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Classic Maine Wedding with a Glam Twist

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.

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

Is Red The New Blush!? We Vote Yes!

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!

From Samantha Kirk PhotographyEvery 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

We Would Travel Clear Across the Globe to Attend This Wedding!

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 PhotographyDaisy 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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How To Celebrate Fall with Your Best Girlfriends

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!

From Harlowe JamesA 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

The Ultimate Fall Wedding Designed in Shades of Orange

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 SiegelMax GillBright Event Rentals and La Tavola. Grab yourself a PSL and get your fall fix in the gallery shot by Sylvie Gil.

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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Scary Chic Wedding Details You’ll Want to Steal

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

40 of the Sweetest Southern-Inspired Baby Names

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

This Colorful Halloween Elopement Is Serious About Fun

You’re cordially invited to the coolest wedding in the whole wide world: Christina + Morgan’s intimate seaside elopement. Because not only did this beautiful bride rock tinted tresses (uhm, we’re uhb-sessed!), but this sweet couple’s officiant just so happened to be Christina’s boss and all around cool chick Jen Gotch (Founder of ban.dō). So you better bet that this beachside ceremony is all types of sweet, sentimental, and serious about fun. See it all captured by the incomparable Kati Rosado in The Vault!

The Vault

From Kati RosadoI was in my car when I was driving to North Carolina. I had a workshop, and then a mentor session in Atlanta immediately following and I knew I was going to be tired after this week. Then my cell phone rang. I read “Los Angeles” and I thought “Who would be calling me from L. A.?” I answered it and it was none other than the lovely Christina Winkelmann. She informed me that she and her love were traveling the country on a long road trip and then planned to elope in Miami that weekend and they wanted me to photograph it. I normally would have said no to not only a last minute elopement, but one that would require me to drive from Atlanta to Miami right after driving from Florida to North Carolina, and then North Carolina to Atlanta! But hearing their story and their heart for travel and each other, I simply could not pass up such a special, quirky, and heart-felt elopement. It was so lovely to meet Christina, Morgan, and their officiant (and Christina’s Boss, founder of Bando) Jen Gotch and her beau.

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Photography: Kati Rosado Photography | Officiant: Jen Gotch, Founder of ban.dō

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After Secretly Saying “I Do” in June, Michael Phelps + Nicole Johnson Exchange Vows Again in Cabo

After secretly tying the knot back in June, Olympian Michael Phelps and longtime love Nicole Johnson made it extra official Saturday with another ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Sunday morning, the happy newlyweds took to Instagram to share the news with sweet photos featuring the bride in a custom Julie Vino wedding dress. Now, excuse us as we stalk the new Mr. and Mrs.’ Instagrams, desperately waiting for a photo of little Boomer in his wedding day wear.

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A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on


Photography: Courtesy Nicole Phelps

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Elegant At Home English Summer Wedding

At home weddings warm my heart and when your home happens to be as spacious and stunning as this English manor, well then, how can you NOT say “I do” here!? Weddings by Nicola and Glen captured it all – from the Bride’s chic style to the adorable little ones and these never-ending florals. See it all in our Vault right this way!

From Weddings by Nicola and Glen… Suzanne and Graham’s wedding day was a luxurious, super fun affair at our couple’s home in West Sussex. Family friend and wedding planner Hannah Nottage made sure everything was planned to perfection for Suzanne and Graham and used her little black book to get the best creative team enlisted for their wedding.

Our Bride spent the wedding morning at home surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Suzanne looked sensational in a British designed Suzanne Neville dress and the most stunning Louboutins. Her bridesmaids wore floaty floor-length gowns in soft pink.

The ceremony took place in a romantic old English church in a nearby village. Talented London florist Charlie Mac Design adorned the doors and aisles with fresh flowers and foliage. The designs were loose and unstructured, subtly incorporating fruits and berries, to suit the countryside setting.

Music was a definite highlight throughout the day! Famous soprano Laura Wright (who sang for the Queen of England’ 90th birthday recently) performed classical pieces while guests arrived at the Church and during the ceremony.

After the ceremony everyone returned to Suzanne and Graham’s home for the drinks reception. Guests enjoyed oysters being freshly shucked, Nyetimber English sparkling wine and a further performance by Laura Wright as they floated between the beautiful interiors and terrace.

For the dinner everyone moved to the marquee overlooking the lake. The marquee looked gorgeous thanks to Charlie Mac Design. Oversized and wild floral displays floating on geometric gold structures created instant impact! A giant floral garland on the top table created an impressive focal point for the bridal party. Rhubarb catering served a delicious three course dinner including lamb two ways and espresso martinis to get everyone ready to dance after dessert!

The evening party was the highlight of an already incredible day! Graham had two Best Men for the day, one of which happened to be Patrick Olive, the bassist for legendary soul band Hot Chocolate! Not only did he serenade the couple with a song he wrote himself for their First Dance, but right afterwards the entire band walked onto the stage as a surprise to play a full set for the party!

Photography: Weddings by Nicola & Glen | Event Planning: Hannah Nottage | Floral Design: Charlie Mac Design | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Catering: Rhubarb | English Sparkling Wine: Nyetimber | Soprano Singer: Laura Wright | Soul Band: Hot Chocolate

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Rain Didn’t Ruin This Backyard Wedding!

If you think four inches of rain within an hour is enough to derail an outdoor wedding, you better think again. In fact, “After a brief delay in the bride’s family home as the worst passed overhead, guests cast off their shoes and gents rolled up their pant legs for a parade of umbrellas to usher the Wellie-clad bride and groom as they wed under a tree in Sara Kate’s parents’ backyard,” described Gibson Events. Go see the fun for yourself through the lens of Brett Heidebrecht.

From Gibson EventsInterior designer Sara Kate Huff of Sara Kate Studios and Commercial Real Estate investor Jason Little aren’t known for doing things less than exceptionally.

When it came to her wedding the free flowing bride-to-be didn’t want to be tied to a theme or color, but more a feel. She wanted a bright, eclectic aesthetic that mirrored her personality. Using vintage textiles and furniture pieces from the bride’s inventory she and event designer Lindsay Gibson envisioned a comfortable, quirky and one of a kind wedding at the bride’s parents’ estate. With inspiration in hand, two floral design teams The Southern Table and Poppy Lane Design worked in tandem to create wild, natural flower arrangements and installations in shades of red, pink, peach, orange, white and green.

As many know in theory but fewer know in practice, it is the joining of souls, not the weather that determines the joy of a wedding day. Sara Kate and Jason took in stride the four inches of rain that fell in an hour beginning about half an hour before their ceremony was to begin. After a brief delay in the bride’s family home as the worst passed overhead, guests cast off their shoes and gents rolled up their pant legs for a parade of umbrellas to usher the Wellie clad bride and groom as they wed under a tree in Sara Kate’s parents’ backyard where she’d had a tree fort as a child.

Following the nuptials, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a reception in a tent aglow with strung lights and candles. Tables came alive with dynamic floral arrangements antique china, glassware and vintage flatware from the bride’s own collection. During dinner guests were entertained when Sara Kate took the dance floor with her father and Jason with his mother. The group had secretly been taking ballroom dance lessons and showed off their skills to Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.”

The groom’s wedding day priority was the music. While they were celebrating their engagement in London, the couple heard an amazing DJ at a cocktail lounge. Sara Kate and Jason spoke to DJ Junior Otamon for a while at the lounge and asked him on a whim if he’d consider a wedding reception in Oklahoma! He agreed and brought the house down at the party with his mix of soul and R and B classics.

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Amy Cakes | Invitations: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Catering: Cheevers | Hair + Makeup: Chelsey Ann Artistry | DJ: Junior Otamon | Cocktail Entertainement: Box Talent | Design + Production: Gibson Events | Personal + Ceremony Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Reception Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design | Rentals + Decor: Marianne's Rentals for Special Events | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents | Valet: Exquisite Valet

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Two Fall Trunk Shows You Just Can’t Miss

Need a reason to break out the bubbly and celebrate? Well one of our fave bridal shops on the planet, Lovely, is hosting TWO amazing trunk shows and we’re throwing on our party shoes pronto. Think a plethora of beautiful + knowledgeable Lovely locales meets the stunning gowns from Anna Campbell meets the boho vibes of Rue De Seine. Mark your calendars, because this is beyond awesome.

Known for her elegant + sophisticated styles, Anna Campbell’s newest collection, Ceremony, is everything you’ve ever wanted in your Big Day attire, plus sooo much more than that. From the beyond flattering silhouettes to the intricate details that will WOW to the breathtaking craftsmanship that literally shines through each and every piece of silky fabric, we can’t wait to see these stunners in person.

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Anna Campbell Trunk Shows

Philly: 10/14-10/16 |  LA: 10/21-10/23 | San Francisco: 10/28-10/30 | Washington DC: 11/11-11/13 | Rochester NY: 11/18-11/20 | Houston: 12/9-12/11 | Charleston: 12/16-12/18

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Ultra-feminine and completely free-spirited, Rue De Seine’s latest collection, Love Spell, is for all of you lovelies looking to walk down the aisle in a seriously stunning boho beauty.  Think gorgeous details woven into every.single.gown, the finest of fabrics and a laid-back, yet completely elegant vibe that we can’t get enough of.  You’re guaranteed to fall sooo in love.

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Rue De Seine Trunk Shows

NYC: 10/28-10/30 | Houston: 11/26-11/28 | Philly: 12/2-12/4 | Miami: 12/9-12/11 | San Francisco: 12/16-12/18 | Washington DC: 1/6-1/8 | Charleston: 1/13-1/15

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Contact Lovely today to book your appointment, because that dream gown? They have it, y’all.

Host a Last-Minute Candy Making Party This Weekend!

Adulting has its perks (ahem, wine!) but it also has its drawbacks. For instance, it is no longer acceptable to put on a costume and go door to door doing cartwheels for candy. Unless I suppose, you’ve got kiddos and they share theirs with you. But you know what’s WAY more fun? This genius candy-making soiree from Lauren Kelp, which is the perfect little party idea to keep in your back pocket straight through the holidays. See how to make it happen in four easy steps and grab the recipe below!

From Lauren KelpHello, hello, my favorite festive friends! How has your fall been? Can you believe we are already halfway through October?! Holiday season is officially around the corner and we are talking all about how to get the jump on party planning today (it involves wine so you know it’s going to be good!)

The holidays can get so hectic and while everyone wants to get together for parties, potlucks, and mini gift exchanges, your already busy schedule can’t handle much more. Sound familiar? It’s true! We are busy birds but we also love a good get together, so that is why we are throwing a candy making party! That’s right, folks, four party-planning steps, one killer chocolate almond bark recipe and you’ve got yourself one heck of a party! It’s almost too good to be true, right? Wrong! It’s the best idea ever! Whether you want to be fabulous and make your own Halloween candy, try a dry run for Christmas presents, or be extra prepared and get a holiday party on the books, this candy making party is legit and perfect for so many reasons.

1. WINE + CANDY = MAGIC

Everyone loves a good get together, but everyone loves it more when good wine is involved. You know I am right! Here is a hint, it involves delicious chocolate, sliced almonds and the most perfectly paired Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet you’ll ever had. The rich flavors of dark chocolate paired with the complex oak and cherry notes of the Cabernet are legitimately divine!

2. GATHER THE GALS

When sending out the invites for your fabulous candy-making party ask your guests to bring their favorite chocolate bark, toffee, or caramel recipe to share with the group! Grab some index cards or print off this recipe card (made by the amazing Ashley Cooper Design) for your guests to do a fun recipe share! For our get-together, we had the ingredients of two of our favorite bark recipes—white chocolate and cranberry bark and a dark chocolate and almond bark—already prepped and set out. This way, while your guests are swapping recipes, pouring wine, and catching up, you can have some candy already set out and ready to whip up!

3. PREP THE SPACE

Whether you’ve got a big island that everyone can gather around or a tiny little galley kitchen, it’s important to create a designated candy-making space. Since my kitchen is the latter, I clear off my dining room table and have everything all laid out and ready to go. That way, my friends can sit around the table, drinking wine and catching up, all while making their own little tin of candy from the pre-prepped ingredients on the table. Not interested in going the individual tin route? Have a few bigger baking pans and have everyone work on those. Once the candy is done, you can break up and divvy up then.

4. GOODIE BAGS

You are hosting a candy-making party, of course, there have to be goodie bags! Luckily, they are wildly easy and most of the work is already done for you. Grab a few clear plastic bags (your local grocery store should have them in the baking aisle) and a packet of twist ties, and if you are feeling really fancy you can make or buy little name tags for your bags! Cut up the candy into squares and divvy them up amongst the bags and voila! Add in those recipes you asked everyone to bring and you’ve got yourself one heck of a little parting gift.

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Chocolate Almond Bark
prep time
15 Minute/s
cook time
30 Minute/s
total time
45 Minute/s
Serves 16Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
  • Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Instructions
  1. Pour yourself a big ol’ glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and let’s get to baking!
  2. Line a 9x13 inch-baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. Put chopped almonds in a skillet and cook over medium high heat, until golden brown and remove from heat. PRO TIP: you want to stir often so the almonds don’t burn!
  3. Melt your chocolate chips and shortening in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir every once and a while to break up any bits.
  4. Once smooth, remove from heat and stir in half of the toasted almonds. Spread onto the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining almonds, and chill 30 minutes, or until solid.

Now, how freaking easy was that?! Okay, here comes the best part—the wine. When you think of perfect pairings, you probably think of peanut butter and jelly, milk, and cereals, and, every adult’s favorite, chocolate, and wine! Pair this chocolate bark with a glass (or two!) of Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

The Cabernet’s notes of black cherry and vanilla pair so well with the nutty flavors in the chocolate almond bark, it’s like magic. The Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet is truly one of my favorite wines. We always have a few bottles on hand when entertaining and it never fails to impress our guests. So friends, what do you think? Ready to host your own candy-making party?! We can’t wait to see! Happy hosting, my friends!

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Photography: Constance Higley | Copy: Lauren Kelp | Recipe Card: Ashley Cooper Design | Wine: Kendall-Jackson

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A Stylish Wedding Weekend in the South of France

In case you needed a little virtual escape, we’ve got just the ticket. It’s a celebration set in the South of France with an avant-garde style, taking wedding design to the next level. Clayton Austin photographed, MotionCraft Creative filmed, and we have the entire wedding weekend right at your fingertips.

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From the Bride…Wow! What fantastic memories we have from our fabulous wedding day! Those who know Allan and I had a feeling that we would try to create something unique once we had announced our engagement. It helps that I am a Communication Designer and a self-confessed detail freak! I am obsessed about the details and the little touches that can make events so special.

When I began planning the wedding, there were so many things that were important to me. But above all else, I wanted the day to be about us. I didn’t just want it to be pretty and beautiful. What I really wanted were little details to catch the eye, helping to make the day special for both us and our guests.

All that being said, the challenges soon began to mount up and we decided very quickly that we needed a wedding planner to help us on our exciting journey. We had already begun researching and visiting locations, so once we knew we wanted to have it in the South of France, we started contacting some planners. Pretty much straight away we found the team at By Mademoiselle C. For all you brides-to-be reading this, planning a wedding is so challenging on its own. But planning a wedding abroad without making a trip to the location every week is just about impossible. So find yourself a good planner!

As a designer who has worked on a variety of projects and also happens to be German, I immediately began thinking very strategically about the whole thing. Once I had decided upon the planner, location and venue, I started dreaming and imagining the whole thing in my spare time. This was the most challenging bit for me. I knew that I would style, design and create all our wedding stationery myself, but it actually didn’t help being a professional designer – I simply had too many possibilities flying around in my head. I knew I would definitely send printed invitations as I am obsessed with beautiful paper. My goal was to create something that we could send out which symbolized the wedding mood itself and what the guests could expect when it came to colors, fabrics, and the look/feel of the day. This was hard as I had to start envisioning everything without having planned all of the actual details. But, it all came together beautifully. We sent out a pale blue custom-made box, embossed with a copper wedding crest which I had designed out of our initials and some abstract lavender illustration.

I started putting together color palettes using Pantone color cards. Slowly but surely I had the courage to start putting a presentation together using InDesign and it included all the little things I had discovered which had made me excited about the big day. I collected and scanned hand-written letters from my husband’s aunt. She had written little sayings and phrases taken from the family in beautiful handwriting and seeing as I love (love, love!) calligraphy, this was a perfect little touch.

I thought about colors that make us both happy. Even though I am a huge pastel fan, but I found the colors to be a little too playful for a wedding day. Instead, I decided to go with washed out pastels. They are much more reserved but also so elegant. Blush, dove grey, pale blue and pale lilac were the shades we chose. Step-by-step, we edged closer to our actual look for the day. In a nutshell: poetic, fabric pastel, glamorous. On the big day itself, we were finally able to see all the little details fall into place at the venue itself. It was just so beautiful and I was so happy that guests loved all the little touches I had been carefully agonizing over for so long.

Looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. I had such an amazing time, and both the videographer, Sebastian, and our genius photographer, Clayton, were just fantastic on the day. They both captured the day in a magical way!

Photography: Clayton Austin | Cinematography: MotionCraft Creative | Design: elmo Paperstories ltd. | Event Planning: By Mademoiselle C | Wedding Dress: Shanna Melville | Invitations: elmo Paperstories ltd. | Stationery: elmo Paperstories ltd. | Bride's Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Hair + Makeup: Magali Junemann | Favors: elmo Paperstories ltd. | Venue: Château Grimaldi

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Colorful Sonoma Wedding with an Ombre Petal Lined Aisle

If you thought this was just another Sonoma wine country wedding, think again! Because this couple not only rocked an ombre aisle of rose petals on their big day, but they also incorporated color like you wouldn’t believe. From the prettiest pink reception dreamed up by Charmed Events Group, LLC to the blushing bouquets, Melanie Duerkopp captured it all to share in The Vault!

From Charmed Events Group LLCLet’s have color, more color…And lots of it! This was the resounding theme of this sweet couple as we started to design the day. Because their wedding was taking place during the heart of summer at one of the most beautiful venues in Wine Country, we wanted to make the wedding fun, colorful, cheery and bright! We used a fun color palette of sherbert hues in coral, mustard yellows, peach, and shades of pink for the design, paired with summer fruits you’d find on fruit stands such as mini oranges and lemons.

Their ceremony took place on the lawn at Cornerstone Gardens with the lovely vineyards on the side and a waterlily pond in the front. With the help of Poppy’s Petalworks, we created a draped opening that was adorned with jasmine vines and bright and cheery blooms. The aisle showcased a decadent and full display of ombre petals in their color scheme. We adorned the aisle chairs with colorful ribbons in their palette accented with blooms.

For cocktail hour, we had a “refresh” station of flavored lemonades for guests to enjoy. Each guest had a mason jar labeled with their names that were pre-filled and guests were invited to take their mason jars home as a memento of the day. We had bowls of fruit to welcome guests at the bar during cocktail hour as well as when they arrived at the ceremony.

Their reception took place under a beautiful tent. We had a beautiful tablescape of coral linens accented with fresh bowls of fruits and beautiful flowers in gold urns. The most unique part of their wedding were the customized, floral placemats that were individualized per guest, they made for an amazing pop of color on the tables. We also accented each place setting with mini sprigs of oranges. Guests enjoyed dinner under the tent and then danced the night away in the barn.

Photography: Melanie Duerkopp | Event Planning + Design: Charmed Events Group, LLC | Floral Design: Poppy's Petalworks | Cake: Carolyn Wong | Stationery: Charmed Events Group, LLC | Hair + Makeup: Joli De Jackie | DJ: Spintronix | Ceremony Music: Trio Maxim | Venue: Cornerstone Sonoma | Event Rentals: Standard Party Rentals | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Say Ya Photobooth

A ‘Garden Party’ Bridal Shower With Shades of Lavender

Hello, SMP readers! I’m so excited to be here sharing my sweet garden bridal shower planned by my maid of honor Ashley Slater, one of my bridesmaids, and a sweet friend, Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events. They designed a stunning celebration all around my love of the color lavender. From gorgeous linens, blooms, and sweet personal touches throughout, I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Take a peek and grab some garden party inspiration for yourself!

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The Setting

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The Florals + Decor

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The Food

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The Favors

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The Fun

From Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events… >Michaela has such a romantic and feminine style so incorporating those attributes into her shower was a must! Also, as a long-time friend of Michaela’s I know she loves the color lavender and is including that at the wedding so I made sure to bring in lavender with the linens and vintage glassware. I then balanced all of that lavender with some soft pinks and other muted colors like ivory, blush and pink seen throughout the centerpieces and vintage plates. The gold flatware and gold framed signs with fun details about M and her fiance McCann were the pretty final details making up the tablescapes! It was a beautiful summer day for an even more beautiful bride to be!

From Ashley Slater Photography (maid of honor)…I was so thrilled to be able to throw Michaela a bridal shower in the gorgeous gardens of Aquinas campus. I knew I wanted it to be reflective of her wedding day color palette and once I found the invitation on Minted, I used it to build the rest of the day. I had the greatest help in Rhiannon, from Hey Gorgeous Events, who helped choose linens, dishes and really bring Michaela’s feminine style to life! We used signage from the same calligrapher Michaela had hired for her wedding and the watercolor floral elements were used throughout the setup. Of course, as beautiful as it was, the best part was sharing in such a special day, watching Michaela open gifts under a beautiful weeping willow and eating lots of delicious food! It was such a sweet day and great representation of the perfect Michigan summer afternoon!

Photography: Ashley Slater | Floral Design: Hey Gorgeous Events | Invitations: Minted | Venue: Aquinas Holmedene Gardens | Cookies: Mahdris Cookie Kitchen | Dishes, Flatware + Goblets: Gigi and LaClede | Linen Rentals: Special Occasions | Michaela's Dress: Rent The Runway | Ribbon + Runners: Adorn Company | Signage: Graceline Art

Peek back at my wedding inspiration!

Michaela Warner

Blogger Bride
Spill Those Wedding Registry Secrets!

There’s nothing we enjoy more than brunch with our ladies and spilling secrets over croissants and coffee. Girl talk is essential – especially during the wedding planning process when everything can become overwhelming within seconds. Including wedding registries. But since we all can’t gather together this morning (though, how great would that be!?), we’re hosting a little Facebook chit chat and hoping you’ll tell all when it comes to your registry. Hop on over and give us the goods!

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The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

Wedding Registry ABCsUnique Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items

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#SMPWedding101 – Photo Album Tips + Trends

I just received my own wedding album (!!!!) so I fully appreciate the time and talent that went into creating something that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. But I’m also aware that when beginning the album process, well, it can be a bit overwhelming. The Album Room is here to help all you brides (and newlyweds) out there so you’re better informed and prepared. After all, your album is the last piece of the puzzle and deserves just as much attention as all the other pretty parts!

 

Planning For Your Wedding Album:

  • Add your wedding album to your gift registry! Guests can contribute to preserving your special day in a beautiful keepsake.
  • Make sure your photographer documents the details! They not only serve as unique reminders but are great images to transition from one part of the day to another in the album.
  • Don’t forget Mom and Dad; they of course love a few group shots but you don’t want too much time taken away from the essence of your day. Typically, people only include 4-5 key group shots in their album anyways.
  • You might want to carry on dancing but give your photographer a few minutes at the end of the day to capture one last prime moment with you and your beloved. You want your last image to be a lasting one!

Our Top Album Trends Of The Moment

  • The quaint, portable 9 inch by 9 inch size that used to only speak to parents is making a huge impression on brides and grooms. Big things come in small packages!
  • Although leather is still the front runner when picking an album cover, our sturdy but fun Buckram material is winning a competent silver medal. Buckram is a cotton fabric treated with a protective shield. It looks very classy in a pearly ivory or graphite grey.
  • The classic look of a matted album has come a long way since it was the only style on offer when our parents were married. However, it now competes with the slender, chic flush-mount albums of today.
  • The wraparound picture is making a comeback to replace the more traditional emboss (check out our Coffee Table book)!
50 Amazing Emotional Moments
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50 Amazing Emotional Moments
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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Wayfair
Skillshare
Animoto

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

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

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

For our Southwest Brides… Don’t miss upcoming trunk shows at Lovely’s in Houston!

For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers (Estate Jewelry and Wedding Bands)!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, giveaways from NST Pictures and OLLI STUDIO and don’t miss the Anna Campbell and Rue De Seine trunk shows at Lovely NYC location Oct. 28th – Oct. 30th, and the Rosa Clara trunk shows at Designer Loft Nov. 4th – 6th and Nov. 11th – 13th!

Photo Album Advice: The Album Room

A Destination Wedding Planned From Across the World

If you’re intimidated by the idea of planning a wedding abroad, take notes from this couple, DJ and Lauren. They coordinated their big day on the Spanish island of Mallorca via emails and Skype and did it all without breaking a sweat. Ana Lui captured the pretty from beginning to end with even more to see inside The Vault.

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From Ana Lui PhotographyDJ and Lauren met through mutual friends while out in Chicago (where Lauren is originally from). They both were in relationships at the time but stayed in touch and reconnected a couple of years later when the timing was right. DJ was living between Dallas and Chicago and Lauren was living in Chicago. They had a long-distance relationship for a year before Lauren decided to make the move down south (to Dallas) to be closer to DJ.

They chose to get married in Mallorca at beautiful Belmond La Residencia in Deia, which is a small village in the mountains. DJ took Lauren to Deia a few years back and she fell in love with the place.

Since the wedding took place in Spain and was mostly outdoors, the bride and groom really wanted to have a rustic feel. The hotel was an old olive press so they have chosen olive branches incorporated into everything from the bouquets to table settings to the bridesmaid’s headdresses.

For flowers, Lauren chose white roses and freesia flowers with olive foliage. Lauren is more of a minimalist and didn’t want anything to take away from the beautiful backdrop and location. The dinner area was decorated with fresh lemons hand picked from the hotel gardens.

When I asked Lauren about her experience with getting married abroad and planning the wedding via emails and Skype she said it wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. Deia is a small village, so allocating the guests and getting everyone out there was pretty straight forward.

From the Bride…To say I was surprised when DJ proposed is an understatement. I had absolutely no idea, which made the day incredibly special and memorable. The proposal took place at DJ’s parent’s house in the country in Scotland. We were taking a walk through the forestry on their property, which is a common activity we both enjoy when we are in Scotland when I noticed he was being a bit quieter than usual. The sun was close to setting and we came to a beautiful little lake. I turned around and he held out the box with the ring. The rest of the evening was a blur.

I never experienced anything like it. It was so peaceful and beautiful yet unpretentious. After thinking of places that had a special meaning to us, Deia stood out.

The best decision was to get married in the church. There were other places we could’ve had the ceremony on the property and around Deia that would’ve been pretty but the church was incredibly historic and beautiful.

Photography: Ana Lui Photography | Cinematography: Ana Lui Photography | Event Planner: Undercover Events | Floral Design: Joanna Walton Flowers | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Belmond La Residencia Mallorca | Entertainment: Velvet Music | Groom's Attire: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Groomsmen's Attire: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Venue: Belmond La Residencia Mallorca | Earrings: Kenneth J Lane | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Furniture Rentals: VL Lounge | Lighting + Production: Velvet Music | Stationery + Invitations: Southern Fried Paper

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Gorgeous Wedding Planned Sight Unseen!

For Adwoa and Phillip, an intimate, elegant, fuss-free wedding was at the top of their priority list. With just three months to plan, they found a venue (the incredible Belmond El Encanto) online and let their vendors work their magic on the rest. The result? A wedding completely sight unseen that turned out pretty dang perfect. Gloria Mesa photographed and you can see it all inside The Vault.

From the Bride…We initially planned a small elopement (just the two of us) at the Santa Barbara courthouse followed by a destination wedding in Costa Rica. As the health concerns related to the Zika Virus came up with 3 months to go, we changed directions and opted for a small destination ceremony in Santa Barbara. 

We wanted something small and intimate that reflected us. Phil’s outdoor laid-back peaceful nature with accents of simple elegance (me!) We found the venue online and our parents went to view it. Everything else was done sight unseen!

Photography: Gloria Mesa Photography | Event Planning: Kristyn Booth | Floral Design: Coco Rose Design | Wedding Dress: La Reve Couture | Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bebe | Hair + Makeup: Meko White Makeup And Hair | Bow Tie: The dapper Dude | Officiant: Pastor Dwayne Duncombe | Ceremony Music: David Dudley Violinist | Venue: Belmond El Encanto | Birdcage Veil: Custom made by Bride | Engagement Rings: Mimis Jewelry | Groom's Gift: Movado | Grooms Ring: Cocobolo Wood | The Event Booth: Akua Opuku-Boateng

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here