If walking into Anthropologie gives you all the heart eyes, you’re going to want to spend some solid time with this dreamy Texas fete coordinated by Heavenly Day Events and designed by Gypsy Floral. I mean, can you EVEN?! And let’s just drop our jaws for this seriously beautiful Bride and her ‘maids. I mean, come on, does it get any prettier? Lauren Peele made sure to snap up every single inch and her images have happily consumed my morning. Join me right here.

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From Heavenly Day Events… Hiring the best that Austin has to offer certainly paid off for Kate and Wes. Just look at these stunning details… a timeless palate flawlessly combined with modern and Anthro touches that just somehow worked due to the meticulous design efforts made by Gypsy Floral. Wisely, they partnered with Loot Vintage Rentals, Birch & Brass and Premiere Event Rentals to bring all of these fabulous details to life. Building backdrops, creating displays and styling is something these designers clearly mastered. Of course, Prospect House is a dream that affords the best of natural light that can be chased all day against it’s crisp and white walls. A blank canvas for the best of all creativity to run wild. Photographer, Lauren Peele captured it with top level talent.

To provide a unique guest experience, Kate and Wes opted to hire Vannagram for memory making photos and chose to incorporate Voodoo Doughnuts in their dessert set up, alongside a cake from Sweet Treets Bakery. And yes, that’s with two E’s. Of course, part of the experience was having Peached Tortilla bring it home with an amazing menu. Known for their fusion, they wow’d guests with droolworthy awesomeness such as peach bbq sauce.

And can we talk about how stylish Kate is as a bride? I keep finding myself drawn to her look- that hair and makeup are breathtaking. Hint of Shimmer really brought out her natural beauty with a loose up-do and soft skin. As expected with a stylist of this caliber, Kate’s look managed to survive a night on the dance floor, courtesy of DJ Mark Warren, whom had guests on their feet all.night.long.

What does every wedding need to bring this all together? An event manager! Heavenly Day Events swooped in alongside Kate in the last six weeks to reconcile and tie it all in a bow. Having a fabulous team is on Heavenly Day’s “must have” list when considering clients and this was no exception in the fabulous team department.

Photography: Lauren Peele | Event Coordination: Heavenly Day Events | Event Design: Gypsy Floral | Floral Design: Gypsy Floral | Cake: Sweet Treets Bakery | Catering: The Peached Tortilla | Hair and Makeup: Hint Of Shimmer | Calligraphy: Lithesome Lettering | DJ: Exodus Sound Company | Ceremony and Reception: Prospect House | Donuts: Voodoo Doughnuts | Photo Booth: Vannagram & Co. | Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Premiere Events | Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals

When it comes to Save the Dates, wedding invitations and elopement announcements, finding stationery that is well-designed AND unique is key. So today we’re helping you achieve those #invitationgoals by teaming up with a community of designers that will totally deliver on that gorgeous paper goods promise. Skipt Paper Co. takes a bold (+ stunning) approach to invitation design that is perfect for those of you who want something a little outside the box. Scroll for 15 must-sees (and a discount) below.

We all know (and love) Skipt Paper Co. as the place that totally rocks an elopement announcement. Since 2015, they’ve been helping couples like you share THE big news with designs that are respectful, cheerful AND unapologetic. So to say we were excited to hear they were launching a new wedding invitation line that would take those beautiful standards and weave them into awesome Save the Dates, invites and more (!) is an understatement. And guess what? We weren’t disappointed… each design is as amazing as we thought.

Gathering a community of independent designers and bringing them to the masses is a genius idea, and Skipt Paper Co. brought together some of the most talented individuals ever to help with your wedding stationery needs. Think wedding invitation suites, Save the Dates, elopement announcements, custom address stamps, notecards, newlywed holiday cards, envelope printing and FREE revisions, all crafted with your unique story in mind. Guys, Skipt Paper Co. honestly has you covered.

If you’re looking for top notch wedding stationery designers with many, many years of experience and an eye for the bold and unique, Skipt Paper Co. will be your happy place. Head there now to peruse the beautiful options… and be sure to order a sample kit to really help you narrow down which design is for you. (It’s a hard choice.) Trust us – Skipt Paper Co. will take care of every last stationery detail while #youdoyou. Don’t wait another minute to start the process.

Enter code JUNESMP10 at checkout and save 10% off your entire order. Offer valid now through July 31, 2017 at 11:59 EST.

One of the best ways to prevent pre-honeymoon stress is to give yourself a week or two to make your packing list and check it twice. You’ll, of course, want to think through the clothes you’ll need for the weather, the fancy outfits you’ll pack for your romantic dinners and the items from your lingerie shower that should make an appearance (ooh la la)! But don’t forget to think through the random items that might make your trip more comfortable and memorable. Here are five items not to leave off the list!

Medications
You probably have a mini first aid kit, but if it’s not already in there, Pepto Bismol is a definite must. Wherever you go you might encounter some different kinds of foods, and you never know how you’ll react. Taking Pepto tablets preventatively before a meal can prevent any discomfort – which is awesome because an extended visit to the bathroom isn’t, ahem, romantic. Also be sure not to forget any prescription medications or items you regularly take for any known conditions.

Sunscreen
You likely are hoping for some sun on your trip. Don’t get sunburned, just don’t do it. Besides the fact that it’s terrible for your skin, you don’t want to spend your honeymoon wincing every time your new hubby brushes your arm. It’s worth noting that sunscreen can be a lot more expensive in some countries, and can get marked up at many resorts, so if you have space, throw in a few travel sized bottles.

A notebook
Pack a small journal or your phone/tablet equipped with your note-taking app of choice. This will be an experience to remember for a lifetime. You’ll surely take hundreds of pictures, but there is also something special about remembering the names of the restaurants where you ate, the song that was playing at the bar, the type of pastry you couldn’t get enough of, what made you laugh so hard you cried on the train. As a bonus – when you get home you can use one of the photo-printing websites to compile your shots into a keepsake book with detailed captions.

A collapsible tote bag
Give yourself permission to gather a few souvenirs of your special trip. Pack a collapsible tote bag or duffle that takes up little space in your suitcase but gives you some extra real estate on the way back. A lightweight tote also doubles as the perfect beach bag, or bag to sling over your shoulder as you wander a local market.

Blister BandAids
Right now you’re likely mostly focused on deciding how much of your lingerie and new outfits you can cram in your suitcase. But don’t forget that more than likely you’ll end up wanting to take an impromptu stroll and spending some time exploring your destination on foot. You’ll want a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and I’ve found there is nothing better than the band-aids designed for blisters to help a new pair of shoes feel old and worn in (they even stay put in the water). You don’t want to cut any adventure short because your feet can’t cut it!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Chloe O’Sullivan is a freelance writer and sales director based in Washington DC (soon relocating to Northern New Hampshire). When she isn’t writing, she can be found trying new restaurants, planning her next trip, or hiking with her soon to be husband.

Having a wedding at a far-off destination, either underneath tropical palm trees, in a quaint European village or on top of a mountain, can be beautiful and unique—but it’s not right for everyone. Here are some things you should consider before officially deciding to jet off with your wedding dress in tow.

Your Guests
Whether you have five guests or 100, the most important part of the wedding is who is there with you. Are your loved ones willing and able to travel to your destination? And will you be okay if there are a few who ultimately can’t attend? Make sure you are fully confident with your decision before moving forward!

The Communication
When you get married close to home, you have the luxury of seeing, and meeting, everyone and everything in person. You have the chance to become friendly with your vendors, and you get to see certain decisions come alive long before the day. But, with a destination, this isn’t always possible. Understand that you’ll be making a lot of choices via phone or email, and will have to be flexible when planning.

The Dress Code
If you envision your guests in tuxedos and floor-length gowns, you may want to rethink a destination wedding to a tropical island. If breezy and casual is more your speed, a wedding in the mountains may not work. This is also true for your own look: you want to look beautiful and be comfortable! Considering all of these little details will help you further decide if a destination is truly right for you.

Scheduling Events
If you are having your guests travel for your wedding, they most likely will be in the area for more than just one or two days. To accommodate them, you’ll need to schedule weekend events, whether it’s sit-down dinners, daytime activities, or simple gatherings to keep them entertained throughout the weekend (or week), not just the day of your wedding.

The Size
Circling back to number one, there may be some guests who won’t be able to attend. This means that if you imagined dancing the night away with your work BFF’s, second cousins and well, everyone you know, a destination may not be right for you. Even if the guest list is large, most destination weddings don’t accommodate huge groups, and you always have to be ready for a handful of guests who won’t be able to make it simply due to the travel.

While there are things to consider (and sometimes things to give up) when choosing a destination wedding, the pros often outweigh the cons. If you’re okay with all of the above, and your dream nuptials have you imagining sand in your toes at the beach or wrapped in a cozy blanket in the woods, it’s time to start planning that destination. Next step: plane tickets!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.

Hi readers, it’s Ali from A Dash of Details and former SMP Blogger Bride here to share our first anniversary in Maui, plus a few things I learned during our first year of marriage. After our honeymoon in Costa Rica, we knew we wanted to create a travel tradition for each anniversary and this year we were lucky enough to celebrate in Hawaiian paradise.

When we arrived at the Four Seasons Maui resort, we were greeted with traditional leis and ginger lemonade! It felt like we were right back on our honeymoon! From relaxing on the sandy beaches to beautiful dinners, this anniversary trip was the perfect time to reconnect and relax.

One of my favorite experiences during our stay was The Ultimate Dinner private dining experience. It was a unique and memorable way to reflect on the day we said “I Do.”

3 Lessons From Our 1st Year of Marriage

Compromise: My mom always said, “don’t sweat the small stuff” and oh, was she right. In the first year of marriage, I learned that compromise is the key to happy life.

Communication: While this seems simple, this can be the most difficult to learn. We have been together for almost ten years, and we have learned that spending the time to talk about our personal and relationship goals has created a strong foundation for our marriage.

Making Time for Each Other: With busy schedules, it can be tough to carve out time for each other. We started a tradition in our house to have a date night at least once a week. Whether it is dinner our favorite neighborhood restaurant or cooking a meal together at home; taking time for just the two of us have been so important in our growing relationship.

To keep updated on our life as a married couple, follow along over on A Dash of Details.

xoxo, Ali

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Photography: A Dash Of Details | Black Dress: Everything But Water | Black Swimsuit: Everything But Water | Blogger Bride: A Dash Of Details | Hat: Indego Africa | Resort: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea | Resort: Four Seasons Maui | Swimsuit: St. Bernard Sports

DIY projects can be fun to do, add a personal touch to your day and save you money. But, while a DIY project may seem like the less expensive option, ones that require a lot of materials and time may end up costing you more in the end. To help you narrow down your DIY to-do list, we give you some of our favorite DIY projects—and the one’s you should do without.

TO DIY

Jamie Grenough

Your Menus
Whether set on each placesetting or scrawled on a chalkboard, menus are a fun way to get creative during wedding planning. Find an idea you love that matches your décor and go for it! Adding a pop of color or a personal photo to your menus is a super easy way to leave a lasting impression and amp up your decor. We especially love this DIY watercolor menu, with easy step-by-step instructions.

Your Bridesmaid Gifts
These should be personal, and the best way to make something personal is to do it yourself. Opting to create your own bridesmaid gifts is also great because there are so many ways to spin it. Not super creative? Throw a party instead! Really love writing? DIY your own cards for your favorite girls. Whatever you choose, your bridesmaids will be happy to know that you put so much effort into making them happy. For more DIY bridesmaid gift ideas, check out this list.

Leslee Mitchell

Your Favors
Depending on your guest count, this one could get tedious (we suggest leaving the baking to the professionals unless you plan to be up the night before your wedding covered in flour!). But, even with a large wedding, the options here are plenty. Try something simple like setting out a candy table with take-home baggies for your guests or bottle up some infused oils or check out two of our favorite DIY favors: “love in bloom” succulents (only five steps!) and these soy wax candles.

NOT TO DIY

Your Main Décor (including flowers)
Adding personal touches to smaller items like menus and ceremony programs is great, but leave the big stuff, like your bouquet, your chuppah, and your centerpieces to your florist. Putting together bouquets for you and your bridesmaids may seem easy, but it’s actually quite tedious. Plus, seeing your design come to life on the day-of (without you having to help) is a great way to kick off the big day.

Your Food (or your cake)
As we mentioned before, baking the night before your wedding is not an ideal situation; the same can be said for cooking. Food is something that is mostly done last minute—and last minute things will keep you stressed and unable to fully enjoy the day. Whether you hire a caterer or leave the food to a trusted family member, just make sure it’s not on your shoulders.

Skyla Walton

Your Photos
You may have a friend who takes great photos on his vacations, but it’s still wise to hire a true professional. Your wedding photos are something that stay with you forever, so you want them to be great. Just trust us: if you’re going to use your wedding budget on anything, use it on photography. You won’t regret it once you’re looking at an album full of the most beautiful photos you’ve ever seen.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.

Some of the most fun parts leading up to your wedding day are the photo shoots! Bridal portrait session are a southern tradition, and many a Bride now also opts for a boudoir shoot as a special gift for her groom. However, two separate photo sessions can not only get pricy, but they also take a lot of time! So why not combine them?  Here Smith House Photography, Mibellarosa Designs, and Hey Lovely Makeup created a ballerina inspired shoot that demonstrates how you can easily transition from bridal to boudoir in the same day, plus they explain the benefits of combining the two below!

Bridal portraits are a southern tradition – especially here in the big State of Texas! You get you hair and makeup done, wear your beautiful dress, and take gorgeous photos prior to the wedding and sans the groom (because hello, that’s bad luck!). Then you’ll have fun making sure the groom doesn’t see how your hair and makeup will look for the big day and that none of the gorgeous photos are leaked!

The effort takes a team – the hair and makeup artist, the florist, the photographer – and basically half a day, from start to finish. Most of the time it’s done at a studio rental or at the reception venue. Truth of the matter is, as wedding photographer Becki of Smith House Photography shares, most Brides rarely print their any more photos beyond one or two beautiful portraits to display at the reception.

But who is only going to shoot for 10-15 minutes after you have your hair and makeup done? You may have also been considering a boudoir shoot to gift to your future husband as a keepsake, but that also requires hair and makeup, a hotel or studio rental, and another photography session. Becki suggests tackling both your bridal and your boudoir sessions in one day to make it sweet, simple, and convenient for you and the entire production team!

Here are three reasons why you should schedule your bridal and boudoir sessions on the same day:

1. Your hair and makeup will already be done. Gals generally use their bridal hair and makeup trial run for their bridal portraits. Once you’re already beautifully dolled up, you should absolutely make the most of it! Makeup and hair trial, bridal session, and boudoir session – now, that’s killing THREE birds with one stone!
2. No lies needed to surprise the groom! Engaged couples are nearly inseparable, so the idea of trying to schedule a boudoir session for images to gift to him without him figuring it out may be stressful! However, “I’m going to get my bridal portraits done,” immediately implies, “You are not invited,” and doesn’t attract any additional questions. Smart thinking, right?
3. This is super budget-friendly and saves time! Who doesn’t like the thought of that, especially during wedding planning? There’s no need to clear two separate days on your calendar (More time to spend cuddling with Mr. Right? Yes, please!), no need to pay twice for a venue/studio, hair and makeup, and separate portrait sessions. Extra money? Heck yea! You could take the savings and spend it on something to make your sessions extra special, memorable, and jaw-dropping. For example, add a bridal bouquet for the bridal portraits, go all out with a floral installation for the boudoir session, add a flower crown, or splurge on some amazing lingerie that may have otherwise been out of budget.

For this shoot, we wanted to showcase the versatility in styling flowers, hair, and makeup for bridal portraits as well as boudoir. For the flowers, floral artist Phuong of Mibellarosa Designs created a bouquet that’s as delicate, graceful, and full of movement as the beautiful ballerina bride. She also created a compote arrangement for stunning still shots of the bride. The bouquet was then transformed into loose florals while the compote arrangement completed the look of the green installation bed used for the boudoir setting afterwards. Hair and makeup expert Erica of Hey Lovely gave the bride a braid that could be worn up for her bridal session and then easily taken down for a sweet yet sultry look for her boudoir shots.

Photography: Smith House Photography | Floral Design: Mibellarosa Designs | Hair and Makeup: Hey Lovely Makeup | Calligraphy: Camel & Birdie | Lingerie, Veil and Robe: GirlandaSeriousDream | Location: Olde Dobbin Station | Model: Katarina Zarutskie

Pantone’s color of the year, Greenery, is playing the starring role in this wedding inspiration dreamed up by Ivory Birch and Alex Warschauer Photography. A mix of organic, rambling florals and greenery by Inessa Nichols and bright white surroundings of Lombardi House gives this inspiration classic vibes with a modern twist. See all the beauty unfold (and more of that gorgeous stationery by Chasing Linen!) in the gallery.

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Photography: Alex Warschauer Photography | Videography: MarmoFilms | Floral Design: Inessa Nichols | Wedding Dress: Gossamer | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup + Hair: Cheek to Cheek Artistry | Car Rental: Classy Chassis Rentals | Barn: The Lombardi House | Design, Styling, Planning: Ivory Birch | Model: Delaney Sager | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Stationery and Calligraphy: Chasing Linen

When an heiress gets married, expect a lavish, over-the-top wedding. But when the 23-year-old Swarovski Crystal heiress gets married, expect that and so, so much more! Like a million-dollar wedding dress complete with more than 500,000 crystals. That’s precisely what Victoria Swarovski wore when she said “I do,” to Werner Mürz, a Munich-based entrepreneur, in Trieste, Italy.

With the help of A-list designer, Michael Cinco (who’s worked with stars like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Rihanna), Swarovski custom-designed her extravagant ballgown. With more than 500,000 crystals, laser-cut flowers and pailettes, the long-sleeve sheer bodiced gown weighed an estimated 100 lbs. She completed the look with a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos, and a 26-foot lace-lined veil just like the princess she is.

Following the ceremony at Cathedral of San Giusto, the 250 guests headed to Maxi’s Restaurant Portopiccolo for dinner and dancing by the sea. From the cake to the centerpieces to the flower girls’ crowns, baby’s breath created heavenly arrangements throughout.

And that was just the wedding! Celebrations kicked off Thursday night with a red-hot welcome party at Falisia Resort & Spa. With a dress code of women in red and men in white, the night was destined for romance!

Photography: Getty Images

Having diverse interests is probably one of the things that makes you such a strong couple—you’re always teaching each other new things, even if it causes a few disagreements. Planning your dream honeymoon together is just another way to strengthen your union, and have the trip of a lifetime to look forward to post-wedding.

Here are five honeymoon planning tips for the couple who may not agree on every detail.

Set your budget.
While obvious, it’s important to do first – it’s no fun planning your dream trip only to discover it’s way outside your means. Be realistic with yourselves about how much money you’re able to comfortably spend – factor in any honeymoon registry contributions, if you have one. Don’t forget to look for savings in unlikely places – specifically any airline, hotel and credit card rewards you can cash in. These days you can use airline miles to book hotels, hotel points to book rental cars, credit card points for a new bikini – you get the picture!

Finally, agree on where you’ll prioritize spending your money – do you want to go somewhere exotic and far away if it means less money for a hotel? Will you splurge on adventures but not meals? Don’t skimp on somewhere pleasant to stay—you’ll want a beautiful place to relax together at the end of the day!

Agree on the feel of the trip.
What do you picture: lounging by the water? Thrill seeking excursions? Exotic dinners? Choosing exotic vs. familiar, city vs. country, mountain vs. ocean will help you narrow your list. The great news, if you’re like my fiancé and me, is there are plenty of places where you can have it all (or close to it). We are travel opposites, so we chose Spain to be able to explore new cities, but also lay on some beautiful beaches.

Think about the weather and time of year.
Once you decide when you’re able to go (whether right after the wedding or several months later), be realistic about the weather at your possible destinations. If you know you want snow, or warm waters, it’s a great way to narrow down your list. You can also eliminate options if you know it’ll be peak tourist season, and too expensive or crowded. Do your research and find a spot that will have your ideal weather, but won’t be peak visitor season for the best experience.

Try something new.
Having a brand new activity you’ll try on your trip is a great way to build anticipation for your honeymoon. Trying something new together is also a wonderful way to create lasting memories. For the couple that has varied interests, it’s a good way to find common ground (rather than planning something just one of you likes). While my fiancé and I differ on a lot of things, we both love food, so we decided our first cooking class was the perfect activity!

Compromise.
My fiancé and I had the best time planning our honeymoon because it was all about building an experience that would offer new memories.  We’ll get to tap into our shared love of long dinners, exploring castles, and shopping open air markets. I’ll indulge his love of art museums, let him linger in front of a few paintings (then he’ll escort me to the museum cafe), and he’ll lounge on a beach for me (but I’ll be sure to sneak in adventurous boat ride for him). Embrace the compromise!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Chloe O’Sullivan is a freelance writer and sales director based in Washington DC (soon relocating to Northern New Hampshire). When she isn’t writing, she can be found trying new restaurants, planning her next trip, or hiking with her soon to be husband.

This darling couple said I do beneath a show-stopping, distressed birch canopy with grapevines, herbs, garden roses, and field flowers woven throughout in a colorful celebration orchestrated by Alegria by Design. As an environmentally conscious couple, they kept the feel of the day organic, choosing to substitute leaves for paper whenever possible. TEAM Hair and Makeup complemented the wedding’s aesthetic with the Bride’s natural beauty look, and the whole event was captured beautifully by Jake + Necia Photography.

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From Alegria by Design… For Julie and Peter’s Santa Ysidro Ranch Wedding, it had to be romantic, casual yet refined, with the vibe of their free spirits woven throughout every decision and detail. As an ecologically minded couple, it was decided that as little paper as possible was to be used. Hand-lettered monstera leaves for menus and lemon leaves for escort cards were created by Santa Barbara designer, Sophia Uretz of Sophia Loves Letters.

For their wedding ceremony in the round, floral designer Michael Mantalos of LouLoudi Design Studio created a distressed birch canopy with natural grapevine woven throughout as a focal piece. The canopy was then laden with herbs, garden roses, and abundant field flowers spilling and climbing throughout. Lavender plants and distressed clay pots with flowering annuals finished off the magical garden design. An ombre petal carpet in blues and purples covered the ceremony floor.

After enjoying cocktails in the ranch’s citrus and herb garden, guests were welcomed to an intimate dinner in the hydrangea cottage and inner courtyard. Feasting tables of bright blue mandala linens and fragrant garden roses greeted guests, while hypnotic sounds of Brazilian jazz filled the night air. Later that evening, I received a handwritten note from dearest Julie, which read, “Dreams Came True.” It’s a treasured note that I now keep on my desk to look at everyday.

Photography: Jake And Necia Photography | Event Planning: Alegria by Design | Floral Design: Louloudi Design | Invitations: Honey Paper | Hair and Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Venue: San Ysidro Ranch | Entertainment and Lighting: AMS Entertainment | Escort Cards: Sophia Loves Letters | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

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ANY Vera Wang number is a showstopper in my opinion. But a pink Vera Wang? Hold the phone. This Bride absolutely rocked hers and it was perfect for this city fete planned by LOLA Event Productions. How fun would it be to prance in the street in this beauty?! Amanda Megan Miller Photography captured it beautifully, along with the entire day—here in the full gallery.

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From Kirsty Basch of LOLA Event Productions… Jenna and John wanted an intimate celebration full of good music and great food. We love giving the client what they want! They found the perfect location for their affair at A New Leaf in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Being a flower shop, a New Leaf provides the perfect amount of quaint and cozy, all while surrounding it’s guests in a garden-like atmosphere.

The day started at the Public hotel where Jenna enjoyed the company of her bridesmaids. It was impossible for anyone to ignore the gorgeous blush Vera Wang gown in the room which was the perfect accessory to the bride’s beaming smile. She was truly a vision.

Their courtyard ceremony was warm and welcoming, and full of laughs. You know a couple is meant to be when they each shout ‘HELL YES’ when asked if they would take the others’ hand in marriage. The reception to follow was just as fun. To create a relaxed, less formal, environment, Jenna and John chose to have a cocktail style reception instead of a classic sit down dinner. Per usual, Limelight catering wow’d with their delectable small bites, raw bar, and charcuterie station, – just to name a few! And who could forget about the donut wall from Do-Rite Donuts?! Guests were definitely energized after a fantastic meal to get out and shake it on the dance floor!

We loved the simplicity and softness of the decor at this wedding. The blush peonies and accents of greenery everywhere provided a nice feminine touch while still keeping some edge and sophistication with the brick walls and industrial feel of the space. As always, finishing off the space with an abundance of candlelight will do the trick to set the mood! There were perfect details all around to show off the subtle and classic style of the couple while complimenting, not competing with the already gorgeous surroundings of the venue. This intimate Chicago wedding was oh so dreamy!

Photography: Amanda Megan Miller Photography | Wedding Planner: LOLA Event Productions | Floral Design: A New Leaf Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Catering: LIMELIGHT food illuminated | Makeup: Joanna B Artistry | DJ: Toast and Jam | Hotel: Public Hotel | Ceremony & Reception: A New Leaf | Donuts: Do Rite Donuts | Pie: Hoosier Mama Pies

Given that the Bride is a musicologist scholar and the Groom has played the accordion and piano since the age of four, it was no surprise that they infuse their passion for music throughout their wedding day in the French Riviera. From the beautiful, personal performances by their gifted friends during the ceremony and the thoughtful song selections to the sing-a-long style first dance and the Groom’s joyful rendition of old French love songs on the accordion at the reception, Anne-Claire Brun Photography captured each magical, musical moment.

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From Anne-Claire Brun Photography… Last summer I got to shoot a romantic wedding on the French Riviera. Orlene and Guillaume got married in the Groom’s parents’ villa on a hillside in the beautiful village of Mougins on the “Côte d’Azur”. It was beautiful! They had a jazz quartet from Cannes playing throughout cocktail hour and some of their incredibly talented friends got up to dance, sing, and play along with them. Just before dessert, Guillaume played the accordion, and everyone sang along to French classics – it was a wonderful atmosphere!

From the Bride… Guillaume and I met thanks to Guillaume’s best friend, Baptiste (who ended up being one of his best men at the wedding!). Baptiste and I met once in Paris in 2008, but it wasn’t until I had moved back to Cambridge later that year that I saw a video posted on Baptiste’s Facebook page of a guy playing this beautiful piece of music on an old piano. I remember writing a comment underneath the video, asking about the name of the piece. The guy in the video (who turned out to be Guillaume!) wrote back, saying that it was just something he had made up. That was the first and last contact we had until three years later, in 2011, when I finished my doctorate in musicology.

We reconnected again, thanks to music, and after hundreds of emails, letters, and phone conversations, we finally met in person in December of 2011 on a wintry Tuesday in Paris at the big blue door on Rue Etienne Marcel. He was tall, well-dressed, and his heart was racing. I was a foot smaller than him, slightly nervous, with a beaming smile. He carried my suitcase into his apartment, and I never left.

For the proposal, he waited until we were in the middle of nowhere, in Iceland, where the sunsets last for three hours in the summer. We were sitting on the top of a hill overlooking a fjord in the tiny village of Stykkisholmur; it was almost midnight, and the sun was touching the horizon. I remember he reached into his pocket while saying, “Orlène, voudrais-tu faire un bout de chemin avec moi?” (Orlene, would you like to build the rest of your life with me?) I said yes with so many tears in my eyes that I didn’t even see the ring!

We absolutely loved the planning process. One of our favorite parts was working side by side with our incredible wedding planners Maëva and Cédric (Monsieur + Madame) on our aesthetic vision for the day. We met them in Mougins the summer before the wedding, and from then on, we planned everything together in detail. From creating the pictogram invitations down to finding the beautiful cutlery and bistro-style chairs we had in mind, they were there to help us at every step. We loved seeing all those months of planning brought to life by Monsieur + Madame on the day!

We also loved finding and planning the day with each of the artisans that made the wedding what it was: from our photographer, Anne-Claire, and her all-important emphasis on soft and romantic natural lighting to the exquisitely refined cuisine of Provence chef, Steven Borishansky, not to mention the beauty of both the dessert table by Citron Pavot and the floral design by Julie Guittard.

On a more personal note, for Brides-to-be, I would really recommend taking the time during the planning process to find a a hair and makeup artist you fully trust. I was so worried about looking too ‘done up’ on the day or looking too different from how I normally look. Harold James was one of the few makeup artists I came across whose motto was ‘natural and fresh’ for both hair and makeup. And looking back at the photos, I feel that’s exactly what he achieved!

The theme for the wedding was both ‘champêtre chic’ and ‘old movie retro glam’! We chose Guillaume’s parents’ garden for the wedding because we loved the idea of having an intimate space that already had so much meaning for us, and where our guests would feel at home. It’s a plus that their villa is literally on the top of a hillside in the beautiful village of Mougins, on the Cote d’Azur. So the location definitely allowed for the ‘champêtre’, garden-party vibe. The chic side of the theme was definitely all in the details: from the marquis style of the champagne glasses to the romantic, pastel palette of the flowers and the recurrence of natural materials like copper and wood in the décor. Our wedding planners and florist really got the look we had hoped for down to a T! I must admit that my wedding dress also inspired the theme, since it combined both elements: the flowing, romantic tulle texture and floral appliqué on the bodice and train gave the ‘champêtre’ aspect with the style and cut of the dress (the high-low hem) showcasing the all-important ‘chic’ aspect – my shoes!

The ‘old movie-retro glam’ theme came from our combined passions: given that I’m a musicologist/film scholar and that Guillaume makes films for a living (and has also played accordion and piano since the age of 4!), we knew both music and cinema would need to be featured in our wedding! So we arranged to have a cinema corner set up in the garden, with a big leather couch, popcorn, and light blankets for when it got chilly in the early hours of the morning. We projected clips from our favorite films, beginning with True Romance. We also had a Super-8 and vintage cameras dispersed on the tables to hint at the movie theme as well. For the music side of things, we asked some of our friends, who are professional musicians, to perform on the day, including an incredible 20s-style Charleston performance by our Russian swing dancer friend, Ksenia! Funnily enough, this created a sort of competition between our Irish and French guests to see who could sing and dance the most! It was amazing. I have never been at a more musical wedding in my life! The ambiance was electric!

There are so many of my favorite moments of the day, it’s hard to choose! But the moment the town mayor gave us our ‘livret de famille’, our family register, was one of my favorite moments because it meant so much to me – to officially be a family. Other favorite moments include: the first look, which really felt like a fairytale! I remember seeing Guillaume from behind, dressed in his blue Vivienne Westwood suit, and then seeing him turn around and smile. He just looked so incredibly handsome, more handsome than I’d ever seen him before! I remember thinking, “How lucky am I!” Then driving to the ceremony together in a vintage Porsche Speedster was magical! And walking down the aisle together, hand in hand. Another favorite moment was the garden ceremony, it was so intimate and moving, so many laughs, some tears when our friends spoke. And later twirling in my dress during our photo session! And, of course, the moment when Guillaume played old French tunes on the accordion and everyone sang along – that is actually one of my happiest memories from the day! And, finally, driving back to the manoir together at 5 in the morning the next day, as the sun was coming up, listening to the sound of the old Porsche trying to make it up the winding, hilly streets of Mougins, feeling the breeze in my hair…such a special memory!

For the civil ceremony processional, we asked a friend, who is a professional violinist, to play a baroque piece by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s called L’Aria (in the style played by the French-based ensemble L’Arpeggiata). For the recessional, we decided to add a bit of lightness to the occasion by having her boyfriend, who is a professional trumpeter and a very old friend, play Mendelssohn’s Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Opus 61. It made us smile because it’s such a traditional song for what was quite the non-traditional wedding!

For the garden ceremony, we asked the same friends to play the Irish reel Repeal the Union on violin and guitar as played by ‘The Gloaming’ (one of our favorite Irish traditional music groups). For the recessional, we actually wanted to have the theme music from the film True Romance. But it required an ensemble of marimbas (and though we do have talented musician friends, none of them play the marimba). So since the garden ceremony went straight into the cocktail hour, the jazz quartet started playing and the champagne was opened, and that served as the recessional music!

We decided to have guest participation during our first dance, choosing a well-known French love song, La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf. However, we chose to dance to Louis Armstrong’s English version of the song with its romantic rhythm and that gorgeous piano/trumpet intro, and we had our guests sing along in French (our wedding planners printed out the lyrics and handed them to everyone as we got up to dance!) It turned out to be so funny because everyone started singing too early, during the song’s introduction, which made the whole thing even more memorable and fun!

My advice for future Brides and Grooms is to be as present as you can on the day of the wedding. So many couples say that it’s a day that goes by so fast! But for us, because we were aware of being 100% present, we can remember every single detail. Savor every minute! I would also advise Brides and Grooms to make sure they have time together on the day, just the two of them. I really loved the moments we had on our own – they gave us time to reflect on what was happening, what it really meant, the importance of what we were doing, and then the realization of actually being married! And finally, try to spend as much time as possible with your guests on the day. Since there were only 40 guests at our wedding, we spent quality time with each and every guest. I know that’s not always feasible at a bigger wedding. But it did make the whole day feel so much more intimate and special, for us and for them.

Photography: Anne-Claire Brun Photography | Event Design: Monsieur+Madame | Event Planning: Monsieur+Madame | Floral Design: Julie Guittard - Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Citron Pavot Traiteur | Stationery: Monsieur+Madame | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: My mother-in-law’s pearl earrings | Catering: Steven’s Kitchen/ Steven Borishansky | Hair and Makeup: Harold James | DJ: Monsieur+Madame | Favors: Le Labo | Favors: Drinks by the Dram | Groom's Attire: Vivienne Westwood | Officiant: Guillaume's dad | Accommodations: Le Manoir de l'étang | Music: Di Costanzo Jazz Quartet | Paper Goods: Monsieur+Madame

Vintage and Southern weddings go together like peaches and cream. They were meant for each other. All the proof you need is packaged up pretty in this sweet soiree planned by Boutique Planning and set at the beautiful William Aiken House. Complete with bow ties, lace and scenes like this, Marni Rothschild Pictures takes us on a Southern lovers adventure with these dreamy images.

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From Boutique Planning… Atlanta residents Alison and Ramsey wanted to treat their wedding guests to the best of Charleston and appropriately, they chose the Historic William Aiken House downtown as their wedding venue. The impeccably restored home is a dream to photograph because of the year round abundant light and rich colors and details inside each room. The bride and groom had a sweet first look to calm their nerves before they exchanged vows. The white pergola and fig ivy covered wall served as a striking backdrop for the ceremony and I love the way the natural greenery of the venue set off the bride’s stunning red hair. Everybody was elated and joined in a toast after the ceremony but nobody was more excited than Ramsey’s precious daughters who were literally jumping for joy! The neutral color palate of greens and whites fit the winter season perfectly and shared the spotlight with the already colorful interior of the house, where the guests were seated for a four-course dinner. Though the table linens were soft and blush, planner and designer Ashley Wenz decided to play up the texture with eyelet “Mr” and “Mrs” chair covers and cascading greenery down the tables. The chill in the February air was soon forgotten after guests moved outside to dance under a clear top tent lit with custom drum shades from Leigh Warren designs. And the night ended with my favorite sendoff, a sparkler exit and a getaway ride in a Charleston pedicab. Guests also took home a Mason jar filled with “Ballard Rib Rub,” so they could enjoy the flavor of the south back home after the celebration was over.

Photography: Marni Rothschild Pictures | Planner: Boutique Planning | Florals: Sara York Grimshaw Designs | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids: Jenny Yoo | Makeup: Becca Whittinghill | Hair: Charlotte Belk | Lighting: Technical Event Company | Officiant: Terry Wilson | Venue: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Cake + Catering: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Custom Shades: Leigh Warren Designs | Linens: Nuage Designs | Place Cards: Love Lettering Studio | Printed Materials: Studio R | Reception Music: Anita and Party Life | Rentals and Custom Bar: Snyder Event Rentals | Vintage Plates: Polished

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Don’t let the fact that you live in a rental stop you from truly making it home; even if there’s a no paint clause in your contract. From removable wallpaper to layered rugs and a touch of green, Elizabeth Van Lierde is spilling her 5 step approach to truly customizing your space and adding a heavy dose of your personal style. Get ready to make that rental shine.

This apartment brought a lot of firsts. This was the first home that Jared and I shared together. It was also our first ‘non college’ place to rest our heads and a representation our personalities. Having a rental home together was like the biggest DIY project I was ever given! Since we are just starting out in life and in adulthood we had little money but a large zeal to make our home special! Decorating our space has been one of my favorite projects of my twenties thus far! Being a food and lifestyle blogger I needed a space that would be inspiring and creative. Jared needed a space where he could relax and feel comfortable! Through a lot of trial and error with limited options I think we totally achieved our goals! And you can too! Follow along for some easy tips that will help you own your rental space!

No paint? No worries! Walls in an apartment can be tough! While we we’re lucky enough to have freedom to paint over our rental white, so many people do not! If you find yourself with this situation there are some alternatives. Temporary wallpaper can be a great option! We used this in our guest room shown. It was relatively easy to put up and instantly transformed the room. Whenever people come over it is an instant conversation piece. Chasing Paper has a great variety of choices, there is something for everyone!

The magic Carpet! You want to know the single item that tied each room together in our apartment… RUGS. We could put everything into the room and it would still feel a little off but as soon as the rug went down it all came together. Rugs are especially great if you can’t do a lot of customizing. It is a quick fix that can be rolled up and reused wherever you call home! Try layering a large rug (like jute material) for lots of rental carpet coverage and a small rug for an accent and more personal style.

Play up your textiles! Think rugs, curtains, pillow patterns, throw blankets, tablecloth, table runner, tapestry, etc.. Usually these items help cover a lot of square footage whether it be on the wall or furniture surface. They are a direct representation of what you like and are just plain fun! I’ve got a throw pillow buying problem and I’m completely okay with it!

Fresh is always better! One of the last things I added to my apartment before I took photos was TONS of fresh flowers and house plants. They are an instant mood booster no matter what space you’re in! If you’re in an apartment you often lack outdoor space and this can instantly give you that outdoorsy feel that you long for in a small area. Some great house plants that don’t take much of a green thumb are fiddle leaf trees, peace lilies, monstera plants, snake plants and palms!

Ain’t no party like a patio party! If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor space, PLAY. IT. UP! We spend more time outside on the patio than the dining room and living room. It makes us feel like our space is larger and not as confined to a few rooms. Whether you have a small balcony that only fits a bistro table or a large patio that can handle a lounge set, do invest in the area. It is an instant sweet escape that you will be happy to have.

Photography: Elizabeth Van Lierde | Interior Design: Elizabeth Van Lierde

Lyndsey and Thomas’ wedding was a dream come true in more ways than one. For starters, saying “I do” was a long time coming for these middle school sweethearts and the setting of Saddlerock Ranch had been a pipe dream of Lyndsey’s since a family trip to California many years prior. The Texan couple brought a taste of home to their Malibu nuptials, including a “Howdy” sign crafted by Bella Grafia and we’ve got every moment of the day captured by Leah Vis.

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From the Bride… Thomas and I were middle school sweethearts, so our wedding in October was a long time coming. Since our families and friends from Texas had been waiting for so long, no one minded traveling to California for our dream wedding at Saddlerock Ranch.

Everyone asks why we got married in Malibu, California, and, to be honest, we have no history or ties to California at all. I went on a Malibu Wine Safari at Saddlerock Ranch about 5 years ago with my mom and a friend, and one of the tastings was at the Chateau Le Dome. The rolling hills and vineyard views took my breath away, and I told my mom “I am getting married here one day!” Flash forward many years, the day after Thomas proposed my mom asked what we were thinking for a wedding location. I told her “I already told you…Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu!” Having my wedding at Saddlerock Ranch was really a dream come true.

I think the theme for our wedding is pretty obvious, flowers, flowers, and more flowers! From the invitation liners to the dinner plates to my Maid of Honor’s dress, I knew I wanted to incorporate as many floral touches as I could. An idea from our incredibly creative wedding planner, Lindsay, we had a custom-made “Howdy” sign hanging from the bar, and I thought it was the perfect touch to bring a little Texas flair to California.

Our wedding ended up being the most beautiful celebration, and we owe our perfect evening to Bliss Productions and all of our wonderful vendors.

Photography: Leah Vis Photography | Wedding Planning + Design: Bliss Productions | Floral Design: Mark's Garden | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Cake: Sweet Arleen's | Engagement Ring: Jewel's by Grace | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azazie | Catering: L.A. Roots Catering Co. | Hair + Makeup: The Beauty Pair | Band: The Class Band | Suits: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Saddlerock Ranch | Caligraphy: Heidi Davidson Design | Custom Bolero: Hayley Paige | Howdy Sign: Slinging Ink™ Calligraphy | Linens: Luxe Linen | Maid of Honor Dress: Show Me Your Mumu | Rentals: A Rental Connection | Tableware: Casa de Perrin

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Bliss Productions

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Inspired by a recent vacation to Capri, this couple transformed their Florida venue into a Mediterranean masterpiece where they could have the romantic wedding of their dreams while still celebrating with all of their friends and family. Anthology Co. made Italian staples – lemons and olive foliage – the focal point, accenting them with cheerful yellow blooms, and Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production continued the Mediterranean theme in the menu. After looking at the gallery by Merari Photography, you’ll really think you’re in magical Capri.

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From the Bride… Brian and I met at the Publix deli counter. After quite some time, he planned to propose in Santa Barbara, California, but the second he picked up the ring (three months prior to his planned proposal) he couldn’t wait and called for a reservation at our favorite restaurant/first date location. I was seriously underdressed for the occasion and had one too many glasses of wine while we were waiting for our table. So, prior to his proposal – cringe moment – when he was telling me he loved me, I responded jokingly by shoving my ring finger in his face shouting “prove it!” Long story short, a couple of minutes later, he proposed, and I was SO SO SO surprised!

Since we couldn’t make the trip to Italy for our wedding (because we wanted all of our friends and family present), we chose a venue and theme reminiscent of Capri, Italy, where we had vacationed a year prior. Our wedding was inspired by the Mediterranean waters and lemon trees! Aside from the gorgeous venue and atmosphere, we hired a band to really keep the party going to ensure everybody had the time of their lives.

Photography: Merari Photography | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Cloud 9 Bakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture | Catering: Bill Hansen Luxury Catering and Event Production | Makeup: Lulus Studio | Band: 30 Vice | Venue: Villa Woodbine | Paper Goods: The Bride

Planning a destination wedding has it’s many advantages… scenery you might not have locally, dreamy weather, a perfect spot to roll into the honeymoon, you name it. But the planning process can also be a bit stressful when your Big Day location is hundreds or thousands of miles away. Take it from the experts at Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa in Mexico—a stunner venue that checks off all the boxes. They’re letting us in on five things you shouldn’t forget while prepping for your destination I do’s!

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Pick the Perfect Spot

The location of the wedding venue is one of the most important considerations. A wedding venue may meet all your requirements and must be available on the day that you need.

Plan with the seasons

The weather around the world can change drastically depending on location. Try to find out as much about the weather in the country as possible, as this can easily sway your decision for picking a wedding date. Research is important and working with professionals who can help you navigate your choices EARLY in the process is key, although weather is unpredictable, it is always good to travel to the destination by the same season you are planning your wedding day.

Dress Appropriately, Dress for the Location

Keep in mind your location’s climate when choosing a dress. You can go as elegant or casual as you want, but choose lighter fabrics like chiffon, organza, crepe, silk georgette or tulle. Most wedding dresses are strapless now, which helps keep you somewhat comfortable if you’re getting married in a warm location. But consider a short wedding dress, or one with fewer layers of tulle.

Plan Another Event

Part of the fun of a destination wedding is the time you get to spend with your close friends and family: welcome cocktails or rehearsal dinner prior to the big day, to thank your guests for making the trip. You shouldn’t over-plan for your guests, you need to leave them free time to explore and do their own thing.

Research Local Marriage Requirements

Marriage regulations requirements do vary from country to country. Be sure to check the requirements of the location where you are getting married, as far in advance as possible.

Venue: Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

The Bridechilla has helped thousands of couples plan their weddings. The podcast—hosted by comedian and virtual bridesmaid Aleisha McCormack—is hilarious and full of useful tips, tricks, and inspiration for modern brides who sometimes feel like they might need a chill pill every time they even think about planning their wedding.

“The show comes from the perspective of a layperson,” she says. “I learn with the audience and interview experts, Bridechilla graduates and anyone I think that can help the Bridechillas and Groomchillas.”

Read our interview with Aleisha below!

How have weddings changed in the past 10-20 years? What has that meant for couples going through the process of wedding planning?

“The stakes have been raised with social media and Pinterest. There’s just so much information and inspiration around, which is wonderful but for many couples, it can be downright overwhelming. I talk a lot about wedstress on the Bridechilla Podcast, something I don’t think our parents had to deal with as much….hey it was the 80s, puffy dress, white suit, done.

On the other hand, it’s been wonderful to see couples be empowered by the decisions that they make for their day. The cookie cutter concepts and traditions that don’t have meaning to them are being ditched and they, like Fleetwood Mac, are going their own way, which excited me.

Want a doughnut tower instead of a cake?
You got it.
Want to have you best friend become licensed to conduct a wedding and have him dressed as a character from Despicable Me?
Alrighty then!
Want to use readings from Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen in your wedding vows? (we did)
I support you!”

What is the best advice you can give to brides just getting started on their wedding journey?

“My mantra is ‘you should never fake smile on your wedding day.’ If there is a person on your guest list who doesn’t make you beam, ditch them.

Wedding planning is a team effort; you are a duo. I encourage my listeners to do something really obvious. Communicate. Before they book or buy anything, they should know what each other wants when it comes to weddings. What are their must-haves? Non-negotiables? What are details they just don’t care about? This way you’re in it together, and it’s not just one member of the team, running around and getting stressed because the other one isn’t interested.”

What is one tradition you love about weddings?

“Vows. I mean that’s why we’re there. To say meaningful things to each other, to make a commitment in front of our closest family and friends. Really when it comes down to it, you can ditch every other detail of a wedding because that is all that matters. You’ve met your fellow weirdo, you love them, and you want to share that with the people who mean the most to you. Don’t skip writing meaningful vows. Make them you. Add your voices and make those moments count.”

What is a totally archaic tradition that couples should ditch ASAP?

“Garters, however, can take a hike. There is something about a guy putting his head up his new wife’s skirt to remove a shiny piece of elasticated frill that makes me want to hurl.”

There are so many great episodes! For new listeners, what is one of your favorite recent episodes to check out?

“I’ve produced over 300 episodes of the show (all of which are available in the Bridechilla back catalogue) but one of my favourite episodes is #261- 18 Wedding Planning Truths – those wedding ‘ahh-haa’ moments where you realise that getting married requires wearing a lot of different hats. One of which is your inevitable move into becoming a Bridechilla politician, doing your best Frank and Claire Underwood to keep things ticking along but working towards a shared goal of planning the wedding that you want, not the wedding that everyone else wants! For many brides getting that is a Bridechilla breakthrough moment.”

For new episodes, subscribe on Acast and follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Julia Hurwitz is a freelance writer and Marketing Manager based in New York City. Her interests include travel, global craft, healthy baking, entertaining and exploring the outdoors.

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Petit Bouquet

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Just two months before their big day, Jaecelle and Andrejs encountered every couple’s worst nightmare – a canceled venue. But rather than postpone, they worked with Big Sur Weddings to organize a new location that felt like Plan A all along. Set right on the cliffs of Rocky Point, they exchanged vows above the crashing waves and the incredible Greg Finck captured all the moments we can’t stop talking about.

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From Greg Finck… A wedding is sometimes exposed to natural randomness. Jaecelle and Andrejs learned it the hard way when their wedding venue was canceled just two months before their wedding day. The pouring rains in Big Sur during the winter broke a bridge and made their original venue inaccessible. That’s when Diane, from Big Sur Weddings, played her magic for an amazing Plan B.

Jaecelle and Andrejs, both from California, ended up getting married at Rocky Point, before an al fresco dinner in the Carmel Valley, where we could all enjoy an amazing sunset. Everything at this wedding was so beautiful. The couple designed their invitation suite by themselves, and what a result! And what to say about Jaecelle’s bespoke wedding dress? All of these details were a delight for a photographer’s eyes.

The day ended with an amazing sunset that I leveraged for some portraits in the wild grass before the couple headed to their own dinner table in the middle of their guests. Another beautiful wedding day in North California!

Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Videography: J Michael Media | Event Planning + Design: Big Sur Weddings | Floral Design: Gavita Flora | Ceremony: Rocky Point | Reception: Big Sur Weddings | Bride's Shoes: M.Gemi "Cammeo" Pumps | Catering: Feel Good Foods | Hair + Makeup: Blush Makeup Studio Monterey | Groom's Attire: High Society | Officiant: Jeffrey Gang (friend) | Bride's Dress: Shin Bu Bridal | Bride's Rings: Victoria Jewellers | Cocktails: Pour Girl | Dessert Station: Lady M Confections | Dinner Napkins: Adorn Company | Groom's Ring: Rebecca Overmann | Invitation Suite: Homemade by the couple | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music: Kelly Productions | Reception Music: DJ Jason O'Neil | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Mrs. Peasy | Rentals: Chic Event Rentals