A winding wedding table in the woods sounds pretty darn magical, no? How about if I told you that said woodland celebration just so happened to be this pretty lil’ wedding from Peter & Veronika. And the best part? It’s all waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Peter and Veronika…This Slovak-Korean wedding of Hana and Jozef was a perfect reflection of their personalities. On one hand sophisticated, delicate and romantic like Hana, on the other hand vivid, lively and bountiful just like Jozef with his Slovak temperament. Their wedding was a beautiful merge of two cultures and their traditions. The reception was held under Slovak apple trees and the guests were cooling themselves with Korean fans! Here, under the blue skies at Wiegerova Villa a new big family has emerged and we couldn’t have been happier to witness that.

Photography: Peter & Veronika | Event Design: Ponk Rentals | Floral Design: Ponk Rentals | Wedding Dress: Raimon Bundó | Hair + Makeup: Alena Zahorska | Venue: Wiegerova Vila

Working your way towards a dream kitchen doesn’t have to mean a full blown demolish and rebuild of your existing space. Sometimes it’s as easy as reworking what you’ve got, adding a new countertop and accessorizing accordingly. Kendall Simmons is a mastermind of stunning interiors and her latest kitchen is proving you don’t have to start from scratch. Read up on her 6 tips for crafting a gorgeous kitchen on a less than total rebuild budget. Plus tour even more of this pretty kitchen shot by Alyssa Rosenheck here.

Sometimes there’s no other option than to totally tear out your kitchen and start fresh. But more often than not the bones are great, they just need to be reimagined in a different way! As little as one small change can make the difference between hating your kitchen and loving it. By adopting some of the following ideas, you can breath new life into your kitchen!

 Change Out Your Countertops

This home is only about 8 years old, but because it was originally built as a spec house the Kitchen finishes were basic builder grade (read: speckled brown granite and tumbled travertine tile). Our first order of business was to pull out all of the old countertops and backsplash. Habitat for Humanity was thrilled to receive the donation of all of this pristine granite! I replaced the brown granite countertops and travertine backsplash with a combination of polished Calacutta Lincoln marble and solid white quartz.

Instead of using tile for the backsplash, I used full slabs of the same marble as the island countertop for a continuous look. Think outside the box with your countertops! You can add an interesting edge detail, or even a waterfall island like this one! Designer Tip: If you’re nervous about fully committing to marble countertops throughout your entire kitchen, consider using it on your island only. Then you can use a more durable quartz or granite near your range where the wear and tear is heavier.

Add New Decorative Lighting

If your kitchen doesn’t have any decorative lighting, add some! Especially over an island. In most cases, it’s easier than you think for your electrician to add them onto an existing switch. Designer Tip: When in doubt, scale your kitchen lighting up! Bigger is almost always better over a kitchen island, just keep the fixtures relatively ‘open’ so that they don’t obstruct your line of site through the room.

Swap Your Standard Counter Stools for Something Cozier

Replace your hard, uncomfortable counter stools with ones that feel like real furniture. Swap out hard wood or metal for comfy upholstered seats with backs. If you’re concerned about stains, consider your most durable options. For this kitchen, the bench counter stool has a washable velvet slipcover that can be laundered as needed or replaced if anything horrible happens to it! The individual stools are upholstered in hair-on cowhide which is inherently stain resistant. Leather is another great option.

Refinish Your Existing Cabinetry

If you love the existing layout of your kitchen, and especially if you’re keeping your existing appliances, I recommend repainting or refinishing the cabinetry that you have. It’s the change that will give you the most bang for your buck. But, unless you’re a seriously good painter, I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. Hire a professional who can spray the doors and drawers to get a perfect finish. I promise it’s worth every penny! The existing cabinetry in this Kitchen was cream with a brown glaze that was seriously dating the room. I had the cabinets painted Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray and it completely reinvented the room!

Exchange Your Cabinet Hardware For Some Bling

Think of your cabinet hardware like jewelry. Replace your boring old knobs and pulls with a more sophisticated style. Consider something colorful or with an interesting inlay. Or, glass knobs are a great way to incorporate some sparkle without going too far over the top.

Paint a Chalkboard Wall

Do something fun! Consider adding a chalkboard or magnetic wall. Your kids and guests can leave messages for you, or you can do what I did and bring in a chalk artist to design artwork for special occasions! Either way, it adds a fun and interactive element to your room!

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30 Dream Kitchen Moments that'll Make You Want to Renovate

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30 Dream Kitchen Moments that'll Make You Want to Renovate

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Photography: Alyssa Rosenheck Photography | Cabinetry Paint Color : Sherwin Williams "Nomadic Desert" | Counter Bench: Lee Industries | Counter Stools: Jessica Charles | Custom Chalk Mural: The Perfect Little Life | Interior Design: Kendall Simmons | Island Countertop & Backsplash: Kendall Simmons | Kitchen Pendants: Robert Abbey | Leather Pouf: Wayfair | Perimeter Countertop: Caesarstone Pure White | Seating Area Chairs + Pillows: West Elm | Seating Area Chairs + Pillows: West Elm | Vintage Rug: Kendall Simmons

When college sweethearts, Danni and Matthew tied the knot they brought in two of the very best to capture their day. *Enter* Love & Light Photographs and NST Pictures who worked their magic to craft a photo gallery and film they’ll treasure forever. Take a peek at their ivory, pink and rose gold affair for inspiration galore.

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From NST Pictures… Danni and Matthew met on the first day of college…At Bed, Bath and Beyond! They already had mutual friends, but bumping into each other on the first day of school and then realizing they were in the same dorm quickly brought them together to become best friends and then start dating a year later. Seven years after that, they finally tied the knot at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, New York!

It was an emotional day that was filled with tears of love and, of course, laughter. The first look with the bride and her parents couldn’t have been sweeter, with Danni dabbing her mother’s eyes with a tissue. With black tie on the chic invitation, friends and family showed up dressed to the nine’s and watched as the gorgeous couple were pronounced husband and wife under a beautiful chuppah. Amidst a color scheme of ivory, rose gold and pink, Danni and Matthew’s chic modern Jewish wedding was the perfect fairytale “happily-ever-after.”

From Love and Light Photographs… Danni and Matt may have crossed paths with each other when they were 13 years old but it wasn’t until they traveled all they way to Bloomington, Indiana that they fell in love. On the very first day of school Danni spotted Matt at Bed, Bath and Beyond and found the courage to reintroduce herself. The two learned that they were living just one floor apart in the same dorm and instantly became best friends. Danni and Matt’s relationship started with a friendship, however, it was obvious to every single one of their friends that this blonde haired, blue-eyed couple were perfect for each other- and they were right!

After what felt like a very long summer apart, they returned to Indiana University for their sophomore year where Matt finally mustered the confidence to make his move. Since that day, their love has only continued to grow stronger and stronger, along with that amazing friendship that started it all.

Photography: Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer | Cinematography: NST Pictures | Event Planning: Imagine Party and Events | Stationery: Informally Yours | Hair + Makeup: Linda Gallo | Band: Kevin Osborne | Venue: Glen Island Harbor Club | Groom's Shoes: Hugo Boss

Jean Luc and Lana knew exactly what they wanted when it came to their spring wedding in Napa. Think crisp, clean, minimalist design with hints of soft blue amongst a sea of neutrals. Cole Drake Events took that vision and ran with it and Jose Villa, per usual, totally delivered behind the camera. More right this way…

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From Cole Drake Events…From the moment we met Jean Luc and Lana, it was clear how much this couple was in love. They were so excited to celebrate their love with one another with their closest friends and family members. Lana and Jean Luc wanted a clean design, a minimalist approach to their overall décor, and with the help of Kathleen Deery and Cole Drake Events, it was a complete success.

For the ceremony, the couple exchanged their vows under a newly designed arbor just after a fresh “good luck” afternoon sprinkle subsided. After the ceremony, their guests were greeted with tray passed beverages while they noshed on delicious canapes from the Carneros Inn. Organic linens and white florals embellished their table top while Amber Moon Designs popped hints of blue with their place cards (which also were their menus).

As a nod to Jean Luc’s heritage, guests dined on Coq au Vin, as one of their entrée choices, in a warmly lit room. Once dancing commenced, our room transformed with a color change to a dance club and guests danced well into the late evening. Jean Luc and Lana had a very specific idea of what they wanted for their wedding day and Lana’s reaction was absolutely perfect when she saw her vision finally come to fruition.

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Event Planning: Cole Drake Events | Floral Design: Kathleen Deery Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Elegant Cheese Cakes LLC | Invitations: Amber Moon Design | Catering: Carneros Inn | Hair + Makeup: Sherrie Long Makeup Hair & Effects | Lighting: The Lux Productions | DJ: Boutique DJs | Transportation: Wine Country Classic Limousine | Venue: Carneros Inn | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Encore Event Rentals | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Signage: Napa Valley Wedding Signs

You know how we celebrate 10 years of insanely gorgeous gowns from Lela Rose Bridal? By pouring ourselves a nice glass of bubbly and sifting through the latest and greatest from her iconic 2017 Collection. Because if anything deserves our full attention, it’s these awe-inspiring beauties featuring intricate pearl details and delicate trims + accessories. Join the festivities below.

An ode to Lela Rose’s heritage + unique craftsmanship, the newest 2017 Bridal Collection takes the iconic pearl detailing so well-known to the brand and weaves it throughout each stunning gown in the collection. Think jaw-dropping embroideries, amazing accessories and a modern meets classic aesthetic that will WOW each and every one of your guests.  From silky smooth fabrics to silhouettes that will flatter, the Lela Rose 2017 Bridal Collection pays tribute to YOU and YOUR story. We love that.

Whether you’re planning a grand ballroom affair or a simple garden party, the Lela Rose 2017 Bridal Collection is perfect for you and your Big Day. Visit them today to begin your dress journey… and be sure to “Cheers!” Lela on 10 amazing years.

If you needed further proof that California is pure perfection, allow us to introduce you to this sunny engagement session that’ll have you sold. Because when you’ve got the multitalented lens of Jose Villa Photography capturing sun-kissed scenes and one sweet couple, well that’s just as good as it gets. P.S. More from Jose Villa coming up!

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Photography: Jose Villa Photography

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Tips to Look Your Best at Your Engagement Session

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Jose Villa Photography

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Call me a cliché, but there is just something special about a wedding filled with pretty pink touches. Take this piece of pastel perfection from the madly talented Hello Blue Photo for example. Blooming with the loveliest blush hues that’ll make you melt. See it all in The Vault!

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From the Bride…After being a part of weddings and seeing wedding ideas on Pinterest I already knew exactly how I wanted my wedding; the colors, the theme, the elements and details. I had so many ideas but couldn’t tie them all together and felt a little overwhelmed by all of the ideas on Pinterest. It is so easy to get carried away pinning too many ideas! Lucky for us, having a creative family paid off when it came to all of the details. Jaclyn at Down Emery Lane worked with me to create all of the extra details for the big day. She made the ceremony programs which listed all of the names of the bridal party members and family. I loved the custom reserved signed for the ceremony benches. I wanted my family to know how important they were to me and I loved having their names on their seats to also avoid any confusion. The lantern at the ceremony was lit in remembrance of the father of the groom and although subtle, it was a nice touch that made the groom know he was loved by those here and in Heaven. Down Emery Lane created the circular thank you for the chargers on the table. It was VERY important for our guests to know how much they mean to us. We wanted them to feel special, this was OUR day, and we were so happy to have each of them there. When two people get married, it is just not the two who join, but two families that join as well. We wanted everyone to feel as loved as we did. I loved the names on each of the table settings and the guests found that as a lovely surprise when they arrived at their seat. The kids all had clipboards with custom designed coloring sheets for their entertainment during the wedding.

When meeting with wedding photographers, I knew I wanted to make sure we both felt super comfortable and have a connection with them. Once we started talking at our first meeting with Christina, we knew she was the one. I felt like I knew her for a long time and she really understood us and the vision we had for our special day. We knew we wanted someone that made us feel comfortable and someone to capture candid photos with not a lot of editing, Christina did just that! During the process I felt like our communication was genuine, she really cares about her clients and what they want. We felt like she could take charge of our wedding to capture the photos we wanted and make sure everyone felt comfortable in front of the camera. Christina is amazing, we had a lot of family photos and a wedding party of fourteen, and she took charge and took the most amazing photos!

Photography: Hello Blue | Coordination: Down Emery Lane | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Film Processing: Pro Photo Connection

Just as important as the crib and other nursery staples, are the cute accessories that really make it shine. This one has the best decor. From cactuses and adventure, to bold, geometric prints and a fun, modern way of decorating with black and white. See how baby boy Axel is going to be spending his first few years with imagery captured by Caught You On Camera and even more in the VAULT.

This is my son Axel’s nursery- he is due anyway now and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival! We have one other son Grayson, whom is 6. We went through infertility and many surgeries and losses before our son Grayson was born and never thought we would have to endure that again.

All these years later our journey and struggle only got harder. We have 3 angel babies, but are so excited to welcome this angel baby – another boy, named Axel!

This nursery is very special to us because it signifies so much more than a room. It is a safe sanctuary our friends and family have all poured love into to bring this miracle home. I tried to do something different with a small footprint that will grow with him as he does.

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51 Reasons Black and White is Having a Moment

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51 Reasons Black and White is Having a Moment

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Photography: Caught You On Camera | Design: Christina Waldron

An engagement ring is one of the most important pieces of jewelry a woman will ever wear, so the pressure is on to find the perfect one. But if anyone knows about finding the perfect engagement ring, it’s Harry Winston.Whether you’re looking for yourself or shopping for your future fiancé, your engagement ring journey can begin and end with Harry Winston. With their tradition of exquisite and beautiful jewelry, Harry Winston is the perfect place to find “the one.”

Engagement Ring Shopping Tips

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Engagement Ring Shopping Tips

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Just imagine, escaping to the Talloires, France and vowing forever with the one you love, incredible scenery and all. That’s exactly what Kat and Sam’s wedding looked like, and BrittRene Photo captured as the entire adventure.

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From BrittRene Photo…If France wasn’t already an ideal place to get married, Kat and Sam chose Talloires because it was where their romance began. And I was lucky enough to capture it all!

“After a weekend watching the final of the Tour de France in Paris together we decided 2 days wasn’t enough and extended the trip by jumping on a train to join a family holiday in the Alps. After a few days of hiking and canyoning in the mountains we cycled down to the lake which is where the romance blossomed with a kiss on Lake Annecy just a few 100 meters from the wedding venue.”

Photography: Brittrene Photo | Coordination: Majenia | Floral Design: Cote Naturel | Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano | Invitations: Bad Cass France | Bride's Shoes: John Lewis | Jewelry: Mikimoto | Jewelry: Lauren York | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Anne Blanchard Bridal Wear | Hair + Makeup: Alice Wright | Band: Four Kicks | Venue: Abbaye De Talloires | Cake + Desserts: Philippe Rigollot | Jazz Band: Circle Trio

As my husband and go through the naming process for our own little growing pumpkin, we’re finding ourselves drawn to the short and simple one-syllable names. There’s something about them that feels so timeless and fitting to carry our little human from baby to adult. And to us, feel a bit more natural with our own last name. Looking for a short and sweet name? Check out this list!

One-Syllable Baby Names that are Easy to Pronounce

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One-Syllable Baby Names that are Easy to Pronounce

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Paper Wisteria Backdrop DIY for a Flower-Inspired Shower

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See our full baby name archives here!

Calling all fabulous New England brides – this one’s for you. Because today we’re teaming up with one of our fave jewelry stores, Long’s Jewelers, to break down that age old question: which wedding band + ring combo should I choose? From classic solitaires to eternity bands to yellow gold beauties, we’ve got your answers. Scroll below to find the one perfect for you and yours.

The Classic Pairing

New England brides are known for their classic meets rustic chic style; we all know that. And when it comes to wedding jewelry, there’s nothing that falls within that category more than a single solitaire engagement ring paired with a breathtaking eternity band. Perfect for the bride who dreams of a Grace Kelly-esque wedding (read: all of us), it’s a look that will never go out of style. Sooo incredibly timeless.

Featured: Four Prong Diamond Solitaire (LMT2591) and Diamond Eternity Band (DETP1663)

Modern Yellow Gold Pairing

If you thought that yellow gold was reserved for your mother, grandma or friend who said “I do” in the 80’s, think again, loves… yellow gold is back with a seriously stunning vengeance. We promise. Long’s Jewelers suggests pairing this sweet metal with a modern halo and then adding a unique (+ drop-dead gorgeous) infinity swirl band for a perfectly awesome update to the traditional. We are so on board with that.

Featured: Diamond Halo Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold (LDM7293) and Diamond Infinity Swirl Band (LDB1877)

The “Boston” Ring

Fun fact of the day? The classic three-stone ring was created in the great, great city of Boston (we’re sort of partial), which makes it THE quintessential engagement ring for all of New England. Even better? This awesome setting allows you to mix and match with stones… use your mother’s, your grandmother’s, your mother-in-law’s… or your own. And when it comes to pairing this Beantown Beauty with a wedding band, Long’s Jewelers suggest a bead set diamond eternity band for an amazing look.

Featured: Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring (FRTH0170) and Bead Set Diamond Eternity Band (LDB1665)

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A Feminine Touch

We love, love, love a rose gold setting, especially one that has been paired with a white gold metal. It’s a mix and match we’re totally on board with and when it comes to romance, well… it doesn’t get any better. Try one of Long’s Jewelers awesome halo engagement rings with a stunning oval diamond (sooo pretty) and adding a rose gold halfway diamond band. The results are flawless.

Featured: Oval Diamond Halo Engagement Ring (LDMS0066) and Halfway Diamond Band in Rose Gold (LDB3157)

Vintage Details

Speaking of romance, Long’s Jewelers‘ lineup of drop-dead gorgeous vintage-inspired pieces basically owns the term. From halo engagement rings with intricate detailing to bezel set diamond eternity bands, finding that perfect pairing that evokes the beauty of yesterday is as simple as saying “YES!” to the one you love. And also soooo unique… and awesome.

Featured: Vintage Inspired Diamond Halo Engagement Ring (LDM7321) and Bezel Set Diamond Eternity Band (LDB1858)

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Can’t wait to find that perfect pairing for your bridal jewelry? Contact Long’s Jewelers TODAY or stop by one of their four locations throughout Massachusetts or their new location opening this fall in Nashua, NH.  Their years upon years of experience (seriously… they’ve been open since 1878) and talented staff (family owned and operated) will help you locate that wedding band + engagement ring of your dreams.

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A Special Offer!

Use this coupon for 10% off your wedding band purchase.

Photography: Newbury Photographs | Jewelry: Longs Jewelers

In all honesty, if you asked me to list some of my favorite venues to say “I do”, an airport hangar wouldn’t be first on my list. However, I’ve quickly changed my tune after seeing this wedding by Blue Rose Photography. Full of light and bright blue skies, a blank slate was transformed – via Carina Van Son – into this romantic, love-filled scene. And don’t miss the film by First and Foremost Productions – an airplane getaway? Yeah, this is good. See it all right this way!

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From the Bride… While planning our wedding we wanted to keep things that mattered most in the forefront: our family, our friends and our love.

We incorporated small details that made the day extra special; a rosary from each grandmother around the bridal bouquet, hand written notes to our parents and vendors, and a surprise plane ride as our getaway, to name a few.

We smiled so much our faces hurt, and at the end of that one incredible day – we were married!

From Carina Van Son… The hangar was almost completely white. It provided a blank slate to let our imagination run wild. We wanted to preserve the light and airy feel while also making the room feel more intimate and warm. We did this by hanging bistro lights throughout, alternating low blooming arrangements with tall branches, and adding an area of soft seating for Korryn and Kyle to sit during the toasts. Our floral focus was a lot of lush, loose greens and blooms to make the florals look natural and soft.

Photography: Blue Rose Photography | Cinematography: First And Foremost Productions | Coordination: Carina Van Son Weddings | Floral Design: Carina Van Son Weddings | Wedding Dress: The Dress Theory | Cake: Desserts by Kelly | Invitations: A Soiree Shop | Bride's Shoes: Nordstrom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Castle Catering | Groom's Attire: Combatant Gentlemen | Venue: Tri-cities airport | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory

We can’t think of better inspiration for a baby shower than a favorite children’s book. It always makes for an adorable theme. But taking that story, in this case, Where the Wild Things Are, and turning it into a knockout celebration complete with gold crowns deserves a standing ovation. Take a peek at this Queen of Bebe Showers captured by Heather Rowland with even more in the VAULT.

Fresh flowers, bright mixed berry assortments, and marble-painted balloons were just some of the details that made this shower so unique special for “Little Lackey”.

With cacti around every corner and puppy portraits hanging on the wall, Amanda Lackey and her dearest friends gathered in Lauren Essl’s living room to open gifts and celebrate mama and babe.

Handmade gold crowns, warm pastries, warm crown-shaped sugar cookies were a few of the details that came together to create this Where the Wild Things Are baby shower that was one for the books! This sweet celebration with sweet family and friends was intimate enough for a small gathering but large enough to provide an enormous amount of support for Amanda and her family.

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22 Off-the-Registry Baby Shower Gifts the Parents-to-be Will Love

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22 Off-the-Registry Baby Shower Gifts the Parents-to-be Will Love

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Photography: Heather Rowland Photography | Calligraphy and Invitations: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Home of: Blue Eye Brown Eye

There are weddings, and then there are wine country weddings. The latter? Totally and undeniably perfect. With East West filming the fabulousness and Luna de Mare Photography behind the lens snapping the beauty, we’ve got this gorgeous greenery filled celebration waiting for you to witness in The Vault!

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From Luna de Mare Photography…The quintessential Virginian wedding of Lia and Thomas was the epitome of elegance and grace. Located in Wine Country, the Historical Keswick Hall is nestled amongst rolling hills and vineyards, with a grand view of the Blue Ridge mountains, boasting the sprawling landscape of a pristine golf course on the property.

Designed and produced by Amore Events, the palette was kept clean and understated, with lush green garlands lining the chairs of the ceremony site, and beautiful White florals interspersed throughout the design. Paired with cut crystal and soft candlelight glowing with an air of intimacy and classic elegance, guests enjoyed aperitifs and cocktails, along with cuisine served in the dining area indoors.

Under the Moon and Stars, this classically beautiful wedding continued for outdoor twilight dancing and merriment, complete with a grand sparkler exit for the sweetest bride and groom, who gracefully kept smiles on their faces even when faced with a bit of rain.

Truly a wedding filled with honest love, friends and family and even their little pooch who couldn’t resist a little FaceTime with the cutest floral garland, this was the stuff of dreams, and I was honored to capture it all alongside an amazing team.

Photography: Luna de Mare Photography | Cinematography: East West | Floral Design: Amore Events by Cody | Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta | Cake: Sweethaus | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Hair + Makeup: Avenue 42 | Calligraphy: Written Word Calligraphy | Lighting: Blue Ridge Lighting | Groom's Attire: Ticknors | Venue: Keswick Hall | Bridal Boutique: The White Flower Bridal Boutique | Bridal Boutique - Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Coordination + Design: Amore Events by Cody | Table Scape Decor + Linen Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

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Written Word Calligraphy

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What do you get when you combine mimosas and matrimony? Why this colorful brunch wedding of course. It’s Brooklyn meets bold details and we’ve got it all captured by Emilia Jane Photography in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Tom and I first met in high school in Orlando, FL and reconnected in New York City in November of 2013. He proposed on July 30, 2015 at the Top of the Standard in Manhattan.

New York City has been our home for a number of years and we wanted to celebrate our marriage in the city we both love. After touring many event spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn, the River Cafe was our last stop in early September of 2015. We were both immediately drawn to this beautiful and historic restaurant next to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Many people asked why we chose to have a daytime wedding. The truth is, we not only wanted to do something a little bit different but we also wanted to show our closest family and friends why we enjoy living in NYC so much and what we like to do on a typical spring Saturday – enjoying the city with our friends!

We were married in an intimate ceremony in the private garden behind the River Café, overlooking downtown Manhattan. After the ceremony, we moved to the flower-bedecked terrace for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by lunch in the garden room. It was doubly amazing when we noticed the FDNY fireboats shooting water in all directions behind us on the East River!

Having our wedding celebration at the River Cafe combined many things that we both love: a beautiful and historic setting by the Brooklyn Bridge, wonderful food at a Michelin star rated restaurant and breathtaking views of the NYC skyline.

Another favorite part of the wedding planning process for me was working with wedding dress designer, Samantha Sleeper. I found her line in a tiny boutique in Brooklyn and decided to reach out to her directly to meet her. Soon after visiting her studio in Gowanus I found the dress of my dreams, a beautiful combination of lace and flower embroidery. After working together from January to May, we became friends and she also attended our wedding.

Having a daytime wedding celebration was a dream come true for us and our families and we could not be happier with our choice.

Photography: Emilia Jane Photography | Styling: Liz Polden | Wedding Dress: Samantha Sleeper | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Anny Chow | Hair: Andy Tseng | Groom's Attire: Custom Born To Tailor | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: The River Café | Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Getting Ready Venue: McCarran Hotel Brooklyn

We’ve been known to tackle an home hack or two around these parts. From bar carts to entry benches to console tables, they’re a great go-to get-the-look for all those dream home pieces that would otherwise break the bank. Here’s what we keep stocked in our toolbox to make it happen!

Home Hack Essentials

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Home Hack Essentials

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Jaclyn and Cody? They’re sooo adorable. And what does an epically sweet duo like them do when they tie the knot? Throw an amazing wedding, of course. Think gorgeous florals from Moments in Bloom, a classic outdoor locale like Pala Mesa Resort and a never-ending supply of seriously cute moments all captured by the talented heidi-o-photo. Oh, and there’s a s’mores bar. See it all in THE VAULT.

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From the Bride… Cody and I met freshman year of college in 2008 at San Diego State University. We lived on the same dorm floor and were part of the same group. We started dating in March of freshman year and were together all throughout college.

I always wanted my wedding to be outside, but I didn’t want the beach so I started looking at venues in North County since I knew it would be more green up there. We looked at a couple of venues but Pala Mesa was just gorgeous. It matched our vintage but modern style and the staff there made it very easy. We loved that the ceremony and reception would take place in the same place and everyone could stay there, as well. It’s also a golf course so we knew we could go out and take pictures. It was perfect!

We are both very easy and down to earth people and I feel like our wedding reflected that. All the details were thought out but not overdone. We also aren’t attracted to bright colors so we kept everything pretty muted but classic.

The only D. I. Y project we had was our favors—the s’mores package. There was a fire pit at the reception site so we put together little s’mores packages for everyone to either make there or take home. We ordered the signs from Etsy and them bought the supplies from Michael’s and the grocery store. I was lucky enough to have my family help me put them together.

The whole day was memorable but I definitely have a few moments. I will never forget the first look. I had been nervous all day and was getting more and more nervous as we were getting closer. As soon as I saw Cody and we get to spend some time together my nerves completely went away. At the point I was just so excited to get married and wanted to do it right then. I think the other memorable moment was just seeing all of our friends and family together having a great time and celebrating us. I was nervous about bringing together all of these different people but everyone got along so great and everyone had fun. I am still hearing how much fun people had at our wedding.

Everyone we worked with was absolutely fabulous. Our photographer captured the most amazing photos, our florist created exactly what we talked about and the makeup artist and hairstylist made everyone looked great but still natural. Our DJ and officiant were outstanding as well. We loved everyone!

From the Groom… One of my most memorable moments was when I saw my mom for the first time. It was right before the first look so I was super nervous but seeing how excited she was made me excited. She also looked amazing. Another moment was waiting for Jaclyn to come down the stairs for the first look. It was very intense. And then of course seeing her for the first time was amazing. During the ceremony seeing Jaclyn’s parents bring her down the aisle and seeing how happy everyone was, was awesome. I loved know that that was my new family.

Photography: heidi-o-photo | Floral Design: Moments In Bloom | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Cake: Cakes To Celebrate | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Makeup: Makeup By Nancy | Hair: Ashley Christman | DJ: C Squared Events | Venue: Pala Mesa Resort | Photo Booth: Mobile Photo Booth

To simply state that Mackenzie of Design Darling is ah-dorbs would be putting it mildly. For not only is she as sweet as a summer peach, but she’s got style for days and her love story? Well, it’s truly spellbinding. From their Tinder beginnings to their walk down the aisle, our newest blogger bride will be sharing every bit with us and we’ve got the engagement story waiting for you below!

From Mackenzie of Design Darling… Hi, fellow brides! I’m so excited to get started as Style Me Pretty’s newest blogger bride. My name is Mackenzie and I own Design Darling, a lifestyle blog and online boutique. I launched my blog as a junior at Bucknell and my boutique a few months after graduation and recently moved from New York to Dallas, where my fiancé Will grew up. We are currently planning our Nantucket wedding for Labor Day weekend 2017 and can’t wait to share the process with all of you!

Will and I met on Tinder of all places! For a while I begged him to come up with a different story to tell our family and friends but now we just own it! I wrote a whole post about it here if you’re interested in learning a little more about our relationship.

Will proposed on Christmas Eve while we were walking our dog during a trip to Maine with both of our families. It meant the world to me to walk back inside and be able to celebrate with our parents, my Grandy, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins — it truly couldn’t have been a more perfect or personal moment!

I’ve known from the time I was a little girl that I wanted to be married on Nantucket. My family has owned a home there since the 1890s and my parents were married in the same chapel thirty years ago! It’s such a special place to me and my family and of course one that Will has come to love as much as I do since we started dating.

We decided on a longer engagement because many of our favorite spots on the island were already booked for the summer of 2016 so we decided we’d rather wait until 2017 and get everything on our wishlist! I know a twenty-month engagement isn’t right for everyone but honestly it’s been perfect for us — I have loved having a little extra time to make decisions and enjoy the planning process without feeling too stressed.

We hired Cameron & Kelly Studio as our photographer after hearing rave reviews from friends of ours who had hired her to shoot their wedding a couple years ago. Cameron has a knack for capturing happy candid moments which is a must as far as I’m concerned! I couldn’t wait to take her out to Nantucket for the first time to shoot our engagement pictures. She definitely did not disappoint!

We wound up shooting three looks in four different locations. My favorite pictures feature this MDS Stripes skirt at Sankaty Lighthouse and on Broadway in ‘Sconset — I just love how graphic the navy stripes are against the red stripe on the lighthouse! We chose one of these shots for our save-the-dates (which we sent out this month — a little early but we wanted to give our guests plenty of time to plan their travel!). I live in stripes practically year-round so this outfit was an easy choice. We kept Will’s outfit blue and white to coordinate without being too thematic.

Then we chartered our favorite sailboat for a few more pictures. It’s one of our favorite activities on the island and something we’ve done together every summer since we started dating! I wore an off-the-shoulder sweater from Club Monaco and high-waisted navy sailor shorts by Finders Keepers. This was probably the most challenging of the three looks we shot because it was so windy on the boat (you can probably tell my hair was going crazy!) and we had to wait for the right lighting. I’m so glad we tried the sailboat pictures because they feel so “us” but I’m also really glad Cameron suggested shooting a couple outfits on land as well.

We did both of those shoots on Saturday and then woke up Sunday and shot a more casual outfit on the beach with our dog Rory and a few in town just to show Cameron more of the island. I know most couples don’t spend a day and a half taking their engagement pictures but I really recommend taking as long as you need! It was such an amazing way to get to know our wedding photographer and help her get a better feel for Nantucket so that we’ll both be more comfortable next September.

I hope you enjoy our engagement pictures as we love the way they turned out and I’ve been so excited to share them! I can’t wait to have them turned into a hardcover book for our coffee table and hang a couple of them around our home in Dallas. I know my Grandy is already hounding me for a couple copies! :) I hope you’ll stay tuned over the next year as I share more of our Nantucket wedding planning process!

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Photography: Cameron & Kelly Studio | Clothing: MDS Stripes skirt | Clothing: J.Crew silk camisole | Clothing: Club Monaco off-the-shoulder sweater | Clothing: High-waisted shorts (similar) | Clothing: Saint James striped shirt |

If you thought Kara and Bill planned just another country club wedding, think again. Because their sweet summer soiree? Well, it’s a total stunner. From the Bride’s backless ballgown, to the monogrammed cake, every detail Mint Photography captured is crazy chic and we’ve got it all in The Vault!

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From Mint Photography…Kara and Bill’s gorgeous black tie wedding was a stunner in so many ways! Kara looked like a modern day princess in her Lazaro gown. The detailing on the bodice and the full skirt was breathtaking and we love how she paired the gown with a soft classic look for her hair, so chic! The floral was amazing and the perfect color scheme to keep things elegant and blend with the country club beauty. From the overall style and perfectly soft color palette of the wedding, to the gorgeous setting and sunset on the golf course, it was a magical day. They finished out the evening with one of our favorite bands performing for the reception and as you’ll see it was one heck of a party!

Photography: Mint Photography | Cinematography: Moonlit Weddings | Coordination: Life Styled Events | Floral Design: Stems Floral Design + Event Styling | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Invitations: The Inviting Pear | Ceremony Venue: Westminster Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Austin Country Club | Hair + Makeup: Flair Style Lounge | Band: Matchmaker Band | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab