A swatch of velvet, Cinderella-blue linens from La Tavola set the design tone for this wedding in wine country – refined, enchanting, with a little dash of rustic charm. Between the glowing bride in her Watters princess-worthy gown and her ladies in waiting decked out in lovely neutrals by Joanna August, the stunning and historic, white barn backdrop of Thacher Winery + Vineyard, and the pops of the signature blue throughout the details of the day, designed by Vanessa Noel Events, this wedding captured by Kelsea Holder Photography is straight out of a fairytale.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the bride… Words cannot begin to describe the magical day our wedding was. Isaac is from southern California, and I’m from northern California, so finding a central California wedding location was essential. We didn’t spend much time looking because Paso Robles wine country stole our hearts immediately, and when we found Thacher Winery, it was love at first sight. The winery is surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards and massive oak trees; it feels as though you’re standing inside a pastoral painting. We had always envisioned ourselves getting married in a secluded setting in the midst of nature, and Thacher went above and beyond our dreams in that way.

Along with the natural beauty of the venue, we were captivated by the 100 year old KR barn. This is not any ordinary barn – the high cathedral ceilings and woodwork inside are beautifully unique. Standing inside of the barn while the sun shone through the wooden slats and gnarled wood was breathtaking.

As far as a wedding theme, we envisioned classic country and turned to our wonderful wedding planner, Vanessa, for guidance. We have always loved the color blue but were unsure how it would fit with the venue and landscape we loved so much. We wanted to complement, not over-power, the natural beauty of the venue. Vanessa made our vision come to life and created a beautiful design for our wedding day incorporating blue velvet, blue silk ribbon, our favorite garden roses, lush garlands, and even golden pears! Walking into the barn for the reception was mesmerizing.

A favorite memory from our wedding was our first look. Our photographer, Kelsea, walked us out into a field under a huge oak tree where we saw each other for the first time that day. It was so incredibly romantic. It’s hard to share what we loved about our wedding, because we literally loved everything. From the sun kissed hills that surrounded us during our ceremony, to the beautiful design, the delicious food, the amazing dessert display, and the wedding favors of homemade jam from my family garden, it really was like a dream.

From the Vanessa Noel Events… Early on, Hallie fell in love with the white barn at Thacher Winery. Barns are prevalent on the idyllic central coast, but white ones are a little more difficult to find. A white barn that’s 100 years old and steeped in history? That’s a very rare find, but exactly what Hallie and Isaac fell in love with at Thacher. The barn immediately became the source of inspiration for the design – the combination of white and airiness with rustic wood and an organic environment.

Hallie is a girly girl to the core and wanted a fairytale feeling but without glamour or sparkle. She wanted something that felt rich with romance in a faraway setting with an air of refinement. We started with the color blue (that perfectly matched Hallie’s eyes!) and the white of the historical barn. I wanted to create femininity and softness but maintain simplicity, so I began with texture. Velvet linens in the perfect pale Cinderella blue became the piece we checked everything against. From white farm tables and vineyard chairs to the soft trailing greenery we used as a backdrop for an escort card display, everything referenced the romantic storybook ambience Hallie wanted to create. One of my favorite design elements was the addition of golden pears in the centerpieces and garlands. The added texture and color was unexpected and created a classic still life element that I really loved!

Photography: Kelsea Holder Photography | Event Design: Vanessa Noel Events | Floral Design: Lori Boe Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Watters | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Cass Winery | Makeup: Amanda Olsen | Hair: Brit Tarr | DJ: Kramer Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Transportation: SLO Safe Ride | Venue: Thacher Winery | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | Cake + Desserts: Just Baked SLO | Draping: Flowers by Kim | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Central Coast Tent Party

Anna Wu, can we be friends? You seriously have some of the coolest birthday celebrations. Let’s take a walk down memory lane in case you’ve missed her previous shindigs… Moody and Gorgeous 30th, Spoon Carving Fete. So good, right? And this green thumb inspired party is no exception. Featuring a potting station, a painting corner, yummy bites including the cutest little cactus macarons by La Chinoiserie and a sparkler ending, this truly is the best way to celebrate another year.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Throwing creative birthday parties for myself has become something of a tradition in the last few years. And since my birthday is in January, it’s also a wonderful way to kick off the new year with a little celebration. This year I was inspired by two of my newfound hobbies from 2017: plants and painting. I sourced a bunch of fantastic house plants, got a bunch of terra cotta pots, and invited my friends to select a plant, decorate their own pot, and take it home. It was so adorable and such a joy to see everyone’s creations! The whole setup came together beautifully. Thank you to Bowerbird Atelier for the signage, La Chinoiserie for the tasty treats, and Julia’s Cake Stand Rentals for the pink cake stands. I particularly loved the cactus macarons and the name flags that guests could use to literally stake their claim in their plants.

Photographer: Anna Wu Photography | Venue: Anna Wu Photography | Cake Stands: Julia's Cake Stand Rentals | Desserts & Snacks: La Chinoiserie | Signage: Bowerbird Atelier

For this romantic, indoor garden wedding crafted by The White Book Company, it all started with unexpected inspiration… wallpaper. The result is a beautiful array of blush colored blooms by Hunt and Gather, a soft pastel color palette and elegant tablescapes infused with Anewall wallpaper. Richelle Hunter’s imagery and a film by Eric Frank Cinema are proof you don’t need the great outdoors to achieve gorgeous alfresco vibes.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/250821057 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Elegant and feminine were the words that Jamie first said when she came into my office looking for her dream wedding design..and that is exactly what we gave her and more! Inspired completely by nature and the incredible Blush Floral Wallpaper by Vancouver based designer, Anewall, we dreamed up this stunning soft and dreamy wedding design, full of lush blooms, natural greens and of course the perfect lavender details.

The couple picked the ever-so-luxurious, Langdon Hall for their wedding day to ensure that the 5 course menu would blow their guests away. Using the natural wood of the outdoor Summerhouse, we brought nature in with gorgeous greens and blooms installed around the beams to create the altar, along with large urns full of the same luscious flowers.

Lining the aisle, 8ft trees were brought in to create an enchanted forest feel, much like the Muskoka woods that the couple fell in love in! Placed next to Langdon’s cross back wood chairs, ivory petals and pillar candles lined the aisle to add that final element of romance. Guests were greeted upon arrival with a custom lavender, honey cocktail and were ushered outdoors to mingle and see the beautiful room we had created for them.

The welcome tables were lined with wooden troughs of lavender, showcasing a lantern card box and the bride’s mother’s guest book that they used to add new guest names to. Each guest was also given a cone of lavender made from the pages of love stories, perfectly matching the custom fabric love quote banner that is now a feature in their baby’s room.

The ceremony was truly magical as Jamie walked down the aisle to a string trio while looking absolutely stunning in her custom Valencienne gown, her gorgeous long hair done by Ladylyn Gool and her flawless makeup by Dawna Boot makeup. Of course, her baby bump adding to her stunning style! Jamie’s dress experience was definitely a unique one having found out she was pregnant 6 months before the wedding. Her original Berta Bridal dress could not be altered for her pretty belly, so to the rescue came Valencienne who created her new gown in less then 2 months!

After the romantic ceremony, guests enjoyed a greenery photo wall, hors d’oeuvres and more lavender cocktails while the couple had Eric Frank Cinema and Richelle Hunter Photography capturing their glam session.

Once welcomed into the Firshade reception room, guests were truly blown away.
The room was lined with three rows of wood harvest tables, a vintage lounge and of course an impeccable sweets table.

The long tables began with the custom wallpaper runner that inspired the entire design, layered with gorgeous blooms of different sizes from Hunt & Gather. Sprinkled throughout the blooms were candles upon candles to light the intimate evening.

Each guest received a pretty jam jar made by the bride’s mother. Their place setting was perfectly styled with layers of lace edged plates, gold cutlery and calligraphy menus by Ivory and Twine, tucked into white hemstitch napkins.

The sweets table was created as a focal point of the room with cakes painted with the wallpaper design and sweets layered in vintage dishes and wooden lavender-filled troughs. To ensure guests could enjoy the late night chocolate cocktails and cake, vintage lounge furniture from Fresh Look Design was placed around the sweets table.

Photography: Richelle Hunter Photography | Videography: Erik Frank Cinema | Event Design: The White Book Company | Event Planning: The White Book Company | Florist: Hunt and Gather Floral | Gown: Valencienne Bridal | Stationery: Ivory and Twine | Bride's Shoes: Rene Caovilla | Bridesmaids' Dresses: White Toronto | Makeup: Dawna Boot Makeup | Hair Stylist: Ladylyn Gool | Groom's Attire: Empire Customs | Officiant: Enduring Promises | Venue: Langdon Hall | Wedding Venue: Langdon Hall | Decor Rentals: Fresh Look Design | Hairpiece: Shop Valencienne | Lingerie: Valencienne Bridal | Music: Felix Deak | Napkins: Around The Table | Sweets and Cake: Nadia & Co. | Table Decor: Plate Occasions | Wallpaper Runners: Anewall

Style Me Pretty Blogger Bride Shelby from Pretty in the Pines shares her styling tips for all your wedding stationery needs!

Although it’s been months since I’ve checked anything off of a wedding planning checklist, if I could do it again, the process would be much easier now that I’ve gone through it! While some tasks took more time than others, designing our wedding stationery was one part where I would have done a few things differently. There are also some steps I’m glad I took, so to help make the process simple and stress-free for any SMP brides out there, I’ll walk you through some easy steps for creating your dream wedding stationery while sticking to a budget.

Back when I ordered wedding stationery, we weren’t completely aware of all of the options available to brides these days. We also wanted to hurry through the process, went back and forth with a designer, overlooked a typo, and felt a little unorganized at times. Luckily, with The Wedding Shop by Shutterfly, the process is a lot easier for brides. The Wedding Shop offers a one-stop shop for beautiful, inspiring, and affordable stationery for the big day, which you can customize completely on your own to fit any theme or look you want. You’ll find everything you’ll need including save the dates, invitations, thank you cards, enclosure cards, response cards, and much more.

Shown Above: 1. Excellent Watermark Wedding Invitation 2. Excellent Watermark Wedding Enclosure Card 3. Excellent Watermark Wedding Response Card

Decide on an overall theme.
Decide the feeling you want to convey to your guests and browse through all of the design options to best select one that fits your wedding’s look. Is your wedding going to be more formal or more casual, classic or modern, vintage or rustic? Do you want it to convey the wedding location or the season?

The Glowing Ceremony wedding suite is perfect for a more casual outdoor setting. We knew we wanted ours to give off a romantic, whimsical, yet somewhat summer alfresco-themed, but thinking about your wedding style, theme, and location can help narrow down some designs. There are designs ranging from classic and elegant to laidback and modern, with everything in between, to ensure you find the right one.

You can even order a free stationery sample kit to get a close-up look in person of some of the designs. Seeing the quality of the paper and the colors in real life can make the decision a lot easier! One of my absolute favorite wedding suite designs is the Excellent Watermark suite — I love how the enclosure card and response card were both so unique yet coordinated perfectly with the entire suite.

Shown above: 1. Whimsical Swirls Wedding Invitation 2. Whimsical Swirls Wedding Enclosure Card 3. Whimsical Swirls Wedding Response Card

Customize!
Add a touch of glam by changing up the color of the foil, add a coordinating envelope liner for a little something extra, adjust the colors to perfectly fit with your wedding color scheme and just make it your own. The Whimsical Swirls wedding suite is perfect for a classic, more formal wedding and I loved the rose gold foil option available.

Each design typically comes in several color options and the text is completely customizable, so don’t be afraid to make your response cards reflect your personalities. Some designs even allow you to customize the size of the invitation depending on how much information you want inside or if you want to add photos.

Adding a personal touch with a photo on the back is always a fun option. When it comes to your wedding stationery, you want to be able to create something that is beautiful and personalized and, with The Wedding Shop, you can do that without breaking your budget.

Shown Above: 1. Glowing Ceremony Wedding Invitation 2. Glowing Ceremony Wedding Enclosure Card 3. Glowing Ceremony Wedding Response Card 4. Glowing Ceremony Thank You Card

Focus on the text details.
Include the most important information that guests will need to know. The next and very important step is creating all of the text, including everything each guest will need to know about the wedding. Having all of this written out before even designing the invitations is ideal. You will want to also consider the text for the response cards (menu options, if applicable), directions, invitations, and even thank you notes (if necessary). Your guests will appreciate having all of the pertinent information in one spot such as the address, time of the ceremony and reception, RSVP dates, and website information.

The Wedding Shop even offers printed recipient addresses/return addresses to help save some major time later on. I was so glad we ordered our invitations pre-addressed which not only saved us time but also money since we didn’t have to include a calligrapher within our stationery budget.

Proofread, order a few extras and add some coordinating thank you cards.
As the final step, you’ll want to be sure to proofread each part of the invitation suite; otherwise, you may end up overlooking an error, like we did with our Save the Dates, and having to order twice. You’ll also be surprised at how early you may need to write thank you notes, so ordering a coordinating thank you card isn’t a bad idea this early in the process. Luckily, The Wedding Shop also has a wide variety of thank you cards that you can customize to match the rest of your invitation suite.

With The Wedding Shop the process will be quick so you can move on to everything else on your checklist and be completely satisfied with beautiful, customized, and affordable wedding stationery!

STATIONERY: Shutterfly | BLOGGER: SHELBY VANHOY

Bachelorette parties can be a great opportunity for you and your girls to get together and have fun before the big day. Of course getting a group of adults together when they have their own lives, kids, and jobs can be tricky, but if you find what’s best for the group, it can be a blast… and perhaps a destination bachelorette party is best for everyone. Find out below!

Is Everyone Spread Out?
If most of the girls attending the bachelorette party are sprinkled throughout the globe, or even the U.S – it may make perfect sense to have a destination bachelorette party. This can allow everyone to meet in a central location and will shave some time off of travel, PLUS you can try a new fun getaway that no one has ever been to before.

If everyone lives relatively close, and within the same state; a destination bachelorette party doesn’t make complete sense. You don’t want to be THAT girl that drags everyone to LA for a long weekend when you all live within 30 miles of each other in Texas.

Is A Bucket List Place Nearby?
Perhaps you and your friends live in Indiana – just a few hours away from one of the hottest bachelorette destinations — Nashville! If you and your girls are up for a small road trip to a place that’s close by, it could be a blast. Make sure you check in with everyone individually before you surprise everyone with the announcement that you’re all going away for a weekend. Everyone will need time to plan, request days off, and budget for the trip accordingly.

Are Your Party Ideas Location Specific?
For couples who are planning a winter wedding, it can be tricky to think of what their bachelor and bachelorette parties will entail in a cold climate. If this is your reality, perhaps you and your girls are dying to have a relaxing beachy getaway weekend somewhere warm. Opt for a quick trip closer to the border as you seek sun. You can find cheap flights with many apps, or pool your miles/points together to get to that warm place you’ve all been dreaming of.

Destination bachelorette parties are not for everyone. If you’re already hosting a destination wedding, it might be asking a lot of your girls to also travel to a destination bachelorette! Some scenarios warrant it, and others don’t. No matter what you decide, ensure you and your girls are on the same page ahead of time.

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 is not a styled shoot. Shocking, right? How could an engagement session be this stunning in real life? Well, when you have Koman Photography behind the lens and a couple as beautiful and in love as these two, dreams become reality. Set at the gorgeous Kestrel Park, it’s pure romance and sweet smiles for miles, and this gallery has us downright giddy. Looking for a little love-filled boost to get through the week ahead? Look no further.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride-to-be… Our story started in November of 2014, though the beginnings of our friendship started long before. James and I grew up together, with our parents being best friends and college roommates. Never in a million years would we have thought our friendship would turn into anything more. When James told me he had a crush on me three years ago, it’s safe to say I was completely surprised and very flattered. Our relationship started off with a year and a half of long distance. It wasn’t easy starting a relationship apart from each other, but looking back, all the FaceTime calls, letters written, and packages sent… it’s a time we’ll always cherish.

James proposed to me at my favorite beach and surprised me with a wonderful celebration at a beach house with family and friends, a night we’ll always remember. We are so thankful to have found Marlene and John Koman and couldn’t be more thrilled to have them as our wedding photographers. Not only are they the sweetest couple, their work is lovely, elegant, and perfectly captured this special season in our life. Our photoshoot was done at the charming Kestrel Park estate and both James and I were so excited to see how beautifully the photos turned out. The Komans did an absolutely wonderful job and we can’t wait to look back at our photos for years to come.

Photography: Koman Photography | Shoes: Steve Madden | Rings: Swan Jew | Hair: Be.NYLA | Bride-to-be's Dress: Gossamer | Groom-to-be's Attire: Macy's | Location: Kestrel Park

When it came time to plan their wedding, this couple had no doubts regarding the location – with their love of travel and the bride’s family heritage, Portugal was the clear choice. And my oh my did it turn out pretty! The Wedding Company planned a romantic affair on the grounds of a palace with Decoflorália adding that organic feel with green and white florals. Captured by Branco Prata Studios and filmed by The Amazing Rabbit, this wedding will have you booking the next ticket to Portugal for your own fairytale moment.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/248610068 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the bride… We knew that we wanted a destination wedding because of our love for travel. We have collected a lifetime of memories by traveling the world, so for our wedding, we wanted to bring our families and loved ones together for an unforgettable experience.

Portugal was a second home growing up for me. It is where my parents were born, where I spent my summer vacations with my grandparents, and it is still my favorite place to visit. Before we were engaged, on our first trip to Portugal together, we took a day trip to Guimarães. We immediately fell in love with the city’s charm and character. In fact, while sitting at a café in the town square, having a glass of wine, we even discussed how this would be the perfect location for a wedding. Fast forward three years, and happening by chance, our amazing wedding planners presented us with the Paço dos Duques de Bragança as an option. We were shocked as it wasn’t on our initial list and we didn’t know it was a wedding venue, but we knew right then that it was meant to be.

The palace is a unique venue. Its grandeur was very intimidating considering we wanted a smaller wedding. But at the same time, it is extremely beautiful and elegant. Throw in candlelight and a perfect summer night under the stars – we had no doubt that it would still be an intimate wedding. And hey, what girl wouldn’t want to get married in a castle?

Before our wedding, two of our close friends offered us a piece of advice that they had received. They said, “No matter what, don’t get separated. Stay together the whole time or else the night will get away from you.” We took this to heart, and it was the best advice we could have received. From the time we met at the altar at 5 PM until the sun was coming up and the party still going strong at 5 AM, we were inseparable, sharing every little detail together. We had two moments that were shared between just the two of us that will always be some of our fondest memories of the day. The first was our first look, and it was everything we wanted. Quiet, intimate, sharing that moment of excitement – “We’re about to get married!” – to start the day right. The second was the first time we were being introduced as husband and wife. To keep it a surprise, we decided that we were going to wait to see the inside of the venue until this moment. Once we turned the corner, we both let out two gasps. It was a year’s worth of planning in one instant, and thanks to our amazing wedding planners, it surpassed our wildest expectations.

From the groom… Any other “destination wedding” location couldn’t compare, not just because of the country’s beauty and people, but due to the place it holds in the hearts of my bride and her family.

Photography: Brancoprata | Cinematography: The Amazing Rabbit | Event Planning: The Wedding Company | Floral Design: Decoflorália | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: T Bakes | Invitations: Haint Blue Collective | Makeup: Bemiranda | Hair: Vasco Freitas | Groom's Attire: John Varvatos | Venue: Paço dos Duques de Bragança

Style Me Pretty Blogger Bride Gabi from by Gabriella shares her styling tips for all your pre-wedding events!

As I’m making my way through wedding planning, I’m realizing that it’s about so much more than the actual wedding day. Hear me out. Sure, there are a bunch of logistics to keep in mind – which I’m sure my fiancé loves, considering he works in project management.

However, I’m all about the pieces that are creative in nature, and dare I say – a bit more fun. In fact, my two favorites are looking through floral arrangements and, as you may have guessed, all the outfit inspiration. Naturally, the wedding day is the grand event, but as the bride, you’ll have tons of fun wedding-related activities and events leading up to your wedding day.

Rather than rushing to find a new white dress (and accessories!) at the last minute, it’s best to plan ahead. You’ll save yourself tons of stress, especially if you’re traveling for any of it, like I will be. To make it even easier, choose one shop for all your dress + accessory needs — this will simplify things for you and keep your looks cohesive!

All of these looks for the bridal shower, bachelorette, and rehearsal dinner feature dresses by David’s Bridal. Did you know that one out of every three brides in the US choose to walk down the aisle in a gown from David’s Bridal? You can browse their latest bridal gowns in Style Me Pretty’s lookbook!

Outside of the big day, they’ve also got tons of little white dresses in stores and online that are perfect for your pre-wedding events, too – like these ones here!

I had the most fun styling these three looks to inspire you as you prepare for your own bridal shower, bachelorette, and rehearsal dinner – and to hopefully give you a little inspiration to prepare in advance!

Bridal Shower Dress

For the bridal shower, I went with a sweeter look – a little white number with a bit of tulle that’s perfect for a bridal shower brunch. It’s simple, yet has enough detailing to stand out. And, I love the ribbon sash! If you’re curious, I’m always on team sash.

I paired the Illusion A-Line Dress with rose gold heels that I already had on hand, an adorable rose gold clutch, and the Filigree Flower Tieback Headband. I love mixing and matching new pieces with items I already have in my collection – especially when I can mix metals.

Bachelorette Party Dress

With dresses in sizes 0-30, you’re bound to find the perfect dress for your night (or weekend!) out on the town for your bachelorette celebration. I’m more of a homebody of sorts, so building my bachelorette look was challenging, but I fell in love with the bell sleeves on this Illusion Lace Dress and I knew it was the one.

I paired this one with David’s Crystal Pear Pendant and Pave Necklace, the Zip-Top Metallic Foldover Clutch, and some super fun hot pink sandals. Talk about a statement piece!

Rehearsal Dinner Dress

I love a good dramatic gown and this one is IT. If there’s ever a time to make a statement, it’s on your wedding weekend! Outside of the actual wedding, I look at the rehearsal dinner being the most formal of the events. And, the perfect time to rock this high-low gown.

I paired my Mikado High-Low Dress with the Classic Satin Sash in juniper (that green! It’s a little hint at our wedding design – stay tuned!) and quite possibly, my favorite shoes yet. These Mirror Metallic Block Heel Sandals are fun for the rehearsal dinner, and also for events after your wedding weekend – I know I’ll be wearing mine again soon.

So now that you’ve got some inspiration, you’ll have to get out there and start shopping for all your pre-wedding fun! Good thing David’s Bridal has over 300 stores – and if there isn’t one near you, you can shop everything online!

Follow Gabi’s full wedding planning journey on Style Me Pretty here!

The stereotype of Bach parties? That they should and will always end in a hangover. Or, that cocktails should be sipped from straws that resemble your fella’s man parts… something I firmly asked my bridesmaids NOT to do. Thankfully, they listened. While it might be fun to do a little indulging, there are plenty of party ideas that don’t revolve around solely over-indulging. Take a peek below!

Wine Country for the Win

OK, this one miiight end in a hangover if you’ve got one too many tastings on the agenda! But chances are if you’re heading to wine country, you’re interested in a more laid back kind of imbibing—an experience that allows you to savor what you’re tasting and truly appreciate the process of wine making, rather than chugging a box of wine. Take a cue from Chloe of Boxwood Avenue and her fun bach in Napa!

Blooms + Bridesmaids

This might be my favorite idea and (being the flower lover that I am) one that I would request if I could do it all over again. It’s as simple as looking up your local floral shops and seeing if any of them offer workshops. Also a fun idea for a bridal shower!

Learn a new Skill with Your Ladies

No harm in a little brain power kind of bach! Learning a new skill is a great way to bond with your girls and you might even be able to save a buck with said skill—like taking a calligraphy class.

Beach with Your Babes

Think of it like a little mini vacation! I personally did this with my girls and it was so. much. fun. Not to mention, a super relaxing way to chill during all of the wedding planning chaos.

Celebrate Concert-Style

Love to dance but not really into the club scene? Head to a concert or music festival! Get your boogie on with your bridesmaids for a truly memorable evening.

As someone who got her M.A. in English Literature in Philadelphia, seeing this affair at the Free Library of Philadelphia captured by Alison Conklin Photography definitely gave me all the feels. And while I Do Wedding Consulting did an amazing job with the vintage feel to this rooftop celebration, what makes this wedding truly unforgettable is not the awesome views, but that gorgeous smile plastered across the bride’s beautiful face throughout the entire today. It’s literally impossible not to start smiling yourself.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Alison Conklin Photography | Event Planning: I DO Wedding Consulting | Floral Design: Flowers & Company | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Aux Petits Delices | Invitations: Pen And Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Brûlée Catering | Makeup: Rescue Spa | Hair: Jason Matthew Salon | DJ: Aria Melody DJ | Band: All About Me | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Venue: Free Library of Philadelphia

When you are the Luxury and Beauty Director for Marie Claire, it’s safe to say you have a wealth of style. From a lineup of pastel hued bridesmaid dresses to a Monique Lhuillier gown with the most gorgeous back and feathery Jimmy Choos, this classic Pippin Hill Farm wedding is infused with endless amounts of beauty and style. That fashion savvy goes hand in hand with elegant design by Amore Events, stunning florals by Amy Osaba and the whole celebration so perfectly captured by Luna de Mare.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Set in the glorious surroundings of majestic mountains and vineyards in the Virginia countryside, Hillery & Michael wed at the beautiful Pippin Hill Farm. The Bride, a beauty director for a national publication, had a very clear vision of what she wanted her Wedding day to look and feel like and guided the team into creating an event to remember. The wedding was truly the epitome of classic elegance designed by Amore Events, who created the regal affair with a fresh green & white palette for a neutral design. The florals by Amy Osaba were created to inspire the feel of an indoor garden oasis, with the softest candlelight shimmering against the table scape decor. Hillery wore an exquisite Monique Lhuillier gown, and her bridesmaids wore shades of pastels sans her Maid of Honor (also the Brides Sister) who donned a beautiful floral print gown. At the end of an evening of dinner and lots of dancing , they headed straight through their sparkler exit. Waiting for them was a classic vintage Ford which once belonged to her Grandfather, who at one point owned the largest Ford Collection in the US, marking a nostalgic and beautiful end to their day.

Photography: Luna de Mare Photography | Cinematography: East West | Event Design & Planning: Amore Events by Cody | Floral Design: Amy Osaba | Cake : Sweethaus | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Wedding Venue: Pippin Hill Farm | Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier | HMUA : Avenue 42 | Welcome Tote: Southern Grown Vintage

Picture this: me at 8 months pregnant, tossing everything out of my 3rd floor window. With the help of my husband, of course. There’s no doubt that most pregnant women have the natural urge to nest—but you could say my urge to simplify was in overdrive and not only within my home, but in every area of life as well. After our son was here, I was SO glad I took the time to simplify because it allowed me to focus all of my energy on him. Here are a few ways I made things easier on myself…

Online Shopping

I started doing mostly online shopping in my third trimester, because toting a belly and tired feet around from store to store isn’t fun! Not to mention, lugging boxes and bags into the car in the middle of winter… no, thanks. After our baby was born, my online shopping skills were put to serious use. Amazon Prime was and is still my best friend, for real. I can’t tell you how many times it has come in handy. We also do 98% of baby clothes shopping online as well since there are so many great deals!

Mama tip: When online shopping, stock up on anything you can during great sale periods. We always save more than 50% on clothing because we time it with sales around holidays and such.

Curating the Closet

Being a mom doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, but it sure did change my approach to fashion and beauty. The key for me was ditching anything I hadn’t worn in the last couple of years and stocking up on comfort pieces and essentials… things like: robes, soft as ever pajamas, high waisted jeans (with some stretch), lots of tees because there will be lots of spit up and sweaters for layering.

Mama tip: When revamping your closet, stocking up on neutrals and items that work together was a huge help for me! If something was dirty, I had lots of back up options that worked. Let’s face it, there will be many a clothing change for not only baby, but mom too. 

Simplify with Support

This was a big one for me personally! I felt sooo guilty asking for help because I felt like I should be able to do it all (there’s a whole post on that here!). Simplifying also means handing off other tasks to your support team. A huge lesson I learned in that process:

Your partner won’t always know what you need if you don’t ask. And you shouldn’t expect them to! My husband was helpful in so many ways but I sometimes felt that he should KNOW to fold the laundry in the dryer or he should check the sink for dirty dishes. Once we started to communicate better, we were able to enjoy being parents together and feel like we were pitching in equally.

Hire Help

As I sit here typing this, I have a house cleaner shining up our home. One of the best decisions we ever made! Simplifying means prioritizing what is important and if financially possible, hiring help is so worth it. This goes for any task you’d rather not do or ones you feel are cutting into your family time. Can’t fit it in the budget right now? Ask family and friends for help! Especially in those newborn days—you’d be surprised how many loved ones will step up to the plate.

Creating Routines & Embracing Change

Routine and change may be complete opposites, but marrying the two is so helpful in simplifying your life after becoming a parent. My husband and I chose to do a combination of baby-led and parent-led practices, from sleeping to eating and everything in between. This meant that we followed our baby’s cues while implementing some loose routine that help guide him through many milestones. Those loose routines have absolutely changed from newborn to toddler, understandably! But they made life feel a whole lot simpler. When we didn’t know the answers, or felt a bit confused—we reverted back to our loose routine.

Mama tip: Creating a bedtime routine was such a huge help in getting our son to sleep through the night by 2 months! But we never let that routine hold us back from staying out a bit longer for dinner. Embracing both routine and change is a wonderful thing.

Photography: Elizabeth LaDuca | Mama: Bisou Style

Planning a romantic wedding doesn’t mean you have to book the nearest garden locale – we truly believe that with the right details, you can infuse romance into any venue you choose. And, honestly? No detail is more important than the dress. From illusion lace to shimmering capes, Maggie Sottero Designs never fails to stun us with their beautiful creations – and can even transform an industrial loft into a complete fairytale celebration.

We all know that romantic weddings begin and end with the dress. And the ultra-romantic gowns in the Maggie Sottero line? Just what you need. Especially when it’s a gown as show-stopping as the Bianca, an organza masterpiece boasting handmade rosette motifs and a flowing skirt that is beyond princess-worthy – we looove it. And if you’re tying the knot in a classic celebration, the Melanie is perfect. Think a gorgeous combo of a satin slip with a stunning lace overlay that makes this gown basically everything – and looks so amazing against an industrial backdrop dotted with jewel tones and shimmering gold hues. Or any place, really.

We all know that Maggie Sottero’s collections are always a high point when it comes to wedding fashion and when you pair all of that breathtaking beauty with the genius of Judy Pak and the stylings of Gabrielle Hurwitz, the results are definitely worth celebrating. Spend some time perusing these amazing gowns, including the dramatic lace motifs and illusion straps of the Zamara, then head to Maggie Sottero to find your very own dream gown. Your romantic celebration depends on it.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Styling: Gabrielle Hurwitz | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Invitations: Minted | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Engagement Rings: Susie Saltzman | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

We’ve all seen them – the excited posts on social media of brides-to-be asking their closest friends to be part of their special day. As a new bride yourself, you have probably imaged the scenarios of asking each of your closest friends to join you in all of the wedding festivities as a bridesmaid. Did you imagine any of them saying “no, thank you.”?

In the moment, and probably a little while after, the feeling of rejecting may linger a little and that is okay. Just remember you are human and being invested and feeling hurt by someone as close to you as someone you’d ask to be in your wedding is a normal feeling.

Here are a few tips to guide you through these emotions as delicately as possible to keep your friendship intact:

Try Seeing it From Her Perspective
As hard as it may be to hear, sometimes people are not willing to be part of weddings, especially if there is a high price tag attached. Destination weddings, grandiose celebrations that require a lot of travel, and the general cost of being a bridesmaid adds up in the money department and some people may not be able to participate.

Other common reasons are: work schedules, family reasons (recently had a baby or is expecting soon), or the fear of being in front of people. Whatever it may be, keep in mind that it isn’t an easy thing for your friend to decline and there is most likely an underlining reason why. Sitting down with your friend to better understand her reasoning will soften the blow to you as well as maybe strengthen your friendship.

Include Her in Other Aspects of Your Wedding Journey
If she is choosing to not join you as an official member of your wedding party, respect her decision. Try to include her in other aspects of your wedding planning process that she feels more comfortable with like asking her to get ready with you and your maids the morning of and including her in all the parties leading up to the day.

Enjoy the Day and Process Regardless
Even though one of your friends, for whatever reason, declined to be part of your day, it is still a wonderful day that should be celebrated to the fullest. Along with the love of your life, your closest friends and family will be there to surround you with love and excitement and that is something in itself to celebrate.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Erica Chambers is a freelance writer and blogger at Styles by the C. After living in New York City, she has made her permanent residence along the white sandy beaches of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida with her husband, Michael, and fur child, Maxwell. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her exploring local brunch spots or designing a nursery for her and her husband’s first child, Leo.

An elegant wedding in one of our country’s most classic cities, Chicago. At the University Club. With bridesmaids in burgundy. And lots and lots of fabulous florals. We could go on and on but you get where we’re going… this fall fete is perfect through and through, thanks to the planning and design expertise of Christine Janda Design and Events. Annie Parish captured all the moments, details and sweet kisses and this gallery right here proves that traditional bashes are never boring.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Christine Janda Design and Events… The iconic University Club of Chicago is located in the heart of the city’s Loop – mere steps away from landmarks such as the expansive Millenium Park, the infamous “El” train tracks and world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago. So full of rich history through its 130 year existence, the Club has so eloquently preserved a timeless and classic romance, one perfectly matched by the marriage of Janelle and Tom on September 16, 2017. From colorful and elaborate floral bouquets for the bride and her maids, a first look on a stunning balcony overlooking the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, bridal party pictures at the South Gardens at the Art Institute, to a ceremony officiated by Janelle’s childhood friend, and an intimate dinner highlighted by tall floral centerpieces, hand calligraphed place cards wrapped in velvet ribbon and vintage glassware for toasting, the magic of this wedding could only truly be captured through film cameras by Annie Parish.

Photography: Annie Parish Photography | Videography: Robert Cawthorne Wedding Films | Event Planning: Christine Janda Design And Events | Catering: The University Club Of Chicago | Makeup Artist: Morgan Marie Beauty | Hair: Shaun Lewis | Ceremony Music: Dolce Strings | Wedding Venue: The University Club Of Chicago | Chairs: Tablescapes Event Rentals | Floral Design + Event Design: Christine Janda Design And Events | Invitation + Paper Design: LBrown Design & Paperie | Reception Music: Fig Media | Specialty Linen + Chargers: BBJ La Tavola | Vintage Glassware: Nimblewell

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Christine Janda Design And Events

View Portfolio

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

France will always hold a special place in this photography duo’s hearts. It’s where they renewed their wedding vows and now it’s serving as a source of inspiration for a gorgeous garden shower to welcome their baby boy. Step into this floral filled celebration with blooms by Sarah’s Garden, photographs by Amy & Jordan and the prettiest dessert cart by Ruze Cake House. It’s sweet, sweet and more sweets right this way.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Jordan and I will be welcoming our very first child, a baby boy, this spring and we were so overwhelmed by the sweetest and most thoughtful shower thrown for us. Our baby shower felt like one big dream!! It’s a surreal day when you walk outside to the most beautiful baby shower and then you realize it’s YOURS!

Jordan’s little sister, Caelen, brought me to tears with all she planned and the waterworks kept flowing as we got to celebrate our son’s nearing arrival with our sweet family and friends. The incredible creative team blew me away with the thought behind every detail. Every few minutes I had to remind myself that I wasn’t photographing someone else’s baby shower, but my own!

The inspiration for the shower was a French garden with gorgeous blue hues and touches of blush for this soon-to-be boy mama. France will always hold a special place in our hearts because we renewed our vows in Provence for our seventh anniversary. It was so special that Caelen and the rest of the incredible creative team brought France to us as we celebrated this momentous occasion.

Photography: Amy & Jordan Photography | Floral Design: Sarah's Garden | Dessert : Ruze Cake House | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Products: Victoria York Design | Rentals: Tremaine Ranch | Rentals: Glamour And Woods

When the bride just so happens to be one of the industry’s top planners, her sister is a creative floral genius (and her business partner!), and she calls Mike Larson, Mar Bridal Stylist, and La Tavola Fine Linen Rental friends, the wedding is guaranteed to be unforgettable. So without further ado, start your Monday off right with this intimate, boho beauty of a celebration…

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Jill La Fleur of La Fleur Weddings and Events has been a local wedding planner and event designer for the past 16 years and was recently named one of the top wedding planners in the world by Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. Although she has planned large and lavish weddings in destinations around the world, when it came to her own wedding, she preferred to keep it local and intimate.

She and her husband Gokhan, an athletic trainer in Santa Ynez specializing in training addicts in recovery, met years ago and became very good friends before eventually falling madly in love. They had originally planned to elope, but their dear friends, Alain and Kathy Clenet, offered to host the wedding at their beautiful home, Long Meadow Estate in Santa Ynez, which is one of the most stunning locations in the valley and is set up perfectly for weddings and events. Jill and Gokhan could not think of a more beautiful, perfect venue where they could feel at home and have those closest to them be part of their day! Another dear friend offered her Santa Ynez vacation rental home for Jill’s family to stay all together for the weekend, so for their family rehearsal dinner the night prior, they decided to stay in and cook homemade pizzas in the beautiful outdoor pizza oven and serve them with local Santa Ynez Valley wines.

Jill had her eye on a couple of gowns that she had fallen in love with immediately and could not decide between the two, so she wore them both! For her bridal shoot on the rehearsal day, she wore a dusty blue, romantic gown by Claire Faye, and for her wedding day, she chose a stunning, bohemian-chic gown by Rue De Seine which she found at one of her favorite Central Coast boutique bridal salons in San Luis Obispo, Moondance Bridal. Her hair was done in a matching style with a soft, side braid by her longtime friend and hairdresser, Kelly Trumble of Mishay Salon and Spa, and her makeup by another longtime friend and colleague, Mar Romero of Team Hair and Makeup.

The wedding was officiated by a wonderful, local officiate, Miriam Lindbeck of Weddings Santa Barbara, in front of a beautiful oak tree as they stood on a custom Turkish rug (Gokhan is originally from Istanbul), which they now have prominently displayed in their home. Jill’s dad is also a deacon, and he lovingly said a special blessing over Jill and Gokhan and the custom combined cross and tasbih that Jill created and wrapped around her bouquet just before they walked down the aisle together. Jill’s son, Jake, carried the rings, and a seat was saved up front for her mother, whose ashes were placed in a beautiful bud vase with an olive branch.

Jill and her sister, Colleen La Fleur of Atelier de La Fleur, recently teamed up and joined their businesses to offer both full planning and floral design services locally and in destinations worldwide. Colleen is an extremely talented and renowned floral designer, and their businesses now have offices in both Santa Barbara, California and Tucson, Arizona. Given they have a very similar style and aesthetic, Jill and Colleen were able to work together seamlessly, coming up with the design elements for this wedding day, which included a romantic, organic display of locally sourced plants and floral in soft peach, ivory, and champagne mixed with soft greys, creamy whites, and gold accents.

Jill loves to cook and Gokhan loves to eat, so they brought in Luca Crestanelli of Sky Kitchen because they wanted to treat their friends and family to their favorite dishes from his acclaimed Santa Ynez Valley restaurant. The two-tier wedding cake was created by Christine Dahl of Santa Barbara Cakes and was served with Turkish Delight and Turkish Coffee. Jill and Gokhan also gifted a set of Turkish towels to each of their guests as a special thank you gift. The vintage goblets, crystal, plates, and gold flatware were all from Otis and Pearl, and they mixed in beautifully with Atelier de La Fleur’s crystal compotes, vases, and brass candleholders and the linens La Tavola. The custom paper goods (invitation suite, menus, thank you notes) were created by Jill using the services of Honey Paper in Los Olivos. She incorporated the design of the Turkish rug and the Fleur de Lis family emblem with writings in English, French, and Turkish for their families. All of this was photographed beautifully by the talented Mike Larson, someone Jill has worked with for many years. He and his wife, Rachel, are also dear friends of Jill and Gokhan’s, and were of course included as guests at their wedding as well!

Photography: Mike Larson | Event Planning + Design: La Fleur Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Atelier De LaFleur | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Cake: Christine Dahl Pastries | Invitations: Honey Paper | Caterer: SY Kitchen | Makeup: Makeup by Mar | Hair: Mishay Salon & Spa | Groom's Attire: Michael Kors | Officiant: Miriam Lindbeck | Angel Wing Necklace: Enchantress Boutique | Bridal Boutique: Moondance Bridal | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Honey Paper | Place Settings: Otis + Pearl Partywares | Private Estate: Longmeadow Estate | Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Claire La Faye

I could spend endless amounts of time pouring over the history of engagement rings. I am, however, slightly partial to a classic, Art Deco design (and “This ring is vintage!” definitely makes me swoon.). Rings during the Art Deco period saw any manner of colored gemstones, like onyx, emeralds, and even rubies, in settings with sharp angles, dazzling cuts, and brilliant patterns.

With such serving as hallmarks of an Art Deco pièce de résistance, these confident, geometric rings are timeless beauties for the bold bride are light on the subtlety and heavy on the pretty!

Art Deco Rings

View Slideshow

Art Deco Rings

View Slideshow

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 from 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.

Adding texture to your wedding details is a trend that isn’t going anywhere soon. Luckily for you, these nine unconventional materials can be easily incorporated into your invitation suite and are sure to inspire you when you’re planning for your special day.

Wooden Invitations
Set the tone for your fairytale ceremony in the woods with an invitation carved out of real wood. These invitations are “letterpressed” out of birch wood and accompanied by an illustrated map and floral print-lined envelopes.

Metallic Cut-Out
Inspired by the French influence in New Orleans, this couple’s wedding invitation was wrapped in a golden cut-out that matched the envelopes, which were addressed in calligraphy of gold as well.

Natural Details
If you’re inspired by the location or season of your special day, consider incorporating a dried leaf or flower to your stationery. This beautifully simplistic invitation suite was a perfect nod to the couple’s autumn nuptials, as it featured a dried leaf tied with copper string.

Glassine Paper
When paired with white letterpressed invitations on specialty paper, glassine paper elements give a feminine touch—especially when they feature soft floral patterns, as seen here.

Nautical Twine
Twine is a notoriously popular wedding design material, but using a striped version creates serious nautical vibes. Adding knot design elements certainly helps to tie it all together as well!

Linen Envelope
Sending invitations enveloped in linen is any unexpected choice that will get your guests excited about what’s to come! Soft and natural, these beige envelopes set the tone for a more feminine, organic affair.

Pop-Up Portrait
Create a vision of what your wedding day will look like for guests by including a pop-up portrait of you and your future spouse in your chosen venue. This design is perfect for the couple getting married in a romantic place, like a European castle, as it will evoke memories of the beloved pop-up fairytale books you read throughout your childhood.

Linen Paper
Linen invitations bring a classic touch to an unconventional choice, and make for wonderful keepsakes! Frame your invitation to display in your home, or encourage guests to bring it to the ceremony in order to dab at their tears.

Wax-Sealed Ribbon
Although they are far from new to the wedding scene, wax seals and ribbons can make for an exciting and unexpected pairing when used on your invitation together. The pink ribbon’s femininity is balanced perfectly by the masculine seal, making for a beautifully balanced stationery choice!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Morgan Chamberlain is a freelance writer and social media consultant for wedding vendors in New England. She believes weddings are all about sentimental details, cohesive décor, and a well-chosen playlist to keep the party going!

These two cuties met serendipitously at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Vegas. Six years later, they returned to the city where Tuan proposed in one of the most breathtaking moments – during the Rise Lantern Festival. Clearly, this duo knows how to make a romantic statement, and their Tuscan-inspired wedding coordinated by LVL Events and captured by Ether and Smith follows suit. Get lost in all of the beautiful images, waiting for you in The Vault.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the bride… The saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” but for me and Tuan, nothing could be further from the truth. In the spring of 2010, a chance encounter at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Vegas changed our lives forever. Six years later, we came full circle, returning to Las Vegas last fall for the Rise Lantern Festival where Tuan proposed. It was one of the most incredible and breathtaking experiences of our lives! I couldn’t have asked for a more romantic proposal.

We started planning the wedding immediately after. Although we both love our hometown of San Francisco, we wanted an outdoor wedding, so we looked to Wine Country. We fell in love with Ramekins’ intimate Tuscan charm. And, since we are foodies, it being a culinary school was a plus. Unfortunately, most dates were booked through 2018. Weeks later, serendipitously, there was a cancellation for October 7th, which happens to be the date that we got engaged!

After locking in our venue, all the big-ticket items fell into place pretty quickly. I really just went with my gut as there are so many talented vendors out there. I was also lucky to have my friend Ashley Tucker from LVL Events as our wedding coordinator. She gave me great planning advice and was available whenever I had questions. Otherwise, I’d say I was a pretty hands-on bride, from wax-sealing each invitation to DIY-ing all the acrylic wedding signage and table numbers. I wanted the wedding to feel romantic and timeless, yet reflective of my own personal style.

The day of our wedding was sheer bliss! Mother Nature graced us with the perfect fall day. Poppystone did a gorgeous collection of hanging flowers to accent the ceremony arbor. Marcus Cappellazzo performed on his acoustic guitar during cocktail hour and dinner as guests were served California-inspired, farm-to-table fare. Hundreds of candles lit up the cobblestone courtyard. In addition to Branching Out’s gold-leafed wedding cake, our friends at Churn Urban Creamery served our guests organic ice cream. We could tell all our guests had a great time, and that was really important to us. We’ve never felt as much love and support as on our wedding day with our dearest friends and family who came to witness our vows to each other.

What I learned is that no matter what you do, it’s easy to go crazy while planning your wedding – especially if you are a control-freak perfectionist doing everything on your own, like I did. But at the end of the day, you are marrying your best friend, and none of those little details will really matter in comparison. Everyone says your wedding day will pass by in a blink of an eye, and it’s so true, so our advice is to savor each moment! Luckily, we can relive the day with the beautiful pictures captured by Ether and Smith.

Photography: Ether & Smith | Cinematography: Daniel Chae | Coordination: LVL Weddings & Events | Floral Design: PoppyStone Floral Couture | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Branching Out Cakes | Invitations: test | Stationery: No.103 Creative Studio | Hair + Makeup: Chau Nguyen | Lighting: The Lux Productions | DJ: Capellen Entertainment | Venue: Ramekins Sonoma | Bridal Boutique: Bridal Galleria | Ice Cream Cart: Churn Urban Creamery | Rentals: Encore Event Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio