We are kicking this story off with cake because my oh my that cake table is a good intro. It’s the beginning and end of all our dessert fantasies and just the tip of the goodness packed inside this baby shower. Crafted by a team of great vendors including design by Rock Paper Square , flowers by Verbena Floral Design, cake by White Pineapple and all captured by Lillie Louise Photography, hop on over to the vault for flowers, pops of color and sweets galore.

Our momma to be, Shara is the owner and operator of a furniture rental company in Victoria, BC. When her local wedding industry peeps found out her exciting news (that Bash Specialty would be adding a new member with 10 tiny fingers + 10 tiny toes) they all came together to surprise her with a baby shower designed just for her.

The shower was hosted in a photography studio with amazing natural light, modern concrete floors, cinderbloc walls, and bright white surfaces. The studio space provided the perfect blank canvas to host a shower.

When asked how to describe Shara, most would say playful, insanely thoughtful, and LOVES color. So we added pops of color to the florals, ceramics, accent linens, and even the cake!

Instead of a baby registry, Shara asked that guests help build her kid-friendly library. With that request her friend (and event stylist), Marika created a “LOVE NOTES” wall where guests could write a note to the momma to be/baby that would later be glued into the front of their gifted book.

What an amazing way to remember this monumental time in Shara’s life and a fun way to introduce baby to his/her new community during book time.

Another interactive element of the shower was a flower crown station where guests could create their very own flower crown to take away with them. Party favors aren’t just for kids! We hope you’ll enjoy this real-life baby shower just as much as we do.

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Photography: Lillie Louise Photography | Event Design + Planning : Rock Paper Square | Floral Design: Verbena Floral Design | Cake: White Pineapple | Canapes : Salt + Pepper Fox | Cinderbloc Studios: Cinderbloc Studio | Fine Linen Rentals: Faire Lafete Linen | Flower Crown Station: Powell Floral Design | Furniture Rentals: Bash Specialty | Mother to be attire : ASOS

Don’t get me wrong I love color at weddings, but there is something so incredibly romantic and tasteful about an all neutral palette and this wedding is living proof! From gorgeous nude-colored bridesmaid dresses to rich floral designs by Stylish Stems in white and soft blush, the subtle details of the day are pure perfection. With Invision Events behind the planning, this wedding was bound to be beautiful and the images captured by Hillary Lee Photography are unreal!

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From Photographer, Hillary Leah… The detail of this wedding was absolutely incredibly. First off, the bridesmaid’s dresses were Show Me Your Mumu– which are to die for. Jacqui’s florals and centerpieces were so much fun to capture. The venue itself is gorgeous, especially in Mid-November. However, the head table is what had all of my attention. The dark stain head table with mercury glass and place settings made such a statement in that reception room. The chargers and gold china made for a photographer’s dream! My favorite thing about Jacqui and Zach was that they were intentional with incorporating pieces to their relationship (they dated since high school!). They handed out Chick-Fil-A sandwiches during the send-off because that’s where they had their first date. Although they had a gorgeous and big wedding, they were both so in the moment and hired incredible vendors that you could just tell they were at ease with thoroughly not worrying about anything! Favorite moment was when Zach saw Jacqui… I mean, just look at the picture!

From the bride and groom… Jacqui and Zach said “I do” on a crisp fall day at Foxhall Resort’s Legacy Lookout, overlooking the beautiful fall foliage in Atlanta, Georgia. Their vision of simple elegance was brought to life with stunning, yet understated details like a semi-naked wedding cake, farm estate tables, soft candlelight and plenty of lush greenery. Jacqui looked beautiful in her tulle ball gown that made it look like she was floating on air as she twirled around the dance floor with her sweet groom. The bridesmaids all wore Show Me Your Mumu and the groom + groomsmen looked sharp in their classic black tuxes. Even Jacqui and Zach’s pup, Turner, dressed the part with an adorable floral and greenery necklace that complimented the maids’ floral crowns. It was a beautiful celebration of love and family, as shown though lots of sweet, candid moments, hugs and pup snuggles. 

From the bride… This may sound bad and I can’t believe I’m admitting it, but because Zach and I have been dating for seven years, its hard to remember the beginning of our relationship as it started out when I was only 15 and a sophomore in high school. I first met Zach on February 7th, 2009. I do remember that date because it was the morning of my first ACT, and my friend Brandy had to pick me up beforehand as I still wasn’t old enough to drive. We stopped by Chic-fil-A for a quick breakfast, and that’s when Zach walked in looking less than excited to be awake that early. He sat with us during the short time we had, and then we went our separate ways for the test. Later that evening, Brandy asked if I wanted to go to the movies with her, Zach, and one of their other best friends. I love the movies, so I agreed to go. Zach came straight from a baseball banquet (if that’s not a foreshadowing of our relationship, I don’t know what is), and of course the first words out of his mouth were complaints about having to dress nice (again.. The foreshadowing).

From that day forward, we spent a majority of our days rotating between each other’s tennis matches and baseball games and we became inseparable. We were able to tough it through two years of long distance while Zach was playing baseball for East Tennessee State University, and then by the grace of God, he made his way to the University of Georgia to continue his baseball career. We became even closer than we were before, which I didn’t think was possible, and were able to spend two years together in our favorite city. From homecomings and proms to high school graduations, to college graduations, to our first real world jobs, Zach and I have seen each at our worst but also at our best. I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such a selfless, supportive, encouraging, and loving best friend.

From the groom (about the proposal)… The first part of this whole process was picking out a ring. As everyone knows, Jacqui is a total perfectionist and is very specific when it comes to what she wants. This made the ring shopping process and planning the proposal intimidating to say the least. Luckily, after only about an hour of shopping, and a little help from my mom, I finally had the perfect ring that I knew Jacqui would fall in love with. Now came the part of asking Jacqui’s dad for her hand in marriage. I decided to do it at one of his favorite places- the golf course. We booked a tee time at Towne Lake Hills, and I had my fingers crossed that he would be having a good round when it came time to ask him. Thankfully he was having fun through the front nine, but I was not so fortunate. My golf game was struggling as all I could think about was what I was going to say. After 9 holes of running the scenario through my head, I finally built up the courage to ask him. Even though I caught him off guard, he gave me his permission to ask Jacqui. It had been a long time coming, and he was excited that it was finally going to happen. On a side note, my golf game drastically improved on the back nine.

Planning the proposal was the next step. My one requirement throughout the whole planning process was that it had to be a complete and total surprise. It is close to impossible to surprise Jacqui, but I was up for the task. With that being said, Jacqui and I have always done adventurous things together such as skydiving (I now hate flying), swimming with sharks, snowboarding, white water rafting, and the list continues. The only activity that we had not done together, which happened to be one of Jacqui’s favorite things to do, was zip lining. I started researching the best location to have this go down, and that’s when I decided on Historic Banning Mills, the world’s longest zip line canopy tour. I then called and got the entire staff on board with my plan for the day. Now the real work began- I had to invite families, grandparents, and siblings, all while keeping this a secret from Jacqui. After numerous secret meetings, we had all of the details worked out.

The big day was finally here, and I picked Jacqui up to go and start our zip line adventure. We arrive at Banning Mills and the life changing adventure is about to begin. We were paired with about 8 other people, and I told Jacqui we needed to let them go first. Jacqui doesn’t like waiting so she was not happy when got stuck in the back. Now we had to pick an order that we would stay in through the whole tour. Obviously I needed to go first, but again, Jacqui did not want to be the last person to go each time. I finally told her that I would be too scared to go if I went last, and she agreed to the last position. The tour was going smoothly, and Jacqui still had no idea what she was in for. Then there we were at the last zip line. Unlike the other zip lines, this last one dropped down below the trees so you couldn’t see the landing. I zipped down and our families were waiting at the landing with everything in place. I get the ring from my dad and take a deep breath. I then gave the guide a thumbs up and he radios in telling Jacqui she was good to go. She comes down the line, and after she came up from under the trees she immediately started tearing up. She stopped on the landing, and I got down on one knee. Luckily, she said yes!

Photography: Hillary Leah Photography | Videographer : Rooted Pine Films | Event Planning: Invision Events | Floral Design: Stylish Stems | Cake: Lush Cakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Catering: LowCountry Catering & Events | Makeup: Glam By Ruthie | Hair: K. Barone Salon | DJ: Club Rett | Ceremony Music: Andrew Lombardi | Venue: Foxhall Resort And Sporting Club | Farm Tables: The Vintage Rental Company

Election season may be over (thank goodness), but we need you to cast one more vote: for the prettiest Minted invitation design of 2017 — The SMP Readers’ Choice. Check out the 10 designs below, then head to our Instagram and comment with the name of your favorite design and #SMPxMinted! The best part? Four, yes four, of you lucky brides-to-be will win a $200 credit to Minted! So, what are you waiting for? Go vote now!

Vote on Your Favorite New Minted Design

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Vote on Your Favorite New Minted Design

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WHAT: A $200 credit to be used on Minted!

HOW: To enter, simply follow both Minted and Styled Me Pretty on Instagram + comment on this IG post with #SMPxMinted with the number of your favorite design.

WHO: Four lucky winners, chosen completely at random, will be announced on the Instagram post!

WHEN: Giveaway ends on March 4th at 11:59pm EST. For terms and conditions, click here. Good luck, lovelies! xo

Invitations: Minted

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

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Some household items are just for fun; some are extra special that only get used from time to time. Others, well, you’ll use every single day. So what are the most commonly registered for items – and thus, probably the most useful ones – to add to your registry to ensure your house becomes a home? The folks at Food52 are sharing their most popular wedding registry must-haves and why they are essential for every couple starting out on their new journey together!

Food52’s Top 10 Registry Items: 

10. Pour la tourtière d’Annette Stoneware Pie Plate
Not everything needs to be practical – leave some room for the pretty, too. With each slice of pie or quiche you dole out from this special pie plate, a beautiful pattern reveals itself.

The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

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

There are pretty dresses, romantic ones, sweet styles and more. And while all are undeniable beautiful, there are some dresses that are just plain drop dead gorgeous. These are the ones that make you stop and stare. That make married ladies dream of walking down that aisle again. These gowns are what wedding wishes are made of and we’ve rounded up some of our absolute favorites right here to help kick off your weekend the right way!

Dream Worthy Dresses

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Dream Worthy Dresses

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Williams Sonoma
Animoto
Ada Diamonds

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

It would be impossible for me to choose just one favorite wedding dress designer. But oh, you can bet I’ve got my top ten and Oscar De La Renta is right up there at the tippy top. This stunning Bride just hits that statement home even further and completely sets the tone for this classic affair in Half Moon Bay. Jen Huang‘s delicate imagery gracefully takes us through the sweet journey from start to finish, and it’s all so, so good.

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From Jen Huang… I loved photographing this wedding – even on a foggy day in half moon day, it shines in its beautiful simplicity, despite the fact that the fashion is absolutely drool worthy – a gown by Oscar De La Renta and a suit from Armani, with Rolex bridal gifts and jewelry from Tiffany & Co and Van Cleef and Arpels, and the heels from Prada are to die for! But even with this enviable collection of accessories the bride kept it wonderfully simple. From the classic line of her gown, to the ceremony arch of white roses, I love her impeccable taste, and that she still focused on the most important moments, the love between her and her groom, which we captured on a windswept California beach. We left the rest up to the natural beauty at the Ritz Carlton.

From the Bride… I moved up from Los Angeles 3 years ago to the Bay Area to help out the family business (we have restaurants). Henry, who was born and raised in Indiana, had started his sixth year of residency when we met in August 2015. It just so happened that his favorite restaurant was my place of work and one fateful Friday, he came into eat. He visited the restaurant five consecutive Friday nights in attempts to talk to me, but I never noticed because it was too busy! Henry finally mustered up the courage to talk to me during his fifth visit but never asked me out. I was a bit curious why he had talked to me in the first place but left it at that. A month later, he came back and asked to meet me for coffee and the rest is history. Never in a million years did I imagine to meet my husband this way but it’ll be a great love story to tell our children one day.

After 8 months of dating, Henry proposed in Napa. We hoped to get married in Napa but felt that it would be too far for our guests to travel to. While visiting the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay for brunch, we knew this would be the most perfect venue with its old world charm. It felt like a destination wedding but still close enough for our local guests.
I had always envisioned my wedding to be romantic and classic. I chose white and green tones for my colors and wanted a garden inspired wedding with a warm summer evening feel. I only had three months to plan from the time of our engagement to our wedding day, so it was incredibly stressful but also rewarding knowing I was able to pull it off. I was extremely nervous because I couldn’t find a dress but after a trip to LA, I found the one from Oscar De La Renta. It arrived two weeks before the wedding but luckily I only needed one dress fitting. All the vendors I chose miraculously pulled through even with such a tight deadline. I really couldn’t have done it without my florist, Amy Burke for creating such a lovely space and photographer Jen Huang for capturing the moment.

On August 6, 2016, we were joined by 150 guests to celebrate our special day. I loved that it was intimate so that we could celebrate with all of our closest friends and family.

Photography: Jen Huang Photography | Floral Design: Amy Burke Designs | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Studio Cake | Invitations: Written Word Calligraphy | Shoes: Prada | Hair and Makeup: Makeup By Sung | Groom's Attire: Armani | Venue: test | Bridesmaids Gowns: Fame And Partners | Earrings: Van Cleef Arpels | Groom's Ring: Tiffany & Co.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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Written Word Calligraphy

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There’s nothing like seeing your dashing Groom waiting for you at the end of the aisle. And while we love, love, love when the Mr.’s really let their personality shine through in their wedding uniform, there are certainly a few trends that we can’t wait to bid adieu. Sorry super hero undershirts and man buns, we’re looking at you.

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Wild socks

While we love a good pattern moment, those technicolor sock situations have got to go.

Baggy suits

There is nothing like a great tailored suit. Its ill-fitted cousin on the other hand, we’d gladly archive.

Superman shirts tucked under your collared shirt

While funny and quirky, this trend is best left to the 12 and under crowd.

Flip flops for a destination wedding

Put those toes away gents. Weddings aren’t the time for alfresco footwear.

Messy Facial Hair

There’s a certain way to do messy. Tailored beards or a little scruff are good but the regular old, forgot to shave look is a no, no. And man buns, we’re including you in this category too.

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We are in a Southern Weddings state of mind today. It started with a chat about the best Southern wedding traditions and now we’re diving into a Texas celebration that blows it out of the water in terms of elegance and grace. And all with a forecast that called for 100% chance of rain! Draped in florals by Bristol Lane Florals and all the pretty images you could possibly dream of by Michelle Boyd Photography, have a look at Southern elegance done so, so right.

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From the Photographer… Gabriella and Eric may have met by accident – she thought he was someone else at a party! – but their love grew immediately on purpose. They’ve lived and worked in New York for a while now, Gabriella a model and Eric a brand manager, but decided to return to Gabriella’s home state of Texas for the big day.

Here in Texas, we are no strangers to the fickleness of the weather. The happy couple planned their September outdoor ceremony and as the days grew closer, they never batted an eye- even though the forecast said 100% chance of rain! As preparations began for the day, the decision was made to keep with Plan A and just wait it out… And we are SO glad we did! It may have been a monsoon for the hours leading up to the ceremony, but neither Gabriella nor Eric showed any concern or worry. Their incredible florists worked – IN the rain – to prepare their ceremony installation, and just before the guests arrived the sun came out and dried the ground with a vengeance. Gabriella surrounded herself with the sweetest bridesmaids and “bridesmen”, and Eric’s family flew from across the world to celebrate their sweet union. What a sweet and wonderful day it was!

Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography | Floral Design: Bristol Lane Florals | Cake: Sweet Treets | Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan | Hair & Makeup: Makenzi Laine | DJ: Look No Further Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings | Venue: The Winfield Inn

Located in Palm Springs, this couple enhanced the gorgeous desert setting with vibrant florals and a bright color palette. In my mind, there is nothing more perfect than an outdoor ceremony and reception nestled inside the San Jacinto Mountains under a warm desert sunset. The entire day was captured beautifully by Randy + Ashley Studios. Dream of a warm weather escape while browsing this gallery in The Vault!

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Their love story is ten years in the making, after meeting in high school. Throughout college and early adulthood, these two were always together except for a brief time when they were on a break over a summer (and no, not the Ross-and-Rachel-kind of break), and it was actually during that time apart that they both realized each other was the One. In fact, Devin took a train all the way from Manhattan to Montauk to surprise him because she knew he’d be there on a vacation … all because she realized that she’s just a happier person when she’s around Kevin.

When it came time to pop the question, Kevin proposed during a weeklong trip with friends to Rhode Island, on the very last day in Narrangansett (how he waited that long with the ring in his pocket, I have no idea!). They took a walk to see the cliffs they’d been wanting to see all week, despite the impending rain, and he got down on one knee once they reached the highest point of the rocks. Devin has no idea what he said after he proposed (“it was all a blur!”), but knowing Kevin I’m positive it was something very lovely, well thought out and true from his heart.

Photography: Randy + Ashley | Florist: City Iris | Invitations: Smitten on Paper | Makeup: Kallen Knetzger | Hair: Just Blow Drys | DJ: Michael Capitanelli | Groom's Suit: Indochino | Officiant: Garrett Foster, Ceremonies By Garrettt | Officiant: Garrett Foster, Ceremonies By Garrettt | Bridal Gown: Pronovias | Planning: First Pick Planning | Rentals: Signature Party Rentals | Restaurant: Spencer's Restaurant | Signage: The Gilded Line | Wedding Rings: Wedding Ring Originals

Saying your I do’s at home not only means you have free reign with your creative vision, but that in the years to come you will be able to visit the very spot you said your vows. And what’s more special than that? That’s exactly what Moeko and Jan did for their Big Day with the help of White – Prague Wedding Agency. The results captured by Anezka Chudlikova are intimate, cozy and oh-so-pretty. See it all here!

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From White – Prague Wedding Agency… Moeko & Jan weren’t about to have a large glamorous wedding. Instead they chose to celebrate their day in their family country house in the West Bohemia. Even on the official site of the town, Prebuz is described as, “the town at the end of the world”. It’s a town with the lowest population in the Czech Republic surrounded with beautifully rough highlands. It turned out to be the perfect place for Moeko & Jan’s intimate family affair, just as they wanted it. The flowers & decoration were magical, boho & romantic with lot of natural material involved. Their day was nothing but relaxed with a funky yummy wedding buffet prepared by “Sweet & Pepper days” bistro & catering. The bistro is a lovely family run place and their “made with love” food and service just enhanced the family atmosphere of the day. It was wonderful to work with them on the concept of the wedding. We love to be creative and loved little touches at the wedding like family tree with old family photos. Moeko lived in the USA and wanted to share her passion for S’mores bars with her guests – it was a nice surprise for both Czech and Japanese guests. We just had to take a use of the original barn which belongs to the family house. It was decorated for the welcome cocktail, the DJ spinned the party here and it was a perfect spot for the photo corner. We used parts of furniture that we found in the attic that was years and years old. When the sun set, everyone wrapped themselves into cozy duvets. Moeko & Jan are total sweethearts and absolutely perfect together. We were so happy to be there with them on their special day. Love was literally all around!

Photography: Art Motion Media | Event Planning: White - Prague Wedding Agency | Floral Design: Inspirito | Catering: Sweet and Peppers Days | Band: Zeuritia | Stylist: Linda Chudomelova | Tent, furniture, lightings: Borovka

With the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean all around them, along with their closest friends and family, Tara and Nick said yes to each other. And then when all was complete, they wined, dined and danced the night away with many more loved ones at the fabulous Hearst Ranch. Ashley Ludaescher captured both – the intimate ceremony and the fun fete after – all in our Vault right this way!

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From Ashley Ludaescher… Tara and Nick fell in love during their time spent at Hearst Ranch, so it made perfect sense for them to tie the knot there. They were very lucky to be one of the few special couples to have the chance to celebrate their weddings on the property surrounding Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. I absolutely love that Tara and Nick were incredibly thoughtful while deciding how to celebrate their wedding day. They chose to have an intimate ceremony with just their families and wedding party and then have an incredible party to celebrate with all of their friends later in the evening.

The ceremony was beautifully decorated by Adornments Flowers & Finery in front of doors which led directly out to the Pacific – the view was incredible! Nick’s best friend married them and Tara’s two children walked her down the aisle, which made for an incredibly personal and beautiful ceremony.

After the ceremony, we drove through the ranch to a mountaintop for their portraits at the mile long pergola where the Hearst family used to ride their horses, which also had the most spectacular views of the entire central coast and Hearst Castle. It was an incredible and unique wedding celebration, focused on what matters most – dear friends, family and true love.

Photography: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Coordination: ADORNMENTS flowers + finery | Floral Design: ADORNMENTS flowers + finery | Catering: Field To Table Events | Hair + Makeup: Mint Salon ~ Savannah | Transportation: Ride On | Wedding Venue: Hearst Ranch | Rentals: All About Events

The wedding planning process is full of decision-making moments. But the one question I got asked almost every time someone brought up wedding talk was “Have you found your dress yet?!”. So much attention is put around the dress that it can feel overwhelming before you even start shopping. Make it easier on yourself with these five tips to survive that big day before the real Big Day.

Don’t Feel Pressured

Don’t feel obligated to bring along everyone! I don’t know about you, but I get my best shopping done while alone or maybe with a very close girlfriend or my Mom. But never with a group of friends. You might be the complete opposite of this and actually have more success with more opinions. In that case, make it a party and bring on the bubbly! But the point is, don’t feel pressured to have your entire bridal party there for the day. Bring who you trust or even go alone if that’s what you feel best doing.

Don’t Let Mom (or MIL) Take Over

If your parents do happen to be helping financially with your wedding, that should never mean they have a final say in any big decision. Especially dress shopping. Don’t let your Mom or Mother-in-law pressure you to go for a certain style because they’re making a contribution. And even if they aren’t, they may still be vicariously living through you and try to sway you toward a design they love on you. If you do bring them along make sure to politely let them know opinions are welcomed. If you contemplate their presence being overwhelming, tell them you want it to be a surprise on the Big Day!

Do Your Hair + Makeup

Have you ever been in a fitting room and cringed at an outfit because you have zero makeup on and your hair is a mess? Don’t make this mistake when dress shopping. It can be challenging to envision a gorgeous dress’ full potential when you look like you just came out of the gym. This is a great time to have a hair and makeup trial done, or even just fancy yourself up a little extra to get the full look. Even considering bring some jewelry to test drive as well.

Don’t Limit Yourself

So you’ve pinned a million dresses from the same designer or same style to your wedding board, but you’re not quite loving how the designs fit on you when trying them on… don’t box yourself in to one or two designers or styles. That two-piece number might look gorgeous on that other bride, but it just doesn’t feel right on you. Be open, try on styles you never thought you would and most importantly, know what works best with your body type.

Start Early + Go with Your Gut

I’ve talked to brides who found their dream dress with the first one they tried on and others who went to several boutiques, or ended up buying a second or third dress because they didn’t love the original choice. There’s no magic number of dresses you need to try on. It might be one or a hundred. The key is to give yourself plenty of time to find the right one and go with your gut! When you know, you know.

You might remember when we first went behind the scenes with the ladies of Southern Weddings and fell in love with bright, sunny office space and impeccable sense of style. Lucky for us, they’re popping back today to share a few time-honored Southern traditions to incorporate into your wedding – whether your big day falls below the Mason-Dixon line or not.

From the Southern Weddings gals… Hi friends! We’re thrilled to be here on Style Me Pretty today chatting about one of our favorite topics: traditions! Though we specifically love to focus on wedding traditions that originated in the South, we’ve been tickled pink to see these Southern wedding traditions increase in popularity around the world. (Kind of like all things Southern right now: any Fixer Upper fans out there? :)) Whether you’re a Southern bride or not, consider adding one of these sweet traditions to your wedding day for an extra dose of charm!

Burying the bourbon

Legend has it that if a couple buries a full bottle of bourbon upside down one month before their wedding day at the location where they’ll say “I do,” they’ll be blessed with sunny skies on the big day. After covering up the bottle, don’t forget to mark the spot, as it should be dug up and enjoyed with the wedding party on the wedding day (usually after the ceremony), making this a win-win tradition, no matter the skies!

See the full wedding here!

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The second line

Leave it to New Orleans, where the motto is laissez les bons temps rouler, to be the birthplace of one of the most lively and fun Southern wedding traditions! The second line stems from an old tradition at African-American jazz funerals, where a brass band paraded to honor the life of the deceased while loved ones followed the band, dancing to add to the spirit and celebration of the procession.

Weddings with a NOLA connection have flipped this tradition on its head, using a second line parade to signify the beginning of new life for the bride and groom. A second line usually takes place between the ceremony and reception, with the newly married couple leading the way, and a brass band and wedding party following right behind. Though second lines begin with just invited guests, they often attract passers-by to join the fun! Make sure to pick up a black parasol for the groom, a white parasol for the bride, and handkerchiefs for each guest to wave.

See the full wedding here!

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A house party

Only so many bridesmaids can fit at the front of a church! But what to do if you can’t bear to leave any of your best girls out? Enter the house party—the South’s answer to big extended families, sororities, and more. Members of a house party are often assigned wedding day tasks, such as passing out programs or helping the bride get ready, and are invited to the bachelorette party and bridal showers. The only thing a house party traditionally does not do is stand at the altar with the bride–that spot is reserved for bridesmaids. HP gals can be seated in the first or second row, just behind family.

As for outfitting your house party, you have some options! For a more formal, coordinated look, some brides choose the same dress for all of the HP gals, in a color that’s different but complementary to the color of the bridesmaid dresses. Another popular option is to ask the house party to wear little black dresses, since most girls will already have an option or two in their closets. Finally, you can simply tell the house party your wedding color scheme and ask them to dress in something that coordinates.

See the full wedding here!

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The cake pull

If you’re looking for a fun and sweet activity for your bridesmaids’ luncheon or bridal shower, try the cake pull! It hails from the Victoria days, when charms of luck and good fortune (and sometimes not-so-good fortune) were set into the wedding cake by the bride to predict the future of her single friends. These days, pulls are often placed in a small cake at a pre-wedding get together, and bridesmaids and close female friends (not only singles!) are given the opportunity to pull a charm from the cake just before it’s cut. A few of our favorite charms and their meanings: a hot-air balloon (adventure and travel), the fleur de lis (love and prosperity), the four-leaf clover (good luck), and a diamond ring (next to be married!).

See the full wedding here!

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The groom’s cake

While many wedding details err on the feminine side, a groom’s cake is a fun and (literally) sweet way to do something extra special just for the gent of honor! Collaborate with your baker to get creative and surprise your beau with a cake that reflects his hobbies, favorite sports team, occupation, or alma mater, to be served alongside the wedding cake at the reception. Or, try a “cake” that isn’t a cake at all — instead, set out a tower of Oreos, a stack of doughnuts, or trays of his favorite childhood treats. Or, if he’s a Southern boy through and through, go with the classic: a bleedin’ armadillo cake, just like the one in Steel Magnolias.

See the full wedding here!

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Looking for more details on Southern wedding traditions, and wedding traditions in general? We’ve got lots more details and ideas in our e-book, All About Southern Wedding Traditions. And now, we’d love to hear: what traditions did you include, or are you planning to include, in your wedding?

xo, the Southern Weddings gals

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Photography (in order): Anna Shackleford | Arte De Vie | Eric Kelley Photography | Amy Arrington Photography | Greer Gattuso

Donuts and palms are the stuff that brunch dreams are made of. And along with day drinking and delicious cheat food, this brunch is also bringing insanely gorgeous tropical vibes. Designed by Pure Luxe Bride with big, bright blooms by Coastal Creations, laser cut names on palms that we have a slight obsession with by LH Calligraphy and all captured by Aaron And Jillian Photography, if you’re hosting a breakfast get together soon, this vault is a must see.

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From Drew Pond, the host of the brunch…For me, there are two things in life that are sure-fire ingredients to my happiness: I love entertaining and I love Sunday brunch. I mean come on, who doesn’t enjoy a little day drinking and cheat food from time to time, right? I first had the idea for a Dock House Digital-hosted friends brunch back in the early Summer. We collaborated with the incredibly talented ladies at Pure Luxe Bride to bring our vision to life and I couldn’t be more excited to share this with you guys!

Before even talking design, I knew from the start that we had to have this event take place at Cannon Green. The restaurant is incomparable to other downtown hot spots. The atmosphere is very modern and hip with a major Miami influence with its aesthetic. When building out the restaurant, the owners honored this 19th century beauty by creating an airy, garden-inspired dining experience. The brunch design began by selecting our dining space overlooking the courtyard. Being in the wedding industry, our brains are trained to always think of a rain contingency plan, so the covered balcony was the perfect spot. We wanted the floral design to play a major role in the overall impact of the design and Coastal Creations seriously went all out. The vibrant colors combined with the gold seating and palm leaves made for the perfect balance of style + elegance. Putting this together on my own during DHD’s busiest time of year would have been a nightmare, so it was more than a blessing to enlist Pure Luxe Bride to execute every little detail so perfectly. They are amazing.

Our guest list comprised of ten of our favorite people who also happen to be in the wedding industry. From photographers, florists, videographers, DJ’s and wedding planners, we had it covered with this crew! While some videographers love shooting B-roll, interviewing guests, speeches, so on and so forth, one of my favorite things to shoot on a wedding day are the details. It was this reason alone that I knew I had to pull out all the stops when it came to our invitation suite. We enlisted The Silver Starfish to create our invites and RSVP’s as well as our brunch menus and canapé cards. The design included elements that reflected the essence of the restaurant and we even hired an artist to sketch the venue’s storefront…so chic! Because this event was on detail-overload, which of course had me excited, I knew the perfect duo to photograph it all for us! We were so fortunate to have the insanely talented Aaron and Jillian Photography present to capture our event.

As our guests arrived they were greeted with the most delicious mimosas–we definitely gave our server a work out from all of the refills! We began by having a short cocktail gathering in the venue’s courtyard where we got a chance to catch up with one another and nibble on some scrumptious canapés that were worthy of writing home about. Some of these bountiful bites included Classic Tomato Bruschetta, Fried Green Tomatoes with Pimento Cheese, Lobster & Black Truffle Salad, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with Avocado & Sesame and Chicken and Ginger Dumplings with Salsa Verde. YUM.

For our main entrées we had family-style courses of eggs benedict over asparagus and chicken and waffles. Our yummy sides were Cannon Green’s house-made sesame tater tots and crispy bacon. Is your mouth watering yet? The food was amazing and I think every one of us said how we are excited to come back to try out their dinner menu in the very near future. Cannon Green is a great option for your rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. I highly recommend!

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Best Brunch Cocktails

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Best Brunch Cocktails

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Photography: Aaron And Jillian Photography | Coordination: Pure Luxe Bride | Event Design: Pure Luxe Bride | Floral Design: Coastal Creations | Brunch & Donut Tower:: Cannon Green | Invitation Suite: The Silver Starfish | Rentals: Eventworks | Restaurant: Cannon Green | Wood Laser Cut Gold Place Cards:: LH Calligraphy

Spring is slowly beginning to make an appearance and this inspiration from Vitor Lindo, Scarlet Plan & Design, and a whole crew of great vendors has me counting down the days until it’s officially here. Inside the gallery you’ll find so many ideas for a springtime affair – from invitations to florals, fashion, cakes and more. But don’t just take my word for it, scroll below and see the pretty for yourself!

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From the planner + stylist, Scarlet Plan & Design…

What did you envision for the photo shoot?

This fabulous Summer in the Garden wedding shoot was held at a 200-year-old Charleston home called the Parsonage. The space was once home to the parsons of St. Johannes Lutheran Church as well as their families. We envisioned a bright, colorful, bohemian summer wedding held in the courtyard garden of a historic downtown Charleston home. We wanted to juxtapose a traditional setting with a very eclectic wedding design.

What was your color palette and your style vision?

Our color palette was made up of several shades of pink. I kept calling the shoot “Yes Way, Rose!” because there were so many shades of pink. We had a smoky rose, a deep raspberry, pale blush, peachy tones, rose gold, coral and more. I’d definitely say the style vision was fresh, whimsical and very romantic with tons of unexpected bohemian touches. From the vintage books, the mismatched couches and chairs to the fresh flower wall, it was an eclectic heart’s dream!

Any unique elements or DIY details?

I think my favorite elements were using my grandmother’s vintage ring on the model and the 3 wedding cakes from Vintage Soul Cakes. All 3 were so unique and perfect for the design! We also used mismatched vintage sofas and chairs to create the super fun ceremony seating design going down the center of the driveway.

Photography: Vitor Lindo Photo + Video | Event Styling: Scarlet Plan & Design | Floral Design: Wildflowers Inc. | Wedding Dress: Garnish & Frill via Fabulous Frocks | Wedding Cake: Vintage Soul Cakes | Stationery: Put It On Paper Stationery | Ceremony Venue: The Parsonage | Makeup: Wedding Hair By Charlotte | Fashion Accessories: Garnish & Frill via Fabulous Frocks | Rentals and Linens: Eventworks | Vintage Rentals: The French Eclectic

Let’s be real — the dress is the best part of the wedding (aside from marrying the love of your life, of course). So, there’s a lot of pressure to find “the one.” After all, no bride wants to look back on her wedding photos 50 years from her wedding and wonder, “What in the hell was I thinking?!” which is why wedding dress trends can be tricky (hello, puffy sleeves from the 80’s). Thankfully, this year’s hottest wedding dress trends are not only gorgeous, but they’re totally timeless. Take a peek below!

Flower Power

If you thought 3D floral appliqués were big last year, just wait until you see the garden of gorgeous flowers that blossomed across the 2017 Bridal collections. This dreamy Marchesa gown is just the beginning of all of the pretty to come!

Color Wonder

Bridal no longer means white, ivory, champagne or even blush. Next spring, you can expect to see brides rocking color—from lovely pastel hues like this Kenneth Pool gown to the bright, bold shades seen at Naeem Khan. If you really want to wow on your wedding day, there’s no better way than with one of these colorful beauties!

Big, Beautiful Bows

Bows are back and in a big way. From stunning statement bows like on this Viktor & Rolf to wispy, ethereal bows like at Carolina Herrera and structured, abstract bows at Oscar de la Renta, there’s a bow out there for every Bride, and they’re all beautiful!

Flirty Ruffles

Twirl down the aisle with ruffles that flirt for you with every step like with the all-over ruffles like on this Carolina Herrera beauty. Want something a little more subtle? Find one of the gorgeous gowns with ruffles at the waist or hem.

Incredible Capes

Why be a normal bride on your wedding day when you can be a super bride? A super stylish bride, that is. From dramatic capes that dance in the wind like on this Oscar de la Renta gown to flouncy capelets that offer an extra bit of coverage, wedding dresses with capes are the perfect way to get that two-in-one look with just one gorgeous dress!

Plunging Necklines

Make your groom’s jaw drop when you walk down the aisle wearing a sexy plunging neckline like on this Francesca Miranda gown. Balance the deep V with traditional bridal touches like romantic lace, full skirts or delicate beading. The finished look is sultry and sexy but still timeless and beautiful!

High-Low

Sexy can mean a lot of different things when it comes to your wedding dress — barely-there bodices, plunging necklines, curve-hugging silhouettes and now an unexpected hint of skin with a flirty hemline like this Rime Arodaky dress. Playful and fashion-forward, high low dresses are the perfect excuse to show off a new pair of fabulous wedding day shoes.

Chic Pants

Just because you’re a bride doesn’t mean you have to wear a wedding dress. This year, designers served up some seriously stunning alternatives like this fabulous Lela Rose ensemble. From stylish separates to playful jumpsuits to oh-so-chic suits and tuxedos, designers are redefining mix ‘n match separates with these gorgeous wedding dress alternatives.

Mixed Metallics

They say, “one is silver and the other is gold,” but this year all metallics are created equal. Think silver, pewter, gold, rose gold and so much more. As far as we’re concerned, the more sparkle and shimmer, the better, especially if it looks anything like this gorgeous Naeem Khan sheath.

Statement Sleeves

Strapless wedding dresses will always be in style, but for the bride who wants a little something different, there’s nothing quite like the romance and drama of a statement sleeve like on this Ines di Santo dress. The 70s-inspired silhouette is the perfect balance of boho-chic and vintage charm all with a dose of dramatic glamour!

Modern Minimalism

While beading, ruffles, appliqués and bows are all beautiful (and they so are), there’s something to be said for keeping things clean and simple like this gorgeous Amsale ballgown. Without the added details and distractions, it’s the bride that truly shines, not just the dress.

When you’ve got a stunning vision like these two and a rockstar vendor team including Bash Please, JL Designs, Found Vintage Rentals and Casa de Perrin, a next level wedding is bound to be in your future. See? SO next level. From the ceremony backdrop to the sweetest seating nooks, Elizabeth Messina unveiled the beauty with her always breathtaking images. Dive into this Bel Air bash in full right here.

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From the Bride… Ali and I were both pretty set on a few “MUSTS” while planning out wedding. We were NOT getting married in a ballroom. We were NOT ok with a curfew before 2am. The food and drinks had to be FABULOUS. And we had to be able to fit 160 of our nearest and dearest. Paige and Kelly were amazing at hearing us out and went over TONS of venue options with pros and cons and took us all the way from Malibu to Downtown LA. They alongside my father pushed us to lastly look at Hotel Bel Air (even though it consisted of a ballroom) before making any decisions. We walked through the hotel space and their vision and creativity and enthusiasm about the endless options the space provided us led us to lock it in. On that day, we actually felt like we could start envisioning our wedding day. 

Ali and I really wanted to create a space where people would be comfortable and relaxed. Your wedding day consists of all the feels. So walking down an aisle looking at our cool, calm, collected and comfortable family and friends in a setting that felt like home with lounges and benches and arm chairs and side tables did just that. We went back and forth with beautiful renderings including the flowers and furniture and flooring which really made it all come to life. I think my favorite part of this other than marrying my husband was the gospel choir that came out and started singing as we recessed down the aisle.

Ali and I are both foodies and grew up in Los Angeles where dining is so delicious and wanted to make sure that everything from cocktails to dessert and everything in between was a great experience for our guests. The cocktail area had such a great vibe (from what I saw in pictures – it kinda stinks you miss this whole part of the evening) and the food was just enough to keep everyone happy before we went into the ballroom. We loved creating our custom cocktails with Pharmacie, the bar setups were so beautiful and the drinks were delicious. It was a whole experience we really wanted to share with everyone. 

The ballroom at the HBA is such an incredible blank canvas and again, with Paige and Kelly providing endless ideas and renderings including the chairs and linens we liked and florals it all really came to life. We wanted to make sure that the flowers didn’t take over the night and that it was just to make the room pretty. They did just that. Not too many high pieces, but pieces you could see through and talk to the people sitting across from you. We had a mix of round and rectangle tables and it filled the room nicely and squeezed everyone in perfectly. The dance floor was just the right size, not too big and not too small and it was ALWAYS full thanks to the music from Elan.

Photography: Elizabeth Messina | Event Planning: Bash Please | Floral Design: JL Designs | Wedding Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop | Invitations: Bash Please | Lighting: The Lighter Side | DJ: Johnny Knight | Venue: Hotel Bel Air | Ceremony Rentals: Revelry Event Design | Ceremony Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music: Elan Artists | Rentals: Town And Country | Specialty Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin

You could have the most beautiful wedding dress in the world, but if your wedding day hair and makeup isn’t perfect, your whole look will be off and no bride wants that, trust us. So, once you’ve said yes to the dress, it’s time to say yes to the hairstyle. Luckily, we’ve got 100 stunning styles that you’re sure to love. In fact, you may even decide you need a hair change so you can choose more than just one!

100 Drop-Dead-Gorgeous Hairstyles to Inspire Your Big Day 'Do

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100 Drop-Dead-Gorgeous Hairstyles to Inspire Your Big Day 'Do

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In the world of weddings, your stationery is the first impression and you want to make it a good one. But when you’ve got a venue to book, flowers to order and that perfect dress to find—you don’t want to blow your budget on paper goods, am I right? Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice stationery style. With Shutterfly at your side, save-the-dates and invitations (and even personalized thank you notes!) can still look totally luxe and have your guests thinking you spent big bucks. Here’s how!

Shown below: Simple Solid Frame Invitation

Choose a Design that Speaks to You.

I don’t think anyone wishes for a cookie-cutter wedding, or cookie-cutter wedding stationery for that matter. So, first things first, pick a design you love! Shutterfly‘s array of design options can be customized the way YOU want, to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re having an intimate backyard affair or an elegant seaside affair, the options are endless.

Utilize Shutterfly’s Custom Color Palette tool on specific designs (indicated by the color wheel on site) to customize your stationery further and match the hues you’ve selected for your Big Day.

Shown below: Special Celebration Save The Date

Personalize with Photos

My husband and I loved utilizing our engagement photos for our save-the-dates. It’s such a fun way to personalize and share those memories with friends and family before the wedding! Shutterfly’s Wedding Save-The-Dates also have a coordinating, customizable back of card design, at no extra charge. Don’t you love it when the bonus touches are free?

Shown below: Lavish Love Save The Date

Get Fancy with Foil

The easiest way to take your wedding stationery to the next level? Layer on the foil, my friends! Sure, faux foil can look lovely, but real foil is très chic and brings an elegant touch to your stationery.

Shown below: True Love Forever Invitation

From wedding invitations with rose gold foil to modern, gilded lines, Shutterfly’s foil options prove to be nothing less than fabulous.

Get Creative with Trims

Think outside the box with a variety of different trim options available as well. Whether you stick with classic square, clean and rounded, bracket, scallop or ticket—selecting a creative cut amps up the wow factor.

Shown below: Elegant Embellishments Invitation

Embrace the Extras

Last but certainly not least, go for the extras that tie it all together! We’re talking RSVP cards, enclosure cards, address labels, thank you notes, colored envelopes, and envelope liners. Shutterfly makes it easy to match with coordinating designs for each suite. So, whether you want to add on those matching directions cards, or make life easier with convenient address labels—you’ve got the tools at hand to help you share the big news.

The best part? You can test drive Shutterfly’s wedding invitations printed with your own Big Day details. Get five free samples of your choice today with promo code 5WEDINVITES. Amazing right? Head on over to choose your top five favorites today.

Shown above: Splendid Watercolor Invitation

The only thing more beautiful than committing your life to the one you love is making that very same promise in a vow renewal. Set in the snowy mountains of Jackson, Wyoming, Callie and Brad recreated their wedding day, complete with a cozy outdoor dinner celebration. Simply Sarah photographed the day and you won’t want to miss a single second.

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Callie + Brad’s Love Story

Brad and I met in January of 2011, however, our actual first encounter is up for debate. Brad says we were introduced by our good friend at a concert at The Mangy Moose. I remember our first meeting being a couple weeks later after skiing one snowy Saturday. A friend and I had just finished skiing and were walking towards Nick Wilsons for a beer when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see a very handsome bearded man walking towards me. He smiled familiarly, said hello and reminded me his name was Brad. I excitedly nodded and smiled back. He asked for my number and after he walked away my friend asked, “Who was that?” I laughed and said, “I have no idea.”

Brad called me a month later (nearly too long) and asked me on our first date, and because of the ever-changing facial hair of men in Jackson, I didn’t quite recognize him when he came to pick me up. That night we had one of the best times dancing at a friend’s birthday party in Jackson and knew this was something special. We immediately enjoyed doing all the things that come so easily to everyone in Jackson. We spent most of our time together skiing, biking, camping and floating the river. Over July 4th weekend 2015, the two of us hiked the Teton Crest trail.

The Teton Crest trail traverses throughout the Teton Mountains and is an absolutely stunning 40-mile trek. On our second day of backpacking which happened to be July 4th, we found ourselves at the Alaska Basin, a beautiful, peaceful, subalpine basin scattered with tons of little sparkling lakes, ponds, and boulders. It is a magical place. After a long, hot day of hiking, I went down to the water to take a dip and Brad said he would set up camp. As I was sunning myself on a big boulder next to the water, Brad quietly came up behind me and surprised me. I honestly thought he was trying to throw me in the lake. When I turned around he had dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes!

We both grew up on the East Coast, but we knew instantly that we wanted to get married in Jackson so all our friends and family from back home could come see this beautiful place. Jackson is where we fell in love with each other and the place we now call home. All the adventures we experience together here make our relationship and love stronger. When you are out in the mountains challenging yourself and pushing your limits, it gives you a deep sense of trust and admiration for the place and people around you.

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Floral Design: Magnolia Ranch Events | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Makeup by Stephanie Broom | Hair: Hair by Lela Hebard | Invitations + Calligraphy: Spurle Gul Studios | Venue: Open Meadows Ranch | Event Planning + Styling: Simply Grand Weddings And Events | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Plates, Flatware, Glassware: Montana Party Rentals | Rentals: Hunter Gatherer

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