We’ve long admired Ruth of Seniman Calligraphy for her mad skills with ink and a pen, but today? We’re getting a peek inside her cozy loft and soaking up the beautiful love between her and hubs, Alex, captured by Lara Lam. There’s nothing more heartwarming than an at-home anniversary session to store away in the memory bank forever.

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From Ruth of Seniman Calligraphy… Alex and I moved into our very first apartment a couple years before we tied the knot. Although we wouldn’t have it any other way, the fact that we were already so comfortable with each other’s company meant our big day felt more like a formality than a physical bookmark for the new chapter in our lives. We continued going to the same job after our wedding, falling into the same routine that we established prior to our wedding. We came home to our already comfortable apartment. It wasn’t perfect, but that apartment will always have a special corner in my heart. It’s the first place we called “our home” and where we first learned to compromise our different styles.

This year is our third anniversary and it feels different because for the very first time since our marriage, we’ve moved into a new apartment! Alex got a new job in a different part of Los Angeles and I could no longer run my calligraphy business from our former dining table. Since we moved from a beach-apartment to a city-loft, most of our old furniture no longer worked. It gave us an excuse to pick new furniture that better suited our current style. It allowed us to embrace how far we’ve grown thus far. Once all the new furniture arrived and the last accent pillow was in place, our new loft is the embodiment of all the changes we’ve made since our wedding day. We no longer work for the same companies. We have a new places to eat and shop. We’re coming home to a place that looks completely different than what used to greet us for the previous five years!

In a way, our move reminded me of the most important thing we have; each other. In many years to come, there’s going to be many life events to come. We might not live in the same area anymore, working the same job, or being a family of two forever. But as long as we wake up next to each other every morning, everything will be just fine. So we asked Lara from Lara Lam Photography to capture this fleeting moment. Also, with help the help from Grace from Grace Lin Make Up to do my hair and make up. Lara created something beautiful we can look back on fondly for years to come.

Photographer: Lara Lam | Styling: Seniman Calligraphy | Hair and Make Up: Grace Lin | Furniture: West Elm | Furniture: CB2 | Furniture: Miadora | Private Studio: Seniman Calligraphy

Savannah Soutas and Cole LaBrant happen to be one of the cutest couples on the Internet and now these two are officially husband and wife. They tied the knot in beautiful Temecula, California with a faith-centered ceremony and lots of meaningful details designed by the ladies at CAKE Events. Come along for the ride and don’t miss the couple’s wedding album captured by Valorie Darling.

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From Leila Lewis of Be Inspired PR… When our client and friend Valorie Darling contacted me to refer Savannah to enlist our team’s help with their wedding I was so thrilled. We got along with Savannah and her mom Deborah right away and I knew the wedding was going to be so special. I asked Colleen Kaufman of CAKE Events to handle the planning and design and it was an absolutely perfect fit, she is one of the best wedding planners in Orange County. Minted provided all of the stunning invitations, which told a story in itself by incorporating pictures and the couple’s favorite bible verses.

P.S. Read more about the event production of Savannah + Cole’s wedding over on Inspired By This!

From Colleen Kaufman at CAKE Events… More than anything, though, they wanted their ceremony to be rooted and grounded in their faith. We used this notion as a design opportunity and incorporated rings throughout the design to serve as symbols of the union that would take place when their two families became one with God. Gorgeous floral rings served as the backdrop to the altar and sweetheart table and wove in light-hearted elements like lace dream catchers, flower crowns, and even delicious doughnuts to subtly carry on that circular trend.

Photography: Valorie Darling | Cinematography: D.P. Weddings | Event Design: Cake Event Co | Floral Design: Tre Fiori Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: Grace Loves Lace | Cake: Laure Marie's Cakes | Stationery: Minted | Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Makeup: Emma Wellis | Hair: Chrissy Rasmussen of Habit Salon | DJ: Crowd Control Entertainment | Venue: Long Shadow Ranch Winery | Ceremony Signage: All My Goodness | Ceremony Wagon: Mini Wagons | Chairs, Lighting & Draping: LM Event Productions | Doughnuts: Crumbs Doughnuts | Mother of Bride + Mother of Groom Dresses: Grace Loves Lace | Photobooth: Photogenix Events | Producer: Be Inspired PR | Rentals: Rustic Events | Signage & Bible Guest Book: Rheanna Meador | Tabletop Rentals, Linens: Soiree8

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Petit Bouquet

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I have to admit, the best part about having a baby girl was designing the nursery. It was basically my interior design dream come to life and this new mama Rebecca certainly felt the same. She brought Laurel & Wolf on board to help create a pretty space for her little one to grow and I think it’s safe to say, mission accomplished. Think happy colors, bold patterns, and a statement floral wallpaper that ties it all together.

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From Laurel & Wolf... After Rebecca & Jared Raskind moved into their Los Angeles fixer-upper, the creative couple immediately got to work transforming it to match their quirky glam style. Fast forward a few years, and the home has become a medley of Hollywood Regency and California-boho style. The happy home was nearly complete, but it was still missing one thing – a tiny addition to the family. Then, nearly nine months ago, the pair got the exciting news that they were pregnant and couldn’t be more excited to have their new baby girl Zoe.

Not a pair to shy away from a bold statement, the couple had a fairly strong vision for the nursery from the start. Drawing influence from the rest of their boldly patterned home, they began with an Art Deco-style rug, a whimsical floral wallpaper, and a large stuffed giraffe named Chloe. But like anyone inspired by multiple styles, they needed help unifying the room and making it baby-friendly.

“We liked the idea of keeping traditional elements like the chaise lounge and wallpaper, but incorporating animals, pops of pink, and a lot of pattern. We wanted the space to feel bright and fun,” Rebecca explains.

Laurel & Wolf Designer, Christina Di Vito helped the couple infuse their various design styles while balancing the blend of colors and patterns in the room. In order to bring the blush and gold elements together, Christina chose pale pink curtains with brass feather tie backs. However, the biggest challenge was working with the small floor plan and finding a solution for the lack of closet space. Christina solved it by adding wall shelving with a brass rod attached for hanging clothes.

“We love that the clothes became part of the décor,” Rebecca said.

Though we’re sure Zoe will be enamored with her new pet giraffe, we have to hand it to the bold, botanical-printed accent wall. We can just imagine little Zoe looking up at all that beautifully hued flora and fauna. Fun, fashionable, and cohesive to the rest of the home’s design, the nursery turned out perfectly.

Photography: Laurel & Wolf | Interior Design: Laurel & Wolf

From home decor to fashion, minimalism is all the rage and the wedding industry is certainly no exception. Modern brides are adopting the “less is more” mentality and the result is endless clean lines and simple tablescapes that we hope are here to stay. Take a peek at a few of our favorite minimalist wedding details for that perfectly curated look.

Minimalist Wedding Ideas

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Minimalist Wedding Ideas

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Every bride wants to feel her best—inside and out—during wedding season. But with parties, luncheons, showers and other festivities, all the celebrating can make anyone feel off track from her healthy lifestyle. Instead of planning another carb-filled brunch or luncheon for your bestie’s bridal shower, consider a wellness theme for something fresh and fun.

Steve Steinhardt Photography

I’ve outlined a few tips below for healthy, dietitian-approved food and drink, along with wellness-inspired gifts and DIY activities.
Keep Food Fun and Fit
Planning a healthier fete doesn’t have to mean boring celery sticks and plain old water for refreshments. Instead, try elevating nutrient-rich foods by pairing them with flavorful add-ons. Consider a crudite platter with Greek yogurt dips featuring fresh herbs and spices, or a fruit and cheese platter with dairy-free alternatives for vegan options, like almond-milk based cheeses. Include current food trends too by creating a build-your-own toast station. Provide varieties of 100% whole grain bread, gluten-free and sprouted grain options for guests to top with anything from avocado slices and chia seeds, to whipped ricotta and honey.

Krista A. Jones Photography
Make Beverages Nutritious and Cocktails Healthy-ish
For alcohol-free drinks, set out several pitchers of infused water for a spa-like atmosphere. Infuse with fragrant fruit like melon, berries or citrus, along with fresh herbs like mint or basil, to encourage guests to stay hydrated.

As another option, have a selection of mini pre-made smoothies to sip on as a welcome drink. Include a variety of options and try to include a veggie in each. Stick with mild flavors to keep guests interested like spinach, kale or even cauliflower. Bonus with the cauliflower—guests won’t detect any color changes like in green smoothies.

To properly toast the bride, create a healthy-ish cocktail spritzer with sparkling wine, fresh fruit and herbs, plus a fragrant liqueur, topped off with sparkling water. The lighter, more refreshing cocktail still feels celebratory without a strong after effect.

Send Guests Home with Wellness Inspiration
Inspire guests to try at home wellness by providing self-care gifts like dry brushes, face masks or bath salts. As a DIY activity, create a body scrub station to create sugar scrubs for in-shower exfoliation. Provide small mason jars and a variety of essential oils for guests to choose their own signature scents.

As an added treat for the bride, ask each guest to send you her favorite healthy recipe before the shower. Combine all recipes into a cookbook for the bride to create healthy habits for years to come.

D’Arcy Benincosa

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Amanda Baker Lemein, MS, RD, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian and freelance writer from Chicago. She works in private practice, helping both pediatric and adult clients find healthy lifestyles. Follow her for nutrition tips @amandalemein_rd.

You recycle every can and bottle, love to shop local and maybe even have a compost bin in your backyard. Why not extend your eco-friendly lifestyle to your wedding planning process? As a wedding photographer in beautiful Colorado, I get to see the many ways brides and grooms are adding sustainability to their weddings.

M & J Photography

Here are seven simple ways you can, too!

Create a save-the-date video or email invite 

I won’t lie: getting a letter in the old fashioned post is hella romantic. But in a day and age where conservation is key, it is prudent to explore alternative options for save-the-dates and invites. Consider a video save-the-date that you can email out to your guest list, or a beautifully-designed email invitation with all the necessary info. This will not only save you cash, but will also eliminate unnecessary paper waste. However, if you’re dead-set on mailing your info to your guests, use recycled paper stock.

Ashley Kidder 

Go vintage

If you’re a hugely sentimental and nostalgic person (like I am), you could skip purchasing your bling and wedding threads new altogether. Perhaps there’s an heirloom ring or necklace in your family that could be passed down? I’ve also seen a few brides of mine wear their mother’s dress (after they’ve made a few updates with a tailor) and the end result is just stunning. Lastly, you can also check out consignment stores that specialize in secondhand options for attire and accessories. Why not save a little cash on an outfit you’re only going to wear once?

Buy from local brides

Instead of buying 150 brand-new mason jars, sift through your local Craigslist ads to see if there are any couples selling their used wedding novelties and décor. Or, do a quick Google search for rental companies that may already have these items (e.g. silverware, vases, decorations) amassed for you. No need to reinvent the wheel!

Ask your vendors for online contracts

As a vendor myself, I keep my contracts online so that I don’t have to print out important paperwork to put in the mail. If you’re a vendor and don’t have this set up just yet, look into resources such as Honeybook or MachForm, both of which allow you to store and sign proposals online. Once my clients sign, I simply email them a PDF copy and voilà! No need to drop anything in the mail! Ask your photographer for an online gallery where you can download the images instead of getting a disc or USB in the mail.

Connie Whitlock

Book a sustainable venue

One of my favorite wedding venues in all of Colorado is the Lyons Farmette. In addition to being obviously adorable, the site features an organic farm where produce and flowers are grown locally to be included in the weddings hosted onsite. How cool would it be to have a true farm-to-table wedding? They also provide recycling and compost bins around the property to help reduce waste, something all venues should have. (Related: think about donating your leftover wedding grub to local food bank or shelter.)

Try out a non-traditional registry

People are getting married much later in life nowadays, which means that by the time they tie the knot, they probably already have all the fun kitchen gadgets and trinkets for their house. Instead of doing a traditional registry through a department store, try Zola, which allows guests to donate online to less-traditional registry items like a down payment for a house or honeymoon activities. This helps eliminate gift wrap and unnecessary “stuff.”

Donate to your favorite charity

Let’s be honest: do you really need another beer koozie from a wedding? In lieu of gifts for guests, consider donating the cash you would have spent on favors to your preferred charitable cause. I snagged this idea from a couple who decided to donate to a local foundation after severe flooding had devastated the groom’s hometown of Lyons, Colorado, in 2013.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Ashley Kidder is a Denver-based wedding photographer who loves weddings of all shapes and sizes. When she’s not photographing rad couples, you can find her slinging kettlebells around at the gym or going on long romantic walks with her corgi, Sherman.

Truth be told, if I could plan my wedding day all over again I’d plan it just like this one. An incredible location, a handful of my favorite people, and the love of my life right by my side. It’s exactly what Cassie and John chose for their intimate nuptials at San Ysidro Ranch and their special day was filled with heart, soul, and so much love. Cozy up with the images by Joel Serrato and get inspired for a small but sweet wedding of your own.

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Cassie and John chose to celebrate their marriage in a very intimate setting on the terrace of the Wine Cellar at San Ysidro Ranch. This cozy and elegant retreat is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.

They were surrounded by their family and closest friends along with their very cute and dapper dog Louie sporting an adorable bow tie. Cassie’s brother presided over their ceremony filled with moments of laughter and love.

After they were married guests enjoyed the beauty of the gardens at San Ysidro Ranch and the evening culminated with a sumptuous dinner in the Wine Cellar decorated with Spring flowers and candlelight creating a romantic and magical experience.

Photography : Joel Serrato Film Photographer | Event Planning: imagine…Weddings & Special Events, LLC | Floral Design: Cody Floral Design | Hair + Makeup: Tomiko Taft | Venue: San Ysidro Ranch | Music: Chris Fossek

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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The night before your wedding feels like that moment when your roller coaster car reaches the top of the hill and you’re just waiting there with thrill, excitement, and a dash of anxiety. The most important thing you can do for yourself on the eve of your wedding is take care of your body physically, mentally and emotionally. Follow these do’s and don’ts and you’ll be ready for the BIG DAY!

Jose Villa

DO Follow Your Skin Routine
One of the worst feelings is waking up in the morning with greasy and puffy skin after you fell asleep with your makeup on. Be consistent with your nightly beauty routine and refresh your skin before bed. Remove all makeup, cleanse your skin, exfoliate, and moisturize. Your skin will thank you the next morning when you wake up with that fresh bridal glow.

DO Go To Bed Early
The quickest way to wake up cranky and with dark circles around your eyes is to stay up too late. Beauty sleep is a real thing, folks! Of course you want to mingle with family and friends as late as possible, but the more important thing is to be refreshed for the big day. Set a time that you plan to go to bed, turn your lights off, relax and do some deep breathing exercises. You will wake up refreshed and present as you interact with all your loved ones the next day.

DO Write Yourself a Note
This is the one time in your life that you will be a bride. The sweet and exciting bridal jitters you experience the night before the big day cannot be matched. Write a note to your soon to be husband, or to yourself to read in the future. Years down the road you will be able to look back on those sweet memories and remember what it felt like to be a bride the night before her wedding. It is such a special time that it should be documented.

Melissa Lambert Photography

DON’T Drink a Lot of Alcohol
While a couple drinks at the rehearsal dinner are perfectly fine, you don’t want to overdo it the night before the biggest day of your life. Unfortunately, I’ve heard of many brides drinking so much at the rehearsal dinner that they are hung over on their wedding day. Ugh, sounds terrible, doesn’t it! Celebrate and enjoy your rehearsal dinner but remember that that doesn’t require you to get trashed. Avoiding that third drink will most likely keep you from being dehydrated and bloated the next day.

Jose Villa Photography

DON’T Start to Stress about Wedding Details
I fell fast asleep the night before my wedding, and I credit that to the fact that I didn’t allow myself to stress about the next day. I could have lied awake and worried that the photographer would get lost on her long drive across the state, it could be rainy, or the groom could forget his shirt (and he did) BUT I did not allow myself to think of those details. I just relaxed and focused on getting by beauty rest. By the time I woke up, it was the wedding day and I didn’t even feel the need to stress because I was just so excited.

DON’T Over-eat
Wedding celebrations are often paired with delicious food but tread carefully at the rehearsal dinner. If you overeat you may feel bloated, uncomfortable, or sick the next day. Stress eating can accidentally happen so if you’re worried about it, ask a bridesmaid or friend to keep you in check so that you’re being healthy. Of course, you don’t want to starve, but pace yourself and give your body the nutrients it needs for the days ahead.

Nancy Ray Photography

There is nothing more exciting than being a bride the night before her wedding. It’s so special being surrounded by all your loved ones and thinking about marrying your best friend the next day. With so many emotions and thoughts, it’s important that a bride feels physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for the wedding day…after all, you are the bride!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband. 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.

Let me set the scene — the rolling hills of Northern California, a beautifully designed wedding with the softest shades of blue, and one couple pledging their love beneath the old oak tree. Pair that romance with thoughtful planning by Jenn Robirds Events and Samantha Kirk behind the lens, and you’ve got a day made for the pages of SMP. See even more pretty this way in the gallery.

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From Jenn Robirds Events… As a Northern California native going to veterinary school in Los Angeles, Emily knew she wanted to return home to get married. She also knew she wanted a barn wedding but the surroundings had to be perfect. Eventually, we stumbled upon a historic barn with picturesque rolling hills, tall grasses, and giant oak trees. Emily was sold the second she saw it.

We chose a soft blue color palette for Emily’s wedding with white florals – the perfect juxtaposition against the rustic barn setting. Instead of a traditional arbor, we opted to use an oak tree as the ceremony backdrop and brought in mid century walnut church pews for guests to sit in. While we loved the tree; we still felt the ceremony space should have floral, so we tied lush greens and white flowers into the arm of the tree. As a finishing touch, we hung a vintage chandelier over the couple.

Taking nods from our rustic setting, we brought in wooden farm tables and cross back chairs for the reception. The guest’s place settings featured scroll detail chargers that matched the dinner plates, gold flatware, the most gorgeous indigo goblets and handwritten calligraphy menus and place cards tied together with twine and adorned with a sprig of olive branch. The tables boasted sprawling olive and silver dollar eucalyptus garlands with gold footed bowls spilling over with flowers. Draping the barn’s entrance made for the perfect backdrop as the guests danced late into the night.

Photography: Samantha Kirk Photography | Event Planning: Jenn Robirds Events | Floral Design: Jenn Robirds Events | Cake: Freeport Bakery | Catering: Randy Peters Catering | Makeup: Shana Beals | Hair: Tina Romo Hairstylist | Calligraphy: Ashley Baumgartner | DJ: Elegant Events Media | Transportation: Baja Limo | Venue: Lehman Barn At Varozza Ranch | Lab: Photo Impact Imaging | Photobooth: Giggle and Riot | Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Getting Hitched Wedding Rentals | Rentals and Decor: El Dorado Hills Party Rentals | Rentals and Decor: Forever Vintage Rentals | Rentals and Decor: Its all in the Details | Silk Ribbon: Tan Weddings & Events

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Tan Weddings & Events

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Whenever a bride has great personal style I know a really good wedding is about to follow. And no surprise that was exactly the case with this bride, Erika. She rocked a stunning illusion neckline gown with statement glitter flats and it all set the scene for a wildly romantic day in the Pacific Northwest. Blue Rose Photography came along to capture the love and let’s just say their images are ones for the books.

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Erika and Arjay’s Woodmark Hotel Wedding was a fairytale! Her gown was the first thing that really knocked my socks off. I saw it laying on the bed as I walked in and I knew this was going to be one of my favorite weddings. I am so inspired by fashion and design and romantic elements that this dress just hit all of those for me. The rest of the day I photographed everything with her gown in mind, trying to mimic the romantic feeling and the softness it exuded. The romantic boat ride on a vintage wooden boat is such a cool part of getting married at this venue. Erika and Arjay are both so sweet and their wedding day just went really smooth and it was easy and relaxed. I’m sure a lot of this has to do with their great wedding planner Emily from Sweet Pea Events.

If a stunning view is a must-have on your wedding wish list, Santorini is a mighty fine contender my friends. You can’t beat those Aegean Sea blues and whitewashed houses that reflect and radiate pure romance. This darling day planned by Santorini Glam Weddings is our proof. Immerse yourself in the pretty captured by Cassandra Ladru and Moon & Back below!

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From Santorini Glam Weddings… Just like the guests of this wedding, we too would’ve traveled across the globe to attend this wedding at Rocabella Santorini. Because when you’ve got a couple so sweet, kind, and cool like Victoria and Tim are, we’d say thats more than worth it. We started the planning process a year prior to the wedding, and I have to admit that when our journey reached this spectacular day, all I wanted was for this day to last as long as possible. Groom’s sister wanted to make as a surprise to the couple fireworks during their first dance but unfortunately the venue doesn’t allow them. The highlight of the wedding was those last few seconds of their first dance, when suddenly fireworks emerged from the hotel next door. And just like that, we had fireworks. Magic!

Photography: Cassandra Ladru | Videography: Moon & Back | Event planning: Santorini Glam Weddings | Florist: Betty Flowers Santorini | Wedding Dress: Jane Hill | Wedding cake: PetranArt Santorini | Ceremony Venue: Anastasis Church | Reception Venue: Rocabella Santorini Hotel & Spa | Bridal preparation: Aenaon Villas | DJ & Lighting: Multimedia Events | Furniture rentals: Spicy Bites | Hair Stylist: Bella Damigou | Linens: White Lilac | MUA: Mal Bobotis | groom suit: Oscar Hunt

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Petit Bouquet

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Do you know what pairs perfectly with a sleek modern backdrop like that of Belle Mer? The brightest pop of coral peony. That gorgeous bloom is woven throughout this seaside affair with stunning floral installations crafted by Stoneblossom Florals and some of the best views Newport has to offer. Peek inside the gorgeous details of this sweet couple’s wedding day with image after pretty image captured by Twah Dougherty.

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Rachel And Francis got married in the beautiful seaside town of Newport Rhode Island, filled with old world charm and nautical elegance. They incorporated their favorite Light House by Castle Hill into their wedding invitations and the silhouette of Newport Bridge into their paper details. Stoneblossom Florals used driftwood as a seaside detail to incorporate beautiful florals for their table arrangements. Rachel and Francis kept their vision classic with a clean white palette. They incorporated an Indian fusion menu to pay respect to Francis Indian heritage.

From the Bride… As soon as we got engaged, we immediately knew that we wanted to get married in Newport, Rhode Island. We spend a lot of time there during the summer months and few places compare. Newport’s yacht-filled harbors and Gilded Age Mansions make it easy to fall in love with the small town. Newport has many options when looking for a wedding venue. We visited at least fifteen venues before we selected our favorite, Belle Mer. We fell in love with the views, and the all-white decor that allowed us to customize everything! Belle Mer is a beautiful sea-side venue sitting along the coastline of Narragansett Bay, overlooking the Newport Bridge. We wanted to pick a day of the month that would be special so we decided to get married on my grandparent’s 57th wedding anniversary. The vision for our wedding was classic with a subtle nod to Newport’s seaside location. We had our invitations designed by Robinson Press. We used views of our favorite lighthouse in Newport as the backdrop for our invitations. We knew we wanted our flowers to be the focal point of the reception. Stone blossom florals helped our vision become a reality. We chose bright flowers that were hand woven through driftwood centerpieces, accented by warm candlelight. When choosing the food we selected an Indian-fusion menu to incorporate both of our cultures and to allow our guests to try something new! It was the perfect day in every way. Our amazing photographer Twah Dougherty and her team captured it beautifully and all of our vendors were wonderful to work with. With an incredible team and wonderful coordinator, we were able to relax and enjoy every moment.

Photography: Twah Dougherty | Coordination: Stephanie from Belle Mer | Floral Design: Stoneblossom Floral and Wedding Design | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Cake: Belle Mer A Longwoods Event | Invitations: Robinson Press | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Essense of Australia | Catering: Belle Mer A Longwoods Event | Calligraphy: Little Flower Calligraphy | Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Garter: The Garter Girl | Music Entertainment: Luke Renchan Entertainment | Trolly: Newport Limousine Service | Veil: Sara Gabriel

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Stoneblossom Floral and Wedding Design

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There’s no doubt that a black and white palette or neutrals are timeless all the way, but that doesn’t mean a whopping dose of color can’t be timeless, too. That’s exactly what Events Held Dear and Evergreen Flower Co. set out to while dreaming up this slice of inspo. Hue happy and forever pretty? Definitely. There’s no doubt in my mind this pretty collection of images by Nicole Clarey will be turning heads for years to come.

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From Nicole Clarey Photography… The early winters in Ohio are very grey, so we wanted to bring the outdoors, indoors for our Get It Girl Workshop in Columbus, Oh. For a minute you forget about the cold weather and feel those California, boho vibes we pulled so much inspiration from for this shoot. Terra-cotta was our main color inspiration and wanted to accent it with complementing colors of pinks and yellows, with just a touch of blue to make a statement. These days it seems like brides are afraid of color, but Events Held Dear and Evergreen Flower Co. prove that you can make a bold palette, timeless.

One of my favorite touches was the map Inkwell + Co. included in the invitation suite. It’s an adorable touch to an otherwise simple suite, but gives so much interest. It really brought the story together. The number one thing we taught at the workshop was to always have intent when creating and doing business. Everything you use for a shoot should have purpose and circles back to your main idea and that map was a great example of that.

Photography: Nicole Clarey Photography | Floral Design: Evergreen Flower Co. | Gown: B.Loved Bridal | Shoes: BHLDN | Rings: Trumpet & Horn | Invitations + Calligraphy: Inkwell & Co. | Event Stylist + Coordinator: Leda Anderson Events | Hair + Makeup Artist: Blushed By Victoria | Plates: Anthropologie | Ribbon: The Lesser Bear | Wine Glasses: Anthropologie

The ceremony is undoubtedly among the most memorable moments at any wedding, but it was extra special for this Bride’s Southern wedding planned by Design Studio South. After her father walked her down the aisle, he turned around and officiated the ceremony! She explains, “Each word had extra meaning as it was the first man I loved marrying me to the last man I’ll love.” The beautiful moments don’t stop there, so keep scrolling to see all the photos of the day, from the always-dreamy Jenny Yoo Bridesmaids’ dresses to the garden-worthy florals by A to Zinnias, captured by The Happy Bloom.

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From The Happy Bloom… Myles and Brianna’s wedding day was full of laughter, love, and pretty pops of lavender! Talk about the perfect spring wedding day here in the South. Brianna and her girls began their day at a beautiful, light-filled mansion in historic Savannah, Georgia, with fresh flowers all around and champagne in every glass. Brianna chose a nearby square for the girls’ photos, full of greenery and Southern charm. Her Bridesmaids donned grey dresses and held bouquets with shades of midnight purple, soft lavender, and clean ivory. Myles and his guys got ready nearby in a riverside hotel. The boys opted for a gray stone mansion for their portraits, the perfect sophisticated backdrop for their photos. Read more of their story below!

From the Bride… My husband and I are both from Georgia, so we knew we wanted to get married in the South, and what better place than Savannah, Georgia? It was close (enough) to where we live so we can visit often, and it just doesn’t get any better than the Spanish moss and the beautiful historic homes. We knew immediately it was the place for us!

My husband had only one request during the planning process: to NOT get married during football season! We both attended Auburn University, so getting married during Auburn’s football season was just not an option. Instead, we chose a weekend in May — the same weekend as my grandparents’ 54th wedding anniversary. To honor their anniversary and our marriage, we had a dance for three generations at the reception – me and my husband, my parents, and my grandparents.

If I had to choose one word that we wanted our day to revolve around, I would choose “dreamy.” We envisioned a light and airy day that just flowed together perfectly. We wanted things to feel romantic, so we opted for mauve tones and greenery in the florals, which really popped against the gray in the fabrics. I wanted my dress to have a tulle skirt so it and my veil could drag behind me, also creating more of a romantic feel. We also knew we wanted a more intimate wedding with only our closest friends and family, but we still wanted it to be fun.

For me, I would have to say the ceremony was the most memorable part. Aside from FINALLY getting to marry Myles, my father officiated the ceremony, so it was extra special. He gave me words of encouragement, walked me down the aisle, and then turned around and married me to my husband. The ceremony didn’t last long, but each word had extra meaning as it was the first man I loved marrying me to the last man I’ll love.

For five out of the six years we were together before we were married, we were long distance. We are so excited to finally be able to spend time together without worrying about when one of us has to travel back home. We have a sweet golden retriever, Jack, and we are just happy to relax and see where life takes us!

Photography: Justin Leon Brown (formerly The Happy Bloom) | Event Planning: Design Studio South | Floral Design: A to Zinnias | Wedding Dress: Watters | Cake: Savannah's Hall Of Cakes | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Lauren B Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Thrive Catering | Hair and Makeup: Beyond Beautiful By Heather | Suits: Michael Kors | Ceremony Music: New Arts Ensembles | Wedding Venue: Trustees Garden | Bridal Boutique: House Of The Bride | Ceremony Sound: All About You Entertainment | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab | Paper Goods: Every Little Something | Reception Band: Deas Guyz | Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals

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Jenny Yoo

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Infused with the most gorgeous jewel tones, watercolor and a pop of gold, this Texas celebration crafted by Two Be Wed is the perfect combination of beautiful design and sentimental details. From heirloom family jewelry to show-stopping floral installations by Blush and Vine and the sweetest gifts between the Bride and Groom, see how this wedding captured by Dana Fernandez really let the couple’s personality shine through.

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From photographers (Dana and Josh) and Ashley Joseph (Two Be Wed)… I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this couple and their wedding! Betsy and Joel are definitely one of a kind! When we first met Betsy, we were one of the first vendors she booked besides her venue so she was still looking for the majority of her vendors. Almost everyone we suggested (which was based on a previous styled shoot we did that she loved), she ended up booking. She viewed every vendor as very talented and let each of us interpret her style board from Two Be Wed with our own take because she thought that we each could come up with the most creative ideas when there were minimal requirements involved. To say the least, each vendors’ end product was unique and beyond beautiful.

Betsy’s inspiration for the day were rich fall colors with pops of gold. She absolutely loved watercolor, calligraphy and florals. Also, Betsy and Joel are very sentimental and wanted their personalities to be shared with each guests as well as what they wore and gave each other on their wedding day. Betsy wore a custom engraved gold cuff with their wedding date as well as heirloom pieces from her grandmother (rings and bracelet). In addition to these, she had pictures of her family that had passed, each individually framed in small frames that were tied to her bouquet. Joel created custom patterned ties for himself and his groomsmen with his being extra special with their wedding date sewn into to the back of the tie. As for their gifts to each other, they each secretly consulted with Nib and Pixel to create a unique gift with their vows to each other incorporated. Since Joel loves cigars, she had her vows custom written and engraved on the lid of a humidor. Along side some cigars for Joel to enjoy on the wedding day, she had custom labels wrapped around cigars for Joel for major milestones of their life (wedding day, first home, first child, anniversaries, etc). Joel’s present to Betsy was a custom hand drawn 4 foot banner with a space to thread a rod so it can hang in their new home together.

Since they had a lot of out of town guests, each one received a welcome bag with information about Texas and was filled with all of their favorite snacks and goodies. In addition to each guest having their name laser cut for their escort card at their seat, they each were given a “midnight snack” box with Topo Chico (Betsy’s favorite), Coke and their favorite popcorn.

As for the reception, since both Betsy and Joel do not drink alcohol, they had a custom coffee bar set-up and had not only 1 but 3 total cakes. One of my favorite surprises was the gift that Betsy’s father gave Joel. When Betsy was a child, her father gifted her a heart necklace and at the reception, her father gave Joel the matching key, which he had been saving for Betsy’s future husband.

Overall, Betsy and Joel and their families are some of the best around and the amazing custom details was the icing on top for one of our favorite weddings to date!

Florals: Blush and Vine | Gown: Pronovias | Hair and Makeup: Sara Fraser | Hair and Makeup: Kara Jemison | Groom's Suit: Jos A Bank | Ceremony Music: Third Floor Strings | Bridal Boutique: Brickhouse Bridal | Bridal Cake: Kiss the Cook Cakes | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Calligraphy, Menu, Invitations, Save The Dates, Custom Wedding G: Nib And Pixel | Ceremony and Reception: The Woodlands Country Club Palmer Course | Coffee Bar: Southside Espresso | Custom Ties: Knotty Tie | DJ, Lighting and Photobooth: LG Entertainment | Design & Planning: Two Be Wed | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Groom's Cake: Maple and Love | Linens & Rentals: Eb Inc Events | Photography & Styling: Josh & Dana Fernandez | Reception Shoes: Kate Spade | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Wedding Favor Popcorn: Emma's popcorn

This couple wanted their Hamptons wedding to feature a “JDM” – a jaw-dropping moment their guests (many of whom travelled to New York from the UK to celebrate) would never forget. With the help of their Ever Swoon Weddings & Events, they landed on the idea of having a confetti blower unexpectedly shower guests during the reception’s dance party led by Hank Lane Music. The surprise was wildly successful, and their beautiful beach chic wedding is one that will not be forgotten. Lucky for us, BETSI EWING STUDIO captured the “JDM”, so don’t forget to press play below after seeing the gorgeous gallery.

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From the Bride… Montauk is such a special place to us – it is where we spend our summers and where we got engaged (at Gurney’s, to be exact). Only minutes after our engagement, we found ourselves sipping celebratory champagne at the outdoor bar watching them prepare for a wedding that evening. At that very moment, we knew Gurney’s was going to be our venue. With the picturesque ocean views, cotton candy skies at sunset, and modern yet beach inspired décor – there was no question.

My husband is from England, so we had many guests traveling from across the pond to celebrate with us, and we wanted to ensure they had the most amazing experience. One night was not enough, so we planned an entire wedding weekend. On Thursday, we started with our Rehearsal Dinner at The Surf Lodge’s private outdoor space with 50 of our closest friends and family. On Friday, we rented out The Sloppy Tuna and invited every wedding guest to join us for passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails accompanied by live music and corn hole!

For the big day, Saturday, we were married at St. Therese Church right in town, which was so convenient for guests as they could walk from their hotels (although we did organize roundtrip transportation for everyone regardless of where they were staying). Our cocktail hour was on the outdoor lower deck at Gurney’s with an over the top raw bar to fit the beach theme as well as many other delicious cuisines. And, you can’t forget our signature cocktail – champagne with an upside down popsicle, perfect for a warm summer day! Everyone LOVED it! For cocktail hour entertainment, we brought in a steel drum player to set the vacation mood and help our guests unwind. It was the perfect touch!

Finally, all guests were escorted to the main event, which took place underneath a grand marquis/tent overlooking the ocean. Our wedding location inspired my vision for our tent decor – I like to call it “beach chic”. I chose natural and neutral colors, driftwood accents, hints of metallic and mercury glass, and a touch of greenery. I wanted everyone to feel like they were outside even though we were under a tent! Our amazing florist brought this vision to life – our centerpieces were unexpected, like a piece of abstract art mimicking the unpredictable aspects of nature. Our flowers focused on ivory hydrangea and snapdragon, pale pink dahlias, and hints of green willows and eucalyptus. The head table was my favorite part – it featured a table runner made of driftwood filled with mismatched floral arrangements and endless candlelight and a wall of cascading greenery and flowers that hung behind the table providing the perfect backdrop for pictures.

I was also in love with our escort card display. I love a good boxwood wall, and our florist was able to recreate my vision exactly – two, six feet boxwood walls covered in the most perfect shade of green with pink and white roses affixed to the perimeter. The escort cards were pinned to satin ribbon which ran down the length of the display. It was a show stopper for sure! Since the flowers and escort card display had a rustic and natural feel, I wanted to balance out the tent to make sure it felt luxurious, so we brought in crystal chandeliers, fabric drapery for the ceilings and walls, as well as white-washed wood floors. It truly was the perfect combination of beach and chic.

Something that was very important to me was adding an element of surprise for our guests. My wedding planners and I discussed possibilities for a “JDM” (jaw dropping moment). Most of our ideas such as fireworks never came to fruition because of fire code or town regulations, but we didn’t stop there. Instead we rented two commercial confetti blowers that sat on either side of the stage where our band was. Just as the dance floor started to get crowded and one of our favorite songs played, the blowers went off, firing gold and silver confetti into the air. Everyone was blown away from the excitement! Since I couldn’t just stop at confetti, we took it one step further. Following the reception, everyone moved to the Regent Cocktail Club for our after party, for which we had a DJ. My husband and I made a grand entrance accompanied by a saxophone player who stayed for over an hour playing alongside the DJ. He was the life of the party, standing on chairs getting the crowd going. It was hands down one of the most memorable parts of the entire day and one that our guests still talk about!

So, those were all of the fancy and materialistic things we did – which, don’t get me wrong, were all amazing and made it such an unforgettable weekend. But, the most important part of it all was being able to look at my best friend and my now husband and think, “Wow! This is just the beginning!” It has been almost six months since our wedding day, and I must admit, every day gets better! My one piece of advice for all future rides is to not get caught up in the planning – things will go wrong and be stressful, but always remember you are marrying your best friend and nothing else matters!

Photography: BETSI EWING WEDDINGS | Cinematography: BETSI EWING WEDDINGS | Event Planning: ever swoon | Floral Design: L'Atelier Rouge | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Stationery: East Six | Ceremony Venue: St. Therese of Lisieux | Reception Venue: Gurney's Montauk Resort And Spa | Makeup: Cassandra Garcia | Hair: Joseph Maine | Lighting: Fushion | DJ: DJ Nicole | Groom's Attire: Baldwin Formals | Transportation: M V Limo | After Party: Gurney's Montauk Resort And Spa | Music: Hank Lane Music | Photo Booth: Photomadic | Rehearsal Dinner: Surf Lodge | Rosé: Wolffer Estate Vineyard | Tent Rentals: The New York Tent Company | Welcome Dinner: The Sloppy Tuna

From sassy, to sweet, to straight-up crazy, each bridesmaid has her own personality and a special place in the bride’s heart. Whether she and the bride were college roommates, BFFs, or just met a year ago, each girl is special and can come to the bride’s aid throughout the wedding planning process—and on the wedding day—by simply being herself.

Here are the five bridesmaids every bride needs.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Lindsey Taylor Photography

The Sassy One

This girl is ballz-y. She can say anything to anyone at any time–good or bad; without fear of the repercussions. She comes in super handy at the bar when a guy is being a creep, and she’s the bride’s biggest cheerleader. Put her in charge of your lingerie shower for an extra-festive soiree!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Latophotography

She’s going to come in clutch when the processional is playing, the photographers are in position and some guests arrive late and think they can squeeze through the bridal party to get to their seat or are blocking the best angle with their phone during the ceremony. This bridesmaid will SHUT. THAT. DOWN. Someone has to keep the guests in check.

The Cousin (or Sister)

Who better than family to plan a sentimental bridal shower? Like every family, yours has a history; probably with a dash of weirdness, a sprinkle of crazy, and a pinch of normal. It’s hard to explain your family to other people, but not to your cousin. You need one girl who has known you (and your family) your whole entire life. Who better to swoop in and save you when grandma starts to lecture you at the buffet about the tattoo she didn’t know you had? This girl will distract Grandma so you can get back to being a bride and not worrying about anyone.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Jacqueline Benét Photography

The Party Girl

This girl can turn a grocery trip from blasé to thrilling. The party girl bridesmaid will, naturally, be the go-to for planning a killer bachelorette party. She radiates joy and excitement, and she specializes in one very important thing: DANCING! Every wedding needs the bridesmaid who gets the party started and shuts down the dance floor at the end of the night. That takes commitment. This girl understands her most important role and will keep dancing no matter what.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Lindsey Taylor Photography

The Makeup Artist

The makeup artist is most likely your BFF who has been doing your makeup for years. Not only is she good at doing makeup, she LOVES doing it. This will be an advantage to the bridal party if one of the bridesmaids, or moms needs some help with their eye makeup. She’ll love helping out and will help ensure everyone is photo-ready. Chances are, this one will also be your go-to for dress shopping!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Chris J. Evans

The Comedian

Wedding planning can easily be accompanied by some overwhelming feelings. She’ll be the first person you call when the stress of wedding planning sets in. All of your closest friends and family are getting together for the biggest day of your life. There could be a touch of drama, unexpectedly bad weather, or the groomsman who forgot his dress shirt. The comedian will laugh and keep things lighthearted through the ups and downs of the wedding day.

PHOTOGRAPHY | Amanda Callaway Photography

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger, and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband. 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.

We first met Aisha and Ben with their adorable waffle-making engagement session set in their California home. Today, these two are back to share a glimpse into their Sunstone Villa wedding with an intimate dinner party vibe. They treated their guests to a farm-to-table experience with heartfelt, personal details woven throughout the day. TEAM Hair + Makeup worked their beauty magic, Rebecca Yale + Blue Kite Cinema captured the moments (including a recognizable groomsman who sang during the ceremony!) and we’ve got it all here.

From Rebecca Yale… Aisha and Ben were married on a lovely Spring day in Santa Ynez, CA at Sunstone Vineyard. The bride and groom love to cook (their engagement session featured earlier this year was them making Sunday morning waffles) and wanted their wedding to feel like one big farm to table dinner party for all of their friends and family.

Inspired by the lavender fields in Santa Ynez the bridesmaids each carried small bunches of lavender, which popped against their black gowns. The groomsmen wore black suits while the groom wore blue, which the bride matched with her fun daisy covered shoes. Both bride and groom were escorted down the aisle by both sets of parents and were joined by their bridesmaids and groomsmen at the chuppah. A friend officiated the ceremony while multiple friends made personalized readings including a song.

Post ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ouerves by the tent before being welcomed to dinner and dancing. Instead of a traditional cake, the bride and groom opted for made-to-order ice cream by Super Cool Creamery, a dessert bar and then late night grilled cheese and french fries.

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Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Videographer: Blue Kite Cinema | Coordination: All You Need Is Love Events | Floral Design: Precious and Blooming Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Louvienne | Reception Venue: Sunstone Winery & Villa | Hair and Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Caterering: Seasons Catering | Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Anthony Ybarra | Lace Dress Topper: Lara at Folkore Studio | Reception Music: Red Shoe LA | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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To know Artifact Uprising is to be head-over-heels in love with Artifact Uprising, and when it comes to marrying stunning design with a timeless appeal, their new wedding invitation line is totally on point. Maybe that has a little something to do with their simple + clean aesthetic, premium paper choices or fab prices. Our guess? It’s a sweet combo of all of the above. Find the perfect first impression below.

When our fave place for wedding photo goods told us they were launching an invitation line that merged their eye for modern design with archival quality, FSC certified paper goods, we knew they were going to be awesome. And guess what? We were right. Because these are the type of invites that toss aside all of those traditional bells + whistles and embrace styles that pare it all down to the essentials. In other words? You can send these beauties to every single one of your friends and family, regardless of age or traditions. Not to mention the gorgeous details (think 15 customizable designs, four foil-stamping options, eight RSVP designs and three envelope colors) and amazing price points. We can’t argue with $2 a card, you guys.

Stunning wedding invites are the best place ever to get started, but Artifact Uprising also has you covered when it comes Save the Dates, Thank You cards, wedding guest books, photo albums and more. They’ve even made your custom print experience easy with curated collections that bring together all of their wedding products.

You can celebrate with collections that range from Standard to Classic to Premium, giving you a 10% – 20% savings on your purchase. All you have to do is choose a package and purchase it upfront at a discounted rate. You’ll receive gift card codes via email to use on each of the items in your collection. Sounds simple, right? It is. And your codes will never expire, so you can create when you want.

What: Artifact Uprising is giving one lucky reader a $250 credit towards any wedding product!

How: Simply visit Artifact Uprising, peruse their beautiful wedding products and leave us a comment below telling us which one is your fave. (Ex: I love the Bold Beginnings wedding invitation!)

Who: One lucky reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, August 25, 2017!

Official Rules: Click Here

Artifact Uprising is giving all SMP readers 10% off wedding products with code SMPxArtifactWed10. Offer expires August 25, 2017.

Beautiful florals are the cornerstone of many of the stunning weddings we see here at Style Me Pretty. From drop dead gorgeous bouquets to intricate floral installations, if there is one way to up the wow factor of your wedding, it’s flowers, flowers, and more flowers!

You might have a little sticker shock when pricing out your wedding flowers, so Stacy K Floral is here to help explain four reasons why arrangements cost what they do.

Alexandra Elise Photography

Shipping + Importing

Shipping and importing costs (how far each flower traveled to get to you) are a major factor in the price of wedding florals. Flowers travel all over the world in either two-day air or refrigerated truck to get to your florist. Rising costs of shipping and decreasing number of American flower farms have caused floral prices to increase in recent years.

Alexandra Elise Photography

Knowledge

You are paying for knowledge. I know, I know, everyone is a florist, photographer, or event planner these days. But the people in these industries have devoted their lives to this art.  They have knowledge beyond a single DIY video or planning one event.  I personally have an Associate’s degree in floriculture merchandising and a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on marketing, plus I bring 22 years of experience in the industry.

Supply + Demand

Styles are not changing as quickly as they used to due to the internet, so blush and cream flowers are in high demand. Seasonal availability is also a major factor. Additionally, natural disasters in areas of the world can impact availability (for example, flooding on rose farms has caused a shortage of roses this spring).

Alexandra Elise Photography

Business Costs

Like any business, florists have overhead costs like floral tools, packaging, and delivery vehicles. Business expenses such as rent, insurance, and advertising also play a role. Additionally, florists pay designers a living wage to be on staff and often provide benefits and workers compensation.

When you look at all that goes into floral design, it’s certainly not just the pretty bouquet you see in the pictures! From the farm to the florist, a lot goes into making beautiful blooms shine.