This is not your typical wedding film. First off, these cuties eloped to Ruby Beach in Washington State, with the most stunning views all around. The Bride wore a bedazzling cream gown and instead of lighting a candle during their ceremony, they shared a piece of chocolate (seriously, does it get any better!?). From this creativity to their overflowing love for one another, With This Ring Wedding Films captured it all. We have a feeling we’ll be seeing many more tasty ceremony touches to come this year…

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From With This Ring Wedding Films… It’s SO hard keeping a secret!

While most wedding cinematographers are slowing down at the start of a new year, we were flying cross-country a few weeks ago to film Danielle and Brandon’s elopement in Forks, Washington. We arrived in Seattle late Friday evening, drove four hours through the snowy roads of Olympic National Park, and awoke Saturday morning to crisp air and the excitement that a very special day was ahead. A couple hours of bridal and groom prep at a local bed & breakfast, a first look nestled under a giant redwood tree, vows on the incredibly beautiful Ruby Beach, and a special chocolate ceremony – this one’s a stunner, you guys!

Today, these two officially announced their elopement to family and friends so we can finally share (*woot!*) their film with all of you. A special thanks to Kayla Coleman Photography, Celebrations by Amber, hair and makeup artist Alena Adragna, and coordinator B. & Co. Weddings. You were all amazing!

We hope you enjoy Danielle and Brandon’s cinematic elopement film!

Photography: Kayla Coleman Photography | Cinematography: With This Ring Wedding Films | Coordination: B. & Co. Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Ruby Beach, WA | Hair + Makeup: Alena Adragna | Officiant: Celebrations by Amber | Getting Ready Venue: Misty Valley Inn

Hello again, brides! If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m a lady who loves to plan, but I can also be very indecisive at times. So when it came to selecting a wedding gown, the planner in me paired with my indecisiveness created a challenge. I could not wait to try on wedding dresses, but it didn’t go quite as planned. I’m so excited to share how I ended up with a custom designed wedding dress, and as always, thanks for following along this journey down the aisle.

Like so many of y’all reading, I had dreamt of this day for SO long. The only problem was that with every dress I tried on, there was just something not quite right; something I couldn’t pinpoint (cue the indecisiveness). I found a few dresses that were 99.9999% perfect, but I wanted something 100%. This is not a decision that I could make a mistake with, but it was also a decision that I did not want to wait too long to make (cue being a planner). Goodness gracious.

After hours of researching online and collecting photos that inspired me, I walked into Belle Vie Bridal Couture completely overwhelmed. I could not understand how any woman could say yes to just ONE dress! I felt as if I desired 10 dresses to encompass a little bit of everything I loved….strapless, long sleeved, ball gown, sleek, lace, beading, color…are y’all catching my drift? I loved everything!

But let’s be real, I’m a bride with a budget in mind, and I absolutely could not have 10 dresses. Thank goodness for Amanda Bonnell, owner of Belle Vie Bridal and the creative director at Audrey Grant. Amanda put my mind at ease and ensured me that with a little bit of trust, I could have it all, even with one dress – a custom designed dress.

Trust in your vendors is something I know I mentioned in last month’s post and I will continue to do so because it is of utmost importance when planning a wedding. Being the planner I am, there is no way I could have decided to design my own wedding gown without a designer who I could trust with my vision. Amanda took the time to listen to my likes and dislikes, look at ALL of the pictures I had saved, and after trying on a few dresses, she sketched for me a custom dress with all of my favorite attributes.

Being my own fit model has been such a once in a lifetime experience, and also gives me such peace of mind knowing that tweaks can easily be made. It’s been so amazing to witness Amanda working her magic throughout this process, and I absolutely cannot wait to see this dream gown come to fruition!

To all the brides who are on the journey to finding and/or designing their perfect gown, here is my advice:

DO NOT SETTLE

If something seems off when you’re trying on a wedding gown, it probably is, so be sure to follow your intuition.

ASK QUESTIONS

Designing is an art. Designers have a knowledge, expertise, and eye for details that you and I may not notice or understand.

SPEAK UP

Once you have decided to design your own gown, be sure to voice your opinion along the way. I can guarantee your designer will want you to be ecstatic about the final product and that you said yes to your one-of-a-kind, never duplicated dress.

Until next time!

xoxo, Whitney

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Follow Whitney’s Wedding Journey

Engagement Photos | Planning a Domestic Destination Wedding

Photography: Carly Michelle Photography | Event Planning: Always Yours Events | Wedding Dress: Belle Vie Bridal

This wedding will make you forget that you are in New Jersey and instead give you the feeling of the English Countryside. Garden florals, climbing ivy and soft pastel hues all played into a day beautifully crafted by Twisted Willow Flowers along with image after stunning image by Michelle Lange Photography. Take a pretty little garden vacay with even more in the vault.

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From the Bride… When planning our wedding, we wanted to keep things simple and keep the focus on our faith, our families coming together, and our relationship. Our venue is so beautiful that I wanted to keep the colors and flowers soft to compliment the beautiful estate. The exterior of Fiddler’s is blooming with flowers and ivy that resemble an English garden, and I was hoping to carry that throughout the wedding.

Joe and I are simple people and we wanted to let our relationship speak for itself when wedding planning. It was also important for us to have everything be truly meaningful: our priest was a former professor of ours from the college where we met, Joe’s uncle was our organist, my very talented friend was our cantor, I did all the calligraphy myself, and my maid of honor put all the little details of the day together. Even though we had over 200 guests, the day felt very intimate and emotional.

My favorite part of planning was dress shopping with my mother and mother-in-law. I kept the dress a secret from everyone else. My favorite “detail” was my “something blue,” an heirloom ring passed down from my mother with my great grandmother’s diamonds. Another favorite detail was the beautiful glass dome centerpiece that my florist created.

While our entire day was perfectly emotional and joyous, the best part of the day for both of us was seeing each other at the church for the first time. Just like we waited until marriage to live together, we waited until my daddy lifted my veil at alter to see each other. It was a feeling of such excitement that cannot be explained! After that, everything felt “right” and our day was relaxed and enjoyable, just as it should be.

Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Floral Design: Twisted Willow Flowers | Wedding Dress: Essence Of Australia | Cake: Fiddler's Elbow Country Club | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Reception Venue: Fiddler's Elbow Country Club | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Hair and Makeup: The Beauty Bar New Jersey | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridal Shop: I Do I Do Bridal | Music: Extreme Excellence DJ's | Veil: Pronovias

“Cultural beauty” is a style term we like to throw around in wedding world, and this day photographed by When He Found Her captures that very sentiment. Mindful to incorporate the both of their backgrounds, the bride said, “When it came to planning our own wedding, it was important to Akshay and I to honor our cultural traditions while being true to ourselves.” Distinct Occasions helped bring that idea to life and the end result is something really special.

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From the Bride… Although our families are originally from India, we come from two unique religions and cultures; Akshay being Hindu and myself Zoroastrian. When it came to planning our own wedding, it was important to Akshay and I to honor our cultural traditions while being true to ourselves. Our ceremonies allowed for many family members to be involved in providing blessings, which was meaningful to us. The modern and clean cherry blossom Mandap created an idyllic scene in front of the Niagara Falls backdrop for both ceremonies. For the Hindu Ceremony, colorful and festive dress and motifs contrasted with the simple, clean white visuals of the Zoroastrian ceremony. I was truly smiling from ear to ear during both ceremonies feeling an overwhelming presence of love from our family and friends come over me.

Our shared passion for photography makes us appreciate natural landscapes and lighting. With this in mind, and given Akshay is from the Niagara region, having a tented winery wedding felt like the right fit. We focused on a classic and soft color palette of blushes, creams, and golds. This design flowed seamlessly from the morning ceremonies to the evening reception. Seeing our guests in their rich and vibrant Indian attire amidst the natural green vines created visual eye candy. With a love for soul, Motown and R&B, the St. Royal’s Band added excitement through the night. The vineyard set the scene for a gorgeous and comfortable space for our loved ones to mingle between courses.

Planning decisions were made with the intention to be genuine to who we are and make our guests feel honored. Our day was modern and timeless while ensuring threads of tradition ran through it. In the morning we had the live sounds of a traditional tablah (drum) player and Indian flute. Elephants were a common element from our stationary, to our dance floor and our cake. Bollywood sets intermittently played through the reception, beautifully bringing together both sides of the family on the dance floor. Our sweets table incorporated colorful Indian mithai (sweets). We readily found ways to integrate these cultural elements into our day in a way that was still true to who we are.

We were fortunate to have the talent of all of our incredible vendors to make our wedding day possible. We entrusted the talents of our outstanding wedding planner Crystal Adair Benning (Distinct Occasions) to help us refine and execute our vision. Our photographer Reid Lambshead (When He Found Her) made us feel wonderfully comfortable and at ease. We are grateful for him to him for capturing these moments so perfectly. Most importantly, we are incredibly thankful to our family and friends who continue to support us with love and good wishes throughout our relationship. Our day celebrated our true love for one another while bringing together the people who mean the most to us, which is all we could have dreamed of.

Photography: Will Reid Photography | Cinematography: Elle & Be Wedding and Lifestyle Cinematography | Event Planning: Distinct Occasions | Cake: Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes | Stationery: Paper & Poste | Ceremony Venue: Fallsview Casino Resort | Reception Venue: Chateau Des Charmes | Reception Catering: Queens Landing Catering | Ceremony Catering: Fallsview Casino Resort | Chairs: Detailz Chair Couture | Doves: Wedding Doves | Floral Garland Hindu Wedding: Fancy Florist | Floral Garland Zoroastrian Wedding : PARAS EVENTS | Florals & Ceremony Mandap: Stemz | Florals Ceremony Lunch: The Watering Can | Groom's Tuxedo: Garrison Bespoke | Hindu Ceremony Bride's Clothing: Flaire Fashion | Hindu Ceremony Groom's Clothing: Wellgroomed Designs Inc. | Indian Sweets: Himalaya | Make up/Hair Ceremony: Maria Delduca Hair And Makeup Artistry | Make up/Hair Reception: Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture | Music - Ceremony: Sahil Khan/Dr. Khan | Music - Reception: St. Royal Entertainment | Reception Linens: Around The Table | Reception Outfit - Bride: Wellgroomed Designs Inc. | Reception Tent Draping: Simply Beautiful Decor | Sweet Table: The Sweet Bash Co.

Looking amazing on your wedding day? Basically every girl’s dream. But that doesn’t mean spending your entire wedding budget to do it. Nope, with Maggie Sottero Designs’ newest Rebecca Ingram collection, you can make that statement you’ve always wanted (read: knock your loved one’s socks off), all while keeping that bank account happy. Scroll for eight of our faves that will totally wow.

Finding that gown that is the perfect mix of fashion-forward and affordable can be a little tricky, but with Rebecca Ingram’s fabulously chic lineup, it’s really never been easier. Think seriously stunning, detail-driven dresses that are as timeless as they are romantic. It’s high-quality everything meets a modern value that won’t cause you stress… and when it comes to gown shopping, that’s the FIRST thing on our priority list. From the beautiful lace appliqués of the Allison to the double keyhole back (!) of the Hope to the flowing train of the Marjorie to the romantic tulle ballgown of the Olivia, Rebecca Ingram has you sooo covered. And all at a cost that will fit nicely within your overall budget.

Whether you plan to say “I do” in a contemporary soiree in the city or can’t wait to tie the knot in that beautiful English garden, Maggie Sottero Designs’ newest Rebecca Ingram collection will most definitely leave all of your guests talking – from the figure-flattering silhouettes to the elegant fabrics to the enchanting colors and awe-inspiring details we can’t get enough of. So grab your besties, find a location near you and make some time to shop for that dream gown that is right on budget AND style. Oh, and let us know what you think about the Persephone (hello, fit and flare), Yvonne (lace sleeves!), the classically romantic Sandra and the illusion back of the Victoria. We think you’ll love them just as much as we do. And their price tags, too.

Santa Barbara and its magical ambiance have stolen many a traveler’s heart including this adorable duo. What was once a favorite getaway while dating became the most gorgeous of locales for their wedding. It’s romance and scenery all wrapped into one and when the talents of HoneyFitz Events + Lark Farnum were unleashed, the pretty factor went through the roof. See this elegant day unfold with images by Anna Delores and a lovely film by Daniel Chae all below!

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From the Photographer… It didn’t take long after Heather and Peter met to fall in love. They both knew right away they had found the one they were meant to be with. After a year of many exciting adventures together, they took a trip to Big Sur & Carmel where Peter popped the question! The rest was history and the wedding planning quickly begun. They knew they wanted to get married in Santa Barbara (one of their favorite getaway spots) which would also be a wonderful holiday destination for their families traveling from New York and the Mid-West in the late fall. They had originally thought about a vineyard wedding but the moment they walked into El Encanto, they knew it was the place for them. It was the perfect balance of romance and elegance that they wanted for their wedding day. After that decision was made, they spent much time picking out the perfect designs, colors and various wedding details, but the most incredible part of the day had nothing to do with any of that- it was saying their vows and relishing in the moment they became husband & wife. The day was filled with so much love and many, many happy tears. A perfect Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate how truly grateful they are for one another!

Photography: Emily Loeppke Photography | Videography: Daniel Chae | Event Planning: HoneyFitz Events | Floral Design: Lark Farnum Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Hair & makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc | DJ: Elite Disc Jockeys | Favors: Hello Sweetie Pies | Transportation: Classy Chassis Rentals | Wedding Venue: Belmond El Encanto | Babysitting: An Occasional Nanny | Ceremony Musician: Anthony Ybarra | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper goods: Simply Stated Stationery | Photo booth: Little Gem Photo Booth | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

I recently attended a wedding where the Bride and Groom read their own vows, and friends, you just can’t beat that heart-on-your-sleeve kind of love. It’s one of my favorite parts of a wedding, because really, those two souls are what the day is all about. Not the blooms or the dress or the cake (although we love those pretty details). So if you want to write your own custom vows, I say go for it! These 10 tips are all you need to make it happen.

Tips on Writing Your Vows

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Tips on Writing Your Vows

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As a wedding blogger, it’s kind of part of my job description to be a sucker for a good love story. And oh, you can bet I’ve whipped out the Kleenex more times than I can count my friends. From a lifetime of love (66 years and seven kids to be exact!) to a modern Instagram-follow meeting, love is love and it sure is sweet. See some of our favorite stories right here.

20 Best Ever Love Stories

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20 Best Ever Love Stories

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So you’re going along, enjoying those perfectly blissful moments of newly engaged-ness and then BAM. Say hello to wedding planning my friends… big financial decisions, wanting to make your families happy and tasks like finding the perfect venue. It can all be a little overwhelming—but don’t let it squash your love sparks lovelies. Here are 20 ways to stay head-over-heels in love from yes to I do.

20 ways to fall in love again while wedding planning

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20 ways to fall in love again while wedding planning

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If a Texas wedding is in your future but you want to steer away from those rustic cliches, this is your blueprint my friends. It’s old world charm meets layers of elegance executed so beautifully by Chancey Charm, with blooms from Bows and Arrows to boot. Can you even handle this sun-graced dinner setup? Head to The Vault for more gorgeous captured by Davy Whitener.

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From the Skylar Caitlin with Chancey Charm… When Davy and I (Skylar) first started brainstorming for this editorial, all we had was a basic outline of what we wanted. Davy was traveling from Atlanta and wanted to utilize the beauty of Texas ranches, but we both wanted to stay clear of the rustic barn look that is so common here. As we started brainstorming a few ideas, an inspiration couple started to take shape.

Our couple would want to bring Old World glamour to the natural Texas countryside. By tying in subtle French inspiration and natural styling, our design goal was to meld their love for European travel with an appreciation of their Southern upbringing. For a venue, I knew instantly there was no other choice than The Clubs at Houston Oaks. They have a 15th Century chapel on property that was brought over from France and serves as their main wedding ceremony site. The entire property is full of these meticulous details that I cherish as a designer and played perfectly into the inspiration couple’s profile.

The palette started with a soft primary group of blush, cool grey, and gentle green. We brought it to life by infusing more depth into the secondary palette through vibrant burgundies, antique golds, forest greens, and rich, peachy flesh tones. Hailey and Lindsey of Venus and Co Flowers (who came to us by way of Alicia with Bows and Arrows Flowers) took the palette and absolutely ran with it. The fully developed color spectrums and textures they pulled into their arrangements captured everything we’d dreamed of and more.

The entire creative team for this shoot went above and beyond. The Brian Gavin Diamonds engagement ring seen here is a part of their brand new 810 Collection and we were honored that they released it to us to style just after production. Dionne of Nib and Pixel hand crafted the invitation suite on a luxurious textured paper. Guests of the couple would actually feel the weight and mood of the wedding before they even arrived.

We set up our tablescape beneath the soft overhang of the oaks dripping in Spanish Moss. House of Hough supplied the base – an ivory cord textured linen with flecks of gold and silver throughout that reflected a light blush in the glow of sunset. Swift Events provided the tableware, including the natural wood charger with elegant point details and the white dinner and salad plates with the intriguing cutout details around the rims. With a pop of green from a set of House of Hough moss green napkins and a few springs of green, this organic glam sets the tone for a mouthwatering dinner under the oaks.

When it came to sweets, we wanted to be careful to keep our French inspiration subtle. While Erica of Wink by Erica is known for her killer macarons, I shared a vision for a cake that would fully envelop the gentle melding of inspirations. The simple semi-naked cake with edible gold details absolutely shimmered in the soft evening light. It embodied the Southern delicacy of red velvet while elevating it to a place of elegance. And as we discovered during a post-shoot indulgence, the cake didn’t just look breathtaking, it was rich, moist, and was gone before we could finish packing up our bags.

To put the cherry on top of the team cake, Taylor with She + Him Bartending whipped us up a plethora of custom cocktails all inspired by the Europe meets Texas vibes. The group’s favorites were tied between the savory, sweet Whisky Rose which stood out among the groom’s details and the La Flora which combined brut champagne with violet liquor for a delicious celebratory toast.

One of my absolute favorite details, though, was the 1960s Rolls Royce. Not only did Jordan Limousines custom make a “Oaks” car tag, but just check out that awe inspiring floral garland. The ladies of Venus and Co crafted the perfect getaway setting for the couple.

Our sweet model couple brought the love for the camera. With a dapper groom in Menguin’s ‘Dublin’ tuxedo and the bride slaying in Leanne Marshall’s ‘Gabrielle’ that looked as if it was made for her body, they breathed life into our inspiration couple. Some of my favorite images are just of the two of them, close together, and you can tell that their love is authentic and real. It’s always a blessing to have a totally in-love duo who connect on and off film.

Photography: Davy Whitener Photography | Event Planning: Chancey Charm | Floral Design: Venus and Co | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Cake: Wink by Erica | Ceremony Venue: Houston Oaks Country Club | Ring: Brian Gavin Diamonds | Hair and Makeup: Blushworthy | Tux: Menguin | Bartending: She + Him Bartending | Classic Car: Jordans Limosines | Gown Designer: Leanne Marshall | Gown Shop: Lovely Bridal Shop | Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Linens: House Of Hough | Paper Goods: Nib And Pixel | Rentals: Swift + Company | Rentals: Swift + Company | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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This New Orleans inspired shoot, designed by the incredible Elyse Jennings, is the dreamiest thing I’ve seen in a seriously long time. With every shade of blue making an appearance, the ultra-romantic details make a wedding lover’s heart sing. From the gorgeous vintage sapphire ring by Trumpet & Horn to the perfectly elegant dessert table, every last moment was captured by Austin Gros and Nathan Willis Wedding Films. Prepare to swoon over the entire gallery here.

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Photography: Austin Gros | Videography: Nathan Willis Wedding Films | Design: Elyse Jennings Weddings | Floral Design: Root Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Wedding Belles | Bakery: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Invitations: Quinn Luu | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Making Over Nola | Hair: Hair by Ginger | Groom's Attire: Perlis | Wedding Venue: Hermann Grima House | Decor: Luminous Events | Rentals: Distressed|Rentals & Revival

Hard time getting out of bed this morning? I feel ya. But thankfully we don’t need to look very far to add some stylish spring to our steps this A.M. This shoot, coordinated and designed by Chloe+Mint, does all that and more; with pretty pastels and not one, but two, beautiful gowns, we’re set for the week ahead. Koman Photography filled our Vault with all the goodies – pour yourself some coffee and let’s get the week started!

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From Chloe and Mint… This romantic editorial was inspired by the surrounding beauty of Rancho Las Lomas. Our vendor team did an amazing job of incorporating the natural elements to bring our vision to life. With spring just around the corner, the soft hues we used as our palette along with lots of greenery, was translated beautifully through the amazing work of the Komans. We are happy to see that Pantone has recognized how amazing greenery just can be, and in this setting, the airy romance within this editorial will hopefully be an inspiration to many brides to come!

Photography: Koman Photography | Floral Design: Honeycomb Affair | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Bride's Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Hair + Makeup: Kohnur | Calligraphy: Bijou Creative | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Coordination + Design: Chloe+Mint | Furniture Rentals: Archive Rentals | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Tabletop Rentals: borrowed BLU

As a mom and a seriously stylish blogger behind Anine’s World, Anine Bing knows the ins and outs of throwing a sparkling celebration. And for her daughter Bianca’s 6th birthday, she went all out with a Ladies who Luau. Gilded pineapple cakes, flamingo floaties and Aloha balloon installations are just a few of the dazzling treats tucked inside. Crafted by But First, Party! along with florals by Wildflora LA and images by Anna Maria Zunino Noellert, get your luau on in the vault.

Bianca’s “Ladies who Luau” was a tropical affair in the middle of winter, an opportunity to bring some joy and color into the past few weeks of dreariness and drizzle in Los Angeles. We’re used to year-round sunshine! And even as the day was met with occasional showers, we wouldn’t let the rain stop our giant pink flamingo from enjoying a nice float in the pool.

As lovers of mixing prints, textures and colors, designing this party was a dream come true for But First, Party! We used sheets of gift wrap featuring toucans and banana leafs to line the dessert nook and dining table. On the kid’s table, we layered pineapple and jungle leaf plates, topped pineapple napkins with gold flatware and dropped pineapple and flamingo straws in pink ombre and gold paper cups.

Little flamingo cookies, iced in graduated pinks, were a gorgeous addition to the table. The table and ghost chairs themselves were stunning, Teak and Lace has such incredible furniture! Bonjour Fete was really our one-stop-party-shop for this fete. We were able to find every pineapple and flamingo paper party good there is, working with a palette featuring leafy greens, glinting gold and a spectrum of pink hues. Our favorite pieces were the Glitterville paper mâché pineapples, so gorgeous! And of course, the pineapple shaker and shot glasses from W&P Design were a huge hit!

Wildflora created the most stunning arrangements, both tropical and modern, that even incorporated the most precious mini pink pineapples. The floral crown Bianca wore was perfectly dainty for her sweet face, she was in Hawaiian heaven! To accompany the flowers, we painted pineapple leaves with shades of pink to add a little fun and freshness to the fruit. Meghann Miniello created invitations and signage that worked seamlessly with the vibe of the party.

A “Leis for Days” sign sat on a table full of leis for the children to make, also the spot where face-painting followed. The “Cotton Coladas & Pina Poofs” sign described the almost too-cute-to-eat cotton candy from Sugar Buffoant. Meghann also designed a “Fresh Fruit” sign for the fruit cart and a “Sea of Sweets” sign for the dessert nook.

Let’s talk about those desserts… Cakes by Claritza created the most insane golden pineapple cake we have ever seen! When Anine cut inside, surprise layers of rainbow cake popped out! The Cookie Crafter Amy made the flamingo cookies, as well as sweet little pineapple sugar cookies. She adorned pink-frosted cupcakes with tropical bird toppers, and yellow-frosted cupcakes with mint pineapple leaf toppers. Everything was as delicious to eat as it looked.

Other activities included a super-fun hula show and mini-class for the children, as well as conch-blowing and other Hawaiian games! The kids also took a swing at the hot pink flamingo piñata filled with fruity lip glosses and candies.

Bianca probably had the most fun, however, jumping and dancing around the study where the ceiling was filled with pink pineapple-printed and gold balloons, giant ALOHA letter balloons–and of course, the presents!

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Photography: Anna Maria Zunino Noellert | Event Planning : But First, Party! | Flowers: Wildflora LA | Cake: Cakes by Claritza | Cotton Candy: Sugar Bouffant | Cupcakes/Cookies: The Cookie Crafter Amy | Fruit Cart: Martinez Fruits | Hula Dancer: Bright Entertainment | Invitations/Signage: Meghann Miniello | Party Goods: Bonjour Fete | Rentals: Teak & Lace

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Petit Bouquet

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Oh, Jen Wojcik, I love you for snapping this moment in time. I think it’s by far one of the prettiest first looks I’ve ever seen… and how fitting for two avid rock climbers getting ready to say their intimate I do’s in Yosemite Valley. With just a handful of immediate family and those incredible views, their wedding can only be described as magical.

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From Jen Wojcik Photography… Mark and Lauren are avid rock climbers and were married by her sister in the valley of their favorite place in the world. The night before their wedding the entire group drove up to Glacier Point to watch as I shot their bridal portraits. As the sun set, Half Dome lit up with all of the colors of the sky. It was an incredibly peaceful and magical evening. The wedding took place next the Merced River in a quiet spot away from tourists and prying eyes. It was very intimate, only their immediate family was present, and dinner followed at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Mark is my brother’s best friend and basically my little brother. I was deeply honored to capture their wedding.

Photography: Jen Wojcik Photography | Floral Design: Plenty Of Petals | Ribbon: Bellame Ribbon

It’s incredibly rare to find a love like Jerry and Marilyn’s, also known as, Papa and Gigi. Married 70 years, they certainly know a thing or two about wedded bliss, and their grandson’s wife, Sophie Epton set up a photo session to celebrate just that. Papa and Gigi’s are dishing their secrets to a healthy marriage below, and we couldn’t be more honored to share their sweet story.

“I have always loved her, I always will love her.”

-Papa

From Jordan Epton, the photographer’s husband…I told my wife, Sophie, exactly what it would be like when she met Papa and Gigi for the first time. They were picking us up from Palm Beach International Airport, and I said, “As soon as we round that corner, we’ll see them waiting – gigantic smiles on their faces. As we approach, Gigi will be standing there with her arms crossed, and the sweetest, most welcoming smile on her face. Papa – he’ll be dancing and clapping, smiling, singing, and eagerly waiting for us to get to him for the biggest hug ever. Then, just as soon as Gigi hugs you, Papa will steal you away from me, tell me to get lost, and tell you that he’ll take care of you now.”

Needless to say, I was spot on, and Sophie was instantly welcomed into the Epton family. I feel like I’m a unicorn – I’m 34 years old, my parents have been married for almost 40 years, both sets of my grandparents are alive, and have been married for 70 and 69 years, respectively. Understatement alert: I’m extremely fortunate.

This story is about my paternal grand parents, Jerry and Marilyn Epton , who are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Sophie and I were lucky enough to visit them in Florida recently and capture their life story with an anniversary session – icing on top of a wonderful weekend full of chapters of their history together.

Papa apologizes to Sophie a lot, because as he so frequently points out, that [Papa] is me in 60 years, and he’s so sorry for Sophie, because that’s what she has to look forward to. You’ll never hear me complain…

A conversation with Papa is always a combination of emotional, heart-felt stories and feelings, constantly peppered with slapstick humor and random bursts into song (Mel Brooks-esque.) Gigi, a very classy lady, has somehow put up with her nut of a husband (his words) for so long, and knows how to drop in a great anecdote herself.

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Words of wisdom on 70 years of marriage

From Gigi:

“What can I say? You gotta have a sense of humor, you gotta REALLY have a sense of humor. Understanding, and have to be married to a very perfect person. So, he is! (hee hee hee….) No, I’m kidding about the perfect. Everybody is different.”

From Papa:

“You wanna know what it takes to be married for 70 years? I think you really have to number one, respect one another, I think you have to love one another because not every day goes smooth. In our particular case, I think we’ve probably lived a charmed life. We’re two different people, we were raised differently. But from where I’m sitting, I have always loved her, I always will love her.

I love my lady, and she loves me, and you better love each other for a long time. No one’s right all the time, sometimes you’ll have an argument, and you’ll be plenty ticked, and so will she, but you gotta know that you’ve got each other, and you’ve got each others’ back. That’s the key. Respect one another, love one another, and fool around as much as you can. In every room, or at least try, which is what I do! Every once in a while I get lucky…”

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There is far too much content to concisely describe my feelings and relationship with Papa and Gigi, characterizing any experience with these two souls, and sharing how thankful I am that my wonderful wife has had so many years to build a friendship with them. He’s a flirt, and she’s a lady; he’s the talker, she keeps him in check. These two wasted no time in sharing their hearts with one another, and we’re all the beneficiary. We should be so fortunate to witness this kind of love in our lifetime, let alone participate.

Photography: Sophie Epton Photography | Florals: Flower And Fringe | Calligraphy: The Boarding School Collective | Country Club + Beach Club: Frenchman's Creek | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Silk Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Velvet Ring Box: The Mrs Box

When you know, you know and this groom knew. And we shouldn’t be surprised; considering he’s a racecar driver, he lives life in the fast lane. So after three months of dating, he proposed and well, the rest is one beautiful happily ever after. But not before we get to hear all the details on this short and sweet courtship courtesy of Sixpence Productions’ film right this way!

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From Sixpence Productions… Brandon is a racecar driver, so it’s really not a surprise that he fell in love with Lauren like he does everything else: fast. After three months of dating, Brandon asked Lauren to marry him on an airstrip in Tuscaloosa, AL where Lauren was going to school. Three years later, they tied the knot in Lauren’s hometown of Pensacola. In this sweet wedding film sneak peek, family and friends share Lauren and Brandon’s love story.

Photography: Aislinn Kate Photography | Cinematography: Sixpence Studios | Cake: Betty Weber | Ceremony Venue: Tootie Wanek | Reception Venue: Pensacola County Club | Makeup Artist: DeSheri McClure | Hair: Kim Nelson Volume One Salon | Band: 12South Band | Officiant: Reverend Michael Reed | Audio/Visual: Audio Solutions USA | Ceremony Coordination: Tootie Wanek | Coordination + Floral Design: Curly Willow Designs | Event Rentals: Professional Party Rentals | Horse + Carriage: Carriages of Pensacola | Trolley Service: Five Flags Trolley | Wedding Film Music: Tyrone Wells

I may be in my own personal nesting stage (8th months pregnant right here) but the timing couldn’t be any better. The days are getting longer, the temps are slowly but steadily rising; it’s time to kick start spring cleaning! From vacuums to chic cleaning supplies, these essentials are a must for your wedding registry list (believe us, you’ll be thankful you did) and ensure a tidy home in no time!

Tidy Up with These Spring Cleaning Essentials

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Tidy Up with These Spring Cleaning Essentials

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The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

SMP’s Wedding Registry ABCs | Unique Wedding Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items

Kohl’s
Macy’s
Food52

There are some undeniably amazing venues to get married at around the globe but sometimes the best and brightest is right in your own backyard. At home weddings have a certain sentimental flair but just because the “venue” is free, doesn’t mean planning is as easy as pie. Gather Together Events is here to share their insider knowledge so you can have an elegant AND organized at-home celebration!

It will cost more than a traditional venue…

Really? For a backyard wedding? Yes. Consider this: you’re building a venue over the course of a week or less. Your “venue” is free, but by the time you add flooring, tenting, climate control, restrooms, generators, catering/vendor tents, lighting, tables and chairs, and more, you’ve easily exceeded a venue rental fee.

…But you may already have some of what you need.

Our motto for private property weddings is “work with what you have.” That grand garden staircase flanked by flower boxes? Perfect tent entrance. Your grandmother’s mosaic bird bath? That’s now our cake table. Poolside guest house? Perfect spot for the band to get ready. When you’re getting married at a special place, you can use the beauty and bones of what already exists to personalize the event.

Leave it to the experienced professionals…

It sounds easy, right? Pop up a tent and call it a day? Not quite. At-home weddings are not the same as working at a venue, and they require a team with special experience and skill. For example, you want a caterer who knows exactly what they need in the way of prep space, cooking equipment (the house kitchen rarely has enough), additional service staff (it’s often a long walk from prep space to event space), etc. When you’re working on a mountain in southern Virginia or a farm in upstate South Carolina, provisions and staff are often far away. Make sure your vendors are absolute pros!

…Especially a professional event planner!

There’s a lot of talk about who are the “right vendors” to pull your wedding together, but the right vendors do not a wedding make. A professional planner curates the team to make sure it’s the one best suited for the job. There are countless variables in weather, transportation, and more when working in a new space, so you don’t just want the vendor with the best Instagram feed. You can trust your planner not only to choose the people who can handle the variables, but also to help them work together for amazing results. And don’t just choose any planner – with all that can happen (remember how we have to build a whole “venue” in less than a week?), experience in private property weddings is key.

You have ultimate flexibility…

One thing we love about at-home weddings is the luxurious installation schedule. Tent coming in Tuesday? No problem; there are no other events to worry about. We’ll install lighting Wednesday, draping Thursday, furniture Friday, and have all of Saturday to worry about deliveries and focus attention on the bridal party. As designers, the extended time frame allows us to be super creative in what we can make happen for the look and feel of your event!

…But you’ll want to prepare.

Talk with neighbors, and maybe even invite them if they would otherwise be bothered by the noise. Take time to get the property ready – plant flowers that will be blooming on your wedding day, and what a great excuse to finally put in that patio! Call your insurance agent and find out what you need to cover yourself if anything goes wrong. These preparations and countless more that we recommend to our clients will help things run beautifully and smoothly.

Getting married at home adds an extra special feeling to your wedding day.

Having hair and makeup done in your mom’s bedroom will bring back memories of playing dress-up as a little girl. Walking through your grandmother’s rose garden for your first look, you’ll remember the sweet scent every time you see your groom. There’s no place (to get married) like home!

Your Pre-Wedding Checklist

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Your Pre-Wedding Checklist

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

David’s Bridal
Minted
Animoto
Ada Diamonds

Don’t miss the Lilly Pulitzer event on March 4th happening at a Lilly Pulitzer location near you!

We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discount from The Ranch at Laguna Beach

For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, and giveaways from NST Pictures, OLLI STUDIO and Sole East Resort!

For our Southeast Brides… Discount from The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Event Planning Advice: Gather Together

For Sarah and Tanner, a wedding under the Texas sun was kind of a no-brainer. Both outdoor lovers through and through, they planned a fall celebration with loved ones by their side, and you better believe they soaked up every last second. Michelle Boyd was on hand to photograph the day and Sarah’s advice to all fellow brides is to not sweat the small stuff along the way. “At the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life, and in comparison to that, nothing else matters.”

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From the bride, Sarah… Tanner and I both absolutely love the outdoors. It’s where Tanner proposed and it’s where we like to spend our free time. So it was an easy decision to exchange our vows amongst our closest friends and family under the sun. Our goal for the ceremony and reception was to create an organic elegance by incorporating a variety of freeform botanical arrangements with touches of gold throughout. The biggest desire for our wedding day was for it to be laid-back and an enjoyable environment for everyone who came to celebrate with us.

Although Tanner would say cake tasting, my favorite part of planning was working with the florist and watching them beautifully create what I had envisioned aesthetically for our wedding day. Tanner and I were blown away by the execution of the floral design team. Besides marrying the love of my life, our favorite part of the wedding was seeing all the people that came to celebrate our marriage with us. Our hearts were truly overwhelmed by all the love and support we were shown throughout the entire wedding process, but especially on our day. Thinking about the people who we were able to interact with still puts big smiles on our faces.

A little wedding advice from one bride to another – soak in every moment you possibly can on your wedding day. Enjoy the wonderful people around you and don’t let little things that may go wrong get you down, because more than likely no one else will even notice. And at the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life, and in comparison to that, nothing else matters. So enjoy every bit of it!

Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography | Videography: Juliana Rose | Floral Design: Three Branches Floral Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair & Makeup: Wendy Zerrudo | Calligraphy: Churchwell Type | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Wedding Venue: The Venue at Waterstone

Every bride wants to plan an unforgettable wedding while sticking to their budget. That’s just a given. So we’ve officially taken out the legwork and rounded up five sneaky little ways to save money from food to paper, accessories and more. They’re so simple, so easy – and we promise – won’t cramp your wedding vibe one bit.

Casual Food Stations

Not only are food stations a fun, interactive way to get your guests up and moving, but they’ll probably save you money over a formal seated dinner. Think build-your-own tacos, hand-rolled sushi, wood-fired pizza or whatever menu suits your taste. We promise, your guests will love you for it.

Reinvent the Program

We love pretty paper as much as the next girl, but if you’re tight on funds consider one large display program placed at the entrance to your ceremony space.

Borrow Your Accessories

Finding a bridal look for less is no easy feat, but if you’re willing to borrow accessories over buying brand new, you’ll save a pretty penny. Ask around to your recently married friends, sisters, or cousin for pieces you can take on loan and still feel like a million bucks.

Display a Mini Cake

You know the pretty cake you showcase and cut at the reception? It doesn’t have to feed everyone. Keep your display cake small + elegant, and serve your guests a yummy sheet cake pre-cut in the back.

Nix the Favors

This is more of a skip than a swap, but don’t be afraid to nix the wedding favors and save some cash. It’s always fun to spoil your guests, but the truth is, they probably won’t give much thought to the gesture. Especially if they’re busy busting moves on the dancefloor.