Does it get any better than a stunning wedding in Spain? Short answer: no, no it doesn’t. Just take one peek at the pretty Diez & Bordons captured as proof. Because when you’ve got the talented Detallerie on hand planning every detail to perfection you know you’re in for a real treat. See it all in The Vault!

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From Detallerie…Grace and Chris a truly genuine couple, the bride from Hong Kong and the groom from London, who were looking for a wedding which was far from the classic English style celebrations. So they chose Detallerie to be their wedding planners to make their dreams come true.

Grace was radiant with her two Otaduy pieces which Detallerie helped her find and they also styled her with a blue and peach bouquet: the chosen colours for the rest of the wedding. Detallerie created a space for the ceremony in the shade of a mulberry where they left Chinese parasols as a nod to Grace’s family heritage. Following the ceremony, they celebrated with the ‘tea ceremony’ in a more intimate setting for close family, which is a tradition in China.

They enjoyed canapes, in particular the Jamon which was adored by all, in the garden. Detallerie also prepared an area where they could play a game of petanca, a game that has become a tradition in their family. They had dinner out on the patio of the house, making sure the blue linens and the peach colours were at the center stage of it all. Detallerie designed the graphics for them and used peaches to support the hand written calligraphy place cards. As a surprise, an animated and fun live band were waiting for them in the dance area to kick off the dancing! They danced to the best pop-rock songs until the early hours of the morning.

Photography: Diez Bordons | Event Design: Detallerie | Event Planning: Detallerie | Wedding Dress: Otaduy | Stationery: Detallerie | Catering: Sibaris | Venue: Sibaris

When you have it all – gorgeous Bride, dapper Groom, topnotch venue and florals galore – you just know it’s gonna be good. And then you hear that Michael and Carina captured it all and what you thought couldn’t get any better, just did. Want in on all this goodness? Hop on over to our Vault that is brimming with all this Baltimore beauty!

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From Michael and Carina Photography… We photographed Rachel and Justin’s gorgeous ballroom wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on June 4, 2016.

This wedding is everything a glamorous wedding should be – from elegant ceremony drapery to lavish floral arrangements, a head-turning wedding gown and an exquisitely decorated ballroom. Rachel and Justin have an incredible sense of style and it shows! Stephanie Bradshaw realized their vision of a clean and elegant setting with a neutral color palette perfectly and created a cream-blush-gold wedding extravaganza.

The inner harbor of Baltimore as a backdrop for their portraits added to the urban feel of the day. A painter captured the beautiful scene throughout the day to compose a timeless image for the couple. The timelessness and romance of this wedding is sure to sweep Style Me Pretty readers off their feet!

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Cinematography: Zach Kane | Event Planning: Stephanie Bradshaw | Styling: Stephanie Bradshaw | Floral Design: Flowers And Fancies | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: La Cakerie | Invitations: Stephanie Bradshaw | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Jewelry: Greenan Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Hair + Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty | Band: ANDY KUSHNER ENTERTAINMENT | Groom's Attire: Christopher Shafer Clothier | Venue: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Live Artist: Patricia Bennett | Rentals: Revolution Event Design And Production | Welcome Bags: BK Designs

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Amie Decker Beauty

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It’s public knowledge that everything Greg Finck captures is pure perfection, but add in the largely talented Branco Prata on hand styling every detail to perfect? Well that’s just a downright dream. Take this lovelier than ever inspiration as proof and see it all firsthand in The Vault!

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From Greg Finck… This is the inspiration shoot behind the 2nd edition of Greg Finck Workshop, which occured last May in Provence. Greg Finck Workshop is a 3-days retreat for wedding photographers. The purpose of this retreat is to guide and help wedding photographers to find their way in a saturated wedding photography industry. Days are composed of learning technic and business principle, as well as shooting. We always try to think out of the box at Greg Finck Workshop, and that’s how we came up with this ballerina wedding inspiration.

From Sofia Ferreira of Branco Prata… As creatives in wedding industry we have a constant need to improve our aesthetic, overcome our fears and evolve. Our creative inner voice wants to be challenged and we truly want to experiment new concepts and above all present meaningful designs and imagery that truly reflects who we are. That is why we decided on breaking some barriers, be adventurous and explore unfamiliar grounds… Body language is the unconscious and conscious transmission and interpretation of feelings, attitudes, and moods, through: i) body posture, movement, physical state, position and relationship to other bodies, objects and surroundings, and ii) facial expression and eye movement. This transmission and interpretation can be quite different to the spoken words.” Sofia Ferreira, Branco Prata

If you’re a wedding photographer and interested in attending the next edition of Greg Finck Workshop, registries are now open and you can find more information here.

Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Cinematography: Pascal Delé Filmaker | Styling + Design: Brancoprata | Floral Design: Laetitia C. - fleurs d'atelier | Hair + Makeup: Camille Bonardi Hair & Make-Up Artist | Venue: Les Domaines De Patras | Bodysuit + Dress + Fashion Stylist: Rime Arodaky | Ribbons + Linens: Orchidee De Soie

Lindsay and Derek have a modern love story if I ever heard one. They met on Tinder and four dates later knew they’d found The One. Fast forward to their wedding styled by the interior designer bride with coordination by Tessa Lyn Events and you’ll find a chic, organic mix of Japanese denim, brass, and wood infused with a moody vibe to amp up the romance. Elizabeth Messina photographed and the happily ever after doesn’t stop here because these two have a baby girl due this winter!

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From the Bride… It was a modern day romance: boy and girl both swipe right, fall in love, and the rest was history. Derek and I met on Tinder (it really works!) and four dates (in seven days) later, we knew magic was brewing. After thirteen months of wining, dining, traveling, and making a home together, Derek proposed in front of the storied swans at the Hotel Bel Air with a custom-designed oval diamond ring set in rose gold. The evening was beautifully and thoughtfully planned, with surprises unfolding at every turn, culminating in an intimate engagement party with out-of-town family and our closest friends.

As an interior designer with a foodie fiancé, our wedding priorities were clear from the start: a stunning backdrop, personalized styling, and an unforgettable meal were the prerequisites to finding our ideal venue. As we embarked upon a California road trip the following week, we spent hours dreaming up how magical it would be to get married at our favorite LA restaurant, Hinoki and the Bird. We were thrilled to learn that it was the perfect fit to accommodate 110 of our nearest and dearest. The design concept for the wedding began with the existing materials at the venue – a chic, organic mix of Japanese denim, brass, and wood. To infuse a sexiness and romance appropriate for the black tie optional affair, we turned to Dutch-inspired florals and loads of dripping tapered candles, which struck the perfect balance to the venue’s earthy minimalism.

We chose a dramatic palette of white, indigo, oxblood, and blush. To set the event’s tone from the first touchpoint, we combined a raw deckle edge invitation with an envelope liner adapted from the sculptural work of Dutch fiber artist Peter Gentenaar. My bridal bouquet of hellebores, ranunculus, and privet perfectly complemented his thistle boutonniere, all brought to life by the brilliant floral stylings of The Bosky Dell.

Upon arrival, our guests were greeted with champagne and hand brush lettered denim fabric place cards. The aisle was lined with vintage carpets and adorned from above with hanging floral installations sculpted from budding magnolias and quince. I chose an etherial gown by Mira Zwillinger and walked down the aisle to Ben Harper’s Forever. We read the vows we wrote for one another beneath a simple chuppah of bare branches.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy custom craft cocktails and an abundance of delicious appetizers like lemongrass lamb and lobster rolls, accompanied by a lively gypsy jazz trio. The family-style dinner of black cod, miso steak and jidori chicken was served on Heath ceramic place settings with gold-rimmed stemware along candle-filled farmhouse tables. After dinner, a roaring dance party commenced, and we partied the night away into the wee hours with family and friends.

We spent our wedding night at the hotel where we got engaged and upon returning there that evening, took a late-night swim and relived every detail of an unforgettable day. Derek and I are forever grateful for our dream wedding and are thrilled to be expecting our first child, a baby girl, in January.

Photography: Elizabeth Messina | Videography: BlueCat International | Floral Design: The Bosky Dell | Wedding Dress: Mira Zwillinger | Stationery: Anne Robin | Bride's Shoes: Gianvito Rossi | Makeup : Jamie Greenberg | Hair : Christine Symonds | Lighting : Ernie Mondaca | DJ: Dart DJ | Band: Django Foxtrot | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Hotel: Hotel Bel-Air | Venue: Hinoki and the Bird | Bride's Earrings: Irene Neuwirth | Bride's Gift: Spinelli Kilcollin | Bridesmaids' Robes: Stone Cold Fox | Event Design + Coordination: Lindsay Balton | Flower Girl Dress: BHLDN | Groom's Shoes: Common Projects | Ketubbah: Skirball Cultural Center | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Month of Coordination: Tessa Lyn Events | Photo Booth: RED Photo Booth | Rentals: Elan Event Rentals | Rentals : Found Rental Co. | Second Hair Stylist (Bridal Party): Tonia Day | Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Vocalist: Jenna Caine Parris

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Petit Bouquet

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Guys, we know curating the perfect registry isn’t always easy. Trust us, we sooo get that. Which is why we’re turning to the experts at Zola for a little how-to on registering for all the gifts you most definitely can’t live without. From baking essentials to splurge-worthy items, it’s your journey to a must-have list that will last you long after the “I do’s” have been said. Scroll for four very awesome steps.

Consider Your Personal Style

No two couples are alike… and Zola? Well, they totally understand that. Their premier universal registry offers gifts, experiences AND funds all in one place, which makes showing your unique style and personality sooo easy… and fun. Think a never-ending list of awesome products (hello, KitchenAid Mixer) that are the very definition of well-rounded, plus trendy accent pieces that are really meant for you and your love. Not to mention that you can personalize your Zola registry with awesome pics and sweet notes to your guests, so the entire experience screams “YOU” from start to finish.

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Don’t Leave Out Splurge-Worthy Items

Feeling a little shy about registering for those big ticket items? Don’t. Zola offers group gifting, so guests can contribute any amount they wish to those items that are a little more expensive than most. Which means saying “goodbye” to those guilty feelings and “hello” to that splurge-worthy piece that you’ve had your eye on. And products are even narrowed down with super handy categories (everyday, upgrade and standout), so you can easily figure out which ones are worthy of that group gifting tag when you are filling out your Registry Checklist. Afraid the gift won’t be 100% funded? No worries – you’ll still receive whatever amount was gifted to you. We love that.

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Think of Your Future Needs

You may be saying “I do” in the near future, but registering? It’s forever. Which is why spending time perusing Zola’s 450 top brands and thinking about what “future you” may want or need is a total must. I’m talking camping equipment (here’s looking at you, Halulite Microdualist Complete 14-Piece Cooking Set), baking essentials for next year’s Thanksgiving feast and that bedding that will take your guest room from okay to fabulous for all of those visitors you are sure to host in your newlywed abode.

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Personalize a Cash Fund

Have everything you need, but can’t stop thinking about that trip to Thailand or those fab excursions you and yours are dying to try while honeymooning in Hawaii? With Zola, you can create a personalized cash fund with whatever you wish AND the lowest cash fee on funds you’ll find. Zola even offers a wide range of unique experiences you can register for, like wine clubs, SoulCycle Classes and more. Such a win-win, loves.

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Ready to tackle that registry of your dreams? Visit the premier universal registry, Zola, today for a world of amazing options – from awesome gifts (think KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Dyson, Sonos… and more) to fun-filled experiences to cash funds. You can even digitally exchange any Zola item before it ships, get notifications once a gift is received AND register on the go with Zola’s 5-star App. Not to mention the 10% post-wedding discount you’ll receive for an entire year after your celebration is over. It’s a registry experience like no other… go there now to get your gifting on.

Unfortunately for my husband (and our wallet), my personal aesthetic has a hard and fast expiration date. Two years. On the nose. Whether it was chevron or rustic modern with a splash of metallic, as much as I think I am going to love a trend forever…I usually don’t. Even my boyfriends would expire after 2 years. Truly, on the nose. Thankfully, however, I figured out the secret to long lasting love in both husbands and home decor and today, we’re partnering with Frontgate to show you how to dress one of them up with christmas decorations for the holidays. I’ll let you guess which one.

Invest in the Classics

You’ve heard it a million times. From a million people most likely including but not limited to your mother, your grandmother and the lady at the place where you whipped up your wedding registry. Because it’s what generations of hostesses and homemakers have known for years – INVEST in the classics, people. The well made, neutral toned pieces that you will use again and again and again.

Whether it’s a perfectly patinaed marble pedestal stand or brass flatware that has an old meets new quality that just sends your heart a flutter. Look for classic silhouettes, well made form and quality materials and you can pretty much bank on the fact that your investment will pay dividends when it comes to both the everyday and the holiday.

TEN NEUTRAL ACCESSORIES to INVEST IN

Cloches
Cake Stands
Wooden Trays
Brass Flatware
White Dinnerware (dishwasher friendly)
Crystal Candlesticks
A White or Neutral Throw Blanket
A Coffee Table Tray
Good Wine Glasses
Candles

GET YOUR SPARKLE ON

Now that you’ve agreed to really put your money where your mouth is and invest in those classic, neutral pieces … it’s time to get your sparkle on. Pulling together what you already have, then dusting it with a bit of “pretty” is what will turn your every day look into something holiday dreams are made of.

Set your table. Like really set it. Consider adding a sparkly or seasonal salad plate to dress up your look even more. Add wine glasses, flatware and don’t forget those little details that really make a table feel special…like a gorgeous petite bowl that you can use as a salt cellar.

Create a few strong focal points. A beautiful centerpiece on your table, a perfectly crafted tree, a bright and festive entry way are all great places to put your energy. And ps…Frontgate has faux centerpieces that are to DIE for even for all of you faux frady-cats out there. You can even add some fresh stems into the arrangement to add even more texture and aroma.

Light it up. For me, candles are really what take center stage during the holiday season. I love, love, love the xyz candles because with three little kids, I don’t have to worry about safety and fire hazards that come with the real deal. Even though they look exactly like the real deal.

Think en masse. Three crystal candlesticks on a mantle is pretty. 9 is gorgeous. It creates an insta-wow factor when you go bigger with an otherwise really simple piece.

Tie it with a bow. I should buy stock in ribbon (is that a thing? no, not a thing). Because around the holidays, ribbon is the one ingredient that I use on nearly every element in my home. I drape it on the table, I make massive bows for the tree, I even puddle it around pies and other sweets to dress up really simple but pretty trays and cake stands.

Shop this Holiday Look

Entry

Carrera Cloche with Marble Base | Grand Majestic Cordless Garland | Small Chinoiserie Happiness Jar | Lidded Chinoiserie Floral Jar | Ming Foo Dog Lidded Jar

Tabletop

360 View Gold Leaf Dream Candles | 360 View Ivory Dream Candles | Donatella Mother of Pearl Salad Plate | Donatella Mother of Pearl Dinner Plate | Donatella Red Wine Glass | Donatella Champagne Glass | Savoy Flatware | Chambray Gauze Napkins |

Mantel and Tree

Falling Dusk 60 Piece Ornament Collection | Ruscus Gold Sprays | Grand Majestic Cordless Garland | Classic Glass Candle Holders | Gold Metallic Glitter Twigs |

Decor Accessories

Sequin Stripe Throw | Platinum Faux Leather Ribbon | Saltaire Guest Towel Tray | Monogrammed Guest Towels | Decorative Round Tray | Faux Mongolian Sheepskin Decorative Pillow | Serene Lace Decorative Pillow | Silver Pintuck Guest Towel

Kitchen

Heritage Cake Stand | Telescoping Marble Servers | Mor Lychee Flower Hand + Body Wash | Mor Lychee Flower Hand + Body Lotion | Donatella Agate Snack Bowls | Donatella Mother of Pearl Mugs | Olivewood Olive Boat | European Reclaimed Harvest Board | Olivewood Cutting Board

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography

It’s a fact that wedding days simply don’t go 100% stick-to-the-schedule, no hiccups, perfect. In fact, sometimes unexpected guests like Hurricane Joaquin threaten to crash the party. But for Marisa and Scott, the impending storms didn’t even make them flinch. Because in the end, their candlelit reception designed by Type A Society perfectly offset the weather and Laura Gordon captured every bit.

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From Type A Society…Marisa Notarnicola and Scott Wright first met during a weekend skiing at Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont. They immediately hit it off and kept in touch following their ski trip. A month later, Scott was ecstatic to find out Marisa had accepted a job offer bringing her north to New York City and significantly closer to him.

The timing was perfect for both of them. They learned quickly their values and priories were aligned– family, friends, faith and future goals. On their third date, they booked a trip to Iceland nearly 6 months away – they knew it was a little crazy but joked that they would have to stay friends until at least that trip! From that point forward they were inseparable.

Scott courted Marisa for nearly two years, and after countless adventures, he flew to Dallas to ask her father, Jim, for his daughter’s hand in marriage. A year of long-distance wedding planning, Scott entering business school, and relocating to Nashville, quickly passed and before they knew it they were hand-in-hand at the altar, surrounded by their closest friends and family.

Bride’s favorite wedding detail: Our ring bearer box! It’s a heart shaped cobalt and gold porcelain ring box – the first gift Scott bought me when we started dating.

Groom’s favorite wedding detail: Our antique shuffleboard table that we converted into a champagne bar and the bagpiper that led us outside of the church after the ceremony.

Biggest surprise of the wedding: Hurricane Joaquin became a welcomed guest at the wedding! The cold and rainy weather was completely offset by the cozy candlelight and romantic draping inside the reception tent.

Photography: Laura Gordon Photography | Event Design: Type A Society | Floral Design: La Fleur Du Jour | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Ashley Bush Lettering & Design | Ceremony Venue: St. Matthews Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Estate at Autumns Gate Farm | Catering: Caroline Street Catering | Makeup: Bobbypins And Blush | Hair: Kelly With 1213 Hair Studio | Band: Exclusively Entertainment | Logistical Coordination: Retha Ballestracci | Tent Rentals: Gibson Rental

Nicole and Peter’s wedding day is the perfect example of how to effortlessly combine tradition and elegance on your big day. Complete with Tim Tab Studios behind the lens capturing every bit of Art of Imagination decor, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Our first encounter was in the hallway of our law school. I stood a little too close to Pete, called my dad, and spoke Arabic loud enough so that he’d hopefully notice. I wasn’t entirely sure if he was Arab, but I thought I would take a shot to get his attention. He heard me – but didn’t quite catch on. He spoke Farsi, not Arabic. Although my tactic to lure him in that day didn’t work, Pete eventually introduced himself and taught me the difference between Arabs and Persians. Fast-forward nearly eight years later – through graduations, cross country moves, years of long distance and different jobs – we got married in Chicago.

Our relationship and background is unique – both of Pete’s parents are from Iran, and my dad is from Lebanon and mom is from a small town in Michigan. We both love and appreciate our cultures, but also have our own way of life in the city. Being authentic to who we are independently, together and with our families was a priority for us.

With a wedding party of 10 each, the girls were up at 7 AM to get the day started. The guys were lucky and Pete started the day with a fresh work out (in true Pete form for those who know him). We had our first look at the hotel, which was by far one of the most intimate and memorable moments of the day. Then we cruised around Chicago until it was time to head to Bridgeport.

Our ceremony was split into two segments: first part Persian, second part American. We really wanted the ceremony to reflect who we were as a couple and wrote the program from scratch. The sofreh aghd – a traditional Persian spread with a number of items, each symbolizing good wishes and blessings – was the centerpiece of our Persian ceremony. With our longtime friends as officiants, we recited traditional Persian vows and our own, and had Lebanese and Persian poems read.

During the cocktail hour and prior to the ceremony, we served Lebanese beer (Almaza – my favorite!), liquor (Arak), and wine, all while playing 50s American music. Our caterer did an amazing job adding a Middle Eastern twist to the entrees and hors d’oeuvres that everyone could enjoy. Thankfully everyone loved the food, another priority of ours with all the different palates in the room! Later on we served an array of Middle Eastern desserts and handed out McDonald’s (with servers in McDonald’s gear) as our late night food. It made for a few fun pictures.

As for the most important part of the night – the dance floor – we had a Persian DJ who was well-versed in all of the different types of music we wanted to play. We were able to mix traditional dances (including the Lebanese dabke and Persian baba karam) with our favorite modern music. The drummer that played the durbake (Middle Eastern drum) was a huge hit and added even more energy to the dance floor.

Looking back the best part of our wedding is not only how happy we were throughout the day and weekend in general, but also seeing how happy our family was. We’ll cherish the pictures of our family members breaking it down on the dance floor for a lifetime.

Photography: Tim Tab Studios | Floral Design: The Bread & Butterfly | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Ma Petite Maison Cake Design | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Catering: LIMELIGHT food illuminated | Makeup: Joanna B Artistry | Makeup: Anjelica Bannos | Hair: Megan Hollinger | Hotel: Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile | Venue: Bridgeport Art Center Skyline Loft | Bridesmaid's Getting Ready Outfits: Free People | Day-of Wedding Coordination: The Simply Elegant Group | Decor: Art of Imagination

Does anyone else have a super tough time holiday shopping for their parents? I don’t know about you but mine are the type that just buy something when they need it. So I try to make my gifts a bit more personal and creative—something they wouldn’t otherwise pick up on their own. And let me tell you, this little gift guide took a lot of brain power but I feel like I’ve got some good ideas for the years to come. Steal away—you’re welcome!

10 Thoughtful Holiday Gifts that Mom + Dad Will Actually Love

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10 Thoughtful Holiday Gifts that Mom + Dad Will Actually Love

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Find all of our gift guides here!

There’s no denying we’ve seen our share of super sweet and personal celebrations, but it’s no exaggeration when we also say that this one right here, well, it takes the cake. From the handwritten notes for every single guest, to the happy tears that flowed nonstop, this rustic chic wedding – at a summer camp in Maine – is one that we’ll be taking ideas and inspiration from for quite some time. Lucky for us, Janelle Carmela captured it all so our Vault has the goods that keep on giving.

Escape to Summer Camp for the Wedding Weekend!

From the Bride… When we started to think about and plan our wedding (and with a 2+ year engagement, we had lots of time to think about it!), we wanted to make sure our wedding represented not only our relationship and love, but our relationships with all our guests as well, who had provided us with love and support throughout our lives and relationship. And honestly, we just wanted it to be fun for everyone! We envisioned people coming, parking their cars, and having a relaxing, fun weekend! So, where better to have our wedding than at summer camp?! All our guests were invited to stay in the cabins for the whole weekend and use all the camp facilities throughout the weekend – the waterfront, campfire, basketball courts, etc.

Surround Yourself With Meaningful Beauty

Since we were surrounded by nature and so many colors, we wanted the flowers to be bright and locally-grown and the attire to be neutrals. We found a flower farm and designer who was able to plant bulbs based on the colors and types of flowers we wanted. This was particularly important to me because my dad was an avid gardner, and since he has passed away, flowers were one of the ways I wanted to make sure he was included in our big day. We tried to make lots of details and DIY projects polished, with a camp theme. Our welcome bags were care packages in cardboard boxes filled with our favorite snacks, reminiscent of what I remember my mom sending me when I went to overnight camp. 

Make the Ceremony Magical + Truly YOU

My favorite part of the day was our ceremony. We had one of our friends officiate the wedding, and wrote the wedding script ourselves. We met at work, so we had our boss at the time do a reading. Then, my dad’s best friend did a gardening reading in his honor and read a letter he wrote from my dad. Not having my dad with me on my wedding day was so hard, but his friend brought him to life through his reading. Then, we had our bridal party tell stories and memories of our relationship over the past seven years. Their short stories ensured our ceremony was full of laughter, and reminded us of how much we’d gone through during our time together. We ended the ceremony with our writing our own vows. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but both of our personalities came through and just topped off a really personal ceremony that was better than I could have ever imagined!

Share That Special Love With Lots of Little Details

One of my favorite details – we wrote notes to each guest individually, which was waiting for them at their seat at dinner. One of my favorite parts about camp as a kid was getting mail, so we wanted all our guests to get mail too! And we wanted to make sure each guest knew how happy we were to have them there celebrating with us! Seeing people’s faces when they opened and read each card was so special.

Soak It All Up

From Janelle Carmela Photography… As a photographer, I go to hundreds of weddings, but none have left me with chills more than Sara and Tony’s wedding that took place this August at Camp Mataponi in Naples, Maine. Sara and Tony had a goal to make the wedding as personal and sincere as they could and you’ll see that they achieved this with flying colors.

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From Janelle Carmela Photography… Between the personal notes that were waiting for each and every guest at their seat (that were beautifully addressed by the amazing calligrapher at Posh and Prep), to the gorgeous flowers that Sara carried down the aisle that were grown by the amazing Carolyn Snell especially for Sara (dahlia’s, which were her father’s favorite), to the arch that Tony’s father built for them to get married under, to the ceremony which included a letter her late father wrote to her and stories from individual bridal party members… The day left us all in tears – myself included! Camp Mataponi was the perfect spot for a wedding. Guests were able to stay right in the bunks and spent the weekend together instead of doing there own thing since there were no sights to see or TV’s to be watched. During the first look, you could see Sara and Tony’s guests floating on rafts in the distance – it was truly a bonding experience for all who attended. Sara and Tony tied camp details into the ceremony itself: between the paddles that guests signed as a guest book, to a late night snack of s’mores, a post wedding camp fire, “Camp Freelovo” (their names combined) flying on the flagpole. I’m delighted to share this very special and touching ceremony with you!

See more: http://janellecarmela.com/sara-tonys-camp-mataponi-wedding-boston-wedding-photographer/

Photography: Janelle Carmela Photography | Coordination: The Refinery, LLC | Wedding Dress: Allegria Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: ASOS | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Allegria Bridal | Catering: Fire & Co | Hair + Makeup: Stacia Tetrault Makeup | Calligraphy: Posh and Prep | Venue: Mataponi Camp | Desserts: Gelato Fiasco | Flags: CustomFlag

This wedding is one unique detail after another, from the boho blue color palette that we can’t get enough of to it being held on a Monday (yay weekday weddings!)! But we shouldn’t really be surprised, because when you have a talented team that includes LVL Weddings & Events, Elevated Pulse Productions, 24 Carrots and more come together at Rancho Las Lomas, magic is bound to happen. Coy Society filmed away and onelove photography captured it all for our Vault – see it here!

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From the Bride… Whenever I envisioned our big day, I always imagined us dancing al fresco, drinking wine and surrounded by our loved ones. Our venue, Rancho Las Lomas, completely fit the bill!

Since we decided to get married on a Monday (to honor our anniversary date and the date Andrew proposed), we wanted to make sure that our guests were treated to a wonderful ambiance if they were going to take the time off work. The Spanish style venue was truly that – tucked away in the hills, covered by trees and home to their very own wildlife foundation and beer tasting room (so rad!).

When it came to wedding colors, we both love the color blue, and had to have it in our palette. In terms of a theme, we wanted something to reflect our personality and encompass both an elegant and casual vibe, so we decided to go with the eclectic/bohemian style. I liked that it kind of gives you the freedom to either go vintage or modern with it and have it all still work.

In the midst of planning, I quickly became overwhelmed with Pinterest and decided on a different approach to gaining inspiration and finding the right vendors that would help us execute our vision. Instagram to the rescue! I tried searching with different hashtags and found this was the best way to find talented, local vendors. I was able to see photographs of their work and immediately determine if their vibe would match what I was looking for. I may have missed some gems if not for this approach.

I am NOT a DIY bride when it comes to crafting (I wish I was), but I do love design and styling, so I, with the help of my coordinator and florist, spent a lot of time sourcing the right decor, linens, rentals etc. I am obsessed with patterns and texture and hoped to infuse that throughout the decor. My florist knocked it out of the park using geometric wooden pendants, white crisp florals, lots of greenery and the eclectic vessels. I also had a calligrapher create custom wood signs and had her handwrite our guests names on ceramic tiles to serve as both escort cards and favors. One thing I did DIY was most of our paper goods – from our Save the Dates to the thank you place cards, and even painting the envelope liners. The exception was the lovely watercolor place cards we used on our head table which was done by our calligrapher.

We also made sure to include elements to make this wedding ours. Our close friend officiated our ceremony and our cake toppers were hand painted by another good friend. We were unable to have our three fur babies present but we made sure to include them by getting cartoon cardboard cut outs made and used for photo booth props. We also had a favorite musician play/sing acoustic jams during our cocktail hour and had handcrafted ice cream pops served for dessert in our favorite flavors.

Fashion was also no exception. When it came to finding the right dress, I had visited several dress shops and felt like almost every dress was the same, until I visited Lovella Bridal in Glendale. Their stylists helped me find the perfect lace, fit and flare gown, with an illusion back. The minute I put it on, I thought “Andrew would love this.” They also helped me find all the perfect accessories which I hope to wear again someday.

For my bridesmaids, I gave them a color palette and style and had them run with it! All their dresses looked amazing and they also saved money in the process. My mother and mother-in-law also looked stunning in their gowns.

For my groom, I found a suit in the perfect shade of blue and kept his style clean with a white shirt and solid gray tie. The groomsmen wore matching gray suits with mix and match ties from The Tie Bar. My dad wore a custom made traditional Filipino garment called a barong, which is perfect for a summer wedding and also fit with the bohemian style.

Among all the details, my absolute favorite moment of the day was the second Andrew and I joined hands at the beginning of our ceremony. At that moment, all my nervousness and anxiety vanished. I felt at peace and nothing else mattered but us. Another special moment was my dad’s speech. He even serenaded me with a song that he used to sing to me as a child. It brought me and most everyone to tears! The day was truly better than we could have imagined and our photographer and videographer truly captured the love and fun we experienced that day. We wish we could relive that day over and over!

Photography: onelove photography | Cinematography: Christian Soriano | Coordination: LVL Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Foxtail Florals | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: Simply Sweet Cakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Giracci Vineyards Farms | Makeup: Kristina Ambartsumian | Hair: Abreanna | DJ: Elevated Pulse Productions | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: The Tie Bar | Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Bridal Boutique: Lovella Bridal | Calligraphy + Signage: Heidi Davidson Design | Cocktail Music + Guitarist: Jonathan Blake Salazar | Hair Accessories: Maria Elena | Ice Cream + Desserts: Mr. & Mrs. Creamery | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Macrame Backdrop + Planters: Hunter Gatherer Keeper | Macrame Runners: Modmix Studio | Photo Booth: Splendid Photobooth | Rentals: Witty Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Robes: Piyama | Vintage Goblets: Sundrop Vintage

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Petit Bouquet

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An elegant affair with an industrial feel, this modern day wedding celebration is sure to inspire your upcoming affair. From the greenery-filled reception to the bride’s long sleeve lace gown, it’s the perfect blend of tradition (like those lovely Paper Daisies Stationery programs) paired with totally fresh details and we’ve got it all captured by Amy Arrington Photography in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Colton and I met our senior year of college on September 24th 2010, the night before our alma maters met on the football field. I went to the University of South Carolina and was in Auburn, Alabama visiting my best friend. Little did I know that a trip to visit her would lead me to find my husband. Colton and I had an instant connection and were inseparable the rest of the time I was there. On Game day, we got separated from our friends and ended up going into the game together, just the two of us. While in the stands, a girl came up to us and asked how long we had been dating because she said we were an adorable couple. Little did she know we had known each other less than 24 hours. Two weeks later Colton came to visit me in South Carolina and the next weekend I was back in Auburn visiting him. On day 21 we officially started dating and on day 36, Halloween, we said I love you for the first time. From that day on we travelled back and forth between Alabama and South Carolina every weekend until I graduated. In fact, the first 3 years of our relationship we were a long-distance couple. I went away to graduate school and while we didn’t see each other every weekend like we did that first year we came pretty close. After 3 years of long distance the time came for us to finally live in the same city. On October 18th 2014, 3 days after our 4-year anniversary, Colton proposed

Wedding planning started immediately. We knew that we wanted three things. A wedding planner, a neutral color palette, and to honor our strong family ties. We looked to our past to prepare for our future, and make our wedding special. My grandparents who passed away before Colton and I got engaged had a big influence on our day. The center diamond in my engagement ring was my Nana’s diamond, and my grandparents 61st anniversary was the day before our wedding day, which played into the day we chose. We also used the guest book they used at their wedding as our own. Another way that we incorporated family traditions was with the selection of my wedding gown. The women in my family have all worn long sleeve lace gowns and I wanted to carry on that tradition. Colton also carried on a family tradition, his best man was the son of his father’s best man. Both of us had been raised catholic, so it was also very important to both families to have a traditional Catholic wedding.

Colton and I had talked about wanting the venue to have an industrial feel or for it to be a distillery or brewery of some kind. We were so lucky that American Spirit Works, a Whiskey Distillery, and special events venue was opening it’s doors just in time for our special day. It provided the perfect industrial, rustic backdrop for our big day. When Colton and I booked the venue, we had nothing more than a rendering of what the space was going to look like to go off of, but we loved the vision so we booked the venue with complete trust in the events team there. Once we had the venue locked in, the real planning started and our wedding slowly but surely started to come together.

The venue led us to our theme–“industrial glam”. Since we wanted neutral colors we incorporated mixed metals including galvanized tin, silver and copper to make it feel more industrial. In addition to the mixed metals, Crush Event Rentals custom designed a lighting fixture with Edison bulbs to hang in the middle of our dance floor. We also knew that we wanted white flowers and a lot of greenery to add a soft contrast to the space and give it a glamorous/romantic feel. Our amazing florist was able to take our vision to the next level and make everything look breathtaking.

In addition to the custom lighting fixture, we wanted a few statement pieces to bring the design together and to pay homage to the city where we would start our lives together. The head table had long garland down the middle, copper mugs for everyone in the wedding party and a beige love seat for Colton and I to sit at together. Since I am from Atlanta, we incorporated custom made “Share a Coke” bottles, as the table assignments. We encouraged all of our guests to “Share a Coke with the Wilburn’s” as they found their seats. One thing about the venue that we really enjoyed was the main bar area which was a gorgeous wood statement piece with a very large chalkboard mounted on the wall behind it. We were able to create a custom drink menu with personal touches which added to the overall look and feel of the space. We worked with a local artist to design a beautiful pattern that we incorporated onto the chalk board that just set the bar area off.

Our top three favorite moments of the day were fairly easy for us to choose. Walking down the aisle with my dad, seeing Colton for the first time was unforgettable. It was a moment we had been working for and building toward for 5 years all culminating in one look. The next was seeing our venue for the very first time. As I said earlier, the venue itself was a work in progress when we booked it. So, when we finally got to see all of the decorations and little details we stressed over for months come together, was truly special. And finally, the dance floor! Not only our first dance which is, of course, an awesome memory; but dancing with all of our friends and family was outstanding. All of the stress and worry we had leading up to the wedding was forgotten as soon as the music started and everyone cut loose. It was the best night of our lives.

A piece of advice we would give to engaged couples would be to be true to yourself, and to always choose each other every day. Another huge piece of advice I would give, is to find and to hire a wedding planner that understands what you are looking for. We completely trusted Laura to execute our vision and keep our best interests in mind. She made the entire experience much more manageable and enjoyable for a bride who is not extremely organized.

Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Event Design: Laura Birney Events | Event Planning: Laura Birney Events | Floral Design: Stylish Stems | Wedding Dress: Berta | Cake: Cake Hag | Invitations: Victoria Austin Designs | Ceremony Venue: Holy Spirit Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Stave Room At American Spirit Works | Bride's Shoes: Jessica Simpson | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Bold American Events | Hair + Makeup: Veronica Sitterding | DJ: Black Tie Events | Chalkboard Artist: Kate Turner Studio | Chargers: Event Rentals Unlimited | Event Rentals: Crush Event Rentals | Grand Exit Transportation: Special Day Limos | Linen Rentals: Cover Ups | Photo Booth: Robot Booth | Programs: Paper Daisies Stationery | Wedding Party Transportation: Marietta Trolley Company

Quite simply, Samantha is the ultimate Style Me Pretty bride. She dreamt of a wedding set in her grandparent’s back lawn (the exact spot her parent’s wed 30 years earlier) and brought on an incredible crew of vendors including TRUE Event, Hana Floral Design and Paper Moss, just to name a few. Oh and that Austin Scarlett gown? It was a meaningful nod to her mom’s own off-the-shoulder wedding dress. See the celebration photographed by Leila Brewster right this way.

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From the Bride… Rob and I were on the same page from the start, our wedding was going to be a party where guests left feeling the love. We met in 2012 while both working for AOL (that is also where we met the one and only Abby Larson!), and pretty much haven’t spent a day we are both in town apart ever since. I am not an easy person to surprise, but Rob nailed the proposal…which overall could not have been more us – still in bathing suits, straight out of the ocean, on the beach, and the perfect combination of having it be a private moment and then getting to celebrate with our family and friends afterwards.

Family has always been the core bonding point between Rob and I. We both come from big, loud, loving families that we are very close with, so family and our respective family traditions was important for us to reflect in our wedding weekend…starting with the location. I grew up dreaming about getting married in my grandparents’ backyard, I cannot tell you how lucky I felt to make that dream a reality (and what it says about Rob that he never even questioned it). Not only was their house special because of all the great times we have had there (we both love spending as much time outside by the water as possible), but my grandfather (an architect) designed the house over 40 years ago and our wedding date ended up falling almost exactly 30 years after my parents’ got married on the same back lawn.

The meaning of the location and that view from the back lawn steered a lot of the creative vision for the wedding overall. I loved the idea of classic and timeless with personal touches throughout. The decor was “clean” — very much white and wood, with some accents of blue and natural pops of color in things like the flowers. We worked our family and large wedding party (another direct reflection of Rob’s and mine life together) in with features like our save the dates (my grandfather’s original blueprint digitized by Rob’s architect brother), our invitations (photographed by my aunt), custom matches on the bars in honor of Rob’s grandfather who collected them, a family photo table from our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days, my matron of honor illustrated our program cover (and our program itself included “fun facts” related to the wedding and our friends and family), and our caterer made each of our mom’s respective signature cookie recipes to include in the dessert table. My dress, designed by Austin Scarlett, was also symbolic in that my mom wore an off the shoulder gown and I loved the idea of doing the same and wearing something timeless that I would love looking back in years to come.

We also had the dream team of vendors who all felt like family throughout the entire experience. Abby Larson introduced me to Sarah True of True Event, who is now a life long friend and made everything possible. We hired our band, The Hudson Project (Elan Artists), after hearing them at a friend’s wedding three years before and still remembering them as the best wedding band we had ever heard. The whole team at Marcia Selden Catering & Events was not only amazing to work with, but our guests all absolutely raved about the food (which says a lot for a wedding where everyone spent 6 hours straight on the dance floor and hardly sat!)…they also did an unbelievable lawn party style cocktail hour and a half (the extra half hour was one of Rob’s few requests!). Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral is a genius professionally and personally just the best person and energy to work with.

Our tent speaks for itself…Greenwich Tent Company/Sperry Tents outdid themselves, and Ryan Designs with the bistro lighting, drapery, lounge area, and homemade life-size photo frame was the cherry on top. Both Rob and I have creative backgrounds and really appreciated working with such creative people throughout the entire process to bring the wedding weekend to life…Emily Hostetler of Paper Moss made all of our ideas a beautiful reality with all of our printed collateral, and I am still dreaming up items to get calligraphy on just to work with Sara McCarthy of Ink Revival. Leila Brewster captured our wedding exactly how we want to remember it, through candid moments that show the emotion and pure joy of the day.

Some personal favorite moments from the wedding itself included getting ready with the best group of women and girls anyone could ever ask for, the entire ceremony (which Rob wrote most of himself and was a mix of tradition and personal…we each wrote five “promises” to each other), my dad and brothers surprising me with a performance of mine and my dad’s song (Brown Eyed Girl), and the sister “dance off” that took place between my dad’s four sisters and Rob’s mom and her three sisters!

I love Style Me Pretty, and have been a power user since way before I was engaged…so this is truly another dream come true to have our wedding featured here.

From Sarah True of True Event… The reception was set at the bride’s grandparents house on the water in Greenwich CT. The perfect backdrop for a coastal inspired wedding. Sammi didn’t want it to be overly coastal or kitschy so we were very subtle in our nod to coastal details. We selected a very soft blue linen for cocktail hour and for the reception we used a runner that was reminiscent of a capaiz shell, with pattern and design, it gave a subtle sheen to the natural texture of the farm tables. And the round tables had a sand colored linen with flecs of gold woven in, that in the sun looked like sand on the beach. A mix of elegant and natural details were woven throughout the event and each detail was carefully thought through. It is always our goal in creating the design of the event with the bride and the groom that it is a reflection of them as a couple and is not just every other wedding you go to. From the save the dates, to the hand illustrated programs, old family wedding photographs and vintage doors salvaged from the bride’s father there were special moments throughout the day that had a story behind them, just like Sammi & Rob’s relationship.

Photography: leila brewster | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Event Design: TRUE Event | Event Planning: TRUE Event | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Austin Scarlett | Invitations: Paper Moss | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Marcia Selden Catering & Events | Calligraphy: Ink Revival | Lighting: Ryan Designs | Band: Elan Artists | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | After Party DJ: James Mulry | Bridal Boutique: Bergdorf Goodman | Bridal Makeup: Nina Soriano | Bridal Party Hair: Hair by Renee Russo | Bride's Wedding Day Gift from Groom: Jennifer Meyer | Groom's Bow Tie: The Tie Bar | Groom's Cuff Links: Smathers & Branson | Groom's Socks: Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen's Cuff Links: Smathers & Branson | Groomsmen's Socks: Vineyard Vines | Groomsmen's Ties + Bow Ties: The Tie Bar | Hair Accessories: jennifer behr | Illustrator: Betty Artwork | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Logo: The Groom | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents | Tent Rentals: The Greenwich Tent Company

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Elysium Productions

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Hana Floral Design

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It wasn’t too long ago that we ventured to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons with dapper duo Brian and Nathan for a fun-filled e-sesh. And if the Mickey ears + shared milkshake were any indication, their wedding was going to be the best. day. yet. Well guess what? It sooo is. From the candlelit ceremony to the luxurious reception, this is a celebration that only Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons can make happen. Scroll to see the magic for yourselves.

From Nathan… Brian and I met back in 2006 through a friend at a Labor Day party. I think we both instantly knew it was LUV at first sight. We spent our first date watching the space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral before I surprised him with a trip to Walt Disney World. We went around to all of the parks, enjoyed La Nouba at what was previously Downtown Disney, and got VIP seating to the Magic Kingdom parade and fireworks!  

Brian and I have always held a special place in our hearts for Disney. We both grew up watching probably every Disney movie ever created and spent so many family vacations at the Walt Disney World Resort. We were also lucky enough to live in Central Florida for eight years where we were able to visit Disney World any time we wanted. (We were definitely spoiled.) From childhood memories to magical moments with family/friends as adults, when it came time to plan our happily ever after, we couldn’t think of a better and more magical place. 

It came as no surprise that I started planning our Disney wedding years and years before we were even engaged – let’s just say I was very motivated! We both knew we wanted it at the Walt Disney World Resort, but with so many options, I’m glad I started planning early. Over the years, I was able to see so many wonderful pictures and videos from other Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, so it definitely helped me to start early. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons gave us an opportunity to have anything our hearts desired during our special day – the beauty, attention to detail, the magic, and most of all, the romance of a Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons made selecting Disney the easy part; trying to control our excitement was the challenge. 

We selected to have our Rehearsal Party at Epcot’s Italy Isola, because of Brian’s Italian heritage. We selected Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Convention Center for our ceremony, reception, and after party because of our love of the beach and spending as much time on or near the water as possible. Having drawn inspiration from our lives together, we also wanted to incorporate some Disney magic from some of our favorite films. Our ceremony was filled with floating candles, candles hanging from the trees at the front, and warm lighting around the space – this was inspired from Disney’s Tangled, specifically the paper lantern scene. Our projection cake featured some of our favorite Disney movies, including Peter Pan, which was the first movie that I ever saw in the theater as a child and is one of Brian’s favorite movies – plus we absolutely LUV London. Overall, we were inspired by special moments during our lives together and the magic that Disney played in our lives. 

It is so difficult to select just one of our favorite moments, because the entire week/weekend was a dream come true. Hosting our Rehearsal Party at Epcot’s Italy Isola was truly special to us – we loved the private space for our family and friends to gather together, to enjoy delicious food inspired by the countries around us at Epcot, and have front row seats to Epcot’s Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. So many of our guests were so surprised by the beauty of the location and we received many compliments. 

Finally, one of our favorite parts of our wedding was working with the Team at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons – I can’t begin to express how happy and pleased we were with our entire experience. We may never be able to express how thankful we are. They made the entire process so stress-free, fun, exciting, and magical – they really do have the ability to make dreams come true. 

Planning a wedding can (at times) be stressful; there are so many little things to think about and things that you never really even thought about. Our biggest piece of advice is to always have fun and enjoy every single minute of the planning process. The time being engaged is probably the most exciting and thrilling time of your lives together, so don’t let the stress of wedding planning ruin that. The AMAZING Team at Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons is there for you throughout the process and knowing that their goal was to make sure we had our “Best Day Ever” helped us to really enjoy the process and relax. 

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Completely inspired by Brian and Nathan’s stunning celebration? We don’t blame you. To host your very own fairy tale wedding, contact a Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons’ expert today to learn more about their stunning selection of ceremony + reception venues, tasty menu options, floral and decor, transportation, entertainment… and MORE.  That happily ever after you’ve been dreaming of? It starts now, loves.

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See even more Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons magic below!

Disney Princess Inspired Wedding Dresses | Add Some Disney Magic to Your Wedding Day | Disneyland Engagement Session | Walt Disney World Wedding | 10 Reasons to Get Married at Disney

Photography: Switzerfilm | Wedding Planning: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings | Floral Design: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings | Venue: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings | Decor: Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings | Photography (Magic Kingdom Images): Disney Fine Art Photography

We felt a sun-kissed celebration was in order and thankfully Koman Photography agreed. Enter this stunning soiree set in California. A wedding day filled with elegant design details that you’re sure to love and we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Planning a wedding was like a full-time job, but a job you get to complete with your future life partner. Matt and I actually met at work so it was very seamless working together to make this wedding all happen. He proposed to me during our first night in our new home, so planning this wedding while filling and decorating a house at the same time was no easy task, but we were able to utilize our strengths, like my attention to detail and his outgoing personality to confirm all of our vendors, in order to get everything to come into place.

Finding a venue was definitely the hardest part of the process but when we came across the Villa Del Sol d’oro, we knew we had found the one and looked no further. We wanted something different than the standard banquet room or garden and this venue got us exactly what we wanted- outdoor and indoor with a mix of a rustic, classic and vintage vibe. We loved the many different areas that comprised the venue from the library that became a bar at cocktail hour, the terrace we used for the dinner area, and the of course the ceremony area with its amazing backdrop. We chose very light and neutral tones to create a very natural and timeless look. We also threw in some personal details such as a popcorn station to share the love of our favorite snack and hand-made place cards for each of our guests. Our favorite and most memorable part of the wedding was definitely seeing the people we love the most enjoy the unique atmosphere while also blending together to have such a great time celebrating our special day with us.

Photography: Koman Photography | Floral Design: NLC Productions | Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher | Cake: Villa Del Sol D'Oro | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Bride's Shoes: Chanel | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Vera Wang | Hair: Nicoletta Guaci | DJ: Steve Burdick Events | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Villa Del Sol D'Oro | Furniture Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Photo Booth: Great Entertainment Only | Popcorn Machine: Bart's Carts

If your holiday shopping list is looking a little too long but your budget is just a bit too slim, it’s time to pull out all the stops and get creative in the gifting department friends. Thankfully, there are tons of cutie options for under 25 bucks that’ll induce the biggest smiles upon tearing that pretty package open. See our holiday budget picks here!

25 Holiday Gifts Under $25

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25 Holiday Gifts Under $25

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Find all of our gift guides here!

Donuts and coffee make my world go round and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. Dana Fernandez captured these cuties and their personalities to a tee – complete with a picnic full of glazed treats and hot drinks. There may not be snow on the ground (in these pics or even out my window) but this kind of coziness is getting us in the spirit of the season like no other! See it all in our Vault right here!

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From the Bride-to-be… A huge part of Matt and I’s relationship has been drinking coffee, talking, and eating dessert.

On our first date, Matt took me on a picnic next to a beautiful lake in Dallas. We ate desserts and laughed, and it was the sweetest start to a relationship.

When he asked me to marry him, he set up a blanket in a park with tons of flowers, and we drank champagne and day dreamed about the future, and it was perfect.

Matt is grounded and authentic. He is constantly encouraging me, pursuing my heart, and loving me well. He is logic and numbers, while I am emotions and creativity. I love our relationship, and the way our personalities fit together (and the ways they don’t!).

When we planned our engagement shoot with Dana and Josh, I wanted to find a way to make it feel like me and Matt. Not fake or uncomfortable – just us. So we decided to have a picnic, just like our first date, just like when we got engaged.

I was actually nervous when we were getting ready for our engagement photos. But when when snuggled up on a picnic blanket with coffee in hand, it just felt like us: comfortable, safe, and right.

Matt and I fell in love with Dana and Josh’s photography right away, because it feels like art. Choosing them as our photographers was the first decision we made about our wedding. We love the images they captured at our engagement shoot!

Photography: Josh & Dana Fernandez | Hair: Blo Blow Dry Bar | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Picnic Items: Home Goods | Skirt + Top: Space 46 Boutique

Get ready for cuteness overload because this modern day elopement inspiration is serving up major wedding day goals. From the dapper fur baby to the stunning design details, we’ve got every gorgeous bit captured by Kristina Adams Photography waiting for you below!

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From Kristina Adams Photography… This elopement inspiration is inspired by a bride and groom’s journey on a wedding day, and the thoughtful details that can accentuate the beauty of each moment. Preparatory moments, the anticipation of seeing each other, and the joy of knowing that your lives are finally coming together in loving partnership (and just maybe that partnership includes a puppy!)

As a wedding photographer, I love to tell the story of your wedding day. To do this here, we started with a bright clean space and documented the moments the (BHLDN!) dress is buttoned up. Honeycomb Affair set the table and designed the florals with a very specific experience in mind, and meshed classic with modern, and structured with organic. After hair and makeup was beautifully done by Hikari Murakmi, our bride stepped in to her BHLDN dress and our groom donned his The Black Tux suit. We envisioned them toasting with their closest friends and family, celebrating their love, and looking forward to their future together.

Photography: Kristina Adams Photography | Floral Design: Honeycomb Affair | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Hikari Murakami | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Co-Design: Honeycomb Affair | Model: Taylor Jahn | Model: Katherine Cowgill | Paper goods: Alley & Co. | Ribbon + Fabric: Silk and Willow

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Petit Bouquet

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Our wedding day was everything we had imagined and more. By far the best part of the day was getting married but a close second was having all of our friends and family, from all over the country, in one spot to celebrate. Our hope was that by creating a beautiful atmosphere for our wedding, our guests would feel loved. The gorgeous flowers and incredible backdrop of Holman Ranch did just that. See it all photographed by Danielle Poff and filmed by United Media Collective below!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/189582484 600 338]

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Peek Back at Michaela’s Wedding Journey

Engagement Session | Defining the Inspiration | Bridesmaid Gift Box | Selecting Vendors | The Details | Bridal Shower

From the Bride, Michaela… There were so many special aspects to our day. From little details, our ceremony uniting us as one, the amazingly touching and hilarious speeches made by our maid of honor, best man and my dad — everything was so memorable and important to us. It was equally important to us to honor a very special person who sadly didn’t get to see us be married. My husband’s father passed away last January, so we wanted to honor his memory. We had my grandmother sew a heart-shaped piece of one of his favorite shirts onto two hankies. One for me and one for McCann. The hanky I carried was my great, great grandmother’s hanky that she used on her wedding day many, many years ago. My grandma embroidered McCann’s dad’s initials on them and he carried his in his pocket, while I tied mine around my bouquet. It was our something borrowed and something blue. A way tangible to remember his dad and how much he meant to us.

Our ceremony was another important part of our day. We chose to wash each other’s feet, showing one another that we promise to love and serve the other person, just has God has loved and served us.

Some other fun touches included customized cornhole bean bags with our monograms, our delicious apple raspberry jam favors (we met in an apple orchard!), the comfy vignette seating we created outside of the dancing barn complete with blankets and pillows, our amazingly talented DJ who kept the beats rollin’ all night (the dance floor was literally never empty!) and the glow sticks we passed out at our reception, and our interactive polaroid camera guest book. What a FUN day, which we will remember for years to come.

Advice for brides: Once the day has arrived, just rest. Know that you’ve done everything you can to plan your beautiful celebration of marriage. Relax and let the professionals (and your bridal party!) take it from there. The only thing that truly matters is the fact that you are getting married! So celebrate that, take time during the day to take deep breaths and take it all in. I did lots of “this is my wedding day!”while just looking around the reception taking in the joy and beauty.

Practical advice for your wedding: hire a planner or coordinator. Just do it! It makes your life SO much easier. Our wedding flowed so well because of this. Also, find an amazing photographer and videographer. These are the only tangible memories of your day, so be sure you love the work of whomever you choose.

For more of a peek into our day, check out our wedding video, which has brought tears to my eyes every time I’ve watched it. We are so thankful to have this on video to show our future children.

Photography: Danielle Poff Photography | Cinematography: United Media Collective | Coordination: engaged & inspired | Floral Design: Michelle Lywood | Cake: I Do Wedding Cakes | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Weddington Way | Catering: Paradise Catering | Hair + Makeup: Lindsay Dabalos | Calligraphy: Graceline Art | DJ: Belmont Entertainment | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Holman Ranch | Blankets + Pillows: Lulu & Georgia | Bridal Jewelry: Haute Bride | Bridesmaids' Robes: Love Ophelia | Cake Topper: Lietofiore | Ceremony Programs: Shine Wedding Invitations | Furniture + Rentals: Forage Vintage Rental Co | Guest Book Table Sequin Linen: Mrs. Freund & Co. | Illustration: Graceline Art | Jam Favors: Kitchen Kettle Village | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Maid of Honor Dress: Jenny Yoo | Ribbon: Adorn Company

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Inspo to Reality: Michaela’s Wedding Pinterest Board!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Not gonna lie, finding the right wedding invites can be a little overwhelming. Especially if you’re looking for that perfect combo of OMG beautiful and customizable. Enter Minted, our fave community of independent artists with a lineup of pretty that allows you to put your very own stamp on the details. Think wow-inducing paper goods meets a uniquely you take. Find that dream invite below.

Finding those perfect paper goods doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think. With Minted, you can peruse that never-ending lineup of unique wedding designs, then add your special touches for a big ol’ side of individuality. From beautiful invites to matching day-of stationery products (think menus, place cards, programs and table numbers) to crazy cool wedding websites and exact match colors, Minted has everything you’ll ever need to coordinate your look from start to finish, plus a talented team of design associates that will guarantee pieces that are uniquely, perfectly you. We love that.

Whether you’re on the lookout for a design that perfectly matches your art deco-inspired soiree, an invite that is all about classic elegance or something else entirely, Minted’s team of talented designers will help you achieve that paper suite you’ve always imagined. Not to mention that each design is offered in different formats to suit your style, so the world is yours when it comes to foil-pressed, letterpress, Minibooks, postcards, magnets, petite cards… and more. Minted even offers FREE calligraphy-inspired guest addressing, FREE number + name printing on table numbers and FREE guest name printing on place and escort cards. It’s awesome.

The secret to the best wedding invites ever? Find a stunning suite at Minted, then add your personal flare, so that it completely represents you and yours to a T. Happy shopping (and customizing), lovelies.

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Photography: Heather Nan Photography | Florals: Sarah Winward | Ceramic Bowl: Ernest Gentry | Ceramic Dishes: Aviva Rowley | English Countryside Invitation: Design Lotus | Garden Rose Invitation: Wildfield Paper | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Sophisticated Floral Invitation: Carolyn Nicks