ribbon wands for an epic send off before Ryan and I hopped into a white Rolls Royce getaway car. To say the day was absolutely breathtaking is an understatement — the celebration exceeded all of our expectations! As we look back on our day with our stunning gallery from Michelle Lange and video from Stop Go Love, we can’t help referring to it as the best day of our lives! It was so meaningful to be surrounded by all of our closest friends and family, as well as to celebrate our marriage in one of the most historic and stunning venues we both have ever seen! We could not have done it without the support of our families and our amazing vendors, and we are so thankful to everyone who made our day so incredibly remarkable.

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Here’s Your Blueprint for a Perfect English Country Garden Wedding

Raise your hand if you’ve ever dreamt of an English countryside garden wedding… I’m seeing at least half of you with both hands up shouting, hell yes! As Zosia Zacharia and Kim Balasubramaniam put it—there’s nothing more quintessentially English than a walled garden and the beautiful example at Turvey House was the setting for this most floral of editorials. It was indeed. Get your floral fix below!

Fragrant roses climbing crumbling stone walls, bushes of lavender full of nectar-gathering bees and wild flowers blooming where they wish. There’s nothing more quintessentially English than a walled garden and the beautiful example at Turvey House was the setting for this most floral of editorials.

Set against the backdrop of the grand Grade 1 listed house the shoot took inspiration from the floral surroundings of an English country garden. Kim Balasubramaniam and photographer Zosia Zacharia are both at their happiest and most inspired when working in country estates like Turvey House and believe that England has some of the finest architecture and most beautiful landscapes in which to hold your wedding celebrations. This particular editorial was designed to be a flower lovers dream with each element carefully curated to be placed in this unique setting.

The invitation suite, beautifully hand lettered by Lizzie Mathews, set the tone for this understatedly elegant wedding. Tones of grey and touches of white and blush ensured the look was romantic but grown up. The stationery continued throughout the day with personalised menus, placement cards and signage. A bespoke petal bar was designed to encourage guests to scatter fresh confetti after the ceremony.

The florals had to be natural, to feel like they were part of the garden, and the incredibly talented Ali from Bloomologie hand picked a selection of English seasonal blooms to perfection. From a dramatic entrance archway to the fragrant and full bouquet, to the adornments on the stonework and the living table, the floral design was key to this inspiration and is simply gorgeous.

Kim wanted to incorporate a sweetheart table to the shoot, envisaging the bride and groom enjoying their wedding breakfast a deux. She designed a living table; the crockery and cutlery set upon a natural cushion of flowers and foliage. Delicate glassware and simple flatware completed the look alongside the bespoke stationery.

The incredible wedding cake was designed by Krishanthi Armitt who makes the most realistic sugar flowers I have ever seen. Mirroring the natural feel of the flowers, Krishanti created peonies, garden roses and jasmine skilfully placed against the palest blush lace background. The cake was a real feature and looked beautiful set in the walled garden itself.

Our beautiful bride looked divine in a bespoke gown and cape by Naomi Neoh. Featuring delicate lace, silk organza and tulle, the gown felt like it was out of a fairytale. The fabrics had such wonderful movement to them and subtly carried through the floral inspiration. Her outfit was finished with heirloom head pieces and jewellery from Agnes Walker and shoes from LK Bennett.

Turvey House is an elegant neo classical home set in over 250 acres of parkland. Available for hire for weddings and special events, it has an incredible feeling of history and elegance. The breathtaking grounds are the perfect setting for a marquee wedding, whilst the house itself is simply stunning for bridal preparations. The drawing room and spiral staircase are particular features which made for the most beautiful portraits.

The Walled Garden inspiration shoot was designed to create a look that was floral-filled but not flouncy; an elegant, simply beautiful celebration in the most natural of settings.

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A Coastal Farmhouse in White Done SO Right

I’m grateful to live in an area where we get the best of both worlds… you can stop at a farm stand on a drive to the beach. I don’t think I could ever give that up. And when it comes to translating that style to your home—coastal farmhouse sure is winning right now. Just one look at this home, designed by Shelby of Farmhouse Living with her Mama (this is actually her Mom’s home!) and that statement will ring true. Cozy, slightly rustic, yet so fresh… all wrapped into one beautiful tour captured by Charlee Tabor.

From Farmhouse Living… My mom and I love designing spaces to create a home. I’ve watched her decorate since I was little and it’s always been so inspiring. This year has been special for us because we have both been renovating our own fixer-uppers.

This is mom’s home that we just wrapped up the kitchen, breakfast nook and living room. It was a house built in the 80’s with no updates, but the perfect layout for my parents since my mom loves open concept and my dad loves separate rooms.

She’s always incorporated coastal elements in her homes so we knew we’d go coastal farmhouse here. The living room is designed with all neutrals allowing the textures to add depth the design. We decided to try the layered rug trend in this space and we think it looks great. It took me a second to get used to the look, but it definitely made a statement that neutrals often can’t do on their own. Mom says what she loves most about the layered rug look it that she can layer a thinner rug on top of a jute rug and the jute rug helps it stay in place while the thin one can be tossed in the washing machine when necessary. We are crazy dog people so washable rugs are important.

The biggest update in this space was the fireplace and the built ins around it. Mom chose to go European with the German schmear on the white stone. We used a reclaimed barn beam for a mantle and white concrete for the hearth for a more modern look. To the right of the fireplace, mom had my dad weld a box for firewood. We live in Texas, but the second we can call the season we’re in “Fall” my mom has a fire going so I wasn’t surprised she wanted a large portion of her wall dedicated to firewood. These befores blew my mind when I looked back on what it was before.

When designing a gathering space like the living room we try to layer in as much seating as possible. These poufs from Article are a great option because they’re comfortable and don’t take up much space or block the view of the fireplace.

The living room is open to the breakfast nook and the kitchen making it perfect for hosting. The long layout gives each room a dedicated feel which appealed to my dad who prefers closed concepts.

Working with brass finishes in the kitchen was such a blast. We even went champange with the faucet to tie it all together. We think the finishes allow a traditional white kitchen to pop. We always recommend making bold statements like this in ways that are easy to change in the future. This space has already created so many memories for our family and we’re excited for more to come.

Photography: Charlee Tabor | Interior Design: Farmhouse Living

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Proof that a Plan B Tented Wedding Can Be JUST as Pretty

In another life, I will have Sinclair & Moore plan my wedding. Not only are Steve and Jamie the kindest humans ever, they are kind of like that saying “you could wear a paper bag and look good”, except the wedding planner version of that saying. They can make any fete look utterly romantic, even when it’s a plan B (hello, rain!) tented wedding like today’s fete captured by Katie Parra Photography and Cabfare Productions. Experience it all for yourself below.

Krystal Temkin and TJ Harnden married at Bella Luna Farms in Snohomish, WA on June 29th 2018. There was a light mist throughout the day, but it only added to the magical “secret garden” feel of their wedding. Bella Luna is a working farm with lush landscape, beautiful gardens, goats and a beloved donkey named Stinky. In fact the farm was originally named after the owner’s two goats Bella and Luna. Deru Market provided incredible artisan fare and Steve of Sinclair & Moore didn’t disappoint with his incredible floral installments and classic details. This couple and their families are very near and dear to my heart and it was a complete joy to share in their day.

From the Bride… It was all a dream. I remember checking the weather everyday for two weeks leading up to our wedding. I was praying for no rain, and it drove me crazy seeing the forecast go from sunny, to partly cloudy, to rain, each time I looked. Once we were 3 days away, and there was a 40% chance of rain, we decided to put up a tent for the ceremony. It wasn’t anyone’s first choice, but thank goodness for wedding planners who can turn a ‘plan b’ into your dream wedding.

As I look back on that day now, I would not have wanted it any other way. Our wedding venue was already, in my opinion, perfect – but with the misty rain, it made the entire day feel enchanted. Planning a wedding, especially an outdoor wedding in Washington, can be stressful, but there was nothing that could have ruined that most special day for me.

Walking down the aisle, with my mom and dad in my arms, seeing TJ for the first time was a moment I will never forget. Tent or no tent, rain or shine, the only thing I was thinking about was that I was the luckiest girl in the world. I am forever grateful for the team we put in place and for our incredible photographer for capturing all the magic.

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Sinclair & Moore

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Exactly Who Should Go With You to Shop for Your Wedding Gown!

It’s official, you’re engaged–yay! Now it’s time to start shopping for your wedding gown! Before you start scheduling your appointments, you should decide who you want to bring with you. Going gown shopping is super exciting and it can be tempting to share that experience with everyone on your side of the bridal party. While this may sound great in theory, it’s difficult to execute and can potentially add more stress to an already stressful, albeit happy, time. We recommend limiting your gown shopping entourage to three people max.

Stephanie Brauer

1. Maid of Honor

Now that you know how many to bring, let’s talk who. If you’re going to invite anyone from your bridal party, the first obvious choice is your MOH. She’s the best of your besties and she probably knows your style better than anyone else.

Ashley Boyan Photography

2. Parents or Close Family Members

Chances are your parents have been dreaming of your wedding for a while now–maybe even longer than you have. There is no doubt that they’re an obvious choice to bring with you to go gown shopping; and yes, they are probably expecting an invite–especially the MOB. While you want to make your parents happy, sometimes our closest relationships are the most tumultuous. If you and your parents argue a lot or if they have a tendency to push all of your buttons, they might not be the ideal shopping partners for this part of the wedding planning process…and that’s okay! If you decide not to bring your parents or any other close family members gown shopping, try to select a different activity (one that’s a little less fraught with emotional landmines) that you all can do together so they feel included.

Sposto Photography

3. Bridesmaids

If you have a traditional bridal party, your bridesmaids are the next natural choice. This is where things get a little tricky–it really depends on how many bridesmaids you have and where they live. If you have a large bridal party, we recommend shying away from inviting everyone to go gown shopping. That being said, you don’t want anyone feeling left out if they don’t get an invite. If one or two of your bridesmaids lives in your town, then it’s safe to invite them, but try to avoid posting a ton of pics on social media. You want to have fun, but you don’t want to alienate any of your other bridesmaids in the process. Also, try to be mindful of the fact that your bridal party will likely be traveling a lot for your wedding. If you do want your bridesmaids to go gown shopping with you, maybe schedule your appointments for the same weekend as your bridal shower or bachelorette party to save them a trip.

Brett Hickman Photographers

4. Local Friends

These days, it’s not uncommon for each of your bridesmaids to live in a different state…maybe even a different country. If your bridesmaids aren’t local and you feel uncomfortable asking them to travel just to go shopping, consider your local friends. Is there a friend (preferably a friend who is invited to the wedding) that you regularly go shopping with? Invite them!

Luna de Mare Photography

5. It’s Okay to Fly Solo

It’s also totally okay to go shopping alone if that’s what makes you the most comfortable! Though shopping for your wedding gown is quite different than your average stroll through the mall, we recommend doing what you usually do. When it comes to shopping, do you hunt in a pack with your friends, or do you fly solo? Some brides feel guilty about not sharing the experience with friends or family–don’t! They will understand. If anyone is bummed that they didn’t get to go shopping with you, you can always invite them to your gown pick up appointment or fitting!

Les Anagnou Photographers

Whoever you decide to bring, make sure that they are supportive and not overly opinionated. It’s great to have honest opinions if you need help deciding, but at the end of the day, what you think and what you like are the only things that matter. We’ve all heard those cringe-worthy stories where the friend or relative makes the appointment all about them. Shopping for a wedding gown can bring up a lot of emotions, good and bad. You want someone that can help you stay focused and bring you up if you feel yourself getting down–someone that’s on your side!

A Bright Color Scheme Inspired by the Beauty of California Summers

We’re holding on to the last bit of summer with this gorgeous shoot styled by Blushing Joy Events featuring a color scheme inspired by sun-kissed California summers – what could be sweeter?! East Rooted Florals’ lush arrangements will instantly put you in a brighter mood while the modern table decor and contemporary bridal style will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to go on a pinning spree! See all the lovely details at the full gallery captured beautifully by Allen Tsai Photography.

From Blushing Joy Events… Inspired by California Summers, we strived to bring a warm sunny feel into our design by focusing on a bright and happy color palette. Sofia from East Rooted Florals created the perfect floral design by incorporating different shades of yellow with peach accents in the bridal bouquet, and touches of pink florals in the staircase arrangements, which emulates the sun solstice.

The organic and textural floral design complements the clean neoclassical Beaux-Arts style of the mansion. We curated simple yet classic tabletop pieces from Theoni to balance out the floral centerpiece.

The plateware from Theoni topped with the menu and personalized name card from Salt Paper Co, completes the organic and clean look. We chose a modern wedding gown from La Soie Bridal with white heels from Zara for the model to fashion. The model adorned a sleek updo by Chiali Meng, and accessorized with stylish earrings from Zara.