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

Mother and Father of the Bride Gifts Guaranteed to Make them Cry

The focus of the wedding day, and the months leading up to it, are undoubtedly about the happy couple. There’s also an element of wanting to celebrate everyone that’s celebrating with you. First and foremost, the people you wouldn’t be here without: parents!

Whether it’s a gift for one or a gift to share, give some thought to what the day might mean for them. Why not gift them with a little something that’s equal parts congratulatory and thankful. They are, after all, gaining a new member of the family, too!

For Mom
There’s no question that the jewelry you wear on your wedding day will mean just as much to you ten years down the road as it does on the big day. Pearls never go out of style, and gifting the mother a bride with her own set is a significant way to mark the day as one to remember. Whether it’s a necklace or bracelet, the timelessness of pearls is something you can’t go wrong with!

For Dad
It’s fairly common for the men of the day to rent their attire. Add some personalization to an otherwise ‘borrowed’ look for dad with a pair of custom cufflinks. Acknowledge the wedding day celebration with a simple monogram or the wedding date, both meaningful ways to commemorate the addition to his collection. For an extra dose of nostalgia, consider cufflinks with a silhouette of the bride or groom from childhood, but be prepared for the overload of emotions to come!

For Both
Handkerchiefs
Handkerchiefs might seem a bit old school (I vote we bring them back!) for everyday life, but they’ve proven to be a wedding day essential for everyone from the bride to the groom to the guests. Gifting custom embroidered handkerchiefs the morning of that share a sweet note for mother and father gives you a chance express what they mean to you–and provides the method with which they can dry the inevitable tears that follow. Just like the cufflinks, a monogram or the wedding date works here too!

Custom Champagne
The idea of wedding day champagne as an alternative to the traditional guest book is an idea that can be translated for the mother and father of the bride, and even the in-laws. Consider making a bottle of their favorite libation completely one of a kind by labeling it with the wedding invitation; the sentimentality is sure to not be lost on them!

Framed Photos
If family ties are really strong, honoring the previous generations can be a gift in and of itself. Have pictures framed of parents’, or even grandparents’, wedding day, or of other momentous occasions through the years. Use them as part of your reception decor for guests to enjoy. Gifting both sides of the family with wedding day pictures that commemorate your big day is an even better option, ensuring the significance of the day is celebrated with something they’ll hold near and dear to their hearts.

Style Me Pretty Contributor — Francesca Barger is a wedding enthusiast, freelance writer, marketer, and PR professional in the Midwest, where, in the last several years she’s worked with companies coast to coast. She’s more city slicker than small town girl, a bon vivant with a penchant for celebrating life’s little victories, like a dry cappuccino or a good hair day.

Taking Lavender + Blackberry Inspiration to the Next Level

Lavender and blackberry were the inspiration for this couple’s special day – but not just the color palette (although the hues sure do look pretty in the florals arranged by Lovely Leaves). These were also the tastes and smells prevalent throughout the celebration photographed by Jenna McElroy, and we can’t stop thinking, “How brilliant!” Now whenever the pair smell either lavender or blackberry, it brings them right back to their beautiful wedding day.

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Al Fresco

From the bride… When Isaiah and I got engaged, our first task was to pick the date. We didn’t want a long engagement, but finding an available weekend was proving to be a scheduling difficulty. Our solution was to instead get married on a Monday! By doing this, I was able to scale back on the magnitude of the wedding day, while still pouring myself into those memorable details.

Being a wedding photographer myself, I already had a clear vision of what I wanted my day to look like and who I wanted to involve. I had been imagining my wedding day happening at La Rio Mansion ever since they opened. It’s such a romantic place and truly a unique venue in my little town of Belton, Texas.

My inspiration for the day was lavender and blackberry. I wanted to not only have those be the colors, but to be the tastes and the smells of the day as well. In keeping with the laid-back romance of the day, we were married a little before sunset and served dessert and espresso at our reception. Isaiah is an avid lover of coffee, so we knew that hiring our favorite local coffee company would be a must-have. One of my favorite details was the delicious lemon cupcakes with lavender icing topped with blackberries made by my dear friend, Dana. Anytime I smell or taste lavender now, it brings me right back to that day.

The jazz band created the perfect classy yet laid-back vibe that I wanted to capture at the reception. I studied music in college, and it was important to me to have real musicians entertain our guests.

One of my favorite moments of the day was our first look. So much tension and anticipation had built up inside of me all day, and I didn’t even realize it! As soon as Isaiah and I saw each other, all of that was released, and I felt like I was ready to get married. By doing a first look, we also lengthened the amount of time we were able to spend together with just our closest family and friends before all the guests arrived.

I’m so thankful to all of my vendors who brought my vision to life and created the most beautiful evening. Being able to celebrate our love with our family and friends was so special.

These Laundry Hacks Will Make Your Life SO Much Easier

Laundry isn’t my least favorite chore, but let’s just say I wouldn’t mind if there was less of it. But c’est la vie, it must be done! Thankfully, there are some great go-to hacks out there that make the process a little less tedious—from stains to sorting, these laundry tips will make your life 1,000 times easier.

Switch Up Your Sorting Routine

Rather than sorting one large hamper, group a few cute laundry bins or baskets together with a home for each type of load: darks, whites, delicates, etc.

Lingerie Bags

These little bags come in handy for lots of things, not just lace-y lingerie. Think: anything with hooks, velcro or items that can catch. Oh, and socks! Never lose one again with a lingerie bag.

Ran out of dryer sheets?

Use a ball of aluminum foil! Or, never use dryer sheets again and go with an eco-friendly alternative like these.

Dry It Faster

Make clothes dry faster by throwing in a large fluffy towel.

Stains

Grease Stains: Break out the white chalk. The chalk powder helps to absorb the grease allowing your stain to slide right off in the wash.

Grass Stains: Hydrogen peroxide is your best friend!

Ink Stains: Soak overnight in a mixture of 2 parts milk with 1 part vinegar.

All Wrinkled Up?

Keep a steamer on-hand to remove wrinkles fast.

Ice Cube Trick

Another genius one for wrinkled items. Pop the item in the dryer with an ice cube and a dryer sheet for 10 minutes and voila!

Beautiful Bedding

When drying pillows or duvet inserts, add a tennis ball or two to the dryer to prevent clumping.

Finding the Most Picturesque Wedding Venue Via Pinterest

Social Media is more than just pretty pictures and this Sonoma wedding is the living proof. After finding their perfect venue, Annadel Estate Winery, on Pinterest, this couple began vetting a rockstar team of vendors through Instagram. Crafted by Alicia K Designs, with florals by Loop Event Arts and Brett Heidebrecht’s beautiful imagery, this California meets english garden party is the stunning result.

How We Met… (from Grace)
I met Eric when he sat down next to me in Government class on the first day of our senior year of high school. What started out as just small talk between class periods became chatting online via AIM, going (as friends) to Homecoming, and becoming “Facebook official” in our second semester. Upon graduating, we attended universities that were 400 miles apart, and after thousands of text messages, hundreds of phone calls, and dozens of trips to see each other, we completed our degrees and moved to San Francisco together!

The Engagement… (from Eric)
After several years together in San Francisco and around the time I was considering proposing, I got a fantastic opportunity through my employer to work in Munich for a month. Grace and I then planned to travel around Europe after my business trip ended. I packed an engagement ring in a travel waistband and tried to calm my nerves and wait for the right moment. The ideal time appeared a couple days into our trip after arriving in Cinque Terre, while on a pre-dinner stroll along a path above Vernazza. It was the perfect location with an amazing panoramic view, a beautiful sunset and no one else around, so I seized the moment and asked—and she said yes!

Planning Our Wedding… (from Grace)
After we returned from our trip I started saving hundreds of inspiration images, which Eric and I comprehensively reviewed to nail down what would work for OUR wedding. Also, knowing that we wanted to get married near our Bay-Area-based families, we decided we wanted a venue in the beautiful Napa/Sonoma region. As one of the destination wedding capitals of the world, there were hundreds of venues to sort through, but once we honed in on our criteria—outdoors, with distinct ceremony and reception spaces, and within two hours of the city—the list narrowed.

We ended up finding our venue via Pinterest, and totally fell for it at our first visit. The beautiful roses growing inside the property’s chapel-like stone ruins provided the perfect backdrop, and we loved the character and authenticity of the property. Over the coming weeks we visited a dozen other venues (and even programmed a decision matrix to help us choose!) but deep down we both knew that the first venue—Annadel Estate Winery—was the one for us, even though it took a bit more logistical work to get it set up for a wedding.

Once we had the venue and a date, we realized we needed major help to get everything in order. We started with Annadel’s suggested coordinator list and combed through the planner’s websites, portfolios, and even Pinterest accounts. A great piece of advice I received was to analyze the Instagram accounts of any potential planners—or really, any vendor—you may hire. Often Instagram is kept more up-to-date than official portfolios, and is a great way to easily see what a vendor is doing NOW, instead of what they did several months ago. We fell in love with the work of Alicia K Designs, and after talking with them we knew we would be in expert, caring hands! Together we decided on a California-meets-English-garden vibe, with soft purples, greys and navy blue, and added texture with linen, wood and lots of greenery.

One of our other top priorities for the wedding was serving a great family-style meal to our guests. We had been to The Girl and The Fig restaurant in Sonoma before, and after hearing that they catered and could do mini sliders as well as our favorite pesto gnocchi, our caterer search was over. The food was so amazing, and more than a year later our guests still rave over how delicious everything was!

Truthfully, at this point I got a bit overwhelmed with the whole planning process. What got me through the planning daze was focusing on what was most important to me, and deprioritize, delegate or eliminate the other decisions. To me, the four most important things were the photographer, the florist, our first dance choreography and the invitations, so I tackled those next. I found our photographer Brett Heidebrecht, and our florist Loop Flowers through Style Me Pretty’s Real Weddings section; our invitations designer through Etsy; and our dance instructor through Yelp—thank goodness for the internet!

I think the most helpful thing I did while wedding planning was hiring people whose WHOLE portfolio I genuinely loved, and then allowing them a bit of room and creative license to “do their thing.” By choosing professionals who have spent years honing their skills to deliver a portfolio of work they are proud of (and that their past clients were happy with), I felt like I could relax a bit more and rely on their expertise as I knew they were making the best decisions possible on my behalf.

Another valuable piece of advice I received from Jessica, our coordinator at Alicia K Designs, was to avoid planning any DIY projects that couldn’t be completed a month before the wedding. Based on this we scaled back the number of projects we took on, and focused on a few special details. After finding an old iron gate at the flea market, I was inspired to break out my calligraphy nibs and handwrite all the escort cards, which Eric then tied with twine to the decorative scrollwork. I also found a series of small antique frames which I used to display some botanical drawings for the table numbers, and thrifted some silver goblets (along with my parent’s wedding day toasting flutes) to hold arrangements at the cocktail tables, among other details. I thought we stayed pretty on top of it all, but we still found ourselves using the three days of vacation before our wedding to finish all our projects, and even ended up stuffing the wedding programs in the front seat of the car on our drive to the ceremony rehearsal! However, once our wedding day arrived we were able to mentally relinquish control and enjoy our day, as Jessica took over and directed everything flawlessly.

Lastly—and I know it sounds cheesy—throughout the day I made sure to take several mental snapshots of how everything looked, how happy Eric was, and how I was feeling. There were a few things that didn’t go as planned, but there were also several wonderful surprises. One of my favorite moments was when the last song was announced at our reception, and all our guests linked arms and belted along with Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. That is a moment which we couldn’t plan for, but was created by all the incredible friends and family that we have in our lives. It’s truly because of them that we had a wedding we’ll never forget.

5 Tips for Throwing an Epic Bachelorette Bash For 20 Gals

When I put together my bachelorette party guest list I honestly just started listing some of my closest girlfriends thinking “I hope some of these gals can make it.” As my bridesmaids sent out feeler e-mails it became apparent that EVERYONE could make it, all 18 of them. Oops! Of course I was elated but I think my bridesmaids were a little taken aback at trying to wrangle 18 people for a 3 day weekend extravaganza. Honestly, they did an incredible job! #bdaybASHlorette was everything I could’ve asked for and more.

Here are my few tips for bridesmaids throwing their gals a large bachelorette party:

Find an incredible house!
A house is imperative because the common areas allow for a bachelorette comradery that you don’t get in a hotel. There was a second where my gals were looking into a hotel and we immediately threw that idea out the window because you just don’t get the same experience. I suggest looking at AIRBNB and VRBO for rentals. This is the house we stayed in in Palm Springs and it was EPIC!

Nail down the itinerary.
With 18 people it’s important that you have a clear schedule for everyone to adhere to, only so that you don’t find yourself in “hangry” situations or frustrations over “what’s next?” Also so that people know what to expect in terms of super rowdy nights or low key nights. For mine, Thursday night we stayed in and made pizza and watched Troop Beverly Hills, Friday was our “going out night” where we all dressed up and hit the town, and Saturday was a pool party day. Everyone had the weekend itinerary in their room from the get go so they had a good idea of what to expect.

Figure out the finances.
This is CLUTCH. The easiest thing you can do is figure out all the expenses ahead of time and make everyone pre-pay or put everything on one credit card and do the payout after the weekend. One of the biggest comments I got from my bachelorette babes after #bdaybASHlorette was that no one had to think about money once and not a single wallet was taken out; it was all taken care of by my maid of honor ahead of time which made every dinner, grocery store, run, etc. very seamless.

Pick a theme!
Everyone loves a good theme. My bridesmaids chose Troop Palm Springs which was a tie in to the best movie ever, Troop Beverly Hills, and our location. The girls crushed it with custom sweatshirts, napkins, cocktail glasses, a large tapestry and more. I was so blown away! Get all the details and links to shop our custom decor on my recent bachelorette post on EDP.

Throw in some extras.
Tasteful extras! My gals had Manservants pay us a visit on Saturday and it was absolutely hysterical and so much fun. They poured us drinks all afternoon, took fun pictures with us, and FOR us which was actually amazing so everyone could get in a group shot. We also had Joy Mode drop off life-sized Jenga and Beer Pong. Speaking of games, my maid of honor put together an Ashley version of What Do You Meme by printing out tons of old pictures of me. It was genius and SO easy to do! I’m not going to lie, when it was all over I had post-bachelorette depression! I can’t even imagine what I’m going to feel like post wedding.

Make sure to stop by Everyday Pursuits to see more outtakes from #bdaybASHlorette and get the deets on all our custom decor! We’re officially 15 days out until the big day and I’m feeling good, although there’s a ton of last minute things to get done. For all my brides out there feeling a little stressed, just remember that it will all fall into place and everything is going to be incredible on your big day (I keep chanting this to myself when I’m feeling overwhelmed!)

Ashley Torres

Cheerful + Beyond Colorful SoCal Engagement Shoot!

Why don’t we see more engagement shoots on the Santa Monica Pier!? They’re colorful, cheerful and downright fun and you don’t have to look any further than this Vitae Weddings session to get in on all the goodness of this SoCal sweetness! Smiles and nonstop laughter make this gallery our new go-to stop for feel good vibes – check it out right this way!

From Vitae Weddings… Eddie and Emma wanted an engagement session that felt adventurous and reflected their affection for the Southern California coast, which is where they first met. A couple that likes to explore, they don’t often visit the same place twice but rather opt for new experiences together. The Venice Canals and Santa Monica Pier, both iconic and symbolic of Southern California, were the perfect backdrop for their cheerful personalities.

Photography: Vitae Weddings | Location: Santa Monica Pier | Location: Venice Canals

Indian Summer Days Are Officially the Best for Engagement Sessions

When first seeing the gorgeousness that is Pauline and Tim’s engagement session, I immediately thought, “I want to be best friends with them.” And as soon as you see it for yourself, you’ll be thinking the same thing, too. Their energy is so full of love and joy, and it radiates in every single photo. Add to that the gorgeous seaside backdrop and glow on this Indian Summer day captured by Audra Wrisely Photography, and you’ve got the stuff e-session dreams are made of.

From Audra Wrisley Photography… Pauline and Tim hoped to capture their sweet relationship in a way that felt uniquely them – outdoors in a beautiful setting, dancing around together in happiness! We were so thrilled to capture their session, and we found a deserted beach area on Long Island that made the perfect backdrop for their engagement photos. We had an “Indian Summer” day for their shoot, and we loved capturing this couple in the afternoon glow of the setting sun. Pauline’s incredible Alex Veil gown had the most amazing detailing, echoing organic sea coral, and an effortless flow that caught the ocean breeze at every turn. Her gorgeous floral crown was crafted by Ava Florals and was such a beautiful complement to the white and blue tones they chose for wardrobe.

Photography: Audra Wrisley Photography | Floral Design: Ava Floral | Dress: Alex Veil | Hair + Makeup: Ombre By E.J. Makeup Studio

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Audra Wrisley Photography

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The Prettiest Way to Kick Off a Destination Wedding Weekend

Bermuda weddings are full of heart, soul, a little bit of mystery and a whole lot of magic. When Dane and Barbara decided on a destination wedding in Bermuda, where he grew up vacationing with his family and where they love to visit as a couple, they knew they wanted to share this magic with their guests. Experience the magic for yourself with Jose Villa‘s gorgeous photos and stay tuned tomorrow for a rehearsal dinner you won’t want to miss!

To kick off the wedding weekend, Barbara and Dane welcomed their guests aboard the Spirit of Bermuda for a sunset sail around the island before heading to Island House for a welcome dinner of fresh Spiny Lobster, Bermuda Mackerel fish and local produce prepared by Chef Matthew Pridham of Devil’s Isle Catering.

6 Tricks to Make Your Eyes Pop on Your Wedding Day

The only thing you want dragging on your wedding day is the train of your dress—not your eyes. Step #1: Don’t overdo it at the rehearsal dinner! But, for real. Step #2: Read up on the tricks below to make those peepers pop on your Big Day.

The Mrs. Mask

In order to make those peepers really pop, start with an under eye serum like this one that lifts, tightens and decreases overall puffiness.

Conceal, for Real

Those dark circles don’t just drag you down, they can actually make your eyes look smaller! No, thanks. Use a small amount of concealer only where needed to avoid it creasing in your skin’s fine lines.

Lift Those Lashes

Never underestimate the power of a lash curler! Lifting your lashes helps open up those beauties. Try running your curler under warm water (and drying it off) for added curling power.

Shimmer in all the Right Places

A light shimmery shadow can do wonders for opening up the eyes. Place a bit on the centers of your lids, on the inner corners of your eyes and right below your outer lower lash line.

Draw the Eyes Outward

Draw the eyes outward, literally. When lining your top lid, start with a thinner line toward the inner eye and widen your line as your draw outward.

Brows Baby

Your brow game can change the entire look of your face, including the size of your eye. Get the brow scoop here!

This Bride Didn’t Let A Forgotten Wedding Dress Stop The Fun!

This Bride wins awards even before she walked down the aisle. After forgetting her dress as she jetted off for her destination wedding, she went to work and got the gorgeous Inbal Dror gown back to her, safe and sound the night before her “I do’s” – it had traveled through five airports! Relieved? Oh yes. Worth it? Totally. It’s one beyond beautiful bit from this whole stunning celebration in Barcelona, captured by 2 Brides Photography and Ankerprod. A Spanish I Do planned it all and the results are just jaw dropping. See it all right this way!

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From the Bride… We wanted to ensure our guests let loose and had an unforgettable evening. They were, after all, traveling a long way (flight commute times ranged from 7.5 hours to 25 hours). We incorporated various modern references that we love in our lives in our wedding such as have a string quartet perform the Game of Thrones opening song for the bridal party’s walk down the aisle and EDM music for our entrance.

We are also very big foodies so food and drink played an instrumental part of our day. Charles wouldn’t let me have a wedding without traveling to Barcelona (after 30 hours of flying and five airports later) to taste the food and sample the wine list. We greeted our guests with specialty cocktails of our favorite drinks, jamon leg station, a paella booth, along with 13 other appetizers… all before their three-course dinner (in case they were hungry).

What was your favorite moment?

Let me start with the fact I actually left for my destination wedding forgetting to bring my wedding dress. After much stress, my favorite moment would definitely be when I received my wedding dress the night before the wedding. After it’s made a pit stop through five airports and two days in Munich during Oktoberfest.

My other favorite moment was seeing the reaction of my guests’ faces as they arrived at our venue. We had kept the location a secret (no sneak peek Google pictures) and arranged for bus shuttle service to pick everyone up (I also had to ban my bridal party from social media posting before guests arrived). Our guests’ stunned faces as they arrived, just filled our hearts with joy! The ceremony was also absolutely amazing where we could declare our love in such a romantic flower-filled arches and hear each other’s vows.

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

I wanted white, cream and green colors for my flowers to match my theme as well as my dress.

I wore this amazing Inbal Dror mermaid dress with detailed beading with a long nude colored train. I tried on quite a lot of dresses (and fell in love with many) but I think you need to choose a dress that you look best in photos as the dress can come out very different on film!

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

Hire a planner! I really enjoyed working with my planners who had such excellent taste and incredible organizational skills. My planners sorted out all the coordination during the day with details such as ensuring we didn’t accidentally bump into each other during getting ready shots. Due to weather, we had to scrap our original plans for the wedding in the garden but they pulled everything together on the day better than we could have hoped for.

Another tip is, please book a few days off work before needing to fly to your destination wedding. I didn’t take any time off and I felt so rushed in the end – I filled six suitcases to carry for my wedding and honeymoon in Amalfi Coast and as a result, I accidentally left my wedding dress at home as I left for the airport!

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2 Brides Photography

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What’s Better Than One Gorgeous Wedding Ceremony? TWO

This seaside affair is bringing together the beauty of Indian and Western culture with a dual ceremony overlooking the California coastline. Bright carnation garlands strung from the heavens by Siren Floral Co. plus an elegant outdoor celebration designed by Bash Please and a cameo by a very adorable horse can all be found in the stunning images captured by Joel Serrato. Get lost in the full affair right here.

Pooja and Ben knew the California Coast was the perfect place for their dual wedding ceremonies (both Indian and Western). Their guests enjoyed a weekend filled with sun, surf and celebration as they sipped cocktails on the bluff. It was sure to be a party as the newlyweds busted out their choreographed first dance to open the dance floor to party the night away.

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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10 Unique Items for a Memorable ‘Something Borrowed’

For couples who enjoy the sentimentality of wedding traditions finding the perfect item to fulfill their “something borrowed” can be a fun adventure. As the old adage goes, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence for your shoe.”

Your something new is certainly the easiest item to fulfill since your ring or dress likely fit the bill, but finding a special and unique something borrowed can be a bit more of a challenge. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite items for a memorable something borrowed for your wedding!

Cake Knife

Chances are your grandparents have a gorgeous vintage cake knife and server that they purchased for their wedding. An ornate sterling silver cake knife is a stunning accent to polish off your cake table decor, however, it can also seem like an unnecessary purchase. You will likely rarely use it again, so asking to borrow a cake knife and server from an older relative is a great way to involve your family in the planning process while finding your unique something borrowed.

Toasting Flutes

They simply don’t make things like they used to. Delicate vintage champagne coupes and flutes are truly a sight to behold. Once again a wonderful way to involve your family in the planning process, a great aunt may have the perfect champagne flutes for you to borrow on your special day.

Getaway Car

My standard fuel-efficient sedan is certainly nothing special and I wouldn’t be overly excited to exit my reception in it. If you’re like me, you probably don’t have a vintage roadster sitting in your garage but a car-obsessed friend may have just what you’re looking for.

Renting vintage getaway cars can be pricey, but the photo op in a unique vehicle at the end of the night is simply priceless. A perfect solution is to find a great car that can fulfill your need for a memorable something borrowed.

Wrap

For a winter wedding, a cashmere wrap or faux fur stole is a perfect bridal accessory. My best friend wore a gorgeous stole at her November nuptials and the look was pure old-Hollywood glam. I am looking forward to the day when that very same accessory can serve as my unique something borrowed!

Veil

Family heirlooms make the perfect memorable items for your something borrowed! A delicate veil with handmade lace from your great-grandmother is an item you’re sure to remember and cherish from your wedding celebration.

Venue

If your parents live on a large plot of land or if your close uncle own a stunning estate, why not consider asking if they would be willing to host your wedding on their property? An at-home wedding is a wonderful way to add intimate charm to your big day!

First Dance Song

Your something borrowed doesn’t need to be a physical item by any means! If your fiancee’s parents have an adorable love story and their first dance is one that you love, why not consider paying homage to that and borrowing their first dance song?

Vows

I’m certainly not encouraging anyone to copy their maid of honor’s vows verbatim! However, great literary works such as songs, poems, and classic novels are the perfect places to draw inspiration for your wedding vows. Consider borrowing a line from your favorite author for a memorable something borrowed.

Ceremonial Items

If you’re having a special religious rite or tradition during your ceremony this is a great chance to incorporate something borrowed. An heirloom Kiddush cup is a perfect way to honor your heritage during your ceremony.

Six Pence

Many people don’t realize that the last line of the saying includes mention of a six pence for your shoe. To be frank, I haven’t the slightest idea where one might try to buy a six pence! All the more reason to chose a six pence as your unique something borrowed and borrow one from a friend who used at six pence at their wedding!

Are you someone that loves age-old wedding traditions? What are you planning to use as a memorable something borrowed for your wedding?

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Hannah Nowack is a freelance writer, calligrapher, and event designer living in the Midwest. When she isn’t working, you will find her decorating her Danish Modern-inspired apartment, frequenting the gourmet cheese counter, or enjoying a glass of Cabernet with friends.

Sweet + Simple, This Elopement Is What Love Is All About

A private reading of their vows, followed by a court house ceremony with their nearest and dearest. And with that, these two were husband and wife. Sweet, simple and yet so incredibly romantic. Tenth & Grace captured the special intimate moments – and all the beauty that these two surrounded themselves with to celebrate the occasion. See it all in our gorgeous gallery right this way!

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Winter Weddings

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City Hall

From Tenth & Grace… Instead of a large wedding, Eliza and Timothy chose to get married in front of their closest friends and family at the courthouse in Santa Barbara. They really wanted their wedding day to be intimate, so they decided to exchange private vows after their first look. This was followed by the actual wedding ceremony, which included their officiant and families. It was a beautiful day in Santa Barbara for these two!

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David's Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Accessories

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridesmaids

David's Bridal Spring 2018

Oleg Cassini Spring 2018

WHITE by Vera Wang Spring 2018

Truly Zac Posen Spring 2018

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What Does a Wedding Photographer Choose for Her Own Big Day Design?

This wedding photographer has seen it all, so when planning her own day she knew exactly what she wanted – bold, bright, beautiful color! Clearly it was a fabulous choice, because we know we’re not the only ones obsessing over the way her red shoes and vibrant bouquet by Everly Alaine Florals pop in Allen Tsai’s photographs. And then there’s that gold foiled and floral printed cake by Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery…See it and more by pressing play on the film by Peyton Anne Frank below!

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Fall Weddings

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Barn

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Whimsical

From the bride… How does a wedding photographer design her own wedding? Color! I love bright, gorgeous bouquets full of color. Reds and pinks photograph so beautifully, and navy has always been a bold classic. When I thought of my wedding day palette, I imagined it just this way – classy, bright, modern, yet timeless.

Some of my favorite details (besides everything) were my stunning headpiece from Patsy’s Bridal, which added drama and style to my look, as well as anything floral that came from Leslie at Everly Alaine Florals. These flowers literally took my breath away and the bouquets – just wow!

Piece of advice to all brides: Anyone that has gotten married knows how quickly your wedding day flies by. After photographing over 300 myself, I knew that building time into our wedding timeline was going to be the most crucial part of how the story of the day would be told. Everyone wants these beautiful photos on their wedding day, but what brides don’t realize is how much time that takes on a real wedding day. My biggest advice to everyone is to get your makeup done way early. You may think you want those getting ready photos, but the most crucial part of the day where all your friends and family are with you goes quickly – so use your time wisely when it comes to what you actually cherish! Build more than just one hour into formals time with your husband and bridal party if you want stunners.

My favorite part of our day was watching my now-husband take a deep breath before I walked up to him during our first look. Although I didn’t realize it happened at that moment, seeing it in our wedding video and in the photos was really priceless to me. We opted to combine some modern and traditional elements when doing a first look. We decided to say private vows during this time so it still felt very special and intimate. I think this is a great way to go for a bride that’s maybe more traditional however wants to ensure she has enough time for photos on her wedding day, especially during the winter when the sunshine goes down much earlier than desired.

Overall, if you love your vendors’ work – let them do what they do best. When you have a team that rocks, your day will rock as well. This way, you can let go and enjoy! I am so thankful for our team of incredibly talented artists for making our day unforgettably beautiful.

From the Everly Alaine Florals… I wanted the flowers to have a playful vibe with bold and bright colors. Anna’s favorite flowers are coral charms, so I made sure she had plenty. The flowers had pops of bright pinks, coral, and red to match her shoes and the Coca Cola bottles. I wanted the flowers to be as colorful as Anna, although I knew they would pale in comparison to her beauty. She had lots of garden roses, scabiosa in multiple shades, dahlia, and peony. The staircase greenery was 100% foraged greenery with tiny red berries, which were the perfect find for her color palette. Anna picked the most perfect palette with bold shades of pinks and reds to pair with the deep and dusty shades of blue. As a wedding photographer, she has seen it all and knew what colors looked good together but weren’t overdone.

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Petit Bouquet

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11 Romantic Dresses Perfect for Your Spring Wedding

Spring is just around the corner – and after this long winter, we’re ready to embrace the sunny skies and fresh blooms like it’s no one’s business. And, of course, you can’t have a gorgeous spring wedding without some equally as gorgeous dresses, so we’re counting down 11 of our faves to get you in the mood. From full ballgowns to fitted beauties, we’ve got you completely covered… right down to your besties. See our picks for a romantic spring celebration below.

11 Romantic Dresses Perfect for Your Spring Wedding

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11 Romantic Dresses Perfect for Your Spring Wedding

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This Piedmont Park Wedding Gets an A+ in Our Book

When tying the knot, these two teachers wanted to give their guests a taste of what Atlanta had to offer, so they started with a favorite piece by local artist, Britt Bass. From there, they chose the look for their colorful day, brought to life by Elizabeth Marie Weddings + Events. With the couple’s big smiles, the fabulous florals by Victory Blooms, and photographs that keep us coming back all day long captured by Amy Arrington, this Southern wedding at Piedmont Park gets and A+ in our book.

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From the bride… We are both elementary school teachers. Josh and I met when I was moving into my classroom right before my first year of teaching. Another teacher in the building suggested Josh deliver some books to my classroom and introduce himself. So, Josh came by with some books, and we immediately hit it off. We would spend hours walking at the park near our school after work that fall, and two years later at that same park, Josh was down on one knee proposing!

We knew we wanted to get married in a park, and what better park in Atlanta than Piedmont Park? Josh’s family is from Michigan, so we wanted to give them a taste of Atlanta. Our welcome bags were filled with Atlanta goodies, and our accommodations were right in the heart of Midtown.

When planning our wedding, we were very intentional. Our ceremony alone totally reflected us as a couple. When thinking back, we always say, “That was so us!” We asked Josh’s brother, Chad, to perform our ceremony, had a friend read a poem about all of the things you learn in Kindergarten (Josh is a Kindergarten teacher!), and exchanged our own written vows.

My favorite local artist is Britt Bass, so we actually decided to use one of her paintings as our inspiration for all of the colors – lots of reds, pinks, berries, blues, and some hints of gold throughout. We even used the painting as the backdrop for the seating chart. We decided to give guests each a cookie from our favorite local bakery, The Patio, to say thank you. When it came to choosing a guest book, we chose one of our favorite children’s books, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Our groom’s cake was actually a tower of donuts with Star Wars characters to top it.

My most special memory from the day was walking down the aisle to my groom. I will never forget the feeling I got when the doors opened, squeezing my dad’s arm extra tight while saying, “I love you,” and finally seeing Josh standing at the end of the aisle. We decided not to do a first look, so this was such a special moment for us.

My wedding band was actually custom made using nine of my grandmother’s diamonds. The diamonds were given to her from my grandfather in the form of a necklace. I also wore two pieces of jewelry from my other grandmother – a gorgeous vintage ring that my grandfather had given to her on their 25th wedding anniversary and a beautiful bracelet my dad had given her when I was born.

One of my favorite stories looking back is my dad’s speech right before our father daughter dance. My dad is typically a man of few words, but that night, he shared so many touching words about Josh’s and my relationship and becoming one family. It was beautiful. Of course, we were both too emotional after that to remember all of our practiced moves to our dance!

We absolutely love to dance. Our first dance was to the first song Josh ever sang to me while we were dating, Everything. Our last dance was to one of our favorite songs to dance to in the kitchen, La Vie En Rose. We couldn’t help looking around while we were dancing, talking about how amazing the night was and how lucky we truly were to have each other and all of these amazing people there to celebrate.

If I could offer one piece of wisdom to couples planning a wedding, I would say to choose the right vendors for you and your vision. Throughout the entire process, I had the best vendors that went with my vision for the day so perfectly. I loved getting to think out of the box, and my wedding planner and vendors were so supportive with my ideas. They were the ones who were able to make it all come to life! The colors, the flowers, the calligraphy, the art, the special touches… It was amazing the way they all pieced it together to bring my dream to life!

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Skip the Snow and Go for This Wintery Inspiration Instead

A winter escape doesn’t have to be all snowy tundras and a cabin in the woods. This inspiration is showing a different side to cold weather celebrations. Layered in warm neutrals, earthy landscapes and an elegant approach to rustic, dive into this shoot designed by Banks and Leaf and Siloh Floral. Whether planning a european destination affair or looking for inspo for your winter winery wedding, let this imagery by Sara Corona be your muse.

This design is a reflection of all the natural beauty that comes with winter. Even when the setting isn’t bursting with colorful flowers or lush greenery, we see beauty in the rustic earthly landscape and think pulling inspiration from these surroundings is a stunning direction to go for a romantic wintery wedding.

The venue is a castle covered in stone and set on a rolling hillside; a perfect setting to highlight the earthly elements in this shoot.

We kept the couple’s look soft and relaxed, yet tender and timeless. The gown by Solo Merav from Emma and Grace Bridal absolutely stole our hearts. The simple and soft look accented with incredibly gorgeous delicate lace detailing is heavenly and would work any time of year.

The table design and florals were kept in a neutral creamy palette with soft linens, gorgeous untamed natural centerpiece and bouquet, clear cut glassware, and a blue gauzy runner underside the intimate candlelight.

This look was also designed to suit your dream destination wedding to say… Italy or France. Just pulling inspiration (and foraging the perfect leaves & branches) from a natural soft landscape is all we needed to create this dreamy vibe that makes us ok to wait for summer just a little longer.

Pro Tips For Selecting A Wedding Photographer

After the champagne has been consumed, vows have been said, and the dancing has ended, all that’s left are the wonderful memories and the footage captured throughout the wedding day. Because of this, many brides put photography on the “must splurge” list. Finding the right photographer for you and your wedding takes time. We asked one of the pros to share what to look for when selecting a photographer.

As a bride-to-be (and Little Black Book wedding photographer) herself, Kristine Herman shares her pro tips for getting the best wedding photos possible.

Seek Unique Skills
A good photographer utilizes multiple skills and techniques to bring out the beauty and creativity of each photo. Whether it’s how they edit, what camera they’re shooting with, or what their overall style is, it’s important to feel that you’ve found a photographer who has multiple creative elements.

Kristine says, “I shoot film and it is really important to me that my photographer shoots film or is a hybrid photographer as well.” Explore the photographer’s website to get a feel for different angles, times of day, subjects, and more. “A photographers ability to capture the joy and candid moments during the day as well as the light they capture in their images is very important to me. Photography is hugely based on light and being able to have a photographer who uses it to create dreamy images no matter the time of day or weather is crucial,” she says

You’ll be able to tell if the photographer uses different techniques with their camera, shooting, and editing tools. If you’re unsure from the website, simply ask.

Ask the Right Questions
You won’t be able to trust your photographer to capture your wedding day unless you’ve talked with them thoroughly and asked questions so that you understand their process of taking and editing the photos.

“As the day gets closer, there will be a few things I will need to talk to my photographer about to make sure we are both on the same page. The first will be to work on a photography timeline for the day. With my coordinator’s help, we will make sure there is enough time for all the events of the day.”

“The last thing I will make sure is to tell my photographer any small important details that are significant and unique to me. An example of this is I’ll want to make sure she captures my grandmothers ring so I will let her know beforehand. I won’t be giving her a big photo list to capture everything on the wedding. Again, it is super important to trust your photographer and know they will capture the beautiful moments of the day,” says Kristine.

Once you understand the process of the other photographer and get on the same page with types of photos, lighting, shooting location, and editing style; you’ll feel more comfortable with giving them the creativity and control they need.

Step Back
As a bride, you want to rest assured knowing you selected the right photographer for your wedding. Essentially, you want to get out of the way and eventually allow them to do their job using their expertise. This will give your photographer the opportunity to take ownership of the wedding photos and use their unique way of taking photos. It can be difficult to relinquish control but for some, it’s what they prefer.

Kristine says, “I want to enjoy my day as a bride and I will know that the photographer I hire will be able to capture the moments without me having to worry or do any work.”

No matter how involved you plan to be in your wedding photography, finding your level of comfort and someone you trust can allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding day the way you should…completely immersed in the moment!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband and golden retriever. When she isn’t working, you will find her exploring Grand Rapids’ newest culinary establishments with her husband, or traveling up and down Lake Michigan’s coast.

This Eight Day Celebration Is What Destination Weddings Are All About

You know what’s better than spending one day in celebration of your wedding? Spending eight. And that’s exactly what the handsome duo of Yahwe and Luca did – turned to the team at Del Cabo Weddings to plan an epically good time that included yacht parties, beach days and, of course, an awesome seaside ceremony. And guess what? We’re loving every minute.

When your guests travel from 30+ countries from across the globe (including Italy, France, New Zealand and Argentina), you better believe an amazing time will be waiting. And as CEO of Del Cabo Weddings, Yahwe Garcia most definitely understood. Together with his stylish hubs, Luca, and the talented team of designers and planners at Del Cabo Weddings, he managed to host a celebration that guests are surely still talking about. Think a trend-setting eight day celebration in Baja’s La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. There were even Madonna and Beyonce impersonators. And you know that’s awesome.

Tackling your very own week (or more) celebration may sound intimidating – especially if it’s not in your very own backyard. But trust Yahwe and Luca on this one – Del Cabo Weddings has you covered. With their 30+ years of experience, amazing vendor list and fab relationships with every venue in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, they can do everything from plan your rehearsal dinner to organize those welcome bags. They even have a techie team and landscapers that can guarantee your day is as dreamy as you always wanted. And did we mention their three warehouses filled with decor?!?

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If you can’t stop dreaming of that insanely stylish Mexican wedding, like Yahwe and Luca’s, contact Del Cabo Weddings today. Their team of designers + planners will bend over backwards to make sure your big moment is perfect, and that means a relaxing wedding celebration for you, sans any stress. Just the way it should be.

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A Modern + Chic Wedding To Inspire + Entertain!

Looking for some fresh, modern inspiration? Look no further. This Philadelphia wedding is sleek and chic and just so, so good. With lots of greenery among the black and white setting, it’s a feast for our hungry eyes and we can’t stop soaking up Rachel Pearlman’s pics. So no wonder it’s our LBB Wedding of the Week. We’re in love, no doubt about it!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

From Rachel Pearlman…

Alexa and Chris’ day was sleek and classic with a touch of whimsy (think air plants and hand-written signage). Lou Nolan, the notable voice of the Philadelphia Flyers, announced the bridal party as a surprise for everyone (arranged by the bride’s father!). This fun loving couple legitimately DANCED down their aisle after being pronounced husband and wife!

The Curtis Center is known for its Tiffany Mosaic. Alexa and Chris allowed for its black, white and green architectural details to determine the decor for the day. Lots of lucite details and an incredible mod cake designed by Jen Roach at Cescaphe flanked with succulents were notable touches.

From the Bride… Chris and I were surprisingly introduced to each other by both of our parents! From that moment forward, we enjoyed doing everything and nothing together. Although Chris and I have conflicting styles, we agreed our wedding should be fun, memorable and uniquely ours. Adding personality to the wedding was a must, so I did most of the calligraphy and decor myself and also let the bridesmaids choose their own dresses. We kept the color palette and decor modern, simplistic and classic. We wouldn’t change one thing about our wedding day – it was perfectly “us.” While it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced activities of the day, I can speak for the both of us that remaining relaxed allowed us to enjoy every second of our amazing and memorable wedding day.