From bridal consultant to blushing bride; I have walked in both shoes. After working with hundreds of brides, steaming thousands of dresses, and consoling countless over-emotional MOB’s (Mother of the Bride), I learned what it takes to be a great bridal consultant. I juggled brides of all shapes, sizes, budgets, and emotions, and sold them the dress of their dreams. During that time, I learned what a huge difference the right bridal consultant can make and here’s exactly what they should tell you at your appointment…

“You Look Beautiful”

Wedding dress shopping can bring out insecurities in any bride. Feeling insecure is a common emotion to have, however the appointment should leave you feeling confident and beautiful. The right bridal consultant will recognize the features that make you unique and beautiful and she will not only find a dress to accentuate those features; she will vocalize that to you.

“You Should Try Something New”

It’s common for a bride to be so set on a dress style before she has even walked into a bridal salon. That can be helpful for the appointment, however the right bridal consultant will push you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to try something a little different. You would be surprised at how many brides end up saying “yes” to a dress that’s opposite of what they originally thought they wanted.

“The Price of the Dress is…”

Some brides save up for their wedding dress for years. Others; their Dad pays in full on the spot. No matter where you are financially, your bridal consultant should be very honest with you about the price of a dress. If you want to try on a dress that is out of our budget, your bridal consultant should kindly tell you so that you are mentally prepared. A bridal consultant is not there to trick you or make you feel bad. She should be making this financial decision as easy as she can for you.

“Tell Me How You’re Feeling”

There are times in an appointment where your Mom will not stop crying about how beautiful you look, your Sister is making passive aggressive comments, and your Grandma is noticing (and criticizing) your tattoo for the first time (sorry Grandma)! So when a bridal consultant is alone with you in the dressing room, she should catch on to your emotions and ask you how you’re feeling. With so many exciting, and nerve-wracking emotions; someone needs to help you calm down when the entourage is getting exhausting, and who better to do it than the consultant.

“It’s Time to Stop Looking”

Even after you have tried on a dress that you love, you may feel the need to keep looking. This can be a slippery slope and cause you to become more and more confused about which dress you like the best. I remember my boss finally telling an overwhelmed bride that she needed to stop. When you find a dress you love, (similar to when you find a significant other that you love) you do not keep looking. You may like characteristics in another dress (or person) but that does not mean you need to keep shopping around. When you have found the one you truly love, let that be the one.

“This is How the Dress Bustles”

Trumpet, ball gown, sheath, or mermaid… each silhouette bustles a little differently. Your bridal consultant knows how each dress shape bustles and she should be able to show you at your appointment. The bustle can make the dress look different in the back so it is important for you to know exactly how the dress will look at each moment of your wedding.

“Here’s What to Expect Post Purchase…”

Each bridal salon has specific rules and details you will need to know after you have put the deposit down on your dress. Some have rules of when the full payment is due, others specify whether or not they will store the dress for you once the dress arrives, and whether or not they offer alterations services. No matter the rules and expectations, you will want to make sure you’re fully aware so that there are no surprises months later.

Shopping for a wedding dress is a special and exciting time for every bride. The right bridal consultant will make you feel prepared and beautiful, all while keeping the end goal in mind; helping you marry the person of your dreams.

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

Greenery and garden blooms never disappoint but when paired with an elegant country wedding in Texas, they’re downright gorgeous. Set against a bright white barn, with climbing garland and fuchsia colored florals by The Southern Table plus a marbled dream cake by Sugar Bee Sweets, this insanely cute couple said “I Do”. And fun fact, all the farm tables so beautifully adorning the reception were handmade by the Bride’s family. Now that is dedication. See the full affair captured by Adria Lea Photography right here in the vault.

From the Bride… Our story began back in High School (in Garland, TX), however we did not realize it at the time. We knew of each other, but our paths did not cross much. A few years passed after High School, and we ran across each other again during a birthday get-together on Lower Greenville in Dallas, TX. We dated a couple of times, but were geographically separated too much at the time to give it a serious try (Don was in the Air Force stationed at Wichita Falls, TX and Jennifer was living in Dallas, TX). Seven years later, we met up in Austin, TX (Jennifer came down with her girlfriend’s birthday and Don was living there). We both agreed that we needed to try dating seriously this time, and nearly every other weekend we were together in either Dallas or Austin for three years straight. We did everything together and made a lot of great memories. It was clear that the third time was a charm, and we had found the one that we had been looking for our whole lives (not knowing they had been there all along).

The proposal (07/02/2016) was surprise at the Harbor in Rockwall, with family on both sides prepped in secret (Don drew a map for family to park and hide safely out of view). We walked towards the movie theatre from the hotel and stopped in front of the fountain (Don took out some pennies and said, “Remember that one time we came here one of our first dates and tossed in coins for good luck? Jennifer said, “Yes I do.”). We then closed our eyes and made a wish and then tossed in the pennies (Don then turned to Jennifer and said, “Remember that one time we came here and I proposed to you?” He got down on one knee and said, “Will you marry me?” Jennifer covered her mouth in happiness and said “Yes!”). All the family them came running out of hiding sharing their congratulations.

The wedding day was the perfect family country wedding. It was exactly how we imagined, from the beginning to the end. It was such a blessing to have friends and family travel from near and far to be with us on that special day. Jennifer’s family did a remarkable job on custom building all the picnic style tables that were used for the reception (countless hours by the whole family). The First Look was one of the most emotional moments of the day, leaving both the Bride and Groom in unbearable anticipation. When we both saw each other, our hearts were full of love. Don was simply in awe of Jennifer. The ceremony was held outside in the most perfect day; we could not have asked for better weather. Don lost it when Jennifer came down the aisle to “A Thousand Years” in string quartet. The reception was full of laughter and good times with karaoke and dancing. The exit was lit with sparklers and well wishes as we waived good bye to all our loved ones. The perfect day, the perfect couple.

Photographer: Adria Lea Photography | Florist: Max Owens Design | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Bride's Shoes: Aldo | Jewelry: Jared | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Caterer: Soulman's BBQ | Makeup Artist: Shilpa Koshky | DJ: James Corona | Transportation: Allpoints Corporate Express | Venue: The White Sparrow | Dress Designer: Pallas Couture | Menswear: Custom made by Vu's Tailor

When my wedding planning process first began, I knew that it would involve a few DIY projects. But it wasn’t until I put together a visual direction that it became apparent what that might be. I knew silver accents were going to play a key role in styling, so I came up with an idea that would mimic the geometric shapes of constellations, incorporate pieces of greenery and use disco balls to create that twinkling effect in our tented reception. Today I’m sharing the instructions for how to make silver geometric diamonds using items you likely already have on hand – so get crafting and enjoy!

Straws (I used regular thin straws and wider “smoothie straws” for variety)
Silver muffler tape
String (I used ‘Bamboo Cord’, from the beading section of the craft store)
Thin wooden dowel or skewer
Ruler or measuring tape
Scissors
Tape
Invisible thread (for hanging)
Greenery of your choice
Thin floral wire
Wire cutters
Disco balls (in a variety of sizes)

Cut your straws to size. You can experiment with various lengths and shapes, but I used two different sizes for this project, using the regular thin straws for the smaller diamonds, and the wider straws for the larger diamonds, with the following lengths for each:

Small Diamonds:
Four 3” straws
Six 5. 5” straws

Large Diamonds:
Four 9” straws
Six 6” straws

Cut the muffler tape into pieces that correspond with your straw lengths. For the thinner straws, one piece of muffler tape will actually cover two straw pieces, so you can cut those in half lengthwise once they’re the right size. For the thicker straws, you’ll need the full width of tape to wrap each piece of straw.

Wrap the straws lengthwise with the muffler tape. You’ll want to be very careful doing this, as the tape is incredibly sticky and wrinkles easily. Gently peel off the tape backing, lay the tape flat on your work surface and then place the straw lengthwise along one side of your tape. Roll the straw gently, covering with tape and smoothing as you go.

In order to start constructing our diamonds, we first want to attach a length of the string to the wooden dowel using a small piece of tape, which we’ll be “threading” through the straws. I like to start with a fairly long piece of string so that I can limit how many times I need to reattach a new pieces of string, but do whatever you feel comfortable working with.

Thread through three straws in this sequence — long, short, long — leaving a small tail of string at the beginning. Pull the string taut at the end, forming a triangle with the three straws and tying off the string with a tight double knot where the two ends meet. Trim any excess string.

Following the same idea as the previous step, we’ll add our next section. Start from the bottom, threading through one of the long straws, then adding a short straw followed by another long straw. Again, tie off at the bottom and trim the ends, leaving you with two triangular sections.

Again, starting from the bottom, thread through one of the long straws, then add a short straw and then another long straw, once again tying off at the bottom and trimming the ends. Now you’ll have three triangular sections.

To finish off the bottom section and create the pyramid shape of the diamond, thread through one of the long straws, add a short straw at the top, and then thread back down through the long straw on the other side, tying off at the bottom. Now you should have a 3D pyramid shape.

For the top section of the diamond, we want to thread through one of the small straws on the pyramid, and then add two more small straws, threading back through one of the base small straws in order to meet the other end of the string and tie it off.

Follow the same instructions as the previous step to add your final two small straws that will create the top of the diamond shape. And voila! You now have a silver diamond, ready to be decorated and hung as you please. If you want to add greenery, disco balls or any other decorations, you can follow the steps below, or you can simply use the diamonds on their own.

To Add Greenery:

Trim off small pieces of greenery, grouping to create little bundles that achieve the look you’re going for. Use a small piece of floral wire to tie the pieces together, and then to attach the bundles to the diamond shapes.

To Add Disco Balls:

Use invisible thread to hang the disco balls or other accents in the center of the diamonds, tying at the top of the diamond. Hang the diamonds in groups at varying heights to create a layered effect. They make a great installation or backdrop, and when they catch the light, you’ll find it dancing it dancing on the walls thanks to the disco balls and reflective silver.

Photography + Styling: Studio Bicyclette

Palm Springs is home to some of the coolest weddings on the planet if you ask me. And this modern color-packed affair is certainly no exception. The couple made sure their big day was anything but stuffy, and the food game was on point from start to finish. Think taco buffet, ice cream cart, a late night pizza delivery and more. Thanks to Betsi Ewing for bringing this epic lovefest to our pretty pages.

From the bride… With Adam being from Charlotte, North Carolina, and I from Northern California, we wanted to find a venue that we could utilize for the entire weekend to make sure our family and friends had a fun, California getaway since they came from near and far. Palm Springs seemed like the perfect destination for a September wedding and we were thrilled to find the Historic Cree Estate in Cathedral City.

Our most important factor, we had agreed upon early, was gathering our loved ones for a fun party. We didn’t care about fancy food (hence our California-inspired taco buffet!). We just wanted people to have a great time and walk away saying “wow, that was such a fun night!” and we definitely think they did – especially because Adam and I, along with about 20 of our guests (including some of our bridal party), decided at the end of the night to jump into the heated pool in our dresses, suits, and wedding gear (cue the gasps! Honestly, it was the best part of the night and something you can never do again. Wouldn’t change that for anything!) Meanwhile, we had the rest of our guests as onlookers, laughing, and recording this chaos as we swam and floated on the various fun, pool floats like a unicorn, YOLO float, ice cream sandwich, or pizza slice.

Since I am an event planner by trade, I have managed everything from budget weddings to over-the-top extravagant weddings in foreign countries, but I knew from the get-go that we wanted to keep our wedding costs down and not splurge on things “just because.” One way I was able to do that was by doing a lot of DIY projects myself, which in the end, I’ve joked that I took on too much because I was still working on things the night before the wedding with the help of my amazing bridesmaids and coordinators. However, details are a very important part of my professional job, so I wanted those personal touches and details to shine through, which is why I created all of our own signage, escort cards, photo booth during cocktail hour, “Snaccident” labels for our cocktail hour appetizers, late night pizza boxes complete with labels, customized notes at guest tables, and even floor decals of our logo for the dance floor, to name a few.

I kept receiving compliments from family and friends all night about the details and decor of the wedding, but I am still in debate whether guests loved our ice cream cart (with custom decals, of course), our dessert bar, or our late night pizza delivery (one of our favorite foods as a couple, which also was our first meal on our first date) with mini to-go boxes for guests to take home the best. Either way, our “we just want everyone to have a good time” goal was a complete success and to say this was the best night of fun, food, dancing, and love with my new husband would be a complete understatement. It was the best night of our lives and could not have been complete without our incredible family, wedding party, friends, dogs (Olive the Boxer & Tia the Dalmatian), and of course, vendors!

Photography: BETSI EWING WEDDINGS | Floral Design: Perfect Petals by Maria | Catering: Good Fellas Catering | Makeup : Ritual Salon & Spa | Hair : Taylor Bugos | Venue: The Cree Estate | Custom Cake, Cupcakes, Churro Donuts: Over The Rainbow | Custom Cookies : Bee Sweet Confections | Event Planning, Design, Production : K2 Event Production | Pizza Delivery: NYPD (New York Pizza Delivery) | Printed Materials : Rita Alexis Design | Rentals: Signature Party Rentals | Rentals: Otis + Pearl Partywares | Wedding Dress + Shoes : Badgley Mischka

Some weddings have high points, where the celebration shined extra bright for a moment in time. Everything else may be lovely, but in that one instance, everything was picture perfect. And then we have weddings like this one here, where the whole entire affair was one super chic high point after another. From the gorgeous gown to the candlelit reception at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, it’s almost too good to be true. But with Bia Sampaio and Jason’s Walz’s pics – and Valerie Barnes Film (a total must watch!)- we’re reassured that all this style is in fact real – see it all right this way!

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From Bia Sampaio… Lana and Justin had one of those weddings that was out of this world elegant. Not only they are a gorgeous couple (Lana is also a fashion blogger) they have a great sense of style.

They enlisted the incredible Claudia Hanlin from The Wedding Library to design and plan one of the most beautiful and tasteful wedding I had ever shot.

Lana in her impeccably chic wedding dress from Ersa Atelier radiated happiness, beauty and glamour. Justin looked super dapper in his tux. And together they enjoyed every single second of their wedding.

From the Bride… Justin and I had a strong vision for our wedding. We wanted something rustic (inspired by the English countryside) but modern and extremely upscale at the same time. Blue Hill at Stone Barns was the venue that perfectly fit the aesthetic we were searching for. The natural beauty is breathtaking and makes you feel like you’ve been transported to a different country.

Romantic, intimate ambiance was also essential to us and few spaces accomplish that like Blue Hill. I’m also a huge foodie!—and I loved that the cuisine at Blue Hill is not only spectacular, but farm-to-table fresh. The culinary team there is incomparable.

With regards to my dress, I wanted something that felt regal and editorial as opposed to bridal. When I tried on Ersa Atelier’s “Candor” dress, that was it. I’m extremely decisive when it comes to fashion, and the color of the fabric, intricate beadwork and silhouette suited me perfectly.
I knew I wanted a short dress to change into late night, and Karen Willis Holmes is another one of the best bridal designers out there. I was so nervous when I did it, but I loved her monochromatic ‘Anya’ gown so much that I bought it and had it chopped into a mini.

If I could give all brides to be one piece of advice, it would be to really take the day in and find little moments to be present. I know people always say that, but take time to center yourself and observe what’s going on around you. Pay attention to the conversations you have, how it feels when you put on your dress and slip on your shoes, how your new wedding band looks on your finger, how happy your new spouse looks, how the wine tastes.

After our ceremony, Justin and took time to read each other our own vows in private. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement that comes with greeting your guests, but it’s important to remember that the day really is about you and your partner enjoying yourselves.

It was so special to see our guests enjoy themselves from afar, and that’s the image that sticks out in my mind the most. I’ve also heard that the majority of brides don’t even get to taste their own wedding cake and vowed not to let that happen! A girl’s gotta have her cake after all those wedding workouts!

Ultimately, your wedding day is going to be the best day of your life no matter what happens. Don’t sweat the small stuff during planning, and regardless of how stressed you might become, always bring the real reason why all of this is happening back into focus: you love someone enough to commit your life to them, and if you’ve found that, you’re beyond lucky.

From The Wedding Library… I was lucky enough to work with the Russo family on Lana’s sister’s wedding a few years prior to Lana’s engagement. Working on a second wedding with a family is a special treat – wedding designers and planners rarely get to work with the same family twice. Just when you are fully immersed in the dreams of each family member, the wedding is over! But while Cassie’s event was all glitz and glamour (Gatsby-inspired), Lana was looking for pure English-garden beauty. When she shared inspiration photos of Kate Moss’ wedding in England and tear-sheets from British Vogue weddings, I knew exactly the editorial, bohemian-chic look that she wanted.

To make our design and planning even more special, Lana and Justin re-created the “dream team” of her sister’s wedding. We worked with the same band, photographer, videographer, floral designer and planner/event designer to create a very different event. Each vendor, in love with the family in their own way, brought their best to the table for this gorgeous wedding.

The Rockefeller barns and rolling hills were the perfect backdrop; around each corner it appeared as if the rich and delightful design just effortlessly belonged. We re-defined the farm wedding – romantic, elevated and soft, with luxurious fabrics and metals that created distinction.

We orchestrated a distinct progression to the evening. Each stage brought new surprises to the guests and beautiful details and views. Guests arrived along the curving drive, through the fields of the farm, and were quickly absorbed into the relaxing atmosphere of Blue Hill. As they approached the courtyard with its stone walls and grand arch, they were transported to a countryside wedding.

We laid an enormous 40X40 foot sisal carpet in the middle of the barn’s courtyard for the ceremony. A lush arch and even fuller aisle flowers bracketed the space and truly defined and highlighted the gorgeous flowers. Lana wanted a long aisle, and we hid her and her bridal party so that the approach would be through the iconic barnyard arch.

As guests moved into the cocktail area terrace, they were treated to a “bread experience” from Blue Hill’s bakery, and the open-air grill that smokes meats, fishes and herbs day and night. Experiencing the working bakery, restaurant and farm is part of the rare treat of getting married at Blue Hill at Stone Barnes and delights ALL the senses!

To continue the excitement of a new experience at every turn, guests came through the same courtyard as the ceremony to get to dinner. During cocktails the floral team moved the giant carpets (that were cut in two), lined a pathway with lanterns and rotated the ceremony arch for guests to pass through on their way to dinner.

Dinner was an elegant affair. Colors, where they appeared, were subtle and included soft whites, ivories and creams. There were greens of foliage, breathy grays, greige and lamb’s ear softness. Crystal clear, gleaming glass added clean texture and reflection. Finally, brushed pewters and soft silvers picked up the light and elevated the design further. There was a slight pull of restraint throughout the design – where the flowers felt like they’re bursting to be set free. Custom chargers, cushy chairs and deckled edged menu and place cards finished the look. The band was ready in the dining area, flanked by the aisle flowers from the ceremony, and ready to perform more sedated standards during the elegant dinner.

During dinner our team was busy pulling out the stops for the last stage of the party – an after-party fully decked out with specialty bars, multiple lounges, photo booth, a gleaming plexi dance floor, band AND DJ and topped off with the wedding hashtag in neon lights above the bandstand. During dinner filament bulbs were strung across the courtyard, furniture was moved in, trees were placed and the courtyard was transformed. Passed desserts, dark sunglasses, flip flops and glow necklaces kept the party rocking until late into the night. As the perfect Blue Hill touch, an old-fashioned push wagon was filled with cookies for guests as they finally left the party that no one wanted to end.

Now the wedding team can only wait until the third Russo sister gets engaged. Hint hint.

Photography: Sampaio/Walz Photography | Photography: Sampaio/Walz Photography | Videography: Valerie Barnes Film | Event Planning + Design: The Wedding Library | Floral Design: Stonekelly Events & Florals | Wedding Dress: Ersa Atelier | Invitations: The Wedding Library | Wedding Shoes: Steve Madden | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Sarah Janks | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Make Up: Robin Chism | Hair: Gina Rossi-Foley | Lighting: Pegasus Productions | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Transportation: MTC | Wedding Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Accomodations: test | Bridal Suite: test | Dinning Chair Rental: Rentals Unlimited | Lounge Rentals: Afr | Mother of the Bride Gown: Terani Couture | Music: Vali Entertainment | Photobooth: Mir Mir | Photography - Assistance: Frank Marshal | Reception Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Sound + Dance Floor: KM Productions | Welcome Basket: Sarah Janks

It doesn’t get much prettier than the majestic backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands; and Anna Ranch is right in keeping with all that tropical beauty. Inspired by this gorgeous locale, Moana Events, Modern Elopement and Grace Flowers Hawaii crafted the most elegant elopement inspiration draped in a sea of white. This destination wedding is taken to a whole new level of stunning. See even more of Aria Studio’s beautiful captures right here.

Inspired from the history and beauty of Anna Ranch tucked in the uplands of Hawaii Island, we designed a sophisticated and elegant all-white elopement against one of Hawaii’s majestic backdrops that tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience.
The rolling and impossibly green hills of Waimea serve as the backdrop for the quaint and historic Anna Ranch.

Anna who the ranch is named after was a real woman and inherited the ranch in 1939 after it being in her family for a century and earned her title as “The First Lady of Ranching.” Not only was Anna a skilled rancher and sportswoman, she also loved to throw amazing social events at the ranch to raise funds for the surrounding community. Anna always dreamt of developing a heritage center on her ranch and toward the end of her life she donated her land and ranch house to the community and it has since been listed on the National Historic Register.

In the same vain as our unexpected heroine and romantic hills we wanted to design a sweetheart tablescape perfect for a luxurious elopement that represented Hawaii’s natural foliage without the usual brightly colored flowers. Instead, we wanted tropical Hawaiian flowers in elegant whites and greens paired with romantic lace linens and vintage inspired dinnerware. The cascading white orchids and crown flowers were inspired by the Hawaiian lei and subtly represents the bride and groom as royalty on their special day.

The elegant simplicity of the Sarah Janks wedding gown was perfect for our modern interpretation on the traditional Hawaiian wedding lei. The lei has been used for hundreds of years to signify the wearers status, enhance beauty, and show love and respect from the lei giver to the receiver. The crown flowers that made up the backward lariat style lei that dramatically draped down our bride’s back were chosen because they were Queen Liliuokalani’s favorite and most prized flower.

The bride’s exquisite bouquet matched our non-traditional Hawaiian theme with white bougainvillea, orchids, and tropical white antheriums mixed with white garden flowers and tied with a cascade of crown flower strands.

Photography: Aria Studios | Event Design: Moana Belle Events | Event Planning: Modern Elopement | Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii | Hair and Makeup : Mara McMichael | Calligraphy: Hawaii Calligraphy | Venue: Anna Heritage Ranch Center | Dress & Veil: Love And Lace- A Bridal Boutique | Linens : Les Saisons | Photo Processing: Indie Film Lab | Rentals: Maison De Ware | Rentals: Big Island Tents | Wedding Ring: Heidi Gibson

Gorgeous bouquets come in all shapes and sizes but understanding just what you can get for different price points can be somewhat of a mystery.  That is until now. From $150 to $350, Emma Lea Floral, The Styled Soiree and Sara Lynn Fine Art Photography are breaking down all the beauty of bouquets no matter your budget. Plus read up on Emma’s insider floral tips below.

Why do bouquets vary so much in cost? Pricing of bridal bouquets is dependent on many factors such as size, style, season, and floral choice. A modest and affordable bouquet might emphasize simplicity by using a smaller variety of flowers, more greenery, and more affordable blooms. Increasing the size of a bouquet, using premium blooms, and limiting the use of greenery will all increase the overall cost of a bouquet. With the exception of certain styles, a well rounded bouquet will feature a variety of textures, greenery types and bloom sizes.

Example of a $150 Bridal Bouquet

Simple and textural

Ingredients:

Garden Roses (Edith & Juliet) $$$
Playa Blanca Rose $$
Cappuccino Rose $$
Lysmachia $
Alstroemeria $
Ginesta $
Green Huck $
Blackberry $$
Peach Spray Rose $

This bouquet was created using a few simple and affordable ingredients with texture and dynamic shape to create visual interest. Large, open standard roses created much of the structure with greenery and textural blooms throughout for added shape and detail. Alsotroemeria, a flower commonly overlooked for weddings, adds bright color and airy detail to the bouquet. An affordable bouquet can still have gorgeous elements such as a few well-placed garden roses and fruited blackberry. The stems of this bouquet are simply and cleanly wrapped with satin ribbon.

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Example of a $250 Bridal Bouquet

Full and Fabulous

Ingredients:

Garden Roses (Edith & Juliet) $$$
Playa Blanca Rose $$
Cappuccino Rose $$
Purple Hellebore $$
White Lilac $$$
Blackberry $$
Antique Hydrangea $$
Peach Spray Rose $
Purple Scabiosa $

This bouquet price allows for a larger sized bouquet along with a variety of premium blooms. In this specific design, antique hydrangea adds rich color and texture. These expensive blooms fill much of the bouquet making it more cost effective and leaving room for other gorgeous blooms such as garden roses and white lilac. These premium blooms offer a variety of textures creating a more interesting composition. Greenery is tucked throughout this bouquet but more for color and texture rather than size and shape. The stems of this bouquet are wrapped in premium hand-dyed silk ribbon with a loose bow and tails.

Example of a $350 Bridal Bouquet

A Stunning Statement

Ingredients:

Garden Roses (Edith & Juliet) $$$
Playa Blanca Rose $$
Cappuccino Rose $$
Purple Ranunculus $$
Purple Scabiosa $
Purple Hellebore $$
White Lilac $$$
Blackberry $$
Antique Hydrangea $$
Peach Spray Rose $
Sweet Pea $$$
Delphinium $$$

A bouquet in this price range is certain to be a show stopper. Using almost entirely premium blooms, this bouquet is meant to create a visual statement through size, color, and a mix of textures. Large delphinium blooms create dynamic shape among roses, garden roses, and white lilac. Smaller blooms such as ranunculus, scabiosa, hellebore, and lysmachia are used for colorful and textural detail. These smaller, more delicate blooms are great for creating depth but do not add much of a structural base making them relatively expensive choices compared to sturdier, larger blooms such as roses. The stems of this bouquet make a statement of their own featuring a variety of hand-dyed silk ribbon streamers.

 

How long does it take to make my bouquet?

A: Designing and creating a bouquet isn’t as simple as heading to a flower market, selecting some gorgeous flowers, and tying them together. Your floral designer will plan the bouquet months in advance and order flowers about three weeks in advance. He or she will pick up flowers as early as a week before your wedding day and prep the flowers and foliage (cutting them to size, removing guard petals, making sure each element looks its best). Designing your bouquet will take about an hour but can depend on the complexity of the design.

How should I hold my bouquet?

A: Always check with your floral designer to see if your bouquet has a “front” and a “back.” Hold your bouquet about belly button level. Make sure you are holding it with relaxed fingers rather than clutching tightly.

How can I make help my bouquet look great until the end of my wedding?

A: Before your ceremony, whenever your bouquet isn’t being photographed, make sure it is kept in water. During hot months, try to keep your bouquet in cooler places and during cold months, make sure it doesn’t freeze untended outside. Some flowers are more delicate than others and will be very sensitive to heat.

What is the best way to make sure my bouquet is totally unique?

A: Give your floral designer some ability to be creative! He or she may discover a bloom at the market the day they are buying your flowers that will elevate your bouquet to a completely different level! Choose your floral designer based on their overall style, but allow them the flexibility to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art for your wedding.

I love my bouquet so much but flowers don’t last forever, what can I do?

A: Make sure that your photographer captures your bouquet in detail! Ask your planner or photographer to style your bouquet in a few different settings so you have a variety of gorgeous shots. If a particular bloom is your favorite, request a “detail” photograph of it! And you can ask your florist about Bouquet Preservation services. Finally, you could have a beautiful watercolor painting commissioned from your favorite photography of your bouquet!

Photography: Sara Lynn Fine Art Photographer | Floral Design: Emma Lea Floral | Ring: Abby Sparks Jewelry | Makeup: Brooke Rock Makeup | Calligraphy : The Styled Soiree | Bridal Shop: Felice´Bridal | Dress Designer: Palazzo | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Model: Yujin Choi via Wilhelmina Denver | Planning and Event Design: The Styled Soiree

We all know that every stunning wedding ensemble deserves a fabulous shoe to match, but if you’re stopping at just one pair for your Big Day, you’re missing out on an entire world of wedding shoe bliss. So today we’re teaming up with Stuart Weitzman to help you choose the perfect shoe for every event on your wedding lineup. From beautiful flats to strappy sandals, we’ve got that bridal shower, honeymoon and more totally covered. Scroll for total shoe happiness.

THE BRIDAL SHOWER

It all starts with the bridal shower, which means getting your shoe game on point early. We happen to be head over heels (pun intended) for Stuart Weitzman’s totally chic + casual looks, like The CHAINGANG Sandal and The SUNDRY Wedge. Or keep it sweet with The CHICFLAT or The PEEKABOW Pump, two gorgeous shoes that really make a statement.

THE BACHELORETTE PARTY

Bachelorette parties are for throwing on those party shoes and dancing the night away with your besties. So finding the perfect heels to really make your outfit POP? Priority number one. Enter Stuart Weitzman and an entire world of beautiful possibilities, from the totally stunning PRANKS Sandal to the hot pink NUDIST to the NEARLY NUDE Sandal with its glittery stacked heels. Want to show off your blingy side? The glittery MEMOIR is the perfect choice.

THE REHEARSAL DINNER

We’re true believers that the night before your wedding day deserves just as much style as the BIG event itself.  So our advice? Choose a shoe that will really make your outfit stand out. Think Stuart Weitzman masterpieces like the suede GETONUP Sandal (a fab stiletto), the The NEARLY NUDE in Noir Argento Silver (yes, we love this shoe) and The NUDISTSONG Sandal in glass beige. And, of course, we can’t have this list without The PEEKABOW Pump in Noir Platinum.

THE WEDDING DAY

Ah, the wedding day. This is the moment when you slip on those Stuart Weitzman masterpieces and really, really wow your guests. And with Stuart Weitzman’s new 2017 Bridal Collection premiering on Monday, April 17th (online and in select stores), your fabulous options are basically endless. From our fave NEARLY NUDE (hello, pearls) to The NUDIST, you’ll be looking absolutely divine… we promise.

THE RECEPTION / AFTER PARTY

Long gone are the days of rockin’ the same wedding ensemble for the entire night of your celebration… now we mix things up with a glamorous change for the reception and after party. Which means another amazing pair of shoes from Stuart Weitzman to make you feel all sorts of sophisticated. Think seriously chic + comfy options (a girl’s gotta dance) like The BALLSOFFIRE Sandal, The DECOR Sneaker and The DECOR Slide in suede. Or go for The SIMPLE Sandal with a stacked heel that’s perfect for taking that dance floor by storm.

THE HONEYMOON

When all of the official celebrations are over, it’s time to kick back and relax with your newly betrothed. But just because you’re not in “official” wedding mode doesn’t mean the style has to end. With Stuart Weitzman, you can rock that honeymoon with chic looks like The CORBATA Sandal (hello, jean blue suede), The EDGEWAY Sandal and the colorful JABOW.  And don’t forget the flowery FRAYED for those nights out on the town.

With locations on Michigan Avenue (Chicago), Madison Avenue (New York), Greenwich Avenue (Connecticut), Rodeo Drive and South Coast Plaza (California), NorthPark Center (Dallas), and Lenox Square (Atlanta) and a website that will make you swoon (seriously), Stuart Weitzman’s elegant designs + fabrics will have you walking down the aisle in total style. Not to mention that they’ll personalize all bridal styles with your name and wedding date on the sole of the heel. Check out their gorgeous new Spring 2017 Bridal Collection and then peruse all of their other options for every party on your itinerary. You’re going to look fabulous, you guys.

Photography (Bachelorette Party): Ava Moore Photography | Photography (Bridal Shower): Ashley McCormick Photography | Photography (Honeymoon): Marta Locklear | Photography (Reception): Emilie Ann Photography | Photography (Rehearsal Dinner): Jose Villa Photography | Photography (Wedding): Jose Villa Photography

I’m a tad bit reluctant to admit just how many hours I spent poring over these images by Ivory+Bliss. But can you even blame me? It’s springtime wedding inspiration at its finest, with Tristan Needham Design and Bows + Arrows playing off all the shades of the warm Texas sun. Think buttery yellows, coral poppies, and soft tones of tangerine brought together for photo gallery you’ll never want to leave.

From Ivory+Bliss… Ever since I came across The White Sparrow Barn, it was on my heart to create an editorial there. Between the natural light on the inside of the barn, to the expansive surrounding property, The White Sparrow Barn is nothing short of a film photographer’s dream.

Earlier in the year, I connected with Tristan Needham at a photography workshop and I just knew she was the one for the job. The palette – inspired by the warm Texas sun can be found in each element chosen for the editorial. Buttery yellow, and coral poppies, mixed with the soft and edible tones of tangerines – added just the right amount of color and subtle European romanticism we were looking for. All of the vendors we collaborated with for this editorial truly poured their heart into it, and to us, it shows.

Photography: Ivory+Bliss | Design + Styling: Tristan Needham Design | Wedding Dress: Saint Isabel Bridal | Cake: 2tarts Bakery | Rings: Susie Saltzman | Venue: The White Sparrow | Floral: Bows and Arrows | MUAH: Hair+Makeup by Haley Ann | Modeling Agency: Kim Dawson | Paper Goods: Graceline Art | Rentals: Bella Acento

When the bride happens to be none other than Kelly or Jane Kelly Floral, you better believe a gorgeous wedding will follow. Especially when that wedding is set in the middle of a Wisconsin winter wonderland. Complete with elegant draping, a candle lined aisle, fresh greens, and the coziest fireplace – this gallery by Uttke Photography & Design will leave you longing for snowy days in a serious way.

From the bride… Kelly and Matt, owners of Jane Kelly Floral, Inc. planned their own wedding in a beautiful winter landscape in Wisconsin on January, 28. They have a love for winter and brought all of the cozy winter details into their wedding day, not to mention a statement of floral. They were ecstatic to have a fresh coat of snow just a few days before their wedding which made for gorgeous portraits.

Their vision was to create an experience for all of their guests that attended the wedding. It was an evening ceremony that had fire pits, candles and lanterns lit as you approached the Chandelier Ballroom. The ceremony was held in an intimate room that had a beautiful brick fireplace that was softened with draping fabric and candles lining the aisle. The showstopper of the ceremony was their beloved pup, Lucy who happily walked down the aisle with Matt.

The evening of celebration continued with guests roasting s’mores at the outdoor fire pits and indulging in food stations that had everything from smoked salmon to roasted grape and goat cheese crostini’s. Kelly wanted the guests to feel cozy and therefore brought the grand scale of the octagonal shaped ballroom down by building drapery and floral structures for guests to be seated under. It was a subtle feel of bringing the outdoors in for an enchanted winter evening. Kelly and Matt shared their first meal as Mr. and Mrs. seated among their immediate family at the center of the room with a canopy of candles and foliage garlands overhead.

Photography: Uttke Photography & Design | Floral Design: Jane Kelly Floral, Inc. | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Catering: Chandelier Ballroom | Hair & Makeup: Style by R | Bridal Shop: Amelishan Bridal | DJ & Lighting: Milwaukee Airwaves | Linens: Windy City Linens | Pipes & Draping: Bliss Events | Table & Props: Vintique Rental

Just because a wedding is elegant and bursting with beauty, doesn’t mean it can’t be one heck of a good time as well. Case in point: this West Virginia fete that is full of fun twists and turns. From noisemakers, prosecco and a receiving line to mini grilled cheeses and Moscow Mules, it was a delicious and delightful time – captured completely by Lisa Blume. But the fun wasn’t limited to just that day either – we have a Welcome Cruise and Brunch that is sure to inspire as well. Enough with the chit chat though – let’s get to all the pretty pics right this way!

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From the Bride… 
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan made meeting online seem so sweetly romantic, so with that we both decided to join match.com. I turned on my computer. I waited impatiently as it connected. I went online, and my breath caught in my chest when I heard three little words: You’ve got mail. I had mail. From Matt! The rest is rom-com love story history…

Upon learning that Matt’s favorite food was grilled cheese and tomato soup, I suggested we meet at a newly opened neighborhood spot called Pursuit Wine Bar. Their featured menu item: a make-your-own grilled cheese. We had the place to ourselves for most of the evening, so we toured several wine regions by the glass, joined forces to create an ooey-gooey grilled cheese, and never looked back.

After we got engaged, we moved to Chicago, started new jobs, and bought a house. We were living together for the first time, and dealing with a lot of life changes, so wedding planning was not always at the top of our priority list. But you know what they say, “Go big or go home!” We were very lucky to have Emily Butler of Karson Butler Events on board for wedding planning! When Emily, asked us to choose our top priorities for the wedding, we immediately blurted out, “Booze, food, music… in that order.” We wanted our wedding to have a lot of personal touches and we wanted to highlight the natural beauty of West Virginia, after all it is “Wild and Wonderful”.

We tried to strike a balance with our wedding and really focused on natural elegance, heartfelt romance, and fun! We had a lot of fun details that kept the guests wowed and entertained. The “hangover kits” and cards that were delivered during the reception to all of our guests’ rooms. The cards said, “Saw you on the dance floor. Thought you might need this.” Our welcome bags were very personal. We curated a welcome bag that featured items that were significant to the places we lived. We had Old Bay crab chips for Maryland. Pepperoni rolls for West Virginia. Homemade poptarts from Ted’s Bulletin in Washington, DC and Garrett Popcorn from Chicago.

After the ceremony we passed out cute paper bags with ribbon wand streamers and bells, noisemakers, and a can of prosecco for our receiving line. We loved the ceremony décor. Our florist did a wonderful job of bringing the outdoors in and making the space feel romantic and full, while not taking away from the natural beauty and picturesque views. We also really loved the menu for our cocktail reception. Chef Tim and Stonewall did a phenomenal job making us a custom menu. We had mini grilled cheese with tomato gazpacho and Moscow mules in copper mugs – Matt’s favorite food and drink – to name a few. We chose the Stonewall resort for the special day because I grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, so it felt very much like being at home as well as being accommodating for our special day and guests coming from all over the place.

My wedding dress and veil were by Anne Barge. I purchased them at Belle Vie in Chicago. My mom and sister flew in for the occasion, and my aunt and cousin, who live in the city, joined us. We met up at my house first for breakfast and mimosas. Belle Vie was great with our big group, and gave us a nice private viewing area. I had tried on dresses at a few other stores, but nothing really stuck. When I put my dress on and walked out, every family member started crying. Once they put the veil on, my mom was blubbering. I knew if it could get that reaction just in the fitting room, it was the dress for me. To seal the deal, my amazing seamstress Vera cut a fabric heart from my late grandfather’s dress shirt and sewed it into the under layer of my gown as my something blue.

Our favorite moment was after our ceremony the bridal party went back into the holding room. Everyone was cheering and laughing. We looked over to see Matt’s 10 year old nephew Michael, our Jr. Groomsman, crying. He told us he didn’t understand why he was crying. Matt and his brother and sister all choked up trying to explain to him that’s it’s ok to cry when you’re happy. It was truly the sweetest moment. Our second favorite moment happened right after Pastor Ed announced us as husband and wife. We had tucked away our band, The Soul Miners, in the library and as soon as they announced us, the doors swung open and they started a live version of the Ray Charles song “Hallelujah I Love Her So”. Guests were so excited and everyone starting singing and clapping along as we made our way back down the aisle as husband and wife.

We booked approximately four honeymoons because we just couldn’t decide where we wanted to go. We finally settled on Bermuda and we’re so glad we did. It was a nice quick flight from the East Coast. We stayed at the Fairmont Southampton and had a wonderful time exploring the island and the surrounding coral reefs.

Photography: Lisa Blume Photography | Event Planning: Karson Butler Events | Event Styling: Karson Butler Events | Floral Design: Eventi by Diana | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: Bonnie Bell's Pastries | Shoes: Rachel Simpson | Rings: WestPhal Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Stonewall Resort | DJ: Bravo Live | Band: Soul Miners | Transportation: A Touch Of Class Limousines | Wedding Venue: Stonewall Resort | Bridal Boutique: Belle Vie Bridal | Calligraphy + Signage: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Groom + Groomsmen's Attire: Macy's Bar III | Invitation + Paper Goods: The Dandelion Patch | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Strings: Chamber Light Players | Veil: Anne Barge

Maybe you’ve never heard of Crowley, Louisiana before today but I guarantee you’ll be happy to virtually visit with this hometown affair. The photographer-turned-bride brought a thoughtful eye for style to every component of the day, including the reception dinner hosted in the couple’s own backyard. Catherine Guidry photographed and we’re thrilled to welcome these stunning images to our pages.

From the bride… Guy ask girl to be his wife, girl says yes. The rest is history. Well, this was not exactly our story. After eight years of long distance dating, we both finally settled in our hometown. We bought a house that needed a complete renovation. With my architecture turned photographer background and my husbands handy skills, we worked endlessly on our flip house. One night after a long days work, I said, “We’ve been dating eight years, adopted two cats, and renovated a house…ok, do you want to get married now? ” He laughed and replied, “Sure!” No ring, no fancy proposal, but it was our story and I love it.

As a photographer, I envisioned a romantic natural light, outdoor wedding for our special day. We opted to host our wedding in the city that is most dear to our hearts: Crowley, Louisiana – rice capital of American and our sweet hometown. I designed our wedding crest made of rice, which was the theme for the day. This crest was printed on the invitations, napkins, cookies and more.

Our color palette was storm blue, ivory, and peach using inspiration from my dress and the rice theme for our decor. It seemed fitting that my main color was “Storm Blue” as it rained all day until 10 minutes before walking down the isle. As I was waiting in the vintage Cadillac to walk down the aisle, the sun peeked through the clouds. I looked at my dad, he smiled and said, “It’s your day, I knew it would all work out my sweetie!” He was right, I could not have dreamed it better.

We decided on the “Moody Property,” a secluded piece of land surrounded by 100-year-old oak trees, for our ceremony. Our childhood homes are three miles away from each other, the Moody Property is exactly in the middle of the two. We thought it was perfect middle ground from where we both grew up to celebrate with our 30 closest friends and family…including our 9 nieces and nephews dressed in heirloom lace attire. The violinist softly played “Sicilliano” by Birckenstock in the background as we read our handwritten vows to each other. I was so excited to see the ring he chose for me when we changed our vows. I had technically proposed to him, so he waited until our wedding day to give me the non-traditional, yellow gold, vintage-inspired ring that he said “looked like it was made just for me,” it was perfect. We exited hand-in-hand with the sweetest petal toss by all the kids.

For the reception, we celebrated over a lovely catered dinner in the backyard of our newly renovated home. The reception was full of personal details such as individually monogrammed napkins, my grandmother’s china, hand-written signage and the bar my husband built. My favorite part of my wedding day was sitting on the swing with my new husband watching our families mingle, seeing our nieces and nephews running barefoot in the yard chasing our two cats, and watching the sunset from the rainy day that turned out to be so beautiful. What was most important to us was executing a vision that was not only personal to the place but to us as a couple.

Photography: Catherine Guidry Photography | Floral Design: Brianna Belton Design LLC | Wedding Dress: Tanya Kochnova | Cake: The Cake Room | Invitations: Jolie and Co. | Shoes: Bella Belle | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Bride: Lindsey Rogers | Candles: Creative Candles | Children's Heirloom: Auraluz | Cookies: Southern Sugar Custom Cookies | Embroidery: The Patterned Pecan | Laser Cutting : Letters To You | MUAH: Joie De Vivre Salon Spa | Rentals: Event Rental | Rentals : Pure Vintage Rentals | Signage: HeyHalle | Violinist : Lauren Baker

Surprise! We’re getting married!…. Now that is the makings of a fabulous celebration. For a Bride and Groom who wanted to keep things fun and low-stress, they decided a wedding day disguised as an engagement celebration at a local eatery would be perfect for their intimate New York City nuptials. And with the help of Designs by Ahn, Haven’s Kitchen and Cynthia Chung, it went off without a hitch.

From the Photographer… I was so excited when William and Ellen reached out to me about having a SURPRISE wedding! Our first surprise of the day was that it was SNOWING when we woke up that morning!! But that didn’t stop us! It actually made our outdoor portraits around NYC even better. We made our way around the West Village and then to Chelsea- some in the snow, some in neighborhood cafes- then even ended up in the super crowded, Chelsea Market. The intimate ceremony with family was held at Haven’s Kitchen. Then following the ceremony, guests began arriving for the big surprise! All the guests thought they were attending the bride & groom’s “engagement party” but instead was greeted with a beautifully dressed up bride and groom exclaiming, “we got married!” It was so fun to see everyone’s expressions and shocked reactions. It really was a one-of-a kind experience and I loved every minute of it!

From the Bride… We wanted everything about the wedding to be low stress. We decided on our wedding date with three months to plan and we had no time to procrastinate. Luckily we landed the most wonderful vendors who were lifesavers – for all the details that we didn’t feel strongly about, they were on hand to put their creative spin on our day.

Why did we want a surprise wedding? We’re both easygoing people who don’t really like being center of attention. In a twist from the traditional wedding format, we decided to get married in an intimate ceremony and then surprise our guests with our wedding celebration, disguised as our engagement party. It felt so unconventional and so right for us from the moment we settled on that decision. We told everyone that William’s parents were coming to town and that was why we were doing a fancier-than-normal engagement party. We hated deceiving our friends but their surprised faces were SO worth it. We wanted the wedding to reflect our personalities and our relationship.

It was pretty important that we got married in New York because this was the place where we met and fell in love. Just before we got engaged, I had come across a story about a couple in Toronto who got surprised married at the bride’s surprise 30th birthday. I couldn’t get it out of my head and William was just nutty enough to entertain the idea. We wanted a space that was unconventional but not too trendy, simple; but not too DIY. Haven’s Kitchen is cozy and personable and just like being home, but much more tastefully decorated.

I had trouble connecting with a calligrapher prior to the wedding so I decided to create my own. I had been teaching myself calligraphy for months and I got to put it to use creating the large signs that welcomed our guests to our surprise wedding. It was a fun project to take my mind off all my final projects from school but because we had huge signs all around our apartment, we couldn’t have anyone over for fear of blowing our secret.

It was so, so wonderful to involve all the important people in our lives in our ceremony. My best friend and would-have-been maid of honor registered as a Universal Life Minister so that she could marry us. William’s brother stood up with us to translate the ceremony for our parents. William’s sister, a professional pianist, recorded the processional music. And Ellen’s brother facilitated the ring warming ceremony in which our 15 ceremony guests blessed our rings and our marriage. To have everyone play a part in the act of marrying us was so meaningful to us. To include everyone in the family who couldn’t make it, we displayed photos of our nephews in the back of the room, and we also included our parents’ wedding pictures, to give us good jujus on our big day. The day before our wedding, William’s parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier in the year.

Photographer: Cynthia Chung Photography | Videography: Shutter and Sound | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: Lovely Bridal Shop | Wedding Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Jewelry: RK Bridal | Hair and Makeup: Sachiko Yanase | Stationery + Calligraphy: Designs by Ellen | Ceremony & Reception: Haven's Kitchen | Decorations: Patrick Clayton | Event Management: Haven's Kitchen | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Groom's Tuxedo: Lord's Tailor | Wedding Rings: Cartier

If I had to describe this wedding in one short phrase, “easy, breezy island elegance” are the words that jump straight to mind. Karen and Mark hoped to give their guests a tropical escape and a celebration set in Montego Bay, Jamaica totally fit the bill. Shannon Leahy Events and Bows & Arrows infused the affair with color-happy moments, and the one and only Sylvie Gil captured everything behind the camera.

From Sylvie Gil… Karen & Mark’s Caribbean wedding was a lovely spring departure from the bustle of city life. The ceremony and reception were highlighted by richly colored island florals, a bright tropical color palette, and coral and pineapple accents. The couple integrated plenty of custom designs with the surrounding Jamaican culture – monogrammed “escort cups” for guests, ikat table runners, local flowers, and steel drums at the farewell brunch. A relaxed and idyllically beautiful affair, this wedding is the definition of effortless island elegance.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Wedding Planning: Shannon Leahy Events | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: Cakes by Noida | Invitations: Bourne Paper Co. | Ceremony Venue: Half Moon Resort | Reception Venue: Golden Castle Golf and Spa | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Rings: Cohen Diamond | Makeup: Gourmet make up | DJ: Elite Media Concepts | Band: Ritual Salon & Spa | Transportation: Jamaica Tours (JTL) | Pool Cover + Lighting: Starlite Productions | Rentals: Novelty Party Rentals | Video: Elite Media Concepts

With every collection, I design our pieces to feel really light and effortless. This season, we have a bit of a celestial theme throughout, and the embroidery is just breathtaking. I wanted the beadwork to feel as though it had fallen from the sky and just dusted the gowns, hence the collection name ‘Stardust.’ I designed this collection for the woman who appreciates a classic silhouette, but also has a bit of whimsy in her. — Alexandra Grecco

Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco

We all know that wedding planning isn’t always easy. From managing that guest list to curating your registry to designing that perfect wedding website, it can all be a little overwhelming. Which is where Zola and their amazing online planning tool, Zola Weddings, comes in to play. Think a one-stop shop for all things planning that will most definitely turn you into the organizational genius you always dreamed of. Scroll for the details.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could design your wedding website, create a checklist of all of your priorities, manage that guest list AND curate the perfect registry all in one place? Well, Zola Weddings has you covered with their online planning tool that takes everything from seriously stressful to seamless in the blink of an eye. From personalizing Zola Wedding’s awesome wedding website with pics, stories and details to creating checklists that are unique to you + yours to managing your guest lists and RSVPs, Zola is literally everything you’ll ever need. And, of course, you can’t mention Zola without raving about their amazing registry – a place that has over 450 top brands, cash funds and awesome experiences that you will love. You can even oversee your registry from the tool. It’s a one-stop shop, y’all.

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Need help with planning AND looking for a registry that is perfect for you and yours? Zola is the answer. Visit them today to check out their brand new planning tool, amazing products and top-notch customer service. You can do everything from your desktop or their awesome app… and then sit back and totally relax. You honestly couldn’t ask for more.

New York fashion designer Reem Acra debuted her Spring 2018 collection of bridal gowns inspired by the heritage and craftsmanship of the internationally renowned jeweler, Tiffany & Co. United by their common cause of making brides-to-be look and feel their most glamorous, Reem Acra presented an array of bridal gowns with a fashion show at the iconic Tiffany Fifth Avenue flagship store, dually kicking off New York Bridal Fashion Week and Acra’s 20th anniversary.

In true Acra fashion, the show began with an unexpected twist. The first nine models – who entered the runway from elevators that mimicked the signature Tiffany’s blue jewelry box – donned black gowns inspired by the historied setting. The remaining 28 dazzling looks showcased Acra’s ability to combine tradition with a modern aesthetic; redefining the luxury bridal market with each breathtaking design.

After studying the the finest details of various jewelry creations, including the storied Tiffany Diamond, Acra drew upon many Tiffany masterpieces while designing the collection. Sculpted and cut-out bodice details reflect the intricacies of ornate platinum metalwork juxtaposed with the power and vibrancy of Tiffany yellow diamonds. Looping and scrolling bands of geometric diamonds in ribbon and bow motifs inspire romantic embellishments on sheer sleeves, necklines and tulle overlays, while the brilliance of Tiffany’s legendary gemstones Morganite and Kunzite add a blush tone to the mostly traditional color palette.

Photography: Maria Valentino | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Jewelry: Tiffany & Co.

We’ve all heard the expression “When you marry the person, you marry the family.” Long-married couples can attest to the truth in that expression. Whether it’s where you spend the holidays, how to raise your children or what you do with your money, your in-laws may have strong feelings on how you live your life. Though their opinions can be annoying (especially when they are regularly expressed), what begins as a nuisance can quickly turn into bigger problems if you and your fiancé don’t establish boundaries around your relationship.

Set the Ground Rules

When parents live relatively close, one of the first boundaries you should set concerns visits to your home. Are you okay with family members dropping by or do they need to schedule in advance? The need for rules also applies for in-laws who come from out of town. If you and your fiancé believe there should be a time limit on visits, you need to communicate that to your in-laws before they arrive at your door. Otherwise, you may find yourselves having a whispering argument in your bedroom because your spouse’s brother is going into his third week sleeping on your couch.

Have the Money Talk

Other boundaries you’ll want to establish are around your finances. O
nce you’re engaged, one or both sets of parents may offer to contribute to the wedding, but what happens after the big day? Will you accept money for student loans, to go on family vacations or for a down payment on a house? Although you may decide a gift or loan is appropriate in certain situations, keep in mind that even the most well-meaning parents might give money with strings attached. Accepting money may inadvertently open the door for certain expectations or unsolicited financial advice. Repeatedly hearing your in-laws’ opinions about how you spend money is sure to cause some tension.

Unwelcome visits or financial intrusion can strain family relations, but nothing will turn your in-laws into outlaws faster than if they disrespect your character, your beliefs or the choices you make. It may be hard to believe that your fiancé’s parents could be painfully critical, but as psychologist Terri Apter found in researching What Do You Want From Me: Learning to Get Along With In-Laws, parental protectiveness doesn’t end when children get married.

Don’t Tolerate Disrespect

For your own well-being, try to understand that any negative comments are less about you and more about a parent’s fundamental desire to see their child happy. However, that doesn’t mean you should accept hurtful criticism. Spouses need to agree not to tolerate either set of in-laws being disrespectful. Each partner should speak to his or her own family members if it becomes necessary to respond to unacceptable behavior. Also, you should both think twice about revealing details to your family (especially parents) when the two of you have an argument. If your fiancé tells his mother you communicated with an ex on social media, she is not likely to forget it even after you two have moved on.

Communication is Key

The key point to remember is that in-law problems are often a sign that a couple hasn’t been proactive in figuring out how to manage family relationships. If the two of you determine and communicate your boundaries, it’s less likely that you’ll have to deal with the fallout from having them crossed. Communication is the key to marital bliss!

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Style Me Pretty Contributor – Paula Holt is a writer and marriage educator based in Chicago. She’s a self-described podcast junkie who enjoys going to restaurants with her family and singing loudly in her car.

Pairing up a tasty cocktail with your fave season? That’s what we call beverage perfection… and one trend in weddings we can truly get behind. Which is why we’re teaming up with BevMo! for a little how-to on mixing up a yummy libation that fits right in with your winter, spring, summer or fall soiree. From cranberry-infused cocktails to watermelon slushies, their assortment of beverages will make your celebration truly awesome.  Scroll for four drinks you’ll most definitely love.

SPRING: SPICY PEACH BELLINI

Did you know? Spring is for sitting on the patio, soaking in the sunshine and sipping a fruity beverage. Oh, and tying the knot with some beautiful peonies. So if you need the perfect drink for your spring affair, this spicy peach bellini is your new best friend. From the fiery jalepenos to the sweet taste of peach to the always awesome bubbly, it’s the epitome of yummy.

Photography & Styling: SMP Living

FIND THE RECIPE HERE!

SUMMER: SALTED WATERMELON SLUSH

Watermelon and summer? They go hand in hand. So why don’t you add a little WOW factor to your Big Day with a slushy masterpiece that infuses your fave yummy fruit, rum, lime juice and a little salt. The results are an “I do” beverage that will honestly take that celebration to an entirely new level. Plus, it’s sooo fun.

Photography & Styling: SMP Living

FIND THE RECIPE HERE!

FALL: BOOZY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

We all love a good PSL, so this one’s a no-brainer. Think everything you love about your favorite fall treat with a dash of bourbon for the ultimate in tasty twists. It’s the ultimate treat for greeting your guests to your crispy fall soiree… OR an amazing nightcap to the evening’s festivities. We love.

Recipe & Styling: Elizabeth Van Lierde, College Housewife

FIND THE RECIPE HERE!

WINTER: ROSEMARY & CRANBERRY FIZZ

When it comes to adding the perfect beverage to your stunning winter affair, this tasty treat is an absolute winner. Think vodka, cranberries and grenadine all coming together for a mix that is one part tart, one part sweet and all parts seriously yummy. Also, it’s pretty. Don’t say “I do” (or toast the holidays) without it.

Photography: Rachel Gomez | Styling: The Every Hostess

FIND THE RECIPE HERE!

Need help narrowing down all of your cocktail options? BevMo! has you totally covered. Their knowledgeable staff will take the stress out of planning your big day with a talented team of event specialists that can help you every step of the way. I’m talking private tastings, cocktail ideas, menu pairings, beverage calculations, complimentary delivery on orders over $500 (chilled on request!)  and a lineup of kegs that will keep your beer lovin’ friends happy. It’s basically a one-stop shop for all of your celebration needs, complete with sodas AND party accessories. Plus, if you live in California or Arizona, you can take advantage of the BevMo! 5 cent wine sale… buy one bottle and get the same bottle for 5 cents! Trust us, you can’t stock your wedding bar without them.

Stop by one of their amazing locales today to find that perfect seasonal cocktail, or register online and an Event Specialist will contact you to start planning! And don’t forget to check them out on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more inspiration.

Photography & Styling (Salted Watermelon + Spicy Bellini) : SMP Living | Photography (Rosemary & Cranberry Fizz): Rachel Gomez | Recipe & Styling (Pumpkin Spice): Elizabeth Van Lierde | Styling (Rosemary & Cranberry Fizz): The Every Hostess

Deciding to say “I do” in Hawaii is one of those no-brainer decisions that makes celebrating your nuptials in paradise oh-so-easy. But narrowing down which island to host your party of the century? That’s a little more difficult. Which is why we’re teaming up with SPG Hotels of Hawaii to help you make that decision of a lifetime. (Hint: They’re all amazing.) Scroll for the beautiful, beautiful deets.

BIG ISLAND WEDDINGS

Want to tie the knot on the Big Island? We don’t blame you. Especially when you see the breathtaking beauty that is the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Think endless ocean views, vibrant sunsets and an amazing selection of indoor and outdoor wedding venues that will take your celebration to the next level. (Seriously.) Plus, their talented team of Wedding Specialists will be on hand to walk you through their oh-so-awesome package options, enhancements, yummy menus… and more. This one’s a win-win, loves.

MAUI WEDDINGS

If you’ve ever been to Maui, you know that it’s an island that was basically made for marrying. We’re talking awe-inspiring views, acres of sandy beaches and sunshine at every. single. turn. Which is why we’re downright obsessed with the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali and the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, three breathtaking resorts that will ensure that Big Day you’ve always dreamt of will most definitely happen. We couldn’t be more in love.

KAUAI WEDDINGS

Kauai is known for its stunning rainforests and raw, untouched beauty, so hosting your Big Day amongst its gorgeousness? Definitely a good decision. We’re all about the breathtaking views at Kauai’s coveted oceanfront resort destinations, like the St. Regis Princeville Resort, the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and the Sheraton Kauai. Think infinity pools, luxurious spas and a team of wedding pros that have your every want + need handled. Plus, you can celebrate your reception outdoors or in a glamorous ballroom. It doesn’t get better.

OAHU WEDDINGS

The iconic shores of Waikiki Beach aren’t just for soaking in the sun… saying “I do” in this gorgeous locale is most definitely a must. From the fab restaurants to the endless list of outdoor activities, you AND your guests are in for a vacation/wedding you will never forget. Our fave resorts? The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, the Sheraton Waikiki and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. Four seriously amazing resorts that know a thing or two about hosting your magical day. From the romantic venue choices to the totally knowledgeable wedding experts to the accommodations that will blow you away, they’ve got you sooo covered.

Ready to start planning that wedding of a lifetime on the Hawaiian island of your choice? Contact SPG Hotels of Hawaii today to begin your journey to happily ever after. From the luxe accommodations to the endless activities to the breathtaking venue options, you won’t regret it for a single minute. And don’t forget that you can earn bonus Starpoints® when you host your wedding at participating SPG Hotels of Hawaii and apply your Starpoints® toward free honeymoon nights at SPG hotels and resorts in Hawaii, Paris, Bora Bora and more. We can’t wait to see which amazing resort you choose.