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

Harbor Cottage at Lido House is the Perfect Home Away from Home

If I ever make it to Newport Beach, THIS is where I’m staying. No, it’s not someone’s home… it’s the cozy Harbor Cottage at Lido House, designed by the uber talented Brooke Wagner Design. And this cozy under-stair nook is where I’d park myself, with a few favorite reads and a glass of rosé. Ryan Garvin photographed every single room to perfection and it makes for one amazing home tour my friends—see it all here.

From Brooke Wagner Design… When asked to design one of the cottages of the new Lido House: Autograph Collection Hotels in Newport Beach, California, the design team at Brooke Wagner Design was excited for this new opportunity. Brooke, a Newport local, designed Harbor Cottage based on a timeless, coastal aesthetic. It sleeps up to seven. Our cottage is perfect for a family gathering or for friends to share, just like you’re living in your own home. We are inspired by the Newport Beach aquatic lifestyle, and have several indoor/outdoor spaces perfect for entertaining or an intimate family barbecue.

Photography: Ryan Garvin | Design: Brooke Wagner Design | Hotel: Lido House Autograph Collection | Builder: Mw Custom Homes

A Wedding That Proves Once and for All That Sourcing Your Florals Locally Is the Only Way to Go

I love seeing varying takes on garden-style weddings and today’s slice of inspiration from Events By Sorrell, Emily Herzig Floral Studio and Kate Preftakes makes the rural Vermont countryside look like an absolute dream. From the Bride styled by Gabrielle Hurwitz donning Jenny Yoo and Bella Belle to the colorful tabletop, the New England scenery is transformed into a slightly whimsical, totally romantic atmosphere.

North Mowing is a 230-acre estate in Springfield, Vermont. The property’s nine buildings are arranged on a series of stone terraces which take advantage of expansive views of rural hayfields, Mt. Ascutney, and the Connecticut River Valley. The landscaping and gardens were created by Ellen Biddle Shipman, a Harvard trained landscape architect, who also designed St. Gauden’s gardens in New Hampshire. Known for her lush planting style, she also famously incorporated stone structural elements in both locations. Shipman was one of the first women to break into the largely-male field of landscape design, opening a New York-based office which exclusively employed women in the 1920s and designing most of her work for women.

To pay homage to Shipman, this photo shoot combined the traditional elegance of the landscape with Shipman’s penchant for whimsy. She pushed the boundaries of her time, and her genius is evident at North Mowing. Her ability to juxtapose colors and textures, to combine stoicism with playfulness, and to incorporate artistry into luxury is preserved in these gardens, which represent one of only a few original designs that have survived to this day.

Emily Herzig worked with the colors found all around the property and created a palette that complimented the peaches, blues and yellows. She sourced amazing flowers from local flower farms to create the most gorgeous florals. Her cascading bridal bouquet worked perfectly with the bride’s Jenny Yoo gown and the groom’s boutonniere used Lily of the Valley which was growing all around the property. She and her team decorated a vintage blue VW bus and installed a hanging floral piece above the bar. From Emily: “The Ellen Biddle Shipman inspired table design included Sarah Bernhard peonies, NH grown geranium, and butterfly ranunculus foraged lilac, jasmine vine and “Toffee” roses. The velvet linens and pink terracotta centerpiece containers anchored this display with honor and integrity, a respectful nod to the precise planning that has taken place here for decades!”

Sorrell Downing designed the lush table beginning with velvet La Tavola tablecloths and velvet napkins. She layered cheerful plates, hand dipped beeswax candles on modern gold candlesticks, and water hyacinth woven round placemats. Water hyacinth weave was also incorporated into the rattan chairs. The pink colors carried through with gold rim glassware and pink and gold modern flatware.

Jaime from Autumn Nomad used the historic painted pastel fresco on the property as inspiration for her hand painted cakes and macaroons. She used painted buttercream, the same way an artist would create a painting.

North Mowing will be hosting a limited number of exclusive weddings on their property and our team jumped at the chance to photograph a styled shoot there! The rock walls, historic painted murals, and grand vistas make this property a perfect background for a lush garden party wedding. Sorrell from Events by Sorrell, Emily from Emily Herzig Floral Design and Kate from Kate Preftakes Photography got together and began designing an elegant and whimsical shoot for the property.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Jenny Yoo

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This Editorial Is Basically the Cameron Diaz-Jude Law Wedding from “The Holiday” We Were All Hoping for

When I think of a ‘fine art’ wedding, the English countryside immediately comes to mind. Venues like Boconnoc in Cornwall are rich with character, while the sunset graces tree-dotted fields with age-old fences—it’s exactly the kind of place meant for I dos. The Timeless Stylist and Hannah Duffy Photography think so too and today we’re experiencing their take on charm in this very spot.

From The Timeless Stylist… Created during Spring Love: A Fine Art Wedding Retreat, co-founders Amy Hatch (The Timeless Stylist) and Hannah Duffy (Hannah Duffy Photography) wanted to create an editorial inspired by the building details at beautiful Boconnoc in Cornwall. The neutral plaster inspired the colour palette and the windows are so incredible, we wanted them to be an essential feature and imagine all of the love stories that they have seen over the years.

Set in the Springtime, one of the most beautiful times in the Cornish countryside – when the blossom is out and the buds are popping up – the florals were an essential part. Brigitte from Moss & Stone Floral Design kept the palette clean and the look gentle like the season. To depict the history of the building, lichens from the venue was places amongst the floral displays.

The decor was kept simple with antique elements used throughout to keep the building history prevalent, and the tablescape was key with the most beautiful stationery from Fine Art Calligraphy. The overall look is elegant, timeless and understated.

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Petit Bouquet

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This Cool Bungalow Blends Beachside With Modern

This bright and sunny bungalow evokes the cool beachside vibes of California but with a fresh, modern twist. From woven statement lights to a bright white dream kitchen and a soaking tub that will induce major envy, take a tour of this San Diego abode designed by Greige Design and shot by Halli Aldous.

This is remodel home project we worked on with Pacific Edge Builders in San Diego, Ca. A new upper level was added to the home including 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms and a large living area. Every other space in the home was remodeled and updated. We combined natural surfaces and textures in the space resulting in a gorgeous beach home.

A 14-Foot Floral Chandelier Made This Classic Wedding One To Remember

It’s not every day that we see 14-foot chandeliers, let alone floral ones and Cherries Flowers and Kate Siegel Fine Events did not disappoint with this one! Taking place at Solage, an Auberge Resort in Napa Valley, Kate Siegel incorporated this classically elegant wedding with the perfect amount of modern details like marble and gold china and flatware by Casa de Perrin (my personal fave!) and mother of pearl details throughout. Take a peek below and check out the full album to see even more details….and more photos of that eye-catching chandelier!

From Kate Siegel Fine Events…With family flying in from around the globe, experiencing the luxuries of Napa wine country and the ambiance at Auberge’s Solage Resort was something April & AJ dreamt of the most. The weekend celebration began with a welcome BBQ lunch held at a family friend’s winery, followed by a rehearsal dinner at Two Birds One Stone restaurant in St. Helena.

On the wedding day, refined classic elegance set the tone for our design. We incorporated white lush florals and accented the space with an array of texture including mother of pearl, used in the escort wall, menus and other custom signage, like the stunning table numbers!

These elements brought a fresh, modern take on an otherwise traditional color palette. Layering textures from douppioni silk table cloths, Carrara marble china, and acrylic chairs made for a classic yet contemporary design, which paired perfectly together.

One of our favorite elements was the fourteen-foot floral chandelier that dazzled over a white high gloss dance floor. The floral installation was strung together with a mixture of varying sized acrylic orb pendant lights. Our goal was to design a visually stunning space that felt warm, inviting and intimate, especially during the couple’s meaningful hora!

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Kate Siegel Fine Events

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The Wedding Detailor

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The 10 Money-Saving Hacks All Brides Should Know

Let’s talk about wedding budgeting. Okay, okay, we know money talk isn’t always fun – but hear us out. Today we’re telling you about a few ways to save for your big day… without cutting out the things you love. With the help of our friends at Total Wine & More, we’re providing you with 10 spending hacks to know on everything from ceremony flowers to stocking the reception bar. Trust us when we say your bank account will be happy you gave this one a look over!

1. Buy a pre-owned dress.

Going wedding dress shopping is super exciting. But those butterflies might fade once you take a look at the tags on your favorite selections. Our advice? Head over to a quality, pre-owned wedding dress site (we love this one) to scoop up your #dreamdress for a fraction of the price. (Psst! Many sites will even let you arrange a meeting in person to try on the dress before you buy!).

2. Do a consultation before stocking your bar.

Let’s face it — booze is one of the most $$$ parts of a wedding. Before you consider breaking the bank to serve your fiance’s favorite drink, set up a consultation to map your liquor out. At Total Wine & More, they’ll provide you with a customized menu tailored to the size, taste, and — most importantly — budget of your event. So no more guesstimating (or overspending!).

3. Go with “faux” calligraphy.

You’ve always *dreamed* of having a stationery suite completely with delicate, hand-addressed calligraphy. However, when it comes to paying for this special touch, it’ll cost above and beyond your allotted funds. Our tip to still get this tailored look you love is to choose a digital, scripted font that looks like the real deal. It’ll still give off the same vibe you’re going for without the extra cost behind it.

4. Send invites digitally.

Speaking of invites, consider cutting costs even more by sending out your RSVPs digitally. In addition to saving on stamps and stationery, you’ll be able to track all your attendee’s responses online more easily. Check out Zola.com for some truly gorgeous options!

5. Schedule your wedding on a Friday or Sunday.

Cost-savvy brides are smart to steer clear of a Saturday night wedding to get the most bang for their buck. Most spaces and vendors offer lower rates on these off-days, especially if you do some negotiating. Still set on Saturday? Consider doing a morning ceremony followed by a brunch for a more affordable soiree. (We have a feeling Total Wine & More has some awesome breakfast drink ideas up their sleeves…!)

6. Use food trucks for a fun take on dining!

Second to the drink expense comes feeding your attendees. Rather than the traditional plated or buffet option, one idea we’re loving lately is using food trucks for entrees. This novel take on dinner will feel like a treat for guests while giving you more control over how much you’re spending to feed them!

7. Host signature drinks instead of an open bar.

We’re just chock-full of drink ideas to help you save! This next one is a much-loved one by brides — hosting signature drinks, in lieu of an open bar. Rather than giving attendees free rein at the bar, guests can have the option of sipping on creatively-named cocktails for free, or pay out of pocket for something different. It’s their choice!

Hint: Before deciding on what you’re serving, we recommend using the drink calculator over at Total Wine & More to determine just how much you’ll be spending.

8. Repurpose your blooms.

Flowers are oh-so-lovely, but also oh-so-spendy. Our trick to getting the most bloom for your buck is to repurpose them. For example, the bridal party bouquets can be used as centerpieces at the head table and floral arrangements in the ceremony space can be installed as decor around the reception. In this case, no buds go to waste!

9. Forgo the DJ or band.

10. Return excess liquor.

Did you know you can get money back for the booze you don’t use? Talk about one awesome refund. At Total Wine & More you can return any unopened wine, beer, or spirits after the event*. (Now, if only the same policy applied to all those uneaten slices of cake!)

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Already feeling better about budgeting for your big day? You go girl! Head over to our site for more tips and tricks on saving for your celebration, and then make a visit to Total Wine & More to get all your drink questions answers for your big event.

*Only in states where allowable by law – check with your local Total Wine & More store for details.

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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A Color-Pop Filled Wedding Lush with Hundreds of Coral Charm Peonies!

If vineyard weddings and coral charm peonies are your thing – then this gorgeous Northern California wedding day was practically made for you. The adorable bride and groom are high school sweethearts who truly have one of the sweetest love stories of all time. Their wedding, planned by Jenn Robirds Events with floral design by Arvo Floral Studio, was filled with fun color pops and an al fresco reception under the stars, not to mention the most delicious donut bar EVER. Keep on scrolling to read the bride’s beautiful words and don’t forget to head on over to the full gallery to see the magic unfold.

Kaitlyn, the Bride says… Our love story actually began almost 15 years ago when we were freshman/sophomores in high school! We both remember chatting it up in the school lunch line, little crushes were developed and then we dated for the remainder of our high school years. We went our separate ways for college, but our friendship stood strong and we continually sent the random texts checking in on one another. After we both graduated, our relationship and love started to grow again and even though we were on opposite sides of the country, we fell in love and made it work. Jake and I had over 30 cross-country flights and trips all over the US before I finally moved to DC so we could be together. Thankfully I did because just one year later he proposed!

The Proposal:

Jake and I were in Canada so Jake could caddy for his younger brother in a professional golf tournament and unbeknownst to me, my engagement ring was in his golf bag the entire weekend! Jake was searching for the perfect spot to pop the big question in London, Ontario (no luck), so he suggested we stop at Niagara Falls on the way home that Sunday. Jake’s sister grabbed her ‘fancy’ camera when we arrived – that should’ve been my first clue, but there were SO many people and I was more worried about getting home to our kids (our pups- Sprout and Wilbur) – ha! All of the people made Jake extra nervous so he suggested we walk back to the car on the hilly side where it was less crowded to get a better view and that’s where he dropped down on one knee and proposed. It was short and sweet and the most amazing surprise ending to the weekend!

Wedding Day Lead-up:

About a month after we got engaged, Jake and I moved back to California and closer to our family. My Mom and I sat down with all of these pamphlets, planning books, and our laptops and were pretty overwhelmed. Jake was actually the one who suggested we hire a wedding planner – best idea EVER! I found our wedding planner, Jenn Robirds (Jenn Robirds Events) through Jake’s cousin and she was absolutely amazing! We were engaged for over 18 months so we had tons of time to work with Jenn and plan the perfect day. I don’t know how, but I swear Jenn could read my mind. Somehow, with just a few sentences, Jenn could take my thoughts and turn them into visions.

Wedding day choices and how things turned out:

For our wedding day, we were going for classic, romantic, definitely fun! We’ve been to SO many weddings together that there were elements going into planning that we learned from experience – shuttles for guests, plenty of space, delicious food and a good DJ to name a few!

Venue:

Jenn helped us find the perfect venue – Taber Ranch in the Capay Valley. Taber Ranch was the first and only venue we toured! We loved the amazing view of the rolling green hills from the ceremony site, the fact that there were separate spaces for each part of the day and the gorgeous grounds with all of the greenery and vineyards. It can get extremely hot in Northern California so opting for a Spring wedding was perfect weather-wise and Taber Ranch really shined too with flowers in bloom everywhere.

Outfits/Dress:

Three things I knew from the very beginning – I wanted the men in navy, the ladies in taupe and I wanted to be in a beautiful Pronovias dress! The wedding party attire was one of the simple elements from our day, but the simplicity paired well with the gorgeous, bright flowers as you can see in the amazing photos! My dress felt like it was made for me- classic, beautiful, elegant and so much better than I could’ve imagined!

Flowers:

Originally, I actually thought I’d stick with a simpler theme and have neutral flowers, but about 6 months into planning I fell in love with coral charm peonies and I’m so glad I did! Arvo Floral Studio made my flower dreams come true. The bouquets ranged in color from a romantic, soft mauve to blend with the taupe of the bridesmaid dresses and progressed to bright coral charm peonies. Shannon, at Arvo, created beautiful bouquets, arrangements that ‘grew’ out of the ground and on the day-of she made the most beautiful deconstructed arbor for our ceremony site. I wanted LOTS of bright flowers and it was amazing to see the beauty throughout our entire venue.

Food

Food was super important to both of us. We love food (who doesn’t?) and trying out new restaurants so we knew we didn’t want to serve anything boring on our wedding day. You can’t have a fun wedding if the food is mediocre! Jenn came through again and found us Farm to Table Catering – amazing! Mexican food is my favorite so we were able to incorporate that by including carnitas tacos as an appetizer – yum! – while still indulging in the best steak and risotto cakes for dinner. We also opted for family style service. Family style made it easier to blend our family and friends who may not know each other and helped to get the conversations flowing. Our guests have not only raved about how delicious all of the food was, but how beautiful the dishes were too. Farm to Table took it above and beyond and helped to create our welcome drinks as well that had little lemon peels and thyme clipped to the glass rims- so cute!

Drinks:

Not only was food a top priority for us, but the drinks were as well! Along with our many restaurant adventures, Jake and I find ourselves at breweries and wineries often. And again, we really wanted the experience to be fun for our guests so an open bar to loosen everyone up and get them on the dance floor was a must!

Photos:

Capturing our wedding day was extremely important to us. We had 18 months to plan the perfect day and we wanted the best photographers to save the memories for us. Jenn came through again and introduced us to Scott and Dana who were absolutely amazing. Jake and I met up with Scott and Dana a few months before our
wedding – I highly suggest other brides do the same. Getting a chance to chat with our photographers beforehand helped us to feel more comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera on our wedding day. By the end of the wedding night, Scott and Dana felt more like family and we will forever be grateful to them for capturing every moment, every look and every kiss for us.

Special standouts:

The first 3 ideas below stemmed from Jenn, but as I said above, I could share a few thoughts and colors with her and she’d bring it all to life!
o Stationery suites – invites, menus, welcome bag tags, etc.
o Wine bottle seating charts – we love wine! Different and fun
o Ceremony arbor – different, beautiful, went well with the rolling hill views
o Donut bar – late night snack (we love donuts)

Favorite moment from our wedding day:

Jake and I have gushed about our wedding nonstop since the day we said ‘I do!’ and there is not a thing we would change. From the food to the flowers to the dancing, it was perfect and we were surrounded by all of the people we love. If we had to pick one moment as the best part of our day, we both loved our first look. We were so nervous and excited and cried when we saw each other for the first time. It was so very special and a memory I will cherish forever. Having that little bit of time just the two of us calmed our nerves and gave us a chance to take it all in without everyone watching. Our wedding was more than we ever could have dreamed; if only we could relive May 4th over and over.”

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A Hampton Wedding that Will Most Definitely Put You in a Summer State of Mind

Four years ago this month I was preparing for my own Big Day—just one month out. A summer-lover at heart, a July wedding was always in the cards for me and one by the ocean, of course. Today’s nautical Montauk fete from Brklyn View Photography is taking me back big time with it’s seaside views and east coast vibes. I don’t doubt it’ll get you in the summer state of mind too!

From Brklyn View Photography… Fall is one of my favorite seasons in New York. I love when the weather gets a bit cooler, the leaves start to change, and it’s the perfect time of year for a wedding. Margaret and Phil love Montauk. They spend many Summer’s together growing their relationship out in the Hamptons so it was the only place to have their wedding. The held their wedding ceremony and reception at the stunning Gurneys Star Island Resort.

The bride wore a stunning wedding gown from Pronovias and her grandmother’s wedding ring in her honor. Her bridesmaids wore blush peach dresses and held delicate bouquets from AvaFloral. Margaret’s all white wedding bouquet is one of my favorites ever! So simple and so stunning. The groom wore a light blue suit and his best men were a mix of the bride’s brother and his childhood best friend. Margaret and Phil had their wedding ceremony outside in front of the cottages with the lake view at Gurneys Star Island Resort. The stood under the beautiful floral arch that framed the couple perfectly.

As the couple exchanged their vows and became husband and wife, everyone was overcome with emotion and celebrated the newlyweds as they walked down the aisle arm and arm. The Farmhouse Ballroom was decorated with white and pops of greenery. Margaret and Phil love to dance and A Sterling Band kept the dance floor packed the entire reception. It was such an honor to be with Margaret and Phil on their wedding day and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for this amazing, sweet, and lovable couple!

Grey’s Anatomy Star Giacomo Gianniotti Marries Nichole Gustafson in a Beautiful Italian Wedding

In case you haven’t already heard, Giacomo Gianniotti (aka dreamy Dr. Deluca on Grey’s Anatomy) recently tied the knot to the beautiful Nichole Gustafson in an intimate ceremony at Villa Pocci in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Today, we’re walking you through every can’t-miss moment of their special day planned by Sanda Pandza Events. Prepare to be blown away by their romantic ceremony covered in enchanting mauve and blush blooms from Andrea Patrizi. Check out the full gallery of images by Linas Dambrauskas and keep on reading for an interview with Mrs. Gianniotti herself!

Tell us a bit about your love story! How did you two meet?

So I’m a makeup artist. We met on a photoshoot in Beverly Hills. I was hired to do Giacomo’s hair and makeup for an Italian magazine. They were featuring him. I was the only American on this shoot, it was all Italians and ME, I didn’t know anything about Giacomo, just that he was on some TV show called Greys Anatomy. I had never even seen the show. There was this instant chemistry on set tho. But, he waited for a month to actually ask me out! I mean the rest is history. He took me on one romantic date after the next. We both knew on our first date it was something truly special. We just fell completely in love and it has been such a beautiful love story.

What was your inspiration for the wedding design?

Rustic Italian with elegance. Romance way key. I just wanted it to feel warm and very romantic. It was a bit of rustic, modern, classic Italian, elegance? Is that even a thing? I just wanted lot’s of flowers and beautiful lighting. And boy, did I get that! Our floral designer Andrea Patrizi was a magician. I mean, he did more than I could have asked for. The ambiance was there. It was so romantic.

Why did you choose Villa Pocci as your wedding venue?

We chose that venue for the location. We really wanted an intimate setting. The lake (Castel Gandolfo) is so beautiful.

Tell us about the dress!

THE DRESS! It was a custom, one of a kind, Netta Benshabu gown. It was everything I wanted. It was so romantic and elegant, but hugged my curves, as the shape was a mermaid silhouette. I just love off the shoulder dresses. The lace was so detailed. I felt so beautiful in it. Giacomo loved it.

We love that you did your own makeup for the Big Day, you looked gorgeous! Describe your bridal makeup look.

My look was more emphasizing my eyes. I did a smokey brown eye using warm tones to bring out my light eyes. I went for a soft rose tone on my lips. I used Armani Beauty and Beauty Counter products.

Nichole, with your incredible background in the beauty industry, do you have any tips or products you love for bride’s who are prepping for their big day now (skin, choosing your makeup direction, getting that glow)?

I would definitely suggest getting a facial a few weeks before. Hydrating a lot and not fussing with your skin too much before the big day. Everyone is different. But, my skin is sensitive, so I didn’t want to stray too far off from my normal routine. Decide beforehand what your look will be. I think it’s best to choose one focal point. So, if you are going with a bold lip, choose softer eyes. And vice versa. If you’re going with a bold smokey eye, go with a more subtle lip. I also think it’s best to not over do it and not look like yourself. Ultimately, find what makes you feel the most beautiful. Even if that means very simple and minimal and that’s true to you. Getting that glow comes from happiness! Haha It really does tho. But, highlighters help too! ;)

What was the most important aspect of the wedding day to you as a couple?

The most important aspect to us were our vows and that people walked away feeling the love between us. Often times we’ve both gone to weddings in the past and just felt that the love didn’t shine through. We didn’t want our guests to leave that way. Music was huge part of that for us. We had music playing the entire time. It was a soundtrack to our love. I think people really felt that too.

Walk us through the floral design, the arrangements were absolutely breathtaking!

Oh gosh! Yes! My floral designer is one of the best in Italy. His name is Andrea Patrizi. I really owe all that credit to him. I sent some Pinterest photos. But, he delivered on a way bigger scale than I could have even asked for. The ceremony flowers were insane. The arch and just everywhere you looked there were huge floral arrangements. My colors were whites, with soft blushes and mauves. Lot’s of greenery. All the guests just kept talking about all the flowers.

Favorite moments from the day?

My favorite moments were: Our vows. The speeches our friends gave. There were not many dry eyes in the room. Our friends said some of the most beautiful words we’ve ever heard. My husbands little sister (19 years) surprised us with a song. It was by Daniel Cesar and H. E. R. Called Best Part. She had the dining room giving her a standing ovation, she blew us away and that’s one of my favorite songs. We kissed before we were supposed to haha. We were confused and kissed before we had even exchanged rings. It was really funny. So we actually got to kiss twice, everyone was laughing. And toward the end of the night… I started Dj’ing and Giacomo got behind the bar and started doing his old flair bartending tricks. It was like out of cocktails. It was a blast! Our wedding planner surprised us on our first dance. Red flower petals fell from the sky, we were totally surprised and the videos show it. It was so cute and the guests loved it.

Did you incorporate any traditional Italian elements to your wedding day?

Yes, very much so with the food. Our guests couldn’t stop asking us what the cake was. It was a mille foglie cake. Which means a thousand leaves. It has many layers. Very popular in Italy. It’s delicious. We gave bomboniere’s to our guests. Traditional confetti (candy coated almonds) with a bottle of wine from the region. Wine and prosecco were flowing all night for sure. We had a guy walking around making fresh cannoli’s and another station where they were making fresh mozarella. It was very Italian. A cigar bar as well. And of course driving off in a classic car.

What was the most challenging aspect of planning a destination wedding? Any advice to future brides looking to do the same?

It was challenging at times. And that was with having an incredible wedding planner (Sanda Pandza Events). But, ultimately we still have to sign off on everything and so that means lot’s of emails. I tried to not bother Giacomo too much with stuff unless I needed to. He has long hours on set. So, I always tried to keep it minimal for him. We both decided together the whole look of the wedding tho. We have similar tastes, so that always makes it so easy. We are great collaborators together. We value each others opinions.

ADVICE: get a wedding planner for destination weddings. And if you can’t afford one, start way earlier with your planning. It takes time!

What were your food and cocktail choices?

Pasta. We had a lobster pasta that was to die for! A fish dish that I chose. Sea bass with a Limoncello sauce on top, that the guests loved. And the mille foglie cake of course was a hit. We had the signature bride and groom cocktails. A classic Margarita and Negroni. During the aperitivo hour there was lot’s of Aperol spritz flowing, prosecco and wine. We had 2 full bars all night as well with amazing cocktails.

Tell us about the honeymoon!

We went to the Philippines and Indonesia. It was pretty adventurous. That is very much true to who we are tho. We first went to El Nido and then Coron in the Philippines. We chose those places because of their beauty and because neither one of us had been there before. It did not disappoint! The Philippines is so beautiful. White sandy beaches and clear water. We wanted to be where it was warm. We snorkled a lot and saw some amazing coral reefs. The people were so kind. We would love to return and explore more. Our second stop was Bali. We stayed in Uluwatu and then Ubud. Bali was great! We stayed more in the jungle and it was a great experience. Went to the monkey forest and the temple at sunset. It was all so magical and so nice that we had time to take a few weeks off and just travel and live in the moment of being husband and wife. It was everything I think a honeymoon should be. Romanic private dinners watching the sunsets in the most beautiful places.

Were any Grey’s Anatomy cast members in attendance at the wedding?

I’ll never tell. Haha But I won’t. I like to keep peoples privacy. There were a few familiar faces at the wedding.

Tell us about your hair & makeup business! Was it hard to decide on your wedding hair and makeup since you’ve seen it all or just the opposite?

Ya know, I think I keep it pretty tame. I really look up to old school makeup artists. I prefer classic over “overdone” I am not really into the latest instagram trends. I hate that stuff. I like to make my clients into the best version of themselves. But, still keeping them looking like a version of themself. Personally, I love switching things up on myself tho. I am a gemini, we get bored ya know :) Sometimes I want to rock a bold red lip, or just keep it simple with some lashes, a nice liner and a soft nude on the lip. I decided on my wedding makeup and hair to feel like me. I kept my hair down because I hate my hair up. I wanted a classic bouncy wave in my hair (which was done by my amazing hair stylist in Italy named Sasa Sicilia from Sasalon) I paired it with beautiful statement earrings and a necklace. My gown was the standout. I didn’t want to over do it.

Both having successful careers, how did you two juggle your busy schedules on top of wedding planning?

It was tough. But we did it! And we made sure to have fun along the way. We had a longer engagement (1. 5 years) and that helped so much! I couldn’t have imagined planning it in one year. We needed that time. And also just to enjoy being engaged was so nice.

Nichole, what has been your favorite role of Giacomo’s thus far? Besides “husband” of course ;)

Dr. Deluca duh. And yes, for all the fans that ask me on the daily. I ship Merluca! I just learned what ship means btw.

5 Thoughtful Tips & Tricks to Plan + Personalize Your Destination Wedding (from a Real Bride!)

Do you dream of a destination wedding but feel completely intimidated by the planning process and fear you won’t be able to truly personalize your day? Today’s Bride, Viktoriya is here to deem all you worries unnecessary. As a creative artist herself and the owner of Simple Things Ceramics, custom and curated was naturally the name of her wedding game—from the gifts to styling goods to a table dressed up by Weddings by Susan Dunne. Viktoriya is sharing her very own tips on how to master your own far away fete, alongside stunning imagery by Anya Kernes Photography.

From bride, Viktoriya, and owner of Simple Things Ceramics… Having a destination wedding was a dream and we didn’t realize how much work it was until we began putting together the vision for our special occasion. My (now) husband and I knew that we wanted to have an intimate ceremony and reception in Italy. The idea of incredible food, wine, and gorgeous views was simply impossible to pass up. We invited our closest people and since there were only 13 guests at the wedding we got a chance to bond and spend time with everyone, which made the experience relaxing and memorable.

These 5 handcrafted details helped us add personal touch to the trip and made it truly unforgettable.

1. I put together personalized proposal boxes for my girlfriends who took part in the wedding. I enjoyed designing the custom paper inserts, handmade tags, picking chocolates and Italian wine to help celebrate the occasion with everyone in my “I do crew”. They were fun to open and made for a fun memory box for my friends after the treats were gone.

2. When it was time to pick our wedding attire, I had to be strategic, since we were flying for over 16 hours to our destination and had to hand carry everything in case it got lost during the flight (I wasn’t taking any chances checking in my dress J). So, I looked for a simple gown that was not going to wrinkle during the flight and was easy to fold. I just added earrings and my flat Bella Belle shoes, which were weightless and so comfortable on the grass and after a few glasses of wine! My husband also picked a summer suite, which was lighter and more appropriate for our June wedding.

3. Since my hubby and I are huge foodies we wanted to share our love for local ingredients with our guests. We prepared personalized goodie bags with locally sourced treats like cheese, honey, cookies and wine for guests when they arrived. I wrote a thank you note for every guest who made a long trip to be there for our big day. To bring everyone together and kick off the celebrations we hosted a pizza party as our welcome dinner, which allowed everyone to mingle and get to spend quality time with each other.

4. After the wedding, all you have is a husband, paper details and photos. So we are creating family heirlooms while designing our personalized paper details for the wedding. I wanted to frame these details and display them in our home with our wedding photos afterwards. We had love notes, funny signage, words of wisdom for the couple activity for guests and special ceremony programs. We had our vows calligraphed on one side and printed on the other, which meant we didn’t have to pick and got to have both looks. Bonus, the print also made it easy to read during the vow exchange.

5. The key to having a dream destination wedding is hiring a great planner and photographer. Once the planning starts trust them in the process. It makes all the difference for the destination wedding. Our planner helped us put together an incredible team of local vendors and made sure everything went smoothly. The photographer was there to beautifully capture the occasion as we remember it today and for generations to come. Wedding albums also make great holiday gifts for parents and grandparents.

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A Chic Co-Ed Baby Shower

When Katie, of Halfway Wholeistic, and her husband Jordan found out they were having a baby boy, they couldn’t wait to shower their new arrival with all their family and friends! The Nursery by Southwinds served as the perfect backdrop for the coed shower, which they wanted to have a fun and casual feel. “I wanted the shower to reflect my personal style, which is very neutral and natural. Whites and creams laid a foundation for the décor and we accented with lots of greenery and other floral
arrangements.”

Photography: Shannan Leigh Photography | Event Venue: The Nursery By Southwinds | Influencer: Katie Staples

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The Unfinished Arbor Trend Is Taking the Wedding World by Storm

I recently came back from the west coast last week and I can say with confidence that California truly is one of the loveliest places to say I do—and Montage Laguna Beach sure does represent! Today’s creative genius from Gianna SanFilippo pulls from the scenery’s natural elements with subtle tropical hints in the florals by Rogue + Fox Floral, sea glass and oyster shells. Have a look inside the full gallery from Cavin Elizabeth and let us know which elements you want to steal for your own Big Day!

From Cavin Elizabeth Photography… This soft and sweet coastal inspiration came to life at The Montage in Laguna Beach California. The blend of whites, blush and mauve with neutral coastal elements like coral and sea glass was the perfect soft pop against the bright blue ocean directly behind it. Designer Gianna SanFilippo used tabletop and furniture pieces from Signature party rentals to tie the look together by creating distinct but cohesive decorative vignettes using dusty blush sea glass votives, rust colored tapers, mushroom coral and oyster shells.

Drew of Rogue and Fox created lots of texture by bringing in a mix of lush blooms, tropicals, roses and wildflowers in large and small arrangements down the center of the table and in the bouquet. The ocean views at the Montage are stunning, possibly the best in Orange County so we didn’t want to obstruct those with the ceremony altar. We made two freestanding floral arrangements at different heights to form an unfinished arch that would add a floral touch, but still allow guests to enjoy those 360 degree views.

Styled by TC dressed the bride in a stunning Willowby by Watters gown with tulle over floral lace and Generation Tux chose a classic slim cut tuxedo for the groom. A look that was both light and airy but still formal and structured. Just perfect! Even though summer is just around the corner, this look can transcend seasons and weather and work for couples year round. Enjoy!

This Shoot Is Giving Us Major Chuck and Blair Vibes and Every Gossip Girl Fan Needs to See Why

Any Gossip Girl fans in the house? Because this gorgeous wedding inspiration from Ulvia Mammadova is giving us major Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf vibes. Every inch of this shoot is romantic beyond words. The bride’s Galia Lahav dress looked like a fairytale against the dramatic fountain at Bethesda Terrace. Precious Flowers created an ethereal blue and white bouquet that made our hearts skip a beat. It’s truly the most perfect “classic New York” wedding inspiration we’ve ever laid eyes on. See it all for yourself at the full gallery!

From Ulvia Mammadova… 4 years ago my own wedding in Azerbaijan got published on Style Me Pretty, and now I would like to share an editorial shoot how it would be look like if it was in New York.. This is a story of two young people who fell in love with each other in the magical city New York: Anna, a model and contemporary artist, and Ryan – professional latin dancer.

In order to create clean and intimate shots in the most touristic spot – Central Park we’ve been ready and all set up by early dawn. And here it is – time stops and fairy tale starts right here on Bethesda Terrace, free of people. Though it was an inspirational shoot, I enjoyed how it turned out so real and true emotionally! I wanted to make something alive, free and effortless, just like the New York city itself, something more than just beautifully styled shoot, to show the beauty of youth and spontaneous love.. That chemistry and connection, how they were looking at each other, I was getting inspired by them during the shoot!

Oh, and Galia Lahav wedding dress.. – an endless inspiration for every bride to be! Sparkly gown with an embellished corset, embroidered with silk flowers and crystal accents – was love at first sight. When we were choosing the dress together with Bridal Reflections team, I was so lucky to see and to talk with Galia Lahav head designer – Sharon Sever, who creates these pure pieces of art.. Thanks to an incredible team of very talented people, who stand behind this shoot. Nude and glowy makeup done by Liza Ray. Unique and timeless rings from Victor Barbone, which always has a history behind of every piece.. Jennifer Behr earrings in the shape of leaves were nothing but the perfect match with petals on the dress, completing the look inspired by the grace of nature..

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These are the Most Searched for Wedding Trends on Pinterest in 2019

You’ve been pinning gowns, florals and sparkling diamond bands well before a ring was on your finger. (It never hurts to plan ahead, right?) Well, it’s safe to say you are hardly alone in your early planning. With over 630 million wedding ideas saved in the last year alone, gals just like you have also been doing just that — and thank goodness for it. Pinterest has used your searches to compile digestible data to predict the most-coveted wedding themes in 2019. If you’re curious to see what they are — check below to see the top trends you’ll definitely want to know about once you’re ready to walk down that aisle.

Photography by: Gianluca And Mary Adovasio

Less is More

Let’s talk about guest lists. More than ever, couples are prioritizing who is most important, rather than how many people they can squeeze in, in order to pull off a more intimate wedding. With “city hall elopement”, “Elopement photography ideas” and “Destination wedding” leading the most popular search terms, we’re anticipating lots of small but special celebrations in 2019.

Photography: Nick Plus Danée

Keep it Simple

Pinterest is all over the latest dress styles from around the globe. And this year, they’re telling us that bridal style is trending to low key in 2019. With “short wedding dresses” topping the list in France, to “beach wedding dress” searches in the UK, and “natural wedding dress” leading in Japan, understated elegance is the new must do. Which means Megan Markle’s simple and striking gown was totally on theme!

Photography: Allen Tsai

Take it Outside

Tying the knot outdoors is officially IN. In fact, the UK recently changed its rules to allow for legal outdoor wedding ceremonies because of it! With “forest elopement”, “small outdoor wedding ceremony” and “back garden wedding” leading the search charts, it’s clear that couples are very excited about selecting a location for their ceremony that’s both naturally beautiful and true to their tastes. No complaints here – the results are always breathtaking!

Photography: Jose Villa

Back to Your Roots

Buh bye, cookie-cutter weddings! Couples in 2019 are looking more than ever for ways to make their day feel truly unique. With terms related to multicultural weddings making up 30% of the most searched topics this year, partners are reverting to their roots and blending traditions to incorporate hints of who they are into their ceremonies. And we are here for the change in pace.

Photography: Taryn Grey

Go Green

You’re already v. familiar with the “go green” phrase. But did you ever think about incorporating sustainability into your wedding? According to the social platform, Gen Z and Millenials couples are looking for ways more than ever to make their weddings eco-friendly (the “sustainable wedding ideas” term was up 181%, according to Pinterest). Top pinned ideas for this include opting for signage instead of individual menus and programs, offering guests reusable drinkware and straws, and using potted plants that can be repurposed later. And that’s just the beginning…!

Photography: Patrick Moyer

Love these ideas? Looking for more? Head on over to our Pinterest page for an extra dose of pinnable inspo!

Kelsey Dulac is a wedding planner and designer based in Coastal Maine with a passion for creating beautiful, personal and thoughtfully detailed events all over New England with her company, Back Bay Bride. She loves sharing her expertise in event design, planning and execution to ensure couples have well-organized and visually-inspired weddings that are a meaningful reflection of their story.

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How to Seamlessly Fuse Multiple Cultures into Your Wedding Day

Payal and Vince’s wedding celebration is #goals my friends—and the most beautiful example of how to fuse two cultures, while embracing the local Mexican scenery. Xanath Banuelos and Floweriize had a little something to do with that! Read more about the details of their day below and soak in the full beauty by Janine Licare.

From Janine Licare Photography… Payal and Vince’s wedding took place over 3 days in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, this past Thankgiving (2018). When it came to planning their wedding, they were set on putting their own spin on tradition and opted for a fusion of cultures and blending of traditions, integrating their Indian Heritage and American lifestyle with Mexican wedding customs.

On their wedding day, they wore two separate custom outfits. Instead of wearing the traditional red to her ceremony, Payal chose to wear green in a custom lehenga by Sabyasachi, designed and made in India. Her one of a kind veil featured hand-painted red roses that perfectly complimented the green. Vince wore a hand-printed sherwani with custom made gold shoes and a necklace adorned with hundreds of pearls.

The wedding venue, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, naturally grows Pampas grass all around the property, so it was also used to decorate the ceremony and reception space. As with a typical Indian wedding day, the events were split up between morning and night. Their ceremony took place at 10:00am. Leading up to it was the Baarat, where Vince traveled to the ceremony site on a white horse. Guests danced to the beat of the Dhol (drum) and were led from the Baarat to their seats by the Dhol performer.

At the ceremony, the Mandap was decorated with bright roses, orange mums, pampas grass, and Mexican tin stars. The bridesmaids (and bridesman!) wore shades of mauve that were a perfect compliment to the warm tones of the hotel. The deeper tones perfectly matched the mauve roses in Payal’s bouquet.

During the cocktail hour, guests were offered a choice between 4 types of Tequila at the Tequila Shot bar. Guests mingled on the patio in front of the tent, sporting their own outfit changes. The cocktail hour had a lounge area for seating and Mexican inspired hors d’oeuvres, such as mini tacos to go with the tequila.

For the reception, Vince and Payal changed into their second outfit. He wore a velvet tuxedo and she wore a beautiful red outfit with detailed beading throughout. Hundreds of Mexican tin stars were hung from the 40-foot tent which gave the reception an elevated yet whimsical feel. The centerpiece of the reception was a fountain made of hundreds of roses and pampas grass. Each guests’ plate featured a custom hand-painted tile with their name on it. Off in the distance, the guests had a perfect view of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.

Payal and Vince entered their reception with fireworks – a special touch that set the tone for the fun events ahead. Throughout the evening, they sat on a throne surrounded by arrangements of roses that appeared to be bursting with pampas grass (a nod to the fireworks during their Grand Entrance). From here on out, they enjoyed performances by many guests, including younger cousins and other family members. Their first dance was a medley of the Narcos theme song and Nat King Cole’s “Love”. They took 7 dances lessons and performed it perfectly.

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Beachy Hamptons House Tour

I’m so stealing the entire look of this house for my own little seaside cottage. It’s easy elegance at its best. The kind of place that is undeniably gorgeous but still feels totally approachable with kid-friendly spaces and charming color splashes all designed by Jenny Wolf along with photography by Emily Gilbert. It’s also the kind of place that is straight out of the dream home handbook. See even more right here.

Jenny and John Wolf were looking for a big, open house in the Hamptons, but they didn’t buy one. Instead, they ended up falling in love with a small, dark farmhouse from the 19th century. The beautiful garden was too good to pass up. Of course, this also meant that Jenny, a Manhattan-based interior designer, would have a lot of work to make it the dream home they had in mind.

The couple wanted to make the house feel bigger without actually adding it. They got rid of the attic, which allowed 6 feet more of vertical space and exposed vaulted ceilings. They also exposed the wooden beams on the first floor to add some more room and a touch of the old farmhouse it once was.

A wider thruway between the living and dining rooms added much desired light to both. The walls were all brightened up with white paint, and the floors were given a pleasing pale green everywhere but the kitchen.

Jenny wanted to step outside of her comfort zone with the furnishings. In the dining room, for example, she combined Tolix metal chairs and a modern Knoll table with a jute rug that gives a beach feeling. The kitchen has a light blue retro refrigerator and a big chalkboard for anything that needs to be jotted down.

Now, the Wolfs couldn’t be happier with how their home turned out. They managed to open up the space and add elements inside that make the cottage reflect the beautiful garden and the nearby beach.

This Groom Just Won Husband of the Year After Transforming Their Entire Backyard into the Bride’s Dream Venue

With a little help from her wedding photographer sister, the talented Brooke at Honey Gem Creative, this gorgeous bride tied the knot to her longtime love in an intimate ceremony in her very own backyard (how sweet is that?!) After her amazing hub renovated their entire backyard to prepare for the Big Day (#1 husband award), the bride and Brooke had one month to plan the wedding! Sounds crazy right? Well boy did they pull it off… Not only that, they were sweet enough to provide some tips for future brides who are planning their own wedding! Keep on reading to find out what they are, and don’t forget to check out the full gallery of stunning images!

From Brooke at Honey Gem Creative… This wedding is a special one! It’s my sisters wedding. We’re both wedding photographers so we couldn’t wait to start planning and designing.

How They Met

From the Bride… Perry and I met in high school on the basketball court. I was practicing my free throws in the empty gym and he walked in. I had seen him around and recognized him. He was a bit if a spunk. Although he was in the grades above me so I was shocked when he came up to ask me if I wanted to play a game of 1 on 1. Of course I said yes and from then on we played basketball after school together until the sun went down. It really was love at first sight and we’ve pretty much been together ever since then. High School Sweethearts thats for sure. We finally got married after 17 years together and 6 years of being engaged. It took Perry quite a while to propose and he knew I was wanting him to propose and I’m not good at surprises so he had to plan the proposal well enough for me not to ruin the surprise. He took me to a fancy high end restaurant in Melbourne called Vue De Monde and a friend of his worked there at the time so he gave her the ring ahead of time. It was actually my birthday. We had a beautiful lunch with champagne and I won’t lie I was expecting a proposal but we got to desert and NOTHING.

By this stage I had had a couple of glasses of champagne and was losing my ability to hide the fact I was suspecting a proposal but had given up. A surprise dish of petit fours were brought to the table after dessert and the waiter explained that it was a smokey duck egg that revealed a special dessert underneath. Perry asked me to remove the egg shell and I said a little grumpy.. No you can do it… only to reveal a ring! He had totally got me! After expecting a proposal and then giving up he totally surprised me and asked me too marry him after all.. He then organized a surprise engagement dinner that night with our friends. It was magic. We welcomed our first baby girl London in 2016 and finally got married ion 2018.. We have since welcomed our second baby girl Ivy in 2019.

From the Florist… This was REMI + GOLD’s first wedding in the beautiful continent of Australia and there are hardly words for the incredible experience we had flowering near the amazing city of Melbourne for Honey Gem Creative! We sourced everything locally and met some of the most wonderful vendors who provided us with everything from the most stunning and fragrant garden roses to locally grown lush pepperberries. We even ventured out to forage in the brides backyard for the most beautiful eucalyptus we’d ever seen! (Top Secret: We sourced almost every inch of the giant hanging installation from the lush backyard!) It was an actual dream come true to design for this special couple and we’ll have forever left a piece of our hearts in Australia!

From the Sister/Photographer/Planner…The planning process was a little bit challenging because we only had 1 month to pull everything together. My sister wanted to get married in her backyard. Her backyard backed onto a reserve which had a lot of greenery and gum trees so it was a great location. The backyard needed a renovation and would be ready 1 month before the wedding.

We couldn’t really start the planning and design process because we didn’t know the layout of the backyard. My sister lives in Australia and I live in the USA. I flew out to Australia one month before the wedding and start planing immediately. We have both shot so many weddings and felt overwhelmed with choices. Overall my sister had her dream wedding, better than she could have imagined. However after going through the process we wanted to share some tips we learned along the way that could help future Brides.

Wedding Planning Tips for Future Brides:

1. Ways to bring cohesion into your wedding:

– Ask your florist to add greenery to your bar, signage, welcome table, cocktail tables, and buffet table
– Make sure all your signage is created by the same designer so all fonts and colors are the same
– Ask your florist to add bud vases with blooms to your cocktail tables, bar, guest tables, lounge areas, welcome table, and buffet table. Make sure you have a good amount so it doesn’t look incomplete.
– Prior to the wedding collect candles (with clear cylinders) and votives so that you can place them throughout. These can be used on your guest tables, sweetheart table, at your ceremony, on welcome tables, at the bar, on cocktail tables and at lounge areas (you can also sell these after). Make sure you have a good amount so it doesn’t look incomplete. We wish we ordered more. They also look amazing at night!

2. Narrow down your design board

Rather than coming up with 10 different bouquets try to narrow it down to 1 specific bouquet you like. We had too many different options.

3. Pick your color schemes early on

Because we had seen so many weddings we had too many ideas and couldn’t make a decision about colors. Coming up with your colors early on and sticking to them will make the planning process easier. That way all your florals, linens, signage/paper goods and bridesmaid dresses will look cohesive and consistent.

4. Repurpose

If you have a wedding planner/coordinator who can move florals during the wedding repurposing florals is a great way to enhance the design elements of your wedding. For example, using your ceremony florals at your sweetheart table or cake table or using your bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces.

5. Making a statement

If you’re on a budget for florals consider using greenery and candles on your guest tables and investing more of your floral budget into your ceremony florals or an elaborate escort card design this can really help to elevate the wedding and give it a more expensive feel without compromising on any area.

6. Have a solid plan B

Since we’re photographers we wanted to make sure a plan B was in place. We rented a clear marquee. The reason we decided on this was because we wanted to make sure light would come through if we had to move the ceremony under the tent due to rain. After the fact we wish we included drapery. It would have been great to have sheer white drapes hanging from the ceiling (which would have diffused the light even more) and on the sides to hide the metal polls. With that said the tent still looked great without the drapes. One draw back with these tents is that they get hot. Our florist had to bring the flowers back inside, so drapes potentially would have blocked the sun better making it cooler.

7. Hiring a designer and coordinator

Since we’re photographers we didn’t think we’d need a planner or coordinator. We now know we were wrong. A designer would have saved us a lot time and stress with nailing down our vision and a coordinator would have been great to help us on the day of and with set-up. My sister realized instead of spending $5000 on food/catering (we had 50 guests) we could have got a food truck and would have had the money for a planner.

8. Cake

For a more elaborate cake and photo have your baker create a fake cake with only 1 tier thats real and have the caterer feed guests cake that’s already been cut and more affordable.

9. Guest tables

We had shown our rental company the size of table we wanted through a picture. When the ables arrived we realized they were too wide making the tables look more bare than they actually were. Looking back it would have been great to measure the width or visited the rental company to see the size in person. If we had done this we would have selected the tables that weren’t as wide so the florals and the candles filled up the table more and so guests were closer together providing a more intimate feel. It would have also given us more room in the tent to add a sweetheart table or lounge. We brought in Remi & Gold from the USA (don’t know what we would have done without her), Boarding School Collective and La Tavola Linens. We had a hard time sourcing the velvet linens in Australia at a reasonable price and my husband was able to fly over with them in his suitcase. He couldn’t fit anything else in his suitcase so we had to purchase a suite for him the day of the wedding.

A few items we sourced on our own and saved money on were the napkins which we purchased from Kmart for $1 each https://www. Kmart. Com. Au/ and the plates which we sourced for $2 each from https://www. Spotlightstores. Com/ . We loved how both of these turned out and we sold them after the wedding.

Credit needs to be given to the groom who redid the backyard with the help of one of his groomsman. He built retaining walls, added concrete, laid new turf and more. During the speeches the Bride Suzie gifted her groom Perry with a certificate of real manhood. This was especially significant and funny because prior to redoing the backyard the groom couldn’t even change a light bulb.

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When the Most Talented Designer Ever Opens Her Own Doors

Heather Balliet is a legend in my world. And I know she probably just cracked up reading that sentence. But it’s true. Heather is the brain behind some of my favorite wedding ideas that we have ever shared on Style Me Pretty. So when the amazing team over at Pura Soul Photography popped in for a visit and snapped some seriously amazing pics of Heather’s home, you know I’d want to share it just as soon as I possibly could. Because it turns out, Heather’s mad chops at designing a wedding translate beautifully to designing her own, classically modern home. Full gallery here.

From the owner, Heather of Amorology… We’re known for creating personalized events that really tell the story of our couples. Our design is romantic and eclectic with a touch of playful, which is also reflective in our modern farmhouse home!

As a wedding designer, I wanted my home to be reflective of all of the things that I love, which meant incorporating pops of color and modern elements, and creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. I wanted a house that my kids could play and have fun in!

We fell in love with it as soon as we saw the ladder and the loft. Tt was the selling point for us but we completely gutted the house from there! As a bunkhouse for the rancher built in the late 1800s, we knew it was a diamond in the rough but had good bones and great potential and we fell for its charm and personality.

It was for sure a home that we could envision raising our children in, and also had the capacity to do weddings on its expansive lawn. We purchased it a little over a year ago and quickly went to work to make it our own!

My husband, Troy, fortunately has building skills and was trained under my dad who was a general contractor and helped us to also renovate and update some of the main areas that needed some extra TLC, like the kitchen and the Master bath.

One of my favorite features in the house is our old vintage bathtub that we had re-enameled – it used to be the bathtub that my grandpa bathed in as a baby and we love that it’s found a place in our home now!

We gave the house a clean coat of white on both the exterior and interior to allow the accent colors to really pop agains the background. We brought in warm colorful rugs to liven the original cherrywood floors that Troy whitewashed.

A few words from the Photographers, Devin and Skylar…When we reached out to Heather wanting to connect, she and her family opened their home and their arms to us. We had the best experience during this shoot. Troy brought home fresh tacos from their favorite local taco shop for lunch and we all ate around their kitchen counter.

By the time we left we had made plans to go camping. Their home is charming and full of personal touches. We were beyond impressed with the details and pops of color that went into every corner.

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This Is the Cherry Red Monique Lhuillier Wedding Gown We Can’t Stop Staring at #MajorHeartEyes

Layered with toile, organic vibes and all things French countryside, today’s inspiration shoot is coming straight from the creative genius of Greenwood Events for the latest Sylvie Gil Workshop. With a rich red and light blue palette, it’s just in time to inspire any upcoming Bastille Day or Independence Day events—packed with charm, no less. Have a peek at the full gallery and get in on the action yourself at Sylvie’s next workshop, March 2020 in Morocco!

From Darci of Greenwood Events… We were so thrilled when Sylvie invited us to design her 2019 France workshop at Chateau de Varennes. We had followed along for years and had always been inspired by the other designers before us.

My first thought was to intertwine our style, which is often described as “Classic Organic”, with a French Chateau, specifically Chateau Varennes. I really wanted to play upon the French lifestyle, and what could be more fitting than “French Country” in the French Countryside!

I have always loved toile, and even use it in my own home design, so I knew it was going to play a big role throughout the workshop. I also wanted to have the color palette feel really bright, yet Springy. Therefore, the reds with the different shades of teals, robins egg blue, duck egg blue, really felt unique but realistic for a real Bride to be inspired by.

We then set out to layer patterns of toile, French ticking, with classic tabletop pieces and designed fresh and lush floral arrangements that felt timeless and effortless.

To keep the entire workshop shoots cohesive, I place in mind of one specific type of Bride. This Bride was chic and smart, (I had her actually being a book editor in NYC in my head). She wanted her wedding events to feel like they belonged at a chateau but she also wanted to share some of her flair…thus the fashion! We worked with Gabrielle Hurwitz to style our models and she did an outstanding job reading my vision and bringing the “Bride” to life.

In summary, we feel so blessed and lucky to have been a part of this incredible workshop and designing in France was a dream. We can’t wait to go back!

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What One Bride Believes Is the Number One Reason to Have a Small Wedding

A garden wedding and a beach wedding all wrapped into one sounds divine, right? That’s exactly what this Montecito fete planned by Hoste Events has to offer, dressed in a darling palette of light blue and blush—a nod to the sea and the sweetest blooms designed by Idlewild. With an guest list of 85, the celebration was intimate and lovely and I promise you’ll want to jump right into your screen when you see the imagery by Jordan Galindo.

Beautiful blues on the coast of Santa Barbara in the elegant estates of Montecito. Timeless but modern silhouettes. The bride and groom embraced all that is a garden wedding done in Montecito style. Soft summer blues ran throughout the wedding. Food and drinks were of the utmost importance to the couple.

From the Bride… Our wedding day included a perfect mix of both vintage details with a modern edge, incorporating hues of soft blue and cream with gold accents and of course, all the greenery I always dreamed would be surrounding us on our wedding day. After a year of planning our wedding with the amazing Hoste Events, we were overwhelmed with the compliments and sweet messages about what a success it was. Knowing that all 85 of our guests had an amazing time at our intimate wedding was a priority to us, especially given the travel time it takes to get to Santa Barbara.

We are so happy we opted for a small wedding and would do it the same in a heartbeat. With a smaller guest count, we got to truly spend time with each and every guest during our celebration. We know this isn’t always the case at weddings, so it really made it unique to us and our families. To say it was the best day of my life would be an understatement.