Two of the most important days in a person’s life are the day they say “I do” and the day they welcome a child into the world, which is why it’s so important to have a talented photographer capture both in photos you’ll cherish forever. So, to help make sure your newborn session photos are as precious as your little one, we’ve rounded up the sweetest inspiration the internet has to offer!
David and Grace wanted their wedding to feel like the ultimate staycation, so they booked their dream venue in Hollywood and began planning a weekend to remember. Opting for modern vibes and vibrant pops of color paired with copper accents made for a wedding that was anything but basic, all thanks to CCL Weddings & Events working by their side. Have a peek through the gallery and don’t miss this amazing moment captured by Sally Pinera below.
From the bride, Grace… David and I dated for seven years before we got married and throughout those years, our family and close friends grew to be a huge part of our relationship. For that reason, we wanted our wedding to feel like a weekend staycation where we could all hang out, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. We searched for the perfect venue and when we discovered Lombardi House in Hollywood, we instantly knew this dream of ours could become a reality. We booked the venue for the entire weekend and truly had the best weekend ever with our family and friends. We are so glad we made the decision to book our venue this way because we never once felt rushed to leave or get somewhere on time for the wedding.
Our wedding weekend would definitely not have been possible without Catherine Leo, our insanely gifted wedding coordinator. After brainstorming with her, we decided we wanted a modern, yet playful wedding with copper touches. She went over and beyond to make sure our wedding was personal and unique to us. For example, we used the tent David had built to propose to me to decorate the entrance guests would enter through.
Looking back, it’s definitely hard to choose, but there are two moments that stood out the most. The first was walking down the aisle reading the most precious letter David had written me. Catherine and David had schemed together during our wedding planning process and told me that we would be unable to do any decorations along the aisle. But right before I walked out, Catherine told me that David had written me a letter down the aisle to surprise me so that I could read it as I walked to the altar. I immediately teared up and could not stop crying the entire time. The second moment was right after the ceremony when David and I got to enjoy some time to ourselves. We were on such a high talking about how we could not believe we were finally married and we were so excited to spend the rest of the night with those closest to us. Even now, we wish we could relive this weekend all over again!
Photography: Sally Pinera | Cinematography: Christian Reinna | Event Coordination: CCL Weddings & Events | Event Planning + Design: CCL Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Green Leaf Designs | Catering: Hungry Bear | DJ: Vox DJs | Venue: The Lombardi House | Bar: Sunseri's | MUAH: Studio MM&B | Photobooth: GC Photobooth | Pre-Ceremony Drinks: Brewell | Pre-Ceremony Drinks: Good Luck Soda | Rentals: Town And Country | Tabletop Rental: borrowed BLU
My mother (who I love more than anything) is probably the most difficult person to shop for I know. Why? Because every gift-giving occasion — her birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day — I get the same response when I ask her what she wants: “You don’t have to get me anything.” I know I don’t have to get her anything, but I want to get her something. Ideally, something she’ll love. Thankfully, I’m pretty confident that any one of the 30 gifts below she’ll love and adore almost as much as she loves me!
There’s nothing quite like curating the perfect list of newlywed must-haves to really turn that house into a home. But if you’re stopping at kitchen appliances and bathroom essentials, then we’re here to tell you, loves: don’t. At Kohl’s, there’s an entire world of amazing products you never even realized you could register for. Think everything from tents to yoga mats to speakers. See our top 10 picks below.
Outdoor dining is a way of newlywed life, so having a space that’s shaded from the summer sun is key. We’re head over heels for this pretty umbrella that tilts to just the perfect spot. It’s a true blue necessity.
Speaking of outdoor dining… you can’t truly enjoy that romantic evening for two if you have to sneak inside once the sun sets. So to keep that party going under the stars, we suggest this convertible fire pit. One part chic side table and one part s’mores roasting station, you’ll be sooo happy you registered for this.
Newlywed life isn’t all just fancy dinner parties with your most beautiful china… sometimes you fill a cooler full of cold ones and invite your friends over for Super Bowl Sunday. OR grab those sandwiches and sodas and head out to the soccer fields for some fun in the sun. Honestly, the options are endless, but this amazing 40-quart cooler is a MUST.
For all of you lovers of the great outdoors, this awesome tent most definitely needs to make a registry appearance. Because if heading off to the mountains for the weekend is your idea of paradise, this one from Kohl’s will keep you nice and toasty (and dry!) for your entire stay. Plus, it’s cute.
Okay, so this kitchen cart is awesome. It’s gorgeous, totally versatile and will most definitely make a statement. And, oh… you can register for it at Kohl’s. I mean, who knew you could add something so cool to your home via your registry? Sooo awesome.
Luggage is one of those items you never even think about until you need it. Then you pull out your trusty suitcase from college and desperately wish you had added a newer set to your registry. Hindsight, am I right? Don’t make the luggage mistake, loves and check out this beauty. Trust us… you’ll love.
Whether you love to entertain or just like spending time curling up with your sweetie on the couch, this bluetooth speaker is an absolute must. Think just the right amount of mood music that can be moved anywhere (hello, patio) in your cozy house. Plus, it’s adorable. We like it a lot.
We’re all about adding a little character to our abodes whenever and wherever we can and this Midcentury bench most definitely does the trick. Whether that’s in the dining room for some much-needed extra seating, in the entryway for a stylish first impression or in the bedroom for the perfect place to put on those heels, we can’t get enough.
That workout regime doesn’t end the minute you officially tie the knot, so be ready to hit the gym when you return from your honeymoon with a yoga mat that is seriously stylish. Didn’t think you could register for workout gear? Well, you can… and Kohl’s has you totally covered.
Sure, it’s not everyday that you see a toothbrush make an appearance on a registry, but why not? This pretty Sonicare is exactly what you’ll need to keep your teeth pearly white for all of those fabulous dinner parties and date nights with the hubby.
Ready to hit the ground running with a registry that has everything (and we mean everything) you’ll ever need for that newlywed home? Visit Kohl’s today for their never-ending lineup of amazing products, plus fabulous perks + benefits, like a 15% off Completion Offer, a Registry Checklist, an amazing return policy and so much more.
Our Top 10: 1. SONOMA Good for Life 9-ft. Crank and Tilt Patio Umbrella 2. Fire Sense Revolver Convertible Fire Pit 3. Igloo Sportsman 40-Quart Cooler 4. Coleman Sundome 3-Person Camping Tent 5. Baxton Studio Lancashire Kitchen Cart 6. Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner Luggage 7. Marley Riddim Bluetooth Speaker 8. HomeVance Allegra Midcentury Bench 9. Gaiam 5mm Granite Storm Solid Yoga Mat 10. Sonicare DiamondClean Rechargeable Toothbrush
For someone who spends her days behind the camera, stepping in front of it for an engagement session with her love might seem a bit daunting. But then you take into account that Sanaz also took the pictures…yeah these gorgeous desert portraits right here and our minds are officially blown. Pore through the gallery of images and be prepared to jump on the Mind Blown Train as well.
From the Photographer and Bride… I decided to take on the fun project of shooting my own engagement photos after my favorite photographer was unfortunately not available to shoot them. I pitched the idea to my fiancé, David, and he was all for it! I have always loved Palm Springs and thought it would be the perfect spot to shoot with the desert backdrop and mid-century design. But Palm Springs means so much more to David and I than just pretty landscape and design! I actually fell in love with David in Palm Springs… When we started dating, I was hesitant to date anyone, but after some time David convinced me to go on a trip with him to Palm Springs. All it took was a hike in Palm Canyon for me to realized I was falling for him. This makes Palm Springs such a magical place for us and knew I couldn’t have my engagement photos anywhere else! Taking these photos got us so excited for the wedding. We’ll be getting married in July up in the Bay Area with an intimate ceremony in David’s parents’ backyard. A couple weeks after that we are planning a big party/reception in LA to continue the party with our close friends!
Photographer: Sanaz Riggio Photography
I’m a sucker for a classic wedding, so this St. Louis bride with her feminine, lace ball gown and a soft, rose bouquet is melting me in a serious way. The soft pink and navy color palette sealed the celebration’s timeless appeal, and we have the talented team at Duffy Photo & Film to thank for documenting the beauty of the day. See it all here – and don’t forget to press play below!
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From the Bride… Ryne and I met through mutual friends at a graduation party, and I can honestly say it was love at first sight, no matter how cheesy that sounds! Ryne and I were in a long distance relationship for almost two years. Even though we were apart, it made us even stronger.
The proposal was absolutely magical, like something you would see on TV. It was my birthday weekend, and we had all these events planned with family and friends. On Sunday, October 11, 2014, Ryne told me that we were going to a winery to continue the celebration. Thirty minutes into our drive, I found out that was not the case. We pulled up to a helicopter to tour St. Louis! I thought, “Wow! What an amazing birthday present!” I’m very gullible. We flew over my sister’s house, my condo, my mom’s house, and then finally my brother’s house. We circled over, and I look out to see a sign that read, “Ali, will you marry me?” I was in shock! The surprise didn’t stop there. After the helicopter ride, we then drove to a restaurant to meet with family and friends to celebrate. That’s when the tears really started flowing!
Planning our wedding was fun, stressful, and exciting! The vision came to light after much searching through Pinterest and being a part of several amazing weddings. I am kind of girly, so I wanted a whimsical wedding, and that is definitely what we got with soft pinks, navy blue, and gold accents.
I have several favorite memories of the day.
1. Watching the video my husband made for me while getting ready that morning. He put together a movie with my loved ones in it, and they shared a favorite memory of me or gave advice for our marriage. I could not believe how sweet and thoughtful of a gift this was! It made my day even more special and obviously created more tears on my end.
2. Getting ready with my bridesmaids and mom was another memory that I will never forget. I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life, and it was such a special time to share with them.
3. Getting a short time alone with my father in my “bride room” at the church was much needed and one of my favorite memories. It was a time to reflect on what was about to happen and a time to take a deep breath and have that sentimental moment with my father for the last time as a Gottuso.
4. Having time alone with Ryne after the ceremony while the guests were exiting the church was memorable. It was our first moments as husband and wife, and it was a perfect opportunity to take a deep breath and take in the love and beauty of our new marriage.
Photography: Duffy Photo Film | Cinematography: Duffy Photo Film | Floral Design: Belle Fleur | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Cake: Lubeley's Bakery | Stationery: Rock Paper Scissors MO | Ceremony Venue: Third Baptist Church | Reception Venue: Windows On Washington | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair and Makeup: Eye.Do STL | DJ: Millennium Productions | Groom's Attire: Jos A. Bank Rentals | Groomsmen Attire: Jos A. Bank Rentals | Transportation: Fun Tyme Limousine | Bridal Boutique: Couture Collection From The Wedding Gallery | Film Processing and Scanning: Indie Film Lab | Photo Booth: Top Notch Photo Booth | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Pappys
These college sweethearts could not stop giggling during this adorable e-session by Caroline Lima Photography, and their joy is contagious! We can’t help but fall in love with their twinkling expressions and their cute pup. View the whole gallery here – we dare you not to smile.
From Caroline Lima Photography… Brooke and Brad were so warm and relaxed during their engagement session – an absolute pleasure to photograph! I got to watch them share so many beautiful moments. Several times they started giggling just looking at each other, which was really fun and wonderful to see! Brooke and Brad met through mutual friends at the end of their freshman year at the University of South Carolina. Halfway through sophomore year, they were a bundle!
The story of Brad’s proposal is too sweet not to share! The two were strolling through the USC campus on their way to a baseball game, when Brooke got a call from one of the friends they were going to meet. It was just a heads-up – some construction on campus meant they would have to detour through the historic horseshoe. But halfway across the horseshoe, Brad got down on one knee and asked Brooke to marry him! When she looked up, Brooke saw friends and family appearing all around the horseshoe, including her pup, Maverick, who was supposed to be at home in Charlotte! Such an incredibly sweet surprise!
Our session took place at Carrigan Farms in Moorseville, North Carolina. If you’re not familiar with this property, go visit! The grounds are absolutely breathtaking, with so many different settings for photos. Brooke’s stunning red dress was an elegant pop of color against the gorgeous scenery. And need I say I fell in love with Maverick? Adorable! Golden Retrievers are the best. Although I have to admit I’m biased, because my fur-baby, Ronon, is a Golden too.
Photography: Caroline Lima Photography | Location: Carrigan Farms | Red Dress: South Moon Under
Carly and Chris knew they wanted a destination wedding in the Arizona desert right from the get-go. But long distance planning proved to be a little easier said than done. Luckily, they had an incredible vision and brought on just the right vendors to bring their effortlessly pretty celebration to life. From the color palette to the florals to the cactus motif and more, Elyse Hall didn’t miss a moment and we’re thoroughly swooning every last image.
From the Bride… Chris and I were both born and raised in Pennsylvania, but always fantasized about the intimate guest list, and possibly more predictable weather, of a destination wedding. My mother and stepfather moved to Arizona 13 years ago, and ever since it has become more of a second home to me than anything else. Lucky for me, my hubby-to-be also loves it there, so when the idea came up to host our special day in the desert, it immediately felt right.
I can’t quite remember if we chose Arizona generally first, or if the venue sealed the deal. Either way, I will never forget the first time I saw a photo online of El Chorro’s gorgeous ceremony lawn – it made my heart skip a beat. Much like the groom, the venue too was love at first sight. My advice on venues: Go with your gut. And, pick a place where you love their contact person. You will talk to them about everything, and often!
For our wedding vibe, I wanted our wedding to feel romantically effortless and magical. While scrolling through the vaults of SMP, I found myself gravitating toward “styled shoot weddings”. This was kind of ridiculous because not only are they not real, but they’re also designed to be perfect. This inspiration made me pay lots of attention to detail. I think I was also drawn to the small-scale size of the styled shoots, knowing our guest list would be around 60 and my ideas would be doable.
For our style and colors, I originally loved what you’d probably call “rustic chic blush/neutral weddings,” but was quickly bored by their popularity. So I went for an updated version with more of a dusty rose hue of pink and dressed up the rustic theme with some fancy velvet. For the flowers, we used mauve-toned quicksand and amnesia roses, with subtle touches of lavender and gray on a white and green background. It was still very neutral but not as predictable.
One major element of DIY for me was the invitations. Chris really wanted a cactus on our invites to showcase the desert destination. It’s impossible to find a classy cactus, so I designed the suite myself and had them printed by a local letterpress printer in Pennsylvania. I printed the envelopes myself and added details to dress them up.
I hired a wedding planner (Caitlin at Outstanding Occasions) for final prep items, who was an incredible resource for recommendations, not to mention she ran the show on our wedding day. Because of her and my catering manager’s recommendations, I really had the best wedding team in Arizona. I could never have done this from a distance without these two ladies! Before any planning began, even before our destination was chosen, I always knew I had to have an amazing photographer. After all, the photos are the one thing that will last forever! Elyse did an unbelievable job capturing our day.
Everyone warned me “on your day, there will be surprises.” And as if on cue, the train of my dress ripped 2 minutes before I walked down the aisle, literally. Despite this little hiccup (my mother came prepared with pre-threaded needles), I was still so beyond happy on my wedding day. I think this was as much of a very real feeling as it was my conscious effort to be emotionally present. The love I had for my new husband, and for every single guest, was exploding from my heart. I think our excitement on our day was actually contagious because everyone seemed equally giddy.
After months of planning and hundreds of selections, it was hard for me to envision what the final result was going to look like. I made so many big decisions without any real design experience and just hoped the result would look somewhere close to how I pictured it in my head. When our big day came, I was speechless when I saw everything come together. I feel so lucky and so blessed to have been the bride on that special day.
Photography : Elyse Hall Photography | Event Planning: Outstanding Occasions | Floral Design: The Flower Studio | Makeup + Hair: Ashley Nicole Doran | Venue: El Chorro | Beer Burro: Haul N Ass Productions | Details: Frou Frou Chic | Details: The Mrs Box | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals : Glamour And Woods | Strings: Sweetwater Strings
Get ready for your heart to melt, because this intimate wedding at The Vineyard at 37 High Holly is too endearing for words. TRK Photography caught the bride and groom in a tender, pre-ceremony foot washing – what a display of love and service! Scroll on to see all the sweet moments.
From TRK Photography… Ashley and Peter had decided that The Vineyard at 37 High Holly was where they wanted to be married, surrounded by friends and family. After several trips visiting relatives, they both agreed the backdrop of the vineyard wrapped in wild flowers would totally set the precedence for their wedding day. Also, the vineyard had accommodations for 28 of their friends and family.
The hand designed floral invitations set the stage for what was to come. Since Ashley and Peter had chosen a floral theme, Peter had found unique ties to snazzy up his gentleman. The bride and her ‘maids all wore delicate floral arm bands – a new alternative to a bouquet. Prior to the ceremony, Ashley and Peter wanted to create a moment just for themselves. The washing of the feet ceremony was one of the most warm and raw moments that we’ve ever witnessed. Our beautiful bride had another surprise for us as she changed out of her simple beaded gown into a two-piece, tulle blush skirt and crop top. Her wardrobe had her groom grinning from ear to ear.
The ceremony was beautiful with vines laced with rows of red and green. The vines were full and ready to harvest. This small vineyard only produces roughly 500 cases of wine a year to keep its special and intimate feel. The guests were then guided to a large pavilion were Ashley and Peter danced the night away. The reception was inspired by the beauty this venue had provided. Wild flowers and the purity of the crops added a fun look to the bride and groom’s table, along with antique floral plates.
Photography: TRK Photography | Cinematography: Nice Guys DJ | Event Planning: I Do Events | Floral Design: Rooms in Bloom | Cake: Alleycakes Bakery | Invitations: Carey Ward | Catering: Tim Lundy | Hair and Makeup: Shannon Mock | Officiant: Jerry Cates | Transportation: Eastside Transportation | Venue: The Vineyard at 37 High Holly | Music: Nice Guys DJ | Rentals: Professional Party Rentals
You know what’s insanely cute? When two wedding vendors have a chance meeting under a Sperry tent at a client’s big day and fall madly in love. Now fast forward to this sunny, lemon-filled celebration in New York, and those two vendors are saying “I Do”… under a Sperry tent of course. With the help of Stacie Shea Events, Carrie Wilcox Floral Design and Justin & Mary, all their wedding dreams came true. See the full celebration right here plus the sweetest film by Buzz Media below!
From Stacie Shea… This wedding was a labor of my love for team Stacie Shea Events and such a great love story as well. The owner of the The Greenwich Tent Co, Zachary Wilson married my loving assistant Erica Choutka and they both met while working in the Connecticut event industry in Greenwich a few years earlier. Zachary and Erica met under a Sperry tent at an event in June of 2013 when Erica worked for a fellow planner in Connecticut . Erica was the assistant to the Wedding Planner, and he was responsible for the amazing reception tent set up. The setting was beautiful, and the wedding went off without a hitch. We stood along the perimeter and watched the guests celebrate the new bride and groom. Zach and Erica made some small talk, and the common surface conversation between two people who had just met for the first time. They talked about their college alma maters and their mutual love for the event industry. The night was a success, the wedding went off without a hitch, their was a happy bride and groom and a new industry connection. Fast forward a few short years later Erica started working at Stacie Shea Events as an associate designer and Stacie asked Erica to go to an event tasting at On the Marc Events in Stamford. It was at this industry tasting that her and Zach met again and kick started their relationship. Zach recently took over Sperry tents Greenwich and formed the Greenwich Tent Company. Now just a short few years later they will be standing under that same Sperry tent celebrating yet another wedding together. This event goes to show you can meet the love of your life as a vendor working at a wedding!
Photography: Justin & Mary | The Weddings | Event Design: Stacie Shea Events | Wedding Planner: Stacie Shea Events | Floral Design: Carrie Wilcox Floral Design | Cake: Lovely Cakes | Catering: On The Marc | Hair and Makeup: Simply Gorgeous By Erin | Calligraphy: The Pretty Paperie Shop | Band: Blaire Reinhard Band | Tent: The Greenwich Tent Company | Artist: Carol Lake Studios | Bars: Ryan Designs | Draping: Social Decor | Floral Tags: The Kern Connection | Garden: Boscobel | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Linens: Wildflower Linen | Lounge Rentals: Gather and Lounge | Paper: The Pink Orange | Pies: Pickles And Pies | Rentals: Party Rental LTD | Restroom Trailers: White Glove Restrooms | Sound: Shindig Lighting | Video: Buzz Media Company- Wedding Films | Wine : Wine at Five
“Perched on a cliff above the dramatic Big Sur coastline, we exchanged vows in front of our parents, siblings, niece, and newborn nephew,” the bride said. It was everything the couple wanted, including an incredible coastal setting with their nearest and dearest along to celebrate. Sally Pinera told the story of the day through her lens and every image is one perfect moment after the next.
Words by the bride… Both born and raised in Vancouver, Evan and I feel most at home where the water laps the land. We had long held that an intimate coastal ceremony, with our immediate families, in a place where we could soak up each other’s company, eat, drink, and be merry (and married!), was truest to us as a couple.
We met serendipitously seven years ago at a local dive bar, where I spotted Ev from across the room. Mere minutes later, I walked over to tell him that he looked “so familiar” (he did!). Convinced it was nothing more than a conventional pick-up line, Ev nonetheless entertained the sentiment and offered me a drink. Boy, did I hope it would be the first of many more.
Four years later, we moved abroad to Luxembourg to fulfill our work and wanderlust dreams. Before our second summer’s end, Ev planned a trip to the Algarve, Portugal. But, when we boarded the plane, my mind was so preoccupied with finishing a project that I neglected to realize that he hadn’t been in his seat for 30 minutes. Slowly, I started to hear music on the speakers, and I remember thinking how I had never heard RyanAir broadcast in-flight entertainment. A few moments later, realizing that it was Evan’s voice behind the instrument, I glanced up and saw him walking down the aisle, ukulele in hand, singing a song he had wrote for me. Everyone began clapping along, and when he arrived at my seat, he got down on bended knee and proposed. Thinking about that moment still stops time.
A year later, Evan was offered an exciting role with his firm in San Francisco, and I was thrilled to finish my Ph.D. from California. With only six months left in Luxembourg, we repurposed our wedding plans, and soon Big Sur became our inspiration and our backdrop.
On October 24, perched on a cliff above the dramatic Big Sur coastline, we exchanged vows in front of our parents, siblings (my sister was my MoH, and Ev’s brothers his groomsmen), niece (our flower girl) and newborn nephew. Following the ceremony, we proceeded to Pfeiffer Beach for photos, and finished the day the back at home, in the best way we know how: dinner, dessert (celebration cake, to be sure!), and dancing under a canopy of stars. I go back to that evening often, reliving the unforgettable speeches, the arresting views of the Pacific, and the sounds of glasses clinking, waves crashing, and our closest laughing.
Our incredible chef, Jamie Jarrard, prepared indelible dishes using only local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, sourced primarily from Big Sur’s bountiful farm markets. Our florist, Christine Cater, also sourced florals from California, and her incomparable talent could have only been outdone by her generosity, grace, and gregarious spirit.
The rest of our sunny Big Sur days were spent exploring outside, and we capped off the southern part of our stay with a 1:00 am dip at the Esalen hot springs. Not before long, we were in Carmel and Sonoma, planning how we could do it all over again. It was a week we could never forget, and we are profoundly grateful to have it filled with everyone and everything we love most.
Photography: Sally Pinera | Event Design: Sara Graves | Floral Design: Christine Cater | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: SusieCakes | Makeup : Jess Wilcox | Groom's Attire: Tailors' Keep | Bridal Robes: Cloud Hunter | Chef: Jaime Jarrard | Invitations + Paper Goods: Plume Calligraphy | Ribbons: Stella Wolfe
We all want to look absolutely fabulous on our wedding day, but looking fabulous, sophisticated and sexy? That’s where Grace Loves Lace’s new collection of glam-filled designs, Elixir, comes in to play. Think uniquely gorgeous gowns boasting the most luxurious and unique European laces, beyond flattering silhouettes and details that will totally make a statement. It’s the dream, y’all. Scroll to soak in all of the pretty.
Effortlessly glamorous and full of soul, the newest Grace Loves Lace collection, Elixir, is basically everything you’ve ever wanted… and so much more. From the bold pairing of luxury fabrics and modern details to the artistic patterned laces, these gowns are bringing the WOW factor with a unique 3D textured effect that will most definitely leave your guests (and your honey) talking. We’re talking a collection that will make even the most traditional of brides stand up and take notice with designs that will have you dancing down the aisle. It’s that awesome.
Featuring 12 new gowns, three capes, three veils and nine pieces of jewelry, Megan Ziems (Founder of Grace Loves Lace) has really outdone herself with a collection that she describes as “wearable art”. (We sooo agree, Megan.) Think one beautiful gown after another that all of you style lovers will totally fall for. Ready to find that sexy + sophisticated dress of your dreams? Check out every image shot by the talented Jennifer Stenglein, then mark your calendar for May 3rd, when the newest Grace Loves Lace collection will be available exclusively on their website and in showroom destinations. We are sooo excited, you guys.
How cute is this Santa Barbara wedding with Jake and Necia Photography behind the lens? Inspired by their venue, the couple kept the overall wedding day look natural, from the bride’s glowing makeup and romantic updo by TEAM Hair and Makeup to the simple, fragrant dried lavender bouquets carried by the bridal party. Complete with a special, tiny guest (hint: he’s wearing black and white!) and footage by Mark Laing Cinematography, this zoo wedding is a must see.
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From the Bride… My husband and I met at NYU Law School, but some of our favorite memories have been our time together when we visited my home-state of California. My main request for the wedding was that it take place in CA, and we decided on Santa Barbara due to the beautiful Spanish-style architecture prevalent there. (The great weather helped too!) My husband chose the church, Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara, so I choose the reception venue. I really liked the idea of our reception venue offering our guests things to do while they wait for things to get going! When I found out that the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens held events and weddings where a penguin could come to the reception, I was sold. Penguins are my favorite animal, and they are always dressed for a classy event! However, at the time that we booked the venue, they had put a pause on the penguin encounters. This didn’t keep us from booking, because we loved the space, I wanted to take advantage of the amazing weather in California, and we had already begun building our wedding with a zoo theme in mind. Then, about two weeks before the big day, we learned that they had brought the penguin encounters back, and I couldn’t have been happier! The penguin coming to our reception is, by far, my favorite moment of the wedding (other than marrying my best friend, of course!).
My favorite detail of my wedding were the bouquets. I knew that I wanted the bouquets to be low-key (and water conscious, given the CA drought at the time), so we decided DIY bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces using succulents and dried flowers would be the best option for us. To be fair, DIY is not quite the best way to describe the bouquets or center pieces, because my older sister, Isa Beltran, essentially did all of the work putting them together. So it was more DIS (do it sister). My sister has always been the creative one –she’s a photographer in Riverside, CA – and her talents came through! The bouquets turned out especially amazing, and they smelled wonderfully, too. They were made up of dried lavender, baby’s breath, eucalyptus, and misty blue limonium. The bouquets looked and smelled amazing the entire day.
Dusty lavender/mauve was our main color (and flower), and we included silver as our secondary color with a few accents of gold. We also sprinkled some chevron pattern throughout (for my husband’s love of mid-century modern design). Lavender flowers were incorporated throughout the wedding. We also wanted to incorporate the zoo reception venue into our theme, without having it overwhelm it. So we included things like the animal magnet place card holders, animal table designations, a churro cart, and popcorn goody bags.
I actually have SMP to thank for my wedding dress! As I began my search, I had very little idea about what I wanted my future wedding dress to look like and had seen images of hundreds of dresses before I came across the image of my dress on a SMP article previewing the Hayley Paige’s upcoming line of dresses. It was stunning! I hadn’t seen anything like it, and it was the only dress, before and since, that gave me butterflies in my stomach. It was simple, yet elegant, with unique features that made it stand out, but it wasn’t so bold as to take all of the focus of the day. I spent a lot of time tracking down the dress. Since the SMP article was a sneak peek of an upcoming trunk show for a new collection, there wasn’t much information out there about the dress. I learned that there was going to be a trunk show at a store near me, in Long Island, so I booked an appointment. Unfortunately, I was told a few days prior to my appointment that the dress would not be there. I searched again and learned that the dress would be at the JLM flagship boutique a couple of months later in CA. I re-arranged a trip we were already planning out to CA and booked an appointment with the JLM Couture Flagship Salon in West Hollywood. I tried it on, loved the way it fit my shape, and was sold. Literally!
We got a lot of compliments on our desserts, especially our cake and cupcakes from Crushcakes. They tasted amazing and were so very affordable. My best piece of advice for future brides is to get a wedding planner/coordinator! Even if your budget is tight, try to squeeze in a wedding coordinator for at least the day of. We chose to have “month of” wedding planner, Jessica Kuipers, and I can’t imagine having done all of this without her. Planning our wedding from across the country created some unique difficulties, and Jessica was able to address those easily. She made sure that we had considered all of the wedding day details, coordinated with all of our service providers, and had a great online tool that we used for things like coordinating the day of timeline, arranging the seating chart, and ensuring that we sent our thank you cards out to everyone. On the big day, we didn’t have to worry about a thing – Jessica even provided us with pins for the boutonnieres when we forgot them!
Photography: Jake And Necia Photography | Cinematography: Mark Laing | Coordination: Onyx and Redwood | Floral Design: Isa Beltran | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture | Cake: Crushcakes | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara | Reception Venue: Santa Barbara Zoo | Shoes: Michael Kors | Hair and Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | DJ: Gavin Roy | Groom's Attire: Enzo Custom | Groomsmen Attire: Menguin | Ceremony Music: Larry Duff | Transportation: Rockstar Transportation | Transportation: Jump On The School Bus | Accomodations: Simpson House Inn | Bride's Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: The Lovely Rain Drop | Cake Stand: Eagle Cap Creations | Cake Topper: MorganTheCreator | Catering and Decor: Zoo Catering Services By Rincon | Groom's Gift: Happy Stitch | Groom's Hair: Uptown Barbershop | Placecard Magnets: Original Animal Magnets
This photo shoot has the look and feel of a gorgeous villa wedding. Olive branches, ethereal dresses and dining al fresco pair beautifully with old world charm. Crafted by Highland Avenue Events, along with florals by Bristol Lane and imagery by Jenna McElroy, let this shoot inspire you to host your own european infused affair even if you’re staying stateside.
From Highland Avenue Events… There are few things I love more than a romantic al fresco dinner set amidst an old-world backdrop. With so many of our brides being enticed by a love of European weddings these days, I couldn’t help but be inspired when I stumbled on Le San Michele just outside of Austin, TX. I wanted to show couples that it’s possible to design a wedding embodying so much of what we love about Europe right here at home. The historic stones and beautifully painted doors of the family home, the decorative iron window coverings, and the tall cypress trees were the initial source of my ideas. I also loved the subtle nods to the south that were tastefully woven into the landscape…terra cotta potted agaves and sporadic palms. The idea of mixing these two worlds into one was unique and intriguing. I envisioned a stunning but soft table to host the bride’s dearest friends and family. Flowing muted blooms composed by Bristol Lane added a layer of subtle color, while the place settings exuded an old but elegant touch. Adorned by a beautiful Reem Acra flowing lace gown, our bride shimmered in the slow evening sun, and it was all captured flawlessly by Jenna McElroy. My favorite detail of the day was the hand-written scroll place cards by Boarding School Collective set atop vintage silver and glass boxes full of goldenberries. I loved the unique yet approachable way this added a tasty and colorful touch to welcome guests to a beautiful sunset dinner.
Photography: Jenna McElroy | Event Design & Planning: Highland Avenue | Floral Design: Bristol Lane Florals | Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: L Priori Jewelry | Venue: Le San Michele | Backless Gown: Alexandra Grecco | Film Scans: PhotoVision Prints | Gown Boutique: Unbridaled | Lace Back Gown: Reem Acra | MUAH: Makenzi Laine | Model: Grace Davila | Paper Design: The Boarding School Collective | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box
Where do we even start with this epic destination wedding by The Twelve Events? For five days, the glamorous couple and their guests enjoyed an exclusive stay at Nikki Beach Resort in Porto Heli, Greece. On the wedding day, the bride – a jewelry designer – wore a runway-worthy, bespoke gown and jewelry amongst an art instillation of magnificent, self-lit flowers, and guests were seated at a custom, 50 meter table to enjoy the views of the sea. Adam Alex Photography captured all this and more, in the gallery. Excuse us while we pick our jaws up from the floor.
From Adam Alex Photography… After two full days of partying and events – including a Bohemian Beach Party – it was time for the big day. The time arrived for the power couple Joanna, a successful, high-end jewelry designer, and Karim, a businessman involved in the fashion industry in Lebanon, to become one.
The ceremony took place at a small, picturesque chapel, Ververonda, overlooking the sea. The couple used a traditional carriage from the nearby island of Spetses for their transportation to the chapel. The entire exterior of the chapel, approximately 800 square meters, was covered in real grass. The use of the grass and the numerous white scented flower compositions highlighted the Greek elements of the white chapel.
The whole setting for the wedding was one of sophisticated elegance. Inspired by the Burning Man Festival, which the newlyweds have attended in the past, a cluster of custom-made, meter-high, self-lit flower lights were made. These manmade flowers created the perfect backdrop for the evening.
Nikki Beach Resort in Porto Heli was privatized specifically for this event – five days of exclusivity at this dreamlike resort! The Twelve Events team arrived early on the wedding day to create one of the longest tables ever made for an event – a 50 meter table, which could sit up to 150 people, stretched along the seafront of the resort. The table was adorned in beautiful, white hanging flowers and tea lights. Sparkling candles, which were placed along the beach and throughout the venue, peacefully lit up the event.
The guests sat along this carefully crafted table. Directly opposite all of the guests, within the calmness of the Porto Heli Gulf, lies a shipwreck. This unique element could not go unnoticed to all of the guests attending.
The party came to life with a large firework display that took place while the couple cut into their cake, a replica of the famous LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana. This magical atmosphere was accompanied by one of the newlywed’s favorite songs, “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay.
Photography: Adam Alex Photography | Cinematography: With Heart Films | Event Design: The Twelve Events | Floral Design: Fevronia | Wedding Dress: Custom-made Sandra Mansour | Cake: Pavlov's Lab | Bride's Shoes: Roger vivier | Hair and Makeup: Margetina Neofytou | DJ: Alexandros Christopoulos | Groom's Attire: Cifonelli | Wedding Venue: Nikki Beach | Art Installations: Art Ease | Bride's Jewellery: Custom-made Boghossian Jewelry | Fireworks: Nanos Fireworks | Furniture Rentals: Zazoo | Getting Ready Venue: Amanpuri | Groom's Shoes: Berlutti | Logistics: FSD | Sound and Equipment: Events Music Production
With emerald hues, modern geometric shapes and the most elegant calligraphy, this invitation suite has a little bit of everything we love. Designed by the uber talented Eliza Gwendalyn and captured by For the Love Photography, dive a little deeper into stationery perfect for a gorgeous, modern affair.
From Eliza Gwendalyn… This geometric wedding invitation suite was designed and hand-calligraphy by Eliza Gwendalyn and photographed by Jamie Baldwin of For The Love Photography for one of their winter bridal clients in New York featuring Eliza Gwendalyn’s modern calligraphy hand and new font line LadySlippers.
Photography: For The Love Photography | Stationery: Eliza Gwendalyn | Calligraphy: Eliza Gwendalyn | Wedding Venue: The Glasshouses | Font: Studioways
It was raining all week leading up to this New Orleans inspiration session by Erika Parker Photography, but the rain clouds cleared just long enough for her to capture these images – and we’re so glad they did! With exquisite bridesmaids in Jenny Yoo and Nouvelle Amsale and calligraphy by Pigment and Parchment that makes our hearts skip a beat, this wedding inspo is worth getting lost in.
From Erika Parker Photography… This shoot had been on my mind for over a year before I actually started working on putting the pieces together. New Orleans has some really incredible buildings and architecture, and I always look for locations that have a timeless feel to them. We had some amazing vendors collaborate with us. Pigment and Parchment made the most incredible calligraphy suite that blew me away when it arrived in the mail. I couldn’t wait to shoot it! On the day of, it had been pouring for days. In New Orleans, it usually only rains for a short while at a time, but this particular week, it rained all week. I was so worried we would have to cancel. Somehow, for about two hours in the afternoon, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. It was just enough time to make the shoot happen. About five minutes after we got back in the car, the rain started again. Despite the mud and overcast weather, the images turned out beautiful!
Photography: Erika Parker Photography | Floral Design: Leaf + Petal Nola | Wedding Dress: Gossamer | Hair and Makeup: Glam Nola | Invitations and Calligraphy: Pigment And Parchment | Bridesmaid Dress: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses on Loan From: Wedding Belles | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Hair Accessories: Echo and Laurel
He popped the question, and you said YES. And before you dive head-first into wedding planning, some serious celebration is in order. *Cue* this darling engagement party for California couple, Jess and Matt, who got engaged in the City of Lights. Ilana Ashley Events planned and designed the Parisian-inspired festivities and Steve Steinhardt caught behind the camera. More to see right this way!
From the bride-to-be… After an unforgettable engagement in Paris, we headed back to Los Angeles to celebrate with our favorite people. We gathered at a friend’s home in the Hollywood Hills for an effortlessly chic party that combined the sophistication of France with our more casual California surroundings.
Guests were greeted by a farm table topped with blush hydrangeas extending from shimmering mercury glass vases, vintage candelabras with peach tapered candles, and mismatched glass dishes holding delicious macaroons. The eucalyptus garland that decorated the farm table was echoed in the greenery on the bar, on top of which sat our black and white Eiffel Tower engagement photo. A palate of black, white, blush, and gold united the party, from the “Welcome” triangle banner hung from a white fence to the “cupcakes and cocktails” napkins scattered throughout the lounge area.
Guests mingled and enjoyed craft cocktails and a variety of sweet treats. Gourmet oven warm cookie sandwiches were paired with specialty ‘Rose-Marry Me’ grapefruit cocktails served in delicate antique glassware. The dessert table was filled with a variety of our favorite cupcakes, each of which was skillfully decorated with adorable engagement ring accents. I channeled a very stylized 60s casual Hollywood glam look for the event, with an off the shoulder gold fringe sundress and signature era hairdo. Our French Bulldog, Olive, and her four-legged friends were each adorned in specially hand-made flower garlands. The personal and quirky touches made for a truly special day that was unique to us.
As the sun set on our engagement party, we knew this was just the beginning of many incredible celebrations in our life together.
Photography: Steve Steinhardt Photography | Event Planning + Design: Ilana Ashley Events | Hair + Makeup: Glamsquad | Beverages: Lee's Libations | Bridal Attire: BHLDN | Bridal Jewelry: J.Crew | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Dessert (engagement ring cupcakes): Sprinkles Cupcakes | Dessert (floral cupcakes): Magnolia Bakery | Dessert (ice cream sammiches): Chunk-n-chip | Dessert (macarons): Monsieur Marcel | Tabletop (vintage glassware and vessels): Dish Wish
Cinco de Mayo is my favorite holiday, hands down, and it only has a wee bit to do with eating my weight in chips and salsa and washing it all down with a delicious margarita or two. But the fiestas? Those certainly play a part as well and if they look anything like this number crafted by It’s a Sparkly Life with florals by Aura Design and all captured by Lisa Renault, then we’re in for a treat.
With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, I wanted to create a festive and inspiring party that still stayed true to my general aesthetic and color palette! Mainly pastels and lots of pinks! I used saturated pops of color to keep with the style you would normally see in a Cinco de Mayo party. I made sure to have all the other essentials: some papel picado, lots of tacos and a whole lot of tequila! The end result was something feminine, fun and airy! Just how I envisioned it! A perfect Cinco de Mayo party that looks a little different than we are used to!
Photography: Lisa Renault Photographie | Styling: It's A Sparkly Life | Floral Design: Aura Design | Cake: Sweet Savour Cakery | Invitations: Papiers Velours | Catering: Beatrice Catering | Makeup: Wonderblush | Balloons: Haute Balloon | Blogger Models: Some Velvet Morning | Blogger Models: Petite in Bold | Blogger Models: Motherhood in Stilettos | Furniture: Structube | Tabletop and Accessories: Homesense
Getting ready robes are practically a staple for weddings these days and we all agree they make for some insta-worthy shots of you and your gals getting ready! At SMP we scour countless wedding photos and have noted some awesome trendy alternatives to the robes that are just as cute! We’ve rounded up three new ideas your bridesmaids will undoubtedly adore!
Matching pajama sets are the perfect gift for your bridesmaids and make for adorable getting ready photos. Not to mention, your gals can definitely get use out of them again. Make sure to snag button-down tops so they don’t mess up their hair and makeup changing into their dresses! We’ve rounded up the cutest ones out there now – see below!
Camisole Set – J. Crew
Modal PJ Set – Gap
Satin Boxer Set – Victoria’s Secret
Vienne PJ Set – Revolve
Rompers are super cute and surprisingly really comfortable. One trend we’ve seen lately is bridesmaid in cute matching or even mix-matching rompers. You can’t go wrong by gifting your girls one of selected styles below!
Lacy Black Romper- Nordstrom
Penelope Sleep Romper – Anthropologie
Super Soft Sleep Romper – Victoria’s Secret
We saved the best for last! Sleep shirts with cute quotes are the perfect gift for your bridesmaids to get ready in. We all know how comfortable an oversized t-shirt is and we are in love with the styles we found below.
Graphic Sleep Shirt – Nordstrom
Bridal Sleep Shirt – Bloomingdale’s
No Selfie Control Nightdress – Forever 21
Angel Sleep Tee – Victoria’s Secret
No Pants Sleep Shirt – Missguided
