When you come upon a chapel this light and bright and beautiful, it’s really not even a choice, you gotta say “I do” there. After a meet cute at the airport, these two continued their romance and it didn’t take much to settle on Big Sky, Montana to start their official happily ever after – and Simply Sarah captured all the beauty. Fall in love with this couple – and this magical place – in our Vault right this way!

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From the Bride… Kyle and I met at the Minneapolis airport while we were both traveling for work. We started emailing and texting, which led to FaceTiming, which led to us deciding to meet in Kansas City for a sit down dinner date. I was living in Omaha at the time and he was in St. Louis. After our Kansas City date, we started seeing each other every few weeks. Flying back and forth to see each other every chance we got. Eventually we started seeing each other every weekend and couldn’t stand having to leave. Kyle would tell you we knew very quickly this was going to be it! I would have to agree! We got engaged in Charleston on a romantic getaway. I was hoping this would be the weekend we got engaged however, Kyle had me thoroughly convinced it was not happening any time soon! I was a bit bummed but did my best to enjoy the weekend anyway. The last night of the weekend we started walking to dinner and he kept naming the streets we were walking on. I didn’t think anything of it as we love learning about new cities and why things are named the way they are. Our hotel was on King Street and we started walking and made a turn on Queen Street and then another on Meeting Street and then one last turn on Church Street. He took me down a beautiful walkway between two brick buildings and proceeded to say,” the King can’t meet the Queen at the church without one of these…”as he pulled a ring out of his pocket! It was so perfect and I was so surprised!

We chose Montana for our destination wedding for several reasons… first, we fell in love with the little chapel we were married in. It was so neat that the church celebrates different religious services. I am Catholic and Kyle is Presbyterian and we wanted our wedding day to be a true representation of the both of us so it was a perfect fit! Having an intimate wedding was really important to us. I have a HUGE extended family and although I would have loved for every last one of them to be there, it just would have been TOO big to include everyone we love. Choosing Big Sky was an easy decision because we love the area so much and we wanted to share a little bit of that love with our closest friends and family. In the end we are so glad we opted for an intimate wedding in a place that means so much to us. As cheesy as it sounds, our wedding day truly was the best day of our lives. Everything worked out better than we could have imagined and I wish we could do it all over again!

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning: Bash Bozeman | Floral Design: The Flower Hat | Wedding Dress: Legends by Romona Keveza | Cakes: Elles Belles Bakery | Hair: Ethereal Hair & Makeup Artistry | Venue: Moonlight Basin

If you love waffles for dinner – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t? – then a wedding like Abigail and Samuel’s might be perfect for you. They incorporated all their favorite breakfast foods for a menu that was anything but boring. Oh, and they did it with a bridal party of 30 by their side. This gallery by Jake + Heather and film below by Berean Productions are not to be missed.

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From Jake + Heather…We don’t even know where to start with how amazing Abigail and Samuel’s wedding was. Even with their gorgeous outdoor ceremony of 300 guests, bridal party of 30 and spacious, wide open historic reception structure, their day felt so incredibly intimate and family oriented.

Abigail is a joyful soul that has never met a stranger and Samuel is intentional and kind with a gracious presence. These two compliment each other perfectly and they could not have been more excited to marry each other.

Their special day held lots of meaningful details, an emotional first look, a tear-jerking ceremony – don’t forget the donut bar, old fashioned coke bottles, and last but not least, waffles for dinner.

It was certainly one for the books and we were beyond honored to capture these photographs for them!

Photography: Jake + Heather | Cinematography: Berean Productions | Floral Design: Twigs and Twine Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Poffie Girls | Catering: Holmes Catering | Hair + Makeup: Jennifer Abercrombie Beauty | Venue: The Providence Cotton Mill

If you are a lover of travel or at least love decor that looks like it came from a far off locale then heed the advice of Kelly Framel. She is the creative director, stylist and founder of The Glamourai and knows a thing or two about crafting a home that would spark anyone’s wanderlust. She recently refreshed her NYC apartment with the help of Homegoods and the result is a gorgeous pied-a-terre.

Kelly Framel – creative director, stylist and founder of The Glamourai – teamed up with HomeGoods to refresh her New York City apartment while highlighting her most cherished collections from her travels. Splitting her time between cities and frequently traveling worldwide, Kelly looked to transform her quaint Manhattan studio into a luxurious pied-à-terre that’s functional, colorful and reflective of her globetrotting adventures. See below for her advice on how to incorporate your most cherished souvenirs and personal items into your décor look, even in the coziest of homes.

1. Remember that your home should always be evolving, just as you are

I am constantly picking up new treasures on my travels. Your nest should always be a place of comfort and inspiration; it’s a constant work in progress. I’m always editing my space, but I’ve kept several cherished pieces that I’ve collected over the years, and give them new life by simply rearranging! For a fresh look I picked up a few trays from HomeGoods – like a luxurious, gilded tray and a hand-woven, Aztec-print one – to display my favorite mementos in plain view. Trays like these are an affordable way to deliver texture, color, form and order throughout a space.

2. Curtains aren’t just for window-dressing, and color adds drama

I use richly-colored velvet curtains liberally throughout my homes; they bring a comfortable luxury to any room. I used a green velvet curtain to transform our studio apartment into a one bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet. Bonus – tucking a few slim boxes within the lush curtains provides much-needed secret storage, perfect for small space living.

3. Lighting is the jewelry of a room

Go bold with lamps and chandeliers to make people look up! In our space, I’ve paired vintage fixtures with affordable lighting options from places like HomeGoods – for a look that’s polished but still eclectic.

4. In small spaces, storage and scale are crucial to making your prized possessions shine.

Our cozy New York apartment works as a highly functional pied- à-terre thanks to a plethora of cabinets, hutches, trunks and chests of drawers in varying sizes – many of which double as coffee tables or bookshelves to showcase art, books and ornaments. Scale is so important in creating an environment that feels airier and less cramped, even down to the art you choose. I love using large-scale artworks in small spaces; it gives grandeur and gravitas and opens up the room.

5. Invest in quality kitchenware, and it can serve as decor, too!

My partner Zach is an incredible chef. He spends hours in our tiny kitchen perfecting his craft, so we wanted the space to be both functional and beautiful. Together, we picked out these spectacular copper pots from HomeGoods and hung them above the stove. We use them to try to recreate some of the most memorable meals we’ve had on our travels, as we’re always inspired by new cultures and cuisines!

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25 Interiors That Will Jumpstart Your Wanderlust

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25 Interiors That Will Jumpstart Your Wanderlust

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Photography: HomeGoods/Reid Rolls | Decor: HomeGoods

I love a wedding that celebrates culture while also celebrating all the love. Luckily, this bride and groom agreed and planned a day with nods to both their Thai and Chinese heritage, with gorgeous touches like florals by Occasion9. Head to The Vault from more from the lens of Cynthia Chung.

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From the Bride…I put a lot of though on how I wanted the wedding to look and what I needed to have at the wedding when I was planning. I ended up choosing the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel because it provided Chinese banquet food (my husband’s only request) in a more traditional wedding venue and space to hold a traditional Thai ceremony as requested by my mother. It also had a nice outdoor balcony for outside ceremonies. However, my taste has more of a rustic vibe so I tried to incorporate that in some of the details of my wedding. I also knew that I always wanted to do as much hands on as I could. I ended up making the ring box, the soap wedding favors, card box, ring bearers’ bow ties and other decorations at the wedding. My friends helped make the veil, the cake topper, “Here Comes the Bride” sign and the guest book sign. My colors were grey and mint green and when I was browsing for cake toppers, I realized Totoro was the perfect choice since he is grey and both my husband and I shared a love for Totoro. I was able to incorporate it into my soap favors, cake topper and photo booth. The thing I enjoyed doing the most was making the soap wedding favors, from cutting the soaps by hand to packaging and labeling each favor. It is also great that I can use the left over favors.

The wedding day went by like a whirlwind. I was worrying about rain for the week prior to the wedding, and alas it did get misty and drizzly the day of. It prevented us from having the ceremony outside in the surprisingly nice balcony at the Sheraton but it did provide for beautiful pictures at the Gantry. Everything else went by without any problems (that I know of!). I love the games and customized Totoro photo booth the DJ/MC provided and the games were one of the most memorable part of my wedding. They were really into making a Totoro themed photo booth for me and it came out more wonderful than I expected. I think in the end, everything came together wonderfully.

Photography: Cynthia Chung Photography | Floral Design: Occasion9 | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | DJ: Sang Along Entertainment | Venue: Sheraton Hotel | Bolero: Lovely Bridal Shop

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I’m one of those annoying people who immediately start playing Christmas music right after Thanksgiving is over. Or, actually during Thanksgiving. I look forward to all the festive fun and those first pretty signs of old man winter that fall from the sky. So you can bet your bottom I’ve already been chopping away at this list. What are you doing to prep for Christmas and the coldest season to come?

Your Complete Post-Thanksgiving Checklist

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Your Complete Post-Thanksgiving Checklist

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10 Essentials for the Ultimate Holiday Survival Kit

Wrapping a gorgeous gift never gets old. The presentation is half the fun; especially when it’s personalized with pretty tags, wrapped in handmade paper and loaded with flair. Consider it an art that will leave the recipient on the other end feeling oh so special. Have a looky loo at 23 of the best ever ways to gussy up those holiday gifts and knock your loved one’s socks off.

The Prettiest Ever Gift Wrap Ideas

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The Prettiest Ever Gift Wrap Ideas

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Let me take a guess… you’re settled in on the couch, covered in blankets and barely moving. Still stuffed from all that turkey (and potatoes and pie), this is the sort of situation that cozy weekends at home were made for. Take advantage of all this solid sofa time and add all the snuggly and cozy must-haves to your wedding registry list – you’ll be wanting these items for winters to come. PS. We’ve included a recipe for Nutella Hot Cocoa that is NOT to be missed.

Cozy Weekend Essentials

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Cozy Weekend Essentials

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The Best Hot Chocolate You’ve Ever Tasted

Elizabeth GreeneNutella Hot Chocolate

prep time

cook time

total time

Serves 0Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3-4 Tbsp. nutella, depending on how chocolatey you like it
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Place 1/2 cup of the milk and Nutella in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until incorporated.
2. Stir in vanilla.
3. Add remaining milk, turn heat up slightly and whisk constantly until warmed through.
4. Pour into mug and top with your choice of delicious toppings!
5. P.S. Whipped cream, mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings are always a good idea.

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The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

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

Recipe: Lark & Linen

food52

I’ll give you one good guess what we’ll be doing this Black Friday (hint: it doesn’t involve any shopping). We’ll be camped out in front of our TVs binge-watching “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” That, and dreaming up Rory Gilmore’s wedding with the help of Floravere. Though we don’t know the groom — will it be Dean, Jess or Logan? — we do know that Rory’s wedding would be as beautiful and charming as the Stars Hollow native herself.

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The Dress

Named for Rory Gilmore herself, Floravere’s R. Gilmore dress is all about a charming twist on tradition. The curve-hugging strapless gown features individually embroidered, hand-sewn flowers for a subtly fresh texture on a classic, elegant silhouette. Timeless and traditional yet charming and sassy, this dress fits Rory to a pretty T.

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The Venue

Is this really even a question? The Dragonfly Inn is the only choice for a Gilmore Girl’s wedding.

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The Bouquet

Simple, but not boring, Rory’s bouquet will be a classic twist on the traditional white nosegay with a hint of whimsy and romance. We’re thinking garden roses, clematis and accents of greenery.

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The Style

If Emily Gilmore is involved (and you know she will be), Rory’s big day won’t be a casual affair featuring pizza and junk food. Instead, it’ll be a classic garden wedding in the inn’s backyard surrounded by loved ones and Stars Hollow friends (we see you Miss Patty).

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Wedding Dress: Floravere

Every now and then a wedding comes along that’s nearly impossible to curate because every last image is utter perfection. That’s exactly the case for this summertime ranch affair designed by CCL Weddings & Events with floral pretties from Peony & Plum. We’re officially spending this Black Friday dreaming in shades of lavender and blush, and you can find even more captured by Esther Sun in the gallery and The Cub Team’s film below.

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From the Bride…We had a vision from the beginning of a natural outdoor vineyard wedding in California awash in lavender and blush colors. Other than that, we had a lot of concepts floating around in our minds, and our planner, Cat Leo of CCL Weddings and Events, worked really hard with us to narrow the ideas down to something we could execute. We think it really came together beautifully in the end, from the flowers to the candles to the signage!

Venue: We knew that our families—Sejin is from Seoul, and Mike is from Chicago—and our friends would be coming from all over the place, so California just made a lot of sense for us as a gathering place. We also fell in love with the perfect weather and the beautiful natural settings that are everywhere in the state. We took a trip out to California last summer and looked at a handful of very nice venues, but nothing really stood out to us. That same weekend, we went to our friends’ wedding at Malibu Rocky Oaks in the Santa Monica mountains, and it just hit us that this was the perfect place to get married. The sun setting over the mountains, surrounded by grape vines, it was everything we wanted but couldn’t exactly articulate. Cat had told us about Saddlerock Ranch and Vineyards, and we tried to see the venue while we were in the area, but we weren’t able to get in. So we took a leap of faith and booked the venue without actually seeing it in-person, and it was everything we could have hoped for!

Favorite moments: Definitely walking down the aisle with our moms. We wanted to honor our moms for shaping us into the people that we are today, and it just felt really natural that we would walk down the aisle with them. And we were so lucky because the sun was shining and the weather was amazing, and when the sun set and the café lights lit up the dance floor and the dining area it was perfection!

Advice for other couples: Don’t procrastinate, share the load equally with your partner, and listen to your planner!

Photography: Esther Sun Photography | Cinematography: The Cub Team | Event Planning: CCL Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Peony & Plum | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Cake: M Cakes Sweets | Bride's Shoes: Tribut Ives Saint Laurent | Catering: Hungry Bear | Hair + Makeup: Kohnur | DJ: All The Above Events | Venue: Saddlerock Ranch | Desserts: Pazzo Gelato | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Photo Booth Supply Co | Rentals: borrowed BLU | Rentals: Modest Peach

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

Peony & Plum

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If you talk to an interior designer, they usually have at least 2 favorite white paints tucked in their back pocket. These are their go-to’s and with good reason. White is as timeless as can be and provides a stunning backdrop, no matter your style. It’s like liquid gold in the color (or colorless) department. Just ask Kendall Simmons. She’s sharing 5 reasons why you should most certainly be designing with white.

White amplifies the amount of natural light in your room. White, specifically white paint, multiplies natural light exponentially. If your home is feeling a little dim or dreary, break out the white paint and get busy lightening up! White drapery can have a similar effect, by making your windows feel larger and more open.

Designer Tip: I have two tried and true white paint colors that can do no wrong.

• My favorite soft, warm white is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17.
•  My favorite crisp, cool white is Sherwin Williams SW 7004. The white throughout this home is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17.

White creates the perfect backdrop to accentuate your artwork. Hanging your art on a crisp white wall brings out the best in it, no matter what the medium. Whether it’s a black and white photograph or a vibrant painting, help it look it’s best by surrounding it with a simple clean neutral. After all, there’s a reason why art gallery walls are always painted white! Designer Tip: You can take this effect one step further by also framing and matting your artwork in white. This creates the interesting visual effect of blurring where the walls end and the art begins. A perfect example of this is the lavender print over the dining room bar.

White makes your ceilings look higher. White walls, white ceiling and white molding blend together into an optical illusion that creates visual height and volume. This is an especially great trick in older homes with 8’ ceilings.

White makes your brights look brighter. The attributes of colorful pieces of furniture or objects are amplified when set inside a white box. Because of this effect, you can make fewer grander statements with color and still get maximum impact. Designer Tip: In a mostly white room, consider concentrating a large amount of color on one item. For example, in this mostly white family room, I chose to make a grand gesture with the jade green color of the coffee table. The bold color of the table turns into something more, by surrounding it with white.

White makes you feel better. While this may sound a little silly, there are psychological benefits to the color white. It helps your home feel refreshing, clean, and quiet. And who wouldn’t want that?

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The Ultimate White Paint Roundup

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The Ultimate White Paint Roundup

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Photography: Catherine Truman | Art over Bar Cart: Minted | Artwork over Sofa: Lola Donaghue | Bar Cart: Anthropologie | Black and White Art: Wisteria Faux Bois Mirror | Brass Side Tables: West Elm | Campaign Chests: West Elm | Chandelier: Anthropologie | Charcoal Sofa: Bernhardt | Coffee Table: CB2 | Coral Table Lamps: Candelabra | Dalmatian Statues: Vintage | Dining Room Table: Restoration Hardware | Drapery Hardware: Pottery Barn | Drapery Panels: Pottery Barn Kids | Hex Coffee Table: Anthropologie | Host and Hostess Chairs: Restoration Hardware | Interior Design and Styling: Kendall Simmons | Ivory and Brass Side Tables: Bernhardt | Paint Color: Benjamin Moore's Robbins Egg, High Gloss | Pair of Console Tables: Wisteria Faux Bois Mirror | Pair of Swivel Chairs: Bernhardt | Pair of X Base Benches: West Elm | Rug: Urban Outfitters | Side Chairs: Serena & Lily | Silver Side Table: Urban Outfitters | Small Square Paintings: Ed Nash | Sofa: Bernhardt | Turquoise Table Lamps: Wisteria Faux Bois Mirror | White Vase: West Elm | Wing Chair: Bernhardt

I’m not anti-Black Friday (I love me a good deal) but I’ve also never stepped foot in a store the day after Thanksgiving. I’d rather wait for cyber Monday and take my turkey-stuffed belly to the farm to pick out our tree and deck the halls with Nat King Cole. Are you boycotting Black Friday too? Here are 10 things to do that totally beat the crowds!

Things To Do if You're Boycotting Black Friday

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Things To Do if You're Boycotting Black Friday

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10 Essentials for the Ultimate Holiday Survival Kit

‘Tis the season to spend time with our families, which is why this sweet Montana elopement feels so appropriate to share. Captured by the talented Danford Photography, it’s a seriously sweet reminder that family is first and foremost, and we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From Danford Photography…Melanie and James decided to have a simple elopement while they were on vacation in Montana with their two year old little boy and baby girl. They chose gorgeous Paradise Valley for the simple and sweet occasion. The day of their elopement, the mountains were blanketed in low-hanging clouds, but the rain held off. Melanie wore her beautiful red hair down her back, complemented by a lace BHLDN dress and her vintage emerald engagement ring. Her bouquet was a gorgeous pop of yellow on an overcast day. We all casually strolled up the hill to a field with beautiful 360-degree views of the cloud-covered mountains and the horses grazing nearby. Melanie and James made vows to their children and each other, exchanged rings and kisses, and then we took photos of their adorable family as their little boy ran off some energy. Afterward, they sent us off with a generous slice of the most incredible lemon blueberry lavender cake. The afternoon was relaxed, intimate and full of love.

Photography: Danford Photography | Floral Design: The Flower Hat | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Whipped Confections | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Officiant: Beth Renick

Not only are we in the season of all things cheer, but it’s the time of year that festive traditions come alive and make the holidays such a wonderful time to look forward to. And what better time than Thanksgiving weekend to kick off those traditions. Whether you’ve got a favorite recipe you make every year, break out your fave seasonal movies or a tree cutting adventure the day after—here’s what our editors will be doing this holiday weekend!

Our Editor's Favorite Thanksgiving Weekend Traditions

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Our Editor's Favorite Thanksgiving Weekend Traditions

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Just a few weeks to get those gifts wrapped!

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More Thanksgiving Inspiration this way…

Don’t Forget to Keep These Essentials on Hand for Your Thanksgiving Feast
5 Ways to Impress Your Guests this Thanksgiving
The Ultimate Survival Guide for an (Almost) Perfect Thanksgiving
The Best Hostess Gifts (that Aren’t Wine)
Get Inspired to Craft a Knockout Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet
The Ultimate Recipe Roundup for a Delicious Thanksgiving Feast

Here at SMP, we’ve got a lot (today and every day) to be thankful for. First up? This incredibly romantic garden wedding in Maine. It’s quintessential autumn tones set the scene for celebration, but it’ll be the sweet story below that’ll totally win you over. From their Irish inspired ceremony that took place under the watchful eye of a wayward porcupine (!!) to the undeniably beautiful barn reception, Emily Delamater Photography has got it all waiting for you to favorite via The Vault!

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From the Bride… What happens when two New Hampshire transplants meet on New Year’s Eve in a Boston neighborhood bar, fall in love over common roots and new pursuits, and aspire for a ceremony that captures past, present, and future and pays homage to a shared love for New England? An autumn wedding in Maine.

Bride and groom, Kerry and Derek, chose Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport for their wedding celebration. Surrounded by the foliage of a classic New England forest and yet almost touched by the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, Hidden Pond wraps the rustic in quintessentially understated Maine refinement and seaside splendor. Our fondness for fall and the coast, for simplicity and elegance, made no concessions here.

Neither did Kate Martin and her wonderful staff. She brought together all of the delightfully disparate elements of the wedding portrait we wanted framed: white pumpkins, rich red and salmon colors, illuminated trees, flower arrangements with texture and depth, green vines, mercury glass, white birch, farm tables covered with candles, an overall feeling of “dreaminess.” And exquisitely framed it was, by the lovely photography of Emily Delamater. Emily knows the perfect shot and has a special way of making even the smallest moments sparkle. We could not have achieved our wedding day aspirations without them.

We were married in the gardens of Hidden Pond, on a crisp but bright late October day, over traditional Irish music and under the watch of a wayward porcupine that wandered a bit too close to our ceremony. Bursts of color punctuated the scene as the trees surrounding this lovely little spot were still clinging to their last autumn leaves. From the warm apple cider to the smiling faces of our guests keeping warm under flannel blankets, it was a moment we won’t forget.

The cocktail hour was held in the Hidden Pond Barn under a canopy of twinkle lights that glittered almost as much as the bridesmaid dresses. The cocktail hour featured some of Maine’s finest offerings, prepared by one of Maine’s finest restaurants, Hidden Pond’s Earth: mini- lobster rolls, grilled cheeses with heirloom tomatoes, and some good local beer – Bissell Brother’s Substance and Maine Beer Company’s Mo. A dinner of lobster gnocchi and slow- roasted lamb followed, lit by table candles and grapevine chandeliers created by Kate’s team at Beautiful Days.

The reception featured one of New Hampshire’s most celebrated and movable wedding traditions (brought to us by Derek’s college buddies): the University of New Hampshire “dance rug,” on which nearly every wedding guest, young and old, must step and perform some action approximating a dance move before they are acquitted for the evening. The dance party that followed was sustained by everyone’s fall favorite, apple cider donuts, freshly baked by Earth, and Maine blueberry wedding cake, prepared locally by Gayle Forte at Let Them Eat Cake.

It was important that the day felt personal to us. We wanted in some modest way to capture ourselves, where we came from, where we found each other, and where we hope we’re heading.

Our wedding celebration ended up capturing us, expressing the pure joy of our love for one another and for our guests so effortlessly that the only thing we could do and wanted to do was get on the dance rug and enjoy each and every minute of it.

Photography: Emily Delamater Photography | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Let Them Eat Cake | Invitations: El's Cards | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup : Joya Beauty | Hair: Hair That Moves | Officiant: Friend | Ceremony Music: Boghat | Transportation : Intown Trolley | Venue: Hidden Pond | Tent Rental : Exeter Rentals | Ceremony and Reception Catering: Hidden Pond | Event Design, Flowers, Decor + Lighting, Coordination: Beautiful Days | Linens : BBJ La Tavola | Reception Music: Keros Entertainment | Rentals : Peterson Party Center

Why Italy, you ask? Well, for Anastasia and Devin, the question was really a matter of why not? They couldn’t imagine a more romantic spot to marry, especially when they came across the very same venue where John Legend and Chrissy Teigen tied the knot. Dive straight into their happily ever after beautifully photographed by Thecablookfotolab.

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From Anastasia Aslanyan… The wedding of Anastasia and Devin will be always in our hearts. It was special. Special because of the love and happiness all around coming from each of the guests and of the couple. It was fantastic!

The location chosen is one of the most beautiful and amazing on Lake Como and it is not only because of the place but also because of the atmosphere and authenticity – historical villa, beautiful gardens and a fascinating terrace with 180 degree view on the lake and the mountains. As soon as you visit the villa you will understand why John Legend chose exactly this one. Anastasia and Devin decided to choose green and white theme to be more natural in the surroundings. The idea of the ceremony zone was to maintain the nature and the effect of air without making the standard arch but to create something more sophisticated and incorporated in the view. 

During the dinner, the band was playing life music while in between there were some dances and speeches. But the most touchy moment was when the groom played a song that he has dedicated to the bride…everyone was crying! After the dinner followed the cut of the cake with the hugest naked cake we’ve ever seen and the biggest fireworks done in Como. The party started with eight pieces band singing favorite and famous songs. The dance floor was on fire with all of the guests dancing in flip-flops kindly brought and prepared by the couple. All the team together with photographers and videographers were happy on that day because of so many smiles and kindness around as well as sincere and real emotions.

From the Bride…Devin and I met on January 31, 2016 through the traditional way, an app called “Coffee Meets Bagel”. We both live and met in San Francisco, California. It was my first date through this particular app, although I tried all of the websites and apps before. The first date went well, we couldn’t stop talking to each other. Devin dropped me off at home like a real gentleman and I knew he had a lot of potential. We went on a date a week for the first 4 dates since I was traveling a lot. I invited Devin to my house in the wine country for a weekend and since then we haven’t spent a day without each other.

Fast forward to December 12, 2016, a little over 10 months after our first date Devin proposed to me on a mountain in Tahoe, California while skiing. Devin is a great skier and would ski for a living if we could live on that kind of salary. Guess what he proposed with? Coffee in a carry mug and bagel with cream cheese hidden in his backpack.

I went to New York to try on some dresses. I don’t like shopping (unless it’s for shoes), so I was in love with the first dress I tried on. It was simple in the front and the back was wow, sheer back with a long, long train. I tried some more dresses in California, but nothing looked better than the first dress. I decided that it was meant to be and ordered that dress. I made a second dress for dancing, but the first dress was the “star”.

Why did we pick Italy? Well, firstly it’s Italy, secondly it’s Italy and thirdly it’s Italy! Pasta, pizza, wine, history, nature and beautiful culture. When we started thinking of a venue, number one thing we wanted for our special day was to have an outdoor wedding. Naturally being in San Francisco we looked into Santa Cruz or the Wine Country. I helped with a few weddings before as a hoppy and didn’t like United States winery restrictions with hours and vendors. We went to the Italian Alps to meet my family for Christmas 2016 and I thought of Lake Como, Italy, because it was 2 hours away from where we were staying and I spent a week there in the summer 2014. We made an appointment with the first wedding planner that responded to us and visited a few potential locations.

I found Italian Easy Weddings with two partners, one of them was Russian. That worked out perfectly, our wedding ended up bilingual. I am from Uzbekistan, my family still lives in Russia. Italy was 5-8 hours for my family and many of our friends are from the East Coast. Our host, photographer, videographer and DJ were all Russian speakers and my family felt like home. The venue we picked, Villa Pizzo, was suggested by our wedding planners, it wasn’t even on our radar. It was the most amazing place and ceremony and reception were all on one property. Plus John Legend and Chrissy Teigen got married there. Though I think our wedding was more beautiful. My husband plays piano and sings too, so we had a grand piano on the stage for him to sing, just like John Legend. Villa Pizzo was available on July 4th and there were fireworks on the lake, not for us but everyone at our wedding thought it was for us.

Needless to say, we are still on wedding high. The beauty of Lake Como is indescribable, the food is the tastiest in the world, the talents of the band, photographers, wedding planners, florist and decorators is top notch. Due to the beauty of the manicured gardens and the scene of the green alps and the lake, we wanted to keep the decor simple, green with a little bit of white to blend in rather than stand out. Needless to say, we are still on wedding high. If we could get married every year, we would. We had no stress before, during or after the wedding, everything was just smooth and perfect.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Cinematography: Lavender Bicycle | Event Planning: Happy Moments Collector | Floral Design: rattiflora | Stationery: Letter B | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Rings: Custom from A&J Jewelers | Catering: AFM | Lighting: Blunotte Events | Band: Blunotte band | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Villa Pizzo | Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Makeup Lessons: Salt Spelt Beauty

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the ’tis the season to get engaged. That’s right, statistics have shown us that more than one in four grooms propose to their brides over the holiday season and if that isn’t exciting, then what is!? And while we can’t guarantee anything will happen for certain, but certainly can point out some sneaky tip-offs that he just might be preparing to propose before the New Year (!!!!!!!!)

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He’s Slightly Standoffish

He seems a little more preoccupied than usual or withdrawn from day-to-day conversations.

He Double and Triple Checks Your Schedule

Because obviously, he needs to make sure you’re free!

He’s Overly Protective of His Phone or Wallet

Receipts, ring photos or proposal planning texts could all be his top secret information.

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He Asks or Confirms Your Jewelry Tastes

I mean, this one is just obvious!

He’s Been in Money Saving Mode.

More date nights in could mean more bucks saved for the bling.

He’s Initiated Discussions About Long-Term Plans

Jobs, locations, kids or no kids? It’s all important convo topics with our soon-to-be.

He Treats You To a Spa Day

Hello, manicure!

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He Makes Big Plans for the Holidays

Whether it’s an escape to his family’s cozy cabin or a reservation at your favorite restaurant, he just might be up to something special.

He Becomes Overly Sentimental

All of the sudden he’s reminiscing on how you two first met, your first date, etc.

He’s in Talks With Your Family or Closet Friends

Almost as if they ALL know something you don’t!

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Psssst: a little ring inspiration to get you started!

What's Your Engagement Ring Style?

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What's Your Engagement Ring Style?

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Nothing, and I mean nothing feels quite as celebratory as popping open a bottle of bubbly. It’s a sound we adore around these parts and with a little help from The Whisking Kitchen, it’s also a sound that you might be hearing come Thanksgiving. Take your champagne up a notch with this Hard Apple Chandy cocktail. Or get the festivities started a wee bit early and make this, um now. Clink clink!

Erin LepperdHard Apple Chandy

prep time 5 Minute/s

cook time

total time 5 Minute/s

Serves 1Ingredients

• 1/3 Part Champagne
• 1/3 Part Hard Apple Cider
• 1/3 Part Apple Juice
• For Garnish: Thin apple slices and pomegranate arils

Instructions

1. Pour hard apple cider, apple juice and top with champagne in a champagne flute or wine glass.
2. Garnish with thin apple slices and pomegranate.

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10 Ways to Nail Thanksgiving (that have nothing to do with food)

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10 Ways to Nail Thanksgiving (that have nothing to do with food)

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Photography: Elizabeth Van Lierde | Design and Styling: Elizabeth Van Lierde

What’s your favorite season? Mine just so happens to be fall and this inspiration highlights exactly why. From the colorful bouquet saturated with rich red hues, to the gilded cake accented with leaves (how creative is that?!), we’ve got it all captured from the talented Jamie Rae Photo in The Vault!

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From Jamie Rae Photo…“Every leaf speaks bliss to me when fluttering from the autumn tree…”-Emily Bronte. One step outside on a crisp Northwest autumn morning always stirs the romantic within. The promise of change…vibrant golds and fading reds…the burst of holiday cheer that surprises everyone with sudden arrival…all of these things create a cacophony of colorful inspiration. This romantic shoot was inspired by the crisp air and that feeling of change that magically stirs the soul in Autumn. And while it wasn’t hard to find inspiration this time of year, we wanted to put together a team of the absolute best vendors to showcase how wonderful a fall-fading to winter holiday wedding can look like. Swoon Floral Design created a palette of roses, oak leaves, astilbe, lisianthus, mums, and nandina for the bouquet and floral center pieces. We accented these colors with hints of the holiday season for table decor…persimmons, pears, hazelnuts and chestnuts remind us of the celebratory season that fall ushers in. These tones and textures can be incorporated into a fall or winter, seasonal or religious wedding or event. A bountiful holiday spread of cheese, almonds, bread and jam illustrate how easy it is to entertain artistically (and deliciously!) this time of year. Claire La Feye provided a dramatic chantilly lace, two piece gown, which we accented with hand made gold jewelry from Jes Design Studio.

Photography: Jamie Rae Photo | Floral Design: Swoon Floral Design | Dress: Claire La Faye | Cake: Little Red's Bakeshop & Café | Invitations: HeyHalle | Shoes: Designer Shoe Warehouse | Jewelry: Jes Design Studio | Hair + Makeup: Kim King Make Up | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Table + Rentals: Something Borrowed Vintage Rentals

Ally and Christian’s wedding on the shore of Nita Lake is the very reason I love fall affairs so very much. Anchored in a rich moody color palette with a cozy lodge setting and a candlelit dinner, it’s a perfect ode to the autumn season with romantic touches from vendors like Maurelle Calligraphy. Go see all the pretty that awaits in the gallery from Melia Lucida.

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From the Bride…I never grew up believing that there was a perfect partner out there waiting for me. But, after my second date with Christian, looking into his eyes, it felt as if we had always known each other. A week, and three more dates later, and we were inseparable. Since then, a little over five years from our first date, we have only been apart for a handful of days. And, the fact that it pains me to remember each and every one of those days, shows me that there is in fact a perfect partner and that I had found him.

After a classically inspired engagement at the stunning Rosewood Hotel Georgia, I started planning our big “rustic-elegance” themed wedding day. The most important factor, however, was that I did not want a prolonged engagement. But, even I did not realize how short our engagement was going to be until I fell in love with the location, and learned that their only availability was less than five months away. And, since Christian and I were budget-conscious, and were taking on our wedding planning to cut costs, it was quite the task we gave ourselves!

After far too many three-hour roundtrip drives to the venue, and a number of long and stressful decision-filled days, with the help of our amazing vendors, our vision came together. The day was rustic and romantic, yet elegant and timeless. Even the weather cooperated just long enough for our outdoor ceremony, and our photo session. The wooden vineyard chairs and log-rounds, aged-gold touches throughout, and textured linens and menus, all tied together by incredible florals that were heavy on greenery, and featured hints of blush, and a Protea to honor my South African heritage, made for a seamless and magical day! And, as the staff at the Lodge later recounted to us, the venue was completely transformed!

On the big day, my bridesmaids and I got ready on-site in the stunning Rainforest Suite at the venue, while Christian and his groomsmen got shaves in a suite at the other end of the Lodge. While the day flew by, I will never forget sharing our first dance on the patio, overlooking the lake, while a light mist started to come down. And, just as we were sharing a kiss, my husband’s family surprised me with a breathtaking fireworks display that rounded out what was the most amazing day of my life, and was the perfect start to our lives together!

Christian and I are taking a few months to enjoy our newlywed life, and then we will be heading off on our honeymoon to Rome and the Amalfi Coast of Italy!

Photography: Melia Lucida, Photographer | Design: Taffete Designs | Styling: Gumboot Glam | Floral Design: Celsia Florist | Cake: Ganache Patisserie | Catering: Nita Lake Lodge | Makeup: Jasmine Hoffman | Hair: Jasmine Hoffman | Calligraphy: Maurelle Calligraphy | DJ: Like You Just Don’t Care | Groom's Attire: Ermeneglildo Zegna | Groomsmen's Attire: Indochino | Venue: Nita Lake Lodge | Bride's Earrings: Nordstrom | Bride's Necklace: Minichiello Jewellers | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Olive + Piper | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David's Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Louboutin | Day-Of Coordination + Decor: Celebrate Events | Decor: Taffete Designs | Décor: Bespoke Decor | Event Rentals: Event Rental Works | Fireworks: Whistler Fireworks | Groom's Hair: Kurt Hoffman | Hair Accessories: The Borrowed Collection | Invitations + Wedding Website: Minted | Reception Music: Musos Entertaiment | Wedding Dress + Veil: Manuel Mendoza

Everything about this wedding planned by Elegant Aura is a celebration of spring. From the color palette to the garden setting to the florals – including blue hydrangea, pink peonies, and baby’s breath, just to name a few. Meghann Gregory photographed and there’s even more to see this way.

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From Elegant Aura…Melanie and Matt met in college and were together for 11 years before they got engaged. A year and a half later, they were married. They wanted a casual but elegant wedding. Though they wanted to keep things simple, their wedding did not lack creativity or style. Melanie and Matt had a traditional Catholic ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour and reception held at the Garden’s of Elm Bank.

For Melanie and Matt, the most important element of their wedding day was that the music should be great and for everyone to have fun. They wanted their guests to say they enjoyed the dancing the most. The menu consisted of lots of New England summer-style items, and a few Puerto Rican dishes to honor the bride’s mother’s heritage. In addition to the wedding cake, there was a mini’s dessert bar that highlighted spring/summer fruit.

The bride wore an Essense of Australia wedding dress of soft organza over a moscato-tulle ball gown with a detachable grosgrain ribbon sash in blossom. Custom white lace straps were added to the bodice’s sweetheart neckline. Her shoes were Badgley Mischka peep toes with a kitten heel. The groom wore a traditional Jos. A Bank fitted blue-gray suit with navy tie and pocket square. The groomsmen wore similar blue-gray suits, which complimented the bridesmaid’s navy blue chiffon dresses.

The wedding day was not short on personal details. The earrings the bride wore belonged to her maternal grandmother, who had passed away the summer before the wedding; “she wanted all of her granddaughters to wear them for their weddings”, says Melanie. The prayer book Melanie carried belonged to her paternal grandmother, which was given to her on her wedding day. Since then, all females in the family have carried it down the aisle on their wedding day. The cake knife and server were from the bride’s parent’s wedding.

The color palette incorporated navy, gray and hints of coral and peach. The bride’s neighbors designed the centerpieces using blue hydrangea, pink peonies, and baby’s breath among greenery, berries and other dainty white flowers. These popped beautifully against the dove gray linen tablecloth and silver painted table numbers. The carriage house ceiling was enhanced with white voile fabric drapery and bee light strings. Perimeter up lighting in amber warmed the walls. The dance area under the attached three-season tent was decorated with white mini-lantern strings that were draped throughout, adding a soft, sweet tough to the tent ceiling. Amber up lighting completed the tent’s transformation and brought cohesiveness between the two spaces.

Although the May day was an unseasonably 90 degrees, everyone had a great time and the bride and groom got what they’d hoped for, all of their guests danced the night away.

Photography: Meghann Gregory Photography | Event Planning: Elegant Aura | Wedding Dress: Essense Of Australia | Ceremony Venue: St. Edward the Confessor Parish | Reception Venue: Massachusetts Horticultural Society | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Peppers Artful Events | DJ: Sound City Entertainment | Transportation: Able Limo | Bouquets + Boutonnieres: Peppers Artful Events | Lighting + Drapery: DesignLightCo.