There’s no denying that Dagmar and Dave’s wedding was a gorgeous celebration, but it’s the heart behind their day that speaks volumes. In the words of the bride, “wedding planning is for now, marriage is forever. After the big day, it’s not what you are left with but who you are left with that really counts…if you are as lucky as I am, it will be your best friend.” Each detail crafted by Ooh La La Designs echoed this sentiment and Karina Anne didn’t miss a beat behind the camera.

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From the Bride… Dave and I met at 14 and married at 28….Half of our lives have already been spent together. After 10 years of friendship, we finally realized that what we were looking for was right in front of us all along.

For our wedding, we really focused on soft pinks and peaches, with lots of natural greens and a subtle mixture of silver and golds. With the help of Kelly and Angelica, along with twinkling fairy lights, candles, moss, and greenery – we were able to achieve the whimsical, soft and romantic atmosphere that we had envisioned.

David and I have been fortunate enough to travel together and create some of our favorite memories all over the world. We really wanted to incorporate that into our theme – for example, our guests signed a globe rather than a book, and our favors were airplane bottle openers for the guys and compass coasters for the gals. Also, because we were engaged in Barcelona, we included a Paella dish into our dinner menu.

David and I are also blessed with incredible friends and family that have provided a beautiful example of love and marriage over the years. To honor this, and celebrate all the love present on our special day – we added the wedding photos of our family and friends at the end of each pew at the ceremony. Being able to see our guests recognize their own wedding photo at our ceremony was really special.

My gown was the perfect combination of romance and glam. The beadwork was so beautifully embellished and the silver-ivory color was perfectly unique. My flowers perfectly incorporated the soft details of my bridesmaid dresses, being champagne, soft peach and soft pink – the playful mints and leafy greens added the perfect romantic touch. I was also able to attach two tiny frames with pictures of my two grandfathers, who were able to walk me down the aisle in spirit. We did not have a traditional cake, but rather a cheese wheel cake decorated with figs. Anyone who knows my husband knows how much he loves cheese, so it was well suited!

My advice for other couples is that wedding planning is for now, marriage is forever. After the big day, it’s not what you are left with but who you are left with that really counts…if you are as lucky as I am, it will be your best friend.

Photography: Karina Anne Photography | Floral Design: Ooh La La Designs {floral & style studio} | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Stationery: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Hair + Makeup: Cakes To Di For | Favors: Wedding Favours Canada | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Venue: Honsberger Estate | Kimonos: Cherry Qiu | Linen Rentals + Draping: Simply Beautiful Decor | Table Numbers + Cake Topper: Brawox | Veil: Vera Wang

Once November hits, my mind immediatley goes into Holiday mode. Planning fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, holiday parties and crisp date nights out on the town with the mister, which means planning lots of stylish cold-weather outfits! Here are a few festive staples to keep on hand that’ll get you through the seasons of all things chilly in the chicest way possible.

10 Fashion Staples to Get You Through the Holiday Season

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10 Fashion Staples to Get You Through the Holiday Season

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Our perfect fall day? Sipping on a piping hot PSL and cozying up in the gallery for some destination dreamin’. We call that living vicariously in the best way possible, and today we’re jetting off to Sandals Barbados for a fun in the sun type of celebration. From the sandy white beaches to the crystal blue waters, it’s THE place to get your wedding on, yummy treats and spa days included.

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“We were able to plan the entire wedding by phone from start to finish in about three months, with the help of our Sandals planner. It was surprisingly simple and stress-free.” – The Bride

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“With the breathtaking beach of Barbados as our backdrop, we chose to keep the style of our wedding clean and simple so the beauty of our surroundings could be the focal point.” – The Bride

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Located in the breathtaking St. Lawrence Gap area, Sandals Barbados is all about filling your wedding weekend (or, let’s be honest, week) with luxurious amenities and inventive accommodations. Think world-class cuisine, an innovative bar and pools that will make your heart happy. Not to mention the seriously stunning suites, aka, a little slice of vaca heaven with breathtaking ocean views, Butler Elite service and private tranquility soaking tubs on most patios and terraces. (Umm… awesome.) It’s beyond everything you’ve ever wanted for you Big Day with the rich history and fun-filled activities of Barbados woven into every. single. moment.

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“We took color inspiration from the sea, and tried to incorporate just a small touch of the ocean into the details.” – The Bride

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“When our ceremony was over we jumped in the ocean, rolled around in the sand, forgot about the world, and just soaked up every second of our day together.” – The Bride

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If your wedding dreams include relaxing in paradise with your loved ones, adventuring around the dramatic landscapes of Barbados, dancing the night away to amazing entertainment or all of the above, contact Sandals Barbados NOW to speak with a talented wedding consultant about putting together your ultimate celebration. It’s going to be awesome… trust us.

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Photography: Gina Francesca | Wedding Venue: Sandals Barbados

Classic weddings are my jam but I reallyyyy like those with a little edge. And this one has it in spades. From the rings to the shoes, this Bride has style. But it didn’t stop there. Their wedding cake is by far my favorite one yet – a Momofuku birthday cake with a doughnut base. And with that, I’m sold. Merari Photography captured every detail for us to ooh and aah over – see them all in our Vault right this way!

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From the Bride… Allan and I met in class freshmen year of college. Funny enough, we had most of our classes together and Allan willingly became my study buddy after I bribed him with food from the dining hall of course. We were first study partners, then good friends, and a few dates later the rest was history! After college, our relationship became long distance with Allan in upstate New York and myself in DC. On a weekend we had planned to be together in DC, Allan had to back out last minute so I made brunch plans with one of my friends. As we were walking to brunch along the Georgetown waterfront, we ran into this a cappella group singing. It turned out to be my friends from the a cappella group I sang with in college and out came our family members holding signs of the significant dates of our relationship. After we made it through the dates, Allan popped out proposing. It was such a memorable day and I’m so glad he had our family and friends involved.

As we started planning the wedding, we were going back and forth between venues in Maryland and New York. Once we saw the Central Park Boathouse, it was a no brainer to celebrate our marriage there. It’s such a beautiful venue and Central Park has always been special for us since it’s where we had one of our first dates. On our ten year dating anniversary, it just made sense to celebrate our marriage where it all began!

Since we chose the iconic Central Park Boathouse as our venue, we wanted our wedding to be timeless, classic, and romantic with hints of our personality. We wanted our venue to be flooded with florals and metallic details and the colors to be blush and gold mixed with other neutrals.

I absolutely loved our seating cards! I loved the idea of merging the wedding favor and seating card all in one. The simple bud vases with flowers coordinating our table arrangements were perfect. Once people brought them to their tables, it added to the table arrangement we had and made the tables look so beautiful flooded with flowers. I also loved our wedding cake. It was a mix of our two favorite desserts – Momofuku birthday cake and Dough doughnuts. Ask anyone of my friends and they’ll tell you Dough is one of my weaknesses.

Walking down the aisle is a memory I’ll never regret. I walked halfway down the aisle by myself and as I turned into the church, just seeing all of our family and friends was such a special moment. I met both my parents halfway down the aisle and they continued to walk with me. I loved having both of them walk me down the aisle. I can’t pinpoint just one favorite memory from the day, but when planning the wedding Allan and I just wanted our special day to be a big party with all of our family and friends. Halfway through the reception seeing everyone have fun was definitely the highlight of my day and sort of a sigh relief that all of the planning and prep was worth it!

If you had to do it over again, I don’t think I would have done anything differently! All of our vendors really made the day special and turned our dream into reality.

Photography: Merari Photography | Cinematography: Mint Wedding Cinematography | Event Planning: Whimsy Weddings | Floral Design: Cress Wedding Flowers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Blessed Sacrament Church | Reception Venue: The Central Park Boathouse | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Glamsquad | Band: Silver Arrow Band | Groom's Attire: Black Lapel | Doughnuts: Dough Brooklyn

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

Silver Arrow Band

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Allow us to introduce you to the newest bridal trend that’s about to take over: blooming updos. Add in the artistry from Studio Mondine with Aimee Artistry hairstyles and you’re guaranteed a memorable look that guarantees to turn some heads. Snapped by the immensely talented Jen Huang Photo, we’ve got 13 looks for you to favorite and even more inspiration (including boutonniere’s for your beau) waiting in The Vault!

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Lush Garden Goddess

Marrying the romance of a garden wedding and the undeniable beauty of spring,
the below blooming hairstyles are incredibly lush and undeniably lovely

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Modern Stylish Beauty

Fresh florals tucked into loose updos, it’s hairstyles like the below that inspire us
to swap out our burgundy bloomed bouquet for a floral filled hairstyle.

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From Jen Huang Photo…Another mini-bridal-guide from Jen Huang, Studio Mondine, and Aimee Artistry. The theme: His and Hers. Showcasing 15 beautiful boutonnieres and 13 modern hair designs, bouts for the groom and hair florals for the bride.

Within the many looks there are two styles that emerge – an edgy, modern, stark style and a more lush and green garden style. You can match similar styles together or mix stark vs. Lush within the same wedding design for a unique variety. We all had a hard time choosing our favorites.

Aimee created the modern up do to feature the flower arrangements as the braided “vase” was perfect for forming multiple arrangements. Makeup was kept simple and fresh, using earth tones which pulled in the colors and textures of the florals.

Ingredients used in these pieces range from dried flowers, foraged plants and more classic garden flowers: Cosmos, Bunny Tail, Scabiosa, Heuchera leaves, Hydrangea, Tuberose, Maidenhair Fern, Wild Clematis, Sally Holmes Rose, California Cliff Buckwheat, Lunaria, Honeysuckle, Phlox, Hellebores and Angel Vine.

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Find His Boutonniere inspiration Below!

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Photography: Jen Huang Photography | Floral Design: Studio Mondine | Rings: Ursa Major | Hair + Makeup: Aimee Makeup & Hair Design | Model: Elise Johnson

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

Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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In terms of dream home needs, wants and gotta haves, a gorgeous bathroom to retreat to for a nice soak is high on the list of priorities. And Jacquelyn Clark would agree. Having recently purchased a victorian abode and finding the bathroom situation to be more cave like than bright and serene, she decided a renovation was the first order of business. And the result is timeless marble goodness with a side of crazy cute pup. Get all the inspiration you need for a dream bathroom captured by Snapful Photography.

My boyfriend, Justin, and I purchased our first home in Toronto this summer. An old Victorian from 1898 with incredible character and charm coming out the wazoo. While we immediately fell in love with the high ceilings, 10″ baseboards, original staircase and the like, the only (tiny) bathroom was an entirely different story.

 Unfortunately it had been semi-recently redone, but the execution, craftmanship, and 50 shades of brown tile selection left very little to be desired. The vanity was teeny tiny, the medicine cabinet dug straight into the room cutting off minimal sight lines, the window had been shrunken down so the entire space felt like a badly designed cave.

We knew we wanted to change everything before we moved in, and got straight to work the minute we had the keys in hand. We gutted the entire thing, enlarged the window, laid the most stunning marble tile, refinished an antique clawfoot tub from 1915 to infuse that character we fell in love with. Needless to say, we’re thrilled with the results. And what it lacks in size, it makes up tenfold in style. For more about the design process, head on over to my blog, Lark & Linen

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The Prettiest Bathrooms Ever

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The Prettiest Bathrooms Ever

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Photography: Snapful Photograohy | Acrylic Tissue Holder: Anthropologie | Bath Caddy: Amazon | Bathmat: Anthropologie | Candle: Anthropologie | Flooring, Wall Tiles & Pencil Trim: Stone Tile Impressions | Gold Planter: PepperB | Hexagon Tile: Creekside Tile | Interior Design: Lark & Linen | Loofah: Anthropologie | Matches: Anthropologie | Medicine Cabinet: Restoration Hardware | Milk Bath: Anthropologie | Reed Diffuser: Anthropologie | Ring Holder: Anthropologie | Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | Sconce: Restoration Hardware | Shampoo & Conditioner: Sephora | Shower Kit: Brizo | Shower Rod: Amazon | Sink Faucet: Brizo | Soap & Lotion: Anthropologie | Tissue Holder: Brizo | Towel Hooks: Brizo | Turkish Towels: Pamuk & Co. | Vanity: Wayfair

When it came time for Christine, stationery designer behind Typo Boutique to plan her wedding day, a few things were certain. She envisioned a laid-back southern farm wedding with deeply meaningful details and a completely custom paper suite, of course. But one of the most unexpected moments came when Christine’s mom handmade a wedding dress bodice using lace and buttons from both her grandmothers’ gowns. This entire day is an absolute treasure and we’re so thankful for the captures by Sawyer Baird.

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From the Bride… When we first started dating, Matt took me on a trip to New York City and we’ve always said that’s where we fell in love. There’s just something magical about New York and it’s always held a special place in my heart. On the same weekend, exactly two years later, he surprised me with another trip. He set up the most thoughtful weekend, recreating all of our memories – we stayed at the same hotel, visited our favorite shops, and ate dinner at the same table we had two years earlier. It was the sweetest gesture and just when I thought it couldn’t get any more perfect, he ended the first night of our trip by proposing!

As we started planning our wedding, we knew a farm venue would be our first choice. We set up a trip to Lexington to visit Big Spring Farm and immediately knew it was the perfect place for us. The property is the most charming, picturesque setting and the Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop is absolutely breathtaking. We fell in love with the small southern town and even though neither of us had any ties to Lexington we knew it was meant to be.

As a stationery designer, the most exciting part of wedding planning was the paper! I knew I wanted everything to be completely custom and pull in pieces of our personal story throughout the wedding. Our invitations were backed with a historical map of Lexington and our envelopes were lined with a painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the 1800s. I carried our custom brand through each piece of our day – from menus to drink coasters to thank you notes, everything was meaningful and completely “us”. We even included our three dogs with a custom logo design on our favors.

Another incredibly special part of our day was the top to my wedding dress. My mom made it by hand, using vintage lace from my grandmother’s gown. She made functional buttonholes down the back using buttons from both of my grandmothers’ gowns, one from my aunt and one from her own wedding dress. On the inside of the top, she sewed a heart shape that was cut from one of my father’s shirts. She also updated a dress that I had worn as a flower girl when I was three years old and reworked it for our flower girl! It was so special, both to have her make these one-of-a-kind pieces, and to incorporate so much history.

We wanted to create a laid-back, southern gathering for our guests and we couldn’t be happier with the result. I’m so thankful for our amazing team of vendors and we’ll be forever grateful for how seamlessly they brought our vision to life.

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Floral Design: Mallory Joyce | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Stationery: Typo Boutique | Rings: Tacori | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Southern Inn | Hair + Makeup: Avenue 42 | DJ: Jumpin Jack Chad | Groom's Attire: Fitzgerald's Men's Store | Venue: Big Spring Farm | Wedding Venue: Big Spring Farm | Graphic Design + Paper Goods: Typo Boutique | Rentals: MS Events | String Band: Plum Blossom String Quartet

A steadfast rule here at SMP? Falling in love twice before the Big Day is a definite must. Once with that special someone and once more with that gown of your dreams. Here to play the ultimate matchmaker? The Morilee Madeline Gardner 2017 Spring Collection, a seriously stunning lineup of gowns featuring layers upon layers of tulle and some jaw-dropping details. Scroll below to find the one.

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“We know that when we create a dress, we’re not just making something to wear. We’re making magic.” – Madeline Gardner, Designer & Creative Director of MORILEE Madeline Gardner

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Inspired by dreams and that incredible feeling of falling in love, the Morilee Madeline Gardner 2017 Spring Collection is literally everything you’ve EVER wanted (seriously) with gowns that flounce through the air and boast intricate crystal detailing and beautiful laces that will make your jaws drop.  Think special sparkle fabrics that add a layer of amazing depth to each gown, beautiful beading and silhouettes that will show off every one of your awesome curves – from breathtaking ballgowns to fabulous fit and flares to everything in between.

Contact Morilee today to find your nearest retailer, and scroll on over to their Look Book to soak in even more pretty.

There are awesome celebrations, and then there is the awesome celebration that The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas recently hosted.  Think four full days of non-stop glamour with 50 luxury wedding professionals, plus yummy eats and stunning decor. It was a #MarryAtTheMulia event for the ages, all in preparation for YOUR amazing wedding. Scroll for a peek at the festivities below.

Located in breathtaking Nusa Dua, Bali, The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas hosted the type of unforgettable event that only the number one beach resort in the world could throw. I’m talking an Eat, Pray, Love themed party with signature experiences and jaw-dropping moments scattered throughout the four days in paradise. From the mouth-watering culinary samplings to the unique venues and florals, The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas’ #MarryAtTheMulia showcased just why they are THE destination go-to for romantic + amazing weddings.  I mean, a crazy cool vacation + THE perfect nuptials all wrapped up in one? Sign us up, loves.

From The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas’ newly launched Unity Garden (hello, beach-front venue with endless views of the Indian Ocean) to the floating glass Eternity Chapel to the Harmony Chapel with its hand-crafted crystal chandelier, The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas is most definitely your dream locale; whether you’re hosting a celebration for 50 or 1,000.  Contact them today to start planning your very own sophisticated soiree.

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Photography: Brian Leahy Photography | Event Planning: DFW Events | Reception Venue: Eden Garden | Reception Venue: Unity Garden | Wedding Venue: Eternity Chapel | Wedding Venue: Harmony Chapel

If you’re deep in the throes of wedding planning, feeling like your sanity is hanging on by a thread, listen carefully: put down the glue gun, step away from the spreadsheets and take a nice DEEP breath. There’s no doubt planning this day comes with a dose of stress, but remember you’re not alone. We’re sharing 12 of the most common reasons brides-to-be (understandably) lose their cool leading up to the wedding.

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Inspiration Overload

We see it time and time again – the burnt out bride who can’t commit to anything because she’s overwhelmed with too many ideas and too much inspiration. Our advice? Take some time to discover your wedding style and let the pinning follow.

Family Drama

Whether it’s an opinionated mother-in-law or an unsupportive sister, there’s usually no shortage of family moments to make a bride go a bit nutty.

Money Talks

Everyone loves hearing the wedding plans, but things get awkward when it’s time to talk money. Sit down and have the budget conversation early to save yourself addtional headaches down the road.

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Setting the Date

If only picking your wedding date was as easy as marking a calendar. The reality is, setting a date means finding your dream venue in your dream location that could be booked up a year (or more) in advance. Oh, and of course making sure the date works with all your closest family and friends. Deep. Breaths.

The Guest List

Forming the guest list means saying some difficult “nos” and potentially hurting feelings along the way. It’s the one anxiety-inducing wedding task that can make even the calmest brides crack under pressure.

The Seating Chart

The close cousin of the guest list meltdown, the seating chart stressor has everything to do with trying to make everyone happy. Keep calm and seat assign on, brides!

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DIY Projects

DIYs are a budget-friendly bride’s best friend, but they can easily turn into a nightmare if you bite off more than you can chew. Only commit to what you can reasonably craft and remember – if it’s not fun anymore it’s probably time to walk away.

Getting in Shape

Every bride wants to look her best of the big day, but the scale might be causing more anxiety than it’s worth. Don’t let the stress of slimming down steal your joy as a bride-to-be.

Comparison Syndrome

With social media right at our fingertips, it’s never been easier for brides to fall into the wedding comparison trap. I’m talking to you, bride who stalked the friend of a friend of a friend’s wedding hashtag all weekend. Take heart and repeat after me: I will not compare myself (or my wedding) to strangers on the Internet.

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Dress Shopping

Finding just the right dress for both you and your bridesmaids is no easy task. In fact, despite being one of the most exciting times for a bride, it will likely cause a few tears along the way.

Online Shopping Nightmares

If the words “Out of stock” or “Shipping costs not included” are all too familiar, you know exactly how frustrating online wedding shopping can be. Our advice? Pull in your vendors who can help you source every detail you need.

RSVPs

In a perfect world, everyone would RSVP by the appropriate date. But you’re living in the real world, and there will be at least a handful of guests who remain impossible to nail down…and it WILL drive you absolutely nuts.

A wedding filled with printed bridesmaids dresses and a fresh take on nautical accents is sure to be a new favorite, add in Hunter Photographic and you have a gallery made of gold. Effortless planned by Kirkbrides Wedding Planning and Design, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From Kirkbrides Wedding Planning and Design…Cam and Wes met at The Island School in the Bahamas so a classic, tented wedding at Kirtland Country Club with a Bahamian flair was the perfect setting for their nuptials. The sailcloth tent from Everything Tented provided a stunning backdrop for a summer wedding in Cleveland.

The bride and groom chose the putting green looking out toward a gorgeous oak tree for their ceremony, a never-before-used area of the grounds. This allowed for an epic processional from the Clubhouse to the green, accompanied by the beautiful sounds of Sonata Strings of Cleveland Music Group.

After the ceremony, guests moved to the patio of the Club where they were greeted with delicious hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail of dark ‘n’ stormys, and steel drums provided by Jeff Neitzke of Cleveland Music Group. The beer boat was filled with Kalik, a Bahamian beer, and the Bahamian Androsia batik linens and custom corn hole set transported guests to a relaxed island oasis in the middle of Ohio!

Upon entering the tent for dinner, you couldn’t miss the bright, fresh floral arrangements by Cindy Hollister of Artisans Floral Design which popped in their crisp color palette of bright to light pinks and corals. Classic bistro lighting provided by Rock the House naturally lit the space.

Event Source provided lovely clear china, allowing the stunning Casablanca linens from La Tavola to shine. Guests dined on a brilliantly curated menu of fresh flavor profiles inspired by the culinary delicacies of the Bahamas.

As always, the semi-naked cake from Luna Bakery was stunning and tasted just as amazing as it looked! The cake topper was perfect for the theme of the evening – two fish kissing!

Thanks to the energy and charisma of the band, TCB, the dance floor was packed all night! I truly have never seen so many guests out on the dance floor at the end of an evening! Luckily guests were able to refuel with a late night snack from Chik-Fil-A, the groom’s favorite, and Mitchell’s Ice Cream!

This gorgeous wedding and all of its details were carefully captured by Hunter Harrison of Hunter Photographic. Just looking at the photos brings back all of the excitement and memories of a lovely wedding day!

Photography: Hunter Photographic | Coordination: Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design | Floral Design: Cindy Hollister | Cake: Luna Bakery & Cafe | Invitations: Patra Designs | Stationery: Read Lanctot | Makeup: Cleveland Bridal Makeup Co | Hair: Leah Oravec | Lighting: Rock the House Entertainment | Band: Cleveland Music Group | Officiant: Rev. Jeanne Leinbach | Ceremony Music: Cleveland Music Group | Transportation: A-1 Mr. Limo | Transportation: A Touch Of Class Limousines | Venue: Kirtland Country Club | Cocktail Hour Music: Steel Drums | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Event Source | Tent Rentals: Everything Tented

I’m one of those that needs a minimum of eight hours of sleep a night to feel fully rested. I soak up every one of those hours to recharge! But as many of us do, I’ve also been guilty of bringing things into the bedroom that can cause a disturbance to my slumber and mental well-being. Here are 8 things to ban from your bedroom for a better night’s sleep!

8 Things You Should Ban from Your Bedroom for a Good Night's Sleep

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8 Things You Should Ban from Your Bedroom for a Good Night's Sleep

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A saturated stylish wedding celebration that’s all sorts of inspiring — we’ve got the prettiest pics from the massively talented Into The Light at the Ballinacurra House to share. This wedding is as classic as it is colorful, not to mention crazy chic. The best part? We’ve got more waiting for you in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/177705279 600 338]

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From Into The Light…Maria and Fiachra, both Cork city natives, got engaged on a windswept day in the wilds of Donegal in May of 2015. Fiachra proposed with a beautiful blue topaz and gold engagement ring from Tiffany’s which soon became the inspiration for most of the wedding design.

Maria and Fiachra both attended the School of Medicine at University College Cork. They decided as a nod to their careers and how they met to hold the ceremony at UCC’s charming 18th century church, Honan Chapel. Afterwards, they along with their guests traveled 30 minutes to the seaside town of Kinsale for their reception at Ballinacura House. This exclusive, 17th century Georgian Mansion is beautiful with lush gardens and unique interiors. Unfortunately, the weather was not great on the day but Maria and Fiachra still braved the rain for some photos in the garden. As a nod to their favorite drink, their guests quickly cozied up to their custom Gin and Tonic bar, stocked full of local Ballyvolane gin.

Maria is also drawn to the rich color palettes of Dutch Master’s Golden Age paintings, so with the assistance of stylist and planner, Alise Taggart and floral design duo, Claire Ryan and Patsie Wrafter of The Informal Florist she created a lush floral and gilded garden inspired design for her guests.

The tables were styled with natural linen table cloths, hand dyed silk runners, gold cutlery and gold rimmed glassware, lined with varying heights of cut glass votives, antique brass candle holders with dark blue and ivory tapers, organic and lush arrangements intwined with trailing vines and scattered figs and pomegranates. The ceiling was covered in hanging greenery and the windows in fairy lights with covered vines. Maria and Fiachra chose a hand-painted blue and floral designed cake from Touch of Magic and danced the night away to Irish swing band, The Swing Cats – only after Maria sweetly sang the first song to Fiachra! Sally Balt of La Happy captured the design so well throughout the stationery. She created a custom gold wax seal monogramed with the couple’s initials which was used throughout the stationery from the invitation until the wedding day, even sealing the favors of gourmet chocolates from Cork’s English Market. The seriously talented and fun duo, Seàn and Jared of Into the Light, captured their day so beautifully!

Maria and Fiachra soon immigrated to Canada after their wedding day, but not before enjoying their honeymoon all over Italy!

Photography: Into the Light | Cinematography: B&G Productions | Event Design: Alise Taggart | Event Planning: Alise Taggart | Floral Design: The Informal Florist | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Cake: A Touch of Magic | Stationery: La Happy | Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Needle And Thread | Makeup: Kathryn O'Neill | Hair: Sobe Brown | DJ: Jungle Boogie | Band: The Swing Cats | Groom's Attire: Louis Copeland & Sons | Venue: Ballinacurra House | Bridal Boutique: Myrtle Ivory | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Getting Ready Venue: Hayfield Manor Hotel | Hair Accessories: jennifer behr | Reception Dress: Claire Pettibone | Reception Music: Laoise Leahy

Coastal Maine is high on my list of favorite places in the world, and this sweet couple felt the same. They rounded up their nearest and dearest for a dreamy seaside wedding with an unexpected touch of glamour, dressing bridesmaids in sparkly metallic shades to set the tone. Emily Delamater captured all the fun now at your fingertips in The Vault.

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From the Bride…We truly wanted a wedding for people to remember. From the unbelievable venue, to the band, food and decor. Picking the right vendors and people to help us was key, and made everything easy! People left saying it was the best wedding they had ever attended. We really focused on the “big white wedding” color scheme, we wanted to have a plush, luxurious feel with pops of navy and metallic champagne golds.

What was really important to us, was the immediate “wow” our guests would have when walking into the tent. We wanted to make a statement with swaging, drapery and beautiful lighting to accentuate the incredible coastline view of Maine outside the tent.

Our favorite moments were the last few hours of dancing, there have been so many weddings we have been to where there is only a few people on the dance floor. We had 100% participation of the entire wedding, moving and grooving on the dance floor having a great time!

The flowers were a large part of the elegant feeling we wanted for the tent, from the little roses tucked into napkins on the place setting, to the large lush center pieces on each round table…our flowers were incredible. Plus, our bouquets were stunning, we had little pops of blue with the anemone flower, clustered with roses and mini calla lilies. Our ceremony was held overlooking the water at 3 pm and knew that we could have some reflection off the water so we gave all of our guests some fun sunglasses favors, with our colors (navy and white), with the quote of the side saying “don’t be blinded by our love” with out names and wedding date. They were a hit and people wore them all day and night, and I am still getting pictures of people using them in their everyday lives. My gown was one of the easiest parts of the wedding. I wanted something a little sexy, but elegant and comfortable. I feel as though I am a little sassy, so the slit was perfect for that, as well as the comfort…it allowed me to move and even keep me a bit cooler on that hot Fourth of July weekend day.

I would tell any bride-to-be to start planning early. If you have the time, use it…because most people (so I have heard) are stressed the week before their wedding, even into the day of their wedding. I had none of that, I enjoyed every minute because I made sure to space out every single piece of planning, and I could not have done it alone. My partner through the whole process was Heidi from SHE Luxe Weddings was so on top of everything, so the schedule we made together kept us on track and stress free.

Photography: Emily Delamater Photography | Event Planning: SHE Luxe Weddings & Design | Floral Design: Emily Carter Floral Designs | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Trillium Caterers | Makeup: Jessica Candage | Band: Groovin You Band | Venue: French's Point | Lighting + Draping: Maine Event Design & Decor | Rentals: Peterson Party Center | Sationery: Julie Hanan Design

I’m all for beautiful blush and pretty pink any day of the week but pops of red might just be my new favorite wedding hue. Have any doubt? Just gaze upon Samantha Kirk’s elopement inspiration pics right here and you’ll be dialing up your designer with new ideas pronto. See every image in our Vault right this way!

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From Samantha Kirk Photography… Every bride dreams of running off to a far away country to elope with her love, so we wanted to inspire that bride with this Italian styled elopement which happens to be nestled in the hills of California. We wanted to create a story that shows the love of these two as they go off and elope, sharing moments of just them two without the chaos of a wedding day. The beautiful hills and calming environment is what any bride would dream of for her wedding day. How beautiful is this red inspired bouquet to bring in that pop of color for such a day as she wears the beautiful Hayley Paige dress. So much inspiration for the bride to be.

Photography: Samantha Kirk Photography | Floral Design: Laura's Floras | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Makeup: Elona Chap | Hair: Samantha Kirk Photography | Calligraphy: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy | Venue: Villa Florentina | Bridal Boutique: La Soie Bridal | Female Model: Crystal Willams | Film Processing: Pro Photo Irvine | Hair Accessories: La Soie Bridal | Male Model: Elbert Mock | Ribbon: Fleuropean | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Just like the guests at this celebration, we too would’ve traveled clear across the globe to attend. Because when you’ve got Kim Balasubramaniam at the helm planning a champagne-fueled celebration in the Cotswolds countryside, well we’d say that’s more than worth it. Complete with a stunning garden ceremony it was a day filled with love, fun, and happiness a.k.a the perfect evening in England for them to take back home to Shanghai. See it all captured by Zosia Zacharia Photography in The Vault!

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From Zosia Zacharia Photography…Daisy and Haibin’s wedding was a real international affair, with the bride, groom and all their guests traveling from all sides of the world to the picturesque setting of the Cotswolds. The wedding day started at Lucknam Park hotel and spa – a beautiful Palladian mansion with a sweeping driveway and over 500 acres of parkland. This picture perfect couple wore an Oscar de la Renta gown and a Tom Ford suit; a real touch of glamour in the countryside!

Daisy and Haibin were whisked away in a vintage Rolls Royce adorned with a garland of flowers to the setting for their wedding reception; Valentina’s Lost Orangery. Guests were invited to the celebrations with a stunning invitation by Cutture which featured a 3-D silhouette of the Orangery and couple (there is a photograph of the couple above the water on what looks like a bridge – which is exactly the same as their invitation). A colour palette of palest blush, peach and sage green with a pop of coral and ran throughout every element of the wedding from the stationery to Daisy’s beautiful bouquet.

The Lost Orangery is a completely hidden gem in the Cotswolds countryside – the Orangery and the stunning gardens provided the perfect backdrop for a day’s celebrations; as soon as we saw the venue we knew it would be ideal – it had us as soon as we saw the outdoor chandelier!

During the cocktail hour, which took place by the water, guests who had flown in from around the world, feasted on canapes and champagne to the sounds of an acoustic double bass and guitar duo. Fragrant flowers filled the venue, even decorating a little rowing boat on the lake; Georgia from Westwood Design used English roses, orchids and dahlias in tones of blush, peach and coral which echoed the blooms in the gardens themselves.

The intimate nature of this wedding allowed all the guests to be seated for dinner on one long table in The Orangery. Urns of fragrant flowers and fruit ran along the length of the table and candles placed in antique brass candlesticks completed the look. A personalized menu sat at each place setting and the guests enjoyed a delicious five course wedding breakfast.

The couple were keen for the evening to be a fun affair, so Daisy changed into a gorgeous red Oscar de la Renta mini dress, and popped on some Dolce and Gabbana heels. A close-up magician delighted the guests and we had a jazz band playing in the background.

The party continued long into the night, with some guests even taking to the microphones themselves! A celebration filled with love, fun and happiness and the perfect memory of England to take with them as they start their new life together in Shanghai.

Photography: Zosia Zacharia Photography | Event Planning + Design: Kim Balasubramaniam | Floral Design: Westwood Design | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Stationery: Cutture | Bride's Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana | Rings: Harry Winston | Catering: Eat5Star | Makeup: Kate Kelvin | Band: The Modern Way through Alive Network | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Venue: The Parsonage | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Getting Ready Venue: Lucknam Park | Magician: The Modern Way through Alive Network | Ribbons: Kate Cullen | Ring Boxes: The Mrs Box | Vintage Rolls Royce: Premier Carriage

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There’s really no cozier time of year than fall to gather around a pretty table and get your party on. Warm plaid throws, copper mugs filled with cider (plus donuts!), and of course, gorgeous blooms to boot. So trade in that girls shopping trip for a little autumn face time like this shindig from Chrissy McDonald and Torrey Fox. See even more in The Vault!

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From Harlowe James… A few months ago Torrey and I thought it would be really fun to get a group of girls together and dress up in our favorite fall clothes for an outdoor breakfast get together. We wanted everything to feel laid back, but have a festive fall vibe to get everyone excited about this magical time of year. The menu consisted of warm apple cider in copper mugs, bourbon bundt cake and cinnamon donuts. The table was topped with floral arrangements consisting of gorgeous dahlias, roses and eucalyptus in warm hues which were set in rustic wood vase holders to add nice texture. Florals add so much color to a table that everything else needed to be pretty neutral. I like to layer unexpected items as well like an orange plaid blanket set at a diagonal and apple buckets tipped over for a more organic approach.

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Photography: Torrey Fox Photography | Chair Rental: Big 4 Party Rentals | Event Design, Floral Design + Wardrobe: Chrissy McDonald | Jewelry + Styling: A Blonde and Her Bag | Photo Styling + Food Styling: Torrey Fox Photography | Wardrobe Styling: Sierra Chantal | Wardrobe Styling: Veronica Arrieta

If you want to spoil your wedding guests in the very best way, take notes from Chris and Andrew. They treated their six guests to the celebration of a lifetime at the height of autumn splendor. The day included a heartfelt ceremony, yummy spiced cocktails, cozy blankets, and a knockout table design brought together by Kate Siegel, Max Gill, Bright Event Rentals and La Tavola. Grab yourself a PSL and get your fall fix in the gallery shot by Sylvie Gil.

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From the Grooms… We pulled our color inspiration from the persimmon tree, on the side of the house, and the stonework around the home. We wanted to embrace our surroundings and play off what was already naturally there. As a result, we drew from the beautiful fall colors, which ended up being the perfect color palette!

Chris’ parents have a house in St. Helena so we love the town and know the area well. It looks especially great in the fall when the leaves have turned colors!

We actually had our “official” wedding in Nevada City, CA (in Gold Country) however a lot of our close friends could not make it – or were not invited due to space constraints. Consequently we decided to hold another ceremony and reception for close friends in the Bay Area that couldn’t make the initial event.

We had such an incredible time. It was a beautiful day; the air was crisp but the sun was shining and there was no wind (which is something you hope for when planning an outdoor event!) The leaves of the trees had already turned colors, but the leaves had not yet dropped. We were very thankful to be surrounded by close family and friends.

From Kate Siegel Fine Events… Chris and Andrew’s wedding is the height of curated autumn style – each detail so thoughtfully chosen to draw feelings of warmth and intimacy out of the fall splendor. A color palette inspired by persimmon trees – deep orange, yellows and reds – perfectly matched the changing leaves of their St. Helena venue and lent a coziness to a ceremony with only six guests.

Shades of grey marked the invitation suite and cake, giving a neutral contrast to the November opulence. Dark wood pieces mixed with industrial accents balanced warmth with masculinity and modernity, while tall, carved candelabras added a classic touch. A stunning table garland designed by Max Gill mixed an array of foliage and florals into a lovely, wild centerpiece of the outdoor reception.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Event Planning: Kate Siegel Fine Events | Floral Design: Max Gill | Cake: The Whole Cake | Invitations: Yonder | Lighting: Theoni Collection | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Groom's Shoes: The Black Tux | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: The Ark Event Rentals | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

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Event Planning

Kate Siegel Fine Events

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If you thought Halloween was restricted to one day a year, think again. Because we’re rounding up a few of our favorite wedding day details that are as chic as they are synonymous with the season. That’s right, we’re swapping out the scary for stylish and thankfully we’ve got every hauntingly beautiful bit waiting for you to favorite below! P.S. Find more Halloween inspiration in The Vault!

Scary Chic Wedding Details

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Scary Chic Wedding Details

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An Ode to Halloween: Our Favorite Black Gowns

Whether you’ve got Southern ties or not, you’ve got to admit that those Southern-inspired babe names are pretty darn cute. We’ve got our eye on one or two for our very own baby boy on the way! From the little ladies to the handsome mini gents, here are 40 cute-as-a-button names for your sweet charmer.

The Sweetest Southern-Inspired Baby Names

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The Sweetest Southern-Inspired Baby Names

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Make DIY Wallpaper Panels for your bebe’s nursery!

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More inspo for your bebe this way…

30 of the Cutest Ever French Baby Names
Creative Celebrity Baby Names That Aren’t Totally Crazy Pants
60 Twin Baby Name Pairings that Would Make Mary Kate + Ashley Jealous